COLUMBIA, Md., Feb. 16, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EventTracker, a security information and event management (SIEM) technology innovator, today announced that Info Security Products Guide, the industry's leading information security research and advisory guide, has named EventTracker v8.2 a gold winner at the 2017 Global Excellence Awards in SIEM and a silver winner in Managed Security Service. The security industry celebrated its 13th Annual 2017 Global Excellence Awards in San Francisco by honoring excellence in every facet of the industry including products, people behind the successes, and best companies. More than 40 judges from a broad spectrum of industry voices from around the world participated, and their average scores determined the 2017 Global Excellence Awards finalists and winners. Winners were announced during the awards dinner and presentation on Feb. 13, 2017 in San Francisco attended by the finalists, judges, and industry peers. EventTracker technology is comprehensive and complete with modules for every facet of security monitoring. In addition to basic log management and advanced SIEM features, EventTracker also includes support for behavior anomaly detection, threat intelligence integration, correlation, alerting, and flexible reporting. Modules for intrusion detection systems (IDS), vulnerability scanning, network and flow monitoring and now a HoneyNet deception framework are also available. EventTracker is unique in the industry as a vendor that offers both best-in-class SIEM technology for self-service and a 24/7 intelligence-driven security operations center (SOC) to provide a fully managed service. This is a critical differentiator because the skill shortage of experienced analysts is the leading cause of SIEM products becoming unused shelfware. Info Security Products Guides recognition of EventTracker v8.2 further validates our product as excellence-in-class. We enable our customers to not only invest in technology but the outcome they desireprotecting their network and sensitive data from todays evolving threat landscape, said A.N. Ananth, CEO of EventTracker. This industry honor is the greatest endorsement to the fact that EventTracker v8.2 is ahead of the curve when it comes to the best-of-the-best products that can provide the highest levels of security in the SIEM and managed security service markets. Tweet this: .@LogTalk (EventTracker) wins in #SIEM, #managedsecurity categories at Global Excellence Awards http://bit.ly/2l9jgLM Resources EventTracker v8.2 EventTracker YouTube EventTracker Case Studies About Info Security Products Guide Info Security Products Guide plays a vital role in keeping end-users informed of the choices they can make when it comes to protecting their digital resources. It is written expressly for those who are adamant on staying informed of security threats and the preventive measure they can take. You will discover a wealth of information in this guide including tomorrow's technology today, best deployment scenarios, people and technologies shaping info security and market research reports that facilitate in making the most pertinent security decisions. The Info Security Products Guide Global Excellence Awards recognize and honor excellence in all areas of information security. To learn more, visit www.infosecurityproductsguide.com and stay secured. About EventTracker EventTrackers advanced security solutions protect enterprises and small businesses from data breaches and insider fraud, and streamline regulatory compliance. The companys EventTracker platform comprises SIEM, vulnerability scanning, intrusion detection, behavior analytics, a honeynet deception network and other defense in-depth capabilities within a single management platform. The company complements its state-of-the-art technology with 24/7 managed services from its global security operations center (SOC) to ensure its customers achieve desired outcomessafer networks, better endpoint security, earlier detection of intrusion, and relevant and specific threat intelligence. The company serves the retail, hospitality, healthcare, legal, banking and financial services, utilities and government sectors. EventTracker is a division of Netsurion, a leader in remotely-managed IT security services that protect multi-location businesses information, payment systems and on-premise public and private Wi-Fi networks. www.eventtracker.com. Twitter: @logtalk. CHICAGO, Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Brilliant, a leading search, staffing and management resources firm specializing in accounting, finance and information technology, announced today they have won Inavero's Best of Staffing Talent Award for providing superior service to the working professionals they represent for the second year in a row. Presented in partnership with CareerBuilder, Inavero's Best of Staffing Talent winners have proven to be industry leaders in service quality based completely on the ratings given to them by the permanent and temporary employees they have helped place into new positions. On average, talent of winning firms are 3.6 times more likely to be completely satisfied with the service they receive compared to those working with non-winning agencies. Award winners who earned the Best of Staffing Award for service excellence make up less than 2 percent of all staffing firms in the U.S. and Canada. Focused on helping to connect accounting, finance and information technology professionals with the right opportunities, Brilliant received satisfaction scores of 9 or 10 out of 10 from 68 percent of their placed job candidates. This is significantly higher than the industry's average of 47 percent. "Our company is dedicated to providing excellent service to our colleagues working on client assignments. Our goal is to be the first choice of employer for accounting, finance and information technology professionals in the markets we serve. We are honored to be recognized for our efforts," says Brilliant CEO Jim Wong, CPA (Inactive). "Staffing firms are giving top companies a competitive advantage as they search for talent in North America," says Inavero's CEO Eric Gregg. "The 2017 Best of Staffing winners have achieved exceptionally high levels of satisfaction and I'm proud to feature them on BestofStaffing.com." To learn more about Brilliant's most recent recognition, click here. About Brilliant Connecting People and Opportunities Founded in 2009, Brilliant is an award-winning search, staffing and management resources firm specializing in accounting, finance and information technology. Brilliant's team of business development and recruiting experts include former Big 4 CPAs, hiring managers and leading industry professionals in the greater Chicago and south Florida markets. Brilliant's mission is to make people's lives better and that includes its clients, candidates, colleagues and communities. Since its inception, Brilliant has made impressive strides emerging as a leader within the staffing, recruiting and management resources space by achieving the following recognitions: Crain's Chicago Business Fast 50, Staffing Industry Analysts Fastest-Growing Staffing Firms, Chicago's and the Nation's 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For, Inc. 5000, Staffing 100 List for North America and Inavero's Best of Staffing Talent. To learn more, visit www.brilliantfs.com. About Inavero Inavero administers more staffing agency client and talent satisfaction surveys than any other firm in the world. Inavero's team reports on over 1.2 million satisfaction surveys from staffing agency clients and talent each year, and the company serves as the American Staffing Association's exclusive service quality partner. About Inavero's Best of Staffing Inavero's Best of Staffing Award is the only award in the U.S. and Canada that recognizes staffing agencies that have proven superior service quality based completely on the ratings given to them by their clients and job candidates. Award winners are showcased by city and area of expertise on BestofStaffing.com an online resource for hiring professionals and job seekers to find the best staffing agencies to call when they are in need. Media Contact: Laurie Canning, CSMP, Marketing Director, 312.582.1812, [email protected] SOURCE Brilliant Related Links http://www.brilliantfs.com FORT MILL, S.C., Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Britax Child Safety, Inc., is conducting a voluntary recall on B-Agile and BOB Motion stroller models identified on https://us.britax.com/recall. This recall only affects the strollers when used as a travel system: consumers can continue to use their stroller without the car seat attached to the stroller. The recall comes after Britax received reports of damaged Click & Go receiver mounts on the stroller frames causing the attached car seats to unexpectedly disconnect and fall. Some of the reported incidents included minor scratches, bumps and bruises. After a thorough investigation of these incident reports, Britax found that damage to the stroller frame can occur when the stroller is stowed or dropped while the Click & Go receivers are still attached. "Even though the ratio of incidents is less than 0.2 percent, that number is too high," said Maria Montano, president of Britax Americas. "We invest everything we have to deliver a safe product that parents can depend on. We're already taking the appropriate steps to do better." Consumers should immediately stop using their B-Agile and BOB Motion strollers as a travel system. It is still safe to use the stroller in the recline-mode for infants. Do not return the product to the retailer. Britax recommends that consumers dispose of their existing Click & Go receivers and visit https://us.britax.com/recall to order a free repair kit for single strollers. Owners of the recalled double strollers should stop using them with car seats attached. For questions or concerns pertaining to the recall, consumers should contact the Britax Customer Service Department at 1-844-227-0300 for any questions or concerns. Customer Service hours are Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.to 7:00 p.m. ET and Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET. Customers living outside of the US or Canada should e-mail [email protected]. Britax is committed to the safety of your child and we apologize for any inconvenience this matter may have caused. About Britax Child Safety Inc. Britax manufactures a full line of safe, high-quality and intuitively designed premium car seats, strollers and accessories. Britax Americas sets and exceeds safety standards in the U.S and Canada, and engineers, tests and assembles more than 90 percent of its car seats in the United States. In 2011, Britax expanded its product line by acquiring BOB gear, a leading manufacturer of high-quality strollers and stroller accessories. The Britax Child Safety, Inc. Americas Headquarters is located in Fort Mill, S.C. and employs over 200 people. Media Contact: Ashley Currie Zeno Group 312-396-9763 [email protected] SOURCE Britax Child Safety, Inc. Related Links https://us.britax.com Authored by Richard Florida and Steven Pedigo, this latest release of the FIU-Miami Creative City Initiative evaluates Miami's Creative Class those with skills in computer and math, arts and media, architecture and engineering, business and finance, law, education, management, and healthcare in comparison to the 53 large metros with populations over one million, as well as all 382 metros in the U.S. The report also takes a deep dive into the nine key occupational groups that make up the Creative Class and offers a series of insights for growing Miami's Creative Class workforce, listed below. "Although Miami's Creative Class has demonstrated considerable growth over the last decade, it continues to lag behind the nation's most advanced regions. What's most relevant about our findings is that the region's potential for future growth is huge," said Florida. "It is important that regional leaders and stakeholders think strategically about how to leverage and enhance these strengths for greater economic gain." Key findings include: Eleventh Largest by Employment: Miami's Creative Class is the 11 th largest in the nation double the size of recognized Creative Class hubs like Austin , Portland , and Nashville . Creative Class is the 11 largest in the nation double the size of recognized Creative Class hubs like , , and . Small Share of Workforce: Miami's Creative Class makes up 26 percent of the region's employment, ranking it 47 th out of 53 large metros and 138 th out of all 382 metros in the U.S. Miami's Creative Class makes up 26 percent of the region's employment, ranking it 47 out of 53 large metros and 138 out of all 382 metros in the U.S. Strong Salaries: Greater Miami's Creative Class averages $76,000 in wages and salaries, ranking 26 th among large metros. Creative Class averages in wages and salaries, ranking 26 among large metros. Healthcare: With 154,000 workers, Healthcare is by far Greater Miami's largest creative cluster, growing 11 percent by 2024. With 154,000 workers, Healthcare is by far largest creative cluster, growing 11 percent by 2024. Business and Finance: 136,000 creative workers make up Miami's Business and Finance occupational cluster, making it the region's second-largest creative cluster. By 2024, this cluster is expected to grow by 11 percent. 136,000 creative workers make up Business and Finance occupational cluster, making it the region's second-largest creative cluster. By 2024, this cluster is expected to grow by 11 percent. Education: Education is Greater Miami's third-largest creative cluster, with roughly 118,000 workers. Although Education is projected to increase by 13 percent over the next seven years, the cluster's current share of employees lags behind the national average by 13 percent. Education is third-largest creative cluster, with roughly 118,000 workers. Although Education is projected to increase by 13 percent over the next seven years, the cluster's current share of employees lags behind the national average by 13 percent. Management: Management, with 104,000 employees, is Greater Miami's fourth-largest creative cluster, but lags the national average by 28 percent. Management, with 104,000 employees, is fourth-largest creative cluster, but lags the national average by 28 percent. Computer and Mathematical Occupations: With 49,000 workers, the Computer and Mathematical cluster is the region's fifth-largest, growing 15 percent by 2024. With 49,000 workers, the Computer and Mathematical cluster is the region's fifth-largest, growing 15 percent by 2024. Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media: With 46,00 workers, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media is the metro's sixth-largest creative cluster. This cluster is central to Miami's broad creative economy and is expected to grow by 8 percent in the next seven years. With 46,00 workers, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media is the metro's sixth-largest creative cluster. This cluster is central to broad creative economy and is expected to grow by 8 percent in the next seven years. Legal. With 38,000 workers, Greater Miami's Legal cluster is 75 percent larger than the national average. With 38,000 workers, Legal cluster is 75 percent larger than the national average. Architecture and Engineering: With just 25,000 workers, Miami's Architecture and Engineering cluster lags the national average by 41 percent. With just 25,000 workers, Architecture and Engineering cluster lags the national average by 41 percent. Life, Physical and Social Sciences: Miami's Life, Physical and Social Sciences cluster, with 11,000 employees, is the smallest of the nine creative occupational clusters. This cluster is half the size of the national average. Based on the report's analysis, it also identifies seven key recommendations on which the Greater Miami region can build and deepen its creative economy. Leverage the Central Role of the Creative Media Cluster. Media is central to greater Miami's current creative economy, as well as to its future growth. Build on Miami's Role as a Global City and Latin American Hub. This status is reflected in the region's relatively high concentration of CEOs and high-level business and financial managers. Capitalize on the Budding Wealth Management Cluster. Greater Miami is already developing a considerable wealth management cluster in part because of its role as a destination for wealthy individuals and families. Develop Healthcare as an Export Cluster. Few regions have managed to turn healthcare into an export cluster, but Greater Miami has. Develop Real Estate as an Export Cluster. Greater Miami has considerable capabilities in real estate, but its history of locally focused development has left it vulnerable to cycles of boom and bust. Grow the Technology Economy Alongside the Creative Economy. Greater Miami must embed tech into the region's own local capabilities. Bolster the Education Cluster, Especially in Post-Secondary Education. All leading creative regions are surrounded by great universities and post-secondary institutions that offer an abundance of university and post-secondary talent. About Creative Class Group: The Creative Class Group is an advisory services firm composed of leading next-generation researchers, academics, and business strategists. Utilizing its unique approach and metrics, CCG works with companies and governments worldwide. CCG Founder, Richard Florida is the Director of the Martin Prosperity Institute at The University of Toronto's, Rotman School of Management, and Global Research Professor at NYU. He is Senior Editor at The Atlantic where he cofounded and serves as Editor-at-Large for City Lab and is a Visiting Fellow of the FIU-Miami Creative City Initiative. Rana Florida, CEO of CCG who writes on business and entrepreneurship for Fast Company and the Huffington Post, serves as Director of the FIU-Miami Creative City Initiative. Steven Pedigo, Director of Research at CCG is a Visiting Fellow. Reham Alexander is CCG'S Director of Operations and Events and runs the events programming for the FIU-Miami Creative City Initiative. For more information about CCG, visit: www.creativeclass.com. About FIU: Florida International University is classified by Carnegie as a R1: Doctoral Universities - Highest Research Activity and recognized as a Carnegie engaged university. It is a public research university with colleges and schools that offers 196 bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs in fields such as engineering, computer science, international relations, architecture, law, and medicine. As one of South Florida's anchor institutions, FIU contributes almost $9 billion each year to the local economy. FIU is Worlds Ahead in finding solutions to the most challenging problems of our time. FIU emphasizes research as a major component of its mission. FIU has awarded more than 220,000 degrees and enrolls more than 54,000 students in two campuses and three centers including FIU Downtown on Brickell, [email protected], and the Miami Beach Urban Studios. FIU's Medina Aquarius Program houses the Aquarius Reef Base, a unique underwater research facility in the Florida Keys. FIU also supports artistic and cultural engagement through its three museums: Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum, the Wolfsonian-FIU, and the Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU. FIU is a member of Conference USA with more than 400 student-athletes participating in 18 sports. For more information about FIU, visit http://www.fiu.edu/. About the FIU-Miami Creative City Initiative: A collaboration between Florida International University and the Creative Class Group, the FIU-Miami Creative City Initiative engages political, business, and cultural leaders, faculty, students, alumni, and the greater community in a dialogue on how creativity, culture, design, and innovation can drive the greater Miami regional economy. SOURCE Creative Class Group Related Links http://www.creativeclass.com PARIS, Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Capgemini, a global leader in consulting, technology and outsourcing services, announced today the acquisition of Idean, a fast-growing digital strategy and experience design consultancy, headquartered in Palo Alto, with additional studios in Austin, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Helsinki and Berlin. Idean will reinforce the Group's user-centered and digital-first experience design and strategy services, particularly in North America, and extend its network of Digital studios; helping to meet growing customer demand for the Group's end to end digital services. "Customer demand is shifting; service providers who bring digital design, creativity, and agility to redefine the customer experience are developing a strategic dialog with their clients, driving uniquely differentiated outcomes, and gaining market share as true digital partners. The acquisition of Idean is part of the Group's growth strategy focused on innovation and digital particularly in North America," comments Paul Hermelin, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Capgemini Group. "Idean's Scandinavian design ethos and Silicon Valley mindset are a perfect fit to further enhance Capgemini's progressive digital customer experience offerings." Founded in Helsinki, Finland, in 1999, Idean focuses primarily on digital user experience (UX), customer experience (CX), and digital strategy. Over the last eighteen years its team of now 150+ digital strategists, experience designers and front-end developers have been working for a wide array of US and European clients, including disruptive Bay Area start-ups, global tech leaders many of whom are west coast based, prominent brands in automotive and consumer electronics, and companies reinventing themselves for the digital era; clients include LG, Mercedes-Benz, Sony, Volkswagen, 23andMe, Airbus, Cole Haan, Ericsson, IBM, Intel, and Kesko. Starting from a deep understanding of users, Idean engages with clients in three main areas: envisioning strategic opportunities, designing and building digital experiences, and changing cultures by developing competencies in new ways of working and design thinking. "We formed Idean to help organizations identify new strategic opportunities and create digital design experiences that were based on a deep understanding of their users," explains Risto Lahdesmaki, CEO and Founder of Idean, who will join Capgemini. "Joining forces with Capgemini is extremely exciting and the logical next step of our journey. Idean clients will immediately benefit from an expanded and extensive portfolio of services for digital strategy and CX transformation, deep industry expertise in connected vehicles and IoT, and global end-to-end delivery. For our people, joining Capgemini will also open up new opportunities, from working on new clients and new projects with Capgemini teams, to expanded career prospects." This transaction is expected to close by the end of February 2017. About Capgemini With more than 190,000 people, Capgemini is present in over 40 countries and celebrates its 50th Anniversary year in 2017. A global leader in consulting, technology and outsourcing services, the Group reported 2016 global revenues of EUR 12.5 billion (about $13.8 billion USD at 2016 average rate). Together with its clients, Capgemini creates and delivers business, technology and digital solutions that fit their needs, enabling them to achieve innovation and competitiveness. A deeply multicultural organization, Capgemini has developed its own way of working, the Collaborative Business Experience, and draws on Rightshore, its worldwide delivery model. Learn more about us at www.capgemini.com. Rightshore is a trademark belonging to Capgemini SOURCE Capgemini Related Links http://www.capgemini.com DOVER, N.J., Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- This February, Casio America, Inc., a leading innovator of electronic musical instruments, is pleased to spotlight the multi-talented Tom Brislin as part of its Artist Program. Casio's Artist Program looks to support both aspiring and established musicians by providing the best tools and technology available, allowing them to easily fulfill their love and passion for music. New Jersey native Brislin is an award-winning musician, composer, and producer that grew up playing the piano and knew from a very young age that he wanted to pursue music. Influenced by his older siblings' classic rock record collections and his love for various music styles including pop, classical, jazz, progressive and indie, he would eventually find himself performing in all of these genres. He has toured and recorded with several notable rock and pop artists including Yes, Meat Loaf and Debbie Harry of Blondie. However, this spring he will be taking on the role of an entire orchestra as the keyboardist for the classic progressive rock band Renaissance as they tour Brazil. "Casio has such tremendous support for artists and is really great at making equipment that we can use in the real world," said Brislin. "For instance, the Privia PX-5S has traveled with me on multiple tours, as it is extremely portable and ideal for the road. The entire Privia line of digital keyboards comes with an incredible feel and sound. They are just all around amazing keyboards." Brislin who has been working and performing with Casio since 2007 is also a Senior Correspondent for Keyboard Magazine and has co-founded Accessing Music Promoting Success (AMPS). AMPS is a program that enables individuals with disabilities to make music using the latest advances in technology in a group setting regardless of their skill or ability levels. "Casio is very proud to be a part of a musical career as diverse and creative as Tom's," said Stephen Schmidt, Vice President of Casio's Electronic Musical Instrument division. "All of the artists featured in our Artist Program bring their own unique talents and passions to the industry and Casio is thrilled to be able to take part in their musical accomplishments." Brislin is part of the current roster of Casio artists including Eldar Djangirov, Jonatha Brooke, Kyle Morrison, Steve Weingart and more. For additional information about Casio's Artist Program or portfolio of electronic musical instruments, please visit www.CasioMusicGear.com. About Casio America, Inc. Casio America, Inc., Dover, N.J., is the U.S. subsidiary of Casio Computer Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan, one of the world's leading manufacturers of consumer electronics and business equipment solutions. Established in 1957, Casio America, Inc. markets calculators, keyboards, digital cameras, mobile presentation devices, disc title and label printers, watches, cash registers and other consumer electronic products. Casio has strived to fulfill its corporate creed of "creativity and contribution" through the introduction of innovative and imaginative products. For more information, visit www.casiousa.com. SOURCE Casio America, Inc. Related Links http://www.casiousa.com "The CENTURY 21 System's support and commitment to Easterseals is a cornerstone of the brand's philosophy in giving back to communities and helping people to achieve their dreams," said Rick Davidson, president and chief executive officer of Century 21 Real Estate LLC, who also serves as the immediate past chairman of the board for Easterseals International. "Whether it's working with homebuyers and sellers in local markets throughout North America, or providing assistance to families living with disability, sales professionals affiliated with the CENTURY 21 brand strive to provide the highest level of quality service and deliver extraordinary results." "For nearly 40 years, Easterseals has partnered seamlessly with the CENTURY 21 System to help thousands of individuals and families living with disabilities," said Randy Rutta, president and chief executive officer of Easterseals. "The impact the CENTURY 21 System has made can't be solely measured in numbers, it's measured by the positive, profound differences we see in the lives of people every day. By working together, we can make an even greater difference in our communities." In 2016, for the third consecutive year, the top three Easterseals fundraisers from the CENTURY 21 System were: 1. CENTURY 21 Town & Country; Utica, Michigan 2. CENTURY 21 Judge Fite Company; Dallas, Texas 3. CENTURY 21 B.J. Roth Realty Ltd.; Barrie, Ontario, Canada This is the 20th straight year that CENTURY 21 Town & Country has held the top spot among brokerages for fundraising efforts for the benefit of Easterseals. This year, eight of the Top 21 leading CENTURY 21 fundraisers are Canadian firms, led by CENTURY 21 B.J. Roth in Ontario. The "Top 21" North American Fundraisers for Easterseals in 2016 are: 1. CENTURY 21 Town & Country; Utica, Michigan 2. CENTURY 21 Judge Fite Company; Dallas, Texas 3. CENTURY 21 B.J. Roth Realty Ltd.; Barrie, Ontario, Canada 4. CENTURY 21 Dome Realty Inc.; Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada 5. CENTURY 21 Sweyer & Associates; Wilmington, North Carolina 6. CENTURY 21 Frontier Realty; McMurray, Pennsylvania 7. CENTURY 21 North Homes Realty, Inc.; Everett, Washington 8. CENTURY 21 Fusion; Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada 9. CENTURY 21 Sunbelt Realty; Cape Coral, Florida 10. CENTURY 21 Bamber Realty Ltd.; Calgary, Alberta, Canada 11. CENTURY 21 Assurance Realty Ltd.; Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada 12. CENTURY 21 American Homes; East Meadow, New York 13. CENTURY 21 Leading Edge Realty Inc.; Toronto, Ontario, Canada 14. CENTURY 21 Commonwealth; Natick, Massachusetts 15. CENTURY 21 Scheetz; Carmel, Indiana 16. CENTURY 21 Advantage Gold; Southampton, Pennsylvania 17. CENTURY 21 Award; San Diego, California 18. CENTURY 21 Miller Real Estate Ltd.; Oakville, Ontario, Canada 19. CENTURY 21 Action Plus Realty; Freehold, New Jersey 20. CENTURY 21 Executives Realty Ltd.; Vernon, British Columbia, Canada 21. CENTURY 21 My Real Estate Company; Downey, California A reception recognizing the achievement of the "Top 21" offices will be held on March 6 during the One21 Experience, the global CENTURY 21 event in Las Vegas, Nevada. About Easterseals For nearly 100 years, Easterseals has been the indispensable resource for people and families facing disability. Through the work we do in communities across America, Easterseals is changing the way the world defines and views disability by making profound, positive differences in people's lives every day. Join us as we take on disability together at Easterseals.com. About Century 21 Real Estate LLC Century 21 Real Estate LLC is comprised of approximately 7,330 independently owned and operated franchised broker offices in 77 countries and territories worldwide with more than 110,000 independent sales professionals. Century 21 Real Estate has numerous websites to help answer specific consumer needs. They are century21.com , century21Global.com , commercial.century21.com , century21.com/finehomes, and century21espanol.com. Century 21 Real Estate LLC is a subsidiary of Realogy Holdings Corp. (NYSE: RLGY), a global leader in real estate franchising and provider of real estate brokerage, relocation and settlement services. 2017 Century 21 Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. CENTURY 21, the CENTURY 21 Logo are registered service marks owned by Century 21 Real Estate LLC. Century 21 Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each office is independently owned and operated. Contact: Peter Mosca Century 21 Real Estate LLC Phone: 973.407.5180 Email: [email protected] SOURCE Century 21 Real Estate LLC Related Links http://www.century21.com HOUSTON, Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- CITGO Petroleum Corporation is teaming up with The National Energy Education Development (NEED) Project to equip CITGO employees to lead energy and science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) hands-on activities for local students. At a recent lunch and learn workshop held at the CITGO corporate headquarters in Houston, employees were introduced to teaching techniques when working in school classrooms and received a CITGO Go Kit comprised of interactive energy-related activities to facilitate when visiting local schools and afterschool programs. Many of the CITGO employees attending the lunch are members of a CITGO STEM Mentor group, whose members work to share their career background and knowledge with school groups in the classroom and at local events. The collaboration between CITGO and NEED is part of the recently announced CITGO STEM Talent Pipeline, an initiative to enhance STEM educational and career prospects for students at all levels. Beyond Houston, CITGO and NEED have teamed up to create workshops for employees, educators and students alike near the three CITGO refineries in Corpus Christi, Texas, Lake Charles, Louisiana, and Lemont, Illinois. "Partnering with NEED has enabled CITGO to train employees to help STEM lessons come alive for students and encourage them to seek their own careers, by showing them what STEM professionals' jobs can entail," said CITGO Vice President of Strategic Shareholder Relations and Government and Public Affairs Rafael Gomez. "Through CITGO and NEED workshops in areas surrounding our three refineries, we have reached more than 90 teachers from more than 50 schools." "For more than three decades, NEED has supported energy education among STEM students and teachers alike, providing more than 130 teacher and student guides to use in the classroom," said NEED Executive Director Mary Spruill. "Many CITGO employees have committed to sharing their career experience with local schools, helping NEED further its initiative to create a more energy-conscious society." The CITGO STEM Talent Pipeline program has allowed CITGO to help build the next generation of STEM professionals, throughout the state of Texas and beyond. Recently, CITGO announced its partnership with Girlstart, a nonprofit organization committed to addressing the lack of female STEM professionals in the workforce. Through their partnership, CITGO was able to support an afterschool program for Alief ISD in West Houston, providing interactive programs for young female students to get hands-on experience with STEM experiments as well as interactions with STEM professionals. Additionally, CITGO has awarded scholarships to Houston-area high school seniors enrolled in STEM degree programs and supported a University of Houston-Downtown STEM summer camp for local high-achieving, high-risk students. In Corpus Christi, CITGO has created the CITGO Innovation Academy for Engineering, Environmental & Marine Science at Moody High School, providing students with STEM technology, education tools and the opportunity to participate in field trips and academic competitions and conferences. Additionally, the CITGO Innovation Academy offers professional development training for educators. About CITGO CITGO, based in Houston, is a refiner, transporter and marketer of transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and other industrial products. The company is owned by CITGO Holding, Inc., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A., the national oil company of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. For more information, visit http://www.citgo.com/. SOURCE CITGO Petroleum Corporation Related Links http://www.citgo.com NEW YORK, Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, CIVIQ Smartscapes announced the installation of WayPoints in stations on New York City's new Second Avenue Subway, bringing state-of-the-art urban technology to the Metropolitan Transit Authority's (MTA) newest line. CIVIQ WayPoints will be installed in each of the four new stations, providing real-time transit information and wayfinding solutions via interactive touchscreen displays to daily subway riders. The CIVIQ WayPoints will usher in a new generation in citizen engagement using digital information kiosks. With the touch of a finger, subway riders can access a wealth of valuable information, including countdown to arrival, one-touch visual directions based on real-time train status, neighborhood maps and context-relevant advertising. These new innovative WayPoints are modeled off the successful On The Go travel stations which CIVIQ also supplies. This latest delivery brings the total to over 200 installations throughout the MTA system. The wayfinding and advertising content is provided by CIVIQ Smartscapes partner, Intersection, with whom CIVQ is also collaborating on the groundbreaking LinkNYC Project, bringing Smart City services to NYC. The new WayPoints were designed by Masamichi Udagawa and Sigi Moeslinger of Antenna Design - the same creative minds behind the On The Go and LinkNYC industrial designs, as well as numerous other elements of the NYC subway system. "We are honored to partner with the MTA to bring our technology and innovation to the largest public transit system in the Americas," said Brad Gleeson, Chief Commercial Officer, CIVIQ Smartscapes. "Through our CIVIQ WayPoints, the MTA will be able to enhance communications and services, providing a more connected experience for its commuters, and positioning NYC at the forefront of smart, connected cities." This is the second wave of CIVIQ WayPoints being deployed through the Second Avenue Subway. The first wave were installed in time for the grand opening on December 31st, and more units will be deployed in the coming months. This program builds on CIVIQ Smartscapes' existing presence in the New York City area. The company played an integral part in the development of LinkNYC, a groundbreaking project in New York City that is converting thousands of old payphones into high-speed, free public Wi-Fi hubs throughout the boroughs. For information about CIVIQ Smartscapes, their products and services and ongoing work, visit www.CIVIQSmartscapes.com. About CIVIQ Smartscapes CIVIQ Smartscapes is the leading developer of street-level citizen engagement networks, deploying customized solutions that offer Wi-Fi connectivity, enhanced public information and services and sensor technology to cities. Our products and services create "smartscapes" through innovative communications structures that provide cities with intelligent urban infrastructure. Through our development of innovative technology and strategic relationships with industry leaders, CIVIQ Smartscapes delivers turnkey networked solutions to cities with a range of beneficial services that generate city revenue, enhance communication and public services, and support urban efficiency. SOURCE CIVIQ Smartscapes Redefined and redesigned for 2017, Nature IV is a contemporary take on the brand's shoemaking expertise and technological vision. Evolved for the modern day consumer, pioneering materials, construction and technology combine with the most advanced footbed structure and science. Like the original created over 30 years ago, the four key principles of Nature IV remain the same. FOOT FIRST An asymmetric, foot-shaped fit created around a hand-carved wooden last An asymmetric, foot-shaped fit created around a hand-carved wooden last INSIDE OUT Form defined by the most advanced footbed structure and science Form defined by the most advanced footbed structure and science HIGH IMPACT COMFORT A combination of pioneering new materials, construction, and technologies A combination of pioneering new materials, construction, and technologies OPTIMAL. MINIMAL. Optimal form and function from minimal component parts Nature IV will debut globally on February 16, 2017 with a coordinated brand campaign in key cities around the world, including London, Tokyo, Berlin, Amsterdam, Dubai and Shanghai. It will debut in the US as an exclusive limited release at premium retailers KITH in New York, Blends in California, and Ubiq in Pennsylvania and will be subsequently available nationwide on February 27, 2017. The History of the Nature: 1982 NATURE I Co-created by Neville Gillibrand and Derek Radford . Evolutionary design catches the eye and imagination of millions. 1996 NATURE II Nature II launches with ground-breaking underfoot cushioning technology - Clarks Active Air. 2012 NATURE III Clarks Active Air remains unique. Two limited edition profiles launch to mark the 30th Anniversary. 2016 2017 NATURE IV Redefined. Redesigned. Reborn. Nature returns with a brand new aesthetic. Embodying technological vision, comfort and simplicity. THE FUTURE As Clarks continues to innovate, Nature will evolve indefinitely. The future of its form defined by the elements. Adapting to its surroundings. Continually reaching new levels of design performance. About Clarks C&J Clark Limited, owners of the Clarks brand, the privately held footwear business, was founded in Street, Somerset in the UK by the Clark family in 1825. Still based in Street, the Clarks Group designs, develops and sells a wide range of footwear and accessories for men, women and children. The Clarks brand is renowned worldwide for quality and style with comfort. The Clarks Group has built on its success as the leading shoe company in the UK to become a billion dollar global business operating retail, wholesale, franchise and online channels in over 100 markets worldwide. Media Contact: [email protected] SOURCE Clarks VERONA, Pa., Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Conco Services Corporation, the world's leading provider of condenser and heat exchanger services to the power generation and industrial process industries, is pleased to announce the promotions of five employees. In its Industrial Division, Tim Meyer, who joined Conco in 2010, has been promoted to General Manager and now oversees the entire national Industrial Division including sales, client relations and all Industrial Division employees. Meyer obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Management from Northeast Louisiana University and has completed over 2000 hours of continuing education classes in Safety and Operations for the Petrochemical Industry. Also in the Industrial Division, Alexandria Efferson is now the Regional Manager overseeing sales and client relations for the Southwest and Midwest territories and supervising the sales force based in the Texas office. Alex is a graduate of Tarleton University in Stephenville, TX, has been with Conco for over 5 years and has held several positions in Conco most recently as a Senior Account Manager with over $3.6 million dollars in sales during 2016. Madison Christ, based at Conco's Gonzales, Louisiana office since 2013, has been named the Southeast Region Safety Manager. She will direct the safety program in the Southeast region handling the document control procedures and policies within the organization. Christ received her COSS (Certified Occupational Safety Specialist) certification two years ago and recently completed her NCCER Certifications which include: Safety Technology Certification, Field Safety Certification, Construction Site Safety Technician (CSST) Certification and Construction Site Safety Supervisor (CSSS) Certification. Denise Meredith, who joined the company in 2010, was recently named Conco's Director of Compliance. Meredith will maintain her role as the QA Manager of the NDE Division and take over the management of the Conco Safety Department. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Operations Management and International Business, a Masters of Manufacturing Management and a Masters of Business Administration. Jeff Pomarico, a 20-year veteran with Conco, has recently been named NDE Division Manager. Jeff is certified as a LVL IIIA in Eddy Current, and will continue to be the project manager for some on-site service work. Pomarico will also be responsible for the day to day operations of the department, including quoting, scheduling and the managing of the EC personnel. Founded in 1923, Conco has offices located in the US, Europe and Asia Pacific. Contact: Jennifer Larson Tel. (412) 828-1166 Email: [email protected] SOURCE Conco Services Corporation Related Links http://www.concosystems.com WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Feb. 16, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ocwen Financial Corporation (NYSE:OCN) will hold a conference call on Wednesday, February 22, 2017 at 5:00 p.m. (ET) to review the Companys 4th Quarter / Year End 2016 operating results. These events will follow Ocwens 4th Quarter/Year End 2016 earnings release. The earnings release will also be available on the Ocwen Financial Corporation website at www.ocwen.com (through a link on the Shareholder Relations page). A live audio webcast and slide presentation for the call will be available over the internet at www.ocwen.com (through a link on the Shareholder Relations page). Those who want to listen to the call should go to the website at least fifteen minutes prior to the call to register, download and install any necessary audio software. A replay of the conference call will be available via the website approximately two hours after the conclusion of the call and will remain available for approximately 30 days. For more information on prior releases and SEC Filings, please refer to the "Shareholder Relations" section of our website at www.ocwen.com. About Ocwen Financial Corporation Ocwen Financial Corporation is a financial services holding company which, through its subsidiaries, originates and services loans. We are headquartered in West Palm Beach, Florida, with offices throughout the United States and in the U.S. Virgin Islands and operations in India and the Philippines. We have been serving our customers since 1988. We may post information that is important to investors on our website (www.Ocwen.com). The 19 th -century neoclassical theater has hosted musical greats in everything from classical to rock, from Strauss, to Louis Armstrong, to Sting; and its orchestra has been lauded for more than 125 years as one of the best in the world. Guests will tour the theater's great hall, which is famous for its superb acoustics; then enjoy a private performance of master works in various genres in the charming "Kleine Zaal," or the "Spiegelzaal," two of the hall's more intimate Baroque venues. "It is a hallmark of Crystal shoreside experiences to showcase the rich culture and most special places unique to each destination, and an exclusive event at the Royal Concertgebouw is a truly special occasion," says Crystal Chairman, CEO and President Edie Rodriguez. "We're delighted to offer our guests the opportunity to enjoy some of the world's most celebrated masterpieces in a venue as grand as the music itself." Crystal Bach will be the first of Crystal River Cruises' four new luxury river yachts to launch in 2017 (Crystal Mahler) and 2018, (Crystal Debussy and Crystal Ravel), and Crystal's introduction of Europe's only all-balcony, all-suite ships in the river category. All four river yachts will offer Crystal's acclaimed butler service in every room category, plush king-sized beds that face toward the Panoramic Balcony-Windows, walk-in closets and dual vanity in the bathrooms in most categories, ETRO robes and slippers, wall-mounted flat-screen HD TVs, and Nespresso machines. Additional enticing features include Crystal's farm-to-table, Michelin-inspired cuisine in multiple, open-seating eateries: the elegant Waterside Restaurant, namesake Bistro cafes and the exclusive Vintage Room; and the Palm Court. The Classical Concert at the Royal Concertgebouw is offered on all Crystal Bach voyages, which sail between Amsterdam and Frankfurt, calling in Basel, Switzerland; Antwerp, Belgium; and Nijmegen, Netherlands; Breisach, Kehl, Speyer, Mainz, Rudesheim, Cologne, Kolbenz and Cochem, Germany. Voyages range from 10 to 14 days, with all-inclusive cruise fares starting at $3,675 per person. Crystal's Early Booking Savings are available for 2018 voyages booked by March 31, 2017, offering additional savings of $500 per person on cruise only fares. For more information and Crystal reservations, contact a travel professional, call 888.799.2437, or visit Crystal's website, www.crystalcruises.com. As it expands its reach to all luxury travelers across the globe, Crystal evolves to The World's Most Luxurious Hospitality and Lifestyle Brand Portfolio. Crystal Cruises is the World's Most Awarded Luxury Cruise Line, having earned "World's Best Cruise Ship" in Conde Nast Traveler's Reader Choice Awards for 23 years; been voted "World's Best Large Ship Cruise Line" by Travel + Leisure readers for 20 years; and the "Best Luxury Cruise Line" by travel professional organization Virtuoso for three consecutive years (2014, 2015 & 2016). The newest and upcoming extensions of the celebrated Crystal brand include Crystal Yacht Expedition Cruises, Crystal Luxury Air, Crystal River Cruises The World's Most Luxurious River Cruise Line , Crystal AirCruises and Crystal Exclusive Class with Crystal Residences. CONTACT: Paul M. Garcia Molly Morgan Director, Global Public Relations Publicist, Public Relations (310) 203-4305 [email protected] SOURCE Crystal Related Links http://www.crystalcruises.com ATLANTA, Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) has again earned a spot among the world's leading brands after being named today as one of Fortune magazine's Most Admired Companies for the fourth consecutive year. Among its competitors, Delta was named Fortune's Most Admired Airline, rated No. 1 on the industry list for the sixth time in the past seven years. CEO Ed Bastian credited the work of Delta's 80,000-person workforce for the honor. "It is your unmatched dedication to our customers and unwavering pursuit of excellence in every area of our business that have earned recognition from so many corners. And it is those qualities that will propel us even further," he wrote in a memo to employees today. Each year, Fortune surveys top executives and directors across all industries to rank the 10 companies they most admire in nine areas such as innovation, people management and financial soundness, as well as an overall reputation. The magazine's editors compile the data and publish an annual list of the top 50 Most Admired Companies. Delta was ranked No. 31 this year. The airline rankings are based on the results of a global survey of industry executives, boards of directors and analysts who are asked to rate companies in their industry based on criteria including innovation, investment value and global competitiveness. Most Admired Companies is the latest in a series of accolades for Delta. In December, Delta made a trio of "best workplace" lists: Best Place to Work for LGBT Equality, Best Companies for Diversity and for African-Americans, and Glassdoor's Best Places to Work. Bastian told employees he was confident they would continue to raise the bar. "With you taking care of our customers and each other, our best days are yet to come." What makes Delta a most admired company? Companies are ranked by top executives and directors across industries on the following attributes, as well as their overall reputation: Innovation People Management Use of Corporate Assets Quality of Management Social Responsibility Financial Soundness Long-Term Investment Value Quality of Products and Services Global Competitiveness Delta Air Lines serves more than 180 million customers each year. Delta has ranked No.1 in the Business Travel News Annual Airline survey for an unprecedented five consecutive years. With an industry-leading global network, Delta and the Delta Connection carriers offer service to 327 destinations in 57 countries on six continents. Headquartered in Atlanta, Delta employs nearly 80,000 employees worldwide and operates a mainline fleet of more than 800 aircraft. The airline is a founding member of the SkyTeam global alliance and participates in the industry's leading trans-Atlantic joint venture with Air France-KLM and Alitalia as well as a joint venture with Virgin Atlantic. Including its worldwide alliance partners, Delta offers customers more than 15,000 daily flights, with key hubs and markets including Amsterdam, Atlanta, Boston, Detroit, Los Angeles, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York-JFK and LaGuardia, London-Heathrow, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Salt Lake City, Seattle and Tokyo-Narita. Delta has invested billions of dollars in airport facilities, global products and services, and technology to enhance the customer experience in the air and on the ground. Additional information is available on the Delta News Hub, as well as delta.com, Twitter @DeltaNewsHub, Google.com/+Delta, Facebook.com/delta and Delta's blog takingoff.delta.com. SOURCE Delta Air Lines Related Links http://www.delta.com SAN DIEGO, Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Denovo Biopharma LLC, a leading company in precision medicine announces the plan to initiate a biomarker driven global phase 3 clinical trial for its lead drug DB102 as a first line therapy for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients this year. DB102 (Enzastaurin) is a PKC inhibitor originally developed by Eli Lilly and for which Denovo has acquired Worldwide rights. DB102 showed promising clinical results in the DLBCL induction setting in a Phase 2 trial, but did not meet the primary endpoint in a Phase 3 study. Denovo subsequently conducted an in-depth analysis of the DB102 clinical data and identified that a subset of patients showed improved survival. Using our unique biomarker platform, Denovo has successfully discovered a novel biomarker, DGM1 (Denovo Genomic Marker 1), for DB102. The DGM1 positive patients exhibited significantly improved overall survival over DGM1 negative patients in DB102 treatment group in both phase 2 and 3 studies. Based on this encouraging finding, Denovo plans to conduct a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, global Phase 3 Study in DGM1 positive DLBCL patients in the US and China. "The successful discovery of the DGM1 biomarker is a major breakthrough for Denovo Biopharma, and has validated again the advantage of the Denovo's biomarker discovery platform," said Dr. Wen Luo, CEO of Denovo Biopharma. "Denovo's unique precision medicine technology and business model allows us to unlock the hidden value in many of the drugs which have failed in late stage trials. If the DGM1 driven DB102 clinical trial is successful, as a first-line medication, it is expected to have a significant positive impact on patient outcomes and also to establish Enzastaurin as a significant new therapy for the treatment of DLBCL. " Denovo also opened a new clinical center in Beijing, China last year to complement the existing center in San Diego. Isabel Han, head of Denovo's clinical operations in Beijing, said "China will play a very important role in the biomarker driven DB102 trial, and we have successfully submitted the IND application to the China FDA. We are building an experienced clinical team to support all Denovo's global clinical trials." About DB102 DB102 (formerly Enzastaurin) is an orally available investigational small molecule, serine/threonine kinase inhibitor of the PKC beta and AKT pathways and has been studied in more than 3,000 patients across a range of solid and hematological tumor types. DLBCL occurs in approximately 25,000 patients annually in the U.S. Enzastaurin has received orphan drug designation from the FDA and EMA. About Denovo Biopharma Denovo Biopharma is a privately-held biotechnology company that provides novel and proprietary biomarker approaches to advance drug development, including re-evaluating medicines that have failed in general patient populations by stratifying the responders for the original indication. The company offers the first platform and algorithm for de novo genomic biomarker discovery using archived clinical samples. This technology may be especially useful for compounds with suboptimal late-stage trial results. By identifying biomarkers correlated with patients' responses to drug candidates retrospectively, Denovo enables the design and execution of follow-on clinical trials in targeted patient populations while optimizing efficacy, safety and tolerability. For additional information please visit www.denovobiopharma.com. Contact: Robert Little, Chief Business Officer Denovo Biopharma LLC [email protected] SOURCE Denovo Biopharma Related Links http://www.denovobiopharma.com NEW YORK, Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- In celebration of Black History Month, Dr. Donna M. Mendes is being honored as an African American in Medicine (AIM) at The Harlem Fine Arts show's opening reception on Thursday, February 16th at the historical Riverside Church in Manhattan. Dr. Mendes is inducted into The Library of Congress as the First Female Board-Certified African American Vascular Surgeon in the United States. She is affiliated with Mount Sinai Hospital in NY and Englewood Hospital in NJ. Her private practice, Mendes Vein Care, is located across from Lincoln Center at 10 W 66th Street, Suite 1B, New York, NY 10023. Dr. Mendes is a 1977 graduate of Columbia University's College of Physicians & Surgeons, where she obtained her medical degree, and continuing her affiliation with Columbia, was an intern and resident at Mount Sinai St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center where she has been in practice since 1984. Deciding to become a vascular surgeon during the very early stages of the shaping of that field, she completed her Vascular Surgery fellowship at Englewood Hospital with her mentor Dr. Herbert Dardik, who awarded her "The Herbert Dardik Research & Education Award" for her contribution to Healthcare for Women & Minorities. Dr. Mendes was the first Chief of Vascular Surgery at Mount Sinai St. Luke's (1992-1998) and received the Teacher of the Year award from them several times. Dr. Mendes was also Chief of Vascular Surgery at North General Hospital (2002-2005), the President of the Medical Board at Mount Sinai St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital (2006-2008) and Senior Vascular attending at Mount Sinai St. Luke's-Roosevelt and Associate Clinical Professor of Surgery at Mount Sinai Health System. Dr. Mendes is a member of the Society of Vascular Surgeons, was chair of their Diversity Committee for several years. Her resume lists numerous organizations she belongs to including the American College of Surgeons, Society of Clinical Vascular Surgery, Society of Black American Surgeons and the National Medical Association. Dr. Mendes was on the Board of Directors of Hofstra University, her alma mater and has served on Boards of The Association of Black Cardiologists, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Foundation of NYC, and American Red Cross of Bergen County. For more information, please visit www.DonnaMendesMD.com. SOURCE Dr. Donna M. Mendes Related Links http://www.donnamendesmd.com NEW YORK, Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- You do not have to look hard to confirm the sad truth that over the last decade anti-Jewish sentiment is on the rise around the world. Fueled on college campuses and by the BDS Movement -- a faction calling for the b oycott of, d ivestment in, and s anctions against Israel -- the Anti-Defamation League reports anti-Semitic incidents on campuses nearly doubled last year alone. Mike Evans, Founder of The Friends of Zion Museum in Jerusalem (PRNewsFoto/Dr. Mike Evans) Couple this with innuendo-laden (or simply ignorant) media reports about Israeli-Palestinian relations, the rise of radical political parties in Europe, and the noticeably chilled U.S.-Israel alliance of recent years punctuated by the United States' abstention on the U.N. vote condemning Israeli settlements. It is no wonder that 40 percent of Jewish leaders in Western Europe cite anti-Semitism as the most serious threat facing their community, up from a mere 10 percent in 2008. This gathering storm against the Jewish people, the State of Israel and its right to inhabit her eternal homeland is extremely alarming. After all, history has borne witness to the horrifying results of these ideologies, if left to morph and metastasize into full-fledged political movements. All peace-loving people around the world have a shared responsibility to remember the past in order to prevent the future from ever traveling down the same unthinkable path. But what can be done to stop anti-Semitism and BDS? I would submit to you, ground zero of this battle begins with Christians. United in protection of Israel, Christians -- especially American Christians -- represent a great firewall that can defend Israel and stand with the Jewish people. The recent U.S. presidential election was a striking example of the power the Christian community has to, quiet literally, move mountains when it works in unison. Over 81 percent of evangelicals, who represent nearly a quarter of the electorate, voted for Donald Trump, effectively pushing him over the finish line in many battleground states. But what is perhaps most striking is, had that number been 79 percent, as it was for Romney in 2012, Hillary Clinton would now be our president. The lesson here is one of unity. Just how important is 2 percent of evangelicals? Important enough to put a president in the White House. Those evangelicals who voted for Donald Trump are pro-Israel evangelicals. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu once said, "I don't believe the Jewish State and modern Zionism would be possible without Christian Zionism." I completely agree. Put simply: The power of Christian unity in defense of Israel is the power to protect the world from the scourge of anti-Semitism. This is why I started the Friends of Zion Heritage Center, which is anchored by a state-of-the-art museum in Jerusalem, visited by over 100,000 people last year alone. The institution, initially chaired by the late Israeli President Shimon Peres, is devoted to educating the world about the heroic acts of non-Jews, mainly Christians, whose bravery and sacrifice helped make the modern Jewish state a reality. Names like Churchill and Truman fill the museum as their contributions to Israel are told through immersive, multimedia exhibits. I founded the museum because I felt these stories needed to be told in order to strengthen the relationships between Christians and Jews in the fight against anti-Semitism. Further, late last year, we launched a $50 million initiative to educate, equip, and deploy Christian Zionists in all sectors of society to serve as a global firewall against anti-Semitism. The event in Jerusalem was attended by more than 80 diplomats and dignitaries from over 30 countries. The very same day, arsonists started hundreds of fires around Israel. Authorities called these criminal acts a new form of terrorism. This ring of fire that intended to intimidate, damage, and kill, only made our resolve to defend Israel stronger and more urgent. I told the dignitaries present that day Israel's friends are a thousand times greater than those who wish to do her harm. It is time to focus the efforts of those friends, and educate and activate amazing Christian Zionists to stand in the gap. The Jewish community only recently reached its pre-Holocaust population of 16 million, but there are over two billion Christians on planet earth. It is time for Christians to become a great firewall, two billion strong, against the rising tide of anti-Semitism. Dr. Michael Evans is a #1 New York Times bestselling author. His book, Islamic Infidels, is available at www.Timeworthybooks.com. SOURCE MIKE EVANS AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- E2open, the world's largest Supply Chain Operating Network, congratulates Bayer, The Clorox Company, General Mills, and Mondelez International for winning SCM World's 2017 Power of the Profession Awards. These annual awards celebrate excellence in supply chain and provide a forum for industry professionals to recognize the achievements of their peers. The winners are companies that deliver outstanding performances in supply chain and talent management as voted by their peers. Supply chain breakthrough awards recognize the most impactful initiatives that drive innovation for customers, the business and the lasting benefit of society. The talent awards recognize initiatives that shape the supply chain of the future by fostering diversity and creating capabilities across the value chain. Bayer won the prestigious Supply Chain Breakthrough award for the most innovative initiatives in 2017. It also earned the Customer Innovation award for creating valuable customer experiences with quantifiable impact on customer loyalty. won the prestigious Supply Chain Breakthrough award for the most innovative initiatives in 2017. It also earned the Customer Innovation award for creating valuable customer experiences with quantifiable impact on customer loyalty. The Clorox Company won the Talent Payback award for its initiatives to drive tangible revenue growth, cost savings, product innovation and outstanding customer metrics. won the Talent Payback award for its initiatives to drive tangible revenue growth, cost savings, product innovation and outstanding customer metrics. General Mills took the Social Impact award for its work to achieve positive quantifiable impact on society, local communities and the environment through its supply chain initiatives. took the Social Impact award for its work to achieve positive quantifiable impact on society, local communities and the environment through its supply chain initiatives. Mondelez International secured the Business Win award for contributing outstanding top-line business performance, profitable growth, savings and distinct competitive edge. "I am proud that four of our customers are recognized by their peers in the SCM World community for their breakthrough innovations and talent management initiatives in supply chain," said E2open SVP Sales and Marketing, Shawn Lane. "It is an honor that these industry leaders use our solutions such as Demand Sensing and Channel Analytics to drive value across their global networks. They are truly shaping the future of supply chain." About E2open Founded in 2000, E2open provides the largest and most comprehensive Supply Chain Operating Network, including a broad suite of collaborative supply chain solutions. Leading global enterprises rely on E2open to provide greater end-to-end visibility, more accurate data and insights, and real-time business process orchestration across complex, multi-enterprise trading partner networks. For more information, visit www.e2open.com. This press release was issued through 24-7PressRelease.com. For further information, visit http://www.24-7pressrelease.com. SOURCE E2open Related Links http://www.e2open.com The delegation held a China-US conference in Washington DC with some influential representatives from American educational field including American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education [AACTE], Stanford Centre for Assessment, Learning and Equity [SCALE], National Board for Professional Teaching Standards [NBPTS], AdvancED, the School at Columbia University, and Discovery Education, Inc. At the conference, about 30 prominent representatives from China and US educational, financial and educational industry fields were declared as the founding members to establish a China-US Educational Innovation Alliance. In the meantime, CITIC Securities Merger and Acquisition Industry Investment Funds Management Co., Ltd., a branch of the largest financial holding group in China, plans to issue a RMB 6 billion educational industry investment buyout fund. It also intends to set an educational charity fund of RMB 100 million with the financial innovation center of Chinese universities such as Peking University. These funds will help to introduce STEM courses, STEM subject teachers, and advanced teaching evaluation systems and other educational standards to China, boost the investment in and acquisition of excellent Chinese STEM schools and advanced educational curriculum technology enterprises, accelerate the global education standard accreditation of Chinese cultural education and featured Chinese STEM education, cultivate more Chinese teachers with global education accreditations and send them to the global platform with qualified competence, and to promote Chinese cultural education in the global market sustainably. Emily Hu, President of IEEA [China], one of the initiators in the China-US conference, said that IEEA is a major founding member and organizer of the China-US Educational Innovation Alliance. From this year on, IEEA will organize more famous Chinese education industry investment funds and educational foundations to strengthen the specific cooperation between Chinese and the US educational institutes in K-12 education, including the standards and accreditation of teachers, principals, students, curricula, schools, and information and technology, and to facilitate Chinese investment in China-US education cooperation, including advanced American educational technology, excellent private schools, and online education, hence to promote the standardization, accreditation, curricular adaptation, and cooperation of traditional Chinese culture in the US and the rest of the world, and eventually to boost China-US cross-cultural exchange and cooperation in the area of education. Dr. Sharon R Robinson, President of AACTE, the running organization of 'China-US Educational Innovation Alliance's base office in the US, was elected as the co-chair of 'China-US Educational Innovation Alliance'. She emphasizs the significance of China-US educational cooperation and exchange, and its sustainable operation. She also claims that 'China-US Educational Innovation Alliance' would become a China-US cooperation model with high efficiency in the educational field and financial investment fields with social impact. Mr. Yudong Liang, Trustee of China Internet Education Industry Fund and China Education Industry Investment Fund, the CEO of CITIC Securities Merger and Acquisition Education Industry Investment Funds Management Co., Ltd., introduces that the Chinese Private Education Promotion Law, promulgated in September, 2017, would bring very positive changes to Chinese education. CITIC Securities Education Industry Merger and Acquisition Funds joins and initiates the 'China-US Educational Innovation Alliance', with an intention to foster the capitalization of excellent Chinese educational projects. This year, it will issue an initial Chinese education industry investment buyout fund of RMB 6 billion, including China STEM education industry investment fund, China excellent teacher development fund, and China cultural education globalization fund. With these funds, he expects to establish influential Chinese K-12 schools with unique features and international contents. He also hopes that the schools could become demonstration institutes with worldwide education standard accreditation, and cultivate professional principals and teachers with global perspectives. In addition, he wants to accelerate the investment, merger and acquisition of excellent Chinese educational projects, and to promote educational innovation in China. Jiachang Wang, Director of Financial Innovation Center of Peking University Shenzhen Institute [FICPUSI], said that Peking University is a prestigious institute with global influence. Under the support of Shenzhen municipal government, with the joint efforts from banking, security, fund, and insurance associations in Shenzhen, Peking University Shenzhen Institute has established the first financial innovation center in China. With financial innovation, the Center intends to promote innovation in education industry and other social fields. FICPUSI is among the first Chinese founding members of 'China-US Educational Innovation Alliance', and serves as the Alliance's base office in China. SOURCE Financial Innovation Center of Peking University Shenzhen Institute As part of the clearance, the FTC today voted to accept a proposed consent decree in which Enbridge and Spectra Energy have agreed, following the closing of their proposed combination, to enact firewalls governing the flow of certain information to Enbridge about the Discovery offshore Gulf of Mexico natural gas pipeline system (Discovery), and to take certain other steps limiting Enbridge's potential influence over actions related to Discovery. Spectra Energy holds an ownership interest in Discovery through its indirect ownership interest in DCP Midstream, LP, which holds a 40 percent ownership interest in Discovery. Enbridge, through an affiliate, also has offshore natural gas gathering operations in the Gulf of Mexico. The FTC's decision is accessible via the following link: https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/cases-proceedings/161-0215/enbridge-spectra-energy . With this clearance from the FTC, the proposed combination of Enbridge and Spectra Energy has only one remaining regulatory clearance to secure in order to close the transaction: clearance under the Canadian Competition Act. The companies continue to expect the transaction to close in the first quarter of this year. About Enbridge Inc. Enbridge Inc., a Canadian company, exists to fuel people's quality of life, and has done so for more than 65 years. A North American leader in delivering energy, Enbridge has been ranked on the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations index for the past eight years. Enbridge operates the world's longest crude oil and liquids transportation system across Canada and the U.S., and has a significant and growing involvement in natural gas gathering, transmission and midstream business, as well as an increasing involvement in power transmission. Enbridge owns and operates Canada's largest natural gas distribution company, serving residential, commercial, and industrial customers in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and New York State. Enbridge has interests in more than 2,200 megawatts of net renewable and alternative generating capacity, and continues to expand into wind, solar and geothermal power. Enbridge employs approximately 10,000 people, primarily in Canada and the U.S., and has been ranked 15 times on the annual Canada's Top 100 Employers list, including the 2017 index. Enbridge's common shares trade on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges under the symbol ENB. For more information, visit www.enbridge.com. About Spectra Energy Corp Spectra Energy Corp (NYSE: SE), a FORTUNE 500 company, is one of North America's leading pipeline and midstream companies. Based in Houston, Texas, the company's operations in the United States and Canada include approximately 21,000 miles of natural gas and crude oil pipelines; approximately 300 billion cubic feet of natural gas storage; 5.6 million barrels of crude oil storage; as well as natural gas gathering, processing, and local distribution operations. Spectra Energy is the general partner of Spectra Energy Partners, LP (NYSE: SEP), one of the largest pipeline master limited partnerships in the United States and owner of the natural gas and crude oil assets in Spectra Energy's U.S. portfolio. Spectra Energy also has a 50 percent ownership in DCP Midstream, LLC, which is the general partner of DCP Midstream, LP (NYSE: DCP), the largest natural gas liquids producer and the largest natural gas processor in the United States, and the largest gathering and processing master limited partnership in the United States. Spectra Energy has served North American customers and communities for more than a century. For more information, visit www.spectraenergy.com. Forward-Looking Information Certain information with respect to the proposed combination of Enbridge and Spectra Energy constitutes forward-looking statements. Although Enbridge and Spectra Energy believe these statements are based on information and assumptions which are current, reasonable and complete, these statements are necessarily subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, including those pertaining to the timing and completion of the proposed combination. A further discussion of the risks and uncertainties facing Enbridge and Spectra Energy can be found in each company's filings with Canadian and United States securities regulators, as applicable. While Enbridge and Spectra Energy make these forward-looking statements in good faith, should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary significantly from those expected. Except as may be required by applicable securities laws, neither Enbridge nor Spectra Energy assume any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements made herein or otherwise, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. SOURCE Spectra Energy Corp; Enbridge Inc. Related Links http://www.spectraenergy.com BEDFORD, Mass., Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- EnterpriseDB (EDB), the database platform company for digital business, today announced the general availability of the EDB Postgres Platform 2017. The EDB Postgres Platform is the first integrated open source-based database management platform that brings together all of the components required for managing structured and unstructured data in a single platform. The 2017 version of the platform enables organizations to improve decision-making, explore new revenue opportunities, and boost productivity with better support for advanced analytics and data integration. "EnterpriseDB has set a new standard in digital business by giving enterprises the capabilities, performance, and reliability they need with the flexibility and ease of provisioning required by modern DevOps," said Marc Linster, Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Product Development, EnterpriseDB. "The EDB Postgres Platform 2017 elevates the performance and capabilities of integrated tools designed specifically for high-performance Postgres infrastructures. The result is a more powerful and better-integrated architecture capable of supporting the demanding and complex workloads of today's digital business applications." The new EDB Postgres Platform 2017 features technology enhancements that enable enterprises to: Support more challenging workloads and complex analytics; Manage larger, multi-terabyte data sets more easily; Build more flexible database clusters that support geographically distributed workloads; and Integrate more easily with legacy systems, and migrate a greater range of workloads from Oracle through advances to our compatibility technology. EDB Postgres: Quantifying Success EnterpriseDB's research and development investments in the new EDB Postgres Platform 2017 directly address the challenges facing many organizations as they move ahead with their digital initiatives. "Organizations are seeking agile, flexible data management solutions that extract and deliver competitive business value from today's data deluge," said Terri Virnig, IBM Vice President of Power Ecosystem and Strategy. "We believe that the EDB Postgres Platform provides the speed, scale, and reliability needed to help clients advance their digital transformation initiatives, and we're pleased to offer IBM Power Systems as a high-performance server solution to maximize client value." Achieving digital transformation helps organizations realize new levels of data integration and insight. Recent research quantifies the success that organizations can realize by digitally transforming their infrastructures. Harvard Business Review recently outlined in What Companies on the Right Side of the Digital Business Divide Have in Common1 a research initiative that examined 344 enterprises listed on U.S. stock exchanges with a median revenue of $3.4 billion across multiple major industries. Based on three-year averages, digital leaders (the top 25 percent of companies) had 55 percent gross margins compared to 37 percent for digital laggards (the bottom 25 percent of companies). The same pattern held for operating and profit margins. It is clear that companies must overcome any challenges and drive towards becoming digital leaders or face the consequences. The article states: "Our research indicates that these leaders approach the digital opportunity with a different strategic mindset and execute on the opportunity with a different operating model. Data and analytics are obviously key. Leading organizations are more likely to have a comprehensive data acquisition strategy and differentiate themselves from competitors based on their data platform." EDB Postgres: The New Standard for Digital Business The EDB Postgres Platform has achieved widespread market acceptance from the Fortune 500 and Forbes Global 2000 across a range of industries, including information technology, insurance, financial services, government, healthcare, manufacturing, and telecommunications. In the telecommunications industry, for example, competitive pressures have brought profound change as telecom companies see a non-stop rise in new digital devices and changing business models for delivering services, while traditional voice and messaging products have become commoditized, pushing prices downward. As a result, telecommunications companies have been aggressive in their adoption of open source technologies to modernize operations; find greater efficiencies and flexibility; reduce vendor lock-in to function with greater agility; and cut costs. EnterpriseDB is a partner to many major telecommunications companies worldwide, including one of the largest regional wireless carriers in the United States ("Carrier"). The Carrier launched a corporate initiative to adopt more open source software for many of the same reasons as others in the telecom industry. As its first candidate for an open source-based software solution in the data center, the Carrier chose to migrate a 100TB mission-critical application from its legacy system, Oracle Exadata, to the EDB Postgres Platform and Cloudera (Hadoop). The migration from Oracle to the EDB Postgres Platform reduced the cost of running the application by several million dollars because it replaced the costly legacy system with the EDB Postgres Platform and Cloudera, both of which are low-cost, open source-based data management solutions. The migration was completed in two weeks with EnterpriseDB managing the project to ensure its rapid success. EDB Postgres: Key Updates The EDB Postgres Platform enables integration across different databases, and also supports combining unstructured data from NoSQL solutions with transactional data in structured and relational systems. The platform includes the choice of two database server versions: (i) EDB Postgres Standard Server, an open source PostgreSQL database; or (ii) EDB Postgres Advanced Server, an enhanced version of PostgreSQL with extended enterprise-class performance, scalability, and security features and capabilities. Below are the key advancements and updates in the 2017 version: EDB Postgres Advanced Server 9.6: Performance enhancements and advances in horizontal and vertical scalability give the database greater capacity to support larger, more complex analytical workloads. The parallel query feature in EDB Postgres Advanced Server 9.6 allows customers to combine traditional, transactional operations with analytics. EDB Postgres Advanced Server also features advances in synchronized data replication for greater scale out performance as well as high availability. The result is that organizations can now deploy EDB Postgres Advanced Server to support workloads with higher transaction rates, larger databases, and more analytical demands. In addition, EDB Postgres Advanced Server now features DBMS_AQ, a DBMS Advanced Queuing capability like that of Oracle that facilitates messaging between applications. Transactional systems, for example, are better able to communicate with shipping, inventory, and supply chain systems because of DBMS_AQ. EnterpriseDB developed DBMS_AQ in such a way that is compatible with Oracle for organizations migrating databases. However, all organizations will enjoy easier application integration because of this functionality whether or not they use Oracle or migrate from Oracle. EDB Postgres Advanced Server 9.6 also features nested sub-procedures, and Oracle-style parallel hints. EDB Postgres Replication Server 6.1: Part of the Integration Suite, EDB Postgres Replication Server 6.1 is integrated into the EDB Postgres Platform 2017. Updates to the tool enhance performance for synchronization across multiple geographies, a critical feature for today's digital business applications. With new enhancements, EDB Postgres Replication Server is now compatible with Oracle 12c and SQL Server 2012 and 2014, creating greater opportunities for those users to leverage EDB Postgres. As companies use replication more strategically with their architectures and applications, they have begun to require replication tools with greater performance and flexibility. The advances EnterpriseDB developed for the database and tools address these new demands. EDB Postgres Backup and Recovery 2.0: Also integrated into the EDB Postgres Platform as part of the Management Suite of tools, the EDB Postgres Backup and Recovery 2.0 tool features new enhancements aimed at the database administrator. New precision controls greatly ease and speed processes for DBAs who manage increasingly more complex, distributed infrastructures and work to ensure consistent uptime. One of the new features, for example, is incremental backup at the block level, which diminishes the time required for backups from many hours to a small fraction thereof by backing up just what was changed since the prior backup. This gives DBAs much greater flexibility to test different backup scenarios. EDB Postgres: Pricing, Availability, and Software Downloads The EDB Postgres Platform 2017 is available as a subscription that includes all data management solution components, support, software upgrades, and access to much of the EDB Postgres partner network. The EDB Postgres Platform can be deployed on bare metal; virtually, including container environments; or in a public, private and/or hybrid cloud environment. EDB Postgres is open source- and standards-based, and runs on all major operating systems, including various distributions of Linux and Windows. Learn more about the EDB Postgres Platform 2017 during the February 23 webinar Advances in Postgres Set New Digital Business Standard: Register for the 8am (Eastern) webinar (Eastern) webinar Register for the 1pm (Eastern) webinar To get started with the EDB Postgres Platform 2017, download EDB Postgres Advanced Server here or contact [email protected]. About EnterpriseDB (EDB) Corporation EnterpriseDB (EDB), the database platform company for digital business, delivers the premier open source-based data platform for new applications, cloud re-platforming, application modernization, and legacy migration. EnterpriseDB integrates with enterprise technologies and infrastructures for hybrid cloud management, data integration, and data warehousing. Our customers benefit from the most reliable, high-performing, flexible, open, and cost-effective data management platform available. EnterpriseDB is based in Bedford, Massachusetts with 16 offices around the globe. For more information, visit www.EDBPostgres.com. EnterpriseDB is a registered trademark of EnterpriseDB Corporation. EDB and EDB Postgres are trademarks of EnterpriseDB Corporation. Other trademarks may be trademarks of their respective owners. MEDIA CONTACTS Nancy Scott Cairbre Sugrue EnterpriseDB Sugrue Communications +1 781.357.3090 +44 (0)1932 429 779 [email protected] [email protected] 1 Robert Brock, Marco Iansiti, and Karim R. Lakhani, What Companies on the Right Side of the Digital Divide Have in Common (Harv. Bus. Rev., Jan. 31, 2017). SOURCE EnterpriseDB Related Links http://www.enterprisedb.com TAMPA, Fla., Feb. 16, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HCI Group, Inc. (NYSE:HCI), a holding company primarily engaged in homeowners insurance, with additional operations in reinsurance, real estate and information technology, plans to participate at the Association of Insurance and Financial Analysts (AIFA) Conference to be held March 5 7, 2017 at the Boca Raton Resort and Club in Florida. HCI Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Paresh Patel is scheduled to hold one-on-one meetings throughout the day to discuss the companys recent operational developments and financial performance. The conference is designed to provide a forum to address the issues, challenges, and opportunities facing the property and casualty insurance, life insurance, reinsurance, and insurance brokerage industries. Over 250 investors and analysts and 100 industry participants are expected to attend the event which will feature over 50 companies and 15 industry panels. To learn more about the conference or to schedule a one-on-one meeting, please contact your AIFA representative or visit www.aifa-insurance.com. About HCI Group, Inc. HCI Group, Inc. owns subsidiaries engaged in diverse, yet complementary business activities, including homeowners insurance, reinsurance, real estate and information technology. The company's largest subsidiary, Homeowners Choice Property & Casualty Insurance Company, Inc., is a leading provider of property and casualty insurance in the state of Florida. The company's common shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "HCI" and are included in the Russell 2000 and S&P SmallCap 600 Index. Its 8% Senior Notes trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "HCJ." For more information about HCI Group, visit www.hcigroup.com. SAN FRANCISCO and NEW YORK, Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a retail property, casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today that Thomas E. O'Neil has been appointed Northeast Region President, relocating to New York City from EPIC's headquarters in San Francisco, where he has served as President of EPIC's West Region since January 2014. O'Neil spent most of his nearly 30 year insurance industry career based in the northeast and his relocation and reassignment reflect EPIC's priority to grow aggressively in the region both by expanding existing northeast operations organically and through strategic mergers and acquisitions. Earlier in his career, O'Neil held the positions of CEO of USI New York, CEO of USI's Northeast Region and ultimately Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for USI Holdings, Inc. He was a key member of the management and leadership teams that took USI's revenues from $50 million in 1996 to almost $500 million in 2005. Immediately prior to joining EPIC, O'Neil was the President and CEO of privately-held SafeHarbor Risk Management a Property & Casualty Insurance Brokerage and Employee Benefit Consulting firm with locations in New York and Boston, Mass. which he founded in 2009. "We are excited that Tom has accepted the responsibility and the challenge of leading our growth initiatives in the northeast," said EPIC President Peter Garvey. "His strong background and past success in agency operations and M&A, along with his extensive network and strong, positive relationships in the region will be huge assets in helping EPIC to grow and succeed across the northeast." As one of the nation's fastest growing private insurance brokerage firms, EPIC has been on an aggressive national growth trajectory, successfully competing against the large institutional brokers with an entrepreneurial, client-focused business model. Since The Carlyle Group became the firm's major investment partner in December 2013, EPIC has added multiple locations and new team members across the country, growing revenues from roughly $80 million to estimated run rate revenues of almost $250 million a 212% increase. Said O'Neil, "While I have enjoyed my time in California, successfully building out EPIC's footprint across the west region, I am truly excited to return to my 'roots' in the northeast. We are off to a strong start in the east region, driven by existing operations in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York, but there is so much opportunity for a firm like EPIC and I see many exciting developments ahead." Tom O'Neil can be reached at: EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants 295 Madison Avenue 38th Floor, New York, NY 10017 tom.oneil [at] epicbrokers.com 914-740-1620. About EPIC: EPIC is a unique and innovative retail property and casualty and employee benefits insurance brokerage and consulting firm. EPIC has created a values-based, client-focused culture that attracts and retains top talent, fosters employee satisfaction and loyalty and sustains a high level of customer service excellence. EPIC team members have consistently recognized their company as a "Best Place to Work" in multiple regions and as a "Best Place to Work in the Insurance Industry" nationally. EPIC now has more than 850 team members operating from offices across the U.S., providing Property Casualty, Employee Benefits, Specialty Programs and Private Client solutions to more than 13,000 clients. With more than $200 million in revenues, EPIC ranks among the top 20 retail insurance brokers in the United States. Supported by the Carlyle Group, the company continues to expand organically and through strategic acquisitions across the country. For additional information, please visit http://www.epicbrokers.com/. *PHOTO for media: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/17-0216s2p-TEoneil-300dpi.jpg This release was issued through Send2Press, a unit of Neotrope. For more information, visit Send2Press Newswire at https://www.Send2Press.com SOURCE EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants Related Links http://www.epicbrokers.com DENVER, Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- OTTO Health LLC, the integrated care delivery platform, announced its Vice President of Product Evan Frankel will speak at the 2017 HIMSS Annual Conference & Exhibition, which will take place on Feb. 1923, 2017 in Orlando, Fla. Mr. Frankel will present "Invisible Network Fencing Use Telehealth as a Tool for Network Management" during Tuesday's HX360 Innovation Leaders Program at 3:30 p.m. The 2017 HIMSS Annual Conference & Exhibition brings together more than 40,000 health care professionals and industry leaders to hear from expert speakers, learn about cutting-edge health IT products and make meaningful connections. The breakout HX360 Innovation Leaders Program is a two-day curriculum featuring key influencers who will focus on how technological advances are disrupting health care. Mr. Frankel will explain how OTTO Health's network algorithms will support clinical networks to improve population health management. "OTTO is thrilled to present and exhibit at HIMSS," said Mr. Frankel. "The OTTO Health solution is key to network management, patient engagement, and rethinking value-based care. We are excited to show our dynamic product to some of the biggest names in healthcare at HIMSS." For more information, visit OTTOHealth.com or visit the OTTO Health HIMSS exhibit space in the Innovation Zone (Booth #7785-53). About OTTO Health OTTO Health LLC is an integrated care delivery platform that provides remote access to local healthcare services through both web and mobile applications, for consumers, integrated physician groups, hospitals, employers, and payer organizations. Founded in 2013, OTTO Health uses advances in technology to strengthen communication between physicians and patients, while also making healthcare more affordable and convenient for patients. With an emphasis on local healthcare and making communities healthier, OTTO Health connects patients to local providers for real-time urgent care treatment, medical questions, and chronic care management. SOURCE OTTO Health Related Links http://www.ottohealthcare.com NEW YORK, Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Extend Fertility, a one-of-a-kind, specialty egg freezing practice, today announces that its state-of-the-art egg-freezing laboratory is fully operational. The lab at Extend Fertility oversees and executes the process of vitrification utilizing a process that is considered to be the most advanced and successful. The Cryotec method employed by Extend Fertility was created by Dr. Masashige Kuwayama, long considered the foremost authority on vitrification, and is considered the most advanced method of egg freezing available for cryopreserving eggs currently in practice. This process, combined with the lab's state-of-the-art technology and uniquely clean environment, enables Extend Fertility to ensure a near 100 percent survival rate of oocytes. "The Cryotec process is superior to its slower predecessors, which introduced more opportunities for errors that can destroy the viability of stored eggs by damaging their cellular structure," said Embryology Laboratory Assistant Director Dr. Leslie Ramirez, PhD, who studied in Japan with Dr. Kuwayama to perfect her technique. Extend Fertility is Dr. Kuwayama's east coast representative Cryotec laboratory. Before any other cryogenic lab is permitted to use his method, their embryologists must train with Dr. Ramirez. Vitrification is so named because during the process the eggs transition to a vitreous, or "glass-like," state. A combination of cryoprotectants and faster cooling (compared to the slow freezing method) reduce the opportunity for damaging intercellular ice crystals to form during the process, ensuring a near 100 percent survival rate of oocytes. To maintain this uniquely advanced lab, Extend Fertility takes a number of steps to produce the cleanest, safest possible environment for egg freezing: A custom design by Dr. Ramirez ensures optimal workflow when reproductive cells are handled during all procedures A unique air-handling system devoted solely to the lab uniquely isolates its environment from the rest of the floor Mini air locks and a fiber membrane seal deter potentially harmful particulates Temperature controls on all lab surfaces and bench top incubators maintain egg quality by mimicking a normal body temperature of 37 degrees Celsius World-class physicians and embryologists provide patients at Extend Fertility with the highest quality care in a state-of-the-art facility, purpose built for egg freezing. The lab is led by chief embryologist Dr. Leslie Ramirez, who obtained her master's and Ph.D. in biotechnology of human assisted reproduction at the University of Valencia in Spain, studying under Dr. Carlos Simon at the Instituto Valenciano de Infertilidad (Valencia Infertility Institute). She then studied with Dr. Masashige Kuwayama in Japan. Dr. Ramirez is supported in the lab by Alexis Adler, Extend Fertility's Senior Embryologist. Ms. Adler has more than 20 years' embryology experience, having previously worked as the Senior Embryologist at Weill Cornell and as the Supervisor of the Embryology Lab at NYU Fertility Center. To learn more or schedule a fertility assessment, potential patients can visit Extend Fertility's website at www.extendfertility.com or call 212-810-2828. Contact: Rachel Dobin 646 747 7153 [email protected] SOURCE Extend Fertility Related Links https://extendfertility.com RIDGEFIELD, Conn., Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved SPIRIVA RESPIMAT for the long-term, once-daily maintenance treatment of asthma in people age 6 and older. SPIRIVA RESPIMAT is not a treatment for sudden asthma symptoms. The FDA approved the Supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) under a priority review designation, and the FDA also granted pediatric exclusivity to SPIRIVA RESPIMAT in light of the clinical trials conducted by Boehringer Ingelheim. SPIRIVA RESPIMAT is steroid-free and works differently from other treatment options to open airways to help people breathe better. In its comprehensive clinical trial program, SPIRIVA RESPIMAT demonstrated proven efficacy and safety for patients age 6 and older. "It is important for healthcare providers to identify and treat patients who may be taking a controller medicine, but who continue to experience uncontrolled asthma symptoms that can make it difficult to breathe and may even cause an exacerbation," said Bradley E. Chipps, MD, Capital Allergy & Respiratory Disease Center, Sacramento, California. "As healthcare providers, we need options, like SPIRIVA RESPIMAT, to consider as an add-on treatment to improve asthma symptoms for the broad age range of patients who may need more control." SPIRIVA RESPIMAT, which is delivered as 2 puffs once a day of 1.25 mcg per puff, is part of a class of medicines called long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) and is the only one of its kind approved for asthma. SPIRIVA RESPIMAT was approved in September 2015 for the long-term, once-daily, prescription maintenance treatment of asthma in people age 12 and older. In the treatment of asthma, the maximum benefits in breathing may take up to 4 to 8 weeks. Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that can cause airways to become narrower and irritated, making it difficult to breathe. It currently affects nearly 6.3 million American children. Asthma symptoms can be serious, and uncontrolled asthma could lead to emergency room visits, hospital stays and missed days of school. "This FDA approval expands the indication of SPIRIVA RESPIMAT to a broad range of people, including children, adolescents and adults who may be experiencing uncontrolled asthma," said Sabine Luik MD, Senior Vice President, Medicine & Regulatory Affairs, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. "For nearly a century, Boehringer Ingelheim has been focused on addressing serious unmet needs. This approval is further evidence of our ongoing commitment to improving the lives of the patients we serve." This FDA approval is based on efficacy and safety data from the Phase II and Phase III UniTinA-asthma clinical development program, which included more than 150 sites globally with over 6,000 patients, including 804 children (aged 6-11 years). About Asthma More than 24 million people in the U.S. have asthma, including 6.3 million children under the age of 18. Asthma is a chronic disease and despite taking maintenance treatments, many children and adults continue to have uncontrolled asthma. According to the CDC, 50 percent of adults and over 38 percent of children with asthma in the U.S. remain symptomatic, despite maintenance treatment. When a person with asthma comes into contact with an asthma trigger (e.g., infections, pollen, and smoke), their airways can become inflamed, swollen and constricted and excess mucus is produced. These reactions can cause the airways to become narrower and irritated, making it difficult to breathe. People suffering from asthma experience recurrent episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness and coughing. Asthma attacks occur when symptoms become more intense or frequent. About the RESPIMAT Inhaler RESPIMAT, the platform inhaler for the Boehringer Ingelheim respiratory therapies, was designed to get medicine deep into patients' lungs as a slow-moving mist. The slow moving mist of the RESPIMAT inhaler provides patients with enough time to breathe in the medication. The RESPIMAT inhaler operates independent of inspiratory effort, helping patients effectively breathe the medicine into their lungs while minimizing inhalation effort. As with all inhaled drugs, the actual amount of drug delivered to the lung may depend on patient factors, such as coordination between actuation of the inhaler and inspiration through the delivery system. The duration of inhalation should be at least as long as the spray duration (1.5 seconds). Boehringer Ingelheim's RESPIMAT family of products includes five FDA-approved medicines for COPD and asthma. Important Safety Information Do not use SPIRIVA RESPIMAT (tiotropium bromide) Inhalation Spray if you are allergic to tiotropium, ipratropium, atropine or similar drugs, or any ingredient in this medicine. SPIRIVA RESPIMAT is not a rescue medicine and should not be used for treating sudden breathing problems. Your doctor may give you other medicine to use for sudden breathing problems. SPIRIVA RESPIMAT can cause allergic reactions. Symptoms can include raised red patches on your skin (hives), itching, rash and/or swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat that may cause difficulty in breathing or swallowing. If you have any of these symptoms, stop taking the medicine and seek emergency medical care. SPIRIVA RESPIMAT can cause your breathing to suddenly get worse (bronchospasm). If this happens, use your rescue inhaler, stop taking SPIRIVA RESPIMAT, and call your doctor right away or seek emergency medical care. SPIRIVA RESPIMAT can increase the pressure in your eyes (acute narrow-angle glaucoma), which can cause the following symptoms: eye pain, blurred vision, seeing halos or colored images along with red eyes. If you have any of these symptoms, stop taking your medicine and call your doctor right away. Dizziness and blurred vision may occur with SPIRIVA RESPIMAT. If you experience these symptoms, use caution when engaging in activities such as driving a car, or operating appliances or machinery. SPIRIVA RESPIMAT can cause new or worsened urinary retention. Symptoms of blockage in your bladder and/or enlarged prostate may include difficulty passing urine and/or painful urination. If you have any of these symptoms, stop taking your medicine and call your doctor right away. The most common side effects with SPIRIVA RESPIMAT in adult patients with asthma were sore throat, headache, bronchitis, and sinus infection. The side effect profile for adolescent and pediatric patients was comparable to that observed in adult patients with asthma. Do not spray SPIRIVA RESPIMAT into your eyes, as this may cause blurring of vision and pupil dilation. Tell your doctor about all your medical conditions including kidney problems, glaucoma, enlarged prostate, problems passing urine, or blockage in your bladder. Tell your doctor all the medicines you take, including eye drops. Ask your doctor if you are taking any anticholinergic medicines because taking them together with SPIRIVA RESPIMAT can increase side effects. Indication SPIRIVA RESPIMAT, 1.25 mcg, is a long-term, once-daily, prescription maintenance treatment of asthma for people 6 years and older. SPIRIVA RESPIMAT is not a treatment for sudden asthma symptoms. Please see full Prescribing Information and Instructions for Use for SPIRIVA RESPIMAT. About Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., based in Ridgefield, CT, is the largest U.S. subsidiary of Boehringer Ingelheim Corporation. Boehringer Ingelheim is one of the world's 20 leading pharmaceutical companies. Headquartered in Ingelheim, Germany, the company operates globally with 145 affiliates and about 50,000 employees. Since its founding in 1885, the family-owned company has been committed to researching, developing, manufacturing and marketing novel treatments for human and veterinary medicine. Boehringer Ingelheim is committed to improving lives and providing valuable services and support to patients and their families. Our employees create and engage in programs that strengthen our communities. To learn more about how we make more health for more people, visit our Corporate Social Responsibility Report. In 2015, Boehringer Ingelheim achieved net sales of about $15.8 billion (14.8 billion euros). R&D expenditure corresponds to 20.3 percent of its net sales. For more information, please visit www.boehringer-ingelheim.us, or follow us on Twitter @BoehringerUS. SOURCE Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Related Links http://www.boehringer-ingelheim.us BOSTON, February 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Early-career researchers from Bangladesh, Ecuador, Ghana, Indonesia and Sudan honored for their work in engineering sciences Five researchers have been named winners of the 2017 Elsevier Foundation Awards for Early-Career Women Scientists in the Developing World for their research in engineering, innovation and technology. The winning scholars from Bangladesh, Ecuador, Ghana, Indonesia and Sudan are being honored for their accomplishments in chemical engineering, energy and minerals engineering, environmental engineering and computer science. They are also celebrated for mentoring young women scientists in their respective countries. "The determination, commitment and enthusiasm of these five women are an inspiration to us all, and especially to other women undertaking scientific research in developing countries. This award celebrates their excellent science and demonstrates that their hard work has had an impact both regionally and internationally, despite the difficult local conditions," said Jennifer Thomson, president of OWSD. The five researchers are: Dr. Tanzima Hashem of the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology; Dr. Maria Fernanda Rivera Velasquez of the Universidad Nacional de Chimborazo in Ecuador; Dr. Felycia Edi Soetaredjo of the Widya Mandala Catholic University Surabaya in Indonesia; Dr. Grace Ofori-Sarpong of the University of Mines and Technology in Ghana; and Dr. Rania Mokhtar of the Sudan University of Science and Technology. "Each of these winners is working in emerging fields tackling some of the toughest challenges out there - from cyber security to decontamination of our most precious resources," added Ylann Schemm, Director of the Elsevier Foundation. "By celebrating their achievements at the AAAS, our goal is to open doors and connect them with their global research peers." The awards represent a longstanding partnership between the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) and the Elsevier Foundation. A panel of eminent scientists selected the winners, who will all receive USD $5,000 and all-expenses-paid trip to attend the 2017 AAAS Annual Meeting, provided by the Elsevier Foundation. The five winners will be honored on February 18, 2017 during a ceremony at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Annual Meeting in Boston. "We are celebrating the exceptional achievements of five truly outstanding women scientists," said TWAS Executive Director a.i. Mohamed Hassan, also Special Advisor to OWSD. "Their work will be widely recognized and appreciated for the benefits it can bring to developing countries and the entire world. Just as important, they will serve as inspiring role models to future generations of women science leaders." The 2017 winners are: Dr. Tanzima Hashem, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Bangladesh (Central and South Asia Region) Computer science and engineering: For her work in developed computational approaches to protect the privacy of people accessing location-based services. Specifically, for her new and innovative solutions which allow citizens to have control over their personal and sensitive data on health, habits and whereabouts. "This award gives me the confidence to fulfil my dream of making user-friendly technology to solve the specific challenges we face in the developing world," said Dr. Tanzima Hashem. Dr. Maria Fernanda Rivera Velasquez, Universidad Nacional de Chimborazo, Ecuador ( Latin America and the Caribbean Region) Environmental engineering: For her work using the fibre of a native Ecuadorian plant (Cabuya) and reactive minerals (zeolites) taken from the region to reduce contamination in industrial areas. Through her geological research into the availability of mineral resources in Ecuador, Dr. Rivera Velasquez has contributed to expanding Ecuador's capacity to exploit minerals and improving working conditions. "I belong to a generation of Ecuadorians who have received great opportunities of advanced training," said Dr. Rivera Velasquez. "I am happy and proud to receive the OWSD-Elsevier Foundation award. It also strengthens my commitment to engage in the scientific development of my country and of the Andean region." Dr. Felycia Edi Soetaredjo, Widya Mandala Catholic University Surabaya, Indonesia (East and South-East Asia and the Pacific) Chemical engineering: For her research on using biomass for environmental remediation and renewable energy. Dr. Soetaredjo utilizes biomass and clay material to produce biosorbents, adsorbents and composites, which remove hazardous compounds such as antibiotics, heavy metals and dyes from wastewater. "Realizing that a challenge can also be an opportunity, I started working on research in the area of environment and waste," said Dr. Soetaredjo. "My home country Indonesia is uniquely rich in biodiversity and I believe that nature has answers for each question." Dr. Grace Ofori-Sarpong , University of Mines and Technology, Ghana (Sub-Saharan-Africa) Energy and minerals engineering: For her research work in microbial-mineral interaction, recovery of precious metals, water quality monitoring and acid mine drainage. Dr. Ofori-Sarpong's research focuses on making the extraction of gold-bearing minerals and free gold particles possible and more efficient. She also is the founder of the Association of Women in Mining and Allied Professions in Ghana. "Difficulties in the process of extracting gold from recalcitrant gold-bearing minerals motivated me to start a new research I call mycohydrometallurgy, which uses fungi to break down the host materials to ease gold extraction in a one-pot process," said Dr. Ofori-Sarpong. "With this pleasant surprise from the Elsevier Foundation and OWSD, I am greatly encouraged to reach higher." Dr. Rania Mokhtar , Sudan University of Science and Technology, Sudan (Arab Region) Computer engineering: For her research into the knowledge, methods, theory and application of advanced security systems for mobile devices. Dr. Mokhtar is involved in research projects funded by national bodies in the field of wireless communications, agriculture automation, sensor networks and security systems. "I strive to help transform communication systems in African Universities as I see this as key to opening doors to education for many more women in STEM," said Dr. Mokhtar. "Receiving the OWSD-Elsevier Foundation award means that I can push forward with my vision." Read more on Elsevier Connect. The awards ceremony will take place on February 18, 2017 during a ceremony at 8:30 a.m. in Boston at the Sheraton Boston Hotel Republic Ballroom during the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Annual Meeting. Reporters wishing to attend the ceremony can contact Domiziana Francescon at +31-61-021-5901 or [email protected]. About OWSD The Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) provides research training, career development and networking opportunities for women scientists throughout the developing world. Headed by eminent women scientists from the South, OWSD has more than 5,000 members and runs various programmes, including a PhD fellowship programme with over 200 successful graduates from Least Developed Countries and sub-Saharan Africa. OWSD is the first international forum to unite eminent women scientists from the developing and developed worlds with the objective of strengthening their role in the development process and promoting their representation in scientific and technological leadership. OWSD is affiliated with The World Academy of Science (TWAS) and based in Trieste, Italy, with national chapters throughout the developing world. http://www.owsd.net About The Elsevier Foundation The Elsevier Foundation provides grants to knowledge centered institutions around the world, with a sustainability focus on innovations in health information, diversity in STM, research in developing countries and technology for development. Since 2006, the Foundation has awarded more than 100 grants worth millions of dollars to non-profit organizations working in these fields. Through gift-matching, the Foundation also supports the efforts of Elsevier employees to play a positive role in their local and global communities. The Elsevier Foundation is a corporate not-for-profit 501(c)(3), funded by Elsevier, a global provider of scientific, technical and medical information products and services. http://www.elsevierfoundation.org About Elsevier Elsevier is a world-leading provider of information solutions that enhance the performance of science, health, and technology professionals, empowering them to make better decisions, deliver better care, and sometimes make ground-breaking discoveries that advance the boundaries of knowledge and human progress. Elsevier provides web-based, digital solutions - among them ScienceDirect, Scopus, Research Intelligence and ClinicalKey - and publishes over 2,500 journals, including The Lancet and Cell, and more than 35,000 book titles, including a number of iconic reference works. Elsevier is part of RELX Group, a world-leading provider of information and analytics for professional and business customers across industries. http://www.elsevier.com Media contacts Tonya Blowers Program Coordinator, OWSD +39-040-2240-682 [email protected] Hadley Dreibelbis Finn Partners +1-202-518-6496 [email protected] Ylann Schemm Director, Elsevier Foundation +31-623982359 [email protected] . SOURCE Elsevier Richardson is among thousands of Brookdale Senior Living associates whose dedication to those living with dementia, their families and the cure has yielded historic results: The nation's largest senior living and dementia care provider raised more than $2 million for the Alzheimer's Association's Walk to End Alzheimer' in 2016, the third consecutive year the company reached the million dollar or more amount. In 2014, Brookdale became the first corporate team to generate $1 million in a single calendar year, earning national Diamond Team status which it has maintained ever since. Brookdale raised the funds through associate, resident and family participation in their local Walk to End Alzheimer's events, from efforts of its home office associates in Nashville and Milwaukee and from company business partners. Brookdale remains the Alzheimer's Association's largest supporter in those respective chapters as well as the largest fundraiser nationally. Since 2008, Brookdale has contributed nearly $10 million to the Walk to End Alzheimer's. Richardson began participating in the effort because of her position as resident programs director at Brookdale Gaines Ranch in Austin, Texas. "Working at Brookdale and becoming friends with seniors made it something I wanted to support," she said. "But three years ago, it took on even more meaning when my father was diagnosed. It has become a greater cause with a greater mission. If I can't help find a cure for my dad, then maybe I can help someone else's family member." Sara Terry, Brookdale's senior vice president of resident and family engagement, said: "This cause truly is a personal one for our residents, families and associates. They develop close bonds and see dementia's effects every day. Many have chosen to work in this field because the disease has affected their family and they want to make a difference for those living with Alzheimer's and related dementias. Coming together to raise this amount of funds to fight Alzheimer's is one way we live our mission of enriching lives every day." "The Alzheimer's Association appreciates the phenomenal support Brookdale Senior Living provides annually to our Walk to End Alzheimer's and congratulates them on a banner year in 2016," said Donna McCullough, chief development officer, Alzheimer's Association. "The collective support Brookdale communities provide bring much needed awareness and funds to fuel the mission of the Alzheimer's Association. The funds raised will bolster our efforts to support families facing Alzheimer's disease and advance much needed research that will one day change the future of millions." Alzheimer's disease is now the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. To learn more about Brookdale, including its dementia care options, visit www.brookdale.com. About Brookdale Brookdale Senior Living Inc. is the leading operator of senior living communities throughout the United States. The Company is committed to providing senior living solutions primarily within properties that are designed, purpose-built and operated to provide the highest-quality service, care and living accommodations for residents. Brookdale operates independent living, assisted living, and dementia-care communities and continuing care retirement centers, with approximately 1,055 communities in 47 states and the ability to serve approximately 103,000 residents. Through its ancillary services program, the Company also offers a range of outpatient therapy, home health and hospice services. About the Alzheimer's Association The Alzheimer's Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care, support and research. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research, to provide and enhance care and support for all affected, and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's. For more information, visit alz.org. Contact: Heather Hunter, (615) 564-8622, [email protected] SOURCE Brookdale Senior Living Inc. Related Links https://www.brookdale.com A renowned public interest lawyer, Stevenson is founder and executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) in Montgomery, Alabama. He is the visionary behind the Enslavement to Mass Incarceration Museum and the Memorial to the Victims of Lynching, commemorating more than 4,000 individuals who were lynched in 12 southern states between 1871 and 1950. Stevenson is also the author of the New York Times best-selling book Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption , and a law professor at the New York University School of Law. "Bryan is a courageous, transformational leader and a stalwart advocate for justice who has done an extraordinary amount to challenge the legacy of racial inequality in this country," said Darren Walker, president of the Ford Foundation. "It is a boon to our entire organization to have his passion, perspective, and intellect on our Board." Stevenson began representing death row inmates in court in 1985, while serving as a staff attorney with the Southern Center for Human Rights in Atlanta, Georgia. That work inspired his founding, four years later, of the Equal Justice Initiative, which seeks to strengthen the system of public defense and protect the rights of defendants who are too often denied proper representation. His powerful 2012 TED talk, We Need to Talk About an Injustice, illuminates his lifelong commitment to criminal justice reform and has been viewed more than 5 million times. Last year, a profile of Stevenson in The New Yorker showed how his dedication to civil rights and criminal justice has fueled his devotion to building a memorial to the victims of lynching. "It's a direct line from slavery to the treatment of black suspects today, and we need to acknowledge the shamefulness of that history," Stevenson told journalist Jeffrey Toobin. Widely admired, Stevenson has received many distinctions and accolades over his career. He was named a MacArthur Foundation "Genius" in 1995, received the ACLU's National Medal of Liberty in 1991, and was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2014. In 2011, the Ford Foundation honored him with a Visionary Award for his work challenging the injustice of poverty. Stevenson also served on Former President Barack Obama's Task Force on 21st Century Policing, and has successfully argued several cases in the US Supreme Court, including a historic 2012 ruling on unconstitutional prison sentences for children 17 or younger. "I'm delighted to join the work of the Ford Foundation which has a long history of supporting innovative human rights and social justice advocacy around the world," Stevenson said. "This is a challenging time in the long struggle for basic rights for all people and I'm honored to have the opportunity to join with respected advocates, philanthropists and leaders in the Ford Foundation universe." Stevenson earned a B.A. from Eastern College, an M.P.P. from the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government, and a J.D. from Harvard University. He has received 26 honorary degrees, from institutions including Harvard University, Yale University, the University of Pennsylvania, Georgetown University, and Washington University. Ford Foundation trustees are elected by the full board and serve six-year terms. Trustees set broad policy relating to grantmaking, geographic focus, investments, governance and professional standards, and they oversee internal and independent audits. The foundation's trustees hail from four continents and have extensive experience in the worlds of higher education, business and finance, technology, law, government and the nonprofit sector. SOURCE Ford Foundation Related Links http://www.fordfoundation.org BOSTON, Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Forum Systems Inc. today announced that the company has been honored as a 2017 Cybersecurity Excellence Award winner. The Forum Sentry API Security Gateway has been recognized as a leading technology in Privileged Access Management. The announcement was made in conjunction with RSA Conference 2017 taking place this week in San Francisco. Processing and securing more than 10 billion transactions per day worldwide, the Forum Sentry API Security Gateway protects and accelerates data exchange and API service access across networks and business boundaries, significantly reducing the cost and complexity of centralizing security, identity and governance. The industry's only FIPS 140-2 and NIAP NDPP-certified API Gateway, Forum Sentry combines identity access control with data security through policy-driven rules and dynamic assessment of data flows. This solution-based approach to privileged access management allows unified data protection across disparate clients and users accessing data from both new and legacy systems. "APIs are the connective tissue tying together today's networks and applications," said Forum Systems President and Chief Executive Officer Mamoon Yunus. "Driven by mobility, cloud computing and microservices, API deployment rates have never been higher. If not implemented with robust security protections, though, vulnerabilities and flaws within your architecture become an invitation for a data breach. Enterprises and governments use Forum Sentry to ensure their systems securely bridge the expanding diversity in technologies, systems, data formats and protocols. We're thrilled to be recognized as a leader with a 2017 Cybersecurity Excellence Award." Architected on "security-first" design principles, Forum Sentry precludes clients from directly accessing data, application and services tiers by exposing APIs that are protected by privileged access management policies. This enables repeatable privileged access management solutions, as well as seamless deployments with minimal disruption to existing systems and architectures. Further differentiating itself from the competition, Forum Sentry's scalable, code-free, agentless approach enables rapid secure integration among legacy and modern system components eliminating the complex, costly and burdensome task of hand-coding. Underscoring tremendous customer success, Forum Systems' products have been the security foundation in global network architectures for more than 15 years. In fact, current Forum Sentry-based privileged access management solution deployments include U.S. federal agencies, foreign government agencies, and global enterprises in the financial services, energy, telecommunications, healthcare and transportation industries. The 2017 Cybersecurity Excellence Awards honor companies, products and individuals that demonstrate excellence, innovation and leadership in information security. The awards are produced in partnership with the Information Security Community on LinkedIn, tapping into the vast experience of over 350,000+ cybersecurity professionals to recognize the world's best cybersecurity products, professionals and organizations. About Forum Systems Forum Systems, a wholly owned subsidiary of Crosscheck Networks, Inc., is the leader in API Security Management. Providing centralized security, identity and governance for SOA, REST and mobile communications, the Forum Sentry API Gateway enables enterprises to manage complex API access in an efficient, agile, highly secure manner. Processing more than 10 billion transactions per day worldwide, and architected on "security-first" design principles, Forum Sentry delivers unparalleled protection against HTML-, XML-, SOAP- and REST-based vulnerabilities. Forum Sentry is the industry's only FIPS 140-2 and NIAP NDPP-certified API Gateway for enabling secure connectivity between users, applications and the cloud. For more information, please visit www.forumsys.com. All product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners. SOURCE Forum Systems Inc. Related Links http://www.forumsys.com DALLAS, Feb.16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Freeman, the leading global provider of brand experiences, today announced that Phil Rehkemper has been named executive vice president and chief financial officer of the company, effective immediately. In this role, Rehkemper will report to Joe Popolo, chief executive officer of Freeman, and have responsibility for the company's accounting, tax, financial planning and analysis, real estate and treasury teams. Prior to joining Freeman, Rehkemper was chief financial officer for Sensity Systems, a Silicon Valley startup which he recently helped sell to Verizon. Previously, Rehkemper served as the CFO for API Technologies Corp. and was on the management team for International Rectifier as its vice president of finance, was CFO and vice president of finance at Alliance Fiber Optic Products, and was the corporate controller at Calient Networks. Rehkemper also provided financial leadership for Hewlett Packard, where he was the controller of the network server division, which experienced significant growth during his tenure. "On behalf of our executive leadership team, I am delighted to welcome Phil to Freeman," said Popolo. "Thanks to our clients, Freeman continues to see rapid growth, both domestically and internationally. It is imperative that we have a strong finance leader with exceptional operational and financial knowledge and an appreciation for our customer-centric culture. I know Phil will do a great job helping us as we support our clients' brand experience needs around the globe." Rehkemper brings considerable experience, with 25 years of leadership experience and expertise in driving improved business results through sophisticated financial analysis and business process improvements. Rehkemper holds an MBA and a bachelor's degree in finance from Santa Clara University. ABOUT FREEMAN Freeman is the world's largest brand experience company. We help our clients design, plan and deliver immersive experiences for their most important audiences. Through comprehensive solutions including strategy, creative, logistics, digital solutions and event technology, Freeman helps increase engagement and drive business results. What makes us different is our collaborative culture, intuitive knowledge, global perspective and personalized approach, gained from our 90 years as an industry leader. Freeman is a family-owned company with 90+ locations worldwide and over 7,000 employees, 2,000 of whom are located outside the U.S. For more information, visit www.freeman.com. Social Networks: Web: www.freeman.com Blog: www.freeman.com/insights Twitter: www.twitter.com/freemanco Facebook: www.facebook.com/freemanfans LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/the-freeman-company YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/FreemancoVideos SlideShare: www.slideshare.net/freemanco/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/freemancompany/ SOURCE Freeman Related Links http://www.freeman.com SUZHOU, China, Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- GCL System Integration Technology Co. Ltd. (GCL-SI), (Shenzhen: 002506), a subsidiary of the world's leading energy group GCL, today announced the signing of a Master Distribution Agreement with DMSolar, one of Mexico's leading solar distribution companies. Through the partnership, DMSolar will offer GCL-SI solar modules and other complimentary system components to the Mexican market. This is the first time that GCL-SI cooperates with a Mexican distributor and this also marks a significant step for GCL-SI to enter the Mexican market. Yusef Kanchi, Sales Director of DMSolar said "Being leaders in the industry, we are committed to offering our clients the best products of the international market. We selected GCL-SI for several reasons: reliable product quality, strong business ethics, proven financial stability and wide experience in solar industry. We are glad to bring quality products and professional companies to the Mexican market." DMSolar works with a number of local installers on projects ranging from residential to commercial installations. The agreement with GCL-SI contains the distribution of its solar module products GCL-P6/60 and GCL-P6/72. Since its establishment in 2012, DMSolar has grown the objective to develop the solar industry and it has identified the lack of quality products in the local markets. This cooperation shows the quality of solar modules produced by GC L-SI and sets the scene for both parties to continue working together in the future to promote the energy revolution in Mexico. Jose Jove, Vice President of Sales for GCL-SI Latin America, contends that the agreement with DMSolar will help GCL-SI to become one of the leading brands in Mexico market. While examining the current energy policy in Mexico, he mentions that "Regulation in Mexico has improved dramatically in past few months, both for utility scale projects with the approval of the Energy Reform and for distributed generation with the update on the rules; net metering and net billing are now together in the mix." GCL tailored its plan to fit the local scenarios to step into the Mexico market. Mr. Jove says, "For utility scale we are targeting to place a large volume of modules in the auction projects as well as projects with potential private power purchase agreements (PPAs). There were two auctions in Mexico last year, 1.1 GW awarded in the first auction and 1.8 GW in the second. As for Distributed Generation, we are consolidating relationships with Distributors such as DMSolar." About GCL-SI GCL System Integration Technology Co., Ltd. (Shenzhen: 002506) (GCL-SI), is part of the GOLDEN CONCORD Group (GCL), an international energy company specializing in clean and sustainable power production, founded in 1990. With global assets worth nearly USD16 billion, the combined companies delivered over 2 GW of modules globally in 2015, and currently supply more than 30% of all polysilicon and wafers utilized in the solar industry. About DMSolar DMSolar is a wholesale distributor of solar products located in Guadalajara, Mexico. As a premier reseller of renewable energy products in Mexico, DMSolar carries all the necessary components needed to make up a photovoltaic system, including photovoltaic modules, inverters, and more. DMSolar's corporate mission centers around offering solutions and products that harness the environment's natural sunlight to power homes and other facilities. SOURCE GCL System HARTSVILLE, S.C., Feb. 16, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sonoco (NYSE:SON), one of the largest diversified global packaging companies, today announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Peninsula Packaging Company for approximately $230 million in cash. Peninsula, which is owned by a fund managed by Odyssey Investment Partners, LLC, is a leading manufacturer of thermoformed packaging for fresh fruit and vegetables found in the fast-growing perimeter of retail supermarkets. The transaction is subject to normal regulatory review and is expected to close by the second quarter of 2017. Founded in 2001, the Exeter, Calif.-based company has 2016 proforma sales of approximately $190 million and operates five manufacturing facilities, four in the United States and one in Mexico. The majority of its business is focused on packaging for a wide range of whole fresh fruits, pre-cut fruits and produce and prepared salad mixes, as well as baked goods. Peninsulas customer base includes most of the leading household names for fresh fruits and vegetables found at retail. Our goal has been to strategically expand our consumer packaging portfolio to grow our offerings in both the center of the store and the fast growing perimeter, said Jack Sanders, Sonoco President and Chief Executive Officer. With the addition of Peninsula, Sonoco will nearly double its thermoforming packaging capabilities and occupy a strong packaging position serving the perimeter in fresh food products, combined with our existing offerings in the center of the store, including those serving a range of frozen and shelf-stable foods. Sonoco Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Rob Tiede noted over the past several years, supermarkets have spent $15 billion growing their freshly prepared options in order to increase sales of items along the perimeter of the store, and recent industry research projects that perimeter store sales of fresh foods could achieve a compound average growth rate (CAGR) of between 6 percent and 7 percent over the next four years. Combining Peninsulas product lines with Sonocos packaging capabilities positions us extremely well to capture new growth in the rapidly expanding fresh and natural category, while greatly accelerating and enhancing our ability to offer our customers the most diverse consumer packaging formats and solutions in the industry, Tiede said. For example, this combination will allow Sonoco to deliver manufacturing and supply chain synergies gained from the connection between thermoformed trays and film lidding stock, which is an important customer differentiator. William Blair served as financial advisor to Sonoco. Peninsula was advised by BMO Capital Markets and Lazard Middle Market. Proforma sales includes projected full-year sales from a new operation in Mexico which started in mid-year 2016. About Sonoco Founded in 1899, Hartsville, S.C.-based Sonoco is a global provider of a variety of consumer packaging, industrial products, protective packaging, and displays and packaging supply chain services. With annualized net sales of $4.8 billion, the Company has 20,000 employees working in more than 300 operations in 33 countries, serving some of the worlds best known brands in some 85 nations. For more information on the Company, visit our website at www.sonoco.com. About Odyssey Investment Partners, LLC Odyssey Investment Partners, LLC is a leading middle-market private equity firm with a 20-year history of partnering with management teams and investing in North American companies. With offices in New York and Los Angeles, Odyssey has acquired over 40 platform companies and over 125 add-on acquisitions. About Peninsula Packaging Peninsula Packaging is a provider of thermoformed plastic packaging products serving the fresh produce and bakery markets. Products include hinged containers (clamshells, produce trays, etc.), bases, lids and domes. Primary markets served include a wide range of berries, packaged salads and cut vegetables. Extrusion, thermoforming and labeling are managed from five production facilities located in Exeter, Calif., Hollister, Calif., Wilson, N.C., Yakima, Washington, and Guadalajara, Mexico. Forward-looking Statements Statements included herein that are not historical in nature, are intended to be, and are hereby identified as forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provided by Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. In addition, the Company and its representatives may from time to time make other oral or written statements that are also forward-looking statements. Words such as estimate, project, intend, expect, believe, consider, plan, strategy, opportunity, commitment, target, anticipate, objective, goal, guidance, outlook, forecast, future, re-envision, assume, will, would, can, could, may, might, aspires, potential, or the negative thereof, and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: availability and supply of raw materials, and offsetting high raw material costs; improved productivity and cost containment; improving margins and leveraging strong cash flow and financial position; effects of acquisitions and dispositions; realization of synergies resulting from acquisitions; costs, timing and effects of restructuring activities; adequacy and anticipated amounts and uses of cash flows; expected amounts of capital spending; refinancing and repayment of debt; financial strategies and the results expected of them; financial results for future periods; producing improvements in earnings; profitable sales growth and rates of growth; market leadership; research and development spending; extent of, and adequacy of provisions for, environmental liabilities; adequacy of income tax provisions, realization of deferred tax assets, outcomes of uncertain tax issues and tax rates; goodwill impairment charges and fair values of reporting units; future asset impairment charges and fair values of assets; anticipated contributions to pension and postretirement benefit plans, fair values of plan assets, long-term rates of return on plan assets, and projected benefit obligations and payments; creation of long-term value and returns for shareholders; continued payment of dividends; and planned stock repurchases. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about our industry, management's beliefs and certain assumptions made by management. Such information includes, without limitation, discussions as to guidance and other estimates, perceived opportunities, expectations, beliefs, plans, strategies, goals and objectives concerning our future financial and operating performance. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. The risks, uncertainties and assumptions include, without limitation: availability and pricing of raw materials, energy and transportation, and the Company's ability to pass raw material, energy and transportation price increases and surcharges through to customers or otherwise manage these commodity pricing risks; costs of labor; work stoppages due to labor disputes; success of new product development, introduction and sales; consumer demand for products and changing consumer preferences; ability to be the low-cost global leader in customer-preferred packaging solutions within targeted segments; competitive pressures, including new product development, industry overcapacity, and changes in competitors pricing for products; ability to maintain or increase productivity levels, contain or reduce costs, and maintain positive price/cost relationships; ability to negotiate or retain contracts with customers, including in segments with concentration of sales volume; ability to improve margins and leverage cash flows and financial position; continued strength of our paperboard-based tubes and cores and composite can operations; ability to manage the mix of business to take advantage of growing markets while reducing cyclical effects of some of the Companys existing businesses on operating results; ability to maintain innovative technological market leadership and a reputation for quality; ability to profitably maintain and grow existing domestic and international business and market share; ability to expand geographically and win profitable new business; ability to identify and successfully close suitable acquisitions at the levels needed to meet growth targets, and successfully integrate newly acquired businesses into the Companys operations; the costs, timing and results of restructuring activities; availability of credit to us, our customers and suppliers in needed amounts and on reasonable terms; effects of our indebtedness on our cash flow and business activities; fluctuations in obligations and earnings of pension and postretirement benefit plans; accuracy of assumptions underlying projections of benefit plan obligations and payments, valuation of plan assets, and projections of long-term rates of return; cost of employee and retiree medical, health and life insurance benefits; resolution of income tax contingencies; foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, interest rate and commodity price risk and the effectiveness of related hedges; changes in U.S. and foreign tax rates, and tax laws, regulations and interpretations thereof; accuracy in valuation of deferred tax assets; accuracy of assumptions underlying projections related to goodwill impairment testing, and accuracy of managements assessment of goodwill impairment; accuracy of assumptions underlying fair value measurements, accuracy of managements assessments of fair value and fluctuations in fair value; liability for and anticipated costs of environmental remediation actions; effects of environmental laws and regulations; operational disruptions at our major facilities; failure or disruptions in our information technologies; loss of consumer or investor confidence; ability to protect our intellectual property rights; actions of domestic or foreign government agencies and changes in laws and regulations affecting the Company; international, national and local economic and market conditions and levels of unemployment; and economic disruptions resulting from terrorist activities and natural disasters. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed herein might not occur. Additional information concerning some of the factors that could cause materially different results is included in the Companys reports on forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such reports are available from the Securities and Exchange Commissions public reference facilities and its website, www.sec.gov, and from the Companys investor relations department and the Companys website, www.sonoco.com. References to our Website Address References to our website address and domain names throughout this release are for informational purposes only, or to fulfill specific disclosure requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commissions rules or the New York Stock Exchange Listing Standards. These references are not intended to, and do not, incorporate the contents of our website by reference into this release. NEW YORK, Feb. 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Persistence Market Research examines the global lysosomal storage diseases therapeutics market performance in a new publication. The primary objective of the report is to offer updates and information related to market opportunities in the global lysosomal storage diseases therapeutics market. The report provides key insights pertaining to various segments of the global lysosomal storage diseases therapeutics market and throws light on the key drivers, restraints, and trends likely to impact market growth in the next few years. The global lysosomal storage diseases therapeutics market report begins by defining various types of therapies available for treatment. This is followed by an overview of market dynamics influencing the global lysosomal storage diseases therapeutics market. Impact analysis of key growth drivers and restraints based on a weighted average model has been included in the global lysosomal storage diseases therapeutics market report after detailed analysis of individual regions to better equip readers with meaningful insights on ongoing developments in the market. The subsequent sections evaluate the present scenario and future growth prospects of the global lysosomal storage diseases therapeutics market on the basis of key segments by Indication, by Type of Therapy, by End User, and by Region and provide a detailed analysis of these segments in terms of market size, Y-o-Y growth rate, absolute $ opportunity, and BPS analysis. The global lysosomal storage diseases therapeutics market report provides an overall market outlook and discusses key regional trends contributing to the growth of the global lysosomal storage diseases therapeutics market worldwide and also analyzes the impact of drivers and restraints in each region. The final section of the global lysosomal storage diseases therapeutics market report includes a comprehensive competitive landscape to provide report audiences with a dashboard view based on categories of providers in the global lysosomal storage diseases therapeutics market product portfolio and key differentiators. Key categories of providers covered in the report are lysosomal storage diseases drug manufacturers. This section is primarily designed to provide clients with an objective and detailed comparative assessment of key providers specific to a market segment in the global lysosomal storage diseases therapeutics market value chain. The report provides segment-specific vendor insights to help readers identify and evaluate key competitors based on an in-depth assessment of capabilities and success factors. The report also profiles the main providers and discusses their long- and short-term strategies, key offerings, SWOTs, and recent developments in the global lysosomal storage diseases therapeutics market. Shire PLC, Pfizer, Inc., Sanofi, BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc., Actelion Ltd., Raptor Pharmaceutical Corp., Protalix Biotherapeutics Inc., and Amicus Therapeutics, Inc. are some of the companies featured in the global lysosomal storage diseases therapeutics market report. Research methodology The report considers 2015 as the base year and provides data for the forecast period. To ascertain the global lysosomal storage diseases therapeutics market size, Persistence Market Research factors in the revenue generated by manufacturers. The forecast presented in this report assesses the total revenue by value across the global lysosomal storage diseases therapeutics market. In order to offer an accurate forecast, the report begins by sizing up the current market, which forms the basis for how the global lysosomal storage diseases therapeutics market is expected to develop in the future. Given the characteristics of the market, data is triangulated on the basis of three different types of analysis based on supply side, downstream industry demand, and the overall economic envelope. Further, the report conduct forecasts not only in terms of CAGR, but also analyzes it based on key parameters such as Year-on-Year (Y-o-Y) growth rates to understand the predictability of the market and to identify the right opportunities across the global lysosomal storage diseases therapeutics market. To understand key growth segments in terms of their growth and adoption in the global lysosomal storage diseases therapeutics market, Persistence Market Research has developed an 'Attractiveness Index' to help providers identify real market opportunities in the global lysosomal storage diseases therapeutics market. Read the full report: http://www.reportlinker.com/p04312548-summary/view-report.html About Reportlinker ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place. http://www.reportlinker.com __________________________ Contact Clare: [email protected] US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001 SOURCE Reportlinker Related Links http://www.reportlinker.com REHOVAT, Israel and BOSTON, February 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- GluSense Ltd., a medical device company developing a long lasting injectable glucose sensor for treatment of Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), today announced it has received an investment from the JDRF T1D Fund, a venture philanthropy fund exclusively devoted to finding and funding the best early-stage T1D commercial programs. Founded in 2007 and based in Rehovot, Israel, GluSense is part of the Rainbow Medical innovation house, a unique private business that seeds and grows companies developing breakthrough medical devices. GluSense's Glyde CGM is a miniature long term injectable glucose sensor. It is injected under the skin and is expected to last for one year, providing continuous, accurate glucose measurements wirelessly to a convenient wearable device such as a watch. The injection of the device is minimally invasive and can be performed in a clinic using only local anesthesia. The T1D Fund's investment will be used to bring the Glyde CGM closer to the first in-human clinical trial, a key step in the commercialization process. "Today, diabetic patients need to endure frequent finger pricks daily in order to manage their glucose level, and even with modern CGMs, frequent calibrations, measurement verifications and replacements are still a hassle and limit efficient treatment," said GluSense CEO Dr. Boaz Brill. "In contrast, our Glyde continuous glucose monitor (CGM) will provide accurate glucose measurement for a full year with significantly fewer blood glucose calibrations. This ground-breaking technology will simplify and improve the life of people living with T1D and insulin dependent T2D worldwide." "This collaboration is a significant recognition of the GluSense product and technology," said Efi Cohen-Arazi, Chairman of GluSense and CEO of Rainbow Medical. "It will speed up our development process and ensure the technology meets the needs of patients and caregivers." "The GluSense Glyde CGM is a highly innovative and promising technology," said Jonathan Behr, Managing Director of the T1D Fund. "When paired with future advanced artificial pancreas systems or insulin injections, it will reduce the burden of T1D and help those living with the disease maintain blood glucose levels in a safe range." GluSense's technology uses a proprietary fluorescent glucose-sensitive biosensor that ensures accurate glucose measurement across the full physiological range, with enhanced accuracy at the medically-important hypo glucose range. Another GluSense breakthrough ensures that the biosensor level in the implant is maintained stable over the long term using engineered live cells that constantly replenish the biosensor in the implant. The stable biosensor level enables calibration frequency to be significantly reduced, freeing users from the daily hassle of multiple calibration finger pricks. About GluSense Ltd. GluSense was founded by Rainbow Medical, the premier Israeli Innovation and Investment House. GluSense team includes top scientists and engineers dedicated to creating advanced technologies and breakthrough products that will improve the lives of people with diabetes worldwide. The company is funded by Rainbow Medical, several venture funds from US and China, Israel's Innovation Authority and the JDRF T1D Fund. For more information, see http://www.glusensemedical.com/ . About Rainbow Medical Ltd. Rainbow Medical (http://www.rainbowmd.com) is a unique private operational investment company that seeds and grows start-up companies developing breakthrough medical devices invented by Yossi Gross, in a diverse range of medical fields. By addressing significant unmet market needs, Rainbow Medical seeks to improve people's lives and generate exceptional returns for its shareholders. About The JDRF T1D Fund The JDRF T1D Fund (http://www.t1dfund.org) is a venture philanthropy fund exclusively devoted to finding and funding the best early-stage T1D commercial opportunities to accelerate the delivery of treatments, preventions, and cures to patients. It was created to solve a critical funding gap in the T1D drug and device development pipeline. Through partnerships with private capital, including venture capital, pharma and foundations, the T1D Fund anticipates that it will be able to attract substantially more private investment to the T1D field than occurs today. The T1D Fund will initially focus on artificial pancreas systems, metabolic control, beta cell replacement, prevention, and beta cell restoration therapies, with an exclusive priority on the best commercial opportunities. The T1D Fund will reinvest any realized gains into new investments to further its mission. Media Contacts: GluSense Roy Katz [email protected] +1-781-259-8532 JDRF T1D Fund Emily Milligan [email protected] +1-646-937-4123 SOURCE Rainbow Medical "Goya wants everyone - from the expert chef to the home cook - to enjoy authentic Latin recipes that are delicious, easy to make, and fun to eat," said Frank Unanue, president of Goya Foods of Florida. "With the wide array of Goya products available, it's easy to stretch the imagination and combine new flavors to create dishes that are uniquely yours." Goya will delight guests with the brand's authentic Hispanic flavors during three signature events throughout the Festival: Goya Foods Grand Tasting Village (Friday, February 24 Sunday, February 26): As a culinary captain, Goya's Executive Chef Fernando Desa will open Goya Foods' "Imagination Kitchen" activation at the Grand Tasting Village from Friday, February 24 through Sunday, February 26 . Chef Desa is responsible for the research and development of new products and recipes for the family-owned company. This year, Chef Desa will serve delectable Goya recipes dreamt up exclusively for the event: Creamy Serrano Croquettes with Sliced Tuna Poke and Yellow Pepper Crema, Rabo Encendido Dumpling over Black Bean Sauce-Pickled Vegetables and Tamarind Hoisin Gastrique and Caribbean Chicken Satay with Chili Coconut Curry Sauce. Each day, Chef Desa will partner with Miami's elite chefs to unveil delicious recipes highlighting Goya products: on Friday, Richard Plasencia executive chef/owner of The Twisted Fork and The Ravenous Chef, on Saturday Chef Jose Mendin , co-founder of The Pubbelly Group and on Sunday, Chef Sean Brasel . They will each be serving their dishes and interacting with guests. Fun & Fit as a Family featuring the Goya Foods' Kidz Kitchen (Saturday, February 25 - Sunday, February 26): For junior chefs, Fun and Fit as a Family featuring the Goya Foods Kidz Kitchen, will offer family-friendly fun including healthy food tastings, physical fitness activities and star-studded healthy cooking demonstrations. Chef Richard Ingraham , personal chef to basketball superstar Dwyane Wade , will serve as the emcee and introduce the astounding lineup of chefs presenting cooking demos at the Goya Foods Kidz Kitchen. Chef Ingraham, in collaboration with Chef Desa, will participate in a LIVE interactive food demonstration to conclude the Goya Foods' Kidz Kitchen on Saturday. Throughout the event, Chefs Desa and Ingraham will also prepare Black Bean Quesadillas and Skinny Pizzas. Goya Foods' Swine & Wine (Sunday, February 26): To bring the four-day festival to a close, Goya will take over the Biltmore Hotel for the Goya Foods' Swine & Wine hosted by Cindy Hutson. Goya's Chef Desa will partner with Sean Brasel, executive chef and owner of Meat Market, to prepare different variations of pork dishes. These master chefs will craft iconic creations such as: Braised Pork Cheeks with Aji Lobster Salad and Crispy Taro topped with Smoke Kombu Gastrique and Pan con Lechon with Aji Sauce. The 16th annual edition of SOBEWFF, America's favorite wine and culinary extravaganza, will once again benefit Florida International University's (FIU) Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management and the Southern Wine & Spirits Beverage Management Center. To date, the Festival has raised more than $22 million for the School. Tickets for these select events and others are available at www.sobefest.com, and via phone at 877-762-3933. For more information about Goya Foods, including new recipes and cooking tips, please visit www.Goya.com. Follow the conversation on Facebook at @GoyaFoods,Twitter at @GoyaFoods, Pinterest at @GoyaFoods and Instagram at @GoyaFoods using #GoyaSOBE. About Goya Foods Founded in 1936, Goya Foods, Inc. is America's largest Hispanic-owned food company and has established itself as the leader in Latin American food and condiments. Goya manufactures, packages and distributes more than 3,000 high-quality food products from the Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America. For more information on Goya Foods, please visit www.goya.com. SOURCE Goya Foods Related Links http://www.goya.com ATLANTA, Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Gray Television, Inc. ("Gray," "we," "us" or "our") (NYSE: GTN and GTN.A) announced today that it has reached an agreement with Diversified Communications ("Diversified") to acquire Diversified's two television stations for a total purchase price of $85 million. This acquisition will add two more highly-ranked and top performing stations to Gray's growing portfolio: WABI (CBS/CW) in the Bangor, Maine market (DMA 156) and WCJB (ABC/CW) in the Gainesville, Florida market (DMA 161). "We are honored to be selected by Diversified as the new owners of legacy stations WABI and WCJB," said Hilton H. Howell, Jr., Gray's Chairman and CEO. "Both stations are highly valued institutions in their respective communities with dedicated employees who share our vision and culture. We look forward to building upon these strong foundations and enviable records of success." "This was a very difficult decision by our Board of Directors, but we feel it is the right one," said Diversified's Board Chair, Daniel Hildreth. "We believe that under the ownership of Gray, WCJB and WABI will have greater opportunities for long-term financial success which will ultimately benefit both our employees and viewers." Each of WABI and WCJB consistently achieves #1 ratings in all major dayparts in its market, in both households and key demos. Each station has also been the most watched television station in its market throughout all of its weekday local news time slots across at least the last nine Nielsen ratings periods. Each station, in fact, often has more viewership than that of all other Big Four affiliated stations in its market combined. Finally, according to BIA data, each station has capitalized on its ratings dominance by achieving a market revenue share exceeding fifty percent for the past several years. WABI in Bangor was Maine's first television station and currently is the nation's oldest continuously family-owned station. To better serve its community, the station has long operated a news bureau covering the state capital of Augusta, which lies outside of its DMA. This transaction will reunite WABI with our station in Presque Isle, WAGM, which Diversified previously owned, thereby facilitating further news and resource sharing between these stations. WCJB in Gainesville had the only local news department among all commercial stations in its market until 2010. It serves the well-known college town of Gainesville, which is home to the University of Florida, a large top-10 ranked U.S. public university in the Southeastern Conference with an enrollment of approximately 50,000 students. We expect that WCJB will share news and other resources with the dominant television station to its north, Gray's WCTV in Tallahassee. This transaction advances Gray's strategy of enhancing shareholder value through select acquisitions of highly rated stations that share the culture and values of our existing television stations. Following their acquisition by Gray, we expect that the stations will produce two-year, blended broadcast cash flow margins greater than fifty percent. We expect the acquisition will be immediately free cash flow accretive and allow us to continue to de-lever our balance sheet. The transaction represents an attractive purchase price multiple of less than 7.0 times expected blended 2016-2017 pro forma broadcast cash flow, including expected synergies. We anticipate closing the transaction primarily through the use of cash on hand at closing and, if necessary, borrowings under our existing senior credit facility. Subject to receipt of regulatory and other approvals, we expect the transaction will close in the second quarter of 2017. Cooley LLP served as legal counsel for Gray. Wells Fargo Securities, LLC served as financial advisor and Sullivan & Worcester LLP served as legal counsel for Diversified Communications. About Gray: Gray owns and/or operates 100 television stations across 54 television markets that collectively broadcast over 200 program streams including 101 channels affiliated with the CBS Network, the NBC Network, the ABC Network and the FOX Network. Our portfolio includes the number-one and/or number-two ranked television station operations in essentially all of our markets, which collectively cover approximately 10.1 percent of total United States television households. SOURCE Gray Television, Inc. Related Links http://www.gray.tv WASHINGTON, Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, Halcyon Incubator and the Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business announce a new partnership to bring real-world research and entrepreneurial experience into the classroom and to further understand the social entrepreneur community in the United States. "Partnering with the Dingman Center represents another step forward to helping social entrepreneurs in this area and beyond successfully navigate their entrepreneurial journey," says Ryan Ross, program director for Halcyon Incubator, a program of the Georgetown-based S&R Foundation with a commitment to solving 21st century challenges throughout the nation and the world. The hallmark of the partnership is collaboration on Halcyon Incubator's Social Enterprise Ecosystems Report, a study of the state of social entrepreneurship across the country. Released for the first time in 2016 by Halcyon Incubator and Capital One, the 2017 report will be based on research led by Smith School Associate Professor David Kirsch and a team of Smith students from the Social Innovation Fellows program, which is supported by the Center for Social Value Creation. The student team is comprised of juniors Fasika Delessa and Sarina Haryanto and seniors Aishwariya Chandrasekar and Evan Haas. "The Social Enterprise Ecosystems Report seeks to provide a comprehensive overview of what founders really need to create impact," said Ross. "Working with the incredible team at the Smith School will help us to deepen the research and analysis to better help these social entrepreneurs." The partnership will also strengthen growing social venture ecosystems through workshops, led by Dingman Center staff and advisors, for Halcyon fellows, while fellows and staff will speak in University of Maryland classes and events. Select Halcyon Fellows will also be invited to pitch their companies to the Dingman Center Angels when seeking seed-stage investments. According to the Dingman Center's Associate Director for Social Entrepreneurship, Sara Herald, this partnership is "a unique opportunity to connect our students with some of the nation's most promising social entrepreneurs." Social entrepreneurship is a growing field on college campuses and in the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem. UMD courses on the topic frequently have waitlists each semester, while Halcyon Incubator sees hundreds of applications for the spots in its cohort of fellows. The Dingman Center is one of the nation's oldest academic entrepreneurship centers, with a mission to make entrepreneurs of all kinds more successful. About Halcyon Incubator: Halcyon Incubator, a program of S&R Foundation, is committed to solving 21st century challenges throughout the nation and world by helping social entrepreneurs transform audacious ideas into scalable and sustainable ventures. Learn more at www.halcyonincubator.org. About S&R Foundation: S&R Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization created in 2000 to support talented individuals with great potential and high aspirations in the arts, sciences and social entrepreneurship, especially those who are furthering international cultural collaboration. Learn more at www.sandr.org About the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business The Robert H. Smith School of Business is an internationally recognized leader in management education and research. One of 12 colleges and schools at the University of Maryland, College Park, the Smith School offers undergraduate, full-time and part-time MBA, executive MBA, online MBA, specialty masters, PhD and executive education programs, as well as outreach services to the corporate community. The school offers its degree, custom and certification programs in learning locations in North America and Asia. SOURCE S&R Foundation's Halcyon Incubator Related Links http://www.halcyonincubator.org SEOUL, Korea, Feb. 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Hanon Systems (KS:018880), a leading global provider of automotive thermal and energy management solutions, has been named co-winner of the IR52 Jang Young-Shil Award with Hyundai Motor Company for its water-air cooled condenser for passenger vehicles. Hanon Systems' award winning water-air cooled condenser combines a conventional air-cooled condenser with a water-cooled condenser into a single, compact package that reduces power consumption and increases fuel efficiency compared to individual components that offer equivalent performance. The IR52 Jang Young-Shil Award is presented to companies in Korea with technologically outstanding and innovative new products. Jointly sponsored by Korea Industrial Technology Association and Maeil Business Newspaper, a leading Korean business publication, the award is presented in the name of the Minister of Science and Technology. "We are honored to be recognized for our technical expertise and innovative delivery of value-added customer solutions," said In-Young Lee, president and chief executive officer of Hanon Systems. "The company remains sharply focused on expediting the development of innovative technologies, and continuously improving our product offering and level of service." First introduced on the hybrid-version of the 2016 Hyundai Ioniq, the Hanon Systems water-air cooled condenser will be showcased at the 2017 Seoul Motor Show. About Hanon Systems Hanon Systems is a full-line supplier of automotive thermal and energy management solutions. Products include heating ventilation and air conditioning; powertrain cooling; compressors; fluid transport; and thermal and emissions solutions for conventional and electric, hybrid, fuel cell and autonomous vehicles. With 40 manufacturing sites supported by four global technical centers in 20 countries, the company employs more than 16,500 people. To learn more, visit hanonsystems.com. SOURCE Hanon Systems Related Links http://www.hanonsystems.com MORRIS PLAINS, N.J., Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Honeywell (NYSE: HON) today announced that 320 students from 45 countries and 27 U.S. states and territories will attend the Honeywell Leadership Challenge Academy this year. As part of the leadership program, Honeywell will host students for two consecutive, weeklong programs, Feb. 25 through March 10, 2017, at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center (USSRC) in Huntsville, Ala. The Honeywell Leadership Challenge Academy aims to encourage excitement and engagement around Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) subjects for students between the ages of 16-18. The program is packed with hands-on activities such as building and testing rockets, simulated astronaut training, shuttle missions, and a moon walk. The program is designed to educate students on the importance of STEM in an ever-changing, connected world. Ashley Fitzpatrick, a student from New Mexico who attended the Academy in 2016 and is returning this year as a student ambassador, said: "We build and launch model rockets and learn that there are so many different types of engineering fields to pursue. It's a growing field with a high demand for men and women. That really opened my eyes. What's really great is that the program combines science and engineering with friendship and fun." The focus on STEM-based career opportunities is integral to the values of Honeywell and its employees. During the program, astronauts and engineers share their personal journeys and career experiences with students. "The act of bringing this global Honeywell community together with Space Camp allows these students to plan for a future of improving life on our planet and beyond," said Dr. Deborah Barnhart, CEO and executive director, USSRC. "They bring the best of their diverse cultures to Space Camp, where they will use teamwork and technology to prepare them for a future they have yet to imagine." "Honeywell Leadership Challenge Academy is designed to inspire students to become tomorrow's science, math and engineering leaders," said Michael A. Bennett, president, Honeywell Hometown Solutions, the company's corporate citizenship initiative. "We want to give these students a passion to fuel their generation's technological contributions to the world." Since its launch in 2010, Honeywell, in partnership with the USSRC, has awarded 2,093 scholarships to students of Honeywell employees. Scholarships are granted after a rigorous application and review process based on academic achievement and community involvement. Financial contributions from Honeywell and its employees fund the scholarships, which cover the cost of tuition, meals, accommodations and program materials. For more information about the Academy, visit http://leadership.honeywell.com/. About U.S. Space and Rocket Center The U.S. Space & Rocket Center, a Smithsonian Affiliate, is home to Space Camp and Aviation Challenge, the Apollo 16 capsule, the National Historic Landmark Saturn V rocket and world-class traveling exhibits. USSRC is the Official Visitor Center for NASA Marshall Space Flight Center and a showcase for national defense technologies developed at the U.S. Army's Redstone Arsenal. To learn more about the exciting programs and activities at the USSRC, visit www.rocketcenter.com About Honeywell Hometown Solutions Honeywell Leadership Challenge Academy is part of Honeywell Hometown Solutions, the company's corporate citizenship initiative, which focuses on five areas of vital importance: Science & Math Education, Family Safety & Security, Housing & Shelter, Habitat & Conservation, and Humanitarian Relief. Together with leading public and nonprofit institutions, Honeywell has developed powerful programs to address these needs in the communities it serves. For more information, please visit http://citizenship.honeywell.com/. About Honeywell Honeywell (www.honeywell.com) is a Fortune 100 diversified technology and manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes, and industry; turbochargers; and performance materials. For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywell.com/newsroom. Honeywell and the Honeywell logo are the exclusive properties of Honeywell, are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and may be registered or pending registration in other countries. All other Honeywell product names, technology names, trademarks, service marks, and logos may be registered or pending registration in the U.S. or in other countries. All other trademarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Copyright 2017 Honeywell. Media Contact: Cecilia Tejeda (973) 455-3450 [email protected] SOURCE Honeywell Related Links http://www.honeywell.com SINGAPORE, Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Honeywell (NYSE: HON) today announced a multi-million dollar, multi-year contract to implement a new airfield ground lighting control and monitoring system at Singapore Changi Airport, Southeast Asia's busiest hub and one of the most frequented airports in the world. The Honeywell system will play a critical role in helping Changi Airport safely and efficiently accommodate the expected increase in aircraft traffic. The project is part of expansion efforts at Changi Airport, which include the development of a three-runway system. The new Honeywell system will cover all three runways and associated taxiways, taxi lanes and apron lighting as well as facility control and management. Helping streamline operations and optimize ground traffic flow, Honeywell's advanced Individual Lamp Control and Monitoring System will allow the airport to get real-time information on approach and runway lighting lamp failures, including the precise location to facilitate fast response and repair. "Since its opening in 1981, Changi Airport has been recognized for ensuring safety in its airfield," said Koh Ming Sue, managing director, engineering & development of Changi Airport Group. "The new Honeywell airfield lighting control and monitoring system serves as an important cog in our broader expansion plans to help upkeep our safety and efficiency performance even as air traffic demand grows beyond the capacity of our existing two runways." "We are excited to have been chosen by Changi Airport Group and look forward to working with them to maintain the airport's high safety and efficiency record," said Raghu Seelamonthula, market director of Airport Systems, Honeywell Building Solutions. "Airfield ground lighting, as a visual aid for landing and taxiing, is an important element of an airport's equipment. Honeywell's airfield lighting control and monitoring have proven to be highly reliable with equally high availability rates in operations throughout the globe." Lighting installations for approaches, runways, taxiways, and aprons enable pilots to navigate the complex surface layouts of modern airports. Honeywell's computerized control and monitoring system facilitates the operation and observation of these lighting installations, and ensures that safety requirements are met. This system provides workstations for tower and technical personnel to simplify daily operational processes and optimize maintenance activities. Honeywell designs, manufactures and installs complete airfield ground lighting systems for airports. The systems range from individual lighting units to series circuit transformers and power supply systems to control and monitoring systems, including single lamp control and monitoring, routing systems, aircraft docking systems, and surface movement guidance systems. About Honeywell Home and Building Technologies Honeywell Building Solutions is a part of Honeywell Home and Building Technologies (HBT), a global business with more than 44,000 employees worldwide. HBT is a leader in the Internet of Things (IoT) and creates products, software and technologies found in more than 150 million homes and 10 million buildings worldwide. We help homeowners stay connected and in control of their comfort, security and energy use. Commercial building owners and occupants use our technologies to ensure their facilities are safe, energy efficient, sustainable and productive. Our advanced metering hardware and software solutions help electricity, gas and water providers supply customers and communities more efficiently. For more news and information on Honeywell Home and Building Technologies, please visit http://www.honeywell.com/newsroom. Honeywell (www.honeywell.com) is a Fortune 100 diversified technology and manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes, and industry; turbochargers; and performance materials. For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywell.com/newsroom. Contacts: Eugene Tan Honeywell 65.6249.9168 (office) 65.9739.8724 (mobile) [email protected] SOURCE Honeywell THE WOODLANDS, Texas, Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Huntsman Corporation (NYSE: HUN) received today a Private Letter Ruling from the IRS allowing it to retain a 40% economic interest in the tax-free spin-off of Venator Materials Corporation. Huntsman will also hold an accompanying 19.9% voting interest in Venator. Peter R. Huntsman, our President and CEO, commented: "The receipt of this ruling is an important milestone in the Venator spin-off process. The retention of the 40% economic interest will enable us to capture the benefits of the expected improvement in the titanium dioxide business. Our desire to retain this amount of economic interest in Venator reflects our vote of confidence in what we believe will be a successful spin-off. The future monetization of our ownership in Venator will create further value for Huntsman as we use the proceeds to reduce our debt." About Huntsman: Huntsman Corporation is a publicly traded global manufacturer and marketer of differentiated chemicals with 2016 revenues of approximately $10 billion. Our chemical products number in the thousands and are sold worldwide to manufacturers serving a broad and diverse range of consumer and industrial end markets. We operate more than 100 manufacturing and R&D facilities in approximately 30 countries and employ approximately 15,000 associates within our 5 distinct business divisions including the Pigments and Additives division that we intend to spin-off as Venator Materials Corporation. For more information about Huntsman, please visit the company's website at www.huntsman.com. Social Media: Twitter: twitter.com/Huntsman_Corp Facebook: www.facebook.com/huntsmancorp LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/huntsman Forward-Looking Statements: Statements in this release that are not historical are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on management's current beliefs and expectations. The forward-looking statements in this release are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances and involve risks and uncertainties that may affect the company's operations, markets, products, services, prices and other factors as discussed in the Huntsman companies' filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Significant risks and uncertainties may relate to, but are not limited to, volatile global economic conditions, cyclical and volatile product markets, disruptions in production at manufacturing facilities, reorganization or restructuring of Huntsman's operations, including any delay of, or other negative developments affecting, the spin-off of Venator Materials Corporation, the ability to implement cost reductions and manufacturing optimization improvements in Huntsman businesses and realize anticipated cost savings, and other financial, economic, competitive, environmental, political, legal, regulatory and technological factors. The company assumes no obligation to provide revisions to any forward-looking statements should circumstances change, except as otherwise required by applicable laws. SOURCE Huntsman Corporation Related Links http://www.huntsman.com David Lawlor, president and chief executive officer of United Methodist Homes (UMH) which had operated Foxbridge since 2005, described UMH as "very pleased and grateful" at the conclusion of the transaction. "Housing and caring for seniors is not a businessit is a calling, and one that UMH has been joyfully answering since 1874 when we opened our first home for the aged. UMH would not have entrusted our legacyand more importantly, the wellbeing of our Foxbridge communityto an owner and operator who did not share our values. We are grateful to know that Foxbridge is in the hands of a team who impressed us with their integrity and professional expertise." Inspirit CEO David K. McHarg said that Foxbridge, which offers a graduated care model ranging from independent living, to assisted living, to memory care, will soon be undergoing significant upgrades to modernize back-office systems and to renovate the buildings, furnishings, fixtures, and grounds. "Foxbridge is an extraordinary place: dedicated and highly skilled staff serving residents and families in a setting of unmatched natural beauty, said McHarg. "Inspirit is proud to add Foxbridge to our growing family of properties, and we look forward to working with the local team to deliver an even better experience to our residents." Care CEO Torey Riso noted that "Care is pleased to have the opportunity to expand its relationship with Inspirit through the acquisition of Foxbridge. Care believes that properties like Foxbridge, and operators like Inspirit, provide a model of how senior living can work at its best." About Inspirit Senior Living About Care Investment Trust SOURCE Inspirit Senior Living Related Links http://inspiritseniorliving.com MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, Feb. 16, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OEM Corporation, an ITAD provider of secure and sustainable IT management services, has hired industry expert Steven Adams into the newly created position of Director of Sales for its wholesale division. Adams will focus on growing the portfolio of offerings to IT wholesalers worldwide. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4e5e5652-7597-4939-b993-598438cfd4ac Steven brings a mix of experience, industry knowledge and passion to OEM, says Jack McSorley, OEM Corporation founder and Chief Executive Officer. Its a rare combination and the team is looking forward to new developments and partnerships going forward. With over a decade of sales experience in the Canadian IT channel, Adams brings experience within this market for both acquisition and sale opportunities. A significant part of his new role will be to attract wholesale partners to participate in OEM sales programs. As a full-service ITAD (Information Technology Asset Disposition) company, OEM remarkets more than 90 percent of end-of-life IT equipment that it processes, diverting it from landfill. I was immediately attracted to OEMs industry approach, foresight and appetite to reuse versus recycle, says Adams. Creating a smart, sustainable business while supporting a wide range of community initiatives is a worthy challenge. Believing in what the business does from both an environmental and technology standpoint makes OEM a great fit for me as I help drive the companys continued growth. Prior to OEM, Adams ran his own Managed Print consultancy, Thames Technology Inc., and held senior sales positions with Lexmark Technology and Ricoh Canada. The hiring comes on the heels of OEMs partnership with reBOOT Canada to deliver essential technology to underserved Canadians through a unique partnership that will donate up to $750,000 over three years. About OEM Corporation OEM Corporation is a Canadian company that provides secure and sustainable end-of-life IT management services. They remove, report, repair and repurpose end-of-life IT assets, with the environment always a priority, while working with mid-sized companies through to Fortune 500 corporations, as well as healthcare, educational institutions and all levels of government. To ensure secure data erasure, OEM uses Blancco, the global leader in data erasure. OEM is R2 licensed, ISO 14001 certified, and follows the Basel Convention protocols. Clients include AGF, Maple Leaf Foods, Ryerson University, and Rexall. Learn more at www.oemcorp.com. ROCKLIN, Calif., Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- JLM Energy, Inc., a leading energy technology company, announced it has recently signed an agreement with Soligent Distribution, the largest pure-play solar distributor in the Americas. The partnership provides Soligent dealers access to deploying, configuring, and integrating JLM's top-of-the-line technology, which includes solar, energy storage and smart energy monitoring software. "Soligent will empower dealers and end customers alike to reap the full benefits and value of JLM Energy's innovative products," said Emmitt Summers, JLM Energy's vice president of sales. "With the introduction of Phazr, JLM's first MicroStorage product, we will rely on Soligent for deep and wide distribution and access to important partners." "We are excited about JLM's technology. JLM has the most efficient and cost-effective solutions available in the market today," said Dan Thomas-Grant, Soligent's vice president of supply chain and operations. "By introducing MicroStorage, JLM is changing the energy storage landscape. Soligent has consistently supplied cutting-edge technology to our customers. With JLM's Linez, Loadz, Phazr and Energizr 200, we are maintaining our position as the leader in the industry." Phazr, a slim battery, clips directly on the back of a solar panel, generating considerable savings in installation labor required and system operations and maintenance. About JLM Energy JLM Energy is an energy technology company. JLM has created a fully-integrated software platform and energy technology bundle that optimizes energy use and maximizes savings for customers. The bundle includes solar, energy storage, monitoring devices, algorithms and load controllers that are all unified a single software platform. JLM Energy is employee-owned and based in Northern California with offices in Arizona, Nevada and Hawaii. www.jlmei.com @JLMEnergy on Twitter. About Soligent Soligent is the largest pure play solar distributor, financier and technology platform in the Americas. Soligent supplies over 5,000 solar installers with best-in-class panels, inverters, racking and balance of systems across the U.S. and over 45 countries. Founded in 1979, Soligent has been a pioneer in the solar industry for decades and continues to drive the market forward with innovative solutions ranging from materials management to project financing. With advanced training, a diversified product offering, and multi-site distribution centers across the U.S., Soligent is well positioned as a responsive, flexible equipment partner. For more information, please visit www.Soligent.net. Contacts: Ellen Howe, VP Marketing & Corporate Development, JLM Energy Contact: 703/835-5550 [email protected] Jeremy Doochin, VP of Business Development, Soligent Contact: 707.992.3183 [email protected] SOURCE JLM Energy Related Links http://www.jlmei.com TAMPA, Fla., Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AACSB International (AACSB) announces that the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School has earned accreditation. Founded in 1916, AACSB International is the longest serving global accrediting body for business schools that offer undergraduate, master's, and doctorate degrees in business and accounting. "AACSB congratulates the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School and dean Bernard T. Ferrari on earning accreditation," said Robert D. Reid, executive vice president and chief accreditation officer of AACSB International. "AACSB Accreditation represents the highest achievement for an educational institution that awards business degrees. The entire Johns Hopkins teamincluding the administration, faculty, directors, staff, and studentsare to be commended for their roles in earning accreditation." AACSB Accreditation is the hallmark of excellence in business education, and has been earned by less than five percent of the world's business programs. Today, there are 786 business schools in 53 countries and territories that maintain AACSB Accreditation. Similarly, 186 institutions maintain an additional specialized AACSB Accreditation for their accounting programs. "I want to thank the AACSB and our academic peers for recognizing the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School and the accomplishments of our faculty, staff, students, and alumni," said Dean Ferrari. "We are very proud to have earned this honor, which is another milestone in our growth and development." Achieving accreditation is a process of rigorous internal review, engagement with an AACSB assigned mentor, and peer review. During the multi-year process the school focuses on developing and implementing a plan to align with AACSB's Accreditation standards. These standards require excellence in areas relating to strategic management and innovation; student, faculty, and staff as active participants; learning and teaching; and academic and professional engagement. "It takes a great deal of self-evaluation and determination to earn AACSB Accreditation, and I commend the Carey Business School for its dedication to management education, as well as its leadership in the community," said Reid. "Through accreditation, the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School has not only met specific standards of excellence, but has also made a commitment to ongoing improvement to ensure that the institution will continue to deliver high quality education to its students." AACSB International also announced that Asia University-Taiwan, ISC Paris, Soochow University, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Thammasat University, and University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point have earned accreditation in business, and Binghamton University-SUNY has earned accreditation in accounting. About AACSB International As the world's largest business education network connecting academe with business, AACSB provides business education intelligence, quality assurance, and professional development services to more than 1,500 member organizations across 97 countries and territories. Founded in 1916, AACSB Accreditation is the highest standard of quality in business education, with over 785 business schools accredited worldwide. AACSB's global headquarters is located in Tampa, Florida, USA; its Asia Pacific headquarters is located in Singapore; and its Europe, Middle East, and Africa headquarters is located in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. For more information, visit www.aacsb.edu. SOURCE AACSB International Related Links http://www.aacsb.edu CINCINNATI, Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) is honored to be named one of the top U.S. corporations for inclusion by Omnikal (formerly Diversity Business). Kroger was ranked 8th in the Omni50, which is a ranking of the top 50 corporate buyers of multicultural products and services throughout the U.S. Kroger was selected by more than two million women-and-minority-owned business owners that are part of the Omnikal community. "Across the Kroger family of companies, we are committed to creating business opportunities for women-and-minority-owned businesses," said Reuben Shaffer, Kroger's chief diversity officer. "We are especially honored by this recognition because it is directly selected by diversity business owners in the U.S." For more information about Omnikal and the Omni50, please visit omnikal.com/awards/omni50-top-corporate-awards. Every day, the Kroger Family of Companies makes a difference in the lives of eight and a half million customers and 443,000 associates who shop or serve in 2,796 retail food stores under a variety of local banner names in 35 states and the District of Columbia. Kroger and its subsidiaries operate an expanding ClickList offering a personalized, order online, pick up at the store service in addition to 2,253 pharmacies, 787 convenience stores, 324 fine jewelry stores, 1,439 supermarket fuel centers and 38 food production plants in the United States. Kroger is recognized as one of America's most generous companies for its support of more than 100 Feeding America food bank partners, breast cancer research and awareness, the military and their families, and more than 145,000 community organizations including schools. A leader in supplier diversity, Kroger is a proud member of the Billion Dollar Roundtable. SOURCE The Kroger Co. Related Links http://www.kroger.com ATLANTA, Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG), the state's leading association dedicated to the promotion and economic advancement of Georgia's technology industry, today announced Techstars company LaaSer Critical Communications as one of its Top 40 Innovative Technology Companies in Georgia. TAG will recognize this prestigious group at the 2017 Georgia Technology Summit (GTS) on March 23, 2017, at the Cobb Galleria Centre. TAG'S Top 40 Awards recognize Georgia-based technology companies for their innovation, financial impact, and their efforts at spreading awareness of Georgia's technology initiatives throughout the U.S. and globally. "The 2017 Top 40 finalists are an elite group of innovators who represent the very best of Georgia's Technology community," said Larry Williams, president & CEO of TAG. "The 2017 Top 40 finalists are shining examples of what makes our State such a hotbed for technology and we applaud them for standing out as leaders in Georgia's technology community." This year's Top 40 Companies were selected from among over 110 applications submitted by companies from across Georgia. Companies selected for the "Top 40" will be showcased in an exhibition at The 2017 Georgia Technology Summit. "An extraordinary number of truly innovative technology companies participated in this year's Top 40 competition, demonstrating the depth and breadth of Georgia's technology community," said Dennis Zakas, managing partner of Zakas & Leonard, LLP, CEO of Zinc., and chairperson of the Top 40 Selection Committee. "In fact, based on the quality of the contestants, we could have had a 'Top 60' without losing a beat." LaaSer's patented technology solves the all-too-common problem that when you call 911 from your mobile phone, operators can't accurately to locate you. The current system doesn't access any of the rich location data that lives on today's mobile devices. The FCC estimates that over 10,000 lives could be saved every year by reducing 911 response times by just 60 seconds. LaaSer makes that possible today without a smartphone app, and without the need for 911 call centers to install new hardware and software systems. "Since we first heard about the issues around 911 location for mobile phones, we've been dedicated to solving this deadly problem," said Fred White, cofounder and CEO of LaaSer. "To be selected as one of the most innovative companies in Georgia helps validate that we have have found an innovative solution to a clear problem that can genuinely impact people's lives." The 2017 Georgia Technology Summit is expected to draw a crowd of more than 1,300 C-level executives, entrepreneurs, technology professionals and academia to celebrate and recognize Georgia's technology community. In addition to presentations from some of the top technology influencers in the nation, the newest member of the Technology Hall of Fame of Georgia will be inducted. For more information about TAG and the Georgia Technology Summit and to register for the event, visit http://www.tagonline.org/events/georgia-technology-summit. Follow the conversation on Twitter through #TAGGTS. About The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) TAG is the leading technology industry association in the state, serving more than 30,000 members through regional chapters in Metro Atlanta, Athens, Augusta, Columbus, Macon/Middle Georgia, and Savannah. TAG's mission is to educate, promote, and unite Georgia's technology community to foster an innovative and connected marketplace that stimulates and enhances a tech-based economy. Additionally, the TAG Education Collaborative (TAG's charitable arm) focuses on helping science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education initiatives thrive. For more information visit the TAG website at www.tagonline.org or TAG's community website at http://www.hubga.com. To learn about the TAG-Ed Collaborative, visit http://www.tagedonline.org/. About LaaSer Critical Communications, LLC LaaSer Critical Communications, a Techstars company, is dedicated to solving the problems associated with calling 911 from mobile devices. LaaSer has created patented technology that pinpoints a 911 caller's location, using any mobile device, efficiently routes them to the appropriate 911 call center, and provides the 911 operator with precise location information. LaaSer's technology requires no upgrades on the part of 911 call centers or network operators. Media Contacts: LaaSer Critical Communications Jon Harmer [email protected] 844-494-9111 Technology Association of Georgia Tony Cooper [email protected] (404) 920-2008 SOURCE LaaSer Critical Communications, LLC DENVER, Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- LenderLive Network, LLC ("LenderLive"), a leading mortgage services provider, announced today that it has reached a definitive agreement with PHH Mortgage Corporation ("PHH") to assume its private label fulfillment operations in Jacksonville. In late 2016, PHH announced that it would exit the private label fulfillment business, and this agreement is expected to facilitate a smooth transition for both PHH employees and clients. All the appropriate parties, including the board of directors of PHH and LenderLive, have approved the agreement. The deal is expected to close by the end of the first quarter of 2017, as it is subject to certain regulatory requirements. At that time, the transitioning associates will become LenderLive employees and the operations center in Jacksonville will be rebranded as LenderLive. Under the agreement, PHH will outsource loan processing, underwriting and closing activities to LenderLive until the contracts with its current clients served out of Jacksonville have been transitioned and/or completed. LenderLive has agreed to service these accounts from the operations center in Jacksonville and to hire approximately 250 to 300 employees of PHH to work out of that location. Over the course of 2017, it is the intention to transition the clients requiring outsourced fulfillment services to LenderLive, the company said. In addition, the Jacksonville operations center, which is capable of supporting nearly 700 employees, will provide LenderLive the opportunity to expand its operations to meet the significant demand for services from LenderLive's current and future clients. "We are excited about the opportunity of adding a significant number of talented mortgage professionals and establishing a new operations center for LenderLive in Jacksonville," said Rick Seehausen, chief executive officer of LenderLive. "The arrangement accelerates our long-stated imperative of driving scale and operating leverage in our private label Mortgage Solutions business. We look forward to welcoming our new associates and demonstrating the benefits of our platform and business model to PHH clients. This is a win-win for everyone involved." About LenderLive As a trusted premier services provider, LenderLive partners with financial companies to transform their day-to-day operations by delivering services and solutions that improve efficiencies, reduce operational errors, and mitigate compliance risk. The company's solutions work together seamlessly or can be tailored to meet client needs. As a proven partner, clients rely on LenderLive daily for thousands of transactions and high-quality experiences for their valued customers. For more information about the company and its services, visit www.lenderlive.com. SOURCE LenderLive Related Links http://www.lenderlive.com NEW YORK, Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- "High demand from food & beverages industry is driving the liquid packaging market" The market size for liquid packaging is projected to reach USD 370.75 billion by 2021, registering a CAGR of 5.4% between 2016 and 2021. Increasing demand from the food & beverages industry is the major driver for liquid packaging market. The global liquid packaging industry is expected to rise with the increasing demand from food & beverage industry in economies such as India, China, Africa, Middle East, Germany, Brazil, and others. Increasing carbon footprint due to use of various resins in the manufacturing of liquid packaging type is the major restraint affecting the growth of the market. "Flexible liquid packaging, the fastest-growing liquid packaging type" Flexible liquid packaging is the fastest-growing liquid packaging type. This packaging type provides various advantages such as longer shelf life, less cost, consumer friendly, capable of retaining freshness of products, less energy consumption, green packaging, and others. Films are the largest flexible liquid packaging type used majorly in the packaging of liquid products. Liquid packaging is widely used as it prevents the loss of moisture or protects the goods from moisture; improves tear, scuff and puncture resistance; and provides a heat sealable surface; and so on. "Asia-Pacific, the largest and fastest-growing market for liquid packaging" Asia-Pacific is the largest market for liquid packaging globally, with China being the most dominant market. This region is also anticipated to witness highest growth rate, which is attributed to the rapid economic expansion in the region. The rapid development in liquid packaging industry is also vigorously driven by the demand from food & beverages, medical & pharmaceutical, and other end-use industries in the region. This study has been validated through primary interviews conducted with various industry experts globally. These primary sources have been divided in three categories: by company; by designation; and by region. - By Company Type: Tier 1 37%, Tier 2 38%, and Tier 3 25% - By Designation: Research & Consultants 30%, Sales Executives 30%, and Managers 40% - By Region: Asia-Pacific 54%, Middle-East & Africa 23%, Europe 15%, North America 8% The report also includes company profiles and competitive strategies adopted by the major market players such as The Dow Chemical Company (U.S.), International Paper (U.S.), Tetra Pak International S.A. (Switzerland), Smurfit Kappa (Ireland), Mondi Plc. (Austria), Sidel (Switzerland), BillerudKorsnas (Stockholm), Elopak (Norway), Evergreen Packaging (U.S.), and Weyerhaeuser (U.S.). Research Coverage This research report categorizes the market for liquid packaging based on packaging type, resin, end-use industry, and region. It forecasts revenue growth and includes an analysis of trends in each of the submarkets. These segments are further described in detail with their subsegments in the report with value and volume forecasts till 2021. It also includes company profiles and competitive strategies adopted by the major players in the global liquid packaging market. Reasons to buy this report: From an insight perspective, this research report has focused on various levels of analysisindustry analysis (industry trends), market share analysis of top players, supply chain analysis, and company profiles, which together comprise and discuss the basic views on the competitive landscape; emerging and high-growth segments of the liquid packaging market; high-growth regions; and market drivers, restraints, challenges, and opportunities. The report provides insights on the following pointers: - Market Penetration: Comprehensive information on liquid packaging types offered by the top market players - Product Development/Innovation: Detailed insights on emerging technologies, research & development (R&D) activities, and new product launches in the liquid packaging market - Market Development: Comprehensive information on lucrative emerging markets the report analyzes the liquid packaging market across regions - Market Diversification: Exhaustive information about new products, untapped regions, recent developments, and investments in the liquid packaging market - Competitive Assessment: In-depth assessment of market shares, strategies, products, and manufacturing capabilities of the leading players in the liquid packaging market Read the full report: http://www.reportlinker.com/p04339712-summary/view-report.html About Reportlinker ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place. http://www.reportlinker.com __________________________ Contact Clare: [email protected] US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001 SOURCE Reportlinker Related Links http://www.reportlinker.com "We're honored for the opportunity to take our students to the Pacific Science Center, so they can get a jump start in STEM education," said Elmhurst Elementary School Principal, Carrie Adrian. "Our students have a unique opportunity to discover science beyond the classroom, and we're grateful for the support of Inspirus Credit Union, Google and the Pacific Science Center for giving our students this chance." On February 13, students walked through the halls of the science center and immersed themselves in health and wellness, environmental and earth sciences, and physical sciences and engineering. They explored the science playground to learn how an electric motor works and discovered how elements in the environment change from morning to evening, and summer to winter. "This truly was an amazing learning experience and our students were so captivated by the different exhibits and what they learned from this field trip. We will be bringing what we learned back to the classroom, and continue to work on STEM education with our students," said Adrian. Elmhurst Elementary School is one of eight elementary schools in the Franklin Pierce School District. Their approach to learning in a respectful, responsible and safe place allows for their students to soar in the classroom. About Inspirus Credit Union Founded in 1936 by a Seattle math and journalism teacher, Inspirus serves 80,000 members across Washington who share a passion for education. With $1.1 billion in assets, Inspirus operates branches in Seattle, Spokane, and Lynnwood. Its philanthropy model includes education-giveback programs that allow members to direct charitable contributions to schools in their communities. Inspirus employees donate upwards of 1,000 volunteer hours each year in support of education. For more information, visit inspirusCU.org. SOURCE Inspirus Credit Union Related Links https://www.inspiruscu.org SEATTLE, Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Marriott and Disney resorts captured 16 of the top 25 rankings in RedWeek.com's annual report on the most popular timeshare rental resorts. A relatively new entrant, meanwhile, the Playa Linda Beach Resort in Palm Beach, Aruba, jumped four spots to #11 in 2017 after climbing four spots (from #19) in 2016. Disney's Wilderness Lodge - a traveler-favorite Disney's Beach Club Villas (Lake Buena Vista, Florida) finished first in RedWeek's Top 25 Timeshare Rental Resorts, followed by Marriott's Aruba Surf Club (Palm Beach, Aruba) and Disney's Boardwalk Villas (also Lake Buena Vista). Marriott-branded resorts won five of the top 10 rental resort slots and 11 of the top 25. Disney's new Bay Lake Tower at the Contemporary Resort joined the rental popularity list for the first time at #25 and expanded Disney's overall presence to five resorts. "All of these resorts offer ideal vacations for timeshare families," said Gary Prado, vice president of business development for RedWeek.com. "While the resale market continues to evolve, RedWeek's do-it-yourself and full-service rental programs provide owners with an excellent way to recoup their maintenance fees when they are unable to use their time. Our Top 25 rentals report, moreover, shows that there is strong consumer demand for vacations at quality branded resorts." Now in its 10th year of publication, RedWeek's Top 25 includes six independent resorts and one timeshare each from Westin, Wyndham and Hilton. One third of the Top 25 resorts are located in Florida, followed by Hawaii (28 percent), Aruba (16 percent), South Carolina (8) and California, Mexico, Bahamas and New York (with 4 percent each). The rankings are calculated from rental demand statistics from RedWeek's 2.3 million subscribers. When RedWeek launched the resort rental survey, back in 2008, New York's Manhattan Club was the #1 most popular timeshare rental. This year, the Club ranks ninth. One major resort missing from this year's Top 25 is the Westin St. John, Virgin Grand Villas, which finished in the Top 25 consistently in prior years. Here is the 2017 list: View full top 25 rentals list >> About RedWeek.com: RedWeek.com is the largest online community and marketplace for timeshare rentals and resales, boasting more than 2.3 million subscribers and an A+ Better Business Bureau rating. At RedWeek.com, you can find reviews, ratings, prices, availability, and complete resort description for all timeshare resorts worldwide, making vacation selection easier. Timeshare owners can make use of a variety of easy online tools to rent or sell their timeshare, and participate in forums to discuss important owner issues. Media Contact: Jeff Weir: 310-801-3479. SOURCE RedWeek.com Related Links http://www.RedWeek.com CHICAGO, Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ -- Miller Lite wants to give $100,000 to fund the next big idea. Miller Lite Tap the Future returns, celebrating its 5th year and is searching for innovators with an unwavering commitment to making their dream a reality. As the creator of the light beer category, Miller Lite, annually sponsors the competition to empower entrepreneurs to hold true to their innovative business ideas. The competition provides business owners the opportunity to pitch live in front of Daymond John from ABC's Shark Tank and a panel of national judges for a chance at the cash grand prize. Beginning today, entrepreneurs can submit applications to be entered into the three-phase competition: Entry: February 9 through April 14, 2017 , entrepreneurs 21 and older can apply by submitting their business information at MLTaptheFuture.com. Top ranked businesses will receive expert coaching and an invitation to compete at future live pitch events. , entrepreneurs 21 and older can apply by submitting their business information at MLTaptheFuture.com. Top ranked businesses will receive expert coaching and an invitation to compete at future live pitch events. Live Pitch: Twenty-five semi-finalists will be selected to compete in five regional live pitch events in Atlanta , Houston , Los Angeles , Chicago and New York throughout the month of July. Daymond John and a panel of expert judges will select one business in each city to win $20,000 and advance to the national finals. Twenty-five semi-finalists will be selected to compete in five regional live pitch events in , , , and throughout the month of July. and a panel of expert judges will select one business in each city to win and advance to the national finals. Finals: Five finalists will present before a panel of executive judges in Chicago in September, where one company will win the $100,000 grand prize. "Tap the Future is a phenomenal opportunity for entrepreneurs to gain access to essential expert advice and funding," said Daymond John. "For those who have made the commitment to dedicate their life to a business idea; this program offers the practical and inspirational resources to achieve their goals. If you're a serious entrepreneur in need of a jumpstart to your business, I highly recommend applying for the Tap the Future competition." In its five-year history, Tap the Future has awarded more than $1 million in equity-free capital to entrepreneurs from around the country. Alumni of the program have gone on to achieve great success generating millions in the marketplace and creating jobs. Most recently, Santa Fe, New Mexico based company, HoneyMoon Brewery was awarded the Tap the Future grand prize. Led by co-founders Ayla Bystrom-Williams and James Hill, HoneyMoon Brewery produces a probiotic Kombucha tea with a touch of alcohol. "Miller Lite Tap the Future provides entrepreneurs with the support and resources to help them succeed in business," said Steve Canal, MillerCoors national community affairs. "As a company, we understand what it means to stick by an idea, and bring it to fruition, even when no one has done it before. We're celebrating and encouraging those cutting-edge visionaries to fully commit themselves and hold true to their vision to take their business to another level. And that's the purpose of this program; to let entrepreneurs know that despite adversity, you never give up, and success is waiting" For official rules and more information, visit www.MLTaptheFuture.com. About MillerCoors Through its diverse collection of storied breweries, MillerCoors brings American beer drinkers an unmatched selection of the highest quality beers, flavored malt beverages and ciders, steeped in centuries of brewing heritage. Miller Brewing Company and Coors Brewing Company brew national favorites such as Miller Lite, Miller High Life, Coors Light and Coors Banquet. MillerCoors also proudly offers beers such as Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy from sixth-generation Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company, and Blue Moon Belgian White from modern craft pioneer Blue Moon Brewing Company, founded in 1995. Beyond beer, MillerCoors operates Crispin Cider Company, an artisanal maker of pear and apple ciders using fresh-pressed American juice, and offers pioneering brands such as the Redd's franchise, Smith & Forge Hard Cider and Henry's Hard Sodas. Tenth and Blake Beer Company, our craft and import division, is the home to craft brewers Hop Valley Brewing, Revolver Brewing, Saint Archer Brewing Company and the Terrapin Beer Company. Tenth and Blake also imports world-renowned beers such as Italy's Peroni Nastro Azzurro, the Czech Republic's Pilsner Urquell and the Netherlands' Grolsch. MillerCoors, the U.S. business unit of the Molson Coors Brewing Company, has an uncompromising dedication to quality, a keen focus on innovation and a deep commitment to sustainability. Learn more at MillerCoors.com, at facebook.com/MillerCoors or on Twitter at @MillerCoors. Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/332088/TapTheFuture_Logo.jpg Related Links http://www.MillerCoors.com SOURCE MillerCoors MIAMI, February 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- ML Capital Group, Inc. (USOTC: MLCG) today announced that it has scheduled to close an equity purchase of Spanish Peaks ScrumpDelicacies next week on February 22, 2017. Management plans to release on an online presentation the following day, on February 23, 2017, detailing the acquisition to included highlights of the planned dividend distribution to MLCG shareholders of Spanish Peaks common stock. MLCG and Puration, Inc. (USOTC: PURA) recently announced reaching an agreement where both companies will contribute to an equity purchase of Spanish Peaks ScrumpDelicacies. The joint equity acquisition announcement followed the two companies initially entering into a partnership around MLCG's independent plan to acquire Spanish Peaks. The updated MLCG and PURA planned equity purchase of Spanish Peaks is part of a strategic plan to introduce a MLCG Cannabis Tourism Offering into Colorado's $19 billion tourism industry that features Spanish Peaks Cannabis Beverage production the way Napa Valley tours feature wine production. PURA is to be the exclusive Cannabis Extract Source for all Spanish Peaks beverage and edible production. Spanish Peaks, MLCG and PURA are in part modeling the acquisition and planned dividend after the North American Cannabis Holdings, Inc. (USOTC: USMJ) model were deals are structured to share the potential benefit of the transaction directly with shareholders. USMJ spun-off its cannabis extraction business into PURA and issued a PURA stock to its shareholders in a dividend distribution last year. The architecture of the MLCG and PURA acquisition of Spanish Peaks stock includes a plan where a portion of the Spanish Peaks stock acquired will be issued to the shareholders of MLCG and PURA in a dividend distribution. Spanish Peaks is currently a private company but plans to list public in conjunction with the planned transaction with MLCG and PURA. The PURA portion of the equity acquisition of Spanish Peaks is anticipated to close within the next 30 days. MLCG and PURA have published an online and on demand presentation detailing plans for the Global Cannabis Tour Business: GLOBAL CANNABIS TOURISM PRESENTATION Safe Harbor: This release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 27E of the Securities Act of 1934. Statements contained in this release that are not historical facts may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain. Actual performance and results may differ materially from that projected or suggested herein due to certain risks and uncertainties including, without limitation, ability to obtain financing and regulatory and shareholder approval for anticipated actions. ML Capital: [email protected] +1-786-313-3206 SOURCE ML Capital Group, Inc English Finnish STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE, FEBRUARY 16, 2017, 3.05 PM Notice is hereby given to the shareholders of QPR Software Plc that the Annual General Meeting will be held on Tuesday 28 March, 2017 starting at 1:00 p.m. at the Company's headquarters Huopalahdentie 24, 00350 Helsinki, Finland. The following matters will be addressed at the meeting: 1. Matters to be submitted to the Annual General Meeting pursuant to Companies Act and Article 9 of the Articles of Association 2. The Authorization of the Board of Directors to decide on a share issue and on an issue of special rights The Board of Directors proposes that the General Meeting would authorize the Board of Directors to decide on an issue of new shares and conveyance of own shares held by the Company. The share issue can be carried out as a share issue against payment or without consideration. The authorization also includes the right to issue special rights, in the meaning of Chapter 10 Section 1 of the Companies Act, which entitle to the Company's new shares or the Company's own shares held by the Company against consideration. The Board of Directors proposes that the authorization includes the right to deviate from the shareholders' pre-emptive subscription right. The authorization shall be in force until the next Annual General Meeting. 3. Authorization of the Board of Directors to decide on acquisition of own shares The Board of Directors proposes that the General Meeting would authorize the Board of Directors to decide on acquisition of the Company's own shares. The Board of Directors proposes that the Annual General Meeting would decide on an authorization not excluding the right to decide on a directed acquisition. The authorization shall be in force until the next Annual General Meeting. 4. Payment of Dividend The Board of Directors proposes to the General Meeting that the Company would pay dividend for the financial year January 1 - December 31, 2016, EUR 0.03 per share. The dividend shall be paid to a shareholder that has been entered into the Company's shareholders' register on the record date of the dividend payment on 30 March, 2017. The Board of Directors proposes to the General Meeting that the dividend shall be paid on 7 April, 2017. 5. The number and election of Board members The major shareholders prepare annually a proposal to the Annual General Meeting for the composition of the Companys Board of Directors as well as well for the annual emoluments of the Board members and auditors. The Chairman of the Board is responsible for contacting the major shareholders and inviting at least three largest shareholders annually to prepare the proposals. It has been brought to the Companys attention that shareholders who represent 46.8% of the Companys shares and votes will propose to the Annual General Meeting that the number of Board members be confirmed at five (5) and that Ms. Kirsi Erakangas, Mr. Topi Piela and Mr. Vesa-Pekka Leskinen be re-elected as Board members and Mr. Juha Hakamies and Ms. Taina Sipila elected as new Board members. Juha Hakamies is Vice President, Strategy, and a member of the management team of Gasum. Prior to this, he has worked as Head of M&A and Business Development at Basware and, among other things, in managerial and business development positions at Digia and Sonera. Taina Sipila is the CEO and Founder of the software company Dear Lucy. She is also a member of the board in the software company Sympa. Prior to this, she worked as the chairman of the board in Sympa and earlier as the CEO. DOCUMENTS The proposals of the Board of Directors are published as stock exchange bulletin (appendix to this notice for Annual General Meeting). The financial statements shall be available for review by the shareholders on the website of the Company www.qpr.com on 3 March, 2017. Copies of the proposals of the Board of Directors and of the financial statements shall be sent to a shareholder by request. INSTRUCTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS Participation and Registration A shareholder of the Company that has been entered into the Companys shareholders' register maintained by the Euroclear Finland Oy on 16 March, 2017, has the right to participate in the Annual General Meeting. The shareholder willing to participate in the Annual General Meeting shall report the Company of the participation on 20 March, 2017, at 4:00 p.m. (Finnish time) at the latest, in writing to the address QPR Software Plc, Huopalahdentie 24, 00350 Helsinki, by phone to the number +358 50 4361 658, or by email to the address ilmoittautumiset@qpr.com. The letter or message of participation shall be at the destination prior to the expiry of the registration period. The possible proxies are asked to be delivered in connection with the registration to the address set forth above. Right to request information Pursuant to chapter 5, section 25 of the Companies Act, a shareholder who is present at the Annual General Meeting has the right to request information with respect to the matters to be considered at the Meeting. Proxy representative and powers of attorney A shareholder may participate in the Annual General Meeting and exercise his/her rights at the Meeting by way of proxy representation. A proxy representative shall produce a dated proxy document or otherwise in a reliable manner demonstrate his/her right to represent the shareholder at the Annual General Meeting. Should a shareholder participate in the meeting by means of several proxy representatives representing the shareholder with shares in different book-entry accounts, the shares by which each proxy representative represents the shareholder shall be identified in connection with the registration for the Annual General Meeting. Possible proxy documents should be delivered in originals to QPR Software Plc, Huopalahdentie 24, and 00350 Helsinki before or on the last date for registration. Holders of nominee registered shares A holder of nominee registered shares has the right to participate in the Annual General Meeting by virtue of such shares, based on which he/she on the record date of the Annual General Meeting, i.e. on 16 March, 2017, would be entitled to be registered in the shareholders register of the Company held by Euroclear Finland Ltd. The right to participate in the Annual General Meeting requires, in addition, that the shareholder on the basis of such shares has been registered into the temporary shareholders register held by Euroclear Finland Ltd. at the latest by 23 March, 2017 by 10:00 a.m. (Finnish time). As regards nominee registered shares this constitutes due registration for the Annual General Meeting. A holder of nominee registered shares is advised to request without delay all necessary instructions regarding the temporary registration in the shareholder's register of the Company, the issuing of proxy documents and registration for the Annual General Meeting from his/her custodian bank. The account management organization of the custodian bank has to register a holder of nominee registered shares, who wants to participate in the Annual General Meeting, into the temporary shareholders register of the Company at the latest by 23 March, 2017 by 10:00 a.m. (Finnish time), as mentioned above. ANNUAL REPORT QPR Software Plc's annual report 2016 will be published on Friday, 3 March, 2017 and will be available on the Company's internet pages at www.qpr.com. Copies of annual report 2016 will also be available at the Company's headquarters Huopalahdentie 24, 00350 Helsinki, Finland (tel. +358 40 774 3075, Marja Rajamaki). OTHER INFORMATION On the date of this notice for the Annual General Meeting, the total number of shares and votes in QPR Software is 12,444,863. In Helsinki 16 February, 2017 QPR SOFTWARE PLC The Board of Directors Additional information: Vesa-Pekka Leskinen Chairman of the Board QPR Software Plc Tel. +358 40 500 9830 DISTRIBUTION Nasdaq Helsinki Main Media www.qpr.com Neither this press release nor any copy of it may be taken, transmitted into or distributed in the United States of America or its territories or possessions. APPENDIX PROPOSALS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AUTHORIZATION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO DECIDE ON A SHARE ISSUE AND ISSUE OF SPECIAL RIGHTS The Board of Directors proposes that the Annual General Meeting of the Company to be held on 28 March, 2017 shall authorize the Board of Directors to decide on an issue of new shares and conveyance of the own shares held by the Company (share issue) either in one or in several occasions. The share issue can be carried out as a share issue against payment or without consideration on terms to be determined by the Board of Directors. The authorization also includes the right to issue special rights, in the meaning of Chapter 10, Section 1 of the Companies Act, which entitle to the Company's new shares or the Company's own shares held by the Company against consideration. In the share issue and/or based on the special rights a maximum of 4,000,000 new shares can be issued and a maximum of 700,000 own shares held by the Company can be conveyed; The authorization includes the right to deviate from the shareholders' pre-emptive subscription right; The authorization can be used against payment e.g. in order to develop the Company's capital structure, to broaden the Company's ownership, to be used as payment in corporate acquisitions or when the Company acquires assets relating to its business and as part of the Company's incentive programs or for financial reasons especially substantial for the Company; The authorization also includes the right to decide on the price of the shares and the terms and conditions on which the price is determined, as well as on distribution of shares against consideration in kind or set-off; The authorization includes the right to decide on a share issue without consideration to the Company itself so that the amount of own shares held by the Company after the share issue is a maximum of one-tenth (1/10) of all shares in the Company. Pursuant to Chapter 15, Section 11, Subsection 1 of the Companies Act, all own shares held by the Company and its subsidiaries are included in this amount; The authorization shall be in force until the next Annual General Meeting; and Board of Directors is otherwise authorized to decide on all the conditions regarding the share issue and the issue of special rights. AUTHORIZATION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO DECIDE ON ACQUISITION OF OWN SHARES The Board of Directors proposes that the Annual General Meeting of the Company to be held on 28 March, 2017 shall authorize the Board of Directors to decide on an acquisition of own shares on the following conditions: Based on the authorization own shares may be acquired, either in one or in several occasions, the aggregate maximum amount of 250,000 shares; The Company's own shares can be acquired in order to develop the Company's capital structure, to be used as payment in corporate acquisitions or when the Company acquires assets related to its business and as part of the Company's incentive programs in a manner and to the extent decided by the Board of Directors, and to be transferred for other purposes or to be cancelled; The authorization includes the right to decide on a directed acquisition of the Company's own shares pursuant to Chapter 15, Section 6, Subsection 1 of the Companies Act; The shares shall be acquired in a manner decided by the Board of Directors for the value formed to the shares in the public trading on Nasdaq Helsinki . The Company's own shares may be acquired only with non-restricted equity; The authorization shall be in force until the next Annual General Meeting; and The Board of Directors is otherwise authorized to decide on all the conditions regarding the acquisition of own shares. PAYMENT OF DIVIDEND The Board of Directors proposes to the General Meeting that the Company would pay dividend for the financial year January 1 - December 31, 2016, EUR 0.03 per share. The dividend shall be paid to a shareholder that has been entered into the Company's shareholders' register on the record date of the dividend payment on 30 March, 2017. The Board of Directors proposes to the General Meeting that the dividend shall be paid on 7 April, 2017. As the largest mobile marketing platform in Asia, Mobvista started operation in 2013 and focuses on providing user acquisition and traffic monetization services to developers across the world. On Nov. 25, 2015, Mobvista went public at National Equities Exchange and Quotations (stock code: 834299), becoming China's first stock in overseas mobile marketing area. Among the Top100 companies at NEEQ by market cap, Mobvista ranked the 24th, the highest in mobile marketing industry. According to its latest half year earnings report released at the end of August 2016, Mobvista's revenue reached $118.174 million and net profit of $11.525 million, maintaining its No.1 position in the mobile marketing industry. In May 2016, Mobvista completed its first private placement at nearly $80 million (RMB 520 million). With the money raised, Mobvista acquired NativeX, an American ad company, and GameAnalytics, a famous European mobile game analytics platform, in February and July respectively. At the signing ceremony, Mobvista's founder and CEO Wei Duan said: "Across the world, over 80% Internet users are connected via smartphones and the rapid growth mobile Internet over the past three years offers historic opportunities to global mobile marketing industry. Today, the industry has entered M&R stage and Mobvista is one of few that can participate in. We acquired two companies in America and Europe along the industry chain and made substantial breakthroughs in overseas markets through organic growth. This credit facility from Bank of China will further help us accelerate expansion in overseas markets." As the most internationalized and diversified bank in China, Bank of China provides financial services in China and 46 other countries and regions. From 2012 to 2015, Bank of China increased its overseas assets by 54.06% and continued to diversify, strongly supporting its cross-border M&As and M&A financing and loan businesses in the "Go out" trend. According to Wei Duan, Bank of China is Mobvista's largest bank partner in 2016 from perspectives of RMB deposit and loans, USD loans and cross-border settlement. With the support from Guangdong Branch of Bank of China, Mobvista has built a relationship with Bank of China's branches in Seoul, Brussels, Hong Kong, New York and Chicago. "Mobile marketing is an emerging industry with great momentum. Today's credit facility is based on the recognition to mobile marketing industry, which is in line with Bank of China's commitment to become an efficient and professional partner addressing all demands of small and medium businesses," said Bank of China. About Mobvista Mobvista is the world's leading mobile marketing platform providing user acquisition, analytics and monetization solutions to worldwide mobile developers and brands. As the largest mobile ad tech company in Asia, Mobvista's comprehensive solution has empowered over 1000 direct global advertisers in reaching and engaging consumers across the world through performance-based ads, ASO tools and more. For developers, Mintegral, the native and video ad mediation platform, has helped 500+ developers in maximizing ad revenue with its premium ad sources mediation, diverse native ad formats, and smart dynamic algorithm. Recognized as the "Top 25 Mobile Advertising Partner Report for 2016" by TUNE, Mobvista has targeted traffic from 243 countries and regions, reaching over 10 billion daily impressions with its unprecedented technology innovation and excellent customized service. Mobvista was listed on the NEEQ in November 2015, with nearly $1 billion. It has nearly 500 employees with offices in 12 cities across the world. For additional information, visit www.mobvista.com. Media Enquiries: Orca Guo [email protected] SOURCE Mobvista Related Links http://www.mobvista.com JACKSON, Mich., Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers Energy employees are encouraging community members to join them in Walks for Warmth across Michigan, raising funds to help families to stay warm. "Our employees live and work in the communities we serve, and we are focused on helping our friends, family members and neighbors when they face hardship," said Cathy Reynolds, Consumers Energy's senior vice president, who will take part in the Saginaw Walk for Warmth on Saturday and the Jackson walk Feb. 24. "Walks for Warmth are a simple and powerful way to put dollars into the hands of people who need help the most." Over 2,000 Consumers Energy employees raised nearly $300,000 for Walks for Warmth last year. The company is again making a commitment to helping people heat their homes by matching every dollar that employees, family members and friends raise through 31 Walk for Warmth events this month and in March. Community Action Agencies organize local Walk for Warmth events. The money that participants raise will provide energy assistance for Michigan residents. Proceeds go directly to Michigan households. No money is spent on administrative costs. Hundreds of Consumers Energy employees will take part Feb. 24 in the Walk for Warmth event in Jackson, which will start at the company's headquarters and extend through downtown. Many more employees will participate in walks through March 11 throughout Michigan, including Flint, Lansing, Midland and Battle Creek. All Walk for Warmth events are open to the public. Learn more at www.ConsumersEnergy.com/walk. Consumers Energy, Michigan's largest utility, is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), providing natural gas and electricity to 6.7 million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties. For more information about Consumers Energy, go to www.ConsumersEnergy.com. Media toolkit MORE INFO: Learn more about upcoming Walks for Warmth: www.ConsumersEnergy.com/walk Check out Consumers Energy on Social Media Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/consumersenergymichigan Twitter: https://twitter.com/consumersenergy YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/consumersenergy Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/consumersenergy SOURCE Consumers Energy Related Links http://www.consumersenergy.com BOSTON, Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Mylestone (www.mylestone.com), a company that makes memories accessible via Amazon's Alexa and other virtual assistants, has announced today that it has raised $2.5 million in new funding led by True Ventures with participation from Founder Collective, Boston Seed Capital, Converge Ventures and Mergelane. This brings Mylestone's total funding to $4.5M. The company is the first to utilize memory artifacts, including photographs and social data, to generate enriched narratives that are available on command via virtual assistants. Their technology uses artificial intelligence (AI) and human inspection to identify common themes, and then translates those into compelling narratives. "The rise of virtual assistants has given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to re-imagine how we remember life's most precious moments," said Balter. "Imagine bedtime stories told by grandpa who passed away decades ago. Or being able to recall that glorious moment she said "yes" or the magical feeling of that special trip to the Grand Canyon, on command." According to Voicelabs.co, applications on Amazon's Alexa grew 500% in the second half of 2016. Adam Marchick, CEO of Voicelabs.co noted, "The early pioneers in the Voice ecosystem should see massive dividends. The top Alexa skills are novelties and utilities - with Mylestone aiming to revolutionize how consumers memorialize, this may be one of the leading skills to deliver a transformational behavior change in our lives." Tony Conrad, True Venture Partner and Founder of about.me noted, "We've partnered with Dave before on Smarterer, and know he loves to work on the cutting edge of the future. Preserving legacies via AI and Virtual Assistants is something one only imagined a decade ago. Today people are still using these devices for setting a timer or getting the news; tomorrow these devices will help enrich our lives." "This is one of those swing-for-the-fences type of ideas," said David Frankel, Partner at Founder Collective. "Mylestone is tapping into the mainstreaming of voice activated assistants to put tech-enabled human connection and memory at the center of consumer experience." Mylestone is led by serial entrepreneur and founder/CEO Dave Balter, whose last companies include BzzAgent (acquired by Tesco in 2011) and Smarterer (acquired by Pluralsight in 2014). About Mylestone Mylestone's mission is to ensure life's most precious memories are accessible upon command. Utilizing memory artifacts, and a combination of artificial intelligence and external data, the company generates narratives that are available via virtual assistants, such as Alexa. Mylestone is led by veteran founder/CEO Dave Balter, and is comprised of an experienced team of technologists and entrepreneurs. Learn more: www.mylestone.com About True Ventures True Ventures is the premiere early stage venture capital firm. We invest in the best people who are creating companies in proven high growth sectors of the high tech industry. Since inception in 2006, we have provided visionary Founders with a trusted, seasoned partner, and we actively facilitate a powerful community to help foster growth and innovation. Media contact: Dave Balter [email protected] (617) 982-3559 SOURCE Mylestone Related Links http://www.mylestone.com KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla., Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The International Space Station Research and Development Conference (ISS R&D) today announced that NASA astronaut Dr. Kate Rubins has been confirmed as a keynote speaker at its 6th annual meeting at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C. from July 17-20, 2017. The ISS R&D Conference was created to connect commercial and academic communities involved in new innovations, breakthroughs, and discoveries onboard humankind's unique orbiting laboratory. This event is held in coordination with the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS), the American Astronautical Society (AAS), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Dr. Rubins recently returned to Earth after logging 115 days onboard the ISS, including more than 12 hours conducting two spacewalks outside of the station. Over the course of her stay onboard the orbiting laboratory, Dr. Rubins was involved in a variety of life science investigations that were the first of their kind. For instance, Dr. Rubins became the first astronaut to sequence DNA in space, she assisted in the growing of heart cells in cell culture, and performed quantitative microbiome experiments on orbit. Dr. Rubins holds a Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology from the University of California, San Diego, and a Ph.D. in Cancer Biology from Stanford University. Prior to her selection as a NASA astronaut, Dr. Rubins had a distinguished career as a researcher focused on diseases that primarily affected the Central and West African regions, to include investigations geared towards better understanding Ebola and Lassa viruses. "We are thrilled that Dr. Rubins will join the ISS R&D Conference this year following her groundbreaking research mission to the International Space Station," said CASIS Director of Marketing and Communications Brian Talbot. "During her time in space, Dr. Rubins was an inspiration to the scientific community and focused public attention on a new wave of innovative research that will help shape the future of science in space." "The ISS R&D Conference has a solid track record of featuring speakers who are both exciting and relevant, and with Dr. Rubins in the line-up as a keynote speaker, this year will be no exception," said AAS Executive Director Jim Kirkpatrick. CASIS and NASA leadership will also present new opportunities that the ISS can bring to researchers from a variety of scientific disciplines and backgrounds. Current ISS users from across a wide spectrum of commercial and academic entities will have the opportunity to present their findings at the conference. The conference is now accepting calls for abstracts, which can be submitted at: http://www.issconference.org/#Abstracts Registration for the 2017 conference is now open. To learn more about ISS R&D 2017, including how to register, please visit: http://www.issconference.org/ About CASIS: The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) was selected by NASA in July 2011 to maximize use of the International Space Station (ISS) U.S. National Laboratory through 2020. CASIS is dedicated to supporting and accelerating innovations and new discoveries that will enhance the health and wellbeing of people and our planet. For more information, visit www.iss-casis.org. About the ISS National Laboratory: In 2005, Congress designated the U.S. portion of the International Space Station as the nation's newest national laboratory to maximize its use for improving life on Earth, promoting collaboration among diverse users, and advancing STEM education. This unique laboratory environment is available for use by other U.S. government agencies and by academic and private institutions, providing access to the permanent microgravity setting, vantage point in low Earth orbit, and varied environments of space. About AAS: The American Astronautical Society is America's premier network of space professionals, technical and non-technical, dedicated to advancing all space activities. The Society, founded in 1954, is committed to strengthening the nation's space programs, inspiring the next generation of space professionals and expanding cooperation with international space organizations. Media Contact: Patrick O'Neill (321) 480-1054 [email protected] SOURCE Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) Related Links http://www.iss-casis.org NATICK, Mass., Feb 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Nasuni Corporation, the industry's leading provider of cloud-based enterprise file services, will present at HIMMS 2017 in the Microsoft Theater at HIMMS 2017 in Orlando, Fla., February 19-23. For information on the Microsoft Theater visit here. Nasuni will present alongside Norfolk, Nebraska-based Faith Regional Health Services on how its hybrid cloud solution using Microsoft Azure enabled the health provider to overcome capacity, data protection and access challenges associated with the rapid growth of is Heart and Vascular services. The presentation will take place at 4PM, in the Microsoft Theater at HIMSS on February 20. Paul Feilmeier, IT Infrastructure Manager from Faith Regional Health Services, and Andres Rodriguez, CEO, Nasuni will speak about the solution. Nasuni is a leading Microsoft ISV for Azure, and together they provide healthcare organizations with an innovative, HIPAA compliant file storage solution that solves key PACS infrastructure problems. When Nasuni is used with Microsoft Azure as the cloud storage object store, the combined PACS solution succeeds where legacy solutions become expensive and unwieldy. Based on Nasuni UniFS, the solution provides health employees with a fast connection to the PACS image file share. As PACS storage requirements grow, the solution scales easily with no capacity constraints. IT is assured that PACS data is backed up continuously, and files can be recovered from any point in time. Equally important, the solution has built-in disaster recovery capability, ensuring health organizations can reach their PACS files at any time. At Faith Regional Health Services, the Heart and Vascular practice is growing, and its PACS solution was running out of storage capacity for individual images and studies. Faith Regional faced: Significant, continuous growth of its capacity requirements; A potentially expensive storage refresh and expansion using traditional, on-premises systems; The need for its data protection solutions to scale along with its capacity growth; and A desire to increase its resilience in the face of potential Ransomware attacks. With Nasuni and Microsoft Azure, Faith Regional Health Services deployed a solution that eliminated capacity concerns while also providing data protection and disaster recovery all for the same price as a simple storage expansion on existing solution. The Nasuni UniFS solution was built with Microsoft Azure object store for the back end and met Faith Regional Health Services' HIPAA compliance requirements. And, the overall solution mitigated the threat of file ransoming (Ransomware attacks) because of its ability to protect and quickly restore files from any location. About Nasuni Nasuni, the industry's leading provider of cloud-based enterprise file services, provides distributed organizations with a powerful Cloud NAS system. By combining on-premises hardware and software with cloud storage, Nasuni delivers a secure data storage solution that provides high performance for users, simplified and centralized management for IT, and an easily scalable, complete storage service for the global enterprise. Nasuni is privately held and based in Natick, Mass. For more information, visit https://www.nasuni.com/. Social Media Links Twitter: www.twitter.com/nasuni LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nasuni The Nasuni Cloud Storage Blog: http://www.nasuni.com/blog For more information, contact: Jeff Miller PR Manager LEWIS 541.207.3461 [email protected] SOURCE Nasuni Related Links http://www.nasuni.com RENO, Nev., Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Family-owned Nature's Bakery, maker of leading fig and fruit bars, is confirming media reports that it has discontinued its relationship with Stewart-Haas Racing. Following months of negotiations, Nature's Bakery recently notified SHR that it could not continue the partnership due to several commercial and contractual issues during the 2016 race season. Nature's Bakery is aware of SHR's media campaign and recent false legal complaint. Those actions appear to have damaged SHR's own business and unnecessarily drawn attention to SHR driver Danica Patrick. Contrary to SHR statements, Nature's Bakery remains a healthy and vibrant company. "We were thrown off by SHR's lawsuit," Company CEO Kelly Allin stated. "SHR and its owners are no stranger to aggressive litigation. Ours is a family business that repeatedly sought to resolve our issues privately. In fact, we were scheduled to meet in Charlotte just days before they sued us." Nature's Bakery will be filing a detailed response and counterclaims shortly. The filing will shed light on SHR's conduct both during the race season and after. "Contrary to its image, SHR is run by big-business types that took advantage of Nature's Bakery. They now are threatening scorched earth litigation against a multi-generational family company," said Mr. Allin. "We're obviously not going to let them bully us. We may be a small brand, but we do not think what they are doing is right. We look forward to defending ourselves in court." Meanwhile, Nature's Bakery has informed its various stakeholders that the business is healthy and is looking to expand operations and continue its growth in 2017. Founder Dave Marson adds, "We obviously are disappointed in how things turned out, but we wish Danica Patrick and her new Ford team much success on the track this year. We are always going to be NASCAR fans and support the good works that it represents." As part of its 2017 initiatives, Nature's Bakery will be announcing a new public service and defeat hunger campaign. About Nature's Bakery: Nature's Bakery is a leading, family-owned natural foods baker founded and based in Reno, Nevada. Its innovative and healthy fig and fruit bars can be found at retailers around the country. For more information, contact: Andrew Strolin Vice President, Marketing Nature's Bakery 775.883.2253 [email protected] SOURCE Nature's Bakery DALLAS, Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- OptimizeHealth announces a new technology outsourcing service that lets senior care facilities operators focus on patient care and stop worrying about their computers systems, software and other productivity technology. Healthcare technology experts For a monthly fee, OptimizeHealth delivers the expertise facilities operators need to reliability manage, support and enhance their technology, including phone service. Customers get 24x7x365 access to highly-skilled technical experts as well as a cost-effective set of solutions to efficiently run their facilities with stable, current technologies. Greg Nicholas, OptimizeHealth's Managing Partner, said the outsourcing service, known as MSP (Managed Service Provider) in the industry, saves money, enhances security and reduces downtime while providing services and technology beyond the budget and capability of most senior care facility operators. "We first save our clients money by eliminating wasteful spending discovered in our initial technology review," Nicholas said. "Then, we find bulk discounts on equipment, hardware, network, data, and voice lines wherever possible. Finally, we continually seek out the best pricing for cloud-based and traditional tools and technologies. Best of all, after using our MSP services for a while, staff productivity usually rises because we've made technology easier to use, more reliable and better supported." OptimizeHealth created the new service because it saw a need to solve two problems that negatively impact the quality of care at acute, post-acute and long-term care facilities outdated, unreliable technology and obstacles to fully staffing an IT organization with all the skills and know-how needed to meet today's strategic, business and regulatory needs. "The complexity of healthcare technology is raising anxiety levels among long-term care owners and operators," Nicholas said. "The pressure is on to meet demands and embrace new technologies at predictable cost and acceptable risk." "It's an even bigger burden to keep up with new technologies, like connected care, and to stay competitive, secure and compliant. The OptimizeHealth Managed Service Provider (MSP) service allows our customers to overcome the challenges by putting IT in the hands of experts." About OPTIMIZEHEALTH: The Dallas-based company, originally founded as Optimize in 2005 as a process and project management firm, is made up of a group of healthcare technology experts passionate about improving senior care. The firm provides worry-free IT solutions, reliable technology and performance-enhancing analytics to acute, post-acute and long-term care customers. OptimizeHealth cares for technology so their clients can focus on better patient care. Contact: Lawson Abinanti Messages that Matter [email protected] (425) 688-0104 This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com SOURCE OptimizeHealth NEW YORK, Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- New York REIT, Inc. ("NYRT" or the "Company") (NYSE: NYRT) today announced the resignation of Gregory F. Hughes from the Company's Board of Directors (the "Board"), effective February 15, 2017. Mr. Hughes advised the Company that he was resigning because of disagreements with the Board and the Company relating to its governance. Further detail regarding the nature of the disagreements and the Company's response will be included in a Current Report on Form 8-K to be filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Michael Ashner, a principal of WW Investors, LLC, which selected Mr. Hughes to join the Board in October 2016 pursuant to a settlement agreement with the Company, and Winthrop REIT Advisors LLC, commented, "While we are exceedingly grateful to Greg for his efforts in moving NYRT forward, we retain our confidence that the company will continue to move forward with its plan of liquidation under the stewardship of the Board." About NYRT NYRT is a publicly traded real estate investment trust listed on the NYSE that owns income-producing commercial real estate, including office and retail properties, located in New York City. Additional information about NYRT can be found on its website at www.nyrt.com. NYRT may disseminate important information regarding it and its operations, including financial information, through social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. Forward-Looking Statements The statements in this press release that are not historical facts may be forward-looking statements. These forward looking statements involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Actual results or events could differ materially from the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements NYRT makes. Forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements regarding stockholder liquidity and investment value and returns. The words "anticipates," "believes," "expects," "estimates," "projects," "plans," "intends," "may," "will," "would," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Factors that might cause such differences include, but are not limited to: the impact of current and future regulation; the impact of credit rating changes; the effects of competition; the ability to attract, develop and retain executives and other qualified employees; changes in general economic or market conditions; the Company's ability to complete asset sales and realize the results of its plan of liquidation; the timing of and the amount of proceeds of asset sales; and other factors, many of which are beyond NYRT's control, including other factors included in NYRT's reports filed with the SEC, particularly in the "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" sections of NYRT's latest Annual Report on Form 10-K for year ended December 31, 2015, filed with the SEC on February 26, 2016, the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2016 filed with the SEC on November 9, 2016, and the Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A with respect to the plan of liquidation filed with the SEC on December 21, 2016, as such Risk Factors may be updated from time to time in subsequent reports. NYRT does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Contacts Media: Investors: Jonathan Keehner Michael A. Happel Matthew Furbish Mahmoud Siddig CEO and President Director, Investor Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher New York REIT, Inc. Relations [email protected] [email protected] New York REIT, Inc. [email protected] (212) 415-6500 (212) 415-6500 (212) 355-4449 SOURCE New York REIT, Inc. Related Links http://www.nyrt.com MELBOURNE, Australia, Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- November Rain rain ponchos, the brainchild of Belinda Coker, founder of Envirosax, the original designer reusable bag, is turning heads with it's inaugural giving back project. November Rain pledges a full 10% of all revenue towards water projects in developing countries. Launched in the USA in November 2016, the stylish rain poncho has proven so popular with the millennial crowd, the company has been able to fund a hydroponic vegetable growing system at a children's rescue mission in Northern Thailand valued at $3,000USD. November Rain ponchos, a stylish accessory that really gives back "I wanted to create stylish rainwear that fits any shape or figure, folds up into a small package and is entirely waterproof," states the founder Belinda Coker. "After the success of Envirosax, I realized the importance of sharing the wealth created with those not so fortunate. It's not all about the money, it's about creating something that people love with benefits that keep flowing to those in need." A mom of three, now in their teens and a frequent traveler, Belinda understands the issues associated with being stuck in the rain. Holding little one's hands, trying to open a car door, while holding an umbrella is truly awkward. So is getting caught in the rain after emerging from a salon wearing an expensive jacket or carrying a beautiful leather handbag. November Rain rain ponchos fold down into a small 1lb, 7" packet. Small enough to carry in your bag or keep in your car. And with her signature style of making something as simple as a plain reusable bag in 2004 into something beautiful, it seems she has done it again with November Rain rain ponchos. The sales from each quarter determine the amount of funding directed towards water projects in developing countries. November Rain is not limiting the resources given to just clean drinking water, they are also funding irrigation projects for crops in areas where water can be the main limiting factor for people being able to put food on the table. While the giving back projects are yet to be featured on the website (due to go live 1 March), the brand's Facebook page has pre-launched the philanthropic efforts, with images of the early stages of the hydroponic vegetable growing system. November Rain rain ponchos are available in the USA and UK. Visit www.novemberrain.co for more information. About November Rain: Launched in November 2016, November Rain produces stylish rainwear that fits all shapes and sizes and offers a hands-free solution to a waterproof covering. The brand pledges a full 10% of all turnover to water projects in developing countries. Media Liaison: Julia Ambler November Rain +61 421 649 655 [email protected] Related Images image1.jpg image2.jpg image3.jpg image4.jpg This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com. SOURCE November Rain PROVO, Utah, Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE: NUS) today announced its board of directors has increased the quarterly cash dividend to $0.36 from the previous $0.355 per share. The quarterly dividend will be paid on March 15, 2017, to stockholders of record on Feb. 27, 2017. "This marks the 16th consecutive year of raising our dividend, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to create shareholder value," said Truman Hunt, president and chief executive officer. About Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. Founded more than 30 years ago, Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. develops and distributes innovative consumer products, offering a comprehensive line of premium-quality beauty and wellness solutions. The company builds upon its scientific expertise in both skin care and nutrition to continually develop innovative product brands that include the Nu Skin personal care brand, the Pharmanex nutrition brand, and most recently, the ageLOC anti-aging brand. The ageLOC brand has generated a loyal following for such products as the ageLOC Youth nutritional supplement, the ageLOC Me customized skin care system, as well as the ageLOC TR90 weight management and body shaping system. Nu Skin sells its products through a global network of sales leaders in Asia, the Americas, Europe, Africa and the Pacific. As a long-standing member of direct selling associations globally, Nu Skin is committed to the industry's consumer guidelines that protect and support those who sell and purchase its products through the direct selling channel. Nu Skin is also traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "NUS." More information is available at nuskin.com. SOURCE Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. Related Links http://www.nuskin.com Lead program in Graft versus Host Disease (GvHD), a life-threatening condition that can occur following stem cell or bone marrow transplantation Four Phase 2 clinical studies evaluating CBD in the prevention and treatment of GvHD Orphan drug designations (ODD) granted in the U.S. and Europe Advancing towards FDA Phase 2b clinical studies VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 16, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kalytera Therapeutics, Inc. (TSX-V:KALY) (Kalytera) announced today that it has successfully completed the previously announced acquisition (the Acquisition) of Talent Biotechs Ltd. (Talent), strengthening Kalyteras position as an emerging market leader in cannabidiol (CBD) pharmaceuticals. Talent is a privately held, Israeli-based company evaluating the use of CBD to prevent and treat Graft versus Host Disease (GvHD). We feel incredibly fortunate to be continuing Talents groundbreaking work in GvHD, said Andrew Salzman, M.D., Kalyteras Chief Executive Officer. There are currently few options to prevent or treat persons with GvHD, a large and critically underserved market. The results of Talents Phase 2 clinical studies are unprecedented, and mark a major milestone in the potential prevention and treatment of this severe and life-threatening disease. We are encouraged by the data and seek to rapidly advance the GvHD program into FDA Phase 2b clinical studies. This is a transformational transaction for Kalytera, said Robert Farrell, President, COO, and CFO of Kalytera. Multiple studies have demonstrated that CBD, a non-psychoactive cannabis constituent, possesses remarkable therapeutic potential across a broad range of diseases and disorders. The acquisition of Talent and its late-stage GvHD program significantly advances Kalyteras position as an emerging leader in CBD pharmaceuticals. We expect our work in GvHD to be the first of many programs that seek to investigate and commercialize this important compound. Summary of Transaction Terms As consideration for the Acquisition, Kalytera will provide a combination of cash, securities, and future contingent payments to Talent. To date, Kalytera has made cash payments to Talent totaling USD$10,000,000. In addition, Kalytera has issued 17,301,208 common shares to Talent, which securities will be subject to a contractual hold period expiring December 30, 2017. Subject to the completion of certain milestones in relation to the development and commercialization of the GvHD program, Kalytera will pay up to USD$20,000,000 in aggregate future contingent payments. Kalytera shall also issue to Talent an additional 2,883,535 common shares upon the completion of the first Phase 2b clinical study, and a further additional 2,883,535 common shares upon the issuance of the first patent by the USPTO or EU with respect to certain assets of Talent acquired in connection with the Acquisition. The shareholders of Talent shall also receive additional earn-out payments equal to 5% of the aggregate annual net sales of all products covered by patent rights included in the business of Talent. The Acquisition has been conditionally approved by the TSX Venture Exchange, but remains subject to final approval. About Graft versus Host Disease GvHD is an orphan disease that can arise following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT), a procedure where the stem cells of the bone marrow or peripheral blood of a healthy donor are transplanted into a new host after chemotherapy or radiation. HCT is a lifesaving procedure for many diseases of the blood and bone marrow including leukemia, Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, multiple myeloma, sickle cell anemia, and thalassemia. There were over 8,000 HCT procedures in the U.S. in 20141 and the use of HCT procedures is expected to continue to increase. While HCT procedures can be lifesaving, they pose many dangerous side effects, including infection and GvHD. GvHD is a multisystem disorder that occurs when the transplanted cells from a donor (the graft) recognize the transplant recipient (the host) as foreign. This interaction initiates an immune reaction that causes disease in the transplant recipient. This reaction can occur within days after the transplant (acute GvHD) or months to years after HCT (chronic GvHD). GvHD can be mild, moderate, severe, and even life threatening. Patients with acute GvHD may suffer from rashes and blistering of the skin, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps accompanied by diarrhea, and jaundice. Generally, acute reactions are more severe and life threatening. GvHD is a major cause of morbidity and mortality following HCT. Researchers estimate that even with intensive prophylaxis with immunosuppressive treatments, 30-50% of patients transplanted from fully matched sibling donors and 50-70% of patients transplanted from unrelated donors will develop some level of GvHD2. The GvHD market was valued at $295M across the six major markets in 2013, and is expected to grow to $544M by 2023, according to the research and consulting firm GlobalData3. Standard of Care: Prevention and Treatment of GvHD The first step in prevention of GvHD is the selection of donor cells that closely match the genetics of the immune system of the transplant recipient, ideally a sibling donor. From there, the patient relies on drugs that have been developed to prevent or treat GvHD. Medicinal prevention of acute GvHD is dependent on immunosuppression of the donor cells, either pharmacologically or through T cell depletion. Common drugs include methotrexate, cyclosporine tacrolimus, sirolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, and ATG. Preventive measures and clinical practices vary by institution4. Treatment of GvHD involves pharmacologic suppression of the grafts immune cell activation and reestablishment of donor-host immune-tolerance. Most patients are prescribed corticosteroids, which directly suppress the donors immune cell attack on host tissue, but also raise the risk of infection and cancer relapse. As with prevention, the optimal drug strategy for GvHD is not well defined. Only 30-50% of patients with moderate to severe GvHD respond to corticosteroids, putting many at risk for fatal outcomes5. Better treatment options are needed to improve the mortality and morbidity outcomes for transplant recipients. CBD and GvHD CBD is a major component of Cannabis sativa, commonly known as marijuana. CBD possesses potent anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties. Unlike the other major component of cannabis, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD is non-psychoactive and is well tolerated by humans when taken over extended periods of time6. CBD has shown benefit in a number of models of inflammatory diseases including diabetes7, rheumatoid arthritis8, multiple sclerosis9, and inflammatory bowel disease10. GvHD Clinical Research In May 2015, Moshe Yeshurun, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Talent and of the Head of the Bone Marrow Transplantation Department at the Rabin Medical Center in Israel, published the results of a Phase 2a study that followed adult recipients of HCT receiving standard GvHD prophylaxis11. Study participants were provided with daily doses of CBD for the seven days prior to transplantation and for 30 days after HCT. Participants were monitored for an average of 16 months following treatment. Talent researchers compared the trial results to historical data and reported that: No participants developed Acute GvHD while being treated with CBD The risk of developing Acute GvHD by day 100 was decreased Among those that did develop GvHD after HCT, the time to onset was significantly longer (60 days in the CBD group versus 20 days in the control group) Participants treated with CBD had fewer skin and gastrointestinal issues compared to the control group CBD treatment was found to be safe and well tolerated Based on these promising results, Talent commenced a second phase 2a trial to evaluate the efficacy of a longer administration of CBD following HCT. As disclosed by Kalytera in its January 18, 2017 press release, in this study, which enrolled 12 patients, participants were provided daily doses of CBD 7 days prior to transplantation and for 100 days following the procedure. With a median follow up of 8.5 months following transplantation, preliminary results show that 85% of the patients did not develop significant (Grades 2-4) acute GvHD, although most of them received bone marrow from unrelated donors, and only 2 patients developed acute GVHD (being 15% of patients), versus the predicted incidence of 50-70% in the scientific literature. Talent has completed additional pilot studies exploring the use of CBD in the treatment of GvHD. Kalytera plans to initiate placebo-controlled, double blind, randomized studies of CBD for both the prevention and treatment of GvHD. These clinical studies may support U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Breakthrough Therapy and Fast Track Designations, which could accelerate the regulatory approval process. About Kalytera Therapeutics Kalytera (TSX-V:KALY) is pioneering the development of a next generation of cannabinoid therapeutics. Through its proven leadership, drug development expertise, and intellectual property portfolio, Kalytera seeks to establish a leading position in the development of novel cannabinoid medicines for a range of important unmet medical needs, with an initial focus on Graft versus Host Disease (GvHD). Kalytera is focused first on developing a new class of proprietary cannabidiol (CBD) therapeutics. CBD is a remarkable compound that has shown activity against a number of pharmacological targets. However, there are limitations associated with natural CBD, including its poor oral bioavailability and short half-life. Kalytera is developing innovative CBD formulations and prodrugs in an effort to overcome these limitations, and to target specific disease sites within the body. Kalytera intends to file composition of matter and method of use patents covering its novel inventions, with the goal of limiting future competition. Cautionary Note Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) has in any way passed upon the merits of the proposed Transaction and associated transactions and neither of the foregoing entities has in any way approved or disapproved of the contents of this press release. Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. Forward-Looking Statement Disclosure This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws relating to the proposed Transaction including statements regarding the terms and conditions of the proposed Transaction, as well as information relating to Talent. The information about Talent contained in the press release has not been independently verified by Kalytera. Although Kalytera believes in light of the experience of its officers and directors, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors that have been considered appropriate, that the expectations reflected in this forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because Kalytera can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Readers are cautioned to not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements, depending on, among other things, the risks of failure to obtain final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange, failure of the results of the Phase 2a clinical trial to be consistent with the preliminary results of such trial, that the Phase 2a clinical trial results are not determinative of or consistent with the results of the results of future Phase 2 or other clinical studies, that the small number of patients in the Phase 2a clinical trial may contribute to the risk that future studies may be inconsistent with the results of the Phase 2a clinical trial, and that clinical trials are subject to a number of other health, safety, efficacy and regulatory risks. The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this release. Kalytera undertakes no obligation to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by third-parties in respect of Kalytera, Talent, their securities, or their respective financial or operating results (as applicable). Kalytera disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, other than as required by applicable securities laws. 1 Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR) HCT Trends and Survival Data 2 Weisdorf D. GVHD the nuts and bolts. Hematology Am Soc Hematol Educ Program. 2007;:62-7. 3 GlobalData Report (2015) 4 Ruutu T, Van biezen A, Hertenstein B, et al. Prophylaxis and treatment of GVHD after allogeneic haematopoietic SCT: a survey of centre strategies by the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation. Bone Marrow Transplant. 2012;47(11):1459-64. 5 Weisdorf D. GVHD the nuts and bolts. Hematology Am Soc Hematol Educ Program. 2007;:62-7. 6 Mechoulam R, Peters M, Murillo-rodriguez E, Hanus LO. Cannabidiol--recent advances. Chem Biodivers. 2007;4(8):1678-92. 7 Weiss L, Zeira M, Reich S, et al. Cannabidiol lowers incidence of diabetes in non-obese diabetic mice. Autoimmunity. 2006;39(2):143-51. 8 Malfait AM, Gallily R, Sumariwalla PF, et al. The nonpsychoactive cannabis constituent cannabidiol is an oral anti-arthritic therapeutic in murine collagen-induced arthritis. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2000;97(17):9561-6. 9 Trojano M. Advances in the management of MS symptoms: real-life evidence. Neurodegener Dis Manag. 2015;5(6 Suppl):19-21. 10 Schicho R, Storr M. Topical and systemic cannabidiol improves trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid colitis in mice. Pharmacology. 2012;89(3-4):149-55. 11 Yeshurun M, Shpilberg O, Herscovici C, et al. Cannabidiol for the Prevention of Graft-versus-Host-Disease after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation: Results of a Phase II Study. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant. 2015;21(10):1770-5. SEATTLE, Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Outreach, the system of action for sales teams, today announced the launch of its inaugural Unleash 2017 conference, taking place June 4-6, 2017 at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, in Sonoma, CA. The three-day conference will gather Outreach customers, sales leaders, and industry influencers to discuss strategies for unleashing the full potential of their sales teams to achieve unprecedented results. Leading the line-up of diverse guest speakers consisting of sales experts, influencers and visionaries is Microsoft's EVP of Cloud and Enterprise, Scott Guthrie, who will discuss advancements in AI and machine learning and how sales can expect to benefit in 2017 and beyond. The launch of Unleash marks another milestone for Outreach, which has grown 800% since launching in 2014. By the end of this year, half of all sales reps are expected to miss their quota due to fragmented tools and data sources, heavy reliance on marketing to build pipeline, and ever-growing administrative tasks tied to CRM systems that drastically infringe on active selling time. With the majority of organizations planning to continue raising annual revenue targets, sales requires a smarter playbook. Outreach will upend this major disconnect at its conference--serving as a meeting ground for the sales community to collaborate, debate, and learn strategies for overcoming common sales challenges. Combining Outreach's in-the-trenches experience with highly influential sales practitioners, audiences will gain actionable insights on how to beat quotas, create fail-proof playbooks, and instill confidence across their entire sales team. "Unleash is all about sales excellence, and arming sales executives with the confidence and competitive edge to outperform, learn, grow and elevate their craft," said Manny Medina, cofounder and CEO of Outreach. "We're gathering the 'best of the best' sales gurus, industry analysts and business influencers who know what it's like to overcome obstacles and come out winning on the other side. At Outreach, we're all about action and results Unleash is the first conference where attendees will walk away with an actionable blueprint for their sales strategy." In just two years, Outreach has grown its customer base to over 1,100 companies, making it one of the top-five fastest growing SaaS companies, alongside Slack, Yammer, and Box. Fortune 1000 customers like CenturyLink, Adobe, Glassdoor and Marketo rely on Outreach's system of action because of its enterprise-grade scalability and feature set, market-leading success and support, and proven results. On average, customers using the platform gain 1-2 more hours of active selling time daily per rep, secure 30% more meetings and opportunities, and ultimately contribute 10-25% more revenue to the organization's bottom line. "Outreach has become an indispensable system for our sales teams. Shortly after deployment we saw an uptick in active opportunities, meetings, and overall funnel. This has helped enable a cultural change in our sales professionals to increase the amount of prospecting for new logos as well as deeper penetration into existing accounts," said Rick Buyens, Regional Vice President, Global Sales at CenturyLink. "Knowing Outreach, Unleash will become the epicenter of sales excellence. This will be a must-attend event for all sales decision-makers." Unleash 2017 When: June 4-6, 2017 Where: Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, Sonoma, CA Who: Outreach customers, Sales leaders Confirmed Speakers: - Scott Guthrie/Microsoft - John Bruno/Forrester - Barry Trailer/CSO Insights - More high-profile business leaders and visionaries to follow About the Conference: As the key driver behind our global economy, sales is an awesome responsibility. You deliver innovation to the world by connecting the right buyer with the right productoften a tool they haven't even dreamt possible. You drive the revenue that fuels R&D and, through that, you keep businesses in business. No one said it was easy, but you find creative ways to cut through the noise and create relationships with each buyer. You must do this through a series of strategically orchestrated activities and with the tools available to you. All the while, you're executing with one hand tied behind your back. Outreach knows there's a hero inside you, waiting to be unleashed. Join us as we wage a revolution to remove the crap that gets in the way and release the power to crush your numbers, and exceed your goals. For more information on Outreach, click here. About Outreach Outreach, the system of action for sales teams, delivers performance and insights that result in higher velocity and more efficient selling. By automating and prioritizing all customer touch points throughout the sales process, Outreach triples the productivity of sales teams, and empowers them to drive more pipeline, book more meetings and exceed revenue goals. Outreach places actionable data intelligence at the fingertips of sales reps through a single, integrated view of all prospect-related information. Thousands of customers rely on Outreach to transform the sales process, drive collaboration between sales and marketing, and deliver higher revenue per sales rep. Outreach is a privately held company based in Seattle, Washington. To learn more, please visit https://outreach.io/. Outreach Media Contact: Bailey Fox Barokas Public Relations for Outreach [email protected] (206) 264-8220 SOURCE Outreach Related Links https://www.outreach.io HARRISBURG, Pa., Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Department of State filed disciplinary actions against 132 licensed or commissioned professionals and notaries public during the month of January, Secretary of State Pedro A. Cortes announced today. A comprehensive list of sanctions imposed by the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs (BPOA) is available online. Disciplinary actions filed against notaries public also can be found on the Department website. Each BPOA entry includes the name of the respondent, city and county, sanction imposed, a brief description of the basis for the disciplinary or corrective measure and the effective date. BPOA also maintains a searchable database which allows the public to check the license status of all the professionals and establishments it licenses. Anyone who suspects unlicensed activity by an individual or facility, or who has been a victim of unethical treatment, can file a complaint by calling the BPOA hotline at 1-800-822-2113. To report unethical practices by a notary public, call the Bureau of Commissions, Elections and Legislation at (717) 783-4849. Complaints against licensed professionals or notaries also can be filed through the Department's website. BPOA's 29 boards and commissions license and oversee nearly 1 million active professionals and businesses, including a range of occupations in health and business fields. The Secretary of the Commonwealth also oversees the appointment and commission of more than 80,000 notaries public. Violations of the law or state regulations may result in disciplinary actions including civil penalties and the suspension or revocation of a license or commission. MEDIA CONTACT: Wanda Murren, (717) 783-1621 SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of State Related Links http://www.state.pa.us SALT LAKE CITY, Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The plights of refugees have dominated the headlines. Images of families displaced from their homes or detained at airports have been all over newspapers and television. These images join pictures of people taking to the streets to protest the recently issued Executive Order banning refugees from entering the United States for several months. While the focus has been on those attempting to enter the U.S., it's important to note the achievements of refugees already here in the United States. One program that helps refugees succeed is The Refugee Education Initiative, a program started by Utah real estate magnate Roger Boyer. The initiative offers holistic assistance to students with a refugee background. The program empowers students to earn a college degree that leads to a marketable career. "Imagine a student having the entire community standing near ready to assist when needed. Beyond the amazing academic and supportive services at the University of Utah, students have additional needs. Many students need dental work, eye care, mentoring, internships and offers of employment," said Amy Wylie, executive director of The Refugee Education Initiative. The Refugee Education Initiative has 190 scholars currently enrolled at campuses statewide, and 92 of those students are at the University of Utah. Participants at the U's Refugee Program come from Afghanistan, Bhutan, Burundi, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Iran, Iraq, Myanmar, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan and Sudan. Four countries represented are included in the Executive Order, and about half of the U students in the Refugee Program are from those nations. U participants are majoring in programs across campus, but most are studying science, engineering and nursing. They speak more than 36 languages, and their average GPA is 3.2. "The students in this program truly are the futures of their communities," said Michelle Conley, director of the Refugee Program housed at the David Eccles School of Business. "They've come from unbelievably adverse backgrounds and have overcome so many challenges to be here. Supporting them as they work to further their education is particularly impactful because the effects of their success reverberate throughout the community." Conley will take a dozen students in the Refugee Program to Washington, D.C., in March to meet with Sen. Orrin Hatch, take a tour of the White House and U.S. Capitol, and visit museums. These students are also taking a Civic Engagement course this semester to learn about how to become more involved in the political system. "Having the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C., is particularly meaningful to these students. Many are some of the newest citizens of our country, and they've expressed that seeing our Capitol is something they've dreamed about since being in a refugee camp," Conley said. "It's important that they understand both their rights and responsibilities as citizens, so that they can advocate for themselves and their communities on both a local and national level." For more information about The Refugee Education Initiative, visit www.therefugeeeducationinitiative.org. For those who want to make a financial contribution to the program or those who have internships available for students, please call the David Eccles School of Business' Alumni Relations & Development team at 801-587-8378. About The Refugee Education Initiative The initiative targets capable, highly motivated students with a refugee background who are pursuing higher education and employment. Through this initiative, refugees are provided money for their education, enrollment counseling, tutors and opportunities for social integration. Most importantly, the initiative hopes to guide students to marketable employment where they can be productive family, professional, and community contributors. About the David Eccles School of Business The Eccles School is synonymous with 'doing.' The Eccles experience provides a world-class business education with a unique, entrepreneurial focus on real-world scenarios where students put what they learn into practice long before graduation. Founded in 1917 and educating more than 6,000 students annually, the University of Utah David Eccles School of Business offers eight undergraduate majors, four MBAs, five other graduate programs, a Ph.D. in seven areas and executive education curricula. The School is also home to eight institutes, centers and initiatives that deliver academic research and support an ecosystem of entrepreneurship and innovation. For more information, visit Eccles.Utah.edu or call 801-581-7676. Contacts: Sheena McFarland, David Eccles School of Business, 801-510-5567, [email protected] Spencer Parkinson, Method Communications, 801-461-9767, [email protected] SOURCE David Eccles School of Business Related Links http://www.therefugeeeducationinitiative.org DULLES, Va., Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Missile Defense Agency has awarded Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) a contract to develop an automated tool that assesses the effectiveness of using missiles and interceptors (kinetic) and cyber and electronic warfare (non-kinetic) weapons in wargames. The system automatically teaches participants which weapons to use in every possible scenario, ultimately better preparing warfighters to succeed. The Raytheon Coordinated Cyber/Electronic Warfare Integrated Fires program, or CCEWIF, uses analytics to assess the probabilities of success within a wargame scenario, using a mix of kinetic and non-kinetic options. Raytheon will deliver an initial CCEWIF wargame tool by early 2018. "This really is a first of its kind tool that brings together automation, analytics and cyber capabilities," said Todd Probert, vice president of Mission Support and Modernization at Raytheon Intelligence, Information and Services. "This unique program will give our military an edge in today's digital battlespace when seconds count and they need options and answers fast." CCEWIF ingests real-world data about threats and kinetic and non-kinetic effects to generate realistic simulations. Raytheon's mathematical foundation then provides probabilities of success, predicted battle damage to the target and confidence values for those predictions. As an example, CCEWIF could be used to provide probabilities of success for using different cyber, electronic warfare and munition options to take out an enemy ballistic missile before, during and after launch. MDA awarded Raytheon the CCEWIF contract under its Advanced Technology Innovation Broad Agency Announcement. About Raytheon Raytheon Company, with 2016 sales of $24 billion and 63,000 employees, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, civil government and cybersecurity solutions. With a history of innovation spanning 95 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration, C5I products and services, sensing, effects, and mission support for customers in more than 80 countries. Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts. Follow us on Twitter. Media Contact Raytheon Rachael Duffy 571-250-1517 [email protected] SOURCE Raytheon Company Related Links http://www.raytheon.com SAN DIEGO, Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP ("Robbins Geller") today announced that a class action has been commenced on behalf of holders of Harman International Industries, Incorporated ("Harman") (NYSE: HAR) common stock on January 10, 2017, in connection with the acquisition of Harman by Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. and certain of its affiliates ("Samsung"). This action was filed in the District of Connecticut and is captioned Baum v. Harman International Industries, Incorporated, et al., No. 17-cv-00246. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than 60 days from today. If you wish to discuss this action or have any questions concerning this notice or your rights or interests, please contact plaintiff's counsel, Darren Robbins of Robbins Geller at 800/449-4900 or 619/231-1058, or via e-mail at [email protected]. Any member of the putative class may move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff through counsel of their choice, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. The complaint charges Harman, its Board of Directors (the "Board") and Samsung with breaches of fiduciary duty and/or violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("1934 Act") in connection with the acquisition of Harman by Samsung (the "Acquisition"). Harman designs and engineers connected products and solutions for automakers, consumers and enterprises worldwide, including connected car systems, audio and visual products, enterprise automation solutions and connected services. On November 14, 2016, Harman and Samsung announced they had entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Merger Agreement"), under which Samsung would acquire all of the outstanding shares of Harman common stock for $112 per share in cash. In total, the Acquisition is worth approximately $8 billion to Harman stockholders. On January 20, 2017, Harman filed a definitive proxy statement on a Schedule 14A (the "Proxy") with the SEC, announcing that the stockholder vote on the Acquisition would occur on February 17, 2017. The complaint alleges that the Proxy misrepresents and omits material information needed by Harman stockholders to cast an informed vote on the Acquisition. Specifically, the Proxy fails to disclose material information concerning: (a) Harman's financial projections; (b) the financial analyses regarding the fairness of the Acquisition price that were performed by the Board's financial advisors; (c) the process leading up to the execution of the Merger Agreement; and (d) various separation transactions to split Harman into multiple business groups that the Board was contemplating before Samsung expressed interest in an acquisition of Harman. Without this information, the Company's stockholders are unable to make an informed decision whether to vote for or against the Acquisition. Defendants' failure to disclose this information renders the Proxy materially deficient in violation of 14(a) of the 1934 Act and also implicates a breach of the Board's fiduciary duties. Plaintiff seeks injunctive relief on behalf of holders of Harman common stock on January 10, 2017. The plaintiff is represented by Robbins Geller, which has extensive experience in prosecuting investor class actions including actions involving financial fraud. Robbins Geller is widely recognized as one of the leading law firms advising U.S. and international institutional investors in securities litigation and portfolio monitoring. With 200 lawyers in 10 offices, Robbins Geller has obtained many of the largest securities class action recoveries in history and was ranked first in both the total amount and number of shareholder class action recoveries in ISS's SCAS Top 50 Report for the last two years. Robbins Geller attorneys have shaped the law in the areas of securities litigation and shareholder rights and have recovered tens of billions of dollars on behalf of the Firm's clients. Robbins Geller not only secures recoveries for defrauded investors, it also strives to implement corporate governance reforms, helping to improve the financial markets for investors worldwide. https://www.linkedin.com/company/rgrdlaw https://twitter.com/rgrdlaw https://www.facebook.com/rgrdlaw https://plus.google.com/+Rgrdlaw/posts SOURCE Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP Related Links http://www.rgrdlaw.com/?utm_source=PRNewswire&utm_medium=Press%20Release&utm_campaign=Site%20Preview MIAMI, Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Rojas + Rubensteen Projects, a contemporary art gallery and community hub in Little River, Miami, is pleased to present the exhibition "I Am Here" by world-acclaimed female artist Manal AlDowayan, hailing from Saudi Arabia. In the exhibition, featuring photography, installation and mixed media, AlDowayan explores what defines humans at the most granular level our thoughts, bodies, personal histories, religious choices. While AlDowayan's work was most recently on view at White Chapel Gallery in London, this will be the first comprehensive look at her work in the U.S. Misunderstood Sounds (The State of Disappearance Series) by Manal AlDowayan I am a Computer Scientist (I Am Series) by Manal AlDowayan Rojas + Rubensteen Projects is partnering with Florida International University's Initiative for Muslim World Studies to utilize this exhibition as a platform for dialogue about Muslim art and culture. The exhibition expresses the concept that "On the heels of the inauguration, personhood will not be denied, concealed in fabric, or turned into a number on a registry Acknowledging our differences, we all can nonetheless find commonality in our aspirations, in the importance of roots and in the inescapable journey from womb to death." Co-hosted by Florida International University's Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs, the exhibition's opening will take place on Friday, Feb. 17 at 7 p.m. The artist, Manal AlDowayan, will be present at the opening reception. To RSVP, email [email protected]. "We are particularly excited about this show given the timing it showcases this remarkable body of work by a Muslim woman, almost directly following the inauguration," said Eira Rojas, co-founder of Rojas + Rubensteen Projects. Aimee Rubensteen, co-founder of Rojas + Rubensteen Projects, said, "Although AlDowayan's work is particularly about Muslim identity, it's also very poetically about the individual as a universal proposition. We are honored to show her first retrospective in the US at our gallery." About Rojas + Rubensteen Projects Rojas + Rubensteen Projects is a contemporary art gallery and community hub in Little River, Miami. Co-founders Eira Rojas and Aimee Rubensteen are South Florida locals and graduates in Art History from the Courtauld Institute of Art in London. Their gallery is the product of several years of conversation about the art market, pop culture and politics. Rojas + Rubensteen Projects seeks out underrepresented local and international artists to create exhibitions which engage with the wider world and current events. The gallery hosts conversations reflecting these themes with local scholars, publications and the multidisciplinary arts community in South Florida. Featured artists are steeped in a research-based practice, original in their modes of expression and work from an informed intention. The gallery values the artistic process in all media, consistently collaborating to encourage experimentation, the creation of new work, site-specific installations and live performances. Grounded in an intellectually rigorous curatorial practice, Rojas + Rubensteen Projects is purposefully accessible. Rojas + Rubensteen Projects is located at 8051 NE 2nd Ave Miami, FL, 33138. Hours are WednesdaySunday 126 p.m. and by appointment. For more information, please visit rojasrubensteenprojects.com, call 786-534-7559 or email [email protected]. Media Contact: Duree Ross, Duree & Company, Inc. 954-723-9350 / [email protected] SOURCE Rojas + Rubensteen Projects Related Links http://rojasrubensteenprojects.com MARRIOTTSVILLE, Md., Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Sales Focus Inc. (SFI), a Maryland-based sales outsourcing company, announced today that it has launched a new service to complement their award-winning Sales Outsourcing Solution. Over the past 20 years SFI has been recognized as the world's leader in Intelligent Sales Outsourcing Solutions. Now SFI has added a new service, Sales Consulting to complement their existing portfolio. Sales Focus Inc. Utilizing their proven and trademarked sales planning methodology, S.O.L.D., SFI has developed a strong, organized and process driven consulting sales team. As a leading sales consultancy organization, with a proven and repeatable process and expert sales consultants, SFI has added a Sales Consulting Service, which will help companies determine with confidence which paths will lead to significant increases in sales performance. Commission plan development, process improvement and implementation, sales performance evaluation, customer acquisition and client retention, recruiting and training are just a few of the services offered in this program. "Our sales consultants have industry expertise and will work with you to uncover the changes you need to make to see dramatic sales improvement. We can then help you implement the plan and put the plan in action to show you the results you demand," states Tony Horwath, Owner / CEO. "As the leader in providing Intelligent Sales Solutions to industries across the globe, we will continue to push the envelope and develop new sales services and solutions that allow us to grow and achieve continued success. We have added new services to our portfolio in 2017 that will allow us to better service our clients and provide a complete turnkey sales and marketing solution," said Sales Focus, Inc. founder and CEO Tony Horwath. Due to the expansion of its intelligent sales solutions products and programs, Sales Focus, Inc. has been the recipient of multiple honors and awards. The firm appeared on the list of Inc. 500/5000 fastest growing companies in 2012 and 2013. It was named one of the "Fastest 50" by SmartCEO magazine in 2011 - 2015, and was listed on Build 100 and Tech 2000 as one of the fastest growing privately held companies in the United States. In 2016 Sales Focus was awarded the Excellence Award for Client Services, Smart CEO Future 50 and Excellence Award for Recruiting. "We're proud to have the privilege of working with some of the world's most recognized brands, such as Sprint, NRG Energy, General Electric, British Petroleum and AT&T, to name a few," said Horwath. "With our continued growth and expansion into new services and new markets we continue to focus on our core commitments to our clients, Immediate Revenue Generation, Reduced Cost, Brand Protection and providing Sales Intelligence." ABOUT SALES FOCUS, INC. Sales Focus, Inc. is a sales solutions provider that focuses exclusively on developing dedicated sales teams for organizations that require a greater sales reach in the United States and Globally. Founded in 1998, Sales Focus Inc. pioneered the sales outsourcing industry by deploying dedicated outsourced sales teams that are recruited, trained and managed to meet each clients' revenue goals. Sales Focus Inc. utilizes its S.O.L.D. process to build a sales plan, implement the plan and manage inside sales or feet-on-the-street, business-to-business sales teams that excel in client acquisition in the SMB marketplace. To discuss Sales Focus, Inc.'s cost containment and profit enhancement solutions, or for more information about Sales Focus and their other innovative products, call 410-442-5600 or visit the website at www.SalesFocusInc.com and request a free white paper. Contact: Tony Horwath Sales Focus, Incorporated 410-442-5600 [email protected] SOURCE Sales Focus, Inc. A new report commissioned by Samsung reveals that by 2020 companies which have not opened their borders to competitors, innovators and a new generation of independent freelancers will struggle to prosper in what Samsung calls the 'Open Economy' . Web video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvuxE_GkYEI (Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/468408/Roger_Enright.jpg ) (Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/468409/Marcos_Eguillor.jpg ) (Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/468410/Anthony_Bruce.jpg ) (Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/468622/Nick_Dawson_Image.jpg ) (Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/468625/Dr__Marie_Puybaraurd.jpg ) This new Open Economy will be characterised by a deep use of freelance workers, routine embedding of startup driven innovation and a new kind of collaboration between former competitors. Over the last decade, thanks to the ubiquity of mobile technology, businesses have become more open and collaborative and have a clear understanding of the benefits compared to existing 'closed' business models. However, within just three years, organisations will be operating in a world much less restricted by technical or human boundaries. People, data and ideas will be integrated into current business models more freely, yet it will be crucial for businesses to get to grips with, and fully embrace, the agile technologies and expectations of tomorrow's work culture. To thrive in this world of new technologies and highly dispersed digital workforces, companies will need to embrace security platforms which will allow them to share information openly but safely. This in turn will force them to fundamentally rethink how they build their business models and the technologies they depend on. "Finding ways to safely empower new waves of future freelance workers is going to be the number one business challenge. Within three years, it's expected that businesses will have to deal with over 7.3 billion connected devices[1], whilst a rapidly digitised and changing workforce will evolve to one that will transform businesses in how, where and when they operate," says Nick Dawson, Global Director Knox Strategy. On the global stage, European companies are leading the way in adopting the infrastructure and human capital that will power the next stage of this digital revolution. This will put them in pole position to harness the open and ultra-flexible workforces and businesses over the next three to ten years, according to research from The Future Laboratory which formed the basis of the report. Across industries, innovation will emerge from new sources, with reverse innovation tactics of embedding start-ups at the heart of organisations becoming the norm. As this new future develops they will become critical strategic elements and a powerful driving force for innovation in every corner of businesses. Marcos Eguillor, Founder of BinaryKnowledge and professor at IE Business School, a specialist in digital innovation and transformation, says, "Relying on past certainties will not foster the creativity that business will need to compete in tomorrow's global market place. Companies will need to adopt the technologies that allow them to be fast and flexible enough to spot and understand their next competitive advantages, and recognise when it's time to disengage from the previous one." Tomorrow's organisations will use AI and machine learning technology to accurately predict - and make better decisions - about their future. It is not just today's devices that present risk. Already new machine intelligences are being widely deployed in the commercial world that are self-organising, self-adapting and capable of far more accurate predictions about the future state of their businesses. Advanced machine intelligence will give those companies which adopt them unprecedented power to plan ahead and optimise their business models. However, this desire for a more open approach often conflicts with the critical need to maintain high levels of security at all times across a company's entire network of devices and endpoints. Driven by a rapidly evolving threat landscape and enforced by new legislations such as General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), organisations will face many new challenges as they strive to protect their data across their entire business. Nick Dawson continues, "Cyber-security platforms that allow businesses to be both technologically open and safe are the key to unlocking the future of the Open Economy." Samsung Knox is such a platform. Today, it is the most powerful defence against mobile security threats in the workplace, thanks to an adaptive, modular design that embeds encryption and security keys in a secure chip-based hardware container. This allows the creation of secure, completely isolated work and personal identities on the same mobile device, ensuring that corporate data is always inaccessible to personal apps and processes and, critically, that personal privacy is always respected and maintained. -------------------------------------------------- 1. Gartner Inc, Internet of Things (IoT) Study 2015 Samsung is ideally placed to help businesses achieve this as its rich consumer heritage and deep understanding of how people really use their mobile devices provides an unrivalled perspective on exactly how organisations can maximise competitive advantages of new mobile technologies. To download the full report, visit: http://www.samsungatwork.com/openeconomy Notes to editors: About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, cameras, digital appliances, medical equipment, network systems, and semiconductor and LED solutions. For the latest news, please visit Samsung Newsroom at http://news.samsung.com About The Future Laboratory The Future Laboratory is a global trends forecasting consultancy, which aims to inspire and future-proof organisations. For more information see: http://www.thefuturelaboratory.com SOURCE Samsung COLDSPRING, Texas, Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- San Jacinto County joins the growing group of counties in Texas to leave another election solutions provider to acquire the Verity Voting system from Hart InterCivic. County officials chose Verity Touch for electronic voting, since San Jacinto is a Vote Center county. In side-by-side comparisons with the other devices on the market, voters, poll workers and county officials overwhelmingly preferred Verity Touch. Hart's unique controller model brings efficiency to the polling place by allowing officials to manage up to 12 voting terminals from a single console. The Verity Voting system greatly simplifies election administration and makes voting easy and accessible for voters. Voting systems around the country are aging, and most Texas counties are now considering replacing systems purchased more than a decade ago. By joining the vanguard of new Texas Verity customers, San Jacinto County will enjoy superior equipment, lower operating costs, better customer service, and a business partner born and based in Texas. "San Jacinto County is a welcome addition to the Hart family as early adopters of Verity. We've served our neighbors throughout Texas for more than 100 years and look forward to sharing that in-depth local experience with our new partner," said Phillip Braithwaite, President and CEO of Hart InterCivic. "Verity offers modern, flexible options that can adapt to changing needs and serve San Jacinto County for years to come." Vicki Shelly, Elections Administrator for the county, praised the forward-looking support her team received from County Judge John Lovett for approval of the Verity purchase. "The benefits of Hart's polling place controller model are enormous," Shelly said. "Our poll workers will no longer be required to administer every voting device separately for every election. This will reduce risk, reduce errors, and increase efficiency in getting our election night results." Shelly adds, "The small size and light weight of the Verity system were other huge factors in our decision. Many of our poll workers are older, and they have difficulty managing the big, heavy equipment we were using. Also, our storage space is limited. It would have been impossible for us to work with the other devices on the market they are even larger than what we had." She is excited about implementing the new system for the local elections on May 6, 2017, and about San Jacinto County's new partnership with Hart InterCivic. With Verity, San Jacinto County voters will for the first time enjoy the privacy and independence of entering the voting booth alone and activating their own ballot. They will also be able to adjust the font size and/or contrast on the voting device, and even change the language if they choose, without the need for assistance. Poll workers will perform all device operations only on the Controller they will open polls, close polls, and run reports on only one machine in each polling place, rather than having to perform all of these tasks on every device separately as they had to do with the previous system. Elections office staff will only need to program the Controllers, one for each polling place, rather than every single voting device used in the election as they did before, so that their warehouse time and effort will be dramatically reduced. And with so many fewer memory devices to read for tabulation on election night, elections office personnel will have reports ready sooner than in the past. "Hart already provides election solutions for the majority of Texas voters, with voting systems in 113 counties, and we expect to announce additional Verity commitments in the state within weeks," Braithwaite said. Learn more about Verity in Texas: http://www.hartintercivic.com/texas4verity. About Hart InterCivic, Inc. Austin-based Hart InterCivic is a full service election solutions innovator, partnering with state and local governments to deliver secure, accurate and reliable elections. Working side-by-side with election professionals for more than 100 years, Hart is committed to helping advance democracy one election at a time. The Hart mission fuels passionate customer focus and a continuous drive for technological innovation. The company's new Verity Voting system makes voting more straightforward, equitable and accessibleand makes managing elections more transparent, more efficient and easier. SOURCE Hart InterCivic, Inc. Related Links http://www.hartintercivic.com SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Feb. 16, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Board of Directors of Federal-Mogul Holdings LLC, a leading global original equipment and aftermarket automotive supplier, today announced the appointment of Bradley S. Norton as co-chief executive officer of the company and chief executive officer of its Motorparts division, effective March 8, 2017. Rainer Jueckstock will remain as co-chief executive officer of Federal-Mogul Holdings LLC and CEO of Federal-Mogul Powertrain. Norton has more than 25 years of global automotive experience in both original equipment and the aftermarket. He joined Federal-Mogul Motorparts in 2014 as senior vice president and general manager, chassis & service. Norton previously served as president and a board member of Freudenberg-NOK, the Americas joint venture between Freudenberg GmbH and NOK Corporation. Prior to joining Freudenberg-NOK, he held a series of increasingly responsible leadership positions in operations, supply chain, commercial and organizational strategy with BorgWarner, Nissan North America, AlliedSignal and other companies. Norton will report to the companys board of directors. Norton succeeds Daniel A. Ninivaggi, who had served as co-CEO and CEO of Federal-Mogul Motorparts since 2014. Ninivaggi will return to Icahn Enterprises L.P., Federal-Moguls parent company, where he will serve as managing director of IEP's automotive segment. Ninivaggi previously served as CEO of Icahn Enterprises from 2010 until 2014. Forward-Looking Statements Statements contained in this press release which are not historical fact constitute "Forward-Looking Statements." Actual results may differ materially due to numerous important factors that are described in Federal-Mogul's most recent report to the SEC on Form 10-K, which may be revised or supplemented in subsequent reports to the SEC on Forms 10-Q and 8-K. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the companys ability to successfully integrate and achieve the anticipated synergies from recent acquisitions, fluctuations in domestic or foreign vehicle production, fluctuations in the demand for vehicles containing our products, the company's ability to generate cost savings or manufacturing efficiencies to offset or exceed contractually or competitively required price reductions or price reductions to obtain new business, conditions in the automotive industry, and corresponding effects and general global and regional economic conditions. Federal-Mogul does not intend or assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements. About Federal-Mogul Federal-Mogul Holdings LLC is a leading global supplier of products and services to the worlds manufacturers and servicers of vehicles and equipment in the automotive, light, medium and heavy-duty commercial, marine, rail, aerospace, power generation and industrial markets. The companys products and services enable improved fuel economy, reduced emissions and enhanced vehicle safety. Federal-Mogul operates two independent business divisions, each with a chief executive officer reporting to Federal-Mogul's Board of Directors. Federal-Mogul Motorparts sells and distributes a broad portfolio of products through more than 20 of the worlds most recognized brands in the global vehicle aftermarket, while also serving original equipment vehicle manufacturers with products including braking, wipers and a range of chassis components. The companys aftermarket brands include ANCO wipers; Beck/Arnley premium OE quality parts and fluids; BERU* ignition systems; Champion lighting, spark plugs, wipers and filters; Interfil filters; AE, Fel-Pro, FP Diesel, Goetze, Glyco, Nural, Payen and Sealed Power engine products; MOOG chassis components; and Ferodo, Jurid and Wagner brake products and lighting. Federal-Mogul Powertrain designs and manufactures original equipment powertrain components and systems protection products for automotive, heavy-duty, industrial and transport applications. Federal-Mogul was founded in Detroit in 1899 and maintains its worldwide headquarters in Southfield, Michigan. The company employs nearly 50,000 in 34 countries. For more information, please visit www.FMMotorparts.com. *BERU is a registered trademark of BorgWarner Ludwigsburg GmbH. ATLANTA, Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- An Atlanta-based technology consulting firm, Scintel Technologies, Inc. announces the acquisition of New York-based predictive analytics firm, Deep Blue Analytics Inc. Deep Blue Analytics Inc. was founded in 2012 in New York City with the vision of helping innovative companies harness the power of Predictive Analytics. Deep Blue's team includes renowned academic researchers (including 4 PhDs. in Machine Learning) who have been applying predictive analytics in last 25 years and seasoned management consultants with broad and deep business experience. Deep Blue's flagship machine learning platform, Prophesy, currently serves Fortune 500 as well as midmarket companies across a variety of industries including banking, insurance, retail, and media. Prophesy enables its users to develop predictive solutions with a self-service approach, tackling a wide variety of business problems with minimal reliance on statisticians and mathematicians. Our mission is to democratize the Data Science. Anil Jaladi, Founder, and CEO of Deep Blue said, "Over the past four years, we have built and delivered a compelling value proposition to our customers through Prophesy. Scintel's long term client relationships, robust operational infrastructure, and delivery capabilities will help us bring Prophesy to a larger number of clients and meet the increasing demand we are experiencing in all major verticals." "Combining Deep Blue's talent with our strengths and expertise gives us new ways of helping our customers in their digital transformation initiatives. Prophesy has been successfully used in industries such as retail, banking, and insurance, to predict issues such as churn, demand price elasticity and marketing optimization with a high degree of accuracy. Imagine a predictive analytics engine that sits on top of a retail supply chain ecosystem, analyzing data at real-time and making informed critical decisions at the speed of thought to optimize the supply chain and improve the top line. Prophesy allows us to do just that. This is a strategic acquisition for Scintel" says T.K. Ganesh, President, and CEO of Scintel Technologies, Inc. Scintel Technologies is a premier technology consulting firm with a substantial background in digital transformation, business intelligence, and analytics. Using their deep expertise in IT operations and business consulting, Scintel provides custom-tailored solutions to their clients that range from Fortune 500 companies to mid-size firms. Media Contact: Deepti Sivakumar, 1-678-7756874 SOURCE Scintel Technologies According to the survey, 63 per cent of the leaders believe the lack of access to Big Data is holding back their ability to utilise it, with only 12 per cent saying they are currently compiling, analysing and storing Big Data. The leaders also identified that the key areas where they see potential benefits from the use of Big Data are real time information on vessel performance (77 per cent) and cost savings for their respective companies (70 per cent). The survey, conducted ahead of Sea Asia 2017, was carried out among maritime leaders to gain insights into key trends in the industry. The trends highlighted in the survey will form part of the discussions taking place at Sea Asia 2017. Recognising the benefits that Big Data brings to the industry, Mr Oh Bee Lock, Head of Group Technology at PSA International Pte Ltd, said leaders need to start looking more closely into how data analytics can augment human decisions, while bringing the current and future workforce up to speed. "There is no question that Big Data will transform the port and logistics industry substantially. From enabling cargo visibility to the development of self-piloting ships, the benefits are clear. With technology changing rapidly today, the industry will develop slower than others if it does not harness and use Big Data successfully. "The next step must be for us to prepare the industry to fully integrate Big Data analytics into the working environment. We need to look into developing the skills of our current workforce to ensure that there are professionals who are trained to collect and use the large amounts of data in the industry, and make it more interesting for Big Data professionals to join the industry. "Only with a competent set of professionals can the opportunities provided by Big Data be leveraged effectively," said Mr Oh, who will be speaking at Sea Asia 2017. A majority of the industry leaders surveyed also supported this sentiment. Half of the leaders (50 per cent) recognised the need for more skilled professionals, especially with the industry moving towards smart shipping, while 83 per cent highlighted the importance of focusing on developing the skills of current employees. Mr Oskar Levander, Vice President of Innovation -- Marine at Rolls-Royce, highlighted that with the global move towards smarter technologies, it is crucial that all stakeholders recognise the need to change with the times and work together to keep up. "Big Data has the potential to change and disrupt the maritime sector, changing the way services are offered and allowing new players with new and different skills sets to enter the market. The evolution of technology means that the competitive landscape for the maritime industry is also changing quickly. It is therefore crucial for the industry to come together and collaborate with one another and the government to accelerate innovation, improve processes and create value. This will help us navigate challenges to come," said Mr Levander, also a speaker at Sea Asia 2017. Seatrade Chairman, Chris Hayman, said the results of the Sea Asia 2017 survey highlight the industry's focus on the need to move towards Big Data and smart shipping. At the same time, it is clear that there is still a lot of work to be done to ensure they effectively harness the power of Big Data and new technology. "Some of the key discussions that will be taking place at Sea Asia 2017 include conversations around the utilisation of Big Data and smart shipping technologies. At the 'The Fourth Industrial Revolution: Threat or Opportunity' session, we will delve into how technology and innovation can be leveraged as strategies for the maritime industry to move forward amidst today's challenges. "As with previous editions, leaders from the global maritime scene will come together on the Sea Asia platform this year to also discuss and debate with one another on how the industry can leverage opportunities that come along with new trends impacting the industry," said Mr Hayman. Sea Asia 2017 will be held in Singapore at the Marina Bay Sands, Singapore from 25-27 April 2017. Note to editors: Respondents of the Sea Asia 2017 survey are the CEOs, chairmen and directors of maritime and offshore companies. For more information, please contact: Disha Gurnani Lyna Hanis Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Mobile: +65 9780 1655 Mobile: +65 9139 0572 DID: +65 6239 4105 DID: +65 6239 4108 Notes to Editors About Sea Asia 2017 Sea Asia, the premier maritime and offshore conference and exhibition in Asia is returning for the 6th edition from 25 - 27 April 2017 at the Marina Bay Sands, Singapore. Co-organised by Seatrade and the Singapore Maritime Foundation, Sea Asia is well-attended by trade professionals and some of the most influential and respected leaders in the industry, delivering an unparalleled reach of key decision-makers. Alongside an international exhibition, the highly acclaimed and interactive Sea Asia conference complements and puts Sea Asia at the forefront of regional maritime events. International thought-leaders will address the latest topics, debate on key trends, and discuss opportunities and challenges facing the maritime and offshore businesses from a commercial perspective. For a full list of sponsors and exhibitors, and more information on the conference programme, please visit www.sea-asia.com/. About Seatrade Founded in 1970, Seatrade was acquired in 2014 by UBM, the world's second largest media and event organiser across a wide variety of industries. Seatrade's publications, events, management training, research and award schemes cover every aspect of the cruise and maritime industries. The company's principal strength is its ability to bring key people together, encouraging innovation and facilitating better communication within the industry. Seatrade is headquartered in Colchester, UK, with regional offices in Dubai, Singapore, as well as representatives in all major maritime centres and cruise destinations across the globe. For more information, please visit www.seatrade-maritime.com. About the Singapore Maritime Foundation Established in 2004, the Singapore Maritime Foundation (SMF) is a private sector-led organisation that seeks to develop and promote Singapore as an International Maritime Centre (IMC). As the representative voice for the commercial players of the maritime industry, SMF seeks to forge strong partnerships with the public and private sectors of the maritime industry. SMF spearheads initiatives to promote the diverse clusters of the maritime industry in Singapore and at international frontiers, and to attract young talents to join the sector. SMF is directed by its Board of Directors which comprises prominent leaders in the Singapore maritime community. For details, please visit www.smf.com.sg. About the Singapore Maritime Week 2017 (22nd - 28th April 2017) Sea Asia 2017 is held in conjunction with the Singapore Maritime Week 2017 (SMW). SMW is the leading maritime event in Singapore driven by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore. SMW gathers the international maritime community in Singapore for a week of conferences, dialogues, exhibitions and social events in celebration of all things maritime. These events reflect the vibrancy and diversity of Singapore as a major international maritime centre. SOURCE Seatrade Communications Related Links http://www.sea-asia.com MUNICH, February 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Seebo, the development platform for smart products, and IBM announced a collaboration to bring together the Seebo platform and IBM Watson Internet of Things (IoT). Connecting Seebo's easy-to-use IoT development capabilities with IBM's Watson IoT Platform and Bluemix empowers manufacturers to accelerate the delivery of smart products and gain insights from user data. A growing number of manufacturers are connecting their products to the IoT to enhance their product's value and increase revenue streams. The complexity of developing smart products - including parallel software, firmware and hardware design, alongside new design and production considerations - often deters manufacturers from pursuing innovation through IoT. The addition of IBM's Watson IoT Platform alongside Seebo's SaaS platform helps to address these obstacles. The collaboration gives manufacturers access to tools to help build smart products quickly, efficiently and cost-effectively as well as out-of-the-box connection with the cloud. "We are excited for Seebo to join with our Watson IoT Platform," said Neil Postlethwaite, Director, Watson IoT Platform at IBM. "Seebo offers a unique set of tools that enable quick time to market for new IoT products in this fast-growing space. IBM sees this collaboration as one which will enable clients to rapidly design and develop their IoT products; while also having the ability to use cognitive capabilities from IBM's IoT and Watson services." As an IBM Watson IoT business partner, Seebo joins IBM's IoT ecosystem and links the two platforms together for easy use by developers and product managers. Seebo customers can use IBM's capabilities alongside Seebo's innovative hardware simulator and testing app to reduce development costs and accelerate smart product time to market. "In less than an hour of using Seebo's platform, product managers see data from their newly-developed online prototype visualized on the cloud dashboard," said Lior Akavia, Seebo Co-Founder and CEO. The combination of hardware and app simulators, alongside the Cloud integration, empowers developers to build and test software independent of hardware, reducing the resources needed during smart product development. "We are proud to be joining forces with IBM. Through our collaboration, we allow our customers to enjoy the synergy of IBM's most advanced IoT, cloud and analytics tools and Seebo's fast development capabilities to become active players of their sectors' growing digital transformation trends," said Akavia. One company taking advantage of the integration is Greengage, a manufacturer of lighting systems. The company is currently developing a smart solution with Seebo to enable remote control and monitoring of livestock houses for farmers, improving productivity and animal welfare management. "We are excited to be using Seebo's platform and the integration with the cloud and analytics from IBM Bluemix to launch a unique product solution that will revolutionize livestock management for farmers," said Derek Liddle, Director of Engineering at Greengage. About Seebo: Seebo is the IoT development platform that makes it easy to develop smart, connected products. The SaaS platform empowers everyone from small startups to enterprise customers, experts or not, to get smart products to market quickly, efficiently and cost-effectively. Seebo simplifies the complex process of going smart by offering a set of innovation and functional design tools, a smart hardware engine, forecasting tools, cloud and app integration, IoT simulation and a third-party marketplace. For more information, visit seebo.com or follow @seebo. Media Contact: Matthew Krieger GKPR for Seebo [email protected] +972-54-467-6950 SOURCE Seebo According to the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, about 11% of the adult homeless population is veterans. About 1.4 million other veterans are considered at risk of homelessness, due to a range of factors including extreme shortage of affordable housing, livable income and access to health care. While visiting the Arizona StandDown, Mayor of Phoenix, Greg Stanton spoke with a group from Sodexo and shared his thoughts on the benefits of private public partnerships. "Phoenix has brought an end to chronic veteran homelessness through the contributions from organizations like Sodexo," said Stanton. "And now Sodexo is working to help us bring an end to all veteran homelessness." For the past few years, Arizona StandDown has been the largest, singular outreach event for homeless veterans in the country. Brad Bridwell, former chair of the Arizona Coalition to End Homelessness, who organizes the Arizona StandDown, explained, "The success of the event depends on the contributions from organizations like Sodexo who provide volunteers to prepare and serve nutritious meals and recruiters to help with employment assistance services." Sodexo's participation in the Arizona StandDown was coordinated by its military employee business resource group called HONOR (Honoring Our Nation's finest with Opportunity and Respect). The mission of the group is to provide support, guidance and resources to employees and families connected to the military. "We can accomplish this by offering development opportunities, providing a forum to recognize and celebrate contributions made to our country, and establishing partnerships with community groups that support veterans, active duty, National Guard and military reserve," said Michael Genco, national chair for Sodexo HONOR. Sodexo delivers more than 100 services across North America that enhance organizational performance, contribute to local communities and improve quality of life. The Fortune Global 500 company is a leader in delivering sustainable, integrated facilities management and foodservice operations. Learn more about Sodexo at its corporate blog, Sodexo Insights. SOURCE Sodexo Related Links http://www.sodexoUSA.com CAPE TOWN, South Africa, Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Over 520 delegates gathered in Cape Town, South Africa, for the 8th annual Argus FMB Africa Fertilizer conference, bringing the biggest conference of its kind to southern Africa for the first time. The conference was organised by leading commodity price reporting, consulting and events company Argus. The conference was opened by South Africa's minister for agriculture, forestry and fisheries, Senzeni Zokwana. "Fertilizers play a leading role in the global food industry and fertilizer is the largest and most important component to ensure abundant and affordable food for a growing population," Zokwana said, in an opening address that reinforced the importance of collaboration across the supply chain. "I am thankful that Argus FMB has taken a leadership role in organising this conference. There is a need for a commitment from all of us to work together in addressing issues that are of mutual benefit." The conference agenda featured over 30 speakers who addressed ways to increase African farmers' access to fertilizer and consequently to boost agricultural yields across the continent. "We have been running this conference for many years," Argus Media chairman and chief executive Adrian Binks said, "but in the last 12 months we have seen a big surge in interest, in line with a renewal of political will to bring transformative changes to African agriculture." The other keynote speakers included OCP AFRICA chief executive Karim Lofti Senhadji, the African Development Bank's vice-president for agriculture, human and social development, Jennifer Blanke, and the chief executive of African development partnership NEPAD, Ibrahim Assane Mayaki. The conference is supported by the International Fertilizer Association (IFA), the Africa Fertilizer and Agribusiness Partnership (AFAP) and the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) as well as by a number of other organisations involved in promoting fertilizer use in Africa. The agenda focused on increasing consumption of fertilizers and building meaningful supply chain partnerships in Africa. Speakers from the private and public sectors discussed the importance of creating enabling environments for fertilizer supply and distribution, improving access to finance and developing infrastructure that in turn will broaden intra-Africa trade, increase fertilizer consumption across the continent and ultimately boost agricultural productivity. "Argus FMB Africa Fertilizer has become known as the event that brings together the most important players in the global fertilizer trade with all the links in the African supply chain," Argus vice-president, conferences, David Monaghan said. "This conference has attracted delegates from 63 countries, of which 23 are African, and this number is going up every year, as we build on our commitment to increase access to the conference for the small-to-medium sized enterprises that are crucial to delivering appropriate and effective fertilizers to African farmers." Argus is collaborating with the West African Fertilizer Association (WAFA) to hold the West Africa Fertilizer Forum, which will take place on 9-10 May in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire. "West Africa is witnessing rapid growth in the development of its fertilizer market and this conference will focus on the specific opportunities and challenges in this region," Monaghan said. Argus conferences have provided opportunities to address issues of policy and regulation and uncover emerging trends in the fertilizer markets for over 30 years. They also provide a platform to meet and do business with leading global producers, traders and distributors. Conference banner: http://view.argusmedia.com/rs/584-BUW-606/images/FMBAfricaEmailBanner2.jpg Argus logo: http://www.argusmedia.com/cms_images/argus-logo.png For more information about Argus FMB Africa Fertilizer 2017: Meeting dates: 15-17 February 2017 Venue: The Westin Cape Town, South Africa Contact: Laura Monk, Conference Marketing Manager Tel: +44 (0) 20 7780 4352 Email: [email protected] Visit: www.argusmedia.com/fertilizer-africa About Argus Media Argus is an independent media organisation with more than 800 staff. It is headquartered in London and has 21 offices in the world's principal commodity trading and production centres. Argus produces price assessments and analysis of international energy and other commodity markets, and offers bespoke consulting services and industry-leading conferences. Companies in 140 countries around the world use Argus data to index physical trade and as benchmarks in financial derivative markets as well as for analysis and planning purposes. Argus was founded in 1970 and is a privately held UK-registered company. It is owned by staff shareholders and global growth equity firm General Atlantic. In 2011 Argus purchased FMB Consultants Ltd (FMB), a provider of price reporting, market intelligence and events to the global fertilizer industry. ARGUS, the ARGUS logo, ARGUS MEDIA, ARGUS DIRECT, ARGUS OPEN MARKETS, AOM, FMB, DEWITT, JIM JORDAN & ASSOCIATES, JJ&A, FUNDALYTICS, METAL-PAGES, METALPRICES.COM, Argus publication titles and Argus index names are trademarks of Argus Media Limited. SOURCE Argus Media Related Links http://www.argusmedia.com NEW YORK, Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Stephen Gaynor School, a New York City-based independent Pre-K, Lower and Middle School for bright students with learning differences, announced its Community Learning Center is now in its tenth year. The Community Learning Center has offered free reading programs to students in neighborhood schools, PS 166 and PS 84, since its inception in 2007. On average, 10-15 students graduate from the program each year, with significant reading improvements. "The Community Learning Center has been a tremendous asset to both Gaynor and the greater area," says Scott Gaynor, head of Stephen Gaynor School. "We are proud to offer it as a resource and give back to the students in our community by making learning more accessible." For one hour, twice a week, first and second-grade students from neighborhood schools receive tutoring lessons from Gaynor staff, with assistance from alumni volunteers and current students. Led by Kate Adlin and Kristi Evans, teachers in the program draw on their experience with the Orton-Gillingham method and supplement the instruction students receive in their regular classroom. Through the CLC, students gain a chance to stay on track with their studies, while Stephen Gaynor School students have an opportunity to perfect the skills they've been taught every day, helping to build self-confidence. "Each year in May I am so moved when I see our second-grade CLC graduates, heads held high as they accept their diplomas and leave Gaynor knowing they can read," says Kate Adlin, co-director of the Community Learning Center. "These are children who would likely otherwise slip through the cracks, many of them failing or being retained with no means of support. To think that for a decade now we have helped children in our community avoid these circumstances is extraordinary." "Working with the first and second graders from the CLC program is so rewarding both professionally and personally," says Kristi Evans, co-director of the Community Learning Center. "It is humbling to have the opportunity to play a part in their reading success." The CLC is offered free to students in the community, thanks to financial assistance including grants, donations, and fundraising events. To help subsidize snacks, supplies, and a new book each student receives at the end of the year, several fundraisers are held annually. For more information on Stephen Gaynor School, visit stephengaynor.org About Stephen Gaynor School A pioneer in special education, Stephen Gaynor School is an independent, nonprofit Pre-K, Lower, and Middle School for bright students with learning differences. Founded in 1962, Stephen Gaynor School provides a highly individualized educational program in a rich, rigorous, and nurturing environment in which students gain the skills and confidence necessary to learn, grow, and reach their full potential. Approximately 375 students ages three to 14 attend our school with a range of learning differences, from Attention Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) to speech, language, and reading delays such as dyslexia. With more than 50 years of experience in special education and a dedication to continuous improvement, Gaynor has the expertise to help children break down barriers to learning, build self-esteem, and realize academic success. Our expert staff provides an unparalleled level of personal attention in a nurturing environment allowing students to be academically challenged, yet supported every step of the way. For more information about Stephen Gaynor School, visit stephengaynor.org SOURCE Stephen Gaynor School Related Links https://www.stephengaynor.org BOSTON, Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Steward Health Care System ("Steward") today announced it has signed an Asset Purchase Agreement to acquire eight community hospitals affiliated with Community Health Systems ("CHS"). The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2017, subject to customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions. The hospitals involved in the transaction are: Ohio Northside Medical Center in Youngstown Trumbull Memorial Hospital in Warren Hillside Rehabilitation Hospital in Warren Pennsylvania Sharon Regional Health System in Sharon Easton Hospital in Easton Florida Wuesthoff Medical Center in Melbourne Wuesthoff Medical Center in Rockledge Sebastian River Medical Center in Sebastian "We look forward to bringing our integrated care model to communities in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Florida," said Ralph de la Torre, MD, Chairman and CEO of Steward Health Care. Under its Accountable Care Organization (ACO) model, Steward has emphasized integrated care, proving its ability to keep patients healthier and reduce hospitalizations for acute care, which keeps overall costs down and improves outcomes. Founded in Q4 2010, Steward acquired several Massachusetts hospitals from the Caritas Christi Health System. Over the past seven years, Steward created a physician-led delivery system providing high-quality local health care to residents in Massachusetts communities. Steward accomplished this by investing more than $800 million in health care infrastructure, physicians, technology, and facilities all while raising quality standards for patients. About Steward Health Care Steward Health Care is the largest fully integrated health care services organization and community hospital network in New England. Headquartered in Boston, Steward is one of the five largest employers in Massachusetts with more than 17,000 employees in more than 150 communities. Steward is comprised of Steward Medical Group, Steward Health Care Network, and Steward Hospital Group. Steward Medical Group provides approximately 1 million patient encounters per year at 152 sites and manages homecare and hospice with 300,000 and 35,000 encounters respectively. Steward Health Care Network, a fully integrated care management company, has 3,000 physicians, with approximately 4 million patient encounters per year and affiliates or joint ventures with approximately 30 urgent care centers. Steward's Hospital Group includes Norwood Hospital, Saint Anne's Hospital in Fall River, St. Elizabeth's Medical Center in Brighton, Carney Hospital in Dorchester, Good Samaritan Medical Center in Brockton, Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Ayer, Holy Family Hospital in Haverhill and Methuen, Morton Hospital in Taunton, and New England Sinai Hospital in Stoughton. Additional information is available at www.steward.org. SOURCE Steward Health Care System Related Links https://www.steward.org WASHINGTON, Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With Americans losing tens of billions of dollars annually to investment fraud schemes, what mindsets and behaviors are common among those who fall victim? A new survey by the AARP Fraud Watch Network finds that the most susceptible typically exhibit an unusually high degree of confidence in unregulated investments and tend to trade more actively than the general investor population. More of the investment scam victims also reported that they value wealth accumulation as a significant measure of success in life and acknowledged being open to unsolicited telephone and email sales pitches. Based on these findings, the AARP Fraud Watch Network has launched a campaign to warn consumers about the inclinations and activities common to investment fraud victims. The campaign includes an online quiz designed to prompt investors to consider adjusting their investment approach if results show they fit the profile of those most at risk of becoming a victim. AARP's survey report notes that economic forces have converged to make the current environment ideal for investment swindlers to practice their craft. "The decline in traditional pensions has prompted millions of relatively inexperienced Americans to take on the job of investing their own money in a fast-moving and complex market," said Doug Shadel, Ph.D., lead researcher for the AARP Fraud Watch Network. "Meanwhile, today's sophisticated technology makes it significantly easier for scammers to reach large numbers of investors." The Fraud Watch Network survey, conducted in August and September 2016, included interviews with more than 200 known victims of investment fraud and 800 interviews with members of the general investing public. "While previous surveys in this area have developed a demographic picture of investment fraud victims usually older, financially literate males who are more educated and have higher incomes our goal with this survey was to learn about why people fall prey and how it can be avoided," said Shadel. The AARP survey found stark differences between the past investment fraud victims and regular investors in three areas: Psychological Mindset More victims reported preferring unregulated investments, valuing wealth accumulation as a measure of success in life, being open to sales pitches, being willing to take risks, and describing themselves as ideologically conservative. Behavioral Characteristics Victims reported that they more frequently receive targeted phone calls and emails from brokers, they make five or more investment decisions each year, and more of them respond to remote sales pitches those delivered via telephone, email or television commercials. Demographics Somewhat replicating the previous industry studies, higher percentages of victims were found to be of older age, male, married and military veterans. By taking the AARP Fraud Watch Network's online quiz, investors can learn whether they possess the characteristics that may predict likely fraud victimization. Investors who score high on the quiz are urged to apply a new level of caution when they receive unsolicited investment overtures, and adhere to the following investor protection tips: Do: Invest only with registered advisors and investments. with registered advisors and investments. Don't: Make an investment decision based solely on a TV ad, a telemarketing call or an email. Do: Put yourself on the Do Not Call list. Do: Get a telephone call blocking system to screen out potential scammers. Do: Limit the amount of personal information you give to salespersons until you verify their credentials. Don't: Make an investment decision when you are under stress. For example, when you've recently experienced a stressful life event such as the loss of a job, an illness or death of a loved one. The AARP Fraud Watch Network was launched in 2013 as a free resource for people of all ages. The website provides information about fraud and scams, prevention tips from experts, an interactive scam-tracking map, fun educational quizzes, and video presentations featuring Fraud Watch Network Ambassador Frank Abagnale. Users may sign up for "Watchdog Alert" emails that deliver breaking scam information, or call a free helpline at 877-908-3360 to speak with volunteers trained in fraud counseling. Survey Methodology The sample for the telephone survey of fraud victims was provided by AARP from of database of known victims of fraud. All telephone survey interviews were conducted by an independent telephone calling center, Opinion Access Corp. (Opinion Access), between Aug. 23 and Sept. 7, 2016. Opinion Access completed 214 telephone interviews. All analysis of interview data was conducted by Applied Research Consultants. For the Survey of U.S. Investors, ARC conducted a total of 814 computer-aided telephone interviews (CATI) with investors in the United States (age 18 and higher). All respondents were targeted from random digit dialing (RDD) lists of eligible landline telephones in the United States. All respondents were screened to have taxable, non-retirement assets. Telephone survey interviews were conducted by two independent telephone calling centers, Opinion Access Corp. (Opinion Access) and MKTG Inc (MKTG), between Sept. 23 and Oct. 17, 2016. Opinion Access conducted 600 telephone interviews and MKTG conducted 214 telephone interviews. All analysis of interview data was conducted by ARC. See survey report for detail. About AARP AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of nearly 38 million that helps people turn their goals and dreams into 'Real Possibilities' by changing the way America defines aging. With staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, AARP works to strengthen communities and promote the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare security, financial security and personal fulfillment. AARP also advocates for individuals in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the world's largest circulation magazine, AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org or follow @aarp and our CEO @JoAnn_Jenkins on Twitter. SOURCE AARP Related Links http://www.aarp.org KNOXVILLE, Tenn., Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- TeamHealth, a leading physician services organization, was named among "The World's Most Admired Companies" by FORTUNE Magazine. This is the third consecutive year TeamHealth received the distinction. The annual survey conducted by FORTUNE and the Hay Group division of Korn Ferry, a global people and organizational advisory firm, is given to top executives, directors and financial analysts to identify companies that enjoy the strongest reputations within their industries and across industries. "It is an honor to be named among 'The World's Most Admired Companies' by FORTUNE for the third consecutive year," said Leif Murphy, president and CEO of TeamHealth. "This recognition affirms our deeply rooted company values of delivering the highest quality patient care while providing the best-in-class experience for clinicians and hospital and post-acute partners alike." FORTUNE's World's Most Admired Companies list is the definitive report card on corporate reputations. Hay Group has collaborated with FORTUNE annually since 1997 to identify, select and rank the World's Most Admired Companies and uncover the business practices that make these companies highly regarded among their peers. To compile the rankings, corporate reputation and performance are measured against nine key attributes: innovation, people management, use of corporate assets, social responsibility, quality of management, financial soundness, long-term investment, quality of products and services, and global competitiveness. About TeamHealth At TeamHealth, our purpose is to perfect our physicians' ability to practice medicine, every day, in everything we do. Through our more than approximately 20,000 affiliated physicians and advanced practice clinicians, TeamHealth offers outsourced emergency medicine, hospital medicine, critical care, anesthesiology, orthopedic hospitalist, acute care surgery, obstetrics and gynecology hospitalist, ambulatory care, post-acute care and medical call center solutions to approximately 3,300 acute and post-acute facilities and physician groups nationwide. Our philosophy is as simple as our goal is singular: we believe better experiences for physicians lead to better outcomesfor patients, hospital partners and physicians alike. Join our team; we value and empower clinicians. Partner with us; we deliver on our promises. Learn more at http://www.teamhealth.com. The term "TeamHealth" as used throughout this release includes Team Health Holdings, Inc., its subsidiaries, affiliates, affiliated medical groups and providers, all of which are part of the TeamHealth organization. "Providers" are physicians, advanced practice clinicians and other healthcare providers who are employed by or contract with subsidiaries or affiliated entities of Team Health Holdings, Inc. All such providers exercise independent clinical judgment when providing patient care. Team Health Holdings, Inc., does not have any employees, does not contract with providers and does not practice medicine. About Korn Ferry Korn Ferry is the preeminent global people and organizational advisory firm. We help leaders, organizations, and societies succeed by releasing the full power and potential of people. Our nearly 7,000 colleagues deliver services through our Executive Search, Hay Group and Futurestep divisions. Visit kornferry.com for more information. About FORTUNE FORTUNE is a global leader in business journalism known for its unrivaled access to industry leaders and decision makers. Founded in 1930, FORTUNE magazine has a worldwide circulation of more than 1 million and a readership of nearly 5 million and is the only business brand with editions in Europe and Asia, including a Chinese-language edition. FORTUNE is home to some of the strongest business franchises, including: FORTUNE 500, Best Companies, World's Most Admired Companies, Fastest Growing Companies and Most Powerful Women. The FORTUNE Conference Division extends the brand's mission into live settings, hosting a wide range of annual conferences for top-level executives, including the FORTUNE Global Forum and the Most Powerful Women Summit. FORTUNE's online home is fortune.com, the world's largest dedicated business and finance Web site. METHODOLOGY Fortune collaborated with our partner Korn Ferry Hay Group on this survey of corporate reputations. We began with a universe of about 1,500 candidates: the 1,000 largest U.S. companies ranked by revenue, along with non-U.S. companies in Fortune's Global 500 database that have revenues of $10 billion or more. We then winnowed the assortment to the highest-revenue companies in each industry, a total of 680 in 28 countries. The top-rated companies were picked from that pool of 680; the executives who voted work at the companies in that group. To determine the best-regarded companies in 51 industries, Korn Ferry Hay Group asked executives, directors, and analysts to rate enterprises in their own industry on nine criteria, from investment value and quality of management and products to social responsibility and ability to attract talent. A company's score must rank in the top half of its industry survey to be listed. Results were not published in the following categories due to insufficient response rates: Computers, U.S. Energy, Mining/Crude Oil Production, Petroleum Refining, and Pipelines. To select our 50 All-Stars, Korn Ferry Hay Group asked 3,800 executives, directors, and securities analysts who had responded to the industry surveys to select the 10 companies they admired most. They chose from a list made up of the companies that ranked in the top 25% in last year's surveys, plus those that finished in the top 20% of their industry. Anyone could vote for any company in any industry. The difference in the voting rolls explains why some results can seem at odds with each other. For example, Samsung Electronics fell on the All-Star list as its combustible phone batteries singed its sales and stature, but Samsung moved up one notch within the electronics category when votes from only those in that industry were counted. SOURCE TeamHealth Related Links http://www.teamhealth.com WASHINGTON, Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Teamsters Union applauds the defeat of right-to-work legislation in New Hampshire today, where the House of Representatives voted 200-177 in a bipartisan rejection of the anti-worker bill. "This is a great victory for the working men and women in New Hampshire," said Jim Hoffa, Teamsters General President. "Thanks to the hard work of our members with the support of Local 633 and Joint Council 10, right-to-work and its destructive agenda have been defeated." Right-to-work laws require workers and their unions to cover the costs of non-union workers who benefit from union contracts. These laws are proven to drive down wages and weaken workers' unions by undercutting bargaining power. Teamsters Local 633 in Manchester, N.H. and Joint Council 10, which represents 22 locals across New England, launched a massive call to action leading up to today's vote. Thousands of members called their elected officials in the House of Representatives asking them to reject the right-to-work legislation. "On behalf of the thousands of hardworking men and women with Teamsters Union Local 633, I'm thrilled that the New Hampshire House of Representatives has rejected this misguided and harmful right -to-work legislation," said Jeffrey Padellaro, Secretary-Treasurer/Principal Officer of Teamsters Local 633. "Our members and their families worked hard to send a message to the legislature that right- to-work is wrong for New Hampshire." Nine of the 10 states with the highest poverty rates are right-to-work states. Workers in states with right-to-work laws make about $1,500 less per year than workers in free bargaining states. Workers in right-to-work states are less likely to have employer-paid health care and pensions, and more likely to die in accidents on the job. "New Hampshire sent a very strong message today right-to-work initiatives drive wages down and make it difficult for companies to attract employees," said Sean M. O'Brien, International Vice President and Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Joint Council 10. "Teamsters have been working extremely hard to raise awareness of the problems with this right-to-work bill, and today's vote is a major victory for organized labor and the middle class that we hope will resonate for a long time and have an impact in other states considering damaging right-to-work legislation." Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Visit www.teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and "like" us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/teamsters. Contact: Galen Munroe, (202) 624-6911 [email protected] SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters Related Links http://www.teamster.org VALENCIA, Calif., Feb. 16, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wesco Aircraft Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:WAIR), the world's leading provider of comprehensive supply chain management services to the global aerospace industry, today announced that Rick Weller, executive vice president and chief financial officer, will be speaking at the Barclays Industrial Select Conference in Miami Beach, Florida. Wesco Aircrafts presentation will begin at 10:20 a.m. EST on February 22, 2017. The presentation will be webcast live on the investor relations page of Wesco Aircrafts website at www.wescoair.com. The presentation materials will also be made available on the investor relations page. A webcast archive will be available for approximately 180 days following the presentation. About Wesco Aircraft Wesco Aircraft is the worlds leading distributor and provider of comprehensive supply chain management services to the global aerospace industry, based on annual sales. The companys services range from traditional distribution to the management of supplier relationships, quality assurance, kitting, just-in-time delivery and point-of-use inventory management. The company believes it offers one of the worlds broadest portfolios of aerospace products, including C-class hardware, chemical and electrical and comprised of more than 565,000 active SKUs. To learn more about Wesco Aircraft, visit our website at www.wescoair.com. Follow Wesco Aircraft on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/wesco-aircraft-corp. WASHINGTON, Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Teamsters Union applauds the introduction of a resolution by Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) calling for the start of the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The resolution outlines a number of key provisions that must be included in the text of any renegotiation of NAFTA. These include strong, enforceable labor and environmental standards, protections against currency manipulation, the removal of the Investor-State Dispute Settlement process and strict safety and environmental requirements for any commercial vehicles domiciled in other countries. "Rep. DeFazio's NAFTA resolution provides a roadmap for the USTR and the administration to follow if they truly want to fix this broken trade agreement," said Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa. "Free trade agreements like NAFTA have undermined our manufacturing industry for decades, sending millions of jobs overseas. It is long past time to negotiate fair trade agreements that protect working families and provide good jobs here in America." Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Visit www.teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and "like" us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/teamsters. Contact: Galen Munroe, (202) 624-6911 [email protected] SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters Related Links http://www.teamster.org WALTHAM, Mass., Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Bowdoin Group announced today they have once again been awarded Inavero's Best of Staffing Client and Talent Awards for providing superior service to their clients and job candidates. Inavero uses the Net Promoter Survey (NPS) to measure customer satisfaction and The Bowdoin Group received scores of 9 or 10 out of 10 from 60% of their clients, significantly higher than the industry's average of only four percent (4%). Inavero's Best of Staffing winners have proven to be industry leaders in service quality based entirely on the ratings given to them by their clients and the candidates they've helped find jobs. With client and talent satisfaction scores significantly higher than the industry average, award winners make up less than two percent of all recruiting firms in the U.S. and Canada who earned the Best of Staffing Award for service excellence. "We are honored to be recognized for the fourth consecutive year. The feedback we receive from our clients and candidates is indispensable, and knowing our mission to 'change the way people think about recruiting' is making an impact with the people we serve is a rewarding," said The Bowdoin Group's Founder and CEO, David Melville. "We serve the innovation economy by fostering long term relationships with our clients, becoming an essential asset for their executive teams as they navigate dynamic phases of growth." "Recruiting firms are giving top companies a competitive advantage as they search for talent in North America," said Inavero's CEO Eric Gregg. "The 2017 Best of Staffing winners have achieved exceptionally high levels of satisfaction and I'm proud to feature them on BestofStaffing.com." About The Bowdoin Group The Bowdoin Group is a leading search firm, delivering custom recruitment solutions to the innovation economy by focusing on relationships, not just transactions. Since 1994, we have placed professionals throughout North America by offering fully customized recruitment solutions including Executive Search, Strategic Search, and Professional Services. Our award winning Dedicated Services delivery model transforms the way our clients and candidates think about recruiting, enabling them to concentrate on what they do best: growing their companies and building their careers. Our relentless obsession with delivering excellence to our clients and candidates is why we've earned an NPS score of 60% significantly higher than the industry's average of four percent (4%). We've been awarded Best of Staffing for four years in a row ranking us among the top 2% of recruiting firms in the US and Canada for Client and Candidate Satisfaction. About Inavero Inavero administers more staffing agency client and talent satisfaction surveys than any other firm in the world. Inavero's team reports on over 1.2 million satisfaction surveys from staffing agency clients and talent each year and the company serves as the American Staffing Association's exclusive service quality partner. About Inavero's Best of Staffing Inavero's Best of Staffing Award is the only award in the U.S. and Canada that recognizes staffing agencies that have proven superior service quality based completely on the ratings given to them by their clients and job candidates. Award winners are showcased by city and area of expertise on BestofStaffing.com an online resource for hiring professionals and job seekers to find the best staffing agencies to call when they are in need. Contact Lauren Lessard Marketing and Communications Associate [email protected] 781-263-5255 SOURCE The Bowdoin Group TUCSON, Ariz., Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- A December 2016 analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation illustrates how prescription medications will be a large portion of overall healthcare spending, and how branded drug prices have nearly doubled. The analysis also explains that 1-in-4 people have difficulty affording their medicines, and that most Americans favor actions to keep drug prices down (Kaiser Family Foundation, 2016). Unfortunately, a repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act (ACA-Obamacare) could end up increasing drug costs to insured consumers and leaving millions of Americans uninsured. A report written by the Congressional Budget Office states, "repealing major provisions of the Affordable Care Act, while leaving other parts in place, would cost 18 million people their insurance in the first year and an estimated 32 million people in 2026," (Congressional Budget Office, 2017). The study also projects that insurance premiums would increase by 25 percent in the first year, then double by 2026. Regardless of the changes made to the ACA, the end-result will have detrimental impacts on the American healthcare coverage. Even a partial repeal could include heavy changes that will increase costs to consumers. Insurance plans may no longer be required to cover essential health benefits (EHB) in accordance with benchmark plans. Examples of the potential impacts include: Removal of no-cost preventative coverage Restrictions on maternity and family planning coverage Exclusions of prescription drugs for many diseases and conditions Elimination of prescription drug coverage altogether The message is clear, even for those retaining their insurance Americans will be shouldering more out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs. "Any reduction in benefits to emerge from a replacement of the law, especially to the essential minimum benefit set, would likely drive patients without adequate drug coverage to seek solutions to combat high priced prescription drugs," stated Rory Rickert, Principal with QuarterLine Consulting, a national healthcare consulting and services firm. "I expect that changes to the Affordable Care Act would, if anything, result in increased demand for pharmacy discount programs like those offered by ScriptSave," added Rickert. To help populations gain some relief from the upcoming change in their healthcare, ScriptSave WellRx provides an alternative to paying full price for prescription medications. WellRx enables individuals to compare prices at local pharmacies, look up drug information, and setup reminders. Through a partnership with SinfoniaRx, members can even consult with a pharmacist to ask detailed questions about the medications they are taking. Not only does WellRx give discounts on prescriptions not covered by insurance, it may even provide discounted prices lower than insurance copays. The program is available as a stand-alone for consumers (wellrx.com), white-labeled option for organizations, or an integrated solution for health care organizations (WellRx Connect). "The future of healthcare is uncertain at this time, but no matter the outcome, no one should ever overpay for prescription medications. ScriptSave can help healthcare consumers with high deductible health plans, limited insurance, or no health insurance at all," said Marcus Sredzinski, COO and Executive Vice President, ScriptSave. "Our products help consumers save money on prescriptions, understand their medications and, most importantly, remain adherent. We can help organizations and individuals impacted by the repeal and replacement of ACA, or any changes to their insurance status," added Sredzinski. This may be especially poignant in light of recent data published by PatientsLikeMe. From a poll of over 2,000 patients, their survey showed: 65.5% stated that lower costs for prescription medications was a top priority A further 30.8% rated lower Rx costs as being important Fewer than 4% had little-or-no concern about prescription prices Furthermore, it's not just patients with existing health conditions that rank lower prescription costs as a priority the general public seems to agree. Data from a December 2016 Kaiser Health Tracking Poll found that lowering the cost of prescription drugs was listed as being important or a priority for 89% of the general population. When opinions like these are voiced, ScriptSave is ready to help by doing what they do best, lower the out-of-pocket costs of prescription medications for consumers. ScriptSave's long-standing mission has been to close the gaps in prescription coverage, and has a 20-year history of working with health plans and pharmacies to provide consumers with discounts on prescribed medications. ScriptSave's WellRx solutions are not only designed to assist consumers directly but can be utilized by employers, employer groups, health plans, PBMs, and other organizations to assist their populations with prescription adherence, savings, and information. The WellRx savings network includes about 62,000 independent and chain pharmacies. In 2016 alone, ScriptSave earned members more than $1.3 Billion in savings. References: The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. Analysis of National health expenditure Historical and Projected data from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Office of the Actuary, National Health Statistics Group (Assessed on December 16, 2016). http://kff.org/slideshow/what-are-the-recent-and-forecasted-trends-in-prescription-drug-spending/ Congressional Budget Office (January 2017). How Repealing Portions of the Affordable Care Act Would Affect Health Insurance Coverage and Premiums. https://www.cbo.gov/sites/default/files/115th-congress-2017-2018/reports/52371-coverageandpremiums.pdf PatientsLikeMe (February 2017). Largest Patient Poll on ACA Shows Patients Value Health Care Law More Than the General Population, Are Less Inclined to Want a Repeal. http://news.patientslikeme.com/press-release/largest-patient-poll-aca-shows-patients-value-health-care-law-more-general-population- The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation (January 6, 2017). Kaiser Health Tracking Poll: Health Care Priorities for 2017. http://kff.org/health-costs/poll-finding/kaiser-health-tracking-poll-health-care-priorities-for-2017/ About ScriptSave: For more than two decades, ScriptSave has been closing the gaps in healthcare and prescription coverage with innovative savings programs for the uninsured, under-insured, and insured. Headquartered in Tucson, ScriptSave solutions, analytics, and unique expertise save consumers money and increase medication adherence, while attracting and retaining loyal, profitable customers, members, and patients for our clients. ScriptSave is a member of the MedImpact, Inc. family of companies. For more information, go to www.scriptsave.com. Follow us: @SSWellRx (Twitter), ScriptSave Wellrx (Facebook). About QuarterLine: QuarterLine is a health-focused services company specializing in providing Information Technology, Clinical, and Professional services to federal and private sector customers. QuarterLine supports a diverse client base in all areas of health, including navigating the complex regulatory and business environments, emerging health programs, and technology. QuarterLine's mission is to provide the right level of support at the right time to our customers to ensure that the outcome of the initiative or the resulting technology delivers the needed results to improve healthcare delivery and increase efficiency. QuarterLine is headquartered in Herndon, Virginia. www.quarterline.com About SinfoniaRx: SinfoniaRx, a wholly owned subsidiary or Sinfonia Healthcare Corp, is an innovative health care company whose mission is to provide the highest quality healthcare solutions for health plans, patients, and caregivers. We improve the health and wellness of patients with complex and chronic illnesses through the use of innovative healthcare technology and the most experienced medication therapy management providers in the nation. www.sinfoniarx.com SOURCE ScriptSave WellRx Related Links https://www.scriptsave.com/ CARY, N.C., Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Sol Train is a 10 week tour hosted by faith based groups to spread the news about home solar -- a hope filled response to climate change that is now within reach for homeowners across North Carolina. At these events, the Sol Train team will host information sessions at ten churches about the smart and simple ways to switch to solar at home. Enrollment ends April 30, 2017. First stop: Centenary United Methodist Church 646 W 5th St, Winston-Salem, NC 27101 Winston Salem, NC February 7, 2017 7 p.m. Climate Crisis NCIPL Director Susannah Tuttle says, "The call to care for those in need is central to our faith. As climate change impacts lives and livelihoods throughout the world, we have the power to translate our compassion into action. In a time when partisanship and politics paralyze conversation; people of faith have the opportunity to inspire and empower Americans with hope-filled climate solutions. "We can no longer be complacent about the dangers that come with burning fossil fuels. We have witnessed smog-filled skies and bursting coal ash ponds. Greenhouse gases are warming our planet. This threatens not only the natural places we love, but our very livelihood. Every week we hear of another beach town or port city underwater due to the double punch of rising seas and extreme flooding. Inland, farmers struggle to bring food to market amidst harsh drought, severe storms, and unprecedented fluctuations in weather. This crisis will continue to worsen, unless we take action now." Kathy Miller, Co-Founder and CEO of Yes Solar Solutions added, "We are honored to partner with the NC Interfaith Power and Light council, and the non-profit Next Climate, in this message of hope and the power of solar." Yes and Southern Energy Management are the North Carolina solar installation companies that were selected for the Sol Train project and have provided discounted pricing on installation and components. All Aboard the Sol Train Next stops include Greensboro, Durham, Chapel Hill and more, ending in Wilmington. For more information about the dates and times visit www.soltrain.us. About Yes Solar Solutions Founded in 2009, Yes Solar Solutions is the only company in North Carolina accredited by NABCEP (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners). Based in Cary, N.C., the company offers turn-key design and installation of solar systems for homes and businesses. SOURCE Yes Solar Solutions CHERRY HILL, N.J., Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The TD Charitable Foundation, the charitable giving arm of TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank has provided $250,000 to the International African American Museum's Center for Family History, where African Americans will have the opportunity to identify their ancestry through genealogy testing and census research. The museum, slated to be built in fall of 2019, will be located at the historical site of Gadsden's Wharf on the Cooper River in Charleston, S.C. The majority of African Americans can trace their family history back to this spot. At the Center for Family History, Genealogists and historians will be on site to research census databases to find family records and bill of sale receipts for visitors interested in learning about their journey. "The museum is extremely grateful for the TD Charitable Foundation's investment in this project," said IAAM CEO Michael Boulware Moore. "Their meaningful contribution provides us with an opportunity to build a bridge for so many who have been eager to learn more about their family's ancestry." TD's partnership with the IAAM's Center for Family History highlights the importance of connecting and empowering people to know who they are and where they come from. "One way we can support our community is in knowing our shared history," said David Lominack, South Carolina Market President, TD Bank. "Diversity isn't about what makes us different, it's about what makes us stronger. The Center for Family History will inspire us to embrace who we are, and encourage us to be proud of our heritage and our journey." To learn more about the International African American Museum, please visit https://iaamuseum.org/. A staunch commitment to active involvement in the local community is a vital element of the TD Bank philosophy. TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank and the TD Charitable Foundation provide support to affordable housing, financial literacy and education, and environmental initiatives, many of which focus on improving the welfare of children and families. About the TD Charitable Foundation The TD Charitable Foundation is the charitable giving arm of TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank, and is one of the 10 largest commercial banking organizations in the United States. The Foundation's mission is to support individuals, families and businesses in the communities TD Bank serves, The Foundation has made more than $167.3 million in charitable donations since its inception in 2002 primarily in the areas of affordable housing, financial literacy and education, and the environment. More information on the TD Charitable Foundation, including an online grant application, is available at www.TDBank.com. About TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank, is one of the 10 largest banks in the U.S., providing more than 8 million customers with a full range of retail, small business and commercial banking products and services at more than 1,200 convenient locations throughout the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Metro D.C., the Carolinas and Florida. In addition, TD Bank and its subsidiaries offer customized private banking and wealth management services through TD Wealth, and vehicle financing and dealer commercial services through TD Auto Finance. TD Bank is headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J. To learn more, visit www.tdbank.com. Find TD Bank on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TDBank and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TDBank_US. TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank, is a member of TD Bank Group and a subsidiary of The Toronto-Dominion Bank of Toronto, Canada, a top 10 financial services company in North America. The Toronto-Dominion Bank trades on the New York and Toronto stock exchanges under the ticker symbol "TD". To learn more, visit www.td.com. About the IAAM: The International African American Museum (IAAM) at Gadsden's Wharf will be a unique center of learning where individuals, families, and groups will advance their understanding and appreciation of American History, particularly the role of African Americans in creating the country known today. Standing at the primary site of enslaved Africans' entry into North America, IAAM at Gadsden's Wharf will afford a distinct opportunity to convey the shared and individual journeys of African Americans as part of the American narrative. IAAM at Gadsden's Wharf will include immersive, interactive exhibits, and multimedia experiences for visitors of all ages. There will be an active changing exhibit program highlighting such subjects as the Gullah Geechee Community; African Origins; African American Spiritual, Music, and Food Ways; African American Literature; and The Era of Jim Crow . There will also be family gatherings, music and dance programs, public lectures, readings, and a variety of other learning opportunities for audiences of all ages. Wharf will include immersive, interactive exhibits, and multimedia experiences for visitors of all ages. There will be an active changing exhibit program highlighting such subjects as the Gullah Geechee Community; African Origins; African American Spiritual, Music, and Food Ways; African American Literature; and The Era of . There will also be family gatherings, music and dance programs, public lectures, readings, and a variety of other learning opportunities for audiences of all ages. IAAM at Gadsden's wharf will include a "Family History Center" where individuals and families will advance the exploration of their own personal histories through DNA testing and analysis and research assisted by family history counselors. wharf will include a "Family History Center" where individuals and families will advance the exploration of their own personal histories through DNA testing and analysis and research assisted by family history counselors. IAAM at Gadsden's Wharf will be a gateway to historic sites in South Carolina's Lowcountry important to African American History including Magnolia Planation, Middleton Gardens, The Avery Center, The Penn Center, Aiken Rhett House, and the Slave Market Museum. Wharf will be a gateway to historic sites in Lowcountry important to African American History including Magnolia Planation, Middleton Gardens, The Avery Center, The Penn Center, Aiken Rhett House, and the Slave Market Museum. IAAM at Gadsden's Wharf will be a national and international resource and a significant addition to the cultural, educational, and economic assets of Charleston , the Lowcountry, and South Carolina . SOURCE TD Charitable Foundation Related Links https://www.tdbank.com Rabbis of the Central Rabbinical Congress of the USA and Canada the Rabbinic umbrella association representing hundreds of Orthodox Jewish congregations with a combined membership of over 250,000 that organized the protest decried Israel's conscription policy, passed in 2014, which curtailed a 60 year old policy exempting all Yeshiva students from military service. Since then, many who refused to enlist were incarcerated for weeks and sometimes months under brutal conditions. Those who peacefully protest those policies are subject to harsh punishments as well. For instance, a father of seven, Rabbi Binyumin Friedman was recently incarcerated for peacefully protesting the draft. He was denied bail and is now scheduled to remain detained until the completion of his trial, which can take many months. "The Israeli Army is an irreligious entity, and it is impossible for Orthodox Jews to fully practice their religion while in the army. We cannot serve in the army; because, the Torah prohibits us to create a state before the coming of Messiah... because, the Torah prohibits us to wage war against any sovereign nation!" declared Rabbi Aaron Jacobs, the intergovernmental liaison for the CRC. Forcing Orthodox Jews to serve in the army against their religious convictions violates Resolution 1989/59, passed by the UN Commission on Human Rights on March 8, 1988, Rabbi Jacobs said, The resolution; "Recognizes the right of everyone to have conscientious objections to military service as a legitimate exercise of the right of freedom of thought, conscience and religion as laid down in article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights." "Mr. Netanyahu, before preaching values and principles to others, think about what your government does to your own citizens, our Jewish brethren," Jacobs demanded. At the conclusion of the demonstration, the CRC expressed their resolute to continue protesting until Rabbi Friedman is released from prison and until when the current evil draft policy remains in place. The CRC is determined to continue and increase the campaign to awaken the international community to Israel's suppression of the religious freedoms of its Orthodox Jewish citizens. For immediate release: Contact Rabbi Issac Green 347.385.1405 [email protected] SOURCE Central Rabbinical Congress CARLSBAD, Calif., Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Tiger-Consulting's new location across the street from the Dubai airport is fully functional now. We offer HR, Payroll and PEO support to international clients giving them the ability to get support in this rapidly expanding region. Our firm offers a complete package to meet your requirements including relocation for your employees and staff. Dubai is the premier place to expand business in the Middle East. It has a first-class reputation as the UAE's major business hub. It is the fastest growing economy in the region. International firms and global investors are focused on Dubai as a strategic move for their Middle East expansion. "The Dubai office is now available to international clients giving them the ability to get support in this rapidly expanding region. Companies are looking to leverage their value, move quickly and stay light on their feet while seeking to consolidate support under one umbrella, which is exactly what we offer as well as providing a single point of contact. Our Dubai team has solid relationships with local and regional companies. We understand the rich cultural diversity of the region, its languages, and its customs. This part of the world is eager and ready to support foreign investment and new business opportunities. We will help with the complexities of international expansion," said Tiger-Consulting Founder & CEO, Neil Satterwhite. Tiger-Consulting is committed to making expansion and management of Asian and UAE operations easier for international businesses. Tiger Consulting's HR, Payroll, employment and business support services are managed by experienced teams on the ground in 16 countries: Australia, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, UAE and USA. The company currently serves 300+ businesses spanning industries including IT, telecom, social networking, fashion, finance, pharmaceuticals, travel, recruitment, Gas & Oil and hospitality. This press release was issued through 24-7PressRelease.com. For further information, visit http://www.24-7pressrelease.com. SOURCE Tiger-Consulting Related Links http://www.tiger-consulting.net The exchange visitor program began as part of the Fulbright Hays Act, established to expose Americans to citizens of other countries and to bring foreign students into the United States for the purpose of education and greater understanding. "It's an interesting time in our business with the immigration controversy," says Victoria Lynden, the founder and CEO of Alliance Abroad. "The purpose of this program is to start diplomacy efforts early with the future leaders of other countries. Along with many government advocates, it is our experience that cultural exchange programs serve to strengthen relationships between the United States and other nations and is an important component of a national security strategy." According to a statement issued by the State Department, "Exchange programs play an important role in building good will and strengthening important bilateral relationships." The United States and its ally The Republic of Korea, established a reciprocal exchange program in 2008. Through Korea WEST (Work, English, Study and Travel) academically gifted students are recruited and selected to participate in the language and professional internships through visa sponsors like AAG. In return, American students are given the reciprocal opportunity to intern in Korea. Hanee Choi, is a sociology graduate from Seoul, South Korea. After graduating first in her university class, she learned about the Korea West program. "I am interested in issues that affect the whole of international society - especially environmental issues, human rights issues, developing country issues, the history of culture, science, mass media and people's emotions," Hanee explains. "The U.S. is a pioneer in sociology and the international issues that I am interested in, so this program is a wonderful opportunity." Choi is one of 45 participants who arrived in Austin in January to begin English training that will be followed by a six to ten month internship. In August, Austin will welcome another 50 Korean WEST participants. "We are still looking for local businesses to host these incredibly motivated students," says Lynden. "This is a program where everyone who participates wins," she adds. "Companies benefit by adding top talent and diversity to their teams, as well as the knowledge that participating in this program will have an indelible effect on these students. We're hoping to find great homes for all the participants and show them what our city is all about - innovative businesses, great people and plenty of opportunity to grow and learn." About Alliance Abroad Group Alliance Abroad Group (AAG) is an alternative recruiting company that brings top international talent to companies around the globe. For over 27 years, we've helped employers find cost-effective and innovative talent management solutions to address their recruiting and retention challenges. International students and young professionals bring education, skills, commitment and enthusiasm to American businesses as well as the diversity proven to be a key performance indicator and competitive advantage. Learn more: www.allianceabroad.com SOURCE Alliance Abroad Group Related Links http://www.allianceabroad.com GAITHERSBURG, Md., Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In the latest chapter of the President to President series, published today, Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D., president of Saint Louis University in Missouri, describes the impact of peaceful student protests in a time of political and social tension. Titled "Lessons in Leadership: How a Silent Student Protest Inculcated University Values," the article chronicles a controversial campus speaker's impact on Saint Louis University. When a student group invited Lt. Col. Allen West to appear on campus, controversy erupted over West's beliefs regarding Muslim students. Many members of the campus community expressed frustration that West would be allowed to speak on campus. Muslim students felt attacked and unsafe, and the students sponsoring the event felt their freedom of speech was being infringed upon. Campus administrators' empathetic approach, which included open discussion with parties from both sides of the issue, helped students understand the University's decision to let West present despite the uproar. During West's appearance, Muslim students and those sympathetic to their views staged a silent protest in the auditorium. It was a peaceful way to express dissent and show solidarity, and it helped heal some of the divisiveness that was threatening the campus community. Pestello expresses pride at how his students handled the situation, noting how they embodied the University's mission and values. The article is part of the 2016-2017 President to President series, published by Sodexo, world leader in Quality of Life services. The series is written by university presidents for university presidents and focuses on how institutions are developing innovative campus strategies that ensure positive business outcomes while enhancing the student experience. Each month, a new chapter of President to President is authored by a notable leader in higher education whose institution is at the forefront of pioneering viewpoints and practices. Sodexo provides publishing support but exerts no editorial influence over the series. Chapters are distributed and promoted electronically and posted on president2president.com. At the end of the ten-part series, all content will be published into a thought-provoking collection and made available online. Sodexo delivers more than 100 services across North America that enhance organizational performance, contribute to local communities and improve quality of life. The Fortune Global 500 company is a leader in delivering sustainable, integrated facilities management and foodservice operations. Learn more about Sodexo at its corporate blog, Sodexo Insights. SOURCE Sodexo Related Links http://www.sodexoUSA.com WASHINGTON, Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following is the daily "Profile America" feature from the U.S. Census Bureau: COLLEGE FOR THE DEAF Profile America Thursday, February 16th. The nation's first college for deaf students traces its beginning to this date in 1857, when Congress incorporated the Columbia Institution for the Instruction of the Deaf, Dumb and Blind. In 1864, the school was federally chartered to confer degrees, the first three of which were awarded in 1869, signed by President Ulysses S. Grant, and all subsequent diplomas awarded by the school bear the U.S. President's signature. In 1954, the name of the institution was changed to Gallaudet College in honor of Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet, a pioneer is educating deaf students. An estimated 9 million Americans are functionally deaf or hard of hearing. Over 1,600 of them are seeking a degree from Gallaudet and are among the nation's nearly 19.1 million students enrolled in universities. Profile America is in its 20th year as a public service of the U.S. Census Bureau. Sources: Kane's Famous First Facts, 3033 Founding/accessed 12/8/2016: http://www.gallaudet.edu/history.html Enrollment/accessed 12/8/2016: http://www.gallaudet.edu/about_gallaudet/fast_facts.html Disability estimate accessed 12/8/2016: https://research.gallaudet.edu/Demographics/deaf-US.php University enrollment/Current Population Survey t. 1 All Races: http://www.census.gov/hhes/school/data/cps/2015/Tab01-01.xls Profile America is produced by the Center for New Media and Promotion of the U.S. Census Bureau. Statistics and accounts drawn from cited non-Census sources are employed for illustrative or narrative purposes, and are not attested to by the U.S. Census Bureau. These daily features are available as produced segments, ready to air, on the Internet at http://www.census.gov (look for "Audio" in the "Library" pull-down menu). SOURCE U.S. Census Bureau Related Links http://www.census.gov MINNEAPOLIS, Feb. 16, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cachet Financial Solutions, Inc. (OTCQB:CAFN), a leading mobile FinTech provider of cloud-based remote deposit capture (RDC) and mobile prepaid card solutions, will exhibit at the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC) being held in Washington, DC, February 26 to March 2, 2017. Attendees may visit Cachets booth, #675, in the Walter E. Washington Convention Center to learn about how credit unions across the country are leveraging Cachets advanced mobile technologies to gain a competitive advantage and grow memberships. CUNA GAC, the nations largest annual credit union advocacy event, brings together thousands of credit union leaders to listen to political and industry speakers, network with peers, and learn about solutions that can better serve their 100 million credit union members. Cachet, a mobile FinTech pioneer and trusted partner to the worlds largest financial institutions, will showcase some of the most advanced mobile money technologies available today: Mobile Money for Prepaid: Award-winning mobile prepaid platform with option for white label app or turnkey card program, both offering a robust mobile app with a suite of convenient financial services. Award-winning mobile prepaid platform with option for white label app or turnkey card program, both offering a robust mobile app with a suite of convenient financial services. Mobile Deposit: Convenient anywhere, anytime consumer deposit via camera-enabled mobile devices enabling credit unions of all sizes to expand their geographic and demographic reach and attract todays mobile-centric Millennials. Convenient anywhere, anytime consumer deposit via camera-enabled mobile devices enabling credit unions of all sizes to expand their geographic and demographic reach and attract todays mobile-centric Millennials. Mobile Account Opening: Easy and secure mobile account opening with photo imaging to minimize cumbersome data entry, improve enrollment rates and enhance the member experience. Easy and secure mobile account opening with photo imaging to minimize cumbersome data entry, improve enrollment rates and enhance the member experience. Omni-Channel Merchant Capture: Commercial RDC with seamless integration and fraud protection across multiple deposit channels, as well as advanced mobile functionality that includes the ability to capture multiple checks in a single mobile deposit. The 2017 GAC is a premier event where we can demonstrate to thousands of credit union leaders our leading-edge technologies that today powers mobile money solutions for more than 400 financial institutions of all sizes, said Cachet president and CEO, Jeffrey Mack. We look forward to showcasing our safe, secure and compliant mobile solutions that enable credit unions to stay on the leading edge of FinTech, while minimizing cost and accelerating time-to-market and ROI. To learn more about Cachets leading mobile solutions, visit www.cachetfinancial.com, or email info@cachetfinancial.com. For more information about CUNA GAC, go to www.cuna.org/gac. About Cachet Financial Solutions Cachet Financial Solutions, Inc. is a leading cloud-based, SaaS technology provider serving the financial services industry with mobile money and remote deposit capture solutions for PC, Mac and mobile. Founded in early 2010, Cachet has quickly grown into a technology leader and trusted partner of some of the largest and most respected financial organizations. With remarkable growth, an impressive client base and award-winning technology, Cachet continues to drive innovation and deliver world-class solutions to financial institutions of all sizes. The company's industry-leading solutions help clients to increase customer engagement, grow revenues and gain competitive advantage. Cachet's cloud-based technology platform simplifies development, deployment and servicing of consumer and commercial solutionsminimizing cost and accelerating speed-to-market and ROI. Enabled by Cachet's suite of business and consumer solutions, financial institutions can better serve the needs of all their customers. For more information, visit www.cachetfinancial.com. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains certain statements that would be deemed "forward-looking statements" under Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1933. Words such as "may," "likely," "anticipate," "expect" and "believes" indicate forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performances or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to future events, are based on assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties. We discuss many of these risks in greater detail in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 14, 2016, under the heading "Risk Factors" and in the other reports we file with the Commission. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Also, forward-looking statements represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements publicly, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in any forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future. SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Constantine Cannon LLP announced today that the U.S. Department of Justice has joined its client's whistleblower lawsuit claiming that UnitedHealth Group the nation's largest health insurer and largest operator of Medicare managed healthcare insurance plans and various subsidiaries and affiliates defrauded the Medicare managed care program to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars. UnitedHealth Group is accused of improperly gaming a program known as risk adjustment, or risk scoring, by claiming its members were treated for conditions they either did not have or were not treated for. The Justice Department has also joined in allegations against WellMed, a Texas-based healthcare entity UnitedHealth acquired in 2011 in spite of evidence WellMed was fraudulently inflating its risk scores. Taxpayers have paid out hundreds of millions of dollars to UnitedHealth and its affiliates for false claims, the suit alleges. The "qui tam" whistleblower suit, filed under the federal False Claims Act, was unsealed today. A copy of the complaint, pending in federal court in Los Angeles, California, is available here. UnitedHealth allegedly submitted exaggerated risk-adjustment claims to Medicare under its Part C (managed care) and Part D (prescription drug) programs. Medicare makes additional payments to managed-care plans based on plan enrollees' health-risk scores, which are calculated using patients' medical diagnoses. Higher risk scores are supposed to reflect treatment of sicker patients, and risk-adjustment reimbursement is designed to offset increased costs associated with treating these patients. The suit claims that UnitedHealth collected and retained payments from claims that falsely stated its beneficiaries were treated during the relevant period for: diagnoses the beneficiaries did not have; more severe diagnoses than the beneficiaries had; diagnoses for which beneficiaries were previously treated but that were not treated in the relevant year; and/or diagnoses that otherwise failed to meet CMS requirements for risk adjustment. The complaint states that UnitedHealth failed to correct previously submitted Medicare risk adjustment claims even though it knew, or should have known, that those claims were false. Under Medicare rules and regulations, the company was required to report and reimburse the government for any overpayments. UnitedHealth's top executives created a culture that demanded and rewarded increasing financial success of its risk adjustment efforts, the suit claims. Allegedly, this led to programs, masked as clinical initiatives, that simply sought additional reimbursement while ignoring information that showed UnitedHealth was being overpaid in many instances. One way UnitedHealth overstated its members' risk scores was by performing a "one way look" into patient medical records for additional risk-adjusting diagnoses rather than "looking both ways" by also reviewing for previously submitted, unsupported diagnoses and deleting those invalid claims, according to the complaint. Allegedly, when UnitedHealth did do audits of its previously submitted claims, it found high error rates yet, according to the whistleblower, UnitedHealth refused to take meaningful, widespread steps to identify and rectify the problems with the claims it submitted to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The complaint alleges UnitedHealth's limited efforts to look both ways merely created a veneer of compliance. Although its internal audit results put UnitedHealth on notice of serious provider overcoding, the company failed to act on this knowledge to correct errors and return overpayments. "Through the scheme outlined in the suit, UnitedHealth has allegedly fraudulently claimed and retained hundreds of millions of dollars. That money would have been far better used to provide care for our nation's seniors rather than simply padding UnitedHealth's bottom line," said Tim McCormack, a partner in Constantine Cannon's Washington, D.C., office and co-lead counsel on the case. "Medicare fraud is a pervasive and pernicious issue that affects not only taxpayers, but also the millions of Americans who rely on the program to meet their healthcare needs," said Jessica T. Moore, a partner at Constantine Cannon's San Francisco office who is co-lead counsel on the case. The whistleblower, who is represented by Constantine Cannon LLP and Phillips and Cohen LLP, filed his amended complaint on October 27, 2011 against UnitedHealth. The suit has been kept under seal while the Justice Department investigated the claims. "The federal government's decision to join this case after a 5-year investigation demonstrates the gravity of these allegations," said Mary A. Inman, a partner in Constantine Cannon's San Francisco office and co-lead counsel. "This case demonstrates the benefit of the False Claims Act and the importance of whistleblowers in detecting complex fraudulent schemes." The False Claims Act promotes collaboration among corporate insiders and the government to fight fraud on taxpayers. The law encourages whistleblowers to expose companies that are defrauding the government by allowing a private party to file a civil lawsuit on the government's behalf and providing for a reward of 15 to 25 percent of the government's civil recovery if the government joins, or intervenes in, the case. About Constantine Cannon's Whistleblower Practice: Constantine Cannon's team of dedicated whistleblower lawyers has extensive experience representing whistleblowers in federal and state courts and before the Securities & Exchange Commission, the Internal Revenue Service, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and the Department of Transportation. It has brought those matters under the False Claims Act as well as other federal and state whistleblower laws. The firm was one of the first in the country to bring a claim under the whistleblower provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act. To learn more about Constantine Cannon's whistleblower practice, click here. About Constantine Cannon LLP Constantine Cannon, with offices in New York, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, and London, has deep expertise in practice areas that include antitrust and complex commercial litigation, whistleblower representation, government relations, securities, and e-discovery. The firm's antitrust practice is among the largest and most well recognized in the nation. Constantine Cannon's experience spans across multiple industries including healthcare, banking, electronic payments, insurance, high tech, telecommunications, the Internet, and government contracting. To learn more about the firm, click here. Media Contact: Andrea M. Garcia [email protected] 212.683.8100 SOURCE Constantine Cannon LLP Related Links http://constantinecannon.com Part of the approval process involved the ongoing partnership between the USC Roski Eye Institute and L.A. County+USC Medical Center (LAC+USC) that began more than 40 years ago, as an extension of the medical training affiliation between Los Angeles County and USC which dates back to 1885. Today, the USC Roski Eye Institute remains the exclusive ophthalmology partner for treating patients and teaching residents at the 633-bed safety-net hospital. LAC+USC Medical Center is recognized as one of the largest public teaching hospitals in the U.S. and the largest single health care provider in Los Angeles County. Residents receive an unparalleled hands-on training experience where LAC+USC treats more than 1 million ambulatory patients each year and is known as one of the busiest Level I trauma centers in the country. It is also the host facility for the U.S. Navy's Trauma Training Center. "Our residency program has excelled in combining superb clinical training at one of the country's busiest hospitals with a rigorous academic program supported by the dedication of our 32 full-time faculty," says Vivek Patel, MD, ophthalmology residency program director at the USC Roski Eye Institute and LAC+USC. "Our program offers comprehensive exposure and education in all sub-specialty clinical and surgical areas within ophthalmology. Each division is led by nationally respected experts in their respective fields." The criteria for ACGME to approve additional residency spots, of which only a handful are granted each year across all medical specialties, hinges upon a program's commitment by its faculty with respect to clinical training, not just on hospital volume, as well as institutional support for funding the program. Patel notes that the USC Roski Eye Institute residency program is well above the national average in diversity of clinical exposure and depth of surgical training. The program is recognized for offering its residents more autonomy in caring for patients while learning from world-renowned experts in ophthalmology. The competition to get into USC's elite ophthalmology residency program is fierce with more than 400 applicants every year. In addition to incredible clinical experiences at LAC+USC, all residents also train at USC Roski Eye Institute's partner facilities, including Children's Hospital of Los Angeles (CHLA), a pediatric academic medical center treating more than 500,000 children annually. At CHLA, which is ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the No. 1 children's hospital in California, USC ophthalmology residents receive unique training in various sub-specialty areas such as retinoblastoma, the most common type of eye cancer in children. While training of ophthalmology residents takes place at Keck School of Medicine of USC affiliates including LAC+USC Medical Center, CHLA and the Veteran's Administration Los Angeles Ambulatory Care Center, USC Roski Eye Institute physicians and residents also treat more than 100,000 patients each year at Keck Medical Center of USC in Los Angeles as well as at its eye clinics in downtown L.A., Arcadia, Beverly Hills and Pasadena. Learn more about the USC Roski Eye Institute at: usceye.org Watch the video: http://eye.keckmedicine.org/usc-roski-eye-institute-adds-first-resident-30-years-highlights-lacusc-affiliation/. SOURCE USC Roski Eye Institute Related Links http://www.usceye.org Join the Velocify Elite! Velocify is calling for successful customers to enter its prestigious Elite Awards program before the Feb. 28 deadline. Winners will be recognized for their accomplishments and awarded a trip to a Velocify City Limits roadshow of their choice, with events coming up in Washington D.C., Los Angeles, and Chicago. 1 Entrants should describe how they overcame a challenge or an obstacle, with a focus on specific accomplishments relative to past performance or industry norms. They should also include metrics to support their story. Velocify customers and partners can click here to submit nominations; winners will be announced in March. Join Velocify at LeadsCon Las Vegas! Velocify, the lead sponsor at this year's LeadsCon Las Vegas event, will be exhibiting and speaking at the conference. LeadsCon Las Vegas will take place at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel from Monday, March 20, to Wednesday, March 22. Velocify executives and customers will guide several discussions and sessions throughout the event, covering everything from how insurance agents can leverage new trends for rapid growth to the technological transformation in mortgage sales. Velocify CEO and President Nick Hedges will be on the main stage on March 21 revealing new research and discussing why sales organizations need to focus on first impressions to make the most of any lead. For more details on Velocify sessions and to easily add a session to your calendar, click here. Those attending the event can take the opportunity to meet the Velocify team at booth #201 and learn about new features in Velocify that their organization can use to turn all their reps into rainmakers. Velocify is also giving out a free Amazon Echo Dot for every live product demo at the event sign up here to schedule a private meeting. If you are an existing Velocify client, members of our Account Management team will be at the event and ready to meet with you to discuss how to get more ROI out of your Velocify solution click here or send an email to [email protected] to schedule a meeting. Finally, Velocify will be hosting a special "Party Like a Rainmaker" celebration on Tuesday, March 21. Register here to be added to the guest list. For additional information about the conference and events visit www.Velocify.com/LeadsCon2017. About Velocify Velocify is the leading sales acceleration platform. The company helps more than 1,500 sales teams sell more by streamlining and optimizing the sales process from start to finish. Velocify's platform helps sales teams prospect with more precision, accelerate lead engagement, and implement effective workflows, ultimately helping sales teams find and convert more leads. Velocify was voted the best software for sales teams by customers on G2Crowd and has been recognized as one of the fastest growing companies in North America by Deloitte and Inc. For more information about Velocify or its technology, please visit the company's website and blog, or follow the company on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or YouTube. 1 Nominations open to existing Velocify customers only. Award includes reimbursement of actual out-of-pocket travel expenses, up to a maximum of $1,000, and event entry fee for one (1) designated employee of each customer selected by Velocify to attend a Velocify City Limits roadshow event of their choice. Velocify will book customers airfare and arrange hotel accommodations. Customer must notify Velocify of preferred travel dates at least 15 business days prior to the date of travel. Send questions to [email protected]. SOURCE Velocify Related Links http://www.velocify.com BOSTON, Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Whitridge Associates, a leading business and technology staffing firm announced today they have won Inavero's Best of Staffing Client and Talent Awards for providing superior service to their clients and job seekers. Presented in partnership with CareerBuilder, Inavero's Best of Staffing winners have proven to be industry leaders in service quality based completely on the ratings given to them by their clients and the permanent and Consultant employees they've helped find jobs. On average, clients of winning agencies are 2.5 times more likely to be completely satisfied and talent of winning agencies are 3.6 times more likely to be completely satisfied with the services provided compared to those working with non-winning agencies. Award winners make up less than two percent of all staffing agencies in the U.S. and Canada who earned the Best of Staffing Award for service excellence. Focused on helping to connect people with the right job openings at US companies, Whitridge Associates received satisfaction scores of 9 or 10 out of 10 from 80 percent of their clients and 60.3 percent of their talent, significantly higher than the industry's average. "Each year, we begin with a simple belief to do our very best for our clients, consultants and our internal staff's success and demonstrate it daily," said Kevin Grassa, CEO of Whitridge. "Our success is derived from our entire team making our clients' and consultants' aspirations our top priority which results in happy clients, consultants and staff." "We don't do what we do for awards, yet when your clients and consultants tell you that you're doing things the right way, it's gratifying," says John Hennessy, COO of Whitridge. "We are honored to receive this award for the second year in a row proving that "The Whitridge Way" is connecting with our clients and consultants." "Staffing firms are giving top companies a competitive advantage as they search for talent in North America," said Inavero's CEO Eric Gregg. "The 2017 Best of Staffing winners have achieved exceptionally high levels of satisfaction and I'm proud to feature them on BestofStaffing.com." About Whitridge Associates Whitridge Associates provides expert talent to a diverse group of technology companies, financial services, defense contractors and healthcare providers throughout the country. With a history of over 24 years of unparalleled service to both our clients and consultants, Whitridge is one of the most highly regarded staffing companies in New England. Whitridge was recently recognized as an Inavero's Best of Staffing Client and Talent Awards winner, one of the top 100 Fastest Growing Staffing Companies in the United States and was presented with The Excellence Award from TechServe Alliance the industry's leading trade association. Whitridge helps our clients and candidates achieve business success. Think Whitridge. Think Success. www.whitridge.com About Inavero Inavero administers more staffing agency client and talent satisfaction surveys than any other firm in the world. Inavero's team reports on over 1.2 million satisfaction surveys from staffing agency clients and talent each year and the company serves as the American Staffing Association's exclusive service quality partner. About Inavero's Best of Staffing Inavero's Best of Staffing Award is the only award in the U.S. and Canada that recognizes staffing agencies that have proven superior service quality based completely on the ratings given to them by their clients and job candidates. Award winners are showcased by city and area of expertise on BestofStaffing.com an online resource for hiring professionals and job seekers to find the best staffing agencies to call when they are in need. SOURCE Whitridge Associates, Inc. Related Links http://www.whitridge.com NEW YORK, Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Teuwen Communications, a full-service agency specialized in public relations, marketing and brand strategies for domestic and international food, wine and spirits companies, is retained as agency of record for Wines of Alsace, maintained by the Conseil Interprofessional des Vins d'Alsace (CIVA) in Colmar, France, for a two-year program. The agency has represented Wines of Alsace in the United States since 2012, executing media, trade, consumer and digital campaigns on behalf of the region. A top white wine region located in northeastern France, Alsace is hailed for its expressive, terroir-driven wines from Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Noir, as well as elegant and fresh Cremant d'Alsace sparkling wines. The region is home to a patchwork of 13 distinct soil types, more than any other French wine region. Alsace is also a leader in sustainable viticulture in France, with 15% of the vineyards certified organic or biodynamic. Since partnering with Teuwen Communications in 2012, Wines of Alsace debuted a new brand identity, logo, imagery, website and social media presence. The region's visibility in the Northeast and Illinois market was also strengthened before expansion to the West Coast with successful media and trade programs, as well as on- and off-premise activations, in San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Portland and Seattle. The 2017-2018 program aims to further capitalize on West Coast programs while reinvigorating the Midwest and East Coast. The engaging campaign combines media relations, themed press dinners and sponsorship of the 10th annual Wine Bloggers Conference with trade and consumer programs, such as GuildSom seminars, bi-coastal retailer promotions and participation in BubblyFest, Wine on Wheels and Riesling Without Borders. Wines of Alsace's digital components will support all programming and offer a fun, educational and dynamic look at the region and its wines. Key facts and figures for Alsace wines: 90% white wine production 53 AOCs: AOC Alsace (71% of production), Cremant d'Alsace (25%) and 51 individual Alsace Grands Crus (4%) 38,300 acres of vineyards and 150 million bottles produced on average The US represents the 6th largest market by volume and the 3rd largest market by value Exports by volume of Alsace wines to the US have increased 24% since 2011 To learn more about Wines of Alsace, please visit www.WinesofAlsace.com or connect with the region on social media at @drinkAlsace on Twitter and Instagram and Wines of Alsace USA on Facebook. For more information on Wines of Alsace, please contact: Cassidy Havens, DipWSET, [email protected] | Stephanie Teuwen, [email protected] Hannah Bowler, [email protected] | Louise Jordan, DipWSET, [email protected] SOURCE Wines of Alsace Related Links http://www.winesofalsace.com CULVER CITY, Calif., Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Serving as the international forum for cutting edge research designed to speed the discovery of more and better treatments for cancer and other diseases, the World Molecular Imaging Society (WMIS) will hold its 10th annual congress in Philadelphia, September 13-16, 2017. The theme of the World Molecular Imaging Congress (WMIC) 2017 is "IMAGinING the Future: From Molecules to Medicine," which challenges the industry to fuel new ideas and spur new solutions that marry technology and biology to focus on early disease detection. "Imagining the future of health from molecules to medicine, is about creating a new revolution in healtha massive transition from late-stage to early-stage detection. The late-stage diagnostics and medicines of today are simply too late to have a substantial impact on survival. We, as imaging scientists, must strive for a future in which biological sensing and imaging are all around us; to forge a new path and take bold steps to push the limits of sensitivity and specificity in early-stage detection. These advances will also likely fuel a revolution in optimal patient management in later stage disease," said Sanjiv (Sam) Gambhir, MD, Ph.D., President, WMIS 2017 and Chair, Department of Radiology at the Stanford University School of Medicine. The WMIC 2017 will feature more than 200 oral presentations and more than 850 scientific poster presentations from world-renowned institutions from around the globe, with keynote sessions on advances that will refine animal models, accelerate research and improve clinical care. The WMIC Scientific Program Committee is currently accepting abstract submissions in the following emphases: Neuroscience; Oncology; Cardiology; Inflammation and Infectious Diseases; Metabolic Diseases; Instrumentation and Computation; Basic Biology and Bioengineering. The deadline to submit abstracts is Wednesday, March 15, 2017. For more information about WMIC 2017, visit http://www.wmis.org/meetings/. "We want to emphasize that we believe that there are no borders where science and medicine are concerned. We encourage all researchers, imaging scientists, and clinicians to proudly submit your scientific abstracts for inclusion in the WMIC in Philadelphia in September. We are committed to the presentation of breakthrough research at the Conference, irrespective of geography, and will support our global membership in the coming months irrespective of any potential travel restrictions," said Dr. Gambhir. ABOUT WORLD MOLECULAR IMAGING SOCIETY The WMIS is dedicated to developing and promoting translational research through multimodality molecular imaging. The education and abstract-driven WMIC is the annual meeting of the WMIS and is held in conjunction with partner societies including the European Society for Molecular Imaging (ESMI) and the Federation of Asian Societies for Molecular Imaging (FASMI). WMIC provides a unique setting for scientists and clinicians with very diverse backgrounds to interact, present, and follow cutting-edge advances in the rapidly expanding field of molecular imaging that impacts nearly every biomedical discipline. Industry exhibits at the congress included corporations who have created the latest advances in preclinical and clinical imaging approaches and equipment, providing a complete molecular imaging educational technology showcase. For more information: www.wmis.org CONTACT: LISA BAIRD PHONE: 617-378-7682 E-MAIL: [email protected] SOURCE World Molecular Imaging Society Related Links http://www.wmis.org Elena and Amanda's affinity for giving back will be brought to life throughout their entire wedding with the help of Brooklyn, New Yorkbased renowned wedding planner and designer Jove Meyer . The wedding will be created with a highly reduced carbon footprint, making sustainable choices and keeping the environment in mind. All food and floral arrangements will be seasonal and locally sourced whenever possible, and following the festivities, extra food will be donated to homeless shelters and all flowers will be given to local hospitals and nursing homes for others to enjoy. Elena and Amanda, who serves as the director of the De11e Donne Academy, met four years ago after being set up by a mutual friend. Two dogs and three years later, they were both plotting proposals to one another: First, Amanda surprised Elena with an intimate Lake Michigan proposal where their Great Dane, Wrigley, was the star of the show, as Amanda asked Elena to marry her with a ring attached to his collar. A few weeks later, their other dog, Rasta, a black Labrador retriever, adorned in a dog wedding dress and veil, took the spotlight in Elena's proposal. Amanda walked into her and Elena's Chicago home to find Rasta positioned next to a homemade sign that read, "Marry Me." Elena then proposed to Amanda on the rooftop of their condo with ring in hand, and all of their favorite meals from places they had lived together. Shortly before Elena's departure to compete in the Summer 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, the couple publicly confirmed their engagement. After hearing the couple's story and their personal commitment to helping others, The Knot knew it wanted to give Elena and Amanda the wedding of their dreams. The couple's entire weddingfrom flowers to the dresses and the cakewill all be taken care of, courtesy of The Knot. "We've never seen a couple more passionate about giving to others than Elena and Amanda," said Kellie Gould, editor in chief of The Knot. "It's incredibly heartwarming to see the special bond and relationship that Elena has with her sister Lizzie, and all of the work that she and Amanda do for other families through their foundation. It was an easy decision for us to offer the Dream Wedding to this truly selfless couple." "Getting married is something every girl dreams about and working with The Knot is truly surreal," said Elena Delle Donne. "Amanda and I want nothing more than to bring our family and friends together and have the best time ever. Not only are we thrilled to be the first same-sex Dream Wedding couple of The Knot, we're excited to have a platform to raise money and awareness for causes we're truly passionate about." The Knot will capture all of the exciting, dramatic and love-filled moments that come with preparing for a wedding through original content, articles, social media and video on TheKnot.com/dreamwedding. Please follow @TheKnot and #TheKnotDreamWedding on social media for real-time updates. About the Couple WNBA Washington Mystics player, MVP and Olympic gold medalist Elena Delle Donne and Amanda Clifton, director of De11e Donne Academy, met four years ago after being set up by a mutual friend. With their dogs by their side on their second date at the beach, they had a feeling it was a good match. Amanda would later propose to Elena at the same beach. The couple loves to work out together, play pranks on each other, spend time with their dogs and even create handmade wood furniture that they sell through ElenaDelleDonne.com. They're also passionate about helping others through the Elena Delle Donne Foundation that benefits the special needs community and those suffering Lyme Disease. Both causes are close to the couple as Elena's sister Lizzie, whom she shares a very special bond with, was born deaf, blind and with other disabilities, and Elena was diagnosed with Lyme Disease in 2008. The couple will say "I do" in summer 2017 in a wedding that will raise awareness and donations for the Elena Delle Donne Foundation through their charity registry on TheKnot.com, and also give back to the environment. About The Knot Dream Wedding The Knot Dream Wedding began in 2000 when The Knot and the TODAY show partnered to create one of the first ventures into interactive television, TODAY Ties the Knot. Millions of TV viewers watched The Knot editors preview key elements of the wedding on TV, as they encouraged America to vote online and make the final decision on everything from the dress, venue and flowers to the cake and even the couple. This interactive TV partnership continued for 10 years, and in 2013, The Knot embarked on the first-ever live-streamed, crowdsourced wedding planned by The Knot experts, celebrity wedding professionals and TheKnot.com members. About The Knot The Knot is the nation's leading wedding resource and marketplace that seamlessly engages, matches and connects couples with the right products, services and local wedding professionals they need to plan and pull off their wedding. The trusted brand reaches a majority of engaged couples in the US through the #1 wedding website TheKnot.com, its mobile apps, The Knot national and local wedding magazines, and The Knot book series. The Knot has inspired approximately 25 million couples to plan a wedding that's uniquely them. The Knot is the flagship brand of XO Group Inc. (NYSE: XOXO), which helps people navigate and enjoy life's biggest momentsfrom getting married to moving in together and having a baby. Please visit The Knot online at TheKnot.com and follow on social media: Facebook.com/TheKnot and @TheKnot on Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram. Forward-Looking Statements This release may contain projections or other forward-looking statements regarding future events or our future financial performance. These statements are only predictions and reflect our current beliefs and expectations. Actual events or results may differ materially from those contained in the projections or forward-looking statements. It is routine for internal projections and expectations to change, and therefore it should be clearly understood that the internal projections and beliefs upon which we base our expectations may change. Although these expectations may change, we will not necessarily inform you if they do or update this release. Please refer to documents we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a discussion of the risks and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained herein. Forward-looking statements in this release are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. SOURCE TheKnot.com NEW YORK, Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Women Who Tech, a national nonprofit working in partnership with craigslist founder Craig Newmark to break down barriers to women in the tech industry, announced the winners of the Women Startup Challenge VR and AI. The "Shark Tank-style" competition was held before an audience of tech industry executives at Google's New York campus in Chelsea. Didimo of Clayton, California received the grand prize -- a cash grant of $50,000 from the Craig Newmark Philanthropic Fund as well as $15,000 in legal services from Paul Hastings LLP. Didimo automatically creates 3D virtual characters from a single photo; in about 2 minutes it creates a lifelike avatar that can speak, move, and represent you in a 3D world. Platform agnostic and compatible with all 3D environments, their technology can be used in games, social media, film, AR, and VR. "We are grateful to Women Who Tech for believing in our mission and helping bring Didimo to the whole world. It was an exciting night, preparing the pitch for the event was enriching, and we were given the opportunity of sharing why we build Didimo with everyone. It has been an honor to share the stage with other amazing companies," said Didimo Cofounder Veronica Orvalho. "This is our fourth competition," said Allyson Kapin, founder of Women Who Tech. "We've received many hundreds of submissions from female entrepreneurs whose product ideas are often brilliant and disruptive, and a few that could even be the 'next big thing.' We're just scratching the surface of the pent-up talent, as you see from the caliber of today's winners. It's all about giving women in tech some well-deserved recognition and support." The competition's runners-up were Spirit AI and Addicaid, both located in New York. Both will receive $10,000 in legal services from Paul Hastings LLP. Spirit AI is developing tools to craft more expressive characters, stories, and worlds in games and VR; players can communicate naturally with characters, be deeply understood, and have unique conversations. With this technology, they're also combating online harassment in multiplayer video games. Addicaid is a digital addiction wellness platform for individuals with substance and process disorders, as well as for friends and family coping with loved ones in care. Addicaid is a dashboard for treatment centers and insurance companies to facilitate care delivery in an organized, intelligent, cost-effective manner. The competition featured 10 finalists from a pool of nearly 200 entries from around the country, representing women-led startups working in the areas of virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI). All are in the forefront of VR and AI innovation and included ventures building self-driving non-automotive vehicles, 3-D immersive cameras, drone technologies, wearable tech for gaming, and other innovative technologies. "Supporting women in tech is a big deal," said craigslist founder Craig Newmark. "The tech industry needs more women. We need their perspective and talent. But many aren't getting a fair shake. Only 10 percent of investor money goes to women-led startups, and yet women-led companies deliver a 35 percent higher return than those led by men. We need to level the playing field." The panel of judges who selected the winners included investors Kate Shillo (Director, Galvanize Ventures), Kai Bond (Principal, Comcast Ventures), and Lisa Stone (Entrepreneur and Cofounder, BlogHer). Other sponsors included startup investors Fred and Joanne Wilson, and the global law firm Paul Hastings, LLP, which will provide $35,000 in pro bono legal services. Today's competition marks the fourth Women Startup Challenge since June 2015. To date more than 1,500 women-led startups have participated and nearly $1M in cash and other prizes have been awarded to winners and finalists. The Women Startup Challenge Europe will be held in London, May 3, at City Hall, and will be open to women-led startups based in the UK and Europe. MEDIA CONTACT: Bruce Bonafede 760-831-5080 [email protected] SOURCE craigconnects The Magic Notes Scavenger Hunt focused on Gulangyu, an island situated in Xiamen, which is known for its musical spirit of pianos -- it's even nicknamed, "Piano Island" (hence the name of the scavenger hunt, "Magic Notes"). The island itself features over 5,000 pianos that showcase more than 40 ancient pianos from all around the world. The rules of the scavenger hunt were simple. 10 teams of 6 players were given a packet full of clue cards that led people to 8 stations around the Shoreline Lake campus. At each station, players completed a series of challenges (some as simple as solving a word game, and others as complex as needing to use a paddle boat to reach a manmade island on Shoreline Lake). Successfully completing each station earned each team a jigsaw puzzle piece. The first team to complete all of the stations and put together their puzzle won a handsome cash prize. About Xiamen: The island city of Xiamen is a gorgeous tourist destination off the coast of Southern China that offers unparalleled adventure and a rich cultural heritage mixed in with modern comforts and flavorful cuisine. Legend has it that the city was full of pirates, rebel leaders and European merchants. The city features a stunning island, Gulangyu, known for its musical sounds of pianos from all over the world. From crystal-clear waters and golden beaches to a blend of European and Chinese architecture, Xiamen offers plenty of attractions to keep travellers wandering for more. SOURCE Xiamen Municipal Bureau of Travel and Tourism In a stark departure from the standard instrumental music, monochromatic styling and single file modeling typically seen at NYFW, Yandy's show featured hot beats, a haute glam styling aesthetic, and unique blocking choreography for the models. "We wanted our debut of Yandy Swim to cut through the noise," said Yandy Chief Executive Thom Brodeur. "Our point of view is that styling, vibe and the garments should amplify each other not take a back seat to one another. Our head of Merchandising Pilar Quintana worked tirelessly to identify and integrate the hottest trends in design, prints and consumer perspective for this collection. We felt it was critical to break from the 'tradition' of how brands and designers show at NYFW and put our own unique stamp on the show, just as we did the collection." Yandy Swim 2017 showcased "Shahs Life" - influenced by the glamorous Persian culture and reflected in the lively motifs, exotic animal prints and radiant gold accents throughout the line. "Havana Nights" drew inspiration from the rich Cuban lifestyle, presenting a vibrant spectrum of lush hues, intricate floral details and sultry silhouettes. And, the "Black & White" line offered a contemporary and modern update to a time-tested look that flatters in every design from sporty to elegant. Current Guess swim and lingerie model Rachel Mortenson was the notable headliner walking the runway in some of Yandy's edgiest looks. The brand's exceptional styling team included makeup artistry by renowned expert Allison Michelle Pynn, hair looks created by Salon Tavit of Scottsdale, Arizona, and hair products provided by Dikson Coiffure Italy. In another bold move, Yandy punctuated its show and wowed the audience with a surprise grand finale unveiling the brand's latest sophisticated-but-sexy lingerie. Joining the top-ranking labels of the "see now, buy now" trend, Yandy's lines of swimwear and lingerie were made available for order or preorder by the audience on their mobile devices directly at www.yandy.com/nyfw. Approved runway images are available here: http://bit.do/yandynyfw2017. For additional information or video please contact: [email protected]. About Yandy: Yandy is a leading online retailer of sexy women's specialty apparel. Millions of women around the world wear Yandy everyday intimates, lingerie, swimwear and costumes. Our passion for design, fit and fashion drives our company's "own your sexy." mantra in everything we do, from product innovation and merchandising to our mission to help every woman discover or rediscover her own brand of sexy. Media Contact: Heather Stein The Bromley Group [email protected] 212-696-1100, ext. 26 SOURCE Yandy.com Related Links http://www.yandy.com San Diego, CA, Feb. 16, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- One Step Vending, Corp., (OTC:KOSK) a company specializing in emerging industries acquisitions with an emphasis in the self-serve vending market, today announced the launch of their new corporate website. KOSK is pleased to launch the new corporate website to not only assist shareholders, but the site will also promote micro-marketing, ownership opportunities and availability. The site will include a corporate blog to communicate directly to shareholders on sector specific news as well as company updates. One Step Vending Corp. is adding new clients monthly, and we want that growth to continue exponentially. We are not only branding our Company, we are branding our products. KOSK will be active in social media, and advertising to keep our product in front of new eyes continuously, stated Daniel Garfinkel, CEO. KOSK encourages interested parties and shareholders alike to visit their website and check out the new changes. Your comments are always welcome. Follow us on social media: https://twitter.com/OneStepVend https://www.facebook.com/onestepvending/ http://investorshangout.com/One-Step-Vending-Corp-KOSK-88022/ Investors Hangout is the only authorized Investors blog page for One Step Vending Corp About One Step Vending Corporation One Step Vending Corp. is a holding company focused on the acquisitions of market-changing and disruptive business models. The Company supports subsidiaries with key financial, sales, marketing, and operational changes designed to accelerate growth and shareholder value. http://www.onestepvending.com About Corporate Refreshment Services-Micro Markets, Inc. CRS-Micro Markets, Inc. provides a wide range of food and beverage solutions focusing on the use of self-checkout Micro Market technology. CRS has supplied more than 150,000 units to customers in the last twelve months, representing a 230% growth in sales volume. http://www.sdmicromarkets.com Issued by One Step Vending Corp. This document was produced by and the opinions expressed are those of One Step Vending Corp. as of the date of writing and are subject to change without obligation to update. It has been prepared solely for information purposes and for the use of the recipient. It does not constitute an offer or an invitation by or on behalf of One Step Vending Corp. to any person to buy or sell any security. Any reference to past performance is not a guide to future performance. The information and analysis contained in this publication have been compiled or arrived at from sources believed to be reliable, but One Step Vending Corp. does not make any representation as to their accuracy or completeness and does not accept liability for any loss arising from the use hereof. This release may contain forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements containing the words "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "intends", "plans", "seeks", "estimates", "may", "will", "could", "stands to" and "continues", as well as similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements may involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which might cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of One Step Vending Corp., or industry results, to be materially different from any historic or future results, financial conditions, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Given these uncertainties, the reader is advised not to place any undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of publication of this document. One Step Vending Corp. expressly disclaims any obligation to update any such forward-looking statements in this document to reflect any change in its expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, unless required by law or regulation. 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 Paris, Feb 12 : Clashes broke out in Paris, where some 2,000 people had gathered to protest against police brutality and the alleged rape of a 22-year-old man by an officer, the media reported. Demonstrators on Saturday held placards reading "police rapes" and "police kills innocents" as they rallied outside a courthouse in the suburb of Bobigny, north-east of the French capital, surrounded by a large contingent of riot police, France 24 reported. While the rally was mostly peaceful, eyewitnesses at the scene said clashes broke out after a handful of protesters hurled projectiles at the police and several vehicles were set alight, including a van belonging to RTL radio station. The police responded with tear gas. Earlier on Saturday, four people were arrested in the port city of Marseille on the sidelines of another march against police violence, officials said. Similar protests took place in other French cities, including Toulouse and Orleans, France 24 reported. The unrest in Bobigny follows several nights of violence in Paris' northern outskirts, triggered by the arrest last week of a black man identified only as Theo. The youth worker suffered such severe injuries during the arrest and the alleged rape that he needed major emergency surgery and still remains hospitalised. One policeman has been placed under investigation for rape. Paris, Feb 13 : Twelve people were arrested in a Paris suburb as protests continued over alleged police violence against an alleged rape of a young man by an officer, the media reported on Monday. Unrest in some of the French capital's low-income suburbs has been ongoing since the February 2 arrest of Aulnay-sous-Bois resident, Theo, a 22-year-old black man who was hospitalised for an anal tear after police officers allegedly sexually assaulted him with a nightstick, Efe news reported. One officer has since been charged with rape, while three others were being investigated for intentional violence. The arrests on Sunday night occurred in the Drancy area in the north of Paris, where protestors burnt several cars and caused damage to public amenities. Although initial investigative lines suggested that the charged officer did not intentionally cause an anal tear during the violent arrest, Theo's case has caught the attention of the French public and officials alike. President Francois Hollande visited Theo in the hospital following the incident and Interior Minister Bruno Le Rouz on Monday called for calm, adding that no act of violence from either protestors or the police would be tolerated. He said the investigation into Theo's case was ongoing. BLOOMINGTON, Minn., Feb. 16, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MatrixCare, the largest U.S. LTPAC technology provider, today announced the appointment of Stephen Pacicco as Senior Vice President, Corporate Development, effective immediately. Pacicco serves as a member of MatrixCares executive team and has full responsibility for MatrixCares corporate development efforts. He reports to MatrixCare President and CEO John Damgaard. MatrixCare is proud to have recently been recognized as 2017 Best in KLAS for long-term care software and continues to experience strong growth across the LTPAC spectrum of care as we work to equip providers for success in a fee-for-value healthcare system, Damgaard said. I am pleased to add Steve to our industry-best leadership team and I look forward to his contributions in leading our accelerating corporate development efforts. We are beginning to see the LTPAC HIT landscape converge and our pipeline of potential acquisitions is quickly expanding. Our rock-solid financial profile and cash-generating performance differentiates us from our traditional competition, putting us in an enviable position to further accelerate our growth. We are now very pleased to have a proven senior executive of Steves caliber to lead us in capitalizing on these opportunities. Prior to joining MatrixCare, Pacicco served as CEO and director of SigmaCare from 2006 to 2016, leading the business through substantial growth and expansion. Prior to SigmaCare, Pacicco served in various executive capacities with Amicore and Pfizer. Pacicco holds an MBA with Honors from Columbia University and a BS in Chemical Engineering from Lehigh University. Current and prospective clients and partners will have the chance to meet Pacicco at the 2017 HIMSS conference beginning February 19th in Orlando. About MatrixCare MatrixCare solutions have powered the long term care continuum for over 30 years. MatrixCare is the largest U.S. LTPAC technology provider and the first to offer a true full-spectrum solution. Used in more than 12,000 facility-based care settings and 2,000 home care and home health agencies, MatrixCares solutions help skilled nursing and senior living providers, life plan communities (CCRCs), and home health organizations to prosper as we migrate to a fee-for-value healthcare system. Through our Microsoft Azure-powered CareCommunity Population Care Management platform, we are also able to offer the industrys first solution for helping the emerging set of conveners and diversified LTPAC operators to deliver superior care and better outcomes across the full spectrum of care. Visit www.matrixcare.com and www.carecommunity.com for more information. MatrixCare is a registered trademark of MatrixCare. Moscow, Feb 13 : Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump will probably meet in July around the G20 summit, the Kremlin announced on Monday. "To start with, we must fix the date and time of a meeting between the two Presidents. Aides are working on this now," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told a press conference. Peskov said a meeting between the two leaders could happen before the G20 summit, scheduled to be held in Hamburg on July 7-8, but no specific agreements had been made so far, Efe news reported. The Kremlin has dismissed the possibility that a Reykjavik summit was being prepared, similar to the historical summit that took place 30 years ago between US President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. Last week, the Russian President stated he was willing to meet his US counterpart in Slovenia, the birthplace of US First Lady Melania Trump, after the President of Slovenia offered to host the summit. Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov had expressed his confidence in "casting light" over a possible Putin-Trump summit after his first meeting with the new US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. "Both Presidents have agreed that it would be desirable to meet as soon as possible. We were tasked with finding a time and place acceptable to both. We are working on it now," Lavrov said. Washington, Feb 14 : US authorities called Venezuelan Vice President Tareck El Aissami an "international drug trafficker" and slapped severe sanctions on him. The Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) said on Monday that El Aissami had played a "significant role in international narcotics trafficking", a news release said. "OFAC's action today is the culmination of a multi-year investigation under the Kingpin Act to target significant narcotics traffickers in Venezuela and demonstrates that power and influence do not protect those who engage in these illicit activities," said John Smith, acting director of OFAC. El Aissami, who was appointed Vice President of Venezuela in January, is a former Interior and Justice Minister and Governor of the country's Aragua state. The Treasury Department said he "facilitated shipments of narcotics from Venezuela to include control over planes that leave from a Venezuelan air base, (and) narcotics shipments of over 1,000 kg from Venezuela on multiple occasions, including those with the final destinations of Mexico and the US", CNN reported on Tuesday. In addition, the department said El Aissami was linked to coordinating drug shipments to Los Zetas, a violent Mexican drug cartel, and provided protection to a Colombian drug lord. Monday's action imposed sanctions on El Aissami that prohibit anyone in the US from doing business with him, and freezing any assets the US. A senior administration official said sanctions are "not a reaction to El Aissami's role as executive Vice President of Venezuela. The designation was the result of a years-long investigation of narcotics trafficking by OFAC". An intelligence document obtained by CNN linked El Aissami to 173 Venezuelan passports and ID's, that the report said, were issued to individuals from the Middle East, including people connected with the terrorist group Hezbollah. The report said that the official who ordered the issuing of the passports was El Aissami, who "took charge of issuing, granting visas and nationalising citizens from different countries -- especially Syrians, Lebanese, Jordanians, Iranians and Iraqis." Paris, Feb 14 : Twelve people were arrested in Paris after protests over the alleged rape of a young man by a French police officer, according to authorities on Tuesday. More than 100 people have been arrested since the start of the protests, while 200 vehicles have been damaged and more than 160 containers set on fire in different parts of the capital, Efe news reported. Unrest in some of the French capital's suburbs has been ongoing since the February 2 arrest of Aulnay-sous-Bois resident, Theo, a 22-year-old black man who was hospitalized for an anal tear after police officers allegedly sexually assaulted him with a nightstick. The protest has been gaining ground and overnight there were also disturbances in places far from the epicentre of the protests, such as Dijon. After two nights of relative calm, violence returned over the weekend after the preliminary police report on Theo's alleged assault. Although initial investigative lines suggested that the charged officer did not intentionally cause injuries during the violent arrest, Theo's case has caught the attention of the French public and officials alike. Those who protested fear that the police sought to cover up the reality of what happened to the young man. French President Francois Hollande visited Theo in the hospital and was set to open a youth integration centre in the north of Paris on Tuesday. Islamabad, Feb 14 : Punjab province on Tuesday observed a day of mourning with the national flag at half-mast on all government buildings, a day after a suicide bombing killed 14 persons and injured 85 others outside the Punjab Assembly. In another development, the Interior Ministry has directed the federal and provincial governments to guarantee strict security arrangements and intensify intelligence-based operations. Following the blast, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif visited the Ganga Ram Hospital and consoled the injured assuring them all possible help. Two senior officials, DIG Traffic Police Captain (retd.) Ahmed Mubin and Acting DIG Operations Zahid Ikram Gondal were also killed in the attack at the Chairing Cross, Mall Road near Punjab Assembly Building here on Monday during a protest staged by drug dealers. Several policemen, women and media persons are also injured. However, all educational institutes in Punjab remained open on Tuesday. The Pakistan Bar Council and Punjab Bar Council condemned the incident and demanded the authorities take steps to check such incidents in future. According to the National Counter Terrorism Authority (Nacta), more than 5,200 intelligence-based operations have been carried out in the country till date, Dunya News reported. According to the figures, 2,642 operations in Punjab, 290 in Sindh, 1,240 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 645 in Balochistan, 294 in Islamabad, 24 in Gilgit-Baltistan and 65 in Azad Kashmir. Besides this, nearly 18 lakh suspects were arrested during 15 lakh combing operations and 25 lakh stop and search operations held in the country. Nacta says that provinces are consistently provided intelligence. Kolkata, Feb 14 : Bhopal resident Udayan Das who allegedly killed his parents and live-in partner, confessed during questioning that he murdered the girl when she came to know about his previous crimes, the police said on Tuesday. Das allegedly made false claims of living and working in the US to his partner, Bankura resident Akansha Sharma, and also made fake promises to get her a job abroad, a police officer said. "Das confessed he had to kill Akansha as she came across the passports of Das' parents and his mother's death certificate and understood he murdered both of them," Bankura Police Superintendent Sukhendu Hira told a media conference. "She wanted to leave Das after finding out that he has no connections in the US and cannot help her get a job in the Unicef which he previously promised," he said. The police claim Das killed his parents to get his hands into their property and also to stop them from pestering him to get a job. "He killed his parents to take away their property and lead a lavish lifestyle. He made use of the money by making foreign trips and paying for escort services both in the country and abroad. He even went to Singapore and Bangkok, especially for availing escort services," the officer said. "Das said his parents forced him to study science against his will and often pestered him to get a job after he dropped out of an Engineering course. According to him, he killed his parents on July 27, 2010, and later buried them in their residence in Raipur," he said. The police said Das, who would be presented before the district court on February 15, wants to give in-camera statement to the judicial magistrate. "We will present him in court tomorrow (February 15) and appeal to the judge to record his confession (under IPC section 164) as he has expressed a desire to give in-camera statement. He would then be taken away by Raipur police on transit remand for further investigation into his parent's murder," the officer added. Das was brought to West Bengal from Bhopal on transit remand by the Bankura police and remanded in police custody for eight days by the Bankura district court on February 7. He was arrested on February 2 by the West Bengal Police on charges of murdering his live-in partner and entombing her body in a concrete block inside his house in Saketnagar in Bhopal. Later, he also confessed to his parents' murder. Washington, Feb 15 : Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was in Washington to renew the US-Israel ties after eight strained years during the Obama administration. The Israeli leader and President Donald Trump could both use a boost when they meet on Wednesday, CNN reported. Though both men have declared their mutual support and outlined similar views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the realities of the region and entrenched positions on all sides are likely to intrude on the relationship at some point. "It's going to be an absolute love fest," said Hussein Ibish, a senior resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute, speaking of the meeting. "They both know the likelihood is that in the long run there will be tensions and an argument," he said, given that Trump had indicated he wanted to tackle a Middle East peace agreement and has sent conflicting signals on Israel, according to the report. "But for now, there are no major issues between them. It's going to be a honeymoon," he said. The President was also considering helping Israel attempt to normalise its relations with Sunni Arab states such as Saudi Arabia, according to the report. Netanyahu had a tense and at times bitter relationship with former President Barack Obama. Now, he is looking to bolster his perch as Israel's steward of the relationship with Washington, in part to defend himself against challenges from right-wing members of his party. CNN quoted a source as saying that the White House was still figuring out what its policy towards the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will be. "I think they don't know yet," the source said. Regarding the concept of the two-state solution to the conflict, a bedrock of current US policy, a senior US official said, "Maybe, maybe not. It's something the two sides have to agree to. It's not for us to impose that vision." The Trump-Netanyahu meeting at the White House will cover Iran, Syria, ISIS and the two countries' ties, said White House spokesman Sean Spicer. He also said the two leaders will discuss the prospects for Middle East peace, an effort that Trump has said he wants his son-in-law Jared Kushner to lead. The "administration will work to achieve comprehensive agreement that would end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict so that Israelis and Palestinians can live in peace and security," Spicer said on Tuesday. Kabul, Feb 15 : At least 52 civilians have been abducted by Taliban militants in Jawzjan province of Afghanistan, an official said on Wednesday. "Armed militants abducted the civilians from some villages in Darzab district on Tuesday afternoon and took them to an unknown location," Xinhua news agency reported. According to the official, the local administration was making efforts to secure their safe release. Taliban militants have not made any comment in this regard so far. Jerusalem, Feb 16 : Israeli cabinet ministers welcomed United States President Donald Trump's statement on Wednesday to end the long-held two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Washington would no longer insist that any peace deal leads to a recognised Palestinian state, Trump said in the first meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu since the presidential elections. "I am looking at two states or one state, and I like the one that both parties like," Xinhua news agency quoted Trump as saying in a joint press conference with Netanyahu. "I can live with either one... The 'two states' looks like it could be the easier of the two... I'm happy with the one they like the best," Trump added. Israeli leaders welcomed the statement as "the end of the two-state epoch", calling to push forward with annexation of the West Bank. "The Palestinian flag was taken off the mast today and replaced with Israel's flag," said Naftali Bennet, Education Minister and leader of the pro-settler party of the Jewish Home. Israeli Interior Security Minister Gilad Erdan said that "it's a very important day", adding that Trump's statements "prove we are in a new era". Trump's approach was widely seen as a defiance of international pressure to create a state of Palestine alongside Israel as a solution to the conflict. Israel occupied the West Bank and the Gaza Strip in the 1967 Middle East War and has controlled these territories ever since, despite international condemnations. The Palestinians wish to build their future state on these lands, with its capital in East Jerusalem, a territory Israel annexed and claimed part of its "undividable and eternal" capital", in a move not recognised by the international community. Washington, Feb 16 : US President Donald Trump has offered the job of National Security Adviser to Vice Admiral Robert Harward, sources close to the situation said on Wednesday. Harward, a 60-year-old former Navy SEAL, served as Deputy Commander of US Central Command under now-Defence Secretary James Mattis. He previously served as Deputy Commanding General for operations of Joint Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, CBS News reported. Harward has also commanded troops in both Iraq and Afghanistan for six years after the 9/11 attacks. Under President George W. Bush, he served on the National Security Council as director of strategy and policy for the office of combating terrorism. He has not yet accepted Trump's offer, and negotiations continue over the National Security Council staff Harward would be empowered to build. According to sources, Trump told current Deputy National Security Adviser K.T. McFarland she could retain that post. Harward was apparently not consulted about that decision. McFarland was chosen by ousted National Security Adviser Michael Flynn. Berlin, Feb 16 : Top diplomats of the G20 members will gather on Thursday in Germany's western city of Bonn, paving the way for the G20 Summit in July, media reported on Wednesday. According to the official agenda, the two-day ministerial informal meeting will mainly focus on the 2030 sustainable development agenda, peace and partnership with Africa, Xinhua news agency reported. Other notable issues will also be presented on the sidelines of the meeting where multilateralism as well as globalisation will be addressed. The summit may mark the first interaction between newly-appointed US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and his counterparts. Some foreign policies and stances, such as the cooperation on climate change, global trade, conflicts in Syria and Ukraine, are to be discussed by the group. German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel will host the meeting. According to the Russian news agency TASS, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will hold his first bilateral meeting with Tillerson during the meeting. They will address bilateral relations, and major international and regional crises that the countries "cooperated on and should cooperate". TROY, Mich., Feb. 16, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- solidThinking announced today the general availability of Envision 4.0, the newest feature release of the company's data analytics platform. Several new functions have been added to offer a complete set of capabilities required for Internet of Things (IoT) and Industrial Analytics. The 4.0 release is feature-rich across the board, making Envision more capable, refined and easy to use. Users will immediately see an enhanced user experience, said Yeshwant Mummaneni, Sr. Vice President Analytics. In addition, with version 4.0 we focused on strengthening the platform with core enhancements that include Smart Joins, Targeted Filtering and Multi-Level Aggregations. We are really excited to deliver to our customers and partners the most comprehensive cloud BI platform yet. Envision 4.0 is a significant release for us as a partner, said Brian Lassiter, Milsoft Utility Solutions. With 4.0 and its real time data refresh, our utility clients now have the option to visualize dashboards showing current outage locations, dispatched crews, customers affected, and more relevant KPIs, all in one view and in real time. In their business, it is imperative to know what is happening right now. Visit http://Envisionbi.com/4.0 for images, videos, and more information about the latest version of Envision. Key updates in the Envision 4.0 release include: Smart Joins To help business users easily combine data from multiple sources, Envision 4.0 introduces Smart Joins to combine multiple data sources without the need to understand the nuances of classical SQL joins. This powerful capability of joining multiple fact tables along multiple dimensions will allow users to plot metrics from multiple data sources on a single chart. To help business users easily combine data from multiple sources, Envision 4.0 introduces Smart Joins to combine multiple data sources without the need to understand the nuances of classical SQL joins. This powerful capability of joining multiple fact tables along multiple dimensions will allow users to plot metrics from multiple data sources on a single chart. Multi-level Aggregation In addition to the standard aggregation/rollup (SUM, MIN, AVG, STD, etc.) functions, advanced aggregation capabilities enable user to roll data to level A using a certain aggregation function, and then further rollup to level B using a different aggregation function. The aggregation dimension path is intelligently picked up from the charts' aggregation levels to further simplify usage. In addition to the standard aggregation/rollup (SUM, MIN, AVG, STD, etc.) functions, advanced aggregation capabilities enable user to roll data to level A using a certain aggregation function, and then further rollup to level B using a different aggregation function. The aggregation dimension path is intelligently picked up from the charts' aggregation levels to further simplify usage. Real-time Envisions real-time data refresh via user specified refresh time interval or via a Rest API notification support several IoT use cases. This real-time experience is expanded to enable a collaborative realization of analytical projects by a team. The changes to the reports, dashboards and charts are synced up in real-time across all active authors and viewers. Envisions real-time data refresh via user specified refresh time interval or via a Rest API notification support several IoT use cases. This real-time experience is expanded to enable a collaborative realization of analytical projects by a team. The changes to the reports, dashboards and charts are synced up in real-time across all active authors and viewers. Refinements to User Experience Envision offers comprehensive BI capabilities in an extremely easy-to-use solution. It has one of the fastest data to dashboard experiences, with the fewest amount of clicks. This experience is further refined with new context-sensitive chart properties and n-level deep Undo/Redo stack. This release also features Bookmarks providing users a shortcut to most commonly used combination of dashboard filters, and the ability to share these bookmarks. Finally, the new Targeted filtering allows users to link measures/metrics with dashboard filters providing fine grained control on how and what aspects of charts and dashboards react to certain filters. Envision offers comprehensive BI capabilities in an extremely easy-to-use solution. It has one of the fastest data to dashboard experiences, with the fewest amount of clicks. This experience is further refined with new context-sensitive chart properties and n-level deep Undo/Redo stack. This release also features Bookmarks providing users a shortcut to most commonly used combination of dashboard filters, and the ability to share these bookmarks. Finally, the new Targeted filtering allows users to link measures/metrics with dashboard filters providing fine grained control on how and what aspects of charts and dashboards react to certain filters. Admin Tools and Connectors Envision is packed with Enterprise features. Envision 4.0 strengthens the cloud, on-premises and embedded capabilities required by Enterprises and ISVs. These capabilities include the ability to schedule reports, receive notifications upon data refresh, additional O-Auth based authentication option, big data support for Apache Spark and SalesForce.com connector. This release also enables authoring capabilities of Envision in Embedded mode. A comprehensive redesign of user, data, services, security and app management makes admin tasks easier. For more information, product news and details of upcoming events visit http://envisionbi.com/ or connect with us through LinkedIn and Twitter. About Envision Envision provides fast free-form data exploration, visualization and analytics, which is scalable throughout the enterprise. It is built around a rich user interface, delivered through a disruptive licensing model for an optimized investment. Envision offers a complete set of capabilities required for IoT, Industrial Analytics and Embedded BI. Its unique Analytical App development capabilities and open architecture make it easy to embed or develop. About solidThinking solidThinking employs a relentless focus on delivering innovative technology with a streamlined user experience. Its tools empower users and organizations to make informed decisions and design, engineer, manufacture, and deliver amazing products to market faster than ever before. solidThinkings tools are sold and supported through a global network of industry and domain experts. solidThinking is a wholly owned subsidiary of Altair where its products are also available through the Altair HyperWorks suite. To learn more, please visit solidThinking.com. About Altair Founded in 1985, Altair is focused on the development and application of simulation technology to synthesize and optimize designs, processes and decisions for improved business performance. Privately held with more than 2,600 employees, Altair is headquartered in Troy, Michigan, USA with more than 45 offices throughout 20 countries, and serves more than 5,000 corporate clients across broad industry segments. To learn more, please visit www.altair.com. Paris, Feb 16 : French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault on Wednesday warned Russia or any other state not to interfere in its upcoming presidential election after allegations that Russian hackers have been targeting presidential hopeful Emmanuel Macron. "We will not accept any interference whatsoever in our electoral process, no more from Russia, by the way, than from any other state. This is a question of our democracy, our sovereignty, our national independence," Xinhua news agency quoted Ayrault as saying to lawmakers. The French top diplomat warned that the country would take "retaliatory measures when that is necessary, because no foreign state can influence the choice of the French, no foreign state can choose the future President of the Republic". "After what's happened in the United States, it's our responsibility to take all the measures so that integrity of our democratic process will be fully respected," Ayrault added. French defence chiefs will meet on February 23 to discuss cyber security and implement "specific vigilance and protection measures" during the election campaign after allegations that Russian hackers have attacked presidential candidate Macron who pleaded for stronger European front to face Moscow. On Tuesday, Richard Ferrand, Macron's party chief accused Russia-based hackers of attacking databases and e-mail servers of the candidate's party. Russia called these accusations as "absurd", according to media reports. Moscow was accused of hacking US Democratic Party and campaign staff e-mail and spreading fake news to influence the November 8 election in which Republican Donald Trump, who wants to reset relations with Russia, was elected the 45th President of the United States. Buenos Aires, Feb 16 : US President Donald Trump has chatted briefly with his Argentine counterpart, Mauricio Macri, on telephone discussing the region and Venezuela "in particular", a media report said. During the five-minute call on Wednesday, Trump reiterated his invitation to Macri to visit Washington and also said that he was "very happy" because new jobs were being created in the US, the Argentine President's office said in a statement. This was the second of such calls between the two leaders since Trump won the November 2016 election. Argentina said that the two leaders' talk was very cordial, but provided no further details, Efe news reported. The US and Venezuela got into their first diplomatic spat earlier this week when Washington blacklisted Venezuelan Vice President Tareck El Aissami on drug charges, a move he called "imperialist aggression." Macri and Trump, who have known each other for several years through the latter's business dealings with the Argentine leader's father, agreed that the US Secretary of State and the South American nation's Foreign Minister, who on Thursday will meet in Germany during a G-20 meeting, will coordinate the scheduling for a visit by Macri to Washington. The centre-right Argentine leader took the call from Trump at the Olivos presidential residence accompanied by his Cabinet Chief Marcos Pena, who on Wednesday morning said that the conversation occurred at the request of the US. In November, in their first telephone contact after Trump's election win, the two men "recalled their ... personal relationship and promised to work on a common agenda for the growth of the two countries," the Argentine President's office said at the time. Trump said after that first conversation that Argentina is a great country and he was looking forward to having the closest relationship ever between the two governments. United Nations, Feb 16 : Secretary General Antonio Guterres has extended the term of Atul Khare, the highest ranking Indian civil servant at the UN, as the Under- Secretary General for Field Support till April 2018. khare plays a key role in tamping down the sexual abuse and exploitation scandal in UN peace-keeping operations. "The Secretary General has decided that the mandate of senior officials working in the Peace and Security pillar should be maintained for another one year," his spokesperson Farhan Haq said Wednesday. This also related to Guterres setting up a team to review the working of the UN in order to carry out his promise of reforming the UN. "This important work will require both expertise and experience from principals and all staff members," Guterres said while announcing the review. Khare will also serve on the UN's Senior Management Group, the high-level body chaired by the Secretary-General that deals with policy and planning matters across the UN. A medical doctor by training, Khare joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1984 and has since served in several UN positions, many relating to peacekeeping. Appointed in 2015 by former Secretary-General as the head of the Department of Field Services, Khare has the crucial role of overseeing the agency that provides logistical, administrative and human resources support to the UN peacekeeping and political missions around the world. Amid the scandal of sexual abuse and exploitation by UN peace-keepers, he emerged as the point person for dealing with it by enforcing a zero tolerance policy. Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Herve Ladsous, under whose leadership the UN peacekeeping suffered a blow to its image and reputation because of the sex scandals, is leaving the the world body when his term ends in March. Haq said that Jean-Pierre Lacroix will succeed Ladsous. Both men are French and France has traditionally held the top peacekeeping spot under the UN spoils system for Security Council permanent members. China, which has dramatically increased its participation in the peace-keeping operations in recent years, had unsuccessfully lobbied for that job, according to diplomatic sources. It is expected to keep the Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs position now held by Wu Hongbo. The term of Jeffrey Feltman, the Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, was also extended till April 2018, Haq said. That slot is held by an American. With a push for a woman to succeed Ban failing, Guterres promised to increase the number of women at the UN, especially in its top ranks. He has appointed Amina Mohammed of Nigeria to the second highest post of Deputy Secretary General and Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti of Brazil as his chef de cabinet or chief of staff. Vijay Nambiar of India, who was Ban's Special Adviser on Myanmar and served on the Senior Management Group left the UN when Ban's term ended in December. Earlier, he was Ban's chef de cabinet. (Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in) Imphal, Feb 16 : Territorial integrity of the ancient kingdom of Manipur that had merged with India and the recurring economic blockades by tribal groups are the major issues in Manipur where the upcoming assembly polls are witnessing a close battle between the ruling Congress and the opposition BJP. Intriguingly, none of the parties has so far stressed on the important issue of employment generation, despite the state having over 800,000 educated unemployed youths out of its less than 2.8 million population. With the 60-seat assembly slated to hold two-phase polls on March 4 and March 8, campaigning is slowly picking up. The Congress is eyeing a consecutive fourth term in office while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) -- which had only one legislator in the outgoing House -- is throwing a determined challenge to wrest power. The path ahead looks far from rosy for the Congress due to resignations, the anti-incumbency factor and the warning from an outfit to tribal politicians not to contest on tickets of the Grand Old Party. Phungzathang Tonsing, the number two in the state cabinet for many years, resigned from the Congress despite being given a ticket. "Manipur is a small place and people know what the Congress is doing," Tonsing said cryptically, while declining to elaborate. The Congress got more jolts as Parliamentary Secretary V. Valte, lone tribal woman MLA Nemcha Kipgen and some other prominent lawmakers, who had been ministers for a long time, quit the party and crossed over to the BJP. The Congress decision to nominate a Nepali, G. Tamang, for the tribal-dominated but unreserved Kangpokpi seat also sparked a controversy and the anti-outsider campaign in the form of a demand for the Inner Line Permit system gained momentum. Finally, bowing to pressure, the Congress withdrew Tamang's ticket and he is now in the fray as an independent. Nineteen seats of the 60 in the assembly are reserved for tribals. Chief Minister Okram Ibobi, who launched his campaign on Sunday, exuded confidence about a Congress victory on the strength of the development work undertaken by the party during its 15 years in power. But he has so far declined to comment on the burning issues of tribals being asked not to contest on the Congress ticket and the controversy generated over Tamang. The BJP is banking on a "(Narendra) Modi" wave. The never-ending economic blockades over even mundane issues like inadequate power supply or thin attendance in offices feature in a big way as candidates try to drum up support. The BJP and some other parties have assured of a "blockade-free Manipur" if voted to power. The tiny northeastern state has been facing an economic blockade since November 1 last year in protest against the creation of seven new districts. The United Naga Council, backing the blockade, says these districts had divided the "lands of the Nagas" left by their forefathers. The Manipur government has countered by saying that no community is the land owner. N. Biren, a long time Congress minister who is now the BJP spokesperson, said: "The Congress and the United Naga Integration Council had signed an agreement on August 4, 1972. The Congress had agreed, inter alia, that the Naga demands are not unconstitutional and had accepted them." Countering, Ibobi Singh has demanded that the Modi government's framework agreement with the NSCN-IM be disclosed, amidst fear in many circles that it envisages vivisection of Manipur, bowing to the long-standing NSCN-IM demand for "Naga integration". The NSCN has been demanding unification of all Naga-inhabited areas in Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh under the umbrella of Nagaland. This has been opposed by the people and governments of the three states all these years. The Manipur government's consistent position is that the state had a well-defined territory since 33 AD, with a written chronicle stretching for over 2000 years. The state was merged with India on October 15, 1949. Ibobi Singh pointed out that in 2001, when the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government at the Centre extended the ceasefire with the NSCN-IM without territorial limits, the state had been in flames, with 18 persons losing their lives. (Iboyaima Laithangbam can be contacted at imphalreporter@gmail.com) Kolkata, Feb 16 : Ahead of the implementation of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal Motor Vehicles Agreement (BBIN MVA), India remains hopeful that Bhutan would ratify the accord soon, top officials said on Thursday. The four South Asian nations signed the BBIN Agreement in June 2015 in Thimphu and the accord was seen as a significant symbol of sub-regional unity. Despite ratifications by three partner countries, Bhutan's Upper House has not yet ratified the deal, citing environmental as well as livelihood concerns. However, according to an official from the Royal Government of Bhutan, the country "could ratify in May-June". "We are hopeful Bhutan will ratify it soon and are eagerly waiting for it. Four countries have been negotiating the protocols and standard operating procedures for the implementation. We made some headway," said A.D. James, Deputy Secretary in the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. The investments were being made in roads infrastructure linking the four countries, he said at an event 'Facilitating implementation and stakeholder buy-in in the BBIN sub-region' organised by Cuts International here. "The agreement is still to be ratified by Bhutan and they have some concerns, though we are very hopeful. In fact, we appreciate the steps being taken by the Bhutanese government for explaining the benefits of the integration," said Joint Secretary of Commerce Ministry (SAARC/South Asia) Bhupinder Singh Bhalla. Although the Bhutanese government was committed to the agreement, the people in the country raised some issues. "... In regards to BBIN, lot of issues were expressed on the possible negative impacts pertaining to the environment protection and local livelihood. The issue of culture was also raised," Bhutan's Ministry of Information and Communications Secretary Dasho Karma W. Penjor said. "Even with the countries which already ratified it, operational issues still exist," Penjor added. The ratification was expected from the National Council, when the Upper House of Bhutan Parliament meets in May-June, he told IANS. The Lower House has already ratified it. "After the ratification by Bhutan, protocols will be signed and then only, the agreement will be implemented," James said. Meanwhile, the Narendra Modi government has been undertaking cargo trial runs in order to seek solution to challenges that may arise after the implementations, the official said. "We undertook a trial run with cargo consignment from Dhaka to Delhi in August 2016. Usually, it takes 10-15 days to reach such consignment. During the trial run it reached in five days, reducing two-third of associated logistic cost," James told IANS. The implementation of the agreement is expected to improve the value chain in sub-regional trade. Bhalla said the BBIN sub-grouping was expected to be the gateway to southeast and east Asia. India is working for development of inter-connectivity infrastructure for Myanmar and Thailand. In this context, the experts also said a decision was taken to intiate a dialogues for a BIMSTEC (The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) Motors Vehicles Agreement in the senior officials meeting of the group of countries held last week in Kathmandu. Bengaluru, Feb 16 : Leading aerospace precision engineering firm Aequs would invest Rs 500 crore to set up a dedicated manufacturing facility at Tuem in Goa for the Indian defence sector, said a top company official here on Thursday. "Our new facility will make high-end components and systems for the Indian defence industry and support the government's 'Make in India' initiative," said Aequs Chief Executive Officer Aravind Melligeri at the Aero India 2017 expo here. As a tier-1 supplier of aerospace components to Indian and global majors, Aequs has a $100 million (Rs.667 crore) machining facility in its 250-acre Special Economic Zone (SEZ) at Belagavi, about 500 km away from here. The Belagavi facility makes titanium machined parts for the A-320 new engine programme of the global aerospace major Airbus SAS. The new facility will be built by February 2019 in Goa's industrial cluster, about 30 km from Panaji, where the Goa government has given the company 50 acres of land on lease at a minimum cost. "The facility will have multi-capability with CNC (Computer Numeric Control) machines and new age technology to design and make precision components for the Indian defence firms," Melligeri told IANS. The company plans to hire about 2,000 engineers for the facility and hopes to get technology transfers from global aerospace majors. "We will also support the government's 'Skill India' initiative to enhance the skills of our engineers in precision manufacturing and new-age technologies," noted Melligeri. As the Indian defence sector is import-dependent for products and technologies, the new facility is aimed at increasing the local content and minimising imports. "The company's new facility will provide impetus to our defence sector and promote the government's 'Make in India' programme," said IT Secretary and Director Ameya Abhyankar on the occasion. Foraying into defence manufacturing in 2013, the eight-year-old company has been working with the state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) on machined structural parts for its various platforms, including the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, Sukhoi-30MKI fighter and Advance Light Helicopter (ALH). "Our Goa facility will manufacture high-end aerospace and defence equipment to reduce import costs and add in-country value to the sector," added Melligeri. The company's SEZ unit at Belagavi has facilities for fabrication, machining, treatment, assemblies and warehousing for production value chain. Besides Airbus, the company's global customers include UTAS, Bosch, Eaton, Baker Hughes and Halliburton, among others. The company is showcasing its products and technologies at the 11th edition of the five-day biennial expo at the Yelahanka base of the Indian Air Force (IAF). Bangkok, Feb 16 : Thai police on Thursday entered a Buddhist temple in a bid to arrest a monk wanted in connection with alleged money laundering, the media reported. Just before dawn, soldiers and police surrounded the Wat Phra Dhammakaya temple's compound in Pathum Thani province in an apparent preparation for a raid, the Bangkok Post reported. The founder of the Dhammakaya religious sect, who calls himself Phra Dhammajayo, is believed to be hiding inside the temple, the police said. He is wanted on several outstanding warrants for charges including embezzlement, money laundering and land encroachment by the temple and its other businesses in the provinces. The 72-year-old abbot has remained inside the temple for months, saying he was too ill to face officials. He denies the allegations, saying they were politically motivated. There were several failed attempts to persuade the former abbot to leave the temple. New Delhi, Feb 16 : In a direct attack on the ruling establishment under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram has accused it of violating individual and human rights, intimidating independent think tanks and mixing up history with mythology. "This government has grossly violated individual and human rights. Some of the supporters of the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) tell us what to wear, what to eat, whom to love and whom to marry. Yet there is not a word from the Prime Minister condemning these extreme elements." Chidambaram told IANS in an interview here on Thursday. "Even in the current Uttar Pradesh elections, we have seen extreme statements made by star campaigners of the BJP. These trends do not auger well for an open democracy and thriving society," the Chidambaram said, adding that he was hoping for maximum opposition unity to counter the ruling dispensation. His book, "Fearless in Opposition: Power and Accountability" (Rupa/Rs 500), was jointly launched here last week by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, CPI-M leader Sitaram Yechury and Congress leader Kapil Sibal. In the book, Chidambaram has accused the government of motivating ultra-right elements to brand as anti-nationals those who disagree with its policies. "According to this government, anyone who questions its policies is anti-national -- anyone who asks why Rohit Vemula was forced to commit suicide, why a mob lynched Akhlaq in Dadri, why Kanhaiya Kumar was thrown into jail. Any thinking human being can but ask questions while anyone who asks questions is dubbed anti-national. As far as we in opposition are concerned, it is our duty to ask questions," he said. The 72-year-old Congress leader also expressed his disappointment over constant attempts to rewrite history and give a new interpretation to India's cultural heritage. Dubbing the BJP as an "ahistorical party", he said it had no sense of history at all. "History is an accurate record of what happened. It must be distinguished from mythology. Unfortunately, the BJP mixes up history and mythology and when people write history, each one will interpret history in the manner he or she thinks is right. There can be no one interpretation of historical events," he said. "The BJP wants one single interpretation, which is completely anti-intellectual. That is why they meddle with the curriculum, meddle with history text books, remove books written by certain historians, introduce chapters by known anti-historians and try to push their agenda," he contended. Chidambaram also stressed the need for the opposition to be fearless and said that the government intimidates civil servants, academics, independent think tanks and the media. Dalits, minorities, and students, Chidambaram said, currently live in fear. The Congress leader, who also served as the Home Minister between November 2008 and July 2012 in the wake of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, further criticised the government for its faulty approach in dealing with Jammu and Kashmir. "I think the approach of the Central BJP government as well as the BJP-PDP coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir is wrong. What Jammu and Kashmir needs is a political solution but there has been no political outreach to different sections of the people of the state. "The present approach should be abandoned and a new approach should be adopted. I am afraid that if the government persists in its present approach it will lead only to more conflict and more violence. As it is, in 2016, the number of casualties, both among the civilians and the jawans, have reached a very high point, reversing the decline in the previous years," he lamented. Blaming the Modi government for repeatedly flip-flopping in its approach towards Pakistan, Chidambaram said sub-continental ties were at their lowest point. He cited several examples of the government's changing approach towards Pakistan -- from inviting Nawaz Sharif to Modi's swearing-in ceremony in May 2004 to the January 2016 terrorist attack on Pathankot -- and said that the government lacks "a coherent policy" on its neighbour. How does he evaluate the three years of the Modi government? "Firstly they have not been able to stop the divisive agenda, polarisation in the name of religion and caste and pushing the Hindutva agenda. Secondly, during 2016, the economy became weaker and economic growth slowed down. Thirdly, demonetisation delivered a terrible blow to the economy," Chidambaram said. He also regretted that there was "not enough debate in parliament" and even when debate took place, the government "does not listen to the opposition" nor take corrective measures. Most debates, he said, take place outside parliament, which is not a "satisfactory substitute" to parliamentary debates. On the possibility of an unified opposition before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress leader said he was still analysing the growing warmth among various opposition parties. "It is difficult to say. At the moment opposition parties are forging unity at the state level. We had unity in the Bihar elections, we have a considerable amount of unity in the Uttar Pradesh elections. And this could expand to other states. This can perhaps transpire to maximum opposition unity. One has to wait and see how things develop," he added. Written in inimitable style and characteristic wit, "Fearless in Opposition" brings together a selection of his most incisive essays by Chidambaram, originally published as a weekly column in The Indian Express. (Saket Suman can be contacted at saket.s@ians.in) New Delhi, Feb 16 : National flag carrier Air India on Thursday said it plans to lease and induct 14 A320neo (new engine option) aircraft in 2017. According to Air India's Chairman and Managing Director Ashwani Lohani, the airline will induct 14 A320neo this year. Lohani spoke at the induction ceremony of the first ever A320neo which joined the national passenger carrier's fleet on Thursday. Subsequently, the airline has become the third operator of the fuel efficient aircraft in the country after IndiGo and GoAir. However, it is the only airline in India to operate the A320neo aircraft powered by CFM engine. Air India has been operating A320 aircraft since 1989. The first of the 14 aircraft which are proposed to be inducted into the airline has been leased out from Kuwait headquartered ALAFCO Aviation Lease and Finance Company. In all, Air India plans to induct 29 aircraft of A320neo type in its fleet by 2019. "Air India has become the latest A320neo operator after taking delivery of the first of 14 aircraft leased from Kuwait headquartered ALAFCO Aviation Lease And Finance Company, becoming the first CFM powered NEO operator in India," aerospace major Airbus said in a statement. "The delivery is also the first NEO for ALAFCO from an order for 85 A320neo Family. The A320neo will join Air India's existing fleet of 66 A320 Family aircraft." The A320neo incorporates latest technologies including new generation engines and wing tip devices, which together deliver more than 15 per cent in fuel savings from the first day of operations and 20 per cent by 2020. Currently, the A320neo family of aircraft has got over 5,000 orders from 92 customers since its launch in 2010 capturing almost 60 per cent share of the market. Till date over 70 A320neo have been delivered to 18 customers. Kohima, Feb 16 : Ruling Naga People's Front (NPF) supremo Shurhozelie Liezietsu will take over from Chief Minister T.R. Zeliang after 42 of the 49 legislators "unanimously supported" the former as the new legislature party leader, a top NPF leader said on Thursday. "Majority of the NPF legislators have unanimously elected Shurhozelie as their new legislature party leader to break the deadlock between the agitating groups and the government. We have tried our best to persuade the groups but they refused to climb down," Nagaland's lone Rajya Sabha member K.G. Kenye told IANS. "Shurhozelie has accepted the offer of the legislators to lead the NPF-led Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government to restore normalcy and prevent the imposition of President's rule in the state," Kenye said. In the meantime, Governor P.B. Acharya and Zeliang left for New Delhi on Thursday afternoon from Dimapur. Zeliang is expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh. Agitating tribal groups -- under the banner of Nagaland Tribes Action Committee (NTAC) and Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) -- have been demanding the resignation of Zeliang over his decision to conduct civic bodies' elections with 33 per cent reservation for women. On Wednesday, the group had served the Chief Minister an ultimatum to resign or face further protests. Their three-day ultimatum will end on February 17. The groups have decided to hold a public rally on Friday at Kohima to mount pressure on Zeliang to step down. "Had the Governor and the Chief Minister not left Kohima (state capital), Shurhozelie along with the legislators would have driven down to Raj Bhavan to stake claim and form the new government," Kenye said. He said that both the Chief Minister and the Governor are expected to return to Kohima on Friday to pave way for formation of the new government. "We are sure that there will be smooth transition of power as the Chief Minister himself wants to ensure peace in the state after weeks of agitation," he added. When IANS tried to contact Zeliang for his comment, he did not take the call. Nagaland has been on turmoil since January, after the NPF-led government decided to hold local body elections in 12 towns across the state. The government later declared the civic elections as "null" and "void". Three persons were killed and many injured following clashes between police and the public, who were opposing the civic polls. In fact, NPF legislator Neiphrezo Keditsu had resigned as Chairman of Nagaland State Mineral Development Corporation Limited on moral grounds since one of the persons killed in the Dimapur police firing was from his village. On Thursday, normal life remained paralysed as the indefinite shutdown sponsored by the tribal bodies entered the fourth day after Zeliang refused to accede to the demand to step down. The state secretariat, state and central government offices, banks, shops and other businesses remained closed. National Highway-2, which connects the main commercial town of Dimapur with the poll-bound state of Manipur, was also affected. Volunteers were seen picketing the road to prevent traffic movement and the government employees from attending their official duties; even as security forces were seen patrolling the roads to thwart any untoward incident. "We are keeping a close watch on the situation in the wake of these political developments and the state and central machineries will ensure to prevent breakdown of law and order," a police official said. TROY, Mich., Feb. 16, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dart Appraisal, a nationwide, independent appraisal management company (AMC), has grown its panel of appraisers in Washington state by 15% since October 2016. Washington, and more specifically greater Seattle, has been one of the most competitive real estate markets in the country for the past year. Its no secret that Seattle has been, and remains today, an incredibly hot market, said Michael Dresden, president of Dart Appraisal. AMCs across the industry have been experiencing extended turn times for appraisal reports. To best serve our clients that are based or lend in the Pacific Northwest, we wanted to ensure we had the most robust appraiser panel available. Thats why we personally went into the market, to meet and get to know the appraisal professionals working in and around Seattle. The Michigan-based AMC hosted four networking events in Seattle, two in October 2016 and two more in January 2017. In-person appraiser recruiting is fairly uncommon in the AMC space, as most companies rely on electronic methods to build their appraiser panel. Dart Appraisal requires their panel appraisers to be state-licensed or certified and have completed at least 1,000 appraisals. Weve spent 24 years developing our appraiser panel, and we place a strong emphasis on getting to know the appraisers we work with, Dresden remarked. By meeting local appraisers face to face, we were able to substantially grow our panel as well as have productive conversations about how we can best work together for the benefit of our lender clients. Dart Appraisal.com is an independently-owned, nationwide Appraisal Management Company (AMC) founded in 1993. For more than two decades, the company has built a reputation of superior customer service combined with innovative technology to deliver accurate and timely residential appraisals. Thousands of orders are tracked in real time using a proprietary order management platform designed and maintained by Dart Appraisal. With a singular focus on appraisal management, Dart Appraisal has developed a direct relationship with both appraisers and clients. The company manages a nationwide appraiser panel that requires appraisers to meet stringent quality standards to ensure local competence and reliable appraisals. www.dartappraisal.com. Bengaluru, Feb 16 : Lockheed Martin on Thursday said it is getting all support from the US government for its plan to move the production facility of its F-16 next generation fighters to India. Randall L. Howard, F-16 Business Development head at Lockheed Martin, said at a press conference here that talks with the Indian government for the facility have reached a level where it is likely to turn into a government-to-government discussion. "We have strong support from the US government. The discussions are at a point where it has become a government-to-government issue," Howard said. Lockheed Martin has offered to move its production line of the latest version of fighter aircraft F-16 Block 70 to India from Texas to meet Indian and global requirement. The Defence Ministry has said it is looking forward to start a line of production for both single engine and twin engine fighter aircraft in India. This will however happen only when India chooses the aircraft for the Indian Air Force. Randy said so far the company has received a communication from India inquiring about single engine aircraft. In October 2016, the Defence Ministry started issuing requests-for-information (RFIs) for a new single-engine multi-role fighter to replace the Indian Air Force's MiG-21 and MiG-27 fighters. Saab's Gripen and Lockheed Martin's F-16 Block 70 have so far appeared to be top competitors for the deal. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar at a press conference on the first day of Aero India 2017 show here was asked if US President Donald Trump's 'America First' would come in the way of Make in India and stop US firms from participating in the programme. Parrikar had said the question should be asked to companies like Boeing and Lockheed Martin. "...What I will say is what I want... I want you to Make in India, if someone wants to shift production to some place else, it is his choice," Parrikar had said. Agartala, Feb 16 : Normal life was severely affected in the tension-ridden Gandacherra sub-division in Tripura on Thursday, as a local tribal party called for a48-hour shut-down to protest "police high-handedness". The state police said that the government, semi-government as well as private offices, educational institutions, banks, shops and business establishments were closed. According to the police, heavy tension has been prevailing in the tribal dominated areas. The Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT), a tribal-based party, called the 48-hour strike in Gandacherra in tribals-dominated Dhalai district to protest the alleged police "high-handedness" on February 8 when three tribal parties had called a 12-hour bandh to oppose the Centre's citizenship bill. Around 50 persons were injured, four of them critically, when bandh (shut-down) supporters and ruling Left Front members clashed in six places in Tripura on February 8. On Wednesday night, five Tripura State Rifles (TSR) troopers were injured when several hundred IPFT members attacked them. "Huge contingents of TSR, BSF (Border Security Force), CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) and Assam Rifles led by Inspector General of Police (law and order) K.V. Sreejesh are overseeing the situation in and around the Gandacherra sub-division," a police official said here. Three opposition tribal parties -- Indigenous National Party of Triupura (INPT), IPFT and the National Conference of Tripura (NCT) -- jointly called a dawn-to-dusk general strike in Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) areas on February 8 to oppose the central government's Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016. The bill, introduced in the Lok Sabha last year and now under the scrutiny of a parliamentary committee, seeks to enable Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians, who have fled to India from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh without valid travel documents or those whose valid documents have expired in recent years, to acquire Indian citizenship through the process of naturalisation. Tribals, who constitute a third of Tripura's 3.7 million population, play a crucial role in the state politics as a third of the 60 assembly seats in the state are reserved for them and one out of two Lok Sabha seats from Tripura is reserved for the tribals. New Delhi, Feb 16 : Banks Board Bureau chief and former Comptroller and Auditor General of India Vinod Rai on Thursday said that Rs 10,000 crore allocated towards recapitalisation of public sector banks (PSBs) in the Union Budget 2017-18 was "sufficient", as the government was likely to go for a rights issue. "It should be sufficient. Government will probably go for a rights issue as well, so with the Rs 10,000 crore they will be able to leverage more from the market," Rai said here on the sidelines of the launch of a new Bandhan Bank branch. Rights issue is an issuance of shares to the shareholders, in accordance with the number of shares held by them, at a special price. The central government has provided Rs 10,000 crore for recapitalisation of banks owned by it in the Union Budget 2017-18. Presenting the budget in Parliament, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said that additional allocation may be provided as required. On making the public sector banks' pay packages more attractive, Rai said that the proposal on variable pay structure and Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) is under consideration of the government. "The proposal has been given to the government. It was given in January and the government will examine it," Rai said. Rai had said that he was looking at far more attractive packages for public sector banks by next fiscal, with bonus, ESOPs, performance linked variables -- monetary or non-monetary benefits, to make it more attractive for professionals to enter the PSBs. "We may not be able to change the fixed income but we are looking at making the variable part of the package more attractive as the compenasation package of the PSBs needs to be improved in some way," he had said. Kolkata, Feb 16 : Three persons were arrested in West Bengal for allegedly vandalising and ransacking a well-known private hospital here following a patient's death, police said on Thursday. The hospital authorities have denied medical negligence. Rakesh Dhanuk, Seikh Soni and Jiauddin Sheikh were arrested from their homes on Wednesday night in Kolkata's Mominpur-Ekbalpur region for allegedly trespassing and vandalising the Calcutta Medical Research Centre (CMRI) hospital, police said. "The accused were identified after inspecting the CCTV footage at the hospital. They are charged under various sections of the IPC... The hunt for the other troublemakers is on," the police officer said. A nearly 100-strong mob attacked the CMRI hospital on Wednesday morning with metal rods, breaking down the front door and ransacking the reception area, after a local teenage girl died in the hospital due to cardiac arrest. The victims' relatives and locals accused the hospital authorities of wrong treatment and demanding money without taking care of critical patients. However, the hospital authorities claimed the patient's family was told her survival chance was less than 10 per cent. "Under any circumstances, chance of survival of the patient was less than 10 per cent. No other hospital took care of her. We are a humane hospital," an official of CMRI hospital told the media here. "However, I would like to condemn the violence, which cannot be an answer to any unfortunate medical outcome," the official said. The official said the patient's case was "mismanaged" right at the outset before her admission at CMRI. "Because of the mismanagement the patient was about to die. At that point of time, the relatives and doctors sent the patient for admission in another hospital. The patient then went to another private hospital, which refused to admit her. Then they came to us and we admitted the patient and we are the only hospital who will do that on humanitarian grounds. We didn't refuse," the official maintained. He said by the time the patient was brought to CMRI, she was in a state of shock. "Her blood pressure was low and it was falling continuously. We did X-Ray and other investigation that clearly showed her bowels were perforated and in such situation you need to open the patient's abdomen and repair it, and you can only do when the condition is stable. She was taken to the OT and the anaesthetist evaluated her and said we can only operate on her if her blood pressure comes up to a relatively normal level." The official said a case has been registered under West Bengal Medical Service Institutions and Medical Service Personnel Act 2009. "Every death does not mean medical negligence and medical negligence does not mean that people have a right to indulge in violence. If they continue to do so then the only outcome is the closure of the hospital," he asserted. However, in response to a poser on allegations of medical negligence levelled at the hospital, the official cut short the interaction claiming he had a lot of work at the hospital and had to leave. New Delhi, Feb 16 : Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar will attend the first India-China Strategic Dialogue to be held in Beijing on February 22, a senior official said on Thursday. "China and India will hold the first meeting of the India China Strategic Dialogue co-chaired by Foreign Secretary and the Executive Vice Foreign Minister of China on February 22 in Beijing," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said at his weekly media briefing here. "This dialogue mechanism was agreed to during (Chinese) Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to India in August 2016," he said. "The two sides are expected to discuss all issues of mutual interest in the bilateral, regional and international domain." Gurugram, Feb 16 : Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Thursday discussed with senior BJP workers and certain ministers the situation in the state in the wake of resumed Jat stir in support of the community's demands and grievances. Khattar's Media Adviser Amit Arya told the media here that a few Jat leaders arrived in Gurugram to meet the Chief Minister owing to some confusion but left without doing so after learning that the meeting was meant only for senior BJP leaders and party workers. Arya said the Jat leaders, before leaving, submitted a charter of demands for forwarding to the Chief Minister. After the meeting held at Swatantrata Senani Zila Parishad Bhawan here, Agriculture Minister O.P. Dhankar told reporters that the BJP government is open for talks with protesting Jat leaders and they should put forth their demands. At the meeting, ministers and Bharatiya Janata Party workers hailing from 'sensitive' districts of Jhajjar, Rohtak, Bhiwani, Charkhi-Dadri, Hisar, Jind, Sirsa, Kaithal, Sonipat and Panipat were briefed. Dhankar said it was the BJP which gave reservation to the Jats in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi and Haryana. He also criticised to Congress saying that it hurriedly gave reservation to jats in which due procedure was not followed.A Also, congress did not refer it to the National Commission for Backward Classes. Dhankar also delved into the government's efforts in ensuring reservation to the Jats as per their demands as well as in the ongoing legal battle on the issue. The minister said the Haryana government had no objection in providing financial help and government jobs to family member of persons who lost lives during the earlier Jat stir in February last year. As for the demand of withdrawal of cases filed during last year's agitation, Dhankar said about 1,500 cases had been withdrawn whereas 622 cases were pending. Khattar said a few political parties wanted to disturbed peace in the state on the pretext of Jat agitation for reservation. The Jats resumed their agitation on January 29, which so far has been peaceful. However, intelligence reports leaked a few days ago allegedly indicated violence may erupt again. In the large-scale violence in 10 districts of Haryana in February last year during the Jat agitation for reservation, 30 people were killed and over 200 others injured. Government and private property worth hundreds of crores of rupees was also damaged/destroyed. Thiruvananthapuram, February16 : The vigilance and anti-corruption bureau (VACB) has given a clean chit to minister for cashew and fisheries J Mercykutty Amma following a preliminary enquiry into graft charges against her. The minister was accused of perpetrating corruption to the tune of Rs. 10.34 crore in the procurement of cashew kernel for the kerala state cashew development corporation (KSCDC). The VACB told a special court here on Thursday that a quick verification (QV) conducted against the minister and the other accused over the graft allegations did not reveal any financial irregularities in the procurement of raw cashew. In the QV report submitted before the court, the VACB is reported to have surmised that the minister intervened in the procurement of cashew kernel for the KSCDC in good faith to uphold the interests of cashew workers. The corruption charges against the minister were first raised by opposition legislator V D Satheesan in the assembly. Satheesan had alleged that the kerala cashew workers apex industrial cooperative Society (capex) had turned down a tender to procure Ivory Coast raw nuts citing exorbitant price quoted in the tender. However, capex later accepted another tender for raw nuts that quoted a higher price than the previous tender, thus incurring a loss, he had alleged. The vigilance court had ordered the QV on a complaint filed against the minister by one P Rahim. Chandigarh, Feb 16 : The BJP government in Haryana is in favour of extending reservation in jobs and educational institutions to the Jats and was awaiting adjudication by the Punjab and Haryana High Court on the matter, a senior minister said on Thursday. "If the high court delivers a favourable verdict on extending reservation, as demanded by the Jat protesters, the state government will, without delay, write to the Centre to include the relevant law provision in the 9th Schedule of the Constitution," Haryana Finance Minister Abhimanyu said while expressing the government's faith in the judicial system. Appealing for peace and harmony in Haryana, he said the law to grant reservation to the Jats and other communities was passed unanimously by the assembly. "I am hopeful the case presented by the state government in the High Court in the last 11 months will yield positive results. A renowned lawyer is presenting the government's case," he added. Abhimanyu accused the earlier Congress government in Haryana of half-baked actions on the issue due to which, he said, the case was dismissed by the Supreme Court. The Jats have resumed their stir across Haryana since January 29 to demand reservation, jobs to next of kin of those killed in violence last year, withdrawal of cases against them and action against officers who ordered action against the protesters. Violence during the Jat agitation in February last year left 30 people dead and over 200 injured. Government and private property worth hundreds of crores was also damaged during the violence. Kohima, Feb 16 : Nagaland Chief Minister T.R. Zeliang on Thursday appealed to the agitating tribal groups to give him two-three more days to step down to ensure smooth transition of power, after ruling Naga People's Front legislators backed party supremo Shurhozelie Liezietsu to take over. Zeliang's appeal to the Nagaland Tribal Action Committee (NTAC), which is spearheading the agitation demanding the resignation of the Chief Minister, came after 42 of the 49 NPF legislators "unanimously supported" supremo Liezietsu to take over from Zeliang as the new legislature party leader. In a letter to NTAC Convenor, K.T. Vilie, Zeliang stated, "In order to ensure smooth transition of office, and in larger interest of the state, I appeal to you to wait for 2-3 more days. Please be re-assured that this appeal is being made the not in my personal interest but in the greater interest of Nagaland and my dear fellow citizens." "I am seized of the matter regarding the demands for my stepping down as Chief Minister. You will appreciate that all decisions taken so far have been collectively and likewise all future decision will also have to be taken collectively," Zeliang stated. Earlier, Nagaland's lone Rajya Sabha member K.G. Kenye told IANS: "Majority of the NPF legislators have unanimously elected Shurhozelie as their new legislature party leader to break the deadlock between the agitating groups and the government. We have tried our best to persuade the groups but they refused to climb down." "Shurhozelie has accepted the offer of the legislators to lead the NPF-led Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government to restore normalcy and prevent the imposition of President's rule in the state," Kenye said. Shurhozelie is also the Chairman of the DAN government. In the 60-member House, the ruling Democratic Alliance of Nagaland coalition government, which comprises of 48 NPF legislators including suspended legislator Imkong Imchen, four Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and eight Independents. Earlier on Thursday, Governor P.B. Acharya and Zeliang left for New Delhi from Dimapur. Zeliang is expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh. Agitating tribal groups -- under the banner of NTAC and Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) -- have been demanding the resignation of Zeliang over his decision to conduct civic bodies' elections with 33 per cent reservation for women. On Wednesday, the group had served the Chief Minister an ultimatum to resign or face further protests. Their three-day ultimatum will end on Friday. The groups have decided to hold a public rally on Friday at Kohima to mount pressure on Zeliang to step down. "Had the Governor and the Chief Minister not left Kohima (state capital), Shurhozelie along with the legislators would have driven down to Raj Bhavan to stake claim and form the new government," Kenye said. He said that both the Chief Minister and the Governor are expected to return to Kohima on Friday to pave way for formation of the new government. "We are sure that there will be smooth transition of power as the Chief Minister himself wants to ensure peace in the state after weeks of agitation," he added. Nagaland has been on turmoil since January, after the NPF-led government decided to hold local body elections in 12 towns across the state. The government later declared the civic elections as "null" and "void". Three persons were killed and many injured following clashes between police and the public, who were opposing the civic polls. In fact, NPF legislator Neiphrezo Keditsu had resigned as Chairman of Nagaland State Mineral Development Corporation Limited on moral grounds since one of the persons killed in the Dimapur police firing was from his village. New Delhi, Feb 16 : Concerned over Malaysia losing Indian tourists to other South-East Asian countries in recent years, the Malaysian government has come up with certain measures to check the fall in numbers and plans to make further investment to attract more tourists. Malaysia's Tourism Minister Mohamed Nazri bin Abdul Aziz, talking to IANS, said they were in the process of fixing the visa-related issues -- the top-most concern raised by some quarters. "Other countries, such as Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia, are making it easier for Indians to travel to their countries, thus taking away some of the tourists previously visiting Malaysia. So, now we have introduced visa-free entry facility for Indians, even for those living away from their home country," Nazri said. Nazri said that after he found that extra visa fee was being charged from those Indians applying for multiple entry, he standardised the visa fee. The minister said that his government was planning a tie-up with PayTM --a digital wallet widely used in India -- to facilitate smooth transaction for India tourists in his country. Noting that Indians are frequent visitors to his country, Nazri said: "We have planned many incentives for Indians. For example, we have made easier for Indian travel agents to set up companies in Malaysia, investors can have 100 per cent ownership, such as in five-star hotels and resorts, without any involvement of local partners." "We will also make it easy for the Indian movie-makers to shoot in Malaysia and provide some special incentives to Indian markets," he said and stressed the traditional social and cultural bonding between the two countries. In 2015, over 722,000 tourists from India visited Malaysia, making the country one of the 10 largest source of tourists. However, the number declined to 620,000 in 2016, against the projected one million tourists for the year. Nazri said that he did not know the exact tourist projection for this year "but the number will top 700,000". "We are promoting eco-tourism in Borneo. Also, health tourism is big thing in Malaysia and we have many Indian tourists visiting Malaysia for treatment. Almost 25 per cent of our doctors are trained in India," he said. Asked about the effect of the demonetisation of high-value currency notes in India, Nazri said: "It will be too early to say if it had any impact on the decline in number of Indian tourists to Malaysia." "Even if it did affect, the impact will be minimal. The most important issue is visa, which we are already addressing," he said. (Saurabh Katkurwar can be contacted at saurabh.k@ians.in) VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 16, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kalytera Therapeutics, Inc. (TSXV:KALY) (Kalytera) will announce the results of a Phase 2a study investigating the safety and efficacy of cannabidiol (CBD) for the treatment of acute (Grades 3-4) Graft versus Host Disease (GvHD) on Wednesday, February 22, 2017. A conference call and webcast will be held on Thursday, February 23, 2017 at 12:00 PM ET to discuss the study results. The Phase 2a study was conducted by Talent Biotechs, Ltd. (Talent), an Israeli-based company evaluating the use of CBD to prevent and treat GvHD, that has been newly acquired by Kalytera. GvHD is a multisystem disorder that is a common, life-threatening complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HCT) procedures. HCT is a lifesaving procedure for many diseases of the blood and bone marrow including leukemia, Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. GvHD occurs when the transplanted donor cells attack the patients organs, including the skin, gastrointestinal tract, liver, lungs, and eyes. GvHD is associated with acute and chronic illness, infections, disability, reduced quality of life, and death. The Phase 2a treatment study enrolled ten patients with acute GvHD, including five patients with Grade 3 GvHD and five patients with Grade 4 GvHD. All ten patients were steroid refractory, meaning that they had not responded to previously administered standard of care steroid treatment. Patients were administered daily doses of CBD for up to three months, alongside standard of care therapy. Conference Call and Webcast Information Date: Thursday, February 23, 2017 Thursday, February 23, 2017 Time: 12:00 PM ET 12:00 PM ET Conference Call: http://dpregister.com/10101838 (Register to receive dial-in instructions) http://dpregister.com/10101838 (Register to receive dial-in instructions) Webcast: http://services.choruscall.com/links/kaly170223.html (Allow at least ten minutes to access the site before the webcast begins) The conference call and webcast will be available for replay on the Kalytera website. About Kalytera Therapeutics Kalytera (TSXV: KALY) is pioneering the development of a next generation of cannabinoid therapeutics. Through its proven leadership, drug development expertise, and intellectual property portfolio, Kalytera seeks to establish a leading position in the development of novel cannabinoid medicines for a range of important unmet medical needs, with an initial focus on Graft versus Host Disease (GvHD). Kalytera is focused first on developing a new class of proprietary cannabidiol (CBD) therapeutics. CBD is a remarkable compound that has shown activity against a number of pharmacological targets. However, there are limitations associated with natural CBD, including its poor oral bioavailability and short half-life. Kalytera is developing innovative CBD formulations and prodrugs in an effort to overcome these limitations, and to target specific disease sites within the body. Kalytera intends to file composition of matter and method of use patents covering its novel inventions, with the goal of limiting future competition. Cautionary Note Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) has in any way passed upon the merits of the proposed Transaction and associated transactions and neither of the foregoing entities has in any way approved or disapproved of the contents of this press release. Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. Forward-Looking Statement Disclosure This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including information relating to the Phase 2a clinical trial. Although Kalytera believes in light of the experience of its officers and directors, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors that have been considered appropriate, that the expectations reflected in this forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because Kalytera can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Readers are cautioned to not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements depending on, among other things, the risks of failure of the results of the Phase 2a clinical trial to be consistent with the preliminary results of such trial, that the Phase 2a clinical trial results are not determinative of or consistent with the results of the results of future Phase 2 or other clinical studies, that the small number of patients in the Phase 2a clinical trial may contribute to the risk that future studies may be inconsistent with the results of the Phase 2a clinical trial, and that clinical trials are subject to a number of other health, safety, efficacy and regulatory risks. The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this release. Kalytera undertakes no obligation to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by third-parties in respect of Kalytera, Talent, their securities, or their respective financial or operating results (as applicable). Kalytera disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, other than as required by applicable securities laws. New Delhi, Feb 16 : India, while attending six-party consultations on Afghanistan hosted by Russia, said that it is up to the Afghan government to decide whom to engage in direct talks to bring about peace and security in the country, a senior official said on Thursday. The consultations, held in Moscow on Wednesday, were also attended by China, Iran and Pakistan. "The consultations brought together regional countries, which have important stake in peace and security in Afghanistan, to exchange views on promoting security as well as peace and reconciliation in that country," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said at his weekly media briefing here. "India expressed the hope that the initiative for these consultations, which mark a new beginning, would help promote regional cooperation for stabilising the situation in Afghanistan, protecting its unity and integrity, and pursuing peace and reconciliation," he said. "We stressed that it is essential to end all forms of terrorism and extremism that beset Afghanistan and our region, and to ensure denial of territory or any other support, safe havens or sanctuaries to any terrorist group or individual in countries of our region." According to the spokesperson, India stressed that an end to violence and terrorism is fundamental to promoting security and creating environment necessary for peace and reconciliation which is Afghan-led and owned. "We also underlined that it is up to the government of Afghanistan to decide whom to engage in direct talks. These efforts can only be facilitated by friends and wellwishers of Afghanistan," Swarup said. "We pointed out that regional efforts to promote security, peace and development in Afghanistan can benefit from wider international collaboration and cooperation, wherever Afghanistan benefits from them," he added. New Delhi, Feb 16 : Four persons have been arrested on charge of preparing and selling fake educational certificates and degrees of various courses and classes, the Delhi Police said on Thursday. According ot police, Rupesh, Ritesh, Someer and Mukesh Thakur prepared certificates of MBBS, B.Tech, Ph.D and other professional degrees and diplomas, and sold these at prices ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 55,000. "They were arrested on Wednesday evening from a consultancy office in Janakpuri area on a complaint by local resident Shahbazul Haque at the Tilak Nagar police station about a fake Class 10 certificate provided by Rupesh," Deputy Commissioner of Police Vijay Kumar said. "The complinant told police that Rupesh forwarded fake Class 10 certificates and other documents through Whatsapp and they operated a website to get in touch with prospective customers," the officer said. Ritesh, Mukesh and Someer also searched for those needing educational certificates. The police seized a printer, scanner, three mobile phones, 250 fake marksheets and six hard copies of genuine marksheets from the accused. Rabat, Feb 16 : Moroccan House of Representatives Speaker El Habib El Malki discussed bilateral ties with British Ambassador to Morocco Karen Betts at a meeting here. During the meeting here on Wednesday, El Malki and Betts focused on the means to strengthen cooperation between the two countries. El Malki said that the return of Morocco to the African Union (AU) is an opportunity to develop economic cooperation between the two countries, as Morocco has become a platform for access to African markets. At the parliamentary level, El Malki highlighted the importance of parliamentary diplomacy in strengthening dialogue, understanding and exchange of views between the representatives of the Moroccan and British people. Betts congratulated Morocco on its return to the AU and said that the country is considered as a great tourist destination in Britain, adding that the Kingdom is a model of security and stability at the regional and continental levels. The two sides agreed on an action plan to promote Moroccan-British parliamentary relations in 2017, the statement said. Kolkata, Feb 16 : A middle-aged woman and her nine-month-old baby were found mysteriously dead at her residence in Kolkata's satellite township Salt Lake, the city police said on Thursday. "Poulomi Raut (35), a resident of Saurav Abashan in Salt lake's EE Block, was found hanging from the ceiling of her bedroom with the kid's body strapped around her waist on Wednesday. A stole was fastened around the deceased woman's neck," Debasish Nath, Officer in-charge of Bidhannagar police station, said. Poulomi, who used to stay with her husband, two children and in-laws at the upscale residency in the city, was first seen in that condition by her elder son through the window. The door of her bed room was locked from inside during the incident, the police said. The police said there were no external injuries in the woman's body apart from the mark on her neck. Both the bodies have been sent for an autopsy. The police detained her husband Anup Raut for interrogation as there were allegations of a recent fallout between the couple but he was released later. "The fallout between the married couple was a minor one. We released the husband as there were no complaints against him by the woman's family," the officer explained. "It has come to light now that the woman was depressed about her younger kid's illness," he added. Earlier in the day, Poulomi's mother said they have no complaints against her husband Anup and in-laws. "We have no complaints against anyone for her death", she said. New Delhi, Feb 16 : Over 11 years after three bombs went off in crowded Delhi markets ahead of Diwali killing 67 people, a court here on Thursday let off three Kashmiris accused in the case for lack of evidence. The court pulled up Delhi Police for failure to prove any links of the accused with the 2005 serial blasts. The court, while letting off all the three accused, convicted one of them for a minor crime of having links with the Lashkar-e-Taiba. The serial blasts had gone off in crowded market places of Sarojini Nagar, Kalkaji and Paharganj, rocking the city on October 29, 2005, two days before Diwali when the area was crowded with shoppers. Additional Sessions Judge Reetesh Singh acquitted Mohammed Hussain Fazili and Mohammed Rafiq Shah of all the charges. However, the third accused Tariq Ahmed Dar, who worked with a private company, was sentenced to jail for the period already undergone since his arrest on November 10, 2005, for being a member of the banned LeT. This means all the three would walk free in the case. The Delhi Police may decide to appeal against the verdict. The prosecution had accused the three of waging war against the state, conspiring, collecting arms, murder and attempt to murder - the charges if proven could have invited life imprisonment or even death. "There was no link to establish that the accused were part of any conspiracy related to the blast(s)," the judge said in his verdict. "The prosecution has not been able to prove any link between Fazili and Shah on the one hand and Dar on the other. The contents of these (telephonic) conversations therefore fall short in enabling this court to come to any definite conclusion that Dar was part of the conspiracy behind theses blasts," the court said. "Therefore in the absence of any evidence regarding Dar being involved in the conspiracy behind these blasts, none of the charges framed against him...are made out." The court said the prosecution had "miserably" failed to prove that Shah was involved in planting one of the bombs in a bus in south Delhi. All three accused were picked up in November that year and have been in Tihar jail since then. Shah's parents expressed happiness with the judgement but lamented that it was "too late" as their son had spent 11 years in jail. "It was God's mercy that came as blessing in the court judgement. The Almighty has heard our prayers. Thanks to Allah," his mother Mehmooda said outside the Patiala House court room. Shah was 22 when he was arrested. The families of victims however expressed extreme disappointment over the verdict. They said they were expecting the court to punish the accused with death. They said they will challenged the verdict in a higher court. "It is really a disappointment. I want justice. I lost my son, daughter-in-law and grandson," sobbed Srina Das outside the courtroom. She told IANS that she wanted closure to the plight of "losing loved ones" who had gone to buy Diwali gifts "but never returned". In a related case, the court however observed that Dar had received over Rs 14 lakh through hawala channel by Farooque Ahmed Batloo and Ghulam Ahmed Khan. In his verdict, the judge said that there is "nothing to show that this (hawala) fund had been received for the purposes of the terrorist acts." The court noted that while Batloo and Ahmed Khan had pleaded guilty earlier, no confession has been recorded by the police. The court observed that police needed to probe the hawala charges against Dar independently and pulled up the police for not making any efforts to verify the sources of his remittances. (Amiya Kumar Kushwaha can be reached at amiya.k@ians.in) New Delhi, Feb 16 : The Centre on Thursday urged the Supreme Court to examine whether the practice of 'talaq-e-bidat' (instantaneous triple talaq), 'nikah halala' and polygamy were in conformity with the right to equality before law and protection of life and personal liberty guaranteed to the Muslim women under the Constitution. Article 14 of the Constitution guarantees right to equality before law and Article 21 guarantees protection of life and personal liberty. Even as the Centre submitted five questions to examine the validity of the 'triple talaq', a bench of Chief Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar, Justice N.V. Ramana and Justice D.Y. Chandrachud hinted that they may refer the entire issue to a Constitution Bench. Hinting that the matter could be heard by a five-judge bench, Chief Justice Khehar said: "This is such an important issue... it can't be scuttled." "Every issue has so many nuances and we have to take into consideration each one of them," the bench observed in the course of the hearing on Thursday. The Centre also urged the court to examine whether Article 25 (1) was subject to Part III of the Constitution spelling out the Fundamental Rights, particularly the right to equality before law and protection of life and personal liberty. Article 25 guarantees freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion. Article 25(1) says: "Subject to public order, morality and health and to other provisions of this Part (Fundamental Rights) all persons are equally entitled to freedom of conscience and the right freely to profess, practice and propagate religion." In another question, the Centre urged the top court to examine whether personal law is a "law" under Article 13 of the Constitution, which says that laws inconsistent with or in derogation of the Fundamental Rights would be void. The top court has been urged to spell out whether practice of 'talaq-e-bidat', 'nikah halala' and polygamy were compatible with India's obligations under the international treaties and covenants to which it is a signatory. The Union government earlier told the court that 'triple talaq', 'nikaah halala' and polygamy, as practiced by the Muslims in India, were not "integral to the practices of Islam or essential religious practices". "The fact that Muslim countries where Islam is the state religion have undergone extensive reforms goes on to establish that the practice in question cannot be regarded as integral to the practices of Islam or essential religious practices," the Centre had earlier told the top court in its affidavit. The government had cited the instances of changes in marriage laws in Iran, Egypt, Indonesia, Turkey, Tunisia, Morocco, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan. The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) affidavit on September 2 last defended both polygamy and 'triple talaq', saying courts have no jurisdiction to examine the issue as it relates to their religion based on the Quran and Sharia law. Contending that the "practice of one religion cannot be compared with other religion as it is unique feature of one's religion", the AIMPLB had reiterated that it was only Parliament that could deal with personal law and that it can't be interpreted by courts. The Board earlier told the top court that the practice of 'triple talaq' and polygamy were a social need and a blessing and not a curse for women. Directing for the next hearing on March 30, the court asked lawyers for both sides to submit their issues backed by short reasons and judgments they would relying on to the Attorney General. The court also urged the lawyers of both the sides to split the issues they wish to address among themselves so that the hearing could be completed within allotted time. Kathmandu, Feb 16 : Nepal's former Prime Minister and Chairman of CPN-UML K.P. Oli on Thursday said India is trying to corner Pakistan and Nepal should not support the move. While opposing India's alleged strategy to corner Pakistan, he said some sub-regional forums are working to ensure fruition of India's anti-Pakistan scheme. Presenting a political document at the party's politburo meeting here, he claimed: "India's strategy is clear -- corner Pakistan. "In the backdrop of the postponement of Saarc summit and India's entry to other regional and sub-regional forums like BIMSTEC and BBIN, it is clear that India wants to corner Pakistan, but Nepal should not support such move." The sub-regional platforms like the BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) and the BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal Initiative) are going to be the tools for fulfilling India's interest, he said in his 10-page political document. Oli, who became Prime Minister in October 2015 following promulgation of the new constitution and faced economic blockade along the Nepal-India border by Madhes-based political forces in Nepal, shared very acrimonious relations with New Delhi. He resigned from the post in August last year blaming India for his fall and has been propagating a "nationalist and rightist" agenda in Nepal. During his premiership, he had inked the landmark Nepal-China Transit and Transportation Agreement after Nepal-India border remained blocked for almost six months. This has given Beijing a huge leverage to exercise its clout in Kathmandu, which he denies. "Some sections have been trying to overplay pacts reached with China, claiming that China's clout has increased in Nepal following the pacts related to trade, transit and connectivity, which is not true," he said. Nepal should opt for an independent foreign policy and not be part or wheel of any power and should promote mutual cooperation and partnership with all friendly nations and neighbours, said the former Prime Minister. "Regional avenues like Saarc and BIMSTEC may be the tools of powerful nations to fulfil their interests, so we should make all possible efforts to stop them," said Oli in his document. Efforts are underway to keep Nepal within the clutches of India and make it fully dependent on its southern neighbour, he claimed, adding that "at this juncture, our party UML wants relations with India based on mutual benefit, non-alignment and respect for our sovereignty". (Anil Giri can be contacted at girianil@gmail.com) Ahmednagar (Maharashtra), Feb 16 : In a rare display of solidarity, all the 1,100 voters boycotted Thursday's polling for the Jeur Gram Panchayat in Ahmednagar district to protest the deaths of seven locals in a poll-eve dinner and booze party thrown by two Shiv Sena candidates, an official said. The village Sarpanch, Bapusaheb G. Awhad said that the February 12 party for activists has claimed seven lives so far and another six victims are under treatment, including three who are critical. "We have submitted a memorandum to the Ahmednagar collector seeking compensation of Rs 15 lakh for each of the victims, most of who eked out a hand-to-mouth existence and were sole breadwinners for their families," Awhad told IANS. However, there has been no communication from the collectorate after which the entire village boycotted the elections held on Thursday, where Shiv Sena's Mangal Mokate was the sole contestant, he added. The State Election Commission and police security had arrived in time for conducting the polls and left after the polling hours, without registering a single vote. Social activist and Bhumata Ranragini Brigade President Trupti Desai said it is shocking that such a major incident has occurred but neither of the ruling allies - Bharatiya Janata Party and the Shiv Sena "have even bothered" to comment on this. "Police investigations has revealed that the illicit liquor served in that party was manufactured in the canteen of a local government hospital, which is very close to the police outpost nearby.. How could this happen? These are nothing but 'political murders' and we shall protest against them tomorrow," Desai told IANS. The party, where food and liquor flowed freely, was hosted on last Sunday night for party workers, activists and other local supporters in Jeur, near Pangarmal village, around 30 km from here. The following day, over a dozen persons started complaining of uneasiness, headaches, chest pain and severe vomiting. They were rushed to local hospitals. By late Monday evening at least three persons died and the fourth one succumbed on Tuesday morning, said investigating officer Rahul Pawar, with three more deaths reported till Thursday. Initially, the police booked six persons under various sections, include the two women candidates, Bhagyashree Mokate and Mangal M. Awhad, from Jeur where zero voting election was held on Thursday. The others are Govind Mokate (candidate's father), Mahadev Awhad (candidate's husband) and a local party activist Bhimraj Ginwavar. All have been booked for various offences, including for culpable homicide not amounting to murder, and probe is on to the trace others involved in the tragedy. Desai added that this tragedy has again highlighted the urgent need to implement total prohibition in Maharashtra, on the lines of Gujarat or Bihar so innocent lives can be saved. New Delhi, Feb 16 : The supreme Court on Thursday asked three internet search engines -- Google India, Yahoo India and Microsoft Corporation (India) Ltd -- to form own "In-House Expert Body" to scan and delete the literature and write-ups related to sex determination. Directing setting up of such bodies, the bench of Justice Dipak Mistra and Justice R. Banumathi brushed aside the submissions by the three search engines that they may be spared from setting up of such in-house expert bodies as there is already a nodal agency set up by the government for the purpose. The court said the declining sex ratio is a "disastrous signal for mankind" and Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar said: "It (literature on sex determination) can affect demography." Reiterating its September 19, 2016 direction, through which a nodal agency was set up, the court in its order on Thursday said that the three search engines shall appoint their "In-House Expert Body", which shall take steps to see if any word or any key word shown in the internet has the potential to go counter to Section 22 of the Pre-conception and Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994, and is deleted forthwith. Section 22 of the 1994 act prohibits advertisements relating to pre-natal determination of sex and provides for punishment for its contravention. The Centre had set up a nodal agency to act on any public information on advertisements promoting sex determination techniques/kits on the internet. Counsel for the three search engines -- K.V. Viswanathan, Anupam Lal Das and Ruby Ahuja -- urged the court not to pass order for setting up of an the in-house expert body, as it may result into huge numbers of mails reaching them and could land them into cases. As senior counsel Vishwanathan told the court that "our view of Section 22 of the 1994 Act is yet to be adjudicated", Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar said: "It (information on sex determination) can affect demography." Allaying the apprehensions of the counsel appearing for the three search engines, the court said: "It is not a case of 'X' individual acting against 'Y' individual. No individual can go (to the court). It is an appropriate authority that alone can act under Section 22 of the Pre-conception and Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994." "Nobody will go to the criminal court," Justice Misra said pointing out that they are seized of the matter. "Take a little step forward," said Justice Banumathi. Earlier, in the course of the hearing, the court said that search engines must respect the Indian law and no material contrary to the Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Regulation and Prevention of Misuse) Act, 1994 should pop up during a generic research. Observing that "the whole problem is that they (search engines) do not have respect for the law of the country", the court said that they must positively respond and Indian law must be respected. Google India in a statement later said: "We have always been compliant and are supportive of removing paid content based on terms linked to gender selection tests. We have taken additional action to disable auto-complete predictions for relevant terms on our site and show a warning that tells users that pre-natal gender screening or testing is illegal in India." Chandigarh, Feb 16 : Over a week after a BMW luxury car fatally ran over a relative of Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh here, an absconding accused Harmehtab Singh alias Farid was arrested from Delhi, Chandigarh Police sources said. Harmehtab has been brought to the city for further investigations. Harmehtab and another accused Balraj Singh Randhawa were allegedly in the car when it hit and mowed down Akansh Sen, a nephew of Virbhadra Singh's wife Pratibha Singh early on February 9 in upscale Sector 9. The crime was said to be a fallout of an argument and a scuffle during a late-night party. The Chandigarh Police, whom the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister and his relatives accused of laxity, had booked Harmehtab and Randhawa on murder charge. Harmehtab, a rich landowner, is the great-grandson of former PEPSU (Punjab and East Punjab States Union) state Chief Minister Gian Singh Rarewale. Akansh Sen, 28, son of Virbhadra Singh's brother-in-law Arun Sen, died at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research here after battling for life for nearly 36 hours. As many as 25 police teams were sent to arrest Harmehtab and Randhawa. Chennai, Feb 16 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami said he would prove his majority in the assembly on Saturday as asked by Governor C. Vidyasagar Rao. The assembly is being convened on February 18 and Palaniswami has to prove his majority on that day. Soon after taking oath on Thursday, Palaniswami went to Marina beach to pay homage at the memorial of late Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa. Palaniswami was accompanied by AIADMK's Deputy General Secretary T.T.V. Dinakaran and other ministers. A large number of AIADMK members were at the memorial at Marina beach and shouted slogans of "Chinamma Vazgha" (Long Live Chinamma), referring to AIADMK General Secretary V.K. Sasikala. Sasikala is in jail in Bengaluru convicted in a corruption case. Speaking to reporters, Palaniswami said he would prove his majority in the assembly as asked by the Governor. V.N. Virugai Ravi, a legislator supporting Palaniswami, told IANS: "We have the support of 125 legislators and we will prove our majority." Echoing him on the numbers, V. Alexander, another lawmaker in Palaniswami camp, told IANS: "Now Amma's (Jayalalithaa) government will continue in the state." "With T.T.V. Dinakaran appointed as the Deputy General Secretary, the party is set to grow further. He is a nice person and moves well with all party men," Alexander added. As of now the numbers are heavily in favour of Palaniswami with 125 legislators -including the Speaker - in his favour. On the other hand, rival O. Panneerselvam's camp has the support of 10 lawmakers. The opposition DMK has 89 members, Congress 8, Indian Union Muslim League-1 and one seat is vacant. In another development, the AIADMK legislators supporting Palaniswami started going back to the beach resort where they have been staying since last week. They were brought from the resort to attend the swearing in ceremony at Raj Bhavan. Alexander said they are waiting for instructions from party senior leaders. He said the assembly is being convened on Saturday and the floor test is expected to happen on that day. "Rivals have been saying that we are being held in captivity at the resort which is not the case," he added. Kolkata, Feb 16 : Bhopal resident Udayan Das, who allegedly killed his parents and live-in partner and confessed his crimes in open court, gave in-camera statement to the judicial magistrate at Bankura district court in West Bengal on Thursday. "Udayan's appeal to give in-camera statement was granted by the court and his confession was recorded (under IPC section 164) today (Thursday) in two different segments," Bankura Police Superintendent Sukhendu Hira told IANS over phone. Police said, the accused was sent to a day's judicial custody on Wednesday and was kept in segregation on the night before his in-camera statement. Das, who was in the custody of Bankura police for eight days, would be taken away by the Raipur police in transit remand on Friday night to interrogate him about his parent's murder. "Raipur police is given the transit remand for five days to take Das in their custody. They would be heading towards Raipur on Friday night," a police source said. During interrogation by the state police earlier, Das confessed that he killed his live-in partner Akansha Sharma when she came to know about his parent's murder and wanted to leave him. He also confessed killing both his parents at their Raipur residence to take away their property and making foreign trips with their money. Das was brought to West Bengal from Bhopal on transit remand by the Bankura police and remanded in police custody for eight days by the Bankura district court on February 7. He was arrested on February 2 by the West Bengal Police on charges of murdering his live-in partner and entombing her body in a concrete block inside his house in Saketnagar in Bhopal. Karachi, Feb 16 : A powerful blast claimed by the Islamic State ripped through a Sufi shrine in Sehwan town of Pakistan's Sindh province on Thursday, killing at least 50 people, including women and children, and injuring scores others. Assistant Superintendent of Police in Sehwan said a suicide bomber entered the Lal Shehbaz Qalandar shrine through its Golden gate. The attacker blew himself up after throwing a grenade, which failed to explode, he said. The explosion took place at the spot where the "Dhamaal" Sufi ritual was being performed within the premises of the shrine. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack, the group's affiliated news agency AMAQ reported. There were conflicting reports about casualties in the blast. Taluka Hospital Medical Superintendent Moinuddin Siddiqui said at least 50 bodies and scores of injured were brought to the hospital. A stampede followed the blast as a large number of devotee, including women and children, were present in the shrine. Contingents of police reached the shrine that is situated slightly off the Super Highway in Dadu district of Sindh. Hundreds of people gather at the Sufi saint's shrine every Thursday for religious rituals. Police chief Jamshoro Tariq Wilayat told Dawn that initial reports suggested it was a suicide bombing in the area reserved for women in the shrine. "It seems to be a suicide bombing according to initial information provided by Sehwan police to me and I am on way to Sehwan," Wilayat said. An emergency has been declared in all hospitals of the area, with the injured being shifted to Liaquat Medical Complex Jamshoro and the sub-district hospital. Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa has directed that immediate assistance be provided to civil authorities. Army contingents were dispatched along with medical personnel. Combined Military Hospital Hyderabad has also been alerted to receive casualties. Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said he had directed rescue teams to reach the spot of the attack. The last attack on a Sufi shrine took place on November 12, 2016, when a suicide bomber struck the shrine of Shah Norani in Khuzdar district of Balochistan, killing at least 52 people and leaving 102 injured. The explosion had taken place where the Dhamaal was being performed. At least 500 people were gathered at the spot to observe the ritual. New Delhi, Feb 16 : Three persons have been arrested on charge of buying SUVs and other costly cars on loans raised by using fake documents, Delhi Police said on Thursday. Accused Manoj Makhija, 33, of Rohini, his brother Amit Makhija, 31, and Gaurav Kapoor, 28, of Narela, bought more than 20 costly cars and Sport Utility Vehicles by cheating banks, car showrooms and financial institutions of Rs 2 crore. "A Tata Zest car without a number plate seized from them was found to have been financed by Amit in the name of Ravi Kumar on forged documents," Joint Commissioner of Police Ravindra Yadav said. "The accused told police during questioning that 8-10 gang members used to hire accommodation in high-profile residential areas where the owners did not live on the premises. They then forged property documents to raise car loans from nationalised banks," Yadav said. "After getting possession of new vehicles, the gang sold the same to other people at 40 per cent of the showroom price within a week," he said. New Delhi, Feb 16 : The Supreme Court has made it easier for the people of middle and lower income groups to approach it to avail legal aid, an official said on Thursday. The Middle Income Group Scheme, introduced by the Supreme Court, is self-supporting and people whose gross income does not exceed Rs 60,000 per month or Rs 7,50,000 per annum can now avail its services, an official release here said. A sum of Rs 500 shall be payable to the Supreme Court Middle Income Group Legal Aid Society and a stipulated fee as per the schedule attached to the scheme. The release said that a case will be registered under the MIG Legal Aid Scheme and forwarded to Advocate-on-Record/Arguing Counsel/Senior Counsel on the panel for their opinion. If Advocate-on-Record is satisfied that it is a fit case, then the society will consider that applicant is entitled to legal aid. The view expressed by Advocate-on Record will be final in determining eligibility of the applicant for obtaining the benefit under the scheme. The person desirous of availing the benefit of scheme shall have to fill up the prescribed form. The scheme provides for creating a contingent fund to meet miscellaneous expenditure in connection with the case and the applicant would also be required to deposit Rs 750 to the fund. The scheme will enable people in the middle income group, who cannot afford expensive litigation in the Supreme Court, to avail services of the society at a nominal amount, the release said. If the advocate takes a view that the case is not fit one for an appeal to the Supreme Court, then the entire amount after deducting Rs 750 towards minimum service charges of the committee shall be refunded to the applicant through cheque. The release said that if an advocate, who is appointed under the scheme, is found negligent in pursuing the case entrusted to him, he would be required to return the brief together with the fee which he may have received from the applicant under the scheme. The society will not be responsible for the negligent conduct and the entire responsibility will be that of the advocate vis-a-vis the client. The name of the Advocate will, however, be struck off from the panel prepared under the scheme. The Law Ministry release said that the Chief Justice of India is the Patron-in-Chief of the society with Attorney General its ex-officio Vice President, Solicitor General its Honorary Secretary and other senior advocates of the apex court as its members. Karachi, Feb 16 : A devastating explosion, claimed by the Islamic State, ripped through a Sufi shrine in Sehwan town of Pakistan's Sindh province on Thursday, killing at least 72 people, including 12 women and four children, and injuring over 250 others. Assistant Superintendent of Police in Sehwan said a suicide bomber entered the Lal Shehbaz Qalandar shrine through its Golden Gate. The attacker blew himself up after throwing a grenade, which failed to explode, he said. The explosion took place at the spot where the "Dhamaal" Sufi ritual was being performed within the premises of the shrine. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack, the group's affiliated news agency AMAQ reported. There were conflicting reports about casualties in the blast. Taluka Hospital Medical Superintendent Moinuddin Siddiqui said 72 bodies and scores of injured were brought to the hospital. A stampede followed the blast as a large number of devotee, including women and children, were present in the shrine. Contingents of police reached the shrine that is situated slightly off the Super Highway in Dadu district of Sindh. Hundreds of people gather at the Sufi saint's shrine every Thursday for religious rituals. An emergency has been declared in all hospitals of the area, with the injured being shifted to Liaquat Medical Complex Jamshoro and the sub-district hospital. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif decried the attack: "The past few days have been hard, and my heart is with the victims," Sharif said. "But we can't let these events divide us, or scare us. We must stand united in this struggle for the Pakistani identity, and universal humanity." Moments after the powerful bombing the Pakistan military issued a strongly worded statement to "hostile powers", saying it will respond to such attacks. Director General Inter-Services Public Relations Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor said: "Recent terrorist acts are being executed on directions from hostile powers and from sanctuaries in Afghanistan. We shall defend and respond." "Each drop of the nation's blood shall be revenged, and revenged immediately. No more restraint for anyone," the army chief was quoted as saying. Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said he had directed rescue teams to reach the spot of the attack. The last attack on a Sufi shrine took place on November 12, 2016, when a suicide bomber struck the shrine of Shah Norani in Khuzdar district of Balochistan, killing at least 52 people and leaving 102 injured. The explosion had taken place where the Dhamaal was being performed. At least 500 people were gathered at the spot to observe the ritual. The blast was the latest in a series of attacks to hit the country this week. A suicide bomber targeted a government office in the Mohmand tribal area on Wednesday, while a separate attack on the same day targeted government employees in Peshawar. Six people were killed in total. On Tuesday, two police officers were killed while trying to defuse a bomb in Quetta. Sixteen people were also killed in a suicide bombing at a protest rally in the Lahore on Monday. Hyderabad, Feb 16 : Hyderabad police on Thursday arrested Telangana Excise and Prohibition Minister Padma Rao Goud's son for allegedly assaulting a trader. Rameshwar Goud and his seven friends and aides were arrested by police on a complaint by Mohit Rathore, a businessman at Pot Market in Secunderabad. They were later released on bail. The Market police on Tuesday lodged a case against Rameshwar Goud and others for assaulting and manhandling Mohit and his family. The incident took place during the special drive by officials of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) against encroachments by shops in the area. Rameshwar allegedly picked up a fight with the businessman after the latter raised an objection to the GHMC officials acting against his shop while ignoring the violation by the owner of the neighbouring shop. The complainant alleged that the minister's son and his friends used foul language, pelted stones on his shop and assaulted him and his uncle. The complainant moved higher police officials after the police station concerned failed to take action. Chandigarh, Feb 16 : An Israeli national, who was convicted in a drugs smuggling case, was on Thursday repatriated to his home country. The extradition formalities of the Israeli national, Lior Avi Ben Moyal, were completed and he was handed over to Israeli authorities in Mumbai on Thursday from where he was flown to Israel. Moyal was arrested by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in February 2005 in a drug smuggling case. He was later convicted by a court here in July 2011 and sentenced to 16 years of rigorous imprisonment. He was lodged in the Burail jail here. Police officials said that Moyal, who was part of an international drugs cartel, would spend the remainder three years of prison sentence in a prison in Israel. The Home Ministry has recently cleared the case of Moyal's repatriation to Israel under a treaty signed between India and Israel under the Repatriation of Prisoners Act, 2013. A Czech Republic national, Andreevi Jiri, and Kullu (Himachal Pradesh) resident, Narender Kumar, were also arrested by the NCB along with Moyal. The NCB had recovered contraband (Charas) worth Rs 45 crore in the international market from them. New Delhi, Feb 16 : Union Minister of State for Home Hansraj Gangaram Ahir on Thursday asked the Delhi Police to give top priority to the cases related to women, children and senior citizens and stressed on "friendly policing". On Delhi Police's 70th Raising Day here, the minister conferred 44 medals on its personnel, including for gallantry, President Medal for Distinguished Service and Police Medal for Meritorious Service. "Delhi is at the centre stage of all political, social, cultural and commercial activities across the country. Delhi Police has to be well prepared to face and control any event on a large scale, besides performing regular duties like maintaining law and order and containing crime," Ahir said on the occasion. He stressed on friendly policing and advised the force to give "top priority to the cases of women, children and senior citizens". The minister cautioned the citizens against "internal terrorism" but at the same time expressed confidence in Delhi Police, saying it is a "well-equipped force to fight any kind of contingency". Ahir assured of the Home Ministry's positive outlook towards modernisation and digitisation of the 84,000-strong Delhi Police and announced enhancement of the Nirbhaya Fund by around Rs 25 crore. The fund is expected to support initiatives by the government and non-governmental organisations working towards safety of women in India. It was first announced by the government in its 2013 Union Budget. Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik said: "I am determined to make Delhi Police people-friendly and more digitised to cope up with changing nature of crime in the metropolis. The force is well equipped and in high morale to face any eventuality." Bengaluru, Feb 16 : AIADMK General Secretary V.K. Sasikala on Thursday watched on television K. Palaniswami taking oath as the new Chief Minster of Tamil Nadu at Raj Bhavan in Chennai from the Central Jail on the city's southern outskirts, said sources. "Sasikala watched live Palaniswami and 30 lawmakers taking oath as the Chief Minister and Cabinet ministers in the prison's woman barracks, along with her sister-in-law Elavarasi and other inmates," a jail official told IANS on the condition of anonymity. Sasikala, 60, Elavarasi and her nephew V.K. Sudhakaran returned to the prison on Wednesday and surrendered to resume the four-year term they were sentenced to after being held guilty of corruption in the two-decades old illegal assets case. The main convict -- late Tamil Nadu J. Jayalalathaa -- passed away on December 5 after a prolonged illness in a private hospital in Chennai. "Palanaswami is likely to visit the prison on Friday along with his cabinet colleagues to take blessings of Chinnamma (Sasikala) before assuming charge," party's Karnataka unit Secretary V.A. Pugazhendi told reporters here. Police stepped up security and put up barricades outside the jail complex at Parapanna Agrahara area to prevent the ruling party's factions from crowding and causing law and order problem. "In view of Wednesday's clashes between the cadres of the party's two factions when Sasikala came from Chennai by road, we have decided to restrict the entry of people to the prison to prevent any untoward incident," said a police official. Returning to the jail after 21-day stay from September 27 to October 18, 2014, as the apex court Tuesday upheld their conviction by the trial court, Sasikala had a hard time in the cell as she could not sleep and was said to be restless at night. "Chinnamma could not sleep well and was restless as she had to lie down on the floor in a 10x8 feet cell in the women's barracks after jail officials denied her request for a mattress," lamented Pugazhendi earlier in the day. As the trial court denied Sasikala's demand for some privileges, including home food, she refused to have supper on Wednesday though she was served two rotis, one ragi ball, 200 gm rice and 150 gm sambar (lentil) like all other inmates. "When Elavarasi cajoled her to have food in view of her weak health, she took rice with sambar and butter milk," recalled the jail source. The judge (Ashwath Narayana) also rejected Sasikala's request for a special room for prayers and yoga, A-class facilities and an attached toilet-cum-bathroom. She was given a plate, a tumbler and a blanket. Before entering the cell, she deposited her valuables at the counter and recorded the three weeks she spent in the prison in 2014, as per the procedure. Expressing anguish over her plight and harsh conditions in which women inmates live in prisons, Pugazhendi said Sasikala woke up early (5 a.m.), did yoga and walked in the barracks for a while. "She also read a couple of Tamil newspapers, had tamarind rice for breakfast at 7.30 a.m. and a frugal meal (sambar rice) for lunch at 12.30," said Pugazhendi. Saskiala, 59, surrendered before the trial court here on Wednesday evening and entered the jail premises before 6 p.m after the Supreme Court declined her plea for more time to give herself up./Eom/545 words. New Delhi/Mumbai, Feb 17 : BJP leader Manoj Tiwari on Thursday attacked the opposition parties in Maharashtra after some unidentified people broke the looking glass of his vehicle, and vowed that nothing can deter him by the "cowardly attack". "I will not be deterred by the cowardly attack on me...shows desperation of our losing opponents," Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Manoj Tiwari tweeted. The BJP leader's remarks came after few people in Mumbai broke the side looking glasses of his vehicle threatening him to stop campaigning for the BMC polls later this year. Soon after the incident, the BJP leader took to twitter and wrote: "Few people broke the right side mirror of my vehicle and threatened me to stop campaigning in Mumbai or elsde they shall break my jaw." In another tweet, Tiwari, who also represents northeast Delhi parliamentary constituency, shared the picture of the threat letter, which read, "Manoj Tiwari, Mumbai me prachar band karo warna abhi shisha toda hai...aage muh bhi todenge (Manoj Tiwari, stop campaigning in Mumbai or else we shall broke your mouth instead of the mirror). You know us." The Delhi BJP has condemned the attack on its President. Brussels, Feb 17 : The European Union (EU) has denounced the suicide terrorist attack at a shrine in Pakistan which killed more than 70 people and wounded 200 others. "We express our condolences to the families of the victims and wish a speedy recovery to those who were injured," a spokesperson of the European External Action Service (EEAS), the EU's diplomatic service, said in a statement on Thursday, Xinhua news agency reported. "We are determined to stand by Pakistan in fighting all forms of terrorism and will continue to strengthen our cooperation with Pakistan in this regard," the spokesperson said. The death toll of a deadly suicide blast at a shrine in Sehwan town of Pakistan's south Sindh Province has risen to 72, local police said. Inspector General of Sindh police A.D. Khawaja said that over 200 people were also injured in the explosion. A suicide bomber entered the Lal Shahbaz Qalandar shrine from a crowded golden gate and blew himself up in a group of people performing Dhamal (Sufi dance) inside a compound in Sehwan, a small town located some 284 km away from the provincial capital of Karachi, said policeman Rasool Bux. He said there were 500 to 800 people inside the shrine as Thursday evening is considered as the most sacred time to pray in the shrine and a large number of people from across the country were there to pay homage to the late saint and perform Dhamal. Global terror group Islamic State (IS) claimed the attack. On its Arabic AMAQ website, IS said a suicide bomber "exploded his vest in Shia shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar in Pakistan's south Sindh province." This is the second time when IS claimed an attack targeting a shrine in Pakistan over the last three months. On November 12 last year, at least 52 people were killed and over 100 others injured when an IS suicide bomber blew himself up in a shrine in the country's southwest Balochistan province. Geared towards the many small business owners that provide customers with custom cabinetry for bathrooms, kitchens, and more, the Custom Cabinet theme showcases defined lines and strong edges to mimic the structure of the cabinets themselves. This new theme also features large image sizes ideal for showcasing products and styles. As with all Sitestro themes, the Custom Cabinet theme is available in a multitude of color options. This allows for businesses to easily match their existing branding with the Custom Cabinet theme. To see this theme and others, visit https://sitestro.com the best website builder for small business. About Sitestro: Sitestro was founded on the principle that anyone should be able to build their own small business website in less than 5 minutes. By designing streamlined interfaces and pre-populating popular content pages, Sitestro takes the guesswork out of content while requiring a minimal amount of technical skills to edit websites. Offering a free trial and no long term contracts upon subscription, Sitestro is the ideal choice for small business owners looking to build and maintain their own websites. Mediware Information Systems, Inc., a provider of comprehensive post-acute healthcare software, announces that Legacy Healthcare, Inc. has agreed to license CareTend software for its home medical equipment service. Legacy Healthcare, Inc. is a home health, hospice, and HME provider that has served the New Mexico area since 2009. The organizations team of professionals includes physicians, skilled nurses, therapists, home health aides, social workers, counselors, and chaplains. They provide a wide array of services, including wound and ostomy care, infusion therapy, pain and disease management as well as physical, occupational, and speech therapy. When evaluating software, Vince Romero, Legacys senior operations manager, realized how important mobile delivery would be to the business and focused on finding a solution that would automate the entire delivery process without the need for paper. We are really looking forward to the mobile delivery tools developed exclusively in CareTend Anywhere, says Romero. As we grow, it will be essential for our DME patients to be able to digitally sign from the field. And with all the data stored online in a secure, regulated format that we can access on the go or in the office, our specialists can increase their productivity and ensure our patients receive the exact equipment and supplies they need, when they need them, adds Romero. We are thrilled that Legacy Healthcare can take advantage of the time-saving technology, made available through our mobile CareTend Anywhere solution, says Paul OToole, vice president and general manager of the Home Care Solutions division of Mediware. Eliminating manual delivery methods and choosing to automate is a sure way that providers can do more in less time, adds OToole. About Mediware: Mediware delivers interoperable best-of-breed software systems that improve efficiencies and address safety concerns, enabling healthcare organizations to improve care processes while decreasing costs. Core Mediware solutions include blood management technologies for hospitals and blood centers; cell therapy solutions for cord blood banks, cancer treatment centers, and research facilities; medication management solutions for hospitals, behavioral health facilities, and infusion and specialty pharmacy providers; and rehabilitation therapy and respiratory care solutions. For more information about Mediware products and services, visit our website at http://www.mediware.com. Dr. Lutzer brings to the table an incredible depth of knowledge as a renowned teacher. A collaborative Biblical Christian tour featuring renowned broadcaster and author Erwin Lutzer will give participants a personal appreciation of how Martin Luther changed the world 500 years ago. Lutzer, pastor emeritus after 36 years of service at The Moody Church in Chicago, is joining international media ministry TWR and Christian tour and cruise company Living Passages for the June 10-19 visit to Berlin and Wittenberg, Germany, along with historic Vienna and other Central European cities. Tour participants will benefit not only from the authoritative teaching of Lutzer, whose book Rescuing the Gospel was about the Reformation, but also from firsthand exposure to TWRs daily outreach to post-Christian Europe. Serving with Lutzer and his wife, Rebecca, as co-hosts of the tour will be TWR CEO Lauren Libby and his wife, June. Since its first broadcast in 1954, TWR has been proclaiming the gospel in Europe and today ministers globally in more than 160 countries and 240 languages. Dr. Lutzer brings to the table an incredible depth of knowledge as a renowned teacher, said Lauren Libby. And I would like to propose an exciting adventure to you. This summer join us, on a trip to trace the steps of Martin Luther, as we celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. While on the trip we wont just exam history. We will also look how God using TWR to reach into the vastness of Europe. You will get to see and experience ministry first hand, as we visit Germany, Austria, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. Rhonda Sand owner Christian tour and cruise company, Living Passages, said, One of the aims of Living Passages is to provide more than just travel but also the chance to see Gods work in a different part of the world. Along with the Reformation focus of the trip, Sand said, there will be opportunities for general sightseeing and shopping amid the Old World charm of cities like Prague, Vienna and Berlin. Several of the cities on the itinerary also feature sites of World War II historical interest. Further details about the trip, its cost and how to sign up are available at livingpassages.com/germany-2017-reformation-tour. You can reach Living Passages at 888 771 8717, or by emailing them at tours(at)livingpassages(dot)com. Faira homepage In our first year, weve proven traction in the Seattle market. And, were confident that our solution will provide much-needed transparency and efficiency in the competitive Bay Area market. Faira, a real estate technology startup, announced today it secured an additional $1.2 million, bringing total funding to $2.73 million. The round was lead by Uber and Vroom investors, Mark Hager and Himel Capital. Faira offers an online home sales marketplace that solves the complex problems of buying and selling for both home sellers and buyers in a fair, transparent and modern process. With this additional funding, Faira will expand to the San Francisco Bay Area. Powered by a dynamic team, Faira developed a technologically sophisticated marketplace that takes the complexity and confusion out of home sales, unlike anything Ive seen before, noted Hager. I look forward to the significant impact Faira will surely have on home sales in the Bay Area. Amit Mital, a successful angel investor with early investments in Redfin, Zillow and OfferUp and R. Ravi, Carnegie Mellon Tepper School of Business professor also contributed to the round. We are very excited to offer our innovative platform to home buyers and sellers in California, said Kamal Jain, CEO and Co-founder of Faira. In our first year, weve proven traction in the Seattle market. And, were confident that our solution will provide much-needed transparency and efficiency in the competitive Bay Area market. Based in Seattle, Faira listed over 100 homes in 2016 and is on track to triple the business in 2017. Customers in Seattle save an average of $20,000 using Faira. Unlike other emerging business models, Faira delivers the highest sale price to the seller. How Faira Works Faira is free for sellers and provides an MLS listing, independent home inspection, professional photography, marketing materials and an online offer platform. The inspection, title report and seller's disclosures are posted on the website for buyers and agents to review. Buyers can make an offer on Faira in 60 seconds, from both mobile and desktop devices. All offers are available for review, including timing and value of the offers submitted. There is no earnest money so the contract is simple. An expert, dedicated customer success team supports sellers through the home sale process. Typically, direct buyers save 3% on any MLS listed home. Weve been able to save over two million dollars for home sellers in the Seattle market, allowing our customers to buy that new car, take a much-needed vacation, or even retire, explains Jain. Thats what its all about. Providing real value to customers by building a fair and transparent process for one of the most significant financial transactions of their lives. Were working every day to build a better experience for our customers. Faira is now available throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Homeowners can start their listing at http://www.faira.com About Faira: Faira is a real estate technology platform that is revolutionizing the way people buy and sell homes saving money, time and stress for both buyers and sellers. By creating a modern, efficient, cost effective process with unprecedented accountability and transparency built into the system, Faira is transforming the way people approach real estate. Create your own Netvibes dashboard at netvibes.com See how a custom dashboard can help you save time, focus on what matters and get more done, in your personal life and your business. Netvibes, the leader in Dashboard Intelligence, today announced the launch of its newly revamped website, netvibes.com, along with a new wizard and interface that brings the power of dashboarding to everyonefrom consumers, to business professionals, to teams and enterprises. Anyone can sign up for a dashboard at netvibes.com, follow a few simple instructions and instantly create ones own custom dashboard to monitor any brand, topic, market or event. For years, millions of users have relied on Netvibes dashboards to be their front page of the internet, aggregating RSS feeds, websites and everything else they care about online into one dashboard view for easy reading. Consumers use Netvibes to manage their digital lives, including reading articles, engaging on social media, automatically controlling smart devices and more. Business users rely on Netvibes Dashboard Intelligence to analyze company metrics and social mentions, delivering real-time insights into how trends and campaigns impact their business, while driving faster decisions through automation. New Netvibes wizard: Create a dashboard in minutes Today with the launch of the new netvibes.com and an improved dashboard wizard, Netvibes is expanding Dashboard Intelligence to every user, from consumers to professionals, enabling everyone to save time while gaining more value from the internet. At sign-up, new users will encounter our easy-to-use wizard: simply pick your library of sources, enter your keywords of special interest, and click Dashboard it! Thats it. In just minutes, everyone can create their own custom dashboard tailored to their unique interests. The new and improved dashboard wizard is currently available for new Netvibes users only but will soon be expanded to all existing Netvibes users, enabling people to easily create new dashboards on the fly to cover any topic. Netvibes Premium To ensure that everyone can experience the full power of Dashboard Intelligence, the new netvibes.com will automatically upgrade all new users to Netvibes Premium, our full-featured analytic dashboard for professionals, for a 14-day free trial with no credit card and no commitment. Premium users can analyze social metrics, visualize data with custom charts, and connect external datasets and cloud services to the dashboard to compare and analyze everything together. To learn more about how professionals use Dashboard Intelligence, read our Premium case study. Netvibes VIP At the conclusion of the Premium 14-day free trial, users who do not subscribe to Premium will be granted access to Netvibes VIP for a further 7-day free trial. At only $2/month, Netvibes VIP is the useful dashboard for anyone who wants to track specific topics online. Although lacking analytics and other Premium tools, Netvibes VIP offers special features including Tracked Topics, Universal Search, faster feeds, 24-hour priority support, unlimited Potions and more. Learn more about how people use Netvibes VIP by reading the case study. Netvibes Basic At the end of the 7-day VIP trial, user dashboards will switch to Netvibes Basic, the 100% free dashboard and reader. Basic users can read articles, use apps, engage on social media, and control automated interactions through Potions. Basic users are limited to 5 active Potions at once, while VIP and Premium users have access to unlimited Potions. Users can upgrade to VIP or Premium at any time to regain access to those gated features on the dashboard. Read the case study to learn how people use Netvibes Basic, or explore all of Netvibes offerings on our website. Quote Netvibes mission to help everyone, from consumers to enterprise teams, to make sense of the immense wealth of information available online and within organizations, and then convert those insights into actionable and automatable intelligence, so people can make better decisions faster and achieve more in less time, said Freddy Mini, CEO of Netvibes. We are excited about the new netvibes.com, which is the next evolution of Netvibes, delivering the power of Dashboard Intelligence to individuals at all levels. We invite anyone who is curious about dashboards to give Netvibes a try, without any obligation. See how a custom dashboard can help you save time, focus on what matters and get more done, in your personal life and your business. Availability Netvibes Dashboards are available immediately at http://www.netvibes.com for individual users and at http://www.netvibesbusiness.com for teams and enterprises. Netvibes is also available as part of the Dassault Systemes 3DEXPERIENCE platform at http://www.3ds.com/products-services/netvibes/. For more information or to request a free demo, please contact Netvibes. About Netvibes Netvibes, part of Dassault Systemes, is the leader in Dashboard Intelligence, enabling individuals and enterprises to aggregate and analyze information on real-time, personalized dashboards to drive better, faster decision-making. Users at all levels can collaborate, share knowledge and understand everything that matters to their role, across all internal systems and across the social web, anywhere, anytime, on any device. To maximize opportunities and to mitigate threats, organizations can automate their business logic to act automatically, 24/7/365, in response to events or data triggers with Netvibes Potions. Millions of consumers use Netvibes award-winning dashboards to manage their digital lives, aggregating news, social media, apps, IoT smart devices and more. http://www.netvibes.com for individuals http://www.netvibesbusiness.com for teams and enterprise AFCC IVF Success Rates vs. National Average 2014 Fertility screening is becoming more important over time as many women delay their childbearing until their mid to late thirties. The Advanced Fertility Center of Chicago is now offering low cost fertility screening packages for those who want to know more about their fertility potential. Two fertility screening packages are offered that evaluate the sperm and the ovarian reserve (remaining egg supply). Over the last several decades there has been a continuing trend for women to delay their childbearing. Many women now plan to delay starting a family until their mid to late 30s which was very unusual 50 years ago. As a result, some women will have difficulty conceiving when they are finally ready to start a family due to a low egg supply or low egg quality situation. Ovarian reserve testing gives women insight about their egg supply for the future. Ovarian reserve tests for the quantity of eggs remaining. Egg quality is a separate issue which is greatly affected by female age. The basic screening package includes two blood tests and a transvaginal ultrasound on the female partner and a semen analysis on the male. The blood tests include day 3 FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) and estradiol hormone levels. The ultrasound test counts the antral follicles in the ovaries as another gauge of the woman's ovarian reserve. The total cost for the basic fertility screening package is $90. The more comprehensive fertility screening package includes all of the tests from the basic screening package and adds an anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) blood test. AMH levels give us another way to estimate ovarian reserve. The total cost of the comprehensive fertility screening package is $110. The cost of either fertility screening package will be credited back toward fertility treatment done in the future at any of their 3 Chicago area offices. We are excited to be able to offer these fertility screening packages which enable couples to get a better understanding of their fertility potential," says Richard Sherbahn, MD, the Medical Director of the Advanced Fertility Center of Chicago. Some women with diminished ovarian reserve indicated by this testing would decide to try to get pregnant sooner rather than later. Some may decide to pursue fertility treatments, and some might choose to have eggs frozen for fertility preservation for the future. These fertility screening packages do not test for many of the problems that cause infertility. However, they do give a basic understanding of the egg supply and the sperm situation. A more complete evaluation for infertility is indicated for couples with a female under age 35 that have been trying to get pregnant for at least 12 months, or for couples with a female 35 or older that have been trying for at least 6 months. About The Advanced Fertility Center of Chicago The Advanced Fertility Center of Chicago, with offices in Chicago, Gurnee and Crystal Lake, IL, is one of the nation's leading infertility practices and has been providing advanced fertility, IVF and egg donation services in the Chicago area for 20 years. Their IVF and egg donation success rates are among the highest in the country and exceed national averages every year. They also provide fertility preservation via egg freezing, gestational surrogacy and LGBT family building. They focus on giving high quality, compassionate and individualized care. The Centers web site, advancedfertility.com, offers more than 300 articles on various fertility issues and IVF. To schedule an appointment, call 847.662.1818. DfR Solutions, the leader in quality, reliability, and durability (QRD) solutions for the electronics industry, has announced that its 2017 Design for Reliability Conference will be held on March 20, 2017 at the Sheraton Inner Harbor in historic Baltimore, Maryland. Pioneers from Automotive, Aerospace, and Solid State Drive industries will join DfR Solutions design and reliability experts to explore the latest challenges facing electronics manufacturing and the implementation of Physics of Failure techniques into electronics products and systems. As the demand for smaller, faster, and more functional electronics continues to rise, so does the challenge of reliability. Whether designing electronics technology for aerospace, automotive, battery, data storage, defense, semiconductor, or other industries, effective Physics of Failure (PoF) techniques can help predict and prevent problems that lead to critical product failures. Physics of Failure or Reliability Physics is a science-based approach that leverages the knowledge and understanding of the processes and mechanisms that induce failure to predict reliability and improve product performance. DfR Solutions is a leader in the use of Physics of Failure based software and services to maximize and accelerate reliable product design and development while saving time, managing resources and improving customer satisfaction. Industry thought leaders speaking at the 2017 Design for Reliability Conference include Automotive expert Meg Novacek, previously with Fiat Chrysler Automotive, who will examine the Top 3 Reliability Challenges Facing Autonomous Vehicles; reliability expert Vincent Doan of WD/HGST who will discuss Implementing Physics of Failure (PoF) at Box-Level; and Lloyd Condra, who recently joined DfR Solutions after retiring from Boeing as a Technical Fellow, will cover Reliable Implementation of COTS Parts and Assemblies into Aerospace Systems. At this full day technical conference, DfR Solutions' CEO, Dr. Craig Hillman, will discuss the future of electronics reliability and design. Dr. Vidyu Challa will explore how and why batteries fail, Dr. Nathan Blattau and Dr. Maxim Serebreni will discuss solder joint reliability, and Ed Dodd and Mike Howard will provide insight into using Physics of Failure in complex systems. The day will wrap up with renowned electronics manufacturing and packaging expert Greg Caswell as he shares all that he has learned in his 45 years in the electronics industry. As electronics proliferate product design across just about every industry, how can we guarantee that these products will perform as needed, and safely? asked Dr. Craig Hillman, CEO and Managing Partner at DfR Solutions. At DfR Solutions, we employ Physics of Failure tools and techniques to do just that. At our conference in March, we will be discussing this critical topic with other industry leaders with the ultimate goal of producing safer, more reliable products in every industry. For the full agenda and to register for the conference, visit http://www.dfrconference.eventbrite.com. About DfR Solutions, LLC: DfR Solutions has world-renowned expertise in applying the science of Reliability Physics to electrical and electronics technologies and is a leading provider of quality, reliability, and durability (QRD) research and consulting for the electronics industry. The companys integrated use of Physics of Failure (PoF) and Best Practices provides crucial insights and solutions early in product design and development and throughout the product life cycle. DfR Solutions specializes in providing knowledge- and science-based solutions to maximize and accelerate the product integrity assurance activities of their clients in every marketplace for electronic technologies (consumer, industrial, automotive, medical, military, telecom, oil drilling, and throughout the electronic component and material supply chain). For more information regarding DfR Solutions, visit http://www.dfrsolutions.com. ### Stellar Industries logo John has been very instrumental to the tire service industry, and we look forward to building upon his legacy as he begins his transition into retirement. Said Zrostlik. Stellar Industries, Inc. (Stellar) announced today that it has entered into a Letter of Intent to purchase the assets of American Crane, Incorporated (ACI) and Tire Trucks International (TTI). ACI and TTI are located in Garner, Iowa and are led by John Collins, President and Owner. John has been a dedicated leader in the tire service industry and has been inducted into The Tire Industry Association Hall of Fame. The acquisition allows Stellar to capitalize on his industry contributions and his reputation. The purchase of ACIs and TTIs assets fits well with the commitment and success Stellar continues to have in the Tire Service Truck industry. The physical location being in close proximity to the current Stellar facilities also bodes well to a successful transition. Dave Zrostlik, President of Stellar Industries said, We have had an ongoing relationship with John over the years and we are pleased that he has chosen us to acquire his businesses. Zrostlik continued, John has been very instrumental to the tire service industry, and we look forward to building upon his legacy as he begins his transition into retirement. Closing and integrating operations is expected to take place within 90 days. # # # Stellar Industries, Inc. was founded in 1990 in Garner, Iowa. It is an employee owned and operated manufacturer of hydraulic truck mounted equipment. Products include hooklift hoists, cable hoists, container carriers, telescopic cranes, articulating cranes, service bodies, work truck accessories and the X-Tra-Lift pick-up loading device. Stellar also offers complete mechanic service truck and tire service truck packages. Stellar is a progressive company that focuses on its people, as they are the key to making the products and the company successful. Editorial Contact: Donna R. Popp-Bruesewitz 190 State Street PO Box 169 Garner, IA 50438 Direct: 641-923-3741 ext. 4248 Cell: 641-860-2015 Email: dpopp(at)stellarindustries.com Website: http://www.stellarindustries.com We realized that many of our new customers come from word-of-mouth. Partnering with Amplifinity to increase that advocacy just made sense, said Tonya Antonucci, CMO of Playworks. Amplifinity, a leader in referral program software, announced today the details of their partnership with Playworks a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating safe and healthy play in schools. As part of Amplifinitys Pledge 1% commitment, Amplifinity has donated a portion of its referral marketing software to Playworks to help them grow their customer base and increase their impact across the United States. The inspiration for the Amplifinity, Playworks partnership was forged by Amplifinitys belief in the life-changing influence Playworks can have on a child and the incredible growth Playworks has achieved thus far. By harnessing ties with teachers, principals, and parents, Playworks grew from only two schools in Berkeley, California to 1,300 schools in 23 cities across the United States. Playworks has had an extremely positive impact on healthy play in schools, commented Larry Angeli, CEO of Amplifinity. Their numerous success stories are a powerful testament to the success of their mission. They just needed a way to break through the noise the same problem our business customers face. Tonya Antonucci, CMO of Playworks stated, Capturing even a small amount of time from principals or teachers was a challenge. We realized that many of our new customers come from word-of-mouth. Partnering with Amplifinity to increase advocacy just made sense. The Playworks referral program will launch February 23, 2017 and will give teachers and principals the opportunity to help others implement safe and healthy play in schools. Teachers and principals who refer another school will be rewarded for their support of Playworks with a discount off their schools next purchase of Playworks training services. Furthermore, teachers and principals can help their referral make safe play a reality in their school with other offers from Playworks. Playworks has a very important mission, said Larry Angeli. By donating a referral program to Playworks we can help them expand their reach to new communities and school districts across the country to defeat bullying in schools and give all kids a safe environment to learn and play. In addition to donating a referral program, Amplifinity also donated $5 for every demo given at Salesforce events in 2016, totaling $4,105 to go toward other Playworks initiatives. We have a goal that by 2020 3.5 million children will experience safe and healthy play every day in elementary schools, noted Tonya Antonucci. I believe that Amplifiitys donation of the referral program, along with the generous monetary donation will help us meet that goal. About Amplifinity Amplifinity referral marketing software generates revenue growth for sales-driven companies. Amplifinity turns customer, partner and employee advocacy into high-quality leads by integrating referrals into marketing and sales processes. Enterprise companies trust Amplifinity to enable high-quality acquisition while providing an engaging experience for their advocates. http://www.amplifinity.com About Playworks Playworks is changing school culture by leveraging the power of safe, fun, and healthy play at school every day. Playworks provide services for elementary schools and youth-serving organizations around the country to improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play. Today, Playworks is the leading national nonprofit leveraging the power of play to transform childrens social and emotional health. Playworks currently serves more than 1,300 schools across the United States and reaches more than 700,000 students directly and through professional training services. http://www.playworks.org/ About Pledge 1% Pledge 1% is an effort spearheaded by Atlassian, Entrepreneurs Foundation of Colorado, Rally for Impact, Salesforce.org and Tides to accelerate their shared vision of integrating philanthropy into businesses around the world. Pledge 1% encourages and challenges individuals and companies to pledge 1% of equity, product and employee time for their communities, thereby leveraging a small portion of future success to have a huge impact on tomorrow. Pledge 1% offers companies turnkey tools and best practices, making it accessible for any company to incorporate philanthropy into their business model. To learn more or to take the pledge, please visit http://www.pledge1percent.org. Blindness is a severe public health problem in Northern India, especially in the remote mountain villages located in the foothills of the Himalayas. This month, the New York-based ISMS-Operation Restore Vision, a team of expert ophthalmologists and specialists, will travel to the banks of the Ganges River to teach advanced microsurgical techniques, conduct complex patient consults, and perform free-of-cost surgeries for underprivileged patients. Their efforts will culminate in a regional teaching seminar for scores of local ophthalmologists and eye care providers. The medical mission departs Feb. 23, 2017 from New York, and returns Mar. 5, 2017. The trip is a cooperative venture between ISMS-Operation Restore Vision, Southhampton, N.Y., and Dooley Intermed International, based in Forest Hills, New York. The team is being organized by Scott Hamilton, COT, and Ronald Gentile, M.D., a retina specialist who leads Operation Restore Vision. We will provide advanced eye care and teach cutting edge surgical techniques involving anterior and posterior segment trauma, diagnosis and management of HIV related eye disease, retina detachment repair techniques, glaucoma tube implants, and management of eyelid lesions and oculofacial surgical techniques, Gentile said. The team will be working with the Hans Foundation Eye Care facility in Haridwar, India, dedicated to providing affordable eye care to everyone in need, regardless of the ability to pay. The U.S. team will be featured presenters at the Northern India Ophthalmic Conference in Haridwar on Feb. 26, 2017. The conference will be followed by surgical instruction for Indian eye doctors and free surgical care for particularly complex eye conditions. Haridwar is an ancient city, and an important Hindu pilgrimage site in North India's Uttarakhand state, where the Ganges River emerges from the Himalayas. The Hans Foundation Eye Care facility includes an eye hospital in Haridwar, with outlying vision centers, and remote outreach camps. Functioning in this manner, The Hans Foundation Eye Care provides affordable eye care to a large underserved population of the visually impaired in Northern India, Hamilton said. ISMS-Operation Restore Visions 10 member team includes co-leaders Scott Hamilton, COT, and Ronald Gentile, M.D., along with John M. Aljian, M.D., Sanjay Kedhar, M.D., Christopher Teng, M.D., Omar Ozgur, M.D., Robert P. Finley of Alcon Laboratories, Inc., Nelson V. Co, CRNA, photographer Ivanhoe A. Gadpaille, and filmmaker Daniel A. Byers of Skyship Films. The teams 2013 sight-restoring expedition to remote villages of Nepal can be seen in a nine-minute Gift of Sight documentary posted to https://vimeo.com/75919799 A documentary of Operation Restore Visions medical mission to the Dominican Republic in 2014 can be seen here: https://vimeo.com/93453277 Tax deductible contributions in support of this humanitarian mission can be made at: http://www.OperationRestoreVision.org and http://www.DooleyIntermed.org We are excited to have Wayne bring his experience building billion-dollar brands to Purple, said Sam Bernards, CEO of Purple. Purple, LLC, one of the fastest growing startups in Utah, today appointed Wayne Moorehead as Chief Brand Officer. Purple exists to help people feel better. That mission is the pounding heartbeat that drives Purples brand, and although our brand has come a long way in waking up a sleepy industry, we have so much farther to go, said Sam Bernards, CEO of Purple. We are excited to have Wayne bring his experience building billion-dollar brands to Purple as he works to help us define, refine, and elevate Purples unique and dynamic brand. Moorehead brings deep experience in marketing and brand strategy to Purple. He has applied his expertise and passion to help a variety of companiesfrom startups to Fortune 100define, communicate, and activate their brands. His experience includes roles as CMO for a large natural supplement company as well as CMO for an Inc. 500 company where he was instrumental in building their billion-dollar brand. Moorehead has also led the brand strategy practice at a New York creative agency as well as a Salt Lake City-based agency where he worked with many of the most well-known and iconic brands including Johnson & Johnson, American Eagle Outfitters, Whole Foods, Intel, and more. He holds an MBA from the Marriott School of Business. Although new to the bed-in-a-box industry, Purple has already become a competitive player. According to Google Trends data, Purple has surpassed major competitors in online search traffic in just its first year. Alex McArthur, CMO of Purple, credits that traffic in part with having a strong online brand. Our brand is one of Purples greatest assets and Wayne will assist us in managing it as such, said McArthur. About Purple After 20 years of creating and licensing comfort products, Tony and Terry Pearce launched Purple, LLC in January 2016. The founders have been granted 34 patents in the advanced cushioning arena. Sixteen patents and pending patents were used in creating the Worlds First No Pressure Mattress and future products. Purple has quickly become a leader in sleep and comfort technology. Its products change lives through dramatic improvements to the quality of sleeping, sitting and standing. Phi Kappa Phi to install its 342nd chapter - North Carolina's Methodist University on February 16 The universitys mottoEngage. Enrich. Empower.reflects Methodists desire to offer its students a culture of excellence, community engagement and lifelong learning. - Dr. Mary Todd, Executive Director, The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi will install its 342nd chapter at Methodist University today, February 16. Founded in 1897 at the University of Maine, Phi Kappa Phi is the nations oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society. Methodist University, founded in 1956, is located in Fayetteville, N.C. Visit http://methodist.edu. The installation of the Methodist University chapter comes after a thorough chartering process and approval from the Societys board of directors. To be eligible, an institution must be a regionally accredited four-year college or university with an established reputation of excellence and an expressed commitment to upholding the values of the Society. The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi is pleased to welcome Methodist University to its growing community of scholars, said Society Executive Director Dr. Mary Todd. The universitys mottoEngage. Enrich. Empower.reflects Methodists desire to offer its students a culture of excellence, community engagement and lifelong learning. Officers elected by the chartering group to serve the newly installed chapter include President George Hendricks, President-Elect Stacia Britton, Secretary Jasmin Brown, Treasurer Robert H. Jenkins, Public Relations Officers Kerry S. Jenkins and Brenda Jernigan, Awards & Grants Coordinator Tat Chan, and Administrative Assistant Charlene Covington. Phi Kappa Phi was founded in 1897 under the leadership of Marcus L. Urann who had a desire to create a different kind of honor societyone that recognized excellence in all academic disciplines. Today, the Society has chapters on more than 300 campuses in the United States and the Philippines and inducts approximately 30,000 new members each year. Membership is by invitation only to the top 7.5 percent of juniors and the top 10 percent of seniors and graduate students, along with faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction. More about Phi Kappa Phi The Societys mission is "To recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community of scholars in service to others." Since its founding, more than 1.25 million members have been initiated. Some of the organization's more notable members include former President Jimmy Carter, NASA astronaut Wendy Lawrence, novelist David Baldacci and YouTube co-founder Chad Hurley. The Society has awarded approximately $15 million since the inception of its awards program in 1932. Today, $1.4 million is awarded each biennium to qualifying students and members through graduate fellowships, undergraduate study abroad grants, member and chapter awards, and grants for local and national literacy initiatives. For more information about Phi Kappa Phi, visit http://www.PhiKappaPhi.org. Canine Company CEO Jennifer Hill shares her office with staff dogs every day. My allergies became so severe that my doctor suggested I change careers. For pet lovers who suffer with allergies, the winter months can be a challenge. Pets spend more time indoors when weather is harsh, increasing the allergy sufferers exposure to hair and dander. But living with allergies doesnt have to mean life without pets, according to one life-long pet lover and allergy sufferer. Jennifer Hill not only lives with dogs, she works with them. As President of at-home pet care services provider Canine Company, she spends her day surrounded by dogs both in the office and at home. I wanted to work with animals from the time I was a child, says Hill. So joining my familys pet care business was a natural career choice. Even with shots and medication, though, my allergies became so severe that my doctor suggested that I change careers! But Hill was passionate about Canine Companys commitment to making pets lives better. She searched for ways to manage her allergies around pets, and found three things help. First, she has her dogs groomed frequently. Because the process itself aggravates her symptoms, Hill relies on the companys mobile spa to groom her dogs right in her driveway. Not only does it remove me from an allergy-inducing situation, it gets all that shed hair and dander out of my house. Which leads to her second tip: vacuum often. Even with frequent grooming, our two dogs leave clumps of shed hair everywhere. We have a robotic vacuum cleaner that cleans the floors daily, which helps keep my symptoms to a minimum. Finally, she says, create dog-free areas in the home. Keep pets out of the allergy sufferers bedroom or off the family room couch can make a huge difference. She uses Invisible Fence Indoor Shields to keep her bedroom dog-hair free. For more of Hills story and tips, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVsIGRu3g-8. About Canine Company Born of a family's love for dogs, Canine Company provides at-home services to keep pets healthy, safe and happy. The company serves families across New England, New York and New Jersey with the Invisible Fence brand systems, Manners dog obedience training, and mobile grooming and pet sitting in select markets. Its charitable Canine Gives campaign supports pet rescue groups and donates pet oxygen masks to first responders. For information, visit http://www.caninecompany.com or call 800-818-3647. Melissa Temple Best Female Realtor in Aspen, Colorado I absolutely love Aspen and the people here. I couldnt be more thrilled than to know their feelings are mutual. The Aspen shop of Engel & Volkers, a European-based premium real estate brand, is pleased to announce that Melissa Temple, advisor and partner, was voted the #1 Female Broker in the City by The Aspen Times in its Best of Aspen 2016 survey. When asked what she thought of this local honor, Temple humbly replied, I absolutely love Aspen and the people here. I couldnt be more thrilled than to know their feelings are mutual. Temple joined the Engel & Volkers team in 2016 and is well regarded as an astute negotiator and top performer who has consistently received the highest ratings of client satisfaction. Born, raised, and formally educated in Sydney, Australia where she earned a marketing and business degree, Temple also holds an economics degree from the Universite de Provence in southern France. For the past 20 years Temple has called Aspen home and is a citizen of the United States. Her sense of adventure and passion for life continues to take Temple around the world with her clients. Melissa is a natural salesperson and adept at international transactions. Clients have said she is a global phenomenon and one of the finest brokers youve ever known. Its no wonder she received the #1 Female Broker title, said Summer Berg, co-owner of Engel & Volkers Aspen. Temple enjoys yachting, is fluent in French, and has a never-ending passion for meeting people from all over the world. Currently she is president of AspenOUT, an educational and all-volunteer non-profit organization that hosts Gay Ski Week in Aspen. Temple is also an enthusiastic supporter of Aspen Film. A charismatic broker, Temple is a positive realist who prides herself on being innovative, chartering new territory in the luxury home market and fiercely dedicated to getting the job done in the best way possible for her clients. I always try to make the selling and buying of real estate an exciting and unique adventure for clients both locally and globally, said Temple. The international reach and state-of-the-art marketing platforms of Engel & Volkers enable me to offer the utmost level of client services here, at home, in Aspen. About Engel & Volkers Since its beginning in 1977 as a specialty boutique providing exclusive, high-end real estate services in Hamburg, Germany, Engel & Volkers has become one of the worlds leading companies specializing in the sale and lease of premium residential and commercial property, yachts and private aviation. Engel & Volkers currently operates a global network of over 8,000 real estate advisors in more than 750 brokerages spanning 37 countries across five continents, offering both private and institutional clients a professionally tailored range of luxury services. It established its North America corporate headquarters in 2007 and opened its first brokerage in the same year. Committed to exceptional service, Engel & Volkers supports its advisors with an array of premium quality business services; marketing programs and tools; multiple platforms for mobile, social and web; as well as access to its global network of real estate professionals, property listings and market data. Engel & Volkers is an active supporter of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each brokerage is independently owned and operated. CKBYS FBYS LOGO "Together Chair King and Fortunoff Backyard Store are the largest outdoor furniture specialty retailer in the United States ... " Fortunoff Backyard Store announces the election of Curt Littlejohn to the office of President effective immediately. Mr. Littlejohn, who was elected President of Chair King Backyard Store in 2016, now takes on the additional responsibility of heading up the iconic Fortunoff Backyard Store brand as well. Bernie Sensale continues to serve as Executive Vice President & CEO and David Barish continues in his role as Chairman of Fortunoff Backyard Store. Mr. Littlejohn has been in the retail business since 1980, starting at Zale Corporation where he rose quickly from Store Manager to Regional Manager to Senior Director. He also served as Chief Operating Officer for Bentleys Luggage and as Vice President for Retail Operations for HMSHost Corporation. He joined Chair King in 2014 as Director of Logistical Operations and in 2015, he became Vice President of Sales and Operations before being promoted to President in 2016. We are very excited about the potential of having Curt serve as President of all our companies in order to provide the continued leadership and operational synergies of one vision across the board as we move forward in the years ahead, said David Barish, Chairman of both Chair King and Fortunoff Backyard Store. Together Chair King and Fortunoff Backyard Store are the largest outdoor furniture specialty retailer in the United States and we will continue to grow in all our current and future markets under Mr. Littlejohns leadership along with that of Bernie Sensale at Fortunoff and Joe Weisman at Chair King. Chair King Backyard Store has been in business for over 67 years, selling a full range of outdoor pool and patio furniture, grills and outdoor accessories. Chair King Backyard Store operates exclusively in Texas with 18 retail locations. Fortunoff Backyard Store is a subsidiary of Chair King Backyard Store and operates in Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania and Florida with 27 retail locations. Contact: David Barish, Chairman phone: 713-690-1919; fax: 713-939-8424 dbarish(at)chairking(dot)com Loffler Companies, the Upper Midwests largest privately held business technology and managed services business, has been placed on the Elite 150 of CRNs 2017 Managed Service Provider 500 (MSP500) list. CRN is the top news source for solution providers and the IT channel. The MSP500 is an annual list which recognizes the top technology providers and consultants in North America whose cutting-edge approach to managed services puts end-user customers in the best position to improve efficiencies, cut costs and speed time to market for their own products and services. Loffler Companies has made significant investments in the last year to support our clients with a secure, world class set of managed services. We are honored that CRN recognizes our efforts and has selected us for this prestigious award, explained Jim Loffler, President and CEO. As businesses increasingly turn to managed service providers to fulfill their IT needs, Lofflers IT Solutions Group has added a range of professional and IT hosting services to better serve clients, commented James Loffler, Director of Lofflers IT Solutions Group. Being recognized on the Managed Service Provider 500 list validates our forward-thinking approach to providing managed services. Being honored on CRNs MSP500 list isnt the only recognition Loffler Companies has recently received. For the ninth consecutive year, Loffler Companies was honored to be named to the Inc. 500/5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies in America list. In addition to winning the prestigious Jefferson Award for Public Service, Loffler has been named a Star Tribune Top workplace for six years-in-a-row, and one of the 100 Best Places to Work in Minnesota by Minnesota Business magazine for four consecutive years and a 2016 Best Work Places to Work by the Minneapolis St Paul Business Journal. Loffler Companies, excelling under Jim Lofflers leadership since 1986, continues to be the leading business technology and managed services provider in Minnesota and Western Wisconsin. Recognized as the number one Minnesota Canon copier dealer, the top Konica Minolta dealer covering Minnesota and Western Wisconsin, as well as an HP Elite Partner dealer, Lofflers 485 employees work hard every day to exceed the expectations of clients, partners and the community. In addition, Loffler is one of the top 10 Canon and Konica Minolta dealers in the country, a Konica Minolta bizhub PRO specialist and Konica Minolta Pro-Tech Certified (top 2% in the country), making it clear why they are an Elite Dealer. Loffler Companies goal is to be the best business solutions provider in the Midwest. About Loffler Companies, Inc. Loffler Companies is an independent professional services organization dedicated to providing innovative business technology and services serving the Twin Cities, St. Cloud and Central Minnesota area, and Western Wisconsin. Our offerings include Multi-Functional Copiers, Printers, Managed Print Services, IP Phones and Voice Recording, IT Solutions, Software and Workflow Technologies and On-site Managed Services for mailrooms and copy centers. For more information about Loffler Companies, visit us online at http://www.loffler.com, or contact us at 952-925-6800 or via email at info@loffler.com. The combined background of Dave, Michael and Jeff is unbeatable. A trio of outstanding, veteran manufacturers agents have joined forces to represent PDQ Manufacturing, Leola, Pa., in the metropolitan New York City area. PDQ is a leading U.S. manufacturer of security hardware. Each of the three full-line representatives maintains an independent agency serving the five boroughs and surrounding areas. Together, their coverage includes northern New Jersey, the city proper, Long Island and major parts of upstate New York including Westchester County. David Bryant is a principal of Triad Sales Group, Inc., headquartered in north Jersey. He started in the security hardware business in 1977, and has been a manufacturers representative since 1986. With 38 years in the wholesale locksmith supply business , Michael Kaye operates his business, Michael H. Kaye, from offices in Manhattan. Jeff Saladucha of Security and Hardware Associates is also Jersey-based; like the other two agents, he has more than 25 years of experience managing an independent sales agency that serves manufacturers, locksmiths, hardware wholesalers, contract hardware firms and industrial supply houses. Having been in the industry so long, we can remember when there were many manufacturers that werent bigger corporations, Bryant said. PDQ is a family-owned corporation that does business that way it fits with our companies perfectly. Said Saladucha: PDQs reputation in the marketplace is spectacular. People still like American-made products. Having this kind of great line from a really good company makes the sales process a lot smoother. With PDQ, you get a quality product, Kaye said. Theyre nice people to work with, and quality people at the factory make everything easier. With the three of us out there, we think we can do well for all the customers we serve. Were very pleased to bring these exceptional agents in to cover this critical territory, said Rollie Rittner, PDQs Vice President, Sales. The combined background of Dave, Michael and Jeff is unbeatable deep product knowledge plus excellent existing contacts throughout the markets in the metro area. About PDQ Family owned and managed for over 33 years, PDQ has maintained its commitment to remain independent as a market leader, introducing cutting edge, innovative products and setting the standard for service, quality and value. Based in central Pennsylvania, PDQ serves its customers with a world-class offering of in-house engineered and manufacturing commercial-grade mortise locks, cylindrical locks, door closers, exit devices, flat goods, stand-alone electronic locks and electronic access control devices. Were one of the few remaining door hardware manufacturers still family-owned that offers that personal touch and independence that the larger, multi-national corporate conglomerates have difficultly matching. And that family spirit is what were able to relate to when serving our many, still family owned distributers, said Bill Tell, Founder, President and CEO of PDQ Manufacturing. Built to exceed industry standards, PDQs products offer an exceptional value, quality, visual appeal and long service life, backed by the best warranty in the industry. Typical delivery is 1-3 days, with distribution centers in Kansas City, Mo., Auburn, Wash., and Salt Lake City, Utah. "Everything Is Just Enough" Dom Kelly "...a stroke of plain-spoken genius" --Goldmine Magazine Dom Kelly, drummer and vocalist for the Independent Music Award-winning band A Fragile Tomorrow, will release his debut solo album "Everything Is Just Enough" on April 7, 2017 through New York City-based label MPress Records. An accomplished musician and songwriter, Kelly formed A Fragile Tomorrow in 2003 with identical triplet brother Sean and younger brother Brendan. Five albums, a handful of Grammy pre-nominations and an Independent Music Award later, Kelly now steps out from behind the drum kit and unveils his first solo effort, "Everything Is Just Enough". Produced and engineered by Brendan Kelly, the songs often echo the cool indie charm of Duncan Sheik while incorporating the sparkling, sinuous harmonies of Simon & Garfunkel. But he had a little assistance too, as Kelly reveals: I had wanted to do a solo album for a long time, Kelly says, but my insecurities around songwriting held me back. Finally, I decided to jump into it, and I called all the friends I ever wanted to record with and asked them to help me out. "Everything Is Just Enough" is a pop-folk exploration that shimmers with reflectiveness and emotional honesty. After having spent the past 7 years in recovery, Kelly was ready to come to terms with some of the other impactful events that were happening in his life. Within the music he opens up about many complex situations that he was dealing with that involved family, mortality, security and the drawn-out pain of weathering these issues. He explains how the album title and songs came to be from these experiences: Watching my mom on her deathbed, ending a relationship with someone I loved very much, and losing my grandfather very suddenly all pushed me to reflect upon the grieving process, the meaning of life, and those existential questions we all ask ourselves. It was only fitting that Everything Is Just Enough would become the title, as it sums up the meaning behind the album as a whole. The title was taken from a lyric in his song Ill Whisper In Your Ear, written as a letter to his mother as she faces the realities of her terminal illness while "12" (featuring Emily Saliers from Grammy-winning duo Indigo Girls) delves into the depths of addiction, which he states is the single most important thing in his life today. Kelly is forthright about the inner work that it took for him to craft these songs, stating I can say that making this album has been a part of my process to face my fears. Confronting one's demons can also have a positive upside, as Kelly demonstrates by weaving a golden thread of liberation throughout the album, offering hope in an all-too frequent world of despair. The politically charged song Pie takes the listener through those personal and even cultural feelings with clever, near-ironic lyrics. Haileys Gone is a haunting, inspiring tune that was sparked by a transgender fan whose transition story was publicly shared on social media during the process. Kelly followed along and was so moved by his bravery, he wrote the track and shared it with Hailey now Ben. One of Kelly's all-time favorite songs, Townes Van Zandt's "If I Needed You", is performed with Lucy Wainwright Roche in a crystalline duet of ethereal beauty. An array of luminary guests join Kelly at his musical table, including Chris Trapper (Push Stars), Sarah Bettens (Ks Choice), Dorris Muramatsu (Girlyman) and his brother/A Fragile Tomorrow bandmate Sean Kelly. Only in his mid-20s, Kelly has already been through plenty to feed the fodder of his songwriting. Born as triplets, siblings Dom and Sean saw their other fraternal triplet pass away at a very young age. Having also suffered from Cerebral Palsy in varying degrees, the two boys and their younger brother Brendan turned to music early on for solace and formed A Fragile Tomorrow, named as a tribute to their lost brother. Bass player Shaun Rhoades later came on board and the group toured throughout their teens with bands such as The Bangles, Indigo Girls, Matthew Sweet, Antigone Rising, Toad the Wet Sprocket and Ks Choice. Expressing a musicality and depth beyond their years, the Kellys additionally have a pedigreed heritage. The family's late cousin Richard Farina was married to Mimi Farina (nee Baez), the sister of folk icon Joan Baez. In 2016 the band came full circle and collaborated with Baez to perform a song written by Richard and Mimi, "One Way Ticket", garnering the "Best Cover Song" award at the 2016 Independent Music Awards. "Everything Is Just Enough" is now available for pre-order via MPress Records and releases April 7, 2017. A music video for the song "12" is in production and scheduled for a Spring release. To request a copy of "Everything Is Just Enough" for review or press, please contact Tiina Teal at press(at)mpressrecords(dot)com. PRE ORDER "EVERYTHING IS JUST ENOUGH" "...a stroke of plain-spoken genius" --Goldmine Magazine "Great songs, a strong image, and a strong presence...impossible to ignore" --Babysue.com FOR MORE INFORMATION, INTERVIEW REQUESTS & PRESS INQUIRIES PLEASE CONTACT Tiina Teal | 212-481-7243 | press(at)mpressrecords(dot)com MPress Records ABOUT DOM KELLY: As the drummer, vocalist and co-founding member of the power-pop band A Fragile Tomorrow, Dom Kelly has been performing in various artistic mediums since the age of five. Having formed the band in 2003 when he was just 12 years old alongside brothers Sean and Brendan, A Fragile Tomorrow has released 5 studio albums including 2015s Make Me Over (MPress Records) which garnered them a number of Grammy pre-nominations as well as an Independent Music Award for their collaboration with folk icon Joan Baez. The band toured internationally with artists like Indigo Girls, The Bangles, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Matthew Sweet, Ks Choice, and Antigone Rising while building their loyal fanbase and earning critically-acclaimed reviews. Kelly and his brother Sean are two of triplets born with varying degrees of Cerebral Palsy. Their triplet brother Paul passed away when very young, which ultimately inspired them to pursue music as a career and form AFT, which is named in tribute to him. After years spent behind the drum kit with his band (and brothers), Kelly is now ready to be front and center with his solo debut album, Everything Is Just Enough. He'll be touring behind the release for the remainder of 2017 and is available for press and bookings. CONNECT WITH DOM: https://www.domkellymusic.com/ #DomKellyMusic ABOUT MPRESS RECORDS: Founded over a decade ago by NYC-based musician Rachael Sage, MPress Records releases amazing music by innovative, multi-dimensional artists including Grammy Nominee Seth Glier, power-pop band A Fragile Tomorrow and Belgian sensation K's Choice. CONNECT WITH MPRESS RECORDS http://mpressrecords.com/ #MPressRecords 2016 was a terrific year for Jani-King of Oregon, and today our commercial cleaning franchisees are more profitable than ever, which sets the stage for a new phase of growth. Jani-King of Oregon saw impressive growth in 2016, with the help of increased marketing efforts and franchisees joining the Jani-King family. Jani-King of Oregon is already looking at a bright 2017 future with new company initiatives, including expansion to new markets, strengthening partnerships, and the addition of team members. 2016 was a terrific year for Jani-King of Oregon, and today our commercial cleaning franchisees are more profitable than ever, which sets the stage for a new phase of growth. Jeff Freeman, Jani-King of Oregons President, Owner and Master Franchisee. Jani-King of Oregon kicked off 2016 strong with the hiring of a digital marketing firm, increased advertising and targeting new franchisees statewide. The 2016 Eugene Olympic Trials also brought tremendous exposure for Jani-King of Eugene cleaning franchisees Michelle and Ed Powell, marking it as their third Olympic Trial event. Entering into 2017, we can look forward to: Jani-King of Oregon will be looking to expand to new offices in the Bend and Redmond markets in 2017. To further support branded franchise growth, Jani-King of Oregon will be continuing to expand into new areas of expertise with disaster relief, healthcare cleaning and hospitality cleaning services. Jani-King of Oregon is excited to announce the addition of Kenji Matsuoka as Executive Director of Brand Services. Kenji is an entrepreneur who successfully operated one of Oregons busiest and famous restaurants for 16 years. September brings the 2017 Oregon Ambulatory Surgery Center Association Annual Conference & Trade Show to Portland, and Jani-King of Oregon is excited to join and support vendors and attendees as they gather in Portland to discuss the state of the industry, regulatory issues and growth in America for healthcare. This will be the second consecutive year that Jani King Oregon will be a prime Emerald Sponsor for OASCA. Jani-King of Eugene is excited to enter into its seventh year of service for the Eugene Emeralds and Jani-King of Portland will be commencing its third year of service for the Hillsboro Hops. Jani-King has teamed up with ImCredentialed, a world leader in healthcare training, to launch a new and exciting online training system for Jani-King Franchise Owners and their employees to take on healthcare facilities cleaning throughout Oregon and SW Washington. About Jani-King: Jani-King is the world's largest commercial cleaning franchise company with over 9,000 franchise owners worldwide. Founded in 1969, the company has over 120 regional offices in 14 countries. Through a network of regional support offices, Jani-King contracts commercial cleaning services for various facilities including healthcare, office, hotel/resort, manufacturing, restaurant, and sporting venues. The company has consistently been recognized as the top performer among commercial cleaning franchises. To learn more visit: Jani-King of Portland and Jani-King of Eugene and Salem. For more information about becoming a Jani-King Franchise owner, including a franchise overview, start-up costs, fees, training and more, please contact us at: (503) 778-7777 Portland or (541) 868-8080 Eugene/Salem More than 54 colleges & universities including the Historic Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU) and several area middle and high schools will descend on the campus of Second Ebenezer Church February 24, 25 & 26, 2017 for a spectacular 20th Anniversary of College Weekend, announced Bishop Edgar L. Vann II today. In its 20th year, Second Ebenezer's College Weekend has awarded more than $400,000 in scholarships and has reached more than 7,000 high school students and young adults with the promise of higher education. New this year, a career fair sponsored by Ebsource, Second Ebenezer's workforce development program, is being added. Participants are encouraged to bring their resumes and learn about both internships and career opportunities at area employers. A celebration of Black History Month, hundreds of students and their families are anticipated to participate, and all are welcome. Organizer Elder James Johnson said, "This event helps to shape the future for many metro Detroit youth. We are reaching out to all high school students and their parents and encouraging them to plan early. Going to college is a family affair. Economics alone make it out-of-reach for many. From understanding the value of higher education to financing college and preparing for the ACT and SAT exams, we provide all the resources they need to succeed. As always, we will be giving away scholarships and offering on-site admissions," said Johnson. BATTLE OF THE BANDS! Friday, February 24, 2017 @ 6:30 p.m. Hosted by Hot 107.5FM Host Kamal Smith & BET "Sunday Best" Finalist DeAgelo Gardner, more than 10 marching bands will compete for a cash prize of $500. Talented student musicians from Pershing High School, Cass Technical High School, Levi Middle School, Loving Academy Marching Band are among the schools that will entertain and compete at the Battle of the Bands! Tickets are $7.00 per person. DETROIT'S LARGEST COLLEGE & CAREER FAIR Saturday, February 25, 2017 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. On Saturday, February 25, from 10am-2pm, high school students, young adults and their families are invited to interface with 54 colleges from around the state and the country, as well as learn about financial aid, test preparation, student banking and a special workshop for parents as well. Admission is free and guests are encouraged to register online at http://www.secondebenezer.org. Participating colleges and universities include, but are not limited to: Alcorn State University, Bethune-Cookman, Central Michigan University, Eastern Michigan University, Grand Valley State, Hampton University, Knoxville College, Michigan State University, Michigan Technical University, Miles College, Morehouse College, Morgan State University, North Carolina A&T, Oakland Community College, Oakland University, Ohio State University, Ohio Technical College, Philander Smith College, Prairie View A&M University, Spelman College, Tennessee State University, University of Detroit Mercy, University of Michigan Dearborn, Wayne State University, Western Michigan University and Xavier University. COLLEGE SPIRIT DAY | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2017 College Weekend will close on Sunday with a major College Spirit Day Session led by DeAngelo Gardner of BET's "Sunday Best," at 10:00 a.m. Second Ebenezer Church is centrally located at 14601 Dequindre, at I-75 and McNIchols, in Detroit. Telephone 313.867.4700 and visit http://www.secondebenezer.org. We expect the Massivit 3D technology to cause a significant disruption in the industry, a disruption that will generate a lot of opportunity for grand format companies that are ready to make the leap to oversize 3D printing. Global Imaging is a grand format printing solutions provider, curating exceptional devices to the industry for more than 20 years. The company recently secured distribution rights for the Massivit 1800 3D Printer and the Dimengel print material, to all printing segments in the US and Canada. The Massivit 1800 3D Printer, with its unique GDP: Gel Dispensing Technology, creates three dimensional objects nearly 6x5x4 in size. This type of oversized 3D printing is the first 3D printer dedicated to the grand format printing industry and is expected to transform workflow for demonstrative props and will be particularly of interest to firms working on retail, branded environments, and special events marketing. In addition to being a distributor in North America for the Massivit 1800, Global Imaging will also be the first in North America to offer on-site demonstrations in their Workflow Studio demonstration facility CEO of Global Imaging Greg Lamb describes the device as A great complement to what Global Imaging already offers. We expect the Massivit 3D technology to cause a significant disruption in the industry, a disruption that will generate a lot of opportunity for grand format companies that are ready to make the leap to oversize 3D printing. Global Imaging will be unveiling the Massivit 1800 demonstration unit and Dimengel technology at their first VIP event of the year, on March 1st-2nd. The event will be held in the companys onsite Workflow Studio, the only venue in the US where customers can see and interact with a full grand format workflow. The first two days of the event will focus on end-to-end processes from prepress to sewing and finishing, and the third day will be dedicated to 3D printing demonstrations on the Massivit 1800. To receive an invitation, contact Global Imaging through their website. About Global Imaging Global Imaging has been the leading integrator of wide and grand format printing systems and supplies since 1995. Through its comprehensive portfolio of brands, it provides a complete array of products, services and the technical expertise needed for strategic business solutions and profitability in the wide and grand format printing industry. These brands include Global Garage, Parts Depot, Panoply Finance and PrinterEvolution. Globals 6500 sq. ft. Workflow Studio is the only demonstration area in the country that emulates an entire grand format production facility with the most current and cutting-edge products available. Housing Tides Index National Infographic February 2017 Analysis of economic indicators comprising the Housing Tides Index reveals that while the national housing market is healthy when viewed in historical context, the shortage of homes for sale continues to present an obstacle. This week marks the release of the February Housing Tides Report, featuring an update to the Housing Tides Index, an objective and sophisticated approach to quantifying and comparing the health of U.S. housing markets. Analysis of economic indicators comprising the Index reveals that while the national housing market is healthy when viewed in historical context, the shortage of homes for sale continues to present an obstacle. Understanding the health of a housing market and its relationship to other top markets requires an aggregated, comprehensive view of the industry. The Housing Tides Index provides a succinct monthly measure of market health across the top 41 U.S. markets. Referencing 18 market indicators ranging from unemployment rates and housing permits to rental vacancy and mortgage foreclosure rates, the Tides Index helps users understand exposure at a deeper level than is currently possible. National Housing Tides Index Summary - February, 2017 The U.S. housing industry weakened slightly this month as the Housing Tides Index decreased to 72.4 in February from 73.1 in January. The February Index value is down from 73.4 one year ago. The Housing Tides Index values decreased in 30 of the top 41 local markets this month. Much of the decrease in the Index is due to worsening of housing supply, which was already constrained. Nationally, housing inventory fell to 2.9 months of supply in December per latest data from real estate brokerage Redfin. Its important to recognize that significant geographic differences in housing supply remain; for example, Seattle and San Jose currently have less than one month of supply while Fort Myers and Miami have 5.1 and 6.7 months of supply, respectively. U.S. rent prices increased further in November according to Zillow, with the median list price for a two-bedroom unit rising to $1,635 per month. The U.S. rental vacancy rate rose one-tenth of one percent to 6.9% in Q4 2016 per recent published data from the Census Bureau. Data from the Federal Housing Finance Agency show that effective mortgage rates rose to 3.99% in December after the Federal Reserve decided to hike the target federal funds rate by 0.25 percentage points at the December, 2016 meeting. Homebuilder sentiment improved in December as the NAHB & Wells Fargo Housing Market Index survey of builders rose to a value of 69. This is substantially higher than the neutral Index value of 50 and is the most optimistic reading of homebuilder sentiment since July, 2005. Highlighting the Ten Healthiest U.S. Housing Markets - February, 2017 - Please reference the attached graph to view the ten healthiest U.S. Housing Markets. Click here to view the complete Housing Tides Index of the top 41 U.S. markets. Media Exclusive! Housing Tides Monthly Pulse. An email service exclusively created for media that delivers an updated infographic depicting the latest monthly Housing Tides Index, the complete Index as it appears in the Housing Tides Report, and a brief executive summary. All content can be shared in print and digital publications, with attribution to the Housing Tides Report. Members of the media can subscribe to the Housing Tides Monthly Pulse here. About Housing Tides Housing Tides (Tides) is the only monthly report that provides a comprehensive measure and aggregated understanding of the health of the U.S. housing and home building industry. Designed to take the guesswork out of the vast amount of forecasting information published about this sector, Tides is a sophisticated report that delivers city-specific, updated information when market conditions change. It is the only report that uses natural language processing and machine learning to correctly understand and synthesize large volumes of data, making it more comprehensive, balanced and reliable than any other report of its kind. More information is available at http://www.housingtides.com. Housing Tides is proudly partnered with IBM Watson. Offering the best customer service possible and providing top-quality hard surface restoration processes have been our top priorities since we founded the company Sir Grout is proud to have many of their franchises being awarded with Angie's List's highest honor, the Super Service Award. This new addition to their already long list of awards and recognitions proves yet again that they are devoted to customer satisfaction and that they are a company that strives to provide the best service in the hard surface care industry; these are the two pillars of the Sir Grout franchise. "Offering the best customer service possible and providing top-quality hard surface restoration processes have been our top priorities since we founded the company. I am proud to see that our franchisees are holding their end of the bargain by keeping high standards of performance and customer service. Learning about this year's Super Service Award results is a validation of all our hard work and of our company's vision," stated Tom Lindberg, Co-President of Sir Grout. Some of the franchises that obtained the award this year are Sir Grout of Atlanta, Sir Grout of Greater Boston, Sir Grout of Bucks, Pennsylvania , Sir Grout of Central New Jersey, Sir Grout Houston, Sir Grout of North New Jersey, Sir Grout of Phoenix, Sir Grout of Washington DC Metro, Sir Grout Westchester, NY, and many more. "Companies that can meet higher demands without missing a beat in their exemplary performance standards truly do stand apart from their peers," said Angie's List Founder Angie Hicks. "Only a fraction of the home improvement companies were able to do it." Angie's List Super Service Award is a coveted recognition that few companies are able to achieve due to its strict qualification requirements. To qualify for the Super Service Award, a company must maintain an "A" rating on Angie's List and consistently receive five star reviews. The fact that several of Sir Grout's franchises have been awarded the 2016 Angie's List Super Service Award proves their commitment to their customers and show that, as a franchise, Sir Grout has intrinsic core values that are hard to match in the hard surface restoration industry. To take advantage of the excellent services offered by Sir Grout's experts, call (866) 476-8863 or go to http://www.sirgrout.com to find a franchise near you, request a free quote, and get more information about the all the services they provide. On their website, you can also see the before and after pictures of their work, reviews, and video testimonials from satisfied customers. The MDI team works very hard to understand all of the little things that a company is looking for in a candidate MDI Group, a leading national IT staffing and recruiting firm, announced today they have won Inaveros Best of Staffing Client and Talent Awards for providing superior service to their clients and job seekers. Presented in partnership with CareerBuilder, Inaveros Best of Staffing winners have proven to be industry leaders in service quality based completely on the ratings given to them by their clients and the permanent and temporary employees theyve helped find jobs. It is truly an honor to once again be recognized with this prestigious distinction, said Ella Koscik, CEO & Owner of MDI Group. Every member of this organization strives to create the best possible experience for our clients and talent. I am proud that we have been able to achieve world-class excellence not just this year, but for three years running. Less than 2% of all staffing agencies in the U.S. and Canada earn the Best of Staffing Award for service excellence. Focused on helping to connect people with the right job, MDI Group received satisfaction scores of 9 out of 10 or higher from over 75% of their clients and talent, standing significantly above the industry average. Their client Net Promoter Score of 77% is well over the world-class threshold of 70%, while their talent NPS of 66% is more than 3x higher than the industry average. Net Promoter Scores were calculated based on how likely a client or candidate is to recommend a company to a friend or colleague. Survey responses that earned MDI Groups high ranking amongst staffing agencies included the following: Client Mitch B. said, The MDI team works very hard to understand all of the little things that a company is looking for in a candidate. They are very timely in both finding candidates and in responding to any questions you have along the journey. They seem to have very good candidate control throughout the process. Candidate Nancy H. stated, Excellent customer service by both the recruiter and account manager. They truly are interested in how I'm doing and are willing to help in any way. Client Gary N. said, MDI is very responsive and easy to work with. Whether it is an administrative request, or a request for a new contract position, MDI responds immediately and is very quick to provide the data or to provide the resumes. They understand our internal processes very well and have adapted efficiently to help streamline where there are touch points. "Staffing firms are giving top companies a competitive advantage as they search for talent in North America," said Inavero's CEO Eric Gregg. "The 2017 Best of Staffing winners have achieved exceptionally high levels of satisfaction and I'm proud to feature them on BestofStaffing.com." About MDI Group MDI Group is a pioneer among IT staffing and recruiting agencies, providing a full range of recruitment services to help in-house resources tackle whats next in terms of emerging technology projects and challenging business objectives since 1988. Services range from contract and contract-to-hire placements to project teams and end-to-end processes that maximize the engagement and management of contract labor. MDI Group has placed more than 10,000 technology consultants with mid-sized to Fortune 500 organizations across the country and has offices in Atlanta, GA; Charlotte, N.C.; Dallas, TX; Fort Worth, TX; Greenville, S.C.; and Phoenix, AZ. For more information, visit http://www.mdigroup.com and follow @MDIGroup. About Inaveros Best of Staffing Inaveros Best of Staffing Award is the only award in the U.S. and Canada that recognizes staffing agencies that have proven superior service quality based completely on the ratings given to them by their clients and job candidates. Award winners are showcased by city and area of expertise on BestofStaffing.com an online resource for hiring professionals and job seekers to find the best staffing agencies to call when they are in need. New Report from AIIM explains Content Services "The ECM space is morphing from a defined technology or platform to a set of content services utilized with data to fuel business processes and applications" Disrupted by cloud, mobile, consumerization, and the Internet of Things, IT investments and purchases now take place at the business level, according to discussions between industry thought leaders at two recent AIIM Executive Leadership Council (ELC) summits. Increasingly, business buyers seek solutions that are simple, smart, and safe. The ECM space is not immune to these new buyer sentiments. It is morphing from a defined technology or platform to a set of content services utilized with data to fuel business processes and applications, said John Mancini, Chief Evangelist at the Association for Information and Image Management (AIIM). This growing demand for modular process-specific apps and SaaS solutions is changing the product development and go-to-market strategies of our members. Executives from organizations such as Gartner, NASA, Microsoft, and IBM, as well as a number of other buyers and sellers of information management solutions in North America and Europe were involved in the ELC summits. Distillation of their insights and comments resulted in five key strategies proposed by AIIM for making sense of this change: 1. Redefine Enterprise Content Management as Content Services Used in the Context of Applications. The ECM space is no longer just about technology, content, and digitization. Rather, it is about discrete solutions to business problems with ubiquitous access to information wherever it is. 2. Understand What it is About Apps and SaaS That is so Compelling. Unless a solution looks like an app, is deployed like an app, and is as easy to use as an app, it will now face adoption challenges in the enterprise. 3. Understand the Process Implications of the Revolution Created by Apps, SaaS, and Consumer Technologies. It changes the very nature of the questions around information fragmentation and usability that organizations must ask in order to stay innovative. 4. Adopt a Revolutionary Mindset. Embrace a set of day-to-day operating assumptions that are vastly different from the command and control mindset typical of many governance-driven content initiatives. 5. Focus on Customer Journeys and Problem Solving. According to futurist, Thornton May, the new dialog has to be about the problems customers are facing, not the offers organizations are selling. A full list of ELC summit participants and the executive report can be downloaded here. About AIIM AIIM has been an advocate and supporter of information professionals for 70 years. The associations mission is to improve organizational performance by empowering a community of leaders committed to information-driven innovation. AIIM is a global, non-profit organization that provides independent research, education, and certification programs to information professionals. About AIIM Executive Leadership Council The AIIM Executive Leadership Council brings together top thinkers, high performance practitioners, and leaders in Information Management to discuss, define, and direct the future of the industry. # # # Contact: Jessica Lombardo, CIP AIIM jlombardo(at)aiim(dot)org +1 (202) 649-0270 Voalte logo The solution allows healthcare organizations to integrate multiple systems so clinical staff receives fewer, more clinically relevant notifications, and can communicate easily with the rest of the care team, allowing them to spend more time at the bedside Voalte, the leader in healthcare communication technology, today announced a unique integration with Connexall and Bernoulli to deliver alerts paired with real-time patient data and waveforms to Voalte smartphones. Voalte will showcase this new technology integration at the 2017 Annual HIMSS Conference and Exhibition in Orlando, demonstrating how healthcare organizations can deliver critical physiological data instantly to the right caregiver so they can make the best decisions regarding patient care. By integrating multiple systems with Connexalls alarm management and event notification platform, clinicians receive fewer, more relevant notifications, with insights tailored specifically to their role on the patient care team. Combined with Bernoulli for real-time collection, aggregation and distribution of physiological data from a range of medical devices, clinicians receive waveforms and other actionable information about a patients condition directly on their Voalte smartphones. This enables timely clinical interventions and enhances patient safety. Patient safety is jeopardized when clinical staff becomes overwhelmed by alarms, alerts, and trying to reach other care team members via pagers and overhead paging, said Adam McMullin, Chairman and CEO of Voalte. This solution with Connexall and Bernoulli allows healthcare organizations to integrate multiple systems so clinical staff receives fewer, more clinically relevant notifications, and can communicate easily with the rest of the care team, allowing them to spend more time at the bedside. Last month, independent research firm KLAS ranked Voalte number-one Secure Communications Platform and ranked Connexall number-one for Alarm Management in the 2017 Best in KLAS: Software and Services report. Together, Voalte and Connexall provide a collaborative solution to reduce the number of alarms and alerts caregivers receive, include more valuable patient information in every notification, and streamline care team communication. The combined solution improves patient care and increases clinical satisfaction by addressing alarm fatigue and automating essential communication between team members. The Bernoulli One platform recently earned the 2016 North American Frost & Sullivan Award for Product Leadership. Connexall is delighted to partner with Bernoulli and Voalte for the benefit of our shared customers who require device connectivity and presentation of physiological patient data, trending and waveforms, stated John Elms, president of Connexall. Through this collaboration our three companies are positively impacting patient outcomes in acute care settings. In the spirit of interoperability, we are excited to partner with Voalte and Connexall to show the value of real-time patient data as part of a comprehensive clinical communication solution, said Janet Dillione, CEO of Bernoulli. At HIMSS17, we are demonstrating together how healthcare providers can significantly enhance their patient safety, workflow and clinical decision-making. Schedule a 15-minute demo to see the Voalte, Connexall and Bernoulli integration at Voalte Booth 673, visit Connexall at Booth 1903, and see Bernoulli at the Interoperability Showcase (#9000) at HIMSS17 in Orlando on February 20-22, 2017. About Voalte Voalte develops smartphone solutions that simplify caregiver communication. Ranked number-one and named 2017 Category Leader in the Best in KLAS: Software & Services report for the Secure Communications Platform segment, Voalte is the only company to offer a comprehensive Mobile Communication Strategy that enables care teams inside and outside the hospital to access and exchange information securely. Voalte customers benefit from a solid smartphone infrastructure that supports their existing systems and expands to accommodate future technologies. Founded in 2008, Voalte is a privately held company based in Sarasota, Florida. Voalte solutions are now available to more than 132,000 caregivers throughout the United States. For more information, visit voalte.com or follow @Voalte on Twitter. About Connexall Connexall, ranked number one and named Category Leader in the 2015/2016 and 2017 Best in KLAS awards, is an enterprise-grade communication and control platform that delivers hospital-wide interoperability to people, systems, tasks, and devices. Its capabilities act as a backbone for clinical workflow, communicating the right information to the right person, at the right time, on the right device. Based on more than 20 years of R&D efforts, the Class II medical device software is completely vendor-neutral and device-independent. Connexall has offices in Canada, the United States, Brazil, Portugal and Hong Kong and works with more than 1100 of the worlds most renowned and progressive hospitals and health systems. For more information please visit http://www.connexall.com. About Bernoulli Bernoulli is the leader in real-time solutions for patient safety, with more than 1,200 installed, operational systems. Bernoulli One is the markets only real-time, connected healthcare platform that combines comprehensive and vendor-neutral medical device integration with powerful middleware, clinical surveillance, telemedicine/virtual ICU, advanced alarm management, predictive analytics and robust distribution capabilities into ONE solution that empowers clinicians with tools to drive better patient safety, clinical outcomes, patient experience, and provider workflow. For more information about Bernoulli, visit http://www.bernoullihealth.com. Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn. Visit our Resource Center to download case studies, white papers and articles. Being located in Vermont naturally breeds workplaces where people look forward to going to work. The culture here is a positive one that promotes hard work, respect, and having fun at the end of the day- and its contagious. Quadric Software, provider of the leading backup solution for Citrix XenServer, celebrated 9 years in business on Sunday. Their success is largely ascribed to powerful partnerships and creating a corporate atmosphere based on trust and teamwork. As Quadric Software nears its Silver Anniversary, the company recognizes that the success of their solution wouldnt be possible without the feedback and support of their customers and partners worldwide. Quadrics CEO and Co-Founder, Phil Baskette took the opportunity to thank their supporters, We know that we wouldnt be where we are today without the support of our customers and partners, said Baskette, From distilling real world IT needs to providing advocacy and outreach, many of the improvements weve made to Alike can be attributed to forging lasting partnerships based on trust and collaboration. Cultivating a team of passionate employees built on that same sense of collaboration has also contributed to Quadrics growth and success over the last nine years. I am so grateful for the hard work, dedication, and enthusiasm that everyone at Quadric brings to work every day, and Im constantly impressed with how our employees work together on every project, Baskette comments. Baskette then adds, Fostering a creative, open, and respectful environment where frequent collaboration between groups and departments that wouldnt traditionally overlap has helped us draw on the strengths and talents of everyone here. We have a lot of exceptionally talented folks here at Quadric, and with the exception of Steve,* everyone has a great sense of humora vital aspect of any workplace. I truly feel fortunate to work with such a talented, fun group of people. When asked how he has helped create such a vibrant atmosphere at Quadric, Baskette says, Over the years, I have learned that great ideas can come from anywhere. If I have faith in my team, value every single person here and the talents they have to offer, and give them the tools and space they need to generate new ideas, we will only continue to improve as people, and as a company that creates new and innovative solutions. Baskette explains that part of having a fun and engaging work culture is the location of their main office. Theres something about being located in Vermont that naturally breeds workplaces where people actually look forward to going to work. The culture around here is a positive one that promotes hard work, respect, and having fun at the end of the day- and its contagious. Also, having a dog-friendly workplace, being in a state with the greatest number of breweries per capita, and having the occasional beer Friday doesnt hurt either, Baskette jokes. In a final comment, Baskette shares some thoughts on what the future holds for Quadric Software: In just nine years, we have gained a reputation as the provider of one of the most dynamic BDR solutions to users around the world. We plan to maintain that reputation through developing new solutions, such as the Alike Appliance (A2) thats currently in beta, and continuing to cultivate strong partnerships and a supportive and friendly work environment that results in success for everyone. *Quadric would like to let readers know that there is no one named Steve currently working there, but if they ever hire someone named Steve, he will be the butt of all office jokes. For more information, or to start a 30-day free trial of Alike DR, visit quadricsoftware.com. Charter One Realty has an excellent reputation as a premier real estate firm in the Lowcountry, and I was drawn to their strong presence as a leader in this market and their commitment to providing a high level of customer service to their clients. Marian Schaffer, Principal and Founder of Southeast Discovery, a real estate consulting firm specializing in guiding Baby Boomers with their real estate needs in the niche markets of retirement relocation and second homes in the Southeast region, recently joined Charter One Realty of Hilton Head Island and Bluffton, South Carolina as an Associate Broker and Agent. Charter One Realty has an excellent reputation as a premier real estate firm here in the Lowcountry and I was drawn to their strong presence as a leader in this market as well as their commitment to providing a high level of customer service to their clients. I see my joining Charter One Realty as a broker/agent to be an enhancement to the services I provide our clients at Southeast Discovery, Schaffer said. Ill continue to operate SoutheastDiscovery.com and work with buyers who are navigating through the process of deciding where to relocate in the Southeast region, just as Ive done for over a decade. I relocated my company from Chicago to the Hilton Head Island area, and at the request of clients, I want to provide firsthand counsel on their real estate search when here on the ground in this area of Bluffton and Hilton Head Island." Schaffers extensive travels throughout the Southeast over the last decade in her role as Principal and Founder of Southeast Discovery have given her an in-depth knowledge of real estate markets in the six-state region of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida and Virginia. She brings market expertise in this 6-state region, solid relationships with an excellent network of real estate professionals, and a deep knowledge of master-planned communities in the Southeast to Charter One Realty. Schaffer founded Southeast Discovery in 2004 to help retirees and second home buyers considering relocating to the Southeast organize and streamline their search for the ideal area, community and property to suit their specific lifestyle needs. Schaffers website, SoutheastDiscovery.com, is a trusted resource for candid information and insight on communities, developments, and general real estate in the Southeast. We are thrilled to welcome Marian to Charter One Realty, where her longtime success in the Southeastern real estate market will be a tremendous asset to our team and to clients throughout the region, said Paige Rose, Chief Marketing Officer. Her knowledge, experience, and enthusiasm, as well as her love of the area and dedication to client service, will be of tremendous value to clients, and we are so happy to have her as part of our Charter One Realty family. In addition to working with buyers, Schaffer can also assist sellers who want to achieve a successful sale of their home. As a listing broker, Schaffer will be able to offer additional market exposure to her Charter One Realty listing clients by featuring their home on SoutheastDiscovery.com, which garners around 20,000 views each month from actively looking buyers who are looking to relocate to the Southeast region. About Southeast Discovery Since 2004, Southeast Discovery has been a trusted resource for candid information and insight on communities, developments, and general real estate in the Southeast. Through its highly-ranked web portal, newsletter and blog and its one-on-one work with clients, Southeast Discovery helps buyers actively looking for a retirement or second home in the Southeast navigate the process of identifying the right area and community for their needs. To learn more, visit http://www.southeastdiscovery.com/ Best of Staffing Winner 2017 Our Company is committed to making customer service a priority to both our clients and crew members In-Flight Crew Connections, a leading provider of global staffing and recruiting services, announced today they have won Inaveros Best of Staffing Client and Talent Awards for providing superior service to their clients and job seekers. Award winners make up less than two percent of all staffing agencies in the U.S. and Canada who earned the Best of Staffing Award for service excellence. Dedicated to helping candidates connect with the right job openings in corporate flight departments, In-Flight Crew Connections, received satisfaction scores of 9 or 10 (out of 10) from 84% of their clients and 79% of their talent, significantly higher than the industrys average. Receiving Inaveros Best of Staffing Client and Talent Awards for the fourth consecutive year, illustrates the companys attention to unprecedented quality of service for employers and job candidates. Our company is committed to making customer service a priority to both our clients and crew members and we are honored to be recognized for our success in upholding that commitment, said In-Flight Crew Connections President and CEO, Jennifer Guthrie. This year we celebrate our 15th anniversary, we will continue to live by these core values and to provide a personal touch to our clients, crew members and employees. "Staffing firms are giving top companies a competitive advantage as they search for talent in North America," said Inavero's CEO Eric Gregg. "The 2017 Best of Staffing winners have achieved exceptionally high levels of satisfaction and I'm proud to feature them on BestofStaffing.com." In-Flight Crew Connections clients and crew members gave high praise for the staff. Visit the Best of Staffing Site to view testimonials. About In-Flight Crew Connections In-Flight Crew Connections, a global leader since 2002 provides aviation industry staffing solutions for owners and operators of business class jets. Focused on developing customized solutions that meet the unique needs of corporate aviation clients, our range of services include: ONe-Call Temporary Crew Services - on demand supplemental staffing for pilots, flight attendants, schedulers/dispatchers, aircraft maintenance technicians and engineers, Payroll Services, Management Service, Recruiting & Placement, International Staffing, and Concierge Services. The company is a privately held, WBENC certified women-owned staffing firm headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. To schedule staffing services with In-Flight Crew Connections, call (704) 236-3647. Visit In-Flight Crew Connections online at http://www.inflightcrewconnections.com and follow on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook About Inavero Inavero administers more staffing agency client and talent satisfaction surveys than any other firm in the world. Inaveros team reports on over 1.2 million satisfaction surveys from staffing agency clients and talent each year and the company serves as the American Staffing Associations exclusive service quality partner. About Inaveros Best of Staffing Inaveros Best of Staffing Award is the only award in the U.S. and Canada that recognizes staffing agencies that have proven superior service quality based completely on the ratings given to them by their clients and job candidates. Award winners are showcased by city and area of expertise on BestofStaffing.com an online resource for hiring professionals and job seekers to find the best staffing agencies to call when they are in need. ### Cloud Services Miami / Fort Lauderdale - AWS Public Sector Partner We are always striving to provide our customers the best cloud solutions. Our team is excited to be recognized for our work within the public sector and look forward to continuing helping higher ed, K-12, and state government's drive innovation." CloudHesive already holds numerous certifications and competencies, but they are very excited to announce the latest additions to their collection: The Amazon Web Services (AWS) Public Sector Partner Program and Authorized Government Reseller. The AWS Public Sector Program shows that CloudHesive has the expertise to operate with state, local and federal government agencies as well as K-12 and higher education institutions. To obtain this level of partnership, you must demonstrate expertise and concrete results for K-12 and/or higher education, as well as government and nonprofit institutions. CloudHesive has exceeded all parameters with stellar references thanks to the diligent team of certified solutions architects and DevOps engineers, as well as certified Cloud Security, SysOps, and SecDevOps engineers. CloudHesive understands that public sector institutions have unique challenges with highly specific needs that affect the way they make decisions about cloud computing, securing workloads, budget decisions and procurement vehicles required. CloudHesive can help drive innovation in the K-12 and higher education institutions to get them ahead of the ever-changing world of technology. One such cloud solution that CloudHesive is well versed in is deploying managed student workspaces. These deployments support applications requiring a high level of computing power, but need to operate on lower end hardware, such as Google Chrome books. The AWS Workspaces solution helps higher education institutions continue to leverage their investment in their hardware but provide their students access to faster high end computing power. In the government space, agencies must support their mission-critical operations with agile and innovative cloud deployments. However, they also have to take stringent compliance and security measures (FISMA, FIPS and FedRAMP mandates) to not compromise on security from inside and outside threats. It's a best practice to leverage a partner that has the expertise of a Public Sector Partner if you operate in the public sector space. This certification differentiates the partners that are most equipped to provide the solutions necessary for public sector agencies or institutions in the cloud. By choosing to work with a AWS managed service partner in the public-sector partner program, you can be sure that your environments are optimized for your specific needs and uphold the standards for state/local government and higher education. This gives agencies the time to focus on the most pertinent functions of their entity rather than getting bogged down with cloud infrastructure management and oversight. CloudHesive is an SOC2 audited Amazon Web Services Advanced Consulting Partner, Reseller Partner and Managed Services Partner as well. They focus on helping customers securely migrate and manage workloads on multiple cloud platforms. With this latest competency, current and potential customers can rest easy knowing that CloudHesive will offer secure cloud solutions that increase scalability, agility, and flexibility. About the AWS Public Sector Partner Program: The Public Sector Partner Program enables partners to accelerate their business growth on AWS through alignment with public sector sales, marketing, partner, and business development teams. The program targets standard and higher tier AWS Consulting and Technology partners with a strong emphasis in public sector, including government, education, and non-profit. About the AWS Managed Services Partner Program: The AWS Managed Service Partner Program equips the next generation of MSPs with the tools they need to deliver continuous innovation to customers regarding security, SecDevOps, DevOps, proactive monitoring, and streamlined management of their customers environment. Passing the rigorous 14-part, third-party validation audit for the AWS Managed Service Partner program is just another testament to their teams expertise and commitment to their customers success. About CloudHesive: CloudHesive is an Amazon Web Services (AWS) Advanced Consulting and Managed Services Partner headquartered in Boca Raton / Fort Lauderdale / Miami, Florida but operates globally. They are a cloud solutions and cloud services consulting, DevOps, SecDevOps and cloud managed services provider with a focus on security, reliability, availability, and scalability. CloudHesive services help companies reduce their operating costs and increase productivity while improving their cloud security posture by migrating and securing mission-critical workloads on to Amazon Web Service (AWS) and other cloud partners. CloudHesive partners with the leading cloud providers and security companies to build highly secured, scalable and robust cloud solutions, such as their encryption as a service offering. They architect and manage environments to meet stringent uptime SLAs of up to 99.99%. CloudHesive also offers proprietary tools such as CloudPoxee to help their customers decrease and manage their cloud costs. For more information about CloudHesive, please visit http://www.CloudHesive.com. By collaborating with Microsoft, we aim to give people easy access to care navigation and information on medical conditions. Health Navigator announced today that the company is working with Microsoft to integrate Health Navigator natural language processing, clinical vocabulary, and symptom-checking technology into Microsofts health bot technology, a research-based project that Microsoft is demonstrating at the HIMSS17 Conference in Orlando, Fla., next week. Microsofts health bot is designed to allow payers and providers to provide their patients with an easier way to access their health data. Consumers want health care information at their fingertips. By collaborating with Microsoft, we aim to give people easy access to care navigation and information on medical conditions, said David Thompson, MD, CEO and chief medical officer at Health Navigator. Microsofts health bot technology will now be able to provide users convenient, anytime access to health information in language they can understand. And health care companies will be able to realize cost savings in customer support, along with increased customer engagement. With the integration of Health Navigators established clinical vocabulary and symptom checker technology, the health bot technology can use layperson language to ask patients about their main symptoms or problems, inquire further with relevant follow-up questions, and suggest care options and possible causes. In short, users can have a conversation with the health bot to learn more about their health. People are increasingly using digital assistants and chat bots to ask for information. The health bot technology leverages conversational intelligence and a high level of personalization to allow companies to empower users to get information about their health plan, check their symptoms, and receive meaningful, credible answers in an easy, self-serve, conversational way, said Hadas Bitran, Principal Group Manager in the Health Intelligence team in Microsoft Artificial Intelligence and Research. The integration of Health Navigators platform will help users easily receive accurate, hands-on information to help them make health care decisions. Payers and providers can further enrich the health bot technology with their protocols tailored to their needs, added Ryen White, MD, CTO Health Intelligence at Microsoft. Attendees of the HIMSS17 conference will be able to see a demonstration of the health bot technology in the Artificial Intelligence and Research section of the Microsoft booth. You can also learn more at http://www.healthvault.com/en-us/health-bot. ### About Health Navigator Based in La Grange, Ill., Health Navigator is a privately owned health information company. The Health Navigator platform is a comprehensive clinical vocabulary and decision-support system designed to support e-Health and telemedicine encounters from the presenting chief complaint to the final diagnosis. The platform includes a broad range of tools for capturing the chief complaint through natural language processing, presenting a documentation checklist to consumers and health care providers, generating a list of possible causes, and making recommendations for seeking care. These tools can be used to develop symptom checker, consumer engagement, and telehealth applications. All content can be delivered through an application programming interface (API; RESTful web service). Health Navigator provides solutions for e-Health and telemedicine companies, insurers, medical call centers, electronic health record companies, answering services, and health care systems. To learn more, visit http://www.healthnavigator.com. Follow on LinkedIn and Twitter @HlthNavigator. Media Contact: Barbara Tabor / (651) 450-1342 / Barbara(at)taborpr(dot)com As a company that always strives to provide high-quality, convenient online education and professional training, we at Career Step and Medic-CE look forward to the opportunity to connect with a broader audience through industry events like EMS Today. Medic-CE, a Career Step company, will exhibit in booth 839 at the EMS Today 2017 conference, hosted by the Journal of Emergency Medical Services, at the Calvin L. Rampton Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City February 23 through 25. We are excited about the opportunity to gather with the emergency responder community and discuss the greatest needs facing our industry, said Judson Smith, Vice President of Continuing Education with Career Step, Medic-CEs parent company. This year we are thrilled to showcase our latest courses in a venue so close to Career Steps home office. At this years event, Medic-CE representatives will provide information, answer questions and present demonstrations covering the range of trainings Medic-CE offers, including virtual, instructor-led training (VILT), online self-paced courses and its proprietary online learning management platform, which enables agencies to create and deliver customized in-house VILT and online CE courses for their teams. Medic-CEs courses help busy EMS professionals train and certify whenever and wherever they can with unlimited access to dynamic training approved by the Commission on Accreditation for Pre-Hospital Continuing Education (CAPCE) and accepted by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT). As a company that always strives to provide high-quality, convenient online education and professional training, we at Career Step and Medic-CE look forward to the opportunity to connect with a broader audience through industry events like EMS Today, said Andrew Steward, Career Step Director of Continuing Education. The healthcare industry is changing rapidly, especially for emergency responders, and so we look forward to listening and learning about new ways we can fill their education and training needs. The most recent additions to Medic-CEs Code3 CME course lineup are 8-hour, 20-hour, 25-hour and 30-hour instructor-led online courses designed to fulfill the new National Continued Competency Program (NCCP)s national component for certifying EMRs, EMTs, AEMTs and paramedics, respectively. For more information about Medic-CEs industry-leading training, please stop by booth 839 at EMS Today 2017 or visit Medic-CE.com. About Medic-CE Medic-CE, a Career Step company, provides accredited online continuing education for EMS and firefighting professionals. Founded in 2006, the company currently serves over 75,000 learners and 200 fire/EMS/ambulance agencies. More than 200 hours of continuing education are available through the companys powerful learning management system. The company also offers the Code3 CME Virtual Instructor-Led Training (VILT) Solution and the option for agencies to add their own in-house continuing education and instructor-led courses to its sophisticated and robust learning platform. More information is available at http://www.medic-ce.com/?uid=170216 or 1-844-800-2304. About Career Step Career Step is an online provider of career-focused education and professional training. The company has trained over 100,000 students for new careers, has more than 150 partnerships with colleges and universities nationwide, offers a variety of continuing education courses for healthcare professionals and has educated more than 100,000 healthcare professionals. Career Step provides training for several of the largest and most respected healthcare employers in the nation and is committed to helping students and practicing healthcare professionals alike gain the skills they need to be successful in the workplaceimproving lives, advancing careers and bettering business results through education. More information can be found at http://www.careerstep.com or 1-800-246-7836. Passport, the leader in parking and transit technology systems, today announced Stephen Goldsmith has joined the Board of Advisors to provide strategic vision on technology adoption in private-public partnerships. Goldsmith brings extensive experience working in government and corporate environments to deliver innovative change through the power of big data to benefit public and private sector organizations. He is currently the Daniel Paul Professor of the Practice of Government and the Director of the Innovations in American Government Program at Harvards Kennedy School of Government. He is a nationally recognized expert on government management, reform and innovation. An accomplished author, Goldsmith also served as Deputy Mayor of New York City and Mayor of Indianapolis. He also serves in several strategic consultancy roles in the technology and government sectors. Passports software platform enables governments to improve operational efficiency for parking and transit operations through smart technology for payments, management, and reporting. By leveraging online and mobile services, leaders are able to access rich data that generates insights that drive better revenue, eliminate waste in the system, and improve outcomes for citizens. Private-public partnerships are shaping the next generation of smart services for residents and visitors. Passport has established itself as a clear market leader by creating a vision for how cities can offer mobile applications to navigate urban environments easily. But thats just the beginning. The true power comes from harnessing the data collected to then offer greater efficiency and functionality in the ecosystem. It creates a winning scenario for both the city and its customers, said Goldsmith. The announcement comes as Passport continues to expand its parking and transit services across North America and in international markets. On the heels of acquiring mobile parking company ParkX, the company plans to launch in Europe early 2017. Stephen Goldsmith joins as a valued advisor during a time of accelerated growth. His depth of understanding in the government space--both in public office and as an expert on creating innovative solutions through data--will greatly aid our efforts in providing efficient, easy-to-use technology that solves complex challenges, said Bob Youakim, CEO at Passport. Were excited to help cities evolve with technology, and Mr. Goldsmith will be an excellent resource in that journey. About Passport Passport is North Americas leading mobile technology company specializing in enterprise business applications and payments for the public and private sector. Passport's product lines--parking payments, transit payments, enforcement and permit management--collectively serve to deliver dynamic tools for agencies to better connect with their communities. Its services have been adopted by over 20 of the top 50 cities in North America and over 2,000 locations including Chicago, Toronto, Boston, Portland, and Miami. Passports mission is to reduce operational complexity and deliver intelligent data to improve decision making for its clients. Passport is backed by a group of investors, including Grotech Ventures, Relevance Capital, and MK Capital. For more information, please visit http://www.passportinc.com. ### The requests from our business and industry advisory and sector boards continue to emphasize our need to establish more soft skills in our coursework. Wonderlic, Inc. has announced that the Administrative Assistant Specialist (AAS) Program at Iowa Western Community College (IWCC) was selected from a pool of 120 applicants as one of the five recipients of the Wonderlic Soft Skills Training Bootcamp Scholarship. The AAS Program is offered by the Continuing Education Business Department. IWCC serves a diverse group of urban workers across all age groups, including students with little or no work experience. A significant portion of the student population consists of older students who may be displaced, as well as workers whose employers have sponsored them for additional training. Individuals from both sides of the Missouri River, Council Bluffs and Omaha, attend the AAS Program. Patricia S. Donovan, Business/IT Coordinator at IWCC, knows firsthand about the urgent need employers have for job applicants with good soft skills. The requests from our business and industry advisory and sector boards continue to emphasize our need to establish more soft skills in our coursework. As part of the AAS Program, students will be pretested before training begins and then tested afterwards to measure improvement. Therefore, the Scholarship application required IWCC to explain how the Soft Skills Training Bootcamp would be integrated into their existing curriculum to ensure that participants have a meaningful and valuable learning experience. At IWCC, the Soft Skills Training Bootcamp will be incorporated as a standard part of the AAS Program, and completion will be mandatory. Most students will take the training at the school site, but exceptional students may have the option of training at home. The Soft Skills Training Bootcamp is competency-based program that provides online and self-paced training with interactive learning experiences to improve soft skills in ten major areas. After completing the training curriculum, students will have the opportunity to take an assessment to qualify for digital badges, which can be used to demonstrate their competency in each skill. IWCC is particularly interested in investigating the impact of digital badges on program participants and local employers. The Wonderlic Soft Skills Training Bootcamp modules include: Interpersonal Skills Communication Skills Listening and Nonverbal Communication Self-Management Skills Problem Solving Initiative Critical Thinking Professionalism Teamwork Cultural Sensitivity To find out more about the Wonderlic Soft Skills Training Bootcamp, contact Wonderlic's Competency-Based Solutions Team. To find out more about IWCCs Continuing Education and Business Programs, contact Patricia S. Donovan, Business/IT Coordinator at 712-325-3210. Or click here for a description of the Administrative Assistant program. Wonderlic, Inc. is a privately held company headquartered in Vernon Hills, IL and a founding member of the Association of Test Publishers. The company provides businesses and schools with a comprehensive library of highly regarded assessments and surveys for each phase of the hiring and student selection process. In its 75+ year history, Wonderlic has delivered over 300 million assessments and surveys to more than 60,000 organizations, government agencies, and accrediting bodies. http://www.wonderlic.com MPOWER Financing Partners with WiseBanyan Just as MPOWER redefines international student lending with its future-focused credit model, WiseBanyan challenges the traditional fee-based investment approach. MPOWER Financing today announced a strategic partnership with online financial advisor WiseBanyan, offering WiseBanyan accounts to all of its qualified student borrowers. WiseBanyan is recognized as the world's first free financial advisor. Through its app, clients can start saving and investing toward their financial goals with as little as $1. After clients specify what they want to achieve, WiseBanyan automates everything, from financial recommendations to recurring deposits to rebalancing the investment portfolios. Just as MPOWER redefines international student lending with its future-focused credit model, WiseBanyan challenges the traditional fee-based investment approach, said Mike Davis, MPOWER CTO and co-founder. Both organizations aim to create greater opportunities for all. Were proud to offer WiseBanyan accounts to help our student borrowers achieve their financial goals, whether this involves a school-related trip or an unexpected expense. This partnership builds on our commitment to provide ongoing financial services to our clients. WiseBanyan standardizes investment strategies through a streamlined and automated program complemented by personalized goal-setting and ongoing monitoring. The new partnership will allow qualified MPOWER borrowers to gain access to WiseBanyan accounts with a special promotional code upon the approval of their loans. Using the WiseBanyan interface, students will then set financial goals around key milestones, including options like saving for a car, travel, a rainy day, or simply planning ahead for lifes possibilities. Future potential is key for effective investment strategy, said Herbert Moore, co-founder and co-CEO, WiseBanyan. Just as MPOWERs algorithm homes in on that, so too does WiseBanyans revenue model. By looking forward versus focusing exclusively on the present, we are able to tailor programs to the individual investor, maximizing wealth opportunities in the process. # # # About MPOWER Financing MPOWER Financing is an innovative fintech company and provider of educational loans to high-promise international students who do not fit the traditional credit criteria of banks or lenders. The companys mission is to remove the financial barriers to higher education in the U.S. by providing the financial resources necessary for these students to attend and complete their undergraduate or graduate education. MPOWER helps students build their credit histories and provides them with personal finance education and gateway financial products to prepare for life after college. For more information, visit mpowerfinancing.com, or follow MPOWER on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. About WiseBanyan WiseBanyan, the worlds first free financial advisor, began with the belief that investing is a right not a privilege. Its mission is to ensure everyone can achieve their financial goals, which starts by providing access to professional financial services the minute they earn their first dollar. For more information, visit wisebanyan.com. VisualVault, a Business Process Automation (BPA)/ Enterprise Content Management (ECM) software company, introduces iForms, a SaaS-based, document onboarding, workflow automation solution for Human Resources. This solution compliments existing HRIS systems and enhances document and data processes common to talent management without the time and expense historically associated with upgrading core systems. iForms enables HR groups to migrate slow MS Word and PDF-driven processes to highly efficient automated digital processes. These processes, such as on-boarding, change of status requests, application and performance management, become far more efficient and result in substantial savings. A superior employee experience, from the moment an employee connects with an organization, communicates volumes about the value a company places on its people, commented Steve Leichtman, CEO for VisualVault. Improving core HR management processes quickly and cost-effectively, with iForms, is a game-changer for companies seeking to secure and retain talent in todays competitive market. VisualVaults, SaaS based iForms technology enables Human Resource departments to gather and present information in a manner that is most relevant (contextual presentation) to each employee. iForms have the ability to support business logic down to the field level on each document. For example, on a Change of Status iForm, how an employee answers a question will determine fields that are required and shown to them, simplifying the process and eliminating potential errors or omissions. Additionally, VisualVaults robust business process automation and ECM platform can be leveraged to meet key governance and compliance regulations. This easy to deploy, and flexible cloud-based solution is designed to scale for enterprise systems and integrate with core HRIS systems to insure data and process integrity, stated Leichtman. By automating these processes, HR departments set a positive tone -- from the first touch of recruitment throughout their career, efficiently and at a low operational cost. About VisualVault Founded in 2009, VisualVault is a private, Arizona-based, Business Process Automation (BPA)/Enterprise Content Management (ECM) company specializing in the automation of data and document intensive processes at an enterprise level. The VisualVault platform is a cloud-based application that includes Intelligent Forms (i-Forms) which automate and validate both structured and unstructured data. These i-Forms streamline manual data entry and routing processes to boost overall productivity and accelerate business results. VisualVault enables its clients to search and present content in a contextual manner configured for their specific business requirements, improving adoption through flexibility and ease of use. VisualVault's integrated platform standardizes user data so it may be accessed, viewed and used across an enterprise providing users with live dashboards for end-to-end reporting, analysis and decision making. VisualVaults mission is transforming our clients processes quickly and cost-effectively, without replacing expensive core legacy systems, by streamlining their data and document intensive processes with our uniquely configured software that is delivered as a service. Press Contact: Jason Hatch VisualVault Phone: 480-308-4400 x225 jason.hatch(at)visualvault(dot)com The move of Crowleys D.C office is a clear indication of our commitment to provide the highest, most responsive service to our customers in the government sector. To better serve its government customers, such as the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) and Naval Sea Systems Command, Crowley Maritime Corp. has moved its Washington, D.C., office to 100 M Street - adjacent to MARAD and the Navy Yard in the southeastern quadrant of the nations capital. This new location puts Crowley closer to its clients in the District of Columbia while maintaining close proximity to Congressional offices. It enables more networking with potential teaming partners, a distinction thats important when pursuing large, complex government opportunities. The move of Crowleys D.C office is a clear indication of our commitment to provide the highest, most responsive service to our customers in the government sector, said Mike Roberts, senior vice president and general counsel. We want to be both flexible and accessible to our local customers when they need us. For more than a century, Crowley has provided a portfolio of services to support the U.S. government both domestically and abroad. The team is led by industry and military veterans who leverage the expertise, scale and scope of the companys commercial business to offer best-in-class services to government customers. Marine services include vessel management solutions; naval architecture and marine engineering; project management; specialized towing operations; and specialty cargo moves. Crowley Logistics provides a broad scope of trucking, warehousing, LTL and third-party logistics services domestically and abroad, while Crowley Fuels provides high-value petroleum and LNG distribution services in Alaska. The combined organization draws from the full menu of Crowley resources to provide signature emergency response and expeditionary logistics services such as in Haiti (2010), West Africa (2014), and in other emergencies. For more information, visit crowley.com. Our perspective has always been that if models were not transparent, auditable, and explainable then risk could not be effectively determined" - Steve Roemerman, CEO A growing consensus is beginning to define acceptable practices and define legal risk for users of big data and analytics. In particular, two notable developments are posing significant legal risks for careless uses of big data. First, a respected American technology policy group has issued a set of principles which may help U.S. plaintiffs who feel they have been harmed by Big Data and AI. The Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) US Public Policy Council recently issued a statement on Principles for Algorithmic Transparency and Accountability. The statement included seven principles for the use of algorithmic models in business and government and include: 1. Awareness: of the possible biases and the potential harm that biases can cause to individuals and society. 2. Access and redress: adoption of mechanisms that enable questioning and redress 3. Accountability: Institutions should be held responsible for decisions made by (their) algorithms 4. Explanation: produce explanations regarding both the procedures and the specific decisions 5. Data Provenance 6. Auditability: Models, algorithms, data, and decisions should be recorded so that they can be audited 7. Validation and Testing: Institutions should use rigorous methods to validate Lone Star views the Principles issued by ACM as fundamentally sound and important to the evolution and growth of the analytics market, said Lone Stars CEO Steve Roemerman. Our perspective has always been that if models were not transparent, auditable, and explainable then risk could not be effectively determined. This is why we built all of these capabilities into our TruNavigator and AnalyticsOS analytics platforms. In addition to the Principles from ACM, the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) imposes significant penalties for breaches of EU citizens data privacy. Organizations running afoul of GDPR can be fined 4% of annual global turnover or 20 Million (whichever is greater). The regulations are some of the most important changes in data privacy regulation in 20 years. The new regulations will come into force next year. The aim of the GDPR is to protect all EU citizens from privacy and data breaches in an increasingly data-driven world. Under the new regulations, personal data of all types must be processed lawfully, fairly, and in a manner transparent to the data subject. The regulations control how data is collected and greatly restricts data use. Holding data for analysis alone will be a potential source of legal risk under the new rules. Big Data advocates who contend they should be able to discover new relationships and patterns in consumer data will have to be careful how they explore the unknown while regulators demand use of data for specified, explicit purposes and only those purposes. Lone Star has always advocated the use of redacted and abstracted data, said John Volpi, CTO of Lone Star Analysis. We have always advocated for targeted use of machine learning, and avoiding brute force Big Data. As society comes to grips with the risks of big data done badly, we should not be surprised to see more regulations, like GDPR and more guidelines like those issued by the ACM. About Lone Star Analysis Lone Star Analysis provides powerful solutions that improve operations. We serve industrial markets, aerospace & defense, oil & gas, transportation & logistics, and the public sector. Our analytics products and technology-enabled services are proven; we deliver the right answer for your operational needs. We are committed to generating improved operational and financial performance through accurate and actionable answers to our clients most critical business challenges. Our reputation is built on creating lasting value for our clients. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, Lone Star is found on the web at http://www.Lone-Star.com. New Executive Members Somnoware, a leading provider of digital health technology, announces key expansion of its executive leadership team. Specifically, Somnoware has hired Dr. Raj Misra as Chief Data Scientist and Vice President of Marketing, and Eugene Lee as Chief Financial Officer. Raj is a visionary business leader and data scientist who has been hired to spearhead the development of a strong Somnoware brand, rapid market expansion, and development of its machine learning capability. Eugene is an accounting and finance professional who is expected to provide critical support to Somnowares accelerated growth. As the leading sleep health management software provider in the industry, Somnoware is generating strong interest among sleep physicians. The company expects this interest to grow further resulting in strong growth opportunities in the years ahead. As sleep testing labs and healthcare systems continue to allocate higher percentages of their budgets to improve sleep study and patient management, Somnoware is investing in its executive bench. Our growth as the leader in sleep health management has been explosive over the past year, says Subath Kamalasan, CEO of Somnoware. With Raj and Eugene in their new roles, we can further accelerate our demand generation and machine learning efforts, and more efficiently manage our financial operations. This will enable us to sustain and expand our rapid growth. About Raj Misra Dr. Raj Misra is a leading expert in digital marketing and data science. Over the past 15 years, he has driven important marketing and data science initiatives for some of the worlds leading entities including Microsoft, Pearson, Walmart, T-Mobile, and United Technologies. In addition to degrees from the University of Texas at Austin and Indian Institute of Technology, Raj holds a data mining patent and over 20 peer-reviewed articles. As Chief Data Scientist and Vice President of Marketing, Raj is responsible for brand marketing, demand generation, and machine learning at Somnoware. About Eugene Lee Eugene Lee is a metrics-driven and strategic financial expert with more than a decade of experience in financial operations. He has leveraged his analytical skills to manage financial operations and revenue forecasts. He began his career at PwC and has also worked at several other innovative companies including Meraki, CipherMax, and SS8 Networks. Eugene holds bachelors and masters degrees in business from the University of California, Berkeley. As Chief Financial Officer, Eugene is responsible for managing finance and administration for Somnoware. As the industrys leading sleep health management platform, Somnoware is currently used by one in five sleep physicians in the United States. It is available in two versionsSomnoware for Physicians and Somnoware for Sleep Centers. Physicians get instant access to sleep test data, e-signature capability, one-click DME ordering, CPAP compliance data, and the ability to conduct end-to-end patient care management. Sleep centers can automate their complete workflow including scheduling at multiple centers, inventory management, automated reporting, therapy ordering, and AASM accreditation. To learn more about Somnoware, please contact Raj Misra at media(at)Somnoware(dot)com. About Somnoware Somnoware is transforming sleep health management by accelerating diagnostics and increasing therapy adherence. It automates sleep testing processes, provides actionable data and predictive insights to physicians, and drives patient engagement. The company's customer base includes leading health systems, independent sleep centers, and sleep services companies. Somnoware is headquartered in Santa Clara, California. For more information, please visit http://www.somnoware.com or follow us on twitter @somnoware. https://www.somnoware.com/blog/somnoware-expands-executive-leadership-pr We saw a great deal of value in this partnership and look forward to building new relationships, exchanging ideas, and learning from other manufacturers in the industry. The Georgia Manufacturing Alliance (GMA) is proud to announce that Southwire Company, LLC has joined their organization as an Innovator Sponsor for 2017. Founded in Carrollton, GA in 1950, Southwire Company, LLC is one of North Americas largest wire and cable producers. Southwire and its subsidiaries manufacture building wire and cable, metal-clad cable, portable and electronic cord products, OEM wire products and engineered products. In addition, Southwire supplies assembled products, contractor equipment and hand tools. The company operates 32 manufacturing plants, 10 distribution facilities and multiple sales offices across the globe. In Georgia, Southwire operates in the cities of Carrollton, Douglas and Villa Rica. We were introduced to the Georgia Manufacturing Alliance in the Fall of 2016 at the annual summit, where Kathleen Edge, our Executive VP of Human Resources was the keynote speaker, said Ashley Bush, Southwires director of media and community relations. We were instantly welcomed into the GMA family by Jason Moss, CEO, and his leadership team. We saw a great deal of value in this partnership and look forward to building new relationships, exchanging ideas, and learning from other manufacturers in the industry. With a common dedication to the education and development of Georgia businesses, Southwire and GMA collaborated at the end of 2016 to host a tour at the companys Carrollton campus. Southwire leaders hope that its partnership with the alliance will cultivate similar opportunities in 2017. The Georgia Manufacturing Alliance is planning another tour of one of their facilities this year. We are honored that Southwire has joined our association of manufacturing professionals, said Jason Moss, CEO of the Georgia Manufacturing Alliance. They are a leader in technology, products and innovation and we are excited about their community involvement and their vision for a sustainable future. About the Georgia Manufacturing Alliance: The Georgia Manufacturing Alliance is a professional organization founded in 2008 to support Georgias manufacturing community. GMA provides monthly plant tours, educational sessions, tradeshows, and unique networking opportunities designed to help make profitable business connections for its members. To learn more about the organization, membership, and upcoming events, please visit http://www.GeorgiaManufacturingAlliance.com Dive into New Zealand with Giesen Estate "...it's been a particular source of pride to see interest grow for our entire wine portfolio, from the Estate range to craft single vineyard bottlings." Alex Giesen, Co-Owner, Giesen Estate Pacific Highway Wines & Spirits, importer of Giesen Estate, is pleased to report total brand case sales for 2016 were up 46%. After 54% growth in 2015, and with a bullish forecast for 2017, the family-owned New Zealand brand continues its upward trajectory in the US market. Mark Giordano, President Pacific Highway Wines & Spirits noted, The numbers are exciting. Looking at our total brand growth of 46% and cross-referring that with Nielsen (52 wks 12/31/16), where Giesen is up 34.16%, outpacing the New Zealand category growth of 14.5% by more than double. Giordano continued, What is resonating is the fact that Giesen is a family-owned business, with a proactive and fast-paced approach. Having the three Giesen brothers being so engaged in the US market the personal relationships really matter as we continue to grow the brand. The Giesen brand offering commences with the Estate Range, led by Giesen Estate Sauvignon Blanc (SRP $14.99) and moves up to The Brothers Range (SRP $19.99) The August 1888 ($39.99) and the small batch Single Vineyard Series (SRP $55.00 - $75.00) spearheaded by the acquisition of the renowned Clayvin Vineyard. Giesen owns 13 vineyards throughout Marlboroughs Wairau Valley and crafts Single Vineyard wines from Dillons Point, Ridge Block, Waihopai, Matthews Lane and Clayvin to showcase the regions diverse terroir. My brothers and I dedicate a lot of time to the US market and it's been a particular source of pride to see interest grow for our entire wine portfolio, from the Estate range to craft single vineyard bottlings. Our 2017 campaign 'Dive into New Zealand' has been well received and we are already planning 2018 programs." Alex Giesen, Co-Owner, Giesen Estate ## Ends ## About Giesen Estate: Giesen Estate, established in 1981, is proudly family-owned and run by the three Giesen brothers, Theo, Alex and Marcel Giesen. Innovation, sustainability, and family leadership are the cornerstones of Giesen success, now ranked among the top ten New Zealand producers by volume, with distribution in 33 countries. The Giesen brand offering commences with the Estate Range, led by Giesen Estate Sauvignon Blanc (SRP $14.99) and moves up to The Brothers Range (SRP $19.99) The August 1888 ($39.99) and the small batch Single Vineyard Series (SRP $55.00 - $75.00) spearheaded by the acquisition of the renowned Clayvin Vineyard. Giesen owns 13 vineyards throughout Marlboroughs Wairau Valley and crafts Single Vineyard wines from Dillons Point, Ridge Block, Waihopai, Matthews Lane and Clayvin to showcase the regions diverse terroir. About Pacific Highway Wines & Spirits: Pacific Highway Wines & Spirits is a specialized import, sales and marketing agency, dedicated to family-owned brands from coveted wine regions across the globe. Owned by the Oatley family of Australia and the Giesen family of New Zealand, Pacific Highway Wines is run by President, Mark Giordano with Vice-President Brand Strategy, Angela Slade, and new team member, Lee Woodard, General Manager. Pacific Highway Wines & Spirits work with distributor partners across the USA. The portfolio features imported brands from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, France, Chile, Spain, as well as domestic brands from Oregon and California. http://www.Pacific-Hwy.com The Summit allows us to learn from each other about how companies are thinking about these important issues and about the innovations different companies are bringing to their programs. The Ethisphere Institute, a global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices, announced today new companies featured among the leading faculty for the 9th Annual Global Ethics Summit hosted by the Ethisphere Institute March 15-16 in New York City. The Global Ethics Summit is a great opportunity to connect with other legal and compliance professionals to share best practices. Theres no competition between companies in compliance said David Howard, Corporate Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, Litigation, Competition Law and Compliance at Microsoft. The Summit allows us to learn from each other about how companies are thinking about these important issues and about the innovations different companies are bringing to their programs. David and his Microsoft colleagues will be leading a special session on "Compliance as a Business Advantage: Microsofts Pillars of Performance Integrity at this years Summit." The Global Ethics Summit has a celebrated tradition of connecting leadership from a diverse set of industries and sectors. Among those industries who will share the lead of dynamic conversations this year are: Aviation (Boeing) Conglomerate (GE) Insurance (UPMC Insurance Services) Leisure Travel (Carnival Corporation) Healthcare (University Hospitals) Financial Services (Visa) Food/Beverage (Coca-Cola, Ingredion, PepsiCo) Pharmaceuticals (Eli Lilly, Novartis, Bayer) Real Estate (JLL, Realogy) Chemicals (SABIC) Computer hardware, software and data storage (Microsoft, Dell, Western Digital) Steel (U.S. Steel) Engineering and Construction (Parsons) Electronics (Panasonic) Healthcare supplies and services (Henry Schein) Sport (International Centre for Sport Security, United States Olympic Committee) Telecommunications (Nokia) Retail (Walmart) Personal care (L'Oreal) Clothing (VF Corporation) Chemicals (SABIC) Industrial and Manufacturing (Rockwell Automation, Briggs & Stratton, ITT Corporation) Metals (Kennametal) Home appliance (Whirlpool) In a recent interview, Ingredions Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Corporate Secretary and Chief Compliance Officer, Christine Castellano, talked about what makes the Global Ethics Summit so valuable. The Ethisphere community truly embraces best in class companies and those companies are diverse in terms of industries, products, geographies new ideas is what keeps the compliance function interesting and alive, said Christine. Whenever you have top minds gathered together for the express purpose of talking about compliance you have a great networking opportunity. Christine Castellanos new Ethicast" previewing her role at the Global Ethics Summit is available here: http://insights.ethisphere.com/ingredion/. At its core the Summit has always been about connected leadership regardless of industry focus. Shared values on advancing company integrity, governance and performance cuts across all industries, said Kevin McCormack, Ethispheres Vice President, Global Thought Leadership and Programs. The wide range of topical coverage and diversity of companies that make up the delegation can only be enriched through pan-industry perspectives. We find that inspiration often comes from conversations with leaders from completely different sectors because they have unique viewpoints that, once shared, fosters new action and refreshes company commitment to integrity. The myriad of challenges in todays business climate demands this. Join these leaders and a faculty representing over 50 different organizations at the Global Ethics Summit on March 15-16, 2017 at the Grand Hyatt New York in New York City: https://globalethicssummit2017.com/. On Tuesday, March 14, Ethisphere will celebrate the 2017 Worlds Most Ethical Companies at our annual Gala Dinner: https://wmegala.com. Registration is now open for both events. About Ethisphere The Ethisphere Institute is the global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices that fuel corporate character, marketplace trust and business success. Ethisphere has deep expertise in measuring and defining core ethics standards using data-driven insights that help companies enhance corporate character. Ethisphere honors superior achievement through its Worlds Most Ethical Companies recognition program, provides a community of industry experts with the Business Ethics Leadership Alliance (BELA) and showcases trends and best practices in ethics with "Ethisphere Magazine". Ethisphere is also the leading provider of independent verification of corporate ethics and compliance programs that include: Ethics Inside Certification and Compliance Leader Verification. More information about Ethisphere can be found at: http://www.ethisphere.com. ### Media Contact Clea Nabozny 480.397.2658 clea.nabozny(at)ethisphere(dot)com YKK AP America Inc.s parent company headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, the YKK 80 Building owned by YKK Real Estate, took home first place at the ASHRAE Technology Awards, hosted by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). This is the first property in Japan to win the award and the third time the building has been recognized for its high standard of energy efficiency, a testament to YKK Groups belief in and dedication to world-class environmental conservation. Last February, the YKK 80 Building was the first office building in Japan to be awarded LEED-CS Platinum Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. In addition, the YKK 80 Building was conferred the highest possible five-star certification from the Building-Housing Energy-efficiency Labeling System (BELS) of Japan in August of the same year. The ASHRAE Technology Award divides the U.S. and the rest of the world into 14 regions, and the top nominee for each region moves on to the world-level selection process. Performance of the building is proven through one years actual, verifiable operating data. YKK 80 Building became the first winner of the Asia Region, and was entered into the world-level selection process, where it also won first place recognition. YKK AP America believes deeply in setting the highest standard of quality, innovation and energy efficiency for the building envelope. We are proud to see our headquarters recognized for doing just that, said Oliver Stepe, president of YKK AP America Inc. We look forward to continuing our commitment to raising the bar for energy efficiency here in the U.S. and across the globe. About YKK AP America YKK AP America Inc. is a technology-oriented manufacturer of commercial facade systems and residential doors and windows. With every finished good, we push the boundaries in next generation manufacturing and create value for architectural applications. Driven by a desire to provide exceptional service in our markets, YKK AP America builds upon our foundation of advanced engineering, vertically integrated manufacturing, and customer focus to deliver the highest level of quality at a competitive price. Headquartered in Austell, Ga., all building products are manufactured in our world-class production facilities located in Dublin, GA. and Macon, GA. YKK AP America Inc. is a subsidiary of YKK Corporation of America, whose parent company is global manufacturer YKK Corporation of Japan. For more information, visit ykkap.com. Military Spouse of the Year Program Celebrates 10 Years Armed Forces Insurance is delighted to be the title sponsor for this outstanding program, one that adds deserved recognition to the valuable assistance that military spouses provide to our nation's Armed Forces. The names of the Top 18 Base winners were announced today for the 2017 Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year award presented by Military Spouse Magazine. They were selected from a group of more than 400 nominees, and will move on to the national vote on February 20 to determine the six Branch Spouses of the Year. The Top 18 Base Spouses of the Year for 2017 are: Brandy O'Mary, Air Force, JB Anacostia - Bolling Brittany Boccher, Air Force, Little Rock AFB Chrichelle Fernandez, Air Force, Tinker AFB Amy Shick, Army, MacDill AFB Cassaundra Martinez, Army, Fort Belvior Erica McMannes, Army, Fort Eustis-Newport Jessi Adkisson, Coast Guard, District 9 Mary Nelson, Coast Guard, District 7 Meaghan Hurley, Coast Guard, District 12 Jessica Curren, Marines, Camp Courtney Jessica Rudd, Marines, MCAGGCC Twentynine Palms Karin Childress, Marines, Wright Patterson AFB Erica Glass, National Guard, Alaska National Guard Rhiannon Knutson, National Guard, Minnesota National Guard Robin Pruitt, National Guard, Kentucky National Guard Justine Evirs, Navy, Unattached - Navy Laura Pipoly, Navy, NCBC Gulfport Joy Goodrich, Navy, NS Newport In 2013, Military Spouse Magazine expanded the Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year program by introducing installation-level award. Base Spouses of the Year represent the best advocates for his or her base, and are leaders in spearheading grassroots communication and driving change within their local military community. Armed Forces Insurance is delighted to be the title sponsor for this outstanding program, one that adds deserved recognition to the valuable assistance that military spouses provide to our nation's Armed Forces, commented Garry L. Parks, Lieutenant General, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret.), Chairman, Armed Forces Insurance. For this past decade, the Military Spouse of the Year Award has given a powerful voice to military spouses and appropriately recognized them for the incredible support they bring to our nations defense establishment. On February 24th, the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard and National Guard Branch Spouses of the Year will be announced. The overall 2017 Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year will be revealed at a VIP event in Washington, DC this May. For additional information on the Military Spouse of the Year Program visit msoy.militaryspouse.com. # # # About Military Spouse Magazine: Military Spouse is the leading destination for the nation's 1.1 million military spouses, who contribute to their communities, the military and each other every day. A division of Victory Media, Military Spouse provides online and print resources for military families on PCS, careers, education opportunities and family life. Follow us at militaryspouse.com, or on Facebook and Twitter. Founded in 2001, Victory Media is a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB) that connects the military community to civilian employment, entrepreneurial and education opportunities through its G.I. Jobs, Military Spouse, Vetrepreneur, STEM JobsSM and Military Friendly brands. Learn more at http://www.victorymedia.com. About Armed Forces Insurance: Armed Forces Insurance (AFI) is the insurance company of choice for current and retired members of the uniformed services, their children, and Department of Defense civilians. Founded in 1887 by military leaders with a single mission: to protect the property of those who protect our nation, providing premium quality, competitively priced property and casualty insurance to military professionals throughout the Armed Forces. We know our members have unique circumstances and insurance needs, and we offer a level of personalized service that is unequaled in the industry-because Our Mission is YOU - and your peace of mind. The company also furthers our strong commitment to give back to military and local communities through important programs and sponsorships including the Great American Patriot Award at the Armed Forces Bowl, the Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year Award, the Vetrepreneur of the Year Award, and the Military Warriors Support Foundation. In early 2015, AFI established the Armed Forces Insurance Foundation to assist in educating the military community on a wide array of key personal financial topics to help them succeed. For more information, visit the website at http://www.afi.org or call 1-800-495-8234, and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. For more information or to arrange interviews, contact Suzanne Trevino or Brian OMalley, Gordon C. James PR, at 602-274-1988. The African-American church has been at the forefront of social change for generations and this is a moment where the church can rally around teen and unplanned pregnancy and make real progress on behalf of teens, women, and entire families. For many in the African-American community, the Black church has historically been a place where tough community issues are addressed, and that is why The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy (The National Campaign), Values Partnerships (VPI), and prominent faith leaders nationwide have teamed up to provide important resources to Black clergy focused on early and unintended pregnancy. Newly developed resources available at http://www.TheNationalCampaign.org/blackchurch include free videos, fact sheets, tips, and other information to help church leaders learn about these issues and bring them to their congregations in meaningful ways. The Black church has always been a powerful force for good and is uniquely situated to provide information, support, and guidance on relationships, sex, contraception, and childbearing, said Ginny Ehrlich, CEO, The National Campaign. As a national organization committed to serving all women, we welcome this partnership with VPI and Black clergy leaders nationwide. Although the teen birth rate for young Black women in the United States has declined 49% in the past decade and 73% since peaking in 1991, it is still the case that roughly four in 10 Black girls get pregnant before the age of 20. Among Black women of all ages, 64% of pregnancies are described by women themselves unplanned. Research shows that having an unplanned pregnancy as a teenager or in ones young adulthood has a huge impact on a woman, her partner, her family, and her community. The Black church and teen and unplanned pregnancy project from VPI and The National Campaign comes at a critically important time, said Joshua DuBois, Founder/CEO, Values Partnerships. The African-American church has been at the forefront of social change for generations and this is a moment where the church can rally around teen and unplanned pregnancy and make real progress on behalf of teens, women, and entire families. Among those who lent their expertise to this project and appear in the videos are Rev. W. Antoni Sinkfield and First Lady Kristy Sinkfield of Payne Chapel AME Church in Nashville, Tenn.; Rev. Que English of the Bronx Christian Fellowship Church in New York City; Dr. Yvonne Bennett of Hallelujah Christian Fellowship Ministries in Union, NJ; Rev. Kip Bernard Banks, Sr. of East Washington Heights Baptist Church in Washington, DC; Bishop Darren Ferguson of Mount Carmel Baptist Church in Arverne (Far Rockaway), NY; Rev. Derrick Harkins of the Union Theological Seminary in New York City; and Rev. Tony Lee of Community of Hope AME Church in Hillcrest Heights, MD. Rev. Sinkfields advice for his colleagues is to Stop being afraid or ashamed or whatever it is about dealing with the realities of human beings being sexual beings. Have that conversation and create safe ground in the life of the church. When our kids come to church they just want someone to love and care about them. And out of that love and care emerges conversations about things that are important to them, First Lady Sinkfield agreed. The Christian church really has no option but to pay attention to teen and unplanned pregnancy. It's happening right in our houses of worship so if we dont pay attention to it, that means that we're saying that we're not doing our job, said Rev. English of the Bronx Christian Fellowship. Teenage and unplanned pregnancy is definitely an issue that impacts our communities, said Rev. Lee of Community of Hope AME Church. The church needs to deal with the issues of the day and issues that impact people. The church should be a place where people can come not just for the answers to their problems but to be able to talk through the challenges of their lives. The role of the church should be to keep an open mind, said Dr. Bennett of Hallelujah Christian Fellowship Ministries. Have seminars, invite people in that have expertise in thislet it be an open subject. Noted VPIs DuBois, Were so honored that some of the top faith leaders from across the Black church have contributed to this toolkit based on their years of experience and desire to make an impact on these issues. The videos address topics such as what churches can do and what scripture says. The fact sheets, tips, and videos available at http://www.TheNationalCampaign.org/blackchurch were developed in response to a The National Campaign Black Clergy Convening in 2015. About The National Campaign: The National Campaign is a private, non-partisan, non-profit organization that seeks to improve the lives and future prospects of children and families by preventing teen and unplanned pregnancy. Please visit us at http://www.TheNationalCampaign.org or follow along on Facebook and Twitter. About Values Partnerships: Values Partnerships (@VPIConsulting) uses the power of community and faith-based partnerships to solve problems and change the world. We take on causes and clients we believe in and then we work to build grassroots partnerships and advocacy campaigns to advance goals, and mobilize customers, constituencies and audiences worldwide. Magnet logo Magnet recognition provides our community with the ultimate benchmark to measure the quality of patient care, said Lauraine Spano-Szekely, DNP, MBA, BSN, RN, Sr. Vice President Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer at NWH. As a reflection of Northern Westchester Hospitals (NWH) nursing professionalism, teamwork and superiority in patient care, NWH has achieved Magnet recognition for the second time, announced by the Chair of the Commission on Magnet on Tuesday, January 31, 2017. The American Nurses Credentialing Centers Magnet Recognition Program distinguishes organizations that meet rigorous standards for nursing excellence. NWH achieved this recognition previously in 2012. With this credential, NWH again joins the global community of Magnet-recognized organizations. Just 448 U.S. healthcare organizations out of over 6,300 U.S. hospitals have achieved Magnet recognition. NWH is also one of nine (9) hospitals worldwide that are Planetree Designated with Distinction which means that NWH is a teaching hospital and nationally recognized leader for patient-centered care, committed to fostering patient and family engagement and creating innovative programs and services that are fundamentally attentive to the needs of patients and their families. There are currently only five (5) hospitals worldwide that are both Planetree Designated with Distinction AND Magnet recognized. Magnet recognition provides our community with the ultimate benchmark to measure the quality of patient care, said Lauraine Spano-Szekely, DNP, MBA, BSN, RN, Sr. Vice President Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer at NWH. Achieving Magnet recognition reinforces the culture of excellence that is a cornerstone of how we serve our community. Its also tangible evidence of our nurses commitment to providing the very best quality, patient-centered care to our patients, of which we are extremely proud. Registered Nurses at NWH are incented to obtain higher levels of education including baccalaureate preparation and certification in their specialties. Highly-qualified staff have a positive impact on patient safety. Research demonstrates that Magnet recognition provides specific benefits to health care organizations and their communities, such as: Higher patient satisfaction with nurse communication, availability of help and receipt of discharge information. Lower risk of 30-day mortality and lower failure to rescue rates. Higher job satisfaction among nurses. Lower nurse reports of intentions to leave their positions. Magnet recognition is the gold standard for nursing excellence and is a factor when the public judges health care organizations. U.S. News & World Reports annual showcase of Americas Best Hospitals includes Magnet recognition in its ranking criteria for quality of inpatient care. The Magnet Model provides a framework for nursing practice, research, and measurement of outcomes. Through this framework, ANCC evaluates applicants across a number of components and dimensions to gauge an organizations nursing excellence. The foundation of this model comprises various elements deemed essential to delivering superior patient care. These include the quality of nursing leadership and coordination and collaboration across specialties, as well as processes for measuring and improving the quality and delivery of care. To achieve Magnet recognition, organizations must pass a rigorous and lengthy process that demands widespread participation from leadership and staff. This process includes an electronic application, written patient care documentation, an on-site visit, and a review by the Commission on Magnet Recognition. We have achieved Magnet recognition on the heels of several other noteworthy achievements in 2016 that speak to the overarching quality of care and focus on patient and family engagement that can be found at Northern Westchester Hospital, said Spano-Szekely. In addition to re-designation as a Planetree Designated Patient-Centered Hospital with Distinction, NWH received re-accreditation by the Joint Commission, and earned its fourth consecutive A Grade for Patient Safety in the fall 2016 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade. About Northern Westchester Hospital Northern Westchester Hospital (NWH), a member of the Northwell Health, provides quality, patient-centered care that is close to home through a unique combination of medical expertise, leading-edge technology, and a commitment to humanity. Over 650 highly-skilled physicians, state-of-the-art technology and professional staff of caregivers are all in place to ensure that you and your family receive treatment in a caring, respectful and nurturing environment. NWH has established extensive internal quality measurements that surpass the standards defined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Hospital Quality Alliance (HQA) National Hospital Quality Measures. Our high-quality standards help to ensure that the treatment you receive at NWH is among the best in the nation. For more information, please visit http://www.nwhc.net and connect with us on Facebook. About Northwell Health Northwell Health is New York States largest health care provider and private employer, with 21 hospitals and over 550 outpatient facilities. We care for more than two million people annually in the metro New York area and beyond, thanks to philanthropic support from our communities. Our 61,000 employees 15,000+ nurses and nearly 3,400 physicians, including nearly 2,700 members of Northwell Health Physician Partners -- are working to change health care for the better. Were making breakthroughs in medicine at the Feinstein Institute. We're training the next generation of medical professionals at the visionary Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine and the School of Graduate Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies. And we offer health insurance through CareConnect. For information on our more than 100 medical specialties, visit Northwell.edu. About ANCCs Magnet Recognition Program The Magnet Recognition Program administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the largest and most prominent nurses credentialing organization in the world identifies health care organizations that provide the very best in nursing care and professionalism in nursing practice. The Magnet Recognition Program is the highest national honor for nursing excellence and provides consumers with the ultimate benchmark for measuring quality of care. For more information about the Magnet Recognition Program and current statistics, visit http://www.nursecredentialing.org/magnet. Northern Westchester Hospital Contact: Gretchen Mullin Director, Marketing & Public Affairs gmullin(at)nwhc(dot)net 914-666-1266 Avomeen Analytical Services BioMixers are casual networking events that provide an opportunity to interact with peers, make new connections and talk bio biz. Avomeen & MichBio will be hosting a BioMixer next week Thursday, February 23rd between 5:00-7:00 p.m. The event will be held at Avomeen Analytical Services (4840 Venture Dr., Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108). BioMixers are a casual, members-only networking event hosted by a MichBio member organization. They provide an opportunity to interact with peers, make new connections and talk bio biz. Cost: MichBio Members: free Nonmembers: $19 About MichBio: Their mission encompasses broad industry sub-sector representation including pharmaceuticals and therapeutics (human and animal health, generics and OTCs), medical devices, diagnostics, research tools, informatics (healthcare and bio-informatics), nutritional health (nutraceuticals), clinical research, industrial biotechnology, bio-fuels, and bio-agriculture. http://www.michbio.org About Avomeen Analytical Services: Avomeen is a full-service chemical testing laboratory that offers advanced product testing & development services for a variety of specialty, consumer, and industrial goods. Their experienced chemists specialize in: Deformulation Analysis (Product Reverse Engineering & Reformulation) Material Testing Services &Unknown Material Identification Product Defect Investigations & Failure Analysis Custom Formulation Development Services Litigation Support & Expert Witnesses Pharmaceutical Development & Laboratory Analysis Solving Even the Most Complex Manufacturing Problems Call 800-930-5450 today to discuss your needs with one of Avomeen's skilled and friendly Ph.D. scientists. They can work with you to define your projects goals, determine the time-frame that it would take to complete your project, identify the steps and costs involved, and can quickly develop a no-obligation custom proposal that solves exactly what you are looking for. http://www.avomeen.com Event Details & Registration: Working together, we developed an authentic learning assessment that exposed to NECB learners the skills and competencies required of a loan officer and gave educators insight into how students could transfer their knowledge to a real-world application. New England College of Business (NECB) is pleased to announce that its collaboration with Authess has been recognized by the US Department of Education as a model implementation of technology in Higher Education. Ted Mitchell, former Undersecretary of Education under President Barack Obama, on Jan. 19, 2017 announced the report, Reimagining the Role of Technology in Higher Education, A Supplement to the National Education Technology Plan, which represents a shared vision and call to action for transformational learning enabled by technology while embracing themes of lifelong learning, equity, and accessibility. In the Design Principle section of the Plan, the case study outlining NECBs implementation of Authess Authentic Assessments calls out NECBs innovative use of technology to create high value opportunities for learners to measure their real-world competencies: The college wanted to improve student engagement and ownership through more authentic assessment. In 2015, NECB partnered with Authess, a company using machine-learning technology to assess competency-based learning and workplace readiness, to create a real-world lending assessment for their Principles of Banking course. The assessment, which Authess created with industry-experts, includes a scenario about whether to foreclose on a home. Students read the scenario, conduct research, analyze critical information, and then submit their plans of action. Course instructors have access to multiple data points as students work through the problem and can use the data to inform what content to focus on during interactive lectures. Upon completion, students walk away with a report outlining how close their performance was to an experts performance in the field. We are extremely pleased to be recognized as technological innovators in Higher Education, said Howard Horton, President of NECB. Our focus at NECB is to ensure that our students have the requisite skills to be successful in their careers. Through Authess, students were able to test their skills in determining whether to make a loan or to foreclose on one. By simulating the actual loan-making environment at banks in which credit ratings got examined, borrowing history was reviewed, and financial solidity of proposed business plans was analyzed, students were injected into a real-world scenario where their decisions could have either a positive or detrimental impact on their employer. "Working with the New England College of Business was an ideal partnership," said Authess CEO Paul Crockett. "NECB makes it a priority to connect directly with the local industry and help prepare their learners for in-demand jobs across banking and financial services. Working together, we developed an authentic learning assessment that exposed to NECB learners the skills and competencies required of a loan officer and gave educators insight into how students could transfer their knowledge to a real-world application. This is precisely what the Authess framework allows educators and corporations to do: gather new insight into how people think and behave while engaged with authentic tasks." About New England College of Business Founded in 1909, New England College of Business (NECB) is a leading Boston institution offering quality education and online degrees at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Serving students across the United States, NECB is an online college accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) and is licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education. For information on NECB, visit https://www.necb.edu/, follow NECB on Twitter or connect with the school on Facebook. About Authess Authess, a LearnLaunch Accelerator company based in Boston, is focused on the design, delivery, and measurement of authentic assessments. Authess proprietary technologies use machine learning and advanced analytics for higher levels of assessment. Authess provides insight into learners knowledge, skills and abilities as they solve real-world, complex problems. These competencies are not well measured with scalable multiple choice tests, yet are essential to understanding what a learner can do, not just what they know. Follow Authess on Twitter @authesslearn and on the web at http://www.authess.com. Comedian Paula Poundstone performs at the Osher Marin JCC 4.22.17 With the exception of that one time. - Paula Poundstone Another laugh-filled evening of great fun with the star of NPRs Wait, Wait Dont Tell Me, and one of the funniest stand-up comics working today is on the horizon. Paula Poundstone returns at 8 p.m. Saturday, April 22, 2017, to the Osher Marin JCC. The evening is co-presented by the Other Cafe Comedy Showcase and The Kanbar Center for the Performing Arts at the Osher Marin JCC. A Paula Poundstone performance always leaves the audience marveling at her ability to interact with them, and the resulting hilarity. Her ability to be spontaneous with a crowd separates her from other comedians working today and that is what has made her a legend among comics and audiences alike. Interchanges are never mean or done at a persons expense. She even manages to handle politics without provoking the pall of disapproval received by less artful comics With the exception of that one time," Paula claims. It's little wonder people leave her shows complaining that their cheeks hurt from laughter and debating whether the random people she talked to are plants which of course, they never are. At the top of her game (San Francisco Chronicle) Never been funnier (Boston Globe) "Insightful, thought-provoking humor (Chicago Tribune) WHAT: An evening of hilarity with comedienne Paula Poundstone WHEN: Saturday, April 22, 2017 @ 8:00 pm No Host Cocktails/Concessions: 6:45pm; Doors Open @ 7pm; VIP Reception @ 7:15pm TICKETS: From $34.50 to $74.50 with four-tiered seating options. Reserved VIP seating includes a pre-event private artists reception. WHERE: The Osher Marin JCC Hoytt Theater, 200 N. San Pedro Road, San Rafael, Calif., 94903~415.444.8000 MORE: Concessions include cocktails, sodas, Peets Coffee, Numi Teas and Sweets & Savories. All are allowed in the theater. More info available at JCC website (http://www.marinjcc.org) PARKING: Free onsite and street parking The Kanbar Center for the Performing Arts is the Performing Arts Department in the Osher Marin Jewish Community Center in San Rafael, Calif. All are welcome, no membership is ever required to attend. The Center is a long-standing Marin non-profit, centrally located in Marin County. Twitter: twitter.com/paulapoundstone Facebook: facebook.com/paulapoundstone Website: paulapoundstone.com About Osher Marin JCC Performing Arts: The Kanbar Center has established a strong and well-respected reputation within the community as a Center for the Performing Arts in Marin County. Originally known as CenterStage, this performing arts department within the Osher Marin JCC has been presenting a stunning lineup of world-class performances from emerging and established performers annually since 1990. Venues include the grand Hoytt Theater, the intimate Kurland Lounge, and Swig Field, an outdoor venue nestled near the hills of Marin and home of the celebrated Summer Nights festivals. Sir Adam Hotel located in the A'DAM Tower in Amsterdam This is a complete dormakaba property solution that gives guests secure access to public spaces and lifts in the tower with their RFID guest room key. dormakaba Group, provider of Saflok and Ilco RFID and mobile access security solutions, announced the Sir Adam Amsterdam hotel in The Netherlands, implemented its Saflok Quantum RFID electronic door lock system. Sir Adam is located in the first eight floors of Amsterdams landmark ADAM Toren tower overlooking the historic city center. dormakaba is a leading company in the global market for access and security solutions. Click here for information on electronic door locks from the dormakaba Group. Sir Adam Amsterdam and its guest spaces and outlets are part of the dynamic 22-story ADAM Toren commercial tower, Hotel Manager Barbara de Jong said. dormakabas installation group was organized and the Quantum system implementation went very well. Sir Adam is an urban boutique hotel in Amsterdams cultural hub overlooking the City IJ-River. New York Times described the area as Amsterdams red-hot art neighborhood and new creative city center. Sir Adam is known for its edgy, Euro-chic architecture, guest rooms, and public spaces, said Alastair Cush, dormakaba head of lodging global business development. dormakaba matched the propertys energetic design with its latest mobile-ready Quantum RFID electronic door locks with custom powder coated Gala levers. The doors are equipped with a special matte black anti-fingerprint cover that perfectly fits the propertys look and feel. This is a complete dormakaba property solution that gives guests secure access to public spaces and lifts in the tower with their RFID guest room key, Cush said. All dormakaba RFID locks manufactured today are compatible with BLE, IOS and Android mobile technology. dormakaba Mobile Access enables guests to open their hotel doors equipped with BLE electronic locks using their mobile phone or device, including the Apple Watch, as a flexible alternative to a classic RFID keycard. About Sir Adam Hotel Sir Adam Amsterdam is located in the citys landmark ADAM Toren overlooking the City, IJ-river and the historic city center of Amsterdam. This urban boutique hotel boasts 108 rooms, diverse food and beverage outlets, and multi-dimensional meeting and event spaces. Sir Adams colorful industrial-chic interiors, designed by award-winning New York-based design agency ICRAVE, creates a free-spirited playful atmosphere. Click here for more information or to book a reservation. About dormakaba dormakaba is one of the top three companies in the global market for access and security solutions. With strong brands such as Dorma and Kaba in our portfolio, we are a single source for products, solutions, and services related to doors and secure access to buildings and rooms. With around 16,000 employees and numerous cooperation partners, we are active in over 130 countries. dormakaba is headquartered in Rumlang (Zurich/Switzerland) and generates an annual turnover of over CHF 2 billion. SIX Swiss Exchange: DOKA (formerly: KABN / KABNE) Further information at http://www.dormakaba.com F.A.S.T Global Marketing F.A.S.T. Global Marketing has outlined that they expect more expansions to take shape in the near future. Company growth and business expansions are incredibly important for F.A.S.T Global Marketing who work on behalf of their clients to deliver continuously increasing results. The firm reveals how growing their own business helps them to increase market reach which, in turn, helps to grow their clients brands. Additionally, expanding into new locations helps the firm to attract new top talent from new areas and therefore continue their growth and improve results. About F.A.S.T Global Marketing: http://www.fastglobalmarketing.com/about-us/ F.A.S.T. Global Marketing revealed at the end of last year that their goals for 2017 will be heavily focused on growth and expanding into multiple new cities and recently it has become apparent that the firm is on track to achieve these goals. F.A.S.T. Global Marketing shared how they will be on track to expand into Seattle, Washington by March. With an estimated 684,451 residents, Seattle is the largest city in the state of Washington and the Pacific Northwest region of North America. Having a large population is incredibly important for F.A.S.T. Global Marketing as this will give them the perfect opportunity to connect with an increasing volume of potential consumers. Seattle has a growing economy and is currently ranked as the 11th largest metropolitan economy in the United States which demonstrates the thriving business activity in the area. Another main focus for F.A.S.T. Global Marketing, and a huge contributing factor to choosing the area for their latest expansion, is Seattles strong education system. Of the citys population over the age of 25, 53.8% hold a bachelors degree or higher, and 91.9% have a high school diploma, much higher than the national averages. This is very important for F.A.S.T. Global Marketing as it means they will have access to a huge pool of talent who could become potential candidates for the firms workforce. As advocates of entrepreneurship F.A.S.T. Global Marketing is keen to share details of their business development opportunity which gives them the chance to make their contractors dreams of opening a business come true. As part of their expansion process, F.A.S.T. Global Marketing gives their top performers the opportunity to head up an expansion team and therefore manage their own sales and marketing office. Our opportunity is more than just a career, it is a lifestyle choice and a chance to pursue real business dreams, shared President of F.A.S.T. Global Marketing Tofiq Bolwala. After confirming they are on track to reach their growth goals this year by announcing their upcoming expansion to Seattle, F.A.S.T. Global Marketing has outlined that they expect more expansions to take shape in the near future. F.A.S.T. Global Marketing is an outsourced sales and marketing firm specialising in direct marketing. The firm connects with their clients ideal consumers via personalised marketing campaigns which are designed to offer face-to-face communication as a way to build long-lasting and personal business relationships between brand and consumer. In turn, this often leads to increased customer acquisition, brand awareness and brand loyalty for their clients. Greenwich Boat Show 4/8-4/9/2017 It is the only in-water boat show like it, they encourage you to take out multiple boats to ride and compare how they handle. Now entering the ninth year since it was first imagined, the Greenwich Boat Show continues to be a favorite among Northeast boaters. For good reason, theres absolutely no other boat show like it. This boutique in-water show has built its reputation by offering a diverse selection of new power boats and yachts, with unparalleled access via sea-trials to let boaters feel how these boats ride on the open water. Greenwich Boat Show will continue to offer free admission and exciting pre-show raffles. The 2017 Greenwich Boat Show will be held April 8 and 9, from 10am to 4pm, on the Mianus River in Cos Cob, Connecticut. Its the only boat show that offers sea-trials and free admission. Boaters have access to test drive multiple new boats on Long Island Sound, and compare how they handle. This years show will have plenty to offer, with over 100 boats representing 35 different brands from 16 of the best dealers in the region. Boaters in the market for high-end, luxury vessels can test such brands as Chris Craft, Tiara, Cruiser Yachts, Fairline, Back Cove, Sabre, Southport Boats, MJM, and True North. Theyll also be able to try Hunt Yachts, Vanquish, and Galeon. Anglers hoping to reel in a great fishing boat will have plenty to consider. They can test sport fishing vessels like Everglades, Scout, Grady White, Pursuit, Boston Whaler, and Regulator. Theyll also get to try great fishing boats from Release, EdgeWater, Sea Fox, Sea Hunt, World Cat, Seaway and Robalo. For a special experience, step aboard American Tug. Families looking for that perfect cruising vessel will enjoy such brands as Sea Ray, Monterey, Carolina Cat, Chaparral, Regal, and Bennington pontoons. To secure a preferred time to test ride your favorite boat, schedule sea-trials in advance http://www.greenwichboatshow.com. As a surf and turf spectacular, Lamborghini will return with two of their newest models. Also replaying this year, enter to win two great raffles prior to the show. Winners receive either a Garmin handheld GPS or an overnight stay at the Cos Cob Inn to make it a Boat Show Weekend with access to the exclusive VIP party. This years sunset party will be held on Saturday, April 8, and will include a nautical fashion show by Laura McKittrick, Greenwich Girl. Micoley.com, powered by RealtyHive, a nationwide traditional real estate and auction firm announces the upcoming auction events of prime Hunting Land parcels in Wisconsin and Minnesota. These events will be held online-only Wednesday, February 22nd and March 29th, both from 10am - 4pm CST. February 22nd, 2017 Event - Featured Property in Northwestern, WI (Price County) Avid sportsmen no longer have to dream about owning a 1,000+ acre Deer Camp in an area with trophy bucks, great fishing and 4-season trails! This prime piece of hunting land in Northern WI offers 1,445+/- acres, a 3,126 square-foot lodge with 5BR/2BA and a detached 2.5 car garage, all while overlooking a 1 acre pond. This property also includes an additional 786 square-foot cabin. The future owner can call this property home all year round with the abundance of whitetail deer, black bear, and ruffed grouse that travel the grounds. The property has been managed for trophy whitetails for over 20 years, with plenty of trophy bucks successfully harvested. Located in Wisconsin's Northwoods, Price County is known for its abundance of natural beauty. With hundreds of miles of motorized and non-motorized 4-season trails, 270,000+ acres of land between national, state and county forests, six county parks, over 170 lakes, and trout streams - it is not hard to understand why Price County should be on everyone's vacation property list. March 29th, 2017 Event - Featured Property in Northeastern, WI (Lake County) 2,013+/- acres of recreational forest land featuring a 3 story lodge. This property consists of 61 parcels with Aspen, White Birch, Northern Hardwoods, Conifers, and Cedar. This opportunity is rare as the parcels are being sold separately or as a bulk package. These parcels are in a location great for hunting and recreation. Some restrictive covenants may apply on the parcels. Lake County is located in the Arrowhead Region of Northeastern Minnesota. The county features unlimited options for those who enjoy hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, ATVing, and much more. Lake County has over 800 lakes and over 400 streams - many of them being trout streams. Wade T. Micoley, Founder and CEO of Micoley.com, powered by RealtyHive, is extremely excited about these events. "It's such a great opportunity for any buyer looking for that perfect piece of land," stated Micoley. "These properties are rare finds and will not last long. People travel all over the U.S. to go hunting and fishing in these areas!" For additional hunting land opportunities or more information, please visit http://www.micoley.com or call 866-371-3619. Micoley.com is always available, at any point to assist. About Micoley.com, powered by RealtyHive: Micoley.com was created to "transform the real estate industry." Founder and CEO, Wade T. Micoley has served as a real estate industry leader for more than 30 years and continues to provide marketing solutions to his wide range of clients. "Today we serve the real estate community in both the banking and private sectors with customized, accelerated marketing programs," said W. Micoley. "Programs are tailored to create the best chance to sell. As a result of our aggressive marketing plan, Micoley.com has successfully assisted many clients across the United States." Our goal is to build on this momentum in the year ahead, by developing new ways to deliver world-class experiences. FRESNO, CA, February 16, 2017 Insurance Relief, part of the PrideStaff group of companies, is pleased to announce that they have earned one of Inavero's coveted Best of Staffing Client and Talent Diamond Awards, after winning the Best of Staffing Client and Talent Awards at least five years in a row for providing superior service to their clients and job seekers. This is the second consecutive year Insurance Relief has earned the Diamond distinction for client satisfaction. "These awards validate our team's daily commitment to living out Insurance Relief's Mission: 'Consistently provide client experiences focused on what they value most'," said Kade Houston, Division Manager at Insurance Relief. "Our ability to deliver on that promise is what makes employers, job seekers and associates come back to us time and time again." "We are thrilled to be recognized as a Diamond Award winner in both client and talent satisfaction," continued Houston. "Our goal is to build on this momentum in the year ahead, by developing new ways to deliver world-class experiences." "Staffing firms are giving top companies a competitive advantage as they search for talent in North America," said Inavero's CEO Eric Gregg. "The 2017 Best of Staffing winners have achieved exceptionally high levels of satisfaction and I'm proud to feature them on BestofStaffing.com." About Insurance Relief Insurance Relief specializes in recruiting top candidates for companies within the insurance industry, and is a division of PrideStaff. The parent company was founded in the 1970s as 100 percent company-owned units and began staffing franchising in 1995. They operate over 74 offices in North America to serve over 5,000 clients. With over 40 years in the staffing business, headquartered in Fresno, CA, all PrideStaff brands offer the resources and expertise of a national firm with the spirit, dedication and personal service of smaller, entrepreneurial firms. For more information on PrideStaff, Insurance Relief services or for franchise information, visit http://www.pridestaff.com or http://www.insurance-relief.com. PrideStaff and Insurance Relief's shared Mission: Consistently provide client experiences focused on what they value most. About Inavero Inavero administers more staffing agency client and talent satisfaction surveys than any other firm in the world. Inaveros team reports on over 1.2 million satisfaction surveys from staffing agency clients and talent each year, and the company serves as the American Staffing Associations exclusive service quality partner. About Inaveros Best of Staffing Inaveros Best of Staffing Award is the only award in the U.S. and Canada that recognizes staffing agencies that have proven superior service quality based completely on the ratings given to them by their clients and job candidates. Award winners are showcased by city and area of expertise on BestofStaffing.com an online resource for hiring professionals and job seekers to find the best staffing agencies to call when they are in need. (NEA and NEH) play a uniquely valuable role in helping make the arts and humanities accessible to every American. More than 350 staff, students, board members, volunteers, supporters and independent professionals who work for and with museums will travel to Washington, DC from across the country to advocate for federal support of Americas museums, with over 300 of them making visits to House and Senate offices on Capitol Hill. Organized by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), the ninth annual Museums Advocacy Day, February 2728, will present Congress with powerful research and stories on the economic, educational and community impact museums make locally and nationally. This years participation is more than 50 percent higher than a year ago, and marks the first time that an advocate from each of the 50 states is scheduled to make visits on Capitol Hill. Museum professionals are stepping up in record numbers this year, said Alliance President and CEO Laura Lott, motivated in part by concerns about reports that the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) could face potential elimination. These agencies play a uniquely valuable role in helping make the arts and humanities accessible to every American. The museum field will stand strongly against any effort to impede the important work of NEA and NEH, and the multiplier effect their grants have in local communities. We will need every museum professional, every trustee, and every volunteer to speak with one voice to help preserve these vital agencies, and to make sure the new Congress knows about the vital role museums play in our communities, our economy, and in the education of our young people. Museum advocates travel to Washington for a day of issue briefings on Feb. 27, followed by a day of visits to Congressional offices on Feb. 28. In meetings with legislators and staff, they will advocate for federal agencies, such as the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the NEH, and the NEA, that support the work of museums. They also will urge Congress to protect the full scope and value of the charitable deduction in any tax reform legislation. The Alliance reports the following figures that exemplify the importance of investing in museums: Museums invest more than $2 billion in education programs each year. Museums welcome more than 55 million visits from schoolchildren each year. In direct expenditures alone, US museums inject $21 billion into the economy, and employ roughly 400,000 Americans. Museums receive more than 850 million visits annually, more than all major league sporting events combined. For every $1 invested in museums and other cultural organizations, more than $5 is returned in tax revenues. A significant amount of federal funding comes back to each state from the federal cultural agencies. Nearly all museums are nonprofit organizations, and over one-third of their funding comes from charitable donations. All museum supporters are encouraged to advocate from anywhere by sending letters to elected officials, by engaging local press and sharing messages via social media, using #museumsadvocacy2017. New Data from National Survey on Advocacy by Museum Trustees Participants will get a fresh look at the secret weapons of advocacy -- museum trustees and a sneak peek at new data from a first-of-its-kind nationwide survey of museum directors and board chairs. Panelists at the session The Vital Role of Trustees in Advocacy will include Kathy Dwyer Southern, board member, Biggs Museum of American Art, and director of special initiatives for the American Alliance of Museums (moderator); Anne Wallestad, president and CEO, BoardSource; Christine Holm, regional director, Northern Trust; and Meg Ferguson, trustee, The Walters Art Museum. Honorees During Museums Advocacy Day, the Alliance will present awards to members of Congress who have demonstrated exemplary support for museums. The 2017 Congressional Honorees are Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and Sen. Thad Cochran (R-MS). The Alliance also will recognize longtime advocate Margaret Benjamin as its 2017 Champion of Museums. Benjamin serves on the board of the Weatherspoon Art Museum at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro and is vice chair of the Museum Trustee Association. Through advocacy, trustees can use their bright spotlights not to light up themselves, but to shine on their museums essential role in communities, Benjamin said. This is what advocacy is about. Members of the media are invited to attend Museums Advocacy Day; please R.S.V.P. to jklem (at) aam-us (dot) org. The 2017 Museums Advocacy Day is made possible with generous support from Blackbaud, Northern Trust, and 40 national, regional, and state partner organizations. More details are available at aam-us.org/advocacy, and you can follow the event on Twitter at #MuseumsAdvocacy2017. About the American Alliance of Museums The American Alliance of Museums has been bringing museums together since 1906, helping to develop standards and best practices, gathering and sharing knowledge, and providing advocacy on issues of concern to the entire museum community. Representing more than 35,000 individual museum professionals and volunteers, institutions, and corporate partners serving the museum field, the Alliance stands for the broad scope of the museum community. The North American Polymer Company (NAPCO) has been officially awarded its fourth U.S. patent for inventor Steve Covens Bath Tub and Shower Inlay kit. This kit presents a refined and unique method for repairing a bathtub or shower by applying adhesive to the inlay of the surface floor. I am extremely proud of all of us at NAPCO who worked hard to create this new product, commented Coven, also the owner of NAPCO. This kit will allow our refinishers to complete their work in an even more effective, efficient, and safe way, he said. The Bath Tub and Shower Inlay kit contains a PVC thermoplastic and a one-part adhesive comprised of a polyurethane-modified functional compound. This is the preferred material to use with the kit as it exhibits excellent adhesion to many substrates, including but not limited to: porcelain, steel, fiberglass, and many plastics. Additionally, the adhesive cures fast, even at low temperatures, contains no dangerous solvents or isocyanates, and is non-yellowing. NAPCO researcher Steve Zamborsky was thrilled at his companys award of a fourth patent. This is another demonstration of NAPCOs continuing commitment to being the best in the business, Zamborsky stated. We are always looking for ways to improve the quality of our products on behalf of our refinishers and their clients. I am grateful to Steve [Coven] for his work on this project. he finished. Intellectual property attorney Marc Richards, who assisted NAPCO in the filing of this patent, was excited to bring the announcement to NAPCO, telling Coven that he is now in an exclusive club of like-minded inventive geniuses. About NAPCO NAPCO is an industry-leading supply company of tub, tile, shower, and countertop refinishing products. Since its inception in 1979, NAPCO has functioned under a service first mentality, a quality that is evident by its strong customer base. NAPCO also offers first-class training programs to help women and men become professional refinishers. To learn more, visit http://www.napcoltd.com Everyone on our team, from front-office personnel to senior managers, strives to create exceptional experiences for clients, candidates and associates Rx relief, part of the PrideStaff group of companies, is pleased to announce that they have earned one of Inavero's coveted Best of Staffing Client and Talent Diamond Awards, after winning the Best of Staffing Client and Talent Awards at least five years in a row for providing superior service to their clients and job seekers. Rx relief is the only staffing firm dedicated to pharmacy staffing in the U.S. and Canada to win these awards three years in a row. "Winning this award validates our commitment to living out Rx relief's Mission each day: 'Consistently provide client experiences focused on what they value most'," said Carl Franklin, R. PH., Executive Vice President, Rx relief. "By focusing on the things employers and job seekers value most, we build strong, loyal partnerships that benefit all parties involved. "Everyone on our team, from front-office personnel to senior managers, strives to create exceptional experiences for clients, candidates and associates," continued Franklin. "We are honored to be named three-time winners of Diamond Awards on both the client and talent side, and we will continue to develop new ways of creating world-class experiences for our clients and talent throughout the year ahead." "Staffing firms are giving top companies a competitive advantage as they search for talent in North America," said Inavero's CEO Eric Gregg. "The 2017 Best of Staffing winners have achieved exceptionally high levels of satisfaction and I'm proud to feature them on BestofStaffing.com." About Rx relief A division of PrideStaff, Rx relief is a Joint Commission Certified and GSA approved pharmacy placement firm providing temporary and full-time pharmacy professionals for all pharmacy practice settings. The parent company was founded in the 1970s as 100 percent company-owned units and began staffing franchising in 1995. They operate over 74 offices in North America to serve over 5,000 clients. With over 40 years in the staffing business, headquartered in Fresno, CA, all PrideStaff brands offer the resources and expertise of a national firm with the spirit, dedication and personal service of smaller, entrepreneurial firms. For more information on PrideStaff, Rx relief services or for franchise information, visit http://www.pridestaff.com or http://www.rxrelief.com. PrideStaff and Rx relief's shared Mission: Consistently provide client experiences focused on what they value most. About Inavero Inavero administers more staffing agency client and talent satisfaction surveys than any other firm in the world. Inaveros team reports on over 1.2 million satisfaction surveys from staffing agency clients and talent each year, and the company serves as the American Staffing Associations exclusive service quality partner. About Inaveros Best of Staffing Inaveros Best of Staffing Award is the only award in the U.S. and Canada that recognizes staffing agencies that have proven superior service quality based completely on the ratings given to them by their clients and job candidates. Award winners are showcased by city and area of expertise on BestofStaffing.com an online resource for hiring professionals and job seekers to find the best staffing agencies to call when they are in need. "The Hotel Industry in 2020" by IDeaS, Revinate and SiteMinder These results reflect the high degree of conservatism within the hotel industry, particularly when it comes to technology. It is as if the industry is still preoccupied with the same issues as ten years ago. While hoteliers anticipate highly-sophisticated and digital native hotel guests in 2020, their plans for industry technology remain stuck in the early 2000s. This is the startling research finding from The Hotel Industry in 2020 carried out by Peter OConnor, IDeaS Revenue Solutions, Revinate and SiteMinder. The study compiled survey results from hundreds of leading hoteliers around the world, and the results of a visioning session with experienced hoteliers and consultants held during World Travel Market (WTM) London in November 2016. The combined research explored anticipated hotel guests of 2020, as well as the technology needed to cater to their needs, says Peter OConnor, professor at ESSEC Business School. We wanted to hear directly from hoteliers about how the future traveller would look, and the measures needed to prepare for them. According to Dr OConnor, participants anticipate highly-sophisticated guests that seek unique experiences, have higher expectations and also expect recognition. As digital natives, these guests will rely primarily on mobile devices to engage with hotels before, during and after their hotel stay. Key differentiators such as flexibility, value and control are predicted to play a larger role in the guests buying decisions than human interaction. Fabian Specht, managing director EMEA at IDeaS, says, The collected data reveals predictions of a more demanding customer, with greater choices and access to information. When asked which technology hotels could not be without in 2020, respondents named those already implemented in many hotels, including revenue management systems, customer relationship management systems, property management systems, channel managers and e-marketing solutions. Thomas Landen, EMEA marketing manager at Revinate, adds, These results reflect the high degree of conservatism within the hotel industry, particularly when it comes to technology. It is as if the industry is still preoccupied with the same issues as ten years ago. By contrast, expert panelists largely operational managers and consultants from UK and European hotel properties and technology arenas nominated middleware, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning systems, predictive analysis tools and management dashboards to have more integrated views of the guest, along with messaging solutions and Bluetooth beacons to drive deeper engagement. The panelists suggested a key roadblock to implementing these systems industry-wide was highly-siloed customer data, which prevents a single 360-degree guest view. Other roadblocks included data protection and privacy issues, as many countries limit guest information storage; and industry conservatism with few hotels pushing boundaries and most tending to stick with well-established systems in the marketplace. Dai Williams, managing director EMEA at SiteMinder, says, It is clear we operate in an industry that continues to look to outdated and often-costly legacy systems for technological support. The resistance among hotels to change and innovation hurts the advancement of our industry, which, in itself, recognises the need to keep up with current and future consumers. To break the cycle, panelists advocate for the rise of a new breed of hotel management, one that includes applying a different set of skills and mindset capable of pushing technology forward a process already successful within industries such as retail and banking. ABOUT IDEAS With more than one million rooms priced daily on its advanced systems, IDeaS Revenue Solutions leads the industry with the latest revenue management software solutions and advisory services. Powered by SAS and more than 25 years of experience, IDeaS proudly supports more than 7,500 clients in 94 countries and is relentless about providing hoteliers more insightful ways to manage the data behind hotel pricing. IDeaS empowers its clients to build and maintain revenue management cultures from single entities to world-renowned estates by focusing on a simple promise: Driving Better Revenue. IDeaS has the knowledge, expertise and maturity to build upon proven revenue management principles with next-generation analytics for more user-friendly, insightful and profitable revenue opportunitiesnot just for rooms, but across the entire hotel enterprise. For more information, visit http://www.ideas.com. ABOUT REVINATE Revinate helps hotels turn guest data into revenue. With Revinates reputation management, satisfaction surveys, and CRM/marketing automation, hotels can make smarter investment decisions, resulting in increased revenue and guest satisfaction. The company is backed by leading investors Sozo Ventures, Benchmark Capital, Tenaya Capital, and more. Headquartered in San Francisco with offices in New York, Amsterdam and Singapore, Revinate counts over 30,000 of the worlds leading hotels as customers. To learn more, please visit http://www.revinate.com. ABOUT SITEMINDER As the leading cloud platform for hotels, SiteMinder allows hotels to attract, reach and convert guests across the globe. We serve hotels of all sizes with award-winning solutions for independents and groups alike, wherever they are in the world. SiteMinders products include The Channel Manager, the industrys leading online distribution platform; TheBookingButton, a wholly-branded booking engine for direct bookings via the web, mobile or social; Canvas, the intelligent website creator for independent hoteliers; Prophet, the real-time market intelligence solution that takes the guesswork out of pricing rooms; and GDS by SiteMinder, a single-point of entry to a six-figure network of travel agents and the worlds major global distribution systems. With more than 23,000 hotel customers and 550 of the industrys top connectivity providers as our partners, today we have presence in more than 160 countries on six continents. For more information, visit http://www.siteminder.com. Pakistan beat Bangladesh by five wickets to qualify for semifinals of T20 World Cup. Though The Hate U Give (HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray) takes place in an unspecified city at an unspecified time, the story is as urgent and troubling as any of the headlines on which its based. In the novel, 16-year-old Starr witnesses a police officer shoot and kill her childhood friend Khalil after he pulls over their car as they are on the way home from a party. Author Angie Thomas based her debut novel on her own experiences, both as a kid growing up in Jackson, Miss., and as a young woman navigating a world where gun violence and police brutality are a frightening everyday reality. PW spoke with her recently from her home in Jackson. You began working on this narrative when you were a senior in college, when you wrote it as a short story. Where did the idea come from, and what made you put it downand then pick it back up again? When I was in college, I, like Starr, was in two different worlds: I lived in what was considered the hood, but I went to a mostly white, Christian college in an upper-class neighborhood. I was close to my senior year when Oscar Grant was killed [in Oakland, Calif., in 2009]. At home, he was one of our own; at school, he deserved it. I was angry, and writing was the only way I could deal with it. More cases continued to happenTrayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Tamir Rice. When those cases made the headlines, all I could do was write to deal with my emotions. Honestly, it was that or do something crazy. Then, when I saw Trayvon Martins friend being ridiculed for presenting herself in a certain way on the witness stand, I thought, Oh, wow, why werent people celebrating her? I was like herI wanted to write this book for girls like her. How is your own experience growing up a part of this story? When I was younger, I thought that shootings were a natural part of life. When I was six, I was in a neighborhood park when some drug dealers decided to have a shoot-out. There was a kid in my elementary school who was accidentally killed in a drive-by. It wasnt until I got older that I thought, This is not normal. Books helped me a lot: My mom always wanted me to read, to see that there was more to the world. There are a lot of kids now who feel that [violence] is a normal part of their everyday life. I remember the writer I.W. Gregorio saying that we as authors have a chance to provide mirrors and windows. I thought, OK, thats it: I wanted to provide a little bit of both. If nothing else, what was going on in the news gave me more motivation to get it done. How do you balance the desire to be an activistto get into the specifics of the Black Lives Matter movementand the desire to tell a story? Ive always seen writing as a form of activism. If nothing else, books give us a glimpse into lives that we may not have known about before; they can promote empathy. There is the movement Black Lives Matter and the organization Black Lives Matter, and I respect what both are doing. I know [The Hate U Give] is an issue book, but I didnt necessarily want it to be that way. I wanted to make something that is so political seem personal. While I wanted Khalil to represent these young men who lose their lives and are quickly labeled thugs, I wanted [the plot of the book] to be its own thing. I didnt want to disrespect anyones family, anyones memory. Your bio mentions an unofficial degree in hip-hop. How does hip-hop influence your work? When I was in the YA age range myself, I didnt feel like there were a lot of books for me. In some ways, hip-hop gave me a mirror. Chuck D from Public Enemy said hip-hop is urban Americas CNN. And I got woke listening to hip-hop. It was people like Tupac calling for change, and people like Nas telling me that the world was mine. I wanted to write a book like a rapper would write itI didnt want to hold back. Rappers catch a lot of slack: Im not going to be cursing up a storm, but when I look at Nas... his first album is one of my favorites. I want to tell stories like that. Did you always want to write YA? Initially I wanted to write middle grade. YA scared me: theres a lot of responsibility in being a YA author. Its so important to give that age range the right books that reflect their world and show them themselves. YA does a fantastic job of being socially aware and at the same time entertaining. I think I always knew Starr would be 16. I was just a few years older than Starr [when I started writing], but when I was 16, I was open to some things that I was afraid to say just a few years later. I also feel like because of her age, some people would be more likely to listen to her. Had she been an adult character, people wouldnt have been as open to her. What has reception to the book been like so far? Its amazed me how many people have said how its touched them. People have said, I see differently about that, and I want to change some things. Im in Mississippi: Ive had to have some conversations with some older conservative white people who have said, I may be uncomfortable reading this, but can you tell me what its about? People have also said, Im hesitant to read this because I have hesitations about the movement. Or Is this an anti-cop book? Its not: Starrs uncle is a cop, and an excellent cop, in my mind. I say, Its not anti-cop, its anti-police brutality. One gentleman said he wasnt going to read it, basically calling me a radical. I thought, OK, Ill be a radical if it helps people understand. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas. HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray, $17.99 Feb. 28 ISBN 978-0-062-49853-3 This years annual Association of Writers and Writing Programs conference also was a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the literary organizations founding in 1967. As 12,000 writers descended upon Washington, D.C., a few weeks after the inauguration of Donald Trump, the conversation at this years conference, from the formal presentations to the informal interactions between attendees, perhaps inevitably focused upon current events, including the airing of issues that have roiled the organization and the publishing industry in recent years: diversity in childrens book publishing. Partisan politics infused the entire conference, even a panel where one might not expect it, Celebrating Childrens Literature, moderated by Ellen Oh, executive director of We Need Diverse Books, which included authors Dhonielle Clayton, Aisha Saeed, Lyn Miller-Lachmann, and Heidi Heilig. Im so angry, but I feel that I have a sense of purpose. But I like writing violent beheading scenes a little too much these days, Oh said, describing how, since November 8, she has channeled her rage and sense of betrayal into writing the YA fantasy fiction based on Korean myths and tales that she is known for. Clayton said she stopped watching television news since the election and is writing much more than she used to. Thats how I protect myself. Writer Jacqueline Woodson and poet Rita Dove, the two featured authors at AWPs 50th anniversary ticketed gala last Wednesday evening, who are both African-American, and author Azar Nafisi, the conferences keynoter and an immigrant from Iran, who spoke the following evening, set the tone for the entire conference, which many described as the most high-energy literary gathering they had ever attended. After reading an excerpt from her novel for young readers, Brown Girl Dreaming, which was inspired by her own childhood, Woodson spoke of being born just a few years before AWP was founded in 1967, and of her life in the segregated South before moving to New York City during the Great Migration. The world has changed so much since then, she noted: Fifty years ago, a black woman like me could not have walked through the front door of this hotel, much less speak to such a large gathering of literary luminaries. Dove thanked AWP for its broad multicultural outlook from the very beginning, and spoke of how she bucked the odds stacked against her to become a poet. As a child, she had never met a poet, much less an African-American woman who made a living as a poet. Addressing the need for more diversity among writers and in what they write about, Nafisi argued, The great novelist is the one who gives voice to everyone: even the villain. Literature doesnt just belong to one nation, one people. Literature belongs to everyone. The worst sin, she said, is to be blind towards others, not seeing others, not hearing others. Referring to the book club for girls that she explored in her bestselling memoir, Reading Lolita in Tehran, she stated that reading books about the other helps one come to understand the world and other people. Discussing the Politics of Writing YA Diversifying the industry was a hot topic in panels, whether it was the discussion with established childrens book authors,Coming of Age: The Blurry Line Between Adult and YA Literature, with Jason Reynolds, Katherine Howe, and Daniel Jose Older and moderated by Brendan Kiely, or the panel of debut novelists moderated by I.W. Gregorio: Young Adult Authors Tackle Social Justice and Activism, with Lilliam Rivera, Ibi Zoboi, Nic Stone, and Leah Henderson. When Older criticized the dearth of YA novels about people of color, just living their lives, Howe ascribed this lack to the intersection of culture and money in acquiring and positioning books in a genre that was invented, she said, to sell more books. Reynolds added that its the fault of old hands who are the gatekeepers, in the industry, such as, he contended, one middle-aged guy [at Barnes & Nobles corporate headquarters] whos been buying books since he was seven, who isnt buying multicultural books, due to a lack of imagination. Hes got too much power, Reynolds said. Older criticized people in publishing circles who previously responded to demands for more diverse lists by claiming that books about people of color do not sell. And then what happened? Hamilton. Older framed the call for diverse books in terms of honest representation: We are asking for books about telling the truth, even if there are dragons and magic in them, he said. Its not about diversity: its about honesty. The speakers also advocated for authenticity and condemned censorship for content, citing the controversy over Sherman Alexies Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian because of a characters joke about masturbation. If a kid is reading a book about someone who looks like them but doesnt talk like them, we stunt their growth by dissing them, Reynolds said, They already know this shit. Stop holding these babies hands, because they already know what is happening. And, Kiely pointed out, Teens: their bullshit meter is pretty high. Authenticity was a central theme of the panel of debut YA novelists as well, which began with Gregorio noting that it is up to writers to create change through writing novels with multicultural characters for a multicultural society. Zoboi, author of American Street (Balzer + Bray, Feb.), which is set in both Haiti and Detroit, spoke of the importance for her as a Haitian-American writing about the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere to depict the country, its people, and its culture as accurately as possiblewithout her characters cussing too much. Rather than using profanity to make her characters sound authentic so that readers would, in Stones words, hear themselves, Zoboi said she relied upon rhythm and tone. To write a false narrative about a culture is to dehumanize its people, Zoboi argued, criticizing In Darkness, the 2013 Printz Honor Book winner by Nick Lake, for perpetuating the most dehumanizing notions of Haitian culture Ive ever read. Simply by having American Street published by a major imprint like Balzer + Bray , she pointed out, in itself is social justice. Zoboi even gave a shout-out to the editors and copy editors there, who went out of their way to get it right, by asking her questions about her own culture. Henderson disclosed that a visit to Senegal inspired her to write a short story about an orphaned boy who joins a street gang. Her MFA program advisor urged her to expand it into a novel, One Shadow on the Wall (Atheneum, June): I wasnt thinking about social justice in the beginning. I just wanted to write a story, she said. As an African-American woman writing about an underclass in a third-world country, she was especially conscientious about making sure that the characters and setting were respectfully treated yet accurate. You cant write a book about Senegal and not include [the beggar children]; its about making sure you understand [the characters] in the story, that they are human beings. Rivera said that she had been inspired to write The Education of Margot Sanchez (Simon & Schuster, Feb.) after witnessing the rapid transformation of her parents South Bronx neighborhood in recent years. Explaining that she wanted to emphasize the beauty of an evolving South Bronx, Rivera found that she could not formally interview Puerto Ricans who work on sugar plantations, because they would shut down. Instead, she informally talked to people as part of her research, and did a lot of watching and listening to make sure she got it right, because if she didnt, someone would call me out. Stone was inspired to write her novel, Dear Martin (Crown, Oct.) because, rather than simply getting it right, she wanted to set the record straight regarding the Black Lives Matter movement. After repeatedly hearing from BLM critics that Dr. King would have gone about it in a different way, she said, This did not ring true to me. I wanted to know: what would Dr. King have done? In Dear Martin, a contemporary 17-year-old African-American male, reacts to being repeatedly racially profiled by writing letters to Martin Luther King Jr. Stone stated that writers can easily inject social justice themes into their novels, no matter what they are writing about. After all, she said, You control your characters; you control your world. Henderson emphasized that simply writing a novel about Sengalese street children was in itself a political act. Its about writing stories so that children have empathy for others, she noted. If we want to have a different future, weve got to start now. At the recently concluded Taipei International Book Fair, PW met with blogger, reviewer, critic, book club host, and author Charlene Lai, who is widely praised for being one of the most ardent supporters and promoters of picture books in Taiwan. The mother of three, with children ranging from 17 to 27 years of age, is a force of nature. Lais love for picture books started because [she] didnt like reading books with too many words, but [picture books] were so imaginative and beautiful. Lai said of her work: This path that I have taken over the years was totally unplanned and unconventional. I started searching for, and buying, good picture books for my eldest child, and that led me to reviewing themfor myself. However, the blog became popular, and was quoted and shared by parents and the publishing and bookselling community. Now Lai is a regular contributor to Taiwans third-largest newspaper, United Daily News, as well as Okapi magazine and the Scholastic Asia online portal. Six years ago, Lai established PlayGrounD (PGD) to host events and campaigns on picture-book reading. Through PGD, Lai has worked with Taiwan Interminds Publishing on the Traditional Chinese translation of Jon Agees Milos Hat Trick and a volume written by 20 local writers, List of Picture Books for Grownups. She also proofread the translation of Leonard S. Marcuss Show Me a Story. Everything that I do is picture book-related, Lai said. Coming up next on my roster is a three-week exhibition, The Craft of Picture Books, which will start on March 3 in Taipei, and will showcase the works of 11 contemporary Taiwanese picture book artists. The exhibition explores the dynamics between visual and verbal narratives inherent in picture books, and it will show that [the] picture book, originally intended for children, has become a form of literature [used] in graphic novels and short stories, which are read and enjoyed by grownups. Over the past three years, Lai has been working hard on getting adults to read picture books. My so-called campaign is not without merit. Adults are [too] stressed out from work and family involvement to read thick books. Picture books are entertaining and light-heartedthough some do deal with weighty subjects of loss and death. With Lai busy concentrating on her own writing and book publishing activities, her reading classes for kids have been discontinued. However, she said, I remain passionate about these classes. I truly believe that if parents are willing to commit to getting their kids to my reading classes for six months, I can almost guarantee that the kids will end up enjoying picture books, will start to read on their own, and will cultivate an enduring love of reading and books. This is a difficult service to commercialize. Her book clubs and talks for adults are also built along the same goals of addressing the declining habit of reading in Taiwan. I am working on a Picture Books for Grownups campaign with public libraries to encourage reading of picture books, and collaborating with bookstores and publishers on book clubs and reading activities, said Lai, who is the host of publisher Bookmans Love for Reading Picture Book Club. Bookman has published two of Lais books. Picture Book Reading Map 1 is about animals in childrens literature and picture books, featuring an interview with James Mayhew, author of Katies Picture Show. The second volume, launched at the recent Taipei International Book Fair, revolves around a selection of picture books based on true stories, with topics ranging from environmental awareness to human rights. Two more titles, Rendezvous with Childrens Authors and Illustrators, a collection of interviews with 12 internationally renowned childrens book creators, and Childrens Literature in Museums and Tours, a travelogue through the lens of childrens literature, are published by Taiwan Interminds Publishing. Lai is focused on using reviews and commentaries on these titles to inspire local works. It is not strange to see Taiwanese childrens book publishers having up to 70% of their childrens list translated from other languages. Now, of course, there are more local illustrators and picture book authors. With more appreciation and understanding, more local picture books will hopefully go abroad and inspire a new generation of readers, illustrators, and authors. At her reading groups and book clubs, however, Lai uses mostly English-language picture books. Lai sees herself as a linka support staff, if you willin the reading/publishing/bookselling ecosystem. By motivating people to read, and read more, the publishing and bookselling industry will get to publish and sell more titles. As it is, Taiwans book market has declined by 46% between 2012 and 2015, dropping from $1.14 billion to $617.9 millionand holding steady since thenwhile bookstore closures, around 700 within the past two years, of mostly indie outlets, have been alarming. The good news, says Lai, is that more childrens books were published last year than before, and sales far exceed those of other segments. As for Lai, her goals remain to assist in making the bookselling and publishing industry much more than a commercial undertaking. The passion for books and reading must be there. And I want that passion to start with kids and picture bookseverybody will benefit from reading picture books. In 2013, the Pew Research Center surveyed almost 3,500 U.S. Jews and found that a majority identify as Jewish on the basis of ancestry, ethnicity, or culture rather than religion. Motivated in part by these findings, journalist and former producer for CBSs 60 Minutes Abigail Pogrebin resolved to explore what being a Jew meant to her by observing every Jewish holiday for 12 months. The year of fasting, celebration, study, and prayer changed how Pogrebin practices Judaism, as told in her new book, My Jewish Year: 18 Holidays, One Wondering Jew (Fig Tree Books, Mar.). What surprised you the most about the 2013 Pew Research Center study? For me, it was how many people said that their Jewish connection did not come through religion at all. That sparked a question for me: is it possible that those people are saying, Religion, Judaism itself, isnt why Im a Jew, it doesnt make me feel connected to being a Jew, because they had not necessarily tried it, really explored it? I dont mean that in any kind of patronizing wayI hadnt myself. But is it because maybe we actually havent taken the deep dive and done, frankly, the hard work? And I do think it is hard work, but the payoff is quite magical. Why did you decide to observe every Jewish holiday for a year? I wanted to understand what might be deepened or enriched in my life if I didnt pick and choose holidays but just took on the whole menu. I wanted to investigate both as a journalist and personally as a Jew, what does it mean to do it all? It was a sense of, Abby, dont take any shortcuts and see where that path takes you. These texts and rituals have sustained for thousands of years for a reason. I wanted to understand those reasons, and also see whether they deepened and challenged my own life today. As to whether it worked, I would say it was one of the most extraordinary years of my life for sure. As an adult learning more about Judaism, you describe the faith as a train that circles back to pick you up. Can you elaborate on this? I felt like the train had left the stationthat it was too late for me to get on it, to have the kind of fluidity that people have who grew up with it. I found that actually the tradition waits for you in a way, and when you decide that it is the moment, its there to speak to you, and I dont mean that in some kind of crunchy, over-spiritual way. There were points in my life, like when I got married or when I had my first child, where suddenly there were rituals that are expected, whether youre breaking the glass under the huppah [the wedding canopy] or naming your child during a bris or a baby-naming ceremony. I did [those things] and thought thats just what Jews do, but that train is coming back and saying, what does this mean? Why are you choosing to do this, are you doing it blindly, are you doing it out of ignorance, or are you choosing it because it actually means something or is going to be important to your life? That to me was a revelation. What are you hoping readers will learn from your book? I really hope that at the very least people say to themselves, let me try one holiday I havent tried before. And I do think it can be a book for non-Jewseveryone I hope has a Jewish friend, or maybe someone in their family married a Jew or they are intermarried themselves. What I hope that anyone finds in this book is some answer to why there seems to be a Jewish holiday every five seconds, and also what is this heritage that has endured, what is the power of it, and what is the relevance today? I think thats a fair question. A Burlington, Iowa man pleaded guilty in Henry County Circuit Court Thursday to one count Class 2 felony sexual abuse. Adam E. Chalupa, 32, attended a party in Geneseo last Oct. 29 where a 14-year-old girl was also in attendance and he engaged in an act of sexual penetration with her in the garage. The girl only knew his first name; Geneseo police later determined it was Mr. Chalupa and he admitted an act of penetration. He also pleaded guilty to one count aggravated battery for punching someone at Hammond-Henry Hospital on Nov. 5. He is eligible for an extended term of two to 10 years on the battery but it is also probationable. Judge Terry Patton accepted the pleas. A pre-sentence investigation was ordered. Sentencing was set for April 17. WAUKEGAN, Ill. (AP) Former Lake County coroner Dr. Thomas Rudd has been indicted on five counts of perjury alleging he lied on nominating petitions when seeking re-election in 2016. The felony indictments were handed up Wednesday by a grand jury. A judge later issued an arrest warrant for the 70-year-old Rudd of Lake Forest. State's Attorney Mike Nerheim said an issue with Rudd's petitions was brought to his attention, and he turned it over to an independent prosecutor to investigate. Rudd couldn't be reached for comment. Rudd made headlines when he questioned whether Fox Lake police Lt. Charles Gliniewicz was murdered in the line of duty in 2015. It was later determined Gliniewicz staged his suicide to look like murder in an attempt to cover up thefts from a police department youth program. Farmers from Rock Island, Henry, Mercer, Whiteside and Stark counties provided $35,530.60 to the River Bend Foodbank Wednesday by donating 5,935 bushels of grain through the Bushels for Hunger program. Over the past seven years, the program has provided more than $183,421 to the food bank. The program is coordinated by Farm Bureaus in the five counties in conjunction with ADM, Atkinson Grain, Big River Resources, Cargill, CHS, Gold Star FS, Hillsdale Elevator, Michlig Grain, River Gulf Grain, River Valley Cooperative and Rumbold & Kuhn. Pictured from left to right are Mike Secymore, of Gold Star FS; Chad Bell, IFB District 3 Young Leader committee representative; River Bend Foodbank Executive Director Michael Miller; Jeff Kirwan, Mercer County farmer and Illinois Farm Bureau District 3 director; and Marty McManus, president Rock Island County Farm Bureau. ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL Sunny Koshal thinks in terms of team, and saving soldiers' lives. The branch chief for the Soldier Sensors and Lasers (SSL) Staging Facility at the Rock Island Arsenal's Joint Manufacturing Technology Center (JMTC), he directs 11 other employees in shipping 50 to 60 pallets a month of lasers and sensors to soldiers throughout the world. JMTC is part of the U.S. Army Tank and Automotive Command. The technology they distribute includes thermal weapon sights, enhanced night-vision goggles, monocular night-vision devices, aviator's night-vision imaging systems, clip-on sniper night sights, laser target locators and multi-function aiming lights. The most challenging aspect of the job, Mr. Koshal said, is making sure soldiers have equipment on time. "You know, every piece of equipment in here saves a soldier's life," Mr. Koshal said. "Because if you have a weapon without a sensor or a laser and you have to get that enemy, or that person, at 100 yards, 200 yards, and you can't see him that defeats the purpose." One wall in the shipping area bears a U.S. map with pins stuck in every place the SSL program has affected. "We kind of mark down where we have been, what places we have been to all over the world," Mr. Koshal said. "We understand the importance of the material here. Everybody in here has a family member, a cousin, an aunt, who has served in the military. "We take pride in what we do every day on a daily basis." The program, which moved to the Arsenal in September 2012, is now government-owned and operated. Previously, SSL items came from Haymarket, Va., and Middle River, Md. "Components come from vendors all over the world," Mr. Koshal said. "We receive them, tag them, scan them, box them and ship them. Wherever they have to go, we ship them." "We have not missed a delivery here since we've been doing this," he said. Better coordination has meant soldiers get their equipment in a timely manner, he said. It also means less expense. "The biggest difference is, they had 40 to 50 contractors doing that job," Mr. Koshal said. "We have only 12 people total doing this. You can see how much money that can be saved." Mr. Koshal is key to that coordination. As he walked through the shipping area, he introduced his team members bragging them up, in fact, on how important each one is to the program's ultimate mission. "Actually, we're more like a family than a team," said Lorri McArthur, a supply technician and 35-year JMTC employee. But while earning his team's respect, Mr. Koshal instills in them a respect for where they work. "I tell them, 'Hey, this is your house; take care of it,'" Mr. Koshal said. "You come here Monday through Friday and you will see this place is always like this. "We take pride in what we do down here," he said. Mr. Koshal, who speaks six languages, grew up in India and arrived in the U.S. in the 1980s. He served 18 years in the Army and has been to Iraq and Afghanistan multiple times. Some of his employees also served overseas. "What I did in my military life, and what I'm doing as a civilian, it's a blessing. It's really a big blessing," Mr. Koshal said. "Hopefully, it continues for a long, long time." EAST MOLINE Union teachers and employees have reached a tentative agreement with the school board, averting a strike at the 11th hour. East Moline Education Association members will vote to ratify or reject the contract today at 4:30 p.m. If a majority of 51 percent reject the contract, a vote to strike will be scheduled for another time. EMEA representatives and school officials negotiated Wednesday through a mediator for more than two hours in a final bargaining session in an attempt to avert a strike. It was the 12th meeting since April and the fifth using a federal mediator since the board declared an impasse in negotiations Oct. 13. EMEA spokesperson Angela Harrell declined to share details of the tentative agreement, saying it must first be presented to members during today's meeting. "We are excited an agreement has been reached tonight. It's a positive step. The next step is for our team to present it to membership and vote to ratify," she said. "Our goal was never to strike. It has always been to educate our children and keep our teachers in the classrooms." Union employees have been without a contract since June 30, continuing to work under the terms of the expired agreement. Superintendent Kristin Humphries and board member Kai Killam negotiated on behalf of the school district, with attorney Brian Bare of Whitt Law, of Aurora, present. "If we didn't come to a tentative agreement, we wanted to make sure we had good advice," Mr. Humphries said. "I wasn't sure what to expect, I was just hopeful. I can't stress enough how important this was to me for our (East Moline) families. This was a big deal," he said. "I do believe their membership will support the agreement." Mr. Humphries declined also to provide details of the tentative contract, but confirmed there was movement made on both sides. "I'm really happy for our families. Hopefully we can set their minds at ease, and they can move on and get back to educating our kids," he said. Ms. Harrell, who teaches language arts at Glenview Middle School, said it was the first time she has seen the union has come this close to a strike. "We've never been through this process. In my 23 years with the (school) district, we've never had a federal mediator." Ms. Harrell said the EMEA negotiating team consisted of co-presidents Gina Cone and Deb Smiddy, along with Jen Erickson, Belinda Rausch, Luke Winders and Rebecca Brown. "Our members want our negotiation team to know how much we appreciate their diligence and hard work," she said. "They put in countless hours and spent hours away from their families. We are happy they reached a tentative agreement." SPRINGFIELD Local legislators Wednesday found some hopeful signs in Gov. Bruce Rauner's budget address. During a 45-minute speech, the first-term Republican endured derisive laughs from Democrats who control the legislature when he criticized "pointing fingers or assigning blame." However, he praised the Senate for making "real progress" on a compromise. "There is no one single bullet, no one single 'must have,' for our administration," Gov. Rauner said. "But, for the future of our state, change must be real, not just a newspaper headline." Despite having no annual spending plan since July 2015, state government continues to operate largely because of court orders and intermittent appropriations by lawmakers. But the picture is bleak. Without action, Illinois will have a $5.3 billion deficit when the current fiscal year ends June 30. There is a backlog of $11 billion in overdue bills. State pension programs are $130 billion short of what they need to pay promised benefits to retired and current employees. State Rep. Mike Halpin, D-Rock Island, said the speech had a lot of sentiments toward working together on a budget, "but not a lot of outreach or action to back that up. "He had the opportunity to present his vision of a balanced budget," Rep. Halpin said. "He didn't really do that. Most of the savings he's claiming are at the expense of state workers and middle class families." Rep. Halpin said the biggest problem is Gov. Rauner's insistence in doubling state workers' health care costs. "That is a huge issue for them," Rep. Halpin said. "On the plus side, he's still supporting MAP (Monetary Award Program) grant funding," Rep. Halpin said. Gov. Rauner has called for a 10 percent increase in the student grants that do not have to be paid back. State Rep. Dan Swanson, R-Alpha, said one of his take-aways from the speech was "we can't tax our way to prosperity. He praised some specific points by Gov. Rauner, such as fully funding the new prison in Kewanee, restoring funding for school transportation, new state police cadet classes and a new veterans' center. "The nation is looking at us," Rep. Swanson said of the Kewanee facility's aim to reduce repeat offenders. He also noted the need to cut costs, saying Gov. Rauner's pension reform plan "can save us a billion dollars right off the bat." Rep. Swanson also said changes may be needed to state employee health care programs. "They've got a pretty good program," he said. "Many of my constituents struggle to meet insurance rates and deductibles." Rep. Tony McCombie, R-Savanna, said she liked the optimistic tones in the speech. "Overall, I think it was good," she said. "We need to pass a balanced budget for the long term. It's important we work together." The state needs growth, she said, and reform to help it along. But she doubts Gov. Rauner's call for term limits will happen. "We need to stop talking about it and do those things we can do," she said, noting that both political parties applauded when Gov. Rauner discussed workers' compensation reform. State Sen. Neil Anderson, R-Rock Island, also found reason for optimism. Without a doubt, the state budget is the biggest issue Illinois faces today," he said. "Im glad that Gov. Rauner demonstrated today that he continues to be a champion for properly funding education and for job creation. I know these are issues that are important to my constituents. "Now is the time for bipartisan compromise," he said. "Recently, we have seen momentum in the Senate toward a bipartisan budget framework. It is my hope that in the coming weeks we can build on that framework, and find real, bipartisan solutions to our fiscal problems to get Illinois back on track." State Sen. Chuck Weaver, R-Peoria, said Gov. Rauner made it clear that the current budget compromise proposed in the Senate "simply isnt ready yet. "We need to make Illinois government more efficient and responsive," he said. "We cannot settle for something that will only slow our states decline, we need a plan that will end the slide and help our economy grow good paying jobs. Anders Lundall of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Illinois Council 31 blasted the speech, calling the governor's proposal to raise insurance costs by 100 percent a sore point. AFSCME members have offered a four-year wage freeze and an 8.5 percent health cost increase, he said, but Gov. Rauner is not interested in compromise. Mr. Lundall also criticized Gov. Rauner for not working with the legislature unless it agrees to his turnaround agenda, which he said "would hurt all working families in our state. "That is a hostage-taking situation to settle a new contract," he said. In his speech, Gov. Rauner told lawmakers he's open to raising taxes on services such as car repairs or haircuts but not on food, medicine or retirement income. He reasserted his demand that a budget agreement come with regulatory changes such as reducing workers' compensation costs to boost commerce. A property-tax freeze the Senate has floated would end after two years, while the personal income tax would increase from 3.75 percent to 4.99 percent. Gov. Rauner said he won't accept a permanent income tax hike without permanently holding the line on property taxes. He also demanded "a hard cap on spending that forces state government to live within its means, balance the budget and pay off the state's debt."Real not smoke and mirrors," he said. To see the governor's full fiscal year 2018 budget proposal, visit illinois.gov/gov/budget/Pages/default.aspx and click on the top link for "Operating Budget (PDF)." WASHINGTON (AP) The combative attorney President Donald Trump picked as his ambassador to Israel sought to repair the damage from past attacks on political opponents, telling Congress he deeply regretted using inflammatory language and promised to be "respectful and measured" should he be confirmed. During his confirmation hearing Thursday, David Friedman said he deserved criticism for incendiary comments that targeted former President Barack Obama, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, liberal Jewish advocacy groups and others. Friedman had called one group, J Street, "worse than kapos" a reference to Jews who helped the Nazis imprison fellow Jews during the Holocaust. "Apology is the first step to atonement," Friedman told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. "I have profound differences of opinion with J Street. My regret is that I did not express my views respectfully." The son of an Orthodox rabbi, Friedman has been a fervent supporter of Israeli settlements, an opponent of Palestinian statehood and staunch defender of Israel's government. The hearing played out along familiar party lines. Republicans largely sought to play to the Trump nominee's strengths, while Democrats aimed for weak spots. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., vigorously defended Friedman and rejected the notion that he needed to distance himself from passionately held beliefs. Rubio argued the U.S. should be unashamedly pro-Israel, noting that the Jewish state is America's staunchest ally in the volatile Middle East. But Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., delivered a blistering assessment of Friedman's record, which the senator said is full of insulting comments and extreme views. Friedman labels anyone who disagrees with him, including the entire Obama State Department, as anti-Semitic, Udall said. Udall referenced a letter from five former American ambassadors to Israel who called Friedman unfit for the post. The former envoys, who served Republican and Democratic presidents, cited examples of Friedman's "extreme, radical positions," such as believing it would not be illegal for Israel to annex the occupied West Bank. During the hearing, Friedman assured members he would not campaign for such an annexation. He also cautioned against the expansion of settlements in the West Bank. "It makes sense to tread very carefully there," Friedman said, echoing words used by Trump. The letter opposing Friedman's nomination was signed by Thomas Pickering, William Harrop, Edward Walker, Daniel Kurtzer and James Cunningham. Friedman said he "absolutely" supports a two-state solution, but said he's skeptical such an approach can succeed because Palestinians haven't renounced terrorism and have refused to accept Israel as a Jewish state. But he said he would be "delighted" if it were possible to reach a two-state agreement. Friedman appeared before the committee a day after Trump and visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu refused to endorse the two-state solution as the preferred outcome of Middle East peace talks. Their remarks at the White House effectively abandoned what has been the foundation of U.S.-led peace efforts since 2002. The Palestinians and the international community have long favored the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. But Trump declared he also could endorse a one-nation solution to the long and deep dispute between Palestinians and Israel. Prior to the hearing, Friedman had called the two-state strategy a "narrative" and an "illusory solution in search of a nonexistent problem." But the alternatives appear to offer dimmer prospects for peace, given Palestinian demands for statehood. Dozens of countries, including the U.S., reaffirmed their support for a two-state accord at an international conference in Paris last month, just before Trump's inauguration. During an exchange with Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., Friedman acknowledged the difficulty, if not impossibility, of a single-state approach. Just as Israel wouldn't accept a two-state solution that didn't recognize Israel's right to exist, Kaine said, the Palestinians shouldn't be expected to agree to a resolution that undercut their legal rights and relegated them to second-class status. "I think so," Friedman said. Friedman said it's not his role to make policy, but he recommended efforts to create a Palestinian middle class in the Gaza Strip that is empowered with economic opportunities. He said most Palestinians are "being held hostage by a ruthless regime," a reference to the Islamic militant group Hamas, which seized power there in 2007. Protesters interrupted Friedman during his opening remarks. Two men, minutes apart, stood and shouted pro-Palestinian slogans. They each held up Palestinian flags before being removed by the Capitol police. Other protesters sang before being ushered out. One blasted a "shofar," an instrument made of a ram's horn used by Jews during the High Holidays. He prefaced it with the traditional chant "tekiah" that precedes the blowing of the shofar. A woman shouted, "Do not confirm David Friedman. He is a war criminal!" Now that President Trump is in charge, the external and internal threats to our country have increased. Sabre rattling has become a bigger menace to our world. ISIS, Red China and North Korea seem to be our biggest international threats, while the Russian Federation president does a Kabuki dance with our president. Im not sure how the new version of detente with Vladimir Putin will turn out, but I do know that the Russians havent spent the last 26 years building up a new Russian military with the same old, badly constructed weapons that failed during the Gulf, Iraq, and Afghanistan wars. Their stuff is better than ever, and more plentiful than needed for defense. Just as an aggressive Russia has been in sacking Crimea and fighting with and supporting Russian rebels in the Ukraine, China has also been a provocateur in the Pacific area of operations with its manmade island bases in the South China Sea/ And it most recently, has, (according to a report on War on the Rocks by Thomas Shugart and described by Kelly McLaughlin for mailonline.com, prepared for a preemptive strike against US military bases (using mid-range, ballistic missiles),which would cripple American forces in the region, and those planned attacks include sinking our carrier battle groups (CVBGs) as well. And the crazy Kim Jong-un in North Korea needs no further discussion nor does his growing nuclear capability and his ultimate targets for destruction. So with ISIS and these substantial strategic threats, how do our forces stack up right now? After years of Defense budget sequestration imposed by the Budget Control Act of 2011, we have had military resources trimmed. How much is arguable. Former Gen. David Petraeus has testified that our readiness is just fine and that the funding the Pentagon receives is quite adequate. But is it? In testimony before the House Armed Services Committee (as reported by Military.coms Richard Sisk): Were just flat-out out of money to address... immediate needs and provide the additional personnel and maintenance funding to plan for the future, Navy Adm. William Moran said, in summing up the concerns of four-star officers across the services. Gen. Stephen Wilson, vice chief of staff of the Air Force, said, The Air Force currently is the smallest, the oldest, the most poorly maintained and the least ready in our history. According to Mr. Sisk, Gen. Glenn Walters, assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, said 3,000 more Marines are urgently needed to bolster a force that is insufficiently manned, trained and equipped. In addition, the Marine Corps faces a $9 billion backlog for infrastructure, he said. Gen. Daniel Allyn, the Armys vice chief of staff, stated that only three of the services 58 Brigade Combat Teams (BCTs) have all the troops, training and equipment needed. In summary, it looks like Congress obviously need to scrap the sequester of military funds. What bothers me is that our top military leaders discuss our specific military readiness problems in a public forum, rather than behind closed doors. During the Cold and Vietnam wars, our military readiness status was highly classified. I realize there have been decades of military leaders fighting for more funding in public since the end of the Cold War, but isnt it time to hold such force readiness discussions in a closed session of Congress? After all, what are closed sessions for, except to safeguard our national security secrets? With this current military leadership, admittedly following others before them, we have fostered what most of us old soldiers know, that loose lips sink ships. Whether in open fora or in an environment of cyber-space hacking attacks, we need to become far more secure in our discussions of military readiness. The current openness cannot be good for our deterrent strategies. I sincerely hope these fine senior leaders were exaggerating our readiness status, and that Gen. Petraeus is correct about our military funding adequacy. In either case, we need to fix our readiness problems immediately, and silently, so that the tactical probes and strategic war plans of our enemies will not be able to predict or calculate or preempt our retaliatory responses. Go To The Polls And Pull The Lever We hope everyone turns out to pull the lever next Tuesday (Nov. 8). Actually, new voters wont know what we are talking about, as the... Letters To The Editor Street Closure Dangers Neighbors, Friends, Citizens of NYC/QUEENS: Many may not know that NYC has decided to close off miles of streets to cars in... G'day! It's Murray here. I've put together a little quiz to test your musical knowledge. Think you can score top marks in Murray's Magic Music Quiz? Give it a go now! The study will examine physical, socioeconomic and urban development factors and will also consider suitable locations for stations. According to the metro master plan, Line 4 will connect Pedregal with Punta Pacifica, while Line 5 will link Costa Del Este with Obarrio Panama opened the first section of its metro network in April 2014 with the start of operations on the 13.7km Los Andes - Albrook section of Line 1. The 2.1km section of Line 1 between Los Andes and San Isidrio was added in August 2015. Construction began on the 21km Line 2 from San Miguelito to San Antonio, and Hospital del Este in October 2015 and commissioning is scheduled for 2019. In April 2016 Panama and Japan signed a $US 2.6bn 20-year loan agreement to fund Line 3, whcih will be a monorail line using Japanese technology. Cosntruction is due to start on the 26.7km line from Albrook to Ciudad del Futuro later this year, with opening scheduled for 2021. A nine-line network with 90 stations is envisaged by 2040. Under the deal, which is subject to approval by the relevant competition authorities, BLS will remain the majority shareholder with a 52% stake while Ambroglio Group will retain its 3% share in the business. BLS Cargo says the partnership will strengthen the two operators business on the transalpine routes between Germany and Italy, where SNCF Logistics is already active in the rail freight market through its Captrain subsidiary. BLS has been looking for a strategic partner for its rail freight operations since it bought back a 45% stake in BLS Cargo from DB Schenker Rail in January 2015. This followed DB Schenker Rails decision to terminate its contract with BLS Cargo for intermodal services between Italy and Germany via the Gotthard route. Stage 1 of the Ion project involves constructing a 19km 16-station light rail line from Conestoga Mall in Waterloo city to Fairview Park Mall in neighbouring Kitchener, together with a 17km Bus Rapid Transit line from Fairview Park to Ainslee Street in Cambridge. The light rail line is being constructed by the GrandLinq consortium under a 33-year design, build, finance, operate, and maintain contract awarded in 2014. Bombardier is supplying 14 Flexity Freedom LRVs worth $C 92.4m ($US 70.9m) with an option for 14 additional vehicles. The LRVs are being supplied as part of a larger order for 182 vehicles for Toronto and Hamilton transport authority Metrolinx. However, the programme has been beset by delays and has recently erupted into a legal dispute between Metrolinx and Bombardier. The first vehicle for Waterloo was originally due to arrive in August 2016, but last April Bombardier told the regional government that it would not be able to deliver the LRV until October. In May 2016 the region pushed the opening date back to 2018 when it became clear that deliveries would not start before December. Testing of the first vehicle is now expected to begin in the Spring on the section between Northfield station and the intersection of Caroline and Erb in Waterloo. The LRV will be publicly unveiled at the lines depot in April. While Bombardier originally intended to build all 14 LRVs at Thunder Bay, assembly of the 13 remaining vehicles has now been switched to the companys plant in Kingston, Ontario. The first of the Kingston-built vehicles is due to be delivered to Waterloo in June or July. High water blocked BNSF's Lakeside Subdivision between Spokane and Pasco, Wash., Thursday in the twisting, narrow Hatton Coulee between Hatton and Connell. Amtrak 27, the Portland section of the Empire Builder, stopped just east of the affected area at Cunningham, before BNSF dispatched a pair of locomotives to pull the train back east to Spokane. BNSF has suspended all freight traffic between Spokane and Pasco and currently has at least one work train headed toward the flooded area. The Lakeside Sub carries the majority of BNSFs Northern Corridor traffic west of Spokane where its easier grades make it the preferred route for westbound loaded grain, coal, and oil, as well as general merchandise moving east and west. BNSF in a service advisory offered no timeframe for reopening the route. The steeper Stevens Pass route via Wenatchee handles the larger share of BNSFs Pacific Northwest intermodal traffic. Elsewhere, a key BNSF Pacific Northwest route into northern California remains closed amid ongoing flooding from recent rains. With more rain expected in the area, the carrier in a service advisory warned customers to expect re-routings and delays. Heavy rain and melting snow from the Sierra Nevada this past week caused track washouts north and east of Sacramento. A significant track outage affected traffic to and from the Pacific Northwest and California. The railroad on Feb. 11 restored service on its Gateway Subdivision between Klamath Falls, Ore., and Keddie, Calif., but its primary north-south route remains closed between Keddie and other California locations. Some BNSF employees were caught up in the mass evacuations around the Oroville Dam, the railroad added. Blizzardsand avalanches shut down BNSFs Northern Corridor through Montana earlier this month. Facing more expected rain and extended track outages, BNSF said it is re-routing Pacific Northwest-California train flows until further notice. Some trains will now move across the North, through Colorado and utilize the Southern Transcon[tinental route], the advisory stated. Customers tracing their freight may notice nonstandard routings, locations and interchanges. This traffic re-routing could lead to longer overall transit times by several days compared to normal conditions. with contributions by Bruce Kelly The online video multichannel network (MCN) powerhouse of the Disney organisation, Maker Studios, is making some significant changes including slashing its stable of content creators. Maker earlier this week dropped YouTube star Felix PewDiePie Kjellberg over alleged anti-Semitic remarks. And now, its reportedly reducing its thousands of online networks to just 300 or so, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Those left standing will be the larger networks with bigger followings (and profit opportunities).To go along with reducing its content footprint, the company will also perform a significant round of layoffs, according to the Reporter.Disney acquired Maker in a high profile deal worth $675 million in 2014. Since then it hasnt performed: while it generated $300 million in revenue last year, it hasnt turned a profit.In December, Disney folded Maker into its Consumer Products and Interactive Media division, and Courtney Holt stepped down as head of the company to become vice president of media and strategy for Disney proper. Media giant Liberty Global is claiming that the key drivers of its business plan for 2016 have resulted in a strong end to its financial year with one million revenue-generating unit additions and Q4 European operating income of $683 million. The RGU adds which include 324,000 in the last three months of the year ended 31 December 2016 represent 20% growth while the Q4 European operating income showed a rise of 22% annually. It also posted Q4 rebased operating cash flow (OCF) growth accelerated to 7.5% in Europe, not counting the Ziggo Dutch cable subsidiary.The 2016 RGU additions of 946,000 were up 24% or 186,000 year-over-year on an organic basis, driven by what Liberty describes as materially lower video churn and higher broadband gains. Next-Generation TV platforms such as Horizon TV, Horizon-Lite, TiVo and Yelo TV organically added 313,000 and 1.2 million subscribers in Q4 and 2016, respectively. Following the deconsolidation of Ziggo on 31 December 2016, the company ended the year with 6.7 million next-generation subscribers, representing 38% of Libertys total video base, excluding DTH, in Europe.Virgin Media delivered its best quarterly results in two years with 8% rebased OCF growth. The UK cableco delivered a 39% increase in RGU net additions to 304,000 in 2016. This was its best annual RGU result since 2009. Virgins net video RGUs slipped by 1,800 year-on-year in Q4 2016, the fall much less than that posted a year earlier. The total for the year was 4.033 million subs, supported by the December 2016 launch of Virgin TV, claimed to offer a step-change in its TV offer, with a new advanced set-top box (STB), a revamped TV anywhere app, a new TV tablet and the introduction of a media store.Commenting on the results, Liberty Global CEO Mike Fries said: As expected, we finished 2016 on a high note ... As promised, the key 2016 drivers of our Liberty Go plan are kicking in - new build accelerated, B2B performed well and we kept indirect operating expenses relatively flat. We expect the collective impact of these drivers to continue ramping in 2017 and beyond, underpinning accelerating growth over the medium term. Looking ahead, we will continue to enrich our bundled portfolios with compelling 4G mobile offers and the addition of new content and functionality, including the launch of Netflix across our footprint. We will also expand the deployment of exciting new products like our 4K cloud-based set-top. Prosecutor seeks 10 years in prison for alleged member of militant Islamist group Context Moscow court to consider case of man who allegedly fought for terrorists in Syria ST. PETERSBURG, February 16 (RAPSI, Mikhail Telekhov) Prosecutor has demanded 10 years in prison for Kyrgyzstan national Islamdzon Zakhidov charged with fighting in Syria on the side of Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist organization banned in Russia, RAPSI reported Thursday from the Leningrad District Military Court. A criminal case is being considered by the Moscow District Military Courts judges during a visiting session in St. Petersburg. Prosecutors believe that in 2015 Zakhidov came to Syria where he joined Jabhat al-Nusra, received training and later participated in combat on the side of terrorists. In April 2016, he allegedly left Syria for Turkey. He was deported to Russia in May 2016 because of visa violation. Investigation was carried out by investigative service of the Federal Security Service (FSB) Directorate for St. Petersburg and Leningrad Region. According to law enforcement authorities, a criminal case was also launched against Zakhidovs father and other Syrian-based members of the family. Appeal against Karaulovas sentence for attempting to join ISIS to be reviewed on March 22 MOSCOW, February 16 (RAPSI, Yevgeniya Sokolova) Military Commission of the Supreme Court of Russia will review an appeal against a 4.5-year prison sentence for Varvara Karaulova (Alexandra Ivanova), a former student of the Moscow State University, for attempting to join the Islamic State militants in Syria, on March 22, RAPSI learnt from lawyer Dagir Khasavov. On December 22, the court found that Karaulova decided to participate in activities of the Islamic State terrorist group, also called ISIS, an organization banned in Russia. The court noted that she shared organization's ideology. The court refrained from fining her. During announcement of her sentence the court noted that it based its judgment on confessions made by the defendant, including those made during her first interrogations after the arrest on October 27, 2015. Karaulovas arguments in favor of her innocence were dismissed as inconsistent and aiming to avoid responsibility. The court did not find any aggravating circumstances in this case. Prosecutors demanded a five-year jail sentence for Karaulova, while defense lawyers asked the court for acquittal. Karaulova went on trial on October 5, 2016. Her parents, friends as well as teachers of the Moscow State University have been questioned in this case. The second-year student of the Moscow State Universitys Faculty of Philosophy decided to join ISIS, an organization banned in Russia, and secretly started off for Istanbul on May 27, 2015. Karaulova, who later changed her name to Alexandra Ivanova, was arrested on June 4 near Turkey's border with Syria along with 13 other Russian citizens when attempting to cross into the territory occupied by Islamic State terrorists. In October 2015, she was put in jail. She pleaded not guilty. In October 2016, Karaulova was expelled from the university. Prosecutors demand 7.5 years in jail for Trust Bank ex-manager in embezzlement case MOSCOW, February 16 (RAPSI, Lyudmila Klenko) Prosecutors have asked the Basmanny District Court of Moscow to sentence former Trust Bank top manager Oleg Dikusar, who stands charged with embezzling 14.6 billion rubles ($227 million), to 7.5 years behind bars, the courts spokesperson Yunona Tsareva told RAPSI on Thursday. Investigators believe that from 2012 to 2014, Dikusar, ex-deputy chairman of the board at Trust Bank, and former banks CFO Yevgeny Romakov forged loan agreements with several Cyprus-based companies inflicting a 9.9 billion-ruble ($154 million) loss on the bank. Moreover, between 2013 and 2014, Dikusar alienated a total of 4.6 billion rubles ($71.6 million) Eurobonds which were on the banks balance sheet on behalf of Trust Bank owners. Russias Deposit Insurance Agency sustained large damages because it was required to compensate the embezzled funds to defrauded investors. Midsized lender Trust Bank reported losses of 18.8 billion rubles ($293 million) in 2014 amid a financial crisis. As of December 1, 2014, its assets were estimated at over 290 billion rubles ($4.5 billion). The Central Bank estimated that the banks debts exceeded the value of its assets by 67.8 billion rubles ($1 billion). Opponents of the Dakota Access pipeline are racing against the clock, with legal action their best hope of stopping the project before oil begins to flow south perhaps as early as May. Unfortunately for the opponents, they are running out of legal options. Lawyers for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe filed a motion this week asking U.S District Judge James Boasberg to rule on the legality of the project, but the judge is the same one that refused an injunction against the pipeline late last year. A separate tribe, the Cheyenne River Sioux, has sued the pipeline on religious grounds, arguing that its placement is in violation of their religious rights, although the judge in that case also ruled against a preliminary injunction. The $3.8 billion pipeline, if it becomes operational, would move more than 400,000 barrels a day of crude from North Dakota to refineries in the Midwest. Democrats in Alaska are once again sharpening the hatchet and taking aim at the states favorite goose the oil and gas industry. As Alaska slips deeper into a recession that began in mid-2014, lawmakers in the 49th state are wrestling with ways to close a $3 billion budget deficit caused, primarily, by an extended period of low oil prices. But increasing the tax burden on the governments number one source of revenue when the industry is struggling with declining production, increased regulatory costs, and falling profits is likely to collect less, not more for the states treasury. Theres no question that Alaska is hurting. The once politically unthinkable imposing an income tax or cutting the amount residents receive each year from the states permanent fund are both now being openly discussed in the halls of the state capital in Juneau. In the state House, majority Democrats are seeking to increase the tax burden on the oil and gas sector, which, despite the downturn, still supports one third of all Alaska jobs and accounts for 65 percent of state revenues. The governors office has already taken aim at the oil industry, vetoing hundreds of millions of dollars in tax credits promised by the previous administration in exchange for new investment in the states aging oil fields. The administration argues the state cant afford to pay the credits in the current fiscal environment, but the investments have already been made resulting in the first uptick in oil production since 2002 and the obligation to make good remains on the books. A bitter fight over changes to the states oil tax system also brought the legislature to a standstill in 2016. Legislation introduced last week House Bill 111 picks up where things left off last year, attempting to increase the governments take by further rolling back tax credits on new investment and raising the minimum tax to 5 percent of the gross value of production which equates to an increased tax liability of 25 percent to 100 percent, depending on the company. The legislation reduces the risk to Alaskans of developing the states resources by shifting it almost completely onto the oil companies. Resource extraction taxes usually try to strike a balance to encourage continued investment. Governments either set a floor to capture a guaranteed minimum at low prices in exchange for allowing companies a greater take when prices rise or they share the risk at low prices for a bigger piece of the prize at high prices. But the House proposal goes after the producers at both ends of the scale. It seeks to capture more revenue at low oil prices and grabs a bigger share when prices rebound as well. Doing so greatly reduces the incentive for private companies to invest in Alaska. Hiking taxes on the oil industry may be popular with voters but its not necessarily sound economic policy. Higher taxes may bring in additional revenue in the short term but at a cost to long-term investment. Put another way, killing the goose that lays the golden egg will result in further job losses and economic contraction, not increased state revenues. Oil taxes are always a contentious issue in Juneau, but here are few things lawmakers should keep in mind before considering further changes. Alaska lawmakers have changed the tax regime on the oil industry six times in 11 years, including three times in the past three years alone. Such volatility is unsettling in the best of times to companies that make investment decisions years, often decades into the future. But raising taxes when oil prices are barely above the breakeven point on the North Slope and production has on average declined steadily for more than two decades makes an already challenging environment worse. Tax hikes dont happen in a vacuum. Drive taxes high enough and factor in the uncertainty created by constant change and companies will alter their behavior. For oil companies that means weighing investment of limited capital in Alaska against any number of competing prospects in the Lower 48 and around the globe that offer better returns and a more stable tax system. The long-term challenge facing Alaskans is not so much the low price of oil which fluctuate with market forces beyond their control but the amount of oil being produced. The trans-Alaska pipeline has seen a 39 percent decline in throughput in the past decade and is operating at one third of its capacity. Production on the North Slope has fallen 68 percent over the past 20 years from a peak of 2 million barrels a day. Alaska currently produces about 600,000 barrels a day, putting it fourth on the list of top-producing states, behind Texas, North Dakota, and California. Add the Gulf of Mexico and Alaska drops to fifth place. The North Slope oil fields are far from exhausted. Prudhoe Bay remains one of North Americas biggest oil fields and large areas of Alaska have yet to be fully explored. But if Alaskas tax regime makes the state uncompetitive then it can expect to lose investment needed for exploration. Instead of digging themselves deeper into recession, Alaskans should focus on making the North Slope competitive with other oil-producing regions and improving access to untapped resources to attract private investment and boost production to ensure a stable economy for future generations. On May 7, 1861, the state of Tennessee decided to withdraw from the Union and join the Confederacy. Southern leaders hoped Kentucky would follow Tennessee's example, giving the South a formidable northern boundary on the Ohio River. Kentucky's decision not to follow Tennessee out of the Union forced Southern leaders to defend the Tennessee border. Unfortunately for the Confederacy, the Mississippi, Tennessee, and Cumberland Rivers crossed this state border and each river provided opportunity for Union invasion. For the Union to prevail, armies had to be sent into Confederate territory. The Union Army faced the daunting task of occupying and controlling this vast area. In order to accomplish this task, large armies had to be trained, supplied, and moved into the South. Supply lines had to be developed and maintained. The ability to Fort Donelson Locationkeep this army supplied and reinforced was so critical that victory could not be achieved without the use of rivers and railroads. The Southern strategy of defending its borders to secure their new country required controlling these major transportation routes. In short, controlling the rivers and railroads would be vital for the success of the Union and the Confederacy. Governor Isham Harris of Tennessee decided to begin work on the defense of his state. He dispatched engineers to select sites for forts on the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers. The engineers were told to select sites north of railroad crossings and south of the Tennessee and Kentucky State line. Fort Donelson was built on the Cumberland River on a high bluff near Dover, Tennessee. A site for the Tennessee River fort was not as easy to locate. After receiving several opinions, Governor Harris decided to build Fort Henry on low ground frequently flooded by the Tennessee River. The poor location on which Fort Henry was built forced Confederate leaders to also occupy and fortify the high ground across the Tennessee River from Fort Henry. This work was named Fort Heiman. This article first appeared in Les Echos. PARIS The 2008 financial crisis had forced the European Union and the eurozone to fire back with a new artillery of budgetary and banking mechanisms. "Economic Europe" thus moved further toward integration. The current geopolitical situation will lead it to do the same, in the face of a new emergency, regarding defense policy. Donald Trump's statements against NATO have convinced Europeans of the need to take action on its own when it comes to security and financial policy. And since things are moving very quickly these days, these actions will be put to the test right away. The recent spike in violence in Ukraine around the city of Avdiivka, located just north of Donetsk, on the frontline in the eastern part of the country, are the first test laid down by Vladimir Putin for Donald Trump's policy of isolationism. NATO military officials are issuing calls for a response. What will the new American president do against the Kremlin's first provocation? And what will Europeans say in the face of this new battle over territory? The minimum 2% of GDP spent on defense required by NATO has quickly become a sort of "reverse Maastricht." All European countries will have to fulfill this requirement very quickly, starting with Germany. But many more decisions in favor of "integration" will be needed. Everything will have to be put on the table, including the conditions for the French atomic bomb the only one on the continent to become the EU's atomic bomb. Still, this military advance won't suffice, given the new international context. Ahead of the Feb. 3 informal EU summit in Malta, another Donald, Donald Tusk, president of the European Council, sent a letter to European heads of state and governments in which he placed Trump's America on the same level as "China, Russia or radical Islam." Tusk wrote, "For the first time in our history, in an increasingly multipolar external world, so many are becoming openly anti-European." This Donald is right. Never in the last 70 years has the United States been opposed to construction of a more united Europe. There have been trade disputes, diplomatic differences, personal discords, but never a hostility in principle. On the contrary, Washington always found that a strong Europe was in its own interest: First, as an ally against the USSR; then, after the fall of the Berlin Wall, through a natural alliance between two partners who shared the same democratic values, the defense of free trade and the same vision of the world. Obsolete pillar Donald Trump is the first American president to openly be against a united Europe. It's a historical change. Why has he adopted this stance? His haphazard nature makes this question hard to answer. But there is little doubt that he detests this complicated supranational construction, this multilateral system in which small countries have their say just as big countries do. No doubt is it also because he sees Europe as a competitor. Trump is the first president not to reason like a head of state, but like the head of a company that he was and still is. In his "America First," all other countries are competitors that need to be defeated, starting with the two biggest, China and Europe. It didn't take him long to start attacking Europe. Trump declared NATO, the pillar of Atlantic defense, "obsolete." He denounced the nuclear deal with Iran, forged with the Europeans. He denounced the Paris climate change accords. By decree, he also has effectively put an end to the negotiations for a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). He praised the Brexit victory and received Theresa May to encourage the EU's dismantling. Finally, though this list will surely grow longer in the weeks and months ahead, he criticized Germany, which he holds, in his simplistic conception, to be the sole leader in Europe: Angela Merkel's Germany, which welcomes refugees when he bans them, which manipulates the euro for the currency to be weak and to sell BMWs to America in place of Chevrolets which is part of why the Americans' third widest trade deficit, behind that with China and Mexico, is with Europe. Targeting Germany is not necessarily a fool's game. The new White House trade chief Peter Navarro denounced the euro as an implicit Deutsche Mark that favors German exports not only to America, but also to other European countries. The argument of an egoistic Germany has an audience on this side of the Atlantic too. Trump is denting the continent's unity. Europe no longer has friends. It stands against empires, "nationalist" powers that are of a nature opposed to its own. The fight's scope is new because this fight is existential: What will survive the 21st century? Yesterday's multilateral Europe should quickly equip itself to become a European power, with a set of tools that go beyond just defense. Is that realistic? The timing is unfavorable, with elections later this year in the Netherlands, France and Germany, likely to prevent any major initiative. More importantly, the debate over a united Europe revolves, as we've seen during the British referendum, around small arguments. Unfortunately, if it continues, this will eventually lead us towards European disintegration. Exterior enemies are joined by the masses of interior opponents, who lament all the efforts that a "bad Europe" requires, from high taxes to too many regulations on cheese. Trump, Xi and Putin must be laughing as they watch a continent exiting history. Srdja Popovic was one of the founders of the Serbian nonviolent resistance group Otpor! whose campaign against Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic was successful in October 2000 when thousands of protesters took over the Serbian Parliament. After the revolution, Popovic served a term in the Serbian National Assembly. He is executive director of the Centre for Applied Nonviolent Action and Strategies and author of Blueprint for Revolution. Cristian Sallai is a Romanian photographer, activist, and analyst. Views expressed are the authors' own. Lessons for democracy from Romania's protest movement What makes Romanias protests so captivating is that unlike protests by Serbs in the 1990s, or by Zimbabweans and Venezuelans today, they take place in a genuine democracy. Moreover, Romanian protesters made it clear from the very beginning that they are not challenging the results of an election, but are denouncing the abuse of power by elected officials. Like recent protests in Poland, they are defending democratic institutions through people-power. And that is a precious gift to democracy. It is fruitful to shed some light on the lessons Romanias protests might offer to those across the world who are fighting corruption and authoritarianism, but also to those who are challenging abuse of power in any form. Romania may soon become a source of inspiration on how to challenge populist leaders in more famously democratic countries. First let us take a look at the context: The latest wave of protests, with its final effects still unknown, overwhelmed Romanias cities in recent weeks. Romanias left-leaning Social Democratic Party, led by Liviu Dragnea, easily won the parliamentary elections in December 2016, just one year after a major anti-corruption drive forced the last socialist prime minister from power. In April, Dragnea got a two-year suspended prison sentence for inflating voter numbers in a July 2012 referendum to impeach then-President Traian Basescu. The sentence made Dragnea ineligible to serve as prime minister. President Klaus Iohannis nominated Sorin Grindeanu in his place. Here we acknowledge a crucial fact: Turnout in this election was only 39.5 percent. Such low participation apparently led the new government to believe that its citizens are indifferent to the political process and wouldnt react to the announcement of a decree meant to decriminalize certain corruption-related offenses. We have to keep in mind that former Prime Minister Victor Ponta was forced to resign after mass protests following a deadly nightclub fire in October 2015 that was proven to be a direct result of corruption. The fire killed 64 people. Indeed, the European Union recognizes Romania as one of its poorest and most corrupt member-states. Corruption in Romania is nothing new -- it is infamous. But its citizens also tend to be very proud of having worked hard to build anticorruption institutions and having succeeded in prosecuting top government officials for corruption. They are not letting those victories go to waste without a fight. So the government was wrong. Throughout contemporary history, social movements have frequently brought an energy strong enough to generate important social changes. The circumstances in which they occur are unique, but the rules they must follow to succeed are universal. The protests in Romania offer great insight into some of these rules. Lesson 1: It's the diversity, stupid! When you look at any successful movement, you must note the spectrum of social constituencies the movement can engage. Experts call this a Spectrum of Allies. Movements that mobilize narrow social groups (e.g., urban, educated, intellectual, ideological, etc.) are not likely to gain the numbers needed for social change. For example, Martin Luther King Jr. and the civil rights movement would not have succeeded had they not mobilized allied groups outside of the black community. Similarly, the LGBT minority in liberal San Francisco was not enough to secure Harvey Milk victory in the elections for local council, but success was reached when allies joined in. One of the most unexpected social coalitions that we may examine in Eastern Europe is Poland`s Solidarity movement. What started as a working-class movement in the shipyards of Gdansk became victorious only when the most unexpected groups came together to stand with workers: intellectuals, youth and students, the middle class and farmers, and even the Roman Catholic Church. So when you look at the Romanian protests and see how the middle class, hand-in-hand with students, has organized to support the urban poor, and when you see pet shop owners giving away free supplies so that pet owners can care for their animals while in the main square -- then you can say that things are getting serious. This is in fact one of the biggest surprises from the recent protests all over Romania -- they have united people from various social classes with the common desire to prevent corrupt politicians from taking over. Protests came about suddenly -- to say they were organized is almost an improper term, considering that the movement, despite its size, has no leaders. Demonstrations occurred in small cities that did not protest even when dictator Nicolae Ceausescu was overthrown in 1989. Suddenly, even people who consider themselves removed from politics became involved. The politicians in power have tried to present the crowds as being manipulated and formed by corporatiE?ti (a word used as a slight toward people who work for big multinational companies) in an attempt to divide the country and to please the ruling partys socialist voter base. The accusation is undeniably false. Squares all over the country have been filled with people of all ages and from diverse socio-economic backgrounds, and an unusual sense of solidarity has defeated societal divisions in Romania. The so-called corporatiE?ti, young people who have a better economic situation than the mean, started supporting people from lower economic backgrounds who were protesting in the squares. One case of fundraising organized by young, middle-class employees for a man who came to Bucharest to protest from a smaller, poor, Social Democrat-controlled city, went viral. Small businesses are distributing free hot beverages and food for protesters, and other vendors have offered free materials for handmade signs and have even offered to print banners for free -- a strong showing of solidarity amongst Romanians whose only common trait is their wish for a lawful and corruption-free society. Lesson 2: Identify the pillars of power While it is crucial to recruit allies from every point along the spectrum of support, it is also important to identify the institutions that have the power to implement the changes you seek. These pillars of power can be the police, the media, the education system, government agencies, or other organizations. Without institutional support, little is likely to change. In Romanias case, targeting the right pillars of society seems to have produced a string of small victories. The involvement of relevant and concerned institutions, namely parliament, the national anti-corruption directorate, and the office of the president, among others, has allowed Romania to effectively create change. Iohannis played a crucial role in raising awareness of the decree: He arrived unannounced at the government meeting during which the decree was supposed to be adopted so that he could express his dissent. He was able to halt its passage, and he released the draft to the public for discussion. This is when protesters started gathering in small numbers in front of government buildings in Bucharest and several smaller Romanian cities. Iohannis quickly identified himself as an official ally in this fight. But that was just the beginning. Ignoring the crowds, the public statements of the opposition, and the statements coming from the judicial community in Romania and from civil society, the government went on and issued the decree in a secret meeting in the middle of the night on Jan. 31, just a week after its first attempt. Less than one hour later -- and it was nearly midnight when the announcement was made -- more than 50,000 people gathered in front of Victoria Palace in Bucharest despite below-freezing temperatures. That was the moment when clear demands were formed by the crowd: the withdrawal of the decree, the resignation of the government, and the resignation of ruling party leader Liviu Dragnea, one of the biggest beneficiaries of the decree. The next morning government officials ignored the protesters and said they were manipulated and financed by external powers -- mainly George Soros, a preferred scapegoat in Romania. This went on for three days. Government officials even organized a press conference during which they declared that their actions were legal and that the protesters were misinformed. They also stated that the decree would not be withdrawn under any circumstances. The crowd of protesters grew each day, and by Friday, Feb. 3, more than 300,000 people were protesting in dozens of cities across Romania. Pressure from civilians, the president, opposition parties, the legal community, and a number of media outlets forced the government into a corner. On Sunday, Feb. 5, as over half a million protesters took to the streets, the government took its first step back, announcing that it would withdraw the decree. However, the administration refused to accept any responsibility, blaming the decrees effects on bad communication. Romanians were having none of it. Although the decree was withdrawn by Sunday afternoon, more than half a million Romanians took to the streets again on Sunday evening, demanding fulfillment of all three of their demands. Meanwhile, the government passed a parliamentary motion in which it refused to back protesters or concede to the demand that they give up power. On Feb. 2, the justice minister announced his resignation. The lesson for democracy defenders worldwide is that democratic institutions are there to be pulled to the side of the people. If you are planning a movement, make sure your strategy involves those who may shift to your favor, regardless of the individuals and the political parties that may be ruling them. Lesson 3: It cant just be rallies and marches. Make it creative and funny Yes, the global media (as they always do) have sent us the footage of large crowds, waving flags, and marches throughout Romania. But these actions alone dont bring about change; what makes movements successful is in fact creativity and the ability to easily shift tactics. In this way, movements stay unpredictable. They become difficult for opponents to break or contain, and they are fun for participants. The worlds leading expert on nonviolent struggle, Gene Sharp, has defined more than 200 different tactics that nonviolent movements have successfully used throughout history. From slogans and symbols (the Romanian flag with a hole in it -- priceless); street theaters (dancing puppets in jail uniform); and symbolic lights and signs, to dance and music, Romanians are reading straight from the successful playbook. Not only have numbers been high and the people committed, but they are also having fun. And when movements are fun, everybody wants to join. Lesson 4: Use new Tools -- social media Societies evolve. People evolve too, and so do the tools used to protest abuses of power. Social media is among the most effective tools for social change today, and Romanians use of it shows just how effective it can be. If asked who the leader of these protests is, the answer is actually Mark Zuckerberg -- that is a joke of course, but it carries some truth. The protests in Romania (like in Zimbabwe, Venezuela, or Egypt) would not be what they are without Facebook, Whatsapp, Twitter, and other new media tools. Without these tools the protests would be smaller and would lose some of the coolness factor that drew people in initially. These protests have had no formal leaders. The organization, the timing, the creative messages -- everything about the protests in Romania has been on social media, except the spirit. This generation learned exactly how to exploit these new tools to promote their cause. And yes, you might think that it is a tool used by a narrow section of society, but this not entirely true. The Internet is very widespread in Romania, and social media, especially Facebook, has suffused all layers of society. This is not the first time Facebook has catalyzed change in Romania. Today, analysts state that without social media, the outcome of the most recent presidential election in Romania would have been vastly different. Iohannis is often called the Facebook president. Through social media, protesters in Bucharest inspired Romanians living in dozens of cities abroad (including London, Berlin, Paris, and Toronto) to join them in protesting. Lesson 5: Democracy is like love, you need to make it every day There are two powers that keep democracy and freedom alive: strong institutions and active citizens. This is a two-way street. Institutions are there to serve citizens, and citizens in a democracy are there to defend institutions from abuse. As any institution in the world can be abused by wayward officials, it is the responsibility of the people to defend it. People are most powerful when they hold their elected officials to account. It works, and it is possible. For example, Christian Wulff resigned as president of Germany after allegations of corruption relating to his prior service as minister-president of Lower Saxony. Similarly, following the release of the Panama Papers, Icelandic Prime Minister Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson stepped aside after protests and allegations that his family attempted to hide millions in offshore accounts. The existence of democratic institutions such as elections, judiciaries, and a free press doesnt guarantee vitality to a democracy. Too often those who win power through elections try to undermine institutions and lean towards autocracy. From dramatic examples such as the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte or Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to more subtle measures such as those seen in Hungary or Poland, the world suffers no lack of power abuse by elected officials. Healthy societies are possible only when existing democratic institutions are supported and regularly checked by active citizens. This is exactly what Romania has reminded us. Whether the Romanian protests succeed in more than just pushing aside the governments assault on institutions is still unknown. Will they produce more cracks in ruling parties? Will they result in a referendum or new elections? How will this mass anti-corruption movement affect the region? (We already see solidarity protests in neighboring Bulgaria, another young EU member that has a dramatic history of corruption.) Might success in Romania impact the global movement of liberals that seems to be awakening after right-wing populism triumphed across the world in 2016? It is difficult to say, but it is clear that the brave people of Romania have defended their democratic institutions admirably and that movements all over the world can learn from their struggle. No issue has drawn more public scrutiny during the first month of the Trump presidency than the travel restrictions placed upon nationals from seven Muslim-majority countries. The Trump administration frames this issue as one of national security: restricting travel from these countries will make us safer because security agencies in those countries are simply unable or unwilling to cooperate with the United States. Opponents arguments vary, but some contend that the order harms national security by acting as fodder for militant groups seeking new recruits. A casual observer might reasonably wonder if the competing schools of thought exist in alternate universes. The divergence is not the fault of so-called alternate facts, but of different frameworks for analyzing where terrorists come from and where they are going. Counterterrorism hawks believe that force is the primary, if not only, solution to terrorist threats, and that the recruitment base for these organizations is largely fixed. In other words, for jihadi recruiters, followers and foot soldiers are found almost exclusively within defined ethnic and religious circles. Some people are Muslims, and others are not. Within those groups some are extremists, and others are not. People are radicalized when they are plucked from the bin of potential radicals and turned into terrorists. Making changes to that framework of analysis is not particularly helpful in counterterrorism, because there are only so many people in the bin, and their individual transformation into terrorists is not all that important. What matters is that they make that transformation at all. Bloomberg View columnist Eli Lake captured this worldview well in a recent article, writing the process by which an individual gets sucked into the death cults of al Qaeda or the Islamic State cannot be reduced to a single cause. This statement is not only factually correct, but uncontroversial among experts. What is controversial, however, is the role that factual statement plays in determining policy. Counterterrorism doves, on the other hand, believe that counterterror efforts can include measures such as policy concessions, in part because the potential recruitment base for terrorism can change. While doves accept that primal identity, like religious identity, rarely changes, they do not see primal groups as the source of terrorism. It is in fact smaller groups, whether a sub-group of a primal identity or not, that make up the bulk of the terrorist threats. Importantly, those sub-groups are subject to change more than primal identities. While Islamic terrorist groups recruit primarily -- though not exclusively -- from people whose primal identities are Islamic, doves believe the recruitment base from which Islamic terrorists can draw will vary according to the alternatives available to potential recruits. If U.S. policy appears increasingly hostile to a Muslims interests -- as the travel ban seemingly does -- then a potential recruits willingness to associate with al-Qaeda and Islamic State goes up. The Terrestrial Terrorist Hawks also generally believe that strategic institutional preferences matter in counterterrorism. Those preferences frequently focus on the world the terror group aspires to create rather than the terrestrial and temporary concerns of modern day states and societies. Hawks consequently believe terrorists claims are often not closely tied to immediate political concerns. The fanatics who seek to recreate an eighth-century caliphate have an endless supply of grievances about our open society, argues Lake. Hawks therefore believe that people join terror groups because they wholeheartedly embrace that organizations mission and motives. If true, fanatics would surely have an endless supply of grievances. But the linkage might be a little murkier. Interestingly, the U.S. government in 2015 released a letter from Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, in which the 9/11 mastermind enumerated his grievances against the United States, sounding like a political science freshman spouting dorm room philosophy. Given the level of discontent among even our privileged youth, it should be no surprise when we cannot appease the downtrodden of the Muslim world. On the other hand, many doves tend to believe that the preferences of individual recruits must also be taken into account, and that individuals join terror groups not because of an organizations often abstract goals, but because they are driven by immediate political realities. Therefore, while al-Qaeda and ISIS clearly do desire an Islamic caliphate, people who join those groups may want a job, a date, or just some respect. A recruits disposition toward terrorist organizations and the West depends on how likely they think they are to get whatever it is they want by supporting one side or the other. How these viewpoints affect policy preferences can vary, of course. One can hew to the importance of primal identities in political choices and still be opposed to the travel restrictions by arguing that the groups being targeted for travel restrictions as potential jihadis are the wrong ones. Those who argue that the travel ban is inappropriate because no refugees from the targeted countries have carried out fatal attacks against the United States since Sept. 11 are making such an argument. This is a fundamentally different argument than the contention that the travel restrictions increase recruitment of terrorists. Motives and Mission While not without its merits, the hawkish school of thought on counterterrorism often makes the mistake of treating terrorists as states. But states have populations that they can readily and relatively easily coerce into action, whereas terrorists generally do not -- the Islamic State notwithstanding. Therefore, while a state can usually marshal forces whether people in those forces want to be there or not -- as the Soviets and United States did throughout the Cold War -- terrorists rely heavily on voluntary association, and in the West on volunteers who will operate with little institutional support or oversight. Therefore, focus on institutional objectives is not helpful to counter the types of terrorist attacks that occur in the United States. The social science on high-risk behaviors, coupled with my own personal experience in counterterrorism operations, do not support the idea that people frequently engage in dangerous, potentially lethal activities for the high-minded objectives terrorist groups declare. Recruits will for a variety of reasons pay lip service to those objectives, but they will also be fairly forthcoming about their real motivations, which are much more terrestrial in nature. It is only when terror groups begin to take on state-like characteristics, such as the ability to coerce large populations into action -- as the Taliban did in Afghanistan, or Hamas has in Gaza -- that countering such groups at the organizational level becomes essential. These conditions of course could change. Were a terrorist organization to become reasonably and reliably able to coerce populations into action -- or if an entire state or society became mobilized by non-immediate political concerns -- then the calculation for dealing with terrorist organizations would undoubtedly change. But until then, it remains imperative that we arm ourselves with an understanding of our enemies, and embrace humane policymaking that allows us the flexibility and foresight to defend against terrorism. , We're sorry, this article is not currently available By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 02/15/2017 ADVERTISEMENT Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade. 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. At approximately 7 p.m. Monday night, the fire alarm in Brumby Residence Hall at the University of Georgia sounded. Students were stranded outside for over three hours after two additional fire alarms were sounded following the initial alarm. A 24 hour dance marathon sounds exhausting, but when you throw in a slew of fun events and a good cause it becomes so much more. The Universit UGA, much like the rest of the United States, has found itself in the midst of sparring opinions and heated debate over the Israel-Palestine c I have always associated swastikas with a historical tragedy. Swastikas and the Holocaust should remain in the past, to never be recreated. Ye Vistara CEO Phee Teik Yeoh discusses the airline's expansion plans and challenges with Alnoor Peermohamed. Vistara, the full-service carrier of Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines, is looking to expand capacity and attract more fliers, as it plans to fly overseas this year. The civil aviation policy allows it a fleet of 20 aircraft to go overseas. "We have done very well in terms of customer reception in India, but when we go overseas, we have to augment our delivery several notches to complete," said Vistara chief executive officer Phee Teik Yeoh. Edited excerpts: IMAGE: Phee Teik Yeoh, CEO of Vistara says many foreign airlines are keen to partner with Vistara. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters. What are your expansion plans? You have 18 destinations. Will you have more flights to the same destinations or add more destinations? We just completed two years of operations in January. We have 18 flights and offer 515 services a week compared to 13 flights and 324 services per week a year ago. Launching destinations is different from expanding frequency, because it requires setting up stations, getting check-in counters, recruiting staff, and signing contracts with handling networks. In 2017-18, we are going to get five more aircraft. We are going to continue our fast growth in India -- at 50 per cent of capacity, by March next year. Besides increasing frequency in key routes, we will introduce two to three new points. By June 2018, we will have a fleet of 20 aircraft before we go overseas. Are you looking at more commercial partnerships? We have 14 partnerships inter-line; the more recent ones are Air France, KLM and Japan Airlines. Many foreign airlines are very keen to partner with Vistara. They have seen how this brand has grown. We are also very eager to partner with them because it allows us to widen our reach and offer destinations our customers will be travelling to. There will be more code sharing. Hopefully, we will soon announce our code-share partnership with Singapore Airlines. We are just tying up loose ends. It is not just about partnerships. It is about how we can grow the partnership to get more traffic in and out of Vistara flights. That is another thing that the team is working on. How we can get the foreign airlines to promote Vistara and making it the choice airline for their fleet, when they operate in India. Will you join any airline alliance? Not at this point of time. We have 14 of partners, from across various alliances. IMAGE: Vistara, a full-service joint venture of Tata Sons and SIA, took off its for a maiden flight from Delhi to Mumbai in January 2015. Photograph: Courtesy Vistara. How is 2017 going to be? People are predicting airline losses might go up. This year will be challenging in terms of managing costs. Jet fuel prices 30 per cent of the operational costs of most airlines -- have gone up from January; these are expected to stay high. The days of fuel price at $30-40 per barrel or below-$50 are gone. Airport charges across the country have also gone up by 10 per cent. Unless there is pricing discipline, this will be a tough year. Airlines also have to focus on costs. Unfortunately, there are many items whose costs we cannot control. There are, however, things we can do if we look hard. Vistara is focusing on this area to have a leaner, meaner structure. We are working to bring down unit costs. What are your international expansion plans? We have been gearing up for international operations, and have regulatory approval to fly overseas. We are continuously refining our product and services and are aware going overseas will not be a walk in the park. Competition will be much keener than in the domestic market. We will be competing with bigger players -- say, the gulf carriers that invest in good products and services. We must be ready in delivery of service and products. We have done very well in terms of customer reception in India, but when we go overseas, we have to augment our delivery several notches to complete. What other plans do you have? There is a plan to get approval on capital injection. In June next year, we will get the 20th aircraft. Anything from the 21st aircraft, we can fly international. "It was found that huge unethical markups are charged at each stage in the supply chain of coronary stents, resulting in irrational, restrictive and exorbitant prices pushing patients to financial misery," say the authorities. Aneesh Phadnis and Veena Mani find out what the manufacturers and the hospitals have to say. IMAGE: The price of a bare metal stent will be capped at 7,260 while drug eluting stents and biodegradable stents will be priced at 29,600 apiece. These prices are exclusive of taxes. Photograph: Jason Reed/Reuters. Stents will now be priced below 30,000 apiece following the government's decision to slash their prices by as much as 85 per cent. The government has also made it mandatory for hospitals to bill stents separately from surgical procedures or package costs. A stent is a mesh tube placed in arteries with a view to improve the blood flow to the heart. Health activists welcomed the government move as it could lead to a reduction in medical expenses. Apollo Hospitals said it would pass on the benefit to patients but manufacturers are upset over the decision that caps prices of all forms of stents at Rs 30,000. "The government decision is an overkill," said Rajiv Nath, forum co-ordinator, AiMed, which represents domestic stent manufacturers. Stents sold in India at present are priced between 25,000 and 200,000 apiece. Most stents sold in the country are drug eluting. On Monday, the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority set the price ceiling for stents. This follows the government's decision to include stents in the National List of Essential Medicines and their classification as a scheduled drug. According to the NPPA order, the price of a bare metal stent will be capped at 7,260 while drug eluting stents and biodegradable stents will be priced at 29,600 apiece. These prices are exclusive of taxes. "During deliberations (with stakeholders) it was found that huge unethical markups are charged at each stage in the supply chain of coronary stents, resulting in irrational, restrictive and exorbitant prices in a failed market system driven by information asymmetry between the patients and doctors, pushing patients to financial misery," the NPPA said while justifying its decision to impose the price ceiling. "The stents price cut makes angioplasty more accessible. Apollo Hospitals welcomes the intent and will pass on the benefit to patients," Apollo Hospitals Joint Managing Director Sangita Reddy tweeted. Some industry observers, however, remain sceptical about the impact of the government decision as there is no cap on hospital charges or packages. "Such a regulation might lead to flooding of substandard products from China and Canada. US FDA approved stents will be withdrawn from the market as the government has brought all stents under one category," said Dr Vivek Jawali, chief cardiothoracic and vascular surgeon of FortisHospital. "Rules need to be reasonable and implementable with a smooth transition. The worst thing about this notification is that the NPPA expect all stocks in the market to be available at the new prices overnight," Nath pointed out. "Hospitals will demand credit notes for losses made on inventories they hold. Manufacturers will be asked by the department of pharmaceuticals to pay penalties for not acting overnight. If importers and manufacturers go to court, the public will suffer. Ideally, the implementation should have been from a cut-off date," he added. "The NPPA notification completely disregards all stakeholder representations on the need to differentiate stents based on their technological differences. While the intent is to cap prices in the interests of patients, this pricing has the potential to block innovations and limit access to world-class medical care," AdvaMed, which represents foreign stent manufacturers, said in statement. Were you grossly overcharged by the hospital? What happened when you took it up with the hospital? Did you or your family undergo surgery and face a life-threatening situation because of a hospital's negligence? TELL US! To highlight this critical lapse in health care in India, we want to hear YOUR HOSPITAL HORROR STORY. Please send us a brief outline of your case, the name of the hospital, admission dates, along with scanned copies of your hospital bills and correspondence with the hospital, via e-mail, with the subject line Hospital Horror Story, to getahead@rediff.co.in Rediff.com reserves the right to follow up with more questions, and will publish your account only on being satisfied about the genuineness of your account. Before participating in such schemes, do a detailed background check of the company's credentials, especially if the promised returns are unrealistic, says Sanjay Kumar Singh. Illustration: Uttam Ghosh/Rediff.com By now you would surely have read the news story about a Noida-based company called Ablaze Info Solutions, which is said to have defrauded about 700,000 people to the tune of Rs 3,700 crore. In this scheme, participants first had to pay a substantial subscription fee to join it, after which they were compensated for clicking on links. There were also incentives for bringing in other members, which made it akin to a multi-level marketing (MLM) scheme. Experts advise that investors should do adequate due diligence before betting their hard-earned money on such schemes. According to cyber experts, this scheme took off because the activity it was pursuing was a legitimate one per se. There is an entire industry on the Internet, wherein you can earn money by clicking on links: This improves the traffic on Web sites and allows them to demand higher advertising rates. Many Web sites outsource the task of improving traffic to third parties, which in turn recruit people in countries like India for the task. You can also earn money through activities like filling forms, answering surveys, etc. The mistake participants made in this case was to join the scheme without exploring other options. "Many players would have offered a similar level of compensation without demanding a subscription fee. Moreover, the very fact that the company was demanding a substantial subscription fee should have made people suspicious," says Udbhav Tiwari, policy officer at the Centre for Internet and Society, Bengaluru. Before participating in such a scheme, spend time doing a detailed background check of the company's credentials, especially if the promised returns are unrealistic. "If the return offered by the company is high compared to market rates of return, or the company is new, you should be extra cautious. Check various blogs and forums on the Internet for possible complaints against the company and its key stakeholders," says Mukul Shrivastava, partner, fraud investigation and dispute services, EY India. If you do join such a programme, be warned the moment the company misses out on payments, delays them, or avoids your queries. Stop all interactions with it and lodge a complaint with the police, providing all relevant details. If the company had used forged documents, especially ones claiming that the scheme had the approval of a regulator like Sebi, submit those. You can also file a complaint at Sachet, a Web site set up by the Reserve Bank of India. Another option is to contact the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. Usually, the police take up a case when many complaints pour in against a single entity, so motivate other victims to complain too. The State fights the case on your behalf. Your task after complaining is to cooperate with the investigation and depose in the court when required. Nowadays victims can be compensated under the Criminal Procedure Code as well. They also have the option to file a civil suit for recovery of their money. Finally, there is need for new laws in the area of online frauds. "For online activities, there is a gap both in terms of legislation and enforcement. We only have a 1978 Act for chit funds, which needs to be updated," says Nishant Joshi, partner, Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas. The company is the third largest employer among foreign IT companies in the country, after Accenture and IBM French IT major Capgemini said on Thursday that its employee base will touch 1 lakh by April-end and despite the concerns on protectionism, it will continue to recruit more talent in the country with a bias towards hiring more freshers. "We will be touching 100,000 in a few weeks' time...we are at 98,800 employees right now and we shall touch 100,000 by April-end," Capgemini India chief executive Srinivas Kandula told PTI in Mumbai. The company is the third largest employer among foreign IT companies in the country, after Accenture and IBM, and will continue to add employees here in the future as well, he said. Kandula said there would be a greater focus on hiring freshers who can be taught necessary skills in a rapidly-changing technology world in the future, and added the number of offers as well as the campuses it visited has gone up. Hiring freshers does not entail any "unlearning" which the lateral hires have to do, he said. Capgemini looks at Asia's third largest economy primarily as a source of talent, and the cost advantages which it offers are secondary, he said. Till now, the company, present in nine cities with the head office on Mumbai's outskirts, focused on making lateral hirings. It recruited 33,000 people at a gross level, including freshers and laterals, in 2016. Its attrition rate has come down to 20 per cent, Kandula said. With fears of a shift to protectionism, Kandula said the company will be unaffected by it and any slowdown in hiring will only be because of increased automation. He said the company always hires locally in each of the geographies it is present and therefore, has a low reliance on H1-B visas, he said, adding high-skill workers are welcome even under the new visa law being proposed in the US. Kandula said there is an "over reaction" to the visa concerns as some regulations are already in place, and stressed the shift to digital, automation and cloud are the bigger threats to the IT sector. With Nasscom saying that 1.5 million people will have to be re-skilled to serve the changing market dynamics, Kandula said 30 per cent of its staff is already trained in new technologies and it is aiming to progressively take this number up to 50 per cent over the next two-three years. Kandula said the integration of the erstwhile I-Gate business, which merged with 25,000 employees, has been completed successfully and there has been no attrition of either clients or employees as a result of it. Photograph: Reuters If either faction of the AIADMK failed to muster a floor majority, then the governor would be called upon to ask MK Stalin as the leader of the opposition if he would like to try his hand at government formation. Indications are that the DMK would not fall for any such situation straightaway. However, internal discussions and debates could be triggered by what is happening outside than inside, says N Sathiya Moorthy. Image: A file photograph of DMK chief M Karunanidhi with his son and party working president MK Stalin at the party headquarters Anna Arivalayam in Chennai. Photograph: PTI Photo. Though the ruling All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam factions jailed leader V K Sasikala Natarajan may have blamed the Opposition DMK in Tamil Nadu for the O Panneerselvam-led revolt, its the DMKs considered decision on government formation that may have come as a saving grace to her camp. Acting Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao has invited the Sasi camps new CM-elect Edappady K Palanisamy for a meeting on Thursday forenoon, as a follow-up to the one he has had on Wednesday night, and also with OPS. Indications are that the governor seems convinced that between the two, Palanisamy is better- placed to prove a floor majority. Rather, OPS, given that he has less than 10 members proven support out of 134 party MLAs in a 234-seat assembly, may be less likely to muster the numbers that Palanisamy claims he already has. Palanisamy has also reportedly demonstrated it with a signed memorandum, as did Sasikala before the Supreme Court sentenced her to prison in the Jaya wealth case on Tuesday. With Sasikala conviction, and Governor Rao's confusion about inviting one of the AIADMK faction leaders to form the government, the DMK is suddenly getting into increasing focus, in terms of legislative strength and the possibility of staking claims to forming a government, if it came to that. The DMK has 89 members in the 234-member state assembly, and its Congress ally, eight, taking the cobuitally just now to 97. The two AIADMK factions, under Sasi camps new CM-elect, Edappady K Palanisamy, and resigned Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, OPS, have 134 legislators. The Indian Union Muslim League, an electoral ally of the DMK, has one member, though within the AIADMK camp there are allies who have contested under the partys Two Leaves symbol and would be counted as such under the anti-defection law if that became an issue. A vacancy exists in the AIADMK camp following the demise of Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, which has been the cause for the current political troubles in and for the party. Nearly 48 hours after the Supreme Court poured cold water on party general secretary Sasikalas chief ministerial ambitions, and after her faction had chosen outgoing minister Palanisamy in her place, the rival OPS camp is yet to show up numbers that can impress acting Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao to justify inviting the latter to form government and prove his majority in a floor test. Despite the post-verdict OPSs call that now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of the party, the response has been tardy at best, poor in actuality. Only Deepa, Jayalalithaas niece who had hoped to strike on her own with a political declaration on her aunts birth anniversary on February 24, sided with OPS in his second appearance at the leaders samadhi on the Marina on Tuesday night. Other than prefixing her name with the initial J common to her father Jayakumar and his sister Jayalalithaa, but more to resonate latter in the changed circumstances, Deepa has no MLAs to offer the OPS camp. If anything, Deepa is not even a member of the AIADMK, until the OPS camp actually captures the organisational wing and then admits her into the party. Yet, in terms of numbers, the state may be moving closely to a denial mode, with rival AIADMK factions focussing more on not letting the other win a trust-vote given a chance than possibly winning it for itself. The OPS faction is more likely to hope for it just now before consolidating to fight for a trust-vote win. The Sasi camp has the advantage on both fronts, at least as of now. It requires only 18 MLAs in a total of 133 (minus Jayas vacant R K Nagar seat) to defeat a trust-motion, where the cut-off would still be one more than half the total number of members, or 118 of 234 (117+1). For the OPS camp in particular, reaching the days magic figure of 18 seems relatively easier, if at all, than the real magic figure of 118. Hence also the possibility of Governor Rao considering Palanisamy's claim. A lot will however depend on when and how Governor Rao arrives at a decision on the choice of next CM and trust-vote, or if he would still consider a common floor test, as is being freely talked about in some circles despite the SC direction of the kind in UPs Jagadambiga Pal case (1998) not being applicable to the present TN situation, with no CM to be called to prove his majority in the House. Theoretically, by abstaining from a vote, the DMK and the Congress could throw up legal questions about the possibility of the required numbers, but that is not taking anyone anywhere after that vote. Anticipating a small shortage as though, the Sasi camp has been wooing state Congress president S Thirunavukkarasar, politically a much-travelled man who had begun his ministerial career in the AIADMK under MGR and had propped up Jaya in the post-MGR era before being thrown out from the party. Thirunavukkarasar floated separate parties more than once, returned to the parent fold at least once, then moved on to the BJP, where he was a Rajya Sabha member from Madhya Pradesh, before settling down in the Congress and as TNCC president just now. But unless the Sasi camp within the AIADMK legislature party is near-completely wiped out, the OPS faction would require external support from the DMK, and nothing less can save them the day. Anticipating a situation such as this, DMKs veteran general secretary K Anbazhagan, the originator of the SC order transferring the Jaya wealth case to a Karnataka court years ago, and the partys executive president, M K Stalin, rather mutedly, have clarified that they would not support either of the AIADMK factions to form a government. The chances are that the DMK might (have to) stick to this position, if the situation worsened for the AIADMK factions than it is already. It is also not unlikely that the DMK then would consider the need for talking to the Congress high command, to make the state unit fall in line in the larger interest of future alliances and coalitions, if it came to that. However, the state Congress is tempted by the possibility of a coalition government, if it could help it, and also citing the common anti-BJP stand against Prime Minister Narendra Modis leadership, where the Sasi camp is also seen as moving towards. If, however, either faction of the AIADMK failed to muster a floor majority, then the governor would be called upon to ask Stalin as the leader of the opposition in the state assembly if he would like to try his hand at government formation. With the Congress and IUML members on its side, the DMK would have only 98 MLAs, and require a minimum of 20 more to form a government, a possibility ailing party chief M Karunanidhi promptly spoke about only days after the assembly polls of May 2016, which Jaya won it for a sixth term as CM, beating his own five-time record. Indications are that the DMK would not fall for any such situation straightaway. However, internal discussions and debates could be triggered by what is happening outside than inside. A section of the DMK view is that it should not be trapped into a situation of either the tail wagging the dog, or the reverse, as AIADMK faction legislators in the partys company could cause avoidable risks in the DMK down the line. Its the kind of possibility that Stalin could not afford just now, while still consolidating his own hold over the party after father Karunanidhis irretrievable health condition. At the same time, there is also the argument for the party trying to form a government, with minimum outside support. Again, there are multiple arguments. In terms of sentiments, it would mean that Stalin would have become CM for the first time after being projected for the post as far back as 2001 elections, so to say. Two, for many of the party and ministerial veterans in the DMK, this may be their last term in the assembly, with their age and health coming in the way beyond 2021, when alone the next round of assembly polls might be due. It would also mean that the DMK would have enough experienced ministers around to train the newcomers, who failed the party in Jayas monumental electoral defeat of 1996, when as chief minister Karunanidhi was seen as doing most of their jobs. On the reverse side, it is argued that by heading a coalition government with AIADMK rebel support and possible participation, Stalin would have broken the Dravidian political record of non-coalition formations in the state administration. As is being recalled, through his five years in office as minority CM (2006-11), as Jaya would taunt him, Karunanidhi survived with the outside support of the Congress ally in the UPA at the Centre but without providing any loophole for a national party to re-enter the state through the backdoor in a big way after the Congress had lost the historic 1967 elections. If anything, this group also points out that even without forming a government or supporting another, from within or outside, the DMK still stood to win any advanced elections to the state assembly, if one became inevitable. There are even suggestions that the DMK should dump the Congress ally, or drive a hard bargain at seat-sharing, if the rival AIADMK is split, what with J Deepa expected to rope in some of the non-mainstream caste vote-banks of the AIADMK to the OPS camp, thus weakening both factions, equally. Its also this that the state Congress leadership seems pointing to the high command while seeking to take the party closer to the Sasi camp than cadres, commoners and even a section of the high command would desire. For now, however, the ball continues to be in the governors court as far as addressing the faction-feuds of the AIADMK, but from a purely constitutional position and responsibility. Already, opinions are emerging that the governor should ensure the return of the Sasi camp MLAs, purportedly locked up in suburban Koovathur resort, to their respective constituencies, for cadre and voter-level consultations, before they can be called upon to commit their positions one way or the other. But that also would not mean that allegations of coercion, intimidation and lure would not surface again. N Sathiya Moorthy, veteran journalist and political analyst, is Director, Observer Research Foundation, Chennai Chapter. 'We expect mobs on the subcontinent to hand out punishment without trial.' 'To have ministers doing it and then being proud about it says something about how the law is treated in India and how seriously ministers take their oath of office,' says Aakar Patel. All ministers and prime ministers who take office in India make this promise: 'I do swear in the name of God that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India as by law established, that I will uphold the sovereignty and integrity of India, that I will faithfully and conscientiously discharge my duties... and that I will do right to all manner of people in accordance with the Constitution and the law without fear or favour, affection or ill will.' This oath is taken from the Constitution's Third Schedule. There is also an oath of secrecy that the minister 'will not directly or indirectly communicate or reveal to any person or persons any matter which shall be brought under my consideration or shall become known to me except as may be required for the due discharge of my duties as such Minister.' How seriously do our ministers and leaders take this promise to be faithful the Constitution, which means essentially to uphold the law? Last week, BBC reported this news: 'An Indian minister says she made rape suspects beg for their lives and ordered police to torture them.' Uma Bharti, India's water resources minister, claims she told the men's accusers to watch as they were hung upside down. 'Rapists should be tortured in front of victims until they beg for forgiveness,' she said. 'The rapists should be hung upside down and beaten till their skin comes off,' the minister is reported to have said. 'Salt and chilli should be rubbed on their wounds until they scream. Mothers and sisters should watch so they can get closure.' What the minister is claiming to have done is essentially a criminal act. The law and the Constitution do not allow for what Bharti did, because the process for handling crimes is clear. The police register a case and investigate, the State prosecutes and the judiciary decides. What Bharti is boasting she did is violating the Constitution and law she swore to uphold. We expect mobs on the subcontinent to hand out punishment without trial. To have ministers doing it and then being proud about it says something about how the law is treated in India and how seriously ministers take their oath of office. The other thing is that these boasts about punishment to rapists should be contrasted with India's actual record of action on that crime. None of the seven survivors of gang rape in the Muzaffarnagar riots of 2013 who filed FIRs have got justice yet. One of the women has died while the other six have been fighting against the system to be heard. The women have been threatened by their alleged rapists and have received no support from those who are advertising their great actions against sexual violence. A massive movement was launched in India after the incident in Delhi known as the Nirbhaya case in which a young woman was sexually assaulted and murdered. After it, changes in law and in procedure were made to ensure that victims and survivors of such violence received speedy justice. The reality is that there is no change on the ground, as the Muzaffarnagar gangrape cases show. And so on one hand we have total failure from the State on its actual performance and delivery on sexual violence and rapists. And on the other hand we have these statements about what fabulous things ministers have done to address these crimes. The unusual thing about what Bharti said is this. She will likely not even be aware that she is violating the Constitution, because she is convinced she is doing the right thing. And the right thing, in the perspective of people like her, is not necessarily the legal thing. She swore 'that I will do right to all manner of people.' But the distinction between an accused and a convict does not really exist in a society which believes that there are people who come from 'good families'. Those who do not come from good families must possibly be bad by birth and should be punished for that. The civilised idea of law is that it grants protection to the accused and that is why we have the phrase 'presumed innocent until found guilty.' But that goes against the primitive thinking exhibited by our minister. All the focus in that oath is on that line about 'unity and integrity of India.' That is sacred and those who are accused of violating that sentiment, even verbally, will be thrashed, again without trial. The rest of it, the bearing of faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India as by law established, is incidental. Aakar Patel is Executive Director, Amnesty International India. The views expressed here are his own. A Delhi court on Thursday acquitted two persons, accused in 2005 Diwali-eve serial blasts case which had claimed 67 lives, saying the prosecution has failed to prove their guilt. Additional Sessions Judge Reetesh Singh acquitted Mohd Rafiq Shah and Mohd Hussain Fazli of all the charges. However, he held the third accused, Tariq Ahmed Dar, guilty of being a member of a terror outfit and giving support to it, but let him off too, saying he has already undergone more than 10 years in jail, which is the maximum punishment prescribed under the law for these offences. The serial blasts at three places - Sarojini Nagar, Paharganj and Kalkaji - on October 29, 2005 had taken a toll of 67 lives and injured over 225 persons. Dar was convicted for the offence punishable under Section 38 (being the member of a terror organisation) and Section 39 (giving support to such outfit) of Unlawful Activities Prevention Act. Farooq Ahmed Batloo and Ghulam Ahmed Khan had earlier pleaded guilty and were let off by the court for the period already undergone by them. Terror funding was the allegation against both these accused. Three separate cases were registered by Delhi Polices Special Cell following the blasts. The court had clubbed all the three cases for the purpose of recording of evidence. As per the prosecution, Dar, along with Abu Ozefa, Abu Al Kama, Rashid, Sazid Ali and Zahid, had allegedly entered into a criminal conspiracy to wage a war against the country and planned serial blasts. All these five co-accused are still at large and are said to be in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Prosecution said that Dar had allegedly hatched a conspiracy with the Lashkar-e-Tayiba militants to plan and carry out the bomb blasts in the national capital. Image: The serial blasts at three places - Sarojini Nagar, Paharganj and Kalkaji - on October 29, 2005 had taken a toll of 67 lives and injured over 225 persons. Photograph: Desmond Boylan/Reuters VK Sasikala, the close aide of late chief minister J Jayalalithaa, had aspired to step into her shoes. However, on Wednesday evening, she stepped into an 10X8 cell on the first floor of the womens block at Parappana Agrahara Central Prison in Bengaluru. She is expected to serve the remaining four years of her prison sentence here, after being convicted in a disproportionate assets case, along with co-accused and sister-in-law, J Elavarasi. Sasikala spent the first night of her prison term on the floor and in the morning had tamarind rice with chutney from the breakfast menu, said jail officials. Sasikala had asked for a Class 1 cell, which comes with privileges like a private television, home-cooked food and non-vegetarian meals twice a week, citing health problems, but her request was denied. Reports suggested that she has been assigned the task of candle-making in jail, but officials say it is too early. Interestingly, Sasikala had spent three weeks in the same prison in 2014 along with former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, after both were held guilty of making a fortune beyond their known sources of income in the 1990s. Amit Shah's sustained campaign against slaughterhouses has unnerved UP's leather and meat export industry. Archis Mohan reports from Kanpur. Bharatiya Janata Party hoardings that dot the landscape of Kanpur, this industrial town of central Uttar Pradesh, do not so much showcase vikas, or development initiatives, of the 33-month-old Narendra Modi government. Here, it is common to find a BJP billboard that proclaims any of the party's three key promises if it were to form the government in Lucknow after March 11 -- a BJP government will set up 'anti-Romeo squads' to check harassment of women; constitute a special cell to check the purported exodus of Hindus from 'Muslim-dominated areas' and ban illegal as well as mechanised slaughterhouses. Kanpur and its adjoining areas of central UP will vote in the third phase of UP elections on Sunday, February 18. Several of the 69 seats, particularly in the urban areas, have a Muslim population of 20 to 25 per cent. The Muslims of Kanpur and its neighbouring areas like Unnao -- home to northern India's meat and leather export trade that is largely owned by the community -- say they are acutely aware that a BJP government in Lucknow will use the state apparatus to target them, and not just socially. "The talk of banning slaughterhouses is to hit at the community's economic interests. Why are the slaughterhouses in Kanpur being targeted? What about the mechanised ones in Gujarat, which are owned by Hindus?" asks Mohammed Karim Khan, a 26 year old who runs his family business of leather exports. The BJP's promises on constituting a special cell to stop alleged migration and an 'anti-Romeo squad' are also being interpreted as attempts to browbeat the community and polarise voter sentiment. It is common for Muslim candidates from the Samajwadi Party, the Bahujan Samaj Party and the Congress to point out in their street corner meetings how the BJP couldn't find a single Muslim to field in the 403 seat Uttar Pradesh assembly, and is using such ploys to distract from its failed note ban move and its failure to deliver upon its promises of development and jobs. But it is BJP chief Amit Shah's sustained campaigning on slaughterhouses that has unnerved UP's leather and meat export industry. 'In all of UP you will see that due to slaughterhouses, cows that give milk are finished. In UP, we want to prevent cattle smuggling and slaughter,' Shah told a television channel earlier this month. But Shah has moved the goalpost since. In Unnao, home to half dozen government-approved abattoirs, Shah told a public rally that all slaughterhouses in Uttar Pradesh will be shut on March 12, the day after the counting of votes. Meat and leather industry is a significant job provider and a source of livelihood for at least 500,000 across Uttar Pradesh. Kanpur, Unnao, Agra and Noida are the main centres. Its annual turnover is estimated at Rs 15,000 crore (Rs 150 million). The industry is largely owned by Muslims, and it employs Muslims and Dalits. There are approximately 402 tanneries in Kanpur's suburb of Jajmau. Of these, around 250 are operational, which include 50 big tanneries with annual turnover of Rs 500 crore (Rs 5 billion) a year. The bigger ones employ 500 to 700 workers. All tanneries have struggled to survive in the last few years because of stricter environmental protection laws, activism of cow protection gangs and since the November 8 note ban decision. Those associated with the leather and meat industry in Kanpur say the BJP is being economical with the truth about cows being killed. "We have invited those associated with cow protection to check if any cows are being slaughtered in the abattoirs. There is a generational shift in the business. We, the younger educated lot, know that we cannot afford to give a single opportunity to the right wing elements to defame the business," Mohammed Inayat, a tannery owner, says. The tanneries largely deal in cash to be paid to farmers, or middlemen, who sell buffaloes to slaughterhouses. Tannery owners say they didn't have cash to pay farmers during the note ban period, which led to non-availability of raw hides, and work came to a standstill. This forced tannery owners to ask at least half their workers to return home. "Fortunately, trade has picked up now, normalcy is returning and labourers have come back. But what of the loss we suffered for three months? The reason for demonetisation still remains unexplained," Mohammed Arshad, another tannery owner, says. The tannery owners believe that with his clean image and development work in the last few years, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has caught the imagination of Muslim youth in the region. With a bias in favour of Yadav apparent among the youth in the region, BSP chief Mayawati told a public rally in Kanpur that there was no way that she would ever again form a government with the BJP. IMAGE: Bharatiya Janata Party President Amit Shah on the campaign trail. Photograph: PTI Photo Central Reserve Police Force on Thursday said locals were under pressure from militants to help them flee in certain areas in Kashmir which was harming the anti-terror operations. CRPF Inspector General (Operations) Zulfiquar Hasan asserted that the forces have been acting with restraint in crowded areas to check any collateral damage and the residents should not succumb to the threats of the militants. His remarks came a day after Army chief General Bipin Rawat warned those attacking security forces during anti-militancy operations in Kashmir of tough action. The casualties (of the security forces in recent operations) have taken place in crowded areas and the forces operate with restraint so that there is no collateral damage. But the crowds break the cordon and help the militants to flee. This is happening in certain areas of Kashmir, and villagers and local residents do this under pressure from militants, Hasan said. The IG said the security forces, in encounters, also face incidents of stone pelting and all this harms the operations. I would say locals should not get under pressure from militants. We are exercising a lot of restraint so that there is no casualty on the side of the crowds and that adds to our problem. We are constantly trying to evolve how could we do the operations better so that there is no harm to the people present around, he said. Commanding Officer of CRPFs 45th battalion Chetan Kumar Cheetah was grievously injured in an encounter in Bandipora on Tuesday and he is currently undergoing treatment and surgery at the AIIMS trauma centre in Delhi. General Rawats stern message came after three soldiers faced heavy stone pelting at Parray Mohalla of Bandipore in north Kashmir when they were about to launch an operation against the militants holed up there on Tuesday. Alerted by the stone pelters, the militants got an opportunity to fire hand grenades and empty a few magazines from AK-rifles, leaving three jawans dead and some others, including CRPF Commandant Cheetah, injured. The army chief had said security forces in Jammu and Kashmir were facing higher casualties due to the manner in which the local population was preventing them from conducting the operations and at times even helping the terrorists to escape. Al Qaeda has used Americas preoccupation with the Islamic State to regain strength in South Asia and preparing to spread its ideology in India from its home in western Pakistan, top United States lawmakers have warned. Al Qaeda has never changed, and it still sees itself in what it conceives as an existential struggle against the West and against the United States in particular, Bruce Hoffman, Director Center for Security Studies at Georgetown University, told members of the House Armed Services Committee. I think that its taken advantage of our preoccupation with ISIS (Islamic State) to rebuild its strength, particularly in South Asia, where, again, almost completely escaped notice when they created Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent which was designed simultaneously to reinvigorate its presence in Afghanistan, he told Congressman Mac Thornberry, chairman of the committee. During a Congressional hearing on terrorism and counter-terrorism strategies on Wednesday, Hoffman said Al Qaeda had been preparing to spread its ideology to India, which has the worlds second-largest Muslim population. We already see its effectiveness in Bangladesh and in Burma (Myanmar), he said. But elements like the Khorasan group are an elite forward deployed special operations unit that is waiting for the proper time to take the struggle to the West and to the United States, Hoffman said. Michael Sheehan from the Combating Terrorism Center, West Point, told lawmakers in response to a question that the Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan is the home of Al Qaeda central, which is traditionally Americas biggest strategic threat. Theyre the ones that blew up our embassies in Africa, at least an African arm of that; blew up the Cole in Yemen, an arm of the Al Qaeda central and are the people that are responsible for 9/11. They reside in Pakistan. Some of them are floating back in Afghanistan but its difficult for them to operate in Afghanistan because we own the terrain around Afghanistan, Sheehan said. In Pakistan, in Western Pakistan, its interesting. We havent had soldiers there in over 10 years, yet we continue to diminish and degrade the capability of Al Qaeda central to reach us strategically. I worry about this all the time, that without that presence there and the Pakistani army isnt in there very often either. Once in a while they come rumbling through, but thats not really that effective, Sheehan said. That theyre there in those mountainous regions and whats interesting is we need Afghanistan almost as much as a base to attack the FATA than we need Afghanistan itself. Afghanistan has no strategic importance to the United States. However, the importance is that Al Qaeda is there and blew up the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon. We cant allow that to come back again, Sheehan said. They are in Western Pakistan and for a variety of political reasons we cant put troops on the ground there so weve had to come up with a solution to diminish AQ in Pakistan without one soldier on the ground. So sometimes you have to come up with solutions with no troops on the ground. Other times if you have the ability to send 100,000 there it doesnt mean you should. So its a matter of finding the right solution commensurate with the threat, Sheehan said. Representative image. Photograph: Khalil Ashawi/Reuters Over 70 people were killed and nearly 150 others injured tonight when an Islamic State suicide bomber blew himself up inside the crowded shrine of revered Sufi Lal Shahbaz Qalandar in Sehwan town, some 200 km northeast of Karachi, in a string of deadly blasts this week in Pakistan. The bomber entered the shrine through its Golden gate and blew himself up near the site where the ritual of Sufi dance dhamal was taking place. The attacker first threw a grenade, to cause panic and then blew himself up, police said. Inspector General of Police for Sindh province AD Khawaja confirmed to media that police had counted 70 dead bodies so far. "So far 70 people have been killed and more than 150 wounded," he said. The deceased included 12 women and four children. Earlier, Sehwan police station SHO Rasool Baksh told reporters that around 100 people, including women and children, have been killed in the suicide bomb attack. The ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack on their Aamaq news agency, saying a suicide bomber had targeted a "Shiite gathering" at the shrine in Sindh. Commissioner Hyderabad Kazi Shahid said since the shrine was located in a remote area, some 130 km from Hyderabad, ambulances and vehicles and medical teams were being sent from Hyderabad, Jamshoro, Moro, Dadu and Nawabshah to the blast site to take care of the injured and move the bodies. "Emergency has been declared at hospitals in these places and rescue operations have started," he said. Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah said that the Pakistan army had been requested to provide night flying helicopters to shift the dead and injured. "Yes it is a tragic incident and because the shrine is away from a major city there have been problems in providing rescue operations," he said. The army said a C130 aircraft will be used to lift the injured from Nawabshah. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned the attack and urged Pakistan to "stand united". Devotees gather at the shrine of the revered Sufi saint every Thursday to participate in a dhamal and prayers. Television channels reported that dead bodies and injured were lying inside the shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, a Sufi philosopher-poet of present-day Afghanistan and Pakistan. Prime Minister Sharif said the attack on the shrine is an attack on the "progressive and inclusive future" of Pakistan. "The Sufi people predate Pakistan's history, and played an important part in the struggle for its formation," he said. "An attack on them is a direct threat to Jinnah's Pakistan and will be dealt as such," Sharif was quoted as saying in a statement released by his media office in Islamabad. Army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa vowed to avenge "every drop of blood" spilled by terrorists in Pakistan. "Recent terrorist acts are being executed on directions from hostile powers and from sanctuaries in Afghanistan. We shall defend and respond. "Each drop of the nation's blood shall be revenged, and revenged immediately. No more restraint for anyone," the Army chief was quoted as saying by Inter Services Public Relations Director Major General Asif Ghafoor on Twitter. The fresh wave of terror attacks started when a suicide bomber attacked a protest rally outside the Punjab assembly in Lahore on Monday killing 14 people and injuring dozens. On the same day, a terrorist attack was foiled in Quetta but two officials of the Bomb Disposal Squad were killed diffusing a bomb under a bridge in Quetta. Terrorists also carried out attacks in Mohmand agency and Peshawar followed by Thursday's blast in Sindh. The attack on shrine came a day after Pakistan vowed to "liquidate" all those elements posing a threat to peace and security in the country amid a spurt in terror attacks. The decision was taken at high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif yesterday to review the security situation in the country. "The meeting made a resolve that terrorism emanating within the country or executed and harboured from outside the country would be eliminated and those posing threat to peace and security of the country would be liquidated by the might of the state," according to an official statement. Terrorists have carried out attacks in Lahore, Mohmand agency, Peshawar and Quetta within a week. They have targeted more than 25 shrines across Pakistan since 2005. On November 13 last year, an ISIS suicide bomber killed 52 people and wounded 100 others at popular Shah Noorani shrine near Hub in Balochistan's Lasbella district. In July 2010, two suicide bombers blew themselves up at the Sufi shrine of Data Ganj Baksh Hajveri in Lahore, killing over 50 people. A suicide attack on the shrine of Sufi saint Abdullah Shah Ghazi in Karachi killed nine people in October 2010. An attack on Baba Farid Shakarganj's shrine in Pakpattan in October that year left another seven people dead. O Panneerselvam may have a trick or two to spring a surprise, reports Rediff.com A Ganesh Nadar. IMAGE: Edappadi K Palanisamy with the late AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa. Photograph: Kind courtesy Wikimedia Commons Even as the Supreme Court drew the curtains on V K Sasikala's political ambitions with its verdict in the disproportionate assets case, the AIADMK general secretary planned her next moves carefully. In the hours leading up to her to surrender and eventual lodging at the central jail at Parappana Agrahara in Bengaluru, she sacked O Panneerselvam from the AIADMK, anointed Gounder community stongman Edappadi K Palanisamy as leader of the legislature party and re-admitted her nephew T T V Dinakaran (who had been sacked by Jayalalithaa) as the party's deputy secretary. Palanisamy, who comes with a clean record, has already staked a claim to form the government. The AIADMK has 132 members (barring Speaker and the late Jayalalithaa) in the assembly. Tamil Nadu Governor C Vidyasagar Rao on Wednesday asked both Palanisamy and Panneerselvam to come up with their list of supporters in their bid to become the next chief minister. Sources say if Rao is convinced by Palanisamy's list of supporters, he will be asked to form the government. Once sworn in, Palanisamy will have to prove his majority on the floor of the House. But that won't be easy. S P Shunmuganathan, former minister in the AIADMK government and Srivaikuntam MLA, was among the first to switch sides and join the Panneerselvam camp. "So far we have 10 MLAs with us; more are on the way," Shunmuganathan told Rediff.com "The work is going on silently and efficiently. There is nothing to worry. Palanisamy will not be able to form the government as he will not get the necessary 118 votes in the assembly," Shunmuganathan added. "We need only 5 more MLAs to ensure that, and we are now sure of 10 MLAs coming over at any time. They are under a lot of pressure from the people and the police. The police have been repeatedly asking them if they are under any threat," the MLA said. Karuppasamy Pandian, the powerful politician from Tirunelveli, resigned as AIADMK organising secretary after Sasikala appointed her nephew Dinakaran as deputy general secretary. "He will be here (in the OPS camp) shortly," Shunmuganathan claimed, adding, "MLAs owing allegiance to him will also come here. You wait and see. We will come out on top." Finally Whalesharks Wide Angle, Commended Although I have been diving for more than 30 years with over 3000 dives, I had never saw a Whaleshark before. On our latest trip through Indonesia a friend told me that recently there are some around the Gorontalo area so we changed our plans and went there to end my whaleshark dilemma. We drove out to the dive site and everything was perfect. Very good visibility, no waves and a bright sunny day. Now only the big guy had to be there to make it really happen. When we entered the water there was not one Whaleshark ... but 6 of them! You can imagine my happiness. Photograph: Patrick Neumann/UPY 2017 President Donald Trump has signalled debunking United States long pursuit of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian dispute, saying he could endorse a one-nation solution if it led to peace in the Middle East, but asked Israel to temporarily stop Jewish settlements. Appearing at a joint press conference with visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump hailed the unbreakable bond between the two countries after the bilateral relations nosedived under President Barack Obama. At their first face-to-face meeting since his inauguration on January 20, Trump appeared warm to Netanyahu and shook his hands several times throughout the conference. But he politely asked the Israeli head of the government to hold back on settlements in territory claimed by the Palestinians for their future state: 'for a little bit'. Breaking from tradition and international consensus, Trump said he would be open to 'alternate solutions' that does not necessarily involve a two-state solution to the six-decade-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict. "It is something that is very different, hasnt been discussed before. It's actually a much bigger deal -- much more important deal in a sense," Trump said. "I'm looking at two-state and one-state, and I like the one that both parties like. I'm very happy with the one that both parties like. I can live with either one," he said, adding Israelis 'also need to show some flexibility'. "We'll work something out but, I think a deal will be made... It might be a bigger and better deal than people in this room even understand," he said, without elaborating. Since 2002, the US has formally backed the two-state solution. But Trump's remarks were the most striking departure for American efforts -- and the central theme of the Oslo accords -- to establish a Palestinian state alongside Israel as part of a permanent Middle East peace deal. Trump said his administration was looking at moving the US embassy to Jerusalem, but he offered no indication it would happen in near future. Relocating the embassy would signal the American recognition of Jerusalem as Israels capital. "As far as the embassy moving to Jerusalem, I'd love to see that happen. We're looking at it very, very strongly." Netanyahu did not commit to Trump's request for a hold on settlement construction, and instead set two prerequisites for peace with the Palestinians. "First, the Palestinians must recognise the Jewish state. They have to stop calling for Israel's destruction, they have to stop educating their people for Israel's destruction. "Second, in any peace agreement, Israel must retain the overriding security control over the entire area west of the Jordan River because if we dont, we know what will happen. Well get another radical Islamic terrorist state in the Palestinian areas exploding the peace, exploding the Middle East," he said. Netanyahu also made it clear that Palestinians 'vehemently reject' both the prerequisites for peace. "The persistent Palestinian refusal to recognise a Jewish state...is the reason we don't have peace," he said. Netanyahu said he believes the opportunity for peace comes from a regional approach, involving Arab partners in the pursuant of a broader peace with the Palestinians. On the security challenges that Israel faces from Iran, Trump assured Netanyahu the Islamic republic would never be able to make a nuclear weapon. He also termed the nuclear deal between Iran and world powers 'the worst' agreement ever. "My administration has already imposed new sanctions on Iran, and I will do more to prevent Iran from ever developing -- I mean ever -- a nuclear weapon," Trump said on Wednesday. Trump also mentioned the 'unfair and one-sided actions' against Israel at the United Nations Security Council, referring to a resolution condemning Israeli settlements, which had triggered a diplomatic fight between Obama and Netanyahu. "This is one more reason why I reject unfair and one-sided actions against Israel at the United Nations -- just treated Israel, in my opinion, very, very unfairly -- or other international forums, as well as boycotts that target Israel," he said. Netanyahu praised Trumps stand on Iran and radical Islamic terrorism. "Mr President, you've shown great clarity and courage in confronting this challenge head-on. You call for confronting Irans terrorist regime, preventing Iran from realising this terrible deal into a nuclear arsenal," Netanyahu said. "You have said that the United States is committed to preventing Iran from getting nuclear weapons. You call for the defeat of ISIS (Islamic State). Under your leadership, I believe we can reverse the rising tide of radical Islam. And in this great task, as in so many others, Israel stands with you and I stand with you," he said. IMAGE: US President Donald Trump greets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, after a joint news conference at the White House in Washington, DC. Photograph: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters Elected officials are warning immigrants to beware of scammers posing as immigration agents and shaking people down. Queens Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer rallied with immigrant advocates on Tuesday to spread awareness of a scam that he said a constituent fell victim to. Van Bramer said that on Monday four men wearing Immigration and Customs Enforcement jackets approached a man near his Woodside home, said they were ICE agents, and told him that he had to pay money or be deported. The victim, a Spanish speaker, handed over $250, according to Van Bramer's office. "We do not know the victims immigration status," spokeswoman Ariell Swernoff said. "If he is in fact undocumented, you could understand the trepidation." An NYPD spokesperson said the department has not received a report of such a scam, and that it encourages victims to report such crimes. Targeting immigrants is a long-standing form of grift in New York City"It's sort of a constant thing," Swernoff saidhowever the New York Attorney General's Office said this morning that it has received an increase in reports of such swindles in recent days. Other types include calls from fake officials threatening deportation and demanding payment over the phone, and fake lawyers, commonly known as notarios, misrepresenting themselves as credentialed and offering legal advice and/or pledging to expedite immigration paperwork. We asked for numbers on how many reports the AG's Office has received so far this year, and how that compares to comparable periods in the past, and will update if we hear back. Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer rallied with immigrant advocates in Queens on Tuesday to publicize scams targeting immigrants. (Jimmy Van Bramer/Facebook) New York City is a so-called sanctuary city, meaning that the NYPD is not supposed to share information with ICE, with the exception of 170 offenses, arrests for which trigger police cooperation. Mayor Bill de Blasio, while vowing that he will oppose Donald Trump's order pledging to defund sanctuary cities, has said he's open to expanding the list of offenses, leading to outcry from activists who say his emphasis on low-level police enforcement is putting undocumented immigrants at risk. Following a string of ICE arrests nationwide, including roughly 40 in the New York City area, the Department of Homeland Security claimed that it is focusing on undocumented immigrants who "pose a threat to public safety, have been charged with criminal offenses, have committed immigration violations, or have been deported and reentered the country illegally." In other words, they'll take any undocumented immigrants they can get. About 75 percent of the 680 arrested nationwide in the first week of February had prior criminal convictions, though it's not clear the nature of the convictions. The Attorney General's Office encourages people to report immigration services fraud at (866) 390-2992 or email civil.rights@ag.ny.gov. A primer on immigrants' rights when facing fraud is here. Why did Kim Jong-un order his brother's murder? IMAGE: North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un at the Pyongyang Orphans Primary School. Photograph: Korean Central News Agency/Reuters Tyrants don't rest until they get rid of their enemies -- real or imagined. Constantly insecure, they consolidate their positions by ruthless annihilation. Soviet dictator Josef Stalin set the macabre agenda with personal and mass murderous purges, which the tyrants of our time -- Saddam Hussein, Muammar Gaddafi, the Assads -- brutally photocopied. Spy satellites, the Internet and 24x7 surveillance have made the tyrant's job more difficult, especially if one's foes are located in another country. After eliminating all challengers to his throne -- an uncle was stripped of his post in public and then murdered with his family -- North Korea's dictator has nonchalantly set his sights abroad. A tyrant's killers prefer to execute their victims in private away from the glare of attention -- in the silence of a hotel room, in a dark alley -- but Kim Jong-nam was killed in the very public arena of an airport. IMAGE: Kim Jong-nam, then North Korea's heir apparent, about to be deported from Tokyo's Narita international airport, May 4, 2001. Kim Jong-nam, then North Korean leader Kim Jong-il's eldest son, had entered Japan with a forged Dominican passport, May 1, 2001, and was deported to China three days later. As the eldest son, Kim Jong-nam was once tipped to succeed his father Kim Jong-il as North Korea's ruler. Then in 2001, he took an ill-advised journey to Japan to visit Disneyland. The Japanese police arrested Kim Jong-nam for carrying a forged Dominican passport and deported. Livid at the humiliation he had caused his family and the Korean people -- who have never forgotten the Japanese brutality on the Korean peninsula before and during World War II -- Kim Jong-il struck off his eldest son as heir. Kim Jong-un, his youngest son, stepped in to take his half-brother's place and after their father died in 2011, set savage standards for ruthlessness as North Korea's ruler. The order to get rid of his oldest brother was apparently issued soon after Kim Jong-un grabbed power in Pyongyang. IMAGE: Kim Jong-un visits a newly built Pyongyang bag factory. Photograph: Korean Central News Agency/Reuters It's a mystery how Kim Jong-nam eluded his brother's killers for so long. He is known to have lived in many places, Macau being the most notable. He was returning home to Macau from Kuala Lumpur on Monday, February 13, when two women waylaid him at Kuala Lumpur international airport. While one woman grabbed him, the other put a cloth over Kim Jong-nam's face for about 10 seconds. Then, the women were gone, hurrying through the scrum of passengers rushing to catch flights, before hailing a cab. Unable to see, gasping for breath, Kim Jong-nam begged for help. He didn't have a chance. The man who would have been king died in an ambulance on his way to hospital. IMAGE: A North Korean official speaks with Malaysian police at the morgue at the Kuala Lumpur General Hospital where Kim Jong-nam's body was held for an autopsy, February 15, 2017. Photograph: Edgar Su/Reuters Hours later, the Malaysian authorities discovered the deceased's identity. Kim Jong-nam has been traveling with a false passport. North Korean embassy officials turned up at the hospital soon enough, demanding that an autopsy not be conducted on the body. The Malaysians refused. The cause of death: A poison more lethal than cyanide. One of the assassins was arrested as she arrived at Kuala Lumpur airport to board a flight two days later. She claimed innocence; she said a woman had asked her to help play a prank on an overweight passenger. The Malaysian police have since arrested another woman and are on the lookout for their minders, North Korean spies who supervised the hit on their ruler's brother. IMAGE: Kim Jong-un watches the Masikryong ski competition. Photograph: Korean Central News Agency/Reuters The timing of the execution puzzles Pyongyang watchers. Why now? In 2012, Kim Jong-nam begged his brother -- who, get this, he had never ever met! -- for mercy. In a letter he wrote to the North Korean dictator, he said he had nowhere to hide, and suicide was the only option left for him and his family, he was not a threat to his brother, so would Kim Jong-un please spare his and his family's lives? Did Kim Jong-un promise his brother amnesty, that he would not be killed? Did he lull him into a false safety? Is that why Kim Jong-nam had stopped traveling with bodyguards? His friends in Macau say he had grown confident enough about his security to visit the Chinese-governed territory's slot machines and saunas without protection. But they also told the South China Morning Post that Kim Jong-nam felt he was living on borrowed time. They had, in fact, been expecting him for dinner on Tuesday, February 14, but discovered that he had been killed the previous afternoon. With Kim Jong-nam's death, gone is the one man who North Korea's top politicians and army officers could have rallied round, revulsed as they are by Kim Jong-un's capriciously murderous regime. Speaking to the South China Morning Post, Van Jackson, a former advisor to the Pentagon who now teaches at the Daniel K Inouye Asia-Pacific Centre for Security Studies in Honolulu, said, 'Did Kim Jong-un order the assassination? Yes, almost certainly.' 'He lives a nightmare version of Machiavellian court politics every day, and bloodline is still the strongest claim to legitimate rule in North Korea: Eliminating potential centres of power is cold, but shrewd,' Jackson added. What will the baby-faced killer, who recently celebrated his fifth anniversary in power, do next? Launch a missile attack on Japan and escalate tensions in North Asia beyond control? Outgoing Chief Minister O Panneersevlam on Thursday said his fight will continue against All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam General Secretary V K Sasikala and her family till the time J Jayalalithaas regime is restored. Let us all together stop the party and government from going into the hands of a single family again. Let us form a peoples government again in sync with the aspirations of people and till then this struggle will continue, he said. Till such time Puratchi Thalaivi Ammas regime is restored, our struggle (Dharma Yudh) will continue, he said in his first reaction after Governor Vidyasagar Rao invited Sasikala loyalist and AIADMK Legislature Party Leader Edappadi K Palaniswami to form the government. Flanked by his party leaders, including former state minister K P Munusamy, he thanked his followers and people for supporting him. Panneerselvam, who had stepped in as stopgap chief minister twice when Jayalalithaa was alive, said, We will win this struggle with the support of Ammas followers. In a press release later, in an apparent reference to his breaking ranks with Sasikala on February 7, he said, We started a struggle to see that AIADMK does not become a property of a single family. He said he also chose to rebel with an aim of ensuring that Ammas regime does not become a government to guard the interests of a family by diverting from its path of peoples welfare. Stressing that people and party cadres gave huge support to his struggle, he said people were agitated that a government is being formed only on the basis of number of legislators forcibly confined (at a resort). He said the action to install such a regime was without understanding the feelings of the people and party workers. With Union Minister Kiren Rijiju stoking a controversy by saying that the Hindu population was falling while minorities are flourishing, Rediff.com's Syed Firdaus Ashraf studied the 2001 and 2011 Census data to track the demographic changes in the North-East. On Monday, Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rikiju set off a controversy when he tweeted that 'the Hindu population is reducing in India because Hindus never convert people. Minorities in India are flourishing unlike some countries around'. Naturally, condemnation of his statement was quick to follow, but what was lost in the uproar was that the minister was reacting to the Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee's accusation that 'the Narendra Modi government was trying to convert Arunachal into a Hindu state' and charged that 'the rich tradition and culture of the indigenous tribe of Arunachal Pradesh was under stake under BJP rule'. Rijiju, a practising Buddhist, hails from the border state, and represents Arunachal West in the Lok Sabha. Following the controversy, a quick fact check of the population figures of various religious communities in the northeast. NOTE: These figures pertain only to the North-East states, since Rijiju was rebutting the Congress claim pertaining to Arunachal Pradesh. In Arunachal Pradesh, which the Congress has accused the BJP of trying to convert into a Hindu state, the figures are revealing. As per the 2001 Census, the Hindu population in the state was 379,935 while Christians numbered 205,548. And as per the 2011 Census, the latest count of population figures available, Christians had more than doubled in number and overtaken Hindus in the state. While their number had grown to 418,732, a leap of 213,184 over 10 years, Hindus numbered 401,876, having grown by 21,941 over 10 years (162,815). Thus, in 2011, Arunachal Pradesh joined the other North-Eastern states which had a Christian majority -- except Assam, where the community comes at third slot, after Hindus (19,180,759) and Muslims (10,679,345). Christians in Assam number 11,65,867, and in Tripura. In Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Christians have been the single largest community. In Manipur, they were the second largest community in the 2001 Census (737,578) after Hindus (996,894). In 10 years, their number has grown to 11,79,043, a difference of 441,465, while the Hindu population went up to 11,81,876, a growth of 184,982. The Christian population is just 2,833 short of the Hindu numbers. Choose from among the various options in the list above to see how the Hindu and Christian populations have grown in the North-East between 2001 and 2011. Infographic: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com In Meghalaya, the 2011 Census data shows that there are 22,13,027 Christians and 342,078 Hindus out of the total population of 29,66,889. Ten years ago, Christians numbered 16,28,986 while Hindus were 307,822. Over 10 years, Christians had grown by 584,041 while Hindus had increased by 34,256. In Mizoram, the Hindu population has decreased as per the 2011 Census data. In 2001, there were 31,562 Hindus in the state. However, their numbers dropped by 1,426 to 30,136 in 2011. On the other hand, the Christian population had grown from 772,809 in 2001 to 956,331 in 2011, an increase of 183,522 in the same period. Nagaland is the only North-East state where the Christian population has decreased. In 2001, Christians numbered 17,90,349, which decreased to 17,39,651 in 2011, a fall of 50,698. The Hindu population here was 153,162 in 2001 which increased to 173,054 in 2011, an addition of 19,892. Tripura is one North-East state where the Christian population is growing at a slower rate than Hindus. In 2001, the Christian population was 102,489 which increased in 2011 to 159,882, an addition of 57,393. In the same period, the Hindu population grew from 27,39,310 to 30,63,903, a rise of 324,593. Kindly note: Image published only for representational purposes. The sinking of the Pakistan submarine Ghazi just before the 1971 War has remained an enigma for 45 years. As The Ghazi Attack releases nationwide on February 17, Rediff.com's Vipin Vijayan dives deep into the naval mystery. IMAGE: The USS Diablo (AGSS-479) that went to be rechristened as the PNS Ghazi. Photograph: Lieutenant Commander Tomme J Lambertson (retd)/US Navy The S-130 submarine was the crown jewel of the Pakistan navy. Having spent nearly two decades scanning the depths for the US navy, the USS Diablo had been falling off the radar with technologically superior machines outpacing it. But it wasn't going to go down without a fight. It would, in the course of time, script a most intriguing chapter in naval history. By the time the Diablo (Spanish for devil) parked itself at Pearl Harbour, the curtain had almost been pulled over World War II. It embarked on its first ever war patrol to Saipan, which Japan considered its last line of defence at the time in August 1945, but was diverted on course to the American naval base of Guam. By the early 1960s, the Diablo had been relegated to the level of a research submarine though it retained its combat potential. Then the Kennedy administration gave it a new lease of life by upgrading its sonar, replacing the old diesel auxiliary with an electrical plant, installing a new air-conditioning unit. The boat though lost its deck guns in the process. Around this time, the Pakistan navy had been lobbying hard with the US to bolster its arsenal against India. The Diablo was to join the Pakistan navy -- cleared for transfer on lease for four years with the options of a renewal or purchase -- thus making it the first submarine to be operated by a South Asian navy. Its Mark-14 torpedoes on board were a threat to any warship in the region. New Delhi had every reason to worry. ******* IMAGE: The Ghazi returns to Karachi in 1970 from Golchuk, Turkey, after undergoing an extended refit. Photograph: Kind courtesy pakdef.info The PNS Ghazi sailed into Karachi on September 4, 1964, with Commander Karamat Rahman Niazi as its commanding officer. Prior to the hand over, Pakistan naval officers underwent training in submarine operations on board the USS Angler. The seven officers and 69 men on board the Ghazi kept shadowing Indian warships in the Arabian Sea over the course of next few months. And then, in September 1965, India and Pakistan went to war. Through the duration of the war, the Ghazi silently moved in the depths unchallenged. Its target was India's aircraft carrier, the INS Vikrant. But with the Vikrant undergoing refits at the naval dockyard in Bombay, the Ghazi had to contend with monitoring other Indian warships. Yet the orders to unleash its firepower would not come through... not until the fag end of the war. Indian fighter jets had been buzzing over Karachi at will, guided by the radar station at Dwarka in Jamnagar district, Gujarat. The Pakistani war-room devised a plan that could signify a turning point in the war. The plan was dual pronged -- one involving sending Pakistan naval ships to bombard Dwarka, the other involving the Ghazi to take out Indian warships that would sail out of Bombay to respond to the attack. A fleet of seven ships -- the PNS Babur, PNS Khaibar, PNS Badr, PNS Jahangir, PNS Alamgir, PNS Shah Jahan and the PNS Tipu Sultan -- bombarded Dwarka as the Ghazi kept watch for Indian naval activity. According to Pakistani records, the Ghazi sighted two Indian warships at periscope depth in the third week of September. Commander Niazi identified one of the targets as the INS Brahmaputra and ordered torpedoes to be fired at the vessel. The Pakistanis claimed that three torpedoes slammed into the Brahmaputra and caused extensive damage to it. But Indian Navy records say the attack on the Brahmaputra did not happen. The Ghazi returned home, claiming success; its commanding officer and crew were bestowed with battle honours -- for an attack it never executed. ******* IMAGE: The crew operating in the submarine's forward torpedo room. Photograph: Kind courtesy Robert Hurst/USSDiablo.com Following the 1965 war, US-imposed sanctions prevented the Ghazi from securing the American spares it needed for repairs and refit. Desperate for spares, Islamabad signed a pact with Turkey -- with the blessings of the Americans nonetheless -- to refit and upgrade the boat's onboard equipment at a cost of $1.5 million (the cost in 1967) at the Gulchuk shipyard. After repairs, the Ghazi returned to Karachi in April 1970. India and Pakistan were at loggerheads in 1971 after millions of refugees fled East Pakistan for India to escape the Pakistan army's genocidal rampage in East Pakistan. War was inevitable. Naval planners relocated the Vikrant carrier group to the Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam. Major General Fazal Muqeem Khan, who served as the general officer commanding, East Pakistan during the 1965 war and later as the first commandant of the Pakistan military academy, in his book Story of the Pakistan Army wrote, 'The navy ordered the submarines to slip out of harbour quietly on various dates between November 14 and 22. They were allocated patrol areas covering the west coast of India, while the Ghazi was despatched to the Bay of Bengal with the primary objective of locating the Indian aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, which was reported to be operating in the area.' 'Ghazi's deployment to the Bay of Bengal must be regarded as a measure taken to rectify a strategic posture that was getting increasingly out of step with military realities.' 'Our response to Indian military deployments around East Pakistan was a series of ad hoc measures, taken from time to time, as a reaction to the Indian build-up,' the late major general wrote. 'Despatch of the Ghazi to India's eastern seaboard, not part of the original plans, was one such step taken on the insistence of our military high command to reinforce the Eastern Command. There was pressure on the Pakistan navy to extend the sphere of its operations into the Bay of Bengal increased with the growth of Indian and Indian-inspired naval activities in and/around East Pakistan.' The Ghazi, under commander Zafar Muhammed Khan, set sail on November 14, 1971. ******* IMAGE: The INS Vikrant sailing off the Bay of Bengal in 1973. Photograph: Kind courtesy Indian Navy Indian intelligence had anticipated the move. It had tapped a submarine signal off the Sri Lankan coast around November 19. With no other submarine in the Pakistani navy arsenal capable of undertaking a voyage that long, it was abundantly clear that the Ghazi was out on the prowl. The confirmation of the Ghazi threat came when a warship intercepted a signal addressed to the naval authorities in Chittagong, East Pakistan, requesting lubrication oil only used by submarines and minesweepers. Vice Admiral Nilakanta Krishnan, then the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command during the 1971 war, decided that the Ghazi threat had to be dealt with once and for all. 'The problem of the Vikrant's security was a serious one and brought forth several headaches. 'By very careful appreciation of the submarine threat, by analyzing data such as endurance, distance factors, base facilities, etc we had come to the definite conclusion that the enemy was bound to deploy the submarine Ghazi against us in the Bay of Bengal with the sole aim of destroying our aircraft carrier.' 'The threat from the Ghazi was a considerable one. Apart from the lethal advantage at the pre-emptive stage, the Vikrant's approximate position would become known once she commenced operating aircraft in the vicinity of the East Bengal coast.' 'We decided that in preparing our plan, we would rely much more on deception and other measures against the Ghazi. We had to find some place to crouch in, to spring into action at the shortest notice.' 'After embarking the remaining aircraft of Seahawks, Alizes and Alouettes, the fleet left Madras on Saturday, November 13 for an unknown destination which I shall call 'Port X-Ray', for reasons of security.' 'Port X-Ray was a totally uninhabited place with no means of communication with the outside world and it was well protected and in the form of a lagoon. Having sailed the fleet away to safety, the major task was to deceive the enemy into thinking that the Vikrant was where she was not and lure the Ghazi to where we could attack her.' 'I spoke to the naval officer-in-charge, Madras on the telephone and told him that the Vikrant, now off Visakhapatnam, would be arriving at Madras and would require an alongside berth, provisions and other logistic needs.' The headquarters at Madras was bewildered that Vice Admiral Krishnan would discuss such sensitive military matters on a civilian telephone line but nonetheless carried out his orders. Vice Admiral Krishnan was hoping that the Pakistanis had found a way to intercept the call and presume that Vikrant was still anchored at Vizag. The next move was to lay the trap. The destroyer INS Rajput, commanded by Captain Inder Singh, was selected as the decoy ship. Vice Admiral Krishnan had briefed him about the mission and directed him to leave Vizag harbour after refuelling with all navigational aids switched off. The destroyer then began broadcasting a massive volume of encrypted radio traffic like an aircraft carrier would. The trick worked. On November 25, naval intelligence intercepted a Pakistani navy message from a submarine commodore in Karachi stating that the aircraft carrier was very much in Visakhapatnam. The next day, the Ghazi was to give its mission report to its naval HQ. But the radio never buzzed. ******* IMAGE: The crew of the PNS Ghazi at their stations. Photograph: Kind courtesy pakdef.info A week had passed, yet the Pakistani establishment received no news from the Ghazi. On December 3, 1971, Pakistan launched operation Chengiz Khan -- a large preemptive airstrike from West Pakistan against targets in northwestern India. The attack was thwarted by the alert Indian Air Force who had been preparing for a sudden strike. The war had begun, but the Ghazi had totally gone off the radar. The news came on the intervening night of December 3-4. In his book, Vice Admiral Krishnan wrote, 'The Rajput sailed before midnight of 3/4 December and, on clearing harbour, proceeded along the narrow channel.' 'Having got clear, the commanding officer saw what he thought was a severe disturbance in the water, about half a mile ahead. He rightly assumed that this might be a submarine diving. He closed the spot at speed and dropped at the position two charges.' 'It has been subsequently established that the position where the charges were dropped was so close to the position of the wreck of the Ghazi that some damage to the latter is a very high probability.' 'The Rajput, on completion of her mission, proceeded on her course in order to carry out her main mission.' 'A little later, a very loud explosion was heard by the coast battery who reported the same to the maritime operations room.' 'The time of this explosion was 0015 hours. The clock recovered from the Ghazi showed that it had stopped functioning at the same time.' 'Several thousand people waiting to hear the prime minister's broadcast to the nation also heard the explosion and many came out thinking that it was an earthquake.' 'As per our arrangement with them, some fishermen reported oil patches and some flotsam.' 'The command diving team were rushed to the spot and commenced detailed investigations.' 'The divers established that there was a definite submerged object some distance out seawards, at a depth of 150 feet of water and that it was a probable submarine.' 'Even though there were a number of floating objects picked up, there was nothing to indicate the identity of the submarine.' 'Everything had American markings. I told the Chief of the Naval Staff that personally I was convinced that we had bagged the Ghazi.' 'By Sunday, December 5, we were able to establish from the silhouette and other characteristics that the submarine was in fact the Ghazi.' But there was no means of ingress into the submarine as all entry hatches from the conning tower aft were tightly screwed down from the inside. The Indian Navy released an official confirmation on December 9 that the Ghazi had been destroyed. ******* IMAGE: The wreck of the Ghazi and her 82 man crew lies off the Vizag coast. Photograph: Kind courtesy Bharat Rakshak The Pakistanis intercepted Captain Singh's relay message on December 4 to Vice Admiral Krishnan stating that he had sunk a Pakistani submarine. It, however, refused to believe that the pride of its navy had been sunk. To this day, Pakistan believes the Ghazi strayed into a minefield it had itself laid two days ago. According to the Pakistani sequence of events, the Ghazi commenced laying a small minefield east of Vizag harbour on December 2-3, 1971. Then at daybreak on December 3, it headed out to deeper water to search for the Vikrant. Not finding it, the Ghazi returned to the Visakhapatnam harbour mouth area at sunset to resume laying the minefield. As the lights ashore were blacked out, the Ghazi may have misjudged her position and doubled back into her own minefield around midnight; about 10 to 15 minutes before the INS Rajput's depth charging. To date, what really happened to the Ghazi remains a mystery. Today, the submarine lies embedded in the Vizag seabed about 1.5 nautical miles from the breakwaters. Vice Admiral G M Hiranandani (retd), in his book Transition to Triumph, summarises: 'The truth about the Ghazi, which remains on what the submarine community calls the 'eternal parole', lies somewhere between the Indian and Pakistani versions of the sinking but no one knows exactly where.' MUST READ features in the RELATED LINKS below. We rely on your support to make local news available to all Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2022. Donate today Wan v. Minister for Immigration & Multicultural Affairs Publisher Australia: Federal Court Publication Date 18 May 2001 Cite as Wan v. Minister for Immigration & Multicultural Affairs, Australia: Federal Court, 18 May 2001, available at: https://www.refworld.org/cases,AUS_FC,58a572fc4.html [accessed 6 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Wan v Minister for Immigration & Multicultural Affairs [2001] FCA 568 (18 May 2001) Last Updated: 25 May 2001 FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA [2001] FCA 568 LEI WAN v MINISTER FOR IMMIGRATION AND MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS EXPLANATORY STATEMENT 1 The judges in this case (Justices Branson, North and Stone) have prepared this statement to assist understanding of the decision of the Court in this appeal. It is intended to explain the function of the Court in a case involving the review of a decision of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. It must be emphasised that the only authoritative pronouncement of the Court's reasons is that contained in the published reasons for judgment. 2 This appeal relates to an application by Mr Wan for a visa to stay in Australia. His application was considered by a delegate of the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs. The delegate found that Mr Wan is not of good character. This finding meant that the delegate had a discretion to grant or to refuse to grant a visa to Mr Wan. The delegate refused to grant a visa to Mr Wan. The decision of the delegate was reviewed by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal and the decision confirmed. 3 In the circumstances of this case, the law required the Tribunal, in determining whether to confirm the refusal to grant a visa to Mr Wan, to treat the best interests of any child affected by its decision as a primary consideration. 4 Mr Wan has two children, one aged 8 and the other aged 20 months. Both children are Australian citizens. 5 The Full Court has concluded that the Tribunal failed to treat the best interests of Mr Wan's children as a primary consideration. It follows that Mr Wan is entitled to have the decision of the delegate reviewed again on a proper basis. 6 This does not mean that if the Tribunal decides it would be in the best interests of the children for Mr Wan to be granted a visa, that the Tribunal must grant that visa. It does mean, however, that the Tribunal would only be entitled to refuse to grant the visa if it finds that other relevant considerations outweigh the best interests of the children. 7 The role of the Court in a case like this is to ensure that the Tribunal acts in accordance with the law. As the Tribunal did not treat the best interests of the children as a primary consideration as it was required by law to do, the decision of the Tribunal must be set aside. However, it is for the Tribunal, not the Court, to determine what decision would be in the best interests of the children and, if that decision is that Mr Wan be granted a visa, whether other relevant considerations are of such weight that, nevertheless, Mr Wan should not be granted a visa. 8 The Reasons for Judgment of the Court will be available to the parties at the time judgment is delivered and will be available to the public generally shortly afterwards via the Federal Court's homepage at www.fedcourt.gov.au. Federal Court of Australia Sydney 18 May 2001 FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA Wan v Minister for Immigration & Multicultural Affairs [2001] FCA 568 MIGRATION - visa applicant found not to be of good character - discretion to refuse to grant visa - whether proper consideration given by Administrative Appeals Tribunal to the best interests of the applicant's children in reviewing the decision to refuse visa - requirement that the best interests of the children be a primary consideration - nature of "a primary consideration" - need to make finding as to the decision that would be in the best interests of the children - requirement for proper, genuine and realistic consideration of interests of the children Migration Act 1958 (Cth) ss 499, 501 Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act 1975 (Cth) s 43(2B) Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs v Teoh [1995] HCA 20; (1995) 183 CLR 273, followed Vaitaiki v Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs [1998] FCA 5; (1998) 150 ALR 608, applied LEI WAN v MINISTER FOR IMMIGRATION AND MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS N 1369 of 2000 BRANSON, NORTH and STONE JJ SYDNEY 18 MAY 2001 IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA NEW SOUTH WALES DISTRICT REGISTRY N 1369 of 2000 ON APPEAL FROM A JUDGE OF THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA BETWEEN: LEI WAN APPELLANT AND: MINISTER FOR IMMIGRATION AND MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS RESPONDENT JUDGES: BRANSON, NORTH and STONE JJ DATE OF ORDER: 18 MAY 2001 WHERE MADE: SYDNEY THE COURT ORDERS THAT: 1. The appeal be allowed and the orders made at first instance be set aside. 2. In lieu of the orders set aside, the decision of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal made on 10 August 2000 be set aside; the respondent Minister pay the appellant's costs of the application; and the matter be remitted to the Tribunal differently constituted to be heard and determined again. 3. The respondent Minister pay the appellant's costs of the appeal. Note: Settlement and entry of orders is dealt with in Order 36 of the Federal Court Rules. IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA NEW SOUTH WALES DISTRICT REGISTRY N 1369 of 2000 ON APPEAL FROM A JUDGE OF THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA BETWEEN: LEI WAN APPELLANT AND: MINISTER FOR IMMIGRATION AND MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS RESPONDENT JUDGES: BRANSON, NORTH and STONE JJ DATE: 18 MAY 2001 PLACE: SYDNEY REASONS FOR JUDGMENT THE COURT INTRODUCTION 1 The appellant ("Mr Wan") is married to an Australian citizen. He and his wife have two children, one aged 8 years and the other aged 20 months. Both of the children are Australian citizens. 2 On 13 June 1995 Mr Wan applied for a permanent residence (general-spouse) visa. On 6 May 1999 a delegate of the respondent ("the Minister"), being satisfied that Mr Wan was a person who was not of good character, decided to refuse to grant Mr Wan the visa for which he had applied. 3 On 24 May 1999 Mr Wan applied to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal ("the Tribunal") for review of the decision of the Minister's delegate. On 10 August 2000 the Tribunal, constituted by Deputy President McMahon, affirmed the decision of the Minister's delegate. 4 By a notice of appeal dated 23 August 2000 Mr Wan appealed to this Court from the decision of the Tribunal. The notice of appeal included a number of grounds of appeal but only one of the grounds of appeal is of present relevance. That ground is that the Tribunal did not give consideration to the best interests of Mr Wan's children. The significance of this ground of appeal is considered below. 5 The learned primary judge who heard and determined Mr Wan's appeal from the decision of the Tribunal considered that "a fair inference can be drawn that the Tribunal did, in fact, intend to treat the best interests of any relevant children as a primary consideration". By order dated 4 December 2000 his Honour dismissed Mr Wan's appeal. 6 Mr Wan has appealed to this Court from the judgment of the learned primary judge. The only ground of appeal is that: "His Honour erred in determining, on the evidence before his Honour, that the decision of a member of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal gave proper consideration to the `best interests of the ... children' in the exercise of the discretion not to grant the appellant's visa." 7 In our view, Mr Wan's appeal must be allowed and the matter remitted to the Tribunal to be heard and determined again. This does not mean that we consider that Mr Wan should be granted a visa. It is not for this Court to determine whether Mr Wan should or should not be granted a visa. However, this Court does have jurisdiction, on an appeal from the Tribunal, to set aside a decision made by the Tribunal if the decision followed a hearing at which the appellant to this Court was denied procedural fairness. We have reached the decision that the appellant was denied procedural fairness before the Tribunal and is for this reason entitled to a fresh hearing. STATUTORY PROVISIONS 8 Section 501 of the Migration Act 1958 (Cth) ("the Act") provides for the refusal or cancellation of a visa on character grounds. At the time relevant to Mr Wan's application for permanent residence (general-spouse) visa, s 501 provided: "(1) The Minister may refuse to grant a visa to a person, or may cancel a visa that has been granted to a person, if: (a) subsection (2) applies to the person; ... (2) This subsection applies to a person if the Minister: (a) having regard to: (i) the person's past criminal conduct; or (ii) the person's general conduct; is satisfied that the person is not of good character ...." 9 Section 499(1) of the Act, at the time relevant to Mr Wan's application, provided: "A person or body having functions or powers under this Act shall perform those functions, and exercise those powers, in accordance with such general directions (if any) as are given to the person or body by the Minister in writing." 10 Sections 499 and 501 of the Act were substantially amended on 1 June 1999 upon the coming into operation of the Migration Legislation Amendment (Strengthening of Provisions relating to Character and Conduct) Act 1998 (Cth). However, the amended provisions have no relevance to Mr Wan's appeal. THE RELEVANCE OF THE CHILDREN'S BEST INTERESTS 11 Australia ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child ("the Convention") on 17 December 1990 and the Convention entered into force for Australia on 16 January 1991. Article 3 of the Convention relevantly provides: "In all actions concerning children, whether undertaken by public or private social welfare institutions, courts of law, administrative authorities or legislative bodies, the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration." 12 In Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs v Teoh [1995] HCA 20; (1995) 183 CLR 273 at 291-292 ("Teoh") Mason CJ and Deane J, in giving consideration to the Convention, observed: "... ratification by Australia of an international convention is not to be dismissed as a merely platitudinous or ineffectual act, particularly when the instrument evidences internationally accepted standards to be applied by courts and administrative authorities in dealing with basic human rights affecting the family and children. Rather, ratification of a convention is a positive statement by the executive government of this country to the world and to the Australian people that the executive government and its agencies will act in accordance with the Convention. That positive statement is an adequate foundation for a legitimate expectation, absent statutory or executive indications to the contrary, that administrative decision-makers will act in conformity with the Convention and treat the best interests of children as `a primary consideration'. It is not necessary that a person seeking to set up such a legitimate expectation should be aware of the Convention or should personally entertain the expectation; it is enough that the expectation is reasonable in the sense that there are adequate materials to support it. ... if a decision-maker proposes to make a decision inconsistent with a legitimate expectation, procedural fairness requires that the persons affected should be given notice and an adequate opportunity of presenting a case against the taking of such a course. So, here, if the delegate proposed to give a decision which did not accord with the principle that the best interests of the children were to be a primary consideration, procedural fairness called for the delegate to take the steps just indicated." (citations omitted) 13 In Teoh Toohey and Gaudron JJ, in separate judgments, also concluded that, in the circumstances of that case which it is conceded were not relevantly different from the present case, procedural fairness required that, if the delegate were considering proceeding on a basis other than that the best interests of the children to be affected by the decision were "a primary consideration", she should have so informed Mr Teoh and given him an opportunity to persuade her not to take that course. 14 McHugh J, the only other justice to sit on Teoh, published a dissenting judgment. 15 The Minister did not contend before the primary judge, or before this Court, that the Tribunal took any step to give notice that it proposed to make a decision which did not accord with the principle that the best interests of Mr Wan's children were "a primary consideration" in its decision making process. That being so, Mr Wan will have been denied procedural fairness by the Tribunal unless, in fact, the Tribunal did act on the basis that the best interests of Mr Wan's children were "a primary consideration". REASONS OF THE TRIBUNAL 16 The Tribunal noted that Mr and Mrs Wan presently live in Sydney, that Mrs Wan's parents live with them, and that Mr Wan runs a Chinese restaurant in a northern Sydney suburb. It further noted that their elder child has been accepted as a student at a well-known private school in Sydney, and that it is intended that the younger child also be educated in Australia. 17 The Tribunal made a finding, which has not been challenged, that Mr Wan is not of good character. It then turned to give consideration to factors relevant to whether the discretionary power contained in s 501 of the Act to refuse to grant a visa to Mr Wan ought to have been exercised. The Tribunal's consideration of these factors is set out in the following paragraphs of its written reasons for decision: "32. There is a residual discretion vested in the Minister notwithstanding my finding that the applicant is not of good character. The relevant general direction deals with discretionary matters only briefly. There is no reason why considerations other than those set out in the direction ought not to be taken into account in determining whether the discretion ought to be exercised in the applicant's favour. 33. A consideration previously recognised in the Migration Instruction Series and now recognised in the current Ministerial Direction is the best interests of any relevant children. 34. So far as [the elder child] is concerned, it may be noted that she spent almost the first three years of her life in China, away from her mother. A future life in China, should she accompany her father back to that country, would be easier for her than a child of a different ethnic background born in Australia. [The younger child], of course, is only 10 months old and is too young to have culturally identified with Australia. If Mr Wan returns to China leaving behind his wife and children, Mrs Wan would undoubtedly suffer hardship. There would be no impediment, however, to her visiting China and returning from time to time as she has done on at least six occasions in the last few years. She is an Australian citizen and is free to travel between both countries. There might be some residual hardship to her parents, who live with her, and there might be some financial hardship if the Chinese restaurant were obliged to close. None of these subsidiary matters, however, outweigh the strength of community expectations to which I have referred. 35. Furthermore, Mrs Wan has been aware for many years of Mr Wan's activities which have led to the current decision. When she first met him he was an illegal entrant. By the time they married he had been charged with criminal offences. Their life was shared in Club 77. She is at least as responsible as he is for the immigration misconduct that took place with their employees. 36. Against these general aspects of hardship, there are public interest considerations. It would be totally unacceptable to the community that any person should be rewarded for continued and systematic breaches over a period of more than 10 years. Mr Wan overstayed his visa, he made an improbable refugee status claim, he has made false statements to officers of the Department, as well as being obscenely abusive (according to some reports). He has even attempted to deceive this Tribunal in the course of his evidence. Whatever countervailing considerations can be put forward on his behalf (and all that could possibly be said for him was skilfully presented by his solicitor) the countervailing considerations of public interest far outweigh them." REASONS OF THE PRIMARY JUDGE 18 The learned primary judge, in an ex tempore judgment, accepted a characterisation of the reasons of the Tribunal in relation to the interests of the children as "somewhat sparse". However, his Honour concluded that it was clear that the Tribunal had turned its mind to the question of the best interests of the children. His Honour also concluded that the Tribunal was conscious of the requirement "that it must take account of the best interests of any relevant children", and (as noted above) that "a fair inference can be drawn that the Tribunal did, in fact, intend to treat the best interests of any relevant children as a primary consideration". His Honour was willing to draw the inference as to the Tribunal's intention from the Tribunal's reference to an instruction in the Migration Instruction Series which identified "the best interests of any child associated with the visa applicant/s" as a relevant factor in considering whether to grant a visa following an adverse character finding, and from the Tribunal's reference to "the current Ministerial Direction". His Honour understood the Tribunal's reference to "the current Ministerial Direction" as a reference to the direction under s 499 of the Act which came into effect on 16 June 1999 which may be cited as "Direction - Visa Refusal and Cancellation under section 501 - No. 17" ("the Ministerial Direction"). Paragraph 2.3 of the Ministerial Direction provides: "In making a decision whether to refuse or cancel a visa, there are three primary considerations: (a) the protection of the Australian community, and members of the community; (b) the expectations of the Australian community; and (c) in all cases involving a parental relationship between a child or children and the person under consideration, the best interests of the child or children." 19 The Ministerial Direction, as both the Tribunal and his Honour appreciated, had no direct application to Mr Wan's application as, by its terms, it only applied to s 501 of the Act as amended by the Migration Legislation Amendment (Strengthening of Provisions relating to Character and Conduct) Act 1998 (Cth). 20 His Honour, in considering whether the Tribunal did treat the best interests of the children as a primary consideration, set out par 34 from the Tribunal's written reasons for decision (see [17] above). Having done so, his Honour said: "That passage indicates, in my view, that the Tribunal had concluded that it would be in the best interests of the children that Mr Wan should not be refused a visa. The Tribunal was considering the possibilities in which the children might be permitted to remain with their father. They might travel to China with him and the express reference to that possibility indicates that the Tribunal considered that that was not beyond the realms of possibility. The clear assumption, however, it seems to me from the Tribunal's reasons, is that the Tribunal was assuming that it would be in the best interests of the children generally to remain in Australia, and that there was no real detriment from their father returning to China, apart from the financial hardship. I am not suggesting that that was in any way minimised. It is clear that the Tribunal found that the matters summarised in the passage that I have just set out did not outweigh the strength of community expectations, in the light of the finding that was made in relation to the character of Mr Wan. I do not consider that Mr Wan had made out his complaint based on any failure on the part of the Tribunal to treat the best interests of children as a primary consideration. It would, of course, have been preferable for the Tribunal to set out in some more detail the reasoning that led to the conclusion that the subsidiary matters did not outweigh the strength of community expectations. I did not understand Mr Wan to rely on the Tribunal's characterisation of the matters as `subsidiary' as an indication that the Tribunal had not treated the interest of children as primary." His Honour dismissed Mr Wan's appeal. CONSIDERATION 21 The Full Court of this Court gave consideration in Vaitaiki v Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs [1998] FCA 5; (1998) 150 ALR 608 ("Vaitaiki") to the substance of the obligation (should it arise) on an administrative decision-maker, in making a decision affecting a child, to treat the best interests of the child as a primary consideration. 22 The appellant in Vaitaiki was a citizen of Tonga. He had six children, all of whom were Australian citizens. A deportation order was made against him as a non-citizen who had been convicted of serious offences. Mr Vaitaiki applied to the Tribunal for review of the deportation order. Coincidentally the application for review was heard and determined by the same Deputy President whose decision was the subject of the appeal to the Court in this case. Mr Vaitaiki's application to the Tribunal resulted initially in a decision that the decision to issue the deportation order be affirmed. The decision of the High Court in Teoh was published after the date of the Tribunal's reasons, although the decision of the Full Court of this Court in Teoh, which was upheld by the High Court, was available at the time of the Tribunal's decision. An appeal from the decision of the Tribunal was instituted in the Court and by consent the appeal was allowed and the matter remitted to the Tribunal for reconsideration according to law. Unusually the matter was heard and determined on the remittal by the Deputy President who had made the decision which had been set aside by consent. The Deputy President incorporated by reference his earlier reasons for decision in his reasons for decision following his reconsideration of the matter on the remittal. An appeal to the Court from the second decision of the Tribunal was dismissed by a judge of the Court and an appeal from that judgment was made to the Full Court. By majority (Burchett and Branson JJ) the appeal was upheld and the matter again remitted to the Tribunal for hearing according to law by a tribunal different constituted. Whitlam J would have dismissed the appeal. 23 In Vaitaiki, Burchett J pointed out (at 618) that the question which the Tribunal was required to answer was what the best interest of the children required it to decide with respect to the proposed deportation of their father, not what the children should do given that their father would be deported. In that regard, his Honour considered that the failure of the Tribunal to advert to the status of the children as Australian citizens was of considerable significance. With respect to the Tribunal's initial reasons for decision, his Honour (at 614) said: "The fact that the children's citizenship was not mentioned does not necessarily mean that their best interests were not treated as a primary consideration .... But it does mean, when one looks at the context of the reasons, that a most relevant aspect of the children's position received no consideration. And when neither the Convention nor the children's citizenship is mentioned, and after a lengthy discussion of other considerations the situation of the younger three children is dismissed with the almost perfunctory curtness I have quoted, the conclusion must be that their interests were not treated as a primary consideration." (citation omitted) 24 In considering the Tribunal's written reasons following its reconsideration of Mr Vaitaiki's application, his Honour observed (at 616) that: "... at the least the substantive law required the interests of young children who were Australian citizens to be taken into account as very significant matters. The view should not be entertained that, when parliament provided for the assertion of community interests under the former s 55, it excluded from those interests the well-being of the community's weakest and most vulnerable members, who are also its future." 25 In Vaitaiki, Branson J accepted (at 630) that the reasons for decision of the Tribunal were to be understood on the basis that the Tribunal did purport to act in conformity with the Convention. At 631, however, her Honour observed: "If the reasons for decision of the AAT are considered on the above basis, it is noteworthy that nowhere do they seek to identify what would, in the circumstances before the AAT, be the result that would overall be conducive to the best interests of the children. At best they give consideration to the children's best interests in a limited way within a restricted framework. For example, the AAT concluded that the younger children's interests in a `continuing close and daily relationship with their father' would be served by his being deported in circumstances in which they would accompany him to Tonga. It reached this conclusion without, apparently, having regard to the fact that by so accompanying him they would have to leave the community in which they had lived all of their respective lives, start a new life in a new land, and lose the many benefits available to them as citizens of Australia. As to the older children, the AAT concluded that their best interests would be served by remaining in Australia with their mother, should their father be deported. It reached this conclusion without, apparently, having regard to the break-up of their family unit which would flow from their father's deportation, with consequential restrictions on their subsequent contact with their father and half-siblings and a likely diminution in their father's capacity to influence and guide them. I conclude, in broad agreement with Burchett J, that although the AAT purported to act on the basis that the best interests of the appellant's children were a primary consideration before it, it did not in fact give proper, genuine and realistic consideration to the children's best interests: Teoh v Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs [1994] FCA 1017; (1994) 49 FCR 409 at 414; [1994] FCA 1017; 121 ALR 436 per Black CJ; Turner v Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs [1981] FCA 65; (1981) 35 ALR 388 at 392 per Toohey J; Flentjar v Repatriation Commission (Fed C of A, Full Court, 10 October 1997, unreported) at 5." 26 Having regard to views expressed by the majority of the Full Court in Vaitaiki, the written reasons for decision of the Tribunal in this case, so far as they relate to the interests of the children, are, we consider, open to more severe criticism than the observation that they are "somewhat sparse" (see [18] above). Of particular significance is the failure of the Tribunal to identify anywhere in its written reasons for decision what the best interests of the children indicated that it should decide with respect to Mr Wan's application for a visa. That this is the starting point for the Tribunal's consideration follows from Teoh and from Vaitaiki. The Tribunal did not refer to either of these cases. 27 In view of the obligation placed on the Tribunal by s 43(2B) of the Administrative Appeal Tribunal Act 1975 (Cth) ("the AAT Act") to include in its written reasons for decision "its findings on material questions of fact and a reference to the evidence or other material on which those findings were based", we do not consider that it was open to the learned primary judge to conclude that the Tribunal impliedly found that the best interests of each of the two children indicated that his or her father should be granted a visa. To so conclude was to conclude that the Tribunal failed to comply with the obligation imposed on it by s 43(2B) of the AAT Act. Moreover, immediately after identifying the best interests of the children as a consideration relevant to its determination, the Tribunal turned to consider how the interests of the children would be affected by their accompanying their father to China, or alternatively by their remaining in Australia while he lived in China. This suggests that the Tribunal was concerned to identify, not what decision would be in the best interests of the children, but rather how the children's interests would be affected by a decision to refuse to grant their father a visa. 28 In giving consideration, as it had done in Vaitaiki, to what the children might do if their father were required to cease living in Australia, the Tribunal was not undertaking an inherently inappropriate task. Such consideration was capable of assisting the Tribunal in determining whether the strength of any other consideration or considerations outweighed the best interests of the children. However, it was not a useful thing to do without the Tribunal having first identified what the best interests of the children indicated should be decided with respect to Mr Wan's visa application. 29 The Tribunal considered the interests of the children, were their father to cease living in Australia, on two alternative bases: first, that they would accompany their father to China (presumably with their mother remaining, at least primarily, an Australian resident), and secondly, that they would reside in Australia with their mother after their father had returned to China. Although it is of limited significance to the outcome of this appeal, it is appropriate to note that in considering the interests of the children on these alternate bases, the Tribunal failed to have regard to matters identified by the majority of the Full Court in Vaitaiki as being of importance in a case in which a decision might result in young Australians leaving this country and residing with their father but not their mother. 30 With respect to the first of the alternatives which it considered, the Tribunal noted that the elder child had spent almost the first three years of her life in China away from her mother, and that a life in China would be easier for her than for a child of a different ethnic background born in Australia. The Tribunal further noted that the younger child, then ten months old, was too young to have culturally identified with Australia. The Tribunal's written reasons for decision contain no consideration of the following matters: (a) the fact that the children, as citizens of Australia, would be deprived of the country of their own and their mother's citizenship, "and of its protection and support, socially, culturally and medically, and in the many other ways evoked by, but not confined to, the broad concept of lifestyle" (Vaitaiki per Burchett J at 614); (b) the resultant social and linguistic disruption of their childhood as well as the loss of their homeland; (c) the loss of educational opportunities available to the children in Australia; and (d) their resultant isolation from the normal contacts of children with their mother and their mother's family (Vaitaiki per Burchett J at 614 and Branson J at 631). With respect to the second alternative which it considered, namely that the children would reside in Australia with their mother following their father's departure to China, the Tribunal apparently accorded no significance to the children's loss of regular contact with, and opportunity for guidance by, their father or to the disruption to their family life which would flow from their father's inability to live in this country (Vaitaiki per Branson J at 631). The only personal hardship referred to by the Tribunal in considering this alternative is hardship to Mrs Wan and possible residual hardship to Mrs Wan's parents. 31 Even if we are wrong in concluding that the Tribunal did not identify what the best interests of the children indicated that it should decide with respect to Mr Wan's application for a visa, the conclusion is, in our view, inescapable that the Tribunal did not treat the best interests of the children as "a primary consideration" in its determination. First, the Tribunal does not anywhere in its written reasons for decision describe the best interests of the children as "a primary consideration". The Tribunal's reference to the Ministerial Direction is not, in our view, sufficient to negate the significance of this omission as the Tribunal also refers to a Ministerial Direction and to a Migration Series Instruction which do not suggest that the best interests of affected children are a primary consideration. Secondly, the Tribunal in par 34 of its reasons for decision (see [17] above) appears to describe matters touching on the interests of the children as "subsidiary matters". Moreover, in the same paragraph the Tribunal finds that matters touching on the interests of the children do not "outweigh the strength of community expectations". That is, the Tribunal does not in fact treat the best interests of the children as a primary consideration but rather treats considerations touching on community expectations as considerations which should prevail unless "outweighed" by other considerations. As Mason CJ and Deane JJ pointed out in Teoh at 292: "A decision-maker with an eye to the principle enshrined in the Convention would be looking to the best interests of the children as a primary consideration, asking whether the force of any other consideration outweighed it." 32 An identification by the Tribunal of what the best interests of Mr Wan's children required, and a recognition by the Tribunal of the need to treat such interests as a primary consideration, would not have led inexorably to a decision by the Tribunal to adopt a course in conformity with those interests. That is, even had the Tribunal concluded that the best interests of the children indicated that Mr Wan should be granted a visa, it was legally open to it to refuse to grant Mr Wan a visa. Provided that the Tribunal did not treat any other consideration as inherently more significant than the best interests of Mr Wan's children, it was entitled to conclude, after a proper consideration of the evidence and other material before it, that the strength of other considerations outweighed the best interests of the children. However, it was required to identify what the best interests of Mr Wan's children required with respect to the exercise of its discretion and then to assess whether the strength of any other consideration, or the cumulative effect of other considerations, outweighed the consideration of the best interests of the children understood as a primary consideration. 33 The written reasons of the Tribunal suggest that it regarded the expectations of the Australian community as a primary consideration (indeed, it might be thought, the primary consideration) in the exercise of the discretion to grant or to refuse to grant Mr Wan the visa for which he had applied. The Tribunal was entitled to regard the expectations of the Australian community as a primary consideration provided that it did not overlook that, on the procedure which it had adopted, procedural fairness demanded that it act on the basis that the best interests of Mr Wan's children were a consideration of equal significance (ie also a primary consideration). So, for example, the Tribunal might have concluded that the best interests of Mr Wan's children required that Mr Wan be granted the visa, but that the damage to their interests that would flow from his being refused the visa would be of only slight or moderate significance. If the Tribunal had also concluded that the expectations of the Australian community were that a non-citizen who engaged in conduct of the kind engaged in by Mr Wan would not be granted a visa, and that a decision to grant such a visa would be a most serious affront to the expectations of the Australian community, it would have been entitled to conclude that, in the circumstances of the case, the best interests of the children were outweighed by the strength of community expectations. 34 Nothing in the Tribunal's written reasons for decision, however, suggest that it undertook an exercise of the above kind. It did not act on the basis that the best interests of the children were a primary consideration in the exercise of the discretion to grant, or to refuse to grant, Mr Wan the visa for which he had applied. To the extent that it gave consideration to the interests of the children, it did not give proper, genuine and realistic consideration to their best interests. For these reasons, it not having placed Mr Wan on notice that it was considering proceeding on a basis other than that the best interests of his children were a primary consideration, the Tribunal denied Mr Wan procedural fairness. 35 In our view, the appeal should be allowed and the orders made at first instance set aside. In lieu of the orders set aside it should be ordered that the decision of the Tribunal be set aside, the Minister pay Mr Wan's costs of the application and the matter be remitted to the Tribunal differently constituted to be heard and determined again according to law. The Minister should pay Mr Wan's costs of the appeal. I certify that the preceding thirty-five (35) numbered paragraphs are a true copy of the Reasons for Judgment herein of the Court. Associate: Dated: 18 May 2001 Counsel for the Appellant: Mr PLG Brereton SC with Mr MA Robinson Solicitor for the Appellant: Christopher Levingstone & Associates Counsel for the Respondent: Mr R Bromwich Solicitor for the Respondent: Australian Government Solicitor Date of Hearing: 14 May 2001 Date of Judgment: 18 May 2001 SushiSamba flexes its Japanese, Brazilian, and Peruvian muscles starting today for a two month-long ramen special with four new bowls (well, one plate, technically) of noodles at their West Village restaurant. Designed by the chain's corporate chef Koji Kagawa, the "Samba Ramen by Koji" looks to capitalize on ramen's versatility by employing Brazilian and Peruvian ingredients. Most of the ingredients look pretty typical to us, especially in NYC's rich ramen culture, but guess that's where the Peruvian corn and manchego come in. Even if we've seen some of these combos before, the dishes sound pretty good and even include a vegetarian option, a welcome oasis in this tonkotsu-soaked town. The Yasai Yasai ramen ($14) employs kale, beet root, baby bok choy, honshimeji mushroom, Peruvian corn, snow pea shoot, spicy garlic, yuzu "skin," which we take to mean the peel of the citrus fruit. The Shotoribu ($17) puts us back on the meat beat with a bone marrow-based brothand more marrow served on topwith short ribs, more of the Peruvian corn, baby bok choy, mushrooms and an egg. The Bekon, Uni and Chizu ($16) will be familiar to fans of Yuji Ramen's Bacon & Egg Mazeman. The version of the brothless ramen here uses applewood smoked bacon, manchego cheese, onion, cream, with lobes of uni adding even more richness. Finally, the less common dessert ramen. The Tori No Su ($13) crisps up the noodles and dresses them in a cinnamon and sugar coating. The nest of noodles gets a scoop of toasted ramen ice cream, hazelnut cream, dollops of milk chocolate sauce, caramelized bananas and a passion fruit-mango gelee. Ramen for breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert. SushiSamba is located at 87 7th Avenue South, (212) 691-7885; sushisamba.com Sudan: Information on the Broad National Front (BNF), including its establishment, leadership, structure, membership requirements, purpose and mandate, areas of operation, and perception and treatment by authorities (2009-June 2016) Publisher Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada Publication Date 17 May 2016 Citation / Document Symbol SDN105521.E Related Document(s) Soudan : information sur le Front national general (Broad National Front - BNF), y compris sa fondation, ses dirigeants, sa structure, ses exigences d'adhesion, ses buts et son mandat, ses zones d'activites, et la facon dont l'organisation est percue et traitee par les autorites (2009-juin 2016) Cite as Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Sudan: Information on the Broad National Front (BNF), including its establishment, leadership, structure, membership requirements, purpose and mandate, areas of operation, and perception and treatment by authorities (2009-June 2016), 17 May 2016, SDN105521.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58a5a31c4.html [accessed 6 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa 1. Establishment Sources indicate that the BNF [also known as the Broad National Movement (BNM) (Endole [2016])] was established in October 2010 (Sudan Tribune 2 Dec. 2010; ISS 8 Jan. 2011; Africa Confidential 22 Oct. 2010). The Sudan Tribune, a non-profit Paris-based news website that aims to "promote plural information, democratic and free debate on Sudan" (Sudan Tribune n.d.), describes the BNF as "a broad coalition of different Sudanese political grouping[s]" (Sudan Tribune 3 Dec. 2010) and "a political forum gathering groups and individuals opposed to the regime" (Sudan Tribune 15 Sept. 2013). 2. Leadership Several sources report that Ali Mahmoud Hassanein is the leader of the BNF (Sudan Tribune 15 Sept. 2013; ISS 8 Jan. 2011, 4; Radio Dabanga 2 Jan. 2012). Sources indicate that Hassanein is also the Deputy Chairman of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) (ibid. 7 Dec. 2015; EIU 1 Dec. 2011; Asharq al-Awsat 7 Oct. 2010). He is described as a "prominent" (ibid.) or "veteran" opposition leader (Sudan Tribune 15 Sept. 2013). According to sources, there was a break in relations between Hassanein and the DUP leader al-Mirgani [al-Mirghani], due to the latter cooperating with the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) (Radio Dabanga 7 Dec. 2015; Sudan Tribune 6 Mar. 2015). In a telephone interview with the Research Directorate, a fellow at the Rift Valley Institute [1], who specializes in Sudan, stated that Hassanein leads a faction of the DUP, but that it is not a large faction and "would not be among the top 10 opposition groups in Sudan" (Fellow 4 May 2016). In a 2010 interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, a pan-Arab daily newspaper published in 14 cities on 4 continents (Asharq Al-Awsat n.d.), Hassanein reportedly indicated that he relocated to London, UK, following his arrest by al-Bashir's security forces in 2009 and subsequent threats received from Sudanese security officials (ibid. 7 Oct. 2010). According to a 2015 article by the Sudan Tribune, Hassanein is in "self-imposed exile" (6 Mar. 2015). IHS Global Insight notes that Hassanein is outspoken on a number of issues, such as freedom of the press and security force abuses (31 Dec. 2008). The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) similarly describes him as "a veteran campaigner for democracy and human rights" (EIU 1 Dec. 2011). According to Radio Dabanga, a "radio station by Darfuris for Darfuris" airing "news and information broadcasts" (n.d.), he has spoken out against the government carrying out political assassinations, arresting political opponents, and "torturing and murdering them in prison" (2 Jan. 2012). The Sudan Tribune reports that Ahmed Hadra is a "leading figure" of the BNF (13 June 2014). Further and corroborating information about Hadra could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. According to company information about the BNM [see section 5] in the UK, Hassanein is the Director and Hisham Alsir Ahmed is the Company Secretary (Endole [2016]). El Tayeb Alzain Hamdan was reportedly the former Company Secretary, but resigned in August 2015 (ibid.). The Sudan Tribune reported in 2013 on a BNF delegation who met with the French ministry of foreign affairs, and others, in Paris (Sudan Tribune 15 Sept. 2013). According to the same source, in addition to Hassanein, the BNF delegation included Mohamed Abu Amna, "a leading member of a faction of the Beja Congress opposed to the peace agreement of October 2006" [2], as well as Suhair Sharrif, Abdel Hamid Khaled and Hashim Alsir (ibid.). Further information about the roles these individuals play in the BNF could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. 3. Affiliates, Structure and Membership Process An article in Africa Confidential indicates that the BNF has support from Darfur groups, including the Justice and Equality Movement (Africa Confidential 22 Oct. 2010). The same source states that the BNF was inviting support "on an individual basis, thereby excluding the political parties" (ibid.). However, according to the Sudan Tribune, the leader of the Al-Wasat Islamic Party stated that his party is part of the BNF (2 Oct. 2014). In correspondence with the Research Directorate, a professor of English at Smith College in Massachusetts, US, who has researched and written extensively on Sudan, including publishing two books on the genocide in Darfur and numerous newspaper and journal articles, stated that while the BNF is "nominally" a political coalition, "in fact it is an internal DUP quarrel" between Hassanein and the Mirghanis (al-Mirghani and his son) (Professor 6 May 2016). The RVI Fellow expressed the opinion that, beyond the DUP faction led by Hassanein, support for the BNF is "mainly a close group of people around the leader" (Fellow 4 May 2016). In correspondence with the Research Directorate, a Senior Sudan Analyst with the Enough Project [3], who is a native of Darfur and has over 20 years of experience working on issues of human rights and democracy in Sudan, stated the following about the BNF: [t]his is a coalition of individuals and groups that split from the original DUP, and to my knowledge the party is very small. There seems to be no parties other than those factions of the DUP. (Senior Sudan Analyst 10 May 2016) Concerning the structure of the BNF, the same source indicated that the work of the BNF "is done by the leader and a handful of assistants named to offices that are not active, and in essence do not exist" (ibid.). Further information about the structure of the BNF could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. The RVI Fellow expressed the opinion that it is "unlikely that the BNF has a formal membership process" (Fellow 4 May 2016). He stated that the party's recruitment processes likely occur "through a network of people" (ibid.). According to the Senior Sudan Analyst, none of the Sudanese parties have a "'formal membership' process" like parties in democratic countries (10 May 2016). Similarly, the RVI Fellow stated that "[p]arty membership in Sudan is not strict" (4 May 2016). The Professor was also not aware of any formal membership process to join the BNF (6 May 2016). The RVI Fellow expressed the opinion that it is "unlikely" that the BNF issues membership cards and was unaware of any parties other than the ruling party issuing membership cards (Fellow 4 May 2016). The Professor and the Senior Sudan Analyst were likewise unaware of the BNF issuing membership cards (Professor 6 May 2016; Senior Sudan Analyst 10 May 2016). 4. Purpose and Objectives Sources indicate that the purpose of the BNF is to overthrow the al-Bashir government (Asharq al-Awsat 7 Oct. 2010; Africa Confidential 22 Oct. 2010; Sudan Tribune 15 Sept. 2013). The Sudan Tribune notes that the BNF is against having any dialogue with the NCP and has called for a "secular federal state" divided into six regions (ibid.). According to the Fellow, the BNF has spoken against the secession of South Sudan (Fellow 4 May 2016). 5. Areas of Operation The BNF was reportedly incorporated in the UK on 31 January 2011 (United Kingdom n.d.; Endole [2016]) and changed its name to the Broad National Movement (BNM) in February 2015 (ibid.). Its address is listed as 1 Berkeley Square, London W1J 6EA (ibid.; United Kingdom n.d.). According to the Senior According to the Senior Sudan Analyst, the BNF has a presence in the US in the form of volunteer "party operatives" and a "virtual office" (10 May 2016). In his 2010 interview with Asharq al-Awsat, Hassanein states that he was in the US to gain support for the BNF (7 Oct. 2010). The Senior Sudan Analyst stated that it is unlikely that the BNF has any offices in Sudan because "the political space in Sudan is curtailed" (10 May 2016). According to the Fellow, the faction of the DUP led by Hassanein has a presence in Sudan and Hassanein has supporters there, but it is not a large group (4 May 2016). The Professor stated that he was unaware of "an active BNF presence inside Sudan" and had no knowledge of the party operating "anywhere in Sudan in a consequential way, either militarily or politically" (6 May 2016). 6. Activities Africa Confidential reports that the BNF planned to "launch itself" in October 2010 (22 Oct. 2010). According to the Sudan Tribune, the BNF was preparing to hold a second convention in Cairo in August 2014, with the slogan "'unity of the opposition to overthrow the regime and not to engage in dialogue with it,'" but Egyptian officials prevented the convention from taking place (17 Aug. 2014). Without providing details, the Fellow stated that the BNF has issued "statements" and been involved in "advocacy work" (4 May 2016). According to Asharq al-Awsat, Hassanein has "agreed with some US groups that al-Bashir should surrender to the International Criminal Court (ICC), which has accused al-Bashir of committing war crimes and genocide in Darfur" (7 Oct. 2010). Radio Dabanga reports that in February 2013, the BNF, along with the Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF) [Sudan's primary military opposition (Professor 6 May 2016)] and the National Consensus Forces, demanded an investigation after security forces and students supporting the ruling party "invaded the campus of the University of Khartoum," where they allegedly beat and arrested "dozens" of students and burned 41 dormitories (Radio Dabanga 3 Feb. 2013). According to the same source, in 2013, Hassanein called for the ICC to arrest General El Sir Bashir Hussein for "'war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide'" after the General made a speech directing security forces to open fire on demonstrators in South Darfur (ibid. 14 Oct. 2013). According to the Senior Sudan Analyst, most of the activities of the BNF abroad are "demonstrations in front of embassies or international organizations to draw attention [to] causes like human rights and democracy in Sudan" (Senior Sudan Analyst 10 May 2016). Regarding BNF activities within Sudan, the same source stated that "it is hard for such a small party to operate, but student members of the party might demonstrate in the party's name as part of the student protests that take place periodically" (ibid.). Concerning the BNF's involvement with protests within Sudan, the Fellow indicated that the BNF has called for protests, but he was unsure if they have been involved in organizing protests (Fellow 4 May 2016). The same source noted that many of the anti-government protests in Sudan are carried out by students and that it is possible that affiliates of the BNF have been involved in those (ibid.). 7. Treatment of BNF Leaders and Members by Authorities Sources indicate that Hassanein was arrested by Sudanese security forces in December 2008 (Human Rights Watch 18 Feb. 2009, 9; IHS Global Insight 31 Dec. 2008), due to "his public comments in support of the ICC prosecutors' attempts to seek an arrest warrant for the country's president" (ibid.). According to Human Rights Watch, he was "interrogated at length" about his support of the ICC and "threatened with death should he speak out again" (18 Feb. 2009, 9). In the interview with Asharq al-Awsat, Hassanein stated that he was arrested by al-Bashir's security forces in 2009 because of his opposition to the regime and his position on the ICC, and that security forces "threatened to kill me if I continued my political stand" (7 Oct. 2010). According to Africa Confidential, Hassanein has a history of being harassed and imprisoned by the NCP "for his outspoken demands for democracy and justice" (22 Oct. 2010). According to the Professor, [t]he BNF is unlikely to be regarded seriously by the Khartoum regime-they face much bigger problems in the political and military opposition. That said, I doubt very much that Hassanein could travel to Sudan without immediately attracting the attention of the National Intelligence and Security Services. He faces arrest, imprisonment and possible torture. (6 May 2016) In a June 2014 article about the arrest of activists following a protest in Khartoum, the Sudan Tribune reports that a BNF leader, Ahmed Hadra, was arrested by the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) from his home (13 June 2014). Specific incidents of other BNF leaders or members being subject to arrest by security forces could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. Concerning the treatment of BNF members, the Fellow expressed the following opinion: I wouldn't exclude the possibility that the authorities have been oppressive towards BNF members. It is possible that people who are members or who support this group have faced oppression [from] Sudanese authorities, particularly if they were involved in organizing or holding protests. It is possible that they have been subject to aggressive behaviour, including violence, arrest and/or detention. (4 May 2016) According to the Senior Sudan Analyst, [t]he members of the BNF were treated harshly by the Sudanese authorities because their leader is outspoken and he publicly called for the end to this regime. There were reports that some members were detained and some were even tortured by the Security Services of the Government of Sudan. (10 May 2016) This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request. Notes [1] The Rift Valley Institute (RVI) is an NGO operating in seven countries in Eastern and Central Africa with the aim "to advance useful knowledge of the region and its diverse communities, bringing a better understanding of local realities to bear on social and political action" (RVI n.d.). [2] There was a peace agreement signed between the government of Sudan and the Eastern Front [a "rebel alliance consisting of the Beja, the Rashaida Free Lions, and the Democratic Party of Eastern Sudan" (Radio Dabanga 31 May 2015)] on 14 October 2006 (UN 16 Oct. 2006). [3] The Enough Project is based in Washington, DC with the aim of countering "rights-abusing armed groups and violent kleptocratic regimes" (Enough Project n.d.). The Project "conducts field research in conflict zones, develops and advocates for policy recommendations, supports social movements in affected countries, and mobilizes public campaigns" (ibid.). References Africa Confidential. 22 October 2010. "Northern Opposition Faces Increasing Duress." Vol. 51, No. 21. [Accessed 3 May 2016] Asharq al-Awsat. 7 October 2010. "Sudanese Opposition Leader Ali Mahmoud Hassanein Talks to Asharq Al-Awsat." [Accessed 3 May 2016] Asharq al-Awsat. Asharq al-Awsat. N.d. "About Us." [Accessed 12 May 2016] Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). 1 December 2011. "Country Watchlist: Sudan." (Factiva) Endole. [2016]. "Broad National Movement (BNM) Limited Ltd." [Accessed 16 May 2016] Enough Project. N.d. "About Us." [Accessed 10 May 2016] Fellow, Rift Valley Institute. 4 May 2016. Telephone interview with the Research Directorate. Human Rights Watch. 18 February 2009. "It's an Everyday Battle": Censorship and Harassment of Journalists and Human Rights Defenders in Sudan. [Accessed 4 May 2016] IHS Global Insight. 31 December 2008. Sara Hassan. "Opposition Leader Detained in Sudan over Links to International Court Investigators." (Factiva) Institute for Security Studies (ISS). 8 January 2011. Louise Khabure. Situation Report: Post-Referendum Security Scenarios for South Sudan. [Accessed 3 May 2016] Professor, Smith College. 6 May 2016. Correspondence with the Research Directorate. Radio Dabanga. 7 December 2015. "'Dissidents of Sudan's Unionist Party Dismiss Chairman.'" [Accessed 3 May 2016] Radio Dabanga. 31 May 2015. "Sudan: 'Eastern Sudan Peace Agreement a Failure'- Report." [Accessed 16 May 2016] Radio Dabanga. 14 October 2013. "Gov't Lawyer Calls on ICC to Arrest General for 'Crimes Against Humanity.'" (Factiva) Radio Dabanga. 3 February 2013. "Security Forces Burn '246 Beds' at Khartoum University, Sudan." [Accessed 3 May 2016] Radio Dabanga. 2 January 2012. "Opposition Leader: 'Political Assassinations Will Continue.'" [Accessed 3 May 2016] Radio Dabanga. N.d. "About Us." [Accessed 16 May 2016] Rift Valley Institute (RVI). N.d. "Aims of the Institute." [Accessed 10 May 2016] Senior Sudan Analyst, Enough Project. 10 May 2016. Correspondence with the Research Directorate. Sudan Tribune. 6 March 2015. "DUP Vice Chairman Slams al-Mirghani and His Son for Creating Disunity." [Accessed 29 Apr. 2016] Sudan Tribune. 2 October 2014. "Sudan's NCF Blasts Government and Rebel Alliance." (Factiva) Sudan Tribune. 17 August 2014. "Egypt Bans Sudanese Opposition Meeting in Cairo." [Accessed 29 Apr. 2016] Sudan Tribune. 13 June 2014. "Sudanese Police Disperse Protest, Arrest al-Mahdi's Daughters." (Factiva) Sudan Tribune. 15 September 2013. "Opposition Forum Calls for Rejecting Dialogue with Sudanese Regime." [Accessed 29 Apr. 2016] Sudan Tribune. 3 December 2010. Mahmoud A. Suleiman. "Sudan's Bashir Persona Non Grata: Mission Impossible!" [Accessed 29 Apr. 2016] Sudan Tribune. N.d. "About." [Accessed 9 May 2016] United Kingdom. N.d. Companies House. "Broad National Movement (BNM) Limited". [Accessed 10 May 2016] United Nations (UN). 16 October 2006. Meetings Coverage and Press Releases. "Secretary-General Welcomes Peace Agreement Between Sudan, Eastern Front." [Accessed 12 May 2016] Additional Sources Consulted Oral sources: African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies; visiting scholar, Cornell University. Internet sites, including: Africa Research Bulletin; African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies; AllAfrica; Amnesty International; ecoi.net; Factiva; Federation internationale des ligues des droits de l'homme; Institute for War and Peace Reporting; International Crisis Group; IRIN; Jane's Intelligence Review; Political Handbook of the World; UN Refworld. Jamaica: the One Order gang, including activities and state response (2013 - May 2016) Publisher Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada Publication Date 27 April 2016 Citation / Document Symbol JAM105516.E Related Document(s) Jamaique : information sur le gang appele One Order ( Un ordre ), y compris ses activites et la reponse de l'Etat (2013-mai 2016) Cite as Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Jamaica: the One Order gang, including activities and state response (2013 - May 2016) , 27 April 2016, JAM105516.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58a5a6c54.html [accessed 6 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa 1. Overview Jamaican media sources describe the One Order gang as a "notorious . . . criminal outfit" (Jamaica Observer 20 Feb. 2013) and a "major criminal organisation" (Jamaica Gleaner 4 Oct. 2015). According to Jamaica Observer, One Order has been active since at least 2003 (Jamaica Observer 25 Jan. 2013). Sources indicate that One Order operates out of Spanish Town (Jamaica Gleaner 4 Oct. 2015; Jamaica Observer 25 Jan. 2013), which is in St. Catherine's Parish (ibid. 31 Dec. 2015). Jamaica Observer specifies that One Order is headquartered in the Tawes Pen community [in Spanish Town] (ibid. 25 Jan. 2013). The same source notes that other communities that are strongholds of One Order are Ellerslie Pen, Dempshire Pen, Gordon Pen, Shelter Rock, Homestead and Chambers Lane (ibid.). Jamaica Observer also indicates that gangs in Jamaica have created "'franchises'" in other areas of the country, including rural regions, and that the One Order gang has a "'franchise'" in St. James parish (ibid. 13 Nov. 2015). Further and corroborating information about the operations of One Order outside of Spanish Town could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. According to Jamaica Gleaner, One Order is aligned with the Jamaica Labour Party (Jamaica Gleaner 4 Oct. 2015). Further and corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. 2. Activities Jamaica Observer indicates that the One Order gang is involved in drug dealing and extortion (Jamaica Observer 31 Dec. 2015). Media sources report on cases in which alleged One Order members have been suspected or accused of the following crimes: murder (Jamaica Gleaner 4 Oct. 2015; Jamaica Star 24 Feb. 2015; SunCity n.d.) robbery (ibid.) shooting at police (Jamaica Gleaner 13 Nov. 2013; Jamaica Observer 13 Nov. 2013) In a January 2013 article, Jamaica Observer reports that the police suspected One Order members of murdering two people, one of whom was a Ministry of Youth and Culture employee, because the two victims voiced their disagreement with the operations of a One Order boss at a public community meeting (ibid. 25 Jan. 2013). According to the same source, the two victims were both shot multiple times in or outside their homes within a day of each other (ibid.). According to Jamaica Observer, the Klansman [Clansman] gang is a "fierce rival" of One Order and feuds between the two gangs have resulted in "the deaths of hundreds of people" (ibid.). An article published by the same source notes that One Order and Klansman have had "deadly battles" for control over extortion activities (ibid. 24 Feb. 2013). In a January 2013 article, Jamaica Observer indicates that One Order was "imploding" and that there were several murders due to "an internal feud for leadership" (ibid. 25 Jan. 2013). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. 3. State Response 3.1 Police Jamaica Observer reports that, in the year preceding the publication of their February 2013 article, there was a reduction in gang violence between One Order and Klansman gangs in St. Catherine as a result of police actions, such as posting a "'static patrol'" in an area on the borderline between the two gangs (Jamaica Observer 24 Feb. 2013). Another article by the same source states that for two weeks in February 2013, the police "carried out operations" in Tawes Pen and Ellersie Pen communities, including seizing ammunition and taking "a number of men into custody" (ibid. 20 Feb. 2013). According to Jamaica Observer, in March 2015, the police arrested Aston Daley (also known as "Daleybwoy," "Ricky," and "Ricardo") of Spanish Town, an alleged member of One Order and "one of the country's most wanted men," who was wanted "for murders, shootings and related crimes" (ibid. 15 Mar. 2015). In November 2015, police in the Counter-Terrorism and Organized Crime Investigation branch and the St. Catherine North division reportedly arrested and charged four members of the One Order gang (ibid. 28 Nov. 2015). 3.2 Judiciary The Jamaica Observer reports that a member of the One Order gang was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2014 for the 2010 shooting death of a person in Spanish Town (Jamaica Observer 30 June 2014). The Jamaica Star reports on a case in which a person accused of a 2013 murder, who was believed to be "third in charge" of the One Order gang, was released on bail in 2015 after the main witness did not appear in court (24 Feb. 2015). For further information on crime in Jamaica, including state response and witness protection, see Response to Information Request JAM104263. This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request. References Jamaica Gleaner. 4 October 2015. "40 Guns Seized." [Accessed 10 Apr. 2016] Jamaica Gleaner. 13 November 2013. "Man Killed in St. Catherine Was Allegedly Wanted for Several Crimes." [Accessed 10 Apr. 2016] Jamaica Observer. 31 December 2015. "Murders at Four-year High." [Accessed 10 Apr. 2016] Jamaica Observer. 28 November 2015. "Cops Arrest, Charge 'Major Player' in Clansman Gang." [Accessed 10 Apr. 2016] Jamaica Observer. 13 November 2015. Alphea Saunders. "266 Criminal Gangs Creating Mayhem Across Island." [Accessed 10 Apr. 2016] Jamaica Observer. 15 March 2015. "One Order Gang Member Among 3 Arrested in St. Catherine." [Accessed 10 Apr. 2016] Jamaica Observer. 30 June 2014. "One Order Gangster Gets Second Life Sentence." [Accessed 10 Apr. 2016] Jamaica Observer. 13 November 2013. "Update: Man Shot Dead in Angel Heights Was Wanted by Police." [Accessed 10 Apr. 2016] Jamaica Observer. 24 February 2013. Karyl Walker. "Police Take Back Spanish Town - Murders Down, Gangs in Retreat." [Accessed 10 Apr. 2016] Jamaica Observer. 20 February 2013. "Ammunition Recovered in Ellerslie Pen." [Accessed 10 Apr. 2016] Jamaica Observer. 25 January 2013. Karyl Walker. "Dozens Detained in Spanish Town Raids." [Accessed 10 Apr. 2016] Jamaica Star. 24 February 2015. Rasbert Turner. "Alleged Gang Member Gets $750,000 Bail." [Accessed 10 Apr. 2016] Sun City Radio. N.d. "'One Order' Gang Member Killed in Connection with Bog Walk Murders." [Accessed 10 Apr. 2016] Additional Sources Consulted Oral sources: Jamaica Jamaica Constabulary Force, Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency, Ministry of National Security, National Integrity Force, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Office of the Public Defender; Professor of Criminal Justice, Prairie View A&M University; Professor of Geography, University of Oxford; Professor of Human Geography, University of Amsterdam; Professor of Politics, University of the West Indies. Internet sites, including: Amnesty International; ecoi.net; Factiva; Human Rights Watch; Jamaica Jamaica Constabulary Force, Jamaica Information Service, Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency, Ministry of National Security Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Office of the Public Defender; National Integrity Action; Small Arms Survey; United Kingdom Home Office; United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Refworld. Iraq: Police procedures in the Kurdistan region for issuing a notice to appear (summons) at a police station, including whether it is issued in writing to the individual at their residence; whether an arrest warrant follows if the notice to appear is unanswered by the individual (2013-November 2016) Publisher Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada Publication Date 24 November 2016 Citation / Document Symbol IRQ105690.E Related Document(s) Iraq : information sur les procedures policieres dans la region du Kurdistan liees a la delivrance d'un avis de convocation (ou d'une sommation) a un poste de police, y compris la question de savoir si l'avis de convocation est delivre par ecrit a la personne a sa residence; information indiquant si un mandat d'arrestation est decerne si la personne ne se conforme pas a l'avis de convocation (2013-novembre 2016) Cite as Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Iraq: Police procedures in the Kurdistan region for issuing a notice to appear (summons) at a police station, including whether it is issued in writing to the individual at their residence; whether an arrest warrant follows if the notice to appear is unanswered by the individual (2013-November 2016), 24 November 2016, IRQ105690.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58a5a8184.html [accessed 6 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa 1. Procedures for Issuing Notices to Appear (Summons) The Criminal Procedure Code 23 of 1971 of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, as provided on the website of the Global Justice Project: Iraq (GPJI) [1], includes information on the procedures for issuing summonses under Book Two, Section 5 (Methods or Compulsion to Attend), Chapter 1 (Summons) (KRG 1971). A copy of Section 5 and other relevant Sections of this law are attached to this Response (Attachment 1). In correspondence with the Research Directorate, a legal consultant at a law firm in Erbil that provides legal services in areas such as litigation, arbitration, and criminal law indicated that in order for a notice to appear to be issued [t]he claimant must go to the competent police station to make a written statement of his/her claim. Once the statement is made, the police station will refer the claimant and the written statement to the competent judge of Investigation [also referred to as "investigating judge"]. Only the Investigation judge has the power to issue notices, arrest warrants, and/or any other order. (Legal Consultant 13 Nov. 2016) In correspondence with the Research Directorate, a lawyer at a law firm in Erbil that provides legal services in litigation, corporate law, labour law and intellectual property law, indicated that [d]epending on the circumstances and whether a complaint has been made, the procedure for a person to appear at a police station requires consent from a judge. Once the judge orders the police station to notify the defendant, the head of the police station will assign a [member of the] police personnel to deliver the notice to the defendant. (Lawyer 14 Nov. 2016) According to the Legal Consultant, "every notice must be in writing, otherwise it will be void" (13 Nov. 2016). The lawyer indicated that "[t]he notice should be issued in writing" and a police officer should be sent to the relevant person's address notifying them to appear (Lawyer 14 Nov. 2016). The lawyer stated further that "in practice, there may be instances in which police officers may call the person to appear at the police station" (ibid.). Further and corroborating information on these instances could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. 1.1 Format of the Notice to Appear (Summons) The Legal Consultant indicated that, "[g]enerally, the format of the notice to appear [is] the same for all police stations in the Kurdistan region of Iraq," though he also noted that "there may be some little differences in the format from one governorate to another" (13 Nov. 2016). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. A sample of a blank police notice to appear, provided by the Legal Consultant, is attached to this Response as well as a translation into English (Attachment 2). 2. Arrest Warrants The Criminal Procedure Code 23 of 1971 of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq provides the procedures for issuing arrest warrants under Book Two, Section 5 (Methods or Compulsion to Attend), Chapter 2 (Arrest) (KRG 1971). Article 97 states that "[i]f the person does not attend after being summoned, without a legal excuse, or if there is a fear that he will abscond or influence the investigation, or he does not have a specific place of residence, the judge may issue a warrant for his arrest" (ibid.). The Legal Consultant indicated that "[i]f the individual does not appear at the police station at the date and time indicated in the notice, the competent judge may either re-issue the same notice or issue an arrest warrant. The decision is made according to the severity of the case" (13 Nov. 2016). The lawyer similarly stated that "[a]n arrest warrant will be issued should the individual not appear at the police station. The investigating judge executes the arrest warrant for the police station to act" (14 Nov. 2016). Further information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request. Note [1] The GJPI provides an amended and annotated translation of the law (KRG 1971, 1). The GJPI is housed in the University of Utah, SJ Quinney College of Law, and is funded by a grant from the US Department of State (KRG 1971, 1). References Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). 1971 (amended 2010). Criminal Procedure Code 23 - Kurdish Region of Iraq. Translated by the Global Justice Project: Iraq (GJPI). [Accessed 22 Nov. 2016] Lawyer, Erbil. 14 November 2016. Correspondence with the Research Directorate. Legal Consultant, Erbil. 13 November 2016. Correspondence with the Research Directorate. Additional Sources Consulted Oral sources: An attorney and a lawyer based in Erbil; Kurdistan Regional Government - Ministry of Justice. Internet sites, including: Amnesty International; BBC; ecoi.net; Factiva; Freedom House; Human Rights Watch; Institute for the Study of War; Institute for War and Peace Reporting; International Crisis Group; IRIN; Minority Rights Group International; Pennsylvania State University Penn State Law Review; Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty; UN Development Programme, Refworld; US Congressional Research Service, Department of State. Attachments Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). 1971 (amended 2010). Criminal Procedure Code 23 of 1971. Translated by the Global Justice Project: Iraq (GJPI). [Accessed 18 Nov. 2016] Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). N.d. Police Notice to Appear. Translated by the Translation Bureau, Public Services and Procurement Canada. Sent to the Research Directorate by a legal consultant, Erbil, 13 November 2016. Iraq: Requirements and procedures for obtaining medical reports in Kurdistan, particularly Sulaymaniyah, including who can obtain them and whether they can be obtained from abroad; whether reports are kept by hospitals for short-term patients who stayed for two days or less; whether hospitals retain reports of crime-related injuries prepared for the police and whether such reports are available to the injured person (2015-August 2016) Publisher Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada Publication Date 16 September 2016 Citation / Document Symbol IRQ105607.E Related Document(s) Iraq : information sur les exigences a satisfaire et la marche a suivre pour obtenir des rapports medicaux au Kurdistan, particulierement a Souleimaniye, y compris les personnes pouvant se procurer ces documents; information indiquant si les rapports medicaux peuvent etre obtenus depuis l'etranger; information indiquant si les hopitaux conservent les rapports relatifs aux patients dont le sejour a ete de deux jours ou moins; information indiquant si les hopitaux conservent les rapports portant sur des blessures liees a un crime qui sont prepares pour la police et si les personnes blessees peuvent obtenir ces rapports (2015-aout 2016) Cite as Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Iraq: Requirements and procedures for obtaining medical reports in Kurdistan, particularly Sulaymaniyah, including who can obtain them and whether they can be obtained from abroad; whether reports are kept by hospitals for short-term patients who stayed for two days or less; whether hospitals retain reports of crime-related injuries prepared for the police and whether such reports are available to the injured person (2015-August 2016), 16 September 2016, IRQ105607.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58a5a9404.html [accessed 6 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa 1. Overview 1.1 Overview on Medical Record Keeping In correspondence with the Research Directorate, a manager at Medya Diagnostic Center (MDC), a medical centre located in Erbil that "offers full service diagnostics to the public and private sectors" and is accredited by the College of American Pathologists (MDC n.d.), stated that [t]o date, there are no formal records kept of a patient's medical history and each new disease or period of illness are assessed as a new case with little previous medical incidents accessible other than [the] information [that] the patient can supply. (ibid. 1 Sept. 2016) Similarly, in a telephone interview with the Research Directorate, an official at the Representation of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) of Iraq in Washington, DC indicated that there are "no medical records in the Kurdistan region" (KRG 29 Aug. 2016). 1.2 Overview on Medical Report Documentation In discussing medical documentation in Kurdistan's hospitals and healthcare facilities, the KRG official stated that "no report is provided after a medical visit or a medical treatment" but that patients can ask for a medical report if they wish (KRG 29 Aug. 2016). Concerning the availability of medical reports in the Kurdistan Region, the MDC Manager indicated that [e]very private hospital has different policies but every government owned hospital is required to open a file for the patient containing all medical information including past medical history (information obtained from the patient or their relatives), any investigations and diagnostic procedures carried out during their hospital stay and any treatment received. A summary medical report is not routinely provided upon discharge but because the file is stored away, usually, upon a written request, the file can be re-opened and a report produced. (MDC 1 Sept. 2016) Similarly, in correspondence with the Research Directorate, an official at Dohuk Governorate's Directorate General of Health stated that in Dohuk, any patient who has been admitted to a public hospital can obtain a "summary discharge report" (Dohuk Governorate 30 Aug. 2016). 1.3 Authorities that Produce Medical Reports According to sources, copies of medical reports are issued by doctors (Lawyer, Erbil 30 Aug. 2016; Attorney 31 Aug. 2016). Other sources indicated that medical reports are drafted by the patient's doctor and approved by the hospital administration (MDC 1 Sept. 2016; WEO 30 Aug. 2016). 1.4 Retention of Reports for Patients Who Remain in Healthcare Facilities for Two Days or Less The MDC Manager indicated that "any patient that has been admitted to [a] hospital (regardless of the period of time) will be documented and a file initiated containing all medical information for the duration of their hospital stay" (MDC 1 Sept. 2016). In correspondence with the Research Directorate, a lawyer who practices in a Sulaymaniyah law firm that specializes in, among other fields, insurance and health litigation, indicated that a medical record is filed for any patient who stays "at least 24 [hours]" in the hospital (Lawyer, Sulaymaniyah 31 Aug. 2016). In correspondence with the Research Directorate, an attorney who practices in Erbil and whose area of specialization includes family law issues, indicated, however, that medical reports "could be kept" by the hospital (Attorney 31 Aug. 2016). Further information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. 2. Requirements and Procedures for Obtaining Medical Reports in Kurdistan In correspondence with the Research Directorate, a lawyer who practices in Erbil indicated that a patient, for whom a medical report has been produced, can "generally" request a copy of it from the hospital where they were treated, or directly from the doctor who treated him or her (Lawyer, Erbil 30 Aug. 2016). According to the same source, the patient may need to provide "identification documents" and the "receipt" that was issued by the hospital (ibid.). Similarly, the Manager at MDC stated that copies of medical reports are to be requested at the hospital and that, "usually," the only requirements are a verbal request and an ID card, although "[s]ome hospitals may ask for a simple written request" (MDC 1 Sept. 2016). The lawyer in Sulaymaniyah indicated that the patient needs to provide a written request signed by him or her or by their "attorney-in-fact," as well as a copy of their "personal identification" (Lawyer, Sulaymaniyah 31 Aug. 2016). The attorney stated that the patient is legally required to provide an identity document (such as a passport, or a national or personal ID card) to obtain a medical report, but that if the doctor has known them for a long time, no proof of identity is required (Attorney 31 Aug. 2016). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. According to the official at Dohuk Governorate's Directorate General of Health, the patient must know their date of admission as well as the department they were admitted to in order to "ease [the] process of getting the records back" (Dohuk Governorate 30 Aug. 2016). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. The lawyer in Sulaymaniyah indicated that fees vary (31 Aug. 2016). According to the attorney, the cost to obtain a medical report is approximately 25,000 Iraqi dinars (IQD) [approximately C$28] (31 Aug. 2016). However, the MDC Manager stated that medical reports are "usually" free of charge (1 Sept. 2016). The Dohuk Governorate official similarly reported that obtaining medical reports is currently free in Dohuk public hospitals (30 Aug. 2016). 2.1 Variations Within the Kurdistan Region Sources indicated that there are no major differences in the procedure to obtain medical reports between Erbil and Sulaymaniyah (Attorney 31 Aug. 2016), or within the Kurdistan region as a whole (Lawyer, Erbil 30 Aug. 2016; Lawyer, Sulaymaniyah 31 Aug. 2016). In correspondence with the Research Directorate, a representative of Women Empowerment Organization (WEO), an NGO established in Erbil that aims to "consolidate women's roles and capabilities in the Iraqi community" (WEO n.d.), stated that "[t]here are differences between public and private hospital procedures, but no major difference[s] between the public hospitals all over the region" (ibid. 30 Aug. 2016). In contrast, the MDC Manager explained that medical reports can be obtained "at the discretion of the physician providing the medical care" and that "each hospital or healthcare facility may differ with regards to policies" (1 Sept. 2016). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. 2.2 Persons Who Can Obtain Medical Reports Without providing further detail, sources indicated that both the patient and his or her family members may obtain a copy of the patient's medical report (MDC 1 Sept. 2016; Attorney 31 Aug. 2016; WEO 30 Aug. 2016). According to the lawyer in Erbil, "[a] guardian can obtain a medical report for any minors or persons in their care" (30 Aug. 2016). The Dohuk Governorate official indicated that in Dohuk, relatives can obtain a patient's medical report if they possess an "official court allowance" indicating that they are officially representing the patient (30 Aug. 2016). Information on the need for a "court allowance" in the Kurdistan region's other governorates could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. Sources indicate that a patient's medical report can be obtained by someone holding a power of attorney (Lawyer, Sulaymaniyah 31 Aug. 2016; Lawyer, Erbil 30 Aug. 2016) or "the receipt" (ibid.). The attorney stated that anyone who holds a power of attorney and has been approved by the Ministry of Health can obtain someone's medical report, but that, "in most of the cases," hospitals would give the medical report to someone holding a power of attorney without ministerial approval (31 Aug. 2016). The MDC Manager indicated that courts and law enforcement services can request a copy of a medical report "if criminal involvement is suspected" (MDC 1 Sept. 2016). According to the lawyer in Sulaymaniyah, a patient's medical report can be obtained as well as by the following entities: [l]itigant parties, judges of courts, inquiry bodies, [the] physicians who signed the report, [the] attending physician, licensed private hospitals, public hospitals, interim or permanent medical commissions, testing laborator[ies] and radiography labs. (Lawyer, Sulaymaniyah 31 Aug. 2016) The same source stated that, in case the patient is applying for a residency status in another country, authorities within that country may request their medical reports, "formally and in writing," through the Department of Foreign Relations of the Kurdistan Regional Government (ibid.). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. 2.3 From Abroad According to sources, in order to obtain their medical report from abroad, the patient needs to designate a representative who presents the request on their behalf to the hospital or doctor (MDC 1 Sept. 2016; Attorney 31 Aug. 2016; Lawyer, Sulaymaniyah 31 Aug. 2016). The lawyer in Sulaymaniyah indicated that the requestor must visit either an Iraqi Embassy or Consulate, or a KRG Representative Office abroad in order to grant a power of attorney to an individual residing in Kurdistan (ibid.). The lawyer in Erbil stated that the patient can also write to the hospital to request a copy of the medical report, providing the "receipt" and "some form of identification" (30 Aug. 2016). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. According to the attorney, the process to obtain a report in such a way "takes months to complete"; if the medical record is kept by a private hospital, the patient can directly email the hospital to obtain their report (Attorney 31 Aug. 2016). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. 3. Medical Reports of Crime-related Injuries 3.1 Whether Hospitals Retain Reports Sources indicated that in the Kurdistan region, hospitals have to report crime-related injuries to the police (KRG 29 Aug. 2016; MDC 1 Sept. 2016). According to the MDC Manager, the report is drafted by the patient's doctor, and one copy is kept at the hospital and another one is provided to the law enforcement authorities (ibid.). In contrast, the official at the Representation of the KRG in Washington stated that, although the police is informed of the injury, a medical report will only be sent to the police if the police ask for it (29 Aug. 2016). According to the lawyer in Erbil, two reports are issued, a "medical report" written by the doctor and a "hospital police report" which is "written by the police officer at the hospital that addresses the accident and possible criminal elements" (Lawyer, Erbil 30 Aug. 2016). The same source stated that a copy of each report is sent to the court and another copy of each report is kept "in the hospital's system indefinitely" (ibid.). According to the attorney, the investigator opens a file, which is kept at the hospital (Attorney 31 Aug. 2016). The same source explained that, if a report is claimed by a court, a copy of this file will be sent to the court (ibid.). 3.2 Whether Reports are Available to the Injured Person According to sources, copies of medical reports for crime-related injuries can be obtained by the patient at their own request (Lawyer, Erbil 30 Aug. 2016; Attorney 31 Aug. 2016). Without providing further detail, the official of the KRG stated that the patient can request their medical report at the police department (29 Aug. 2016). The lawyer based in Erbil indicated that [a]nyone who has a [power of attorney] can obtain a copy of the medical report, but they must file a request with the court, then the court will address a letter to the hospital instructing them to provide a copy to the person. (30 Aug. 2016) However, the MDC manager said that, to her knowledge, "the patient will not be provided with the report when requested" (MDC 1 Sept. 2016). According to the same source, [d]ue to the sensitive nature of the information provided by the doctor, an official body (the Ministry of Health or the Ministry of Justice or a court official) would have to place a formal request to obtain a copy. (ibid.) 4. Challenges in Obtaining Medical Reports The lawyer in Sulaymaniyah indicated that some of the challenges to obtain a medical report include the failure of medical or law enforcement authorities to provide the medical report without a "justified reason [which] mostly can be overcome through a lawyer" (31 Aug. 2016). According to the same source, if a person is "politically targeted or wanted due to terror related matters," it is "usually" difficult for them to be represented through a power of attorney due to potential restrictions (ibid.). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. The MDC Manager indicated that if the nature of the illness is "particularly sensitive," the patient may have to request their medical report in person at the health facility (MDC 1 Sept. 2016). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. Without providing further detail, the Dohuk Governorate official stated that in Dohuk, "outpatient report[s], laboratory reports, radiology report[s], [reports for] short admission under observation in the emergency department" cannot be obtained (Dohuk Governorate 30 Aug. 2016). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. 4.1 Destroyed, Lost or Incomplete Reports According to the lawyer in Sulaymaniyah, the "Instructions for Destruction of Official Documents of the Ministry of Health," published in 1976, states that "[o]fficial files are destroyed, if destructible, after 20 years or 15 years after its closure" (31 Aug. 2016). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. The lawyer in Erbil stated that, in Sulaymaniyah, medical reports are kept for 10 years (30 Aug. 2016). The Dohuk Governorate official indicated that in Dohuk, public hospitals keep records of admitted patients for up to 15 years, but "sometime[s] less when stores are full of records" (30 Aug. 2016). However, the MDC Manager noted that "in most hospitals all documentation is in the form of a hard copy" and "many hospitals do not store previous medical reports for a long time" (MDC 1 Sept. 2016). According to the same source, there have been instances in which a patient requests a medical report after it has already been destroyed (ibid.). Similarly, the Dohuk Governorate official reported that in the Dohuk public sector, "since the records are not electronic," it can be difficult to retrieve medical reports (Dohuk Governorate 30 Aug. 2016). According to the same source, if the patient's admission to the hospital took place a long time before they request their medical report, "the chance that records are kept and not discarded is low" (ibid.) The lawyer in Erbil reported that medical paperwork can occasionally be mishandled (30 Aug. 2016). Similarly, the lawyer in Sulaymaniyah stated that some records have been lost "due to wars and negligence of authorities" (31 Aug. 2016). The MDC Manager stated that in some circumstances, e.g. busy periods, a patient needing a crime-related report may be accidently overlooked and a report not carried out or the report may be misplaced or incomplete. (MDC 1 Sept. 2016) This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request. References Attorney, Erbil. 31 August 2016. Correspondence with the Research Directorate. Dohuk Governorate. 30 August 2016. Directorate General of Health. Correspondence from an official to the Research Directorate. Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq (KRG). 29 August 2016. Representation in the Washington, DC. Telephone interview with an official. Lawyer, Erbil. 30 August 2016. Correspondence with the Research Directorate. Lawyer, Sulaymaniyah. 31 August 2016. Correspondence with the Research Directorate. Medya Diagnostic Center (MDC). 1 September 2016. Correspondence from a manager to the Research Directorate. Medya Diagnostic Center (MDC). N.d. "About MDC." [Accessed 2 Sept. 2016] Women Empowerment Organization (WEO). 30 August 2016. Correspondence from a representative to the Research Directorate. Women Empowerment Organization (WEO). N. d. "Home." [Accessed 31 Aug. 2016] Additional Sources Consulted Oral sources: Faruk Medical City Hospital; International Committee of the Red Cross; Kurdish Women's Rights Watch; Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq (KRG) Department of Foreign Relations, Directorate to Combat Violence Against Women, Ministry of Health; Sulaymaniyah Teaching Hospital. Internet sites, including: Amnesty International; ecoi.net; Freedom House; Human Rights Watch; IRIN; UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Refworld, Development Programme; US Department of State. Djibouti: Requirements and procedure to follow to obtain a national identity card, including identity documents required, the authorities who issue them, the validity period and the circumstances in which they are used in Djibouti (2014-June 2016) Publisher Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada Publication Date 31 August 2016 Citation / Document Symbol DJI105552.FE Related Document(s) Djibouti : information sur les exigences et la marche a suivre pour obtenir une carte nationale d'identite, y compris sur les pieces d'identite exigees, les autorites qui la delivrent, sa duree de validite et les circonstances dans lesquelles elle est utilisee a Djibouti (2014-juin 2016) Cite as Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Djibouti: Requirements and procedure to follow to obtain a national identity card, including identity documents required, the authorities who issue them, the validity period and the circumstances in which they are used in Djibouti (2014-June 2016), 31 August 2016, DJI105552.FE, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58a5aaf44.html [accessed 6 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa 1. Overview An article from the Djiboutian daily La Nation states that on 13 August 2014, the Minister of the Interior of Djibouti informed the public of the official launch of the digital identity card, established by presidential decree published on 8 December 2009 (La Nation 18 Aug. 2014). Furthermore, La Nation states that the Director of the Population and Family Branch (Direction generale de la population et de la famille) [under the Ministry of the Interior (lawyer 29 June 2016)] stated that on [translation] "31 December 2015, all Djiboutian citizens should have their digital identity card" (ibid.). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. According to La Nation, [translation] the modern digital card is made of plastic, has several polycarbonate laminated layers and contains personalized data, engraved elements and compulsory references for protection against any kind of manipulation. (ibid.) The website of the Population and Family Branch indicates that the front of the identity card contains the following elements: Photograph Surname and first name(s) Date and place of birth Signature Indication of Djiboutian nationality (Djibouti n.d.b). Sources state that the identity card currently in use has a validity period of 10 years (lawyer 29 June 2016; Djibouti 29 June 2016; La Nation 18 Aug. 2014). Information on the national identity card issued before the 2014 reform introducing the digital identity card could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. 2. Requirements and Procedure to Obtain a National Identity Card In correspondence sent to the Research Directorate, a representative of the Embassy of Djibouti in Washington stated that national identity cards are issued to citizens aged 18 and up (Djibouti 29 June 2016). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. 2.1 Issuing Authorities In correspondence sent to the Research Directorate, a lawyer in Djibouti stated that, [translation] "one must contact the Population Branch [within the Ministry of the Interior] to obtain a national identity card" (lawyer 29 June 2016). Similarly, the Representative of the Embassy of Djibouti in Washington stated that the Ministry of the Interior issues the national identity cards in Djibouti (Djibouti 29 June 2016). 2.2 Documents Required The website of the Population and Family Branch states that, to obtain a national identity card, the applicant must provide the following documents: Identity document from two parents or one of two parents; if one parent is deceased, death certificate of that parent Four identification photographs of the applicant Original birth certificate (issued within three months) If applicant is/was married, marriage certificate and birth certificate of children, if possible for obtaining nationality if applicant is not Djiboutian by birth ([a]cquisition) If applicant is attending or did attend school, school diploma, report or school card If applicant is employed, a business person, etc., supporting documentation is required [] [] NB: In certain cases, presenting additional documents may be required (Djibouti n.d.a). La Nation reports that the Director of the Population and Family Branch stated during an interview with the daily that the documentation to be provided by applicants of the new identity card includes: the former national identity card, four identity photos, 2,000 Djiboutian francs (DJF) [about C$15] [translation] "for procedural fees," and "any other supporting documentation attesting to a change in marriage, status or address" (La Nation 18 Aug. 2014). Similarly, the website of the Population and Family Branch states that the issuance fees for renewing an identity card are 2,000 DJF, but that they are 2,700 DJF for individuals being issued the card for the first time (Djibouti n.d.b). The Representative of the Embassy of Djibouti in Washington stated that the applicant must present their birth certificate and the identity card of one of their parents (Djibouti 29 June 2016). He stated that this card must show that the parent is a Djiboutian citizen (ibid.). 2.3 Other Requirements The following information is indicated on the website of the Population and Family Branch: [translation] The applicant must appear in person accompanied by a legal representative who must present their original identity card and provide their fingerprint on the card application folder. Fingerprints: Associating the identity photograph with the fingerprints enables administrators to verify that an identity card holder is in fact the holder for administrative controls. Identity card set-up fees are payable in cash at the deposit window (Djibouti n.d.a). 2.4 Processing Time The Population and Family Branch website states that, [translation] [i]t generally takes three to four weeks following the submission of an application before an applicant may obtain their identity card at the window in the 2nd district upon presentation of a receipt. (Djibouti n.d.a) According to La Nation, the Director of the Population and Family Branch stated during his interview with the daily that [translation] "the digital card may be obtained at the same deposit window within 15 to 30 days after the file is submitted" (La Nation 18 Aug. 2014). 3. Application for National Identity Card from Abroad The Representative from the Embassy of Djibouti in Washington stated that the national identity card is not issued abroad, adding that the applicant "needs to be present in person in Djibouti to request and receive the national ID card" (Djibouti 29 June 2016). However, according to La Nation, with respect to switching from the former identity card to the new digital card, the Director of the Population and Family Branch stated that it would become possible to obtain the digital card abroad, adding that, [translation] "[w]ith respect to North America, the city of Montreal was retained" (18 Aug. 2014). Information on the possibility of obtaining a national identity card outside of Djibouti today could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. 4. Use of the National Identity Card According to the Lawyer, [translation] [t]he national identity card is required in order to obtain a passport and apply for civil service jobs and elected positions (member of parliament, regional advisor or President of the Republic). (lawyer 29 June 2016) According to the Representative of the Embassy of Djibouti in Washington, a Djibouti national must be in possession of their national identity card "to receive services from the government of Djibouti or the private sector" (Djibouti 29 June 2016). According to that same source, the national identity card of a parent must be provided for the issuance of a newborn's birth certificate, in Djibouti or abroad (ibid.). Further information on the use of the national identity card in Djibouti could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request. References Djibouti. 29 June 2016. Embassy in Washington. Correspondence sent to the Research Directorate by an official. Djibouti. N.d.a. Direction generale de la population et de la famille. "Demarche a suivre." [Accessed 30 June 2016] Djibouti. N.d.b. Direction generale de la population et de la famille. "La carte d'identite numerique est valable dix ans, mais, meme perimee, elle permet a son titulaire de justifier de son identite sur le territoire national, a condition que la photographie soit ressemblante." [Accessed 5 July 2016] La Nation. 18 Aug. 2014. "Lancement de la carte d'identite numerique : Entretien avec Idriss Miguil Bouh Directeur de la Population et de la Famille au Ministere de l'Interieur." [Accessed 30 June 2016] Lawyer in Djibouti. 29 June 2016. Correspondence sent to the Research Directorate. Additional Sources Consulted Oral sources: Lawyers in Djibouti; Djibouti Embassy in Bruxelles, Embassy in Paris, Honorary Consul in Montreal. Internet sites, including: Djibnet.com; Djibouti Djibouti Ports & Free Zones Authority, Presidence de la Republique; Dijboutination.com; ecoi.net; EdisonTD; European Union Public Register of Authentic Identity and Travel Documents Online; Factiva; Keesing Reference Systems; United Nations Refworld. Bahamas: Information on the One Order gang, including activities, key members, and state response, particularly in "Bozine Town" (2010-July 2016) Publisher Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada Publication Date 15 July 2016 Citation / Document Symbol BHS105588.E Related Document(s) Bahamas : information sur le gang One Order, y compris ses activites, ses membres importants et l'intervention de l'Etat, en particulier a Bozine Town (2010-juillet 2016) Cite as Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Bahamas: Information on the One Order gang, including activities, key members, and state response, particularly in "Bozine Town" (2010-July 2016), 15 July 2016, BHS105588.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58a5abff4.html [accessed 6 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa 1. Overview and Activities According to a police superintendent and head of the Central Detective Unit, as quoted by the Bahamian newspaper Nassau Guardian, the Bahamas has several gangs and the One Order gang is the "most organized" (Nassau Guardian 6 May 2013). The Bahamas' Minister of State for National Security describes the One Order gang as a "criminal enterprise" (qtd. in Freeport News 28 Oct. 2015). According to the Bahamian news source The Tribune, One Order has "a very violent reputation" (26 May 2015). Without providing details or a timeframe, the Minister of State for National Security stated that One Order is the "most violent gang" in the Bahamas and was responsible for more than 200 murders (qtd. in Freeport News 28 Oct. 2015). Sources indicate that the One Order gang has international ties (Nassau Guardian 6 May 2013; The Tribune 26 May 2015) and is active in Jamaica (ibid.). For information about the One Order gang in Jamaica, see Response to Information Request JAM105516. According to the Bahamas Journal, a Bahamian newspaper, the One Order gang has been involved with an "ongoing feud" with the Fire and Theft gang, a criminal organization whose alleged leader was shot to death in April 2013 (19 Apr. 2013). 2. Key Members Sources report that Stephen 'Die' Stubbs was the alleged leader of the One Order gang (The Bahamas Journal 31 Oct. 2013; BahamasB2B.com 22 Aug. 2012). According to the Nassau-based web portal BahamasB2B.com, Stubbs "was once called the most wanted man in the Bahamas" (ibid.). The same source indicates that Stubbs faced charges for smuggling $6 million Bahamian dollars (BSD) [C$7.8 million] worth of marijuana in 2009, along with three other men; the case was ongoing in 2012 and was postponed multiple times (ibid.). In addition, BahamasB2B.com states that Stubbs also faced abetment to murder charges in an unrelated case (ibid.). The Bahamas Journal reports that in October 2013, Stubbs and two other men were sentenced to life imprisonment for the 1999 murder of police officer Jimmy Ambrose and to 10 years imprisonment for the attempted murder of another police officer, Marcian Scott (The Bahamas Journal 31 Oct. 2013). The second police officer, who was a key witness in the trial, was murdered in 2006 (ibid.). Freeport News quotes the Minister of State for National Security as stating that in 1999, One Order members executed Officer Jimmy Ambrose, and shot and permanently disabled another police officer (Freeport News 28 Oct. 2015). The Minister further indicated that a third police officer, who was a key witness in this case, was later executed by One Order in order to prevent him from testifying in the case (ibid.). Sources indicate that Stubbs is from the Ridgeland community (The Bahamas Journal 31 Oct. 2013) or Ridgeland Park [in Nassau] (BahamasB2B.com 22 Aug. 2012). Further information about key members of the One Order gang in the Bahamas could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. 3. State Response According to the Minister of State for National Security, the One Order gang is "creating challenges" for authorities, but they "are dealing with it" (qtd. in Freeport News 28 Oct. 2015). Further information on the state response specifically to the One Order gang could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. Sources indicate that the Royal Bahamas Police Force has an Anti-gang Unit (Nassau Guardian 24 Aug. 2015; US 9 Oct. 2012). According to a news release by the US Department of Homeland Security, the Royal Bahamas Police Force was in the process of establishing the anti-gang unit in 2012 (ibid.). The Nassau Guardian quotes a chief superintendent of police as stating that law enforcement officials are trying to prevent gangs from getting access to drugs, with the hope that this will eliminate turf wars between rival factions (Nassau Guardian 24 Aug. 2015). 3.1 Crime Statistics and Gang-related Violence According to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)'s Global Study on Homicide 2013, the Bahamas has shown an increasing rate of organized crime/gang-related homicide (UN 2013, 43). The same source notes statistics provided by the Organization of American States (OAS) as indicating that there were 94 homicides in the Bahamas in 2010, 127 in 2011, and 111 in 2012, figures equivalent to the rates of 26.1 people per 100,000 in 2010, 34.7 in 2011 and 29.8 in 2012 (ibid., 125). The Tribune reports that, according to the Commissioner of Police, there were 123 homicides in the Bahamas in 2014 and 146 in 2015 (The Tribune 11 Feb. 2016). The programme manager for the US Homeland Security Investigations' National Gang Unit reportedly stated that "'organized gangs'" are a "growing problem in the Bahamas" (US 9 Oct. 2012). The US Department of Homeland Security also quotes the Bahamas' National Security Minister as stating that "'well organized and sophisticated'" gangs pose a "'serious threat'" in the Bahamas (ibid.). According to the US Department of State's Overseas Advisory Council's (OSAC) 2016 Crime and Safety Report, criminal activity in the Bahamas includes illegal importation and smuggling of drugs and weapons, as well as human trafficking (ibid. 1 Mar. 2016). The US Department of State's 2016 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report further indicates that smuggling in the Bahamas is "enabled and accompanied by organized crime and gang activity," and drug trafficking routes include passages from Jamaica to the Bahamas en route to the US (ibid. 2016). According to a chief superintendent of the Royal Bahamas Police Force, gang activity in the Bahamas contributes to the homicide rate due to "retaliation and gang turf wars, with respect to drugs" (qtd. in Nassau Guardian 24 Aug. 2015). 4. Gang Activity in Bozine Town Information about One Order gang activity and state response in Bozine Town could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. However, the following information may be useful. Bozine Town is a community located on New Providence Island (Bahamas B2B.com 4 Jan. 2006). According to the Bahamas 2016 Crime and Safety Report, [m]uch of the violent crime on New Providence Island happens in non-tourist areas referred to locally as "Over the Hill." These areas are generally south of the downtown Nassau area south of Shirley Street. These areas are not clearly defined but encompass the lower income areas on New Providence. (US 1 Mar. 2016) According to a chief superintendent of the Royal Bahamas Police Force, there are "pockets of gangs in different communities," and some people cannot go into certain areas, such as East Street, Nassau Village and Kemp Road, because gang clashes lead to deaths (qtd. in Nassau Guardian 24 Aug. 2015). The Minister of State for National Security is quoted by Freeport News as indicating that most of the violence in New Providence experienced by young men is related to activities of the One Order gang (Freeport News 28 Oct. 2015). This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request. References BahamasB2B.com. 22 August 2012. "More Shenanigans in 'Die' Stubbs Case." [Accessed 7 July 2016] BahamasB2B.com. 4 January 2006. "Bozine Land Fight Headed Back to Court." [Accessed 8 July 2016] The Bahamas Journal. 31 October 2013. Jones Bahamas. "'Die' Gets Life Sentence." [Accessed 7 July 2016] The Bahamas Journal. 19 April 2013. Jones Bahamas. "Gang Leader Killed - Second Shooting Victim Dies in Hospital." [Accessed 7 July 2016] Freeport News. 28 October 2015. "State Minister for National Security Throws His Support Behand Rehabilitation of Offenders (Amendment) Bill." [Accessed 7 July 2016] Nassau Guardian. 24 August 2015. Artesia Davis. "Police Pledge Renewed Efforts to Dismantle Gangs." [Accessed 7 July 2016] Nassau Guardian. 6 May 2013. Artesia Davis. "Funeral T-Shirts Glorify Gang Culture." [Accessed 7 July 2016] The Tribune. 11 February 2016. Sancheska Brown. "Crime Statistics: Murders, Rapes and Armed Robberies Up." [Accessed 7 July 2016] The Tribune. 26 May 2015. "Life of Crime: Gangland Bahamas--How Much Violence Can Be Put Down to Gangs?" [Accessed 7 July 2016] United Nations (UN). 2013. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Global Study on Homicide 2013. [Accessed 11 July 2016] United States (US). 1 March 2016. Department of State, Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC). The Bahamas 2016 Crime & Safety Report. [Accessed 7 July 2016] United States (US). 2016. Department of State. "Country Report: The Bahamas." 2016 International Narcotics Strategy Report. [Accessed 8 July 2016] United States (US). 9 October 2012. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security. "Top Story: Royal Bahamas Police Force Turns to HSI Gang Unit for Guidance." [Accessed 7 July 2016] Additional Sources Consulted Oral sources: Royal Bahamas Police Force; Youth Against Violence. Internet sites, including: Amnesty International; Bahamas Ministry of National Security, Royal Bahamas Police Force; ecoi.net; Human Rights Watch; The Punch; UN Refworld. United Arab Emirates: Requirements and procedures to obtain investor residence status for foreign nationals; information on holder's rights to employment, education, health care, and travel in and out of the country; frequency of renewal and procedures to renew; whether the investor's status can be cancelled and how this occurs (2014-August 2016) Publisher Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada Publication Date 1 September 2016 Citation / Document Symbol ARE105597.E Related Document(s) Emirats arabes unis : information sur les exigences et la marche a suivre pour les ressortissants etrangers qui veulent obtenir le statut de resident a titre d'investisseur; les droits du detenteur de ce statut relativement a l'emploi, a l'education, aux soins de sante et aux deplacements a l'exterieur du pays; la frequence des renouvellements et la marche a suivre; information indiquant si le statut de l'investisseur peut etre annule et de quelle maniere une telle annulation s'effectue (2014-aout 2016) Cite as Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, United Arab Emirates: Requirements and procedures to obtain investor residence status for foreign nationals; information on holder's rights to employment, education, health care, and travel in and out of the country; frequency of renewal and procedures to renew; whether the investor's status can be cancelled and how this occurs (2014-August 2016), 1 September 2016, ARE105597.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58a5acf84.html [accessed 6 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa 1. Requirements and Procedures to Obtain Investor Residence Status Sources indicate that a foreign national can obtain a United Arab Emirates (UAE) investor visa by becoming a shareholder in a company or by investing in real estate (FBS Kotsomitis n.d.a; Senior Associate 9 Aug. 2016; Residency Invest n.d.a). Sources note that obtaining the investor residence status does not lead to UAE citizenship (Senior Legal Consultant 9 Aug. 2016; Bukh Global Partners n.d.a). 1.1 Investment in a Company According to sources, the creation of a new company must take place within a "free trade zone" or "free zone" (Residency Invest n.d.a; FBS Kotsomitis n.d.a). In correspondence with the Research Directorate, a Senior Legal Consultant at City International Advocates & Legal Consultants, a Dubai law firm that litigates in areas such as commercial, labour, and "personal status" law (City International Advocates & Legal Consultants n.d.), indicated that obtaining a residence visa for investors in the UAE requires "the establishment of the company in partnership with one of the citizens of the state, or [the] establishment [of] a company without [a] citizen in the free zones" (Senior Legal Consultant 9 Aug. 2016). According to the same source, in both cases the company's capital must be of minimum 300,000 Emirates Dirham (AED) [approximately C$105,455] (ibid.). In correspondence with the Research Directorate, a Senior Associate at Afridi & Angell Legal Consultants, a Dubai law firm whose fields of practice include employment, banking, and international law (Afridi & Angell Legal Consultants n.d.), stated that the company can have a maximum two foreign shareholders applying for an investor visa, and each applicant must have invested a minimum of 48,000 AED [approximately C$16,869] in the capital of the company (Senior Associate 9 Aug. 2016). According to Bukh Global Partners, a New York law firm with a local office in Dubai whose area of specialization includes immigration law (Bukh Global Partners n.d.b), in order to qualify for the investor visa, the foreign national must deposit "either AED 10,000 [approximately C$3,518] or AED 20,000 [approximately C$7,036] with the UAE government" and prove that they have "sufficient funds to make a significant investment into a UAE company, or to create a business in the UAE" (ibid. n.d.a). The Senior Associate stated that not all free zones in the UAE allow the issuance of an investor visa (ibid.). Similarly, the website of Residency Invest, a UK-based company that specialises in "helping international investors achieve permanent residency, long term visas or [c]itizenship" in several countries (Residency Invest n.d.b), indicates that "[e]very free-zone has different requirements and set up costs" (ibid. n.d.a). According to the Senior Associate, "each emirate of the UAE has its own Immigration Department" (Senior Associate 9 Aug. 2016). In further correspondence, the Senior Associate indicated that to his knowledge, "if the immigration department of other emirates [than Dubai] issues a company investor visa, the documentation [required] will be similar" (ibid. 10 Aug. 2016). 1.1.1 Application Procedure In a telephone interview with the Research Directorate, a consular officer at the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Ottawa explained that in order to apply for an investor residency permit, the applicant must first enter the UAE legally, for example as a visitor (UAE 23 Aug. 2016). According to the same source, the requirements to apply for an Investor Residency Permit as listed on the website of the Abu Dhabi government apply for every emirate (ibid.). The website of the Abu Dhabi government states that in order to receive an investor residency permit, the applicant must fill in an application form, pay the AED 250 [approximately C$89] fee, and "[s]ubmit the printed application along with the required documents at the Residency Department" (Abu Dhabi n. d.). According to the same source, the required documents are: The residence visa application (signed and stamped by the company); The passport of the investor; A copy of the trade licence; The original copy of the entry permit; A copy of the health insurance card or the insurance subscription certificate in case there is no insurance card; The original copy of the results of the medical test; A copy of the "establishment card"; A copy of the identity card or registration receipt of the identity card; A copy of the UAE e-gate card "or the stamp"; The original copy of the "inspection form" issued by the Department of Economic Development; and An "Empost sticker". (ibid.) The website of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs-Dubai (DNRD) states that the following documents are required in order for the DNRD to issue an "entry permit of employment visa for a partner or foreign investor": The application form of issuing entry permit, fees fulfilled , signed by the authorized person in the establishment card and including the sponsored photo [and] company stamp on the application form; Copy of the partner/foreign investor's passport (must have reached the legal age 18 years old); Origin[al] and copy of establish[ment] contract or services' agent contract issued by the court; The Memorandum of Association with trade license and its appendices; Attachment of partners' names (valid); Origin[al] and copy [of] the establishment card (valid); Company account statement from the bank for the last 3 months (if the license was issued before more than a year). (UAE n.d.) The Senior Associate indicated that in order to obtain investor residence status through the investment in a company in Dubai, the applicant must provide the following documents in addition to the processing fee: Memorandum of Association of the Dubai company; Trade License of the Dubai company; Establishment Card of the Dubai company - a card confirming registration of the Dubai company with the Dubai Immigration Department; Original passport with copies; and Passport size photos with white background. (Senior Associate 9 Aug. 2016) The same source noted that "investor visas are [generally] issued unless documentation is not complete or there is a security risk" (ibid. 10 Aug. 2016). According to the Senior Legal Consultant, foreign investors must also pass security clearance (9 Aug. 2016). The Senior Associate stated that according to the authority of the Dubai Immigration Department, the rules and requirements for an investor visa are the same for men and women (ibid.). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. 2. Investment in Real Estate According to the Senior Associate, the property investor visa "is [a] relatively new form of investor visa" (Senior Associate 9 Aug. 2016). The same source indicated that to his knowledge, this type of visa is only issued by the Dubai emirate (ibid. 10 Aug. 2016). He further stated that, in order to obtain an investor visa under this stream, the applicant must meet the following: Eligibility conditions The property should be owned by the applicant; The property should be a flat/apartment or villa; It should be in the free hold area (i.e. the area where foreigners are permitted to own properties); The current value of the property should be a minimum of AED 1 million [approximately C$351,784]; The property should not be [a] lease to owner or a lease of 99 years; If the property is mortgaged, at least 50% of the value of the property should have been paid; and The title deed should be issued from [the] Dubai Land Department. Requirements Original and copy of the title deed of the property; Original passport with copies; Copy of the current UAE residency visa (if any); Certificate of Good Conduct from the Dubai Police; and Passport size photo. Process After submission of the above mentioned documents to the Dubai Land Department, the Dubai Land Department will process the application. After the application is processed, the applicant will be issued a "visa license" pursuant to which he will sponsor his investor visa. After payment of the necessary fees for issuance of a "visa license", the original title deed will be required to be presented to the Dubai Land Department. Thereafter, the Dubai Land Department will transfer the application to [the] Dubai Immigration Department for [the] processing of [the] visa application. Necessary fees will be required to be paid to the Dubai Land Department and the Dubai Immigration Department. (ibid. 9 Aug. 2016) The Senior Associate specified that the fees for a property investor visa amount to approximately 11,000 AED [approximately C$3,870] in addition to a refundable deposit of 3,000 AED [approximately C$1,055] (ibid. 10 Aug. 2016). The same source further explained that the 11,000 AED amount includes a fee of 8,440 AED [approximately C$2,968] which is required to be paid every 4 years for the "visa license" (ibid.). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. According to Residency Invest, in order to get an investor residency visa through investment in real estate, the investor must buy a property of at least 1 million AED [approximately C$351,784] and prove that their monthly income amounts to 10,000 AED [approximately C$3,518] (n.d.a). 2.1 Requirements for Dependent Family Members Sources indicate that the investor visa allows the holder to sponsor their family members (FBS Kotsomitis n.d.a; Senior Associate 9 Aug. 2016) in order for them to obtain a residency permit (ibid.). The Senior Legal Consultant stated that a resident with investor status can get a residence visa for his wife, children and parents (9 Aug. 2016). According to the Senior Associate, [d]ependents are generally considered the spouse, parents, siblings ( female minors, female adults unless married, and males up to 18 years old provided parents are also sponsored by the investor visa holder or [their] father has passed away), and children ( female minors, female adults unless married, and males up to 18 years old). (Senior Associate 9 Aug. 2016) The website of Focus Business Services Kotsomitis (FBS Kotsomitis), an "international professional services network" based in the UAE which provides services such as "wealth management" and "company and trust formation," among others (FBS Kotsomitis n.d.b), indicates that in order to sponsor a family member, the applicant must submit the application form, passport photos, passport copy, and visa entry stamp (ibid. n.d.a). Further and corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. According to the Senior Legal Consultant, a resident with investor status can only sponsor his wife and children if his salary amounts to "at least" 7,000 AED [approximately C$ 2,462] and if he rents housing in the UAE, whereas sponsoring parents requires a salary of "at least" 15,000 AED [approximately C$5,275] and a dwelling of "at least" two rooms (9 Aug. 2016). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. The Senior Legal Consultant stated that a resident cannot renew residency visas for their children once they reach the age of 18 years (Senior Legal Consultant 9 Aug. 2016). For the resident's children to obtain a visa after they turn 18, they must apply for their own work or study visa (ibid.). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. 3. Frequency of Renewal and Procedures to Renew According to sources, the investor residence visa must be renewed every three years (Senior Legal Consultant 9 Aug. 2016; Senior Associate 9 Aug. 2016; FBS Kotsomitis n.d.a). FBS Kotsomitis specified that an investor residence visa holder can stay in the UAE for a period of three years, after which the visa is renewable; as long as the visa holder does not leave the country for more than six months, their visa will not expire (ibid.). For more information on the validity of a residence visa when the resident leaves the UAE, see Response to Information Request ARE105443 of April 2016. According to Residency Invest, the investor residence visa obtained through investment in real estate is also valid for a period of three years (n.d.a). In contrast, the Senior Associate stated that the property investor visa is valid for two years (Senior Associate 9 Aug. 2016). According to sources, in order to renew an investor residence visa, the holder must follow the same procedure as when filing an initial application (ibid.; Senior Legal Consultant 9 Aug. 2016), except for the medical examination which is not required for the renewal (ibid.) 4. Whether the Investor's Status Can be Cancelled Sources indicated that the investor resident visa can only be cancelled by its holder (Senior Associate 9 Aug. 2016; Senior Legal Consultant 9 Aug. 2016) or by the UAE authorities for security reasons (ibid.). Corroborating information on the cancellation by the UAE authorities could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. The Senior Associate noted that the holder of an investor visa can submit an application to the Dubai Immigration Department in order to have their own visa cancelled (ibid.). 5. Rights to Employment, Education, Health Care, and Travel in and out of the Country According to sources, foreign residents of the UAE can travel in and out of the country without restrictions (Senior Legal Consultant 9 Aug. 2016; Senior Associate 9 Aug. 2016). For more information on the right of a foreign resident to leave the country, see Response to Information Request ARE105443 of April 2016. Without providing further detail, the Senior Associate stated that investor resident visa holders can access education, healthcare, and housing; he specified however that "these rights are not free" (10 Aug. 2016). Similarly, the Senior Legal Consultant stated that residents must "reimburse the costs of access to health and education services" (Senior Legal Consultant 9 Aug. 2016). Sources state that the investor residence visa obtained through an investment in a UAE company gives the investor the right to live and work in the UAE, provided that they "meet government requirements" (Residency Invest n.d.a) or abide by the country's laws and "codes of conduct" (Bukh Global Partners n.d.a). The Senior Legal Consultant indicated that investors can only work in the company for which they have been issued their residence visas (9 Aug. 2016). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. According to Residency Invest, the investor who obtained their residence visa through investment in real estate is not allowed to work in the UAE (n.d.a). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. 5.1 Rights for Dependent Family Members Information on the rights of dependent family members of investor residence visa holders was scarce among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. According to the Senior Legal Consultant, the investor residence visa holder's children are not allowed to work in the UAE as dependent family members (Senior Legal Consultant 9 Aug. 2016). In order to be able to work in the UAE, they must apply for a separate work visa (ibid.). Without providing further detail, the Senior Associate stated that "[t]he investor visa holder can obtain health insurance for his family members" (9 Aug. 2016). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request. References Abu Dhabi. N.d. Abu Dhabi eGovernment Gateway. "Investor Residency Permit." [Accessed 31 Aug. 2016] Afridi & Angell Legal Consultants. N.d. "Expertise." [Accessed 18 Aug. 2016] Bukh Global Partners. N.d.a. "Investor Visa to the United Arab Emirates." [Accessed 5 Aug. 2016] Bukh Global Partners. N.d.b. "About Us." [Accessed 15 Aug. 2016] City International Advocates & Legal Consultants. N.d. "Our Services." [Accessed 18 Aug. 2016] Focus Business Services Kotsomitis (FBS Kotsomitis). N.d.a. "3-Year Investor Residence Visas." [Accessed 5 Aug. 2016] Focus Business Services Kotsomitis (FBS Kotsomitis). N.d.b. "Group Profile and Services." [Accessed 15 Aug. 2016] Residency Invest. N.d.a. "UAE Investor Visa." [Accessed 12 Aug. 2016] Residency Invest. N.d.b. "Home." [Accessed 15 Aug. 2016] Senior Associate, Afridi & Angell Legal Consultants, Dubai. 10 August 2016. Correspondence with the Research Directorate. Senior Associate, Afridi & Angell Legal Consultants, Dubai. 9 August 2016. Correspondence with the Research Directorate. Senior Legal Consultant, City International Advocates & Legal Consultants, Dubai. 9 August 2016. Correspondence with the Research Directorate. United Arab Emirates (UAE). 23 August 2016. Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Ottawa. Telephone interview with a consular officer. United Arab Emirates (UAE). N.d. General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs-Dubai (DNRD). "Submit Labour Entry Visa - Partner or Foreign Investor." [Accessed 5 Aug. 2016] Additional Sources Consulted Oral sources: Canadian Business Council of Abu Dhabi; Canadian Business Council of Dubai and Northern Emirates; nine lawyers in the United Arab Emirates; United Arab Emirates General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Interior. Internet sites, including: DubaiFAQs; ecoi.net; Factiva; First Gate Business Services; Freedom House; Gulfstay.com; The National; UN Refworld; US Department of State. United Arab Emirates: Exit procedures and documents required for resident foreigners who leave the country, including whether the residence permit is cancelled when the resident leaves the UAE; whether the holder of a valid residence permit can return to the UAE, particularly more than six months after departure; whether foreign workers can remain in the UAE after retirement; whether a sponsor can cancel a residence permit while the holder is abroad (2014-April 2016) Publisher Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada Publication Date 14 April 2016 Citation / Document Symbol ARE105443.E Related Document(s) Emirats arabes unis : information sur les procedures de sortie et les documents requis pour les etrangers residents qui quittent le pays; information indiquant si le permis de residence est revoque lorsque le resident quitte les Emirats arabes unis; information indiquant si le titulaire d'un permis de residence valide peut retourner aux Emirats arabes unis, particulierement s'il s'est ecoule plus de six mois depuis son depart; information indiquant si les travailleurs etrangers peuvent demeurer aux Emirats arabes unis apres leur depart a la retraite; information indiquant si un repondant peut demander la revocation du permis de residence d'une personne se trouvant a l'etranger (2014-avril 2016) Cite as Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, United Arab Emirates: Exit procedures and documents required for resident foreigners who leave the country, including whether the residence permit is cancelled when the resident leaves the UAE; whether the holder of a valid residence permit can return to the UAE, particularly more than six months after departure; whether foreign workers can remain in the UAE after retirement; whether a sponsor can cancel a residence permit while the holder is abroad (2014-April 2016), 14 April 2016, ARE105443.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58a5ae1e4.html [accessed 6 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa 1. Foreign Resident Permits In an interview with the Research Directorate, a consular officer at the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Ottawa stated that foreigners require sponsors to obtain residence permits in the UAE (UAE 29 Feb. 2016). The same source explained that [s]ponsors can be either a UAE national who wishes to sponsor a foreigner for various reasons (as a maid for example), or an employer who wishes to hire a foreigner (the most frequent case), or a foreign resident who sponsors a family member. Residency permits for workers are valid for 2-3 years, depending on the type of job that the resident has in the UAE. (ibid.) 1.1 Temporary Exit According to the consular officer at the UAE Embassy in Ottawa, [o]nce a foreign national has a residence permit in the UAE, they can leave the country and come back whenever they want, provided that they don't leave for more than six consecutive months. (UAE 29 Feb. 2016) Similarly, in correspondence with the Research Directorate, a lawyer in Dubai who specializes in UAE employment matters stated that a resident foreigner can exit and re-enter the country on multiple occasions with a valid residence visa, unless they are outside the UAE for more than six months (Lawyer 17 Feb. 2016). In correspondence with the Research Directorate, a legal consultant based in the UAE who works with foreign investors in Abu Dhabi specified that "[t]emporary departures do not require any action, provided the resident returns within 6 months" (Legal consultant 21 Feb. 2016). 1.2 Re-entry After More than Six Months The consular officer indicated that, [i]f a foreign resident is out of the UAE for more than six consecutive months, they will not be allowed to re-enter the country. The computerized system will not recognize their residency anymore, which will have become invalid. To re-enter the country, they would need a new residency permit. (UAE 29 Feb. 2016) Similarly, the lawyer stated that foreign residence permit holders absent from the UAE for a term exceeding six months "have to obtain a new visa" to re-enter the country (Lawyer 17 Feb. 2016). However, sources noted that the residency permit of a foreign resident who remains abroad for more than six consecutive months is not automatically cancelled by UAE authorities (ibid.; UAE 29 Feb. 2016). The lawyer stated that, [s]ometimes, the authorities [allow the resident to enter] if the overstay is only one or two weeks; however, [this] is entirely at the discretion of the Immigration Department official who processes the entering individual. (Lawyer 17 Feb. 2016) According to the consular officer, a foreigner who exits the UAE for a period exceeding six months cannot obtain a new residence permit before "officially cancelling their former residency" (UAE 29 Feb. 2016). The same source explained that until the individual officially files for cancellation of their previous permit, [i]t will be very difficult for them to request documents like a certificate of good conduct for example. In most cases, their sponsor will also have to pay a penalty to the UAE authorities. (ibid.) Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. The consular officer described the following procedure for cancelling a residence permit while the holder is abroad: If a resident is outside the UAE and needs their residency status to be cancelled (because they have decided not to come back; or they have overpassed the six-month period outside the UAE and cannot come back; or they have left definitively but have not properly cancelled their residency status as required by the UAE authorities), they can try to reach an agreement with their sponsor in the UAE for the sponsor to clear their name (i.e. to make sure that there is no ban on their name for future residency application). If, for any reason, it is not possible to reach the sponsor or to find an agreement with the sponsor, the resident can use a Power of Attorney (a legal document that gives someone else the right to act on your behalf) to designate a trusted person in the UAE who will contact their sponsor on their behalf for the sponsor to proceed with the cancellation of their residency permit. The resident will have to send their passport to the trusted person. (ibid.) 1.3 Exceptions to the Six-Month Rule The consular officer stated that [t]here are some exceptions to the six-month rule based on the resident's reasons for being outside for more than six months (for example when the resident studies or receives a medical treatment abroad). The resident needs to send a document attesting their situation (such as a medical report) to their sponsor in the UAE [to be granted an extension]. The document must be legalized by the ministry of foreign affairs of the host country and by the UAE Embassy in the host country. Once [the sponsor] receive[s] the document, [they] must apply for an extension and, if the extension is granted, send a copy of the authorization to the resident, who will use this copy when [re]-entering the UAE. (ibid.) 2. Procedures for Permanent Exit Sources state that the procedure to exit the UAE permanently requires the cancellation of the resident visa prior to departure (UN 22 Feb. 2013, para. 6; Legal consultant 21 Feb. 2016; UAE 29 Feb. 2016). The consular officer described the regular exit procedure as follows: Ideally, a resident does not leave the UAE before their residency has been cancelled. When leaving the country, a resident must have their passport with a cancellation stamp on their visa. Official cancellation of the residency permit is taken care of by the sponsor, who must apply for cancellation at the Ministry of Interior of the UAE. In order to cancel their sponsored resident's residency permit, the sponsor needs to send, together with the application, the resident's passport (which contains the residency visa) as well as proof that the resident has paid all their bills (including credit card, rent and fines), received all due money from their employer, and, if applicable, that anything agreed upon between the employer and the employee before employment (when the sponsor is the employer) has been sorted out before cancellation [1]. If the individual's residence visa has expired and fines have accumulated, however, then the fines must be settled (either by payment or by waiver) before the individual will be allowed to leave the country. (ibid.) Similarly, the legal consultant stated that it is the foreign resident's sponsor who files the visa cancellation application with immigration authorities and also that before the final exit from the UAE, a "foreign resident in the U.A.E. must clear all utility bills, close all bank accounts and pay off all traffic fines" (Legal consultant 21 Feb. 2016). According to the same source, "[p]rovided everything is in order, cancellation usually comes through within 48 hours" (ibid.). Corroborating information on the processing time for the cancellation of a visa could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. Article 59 of the Executive Regulations of the Federal Law N (6) of 1973 on Entry and Residence of Foreigners states that upon [the residence permit's] expiry or earlier cancellation, the holder should leave the country within a maximum period of thirty days. (UAE 1997, Art.59) Two oral sources also indicated that once the residence permit is cancelled, the holder has 30 days in which to leave the country (Legal consultant 21 Feb. 2016; Lawyer 17 Feb. 2016). Articles 77 and 78 of the Executive Regulations of the Federal Law N (6) of 1973 on Entry and Residence of Foreigners define the regulations regarding daily fines to be paid by foreign residents who overstay in the UAE (UAE 1997, Art. 77 and 78). Without providing details, the legal consultant confirmed that "[a] daily fine is payable for each day of overstay" (Legal consultant 21 Feb. 2016). A copy of Articles 77 and 78 of the regulations are attached to this Response 2.1 Documents Required upon Exit The consular officer stated that, "[w]hen leaving the [UAE], a resident must have their passport with a cancellation stamp on their visa" (UAE 29 Feb. 2016). According to the lawyer, [f]or a foreigner who holds a U.A.E. residence visa, the procedures for exit from the U.A.E. are relatively simple. No special exit permit is required. Instead, the foreigner is required only to exit the U.A.E. from a recognized exit point (either a recognized airport, seaport or terrestrial border crossing). An exit stamp is stamped in the passport of the departing individual. No other formalities are required. (Lawyer 17 Feb. 2016) 3. Whether a Sponsor Can Cancel a Resident Permit While the Holder Is Abroad According to the legal consultant, "[a] sponsor can only cancel the visa of the sponsored foreign resident if the foreign resident remains abroad for more than 6 months" (Legal consultant 21 Feb. 2016). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. According to the lawyer, [t]he sponsor of the residence visa has the right to cancel the residence visa while the holder is outside of the U.A.E. The routine way to accomplish this would be for the residence visa holder to send the passport back to the sponsor, along with the signed cancellation forms, and for the sponsor then to attend to cancellation in the U.A.E [i]f the residence visa holder is not cooperating with the sponsor or cannot be reached, then the sponsor will usually report the residence visa holder as having "absconded," which means having broken contact with the sponsor without advance notice. This results in cancellation of the visa and reducing the sponsor's employee headcount in the U.A.E. (Lawyer 17 Feb. 2016) 4. Consequences of Absconding The lawyer stated that, [t]echnically, absconding is an immigration offense, and if the offense is not removed from the employee's records then the employee can be taken into custody by the law enforcement authorities and then fined and deported. It can also make it more difficult for the employee in question to obtain employment in the U.A.E. in the future. In some cases, the employer must post a bank guarantee with the Ministry of Labor covering the repatriation costs of the employee, in case the employee is taken into custody and is deported at the expense of the U.A.E. government. (ibid.) According to a 2013 UN Report of the Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, foreign residents who are considered to be absconding are "subject to a 12 month-ban" (UN 22 Feb. 2013, para. 5). The same report specifies that "sponsors failing to report 'absconding' workers are subject to heavy fines" (ibid.). Further information on the consequences of absconding could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. 5. Remaining in the UAE After Retirement Sources stated that it is not permitted for a foreign resident to remain in the UAE after retirement (UAE 29 Feb. 2016; Legal consultant 21 Feb. 2016; Lawyer 17 Feb. 2016). However, according to the lawyer, there are two exceptions to this rule, which he described as follows: If a foreign residence visa holder is the proprietor, partner or shareholder of a U.A.E. business, then the individual might be eligible for a "proprietor" or a "partner" residence visa. This type of residence visa is issued without regard to whether the person can produce an employment contract or labor permit. The holder may reside in the U.A.E. for as long as the visa remains valid. Such a visa may be renewed for as long as the holder remains a shareholder or proprietor of the business in question. A second option is available for owners of real estate. This kind of visa used to be more generally available, but now is available only to owners of real estate in certain high end districts of Dubai. Such an individual would hold a residence visa sponsored by the relevant real estate developer which likewise may be renewed for as long as the holder remains the owner of the real estate in question. (ibid.) Similarly, the consular officer stated that, if a foreign resident starts a business, "they could stay with an investor residency permit" after retiring (UAE 29 Feb. 2016). However, according to the same source, [s]ome real estate developers promise their clients that, if they purchase real estate from them, they will also get residency. However, this needs to be discussed with the developer and is not guaranteed by the UAE. (ibid.) The legal consultant gave the opinion that "[a]ny foreign resident who obtains permission to remain resident after retirement is a truly exceptional case" (Legal consultant 21 Feb. 2016). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request. Note [1] The conuslar officer provided the following example: [I]f the employer pays for the employee's [education] on the condition that the employee works for them for a certain period of time, the employee who quits their job before the end of this period of time has to compensate the employer as agreed upon before employment. (UAE 29 Feb. 2016) References Lawyer, Dubai. 17 February 2016. Correspondence with the Research Directorate. Legal consultant, Abu Dhabi. 21 February 2016. Correspondence with the Research Directorate. United Arab Emirates (UAE). 29 February 2016. Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Ottawa. Interview with a consular officer. United Arab Emirates (UAE). 1997. Executive Regulations of the Federal Law N (6) of 1973 on Entry and Residence of Foreigners. [Accessed 1 Apr. 2016] United Nations (UN). 22 February 2013. Human Rights Council. Report of the Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children, Joy Ngozi Ezeilo. Addendum. Mission to the United Arab Emirates. [Accessed 1 Apr. 2016] Additional Sources Consulted Oral sources: Canadian Business Council Abu Dhabi; Canadian Business Council Dubai; Journalist at the National; Lawyers in the United Arab Emirates; United Arab Emirates General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Interior; United Nations International Labour Organization Regional Office for Arab States. Internet sites, including: Canada Global Affairs; Dubai Employment Tips; Factiva; Freedom House; Gulf Jobs Market; Gulf Stay; Human Rights Watch; The National; United Arab Emirates Dubai Government, General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs; United Nations International Labour Organization. Attachment United Arab Emirates. 1997. Executive Regulations of the Federal Law N (6) of 1973 on Entry and Residence of Foreigners. Articles 77 and 78. [Accessed 1 Apr. 2016] Iraq: Looting, Destruction by Forces Fighting ISIS Publisher Human Rights Watch Publication Date 16 February 2017 Cite as Human Rights Watch, Iraq: Looting, Destruction by Forces Fighting ISIS, 16 February 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58a5b4344.html [accessed 6 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Armed forces fighting Islamic State (also known as ISIS) to retake a town and four villages near Mosul looted, damaged, and destroyed homes, Human Rights Watch said today. There was no apparent military necessity for the demolitions, which may amount to war crimes and which took place between November 2016 and February 2017. The Iraqi authorities should investigate allegations of war crimes and hold those responsible to account, Human Rights Watch said. The United States and other countries providing military assistance to the Iraqi Security Forces should press the government to carry out these investigations. The United Nations Human Rights Council should expand the investigation it established in 2014 on ISIS abuses to include serious violations by all parties, including the Popular Mobilization Forces (known as the PMF or Hashd al-Sha'abi), units that were formed largely to combat ISIS, and are under the direct command of Prime Minister al-Abadi. "Absent a legitimate military objective, there is no excuse for destroying civilian homes," said Lama Fakih, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. "All the destruction does is to keep civilians from going home." To the southwest of Mosul, Human Rights Watch documented looting and extensive demolition of buildings in three villages using explosives, heavy machinery, and fire. Witness statements about the extent and timing of the demolitions, between late December and early February, were corroborated by satellite imagery showing the destruction of at least 345 buildings, including the main mosque, in the village of Ashwa during that time. Satellite imagery reviewed by Human Rights Watch showed that the abuses took place after anti-ISIS forces incorporated the villages into a large network of earthen berms and trenches. Locals told Human Rights Watch the only armed forces in the areas taken from ISIS were different groups within the PMF. Human Rights Watch asked a representative of the PMF about the destruction in all three villages. In a written response received on February 12, the PMF stated that some buildings were used as artillery positions by ISIS while other houses were booby-trapped by ISIS in order to detonate around advancing PMF forces. They also said the PMF slowed their advance for nearly two days to avoid destroying infrastructure and private property and that after being pushed out, ISIS forces continued to aim artillery fire at the villages. The PMF did not say how long ISIS attacks on the villages continued and did not provide the number of homes destroyed by ISIS or say which groups within the PMF were in the villages. The statement did not acknowledge that the PMF conducted extensive property demolitions after retaking the areas, let alone provide an explanation for the destruction. Despite the PMF statement about booby-trapped homes, the satellite imagery reviewed by Human Rights Watch shows that the houses were destroyed by explosives, heavy machinery, and fire after the PMF had retaken the villages. Burning, demolishing, or bulldozing homes is a wholly inappropriate mechanism for mine clearance, and would likely detonate any improvised explosive devices (IEDs). In addition, almost all of the burnt buildings still have their load-bearing exterior and interior walls intact, with only the roof missing, which is inconsistent with IED blasts. Given the broader investigation and the continued pattern of destruction for almost two months after the PMF were firmly in control of the area, Human Rights Watch did not find evidence to support claims that the demolitions may have been undertaken for legitimate military reasons. Satellite imagery shows that the PMF incorporated the retaken villages within a security network of earthen berms and trenches. That network suggests that the whole area inside was well enough protected that there would have been no military need for PMF forces to demolish the homes inside the secured zone. In addition, satellite imagery shows no demolitions in other villages nearby; if there was a military need for the destruction, there should be a more even distribution of demolitions in adjacent villages. The laws of war prohibit attacks on civilian property except when an enemy is using it for military purposes. They also prohibit indiscriminate attacks, including attacks that treat an entire area, such as a village, as a military objective. Human Rights Watch also documented looting and burning of homes in two villages southeast of Mosul: in the Christian town of Bakhdida, also known as Hamdaniyah or Qaraqosh, and the mixed Sunni and Christian village of al-Khidir. The looting and destruction took place after they were retaken from ISIS, between November 2016 and January 2017. Multiple forces including the Nineveh Plain Protection Units (NPU), the Iraqi military's 9th Division, local police, and Federal Police were present in Bakhdida, according to military personnel in the area and residents interviewed by Human Rights Watch. Human Rights Watch was unable to identify the specific forces responsible for these abuses. In al-Khidir, 30 kilometers southeast of Mosul, Human Rights Watch also saw evidence of looted homes. Residents said that they fled the village one week before the area was retaken, on November 19, and when they returned home 20 days later, their homes had been looted. During that time there were several PMF units present, including the Christian Babylon Brigades, according to military personnel in the area. Elsewhere in Iraq, Human Rights Watch has documented looting and destruction of civilian property, amounting to war crimes by the PMF and by the Kurdistan Regional Government's Peshmerga forces, in their operations to retake territory from ISIS. Iraqi authorities should take immediate steps to investigate these alleged war crimes and other allegations of unlawful demolitions, looting, and destruction of civilian property. They should hold armed forces that loot or destroy civilian property to account. The committee established by law to compensate victims of "terrorism and military errors" should process claims of victims of looting and destruction by armed forces. "The Iraqi government may win its fight against ISIS, but it also needs to win the peace," Fakih said. "That will be difficult if forces under its control violate international laws by looting and destroying the homes of local villagers." Ashwa Human Rights Watch interviewed six residents of the village of Ashwa, who said that on December 12, 2016, ISIS forces who had taken control of the area in June 2014 left the village as fighters belonging to the PMF's League of the Righteous (Asa'ib Ahl al-Haqq) and the Ali al-Akbar Brigade (Lua Ali al-Akbar) took control of the area. The residents could identify which PMF groups came to the village from their banners, flags, and badges. Once the PMF took over, they told residents to leave the area for a displaced persons camp to the south. Residents said ISIS prevented locals from fleeing by reinforcing pre-existing security earthen berms surrounding the village. Human Rights Watch reviewed satellite imagery that showed ISIS had substantially reinforced the berms by August 2016. When the PMF arrived, the residents said they opened up a section of the berm so that villagers could leave. Satellite imagery of the village shows that after the PMF captured it, they incorporated the pre-existing berms into much larger, newly-constructed security earthen berms to the south and west of the village between December 11 and December 22. Human Rights Watch reviewed satellite images that show 46 buildings were destroyed between December 8 and December 20, and an additional 94 buildings were destroyed between December 20 and February 10. Visible damage signatures were consistent with the use of high explosives, heavy machinery, and fire. One of the buildings destroyed by explosives was the Ashwa Mosque, the primary mosque in the village. Mashirafat al-Jisr Human Rights Watch interviewed three displaced residents of Mashirafat al-Jisr, the neighboring village to Ashwa. One said that on the morning of December 12, at about 10 a.m., he saw four cars with ISIS fighters pull into the village and immediately come under fire. At that time, the majority of the village residents, roughly 100 people, fled by car to a nearby hill, residents told Human Rights Watch, and watched as ISIS forces left the village and fighters flying PMF banners entered. One villager remained behind to protect his property. He said he saw 10 cars arrive, and the fighters who descended introduced themselves to him as members of the Martyrs of Sayyid Battalions (Kata'ib Sayyid al-Shuhada). They told him to leave the area, to which he responded that if the villagers returned to find their homes looted he would blame their unit. He said he left, joined the other villagers, and traveled on to a camp, where they remained. The three residents said that most villagers did not return home but seven days later, one young villager who was recruited by the PMF inside the camp went back to the village with two other new recruits and sent his relatives photos suggesting their homes had been looted or destroyed. The photos, which Human Rights Watch saw, show at least one house burned from the inside, one house destroyed, and two looted. One of the new recruits said that when he got to the village on December 19, he saw that many homes had been destroyed, and those still standing had been looted, many had also been burned. At that time, the village was under the control of the PMF unit League of the Righteous. He heard one fighter ask a League of the Righteous officer what had happened in the village, and he replied that the homes had been full of IEDs. He also said that the Martyrs of Sayyid Battalions had been in the area at one point, but did not give a date. The satellite imagery shows that more than 90 per cent of the affected buildings in the village were destroyed by fire. Human Rights Watch reviewed satellite images of the village taken on December 6, January 1, January 24, and February 2. The first set showed no signs of significant building damage, the later images showed that 100 buildings had likely been burnt down or demolished with high explosives. In addition, the village appears to have been incorporated into a military post, with security earthen berms running along the western edge. Khoytlah Anti-ISIS fighters retook the village of Khoytlah from ISIS on December 13, at which point all the residents left and have not yet returned. Federal Police officers at a base in Qayyarah told Human Rights Watch that the PMF retook the village from ISIS and that only PMF fighters remained in the area after the clashes. Human Rights Watch was unable to identify which PMF were present. A local leader who was present in the village under ISIS and withdrew as the village was being retaken by the PMF said that he did not witness ISIS destroying buildings before he and the rest of the villagers left their homes. Human Rights Watch reviewed satellite images of the village that showed armed forces likely demolished at least 63 buildings with explosives, heavy machinery, and fire between December 8 and 22, and an additional 47 buildings between December 22 and February 10. A satellite image taken on January 1 captured a smoke plume from an active building fire, indicating burning continued in the village two weeks after it had been occupied by anti-ISIS forces. Southeast of Mosul Bakhdida In early January, Human Rights Watch researchers visited the Christian town of Bakhdida, 20 kilometers southeast of Mosul, and observed evidence of extensive looting and burning of homes. Human Rights Watch spoke with six residents who had been displaced from the town in 2014 when ISIS took it over and were now living in Erbil. Three said their homes in Bakhdida had been looted and three others said their homes were damaged by fire after anti-ISIS forces took control of the town in October. Human Rights Watch reviewed satellite images of the town from October 18, showing multiple building fires burning across the city before anti-ISIS forces took over, but the displaced residents who spoke to Human Rights Watch said that they visited their homes after anti-ISIS forces took over the town and saw that they had not been impacted by the fighting or intentional destruction under ISIS. In the months following the ISIS withdrawal, no residents were living in the town and it was occupied only by anti-ISIS security forces, according to the residents interviewed by Human Rights Watch. According to local military personnel, the Nineveh Plain Protection Units (NPU), an Assyrian Christian brigade within the PMF, the Iraqi military's 9th Division, and local and federal police took control of the town after ISIS was forced out . Human Rights Watch passed through NPU checkpoints in the town and saw NPU graffiti tags on walls throughout the town. Three displaced residents told researchers that in the days after the town was retaken by a range of anti-ISIS forces, on October 22, they traveled back to their town from Erbil to check on their homes and saw that their homes were not damaged and that most of their personal items were still there. They said that after surveying their property they locked up and returned to Erbil. Afterwards they returned regularly to the town and said that during these visits, from mid-November to early January, they saw their homes had been broken into and the contents looted. Another displaced resident told Human Rights Watch that he visited his home on November 6, and found that the federal police had established a base in the building next door, and the NPU another behind his house. At the time, he said some of his furniture and personal belongings had been moved out onto his lawn but that his belongings were for the most part still there. He said that his home had not been damaged. He returned to the town again on November 21, but this time said that he found that some of his furniture and one room had been burned. He went to the Federal Police base to ask what had happened, and an officer said that the fire had somehow been the result of a recent ISIS insurgent attack, without providing any details. Human Rights Watch could not verify whether such an attack occurred. A fifth resident also displaced to Erbil since 2014, told Human Rights Watch that he visited his home in Bakhdida on December 2, and saw no signs of damage to his property. He said at that point the town was occupied by anti-ISIS forces, including from the local police and NPU, and the situation was calm. He said he left at 3 p.m. the same day, and two days later, his cousin called to say he had seen the house had been burned from the inside. The resident returned to the town on December 5, and confirmed that his house had been set on fire. He told Human Rights Watch he heard a rumor in mid-January that the local police, in conjunction with the NPU, had arrested two men from the Shabak community (a minority group in Iraq) accused of having committed another arson attack, and had sent them to Baghdad. Human Rights Watch was unable to confirm this or to connect these men to any of documented incidents of home burning Another resident, also displaced to Erbil, who had visited his home in Bakhdida on December 26 and confirmed his property was not damaged, received a call on January 10 from a friend who said he heard that his house had been burned. The resident traveled back home the next morning and confirmed it had been destroyed. He said that while there, he saw local police and NPU fighters present in the town and that other anti-ISIS fighters may have also been there. Al-Khidir In the village of al-Khidir, 30 kilometers southeast of Mosul, Human Rights Watch also saw evidence of destruction of a few homes in early January. Three residents said that they fled the village one week before the area was retaken by anti-ISIS forces on November 19, and when they returned home 20 days later, their homes had been looted. During that time, according to military personnel in the area, there were several PMF units present, including the Babylon Brigades. A local commander present in the area throughout the operation, told Human Rights Watch that he had observed the extensive looting, knew which forces were behind it, but would not divulge their identity. His statement, however, reflected that the looting was not done by ISIS fighters before they withdrew from the village, Human Rights Watch said. Copyright notice: Copyright, Human Rights Watch Situation in Central African Republic warrants continued international attention, UN Security Council told Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 15 February 2017 Cite as UN News Service, Situation in Central African Republic warrants continued international attention, UN Security Council told, 15 February 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58a5b54a40e.html [accessed 6 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. 15 February 2017 - Despite improving security situation in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic (CAR), concerns remain in other parts of the country, the top United Nations peacekeeping official told the Security Council today, underlining the need for continued international attention. Particularly worrying were clashes between the Front populaire pour la renaissance de la Centrafrique and the Union pour la paix en Centrafrique groups in the country's central region which had assumed ethnic overtones, said Herve Ladsous, Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping in his briefing to the 15-member Council. He added that the two groups were outside an ongoing dialogue, established by the country's President, Faustin Archange Touadera, with other armed groups which was making progress in such areas as disarmament, demobilization and reintegration. In the briefing, the UN official further said that the organization supported an initiative for a national peace and reconciliation agreement recently launched by the African Union, the Economic Community of Central African States (ECOWAS) and the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, as well as Angola, Chad and the Congo. Similarly, adapting to the changes, the UN mission in the country (MINUSCA) is rearranging its deployment to ensure greater flexibility and dedicate more forces to its operations. Also, the Portuguese rapid reaction force is now in place and French surveillance drones will be deployed to deter activities of armed groups. On the humanitarian side, Mr. Ladsous voiced concern, particularly for the areas outside the capital. He informed the council that more than half of the population (over 2.2 million people) faced food insecurity and more than 100,000 had been newly displaced. RELATED: Fresh violence in Central African Republic western town displaces thousands, UN office says Furthermore, with 31 per cent of global security incidents involving non-governmental personnel reported in CAR in 2016, the country remained particularly challenging for aid workers. Going forward, he urged the international community to continue to support the CAR, and pointed out that, all too often, it reacted at the height of a crisis, only to exit before economic development had taken root and human rights had been assured. Also briefing the Council today, Omar Hilale, the Permanent Representative of Morocco to the United Nations and the Chair of the Central African Republic configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission echoed Mr. Ladsous concerns regarding the security situation. Recent clashes in which hundreds were killed and thousands more displaced underscored the need to urgently address the security challenges, he stressed. Further, Mr. Hilale also hailed the Government's adoption of a national disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation strategy, a security policy, and a five-year capacity-building and development plan, and called on the to tackle the root causes of the conflict and urged the international community for their support. He also informed the Security Council that an international conference on the CAR, held in the Belgian capital, Brussels, in November last year generated $2.2 billion in pledges and spoke of the Peacebuilding Commission's work in the country. Shattered war economy encourages child marriage in Yemen Publisher IRIN Publication Date 15 February 2017 Cite as IRIN, Shattered war economy encourages child marriage in Yemen, 15 February 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58a5bb424.html [accessed 6 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. It's impossible to get hard numbers, but child marriage appears to be on the rise in Yemen: a consequence of the extreme poverty caused by nearly two years of devastating war in what was already one of the poorest and least developed countries in the world. Parents are becoming increasingly unable to provide for their families, and interviews conducted by IRIN suggest some are opting to marry their daughters off younger than planned, reversing previous progress towards ending the practice. Safa'a is one of the victims. She used to look forward to weddings - asking for seconds on the sugary juice and chocolates served to children. She liked the drums and the fireworks. But when her day came, Safa'a was only 14 and she had only recently fled her home in the embattled Yemeni city of Taiz. There was no sweetness, no music, and no celebration. She walked from one room to another in a school that now serves as a camp for some of Yemen's 3.1 million displaced, and she was married. The ninth grader's plans to become a teacher were finished in a few footsteps. "Brides [are supposed to] celebrate on their wedding day," Safa'a, now 16, recalls. "But I was crying when I had to leave my mother's room, because I knew I couldn't achieve my dreams. My future would be in my husband's hands, not mine." The teenager now lives inside part of a classroom sectioned with plastic sheeting to accommodate multiple families. She spends her days doing dishes, cooking, and helping her husband's mother. Safa'a doesn't blame her 21-year-old husband - she says she loves him and is glad to have a husband "who can provide enough for me". She doesn't even blame her parents. She just wishes things were different. So does her father. Forty-nine-year-old Abdullah worked selling water from a truck in Taiz city before the war broke out in May 2015. He sold his rig so his family of seven could flee the violence. Once in the school camp in al-Shimayateen, about 70 kilometres from his besieged hometown, Abdullah had to rely on handouts, but they weren't enough for regular meals. "I decided to marry my daughter so she could have a better life and I would have less of a [financial] responsibility," he explains. Two months after they arrived at al-Shimayateen, Safa'a was wed. Back in Taiz, Abdullah had promised to enroll Safa'a in English classes. That is now impossible. He swears his two younger daughters will not follow Safa'a's path. "I am willing to beg, but not to marry my [other] daughters before they finish their studies." Non-existent data There are few accurate figures in Yemen at the moment - hospitals have trouble counting the dead in a decimated health system, and the economy is in such a state of collapse that there are no comprehensive numbers on unemployment. Statistics on child marriage, a subject so sensitive many victims and parents refused to speak to (and even threatened) IRIN, are even scarcer. A 2006 study put the number of girls married before 18 at 52 percent. A 2012 UN Population Fund (UNFPA) survey found that nearly 32 percent of girls in Yemen are married before they turn 18 and almost 10 percent are before the age of 15. These numbers suggest that early marriage - which impacts girls more than boys and is linked to shortened education, dangerous pregnancies, and domestic abuse - had been decreasing before the war. It was certainly on the public radar. One young girl, Nujood, briefly drew international attention to the issue when she successfully sued her husband for divorce at the age of 10. Several laws setting a minimum age for marriage at around 17/18 failed to pass, but child marriage was on the agenda of the National Dialogue Conference that followed the ouster of president Ali Abdullah Saleh in 2011. This process went nowhere as the situation in Yemen degenerated into an all-out international conflict with the start of Saudi-led airstrikes in March 2015. UNFPA warned as early as September 2015 that child marriage seemed to be on the rise again - its interviews with victims found the average age for child marriage among girls was now 15. Jamal al-Shaami, president of the Democracy School in Sana'a, an NGO that focuses on children's issues, confirmed that he has witnessed the same pattern, then and since. "The economic crisis that has hit Yemen in the past two years forced many people to marry their young daughters," he told IRIN. [The families] cannot earn a livelihood and they do not have enough education about the dangers of child marriage." UNFPA's statement said massive war-related displacement and the related economic pressure has meant more families are marrying off their young daughters as a coping mechanism, even to ensure the girls are cared for. Abdulatif al-Adimi, imam of the influential al-Masajad Mosque in Taiz, told IRIN he sees marriage - as long as a girl has reached puberty - as a legitimate way to endure extreme poverty. "If a father cannot provide for his daughter I prefer that she marry than suffer with her parents," he told IRIN. Yemen certainly isn't the only country where the dangerous combination of conflict, displacement, and poverty has led to an increase in young brides - one study found that some 23 percent of Syrian refugees in Lebanon married before 18. The future Although the decision for many parents is tied to economic desperation, 15-year-old Nageeba isn't so sure that's what happened in her case. She was married last April at 14. She is pregnant and has just learnt how childbirth works. She is terrified. "I try to get out of the house and play with my friends to forget I'm pregnant," she says, crying as she recalls her marriage day. Again, there was no celebration, just more tears. Nageeba, who lives in a rural part of Taiz Province, says her father could have taken care of her, and while she misses her siblings and her friends, she says she doesn't miss her father who she "will not forgive". The girl's father was contacted by IRIN but said he wouldn't talk to strangers about a personal matter. "The future for me and my fetus seems dark," says Nageeba. But she is steadfast about one thing. "If my child is a girl," she says, "I won't let her get married before she is 20." Similarly, Safa'a has limited hope for the short term, as she's stuck doing housework in her section of al-Shimayateen camp. But the 16-year-old has plenty to say about her post-war plans. "Someday, I hope to become an activist for women and educate people about the dangers of child marriage," she tells IRIN. "I want to help other children go to school and enjoy their childhoods." Title Syria: Legislative Decree No. 17 of 2015 Publication Date 23 April 2015 Country Syrian Arab Republic Cite as Syria: Legislative Decree No. 17 of 2015 [Syrian Arab Republic], 23 April 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58a5e27d4.html [accessed 6 November 2022] Comments This is an unofficial translation, prepared by UNHCR. UNHCR shall not be held responsible or liable for any misuse of the unofficial translation. Users are advised to consult the original language version or obtain an official translation when formally referencing the law or quoting from it in a language other than the original. A look back on all of our reporting of the Delphi murders since 2017 The hotel half of the new luxury hotel-condo in Brooklyn Bridge Park is now open. Called 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge (there is also a 1 Hotel Central Park), they hosted a preview this morning featuring 1 Hotels founder Barry Sternlicht and Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development, Alicia Glen. There was also a New York Curandera, Chloe Garcia Ponce, on hand for a sage blessing. Because we live in Goop's Brooklyn now. (Photo by Scott Heins/Gothamist) There are 194 rooms (prices starting at $350/night), including 29 two- to six-bedroom suites and a presidential suite called The Riverhouse, which can cost over $5,000 a night. Most rooms offer panoramic views of the East River, the Brooklyn Bridge and the New York City skyline. The 10-story hotel features an eco-conscious design (from INC Architecture & Design), "sustainable architecture, cause-oriented partnerships... a 54 percent ratio of recycled and regionally sourced materials, a rain water reclamation system to irrigate Brooklyn Bridge Park, a nature-driven art collection and real-time LEED standard monitoring." There's also a green wall in the lobby, a rock boulder, and other natural elements worked into the design. Did we mention the fresh farm stand? That's there, too. (Photo by Scott Heins/Gothamist) As for amenities, there's a nine-treatment room Bamford Haybarn Spa (opening in June 2017), a state- of-the-art fitness center, a yoga and barre studio operated by POE Yoga, two restaurants, an intimate 10th floor lounge, a 50-seat screening room, and lobby cocktail service (featuring a botanically driven cocktail program). There's also a rooftop area, with pool and bar, which will not open until May. "But, no complimentary rides in Tesla premium electric vehicles?" you may be wondering. No, they're offering that too, as well as valet parking for bicycles. The first restaurant, Neighbors, is on the ground floor and already serving picnic-fare, however the hotel's main restaurant will not be open until spring. (Photo by Scott Heins/Gothamist) The hotel was built amidst considerable controversy, as it sits inside of the park, and in a neighborhood that successfully rallied against Robert Moses trying to cram the BQE through it. The hotel-condo has partially blocked views from part of the Brooklyn Heights Promenade and Fruit Street Sitting Area, both of the Manhattan skyline and the Brooklyn Bridge, and of course, it has taken up park space... but it's also important to remember that some concrete buildings sat there before, doing the same thing. Only briefly was there glorious open space where the hotel now sits, and the plan was never to keep it that way. A couple of years ago, the now former President of the Brooklyn Bridge Park Corporation, Regina Myer, explained to us why this development was happening: "In 2002, funds to build the park were provided by the city and the state with a mandate that the site itself would generate the revenue to maintain the park in perpetuity. That funding is provided by development on sites at the edges of the park project." Of course, while the revenue-producing site could have included affordable housing, the BBPC is trying to make that happen over on Pier 6. Kim Sok, an analyst on social and political issues who is being sued by Prime Minister Hun Sen, at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court, Feb. 16 2017. Cambodia's Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Thursday denied Kim Soks request to delay a hearing so the social and political commentator can find time to hire an attorney in a $500,000 lawsuit filed by Prime Minister Hun Sen. Court spokesman Ly Sophanna told RFAs Khmer Service that Kim Soks motion to delay was denied without comment. The hearing is scheduled for Friday. Hun Sen sued Kim Sok on Monday for inciting social chaos over accusations that the ruling Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP) had orchestrated the July 2016 murder of popular political analyst Kem Ley. Hun Sen heads the CPP. Kim Sok told RFA that he couldnt find a lawyer quickly because the attorneys he contacted were shying away from the case, or cost more than he could afford. There are two reasons that they cant help me, he said. One is my case is a big, serious case, and two, I havent found a free lawyer to help me in this case yet, so that I am trying to earn more money in order to hire a proper lawyer. Kim Sok told RFA that what he said about the murder of Kem Ley was not an accusation, but a reflection of what many Cambodians believe. A person who is speaking the truth and wants justice is not a person who is creating social chaos, he told RFA earlier this week. A person who creates serious social chaos is a person who doesnt respect the law. Cambodian courts are notorious for their lack of independence, and opposition politicians and critics of Hun Sen often find themselves before the courts on various charges. A new case Kim Soks legal problems are only likely to multiply as Hun Sen sued him a second time today. The second lawsuit is based on comments Kim Sok made to RFA when explaining the initial comments that got him into trouble. Hun Sen attorney Ky Tech said Hun Sen is demanding 10 million riel (U.S. $2,500) in the new suit. He told RFA that if Kim Sok cant pay, the court will take a measure against him. A person who does wrong cant just run away without compensation, Ky Tech said. If he doesnt have money, the court will send him to jail. During a speech inaugurating a bridge along the Cambodian-Chinese border in Kandal province on Monday, Hun Sen said Kim Sok was inciting social chaos and threatened him with jail and monetary forfeiture. Maybe you will face two years in prison and have to pay all the money, Hun Sen said. Dont even say you dont have money. If you dont have the compensation money, we will confiscate your house and sell it. Monks protest planned Kem Ley was gunned down in broad daylight on July 10 when he stopped in a Star Mart convenience store beside a Caltex gas station in the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh. Although authorities charged a former soldier, identified as Oueth Ang, with the killing, many in Cambodia dont believe the governments story that Kem Ley was killed by the man over a debt. The accused killer had never moved in the same circles as Kem Ley and had used the alias Chuop Samlap, which roughly translated means meet to kill. Just days before he was gunned down, Kem Ley had discussed on an RFA Khmer Service call-in show a report by London-based Global Witness detailing the extent of the wealth of the family of Hun Sen, who has ruled Cambodia for 31 years. On Dec. 23 the Phnom Penh court quietly closed its investigation into the case without revealing its findings. Buddhist monk But Buntenh, founder of the Independent Monk Network for Social Justice told RFA that he will walk with Kim Sok to Phnom Penh Court on Friday in a show of solidarity. He told RFA that several other monks plan to join Kim Sok to march from the Chroy Changva bridge area to the courthouse in a prayerful manner. Reported by Moniroth Morm for RFAs Khmer Service. Translated by Sarada Taing. Written in English by Brooks Boliek. Long Zhenyang, a former editor of a Hong Kong newspaper backed by the ruling Chinese Communist Party, has fled the city and is seeking asylum in the United States, citing political persecution after he showed support for the former British colony's 2014 pro-democracy movement. Long, 47, handed in his resignation as assistant editor-in-chief of the Commercial Daily, one of a trio of Beijing-backed newspapers in the Chinese-controlled territory, after being placed under "political measures" for more than a year. He then traveled with his family without any media fanfare to the United States, where he is applying for political asylum. Now, his former employer has launched a criminal investigation into his departure, accusing him of "leaking" confidential information about behind-the-scenes meetings with the governor of Guangdong province, Ma Xingrui. "I have heard through various channels that [my former employers] are going to initiate a criminal investigation, accusing me of leaking secrets," Long told RFA. "This means they are saying that I disclosed details about the Hong Kong operations of a newspaper controlled by the Communist Party." Long said his secret filming of a meeting between the paper's bosses and Ma Xingrui was among the allegations against him. Political control Long said his defection has likely rankled with the government, because it revealed how directly Beijing wields political control over some Hong Kong newspapers, including via its representative office in the former British colony. "I was saying that the Central Government Liaison office was directly interfering [in the daily operation of the paper]," he said. "From their point of view, all those things are secrets, even though they're the worst-kept secrets. We are all supposed to act like we don't know about them," Long said. Long said investigators had been to his daughter's high school to talk to her teachers and some of the other parents, and will likely probe how he was able to get the funds raised by selling his apartment in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen, which borders Hong Kong, out of China without raising suspicions. "My daughter is at high school in Shenzhen, and they've even been there," he said. "The Chinese Communist Party uses such methods, so if you leave behind close relatives, they'll be in trouble." "I expect they'll also be looking at how the money left the country," he said. "Actually I took it out via Hong Kong; it was more than the maximum amount [for overseas transfers]." After Long's defection became apparent, the Commercial Daily issued a notice of termination of his post, dated Jan. 13. An employee who answered the phone at the Commercial Daily's personnel department said the paper is currently "dealing with" Long's departure, but declined to comment further. 'The wrong number' Long's former boss and Communist Party official Chen Yin said he had been let go due to absenteeism. "You've got the wrong number; he's no longer one of our people," Chen said. "He was removed from the payroll, he resigned." "He was absent for a long time, said he was sick, but he was malingering," Chen said. "It is totally legal to fire him under labor law; he's just talking rubbish about seeking political asylum to capitalize on the whole thing." "It's not very probable [that he was politically persecuted]," he said. In an earlier interview, Long told RFA he had been planning his move for "a couple of years" owing to a worsening political climate in Hong Kong. "Things that never used to happen in Hong Kong have started happening ... including self-censorship by the Hong Kong media," he said. "There is also increasing control, and increasingly open control, of the pro-Beijing media in Hong Kong." "I think it's getting more and more dangerous for any media within the [ruling Chinese Communist Party] system to say anything critical of the government," Long said. He said he had been "marginalized" in the year before his departure, and told to do nothing. "But they didn't have any good reason for getting rid of me, so they just made me uncomfortable," he said. "I was originally in charge of an in-depth reporting team ... but later they just told me I wasn't needed any more." Democracy, religion He dated his treatment at work back to his publicly expressed support for the 2014 Occupy Central pro-democracy movement, and opposition to the forced removal of crosses from Christian churches in the eastern Chinese province of Zhejiang. "I thought [the cross-removal campaign] was an ill-mannered attack on a religious group that hasn't been seen in China since reforms and opening up began [in the 1980s]," he said. "I got several warnings ... after that, I wasn't trusted any more." Long said he had to plan his departure carefully. "The controls on your passport are pretty strict, when it comes to leaving the country," he told RFA. He only later wrote a resignation letter in response to a request from the Commercial Daily, who needed some kind of formal documentation to show their bosses, he said. "I am a democrat by nature, and a patriot, and I always wanted the best for my country," he said. "In the process of trying to get there ... I found God, I found Jesus ... in them I found the answer to all of China's problems." Reported by Wong Siu-san and Lam Kwok-lap for RFA's Cantonese Service, and by Zhu Dan for the Mandarin Service. Translated and written in English by Luisetta Mudie. A man believed to be Kim Jong-Nam, the eldest son of then-North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il, walks past journalists upon his arrival at Beijing international airport, Feb. 10, 2007. Updated at 6:30 a.m. ET on 2017-02-17 China has been asked to claim the body of the half-brother of North Koreas leader who was allegedly murdered at an airport in Malaysia, according to a source Thursday. The second wife of Kim Jong-Nam had asked the Chinese government through its embassy in Kuala Lumpur to claim his body following an autopsy, the source told BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service. Kim died en route to hospital after reportedly telling medical personnel that a woman had attacked him with a chemical spray at Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (KLIA2) on Monday. At the time, he was about to board a flight to the Chinese territory of Macau, where, according to South Korean media reports, he had been living with Lee Hye Kyong under Beijing's protection. "We have been informed that the family in Macau has made a request to claim the body," the source said, adding that the body would only be released after a full post-mortem report was prepared stating the cause of death. There was no immediate comment from the Chinese embassy, but a foreign ministry spokesman said Wednesday in Beijing that China was aware of reports of the death and was closely following developments. Standing order South Korea's intelligence agency says female agents working for Pyongyang poisoned Kim as he was preparing to board a flight. U.S. government sources also strongly believe that North Korean agents murdered Kim Jong-Nam. Kim had pleaded with his half-brother and North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un five years ago to withdraw a standing order for his assassination, Seoul's intelligence agency had said. The leader allegedly believed his brother could be used in any overthrow of his regime. North Korea has not made any public comment over Kim's death. Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi told reporters in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday that Kims body would be released to the next-of-kin or the North Korean embassy after all police and medical procedures had been completed. On Wednesday, an official close to the investigation told BenarNews that North Korea had requested the Malaysian government to release the victims body without a post-mortem. But we turned down their request, the official said. It is not clear how Malaysia would handle dueling demands for the body amid the assassination claims. More arrests On Thursday, police announced the arrest of two more suspects in the case, after nabbing a woman identified as 28-year-old Doan Thi Huong of Vietnam a day earlier. Police said they had arrested another suspect and named her as Siti Aishah, 25, of Serang, Indonesia. They did not disclose the location of the arrest. Police later said they had arrested Sitis boyfriend, 26-year-old Malaysian Muhammad Farid Bin Jalaluddin, to assist in investigations. Separately, Zahid confirmed that the man allegedly assassinated at the airport was Kim Jong-Nam. His identity was confirmed from the passport that we compared with the document issued by the Embassy of North Korea and by the identity issued by the embassy, Malaysian state news agency Bernama quoted him as saying. The victim was carrying a North Korean passport bearing the name Kim Chol when he was attacked. The passport was authentic, Zahid said Thursday. An autopsy has been completed at Kuala Lumpur General Hospital but authorities have yet to announce the findings. For DNA confirmation, that will need time, let the police and the medical experts confirm this, Zahid was quoted as saying in a New Straits Times report. Safety assurance Zahid said the death had not affected bilateral ties between North Korea and Malaysia, according to the Bernama report. He defended safety at airports in Malaysia and said this had been discussed at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday. Malaysia is among a small list of countries with close relations with the communist regime in Pyongyang under global sanctions over its illegal nuclear weapons drives and ballistic missile launches, the latest of which took place on Sunday. Ahmad Zahid also gave an assurance on the safety at Malaysia's airports, including KL International Airport 2, saying it was at the highest level and that the death was an isolated case, Bernama reported. Ahmad Zahid said that at yesterday's Cabinet meeting, it was stressed that the government would protect visitors to the country and would not compromise on any security issue created by Malaysians or foreigners, the report said. Reported by BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service. A billboard erected by a right-wing political party in Jammu city, in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, calls for Rohingya and Bangladeshis to leave, Feb. 15, 2017. Anxiety is growing among thousands of Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi migrants who live in Indian Kashmirs Jammu city over calls by mainstream political parties, including Indias ruling Hindu nationalist BJP, to kick them out and even deport them. In early February the Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP), a local rightwing political outfit, began erecting billboards across Jammu asking the more than 13,000 Muslims from Bangladesh and Myanmar who reside in temporary shelters on the outskirts of town to leave immediately. Wake up, Jammu, reads the headline on one of the billboards. Rohingya, Bangladeshis quit Jammu. Let us all Jammuites unite to save history, culture and identity of Dogras, it adds. Dogras, an Indo-Aryan ethno-linguistic group, is believed to be the earliest group of settlers in Jammu, the only city in the Muslim-majority state of Jammu and Kashmir with a Hindu-majority. There is a deep sense of insecurity among all of us ever since we heard of these billboards, said Mohammad Sadiq, 40, a Rohingya refugee who landed in Jammu several years ago. He said he fled from Buddhist-majority Myanmar following a wave of attacks in the western Rakhine state against Rohingya Muslims. We are not staying here out of our own free will. We are here so we can live without fear of being persecuted or worse, killed. Government forces in Myanmar routinely rape our women and kill members of our community and even burn down entire villages, Sadiq, a daily wage laborer living in a makeshift hut in the Narwal area of Jammu, told BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service. A military crackdown in Rakhine in recent months has caused at least 66,000 Rohingya to flee across the border to southeastern Bangladesh. Newly arrived Rohingya refugees have reported witnessing cases of killings, rapes and acts of arson carried out by Burmese security forces against their people allegations that Myanmars government has denied. The government of Myanmar does not recognize Sadiq and the other refugees as citizens. Officials in that country often refer to them as Bengalis. In India, the Rohingya are among more than 200,000 foreigners who have fled to India from conflicts in other countries. However, India has no legal framework that recognizes or protects them as refugees. We are hated in our country. They dont want us there. We fear we would be subjected to torture and humiliation if we were forced to return, said Sadiq, who lives with his wife and three children. Our lives arent that great here, either. We live in small huts and are barely able to make ends meet. But at least we have some dignity here. I beg the Indian government to let us continue living here, he said. Court ruling being violated: JKNPP Some 10,600 Rohingya live in India, including nearly 6,700 in Jammu, according to figures from the Bureau of Immigration. No figures are available to determine the number of Bangladeshi migrants in the region. Providing shelter to refugees in Jammu and Kashmir is in violation of a 2016 Supreme Court ruling, JKNPP founding member Bhim Singh told BenarNews. The Supreme Court last year passed a verdict that refugees cannot be settled in Jammu and Kashmir, which is mostly forested land. Despite this ruling, the state government has facilitated their settlement and allowed them to avail benefits like electricity and water, Singh said. By raising these billboards, the JKNPP has exposed the double standards of the states incumbent coalition government, Singh added, referring to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-BJP coalition in power in Jammu and Kashmir. A BJP official said he backed demands to evict Bangladeshis and Rohingya from Jammu. These migrants have illegally entered our territory and continue staying here illegally. They must be deported to their native countries at the earliest as the states constitution does not allow them to stay in any part of Jammu and Kashmir, BJPs Ramesh Arora told BenarNews. Arora said he spoke with state Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti regarding the issue earlier this week, and urged her to take steps to deport Bangladeshi and Rohingya migrants. Letting them continue staying means we are playing with the security of our nation. These migrants may be involved in crimes like drug trafficking, Arora said. Wake up and unite Shiv Sena, another rightwing political party, joined the chorus calling for Bangladeshis and Rohingya to be thrown out of Jammu. People of Jammu, especially Hindus, wake up and unite to throw migrants out of Jammu, Dimpy Kohli, Shiv Senas Jammu and Kashmir president, said in a statement earlier this week. But Bangladeshi national Mohammad Subhan, 55, who fled to India in the early 1990s, said he would rather be prosecuted in India than face persecution in his homeland. It would be better if the Indian government buried us here than send us back to Bangladesh to face disrespect, humiliation and other forms of excesses, Subhan, who works as a barber in Jammu, told BenarNews. Reported by Amin Masoodi from Srinagar, India for BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service. The Myanmar military has ended its much criticized four-month security operation in troubled northern Rakhine state, imposed after deadly attacks on border guard posts, the governments newly appointed national security advisor said Wednesday. Thaung Tun, who was introduced to and met with more than 60 diplomats and representatives from United Nations agencies in Yangon, was appointed to support the governments peace process, according to a statement issued by the State Counselors office. He will work with government ministries and departments to tackle the countrys security challenges, it said. In an address, Thuang Tun said the security sweep of northern Rakhine, during which more than 1,000 people have died and more than 69,000 Rohingya Muslim residents have fled according to U.N. estimates, has ended. The situation in northern Rakhine has now stabilized, he said, according to the government statement. The clearance operations undertaken by the military have ceased, the curfew has been eased, and there remains only a police presence to maintain the peace. Thuang Tun also said the government is committed to investigating recent allegations that security forces deployed after the attacks committed human rights abuses against Rohingya residents, and to finding a long-term solution to the regions crisis. Some of the Rohingya who fled to neighboring Bangladesh have accused army soldiers and police of murder, torture, rape, and arson, prompting the U.N.s Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to issue a report on Feb. 3 saying that the abuses indicate the very likely commission of crimes against humanity. New York-based Human Rights Watch and other rights groups have also issued reports and statements describing violence against the Rohingya during the crackdown. There can be no excuse for excessive force, for abuses of fundamental human rights and basic criminality, Thaung Tun said. In addition to providing immediate humanitarian relief, our focus must now be on finding real, lasting solutions to the situation in Rakhine, he said. Myanmar security forces targeted the Rohingya after it was determined that Rohingya militants were behind the attacks last October on the border guard posts, during which nine policemen were killed. Government will take action Thuang Tun also said the government has shown that it will take action against those who have committed abuses as long as it is given clear evidence, echoing a statement by the home affairs ministry on Feb. 15 that security force members who have violated human rights would be charged under police disciplinary law. A small group of police officers caught on video abusing Rohingya civilians in a village in Maungdaw township during the security operation early last November were recently sentenced to two months in prison. Though the Myanmar government has denied allegations of widespread abuse, it set up an investigation commission in December to look into the violence in northern Rakhine. In an interim report in January, the commission said it had found no evidence of genocide or religious persecution of Rohingya Muslims living in the region, and insufficient evidence of rape. It also said it was still probing accusations of arson, torture, and illegal arrests. The commission completed another fact-finding mission this week in the affected areas to investigate the U.N.s allegations of human rights violations. Saw Thalay Saw, a commission member and lawmaker from Shwegyin in Bago region, told RFAs Myanmar Service on Tuesday that Muslim villagers could not corroborate some of the accounts of abuse detailed in the U.N. report. In the meantime, Myanmars police and military have also set up teams to investigate the allegations of human rights abuses by security forces. In opening remarks at the meeting to introduce Thuang Tin to the diplomatic community on Wednesday, Kyaw Tint Swe, minister of the Office of State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, said national reconciliation and peace in Rakhine state is crucial to peace and stability throughout the country. As Myanmars de facto leader, Aung San Suu Kyi has been spearheading efforts to end decades of civil wars between the powerful government military and various ethnic armed groups through a series of peace talks known as the 21st-century Panglong Conference under the civilian-led government. The initial summit was held in late August and early September 2016, and the next one will be held in March, the statement issued by the State Counselors Office said. A young Tibetan protester detained last month in southwestern Chinas Sichuan province is still missing after more than 40 days in custody, Tibetan sources say. Sonam Tashi, 20, was seized by police in Sichuans Serthar (in Chinese, Seda) county on Jan. 5 after staging a solitary protest in the county town, former political prisoner Golog Jigme told RFAs Tibetan Service, speaking from Switzerland and citing sources in Serthar. As he marched, he threw leaflets in the air and called out for freedom for Tibet and the long life of [exiled spiritual leader] the Dalai Lama, Jigme said, adding, Chinese police quickly overpowered him and took him away. He has been held incommunicado ever since, Jigme said. News of Tashis detention was briefly delayed from reaching outside media contacts due to a communications clampdown imposed by Chinese authorities in the area. Fearing possible outbreaks of unrest during the Chinese Lunar New Year, Chinese authorities had deployed large numbers of police to Serthar in the period leading up to the holiday, with most still stationed in the area, Jigme said. And in this atmosphere of heightened security, local Tibetans movements are being closely watched, he said. Tashi, a native of Serthars Serkhok township, has now disappeared in custody, Jigme said. [Tashis] family members have asked the relevant Chinese authorities about his present condition and whereabouts, but no details have been made available, he said. Where he is being held remains unknown. A continuing campaign of destruction of monastic dwellings at Serthars Larung Gar Buddhist Academy by Chinese authorities has raised tensions and resentment among Tibetans living in the county, sources say. Thousands of Tibetan and Han Chinese monks and nuns, along with a few Western students, have already been expelled from Larung Gar as authorities seek to reduce the centers population by about half to a maximum level of 5,000 this year. Reported by Lobe Soktsang for RFAs Tibetan Service. Translated by Dorjee Damdul. Written in English by Richard Finney. While Chinese officials in the Xinjiang region insist that they no longer compel Uyghurs to supply free labor for public works projects, in reality they have only changed the name of the practice, RFAs Uyghur Service has learned. The hashar is abolished, and the farmers are being informed about it in village after village, a Chinese official in Hotan (in Chinese, Hetian) prefectures Guma countys civil affairs office told RFA in a recent interview. Hashar is the Uyghur term for compulsory labor in fields and roads, and Uyghur and other human rights activists view the practice as a means to repress the Muslim Uyghurs. The new policy will be in effect from the end of January, added the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Its unclear why Chinese officials in the region needed to announce a new ban on the hashar as Chinas ruling Communist Party claims to have formally banned it in Xinjiang decades ago. Still, the announcement was met with joy among Uyghurs, according to the Chinese official. The farmers were really happy. Some were happy from the bottom of their hearts, the official told RFA. Some of them even teared up upon hearing this news, and they said: The party is good, and government is good. But that good will dried up after Uyghur farmers in the region discovered that they would still have to do hashar-like labor. They informed us that the hashar is abolished, a Uyghur farmer told RFA on condition of anonymity. But they also told us that they will gather us for flood management and tree planting activities during the tree-planting festivals. While the Chinese insist that they have ended the policy, the Uyghurs say that the hashar lives on. When they announced the hashar is abolished, we believed them, the farmer said. But we will have floods this coming June, and they will make us go and work for 10 to 15 days. State control Zubeyre Shemshidin, a researcher for the Uyghur Human Rights Project, told RFA the Chinese use the hashar to keep Uyghur farmers under the states thumb. They use this unjust policy as way to keep Uyghur farmers poor, and to increase their control over them by separating them from their land and wealth, Shemshidin said. She told RFA that she doubts Beijings sincerity. The Chinese governments announcement abolishing the policy looks like a duplicitous act, she said. Forcing Uyghur farmers to do this or that type of work is likely to continue in different forms. The Guma county official told RFA that Uyghurs will still be required to work during floods under the forced labor and charitable labor category. If anybody fails to enforce the new policy, they will be held accountable, the official said, but he insisted that the hashar policy has changed. They made the policy change to make farmers' burden lighter and increase their income, he added. Reported and translated by RFA's Uyghur Service. Written in English by Brooks Boliek. Standing in a battered tent flanked by mud and human waste, Sahibuddin Khan and his family of five are among the thousands of returning Afghan refugees seeking food and shelter in crowded, ramshackle camps that have sprung up on the outskirts of Kabul. An unprecedented number of Afghans are flooding back into their war-torn homeland, many of them forcibly evicted from neighboring Pakistan and Iran but also from Europe. The new wave of returnees joins the more than 1 million people already displaced by war inside the country, exacerbating an already urgent humanitarian crisis. The returnees are coming back to a country where extreme poverty is rife, security is shaky, and where the Taliban has gained more territory than at any time since the U.S.-led invasion in 2001. The Afghan government, which had already been struggling to maintain basic living standards for its people, is failing to cope with the massive influx. "We are in our own country, but not even dogs live like this," says Khan, who recently returned with his family from Pakistan. They live in a camp teeming with more than 450 returnee families, many of them left to fend for themselves, fighting against the elements and on a constant quest for food. The camp has no running water, no electricity, and disease is rampant. For Khan, the dire conditions took their toll last month when two of his six children, ages 2 and 4, succumbed to illness and died. "When there was heavy snow recently, I lost my own children," says Khan, who has lived in the camp, located on the eastern outskirts of Kabul, for the past two months. "We live in a tent and there's no firewood or food." Last year, Khan and his family were living in the southwestern Pakistani city of Quetta, close to the Afghan border, a place he had called home for nearly two decades. Khan, who ran his own grocery shop in Quetta, says his family lived in relative security and comfort. But he says their lives were upended after Pakistani authorities as part of an anti-Afghan backlash -- shut down his shop and raided their home, located in a predominately Afghan neighborhood of the city. After months of threats and police abuse, the Khan family finally packed up their household possessions and returned to their homeland. Now the Khans find themselves destitute in their own country. Hounded Out Of Pakistan Many Afghans returning to their homeland cannot go back to their former homes due to insecurity or land-grabbing, leaving them reliant on the government for housing or land. "We never thought it would be like this," Khan says. "We expected help to restart our lives." For years, Islamabad had urged Afghan refugees to return home, with little political will behind the request. But that was before the massacre of more than 150 people, the vast majority of them students, at a Peshawar school in December 2014. Many returning refugees said they were made scapegoats for the attack, which was claimed by the Pakistani Taliban. Last year, the Pakistani government ordered all Afghan migrants and refugees to leave the country. Authorities began raiding their homes and shops. Returnees like Khan claim they were routinely harassed by police, arbitrarily arrested, or had their leases canceled. In the second half of 2016, Pakistan evicted nearly 365,000 of the country's 1.5 million registered Afghan refugees, as well as just over 200,000 of the estimated 1 million undocumented Afghans living in Pakistan, according to the New York-based watchdog Human Rights Watch (HRW). At its peak in the 1980s, Pakistan sheltered an estimated 5 million Afghan refugees as Afghan guerrilla fighters battled invading Soviet troops. "Any forced return of a registered refugee, whether it is directly done or indirectly done, is a breach of international law," says Gerry Simpson, a senior researcher and advocate in HRW's Refugee Rights Program. "It's clear that Pakistan breached international law in forcing back those registered refugees against their will." In a strongly worded report released on February 13, HRW called the eviction of Afghan refugees from Pakistan the "world's largest unlawful mass forced return of refugees in recent times." Islamabad claims that the refugees who have left have done so voluntarily, and it has extended its deadline for all refugees to return to the end of 2017. Human rights groups say the deadline should be extended to 2019, at least. Kabul's 'Reckless' Promises Throughout the squalid Kabul camp where the Khans live, there is mounting anger and frustration over the lack of official help. The Afghan government, heavily reliant on foreign aid, has promised refugees their own parcels of land but is struggling to deliver on that pledge. HRW's Simpson says not one refugee who returned to Afghanistan in 2016 has so far received any land. "The process of distributing land to people has started in some provinces, but it takes time because it has to go through a legal process," says Hafiz Ahmad Miakhel, an adviser to the Afghan Ministry of Refugees and Repatriations. He acknowledges the massive refugee crisis but says the government in Kabul is doing the best it can with the meager resources at its disposal. HRW's Simpson says the Afghan government's "false promises" are "absolutely reckless," noting that Kabul's overly generous pledges of compensation helped to convince some refugees to return, only to find themselves homeless and displaced. "This is in line with a long-term challenge and failure to provide land to displaced Afghans," he says. "The reasons are corruption, inefficiency, and lack of funds." The UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, says it gives out $400 in cash to registered returnees, while the International Organization for Migration says it targets its aid -- about $300 in cash per family, plus food or essential items, as needed -- to undocumented refugees, depending on their levels of vulnerability. In truth, however, many returnees fall through the cracks and receive little help. One of them is 14-year-old Sameh, who left Pakistan with his family of seven almost three months ago and now lives in the same camp as the Khans. "We have so many problems," he says. "We have no firewood or food. There's so much mud everywhere, and I have no shoes or clothes." Brutal punishments often await Afghan women and girls who have relationships with men outside marriage -- including public floggings, prison, and even death by stoning. One young Afghan woman who is believed to have broken that social norm paid the ultimate price last weekend when an armed mob that police say included her own family members stormed a police station, hauled her and the man she had eloped with outside, and killed them. The gruesome incident is just the latest case in Afghanistan of so-called "honor" killings: the murder of women for allegedly dishonoring the family, such as eloping with men or committing adultery. Police say Fateha, an 18-year-old woman who had been forced by her family to marry a man against her wishes, was detained by local authorities on February 11 along with her lover, Hedayatullah, 19, in the Wama district of the remote eastern province of Nuristan as they attempted to run away together. Later that day, a mob consisting of hundreds of people who police say included Fateha's husband, father, brothers, and cousins stormed the police station where she was being held. The mob, which killed one police officer and wounded several others, dragged Fateha and Hedayatullah outside, where they were beaten. Police say Fateha was then shot and killed by her brother, while Fateha's husband shot and killed the young man later in the village of Sar-e-Pul. Authorities said on February 16 that they have issued arrest warrants for the husband of the slain woman and her brother. 'Immoral Acts' In comments to RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan, Hafiz Abdul Qayum, the governor of Nuristan, said the couple had run away from their families when they were detained by police on suspicion of committing "immoral acts." He at first denied that more could have been done to save the couple, suggesting that the police station was manned by only 30 officers and that they were outnumbered and outgunned by the mob. He claims there would have been a bloodbath had police intervened more forcefully. "The number of police present was small and they were confronted by a group of 500 people, some of whom were armed," says Qayum, before later saying that the police had acted improperly by not doing more to save the lives of the young couple. So-called moral offenses, including adultery or even running away from home, are not considered crimes according to the Afghan Criminal Code. But hundreds of women and girls have nevertheless been imprisoned after being convicted of "immorality" by courts dominated by religious conservatives. In some rural areas, where Taliban militants exert considerable influence, residents often view government bodies as corrupt or unreliable and turn to Taliban courts to settle disputes. The Taliban courts employ strict interpretations of Shari'a law, which prescribes death, or in other cases public flogging, for men or women found guilty of having a relationship outside marriage. The woman's own family is often behind the punishments, in some cases shunning the woman or handing her over to authorities for prosecution. In the worst cases, the woman's own relatives can carry out the killings. Spate Of Chilling Punishments Fateha's story is all too common in Afghanistan, where violence against women is widespread. Despite women making significant inroads since the end of Taliban rule in 2001, domestic abuse remains routine and forced marriages are the norm. In recent years, there has been a spate of chilling public punishments of Afghan women accused of moral crimes. In October 2015, 19-year-old Rokhsana was stoned to death by Taliban militants in the central province of Ghor after having been accused of having premarital sex. In November 2015, a 26-year-old Afghan woman died of her injuries after being publicly lashed, also in Ghor. She had been accused of running away from home. And in August 2016, also in Ghor Province, a young man and woman found guilty of having sex outside marriage were publicly lashed. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has held talks with the chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff in Baku. Azerbaijan's presidential administration said the talks between Aliyev and General Joseph Dunford were held on February 16. Azerbaijani officials said the two discussed bilateral political and economic cooperation, Baku's contribution to international peacekeeping efforts in Afghanistan, and joint activities in energy security and defense. Earlier reports said that Dunford also planned to meet his counterpart, Russian General Valery Gerasimov, in Baku on February 16. A statement released by Dunford's office on February 15 said their agenda would focus on "the current state of U.S.-Russian military relations and the importance of consistent and clear military-to-military communication to prevent miscalculation and potential crises." U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is also scheduled to meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on February 16 in Bonn, Germany. Iraqi security officials say a car loaded with explosives has been detonated in a Baghdad Shi'ite neighborhood, killing at least 45 people and wounding many more. The Sunni-led Islamic State (IS) militant group claimed responsibility for the February 16 attack in a statement carried online by its Aamaq website. Aamaq said the attack targeted "a gathering of Shi'a." The vehicle was parked in Baghdad's Bayaa neighborhood on a crowded street where used-car dealers and auto shops are located. Iraq's Interior Ministry said 50 to 60 people were wounded. A doctor said the death toll could rise as many of the wounded were in critical condition. It was the second-consecutive day that bombs have ripping through car markets in mainly Shiite neighborhoods of the capital. At least nine people killed and 30 wounded in a blast on February 15. Media reports speculated that militants are finding it easier to leave vehicles with explosives in places where hundreds of other cars are parked. IS has increased its bombing campaign in Iraq in recent weeks at a time when U.S.-backed Iraqi forces are advancing in their drive to push the Sunni-led extremist group from the cities it has occupied in Iraq and Syria since 2014. Based on reporting by AFP and Reuters Belarusian Deputy Prime Minister Uladzimer Syamashka says Minsk and Moscow are working on a protocol to resolve the ongoing energy standoff between the two allies. Syamashka said on February 16 that he and his Russian counterpart, Arkady Dvorkovich, had signed a preliminary protocol on energy-price and debt issues on February 10 that "will hopefully come out next week." Syamashka added that the protocol was currently being "revised by the Russian leadership." Dvorkovich said on February 16 that "the final agreement on the issue has not been reached," adding that the two countries' leaderships were expected to resolve the remaining differences. Minsk and Moscow have been at odds over prices for natural gas and oil delivered to Belarus from Russia for more than a year. Belarus has been trying to get a lower price. Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka publicly accused Russia on February 3 of trying to bolster its influence over his country by pushing to control its energy pipelines and using oil and gas supplies as leverage. Despite the two countries being members in the Russia-Belarus Union State, the Eurasian Economic Union, the Collective Security Treaty Organization, and the Commonwealth of Independent States, they frequently have disruptive trade disputes. Based on reporting by BelaPAN, TASS, and Interfax Just one month after his election as director-general of the Georgian Public Broadcaster, Vasil Maghlaperidze has announced an ambitious three-year (2017-19) program of modernization and reform intended to raise its negligible audience share. Those measures will, however, initially necessitate dismissing an unspecified number of staff and suspending for 11 months all TV and radio programs, apart from newscasts. Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili has implicitly endorsed those plans on the grounds that the broadcaster has received "millions and millions of laris" from the public purse. "We are not prepared to put up with a product that is uninteresting and old-fashioned" in return, he said. Of the country's seven most-watched TV channels, the Georgian Public Broadcaster's two channels currently have the smallest audiences. But while conceding the need for modernization of its facilities and equipment and more effective management, nongovernmental organizations and several members of the broadcaster's oversight board have expressed concern over the planned suspension of most programming for almost one year. They question whether the suspension of talk shows during the ongoing discussion of planned constitutional amendments and in the run-up to local elections due in the fall of 2017 can be reconciled with the broadcaster's legal obligations to provide objective and in-depth coverage of political developments. The extraparliamentary Free Democrats said the planned shutdown "endangers free speech" and was intended to "silence critical voices." Maghlaperidze was elected to parliament in 1999 as a candidate for then-Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze's Union of Citizens of Georgia. After the Rose Revolution of November 2003, which swept Shevardnadze from power, he served from 2005-08 as governor of the Mtshkheta-Mtianeti district north of Tbilisi under Shevardnadze's successor, Mikheil Saakashvili. Most recently, he worked for the private GDS TV station, which is owned by the family of Bidzina Ivanishvili, whose Georgian DreamDemocratic Georgia party defeated Saakashvili's United National Movement in the parliamentary elections of 2012 and 2016. Maghlaperidze was elected director-general of the Georgian Public Broadcaster in early January from a short list of five candidates. He did not at that time make any mention of the planned reforms, which he unveiled at a press conference on February 6. Announcing the reform plans, Maghlaperidze cited low audience figures and said that the suspension of programming was necessary in order "to create the financial and elementary technical-material base" that the broadcaster, unlike other TV stations, does not have and without which, he argued, it will prove unable to fulfill its purpose. That statement raises the question, subsequently posed by several commentators, of how the 40 million laris ($15.18 million at current exchange rates) the broadcaster has received annually over the past decade was spent. Last year, just 3 percent of the budget was spent on technology, 60 percent on salaries and administrative expenses, and the remainder for unspecified other purposes. Meanwhile, valuable archive footage is being lost as there is allegedly no money for digitalization. Maghlaperidze initially said he welcomed criticism of his proposals and alternative suggestions and would gladly step down as director-general if an alternative plan was advanced that would avoid the need to suspend programming. But in an interview with the weekly Kviris Palitra, Maghlaperidze dismissed criticism of his plans as unfounded and implied that such criticism originated with unnamed employees who seek at all costs to preserve their monopoly over decisions concerning programming. He said his sole objective was to make the broadcaster an effective and competitive TV channel and to strip persons he did not name of the opportunity to plunder its financial resources. Maghlaperidze further claimed that his views on the need for reform coincided with those of the broadcaster's previous management. Maghlaperidze's predecessor, Giorgi Baratashvili, stepped down in November, two years before the end of his term. At least two members of the broadcaster's eight-person board of trustees have openly criticized Maghlaperidze's plans. Sulkhan Saladze of the Georgian Young Lawyers' Association dismissed them as "totally unacceptable in [their] current form" and said he would not support them. In January, Saladze had voted against Maghlaperidze's candidacy as "the worst possible choice" for the post of director-general and one that would "call into question the objectivity and independence of the Public Broadcaster." He described Maghlaperidze as "not politically neutral." Misgivings about the impact of the suspension of programming by the Public Broadcaster in the run-up to the local elections are understandable in light of the planned merger into a single media holding of the hitherto independent TV stations Maestro and Imedi and the Ivanishvili family's GDS. All three reportedly espouse the same editorial policy, avoiding criticism of the ruling GD-DG. Meanwhile, Georgia's Supreme Court has still not handed down a final ruling in the protracted dispute over the ownership of the TV station Rustavi-2, which unequivocally backs Saakashvili's now divided United National Movement. The views expressed in this blog post do not necessarily reflect the views of RFE/RL U.S. Congressmen from the state of Connecticut are expressing concern over reports of a Russian intelligence-gathering ship sailing near a U.S. naval submarine base in their state. Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy and Representative Joe Courtney on February 15 condemned what they described as Russia's increasing aggression. U.S. defense officials said the Russian ship had been operating in international waters off the U.S. East Coast. The ship reportedly made a port call in Cuba previously and after that was detected off Delaware's coast. Courtney said the vessel later was spotted about 50 kilometers from the submarine base in Groton, Connecticut. The U.S. Navy conducts similar intelligence-gathering operations against Russian military targets, such as its submarine bases, from international waters. The Democratic congressmen are calling on Republican President Donald Trump to address Russia's actions. Based on reporting by AP, dpa, and Fox News MAKHACHKALA, Russia -- The Mufti's Office in Russia's North Caucasus region of Daghestan has joined a move initiated by a lawmaker and Russian Orthodox activists to prevent a romantic film about Tsar Nicholas II from being screened in Russia. The Mufti's Office told RFE/RL on February 15 that it officially supports efforts by Russian State Duma deputy Natalya Poklonskaya to investigate the unreleased film, Matilda, by director Aleksei Uchitel. Poklonskaya, who was the Kremlin-appointed prosecutor-general in Crimea from the time Russia annexed the Ukrainian territory in March 2014 until September, has been trying to ban the film, saying that it portrays Nicholas -- a canonized Russian Orthodox saint -- as a sinner. The movie details Nicholas's relationship with Russian ballerina Matilda Kshesinskaya when he was an unmarried prince. She also charges that Uchitel wrongly portrays Russia as a country full of "drunkards, fornicators, and gallows." Poklonskaya said on February 12 that she received a letter from Muslims in one of Russia's regions who expressed concerns about the film, saying that Nicholas's name was sacred for Muslims as well. Poklonskaya did not say exactly who sent her the letter or which region they lived in. A leading Daghestani expert on Islam, Ziautdin Uvaisov, told RFE/RL on February 15 that the name of the Russian tsar cannot be sacred for Muslims simply because he was canonized by the Orthodox Church. Uchitel's lawyer, Konstantin Dobrynin, urged the State Duma on February 13 to stop Poklonskaya's efforts "to use a Muslim card in her campaign against the film." The events of 1917 changed the course of Russian, and indeed world, history. But as these remarkable then-and-now pictures show, pockets of Russia's two largest cities have endured almost unchanged through a century of revolution and the fall, rise, and fall of empire. The cheering crowds below Nicholas on that summer day had little inkling of it, but their tsar was standing on the edge of an abyss. Tsar Nicholas II makes a public address on July 20, 1914. A few days later, the tsar would mobilize troops to defend Russia's "little Slavic brothers" in Serbia who were under a barrage of Austrian artillery. This conflict would soon expand into World War I. Click and drag, double-click, or use the slider to fade between images. Russia was ill-prepared for war against a coalition led by the highly industrialized Germany. By 1917, the battlefields of WWI had taken around 1 million Russian lives, most of them peasants and workers in soldiers' uniforms who would otherwise have been feeding and supplying Russia's cities. Shortages and hunger became the norm in wartime Russia. In a country where the glittering lives of the nobility had long bred resentment among the lower classes, the war was giving rise to increasingly dark mutterings in the streets and factories. Much of the hostility was directed toward the German-born Tsarina Aleksandra Feodorovna, who many believed was nothing more than a bejeweled German spy. Russian troops on the Eastern front of WWI . (Public Domain) Russia was ill-prepared for war against a coalition led by the highly industrialized Germany. By 1917, the battlefields of WWI had taken around 1 million Russian lives, most of them peasants and workers in soldiers' uniforms who would otherwise have been feeding and supplying Russia's cities. Shortages and hunger became the norm in wartime Russia. In a country where the glittering lives of the nobility had long bred resentment among the lower classes, the war was giving rise to increasingly dark mutterings in the streets and factories. Much of the hostility was directed toward the German-born Tsarina Aleksandra Feodorovna, who many believed was nothing more than a bejeweled German spy. Russian troops on the Eastern front of WWI . (Public Domain) With Tsar Nicholas away at the front commanding Russia's war effort, the capital, St. Petersburg (then called Petrograd), was left in Aleksandra's hands. Her "spiritual adviser" was the Siberian mystic Grigory Rasputin, a Russian peasant whose pursuit of prostitutes and raucous drinking sessions had tainted the tsar and tsarina by association. Aleksandra Feodorovna was by 1917 described by a contemporary as "fiercely and universally hated." (Public Domain) Grigory Rasputin. In December 1916, the reputedly lascivious holy man was assassinated by Russian noblemen. (Public Domain) Aleksandra Feodorovna (left) was by 1917 described by a contemporary as "fiercely and universally hated." Grigory Rasputin. In December 1916, the reputedly lascivious holy man was assassinated by Russian noblemen. (Public Domain) Over the past five years, Iranian officials and state media have touted the "indigenous" ingenuity in the Islamic republic's mass-produced Mohajer-6 combat drone, which Russia has deployed in its war against Ukraine. But a new investigation by Schemes, the investigative unit of RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service, has found that electronic components underpinning Tehran's production of the Mohajer-6 are far from homegrown. The Mohajer-6 drones contain components produced by companies from the United States and the European Union, both of which have sanctions restricting the export to Iran of such technology that can be used for both civilian and military purposes dual-use technology. The presence of these components in the Mohajer-6 does not mean their producers are in violation of U.S. or EU sanctions, and RFE/RL does not have evidence that this is the case. The investigation also found Mohajer-6 components produced in China, including a real-time mini-camera made by a Hong Kong firm that said it was "very sorry" that its products were being used in war. At least one major foreign-produced component of the Mohajer-6 has previously been identified by reporters in a Mohajer-6 recovered from the battlefield by the Ukrainian military: an engine made by the Austrian manufacturer BRP-Rotax GmbH & Co KG, a subsidiary of the Canadian company Bombardier Recreational Products. But Ukrainian intelligence assesses that the Iranian combat drone contains components from nearly three dozen different technology companies based in North America, the EU, Japan, and Taiwan, the Schemes investigation has found. A majority of these companies are based in the United States. A Schemes reporter who personally inspected the foreign-made drone parts identified components produced by at least 15 of these manufacturers. These include parts made by the U.S. technology firm Texas Instruments, which said in a statement that it does not sell into Russia or Iran and complies with applicable laws and regulations. To identify these components, Schemes reporters examined parts of the Mohajer-6 drone that the Ukrainian military shot down over the Black Sea near the Mykolayiv region coastal town of Ochakiv. They also reviewed Ukrainian intelligence records on the sources of these components. The drone also contains a microchip bearing the logo of a California technology company and a thermal-imaging camera that Ukrainian intelligence says may have been produced by a firm based in Oregon or China. Both Western officials and experts on illicit technology transfers say Iran has built a broad, global procurement network using front companies and other proxies in third countries to obtain dual-use technology from the United States and the EU. "Exporters will look at the request coming from the [United Arab Emirates] or another third country, and they'll think that they're selling to an end user based there, when really the end user is in Iran," Daniel Salisbury, a senior research fellow with the Department of War Studies at King's College London, told RFE/RL. In September, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions specifically targeting Iranian companies that Washington links to the production and transfer of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to Russia for deployment in its war on Ukraine. Fighting rages with no sign of an end more than eight months after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched an unprovoked invasion on February 24. "Non-Iranian, non-Russian entities should also exercise great caution to avoid supporting either the development of Iranian UAVs or their transfer, or sale of any military equipment to Russia for use against Ukraine," U.S. Undersecretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nelson said in a statement announcing the sanctions. Chinese Cameras, California Chips Development of the Mohajer-6, the latest model in a series of drones Tehran has used since the 1980s Iran-Iraq War, began in 2017, while mass production began the following year. During a ceremony commemorating the Islamic Revolution, then-Iranian Defense Minister Amir Hatami said that the new tactical drone could perform surveillance, reconnaissance, as well as help destroy targets. Hatami extolled what he described as the drones domestic design, a portrayal echoed in later reports by Iranian media. "The homegrown drone was made through cooperation among the army, Defense Ministry, and Quds Aviation Industries," the English-language Tehran Times quoted an Iranian military official as saying in July 2019. The dismantling of the Mohajer-6 drone recovered by the Ukrainian military shows that the UAV is packed with foreign components. One of these parts is a bright-orange real-time mini-camera produced by the Hong Kong-based company RunCam Technology. Documents seen by Schemes show that Ukrainian intelligence has also identified RunCam as the producer of the camera, which likely assists in remote guidance of the drone. Founded in 2013, RunCam is involved in the development and production of so-called "first-person-view" real-time cameras. "Our users are our friends," the company's website states. The site says that RunCam has two authorized Iranian dealers. Reached by Schemes for comment about the use of its camera in the Iranian drone deployed by Russia in its war on Ukraine, RunCam said in an e-mailed response: "We are very sorry to know that RunCam's products were used in warfare. RunCam is specialized in producing products for model aircraft hobby. We never contact any customer related to military." The provenance of the Mohajer-6 drone-s thermal-imaging camera is more difficult to determine. A Ukrainian intelligence assessment reviewed by Schemes indicates it could be the Ventus Hot model produced by Sierra-Olympic Technologies, based in the U.S. state of Oregon, but that it also resembles a cheaper analog available for sale by the Chinese company Qingdao Thundsea Marine Technology. Qingdao Thundsea Marine Technology said in an e-mailed statement that the company did not "have any business with Iran," because "it will affect our business." The company said it specializes in marine services and is not involved in manufacturing. It also said that it did not have a single successful order for its online advertisement of the thermal-imaging camera resembling the one recovered from the Iranian drone. Sierra-Olympic Technologies did not respond to a request for comment on the possible use of its thermal-imaging cameras in Iranian combat drones in time for publication. Microchips recovered from the drone also featured the logos of the California-based company Linear Technology Corporation and its parent company, the Massachusetts-based semiconductor company Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI). ADI did not respond to an e-mailed request for comment on the possible use of its technology in the Iranian combat drone. Schemes reporters also observed among the components of the Iranian drone a voltage step-down converter produced by Texas Instruments. The company said in an e-mailed statement that it "does not sell into Russia, Belarus, or Iran." "TI complies with applicable laws and regulations in the countries where we operate, and does not support or condone the use of our products in applications they weren't designed for," Texas Instruments said. Schemes reporters also saw several components produced by the California-based technology manufacturer Xilinx, whose parent company is the multinational semiconductor company Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), also based in California. According to Ukrainian intelligence, one of these Xilinx components was integrated into a video data-link module located in the wing of the Mohajer-6 that helped carry out attack missions. "This module transmits information from the board to the missile head. That is, guidance for the missile. With the help of this module, it was possible to guide the missile to the target," a Ukrainian military intelligence representative told Schemes. AMD did not respond to a request for comment in time for publication. 'No Authorization' Previous media reports about the components of the Mohajer-6 drone, including by CNN, have shown evidence that its engine was produced by the Austrian manufacturer BRP-Rotax GmbH & Co KG, whose parent company is the Quebec-based Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP). The Canadian company responded to the reports on October 21, saying in a statement that it "has not authorized and has not given any authorization to its distributors to supply military UAV manufacturers in Iran or Russia." "As soon as we were made aware of this situation, we started an investigation to determine the source of the engines," BRP said. . But Schemes reporters found that the authorized Rotax distributor listed on the Austrian manufacturer's website advertised itself as a Rotax aircraft engines distributor for Iran as recently as December 2020. The distributor, the Italian company Luciano Sorlini S.p.a., has posted multiple magazine advertisements on its websites in which it describes itself as a Rotax distributor for numerous countries. Prior to January 2021, Iran was listed among these countries. The Rotax website also lists a Tehran-based company -- MahtaWing -- as an official service center for its engines. The company, known in Persian as Mahtabal, conducts repairs of Rotax engines, including the Rotax 912 iS, the engine that was found in the Mohajer-6 combat drone recovered in Ukraine. BRP said in an e-mailed statement on November 4 that while Luciano Sorlini S.p.a. is the appointed distributor of Rotax aircraft engines in Iran, "since 2019, no Rotax engines have been sold in Iran, and we will not sell any engines to Iran moving forward." The Canadian company said it had "internal controls" that "significantly" restrict the sale of its products for military purposes. "For example, the sale of any BRP product to operators with any military activity in Iran, Turkey, and Russia is strictly prohibited," BRP said. "We conduct our business in compliance with all EU, Canadian, and U.S. applicable regulations." BRP described the Iranian company MahtaWing as a "local service center" that "offers maintenance services for previously sold aircraft engines." Shahriar Siami of RFE/RL's Radio Farda contributed to this report. Lawyers for the family of Rakhat Aliyev -- the late former lieutenant and son-in-law of Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev -- say they still believe he was murdered in an Austrian prison and will continue to push for an investigation despite the Vienna prosecutor's fresh finding that it was a suicide. The Viennese authority announced on February 14 that there was no forensic evidence that the 52-year-old Aliyev, in custody over murder charges when his body was found hanging from a wall-mounted clothes hook in his cell in February 2015, was murdered. Their latest finding follows a review by the Institute of Legal Medicine in St. Gallen, Switzerland, whose experts were said to have found no evidence of any "outside hand" in Aliyev's death. News of Aliyev's demise at Josefstadt prison two years ago sparked fears of foul play, given his inner knowledge of Nazarbaev's secretive regime. Aliyev had powerful family connections -- he spent years married to Darigha Nazarbaeva, one of the president's daughters who continues to wield considerable political clout -- and spent years in senior posts before his falling-out with the Kazakh leader a decade ago. Klaus Ainedter, an attorney for Aliyev's second wife, Elnara Shorazova, told RFE/RL on February 14 that the family's legal team and German forensic specialist Bernd Brinkmann would examine the St. Gallen report "in depth" but that the discovery that Aliyev's sternum had been broken was an important piece of evidence that was overlooked by the Viennese coroner. A broken breastbone can show up after victims are smothered, or "burked," if the killer puts a leg or knee on the chest of the victim to help brace for blocking the nose and mouth. Several 'Irregularities' Austrian lawmaker Hannes Jarolim on February 10 called for a murder investigation to be opened into Aliyev's case. Jarolim, the justice speaker for the Social Democratic Party, cited the broken breastbone as one of several "irregularities" in the case that he said are "difficult to grasp in their density." The Swiss report has been sent to Brinkmann, who went public in December with his conclusions from photographic and other evidence that Aliyev had been suffocated before being suspended in his cell. Brinkmann told RFE/RL that after studying more than 140 photos and the autopsy report he "saw no evidence of hanging" but there were signs consistent with smothering. "We found everything -- huge, huge congestion and then with many, many small bleedings in the skin of the face, of the neck, and of the upper [chest]," said Brinkmann. "So this is [a] 100-percent match, yes, [with] burking." Brinkmann said he was also "astonished" to find a "pale zone" around Aliyev's nose and mouth that appeared to be due to the pressure exerted to suffocate him. "Hanging is impossible, because these are not the findings in hangings," he added. Aliyev 'Not Suicidal' Brinkmann has participated in previous high-profile investigations of controversial deaths of famous figures, including exiled Russian oligarch Boris Berezovsky, Italian banker Roberto Calvi, and French Prince Louis XVII. He also made headlines in Austria in 1999 when his testimony contradicted that of a Viennese court doctor and the deportation death of Nigerian Marcus Omufuma was proven to have been caused by asphyxiation. In the Aliyev case, other irregularities include statements by former Josefstadt prison psychiatrist Stefan Zechner suggesting that Aliyev was not suicidal and that a prison worker played a role in killing him. Lawmaker Jarolim also noted that an alleged contract killer, Aslan G. (aka Chako), had been moved to a cell near Aliyev's shortly before his death. Aliyev was found hanging in the bathroom of his cell at Josefstadt on February 24, 2015, two days before he was due to testify in court in a case in which he was charged with murdering two Kazakh bankers in 2007. Aliyev was once married to Nazarbaev's daughter, Darigha, with whom he had three children. He rose quickly to become a senior official in Kazakhstan, one of the country's leading businessmen, and a confidant of his father-in-law. Legal Trouble Aliyev was first sent to Austria in 2007 -- under a cloud of legal trouble in Kazakhstan -- as the Kazakh ambassador and permanent representative to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). But he became critical of the Kazakh president and even announced his intention to unseat Nazarbaev, who has governed Kazakhstan since before that Central Asian republic declared independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Later in 2007, Aliyev received a fax saying he had been divorced from Darigha Nazarbaeva, a step that he said was taken without his consent. He was then stripped of his diplomatic posts and was sentenced in absentia by a Kazakh court in 2008 to 40 years in prison for kidnapping, treason, and plotting a coup attempt. Kazakh officials demanded that Austria extradite him to his home country, which Vienna refused on the grounds that he would not receive a fair trial in Kazakhstan. Aliyev was also accused of money laundering while in Europe and of ordering the assassination of Kazakh opposition leader Altynbek Sarsenbaev in 2006. Austrian officials canceled Aliyev's passport -- acquired by marrying Shorazova -- in 2013 and he fled to Malta. He turned himself in to Austrian officials in 2014 and was jailed pending trial. Aliyev was moved to a different cell while in prison after claiming inmates had threatened him with demands for cash. Ainedter told RFE/RL on February 14 that the review of the Swiss report and a response by Aliyev's family lawyers and Brinkmann on the next steps to take in the case will likely take a few weeks. BRUSSELS -- U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis says Russia must "prove itself" before Moscow can return to "a partnership of sorts with NATO." Mattis's remarks on February 16 at the end of a two-day NATO defense ministers meeting in Brussels are seen as easing fears in some European capitals that U.S. President Donald Trump's administration might relax U.S. pressure on Russia over its aggressive actions as part of an effort to build a closer relationship with Moscow. Mattis said Russia "has to live by international law just like we expect all mature nations on this planet to do." He noted that NATO political leaders will try to find common ground with Moscow but said "we are not in a position right now to collaborate on a military level." NATO cut some military ties with Russia, but did not cut political ties with Moscow after Russia invaded and illegally annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in 2014. Speaking the same day in Bonn, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson told Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov that the Kremlin must adhere to its commitments on Ukraine if there is to be cooperation between Moscow and the Trump administration. The Western alliance has held five NATO-Russia Councils, but little progress has been made in improving relations. Mattis also spoke on February 16 about allegations that Russia interfered in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, and was now trying to interfere in the 2017 French presidential and German parliamentary elections -- saying "right now I would just say there is very little doubt that they have either interfered or they have attempted to interfere in a number of elections in democracies." Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on February 16 that Russia is prepared to improve ties with the Pentagon, but said attempts by Washington to seek cooperation from a "position of strength would be futile." Increased Black Sea Presence After the ministers' meeting, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said the alliance will increase its naval presence in the Black Sea, including conducting war games with land and air troops already there. He insisted, however, that the move was not intended to provoke Russia. "We will have an increased presence in the Black Sea, but it will be measured, it will be defensive, and it will in no way be provoking any conflict or escalating tensions," Stoltenberg said. A NATO official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the AFP news agency that the action was taken to deal with Russia's military buildup in the Black Sea. NATO allies Turkey, Bulgaria, and Romania share the Black Sea coast, as do Ukraine and Georgia. Russia seized the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and has troops in Georgia's breakaway coastal region of Abkhazia, which Moscow considers an independent state. With reporting by RFE/RL's Rikard Jozwiak in Brussels, Interfax, AP, AFP, and TASS Montenegro's state prosecutor has overruled attempts by a special prosecutor to issue an arrest warrant against two opposition leaders suspected of being involved in what authorities say was a failed coup aimed at undermining the country's NATO membership bid. Andrija Mandic and Milan Knezevic, leaders of a pro-Russia and anti-NATO party called the Democratic Front, have been accused of involvement in the alleged October 16 attempt to kill the then-prime minister, seize power, and prevent Montenegro from pushing forward with its plans to join NATO. State Prosecutor Ivica Stankovic ruled late on February 15 that Mandic and Knezevic do not need to be jailed as suspects. His order is seen by many in Podgorica as an attempt to ease tensions in the deeply divided country. Earlier, special prosecutor Milivoje Katnic issued an arrest warrant for the two for alleged "acts against the constitutional order and security of Montenegro." The ruling came hours after Montenegro's parliament voted to revoke Mandic and Knezevic's parliamentary immunity so they could be jailed. Mandic and Knezevic have denied the accusations against them. Montenegro's NATO membership bid is expected to be completed this spring. But the country of 620,000 people remains split between those who want to move toward NATO and the West and those who prefer closer ties with Russia. With reporting by AP and AFP Top U.S. lawmakers have continued to question the relationship between Russia and President Donald Trump's aides, with a growing number of Republicans joining calls for inquiries into the matter. The Republican and Democratic leaders of the Senate Judiciary Committee asked U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director James Comey on February 15 to send the committee documents and provide a briefing on the ouster of Michael Flynn, the White House national security adviser who left after revelations that he discussed U.S. sanctions against Russia with the Russian ambassador before taking office. Citing reports that both the FBI and Justice Department were involved in events leading to Flynn's departure, Senators Chuck Grassley and Dianne Feinstein said those reports raised "substantial questions" about Flynn's discussions with Russian officials. Adding to the pressure on the White House were comments by Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker, who has been a Trump supporter. Corker said the Russia issue was threatening Trump's agenda on foreign affairs and domestic matters like health care and tax policy. He questioned whether the White House was able to stabilize itself and said Flynn should testify before Congress. "Let's get everything out as quickly as possible on this Russia issue," Corker told MSNBC's Morning Joe program. "Maybe there's a problem that obviously goes much deeper than what we now suspect." Senator Lindsey Graham, who vied with Trump for the Republican presidential nomination last year, called for a broader bipartisan congressional investigation to be conducted by a newly formed special committee rather than existing committees of Congress, if it turns out Trump's presidential campaign communicated with the Russians. Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain didn't rule out an independent investigation, but said he and other lawmakers "need to find out a lot of basic information" first about Flynn's communications and the alleged contacts between Russian officials and Trump's campaign. "Something like this always sucks the oxygen out of the room," McCain said. "The president's national security adviser did not tell the vice president of the United States the truth and had to be fired. It brings up a lot of questions and those questions need to be answered. Right now, without a national security adviser and everything else that's going on in the White House, it is dysfunctional on national security." Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said he expects the Senate Intelligence Committee, which is already investigating allegations of Russian meddling in the presidential election, to expand its investigation and interview Flynn. Senator Roy Blunt, a Republican on the Intelligence Committee, agreed that the committee should expand and expedite its ongoing investigation to address the Flynn ouster. "I think sooner is better than later," Blunt told reporters. "And I think we can be a long way down the road in 90 days." Democrats said they doubt the Republican-led Congress or Trump's Justice Department will pursue the matter vigorously enough, and they are demanding an independent investigation into possibly illegal communications between Flynn and the Russian government and any efforts by Flynn or other White House officials to conceal wrongdoing. The most powerful Democrat in the Senate, Chuck Schumer, said Attorney General Sessions, a close ally of Trump, must recuse himself from any investigation. "Prosecutors should not be reporting to the first senator who endorsed Donald Trump's campaign," he said. But the top Republicans in the Senate and House of Representatives have rejected establishing an independent investigative panel like the Watergate prosecutor, saying existing Republican-led committees in Congress can do the job. Meanwhile, investigations continue within the executive branch after U.S. intelligence agencies concluded last year that Russia hacked and leaked Democratic Party e-mails during the presidential campaign in an effort to tilt the election toward Trump. The FBI and several U.S. intelligence agencies are now investigating Russian espionage operations in the United States, Reuters reported. They are also looking at contacts between Russian officials and people connected to Trump or his campaign. The FBI recently questioned Flynn about his telephone contacts with Russian Ambassador Sergei Kislyak in December while the Obama administration was preparing new sanctions against Russia related to its alleged hacking of the election. Investigators have found no evidence so far of collusion between Russians and Trump's campaign before the election, however, or any evidence of criminal activity by Flynn or anyone else connected to Trump, Reuters reported. Trump on February 15 railed against "illegal" leaks of classified information about the investigations to the news media and said Flynn had received "unfair treatment" from the media. Grassley, the Senate judiciary chairman, agreed. He said that while Flynn should be held responsible for any wrongdoing, so should anyone in the government who leaked classified information. "I think that we need to start considering that it's not only dangerous and scary that some foreign power attempts to influence our elections, but it may be even scarier that intelligence officials in our own government may be trying to undermine our government," he said on a conference call with reporters in Washington. With reporting by AP and Reuters When leading officials meet in the heart of Europe for a prominent annual piece of geopolitical theater, two key players will be offstage: Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. The U.S. and Russian presidents are staying away from the Munich Security Conference on February 17-19, sending subordinates to a gathering that will be watched for clues to how Russia-U.S. ties will unfold -- and what it will mean for the rest of the world. The conference is taking place at a time when, according to its chairman, the global security environment may be "more volatile than at any point since World War II." RFE/RL takes a looks at what Russia, the United States, and Europe may hope to get out of the event. Ten Years After Putin has been in power as president or prime minister since 1999, but has attended the Munich Security Conference only once. In 2007, he used the meeting as a platform for a now-famous denunciation of the United States as a dangerous hegemon that was ignoring state borders, violating international law, and "plunging the world into an abyss of permanent conflicts." It was high time, Putin said, to "seriously think about the architecture of global security." A decade later, the Kremlin's repeated calls for a restructuring of world security have not produced the result Putin seemed to have in mind: a new system with Russia in a leading role on equal footing with Washington. Instead, Putin has muscled Russia into a more powerful position by breaking the same rules he accused the United States of breaking -- first by sending troops into Georgia to fight a five-day war in 2008, then by seizing Crimea in 2014 and supporting separatists in a conflict that has killed more than 9,750 people in eastern Ukraine and persists two years after a cease-fire and peace deal was signed in Minsk. Now, Putin may be looking to the advent of the Trump administration as a chance to cement what gains he has made, to roll back Western opposition to Moscow's actions in Ukraine, Syria, and further afield, and to make an assertive Russia the new normal. In the decade since Putin's Munich address, "the main achievement is considered [by the Kremlin] to be that Russia has destroyed the U.S. monopoly on the use of force outside its traditional region and 'won the right to violate international law' -- like the United States," Moscow-based foreign-affairs analyst Vladimir Frolov wrote in an article published by the Russian news site Republic.ru on February 14. Before Trump took office, the prospect of his victory seemed to hold almost boundless promise for Putin -- so much promise that, according to U.S. intelligence agencies, Russia conducted a campaign of hacking and propaganda aimed at undermining Trump's opponent and U.S. democracy in general while helping the Republican candidate. During the campaign, Trump praised Putin several times, suggested he would consider lifting sanctions imposed by the Obama administration over Moscow's interference in Ukraine, and made clear he hoped to improve ties with Russia -- while giving no indication that he would press the Kremlin on human rights issues. Most important, perhaps, he declared after the election that the United States "will stop racing to topple foreign regimes" and focus on fighting terrorism -- almost exactly the approach Putin has long and bitterly claimed the United States has avoided taking. Mixed Messages Since Trump's inauguration on January 20, the messages on Russia have been much more mixed. The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, said on February 3 that the United States "continues to condemn and call for an immediate end to the Russian occupation of Crimea," and that sanctions related to the seizure of the peninsula "will remain in place" until Russia returns it to Ukraine. On February 14, White House spokesman Sean Spicer said Trump had "made it very clear" he expects Russia to "return Crimea" and reduce violence in eastern Ukraine. Trump himself, meanwhile, has repeatedly said that he hopes to get along with Putin but suggested that if he does not, he can live with that, too. At the same time, the White House described a January 28 telephone call between Trump and Putin as "a significant start to improving the relationship between the United States and Russia that is in need of repair." But no date has been set for a face-to-face meeting, and the signals from the White House may leave Putin to wonder which direction the relationship will take. In Munich, where Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will represent Russia and Vice President Mike Pence will be the top U.S. official, the Kremlin will be looking for clearer signals from the United States. In a possible sign of impatience, Putin reiterated his calls for counterterrorism cooperation with the United States at a February 16 meeting with the Federal Security Service (FSB), saying in televised comments that "dialogue [with] the intelligence agencies of the United States and other members of NATO" is in the common interest. "It's absolutely clear that in the area of counterterrorism, all relevant governments and international groups should work together." But Frolov suggested that Russia will have to struggle to come up with something to offer to make the close counterterrorism cooperation that both sides have talked up a reality. "Moscow's real capabilities on the antiterror front may not live up to the excessive expectations of Trump and his advisers," he wrote. European Tour The conference caps a week of European debuts for Trump's team, following Defense Secretary Jim Mattis's first meeting with NATO counterparts in Brussels on February 15-16 and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's attendance at a Group of 20 foreign ministers meeting in Bonn on February 16. In Munich, U.S. officials will have to juggle the attention of the European Union, Russia, and Ukraine, among others. Trump has triggered concern in Europe with his enthusiasm for Britain's departure from the EU, his depiction of NATO during the campaign as "obsolete," and some of his remarks about Russia. Scrutiny of Trump's foreign-policy intentions could be all the more intense following the forced resignation on February 13 of his national security adviser, Michael Flynn, amid controversy over conversations the ousted official held with Russia's ambassador to the United States in December. U.S. officials may see the Munich meeting as a chance to focus on diplomacy and leave the controversy -- which has grown larger in the wake of a New York Times report stating that associates of Trump had contacts with Russian intelligence officials in the months ahead of the election -- behind in Washington. But they are also likely to face pressure from Russia, which is eager to add some substance to the bilateral talk of better relations. So far, European leaders seem more likely than the Kremlin to be reassured by the remarks from the U.S. side this week. In Brussels on February 15, Mattis warned NATO that Washington might "moderate" its support if European allies do not increase their financial contributions to common defense. But talk of obsolescence was replaced by a reference to NATO as a "fundamental bedrock for the United States and for all the transatlantic community." On February 16, Mattis said that the United States was "not in a position right now to collaborate on a military level" with Russia, which he said must "live by international law just like we expect all mature nations on this planet to do." And Tillerson, after his meeting with Lavrov the same day, said: "As we search for new common ground, we expect Russia to honor its commitment to the Minsk agreements and work to de-escalate violence in Ukraine." Tillerson is skipping the conference. But with Pence expected to meet Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko in Munich, the United States will also be dealing with Kyiv's desire for support as it struggles with the loss of control over Crimea and the continuing conflict with Russia-backed separatists who hold chunks of two eastern provinces. Both Sides Now At past editions of the Munich conference -- such as in 2007 and last year, when Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev spoke of a new Cold War -- there has often been a sense of a divide: Russia on one side and the transatlantic community on the other. This time, the vibe may be different: European governments are wondering about the intentions of both Putin and Trump. In a letter to EU leaders ahead of a summit on February 3, European Council President Donald Tusk said the challenges facing the bloc were "more dangerous than ever before" and that statements from Trump's team constituted part of an external threat. "Russia's aggressive policy towards Ukraine and its neighbors, wars, terror and anarchy in the Middle East and in Africa, with radical Islam playing a major role, as well as worrying declarations by the new American administration all make our future highly unpredictable," Tusk wrote. "Particularly the change in Washington puts the European Union in a difficult situation; with the new administration seeming to put into question the last 70 years of American foreign policy," he added. Tusk, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel are among the leaders due to attend the conference. European jitters about the future are reflected in the title of the annual Munich Security Report published before this year's conference: Post-Truth, Post-West, Post-Order? "The past 12 months have been a resounding rejection of the status quo," the report says, citing elections and referendums in which "political outsiders succeeded, while the establishment was dealt major blows." Western societies are troubled from within by "the emergence of populist movements that oppose critical elements of the liberal-democratic status quo," it says. "From outside, Western societies are challenged by illiberal regimes trying to cast doubt on liberal democracy and weaken the international order. And Western states themselves seem both unwilling and unable to effectively tackle the biggest security crises -- with Syria as the prime example." A senior Pakistani police official says the death toll from an Islamic State (IS) suicide bombing at a crowded Sufi shrine in southern Pakistan has risen to 80 people, as Pakistan's political and military leaders said they would go to any length to crush Islamic extremists. Aid workers at the scene of the tragedy say at least 30 children were among those killed on February 16, while more than 100 people were wounded. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned the massacre as an attack on the future of "progressive, inclusive" Pakistan and vowed to do "anything possible" to protect the country, his office said. Military chief Qamar Bajwa vowed to step up ongoing offensives against Taliban rebels, saying every drop of blood would be avenged. A spokesman for the medical charity Edhi said the attacker appeared to have targeted the women's wing of the Lal Shahbaz Qalandar shrine, and children who were accompanying their mothers at the time of the attack had been killed. The attack at the Lal Shahbaz Qalandar shrine is the deadliest in a wave of bombings to hit Pakistan during the past week as the Pakistani Taliban and other extremist Islamist militants carry out threats of a new offensive. A post on the IS-linked Aamaq website claimed responsibility for the attack. Thousands of devotees of Qalandar - a Sufi philosopher and poet -- visit his tomb in Sehwan Sharif every Thursday -- and the shrine was particularly crowded on February 16, just three days before the 742nd anniversary of his death on February 19, 1275. Three Days Of Mourning One woman who survived the attack told the Dawn TV news channel that she was part of a group that was visiting the shrine "for the love of our saint, for the worship of Allah." The woman, speaking with her head scarf streaked in blood, asked, "Who would hurt us when we were there for devotion?" The government of Sindh Province on February 16 announced a three-day mourning period. Meanwhile, Pakistani security officials say they have closed the Torkham border crossing into Afghanistan for an indefinite period for "security reasons." A statement from Pakistan's Interservice Public Relations agency (ISPR), the military's media wing, said that "terrorist attacks were being executed on directions from hostile powers and from sanctuaries in Afghanistan." Major General Asif Ghafoor, the director-general of the ISPR's public relations media wing, said the border crossing on the highway between Peshawar, Pakistan and Jalalabad, Afghanistan, would remain closed until "further orders." Earlier on February 16, a land-mine blast had killed an army captain and two army soldiers in the Awaran area of Balochistan Province. On February 15, two suicide attacks took place in northern Pakistan -- both claimed by Taliban militants. One was in the Mohmand tribal district and the other, in the city of Peshawar, targeted court judges. On February 13, a suicide attacker targeted protesters in the city of Lahore, killing 13 people, including senior police officers, and wounding more than 80 people. With reporting by Reuters, AP, AFP, Dawn TV, and Geo TV A court in Russia has sentenced a Kyrgyz-born Russian citizen to seven years in jail for fighting alongside terrorists in Syria. The Moscow Military Regional Court at the trial held in St. Petersburg, on February 16, found Islamzhon Zakhidov guilty of joining the Al-Nusra Front terrorist group, currently known as Jabhat al-Sham, in Syria, and sentenced him the same day. Zakhidov, 19, pleaded guilty and said he had joined terrorists in Syria as a 17-year-old in 2015 after his father invited him there. In June 2016, he managed to escape from his father in Syria and returned to his mother in St. Petersburg, where he was arrested. Russian officials have said that at least 5,000 Russian citizens and nationals of other former Soviet republics have traveled to Syria and Iraq to join the Islamic State group and other terrorist organizations. Based on reporting by rapsinews.ru and Interfax Russian President Vladimir Putin has said Russia and the United States would benefit from restoring communications between their intelligence agencies to bolster the fight against terrorism. "It's in everyone's interest to restore dialogue between the intelligence agencies of the United States and other members of NATO," Putin told Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), in televised remarks at a meeting of the service in Moscow on February 16. "It's absolutely clear that in the area of counterterrorism all relevant governments and international groups should work together," he said. Relations between the United States and Russia sunk to post-Cold War lows and many ties were broken after Russia's illegal annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in 2014 and Moscow's ongoing support of separatist fighters in eastern Ukraine. The Russian leader also said the number of cyberattacks against Russia tripled last year compared to 2015, and urged better protection against such attacks. Putin also told the FSB, as well as the Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) and the Foreign Ministry, to take additional security measures at Russian missions in foreign countries following the assassination of Andrei Karlov, Russia's ambassador to Turkey, at a photo exhibition in Ankara on December 19. Based on reporting by Reuters, AFP, and Interfax Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has said Russia is prepared to improve ties with the Pentagon, but warned against Washington seeking cooperation from a "position of strength." "We are ready to resume cooperation with the Pentagon, but attempts to build a dialogue with Russia from a position of strength would be futile," Russian news agencies quoted Shoigu as saying on February 16. "We expect clarification on the position of the Pentagon," he said. Shoigu's statement came in reaction to comments by U.S. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis who on February 15 spoke of the need to show toughness in dealing with Russia. "We remain open to opportunities to restore a cooperative relationship with Moscow, while being realistic in our expectations and ensuring our diplomats negotiate from a position of strength," Mattis said during a meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels. Shoigu's statement came just hours before General Joe Dunford and General Valery Gerasimov, the U.S. and Russian military chiefs of staff, were to hold talks in Azerbaijan's capital, Baku, in the first meeting between the two countries' senior military members since Donald Trump was elected president last year. Shoigu said Moscow would seek Dunford's explanation at the Baku meeting. Based on reporting by Reuters, Interfax, TASS, and CNN Kazakhstan has said a new round of talks on the Syria conflict backed by Russia, Turkey, and Iran and endorsed by the United Nations is under way after a day's delay. A plenary session involving Russia, Turkey, and Iran as well as delegations from the Syrian government and opposition was also announced on February 16, a Kazakh Foreign Ministry official said at a press briefing in Astana. Kazakhstan on February 15 said talks had been moved one day to February 16 for unspecified "technical reasons." Bilateral consultations ahead of the plenary session are reported to have been under way since February 16, as parties seek an end to the conflict that has claimed more than 300,000 lives since 2011. A rebel spokesman, Yehya al-Aridi, said on February 15 the opposition was participating, but as a "smaller" delegation than the one it sent for the talks in Astana last month, when it refused to negotiate directly with Damascus. The Syrian regime is represented in Astana by its ambassador to the UN, Bashar al-Jaafari. Jaafari has told Russian agency RIA Novosti that one-on-one meetings between the opposition and the government were "not planned." The first round of talks on Syria that took place in Astana last month did not result in any significant breakthrough. UN envoy on Syria Staffan de Mistura said from Moscow, where he met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, that he would not participate personally in the latest Astana meeting but that his office would be represented by a "technical team." Based on reporting by AFP and TASS A Tajik court has sentenced a village mullah to seven years in prison on sexual misconduct and fraud charges. The court in the capital, Dushanbe, also ordered Asadullo Ibrohimov to pay nearly $3,000 in fines. Ibrohimov, 46, was known in his native Luchob village, outside Dushanbe, for offering infertility treatment. He was arrested in September after a video appeared on YouTube depicting him fondling a woman while reciting verses from the Koran. Tajikistan's Interior Ministry said in a statement that Ibrohimov "has taken advantage" of his female client's "vulnerable state of mind." Ibrohimov denies the charges, saying he "might have undermined religious rules" but hasn't committed any crime according to Tajik laws. His defense team accused the woman of provoking and blackmailing Ibrohimov. He is appealing the court ruling. ON MY MIND Domestic violence is in. Atheism is out. In Vladimir Putin's Russia, you can now face harsher criminal penalties for questioning the existence of God or insulting someone's religious beliefs than for wife beating. Recent legislation decriminalizing domestic violence, as well as older laws outlawing blasphemy and gay propaganda, are just a few examples of the Kremlin's ultraconservative turn during Putin's third term in the Kremlin. But these laws aren't just about domestic politics. They are also a key element in Russia's foreign policy. The Putin regime's embrace of what it calls traditional Christian values at home, combined with its support of far-right, xenophobic, and Euroskeptic forces abroad, are components of an incipient ideology aimed at shoring up domestic support, undermining Western liberalism, and restoring Russia's status as a great power. Call it Putinism 2.0 -- and it's gone international. IN THE NEWS Top U.S. lawmakers have continued to question the relationship between Russia and President Donald Trump's aides, with a growing number of Republicans joining calls for inquiries into the matter. Three U.S. lawmakers from Connecticut are expressing concern over reports of a Russian intelligence-gathering ship sailing near a U.S. naval submarine base in their state. Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy and Representative Joe Courtney condemned what they described as Russia's increasing aggression. U.S. House Democrats are pushing forward with legislation to make sure Congress can block any effort President Trump's administration might make to lift sanctions on Russia. France says it will not accept meddling by Russia or any other country in its upcoming presidential election, and that it could respond to such interference with "retaliatory measures." Turkish media reports say a new suspect has been detained in connection with the December assassination of Russia's ambassador to Turkey. The U.S. Embassy in Georgia has condemned plans by separatist authorities in South Ossetia for a referendum on a proposed name change for the Russia-backed breakaway region. Ukraine has accused Russian hackers of targeting its power grid, financial system, and other infrastructure with thousands of attacks and a new type of virus that attacks industrial processes. Ukraine has declared a state of emergency for its energy sector that could lead to rolling blackouts as officials try to dramatically reduce electricity consumption across the country. An international mediator from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe says Ukraine's warring sides have agreed to withdraw heavy weapons from the front line by February 20 in line with the Minsk peace plan. WHAT I'M READING Master Of The Middle East Owen Matthews, Jack Moore, and Damien Sharkov in Newsweek discuss Russia's plan to become the Middle East's new power broker. "Russias return to the Middle East has proved a stunning, sudden success -- and a setback to American power and prestige," the authors write. "Up until recently the U.S. had no real diplomatic or military rival in the Middle East. Now, as Trump begins his presidency with promises of wiping out ISIS, there are Russian planes in the air and troops on the ground in Syria; battleships off the coast of Libya; and Moscows friends occupy -- or are in line to occupy -- presidential palaces from Tripoli to Damascus. Any time Trump makes a move in the Middle East, hell have to ask himself: 'What will Putin think of this?' No other recent American president had that problem." Can Germany Save NATO? Former NATO official Fabrice Pothier, a senior associate at Rasmussen Global and a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, has a piece in Politico arguing that Germany holds the key to reviving NATO. "With Europe's largest GDP and by far its strongest economy, Germany is the swing state in European defense," Pothier writes. "If Berlin commits to spending the recommended 2 percent of GDP on defense, it would add $30 billion of defense spending in Europe -- a large share of the $100 billion surplus that would be generated if all European members and Canada met their targets. The move would significantly boost European defense." Can Europe Save The West? In a piece in Foreign Policy, Charles Kupchan, a professor of international affairs at Georgetown University and a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, argues that continental Europe represents the West's last line of defense against populism. "If the United States and Great Britain are to be, at least temporarily, missing in action when it comes to defending the liberal international order, then continental Europe will have to hold down the fort," Kupchan, author of the book No One's World: The West, The Rising Rest, And The Coming Global Turn, writes. "With the internal cohesion of the EU strained by the very populism the bloc needs to face down, it is not good timing for the EU to fill the gap left by Anglo-American dysfunction. But at least for now, European leadership is liberal internationalisms best hope." Surkov And Crimea In his column for Republic.ru, opposition journalist Oleg Kashin looks at what is behind recent claims that Kremlin aide Vladislav Surkov had opposed the annexation of Crimea. More MH17 Revelations A new Bellingcat report has identified retired Russian officer Sergei Dubinsky as the man in charge of transporting the Russian Buk that downed MH17. Suspense? What Suspense? In The Moscow Times, political analyst Mikhail Fishman writes that "the suspense is over" and "Putin is running" for reelection next year. "At first glance, the 2018 election should present little challenge to the sitting president. The street protests and dissent that characterized his last presidential election in 2012 are a distant memory. The nation is seemingly coming to terms with Putin's everlasting rule. Without competition or obvious alternatives, Putin's approval ratings remain at record-highs," Fishman writes. "Yet there are some signs this election may not be as straightforward as the Kremlin expects. The challenge is avoiding boredom. The faces are the same. The conclusion is foregone. There is no drama, no fight, and, consequently, no reason to go out and vote." Fake News, Fake Ukrainians In The New York Times, Andrew Higgins looks at how Moscow influenced last year's Dutch referendum on Ukraine's Association Agreement with the European Union -- with disinformation and a team of Russians posing as Ukrainians opposed to the pact. Fatal Attraction Why are so many Western leaders enthralled by the Kremlin leader? The BBC's Tim Whewell addresses the issue of "the pull of Putin." Anatomy Of A Phone Call In Foreign Policy, Marc Ambinder unpacks how former U.S. national security adviser Michael Flynn's calls to the Russian ambassador came to light. And on his blog In Moscow's Shadows, Mark Galeotti of the Institute of International Relations in Prague looks at the known unknowns in the scandal over contacts between the Trump campaign and Russian officials. The Ghost Of Boris Yeltsin In his column for Bloomberg, political commentator Leonid Bershidsky compares Trump to former Russian President Boris Yeltsin. U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has told his Russian counterpart that the Kremlin must adhere to its commitments on Ukraine if there is to be cooperation between Moscow and President Donald Trumps administration. Speaking on February 16 after talks in Bonn with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Tillerson said the United States was ready to work with Russia "when we can find areas of practical cooperation that will benefit the American people." But the U.S. secretary of state said "where we do not see eye-to-eye, the United States will stand up for the interests and values of America and her allies." Tillerson also said that amid the "search for new common ground" by the Kremlin and Washington, Trump's administration expects Russia "to honor its commitment to the Minsk agreements" on eastern Ukraine and "work to de-escalate violence in Ukraine." Britain's Foreign Office said in a statement after the Tillerson-Lavrov meeting that there was "absolutely no doubt" the United States remains committed to working closely with its allies to tackle tough global problems. Moving Ahead 'Where Interests Coincide' Tillerson and Lavrov's talks were on the sidelines of a Group of 20 (G20) meeting of foreign ministers in Bonn, Germany. Lavrov said after the meeting that the two spoke about issues related to Syria, Ukraine, and Afghanistan -- and that they agreed they "must move ahead" where interests coincide. But he said that "all disagreements cannot be settled at once." Lavrov also said he and Tillerson did not discuss the issue of sanctions imposed against Russia by the United States over the Kremlin's intervention in eastern Ukraine and its annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula. WATCH: Tillerson Tells Lavrov To Honor Ukraine Commitments The Russian foreign minister said he assumes there will be a meeting soon between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. But Interfax quoted an aide to Putin as saying that there was "no agreement or clear understanding" about a Putin-Trump meeting. While the top diplomats from Moscow and Washington were meeting in Bonn, the top two military officers from the United States and Russia got together for face-to-face talks in Baku, Azerbaijan. The meeting between General Joseph Dunford, the chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, and his counterpart, Russian General Valery Gerasimov, focused on what Dunfords office described as "the current state of U.S.-Russian military relations and the importance of consistent and clear military-to-military communication to prevent miscalculation and potential crises." 'Restoring Dialogue' Russias Defense Ministry said after the Baku talks that the two generals had agreed on a course aimed at easing tensions between their countries. It also said Gerasimov and Dunford had agreed to continue contacts. Russian President Vladimir Putin said earlier on February 16 that Russia and the United States would benefit from restoring communications between their intelligence agencies to bolster the fight against terrorism. "It's in everyone's interest to restore dialogue between the intelligence agencies of the United States and other members of NATO," Putin told Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), in televised remarks at a meeting of the service in Moscow. "It's absolutely clear that in the area of counterterrorism all relevant governments and international groups should work together," Putin said. Relations between the United States and Russia sunk to post-Cold War lows and many ties were broken after Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014 and as a result of Moscow's ongoing support of separatist fighters in eastern Ukraine. U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said on February 16 after a Brussels meeting of NATO defense ministers that the United States is not "in a position right now to collaborate on a military level" with Russia. Mattis said "political leaders will engage and try to find common ground or a way forward where Russia is living up to its commitments, will return to a partnership of sorts here with NATO. But Russia is going to have to prove itself first and live up to the commitments they have made in the Russia-NATO agreement." With reporting by RFE/RL correspondents Mike Eckel in Washington and Rikard Jozwiak in Brussels, Reuters, AP, AFP, Interfax, and TASS Russian and Ukrainian forces exchanged heavy artillery fire in multiple locations, officials in both countries said, as Russian-appointed officials continued evacuating people from the west bank of the Dnieper River amid a mounting Ukrainian counteroffensive. 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, and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war, click here. Ukraine's national grid operator, meanwhile, said on November 5 that it would increase rolling blackouts in Kyiv and seven other regions as the countrys national grid remained severely damaged by weeks of Russian air strikes. Electricity consumption is rising across Ukraine as the weather turns colder, and energy providers have raced to do repairs, ordering planned power cuts to avoid overloads. Ukraines General Staff said that its troops thwarted Russian attacks a day earlier in the eastern Luhansk and Donetsk regions. The military also claimed that Ukrainian air defenses shot down multiple Russian and Iranian drones and two Kalibr cruise missiles. The claim could not be immediately verified. The head of the Vynnytsya region, Serhiy Borzov, said the central region was hit overnight by Russian kamikaze drones. Russian troops have been actively using Iranian drones in recent weeks to attack critical civilian and infrastructure objectives. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the fiercest fighting over the last week had taken place around Bakhmut and Soledar in Donetsk and that Ukrainian forces are holding their positions there and elsewhere. He also spoke of "good gains" in the south, praising infantry and artillery brigades for destroying enemy equipment, Russian manpower. The claims of battlefield success could not be independently verified. Ukrainian forces have been mounting a slow, incremental counteroffensive in the southern Kherson region for weeks now, moving closer to directly threatening the Dnieper River port of Kherson, which was captured early after Russias February invasion. In response, Russian authorities have been evacuating civilians and military troops to the opposite bank of the Dnieper. Kirill Stremousov, deputy head of the Russia-installed administration in the Kherson region, announced a 24-hour curfew on November 4, saying it was necessary to defend it from an expected Ukrainian attack. The Russian military said "more than 5,000 civilians" were being evacuated daily to the east bank of the river. And Russian President Vladimir Putin on November 4 called for civilians to be moved out from Kherson. Those who live in Kherson must now be removed from the zone of the most dangerous hostilities, Putin said in remarks broadcast on state television. The civilian population should not suffer from shelling, from the offensive, counteroffensive, and other measures related to military operations. Russias Defense Ministry said on November 5 that troops had repelled Ukrainian attacks in in the Donetsk, Luhansk, and Kherson regions. In the Kherson region, which the Kremlin last month declared had been annexed, authorities reported the heaviest artillery fire in days. Ukrainian officials have likened the departures of Kherson residents to Soviet-style deportations, though its unclear to what extent the departures are forced or voluntary. Russian officials said people were being moved to safety from the path of the Ukrainian advance. Ukraines counteroffensives in Kherson and the northern Kharkiv region have been powered in large part by powerful Western weaponry. On November 4, the U.S. Defense Department announced another $400 million shipment of weapons and other equipment, including refurbished tanks, surface-to-air missiles, new coastal defense boats, and other items. The announcement came around the same time that the U.S. national-security adviser, Jake Sullivan, made an unannounced visit to Kyiv to meet with top Ukrainian officials. At a news conference later, Sullivan sought again to calm Ukrainian jitters about whether U.S. weapons would continue after the upcoming midterm U.S. congressional elections. Polls show that Republicans are poised to take control of one, or possibly both, chambers of Congress, and a small but vocal number of Republicans have voiced misgivings about the amount and duration of U.S. aid for Ukraine. There will be no wavering, Sullivan said at a news conference. Im confident U.S. support for Ukraine will be unwavering and unflinching. Asked about the prospect of peace talks with Russia, Sullivan repeated what U.S. officials have said in the past: "Nothing is discussed about Ukraine without Ukraine." "For me, the main question about these negotiations is what a just peace looks like and how it can be achieved, Sullivan said. If you look at Russian accusations, Russian actions, in particular regarding the annexation of [Ukrainian] territories, it does not really encourage negotiations. With reporting by RFE/RLs Ukrainian Service, Reuters, dpa, and AP WASHINGTON -- U.S. President Donald Trump has defended his former advisers over the issue of their confirmed and alleged contacts with Russian officials before Trump was inaugurated on January 20. Trump's remarks on February 16 during his first extended solo news conference since taking office came amid a mounting furor in Washington over the forced resignation of his national security, adviser Michael Flynn, because of his discussions with Russia's ambassador in Washington. Flynn's resignation has triggered calls from both Republicans and Democrats in Congress for investigations into potential ties Trump associates may have had with Russian officials ahead of last year's presidential election. Trump defended Flynn and other former aides against suggestions that they may have had inappropriate interactions with Russian officials. He insisted that neither he nor his campaign team had any contacts with Russian officials during the election campaign, contradicting an explosive report about the claims. "They know nothing about it. They weren't in Russia. They never made a phone call to Russia. They never received a phone call. It's all fake news," Trump told reporters in the often testy news conference. "Russia is fake news." Trump said Flynn was forced to resign not because of his phone calls with Russian Ambassador Sergei Kislyak in December -- which he portrayed as routine -- but because the former adviser misled Vice President Mike Pence about the nature of those calls. "He was just doing his job," Trump said, who also denied that he directed Flynn to discuss the issue of U.S. sanctions against Russia. But Trump said it wasn't acceptable that Flynn later claims he could not remember details about his phone conversations with the Russian ambassador. The calls took place as then President Barack Obama was preparing fresh sanctions against Russia and raised questions about whether Flynn violated a U.S. law forbidding private citizens from negotiating with foreign nations that have a dispute with Washington without government authorization. 'Fine-Tuned Machine' Trump also declared that, despite the turmoil he and his cabinet have already faced in less than a month in office, his "administration is running like a fine-tuned machine." Trump's administration announced late on February 13 that Flynn resigned after media reports said U.S. intelligence agencies discovered the security adviser had discussed the issue of sanctions with Kislyak. The White House insists Flynn didn't violate any laws but that Trump asked for his resignation due to a "trust issue." The FBI reportedly interviewed Flynn on the subject just days after Trump took office. WATCH: Trump: 'I Inherited A Mess' A February 14 report in The New York Times, meanwhile, cited current and former U.S. officials as saying that members of Trump's campaign and other associates had contacts with Russian intelligence officials in the months before the November 2016 presidential election. In addition to Flynn, Trump defended another former aide, Paul Manafort, who served as an adviser to former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych and his pro-Russian Party of Regions from 2004 to 2010 and was named in The New York Times report this week. Manafort resigned as chairman of Trump's campaign in August amid reports about his lobbying work for Ukrainian political figures and failure to register as a foreign agent. "People knew that he was a consultant over in that part of the world for a while, but not for Russia. I think he represented Ukraine or people having to do with Ukraine," Trump said, noting Manafort's denials of any contacts with Russian officials. 'Criminal Leaks' Ties between Russia and the United States have been badly strained over Russia's annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in 2014, its subsequent backing of separatists in eastern Ukraine, and its backing of President Bashar al-Assad in the Syria conflict. Relations were further inflamed over what U.S. intelligence agencies say was a hacking and propaganda campaign to meddle in the U.S. presidential election with the aim of undermining the United States, discrediting Democratic Party candidate Hillary Clinton, and helping Trump. Trump repeated his stated desire to improve ties with Moscow on February 16, telling reports that "it would be great if we could get along with Russia." He suggested, however, that the media were hampering a possible rapprochement with Moscow. "The false, horrible, fake reporting makes it much harder to make a deal with Russia," he said. Trump also said that he has no business interests in Russia and denounced leaks, which he called "criminal," that have been central to many of the media reports about alleged contacts between Trump's associates and Russian officials. With reporting by AP, Reuters, AFP and dpa State media in Turkmenistan are reporting that 828 prisoners have been pardoned by President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov. Media outlets quote Berdymukhammedov as saying the amnesty was linked to the Central Asian country's Flag Day holiday marked on February 19. According to the reports, Berdymukhammedov signed the amnesty decree on February 12 "following a long-established noble tradition" at the joint session of the cabinet and the State Security Council. Berdymukhammedov's predecessor, Saparmurat Niyazov, issued similar amnesty decrees once a year during the holy month of Ramadan. Berdymukhammedov -- an authoritarian ruler who controls all aspects of Turkmen society -- has issued such decrees several times a year, usually on the eve of state holidays. His last clemency, announced in December, pardoned 561 inmates on the eve of Neutrality Day, which is on December 12. Such clemencies usually do not cover inmates convicted on politically motivated charges. Based on reporting by Turkmenistan.gov.tm and Interfax Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has pledged to resume coal supplies from separatist-controlled parts of the country after they were blocked by volunteer fighting battalions, threatening the country's power supply. Ukraine declared a state of emergency in its energy sector on February 15, with Energy Minister Ihor Nasalyk calling on all residents and industries to immediately try to save electricity. Russia-backed separatists control areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions in eastern Ukraine nearly three years after the start of their fight against Kyivs forces that has killed more than 9,750 people. Despite the hostilities, Kyiv continued to buy coal from areas controlled by separatists as power stations in Ukraine are mostly designed to run on the specific type of coal that is produced there. Sales were suspended when volunteer battalions and some lawmakers blocked a railroad that brings coal across the front line late last month. Poroshenko said the lack of coal from the Donbas risks leaving entire towns without heating and he pledged to resume the supply's flow. Prime Minister Volodymyr Hroysman said about nine out of the 24 million tons of coal that Ukrainian power stations require every year are imported from the separatist-controlled areas. Based on reporting by AFP, AP, and TASS More than two dozen human rights groups have expressed "outrage" over the impending trial of Ukrainian journalist Mykola Semena, an RFE/RL contributor who has angered Moscow over his reporting in the Russian-controlled Ukrainian region of Crimea. "The Russian government is preparing new act of political retaliation against those who dare to criticize Russian actions on the Crimean Peninsula, which was seized by Russia in 2014 and violated international law," the Civic Solidarity Platform (CSP), which unites 27 human rights groups, said on February 16. Semena's lawyer, Andrei Sabinin, said on February 14 that preliminary hearings into the case will be held by the Zaliznychnyy district court in Crimea's capital, Simferopol, on February 17. The journalist's other lawyer, Emil Kurbedinov, told RFE/RL on February 8 that the actual trial for Semena will start on February 28. Semena was detained in April and then released but ordered not to leave the peninsula. He was charged with separatism and may be sentenced to five years in prison if convicted of separatism based on an article he wrote on his blog that was critical of Moscow's seizure of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014. Semena was given a final version of the charges in December and was served on January 20 with the closing indictment in his case, a detailed document that includes descriptions of evidence, the names of prosecution witnesses, and other information. Semena denies the charges. The United States, the European Union, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and international media watchdogs have expressed concern over Semena's case, which activists say is part of a Russian clampdown on independent media and dissent in Crimea. Human rights advocates say Russia and the authorities Moscow has imposed in Crimea have conducted a persistent campaign of oppression targeting opponents of the annexation, including many among the region's indigenous Crimean Tatars, as well as independent media outlets and journalists. "Civic Solidarity Platform is outraged by the cruelty of measures taken by the Russian government against those who peacefully express opposition to its politics in the Crimea." the group said in a statement. It added that members of the CSP "are expressing their support and solidarity with Mykola Semena" and have urged the international community to "strongly and clearly oppose the repressive actions of the Russian Federation in Crimea. RFE/RL President Thomas Kent said in January that the charges against Semena were "part of a concerted effort by Russian and Russian-backed authorities to obstruct RFE/RL's journalistic mission to provide an independent press to residents of Crimea." Russia seized control of Crimea from Ukraine in March 2014, after sending in troops to secure key facilities and staging a referendum dismissed as illegitimate by Ukraine, the United States, and more than 100 countries in the UN General Assembly. With reporting by UNIAN and TASS "The Trump administration has dealt with a series of internal and foreign crises, the national security adviser has resigned just 24 days into Trump's presidency, and defense officials from both parties are freaking outhow could things possibly get any crazier?" Seth Meyers asked last night before tackling the latest news that Trump campaign officials were in frequent contact with Russian officials before the election. "This administration is like a really intense haunted house, where every door you think is an exit is just a door to an even scarier room," Meyers continued. "How do I get out of this fucking place? I wet my pants three rooms ago!" Watch below as Meyers dissects the ways in which the White House has turned into another episode of The Apprentice, and deconstructs Trump's assurances that he would "win so much you may even get tired of winning." As Meyers put it, "No one gets tired of winning. It's never happened. If anyone did, it would be DJ Khaled. All he does is win and he doesn't seem tired in the least." Stephen Colbert kicked off The Late Show with the news that Andrew Puzder, "the suburban dentist you meet at the swingers party," had withdrawn his nomination from becoming Trump's labor secretary, then dove into all the latest Russian news: "We just learned from multiple intelligence sources that Trump aides were 'in constant touch' with senior Russian officials during the campaign," he said. "'Constant Touch' by the way is also Trump's Secret Service code name." Colbert also had a Usual Suspects parody about Trump's collusion with Russia. A GREAT-GRANDMOTHER who braved the elements to collect more than 1,000 signatures objecting to the possible closure of Wycombe Hospital's Accident & Emergency department, handed her petition to the authorities this week. Janet Riley, 60, from Havenfield Road, Booker, was shocked when she read the news that as part of an acute services review health authority officials were discussing the possibility of closing the A&E ward at Wycombe, which would force patients to travel an extra 16 miles to Stoke Mandeville Hospital. Mrs Riley said: "There are old people. There are children. We all rely on that A & E and I felt very strongly about it." Mrs Riley spent two days in Wycombe collecting signatures from people objecting to any possible closure. She said: "I got 1,002 after two days which is not a long time. If we would have kept it going for a long time we would have got lots more. The people I spoke to are really quite proud of their hospital and don't want to lose the service." With the backing of Wycombe district councillors Ted Collins and Chauhdry Shafique, Mrs Riley presented her petition to Dr Jeremy Rose, chairman of Wycombe Primary Care Group (PCG), on Tuesday, who will forward it to Buckinghamshire Health Authority. Jayne Stone, chief executive of Wycombe PCG, said: "Any major change to services has to be part of a consultation. The CHC (Community Health Council) has the right to ask for a review by the secretary of state. "After April 2002 local authorities then have the statutory authority that the CHC does. The local authority can ask for a review by the secretary of state. Buckinghamshire County Council and Wycombe District Council will both have scrutiny committees for health." Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. MELBOURNE, Florida - President Donald J. Trump will visit Florida's Space Coast on Saturday as part of his thank you tour to the voters who helped propel the real estate mogul into the White House. "While I have not officially been asked to do so, if invited, I would be honored to introduce our President as I did during his previous campaign visit or to provide assistance in any capacity that will aid President Trump and his staff," Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey said in a statement. The event will take place at 5 p.m. on Saturday, February 18, 2017 at the at the Orlando-Melbourne International Airport. Those who wish to attend are advised to not bring professional cameras with a detachable lens, tripods, monopods, selfie sticks, GoPros, posters, banners, or signs. There is no dress code and ID is not required for entry. Event Details: Saturday, February 18, 2017 at 5:00 PM Orlando-Melbourne International Airport AeroMod International Hangar 100 Aerospace Drive Unit 6 Melbourne, Florida, 32901 For more information, visit the Donald J. Trump campaign website After considering 60 cities in a nearly yearlong search process, Hanover County-based Owens & Minor Inc. announced plans Thursday to open a client engagement center in downtown Richmond that will employ 500 people in jobs averaging about $52,700 in annual pay. Owens & Minor, a Fortune 500 distributor of medical supplies, is leasing 90,000 square feet in the Riverfront Plaza building at 951 E. Byrd St., just a few blocks from where the company was founded in 1882 as a drug wholesaler. The space will be used for the companys new client engagement center, which will house functions such as customer service, purchasing, sales and some types of financial management. The company expects to make a capital investment of about $15 million over several years to equip the center. This will be an innovative, state-of-the-art facility, and the CEC will offer new career paths for our teammates and will help us achieve our goals as an organization, said Cody Phipps, Owens & Minors president and chief executive officer. He spoke at an announcement event at Riverfront Plaza on Thursday attended by Gov. Terry McAuliffe, Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney, company employees, and other local and state officials and businesspeople. Of the 500 people who will work at the downtown office, about 300 will be either new hires or employees who transfer from client service offices located at the companys 44 distribution sites across the nation. About 200 will transfer to the downtown office from the companys corporate headquarters in the Atlee Station business park in Hanover County. That office, which has about 500 employees, will remain open. With revenue of about $9.72 billion for 2016, Owens & Minor distributes medical supplies and provides logistics for health care providers. The company has about 8,000 employees and a network of distribution centers across the United States and in Europe. In Virginia, the company also employs about 150 people at a distribution center in Hanover and about 525 people at a production plant in Toano. The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the city of Richmond and the Greater Richmond Partnership to secure the project. McAuliffe approved a $1.5 million grant from the Commonwealths Opportunity Fund to offset expenses of opening the new center. The city will provide about $1.2 million in matching funds, most of which will go toward worker training. Local officials stressed on Thursday that the companys decision to open the center in downtown Richmond also preserves jobs for the region because Owens & Minor considered 60 other potential locations across the nation. Had the company chosen another site, the Richmond region would have lost 200 jobs. In the end, it came down to Richmond, Nashville (Tenn.), and Salt Lake City, said Barry Matherly, president and chief executive of the Greater Richmond Partnership, an economic development organization. Those are tough markets to compete against. They are modern, growing cities like Richmond. Phipps said in an interview that the new center is part of a transition to a shared services model for Owens & Minor that involves bringing client services employees from across the country into one location with upgraded technology. Part of the rationale for this is we want to attract the millennial generation, Phipps said. We did our research. The millennial generation is going to be 50-plus percent of the workforce in the next few years, and they want to live in urban areas. They want to be downtown. They want to work in a state-of-the art space. We like that we can draw from the universities around here. We are looking for young people right out of college who want to go into the medical field, he said. We are looking for people who want a career in customer service or financial functions such as accounts payable and accounts receivable, along with entry-level finance, customer service and sales. The company has started doing interviews for some jobs, said Erika Davis, Owens & Minors senior vice president and chief administrative officer. The client engagement center will occupy four floors in Riverfront Plaza, she said. Riverfront Plaza, overlooking the James River, has about 951,900 square feet of office and retail space in the two 20-story towers on East Byrd Street. Hertz Investment Group purchased the building in December 2015 for $147.5 million and has been adding tenants since. The commercial real estate brokerage CBRE Richmond handles the leasing for Riverfront Plaza. With the new Owens & Minor operation, Riverfront will be 85 percent occupied, said Andrew Cook, director of research for CBRE Richmond. International City Management Association-Retirement Corp., also known as ICMA-RC, announced plans in August to open an office in Riverfront Plaza. It is leasing 55,491 square feet there. The Washington-based firm manages and administers retirement plans for public-sector employers and employees. The nonprofit financial services company plans to open the office later this year with 100 people, hiring about 50 people from the Richmond area and bringing about 50 employees from its headquarters in Washington, the company has said. An estimated additional 100 people are expected to be hired over the next two to three years. Also leasing space last year in Riverfront Plaza are two law firms Vinson & Elkins LLP, a Houston-based law firm that opened its first office in Richmond, and Vandeventer Black LLP, a business law firm based in Norfolk. Local workers for the nations largest federal call center contractor announced their pledge to go on strike Tuesday morning. Roughly 200 of the companies employees participated. They are demanding better pay, relief from back-to-back calls and protection from abusive callers. The physical strike was planned to take place from about 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Hardywood Park Craft Brewery will be opening its Charlottesville pilot brewery and taproom on Saturday. The 3,600-square-foot space at 1000 W. Main St. will serve as the brewerys main hub for research and development. Pilot recipes will be brewed and served on-site for patrons to taste and share their feedback, and popular beers tested at the brewery will be considered for wider production. Hardywoods main brewery and taproom opened in Richmond in 2011. It is scheduled to open a new brewing facility and beer campus in Goochland County in 2018. Co-founder and President Eric McKay said the company wanted to open a location in Charlottesville to familiarize the area with its beer. Its also far enough away from Richmond that were free from any distraction of the day-to-day things that go on with running a production brewery, but close enough that any of our brewing team members could drive out for a day, McKay said. The pilot-batch beers brewed on site will be available exclusively at the taproom for the most part, but the Charlottesville taproom also will have a full selection of Hardywoods flagship and seasonal beers on draft, in cans and available for to-go purchases. Well definitely bring our bigger releases and some of our smaller releases to the Charlottesville location, as well, said Hardywood master brewer and co-founder Patrick Murtaugh. The location features a 3.5-barrel Premier Stainless brewhouse, and the system is fully visible behind the main bar so guests can watch the entire brewing process. Kevin Storm, who most recently led the development of Hardywood VIPA and Tropication, will serve as the Charlottesville lead brewer. They already have collaborations in the works with fellow craft brewers Funky Buddha Brewery, The Bruery, 2SP Brewing Company and New Belgium Brewing Company, with whom Hardywood is partnering on the SAVOR 2017 10th Anniversary collaboration beer. Hardywood also has started working on collaborative concepts in the Charlottesville area with Early Mountain Vineyards and Champion Brewing Co. McKay said the company hopes to use some of Early Mountains freshly dumped wine barrels to condition a beer. That something that were putting more and more attention towards is wine-barrel aging and potentially doing more sour beers that are aged in oak barrels, he said. We brought on a brewer (Ethan Adams) who had previously worked at The Bruery in California, which is really well-known for its barrel-aged beer, who is helping up develop that portion of our portfolio. He said they may be working with Charlottesville-based Three Notchd Brewing Co. as well. Three Notchd Brewmaster Dave Warwick said he was thrilled for the opportunity to join forces with Hardywood through a collaborative beer. He said the Charlottesville craft beer scene can only benefit from the addition of Hardywood. 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. Its official you can get dozens of Ukrops Homestyle Foods bakery and prepared meal products at 18 area Kroger stores. Ukrops and Kroger officials held a cake-cutting ceremony Wednesday at the Kroger store at 14101 Midlothian Turnpike in Chesterfield County to mark the partnership. Kroger is devoting dozens of feet of shelf space to Ukrops bakery and chilled prepared foods. Dozens of Kroger workers have been trained on handling the Ukrops products, which are prepared at central kitchens in Henrico and Chesterfield counties. The opportunity before us really validates the approach of making today, shipping tonight, selling tomorrow, said Robert S. Ukrop, president and chief executive officer of Henrico-based Ukrops Homestyle Foods. Its not so much the brand, I think, but (that) people will buy fresh-tasting food. Given the way we do it to make it daily and ship it to the stores the next day really ensures the freshness and consistency of the quality, Ukrop said at the Wednesdays event. Prior to Feb. 6, when Ukrops-branded products began showing up at local Kroger stores, the items were available only in area Martins Food Markets stores. That exclusivity agreement dates to 2010 when the Ukrops family sold their supermarket chain to Dutch retail conglomerate Royal Ahold NV, which rebranded the stores as Martins Food Markets. At that time, Ukrops Homestyle Foods was spun off to continue to make many of the grocers signature foods with Martins stores getting the right to carry products with the Ukrops label and having storefront signs identifying kitchen and bakery items sold under the Ukrops name. Ukrops also made foods for Krogers house brands and products under the Good Meadow label, which were available at Kroger. All those products in Kroger have transitioned to the Ukrops label. The exclusivity arrangement with Martins Food Markets ended now that 10 of 19 area Martins stores are being sold to Florida-based Publix Super Markets. Last year when the parent companies of Martins and the Food Lion grocery chains merged, federal antitrust regulators stipulated that the merged company sell some stores in markets where both grocery chains had stores. Seven of the 10 stores that Publix is buying have been closed to be renovated before reopening. Publix officials have not provided dates on when the stores will open but chain officials have said the Richmond-area stores will carry some Ukrops products. Each local Kroger store is carrying as many as 180 Ukrops items, said Barbara Buck, deli bakery merchandiser for Kroger Mid-Atlantic. Plans also call for expanding to Kroger stores elsewhere in Virginia, Kroger Mid-Atlantic spokeswoman Anne Jenkins said. The goal is to start spreading it far and wide. We wanted to get it done where it made sense first, here in Richmond, Jenkins said. Ukrops products on Kroger shelves and in deli cases include cakes, cookies, rolls, pies, sandwiches, dips, salads, spreads and specialty items like the companys mandarin orange gelatin salad. The companys salads, sandwiches, meals and other savory prepared foods are on shelves in the deli area. Products sold by the pound in the deli case are marked with a Ukrops label. At the Midlothian Kroger, Ukrops bakery items such as the rainbow cookies and lemon tea bread are on a display table underneath a Ukrops banner hung from the ceiling. Other items such as coconut and carrot cakes that need to be kept cool are in the chefs case in the bakery. Lindsey Besedich shopped at the store with daughter Emory, 2, who was treated to a rainbow cookie. Besedich said her family recently moved from Nashville so she was only recently introduced to the Ukrops brand. She likes the prepared items. We do a lot of kids birthday parties and stuff, she said. Whatever makes my life easier because I have three of them, she said, explaining that she also has 4-year-old twins. Shopper Judy Cahoon had two Ukrops chefs salads among the items in her grocery cart. She shops regularly at Kroger and in the past bought Good Meadow-labeled products. I am a happy customer, Cahoon said. Ukrops makes more than 400 products, so products will be switched out based on demand and season, Jenkins said. We started with what we knew the popular assortments were, Jenkins said. We will look at sales data as we get more history behind it and make determinations about what is selling better than others. You may see some variation ... based on that. Jenkins said Kroger stores have Ukrops signage on the doors and on A-frame billboards on the sidewalks. Plans are to eventually have signage on the exterior of the stores. We are working to get towards that. Thats in the works. We just couldnt get it done in time for the launch, Jenkins said. Martins had storefront signs identifying that it sold kitchen and bakery items under the Ukrops name. Those exterior signs were removed in early 2014 because the sale agreement gave Martins the right to use the Ukrops signs on its storefronts for four years. One product that customers have asked about, the Ukrops fried chicken, isnt available for now at Kroger stores. Kroger sells fried chicken on its hot bar, but its not by Ukrops. Thats a challenging topic, Ukrop said. Thats a whole nother enterprise for Kroger. For the eighth year in a row, Richmond restaurateurs have been honored as semifinalists for the James Beard Foundation Awards the top culinary award in the country. Brittanny Anderson, chef and co-owner of Metzger Bar and Butchery, was named a semifinalist for best chef Mid-Atlantic and Evrim Dogu, baker and co-owner of Sub Rosa Bakery, was named a semifinalist for Outstanding Baker. Thats what this community needs, Anderson said. When you nationally recognize a dining community, it showcases a whole community of cooks and restaurants who are striving to do more. The more we get recognized, the more the community is just going to grow and get better and better. Dogu agreed. Theres no doubt that all ships rise together, he said. Dogu noted that Metzger has been using Sub Rosa breads since the restaurant opened, which helped expose his product to a larger audience. He also credited Joe Sparatta, chef and co-owner of Heritage restaurant, with the James Beard Foundation attention. Sparatta served Sub Rosa bread at the foundations Beard House in New York when he was invited to cook there a few weeks ago. The semifinalists were announced Wednesday and this is the first James Beard nomination for Anderson and Dogu, both of whom operate businesses in Church Hill. Anderson opened Metzger Bar and Butchery, a German-inspired restaurant, at 801 N. 23rd St. in the Union Hill section of Church Hill in 2014 after spending a few years working with Lee Gregory, chef and co-owner of The Roosevelt. Gregory was named a best chef semifinalist from 2013 to 2015. Its cool because I worked for Lee and Lee worked for Dale (Reitzer of Acacia, a four-time best chef semifinalist) and it kind of comes down the chain that way, Anderson said. Anderson said she found out about the James Beard nomination in a Twitter mention while in a weekly meeting with Metzger co-owners, Nathan Conway and Brad Hemp. I just started screaming at Nathan and Brad, she said, adding that her husband came running into the room. He thought I was dying. Dogu learned of his nomination in a text message from a stranger. I thought they were mistaken, he said. An emailed article about his nomination set him straight. Dogu opened Sub Rosa Bakery at 620 N. 25th St. with his sister, Evin Dogu, in 2012. A lack of high-quality bread in central Virginia drove him to teach himself how to bake and ultimately become a baker, but he said it was sisters support that led him to actually open a bakery. Theres no way we couldve gotten this attention without my sister. Shes the reason we did the retail shop and the pastries. If it werent for her, Id just be off in the mountains somewhere making bread. The bakery specializes in artisanal breads and pastries using hand-ground grain and wood-fired baking. Sub Rosa is part of only a handful of bakeries in the country using pre-industrial techniques in baking. I think all those keywords that people use: artisanal, rustic they mean more human, Dogu said. The vision of what we do with our bread expresses our larger concerns with the world. Dogu believes people have lost something with industrialization and technology; with his bread he strives to connect the people who eat it back to the process and people who make it. He sees the same qualities in Anderson. I definitely see that care and concern in her, he said. The one thing I love about Brittanny is her ability to be so open. Its excellent and refreshing. Anderson is also a fan of Dogus. Evrim is my favorite, she said. Im so happy for him. Sometimes Im like, thats a block about a half away from me; Im so lucky. But both Dogu and Anderson are already focused on whats next. Dogu is awaiting ABC approval to serve wine and beer at Sub Rosa so he can apply his passion for wine to the bakerys mission. He hopes to begin serving next month. And Anderson is putting the finishing touches on Brenner Pass, a Scotts Addition neighborhood restaurant with an Alps region-focused menu that shes opening with her Metzger partners plus James Kohler, bar manager for Saison restaurant. Were looking at a late-May opening. Possibly early June, she said. But I feel good about where we are. Weve got a tentative menu and walls. Im thankful for the little things. Two other Virginia chefs were named James Beard Foundation semifinalists for best chef Mid-Atlantic Wednesday: Ian Boden of The Shack in Staunton and Tarver King of The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm in Lovettsville. Diane Flynt of Foggy Ridge Cider in Dugspur was named a semifinalist in the Outstanding Wine, Spirits, or Beer Professional category. The phone rang the other day, and it was a voice from the past: Florence S. Frank. I wrote about her almost a decade ago, a sweet love story about how long-ago sweethearts Hal Frank and Florence Specter Peters had found each other 61 years after their 1946 summer courtship ended and they lost touch with each other. They married in November 2007 in California, where Hal had been living, and returned to Richmond for a reception the following spring. Hal was 80 when they married, and Florence was about to turn 78. They were a happy couple. At the time, Florence described it as magic; Hal called it beyond magic. What they knew at the time but didnt share publicly was that Hal had survived multiple myeloma and was in remission, but he had a feeling his days were numbered. When we got married, he told me, Im going to give you five years. Thats all I think I have. He proved sadly prophetic, though it turned out to be closer to six years before the cancer and other health issues claimed Hal, who died in 2013. But boy, did they have a blast in the meantime. We went everywhere, Florence said. You name it, we did it. They split time between Palm Springs, Calif., and Hanover County. They drove cross-country twice, visited Hals original home base of Chicago, hit the California beaches and Hollywood. Took a cruise to Hawaii. Had a ball. He loved to go and to do, Florence said, and I did, too. We just got along so well. Her only regret was Hal didnt find her sooner. We had such a nice time, Florence said. Im just so sorry that it couldnt have lasted a little longer. Florence actually called to let me know about the upcoming 70-year reunion of her 1947 graduating class at Richmonds Thomas Jefferson High School. She keeps in touch with more than a few of her classmates at lunches several times a year, but getting together 70 years after they graduated is kind of a big deal. The reunion will be held April 29. She mentioned that she volunteers every Monday at the Ashland visitors information center in the old train depot on Railroad Avenue, so photographer Alexa Welch Edlund, who shot the photos for the original stories I wrote about Florence and Hal, paid her a visit on Monday. Florence, who lives in Rockville, began volunteering at the visitors center years ago and walked away from it when she and Hal married and moved to California. They moved back to Virginia as Hals health began to fail, and then she stepped back into the job after Hal died. Im there every Monday, unless it snows, she said. I dont drive in the snow. She turned 87 in December. Florence sits at the counter, parked behind postcards, brochures and I (HEART) Ashland, Va. stickers, answering questions about things to do, places to see and the best places to eat in Ashland. Let me show you something, she said, reaching for an item on the counter top, noting that it was the first thing she sent Hal after he found her in 2007: A Virginia Is For Lovers bumper sticker. She laughed. Florence and Hal met in 1946. She was a rising high school senior, living with her family near Byrd Park. Frank was an Army recruit from Chicago, stationed at Camp Lee (now Fort Lee) south of Richmond. His mother was originally from Richmond, so he had relatives here. A cousin, who happened to be Peters aunt by marriage, introduced them. It was just something out of a storybook, he told me in 2007. We fell in love that first night. They saw each other almost every weekend. They went to the movies, they danced, they talked. They took long walks in Byrd Park and had at least one watermelon fight. They laughed a lot. The summer courtship lasted 13 weeks, until Hal was ready to ship out for another assignment. Before leaving, he took Peters for one last walk in the park and asked her to marry him. She said she would. They wrote letters for a while, but it became clear to Frank that the wedding wasnt going to happen. Peters said it was her mother who halted talk of marriage, objecting because she believed her daughter was too young. (Hal also told Florence he had held on to a scolding letter her mother had sent him because he had placed a long-distance call to Florence and reversed charges. Eighteen dollars was a lot of money in those days, and her mother clearly made that point.) The correspondence slowed and then stopped altogether. The two lost touch with each other. After the war, Hal tried to find her, but shed moved and then she got married and changed her name (though she later divorced), and hed lost touch with his cousins. Florence also tried to find Hal, but hed moved, too. Finding people in the pre-internet age was a hard go. While traveling through Chicago once, Florence opened a phone book and found seven people with the name Harold Frank and called them all. None was Hal, although one appreciated her determination and said he wished he were. Other than the letter from her mother, all Hal had of their time together were a few old photos. Every now and then, a nostalgic feeling came over me, and Id ... dig out the album and look at the pictures and say to myself, Geez, I wonder how shes doing now, and where is she? he said. I just never forgot her. Twice-married and twice-divorced, Hal was living in California when he had dinner with a man who said he was originally from Richmond. It was a long shot, but Hal asked anyway: Did he know Florence Specter? No, the man said, but his sister knew everybody in Richmond, and hed ask her. Not only did the sister know Florence, but they were longtime friends. Hal got her phone number and thought, Sixty-one years, the woman couldnt possibly remember me. He called anyway: Is this Florence Specter? Yes. Did they used to call you Flossie? Yes. Does the movie Easy To Wed (one of their favorites from 1946) or the song Closer To Me mean anything to you? Hal! They talked for two hours that night and every night thereafter. They sent each other cards, notes and pictures. Hal came to Richmond for a visit in September 2007. From the moment he got off the plane and we saw each other, it was like wed been together forever, Florence said the other day. Hal suggested they take another walk around Byrd Park. They went to Swan Lake, where Hal had asked her to marry him 61 years earlier, and he asked her again. The answer, again, was yes. But this time, the wedding really happened. At least a dozen businesses in the Richmond area closed Thursday as part of a national strike dubbed A Day Without Immigrants, which aimed to highlight the contributions of immigrants in the country. One large construction company also was affected, with many Hispanic workers staying home for the day. I feel that Ive been well treated here in Virginia, but this new administration is looking for reasons for the countrys problems, and I believe the immigrants are paying the price, said Martin Gonzalez, the owner of La Milpa, a restaurant and grocery on Hull Street Road in Chesterfield County. Were showing we actually contribute to the economy and not the other way around, said Gonzalez, who emigrated from Mexico and was granted citizenship in 2000. The protest was organized primarily through social media posts, which encouraged people not born in the U.S. not to attend work, not to open their businesses, not to shop and not to eat out. To the President: Without us and our contribution this country is paralyzed, said one widely shared post. In the shopping center adjoining La Milpa alone, at least two other businesses were also closed as part of the strike a salon and a tax preparation service. William A. Bill Paulette, chairman and CEO of the Henrico County-based construction management company KBS Inc., said a number of the companys subcontractors did not show up for work Thursday. At some of the companys construction job sites, KBS had 100 percent attendance of its subcontractors. But at others, 50 percent of its subcontractors didnt show up, and we assume it was because of immigration peg. It was enough to affect our jobs, Paulette said. We need these guys. In western Henrico County, El Ray Latino Market was shuttered, with a note on the door in Spanish that translated to: Closed Feb. 16; Reason: Standing up for Hispanics. In Shockoe Bottom, the taco shop Tio Pablo posted on Facebook that it had closed. Gonzalez believes he lost about $3,000 in revenue by shutting down for the day, but he said it was worth it. This is not about money, he said. Its showing I care about being part of this whole, great country. A former teacher at the Richmond City Justice Center alleges she was fired because of a perceived disability in a lawsuit against both the jail and the Richmond School Board that was dismissed by a federal judge Tuesday. Bryantie Ann Harris worked for the citys school board, but taught incarcerated teenagers at the jail. When she raised concerns about exiting the building during an emergency, which would require her to walk down six flights of stairs, Harris said the jails program director Sarah Scarbrough fired her. Sheriff C.T. Woody and the Richmond School Board were also named as defendants, as well as Michelle Boyd and Zenia Burnette, Harris direct supervisors in the school system. Harris filed a complaint at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which dismissed the complaints and issued her a notice of Right to Sue. Harris asked the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia to restore her access to the jail, to pay her back wages $5,900 monthly from January until the matter is resolved, and to award her $300,000 in damages for pain and suffering ... for the humiliation of being forced out of my workplace therefore losing my job to teach at the Justice Center. Due to Dr. Scarbrough perceiving me as disabled, revoking my clearance to work at the Justice Center, and humiliating me by having the deputies escort me from the building as though I had committed a crime. In their response, Scarbrough and Woody said (she) presented a safety and security risk for the jail, according to court documents. Senior U.S. District Court Judge Robert E. Payne dismissed the suit saying that Harris had identified herself as disabled to the EEOC and Scarbrough, but in the suit denies it. Individual supervisors are not liable under the Americans with Disabilities Act for decisions they make on behalf of their employers, the judge said in dismissing the claims against Scarbrough, Boyd and Burnette the judge said the suit made indiscernible claims against the latter two. Payne continued his dismissal order saying since it was an employee of the jail and not her employer, who took the allegedly discriminatory action, Harris claims failed against Woody and the board. The judge allowed Harris to amend the complaint under a joint employer subsection of the act, but Harris did not do so in the time allowed. Taxpayers have spent more defending and settling lawsuits against the Richmond Sheriffs Office and the citys jail since 2011 than any other sheriff and jail in the state, according to data from the Virginia Department of the Treasury. Just last week, Woody was dismissed from another suit claiming the jail refused medical treatment for a broken finger. In a separate case, Woody faces monetary sanctions and other penalties for failing to preserve video evidence in the case of a 28-year-old woman who died at the Richmond City Justice Center in August 2014, the week the facility opened. Three people were found shot to death Thursday morning in a Mosby-area apartment in what Richmond police called a murder-suicide. Police said the bodies of Shaquenda Walker, 24, Deborah Walker, 55, and Walter Gaines III, 23, were found about 8:30 a.m. at the Oliver Crossing apartments in the 1300 block of Coalter Street. Detectives believe Gaines shot his girlfriend, Shaquenda Walker, and her mother, Deborah, before turning the gun on himself. Two children belonging to Shaquenda Walker, both younger than 5, were found in the apartment unharmed. Police said they were reunited with family members later Thursday. The Walkers both lived in the building where they were gunned down. Police said Gaines lived in the 600 block of Jackson Avenue in Henrico County. Family members openly wept in the arms of others as they arrived on the scene Thursday. Many congregated inside a building next to where their loved ones lay. Others came to check on the well-being of relatives who live nearby. Jessicka James was turned away by an officer at crime scene tape that surrounded the building. Wheres my mama? she cried. James later found her mother on a hill looking down at the crime scene that engulfed their home. Were always afraid, James said. Many of the onlookers were reticent to talk about the violence that persists in everyday lives. Thursday was the third day in a row that police have investigated deaths, Police Chief Alfred Durham said, and it is starting to take a toll on officers and detectives. This has to stop, he said. This is not the city of Richmond. We experienced this 20 years ago, and we dont want to go back to where we were then. The deaths of Shaquenda and Deborah Walker bring the homicide total to 13 this year. At this time last year, nine homicides were being investigated, including two domestic incidents and a murder-suicide. The year ended with 61 homicides total the most in a decade nine of which were domestic incidents. Mayor Levar Stoney, who also was at the crime scene Thursday, called the incident a senseless act that appeared to be an isolated one. Its a tough day, he said. He urged anyone with information about any of the recent deaths to come forward. If you know something, say something, he said. Anyone who may have information about this case should call Major Crimes Detective Rahsaan Wigfall at (804) 646-6769. You can also contact Crime Stoppers by calling (804) 780-1000, going online to www.7801000.com, or by sending a text message to 274637, using the keyword iTip followed by the tip. You can also submit tips about people in illegal possession of a gun by texting Crime Stoppers at 274637, using the keyword GUN250 followed by the tip. Rewards of up to $250 are possible. All Crime Stoppers methods are anonymous. The House of Delegates rejected legislation Thursday that would cut the number of days a student can be suspended in school. House Bill 1534, which included amendments to match a Senate version, failed on a vote of 49-49. The bill called for reducing the maximum length of a long-term suspension from 364 calendar days to 90 school days. Senate Bill 995 passed the Senate last week and calls for reducing the maximum length to 60 school days. Earlier this week, the House rejected another suspension-related bill that had amendments to match a Senate version of the legislation. House Bill 1536 would have prohibited students in preschool through third grade from being expelled or suspended for more than five days, except in cases of drug offenses, firearm violations or other certain criminal acts. Senate Bill 997 gives schools leeway to go up to 10 days if the incident involves a weapon, inappropriate sexual behavior or serious bodily injury. Delegates, on Thursday, put off voting on Senate Bills 995 and 997. The House bills will now go back to the Senate, Del. Richard P. Dickie Bell, R-Staunton, office said Thursday. The Senate can insist on their amendments, which would then send the bills to conference where they can work to hammer out the details to see if a compromise can be reached, said Savanna Funkhouser, a legislative aide to Bell. The vote on House Bill 1534 was a tie in part because two delegates were not at the General Assembly on Thursday. Del. Jeffrey M. Bourne, D-Richmond, a former Richmond School Board member, was not at the General Assembly because hed been called as a witness in a case against a woman charged with trespassing at a local high school. A House-approved plan to force universities to limit out-of-state enrollment or use the additional tuition revenue to lower costs for in-state students died in a Senate committee Thursday. Sen. Richard L. Saslaw, D-Fairfax, told the Senate Education and Health Committee that the bill would have cost the College of William & Mary $3.5 million and the University of Virginia $20.7 million in redirected revenue based on the current enrollment mix. The bill (House Bill 1410) by Del. David B. Albo, R-Fairfax, tackled the twin constituent complaints that college costs and access to top state schools have become out of reach. Albos bill would have required universities that exceed a 30 percent out-of-state cap to lower costs for Virginia residents with the tuition revenue that remained after education costs are covered for out-of-state students. W&M enrolls 2,080 out-of-state students, 33.4 percent of its enrollment; U.Va. enrolls 5,836, or 34.7 percent. While Virginia undergraduates pay $21,234 in tuition and mandatory fees at W&M and $15,714 at U.Va., out-of-state students are charged $42,274 at W&M and $45,058 at U.Va. Sen. J. Chapman Petersen, D-Fairfax City, challenged Saslaw on whether the lost revenue was actually a loss because the money would have benefited Virginia students. So lets make that clear. This is not money leaving the commonwealth, he said. The two senators had sparred in Wednesdays subcommittee meeting over whether the bill should be sent to the Finance Committee, where it would have met a certain death. But Thursday, Petersen said that while he supported the goal of the bill and still maintained that the Finance Committee should not decide its fate, he would not vote for it. He described the bill as overly complicated and almost unworkable. Two motions, one referring the bill to Finance and the other reporting it to the Senate, were defeated. Albo said he was not happy the committee took up his bill without alerting him by text so that he could be present. When he did arrive, however, he said committee members agreed to request a study on the issue. He said he would be satisfied if a legit study is made on out-of-state enrollment and revenue use at W&M and U.Va. They are the only schools impacted by the bill, which exempted Virginia Military Institute and Virginia State and Norfolk State universities. University representatives spoke against the legislation, but two mothers urged the committee to support the plan as a first step to lower costs and improve access for Virginia students. Danielle Lewandowski of Chesapeake said the prospect of four years of tuition for her three children is very daunting to me. Let me ask you, Saslaw said, lets suppose we do this and its capped. Schools have had to raise tuition to make up for reductions in state appropriations, he said. In 1998-99, when the state froze tuition, universities cut back on course offerings to compensate, Saslaw said. Parents called to complain their children had to go an extra semester to get the courses they needed to graduate, he said, so there were no savings. Former Washington Redskins player Curtis Jordan will stand trial in Virginia Beach in March on accusations that he beat his girlfriend and left her for dead. The woman, a Virginia Beach doctor, filed a lawsuit in December seeking $31 million in damages for assault, infliction of emotional distress and other charges, according to The Virginian-Pilot. The 62-year-old Jordan, who played safety for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Redskins from 1976 to 1986, owns a home in Virginia Beach but lives full-time in his hometown of Lubbock, Texas. According to the lawsuit, he violently and maliciously attacked the woman and abandoned (her) to die without any medical attention. Neighbors discovered the woman the next morning and called for medical assistance. The criminal case will be heard on March 21 in Virginia Beach. Jordans attorney, Bob Jones, told The Virginian-Pilot that the lawsuit was without merit. "It's just intended to harass and embarrass Mr. Jordan," Jones said. The womans attorney, Stephen M. Smith, told the paper that Jordan beat her almost to death, and he has not shown one bit of remorse. Thursday, Feb. 16 Friday, Feb. 17 Saturday, Feb. 18 Destinacion: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Mississippi State softball (3-2) is heading down south for its first road trip of 2017, as the Bulldogs travel to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico for the 2017 Puerto Vallarta College Challenge.The Bulldogs will open play at Campo de Softball Nancy Alvarez on Thursday, Feb. 16 against Fresno State at 10 a.m. CT. State will play two on Friday, taking on Cal State Fullerton (10 a.m.) and Texas Tech (7 p.m.) before closing out the weekend on Saturday against Florida Gulf Coast at 2:30 p.m.This weekend also marks the first time in program history that the Dogs have ventured outside of the United States for competition.MSU is coming off an opening weekend at home where the Bulldogs went 3-2, defeating Stephen F. Austin twice and Georgia State once. Highlighting opening weekend was the play of senior pitcher, who went 2-0 and also earned a save, throwing two complete games and one shutout.Following this weekend's trip to Mexico, the Maroon and White will return home for a pair of tournaments at Nusz Park. MSU will host the February Freezer (Feb. 24-26) and the Bulldog Slamboree (March 3-5). Sandwiched between those two tourneys will be a pair of midweek contests, as State heads to Southeastern Louisiana on Tuesday, Feb. 28, before returning home to host Alabama State on Thursday, March 2.Game 2 Florida Gulf Coast vs. Fresno State 1 p.m. CTGame 3 Cal State Fullerton vs. Texas Tech 4 p.m. CTGame 4 Florida Gulf Coast vs. Texas Tech 7 p.m. CTGame 6 Cal State Fullerton vs. Florida Gulf Coast 1 p.m. CTGame 7 Florida Gulf Coast vs. Fresno State 4 p.m. CTGame 9 Cal State Fullerton vs. Texas Tech 9 a.m. CTGame 10 Cal State Fullerton vs. Fresno State 11:45 a.m. CTFresno State leads, 3-0Fresno State leads, 2-0Fresno State def. Mississippi State, 11-3 (5) (Mar. 14, 2010 in Fresno, Calif.)Fresno State, +3Cal State Fullerton leads, 4-1Cal State Fullerton leads, 4-1Cal State Fullerton def. Mississippi State, 3-2 (Mar. 13, 2016 in Long Beach, Calif.)Cal State Fullerton, +2Tied, 1-1Mississippi State leads, 1-0Mississippi State def. Texas Tech, 12-4 (5) (Feb. 8, 2002 in Phoenix, Ariz.)Mississippi State, +1Florida Gulf Coast leads, 1-0Florida Gulf Coast leads, 1-0Florida Gulf Coast def. Mississippi State, 8-3 (Mar. 5, 2009 in Honolulu, Hawaii)Florida Gulf Coast, +1This weekend's Puerto Vallarta College Challenge will be MSU's first venture outsie the United States for competition. The only other time the Bulldogs have left the continental United States for play was in 2009, when they traveled to Honolulu, Hawaii for the Pepsi Malahini Kipa Aloha Tournament.Seniorhas been more thanimpressive so far this season, locking down third base through the first five games. She has tallied five-plus assists in three of the five games, including 10 against Stephen F. Austin on Feb. 11.The 10 assists set the MSU record for most in a game and were the most since Courtney Bures had 8 in 2007 at Auburn.Senior leftyhas been putting her name all throughout the MSU record books since she arrived on campus in 2014. Now in her final year, she is poised to take over the top spot in a number of categories.- 2nd in strikeouts (456)- 3rd in wins (46)- 3rd in innings pitched (522.0)- 3rd in complete games (41)- 3rd in shutouts (13)- T4th in starts (77)- 5th in appearances (111)One of the highly-touted additions to the 2017 Bulldog softball squad has been JUCO transfer. Robinson comes to State via Pensacola State University, where she established herself as one of the top players in the NJCAA DI.Live stats can be found here or by visiting msu.statbroadcast.com.All matches at Campo de Softball Nancy Alvarez this weekend are free admission.For more on Mississippi State softball, follow the Bulldogs on Twitter Facebook and Instagram by searching for "HailStateSB." You can also find all-access coverage of the program on SnapChat by searching for "HailStateSnap". FreightCar America Inc. plans to lay off 168 Roanoke employees this spring. The company revealed its plans in a recent letter to Virginia officials. Representatives of the Chicago manufacturer blamed a drop in orders for rail cars, its main product. Pink slips will take effect between April 17 and May 17, the notice said. "While the company hopes and anticipates that this workforce reduction will be a temporary measure of limited duration, the company cannot predict a return-to-work date at the present time," FreightCar told state work force officials. The plant on Campbell Avenue will release 87 welders, 72 fitters, six leaders and three painters, according to the announcement, which did not state total employment at the location. FreightCar announced new orders and a work force expansion in Roanoke in 2011. Whats happening today? The Senate Committee on Education and Health, meeting at 8:30 a.m. in Senate Room B, takes up a bill that would bar public colleges and universities from abridging the freedom of any individual to speak on campus, except as otherwise permitted by the First Amendment. African-American history bill advances A proposal to identify and preserve the history of African-Americans, enslaved and free, in Virginia cleared the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday on a unanimous vote. The committee included an amendment that would make House Bill 2296, proposed by Del. Delores L. McQuinn, D-Richmond, dependent on the availability of money to pay for it. However, the proposed House budget includes $150,000 for the Virginia Foundation of Humanities, based in Charlottesville, to expand its ongoing work on African-American history. The foundation created the African-American Historic Sites Database in 2000 to add depth and nuance to Virginias story and to explore the complexity of African-American history and culture beyond the major themes of slavery and civil rights, said foundation spokeswoman Maggie Guggenheimer. Retirement plan heads to full Senate A Senate committee on Wednesday approved legislation pushed by House Speaker William J. Howell, R-Stafford, to create an optional retirement savings plan for state and local government employees but required that the General Assembly adopt it again next year before it can become law. The Senate Finance Committee tacked the re-enactment clause onto House Bill 2251, sponsored on behalf of the speaker by House Appropriations Chairman S. Chris Jones, R-Suffolk, before voting unanimously to send the legislation to the full Senate . The plan was among a series of recommendations by the Commission on Employee Retirement Security & Pension Reform, chaired by Howell, but the estimated cost poses a challenge in an assembly dominated by a projected revenue shortfall and a commitment to restoring raises for state employees. The bill would take effect on July 1, 2019, and cost state and local governments $107 million in the first year, rising to about $303 million three years later, according to a fiscal impact statement. Ethics reform remains a work in progress The General Assembly is set to adjust the states ethics laws for the fourth straight year. This years efforts include clarifying that public officials cannot accept tickets to watch sporting events in luxury boxes and debating whether lobbyists who have a long-standing friendship with lawmakers should be able to give birthday and holiday gifts worth more than $100. Spurred by a gift scandal that engulfed former Gov. Bob McDonnells final year in office, lawmakers have been writing and rewriting state gift laws since 2014. But lawmakers still are trying to figure out what exactly a gift means. Less than a week after the General Assembly fired the state inspector general over her investigation of a mentally ill mans unexplained death in a Hampton Roads jail, legislators are not much closer to finding and funding their own solution to an escalating problem in jails across Virginia. A House Appropriations subcommittee approved a bill to redefine the Board of Corrections in the hope that including experts on mental illness and death investigations will spur the panel to take on the responsibility of investigating deaths of mentally ill inmates in local and regional jails. But Senate Bill 1063 no longer directs the board to undertake such investigations. And the proposed House budget doesnt include any of the $200,000 that Gov. Terry McAuliffe proposed to pay for it, while the Senate budget would provide $100,000 for the job. Heres our dilemma: If we pass it and the money is not sustained in the budget, the board will have all this great language and have no way to implement it, Del. L. Scott Lingamfelter, R-Prince William, chairman of the public safety subcommittee, told the bills sponsor, Sen. R. Creigh Deeds, D-Bath, chairman of the Joint Subcommittee on Mental Health Services in the 21st Century. But Deeds said the bill would set the stage for the Board of Corrections to undertake jail death investigations that then-Inspector General June Jennings claimed she lacked the authority to carry out to determine why Jamycheal Mitchell died in Hampton Roads Regional Jail after wasting away in plain sight. In my mind, under existing law they do have that authority, he told the subcommittee. The question is, do they have the tools? Del. Robert B. Bell, R-Albemarle, who carried similar legislation that the House killed, succeeded in removing Jennings from a list of administration appointments last week because of his dissatisfaction with her offices investigation of Mitchells death in the Portsmouth jail in August 2015. Mitchell, 24, died after losing 40 pounds during a 101-day stay on charges that he had stolen $5 worth of snack food from a convenience store. He had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, but a court order to transfer him to a state mental hospital in Williamsburg was lost and then stuffed in a desk drawer by an overwhelmed hospital worker. Deeds called the inspector generals investigation of Mitchells death unsatisfactory, but he also agreed that the law that created her office in 2012 is very unclear on the authority to investigate jail deaths and could be redefined to broaden its powers. The McAuliffe administration proposed to direct the Board of Corrections to oversee jail death investigations under its existing authority. All that remains of the legislation is the reconstitution of the nine-member board to include, among others, a public mental health expert and someone with experience in overseeing a correctional or mental institutions compliance with the law. Deputy Secretary of Public Safety Victoria Cochran said the legislation will make a tremendous difference in the oversight of jails. The subcommittee also agreed to work on potential amendments to two bills, Senate Bill 1442, sponsored by Deeds, and Senate Bill 940, carried by Sen. John A. Cosgrove Jr., R-Chesapeake, that would require local and regional mental health agencies to screen and assess jail inmates for mental illness within 72 hours of admission. The problem, again, was the price tag $4.2 million that the governor included in his budget that the committees stripped out. The financial burden would represent a large, unfunded mandate on local governments, Lingamfelter said. Deeds and Cosgrove, who agreed to combine their bills into one, said they could reduce the legislations fiscal impact by eliminating the 72-hour deadline and the requirement of a mental health assessment, leaving only screening. Its something thats clearly needed in every single locality, Cosgrove said. Our jails are acting now as secondary mental institutions. Local governments and school divisions in Virginia already are required to keep track of their expenses and share the records with the public, if theyre requested. Sen. Glen H. Sturtevant Jr., R-Richmond, thought he had a good-government transparency bill when he filed Senate Bill 795. It would have required localities and school divisions to post records of their expenses on their websites, saving the public the time and trouble of filing FOIA requests. If we simply made FOIA requests, this would have to be provided, Sturtevant said. ... If they are spending money that they dont have or not keeping track of it, that is a serious, serious problem. The former Richmond School Board member turned first-term senator on Wednesday, however, faced two hurdles: House Counties, Cities and Towns Subcommittee 2, and the lobbying power of the Virginia Municipal League, the Virginia Association of School Superintendents, and numerous lobbyists hired by Virginias localities. Post expense reports online? They werent having it. Sturtevants bill previously had passed the Senate 24-16. It allows taxpayers, it allows the public, it allows concerned citizens to see exactly where their tax dollars are being spent, he told the House subcommittee. Paid lobbyists representing Henrico and Loudoun county schools, the cities of Alexandria, Suffolk and Roanoke, and the town of Chincoteague rose to oppose the bill, saying their clients didnt have the money or staff to put records online. Our localities have not had a groundswell of citizens asking for this, said Mark K. Flynn, a Richmond lobbyist hired by the city of Chesapeake, Chesapeake schools, Norfolk schools and Prince William County to represent their interests in Richmond. Michelle Gowdy, general counsel with the Virginia Municipal League, which represents local government interests, said some localities already post records online but it would be costly to comply with a state requirement. She said small localities cant afford it, either. We really are concerned about our tiny towns. We have some towns that dont even have a website yet, Gowdy told the subcommittee. Sturtevant had offered to support a minimum population threshold for the bill if it would ease concerns for small localities. But Del. Tony O. Wilt, R-Rockingham, made a motion to kill the bill. The subcommittee, chaired by Del. Christopher P. Stolle, R-Virginia Beach, then killed it without a recorded vote. Six weeks into his campaign, former Rep. Tom Perriello has moved into a tie with Lt. Gov. Ralph S. Northam for the Democratic nomination for governor, but most voters are undecided ahead of the June primary, according to a new survey. Perriello, the former one-term congressman whose surprise entry in January scrambled the Democratic contest, matched Northam at 19 percent in the Quinnipiac poll out Thursday, but 61 percent were undecided. Ed Gillespie, former head of the Republican National Committee, led the GOP primary field with 24 percent to 7 percent for Corey Stewart, chairman of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors; 5 percent for state Sen. Frank W. Wagner, R-Virginia Beach; and 2 percent for Denver Riggleman, co-owner of Silverback Distillery in Nelson County. Most Republicans 59 percent also are undecided about four months ahead of the June 13 primary. In head-to-head match-ups, either Democrat defeats each of the four potential GOP nominees in the survey. Although none of the candidates Democrat or Republican is very well known to the Virginia electorate, the Old Dominion obviously has a blue tinge at this point, said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll. The fact that relatively unknown Democrats are scoring better than relatively unknown Republicans indicates that, for now at least, this Democratic brand is more attractive to Virginia voters. Virginia was the only Southern state that backed Democrat Hillary Clinton in the presidential contest. Republicans have not won a statewide race in Virginia since 2009, but the voter turnout plummets a year after the presidential election, which traditionally makes such off-year contests close. Perriello has sought to cast himself as a passionate opponent of the new presidents administration. Perriello apologized Wednesday after video surfaced of him at a campaign event comparing Donald Trumps victory to the Sept. 11 attacks a remark that drew condemnation from Northam as well as from the GOP hopefuls. Northam, who also has decried the early days of the Trump administration, retains the support of the four other Democrats who hold statewide office. In recent days, Northam has underscored his support of womens reproductive rights and LGBT rights and called for the decriminalization of small amounts of marijuana. Northam has been more visible, energetic and issue-oriented over the last 10 days than he had been in the last three years, said Bob Holsworth, a veteran analyst of Virginia politics, formerly at Virginia Commonwealth University. Northam still has advantages in the Democratic contest in his broad support among Democratic officials at the local and state levels, Holsworth said. While the conventional wisdom is that Perriellos campaign hurts Northam by diverting his attention and money to an unexpected primary battle, Holsworth said Perriello may help Northam and the party in the long run, by lighting a fire under the lieutenant governor. Its making him act like a candidate and not just someone whos going to be coronated. Perriello was swept into Congress when Barack Obama was elected president in 2008. He represented the 5th District, then covering Charlottesville and a swath of Southside, from 2009 to 2011, leaving office following his defeat by Republican Robert Hurt. Late in the Obama administration, Perriello served as U.S. special envoy for the Great Lakes Region of Africa and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Northam, a pediatric neurologist, served in the state Senate from 2008 to 2014. He was elected lieutenant governor in 2013. In potential head-to-head match-ups, Perriello tops Gillespie by 43 percent to 36 percent; Wagner by 43 percent to 32 percent; Stewart by 44 percent to 31 percent; and Riggleman by 43 percent to 30 percent. Northam tops Gillespie by 41 percent to 35 percent; Wagner by 41 percent to 33 percent; Stewart by 42 percent to 31 percent; and Riggleman by 42 percent to 31 percent. Quinnipiac surveyed 989 Virginia voters between Feb. 10 and 15. The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points. In a Feb. 2 poll from Christopher Newport University, Northam received 26 percent of the vote to 15 percent for Perriello. In the CNU poll, Gillespie had a wide lead among the GOP field, with 33 percent to 9 percent for Wagner, 7 percent for Stewart and 1 percent for Riggleman. Quinnipiacs survey on the governors race is its first since December, before Perriello or Riggleman joined the contest and before Rep. Robert J. Wittman, R-1st, announced he would not seek the GOP nomination. In Quinnipiacs Dec. 14 poll, Gillespie topped the GOP field. In a potential head to head match-up, Northam received 38 percent to 34 percent for Gillespie. ALEXANDRIA Mohamed Bailor Jalloh says he was looking to meet a Muslim wife when he reached out to an Islamic State recruiter he had met overseas. Instead, he agreed to take part in a terrorist attack on American soil. Jalloh, a former National Guardsman, was sentenced Friday to 11 years in prison for attempting to provide support to the Islamic State. Jalloh bought a Glock handgun and an AR-15 rifle, having researched the massacre at an Orlando nightclub last year and the deadly 2009 shooting at an Army base in Fort Hood, Texas. The FBI was monitoring his movements, and he was arrested before any attack was attempted. Defense lawyer Joseph Flood argued that Jallohs behavior sprung not from radical fervor but from heavy drug use and untreated trauma from a childhood marked by rape, war and neglect. The gullible 27-year-olds attachment to the Islamist militant group was superficial and confused, his attorney said. During a hearing in federal court in Alexandria, Assistant U.S. Attorney John Gibbs said he was not unsympathetic but that Jallohs past did not justify his actions. Mr. Jalloh probably is and was a very troubled individual and probably was in a very bad place, but individuals in those situations often do very dangerous things, Gibbs said. He could have stepped away; he never did that. Gibbs asked Judge Liam OGrady to impose the maximum 20-year sentence. Jalloh, a U.S. citizen, lived in Loudoun County at the time of his 2016 arrest. According to court papers, he was born in Sierra Leone, the youngest of eight children. His father was polygamous, and his young mother fled to the United States when he was 2 years old. His father and stepmother soon left Sierra Leone as well, leaving him with extended family. For several years he was sexually abused by an older cousin. At age 8, the countrys civil war made him a refugee. While running with relatives to Guinea, he saw a child shot by a soldier. I was hungry, starving, crying, he recalled in a court filing. Jalloh made it to the United States after six months and reunited with his family. But after a few years, his father left and his mother was deported. He lived with various relatives, who largely ignored him. Seeking direction, Jalloh joined the Army National Guard out of college. Jalloh was frustrated by the idea that he could not do more for Syrian refugees. I started to watch online videos of civilians escaping Assad, on the beach shores, and walking long distances took my memory back to when I was a child and civilian in the Sierra Leone War which incited an emotion reaction rather than a rational reaction in me, Jalloh wrote in a letter to the judge. Unfortunately, I succumbed to the same ISIL online propaganda that is responsible for so many atrocities in the world. ISIL is another name for the Islamic State. In 2015, Jalloh visited his father in Sierra Leone and met Islamic State recruiters who encouraged him to go to Libya and fight, according to his account. He gave them several hundred dollars, but when he actually got on a truck to Libya he quickly changed his mind and fled. We were packed like sardines, he recalled. Guys in the truck would whip people with a hose to pack you in. This was the worst, most scary situation that I had ever been in as an adult. On arriving back in the U.S., Jalloh made contact online with Abu Saad Sudani, a now-deceased Islamic State member who was plotting an attack . But he claims he was looking not for a co-conspirator but for a wife. His girlfriend of six years had dumped him, sending intimate photos of herself with a new man for emphasis, Jalloh wrote in the court filing. I started doing marijuana, coke and mushrooms using one of them at least on a daily basis in order to kill the pain I was in, he wrote. I cast my depression as some kind of noble inspiration. In truth, it was complete self-destruction. Sudani connected Jalloh with someone who he says he thought would help him find a bride, but who was actually an FBI informant. Flood said that the informant pushed Jalloh toward terrorism. For two months, Flood wrote, the informant hounded Jalloh with nearly constant entreaties to engage in a violent attack. The FBI informant told Jalloh about a plot to murder U.S. military personnel and asked Jalloh about acquiring weapons. Jalloh tried to buy an assault rifle. As he did, the FBI was watching. The gun had already been rendered inoperable. CHARLOTTESVILLE A high-ranking University of Virginia official is suing the university for alleged gender discrimination and violation of disability law. The Washington, D.C.-based Employment Law Group filed a lawsuit Wednesday in federal court in Charlottesville on behalf of Betsy Ackerson, an assistant vice provost at U.Va. Ackerson claims in the suit that the university has knowingly paid her less than her male counterparts since she was hired in 2012 although she claims she has carried a disproportionately high burden of the workload. Ackerson alleges that various university officials retaliated against her after she complained about the situation by reassigning her to a smaller office space after she took medical leave and giving her lower performance ratings than she believed she deserved. The lawsuit also alleges that the university refused to accommodate her when she suffered chronic fatigue and exhaustion on the job. The university, through spokesman Anthony de Bruyn, declined to comment on the lawsuit. Ackersons direct supervisor, former Senior Vice Provost J. Milton Adams, who retired last year, is at the center of the allegations, but several other high-ranking officials also are named, including President Teresa Sullivan, former Provost John Simon who has since become president of Lehigh University and Nancy Rivers, chief of staff for the presidents office. Ackerson was brought on in 2012 to help with the process of mapping out a five-year strategic plan, which became known as the Cornerstone Plan and was approved by the Board of Visitors in 2013. The position was temporary, but Ackerson then was promoted to be a full-time employee and her duties were expanded to include financial forecasting. According to the suit, Ackersons supervisors leaned heavily on her to carry the workload while her peers made more money than she did. The suit alleges that Adams hired a friend freelance marketing writer Charles Feigenoff to help write the plan in 2013 and paid him by the hour at a rate greater than Ackersons. Yet during this time, Ackerson frequently had to brief Feigenoff on the strategic plan, despite the fact that U.Va. paid him significantly more than it paid her, reads the suit. Although a multiyear tug-of-war over Ackersons pay has raised her salary from $70,000 to $110,000, she says she is still paid less than several other high-ranking employees, while the university has continued to let her shoulder a heavier burden. U.Va. took adverse employment actions against Ackerson when it reaffirmed its actions of unequal pay twice in 2016 when it raised Ackersons salary to levels that were still substantially lower than her male colleagues and assigned her more duties, reads the lawsuit. The suit names several officials with similar titles or duties who make more money than Ackerson. Ackerson and her attorneys are accusing U.Va. of violating the Equal Pay Act of 1963, which bars gender pay discrimination for the same work; the Rehabilitation Act protecting workers with disabilities; Title VII, a broad anti-discrimination law covering the workplace; and Title IX, which safeguards against gender discrimination in educational institutions. Adam Carter, the attorney representing Ackerson, said although gender pay disparities are typical in these cases, its not normal to see employers lash out at such a high-ranking employee for speaking up. What you dont normally see is retaliation, Carter said. A woman who supplied the fatal dose of pain medication that resulted in the death of a 27-year-old King George man in October 2015 was ordered Wednesday to serve three years in prison. Mary Evelyn Trainum, 54, of Colonial Beach was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and, as part of a plea agreement, was sentenced to 10 years in prison with all but three years suspended. The three years Trainum was ordered to serve was well above the recommended state sentencing guidelines, which called for a sentence of up to six months. The conviction stemmed from the Oct. 20, 2015, death of Charles Cody Gusha, who overdosed after taking Opana he had purchased from Trainum. Prosecutor Charlie Clark said it was the third time since July 2014 that Gusha had overdosed on drugs he received from Trainum. Defense attorney Robert May said that Trainum herself helped save Gusha after one of the overdoses by performing CPR on him. Trainums Alford plea came during what was the first day of a scheduled three-day trial in King George Circuit Court. Judge Herbert Hewitt, prosecutors Clark and Luke Mitchell and defense attorneys May and Madeline Starbranch had already spent the entire morning questioning some of the 60 potential jurors that had been summoned for the case. But well before opening arguments took place, Trainum decided to take the deal that she had been offered. She said it was a tough decision and that she and Gusha were victims of their addictions. Unfortunately, addictions change lives and hurt a lot of people, Trainum said just prior to being formally sentenced. Cody was a very good person and I miss him. Clark said that Detective Scott Simons investigation showed that Trainum was receiving large amounts of Opana every 15 days. Cellphone records showed that Gusha was one of her customers, and Clark added that Trainum was fully aware of Gushas prior overdoses. Yet she chose to ignore the overwhelming risk and sell to him again, Clark said. Trainum, who has a prior conviction for distributing drugs in King George, is still facing distribution charges in Westmoreland County. She picked up a new distribution charge Dec. 6 while she was on bond for the King George offense. Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney recently issued a directive that recapitulates existing policy regarding the police departments non-participation in a voluntary federal program aimed at hunting down illegal immigrants. Not surprisingly, this provoked some dissent. Some of the dissent was especially forceful. Corey Stewart, a Republican running for governor, called Stoneys move which breaks no laws brazen lawlessness. Denver Riggleman, one of Stewarts competitors, said Richmond should lose state funding if this anarchy continues. Anarchy. It seems a little early to be turning the amps up to 11, and yet Richmond is not the only burg to draw the two candidates wrath. The Charlottesville City Council recently voted to relocate a statue of Robert E. Lee from its current spot downtown to a location yet to be determined. Stewart and Riggleman did not take the decision well. Only tyrants attempt to erase history, Stewart said. He called moving the statue historical vandalism. Riggleman said the majority members in the 3-2 council vote were spitting in the face of veterans of every conflict. No reminder of any sacrifice by any veteran of any conflict should be torn down by the liberal thought police. Gracious. Blatantly lawless anarchy in Richmond. Tyrannical thought police in Charlottesville. Whats next? Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together, mass hysteria? The evidence pointing to dark doings between Donald Trump and Russias autocratic regime is circumstantial. Individually, the elements can be explained away. But taken together, they point to a pattern that merits intense scrutiny. To begin with, there is Trumps admiration sometimes gushing for Vladimir Putin. And his insistence that America is no better than Russia. (When Foxs Bill OReilly said Putin is a killer, Trump retorted, You think our country is so innocent?) Paul Manafort, who served as Trumps principal adviser for a time, worked hand-in-glove with pro-Russian forces in Ukraine activity that led to a criminal investigation. U.S. intelligence agencies agree that Russia orchestrated the hacking of Democratic campaign offices for the purpose of helping Trump. On Monday, national security adviser Michael Flynn stepped down after he was caught lying about his discussions with Russias ambassador. Now comes word that four Trump aides, including Manafort and Flynn, had frequent contact with Russian officials and spies during the presidential campaign. So far, no evidence has surfaced to indicate that the aides were colluding with Russia on the hacking of Democratic offices. For all the public knows, the aides and the Russians could have been talking about the prospects for a Cubs victory in the World Series. But the lattice of other incriminating details makes that seem rather unlikely. Once again, this is all very circumstantial, and in some cases fiercely contested. Manafort, for instance, calls the latest claim absurd. (But then, what else is he supposed to say?) Yet if a similar pile of evidence had accrued around a Democratic president, the Republican reaction would be explosive. Recall the outrage six years ago, when Barack Obama was caught on a live microphone telling Russias Dmitri Medvedev that After my election I have more flexibility. Remember the scorn with which conservatives greeted the Obama administrations attempt to reset relations with Russia. Now imagine how that might have gone over if Russia had hacked Republican offices with a view toward electing Obama. That is essentially the situation America now finds itself in. At the same time, there are reasons to wonder whether the latest revelations are being blown out of proportion. For example: If Putin has Trump in his coat pocket, then why did Russia recently send a warship into waters off the coast of Delaware? Why are Russian warplanes buzzing U.S. naval vessels? Why is Russia violating a treaty by deploying new cruise missiles? Nations usually engage in such provocations to test an enemys resolve or warn it against certain behavior. They dont treat their friends that way. (Then again, Russia could be engaging in such provocations precisely to convince the public that Trump is a foe of the Putin regime rather than its useful idiot.) While several leading Republicans in Congress insist the developments need thorough investigating, others seem more upset about intelligence agencies eavesdropping on Flynns phone conversations than they do about the possibility that a hostile power has compromised Americas political system at the highest levels. They seem to view the issue in purely partisan terms: Maybe, they say, agents sympathetic to the Democratic Party are trying to render the Trump administration ineffective. 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Donald Trump is president. The public is engaged. For too many years Virginians have seen the largest corporations get their way in our political system. Its time to change. This year, a single move by the governor could save more than a billion dollars for ordinary Virginians. How? By restoring a longstanding Virginia policy of requiring refunds when public utilities earn excessive profits. To do that, he would have to take on the most powerful players in Richmond. In 2015, the Virginia General Assembly did something unprecedented: It suspended review of electric rates on two for-profit utilities, Dominion Power and Appalachian Power. Those reviews are conducted by the State Corporation Commission, which has regulated public monopolies since 1902. The ostensible reason for the Assemblys 2015 suspension was the Obama administrations Clean Power Plan, which allegedly would have increased costs for producing power. Two years later, Trump is president, and the Clean Power Plan is dead. However, the suspension of rate review remains. Initially styled in 2015 as a rate freeze for its Virginia consumers, the Dominion-sponsored boondoggle was (and is) just the opposite. While base rates are frozen, there is no value to ordinary consumers, since power bills are locked in above-market base rates. Meanwhile, utilities can increase costs through rate adjustment clauses, or RACs, which add additional fees to consumer bills. Those add-ons currently constitute about 40 percent of a monthly bill, and that figure will increase as the 2017 Assembly adds new riders for costly hydroelectric and nuclear power facilities, as well as for undergrounding existing utility lines. Rate freeze? More like refund freeze. If these bills become law, the retail cost of electric power in Virginia already the highest in the southeastern United States will continue to increase. The monopolies claim the spoils. According to former Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, Dominion Power enjoys $300 million in excess profits annually a silent tax paid by Virginia customers. In four years, this aggregate number will rise above $1 billion. How did this happen? The first reason is obvious. For-profit utilities spend millions in Richmond subsidizing politicians, advocacy groups and charities. The second reason is more subtle. Electricity policy is complicated. Part-time legislators have minimal time or knowledge to digest the factors, which gives enormous leverage to industry lobbyists. When in doubt, legislators will say yes to corporate giants thats why an independent regulator is so critical. In 2017, I filed SB1095 to bring back rate review. Not surprisingly, that bill was opposed by the for-profit utilities and ultimately defeated. But the governor has the final say. Under the state constitution, he can send down legislation at any time to restore the SCCs historic rate review. Or he can amend an existing bill that seeks new rate increases for the utilities. Any reform can be acted upon and take effect on July 1, 2017. Governor, do the right thing and save a billion dollars for the citizens of Virginia. Its the right thing to do, and its the right time to do it. By Jason Snead So, youre sitting on millions of dollars worth of confiscated property. You want to give your workers a raise, but federal rules bar you from using seized assets to fund salaries. Whats an attorney general to do? Well, if youre Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring, you turn to a strange source for the solution: the very U.S. Justice Department officials who are responsible for enforcing the rules you want to skirt. They told Herring he could use the funds to cover routine costs so long as your overall budget does not decrease. Herring promptly started using seized funds to cover operational expenses like vehicle maintenance and rent payments and then diverted funds that normally would have paid those bills into hefty salary hikes up to $15,000 each for 64 attorneys. Now that these higher salary costs are baked in, one of three things will have to happen: the legislature will have to increase Herrings budget; there will have to be cutbacks elsewhere in Herrings department; or law enforcement authorities will have to maintain or increase the level of forfeitures they obtain. That last option is the scariest. Civil forfeiture funds are derived from the seizure of property. In most cases these seizures are entirely above board; they target the proceeds of crimes and the property used to commit them. Often, however, property is confiscated on the basis of suspicion, with little or no actual evidence of criminal wrongdoing on the part of the property owner. And when that happens, there are precious few due process protections to prevent innocent people from losing their homes, cars and life savings. In Virginia and at the federal level, owners are required essentially to prove innocence to get their property back. That is no sure thing. The difficulty of winning, combined with the cost of hiring a lawyer (which may exceed the value of what was taken), prompts many innocent people to simply give up. Others choose to fend for themselves in a labyrinthine forfeiture system one that few attorneys fully understand. Law enforcement organizations, meanwhile, have a powerful incentive to pursue forfeiture cases. Virginia laws let them keep the proceeds of successful forfeitures and spend it as they see fit. Virginias authorities can also partner with federal law enforcement agencies and get up to 80 percent of any forfeiture revenues resulting from the joint investigations. Both Justice and Treasury departments operate these so-called Equitable Sharing programs. Since 2000 they have disbursed more than $185 million to Virginia law enforcement groups. Federal rules require this money to be spent exclusively by law enforcement organizations for law enforcement purposes. Local and state legislators have no say in how these funds are spent. There is a very good reason to prohibit using forfeiture funds to pay salaries: Leaving law enforcement officials to rely on property seizures for their very livelihoods invites corruption and abuse. It leads officials to treat forfeiture as a revenue source rather than a law enforcement tool. In such a system, how can the public ever assume that a sheriff or prosecutor is disinterested and impartial in the use of such a powerful tool? Fortunately, Virginia lawmakers have taken notice. State senators recently proposed slashing Herrings budget by a $500,000 a move clearly intended to signal that they are watching his office closely. But while the message is powerful, so is a potential unintended consequence: As long as law enforcement can use forfeiture funds to self-finance, any budget holes the legislature creates can simply be filled by increasing property seizures and forfeitures. Since forfeiture funds may be spent entirely at the discretion of law enforcement officials, the end result of this action is not greater legislative control, but a weakening of it. A better way would be to enact comprehensive forfeiture reform. State lawmakers took a long first step down this path last year, by raising the burden of proof in forfeiture cases to clear and convincing evidence. Now they should tackle forfeitures financial incentives. State law should prohibit the receipt of federal equitable sharing funds, and all other forfeiture proceeds should go to the state treasury, to be expended through the normal political process. States like New Mexico, California and Nebraska have already taken these steps. They have demonstrated that public safety does not depend on the ability of law enforcement groups to self-finance via civil asset forfeiture. In the process, they have strengthened community trust in their police and prosecutors. It is time for Virginia to join them. Register for more free articles. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Parishioners of St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Newport News never forgot the sermon they heard on June 21, 1987. It was inspiring that the Rev. Douglas Gray Burgoyne, their rector since 1975, was even standing in the pulpit. Six days earlier, he and his wife, Joanna Joannie Cutter Turner Burgoyne, learned that their 21-year-old daughter, Marion, who was attending James Madison University, had disappeared. Three days later, they were told she had been abducted and murdered. His message poured out his love for his daughter and his faith. So much of it we dont understand, but maybe thats the price we pay for a world in which there can be spontaneity and love and caring and beauty and surprise, he said. Sometimes in that wonderful world of ours, with the freedom we have as Gods creation, bad things happen. Then he asked the congregation to pray for his daughters killer. I just felt this strong, strong need ... to talk to the parish family about his, he said in a 1992 Richmond Times-Dispatch interview. Maris death came in a summer when about a dozen dear, longtime parishioners of St. Andrews died. There had been a lot of death (including the death of their previous rector). I just felt ... a need to say, Im hanging in there. My faith has not changed one bit. Mary Poole, a St. Andrews parishioner and former head of the churchs day school, recalled what he said to a fellow parishioner who had hugged him as she left the church that day: Next week well celebrate. Poole recalled his leadership as a wonderful time at our church. It was a time of strength. He was a spiritual leader, an example for all of us. He always was there when you needed him. He was a wonderful, positive force for our church. If you knew him, you loved and respected him. Today, a celebration of his life and funeral will be held at 11 a.m. at All Saints Episcopal Church, 8787 River Road in Henrico County. Burial in Westhampton Memorial Park will be private. Mr. Burgoyne, who ended 56 years of active ministry on Aug. 31, 2014, died peacefully at 86 on Feb. 5 at his Henrico home. During a 16-month battle with cancer he continued to inspire everyone, family wrote in his death notice, with his steadfast faith, courage, determination, intellect, kindness, humor and grace. He and his wife moved from Newport News to the Richmond area in 1991 to live near the family of a son struggling with illness. He was assigned to All Saints Episcopal Church as priest-in-charge for 18 months to begin a process to heal the parish after a difficult period, All Saints parishioner Bill McClure wrote in an email. I have never known a more gracious, thoughtful and committed person, pastor or priest. If saints walk this earth then Doug Burgoyne walked among them; he surely communes with them now, McClure wrote. His gentle presence and his leadership were great gifts. He brought a deep commitment to what it means to be an Episcopalian and a rare gift: the ability to communicate that he knows one and cares about ones well-being, spiritual or otherwise. McClure shared a story that he said still brings tears to his eyes. I had been Senior Warden during the difficulties that lead to Dougs arrival, to the point where my personal faith was about exhausted, McClure wrote. Shortly after he arrived, he asked if we could have lunch. We did and he asked me to tell him what had been going on. So I gave him a long, difficult discourse and he listened politely. When I finished, he simply said, Bill, you have to let it go. With those words, he lifted a great weight from me. I thought he wanted insight into what had been troubling the Parish. Instead, he was ministering to me personally. Mr. Burgoyne made many changes with openness, grace and determination at All Saints, a parish not known at the time for embracing change, McClure wrote. When the time came for All Saints to select a rector, Bishop Lee allowed us to call Doug and he was able to continue his remarkable ministry with us for eight years. Before he retired as a full-time priest in 2000 at age 70, he led a campaign during tight-money times, when parish needs were significant, that expanded parish facilities. Part of that, the Burgoyne Cloister, is a testament to his leadership, and, importantly, to the affection of his flock, McClure wrote. Not one to operate on idle, he returned to work part time, serving as interim rector at St. Martins Episcopal Church in Richmond and St. James the Less Episcopal Church in Ashland, later as associate priest at St. Jamess parish in Richmond and then doing supply work, preaching at area churches. Among many positions and honors, he was elected four times as a deputy to the General Convention the legislative body of the Episcopal Church. Five times he was a nominee for bishop in eastern church dioceses. His true calling, his family said, was as a parish priest and staying close to home with his family. An only child who was born in Orange, N.J., and grew up in a sixth-floor apartment in New York, he spent summers at Sagaponack, Long Island, N.Y., where he developed a passion for sailing. He was 1952 graduate of Williams College in Williamstown, Mass., where he had a friend who urged him to go into the ministry. He instead began a career in insurance in New York, then joined the Coast Guard before returning to insurance work. However, it became clear to me that wasnt what God wanted me to be, he said in the interview. He graduated from the Episcopal Theological School and served at small parishes in Oregon and Williamstown, Mass., before going to Newport News. Besides his daughter, Mr. Burgoyne was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Cathy Burgoyne, who died shortly after birth in 1958, and a son, David Burgoyne, who died in 2009. A lack of rainfall in recent weeks has allowed moderate drought to return in much of Northern Virginia, while much of the Piedmont and southeast Virginia are now considered abnormally dry. In an update released Thursday, the U.S. Drought Monitor shows moderate drought extending from Charlottesville and Louisa northeast to Fredericksburg, Manassas and the Washington suburbs. Areas with abnormally dry conditions now include Petersburg, Suffolk, Emporia, South Hill and the western Piedmont. The Richmond area, the coastline, and areas west of Interstate 81 are the parts of the state not abnormally dry at this time. A moderate drought is a level of dryness that can harm crops and plants in the short term. If it lasts for many months, a drought can impact water supplies. Abnormally dry is a classification thats not as serious as drought. Its used to describe areas that may head into a drought without more rain, or lingering minor effects in an area that has mostly recovered from a drought. Richmond International Airport has measured 4.81 inches of rain (and liquid equivalent of snow) so far this year, which is right at pace with the year-to-date average. The situation is much drier on the shorter scale. Only 0.58 inches came during the past three weeks, which is only a quarter of normal for this time of year. Since the beginning of winter, rainfall and snowfall have been particularly deficient in Northern Virginia. Louisa has a year-to-date precipitation deficit of 2.2 inches, and Washington is about 1.3 inches behind normal. A weak system could bring more showers to the state on Wednesday, but most areas will pick up less than a tenth of an inch, and possibly just a trace. A cold front could bring a better chance for rain and potentially some thunder early next weekend. Snow looks unlikely through the end of the month while warmer-than-usual air dominates the region. Rain could visit the area more regularly in March and bring some relief from the dry pattern. In an experimental three-to-four-week outlook, the Climate Prediction Center expects above-normal precipitation in the Southeast during the first half of March along with increased odds for cooler-than-average temperatures. That combination doesnt necessarily mean snow, however. During the first week of March, expect a pause in the balmy 60s and 70s well enjoy in late February, and more in the way of 40s and 50s. Clouds and showers should be more prevalent than what weve seen lately. On the whole, March is still expected to be warmer than average. March tends to be one of Richmonds wetter months, with normal monthly precipitation around 4 inches. A typical March tends to bring an uptick in the number of days with soaking rain, too. January and February average two days with a half-inch rainfall, and the typical count goes up to three days in March. A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind. We all know that eating well, getting plenty of rest, and participating in regular physical activities are excellent ways to maintain and improve our health. But what about other activities? What about volunteering? A 2015 study from Carnegie Mellon University, published in the journal Psychology and Aging, found that volunteering really can be good for your health. In the study, older adults (50+) who volunteered on a regular basis were less likely to develop high blood pressure than non-volunteers, which is important as high blood pressure can contribute to heart disease, stroke, and premature death. Other findings indicated that volunteering reduced stress and decreased feelings of loneliness and depression. Other studies have found positive effects on memory retention and overall cognitive health. This spring, the Virginia Cooperative Extension will offer a training for Master Food Volunteers volunteer educators who provide programming in the community on the topics of health, nutrition, cooking skills, and overall wellness. The training will be held at the Brambleton Center beginning Tuesday, April 18, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Subsequent sessions will continue at the same time each week for five weeks, for a total of 30 hours of training. There is a $90 fee to participate in the training, which provides volunteers with official tote bag and apron, training manual, and covers the cost of lunch for all sessions. Scholarships are available, based on need. Interested applicants should contact Family & Consumer Science Agent, Kim Butterfield, at 540-772-7524 to obtain an application. The deadline for applications is Monday, April 3. As Charles Dickens once said, No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of others. Consider what you can do today to help others it will certainly help our community and youll feel better for it! Submitted by Kim Butterfield RICHMOND A House-approved plan to force universities to limit out-of-state enrollment or use the additional tuition revenue to lower costs for in-state students died in a Senate committee Thursday. Sen. Richard Saslaw, D-Fairfax, told the Senate Education and Health Committee that the bill would have cost the College of William and Mary $3.5 million and the University of Virginia $20.7 million in redirected revenue based on the current enrollment mix. House Bill 1410 by Del. David Albo, R-Fairfax, tackled the twin constituent complaints that college costs and access to top state schools have become out of reach. Albos bill would have required universities that exceed a 30 percent out-of-state cap to lower costs for Virginia residents with the tuition revenue that remained after education costs are covered for out-of-state students. W&M enrolls 2,080 out-of-state students, 33.4 percent of its enrollment; UVa enrolls 5,836, or 34.7 percent. While Virginia undergraduates pay $21,234 in tuition and mandatory fees at W&M and $15,714 at UVa., out-of-state students are charged $42,274 at W&M and $45,058 at UVa. Sen. Chap Petersen, D-Fairfax , challenged Saslaw on whether the lost revenue was actually a loss because the money would have benefited Virginia students. So lets make that clear. This is not money leaving the commonwealth, he said. The two senators had sparred in Wednesdays subcommittee meeting over whether the bill should be sent to the Finance Committee, where it would have met a certain death. But Thursday, Petersen said that while he supported the goal of the bill and still maintained that the Finance Committee should not decide its fate, he would not vote for it. He described the bill as overly complicated and almost unworkable. Two motions, one referring the bill to Finance and the other reporting it to the Senate, were defeated. Albo said he was not happy the committee took up his bill without alerting him by text so that he could be present. When he did arrive, however, he said committee members agreed to request a study on the issue. He said he would be satisfied if a legit study is made on out-of-state enrollment and revenue use at W&M and UVa. They are the only schools impacted by the bill, which exempted Virginia Military Institute and Virginia State and Norfolk State universities. Virginia Techs out-of-state enrollment is below 30 percent. University representatives spoke against the legislation, but two mothers urged the committee to support the plan as a first step to lower costs and improve access for Virginia students. Danielle Lewandowski of Chesapeake said the prospect of four years of tuition for her three children is very daunting to me. Let me ask you, Saslaw said, lets suppose we do this and its capped. Schools have had to raise tuition to make up for reductions in state appropriations, he said. In 1998-99, when the state froze tuition, universities cut back on course offerings to compensate, Saslaw said. Parents called to complain their children had to go an extra semester to get the courses they needed to graduate, he said, so there were no savings. Thats what happened the last time we tried to do the right thing, Saslaw said. Six weeks into his campaign, former Rep. Tom Perriello has moved into a tie with Lt. Gov. Ralph S. Northam for the Democratic nomination for governor, but most voters are undecided ahead of the June primary, according to a new survey. Perriello, the former one-term congressman whose surprise entry in January scrambled the Democratic contest, matched Northam at 19 percent in the Quinnipiac survey out this afternoon, but 61 percent were undecided. In head to head matchups, either Democrat defeats each of the four potential GOP nominees - Ed Gillespie, former chairman of the Republican National Committee; state Sen. Frank W. Wagner, R-Virginia Beach; Corey Stewart, chairman of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors; and Denver Riggleman, co-owner of Silverback Distillery in Nelson County. "Although none of the candidates - Democrat or Republican - is very well known to the Virginia electorate, the Old Dominion obviously has a blue tinge at this point," said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll. "The fact that relatively unknown Democrats are scoring better than relatively unknown Republicans indicates that for now at least this Democratic brand is more attractive to Virginia voters." Virginia was the only Southern state that backed Democrat Hillary Clinton in the presidential contest. Republicans have not won a statewide race in Virginia since 2009, but the voter turnout plummets a year later, which traditionally makes such off-year contests close. Perriello has sought to cast himself as a passionate opponent of the president's administration. He apologized on Wednesday after video surfaced of Perriello at a campaign event comparing Trump's victory to the Sept. 11 attacks - a remark that drew condemnation from Northam as well as from the GOP hopefuls. Northam, who also has decried the early days of the Trump administration, retains the support of the four other Democrats who hold statewide office. Quinnipiac surveyed 989 Virginia voters between Feb. 10-15. The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points. Both parties will pick their nominees in a June 13 primary. In a Feb. 2 poll from Christopher Newport University, Northam received 26 percent of the vote to 15 percent for Perriello. In the CNU poll Gillespie had a wide lead among the GOP field, with 33 percent to 9 percent for Wagner, 7 percent for Stewart, and 1 percent for Riggleman. Quinnipiac's survey on the governor's race is its first since December, before Perriello or Riggleman joined the contest and before Rep. Robert J. Wittman, R-1st announced he would not seek the GOP nomination. In Quinnipiac's Dec. 14 poll, Gillespie topped the GOP field. In a potential head to head match-up, Northam received 38 percent to 34 percent for Gillespie. Register for more free articles. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! Already a Subscriber? Already a Subscriber? Sign in Terms of Service Privacy Policy An error occurred while processing your request. The page you are looking for on this website is unavailable, has moved, or does not exist. Please visit collinsaerospace.com to find the product or service you are looking for. Amber Rudd HOME secretary Amber Rudd has announced a 40 million package to protect children from sexual exploitation and trafficking and to help crack down on offenders. The Government investment includes the launch of a Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse, 20 million for the National Crime Agency to tackle online CSE, 2.2 million for organisations working to help protect children from trafficking and the launch of Independent Child Trafficking Advocates in Wales, Hampshire and Manchester ahead of full national rollout. Mrs Rudd said: Since 2010, the Government has done more than any other to tackle these horrific offences. We have increased support for victims of sexual abuse, invested in training and technology to improve law enforcements response to abuse both on and offline, and brought in a tougher inspection regime to ensure all front-line professions are meeting their child protection duties. But there is more to do, the measures I am announcing today will further improve our ability to protect children. Rotherham MP Sarah Champion said the announcement was fabulous news but called for more to be done to support victims. She said: Whilst the police, social services and CPS have come a long way, and we are seeing more prosecutions as a result, we have still been falling short on providing appropriate care to the victims and survivors. Sadly, the Governments announcement does not go far enough to address this. It concerns me that as a country we are still not recognising the scale of child abuse in the UK, so this funding commitment demonstrates real progress, but should only be seen as a first step. A Home Office spokeswoman said the bulk of the 40 million was nationwide and none was specifically coming to Rotherham. But she added 7.5 million was given to South Yorkshire Police in grant funding over the last two years for Operation Stovewood an independent investigation into non-familial child sexual exploitation and abuse in Rotherham between 1997-2013. Joanne Beaumont. 170083 A WOMAN has told of her pride on overcoming epilepsy to open up a shop which shows off her artistic skills. Joanne Beaumont (47) opened Beau Crafts Reloved Wood a shabby chic, handmade crafts and woodwork boutique on Barnsley Road in Highgate, Goldthorpe, just before Christmas. She has modified the former butchers to display her goods and said it is the end of a long struggle back to health. Joanne has been backed by her proud daughters Georgia and Kristie and said she was grateful for support from friends, neighbours, businesses and the government. She said: "I have always wanted to do this but I never imagined in my wildest dreams I would. "It has been a struggle, it has been a journey, but I cannot believe what I have done. I am a very happy bunny." Joanne, the daughter of a joiner and carpenter, has always enjoyed working with wood but it was after developing epilepsy following a head trauma and the resultant difficulties finding the right medication that she took time to actively think about running a shop. She said: "I have always been good at woodwork. I used the time when I was off work ill wisely to investigate different avenues to run a business." Joanne learnt new woodworking skills as well as getting advice on how to run a shop from business advisors Pinnacle of Barnsley, Goldthrope Jobcentre and New Enterprise Allowance advisors. She started out on market stalls, doing house parties, attended craft festivals at places like Elsecar Heritage Centre and went to wedding fairs before renting a unit at Thurnscoe and eventually moving into a shop unit. Joanne said that she hoped her experience would encourage others who have been unwell to see that there could be a positive future. She said: "For people feeling unwell there is a way through." Joanne sources her materials locally and sometimes customers bring in pieces they want her to work on. She has also offered space to local craftspeople. Joanne's best sellers are items such as shelves, small seats for children, and wedding and vintage items. She even creates wooden crosses for graves. She now wants to develop more skills such as working with metal and maybe even pottery. Goldthorpe-born Joanne said: "There are so many ideas going through my mind I find it hard to switch off. "Your customers excite and spark you as well. "I think if you are going to do things half-heartedly you will only get half the results." Joanne now plans to run workshops for young people who would like to learn new skills, as well as teaming up with local nurseries. Joanne's daughter Kristie Wheeldon (27) said she was delighted at her mum's achievements. She said: "I am so very proud of her and truly believe that no one deserves it more than her. "My mum is the most hard working, determined and ambitious woman I know. She has always had a dream of making and selling her own creations. "When she was unable to work due to her illness, she used her determination and passion to set up her own business, and she is now a shopkeeper, her own boss and I couldnt be prouder of her." Planning board chairman Cllr Alan Atkin addresses local residents at the site visit. 170253-8 COUNCILLORS have unanimously approved ambitious plans for a 37 million theme park in the Rother Valley. Gullivers 250-acre childrens attraction has now been referred to the secretary of state, who has 21 days to raise any objections before the application can be signed off. Planning board members visited the former Pithouse West colliery site at Wales this morning (Thursday) before voting in favour of the proposal. It follows more than a decade of disappointments, with the YES! Project and Visions of China failing to get off the ground. The development will be built over 12 to 15 years, bringing 125 full-time jobs, 325 part-time plus more during construction. The council has estimated that the attraction will be worth 11.6 million a year to Rotherhams economy. Gullivers managing director Julie Dalton said: Everyone at Gullivers is very pleased with the councils decision which takes us to the next stage of the planning process. We are confident that the secretary of state will recognise the enormous benefit of our plans to the Rother Valley area and the local community. Our plans would transform an area of Rother Valley that has been disused for many years. Gullivers Valley would be our fourth UK theme park resort, bringing together the best elements of our existing resorts in Warrington, Matlock Bath and Milton Keynes. Isobel Hague. A TEENAGER has been given the chance to do volunteer work in West Africa. Isobel Hague (19), of Oxford Street in Clifton, is off to work in Ghana through the International Citizen Service. She will spend three months in the country later this year before going off to university. Isobel now has to raise 800 through fundraising to get herself on the trip. Isobel had to go through an assessment programme to get her place in Ghana and is now looking forward to working alongside other volunteers in classrooms, particularly supporting girls in rural areas. Isobel said: Its amazing. I am trying to learn about the customs and culture of Ghana now so everything is appropriate when I go. To make the most out of my experience, I will be living with a generous host family and with the local people of Ghana. To make this happen, I have to raise 800 and I will do this by doing lots of fundraising activities such as cake bake sales, dinner parties and a sponsored walk. Isobel will also be holding a raffle to raise funds and taking part in the 5 Challenge where she has to live on just 5 for five days to learn about the difficulties of poverty. She said that she has been to Africa before as her family come from Morocco and hopes that her experiences in Ghana will help her when she starts a university course in Early Childhood Studies in September. Isobels trip to Ghana starts on April 5 and she will return back to the UK on June 27. Her JustGiving page is at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Isobel-Neshwa-Hague2. AngloGold Ashanti mulls 30% reduction of carbon emissions by 2030 AngloGold Ashanti has come up with a new carbon emissions reduction target which seeks to achieve a 30% absolute reduction in its Scope 1 and Scope 2 Greenhouse Gas emissions by 2030, as compared to 2021. This will be achieved through a combination... Lucara Q3 revenue, output drop Lucara Diamond, which wholly owns the Karowe mine in Botswana, realised $49.9 million in revenues in the third quarter of 2022 compared to $72.7 million in the comparative quarter. The revenue includes $46.5 million from the sale of 99,301 carats and... Gemfields to auction 187,775-carat cluster of emeralds Gemfields is set to auction a 187,775-carat cluster of emeralds discovered at its 75%-owned Kagem mine in Zambia in March 2020. Viewing of the Kafubu Cluster commenced on 31 October and bidding will close on 17 November. Tiffany jewellery pieces to highlight Jewels & Jadeite auction in Hong Kong Jewellery pieces by Tiffany & Co, including those by renowned designer Jean Schlumberger, are among the highlights of Bonhams Jewels and Jadeite auction in Hong Kong on November 26, 2022. Angolan state diamond company, Endiama said it is currently negotiating with its partner, Alrosa of Russia for the financing of the Luaxe kimberlite project and will not seek additional investors. Endiama and the Russian diamond giant discovered Luaxe in 2015. Macauhub quoted companys chairperson Antonio Carlos Sumbula as saying that the diamond companies would raise the funds on their own. Alrosa president Andrei Zharkov said last September that capital investments in Luaxe project during its mine life was estimated at $1 billion. The project, which was expected to begin diamond production within three to four years, was projected to record an annual output of between 8 million carats and 10 million carats. It was bigger than the Catoca, which currently produces about 80 percent of the countrys total diamond output. Catoca, the fourth largest kimberlite in the world, was also partly-owned by Endiama and Alrosa. Meanwhile, Sumbula said Endiama would slightly reduce production to improve revenue until Luaxe starts operating. When the company was producing 8 million carats revenue was $1.2 billion, but in 2016, with production of 9 million carats, revenue fell to $1.07 billion, said Sumbula. Our intention is to work towards more revenue, based on a drop in production. Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished Anglo American said Sir John Parker has indicated that he wants to step down during the course of the year after serving eight years as the chairperson of the diversified miner. The group said its senior independent director Sir Philip Hampton, would now lead a process to identify candidates with appropriate global listed company boardroom experience. Having seen Anglo American emerge in a strong position from the mining industry downturn, with its sharp falls in commodity prices between 2014 and 2016, I believe that the time is now right for the Board to seek my successor during the course of 2017, said Sir Parker. The company, with its much restored balance sheet and a world class Board and management team, led by our Chief Executive Mark Cutifani, is well placed for the future. Chairing Anglo American had been an enormous privilege and it had also appealed to my close interest in engineering, technology and corporate turnarounds. The ability of companies to adapt, innovate and think creatively about the role they can play in society is a key ingredient of long term competitive advantage. Anglo American owns diamond mines through De Beers and it also has interests in gold, copper, platinum and other precious metals. Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished The first ever Common Facility Centre for the gems and jewellery trade was inaugurated by Smt Rita Teaotia, Hon'ble Commerce Secretary, Government of India on Feb.13, 2017 at Visnagar in Gujarat, India. The centre is part of the government supported project to establish centres at key locations in smaller towns where artisans from smaller enterprises will have access to the latest technology for diamond cutting and polishing. Also present on the occasion were Shri Manoj Dwivedi, JS, MoC&I, Smt. D. Thara, industries Secretary, Govt. of Gujarat, Shri Rushikesh Patel, MLA Visnagar, Shri Dineshbhai Navadiya, GJEPC Regional Chairman, Gujarat, Shri Sabyasachi Ray, Executive Director, GJEPC, Shri Jethabhai Prajapati, President Visnagar Diamond Association, Shri Govindbhai Patel, member of Implementing and Monitoring Committee, members from Gujarat Regional Committee, office bearers of Amreli, Palanpur, Ahmedabad and Botad diamond association and trade members from local diamond industry. Aruna Gaitonde, Editor-in-Chief of Rough & Polished, Rough & Polished A hearing on federal appeals court judge Neil Gorsuch's nomination to the Supreme Court is scheduled to begin on March 20th. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, announced the scheduled start of the hearing on Thursday and said the hearing is expected to last three to four days. The hearing will begin with opening statements by Judiciary Committee members and Gorsuch on Monday, March 20th. The questioning of Gorsuch will begin on Tuesday, March 21st, with testimony by outside legal experts as well as the American Bar Association expected to follow. "Judge Gorsuch has met every demand placed on him by the Minority," Grassley said. "He's a mainstream judge. He's displayed independence." "He's met with dozens of senators who have nothing but positive things to say. He is well-qualified and respected. He worked diligently to return the bipartisan questionnaire," he added. "It's time for him to have the opportunity to speak for himself before the Judiciary Committee." A statement from Grassley noted Gorsuch's hearing will begin 48 days following the announcement of his nomination, similar to the timelines put together for Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan. Last week, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., accused Gorsuch of dodging questions on key legal and constitutional issues during his meeting with federal appeals court judge. In a press conference following the approximately 45-minute meeting, Schumer told reporters Gorsuch "avoided answers like the plague." "This President is testing fundamental underpinnings of our democracy and its institutions," Schumer said. "These times deserve answers and Judge Gorsuch did not provide them. I have serious, serious concerns about this nominee." Schumer argued the bar for a Supreme Court nominee to prove they can be independent has never been higher, accusing President Donald Trump of showing deep contempt for an independent judiciary. The Senate Democratic leader said he pressed Gorsuch on a number of issues, including Trump's immigration ban and claims of voter fraud as well as a clause in the Constitution prohibiting the president from receiving gifts from foreign leaders. Schumer claimed he has not made up his mind on whether he will support Gorsuch but argued that Trump's Supreme Court nominee deserves intense scrutiny in light of the president's actions. Trump's nomination of Gorsuch will need support from some Democrats to reach the 60-vote threshold to break a filibuster, although Republicans have suggested they may invoke the so-called "nuclear option" to require only a majority. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News President Donald Trump vehemently attacked the media coverage of the early days of his administration on Thursday, arguing that there has been significant progress on key issues since he took over the White House. In a hastily arranged news conference, Trump said he would speak directly to the American people because the media will not tell the truth. "I'm here today to update the American people on the incredible progress that's been made the last four weeks since my inauguration," Trump said. "I see stories of chaos," he added. "It's the exact opposite. This administration is running like a fine-tuned machine." Trump cited the recent record highs by stocks as well as improving confidence as examples of the progress under his administration. The president also pointed to efforts to improve border security, combat the Islamic State, and reduce government regulations. Taking questions from reporters, Trump was repeatedly asked about the recent resignation of National Security Advisor Michael Flynn. Trump claimed that Flynn had done nothing wrong by communicating with Russian officials and suggested he was only asked to resign for misleading Vice President Mike Pence. In several heated exchanges, Trump continually declared that reports of connections with Russia are "fake news" and reiterated his claim that the real story is the leaking of classified information. The president also attacked the federal appeals court that blocked his controversial executive order on immigration and indicated he would unveil a revised order next week. At the opening of the wide ranging news conference, Trump announced his choice of former U.S. attorney Alexander Acosta as his new nominee for Labor Secretary. Trump was forced to select a new Labor Secretary nominee following the withdrawal of his first choice, fast food executive Andrew Puzder. (Photo: Michael Vadon) For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News I have written in the past of the dangers for birds from window strikes, rodent control poisons, upright PVC markers, and improper locations for wind farms. Recently, I was made aware of another danger for birds that I had never really thought about. Unfortunately, I am responsible for part of the problem, which I intend to soon fix. Many of our birds are cavity nesters and millions of birds each year are trapped and die in open top PVC markers used for mining claims and boundary markers. Cavity-using birds see these openings as attractive sites and become stuck in the pipes. This is a major problem for birds. The Nevada Department of Wildlife investigated 32,500 PVC markers and found 11,103 trap birds! I was aware of this problem, and the simple solution to these open pipes is to cap them. Fortunately, public awareness is high and many claim and boundary markers have been capped. Some have suggested knocking down boundary markers and leaving them lie. I would not suggest this, as you may end up with a legal problem by moving a boundary or claim marker. You could investigate who owns the property and contact them about the need to cap their PVC markers. What I was not aware, was the same threat exists with vault toilets. Most vault toilets have either one or two 12 inch vent pipes. Because of the size of the vent pipes the threat is especially great to owls and falcons. I am the chairman of the Powell County Parks board and have responsibility for two vault toilets at Arrowstone Park just south of Deer Lodge. Both toilets have open vent pipes, which I plan to soon add protective screen caps to prevent birds from entering while still allowing air to circulate from the vault. Since being aware of this issue, I have looked at many of the vault toilets in southwest Montana. Most are not screened. I was pleased to see that the three vault toilets at the Warm Springs WMA on the ARCO Ponds do have screen caps. They were the only vault toilets I found screened. None of the vault toilets at Georgetown Lake were screened, nor were the toilets at Clark Canyon Reservoir. One organization that has been on the leading edge on placing screen caps on vault toilets is the Port-o-Potty Owl Project or the Poo-Poo Project sponsored by the Teton Rapture Center. It all started when a staff member used a fault toilet and saw owl eyes looking up at him. Since they began making the screens, they have produced and distributed 8,149 Poo-Poo Screens to 229 partners throughout 31 states. I contacted the Teton Rapture Center, and they told me that 20 organizations have partnered with them here in Montana. Most partners are either BLM, Forest Service or Fish, Wildlife, and Parks districts. The Montana partners also include one Audubon chapter, and one National Wildlife Refuge. These organizations may have put vent screens on some toilets, but there is more to do. If you are interested in purchasing vent screens you can go to the Teton Rapture Center store at https://squareup.com/store/tetonraptorcenter. Individual screens cost $29.95 and there are bulk prices. Here is my challenge, by which you can make a difference for birds. Search out the vault toilets in your area. If they belong to your community and there are only one or two toilets, purchase the needed screens and give them to those responsible, and ask them to install them. Perhaps it could even be a project for a local service group or a Girl or Boy Scout troop. If it is a large organization such as the BLM, make them aware of the issue. A two page brochure on the problem and solution can be downloaded at http://tetonraptorcenter.org/assets/media/files/Poo-Poo%20Brochure%202013.pdf. Either provide them with a brochure or make them aware of the web address. As I mentioned, while working on this article I found that none of the vault toilets at Clark Canyon Reservoir have protective screens. The area is managed by the Bureau of Reclamation, which is not a Montana partner with the Teton Rapture Center. Clark Canyon is a place where some of my Dillon readers could make a difference for birds. Contact the bureau and discuss the issue. Personally, Im ordering two vent pipe screens for the two vault toilets I am responsible for at our next Arrowstone Park board meeting. Im also going to look at all the vault toilets in the Deer Lodge vicinity to make sure those who have responsibility for them are aware of the problem of unscreened vent pipes on vault toliets. Many of us give donations to different causes with the hope that our donation will make a difference. Here is a project you can be part of that is guaranteed to make a difference for birds and 100 percent of your donation, if you buy a screen cap, goes toward the solution. Its great to be proactive when the results are so positive. Join the Poo-Poo Project! President visits Arhab, offers condolences to families of funeral house President visits Arhab, offers condolences to families of funeral house SANA'A, Feb. 16 (Saba) - President of the Supreme Political Council Saleh al-Sammad visited on Thursday Arhab district in Sana'a governorate, offering condolences to victims of the massacre committed by the US-Saudi criminal aggression warplanes on a house in the district. The US-Saudi aggression warplanes pounded on Wednesday afternoon a funeral house in Arhab district of Sana'a province, killing eight women, including children. The air raid hit the funeral house in Shira area, Bait al-Nakaee, in Arhab. The raid also injured ten other women. The president condemned the heinous crimes and massacres committed by the US-Saudi American aggression, criticizing the complicity of the international community with the aggression against Yemen for two years. Al-Sammad denounced the international silence towards crimes committed by the aggression warplanes against Yemen, calling lifting the blockade in which 25 million were affected negatively by it. The President confirmed that the criminal massacres committed by the US-Saudi American aggression against innocent civilians, women and children would increase the Yemeni with patience, stability, freedom, independence and dignity in confronting the aggression. HA Saba Facebook Facebook Twitter Twitter Whatsapp Whatsapp Telegram Telegram Email Email Print Print [16/February/2017] MISSOULA At a hearing on potential endangered species status a year ago, U.S. District Judge Dana Christensen was one of the few people in the packed courtroom whod actually seen a wolverine. Thats created a legal conundrum: How do we prove an animal deserves federal protection if its too elusive to study? The Western States Wolverine Conservation Program has roped together a team of state, federal, tribal, academic and private researchers to answer that problem. And theyre benefiting from a tool thats revolutionizing conservation biology: The camera trap. Thanks to a gizmo purchased for a few hundred dollars at a sporting goods store, you too can spy on not one, but two wolverines frolicking around the haunch of a dead deer. No wolverines were handled, drugged, collared, chased, annoyed with helicopters or otherwise harassed in the acquisition of this data. Before we started doing this, no one had any idea how many wolverines we had across the landscape, said Luke Lamar, conservation director for Swan View Connections, the nonprofit organization that captured the wolverine video. And the video shows theyre a little more sociable than previously thought. We still dont know a lot about that. With the cameras, were not just collecting data on one species. We can get lynx, and wolverines and fisher, which we dont know a lot about either. Ive seen some lynx in person, but no one heres seen a wolverine yet. *** The largest members of the weasel family, wolverines weigh up to 40 pounds. But theyre willing to fight grizzly bears 10 times their size for a meal, and patrol huge swaths of territory year-round. They raise young in dens dug in deep snowbanks, making climate change a serious threat if the Rocky Mountains continues to lose its annual snowpack. Wolverine advocates proposed giving the carnivore listing under the Endangered Species Act in 2014 based on predicted declines in high mountain snowpack from climate change and habitat fragmentation. In its decision not to list, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service noted that future impacts on wolverines from climate change were not certain. Judge Christensen ruled in April that it had to consider the species tiny estimated population about 300 individuals in the continental United States against the immense political pressure to avoid a federal listing. Between 2012 and 2015, Swan View Connections has documented 22 individual wolverines in the Southwest Crown of the Continent a landscape stretching from Swan Lake to the mouth of the Blackfoot River and from the Mission Mountains to Rogers Pass on the Rocky Mountain Front. Thats an area more than twice the size of Glacier National Park. In the early days of wildlife biology, researchers did much of their work in places like the Serengeti Plains of Africa or Yellowstone National Park because it was easy to observe animals there. Twin brothers Frank and John Craighead pushed the science to a new level with their pioneering work radio-collaring grizzly bears in Yellowstone. Its not an exaggeration that camera traps have completely revolutionized wildlife research for hundreds of species, said Jedediah Brodie, the John Craighead Endowed Chair of Conservation professor at the University of Montana. Before cameras, we were restricted to either using unreliable proxies, or studying species that were really visible. Brodie spent the past seven years studying the clouded leopard of Borneo a predator hes only seen once with his own eyes. But thanks to camera traps, hes collected thousands of photos of the big cats in all types of habitats, in family or social groups, in certain times of day or season. He also catches images of every other critter that uses the same habitat, including tropical bears with fur markings so distinct, he can identify individuals without ever handling them. Along with UM graduate student Robin Steenweg and biology professor Mark Hebblewhite, Brodie recently published a paper calling for a global network of remote cameras to transform the way we study and manage wildlife. Hebblewhite compared the idea to the process meteorologists used a century ago to link thousands of weather stations around the world and develop modern-day climate science. With a radio collar, youre focused on that one animal, Hebblewhite said. Camera-trapping is different. We radio-collar space with a camera and see how the animals use that space. Land managers like the Forest Service and other state and federal agencies manage land not just animals. The Western States Wolverine Conservation Program has raised about $1 million to set up 180 bait stations in Montana, Wyoming, Idaho and Washington. The stations need nothing more than a tree big enough to dangle a hunk of roadkill meat defended by a line of wire bristle brushes. Any carnivore seeking a meal pays with a few body hairs. DNA analysis of those hairs reveals species, sex and sometimes family tree all useful clues to display what animals use that bit of landscape. Most of the stations also have camera traps on the watch. As techniques mature, those cameras might surpass the DNA work as a way of charting wildlife management. Even with hair snares, you still need to send someone every couple days, Brodie said. You dont want the DNA material to degrade. With camera traps, you can wait for half a year without sending someone out. You get a sense of animal movements and behavior patterns. And its nice to not have humans out there every couple days. Because humans and their equipment are expensive. Hebblewhite said the bill to radio-collar two wolves in a recent project came to $4,000 for the gear, helicopter time, tranquilizers and other supplies (but not the wages of the researchers). After the collar batteries expire or the collars fall off, the animal has to be recaptured to continue the project. A top-of-the-line camera trap costs $500 and only needs an occasional new memory card and batteries to keep recording for season after season. Hebblewhite and Brodie acknowledged theres a creepy aspect to having thousands of cameras in the woods watching everything that moves. But they added that existing projects such as Snapshot Serengeti and Snapshot Wisconsin have found ways to minimize the personal privacy problems while encouraging lots of citizen science. State officials are searching for answers as to why Montana State Parks, an agency hampered by staffing shortages and a mounting maintenance backlog, was not spending all of the funding it had available in recent years. After chronically underspending its budget authority, State Parks' ending fund balance has nearly doubled since the end of fiscal year 2012. The agency currently has $11.2 million in the bank. The large lump sum doesn't necessarily put State Parks on firm financial ground, however, and the governor's office has directed the agency to fix its structurally imbalanced budget after projections indicated the division will spend more than it receives in the future. House Bill 5, commonly known as the infrastructure bill, includes $5.95 million in requests for three of Montanas state parks. The funding comes from Parks $11.2 million fiscal year ending fund balance, and needs legislative approval for spending on major capital projects at Lewis and Clark Caverns, Makoshika and Bannack state parks. The projects, including road construction and electrical systems, are sorely needed to bolster public safety and historic preservation, according to a state-commissioned engineering report and numerous statements from Parks staff and advocates. But why the funding is available remains unclear and is the subject of legislative attention, as Parks has pushed hard for more revenue to address staffing and maintenance challenges. Unlike many state agencies, as a division of Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, State Parks gets no money from the states general fund. Funding comes from multiple sources, which include optional fees on vehicle registrations, park use fees, and bed tax and coal tax interest. The Legislature grants authority for Parks to spend those revenues. Former chief of administration for FWP Sue Daly told the Montana State Parks and Recreation Board last August that under House Bill 2, past Legislatures granted Parks authority to spend operations funding for staffing and other day-to-day needs, but about $1 million went unspent each of the last five years. This is a continuing saga were not getting money spent the way we could be, she told the board. We own that and we need to fix it. Parks ending fund balance hit more than $11.2 million at the end of fiscal year 2016, compared to about $5.8 million at the end of fiscal year 2012. The unspent funding and future projections of an unbalanced budget led to concerns from the governors budget office. Parks has been in a structural (funding) imbalance for some time, Dan Villa, the governors budget director, said in a recent interview. The Parks folks need to figure out how to make revenues and expenditures align. While the governors office and the agency agree that spending down the $11.2 million must happen, a chief concern is how that money is spent. By paying for needed capital projects, Parks does not create a long-term obligation such as a new program that it cannot fund once balance is achieved. With this cash were sitting on, taking the $5.9 million will effectively cut the balance in half, and we will spend it on three very important parks projects, current FWP Administration Chief Dustin Temple said in a recent interview. The needs for State Parks are many, as the divisions strategic plan pushes resources to premier parks while considering what to do with lower priority sites. With a less than $8 million annual budget, which includes management of several recreation programs, how Parks will finance a more than $23 million maintenance backlog has been an ongoing debate for years. Staffing also runs about a third less than neighboring states, yet Montanas 54 parks continue to see record visitation. Montana State Parks Foundation coordinator Marne Hayes says her organization supports the HB5 spending to address the extreme needs posed by the maintenance backlog. Although separate from the agency, the foundation formed in response to an identified need to strengthen public support for the Parks system and drive advocacy. These are some of the biggest needs at some of our most valuable parks, she said of the HB5 ask. We believe parks deserve a fair shake in funding consideration, however it's coming. Parks staff and advocates have consistently spoken out for more funding and staff, so why the division apparently starved for resources did not spend the money it had is a question FWP says it cannot yet answer, but must. Last week, during a Parks work session with the Joint Subcommittee on Natural Resources and Transportation, Rep. Jim Keane, D-Butte, asked new FWP Director Martha Williams about the Parks budget issues. I recognize that it looks terrible and it is a hard issue to step into, and we need to explain why there is this discrepancy and why we say there is this structural imbalance, but we have this ending fund balance, Williams, who took her post just this month, told the committee. The question is why, and believe you me Im trying to find out why and were trying to explain that. Keane was just one of several legislators to voice concerns. If indeed expenditures are routinely outpacing revenue, how do you end up with a $6.5 million ending fund balance in 19? Sen. Mike Phillips, D-Bozeman, asked FWP officials. Mr. Chairman, Sen. Phillips, thats the $100 million question, Temple replied. Its a seemingly inconsistent set of problems, and its a really odd set of facts. How do you say that you dont have enough revenue, youre spending more than you're taking in, and your fund balances are climbing? There have been decisions made in the past in regards to not spending funds, I cant speak to the why that was done, that have contributed to these fund balance issues. But our plan weve worked out with the (governors) budget office addresses both these issues over time, so by the end of our current funding cycle in 2021, we have the fund balances spent down and have our expenditures and revenues lined up. Structurally balancing the budget would essentially come down to either cutting costs or increasing revenues, or a combination of the two. As State Parks is currently without an administrator, the future administrator will bring forward budget proposals to the director and governors budget office for approval in a legislative budget request, Temple said. Once legislatively approved, decisions on operations expenditures are made by division administrators. Daly, who retired last year, identified underspent operations as the reason for ending fund growth, but she did not elaborate to the parks board as to why the funding went unspent. Daly declined to comment when contacted by the Independent Record. Inquiries to FWP also did not provide a reason for why Parks budgeted as it did. Department spokesman Ron Aasheim said that while the question was fair, no one at FWP could answer it. Members of the parks board have also expressed frustration not only at the imbalance and governors office directive, but at the lack of answers as to why the funding went unspent. I dont know how we got there and I dont know how we get out of it, but its a problem we need to solve, Board Chairman Tom Towe said at the August board meeting. Towe said recently that many of those questions still remain unanswered. The board plans to play a much more active role in the budget process going forward, he added. Board member Jeff Welch echoed Towe, saying he has not received an answer as to why State Parks underspent its authority. Vice chair Mary Sexton noted that not all of the ending fund balance could be chalked up to unspent operations. Uncompleted projects such as a plan to put a boat dock on Wild Horse Island on Flathead Lake was pulled due to local opposition, returning that funding to the balance sheet. Staff were also hesitant to spend some revenues out of concern that there may have been an error due to new software, she said. Sexton called it unfortunate that it was decided the ending fund balance could not go to operations given those needs. In August, Daly twice referenced then-State Parks Administrator Chas Van Genderen in her testimony, saying that he would play a role in planning for a structurally balanced budget and spending down the ending fund. We need to work more closely with Chas so that we dont leave unused money on the table the Legislature has given us to spend, she testified at the time. Van Genderen was fired late last year after eight years as Parks administrator. FWP says that personnel rules preclude them from commenting on the termination, but Towe believes it was the result of a long-term rift between department divisions. A records request filed by the Independent Record asked for four months of Van Genderen's emails, and those of former FWP director Jeff Hagener, related to the State Parks budget. None were found, Aasheim said. The request also asked for any budget related grievances related to Van Genderens dismissal. The state denied that request, citing personnel policy. A message left for Hagener was not returned. Van Genderen has hired attorney Eric Holm, who says that based on the structure of FWP with accounting and budget analysis outside of State Parks in the administration office, his client had been largely unaware of the budget issues. He also had a lot of these questions and he was in the dark on a lot of these things, Holm said. We would like some answers too. Towe said that he believes Van Genderen was surprised to learn, along with the board, of the ending fund and budget imbalance. Towe offered one potential answer to the inflating end balance, saying that he believes certain funding requests were coming forward from Parks, but were being denied by either the directors office or the governors office. In May, Van Genderen told the Environmental Quality Council that he was requesting an additional 13 full-time employees. He did not make clear if the request was for the interim or for the funding cycle the Legislature is currently considering. Temple says records show that request did come forward last April or May, but was held by the governors office because it would have exacerbated the problem with the structural imbalance. FWP staff looked into whether the request began as an interim request but later moved into this funding cycle, but could not find evidence that occurred, he added. The decision against adding employees appears to back up assertions from the board and staff that additional operations funding was considered but decided against due to concerns about long-term costs once the ending fund balance is spent down. While the employee ask or other requests may have spent down the ending fund balance, the Independent Record has been unable to substantiate whether those denials contributed to its growth. Concerned over Malaysia losing Indian tourists to other South-East Asian countries in recent years, the Malaysian government has come up with certain measures to check the fall in numbers and plans to make further investment to attract more tourists. Malaysia's Tourism Minister Mohamed Nazri bin Abdul Aziz, talking to IANS, said they were in the process of fixing the visa-related issues -- the top-most concern raised by some quarters. "Other countries, such as Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia, are making it easier for Indians to travel to their countries, thus taking away some of the tourists previously visiting Malaysia. So, now we have introduced visa-free entry facility for Indians, even for those living away from their home country," Nazri said. Nazri said that after he found that extra visa fee was being charged from those Indians applying for multiple entry, he standardised the visa fee. The minister said that his government was planning a tie-up with PayTM --a digital wallet widely used in India -- to facilitate smooth transaction for India tourists in his country. Noting that Indians are frequent visitors to his country, Nazri said: "We have planned many incentives for Indians. For example, we have made easier for Indian travel agents to set up companies in Malaysia, investors can have 100 per cent ownership, such as in five-star hotels and resorts, without any involvement of local partners." "We will also make it easy for the Indian movie-makers to shoot in Malaysia and provide some special incentives to Indian markets," he said and stressed the traditional social and cultural bonding between the two countries. In 2015, over 722,000 tourists from India visited Malaysia, making the country one of the 10 largest source of tourists. However, the number declined to 620,000 in 2016, against the projected one million tourists for the year. Nazri said that he did not know the exact tourist projection for this year "but the number will top 700,000". "We are promoting eco-tourism in Borneo. Also, health tourism is big thing in Malaysia and we have many Indian tourists visiting Malaysia for treatment. Almost 25 per cent of our doctors are trained in India," he said. Asked about the effect of the demonetisation of high-value currency notes in India, Nazri said: "It will be too early to say if it had any impact on the decline in number of Indian tourists to Malaysia." "Even if it did affect, the impact will be minimal. The most important issue is visa, which we are already addressing," he said. The congressional death in 1945 and the appointment of a federal judgeship appointment in 1969 triggered two Montana special Congressional elections like the one well have in 2017 once Rep. Ryan Zinke is sworn in as Interior Secretary. On January 15, 1945, beginning his fifth term, Montana Congressman James F. OConnor of Livingston, 66, passed away in Washington, DC. OConnor had been a Montana District Judge, served one term in the Montana Legislature, and unsuccessfully tried three times in Democratic primaries to get to Congress. He lost in 1922 to Senator Burton K. Wheeler, in 1932 to Congressman Roy Ayers and in 1934 to Senator James Murray. In 1936 OConnor was finally elected to Congress where he remained until his death. The 1945 Legislature had established a June 5 statewide bond levy election. Governor Sam Ford then piggy-backed the special Congressional election on the same date to save the $40 thousand cost of a separate election. Attorney General Bottomly asked the Montana Supreme Court to require primary nominating elections, but the court declared that the political parties should nominate by convention. Lewistown hosted both partys conventions, Democrats on April 14th and Republicans on the 16th. Democrats nominated Leo Graybill, Sr. of Great Falls and Republicans nominated Wesley DEwart of Park County. Park County farmer Edgar Spriggs, of the Socialist Party, and Independent Robert Yellowtail, a Crow Tribal official were also on the special election ballot. On June 5, DEwart defeated Graybill by a 4032 margin (26,126 to 22,126 with the minor candidates getting 3619 votes). DEwart was re-elected four times but then, in 1954, was defeated when he challenged Senator James Murray for his Senate seat. On February 27, 1969, new President Richard Nixons first federal judgeship appointment went to Montana Congressman James Battin. Battin had been elected to Congress five times, starting in 1960 when he defeated Leo Graybill, Jr. On March 4, 1969, Governor Forrest Anderson proclaimed a special Congressional election for June 24. Again, both political parties held nominating conventions in Lewistown, Democrats on April 11-12 and Republicans on April 18-19. Competing for the Democratic nod were John Melcher, 44, a veterinarian and former Forsyth Mayor, State Senator and Representative who had run unsuccessfully against Battin in 1966; Harold Gerke, 57, former Billings Mayor who served eight terms in the Montana House, two as Speaker; Jerry Cate, 29, Billings attorney who headed Bobby Kennedys 1968 Montana presidential efforts and was later a Constitutional Convention delegate; and Jack McDonald, 40, a State Senator from Belt and chair of the Constitutional Revision Commission. At the convention, Melcher prevailed on the first ballot, getting 41 of 80 votes; Gerke got 21 votes, Cate 12 and McDonald 6. A week later, Republican aspirants were Bill Mather, 46, Billings attorney, who served 4 terms in the Montana house and was 1969 House Majority Leader; Jack Rehberg, 39, Billings businessman-rancher who served 5 terms in the Montana House and later ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 1970; Dr. M.F. Keller of Great Falls, who resigned as Republican Party State Chair to try for Congress and also served three terms in the Montana House; and Hank Cox, 46, a Billings teacher who served a total of three terms in the Montana House. Mather won the nomination on the third ballot with 80 votes to 69 for Rehberg, 4 for Keller and 0 for Cox. Darby Witmer, a wheat farmer from Dawson County was on the ballot as the candidate of the Americanist Party, George Wallaces 1968 presidential party. On June 24th after a campaign of a little over 2 months, John Melcher was elected to Congress by a margin of 2032 votes (45,473 for Melcher - 43,411 for Mather - 539 for Witmer). Melcher was reelected three times and then ran successfully to replace Mike Mansfield in the US Senate in 1976, where he served two terms. In 1945, with a Democratic President, a Republican replaced a Democrat in Congress and in 1969, with a Republican President, a Democrat replaced a Republican in Congress. Voter turnout compared to the previous general election was 46% in 1945 and 72% in 1969. How will the 2017 special election compare with 1945 and 1969 once it is over? Evan Barrett, of Butte, just retired after 47 years at the top level of Montana economic development, government, politics and education. He is an award-winning producer of Montana history films who continues to write columns and record commentaries, while occasionally teaching Montana history. Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar will attend the first India-China Strategic Dialogue to be held in Beijing on February 22, a senior official said on Thursday. "China and India will hold the first meeting of the India China Strategic Dialogue co-chaired by Foreign Secretary and the Executive Vice Foreign Minister of China on February 22 in Beijing," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said at his weekly media briefing here. "This dialogue mechanism was agreed to during (Chinese) Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to India in August 2016," he said. "The two sides are expected to discuss all issues of mutual interest in the bilateral, regional and international domain." Here are 5 takeaways from Kansas' 37-16 win against Oklahoma State The Jayhawks are bowl eligible for the first time since 2008. Kansas just topped Oklahoma State for that pivotal sixth win. BUTTE A southwest Montana state senator proposed a bill Wednesday that would move the state's Natural Resource Damage Program from Helena to Deer Lodge as retribution for the transfer of a motor vehicle division bureau from Deer Lodge to Helena last year. Sen. Gene Vuckovich, D-Anaconda, said Deer Lodge lost 30 good jobs for no good reason when the attorney general consolidated the Title and Registration Bureau in Deer Lodge with the MVD's other offices in Helena. He said moving the NRDP would be appropriate considering most of the state's pollution sites lay on either side of Deer Lodge, and that it would provide economic justice for the town's newly unemployed residents. "Being a Serbian we're known for payback," Vuckovich said in his opening remarks before the Senate Natural Resources Committee, the only statement in favor of the Senate Bill 204. Representatives of the NRDP, the attorney general and the state conservation districts spoke in opposition to Vuckovich's bill. Harley Harris, program manager and supervising attorney for the NRDP, took the opportunity to explain the role of his program as the legal and technical experts who for 30 years have worked closely with the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, Environmental Protection Agency and the governor's office to litigate Superfund damage claims from polluters. Harris said NRDP's 11 staffers meet on a daily basis with federal and state colleagues from other offices who are headquartered in the state capital. Another is stationed in Butte. Harris said moving the program to Deer Lodge would not only hinder their ability to cooperate with partners but would also cause many specialists in the program with roots and mortgages in Helena to quit, damaging its effectiveness. "They're not the kind of folks you can just find anywhere at any time," Harris said. Chief Deputy Attorney General Alan Joscelyn said his department values the face-to-face contact they have with NRDP, and that moving the program's employees "would really impact the quality of service." Jeff Tiberi, policy director of the Montana Association of Conservation Districts, said the state has pollution sites all over to deal with, and that positioning the NRDP 50 miles west to be in the middle of the Clark Fork River Watershed Superfund corridor is an illogical way of serving Montana. "We'd all be in Lewistown if we were centrally located," Tiberi said. Trout Unlimited's southwest Montana coordinator Brian Ohs also opposed the bill, but said he appreciated Vuckovich's commitment to his constituents. He said what happened to MVD workers in Deer Lodge would be the same as what would happen to NRDP workers under Vuckovich's bill. "We wouldn't want to see these people uprooted simply because of a turf battle," Ohs said. Some senators on the committee were confused by the purpose and language of the bill. Sen. Jedediah Hinkle, R-Bozeman, had to have Vuckovich clarify for him that it was MVD jobs that were moved from Deer Lodge to Helena, not NRDP jobs. Sen. Dick Barrett, D-Missoula, was confused over language in the bill that called for the creation of the NRDP. Harris explained that the program was created by executive order, and that a bill drafter from the Legislative Services Division explained to him that for the Legislature to exert control over the NRDP it was necessary "to create us" within the Montana Code. Vuckovich closed out the meeting by saying that the state must provide for the economies of its outlying towns, not just Helena, and that he was just trying to bring back something from the Capitol for his constituents. "What I'm trying to do is rectify a wrong that was never addressed," Vuckovich said. "I had to make my statement, and I have done so." A father is in custody facing a murder charge over an incident where he allegedly beat his son with a machete causing his death. Afereti Talato, 47-year-old, is behind bars awaiting his Court appearance over the death of 14-year-old, Taumafai Afereti. The incident was confirmed by the Police Spokesperson, Sua Muliaga Tiumalu, yesterday. He said the boy died from a severe wound on the left side of his neck caused by the machete. The deceased ran to the neighbors house and told them that it was his father who attacked him, said Sua. The accused is in custody and he has been charged with murder. Talato is scheduled to appear in Court on 27 February 2017. The incident happened at Falelauniu on Monday night. A brother of the accused man, Onosai Talato, said his family is still coming to terms with what has happened. I dont know why he did what he did to his son, said Onosai. He was drunk but what he did was just unbelievable. We didnt know until the next day when the Police came and told us that Taumafai is gone. I was shocked and so was our family I didnt think my brother could do such thing to his own children. Onosai said their family misses Taumafai very much. He was a bright kid and he is sorely missed, he said. Its sad that hes gone too soon because he had his whole life ahead of him. According to a source who spoke to the Samoa Observer on the condition of anonymity, Afereti was drunk off his face. He came on the night of the incident around 10 oclock, said the source. His two boys and his wife were with him and he was also carrying a machete. They came to our house and he started to speak nonsense, he was telling my husband and brother that it was a beautiful night to cut off a persons head. We didnt pay much attention to him. His brother Onosai was next him and we saw that while his brother was just sitting there, Afereti pretended to slash his brothers arm with the machete but his brother didnt say anything. He kept doing that to his brother and then his brother got angry and thats when it ticked Afereti off because his brother stood up and left. The source said at that time Afereti stood up and started swinging the machete around. Aferetis wife ran away. He was looking for her. He started screaming and asking for his wife. At that time his two sons were still with him. At that time he was calm but he was still looking for his wife. He left with his two sons. But about an hour later we heard a loud scream and we thought that he was probably attacked by dogs but it was that time that he attacked his son and Taumafai ran to the house across the road. In-state college students are still likely to see an approximately $1,000 increase in tuition after the education appropriations subcommittee made final budget cuts to higher education on Thursday. The Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education is left with a $23 million hole that will have to come from tuition revenue. While the joint committee is finished making cuts, the education section of the budget can be altered by House Appropriations or Senate Finance and Claims. After finalizing significant cuts, some legislators disagreed on whether higher education can function with more cuts. A motion to cut an additional $28.9 million from the OCHE budget was proposed by Rep. Tom Burnett, R-Bozeman, but failed. Tyler Trevor, deputy commissioner at OCHE, said the cut would have decimated the university system. The cut was also opposed by Sen. Llew Jones, R-Conrad, who said students are already struggling to access higher education. He said he couldnt in good conscience support a motion to further increase tuition. Even what were doing today, if we dont come up with $12 million extra, were going to hit tuition at 23 percent, he said. Even where were at its already enormous. I cant support doing this to the kids that would be impacted. The $23 million hole is the result of the 5 percent cuts applied to most state agencies and additional reductions specific to OCHE. Once budget cuts are made, OCHE decides how they make up the deficit. Since most campuses are already operating on a lean budget, OCHE would have to raise tuition to avoid cutting critical academic programs. The Board of Regents decides the actual cost of tuition, not the Legislature. As a result, students will see more than a 20 percent increase in tuition. Trevor said in-state residents on average will see an increase of about $1,000 a year to make up the deficit. It was not a win in terms of tuition effort, Trevor said. The committee decided to fund several exchange programs giving Montanans access to professional programs not available in the state. WWAMI, a regional medical education program through the University of Washington, allows students to stay in Montana for the first part of their schooling. The Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education funds reciprocal programs for students from western states to attend an out-of-state college with reduced tuition. A third program protects an agreement with the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry to reserve a limited number of openings for Montana residents. Although the programs are mostly supported with federal dollars, they are only eligible for those grants if the state chips in $564,563. These amounts are what is necessary to keep the program viable, Jones said. We recognized it needs dollars in the front end to keep it alive. Now the budget will move to House Appropriations and eventually to Senate Finance and Claims, where changes can be made to either increase funding or make reductions. Trevor said he doesnt expect to see any additions in the house, but is hopeful Senate Finance and Claims will add the $12 million to minimize the tuition increase. Mariah Welch, a student at the University of Montana, said the tuition increase would force her to take out additional student loans and possibly cut back on the number of credits shes taking, which would prevent her from graduating on time. Welch is an Associated Students of the University of Montana senator, and said shes heard from multiple students who would be unable to stay in school. She also worries a tuition increase would cause particular trouble in Missoula, where a falling enrollment has left the campus to make tough budget cuts. I think this could definitely drive students away, she said. The village of Salelologa has initiated what is believed to be a first in Samoa. The Village Council has agreed to ban any new Chinese-owned business being set up on the villages customary land. The ban does not cover government-owned land at Salelologa. The decision was confirmed by the Mayor of Sapulu, Tuilimu Manuele Paletasala, during a telephone interview with the Samoa Observer yesterday. Sapulu is one of the sub-villages of Salelologa, the gateway into Savaii. The village finalised the decision three weeks ago, Tuilimu said. The ban only covers customary land under the guidance of the Village Council of Salelologa. But we are also mindful that a lot of the lands in Salelologa is under the government and the ban does not cover those lands. But within the whole village of Salelologa (aai o Salelologa), no Chinese owned business is allowed to be set up any more. We want to encourage our own Samoan people to set their businesses up in Salelologa. Tuilimu said that is all the details he could confirm at this stage. But the issue was also discussed during a meeting by the Businesses of Salafai Association (B.O.S.A.) meeting last week. Also raised during this workshop were concerns and frustrations at the sudden influx of Chinese owned businesses opening up in Savaii recently, particularly in the Salelologa area, a statement from the Association said (see story). These same concerns and frustrations are shared by the high chiefs and orators of Salelologa. Last week, they initiated a ban on Chinese entrepreneurs from setting up businesses in the village to protect small family shops and businesses, which have served Salelologa for generations. It was not possible to get a comment from the government yesterday. Last month, however, Member of Parliament for Faleata West, Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi urged the government to revisit the issue of the influx of new Chinese businesses across the country. He wanted the relevant officials to ensure local businesses who are finding it increasingly difficult to compete with the new Chinese are given a fair chance. At the moment, he said Samoans cannot compete with the new Chinese. Its a concern not only in this area (Vaitele) but also Samoa in general, said Leala. The thing is, we want to bring genuine business people. You see, these businesses have both negative and positive impacts. Positive in terms of competition and you know when there is competition, the prices drop. And thats good because the prices will be affordable for our people. But Leala said the growing number of new Chinese businesses threaten the livelihood of local businesses. The truth is its so hard for our people to compete with the Chinese shops, he said. Our people used to own Supermarkets and run their own stores. But its so hard for them to compete with these Chinese businesses. As you can see all around Samoa, most of the supermarkets and wholesales are owned by Chinese. This is the line of the business they are all getting into. And our local shop owners cannot compete with them. The MS Queen Elizabeth visited Samoa yesterday. The cruise ship docked at the Matautu wharf yesterday morning, bringing in over 2,000 passengers and crewmembers. Among them was Australian couple, Mr. and Mrs. Turner who said they absolutely love Samoa. Well, this is our first time here, said Mr. Turner. And to tell you the truth we love Samoa the moment we saw it. It is one of our best island countries weve seen. The pair said they have been saving for years to make the cruise. And one of the things they wanted to do in Apia was to visit the Catholic Cathedral at Mulivai. My wife and I are thankful to have had the opportunity to witness and discover one of the biggest church buildings in Apia which is the Catholic building at Mulivai, they said. I mean everythingthe views, surroundings, environment, the traditional house or fale is just beautiful. As for their journey, Mr. Turner said it has been a great holiday. The trip offers a place of peaceful retreat, reflection and total relaxation. The crews are genuine in their service and kindness. Just great! Canada has a new High Commissioner to Samoa. Mario Bot arrived on Wednesday and he presented his letter of credence to the Head of State, His Highness Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi yesterday at Tuaefu. My Government greatly appreciates the constructive role played by the Independent State of Samoa on the international scene, he told the Head of State during the meeting yesterday. He expressed his thanks for Samoas support for Canadas candidacy to the UN Security Council. In the Pacific, Samoas principal position on regional security and contribution to the Pacific Islands Forum continues to make a difference and command respect, he said. As Samoa prepares to host this years Pacific Island Forum, Canada looks forward to participating actively in the Post-Forum Dialogue and to expanding further our relationship with the Forum and its member states. His Highness Tui Atua welcomed Mr. Bot noting that it has been 46 years since the diplomatic relations were established between the two countries. The relations between our two countries have transcended physical distances and we continue to cover an array of issues that are of equal significance to both countries. Canada and Samoa continue to engage at various international forums such as the United Nations in the promotion of these important issues. Mr. Bot was assigned to the Embassy of Canada in Washington for 2010 to 2014 where he served as both the Consul General and the Executive Director of the Regional Services Centre for the United States. From 2006 to 2010, he was posted to the High Commission of Canada in London where he served as the Management and Consular Officer. In 1992, he joined the Office of the Inspector General in the department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. He served as both Director of Audit and Deputy Inspector General and inspected over 110 missions abroad. Prior to joining the Foreign Ministry, Mario Bot worked for Consulting and Audit Canada, an agency of the Government of Canada. Mr. Bot is a graduate of Carleton University with Bachelor of Commerce degrees. He is also a Chartered Professional Accountant-Certified Management Accountant. He was born in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontarion. When not posted, he and his spouse Thu Huong (Jennifer) Nguyen live in Ottawa. They enjoy hiking, travelling and sampling the cuisines of the world. He will be departing Samoa on Friday 24th February and will return to Wellington, New Zealand where he is currently residing. Its official. The owner of Coin Save, one of the fastest growing Chinese businesses in Samoa, Tuituioaiga Teeking Weng, has won the tender to run the $5.7 million Vaitele Market. And the Chinese chief from Falevao is expected to make the government a quarter of a million tala a year. This was confirmed by Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi yesterday. Tuilaepa said Cabinet has discussed and supported the proposal from the businessman. We discussed this issue in Cabinet on Wednesday, said Tuilaepa. Remember we have been advertising this market for so long but people hesitated to go there because they say its far from the main road. So the Minister appointed to look after this portfolio has been trying and working really hard to find ways in order to make money out of this market. His main goal is to get money out of this market. The Minister Tuilaepa was referring to is Lautafi Selafi Purcell, the Minister of Public Enterprises. He is very active and a strong advocate in making sure that we get something out of this market, Tuilaepa said. Tuilaepa said because of numerous reports submitted in Parliament about the failure of the Vaitele Market to make a profit, Lautafi had to stand up and act quickly. Thats why the Minister has been trying so hard to look for avenues and ways to make this market work. He had to do it in order for us to get money out of this market. And that is an example of a good Minister who is willing to do things for the benefit of our people. He saw that we werent getting any profit from the market, so he had to do something about it. And he didnt stop until he found a way. So this Chinese businessman approached him with a proposal. The rest is history. Tuilaepa said he is confident the government will make a profit from the venture. Right now, we only get $23,000 tala a year from the market at Vaitele, he said. But from this proposal and the new plan, we will get more than $250,000 (quarter million) a year. That is a lot of money compared to the money we are getting now. This is also a great way to turn the market into something very useful. Tuilaepa denied reports that the government is also thinking of doing the same for the market at Salelologa. No thats a different case, said Tuilaepa. The thing is, for Savaii, there is only one market, and that is the one at Salelologa. But for Apia, there are a lot of markets here. So we are not thinking about doing the same for the market at Salelologa. In 2012, the Chinese businessman was bestowed with an orator title at the village of Falevao. At that time, Tuituioaiga Teeking had lived in Samoa for three years. It all started while Tuituioaiga was living in New Zealand. His first Samoan friend he made was Puleesea le Soifua Kenape Tafili, of Falevao, who asked why he didnt set up a business in Samoa. Tuituioaiga had never heard of Samoa. Fast forward to today, the business has spiraled and Tuituioaigas relocation to Samoa has led him to form a strong relationship with the rest of the family at Falevao. Its hard to imagine it wasnt that long ago the independent State of Samoa was a subordinate to several world powers. From 1900-1914, Samoa was the last German colonial acquisition. At that time, the man known as Governor Wilhelm Solf was a key figure in Samoa. Solf was the first German Governor of Samoa and took office in 1900 until 1910. During his reign, Governor Solf was remembered as a fair man and is accredited for unifying the Land and Titles Court. He even had his first-born child in Samoa and named her Soomalelagi as a sign of great respect for the Samoan culture. Yesterday, the memories of Governor Solf in Samoa were revived at Malifa where the National Museum of Samoa welcomed his granddaughter, Julie Solf-Ennis. She was on island for a day as she came ashore on the Queen Elizabeth II that was docked at Matautu. She had been planning a trip to Samoa for ages but always found it difficult as she now resides with her husband in Washington, D.C. Ive always wanted to come to Samoa because my grandfather was here for ten years. Its not an easy place to get to, she said. We were going to come two years ago but that didnt work and we found this ship that was coming here but only for one day. I just wanted to see about my grandfather. Mrs. Solf-Ennis said she was to meet with Deputy Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mataafa. I believe her great grandfather probably knew my grandfather. Mrs. Solf-Ennis recounted some of her grandfathers attributes. He also took the side of the Samoans when the plantation owners were becoming very demanding. He would actually take sides of the Samoans and talking to the gentlemen at the University one of the most important things that my grandfather was involved in was the situation that allowed Samoans to own land and keep land within their families. I feel very proud of that. For me its a source of pride his time here. I know colonial times were difficult but I think he was a very fair and liberal man. According to Mrs. Solf-Ennis, Governor Solf had a challenging role. He had his hands full with the different groups of Samoans who were interested in being the leader. A lot of negotiations went on but he was a very principled man for his day. He was very liberal. One of the most bemusing things Governor Solf did during his time was his refusal to install troops on island and proved that everything can be dealt with in a civil manner. He wouldnt have troops on the island and if there was any trouble he dealt with it through negotiation. He didnt believe in using force and through out his career it meant that he was often going against the tide that was happening in the world and in Germany. At the Museum of Samoa in Malifa yesterday, Mrs. Ennis Solf was armed with pictures of her families time in Samoa and records of Solfs time in Samoa. She was accompanied by the Swiss General Consulate, Marco and Maria- Ines Kappenberger who were all fascinated at the well documented period of German rule in Samoa. She left Samoa last night. As academic scientists, life science companies, doctors and patients learn to work more closely together, cancer continues to retreat. On Thursday, representatives of all these groups united at UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center to move the struggle forward. Now in its 13th year, the Industry/Academia Translational Oncology Symposium featured talks on new ideas for drug development, advances in the hot field of cancer immune therapy, along with a presentation by someone who embodies all aspects of the symposium. Advertisement Shes Sandra Horning, M.D., a research executive at biotech giant Genentech, and a survivor of breast cancer. Diagnosed 21 years ago, Horning said her experience as a patient and industry researcher has made her increasingly optimistic that that todays resistant cancers will become increasingly treatable. And the symposium speeds up the collaboration that makes this possible. The symposium is organized by the centers Office of Industry Relations, led by Ida Deichaite. The office reaches out to biotech and drug companies, along with researchers. The goal is to to get them out of their offices so they can listen to and talk with each other, and possibly partner with UCSD. Horning was presented with the Duane Roth Award, named in honor of the late San Diego life science advocate, by San Diego City Councilwman Barbara Bry. Horning said her own life, progressing from an academic researcher at Stanford University and then to Genentech, along with her role as a cancer patient, gives her a feeling of urgency. It also fuels her appreciation for basic research. Almost everything weve accomplished in the field of cancer has started out with new knowledge, ideas, that come from academic institutions, like UCSD, Horning said in an interview after her presentation. With additional resources from industry, these ideas can often be turned into new therapies. Certainly as a patient, I want to see that happen, she said. And I want to see that happen fast. Patients need new therapies urgently. What really excites me about where we are today is the investment that weve made over the last couple of decades in understanding cancer, understanding how cancer cells function and tick, how the immune system can be harnessed to bring in a new line of therapy. Were really at the precipice of really breaking through, widely, across cancers. Its a very, very exciting time. Hornings presentation included several examples of research/industry collaboration, including one highly profitable one involving Genentech: the immune therapy drug Rituxan. It emerged out of research led by Stanford University scientist Ron Levy, commercialized by San Diegos Idec Pharmaceuticals in alliance with Genentech. Rituxan was approved for non-Hodgkins lymphoma in 1997, making it the first drug in the class of monoclonal antibodies to be approved for cancer. Rituxan became a blockbuster, and has been approved for some non-cancer indications, such as rheumatoid arthritis. For Tracey Lodie, vice president of immunology at Syros Pharmaceuticals, the symposium represents an opportunity to meet with clinicians who can help her company, along with academic researchers and connections to patients. Clinicians have access to patient tumor samples, which Syros uses for researching therapies. I havent seen this at other large cancer symposiums, the outreach that UCSD does in terms of being open-minded, in terms of new technologies, Lodie said. Syros, based in Cambridge, Mass., focuses its research on the non-coding regions of DNA, the regions that do not contain genes. Only about 3 percent of the human genome contains gene sequences, and the non-coding regions have been relatively unexplored for their therapeutic potential. Prominent UCSD cancer researcher David Cheresh said he always benefits from attending, because he gets ideas and meets partners in a way thats not possible siloed off in a laboratory, which is how researchers typically spend their time. One of Chereshs latest projects is a potential drug for non-small-cell lung cancer, by far the most common kind. This drug is already being marketed by a local biotech company. Cheresh and colleagues discovered that this drug reaches a target that enables a mutated gene that promotes cancer, to operate. Directly targeting this cancer-promoting gene, or oncogene, KRAS, has proven very difficult, Cheresh said. But the discovery of its hidden partner has made this oncogene druggable. We can go after KRAS by taking out its partner, Cheresh said. A clinical trial for the repurposed drug is now being prepared for the Moores Cancer Center, Cheresh said. Science Playlist On Now In a first, scientists rid human embryos of a potentially fatal gene mutation by editing their DNA On Now Space station flyovers visible from San Diego this week 0:55 On Now UCSD's 'ghost drivers' begin testing people's reaction seemingly empty cars 1:29 On Now 10 interesting facts about Mars On Now Kids can add years to your life On Now LA 90: SpaceX launches recycled rocket On Now Big passions, big giving: Malin Burnham 2:30 On Now Big passions, big giving: Darlene Shiley 2:40 On Now Big passions, big giving: Joan and Irwin Jacobs 2:45 On Now Ocean temperatures warming at rapid rate, study finds bradley.fikes@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1020 Some businesses in San Diego County shut down Thursday as part of a nationwide immigrant strike. Dubbed by organizers as a Day Without Immigrants, the protest is in response to recent roundups of undocumented immigrants, as well as the Trump administrations halted immigration ban on people coming from seven Muslim-majority countries. Advertisement While the strike was having an impact in Chicago and Washington, D.C., San Diego appeared to have much less participation. Dr. Angel Ochoa-Rea, closed his two-person business LGBT Chiropractic because he felt recent raids on undocumented immigrants did not reflect American values. He immigrated to the United States from Mexico when he was 5 years old. 1 / 10 San Diego, California, USA, February 16th, 2017: | Paulina Rodriguez with her dog Mila sit at the steps of Seor MangoOs on 30th St. She read the notice of closed for the day and supports what the business is doing to show solidarity. | (Alejandro Tamayo, The San Diego Union-Tribune) (Alejandro Tamayo / The San Diego Union-Tribune) 2 / 10 San Diego, California, USA, February 16th, 2017: | Several businesses closed throughout San Diego to stand in solidarity with immigrants in the United States.. Alamillas Mexican food in downtown San Diego closes its door on Thursday. | (Alejandro Tamayo, The San Diego Union-Tribune) (Alejandro Tamayo / The San Diego Union-Tribune) 3 / 10 San Diego, California, USA, February 16th, 2017: | Several businesses closed throughout San Diego to stand in solidarity with immigrants in the United States. Alamillas Mexican food in downtown San Diego closes its door on Thursday. | (Alejandro Tamayo, The San Diego Union-Tribune) (Alejandro Tamayo / The San Diego Union-Tribune) 4 / 10 San Diego, California, USA, February 16th, 2017: | Cafe on Park closes its doors on Thursday. Sign on the door reads Cafe on Park will be closed on Thursday Feb 16th in solidarity with our Latino employees. | (Alejandro Tamayo, The San Diego Union-Tribune) (Alejandro Tamayo / The San Diego Union-Tribune) 5 / 10 San Diego, California, USA, February 16th, 2017: | Cafe on Park closes its doors on Thursday. Sign on the door reads Cafe on Park will be closed on Thursday Feb 16th in solidarity with our Latino employees. | (Alejandro Tamayo, The San Diego Union-Tribune) (Alejandro Tamayo / The San Diego Union-Tribune) 6 / 10 San Diego, California, USA, February 16th, 2017: | Customers stop by Seor Mangos on 30th Street and read the closed sign. | (Alejandro Tamayo, The San Diego Union-Tribune) (Alejandro Tamayo / The San Diego Union-Tribune) 7 / 10 San Diego, California, USA, February 16th, 2017: | A letter of close for the day to support immigrants is at the doors of Seor Mangos on 30th Street. | (Alejandro Tamayo, The San Diego Union-Tribune) (Alejandro Tamayo / The San Diego Union-Tribune) 8 / 10 San Diego, California, USA, February 16th, 2017: | Customers stop by Seor Mangos on 30th Street and read the closed sign. Angelica taking a photo of the sign and Letty in the back. | (Alejandro Tamayo, The San Diego Union-Tribune) (Alejandro Tamayo / The San Diego Union-Tribune) 9 / 10 San Diego, California, USA, February 16th, 2017: | The Lerch family hoped to get a smoothie from the Seor MangoOs on 30th Street. They saw the closed for business signed and supported their decision. . | (Alejandro Tamayo, The San Diego Union-Tribune) (Alejandro Tamayo / The San Diego Union-Tribune) 10 / 10 San Diego, California, USA, February 16th, 2017: | Jaynes Gastropub on 30th street closed on Thursday to stand in solidarity with the Nations strike. | (Alejandro Tamayo, The San Diego Union-Tribune) (Alejandro Tamayo / The San Diego Union-Tribune) I wanted the community as a whole to realize that immigrants are not just restaurant workers, he said. We are also doctors, pilots and lawyers and attorneys. Here is a list of the businesses the U-T has confirmed are closed all day because of the strike: Fox Sports Grill, downtown Alamillas Mexican Food, downtown Souplantation, Carmel Valley LGBT Chiropractic, North Park Cafe on Park, Hillcrest Senor Mangos, North Park Leon Produce, North Park Jaynes Gastropub, North Park Jaynes Gastropub posted a note on Facebook that said, We, too, are immigrants and stand in solidarity with the National Strike. The Souplantation in Carmel Valley was eventually pushed to shut down after four employees Thursday morning did not show up, manager Luis Acosta said. He said the business eventually decided to close this afternoon but the employees who took the day off would not be disciplined. Jon Erickson, co-owner of Jaynes Gastropub in North Park, said his 12 employees include people from France, Latvia, Mexico and England. Theres a lot of fear and concern among immigrant people all over the place, he said. It just made perfect sense. A day of business is not the end of the world. Erickson said his employees would be paid for the day off. He said early comments on an online version of this article that suggested immigration officials should raid businesses that participated in the strike did not dissuade him. Thats exactly the type of rhetoric to make people feel fearful, he said. Its all the more reason for people to stand up. Tender Greens, which has four locations in San Diego County, said it would stay open to provide an option to for employees that did not want to miss a day of work but would not penalize workers that joined the strike. Some business leaders have expressed frustration at President Donald Trumps travel ban. Mark Cafferty, CEO of the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation, said in a statement that the regions top research institutions, science and technology companies rely on immigrants. President Trumps recent immigration actions are harmful to San Diego companies and our economy, just as they are harmful to our nation as a whole, he said about the travel ban. An immigrant and refugee rights protest planned for Saturday has 1,400 people confirmed as going on Facebook. The March in Solidarity with Immigrants begins at 11 a.m. with a rally at Waterfront Park. By noon, organizers say they will march to the Edward J. Schwartz federal building and through downtown. Business phillip.molnar@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1891 Twitter: @phillipmolnar ALSO The vanishing San Diego single-family home UPDATES: 3:20 p.m.: This article was updated with additional closed businesses. A tiny San Diego startup named Farmers Fix thinks it can one-up meal kit giants such as Blue Apron and HelloFresh with a local-only business model. And, most importantly at least for time-pinched customers theres no cooking, no chopping and absolutely no assembly required. Celebrating one year in business, Farmers Fix is a weekly subscription salad delivery company that caters to busy professionals in most parts of San Diego county. With the service, people select a minimum of five salads to be delivered each week to their home or office. Salads cost $10 a piece, have 400 to 600 calories each, arrive ready to eat and are meant to stay fresh for an entire week. Advertisement We will make the food for you we will package it and we will deliver it to your door, said Tawei David Lin, co-founder of Farmers Fix. The brand promise is: You sign up with our website and the food magically shows up at your door. The so-called magic happening behind the scenes, which allows the company to deliver quality salads at reasonable prices, is actually the product of a commitment to staying local. Farmers Fix just wants to be a niche brand; the best salad delivery option in San Diego. Those ambitions, humble by startup standards, mean the company can get away with a lean team of four kitchen staffers and two drivers. Thats by design. The entirely self-funded startup is taking the opposite road from an increasingly crowded circle of meal kit companies, which offer a version of the same product boxes delivered weekly with ingredients and recipe cards for three or four meals to customers around the nation. That model is entirely based on mass appeal and scale. And that requires hundreds of millions of dollars in venture capital. Berlin-based HelloFresh, for instance, has amassed a $367 million war chest over a six year period as it seeks to take over the world of meal kits, and expand its subscriber base of 800,000 people. While Blue Apron, the 5 year-old New York-based behemoth with $193 million in capital, claims to ship 8 million meals a month in the U.S. But Lin and fellow co-founder Doug Murphy do not want to take outside money. Nor do they have grandiose ambitions. They just want to grow at their own pace. We have no desire to answer to someone else, Lin said. As a result, the pair have relied on friends of friends to get the word out, and have amassed a modest customer base of 40 weekly subscribers. The bootstrapping entrepreneurs believe they can realistically generate $125,000 in revenue this year, but anticipate a bump in business with a new initiative to go after corporate customers who want to feed their employees healthy meals. Overall, Farmers Fix sees itself as the ideal option for the busy professional who wants to eat well with as little effort as possible. And, though its subscriber numbers may sound small, the company think its attracting far more loyal customers than its much bigger rivals. Ill bet our retention (rate) is way higher than Blue Apron, because we get people who want what we are doing, Murphy said, pointing to an industry trend of meal-prep companies spending millions on advertising to acquire customers who may quit the service weeks later. More than 50 percent of people who try out Blue Apron place a second order in the following week, according to market research firm 1010data. But by the 24th week, just 10 percent of customers are still ordering. Meanwhile, Farmers Fix is aiming to keep customers coming by expanding its lineup of 15 salads and introducing more custom options (think: chicken, hard-boiled eggs and tofu). Its a steady-as-they-go strategy that wont turn Lin and Murphy into billionaires. But since theyre also not burning through other peoples cash, the business owners could outlast some of their flashier competitors. Business jennifer.vangrove@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1840 Twitter: @jbruin Apple has purchased Emotient, a San Diego-based maker of facial expression recognition software that can detect emotions to assist advertisers, retailers, doctors and many other professions. Apple confirmed the purchase on Friday, but did not give details of the deal. Emotient could not be reached for comment. Apple buys smaller technology companies from time to time, and we generally do not discuss our purpose or plans, Apple said in an emailed statement. Advertisement The purchase comes during fevered interest in artificial intelligence, or AI, in Silicon Valley and among other tech companies. Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg said last week that he was attempting to build an A.I. system to control his home. Google, Microsoft, Amazon and entrepreneur Elon Musk have all recently made high-profiled forays into research and development of AI. Apple already has Siri, a digital assistant on iPhones that responds to user questions. Several past projects from Emotient could easily be viewed as beneficial to Apple. The San Diego company built a prototype sentiment analysis application for Google Glass. It also worked with Innerscope Research to analyze the reaction of focus groups to ads shown during the Super Bowl, something that could have been interesting for its famous 1984 commercial. Emotient was founded by six scientists from the University of California, San Diego in 2012. It uses software that recognizes facial patterns as they come into view of a camera. It had previously raised $8 million from investors, including Intel Capital. Emotients software can detect emotions including joy, disgust, anger and surprise. It mainly sold its product as a way to give real-time feedback to advertisers and retailers. We think that will be increasingly important in a world where how walk-up customers are being treated in general has never been more important, Ken Denman, chief executive of Emotient, told the San Diego Union-Tribune in March 2014. Given the trends these days in retail, the worst thing that can happen is for someone to walk out of your store and give a Tweet about a bad experience. Emotients technology is largely based on research by Javier R. Movellan and Marian Bartlett, researchers at UC San Diego. Were delighted at the success of Emotient getting purchased by Apple, said Paul Roben, Associate Vice Chancellor for Innovation at UC San Diego. This is how the system should work. We brought all of our innovation resources together, spun out a company, which developed a technology. This is going to generate enthusiasm for the kind of entrepreneurship we do here. UC San Diego has a sizable group of AI specialists, and it is planning to add more as part of its long-term growth in robotics. The campus has tried to jump into the big time by hiring star faculty, but has so far failed to seal some key deals. The university made an unsuccessful attempt to recruit Gil Pratt, a former Defense Advance Research Projects Agency roboticist who recently joined Toyota. A short time later, Toyota announced that Pratt would oversee a $1 billion AI research program in Palo Alto, near Stanford University. Despite a few setbacks, the university viewed the sale as a confirmation of what it was doing. The purchase of Emotient also highlights how relevant artificial-intelligence and machine-vision expertise is right now. And these are areas where UC San Diego is actively investing yet more research resources., said Albert Pisano, dean of the Jacobs School of Engineering at UC San Diego. The business use of the technology could be web searches that use a camera to track facial expressions during a purchase, said Heather Honea, a marketing professor at San Diego State University. She noted technology already used by major Internet companies customizes advertisements to users based on past purchases, image recognition and their online behavior. If facial recognition was used it would be a richer set of data even if turning on your webcam for an iTunes purchase sounds odd right now. Honea said history shows that people get very concerned about a new technology at first, see how it works in their life, and then change their minds. I suspect at first everyone would say Theres no way. Im not doing that, she said. Then, the first time someone finds exactly the pair of shoes they were looking for with minimal effort, then theyll click on OK, Ill allow it the next time. phillip.molnar@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1891 Twitter: @phillipmolnar More than two years after bringing its all-you-can-fly membership airline to Carlsbad, Surf Air plans to begin offering commuter service to Los Angeles from San Diegos Montgomery Field. While the Santa Monica-based airline is confident the expanded service will begin some time in the second quarter of this year, it is not ready to commit to a definite start date. Advertisement As we move forward and see what demand looks like, we will confirm a date, but based on the research and interest were getting I dont see it not happening, said Barry Holmes, Surf Airs chief revenue officer. The planned move to offer San Diego business travelers with as many as five daily flights to Los Angeles via the Hawthorne Municipal Airport was fueled by increasing inquiries from both existing and prospective members, said Holmes. Within San Diego County, Surf Air currently operates just one daily flight to Los Angeles out of Carlsbads Palomar-McClellan Airport, plus two more to Santa Barbara, although the airlines network of destinations reaches into the San Francisco Bay Area, Palm Springs and Lake Tahoe. First and foremost, were only in the state of California right now, and San Diego, being the second biggest market, is important to us, Holmes said. Montgomery Field offers even more convenience, both to the residents of San Diego and those visiting for business from L.A. With multiple frequencies per day we believe we can satisfy the demand this commuter has and also offer access to the rest of the Surf Air network. For frequent fliers, the appeal of Surf Air is the all-you-can-fly model that requires a one-time payment of $1,000, plus a monthly membership fee of $1,950. Members fly whenever and wherever the airline goes, and without the hassle of security lines. Still, there are already plenty of commuter options out of the San Diego International Airport, where American Airlines and Delta operate five nonstop flights a day to Los Angeles and United, six. Montgomery Field, a general aviation, city-owned airport known formally as Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport, is currently fully leased by three operators, although one of them, Crownair Aviation, has been in talks with Surf Air about sub-leasing its office and hangar space. David Ryan, president of Crownair, said there is space available to accommodate Surf Airs Pilatus PC-12 NG aircraft. Weve offered them an office space and fuel package, but until they decide when theyll start operations, its hard to go any further than that, Ryan said. Holmes said that Surf Air will be able to take existing aircraft it has and reassign it to the San Diego-Los Angeles route without having to expand its inventory of planes. The airline is currently offering what its calling a pre-sale on its website, taking deposits to gauge interest for planned flights between San Diego and L.A. While a schedule hasnt been finalized, the website shows multiple departures out of San Diego, beginning at 6 a.m. and ending at 8:40 p.m. We havent marketed additional frequencies between L.A. and Carlsbad so we havent been able to realize the demand thats there, Holmes said. We quickly realized last year that the best strategic move was to open the L.A./San Diego route via Montgomery Field as our next expansion focused on this commuter. Business lori.weisberg@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-2251 Twitter: @loriweisberg A bill introduced as part of an effort to close the gender wage gap received overwhelming support from proponents and almost an hour of questions from the Senate Business, Labor and Economic Affairs Committee on Wednesday. Senate Bill 217, carried by Sen. Diane Sands, D-Missoula, would forbid employers from asking for previous salary information and allow employees to discuss wages without retaliation. The bill is an outcome of the governors Equal Pay for Equal Work Task Force. A previous version of the legislation was tabled by the same committee in 2015. Sands said women generally ask for fewer raises and are less likely to negotiate their pay than a male counterpart. Men typically ask for $10,000 more than women per year. As a result, many women start their careers with lower wages. When employers are allowed to ask about an applicants previous salary, low wages can follow a woman throughout her career. Commissioner of Labor Pam Bucy testified in support of the bill. She told the committee, made up of nine men and one woman, that women earn less than men in every industry, which hurts Montana families. Data from the US Census Bureau for 2015 said women working full-time in Montana made 72.5 percent of what men made. The committee expressed concerns that litigation would increase with more pay discrepancy complaints, but Bucy said research shows people who know the market value of their position and can discuss wages with employees are less likely to file complaints. Instead, she said they are more productive, which in turn benefits employers. Transparency would help ensure that complaints are being filed in cases of true discrimination, not when an employee files a complaint because they don't know a colleague has additional experience or training to justify a pay discrepancy, she said. Its already a violation to pay somebody differently on gender, Bucy said. It doesnt create any more liability. Sen. Ed Buttrey, R-Great Falls, said as a business owner, he wasnt as optimistic that complaints to the Human Rights Bureau would decrease. Sen. Steve Fitzpatrick, R-Great Falls, said he worried that if employers couldnt ask applicants about their past salary, they might offer a number that would drive away a potential employee. Bucy said that instead of mandating an applicant report their previous salary, the employer could have a transparent discussion about what the work is worth and discuss pay for comparable positions at other companies. This bill really does help both men and women be advocates for themselves and to develop those skills, Sands said. After the hearing, the committee tabled a bill carried by Sue Malek, D-Missoula, to establish pay equity. A Clairemont software designer who loves the local desert and has been camping and hiking for years in its remotest parts has developed an iPhone app designed to help people figure out where they are in Californias largest park. I really like hiking and going out to the Anza-Borrego area, said William Modesitt, who has created several apps through his company, Modesitt Software. He said he discovered that finding trails in the massive state park can be difficult, so he created the app, using maps from other sources and GPS technology, primarily for his own use. He eventually decided to publish it on iTunes, where it can be purchased for $2.99. Advertisement A lot of the trails arent official trails you just kind of have to work your way around, he said. Without a GPS or an iPhone or something that has a GPS attached to it, you can get lost out there. This makes it much easier. Kathy Dice, the superintendent of the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, said she hadnt heard of Modesitts app. She cautioned, however, that when people rely only on electronic devices for navigation they sometimes get in trouble. The worst tool that people use that gets them lost more times than not is the navigation systems in cars, she said. That just totally gets people wound up in the wrong places all the time. She said shes still a big fan of topographical maps and paper maps. People shouldnt rely completely on technology out here, or anywhere really, because if it fails well the distress calls we get from people who are lost are usually people who are relying completely on technology and dont have a guide book or a paper map to back them up, Dice said. Modesitt said his app works whether there is cell service or not. Offline topographical maps and trail information can be viewed without cell service because of the GPS technology built into. .. You always have GPS unless youre in a tunnel or a cave. While viewing an individual trail, users can tap the photo button. Modesitt said a search of photos from Flicker is done and if any are within one kilometer of the trail, theyre displayed in a separate view. (That feature does require Internet.) For more information visit iTunes on the web. jharry.jones@sduniontribune.com; 760/529-4931; Twitter: @jharryjones A North County city that was once known as the poinsettia-growing capital of the world is now exploring whether to allow some of its struggling flower farmers to cultivate marijuana as a way of preserving the citys agricultural heritage and keeping new housing from covering all the farmland. The Encinitas City Council agreed Wednesday night to start collecting information that could be used to produce new regulations, including rules about where marijuana-growing operations could locate in town, what security measures the growers might need to provide, and how much they ought to pay in city taxes. The vote was 4-1, with Councilman Mark Muir opposed. I think our agricultural industry desperately needs this opportunity to compete, said Councilman Tony Kranz, who will serve on a subcommittee that will handle the issue. Advertisement For his part, Muir said he supported peoples rights to use marijuana for medical reasons, but thought that allowing commercial marijuana growing in Encinitas would create a host of problems the city could do without. Encinitas shouldnt be considering replacing the poinsettia on its city seal with a marijuana leaf, he joked. The impetus for the councils debate was Californias recent passage of Proposition 64. Approved by voters in November, it legalizes adult, non-medical use of marijuana, directs the state to establishes business regulations and imposes taxes on marijuana sales. The acts sections on recreational use and possession went into effect immediately, while the parts regarding regulatory control of marijuana sales businesses have until January 2018. Cities across the state are now struggling to craft their own marijuana rules, including whether to allow commercial pot growing operations or just growing for personal use; whether to permit the manufacturing of products that contain marijuana; and whether to let retail stores sell the drug. Adding to their challenges is the fact that its illegal under federal law to use or possess marijuana. And, theres speculation that the nations newly elected president might be more likely to enforce that federal law than his predecessor. In response to the new law, some cities have issued temporary bans on marijuana cultivation, while others have decided to require special permits to grow marijuana indoors. In January, the city of San Diego became the first city in San Diego County to allow medical marijuana dispensaries to sell pot to recreational users. Most of the Encinitas council members said Wednesday they would support allowing some commercial marijuana growing in town, if it was extensively regulated and if the publics concerns about smell from the plants were addressed. Mayor Catherine Blakespear said she wanted any new regulations to be narrowly crafted so that all of the citys agriculture land wouldnt end up becoming marijuana farms, and she said she would like to see if the city could limit it to organic-only operations. That limitation would make it more appealing, she said, adding, Id also like it to be taxed as high as possible. The council majority splintered over other marijuana issues. Kranz and Blakespear joined Muir in strongly opposing retail marijuana stores. Marijuana dispensaries, I will not support, Kranz said. I dont think its the right thing for Encinitas. Blakespear agreed, saying, Dispensaries, I dont think add to the city. Councilwoman Tasha Boerner Horvath, who recently conducted a non-scientific Survey Monkey poll on residents views on the new state law, said she thought the council ought to support storefront sales because residents appeared to want them. Thats what she found with her informal poll and it was backed up by the citys vote totals for Proposition 64, she said, noting that Encinitas had the highest passage rate in San Diego County on the proposition. I struggle with the retail sales, Boerner Horvath said, mentioning that she has two elementary school-age children and worries about them being exposed to marijuana use. My sense is yes, we should (allow the storefronts) because thats the will of the people. Newly appointed Councilman Joe Mosca said he wanted the city to take a slow and measured approach to making changes in response to the new state law, and said he wasnt sure he had enough information that night to take a position on the various regulatory issues. Prior to their vote, council members heard from about 15 people, with about half of them favoring the commercial growing proposal and about half of them opposing permits for retail storefronts. Commercial growing supporters included Eric Larson, executive director of the San Diego County Farm Bureau, and Encinitas flower grower Bob Echter, who said he was one of only a handful of flower growers left in Encinitas. Diversifying into the marijuana-growing business could save his business, which employs about 90 people, he said. Opponents of retail marijuana sales included many of the regions drug-free youth program leaders, who told the council that allowing marijuana dispensaries in town will result in more kids becoming addicted to the drug. Judi Strang of the San Dieguito Alliance for Drug Free Youth said if the council permits just a few storefronts to open, many others will illegally set up shop as has happened in the city of San Diego. Henry is a freelance writer in Encinitas. Marian Kim-Phelps is poised to become the next superintendent of the Poway Unified School District, the school board decided Tuesday in a 3-2 vote. A San Diego resident, Kim-Phelps has been superintendent of the Westminster School District in Orange County since 2013, and has more than 25 years experience as an educator, officials said. She spent much of her career as an administrator in the San Diego Unified School District. Her leadership abilities are fantastic, said Poway school board President OConnor-Ratcliff, who voted in favor of Kim-Phelps along with trustees T.J. Zane and Darshana Patel. Shes very knowledgeable in special education. Shes done an amazing job with her technology plan in her current district. Advertisement The Poway board is set to finalize its decision March 7, when it votes on Kim-Phelps contract. If approved, she would be the first minority and the first female superintendent in the Poway district. She was selected from a pool 91 applications of candidates from 46 states, OConnor-Ratcliff said. I am honored to have been selected as the new superintendent for Poway Unified and I look forward to being part of a high quality team and district, Kim-Phelps said in a district news release. I am committed to ensuring that our children not only have the skills necessary to be college and career ready, but have the skills needed to be successful in life. Her selection comes six months after former Superintendent John Collins was fired for allegedly collecting more than $345,000 in unauthorized pay. The board has sued Collins over those claims, and has relied on several interim or acting superintendents to run the district in the meantime. Im looking forward to the stability of having a permanent superintendent again, said OConnor-Ratcliff. It will be great establishing long-term expectations, long-term strategic planning. She said Kim-Phelps has a wealth of experience on topics ranging from school budgets to English as a second language education. In her more than 25 years as an educator, Kim-Phelps has worked as an elementary and middle school teacher, a vice principal, elementary school principal, and superintendent, Poway school officials said in a news release. She also supervised the creation of Vietnamese and Spanish language dual immersion programs, technology magnet schools and a gifted and talented academy, and increased budget reserves and refinanced school bonds. If her contract is approved on March 7, Poway officials expect Kim-Phelps to start in late March or early April. OConnor-Ratcliff said the district is still negotiating her contract and hasnt finalized its offer, but said the job announcement listed a salary in the range of $290,000 plus an excellent benefit package. Before his firing, Collins was the highest paid superintendent in the county, earning $308,900 per year, with total compensation of $457,347 including extra pay, benefits and retirement. Kim-Phelps earned her doctorate degree from San Diego State University, her masters degree in educational leadership from Point Loma Nazarene University and a bachelors degree from University of California, San Diego. deborah.brennan@sduniontribune.com Twitter@deborahsbrennan U-T Community Press writer Emily Sorenson contributed to this report. Wheres my Khaleesi Kolsch? A trait I share with Ommegang, besides admiration for the upstate New York brewers excellent Belgian-style beers: Were both fans of HBOs Game of Thrones. Season Three is known for the ghastly Red Wedding if youre looking for a good time, dont attend a Westeros wedding and launching a collaboration with Ommegang. The first Game of Thrones beer, Iron Throne, was a Belgian blonde that was more rewarding than its namesake. In following seasons, Ommegang rolled out Take the Black stout, Fire & Blood red ale, Valar Morghulis dubbel, Valar Dohaeris tripel and Three-Eyed Raven (7.2 percent alcohol by volume), an unusually shall we say freakish? dark saison. Advertisement (Oddly missing from the lineup: Khaleesi Kolsch and Neds Headless Helles.) Now, Ommegang announces, fans will have an opportunity to predict the victor of this bloody Game. On May 30, before Season 7s premiere, the brewery will release Bend the Knee golden ale in Lannister, Stark and Targaryen versions. Choose your label and pledge your allegiance. Which of these warring clans will triumph? Its unknown whether Ommegang has inside information, and the brewery may be jumping the blunderbuss. HBO says the series wont conclude until next years Season 8. Still, tasting notes for Bend the Knee promise a finish with a firm hop bitterness. No sweet ending, then? Kings of Beer After a rocky debut in 2016, Mikkeller San Diego vowed a renewed focus on beers reflecting the offbeat Scandinavian styles of founder Mikkel Borg Bjergs. Case in point: Fruit Face (4 percent alcohol by volume). Ive sampled numerous Berliner weisses, but none like this. This weeks King has a charming, off-center label; a neon pink hue; a juicy raspberry flavor with a tartness supplied by a dose of lactic acid; and a finish with an unexpected jolt of French roast. Last weeks King, John Paul Jones White Chocolate Raspberry Stout (10.9 percent), is darker and sweeter. This dessert beer from San Bernardino Countys Brew Rebellion offers few surprises if you like raspberries, chocolate and stout, you should be happy. Best of the week, local The ugly truth: San Diego Winter Brew Fest, which is Saturday at Balboa Parks Hall of Champions, is organized by out-of-towners and Denverites at that! The saving grace: San Diego has plenty of ties to this annual celebration of dark and stormy brews, starting with the featured breweries. Participating locals include Barrel Harbor, Duck Foot, Eppig, Green Flash, North Park Beer and Pure Project. Live music will be supplied by a local band, Elektric Voodoo, and food for sale from local vendors. Oh, and further bolstering the local links, proceeds will benefit San Diego-based Outdoor Outreach and the San Diego Mountain Biking Association. At sandiegobrewfest.com, tickets are $40 for regular admission, 7 to 10 p.m., or $50 for VIP admission, 6 to 10 p.m. At the door, theyll cost an additional $10. Super Bowl beer Who won Super Bowl LI? Beer. BeerBoard, a New York-based company that tracks the industry, reported beer sales on game day 2017 were up 2.7 percent over game day 2016. On the field, the New England Patriots defeated the Atlanta Falcons. Similar results were reported on tap, where Bostons Samuel Adams outsold Atlantas SweetWater Brewing. Words to drink by You must have seen great changes since you were a young man, said Winston tentatively. The old mans pale blue eyes moved from the darts board to the bar, and from the bar to the door of the Gents The beer was better, he said finally. And cheaper! When I was a young man, mild beer wallop we used to call it was fourpence a pint. That was before the war, of course. from 1984 by George Orwell Happy anniversaries! Valentines Day is past, but theres still plenty to love about February. For local beer fans, this month has some notable anniversaries. Karl Strauss 28th: The countys oldest operating brewery celebrates 28 years with a rich Belgian-style quad (12.9 percent). The 28th is the orchid anniversary, but this beer leans toward another flower its aged in Four Roses bourbon barrels. Cultures 4th: 30-plus beers on tap at Saturdays party at the brewery. General admission, 1 to 6 p.m., is $10; the VIP pass, noon to 6 p.m., $15. Tickets are at culturebrewingco.com; the brewerys at 111 S. Cedros Ave., Solana Beach. Machete Beer Houses 2nd: I was going to describe this pub as arguably National Citys craft command post, but thats silly. Theres no argument this is the place. Youll find it at 2325 Highland Ave., National City. Did you know Berliner weisse, a beer style that is tart and low in alcohol, dates back to the 17th century. It wasnt until the 21st century, though, that this Berlin native became a common sight outside its native land. Beer Videos Twitter: @peterroweut peter.rowe@sduniontribune.com Brunch menus and cocktails Carnitas Snack Shack Embarcadero has rolled out a new brunch menu. Dishes like bacon pancakes ($6.50), biscuits & gravy ($8.50) and a breakfast quesadilla ($8) will be served from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. weekends. Pair your plate with a mimosa ($6) or an Irish coffee ($8). 1004 N. Harbor Drive, San Diego. (619) 696-7675 or carnitassnackshack.com Kettner Exchange has introduced a Jimmy Buffet build-your-own Pina Colada Bar. Guests can have their pina coladas blended or non-blended and can choose up to three rums, two additional exotic flavors and three garnishes. Also on the cocktail brunch menu are new cocktail selections, including East Street, Frozen Irish Coffee, Fixed It, Baja Heat, Orange Julius, Never Too Soon and Stone Blossom. 2001 Kettner Blvd., San Diego. (619) 255-2001 or kettnerexchange.com San Diegos downtown restaurant and rooftop bar Rustic Root has launched a new cocktail menu. Selections include Apple a Day, made with Zu Vodka, apple cider and lemon juice; Pear of Gingers, made with Titos Vodka, St. George pear liqueur, lemon juice and ginger puree; Rye Not, a mixture of Wild Turkey Rye, lemon juice, ginger and lavender syrup; and Spanish Sunrise made with Espolon Tequila, pressed lime, lavender tonic and grapefruit zest. 535 Fifth Ave., San Diego. (619) 232-1747 or rusticroot.com Advertisement New Zealand-inspired Dunedin North Park has added a weekend brunch menu to its current lunch and dinner selections. Menu items include a dutch-baked pancake with fried chicken; steak with shrimp and grits; and a traditional Kiwi Breakfast plate of scrambled eggs, English baked beans, sausage, roasted tomato and potatoes. Drink options feature signature mimosas, sangria, champagne cocktails, beer cocktails, soju-based Bloody Marys, porch sun tea and hand-shaken lemonade. 3501 30th Ave., San Diego. (619) 255-8566 or dnp-sd.com Seafood and craft beer concept Beerfish has entered San Diegos brunch scene with an ocean-friendly menu. Dishes include Maine Lobster Breakfast Burrito with habanero sauce; Thick Cut Sourdough French Toast with orange-infused syrup; Blue Crab Benedict topped with tobasco hollandaise; Wild Mexican Shrimp and Grits with bacon; and a Wild Coho Smoked Salmon Scramble with roasted red peppers and dill creme fraiche. Menu staples like clam chowder in a bread bowl and the brown buttered lobster roll will also be served, as well as mimosas, Bloody Marys and 30 craft beers on tap. 2933 Adams Ave., San Diego. (619) 363-2337 or beerfish.com Grater Grilled Cheese in Mission Valley is melting the hearts of cheese lovers with its new breakfast menu. Named Zagats Best Under-the-Radar Restaurants, the menu consists of four different breakfast sandwiches created for both meat lovers and vegetarians. They include: The Bacon, The Turkey, The Ham and The Vegetarian. All sandwiches are served on a buttered brioche bun and accompanied with an order of special tater tots. Dip your tots in your choice of aioli dipping sauces like the Pale Ale Beer Chipotle, Pesto Aioli, Roasted Garlic Aioli or Deli Mustard. 5618 Mission Center Road, Suite 1002, San Diego. (619) 458-9611 or gratergrilledcheese.com Pucker up for gelato Bobbois Natural Gelatos Blood Orange gelato is a refreshing dessert featuring local blood oranges, organic evaporated cane sugar and water. 8008 Girard Ave., Suite 150, La Jolla. (858) 999-1362 or bobboi.com Extraordinary Desserts takes lemon to a higher level. Master pastry chef Karen Krasnes Lemon Cheesecake Bar is a tart and tangy lemon curd layered with a buttery cookie crust, topped with a layer of creamy cheesecake. Two San Diego locations: 2929 Fifth Ave.; (619) 294-2132 and 1430 Union St.; (619) 294-7001 or extraordinarydesserts.com Herb & Woods executive pastry chef Adrian Mendoza has crafted a creamy Fennel and Blood Orange gelato.The dish of gelato includes a pizelle cookie (Italian waffle cookie), garnished with a drizzle of blood orange syrup. 2210 Kettner Blvd., San Diego. (619) 955-8495 or herbandwood.com Puesto and Bobbois Natural Gelato have partnered to create a new flavor of gelato thats available at both Puesto locations. The Nopales and Lime gelato is dairy-free and is topped with a sprinkle of Tajin seasoning (a dry mixture of chile peppers, lime and salt), a perfect end to one of the eaterys crispy-melted cheese tacos. 1026 Wall St., La Jolla; (858) 454-1260 and 789 W. Harbor Drive, San Diego; (619) 233-8880 or eatpuesto.com Chefs on the move Masters Kitchen and Cocktail in Oceanside welcomes Josh Richardi as its executive chef. Originally from Florida, Richardi relocated to San Diego to pursue his passion for creating classic dishes with exotic twists. His California culinary career began at Pacifica del Mar as a line cook. He later went on to hold positions at Rancho Valencia, La Valencia Hotel, The Chart House, The Santaluz Club and Roppongi. The restaurants revamped menu features seasonal items like the roasted jidori chicken breast as well as mainstays like the gourmet grilled cheese. I make it a priority to share my technique and knowledge, said Richardi. My team and I keep our technique simple and focus on elevating the natural flavors in each dish. (760) 231-6278 or mastersoceanside.com Openings Breakfast Republic has opened in East Village in the former Zanzibar Cafe, which closed in the summer of 2016. The eaterys full menu will feature the same out-of-the-box creations offered at its other locations like the Breakfast Hot Dogs, served with house potatoes ($9.50) and the California Breakfast Burrito ($11). The restaurant also offers drinks such as the Jurassic Pork Bloody Mary ($10) and the Whiskey Sunny Side Up ($13), made with Koval American Oak Whiskey, lemon, cane sugar, red wine and egg whites. 707 G St., San Diego. (619) 501-8280 or breakfastrepublic.com Crown Landing in Coronado opened its doors Jan. 31, replacing the three-meal-a-day restaurant, Market Cafe. Executive restaurant chef Jamie Dunn offers one-of-a-kind, locally inspired fare using seasonal, sustainable ingredients. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and offers signature cocktails, bottled and draft beer, and an exclusive wine list. 4000 Coronado Bay Road, Coronado. (619) 424-4000 or crownlanding.com Four Seasons Residence Club Aviara has opened Seasons Restaurant to North County residents. Chef de cuisine Conor Ball offers a fresh, modern twist on farm-to-table cuisine blending locally sourced ingredients with his Pacific Northwest background. Menu highlights include Buttermilk-fried Quail Black Pepper Waffle, Hudson Valley Foie Gras and Kobe Ribeye. Stationed at the entrance of the restaurant is Seasons barista bar and marketplace featuring specialty coffees and teas with made-to-order house-made sauces and syrups, freshly squeezed juices, pastries and wine retail display. 7210 Blue Heron Place, Carlsbad. (760) 814-8677 or seasonsaviara.com Food & Wine Videos carolina.gusman@sduniontribune.com With climate change once again at the forefront of political discussions, the La Jolla Historical Societys new exhibit offers a fresh perspective on the issue through a collaboration of artists and scientists. Weather on Steroids: The Art of Climate Change Science pairs scientists from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography with local artists (except one from the Bay Area) to visually portray the effects of our changing climate. The result is a collection of work from 11 artists in a range of styles, including sculpture, mosaic and photography. Each piece comes with two panels of text one from the artist and one from a scientist. The idea was to bring artists in to create a thought-provoking show that was very relevant to society, said Heath Fox, executive director of the historical society. And, he said, because Scripps is the epicenter on research into climate and a La Jolla organization, the global problem takes on a local perspective that fits within the societys mission. Advertisement Science is about facts, but typically misunderstood. Scientists dont know how to communicate their knowledge to the public, said Alexander Gershunov, a research meteorologist and climate expert at who coordinated the scientists for the project. This exhibit is an effort to change that. A work by Tiersa Cosaert, titled Curios of the Future, is a modern take on the embalming jars of the 17th-century Dutch botanist and anatomist Frederik Ruysch and warns of a changing ocean environment. Cosaert created sculptures of cold-water fish that might disappear from our region as the Pacific waters warm and placed them in resin-filled jars. The jars are topped with sculptures of shells and fish that might thrive in warmer waters. Its an interesting take on that phenomenon happening, Fox said. Warming waters and the rising ocean is also the topic of a sculpture by Lilleane Pebbles, titled Tipping Point Climate Change. A blue-gray marble globe is perched tilting on a sloped slab of marble. The Earths landmasses are carved so they are lower than the ocean. A wire-framed man who is stepping on a book has his hands on the globe. This means different things to different people, Gershunov said. The man can be seen either as humanity trying to keep the Earth from tipping over, or as a representation of greed, ignoring facts and pushing the world past the point of no return. Dust, Dissolution, Ablaze, three mosaic panels, each of a human silhouette, depicts global warming, drought and flood. Artist Marcela Paz Luna Rossel uses found materials, such as sand, pebbles, animal bones, ceramic shards, and glass and slate pieces from the 2007 wildfires to set the tone through color and texture. Her work is really visceral, Gershunov said. It transforms the global climate issue into a human experience. Other artists take a direct approach to their subjects through photography of dying trees at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, the Laguna Mountains and Joshua Tree National Park. Whether its changing weather patterns or the loss of crops, the exhibit takes scientific facts and turns them into tangible images that add meaning and urgency to the problem. We want to stimulate public discourse on climate change, Fox said. Its so timely and so important. Schimitschek is a freelance writer. Weather on Steroids: The Art of Climate Change Science When: Noon to 4 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays. Through May 21. Where: La Jolla Historical Society, Wisteria Cottage Gallery, 780 Prospect St., La Jolla Tickets: Free Phone: (858) 459-5335 Online: lajollahistory.org When: June 10 to Sept. 3 Where: San Diego Central Library, 330 Park Blvd., downtown Tickets: Free Phone: (619) 236-5800 Online: sandiego.gov/public-library/about-the-library/projects/newcentral It was finally time for the secret witness. As two bodyguards escorted the man into the courtroom through a back entrance, New York real estate scion Robert Durst leaned forward slightly, tracing the mans steps with his eyes. It was Nathan Nick Chavin, his longtime friend and the man whose wedding he had attended as a groomsman. But on Wednesday, Chavin came to the Los Angeles County courtroom to testify for the prosecution in the murder case against the multimillionaire accused of killing their mutual friend. Advertisement The 73-year-old Durst is charged in the execution-style slaying of Susan Berman, who introduced the two men to each other decades ago. Prosecutors say Durst shot her inside her Benedict Canyon home in 2000 because she knew too much about the 1982 disappearance of his first wife, Kathleen. Durst has said that Berman who became his media spokeswoman after his wifes disappearance told him shortly before her death that detectives had reached out to her, asking questions about Kathleen. He has pleaded not guilty. Although a preliminary hearing in Dursts murder trial is not set to take place until October, prosecutors had sought to question Chavin, 72, in advance, saying they had uncovered evidence showing a possible danger to his life. While introducing himself in court Wednesday, Chavin spoke of both the defendant and the victim. Ive known Bob Durst for 25 or 30 years, he said. I met Bob Durst through a very dear friend of mine, Susan Berman. Chavin grew up in El Paso, worked for a while as a musician and received a masters degree in creative writing from San Francisco State University. He said he met Berman in the Bay Area in the late 1970s, soon before relocating to New York and getting work as a copywriter at an advertising agency. Before long, the witness said, Berman introduced him to Durst, and the trio became close friends. Chavin said he and Durst often visited clubs in New York together for boys night out, adding that Durst told him that he and Kathleen had an open marriage. The witness also testified that he had conversations with Kathleen, and that she described her husband as impossible and said she was afraid that he would hurt her physically. Chavin said Durst told him that he had once intentionally hit a police officer with his car while going 1 mph during a trip to the Bay Area, and also that he had once kicked a man in the head because he pissed him off. Chavin said Durst had been his best friend, adding that he had drastically changed the trajectory of his career by inviting him to do the advertising for some of the Durst Organizations holdings. That work became like a snowball, Chavin said, opening up the opportunity to add many other lucrative accounts. Durst, he said, had changed his life. Chavin often closed his eyes in court when speaking about Berman. He described her as an exceedingly generous person the type of friend, he said, who gave him a navy blazer worth about $400 after he moved to New York. She told him it was a must-have in work circles, knowing he was clueless about such things. Berman, whom he described as a second mother to his young daughter, had an air of eccentricity, he said. She liked her chicken cooked in a particular way, he said, and was utterly phobic about many things, including heights. The prosecutor said that the evidence would show that whoever killed Berman had knowledge of her phobias an indication, he said, that limits the potential pool of killers to a small group. Chavin, who will resume testifying Thursday, is the former boss of Susan Giordano, a close friend of Dursts. Giordano was also questioned by prosecutors Wednesday, saying she speaks with Durst at least once a week, even now that hes behind bars. Deputy Dist. Atty. John Lewin pressed Giordano about her relationship with the defendant, which she characterized as strictly platonic. Giordano said that over the years Durst had given her about $350,000. When pressed by the prosecutor, she said that she and Durst had spoken in the past of getting a love nest, where theyd live together for the rest of their lives. Durst stared at her, expressionless, as she testified, and as she walked off the witness stand, tears filled her eyes. FBI agents arrested Durst on March 14, 2015, at a hotel in New Orleans and found guns and stacks of cash. He was charged with Bermans murder two days later, but wasnt transferred to Los Angeles until November 2016, after being sentenced on federal gun charges. Bermans death and Kathleen Dursts disappearance were featured prominently in The Jinx, a six-part HBO documentary series about Robert Dursts life that aired in 2015. The series includes video from Dursts 2003 trial in Galveston, Texas, where he was accused of killing a neighbor, Morris Black. Durst admitted killing Black, saying hed shot him in self-defense before chopping up the mans body and tossing the pieces into Galveston Bay. He was ultimately acquitted of murder in Blacks death. marisa.gerber@latimes.com james.queally@latimes.com For more news from the Los Angeles County courts, follow me on Twitter: @marisagerber and @JamesQueallyLAT ALSO What Robert Durst said he meant when he told lawyers: I kill a lot Robert Durst said he was high on meth during some interviews for HBO series The Jinx Robert Durst murder case: Prosecutors can take early testimony from witnesses they say could die or be killed UPDATES: 8:30 p.m.: The story was updated with additional details from the days testimony. 4:25 p.m.: The story was updated with additional details from Chavins testimony. 4:10 p.m.: The story was updated with additional testimony from Chavin. The story was originally published at 3:10 p.m. A defendant who went to trial last year on felony charges in San Diego County was found guilty of a felony 64 percent of the time, according to an internal District Attorneys Office analysis of trial results. That means a defendant had a one in three chance of not being convicted of a felony, a result that includes outcomes such as dismissed charges and hung juries where a unanimous verdict wasnt reached. Thats one of several results from that year-end analysis detailed in a Dec. 2 email from Chief Deputy District Attorney David Greenberg to top managers and supervisors. The results were a little surprising, Greenberg said in the email, which The San Diego Union-Tribune obtained. Advertisement Defendants also were acquitted 14 percent of the time, he wrote. For less serious misdemeanors, the trial results were lower. Prosecutors had a 59 percent conviction rate on those cases, and defendants were acquitted at what Greenberg called a whopping 28 percent of the time. There is clearly a lot of room for improvement, he wrote. The numbers provide a look into how well prosecutors are doing when they have to convince a jury that someone is guilty. The numbers dont include negotiated pleas, which account for 92 percent of case dispositions, or the vast majority of prosecutions. Last year, 352 felony defendants went to trial out of 11,633 defendants who were charged with felonies. The trial results led Greenberg to write that in the coming year the office had to improve on choosing what cases go to trial, how to negotiate cases with defense lawyers and how the cases are tried. In his email, Greenberg said when he filtered out the hung juries, the felony conviction rate rose to 84 percent for the year, and the misdemeanor rate to 68 percent. That still falls well short of benchmarks the office has set for itself and casts a different light on comments District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis has made in the past touting the offices 94 percent conviction rate. Historically, the office has had a goal of a 90 percent conviction rate for felonies and 80 percent for misdemeanors. Last year, according to figures Greenberg provided during an interview, the office achieved an overall conviction rate of 86.2 percent. That number includes all convictions achieved by guilty pleas, jury trials and people convicted at a felony trial of a lesser misdemeanor charge. For example, juries can find someone not guilty of a serious felony charge such as assault but convict on a less serious misdemeanor charge of battery. The office counts those misdemeanor convictions in the overall felony conviction tabulation and always has. When we talk about our convictions when you are convicted of a misdemeanor, you are convicted, Greenberg said. He said the office is studying the reasons for the trial results and how to improve. Im taking a look at everything we do, Greenberg said. Like it was mentioned in the email, in the past when we talked about it we wanted to be at 90 percent. So its not 90 percent. Its a little below 90 percent. We want to figure out why that is, what we are doing and lets see if we can do better. The results from 2016 are worse than the previous two years. Felony trial convictions in 2015 were 70 percent, and acquittals were 10 percent. Those rates were identical in 2014. For misdemeanors in 2015, defendants were convicted 62 percent of the time at trial, and 24 percent were found not guilty. The year before, 60 percent were convicted and 26 percent found not guilty. Dumanis said the email was an internal accountability document that helps promote better work. I think we can always improve and always should improve, she said. I would like to see it be higher. I think its a good thing we review and reflect on how we handle things. It is difficult to know precisely how San Diego stacks up compared to other counties. Many county district attorneys keep statistics differently. The California District Attorneys Association also does not track such data for the counties, a spokeswoman said. But one nearby county had a better record in 2016 than San Diego. San Bernardino County convicted 79 percent of felony defendants at trial, and 65 percent of misdemeanor defendants. That county had fewer defendants go to trial 128 felony defendants and 64 misdemeanor defendants. Dumanis has long promoted her offices high overall conviction rate a number that includes guilty pleas and trial results. In her most recent re-election bid in 2014 she said the office had a 94 percent conviction rate. In 2016, the felony conviction rate just about hit that mark. Data provided by Greenberg showed a felony conviction rate of 93.7 percent a figure that included plea bargains, verdicts and cases where someone was convicted of a misdemeanor in a case charged as a felony. But the results from only trials are far lower. Dumanis said San Diego Countys district attorneys have for decades calculated conviction rates by including guilty pleas and trial results, even before she took office. She said using the overall felony conviction rate is not misleading. As long as you are being consistent, its accurate, she said, adding that San Diego continues to be one of the safest counties in the nation. Dumanis first won election in 2002 and recently announced she will not seek a fifth term in 2018. Twitter: @gregmoran greg.moran@sduniontribune.com As part of an ongoing naval bribery investigation, federal prosecutors arrested a Navy commander on Thursday for accepting bribes from corrupt contractor Leonard Glenn Francis and handing over classified information to him. Lt. Cmdr. Mario Herrera, 48, was arrested in San Antonio, Texas, and charged in a complaint with conspiracy to commit bribery. The U.S. Attorneys Office said Herrera is expected to eventually appear in San Diego federal court, where the investigation and prosecution of the cases linked to Francis are taking place. Advertisement In a complaint unsealed Thursday, Herrera was charged with accepting gifts, travel, expensive meals and the services of prostitutes from Francis company, Glenn Defense Marine Asia. In return, prosecutors said he provided Francis with classified information on ship schedules for the Seventh Fleet and used his position in the Navy to steer ships to visit ports that Francis company controlled. Once in those ports, Francis routinely gouged and overcharged the Navy for a wide spectrum of services his company provided, from sewage removal to ground transportation, security and communications. Francis, a Malaysian whose company was based in Singapore, has pleaded guilty in the massive scandal that has cascaded through the Navy officer corps for the past four years. He is awaiting sentencing, but under his plea he agreed to forfeit $35 million to the government a portion of the gross proceeds from the bribery scheme. Herrera becomes the 12th current or former Navy official charged in the investigation. Excluding Herrera, all but one have pleaded guilty. In addition to Francis, four other GDMA employees have been charged and pleaded guilty. The charges against Herrera echo what has become a familiar litany of corruption and misconduct by Navy personnel that was orchestrated over more than a decade by Francis, whose extroverted personality and plus-sized stature earned him the nickname Fat Leonard among officers in the Seventh Fleet. How Fat Leonard fleeced the fleet According to the unsealed complaint, Herrera was one of the self-described Wolf Pack or Band of Brothers a group of Navy officers who were on Francis payroll and did his bidding. They eagerly accepted the services of hookers and free trips, then helped Francis in his scheme to over bill the Navy when ships arrived in Asian ports he controlled. Herrera also worked with Cmdr. Jose Luis Sanchez, who was charged in the scandal, pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing. Herrera was the fleet operations and schedule officer aboard the Seventh Fleets flagship Blue Ridge from 2007 to 2009. He then served as the operations plans and policy director for Commander, Naval Forces Japan, in Yokosuka, until February 2012. Those positions gave him access to planned port visit schedules and input into where the ships would go, according to the complaint. It said Herrera was part of the bribery conspiracy from 2008 to 2013 and had various nicknames, including Choke OIC, for officer in command. In November 2008, the Band of Brothers was on a port visit in Hong Kong, and the members were treated to an evening that investigators described in the complaint as involving copious drinking, free hotel rooms and prostitutes. In an email the next day, Francis described the evening and then told Sanchez, Lets keep the brothers tight and req (require) the Choke OIC to provide weekly updates and the projected list of USCG, NATO and Canadian names, dates and ports. The acronyms refer to the Coast Guard and ships from the Canadian Navy and the NATO alliance. A month later, an email from Sanchez to Francis detailed gifts that Sanchez had handed out to Navy officials on behalf of GDMA. The invoice included two boxes of steaks to Herrera, each worth $900, according to the complaint. The complaint includes snippets of numerous emails from Sanchez and also from Herrera to Francis about ship schedules and Herreras efforts to get ships to Francis preferred ports. In September 2009, for example, Francis was emailing Herrera about getting ships to the port in Phuket, Thailand one of Francis pearl ports, where it was easier for him to scam the Navy, prosecutors have said. Herrera responded that he was having trouble getting some ships that Francis wanted to go there but added he had more success with the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group which can have a half dozen ships and up to 7,500 personnel. We got the RRSG going to Phk (Phuket) and I will push for NIM on the way back, he wrote on Sept. 1, 2009. NIM is a reference to the Nimitz aircraft carrier. The complaint said the Reagan Carrier Strike Group made a port visit to Phuket from Sept. 22 to Sept. 27, 2009. The visit cost the Navy $2.1 million, but the complaint does not say how much of that may have been inflated bills and other overcharges. Similarly, the Nimitz stopped in the port from Jan. 21 to Feb. 4, 2010, at a cost of $1.4 million. Again, the complaint doesnt say how much was fraudulently billed. Military Videos On Now D-Day paratrooper from Coronado jumps again in France at age 96 On Now Remembering war's fallen, one name at a time On Now In Ramona, an airplane and an aviator provide living lessons on World War II 1:43 On Now Video: Navy's newest vessel sails into San Diego and a new future in surface warfare On Now Video: U.S. Navy files homicide charges over warship collisions On Now Stopping Marine hazing On Now Video: U.S. Navy Air Crew Grounded After Creating Vulgar Sky Drawing On Now Navy says Asia Pacific ship collisions were avoidable On Now Hundreds of recruits get sick at Marine boot camp On Now Cutler Dawson Talks Navy Federal Twitter: @gregmoran greg.moran@sduniontribune.com San Diego police did not retaliate against a black sergeant who complained about racial discrimination and insensitivity within the department, including the use of a 1909 racist cartoon in a training session, a jury decided Thursday. Arthur Scott, 45, filed his lawsuit against the city in January 2015, claiming that he was subjected to a hostile work environment and forced to accept an unwanted transfer to another division after he complained about several incidents in 2014 and 2015. The case went to trial last month. Advertisement Attorneys for the city argued there was no proof that Scott, who has been with the department since 2004, was a victim of discrimination or retaliation and that he suffered no harm to his career. They said Scott was offered the opportunity to start fresh in another division after some missteps, including being at home on multiple occasions when he was supposed to be on duty and allegations that he mishandled an incident in December 2014 involving a mentally disturbed man armed with a sword. After the jurys decision, an attorney for the city said Scott was and continues to be a good officer overall. Sgt. Scott has an exemplary record. He was transferred to another division and hes thriving, said Deputy City Attorney George Schaefer, reiterating comments he made during the trial. The Superior Court jury seemed to agree. After a little more than two days of deliberations, the jurors found that Scott reasonably believed he was opposing allegations of racial discrimination or harassment by reporting certain incidents to his supervisors. But they did not find that he was subjected to adverse employment action when he was transferred from the Southeastern Division to Central Division or when he didnt get assigned to the departments domestic violence unit as a detective sergeant. Steven Conn, the jury foreman, said after the verdicts that this had been a difficult case to consider. He explained that while the jurors believed Scotts allegations against the city and the Police Department were made in good faith, they were not substantiated in court. We developed a very profound respect for Sgt. Scott, Conn said. We do not believe he was doing this for financial gain. One of the incidents Scott had complained about occurred in February 2011, when he saw racist and offensive images on officers lockers, including some that depicted President Barack Obama. When he reported this to a supervisor, he was told he was being hypersensitive, but the photos were removed. Then in May 2014, Scott learned from the commander of the departments Southeastern Division that he had been told to stop a mural project at the substation because some officers said it depicted too many black faces. Scott requested an investigation into the comments, which he believed were offensive. A few months later, Scott attended a training session at the San Diego Police Museum during which a speaker talked about Frank McCarter, the departments first black officer. The speaker passed around a copy of a 1909 clipping from a long-defunct newspaper, The San Diego Sun, as part of a lesson on department history. The clipping contained a cartoon depicting McCarter as an ape-like caricature along with Chinese men in pigtails running away from the officer. Scott told his supervisor he thought the cartoon was offensive to black and Asian people. The cartoon was pulled from training. I feel like the San Diego Police Department did everything right on this issue, Schaefer said outside the courtroom Thursday. He said department supervisors acknowledged that Scott was offended by the cartoon and a lieutenant offered him an apology. The purpose of the cartoon in the training session was not to offend, Schaefer said, but to educate trainees on the obstacles McCarter and trailblazers had to overcome. I applaud Chief (Shelley) Zimmerman for wanting her officers to know the history of the department because if you dont know your history youve lost something very important, Schaefer said. Scotts lawyers, Dan Gilleon and James Mitchell, argued in trial that Scott was transferred in January 2015 because he spoke out about the cartoon and other matters related to the treatment of black officers in the workplace. After the verdicts were read, Scott said although there are many good San Diego officers who serve the community admirably, racism still exists in the department. Its unacceptable, he said. We should have a platform to be able to speak out without fear of retaliation. Scott said he believed he had been successful in getting that message out to the public even though the jury did not find in his favor. dana.littlefield@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @danalittlefield BILLINGS -- The former Laurel police officer who was charged with partner assault in July has requested the Montana Supreme Court weigh in on his case. Jim Huertas, who was fired from the department in September, has asked that charges against him be dismissed on the grounds of double jeopardy. That request has already been denied by Billings Municipal Court Judge Shelia Kolar and Yellowstone County District Court Judge Michael Moses. Huertas was tried on a charge of partner or family member assault in January. A mistrial was declared after the alleged victim said Billings Police Office Paul LaMantia, a former business partner of Huertas, had delivered a subpoena for her to appear at trial. On July 24, the woman reported to police that Huertas had assaulted her. A medical exam showed she had "swelling and discoloration" around her left eye, according to court documents. She has since described what happened as an "adult fight" that had involved a struggle and mutual combat, according to trial testimony. LaMantia and Huertas previous parterned in a failed business venture. An internal investigation into LaMantia was conducted by the Billings Police Department after he allegedly assaulted Huertas, according to Huertas' writ of supervisory control. LaMantia served the subpoena the night before the Jan. 20 trial, according to the record. The officer did not tell the woman to not tell the truth, Kolar said at trial. But, he should never have served the subpoena, she said. The city moved to have a mistrial declared because LaMantia's conduct needed to be investigated. A new trial was supposed to move forward on Tuesday, but a week prior, Huertas moved to dismiss the case. Huertas' defense attorney, Lisa Bazant, filed for a motion to dismiss the charges for a violation of his right to due process and his right to be free from double jeopardy. At trial, Billings Police Officer Jared Lausch, who picked up the woman on the night she reported the assault, said he later began a romantic relationship with the victim, according to his testimony. The city of Billings has 20 days to respond to the request for Supreme Court intervention. Billings Police Chief Rich St. John said it is rare for one of his officers to serve subpoenas. However, if the court needs someone in court quickly, a shift commander may have to request an officer serve a subpoena. Billings police are not prohibited from starting relationships with people they meet during the course of their work, and are not required to report that information to their commanding officer, St. John said. If any of those relationships resulted in inappropriate use of their position, it would be properly handled, St. John said. The chief said he has never had to fire an officer over a relationship. The Billings Police Department generates more complaints from within the department than the police receive from the public, St. John said. If possible, officers in his department avoid involving themselves in anything that could impeach their credibility with the public, St. John said. If he found any of his officers had used their position inappropriately, disciplinary options can include termination, he said. A Carlsbad High School history teacher is among eight public school educators statewide suing their own districts and the California Teachers Association over the rights of unions to collect mandatory fees, even from non-members. The lawsuit, brought by the Center for Individual Rights on behalf of the teachers, resurrects a case that stalled last year when the U.S. Supreme Court deadlocked 4-4 on whether the fees are legal. The plaintiffs aim to press the issue before the nations top court again, in hopes that a new justice appointed by President Donald Trump could break the tie in their favor. In California, teachers may opt out of political contributions to their union, but must pay so-called agency fees to cover the cost of collective bargaining on issues such as class size, salary increases and health benefits. The lawsuit claims those negotiations are themselves political. Advertisement The Carlsbad High teacher, Bruce Aster, says the mandatory fees violate his right to free speech by forcing him to subsidize policies he opposes. I think tenure, as currently practiced, protects those few deadwood teachers with no incentive to excel in their craft, and the lack of any merit element in pay is a disincentive to excellence, Aster said in a statement provided by his attorney. I strongly favor charter schools, vouchers, and more choice for parents about schools. Aster, whom the lawsuit identified as a 29-year veteran of Carlsbad Unified School District, has never joined the union and would not pay to support the union if he had the choice, said Terry Pell, president of the Center for Individual Rights. He disagrees with many of the things the union pushes for both in collective bargaining and otherwise. Other teachers represented in the lawsuit also cited teacher tenure and accountability as points of disagreement with unions. Ryan Yohn, an employee of the Westminster School District in Orange County, said he objected to the unions support for laying off teachers based on seniority rather than performance evaluations. I have seen firsthand examples throughout the years where an amazing teacher .. was bumped out of their classroom or laid off simply because they were new, young and temporary, Yohn told the Los Angeles Times. About 10 percent of California teachers pay only the agency fees and dont contribute to their unions lobbying and campaign activities, Pell said. He estimates that roughly the same number would opt out of union dues entirely if they could. According to California law, however, unions must represent all employees, whether or not they are members. Allowing some teachers to avoid dues altogether would drain unions resources, and allow non-paying employees to enjoy benefits such as raises and health packages negotiated with funds from paying members. Im disappointed to see this case come up again, said Amanda Fanning, president of the Carlsbad Unified Teachers Association. Because what some people have called agency fees are really just what we call fair-share fees. She cited a report by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics showing that teachers who belong to unions earn an average of $1,500 per year more than those who dont, and said workplace deaths for union members are also lower, while insurance benefits are higher. Beyond salary and benefits, teachers unions negotiate for campus health and safety issues such as infrastructure upgrades, and remediation of mold, water leaks or other unsafe conditions, she said. In Carlsbad, she said, the union helped trim high school class sizes. Its important to understand that teachers working conditions are students learning conditions, Fanning said. So if we are not working in a safe environment, then they are not learning in a safe environment. Pell said that his clients dont want to be included in union negotiations, and would be happy to represent themselves if given the chance. Theyre good teachers, theyre in demand, and theyre not afraid to negotiate their own contracts, if it comes to that, he said. Carlsbad Unified and other school districts are named in the suit because of their role distributing union dues. Rick Grove, assistant superintendent for personnel services in Carlsbad, said the district doesnt have a position on the case, but said administrators there work well with the teachers union. In Carlsbad it would be safe to say that we have a very collaborative relationship with our bargaining units, he said. Pell said the case, filed in federal district court in Santa Ana, is likely to go to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, and could land in the Supreme Court between October 2017 and June 2018. He said the ruling would test First Amendment provisions on freedom of speech and association. The union calls these people free riders, but our clients feel like forced riders, he said. Theyre forced to pay for speech they dont agree with, theyre forced to pay for the union to bargain for a position they dont agree with. deborah.brennan@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @deborahsbrennan Its getting increasingly easier to find a place to recharge an electric vehicle in this county, with hundreds of sites where people can power up their cars and trucks. Officials announced Wednesday that the city of San Diego, for its part, has now built 68 charging ports at 15 locations including nine spots that were established since 2014 thanks to a $500,000 grant from the California Energy Commission. We hope that by locating charging stations in popular destinations, its easier and more convenient to use electric vehicles as well as encourage more people to purchase electric vehicles, Mayor Kevin Faulconer said in a statement. You can enjoy staying at a park, beach or library a little longer knowing you can charge your car there. Advertisement To date, the energy commission has awarded nearly $65 million to pay for more than 7,800 electric vehicle charging stations. The state expects to dole out an additional $17 million for electric charging infrastructure through the next fiscal year. For the San Diego region, the state awarded nearly $9 million last year to four companies to build 61 fast chargers along Interstate 5, Highway 99 and Highway 101. These stations allow electric vehicles to power up within 20 to 30 minutes. In San Diego city, the economic development department secured the $500,000 grant with help from the locally based Center for Sustainable Energy, as well as San Diego Gas & Electric and charging-station maker and operator OpConnect, officials said. The city installed its 68th charging port in December. Its network accepts credit cards, with fees ranging from $1.50 to $1.80 per hour of charging. The charging stations are dispersed throughout the city, such as at the downtown central library, the San Diego Zoo, the Ocean Beach lifeguard station and San Diego State Universitys aquatic center in Mission Bay. The city also built its first on-street charging station in Hillcrest at the intersection of Normal Street and University Avenue. Its obviously a huge plus for the community as we try to build more infrastructure for electric-vehicle charging in places where people spend time, said Jacques Chirazi, business development manager for the citys economic development department. The assorted efforts reflect an ongoing push by government leaders to boost use of electric cars and other zero-emission vehicles as a key way to lower greenhouse-gas emissions, which are linked to climate change. Experts have cited the lack of charging stations in California and the rest of the nation as a leading reason why very few Americans have decided to purchase an electric vehicle. Gov. Jerry Browns program to promote zero-emission vehicles calls for Californians to use at least 1.5 million such cars and trucks by 2025. In addition to charging ports overseen by municipal governments, others are being installed by utility companies and car makers like Tesla each with its own pricing scale or membership requirements. San Diego County currently has about 1,000 plug-in ports at 377 locations, according to the San Diego Association of Governments. A map of publicly available charging locations in this and other regions is maintained at plugshare.com. This summer, San Diego Gas & Electric plans to start building the first of its planned 3,500 charging stations. Pacific Gas & Electric and Southern California Edison have launched similar projects as part of proposals to develop a comprehensive support infrastructure for electric vehicles. Together, the three utilities plans would cost more than $1 billion. The companies are seeking approval from the California Public Utilities Commission to raise ratepayers monthly electricity bills to pay for the envisioned projects. Twitter: @jemersmith Phone: (619) 293-2234 Email: joshua.smith@sduniontribune.com The county Board of Supervisors on Wednesday blocked efforts to explore a public energy program that would provide residents and businesses an alternative to San Diego Gas & Electric. Despite Supervisor Dianne Jacob urging approval, the board decided against launching a feasibility study of a government-run electricity program that in parts of California has routinely delivered more power from renewable-energy sources for roughly the same price or lower than what investor-owned utilities charge. The arrangements, known as community choice aggregation, or CCA, is being adopted by an increasing number of cities and counties statewide. They typically take the authority to buy and sell power away from utilities. Those companies continue to maintain the pipes and wires that deliver the electricity while municipal government officials or their appointees decide which power plants to contract with or invest in. Advertisement In California, most of the local governments that embrace a CCA aim to aggressively ramp up use of renewable energy as a way to counter climate change by reducing emissions of greenhouse gases. On Wednesday, the supervisors were considering the CCA study as part of a range of potential projects considered to be environmentally friendly from taking better stock of wind-energy projects in unincorporated communities to raising the publics awareness about use of solar-panel systems. The broader effort is known as the Comprehensive Renewable Energy Plan, which has been in the making since 2013. Newly minted Supervisor Kristin Gaspar, former mayor of Encinitas, opposed the plan to study how CCA would impact rates for residents in the county. In my view, when youre ready to move forward and pull the trigger, thats when you do the feasibility study, Gaspar said at the boards meeting in downtown San Diego. I ask you, Whats the rush? she added. Lets get this right, not rushed. Supervisors Greg Cox and Bill Horn were equally reluctant to look into the idea. Supervisor Ron Roberts was away in Washington, D.C., on business. Jacob pleaded with her colleagues to no avail. I suggest theres a good reason to at least explore the feasibility of this. There seem to be a lot of other areas of this state and in this county that believe in competition, and they believe in bringing choices to consumers. Im not sure why anybody would go against that, Jacob said. During the session, the San Diego County Taxpayers Association, several contractors with Sempra Energy San Diego Gas & Electrics parent company and others challenged the value of conducting a feasibility study about community choice aggregation. Today, were told that if government is in control of procurement, were going to have more renewables and lower emissions. But actual experience makes this conclusion highly questionable, said Frank Urtasun, regional vice president of external relations for Sempra Energy. Climate-change activists from groups such as SanDiego350 spoke in favor of CCA. The whole point of doing a study is to evaluate what are the benefits and opportunities that are available, and what are the risks? We are not asking you to do something unless it makes economic sense, said Nicole Capretz, executive director of the Climate Action Campaign. There are five CCAs operating in California, including Marin Clean Energy, Sonoma Clean Power and Lancaster Choice Energy in Los Angeles County. An additional 10 CCA programs are scheduled to launch within the next two years, and other governments are in various stages of considering CCAs. In San Diego County, Solana Beach has completed a rate study for CCA and is moving forward with implementation. San Diego city is completing its formal assessment, while Del Mar, Oceanside and Encinitas are also exploring the idea. The countys Comprehensive Renewable Energy Plan includes multiple strategies for officials to consider in what would be an overhaul of the countys Climate Action Plan, which is due out in late 2018. The county was forced to redraft its climate blueprint for reducing greenhouse-gas emissions after the Sierra Club successfully sued the county, alleging that the plan was vague and lacked sufficient enforcement measures. The county appealed the case to the California Supreme Court, which declined to hear it in 2015. The board on Wednesday agreed to move forward with a host of less controversial initiatives, such as developing a sustainability task force, tracking solar and wind projects in the county, increasing its use of renewable energy on government facilities and creating a green energy education program. However, the supervisors also split with Jacob on the issue of studying micro grids to improve power reliability in the backcountry. After some negotiation, the board agreed to direct staff to come back in a year with an update on other community choice programs around the county and state. *CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story said the county supervisors voted on the CCA study proposal, but in actuality, the measure died without the panel taking a vote. The Union-Tribune regrets the error. Twitter: @jemersmith Phone: (619) 293-2234 Email: joshua.smith@sduniontribune.com Climate change activists known as the Valve Turners spoke Monday evening in San Diego about their choice to engage in civil disobedience that could land them in prison for decades. In October, protesters in Washington, Montana, North Dakota and Minnesota coordinated protest, temporarily cutting off tar sands oil coming from Canada into the United States. Advertisement After shutting off the pipeline valves by hand, these activists waited for authorities to arrive and arrest them. They now face legal prosecution. Their goal was to raise public awareness about the use of fossil fuels such as oil, which emit greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. They also aim to wage a potentially precedent-setting court battle, arguing that the threat of climate change creates a legal necessity to engage is such civil disobedience. They hope that a favorable ruling in at least one of their cases will encourage others to adopt similar tactics. SanDiego350, the local affiliate of the national grassroots group 350.org, hosted four of the Valve Turners on Monday night in a free event to facilitate a conversation about the value of such protests. Annette Klapstein, Emily Johnston, Leonard Higgins and Michael Foster spoke to a crowd of local activists. Ken Ward, who also took part in the protests, could not attend because of a court appearance. The engagement was part of a public tour for the Valve Turners that has included Reno, Nevada, Sacramento, Berkeley and Los Angeles. The activists now plan to speak in Oregon and then the East Coast. Twitter: @jemersmith Phone: (619) 293-2234 Email: joshua.smith@sduniontribune.com The news reached Mariupol Mayor Vadim Boychenko via a morning phone call from an assistant: A rocket attack damaged 11 houses on the outskirts of the Ukrainian city. There were no casualties, but a major concern had become a reality: The escalation of fighting elsewhere in the nation in recent weeks had reached the industrial city, a key component in southeast Ukraines struggling economy. Weve gotten used to a peaceful life, Boychenko said during a recent interview at his office. I really dont want to return to the problems we had started to forget. Advertisement Ukraines nearly three-year battle against Kremlin-backed separatists in the east erupted into the worst fighting in two years in late January. Exactly why the fighting intensified recently remains unclear, though such encounters have occurred with some frequency during unrest that included Russias annexation of Crimea in March 2014. The small city of Avdiivka, 90 miles north of Mariupol, became the epicenter of the recent violence. The fighting quickly spread along a 300-mile line separating the Ukrainian government-controlled lands and those claimed by separatists in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Mariupol had seen only sporadic fighting over the last two years, primarily in the regions eastern villages. But as news trickled in about the bombardment of Avdiivka, Mariupol began again hearing the deep rumble of explosions and heavy artillery fire less than 10 miles away. The fighting halted vital shipments from Avdiivkas coal processing plant to Mariupols massive iron and steel works plants, jeopardizing production at one of the regions biggest employers. Many local residents said they feared the renewed violence could quash the growing sense of confidence in Mariupol after nearly two years of relative stability. One concern in the region is that President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin could strike a deal that would lift U.S. sanctions on Russia or force Ukraine to make painful compromises with Moscow. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has urged Western leaders to keep sanctions in place. Sanctions are the only way to get Putin to the table, he said last week in an interview with journalists and academics in Kiev, the capital. Nationally, there is little faith in the Minsk agreements, a road map to peace brokered in 2014 by European leaders between Ukraine, the Kremlin and the separatist rebel leaders. Poroshenko maintains that Ukraine is committed to its obligations to the agreements. Minsk is my plan. Putin accepted it. His signature is there, he said. Mariupol has gone through a noticeable transformation since war erupted in eastern Ukraine in the spring of 2014. Once the epitome of a run-down, Soviet industrial port city with two massive metallurgy plants puffing out pollution day and night, Mariupol in the last two years has emerged as a center of civic activism in Ukraines southeastern battlefront. The city was the center of several violent outbreaks in spring 2014, when Ukrainian forces and supporters of the pro-Russian separatist groups fought gun battles in the downtown streets. The charred former police headquarters and city council buildings still stand as reminders. On Jan. 24, 2015, a missile attack hit an eastern region of Mariupol dense with Soviet-era concrete housing blocks, killing at least 30 people. The previously politically passive, mostly Russian-speaking city created community groups that mobilized to gather whatever money they could to buy medical kits, food, and flak jackets and helmets for Ukraines ill-prepared military. The fighting displaced 1.75 million eastern Ukrainians, but locals opened their homes and about 56,000 newcomers settled in Mariupol. We dont call them refugees anymore, Boychenko said. They are new Mariupolites and have already become part of our city. Once-thriving Donetsk is now occupied by rebel forces, so Mariupol, the largest city in the Donetsk region under Ukrainian control, became the de facto cultural hub of the eastern industrial area along the Don River basin, known as the Donbas. Displaced activists from Donetsk opened an avant-garde theater and creative space that has hosted some of the countrys big names in modern talent. Small businesses grocery stores, small restaurants and mom-and-pop shops whose owners fled the fighting returned, and new cafes have opened. Ukraines most popular music group, Okean Elzy, gave a free concert in May attended by more than 30,000 people. Weve been working all year to create a positive mood in the city, Boychenko said. Alex Ryabchyn, a deputy in Ukraines parliament who was born in Mariupol, said the city is in the early stages of reinvention. The population is starting to think of themselves as being the center of southeastern Ukraine. Thats new, said Ryabchyn, who was an economics professor in Donetsk State University before fleeing to Kiev after the pro-Russia rebel takeover. Mariupol faces major challenges, particularly in the economic sphere. Ukraines economy has been battered since protests ousted a Moscow-friendly president, Viktor Yanukovich in 2014. The war ripped apart the countrys coal mining and steel processing industry, destroying many plants and severely curtailing production in those that survived. The aging steel plants need modernization and the economy needs diversification to revitalize the region. Highways linking Mariupol to other cities are so bad that drivers are forced to reroute to avoid the worst sections. Train rides from Kiev to Mariupol, about 500 miles, take 18 hours, and the airport cannot accept commercial flights because of its location near the front lines of fighting. Mariupol can feel like an isolated peninsula in Ukraine, an image many hoped was changing. You can see why [an increase in fighting] is a problem, Irina Chirkova, 24, a waitress in Mariupol, said as a series of explosions pierced the cold air. We have a lot of potential here a big port, an airport and nice beaches. But our infrastructure needs investment, and who is going to invest in us now with this war? Sabra Ayres is a special correspondent. After Rep. Darrell Issa won re-election by a razor-thin margin, the National Republican Congressional Committee has put him in its Patriot Program, a special fundraising and campaign operation that helps incumbents keep their seats. Issa, a Vista Republican, is an anomaly of the 10-member group. Serving in his ninth term, Issa joins five freshmen representatives, three more elected in 2015 and another in 2013. Clearly the most seasoned among them, Issa has chaired an influential House committee, and has built a national profile and network of donors. Unlike some of the Patriot Programs other members, Issas district, which includes northern San Diego County and southern Orange County, is solidly Republican. Advertisement While Issa has advantages going into the 2018 mid-term elections that his colleagues lack, he won re-election in the closest congressional race in the country after defeating Democrat Doug Applegate by a mere 1,621 votes. Applegate has already announced hes running again. Patriot Program candidates are supported with a communications plan, fundraising, campaign infrastructure and other necessities of a race, said Jack Pandol, a committee spokesman. There are also some other benefits Republicans are keeping under wraps. We dont get into the specifics of what that plan entails because we dont like giving away a winning playbook to Democrats, Pandol said. Whatever secrets are in the playbook, they seem to work. In November, 16 of the 20 candidates named to last years program were re-elected, while three lost and one retired from office. The Patriot Program indicates that the GOP is focused on this race, and that there will be more scrutiny of Applegate, Issas spokesman Calvin Moore said. It shows Republicans are serious about pushing back against the millions of dollars of special-interest money spent on attack ads and false smear campaigns against Congressman Issa in the last election, he said. Applegate did not return a request for comment. Congressman Darrell Issa, R-Vista, answers reporters questions from reporters at his Oceanside campaign headquarter on election day. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) The NRCC names members to the program based not only on how close their races were, but also on the outcomes of other races in the districts, voter registration statistics and trends, Pandol said. Democrats are targeting Issa, and put his seat on a list of 20 districts they hope to flip in 2018. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is hiring a full-time organizing staffer and online ad campaign early in the election cycle The Democratic committees chairman, Ben Ray Lujan, said theyre trying to harness momentum from the Womens Marches across the country and other protests A grassroots effort has also put pressure on Issa and other Republicans as well as Democrats to not only oppose policies from President Donald Trump, but to pay closer attention to their district. Through regular protests and petitions, Issas constituents, led by a loosely organized group of progressives, have tried for months to get a face-to-face meeting with their representative to no avail. Issa said he prefers to hold teleconferences because they are more orderly and cost-effective, but the constituents say that a phone call is not enough, and have invited the congressman to attend a town hall discussion about health care they have organized next week at their own expense. Congress is not in session that day, and so far Issa has not said if he plans to attend. Issas race last year was one of the most-watched in the country, in part because one of the most influential and well-known members of the House was fighting an underdog with no name recognition and a shoestring budget who managed a serious challenge. Applegate finished the primary with 45.5 percent of the vote, while Issa got 50.8 percent and far-left candidate Ryan Wingo received 3.7 percent. The close primary caused Issa, who had cruised to re-election seven times since he won his first race in 2000, to mount a different style of campaign. For the first time he erected yard signs, held a series of neighborhood meetings, and took bike and bus tours of the district. While he intensified his efforts leading up to Election Day, the contest was so close that it took 20 days to count enough votes to determine that Issa had won another term. The general election was even closer than the primary, with Issa receiving 50.3 percent to Applegates 49.7. The day after Applegate conceded he announced that he would run again in 2018. Issas campaign, in response, went on the attack. Voters already rejected Applegate once and the millions of dollars outside special interests spent attacking Congressman Issa and theyll do it again, his spokesman Moore said in a statement at the time. The NRCCs Patriot Program was created in 2009 to help incumbents whose political careers might be derailed. Our Patriots are a group of battle-tested members who won hard fought races in 2016 and are ready to win once again, NRCC Chairman Steve Stivers said in a statement. Each of those announced is not only an effective member in Congress, but an integral advocate for the communities they serve. This years class has 10 members, including three from California, but will likely add additional participants as the election nears. Stivers and Rep. Ryan Costello, R-Pennsylvania, are running the program. Twitter: @jptstewart joshua.stewart@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1841 Morse High and Fulton Elementary schools locked down Wednesday on a report that teens with a gun were nearby. Police scoured the Bay Terraces neighborhood and the Morse High School campus for an hour, but found nothing suspicious. School district police learned about 10:40 a.m. that four or five teens had walked through Fulton Elementary on Skyline Drive, and one might have had a gun, San Diego police Officer Billy Hernandez said. Advertisement They were thought to have continued walking toward Morse High. The boy with the gun was described as wearing a red hoodie and blue jeans, Hernandez said. Officers from both police departments searched the area but didnt find anyone with a gun. Hernandez said officers dont think they got into any school buildings. The search ended about 11:40 and the lock-downs were lifted, he said. The owner of a laptop computer who expected to sell it through an Internet deal was robbed instead in Oak Park Thursday, San Diego police said. Police said the sale had been arranged through OfferUp, a website similar to Craigslist where people connect to buy and sell everything from antiques to video games. The victim called police shortly after noon to report she had been robbed at gunpoint by a man and a teenager, Officer Billy Hernandez said. Advertisement They had arranged to meet near 52nd Street and Oak Park Drive. The robbers arrived in a silver or white, four-door Dodge Challenger or Charger. The passenger, a black man possibly in his 20s, carried a gun and wore a gray hoodie and jeans with rhinestones, Hernandez said. The victim told police the driver looked like a young teenager. A 59-year-old woman was killed and her husband was gravely injured when they were hit by a car that ran a red light in Mira Mesa Thursday morning, authorities said. The Medical Examiners Office identified her Saturday as Lilian Sta Romana Ramos. The couple were walking south across Mira Mesa Boulevard in a crosswalk at Marbury Avenue about 6 a.m., San Diego police said. Advertisement The 26-year-old male driver of a small Honda was heading east and ran a red light, police Officer Tony Martinez said. The car was in a middle lane when it hit the pedestrians. The woman died in the roadway before medics could get her to a hospital. Her husband, 64, was hospitalized with a broken femur and serious head injuries, authorities said. The driver stopped after the collision. The small cars windshield was smashed in from the impact with one or both of the victims. Eastbound lanes of Mira Mesa Boulevard were closed between Greenford Drive and Black Mountain Road during the investigation. Crime in San Diego is down way down, to one of the lowest levels in more than 40 years. That was the good news announced Tuesday by the police chief and the mayor. So why does it seem to take forever for a police officer to show up when you call for one? Advertisement Slow response time was the biggest complaint by police customers surveyed last year. It was also a bit of bad news out of the 2016 city crime report: Response times were up for most calls for service, even though the total number of calls declined by 4 percent. For instance, if you wanted to turn in a found wallet or have a car ticketed for blocking your driveway, your average wait for an officer was about 2 hours last year. That was about 30 minutes longer than it would have taken in 2015. Even on a high priority call, when someones life might be in danger or a serious crime is being committed, it took police an average of 16 minutes to get there. Going back five years, that type of call got an average response time of 11 minutes. For the most urgent, immediately life-threatening situations, police arrived in seven minutes, on average the same as in 2015. We were able to maintain that, San Diego police Chief Shelley Zimmerman said. Looking at the raw numbers, it would seem that police are generally less busy, but slower. The chief doesnt see it quite that way. But she acknowledged that of 900 people surveyed about SDPD service last year, the No. 1 gripe was how long it took for officers to show up. She offered some possible reasons. Officers are busier than ever with mental health-related calls, for one thing. They had upward of 700 more such calls last year than the prior year, she said. Every one takes time to de-escalate, Zimmerman said. They take a tremendous amount of time. And with officers tied up longer trying to coax a mentally ill person into cooperating, other calls stack up. Zimmerman said there are more calls involving firearms, and those, too, require a more cautious, slower approach to resolve. Other factors include: How many higher priority calls came in about the same time How many officers are on duty How many need to go to the same call as a safety precaution This situation of overall fewer calls for service and longer average response times wasnt new last year. The 2015 report, as presented to the City Councils Public Safety and Livable Neighborhoods Committee, shows the same thing. However, while that years total calls for service dropped by 5.9 percent, the number of top priority calls rose by 16.2 percent and the lowest priority calls went up 6.8 percent. Its not necessarily the quantity of calls, its the quality, the chief said. Listening to someone is not just being quiet. You have to truly respect and understand what the other person is saying. That takes time. Were not just going from radio call to radio call. A pedestrian who walked against a red light was struck by a car and seriously injured in Little Italy early Wednesday, San Diego police said. The victim and a companion crossed north on Hawthorn Street at Columbia Street about 3:35 a.m. The victim, a 27-year-old man, was hit by a Mercedes traveling westbound, police Officer Dino Delemitros said. He said the driver, a 47-year-old man, had a green light. Advertisement The victim suffered a fracture to his leg and was taken to a hospital. His injury was not considered life-threatening. His companion was not struck by the Mercedes, Delemitros said. Breaking News Email: david.hernandez@sduniontribune.com Phone: (619) 293-1876 Twitter: @D4VIDHernandez San Diego police on Wednesday appealed for information from the public about a man who vanished a little more than three years ago during a business trip from Tijuana to San Diego. Jose Alberto Ortigoza, of Tijuana, was last seen while entering the United States at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry on Jan. 24, 2014, San Diego police said. He was on a business trip on behalf of his employer, Especies y Granos de Baja California, a Tijuana-based wholesale spice and grain company. Ortigoza, then 26, walked across the border about 3 p.m., en route to a sister company of his employer on Airway Road in Otay Mesa. No one has heard from him since. At the time, Ortigozas wife, Denise Reneteria, said his disappearance was out of character and that he was a family man who spent most of his time at home with their son, who was 2 years old. Advertisement Police said he may have been in a 2008 or late-model GMC Acaida SUV. Anyone with information about the disappearance was asked to call the San Diego Police Departments missing persons unit at (619) 531-2293 or the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at (888) 580-8477. Tipsters may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Breaking News Email: david.hernandez@sduniontribune.com Phone: (619) 293-1876 Twitter: @D4VIDHernandez Ellen Ochoa, a San Diego State University graduate who became the first Hispanic woman to travel in space and who rose to her current position as director of NASAs Johnson Space Center in Houston, has been elected to the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame. The 58-year-old Ochoa is honored for her decades of work, which has ranged from service aboard four shuttle flights and her stewardship of the space center, which has handled NASAs manned space flight efforts since the early days of the American space program. Ochoa spent much of her childhood in La Mesa and graduated from Grossmont High School in El Cajon in 1975. She earned a bachelors degree in physics from San Diego State, then went on to receive a masters degree and a doctorate in electrical engineering from Stanford University. Advertisement Ochoa later conducted research in intelligent systems at NASA Ames and was chosen for astronaut training in 1990. Her inaugural space mission, which occurred in 1993, was devoted to studying Earths ozone layer. Ochoa spent a total of nearly 1,000 hours in space during that mission and the subsequent three. She was stationed in NASAs Mission Control in 2003 when the space shuttle Columbia exploded, killing seven astronauts. Ochoa became director of the Johnson Space Center in 2013, making her one of the few women ever to hold an executive position at NASA. Im honored to be recognized among generations of astronauts who were at the forefront of exploring our universe for the benefit of humankind, she said in a statement released by NASA. I hope to continue to inspire our nations youth to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math so they, too, may reach for the stars. Science Playlist On Now In a first, scientists rid human embryos of a potentially fatal gene mutation by editing their DNA On Now Space station flyovers visible from San Diego this week 0:55 On Now UCSD's 'ghost drivers' begin testing people's reaction seemingly empty cars 1:29 On Now 10 interesting facts about Mars On Now Kids can add years to your life On Now LA 90: SpaceX launches recycled rocket On Now Big passions, big giving: Malin Burnham 2:30 On Now Big passions, big giving: Darlene Shiley 2:40 On Now Big passions, big giving: Joan and Irwin Jacobs 2:45 On Now Ocean temperatures warming at rapid rate, study finds Twitter: @grobbins gary.robbins@sduniontribune.com Months after Lorena Gonzalez and Nathan Fletcher began their well-publicized romance, a courtship that culminated in a New Years Day wedding, the San Diego assemblywoman solicited tens of thousands of dollars in donations to her then-boyfriends fledgling charity. The 2016 contributions came in chunks of $5,000 and $10,000 from some of the best-known special interests in Sacramento Chevron, Big Pharma, San Diego Gas & Electric and the tribal councils in charge of the Barona and Viejas casinos. In all, Gonzalez-Fletcher, D-San Diego, reported five donations totaling $35,000 to the Three Wise Men Veterans Foundation, the nonprofit Fletcher set up after his second failed campaign for San Diego mayor. Advertisement 1 / 1 Then-Assemblywoman Toni Atkins, D-San Diego, reported a $5,000 donation from Barona to Garfield Elementary School. Atkins is now a state senator. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) The couple announced they were dating in 2015. The solicitations started in June and continued into November. Several of them came after the same donors contributed the maximum allowed to Gonzalez-Fletchers re-election campaign. Gonzalez-Fletcher said there was nothing untoward about the fundraising and did not rule out doing it again. The solicitations amounted to little more than an email sent out by her office, she said, and Fletcher took the lead following up with potential donors. I found out after the fact that Nathan had contacted those same people and others, she said by telephone. When they donated, out of an abundance of caution, we went ahead and disclosed it. Im glad I could help out a nonprofit whose purpose is to keep veterans from killing themselves. The solicitations are a little-known practice called behested payments. State rules allow solicitation of such contributions for legislative, governmental or charitable purposes. Donations of $5,000 or more must be reported to the state Fair Political Practices Commission, and $7.4 million in behested payments were reported by state elected officials statewide in 2016. Carl Luna, head of the Institute for Civil Civic Engagement at the University of San Diego, said he was unaware of behested payments until asked about the practice by U-T Watchdog. The big objection I have is this is using public power to advance a personal interest, Luna said. Even if you dont have a personal stake in it, why should these groups get it when all these other groups arent even in the competition? Fletcher, who married Gonzalez in Balboa Park hours after celebrating his 40th birthday on New Years Eve, served two terms in the state Assembly before falling short in campaigns for San Diego mayor in 2012 and 2013. He said the donations to the Three Wise Men Veterans Foundation were properly recorded and sustain an important cause. I am grateful for anyone, including my now wife, who supports our efforts, Fletcher said by telephone. I wish more folks would step up to use whatever influence and contacts they have to help veterans, whether its my group or any other group. Fletcher, who was first elected as a Republican and later ran for mayor as an independent before becoming a Democrat, is a former U.S. Marine who spent eight months in Iraq in 2004. He is an executive at Qualcomm, teaches part-time at the University of California San Diego and has been mentioned as a candidate for county supervisor in 2018. His nonprofit takes its name from Fletchers cousins brothers named Jeremy Wise, Ben Wise and Beau Wise who served in the armed services after the 9/11 terror attacks. Jeremy Wise was killed in Afghanistan in 2009; Ben Wise died there two years later. Three Wise Men is too new to have filed and released tax returns, a measure of transparency the government requires in return for tax exempt status. The organization has raised tens of thousands of dollars from business and government leaders in recent months, including a pair of $5,000 grants from the County of San Diego. Fletcher said he takes no salary from the foundation and donates his time. The charity said in its state registration application that it does or will compensate its officers, directors or trustees. Board member Paul Worlie said none of the three board members are being paid for their service and that disclosure was meant to be forward-looking. As the organization grows, 3WM wants to have the flexibility to add staff members who could be considered officer, he said by email. Worlie works for the San Diego public relations firm Nuffer Smith Tucker, which had a $5,000-per-month contract with the nonprofit to perform media communications and other services. Worlie said the contract ended last month. Gonzalez-Fletcher announced she was dating Fletcher in September 2015. In 2016, she awarded him the Veteran of the Year distinction for her Assembly district and helped raise money for his foundation. According to the Fair Political Practices Commission, the Barona Band of Mission Indians donated $5,000 to the charity on June 28, 2016, six months after giving Gonzalezs re-election campaign the maximum $4,200. The Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians donated $10,000 to Fletchers nonprofit July 18, six months after the tribe gave the maximum $4,200 to Gonzalezs campaign. Chevron wrote $2,100 checks to the Gonzalez campaign in April and August, then donated $5,000 to the Three Wise Men Veterans Foundation in November. San Diego Gas & Electric gave $5,000, and the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America gave $10,000 to the group at the assemblywomans request. Gonzlez-Fletcher reported three other behested contributions in 2016 $5,000 each from SDG&E and AT&T to The Jacobs and Cushman San Diego Food Bank and $5,000 from Barona to Joyner Elementary, a magnet school in City Heights. Also see Who did other San Diego lawmakers hit up for contributions to favorite charities? Watchdog Videos On Now Sexual misconduct accusers worry deputy is being protected 6:16 On Now City funded $2-million waterfront bathroom 1:26 On Now Public water district charges customer for legal work, response to records request On Now Video: Tiny homes won't be reused amid housing, homeless crisis On Now Attorney General seeks documentation for Miss Middle East On Now Rep. Hunter probe covers possible fraud On Now Video: SDG&E delaying solar credit for some low-income housing tenants On Now Video: Former San Diego Junior Theatre teacher sentenced for sex with teen girl 0:24 On Now Video: Shelter volunteers believe they were fired for finding a dog a home 0:49 On Now McKamey Manor is leaving San Diego 3:35 jeff.mcdonald@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1708 @sdutMcDonald DECATUR Hunter Roush, 19, of Decatur was arraigned Wednesday on seven felony counts of child pornography for allegedly uploading videos of young children engaged in sex acts and making them available for distribution. Roush, who serving a two-year court supervision term for a juvenile conviction on child pornography charges in a 2015 case, is being held in the Macon County Jail on $100,000 bond. The Decatur police executed a search warrant at Roush's eastside residence the morning of Feb. 9. Officers seized cellphones, computers and external media devices. Because the children who were victimized in the videos were younger than 13, each count is Class X, carrying a penalty of six to 30 years in prison, if Roush is convicted. Police detective Ron Borowczyk was informed of the child pornography case through a tip given to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which was then transmitted to the Illinois Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Dropbox Inc., a repository for digital files, reported to the NCMEC on Nov. 2 that the company would turn over files and other information on a service user who was in the possession, manufacture and distribution of child pornography, said an affidavit by Borowczyk. The individual who was uploading the files had registered as Hunter Roush. The Internet Protocol address associated with the file uploads showed a location in Decatur. Of 37 files turned over to NCMEC, 36 of the files were video type files that contained material that can be defined as child pornography, Borowczyk wrote in his statement. One folder, created by the user identified as Roush, was titled Cheese pizza videos 2. It contained 22 of the 36 videos that were sent to the center for missing and exploited children. In response to an inquiry from Borowczyk, center officials said some of the videos were from series previously identified by other law enforcement agencies. A 42-second-long video depicting a child engaged in a sex act with an adult was from a known series identified as Dorisara. The victim was about 8 years old at the time of the production, according to a law enforcement officer. Another officer had made contact with a victim depicted in videos in the Tara series. She was between the age of 5 and 9 years old when law enforcement made contact with this victim. A 92-second video shows her being sexually assaulted by an adult. In a 44-second video, in which a girl younger than 10 is sexually assaulted, the identifying agency was the Swedish Police. Roush is due in circuit court March 8 for his preliminary hearing. Officials at the National Zoo in Washington D.C. are preparing to bid a fond farewell to Bao Bao, a U.S.-born giant panda who will be leaving the land of her birth and heading to her ancestral home in China next week. The beloved 3-year-old bear, whose name means precious or treasure, will be leaving Feb. 21 when she will be loaded into a crate and onto the custom-decaled FedEx Panda Express. Accompanied by her keeper and a veterinarian, her in-flight meals will include more than 55 pounds of bamboo and other panda treats. Proceeding her departure, the bear will be celebrated on Monday with an ice cake in the shape of a Chinese pagoda and presented with gifts that include a suitcase filled with symbols of her home town as well as her future abode in Chengdu, China, according to the National Zoos Bye Bye Bao Bao page. Advertisement Zoo officials also have a host of other events planned leading up to the big departure day. Keepers have taken over the Zoos Instagram page where they are posting photos of Bao Bao as she spends her last days in the U.S. There will also be a live, behind-the-scenes look at keepers packing and getting ready for the move which will be broadcast on the Zoos Facebook page on Monday. Fans can watch Bao Bao and all the festivities on the Zoos Panda Cam. The bears trip to China is part of a breeding agreement with the China Wildlife Association that stipulates that all cubs born at the National Zoo must be relocated to the Asian country when they are four years old. She will live at the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant panda where her brother Tai Shan has been since 2010. Already nostalgic zoo employees have begun sharing their fond memories of the bear who has been in their charge since she was born in 2005 and was no bigger than a stick of butter. One of her keepers wrote, My favorite Bao Bao moment was the first time she experienced a snow storm. Watching her roll down the hill holding a log had me laughing out loud! Another reminisced that the curious bear always climbed trees and peeked over the fence at keepers to see what they were doing. Still another wrote, Bao Bao is so active and silly when no one is watching. In the middle of the night, she plays wildlyjumping up and down, running around, throwing her toys and dragging bamboo around her enclosure. Its a whole other side of her that she seems to keep to herself. Bao Bao is scheduled to leave the zoo at 7:15 a.m. Pacific time Tuesday and her flight will depart from Dulles International Airport at 10:30 PST. Both events will be broadcast on Facebook Live. 619-293-1710 debbi.baker@sduniontribune.com twitter.com/Debbi_Baker Planned Parenthood of America is under attack by the newly elected Congress. Last month, Rep. Diane Black, R-Tennessee, reintroduced HR 354, the Defund Planned Parenthood Act of 2017. The difference between this introduction and all the previous ones is that now there is a president who has pledged to sign the bill. On the Saturday following the Friday that Donald Trump took his oath of office, hundreds of thousands of women (and girls and boys and men) converged on Washington, D.C., and millions marched across the United States and around the world to stand up for womens rights, including the right of women to make their own reproductive health care decisions. Related: Wrong for abortion to be federally funded We are now in a struggle for the future of womens rights. The president has taken his oath, but all Americans have made a pledge, One nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all. This is our pledge, enshrined by our Congress and emblematic of our national values. Despite the deep fractures that have surfaced during our recent election, these core values remain constant and strong. One of these core values is the right of all people to determine their own reproductive lives; to decide for themselves when, whether and how many children to bear. Each person should be able to access any and all health services in fulfillment of their reproductive decisions. Advertisement We are one nation, even when it does not feel like it. We are guided by divine providence, even as we hear Gods voice differently. And the hands of liberty and justice are extended to all those within our borders, including those of differing religions, races, economic status, gender, and sexual orientation. Extreme conservative religious voices have dominated our national conversation surrounding abortion but they are by no means the singular, nor even the majority, religious voice in America. Now that the anti-abortion religious right has the support of President Trump, it is crucial that other religious views be heard now. As clergy, we believe that abortion is a personal decision dictated by ones conscience and faith. In Jewish law, there are clear circumstances that permit abortion, and many Christians find no prohibition against abortion anywhere in their texts and find support for abortion in Christian ethics. Therefore, any law that would seek to preclude full reproductive choice to women is a violation of our religious tenets. Republicans in Congress want to defund Planned Parenthood of America. The reality is that most federal monies fund the patients through Medicaid, not the clinics directly. The proposed legislation would defund the 2.7 million women and men who receive contraceptive services, STI screenings, mammograms and other basic health care from Planned Parenthood clinics. These clinics served them in otherwise underserved areas of this country. As faith leaders, we cannot allow this to happen. We cannot allow women to be degraded, deprived of their fundamental freedoms, and their lives and health to be put at risk. This is not only a political question but a question faced by real people in real time. Right now, as record numbers sign up and renew their health insurance through the Affordable Care Act, patients are concerned whether or not they will be able to receive the lifesaving care that they now enjoy. Many women are making decisions about their reproductive health care based on the economics of contraceptive options. Women who normally use daily contraception are opting for the long-acting intrauterine device (IUD). They may not be making this choice for medical reasons but because they fear losing contraceptive coverage with the defunding of Planned Parenthood and the repeal of the Affordable Care Act. This is wrong. Health care decisions should be made for health reasons alone. We are one nation under God, but not one voice or one religious view. As a new political reality forms, we must protect our cherished religious freedoms, ensuring womens rights to reproductive justice, and reflecting the image of God in each of us by respecting our differences and the liberty to act upon them. Another core American value is expressed in our national motto, E Pluribus Unum (from many, one). So let our many varied faiths find their freedom of expression in this one land that we all love. Shockley is pastor, Pilgrim United Church of Christ; Owens is pastor, First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego; Harris is pastor, North Coast United Methodist Church in Oceanside; Frank is rabbi of Temple Solel in Cardiff-by-the-Sea. They are part of Faith Leaders for Reproductive Justice, a group of San Diego County clergy which supports the right of every person to make their own reproductive health decisions according to their own religious beliefs. Regarding (Trump denounces illegal intel leaks, Feb. 16): So Donald Trump doesnt care that Michael Flynn (and many others in his orbit) contacted the Russians and quite possibly violated the law. Trump only cares that the information was leaked and became public. Trump is like the kid with his hands in the cookie jar and crumbs on his mouth when Mommy walks in. Hes not sorry he snitched the cookies, but hes terribly, terribly sorry he got caught and is going to get spanked. Advertisement Trump got caught red-handed and red-faced lying about what he knew and when he knew it. He needs to be held accountable. Hazel Burke University Heights * * * General Flynn did not resign because he discussed sanctions with a Russian. It is the culmination of a secret, months-long campaign by Obama, his crew of administration confidants, colluding Democrats, to wreck President Trumps national security apparatus and preserve the nuclear deal with Iran. They are responsible for the leaks and are Obama loyalists who gave the media fake information to use against General Flynn Never have we seen such immature, spiteful, dangerous behavior as we see in this crowd, triple-disgusting since the leader is our former president. President Trump needs a crew of Elliot Nesses, Untouchables, to investigate this ugly, anti-American group, and stop this vile behavior that is damaging our nation, putting each one of us in danger, all because they hate Trump. 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. You can also leave a comment below We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed, perplexed but not in despair, persecuted, but not abandoned, struck down, but not destroyed. (1Corith.4:8,9) President Trump needs our support and prayers. M. Ardoin Bonita * * * If I were William Koek (Trump is trying to save California and nation, Feb. 15) , Id worry a lot more about whether Trump is committing treason than I would about illegals. Illegal immigration has actually fallen over the last few years, contrary to what this president would have you believe. But this connection to Russia, interference in our election process and admiration for the tyrant and killer that is Vladimir Putin should be of concern for all Americans. Trump would not even have fired Michael Flynn had his treachery not been revealed. As usual, Trump deflects from the real issue and blames everyone else, for leaks, the media, etc. I only hope there are enough people in Congress with some integrity to really investigate what has happened. This is not a Republican/Democratic problem. This is an American problem. Karen Hansen Carlsbad * * * If leaking national security secrets is against the law and if the leaks are going to newspapers then why are not these newspapers and all the people at these papers, that know of these leaks, not guilty of being co-conspirators? Peter Q. Davis La Jolla * * * Rep. Jason Chaffetz of the House Oversight Committee issued some 70 subpoenas over Hillary Clintons e-mails, some even after she was being cleared by the FBI. Yet, he feels there is no reason to investigate General Flynns connections or loyalty to Russia. Furthermore, Representative Rand Paul states there is no benefit to Republicans investigating Republicans? Im sorry, at what point is this going to be about protecting the United States of America? Flynnghazi. Negligence and your political greed made it. Now own it. Randy Bell Santee * * * I read with amusement in Trump told weeks ago Flynn was untruthful (Feb.15) that Donald Trump was concerned that his national security advisor Michael Flynn had not told the truth and could not be trusted. As a result, Trump decided that although no law was broken, Flynn could no longer serve in his position. With his own mile-long list of equivocations, half untruths, and outright lies, one wonders how long it will take before Donald Trump will come to the conclusion that he has not told the truth, cannot be trusted and has disqualified himself for his position. Is a resignation forthcoming? We have almost four years to find out. Rick Millican Rolando * * * Its time to get to the bottom of Trumps relationship with Russia, both pre and post-election and it needs to be done as a bi-partisan investigation, and not through the senate intelligence committee that will ultimately report to a Republican Congress and Trump. This issue is too serious and too toxic to our nation to be performed any other way. The American people need answers and complete transparency. If the Trump administration is innocent of any wrong doing, they should welcome this investigation. The American people need to know the truth and they will demand it. Its time for congress to become Americans first, and Republicans second. Our national security depends on an independent investigation, and we need it now. Patricia Del Rio Escondido * * * Flynn resigned because he broke the law by dealing with the Russian government before Trump became president. January 15, Mr. Trump stated during his news conference that the information about Flynn was illegally leaked. So why didnt the president fire Flynn when he first found out about it weeks ago? Did it take an illegal leak to make the president admit Flynn broke the law and dismiss him? Would the president have said anything if this illegal leak didnt come out? What else is President Trump hiding? Also, why didnt the republican Congress start an investigation sooner? The White House was briefed about Flynns actions just after it happened. Does it take a scandal to make the GOP take action about something as serious as Russian interference? Too many questions! Jay Warren Escondido Want to see more letters that appear only online? Follow @UTLetters on Twitter and UTOpinion on Facebook. CNN is reporting that the Department of Defense is considering sending conventional ground forces from the U.S. into Syria. "It's possible that you may see conventional forces hit the ground in Syria for some period of time," a defense official told CNN. The gravity of such a decision is not being taken lightly by Americans hearing about the report at home. The idea wasnt going over very well on social media. At least two Democratic leaders criticized the possibility on Twitter and others did as well as the story spread. The defense official who spoke to CNN said the decision on what to do would be up to President Donald Trump and that the idea is just in the discussion stages right now, not a formal proposal. According to The Hill, about 500 special operation forces from the U.S. are authorized to be in Syria, but conventional forces have not been sent in recent years. The Department of Defense didnt confirm any of those details, but did release a report on Wednesday with an update on the current actions of U.S. and coalition military forces on Syria. According to the report, on Tuesday alone, attack, bomber and fighter aircraft conducted 17 strikes which damaged supply routes, a bridge and oil refinement stills, storage tanks and other oil-related targets. The situation in Syria is a complicated saga that CNN once suggested may be Trumps biggest problem. What role Trump will play to combat the Islamic State and strive for peace in the area remains to be seen. Former President Barack Obama had previously avoided extensive military action in Syria. What do you think Trumps priority should be? Should sending more troops be an option? Email: abby.hamblin@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @abbyhamblin An Orange County school district leader with ties to San Diego is the top candidate to be the next Poway Unified School District superintendent. Emerging Tuesday night from a closed-door session, board members voted 3-2 to select Dr. Marian Kim-Phelps from an initial field of 91 candidates, including five finalists. Her contract will be brought up for approval, and her hiring made official, at the March 7 board meeting. Kim-Phelps is the superintendent of the Westminster School District in Orange County. She has been an educator for 25 years and taught at the elementary and middle school level before serving as a vice principal and then an elementary school principal for 10 years. She was an area superintendent for four years, serving 32 K-12 schools and has been superintendent of Westminster School District for nearly four years. Dr. Marian Kim-Phelps (Courtesy photo) Her selection was backed by Board Members Michelle OConnor-Ratcliff, T.J. Zane and Darshana Patel and opposed by Kimberley Beatty and Charles Sellers. Kim-Phelps is set to replace former Supt. John Collins, who was fired last July following allegations of collecting more than $345,000 in unauthorized and over payments from the district. Collins has denied the charges and the matter is being litigated. I am honored to have been selected as the new superintendent for Poway Unified and I look forward to being part of a high quality team and district. I am committed to ensuring that our children not only have the skills necessary to be college and career ready, but have the skills needed to be successful in life. I look forward to building on the achievements of Poway Unified while looking forward to a shared future, said Kim-Phelps in a press release from the district. Kim-Phelps is also an adjunct professor at California State University Fullerton, where she has taught doctorate-level coursework on ethical and legal dimensions of educational leadership. She earned her doctorate degree from San Diego State University, her masters degree in educational leadership from Point Loma Nazarene University and a bachelors degree from University of California, San Diego. Prior to and during her years as an educator, Kim-Phelps worked in hospital business administration with Scripps Health for over 10 years. Dr. Kim-Phelps is an incredibly accomplished superintendent. She has outstanding credentials and brings the experience and vision needed to lead the district and embrace the community. We are very excited to have her as our next superintendent, said OConnor-Ratcliff in a press release. Beatty said in an email that she felt another candidate was a better fit for the district and that because of the deadlock, she would have liked to see Interim Superintendent Tony Apostle stay with the district while the board resumed searching for a candidate they could all support. Beatty said she also had concerns about the integrity of the process and that the boards actions lacked transparency. Sellers said in an email that several issues prevented him from supporting Kim-Phelps as the finalist, including the boards counsel, Maribel Medina, being prevented from reviewing the contract that will be offered, which led him to question both its veracity and their motives, he wrote. Sellers also said that if the other board members were truly interested in a compromise candidate they could all support, they would have allowed Apostle to stay on as interim superintendent and permitted him to apply for the permanent position. While the meetings agenda previously listed an item extending Apostles contract for another month to March 14, OConnor-Ratcliff announced at the meeting that Apostles last day would be Friday and that Associate Superintendent Mel Robertson would take over as interim superintendent. The closed session that preceded the regular board meeting extended over 90 minutes past the meetings 6 p.m. start. Email: news@pomeradonews.com Remember these words Having not voted for President Trump or Secretary Clinton, I still question columnist Amy Roosts Feb. 2 comments about democracy circling the drain. Fact: Donald Trump won. Getting the most votes is not required. His 46 percent of the popular voted exceeds Bill Clintons 43 percent in 1992. Also, 56 percent of the voters chose someone other than President Clinton; for President Trump, 54 percent. Regarding character, Bill Clinton was a serial philanderer and accused of rape and sexual assault. Ms. Roosts faith lies in an old bus, mine lies in something much older, the Constitution. Many progressives call the president a Nazi, but it is they who besmirch the document. Squashing free speech, installing politically correct thought into schools, vandalism, assaulting opponents and calls for overthrowing the duly elected president are right in goose step with the brown shirts. What do Californians clamoring for secession and white slaveholders in 1860 have in common? They voted for Democrats. Remember President Obamas words to vanquished Senator McCain, Elections have consequences. Ms. Roost fails to see this was a change election. It was as much, if not more, a repudiation of the status quo embodied by Secretary Clinton as it was support for her opponent. Apparently, change only counts when its the kind you want. Tom Drzewiecki Poway Opposes sanctuary status California is considering becoming a sanctuary state. If you support this idea, call your elected officials and let them know that when a non-citizen murderer or sex offender is released from jail you want them to live in your community. Perhaps you can rent them a room in your home. And let them know that when they re-offend you dont object to the state spending $50-100 a day to house the individual in prison. Ron Jaenisch Rancho Bernardo Recycling changes Recyclers, beware! If you recycle at the installation behind the Vons in Poway, things have changed. A new company has taken over, and although it has grown, not all is good. The self-recycle apparatus is very slow and often takes several tries, if youre lucky, to get it to accept items. Also, there is now a same-day requirement for redemption of the voucher at Vons. Miss it, and you have to write a letter to the company and they say they will send you a check. The only good thing about this is that the post office will make a little money. Judith Nemec Poway Wrong choice for post How can we, as a caring, responsible nation, even consider the possibility of nominating or confirming Tom Price to be secretary of Health and Human Services? Our family, like many families today, a mixture of white, black, Latino, rich, needy, gay, students and seniors. We believe in helping ourselves, working every day, paying taxes and yet sometimes requiring a little help. Why would our leaders consider someone with no health background and certainly no concern beyond his circle of friends, as wise enough and compassionate enough to make decisions that will affect millions of Americans? Think carefully. Some day his decisions might affect you and your love ones. Jonni Mann Rancho Bernardo Fooling the people An important tool of demagogy is the spreading of fear. We are now learning that there is presumably more terrorist activity going on in the U.S. and elsewhere than what the evil news media, for some sinister reasons, are refusing to report. Of course, the fact is exactly the opposite in that those incidents tend to be over-reported more than would be prudent because sensationalism is precisely what the terrorist is hoping for. Demagogues have a great skill in fact-distortion, but there was something that Lincoln said about fooling the people. Fritz Woeller Rancho Bernardo Whose opinion is it? In the Feb. 2 edition, columnist Harry Levine states that President Trump is a liar and a gamer. Nowhere do your readers see a disclaimer to the effect that This columnists opinions do not represent those of our publication. If your publication believes that President Trump is a liar and a gamer, then you should state that clearly in an editorial. Further on, Mr. Levine asks, Why is Duncan Hunter still in Congress? The answer should be clear: Because the citizens of his district elected him. By the way, what are Mr. Levines qualifications? Joe Fiore Rancho Bernardo Editors note: Fiore raises a good point. A description of the items on our Opinion pages has been added. Letters should be limited to 250 and must be signed. They may be composed online or emailed to the address below. Email: editor@pomeradonews.com A new group that has started in Ramona as part of a nationwide movement focused on civil liberties, inclusivity of all people, and concerns about the Trump administration attracted 80 attendees to a meeting on Sunday, Feb. 12, in the Ramona Library Community Room. Susan Conrad, who started Indivisible Ramona in January, said she hopes to create an atmosphere that is bridging people. Conrad, a Ramona resident and teacher, said she plans to speak at the Ramona Unified School District meeting on Thursday, Feb. 16. Although she teaches outside the district, Conrad said she plans to ask the board to be proactive and to focus on inclusivity for all students, as there have been some bullying issues. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the Wilson Administrative Center Board Room, 720 Ninth St. According to Conrad, Sundays meeting was her fourth in Ramona and it represented a significant increase from her first meeting. Pierre Pete Beauregard and Amy McQuillan said the crowd filled the librarys community room. Part of this is, its non-partisan, said McQuillan, adding that there are Republicans who are not thrilled with Donald Trump as president. We want to make it as inclusive as possible. Were really concerned about the next four years, said Beauregard. Sundays meeting included a chance for people to get to know each other as well as become informed about how the group functions, using the national Indivisible guide, said Conrad. The guide, she added, has a pragmatic approach. Indivisible: A Practical Guide for Resisting the Trump Agenda states in its online introduction that it offers a step-by-step guide for individuals, groups, and organizations looking to replicate the Tea Partys success in getting Congress to listen to a small, vocal, dedicated group of constituents. The guide is intended to be equally useful for stiffening Democratic spines and weakening pro-Trump Republican resolve. Conrad said the goals center around American values, focus on certain policies of the administration and seek discussions with U.S. lawmakers. According to Beauregard, they have been trying to get Congressman Duncan Hunter to hold a town hall meeting. Indivisibles website, www.indivisibleguide.com, states that more than 4,500 local groups have signed up to resist the Trump agenda in nearly every congressional district in the country. In San Diego County several Indivisible groups have also been started in Valley Center, Escondido, San Marcos, San Diego, and Alpine. DECATUR Police were sent to the scene of a hit-and-run crash on the city's east side about 9 a.m. Feb. 6, in which a white SUV reportedly struck a fence and utility pole, before it was driven from the scene. A few minutes later, officers found Bradford L. Randle, 22, in a white Mitsubishi in the 1400 block of East Condit Street, about three-quarters of a mile from the crash scene, at North 19th and East Locust streets. Randle, a parolee who recently served prison terms for aggravated battery and identity theft, initially denied that he drove into a pole. But after he was told by police that witnesses could identify his vehicle, he admitted that he did hit a pole and then left the scene, said a probable cause affidavit by Decatur patrol officer Larry Brooks. Randle, who reportedly handed an empty half-pint bottle of vodka to an officer from his vehicle, was arrested and booked into the Macon County Jail, where he is being held on $10,000 bond. His breath test at the jail showed a blood-alcohol content of 0.10 percent, over the 0.08 percent limit for drivers. He was found to be without a driver's license or insurance. He did have a metal pipe in his pocket, which he admitted using for smoking cannabis, Brooks wrote in his statement. Randle was arraigned Tuesday on felony counts of aggravated DUI alcohol, aggravated driving with a blood alcohol count of 0.08 or over and leaving the scene of an accident with property damage. Randle, who has four felony convictions since 2013, was convicted of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon March 20, for taking part in an attack on a 32-year-old man on Jan. 14, 2015. The victim was beaten by four men, who struck him with a metal baton and kicked and punched him in his head and body. The victim suffered two broken ribs, a punctured lung, wounds to his head requiring 14 staples, three broken fingers and a forehead injury requiring four stitches. In his most recent case, Randle is due in court March 1 for his preliminary hearing. 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United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe DECATUR -- State Rep. Bill Mitchell heard reasons for optimism as he listened from his desk at the Illinois Capitol during Gov. Bruce Rauners third budget address. I thought he was optimistic as he could be with the situation facing our state, said Mitchell, R-Forsyth. Weve got to work together and compromise, and I enjoyed that general tenor that I picked up during the speech. As Rauner delivered his speech at the front of the Illinois House of Representative chamber, the state has gone 19 months without a complete budget. The impact of the impasse can be felt across Central Illinois and the rest of the state, where everything from social services to higher education have had to make cuts to offset the loss of funds from the state. Whereas Mitchell heard optimism, other state lawmakers said they heard more of the same from the governor. The governor spent most of his time on themes that he has brought forward time and again, year after year, said state Sen. Andy Manar, D-Bunker Hill. So there wasn't much budget discussion in what he put forward today in his speech. Manar added that he was concerned over the perceived secrecy of the governors proposed budget, which had not been seen by his colleagues until after the address. Not everyone was as critical of Rauner. State Sen. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet, said he appreciated the governor presenting ideas for a budget bargain, such as program cuts and reforms to workers compensation and property taxes. Sue Scherer, a Decatur Democrat, said she appreciated parts of Rauners speech, including more funding for education. But she shared Manars sentiment about not yet seeing the budget plan in writing and said the education funding plan did not focus enough on schools that are less well-off. We are talking about schools with five-lane swimming pools and computer labs that are going to get more money along with the poor, little schools that dont even have textbooks, she said. We can do better. Brad Halbrook, R-Shelbyville, noted Rauner quoted Abraham Lincoln in calling for lawmakers to rise to the occasion of a difficult situation with ideas and action. I agree with workers comp and pension reforms, and commonsense changes in regulations that the governor outlined in his speech today, said Halbrook, who serves on the Government Consolidation & Modernization Committee. I continue to be ready to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to move our state forward and grow more jobs." Last year, voter turnout reached an ultimate low. But just 50 years ago Americans were willing to die to get their names on the voter rolls. Weekly Newsletter The best of The Saturday Evening Post in your inbox! Join Last year marked a new low for voter participation in a national election. Normally, less than half of Americas voters cast ballots in the midterm elections, but the 2014 turnout was the lowest in 73 years: 36 percent. It would seem that most Americans believe their right to vote isnt worth the effort to exercise it. Weve come a long way in 50 years, when Americans were ready to die just to get their names on the voter rolls and others were willing to kill to deny them that right. Subscribe and get unlimited access to our online magazine archive. Subscribe Today In the early 1960s, civil rights advocates traveled through the Southern states to encourage African Americans to vote. They believed the ballot would give people the power to throw out racist government officials and elect leaders who would end discrimination. But they soon discovered that office-holders across the country had installed a number of obstacles to prevent black people from reaching the polling booths. The obstacles proved especially effective in Selma, Alabama, where only 2 percent of black residents were registered to vote. In March 1965, activists announced they would march from Selma to Montgomery, the state capitol, and demand the state government end voter suppression. They had little hope that Governor George Wallace would change the states racist policy, but they knew the national attention from the march would pressure him to respond. When marchers sets off on Sunday, March 7, the country saw how firmly some white officials opposed voting rights for black people. Sheriffs deputies fired tear gas into the crowd, then attacked the marchers with whips and clubs. Fifty marchers were hospitalized. The marchers set out again on March 21, led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and with protection from the National Guard and U.S. Army sent by President Johnson. On the second day, the marchers passed through Trickem Fork, an impoverished hamlet in Lowndes County, Alabama, that represented much of what the protestors were trying to change. The Saturday Evening Post reporters W. C. Heinz and Bard Lindeman noted, The Negroes outnumber the whites almost four to one, but until the week before the Freedom March not one Negro voter had been registered in Lowndes County in 65 years. (The Meaning of the Selma March: Great Day at Trickem Fork, May 22, 1965) Several residents had recently tried to register at the county office. White officials turned them back, saying one of their registrars was sick and they didnt know where the other one was. Two weeks later, when the residents returned, county officials told them to register at the old jailhouse. One of the residents said, They had the two tables set up in this room with the gallows on the left. While youre filling out the paper, one white man is saying. I guess many a guy dropped through there. Then another is saying, I wonder if the old thing still works. Another resident, an Army veteran, was told he needed to pass a literacy test. They gave me hard questions. The first was: What part does the Vice President play in the Senate and the House? The second was: What legal and legislative steps would the State of Alabama and the State of Mississippi have to take to combine into one state? Literacy tests were the last resort for state officials who wanted to deny African Americans their right to vote. Ever since Reconstruction ended in the 1870s and federal troops left the South, many white politicians sought to limit black peoples voting. In Mississippi, black voters names were removed from the registration polls, then required them to pay poll taxes for two years before theyd be allowed to cast ballots. African Americans who still expressed an intention to vote might be threatened with losing their jobs. And some cities distributed fliers telling black voters they could not enter a polling station if theyd had any trouble with the law even something as trivial as a parking ticket unless they first got approval from their local sheriff. Black voters were denied credit, threatened with eviction or even lynching. If nothing else stopped these voters, there was always the literacy test. White county clerks were allowed to refuse to register anyone they considered illiterate. They might require black registrants to read, and explain, complex passages of state law.* In Alabama, they would ask prospective voters questions about Federal law, as in these examples: Has the following part of the U.S. Constitution been changed? Representatives shall be apportioned among the several states according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each states, excluding Indians not taxed. (No) Who pays members of Congress for their services, their home states or the United States? (United States) At what time of day on January 20 each four years does the term of the president of the United States end? (12 noon) If a bill is passed by Congress and the President refuses to sign it and does not send it back to Congress in session within the specified period of time, is the bill defeated or does it become law? (It becomes law unless Congress adjourns before the expiration of 10 days.) The literacy-test questions in Louisiana were more like brain-teasers problems, deliberately phrased to confuse the prospective voters. In the space below, write the word noise backwards and place a dot over what would be its second letter should it have been written forward. Draw in the space below, a square with a triangle in it, and within that same triangle draw a circle with a black dot in it. Spell backwards, forwards. Draw a figure that is square in shape. Divide it in half by drawing a straight line from its northeast corner to its southwest corner, and then divide it once more by drawing a broken line from the middle of its western side to the middle of its eastern side. Divide a vertical line in two equal parts by bisecting it with a curved horizontal line that is only straight at its spot bisection of the vertical. As questions on a cocktail napkin, they might have been amusing. But black citizens were required to answer 30 of these questions in 10 minutes without mistakes before they could register to vote. The insolence of racist government policies may seem extraordinary to us today. Even more extraordinary was the determination of African Americans to overcome these challenges. They were helped in some areas by civil rights activists like members of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, who taught them how to beat the trick questions. But these efforts couldnt have succeeded if the men and women in places like Trickem Fork werent determined to overcome the challenges that lay between them and their right to vote. So it seems surprising that, within the lifetime of the baby boom generation, the right to vote has become so little valued that almost 50 percent of Americans never vote in any major election. Weekly Newsletter The best of The Saturday Evening Post in your inbox! Join Observing that Christmas is looming, Our puppy is silently fuming: Ive made it well known That I wanted a bone, Yet instead its a year of good grooming! Subscribe and get unlimited access to our online magazine archive. Subscribe Today Congratulations to Jeff Foster of San Francisco, California! For his winning limerick, Jeff wins $25 and our gratitude for his witty and entertaining poem describing Charles Kaisers 1942 Christmas cover Dog Basket (above). If youd like to enter the Limerick Laughs Contest for our next issue of The Saturday Evening Post, submit your limerick through our online entry form. We received a lot of great limericks. Here are some of the other ones that made us smile, in no particular order: He had wanted a drink with an egg. For that nog he would constantly beg. But a basket was gift. His reaction was swift, As he smelled it and lifted his leg! Ryan Tilley, Altamonte Springs, Florida This might be some hard news to take, But Santa Claus made a mistake! He got me mixed up With some other pup, Cause I asked for some toys and a steak! Guy Pietrobono, Washingtonville, New York I cannot imagine what drove her To purchase this present for Rover. Instead of a treat Involving some meat, It seems he shall have a makeover! Deborah Jones, Modbury, Devon, Great Britain Theres a basket that sits neath the tree, Filled with Christmas gifts all meant for me. I see powder for fleas And some bath stuff, but please How clean must a young puppy be? Steve Moore, Redondo Beach, California Our holiday gifts are all set, And our puppys we did not forget, For his Christmas surprise Is these grooming supplies To say Fleas Navidad! to our pet. Dorie Jennings, Penfield, New York Could someone explain to me, please, How come youre giving me these? Cause Santa could see Whats under our tree Now Santa Claus knows I have fleas! Guy Pietrobono, Washingtonville, New York He looks at the gift with disdain. His dislike for it is quite plain. He thinks to himself, Ill get that darn elf That caused me such sorrow and pain. Angie Gyetvai, Oldcastle, Ontario, Canada I need to give Santa a clue As to gifts Id prefer to eschew. Perhaps with this glare Hell become more aware Of my dislike for puppy shampoo. Paul Desjardins, West Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada There isnt a bone in that basket. I know without having to ask it. For if it were there It would perfume the air, And not even dog wash would mask it. Helen Meikle, South West Rocks, New South Wales, Australia Honorable mention, as chosen by the canine contingent at The Saturday Evening Post: Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/16/2017 -- In 2015, the global whiskey market was the third largest segment and also the fastest growing segment in the global spirits market and is expected to register a CAGR of more than 5% between 2016 and 2020. The demand for premium whiskey is on the rise, especially in major markets such as the UK and the US, and is one of the key drivers of the global whiskey market. Balblair Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky 1999, Hudson Baby Bourbon Whiskey, and Suntory Yamazaki Distillers Reserve Single Malt Whisky are some of the famous brands of premium whiskey. The growing popularity and demand for Irish whiskey and American bourbon is another major trend driving the growth of the whiskey market globally. Irish whiskey and the American whiskey is projected to grow at a CAGR of more than 8% and 7%, respectively during the forecast period. Product segmentation and analysis of the global whiskey market - Scotch whisky - US whiskey - Canadian whisky - Irish whiskey Get a Sample Research PDF with TOC: http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=499758 Other whiskey (Indian whiskey, national whiskey, Spanish whiskey, and Japanese whiskey) In 2015, the whiskey market was dominated by the other whiskey segment, accounting for almost 56% of the market share. The growth of this segment is mainly attributed to the high demand of the Indian whiskey, which is one of the most consumed alcoholic beverages in the world. However, the growth of the other whiskey segment is projected to slow down a tad in the next five years. Segmentation and analysis of the global whiskey market by distribution channel - Supermarkets/hypermarkets - On-trade - Specialist retailers - Online - Convenience stores In 2015, the market was dominated by the supermarkets/hypermarkets, accounting for more than 35% of the market in terms of volume. For instance, supermarkets and hypermarkets are set to grow at an annual growth rate of approximately 12% in Qatar. In ASEAN countries, the penetration of modern retail chains has increased from 11%-38% in 2009 to 16%-45% in 2014. Competitive landscape and key vendors The growing popularity of whiskey among all age groups is motivating vendors to usher in new flavors and varieties in the competitive Alcohol industry, which in turn acts as a challenge to the established premium brands. Many new whiskey brands are emerging from across the world such as Japan, Croatia, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Romania, New Zealand, and China, thereby intensifying the competition in the market. The leading vendors in the market are - - ABD Distillers - Beam Suntory - Brown-Forman - Diageo - Pernod Ricard The other prominent vendors of the market include Asahi Breweries, Bacardi, Constellation Spirits, Distell Group, Gruppo Campari, Heaven Hill Distilleries, Highwood Distilleries, John Distilleries, Radico Khaitan, Shiva Distilleries, Tilak Nagar Industries, and United Spirits. Enquiry at: http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=E&repid=499758 Key questions answered in the report include - What will the market size and the growth rate be in 2020? - What are the key factors driving the industrial automation control market in APAC? - What are the key market trends impacting the growth of the industrial automation control market in APAC? - What are the challenges to market growth? - Who are the key vendors in this market space? - What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the vendors in the industrial automation control market in APAC? - What are the key outcomes of the five forces analysis of the industrial automation control market in APAC? About ResearchMoz ResearchMoz is the world's fastest growing collection of market research reports worldwide. Our database is composed of current market studies from over 100 featured publishers worldwide. Our market research databases integrate statistics with analysis from global, regional, country and company perspectives. ResearchMoz's service portfolio also includes value-added services such as market research customization, competitive landscaping, and in-depth surveys, delivered by a team of experienced Research Coordinators. Contact Us: Mr. Nachiket Albany NY - 12207 United States Tel: +1-518-621-2074 Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free) Email: sales@researchmoz.us Follow us on LinkedIn at: http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG Alexandria, VA -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/16/2017 -- Stephen Hopkins was from Hampshire, England. He married his first wife, Mary, and resided in the parish of Hursley, Hampshire. They had three (3) children: Elizabeth, Constance, and Giles; all baptized there. It has long been claimed that the Hopkins family was from Wortley, Gloucester, but this was disproven in 1998 with the discovery of his true origins in Hursley. http://mayflowerhistory.com/hopkins-stephen/ Stephen Hopkins went with the ship Sea Venture on a voyage to Jamestown, Virginia in 1609 as a minister's clerk, but the ship wrecked in the "Isle of Devils" (Bermuda). Stranded on an island for ten months, the passengers and crew survived on turtles, birds, and wild pigs. Six months into the castaway, Stephen Hopkins and several others organized a mutiny against the current governor. The mutiny was discovered and Stephen was sentenced to death. However, he pleaded with sorrow and tears. "So penitent he was, and made so much moan, alleging the ruin of his wife and children in this his trespass, as it wrought in the hearts of all the better sorts of the company." He managed to get his sentence commuted. Eventually the castaways built a small ship and sailed themselves to Jamestown. How long Stephen remained in Jamestown is not known. However, while he was gone, his wife Mary died. She was buried in Hursley on 9 May 1613, and left behind a probate estate which mentions her children Elizabeth, Constance and Giles. Stephen was back in England by 1617, when he married Elizabeth Fisher, but apparently had every intention of bringing his family back to Virginia. Their first child, Damaris, was born about 1618. In 1620, Stephen Hopkins brought his wife and children Constance, Giles, and Damaris on the Mayflower (child Elizabeth apparently had died). Stephen was a fairly active member of the Pilgrim group shortly after arrival, perhaps a result of his being one of the few individuals who had been to Virginia previously. He was a part of all the early exploring missions, and was used as an "expert" on Native Americans for the first few contacts. While out exploring, Stephen recognized and identified an Indian deer trap. And when Samoset walked into Plymouth and welcomed the English, he was housed in Stephen Hopkins' house for the night. Stephen was also sent on several of the ambassadorial missions to meet with the various Indian groups in the region. Stephen was an assistant to the governor through 1636, and volunteered for the Pequot War of 1637 but was never called to serve. By the late 1630s, however, Stephen began to occasionally run afoul of the Plymouth authorities, as he apparently opened up a shop and served alcohol. In 1636 he got into a fight with John Tisdale and seriously wounded him. In 1637, he was fined for allowing drinking and shuffleboard playing on Sunday. Early the next year he was fined for allowing people to drink excessively in his house: guest William Reynolds was fined, but the others were acquitted. In 1638 he was twice fined for selling beer at twice the actual value, and in 1639 he was fined for selling a looking glass for twice what it would cost if bought in the Bay Colony. Also in 1638, Stephen Hopkins' maidservant got pregnant from Arthur Peach, who was subsequently executed for murdering an Indian. The Plymouth Court ruled he was financially responsible for her and her child for the next two years (the amount remaining on her term of service). Stephen, in contempt of court, threw Dorothy out of his household and refused to provide for her, so the court committed him to custody. John Holmes stepped in and purchased Dorothy's remaining two years of service from him: agreeing to support her and child. Stephen died in 1644, and made out a will, asking to be buried near his wife, and naming his surviving children. BAPTISM: 30 April 1581 at Upper Clatford, Hampshire, England, son of John and Elizabeth (Williams) Hopkins. FIRST MARRIAGE: Mary, possibly the daughter of Robert and Joan (Machell) Kent of Hursley, co. Hampshire, prior to 1604. SECOND MARRIAGE: Elizabeth Fisher on 19 February 1617/8 at St. Mary Matfellon, Whitechapel, co. Middlesex, England. CHILDREN (by Mary): Elizabeth, Constance, and Giles. CHILDREN (by Elizabeth): Damaris, Oceanus, Caleb, Deborah, Damaris, Ruth, and Elizabeth. DNA HAPLOGROUP: R1b-M269 Contact Adam Green! c: 801-809-7766 e: g3president@comcast.net The Mayflower was hired in London, and sailed from London to Southampton in July 1620 to begin loading food and supplies for the voyage--much of which was purchased at Southampton. The Pilgrims were mostly still living in the city of Leiden, in the Netherlands. They hired a ship called the Speedwell to take them from Delfshaven, the Netherlands, to Southampton, England, to meet up with the Mayflower. The two ships planned to sail together to Northern Virginia. The Speedwell departed Delfthaven on July 22, and arrived at Southampton, where they found the Mayflower waiting for them. The Speedwell had been leaking on her voyage from the Netherlands to England, though, so they spent the next week patching her up. On August 5, the two ships finally set sail for America. But the Speedwell began leaking again, so they pulled into the town of Dartmouth for repairs, arriving there about August 12. The Speedwell was patched up again, and the two ships again set sail for America about August 21. After the two ships had sailed about 300 miles out to sea, the Speedwell again began to leak. Frustrated with the enormous amount of time lost, and their inability to fix the Speedwell so that it could be sea-worthy, they returned to Plymouth, England, and made the decision to leave the Speedwell behind. The Mayflower would go to America alone. The cargo on the Speedwell was transferred over to the Mayflower; some of the passengers were so tired and disappointed with all the problems that they quit and went home. Others crammed themselves onto the already very crowded Mayflower. Finally, on September 6, the Mayflower departed from Plymouth, England, and headed for America. By the time the Pilgrims had left England, they had already been living onboard the ships for nearly a month and a half. The voyage itself across the Atlantic Ocean took 66 days, from their departure on September 6, until Cape Cod was sighted on 9 November 1620. The first half of the voyage went fairly smoothly, the only major problem was sea-sickness. But by October, they began encountering a number of Atlantic storms that made the voyage treacherous. Several times, the wind was so strong they had to just drift where the weather took them; it was not safe to use the ship's sails. The Pilgrims intended to land in Northern Virginia, which at the time included the region as far north as the Hudson River in the modern State of New York. The Hudson River, in fact, was their originally intended destination. They had received good reports on this region while in the Netherlands. All things considered, the Mayflower was almost right on target, missing the Hudson River by just a few degrees. As the Mayflower approached land, the crew spotted Cape Cod just as the sun rose on November 9. The Pilgrims decided to head south, to the mouth of the Hudson River in New York, where they intended to make their plantation. However, as the Mayflower headed south, it encountered some very rough seas, and nearly shipwrecked. The Pilgrims then decided, rather than risk another attempt to go south they would just stay and explore Cape Cod. They turned back north, rounded the tip, and anchored in what is now Provincetown Harbor. The Pilgrims would spend the next month and a half exploring Cape Cod, trying to decide where they would build their plantation. On December 25, 1620, they had finally decided upon Plymouth, and began construction of their first buildings. The Pilgrims did not leave behind any lists of the items they brought with them on the Mayflower, but historians have used a provision list put together by Captain John Smith (of Pocahontas fame) to take an educated guess. However, in 2012, Caleb Johnson, Simon Neal, and Jeremy Bangs started transcribing and studying a rare manuscript (a page of which is here illustrated) in the possession of the Massachusetts Society of Mayflower Descendants, that was written by one of the investors in the Pilgrims' joint-stock company. This manuscript actually contains several lists of suggested provisions the colonists should bring with them. It is the closest thing we can get to a list of what the Pilgrims would have actually brought. A summary of some of the key items on the provision lists: http://mayflowerhistory.com/pilgrim-history/ -Food and Drink: Biscuit, beer, salt, (dried) beef, salt pork, oats, peas, wheat, butter, sweet oil, mustard seed, ling or cod fish, "good cheese", vinegar, aqua-vitae, rice, bacon, cider. -Clothing: Monmouth cap, falling bands, shirts, waistcoat, suit of canvas, suit of cloth, Irish stockings, 4 pairs of shoes, garters. Slippers, plain shoes, little shoes, French soles, sewing needles. -Bedding: Canvas sheets, bolster "filled with good straw", rug and blankets. -Arms: Light armor (complete), fowling piece, snaphance, sword, belt, bandoleer, powder horn, 20 pounds of powder, 60 pounds of shot. -Household: Iron pot, kettle, frying pan, gridiron, two skillets, spit, platters, dishes, spoons of wood, napkins, towels, soap, hand mill, mortar and pestle. -Tools: Broad hoes, narrow hoes, broad axe, felling axe, steel handsaw, whipsaw, hammers, shovels, spades, augers, chisels, gimlets, hatchets, grinding stone, nails, locks for doors. Alexandria, VA General Society of Mayflower Descendant, Adam Paul Green (Ancestor Stephen Hopkins / Gen.No. 86,723) Reveals New Geneology Resource Website for Local Enthusiasts http://www.AdamPaulGreen.com Adam Paul Green was born to a multi-talented beauty queen Mother and a Father who, in addition to being a US Army Spy and a Counter-Intelligence Special Agent, was also a highly accomplished entrepreneur. Adam was taught at a young age that, in both life and business, loyalty is a requirement for success. He's had the honor of working directly with his father in several of the family businesses. In fact, this is where he learned crucial entrepreneurial skills and honed his talents with international business strategies and venture capitalism. http://www.MarketingChocolateInternational.com, http://www.AdamPaulGreen.com, http://www.ImAdamGreen.com Adam earned his Bachelors of Science Degree in International Business and Marketing from the University of Utah. He was hand-picked by the President of the University's renowned School of Business to compete with dozens of other ambitious nationwide-graduates for the opportunity to secure a lucrative job within a prestigious Fortune 100 company. http://www.mxicorp.com/fab/, http://www.Twitter.com/AdamPaulGreen http://www.ImAdamGreen.com Adam's hard work and creativity helped him land this job of a lifetime. He obtained incredible business experience there and spent years innovating, improving processes and setting sales records. Although this dream job in Traditional Corporate America was a fun challenge for him, and something he truly enjoyed mastering, Adam's natural entrepreneurial spirit kept nudging him to do something more significant with his time and talents. http://www.MyChocolatePod.com, http://www.Facebook.com/AdamPaulGreen Since 2001, Adam has been involved in the Health and Wellness Industry as a successful Entrepreneur, Broker, Product Developer and Manufacturer of Cosmeceutical products. During his career, he has worked with some of the most recognizable Fortune 500 businesses along with many top international Network Marketing companies. Adam has consistently proven his unique ability to help his clients achieve their goals through creative Distribution-Channel Placement, innovative Product Development and custom Manufacturing. Adam currently owns three profitable businesses. http://www.ImAdamGreen.com About MayflowerHistory.com MayflowerHistory.com, the Internet's most complete and accurate website dealing with the Mayflower passengers and the history of the Pilgrims and early Plymouth Colony. The website was first created back in 1994 (when the web was still mostly text!) as a simple, but complete, passenger list of the Mayflower. It has grown over the past twenty years as the author, historian Caleb Johnson, has researched and compiled material. http://mayflowerhistory.com American Fork, UT -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/16/2017 -- Stephen Hopkins was from Hampshire, England. He married his first wife, Mary, and resided in the parish of Hursley, Hampshire. They had three (3) children: Elizabeth, Constance, and Giles; all baptized there. It has long been claimed that the Hopkins family was from Wortley, Gloucester, but this was disproven in 1998 with the discovery of his true origins in Hursley. http://mayflowerhistory.com/hopkins-stephen/ Stephen Hopkins went with the ship Sea Venture on a voyage to Jamestown, Virginia in 1609 as a minister's clerk, but the ship wrecked in the "Isle of Devils" (Bermuda). Stranded on an island for ten months, the passengers and crew survived on turtles, birds, and wild pigs. Six months into the castaway, Stephen Hopkins and several others organized a mutiny against the current governor. The mutiny was discovered and Stephen was sentenced to death. However, he pleaded with sorrow and tears. "So penitent he was, and made so much moan, alleging the ruin of his wife and children in this his trespass, as it wrought in the hearts of all the better sorts of the company." He managed to get his sentence commuted. Eventually the castaways built a small ship and sailed themselves to Jamestown. How long Stephen remained in Jamestown is not known. However, while he was gone, his wife Mary died. She was buried in Hursley on 9 May 1613, and left behind a probate estate which mentions her children Elizabeth, Constance and Giles. Stephen was back in England by 1617, when he married Elizabeth Fisher, but apparently had every intention of bringing his family back to Virginia. Their first child, Damaris, was born about 1618. In 1620, Stephen Hopkins brought his wife and children Constance, Giles, and Damaris on the Mayflower (child Elizabeth apparently had died). Stephen was a fairly active member of the Pilgrim group shortly after arrival, perhaps a result of his being one of the few individuals who had been to Virginia previously. He was a part of all the early exploring missions, and was used as an "expert" on Native Americans for the first few contacts. While out exploring, Stephen recognized and identified an Indian deer trap. And when Samoset walked into Plymouth and welcomed the English, he was housed in Stephen Hopkins' house for the night. Stephen was also sent on several of the ambassadorial missions to meet with the various Indian groups in the region. Stephen was an assistant to the governor through 1636, and volunteered for the Pequot War of 1637 but was never called to serve. By the late 1630s, however, Stephen began to occasionally run afoul of the Plymouth authorities, as he apparently opened up a shop and served alcohol. In 1636 he got into a fight with John Tisdale and seriously wounded him. In 1637, he was fined for allowing drinking and shuffleboard playing on Sunday. Early the next year he was fined for allowing people to drink excessively in his house: guest William Reynolds was fined, but the others were acquitted. In 1638 he was twice fined for selling beer at twice the actual value, and in 1639 he was fined for selling a looking glass for twice what it would cost if bought in the Bay Colony. Also in 1638, Stephen Hopkins' maidservant got pregnant from Arthur Peach, who was subsequently executed for murdering an Indian. The Plymouth Court ruled he was financially responsible for her and her child for the next two years (the amount remaining on her term of service). Stephen, in contempt of court, threw Dorothy out of his household and refused to provide for her, so the court committed him to custody. John Holmes stepped in and purchased Dorothy's remaining two years of service from him: agreeing to support her and child. Stephen died in 1644, and made out a will, asking to be buried near his wife, and naming his surviving children. BAPTISM: 30 April 1581 at Upper Clatford, Hampshire, England, son of John and Elizabeth (Williams) Hopkins. FIRST MARRIAGE: Mary, possibly the daughter of Robert and Joan (Machell) Kent of Hursley, co. Hampshire, prior to 1604. SECOND MARRIAGE: Elizabeth Fisher on 19 February 1617/8 at St. Mary Matfellon, Whitechapel, co. Middlesex, England. CHILDREN (by Mary): Elizabeth, Constance, and Giles. CHILDREN (by Elizabeth): Damaris, Oceanus, Caleb, Deborah, Damaris, Ruth, and Elizabeth. DNA HAPLOGROUP: R1b-M269 Contact Adam Green! c: 801-809-7766 e: g3president@comcast.net The Mayflower was hired in London, and sailed from London to Southampton in July 1620 to begin loading food and supplies for the voyage--much of which was purchased at Southampton. The Pilgrims were mostly still living in the city of Leiden, in the Netherlands. They hired a ship called the Speedwell to take them from Delfshaven, the Netherlands, to Southampton, England, to meet up with the Mayflower. The two ships planned to sail together to Northern Virginia. The Speedwell departed Delfthaven on July 22, and arrived at Southampton, where they found the Mayflower waiting for them. The Speedwell had been leaking on her voyage from the Netherlands to England, though, so they spent the next week patching her up. On August 5, the two ships finally set sail for America. But the Speedwell began leaking again, so they pulled into the town of Dartmouth for repairs, arriving there about August 12. The Speedwell was patched up again, and the two ships again set sail for America about August 21. After the two ships had sailed about 300 miles out to sea, the Speedwell again began to leak. Frustrated with the enormous amount of time lost, and their inability to fix the Speedwell so that it could be sea-worthy, they returned to Plymouth, England, and made the decision to leave the Speedwell behind. The Mayflower would go to America alone. The cargo on the Speedwell was transferred over to the Mayflower; some of the passengers were so tired and disappointed with all the problems that they quit and went home. Others crammed themselves onto the already very crowded Mayflower. Finally, on September 6, the Mayflower departed from Plymouth, England, and headed for America. By the time the Pilgrims had left England, they had already been living onboard the ships for nearly a month and a half. The voyage itself across the Atlantic Ocean took 66 days, from their departure on September 6, until Cape Cod was sighted on 9 November 1620. The first half of the voyage went fairly smoothly, the only major problem was sea-sickness. But by October, they began encountering a number of Atlantic storms that made the voyage treacherous. Several times, the wind was so strong they had to just drift where the weather took them; it was not safe to use the ship's sails. The Pilgrims intended to land in Northern Virginia, which at the time included the region as far north as the Hudson River in the modern State of New York. The Hudson River, in fact, was their originally intended destination. They had received good reports on this region while in the Netherlands. All things considered, the Mayflower was almost right on target, missing the Hudson River by just a few degrees. As the Mayflower approached land, the crew spotted Cape Cod just as the sun rose on November 9. The Pilgrims decided to head south, to the mouth of the Hudson River in New York, where they intended to make their plantation. However, as the Mayflower headed south, it encountered some very rough seas, and nearly shipwrecked. The Pilgrims then decided, rather than risk another attempt to go south they would just stay and explore Cape Cod. They turned back north, rounded the tip, and anchored in what is now Provincetown Harbor. The Pilgrims would spend the next month and a half exploring Cape Cod, trying to decide where they would build their plantation. On December 25, 1620, they had finally decided upon Plymouth, and began construction of their first buildings. Master Christopher Jones and several business partners purchased the ship Mayflower about 1607. Its origins prior to that remain uncertain. Its first documented voyage of record was to Trondheim, Norway, in 1609. Andrew Pawling hired the ship to take a cargo of London goods to Norway, sell them off, and buy Norway goods (lumber, tar, and fish) to return back to England. Unfortunately on the return voyage, the Mayflower encountered a severe North Sea storm and the master and crew were forced to toss most of Pawlings goods overboard to lighten the ship. The home of Master Christopher Jones: Harwich, co. Essex, England. http://mayflowerhistory.com/ Following that, Christopher Jones seems to have stuck with safer trading routes. The Mayflower made numerous trips primarily to Bordeaux, France, returning to London with cargoes of French wine, Cognac, vinegar, and salt. The Mayflower could freight about 180 tons of cargo. The Mayflower also made occasional voyages to other ports, including once to Malaga, Spain, and twice to Hamburg, Germany. Upon returning from a voyage to Bordeaux, France, in May 1620, the Mayflower and master Christopher Jones were hired to take the Pilgrims to Northern Virginia. This was the first recorded trans-Atlantic voyage for both ship and master, though Christopher Jones had several crewmembers, including pilot and master's mates John Clarke and Robert Coppin, who had been to the New World before. The Mayflower was supposed to accompany another ship, the Speedwell, to America, but the Speedwell proved too leaky for the voyage so the Mayflower proceeded alone. Departing on 6 September 1620, the ship was at sea for 66 days, arriving November 9. The ship and crew overwintered with the Pilgrims and departed back for England on 5 April 1621, arriving back to England on May 6. Christopher Jones took the ship out for a few more trading runs, but he died a couple of years later in March 1621/2. The ship was appraised for probate purposes in May 1624, and was referred to as being "in ruins." It was only valued at 128 pounds sterling, and was almost certainly broken up and sold off as scrap. American Fork, UTAH General Society of Mayflower Descendant, Adam Paul Green (Ancestor Stephen Hopkins / Gen.No. 86,723) Announces New Geneology Asset Website for Local Enthusiasts http://www.AdamPaulGreen.com Adam Paul Green was born to a multi-talented beauty queen Mother and a Father who, in addition to being a US Army Spy and a Counter-Intelligence Special Agent, was also a highly accomplished entrepreneur. Adam was taught at a young age that, in both life and business, loyalty is a requirement for success. He's had the honor of working directly with his father in several of the family businesses. In fact, this is where he learned crucial entrepreneurial skills and honed his talents with international business strategies and venture capitalism. http://www.AdamPaulGreen.com, http://www.ImAdamGreen.com Adam earned his Bachelors of Science Degree in International Business and Marketing from the University of Utah. He was hand-picked by the President of the University's renowned School of Business to compete with dozens of other ambitious nationwide-graduates for the opportunity to secure a lucrative job within a prestigious Fortune 100 company. http://www.Twitter.com/AdamPaulGreen http://www.ImAdamGreen.com Adam's hard work and creativity helped him land this job of a lifetime. He obtained incredible business experience there and spent years innovating, improving processes and setting sales records. Although this dream job in Traditional Corporate America was a fun challenge for him, and something he truly enjoyed mastering, Adam's natural entrepreneurial spirit kept nudging him to do something more significant with his time and talents. http://www.MyChocolatePod.com, http://www.Facebook.com/AdamPaulGreen Since 2001, Adam has been involved in the Health and Wellness Industry as a successful Entrepreneur, Broker, Product Developer and Manufacturer of Cosmeceutical products. During his career, he has worked with some of the most recognizable Fortune 500 businesses along with many top international Network Marketing companies. Adam has consistently proven his unique ability to help his clients achieve their goals through creative Distribution-Channel Placement, innovative Product Development and custom Manufacturing. Adam currently owns three profitable businesses. http://www.ImAdamGreen.com Admittedly, Adam was not initially a fan of Network Marketing. He did not understand the business model because it was new to him. However, once he learned that the REAL focus of Direct Sales is to help average people get a taste of entrepreneurialism --- with minimal risk and at a low cost --- Adam was absolutely convinced of the potential with Multi-Level Marketing. http://www.ImAdamGreen.com About MayflowerHistory.com MayflowerHistory.com, the Internet's most complete and accurate website dealing with the Mayflower passengers and the history of the Pilgrims and early Plymouth Colony. The website was first created back in 1994 (when the web was still mostly text!) as a simple, but complete, passenger list of the Mayflower. It has grown over the past twenty years as the author, historian Caleb Johnson, has researched and compiled material. http://mayflowerhistory.com Salt Lake City, UT -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/16/2017 -- Stephen Hopkins was from Hampshire, England. He married his first wife, Mary, and resided in the parish of Hursley, Hampshire. They had three (3) children: Elizabeth, Constance, and Giles; all baptized there. It has long been claimed that the Hopkins family was from Wortley, Gloucester, but this was disproven in 1998 with the discovery of his true origins in Hursley. http://mayflowerhistory.com/hopkins-stephen/ Stephen Hopkins went with the ship Sea Venture on a voyage to Jamestown, Virginia in 1609 as a minister's clerk, but the ship wrecked in the "Isle of Devils" (Bermuda). Stranded on an island for ten months, the passengers and crew survived on turtles, birds, and wild pigs. Six months into the castaway, Stephen Hopkins and several others organized a mutiny against the current governor. The mutiny was discovered and Stephen was sentenced to death. However, he pleaded with sorrow and tears. "So penitent he was, and made so much moan, alleging the ruin of his wife and children in this his trespass, as it wrought in the hearts of all the better sorts of the company." He managed to get his sentence commuted. Eventually the castaways built a small ship and sailed themselves to Jamestown. How long Stephen remained in Jamestown is not known. However, while he was gone, his wife Mary died. She was buried in Hursley on 9 May 1613, and left behind a probate estate which mentions her children Elizabeth, Constance and Giles. Stephen was back in England by 1617, when he married Elizabeth Fisher, but apparently had every intention of bringing his family back to Virginia. Their first child, Damaris, was born about 1618. In 1620, Stephen Hopkins brought his wife and children Constance, Giles, and Damaris on the Mayflower (child Elizabeth apparently had died). Stephen was a fairly active member of the Pilgrim group shortly after arrival, perhaps a result of his being one of the few individuals who had been to Virginia previously. He was a part of all the early exploring missions, and was used as an "expert" on Native Americans for the first few contacts. While out exploring, Stephen recognized and identified an Indian deer trap. And when Samoset walked into Plymouth and welcomed the English, he was housed in Stephen Hopkins' house for the night. Stephen was also sent on several of the ambassadorial missions to meet with the various Indian groups in the region. Stephen was an assistant to the governor through 1636, and volunteered for the Pequot War of 1637 but was never called to serve. By the late 1630s, however, Stephen began to occasionally run afoul of the Plymouth authorities, as he apparently opened up a shop and served alcohol. In 1636 he got into a fight with John Tisdale and seriously wounded him. In 1637, he was fined for allowing drinking and shuffleboard playing on Sunday. Early the next year he was fined for allowing people to drink excessively in his house: guest William Reynolds was fined, but the others were acquitted. In 1638 he was twice fined for selling beer at twice the actual value, and in 1639 he was fined for selling a looking glass for twice what it would cost if bought in the Bay Colony. Also in 1638, Stephen Hopkins' maidservant got pregnant from Arthur Peach, who was subsequently executed for murdering an Indian. The Plymouth Court ruled he was financially responsible for her and her child for the next two years (the amount remaining on her term of service). Stephen, in contempt of court, threw Dorothy out of his household and refused to provide for her, so the court committed him to custody. John Holmes stepped in and purchased Dorothy's remaining two years of service from him: agreeing to support her and child. Stephen died in 1644, and made out a will, asking to be buried near his wife, and naming his surviving children. BAPTISM: 30 April 1581 at Upper Clatford, Hampshire, England, son of John and Elizabeth (Williams) Hopkins. FIRST MARRIAGE: Mary, possibly the daughter of Robert and Joan (Machell) Kent of Hursley, co. Hampshire, prior to 1604. SECOND MARRIAGE: Elizabeth Fisher on 19 February 1617/8 at St. Mary Matfellon, Whitechapel, co. Middlesex, England. CHILDREN (by Mary): Elizabeth, Constance, and Giles. CHILDREN (by Elizabeth): Damaris, Oceanus, Caleb, Deborah, Damaris, Ruth, and Elizabeth. DNA HAPLOGROUP: R1b-M269 Contact Adam Green! c: 801-809-7766 e: g3president@comcast.net Ann Arbor, MI General Society of Mayflower Descendant, Adam Paul Green (Ancestor Stephen Hopkins / Gen.No. 86,723) Introduces New Geneology Asset Website for Local Enthusiasts http://www.AdamPaulGreen.com Adam Paul Green was born to a multi-talented beauty queen Mother and a Father who, in addition to being a US Army Spy and a Counter-Intelligence Special Agent, was also a highly accomplished entrepreneur. Adam was taught at a young age that, in both life and business, loyalty is a requirement for success. He's had the honor of working directly with his father in several of the family businesses. In fact, this is where he learned crucial entrepreneurial skills and honed his talents with international business strategies and venture capitalism. http://www.AdamPaulGreen.com, http://www.ImAdamGreen.com Adam earned his Bachelors of Science Degree in International Business and Marketing from the University of Utah. He was hand-picked by the President of the University's renowned School of Business to compete with dozens of other ambitious nationwide-graduates for the opportunity to secure a lucrative job within a prestigious Fortune 100 company. http://www.Twitter.com/AdamPaulGreen http://www.ImAdamGreen.com Adam's hard work and creativity helped him land this job of a lifetime. He obtained incredible business experience there and spent years innovating, improving processes and setting sales records. Although this dream job in Traditional Corporate America was a fun challenge for him, and something he truly enjoyed mastering, Adam's natural entrepreneurial spirit kept nudging him to do something more significant with his time and talents. http://www.MyChocolatePod.com, http://www.Facebook.com/AdamPaulGreen Since 2001, Adam has been involved in the Health and Wellness Industry as a successful Entrepreneur, Broker, Product Developer and Manufacturer of Cosmeceutical products. During his career, he has worked with some of the most recognizable Fortune 500 businesses along with many top international Network Marketing companies. Adam has consistently proven his unique ability to help his clients achieve their goals through creative Distribution-Channel Placement, innovative Product Development and custom Manufacturing. Adam currently owns three profitable businesses. http://www.ImAdamGreen.com Women of Early Plymouth: Governor William Bradford reported that the Pilgrims were worried that the "weak bodies of women" would not be able to withstand the rigors of a trans-Atlantic voyage and the construction of a colony. Prior to the Mayflower, very few English women had made the voyage across the ocean. Sir Walter Raleigh's Roanoke colony arrived in Virginia in 1587, and amongst those 120 colonists there were 17 women: a baby girl, Virginia Dare, was born after arrival. When re-supply ships came from England, they could not relocate the people. The colony had mysteriously disappeared, and was never seen again. The Jamestown Colony was founded in 1607, but relatively few women had yet made the voyage and taken up residence there. The Pilgrim husband, as head of the household, had an important and difficult decision to make. Building a colony would be hard on a woman's "weaker body." It might be safer and healthier to leave her behind, and have her come later once the houses were built, and the general safety and successfulness of the colony were better established. But that could be several years. Could he live several years without his wife? How strong was his wife anyway, could she really handle it? Was it right to put your wife's life in danger in this manner? As the Mayflower left England for America, there were 18 adult women on-board. Three of them, Elizabeth Hopkins, Susanna White, and Mary Allerton, were actually in their last trimester of a pregnancy. All the adult women on the Mayflower were married; there were no single women--although there were a few teenage girls nearing marriageable age. While no women would die during the Mayflower's voyage, life after arrival proved extremely difficult. In fact, 78% of the women would die the first winter, a far higher percentage than for men or children. Dorothy Bradford was the first woman to die, and the only woman who died in the month of December. While many of the men, including her husband, were out exploring on Cape Cod, she accidentally fell off the Mayflower into the bitter cold waters of Provincetown Harbor. Most of the women's death dates were not recorded, but we do know that Rose Standish died on January 29, Mary Allerton died on February 25, and Elizabeth Winslow died on March 24. Most of the women died in February and March. The extremely high mortality rate among women is probably explainable by the fact the men were out in the fresh air, felling trees, building structures and drinking fresh New England water; while the women were confined to the damp, filthy and crowded quarters offered by the Mayflower, where disease would have spread much more quickly. The two-month voyage was long enough; the women, however, remained living on the ship for an additional four months while the men built storehouses and living quarters on shore. Many of the sick were no doubt cared for on-board the ship by the women, increasing their exposure to colds and pneumonias. William Mullins died on February 21, apparently on-board the Mayflower since his will was witnessed by the ship's captain and ship's surgeon. His wife Alice and son Joseph had not yet died, but it wasn't too long before they did, orphaning their teenage daughter Priscilla in the New World. Only five women survived the first winter. One of the five survivors, Mrs. Katherine Carver, died in May of a "broken heart," her husband John having died of sunstroke a month earlier. Weak bodies or not, by the time of the famous "Thanksgiving," there were only four women left to care for the Colony's fifty surviving men and children. The four women were Eleanor Billington, Elizabeth Hopkins, Mary Brewster, and Susanna (White) Winslow. http://mayflowerhistory.com/women Admittedly, Adam was not initially a fan of Network Marketing. He did not understand the business model because it was new to him. However, once he learned that the REAL focus of Direct Sales is to help average people get a taste of entrepreneurialism --- with minimal risk and at a low cost --- Adam was absolutely convinced of the potential with Multi-Level Marketing. http://www.ImAdamGreen.com The Pilgrims did not leave behind any lists of the items they brought with them on the Mayflower, but historians have used a provision list put together by Captain John Smith (of Pocahontas fame) to take an educated guess. However, in 2012, Caleb Johnson, Simon Neal, and Jeremy Bangs started transcribing and studying a rare manuscript (a page of which is here illustrated) in the possession of the Massachusetts Society of Mayflower Descendants, that was written by one of the investors in the Pilgrims' joint-stock company. This manuscript actually contains several lists of suggested provisions the colonists should bring with them. It is the closest thing we can get to a list of what the Pilgrims would have actually brought. A summary of some of the key items on the provision lists: http://mayflowerhistory.com/pilgrim-history/ -Food and Drink: Biscuit, beer, salt, (dried) beef, salt pork, oats, peas, wheat, butter, sweet oil, mustard seed, ling or cod fish, "good cheese", vinegar, aqua-vitae, rice, bacon, cider. -Clothing: Monmouth cap, falling bands, shirts, waistcoat, suit of canvas, suit of cloth, Irish stockings, 4 pairs of shoes, garters. Slippers, plain shoes, little shoes, French soles, sewing needles. -Bedding: Canvas sheets, bolster "filled with good straw", rug and blankets. -Arms: Light armor (complete), fowling piece, snaphance, sword, belt, bandoleer, powder horn, 20 pounds of powder, 60 pounds of shot. -Household: Iron pot, kettle, frying pan, gridiron, two skillets, spit, platters, dishes, spoons of wood, napkins, towels, soap, hand mill, mortar and pestle. -Tools: Broad hoes, narrow hoes, broad axe, felling axe, steel handsaw, whipsaw, hammers, shovels, spades, augers, chisels, gimlets, hatchets, grinding stone, nails, locks for doors. About MayflowerHistory.com MayflowerHistory.com, the Internet's most complete and accurate website dealing with the Mayflower passengers and the history of the Pilgrims and early Plymouth Colony. The website was first created back in 1994 (when the web was still mostly text!) as a simple, but complete, passenger list of the Mayflower. It has grown over the past twenty years as the author, historian Caleb Johnson, has researched and compiled material. http://mayflowerhistory.com Oakland Park, FL -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/16/2017 -- Plant managers and owners are choosing to automate more of their facilities. Newer automation technology models are now less bulky and much safer for factory workers to be around. These improvements in factory automation are also highly collaborative, which has led to improved efficiency between manufacturing sites. The technology used in today's automated factories is smarter, stronger, and more flexible than ever before. Auto-tuning, new interface designs, and more have increased energy savings and maintenance efficiency. TR Cutler, Inc. marketing research division determined that 2017 2020 are poised to experience exponential growth. The growth within e-commerce, same day delivery, and labor reduction has driven advances in these materials handling arenas. Safety is often the initial driver in new product and automation selection. Thomas R. Cutler will meet with the Manufacturing Media Consortium on March 13, 2017 in New York City to discuss 2017 Lean manufacturing trends. About TR Cutler, Inc. TR Cutler, Inc. was founded seventeen years ago by Thomas R. Cutler. Cutler is the President and CEO of Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based, TR Cutler, Inc., (http://www.trcutlerinc.com), the largest manufacturing communication firm worldwide with four dozen industry experts and thought leaders on staff. Cutler maintains extraordinary relationships with clients, journalists, editors, economists, trendsetters, and key business leaders worldwide and has become a key resource for those writing about the manufacturing sector. Cutler founded the Manufacturing Media Consortium in 1999, which now has more than 6,000 global members including journalists, editors, publishers, and economists, worldwide writing about trends, industrial data, manufacturing case studies, material handling profiles, and robotics feature articles. Cutler works with thousands of media outlets to expand the coverage and importance of the manufacturing media coverage. Cutler has authored more than 6,000 articles for a wide range of manufacturing periodicals, industrial publications, and business journals each published in leading monthly trade magazines, B2B periodicals, blogs, and marquis publications globally. Cutler is the most published freelance industrial journalist worldwide, and more than 3500 industry leaders follow Cutler on Twitter daily at @ThomasRCutler. Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/16/2017 -- The telecom services revenue in Ghana is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 5.4% during 2016-2021, primarily driven by growth in mobile data revenue. Mobile voice will be the largest revenue-contributing segment until 2019. Mobile data will be the fastest-growing segment in the telecom market and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 16.3% during 2016-2021, primarily driven by operators' investments in 3G and 4G network coverage and attractive data bundles offered by telcos. Going forward, operators look to invest in 3G/4G network upgradation, extend coverage and fiber-optic network deployments to improve and extend broadband connectivity in the country, which will provide significant opportunities for vendors and investors. Key Findings The overall telecom service revenue in Ghana will grow at a CAGR of 5.4% during 2016-2021, mainly driven by growth in the mobile data segment. Mobile revenue will account for 97.0% of the total telecom revenue in 2021; mobile data will be the fastest growing segment and will grow at a CAGR of 16.3% over the forecast period 2016-2021. 2G will be the most adopted mobile technology through 2021. However, its share in overall mobile subscriber base will decline over the forecast period 2016-2021, owing to rising adoption of 3G and 4G services over the coming years. The top two operators, MTN Ghana and Vodafone Ghana, will account for 76.7% share of overall service revenue in 2016, owing to strong 3G and 4G network coverage. We expect competition to intensify further as operators focus on competitive pricing plans and service innovation to further increase their market share. Operators will continue to focus on investments in 3G network expansion and launch of 4G services, fiber deployments to increase connectivity and cater to the rising data demand. Get The Sample Copy Of This Report: http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/sample/961988 Synopsis "Ghana: Launch of 4G and Expansion of Fiber Network to Support Telecom Growth" is a new Country Intelligence Report by GlobalData, provides an executive-level overview of the telecommunications market in Ghana today, with detailed forecasts of key indicators up to 2021. Published annually, the report provides detailed analysis of the near-term opportunities, competitive dynamics and evolution of demand by service type and technology/platform across the fixed telephony, broadband, and mobile, as well as a review of key regulatory trends. The Country Intelligence Report provides in-depth analysis of the following: Regional context: telecom market size and trends in Ghana compared with other countries in the region. Economic, demographic and political context in Ghana. The regulatory environment and trends: a review of the regulatory setting and agenda for the next 18-24 months as well as relevant developments pertaining to spectrum licensing, national broadband plans, number portability and more. A demand profile: analysis as well as historical figures and forecasts of service revenue from the fixed telephony, broadband, mobile voice, and mobile data markets. Service evolution: a look at changes in the breakdown of overall revenue between the fixed and mobile sectors and between voice, data and video from 2016 to 2021. The competitive landscape: an examination of key trends in competition and in the performance, revenue market shares and expected moves of service providers over the next 18-24 months. In-depth sector analysis of fixed telephony, broadband, mobile voice, and mobile data services: a quantitative analysis of service adoption trends by network technology and by operator, as well as of average revenue per line/subscription and service revenue through the end of the forecast period. Main opportunities: this section details the near-term opportunities for operators, vendors and investors in Ghana telecommunications markets. Browse More Published Telecommunications Market Research Reports: http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/category/95 ReasonsToBuy This Country Intelligence Report offers a thorough, forward-looking analysis of Ghanas telecommunications markets, service providers and key opportunities in a concise format to help executives build proactive and profitable growth strategies. Accompanying GlobalDatas Forecast products, the report examines the assumptions and drivers behind ongoing and upcoming trends in Ghanas mobile communications, fixed telephony, broadband markets, including the evolution of service provider market shares. With more than 20 charts and tables, the report is designed for an executive-level audience, boasting presentation quality. The report provides an easily digestible market assessment for decision-makers built around in-depth information gathered from local market players, which enables executives to quickly get up to speed with the current and emerging trends in Ghanas telecommunications markets. The broad perspective of the report coupled with comprehensive, actionable detail will help operators, equipment vendors and other telecom industry players succeed in the challenging telecommunications market in Ghana. To View The Latest Industry Press Releases: http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/pressreleases Contact us 90 Sate Street, Suite 700 Albany, NY 12207 Tel: +1-518-621-2074 Website: http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/ E-Mail: sales@marketresearchreports.biz Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketresearchreports-biz Thanks..!!!!!!!!!!! New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/16/2017 -- The capnography technique is widely used in intensive care units in hospitals. Capnography equipment is a tool that monitors the levels of expiratory CO2 respiratory gases during anesthesia, procedural sedation, and intensive care. The market for capnography equipment in Latin America is projected to flourish over the next few years, precisely through to 2021. The market value was nearly US$ 9.7 Mn in 2014 and is expected to reach up to US$ 30.2 Mn by the end of 2021, expanding at a robust CAGR of 17.5 % o ver the forecast period 2014-2021. Rising prevalence of respiratory ailments and exploding demand for plastic surgery procedures in Latin America will continue to be the key factors driving the capnography equipment market in the region. Moreover, technological advancements will also remain a major factor fueling the market growth. Plastic surgery involves a vital step i.e. procedural sedation. The increasing number of plastic surgery procedures across Latin America are most likely to escalate the demand for capnography equipment. A large number of international as well as domestic players in this region already have sidestream chronographs in their product portfolios. This in addition to boosting the overall awareness about the technique, fosters the demand as well. A large number of routine hospital settings are being increasingly recommended to use capnography by governments, the American Society of Anesthesiologists, and the Uruguayan Society of Anesthesiologists. Similar favorable initiatives by various government bodies and medical organizations will play a critical role in propelling the demand for equipment and thereby accelerating the market growth. WHO has also advocated the use of capnography monitoring during certain procedures, such as hypoventilation, endotracheal tube placement, and esophageal intubation. Since usage of capnography equipment may also enhance the outcome of the aforementioned procedures, capnography equipment are likely to witness rising demand in the next few years. With guidelines from several government bodies and research organizations repeatedly highlighting the significance of this equipment in hospital settings, the market in Latin America is anticipated to gain momentum over the forecast period. Since the recent past, the U.S. healthcare system has been holding a strong impact on the Latin American healthcare market. This is foreseen to be a major factor in pushing the capnography equipment market in L. America. By product type, the market for capnography equipment in Latin America is segmented into capnograph and disposables. The capnograph segment is further categorized into mainstream, sidestream, and microstream sub-segments. Mainstream capnographs cannot be used in case of non-intubated patients, whereas sidestream capnographs lack the ability to monitor neonates. Sidestream capnographs were observed to lead the market in 2014, microstream capnographs will however witness the highest growth during forecast period, attributed to their capability to monitor neonates as well as non-intubated patients. Another factor favoring the growth of this sub-segment is affordability. On the other side, disposables segment is anticipated to witness the highest CAGR and remain dominant over capnographs. This growth is strongly attributed to the need for periodical sensor replacement in case of capnographs. On the basis of end-user, the market is classified as hospitals, ambulatory, and others. In 2014, hospitals dominated ambulatory care centers and will continue to account for a major revenue share. A Sample of this report is available upon request @ http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/5129 The market for capnography equipment in Latin America is segmented into Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, Argentina, and rest of Latin America. Brazil was the largest (over 31%) shareholder in 2014, owing to soaring demand for plastic surgery procedures and burgeoning medical tourism especially for plastic/cosmetic surgery. Brazil will be the fastest growing market for capnoraphy equipment throughout the forecast period. A recent survey on all the plastic surgery procedures conducted in Latin America, conducted by ISAPS (the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery) indicates that Brazil is the largest shareholder, followed by Mexico. Where Brazil's contribution to total Latin American market value is around 9.1%, Mexico's share is merely 3.8%. Request to view Table of content @ http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/latin-america-capnography-equipment-market/toc Some of the major companies participating in the Latin America capnography equipment market include Medtronic, Inc., Philips Healthcare, Dragerwerk AG & Co. KGaA, Nihon Kohden Corporation, Masimo Corporation, Welch Allyn, Inc., Nonin Medical, Inc., and Smiths Medical. To Buy Full Report for a Single User @ http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/checkout/5129 Seattle, WA -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/16/2017 -- The report "Respiratory Diagnostics Market - Product & Service (Instruments/Devices, Kits/Reagents), Test Type (Pulmonary Function Test, Imaging Test), Disease (TB, Lung Cancer, COPD), End User (Reference Laboratories, Physician Offices) - Global Forecast to 2021", provides a detailed overview of major drivers, restraints, challenges, opportunities, current market trends and strategies impacting the global market along with estimates and forecast of revenue. Browse 83 market data tables and 39 figures spread through 144 pages and in-depth TOC on "Respiratory Diagnostics Market" http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/respiratory-diagnostics-market-163390459.html Early buyers will receive 10% customization on this report. The global respiratory diagnostics market is projected to reach USD 7.45 Billion by 2021 from USD 5.24 Billion in 2016, at a CAGR of 7.3% from 2016 to 2021. Major factors driving the market growth are increasing prevalence of respiratory diseases, growing geriatric population, and technological advancements in respiratory diagnostic systems. On the other hand, rising healthcare costs and reimbursement concerns are the major factors restraining the growth of the respiratory diagnostics market. High potential emerging markets such as Japan, China, India, South Korea, Taiwan, Australia, and Singapore offer significant growth opportunities for the key players in the respiratory diagnostics market. Talk To Our Research Experts@ http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/speaktoanalyst.asp?id=163390459 The global respiratory diagnostics market is segmented on the basis of product and service, test type, disease, end user, and region. On the basis of product and service, the respiratory diagnostics market is segmented into instruments and devices, assays and reagents, and software and services. The instruments and devices segment is expected to account for the largest share of the respiratory diagnostics market in 2016. The continuous requirement of diagnostic instruments and devices in laboratories, point-of-care, and home care is a major factor driving the uptake of instruments and devices. On the basis of test type, the respiratory diagnostics market is broadly classified into mechanical tests, imaging tests, traditional diagnostic tests, and molecular diagnostic tests. In 2016, the traditional diagnostic tests segment is expected to account for the largest share of the respiratory diagnostics market. The large share of this segment is primarily attributed to the quick turnaround time of these tests. Get The Customized Information On This Report@ http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestCustomization.asp?id=163390459 On the basis of disease, the respiratory diagnostics market is segmented into asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, tuberculosis, and other diseases. The tuberculosis segment is expected to account for the largest share of the respiratory diagnostics market in 2016. The large share of this segment is primarily attributed to the increase in tobacco smoking and growing air pollution levels. On the basis of end user, the respiratory diagnostics market is categorized into hospital/clinical laboratories, reference laboratories, physician offices, and other end users (including blood banks, point-of-care testing, patient self-testing, home health agencies, nursing homes, and local public health laboratories). In 2016, the hospital/clinical laboratories segment is expected to account for the largest share of the global respiratory diagnostics market. Most respiratory disease diagnostics are carried out in hospitals as they are complex in nature and require technologically advanced devices; this is driving the respiratory diagnostics market for hospital/clinical laboratories. North America is expected to account for the largest share of the global respiratory diagnostics market in 2016, followed by Europe. The growth of the respiratory diagnostics market in North America is majorly driven by the rising prevalence of respiratory diseases and growing geriatric population in the region. Other factors supporting the growth of this market include the presence of an advanced healthcare system and strong distribution channels for respiratory diagnostic products in North America. About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets is the largest market research firm worldwide in terms of annually published premium market research reports. Serving 1700 global fortune enterprises with more than 1200 premium studies in a year, M&M is catering to a multitude of clients across 8 different industrial verticals. We specialize in consulting assignments and business research across high growth markets, cutting edge technologies and newer applications. Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. M&M's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "RT" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets. The new included chapters on Methodology and Benchmarking presented with high quality analytical infographics in our reports gives complete visibility of how the numbers have been arrived and defend the accuracy of the numbers. We at MarketsandMarkets are inspired to help our clients grow by providing apt business insight with our huge market intelligence repository. Subscribe Reports from Healthcare Domain @ http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Knowledgestore.asp Contact: Mr. Rohan MarketsandMarkets 701 Pike Street Suite 2175, Seattle, WA 98101, United States Telephone No: 1-888-600-6441 A University of Cambridge-led team of astronomers has discovered a surprising connection between a supermassive black hole and the giant galaxy where it resides: radio jets from the black hole which normally suppress star formation are stimulating the production of star-forming molecular gas in the galaxys halo. The research paper reporting this discovery has been accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal (arXiv.org preprint). The team analyzed observations of a huge cluster of galaxies gathered by the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA). Named after the constellation it resides in, about 5.7 billion light-years from Earth, the Phoenix Cluster (SPT-CLJ2344-4243) is an enormous accumulation of about 1,000 galaxies. At its center lies a massive galaxy, which appears to be spitting out stars at a rate of 500-800 solar masses per year. This galaxy harbors a supermassive black hole that is in the process of devouring star-forming gas, which fuels a pair of powerful jets that erupt from the black hole in opposite directions into intergalactic space. Astronomers refer to this type of black-hole powered system as an active galactic nucleus (AGN). Earlier research with NASAs Chandra X-ray observatory revealed that the jets from this AGN are carving out a pair of giant radio bubbles, huge cavities in the hot, diffuse plasma that surrounds the galaxy. These expanding bubbles should create conditions that are too inhospitable for the surrounding hot gas to cool and condense, which are essential steps for future star formation. The new ALMA observations, however, reveal long filaments of cold molecular gas condensing around the outer edges of the radio bubbles. These filaments extend up to 82,000 light-years from either side of the AGN, and collectively contain enough material to make about 10 billion Sun-mass stars. With ALMA we can see that theres a direct link between these radio bubbles inflated by the supermassive black hole and the future fuel for galaxy growth, said lead author Dr. Helen Russell, from the University of Cambridge. This gives us new insights into how a black hole can regulate future star birth and how a galaxy can acquire additional material to fuel an active black hole. We have thought the role of black hole jets and bubbles was to regulate star formation and to keep cooling from happening, added co-author Dr. Michael McDonald, from MITs Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research. We kind of thought they were one-trick ponies, but now we see they can actually help cooling, and its not such a cut-and-dried picture. The ALMA observations reveal previously unknown connections between an AGN and the abundance of cold molecular gas that fuels star birth. To produce powerful jets, black holes must feed on the same material that the galaxy uses to make new stars. This material powers the jets that disrupt the region and quenches star formation. This illustrates how black holes can slow the growth of their host galaxies, Dr. McDonald said. Without a significant source of heat, the most massive galaxies in the Universe would be forming stars at extreme rates that far exceed observations. Astronomers believe that the heat, in the form of radiation and jets from an actively feeding supermassive black hole, prevents overcooling of the clusters hot gas atmosphere, suppressing star formation. This story, however, now appears more complex. In the Phoenix Cluster, the team found an additional process that ties the galaxy and its black hole together. The radio jets that heat the core of Phoenix Clusters hot atmosphere also appear to stimulate the production of the cold gas required to sustain the AGN. Thats what makes this result so surprising. This supermassive black hole is regulating the growth of the galaxy by blowing bubbles and heating the gases around it. Remarkably, it also is cooling enough gas to feed itself, said co-author Prof. Brian McNamara, from the University of Waterloo. This result helps astronomers understand the workings of the cosmic thermostat that controls the launching of radio jets from the supermassive black hole. _____ H.R. Russell et al. 2017. ALMA observations of massive molecular gas filaments encasing radio bubbles in the Phoenix cluster. ApJ, accepted for publication; arXiv: 1611.00017 When youre a small pre-mammalian creature, sometimes the only way to protect yourself against fearsome predators like saber-toothed carnivores is to turn your saliva into a venomous cocktail. That is exactly what a therocephalian therapsid called Euchambersia mirabilis did about 257 million years ago (Permian period) in what is now South Africa. Euchambersia mirabilis was a small, dog-like creature that grew between 1.3 and 1.6 feet (40-50 cm) long, and lived well before the first dinosaur appeared. The two known fossils of Euchambersia mirabilis were found the first in 1932, and the second in 1966 on the farm Vanwyksfontein, near Colesberg in South Africa, and while they were found more than 34 years apart from each other, for millions of years, they were lying only a few feet apart. According to a new study published in the journal PLoS ONE, Euchambersia mirabilis represents the earliest known venomous terrestrial vertebrate, and one of the best supported cases of an extinct venomous species. What is even more surprising is that it is not in a species that we expected it to be, said lead author Dr. Julien Benoit, a paleontologist at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa. Today, snakes are notorious for their venomous bite, but their fossil record vanishes in the depth of geological times at about 167 million years ago, so, at 260 million years ago, Euchambersia mirabilis evolved venom more than a 100 million years before the very first snake was even born. As venom glands dont fossilize, Dr. Benoit and co-authors used CT scanning and 3D imagery techniques to analyze the two Euchambersia skulls, and discovered stunning anatomical adaptations that are compatible with venom production. First, a wide, deep and circular fossa a space in the skull to accommodate a venom gland was present on the upper jaw and was connected to the canine and the mouth by a fine network of bony grooves and canals, Dr. Benoit explained. Moreover, we discovered previously undescribed teeth hidden in the vicinity of the bones and rock: two incisors with preserved crowns and a pair of large canines, that all had a sharp ridge. Such a ridged dentition would have helped the injection of venom inside a prey. Unlike snakes like vipers or cobras, which actively inject their prey with venom through needle-like grooves in their teeth, Euchambersias venom flowed directly into its mouth, and the venom was passively introduced into its victim through ridges on the outside of its canine teeth. Euchambersia mirabilis could have used its venom for protection or hunting, the researchers said. Most venomous species today use their venom for hunting, so I would rather go for this option, Dr. Benoit added. In addition, animals at that time were not all insectivorous, particularly among therapsids, which were very diverse. _____ J. Benoit et al. Reappraisal of the envenoming capacity of Euchambersia mirabilis (Therapsida, Therocephalia) using CT-scanning techniques. PLoS ONE 12 (2): e0172047; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0172047 The asteroid is said to look like a dice of the famous board game Dungeons & Dragons. NASA has released images of asteroid named 2017 BQ6 on Friday. The asteroid is strangely angular and most space rocks are not like that. CNET has reported that the radar images showed the sharp corners, flat regions and small bright spots of what seems like boulders of the asteroid. It is somehow the same as the dice of the infamous game board Dungeons & Dragons. The Dungeons & Dragons dice-looking asteroid has passed the Earth last February 7 safe and sound. Its distance was recorded to be 1.6 million miles or 2.5 million kilometers far. The asteroid was about 660 feet or 200 meters across and it was rotating as it was traveling. It resembled the famous board game Dungeons & Dragons as the asteroid was rolling while passing the Earth. "This year has seen some much closer asteroid flybys, but 2017 BQ6 may be the only one of the bunch that looks like it could take down an owlbear in combat," said NASA asteroid researcher Lance Benner, who noted the asteroid's resemblance to the dice used while playing Dungeons & Dragons. According to Space, the Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex in California was the one who took the photo of the asteroid. The radar images of it looking like rolling Dungeons & Dragons dice were then revealed. It was not the first time that a weird and unusual looking asteroid was seen at space. In 2015 a skull-like asteroid was spotted too. The radar is used to spot asteroids that come close to Earth. It has seen hundreds and hundreds of remnants and small asteroids passing the Earth. The radar is a tool that is used by NASA scientists to check the asteroids' sizes, shapes, rotation, surface features, and roughness, and for more precise determination of their orbital path. It is NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California that manages and operates NASA's Deep Space Network. It includes the Goldstone Solar System Radar. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory also hosts the Center for Near-Earth Object Studies for NASA's Near-Earth Object Observations Program within the agency's Science Mission Directorate. Both Google Fiber and AT&T Fiber will expand its Gigabit internet programs to US Major cities starting this month. Obviously, the two companies are major providers of fiber internet resulting from a battle for subscribers upon landing on the same area. Digital Trends reported that after its fall on the push of fiber-optic Gigabit internet, Google Fiber is back. Aside from bringing the fastest internet connection to some US major cities, Google Fiber has other plans. Now, its action compromises the implementation of some changes and staff layoffs. Google Fiber targets the list of "upcoming cities" category as their in line for the Gigabit internet program. Luckily, Louisville, Kentucky; Huntsville, Alabama and San Antonio, Texas will be the first ever cities to have fiber-optic Gigabit internet, thanks to Google Fiber. Meanwhile, the city governments of the three popular cities are very supportive of the plan of Google Fiber. At the same time, Google Fiber great competitor in Gigabit internet, AT&T will also expand its fiber-optic program to five US major cities. According to Ars Technica, AT&T announced its expansion plan last Monday which will start this month. Milwaukee area was the first place where AT&T Fiber first launched its Gigabit internet program last Monday and is expected to finish the four other cities before the end of February. Other cities which AT&T Fiber plans expansion are Shreveport, Louisiana; Columbia, South Carolina; Knoxville, Tennessee, and Jackson, Mississippi. Additionally, AT&T Fiber plans to acquire 12.5 million locations on their fiber-optic program by mid-2019. This makes AT&T Fiber a huge competitor for Google Fiber who is at the same time, beginning its expansion. To note, Google Fiber and AT&T Fiber has competition issue over Louisville for the Gigabit internet expansion programs. AT&T Fiber has sued the city when Louisville Mayor Greg Fisher helped Google Fiber passed an ordinance allowing the company to attach their cables on existing poles. But, whatever the issue with the two companies may be, it's more important that Gigabit internet on fiber-optic will now be available. Winston Churchill was a significant figure in history. But it seems that there is more to this man than meets the eye. A newly unearthed essay he has written revealed that besides being a master politician, Churchill also has his mind open of the fact that life may exist on other planets. According to BBC, he penned a popular science article in 1939. It is where he mused about the likelihood of the existence of extraterrestrial life. The essay, 11 pages long and updated in the 1950s, was drafted just as the Second World War was breaking out, but it was never published. The essay was then passed to a U.S. museum in the 1980s but remained lost in archives until it was "rediscovered" last year. Israeli astrophysicist Mario Livio described the discovery of the essay "a great surprise" because Winston Churchill, who was known as a wartime leader, reasoned like a scientist in writing about the likelihood of the existence of life on other planets. In fact, it seemed that Churchill's thinking mirrors modern arguments in astrobiology, building on the Copernican Principle that life on Earth should not be so unique, considering the vastness of the universe. Quoting Livio from an interview, The New York Times reported, "The most amazing thing is that he started this essay when Europe was on the brink of war and there he is, musing about a question about a scientific topic that is really a question out of curiosity." While mainly self-educated in sciences, he was known to have an insatiable thirst for knowledge. Also, Winston Churchill actually posited the possibility of extraterrestrial life years before astronomer and astrophysicist Frank Drake presented his theory about communicative civilizations in the cosmos (1961). In his article, the late British Prime Minister wrote, "I am not sufficiently conceited to think that my sun is the only one with a family of planets." Hunger is one of the problems that the world faces. Thus, a new study suggests that in an extremely poor American families, teens are most likely to go hungry compared to the younger children. In the new research that has been published as a working paper for the Unites States National Bureau, Economic Research found that the parents were the first one to sacrifice and go hungry to feed their kids. But at times that the food is still not enough, younger children have the priority over the teens. The study lead author, Robert Moffitt, said that "If you're really poor, you try to sacrifice yourself first, but when you're forced to make some choices, these parents are deciding to let the teens not have enough," as quoted by UPI. In the study, the researchers from the Johns Hopkins analyzed the data coming from 1,500 families in Boston, Chicago and San Antonio that have been surveyed several times between 1999 and 2005. The average incomes per month of these families are about $1,558. Also, the majority of these families were headed by single parents who are not employed and receive government assistance, most of them were minorities. Consumer Health Day reported that according to the study, the researchers found that teens coming from these families went hungry twice as often as their younger siblings. A professor of economics at Johns Hopkins' Krieger Schools of Arts and Sciences, Robert Moffitt added that, "If they have to give up on something, they're giving up on teenagers. It's hard to imagine parents having to do that." As follows, the researchers also shared that about 6 percent of the kids, ages 11 years old or younger, were not getting enough food to eat. Thus, the 12 percent of kids ages 12 to 18 were regularly getting hungry. Also, 14 percent of the boys did not get enough food compared to 10 percent of girls. Moffitt added that the numbers were unexpected and depressing. A lot of low-income families were going through this. The sad part would be the numbers are likely to get worse. China has been eyeing for a position in space for far too long. The Chinese presence in space is meager as compared to major competitors like the U.S. and Russia. However, after the latest announcement made by China Manned Space Agency, it is highly probable that 2017 will be a turning point in the space history of China. The agency plans to launch at least 30 space missions, starting with the launch of Tianzhou-1 spacecraft cargo resupply mission, most probably in April 2017. Chinese scientists and space agencies have geared up, after Xi Jinping, President of China, vowed to advance the country's space presence. First in its plan is the launch of its Tianzhou-1 spacecraft aboard the Long March-7 Y2 rocket, from Wenchang Satellite Launch Center, Hainan. The cargo load spacecraft has already been moved to the Hainan from Tianjin, where it was kept earlier. The spacecraft will soon be assembled and tested in Wenchang Satellite Launch Center. If all goes as planned, then the spacecraft will be launched in April. It will be carrying 2 tons of fuel and 6 more tons of payloads for the Tiangong-2 space laboratory, News Nation reported. The launch of the cargo mission was preceded by the Tiangong-2 manned mission launched in October 2016, which carried astronauts Jing Haipeng and Chen Dong to the Chinese Tiangong-2 space laboratory. The astronauts spent one month in orbit and returned on Nov. 18, 2016. By doing so, China has laid down its claim on the next functional space laboratory, which will be of huge advantage after the International Space Station retires in 2024, Tech Times reported. Furthermore, the China Manned Space Agency will also be participating in the global race to reach Moon and the ever so famous mission Mars and search for alien life on it. China is expecting that it will be able to launch its lunar missions by 2018, which will study the dark side of the Moon, although the China Manned Space Agency's plans regarding Mars mission remain undisclosed till now. WASHINGTON -- How big is the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals? The San-Francisco-based circuit is so big that it represents nine states, including Nevada, 20 percent of the U.S. population and 40 percent of the nation's land mass. It's so big that Congress has looked at bills to split the circuit since 1941, and it's so big that none of those measures have succeeded. This year, however, Sens. Jeff Flake and John McCain, both R-Ariz., see the possibility of success. They've introduced legislation to create a new 12th Circuit by peeling away six states: Nevada, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Arizona and Alaska. The slimmed-down 9th Circuit would continue to hear appeals from California, Oregon and Hawaii as well as Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. The last time Washington created a new federal circuit, the 11th, was 1981. There were proposals to split the 5th and 9th circuits, but the 9th remained the same while the 5th Circuit -- Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Florida -- was split. "It was easy to do. You had six states. You could divide them three-three," University of Pittsburgh School of Law professor Arthur Hellman observed. Also, Hellman noted, "there was a consensus among the legal community that the split should happen." Not so with the 9th. Some circuit judges have resisted attempts to reduce its size, which also would reduce their national impact. There's a price to be paid for that clout, said Walter Olson, Cato Institute senior fellow and founder of the "Overlawyered" blog. The 9th Circuit is the only circuit to hold "en banc" -- or full bench -- hearings with 11 of its 29 judges. Olson has taken to calling the 9th Circuit "the court that's not all there." "It's so big the three-judge panels cannot keep track of what they're all doing. You've got a panel over here that says one thing and a panel over there that says the opposite thing," Vanderbilt University Law School professor Brian Fitzpatrick said. Flake has argued that the district's size contributes to a court case gridlock. "The average wait time for a decision is 15 months," the senator told radio talk show host Hugh Hewitt. "The one bedrock principle we have in this country is the swift access to justice. If you live in the 9th Circuit, particularly Arizona, you don't have that." For years conservatives have mocked the 9th Circuit as the "nutty 9th," partly because of its unusually high rate of U.S. Supreme Court reversals, some of them unanimous. "If you can't get anyone on the Supreme Court to agree with you," Fitzpatrick opined, "it's not a good sign." With Republicans controlling the White House, Senate and House of Representatives, Flake has timing on his side, although he has said that he will try to win support from Nevada's newest senator, Democrat Catherine Cortez Masto. According to staff, Cortez Masto is studying the issue. Nevada's GOP senator, Dean Heller, supports the concept. "The severe backlog of the 9th Circuit forces Nevadans to wait too long for their day in court," Heller said, citing the 15-month delay. "It's clear the need for a 12th Circuit is warranted. I support Nevadans' right to a timely day in court." Hellman doesn't see the new circuit ending caseload problems because the number of judges would not grow. As for the 10-judge panel proposed for the 12th Circuit, it would be smaller, but its rulings would be more predictable. Flake has argued that a smaller circuit could do a better job representing Western states' approach to land use, which departs from the approach of many California judges. Recently, U.S. District Senior Judge James Robart got the attention of President Donald Trump when he issued a nationwide ruling that stayed Trump's immigration executive order. A three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit heard arguments as it considered whether to restore the order or maintain the hold. Before the hearing, Trump issued a tweet that called Robart a "so-called judge," a personal attack that Fitzpatrick believes makes it harder to pass the Flake bill. "I don't think Republicans like it when the president attacks judges," he said. And "it's going to make the Democrats stiffen their spines." Amy Rose, legal director of ACLU Nevada, believes that if Robart's decision intrudes on the debate over the 9th Circuit's fate, "that's exactly the reason not to pass the bill." Scholars have different views over which city should serve as a 12th Circuit headquarters. Some mention Seattle, others Phoenix. Hellman recalls a late law professor who argued in favor of Las Vegas, with its central location and good airline service. More to the point, because the 9th Circuit has so many judges, which makes it harder to predict outcomes, the scholar joked, the circuit's headquarters should be in Las Vegas because it's such a gamble. LAKE CITY, S.C. The Lake City City Council has approved the first reading of an ordinance that would allow for the city and the Florence County Sheriffs Office to provide mutual aid during special situations. Ordinance 2017.445 was introduced at the Feb. 14 council meeting and would approve a mutual aid agreement between Lake City and the Florence County Sheriffs Office. Lake City Administrator Shawn Bell said the agreement would be for securing mutual benefits in the event of a natural disaster, disorder, special event, emergency or other law enforcement activity. These types of mutual aid agreements are common between municipalities and counties and different county entities, Bell said. A recently passed law redid the way the mutual agreements need to be executed, he said. Then, the other thing that I would emphasize is that the procedure for this is that we actually have to request for the assistance, Bell said. The chief or his designee would make the request for the assistance, and a reply for the request would be made by the county or vice versa. In other business at Tuesday's meeting, the city is undergoing a project to repaint the Morris Street Water Tank. The city is leasing a space on the water tower to Verizon Wireless to house its communications equipment. In order to repaint the water tank, Bell said, the equipment must be removed. But in order for everybody to continue having Verizon cell service in town, Verizon needs to be able to put up their equipment, Bell said. The council passed the first reading of Ordinance 2017.444 to authorize a lease for Verizon to temporarily put its communications equipment on the checkerboard tank at 549 S. Church St. while the Morris Street tank is being repainted. So theyll just continue paying us the amount they were paying us for the Morris Street tank while they have their equipment up on the checkerboard tank, Bell said. And when we are done with the Morris Street tank painting, theyll take their equipment off the checkerboard (tank) and put it back up on the Morris Street (tank) because the Morris Street tank is better for them, strategically, for their communications equipment. During the equipment switchover, Bell said, there will be no interruption in Verizon cell service. The council also passed the second reading of Ordinance 2017.443 that would authorize the conveyance of real property at 588 Moore Street in Lake City. Coker College recruitment coordinator Tina Dupree spoke to the council about the colleges adult degree program Tuesday evening. Dupree said that since the Lake City site has combined with the Florence site at Poynor Adult Education, several students from Lake City still participate in the program. One thing we wanted to let everyone know is we now have an online business program which works out very well for our individuals that have to work, Dupree said. We still have the two classes that students can take, which is considered a full load. Now weve added on a new scholarship for students. Students who attended Florence-Darlington Technical College for a two-year degree can now receive from $500 to $2,000 in scholarship funds to complete two additional years at Coker College. Other grants are also available for students. Were encouraging the students to get that two-year (degree) and once they transfer to us, use that scholarship to finish up their two years with us, Dupree said. Dupree is available to speak meet with local businesses, churches, schools and civic groups about the services offered at Coker. Dupree can be reached at 843-383-8165 or tdupree@coker.edu. Other highlights from the council meeting: New Lake City Police Chief Kipp Coker was introduced to people who attended the meeting. Frank Burgess will serve another term on the planning commission, and Warren Carter will fulfill the vacancy created by Councilwoman Peg Sebnick. A town hall meeting will be held at the senior center in Lake City at 6 p.m. March 6. Sanitation will be the topic of discussion. Representatives from American Waste Systems will be in attendance. I recall the moment that I heard about the shooting at Townville Elementary. It was hard to process the news, because things like that didnt happen in Townville. But it did happen in Townville, and it resulted in the death of a precious child along with the injury of his friends and a teacher. The minutes, hours and days following our tragedy also saw some of the finest examples of humanity that I ever have witnessed. Firefighter Jamie Brock thought of nothing other than stopping the threat when he took on and subdued the shooter. Townville Elementary teachers and staff acted decisively, preventing even more devastation. The Townville Rescue Squad put all of their training and passion into saving lives at the scene. Law enforcement from at least four agencies moved in quickly to secure and calm the scene, allowing parents to reunite with their children. Countless others, many of whom we might never know, provided aid and comfort in that moment of crisis and long after to those so deeply affected. I am both proud and humbled to live in a place with such neighbors, and I am honored to be able to serve them in public office. The obvious response to this kind of tragedy is to mandate that every school in South Carolina employ an armed school resource officer. Many schools have them, but they cost a lot of money. The last estimate I saw was approximately $78 million annually just for compensation of officers in the more than 1,300 schools in South Carolina. Other costs, such as uniforms, weapons, vehicles, etc., would add another approximately $65 million much of it also recurring. A senator actually filed such legislation in 2013 following the school shooting in Connecticut. It did not pass, because there was not enough money. I see little chance of a different outcome in 2017. I prefiled Jacob Halls Law to empower local districts, and therefore the parents and taxpayers to whom they are accountable, with the flexibility to arrive at solutions that best fit their communities. Jacob Halls Law does one simple thing. It removes from law the restriction that only law enforcement can carry a weapon on school grounds and adds to them employees of the district (school personnel) authorized by school officials. It does not mandate arming teachers. It does not allow that anyone and everyone with a concealed weapons permit can enter a school. It does not dictate any specific solution at all. It gives the local district another tool to confront the problem. How they confront it is up to them, and that is exactly my goal. We have local school districts and locally elected boards to make decisions that are best for their communities. Each community is different, and they want the solutions that fit them best. I want that, too, and that is what Jacob Halls Law allows local people making local decisions that work best for them. I also filed legislation, as one of my final acts as a state senator, to allow for funds available through the Education Improvement Act (EIA) to be used for school protection and safety, including school resource officers. Senate bill 273 will allow local districts to tap the already flexible EIA stream in combination with their decisions on how to best enhance their local security profiles. My goal, again, is to free districts, with their parents and taxpayers, to craft the best solutions for their specific needs. One size does not fit all in anything else that I have seen in my time in Columbia, and I want to avoid the same mistake here. These bills will undergo the same committee processes in the House and Senate as all legislation. The public will be invited and encouraged to speak. No law will ever stop all of the evil in our world. My intention with Jacob Halls Law and the funding flexibility bill is to respond in a realistic way to this tragedy and empower local communities to make the changes best suited to their needs. I am honored and humbled to be in a position to try to make even this minor contribution. Kevin L. Bryant became the 92nd lieutenant governor of South Carolina on Jan. 25 after serving in the South Carolina Senate from 2005 to 2017. He can be reached at kevinbryant@scstatehouse.gov. LAKE CITY, S.C. The Carolina Academy sophomore Landon Bradshaw spoke at the South Carolina State House on Feb. 2 for a group of senators about a Sole Hope service project he hosted at the school in September. The Sole Hope organization has a mission to offer hope, healthier lives and freedom from foot-related diseases through education, jobs and medical relief. Through the service project, Bradshaw and other students at The Carolina Academy collected and prepared items to make shoes for children in Uganda. Bradshaw heard about the Sole Hope project at a leadership 4-H camp that was held in honor of Senator Clementa Pinckney last summer. At the state house, he spoke about the project to 15 state senators and Pinckneys wife, Jennifer Pinckney. I spoke about Sole Hope and how Im trying to make a difference throughout my community and my aspirations to become a surgeon and then a U.S. senator, Bradshaw said. The experience was fun, Bradshaw said. I wrote my speech, and I practiced my speech so I had it down. So that was really good, he said. Everybody loved it, and I tried to make it a little funny so everybody laughed. I was happy about it. Bradshaw was the only student from Florence County to speak at the statehouse on Feb. 2. He was invited by the Clemson Extension 4-H office along with three other junior leaders. He does a great job here in his leadership role he takes at the school and doing things that benefit everybody, said The Carolina Academy headmaster Stevie Phillips. Were just very proud of that and of him. Bradshaw will visit the S.C. State House again on March 14 to meet senators and other state leaders. SPRINGFIELD (AP) Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner gave more specifics Wednesday on what tax hikes he'd accept to end Illinois' nearly two-year budget stalemate, enduring derisive laughter from Democratic legislators who shelved his first two spending plans. Rauner told the General Assembly during an afternoon budget address that spending cuts "need to be real no smoke and mirrors" and insisted his plan would balance the budget. However, as it stands, it would leave a $7 billion hole without matching revenue. If enacted as introduced Wednesday, the state would spent nearly $40 billion, 22 percent more than the $33 billion in revenue the plan counts on, according to budget documents released after the speech. Sidestepping specifics, Rauner used his third budget presentation to signal his willingness to accept tax increases. He struck an upbeat tone, praising "real progress" the Senate had made in negotiating a compromise plan. It addresses regulatory changes Rauner has demanded for two years but also an income-tax increase to slice into a multibillion-dollar deficit. Skittish lawmakers staring down a Senate tax vote had urged the governor to weigh in. Rauner said that, as a guideline, he's open to a tax on services, such as car repairs or haircuts, but would nix increased taxes on food, medicine or retirement income. "There is no one single bullet, no one single 'must have,' for our administration," Rauner said. "But for the future of our state, change must be real, not just a newspaper headline." But Democrats who hold majorities in both the House and Senate were unimpressed. "There was no real meat in what he was saying today," complained Rep. Greg Harris, a Chicago Democrat and House budget negotiator. "We heard he plans to spend much more money." Illinois has been without a budget since July 2015, two months after Rauner took office, the nation's longest state budget stalemate in nearly a century. Recalling the length of the stalemate, rife with accusations on both sides, Rauner said: "This isn't about pointing fingers or assigning blame. " That prompted a round of laughter from Democrats in the chamber. Rauner has insisted that a budget agreement include regulatory and political changes such as cost-cutting restrictions on workers' compensation and term limits for officeholders. The Senate plan includes some of his priorities, but also an increase in the personal income tax rate to 4.99 percent from 3.75 percent. He said he wants a permanent property-tax freeze, not one limited to two years as the Senate suggests. He said that's only fair if lawmakers approve a permanent increase in the personal income tax rate from 3.75 percent to 4.99 percent. Even without an annual spending plan, state government continues to operate largely because of court orders and intermittent appropriations by lawmakers. But the picture is bleak. Without action, Illinois will have a $5.3 billion deficit when the current fiscal year ends June 30. There is a backlog of $11 billion in overdue bills. State pension programs are $130 billion short of what they need to pay promised benefits to retired and current employees. Rauner proposes spending of $37.3 billion, but only after saving $2.5 billion with changes to state-employee health insurance, selling the James R. Thompson state office building in Chicago, making procurement more efficient and other changes most of which requires legislative approval. And if he achieves those cuts, there's still a hole of $4.6 billion. Budget director Scott Harry says the governor hopes that will be covered, with help from the Legislature, by economic growth, more spending cuts, and tax increases that come out of the Senate compromise. "The final result must be a good deal for taxpayers and job creators; a grand bargain that truly balances the budget once and for all, and really moves the needle when it comes to job creation," Rauner said. BELLEVILLE (AP) A judge has denied a request by the Illinois attorney general to stop paying state workers unless lawmakers resolve the budget impasse. St. Clair County Circuit Judge Robert LeChien refused Thursday to reverse a previous court order requiring Illinois to pay state employees in the absence of a spending plan. Attorney General Lisa Madigan argued stopping pay is constitutional and will hasten a budget agreement. Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner has criticized Madigan's legal move, suggesting the daughter of House Speaker Michael Madigan wanted to create a "crisis" that would shut down the government. In a statement Thursday, Rauner said he was pleased with the decision and hopes Madigan drops her effort. Both Democrats and Republicans in the Illinois House say worker paychecks, which total about $400 million monthly, should continue. New Braunfels, TX (78130) Today Partly cloudy. High around 85F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy in the evening followed by scattered thunderstorms after midnight. Low 71F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%. This was on the back of a 7% increase in ship calls which rose from 385 to 411. Ten of these were maiden calls. Singapore Tourism Board (STB) highlighted the numbers at a press briefing to announce its report card for 2016, which showed record tourism sector performance. Both overall visitor arrivals and tourism receipts exceeded forecasts to hit historical highs in 2016. While overall visitor arrivals to Singapore grew by 7.7% to 16.4m, tourism receipts rose even higher by 13.9% representing $24.8bn. The strong tourism receipt results came on the back of visitors spending more on food and beverage, shopping and accommodation, noted STB. For the second consecutive year, China (+41%) ranked top in tourism receipts, followed by India (+37%) and Indonesia (+14%). China increased mainly due to a volume-driven growth while Indonesia and India saw tourism receipts growing on the back of visitors spending more on shopping and accommodation. Visitors from India constituted the top cruise arrival market, growing some 29%. According to STB, there were around 100,000 cruise passengers from India. Generally, Indian visitors to Singapore are leisure family travellers with keen interest in sightseeing and attractions. Many of these who were from both Tier 1 and 2 Indian cities were early-career types interested in shopping and food and beverages. They relied highly on travel agents for bookings. Singapores enhanced connectivity also had an impact on tourism, with direct flights to Dusseldorf, Germany which began mid-2016. There were 56,000 cruise guests from Germany, accounting for a 55% growth from that source market. Some of STBs key initiatives in 2016 to enhance destination attractiveness included tapping on the 'Cruise Southeast Asia' brand initiative to strengthen brand recall for regional cruising. Singapore and Indonesian tourism authorities signed MOUs to develop tourism, including cruises, between the countries. STB won Destination of the Year 2016 at the Seatrade Cruise Awards. Other partnerships and collaborations with industry partners resulted in cruise packages being sold by 14 partners in five markets. This resulted in some 10,000 passengers for Singapore, the majority buying three- to five-night pre- and post-cruise stays, while partners saw doubledigit year-over-year growth in sales. STB also reported Singapores Cruise Development Fund Enhanced scheme successfully supported five charters with about 9,000 passengers. STB chief executive Lionel Yeo said: 'We will continue to work closely with tourism partners to intensify our efforts and sustain quality tourism growth.' Armenias National Security Service (NSS) has decided to drop a criminal investigation into the purchase a private house in Los Angeles for $11 million by the sons of Gagik Khachatryan, a former finance minister and chief of the State Revenue Committee. Responding to a Hetq inquiry as to what triggered the decision, Armenias Prosecutor Generals Office (PGO) says the case was dropped on July 16, 2016 because there was no evidence of any crime being committed. The NSS sent the same response to Hetq, adding that it never filed for legal assistance from U.S. law enforcement to pursue the matter. Law enforcement in Armenia, it now seems, dropped the case a scant two weeks after a June 30, 2016 Hetq article revealed that Gourgen and Artyom Khachatryan, the sons of Gagik Khachatryan, had purchased a sprawling private house in the affluent Los Angeles neighborhood of Westwood for $11 million in 2010 and had placed it on the market for $35 million. Both the NSS and the PGO refused a Hetq request to provide copies of the decision to drop the case, arguing that Armenias Criminal Judicial Code had no clause obligating law enforcement to hand over copies of judicial decisions to the press if those decisions are a result of the courts ascertain if information circulated by the press are correct or not. Hetq has spoken to two attorneys, asking them if positions taken by the NSS and the PGO are in fact legal in cases involving government officials. Just last month, the NSS also refused to provide Hetq a copy of its decision to drop a criminal investigation into the offshore business interests of Mihran Poghosyan, a former head of Armenias Compulsory Enforcement Service. Attorney Ara Ghazaryan told Hetq that Articles 262 and 290 of Armenias Criminal Procedure Code regarding giving information to third parties are theoretically thorny clauses and it must be debated whether a news outlet, upon whose information a case has been launched, can be considered an interested party with the right to demand and receive information. This is a matter, Ghazaryan says, for the countrys constitutional court, since opinions vary regarding the meaning of the above two articles. For example, in the case of primates being smuggled into Armenia from Guinea, which was dropped after a two-year case, the State Revenue Committee did provide Hetq a copy of the decision. Someone participating in a court case is an interested party, explains Ghazaryan. But the code does not equate this with an interested party. It is noted separately, otherwise it would be directly noted; a court case participant. The issue we face is to clarify who an interested party is by law. Looking at the issue from the perspective of decisions handed down by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), Ghazaryan says, While the Convention does not recognize information accessibility as a right on its own. However, its a different matter if a news outlet demands information, such information that others would want to see the state body provide. (For example, information in the public interest. In that case, the ECHR recognizes the right of information accessibility in the context of the right to receive information. See: Tarsasag A Szabadsagjogokert v. Hungary, April 14, 2009) According to attorney Hayk Aloumyan, the matter is clear-cut. Bothe the NSS and the PGO should have provided Hetq copies of the decision since there is no legal norm preventing it. If the decision isnt provided, then, what must be referred to is such a norm preventing you from having the information. Such a norm doesnt exist, says Aloumyan, adding that this is especially true when it deals with individuals in the public realm. We should note here that the NSS, rather than officially pursuing the case, merely debated whether it made sense to launch a criminal investigation at all, deciding in favor of a government official while neglecting to review none of the evidence pointing to the possible embezzlement of huge amounts of state resources. Furthermore, neither the NSS, or the Special Investigation Service in Mihran Poghosyan case, never attempted to get in touch with Hetq, demanding verification of the information we published. Surprisingly, the Khachatryan family never asked Hetq to publish a denial of the story. In a July 1, 2016 interview with Hetq, Gourgen Khachatryan, one of the sons of the former finance minister, shied away from specifics when explaining where he and his brother got $11 million to buy the private house in Los Angeles. Gourgen told Hetq that the transactions were on public record in the U.S. and that the Hetq article revealed nothing new. When asked how they got the money to buy the Westwood mansion in the first place, Gourgen merely mentioned that the money derived from business savings. In an attempt to come across as clean, Gourgen said, Everyone knows that the process for such transactions in the U.S. is minutely investigated by the appropriate bodies and can only be carried out if they comply with the law. (No one with any knowledge of the U.S. real estate market believes this. Pay cash on the barrel head, and its no questions asked.) On July 6, 2016, Radio Liberty asked Gagik Khachatryan if he had recently assisted his sons in their business ventures or had helped them purchase the $11 million mansion. Khachatryan responded, Every person is obligated to respect the private life of another and must not get involved in the publicizing of information regarding problematic issues, even if it relates to ones sons. The former head of the State Revenue Service overlooks the fact that he isnt just every person, but rather a government official who for years ran agencies dealing with large amounts of public resources and who wielded great influence. When it comes to Armenian government officials disclosing their assets and income, the law states that other relations also must file disclosures the officials spouse, live-in parents, and even adult or unmarried children living at home. The law, as it stands, does not obligate married children still living with their parents to file financial disclosures. Was this, perhaps, the reason that Armenian law enforcement dropped the case into Gourgen and Artyom Khachatryan and their $11 million Los Angeles house? That would be more than somewhat naive. So why did the PGO and the NSS decide to drop the Khachatryan case? Given that they refused to provide Hetq copies, we can only speculate and say that they decided to sweep the entire matter under the rug rather than pursue the matter in the public interest. Photo: Mihran Poghosyan, Gagik Khachatryan This forms part of the tourism minister's goal of securing 5m overall visitors by 2021. According to Jamaica Tourist Board statistics, in 2015 the island drew 3.69m tourists. Of that, stopover visitors totaled 2.12m while cruise arrivals numbered nearly 1.57m. Accompanying the minister were Paul Pennicook, director of tourism, and Delano Seiveright, senior adviser to the minister. The group met with Adam Goldstein, who took over as chairman of the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association in January, and Federico Gonzalez-Denton, associate vp, government relations, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Goldstein is president and chief operating officer, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Of the ceos, chairman and directors of maritime and offshore companies surveyed just 12% said that were currently compiling, analysing and storing big data. This was despite 77% seeing potential benefits from big data from real time information on vessel performance, and 70% seeing this as providing cost savings for their company. As to what was holding companies back from utilising big data, 63% cited a lack access, 50% a need for more skilled professionals, while 83% highlighted a need for more training of current employees. Oh Bee Lock, head of group technology for terminal operator PSA International, commented: The next step must be for us to prepare the industry to fully integrate big data analytics into the working environment. We need to look into developing the skills of our current workforce to ensure that there are professionals who are trained to collect and use the large amounts of data in the industry, and make it more interesting for dig data professionals to join the industry. Only with a competent set of professionals can the opportunities provided by big data be leveraged effectively, he added. Big data will be one of the topics highlighted during the Sea Asia 2017 panel session - The Fourth Industrial Revolution: Threat or Opportunity at which Oh will be a speaker. Also joining Oh on the panel will be Oskar Levander, vice president of innovation marine at Rolls-Royce. Big Data has the potential to change and disrupt the maritime sector, changing the way services are offered and allowing new players with new and different skills sets to enter the market. The evolution of technology means that the competitive landscape for the maritime industry is also changing quickly, Levander said. It is therefore crucial for the industry to come together and collaborate with one another and the government to accelerate innovation, improve processes and create value. This will help us navigate challenges to come. Looking ahead to the panel session Chris Hayman, chairman of Seatrade commented: Some of the key discussions that will be taking place at Sea Asia 2017 include conversations around the utilisation of Big Data and smart shipping technologies. At the The Fourth Industrial Revolution: Threat or Opportunity session, we will delve into how technology and innovation can be leveraged as strategies for the maritime industry to move forward amidst todays challenges. Sea Asia 2017 is co-organiser by Seatrade and the Singapore Maritime Foundation and will be held in Singapore at the Marina Bay Sands from 25-27 April 2017. A majority of MEPs supported the proposal that international shipping (including non-EU flag ships) should be incorporated into the EU Emissions Trading System from 2023 if there is no comparable system operating in the IMO by 2021. Putting unrealistic pressure on IMO with regional measures that will gravely hurt a global sector and do very little for climate is not the way to proceed, commented ECSA (European Community Shipowners Associations) secretary general Patrick Verhoeven. We thank those MEPs that voted against the inclusion of shipping and hope this spirit will prevail in the upcoming trilogue negotiations" between representatives of the European Parliament, Council and Commission. The ICS (International Chamber of Shipping) said it was disappointed but not surprised by the vote, which it felt simply risks polarising debate among IMO Member States which have already agreed to develop a strategy for reducing shippings CO2 emissions in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. EU Member States, which are also members of IMO, now have a duty to reject these unhelpful proposals, as they are taken forward as part of the wholesale attempt to reform the EU Emissions Trading System, added ICS director of Policy & External Relations Simon Bennett. Trying to include thousands of small shipping companies including thousands of companies not based in the EU into a system designed for major EU power generating companies and steel and cement producers is only going to complicate this reform. Intertanko and its members consider the EU Parliaments ambition as totally counter-productive, commented Dragos Rauta, technical director of the international independent tanker association. This undermines the work undertaken by IMO and may upset the spirit of cooperation under which IMO develops global rules for a global industry. It is disappointing that, despite the IMO Secretary Generals recent appeal to EU leadership, they still fail to recognise the crucial importance effective regulations at global level will have in this domain, added Katharina Stanzel, Intertanko managing director. We can only achieve global goals through widespread buy-in to international solutions for shipping. The German Shipowners Association (VDR) also added its voice saying the vote by the European Parliament sent a detrimental signal to the 172 IMO member states. Including international shipping in the ETS jeopardises the positive outcome of the joint negotiations within IMO, where countries like the USA, China, Brazil and India until now pulled together. Climate protection, as well as shipping, need global solutions, not a patchwork of regional approaches, said Ralf Nagel ceo of VDR. Your Excellency Mr. Zanier, The OSCE Office in Yerevan (hereafter also referred to as the Office) has been established based on the July 22, 1999 decision of the OSCE Permanent Council and started its operation on February 16, 2000 after the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia ratified the memorandum of understanding signed between OSCE and the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Office is one of the key European institutions in the country. For many years it has played a vital role in prioritizing human rights principles in the work of the newly established political institutions of the Republic of Armenia. Hereby we the undersigned civic organizations of the Republic of Armenia express our concern regarding the statements in the media on the possibility of closing the OSCE Office in Yerevan. It will cause significant damage to the development of democratic institutions and promotion of human rights in Armenia, where tangible breakthroughs have been achieved due to the work of the Office. Currently, it is one of the key actors in Armenia that manages to push forward democratic values in the agendas of the government. It is noteworthy that the Office has had significant impact on the adoption of respective standards for conducting democratic elections in Armenia. Besides, it has actively monitored the implementation of these standards and provided recommendations for further improvements. Nowadays, its work is immensely important due to the upcoming parliamentary elections in and the challenges that the Armenia currently faces. Finally, Armenian civil society institutions attach great importance to the active support of the OSCE Office in Yerevan to the work of civic organizations in the field of democratic institutions and human rights, specifically regarding law enforcement agencies, armed forces, and reforms on electoral processes. The latter has had much impact in shaping this sector. It has supported these organizations to tackle various issues more effectively and advocate for necessary government reforms in Armenia. Considering the importance of the work that the OSCE Office in Yerevan does, we want to emphasize that its closure will hinder the process of building democratic institutions in the country. The Office is much needed in Armenia. "Agate" center for women with special needs NGO Analytical Centre on Globalization and Regional Cooperation Armenian Constitutional Right - Protective Centre (ACRPC) NGO Asparez Journalists Club "Bambir" Cultural NGO Caucasus Research Resource Center-Armenia Foundation Collaboration for Democracy Centre Committee to Protect Freedom of Expression Ecolur Informational NGO Economic Development and Research Center Foundation Against the Violation of Law NGO Gyumri Youth Civic Center Helsinki Citizens AssemblyVanadzor Helsinki Committee of Armenia Human Rights Defender NGO Hrazdan Youth Civic Center Ijevan Youth Civic Center International Center for Human Development Journalists for the Future NGO Lori Citizens Union BNGO Media Initiatives Center Meghri Women's Resource Center NGO Mission Armenia NGO "National Center for Legal Researches" NGO New Generation Humanitarian NGO Open Society Foundations-Armenia OXFAM in Armenia OxYGen Foundation for Protection of Youth and Womens Rights Partnership and Teaching/P&T NGO Peace Dialogue NGO Protection of Rights without Borders NGO Public Journalism Club Real World, Real People NGO Rights Information Center NGO Transparency International Anti-Corruption Center Union of Informed Citizens NGO Unison NGO for Support of People with Special Needs Vanadzor Youth Civic Center Women's Development Resource Center Foundation Women's Resource Center Womens Rights Center NGO Yeghegnadzor Youth Civic Center Yerevan Press Club Davit Gevorgyan, Director of YSU Center of Applied Psychology Although it's hardly unique among the states, Michigan's government has a representation problem. According to the Reflective Democracy Campaign's 2015 In light of that issue, and the greater national discussions of racism that have arisen around Donald Trump's candidacy and presidency, Each installment will focus on a different group of government officials continuing with city council members in this installment. Raquel Castaneda-Lopez: Demystifying politics Detroit city council member Raquel Castaneda-Lopez says she "totally understands" many people of color's feeling of fundamental disconnect from government, because she once shared their perception. "I grew up in a community [Southwest Detroit] where people were rarely reached out to and not many people voted," she says. "I myself didn't really understand our political process and the importance of voting until my mid-20s. I knew it was important, but there was not a conversation at home, nor really in the community, about that." Castaneda-Lopez first dabbled in politics through an internship with former state Rep. Steve Tobocman while she was pursuing her master's degree in social work at the University of Michigan. From there, the political world wouldn't let her go. She was recruited first by state Rep. Rashida Tlaib to serve as Tlaib's campaign manager and then by her own neighbors to run for Detroit city council. Now, she says it's vital to actively encourage more young people of color to understand and engage with what seems like a "foreign system" to many of them. Castaneda-Lopez serves on the board of advisors of the However, Castaneda-Lopez has navigated some challenging racial issues since being sworn in as the first Latina on Detroit's city council in 2013. In Detroit's District 6 she serves a population that's 39 percent black, 39 percent Latino, and 18 percent white. She frequently struggles with constituents' perceptions that she either overly favors Latino communities or doesn't cater to other communities enough. So she's endeavored to focus on programs that positively affect underserved Detroiters of all racial backgrounds. For example, Castaneda-Lopez spearheaded an effort last year to implement a "Whether you're black, white, Latino, man, woman, it doesn't matter: we all want to live in a clean, safe city," Castaneda-Lopez says. "So coming from that as a starting point, how do we build bridges and mobilize?" Lois Richardson: "The pressure is on" Although Lois Richardson has served consecutive terms on Ypsilanti's city council since 2000, she's spent almost as long trying to build bridges between area communities of color through an organization called the Despite its name, the organization welcomes elected officials of any race (and also offers memberships to non-elected officials who support the caucus). Richardson says the strength of the caucus, which last year counted over 100 members, is in numbers. "If we can go walk into a senator's office or walk into the governor's office and say we're representing 300 members, that means a whole lot more than if we walk in and say we're representing 25 members," she says. The caucus has undertaken a variety of initiatives since its inception, but Richardson says the organization's main focal points have always been education and networking. Most recently, the caucus has concentrated its efforts on an annual forum for its members. This year's forum will focus on issues of police-community relationships. Although Richardson notes that Ypsilanti hasn't seen any of the major problems that other communities have experienced with animosity between police and their communities, she says it's still important for her and all local officials to have a dialogue on the topic. "We set the pace and we need to know all that we can know," she says. "We need to be there so that we can go back to our communities and help our people understand ... and work with our own police departments to make things better." Since the inauguration of President Trump, Richardson also sees herself on the front lines of another new struggle. She has strong words for Trump's racially charged rhetoric particularly his assertion that African-Americans are "living in hell," which she describes as "coded language ... straight out of the '30s, '40s, and '50s." "I really think the pressure is on myself and every other black elected official and every black community leader in a way that we haven't experienced in a long time," she says. "If we're going to lead the people, we're the first ones to catch the brunt of it and we've got to be able to stand strong and put forth a united front." Doris Taylor Burks: "I'm a fighter" Pontiac city council member Doris Taylor Burks says she's experienced little racism herself as an African-American holding public office. But with the inauguration of President Trump, she's preparing to take a stand for other minority groups in her community. Burks says she has experienced prejudice in her political career, which included a lengthy stint on the Pontiac Public Library board before she won her city council seat in 2013. But she says that prejudice has usually been directed towards her gender, rather than her race. Burks cites her first two unsuccessful runs for council, against black male candidates Lee Jones and Charlie Harrison III, and notes other cases in which well-qualified women have been defeated by men. "It's going to take more hard work, because women especially have to prove that we are capable of being elected officials," she says. Burks says her biggest point of pride since taking office has been the slow but steady development of downtown Pontiac. Although she doesn't take sole credit, she cites the arrival of But, like Richardson, Burks is battening down the hatches for some kind of fight against the newly minted Trump administration. Having seen the residents in her own neighborhood shift from primarily black when she moved in 31 years ago to primarily Latino today, she says she's particularly concerned about her Latino constituents. She says Trump's "unjust" rhetoric regarding Mexican immigrants is "scary because you never know what's going to come out of his mouth" but she's also ready to resist in whatever way she can. "I'm a fighter," she laughs. "I'm a retired UAW member, so I know how to fight." Next week in the third and final installment of this series, we'll check in with a variety of local elected officials of color, ranging from county commissioners to a district court judge. When Vyas Shenoy arrived in the United States from his home country of India, he felt pretty lost. "I didn't know anyone," Shenoy recalls. "I had just taken two bags from India, and a dream of pursuing my master's degree in the United States. I thought, 'If something happens to me, who'll help me?' I didn't know... I didn't have answers for that when I left India." But after studying for several years at UM-Dearborn, Shenoy, who serves as president of the university's Indian Graduate Student Association and works as a project manager with Formula SAE-Electric, says he feels right at home. Vyas Shenoy. Photo by Doug Coombe. " That experience is exactly what University Chancellor Daniel Little hopes for all students of UM-Dearborn, whether they come from another country or from right here in Metro Detroit. "We have high admission standards and highly qualified students, but also students with relatively low opportunities and many first-generation students," says Little. "It's an unusual combination." The University of Michigan-Dearborn is a member of the "One thing that AASCU institutions are proud of is the opportunities we offer to under-resourced populations," says Little. "Generally speaking, AASCU institutions are more diverse than their counterparts in the flagships. The diversity at UM-Dearborn, for example, is substantially greater than diversity in Ann Arbor. It's not that Ann Arbor is less interested in diversity. It's just situational." UM-Dearborn draws the majority of its students from the Metro Detroit region. Of the 9,131 students enrolled in the fall of 2016, 79 percent hailed from Wayne, Oakland or Macomb counties. But international students accounted for nearly 10 percent of the student body, and the total student body is diverse; 24.4 percent were people of color in fall 2016. For comparison, only 20.4 percent of the students enrolled in the autumn of 2015 at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor were people of color, and a greater percentage of those were Asian (11.2 percent in Ann Arbor vs. 7.2 percent in Dearborn). But according to Little, just having numbers that show diversity is not enough. "I've talked to a lot of presidents of AASCU institutions, and the general sense I have is that most of those institutions are still struggling to create that environment of a welcoming climate for all groups that are on campus," says Little. "But I can tell you that is has been successful at UM-Dearborn. I think it's intentional; leaders and faculty and students have wanted this." Little points to the results of an Chancellor Daniel Little. Photo by Doug Coombe. "That is a good indicator because you've got a direct consequence of good climate," says Little. "If you have a climate which says it's safest for you, if you're a Latino student, to hang out with the Latino students, then you're not as likely to interact with a non-Latino student, and also the non-Latino student is not so likely to interact with you. But if you have a welcoming climate, then you would expect more positive interactions." Cultivating that welcoming climate is the job of Dr. Ann Lampkin-Williams, who serves as special counsel to the Chancellor for inclusion and strategic projects. Lampkins, who left a similar role at another Michigan university, says that she came to the UM-Dearborn precisely because of Little's emphasis on inclusion. "What I love about Chancellor Little is that he just doesn't talk the talk, he walks the walk," says Lampkin-Williams."He understands that numerical diversity is something that can be attained. But once you have numerical diversity, then what are you trying to accomplish? From there, you're moving into retention, which requires an inclusive campus community." Initiatives to cultivate inclusion on campus include an ongoing Conversations on Race discussion series that brings in scholars and renowned speakers to engage students on topics related to historical and current racial inequities. A Diversity Ambassadors program allows students to develop leadership skills through fostering conversation with peers. A program for LGBTQ students offers peer groups and ally training, And an array of student associations, including a But inclusion goes beyond race, ethnicity and LGBTQ issues, according to Lampkin-Wiliams. Ann Lampkin-Williams. Photo by Doug Coombe. "Another piece of the puzzle that we do well is through our provost office, and their creation of the Talent Gateway," she says. The "Another piece of the puzzle that we do well is through our provost office, and their creation of the Talent Gateway," she says.The For Shenoy, it's the little things that add up to what he calls a "transformation". To that end, he organizes an annual event called parichay, an Indian word meaning "introduction." The event helps students from South Asian countries learn about everyday cultural norms in America; everything from saying hello, smiling and looking people in the eye, to how to engage with professors. "These are the small things which students don't know," says Vyas. "I always think small things build up. Transformation doesn't happen without smaller changes. This is what I believe." Today I have a very good family, and I've made friends from different backgrounds," says Shenoy. "I feel proud to be in the United States. It's like a second rebirth, you know?" American Association of State Colleges and Universities , which are typically non-flagship universities (the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor is considered a flagship institution). There are 420 AAACSU institutions across the country. engagement survey of senior students conducted annually, where UM-Dearborn students reported more frequent discussions with people of different races and ethnicities and more diverse perspectives on course discussions or assignments than at other AASCU institutions across the nation. Muslim Student Association , a Black Student Union , a Latin American Student Association and more join forces every spring for a Global Fest in March that brings the entire campus together to celebrate cultural diversity. Talent Gateway is an online platform that helps students connect to opportunities for mentoring, skill development and personal growth. "It's about understanding how students are so unique and different. This is not just about the honor students, but students with just diverse backgrounds." Cindy Kole becomes Chief Operating Officer, Senior Vice President of First National Bank of Michigan With a single phone call, pregnant and newborn families in Kalamazoo County can connect to crucial services and resources to bolster health and reduce infant mortality, reports Cradle Kalamazoo.The new community phone number, 269-888-KIDS, was launched Feb. 15 by Cradle Kalamazoo, a multi-agency community initiative led by the YWCA Kalamazoo.Based on the needs of the community, we know that pregnant women of color and low-income women are falling through the cracks. 888-KIDS can help close this gap," says Grace Lubwama, CEO of YWCA Kalamazoo.Whether youre pregnant or youre the best friend, family member or coworker of someone who is pregnant, you can call 888-KIDS to help them get connected to services and resources, Lubwama says. We can support the health of our babies by making sure their families have access to the resources they need.Cradle Kalamazoo will serve as a hub that will coordinate care, track data, and provide feedback with the goal of improving birth and maternal and infant outcomes especially for Black babies and their families in Kalamazoo. It consists of interested parties from the community and 30 partner organizations. United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region, Gryphon Place and Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine (WMed) are partnering together to provide 269-888-KIDS to the community.When community members call 269-888-KIDS, they will be connected to a Family Support Specialist at Gryphon Place. The Family Support Specialist will help connect community members to resources and Cradle Kalamazoo partners. Cradle Kalamazoo partners have programs that support families both inside and outside the home.Partnership drives community change, and thats why United Way is proud to be part of this collaboration, says Alyssa Stewart, Director of Strategy & Engagement for United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region. The new hotline will improve equitable access to services and support, and most importantly, assure better health for more babies and families in Kalamazoo County.The partners working with Cradle Kalamazoo can be found here Source: Cradle Kalamazoo The first woman of color in space, Mae Jemison, M.D., will be the keynote speaker at Kalamazoo Community Foundations 2017 Community Meeting. She will speak at 7 p.m. March 23 at Western Michigan Universitys Miller Auditorium.Jemison, who trained as an engineer and then became a physician before joining NASA, was a mission specialist on Space Shuttle Endeavour in 1992. In her talk titled Exploring the Frontiers of Science and Human Potential she will speak about her dreams of becoming an astronaut while growing up on the southside of Chicago.She will also talk about the importance of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education and the need for increased participation of women and minorities in science and technology.Jemison is at the forefront of integrating physical and social sciences with art and culture to solve problems and foster innovation. She uses her experience to build global initiatives and advocacy to generate radical leaps in knowledge and social responsibility. More information is available at her website here Jemison was a Peace Corps doctor serving in Sierra Leone and Liberia before spending six years as a NASA astronaut. She founded the international science camp, The Earth We Share, and is currently leading the 100 Year Starship, an initiative for human interstellar flight within the next 100 years.She founded the Dorothy Jemison Foundation for Excellence, named in honor of her mother and dedicated to improving student science achievement. She also founded The Jemison Group, a technology consulting firm, and BioSentient Corporation, a medical technology devices and services company.Her memoir, Find Where the Wind Goes: Moments from My Life, is geared for teenage readers, and she is the author of four books for students, third grade through middle school: The 100 Year Starship, Exploring Our Sun, Journey Through Our Solar System, and Discovering New Planets.Dr. Jemisons inspirational story illustrates the barriers she had to overcome simply because of her race and gender and how those barriers unfortunately still exist, says Carrie Pickett-Erway, president/CEO, Kalamazoo Community Foundation. "Were hopeful her visit will inspire our youth and the community-at-large."The Community Meeting is also part of University Center for the Humanities at WMUs 2016-2017 speaker series: Science and the Human Endeavor. Registration is free and open to the public. However, the Community Foundation requests that attendees register here . Parking at the Miller Auditorium ramp will be free.This will be a unique family event that can add to conversations about how we can make our community a place where every person can reach full potential, Pickett-Erway says.Source: Kalamazoo Community FoundationPhotos Courtesy of NASA Concerned that a Trump administration could walk back federal protections on scientific integrity established over the past eight years, prominent scientists are mobilizing their colleagues in defense of facts-based public policies. "We are living in a unique moment in time," said Gretchen Goldman, research director for the Center for Science and Democracy at the Union for Concerned Scientists. With several agency heads in apparent opposition to the mission of the agency they've been appointed to lead, Goldman said, "[it] has never been more urgent than it is now for us to fight to make sure that science is informing policy decisions." Goldman and other members of the UCS have put forward guidelines for protecting scientific integrity during the Trump administration. They urge the White House to recognize the value of federal scientists and the importance of science-based policies, while encouraging more collaboration between scientists and decision makers. Their recommendations appear in an article published today in Science. The authors offer examples of how the health, well being and safety of Americans were compromised by past public policies - Democratic and Republican - that knowingly diverged from scientific findings. Following a 2010 memorandum from presidential science advisor John Holdren, under orders from President Obama, 24 federal agencies and departments have implemented science integrity policies aimed at safeguarding the federal bureaucracy against political interference in science - all agency reports must be reviewed and authorized by the authoring federal scientist, for example, not political appointees. These specific policies, according to Goldman, came in direct response to the unprecedented levels of scientific interference that occurred during the administration of George W. Bush. In 2002, fact-based information about the efficacy of condoms in preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS on the Center for Disease Control's website, for example, was replaced with a document emphasizing condom failure rates and the effectiveness of abstinence. RELATED: Educators Fear DeVos Appointment Will Encourage State Anti-Science Laws In 2008 the head of the Department of the Interior doctored the official grouse population in order to remove the bird's protected status and keep their habitat open for oil and gas development. Under Obama, however, there were also notable moments of scientific interference. In 2011, for example, Health and Human Services director Kathleen Sebelius shot down the recommendation from Food and Drug Administration scientists that emergency contraceptives be made available over-the-counter for all ages. Last year, documents revealed that the Environmental Protection Agency had downplayed the risks of fracking to drinking water. The administration of George W. Bush was seen as particularly "adversarial to science" on a number of fronts, specifically in the realm of stem cell research and climate change, according to Gordon Gauchat, a sociologist at the University of WisconsinMilwaukee who studies the politicization of science. "Conservative administrations tend to be more critical of federal spending on science," he said. "With Trump, we might be seeing an acceleration of these tendencies and a willingness to add new science controversies to the mix." Shortly after Trump was sworn in, departments were ordered to freeze communication with the press and through social media. Goldman described federal scientists as "spooked," adding that no previous administration had issued such a widespread of long-term freeze on agency communications. The EPA, for example, an agency that Trump has said he would like to eliminate, has not issued a single Tweet or Facebook post since the inauguration. On Thursday, sources inside the agency have told Reuters that they were advised to prepare for a handful of executive orders that would reshape the agency. Considering such actions, and worrying that current whistleblowing guidelines may not be respected by the current administration, the Union for Concerned Scientists has also set up a webpage with instructions on how federal scientists can safely report abuses. Former EPA employees - seldom involved in political demonstrations - have also rallied to defend the agency's work and denounce former Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt as the nominated head of the agency. While Trump may present a unique threat to the agencies that shape science-based policy in the United States, Israeli political science professor Yaron Ezrahi says this is the latest affront in a series of demotions of science and the scientific community in the country's policy-making process. "It has reached its dramatic climax in the campaign and style of government of Donald Trump," said Ezrahi, who has spent the better part of his career studying the role of science in modern political systems. "But the process of the decline of science in American culture is already a matter of 40 or 50 years." If Trump intends to "make America great again" with powerful weapons systems and cutting-edge technology, Ezrahi said, he has continued to delegitimize the country's scientific culture. "Science is based on organized skepticism and the questioning of dogmas so that one can have new knowledge and insight," he said. "But when the skeptic becomes an enemy, when investigative reporters are bashed by a president, it is another pillar of scientific culture that is falling." Trump may value science as a source of power, but not as a tool for public policy, he added. "A successful business is a business based on science - but in this case, science is at the service of capitalism, not democracy." RELATED: Australian Scientists Who Faced Censorship Have Advice for Dealing With Trump But Ezranhi and Goldman are both optimistic that the current political climate could serve to mobilize the scientific community. In fact, Goldman's final suggestion for protecting scientific integrity is directed not at the Trump administration, but at the scientific community itself, urging scientists to take responsibility for better communicating the importance of its work. She has reason to believe that the scientific community will rise to the occasion. "This is a level of engagement [by scientist] that we haven't seen before," said Goldman, who is working to get scientists across the country into town hall meetings, to write letters to the editor and to call their own meetings with local officials. The Union of Concerned Scientists is a partner on the March for Science, slated for April 22 in Washington, and will participate in the Climate March, scheduled for the following weekend. "I think this has been a wake up call to the scientific community that we can't expect society to respect science without our help." WATCH: The Difference Between Global Warming and Climate Change This just in from the Alarming Ideas Bureau: Officials in the city of Dubai have announced that the world's first passenger drone air taxis will begin commercial flights this summer. Attentive readers may remember the passenger drone demo model that flipped everyone out at the Consumer Electronics Show earlier this year. Dubbed the EHang 184 Personal Flying Vehicle (FPV), it's basically a supersized quadcopter, and is in fact manufactured by the same Chinese company that makes the Ghost line of hobby drones. At the World Government Summit this week, Dubai's Road and Transportation Authority declared that the city will begin offering an aerial taxi service this summer using the EHang drone. According to reports out of Dubai - and the frankly bananas promotional video (below) - the flying taxi will have a range of about 40-50 kilometers (25-30 miles) with 30 minutes of flight time on a single battery charge. Passenger capacity is rather limited, as you might expect. The Dubai EHang model can carry "100 kilograms and a small suitcase" - that's around 220 pounds - and any passenger would need to contort a bit to squeeze into the small cabin space depicted in the video. Top speed is around 100 mph, although typical speeds will be around 60 mph, according to officials. Scientists looking for life beyond Earth have a new target relatively close to home. The dwarf planet Ceres, which orbits in the Main Asteroid Belt between Mars and Jupiter, has organic compounds on its surface, a paper published in this week's Science shows. The discovery, made with NASA's orbiting Dawn spacecraft, follows earlier findings that the 590-mile wide Ceres may have an ocean beneath its frozen surface. "There are speculations about a subsurface ocean on Ceres, similar to Europa or Enceladus," planetary scientist Michael Kuppers, with the European Space Astronomy Center in Madrid, told Seeker. Europa, a moon of Jupiter, and Enceladus, a moon circling Saturn, are two prime targets in the search for life beyond Earth. "I do think Ceres is a good target for searches for life outside Earth," Kuppers said. "In addition to distance, the radiation environment is more benign than, for example, Europa." RELATED: The Curious Case of Ceres' Vanishing Ice Volcanoes Dawn lead scientist Christopher Russell, with the University of California Los Angeles, said the discovery means that Ceres should be further explored, but noted that these organic molecules "are a long way from microbial life." "Ceres should be relatively easy to land on and has a benign environment compared to bodies further out in the solar system," Russell wrote in an email to Seeker. "We could take a small chemical lab to Ceres and analyze its soil and exosphere." Data collected by Dawn's visible and near-infrared imaging spectrometer showed the organic material matches tar-like compounds such as kerite or asphalitite, lead researcher Maria Cristina De Sanctis, with the National Institute for Astrophysics in Rome, Italy, and colleagues write in the Science paper. A follow-on analysis showed the organics are native to Ceres, most likely formed by hydrothermal activities beneath the surface. "These compounds are unlikely to have been delivered from an exterior source in an impact... because the extreme heat from an impact would have destroyed these types of compounds," Science wrote in a summary of the research. The location of the organics also casts doubt that they arrived via a crashing asteroid or comet. RELATED: Weird Polygonal Crater Reveals Ceres' Faults Scientists found the organics on two sites on Ceres, including on a crater rim. "The simplest explanation is that they were produced inside Ceres," Russell said. On a bigger picture, the discovery of organics on Ceres, which orbits nearly three times farther away from the sun than Earth, shows that the building blocks for life were present from the start of the solar system some 4.6 billion years ago. "If we consider Ceres to be typical of the planetesimals forming about 3 million years after day one of the solar system, the discovery indicates that the starting material in the solar system contained the essential elements... for life," Russell said. "Ceres may have been able to take this process only so far," he added. "Perhaps bodies in between Earth and Ceres in complexity, such as Europa and Mars, will enable us to fill in the gaps in our understanding of the beginning of life." Caption: False color view of Ceres and its Occator Crater. Organics were found near another crater named Ernutet. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/UCLA/MPS/DLR/IDA WATCH VIDEO: What You Need To Know About Organic Matter On Ceres Beach pebbles were "killed" 12,000 years ago in death rituals that involved using the stones as spatulas to paint the bodies of the dead, according to excavations in a cave in northern Italy. The pebbles were uncovered in the Caverna delle Arene Candide, a cave on a steep cliff overlooking the Mediterranean Sea in Liguria. According to a study published in the Cambridge Archaeological Journal, Paleolithic people living in the area collected oblong pebbles from a nearby beach, used them in the cave to apply ochre onto deceased individuals, and then intentionally broke them. "The reason for breaking the stones could have been to 'kill' them, discharging them of their symbolic power," co-author Julien Riel-Salvatore, associate professor of anthropology at the University of Montreal, said. Home to a necropolis containing the remains of some 20 adults and children buried between 13,000 and 11,000 years ago, the cave is located near the present town of Finale Ligure, some 30 miles from Genoa. RELATED: Gruesome Rituals Revealed in 9,500-Year-Old Graves The site has been excavated since the 1940s, with archaeologists unearthing more than 600 fragmented pebbles. However, the oblong stones were overlooked and no research was carried out to determine their meaning and function Researchers at the University of Montreal, Arizona State University and the University of Genoa who excavated a portion of the cave between 2009 and 2011 found 29 limestone pebbles and examined them through macroscopic and microscopic analysis. It emerged the pebbles were carefully selected on the beach for their polished, flat and oblong morphology. Moreover, traces of ochre were found on the edges and centers of most pebbles, indicating the stones were used as spatulas to decorate the deceased before burial. The oblong shape allowed "the use of the edges and tip while holding the pebble comfortably and securely in the hand," the researchers wrote. The funerary ritual ended with the "killing" of the pebbles. Analysis suggested the stones were broken following a specific technique, namely by giving direct blows to their center. A small satellite launcher built by Rocket Lab has reached its New Zealand launch site for a debut test run in a few months. The rocket, called Electron, is one of at least 17 small satellite launchers in development worldwide, a study for the Satellite Industry Association by The Tauri Group shows. Another study, presented at last year's International Astronautical Congress in Mexico, found at least 29 small boosters in development. But competition isn't much of a concern Rocket Lab founder and chief technical officer Peter Beck, who started the company in 2006. "We're turning customers away and we haven't even flown yet," Beck told Seeker. "I'm not really too concerned about the other launch companies coming along. In my opinion there's plenty for everybody... The biggest thing that we worry about actually is 'Can we build enough?' rather than 'Are there enough customers?'" RELATED: Tiny 'ThumbSats' Aim to Bring Space to All After three test flights, Rocket Lab aims to begin working off a manifest that includes flights for NASA, Planet, Spire and Moon Express, the latter of which is looking for a launch before the end of the year to compete in the $30 million Google Lunar XPrize. "Every customer is working to deadlines," Beck said. The first Electon booster arrived at Rocket Lab's privately owned launch site on Wednesday after a nine-hour truck ride from the company's manufacturing facility in Auckland. Rocket Lab's headquarters is in Los Angeles. Are we alone in the Universe? Humans have been asking that question for centuries, but only in the past few decades have we achieved the ability to begin to try and find the answer. With SETI - the Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence - we use radio telescopes to search for signals from alien civilizations. This is a relatively passive system, where we sit back and listen for what signals might be out there. As of yet, the search has come up empty handed. By contrast, "Active SETI" or what is now called Messaging Extra Terrestrial Intelligence, or METI, is a proactive system of sending a message to a specific place to say "hello" to let potential alien astronomers know we're here. But the METI concept is a little controversial. Some scientists have warned the strategy could be dangerous, and famed theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking has said that alerting aliens to our existence might be asking for trouble. Hawking suggests that advanced aliens might only see us as annoying bacteria, or aliens stepping foot on Earth might be akin to when Christopher Columbus landed in the Americas, which "didn't turn out so well" for the native people. However, claims of the dangers of METI are overstated, says Douglas Vakoch, a professor in the Department of Clinical Psychology at the California Institute for Integral Studies in California and president of METI International, an organization that looks to organize the efforts to send messages out into the cosmos. RELATED: Sending Messages to Aliens: Could It Kill Us? "When I talk with other scientists about the potential risk of METI, they agree that the public perception of the danger is overblown," Vakoch told Seeker. "And that's natural. We know that our brains are hard-wired to pay attention to vivid images of danger - even when the alleged risk isn't credible. So when Stephen Hawking warns that aliens could decimate Earthlings just as European explorers conquered the New World, that evocative image sets off our internal alarms - even if the scenario isn't logically consistent." Vakoch says that when Hawking assumes that somehow advanced extraterrestrials will have the ability to travel between the stars, but they won't have the capacity to pick up our "leaked" TV and radio signals, that just doesn't make sense. We've already had nearly 100 years of radio and television transmissions emanating from our planet as electromagnetic radiation. With those signals now having traveled almost 100 light-years, evidence of our existence is already spreading across the galaxy. With our growing database of known exoplanets, we now know that there are thousands of planets within a radius of 100 light-years. And it is quite likely that some of these worlds are Earth-like. "Any civilization that has the ability to hear our message has likely already heard our 'leakage' so they already know we are here," said Vakoch. So why bother sending messages at all? Because science. When considering the pros and cons of METI, Vakoch reasons, it is important to use the tenets of science - and not emotional arguments - for several different reasons. One principle of science is the importance of continually looking at the assumptions that drive our actions and if those assumptions are not warranted, being will to change course. "I don't know of any astronomers who are actually engaged in SETI observations themselves who think it's dangerous to transmit," Vakoch said. "But when even the world's most brilliant cosmologist [Hawking] evokes images that just aren't plausible, creating fears that foreclose innovative scientific research, we need to step back and look for a more rational way to evaluate the situation. It's important to find a way to seriously consider the risks of METI, and not just rely on lurid images of alien conquest." And in choosing the merits of specific METI projects, we should use a tried and true scientific method to help make logical judgments: peer review. "When I talk with other scientists about making decisions about METI transmissions through the process of peer review, they say, 'That makes so much sense,'" Vakoch said. "Why create a whole new process for evaluating scientific projects when the normal way of doing science has that built in? Through the peer review process, scientists can dispassionately evaluate the specific proposal in front of them." RELATED: Galactic Ecosystem Survival: Keep Your Head Down Vakoch said peer review would also help scientists move beyond simplistic 'either/or' thinking, of either it's worthwhile to do METI, or it's not. "It's critical to evaluate the specific METI project that's being proposed, to see whether it's worth pursuing," Vakoch explained. "For example, we could test one version of the Zoo Hypothesis, which states that extraterrestrial intelligence may be much more widespread than we had imagined perhaps inhabiting even nearby stars, but that we're not hearing from them because they require that we take the initiative in making contact. Well, we can test that hypothesis by transmitting powerful, intentional signals to the nearest stars. In the course of a few decades, we can see, very concretely, whether we get replies." Which leads Vakoch to point out that scientific practices and principles should be used in helping to determine the best methods in which to conduct METI. Since the mid-1970's, there have been about two dozen intentional messages sent out to the cosmos. These have all been one message, sent to a specific target in space. Vakoch said that approach needs to be modified. "In SETI, when we see a signal and we see it only once, that is not compelling," Vakoch said in anIdea City talk last year. If other civilizations have that same axiom that science needs to be repeatable and verifiable, "we should be transmitting repeatedly if it is going to be taken seriously," Vakoch said. Additionally, proponents of METI say messages should be targeted to stars in our own neighborhood. Why? For example, in 1974 a brief symbolic image was transmitted towards the M13 cluster of stars, about 25,000 light years away. "Instead of sending messages where it would take 50,000 years to get a reply," Vakoch said, "we should send messages to stars that are closer so that, even if it takes a decade or two to get a reply, at least it would be in a person's lifetime. That way you may actually get to test your hypothesis." Moreover, since the role of science is to test hypotheses, Vakoch said, through METI we could empirically test several ideas and theories, such as the previously mentioned Zoo Hypothesis and several other proposed explanations for the Fermi Paradox, which speculates that if the universe is full of sophisticated races and civilizations, why haven't we heard from anyone yet? Answering that question - and getting an answer to our call to the cosmos - could be one of the most profound events in the history of humanity. RELATED: SETI Eavesdrops on Nearby Star in Smart Alien Hunt Vakoch and those who endorse METI are hoping to organize the first efforts to send strong, repeated and intentional messages to nearby star systems, but know they need additional scientific discussions to make it happen. "At METI International, we're committed to encouraging broader debate about the pros and cons of transmitting intentional messages into space," Vakoch said. He explained how METI International has recruited a distinguished Advisory Council of over 50 leading scholars from 16 countries, representing a broad range of disciplines in the sciences, humanities, and arts, to provide their insights. And there will be events and discussions available for the public. On May 25, 2017, there will be a daylong workshop in St. Louis, Missouri, which will discuss two interrelated METI issues. "First, how detectable is life on Earth already - either microbial life, or technological life as seen through our leakage radiation? In short, is it too late to be quiet?" Vakoch said. "Second, how do we balance the risks and benefits of METI, and what are the related policy and ethical issues? These are deeply scientific, technical matters, but they also have broader societal impact." Would you send a message to alien civilizations? And if so, what would you say? Image (top): The Arecibo Observatory is a radio telescope in Puerto Rico, seen here at night. In 1974, an interstellar radio message carrying basic information about humanity and Earth sent to globular star cluster M13 was sent from Arecibo (Getty) WATCH VIDEO: Can We Mathematically Prove Aliens Exist? Press Release February 16, 2017 Cayetano: Du30 admin's fight vs corruption remains steadfast There will be no let up in the Duterte administration's drive against corruption, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano assured on Thursday (Feb. 16). The senator said this on the sidelines of the Senate committee hearing on the alleged bribery in the Bureau of Immigration (BI) involving casino mogul Jack Lam, and also amid recent news of the Solicitor General's recommendation to acquit pork barrel queen Janet Lim-Napoles. Cayetano stressed that while he wants to hear an explanation regarding the SolGen's decision, and while the truth behind the bribery issue at the BI is yet to be revealed, he remains confident that the Duterte administration will never allow corrupt officials and their cohorts to evade justice. "Dito kay Napoles, like you, I'm also asking for an explanation... Like you, I also want the SolGen to answer. But I guarantee you that the President will not allow any corruption to happen during the administration. And he will not absolve those who were corrupt in past administrations," the senator said. In his interpellation during the BI hearing, Cayetano also countered claims that the scandal is an evidence of corruption under the Duterte administration. He said while it is clear that there are proofs of extortion and bribery in the BI, it would be unfair to say that the President had condoned it or was even aware of it. "May nagpapalabas kasi na this hearing is an evidence of corruption of the Duterte administration, while I think it is the reverse. [DOJ] Secretary [Vitaliano] Aguirre exposed the corruption precisely para lumabas ito. Senator [Richard] Gordon and our colleagues called this hearing para lumabas ang katotohanan," Cayetano said. "Maging mga committee natin sa Senado are functioning. Itong Jack Lam hearing, nakita niyo, walang tinatago. If the Secretary of Justice was merely keeping quiet, wala sana ito. Kaya nga binulgar as a lesson to all, na kahit gaano kalaki, gaano kataas, hindi papayag ang Pangulo." He reiterated that, contrary to what critics like Senator Antonio Trillanes IV are claiming, it is not a Duterte policy to condone corruption or promote a "padrino culture" in government. "A while ago, [Sen. Trillanes] was implying that when you say kapatid ng President... as if involved ang presidente... Mere insinuation that someone is saying, 'malapit ako kay Presidente,' I can say that now. But that doesn't mean that it is true o pababayaan 'yan ng Presidente," Cayetano claimed. "If [critics]... are linking these issues with corruption and saying that President Duterte believes in corruption, his 30-year record in Davao speaks for itself... The President, hundred percent, walang interes sa pera... So why would he allow people around him to make money? It doesn't make sense," he added. Cayetano also pointed out that if it weren't for the shortcomings of the past administration, the cases built against those involved in corruption controversies could have been much stronger. "Kami mismo ay lumaban sa Arroyo administration. Bakit yung finile noong Aquino administration, mahihina ang kaso? We foresaw that at that time dahil yung malalaking kaso katulad ng Hello Garci... nakita namin yung malalakas na kaso, pinabayaan.. Dito kay Napoles... maraming kasama sa kaso na hindi sinama in the last administration," he noted. Press Release February 16, 2017 LOWERING AGE OF CRIMINAL RESPONSIBILITY IS A DEATH SENTENCE TO CHILDREN *Statement of Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros delivered on the #ChildrenNotCriminals National Press Conference, February 16, 2017, Sulo Riviera Hotel, Quezon City "Lowering the age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 9 is a death sentence to our children. By treating children in conflict with the law as hardened criminals, they could either end up dead in the hands of extrajudicial killers or the state. They will become targets of vigilante death squads, which have already killed thousands of Filipinos or land on death row if a lowered age of criminal liability is combined with the death penalty law. Either way, they could end up dead. The government will condemn our children to a dark and sinister future with no second chance at rehabilitation. "Of course some lawmakers, mainly those from the House of Representatives, will argue that they have no intention to create "death row kids" and that their proposal to reimpose the death penalty excludes minors. However, in the Senate, a simple review of the proposed death penalty laws reveals that none of the proposed measures have a provision exempting below 18 year olds from capital punishment. Even if they argue that children in conflict with the law are protected from death penalty under the Juvenile Justice Law, the passage of both the death penalty law and a much lowered age of criminal liability could supersede the Juvenile Justice Law. Assuming without conceding that it is a remote possibility, why would we even risk such a scenario and place our children in such a dire situation in the first place? "If the government is really sincere in addressing the problem of children in conflict with the law, then the better alternative is to strengthen and fully implement the existing Juvenile Justice Law. It is more sustainable, humane and cost-effective. "It's time for the Duterte government to stop its fixation with regressive law enforcement measures and obsession with death. "We must offer hope not death. Our children must not be delivered into the hands of extrajudicial killers or its judicial counterpart, the deadly combination of a lowered age of criminal liability and death penalty. If we are to pursue real justice, we have to understand its truest sense offers not just punishment but accountability, and a chance for reparations and rehabilitation." STATEMENT OF SEN. PANGILINAN ON THE P.E.T. RULING We are disheartened by the Presidential Electoral Tribunal's ruling to affirm the election protest filed by Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Despite a sound counter-protest by Vice President Leni Robredo, PET emphasized that the "sufficiency" of Marcos's protest "is already beyond dispute." However, we wonder how the protest was found to be sufficient in form and substance when, until now, no discrepancy in the election results have been presented? There seems to be a disconnect between the supposed sufficiency in substance, and the blatant lack of evidence to support their claims. We appeal to PET to exercise the highest discretion in decisions that will affect the results of the greatest exercise of democracy that is the elections. We also urge the Filipinos to remain vigilant and steadfast in protecting and supporting the Vice President that we elected. A judge Wednesday sentenced a La Crosse man who was on community supervision when prosecutors charged him in a September shooting to four years in prison. Jeremy Rigelsky, 30, was serving five years on probation for stealing drawings and a notepad in 2005 from the French Island home of Philip Schuth when he fired three shots into a vehicle Sept. 7, wounding a passenger. The state Department of Corrections revoked his probation before La Crosse County Circuit Judge Gloria Doyle imposed the four-year prison sentence and four years on extended supervision. Rigelsky will serve the sentence consecutive to one he is currently serving for being a felon in possession of a firearm. While his attorney fought for a two-year sentence, prosecutors asked he serve four years in prison, arguing Rigelskys failure at rehabilitation and escalating violence makes him a risk to the public. A lot has happened in the more than 10 years since the charge that created his first felony conviction, Assistant District Attorney Emily Hynek said. Rigelsky in April 2006 was sentenced to 3 years in prison and 4 years on extended supervision for stabbing a fellow Logan High School student seven times in a school stairwell. During that investigation, police learned he broke into the home of Schuth, who shot his neighbor and hid his mothers body in a basement freezer. Rigelsky was placed on probation in 2010 for battery by prisoners, although it was revoked in 2012 and he was sentenced to 18 months in prison. He was sentenced to three years in prison in 2014 for being a felon in possession of a firearm. On Sept. 7, less than three months after his release from prison, Rigelsky at close range fired three shots into the passenger side of a car while driving south in the 800 block of Copeland Avenue in a stolen car, according to court records. One shot struck a backseat passenger in the thigh. Days earlier, he pointed a gun at a woman and threatened to kill her at gunpoint after they drove to near the Seventh Street boat landing and confronted three people walking on Mormon Coulee Road, showed a gun tucked in his waistband. MESA, Ariz. New Oakland center fielder Rajai Davis was so excited to don the As jersey again after a six-season absence that he put it on over his street clothes to speak to the media and introduce himself to staff members. He had his cap and his jersey on and slacks and dress shoes, As manager Bob Melvin said. I said Did you come in here like that? Hes excited about being here, and those are the kind of guys you want. Davis will be playing alongside left fielder Khris Davis, no relation. My brother from another mother, Rajai Davis said, later joking: Weve got the new Bash Brothers, me and Khris. The Davises are the key figures in the As lineup. Rajai, the American League stolen-base leader (43) last year, will be in the leadoff spot. Khris, who crushed 42 homers in 2016, is the cleanup man. Twenty-five came with the bases empty, and Rajai Davis was signed to help change that. Some life at the top of the order would be a major improvement for the As. Oaklands leadoff hitters were the worst in the majors last year, with a .289 on-base percentage and .242 batting average, and, unsurprisingly, the fewest runs scored, with 71. Melvin pointed out that when Rajai Davis is on base, his speed will help teammates hitting behind him. He makes everyone better because the pitchers focus is on him, Melvin said. Im glad hes on our side, because he had me nervous. He has some power, too, as evidenced by his memorable game-tying homer in the eighth inning of Game 7 of the World Series last fall a game the Cubs won in the 10th. Even Melvin asked him about the shot when Davis arrived in camp Thursday. We had a little conversation about that, Melvin said. He was happy to talk about the subject. He said, Theres the best feeling in the world and then theres that, which is like 10 times. Davis postseason experience with Cleveland has made him hungry for more. New team, high hopes for something big, Davis said. When you get that taste of the World Series, you want to taste that again, enjoy that moment again. ... A lot of that was just playing as a team. You might not have a lot of big names, but the team played together. Thats how we were able to win. No As players remain from Davis first stint with Oakland, but many team employees and front-office staff members are the same, and he is especially looking forward to working with Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson, who serves as an instructor and mentor. What did he learn from Henderson last time around? Rickey told me to go, and I went, Davis said. Stealing bases: Go! Im gone, Rickey! Since his earlier days with Oakland, Davis, 36, has improved defensively, with an especially strong year in the field in 2015. That has been a major focus for him, Davis said, and Melvin said, Hes playing center field as well as he has in his career, at least as far as the metrics go. The As are coming off back-to-back seasons in which they did not have the most cohesive clubhouses, so the team emphasized leadership and character when adding players this winter. Raj has a very infectious personality. Hes happy to be here. He has a smile on his face, Melvin said. Hes one of those guys who just puts you in a good mood. Susan Slusser is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sslusser@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @susanslusser A construction mishap high atop an under-construction skyscraper sent part of San Franciscos South of Market neighborhood into disarray Wednesday afternoon and evening. Fear that an unstable 2,000-pound wall of concrete could topple from the high-rise at 33 Tehama St. triggered city officials to evacuate hundreds of people from at least 16 office buildings, close nearby streets and shut down the westbound Interstate 80 exit ramp at Fremont Street, one of the busiest in San Francisco. But by 9 p.m., Lt. Jonathan Baxter, a spokesman for the San Francisco Fire Department, declared we are safe. He said the surrounding streets and highway off-ramp had been reopened. Only Tehama Street between First and Second remained closed. Evacuation orders were also lifted with the exception of 44 Tehama St. across the street from 33 Tehama. Baxters comments capped a chaotic five hours during which time it was feared the construction glitch could cause major structural damage to the buildings below. Firefighters went door-to-door asking people to leave their buildings immediately. An engineering expert was flown in from Washington state to help develop a plan on how to manage the leaning wall. The worst-case scenario is were going to have some structural damage to one or more buildings below, Baxter said shortly after the incident. Officials with the San Francisco Fire Department initially blamed the emergency on a malfunctioning crane, but they later said a strut supporting a platform in the elevator shaft broke on the 35th floor, sending the platform careening at a 15-degree angle. That caused a 30-ton machine used for transferring liquid concrete, which was resting on the platform, to lean precariously into the concrete slab, forcing it to lean outward. Over the course of 3 hours, construction crews worked to build a new platform beneath the faulty one. Once that happened, and officials inspected the work, the evacuation orders were lifted and the streets reopened. We erred on the side of caution, said Tom Siragusa, an assistant chief for the San Francisco Fire Department, adding that the building itself is not compromised in any way, shape or form. The building is a 35-story residential tower that was expected to begin leasing one- and two-bedroom apartments this year, according to the buildings website. When completed, it is supposed to feature a gym, rooftop solarium, outdoor terrace and retail and art space. It is being developed by the Hines and Invesco real estate companies, and the contractor is Lendlease, a property development company. Hines is also the co-developer of the nearby Salesforce tower. Lendlease released a statement attributing the malfunction to a partial hydraulic failure and said the the interior forming system and the concrete placement arm have been secured. Workers inside the evacuated office buildings described a chaotic scene as firefighters came in telling them to evacuate. There were a couple hundred people inside the Galvanize co-working space at Howard and Tehama streets in the middle of what the Fire Department identified as the danger zone when firefighters came in giving the evacuation order, said Karina Canles, an employee at Galvanize. Canales said they werent told why they had to get out so fast, so the general mood was one of confusion rather than panic. Officials told her they wouldnt be able to get back in the building until Thursday morning, she said, as she stood on the corner behind the police tape, waiting for an update. Christa Reynolds, a yoga teacher, had parked her car on Tehama Street when police started to block the area. Reynolds hurried back to her car before police finished blocking the area because she forgot one important thing: her 14-year-old dog. I thought, My car I could do without, Reynolds said. I couldnt do without him. Hundreds of onlookers in business suits milled around the area after the evacuation order. As the hours dragged on, the number of onlookers had dwindled to a few dozen, and by 9 p.m. just a handful of people stood outside a temporary Red Cross station that supplied food and water. The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health is investigating the incident. There were no known injuries. Michael Bodley, Sarah Ravani and Emily Green are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: mbodley@sfchronicle.com, sravani@sfchronicle.com, egreen@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @michael_bodley, @SarRavani, @emilytgreen The first public renderings for Italian architect Renzo Pianos proposed San Francisco tower show a discreet addition to the skyline with one extravagant touch a rooftop public space 385 feet in the air. The roof terrace would sit atop 36 floors of hotel and residential space, shaded by trees and framed by a 20-foot-high glass wall. The penthouse floor below would include a restaurant and lounge, but visitors wouldnt need to buy anything to visit the sky-high perch. The unusual space caps what otherwise would be a deceptively straightforward glass high-rise at 555 Howard St. in the Transbay district, where at least eight taller structures are under construction or planned. The renderings and other details of the proposal were to be presented Thursday to the citys Planning Department. The new building would be a long shaft located between Howard and Tehama streets and set alongside an elevated bus ramp into the new Transbay Transit Center. A park is planned beneath the ramp, and 555 Howard is designed to increase the sense of open space with a 40-foot-high base clad in ultra-clear glass set back slightly from the tower above. Steelblue We want to create an area on the ground floor that will be very transparent. It should feel attached to the city, said Elisabetta Trezzani, a partner with Renzo Piano Building Workshop, which is designing the tower in collaboration with San Franciscos Mark Cavagnero Associates. Piano and his firm are known for technologically innovative craftsmanship, such as the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park, with its ridge-like roof that doubles as a landscape of native plants. At 555 Howard, the south and west facades of the tower would have double layers of glass to lower heat inside the building. Solar panels might be integrated into portions of the facade as well part of an effort to have the tower win a coveted LEED Platinum rating from the United States Green Building Council. Planning officials say theyre happy with how the design has evolved since the initial submission to the city last April. Its shaping up to be delicate, which is unusual to say about a project of this scale, said Jeff Joslin, director of current planning for the city. The rooftop amenity is especially welcome. To have that sort of commitment to public access is rare. The developers of 555 Howard, Pacific Eagle and SKS Partners, are hoping to receive approval of the project next month. This would be Pianos first tower in the United States outside New York. John King is The San Francisco Chronicles urban design critic. Email: jking@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @johnkingsfchron Driving down the crooked stretch of Lombard Street, a destination for tourists from around the world, is one of the most thrilling free attractions anywhere. But maybe not for long. Visitors could be required to make a reservation and pay a fee to drive the 500 feet of red brick road renowned for its curvy switchbacks and sweeping views of the city and bay. Supervisor Mark Farrell wants to impose the first toll on a city street in California. He didnt specify how much that toll might be. It might seem like a drastic step, but Farrell said the city has run out of solutions for reducing the massive gridlock of cars, sometimes extending for blocks, lined up to drive down what is actually a residential street a street that gets 2 million visitors a year. The bottom line is that the quality of life for residents, not only on the crooked street itself but the vast surrounding neighborhoods, has deteriorated to the point where the city has to step in and make a difference, said Farrell, whose district includes Lombard Street. It is difficult to underestimate the frustration and anger in the neighborhood over the status quo, he said. It is simply unlivable. Farrells proposal to charge drivers is based on a recommendation by the San Francisco County Transportation Authority in a report released Thursday. He estimated it would take two years to implement, at the earliest. Residents of the block would be exempt from the toll. Previous efforts at reducing traffic, like preventing vehicles altogether, were considered a failure because they turned the road into even more of a party zone. And other ideas, like rerouting traffic or creating loading zones on nearby streets, were rejected by residents. The idea is to mount FasTrak readers and cameras on existing light poles at the top of the curvy stretch at the Hyde Street intersection. Visitors with reservations would prepay or pay a fee through FasTrak or a similar system to drive down the street. Those without reservations would still be able to drive through but would be charged more. The bill would be sent to the address corresponding to their license plate, similar to the way the toll at the Golden Gate Bridge operates. Farrell declined to give an estimate on how much more those drivers might be charged, but the idea is to make it high enough that most drivers would turn back. Residents of the portion of the street would be exempt from the toll. Many residents in the neighborhood appear to support the idea but not all. Steve Taber, chairman of the Russian Hill Neighbors Traffic & Transportation Committee, said a $100 fee for people driving through without reservations seemed reasonable. I would really think twice whether its worth a two-minute ride down a crooked street to pay $100, he said. Its a balancing thing. We are certainly welcoming tourists. We are just saying if the tourists are beginning to pretty much destroy the fabric of the place they are visiting, there may be a need to put some reasonable restraints in place. But one longtime resident whose house sits on the crooked block disagreed. Its tacky. I dont approve at all, said the resident, who didnt want to give her name because she said her neighbors would get mad at her for opposing the proposal. It is pleasant to be able to see how many people come from around the world. They come just to look at the beauty of a wonderful part of the world, she said. And, she added, the city already makes a lot of money off this block because of visitors taking cable cars and going to nearby restaurants. Andrew Heidel, a Transportation Authority planner, emphasized that the motivation behind the proposal is to reduce the number of cars not to make money, although that could be an added benefit. The Transportation Authority will conduct a study this year to determine how many reservations to offer and how many vehicles could pass through in a given period of time and how much to charge. It will also study whether to have the toll in place year-round or only during certain seasons and hours. One of the potential problems it has already flagged is that making drivers pay a toll could simply add to the thousands of pedestrians clogging the street. A pedestrian toll is not being considered. In the meantime, Farrell is working with state Sen. Scott Wiener to introduce a bill in the state Legislature that would give San Francisco the authority to put a toll on a publicly maintained street. After that, it would be up to the Transportation Authority whose board is made up of the citys supervisors to approve implementation of the system. Many motorists driving down the crooked street this week said they enjoyed the experience but it wasnt worth paying more than $10, if that. When you have visitors, they usually come here. I will not pay $10 for each visit, said San Francisco resident Raphael Derbier, who was driving two friends from out of town down the street. I wouldnt do it for more than $5, said Esmeralda Cruz of Long Beach, who had just driven down the street for the first time. It was OK. But I dont think its cool enough to charge. Its just a little thing people can do when you visit San Francisco. I am from Wisconsin, so I have passed on all of those little things like that that cost money, Evan Stanek said. I would walk up and down and take pictures, but I wouldnt drive it. And maybe thats part of the point. Stanek said he was shocked he was even allowed to drive down the street, given that people lived there. A lot of the well-known tourist stuff you cant do anymore, he said. Its just the memory of those things. Emily Green is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: egreen@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @emilytgreen When my children were small, my husband and I established the 10 a.m. rule. On weekend mornings, no matter how pleasant things seemed to be going, by mid-morning we hustled ourselves out the front door. We headed to a city park, to Crissy Field or to Ocean Beach. Whenever we caved to our couch potato inclination to stay put, it was a mistake. The kids soon started squalling, whining, fighting and in general torturing us. Just getting out into fresh air seemed to smooth the wrinkles out of all our moods. According to Florence Williams engaging new book, The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes Us Happier, Healthier, and More Creative, it turns out theres solid neuroscience behind our strategy to remain sane parents. Reporting on an international roster of research, Williams explains that growing and green environments not only improve ones mood, but slow down the aging process and support cognitive functioning on the highest order. It might seem like common sense, but evidently we need to take the idea more seriously. The extent to which we have become an enclosed people is revealed by a mob-sourced phone app project called Mappiness. With tens of thousands of volunteers, Williams records her mood and activities twice a day. Respondents, she reports, are rarely caught outside. Ninety-three percent of the time, they are either indoors or in vehicles. A contributing editor to Outside magazine, Williams herself reports exercising or relaxing outdoors just 17 times over the course of a year. A longtime journalist and author of the award-winning Breasts: A Natural and Unnatural History, Williams most recent project is instigated by her own loss of nature. Moving from the relative wilds of Boulder, Colo., where the trails near our house were ribbons of delight, to the urban-suburban matrix of Washington, D.C., Williams is soon lethargic and depressed. I yearned for the mountains, she says. Like the scientists whose work she catalogs, she sets out to quantify what, exactly, has gone missing. What was it about nature that people seem to need? Increased clinical interest in the subject is traced to a convergence of ideas and events: the relentless march of obesity, depression and anxiety ... the growing recognition of the environment on genes, and the growing academic and cultural unease with our widening breach from the outdoors. Williams tries forest bathing in Japan, a practice promoted by the countrys Forestry Agency. Every year hundreds of thousands of strollers walk 48 official leafy trails each year in pursuit of stress reduction and happier attitudes. It sounds almost too simple, but walking in a woodsy environment does a lot more for you than walking among cement and glass. Data on forest bathers shows their perambulations result in decreased cortisol levels, sympathetic nerve activity, blood pressure and heart rate. Williams reports on a study evaluating the effects of walking in these same woody trails on our NK, natural killer immune cells, which cause tumors and virus-infected cells to self-destruct. In sum, regular hiking increases ones NK count substantially. Aromatic volatile substances in the trees and in the soil they root in are the likely cause. Williams heads to the wilds of Moab, Utah, with cognitive psychologist David Strayer, who frequently testifies before Congress on the dangers of driving while using a cell phone. Strayers research is focused on, well, focus itself, or attention, the very thing our pinging digital accoutrements perpetually undermine. Strayer is collecting empirical data to establish his hypothesis that theres a recalibration of your senses, of seeing and noticing, when you are out in nature. Williams explains that in any environment, we use three main networks in the brain. The prefrontal cortex is the commander in chief, supported by the spatial network that helps us move through time and space. The third network is the free-ranging, day-dreaming, goal setting, mind-wandering ... flower child of the brain. Research suggests that moving in a nonthreatening natural environment allows the prefrontal cortex to relax for a change, and rest. The day-dreaming network thus comes to the fore and is better able to experience deep aesthetic pleasures and inspiration. Not just our brains but our senses of sound, smell and sight are all affected for better and worse by immersion in nature or the lack thereof. One fascinating story is the discovery physicist Richard Taylor made that fractal patterns discernible in coastlines, mountaintops and other scenes of natures roughness can also be found in Jackson Pollocks poured paintings. Perhaps our affinity for his art lies in its deep relationship with trees, snowflakes and sand dunes. Decades before fractals were discovered by science, Pollock said his art was about the rhythms in nature. While Williams does a thorough job of rounding up the science behind the benefits of the wild, her narrative is most effective when she evokes art and metaphor. The numbers dont say it as well as Wordsworth did: How exquisitely the individual Mind ... to the eternal World is fitted. Mary Ellen Hannibal is the author of Citizen Scientist: Searching for Heroes and Hope in an Age of Extinction. Email: books@sfchronicle.com The Nature Fix How Nature Makes Us Happier, Healthier, and More Creative By Florence Williams (Norton; 280 pages; $26.95) If youre still unconvinced that nothing ever dies, a chilling expression that served as the title of Viet Thanh Nguyens 2016 nonfiction work about the lingering effects of the Vietnam War, you should meet the characters populating The Refugees, his new book of short stories. Even someone such as the Alzheimer-ravaged professor in Id Love You to Want Me remains in thrall to events of ages ago; he has taken to calling his wife by a long-lost paramours name. Given his fond memories of the past and his obliviousness to the present, the confused professor comes across as one of the least troubled characters in Nguyens quietly profound peek into the lives of Vietnams deracinated and dispossessed. Nguyen, born in Vietnam and raised in San Jose, lives in Los Angeles, where he is a professor of English as well as American studies and ethnicity at the University of Southern California. He is best known for The Sympathizer (2015), a novel about a Vietnamese communist spy in Los Angeles posing as a refugee. The book was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction last year. Most of the eight stories in this collection, earlier versions of which appeared (sometimes under different titles) in various literary journals and even the Chicago Tribune, are also set in California. Several of them probe, in some manner, the Vietnam Wars enduring legacy. By necessity, this means that refugees will figure prominently. Indeed, they lend their pity-inducing name to the book, whose pages absorb both the nostalgia and bitterness that have characterized so many refugees in the decades since 1975, when South Vietnam fell to the communist North and hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese began streaming out of their homeland. The Other Man takes place during that fateful year. Liem, formerly of Saigon, has ended up in San Francisco, sponsored by one half of a white-Asian gay couple living in the Mission District. Having escaped a country in the grips of war and uncertainty, the disoriented 18-year-old now finds himself in a safe and prosperous place. He is free in more ways than one finally able, for instance, to explore his sexual attraction to men. Yet, as Nguyen affectingly shows, charity has shattered his pride. In the presence of his benefactors, Liems sense of debt caused him to walk with eyes downcast, as if searching for pennies. Only in Black-Eyed Women does Nguyen resort to anything resembling cliche as a means of laying bare a characters snarled state of mind. The narrator, a 38-year-old ghostwriter who lives with her widowed mother, begins to receive visits from the ghost of her brother, who died at sea years ago. Yet even this well-worn conceit frames at least one arresting image: The stunned look on his face, the open eyes that did not flinch even with the splintered board of the boats deck pressing against his cheek. In addition to not having aged, you see, the narrators recently resurfaced brother wears the same haunting facial expression he did the moment he perished that terrible day. The narrator of Black-Eyed Women and her family were boat people, their seaborne flight from a unified but communist-run Vietnam undertaken at considerable risk. Even years later, they and many like them remain, to a degree, boat people. In another story, Nguyen employs a subtler, ghost-free touch to convey this depressing reality and illustrate the continued hold exercised by a decades-past maritime ordeal. Mrs. Khanh, the professors wife in the aforementioned Id Love You to Want Me, will not take a bath for fear of drowning, and even when showering kept her back to the spray. Of course, it isnt just the refugees of the books title for whom nothing ever dies, but almost everyone who experienced the war, from U.S. military personnel to those Vietnamese (the vast majority) who stayed behind. The latter group includes Mr. Ly of Fatherland, the final entry in this collection and one of two set in Vietnam decades after the conflicts end. Mr. Lys first wife left for the U.S. with their children many years ago. He has long since remarried and started a new family, giving his second set of children, a girl and two boys, the same names as his first. Phuong, his grown daughter with the second wife, has always wondered about this strange choice, but can never bring herself to broach the subject with her father. Why? When it comes down to it, she doesnt want to know his reasons, fearing the answer she always suspected, that she and her brothers were no more than regrets born into flesh. Rayyan Al-Shawaf is a writer in Beirut. His reviews have appeared in the Los Angeles Review of Books, the Boston Globe, Chicago Sun-Times and other publications. Email: books@sfchronicle.com The Refugees By Viet Thanh Nguyen (Grove; 209 pages; $25) San Franciscos state senator is taking another run at extending last call in California by two hours. The bill, which Democrat Scott Wiener plans to introduce Wednesday, would allow bars and restaurants to serve alcohol between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m., pending appropriate permits and approval from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. Wieners bill is similar to one proposed in 2013 by his predecessor, Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, which failed to get enough votes. Based on the current law, some establishments can stay open until the wee hours of the morning but, no matter what, they must stop serving alcohol at 2 a.m. Wieners bill would give local jurisdictions control over whether their bars and restaurants can extend their last call. This bill is long overdue, Wiener said. Right now in California, we have a one-size-fits-all statewide mandate, regardless if you are a small-town suburb of San Francisco or in downtown L.A. Although Lenos bill did not conjure up enough support a few years ago, Wiener said there has been an increased demand from bars and restaurants looking to rake in a little extra revenue and from younger patrons who want to stay out a little later. Several U.S. cities, including Chicago, New York City and Miami Beach, allow late-night service. But, in California, all bars have had to stop serving alcohol by 2 a.m. since 1935, according to John Carr, public information officer for the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. Those who support Wieners bill say it will stimulate the states economy and make cities like San Francisco more attractive tourist destinations. It will also help communities decide what is best for them, because what works in the Mission or Union Square areas with a high concentration of bars and restaurants may not work for more residential areas like the Sunset or Richmond districts, said Juliana Bunim, spokeswoman for the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce. At the end of the day, it is about neighborhoods deciding what is best for them, Bunim said. It is not a blanket approach its about bringing back local control. Jamie Zawinski, owner of DNA Lounge, a club that has experienced major financial hardship over the past few months, said being able to extend its hours would significantly help the business. We make almost all of our money selling alcohol, and we sell almost all alcohol between 11:30 and 1:30 on Fridays and Saturdays, he said in an email. Thats only four hours a week! DNA Lounge normally closes by 5 a.m. Based on how a similar proposal was received in the past, Zawinski said he is not optimistic Wieners bill will pass. And those who opposed Lenos bill in 2013 are still not convinced. Michael Scippa, director of public affairs for Alcohol Justice, a San Rafael nonprofit advocacy, research and policy organization, said it is a foolish plan that prioritizes alcohol revenue over public safety. Scippa said that Alcohol Justice takes a lot of credit for killing Lenos bill in 2013 and that the organization will come out with guns blazing for Wieners bill. We just dont need additional hours of business for this substance, he said. Its not like selling coffee and doughnuts. This is a substance which is a class one carcinogenic it takes thousands in California every year and is responsible for horrendous costs in various areas. The San Francisco Police Officers Association, which could not be reached for comment Tuesday afternoon, registered strong opposition to Lenos proposal in 2013: It would just be more drunks at 4 than there were at 2, Gary Delagnes, president of the association, told The Chronicle in 2013. But Tom Temprano, co-owner of Virgils Sea Room, a Mission District bar, said the legislation would be a boon for the city: We are a world-class city here in S.F., but we really are behind the ball with New York City and Chicago when it comes to really fostering that full nightlife experience. Trisha Thadani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: tthadani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @TrishaThadani This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Prosecutors in the trial of a man accused of killing Morgan Hill teenager Sierra LaMar sought Wednesday to dispute the defenses suggestion that the girl ran away a claim that relies in part on a brief entry in one of her school notebooks. Sierra was last seen nearly five years ago, leaving behind belongings that offered clues to her disappearance and alleged murder at age 15. One of those items was a Spanish notebook from Ann Sobrato High School in Morgan Hill, which has become the center of discussion in the San Jose courtroom. A note inside reads, I hate my life ... no ever sees this. I will be in San Fransisco by 3/16/12. Sierra was last seen that morning, and her body has not been found. Santa Clara County Deputy District Attorney David Boyd brought in a handwriting expert on Wednesday to tell the jury that the contested notebook entry was probably not written by Sierra an assertion that was challenged by defense attorneys. It was the third week of the trial of Antolin Garcia-Torres, a 25-year-old Morgan Hill man who could face the death penalty if convicted of kidnapping and killing Sierra. Authorities say hair found on rope in Garcia-Torres car belonged to Sierra, linking him to her disappearance. Garcia-Torres is also being tried on charges that he attempted to kidnap and carjack three women in 2009, one of them outside a Morgan Hill Safeway where he had worked. The entry in Sierras notebook was presented in pretrial motions by defense attorneys suggesting that the girl wanted to run away. John Bourke, a supervising criminalist with the Santa Clara County crime lab, testified that he compared the entry against handwriting from several other school books that contained known writing from Sierra. The writer of the known documents probably did not write this letter, Bourke said. But probably does not mean certainly, remarked defense attorney Al Lopez, who sought to cast doubt on the analysis by suggesting the note was too short for a strong comparison. The more examples of a persons writing you have, the better, as far as your analysis is concerned, Lopez said. Do you agree that if your samples are limited, your analysis is limited? Lopez asked Bourke. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Updated to include drought zones while tracking water shortage status of your area, plus reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. It absolutely limited my opinion, Bourke said. Bourke added that analysts can only unequivocally exclude someone as the author of a note if the real author is known. In this case, you could not eliminate Sierra LaMar as writing that note, Lopez said. Boyd focused on the circumstances that led to the notebooks discovery after Sierra went missing, trying to establish that the notebook could have passed among several hands before it reached authorities. Kevin Miller, assistant principal at Ann Sobrato High, testified Wednesday that he handed the notebook to authorities after a student gave it to him. Miller said he couldnt remember who that student was. Jenna Lyons is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jlyons@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @JennaJourno Only about half of the people whod arrived at San Franciscos Grace Cathedral for a recent Candlelight Labyrinth Walk decided to attend the the Rev. Dr. Lauren Artress pre-walk explanation of the labyrinths process and purpose. Artress gathered her small group out of the main cathedral and into the AIDS Interfaith Memorial Chapel, in a wing just off the front doors. A portion of the original AIDS quilt hung on a wall facing Artress as she cheerfully offered advice and history on walking the labyrinth. Outside the chapel, many of the folks who had already begun to walk had no idea they were missing a free explanation by the godmother of the modern labyrinth movement. Grace Cathedral hosts its Candlelight Labyrinth Walk from 6 to 8 p.m. on the second Friday of every month. The walk is open to everyone and, as evidenced by last Fridays crowd, all walks of life attend. I arrived early and watched as the Rev. Jude Harmon, a startlingly young Episcopalian priest, wheeled a cart of votive candles into the cathedral. Sound sculptress Destiny Muhammad sat quietly at her harp alongside the cathedrals labyrinth and directly underneath a temporary modern art light installation. Soon, she began to play and sing. A half-circle of folding chairs was set up across the labyrinth opposite her and like every other first-timer, this is where I sat trying to figure out the rules of the labyrinth. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 2 1 of 2 Manna Kanuga Show More Show Less 2 of 2 Niall Battson Show More Show Less First things first: There are no rules of the labyrinth. But it is a concept that, as a lapsed Catholic, is not easy for me to grasp. How fast should we walk? How long do we stand in the middle? Are we allowed to talk? Should we take our shoes off? There are no definitive answers to these questions and it left me nervous. Folks, its not a big deal, said Artress, with a smile. This is not a high risk activity. The 71-year-old labyrinth expert is really the quiet force behind the labyrinth at Grace Cathedral. It was during the AIDS epidemic that Artress felt something tugging at her. At the peak of the AIDS crisis in the city, the congregation was burying up to 35 people a week. I knew I was looking for something, but I didnt know what, she recalled. The answer was a labyrinth. In 1991, Grace Cathedral placed a canvas labyrinth on the big marble floor in the back of the cathedral behind the pews. By 1994, they decided to implement a slightly more permanent 900-pound labyrinth rug. Soon after, private donors funded the construction of a permanent 24-hour outdoor labyrinth just outside the cathedrals doors. Artress was on a roll. The Ohio native has since founded a labyrinth education not-for-profit, has written books on the subject, hosts pilgrimages to labyrinths abroad and has helped create an international labyrinth finder database of more than 7,000 labyrinths worldwide. Id lucked into Artress expertise. Shes not always at the Grace Cathedral Candlelight Labyrinth Walks. Sometimes, shes in France training people to become labyrinth facilitators. Artress is walking, talking warmth and kindness. She insists that she has her cranky days, but I find it hard to believe. Artress patiently answered questions from several curious visitors and delighted in hugging repeat labyrinth enthusiasts. (Theres been an uptick in attendance since the presidential election.) This is my heartsong, Artress said, nodding to Grace Cathedrals now very permanent inlaid stone labyrinth, constructed in 2007. It does the work I want to do in the world, which is to help people navigate the world. I navigated the labyrinth, waiting my turn in line to be welcomed in by a greeter who namaste-nods guests in one by one. Artress instructed us to use the meditative walk as a metaphor for the outside world. Minutes after beginning my walk, I found myself worried about my pace. I was concerned that some people were taking too long sitting on the floor in the center, concerned that they were sitting on the floor of a cathedral at all. I worried that it was all taking way too long altogether. I do these things in the real world too, and I should stop. The light through the stained glass and soft music from Muhammad eventually began to take effect. I forgot about my notebook in my purse and the guy who kept coughing. By the time I reached the center of the labyrinth, I took in what the experience was trying to tell me. And then I took in Artress, standing off to the side and in the shadows, amid her heartsong. Beth Spotswoods column appears Thursdays in Datebook. Email: datebook@sfchronicle.com The Academy Awards will be handed out on Feb. 26 in Southern California, but some categories will have a distinctly Northern California flavor especially among the short films. The feature drama Moonlight has grabbed the spotlight with nominations for adapter-director and onetime Oakland-San Francisco resident Barry Jenkins, supporting-actor favorite and Oakland native Mahershala Ali, and cinematographer James Laxton of San Francisco. But no fewer than five nominated short films have local roots, from heartrending documentaries about refugees and life-support decisions to animated depictions of bird life, growing up and seeking closure for past traumas. And the local stamp isnt expressed only by the people making the movies; its in the places, real, imagined and virtual. Its very much a Bay Area film, says Alan Barillaro, director of the photorealistic animated short Piper. That was an agenda we had from the beginning. There are beaches in Northern California we went to great pains to get right, all the way up from Stinson and Jenner, down to Pillar Point, moving up and down the coast to follow local shorebirds. Then theres the Oakland hospital captured in the most stark of realities in Dan Krauss documentary short Extremis and the virtual-reality world of the musical father-daughter tale Pearl, written and directed by Patrick Osborne. Other nominees take viewers to the Old West, in the animated Borrowed Time directed by Andrew Coats and Lou Hamou-Lhadj, and to the front lines of the Syrian refugee crisis, as an overwhelmed Greek coast guard captain tries desperately to save lives with woefully inadequate training and resources in 4.1 Miles by Daphne Matziaraki. As a journalism student at UC Berkeley, Matziaraki, who was born in Greece, won a student academy award for 4.1 Miles, which also was shown at the Telluride Film Festival. You see who these people are, said Matziaraki, who has since graduated but still lives in Berkeley. I dont know that anyone in this world wouldnt make that journey to escape war and seek a better life for their young kids. Most of these people from Syria are educated, middle-class families. Matziaraki said the flow of refugees has slowed somewhat since she shot her film, but the situation remains dire. The countries north of Greece have closed their borders. People are trapped in Greece. Theres really no infrastructure or support system for them to be there. The conditions are terrible. The winter was heavy, the snowing. People were staying in summer tents; there were no winter tents to put them in. Recent events, such as the Trump administrations ban on immigration from Syria and six other countries, have made Matziarakis film perhaps even more relevant than when she shot it. Oakland documentarian Krauss recognized the effect the past years social and political upheaval has had, even on works already in circulation such as his Extremis. I feel like everyones films in the documentary community have sort of been reframed because of this new era weve entered, when compassion seems in short supply, said Krauss, a former journalism teacher at UC Berkeley and a previous nominee in 2006 for The Death of Kevin Carter: A Casualty of the Bang Bang Club. So many of these films are valuable because of their empathy for their subjects. If that empathy can permeate our culture and society, then that will be a valuable contribution we didnt foresee when we were making the films. Extremis came about when Krauss, 44, was asked by Highland Hospitals Dr. Jessica Zitter to observe the dreadful decisions faced in the Oakland intensive care unit as patients near the end. Despite his initial reluctance to confront death in the most immediate of terms and to immerse himself in what would often be the worst times in others lives, Krauss said, I started to see moments of quiet beauty where faith and science were colliding in a way that provoked questions of a profound nature. Crucially important was to understand theres no absolute right or wrong in a place like the ICU. Krauss was careful to balance the arguments in Extremis. Doctors and nurses theyre the ones most likely to say they dont want to be attached to machines or have life-sustaining measures taken; they know how ugly it can get and how futile it can be, he said, then cited a subject who made the opposite choice: In the moment (the daughter) says, It would feel like murder to pull life support, I completely empathize with what shes saying. I could see myself feeling the same way and making the same decisions. Among the animated shorts, Pearl was made at Googles ATAP facility in Mountain View as part of its Spotlight Stories virtual reality project. It reads in 2-D as a heartfelt tracing of a father and daughters relationship over the course of one evolving song. In VR, Pearl truly gains dimension. Its like the (live) theater experience people are generally facing forward, but Ive seen plays where people are running down the aisles, Osborne, 36, said of the blessings and curses of the immersive format. If you want people to look somewhere, you have to point them with color and lights and motion, and sound design. San Francisco musician Alexis Hartes song No Wrong Way Home was developed alongside the short. Osborne, who won an Oscar for Feast in 2015, said: I put the lyrics in this big, old, crazy-person flowchart of how the different sections of the film worked. When the songs going minor, you let the colors be darker. When its back in a major key, we cut to a sunny day with the kids driving on tour. The mournful animated Western Borrowed Time examines a man returning to the site of a life-changing event decades later. Coats, 33, and Hamou-Lhadj, 30, made the film after work hours at Emeryvilles Pixar over five years. When we put the film out on Vimeo for two weeks, it went viral, like 9 million views, Coats said. Theyve received many passionate responses in a spectrum, he said. We had quite a few people reach out to us about having lost people in their lives, and how this film helped them. You go onto Reddit; and one guy was like, I havent talked to my father in six years; this film made me want to reach out to him, thank you. Then two lines under that: Garbage. The official Pixar release, Piper, might be the favorite in the category after winning the Annie Award from the International Animated Film Society-Hollywood and being seen by millions with Finding Dory. Despite Pixars regular visits to such events as the Oscar nominees luncheon, San Francisco producer Marc Sondheimer, 49, says that event this year was not old hat at all, it was an amazing experience. Surreal. ... At the end of our table was Laura Dern, and she couldnt stop talking about Piper. Im thinking, like, Wait a second, this is completely backwards. The films technical advances allow for the articulation of, for instance, more than 7 million feathers on its denizen sandpipers. But to Oaklands Barillaro, 41, the focus stayed on the personal: When I was working on this film, Id spend time with my kids on the beaches of Alameda, these protected areas for shorebirds. Mornings with my kids on the beach. As I got more involved in the film, it became much more a personal story about my fears as a parent and letting your kids grow up. Michael Ordona is a Los Angeles freelance writer. Twitter: @michaelordona The 89th Academy Awards will air live Sunday, Feb. 26, with the red carpet at 4 p.m. and awards presentation at 5:30 p.m. PST on ABC. The Oscar-Nominated Short Films 2017: Animation & Live Action (unrated; some adult content separate showings may be designated for the adult content) are showing at local theaters. The documentaries are not included in the program. Dr. Jessica Zitter of Highland Hospital, featured in Extremis, will be speaking at 5:30 p.m. Monday, March 6, at the Commonwealth Club, 555 Post St., S.F. Free for members, $20 for nonmembers, $7 for students. Tickets: (415) 597-6705, www.commonwealthclub.org Trailers Extremis: http://tinyurl.com/hn3ghzp 4.1 Miles: http://tinyurl.com/hptnolc Piper: http://tinyurl.com/h55nmuh Pearl: http://tinyurl.com/j6av7tn Borrowed Time: http://tinyurl.com/zw78nkb Moonlight: http://tinyurl.com/h2pd4qk The Great Wall can be seen as the climax of what will probably stand as the worst week for movies in all of 2017. We may have to wait until the dregs of August for there to be any competition at all, and even then, this week is going to be hard to beat. The Great Wall, the weeks big release, is a Chinese action/monster movie, somehow starring Matt Damon as an English mercenary. His search for gunpowder leads him to imperial China, where he is captured and then converted into a soldier, enlisted to fight enormous iguana-like monsters that are each about the size of a Honda Odyssey. In fact, you know the Great Wall of China? Well, in this movie that was built to keep the monster iguanas out. Obviously. I know what youre thinking. Youre thinking that this sounds really bad. In fact, youve probably stopped reading, and so youll never know that, however bad this sounds, The Great Wall is way worse. It should also be noted that, in real life, iguanas eat vegetables and nibble at them gently, while these guys have lots of teeth and are willing to eat people, not out of hunger, but out of what might be called malicious exuberance. When we first meet Matt Damon, hes in a cave having a conversation with a few other people. But director Yimou Zhang doesnt set the scene with an establishing shot. Instead, he just gives us a series of tight close-ups, so tight, in fact, that were not even sure how many guys are in the cave (Im still not sure) or which one is Damon. He has a huge red beard and is talking funny, doing a kind of earnest Midwestern accent that is about a millennium ahead of its time. Then a monster jumps out from the shadows, but we dont really see it, because the fight also takes place in a tight close-up. The visual strategy makes no sense, and, with the next scene, Zhang drops it as fast as he adopted it. Universal Studios Such odd little touches let you know that this is not a film made by or for an American sensibility. Its a weird hybrid, an American genre and an American movie star matched with a Chinese story and Chinese production values; and the marriage isnt a success. The main story concerns the journey of the mercenary, as he gradually finds his soul and his calling in the monster battles. But theres also the story of an imprisoned Englishman (Willem Dafoe) and his own desire to escape to the west. The narrative is clumsy, and the monster scenes are ridiculous, but not ridiculous enough to be funny, just ridiculous enough to be boring. And the physical motion of the monsters the way they whip around has the whiff of a computer game about it. Its hard to care, and theres no reason to try. Yet despite the movies atmosphere of absurdity, Damon more or less survives with dignity intact. He always does. No matter what the role and no matter what the movie, Damon always seems like hes just being himself, while everyone around him keeps acting. This makes him an exceptional screen actor, but this time what with the beard, and the setting, and the weird accent, and the monsters his luck seemed about to run out. But no. Hes fine. Hes not the problem. Neither is Tian Jing, who as the (female) general Lin Mae has a face that the camera adores. Every close-up is an invitation to forget the rest of the movie and marvel at the pristine features. But then, each time, the invitation is revoked, and were back in this culture-shock video game, with all those toothy Odyssey-sized iguanas attacking from all sides. They keep attacking until the time finally comes to put the audience out of its misery. Mick LaSalle is The San Francisco Chronicles movie critic. Email: mlasalle@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @MickLaSalle The Great Wall Drama. Starring Matt Damon and Tian Jing. Directed by Yimou Zhang. (PG-13. 103 minutes.) To see a trailer: http://tinyurl.com/zo5thf7 OROVILLE, Butte County On the night Lake Oroville threatened to cascade into town, some of the citys homeless people were left confused and stranded as panicked residents jumped in their cars and fled in droves. The homeless people didnt have smartphones, televisions or radios to tell them that the emergency spillway of the Oroville Dam could fail within the hour and that a mandatory evacuation was under way. The warning that Sunday afternoon reached a homeless encampment along the Feather River when somebody yelled to them: The dam is breaking! Get out now! They abandoned their encampments along the river, unsure where to go that night. Some spent the night among the citys dead in a cemetery they hoped was on high enough ground. Others went to a patch of land on the outskirts of Oroville that the homeless call the Dog Park. On their way, they watched as car after car left the city, wondering if they too could find a way out. They felt like they were being left behind to die, several said Wednesday from an evacuation center at the Chico fairgrounds. Max Whittaker/Prime/Special to The Chronicle Nobody went around with explicit instructions to help us homeless, Gary Neely, a homeless man who typically camps along the Feather River, said Wednesday from an evacuation center at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds in Chico. I get it. People dont care. They didnt think twice about us. Some waited five hours for a ride out of town after the mandatory evacuation order came around 4:30 p.m. Sunday. Others did not find a ride until Monday to one of the many evacuation centers such as the largest in Chico some 25 miles away. With a new rainstorm adding to the rising Feather River, Orovilles homeless people said they wonder what will happen if another evacuation is ordered. How quickly will they be able to get out? When we see the water rising, we know theres a problem, Neely said, explaining how a friends cell phone led to his rescue Sunday night. He had his friends phone when it rang. My friend got a call on his phone from someone who wanted to pick him up because there was an evacuation order. Instead they got me. And thats how he learned of the evacuation order. Neely shoved clothes into a red zebra-striped backpack and hopped on his bicycle. A friend offered to tow him to an evacuation center while he held on to the back of his minivan the vehicle was otherwise full. Thats how Neely got to Chico: sitting on a bicycle without a helmet as he held onto a minivan driving on the highway. I'll admit thats crazy, he said. Homeless advocates said its appalling. They said city officials should have plans in place to make sure homeless people arent overlooked in an emergency, particularly in areas prone to flooding. This is outrageous, said Patrick Newman, a homeless advocate in Chico. Its not acceptable, said Sister Libby Fernandez, executive director of Loaves & Fishes, the largest provider of services to the homeless in Sacramento. Shelter operators said the situation in Oroville has led to discussions in their own cities about how they would ensure the homeless are helped during a catastrophic event. Max Whittaker/Prime/Special to The Chronicle How do you find them in an emergency? How do we get the word to them? said Brad Montgomery, executive director of the Torres Community Shelter in Chico near the fairgrounds where evacuees were sent. Im hearing mixed results from Oroville. Most of the people got to safety. But others said they were stranded. Oroville officials said they were pleased with the orderly way city residents were able to evacuate under high stress after an estimated 188,000 people in Butte, Sutter and Yuba counties were ordered to evacuate. The order came after water resource managers detected trouble with the emergency spillway of the Oroville Dam. A crater that formed in the reservoirs primary concrete spillway Feb. 7 forced officials to slow the amount of water draining from the full Lake Oroville. That left the reservoir too full, and water began to cascade over its emergency spillway. It was the first time the emergency spillway had been put into operation since the dam was built in 1968. The water on the emergency spillway began to rapidly erode the hillside, and officials said it appeared to be on the verge of collapsing, so they ordered the mandatory evacuations. The mandatory evacuations were lifted Tuesday after officials were able to send enough water through the main spillway to lower the lake level and relieve pressure from the emergency spillway. Stephen Terry, executive director of the Oroville Rescue Mission, which operates shelters in Oroville, said every effort was made to help people out of the city during the evacuation. Terry, a volunteer firefighter with the El Medio Fire Department in Oroville, drove Engine 36 from Sunday to Monday patrolling the levees and helping people. He said law enforcement and firefighters went through the streets of Oroville with loudspeakers telling people to evacuate, and electronic billboards instructed residents to call 211 for free transportation. We offered to help them get to higher ground, and I cant tell you how many times we were turned down, Terry said. There were services. I dont have a reason for why people didnt use them, but I have a hard time believing people didnt know. Oroville Mayor Linda Dahlmeier also said everyone who wanted to evacuate was able to. Some people chose not to leave, said Dahlmeier, who was returning from a conference in Atlanta when the evacuation order was issued. She remained evacuated until Tuesday when the orders were lifted. I know people were vigilant; they did everything to make sure there was no one in the area, Dahlmeier said. For the homeless who made it to the fairgrounds in Chico, it wasnt that they didnt eventually find a way out. It was how long it took. All this funny stuff was going on around me, so I knew something was up, said Toni Breer, 51. No one would tell me where the evacuation center was. I was walking down the road trying to figure out where to go when a bus pulled up, and the driver told me to get on. That was on Monday. For Matthew Perry, 31, the confusion was overwhelming. I had no idea what was happening, Perry said. I just knew I had to flee. I saw all these people leaving, but I had to wait four or five hours before I could get a ride out. Eventually the California Highway Patrol found me. If it werent for them, I wouldnt be here (at the evacuation center). On Wednesday, Perry hunkered under an awning on the fairgrounds with his puppy, Honey. He had new shoes that were a size too big perfect for wearing with thick socks and had just showered. Back in Oroville, he lived in a tent with scarce belongings. In the rush to leave, he left all he had behind. I just want to get back and see if my stuff is still there, Perry said. I dont have much. But I dont have a way to get back. I guess Ill either hitch a ride or walk. He looked at the sky. The clouds rumbled just then, and the rain showered down in torrents. Lizzie Johnson and Melody Gutierrez are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: ljohnson@sfchronicle.com; mgutierrez@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @lizziejohnsonnn; @MelodyGutierrez File this story under the category "every little bit helps." Late last week, General Dynamics' (NYSE: GD) Canadian subsidiary General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada announced it won a contract to upgrade 141 Canadian Army Light Armoured Vehicle III armoured personnel carriers. As the company explained, it will be upgrading the vehicles to a new "LAV 6.0 configuration", enhancing the vehicles' "protection and mobility" and adding "onboard vetronics" (i.e. avionics for land vehicles). Perhaps most importantly, the company will replace the vehicles' monohull chassis with a "double-V" design that enhances resistance to anti-vehicle mines -- much as the U.S. Army is doing with its Stryker APCs, also built by General Dynamics. At current exchange rates, the CA$404 million contract works out to about $309 million in value -- a relative drop in the bucket of General Dynamics' $31.4 billion annual revenue stream. And yet, this is a particularly valuable "drop" for General D. We're No. 2! General Dynamics' most valuable business division is actually its aerospace unit, which is responsible for producing Gulfstream business jets for the civilian market. Last year, GD Aerospace booked $8.4 billion in revenues for the company; the second largest division by revenues, and earned 20.5% operating profit margins on those revenues; making aerospace by far the most profitable of General Dynamics' four main business divisions. But of course, General Dynamics has always been best known for its combat systems division, which builds the famous Abrams main battle tank, and which also encompasses General Dynamics Land Systems -- which in turn builds the Canadian LAVs. At 16.3% in operating profit margin, this is the company's second most profitable division. Sadly, it's also the company's smallest division by revenue (just $5.6 billion booked last year according to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence). This, in a nutshell, is why last week's contract announcement is relevant to investors in General Dynamics stock. Clearly, the best way for this company to grow its profits in future years will be to improve the fortunes of its aerospace business -- but that may need to wait on a revival of the global market for business jets. In the meantime, in the more immediate future, General Dynamics can add revenues and add profits at its second most profitable business -- combat systems -- by winning more work upgrading armored vehicles it has sold, and selling new ones. Last week's contract is an important, if small, step toward that goal. The bigger step will be delivering on Saudi Arabia's contract to buy more than 3,000 new LAVs built by General Dynamics' Canadian subsidiary. We'll keep you updated on that one, as well as on such smaller deals as the Canadian upgrades contract, as details come to light. 10 stocks we like better than General Dynamics When investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.* David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy right now... and General Dynamics wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys. Click here to learn about these picks! *Stock Advisor returns as of February 6, 2017 Rich Smith has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate President Trump ranted on Twitter Thursday morning, calling anyone disclosing classified information to news organizations low-life leakers and accusing Democrats of concocting stories about Russia to explain their loss in the presidential election. Alternating between calling recent controversies consuming his administration fake news and leaks, the president shared a storm of tweets. Leaking, and even illegal classified leaking, has been a big problem in Washington for years. Failing @nytimes (and others) must apologize! Trump tweeted. Trumps Twitter rant came after his national security adviser Michael Flynn resigned on Monday following a report by the Washington Post that Flynn discussed sanctions with the Russian government before the new administration took office. The report also suggested that Flynn misled Vice President Mike Pence about the conversation he had with Sergey Kislyak, Russias ambassador to the United States. The New York Times reported on Tuesday that intercepted communications showed Trumps campaign advisers were in repeated contact with Russian intelligence officials in the year before the election. In December, Obama imposed new sanctions against Russia and expelled 35 of the Kremlins diplomats from the United States, including several at the Russian Consulate in San Francisco, after they were accused of working to interfere with the U.S. presidential election. Trump promised to catch those leaking information in a subsequent tweet: The spotlight has finally been put on the low-life leakers! They will be caught! He continued tweeting that, FAKE NEWS media, which makes up stories and sources, is far more effective than the discredited Democrats but they are fading fast! In yet another tweet, he claimed that, The Democrats had to come up with a story as to why they lost the election, and so badly (306), so they made up a story RUSSIA. Fake news! Democrats on Capitol Hill are calling for a wide-scale investigation into the Trump teams connections to Russia. The Chronicle has published several stories on the Russian controversy. Here are some links: Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Updated to include drought zones while tracking water shortage status of your area, plus reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. Michael Flynns resignation: A timeline Trump knew Flynn misled WH weeks before ouster: officials Trump Today: President says Flynn resigning not the real story Trump Today: President says Russian phone call leaks un-American President Trumps most significant tweets since taking office Sarah Ravani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sravani@sfchronicle.com The White House may be in chaos. But at least Congress is addressing the issue Americans care about most: making it easier for the finance industry to rip them off. Last week, Jeb Hensarling of Texas, chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, circulated an outline of his latest plan to repeal the Dodd-Frank Act. This law, you may recall, was put in place after the financial crisis of 2008 to reduce our chances of having another one. The law isnt perfect, but it did have at least one crucial, mostly popular component: It created an agency dedicated solely to helping consumers fight back when financial institutions cheat or mislead them. This agency is called the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. It oversees large banks, thrifts and credit unions, along with lots of companies in the nonbank universe, such as mortgage brokers and servicers, payday lenders, debt collectors, private student lenders and credit bureaus. While the bureau may not have the same name recognition as, say, the Federal Reserve, many of its actions have generated big headlines. Remember when Wells Fargo got caught creating millions of fake customer accounts? The bureau helped lead that investigation, which resulted in a $185 million settlement. The bureau has also, among other things, sued pension-advance companies that fleece veterans, and it ordered the firms that left low-income users of prepaid RushCards unable to access their own money to pay $13 million in restitution and fines. In its five years of existence, the bureau says it has recovered $11.7 billion for more than 27 million consumers. The financial industry, understandably, is not super keen on this independent federal agency. And neither is Hensarling, who just coincidentally? has received generous campaign contributions from the finance industry. Hensarlings leaked memo lays out updates to legislation he introduced last year (which, among other things, required that bureau employees be paid less than their counterparts at other federal financial regulatory agencies). Under the Orwellian section heading Empowering Americans to Achieve Financial Independence, the memo explains how Hensarling intends to further disempower this agency and by extension, American consumers. For instance, the bureaus director would become an at-will political appointee. This means that unlike the officials who run the Fed, Federal Trade Commission or Securities and Exchange Commission the bureau director could be fired without cause. The bureau would cease to be an independent agency and could be pressured at any time to drop investigations of, say, friends of the president. According to the memo, Hensarling also plans to repeal the bureaus supervisory powers. This is a fancy way of saying the bureau would no longer have the right to regularly examine whats going on inside the institutions it regulates to make sure theyre following the law. Even more disturbing, the bureau would no longer be allowed to punish firms that cheat their customers. Of course, many of these policy changes make sense if your worldview is that government should stay out of private transactions because consumers are smart enough to fend for themselves. Which brings me to the weirdest and least defensible parts of Hensarlings plan: an effort to make consumers dumber. Hensarlings memo eliminates the bureaus research functions, its public database of consumer complaints (so much for transparency) and even its consumer education functions. Its hard to imagine what legitimate public interest lies in killing efforts to promote financial literacy. But in the con-man economy, maybe public interest is no longer a consideration. 2017, Washington Post Writers Group Email: crampell@washpost.com Twitter: @crampell Washington, D.C., was still reeling from the news that Michael Flynn, President Trumps national security adviser, had been forced to resign his post after it was revealed that hed misled Vice President Mike Pence about his conversations with Russias ambassador to the United States. On Tuesday, another bombshell hit: a news report in the New York Times that American intelligence had intercepted multiple calls between Trump campaign aides and senior Russian intelligence officials before the election. CNN then published additional details, saying that both the president-elect and then-President Barack Obama had been briefed on the matter, and ABC News confirmed portions of both stories. Its important to note that the stories rely on unnamed sources. But thats more reason not less for Congress to launch an independent bipartisan investigation of Trumps ties to Russia. A pattern is forming within Trumps circle of officials and associates, and so is a credibility gap. Trump, Pence and White House press secretary Sean Spicer had all publicly denied any contact between Trump staff and Russian officials during the campaign. These denials became harder to accept with revelations of Flynns actions during the transition. With these additional reports, it is starting to look as though the administration is attempting to offer purposeful misinformation about its relationship with Russia. The only answer is an investigation. Some Republicans, like U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, have acknowledged that an investigation would be in the countrys best interest. On Wednesday, Graham released a statement saying, It is imperative that Congress perform oversight regarding any potential campaign contacts between Trump officials and Russian intelligence officials. But Graham will need to convince his colleagues in Congress, too many of whom are still committed to sticking their heads in the sand. Their desire to avoid investigating Trump is understandable. In the short term, its politically risky to investigate a president of ones own party. Many legislators would rather get on with the business of enacting long-sought policies. But in the long term, the entire nation will suffer and remember if Congress doesnt do its job. The Russia issue wont go away before someone gets to the bottom of it. That someone must be the U.S. Congress. Michael Macor/The Chronicle Some 7 million Californians may lose a chance to build an IRA-style retirement nest egg if the Republican-majority Congress bows to Wall Streets objections to the promising pension idea. With both the White House and Congress in GOP control, the political timing couldnt be worse for the Secure Choice plan approved and signed into law last year. The policy gives employees in jobs that dont offer a pension plan or retirement savings plan the chance to join a statewide pool. An employer wouldnt be obliged to contribute, and the target workers, mostly in low- and moderate-income jobs, could opt out. Giant integrated energy stocks was hammered by the oil downturn. That's old news now that oil price trends are starting to improve. If you have a positive outlook for the oil industry, now could be the right time to step in and buy one of these high-yield stocks. However, the downturn was a stark reminder of the risks inherent in this cyclical industry. Which is exactly why the top big oil dividend stock is ExxonMobil (NYSE: XOM). Safety first When you look at the integrated oil giants, ExxonMobil stands out. First, as an income investor, you'll be attracted to its streak of 34 consecutive years of annual dividend increases. Only Chevron (NYSE: CVX) comes close to that, with 29 years of annual hikes. After that, the pickings get slim. Royal Dutch Shell (NYSE: RDS-B), for example, has one of highest yields in the industry, but it hasn't increased its dividend for three years. Italian energy giant ENI (NYSE: E), meanwhile, cut its dividend during the downturn. So while Exxon's 3.6% yield is at the low end of the industry, it has proven to be one of the most secure payments. If you are looking for income, safety should be a key consideration. And on that score, Exxon has proven it cares greatly about rewarding its shareholders in good years and bad. There's more to this story But Exxon didn't get to 34 years because it was lucky. It got there because of a conservative business model that focuses on operational excellence. For example, Exxon's debt is toward the low end of the industry. That's a trend that's been in place for years because of management's conservative bias. A modest debt load gives Exxon the flexibility to deal with adversity. Yes, debt levels rose during the oil downturn, but they remain at reasonable levels. Long-term debt, for example, made up a modest 15% (or so) of the capital structure at the end of the third quarter. The added leverage was used to protect the company's dividend and to support its capital investments during the lean years. That's an intelligent use of the balance sheet that protects investors and the company's long-term future without sacrificing safety. For comparison, Royal Dutch Shell's long-term debt makes up around 30% of its capital structure. That's not outlandish, but you can see why it hit the pause button on annual dividend hikes. Then there's Exxon's long history of investing its shareholders' money better than its peers. The quickest way to see that is looking at return on invested capital, a metric where Exxon leads the pack year in and year out. With its low debt and smart investing, it's little wonder Exxon was able to remain in the black throughout the current downturn while many of its peers fell into the red. Note that Chevron, the only integrated oil giant with a dividend history as strong as Exxon's, was among the competitors that lost money during the downturn. Exxon really does stand out. The perfect combination I'm not suggesting that Chevron, Eni, Shell, BP, or Total are bad companies. There are reasons to like them all. However, for dividend investors, Exxon stands above the pack as the best dividend stock in the oil industry. It's one of the best-run oil companies around, has a relatively low level of debt, and its history of protecting its dividend is top notch. It isn't the highest-yielding oil giant, but it's probably the safest. And if safety is as important to you as it is to me when analyzing a dividend stock, Exxon should hold the top spot on your oil short list. 10 stocks we like better than ExxonMobil When investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.* David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy right now... and ExxonMobil wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys. Click here to learn about these picks! *Stock Advisor returns as of February 6, 2017 Reuben Brewer owns shares of ExxonMobil. The Motley Fool owns shares of ExxonMobil. The Motley Fool recommends Chevron and Total. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Defiant and doomed, the heroine of Sophocles Antigone brings down the fury of the state when she flouts a kings decree and buries her dishonored brother Polyneices. Antigona, a potent and richly imagined dance theater version of the play that opened Tuesday, Feb. 14, at Z Space, taps the driving force of flamenco to capture the primal emotion, political intrigue and deeply mournful undertow of the original in vivid 21st century terms. Labeling this production by New York troupe Noche Flamenca an adaptation is a barely adequate characterization. With the fearless and transfixing Soledad Barrio in the title role, this 100-minute work is more embodiment than theatrical transplant from one form to another. The audience doesnt just see Antigona. They hear, feel and experience it in a visceral, prismatically faceted way. Much of that owes to the florid, percussive language of flamenco, choreographed in arresting solo, ensemble and choral configurations by Barrio. Pulse-poundingly effective as the dance sequences are, especially when Barrio takes the stage, director Martin Santangelo uses live music, spoken and subtitled Spanish (and some English), masks, high-contrast lighting and subversive humor to express and expand the narrative. Zarmik Moqtaderi The ground shifts quickly, like startling but somehow inevitable key changes in a piece of music. No sooner has Antigonas bilingual sister Ismene (Marina Elana) offered some vernacular English commentary (Whatever.) than she is drawn into an exquisitely anguished pas de deux with Antigona over their brothers body. Creonte (a ludicrous but menacing Manuel Gago) is played as a pompous, jack-booted matador whose inauguration as king is mock-celebrated with a chorus of kazoos. Polyneices (the whipsawing Carlos Menchaca) and his fleshier brother Eteocles (Robert Wilson) kill each other off in a flamenco-versus-break-dancing competition. The blind seer Tiresias (Pepe El Bocadillo) offers his fateful lamentations in raw, fado-like folk melodies. The action pauses entirely at one point for a long and lavish guitar solo. Even the projected subtitles come and go in pointed, well-timed reveals. Flamenco, in an inspired fusion with Greek tragedy, illuminates it all with its hot white light. The tall and barrel-bodied Juan Ogalla has a bravura turn as Antigonas lover Haemon, his feet spinning out long sentences of furious love and stutter-stepping despair. The chorus supplies sharp semaphoric support for the principals. Finally and indelibly, Antigona belongs to Barrio. Even at slightly less than full strength the shows opening was postponed a week when she re-aggravated a muscle tear this remarkable dancer carves out her characters steel-spined determination, proud defeat and grim death with a master sculptors precision. Her pliant but unshakeable torso, explosive footwork, liquidly mobile arms and branching fingers give the heroine of the early scenes an almost electric command of space. When she comes to a sudden stop and strikes a pose, a force field aligns around her. Later, in a deliberate but dramatic scenic coup, Barrio sacrifices her shoes and some of her swirling costume as Antigona is drawn offstage on the River of Acheron. When she returns for her final scene, her hair tumbled down and body crimped, she paws at her midsection as if to wrench out the tortured history lodged inside her. Minutes later, with Tiresias affirming in long wails what hes seen coming all along, Antigona is dead by her own firm hand. Steven Winn is The San Francisco Chronicles former arts and culture critic. Antigona: Noche Flamenca. Through Feb. 25. Z Space, 450 Florida St., San Francisco. $25-$50. (415) 866-811-4111, http://tinyurl.com/znypkck To see a video: www.zspace.org/noche Antigona: Noche Flamenca. Through Feb. 25. Z Space, 450 Florida St., San Francisco. $25-$50. (415) 866-811-4111, http://tinyurl.com/znypkck To see a video: www.zspace.org/noche With the Oscars coming up at the end of the month, heres something any celebrity planning to make a provocative political statement, while wearing a $100,000 designer necklace, should keep in mind: Nobody cares what you have to say. Well, not nobody, exactly. Progressives will swoon at the first President Trump bashing or Ivanka trashing on Oscar night. And to the liberals watching at home, that will feel good for a few moments. But the political impact of celebrities to convince anyone outside the liberal bubble is minimal. Ask President Hillary Clinton. Beyonce, Jay Z, Chance the Rapper and Big Sean starred in a get-out-the-vote concert in Cleveland days before the election. Great show but no help Clinton lost Ohio. Celebrities make people feel validated, moved, inspired, said political science Professor David J. Jackson of Ohios Bowling Green State University, one of the few researchers to study the effect of celebrity endorsements. But in terms of persuasion thats the Holy Grail there is not much evidence that people are moved by what a celebrity says. And Jackson has found some evidence that celebrity endorsers actually turn voters off. In the fall of 2015, just as the campaign was cranking up, Jackson polled 804 likely Ohio voters and asked them if a particular celebrity endorser made them more or less likely to vote for a candidate. Jackson found that overall, support from a celebrity subtracted more supporters than it added. Some subtracted way more than they added, like Beyonce (a net of minus 19.9 percent), musician Ted Nugent (net minus 13.4), actress Lena Dunham (net minus 12.6) and country musician Trace Adkins (net minus 8.5). But Jackson found their endorsements meant a lot to voters already predisposed to like them. For example, among Ohio voters who liked country music, Adkins nod carried a lot of weight. Among others, not so much. In the same way, Jackson said, I dont see Lena Dunhams endorsement helping in Wisconsin with a middle-aged blue-collar white voter. Dunham is the 30-year-old writer, producer and director of the HBO series Girls. Said San Francisco pollster David Binder, who worked for both Clintons and former President Barack Obamas presidential campaigns, anecdotally, nobody will say that they changed their vote because of a particular celebrity. Aside from their ability to raise millions of dollars for a candidate, Binder said the value a celebrity brings is to make those already on board feel more enthusiastic, and could potentially boost turnout a bit, if they create a buzz in some friendship circles based on word of mouth. Instead, the true potential to effect political change lies with the rest of us, the people who dont wear $100,000 necklaces. It is in the power of the anti-Trump resistance movement, which on Wednesday claimed another victory when the presidents nominee to be labor secretary, wealthy fast-food executive Andrew Puzder, withdrew his nomination. Details of him hiring an immigrant in the country illegally as his housekeeper and his alleged abuse of his ex-wife scared away enough Republicans to keep him from being confirmed. Puzders ex-wife has since recanted the allegations. But it was the voters who have been relentlessly calling their senators and showing up at town hall meetings that kept the pressure on. Its the same blueprint conservative Tea Party activists used in 2009 to derail and eventually stall much of Obamas domestic agenda they showed up en masse at town hall meetings and made sure their representatives listened. Puzders withdrawal was a great victory today because people made their voices heard, said Ezra Levin, co-founder and executive director of Indivisible, the new group behind Indivisible: A Practical Guide for Resisting the Trump Agenda. The 25-page guide, which outlines how to contact officeholders and the media and organize small action groups, has spawned more than 7,000 chapters nationwide. Its a road map for how people not named Beyonce or Katy Perry can wield power, too. Every member of Congress wakes up every day wondering how theyre going to be re-elected, Levin said. Theyre really good at responding to what their constituents are saying. This is about getting their attention. Now is the time to get their attention. After Friday, theyll be returning home for a week for what the Republican leadership calls District Work Period. That means theyre supposed to be in their home offices talking to constituents, holding town hall meetings and being generally available. But Levin said many officeholders are blowing off holding town meetings during this break. So many of our people are holding their own meetings and inviting their representative, he said. And if they dont show, well, theyll make sure their local media knows about that. Indivisible chapters are holding more than 800 events around the country. There are online guides to find out when and where your representative is holding a town hall meeting. So some people will enjoy Melissa McCarthys next Saturday Night Live spoof of White House press secretary Sean Spicer. And others will think that Chris Rocks soon-to-be-launched comedy tour will be hilarious. As Toni Morrison (as quoted by Beyonce at Sundays Grammys) wrote, This is precisely the time when artists go to work. ... This is how civilizations heal. All true. But dont look for Beyonce to help Democrats to retake the House in 2018. That will take hard work from people who arent celebrities showing up on their representatives doorstep next week. Joe Garofoli is The San Francisco Chronicles senior political writer. Email: jgarofoli@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @joegarofoli There are lots of ways to describe Tom Ammiano, the San Francisco activist-turned politician. Lefty liberal, for his progressive leanings. Squeaky-voiced, for his high-pitched vocals. Colorful character, for a conversational style marked by gesticulation and self-effacing humor. And if you havent seen him for a while, you can add blue-haired retiree to the list as well. Say what? Ammiano, 75, who fought for civil liberties in a long and storied career, is now taking a few liberties, too. Freed from the constraints of the workplace (he was termed out of the state Assembly in 2014), he is performing a one-man show, Mincing Words, at the Marsh Theater, that describes how he, as an openly gay legislator, fared in buttoned-up Sacramento. The former stand-up comedian, schoolteacher, school board president, San Francisco supervisor and assemblyman humorously takes aim at former colleagues whose identities he shields with nicknames like Tammy Faye Bakersfield. Hes been teaching politics and gay history at Skyline College in San Bruno and University of San Francisco, enlightening a younger generation that he has found knows little about gay rights icon Harvey Milk, the tragic Jonestown massacre or the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. He has weekly coffee-house chats with activists and political aspirants who need advice. He will be played by an actor in Episode 3 of When We Rise, a mini-series about gay rights to debut on ABC-TV Feb. 27. (A sneak preview will be held at the Castro Theater on Feb. 20.) And ever the agitator, hes hobnobbing about town with a new look thats more 17 than 75: Hes dyed his hair a bright, shocking blue. Ammiano insists theres no deep meaning behind the new hairdo (a shade of Vivids by ChromaSilk called blue topaz, says his stylist Gene Hays at Mes Amis 193.) The Virgin Mary wears robes of perfect blue, which are calming, says Ammiano, an Italian American Catholic from New Jersey. Royal blue is my favorite color. But its hard not to see it as his latest thumb in the nose to conformity. And why not, for someone long outside the norm? On the street, its gotten a positive reaction, he notes. Young people say, Your hair rocks! Its smokin! Ammiano clearly relishes a stage, even if its one of his own making. For a man who seems to possess boundless energy (his husband, Carolis Deal, a wine importer, doesnt argue with the description Energizer Bunny), the show is more than a way to keep busy or prepare for a memoir. Its a way to work out some long-standing demons. The show, Ammiano acknowledges, as his stylist paints his hair during a recent touch-up, has given me more confidence. Its a surprising statement from one who is no stranger to conflict and the political spotlight. He was the first openly gay schoolteacher in San Francisco and worked with Harvey Milk and Hank Wilson to prevent bans on gay people from teaching in California; worked as board president of the San Francisco Unified School District to install gay and lesbian sensitivity curriculum for students; pushed as a city supervisor in 2006 for universal health care for San Franciscans; and was a major force behind the citys domestic partners ordinance. In the Assembly, he introduced an unsuccessful bill in 2009 to legalize marijuana, and authored the Trust Act, signed by Gov. Jerry Brown in 2013, which prevents low-level offenders from being held for purposes of deportation. And thats just scratching the surface of his five decades in office. But even today, Ammiano battles the difficulty of growing up gay in the non-accepting 1950s. He felt different, he said, and was bullied by fellow students and even his high school gym teacher, who used to punch him, he said, in the lower back. To add another layer to his discomfort, he was born cross-eyed and had to wear a patch over one eye until the sixth grade. Not only was I a little nelly thing, but the eye patch threw attention to me, too and not necessarily positive attention, he recalls. I think Ive kind of put a lot of things to bed now, through the career. I always wanted to do some kind of performing, but how I presented myself was threatening or unsettling to people, whether it was the high voice or the gestures. If people loved you, it was endearing (to them). If people didnt know you, it was something to be made fun of a lot of ridicule. Humor became a lifelong weapon for self-defense. With humor, he says, there are situations that maybe it can save your ass, or deflect. In the Legislature, he traded quips with conservative female members about earrings (he wears a diamond stud) and sought to correct another, whom he describes in his show as very Tea Party, from repeated use of the phrase sexual preference while discussing a bill. To be clear, Ammiano recalls correcting her in a speech on the Assembly floor, my sexual orientation is gay and my sexual preference is Brad Pitt. It was a teachable moment, recalls former Assembly Speaker John Perez, a Los Angeles Democrat, who was there. It was seven seconds of a four-minute speech, but there was some education that occurred, says Perez, 47, by phone from Los Angeles. Hes sensitive to the issue as a self-described closeted teen who first learned about Ammiano while watching the film The Life and Times of Harvey Milk on TV in 1984. (Perez is now openly gay.) Hes like a small boxer fighting a larger boxer who has a reach advantage, Perez says of Ammiano. He knows if hes going to win, to move the agenda, hes got to get in close. And he cant do it by just sheer force. Hes got to get people to let down their guard. Whats brilliant about Tom is not just how funny he is, but how smart he is at using the humor to create a connection where people dont expect one to occur and let that connection move a conversation. Ammiano has built up a long list of detractors over the years, who consider him too strident, his voice too grating, his earrings and his seersucker suits for Sacramento too unusual, or even, to use a loaded word, too flamboyant despite the 105-degree summer weather in a sea of gray and brown worn by other men. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Updated to include drought zones while tracking water shortage status of your area, plus reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. Not being taken seriously is the motif, Ammiano says during a recent peek at that seersucker suit in the bedroom closet of the Bernal Heights home where he has lived for more than 40 years. The voice became a real issue during the mayors race in 1999, he notes about his bid that year to replace incumbent Willie Brown. People became very vile about it. As soon as you have a higher voice or something they think is feminine, it becomes an object of ridicule. I would open my mouth and be totally discounted by people thinking, What the hell is he doing? These days, the suits stay in the closet, next to the mulberry colored sport coat he bought while running for the board of education in 1989, a color considered outrageous back then for a man, he said. Ammianos current lifestyle is far more casual: jeans, hoodies and razor stubble. At the theater, of course, he shows up shaved and spiffed up, in colorful shirts topped with plaid. He draws a wide range of attendees: Marijuana activists such as Ellen Komp of Berkeley of California Norml (Ive always admired his willingness to go beyond the obvious and do something bold, she says after the Feb. 4 performance). His daughter, Annie Jupiter-Jones (he was a sperm donor to a female couple). Supervisor Aaron Peskin, and even a man who bought a ticket because Ammiano had saved a rehab program he was in from shutting down. He got here early, before the performance one night in November, and kept moving to different seats in the theater to get the best angle, notes Maggie Wilson, marketing director for the Marsh. When it was over, he gave him a standing ovation and then he left. So we dont really have a paper trail about who this man was. But he said Tom changed his life. Michael Williams, 54, a.k.a. Sister Roma, a member of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, an order of queer nuns who dress in high camp and raise money for AIDS and LGBT causes, appeared in full drag to speak at one of Ammianos classes last year at Skyline College. In the history books, Williams believes, hes definitely his own chapter. Asked directly about his own legacy, Ammiano becomes pensive. I dont really know, he says. My grandkids, of course. That I was pretty faithful to Harvey Milks principles. And then, to lend his answer more zip, he adds, That I survived everything from AIDS to Sacramento and the Chronicle editorials. Carolyne Zinko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: czinko@sfchronicle.com Mincing Words Three performances through March 9. The Marsh, 1062 Valencia St., S.F. http://themarsh.org. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The U.S. Coast Guard expressed concern for the safety of boaters Wednesday because of the large amount of debris swept into the bay and waterways by recent storms. Storms cause water levels to rise and currents to become more powerful, which helps to drag debris into the water, according to Coast Guard Petty Officer Loumania Stewart. That debris a mix of plants, wood, and trash, among other things poses a hazard to boaters, according to the Coast Guard, which issued a debris warning for San Francisco Bay on Wednesday. The situation is particularly bad right now, with visible masses of plants and trash floating in the bays waters and near the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge. It is an unusual amount, Stewart said. With the recent weather conditions, were making it more of a priority to encourage awareness. The debris caused delays for a Vallejo ferry on a Tuesday morning trip to San Francisco when the boat struck a log that bent the starboard propeller, forcing it to return to port. Afternoon departures were replaced with bus service. Boats have had propellers bent in three other recent cases, and in another three instances, delays have been caused when water jets suck in debris and need to be unclogged, according to the Water Emergency Transportation Authority. Debris is causing even bigger problems elsewhere in the region, with Caltrans indefinitely suspending service for the J-Mack and Real McCoy ferries in the Sacramento delta, the department announced Tuesday. Were just telling people to be aware. Were asking mariners to remain vigilant of the hazards in their area stay informed of weather conditions, monitor any alerts, Stewart said. But the reduced vessel traffic could have an upside for one oft-overlooked group of Bay Area residents: seals. Any time you have a decrease in vehicle traffic, youre probably decreasing collisions with wildlife, said Conrad Jones, a senior environmental scientist at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. So in that respect, it might be considered a good thing. Filipa A. Ioannou is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: fioannou@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @obioannoukenobi PBNJ Productions / Getty Image Residents of an apartment building in Alameda who were evacuated Thursday due to a gas leak were given the all clear to return to their homes. Police announced at 3:10 p.m. that the natural gas leak in the 700 block of Central Avenue had been cleared up, but the source of the odor remained unclear. It turns out that the Bay Areas reputation as a bastion of tolerance doesnt make it immune to hate groups eight of them, in fact, according to a new list compiled by a national watchdog group. In San Francisco, the list names the Loyal White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan and the white nationalist Counter-Currents Publishing house as having offices, although contacting them is tough. Walnut Creek is pegged as home to the anti-Muslim Islamthreat.com, and the Black Riders Liberation Party black separatist group is placed in Oakland. In all, there are two more hate groups in the Bay Area than in 2015, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center. The group compiles its list annually, and in Wednesdays report it said the number of hate groups in the U.S. rose to 917 in 2016, up from 892 the year before. Most alarmingly, it says, the number of anti-Muslim hate groups nearly tripled, to 101 from 34 the year before. Mark Potok, editor of the centers quarterly Intelligence Report, said last year was an unprecedented year for hate, which he blamed at least partially on the rise of President Trump and his followers. The country saw a resurgence of white nationalism that imperils the racial progress weve made, along with the rise of a president whose policies reflect the values of white nationalists, Potok said. In Steve Bannon, these extremists think they finally have an ally who has the presidents ear. Bannon is chief strategist to the president and formerly ran Breitbart News, a fringe-right website. The White House did not respond to requests for comment. Efforts to contact the KKK, Counter-Currents and other organizations listed as hate groups were not successful. The centers compilation of organizations ran heavily right-wing in many parts of the country, but in the Bay Area it spanned a wider gamut taking in groups such as the Black Riders as well as ones it considered jihadist, such as As-Sabiqun in Oakland. Also on the list were branches in Mountain View and Santa Cruz of the neo-Nazi Daily Stormer, a racist website that features stories deriding Jews and Muslims and advocating white power. The site, run by white nationalist Andrew Anglin, made it onto the list because Internet chatter revealed book-reading meetings in the two cities, said Ryan Lenz, an editor with the law center. Andrew Anglins Daily Stormer has sought to move from cyberspace to the real world, or what they call meat space, and one of the things hes been doing is forming book clubs to read Nazi literature, Lenz said. Thats whats been happening in Santa Cruz and Mountain View. And where they are meeting changes day to day. Lenz said Counter-Currents is one of the biggest white nationalist websites and publishers in the country. The KKK wound up with a tag in San Francisco because of flyers from the group that appeared on streets last summer. Sources in antiracist groups say one man living in the Marina neighborhood was principally responsible for Klan activity in the city, but efforts to contact anyone associated with the group were unsuccessful. Im a little bit surprised that there are racist groups in San Francisco, but not really, said Alan Schlosser, a senior counsel with the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California. Its a diverse city. These are views that exist in this country, and San Francisco is not immune. Its good that theres sunlight being shown on these groups so they dont just operate in the shadows. Kevin Fagan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kfagan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @KevinChron Read the report The Southern Poverty Law Centers report on hate groups in the U.S. can be read at http://bit.ly/2lPOMOL. Bay Area hate groups White Nationalist Counter-Currents Publishing San Francisco Loyal White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan San Francisco General hate As-Sabiqun Oakland Masjid al Islam Oakland Black Separatist Black Riders Liberation Party Oakland Black Nationalist Nation of Islam Oakland Anti-Muslim Islamthreat.com Walnut Creek Neo-Nazi The Daily Stormer Mountain View Santa Cruz Something fishy was going on at Odeum in Morgan Hill, Santa Clara County officials suspected. The upscale restaurant a big fish in the Morgan Hill restaurant scene, helmed and owned by a chef with a Michelin star was serving tilapia in place of the petrale sole listed on the menu for a period of more than a year, an investigation by the Santa Clara County district attorneys office alleged. A spokesperson for Odeum declined to comment. Now, according to a civil judgment announced Wednesday, the restaurant must pay $120,000 $30,000 in restitution and $90,000 in civil penalties and offer a $30 gift card to any customer who ordered sole at Odeum between October 2014 and March 2016 and files a claims form by May 31, the Santa Clara district attorneys office announced Wednesday. Gift cards count toward the $30,000 of restitution money that must be paid, and leftover restitution money will go to the Consumer Protection Division of the Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health, according to the district attorneys office. Following up on a complaint, the Santa Clara County district attorneys office and the Department of Environmental Health launched their investigation in early 2016 and learned of the alleged deception, officials said. Fish fraud is a common problem a report released by the conservation group Oceana in September estimated that 1 in 5 seafood samples tested worldwide is mislabeled. Asian catfish, farmed tilapia, and farmed salmon are often presented as wild-caught, higher-value fish, Oceana researchers found. Not only do these swaps cheat consumers, but many aquaculture facilities damage surrounding ecosystems, and use chemicals and antibiotics that can harm consumer health, the report said. In Santa Clara County, officials hope the steep fines might make would-be seafood fraudsters think twice. I definitely hope it will deter other restaurants and wholesalers from trying to swap out products and serve things that are not what they say they are, said Santa Clara County Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Deng. Filipa A. Ioannou is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: fioannou@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @obioannoukenobi This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A mostly cloudy day was interrupted only briefly by flashes of sunshine on Wednesday, but its still likely to be the nicest and driest weather until Sunday, with a one-two punch of storms making a beeline for the Bay Area, forecasters predict. With the first storm set to hit Thursday morning, officials expressed concern that more rain could mean more of the dangerous debris that recent storms have helped sweep into the bay and local waterways. Recent storms have led to an increase in plant matter, wood and trash in the water, and that means more danger for boaters, according to the U.S. Coast Guard, which issued a debris warning for the San Francisco Bay on Wednesday. When river levels rise and currents become more rapid, that brings out the debris, Coast Guard Petty Officer Loumania Stewart explained. While the debris is a common problem, the situation is particularly bad right now, with logs, tangles of reeds and trash choking the water in parts of the bay, such as near the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge. It is an unusual amount, Stewart said. With the recent weather conditions were making it more of a priority to encourage awareness. The debris caused delays for a Vallejo ferry on a Tuesday morning trip to San Francisco when the boat struck a log that bent the starboard propeller, forcing it to return to port and afternoon departures to be replaced with bus service. Boats have had propellers bent in three other recent cases, and in another three instances delays have been caused when water jets sucked in debris and needed to be unclogged, according to the Water Emergency Transportation Authority. Debris is causing even bigger problems elsewhere in the region, with Caltrans indefinitely suspending service for the J-Mack and Real McCoy ferries in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, the department said. Next weeks weather wont be ideal for boating, either. It looks like the only dry day for the next little while is going to be Sunday, said Steve Anderson, a forecaster with the National Weather Service. Three storm systems are lined up across the Pacific, with the first expected to hit Northern California Thursday, the second bound for Central and Southern California on Friday, and the third heading for Northern California on Sunday or Monday, forecasters say. Rain is expected to begin north of Santa Rosa as early as 2 a.m. Thursday, but for most of the area the storm will start around 6 a.m., bringing a half inch to 1 inches of rain through Friday, with up to 3 inches in the Santa Cruz Mountains and parts of the North Bay, Anderson said. He added that the first storm will be weaker than the major systems that lashed the Bay Area recently, but next weeks storm may turn out to be strong. That storm should start overnight Sunday, just in time to affect the Monday commute, according to Jan Null, meteorologist at Golden Gate Weather Services. Another system may arrive Wednesday, he said. Recent rains have helped lengthen the list of California cities that have received more rain than average this season. That list included 20 monitoring sites as of Tuesday, including San Francisco International Airport, Santa Rosa, Livermore and Stockton. The list is expected to grow once the coming storms factor in. Modesto, Fresno, Santa Barbara, Camarillo (Ventura County), Ramona (San Diego County) and the Oakland International Airport have already received almost as much rainfall as they do in an average season, Null said. Filipa A. Ioannou is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: fioannou@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @obioannoukenobi This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Risky driving and a fatalistic complacency that accidents will happen is taking a deadly toll on California roadways and across the rest of the nation, safety experts said Wednesday after the release of a report that shows record increases in traffic deaths. Our complacency is killing us, said Deborah A.P. Hersman, president and CEO of the National Safety Council, which authored the report. Americans believe there is nothing we can do to stop crashes from happening, but that isnt true. The U.S. lags the rest of the developed world in addressing highway fatalities. We know what needs to be done; we just havent done it. The study shows that in California, traffic deaths rose 14 percent in 2016 over the previous year, and 19 percent over the past two years. The national death toll rose 6 percent during the past year and 14 percent over the past two, marking the largest two-year jump in the U.S. since 1964. The report, based on preliminary estimates of traffic fatalities involving motor vehicles on public roads, highways and private property, surprised state traffic safety officials. Were discouraged to see the numbers go up, said Chris Cochran, spokesman for the state Office of Traffic Safety. We did not think they would go down, but theyve gone up more than anyone would have projected. While they have not yet analyzed the numbers, traffic experts pointed to distracted driving and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol and speeding as leading causes in the spike in deaths. Were trying to figure it out and combat it as we go along, Cochran said. In terms of percentage increases, California did not lead the pack, but it did in sheer numbers. The report said 3,680 people died in traffic collisions in 2016 compared with 3,249 a year earlier and to 3,084 two years prior. Nationally, an estimated 40,000 people were killed in car crashes in 2016, 37,757 in 2015 and 35,398 in 2014. One exception to the increasingly deadly trend was in San Francisco, where figures collected by the Department of Public Health show that the citys Vision Zero efforts to eliminate traffic deaths by 2024 could be making progress. The number of traffic deaths in 2016 was 30, a slight decline from 2015 and 2014 when 31 people were killed in each of those years in motor vehicle collisions. The figures also showed a one-year decrease in pedestrian deaths with 16 in 2016 compared with 20 in 2015. It goes to show that our Vision Zero efforts are working, but not fast enough or aggressively enough, said Nicole Ferrara, executive director of Walk San Francisco, a pedestrian advocacy group. The National Safety Council study was based on monthly reports from all 50 states and the District of Columbia. A survey of drivers, done in connection with the report, found that 83 percent are concerned with road safety, but 64 percent said they felt comfortable speeding and 47 percent said they believe they can text either manually or through voice controls behind the wheel. Additionally, 13 percent said they could drive safely while impaired by marijuana and 10 percent said they could drive after drinking too much alcohol. Cochran said California officials have seen spikes in recent years in the number of drivers impaired by drugs, including legally prescribed medications like opioids. Arrests for driving under the influence of marijuana are also up, he said, but its too early to determine if thats connected to more fatal or injury-related crashes. Nationally, said Ken Kolosh, the councils manager of statistics, more drivers are distracted, particularly by their smartphones. People talking on their phones behind the wheel used to be the biggest concern, he said. But texting and using apps, including social media, have become far more common and deadly he said. Deaths blamed on distracted driving rose 9 percent in 2015. Driving under the influence of alcohol also continues to be a problem, he said, showing a 3 percent nationwide increase. The council proposes aggressive steps to combat the causes of deadly driving, including mandatory use of ignition interlock devices that keep impaired drivers from starting their cars, using automated cameras to catch speeders, a ban on all cell phone use while driving, comprehensive pedestrian safety programs and accelerated use of automated driving devices, including emergency braking, lane-departure warnings and blind-spot monitoring. That technology could save 10,000 lives a year, Kolosh said. San Francisco is already using or trying to employ some of those tactics. The Vision Zero program, which uses data to determine the most dangerous driver behaviors and locations, has focused on building safer intersections, and the city last week announced efforts to seek state legislation allowing it to use automated cameras to issue speeding citations. Tom Maguire, director of Sustainable Streets for the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, said speeding, red-light running and failing to yield the right of way are the leading causes of traffic deaths in San Francisco. Vision Zero leaders have been working with national traffic safety officials, he said, to shape traffic-safety strategies. Our voice is at the table in this national conversation about traffic safety, he said. Cities like San Francisco are helping lead the conversation. Michael Cabanatuan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mcabanatuan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ctuan Traffic fatalities California traffic deaths 2014: 3,084 2015: 3,249 2016: 3,680 Percentage increase: 13 percent jump from 2015 to 2016; 19 percent jump from 2014 to 2016 U.S. traffic deaths 2014: 35,398 2015: 37,757 2016: 40,200 Percentage increase: 6 percent jump from 2015 to 2016; 14 percent jump from 2014 to 2016 Apple announced Thursday its annual developer conference will be held in San Jose this year after a 14-year run in San Francisco. The event, which draws thousands of developers globally, will be held June 5-9 at McEnery Convention Center in San Jose. The last time it was held in San Jose was in 2002. Last year, the conference took place at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium and prior to that, the Moscone Center in San Francisco. City officials are turning to a coalition of community organizations and advocacy groups for input and advice as they work to flesh out the details of a bold plan to blanket San Francisco with ultra-fast, affordable Internet service. The coalition, San Franciscans for Municipal Fiber, held its first meeting Wednesday to begin whats expected to be a three-month process designed to paint a more detailed picture of the communitys Internet and technology needs as the fiber project moves ahead. Each of the coalitions member organizations from the Boys & Girls Club of San Francisco to the Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corp. to the Senior Disability Action Network are expected to weigh in about their constituents priorities when it comes to Internet access. The group was assembled by Supervisor Mark Farrells office, which is spearheading the municipal broadband project. Farrell is serving as co-chairman of the group alongside former Supervisor Eric Mar, now a teacher of Asian American and ethnic studies at San Francisco State University. The ultimate goal of the broadband project is to close the gap between residents who have access to high-speed Internet and those who dont. The city estimates that as many as 100,000 San Franciscans do not have an Internet connection at home, and that 50,000 use slow dial-up connections, a technology from the 1990s. City officials are looking for a speed of 1 gigabit per second, a rate currently out of reach for most people due to cost or availability. The average Internet speed in the U.S. is 31 megabits per second according to the most recent data published by the Federal Communications Commission 3 percent of San Franciscos target speed. Internet access should be viewed as an economic right in todays world, Farrell said. It should be viewed as public utility and the city of San Francisco has a lot of work to do to get there. To me, its criminal that we sit here as a country, as a city, and dont do anything about it. It does no good to do this without community input, he added. Do you have hardware issues? Do you have digital literacy issues? We want to hear about all of that, because that will inform the process. More for you New ordinance gives SF apartment dwellers more Internet options The broadband project itself is more than two years in the making. While a vast array of crucial questions remain about how the fiber-optic cable will be installed, who will operate it, how much it will cost and how it will be paid for, a 2016 report from the San Francisco Budget and Legislative Analysts office laid out a number of possible scenarios that are being evaluated by city officials. On Wednesday, Farrell said the city has hired a consultant to help in the planning and implementation of the project. Bruce Wolfe, a representative of PublicNet San Francisco, a group that has been advocating public broadband services in the city for more than a decade, expressed concern about allowing the fiber plan to wilt under a slow-moving bureaucracy and pressure from private Internet providers like Comcast and AT&T that may chafe at the prospect of competing with a city-run service. I want to make sure that were not going to end up spinning our wheels, Wolfe said. The problem for me and the folks I represent is making sure that we have the fastest speed possible, but not being fettered by private-sector factors. Liz Hafalia/The Chronicle I have no desire to convene this group for no reason, Farrell responded. We are going to be pushing schedules, because the time is now. I dont want to be here as a supervisor or a former supervisor talking about this five years from now as an idea. That would be a failure, he said. Anne Hinton, a livable communities adviser with AARP and co-chair of the San Francisco Technology Council, supports the fiber project, particularly for its potential to bring more senior citizens online. Everyone gets it that kids need to have it, but everyone needs it, Hinton said. Because older adults have traditionally been left out, theres a whole group of folks who dont even know what the benefit could be for them. What were thinking about are the connections that can be made for people senior centers without walls or Skyping with your grandkids. Its all of that social activity that helps you stay vibrant, Hinton said. Dominic Fracassa is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: dfracassa@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @dominicfracassa This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Prosecutors in the trial of a man accused of killing Morgan Hill teenager Sierra LaMar sought Wednesday to dispute the defenses suggestion that the girl ran away a claim that relies in part on a brief entry in one of her school notebooks. Sierra was last seen nearly five years ago, leaving behind belongings that offered clues to her disappearance and alleged murder at age 15. One of those items was a Spanish notebook from Ann Sobrato High School in Morgan Hill, which has become the center of discussion in the San Jose courtroom. A note inside reads, I hate my life ... no ever sees this. I will be in San Fransisco by 3/16/12. Sierra was last seen that morning, and her body has not been found. Santa Clara County Deputy District Attorney David Boyd brought in a handwriting expert on Wednesday to tell the jury that the contested notebook entry was probably not written by Sierra an assertion that was challenged by defense attorneys. It was the third week of the trial of Antolin Garcia-Torres, a 25-year-old Morgan Hill man who could face the death penalty if convicted of kidnapping and killing Sierra. Authorities say hair found on rope in Garcia-Torres car belonged to Sierra, linking him to her disappearance. Garcia-Torres is also being tried on charges that he attempted to kidnap and carjack three women in 2009, one of them outside a Morgan Hill Safeway where he had worked. The entry in Sierras notebook was presented in pretrial motions by defense attorneys suggesting that the girl wanted to run away. John Bourke, a supervising criminalist with the Santa Clara County crime lab, testified that he compared the entry against handwriting from several other school books that contained known writing from Sierra. The writer of the known documents probably did not write this letter, Bourke said. But probably does not mean certainly, remarked defense attorney Al Lopez, who sought to cast doubt on the analysis by suggesting the note was too short for a strong comparison. The more examples of a persons writing you have, the better, as far as your analysis is concerned, Lopez said. Do you agree that if your samples are limited, your analysis is limited? Lopez asked Bourke. It absolutely limited my opinion, Bourke said. Bourke added that analysts can only unequivocally exclude someone as the author of a note if the real author is known. In this case, you could not eliminate Sierra LaMar as writing that note, Lopez said. Boyd focused on the circumstances that led to the notebooks discovery after Sierra went missing, trying to establish that the notebook could have passed among several hands before it reached authorities. Kevin Miller, assistant principal at Ann Sobrato High, testified Wednesday that he handed the notebook to authorities after a student gave it to him. Miller said he couldnt remember who that student was. Jenna Lyons is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jlyons@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @JennaJourno PHILADELPHIA Organizers in cities across the U.S. are telling immigrants to miss class, miss work and not shop on Thursday as a way to show the country how important they are to Americas economy and way of life. A Day Without Immigrants actions are planned in cities including Philadelphia, Washington, Boston and Austin, Texas. The protest comes in response to President Trump and his 1-month-old administration. The Republican president has pledged to increase deportation of immigrants living in the country illegally, build a wall along the Mexican border, and ban people from certain majority-Muslim countries from coming into the U.S. He also has blamed high unemployment on immigration. Employers and institutions in some cities were already expressing solidarity Wednesday with immigrant workers. Washington restaurateur John Andrade said he would close his businesses Thursday, and David Suro, owner of Tequilas Restaurant in Philadelphia and a Mexican immigrant, said he also planned to participate. The Davis Museum at Wellesley College in Massachusetts said it would remove or shroud all artwork created by or given to the museum by immigrants through Feb. 21. Organizers in Philadelphia said they expect hundreds of workers and families to participate. Our goal is to highlight the need for Philadelphia to expand policies that stop criminalizing communities of color, said Erika Almiron, executive director of Juntos, a nonprofit group that works with the Latino immigrant community. What would happen if massive raids did happen? What would the city look like? Almiron said that while community groups have not seen an uptick in immigration raids in the city, residents are concerned about the possibility. Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney is among leaders in several cities nationwide who have vowed to maintain their sanctuary city status and decline to help federal law enforcement with deportation efforts. Many people who make the choice to skip work Thursday will not be paid in their absence. But social media posts encouraging participation stressed that the cause is worth the sacrifice. Errin Haines Whack is an Associated Press writer. WASHINGTON The Tea Party wing of the GOP gained a voice in President Trumps Cabinet on Thursday when Mick Mulvaney was sworn in as director of the White House budget office. Vice President Mike Pence administered the oath of office hours after the Senate confirmed the South Carolina Republicans nomination on a narrow 51-49 vote in the GOP-controlled Senate. Pence praised Mulvaneys extraordinary record and said he couldnt be more enthusiastic about Trumps decision to choose him. Not all Republicans shared Pences sentiments. Arizona Sen. John McCain, who is emerging as perhaps the most vocal GOP critic of the Trump administration, opposed Mulvaney for the nominees past House votes supporting cuts to Pentagon spending. Mulvaney has spent his last six years in the House of Representatives pitting the national debt against our military, said McCain, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Senators then gave a tentative 54-46 procedural green light to Trumps choice to run the Environmental Protection Agency, Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt. It was a signal that Pruitt should sail through on a final vote scheduled for Friday, despite being opposed by Maine Sen. Susan Collins, a GOP moderate. Democratic Sens. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota, two of the partys more moderate members, backed Pruitt. Mulvaneys confirmation promises to accelerate work on Trumps upcoming budget plan, which is overdue. Thats typical at the beginning of an administration. But there is also the need to complete more than $1 trillion in unfinished spending bills for the current budget year, as well as transmit Trumps request for a quick start on his oft-promised U.S.-Mexico border wall and tens of billions of dollars in emergency cash for the military. Mulvaney brings strong conservative credentials to the job, and hes likely to seek big cuts to longtime GOP targets such as the EPA and other domestic programs. Also Thursday, Robert Harward, a retired U.S. Navy vice admiral, turned down Trumps offer to become national security adviser, administration officials said. Harward, the chief executive of Lockheed Martin United Arab Emirates, who served on the National Security Council under former President George W. Bush, informed Trump about his decision not to take the job. Andrew Taylor is an Associated Press writer. WASHINGTON President Trump lashed out at the nations intelligence agencies again Wednesday, accusing them of illegally leaking information to the news media, on a day of new disclosures about his dealings with Russia during and after the presidential campaign. In a fusillade of early-morning posts on Twitter, Trump revived his charge that the allegations of a Russian connection were nothing more than a Democratic conspiracy, fed to a receptive news media to distract from the mistakes made by Hillary Clinton during the campaign. The real scandal here is that classified information is illegally given out by intelligence like candy. Very un-American! he posted at 8:13 a.m. This Russian connection non-sense is merely an attempt to cover-up the many mistakes made in Hillary Clintons losing campaign, he posted shortly after 7 a.m. Minutes later, he added, Information is being illegally given to the failing @nytimes & @washingtonpost by the intelligence community (NSA and FBI?). Just like Russia The New York Times and the Washington Post both reported on the contacts between a Russian diplomat and Michael Flynn, who resigned as national security adviser Monday night after acknowledging he had misled Vice President Mike Pence and other officials about the discussions. The Times on Wednesday disclosed broader contacts between Russian intelligence officials and people with ties to the Trump campaign and Trumps business empire during and after the campaign. The White House has tried, with little success, to shift the narrative from the nature of those contacts to accusations about the leaking of sensitive information by the intelligence agencies, as well as by the FBI. Trump used a similar strategy during the transition, after disclosures that the intelligence agencies presented him with a dossier containing potentially compromising but unsubstantiated information that Russian officials had collected on him during his travels to Russia. On Wednesday, Trump said on Twitter, The fake news media is going crazy with their conspiracy theories and blind hatred. @MSNBC & @CNN are unwatchable. @foxandfriends is great! The president also praised a column by Eli Lake of the Bloomberg View, which criticized the selective leaking of intercepted communications between Flynn and Russias ambassador to Washington, Sergey Kislyak. Lake went on to suggest, however, that Flynn had been sacrificed to protect other officials, potentially including the president himself. Trump, as he has before, rejected allegations that his policy toward Russia was being compromised. Crimea was TAKEN by Russia during the Obama Administration. Was Obama too soft on Russia? he posted on Twitter. Meanwhile, while a handful of leading Republicans on Wednesday acknowledged growing concerns about the Trump teams connections to Russia, most declined to embrace the kind of wide-scale investigation that their Democratic counterparts are demanding, leaving the minority party with few clear recourses as the controversy escalates. Mark Landler is a New York Times writer. The Trump administration scuttled its short-lived ban on U.S. travel from seven Muslim-majority nations Thursday, with a final rebuke to the judges who blocked it, and promised a new, scaled-back version shortly. But its not clear what steps the administration would be willing to take that would satisfy the courts. Justice Department lawyers, with obvious reluctance, said in a court filing that they would no longer defend the executive order signed Jan. 27 by President Trump that put the ban in place. The decision came a week after a panel of the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco upheld a federal judges decision to suspend the order. The administration lawyers asked the appeals court to lift their suspension as soon as the president issues his revised order, which Trump said would be filed next week. The president intends in the near future to rescind the order and replace it with a new, substantially revised executive order to eliminate what the panel erroneously thought were constitutional concerns, government lawyers wrote. The president will clear the way for immediately protecting the country rather than pursuing further, potentially time-consuming litigation. Any new order restricting U.S. entry, however, is certain to be quickly challenged before the same federal courts that cast doubt on the constitutionality of Trumps first decree. At a news conference Thursday, Trump said the Ninth Circuit ruling had come from a bad court that was in chaos, but added that the revised order would be tailored to meet the courts objections. Those objections included a lack of clarity on whether the ban applied to immigrants from the seven nations who are legal U.S. residents, and possible violations of the constitutional rights of due process of law and freedom of religion. Michael McConnell, a Stanford constitutional law professor and former federal appeals court judge, said the president should be able to legally restrict travel from nations that pose demonstrated dangers, as long as the government states reasons for the restrictions. But he said even a trimmed-down and fully explained executive order would be a tough sell because the courts are allowing evidence which McConnell considers irrelevant that Trumps underlying intent was to exclude Muslims. Trumps order placed a 90-day ban on U.S. entry of anyone from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. It also halted for 120 days all U.S. admission of refugees fleeing violence and oppression in their homeland, and indefinitely suspended admission of refugees from Syria. Justice Department lawyers, who had argued previously that the courts lacked authority to even inquire about unstated religious motivations, took a toned-down approach in Thursdays filing, arguing that the executive order does not discriminate based on religion. The seven nations contain only a small fraction of the worlds Muslim population, they said, and were singled out because they represent a particular risk of terrorism, as Congress demonstrated last year in a law requiring those nations residents to obtain visas before entering the United States. But the plaintiffs in the lawsuit the states of Washington and Minnesota said there was ample evidence of Trumps intentions. The evidence included his campaign proposal to ban all Muslim immigration, his statement while signing the order that it would combat radical Islamic terrorism, and a television interview the next day by former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, a Trump adviser, who said the president had told him to find a legal way to enact a Muslim ban. The appeals court, in its Jan. 9 ruling, said Trumps order was constitutionally questionable on other grounds by denying advance notice and a hearing to the thousands of immigrants and refugees facing exclusion so there was no need to rule on the states serious allegations of anti-Muslim bias. But the court also said evidence of Trumps out-of-court statements could be used to prove such bias. Stanfords McConnell disagreed Thursday, saying the Supreme Court has largely rejected evidence of subjective motivations of the president with respect to national security and foreign affairs. While the courts that have considered Trumps order seem inclined to reject restrictions that can be attributed to religious bias, McConnell said, they ought to uphold a revised order if it clearly excludes legal U.S. residents and visa-holders from the travel ban an exclusion the Trump administration claims it intended from the outset and explains why certain countries are being targeted. He said the administration should draw up a separate order to address refugee restrictions. But Bill Ong Hing, an immigration law specialist and University of San Francisco law professor, said any order that bans residents of specific countries is likely to be found overbroad. The only way they can do it, in my opinion, is to limit (the ban) to certain terrorist groups, or to anyone else who, evidence shows, is coming to do us harm, he said. You cannot eliminate people from an entire nation. Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter:@egelko This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate In the first solo press conference of his presidency, President Trump said Thursday that themedia doesnt get it and repeatedly said the press was out of control. Shortly after he finished speaking at the White House, the Trump Make American Great Again Committee blasted out an email asking its followers to take a Mainstream Media Accountability Survey. Trump mentioned the media repeatedly in his remarks, saying reporters are trying to attack our administration because they know we are following through on pledges that we made. The committee is a joint fundraising venture made up of Trumps presidential campaign PAC, Donald J. Trump for President, Inc. and the Republican National Committee. It was composed to help fund Trumps general election campaign, and it now acts as a mouthpiece for the administration. The survey contains 25 multiple-choice questions, leading off with, Do you believe that the mainstream media has reported unfairly on our movement? Specific media outlets referenced were Fox News, CNN and MSNBC. All asked the same question: Do you trust (media outlet) to report fairly on Trumps presidency? The survey also included: A question on whether the media unfairly reported on President Trumps executive order temporarily restricting people entering our country Do you believe that political correctness has created biased news coverage on both illegal immigration and radical Islamic terrorism? Do you believe that contrary to what the media says, raising taxes does not create jobs? Do you agree with President Trumps media strategy to cut through the medias noise and deliver our message straight to the people? What we dont know: What Trumps presidential campaign PAC intends to do with the survey. How many people received the survey. The Chronicle has published several stories on Trump slamming the news coverage of his administration's moves. Here are some links: Wild moments: Quotes from Donald Trump's press conference Trump criticizes 'fake media' on Flynn story President slams low-life leakers Trump repeats voter fraud falsehood to make himself look better Fake news versus junk news Michael Bodley is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mbodley@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @michael_bodley What began as a routine traffic stop on Valentine's Day ended with the delivery of a healthy baby boy. Buttonwillow CHP Officer Jason Kremsdorf saw a vehicle speeding on I-5 near Highway 43 in Southern California. When he pulled the vehicle over, he found a frantic father-to-be in the driver's seat, and a woman in labor in the back. Share your opinion on this topic by sending a letter to the editor to tctvoice@madison.com. Include your full name, hometown and phone number. Your name and town will be published. The phone number is for verification purposes only. Please keep your letter to 250 words or less. A would-be robber in Idaho didn't get away with his loot, in part because of the hard work of a pet squirrel. When Adam Pearl came home to his Boise-area home, he was greeted by his pet squirrel Joey, before he realized some of his possessions were missing, according to local news station KIVI. Pearl called the police and Officer Ashley Turner came to the home to investigate, where she was also greeted by the curious rodent. "During her investigations Joey had run in the bedroom just screwing around like he always does," Pearl told KIVI. "She says, 'Whoa, what was that?' And I said, 'Ahhh don't worry about that. That's just Joey, my pet squirrel, ya know.'" Officer Turner reportedly asked if Joey would bite and Pearl explained the pet squirrel is usually pretty friendly. "I said, well, he usually doesn't bite but you never know cause he is a squirrel." But Officer Turner found evidence to the contrary later in her investigation. KIVI reports she tracked down the burglar and immediately recognized the scratches all over his hands. It appears Joey the pet squirrel put up a good fight when the burglar broke into the house. "Nobody can believe it because who can say they have a squirrel that guards their house, which is crazy," Pearl told KIVI. KIVI reports the officer was able to return some of the stolen belongings and Joey was rewarded with a treat: candy Whoppers. Watch the full story in the video above. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close Madison Central Library's rooftop features a green roof, solar panels and a small outdoor patio area. The Sustainable Madison Committee is recommending spending up to $250,000 to figure out how to make city buildings and facilities more reliable on renewable energy and achieve net-zero carbon emissions. An Onalaska woman has been charged with hiding a man who triggered a manhunt when he threatened to shoot her daughter last month. According to police reports, 33-year-old Joshua Kletzke threatened his ex-girlfriend with a gun Jan. 17 when she refused to help him after he locked his keys in his car in the parking lot of Festival Foods in Onalaska. When police arrived, Kletzke took off in the womans car, crashed into a snow bank and took off on foot. Officers found a 9mm handgun inside Kletzkes car. Police activated Onalaskas Code Red system as officers from multiple agencies searched for Kletzke, warning the public he was dangerous and possibly armed. The victims mother, Debra Kepler, told officers Kletzke was not in his right mind and all messed up on drugs, but said she and her daughter wanted to go home. According to a criminal complaint, when the officer asked if he could follow up once Kletzke was found, Kepler said she didnt want cops in her neighborhood. Kletzke again eluded police on Jan. 23, running out the back door when they showed up at a home on La Crosses North Side. State investigators determined Kletzkes phone was being used at Keplers Onalaska residence. While police were watching the Fifth Avenue home, someone drove out of the driveway in a Pontiac Sunfire at a high rate of speed, losing police on the citys north side. Officers returned to the home, where Kepler said Kletzke had grabbed the keys and taken off in the car. According to the complaint, Kepler eventually admitted to picking up Kletzke the previous night after he fled police and bringing him to her home. Kletzke was arrested Jan. 26 in Houston County, Minn., where he is being held on drug charges pending extradition to Wisconsin on potential charges of possessing explosives, possession of a firearm by a felon, and possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine and marijuana. Kepler, 56, was charged Tuesday with one count of harboring a felon. Dane County will establish a fund to help county residents apply for citizenship and will create a new position to help immigrants better access services available to them, Dane County Executive Joe Parisi said Thursday. The Immigration Assistance Fund would be privately administered by an organization to be chosen through a competitive process, and would start with $75,000 in seed money from the county, Parisi said. The new immigrant affairs specialist, within the county Office of Equity and Inclusion, would provide support to organizations that help immigrants. Parisi called the job an ombudsman helping to direct immigrants toward helpful resources. Parisi called the measures concrete action on the countys previously stated support for its immigrants, and a nuts and bolts approach to addressing a need. Thousands of immigrants in Dane County are eligible for citizenship but dont have the resources to navigate the process, he said. These steps will help our neighbors on the path to becoming citizens, and thus further strengthen our community, Parisi said. He also cited the importance of immigrants to the countys fast-growing economy, in sectors as diverse as dairy farming and technology. This is something that were doing because its the right thing to do on a human level and because its the right thing to do for our local economy, Parisi said. Because the measures will require an amendment to the 2017 county budget, they have to be approved by the County Board. The amendment will be introduced at next weeks County Board meeting, Parisi said, and could take a month to be approved. The immigration affairs specialist addition is budget-neutral, because the opening is being transferred from another county department, said Parisi spokeswoman Stephanie Miller. The cost of the positions salary and benefits is $75,169. What weve seen in the last few weeks as a result of President Trumps orders and the uptick in (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) activity is people being overrun with phone calls, be it immigration attorneys or community-based organizations with people who are afraid, Parisi said. These are our neighbors, and theyre living in fear. They need our help, they need our assistance gaining their path to citizenship. The Immigration Assistance Fund, Parisi said, would be sustained beyond the countys $75,000 investment through business and philanthropic donations. Parisi said he hasnt directly solicited donations from groups yet, but said many in the community have been asking how they can help. The money, Parisi said, would help cover expenses immigrants encounter on their path to citizenship, such as those related to the citizenship application process, and legal expenses. While most Americans are the descendants of immigrants, todays immigrants are often the targets of hostility, Parisi said, after describing the immigrant experience of his grandparents, who arrived here from a small town in Sicily. Hostility being directed toward our immigrants is not fair, Parisi said. It is not right, and it is not a reflection of the values of our community. A Beloit man has been sentenced to three years in federal prison after his conviction on charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Kenneth Greene, 25, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge William Conley in federal court in Madison on Wednesday. Greene pleaded guilty to charges in November of 2015. According to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office, Greene was charged with distributing crack cocaine on four occasions in December 2014 and possessing three different firearms from December 2014 to January 2015. His guilty plea was for possession of one of the firearms, an AK-47 style gun that he sold to an undercover officer in December of 2015, the release said. Greene's prison term will be followed by three years of supervised release. The case against Greene was the result of an investigation by G-ROC, the task force in Rock County addressing gang and drug-related violence. On Thursday, President Donald Trump held a press conference to announce his second pick for Secretary of Labor. Alexander Acosta, the dean of the Florida International University College of Law, is now poised to replace Trump's former pick, Andrew Puzder. Puzder withdrew himself from consideration for the position on Wednesday. That news was expected. What came after, however, shocked many reporters present, as well as those who watched the remainder of the press conference and the extensive question and answer period that followed on television or online. Two alleged child enticement incidents reported in the Oregon School District the week of Feb. 7 were investigated by the Oregon Police Department, with one incident unfounded and the other still being looked at. The alleged incidents were reported in the villages of Brooklyn and Oregon, and were disclosed by the school district before police had received all pertinent information. "After a completion of a thorough investigation, the police department is confident the incident in the village of Oregon was not a child enticement attempt, or a suspicious person incident," Oregon police said in a news release on Thursday. "Based on inaccurate information reported by the parties involved, we were able to prove that no crime occurred," the release said. The alleged incident in Brooklyn is currently under investigation by the Green County Sheriff's Office, the release said. KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia Two more people, one of them a woman with an Indonesian passport, were arrested Thursday in the assassination of Kim Jong Nam, the half brother of the North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un, Malaysian authorities said as they continued to hunt for conspirators. The Indonesian, identified as Siti Aishah, 25, is the second woman arrested in the case. Her appearance matches the image of a woman captured in airport surveillance videos, said a statement from Khalid Abu Bakar, the inspector general of police. Police later said in a statement that Sitis boyfriend, a 26-year-old Malaysian, had been arrested to assist in investigations. He was identified as Muhammad Farid Bin Jalaluddin. In Jakarta, an official from Indonesias Foreign Ministry said that Siti was an Indonesian citizen. The Indonesian government has asked for access to her so that its embassy employees in Kuala Lumpur can provide legal assistance. The arrests brought the number of people detained in the case to three. A woman arrested Wednesday was carrying a Vietnamese passport, but it remained unclear whether she was from Vietnam. The news media in Malaysia reported that police were looking for four male suspects, suggesting that the plot was more involved than initially indicated. Kim Jong Nam, 45, was preparing to fly to his home in Macau from Kuala Lumpur on Monday morning when he was attacked and poisoned by two women at Terminal 2 of the international airport, authorities said. The attack occurred near the AirAsia counter where Kim would have been checking in for the flight to Macau. The poison took effect quickly, and he died on the way to a hospital. While the poisoning of Kim in a very public place conjured up images of spy movies, the plot appears to have been rather unsophisticated, and Malaysian police rounded up the first two suspects relatively quickly. For one, the women appear to have had no getaway car. Photographs from airport surveillance cameras leaked to the local news media show one woman waiting with passengers for a taxi outside the airport. Even though Kim lived with his family in Macau, his body will be sent to North Korea at the request of the government in Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea, the Malaysian news media said. Richard C. Paddock is a New York Times writer. SHANGHAI So deadly its considered a terrorist threat, carfentanil has been legal in China until now. Beijing is banning carfentanil and three similar drugs as of March 1, Chinas Ministry of Public Security said Thursday, closing a major regulatory loophole in the fight to end Americas opioid epidemic. It shows Chinas attitude as a responsible big country, said Yu Haibin, the director of the Office of the National Narcotics Control Committee. It will be a strong deterrent. He added that China is actively considering other substances for sanction, including U-47700, an opioid marketed as an alternative to banned fentanyls. China said the March 1 ban will also apply to carfentanils less-potent cousins furanyl fentanyl, acryl fentanyl and valeryl fentanyl. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration called Chinas move a potential game-changer that is likely to have a big impact in the U.S., where opioid demand has driven the proliferation of a new class of deadly drugs made by nimble chemists to stay one step ahead of new rules like this one. After China controlled 116 synthetic drugs in October 2015, seizures in the U.S. of compounds on that list plunged. Its a substantial step in the fight against opioids here in the United States, said Russell Baer, a DEA special agent in Washington. Legally used as an anesthetic for elephants and other large animals, carfentanil burst into the North American drug supply last summer, causing hundreds of unsuspecting drug users to overdose. The DEA confirmed more than 400 seizures of carfentanil across eight U.S. states from July through October. So lethal an amount smaller than a poppy seed can kill a person, carfentanil was researched for years as a chemical weapon and used by Russian forces to subdue Chechen separatists at a Moscow theater in 2002. Erika Kinetz is an Associated Press writer. JOHANNESBURG Nigerian President Muhammadu Buharis nearly month-long medical leave in London is a sharp reminder to taxpayers that while they finance their leaders health care abroad, they often are stuck with decrepit, ill-staffed government health facilities at home. For decades, Nigerians have paid for their leaders and former rulers to get medical treatment overseas. That courtesy also extends to senior government employees. This is despite taxpayers funding of the State House Medical Center, said to be Nigerias best-equipped facility, which serves the president and vice president, their families and staff. The centers budget this year to care for fewer than 1,000 people represents 1 percent of the entire public health budget for the countrys 170 million people. For years, billions have been budgeted for the State House Medical Center while it has always been evident that every president mostly accessed medical facilities outside the country, going back to the 1980s, said Oluseun Onigbinde, co-founder of BudgIT, an organization that tries to bring clarity to the nations opaque budget. The mysterious nature of Buharis absence is adding to the unhappiness at home, as one of Africas largest economies and oil producers lurches through a recession. His government has not said what exactly his health issues might be or when he will return. The presidents trip, originally scheduled from Jan. 20 to Feb. 6, was described as a vacation during which he would undergo routine medical tests. Officials insist that Buhari is hale and hearty, and he was well enough this week to speak by telephone with President Trump. Human rights lawyer Femi Falana said Nigerians should seize on the presidents medical leave to demand adequate funding for public hospitals he described as mortuaries for the masses. The practice of allowing poor citizens to die of preventable diseases while top public officers and rich private citizens are allowed to travel abroad for medical treatment can no longer be justified, he said in a lecture this week, noting that Nigerians have a life expectancy of 52 years, though the World Health Organization puts it at 49. It is not clear how much the countrys taxpayers pay for leaders treatments abroad. Former first lady Patience Jonathan has claimed that half of $31.5 million frozen in a corruption investigation was a government payout for medical bills she incurred in London in 2013. Ever-witty Nigerians took to social media to ask if she was buying eternal life. Nigeria has just five hospital beds for every 100,000 people, as opposed to a global average of 35 beds. Michelle Faul is an Associated Press writer. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate CAIRO The main figure killed in last months U.S. raid in Yemen targeting al Qaeda was a tribal leader who was allied to the countrys U.S.- and Saudi-backed president and had been enlisted to fight Yemens Shiite rebels, according to military officials, tribal figures and relatives. The government connections of tribal chief Sheikh Abdel-Raouf al-Dhahab raise further questions over the planning of a raid that turned into a heavy firefight with casualties on both sides. One U.S. Navy SEAL was killed, six American soldiers were wounded and a military aircraft suffered a hard landing and had to be destroyed in the assault, which took place days after President Trumps inauguration. Survivors and witnesses say at least 25 Yemenis were killed, including 10 children and nine women, raising outrage in Yemen and prompting the government to ask Washington for a review of the Jan. 29 assault on the tiny village of Yakla. The raid illustrated the murkiness in distinguishing al Qaeda in Yemen, where the terror group has built up ties of one degree or another with the countrys many tribes and has often used anger over civilians killed in American air strikes to gain recruits. Al Qaeda has also emerged as a de facto ally of the government of President Abed Rabu Mansour Hadi and his backers Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates against the Shiite rebels in a grueling civil war that has wreaked devastation, caused widespread hunger and killed more than 10,000 since late 2014. The result has been a tolerance for the militants after several years of the government cracking down on them. In Yakla, there was some al Qaeda presence. At least six of those killed in the raid were al Qaeda fighters, according to a list put out by the groups leader, though some witnesses said they arrived on the scene after the battle started. Also, a female Saudi al Qaeda militant who fled her homeland in 2013 was being sheltered in the home of a tribesman whose son was also a member, according to tribal leaders and officials. But all appeared to be low-level operatives. Also among the dead was an elderly sheikh trying to win the release of a fellow tribesman abducted by the terror network. A senior U.S. defense official said the assault was not targeting a particular individual and was geared toward and succeeded in capturing intelligence. U.S. Central Command said 14 al Qaeda militants were killed. It counted among them al-Dhahab and his brother, Sultan, calling them top operational planners and weapons experts. But Yemenis in the village called the raid an intelligence failure. If you want to hunt al Qaeda, you can find them in the surrounding mountains not in this small village. ... The Americans information was wrong, said Aziz Mabkhout, the village chief. Maggie Michael and Ahmed al-Haj are Associated Press writers. Virginia Mayo/Associated Press BRUSSELS The Trump administration signaled Thursday there will be no change soon in U.S.-Russian relations, putting the onus on Moscow to prove itself if it wants closer cooperation with Washington. Russias support for Ukrainian separatists was underscored as a test case of its willingness to change behavior. At a NATO meeting in Brussels, Defense Secretary James Mattis made clear the United States isnt ready to collaborate militarily with its former Cold War foe against the Islamic State or other threats, a long-standing goal of the Kremlins that new President Trump says he wants, too. After meeting with Russias top diplomat in Germany, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Moscow first must help stop violence in Ukraine. As part of a national strike against President Donald Trump's anti-immigrant policies, several Santa Fe businesses have closed shop to support "A Day Without Immigrants." We'll keep a running tally here, with each establishment's message. Let us know if we missed someone! In alphabetical order: Artemisia Native Gardens (26 Quartz Trail, 989-1769) Closed in support of all immigrants who contribute to the success and stability of the landscape industry throughout the United States. We are all immigrants, except for the Native Americans whos sovereign nation rights should be respected. WATER IS LIFE! It is one of life's greatest pleasures, to work with people from all around the world and to learn from and respect the cultural differences that make this world a beautiful place. (Owner Dorothy Dean) Back Road Pizza (1807 2nd St #1, 955-9055) To our valued Customers: We are CLOSING THURSDAY, FEB 16th In an act of solidarity with our customers, our community and our employees , Back Road Pizza is closing in support and respect for the nationwide protest "Day Without Immigrants" against President Donald Trump's horrible and hateful anti-immigrant policies. We will re open on Friday February 17th at 11:30 AM Thank you for your patronage and support! The Bonsai Asian Tacos (1599 S. St. Francis Street, 316-9418) Bumble Bee's Baja Grill (3777 Cerrillos Road, 988-3278) We will be closed on Thursday, February 16th, In honor of National Pro-Immigrant Strike Day. THANK YOU for your support for all of our brothers and sisters. Bumble Bee's is still paying their employees even though they are on strike. We apologize for any inconvenience. See you Friday, February 17 when we re-open! (Facebook) Burrito Company (111 Washington Ave, 982-4453) Cafe Castro (2811 Cerrillos Road, 473-5800) Cafe Fina (624 Old Las Vegas Hwy, 466-3886) Counter Culture Cafe (930 Baca Street #1, 995-1105) PROUD to say..... Add us to the list Santa Fe! (Facebook) Del Valle Panaderia (3140 Cerrillos Road, 438-2532) El Callejon Santa Fe (208 Galisteo Street) El Rey Del Pollo (4350 Airport Rd #18, 570-1380) El Paisano (3140 Cerrillos Road, Ste. C, 424-9105) Goler Fine Imported Shoes (125 E Palace Ave # 125, 982-0924) Friends of Goler, Thursday, February 16th, Goler Shoes will join in an act of solidarity for our immigrant community who are a vital part of Santa Fe by closing in support of "A Day Without Immigrant" demonstrations. Goler is joining the nationwide protest against the Trump Administration's stance on immigration. Goler will reopen on Friday, February 17th at 9am. We believe in our Community. (Facebook) Harry's Roadhouse (96 Old Las Vegas Hwy, 989-4629) Due to the Day Without Immigrants Protest, we are unable to serve you and are closed. We support their voices and their actions. We look forward to seeing you Friday. We open at 7 AM. Thank you for your understanding. (Answering machine) Izanami (21 Ten Thousand Waves Way, 982-9304) Jambo Cafe (College Plaza Shopping Center, 2010 Cerrillos Rd, 473-1269) Mobil Clean Car Wash (2907 Siringo Rd, 702-3061) La Boca (72 W Marcy St, 982-3433) Hello Friends.... In an act of solidarity with our customers, our community and our employees , La Boca will be joining a Nationwide protest against the aggressive and fascist stance on immigration taken by the Trump administration. We will be closed one day, Thursday, February 16th in an effort to support the "Day Without Immigrants" protests. We will re open on Friday February 17th at 11:30 AMThank you for your patronage and support!Chef James Campbell Caruso, chef/owner (Facebook) La Choza (905 Alarid St, 982-0909) La Fogata Mexican Grill (112 W. San Francisco Street, 983-7302) Jambo Cafe (2010 Cerrilos Rd., 473-1269) Milad Persian Bistro (802 Canyon Road, 303-3581) Milad Persian Bistro will be CLOSED Thursday February 16th to show our support and solidarity out of respect for our immigrant population in Santa Fe and nationwide. We will reopen on Friday the 17th. #adaywithoutimmigrants #miladbistro (Facebook) Morada Latina (4985 Airport Rd, Ste A, 989-3889) Nana Pancha (Food truck, 577-1265) Palacio Cafe (209 E Palace Ave., 983-3505) The Pantry (1820 Cerrilos Road, 986-0022) Panaderia Zaragoza (3277 Cerrillos Road, 471-9383) Estimados clientes Panaderia Zaragoza nos unimos a la buena causa UN DIA SIN INMIGRANTESCerraremos este Jueves 16 de Febrero 2017. La UNION hace la Fuerza! Para el Viernes, horario regular. (Facebook) Peace Pets (peacepetsluv.com) Pizza Centro New York Style (418 Cerrillos Rd, Santa Fe Design Center, 988-8825) Plaza Cafe Southside (3466 Zafarano Drive, 424-0755) Los Potrillos (1947 Cerrillos, 992-0550) La Providencia Pupuseria (Food truck, 231-8617) Tacqueria Adelitas (3565 Cerrillos Road, 474-4919)The Ranch House (2571 Cristo's Road, 424-8900) Santa Fe Bite (311 Old Santa Fe Trail, 982-0544) Santa Fe Guitar Academy (621 Velarde St., 577-1447) Santa Fe Style Builders LLC (2925 Rufina St., 926-3539) Second Street Brewery (Original: 1814 2nd Street, 982-3030, Railyard: 1607 Paseo De Peralta #10, 989-3278) The Shed (113 E Palace Ave, 982-9030) Letting all of our followers and future customers know: we apologize for such short notice and inconvenience this may have caused. We will be closed all day Thursday! Thank you for your understanding! Southwest Plastering Co. (2925 Rufina St., 438-6599) Taqueria La Hacienda (1622 Saint Michaels Drive, 474-3431) Tune Up Cafe (1115 Hickox St., 983-7060) Vinaigrette (709 Don Cubero Alley, 820-9205) A number of businesses around town chose to stay open for various reasons and with varying reaction by the community. Boxcar (530 S. Guadalupe St., 988-7222) The eatery stayed open with a modified menu and modified hours. It notified patrons through a Facebook post. Cowgirl Hall of Fame (319 S. Guadalupe St., 982-2565) The restaurant said on its Facebook page that it planned to donate 50 percent of the profits from "Mexican-inspired dishes," margaritas and Mexican beers as well as 10 percent of all sales to Somos Un Pueblo Unidos, a local immigrant-rights advocacy group. Rowley Farmhouse Ales (1405 Maclovia St., 428-0719) Owner Jeffrey Kaplan posted a message on Facebook. Tecolote (1616 Saint Michaels Drive, 988-1362) The family-owned restaurant posted the following letter on its window explaining its decision to stay open. SFR phoned to ask more about the decision, but the restaurant was closed per its regular hours. A letter posted at the Tecolote Cafe Tomasita's (500 S. Guadalupe St., 983-5721) Owner George Gundrey spoke to SFR on the phone and says he learned of the protest yesterday at 3 p.m. Instead of closing the longtime Railyard eatery and its sister restaurant in the De Vargas Mall, Atrisco, Gundrey chose to donate a portion of his profits to a local English literacy group that has worked with a number of employees. "Ironically," he says, "we're really busy today. So that donation will easily be $2,000-3,000." Gundrey says none of his 81 employees asked for the day off and everyone showed up to work. Reaction from the community was generally supportive, Gundrey says, except for a pair of negative Facebook comments. Im pretty sure one of the commenters didnt even read what we planned to today, he says. Santa Fe Reporter ANZ New Zealand, the local unit of Australia & New Zealand Banking Group, boosted first-quarter earnings 18 percent, benefiting from cost-cutting and smaller hedging losses, even as its loan book shrank and it faced skinnier margins. Cash profit, the favoured earnings measure for banks that strips out non-core items, rose to $459 million in the three months ended Dec. 31 from $390 million a year earlier, the Auckland-based company said in a statement. Net profit gained 16 percent to $403 million. Net interest income rose just 3 percent to $773 million as the lender's margins were squeezed due to higher funding costs and greater demand for less profitable fixed rate mortgages. However, other income was up 46 percent to $266 million, which included a smaller loss in the fair value of the bank's hedging activities, recorded at $11 million compared with $45 million in the same period last year. Operating costs fell 3 percent to $364 million as the bank clamped down on spending. ANZ's New Zealand branch saw net loans shrink to $119.17 billion at Dec. 31 from $120.65 billion at the end of September, though still up from the $115.73 billion a year earlier. Customer deposits rose to $94.34 billion from $91.36 billion three months earlier and $88.19 billion at the end of 2015. "Net interest margin has contracted due to increased funding costs and demand for fixed rate home lending," the bank said in a statement. "The increase in other operating income reflected higher global markets trading income and valuation gains on derivatives." New Zealand's main banks collectively saw a decline in profits in 2016 due to shrinking margins, largely because they had to turn to international wholesale funding lines to back the rapid pace of credit expansion. KPMG's latest financial institutions performance survey, published this morning, found banks anticipated a reduction in lending this year due to increased use of wholesale funding and the prospect of the big four Australian-owned banks having to send billions of dollars back to their parents to ensure they meet new capital adequacy requirements across the Tasman. ANZ New Zealand's impairment charges for bad loans rose to $37 million in the quarter from $27 million a year earlier, which it said reflected a "normalising" of provisioning levels across its portfolio. The bank's retail division delivered a 13 percent gain in profit to $256 million on a 5.7 percent gain in external revenue to $737 million. Its institutional business, which provides financial services, more than doubled profit to $99 million on a 90 percent revenue gain to $173 million. The commercial unit, which services commercial and agricultural customers, posted a 7.5 percent decline in profit to $99 million on a 7.1 percent fall in revenue to $456 million. The commercial division includes UDC Finance customers, which ANZ has since agreed to sell to China's HNA Group. ANZ's group net profit was up 8 percent to A$1.6 billion and cash profit rose 31 percent to A$2 billion, which it put down to "a good performance in Australia and New Zealand retail and institutional along with a lower provision charge and the sale of 100 Queen St", referring to its former Melbourne headquarters. Dual-listed ANZ fell 1.1 percent to $32.06 on the NZX, having gained 38 percent over the past 12 months. BusinessDesk.co.nz Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: SKC - ADDITIONAL US PRIVATE PLACEMENT FUNDING SECURED Spark New Zealand Limited's Annual Meeting Results 2022 Fonterra Australia settles class action proceedings PFI - Q3 Dividend, Development and Divestment Update November 4th Morning Report FPH to announce half year results on 29 November 2022 ATM - FDA approval to supply infant milk formula to United States Steel & Tube - Adopts ESG World Platform BGP - 3rd Quarter Sales to 30 October 2022 GEO - Quarterly Operating Update Fisheries groups have teamed up to oppose Trans Tasman Resources' second bid to mine iron sands from the ocean floor in New Zealand's Exclusive Economic Zone, and were joined by Origin Energy Resources Kupe NZ - on behalf of the Kupe oil and gas joint venture partners - and the Royal Forest and Bird Society. Like environmental lobbies Greenpeace and Kiwis Against Seabed Mining (KASM), the submitters argue the latest application doesn't add anything new. The hearing marks the second time TTR has sought permission to mine titano-magnetite iron sands on the seafloor off the coast of Whanganui. The company, which is 55 percent New Zealand owned, proposes extracting 50 million tonnes of seabed material a year in order to export up to five million tonnes of iron sand per year for up to 35 years. Once the iron sand is extracted, the remaining material is returned to the seabed. They have serious reservations in light of their expert evidence that TTRs most recent application is simply the same old car with a new lick of paint, said Robert Makgill, a lawyer for the fisheries submitters. The original bid was rejected in 2013 because of a lack of information about environmental impacts. At the time, much of the decision-making committees concern related to the way surplus sand that didn't contain iron ore would be returned to the ocean floor. In particular, there were issues about how plumes of sand returning to seafloor would behave in the often turbulent waters. The Fisheries Submitters were concerned about the adequacy of TTR's assessment of potential effects on both the environment and existing interests, and that the company failed to address the potential impact of its activities on fishing activities as opposed to the potential impacts of its proposal on the biophysical environment, Makgill said. TTR has not established sufficient baseline information for their existing interests to be able to determine with any degree of certainty that fisheries interests will not be significantly affected by the proposal, he said. The submitters included Fisheries Inshore NZ, the New Zealand Federation of Commercial Fishermen, Talley's Group, Southern Inshore Fisheries Management, the Cloudy Bay Clams group of companies including Cloudy Bay Holdings, and Ant Piper. Not all in the fishing sector are opposed, with NZX-listed fisheries company Sanford due to speak in favour of the project. Origin Energy representative Bronwyn Carruthers said Origin is calling for consent to be denied as it was previously and hasn't seen sufficient difference in the new evidence presented by TTR to warrant a different outcome. Carruthers underscored that Origin does not have certainty or comfort the project won't impact its infrastructure which overlaps the same area where TTR is seeking to operate. She said a potential collision or impact on the Kupe pipeline, umbilical or platform could cause losses of $1 million a day of stopped production or losses in the billions of dollars if damage is beyond repair. She also noted the possibility of an uncontrolled hydrocarbons spill. If consent is granted Origin is calling for a raft of conditions, including a 1.5km exclusion zone around its platform infrastructure. While she said Origins formal position is that consent should be declined she did note TTR has made contact regarding the potential for amended conditions to address the companys concerns. A first draft was received yesterday and is being reviewed. An update will be provided when Origins evidence is presented on March 16, she said. Forest and Bird lawyer Peter Anderson said the environmental lobby considers that the application should be declined. Its main concern relates to potential harm to cetaceans (whales and porpoises), said Anderson. The area contains threatened species such as the blue whale and the Maui dolphin and, among other issues, they will be adversely impacted by noise from the project, he said. There are also significant technical issues related to adaptive management, which Anderson said is broadly defined to include any approach that allows an activity to be undertaken so its effects can be assessed and the activity discontinued or continued with or without amendment, on the basis of those effects. You need to have good information about the effect before you grant consent. BusinessDesk.co.nz Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: SKC - ADDITIONAL US PRIVATE PLACEMENT FUNDING SECURED Spark New Zealand Limited's Annual Meeting Results 2022 Fonterra Australia settles class action proceedings PFI - Q3 Dividend, Development and Divestment Update November 4th Morning Report FPH to announce half year results on 29 November 2022 ATM - FDA approval to supply infant milk formula to United States Steel & Tube - Adopts ESG World Platform BGP - 3rd Quarter Sales to 30 October 2022 GEO - Quarterly Operating Update State-owned enterprise Landcorp Farming, which is trying to move its business away from mass commodities and into higher value branded contracts, should change its name to reflect its new identity, Labour MP Rino Tirikatene told the company at parliament's Primary Production select committee. As part of a strategy to better connect with its customers, Landcorp has launched the Pamu brand, meaning "to farm" in Maori. Chief executive Steven Carden, who joined three years ago, wants to shift Landcorp's focus away from being a volume-based supplier of agricultural commodities towards developing more valuable, specialised contracts. "I like the brand Pamu," Tirikatene told Landcorp representatives appearing before the committee, including chairwoman Traci Houpapa, Carden and chief financial officer Steve McJorrow. "But I'm surprised. Why didn't you use the opportunity to do something bold and rename Landcorp 'Pamu' or really embrace that brand. It just seems like this is a real '80s name, Landcorp. It's just got a very old fashioned name ... you are about 30 years old. Why didn't you use the opportunity to really drive the transformation through the business and say let's give ourselves a new name, and let's really do something new and bold?" In response, Houpapa acknowledged that the company was at a "change point" in its history, and it would take "a little while" to turn around its 30-year history of farming. "We agree with you that a change of name would also indicate strongly a change of nature and focus," she said. Pressed by Tirikatene if a change of name was on the cards, Houpapa replied "hmmm", which urbandictionary.com defines as "the sound made when one is attempting to sound reassuring yet non-committal". Asked outside the committee about Landcorp's views, Houpapa indicated the issue was under consideration. "We think that the testing we have done in market around the Pamu brand indicates that the idea of a change of name for the organisation and company is probably on the cards," she said. "At this stage we have launched Pamu, and we are getting some really good feedback domestically and internationally on that. People understand Pamu. People can immediately pronounce that, it shows origin, it gives a whakapapa to our land and people, it denotes the move toward an Aotearoa and New Zealand lnc kind of philosophy and nature of the industry, so it's certainly on the cards." However she noted that under the SOE Act, a name change was a decision for the government shareholder. She said Landcorp had "a conversation" with the shareholder about the Pamu strategy and where the company was heading, but she declined to say if it had made a recommendation on changing the company name. Landcorp was created out of the Department of Lands and Survey in 1987 and its latest annual report for the year ended June 30, 2016, showed it farmed 144 properties. Of the total 385,503 hectares, it owned 158,561 hectares and managed 226,942 hectares. In that year, it produced 11,733 tonnes of sheep meat, 9,543 tonnes of beef, 2,026 tonnes of venison, 19,692 tonnes of milk solids, 8.6 tonnes of velvet and 2,762 tonnes of wool. BusinessDesk.co.nz Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: SKC - ADDITIONAL US PRIVATE PLACEMENT FUNDING SECURED Spark New Zealand Limited's Annual Meeting Results 2022 Fonterra Australia settles class action proceedings PFI - Q3 Dividend, Development and Divestment Update November 4th Morning Report FPH to announce half year results on 29 November 2022 ATM - FDA approval to supply infant milk formula to United States Steel & Tube - Adopts ESG World Platform BGP - 3rd Quarter Sales to 30 October 2022 GEO - Quarterly Operating Update 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. The New Zealand dollar extended its gains amid concern financial markets have been building too much optimism about US President Donald Trump's ability to deliver tax cuts and US economic growth. The kiwi rose to 72.25 US cents as at 5pm in Wellington, and earlier touched a week-high of 72.40 cents from 71.73 cents late yesterday. The trade-weighted index rose to 78.55 from 78.11. The US dollar initially gained overnight after figures showed the US consumers price index rose 2.5 percent in the 12 months through January, the biggest year-on-year gain since March 2012, and faster than economists were expecting. But the greenback subsequently gave up its gains amid concern too much weight has been given to possible Trump policies such as the tax cuts that he has hinted at, given the White House has to win over the Congress and Senate for major policy changes. "The market's having second thoughts on being long the US dollar," said Martin Rudings, senior dealer at OMF. "The likelihood of him disappointing the market is quite high. It's a crossroads." The kiwi dollar didn't move much after the release of the ANZ-Roy Morgan consumer confidence index, which showed confidence slipped to 127.4 this month from 128.7 in January, still above its long-term average. It also didn't move much after Finance Minister Steven Joyce said tax cuts were one of the four key things he was considering for the 2017 budget, along with reducing debt and infrastructure spending. Rudings said the market "has been sitting pretty short kiwi dollars since the MPS", meaning traders are more inclined to believe the kiwi will fall since the Reserve Bank indicated there wasn't much prospect of a rate hike as soon as this year. Still, if the US dollar weakens further, the kiwi "could head towards 72.80 US cents," he said. The kiwi rose to 57.96 British pence from 57.52 pence and gained to 68.08 euro cents from 67.74 cents. It rose to 93.66 Australian cents from 93.42 cents and gained to 82.22 yen from 81.96 yen. The kiwi rose to 4.9543 yuan from 4.9233 yuan. New Zealand's two-year swap rose 5 basis points to 2.37 percent while 10-year swaps rose 4 basis point to 3.53 percent. BusinessDesk.co.nz Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: SKC - ADDITIONAL US PRIVATE PLACEMENT FUNDING SECURED Spark New Zealand Limited's Annual Meeting Results 2022 Fonterra Australia settles class action proceedings PFI - Q3 Dividend, Development and Divestment Update November 4th Morning Report FPH to announce half year results on 29 November 2022 ATM - FDA approval to supply infant milk formula to United States Steel & Tube - Adopts ESG World Platform BGP - 3rd Quarter Sales to 30 October 2022 GEO - Quarterly Operating Update Ed Sims, the Airways Corp chief executive responsible for a major step up in the performance of New Zealand's civil aviation services, is leaving in May for a position in an unnamed international organisation. A former Air New Zealand senior executive, Sims joined Airways in 2011 and has led the government-owned agency through a period of dramatic growth in air services to and from New Zealand and helped launch a new commercial arm of the business, training air traffic controllers from around the world both in New Zealand and through remotely delivered training. "In his time as chief executive, Ed has raised the profile of Airways internationally through his role as chair of Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO), reinvested in essential infrastructure and new technologies, and increased profit from $4.9 million to $23.1 million," said the corporation's chair, Judy Kirk, in statement. Sims will leave Airways on May 26 and recruitment for a replacement has begun. BusinessDesk.co.nz Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: SKC - ADDITIONAL US PRIVATE PLACEMENT FUNDING SECURED Spark New Zealand Limited's Annual Meeting Results 2022 Fonterra Australia settles class action proceedings PFI - Q3 Dividend, Development and Divestment Update November 4th Morning Report FPH to announce half year results on 29 November 2022 ATM - FDA approval to supply infant milk formula to United States Steel & Tube - Adopts ESG World Platform BGP - 3rd Quarter Sales to 30 October 2022 GEO - Quarterly Operating Update Trans Tasman Resource, which is making a second attempt to get consent to mine iron sands from the ocean floor in New Zealand's exclusive economic zone, says the deposits are a "world-class" resource that could be lifting the economy. The iron sand resource off the west coast of the North Island is world class with enormous and currently untapped economic benefit for New Zealand, said Mike Holm, legal council for TTR, in his opening submission to the Environmental Protection Agency's decision-making committee hearing. TTR is seeking permission to mine titano-magnetite iron sands on the seafloor off the coast of Whanganui. The company, which is 55 percent New Zealand owned, proposes extracting 50 million tonnes of seabed material a year in order to export up to 5 million tonnes of iron sand per year for up to 35 years. Once the iron sand is extracted the remaining material is returned to the seabed. The original bid was rejected in 2013 because of a lack of information about environmental impacts. At the time, much of the decision-making committees concern related to the way surplus sand that didn't contain iron ore would be returned to the ocean floor. In particular, there were issues about how plumes of sand returning to seafloor would behave in the often turbulent waters. The proposed mining area is outside the 12-mile nautical limit in an area that migratory species move through, and a large undersea desert of iron sands in which there are strong current and limited marine life. Over the past two or so years since its bid was rejected, the company has undertaken significant additional work and has refined and updated its application, said Holm. It has called on world-leading environmental experts to fill the gaps in evidence for the first hearing. So far the company has spent more than $70 million to get the project underway. Regarding economic benefit, the company said the project will directly employ 227 staff, will contribute $159 million to annual economic activity, $6.15 million of royalties each year and $310 million in exports. In developing this resource, New Zealand has the opportunity to contribute significantly to its own economic growth and prosperity, said Holm. He argued there is no credible evidence from other parties of any effects that would warrant rejecting the project. While he acknowledged the recovery of iron sand will have some impact on the environment he said all effects are either negligible or able to be acceptably managed. There are no effects which would warrant the decline of consent, while there were significant positive benefits, he said. According to Holm, the company will only mine approximately 5 square km of the 66 square km permit each year. He noted the sand extraction takes place in a very small area at any one time and is followed within hours by the return of the "de-ored" sand to the dredged areas. Among other issues, he said a considerable amount of work has gone into analysing the characteristics and behaviour of the plume and its potential environmental effects. These assessments confirm that the potential effects are negligible on coastal or inshore marine life, resources ecosystems or high-value sites. Those opposed to the project will have the opportunity to dispute TTRs evidence over the course of the hearing, which will run until March 20. Those in favor will also present submissions and TTR will be calling 18 witnesses to support its claims. On Thursday, lobby groups Kiwis Against Seabed Mining and Greenpeace jointly said they oppose the proposed activity and submitted the application should be declined in full as it will negatively impact both the mining area and the area surrounding the mining site. In the submission presented by their lawyer, Duncan Currie, they argued it will change the physical, chemical and biological nature of the seawater and will degrade the quality of the oceans as a whole. According to their submission, the current application in no way overcomes the reasons the first application was denied. They noted a groundswell of public interest with 13,000 submissions, more than three times the number at the first hearing. The decision-making committees chair, Alick Shaw, underscored that the committee would not be influenced by the sheer number of submissions or the passion behind them. In the end, it's the information and applicability of the law that will hold sway, he said. BusinessDesk.co.nz Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: SKC - ADDITIONAL US PRIVATE PLACEMENT FUNDING SECURED Spark New Zealand Limited's Annual Meeting Results 2022 Fonterra Australia settles class action proceedings PFI - Q3 Dividend, Development and Divestment Update November 4th Morning Report FPH to announce half year results on 29 November 2022 ATM - FDA approval to supply infant milk formula to United States Steel & Tube - Adopts ESG World Platform BGP - 3rd Quarter Sales to 30 October 2022 GEO - Quarterly Operating Update AFT Pharmaceuticals, which manufactures the Maxigesic painkiller, expects annual sales to meet analysts' forecasts of about $70 million and has adjusted its loan covenant with shareholder Capital Royalty Group. The Auckland-based drug maker projects annual sales will rise 9.4 percent in the year ending March 31 and has adjusted the revenue covenant on its CRG loan to meet a sales target of $67.5 million, it said in a statement. AFT had set up a US$30 million six-year facility with CRG in 2014, which required a minimum bank balance of $4 million and with a 2017 revenue target of $73.5 million. Last November CRG granted AFT the right to lower the revenue targets, which it exercised today for the 2017 year. The 2018 target for sales of $84 million is allowed to be reduced to $74.5 million and the 2019 target of $96 million can be cut to $85 million. AFT hadn't anticipated using the option, saying it would "monitor progress through the second half of this financial year and take a conservative approach to exercising this option prior to year-end," in its first-half report. The company owed CRG $22 million as at Sept. 30. Separately, AFT said it had been told the US Food and Drug Administration will accept the filing of its new application for Maxigesic tablets. The company will get a US$2.4 million fee waiver because FDA rules allow small entities with fewer than 500 staff to get their first filing for free. "Our development and regulatory teams have geared up for this important next step in getting Maxigesic into the US market," chief executive Hartley Atkinson said. "Negotiations on licensing agreements for certain Maxigesic products have started for both the US and Mexico." AFT also finalised its termination and settlement for its supply of Metoprolol, a beta-blocker to treat heart problems and high blood pressure, to New Zealand's Pharmac drug funding agency. The drug maker will pay $900,000 to Pharmac in the 2018 financial year. AFT won the Metoprolol contract as the sole supplier in 2015, however, a shortage of the drug led to supply issues and Pharmac has since put the contract back out to tender. The company's shares last traded at $2.70, unchanged over the past 12 months. BusinessDesk.co.nz Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: SKC - ADDITIONAL US PRIVATE PLACEMENT FUNDING SECURED Spark New Zealand Limited's Annual Meeting Results 2022 Fonterra Australia settles class action proceedings PFI - Q3 Dividend, Development and Divestment Update November 4th Morning Report FPH to announce half year results on 29 November 2022 ATM - FDA approval to supply infant milk formula to United States Steel & Tube - Adopts ESG World Platform BGP - 3rd Quarter Sales to 30 October 2022 GEO - Quarterly Operating Update New Zealand's manufacturing activity slipped in January from December and there may be further headwinds to come as the building sector's momentum loses some of its 'oomph'. The Bank of New Zealand-BusinessNZ performance of manufacturing index was a seasonally adjusted 51.6 in January, 2.6 points lower than December, and the lowest level of expansion since January 2015. The manufacturing sector has remained in expansion in almost all months since October 2012, barring a blip in January last year when the PMI slipped into contraction with a reading of 49.8. The economy has been buoyed by a construction boom that started in the post-earthquakes Christchurch rebuild and has extended to Auckland's housing market. BNZ senior economist Craig Ebert said the slowdown was mainly due to a marked slowdown in the production index "which dampens expectations of a big bounce in the PMI over the short term." Ebert said much of the weakness was in areas such as textile, clothing, footwear and leather, wood and paper products and printing, publishing and recorded media. However, he also sounded a note of caution regarding manufacturing's dependence on the local construction cycle as some building indicators have "lost oomph" over recent months, with December new dwelling consents falling for the second month in a row while the rebuild in Canterbury is maturing. "If construction's strong run is tiring then it will remove a tailwind the local manufacturing industry has enjoyed for a good few years now," Ebert said. New Zealand's domestic manufacturing sector is typically linked to construction and the Canterbury rebuild revived the sector when manufacturers went through a period of contraction following the global financial crisis and local finance sector collapse. Today's figures show the PMI's production sub-index sagged to 51.1 versus 56.9 in December. Employment dipped to 51.5 versus 52.0 in the prior month, new orders were virtually unchanged at 52.5 versus 52.4. Finished stocks were 50.4 versus 51.7 while deliveries dipped to 53.2 versus 54.4. BusinessDesk.co.nz Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: SKC - ADDITIONAL US PRIVATE PLACEMENT FUNDING SECURED Spark New Zealand Limited's Annual Meeting Results 2022 Fonterra Australia settles class action proceedings PFI - Q3 Dividend, Development and Divestment Update November 4th Morning Report FPH to announce half year results on 29 November 2022 ATM - FDA approval to supply infant milk formula to United States Steel & Tube - Adopts ESG World Platform BGP - 3rd Quarter Sales to 30 October 2022 GEO - Quarterly Operating Update Opinion Why Not Mess With Basic Entitlements? Okay, I love Medicare and Social Security. They are life-saving programs. I go to the doctor and Medicare and my secondary insurance, The Empire Plan, both pay. I believe that this Lyndon Johnson program is among the top testimonials to a great president who was brought down by the huge mistake of a war in Vietnam; now we have a different president and a different cast of characters (and I do mean characters) in the House and Senate. Of course, all of this has a lot to do with what happens in New York state and in Massachusetts, where I live. It is rumored that the great Lucille Ball once told a junior executive who allegedly advised her to add more intellectual content to her "I Love Lucy" show, "Don't fool with success." (She might not have said fool). It really doesn't matter if she said it or not; it's a great point. The Medicare program is truly one of the great successes of all times: so successful, in fact, that many people who believe in a universal, government sponsored health care program think it should be extended to everyone, cradle to the grave. Naturally, the Republicans hate it. They call it names and have railed against it for years. No matter that the United States is one of the few industrialized countries in the world that doesn't offer health care to all its citizens. I don't have to tell you that Obama's Affordable Care program is also on the radical Republican chopping block. Now everything seems to have changed. The Republicans in the House of Representatives have favored killing the Medicare and Medicaid programs as we know them. Medicaid, designed as a safety net for the poor and elderly, is an easy target. They believe that the poor don't vote in large enough numbers to make a difference so they stigmatize those who have the least in life. It's terrible that they feel this way, especially for those who call themselves religious. But, as it has been said by some of our more despicable politicians, "It is what it is." We know that they will try to change the program and if they are successful, will alter the finances of many of our American states with a social conscience, especially the big and progressive states that voted against Donald Trump. But it is with Medicare, a program established to take care of seniors over 65, where the Republicans are really playing with fire. People have so much allegiance to the program that the nasty Republicans in the House have to watch their step. Instead of just killing the program, they say that they are for either changing it or improving it. Are you kidding? We all know what they are up to. They hate what they call "entitlement" programs. They try to suggest that they are too expensive. They say there are better ways of doing things but we all know that their intention is to kill it. It doesn't stop with Medicare, which means so much for so many of us. The Republican malevolence extends to Social Security, the signature piece of Franklin Delano Roosevelt's social legislation. When it was passed, people over 65 were hard to find, so many were dying. Now, people are living longer and the Republicans in the House are saying that the program will go broke in years coming up. That's a false argument if the program needs more money, that's what our tax dollars should be used for. Not only that, the program would be solvent if the government hadn't been raiding the Social Security Trust fund for all these years. Many of the people who have been the beneficiaries of these great programs voted Republican, thinking that their country has left them behind, but Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security are the foundations of a fairer system than what right-wing critics would leave us with. So when they mess with my Medicare and Social Security, I have no choice but to do whatever I can to stop them. Alan Chartock is a professor emeritus at the State University of New York, publisher of the Legislative Gazette and CEO of the WAMC Northeast Public Radio Network. Republican Congressman Sean Duffys announcement Thursday that he wont run for the U.S. Senate in 2018 sets up another potentially crowded GOP primary for the seat. The names of at least five potential candidates have emerged in recent weeks, with four of them state Sen. Leah Vukmir, state Rep. Dale Kooyenga, Madison businessman Eric Hovde and Marine veteran Kevin Nicholson telling the Wisconsin State Journal on Thursday they are considering a run. The fifth, Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, didnt respond to an interview request but tweeted praise for Duffys leadership. He previously said he would await Duffys decision before deciding whether to get in the race. Republicans see U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, a Madison Democrat, as vulnerable, especially after Donald Trump became the first Republican presidential candidate to win Wisconsin since 1984. The one thing that we learned during the entire presidential election cycle is the regular rules of thumb were thrown out the window, Vukmir said. Hovde, who finished second in the 2012 GOP primary, said he plans to make a decision by this fall. He said the race will likely be very expensive and he expects he would use some of his own money, as he did in 2012. Nicholson said he is strongly considering a run as an outsider who knows the challenges facing Wisconsin families, and the sacrifices made by those who help keep us safe. Kooyenga said hes open to the possibility of running but right now is focused on the state budget. Kyle Kondik, managing editor of Sabatos Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia Center for Politics, on Wednesday rated the Wisconsin seat one of three races that leans Democrat. He said in an interview that hes giving Baldwin the benefit of the doubt as an incumbent who isnt part of the current presidents party. When Baldwin initially got elected there was some thought that she was too liberal for a state thats kind of middle of the road, but its also elected people from all across the political spectrum, Kondik said. If Hillary Clinton were president, Baldwin would be much more clearly endangered. Duffys controversial statements State and national Republicans have already begun targeting Baldwin. In a statement, Duffy said hes not running for family reasons. After much prayer and deliberation, Rachel and I have decided that this is not the right time for me to run for Senate. We have eight great kids and family always comes first, Duffy said. Baldwin will be beat because her radically liberal Madison record and ideas are out of (sync) with Wisconsin. I look forward to helping our Republican nominee defeat her. Duffys decision comes a week after stirring controversy for saying a shooting at a Canadian mosque by a white extremist was a one-off event, that shootings by white extremists are different than those by Muslim extremists and that good things came from the killing of nine members of a Charleston, South Carolina, church, namely the removal of the Confederate flag from the South Carolina statehouse grounds. Duffy was recently named chairman of the housing and insurance subcommittee of the House Financial Institutions Committee, something he had been positioning himself for, and which could help him raise lots of money over the next several years, said longtime Republican lobbyist Brandon Scholz, a former party official. Its possible Duffy is looking ahead to an open Senate seat in 2022 when U.S. Sen. Ron Johnsons second term ends, Scholz said. Johnson, an Oshkosh Republican, said during his recent re-election campaign that he wouldnt run for a third term. Its likely by that time everybody will be looking to him as the candidate, Scholz said. Young. Money in the bank. Leader in the state. The Republican Party will wrap its arms around him. Uncertainty of Trump is a factor Republicans acknowledged the big unknown in 2018 is what effect Trumps presidency will have on the midterm elections. The party not in control of the White House tends to do better in midterms, but Wisconsin has been tacking right in recent years. Baldwins 2012 win over Tommy Thompson, the former four-time elected governor, was one of the few bright spots for Democrats since 2010. Scott Jensen, a former Republican Assembly speaker and lobbyist for the pro-voucher American Federation for Children, said Baldwin successfully ran then as a populist appealing to middle-of-the-road voters, but will have a more difficult time running with a more liberal voting record. Last time I was warning Republicans that Tammy Baldwin was stronger than they think; now shes weaker than she knows, Jensen said. The ground is shifting underneath her. Baldwin starts the race with a significant fundraising advantage. She ended 2016 with a little more than $1 million in the bank. Her campaign declined comment, deferring to the state party. State superintendent candidate John Humphries offered to consider negotiating a consulting contract with opponent Lowell Holtz at the Department of Public Instruction if Humphries defeated incumbent Tony Evers, according to a copy of an email from Humphries. The Dec. 23 email, which Humphries provided to the Wisconsin State Journal, suggests it was a response to a suggestion from Holtz a day earlier that one of the two candidates drop out of the race on condition the other give him a taxpayer-funded $150,000 job upon winning the state superintendent race. My offer includes an opportunity for Lowell to participate in crafting my campaign message, Humphries wrote. Lowell would be working alongside me in the campaign, and then in Milwaukee and other urban areas after I am elected. I think the most effective way to do that would be to consider a consulting agreement that would be negotiated once I am elected. Negotiating a contract prior to election would at the very least have an appearance of impropriety. For that reason, I need to be careful with what I agree to but I am interested in continuing our discussions. Holtz said that offer amounted to a bribe to get out of the race. Humphries campaign spokesman Brian Schupper said that characterization was ludicrous since Holtz proposed a day before Humphries leave the race, and that Humphries was offering to discuss ways to possibly work together in the future. The Humphries campaign released the email Thursday after state Superintendent Tony Evers called on his opponents to release more details about an alleged plan crafted at the request of unnamed business leaders to take over the states urban school districts. The email Humphries released Thursday was sent to at least one other person, but that persons name was blacked out. Neither Humphries nor Holtz is willing to name business leaders they say asked for the two to meet. Humphries and Holtz are seeking to unseat Evers as the states top schools leader. The top two vote-getters from a primary Tuesday advance to the April general election. The fact the two candidates discussed one of them dropping out in exchange for a later job came to light Wednesday when Humphries revealed Holtz made him such an offer political jockeying Gov. Scott Walker described on Thursday as bizarre, according to WITI. Liberal advocacy group One Wisconsin Now also on Thursday filed a complaint with the state Elections Commission alleging Holtz and Humphries engaged in election bribery. Control over urban districts The plan called for giving Holtz or Humphries a job at DPI in exchange for dropping out of the race. Holtzs proposal would give him the authority over districts and school boards in Kenosha, Madison, Milwaukee, Racine and possibly Green Bay. Humphries would be in charge of curriculum and assessments, according to a document Holtz provided that was similar to Humphries document. Holtz said Thursday that the proposal to make significant structural changes to the urban districts came from business leaders he wouldnt identify. Humphries disputes that saying the proposals were from Holtz alone. Evers campaign spokeswoman Amanda Brink said the takeover plan Humphries and Holtz discussed would affect almost 20 percent of the public school kids in Wisconsin, and would strip away parents and community members rights to weigh in on their local districts. Brink called it a massive power grab. This is a proposal for a heavy-handed, top-down approach struck through a backroom deal between a few unnamed business leaders and two politicians looking out for their own financial interests, Brink said. DPI spokesman Tom McCarthy said the superintendent has powers to enforce a uniform curriculum, or certain staffing levels in a school district, but cannot break up districts or take over school boards. He said if a district is collapsing, a neighboring school district would absorb the students. Dueling documents outline plan Humphries told the State Journal on Wednesday that the terms of the proposal made in December were to give either Humphries or Holtz a guaranteed three-year job paying $150,000 annually and offer full benefits, including a driver. Humphries has said the proposal was seeking one of the candidates to drop out of the race before nomination papers were due in January. Holtz has disputed that, and said the proposal was to be considered for after Tuesdays primary. But the email Humphries campaign provided on Thursday shows Humphries saying there would be little benefit for the two to join forces after the primary. I want to act quickly so we can get to work, Humphries wrote in the December email. Humphries provided the newspaper a PDF, or electronic image, of a document with a handwritten date of Dec. 22, 2016, listing the terms of the plan. The document, which Humphries said was prepared by Holtz, does not specifically state the proposal is a quid pro quo for one candidate leaving the race. Holtz provided the State Journal with a Microsoft Word version of a document with similar language and formatting, but which contains additional text explicitly stating the proposals were for consideration after the primary election. Prospects uncertain Days before voters will head to the polls, political observers said Thursday the credibility of both Holtz and Humphries is damaged and news of the December discussions make a successful campaign less likely. Its kind of a slap in the voters faces you just dont use your public office to buy friends, said longtime Republican lobbyist Brandon Scholz. The fact that (Humphries) even sat down with Holtz and had this discussion. It kind of shatters their credibility. This is not what prospective school superintendents and heads of state agencies do. Holtz said Thursday that the proposals were from the unnamed business leaders and after the discussion, the proposals didnt go anywhere. Holtz said he wishes the race could be more focused on education. I am feeling very good about Tuesday and I wish it was Tuesday because then (Humphries) could stop taking cheap shots and we could focus on what I am going to do as a state superintendent to help our kids, said Holtz. Humphries said he released the documents this week because it had become clear to him that Holtz was not being honest about his intentions with regard to letting school boards have local control. This has become a pattern with Holtz that is obvious to us now. He touts his support of local control, but then behind the scenes hes making plans for a takeover of districts, said Humphries on Wednesday. Had he made a public proposal to deal with the large urban districts that included giving him the powers to do what he was proposing privately, it wouldnt have been necessary for me to release this. Holtz said Thursday he is not considering a takeover of any district and wants to empower local school boards to make significant changes in districts with large gaps in achievement, like those listed in the document released Wednesday. October 21, 2022 The bridge is back! Progress continues on the Patient Support Centre Over the past few months, crews worked to erect the new pedestrian bridge over Elizabeth St. that will connect the Atrium to our future Patient Support Centre. Vaunce Ashby began a lifelong love of history by visiting museums as a child. Recently, Ashby took that passion for history to a position where she can share it. In the process, Ashby said, she hopes to help Wisconsinites better understand where they come from. Ashby began working in September as director of education for the Wisconsin Historical Society. In that role, Ashby oversees school-age and adult educational staff. She also advises society staff and leadership on educational matters. Part of the educational work happening under Ashbys oversight includes interactive presentations on Wisconsin history for fourth-graders. Often, the presentations supplement the societys history textbook for fourth graders: Wisconsin, Our State, Our Story. Through the presentations, students actually get to see a fur pelt. They get a sense of what its like to cut a log with a manual saw. So those kinds of things are pretty fun to kids, Ashby said. Another component of her job, she said, is reaching out to under-represented student populations. Ashby brought an educators background to the position, having previously worked at the state Department of Public Instruction and as a teacher and principal. How did you connect with history as a child? As a kid, my dad took me to every single museum in Chicago. By the time I was 15, I had seen every little, big museum there was in the city of Chicago. That was his way of teaching me what had happened in the world. Ive always had that kind of love for the facilities of museums and everything they hold that knowledge. I was pulled toward American history and specifically the Constitution, and what all it means to people. Having been a person of color, my history of the Constitution may be different than someone elses. So when I taught it, I tried to be mindful of all the interpretations people had over the years. Whether I agree with it or not all the time, the fact that those guys, way back then, were able to write something that still holds today I still find that fascinating. How do you help children see history as something thats relevant to their lives today? A good teacher draws comparisons. To say: What do you know? What do you want to know? Whatd you learn? ... Then you build from what you know to more detail. My educational programs encompass educational staff and (are) expected to expand educational knowledge of the past and help them think critically about it. I want to expand on it and actually give facts. What do you hope to accomplish in your new role? I want all the people of this state to see a part of their state is in this (Wisconsin Historical Society) building. I also want to make sure people of color know they have history in this state. A big piece of my job is to really talk about and help kids and adults see the excitement in learning our history. I think especially right now, with everything going on in our country, its important to know where youve been, because that can help inform where you go. It gives you a moral compass, so to speak. ... It gives you that background knowledge so you can better make decisions for the future. Interview by Mark Sommerhauser A Milwaukee native who led the LGBT organization Fair Wisconsin in the early 2000s is returning to his home state to head the American Civil Liberties Union here. Christopher Ott, 46, will become executive director of the ACLU of Wisconsin in March, succeeding Chris Ahmuty who retired at the end of 2016. Ott has been the communications director of the ACLU of Massachusetts in Boston for the last 10 years. At a time when Americans across the political spectrum worry about threats to civil liberties and civil rights, the chance to work for the ACLU in my home state of Wisconsin is an honor, Ott said in a statement. BENGALURU: Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd today said its overall investment over the next five to six years is expected to be about 17,500 crore, and it may go for loans from banks soon to fund its projects. The company also said it has contributed over 5000 crore to the government exchequer through the buyback option. "...We will be happy if we get more funds, but we will present the case. Not waiting for two or three years till CCS sanctions to meet the current expectations and requirements, we are funding from our own reserves," HAL Chairman and Managing Director T Suvarna Raju told reporters. Responding to a question at the Aero India 2017 air show here, he said "you may watch during the month of March, maybe we are going to take loan from the banks for our projects." "Overall expected investment as of now, approximately is 17,500 crore, spread over five to six years," he added. On disinvestment activity of the company based on the government approval of 10 per cent of the shareholding in 2013, Raju said progress has been made in this regard with the identification of Book Running Lead Managers and preparation of draft red herring prospectus. Necessary documents are in place. "...10 per cent of the equity capital that is 3.615 crore of equity at the face value of Rs 10 would be considered for the IPO, the valuation will be done by the BRLMS and the other financial experts. We are awaiting for the valuations from them," a senior company official added. Responding to a question about when the company will be filing red herring prospectus with SEBI, Raju said by the end of this financial year. Raju also said the option of buyback of 25 per cent of share capital and reserves of the company has been executed through which the company has contributed over 5000 crore to the government exchequer. "During 2015-16 twelve crore five lakh shares have been offered for buyback amounting to Rs 4,284 crore apart from Rs 981 crore as buyback plan, in all amounting to 5,265 crore. This is what we have paid back to the government by offering 25 per cent of the equity capital," a company official said. Speaking about the financial performance of the company for 2015-16, Raju said it recorded the highest ever turnover of Rs 16,736 crore and registered a growth of 7.14 per cent compared with the previous year. He said the profit before tax of the company for the year was 3288 crore, adding, against the target turnover of 17,100 crore at the end of January 2017, the company has achieved sales of 10,086 crore with a healthy profit of 1,621 crore. Read Also: Mahindra Aerostructures Signs MoU With French Firm Segnere Tata Comm To Invest $300 Mn To Expand Network, Platform In FY18 MUMBAI: Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani, who is betting big on data-driven telecom with his Jio Infocomm, today described the digital play sweeping the world as the fourth industrial revolution and said data is the "new oil". "The foundation of the fourth industrial revolution is connectivity and data. Data is the new natural resource. We are at the beginning of an era where data is the new oil," Ambani said at the opening day of 3-day Nasscom leadership forum here. Salient feature of this revolution is "convergence of the physical biological and digital sciences" and "we are on the verge of an exponential change", he said. Predicting that India will be a key player in this revolution, Ambani said with "our large talent base, we will have a competitive advantage in this era." He expressed hope that Jio could help take India to top ten counties in terms of broadband access, from the low 155th position in 2015. Describing the protectionist statements by the new US president Donald Trump as "a blessing in disguise" for the Indian IT sector" Ambani advised the industry to focus on home market. Calling for looking at the larger picture of helping millions to resolve their problems with adoption of digital technologies, he said digitalisation will continue to face challenges in terms of privacy, security and data theft, but "with our very big advantages in the new world of digitisation, I am sure we can find solutions to our major problems". "We really have to adopt next generation technologies. As a nation we have to be the capital of real implementation of blockchain. We have the opportunity to make sure we adopt artificial intelligence and natural language processing, adopt drones in our own logistics. "I think the opportunities are immense and we now have the infrastructure to do it in our own market and make India one of the largest software markets," he said. Read Also: U.S. Univ Receives $1.5 Million Grant For Jainism Studies NALCO Signs MoU With TERI For Sustainable Rehabilitation WASHINGTON: Expressing bipartisian support for the Indo-U.S. relationship, top American Congressmen today pledged to work together to strengthen the bilateral relationship under Trump Administration, terming it "very important" for the stability of the international community. At a Congressional reception hosted for Congressmen and Senators by the new Indian Ambassador to the US, Navtej Sarna, lawmakers said because of the common values the two countries posses, India and the United States are slated to be the defining partnership of the 21st century. This month 27 US lawmakers are slated to visit India. In his remarks, House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer said security of the global community is really important. There are questions about instability in the Middle east, Europe, and Asia, he added. "India and the US working together would be very very important to the stability of the international community. This would benefit the two countries," Hoyer said, adding, there is a bipartisan shared view of the relationship between India and the US. Indian-American Congressman Ami Bera, Co-Chair of the India Caucus in the Congress, the relationship between India and the US has grown closer and this could be the defining relationship of the 21st century. "It got to be a relationship that is built on common values of democracies...It is important for us to lead the world with countries and allies that share those values," he said. Bera said Prime Minister Narendra Modi would be to the United States later this year. George Holding, who is headed to India next week, said India-US relationship could be the defining partnership of the 21st century. Republican Co-Chair of the Congressional India Caucus, Holding called for bilateral free trade agreement between the two countries. Congressman Dana Rohrabacher from California said this was not always a good relationship. Right not the ultimate threat to the peace of the world is radical Islamic terrorism. Today India and the US must stand together for the peace of the world and their countries. Congressman Pete Olson said Modi should visit Houston. "The value based engagement that India can have with the US can be matched with a very few countries," Sarna, said, adding that as democracies, India and the US share the same challenge. Terrorism and security being one of them, he noted. "We need to increasingly need to work together on terrorism," he said asserting that there can be no differences in approach of tackling one group of terrorism and other groups. There are no good or bad terrorist. Read Also: Indian-American Professionals Express Concern Over H1B Bills Bill Introduced In U.S. Senate To Cut Legal Immigration By Half, May Impact Indian Americans Source: PTI STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- No sweet concha bread came from Atlixco Bakery in Tompkinsville Thursday. And El Pastorcito, just up the block on Victory Boulevard, didn't serve for lunch and dinner this blustery day. In fact, both eateries were among several Mexican-owned businesses that closed as part of a national "Day Without Immigrants," meant to show immigrants' presence in the economy. According to organizers, the daylong protest was a direct response to President Trump's crackdown on immigration. In the first few weeks of his presidency, the commander in chief vowed to build a wall across the southern border of the United States and make Mexico pay for it; installed temporary travel bans from seven Muslim-majority countries; and threatened to strip funding from "sanctuary cities," or cities that shelter illegal immigrants. At 8:15 a.m., gates were down at Golden Pastry Shop, a busy bakery typically open by 6 a.m. with its fresh bread, occasion cakes plus Mexican and Italian pastries. The corner laundry operation also did not open as usual Thursday morning, and Tompkinsville seemed quieter than normal for the weekday rush hour between 7 and 8 a.m. Workers at Divine Wood Furniture -- which opened for business -- described their Port Richmond neighborhood as a "ghost town" due to the closure of so many restaurants, delis and car washes. A sign posted on the door of Better Gourmet Health Kitchen in West Brighton before lunchtime said the restaurant's locations were closed "to allow some of our employees to participate." But by 3 p.m., owner Louie Noia said he opted to open for business as to not inconvenience his loyal patrons. ANONYMOUS BUT OUTSPOKEN Two South Shore restaurant owners who declined to be named were put on notice by their staffs Wednesday evening and early Thursday morning: Workers would be no-shows on the 16th "out of protest." "I will cook, do dishes, etc.," reported one owner whose crew is comprised of both legal and a few illegal workers. Ironically, the proprietor said, one of those persons he is helping to get legalized. Another South Shore owner said his food service friends in New Jersey were asking to "borrow" kitchen staff for the day as their own employees would not be tending their work stations. The Staten Island restaurateur was sure his guys were coming in for their shifts Thursday but said he could not spare anyone. (Update: His workers did indeed show up.) The sentiment among several restauranteurs who reached out to the Advance was hurt and befuddlement. "I don't understand," said one owner, who feels he is generous with pay and time off. He even socializes with his crew and considers them to be a part of his family. He hopes the effort doesn't backfire on either him or his workers, calling attention to their illegal status. "This is a joke! Stupid people!" said a Staten Island chef who hails from Ecuador, who refused to use his name for fear of retribution to his employer and the restaurant. He thinks the protest is counterproductive. The chef's Staten Island kitchen colleagues are from South America and a few are from Mexico. "We came here to work. We came here to do a job. This country has laws and we have got to follow them. No one is chasing immigrants. I don't follow Spanish media because they lie to people," he said. Outraged by the whole protest and hysteria over Trump's efforts to put controls on immigration, the chef emphasized that criminals should be deported. "You've got to work to be a citizen, no one's going to give it to you," he said. This chef voted for Trump and said he's pleased with what he's seen so far. "Trump in the last month, it's been a tremendous change in the business," he said. It's been years but Saturday nights are consistently bustling again, he added, pointing to three Saturday nights in a row where the place was packed. People are spending money. And, for a change, he is "confident" in the future. "I'm an American. I'm a citizen of the United States. I work hard," he said. "You want to play politician, go back to your country and do it there. It's as simple as that." NOT ALL BUSINESSES CLOSED Restaurateur Leonardo Giordano of Mona Lisa Pizzeria in Annadale had a full staff in his kitchen Thursday. An immigrant himself, he appreciates those who came to America for work and a new life: "Without them, we don't have an economy. They come here and they want the best for their children. We suffer, we do what we have to do. We are all American." Giordano began his career here as a dishwasher. He's worked in various fields but pizza and proprietorship were his true calling. "You're supposed to pay the taxes -- the hospital, the school, the street you are walking on," he said. "You have to pay for it. I'm an immigrant. I employ immigrants. But I'm a citizen of this country. God bless America. That's how I became who I am." Giordano proudly displays the flag of his "land of opportunity" on Mona Lisa's facade. "We have freedom of speech. We have freedom of religion. And we have a system. You have to go through it. You have to follow the system." STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Maybe nothing says more about Robert Losada than this: The Richmond resident, a criminal investigator for the Brooklyn federal prosecutor's office and a retired NYPD detective sergeant, not only worked on all of the office's terrorism investigations, he watched over his colleagues with the tenacity of a mother bear. "He wouldn't let any of the assistant U.S. attorneys walk to the train late at night," said Robert L. Capers, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York. "He'd drive you where you needed to go. He's the guy who secretly watched me cross the street from our office to the courthouse and always had a nod or a firm handshake and an 'It's all good, boss.'" Capers and his staff are struggling to recover from a devastating blow suffered earlier this week: Losada, 59, affectionately known as "Bobby," died unexpectedly on Monday. His funeral was Thursday in St. Charles R.C. Church, Oakwood, followed by a burial in Moravian Cemetery, New Dorp. "Bobby faithfully served the people of the city of New York with the NYPD, and for almost nine years as an investigator for our office he kept the country safe from real terror threats in partnership with the Joint Terrorist Task Force," said Capers. Losada worked in law enforcement for more than 30 years. Appointed to the NYPD on July 16, 1984, he started his career as a housing cop. He worked his way up the ladder, attaining the rank of detective sergeant. In 2001, Losada was a first responder from his command, Detective Borough Staten Island, to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. His cousin by marriage, Firefighter Carl Bini, of Rescue Co. 5, was among those killed in the attacks. Losada carried the Bay Terrace resident's memorial card in his wallet. Shortly afterward, Losada was assigned to the NYPD's Joint Terrorist Task Force. He retired from the NYPD in August 2009, amassing 19 medals during his police career. He then went to work for Brooklyn federal prosecutors, where colleagues revered him for his resolve and steadfastness as an investigator. Losada's terrorism probes included a plot to blow up gas lines at Kennedy International Airport and Abid Naseer's plot to detonate a bomb at an English shopping mall. Losada is survived by his wife, Daria; three sons, Robert, Vincent and Michael; two daughters, Cristina and Laura; a grandson, Salvatore; his mother, Elisa Losada, and his father-in-law, Vincent Gallo, a retired Transit Police lieutenant. TRaffic.jpg This 2015 photo shows traffic backed up on local streets during the morning commute to the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. During two-way tolling until 1986, this was a common sight. (Staten Island Advance/Anthony DePrimo) STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - As the MTA rolls out its cashless toll system, some New Yorkers are pushing the return of a two-way toll on the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, hoping it will divert traffic from their neighborhoods. Community Board 6 in Brooklyn penned a letter to Gov. Andrew Cuomo last month, asking to bring back the two-way vehicle fee, giving trucks less of an incentive to take the free bridge to Brooklyn. Until 1986, two-way tolling was causing traffic to back-up on Staten Island as it entered the bridge when then-Congressman Guy Molinari got an amendment into a federal transportation bill to end it. The last Brooklyn-bound toll booths were removed a few years ago. For years, Democratic Rep. Jerrold Nadler, whose district includes parts of southern Brooklyn and western and downtown Manhattan, has called for the two-way toll to come back and alleviate traffic to cut-through neighborhoods. Manhattan and Brooklyn residents unhappy with the single-way toll argue trucks are incentivized to use the free Brooklyn-bound Verrazano to get to points east -- Queens, Long Island, but also to Manhattan and Brooklyn. If there were tolls in both directions on the bridge, some trucks, would take a more direct route instead of the cheaper route, they argue. Ideally, that would mean fewer trucks using cut-throughs. Nadler has pointed out that when tolls tied up traffic on Staten Island, it was before E-ZPass made paying the toll faster. But backups are often seen in E-ZPass lanes today. With the coming cash-free tolling system that will allow vehicles to keep moving, Nadler argues that will further prevent back-ups and give Staten Islanders no reason to oppose bringing back the two-way toll. His first stop in getting Staten Islanders on board is wooing Republican Rep. Daniel Donovan for his support. Donovan's 11th Congressional District includes all of the Island and parts of southern Brooklyn, touching the Brooklyn borders of Nadler's district. Donovan said he won't support the idea until it's clear it would help, not hurt traffic. "Changing a system that's been in place for 30 years can't happen on a whim or be based on unsubstantiated theories," Donovan said. "Proponents of a two-way toll have said it would decrease traffic. If that's the case, then a conversation should certainly be had. But until I see that data, I'm not going to support any change to the status quo." Beyond convincing Donovan of the benefit of changing back to a two-way toll, Nadler may have to negate anti-Staten Island sentiment associated with the proposal. Confronted in 2012 by a Manhattan activist, angry that Nadler hadn't tackled the issue for fear of offending Staten Islanders, the congressman replied, "I don't care about Staten Island. Chuck [Schumer] may," The Villager reported him saying. "It's not in my district." Asked about the congressman's comments when he is trying to convince Donovan that the toll is best for Staten Island, Robert Gottheim, Nadler's district director, said the congressman understands the toll is a sensitive subject in the borough but, "we don't represent Staten Island," adding that Nadler was appealing to a Manhattan constituency. "Our interests obviously are not Staten Island. That's a factually correct statement," he said. But "no one's going to ram this down anyone's throat." Nadler is courting Donovan for his support, and knowing he can't get it done without it in the Republican-controlled Congress, he is assuring Donovan and his constituents that the district would benefit from the change. "We want to work with Staten Island," Gottheim said. "It would not increase more traffic on Staten Island, it will reduce traffic on Staten Island." Noting "it's the third rail of politics on Staten Island," Gottheim said Nadler hasn't introduced a bill without Donovan. He's hoping that MTA data -- which the transit agency is collecting -- will support Nadler's traffic argument. Beyond Nadler, however, some of his constituents believe Staten Island is to blame for traffic in Manhattan and aren't exactly diplomatic about it. "Why does this little backwater of New York City have such power that it can control the traffic flow in the center of the universe?" The Villager reported Sean Sweeney, executive director of the Soho Alliance, as saying. "Why are Trump supporters causing misery in Lower Manhattan. How is this allowed?" Jan Vansina, 87, a pathfinder in the field of African history and a quiet but enthusiastic leader, author and mentor, died Feb. 8 of lung cancer in Madison. It was Vansina in the 1950s who successfully created a platform of African history based on truths embedded in oral traditions existing long before European colonizers. His continued research uncovered methods that helped expose not hundreds, but thousands of years of African history. Described as "daring and original," the Belgium-born Vansina brought that commitment to UW-Madison in 1960, which he continued long after his official retirement in 1994. The University of Wisconsin Press, in detailing his work about the history of Africa in "landmark" books, said he "literally wrote the book on using 'Oral Tradition as History.'" His research brought the "unknowable" to people thirsty for knowledge. His meticulous methods motivated generations of historians, and he was honored for lifetime achievements by the American Historical Association. Until his work, colleagues noted, "African" history focused entirely on the history of European colonizers, not on the history of Africans. Jansina spent his lifetime changing that, starting (with James Curtin) at UW-Madison the nation's first program in African history. Neil Kodesh, director of the African Studies Program at UW-Madison, said Vansina "established the methodology for using oral tradition as a legitimate force for writing about the past. "Where he was working, there were no documents, people had no 'history.' But of course they did, and he demonstrated that history was embedded in stories told over time," Kodesh said. Vansina was "warm and energetic, but focused," said his colleague professor Florence Bernault. "When you were with him, you felt totally remobilized, yet he was a very private, an old-school scholar, not isolated, but generous with his time." She described his research as proving that "old traditions, bodies of legends, were absolutely crucial sources for reconstructing the past." Kodesh said Vansina began emphasizing research on African history at a time when longtime colonies were becoming independent and "history was considered an urgent enterprise. These countries were desperately working to write a 'usable past,' and the influence of outsiders doing this kind of work was outsized." It is a measure of Vansina's credibility and success in linguistics, anthropology and history that his books have been translated into African languages, said Kodesh. UW Press, which published eight of Vansina's books over 50 years, including a biography of his boyhood, noted in a tribute published in 2015 that his legacy goes beyond academia, and includes using the words, names and stories passed down to journalist Alex Haley, author of "Roots," to help him locate a remote Gambian village and memories of a family named Kinte. Vansina met his wife, Claudine, while doing research in Rwanda in the 1950s. She and a son, Bruno, survive him. No funeral is planned. handcuffs.JPG STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Don't drink and dump. A spokesman for the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) said a 51-year-old Manhattan man was arrested in Port Richmond Wednesday for allegedly dumping an air conditioning unit, and was found to be driving under the influence. Two officers, including Staten Island's only sanitation officer, Anthony Rizzo, allegedly saw Keith Lewis, of 145th Street, dumping an air conditioner in front of 121 Park Ave. at approximately 11:09 a.m. Rizzo, whom the Advance has previously written about, is the only sanitation police officer fully assigned to the borough, but often works with a partner because of safety concerns, a spokesman for the DSNY said. The two officers saw Lewis leave the scene, and determined that there was probable cause for a traffic stop. After being pulled over, Lewis allegedly told the two officers that he was driving with a suspended license, and, upon further investigation, they suspected he was driving under the influence, according to the DSNY. NYPD officers were called to the scene, and they transported him to the 7th Precinct in Manhattan to be tested for drugs and alcohol, according to the DSNY. Lewis allegedly blew a 0.187 on a breathalyzer test, more than twice the legal limit, and was taken back to the 121st Precinct for processing, according to the DSNY. The NYPD did not have any information on the arrest, a spokesman said. This is the latest in a long list of cases Rizzo has dealt with in the borough. The Advance reported in June on the officer and about his day-to-day experience trying to bring illegal dumpers to justice. Finding illegal dumpers is difficult on Staten Island, Rizzo said then. "It's a timing game," he said. "You have to be in the right place at the right time." NWS NY WHEEL A large crane weighing about 400 tons that will help put the pieces of the NY Wheel together arrived on the St. George waterfront from Brooklyn Marine Terminal on Thursday. (Courtesy of NY Wheel) STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A crane weighing about 400 tons that will help put the pieces of the NY Wheel together arrived on the St. George waterfront from Brooklyn Marine Terminal on Thursday. "The cranes are critically important to phase two of construction, which is where we are right now. Phase two is erecting the legs, A-frame, spindle and hub," said Rich Marin, NY Wheel founder and CEO of the project to erect a 630-foot observation wheel by April 2018. He said it will take about three days to unload the crane from the barge, and a "couple of days to erect it." The crane is 380 feet high, and can lift 600 tons -- more than its own weight, said Marin. "This is the helper crane. It's called the 1600. It's used to help us erect the much bigger 11350 crane. ...The helper crane helps tow the light end of the load," he added. The 11350 crane will be barged over to the the Wheel site after the 1600 crane is fully erected. "They will start loading the 11350 next week; that crane will have a 460-foot boom (height) and weighs about 1,000 pounds. It can lift 1,350 tons. It will come over in two barges, and take about three days to load each barge and three days to unload them. Then it will take about seven days to erect the 11350 crane," said Marin. After the two cranes are up and running they will be used to lift the legs, which are in eight pieces, atop the pedestals, said Marin. "Around the back half of March, weather-permitting, you should be able to see the legs being lifted," said Marin. Once the legs are erected, the next step is waiting for the A-frames to arrive from Holland, he said. "Once the A-frames are here, they will be lifted to the top of those leg sections. Those will be braced and will add stability to the leg sections. Then the hub -- a 1,300-ton axle -- and spindle will be brought over and lifted. CONSTRUCTION ALREADY COMPLETE After traveling by barge from Canada, four 100-ton pedestals were erected at the site of the New York Wheel in December. Opening in 2018, the New York Wheel will be the world's tallest observation wheel at more than six stories high, and is expected to attract more than 3 million visitors per year. The $590 million project is part of a $1.2 billion redevelopment of Staten Island's North Shore. FOLLOW TRACEY PORPORA ON FACEBOOK STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Attempts by smokers to put out the fatal residential fire in Port Richmond delayed the response by the FDNY, according to a source with knowledge of the investigation. The first fatal fire of 2017 on Staten Island claimed the life of John Russell, 69, and critically injured his twin brother, Joseph, inside 1028 Post Ave. on Feb. 9. The three-alarm blaze during a snow storm wounded a total of 15 people, including the Russell brothers. The accidental fire sparked by cigarettes that were carelessly discarded by occupants on the first floor had already burned through much of the house by the time firefighters arrived on the scene, the source said. The smokers didn't snuff out their cigarettes and then didn't immediately report the blaze, allowing the fire to spread as their attempts to extinguish the flames failed, the source said. The people in the house likely were warned by at least one smoke alarm. Smoke alarms were present on both the first and second floors. The detector on the second floor definitely was working, but it could not be determined if the one on the first floor was functional, an FDNY spokesman said. A week after the fire, Joseph Russell remains in critical condition in the Burn Unit at Staten Island University Hospital in Ocean Breeze, according to a spokeswoman for the medical facility. The two-story frame house that is topped by an attic remains uninhabitable. City Buildings Department records indicate that a 30-day full-vacate order was issued on Feb. 10 "due to fire throughout" the structure. The fire was called in at 7 a.m. and firefighters arrived on scene in less than three minutes. Within seconds, the personnel on scene transmitted a 10-75 confirming that there was indeed a fire and then issued a second alarm at 7:03 a.m., an FDNY spokesman said. A video obtained by the Advance showed the house engulfed in flames when the first FDNY unit arrived at the scene. In the swirling snow and high winds, firefighters struggled to quash the blaze that reached the level of a third alarm with a response of about 33 units and 138 firefighters. The fire was brought under control after near two hours, at 8:59 a.m., an FDNY spokesman said. Public records indicated that both men lived in the home where a source told the Advance that John Russell was burned beyond recognition. Police identified some of the injured as an 11-year-old boy, a 12-year-old girl, a 26-year-old man and a 43-year-old man. They were treated for smoke inhalation and minor scrapes and bruises at a hospital, according to police. Page Content The Council of Ministers agreed to request legal advisors to explore the possibility of filing a lawsuit against Vamed to stop them from halting the development of the new General Hospital. Based on the urgent needs of the country to develop our healthcare system and build a much needed hospital that complies with international standards, legal advisors will advise Council of Ministers if there is a proper basis for legal actions against Vamed. The case of Vamed hampers the development of our healthcare system. A new hospital has a direct and substantial impact on the costs and therefor the sustainability of our healthcare system as well as an obvious impact on quality of care and therefore the health of our population. Government should not allow our healthcare developments to be held hostage due to a court case by a foreign multinational for financial gain. The more we investigate the prices regionally the more convinced I am that the price of INSO is not too low and that their price is competitive and reasonable, said Minister Lee. The country, the people and staff of SMMC need and deserve a new hospital. Minister Lee stated I do recognize and appreciate that the staff, management and specialists have been and continue to operate in challenging conditions. All three of my children were born in SMMC. I am even a former chairman of the board of SMMC. I do have special affinity for SMMC and I want the staff of SMMC to know that you have my full commitment and relentless effort to see a new hospital is built as soon as possible. Yesterday, Minister Lee had a meeting with the representatives of SMMC. Together they agreed that the hospital will begin the process of working towards Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation. This accreditation is an international standard that many of the top hospitals internationally comply with. There is collaborative work being done on the referral programs with SZV in attempts to narrow down where referrals are sent. By bulking together our purchasers I believe that it is possible to negotiate better prices. This is something we are working on together with Aruba and Curacao, and our preference is to work with other hospitals that are also JCI accredited. This creates the possibility of cooperation with the staff which really does give us a good basis for working together and even rotation of staff. So, together with the hospital we have agreed that this is the direction that we want to work towards. Although the process of building a new hospital may be delayed, progress on improving our healthcare system continues. MILWAUKEE The confirmation hearings for Betsy DeVos provided an inordinate amount of drama: guns and grizzlies, an all-night talkathon on the Senate floor, Vice President Mike Pences tie-breaking vote and with good reason. DeVos, now confirmed as secretary of education, is not just another inexperienced member of the presidents Cabinet. She is an ideologue with a singular educational passion replacing our system of democratically controlled public schools with a universal voucher program that privileges private and religious ones. If you care about our public schools and our democracy, you should be worried. Every state constitution enshrines the right to a free education for all children, and the U.S. Supreme Court has long upheld this right. In its landmark decision in Brown vs. Board of Education, the high court noted education is perhaps the most important function of state and local governments. It also recognized its role in a democratic society, calling education the very foundation of good citizenship. Given the controversy surrounding DeVos, Republicans initially may go easy in pushing school vouchers. But beware the bait and switch, the seemingly reasonable initiative that disguises radical change. For more than a quarter-century, I have reported on the voucher program in Milwaukee: the countrys first contemporary voucher initiative and a model for other cities and state programs, from Cleveland to New Orleans, Florida to Indiana. Milwaukees program began in 1990, when the state Legislature passed a bill allowing 300 students in seven nonsectarian private schools to receive taxpayer-funded tuition vouchers. It was billed as a small, low-cost experiment to help poor black children, and had a five-year sunset clause. That was the bait. The first switch came a few weeks later, when the Republican governor eliminated the sunset clause. Ever since, vouchers have been a divisive yet permanent fixture in Wisconsin. Conservatives have consistently expanded the program, especially when Republicans controlled the state government. (Vouchers have never been put to a public vote in Wisconsin.) Today, some 33,000 students in 212 schools receive publicly funded vouchers, not just in Milwaukee but throughout Wisconsin. If it were its own school district, the voucher program would be the states second largest. The overwhelming majority of the schools are religious. Voucher schools are private schools that have applied for a state-funded program that pays tuition for some or all of its student body. Even if every single student at a school receives a publicly funded voucher, as is the case in 22 of Milwaukees schools, that school is still defined as private. Because they are defined as private, voucher schools operate by separate rules, with minimal public oversight or transparency. They can sidestep basic constitutional protections such as freedom of speech. They do not have to provide the same level of second-language or special-education services. They can suspend or expel students without legal due process. They can ignore the open meetings and records laws. They can disregard state law prohibiting discrimination against students on grounds of sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation or marital or parental status. Wisconsin has sunk so deep into this unaccountable world that our voucher program turns a blind eye toward discrimination in voucher schools and forces the public to pay for such discrimination. I attended Catholic schools, and I believe this countrys long-standing defense of religious liberty is a hallmark of our democracy. But the voucher program has distorted this important concept of religious freedom. In the guise of governmental noninterference in religious matters, the voucher program allows private schools to use public dollars to proselytize and teach church doctrine that is at odds with public policy for instance, that women must be submissive to men, that homosexuality is evil, that birth control is a sin, and that creationism is scientifically sound. Privatizing an essential public function and forcing the public to pay for it, even while removing it from meaningful public oversight, weakens our democracy. And since 1990, roughly $2 billion in public money has been funneled into private and religious schools in Wisconsin, and the payments keep escalating. This year, the tab is some $248 million. For more than 25 years, conservatives have used the seductive rhetoric of choice to blur the difference between public and private schools. It has been a shrewd move. Individual choice has long been considered a component of liberty. Used appropriately, choice can help ensure public education is sensitive to the varying needs and preferences of students and families. But when it comes to voucher schools, its clear choice is also code for funneling tax dollars away from public schools and into private and religious schools. No one doubts our public school systems have deep-seated problems. But the solution is to fix, not abandon, them. Our public schools are the only institutions with the commitment, capacity and legal obligation to teach all children. With DeVos confirmation, the entire country now must answer this question: If public education is an essential bedrock of our democracy, why are we undermining it? Michael Flynns sudden resignation as national security adviser does not mean the lingering questions about his contacts and Donald Trumps contacts with Russia before Trump became president will go away. House and Senate investigations are certainly appropriate, and White House and national security officials should also make themselves available to the media to explain what they knew and what the president knew and when. But the Trump administrations problems go far beyond Flynn. The administration is off to a chaotic start, with the botched execution of the presidents travel ban the prime example. Every day, rival power blocs leak selected information in attempts to push the president one way or the other, or, as columnist Michael Gerson has noted, to display their loyalty. There is little sense of forward momentum. The Washington Times Wesley Pruden, a big admirer of the president, suggests what seems like disarray is actually a strategy setting up an administration with forceful personalities who are empowered by Trump to speak their minds. Calling him comfortable with controversy, Pruden compares the presidents unorthodox approach to the styles of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. But there is no precedent for a modern presidency operating in such a fashion and succeeding. The example that Pruden could have cited is Bill Clinton. His administration got off to a disorganized start in January 1993, with the highest disapproval ratings for any president since the Gallup poll began 40 years earlier and senior aides squabbling over access to the president and his influential wife, Hillary Clinton. White House Chief of Staff Mack McLarty, a former Arkansas utility executive and a friend of Clintons since kindergarten, was in over his head an observation thats also been made about Trumps chief of staff, Reince Preibus. But McLarty and other top officials were also stymied by what The New York Times called Clintons anguished indecisiveness. This led to an extraordinary moment in July 1993, reported by Bob Woodward, in which Clintons dithering over whether and when he should unfold his broad economic plan led Vice President Al Gore to urge him to get with the (expletive) program! The Clinton presidency remained rocky until Leon Panetta, a tough, disciplined former Democratic congressman, took over as chief of staff in July 1994 and helped bring coherence to the White House. The Trump administration cannot afford such a long delay before hitting its stride. Its not just public approval the president should worry about. Its the Republican Congress, which is going to be asked by the administration to work together on bold initiatives in health care and financial regulation and to possibly support a reorientation of U.S. alliances and foreign policy. Clinton got nowhere with a Democratic Congress in 1993-94 with his push for broad health reform partly because of doubts about the White Houses competence and agenda, and then he was further weakened by the 1994 Republican Revolution. A similar fate could await Trump if his administration doesnt find its bearings. Donald Trumps decisions have the potential to affect the lives of everyday Americans and many people around the world. It would be reassuring to finally get the sense that these decisions are made after informed deliberation not because the president was looking to make a splash on Twitter. By clicking Agree, you consent to Slates Terms of Service and Privacy Policy and the use of technologies such as cookies by Slate and our partners to deliver relevant advertising on our iOS app to personalize content and perform site analytics. Please see our Privacy Policy for more information about our use of data, your rights, and how to withdraw consent. Agree Flynn's ouster was a blow to a White House struggling to find its footing in Trump's first weeks in office. The questions about Russia only deepened late Tuesday when The New York Times reported that U.S. agencies had intercepted phone calls last year between Russian intelligence officials and members of Trump's 2016 campaign team. Current and former U.S. officials who spoke to the Times anonymously said they found no evidence that the Trump campaign was working with the Russians on hacking or other efforts to influence the election. Oversight will be strengthened into Canberra's jail after the death of Aboriginal inmate Steven Freeman last year. ACT corrections minister Shane Rattenbury announced on Thursday the government would establish an Inspectorate of Custodial Services later this year, in response to two scathing reviews of the territory's prison system. Narelle King, mother of Stephen Freeman who died in custody at the Alexander Maconochie Centre earlier this year. Credit:Rohan Thomson The agency would focus on improving care, safety and health of detainees and be similar to the model in place in Western Australia. Mr Rattenbury said while the details were still being ironed out, the inspector would have the power to walk into any place of detention, including the Alexander Maconochie Centre, the Bimberi Youth Detention Centre and the police and court cells, to examine the conditions. Climate Change Minister and Green Shane Rattenbury attempted to brandish a solar panel in the ACT parliament on Thursday, in response to federal Treasurer Scott Morrison's use of coal as a prop in the federal parliament. Accusing the federal ministers of an "odious" display when they shared the coal around the house, "adoring it like obsessed Gollums", Mr Rattenbury said far from being the culprit, renewable energy had averted blackouts during last week's blackouts. The ACT Liberals' environment spokesperson, Elizabeth Lee: Rush to renewables could mean unaffordable prices. Credit:Elesa Kurtz "Two big gas fired generators - Colongra and Tallawarra - stopped generating at the height of the heatwave and supply-demand crisis," he said. "Renewables were there to save the day. It was renewable technologies like these humble little solar panels that smoothed out the supply spikes and averted blackouts while big, dirty fossil fuel plants were failing." "As soon as Ed Sheeran announced the date his new album would be released, I knew I had to do something to celebrate not only Ed but other rangas as well," she said. Canberra hairdresser Nicole McDonald of Hair and Makeup Artistry by Nicole will be offering free haircuts to all red-heads on March 3 to coincide with the release of renowned ranga Ed Sheeran's new album, Divide. Canberra hairdresser Nicole McDonald with Ava Wright, three. Nicole is giving free hair cuts to all red heads on March 3. Calling all rangas aka redheads, gingers, carrot-tops, blueys. You get the idea. Ava Wright, 3, with her beautiful red locks. Most importantly, Nicole on the day will also be raising money for local outreach service, YouthCARE Canberra. "Those without red hair are also welcome to join the Ed-inspired festivities, with colour and styling services available by appointment. All proceeds from the day will go towards helping Canberra's youth facing homelessness and violence," she said. Nicole's business is located within the Humane Hair salon at 4/49 Sheppard St, Hume. The free haircuts for rangas will be 9.30am to 6pm on Friday, March 3. Donations requested for YouthCARE Canberra. Greens parliamentarian Caroline Le Couteur confronted Chief Minister Andrew Barr over his handling of the Land Development Agency land purchases on Thursday, asking why he hadn't ordered an investigation into the agency's "apparent misconduct". Ms Le Couteur was referring to the findings of Auditor-General Maxine Cooper last year into the agency's purchase of land in Glebe Park. Caroline Le Couteur in the ACT parliament on Thursday, asking Andrew Barr why he hasn't taken stronger action against the Land Development Agency. Dr Cooper found a document had been "manipulated" after the agency received a freedom of information request for valuations for for the land. The document's title had been changed from "discussion paper" to "valuation advice" before it was released, and was used as justification for the payment of $3.8 million plus GST to developers Barry Morris and Graham Potts. Ad man, horse owner and all-round larrikin, John Singleton, has stepped up to replace an unwell Alan Jones as guest speaker at Thoroughbred Park's annual autumn luncheon in the run up to the Black Opal Stakes. The Thoroughbred Park of Australia -Canberra branch always attracts a high calibre of guest speaker, including last year's - a very candid Gerry Harvey, the furniture retailer and great mate of Singleton with whom he revived the Magic Millions racehorse auction house. Throughbred owner John Singleton is on his way to Canberra. Credit:DEAN LEWINS Alan Jones is also no stranger to the racing world as a part-owner of Arrowfield Stud and part-owner of Golden Slipper winner Miss Finland. He was due to speak at the autumn luncheon at Thoroughbred Park on Friday, March 3, ahead of the Black Opal Stakes on Sunday, March 5, but has had to pull out. Hundreds of correctional staff have been left "exposed" after a "monumental stuff-up" saw them administering intensive corrections orders without authority, the ACT opposition says. The Barr government quickly moved to fix what it described as an "administrative oversight" in the assembly on Thursday. ACT corrections minister Shane Rattenbury. Credit:Rohan Thomson But for months, correctional centre staff in Canberra ordered people on intensive corrective orders into rehabilitation and to provide samples for drug and alcohol testing without the proper delegation. Intensive correction orders became a sentencing option in the ACT on March 2, 2016. Sydney Airport is pushing for a relaxation of the cap on the number of planes that can fly in and out of Kingsford Smith, arguing the government-imposed restrictions are two decades old and detrimental to the state's tourism industry. Australia's largest airport also told investors on Thursday it will be a "deeply uneconomic investment decision" for it to build a new airport at Badgerys Creek in western Sydney without the federal government stumping up money for its construction. In a call that puts it on a collision course with residents under flight paths in inner Sydney, the airport's chief executive, Kerrie Mather, said it was time for a "broad-based discussion" about easing restrictions in an era of quieter passenger aircraft. "We think it is important to have a discussion about how we can modernise these 20-year-old [restrictions]," she said, highlighting that Kingsford Smith had more constraints than any other airport in Australia. Medibank policyholders should check there are no problems with their automatic payment set-ups, with many complaining about incorrect or irregular direct debits. The latest quarterly bulletin from the Private Health Insurance Ombudsman shows the biggest cause of complaints in the three months to December was problems with premium payments, and Fairfax Media can reveal it largely related to one insurer: Medibank. "[Premium payment problems] predominantly concerned direct debits from bank accounts and credit cards, such as incorrect debit amounts or irregular debits, or the accidental cessation of direct debit arrangements," the ombudsman said. Medibank, out of 36 health funds, accounted for 48.4 per cent of all complaints, and 22.2 per cent of all disputes, despite having a market share of 27.6 per cent. However, Medibank's share of complaints has dropped from 60.7 per cent in the previous quarter. Australia's luck has run out and that has left a large hole in the earnings of lotto and gambling group Tatts. The company that runs OzLotto, TattsLotto and Powerball paid out 15 lotto jackpots of $15 million or more in the six months to December 31, totalling $345 million, it revealed on Thursday. Revenue from Powerball and OzLotto fell 26 per cent. Credit:Jim Rice That was less than half the amount paid out during the same period a year earlier, when there were 24 payouts that size, totalling $730 million. The average size of first division payouts was $23 million in the first half of the 2016-17 financial year, compared with $30.4 million in 2015. There were no jackpots larger than $50 million, compared with five that big in 2015. The booming housing market has proved a gift to one of Australia's largest apartment developers, Mirvac, whose profits surged 7 per cent in first half of the year, although defaults on its residential settlement have hit 2 per cent as investors struggle to get finance. The diversified property group has a substantial residential development portfolio which it says will grow its earnings by 45 per cent over the year, after helping it report a first-half profit of $508 million. Mirvac owns office assets, such as 200 George Street, Sydney. Chief executive and managing director Susan Lloyd-Hurwitz said Mirvac had booked a record $3.1 billion in residential pre-sales, settled on 970 residential lots and was on track to settle another 2330 by the end of the financial year. "While we expect a strong skew of earnings to the second half of the financial year due to the timing of residential settlements, we remain confident in our full-year earnings outlook," Ms Lloyd-Hurwitz said. Wagering giant Tabcorp will pay $45 million to settle a money laundering case with the government's financial intelligence agency AUSTRAC. As part of the settlement agreement, Tabcorp will make a number of admissions that it did not comply with anti-money laundering and counter terrorism financing laws. Tabcorp has pledged to better monitor customer transactions to prevent money laundering activities. Credit:Getty Images Tabcorp is currently pursuing a merger with fellow gaming giant Tatts Group, and the settlement of the case will remove one of the potential roadblocks for the $11 billion deal. AUSTRAC launched a civil suit in the Federal Court against the gaming company in 2015 after concerns it had not properly monitored the behaviour of its customers as directed by current legislation. Building sites across Australia are headed for strife, with union members preparing a wave of mass walkouts over the Turnbull government's hardline new laws. "We are not going to be stampeded into selling out hard-won conditions by this legislation," construction union secretary Dave Noonan told a rally on Wednesday. Thousands of CFMEU members are warning of rallies and work stoppages. Credit:Glenn Hunt "We are going to the streets. This is the first rally. This is not the last rally." The Senate on Wednesday night waved through a bill fast-tracking the controversial set of rules that limit union influence on Commonwealth-funded building sites such as schools, hospitals and roads. Iceland's president has accused European countries of having bullied it into agreeing to guarantee repayment of the debts of a failed bank, reviving a dispute with Britain and the Netherlands whose citizens are owed billions. When Iceland's banking sector collapsed in the 2008 global financial crisis, accounts were frozen at the bank Landsbanki, which had accepted deposits from British and Dutch savers through online funds called Icesave. Iceland says the estate of the failed bank will be enough to repay about $US5 billion of debt to the British and the Dutch. The two countries had wanted the government in Reykjavik to give a state guarantee to the repayment. In a referendum earlier this year, Icelanders rejected for a second time giving a guarantee. "People (in the government) bowed to the bullying of the Europeans ...," President Olafur Ragnar Grimsson told RUV public radio yesterday. He said the British and Dutch demand that the government guarantee the debt had been "absurd". Doubting the existence of George Manojlovic (C8, is he software?): well, my wife Joan and I tentatively disagree. Both of us were staff at Keira High School, Wollongong in the 1980s. Joan recalls a delightful and talented Anna Manojlovic to whom she taught English. It's quite credible George is her father, and if so, a real person." Bill and Joan Jennings, Runaway Bay, Qld. I am able to testify to the existence of George Manojlovic, claims Michael Reilly of Bateau Bay. "We shared dormitory accommodation at Teachers College 48 years ago. Daily 10km power walks and a fondness for quality red wine keep him going." "A propos Mr Manojlovic's C8 contribution, my Melburnian cousin always reads her Fairfax paper prior to applying her makeup: she prefers putting The Age before beauty," reports Russ Couch of Woonona. Moving on. "Oops, Paul Vincent (C8) 'Loungers' are people, 'lounges' are for sitting on by either dogs or owners." Helen Vaughan-Roberts of Noosaville, Qld, and others. "The ABC's Graham Creed used to appear without jacket and tie (C8, Lateline ties) but then donned both and still does. Viewers were informed by 'a source' the ABC had ordered him to do so. He dresses well to match regular presenter Juanita Phillips." William Williams of Manly. Objectors had, in addition to writing numerous letters to The Canberra Times, collected almost 2000 signatures on a petition opposing the proposal which was tabled in the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday by Greens MP, Caroline Le Couteur. The decision, announced by chief planning executive, Dorte Ekelund, acknowledged strong public opposition to the proposal by the Haridemos family who control the site. Canberra's Land and Planning Authority stood by the requirements of the Territory Plan and ruled against a proposal to erect a six-storey, mixed-use building on the current Curtin shops site. Ms Le Couteur, who was made the chair of the ACT parliament's planning committee after last year's election, is a long standing critic of "developer driven planning decisions" and has promised a review of planning rules to ensure decisions are made "with, not for, the community". Wednesday's decision, which throws down the gauntlet to the Curtin shops developers who had threatened to close the site down and let it rot if they didn't get their way, is a hopeful sign the pendulum may be swinging back towards the community. It will be no bad thing if, from this point on, commercial interests trying to maximise the yield on individual blocks of land in strategic locations have to work a little harder with locals to make their case. The big question is "where do we go from here?" with the applicants now having a few options to consider. The first, and arguably the most satisfactory, would be to revisit their plans with a view to coming up with a more modest and appropriate proposal that meets the requirements of the Territory Plan. This would likely engage Curtin's residents, who appreciate the area's value as a community hub, and could turn opponents into friends. It may be commonplace to assume that a scientist necessarily has an impious view of the world, for which everything has a logical explanation. This was not the case with Peter Jones, for whom faith, family and friends were his mainstays even as he pursued a pioneering career in super-computing at both academic and commercial levels in Australia, Britain and America. Unlisted in his degrees and honours is a Diploma in Theology achieved at Moore College in the '50s even as he was doing degrees in Maths, Physics and Aeronautical Engineering at the University of Sydney. Peter Jones was influential in the early days of computing. The start in life for a man who'd go on to earn an AM and be a member of the Prime Minister's Advisory Committee for Science and Technologywas not auspicious. Jones never knew the name of his father and only learnt on her deathbed that Nan, one of the two "aunts" who brought him up, first in Granville and then Manly, was actually his mother. It was Nan who offered the advice: "Go buy land, God ain't creating any more." He did, with others, taking up empty blocks that became the community of Pacific Palms, between Seal Rocks and Forster. He ensured that a school and playing fields became part of it. If home is where the heart is, then Aboriginal people are at breaking point. This week, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull delivered his Close the Gap report to Parliament. Meanwhile housing shortages in remote NT Aboriginal communities have reached critical levels homelessness in the territory is 15 times the national average. For Aboriginal people on the ground, this means children living in houses with 20 other people, elderly men and women sleeping on kitchen floors, tents pitched on verandahs during monsoon rains, and women who are experiencing violence with nowhere safe to go. Housing shortages for Aborigines in the Northern Territory is at critical levels. Credit:Glenn Campbell In 2006, the UN Special Rapporteur on Indigenous rights described the housing situation in remote Aboriginal communities in Australia as a "humanitarian tragedy". In 2007, the Little Children are Sacred report, which led to the Northern Territory Intervention, described the lack of proper housing for Aboriginal people as "nothing short of disastrous and desperate". It estimated that some 4000 additional houses were needed immediately, and another 400 each year until 2027. Fast-forwarding to 2017, that means 8000 more houses. Over the past eight years, under the National Partnership Agreement on Remote Indigenous Housing (NPARIH), there has been investment in remote housing, but it is a drop in the ocean compared to the need. They are offering preference deals, not submarines. In Western Australia, the Liberal government is apparently dealing One Nation its preferences in the upper house (where One Nation has the chance of success in multi-member electorates) in return for One Nation preference support for Liberal candidates in single-member lower house seats, where One Nation probably can't win. This is a common form of cross-house preference dealing, variations of which the Greens and the Australian Democrats took part in in the past, so can't be condemned as a tactic in itself. But it's a sign of the times that One Nation is much more acceptable as a preference partner than it was 20 years ago. Preference-swapping is not just a mechanical exercise without strings attached because it offers a form of recognition and legitimacy to the other partner. Twenty years ago, One Nation was thought to be beyond the pale. It's now won more widespread acceptance. The WA Liberals are even planning to preference One Nation above its erstwhile Coalition partner, the Nationals. The new federal Industry Minister, Sinodinos, sought to explain this change of heart, from a time when John Howard refused to preference One Nation, on the grounds it had evolved since then and was now a "very different beast". For someone who once had a reputation as a strategic thinker when he was chief political adviser to the prime minister, Sinodinos then bought himself trouble by saying One Nation was now a lot more "sophisticated". It's not clear what he meant by this observation, but it implies that the respectability of that party's ideas and the reliability of its parliamentary representatives have improved. This evaluation is clearly suspect given One Nation is the party of conspiracy-theorist senator Malcolm Roberts, not to mention its long-term party leader, Pauline Hanson. One Nation has not changed much at all over time, apart from its targets being Muslim rather than Asian, although the political environment around it certainly has. It now exists in the world of Brexit, Donald Trump, Cory Bernardi and the Q Society. Hanson is riding a wave that allows her to confidently disparage other parties, such as Queensland Labor. The Australian government has reaffirmed its support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the wake of President Donald Trump's shock retreat from the plan, a longstanding and bipartisan pillar of US foreign policy. In a statement to Fairfax Media, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said Australia's position had been consistent and encouraged "both Israel and the Palestinian Authority to negotiate an outcome that would see Israelis and Palestinians living side by side, within internationally recognised borders, in a peaceful and stable environment". Following a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington DC on Wednesday, Mr Trump dropped American insistence on an independent Palestinian state by saying he was "looking at two-state and one-state and I like the one that both parties like". "I can live with either one. I thought for a while it looked like the two-state, looked like it may be the easier of the two, but honestly if Bibi and if the Palestinians; if Israel and the Palestinians are happy, I'm happy with the one they like the best," Mr Trump said, referring to Mr Netanyahu by his nickname. Cigarette giant Philip Morris, which professes it wants a smoke-free future, is facing major regulatory obstacles to its plan to introduce to Australia a new cigarette that eliminates smoke by heating tobacco rather than burning it. The product, which Philip Morris International says has cost the company $US3 billion in research and development over the past decade, has already been banned in New Zealand. The heated-not-burned cigarettes are marketed overseas as IQOS. Credit:Bloomberg A spokesman for Philip Morris said the company was working through "regulatory issues" with a view to launching the "no-smoke" cigarette in Australia. He would not give a date for the planned launch, despite other industry sources suggesting it was as early as April. The cigarette company claims its new product, known as iQos, reduces the amount of dangerous toxins that smokers inhale from conventional cigarettes. It uses an electrical device to heat tobacco, rather than igniting it, producing a nicotine vapour instead of smoke. While conventional vapourisers heat a liquid inside the device, "e-cigarette" users puff on a stick of dried tobacco, much like a conventional cigarette. Former prime minister Tony Abbott has delivered a blunt warning that the May budget should not raise taxes, while the Turnbull government works on a housing affordability package to form the centrepiece of the budget. But the housing package almost certainly will not contain changes to capital gains tax concessions after the government publicly ruled them out on Thursday. Labor, which took a plan to reduce negative gearing and capital gains tax concessions to the last election, seized on a Fairfax Media report that the Coalition could curb CGT concessions for property investors to assist housing affordability and delivered a sustained attack on the Turnbull government in question time. Options under consideration are said to include reducing the 50 per cent discount on CGT to 25 per cent; Grattan Institute economist John Daley said that change would eventually raise about $2 billion a year. A Coalition senator has accused his own government of caving to "populist pressure" with its crackdown on parliamentary perks and blamed "shock jocks and dishonest journalists" for stoking unfair criticism of politicians. Ian Macdonald railed against Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's decision to scrap the Life Gold Pass - a notorious post-Parliament entitlement that gives long-serving former MPs free business-class travel on the taxpayer. Despite Senator Macdonald's best efforts, including several lengthy speeches in the chamber, the bill passed on the voices Thursday evening with multi-party support and without amendment. Senator Macdonald has been inundated with hate mail since he took a public stand on the issue last week but refused to back down, saying politicians work such long hours they effectively get paid "less than $50 an hour". 1. Trump Donald Trump just held one of the most extraordinary press conferences modern political watchers might see. I tried my best to live tweet it but at times lost track of his ramblings. [Twitter] Today's media performance kicked off with a long, wide-ranging, often contradictory, rambling monologue about his administration running like a "fine-tuned machine," despite him sacking his National Security Advisor just days ago and losing his Labor Secretary nominee who withdrew and was replaced today. [CNN] US President Donald Trump speaks during Thursday's news conference. Credit:Bloomberg The list of things he falsely claimed are too long to detail here but main take-outs, he says "nobody that I know of" had contact with Russia after repeatedly being pressed, and repeatedly avoiding answering questions about his team's connections and contacts with Russia. Trump said he's done nothing for Russia and has no deals there. The headlines are all about Kanye's new hair (bleached blonde, doesn't suit him) and Kim's odd purple ensemble, but the coolest story to come out of Yeezy's New York Fashion Week show last night is the one about diversity and a hot new modelling name to know: Halima Aden. Newly signed to IMG, the agency that reps Kate Moss, Gigi and Bella Hadid and Miranda Kerr, Aden is a 19-year- old Somali-American who was born in a Kenyan refugee camp. Kanye West (and his new bleached blonde 'do) leaves the Yeezy show fashion during New York Fashion Week. Credit:Pierre Suu She appeared on the Yeezy Season 5 runway wearing an enormous floor-length fur coat with a black hijab, sparking an explosion of praise (#diversity) on social media - although not, presumably, from PETA. When it comes to Islam, independent senator Jacqui Lambie is actually right about one thing, but it's not what she thinks it is. The heated altercation between Lambie and Muslim youth advocate Yassmin Abdel-Magied on Monday's Q&A program didn't come entirely as a surprise. The more the likes of Lambie lash out at Australian Muslims due to their fear of the way Islam is practised and enforced overseas, the more pressure and pain Muslims here feel to defend their faith and humanity in the face of those who are determined to deprive them of both. It's unreasonable to expect any member of a marginalised group to maintain a level head and a calm tone when being told they should be deported for practising their faith. Admonishing them not "to shout at each other," as host Tony Jones did, and to hold both women accountable for expressing their opposing views in an "appalling" "shouting match" as some quarters of the media later did, is not only unfair given the unevenness of the playing field, it ensures that such interactions will never develop beyond superficial arguments. The question is not whether Islam as a faith system is compatible with "western values" it is. We know this by the fact that devout Muslims have been living in the west for centuries. But what progress can we hope to make when it is clear that "Sharia law" means something completely different to Muslims and to non-Muslims? It is a case more than a quarter of a century in the making: a court bid to try an alleged serial killer for the abduction and murder of three Aboriginal children in a small country town. On Thursday, a Sydney courtroom was packed with family and friends of the victims as the first steps were taken in the Court of Criminal Appeal to bring the alleged killer to justice. Family of the Bowraville murder victims outside the NSW Supreme Court on Thursday. Credit:Louise Kennerley The children Colleen Walker-Craig, 16, Evelyn Greenup, 4, and Clinton Speedy-Duroux, 16 disappeared from the same road in Bowraville in the NSW mid-north coast hinterland in late 1990 and early 1991. A white man, now 51, was tried for two of the murders but acquitted. He was also a suspect in Colleen's death. Her body has never been found. Michael McGurk was dead, shot outside his own home, but Ron Medich was said to be fuming about money owed by his widow Kimberley. "She's harder than him," Mr Medich allegedly told associates, referring to her late husband, before paying for her to be intimidated. Senad Kaminic outside court after giving evidence during the Ron Medich murder trial on Thursday. Credit:Daniel Munoz A wealthy property developer, Mr Medich, 68, has pleaded not guilty to ordering the 2009 murder of his former business partner and the subsequent intimidation of Mrs McGurk. But in the NSW Supreme Court on Thursday, a Crown witness said Mr Medich was "under pressure, angry" when discussing Mrs McGurk. Education Department staff routinely overstated how many students were enrolled at Aurukun State School for six years, according to an audit. There was no evidence of deliberate manipulation of enrolment numbers, but a report by the Queensland Audit Office found the issue was driven by school staff's incorrect interpretation of Department of Education and Training policies and poor record keeping. Indigenous leader Noel Pearson's Aurukun school was the subject of an audit into the partnership with the Department of Education and Training. The Aurukun, Hope Vale and Coen state schools were run by Cape York Partnerships and then Good to Great Schools Australia through a memorandum of understanding with the DET. Indigenous leader Noel Pearson founded Good to Great Schools, which delivers education programs for 40 remote schools. He was the man who once tried to name Melbourne "Batmania". Now the controversial founder of Victoria's capital, John Batman, could have his named stripped from a federal electorate due to concerns about his legacy. Plans are afoot to rename the electorate of Batman. Credit:Justin McManus. Batman already has naming rights to more than two dozen locations around Melbourne, including multiple Batman parks, streets, avenues, a hill and a railway station. But a modern audience has begun to look less than kindly on his role as colonist, including his involvement in the murder of Aboriginal people in Tasmania in the early 1800s. Homeopathic teething products investigated over links to 10 baby deaths in America are being sold in Australian pharmacies, including one at Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital. The US Food and Drug Administration warned last month that Hyland's homeopathic teething tablets contained inconsistent amounts of the "toxic" substance belladonna and posed a risk to children. Hyland's homeopathic teething tablets on sale in Melbourne. It urged parents to dispose of the tablets and seek medical care immediately if children experienced symptoms, including seizures, difficulty breathing or agitation. Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration investigated Hyland's teething tablets and gel after the FDA issued a safety alert for both products in October last year. Size will matter on Melbourne's busiest train line with platforms to be extended at 13 stations as part of a $660 million upgrade. The longer platforms will cater for the new high-capacity metro trains that will first travel on the Cranbourne-Pakenham line. Work will begin to extend the platforms later this year. In total, 18 stations on the line will have the longer platforms, including five stations being rebuilt as part of the level crossing removal program. The new trains, which will be 20 per cent longer than the existing fleet, are currently being built. "It would be a massive boon for jobs and economic development in the region when we need it." "There is substantial land that's not within town boundaries where you could build such a facility," he said. Morwell MP Russell Northe says locals are asking why the government isn't building the new juvenile jail in the Latrobe Valley. Credit:Penny Stephens Building the new jail in the Latrobe Valley would create jobs during construction and when it was in operation, "which are desperately needed," he said. Gippsland should be considered as a home for the new high-security juvenile jail if it doesn't go ahead in Werribee South, according to Morwell MP Russell Northe. His comments come amidst community concern about the imminent closure of the Hazelwood power station and coal mine, which will cost the region hundreds of jobs. Some towns in the Latrobe Valley already suffer from an unemployment rate of more than 10 per cent. The comments also come as Latrobe Valley residents urge the state government to deliver significant projects and jobs to the district, including the relocation of government offices, to help cushion the local economy from the closure of Hazelwood. But Mr Northe, a Nationals MP who has represented Morwell since 2006, said community consultation was essential if the government was to consider building the new $288 million jail in Gippsland. "They have to get their consultation right. If they were to consider it (for Gippsland), my desire and expectation would be that they would consult with council and the community in the first instance," he said. "I've been approached by quite a few people within our community who have raised the same question, 'Why couldn't it be built in the Latrobe Valley', particularly to enable us to hopefully create jobs during the construction phase, but also to create some of those longer term jobs which are desperately needed within this community," he said. The WA election is about to get a dose of star power with a visit from the second-longest serving prime minister of Australia. John Howard has featured prominently in previous Liberal election campaigns in Perth including last year's federal poll and the 2015 Canning by-election, when he lent support to victor Andrew Hastie. Mr Howard's visit comes days before Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull visits the west for the first time in about six months. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer Last year, however, his backing of Luke Simpkins in the seat of Cowan wasn't enough to stop Labor's Anne Aly winning. Mr Howard's visit comes days before Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull visits the west for the first time in about six months. Police officers guard the entrance of the forensic department of Kuala Lumpur General Hospital on Wednesday. Credit:Getty Images Mr Kim was given directions to a police post. What he told them is not known but he had, by then, become dizzy and unwell, and was escorted to an airport medical clinic. A CCTV image obtained by Malaysian police of one of the women arrested over Kim Jong-nam's death. An ambulance was called but he died on the way to hospital. The women attackers made no attempt to disguise their appearances to the security cameras. A woman arrested by Malaysian police is seen on CCTV at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. One was captured outside the terminal wearing a white top with "LOL" emblazoned on it on Wednesday. A second woman was arrested on Thursday. If Malaysian authorities were not aware that Mr Kim was a frequent visitor to Malaysia, where one Korean news outlet said he had a "woman friend", they soon realised they had a James Bond-type assassination on their hands, despite the fact he was travelling on a North Korean passport under the name Kim Chol. Kim Jong-nam in 2001. Credit:Reuters Malaysia is one of a dwindling number of countries that maintains close relations with North Korea, a pariah state condemned by the United Nations for conducting nuclear and ballistic missile tests. Police kept the killing under wraps until late on Tuesday. South Korea's spy agency, which has a long history of portraying North Korea's leader as mentally unstable, swiftly blamed the assassination on North Korean spies, who are known to have carried out numerous assassinations and kidnappings around the world. The woman who was captured on CCTV footage leaving the airport on Monday with her companion in a taxi, returned to the airport on Wednesday, shortly after 8am. She was quickly identified and arrested. Police said she was planning to catch a flight to Vietnam. She was carrying a Vietnamese passport identifying her as 28-year-old Doan Thi Huong, born in 1998 in Nam Dinh, a city in the Red River Delta of northern Vietnam. The second woman was carrying an Indonesian passport, police said. Police have not said whether the passports are genuine. Some media outlets have reported the woman told interrogators how she and her companion were convinced to carry out a "prank" on a passenger friend of four men who she met later at a hotel in Bandar Salak Tinggi, near the airport. But the men and her female companion abandoned her and she decided to return to the airport, she claimed. On Wednesday, Malaysia's Police Deputy Inspector-General Noor Rashid Ibrahim told reporters "police are looking for a few others, all foreigners," suggesting police were giving weight to at least part of her story relating to four mysterious men. Since Monday there have been frequent comings and goings from North Korea's embassy in Kuala Lumpur but no-one from there has said anything to a waiting throng of reporters camped outside. There has also been silence from Pyongyang, which is not surprising given the country's propaganda specialists are masters at reporting only details that lionise the Kim family as paragons of virtue. North Korea did, however, try to convince Malaysian authorities not to carry out an autopsy on Mr Kim's body and asked for it to be immediately handed over to North Korean officials. Malaysian authorities carried out the autopsy anyway late on Wednesday. The assassination has prompted a flurry of speculation about the motive. South Korea's spy agency told lawmakers that the north had been trying to kill Mr Kim for five years and there had been previous botched attempts. They offered a single motive: Kim Jong-un's paranoia over his estranged older half-brother. Only last week a South Korean newspaper reported that Kim Jong-nam tried to defect to the south in 2012. According to accounts mainly from the south, hundreds of people perceived to be disloyal to Kim Jong-un have been executed or purged since he assumed power after the death of his father five years ago Brussels: Australia is open to considering a bigger commitment to the fight against Islamic State in Syria and Iraq, as part of an "acceleration" of military action ordered by US president Donald Trump. The US is contemplating whether to put 'boots on the ground' in Syria, and secretary for defence James Mattis said on Thursday he wanted to talk to military allies before making a final decision. Australian Defence Minister Marise Payne met Mr Mattis on Thursday in Brussels, and said he "did not make any particular demands". However she said in two weeks time he will deliver to the president a new plan of action against IS. Karachi/Baghdad: Two bombings in Iraq and Pakistan claimed by the Islamic State have killed more than 100 people on Thursday. A suicide bomber attacked a crowded Sufi shrine in southern Pakistan on Thursday, killing at least 72 people and wounding dozens more in the deadliest of a wave of bombings across the South Asian nation this week. Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has condemned the attack. Credit:AP Meanwhile, a car packed with explosives has blown up in southern Baghdad, killing at least 48 people and wounding 55, security and medical sources say, in the deadliest such attack in Iraq this year. Islamic State, the Middle East-based militant group which has a small but increasingly prominent presence in Pakistan, claimed responsibility for the attack in that country, the group's affiliated news agency AMAQ reported. Washington: US President Donald Trump jettisoned two decades of diplomatic orthodoxy on Wednesday by declaring that the United States would no longer insist on the creation of a Palestinian state as part of a peace accord between Israel and the Palestinians. Hosting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel for the first time since becoming president, Trump promised a concerted effort to bring the two sides together, suggesting a regional effort involving an array of Arab nations. But he said that he was flexible about how an agreement would look and that he would not be bound by past assumptions. "I'm looking at two-state and one-state" formulations, Trump said during a White House news conference with Netanyahu. "I like the one that both parties like. I'm very happy with the one that both parties like. I can live with either one." At the same time, Trump urged Netanyahu to temporarily stop new housing construction in the West Bank while he pursues a deal, echoing a position past presidents have taken. Beijing: As many as 79 people died from H7N9 bird flu in China last month, the Chinese government said, stoking worries that the spread of the virus this season could be the worst on record. January's fatalities were up to four times higher than the same month in past years, and brought the total H7N9 death toll to 100 people since October, data from the National Health and Family Planning Commission showed late on Tuesday. Office workers wear protective masks in downtown Hong Kong at the height of the SARS crisis in 2003. Credit:AP Authorities have repeatedly warned the public to stay alert for the virus, and cautioned against panic in the world's second-largest economy. But the latest bird flu data has sparked concerns of a repeat of previous health crises, like the 2002 outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). Kuala Lumpur: Two women and one man have now been arrested in relation to the assassination in Kuala Lumpur of the playboy half-brother of North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un, who died after a possible poison attack at the airport this week. Following the first arrest of a woman on Wednesday, a second woman was arrested on Thursday, and then a man believed to be her boyfriend was also arrested. Police commander Abdul Samah told reporters the man was the boyfriend of the woman and led police to her on Wednesday evening. Indonesian deputy ambassador to Malaysia, Andreano Erwin said the embassy had verified the second woman was an Indonesian citizen based on personal data provided by Malaysian security authorities. And the truth is that Trump's broadside against the terrible dishonesty of the media will leave lots of heads nodding around the country. The media were the ones who told you Obamacare was great. The media were the ones who didn't report that Hillary Clinton got all the debate questions in advance. The media were the ones who said I couldn't win. The media is lying to you now because they don't want you to know all the good things I am doing. Why do it? Because Trump understands something very important: For his supporters, the media represent everything they dislike about American society. The media is composed, to their mind, of Ivy-League educated coastal elites who look down their noses at the average person, dismissing them and their views as stupid and ill-informed. For people who feel like their voices weren't and aren't heard in politics - or culture more broadly - the media is the perfect scapegoat. Trump's appeal to voters is, and always has been, how he is able to speak to them on an emotional rather than an intellectual level. He got people angry and worried in the 2016 campaign - and they voted on it. They went to the polls feeling as though the stakes were literally catastrophic; elect anyone other than Trump and watch the world burn. U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a news conference. Credit:Bloomberg One example of that appeal in Trump's press conference today. Early on, NBC's Peter Alexander called Trump out on his inaccurate claim that he had won the biggest electoral college victory of any president since Ronald Reagan. "Well, I don't know, I was given that information," Trump responded. "I was given - I actually, I've seen that information around. But it was a very substantial victory, do you agree with that?" For many politicians, that would be a bad - very bad - moment, caught misstating facts. But Trump knows that his appeal isn't based on whether he got the exact facts on his electoral college margin right. It's on the fact that he won - big league. And who cares if he was wrong? It's the media nit-picking him to death, after all. It's not surprising then that at the nadir of his early days as president, Trump is returning to a raw and uncut attack on the media. Trump is like a comedian, forever refining his beats. He knows that if he picks on a certain guy in the audience, the rest of the crowd is going to go bananas cause they don't like the guy either. The more personal he gets, the more they love it. Members of the media raise their hands to ask a question to US President Donald Trump. Credit:Bloomberg "I fired him because of what he said to Mike Pence. Very simple," said Trump. "I didn't direct him [to make the call], but I would have directed him because that's his job ... I didn't direct him, but I would have directed him if he didn't do it. OK?" He was asked repeatedly whether he could say no members of his campaign team were in contact with Russian intelligence agents during the election - something he prevaricated on at first, with answers such as: "Russia is fake news. Russia, this is fake news put out by the media." US President Donald Trump answered detailed questions on Michael Flynn's resignation. Credit:Bloomberg But then he seemed to deny the specific allegations in the Times story: "I have nothing to do with Russia. To the best of my knowledge no person that I deal with does." However, the overwhelming theme of the day, the one he himself kept returning to, was his war on the mainstream media, their "dishonesty" and "lies", and the repeated assertion that so many outlets were publishing, in his view, "fake news". This is clearly the fight he came to have, and where he wanted to keep the focus. US President Donald Trump continued his attack on the media. Credit:Bloomberg During the press conference he variously attacked The New York Times ("failing"), CNN ("so much anger and hatred"), the BBC ("just like CNN") and The Wall Street Journal ("almost as disgraceful as the failing New York Times"). For the second time in two days, he heaped praise though on Fox News' breakfast chat show, Fox & Friends ("they're very honourable people"). Pushed on how he could condemn reporting on leaked information - thus suggesting it was true - while also calling the news "fake", the President expressed no problem with this contradiction. "The leaks are absolutely real," he said. "The news is fake because so much of the news is fake." The open format did give journalists a chance to challenge him on some falsehoods directly. During his lengthy preamble, he once again repeated the lie that his electoral college victory was "the biggest since Ronald Reagan". An MSNBC reporter took him up on that, telling him his tally was lower than both Barack Obama and George Bush snr, and asked: "Why should Americans trust you?" Trump replied curtly: "I don't know, I was given that information." As the press conference moved past the one-hour mark, there were several extraordinary exchanges with individual reporters that raised eyebrows in the room. Becoming irritated with the repeated questions on Russia and Flynn, he scouted around for a "friendly reporter". He settled on a journalist from Ami, a weekly Orthodox Jewish news magazine published in New York, who rose out of his chair and asked the President about rising anti-Semitism in the US and recent bomb threats made against 48 Jewish community centres. The President grew visibly irritated, putting up his hand to cut off the reporter and complaining: "He said he's going to ask a simple easy question, and it's not, not a simple question, not a fair question, OK sit down," before going on to say he was "the least anti-Semitic person". In another strange exchange, April Ryan, a black reporter, asked if Mr Trump was going to meet with members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC). "Do you wanna set up the meeting?" he replied. "Are they friends of yours?" He went on to say a meeting had been set up and then cancelled. The CBC tweeted soon after that they had written to Trump in January and he had never replied. The faces of some news anchors in the wake of the conference captured the disbelief that many might have felt watching this rambling, pugnacious display. It was "wild" and "unhinged", said CNN's Jake Tapper, adding "it was an airing of grievances, it was Festivus" - the fictional Seinfeld holiday where George Costanza's father rants about his grievances from the preceding year. Even over on Fox News, the moderate daytime anchor Shepard Smith declared the display was "crazy". But to other sections of the media, and perhaps the country, that ferociously back Trump, the event was a ringing success. The Drudge Report's headline declared "Trump eats the press", while Fox News host and Trump cheerleader Sean Hannity called it "amazing" and a "beatdown" of the media. Here, they saw a return to the good old days of the election campaign, where Trump would repeatedly taunt the media from the stage while a crowd cheered. Loading Trump has scheduled a campaign-style rally in Florida this Saturday - an unconventional move for a President just a month into office. He loves the crowds, and knows that they loved the rousing, chaotic, pugnacious campaign that he ran all the way to victory last year. For full functionality of this site it is necessary to enable JavaScript. Here are the instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser PHILIPSBURG:--- Prime Minister William Marlin announced on Wednesday that an agreement has been reached with the French side regarding the Captain Olivers marina. He said that the Prefette apologized for halting the repairs of the marina which have contributed to a loss of business to the owners. He said that currently, the department of VROMI is working with their French counterpart and letter is being prepared to send to the owners of Captain Olivers regarding the repairs of the marina. Marlin did mention that the French agreed to monitor the repairs. The Prime Minister said that for now, the French have agreed to maintain the status quo that states that the marina remains under Dutch jurisdiction. He said that parties have the land border demarcation discussions have not yet started. He said that the sea border demarcation was concluded in 2015 and a treaty was signed off. He said one of the issues on the land border discussion the French is claiming that they own half but those discussions have not started thus the status quo remains in place. Prime Minister stands behind instruction given to civil servants. The Prime Minister also announced that he has taken notes of the statements made by the Dutch as per the measures they will take if the integrity chamber is not established. Marlin said that the having an integrity chamber on St. Maarten is of paramount importance to his government. While stating that he will not discuss the matter in the media, Marlin said that he will be meeting the Minister of Interior Affairs Ronald Plasterk and this particular matter will be discussed. He said that the statements made by the Dutch that St. Maarten did not do anything to establish the integrity chamber is far from the truth since both government and parliament did everything they had to do but the Ombudsman took the case to court and the protocol that was signed was thrown out by the constitutional court because it will infringe on the rights and privacy of the people. The Prime Minister who was off island also made clear that the letter sent out by the Deputy Prime Minister giving all civil servants an instruction to not speak with the quartermaster who was appointed by the Dutch has his full support because the process was initiated by him. Marlin said that this matter has not been finalized and no one will bring their police to lock up everyone on St. Maarten. He said that there are integrity breaches in the Netherlands but there is no chamber there to police them. On another note, the Prime Minister announced that he will be meeting and starting discussions with a delegation on the pre-clearance for citizens. He said that the agreement is between the country and the US thus he is the one who will be discussing the pre-clearance with the US delegation. PHILIPSBURG:--- On February 7th 2017, Parliament celebrated one hundred days in office. It is customary to evaluate a governments performance, after they have been in office for one hundred days. Parliaments, however, are generally overlooked when it comes to such an exercise. Seeing that Sint Maarten got a most unusual parliament after the September 2016 elections, I became interested in wanting to know how effective this parliament has been during its first one hundred days, from October 31st 2016 to February 7th 2017. Unusual in this case, refers to the shifting composition of parliament and the amount of time it took to be, finally and completely, established. On October 31st, thirty-four days after the elections, parliamentarians took the oath of office and on the same day, parliament held its first public meeting with the majority coalition comprised of NA and UPP party members. This meeting began with parliamentarians literally arguing about who gets to sit where in the House of Parliament. Minister/Parliamentarian Emile Lee described this event on Facebook as follows: Interesting first day. When they said you had to fight to win your seat in parliament, I didn't imagine they meant it so literally. After our parliamentarians were seated comfortably, the meeting proceeded with the appointment of UPP member Claret Connor as President and NA member, drs. Rodolphe Samuel as Vice President of Parliament. Three members of parliament continued to also function as ministers, as permitted by law for up to three months. One would have thought that, after 34 days of hammering out a governing program and ironing out their differences, the so-called Halloween Coalition would have been completely ready to govern the country together. But this was not the case. On November 16th, just two weeks after being sworn in, the NA/UPP relationship turned sour and came to a sudden end. This is when the NA/USP/DP, also known as the Red, White and Blue Coalition, decided to work together again. On November 24th, the NA/USP/DP coalition, was made official in parliament, with the appointment of (coalition member, DP leader) MP Sarah Wescot-Williams as President of Parliament and MP Frans Richardson as 2nd Vice President. MP drs. Rodolphe Samuel remained on as Vice President. The three parliamentarians mentioned above also retained their dual function of minister/parliamentarian. On December 20th, the NA/USP/DP coalition was finally able to form a government. This resulted in the three minister/parliamentarians plus one other parliamentarian resigning from parliament which left parliament with only a total of eleven members. On January 10th 2017, four new parliamentarians were sworn in. Finally, after 72 days, the Parliament of Sint Maarten could now be considered complete. In my view, our Parliament did not accomplish very much for the people of Sint Maarten during its one hundred days in office. I can only point to three major decisions during this period namely: (1) the 2017 Budget, (2) the motion condemning the appointment of the quartermaster and (3) the finalization of the composition and the installation of the Permanent and Ad Hoc Committees of Parliament, as well as the Parlatino Committees. The 2017 Budget was finally approved, on December 16th 2016, after several meetings of the Central Committee and five Public Meetings. Compared to previous budget meetings, parliamentarians did a bit more in depth questioning but, in the end, they simply adopted the draft budget as presented by the government. The discussions on the quartermaster led parliament to passing a motion, on January 30th 2017, condemning the appointment of the quartermaster and requesting government to come up with a strategic plan and a budget to establish an Integrity Chamber. My views on this matter appeared in the newspaper, on February 2nd, under the title Sint Maarten needs an Integrity Chamber. According to me, the installation of the parliamentary committees was one of the most important meetings called during parliaments first one hundred days. These committees, according to the Constitution, should have been installed during the very first public meeting of parliament which was on October 31st 2016. Unfortunately, due to the political and administrative shifts (resignation of members of parliament and the installation of new parliamentarians to replace them), the finalization of the committees did not take place, until January 26th 2017 which is 88 days after parliament took office. As the permanent and ad hoc committees are pivotal to the functioning of parliament, one can assume that parliament did not function optimally during its first one hundred days. During the first one hundred days, parliamentary meetings were held on 21of those days. Should we estimate the average duration of a meeting at a generous four hours, the total number of hours that parliamentarians would have spent in meetings amounts to 84 hours! Now, if we divide this total into 8-hour work days, we estimate that our parliamentarians put in 10.5 days of work. This means that, out of the 100 days in office, parliamentarians actually worked approximately 10 days. Can you imagine? Only working ten days but getting paid for one hundred days!! Come on Honorable Members of Parliament, you can do better than this!! Wycliffe Smith Leader of the Sint Maarten Christian Party WILLEMSTAD:--- On Wednesday, February 15, 2017, the extradition of Ramphis "Ronchi" Rietwijk (1965), Rogelio "Greg" Koeiman (1968) and Gilbertico "Kalala" Felecia (1978) to the United States has taken place. They left Curacao (Felecia and Rietwijk) and St. Maarten (Koeiman) on a special flight of the US authorities. The extradition of Koeiman, Rietwijk and Felecia has known a long trajectory which started in 2013 with the arrest and extradition requests for the three by the United States. This in connection with allegations of involvement in at least two drug shipments from Philipsburg to the US. Their apprehension was ordered in July 2013 by the US District Court for the Southern District of New York. The entire process has been going on since 2013. The extradition request was heard on two occasions by the Supreme Court of the Netherlands in The Hague. The first time it was heard at the request of the Prosecutors Office because the Joint Court of Justice had advised against the extradition. The Supreme Court however, agreed with the Prosecutors Office. After the Joint Court of Justice heard the extradition request for a second time, the lawyer the three men appealed to the Supreme Court again. On November 15th, 2016 the Supreme Court finally ruled that extradition request is undoubtedly permissible. Subsequently, the lawyers of the three men tried through a number of civil summary proceedings to prevent the actual extradition to take place. All these summary proceedings were lost. Prosecutors Office Bulletin PHILIPSBURG:--- On Wednesday February 15th, Minister Plenipotentiary sat with her staff, to once again address the issue of rise in the unprepared Free moving students, (students that travel on their own, and not through the Bureau of Study financing), to The Netherlands, in an ambitious attempt to pursue their tertiary education. For the past months, the cabinet of the Ministry Plenipotentiary in The Hague has been encountering numerous troubling situations with youngsters from Sint Maarten, who for whatever reason, have decided to take this route. The Minister took note that while the students, making the choice to travel to the Netherlands on their own is on the rise, quite often the necessary preparations in terms of housing, the acceptance and enrolment into schools in particular, among other things, is not completed before these ambitious students leave Sint Maarten. Being that they independently make contact with schools in The Netherlands, they are not in contact with the Study Financing Department on Sint Maarten, and therefore do not participate in the trainings offered that help the other students prepare for among other things, the change in the social and cultural landscape of the Netherlands to which they must adapt. In most cases, this results in these students facing insurmountable issues, where they struggle to get a grip of the situation they are in. Eventually these students find their way to the Cabinet of the Minister Plenipotentiary (Sint Maarten House), where the Minister and her staff assist them, by providing them with the necessary information required, and by contacting agencies or institutions on their behalf, and doing all thats possible to assist them to get into school and to obtain a scholarship. Many times this is not enough as in most cases, when they finally reach the Cabinet, they are already facing many financial issues, and many of them just wants to return to the Island. All this due to lack of preparation. Minister Plenipotentiary Doran-York stated that as much as deciding to be a Free Mover as a student in her view, shows great ambition, it also requires that the individual need to do several things before venturing out. Here are a few things that need to be considered; 1. The students need to have already done all the necessary research. 2. The students need to have applied and already been accepted in a School. 3. The students must have applied and be approved for a scholarship in The Netherlands. 4. The students should already know where (at whose residence), they will be residing until they obtain their own dwelling, and how they will be contributing financially while staying there. 5. The students should be able to take care of themselves financially while awaiting their first scholarship payment. 6. The students must have the discipline to stick to their original plan to study, while finding themselves for the first time on their own without parental supervision. Minister Plenipotentiary Doran-York admonishes the Free moving students not to lose hope but to continue striving hard to achieve their set goals. She said that her Cabinet has been, and will continue to assist these students and any other Sint Maartener needing assistance in The Netherlands. Persons after making contact with the Cabinet, are given the needed encouragement in order to pursue their goals, after which contact is maintained and their progress monitored. As it pertains especially to students, they often times return to the Cabinet, in order to proudly report on what they have achieved academically. Minister Henrietta Doran-York however, reiterated the fact that these students in question, should always prepare properly prior to traveling to The Netherlands, as this will make the transition smoother, allowing them peace of mind in order to be able to pursue their studies in a correct manner without too much hassle. Without preparing properly, these students often end up struggling on the streets, or returning to Sint Maarten very quickly, after making great financial investments with a great loss and only a debt to show for it. In closing the Minister wishes all students in their final year much success with their studies, and encourages them not to stop there, but do all that is necessary to pursue their dreams. US Nuclear Corp. to Open New Office in Beijing and Meet with Drone Executives LOS ANGELES, CA (Marketwired) 02/15/17 US Nuclear Corp. (OTCBB: UCLE) is excited to announce the opening of their new office in Beijing, China, which will commence on February 25, 2017. The staff will include local product specialists and trained technicians. CEO Robert Goldstein said, Having our own office in Beijing, China will greatly improve communications between current and future customers, distributors, and key officials. With the support of local sales representatives, we will be able to understand and negotiate the market more adeptly, while our skilled technicians can offer fast and local service for our products. This will help lead the way to major expansion in Chinas burgeoning nuclear power industry, especially with regards to our popular tritium monitors. Our air and water monitoring products will also be fundamental as China pursues multi-billion dollar programs to tackle air and water pollution. Furthermore, while in China, US Nuclear Corp. is scheduled to meet with the leading executives in the drone industry, including investors, suppliers, and distributors. Mr. Goldstein added that US Nuclear is the pioneer in chemical and radiation sniffing drones, so it will be an honor to meet the top players of the drone world in China. Drones let us rise above our two dimensional world and really see what is going on. US Nuclear takes drones to a whole new level by incorporating chemical and radiation sniffing sensors to give vital, real time information to fire, police, rescue, and border security. US Nuclears drones allow for unprecedented maneuverability while keeping personnel safe and out of danger. Other applications and industries that would benefit from these enhanced sensing drones also include oil/gas extraction and refining, utilities, pipelines, mining, and clean energy. Drone usage around the world is soaring. For more details, please take a look at this inspiring Goldman Sachs report on the $100 billion drone industry: US Nuclear Corp. (: ) Robert I. Goldstein President, CEO, and Chairman Rachel Boulds Chief Financial Officer (818) 883 7043 Email: Persado Appoints New CFO, Head of UK Sales NEW YORK, NY (Marketwired) 02/15/17 Persado, the leading provider of AI-generated cognitive content for top global brands, today announced the appointment of two executives. Grigoris Kouteris has been named Chief Financial Officer, reporting to Cofounder and CEO Alex Vratskides. Mr. Kouteris will oversee all financial operations, legal affairs, and human resources. Additionally, Maria Flores Portillo joins Persado as Vice President, UK, expanding sales efforts across Europe and reporting to Greg Dale, COO. Both are based in Persados London offices. Mr. Kouteris was most recently at Upstream, the leading mobile commerce platform that incubated and eventually spun off the solution that became Persado. As Upstreams Managing Director since 2012, he maintained full P&L ownership and day-to-day oversight of all operational and commercial aspects of the company. In this role Mr.Kouteris overperformed on net revenue and EBITDA targets through market expansion, product launches, and operational efficiencies. Other positions he held at Upstream, which he joined in 2006, included business development, global account management, and commercial operations. Before that at strategy consulting firm Mars & Co, Mr. Kouteris advised telecommunications and financial services clients on projects ranging from pricing optimization to organizational change management. He was also senior consultant at the European Tech Labs of Accenture, performing strategic research and analysis on emerging technologies like IoT and micropayments. Mr. Kouteris holds a BEng and a MPhil in Electronic Engineering from UMIST, Manchester, UK. Ms. Flores Portillo comes to Persado from Ooyala, which she first joined in 2012 as VP New Business when it was still Videoplaza. Ms. Flores Portillo fueled growth by developing a new revenue line that rapidly surpassed the existing business, and was an integral part of the team that eventually sold Videoplaza to Ooyala. She then took on a wider role across EMEA, looking after business development, ad technology, and channel sales. Ms. Flores Portillo was previously a Strategic Partnerships Manager at Google, working with large media and brand companies across Europe to expand their advertising business, and a Senior Product Manager at EE, the largest and most advanced mobile communications company in the UK. Like Mr. Kouteris, Ms. Flores Portillo was previously at Upstream, filling a number of roles including Head of Business Planning, Account Director, and Business Developer. Ms. Flores Portillo holds an MSC in Mobile and Satellite Communications from the University of Surrey and Superior Degree in Telecommunications Engineering from Universidad Publica de Navarra. It is with great pleasure that I welcome Grigoris and Maria, both of whom I personally know from Upstream, and whose considerable accomplishments are a tremendous asset to Persado as we scale to accommodate accelerated growth and expansion, particularly in light of rising demand in the UK/EMEA, said Mr. Vratskides. Persados cognitive content platform generates language that inspires action. Powered by cognitive computing technologies, the platform exponentially enhances creativity by eliminating the limitations imposed by traditional message creation. Persado arms organizations and individuals with smart content that maximizes the efficacy of communication with any audience at scale, while delivering unique insight into the specific triggers that drive action. Using Persado, leading brands such as Citi, American Express, MetLife, Microsoft, Neiman Marcus, Staples, and Verizon Wireless have realized one billion dollars in incremental revenue and an average uplift of 49.5% in conversions across marketing campaigns. Named a Gartner Cool Vendor in Data-Driven Marketing, Persados investors include Goldman Sachs, Bain Capital Ventures, StarVest Partners, American Express Ventures and Citi Ventures. Persado is headquartered in New York City with locations in San Francisco, Chicago, London, Athens, and Rome. For more information see . Madison Logic Expands Global Presence and Executive Leadership NEW YORK, NY (Marketwired) 02/15/17 Madison Logic, the global leader in Account Based Marketing, today announced key changes to the companys executive leadership team as well as an expansion of the companys international presence with a new office in Singapore. Madison Logic is poised to serve clients at a global level and to acquire new business at home and abroad, furthering the strategic growth plans, which were invigorated by Clarion Capital Partners acquisition of the company at the end of November 2016. Vin Turk, co-founder of the company, will assume the role of Chief Operating Officer. As COO, Vin will be instrumental in ensuring the success of Activate ABM, Madison Logics account based marketing platform, through new strategic partnerships and operational excellence. Previously, Vin was responsible for overseeing the growth of the companys data initiatives and global operations. Matt Friedland joins the company as SVP Global Operations with more than 20 years experience leading large-scale operations for a variety of global companies. In his new role, Matt will manage the companys customer success and account management teams, ensuring operational excellence worldwide. Matt will be instrumental in driving ROI for Madison Logics clients by ensuring the creation of powerful and effective account based marketing programs. Responding to the global demand for ABM, Madison Logic is furthering its expansion into Asia by opening a new Singapore office. This office will support the success of account based marketing programs across APAC as well as providing its global customers greater reach within these geographies. Madison Logic is also growing its Ireland-based satellite company, Internal Results, with two new executive hires. Our rapid growth is evidence that Account Based Marketing (ABM) works for B2B marketers on a global scale and our data-driven approach has proven to be relevant for an expanding set of clients in the U.S. and abroad, said Tom ORegan, Madison Logics CEO. In 2017, the need for ABM will continue to be strong in the U.S., while expanding rapidly in Europe and Asia. With Vin Turks new role, Matt coming on board, the new hires in Ireland, and the establishment of our Singapore office, Madison Logic is well-positioned to run ABM programs that have a truly global reach and scale for both domestic and international clients. Madison Logic is the global leader in Account Based Marketing. Our B2B marketing technology platform, Activate ABM, unifies targeted advertising and content syndication with attribution metrics to show measurable return on investment. As the only comprehensive global ABM platform built for B2B marketers, it leverages unmatched proprietary data, reach, and scale to identify, engage, and convert prospective accounts. With Madison Logic, B2B marketers can easily gain insights into their target accounts to personalize their message, optimize their programs, and inform their sales and marketing strategy. Madison Logic is a global company based in New York City and additional information can be found at and @madisonlogic Contact: Kendall Allen WIT Strategy For Madison Logic SnapLogic Winter Release Simplifies SaaS Integration, Expands Support for Real-Time Data Streams SAN MATEO, CA (Marketwired) 02/15/17 , the leader in self-service integration, today introduced the Winter 2017 release of the SnapLogic Enterprise Integration Cloud. The release includes several new and updated that make it faster and easier to integrate , and with other applications and data sources across the enterprise. All three systems are increasingly popular as businesses embrace the cloud to run their business, a cloud shift that Gartner estimates will drive more than . SnapLogic also introduced new Snaps for publishing and consuming real-time data streams based on of Apache Kafka. For many modern businesses, data streaming is a requirement for continuous sales updates, product shipments, customer experiences, system crashes, and so on. Production deployments of Kafka in 2016, and it is now used by one-third of the Fortune 500, including seven of 10 top global banks, eight of 10 top insurance companies, nine of 10 top U.S. telecom companies and six of 10 top travel companies. SnapLogic has become the integration platform of choice for fast-moving enterprises, so they can accelerate their automation, analytics and digital transformation initiatives, said Vaikom Krishnan, senior vice president of engineering at SnapLogic. Our Winter 2017 release doubles down on our most popular use cases, as customers drive agility through SaaS-based financial, HR, sales and marketing automation. Cloud data warehousing is another driver as customers use Redshift, Kafka, MongoDB and other platforms to modernize their analytics and intelligence delivery. The SnapLogic Enterprise Integration Cloud accelerates data and process flow across cloud and on-premise applications, data warehouses, big data streams and IoT deployments. Unlike traditional integration software that requires painstaking, hand-crafted coding by teams of developers, SnapLogic makes it fast and easy to create scalable data pipelines that get the right data to the right people at the right time. Codeless integration eliminates technical debt while enabling analysts, data scientists and business users to create integrations in hours using visual drag-and-drop software. Under the hood, SnapLogics powerful data streaming architecture delivers real-time processing with high throughput for faster data movement across the enterprise. New or enhanced capabilities in the Winter 2017 release include: An enhanced Workday Read Snap simplifies Workday output formatting for consumption by downstream systems. Several new Snaps enable asynchronous data processing for NetSuite, including Async Upsert, Async Search, Async Delete List, Async GetList, Check Async Status and GetAsync Result Operations Support. A new Snap allows users to execute multiple Redshift commands in one Snap, making Redshift data pipelines even easier to create and manage. : A new Snap Pack for Confluent allows users to easily publish and consume real-time data streams based on Confluents Apache Kafka distribution. : New Snaps expand support for Teradata TPT to include load and update operations, as well as exporting data to Hadoop clusters (without any additional installation). New Snaps allow users to easily delete and update data in MongoDB. Additionally, the MongoDB Snap Pack has been extended to support SSL encryption. New Snaps allow users to easily delete tables and table items in DynamoDB. : This new feature makes it easy for customers to quickly search across thousands of data pipelines, accounts and files using text-based indexing. Asset searches can be completed across an entire organization or limited to a project space. Customers can filter search outputs and limit the search to certain types such as pipelines, accounts and files. : The new release introduces a validation icon, giving users the ability to perform on-demand validation in addition to the existing auto validation feature. The new release supports enhanced passwords, requiring at least one special character and one uppercase character for a valid password. Customers can also now configure session timeout and idle timeout parameters. The new release improves streaming performance while writing to an Amazon S3 bucket. All customers have been updated to the Winter 2017 release of the SnapLogic Enterprise Integration Cloud. For more information, visit . SnapLogic is the global leader in self-service integration. The companys Enterprise Integration Cloud makes it fast and easy to connect applications, data and things. Hundreds of customers across the Global 2000 including Adobe, AstraZeneca, Box, Capital One, GameStop, Verizon and Wendys rely on SnapLogic to automate business processes, accelerate analytics and drive digital transformation. SnapLogic was founded by data industry veteran Gaurav Dhillon and is backed by blue-chip investors including Andreessen Horowitz, Capital One, Ignition Partners, Microsoft, Triangle Peak Partners and Vitruvian Partners. Learn more at . Connect with SnapLogic via our , , or . Scott Behles SnapLogic +1 415-571-4462 Tim Marklein Big Valley Marketing +1 415-999-2006 D-Wave Names Letitia Long and Steven M. West to Board of D-Wave Government Inc. HANOVER, MD (Marketwired) 02/15/17 D-Wave Systems Inc., the leader in the development and delivery of quantum computing systems and software, announced the addition of two new directors to the board of D-Wave Government Inc., a subsidiary formed to provide D-Waves quantum computing systems to the U.S. government. Joining the board are Letitia Tish Long, former Director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and the first woman to lead a major U.S. intelligence agency, and Steven M. West, D-Wave Systems Inc. board member and a 30-year veteran of the information technology marketplace. Ms. Long has had a distinguished and decorated career in government. She served as a civilian in the U.S. Navy and the Intelligence Community from 1978 to 2014, retiring as the fifth director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. Her other senior executive roles included Deputy Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence (Policy, Requirements and Resources), and Deputy Director of Naval Intelligence. Ms. Long is currently the Chairman of the Board of the Intelligence and National Security Alliance, and sits on the boards of Raytheon Company, Urthecast Corporation, Noblis, Inc., the Virginia Tech School of Public and International Affairs and the United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation. Ms. Long is the recipient of the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Civilian Service, the Presidential Rank Award of Distinguished Executive, the Navy Distinguished Civilian Service Award, the Presidential Rank Award of Meritorious Executive (two awards) and the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal (two awards). Steven M. West is the founder and a partner in Emerging Company Partners LLC, a capital investor and a provider of advisory services to technology firms. Over the course of his career he has held many executive positions including CEO of nCUBE Corporation, a provider of on-demand media systems; president and CEO of Entera, an Internet content delivery firm (acquired by Blue Coat Systems, Inc.); CEO of Hitachi Data Systems, and Group Executive of EDS. Currently Mr. West serves on the boards of directors of Cisco Systems and D-Wave. He was formerly on the board of Autodesk, a 3D design software; Delta-Q Technologies, makers of power management and power conversion solutions; and Bycast Inc., advanced storage virtualization software for large-scale digital archives and storage clouds. Adding such impressive executive leadership to the board of D-Wave Government Inc. speaks to the growing importance of quantum computing for government, said Robert Bo Ewald, president of D-Wave International. Ms. Longs career includes nearly four decades of outstanding service to the U.S. government. Mr. West is a highly regarded technology executive and has been a valued member of the D-Wave board since 2008. We are very fortunate and appreciative that both have agreed to join the D-Wave Government board to lend their expertise to our government operations. Quantum computing will provide an unprecedented new resource to solve important problems we face, said Ms. Long. As the industry leader in quantum computing, D-Wave will help shape how this exciting technology will aid the defense and intelligence communities. I look forward to working with the D-Wave team to make continued progress supporting our national priorities. Long and West join current board members with deep experience at U.S. government agencies including the Department of Energy, the Department of Defense and the National Science Board. These include Jeffrey K. Harris, chairman of the U.S. Geospatial Intelligence Foundation and former president of Lockheed Martin Missiles and Space; Dr. Delores Etter, who served as the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Science and Technology and Assistant Secretary of the Navy; Frances Fleisch, former Executive Director of the National Security Agency and special advisor to the U.S Strategic Command; and Dr. Donald M. Kerr, former Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence and Director of the National Reconnaissance Office. D-Wave is the leader in the development and delivery of quantum computing systems and software, and the worlds only commercial supplier of quantum computers. Our mission is to unlock the power of quantum computing to solve the most challenging national defense, scientific, technical, and commercial problems. D-Waves systems are being used by some of the worlds most advanced organizations, including Lockheed Martin, Google, NASA Ames and Los Alamos National Laboratory. With headquarters near Vancouver, Canada, D-Waves U.S. operations are based in Palo Alto, CA and Hanover, MD. D-Wave has a blue-chip investor base including Goldman Sachs, Bezos Expeditions, DFJ, In-Q-Tel, BDC Capital, Growthworks, Harris & Harris Group, International Investment and Underwriting, and Kensington Partners Limited. For more information, visit: Bulletproof Announces State of the Art Security Operations Center Posted by Publisher Internet FREDERICTON, NB (Marketwired) 02/15/17 , a trusted leader in IT Security, Secure Cloud, Managed, and Education Services, announced today the launch of its state of the art Security Operation Center (SOC) that has already resulted in the creation of 15 new jobs. The SOC expands Bulletproofs Security service availability in North America, and responds to the growing demand for security and risk management expertise. This center is a natural progression to our deeply entrenched security roots which we have provided customers for the past 16 years. The next phase of Bulletproof will see it become a global player in specific verticals like gaming and lottery, and this center is the catalyst. Bulletproof currently supports customers in 22 different countries and those exports will continue to grow with this state of the art 1.5M Security Operations Center, states Bulletproof Founder & CEO Steven Burns. With the increasingly dangerous threat landscape (more powerful hackers, more sophisticated attacks), the growing complexity of IT (cloud computing, infrastructure virtualization), and a dramatic shortage in qualified cybersecurity professionals means that companies of all sizes can benefit from SOC-as-a-service. Bulletproofs customers benefit from the most advanced data breach prevention and 24/7 managed security services that until recently were only available to large enterprises with big budgets. Bulletproofs SOC service offerings include: 247 monitoring, security event detection, and security incident response (detect, protect, respond). actionable intelligence. Staff analyze and correlate events from multiple source logs through a highly advanced and Gartner Magic Quadrant leading Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) solution IBM QRadar. threat intelligence with the ability to correlate and respond to important systems including intrusion detection systems, end point protection solutions, firewalls, servers, and other key systems. For example, the SOC team can identify and investigate suspicious network traffic by relying on real-time security data analytics. the ability to supplement a companys internal security team by offering around-the-clock network security monitoring. Bulletproof was founded in 2000 and began operations in 2001 as a Security Consulting Firm but quickly diversified into offering a wider menu of Information Technology (IT) services with a focus on Managed Services. Bulletproofs competitive advantage is our agility and responsiveness to our clients, our proven track record, and our security centric approach to our delivery. Our executives are approachable, accountable, and committed to our clients success. For more information, visit . On May 31, 2016 GLI Group, acquired Bulletproof. GLI has a demonstrated a track record of investment and is committed to Bulletproofs growth and success. This acquisition will enable Bulletproof to become a global player for Information Technology services within the current verticals serviced by the GLI Capital Group of companies. More info can be found at . Image Available: For more information: Ashley Abernethy Bulletproof 506-452-8558 ext 6038 Email: Invitation to TECSYS Conference Call on March 1, 2017, Covering Q3 FY2017 Results MONTREAL, QUEBEC (Marketwired) 02/15/17 TECSYS Inc. (TSX: TCS) will release its financial results for the third quarter ended January 31, 2017 after the market close on February 28, 2017. TECSYS President and CEO, Mr. Peter Brereton, and Mr. Berty Ho-Wo-Cheong, Vice President, Finance and Administration and CFO, will host a conference call on March 1 at 8:30 a.m. EST to present and discuss the results with the analysts. Subject: Q3 FY2017 Results Conference Call Date: March 1, 2017 Time: 8:30 a.m. EST Phone number: (416) 359-3128 or (800) 698-9012 The call can be replayed by calling (416) 626-4100 or (800) 558-5253 (access code: 21846834). About TECSYS TECSYS provides transformative supply chain solutions that equip our customers to succeed in a rapidly-changing omni-channel world. TECSYS solutions are built on a true enterprise supply chain platform, and include warehouse management, distribution and transportation management, as well as complete financial management and analytics. Customers running on TECSYS Supply Chain Platform are confident knowing they can execute, day in and day out, regardless of business fluctuations or changes in technology, they can adapt and scale to any business needs or size, and they can expand and collaborate with customers, suppliers and partners as one borderless enterprise. From demand planning to demand fulfillment, TECSYS puts power into the hands of both front line workers and back office planners, and unshackles business leaders so they can see and manage their supply chains like never before. TECSYS is the market leader in supply chain solutions for health systems and hospitals. Over 600 mid-size and Fortune 1000 customers trust their supply chains to TECSYS in the healthcare, service parts, third-party logistics, and general wholesale high-volume distribution industries. TECSYS shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol TCS. The statements in this news release relating to matters that are not historical fact are forward looking statements that are based on managements beliefs and assumptions. Such statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to a number of uncertainties, including but not limited to future economic conditions, the markets that TECSYS Inc. serves, the actions of competitors, major new technological trends, and other factors beyond the control of TECSYS Inc., which could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements. More information about the risks and uncertainties associated with TECSYS Inc.s business can be found in the MD&A section of the Companys annual report and annual information form for the fiscal year ended April 30th, 2016. These documents have been filed with the Canadian securities commissions and are available on our website () and on SEDAR (). Copyright TECSYS Inc. 2017. All names, trademarks, products, and services mentioned are registered or unregistered trademarks of their respective owners. Contacts: Solutions and general info: Investor relations: (514) 866-5800 ext. 4120 Media relations: TECSYS Inc. (514) 866-0001 or (800) 922-8649 IoT 2020: Smart and secure IoT platform Geneva, Switzerland, 16 February 2017 The Internet of Things (IoT) significantly impacts the global economy and is expected to grow exponentially over the coming years, transforming society as a whole. In order to develop a smart and secure IoT platform, certain critical issues must be addressed in detail to ensure security, interoperability and scalability of the platform. The topic attracts a lot of interest among a very large and diverse community of stakeholders, and the refined solutions will be key to the success of this technology now and for generations to come. The IoT is an infrastructure of interconnected objects, people or systems that processes and reacts to physical and virtual information. IoT collectively uses todays Internet backbone to connect things using sensors and other technologies. Through data collection and analysis, it achieves a multitude of outcomes that generally aim to improve user experience or the performance of devices and systems. How data is collected and implemented will determine how transformational IoT can become. Security grows exponentially in importance as devices that were once isolated become interconnected and more and more information is collected. As with most disruptive technologies, solutions are developed by a wide range of providers promoting their proprietary approaches, which can also impact interconnectivity. Bringing the ambitious visions expressed by IoT to reality will require significant efforts in standardization. Dr. Dr. Timo Kubach, Vice President Cloud Platform Strategy at SAP, states IoT is an important topic that requires careful consideration by Standards Organizations and others if we are to realize its true benefits. Recognizing this, we aimed at identifying the future state of IoT and providing recommendations on what actions IEC, and the broader standards community could take to support the anticipated dynamic growth of IoT solutions. This White Paper aims to provide an overview of todays IoT, including its limitations and deficiencies in the area of security, interoperability and scalability. It includes several use cases from industry, public and customer domains that point to requirements for a smart and secure IoT platform. It also discusses next generation platform-level technologies in the field of connectivity, processing and security. This White Paper provides important recommendations to IoT stakeholders and for IoT standardization work. This White Paper was developed by the IEC Market Strategy Board (MSB) with major contributions from SAP and Fraunhofer AISEC. The White Paper can be downloaded from: http://www.iec.ch/whitepaper/pdf/iecWP-loT2020-LR.pdf Printed copies can be ordered at: http://www.iec.ch/whitepaper/iotplatform/ Noie: That's what it all should look like in Notre Dame Stadium First-year head coach Marcus Freeman kept insisting it was going to happen if Notre Dame kept working. On Saturday, it finally happened for the Irish 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. Georgetown, SC (29440) Today Intervals of clouds and sunshine in the morning with more clouds for later in the day. High 79F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Clear to partly cloudy. Low around 60F. Winds light and variable. Welcome to SwanseaOnline - your home for the best news, sports and what's on coverage of the city. Never miss a Swansea story with our daily newsletter Sign up to comment on our stories here Follow us on Facebook and Twitter | Swansea City news | Ospreys news | InYourArea Think you can find Planet 9? A new Zooniverse project is calling on citizen scientists to help identify distant solar system objects. Think you can find Planet 9? A new citizen-science project lets participants search for hidden solar system objects beyond the orbit of Neptune, where a possible ninth planet may lie. The Zooniverse website enlists the public's help in performing scientific research. For example, the Planet Hunters project looked for signs of alien planets transiting their parent stars. The Zooniverse projects now span a wide range of topics, from space to literature. The newest entry in the Zooniverse space-projects list is called Backyard Worlds: Find Planet 9. You can learn more about the project at Zooniverse's Backyard Worlds website here. For this project, participants are asked to look through data collected by NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) and help to separate real objects from system artifacts that can look like real objects (false positives). Citizen scientists will look for spots of light that move across the sky, signaling that those points of light are objects relatively close to Earth compared to the background stars. [The Evidence for 'Planet Nine' in Images (Gallery)] Like all of the Zooniverse projects, Backyard Worlds is asking citizen scientists to do a job that can't be done by a computer. "While it's possible to process the data to find moving points of light, we can't get rid of all the noise," according to the Zooniverse website. "Spiky images of stars, especially variable stars, are everywhere. Worse, are the optical ghosts, blurry blobs of light that have been scattered around inside WISE's instruments. These can hop back and forth, or even change color. These artifacts can easily fool our image processing software. "But with your powerful human eyes, you can help us recognize real objects of interest that move among these artifacts," the description reads. "You'll be able to tell what objects are real by the way they move around differently from the artifacts." Researchers say an anomaly in the orbits of distant Kuiper Belt objects points to the existence of an unknown planet orbiting the sun. Here's what we know of this potential "Planet Nine." (Image credit: by Karl Tate, Infographics artist) The website compares the method used in Backyard Worlds to the approach taken by Clyde Tombaugh, who discovered Pluto in 1930. Tombaugh used photographic plates and a device called a blink comparator to look for moving objects in the night sky. Beyond the orbit of Neptune lies a belt of cold, icy objects called the Kuiper Belt; beyond that is a sphere of similar objects called the Oort Cloud. There are a few dwarf planets in addition to Pluto that lie in this region. Between Neptune and the nearest star to the sun, Proxima Centauri, there may be a planet about the size of Neptune, according to some recent predictions by a group of scientists at the California Institute of Technology. The research team also says the object is very likely visible with modern telescopes and could be discovered in the next year. "There are just over four light-years between Neptune and Proxima Centauri, the nearest star, and much of this vast territory is unexplored," Marc Kuchner, an astrophysicist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, said in a statement from NASA. "Because there's so little sunlight, even large objects in that region barely shine in visible light," Kuchner said. But WISE searches for infrared light, which can be emitted by objects that are too cool to emit visible light. (Even human bodies radiate infrared light.) The WISE mission scanned the entire sky in 2009 and 2010, uncovering distant galaxies, black holes and objects called brown dwarfs, which are larger than Jupiter but smaller than dwarf stars. There may be a hidden population of brown dwarfs in the region just outside the solar system, according to the Zooniverse website. The WISE spacecraft was also used to search for near-Earth asteroids. "Backyard Worlds: Planet 9 has the potential to unlock once-in-a-century discoveries, and it's exciting to think they could be spotted first by a citizen scientist," Aaron Meisner, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of California, Berkeley, who specializes in analyzing WISE images, said in the statement. Backyard Worlds: Planet 9 is a collaboration among NASA, UC Berkeley, the American Museum of Natural History in New York, Arizona State University, the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, and Zooniverse, according to the statement from NASA. Follow Calla Cofield @callacofield. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com. Astronauts aboard the International Space Station captured this view of lightning over the Pacific Ocean at night. One new tool heading to the station, the Lightning Imaging Sensor, will track the more than 45 lightning strikes per second that hit Earth. CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. SpaceX is gearing up to launch its 10th commercial cargo mission on Saturday morning (Feb. 18), ferrying supplies and an assortment of science investigations to the International Space Station including a deadly superbug, an advanced lightning sensor, a tool for new autonomous rendezvous capabilities and more. Perched atop an upgraded Falcon 9 booster, the Dragon spacecraft will lift off from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A marking the first time a vehicle has launched from the historic pad since the final, 2011 shuttle mission. Once in orbit, the Dragon will spend two days chasing down the International Space Station. The six crewmembers on board have been preparing for the Dragon's arrival, which is slated for Monday, Feb. 20. At approximately 11:30 a.m. EST (16:30 GMT), European astronaut Thomas Pesquet will use the space station's 57.7-foot (17.6 meters) robotic arm to grapple the craft, assisted by NASA astronaut Shane Kimbrough. [These SpaceX Rocket Landing Photos Are Simply Jaw-Dropping] The vehicle will remain berthed at the space station for about a month. During that time the crew will unload its provisions, including close to 5,500 lbs. (2,500 kilograms) of research supplies and science experiments. When Dragon's mission is over, it will carry an estimated 5,000 lbs. (2,270 kg) of cargo back to Earth. At a news briefing on Wednesday, Feb. 8, several researchers detailed their experiments, which are currently tucked inside the Dragon. This mission includes a plethora of student-designed investigations, including one led by a pair of 17-year-old students from Craft Academy at Morehead State University in Morehead, Kentucky. The students, Danielle Gibson and Will Castro, kicked off the briefing by outlining an experiment that will evaluate smooth muscle cells from rats (a type of cell commonly found in arteries and veins) to test theories about how muscles contract in the microgravity environment. Gibson and Castro explained that "significant physiological differences" have been observed when muscles contract in space versus on the ground. The goal of their research is to explore those differences in more detail, which could lead to better treatments for health conditions such as high blood pressure. Paul Reichert of Merck Research Laboratories, whose investigation is also heading to the station, said that it focuses on the crystallization growth of human monoclonal antibodies a type of protein that researchers suspect may play a role in combating myriad diseases, including cancer. Crystallizing proteins lets scientists better understand how they function, allowing for the creation of more effective treatments. "This research will improve the way we produce products here on Earth," Reichert said during the briefing. Michael Freilich, director of NASA's Earth Science Division, was on hand to discuss two of the agency's Earth science payloads that will be carried in the Dragon's trunk: the Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment III (SAGE III) instrument and the Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS). Both payloads will be externally mounted on the station, with SAGE III set to measure the Earth's natural sunscreen ozone along with other gases and aerosols, or tiny particles in the atmosphere. To make its measurements, SAGE III will lock its view onto the sun or moon and scan the thin sliver of Earth's atmosphere visible as it passes by. The new LIS will help scientists better understand lightning, which strikes 45 times per second around the world, by taking measurements 24 hours a day. The sensor will record several measurements including the number of strikes, and the frequency and energy output of each strike. A similar instrument is installed on the GOES-16 satellite, which launched in November 2016 and is operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). [Earth from Space: The Amazing Photos by the GOES-16 Satellite] Both sensors will work in tandem, allowing scientists to study data from multiple latitudes across the globe. Ben Reed, deputy division director of the Satellite Servicing Projects Division at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, discussed Raven, a technology demonstration that's designed to test autonomous rendezvous capability on the International Space Station. Current spacecraft operate in low-Earth orbit, which means they can be controlled from the ground. In the future, robotic spacecraft might be operating thousands of miles from Earth, beyond the reach of the space station or ground control. Advanced autopilot systems are needed to help such spacecraft safely navigate and rendezvous with other objects. The goal of the Raven investigation is to study the feasibility of a real-time spacecraft navigation system that would provide the eyes and intelligence a spacecraft needs to see a target and steer toward it safely. The researchers hope that the investigation will help to enable future exploration missions near Earth and beyond, including satellite servicing and repair. Developed by the Satellite Servicing Capabilities Office (SSCO), Raven is equipped with visible light, LIDAR and infrared sensors to scan vehicles visiting the space station over a two-year period. The next research investigation that was presented may sound like something out of a science-fiction horror story, but the researchers explained there's no danger to the crew. As part of a NASA-funded study, led by Dr. Anita Goel, Nanobiosym is partnering with CASIS the company tasked with managing the space station's national laboratory to send a batch of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (aka MRSA) into space, sealed in three levels of containment. MRSA is common in hospitals, and in the United States alone, MRSA is notorious for killing more Americans in a single year than the combined total of deaths from emphysema, HIV/AIDS, Parkinson's disease and homicide. So why would NASA want to send such a deadly strain of bacteria into space? Dr. Goel explained that by exposing the bacteria to a microgravity environment, researchers may be able to better understand how MRSA mutates. MRSA is renowned for its resistance to antibodies. "Microgravity may accelerate the rate of bacterial mutations," Dr. Goel told Space.com. "If we can predict future mutations before they happen, we can build better drugs." You can watch SpaceX's launch webcast live here Saturday, courtesy of NASA and SpaceX. On Friday, NASA will webcast a series of press conferences on the mission, its cargo and the history of Launch Pad 39A. Editor's Note: This story was updated to correct the date of SpaceX's Dragon arrival at the International Space Station. It is Monday, Feb. 20, not July 20. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com. This self-portrait of NASA's Curiosity Mars rover shows the vehicle at a drilled sample site called "Okoruso," on the "Naukluft Plateau" of lower Mount Sharp. The scene combines multiple images taken with the rover's Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI) on May 11, 2016, during the 1,338th Martian day, or sol, of the rover's work on Mars Scientists hoping for a more detailed look at organic material on Mars possibly including molecules relevant to life are patiently awaiting an act of engineering genius from NASA. Since December, the team in charge of NASA's Mars rover Curiosity has been working to resolve a problem with the robot's drill, an essential tool for obtaining powered samples from inside Martian bedrock for chemical analysis. Such sample analysis already has shown that Mars once had ingredients and habitats suitable for microbial life. Curiosity also has found chlorinated organics, though their origins remain unknown. The rover contains a key follow-up experiment that uses a chemical solvent to tease out more details about the organics, including those with potential biological relevance, such as fatty acids, amino acids, amines and possibly even nucleobases. RELATED: Curiosity's Mars Drill Is Jammed "Perhaps the most robust molecules that might be relevant to life are the lipids or fatty acids that are the chemical constituents of cell membranes," NASA's Paul Mahaffy, lead scientist for Curiosity's multi-purpose Sample Analysis at Mars, or SAM, experiment told Seeker. "These are among the most robust and best preserved molecular biosignatures sometimes found in ancient terrestrial rocks," Mahaffy added. It took time for engineers to work out the details and write the software for Curiosity to quickly deposit rock powder into a wet chemistry cup. Once the cup's foil seal is broken, the solvent immediately starts evaporating. "You want to drop the sample in as quickly as possible and get the experiment going," Curiosity project scientist Ashwin Vasavada told Seeker. "If the organics are there, it allows us to see a whole class of organic molecules that we have not yet seen on the mission." With just nine wet chemistry cups aboard the rover, scientists decided to wait until Curiosity could drill into clay-rich rocks at the base of Mount Sharp, a three-mile high mound of sediment that rises from the floor of the rover's Gale Crater landing site. RELATED: NASA's Mars Rover Curiosity Still Dogged by Drill Malfunction The team was preparing for the wet chemistry experiment's first run when the rover's drill broke. Engineers have traced the problem to a stuck brake deep inside the motor. "The problem with the drill feed hit us at a really unfortunate time," Vasavada said. "We wanted to be sure we could do this experiment before we left the Murray Formation the basal layer of Mount Sharp where we know that we've seen organic signatures in the rocks. "That seemed like a prudent thing to try this experiment out before we left the area where we've seen organics. We don't know whether to expect them or not higher up on the mountain. We know we've seen them here," Vasavada said. Curiosity's robotic arm is rotated to show its drill in this navcam photo from Mars on Feb. 15. (Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS) The rover, which is slowly ascending the mountain, is about two-thirds of the way through the Murray Formation. Curiosity is expected to move beyond the region this year. "Rather than stop the mission and wait for all these problems to get solved, the team decided to keep marching steadily up the mountain because of the larger mission goals," Vasavada said. Engineers are trying to figure out an alternative way to release the drill brake. If that fails, the team will begin to look at designing an alternative algorithm for drilling. RELATED: Curiosity Kicks Off Next Mars Odyssey With a Selfie "Ideally we don't want to touch [the algorithm] because it took a few years to develop. One solution might be to write some extra code for the rover to detect when the drill stalls, determine if it's OK, try whatever steps we come up with that have a chance of working. And if it could disengage the brake then keep on drilling. These solutions would take several months to achieve," Vasavada said. Meanwhile, Curiosity may come across some loose sand of interest to scientists and use its arm's scoop to deliver samples into SAM for a wet chemistry run. "The scoop might limit our ability to get to some of the more interesting samples however," Mahaffy said. Scientists remain hopeful that one way or another Curiosity will get its new taste of Mars. "I'm expecting our talented engineering team supporting the Curiosity rover will come up with a creative solution," Mahaffy said. WATCH VIDEO: How We Know Europe's Mars Lander Crashed Originally published on Seeker. The dwarf planet Ceres keeps looking better and better as a possible home for alien life. NASA's Dawn spacecraft has spotted organic molecules the carbon-containing building blocks of life as we know it on Ceres for the first time, a study published today (Feb. 16) in the journal Science reports. And these organics appear to be native, likely forming on Ceres rather than arriving via asteroid or comet strikes, study team members said. [Photos: Dwarf Planet Ceres, the Solar System's Largest Asteroid] "Because Ceres is a dwarf planet that may still preserve internal heat from its formation period and may even contain a subsurface ocean, this opens the possibility that primitive life could have developed on Ceres itself," Michael Kuppers, a planetary scientist based at the European Space Astronomy Centre just outside Madrid, said in an accompanying "News and Views" article in the same issue of Science. "It joins Mars and several satellites of the giant planets in the list of locations in the solar system that may harbor life," added Kuppers, who was not involved in the organics discovery. Data gathered by NASA's Dawn spacecraft show a region around Ceres' Ernutet crater where organic concentrations have been discovered (labeled "a" through "f"). The color coding shows the strength of the organics' absorption band, with warmer colors indicating the highest concentrations. (Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/UCLA/ASI/INAF/MPS/DLR/IDA) Ceres finds keep rolling in The $467 million Dawn mission launched in September 2007 to study Vesta and Ceres, the two largest objects in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Dawn circled the 330-mile-wide (530 kilometers) Vesta from July 2011 through September 2012, when it departed for Ceres, which is 590 miles (950 km) across. Dawn arrived at the dwarf planet in March 2015, becoming the first spacecraft ever to orbit two different bodies beyond the Earth-moon system. During its time at Ceres, Dawn has found bizarre bright spots on crater floors, discovered a likely ice volcano 2.5 miles (4 km) tall and helped scientists determine that water ice is common just beneath the surface, especially near the dwarf planet's poles. The newly announced organics discovery adds to this list of achievements. The carbon-containing molecules which Dawn spotted using its visible and infrared mapping spectrometer instrument are concentrated in a 385-square-mile (1,000 square km) area near Ceres' 33-mile-wide (53 km) Ernutet crater, though there's also a much smaller patch about 250 miles (400 km) away, in a crater called Inamahari. And there could be more such areas; the team surveyed only Ceres' middle latitudes, between 60 degrees north and 60 degrees south. "We cannot exclude that there are other locations rich in organics not sampled by the survey, or below the detection limit," study lead author Maria Cristina De Sanctis, of the Institute for Space Astrophysics and Space Planetology in Rome, told Space.com via email. Dawn's measurements aren't precise enough to nail down exactly what the newfound organics are, but their signatures are consistent with tar-like substances such as kerite and asphaltite, study team members said. Organics probably native "The organic-rich areas include carbonate and ammoniated species, which are clearly Ceres' endogenous material, making it unlikely that the organics arrived via an external impactor," co-author Simone Marchi, a senior research scientist at the Southwest Research Institute in Boulder, Colorado, said in a statement. In addition, the intense heat generated by an asteroid or comet strike likely would have destroyed the organics, further suggesting that the molecules are native to Ceres, study team members said. The organics might have formed via reactions involving hot water, De Sanctis and her colleagues said. Indeed, "Ceres shows clear signatures of pervasive hydrothermal activity and aqueous alteration," they wrote in the new study. Such activity likely would have taken place underground. Dawn mission scientists aren't sure yet how organics generated in the interior could make it up to the surface and leave the signatures observed by the spacecraft. "The geological and morphological settings of Ernutet are still under investigation with the high-resolution data acquired in the last months, and we do not have a definitive answer for why Ernutet is so special," De Sanctis said. It's already clear, however, that Ceres is a complex and intriguing world one that astrobiologists are getting more and more excited about. "In some ways, it is very similar to Europa and Enceladus," De Sanctis said, referring to ocean-harboring moons of Jupiter and Saturn, respectively. "We see compounds on the surface of Ceres like the ones detected in the plume of Enceladus," she added. "Ceres' surface can be considered warmer with respect to the Saturnian and Jovian satellites, due to [its] distance from the sun. However, we do not have evidence of a subsurface ocean now on Ceres, but there are hints of subsurface recent fluids." Follow Mike Wall on Twitter @michaeldwall and Google+. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook or Google+. Originally published on Space.com. Rocket Lab, a private company aiming to become a leading launch provider for small satellites, delivered its first test rocket to the company's private launch facility this week. Rocket Lab expects the Electron rocket, built entirely in-house by the company, to make its first test launch "in the coming months," the company said in a statement. To prepare for that launch date, the first test rocket, named "It's a Test," has arrived at the company's launch facility on the Mahia Peninsula in New Zealand. Over the coming weeks, "a series of tests and checkouts will be conducted at the site before the rocket is signed off to fly," the statement from Rocket Lab said. "It's an important milestone for our team and for the space industry. In [the] past, it has been countries that go to space, not companies," Peter Beck, Rocket Lab's CEO, said in the statement. [Satellite Quiz: What's Orbiting Earth?] An Electron rocket (named "It's a Test") arrives at Rocket Lab's launch complex ahead of the company's first test flight (Image credit: Rocket Lab) The small-satellite industry appears to be blossoming worldwide. The increased capability of small electronics means that these "small sats," some no bigger than a lunch box, can be used for applications like Earth imaging, weather tracking and microgravity experiments. But generally, these tiny fliers can get to space only by piggybacking on larger payloads. The Electron rocket's diminutive size means small satellites take higher priority. So a company looking to put a few small satellites into a particular orbit can buy a trip on Electron instead of waiting around to hitch a ride on a large rocket that's sending a payload into a similar orbit. Because Rocket Lab owns its launch facility, the company also has more control on the time and cadence of launches, Beck told Space.com in 2016. Right now, launches will cost about NZ $7.6 million (about U.S. $5.5 million at current exchange rates), and Beck would like to eventually launch an Electron rocket about once per week, he said. Beck said that the company is "laser-focused" on the straightforward goal of more affordable and more frequent rocket launches for people who want to get small satellites into orbit. He said the company is on track to make its first customer launches in 2017. The Electron carries a maximum payload of about 500 lbs. (225 kilograms). There are other companies working to build rockets in this same weight class (with payloads of less than about 1,100 lbs., or 500 kg). NASA has purchased small-satellite launches from three companies, including Rocket Lab, and these missions are expected to launch in 2018. Rocket Lab's private launch facility on the Mahia Peninsula in New Zealand. (Image credit: Rocket Lab) Rocket Lab has already secured contracts with private customers, including two launches with the company Moon Express, that will use the Electron to send what could be the first private spacecraft to land on the surface of the moon. Follow Calla Cofield @callacofield.Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com. The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2016 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement Optimization Are you frustrated with a slow pc or a hard disk not performing as it should? Try SLOW-PCfighter to speed up boot time on a slow PC, or try a free scan of FULL-DISKfighter to recover space on a full disk. The latest offering is DRIVERfighter to update your driver updater. Get complete PC optimization and extend the life of your PC with these must-have software tools. New York (United Nations) February 15, 2017 (SPS) -The members of the African Union (AU) should ensure that Morocco respects the territorial integrity of Western Sahara, said Tuesday in New York the representative of Frente POLISARIO to the United Nations (UN), Ahmed Boukhari. "The international community and the AU member states should ensure that Morocco complies with the UN Charter and the AU Constitutive Act, which it ratified," Boukhari told international news conference in New York. "Since AU member state, Morocco should fulfil its commitments regarding the independence and the territorial integrity of Western Sahara," he said, adding that "if Morocco has joined the AU with good faith," it should respect the inviolability of borders, in accordance with Article 4 of the AU Constitutive Act. The Polisario Front's representative underlined that "African heads of state should take necessary actions if Morocco does not comply with the Charter, which enshrines the respect of borders existing on achievement of independence." In reply to a question about the MINURSO (UN Mission for Referendum in Western Sahara), Boukhari said that it is among the main issues on which the Sahrawi side is focusing its current efforts, adding that "it is the whole peace process that has been at the standstill since 2012." The UN envoy for Western Sahara, in charge of relaunching the process, "could not go to the region because Morocco was not ready to receive him," he explained. "I hope that Morocco is ready and not playing a game through a hidden agenda when joining the AU," he said, adding that "this would contribute to boosting the UN peace process." 125/090/700 This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate BRIDGEPORT The Easton garbage-removal company mired in the killings of its husband-and-wife owners, allegedly at the hands of their son, is getting one of its garbage trucks back. State Superior Court Judge Robert Devlin on Thursday ordered that the truck, seized as evidence in the double murder case against Kyle Navin, can be returned to the company. Navin, dressed in an orange prison jumpsuit, told the judge through his lawyer, Eugene Riccio, that he had no objection to the return of the truck. States Attorney John Smriga told the judge the prosecution could use photographs of the vehicle in its case. Christopher Carveth, who represents the estate of Jeffrey and Jeanette Navin, owners of J&J Refuse, told the judge the return of the truck is necessary to the company. State Police seized two trucks in the case. The other, a pickup truck that is still being held, had Jeanette Navins blood in it, according to court papers. Police believe Navin shot his mother as she sat next to him in the truck with her seatbelt on. The judge continued the case to March 16. Navin is charged with two counts of murder and one count of murder under special circumstances, which carries the maximum term of life in prison without release. Navin, the operations manager of his fathers Easton garbage collection company, is accused of separately shooting his parents to death and later hiding their bodies under debris in a friends yard in Weston. His girlfriend, Jennifer Valiante, is charged with conspiracy to commit murder and hindering prosecution for allegedly helping him plan and cover up his parents deaths. This story was originally published by ProPublica. Two days after she had fled because of a beating at the hands of her husband, Sanna Dilawar was back at her home in Torrington, Connecticut. She needed to retrieve her breast pump, and she had her 11-week-old daughter with her. This time, she said, the violence was even worse. After an argument, her husband pinned her against a bedroom wardrobe and hit her in the face. She struck him back, her wedding ring scratching his face. Enraged, her husband then threw her onto their bed, climbed atop and began punching her, she said. At one point, he put one hand across her mouth and the other on her neck. Dilawar eventually managed to knock her husband to the ground, scoop up her infant daughter and get out the door. Dilawar reported the assault to the Torrington police, the first time she'd ever sought their help. She told the police everything that had happened, including that she fought back. She liked the officer who took her statement, she said, because it felt like he believed her. The officer took photos: a bleeding ear; a swollen jaw; broken glasses. Then the officer told Dilawar she was under arrest, along with her husband. Dilawar is one of hundreds of Connecticut women arrested each year along with the men who assault them under a procedure known as "dual arrests." In theory, dual arrests are meant to hold couples accountable when both parties are combatants in episodes of domestic violence or when it is impossible to tell who was the clear aggressor. Nationally, the practice of dual arrest is rare, employed in just 2 percent of all "intimate partner" violence incidents. In Connecticut, however, data for the years 2011 through 2015 shows that dual arrests have taken place, on average, in 18 percent of all episodes of such violence that result in an arrest. A ProPublica review of data provided by the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection shows that in Windsor, a town of 29,044, dual arrests accounted for 35 percent of intimate partner arrests in 2015, the last year for which complete data is available. In Ansonia, a city of 19,020, the rate was 37 percent. New Haven for years has seen about a fifth of its domestic violence cases result in dual arrests. Advocates for victims of domestic violence and a number of state legislators have been concerned about the practice for years, but Connecticut hasn't remedied what many see as an unjust and dangerous situation. The heart of the problem, according to legislators and advocates for women, stems from the fact that the state has a mandatory arrest law for cases of reported domestic violence, but lacks a provision that allows police to limit arrests to the person determined to have been the primary aggressor. As a result, victims can wind up being arrested along with their abusers. In such instances, the complaining victims must find a lawyer and work to limit the lasting damage of a formal criminal record. They are often assigned a public defender and a victim's advocate, whose offices also represent their significant others. The fear of being arrested can dissuade victims from calling the police at all. "I can't stress enough how traumatic it is for women who call the police and end up in the criminal court process," said Jennifer Lopez, director of the advocate program at Interval House, which provides services to victims of domestic violence. "I've interviewed hundreds and hundreds of women in criminal and civil court. They're literally in shock sitting in front of me because they can't believe they're arrested. For most victims, it takes a long time to reach out. When they do, and that happens, it's very unlikely they'll do it again." ProPublica spoke with a number of state legislators and prosecutors, as well as with current or former police chiefs in Connecticut about the rates of dual arrests. Butch Hyatt, the director of law enforcement services at Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the former second-in-command at the state police, said most dual arrests involved misdemeanors a verbal incident, a shove, a slap. "It's not a serious assault, not a felony, where someone's in danger of being seriously injured or killed," he said. Gary MacNamara, chief of the Fairfield police department, said his officers try to strike the right balance in handling often complicated disputes. "There are occasions when dual arrests are appropriate," MacNamara said. "What we try to do is make sure dual arrests aren't done just to resolve the issues." There remains a split among legislators and law enforcement officials about whether the law needs to be adjusted to limit harm to innocent women. Harry Rilling, for one, is emphatic that change needs to happen. Rilling, the mayor of Norwalk and the city's former police chief, said a formal "primary aggressor" statute is required to cut down on the state's dual arrests and the lasting problems they generate. Avtandil Maisuradze, the husband involved in the dual arrest in Torrington, said his then-wife had been the aggressor, that she had punched him first and later spit in his face. If she had any bruises, he said, she must have inflicted them on herself. "I did not touch her," he said. "I would never touch any woman or anything. She was the only one abusive." Sanna Dilawar said she was terrified when she was told she was under arrest in March of 2016. As an officer took her mug shot and recorded her height and weight, she said she worried about winding up behind bars as well as being unable to get a job in the future. Dilawar eventually had to appear in court to defend herself. The court instructed her to go to counseling at the Susan B. Anthony Project, a domestic violence support center in Torrington, and get drug counseling for her occasional marijuana use. The charges against her and her husband were dropped after both completed counseling. "It made me feel guilty for using self-defense on an instant that could have potentially taken my life," Dilawar said of her case. "Looking back now I shouldn't have felt guilty. What else was I supposed to do?" For years in Connecticut, police often responded to reports of domestic violence with the aim of keeping the peace rather than investigating potential crimes. Men and women would be told to keep it down, maybe separate for the night. And then came the case of another Torrington woman, Tracey Thurman, in 1983. Thurman had taken out multiple restraining orders against her husband after years of abuse. That June, her husband showed up at her property anyway. Thurman called the Torrington police. In the 25 minutes it took for officers to arrive, Thurman's abuser stabbed her 13 times and left her for dead. Thurman lived to successfully sue the city of Torrington. She alleged the police department had failed to provide her equal protection because of her status as a woman married to her abuser, discounting her complaints because they were domestic. Three years after her attack, the Connecticut legislature passed a sweeping family violence law. The law set out a formal definition of family violence, created domestic violence units within the courts and required that judges hold hearings within 24 hours of a domestic violence arrest. Under the law, officers were not allowed to threaten to arrest both parties merely as a way to deter calls. And it required officers on domestic violence calls to make arrests if they found probable cause regardless of whether victims wanted to press charges. The legislation became known as a mandatory arrest law. After the 1986 law was enacted, police departments retrained officers on how to handle domestic violence calls and arrests skyrocketed. Within a decade, however, advocates and academics throughout the country were noticing a trend as states cracked down: Instead of just arresting one party in a domestic dispute, police in many cases were arresting both parties. Some saw it as an unintended consequence of mandatory arrest laws. Officers, feeling pressure to make arrests in even difficult-to-untangle disputes, wound up arresting both people. Even early on, Connecticut stood out. In 2000, dual arrests happened in slightly more than 30 percent of intimate partner cases, according to data from the state. The national average for dual arrests in such cases at the time was 1.9 percent. In 2004, some state legislators saw a need to act. A bill that year titled "An Act Concerning Dual Arrests in Family Violence Cases" sought to address the problem by requiring officers to identify a primary aggressor in a domestic violence incident, and arresting that person only. The 2004 bill instructed officers to consider the degree of injuries, a history of family violence and whether one of the parties was acting in self-defense. Other states had already adopted similar legislation, with Wisconsin becoming the first back in 1985. New York followed suit with a primary aggressor measure in 1997. Laws in New Hampshire and Massachusetts specifically instruct officers to look for a primary aggressor, and New Jersey law instructs officers to compare injuries and other relevant factors, including self-defense, in making any arrests. Academic research supports the idea that primary aggressor laws lower dual arrests. A 2007 National Institute of Justice study on dual arrests found that states with primary aggressor laws had a quarter as many dual arrests as states that did not. David Hirschel, a professor emeritus at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell, and one of the four authors of the 2007 study, is completing a study using 10 years of dual arrest data and says the trend has continued. In Connecticut, however, the primary aggressor bill didn't make it out of the Judiciary Committee in its original state. Police chiefs, the chief state's attorney and the legal counsel to the state public defenders all testified against it. The chief state's attorney thought the law was drawn up in a way that would make it easy for lawyers for accused primary aggressors to pick apart. The public defenders feared that the law, if well intentioned in its aims to protect victims, might pressure officers to file unwarranted charges against alleged batters. In the end, a stripped-down version of the bill that instructed responding officers to take self-defense into account was signed into law. Anthony Salvatore, who at the time was the chairman of Connecticut's Police Officer Standards and Training Council, testified against the bill, saying officers needed the latitude to make dual arrests if the circumstances demanded it, and that the primary aggressor language would only confuse them. "They almost wanted a commitment that there would be only one arrest," said Salvatore, who today is the town manager of Cromwell, Connecticut. Stephen J. Sedensky III, the state's attorney for the judicial district of Danbury, agreed. "It's so often important to leave it to the discretion of the officer," Sedensky said. "We want to give them the tools to work within a given situation, and our statutes do provide the authority for them to make the arrest when they deem it appropriate." Hirschel, too, offered caution concerning primary aggressor laws: His ongoing 10-year study has found that such laws can create an effect where a police officer responds to a scene and doesn't make any arrests. In 2012, Connecticut's elected officials tried once more to limit the damage done by unnecessary dual arrests. The legislature passed, and Democratic Gov. Daniel Malloy signed, a law requiring police departments to adhere to a "model family violence policy." The 2016 version of the policy warns officers that dual arrests are not an option if there isn't probable cause to arrest both parties and reminds them that self-defense is a legitimate reason for use of force. Rilling, now the mayor of Norwalk, said that as police chief he spent years fighting to improve his department's record on dual arrests. He said one of the things he learned is that the self-defense exception isn't enough in many cases. "If the man goes to punch the woman and she grabs his arm and bites his hand, well, that's kind of a response, it's almost an automatic response to being punched in the face," Rilling said. Robyn Porter, a Democratic state legislator, is a survivor of domestic violence. She said she, too, was in favor of a primary aggressor law. "I just don't understand the logic in arresting someone being abused," she said. Among the 2,412 intimate partner violence cases in which Connecticut police made dual arrests in 2015, there are some that illustrate how difficult it can be to identify and charge only a primary aggressor. Katherine Sanford wound up in court after getting into a fight with her ex-boyfriend and the father of her two oldest children, in March 2015. She had let him stay over on her couch in Naugatuck and got into a dispute with him the second night. It started over her house rules and how she disciplined the children and escalated to the point where, she said, he flicked tobacco in her face. He hit her, she said, and she tried to lock herself away in the bathroom and call the police but he took her phone partway through the call. By the time police arrived, she was fighting back. "Unfortunately," she said, "they walked in when I had my hands around his neck." Sanford was charged with disorderly conduct, which was dismissed in court. Her ex pleaded guilty to interfering with an emergency call. "I have to defend defending myself and justify why it was OK as me as a woman for me to put my hands on him," she said. "And the judge told me that it's not self-defense if you can physically find a way out. Whether it's locking yourself in the bathroom or running out of the door." In an interview, Mark Casagrande Jr., Sanford's ex, maintained that Sanford had always been the "violent one." Virginia Mintanciyan, 51, of Stamford had been married to her husband since 1992. She said she'd been emotionally tormented for years. His behavior escalated from controlling what restaurants they ate at to blaming her for their third child's autism, she said. Occasionally he shoved her, she said, and occasionally he hurt her. On Columbus Day weekend in 2015, she arrived home late from the grocery store. Her husband demanded to know where she'd been. He got in her face, she said, pressing her up against the counter and screaming. Mintanciyan reached up and punched him in the face. "I just did what I had to do to get him away from me," she said. "I wanted to get him off me, because I didn't know what he was going to do to me." She ran outside to call the police, who gave her a disorderly conduct charge. The court put her through anger management classes before ultimately dropping her charges. She's separated from her husband and hasn't spoken to him in seven months. Frank Benemio, the husband, declined requests for comment, saying the events had been "highly personal." Advocates stress the importance of a primary aggressor law in part because they say the self-defense carve-out passed in 2004 is still too subjective. Self-defense from a victim's perspective, said Allison Roach of the Domestic Violence Crisis Center, can look very different from an officer's perspective. "If a victim reacts prior to a defendant actually assaulting them, maybe it's so ingrained in them that, If this happens and this happens, then step three is he's going to hurt me,'" she said. "Then they could be arrested, and they acted first." Bryan Cammarata, an administrative lieutenant and public information officer for the Naugatuck police, said he tries to answer this question to figure out what counts as self-defense: "Was this self-defense at the end, or did they continue to engage with what's going on?" Virtually everyone admits domestic violence cases can occasionally be frustratingly gray. But those concerned about Connecticut's rates of dual arrests say there are many cases where the particulars are far less hazy. Sanna Dilawar's in Torrington is one. Sheminith Noonan says hers is another. The night before Thanksgiving last November, Noonan said she agreed to drive her ex-boyfriend home from a bar in Naugatuck. They couple had broken up over claims of infidelity, Noonan said, but she'd agreed to remain friends. That night, as they drove, her ex complained to her about how his latest girlfriend was cheating on him. The hypocrisy stung, Noonan said. By the time she pulled up in front of her ex's apartment, they were arguing. She ordered him out of her car. He slammed the door, she said, and kicked the car. Noonan got out. They argued back and forth, she said, before she finally told him to not speak with her again and to "lose her number." In response, she said, her ex grabbed her shoulders and kicked her in the stomach. At one point, she said, he had his hands on her neck. Noonan managed to get into her car and call the police. She put the phone up to the window so the dispatcher could hear her ex screaming at her to get out, she said. When the police arrived, a female officer took Noonan's statement and a male officer took her ex's. The male officer came back and said that the police would be charging both of them. Noonan's former boyfriend did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Noonon, for her part, said that night she felt "like I was in the twilight zone all of a sudden." Noonan said the officer claimed he was just enforcing Connecticut's laws. "We can't tell who the aggressor is so we take you both in," she recalled him saying. Noonan said she showed up to court that Friday with bruised cheeks, a turtleneck hiding the bruises on her neck. In the courthouse, she said, she had to tell her story over and over to the judge, to the prosecutor, to a victim's advocate. She started to wonder whether the beating was her fault, what she could have done differently. Noonan's breach of peace charge is still pending. But her name has been published in the local police log and the local newspaper. "It really sucks for your self-esteem, your own self-awareness. I just questioned everything," she said. "At one point I spoke to the victim advocate and I said I wish I didn't even call." Cammarata, the police official in Naugatuck, said the state has work to do in finding the right balance. "Altogether in the state of Connecticut, there's a tendency from the state to want to make sure the victim is not re-victimized, and I think that's everybody's goal," said Cammarata. "If both are getting arrested, one way or another you're arresting a victim. There's no way to get around that." ProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom. Sign up for their newsletter. STAMFORD Stillwater Avenue businesses will close Thursday as part of a nationwide demonstration intended to show the value of immigrants citizens and undocumented to the U.S. economy. The Old House, a restaurant with locations on Selleck and East Main streets, will also not open in solidarity with A Day Without Immigrants, said Catalina Horak, executive director of Building One Community, a Stamford-based resource for immigrants. Many businesses along Stillwater on the West Side are owned by immigrants. F ormer Barclays man Bob Diamond has doubled his stake in Atlas Mara, the banking venture he hopes will take Africa by storm. The ex-chief executive of Barclays has increased his stake in Atlas to 3.3%, taking part in a share placing that raised $13.5 million (10.8 million) for Atlas, equal to almost 10% of the equity. Diamond put up $1.5 million of that money. The takeover vehicle has made several deals in Africa since it was launched three years ago, but has been buffeted lately by management issues. In addition to the share placing, Atlas said that it is making moves to cut costs by $20 million a year. Chief executive John Vitalo stepped down two weeks ago, with a new chief executive to be found in due course. Chairman Arnold Ekpe has already said he will stand down. Atlas shares slipped slightly today to $2.10. They were more than double that a year ago. Diamond would like to but Barclays African arm, a business that the banks chief executive Jes Staley is looking to offload as part of a strategy to focus on core assets. I nsurer Lancashire Holdings notched up its best day on the stock market as shares surged on better-than-expected annual results. The FTSE 250 company managed to blow analyst forecasts out of the water for the final three months of the year despite turbulence in the industry. It made a pre-tax profit in the final quarter of $51 million (41 million), slightly higher than last year thanks to a strong underwriting performance. UBS analysts had pencilled in a sharp fall, but admitted the result had come in about $20 million, or 64%, higher than they expected as Lancashire side-stepped some of the larger losses in the market. The $150 million annual profit was also about $20 million higher than Peel Hunt predicted. Chief executive Alex Maloney warned that market conditions would remain difficult for the foreseeable future, but this did not put investors off, with the added fillip of a special dividend to keep them interested. The shares, which were initially floated on AIM in 2005 before Lancashire upgraded to a full listing, leapt 60p, or 9%, today to 740.5p their biggest-ever one-day rise. Lancashire was the mid-cap indexs best performer by some distance and its surge stood out on a day when stocks fell. The FTSE 250 ended its record-breaking run, slipping 102.36 points, or 0.5%, to 18,724.84, with the latest profit warning from defence firm Cobham (off 25.9p, or 19.1%, at 109.5p) the biggest drag. The larger FTSE 100 was also in the red, down 30.54 points at 7271.87 as some of the biggest London-listed dividend payers traded without the right to their next payout. Those included Royal Dutch Shell, which dropped 34p to 2240.5p, BP, which fell 7.75p to 449.8p, and tobacco giant Imperial Brands, which slid 17.9p to 3628p. But the wooden spoon went to AstraZeneca, which was the worst hit of the shares to go ex-dividend, tumbling 172p, or 3.6%, to 4512p. Investors jumped on board British Airways owner IAG, up 10p at 513.5p, after its Continental rival, Air France-KLM, beat profit forecasts. Soft drinks bottler Coca-Cola HBC fizzed 22p higher to 1845p after strong annual results, although analysts tempered the enthusiasm by warning of cost pressures this year. Panmure Gordons review of the challenger banks created some action in the sector. The broker is a fan of specialist lenders that avoid direct competition with the big banks, such as One Savings Bank, which rose 9.9p to 377.2p. Those on the Sell list included Metro Bank, which dipped 30p to 3639p. Investors in Gem Diamonds, 0.5p better off at 115.5p, brushed off news that it has temporarily mothballed its Ghaghoo mine in Botswana. The miner said it would start full production when it made economic sense after a fall in diamond prices. S tags and hens now have another airline to pick for bargain boozy breaks after Wizz Air established its first UK base at Luton airport, flying new direct routes to Tel Aviv, Kosovos capital Pristina and Kutaisi in Georgia. Shares in the central Europe-based budget airline rose 35p to 1680p as it expands, with a new Airbus A320 at Luton from June. Wizz is already the airports second-largest carrier, flying five million passengers a year, and has bucked the trend among rivals to entrench amid fierce competition and falling fares. Chief executive Jozsef Varadi said the move underlines Wizz Airs commitment to the UK. Another fast-growing airline in the UK, Norwegian, said new routes such as Gatwick to Las Vegas and Boston, as well as packed planes, helped it to post its highest annual results, with a 1135 million kroner (109 million) net profit. The carrier now flying 4.5 million passengers to 96 destinations from the UK and offering 135 fares to the US said its rapid UK expansion, including its first international headquarters outside Norway, at Gatwick, had been key to its year of growth. P resident Trumps alleged links with President Putin have been dominating the news over the past few days. But such links, assuming they exist, are in many ways timely and could be very important for global, and in particular European, security. Russia, with a GDP similar to Italy, is suffering from the impact of reduced oil and gas prices plus US and EU sanctions. Yet Putin is spending vast amounts on armaments, and in particular upgrading Russias nuclear weapons. It is producing new land- based ICBMs (intercontinental ballistic missiles), SLBMs (submarine-launched ballistic missiles) as well as the nuclear submarines that carry them and nuclear cruise missiles. It has broken the INF (intermediate-range nuclear forces) treaty and is undermining the web of agreements and understandings regarding nuclear weapons with the US. The Russian economy is almost on a war footing and the costs are unsustainable in the long term. Something has to give, and that makes the situation highly dangerous. President Putin is a revisionist. He believes in the old geographical spheres of interest and that Russia should be treated as a super-power. This is part of the reason for his flexing of muscles in Syria and the highly visible deployment last year of an aircraft carrier group through the Channel to the Mediterranean. He was scarred by Russias loss of status in international eyes that came with the collapse of the Soviet Union. He also sees Nato as a threat to Russia, not least because of the alliances steady expansion eastwards. The bulk of the Russian population feels exactly the same. Tensions are high with the annexation of the Crimea, ongoing events in Ukraine and sabre-rattling over the Baltic states. The Russians are conducting nuclear attack submarine operations off the west coast of the UK, trying to locate our deterrent submarines, and probing Nato airspace, which often involves dangerous air near-misses. As tension has risen, Putin has announced the deployment of short-range nuclear missiles into the Kaliningrad area on the Baltic, a cut-off province of Russia nestling between Poland and Lithuania. Last but not least are Russias ever-increasing cyber attacks on the US and most other Nato countries. For example, the taking down of a French television station, seemingly by so-called Islamic State, in fact emanated from within Russia. The situation is extremely worrying and there is a very real possibility that through miscalculation, some initially minor incident could escalate and lead to war. The threat of such escalation is compounded by Putins apparent readiness to use nuclear weapons. He talks of using them in war-fighting, which is a horrifying prospect. His policy of de-escalation involves the early use of tactical nuclear weapons on the grounds that Russia is at a conventional disadvantage to Nato. The term tactical nuclear weapon is an interesting one. Surely a nuclear weapon of the yield (the damage potential) of most Russian short-range missiles would seem pretty strategic to the nation on whose territory it lands. To use such a weapon against a Nato nation would almost inevitably lead to a similar response against Russian forces, and in the worst-case scenario to full-on nuclear exchange. The US is just about to embark on a modernisation of its nuclear triad of land-based ICBMs, its long-range bomber force and new ballistic-missile submarines. It may also develop a new nuclear cruise missile. The total cost of this modernisation programme is more than $1 trillion through the 2020s. As on many issues, President Trump has given mixed messages regarding nuclear weapons. In December he tweeted that the US must greatly strengthen and expand its nuclear capability until such time as the world comes to its senses regarding nukes. Then the next day he gave an opposite view, suggesting they would stay about the same size. Trump and Putin are by nature deal-makers. If they are as close as is suggested, there is a golden opportunity to lessen tension by establishing lines of communication and avoid misunderstandings. Indeed, to restore the agreements and understandings between their two nations about nuclear weapons could help defuse potential escalation in time of crisis. Additionally the START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) negotiations could move forward again. Despite the achievements of SALT (Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty) 1 and 2 and START 1 and 2, we are still in a world where Russia and the US each have about 7,000 nuclear warheads in their arsenals. The Russians have about 4,000 short-range nuclear weapons and the US fields about 200 in Europe. These are particularly destabilising, not least in their vulnerability to terrorist attack and capture since many are held in remote storage areas. A major reduction in warhead holdings would make the world safer. We in the UK can be proud of having taken a lead in reducing our warheads to about 200, the bare minimum to maintain a credible deterrent. If the two presidents can reach some agreement on ways of reducing tension it will enhance global security. It would be a great coup, for example, if the US and Russian strategic nuclear forces went from the condition of instant notice to fire down to a reduced readiness to fire, as we have done in the UK with our deterrent. The issue of alert state and readiness to fire is particularly important in the case of land-based ICBMs and bombers as they are vulnerable to a first strike. This means there is only a limited time to react to a suspected attack before they are destroyed in the US and Russian case about 15 minutes. In times of severely strained relations between the US and what was then the Soviet Union in the past, on a number of occasions missile launches were almost made on incorrect information. New calming measures combined with success in a new START 3 would be a substantial achievement by these two leaders. We would inhabit a safer world and feel bound to acknowledge at least in this one area of endeavour their statesmanship. Lord West is a former Chief of Defence Intelligence, First Sea Lord and security minister. I n the interview with the Met Commissioner, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, in this paper today, he warned that as a result of changes and cuts to government spending, there could be swingeing cuts in police numbers by perhaps thousands rather than hundreds. Some of the cuts which City Hall estimates at up to 700 million are to redistribute funding to the regions, but as Sir Bernard points out, this ignores Londons unique problems. Crucially, as he says, Londons population is increasing as a result of migration by a million in the past decade and in parts of the capital a high birth rate means that there are large numbers of young men, the group that statistically accounts for most crime. Sir Bernards interview is valedictory his successor will be named next week and he can look back with some pride at his achievements at the head of the Met. He took the job on in the wake of the London riots and there has been no repeat of public disorder on that scale. And although he did not handle the phone-hacking and historic child-abuse scandals well, the Met has done formidable work in helping keep the city and the country safe from terrorist attacks though that work needs perpetual vigilance and luck. He has also focused usefully on the growing challenge of cyber crime and has insisted on the importance of attracting ethnic minority recruits. There is a growing problem of knife and gun crime, allied closely to gang violence; that is a societal problem as well as a policing one. It is aggravated by the reality he identifies: more people, densely packed, means more tension. He is absolutely right that London has challenges that the rest of the country does not: this is not just a large city but the UK capital, which means we are more susceptible to terrorist attack and cyber crime, and demonstrations happen here, not elsewhere the cost of the latter is not fully met in existing funding. The Met has already done a great deal to cut its costs for instance by property sales and by slimming its ranks but any more cuts must fall on police numbers. At present Sir Bernard says under-staffing is met through increased overtime an inefficient way to pay for a police presence but if there are fewer police, it will be evident on the street. Sir Bernards parting gift is to make clear the Met needs decent funding. Humanitarian crises Britain is to host a conference in London in May on the worsening political and humanitarian situation in Somalia, which faces famine. But the UN envoy for Somalia, Sir Nicholas Kay, warns that before it happens there may be hundreds of thousands of people dead or about to die. The immediate crisis is drought, but the larger problem is the political instability since warlords ousted the dictator Siad Barre in 1991, unleashing civil war. Somalia is not the only urgent humanitarian and political problem confronting the world. The conflict in Yemen, where Saudi Arabia has intervened militarily in the civil war, has taken a huge toll in innocent lives. We have to broaden our humanitarian concerns beyond the war in Syria: this will take political energy as well as aid. Fashion forward London Fashion Week begins tomorrow and top designer Joshua Kane has called for the industry to be less exclusive. To that end, he is putting on a show at the Palladium, with a capacity of more than 2,000, where fans will be treated to an immersive runway experience. Kanes desire to show his collection to as large an audience as possible is admirable. Londons fashion industry is the best in the world a little democratisation will only make it better. W e're meant to laugh, I suppose. Or to think our own innamoratos attempts at romance this week be it Costcutter carnations or a drunken fumble ending with one of you feigning sleep werent so hopeless after all. For a new Casanever has been discovered. Yesterday Londoner Lucy Brown revealed that she had been on a date, decided she wasnt interested in a re-run, and then received a text from her rejected suitor requesting cash for their drinks. His behaviour was deemed so appalling it made page three of The Times. The Times! The paper of record! I feel sorry for him. His message smacks of fragility: the kind of person who is devastated when they dont get a second date is going to find it excruciating that their failings are now in print. And why didnt they split the bill? The pair had met on the website Plenty of Fish. With internet dating you tend to think within seconds of meeting someone: You will never see me naked. In which case, go Dutch. That way youre not indebted to someone wholl soon be fodder for your bad-date anthology. Even if I did want to see someone again, I wouldnt expect him to pay. Ive never understood how any feminist could square that. I might understand if they gave 82p to the man-pound, a nod to the gender pay gap, but not demanding a freebie. I once interviewed the relationship writer Zoe Strimpel, who argued that men splitting the bill was unromantic and that any vaguely eligible man calls the shots. Thats why they have justification for paying. This attitude just perpetuates the problem. I want equality between the sexes, not to pander to sexism for the sake of my purse or pride. It starts a relationship on the wrong path, with a womans company being bought. Love shouldnt be transactional. It also puts undue pressure on men. We hear that men feel emasculated by womens financial independence, but isnt it a sign of pitiable insecurity if a man thinks all he brings to the table is a bulging wallet? Notably, in that exploration of toxic masculinity, Fifty Shades of Grey, tortured billionaire Christian keeps splashing cash on the submissive Anastasia. An Audi A3! A first edition Thomas Hardy! An Omega watch! I know what you well, if you happen to be one of the feminist-baiting troglodytes who write in the CAPITAL LETTERS OF INADEQUACY below my columns online are thinking: I bet she made her bloke pay, though. And Im just going to revel in my smugness here for a second youd be wrong. My boyfriend has some wonderful qualities. His bank balance hasnt always been one of them. When he first asked me to dinner he had just set up his own business and cash was tight, so I suggested we split the bill. Hell, on date five I paid for dinner while he was in the gents. Aware that I may not be the best judge of this, I asked him yesterday if this had emasculated him. He looked bemused. How did it make you feel? I pushed. Um, slightly less broke. Like I could afford food, and heating, and electricity, and beer. But not like a well-fed, well-heated, well-lit, well-beered eunuch? No. Because Im not an idiot. Its time Mr Ford got back down to earth Harrison Ford could to feminise a Raymond Chandler line make a nun kick a hole in a stained-glass window. This is a man who told Carrie Fisher, You have the eyes of a doe and the balls of a samurai. Who dressed as a pea pod for Halloween. Even the midlife crisis earring did not dim the desire. But now Ford is starting to burst his fans heart-shaped balloons. He has reportedly had another near-miss flying his plane. I get it. Han Solo. Indiana Jones. Both liked to dice with death. But Harry: youre not actually Han or Indy. Please, step away from the cockpit stat. Why dogliness is right next to godliness I'm such a soppy sap of a dog owner that I let my pup sleep on the bed, even though I inevitably awake to find she has kettled me into a corner and commandeered the whole duvet. So it perhaps isnt a surprise that I sympathise with campaigners at Animalisti Italiani who believe their dogs should be allowed in church. It makes sense for Catholicism too. The Pontiffs chosen name reflects his love for animals. After conflicting accounts from past popes, Francis has written that all creatures will have their rightful place in eternal life. And how better to pack the pews than to welcome in pets to play with? The Church of England has already stolen a march on us: Claphams Church of the Holy Spirit held a pet blessing a short service of hymns, howls and holy water. My dog certainly shows more Christian kindness ecstatically caressing rough-sleepers than much of humanity. So Im with Robert Louis Stevenson here: You think dogs will not be in heaven? I tell you, they will be there long before any of us. * Whatever happened to the Tories being the friends of small firms? The impending changes to business rates will hit Londons local shops while benefiting the tax-shy online titans who ship from a shed out in the boondocks. Whats worse is that internet retailers are given handouts. In 2012, Amazon whose bruising workplace practices have repeatedly been exposed paid less in corporation tax than it received in government grants. We once were a nation of shopkeepers. Now the Government is helping turn us into a nation of worker bees with timed toilet breaks and punishments for talking. S toke Newington has had a serious contender for London's best pizza since Naples institution LAntica Pizzeria da Michele opened last year. The original shot to worldwide fame after Julia Roberts, playing Elizabeth Gilbert, visited in 2010's Eat, Pray, Love and declared after just one bite that she was "having a relationship with my pizza. To reduce its popularity to one film scene would be unfair, though. Since opening in 1870, is has long been a local favourite, serving just two dishes: the traditional margherita (tomato, mozzarella, a touch of basil) and the marinara (tomato, oregano, olive oil, garlic). The pizzas are not round and come decorated with black burn marks, and they are always bigger than the plate they come on. People queue for them; generations of people have queued for them. Theres no shortage of hype, then. Can the London version compare? We asked Neopolitan Ludovica Attanasio, a self-professed pizza lover whos visited the original many times, to rate London's take against the first temple of pizza. Toppings Naples is known for its tomatoes, so its perhaps no surprise that the sauce is excellent: I like the flavour, the tomato sauce and the cheese. I really enjoy the tomato sauce its very rich, says Ludovica, who prefers the margarita to the marinara. She says it is comparable to the original. Ludovica has some strong words for other British pizzerias, though: Pineapple on pizza is a deadly sin. Its a very offensive crime for us: you should never have pineapple on pizza. Maybe after, if you fancy, but please: not together. Traditional: pizzas are kept simple at Michele Base This, sadly, it where the London version is let down, though it still scores highly. I think its very, very good, says Ludovica, I like the weird shape, I like that its not perfect. But the one I had last time was much softer. This one is a little bit crunchy, and its not meant to be. Its still lovely, but it is different. Ludovica later tells us that diners in Naples won't need a knife as a fork alone will cut through the pizza base, whereas here it is a little thicker, making that impossible. However, she isnt entirely sure this is anyones fault: We say no pizza can be similar to the one we have in Naples because of the water. This one isnt as good as at home but maybe it cant be. Price The marinara costs 6.90 for a regular and 7.90 for a large, while the margherita costs 7.90 for a regular and 9.00 for one with double mozzarella. This is more expensive than in Naples, where pizzas cost around 5. The best pizza in London 1 /18 The best pizza in London 50 Kalo di Ciro Salvo Don't be fooled by the red and black Dennis the Menace-style decor this place does seriously good pizza. Ingredients are rich and authentic (the mozzarella is flown in from Campania) and the pizzas come with generous helpings of lip-smacking tomato sauce (that you be mopping up with leftover crust afterwards). Luciano Furia Sodo Pizza Cafe In case you were wondering about the name, Sodo stands for sourdough. And thats something they take pretty seriously here. All the pizza dough is fermented for 48 hours and then baked at over 450 so that its light and airy with plenty of that sourdough tang. With such great bases it makes sense to keep toppings simple, but special kudos must go to the brilliantly named Jon Bon Chovy topped with anchovies, olives, capers, chilli and fresh parsley. Pizza Pilgrims With restaurants in different corners of London, brothers James and Thom Eliot have come a long way since their days as street food traders. The Neapolitan-style pizzas here are soft and doughy with a plumped-up crust and a rich tomato base try the nudja variety if youre feeling spicy. L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele Flying in to Baker Street from Naples, this pizzeria which incidentally was featured in Eat, Pray, Love has been described as the best in the world, never mind London. The London branch is less scruffy (and a little more expensive) than the Naples original, and the pizzas are slightly different, too the bases are thicker for a start. That said, the full-flavoured tomato base which is a signature is present and correct and theres no doubting this is among the finest pizza in the capital. Be prepared to queue. Santore A hefty proportion of the clientele always seems to be Italian at this old-school Clerkenwell local, and thats got to be a good sign. The signature order is pizza by the metre, made with varying toppings along the stretch you might want to bring a couple of friends to help polish it off though. For something different try the i panuozzi, a pizza sandwich that has the same toppings but double the dough. Crate Brewery No two items could be more perfectly suited to each other than beer and pizza and few places are as geared up for the pair of them as Crate is. As well as making its own beer on-site it serves crispy, thin-base pizzas that are worthy of much more than just soaking up your drinks. Try the Middle Eastern lamb variety, topped with spicy mince, alongside more traditional numbers. Franco Manca There's a staggering number of Franco Manca branches throughout the capital, from Soho to Southfields and Covent Garden to Chiswick. Despite its size, the slightly sour, salty chewy Neapolitan base which made such an impression at the original Brixton Market branch remains, as do the simple but well-sourced toppings. The original Brixton branch is still the best. Homeslice There are now six buzzy Homeslice sites across London serving up impressive 20-inch pizzas. Some off-the-wall toppings may put off purists, but clever combos and a blistering hot oven ensure the end results really do work even a goat shoulder and savoy cabbage number. Devour them whole or by the slice. Pizza Union This casual pizzeria with sites in Spitalfields and Kings Cross is buzzy, fast and impressively cheap plus the pizzas are the real deal. Theyre made in the Roman style, with bases that are thin and crispy rather than chewy, and come in an abundance of varieties. Good news for coeliacs just ask for gluten free bases. Yard Sale Pizza Yard Sale Pizza started out how you might expect in a yard. Founder Johnnie Tate began his dough spinning journey cooking pies in a pizza oven in his Hackney back garden, but now the brand boasts five sites across London and has collaborated with the likes of foodie rapper Loyle Carner and, err, Home Alone star Macaulay Culkin. The proof of their success is in the pie its Holy Pepperoni is topped with two types of pepperoni and nduja sausage, while more contemporary options include the TSB, topped with tenderstem broccoli, manchego and pine nuts. Voodoo Rays Crust-leavers, get yourself to Voodoo Rays. This Dalston-originating pizza joint serves its pizza by-the-slice from massive 22-inch New York-style pies do the maths and that means less crust, more topping. And what toppings they are: fior di latte mozzarella and San Marzano tomatoes are used across the board and varieties include both Italian classic and the likes of the very English Porkys, made with Cumberland sausage, Stilton, red onion and parsley. Zia Lucia Zia Lucia really knows its dough. The growing pizza group has four different doughs on its menu a traditional, a wholemeal, a vegetable charcoal and one made with gluten-free flour. Toppings are Italian in essence, with a few tantalisingly unusual variations along the way: the Andrea Pirlo is topped with gorgonzola, apple, truffle and olive sauce, while the Green Vegana is spread with spicy broccoli cream and sundried tomatoes. Circolo Popolare The pizzas here are as luxurious as the restaurants famously flamboyant surroundings. Delicious metre-long 'zas arrive from the open kitchens twin rotary oven, placed on tables under floral ceilings and surrounded by walls stacked with 20,000 bottles. The crusts are chewy and light, the toppings are liberally applied and the sauces are perfect. ES Magazines critic Jimi Famurewa was full of praise for the doughy dishes, calling the peach-topped Orlando Blue pie a balanced blast of sunshine. The pizzas at Gloria, Circolos sister restaurant, are just as good too. Lateef Okunnu @lateef.photography Made of Dough At Made of Dough, its all about that crust generously charred and tangy as heck, its arguably the star of the show. Heading into the centre, be sure that the Truffle is somewhere on your order a white pizza, both mozzarella and parmesan are topped with white alba truffle oil and portobello mushrooms, with the option to add a mind-boggling portion of burratina on top. Starting life as a residency at Pop Brixton, the Made of Dough team now have a permanent spot in Peckham, as well as popular stalls in Market Hall Fulham and the West End location of crazy golf bar Swingers. Design Ludovica explains that the original is, if not run down, certainly rather basic, though this is key to its charm: it is resolutely simple and has no intention to change. The Stoke Newington site is simple too, with exposed brickwork and a plain white kitchen space, but there are nice touches: beer crates are used for decoration, splashes of copper catch the light and blue-washed chairs charm. Altogether, it is very comfortable. Ludovica says the marble topped tables are very similar to the original. The best pizza in London 1 /18 The best pizza in London 50 Kalo di Ciro Salvo Don't be fooled by the red and black Dennis the Menace-style decor this place does seriously good pizza. Ingredients are rich and authentic (the mozzarella is flown in from Campania) and the pizzas come with generous helpings of lip-smacking tomato sauce (that you be mopping up with leftover crust afterwards). Luciano Furia Sodo Pizza Cafe In case you were wondering about the name, Sodo stands for sourdough. And thats something they take pretty seriously here. All the pizza dough is fermented for 48 hours and then baked at over 450 so that its light and airy with plenty of that sourdough tang. With such great bases it makes sense to keep toppings simple, but special kudos must go to the brilliantly named Jon Bon Chovy topped with anchovies, olives, capers, chilli and fresh parsley. Pizza Pilgrims With restaurants in different corners of London, brothers James and Thom Eliot have come a long way since their days as street food traders. The Neapolitan-style pizzas here are soft and doughy with a plumped-up crust and a rich tomato base try the nudja variety if youre feeling spicy. L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele Flying in to Baker Street from Naples, this pizzeria which incidentally was featured in Eat, Pray, Love has been described as the best in the world, never mind London. The London branch is less scruffy (and a little more expensive) than the Naples original, and the pizzas are slightly different, too the bases are thicker for a start. That said, the full-flavoured tomato base which is a signature is present and correct and theres no doubting this is among the finest pizza in the capital. Be prepared to queue. Santore A hefty proportion of the clientele always seems to be Italian at this old-school Clerkenwell local, and thats got to be a good sign. The signature order is pizza by the metre, made with varying toppings along the stretch you might want to bring a couple of friends to help polish it off though. For something different try the i panuozzi, a pizza sandwich that has the same toppings but double the dough. Crate Brewery No two items could be more perfectly suited to each other than beer and pizza and few places are as geared up for the pair of them as Crate is. As well as making its own beer on-site it serves crispy, thin-base pizzas that are worthy of much more than just soaking up your drinks. Try the Middle Eastern lamb variety, topped with spicy mince, alongside more traditional numbers. Franco Manca There's a staggering number of Franco Manca branches throughout the capital, from Soho to Southfields and Covent Garden to Chiswick. Despite its size, the slightly sour, salty chewy Neapolitan base which made such an impression at the original Brixton Market branch remains, as do the simple but well-sourced toppings. The original Brixton branch is still the best. Homeslice There are now six buzzy Homeslice sites across London serving up impressive 20-inch pizzas. Some off-the-wall toppings may put off purists, but clever combos and a blistering hot oven ensure the end results really do work even a goat shoulder and savoy cabbage number. Devour them whole or by the slice. Pizza Union This casual pizzeria with sites in Spitalfields and Kings Cross is buzzy, fast and impressively cheap plus the pizzas are the real deal. Theyre made in the Roman style, with bases that are thin and crispy rather than chewy, and come in an abundance of varieties. Good news for coeliacs just ask for gluten free bases. Yard Sale Pizza Yard Sale Pizza started out how you might expect in a yard. Founder Johnnie Tate began his dough spinning journey cooking pies in a pizza oven in his Hackney back garden, but now the brand boasts five sites across London and has collaborated with the likes of foodie rapper Loyle Carner and, err, Home Alone star Macaulay Culkin. The proof of their success is in the pie its Holy Pepperoni is topped with two types of pepperoni and nduja sausage, while more contemporary options include the TSB, topped with tenderstem broccoli, manchego and pine nuts. Voodoo Rays Crust-leavers, get yourself to Voodoo Rays. This Dalston-originating pizza joint serves its pizza by-the-slice from massive 22-inch New York-style pies do the maths and that means less crust, more topping. And what toppings they are: fior di latte mozzarella and San Marzano tomatoes are used across the board and varieties include both Italian classic and the likes of the very English Porkys, made with Cumberland sausage, Stilton, red onion and parsley. Zia Lucia Zia Lucia really knows its dough. The growing pizza group has four different doughs on its menu a traditional, a wholemeal, a vegetable charcoal and one made with gluten-free flour. Toppings are Italian in essence, with a few tantalisingly unusual variations along the way: the Andrea Pirlo is topped with gorgonzola, apple, truffle and olive sauce, while the Green Vegana is spread with spicy broccoli cream and sundried tomatoes. Circolo Popolare The pizzas here are as luxurious as the restaurants famously flamboyant surroundings. Delicious metre-long 'zas arrive from the open kitchens twin rotary oven, placed on tables under floral ceilings and surrounded by walls stacked with 20,000 bottles. The crusts are chewy and light, the toppings are liberally applied and the sauces are perfect. ES Magazines critic Jimi Famurewa was full of praise for the doughy dishes, calling the peach-topped Orlando Blue pie a balanced blast of sunshine. The pizzas at Gloria, Circolos sister restaurant, are just as good too. Lateef Okunnu @lateef.photography Made of Dough At Made of Dough, its all about that crust generously charred and tangy as heck, its arguably the star of the show. Heading into the centre, be sure that the Truffle is somewhere on your order a white pizza, both mozzarella and parmesan are topped with white alba truffle oil and portobello mushrooms, with the option to add a mind-boggling portion of burratina on top. Starting life as a residency at Pop Brixton, the Made of Dough team now have a permanent spot in Peckham, as well as popular stalls in Market Hall Fulham and the West End location of crazy golf bar Swingers. Atmosphere Apparently, the Naples site really is as popular as they say: It is so busy, you have to queue for hours, but I think thats part of the fun. Theres something sadistic about it: I mean, you know youll be there for ages but you go anyway because maybe thats what makes the pizza so good. The waiting is half of the experience, says Ludovica. By turn, our visit had no queue but it was midday on a Wednesday, and even so, the place quickly became busy. Reportedly in the evenings queues sometimes get up to around two hours. Service is efficient and friendly and staff are all Italian, so it does feel like youre getting something of an authentic experience, especially as the chefs have come across from Naples. Overall experience Its very nice said Ludovica, I wouldnt queue for it, not like in Naples its too cold to queue in London! I will definitely come back, but I would never queue for a couple of hours, no, never. It might be the best pizza in London but its not as good as the pizza in Naples. It's quite close to maybe the third pizza in Naples Ludovica smiles, Youre doing great. Ludovica also recommends Bravo Ragazzi in Streatham, which is run by a team from Naples. LAntica Pizzeria da Michele can be found at 125 Stoke Newington Church St, N16 0UH, open from midday until 11pm. No bookings are being taken. 020 7687 0009 / @damichelelondon O utside its a grey February afternoon but inside Nicholas Kirkwoods penthouse, its a riot of colour. When I moved in I did a bit of a number on it, the 36-year-old shoe designer says, smiling mischievously, sporting a light tan from a recent trip to Australia and clad in a Wooyoungmi bomber and Frame jeans. Thats an understatement: from the high-gloss magenta floor (I told the landlord that I was going to coat the floors a nice mahogany and slipped in a bit of reddy pink) to the tinted purple mirror panelling (just to bring in a bit of colour), the Mayfair pad is a sight to behold. Its certainly a welcome contrast to the usual aesthetic of the Balfour Place building, with its lobby featuring Vanitas-style oil paintings of ripe fruit, hung in heavy, gilt-edged frames. Its been 11 years since Kirkwood debuted his game-changing, gravity-defying architectural platforms. At the time, the British fashion scene was re-establishing itself as an ideas powerhouse, with Kirkwood and Central Saint Martins contemporaries Christopher Kane and Jonathan Saunders forging an experimental new guard. Today, with a revamped flagship store on Mount Street and lucrative backing from the LVMH Group, Kirkwoods future is looking just as bright as his hyper-hued, two-bedroom apartment. When he moved in three years ago, after a brief stint on Columbia Road, he enlisted interior designer David Cooper to transform its white walls. If I move, I need to find somewhere the same height... or lower the ceilings, he jokes referring to a custom-made Pietro Russo shelving unit that reworks Kirkwoods signature chevron graphic. Together the pair have blocked out a colourful canvas upon which to display Kirkwoods growing collection of art pieces and objets. There is the casual Jeff Koons sculpture in the master bedroom (part of the artists Dom Perignon collaboration) while in the lounge, a Keith Haring skateboard vies for attention with Eddie Peakes mirrored conversation starter that reads Make Me Hard. Fun is a central theme with other highlights including a giant metal cactus fossicked from a second-hand store, and a kitsch lips phone that hes had since he was 18. A fuchsia Jeff Koons sculpture in the master bedroom (Chris Tubbs) Lighting has become a Kirkwood obsession. In addition to two 1960s Sputnik ceiling chandeliers that hang in the lounge (a third has been rehoused in his Soho studio), theres a 1969 Gino Sarfatti installation that commemorates the moon landing and another that looks like a hieroglyph (or Coco Chanels initials lit up in bulbs), a spherical sculpture by Enzo Catellani called Sorry Giotto, and Ultrafragola mirror by Ettore Sottsass, of the Italian post-modern Memphis Group, which illuminates the spare bedroom. The original lights were broken inside so I changed them all to LED so that I can do them at any colour, he says, satisfied with the electro-disco effect hes engineered. I like things from the Eighties, he explains, the whole era, whether its music, fashion or art, really questioned taste. It almost gets to that point where its so bad its amazing. Hes got more Memphis pieces stashed in the kitchen including a rather phallic looking rainbow-hued teapot and a couple of graphic vases picked up from the Sothebys David Bowie auction. I love, and quite often other people hate, Memphis, he offers. I once read that Memphis is a love child between Bauhaus and Fisher-Price, and they are kinda right! Nicholas Kirkwood at home: in pictures 1 /12 Nicholas Kirkwood at home: in pictures The designer with Enzo Catellanis Sorry Giotto The Memphis Ultrafragola mirror lights up the spare room A skateboard deck of Kirkwoods own design vies for attention; His kitsch lips phone atop photography books A fuchsia Jeff Koons sculpture in the master bedroom; The bold contrasting hues in the bedroom are complemented by 1950s Italian hand-painted wall lighting His custom-made Pietro Russo shelving unit Nicholas Kirkwoods Mayfair flat is a riot of colour So whats with the choice of Mayfair? The ritzy address feels at odds with Kirkwoods edgy east London credentials. Pure convenience, he smiles, citing the flats proximity to his store a short stride at the other end of Mount Street (when it first opened he initially took up residence in the basement but got pushed out as they needed more office space). Its not like Ive got a load of friends living around here, he laughs, although Lindsay Lohan is the noted exception, with whom he stayed while decorating. When I first got it I thought it was a great place to have a party pad. Almost the whole building was empty for so long so you could pump up the music and nobody would complain. But now Ive got neighbours. Does he do much entertaining? Im not very good at cooking, he confesses. But I have friends come around and get the pans out of the cupboard. Hes eagerly awaiting the opening of Dean & DeLuca on Mount Street, while his local favourites include Kitty Fishers, Little House and Japanese restaurant Umu, which you need to take a mortgage out for, but its pretty epic. Kirkwoods oval Pietro Russo dining table may comfortably seat six, but you get the impression that his mustard Benson lounge gets more action. Not a good look! he exclaims, lamenting a recent cigarette scar. Underfoot, a 1960 Barbro Nilsson rug, acquired from Phillips auction house, appears as though its former life was more likely spent hung up on a wall: Yeah it was, and now its got fag ash on it, he laughs, half woeful, half amused, adding, I try to look after it. Which may also account for the abundance of hand-blown ashtrays scattered about. Turns out Kirkwoods got a bit of an addiction to Murano and Portuguese glass. Even at Alfies Antique Market [in Marylebone] you can find some nice little weird things. Youre not sure if its a glass or a vase, but I can always find space for it somewhere. I wonder how he feels about those Marie Kondo-inspired, clutter clearing converts who limit themselves to 150 possessions? Yeah, Im not really sure about that, he laughs, motioning towards the downstairs junk room. Nope, its not my thing, never been much of a minimalist. Although born in Munster, Germany, Kirkwood has lived in London since he was 13, having spent his pre-teens moving around England. My dad was in the Army, he explains, which is probably why I get itchy feet after about three years and want to move. He enrolled in Central Saint Martins fine art foundation course, later dipping his toe into the fashion world interning with milliner Philip Treacy. When you are doing the foundation, you do all of the courses, he says. I loved fashion but I kind of hated sewing. He also studied jewellery, which I very nearly went into, he says, tapping two silver rings that he made when he was 15 and has worn ever since, adding: There are a lot of similarities in terms of a structural quality to them both. But at the time I could probably only count five shoe designers that I had heard of and I loved the idea of creating sculptural heels. Practical training at Cordwainers college followed, enabling him to make his first collection at home in 2005. Now, his bold, sculptural shoes are an A-list favourite, with fans including Millie Bobby Brown and Jennifer Lawrence. In 2010 Kirkwood took home Accessory Designer of the Year at the British Fashion Awards and in 2013, LVMH bought a 51 percent majority stake in the brand. Credit: Chris Tubbs Hes clearly still humbled by the investment. They have so much experience in building brands and allowing creative directors to put their stamp on it and support that and not necessarily fight against it, he says of what its meant to his company. I think the difference between that and maybe private equity is that they play the longer game and its not about selling keyrings just because you can. Indeed weve yet to see a single bag from Kirkwood. With time that will come, he promises. I would love to work on bags, but also go back to jewellery again. To me its quite obvious how I would do it. Its just doing things at the right time. Having LVMH behind us means that just because you can do something doesnt mean that you should. It turns out Kirkwoods ambitions arent just confined to the fashion world. I would love to design furniture, for example, he says, and whether thats as a collaboration or just as myself hidden away, its something that Id very much like to do. More seriously, he adds: Ive been looking into founding a studio in order to do separate creative projects, not necessarily to promote, but purely art therapy Back at home, this spring Kirkwood is turning his hand to transforming his roof terrace, accessed by a swooping transparent spiral staircase. That will be the next project and then it will be time to move out, he deadpans, before trailing off into laughter. 5 Mount Street, W1 (nicholaskirkwood.com) I n a west London restaurant booth, with the help of pictures on her iPhone, Lady Laura Burlington wife of William Cavendish, the Earl of Burlington, son and heir of the 12th Duke of Devonshire is outlining her dream Chatsworth House dinner party guest. Contenders include: Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire (as played by Keira Knightley in The Duchess), Mitford sisters Deborah Debo Devonshire and Nancy Mitford, Adele Astaire (sister and dance partner of Fred) and JFKs sister Kathleen Kick Kennedy. The images are courtesy of intimate scrapbooks belonging to the 6th Duke of Devonshire (1790-1858), who also sounds like a fascinating dining companion. Hes known as the Bachelor Duke, Burlington explains of Georgianas son. This is his coronation invitation (he carried the orb at George IVs crowning), some invitation designs for parties he was going to give: I mean the Soiree Dramatique sounds quite marvellous. She swipes to another picture. This is a sketch by the head designer of the Paris Opera as a possible thing to wear some designs for firework displays. Another flick This is Tsar Nicholas I, she continues, who I suspect he had a little crush on because he features quite heavily in a very dashing way. You get the picture... The reason for the dinner party conversation? Burlington has recently come to the end of almost six years spent unearthing sartorial gems at her husbands ancestral pile in Derbyshire for the upcoming exhibition House Style: Five Centuries of Fashion at Chatsworth House. Opening next month and running into October, the show will highlight the houses fashion legacy as well as the antics of its most bold incumbents. Chatsworth is kind of a treasure house, explains the 45-year-old mother of three, who married Burlington, a photographer, 10 years ago and now splits her time between their primary residence in west London and Lismore Castle in Ireland, which has been in the family since 1753. She casts off her checked Celine jacket, today teamed with wipe-clean Vetements trousers; sans jewellery and make-up-free. Many [of the familys] houses have been sold along the away, like Hardwick, and the contents emptied into Chatsworth, so there are five times as many things as you would put in any normal house! The idea for the exhibition came to light when Burlington a board member of LFWs NEWGEN committee, who has previously worked in production for Roland Mouret, and as a fashion buyer was rummaging around Chatsworths textile rooms with the current Duchess of Devonshire, in search of a christening gown for her son James. Soon after she wrote to American Vogues international editor-at-large, couture aficionado and author Hamish Bowles, who agreed to curate the project almost immediately. He and Burlington had met years previously on an ill-fated photo shoot. She was the model, he was the stylist. I sort of passed out, she smirks, but not because I met him. Rather, she says, her loss of consciousness was down to an overly snug Vivienne Westwood corset. He was incredibly nice to me, she laughs. Stella Tennant with her grandmother, the Dowager Duchess of Devonshire, at Chatsworth in 2006 (Credit: Mario Testino) / Mario Testino The current project has proved to be a happy reunion. I had a three-week-old baby and we did this trip to Chatsworth, Burlington continues. We started to look at things and Hamish immediately said, We need Patrick (Kinmonth, the polymathic set designer and art director) with us. Kinmonth oversees the creative direction and design of the exhibition with art director Antonio Monfreda, with whom he worked on Valentino: Master of Couture at Somerset House in 2012, among other exhibitions. Its very interesting watching him, Burlington enthuses of Bowles. Hes really like a sleuth. He gets the dress and hes immediately inside it. He forensically went through Williams grandmothers clothes (Debo, The Dowager Duchess of Devonshire); he had a hundred outfits. Presumably there would be even more were it not for the fact, says Burlington, that people were so different about good clothes then no one really kept them. [Author] Charlotte Mosley told me a story about the time Williams grandmother was watching the town nativity performance, and suddenly went, Oh my goodness, the angels in my Givenchy. Lady Laura Burlingtons Vetements addition The original title of the exhibition was set to be Dressing the Devonshires, until, Burlington says, we realised no one knew who the Devonshires were. That will soon change, with some 150 mannequins on show, as well as hundreds of objects organised into themes ranging from Coronation Dress to the glittering 1897 Devonshire House Ball celebrating Queen Victorias Diamond Jubilee of great importance because all 400 attendees were photographed. They were all allegorical figures and they went at it hammer and tongs! Serendipitously, Bowles was already in possession of the Devonshire House Ball album, which he bought at auction 20 years ago. Spread throughout the baroque houses Painted Hall, Chapel and State Music Room, other highlights will include Jean-Philippe Worth and Christian Dior couture, as well as plenty of family jewels. Oh, theres a big jewellery situation, Burlington beams, flicking through tiaras on her phone. You can have the one object go back with one, two, three, four, five, six, seven generations, all wearing it. The Dowagers collection of bug and butterfly brooches will be another treat. She would wear them up the sleeve and down the side of her dress to great effect, says Burlington of the style icon. Following the Dowagers death in 2014, her collection was split up between her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Ive got two girls, so theyve each got one. Its quite sweet. Five Centuries of Fashion at Chatsworth: in pictures 1 /8 Five Centuries of Fashion at Chatsworth: in pictures Bespoke jumpers, commissioned by the 11th Duke of Devonshire. Stella Tennant with her grandmother, the Dowager Duchess of Devonshire, at Chatsworth in 2006; Lady Laura Burlington in Holland & Holland The Dowager in 1945, wearing a Bird hat made by Evelyn Waugh; Laura Burlingtons Vetements addition The Dowager Duchess wearing her collection of insect jewellery. There will be some modern pieces too. Hamish wanted the show to be right up to date, she says, when I ask how a floral Vetements frock, one of Burlingtons personal additions, made it into the mix. [Although] Lotta Volkova (the brands stylist) might have a breakdown if she sees Vetements at Chatsworth. Not the target audience is it? A 1990s nose ring belonging to Stella Tennant, Debos granddaughter, also made the contemporary edit. It does sound like times are changing at Chatsworth. Until recently it was black tie for dinner, Burlington says. I remember going to stay with Williams grandmother, [and it was] every night. Even when it was just her and her husband they changed for dinner. Finally, Gucci, the exhibitions principal sponsor, is also submitting a dress that picks up where the Dowager left off on the insect front. The brand shot its SS17 cruise collection at Chatsworth and creative director Alessandro Michele is clearly rather enamoured with its soigne descendants, including surely, the 11th Duke (Debos husband), who was rather ahead of the slogan jumper trend. He was quite eccentric, she says of his bespoke sweaters. William told me that some important person came and was wandering around in a Never Marry a Mitford jumper. Theres 22 of them, she laughs. Another reads: All Passion Spent quite fun. Indeed. Style, humour and historic spectacle no wonder Chatsworth is this seasons most fashionable destination. House Style: Five Centuries of Fashion at Chatsworth opens on 25 March. H igh fashions love affair with crystals is unabating, which is ironic given that everything they stand for is the antithesis of the fickle, transient nature of fashion. Crystals are minerals formed underground from three-dimensional repeating patterns of atoms. They develop over thousands or millions of years. Yet here they are being worn as pendants in the Givenchy show, and appearing on Crocs at Christopher Kane. The latest designer to succumb is Miuccia Prada, whose AW17 menswear collection, shown in Milan last month, featured crystals strung round models necks like talismans. We all went too far there is so much to follow, so much to do always more and more, Prada said after her show. You somehow lose your normal nature. Prada wasnt referring specifically to the crystals, but her comment goes some way to explaining their popularity. Here, in politically volatile 2017, people seem drawn to them as much for reasons of spirituality as of aesthetic. Speaking after the Givenchy show, Riccardo Tisci explained his motive for using agate medallions and oversized agate prints: Women are fighting for power, not only in America but everywhere in the world. I wanted to do something more sensual and more powerful, and for me, thats tied to nature. Crystals are often associated with power, even if few people beyond the real aficionados would be able to explain why. Here comes the (abridged for your convenience) science bit: apparently, their repeating chemical structure is said to invest them with a kind of memory that enables them to hold energies. Depending on which crystal you use, unseen energy levels can be increased, decreased or altered to positively influence your life. If this sounds wacky, fans dont care. Theyre too busy enjoying what they swear are the benefits of using crystals. Katy Perry claims she sleeps holding a rose quartz because its supposed to help you find love and heal your heart, while Victoria Beckham is well documented as using black tourmaline (known for its protective qualities) backstage at her fashion shows. I carry my crystals with me, which some people might think is odd but it works for me, she has said. Other notables who swear by the healing power of crystals include Lena Dunham, Miranda Kerr and Simon Cowell. Of course, not everyone will be convinced. For some reason I blame Edina Monsoon some words and concepts are just laughable, and one of them is chakra. The very thought of it is enough to make you cringe, and when chakra is uttered, you can be sure the word crystal isnt far behind. Too often crystals will come across as overtly spiritual, cosmic and hippy, acknowledges fashion PR Tyler Psarras, who has been fascinated by crystals since childhood and whose extensive knowledge has seen her act as an unofficial guru to many in the fashion industry. Simply holding a crystal isnt going to transform you, she says. Crystals arent a Band-Aid. And just because someone is carrying a crystal doesnt mean theyre not an a**hole. Ive definitely encountered some inauthentic individuals who carry them because they think its the latest cool thing to be doing. These types of people are constantly seeking something outside themselves to feel better, rather than uncovering the energy within that needs to be shifted. Unless youre consciously using them, youre just carrying around a few pretty rocks. You have to do the work. Shoes by Christopher Kane, 275 (christopherkane.com) But what is the work? Psarras suggests incorporating them into a daily mindfulness practice, which will quieten the mind and move energy from the ego to the heart. Its important to be conscious of them a great way to do that is to be aware of your breath, close your eyes and tune in to their presence. It doesnt matter whether your crystal is part of your jewellery or whether its a polished tumblestone connecting with it is the key. With jewellery being one of the easiest, as well as one of the prettiest, ways to keep your crystals close to you, its unsurprising that demand for jewellery featuring quartz stones is currently off the chart. Its a reaction to whats going on in the world at the moment there seems even more of a need to have some formidable energetic protection than ever before, says Ida Petersson, non-apparel buying manager at Browns. Designers who use symbols, crystals and precious stones to create a feeling of customised energy for the wearer are proving especially popular, such as Ileana Makris evil-eye charms, and the New York-based brand Foundrae. Their pieces allow customers to build up and personalise their collection depending on how they feel, choosing the energy they wish to take with them for the day, says Petersson. Along with her contemporaries Eugenie Niarchos and Brooke Gregson, the Lebanese-born jewellery designer Noor Fares is another crystal aficionado. Ive always been fascinated by talismans. Im a naturally superstitious person and theyre so ingrained in my Lebanese roots, Fares explains. Her favourites to work with are crystals that have optical illusions, known as phenomena stones moonstone, opal, labradorite, cats eye and star sapphire. I love the natural displays of colour and light captured within them. According to Fares, opal is particularly popular this season. She has recently started working with black opal from Australia, a beautiful green-blue colour which people seem to really gravitate towards. Malachite ring by Studio Mackereth, 2,900, at Paul Smith (020 7493 4565) Whether in jewellery form or not, novices interested in buying their first quartz stone may like to research its different properties. Rose quartz is said to help with matters of the heart; tigers eye to help those seeking clarity; lapis lazuli to expand our intuition; citrine to help lift mood and purple stones are supposed to help with change. Alternatively, you could simply choose one you are drawn to, whether because of its colour, shape or something more nebulous. We all have the power to decide how we feel. By using the energetic frequency of crystals, we are able to tune in to those feelings. Once you start to understand that you have the power to change how you feel, you also realise that you have the power to change how someone else feels, says Psarras, who is so convinced of their efficacy that she is planning to transition from PR to set up a crystal and wellness website. Energy is power. It constantly moves and can transform itself. Its up to us how we control and shape this energy as it not only affects us internally but all those associated to us externally. We live in incredibly turbulent times we need love, unity, compassion and a connection to each other more than ever. Are you listening, Mr Trump? Granted, it would take more than a lump of rose quartz to heal Donalds heart, but it would be a start. Lets hope someone at least manages to pass a shard of malachite to Melania. Apparently, it helps protect against evil spirits. H ome is... Holland, always. Where do you live in London? Primrose Hill, I love the village feel. It reminds me of home. If you had to be locked in a building overnight which would it be? I would love to have a slumber party with all my girlfriends at the Dutch pub De Hems, which is an old 19th-century pub in Soho. Alamy Stock Photo What would you do as Mayor for the day? Make more cycle lanes. I love to cycle especially after growing up in Holland where everyone cycles, but Im too scared to ride my bike around London. What are you up to at the moment? Currently Im watching PAW Patrol, its my sons favourite cartoon show. Project-wise, I recently collaborated with Frame founders Jens Grede and Erik Torstensson on a capsule collection. Its the perfect blend of irreverent cool and subtle patriotism to my Dutch roots. Your latest preoccupation? I am really into playing Mecca Bingo. Its so much fun. Whats the best meal youve had in London? Cachao Cafe on Regents Park Road. It was a small, laid-back spot that has sadly closed its left a massive hole in my morning routine. Last play you saw? For my birthday recently, I took my son to see Aladdin at the Prince Edward Theatre. He brought his friend and they had the best time, as did I. Favourite London establishments? The Princess of Wales pub in Primrose Hill, which hosts the best pub quizzes. I love them so much that for the recent launch of my collection with Frame, we hosted a pub quiz. I also have a bizarre obsession with Ikea, and my son loves Lego so we spend a lot of time exploring the Lego store. Then there is a deli in Belsize Park that I like to visit as it has proper Dutch cheese and stroopwafels. Last album you bought? I bought Now 95 to update my road-trip playlist. What do you collect? Garden gnomes. Whats the first thing you do when you arrive back in London? I travel a lot with work, so I will usually try to take a nap. Earliest London memory? Feeding the squirrels in Regents Park is what springs to mind. I would have been very small at the time and I think one of them might have bitten me, too. If you could buy any building, which would it be? The optical illusion building (M by Montcalm) on City Road. I would like to demolish it as it always makes me feel nauseous when driving up to it. (Credit: Alamy Stock Photo) / Alamy Stock Photo Most romantic thing someones done for you? Probably adopting a goat for me called Pookey. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter: @EsMagOfficial ' If Im honest I didnt really know what I was getting myself into, says Dominic Jones, running his hand through his freshly cropped trademark platinum hair. It was literally like strapping myself into a roller coaster. We are sitting in a conference room just off Edgware Road and Jones is explaining why, three years ago, he took the dramatic decision to push pause on a rocketing career at the helm of his own jewellery brand, and quietly shut up shop. I worked out quite quickly that the end game wasnt necessarily what I wanted, he continues. I didnt really enjoy having my name as a brand. It isnt something you think about when youre 23 years old and making pieces on your kitchen table and someone asks you, Whats it called? Well, Im Dominic just call it that. And then youre in magazines and on carrier bags, but its my name and I dont really want it to be a brand. Im a quieter person than that. Indeed, today hes softly spoken and thoughtful with a perfectionists focus. Its easy to forget that for five fierce years Jones was jewellerys enfant terrible. With Alice Dellal as his business partner and campaigns starring Cara Delevingne and a nude Suki Waterhouse, his avant-garde designs were catnip to a new generation of jewellery enthusiasts. When I started the company in 2009, it was with the intent of presenting jewellery to my peers, explains the 31-year-old. No one was talking about jewellery to people who were interested in fashion. Not only was Jones, whose supporters included Karl Lagerfeld, Rihanna and Beyonce, the first jeweller to be allotted an on-schedule LFW slot, but he quickly picked up stockists from Browns to Net-a-Porter, developed the diffusion line DJ, and even collaborated with Lady Amanda Harlech on a line they called Harlot & Bones. It was very much a conscious decision, he adds of his unexplained disappearance after presenting his 10th collection in 2014. I kind of worked out around the halfway point that I didnt want it to be more than a moment. He pauses. I wasnt brave enough to talk about it because it was more of a feeling the practicalities of the way that I was working were all based around sculptural wax carving, which meant it was a relatively limited proposition. To evolve into a larger brand I knew that I had to change the core identity. Such a transition for instance, working with solid gold rather than plated brass would have also pushed his prices up from the hundreds into the thousands, alienating existing customers. At that point Jones decided not to take on a second round of investment. The first collection was thorns and the last was flowers and it summed up the message I wanted to convey and Im so proud that it never got diluted. It was a moment in time and it had a wide-ranging influence on the industry. ASTLEY CLARKE Saturn earrings, 1,750 Still, it makes the announcement, last September, that hed been appointed creative director of former multi-brand jewellery e-tailer-turned-monobrand Astley Clarke, something of a sweet surprise. So how has the jeweller, known for casting rather menacing talons, jaws and bones in gold-plated brass, merged his design identity with a company whose bestseller is a beaded charm bracelet? Anyone who knows my work knows that its not the most obvious fit, concedes Jones. His hushed arrival at Astley Clarke last April before the media release did, however, afford him six months grace to tinker, explore and assimilate ideas, closing the aesthetic gap without anyone being the wiser. Were like yin and yang, he explains. Were two halves of one whole and its come together in the most amazing way. The pairing came about after fashion entrepreneur Carmen Busquets (an Astley Clarke shareholder who also has investments in Farfetch and Moda Operandi) got in touch last February. Women who have an eye for great jewellery from Natalie Massenet to Anna Wintour had been championing Dominic from early on and I knew his pieces sold well, she says. He seems to have an understanding of what people want and how they are wearing their jewellery, and his design approach is so inclusive and timeless. (With Alice Dellal / Keith Mayhew/Landmark Media Jones who has spent the past three years doing consultancy work at Faberge and Gemfields, in addition to a River Island partnership and a collaborative series with a friend whos a furniture designer will be tasked with connecting the dots between commercial, fashion and fine jewellery at Astley Clarke. Dominic understands the next generation of luxury customer, says the brands founder Bec Astley Clarke. He has an understanding of the fashion zeitgeist, while retaining the elegant sensibilities of a fine jeweller. And he has jumped right in, overseeing tweaks to the website, packaging and even logo, working across all ends of the business from Biographys 60 pendant necklaces to Astronomy, his first fine jewellery collection, priced from 345 to 4,500. Hes sharing a sneak preview here ahead of his LFW debut this Saturday. Astley Clarke have been amazing about giving me full creative control, he says. A good deal has changed since the Buckinghamshire-born creative was last in the headlines. Fine jewellery is no longer the sole domain of Place Vendome maisons. Fashion and jewellery has continued to merge into a new contemporary bijou category, just as he had hoped. During his time out of the spotlight, Jones says he was content getting to know myself again and falling in love with fine jewellery again. How so, I ask? When I came out of university (he trained at Londons Sir John Cass School) I was actively very anti it, he remembers. I thought that people in fine jewellery were lazy, believing that good design was putting the most expensive stone in a sparkly setting (stay tuned for his modern approach to the stagnant engagement equation next year). I was like, F*** that. I want to be where the action is McQueen, Dior. Actually, coming out the other side and moving on from the wax carving technique made me realise that fine jewellery isnt just a big rock in a setting. There are a million different processes to work with. He cites 20th-century heroes Rene Lalique and Suzanne Belperron, whose work is in the midst of a renaissance. His role also includes four trips a year to Thailand and India, where the brand does its silver and gold production. Its the same for every leading fine jewellery company, even the ones that say they dont, he smiles. If you hear, factories in Bangkok, youre kind of like, Oh my god thats scary, but actually its just a large-scale workshop, he adds, emphasising how important these trips are in helping him expand his horizons in the design room. The secrecy of design and manufacturing annoys me, he continues. One of the biggest cruxes of our industry is the fact that unless you have the finances to go and physically look for it, you will never find the best manufacturing. If youre a young designer youre limited to the production you can find and people dont share their contacts. Having said that, when I was first starting out, Kim Jones (currently mens artistic director at Louis Vuitton, at the time creative director at Dunhill) gave me their production details, and Im very grateful for that. Its one of the reasons I managed to actually capitalise on my successes. ASTLEY CLARKE Earth ring, 1,400 Campaign imagery has always been another of Jones strengths, and for SS17 hes once again looped in creative friends, including film producer Juliette Larthe and model Alewya Demmisse, who was discovered by Cara Delevingne. From the beginning its been part of the identity of my work, he says. The first campaign that the late Matt Irwin shot, and that Katie Shillingford styled and that Alice [Dellal], Lizzy [Jagger] and Eliza [Cummins] were in, really captured peoples attention. He adds, I was showing that collection in the NEWGEN exhibition at LFW and Sarah Mower was showing Anna Wintour around. She was never supposed to be shown to me but Sarah was quickly like: And this is Dominic Jones, and because I had this beautiful visual reference, [Wintour] got it. Its also the reason ES has shot him at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich. His kinetic Astronomy collection sees pave diamonds, sapphires, labradorite, lapis, and rubies married with traditional Indian glass enamelling to form a solar system of precious planets. Ten per scent of the profits will go to the World Land Trust to protect our endangered environment, he says proudly of the initiative that hes also an ambassador for. I want to be creating future antiques, jewellery that will last. Its about making something at a nice price point that isnt disposable. Its something you can look after and keep forever. The Astronomy collection is available from May at astleyclarke.com M ummy bloggers who post photographs of their perfect lives are leaving other parents feeling anxious and inadequate, say London mothers. Social media has long been blamed for depression in young people, but research suggests those who have children of their own are still vulnerable to feeling pressured by their peers. Data from London-based mothers meet-up app Mush found the image-based social network was making many women feel more isolated. Respondents said glossy images from famous mothers such as Myleene Klass, Tamara Ecclestone and Miranda Kerr often made them feel as bad as their own friends heavily edited feeds. But many cannot bring themselves to log off or delete the smartphone app because social media provides a vital link to the outside world. One woman said seeing her friends superficially perfect lives left her with inspiration followed by depression that I cant live up to the ideal. More than 80 per cent of respondents said Instagram and Facebook added pressure to be the perfect mum. Nearly 60 per cent said spending time on Instagram makes them feel worried they are missing out. The best mother and baby Instagram accounts 1 /6 The best mother and baby Instagram accounts The Yes Mum @theyesmummum Tiba + Marl @tibaandmarl Selfish Mother @selfishmother Little Prints Clothing @littleprintskidsclothing Dont Buy Her Flowers @Steph_dontbuyherflowers The same number admitted doctoring their social media feed to present a more positive narrative. Forty per cent said scrolling through Instagram made them feel anxious. Hannah Ewing, 29, a mother of two, said: Pinterest would make me feel as though I was letting my children down. Parenting isnt all cuddles, baking, sprinkles and glitter as social media likes to makes out. Sometimes its messy hair, no make-up, snot and yoghurt everywhere. NHS ward manager Nadia Tavernier-Gustave, 28, who has two children, said: Social media can really play havoc with your mind, especially when you see these celebrities who had babies two days ago and their bodies are insane. It can be a little bit depressing. She said meeting other mothers in real life through location-based meet-up app Mush, which has 60,000 members, had been amazing. Sarah Hesz, who founded Mush with Katie Massie-Taylor, said: Many new mums spend hours scrolling through Instagram but rather than making them feel connected, the images of seemingly perfect mothers can cause low self-esteem and mental health issues. A new breed of warts-and-all bloggers are providing some balance. Blogger Katie Kirby, aka Hurrah for Gin, has earned more than 58,000 followers with her irreverent cartoons of life with difficult children, while comedy duo The Scummy Mummies have more than 16,000 Instagram followers. The pair, Helen Thorn and Ellie Gibson, host a podcast and have written a book, out next month. Mrs Thorn, 38, from Lewisham, said: The Scummy Mummies were born out of a friendship, stories of parenting failures and us trying to make each other laugh. The best Instagram comments are from fans who say weve made them feel normal. Im all about supporting other mums, its not this mummy v that mummy. Anya Hayes, author of Pregnancy: The Naked Truth, said: People arent honest about how difficult they find it. Be kind to yourself and understand its a facade, and go out and find people who are being more honest. S ean Adl-Tabatabai doesnt look much like a Russian propagandist. He doesnt come across much like your average alt-Right agitator either, with his neat Burberry polo shirt and his overwhelming nimbus of aftershave. And if you call what he does FAKE NEWS, he gets a little defensive. I define my job as overseeing and editing an alternative news website thats what I do, says the founder-editor of Your News Wire as he squints into the sun on the roof of his apartment in Los Angeles. He regrets the fact that Kellyanne Conway, Donald Trumps long-suffering spokeswoman, has given alternative facts a bad name. What I mean is that we cover stories that the mainstream media isnt covering. Stories such as: George Soros Orchestrates Devastating Plan to Kill 100,000 Haitians. And: Autism Rates in California Skyrocket Following Mandatory Vaccine Bill. And: Nicole Kidman Sent For Reprogramming After Supporting Trump. Stories that report from a looking-glass world where Hillary Clinton is connected to elite paedophile rings in Washington pizzerias, where climate change is a hoax, where Trump is mobilising US troops to counter a Chinese Pearl Harbor-style attack on California. All under a banner of NEWS. TRUTH. UNFILTERED. Stories that have had Adl-Tabatabai, a former MTV producer from north London, accused of being part of a deliberate campaign to destabilise Western democracies with disinformation. His site has been blacklisted by an EU task force set up to combat Russian propaganda, and cited as one of the main reasons that Trump would win (or more accurately, Hillary Clinton would lose) the US presidential election. Adl-Tabatabai, 35, lives in a Hollywood-Gothic apartment complex that you can imagine Philip Marlowe staking out in a Raymond Chandler novel. Theres something guileless about him. He actually seems to believe the stuff his site publishes or at least, to relish its textures and its tremors, like a teenager whos got a little lost inside a role-playing game. He lives with Sinclair, his American husband they signed the register in Camden at one minute past midnight on the day that David Cameron legalised gay marriage. Their apartment is filled with art, and I cant help but notice a Bernie Sanders bumper sticker too. Most of my friends and I would say, me too are liberals, he says. Im not some member of the alt-Right trying to stir up racial hatred or homophobia or anything. Im just ... very open to ideas. He believes that the war on fake news is ridiculous its just ridiculous. The mainstream media is the sole reason for Trumps victory. They ignored the public. They didnt have their finger on the pulse. And I think whats happened since with this whole fake news debate is sour grapes. Instead of fixing the problem, theyre trying to blame someone else. And theres a certain truth to this; a recent Stanford University study concluded that the influence of sites such as his was marginal compared to the might of, say, Fox News. However, it did also note the stunning and dismaying consistency with which the participants of the study failed to tell the difference between advert, news and conspiracy. David Henry Stewart As for the idea that hes an unwitting stooge of the Kremlin: Its so weird. Does he read Russia Today, the Moscow-sponsored news network? I love Russia Today! (Of course he does its one of his most cited sources.) You are aware that its Russian propaganda, right? Well, the BBC is British propaganda. Its the same thing. Its not the same thing. Britain has a free press, Russia does not. British journalists are not censored for criticising the Government, Russian journalists are. Publicly funded is not the same as state broadcaster I could go on. I just think theres some hypocrisy there, he pleads. What about his article that claimed the Queen would flee Britain if we didnt leave the EU, since World War Three was on its way? This particular story featured direct quotes from Her Majesty, apparently overheard by a BBC employee: One is making the necessary preparations to abandon ship A violent storm is coming, the likes of which Britain has never seen. I knew youd mention that one, he sighs. He justifies it by telling me he put it in his CONSPIRACIES section, where the most wackadoo content ends up. (A distinction that wouldnt trouble someone who came across the story on a Facebook news feed of course.) It was a BBC employee who emailed the website. The information he was giving us was so far-fetched, it was not something I could present to my audience as 100 per cent verified fact. But I did investigate and discovered that this person could have been party to that information. And I could say: Someone is claiming this, make of it what you will. I cant say whether that was real or not. US election 2016: Newspaper front pages react to Donald Trump win 1 /24 US election 2016: Newspaper front pages react to Donald Trump win The Washington Post The Washington Post New York Daily News 'House of horrors,' the New York City paper says. The New York Times The New York Times USA Today President Trump, says USA Today. New York Post Colourful front page with the words President Trump from the New York Post. The Daily Telegraph, Sydney 'W.T.F.' says the Australian Daily Telegraph in Sydney. The Miami Herald The Miami Herald in battleground state Florida, which Trump won. The Baltimore Sun The Baltimore Sun Beaver County Times, Pennysylvania Beaver County Times, Pennysylvania, a key swing state where Trump triumphed. Dallas Morning News The Dallas Morning News South Florida Sun Sentinel The Sun Sentinel paper in Florida, a battleground state where Trump won. El Periodica El Periodica, a morning daily newspaper based in Barcelona, Spain, carries the headline: 'God forgives America'. La Razon, Spain Spanish newspaper La Razon splashes with the headline: The Populist States of America Liberation, France 'Trumpocalypse': France's daily newspaper Liberation has a bleak looking front page for its special election edition. The i The i newspaper's 'disunited states' front. The Metro 'It's Trump,' says the Metro. The Daily Telegraph The UK's Daily Telegraph Evening Standard Trump Triumph shock the world Evening Standard Between clickbait, sensationalism, exaggeration, satire, trolling and agenda-driven reporting, there is a whole dreamland of grey. Adl-Tabatabai claims kinship with Info Wars, whose creator Alex Jones promoted the idea that 9/11 was an inside job. (Trumps a fan.) But his dafter stuff isnt much different from, say, US supermarket tabloids such as the Weekly World News or the BIZARRE sections of our own much- vaunted press, which relish UFO stories and celebrity reincarnations. People are so hysterical now, theres this idea that anything weird must be wiped from the web because readers are crazy, says Adl-Tabatabai. No ones saying The Sun or the Express or the Mail should be banned. Adl-Tabatabai had what he describes as an average childhood. His father is an accountant of Iranian origin; his mother Carol is an alternative health practitioner; he grew up in a council estate with a brother and a sister and attended an all-boys Catholic school. He wasnt academic but a teenage role as an extra on Grange Hill excited his interest in the media and when he left school he found a job as a runner on Top of the Pops. (Presumably this is where his faith in the BBC began to erode the stars were MIMING! Its fake pop, folks!) He later took a course in media studies It was a pile of s**t really and worked his way up through various TV production jobs. But it was a meeting with David Icke the former BBC presenter who announced that he was the son of God on Wogan in 1990 that he describes as the biggest step to what he does now. Inspiration: David Icke / Bruce Adams Adl-Tabatabi was working on a pilot for a conspiracy theory show on MTV and had been tasked with duping Icke into making a fool of himself again. He was actually a really decent guy with a few wacky ideas and I thought, no, he doesnt deserve this. He tipped off Icke who was grateful. When he was sacked from MTV, he worked for Icke for years as a web designer and producer. Icke has since turned on his amanuensis (WHY ARE YOU FILLED WITH SUCH HATRED SEAN ADL-TABATABAI? What is your motivation? And who benefits?) But Adl-Tabatabai remains respectful. Hes just misinformed. Thats fine. What I liked about him was that he was fearless. He reflects that his mothers approach to medicine may have made him more open-minded. A lot of people dabble in strange theories. Its not confined to this small subsection of ignorant people. Believing one or two things that another person doesnt think is legitimate doesnt mean that theyre thick. You can be really passionate that these are the facts but someone else can come along whos equally as passionate. But it doesnt matter how passionate you are the facts remain the same. When you say facts are sacred, I would argue that no theyre not. Adl-Tabatabai does have some regard for facts. As editor, he says he spends around 30 minutes fact-checking all the stories he publishes. If a story is particularly complex it can take a lot longer. He produces most of his news from a Macbook Pro on a glass desk next to a butterfly palm beneath a circular sunburst mirror. On a typical day he writes four or five stories personally, and puts up about 15 on the site. There are four or five regular contributors, including Baxter Dmitry (a Milo Yiannopoulos fanboy whose Facebook profile is taken in front of the Winter Palace in St Petersburg) and his mum, Carol. They tend to be paid commission, so the more clicks a story gets, the more cash the site generates thank you Google! He makes an OK living, he says, but the overheads are high and its all a bit harder since people started to worry about fake news. Still, the site receives between three and five million hits per month and hes delighted to say it has celebrity fans: Roseanne Barr loves us And Elijah Wood. And whos that woman who wrote Fifty Shades of Grey? What was the last story he rejected? He thinks about this one for a while. There was a story about Hillary Clinton dying in hospital and having a body double and heres the proof ... I considered it. People like that stuff. Wed covered a lot of her illness. But it just felt a bit cheap and nasty and there was no real merit to it. Follow Richard Godwin on Twitter: @richardjgodwin A bus driver who was spat on by an investment banker in a fit of road rage today spoke out after the 90-000-a-year Barclays executive was fined one weeks wages. Father-of-three Leon Delahaye, 44, pulled out in front of Alexis Fountzoulas black Mini in Piccadilly Circus on June 26 last year, a court heard. Fountzoulas, 38, ran over to the number 9 double-decker, pulled open his window and spat at Mr Delahaye, hitting his arm. The Greek national, from Paddington, then ran back to his car and was in tears when police arrested him minutes later. He pleaded guilty to assault after CCTV footage refreshed his memory and was fined 1,130, the equivalent of a weeks wages, at Southwark Crown court yesterday. Bus driver Leon Delahaye, 44, was spat on by a banker while doing his job / Lucy Young A charge of racially aggravated assault was dropped following a review of the footage. Mr Delahaye, who has been a London bus driver since 2005, told the Standard: He is the lowest of the low. He was swearing at me and was really abusive. In more than 10 years of driving London buses Ive never experienced anything like it. This is the first incident Ive had. I think a fine was the right sentence but it should have been more, considering his earnings, he should have been fined at least a months wages. Driving a London bus is hard work and drivers shouldnt have to put up with abuse like this, especially from bankers who treat the general public with contempt. To be honest all I want him to do is recognise what he has done, but I believe his tears were crocodile tears. He should be really ashamed of himself. I dont think hes in touch with the real world. Fountzoulas lives in Westbourne Terrace, Bayswater, where three-bed flats fetch more than 2.5million. According to his LinkedIn profile he is a vice president at Barclays investment bank, and has previously has worked for Bank of America Merrill Lynch, General Electric, Ford and Unilever. He boasts of being a salsa dance teacher and kung-fu master with six different languages. Dominic Thomas, defending, said: He was effectively cut up on Piccadilly, those who have driven on Piccadilly will not be surprised by that. Mr Thomas said that Fountzoulas partners father had been killed in a road accident in November 2015 and it had a great effect on him. This matter brought back the loss of her father, said Mr Thomas. Judge Jonathan Hall QC, sentencing, said the fact that Mr Delahaye was a public servant and Fountzoulas spat into the cab were significant factors. Mr Delahaye was just doing his job, said the judge. It is the fact that you ran after him and then spat through the open window while he was driving his bus has real seriousness. Whether he was driving badly is neither here nor there. In my view the only sentence is a fine and compensation. I am told you earn 1,130 a week and that is the fine I will set. He also ordered the defendant to pay 500 in compensation to Mr Delahaye. A 16-year-old boy has been charged with murder after a young man was gunned down near a busy north London high street. Yasir Beshira was shot in Netherwood Street, off Kilburn High Road, on December 8. Scotland Yard said detectives have now charged a teenage boy with murdering the 21-year-old. The 16-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, will appear in custody at Willesden Youth Court on Thursday. Police at the scene of the shooting in Kilburn / Lucy Young He was originally arrested in connection with the killing alongside three other males. Two men aged 20 and 22 remain in custody, while a 17-year-old boy was bailed until March. A 22-year-old man arrested on December 10 was bailed until a date in February. A catering boss who stole 92,000 of takings from London Zoos Sunset Safari events to clear his gambling debts has been spared jail. A judge told Alexander Beerjeraz, 25, he richly deserved prison but instead she handed him an 18-month sentence suspended for two years. Joanna Korner, QC, went on: You did this because you had developed a gambling habit and were in debt. The fact that you were bound to be caught shows your desperation. Beerjeraz, who now has a 37,500-a-year job in events management, admitted theft and wept as sentence was passed. He has promised to repay CH&Co Catering at 500 a month to. Prosecutor Gregor McKinley told Southwark crown court The firm was catering for events called Safari Sunset at the zoo and the defendant was its most senior manager. He was responsible for banking the takings and only he and another staffer had access to an office safe dedicated to the takings. At the events conclusion his employers became suspicious because only about 10,000 had been banked and they expected much more. When confronted, Beerjeraz, of Stoke Newington, immediately confessed. T he devastated lover of an aspiring model strangled to death by her jealous husband said today they would now be married if police had protected her. Pregnant mother-of-three Sabeen Thandi, 37, was killed by Mohammed Badiuzzaman in July 2013 just two weeks after she reported that he had abducted, threatened and raped her. An investigation by Newham council has uncovered a series of errors by authorities in the lead-up to her murder, and said communication between agencies, in particular the police, may well have prevented the death. Her long-distance lover Majid Khan, who had been seeing Mrs Thandi for two years before her death, said she called him in Pakistan hours before her murder, saying she wanted to be with him. Mr Khan told the Standard: We were so in love... we were planning on getting married and being with each other here in Pakistan. We would speak every day for hours and hours. She was so loving. I would tell her, Dont let your husband into the house, hes a psycho. But I didnt know how far he could go. Ex-security guard Badiuzzaman, 35, admitted his wifes murder at the Old Bailey in May 2014 and was jailed for life, with a recommended minimum of 17 years. He met her in November 2012 and moved into her house in Forest Gate. As the relationship disintegrated she got a restraining order in June 2013 banning him from her home. After Badiuzzaman forced her to drop the order he was arrested on suspicion of threats to kill and unlawful imprisonment but later released. Police then got a 999 call from one of her children and found her dead in her bedroom. Nine police officers were investigated for misconduct. None have been punished but Met Police Commander Stuart Cundy said: We could have done better. A man suspected of preparing to carry out a terror attack has been arrested at Heathrow airport. Counter terrorism officers detained the 36-year-old when he returned to the UK from an undisclosed location on Thursday afternoon. He was arrested on suspicion of the preparation of terrorist acts, contrary to section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006. He has been taken into custody at a west London police station where he remains at this time. Enquiries by detectives continue. P olice are hunting a pervert who sexually assaulted a female worker at a spa in east London. The man entered the spa sometime between 12.40 and 1.20pm on Friday, 16 December and requested a massage. But police said he then exposed himself to the member of staff before sexually assaulting her. The man, who was carrying a dark rucksack, quickly fled the spa following the incident. Police have now released a CCTV image of a man they wish to question in connection with the alleged sexual assault. He is described as of Asian appearance, about 6ft tall and has a slim build with dark hair. He was wearing a white shirt, dark suit trousers, a light coloured jacket and trainers on the day of the incident. Anyone who recognises the man shown in the image or who has information that could assist the investigation is asked to contact Tower Hamlets police via 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Alternatively, you can tweet information via @MetCC. T hick, black plumes of smoke could be seen for miles across the capital as dozens of firefighters tackled a blaze at a scrapyard in east London. Eight fire engines and 58 firefighters were at the scene of the fire in Canning Town on Thursday afternoon. Fire crews were called to the blaze in Bidder Street shortly before 3pm, London Fire Brigade said. The blaze broke out at a scrapyard near Ives Road and up to 60 people were evacuated from neighbouring businesses. Scrapyard blaze: The fire could be seen from across east London (@davepayne164 ) / @davepayne164 A quantity of scrap material and part of a shipping container was damaged by fire. London Fire Brigade said it received the first of more than 12 emergency calls from members of the public at 2.52pm. Dramatic images and video were posted on social media of the view of the fire from miles around London. Video footage of bright red flames raging at the scene of the fire also emerged. Black plumes of smoke could be seen billowing into the sky from as far away as Old Street and the Blackwall Tunnel. Journalist Andrew Lanxon Hoyle tweeted: "Plumes of black smoke visible from Old Street from fire in Canning Town." Another Twitter user named Dave wrote: "Something's on fire in East London. Hope all are OK..." Simon tweeted: "Olympic Park wreathed in smoke." Watch Manager Richard Tapp, who was at the scene said: "The smoke was very visible and could be seen from miles around. "Firefighters worked hard to bring it under control and will be there throughout the evening damping down pockets of fire." Firefighters from Poplar, Plaistow, Millwall, Shadwell and Whitechapel were attending and the fire was brought under control by 4.30pm. London Ambulance Service were also in attendance but nobody is believed to have been injured. An LAS spokesman said: We were called at 3pm today to reports of a fire at Star Lane. "We sent an incident response officer and our Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) to the scene. An LFB spokesman said the cause of the fire was currently unknown. A man is fighting for life and another has been left injured after scaffolding collapsed in a busy north west London street. Police and paramedics were called to Cricklewood Broadway just before 11.40am after reports two men had fallen from height. Londons Air Ambulance also landed nearby and firefighters also attended. Witnesses said a section of scaffolding had given way between the Crown pub and Iceland supermarket as the men worked on it. A Scotland Yard spokeswoman said both men had been rushed to hospital, one in a life-threatening condition. She said: We believe this to be a workplace accident and the Health and Safety Executive will be informed. The London Fire Brigade confirmed they had been called to a scaffolding collapse from the first floor of a building. A spokesman said the incident was over by 12.50pm. C ampaigners are planning a demonstration outside Holloway prison, which closed last year, to demand it be used for the community rather than turned into luxury flats. Once the largest womens jail in Europe, it was shut last summer and has been earmarked for a potential 2 billion housing development. The Government wants to sell the site as part of its overhaul of the UK prisons service. Property sources believe offers of 200 million could be made for the land, expected to be used for up to 5,000 homes. Campaigners, however, are demanding that the site be used for community projects. Will McMahon, deputy director of the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies charity, is advocating a peoples plan to develop it. A protest is being held on Saturday outside the entrance to call for one building, the former visitors centre, to be immediately opened for community use. It will be at least three years before any development takes place, and campaigners want the centre to be opened up now. They say it was built with charity funds, adding: It is on government land and managed by the Ministry of Justice. So the land is public land and the visitors centre is a public building. It would be a complete waste to leave such a good resource locked up and unused for years. We are calling on the Ministry of Justice to loan the visitors centre to a partnership of local community groups so that it can be run by them in the community interest. The visitors building is understood to have originally been part of a social club and canteen for staff before it was shut in 2002, following a devastating report of abuse and intimidation by a cabal of senior women prison officers. The report said the club served as a headquarters for the women who were responsible for sexual harassment of women by other women, abuse of authority and, worryingly, a climate of contempt for male colleagues. Holloway, opened in 1852, has been home to notorious killers including Moors murderer Myra Hindley. Ruth Ellis, the last woman to be executed in the UK, was imprisoned there before her hanging in 1955, for the murder of her lover David Blakely. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, MP for Islington North, has said the site should not become expensive luxury flats, adding: I have already pressured Mayor Sadiq Khan to push for affordable housing once the Holloway prison site is demolished. There is speculation that the former jail could also be turned into a school or be used as a processing centre for refugees. The Ministry of Justice said no decision on its future had yet been made. A man has died after he was dragged under a lorry in a horror crash on a busy road in east London. Emergency services raced to the scene of the crash in Lea Bridge Road, Leyton, at about 12.30pm on Thursday. The pedestrian, aged in his 70s, was rushed to hospital by paramedics but died shortly before 2pm. Ahmet Kasim, manager of K & H Timber Supplier, located next to the junction with Northumberland Road where the crash happened, said he heard a commotion before running outside. Horror crash: The man died after he was hit by a lorry in Leyton / Hassan Kasim He told the Standard: A bit of a crowd was gathering. People were shouting. We ran out into the street. The guy had been dragged under the lorry. Police have been here to review the CCTV. From the looks of things the lorry had stopped at a green light and allowed people to cross and the man tried to nip in. Police have cordoned off the road and theres no sign theyre packing up." A large part of Lea Bridge Road was closed after the crash on Thursday afternoon / Hassan Kasim A spokesman for the Met Police said: Next of kin have been informed. The lorry stopped at the scene. No arrests have been made and enquiries continue. The road was cordoned off by police and motorists have been warned to avoid the area. A Londoner drowned while snorkelling with friends in an idyllic spot in Cambodia on Valentines Day. Aisha Roberts, 32, disappeared while the group were diving at a coral reef near the island of Koh Rang, according to local media reports. The Tottenham resident had been with a large group who rented boats on Tuesday afternoon to visit the popular resort island - but she did not make it back on to the boat. Friends and staff from the Koh Rong Dive Centre scoured the water for her. But staff from the diving centre near the village of Koh Touch found her body on Wednesday after police joined the search. A picture posted on a fundraising site in 2011 when Ms Roberts (right) did a charity skydive / JustGiving Police chief Major General Chuon Narin told the Khmer Times: Her body was found yesterday afternoon and was retrieved from the water by provincial police. An autopsy determined the cause of death as drowning, accrding to the Phnom Penh Post. Ms Roberts father told the Standard the family were still in the dark as to what had happened. He said: We dont know anything at the moment really. We are waiting on the details before we can say anything. Her heartbroken brother Aaron Roberts told the Sun she had been on a dream trip to South East Asia with family and friends. Its terrible. Im aware of what happened. I dont know how or why it happened, said the amateur boxer. A fundraising page was set up by Ms Roberts in 2011 when she did a skydive with her brother and friend in order to raise money for Anthony Nolan, the UK's blood cancer charity. B ritains top police officer today urged Muslim scholars to step up their efforts to counter the violent ideology of Islamic State. Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe issued a new warning about the looming threat posed by brutalised and militarised extremists returning from Syria. He said he believed that IS fighters and terrorists were political criminals who were carrying out horrific violence which had no justification in the Muslim religion. But he warned that the terror group was continuing to lure recruits by claiming that Islam supported its actions and that the authorities needed the help of Muslim scholars and others to challenge this false narrative. The hardest part for the Western world is to interrupt this philosophy that Daesh [Islamic State] is perpetuating which is that Islam in any way supports this horrific use of violence, Sir Bernard told the Evening Standard. There is no interpretation I would argue that could say that, but some people are getting away with that. Muslim scholars have got to come up and be really challenging of that and be very clear that this can never be acceptable. There is no interpretation that can ever conclude its ok to kill people. We cant be at all sensitive to religious beliefs. We have all got to say that is wrong. Sir Bernards comments came during his final interview before retiring as Met Commissioner at the end of next week after five and a half years in charge of the countrys largest police force. In other remarks, he predicted that Brexit would have a neutral effect on national security and crime fighting because it was in the common interest of other European countries to cooperate closely with British law enforcement and intelligence agencies. Sir Bernard also admitted that the Met had made errors during his tenure, although he declared that he had no regrets about the way in which he had run the force. His most striking comments, however, were on the continuing terrorist threat posed by the Islamic State. He said that a small army of extremists, including around 850 Britons, had travelled from Europe to fight in Syria and Iraq and that police now faced the threat of battle-hardened fighters returning home as IS moved closer to defeat. We are now seeing Daeshs sphere of influence being reduced in Syria and Iraq and it looks as though its clear that they will lose and the other side will win, he said. Some of those people are going to come home and thats the threat thats hanging there. "The ones who return in reasonable numbers will put more pressure on us and will go to the top of the priority list in terms of looking at, because they will be brutalised, militarised, have friends and a level of organisation that we dont experience today. They are the ones that we most have to worry about and its hard to predict when. Sir Bernard added that he was pretty confident that those returning would be identified either before or as they entered Britain and suggested that no additional legal powers would be needed to protect the public. He said that instead Britains tradition of only increasing counter-terror powers incrementally rather than allowing police to lock everybody up was important in maintaining community support in the fight against terrorism. He added: The Muslim community feel particularly sensitive because Islamism is about people who profess to be Muslims. I would argue that they are political criminals - it just happens to be masked in religion. "But when you are dealing with that issue you have to be sensitive to the majority who are good people trying to do the right thing. On other issues, Sir Bernard who is planning a two week sunshine break in the Middle East and a fortnight in Switzerland after his retirement said his achievements as Commissioner included restoring stability to London policing after the 2011 riots and the introduction of technology such as body-worn cameras. He said that he was also pleased to have improved the Mets efficiency while delivering 600 million of spending cuts and to have maintained police numbers in the capital at 32,000. Further successes had included increasing the number of ethnic minority officers by a third to a current total of more than 4,000 and reducing the use of stop and search through a more intelligence-led approach designed to improve public support for the tactic. Sir Bernard added, however, that police would continue to use stop and search to target knife offenders, despite a clash last year with Theresa May, the then Home Secretary, who claimed there was no link between the falling number of searches and rising knife crime. At a common sense level, the best deterrence is detection. If the belief grows in the criminal community that without any potential for discovery they can carry knives around, they will and a mild argument turns into a murder. I dont think its very sensible. There is no excuse for carrying a knife. Kids have got to know its wrong. On Brexit, he said the impact would be neutral on law and order with the reason being that we in Europe share a common interest to protect our citizens. He added: Theres no way the French are going to want their rapists to come here and get away with it, nor ours to go there. "We dont want their rapists walking the streets, they want to put them in court, everybody wants that, so theres a common interest on criminality and I would argue a common interest on national security. Our security services are respected the world over and from the Americans to the Europeans they will never cut themselves off from that. Sir Bernards tenure has been dogged by controversies over the Mets handling of historical child abuse and phone hacking inquiries among others. Despite this, he said: I genuinely dont tend to have regrets because if you are not careful you trap yourself in worrying about things. "As a leader you have always got to look forward, you got to be constructive and positive. In the time that I have been here we have probably dealt with six million crimes and occasionally we do get it wrong. It does matter when we get it wrong and I personally have apologised when the error was so great either individually or corporately. The only thing I ask people to think about, particularly with the child abuse ones, is that 30 years ago police were being accused of ignoring complaints from people who had no power against people in power. Had we done that again I think we would have been hauled to account. The task of leading Londons police will now fall to a new Commissioner. Two women - Cressida Dick and Sara Thorntion - are on shortlist, but Sir Bernard inisted that talent, not gender, should detemine who gets the job. If I say Im going to put you in charge of the Met for five years but I think theres a better candidate alongside you but their gender is wrong, thats not good. I dont believe thats right, he said. My belief has always been you pick the best person for the job. What you have got with the shortlist is a balanced shortlist so the possibility [of a woman] is there, but only pick talent. Whoever is chosen will know from Sir Bernards experience what a tough job they face. A n east London raver who drowned in the River Thames was planning a tour of Italy with his music group, an inquest heard. Keith Robinson, 48, was walking with his friend, Matthew Roberts, to calm down after becoming paranoid because of an altercation near his home in Limehouse, on the afternoon of September 18 last year. The inquest at Poplar Coroner's Court heard that after approaching the river and getting "drenched", witnesses saw Mr Robinson walk on to nearby railings, jump and land on concrete, before flipping into the water and swimming in. Mr Roberts said he had left him moments before to get him a change of clothes, but when he returned, saw Mr Robinson in the water who looked like he was "meditating". He called the emergency services, but they arrived after Mr Robinson's body was underwater. His body was recovered four days later and a post-mortem examination revealed he had drowned. Mr Roberts said: "It did not cross my mind that he was in a dangerous state", adding that he thought Mr Robinson's decision was impulsive. Coroner Heather Williams concluded that Mr Robinson's death was an accident, saying he "was someone who liked performing daredevil activities" and that impulsion could be a factor in his death. "I do not conclude that he intended to commit suicide." His mother, Jenny Chapman, said Mr Robinson was planning to take his music group, the Desert Storm Soundsystem, to Italy, and told her he was getting ready for the trip six days before his death. She told the court that her son was struggling with "severe bouts of depression" in the year up to his death, and was living in a warehouse "due to a lack of energy and wanting to hide from life." "I really understood it when he started disappearing for long periods of time and would not answer his phone and his friends would not know where he was," said Mrs Chapman. Mr Robinson, a founding member of the Desert Storm Soundsystem group, served in Afghanistan in 2010 and suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, the court heard. Following the inquest, Mrs Chapman said: "Keith was a very charismatic person, he had a very active life in music and had a very strong social conscience. "He had a huge following in many parts of the world." S ky News commentator and Downtown Abbey historical adviser Alastair Bruce has been involved in a car crash in Westminster. Mr Bruce took to Twitter on Thursday morning to say that his chauffeur-driven car had collided with a motorcyclist while on his way to film a documentary on the history of Westminster Abbey. The historian and broadcaster, who suffered no injuries, posted an image of the crash on Millbank, which appears to show a male motorcyclist sprawled on the floor as police attended the scene. Mr Bruce wrote: Car driving me to work and motorcyclist just collided on Lambeth Bridge. Hope he is OK. Police said they were called by the London Ambulance Service to a crash between a car and male motorcyclist on Millbank at the junction with Horseferry Road at 6.20am. The motorcyclist was rushed to a south London hospital with a pelvic injury but it is not believed to be serious. Alastair Bruce at the premiere of Downton Abbey / Getty Images Police said roads were closed as emergency services dealt with the collision. Mr Bruce, who also worked as a historical adviser on the Oscar-winning film The Kings Speech, later posted pictures of filming proceeding as planned at Westminster Abbey. A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: We were called at 6.18am today to reports of a road traffic collision at Millbank, SW1P. We sent an ambulance crew and a single responder in a car to the scene. We treated a man at the scene for a pelvic injury and took him as a priority to a major trauma centre. A grieving mother has pleaded with callous thieves to return a pair of glasses she kept as a lasting memory of her 11-year-old daughter after she died from cancer. Robyn Higgins, from Ruislip, west London, was diagnosed with neuroblastoma in 2008 and died following a four-and-a-half year battle with the disease in 2013. Mum Lisa Higgins had her special daughters trademark Ray-Ban glasses fitted with new lenses so she could carry a piece of her little girl with her. Mrs Higgins, 43, who now lives in Frimley, Surrey, left the black wayfarers in her car outside her dads house in Gurney Road, Northolt, on February 4. Desperate appeal: Robyn's beloved glasses have been stolen / Lisa Higgins/Facebook After rushing out in torrential rain to collect something from the vehicle, Mrs Higgins ran back inside but believes she accidentally left it unlocked. Days later she went back to her car to discover it had been ransacked. She told the Standard: It was a mess, they took little, frustrating things like change for parking and my coat and things for the charity shop but a few hours later I realised they had taken my glasses. Its the sentimental value. Robyn had bad eyesight, I think due to her treatment, and she had her heart set on these glasses. Sadly missed: Lisa Higgins had her daughter's beloved glasses modified so she could wear them / Lisa Higgins/Facebook They were huge, took up most of her face but she loved them. She had no hair, she was going through treatment and they made her feel good. After she died, my eyesight started to go and I thought Id use the frames. Its like having a little bit of her with me. When your child dies, all you have left are their belongings. Mrs Higgins said she could kick herself for leaving the glasses in the car. She urged anybody with them to hand them in to Ruislip Police Station, in The Oaks, with a note. The Surrey County Council worker added: No judgement, just give them to somebody to get them back to me. Describing her daughters naughty sense of humour, Mrs Higgins said: Its easy to say your child is special but Robyn had something about her. Scotland Yard confirmed they had been contacted on Tuesday, February 7 by a woman reporting that her car had been broken into on Saturday, February 4, in Gurney Road, Northolt. A spokesman said: A number of items were reported as stolen. There have been no arrests and enquiries continue. Were some of the happiest people in Britain apparently! a taxi driver declared proudly as he drove through the rain-soaked streets of Stoke. They are indeed cheerful, coming 11th in a national poll and above the residents of Kensington and Chelsea. But disappointment in politics permeates the city like the days drab weather. So fed up are the people of Stoke Central that there is little chance more than 30 per cent will turn out to vote in seven days time. Yet nationally this by-election, triggered by the departure of Labours Tristram Hunt, could deal Jeremy Corbyn a devastating blow as support for UKIP is clearly widespread in this traditional Labour safe seat. Not even the controversy surrounding candidate Paul Nuttalls link to the Hillsborough tragedy appears to have dented the belief he offers meaningful change. The leader was forced to apologise on Monday after a blog post on his website claiming he had lost a close friend in the disaster turned out to be incorrect. But the pendulum does not seem to have swung away from UKIP as much as people in Westminster might think. A UKIP voter manning the till in a corner shop in the tightly packed terraced streets of Shelton, and who asked not to be named, said it had been a silly thing to do but he would still be voting for Mr Nuttall next Thursday. A man smokes a cigarette outside a shop in Stoke / REUTERS Another long-standing UKIP voter said: I dont think itll matter to be honest. What hes promising is no different from what anybody else has done. Its just the dominance of Labour thats why a lot of people want them out. Maria Dixon, 64, a retired accounts clerk said she hadnt even told her close friends how she was planning on voting but she was considering deserting Labour. She said: For forty years Ive almost always voted Labour but Im thinking about UKIP this time. At the partys HQ on Stokes Picadilly street a team of male strategists paced the room. A map of the constituency heavily annotated in felt tip pen was up on the wall while purple leaflets instructed voters to trust UKIP to get us out of the EU. Mr Nuttall had pulled out of all media commitments due to the Hillsborough row. Instead Douglas Carswell, the partys one MP in Westminster, stepped in to take his place. After adding his name on the office walls bizarre gallery of signatures, an indication UKIP still think this by-election will be one to remember, he predicted they were going to beach Labour. A metaphor he admitted had got a bit mixed up in delivery, especially for land-locked Stoke. An aide then appeared to swiftly frog-march him to an awaiting car and requests for a pictures of him meeting voters on doorsteps was declined with a stern no. UKIPs deliberate low profile didnt matter too much though. The waitresses in the nearby Harley Cafe wore the partys purple and yellow rosettes and people in the town centre gave a good indication UKIP are serious contenders. Three miles away in the Jubilee Working Mens Club in Trent Vale once the centre of Stokes brick and tile industry - pensioner Janet Smallwood explained why UKIP strikes a chord for the traditional Labour voter. She said: A lot of people have told me that they will vote UKIP. People at the lower end of the scale want change, and a few people have said to me give them a kicking at the ballot box. People feel let down by Labour. They feel Labour has fallen apart. As chair of the North Staffs Pensioners Convention, she is a fierce champion for older peoples social care. In fact council officers joke they have been Smallwooded when they take on one of her cases, while the local paper refer to her as the Rottweiler. The 71-year-old also lives not too far from Bentilee, an area which voted 87 percent in favour of leaving the EU and which is a knife-edge area for Labour. In the 2015 council election, the area narrowly missed electing a UKIP councillor by just seven votes. Alongside 80 other elderly people and students, she was at the Jubilee Club to attend a one-off film screening hosted by Bafta award-winning film maker Ken Loach. The event had been organised by Jeremy Corbyns grassroots campaign group Momentum. Pulling up a chair in the clubs back bar, 80-year-old Mr Loach said the battle for Labour in Stoke Central is to explain to voters that the party is no longer New Labour. He said: I think Labour has got to say look, which party that gave you the NHS? Which is the party that gave you council housing? That is the party weve got to rediscover. He admitted this could be hard to get across on the doorstep. Surprisingly upbeat: Labour candidate Gareth Snell / PA Labours candidate, local councillor Gareth Snell, was surprisingly upbeat given his own turmoils. On Monday his own campaign was on the rocks after a number of derogatory Tweets he wrote about women in 2007 were uncovered. Within 24 hours though, and the media glare shifting to Mr Nuttall, he was back on in the town centre talking up his fight for the NHS. He said: For the next days what you will get from us is our clear message on what we will do to protect the NHS from privatisation, how we can deliver a Brexit that really works for Stoke-on-Trent and how we can elect a member of Parliament from Stoke-on-Trent to go and be our voice in London. Like UKIP though, there was to be no following him around on the doorsteps or photographs of him with voters. A team of activists led by Nottingham South MP Lilian Greenwood rocked up for lunch at the Emma Bridgewater Pottery cafe UKIP preferred Weatherspoons. So presumably Labour is campaigning hard, in amongst posing for photos next to the cafes Aga. Only the Conservatives baby-faced candidate, 25-year-old Jack Brereton was happy to let the press follow him knocking on doors. The party finished third behind UKIP at the General Election. Asked if UKIP and Labours candidates had turned the election into a bit of a miserable affair, he said dutifully and robotically: Really theres only one choice in the election which is the Conservatives. This is clearly a two-horse race though, and has been a bruising, bumpy ride so far. Both men have stumbled and its still not clear who will crawl over the finishing line in first place. A 10-year-old Londoner has helped trial a virtual reality experience to help children prepare for an often daunting brain and body scan. Kings College Hospital, in Denmark Hill, has developed the app for children who are due to enter an MRI magnetic resonance imaging machine. It takes the child through a first-person journey, from arriving at the hospital to going into the tubular machine, which can involve long periods lying still in a claustrophobic and noisy environment. The app, My MRI At Kings, was given the thumbs-up by 10-year-old MRI veteran Matthew Down, from Kingston, who needs annual 45-minute scans after having urgent surgery for triventricular hydrocephalus, a build-up of fluid on the brain, in 2014. He said: The first time I was nervous because the machine was big and it was very loud. I remember thinking to myself, Whats going on? Tunnel vision: the app shows what happens during the MRI scan. Having the VR app lets you look around so you get to see your surroundings and experience it before you actually have the scan. I think it will calm children down if theyre getting a bit worked up. "Its a good way for them to get ready and prepare for it. The free app, for Android and iOS, was developed by MRI physicist Jonathan Ashmore, who is based at the hospital, and learning technologist Jerome Di Pietro, of Kings College London. Dr Ashmore shot the film in 360-degree video so that it can be seen through VR goggles or on a smart device. He said: If we can show kids this app, hopefully it wont be such a fearful experience. Some are so anxious of having a scan they get in there, they are crying and sometimes need sedating. "We hope they can sit down with a play specialist, go through the app and discuss their anxieties. Matthews father, Andy, 48, a swimming teacher, said: Were indebted to Kings College so we wanted to do anything we could to help them. It gives you the complete journey from coming down from the ward. Theyve got images inside the MRI machine and they have the clicking as well so they get used to the noise the machine makes. Dr Darshan Das, a consultant paediatrician at Kings, said: The app has had some really positive feedback and I can see that it has the potential to significantly relieve anxiety and prevent the need for children to undergo an anaesthetic in many cases. A n accountant forged his dead mothers will in a bid to get his hands on part of his familys 160 million fortune, a High Court judge has ruled. Girish Dahyabhai Patel, 65, from north London, used a blank document that had been pre-signed by his mother and printed a will around it so he would be left a 40 million stake in the familys palm oil plantation in Malaysia. But his brother Yashwant challenged the validity of the will, and detailed forensic analysis proved that the document was a forgery. In a devastating High Court ruling, Judge Andrew Simmonds QC branded Girish Patel, from Highgate, a self-confessed liar who believed the truth is a flexible concept. The accountants professional reputation now lies in tatters and he faces a 1.3 million legal bill from the case, while the original will, made in 1986, stands and leaves everything to Yashwant. Regrettably, I have reached the conclusion that, despite his professional and business achievements, the truth is a flexible concept for Girish, to be fashioned according to his own interests and requirements, said the judge. The bitter dispute started after the brothers mother, Prabhavati Dahyabhai Patel, died aged 88 in September 2011. Girish had already fallen out with Jashwant and his two other brothers in 2009 over the palm oil plantation, the jewel in the crown of the family business empire. After their mothers death, Yashwant, 69, a doctor who lives in New York, produced the 1986 will which left everything to him. Girish launched a bid to overturn it with a will he claimed had been signed by his mother in 2005, on a visit to London from her home in Singapore. He said she was concerned money would be given to the Swaminarayan Temple in Edgware after her death, and had asked him to distribute the money instead to charities of her choice. He claimed she came to his offices in North Acton and signed the will in the presence of witnesses. However, the judge said his evidence was unreliable and he had failed to mention the alternative will in previous court battles. Forensic analysis of the bogus will also showed indents of the mothers signature, indicating she may have signed a batch of blank documents at the same time. It also detected specks of printer ink on top of the signature, but none underneath, suggesting the signature came before the text. I find that there were available to Girish blank papers pre-signed by the deceased which enabled him to forge the will, utilising a genuine but old signature of the deceased, said the judge. He added: Girish is a self-confessed liar and even when accepting that he had lied to the court, there was a certain insouciance in his responses. Girish has agreed to pay 450,000 of his brothers legal costs, and his own are estimated at up to 750,000. B ritain's favourite and least popular supermarkets have been revealed in a new survey. Waitrose, Iceland and Marks & Spencer topped the Which? supermarket consumer satisfaction poll. The consumer group asked more than 7,000 shoppers about their experience of supermarkets they had used in the previous six months both in store and online. Waitrose topped the in store supermarket survey for the third year in a row, just beating Marks & Spencer, while Iceland's online service received the highest customer score of the supermarkets looked at. Asda was ranked bottom of the in store table in ninth place - as well as joint last in the online rankings. Britain's best supermarket based on in-store experience 1. Waitrose 2. Marks & Spencer =3. Aldi =3. Lid 5. Morrisons 6. Iceland 7. Sainsbury's 8. Tesco 9. Asda Based on Which? survey Which? had asked shoppers to rate stores based on factors such as their appearance, how easy it was to find products and the overall quality of fresh products. The overall score stores received was also based on whether or not customers would recommend them to a friend. The ranking for supermarkets' online services was based on factors such as the relevance of substitutions for products, value for money and the service received from delivery drivers. Richard Headland, Which? magazine editor, said: "With concerns over rising prices the competition among supermarkets is fiercer than ever. Britain's best online supermarket based on customer experience 1. Iceland 2. Ocado =3. Morrisons =3. Tesco =5. Asda =5. Sainsbury's =5. Waitrose Based on Which? survey "While value for money remains a top priority, in-store appearance and the availability of quality and fresh products can also go a long way to satisfying shoppers' needs." Which? said Waitrose's helpful staff had won over shoppers in the in store survey and customers said its spacious store layouts made groceries easy to find. M&S's regular "dine in" offers which often include a meal for two and a bottle of wine were also found to be a particular hit with shoppers, helping it to take second place in the in store category. Aldi and Lidl were placed joint third, behind Waitrose and Marks & Spencer, in the in store supermarket survey. Which? said Aldi and Lidl were fairly "evenly matched", with both scoring particularly well on value for money. Morrisons climbed from eighth place in last year's survey to number five this year. While Asda was seen by consumers as being generally good value, its food quality was rated in the Which? survey as average. A spokeswoman for Waitrose said: "We are really happy our partners' hard work in our shops has been recognised." An Asda spokeswoman said: "We know that we need to do a better job for our customers and all our colleagues are working hard to make a real difference. "We're getting better every day and we are confident that customers will be pleasantly surprised if they shop with us today compared to when this survey took place last year - and we'll be even better tomorrow. P rince Charles today praised the "remarkable contribution" of black immigrants and their families to society in the UK. Visiting a new Black Cultural Archives in Brixton, he said, "We are very lucky that you have made that contribution, particularly if I may say so, during the first and Second World War." He went on, "At last, you have a centre such as this, which allows you to develop so many opportunities but also to bring the message to so many people in this country and elsewhere about the remarkable contribution made over so long, by people of African and Caribbean descent who have contributed so much to this country. "When we think of how many people were involved in that war from all around Africa and the Caribbean, their legacy is a truly remarkable one and I am so glad that you are able to ensure that story is told properly," he said. During the visit he met a number of black war veterans who served with distinction. Prince Charles and Camilla in Brixton today / Chris Jackson/Getty Images Founded in 1981, by a collective of educationalists, community leaders, and parents, spearheaded by the late Len Garrison, Black Cultural Archives began as a community organisation. Over the next two decades, Black Cultural Archives amassed its legacy collection and developed a professional archive, library and object collection. With so many other initiatives that you are pursuing, I was so impressed to hear about them and the fact that you are attracting so many people to this centre. Prince Charles added, "I believe 50,000 and I'm sure it will grow and grow. In fact I can see a time come when even these premises will probably be too small. "I just want to use this opportunity to attract those who have struggled so hard for so long to achieve this centre. I can imagine how difficult it has been. It is a great day that you have managed that." In July 2014 the Black Cultural Archives opened the first national Black heritage centre in the U.K. dedicated to collecting, preserving and celebrating the histories of Black people in Britain. The B.C.A. heritage centre is located on Windrush Square, in the heart of Brixton - named after the Empire Windrush, which docked in Tilbury in 1948 carrying her passengers on their pioneering journey from Jamaica to Britain. The bulk of the collection is drawn from the twentieth century to the present day, while some materials date as far back as the second century. The collection includes personal papers, organisational records, rare books and photographs. A manda Knox has opened up about her time in prison, revealing how a fellow inmate tried to seduce her while other convicts stayed away from her because of her notoriety. Miss Knox, 29, spent four years in Capanne prison in Umbria, Italy, after being found guilty of the murder of British student Meredith Kercher in Perugia in 2007. The American was cleared by Italys supreme court in 2015 and returned home. She shared details of her incarceration in an essay entitled What Romance in Prison Actually Looks Like for the website Broadly. Ms Knox told how she befriend a small-time drug dealer, who she calls Leny, but then rebuffed her sexual advances. Shed think I was playing hard to get. One day, Leny kissed me..It was bad enough that the prison institution took ownership of my body - that I was caged and strip-searched on a regular basis and had already been sexually harassed by the male guards, wrote Ms Knox. The American said she broke off the friendship with Leny and was reserved around other inmates. I didnt really have friends in prison, she adds. B ritish tourists were among 11 people injured in a boating accident off the coast of Norway. Almost two dozen people, most thought be Britons, were injured when a speedboat hit a water fountain near the town of Harstad, local media reported. The incident is thought to have happened at around 3pm local time (2pm GMT) when a rigid-inflatable boat (Rib) collided with a fountain in the harbour. Local police said 11 people were aboard the boat. None of the injuries are thought to be life-threatening. Another boat following behind is understood to have been caught up in the accident, and a number of those aboard both boats were thrown into the sea. Police said 24 people, including three crew, were on board the two boats, 22 of whom have been taken to hospital. The British group were on a tour with a local travel agent, a company co-owned by a member of the local police in Harstad and a former employee of the force, police said. Frank Roksy, editor of a local newspaper in Harstad, told the Sun: Everyone was thrown into the water, which, of course, was freezing. They were wearing survival suits. Up to five people from the boat could not walk, and there were some broken bones. We are asking ourselves how could this happen in daylight. T he FBI has released a shocking dossier detailing a probe into whether President Donald Trumps father racially discriminated against black families living in rental properties he owned. The 389-page file includes interviews about Mr Trumps father, Fred, with former associates who claimed he made it harder for minorities to rent from the Trump Management Company. One former employee explained how the presidents father allegedly wanted to get rid of the blacks that were in the building. I asked Fred Trump what his policy was regarding minorities and he said it was absolutely against the law to discriminate, the interview transcript says, before the interviewee performed an about-face. At a later date during my two weeks at Tysens Park, Fred Trump told me not to rent to blacks. He also wanted me to get rid of the blacks that were in the building by telling them cheap housing was available for them at only $500 down payment, which Trump would offer to pay himself. New claims: Donald Trump / Getty Trump didnt tell me where this housing was located. He advised me not to rent to persons on welfare. Another man interviewed in the probe, which lasted from 1972 to 1974, worked as a doorman at a Trump building in Brooklyn in 1974. The man said a supervisor told me that if a black person came to 2650 Ocean Parkway and inquired about an apartment for rent, and he, that is [redacted] was not there at the time, that I should tell him that the rent was twice as much as it really was, in order that he could not afford the apartment. Fred Trump, a multi-millionaire property developer who died in 1999, denied any race-related bias took place in his family. The revelation is yet another controversy in a chaotic week for President Trump. Hours earlier yesterday, he lost another key member of his Cabinet team when Andrew Puzder withdrew his Labour Secretary nomination. Mr Puzder, CEO of CKE Restaurants, the parent company of the Hardees and Carls Jr fast food chains, quit following allegations that he hired an illegal immigrant as a housekeeper. The move also followed the emergence of a 1990 interview with his wife on the Oprah Winfrey Show in which she alleged she was the victim of domestic abuse. She later withdrew the claims. TV adverts run by Mr Puzders restaurant chains that featured scantily-clad women eating hamburgers were also lambasted by critics. Coming just two days after Mr Trumps pick for national security adviser Michael Flynn was forced to quit in disgrace over his ties to Russia, this latest embarrassment illustrated the widening gulf between the White House and Capitol Hill. That conflict is likely to be exacerbated by the growing bipartisan support for expanded investigations into alleged ties between Mr Trumps presidential campaign and Russian spies during the election battle. In typical style, the president dismissed claims of constant contact between his high-level campaign aides and Russias intelligence service, calling the reports Russian connection non-sense and saying the information was illegally leaked. Donald Trump praised Michael Flynn, pictured / Win McNamee/Getty Images Mr Trump also praised Mr Flynn less than 48 hours after his resignation and tried to pin blame for his ousting on the media. Michael Flynn General Flynn is a wonderful man, said the president. I think hes been treated very, very unfairly by the media as I call it, the fake media, in many cases and I think its a really sad thing that he was treated so badly. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham called for a Capitol probe into the allegations involving the Trump campaigns reported communications with Moscow. Its time for us to look into all things related to Russias involvement in 2016, he said. Lets get everything out as quickly as possible on this Russia issue, Republican Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker added. Maybe theres a problem that obviously goes much deeper than what we now suspect. A shton Kutcher has given an emotional speech to US senators as he called for more action to tackle child sexual abuse. The Hollywood star discussed progress in combating modern slavery in a hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in Washington. Kutcher, 39, co-founded the organisation Thorn: Digital Defenders of Children, which builds software to fight human trafficking. The visibly emotional actor - who has two young children with actress Mila Kunis - said: Ive been on FBI raids where Ive seen things that no person should ever see. Ive seen video content of a child thats the same age as mine being raped by an American man that was a sex tourist in Cambodia. And this child was so conditioned by her environment that she thought she was engaging in play. Emotional: Ashton Kutcher during the hearing / Leigh Vogel/Getty Images Kutcher said his team received a call from the Department of Homeland Security asking for help to find a seven-year-old girl after footage of her being sexually abused was spread around the dark web. Shed been abused for three years and theyd watched her for three years and they could not find the perpetrator, asking us for help, he said. We were the last line of defence. An actor and his foundation were the potential last line of defence. Thats my day job and Im sticking to it. In a more light-hearted moment at the hearing, Kutcher blew a kiss towards Republican senator and former US presidential candidate John McCain. Blowing a kiss: Ashton Kutcher during a more light-hearted moment It came after McCain told the actor: Ashton, you were better looking in the movies. My wife says that, too, Kutcher replied. Chairman Bob Corker said the actor had dinner with his wife, actress Mia Kunis, before taking a red-eye flight to Washington DC. Very smart man on Valentines Day, the senator said. D onald Trump launched a scathing attack on the worlds media during a press conference at the White House. During a 76-minute talk with journalists the US president told reporters their level of dishonesty was out of control. Nearly a month into his presidency, Mr Trump insisted that his new administration had made "significant progress" and took credit for an optimistic business climate and a rising stock market. The president brushed off reports of a chaotic start to his time in office and said: "This administration is running like a fine-tuned machine. 'Fake news': Donald Trump criticised media outlets during a press conference / REUTERS Throughout the meeting Mr Trump criticised the media and promised to take his message "straight to the people." Despite airing critical views, Mr Trump told reporters: "I'm not ranting and raving. I love this, I'm having a good time doing this. He dismissed recent reports in The New York Times and on CNN that his campaign aides had been in contact with Russian officials before his election and called Paul Manafort, his former campaign manager who has ties to Ukraine and Russia, a "respected man." Press conference: President Trump addressed reporters at the White House / REUTERS Mr Trump added: "Russia is fake news. This is fake news put out by the media." Amid reports of widespread leaks within his administration, the president said: "Those are criminal leaks. "The leaks are real. The news is fake." He blamed any problems on the outgoing Obama administration and said: "I inherited a mess at home and abroad - a mess. The president also announced that Alexander Acosta, the dean of the Florida International University law school, would be his nominee for Labor secretary. A Russian Instagram model diced with death as she posed for a photoshoot dangling from one of the worlds tallest skyscrapers. Viktoria Odintcova, 22, clung to the hand of a male assistant after climbing over the edge of the 1,000ft tall tower in Dubai to pose for a photo. The model also leant backwards over the edge of the tower with one arm outstretched for another shot. She posted the photos and videos on her Instagram account which has more than three million followers. Ms Odintcova wrote: I still cant believe I did it. Every time I watch the video my palms go sweaty. The photoshoot took place at the top of Dubais Cayan Tower which is 73 storeys high and was the worlds tallest building when it opened in 2013. But some of the models fans were unimpressed and slammed the reckless stunt. One person commented on her Instagram post: Crazy! Looks like god gave you beauty but seems like he forgot to grace you with a brain. Another Instagram user said: How can you disregard your life like that? While another wrote: So irresponsible and stupid. What if people try to copy this? Proving beauty doesn't equal intelligence. Speechless by the amount of stupidity. No apparent safety equipment or precautions. If this becomes a trend I really will lose faith in humanity. T wo more suspects - including another woman - have been arrested in connection with the suspected assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong-uns half-brother Kim Jong Nam, police said today. Kim Jong-nam is believed to have been poisoned by two women as he waited for a flight at Kuala Lumpur international airport in Malaysia. They were caught on CCTV and images, confirmed as authentic by police, appeared to show one of the women in a skirt and long-sleeved white T-shirt with LOL emblazoned across the front. A first female suspect was arrested yesterday. She was said to hold Vietnamese travel documents bearing the name Doan Thi Huong, 28. Malaysian police identified the second woman as Siti Aishah, 25, from Serang in Banten, a province that neighbors the Indonesian capital, Jakarta. Probe: CCTV of the first female suspect There was no immediate way to determine if the IDs were genuine or if the women were believed to be the alleged assassins. Indonesias foreign ministry said the second woman was believed to be Indonesian citizen and officials have requested consular access to her. She was detained hours after a Malaysian man, believed to be her boyfriend, was also arrested last night. Police official Abdul Samah said he provided information that led to her arrest. Killed: Kim Jong Nam The two female suspects were remanded in custody for seven days. An Indonesian news portal published a photo of the identification page of an Indonesian passport belonging to Siti Aisyah that differed from the details released by Malaysian police only in the spelling of the name. Aishah is a spelling typically used in Malaysia whereas Aisyah is commonly used in Indonesia. Several million Indonesians work in Malaysia as maids and construction and plantation workers. Mr Kim suddenly fell ill in the airports departure hall on Monday before he died on the way to hospital. Police said a post-mortem had been completed, with the results yet to be made public. It is suspected that he was killed, possibly using a poisoned pen or other lethal substance. Suspicions were pointing towards Pyongyang and whether an assassination squad had been sent to murder him. Kim Jong-Nam reportedly pleaded with the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un in 2012, to call off assassins after an apparent failed attempt to kill him. The half-brother in exile is said to have angered the regime by branding it a joke and predicting it would collapse. But there is no proof so far that North Korea was involved in his death. The pariah country was today celebrating what would have been the 75th birthday of Kim Jong-il, the late leader and father of both Kim Jong-nam and Kim Jong-un. Vietnamese Foreign Ministrys Deputy Spokeswoman Nguyen Phuong Tra said the Vietnamese authorities were closely coordinating with the Malaysians on the case. L iam Neeson and Thomas Brodie-Sangster have reunited after 14 years to shoot scenes for the Love Actually sequel. The actors, who played widower Daniel and his stepson Sam in Richard Curtis 2003 rom-com, were spotted recreating the iconic bench scene by the Thames this week. Brodie-Sangster, now 26, was just 12-years-old when he played the lovestruck youngster in the much-loved film. Big names from the cast including Hugh Grant, Colin Firth and Keira Knightley are set to reunite for Curtis new short sequel, in aid of Comic Relief. On set: The cast and crew are shooting a 10-minute sequel / Sarah M Lee Over the years I've enjoyed doing Red Nose Day specials on TV things I've worked on - Blackadder, The Vicar of Dibley, and Mr Bean, said Curtis. It seemed like a fun idea this year to do a special sketch based on one of my films, since Red Nose Day is now in both the UK and America. Back in the day: Liam Neeson and Thomas Brodie-Sangster back in 2003 (Working Title/Rex ) / Working Title/Rex "I would never have dreamt of writing a sequel to Love Actually, but I thought it might be fun to do ten minutes to see what everyone is now up to, he said. Love Actually - Trailer The filmmaker said that he was delighted about the fact that he had been able to reassemble so many of the original cast from the 2003 film. Itll certainly be a nostalgic moment getting back together and recreating their characters 14 years later, he said. Other returning cast include Andrew Lincoln, Martine McCutcheon, Bill Nighy and Rowan Atkinson. W ere all used to seeing fictionalised mobsters and Mafiosos on the big screen but what about the real deal? ITV journalist Trevor McDonald explores the criminal underworld in his new series through women connected to the mob. His interviewees include daughters, wives, and girlfriends of mafia members, and explores how the criminal underworld meshes with their personal lives. The first episode partly follows Linda Scarper, the daughter of a hitman who earned himself the nickname the Grim Reaper. His violent ways spilled over into Lindas life when she was caught smoking pot with her friend who was then viciously beaten. Home footage of her and her father dancing on her 16th birthday certainly conjure up the awkward intersections between family and familia life as explored in The Sopranos but are even more fascinating for their authenticity. Its not just past mafia-related relationships theres also Amy, who is dating former Colombo family captain Anthony Russo. When they first started going out, she didnt knew who he was and only found out about his past when she searched his name on Google. The biggest and best TV shows of 2017 1 /13 The biggest and best TV shows of 2017 Doctor Who The classic sci-fi show got a new lease of life with new companion Bill Potts BBC Line of Duty The BBC's acclaimed crime drama moved up to BBC One with more twists than ever before World Productions / BBC / Aidan Monaghan Broadchurch Chris Chibnall's mystery drama came to a close with a compelling final series ITV The Moorside Sheridan Smith puts in a stellar performance as she returns to TV in the BBC's Shannon Matthews drama Stuart Wood/ITV/BBC Apple Tree Yard Emily Watson starred in the BBC's gripping psychological thriller BBC/Kudos/Nick Briggs Fortitude, Series 2 Sky Atlantic's original Nordic noir-inspired chiller is back for more bloody mysteries Sky Atlantic Sherlock, Series 4 Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman return as Holmes and Watson in the BBC's mega hit PA Taboo Tom Hardy's dark thriller is unlike any period drama you've seen before FX Networks No Offence, Series 2 Paul Abbott's comedy-drama continues to walk a tonal tightrope with total ease Channel 4/Ian Derry The Voice A move to ITV has given singing contest The Voice a new lease of life ITV But she doesnt seem bothered about her partners actions before they met. I guess a part of me was like, the stuff was so long ago, she tells McDonald. I tell him all the time, Im not scared of you. I dont feel scared around him or anything. I love him. ITV, 9pm T ilda Swinton is the latest name in the running to be the next Doctor Who. The British actor is the bookies new favourite to join the BBC sci-fi show as Peter Capaldi steps down from the role. At the time of writing, Ladbrokes have Swinton at 7/2 to be the next Time Lord, while Betfair have her at 9/2. Also rumoured are the likes of Death in Paradise star Kris Marshall at 4/1, Olivia Colman at 5/1, and Maxine Peake at 8/1. 10 actors who could realistically be the new Doctor Who 1 /13 10 actors who could realistically be the new Doctor Who Russell Tovey If the BBC want to go for a younger but still well-known actor, 35 year-old Russell Tovey could be the one. Despite making a move to the US for HBO drama Looking, hes also starred in The Night Manager and Sherlock in recent years. Oh, and hes been in Doctor Who before in David Tennants final episode, The End of Time BBC Daniel Kaluuya The multi-talented Daniel Kaluuya got his break starring in and writing for Skins, and starred in David Tennant-era Who story Planet of the Dead. Hed be a fresh new face for the show although his schedule is getting busy with a role in Marvels forthcoming Black Panther BBC Phoebe Waller-Bridge BBC Three comedy-drama Fleabag is universally beloved by everyone whos seen it and she could be a strong choice as the first female Doctor. She starred in the second series of Broadchurch, so shes certainly on showrunner Chris Chibnalls radar ITV Jonathan Bailey If Chibnall continues in the typical Doctor Who mould, Jonathan Bailey is a strong bet. Not only has he made a brief appearance on the show before in Peter Capaldi episode Time Heist, but hes had a recurring role in Broadchurch too ITV Michaela Coel The genius behind Chewing Gum would bring a perfect off-kilter, high-energy, alien vibe that the Time Lord really needs and recent appearances in Black Mirror and London Spy showed off her range. Coel would be a bold new face for Doctor Who Rebecca Reid Chris Addison Another bigger-name actor who might take on the role is The Thick of Its Chris Addison. He had a role in Capaldis first Doctor Who series, and would fit the typical nerdy vibe associated with the show Channel 4 Hayley Atwell Word is that Hayley Atwell, aka the Marvel Cinematic Universes Peggy Carter, is keen to play the Doctor and a big fanbase would be thrilled to see that happen. She can do action-packed sci-fi roles, and is looking for something new after her US legal drama Conviction was sadly cancelled ABC Zawe Ashton Having made a name for herself in Fresh Meat and Not Safe for Work, Zawe Ashton would make a great headstrong female Doctor. She also put in a great turn in Doctor Who as a rebel soldier in one of Capaldis first episodes Ruby Films Joivan Wade Hes probably still a bit too young, but having made a great impression as Rigsy in Series 8 and 9, Joivan Wade is well versed in the world of Doctor Who. Maybe once his time on EastEnders is up, he could be ready to be a Time Lord himself Tristan Fewings/Getty Images Olivia Colman With The Night Manager pushing her firmly into national treasure territory, Olivia Colman is likely too big for Doctor Who but if anyone could persuade her it might be Chris Chibnall. She previously starred in Matt Smiths first Doctor Who episode as a sharp-toothed shape-shifting monster BBC Rumours around Swinton are rising among increased calls from fans for the first ever female Doctor. While the character has traditionally been portrayed by male actors, the characters regeneration does allow for changes in gender and race. The most recent incarnation of classic Time Lord villain the Master is played by Michelle Gomez. The decision will be one for new showrunner Chris Chibnall to make as the Broadchurch creator prepares to take over the show after Series 10 airs this year. Capaldi announced his departure in a live BBC Radio 2 interview, telling Jo Wiley: This will be the end for me. Top five contenders for the next Doctor Who I feel sad, I love Doctor Who, it is a fantastic programme to work on. Its been a huge pleasure to work with that family. "I can't praise the people I work with more highly, but I have always been someone that did a lot of different things. Ive never done one job for three years. This is the first time Ive done this and I feel its time for me to move on to different challenges. Property taxes are without a doubt the number one topic I hear about as I travel the state. No matter where you go, Nebraskans feel the impact of the high property taxes that have earned our state the unpleasant distinction of ranking 5th highest in the nation according to USA Today. Nebraskas number one industry, agriculture, has been hardest hit by property taxes with a 137 percent increase between 2003 and 2013. Last week I shared with you the details of my plan to cut income taxes, and this week Im sharing my plans for property tax reform for agricultural land. In my first two years as Governor, I have made property taxes my number one focus. Working with the Legislature in 2015, we increased the property tax credit relief fund by over 45 percent, and returned over $400 million in direct property tax relief. In 2016, we added an additional $40 million over two years directly targeted at ag property taxpayers, and provided incentives for responsible budgeting by our school districts. In recent months, the Revenue Department issued guidance on how to identify property sales that distort market information used for tax purposes. We didnt get into this high property tax situation overnight, and its going to take several additional steps to get out of it. During this legislative session, Im working with Ag Committee Chairwoman Lydia Brasch on LB338, the Agricultural Valuation Fairness Act. This proposal is long-term, structural reform of our method for assessing property value for ag land. The Agricultural Valuation Fairness Act would move assessments for ag land from a market-based system to an income-potential approach, helping valuations to better reflect the income of Nebraskas ag producers. Income potential is a much fairer measure, and will slow the growth of ag land valuation increases. If this system were in place for 2017, it would have reduced ag land valuations by about $2.2 billion. The income-potential valuation system is one Nebraskans have suggested to me during my travels across the state. In conversations about property taxes, many people have noted how similar ag states have benefited from an income-potential valuation system. Ag states with this system include North Dakota, South Dakota, Kansas, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. This system is much fairer, more standard, and will help make us more competitive. Thats why this concept is supported by many ag groups including Nebraska Farm Bureau, Nebraska Cattlemen, Nebraska Pork Producers, and the Nebraska Corn Growers. Long-term, structural ag property valuation reform is not only important to Nebraskas farm and ranch families, but also to Main Street. In fact, one in four Nebraska jobs is tied to agriculture. Current, commodity prices have contributed to a downturn in state revenues and the need to bring our state budget back into balance. When agriculture is strong, Nebraska is strong. Addressing high property taxes has to be a partnership between state and local governments. While state government may set the framework for how property taxes are collected, local government makes the spending decisions that impact taxes. Only local governments like schools, cities, and counties have the authority to levy property taxes. When the ag values increased, some local governments did not lower the local levies which caused increases in taxes. It is important that local governments do not see sharp increases in valuation as an opportunity to spend more. It is critical that you, the taxpayer, engage local government boards and officials and support their efforts to control spending and provide tax relief to help alleviate our high tax burden. If we are going to get major, structural reform of ag property taxes done this session, urban and rural senators will have to come together on an overall tax reform package. That is why I have offered both income and property tax reform proposals this year. If you want to see the Legislature take action on tax reform, I encourage you to contact your state senator. You can find all of their information at www.NebraskaLegislature.gov. As always, you are welcome to contact my office on any matter by emailing pete.ricketts@nebraska.gov or by calling 402-471-2244. 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According to a release of the National Defence Ministry (MApN) sent to agerpres, the meeting that was held on Wednesday represented a good occasion to deepen the dialogue in the context of Romania- Poland Strategic Partnership, on subjects connected to the bilateral cooperation in the defence area and within the Alliance. "The Romanian Defence Minister underlined the importance of effort coordination to implement the decision of the Warsaw Summit, especially in respect to the advanced presence of allies on the territory of the two countries. In this regard, the intensification of contracts on a military level was agreed, in order to efficiently transpose into practice the commitments to mutually participate in the allied structures that are hosted by Romania and Poland, consisting of military subunits and general staff officers," the release points out. According to the quoted source, in the bilateral cooperation area the two ministers highlighted the commitment of fully use the framework offered by the Strategic Partnership in order to intensify the relations in the defense area, especially by participating in the multi-national exercises and in other activities of forces' practical instruction, as well as in military information, air forces and defense against the ballistic missiles areas. "Poland has reconfirmed the commitment to deploy in our country, during the next year, several combat aircraft to participate in air police missions and joint training activities with the Romanian Air Forces. In this context, the intensified collaboration on the NATO's Centers of Excellence level between the two countries was also highlighted," the release informs. The MApN mentions that, for the purpose of discussing and advancing the practical bilateral cooperation projects, the Polish Minister responded favorably to the intention of paying a visit to Romania, in the spring of this year. WASHINGTON An Illinois program aimed at boosting workers' retirement savings could face trouble before it opens. The U.S. House voted Wednesday to repeal a President Barack Obama-era regulation that underpins the program. The rule allows states to automatically enroll workers in payroll deductions if their employers do not offer retirement benefits. Illinois' Secure Choice program, which begins in 2018, would channel three percent of workers' paychecks to a Roth IRA, though workers could alter their contribution amount or opt out entirely. Rep. Rodney Davis, a third-term congressman from Taylorville, was one of three Republicans to vote against scuttling the rule. The proposal to repeal it passed 231-193, and now it heads to the Senate. I want more people to save for retirement, not fewer. That is the responsible thing to do, Davis said in a statement. "With our states pension problems and the state of our nations entitlement programs, we need to be encouraging people to save for retirement on their own. Rep. Virginia Foxx, the North Carolina Republican who handled the measure on the floor, said the Obama-era rule circumvented worker protections and could encourage small businesses to jettison their existing retirement benefits. Illinois is one of at least five states with such a program, including California, Maryland, Oregon and Connecticut. Two small packages opened last weekend at theaters here full of good surprises. Neil LaButes The Way We Get By at the St. Louis Actors Studio and Kevin Klings The Ice Fishing Play at the West End Players Guild may look modest in scope. But both offer appealing performances and plenty of imagination. The Way We Get By finds two attractive New Yorkers, Doug (Andrew Rea) and Beth (Sophia Brown), on the awkward morning after a night together. They didnt expect things to turn out like that; theyre having trouble just making conversation. Doug compliments Beth on her apartments decor, and she says thats really the doing of her absent roommate, Kim. And she doesnt like Kim to begin with. Kim, she explains, wants everything in its proper slot. But what slot do Doug and Beth fit? Under the direction of Nancy Bell, Rea and Brown have a nice touch with LaButes sharp, up-to-the-minute dialogue and a good rapport with each other. By turns touching, shocking and pretty funny, their conversation reveals some genuine surprises that make it impossible for Doug and Beth to fit into any slot. Of course, maybe they dont need to. Its entertaining to puzzle that out with them. Despite its rom-com gloss, The Way We Get By is beyond risque, both visually and in language. Absolutely do not bring the kids. At the beginning of The Ice Fishing Play, Ron Huber (Colin Nichols) arrives at his ice fishing shack in Minnesota, looking forward to a few days of solitude and another chance to catch the big fish thats eluded him for years. Talk about small-scale theater! That (very abbreviated) capsule makes Garrison Keillors Lake Wobegon sound like fin-de-siecle Paris. But under Adam Gruns gentle direction, we gradually realize that playwright Klings story is a lot less literal than it looks. Kling loosens up time, mixing past and present in Rons mind. As years go forward, memories and contemporary events melt together, like the snow that falls outside Rons fishing shack. Nichols slow-paced performance, defined in sideways glances and tiny nods of the head, suits Gruns style which also allows for generous performances from Colleen Backer as Rons surprisingly ambitious wife and Scott De Broux as his hearty brother. CLAYTON A 22-year St. Louis County police veteran who was once picked to become the departments liaison to the gay community is now suing the department for discrimination. In a lawsuit filed Jan. 10, Sgt. Keith Wildhaber claims a former St. Louis County Police Board member told him to tone down your gayness if he ever wanted to be promoted. Wildhaber declined to comment for this story. His attorney, Russell Riggan, did not respond to multiple requests for comment. The sergeant ranked third among 26 people who took a promotions test in February 2014, and also was third in a second round of tests in February 2015, according to the lawsuit. But Wildhaber has watched as virtually all of his peers were promoted, even though his written performance reviews show that he exceeds standards or is superior in all rated categories, the suit says. Defendant believes plaintiffs behavior, mannerisms, and/or appearance do not fit the stereotypical norms of what a male should be, according to the lawsuit. Police Chief Jon Belmar would not comment on the suit or agree to an interview about his departments interaction with gay officers, said a department spokesman, Sgt. Shawn McGuire. Gay officers can raise concerns through the chain of command, McGuire said. During a routine business check at Bartolinos restaurant in 2014, Wildhaber visited with its owner, John Saracino, according to the lawsuit. Saracino was a member of the departments civilian police board at the time. The command staff has a problem with your sexuality. If you ever want to see a white shirt (i.e. get a promotion), you should tone down your gayness, Saracino allegedly told Wildhaber. Reached Wednesday, Saracino said: I never had a conversation like that. I would never say anything like that. Thats not me. Saracino later resigned from the board in controversy over a letter of support he asked Belmar to write to a federal judge who was sentencing Saracinos nephew in a marijuana ring. On April 1, 2016, Wildhaber filed a charge of discrimination with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Missouri Commission on Human Rights, alleging that he was unfairly passed up for advancement . About a month and a half later, the department reassigned him from afternoon shifts at the Affton precinct to midnights in the Jennings precinct, the suit says. It says that the new assignment was about 30 miles from Wildhabers home in Oakville, according to the suit. Several large departments nationally, including St. Louis city, have members appointed as liaisons to gay residents and officers, and diversity recruitment efforts. A Justice Department report critical of the St. Louis County police response to Ferguson protests in 2014 suggested that the department create a diversity council to advise commanders on recruitment and other issues regarding an array of people including ethnic, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and linguistic minorities. The department has not acted on the recommendation, McGuire said. No liaison has been assigned, so there is no status update, McGuire said in a prepared statement. Our main focus in recruiting is attempting to recruit outstanding candidates who want to become part of our organization, no matter what their status, race, religion, sexual preference, political belief, or aspiration is. The St. Louis County Police Association has asked Wildhaber to serve on a committee it is forming to ensure all of our members are treated equally and fairly in the workplace, which is a bedrock principal of our organization, said Joe Patterson, its president and a county police detective. We have been actively recruiting LGBT members and minority members to serve on steering committees in order to bring forth not only their concerns, but their ideas on how to improve the police association, Patterson said. He said the association is eager to work with the police department and community. In the course of our duties, we encounter people from all walks of life and all backgrounds, and our police department should be reflective of the population we serve, he said. I dont think you can be overly inclusive in 2017. In St. Louis, Police Chief Sam Dotson appointed Capt. Angela Coonce as the departments LGBT liaison about three years ago. The department also has had a recruitment booth at the PrideFest diversity celebration for about the same amount of time. She advocates for policies, and when we were talking about the transgender community, she became the subject matter expert and liaison into the community to help me when issues arise internally, Dotson said. About the time Coonce became the city police liaison, county Police Chief Tim Fitch asked Wildhaber to serve in that role in the county. Belmar replaced Fitch as chief in January 2014 and it didnt happen. Wildhaber took the test to become a lieutenant the next month. He remains a sergeant. Wildhaber, with the department since 1994, previously served four years in the Army. In 1998, he won a medal of valor from the department for rescuing someone from a burning car. EDITOR'S NOTE: Sgt. Shawn McGuire said in an earlier version of this story that gay officers could take concerns to the department's Employee Assistance Program. He said Thursday that he misunderstood the question in an email exchange with a reporter, and that gay officers can use the department's chain of command. When news spread Sunday that a KKK leader had been slain in southeast Missouri, employees at Frank Ancona Honda in Olathe braced themselves for the inevitable. The man who was killed has the same name as the longtime Johnson County car dealer. I thought, Here we go again, said Leon Wharton, general manager of the family-owned dealership, which has been in business since 1961. The other Frank Ancona, 51, was found shot to death Saturday near Belgrade, Mo. His body was discovered near the Big River by a family fishing in the area. On Monday, his wife and stepson were charged in his killing. Ancona was the imperial wizard of the Traditionalist American Knights of the Ku Klux Klan. The groups national headquarters is in Park Hills, Mo., about an hours drive southwest of St. Louis. Wharton, speaking Wednesday for Frank Ancona the car dealer, said the confusion first surfaced in 2014 after a neo-Nazi and former North Carolina KKK leader killed three people in a shooting rampage at Jewish centers in Overland Park. The Frank Ancona who was with the KKK was interviewed after the shootings, saying he condemned the action. Before that, we didnt even know there was a duplicate name that existed, Wharton said. He said that even though news articles have pointed out the KKK Ancona was not the same person as the 85-year-old car dealer, questions continue to crop up. Over and over on social media sites this week, people have asked if the Honda dealer is the man from the KKK. We got a phone call from a customer yesterday who pretended to be a member of the KKK in Mississippi, Wharton said. He said he wanted to offer his condolences at the death of our leader. Our receptionist said, After I explained that our leader is alive and well and not a KKK member, he fessed up and said, I was just kidding. Other callers, Wharton said, wanted to make sure the car dealer wasnt the KKK leader. And a lady from St. Louis called and said she was praying for Frank and the dealership and for people to realize that were not the same Frank Ancona thats part of the KKK, he said. So there was a good one. The dealership even got a call from Automotive News, which wrote a story about the confusion. Has the misunderstanding hurt business? February is usually one of the worst months in the automobile business as it is, Wharton said. It just never does do very well in comparison to the other months. So could it have some impact? Yes. But can I pinpoint that its negatively affected business? No, not really. Wharton said he hopes the issue will encourage people to think before spouting off about something they are ignorant about. Ill use this reference, he said. Im sure theres several James Smiths in prison around the country, and Im sure theres a whole bunch of James Smiths running around, law-abiding citizens, paying their taxes and taking care of their families and being good members of the community. Please dont associate people, just because of their names, with something bad thats happened. After receiving the call from the woman in St. Louis who wished the dealership well, Wharton said, he wondered how someone across the state had even heard about the Olathe business. So I did a Google search and found that theres also a Frank Ancona Jr. over there, he said. They interviewed him on TV about his dads murder. And Im thinking, Oh, good grief. Please dont follow in Daddys footsteps. ST. CHARLES COUNTY Prosecutors said in a court filing Wednesday that contrary to claims by attorneys for Pamela Hupp, who is charged with murdering a 33-year-old disabled man last year, impartial jurors can be found locally for her trial. Last week, attorneys for Hupp filed a 300-plus page motion for outside jurors, saying that intense and sustained media coverage either prejudiced the candidates or meant that prosecutors would have undue influence over the jury. The motion cited newspaper, TV, magazine, radio and online news stories about Hupp, and more than 100 pages of reader comments posted on Post-Dispatch stories from STLtoday.com. The motion suggested bringing in jurors from elsewhere. But Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Philip W. Groenweghes response said what mattered was not whether there was publicity or if prospective jurors remembered news stories or the crime. The critical question is whether the jurors had such fixed opinions that they could not impartially judge the guilt of the accused, he wrote. Groenweghe wrote that St. Charles County, the third-largest in Missouri, could assemble enough impartial jurors to ensure fair trial. Hupp attorney Nicholas Williams said in a message, The decision on the circumstances for an impartial jury is up to the judge, not the prosecutor. Hupp has been in the news because of her connection to three deaths since 2011. She was a witness in a Lincoln County murder trial concerning the violent stabbing death of her friend, Elizabeth Betsy Faria, outside Troy, Mo., in 2011. Russell Faria was convicted of his wifes murder after defense attorneys were prevented by a judge from fully presenting Hupp as an alternative suspect. The verdict was reversed on appeal, in large part because of the Hupp issue. Faria was later acquitted in a bench trial by a different judge, who also criticized the original investigation. Hupps mother, Shirley Neumann, 77, was found dead after an apparent fall from the balcony of her apartment, near Fenton, in 2013. Officials called it an accident, but police said they were taking another look after Hupp was charged with the murder of Louis Gumpenberger in August. Officials say Hupp lured Gumpenberger, a stranger, to her OFallon, Mo., home on Aug. 16 by pretending to be a producer for NBCs Dateline, seeking someone to re-enact a 911 call. They say she then shot him while on the phone with a 911 operator and told police that Gumpenberger had tried to kidnap her. Two other people have claimed Hupp tried to lure them with the same story. Officials have said they think Gumpenberger was killed in a convoluted effort to divert attention away from her in a reinvestigation of Betsy Farias death. Hupp attorney Nicholas Williams said in a message, The decision on the circumstances for an impartial jury is up to the judge, not the prosecutor. CLAYTON A St. Louis County judge with pending DWI and failure-to-comply charges retired Friday, as he was about to hit the states mandatory retirement age for judges. Associate Circuit Judge Lawrence J. Larry Permuter turned 70 the mandatory retirement age for judges on Feb. 14, Court Administrator Paul Fox said in an email Wednesday. That is the mandatory retirement age for judges Permuter was arrested by Richmond Heights police on Dec. 31, 2015, and later charged in municipal court with DWI and failure to comply with the reasonable direction of an officer. A witness had called police at 12:39 p.m. to report that Permuters car crossed one lane of traffic on westbound Highway 40 and crashed into a concrete wall. Permuter then tried to get back on the highway before crashing again, she told police. Permuter told police that he had hit the wall but could not tell me why, the officers report says. The report says that alcohol contributed to the accident, which damaged the front, rear and passenger side of Permuters 2003 Ford Escort. Permuter suffered minor cuts and bruises but declined medical attention. After the charges became public, his then-lawyer, Joel Eisenstein, said Permuters blood-alcohol level, at 0.06 percent, did not meet the legal definition of intoxication of 0.08 percent. At the time, neither police nor Eisenstein would say what led to the failure-to-comply charge, but Eisenstein did say his client later apologized to officers. Its not clear whether Permuter faced a disciplinary investigation over the incident, as complaints or investigations are confidential unless Missouris Commission on Retirement, Removal and Discipline formally recommends discipline to the Supreme Court. Permuters current lawyer could not be reached for comment. Permuter, of Richmond Heights, was appointed to an associate judgeship in 2008 by then-Gov. Matt Blunt. Associate judges earn $136,000 per year. Permuter graduated from the University of Missouri-St. Louis and got his law degree from Washington University. ST. LOUIS A 16-year-old boy is in custody in the fatal shooting of a 72-year-old visitor to St. Louis during a carjacking attempt last week, police said Wednesday. The shooting happened Friday in the 3800 block of Juniata Street. The teen is being held as a juvenile on charges of second-degree murder, robbery and armed criminal action, police said. He was arrested on Sunday in connection to an armed robbery that occurred in the 3200 block of Samuel Shepard Drive earlier on the same night as the fatal shooting on Juniata. During that robbery, a 2009 Hyundai Sonata was taken. Further investigation revealed the stolen vehicle was connected to the homicide on Juniata, police said. Investigators are still searching for a second suspect. Police on Monday identified the victim in the shooting on Juniata as Kenneth Spalter, 72, of Pound Ridge, N.Y., a small town in Westchester County near New York City. Police said two men approached Spalter and a woman, 71, as they were getting out of a car and demanded their keys and car. Spalter struggled with the suspects, and one of robbers shot Spalter once, killing him. ST. LOUIS Maggie Helderle didnt have high hopes for her GoFundMe account raising money for college tuition, but it was worth a shot. Every dollar would help. She raised almost $2,200. The Woodson Terrace natives story was highlighted by GoFundMe in a report released Wednesday that spoke to the growing trend of students using crowdfunding for tuition costs, as well as the companys new platform to make that effort smoother for students. According to the report, more than 2,000 Missouri college students have turned to the crowdfunding website seeking help with college costs. Those students have raked in about $676,000. Nationwide, that number climbs to 130,000, receiving $60 million in donations. Helderle quickly realized that between financial aid and loans, she was $5,000 short of what she needed for her freshman year at Park University, a private college just north of Kansas City. That prompted her to set up the GoFundMe account. Her friends donations helped get her through her first semester, but she wasnt able to make her second semester work financially. Now, Helderle is working through her general education classes at St. Louis Community College, which is paid for by her financial aid. Shes also working part time at a grocery, saving up her money to potentially go back to Park University, at $391 per credit hour, or the University of Missouri-St. Louis, at $335 per credit hour. GoFundMe is promoting a new guidebook with tips for students like Helderle on boosting their odds on their fundraising pages gaining traction. The guide explains the importance in showing donors the value of what theyre paying for by touting awards and experiences with updates. I am officially moved in to my dorm and it is because of your help and support, Helderle shared in a post last semester, including a photo of her unpacked dormitory. Its always worth trying, she says now about the experience with GoFundMe. When the time comes to transfer back to a four-year school to finish her bachelors degree in business administration, Helderle said she might breathe more life into her fundraising page. JEFFERSON CITY State lawmakers blasted the Missouri Department of Corrections Thursday, saying the agency is dysfunctional when it comes to addressing harassment in the workplace. Against the backdrop of millions of taxpayer dollars being paid out to prison workers who face sexual harassment and retaliation, a special committee grilled the inspector general of the sprawling state agency, as well as a top department human relations officer. They concluded that the agency allowed problems to fester because of bureaucratic mismanagement. The checks and balances arent there, said Rep. Bruce Franks, a St. Louis Democrat. It really seems like its passing the buck. To me it appears to be a shell game, added Rep. Jim Hansen, a Frankford Republican who is chairing the committee investigating the department. The panels work comes in response to a report in Pitch.com that outlined how the state has paid millions of dollars in damages to female guards who alleged they were harassed at work and retaliated against for speaking out. During the first six months of 2016, the agency was ordered to pay more than $4 million to victims who were harassed and to those who faced retaliation after bringing complaints. Before the scandal went public, former Corrections Director George Lombardi had been lobbying to continue his tenure under new Gov. Eric Greitens. Instead, facing a loss of support from lawmakers, Lombardi dropped his bid and resigned. Greitens has since named Anne Precythe as director. Precythe, a former North Carolina prison official, said she will have a zero tolerance policy for sexual harassment among employees. But the committee found the current structure of the agency can lead to top officials being unaware of problems in divisions not under their control. The ball is getting dropped somewhere, said Rep. John McCaherty, R-High Ridge. Its like were just passing the buck, Franks added. In particular, the inspector generals office, which focuses its investigations on criminal wrongdoing among workers and inmates, was not involved in cracking down on sexual harassment within the agency. That job fell to the human services division, headed by Director Cari Collins. Collins said the division was attempting to address the mushrooming number of allegations through various policy changes. For example, the department has expanded areas of allegations that can be reported to include unprofessional conduct. More responsibility has been placed on supervisors, and additional employees have been hired to conduct investigations. We increased the number of ways an employee can report allegations, Collins told the panel. Collins said an estimated 22 cases were pending against employees, but that number may be larger. They file them every day, Collins said. A Post-Dispatch analysis in December found that at least 33 harassment cases are pending against the department, potentially costing taxpayers more money in settlements. A review of those cases found that racial and gender epithets are common among employees at a number of prisons. In one case, a female employee at the state prison in Bonne Terre alleged she was harassed by her supervisor after she requested a different shift in 2013. Inspector General Amy Roderick, however, told the committee that her office was not involved in the investigation of harassment cases, even though some rose to the level of criminal behavior. That drew the ire of lawmakers, who said bureaucratic red tape was keeping the full extent of the problem under wraps. I think what puzzles me the most, is that you are kind of out of the loop on some of these things, said Rep. Kathie Conway, R-St. Charles. Rep. Paul Fitzwater, R-Potosi, said the agency needed more oversight in its operations. The Department of Corrections has been policing itself, Fitzwater said. Hansen said he had been deluged with information from people who have stories to tell about the department and its dysfunctional operation. We have serious problems we are looking into, Hansen said. Information that has been sent to me is very disturbing. Our goal is to make things better. LINCOLN COUNTY Like St. Louis County, Lincoln County has a half-cent sales tax increase to boost law enforcement on the April 4 election ballot. The Lincoln proposition, requiring simple majority approval, would raise about $2.3 million a year to construct a new jail building, new offices for the sheriff's department and an expansion of the Justice Center court building. A new emergency communications center is planned in future years. The tax hike also would provide money for maintenance and renovation, freeing up funds to increase the number of sheriff's patrol deputies to 28 from 20 over about two years. "This tax is designed for the fiscal stability of the sheriff's office in the future," said Lt. Andy Binder, the department's spokesman. The new jail facility would be near the existing 20-year-old jail in Troy, which would continue in operation. The result, Binder said, would be roughly a doubling of the number of prisoners that the county could handle - to 423 from the current 215. That in turn, officials say, would allow the county to pull in more federal inmates - along with an added $3 million to $6 million a year in federal dollars to pay for them. Now the county gets about $1.5 million a year in such federal money, Binder said. Binder said the additional jail space also would allow the county to meet new federal standards for housing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) prisoners. Such requirements, Binder said, include adding space for such things as specified work areas for dentists and barbers who come to the jail to attend to inmates. Another goal of the tax hike is providing more room for storing evidence at sheriff's headquarters. In recent years, he said, the department has had to resort to buying large shipping containers and renting space across the county. "If we don't come up with a way to better manage evidence, we could literally start losing cases" because of it, Binder said. The sales tax over the years also could be used to expand, renovate and maintain other county buildings and properties. The half-cent boost would increase the overall sales tax in unincorporated parts of the county to 6.975 cents from 6.475 cents. The tax would be higher in cities such as Troy, where the overall tax would jump in most areas to 8.975 cents from 8.475 cents. In St. Louis County, the half-cent tax on the April ballot will raise $80 million a year to hire new officers, boost salaries of current personnel, upgrade equipment and increase the number of two-officer patrol cars. There the county police department will get about $46 million of the extra revenue, while the remainder will be distributed among the county's many municipalities based on population. In contrast, the proceeds from the Lincoln County tax hike all is earmarked for the county. JEFFERSON CITY A group of Missouri lawmakers are asking the state attorney general to join their fight against the implementation of federal ID regulations. Sen. Will Kraus, R-Lee's Summit, plans to deliver a letter to Attorney General Josh Hawley Wednesday asking him to "take action and help prevent the encroachment of the federal governments REAL ID Act of 2005." So far nine other Republican senators, including Bill Eigel, R-St.Charles, have joined Kraus in signing it. Kraus has long voiced objection to implementing the George W. Bush-era federal law intended to better secure the process of obtaining driver's licenses after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. He believes the law infringes on citizens' privacy and he's not alone. State lawmakers across the country have chafed at provisions requiring states to keep and share databases of personal documents, worrying citizens' personal information could be hacked or misused. Missouri passed a law in 2009 prohibiting the Department of Revenue from complying with the new regulations, joining more than a dozen other states enacting similar bans. But now contractors and truckers are having trouble getting into federal facilities like Ft. Leonard Wood and Whiteman Air Force Base that require the IDs. Other states have begun bending to the requirements or filing for extensions. And the Department of Homeland Security dropped an ultimatum last year: if Missouri and four other noncompliant states don't get in line, their driver's licenses won't be enough to board planes on Jan. 22, 2018. Kansas City Republican Sen. Ryan Silvey hopes to avoid that scenario with a bill allowing each Missourian to choose whether or not they want a REAL-compliant license, a system states like Vermont, Connecticut and New York use. Kraus sees that as cowing to pressure from Washington. "(Silvey's bill) is a false choice," he said. "And if they get that through, it won't be long before they make the IDs mandatory for everyone." Instead, he wants Hawley to defend against in any retaliation for noncompliance and try to explain Missouri's position to federal officials. Kraus acknowledged the mandates would be difficult to fight in court, but said he hoped he could stall passage of Silvey's bill until the Trump administration can address his concerns. Silvey saw the letter as further evidence of Kraus' extreme position. "Not only is the opposition in the minority of the Senate, they're the minority in the state," Silvey said. "And I would say that by refusing to let me decide whether I want one of these IDs, they're violating my rights." Republican Reps. Rick Brattin of Harrisonville and Paul Curtman of Pacific gathered signatures for a similar letter in the House. Curtman said about 50 House members almost exclusively Republicans signed on. "It's not that we're against security," Curtman said. "We just think the federal government needs to rein in the Department of Homeland Security. The fear here is that if we let DHS say you need this ID for airplanes, that soon you'll need it for work or to buy guns or open a bank account." Kansas City Republican Rep. Kevin Corlew is sponsoring the compromise legislation in the House and sees a critical flaw in that argument. "The opposition's remedy for not wanting to be in a federal program is to have our citizens get federal passports, which are completely controlled by the federal government," Corlew said. Loree Ann Paradise, Hawley's deputy chief of staff, said the attorney general's office had received the letters, but declined to comment further. On the campaign trail, Hawley said he would fight "federal overreach" as attorney general. He's already joined Missouri to lawsuits challenging federal overtime and wildlife regulations. The legislation is Senate Bill 37. When 2018 rolls around and Missourians find themselves blocked from flights at the airport for lack of proper identification, remember these names: Rob Schaaf, Bob Onder, Bill Eigel, Ed Emery, Wayne Wallingford, Andrew Koenig, Paul Wieland, Brian Munzlinger and Will Kraus. Those nine state senators, all Republicans, are pressing Attorney General Josh Hawley to fight the enforcement of federal law requiring all states to adopt uniform security procedures on government-issued identity cards, such as drivers licenses. The federal REAL ID Act was enacted in 2005 to help prevent a repeat of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Missouri is one of only three states that havent complied with the act. Because of misguided obstinacy in the Legislature, Missouri is years behind in embedding government-approved holograms, counterfeit-proof strips and other security measures needed for compliance. Federal authorities already have posted signs inside Missouri airports warning travelers that starting next year, their Missouri drivers licenses will no longer be accepted as valid ID to board a flight. Missourians will be required to present passports or other compliant IDs to fly or visit military installations and federal buildings. Ninety percent of U.S. drivers already hold compliant IDs or are transitioning to them, according to the Department of Homeland Security. The REAL ID Act passed in Congress with overwhelming Republican support. But thats not good enough for Sens. Schaaf, Onder, Eigel, Emery, Wallingford, Koenig, Wieland, Munzlinger and Kraus, which is why its so important to remember their names when you try to travel next year. They believe theres a devious conspiracy to empower a bureaucracy to unilaterally promulgate rules that prohibit our citizens from enjoying rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution. In a letter to Hawley, they added: In a time of increasingly dangerous threats to our national and personal security, both physically and where our privacy is concerned, it is paramount we work even harder to protect and secure the liberty and personal freedom of the people rather than forfeit them in exchange for a bigger all-knowing government that promises to help us. Citing similar concerns, Missouri lawmakers in 2009 voted to prohibit the state from complying with the REAL ID Act. If these nine senators, supported by two GOP House members, are afraid of having their movements and personal interests tracked and liberties squelched, there are more effective ways to do that: Ban Google searches. Prohibit cellphone usage. Confiscate all credit cards. Shut down all automobile GPS systems. Cancel the internet. All of these could be used by an all-knowing government to obtain far more detailed personal information than any ID card. While theyre at it, the senators also should require Missourians to wear tinfoil hats at all times. In these conspiratorial times, you cant be too safe. What has happened to our powers of discernment and our ability to see these people for what they are, which is that they care nothing for us? 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... 3 weeks ago The city of Collinsville recently announced a groundbreaking ceremony to be held at 10 a.m. Feb. 22, for its new Water Treatment Plant that will be located at 9535 Collinsville Road, according to a press release. The new Water Treatment Plant will replace an aged plant that was constructed in 1958. The $20 million water treatment plant is being financed through the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) State Revolving Loan Program. Funding for the project will be paid for by a rate increase, which was approved by the City Council in January 2014. Collinsville is proud to be responsible stewards of the publics resources and is happy to announce water rates remain unchanged for 2017, even when considering construction of the new Water Treatment Plant. The new facility was designed by Hurst-Rosche Engineers, Inc. of Hillsboro, Ill. The $17.8 million construction contract has been awarded to Korte & Luitjohan Contractors, Inc. of Highland. Construction of the five million gallon per day water treatment facility is expected to be completed by summer of 2019 with the project completion scheduled for September 2019. The city of Collinsville is committed to investing proactively in its public utilities and infrastructure systems while being responsible stewards to the environment. The new water treatment facility has been designed to efficiently produce safe, clean high quality drinking water for the next several decades in a manner that accommodates both the current demand and the future growth of the city. I hope your Wednesday is off to a great start! My day so far started off with an early 5 mile run outside with Josse followed by a lifting session with my sister at the gym. Our only one-on-one time together is at the gym so when our schedules work out and we can go at the same time, it is the best. Thirty seven minutes of talking was just what we both needed. Im sure my muscles appreciate this time too. Im still loving the Launch 4s for each and every run that I do> you can read my full review on them HERE. PS Brooke saw the pink and purple version on my computer screen the other day and told me that she wanted these ones for her running shoes. Maybe Brooks will make her a pair;) Still on the pink streak over here. Holidays are always extended over here so she had some pink milk with her cereal. And then I went to pick up Knox from his moms house (she lives close which is so nice). I love seeing their little reunions. It had been almost five days since we last saw him, so happy to be back together again. I think we started a new tradition without realizing it going to the bakery when we first have Knox home again:) Donut and shark shoes with a donut floor. Yeah, I think it might have to be a tradition followed by going to the library afterwards for a new book. Knox wanted a Civil War book and Brooke wanted a craft book. And we made sure to get some coloring in too. One of the very many things that I have picked up from Andrew is a love for really good ranch dressing. This one is our favorite (its a Utah brand) and it made a great topping for my salad. It felt so good to get in some nutrients again after all of the last few days of celebrating. This fruit makes me feel like summer is coming soon. Lets talk about our current schedule over here for a second! Our mornings are usually spent running, doing kid activities, cleaning, errands etc and then after we eat lunch Andrew does school and I work. Andrew even takes his tests at home which is awesome (they have a little camera that he uses during tests and I either take the kids somewhere or we do our best to be very quiet). And I usually listen to music while I am typing away with the kids behind me playing. Of course this is what I am listening to. Random hugs while I am working are always my favorite He either loves hugs or loves the space heater:) And they do pretty well playing while I work. If Knox isnt with us at the time then I do more of my work once Brooke is asleep, she has a play date, we turn on a show for her or I attempt to color while typing. Since the day Brooke was born I was able to work at home which has been nice but also stressful at times (kids dont always want you to work and they would prefer playing instead especially when you have a deadline or emails you really need to respond to ha:). Im currently working on a blog post to go up next week all about blogging tips, things Ive learned and I would love to answer any questions that you have! Let me know if you have any questions and if not Ill just write whatever my brain thinks of:) Anyone work from home? What do you do? Work out at a gym often? Best gym you have ever been to? What was your lunch today? "Joy and pleasure are as real as pain and sorrow and one must learn what they have to teach. . . ." -- Sean Russell, from Gatherer of Clouds"If you're not having fun, you're not doing it right." -- Helyn D. Goldenberg"I love you and I'm not afraid." -- Evanescence, "My Last Breath"If I hear not allowed much oftener, said Sam, Im going to get angry. -- J.R.R. Tolkien, from Lord of the Rings Local primary schools contributed to the exhibition at Warwick School The Exhibition of Young Local Artists, which is hosted by Warwick School, was established in 1985 and started with just five schools. Thirty-two years on, the exhibition has grown and this year, 29 local primary schools took part. This year also saw a change of venue from the Bridge House Theatre to Warwick Hall, which gave a new dynamic to the whole event. This event brings together local primary schools to celebrate art and showcase young talent. The array and diversity of the pieces exhibited is phenomenal, from The Friendship Tree, pictured, to 3D Cake Slices; Scream to James and the Giant Willow Weave Peach. There was a wonderful display of work on show and on 4 February the young artists and their families gathered for a special 'Opening Ceremony'. The exhibition ran for the week where the public were able to come and view the extraordinary range of artwork on show. James Ramsay, Head of Art and Design at Warwick School said, It was fantastic to host this amazing event in Warwick Hall. The Art on display was so exciting and colourful and fit the new hall superbly. There was so much energy at the opening event and we welcomed a huge gathering of eager, local young art students as well as family and friends. Great boards with paper, pens and pastels were put up around the hall for visitors to interact with too so, not only was this an exhibition, but also a practicing studio where people could create their own work to go home on the day. The Head Master spoke passionately about the need for Art as part of a well-rounded education as well as it being an integral part of Britains future economic prosperity. Certainly, based on the reception the work received, we are looking at a bright and creative future for the Arts in Warwickshire. Paul Warmington, left, points out the process to Martyne Manning, of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, with Nick Warmington. (Submitted photo) A FAMILY firm in Henley-in-Arden has bought a machine to generate its own nitrogen using a grant from a European Union pot of cash. Henley Engineers, based on Edge Lane, is a fabricator of metals and supplies laser-cut parts to a range of industries. It spends 20,000 a year on nitrogen to power its cutting equipment. But now it will produce its own, and has been handed 10,000 from the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerces Business Support Programme, which is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), towards the cost of a 60,000 machine. It will also allow the company to cut thinner materials in carbon steel at no extra cost. Henley Engineers is run by Paul Warmington and his son, Nick, and employs 22 people. Paul, whose grandfather initially set up the company, said: Weve invested 750,000 in machinery in the past six years and this latest piece of technology is going to make us even more efficient, we are really grateful to the chamber for supporting us in accessing the grant funding. The new machine and our existing technology and expertise gives us the chance to grow further we have more than 15,000 parts on our database. Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday has adjourned the Panama Leaks hearing till Tuesday and summoned Chairman National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and Chairman Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). As the Supreme Court's hearing of the Panama case resumed on Thursday, the judges presiding on the case persisted in their efforts to ascertain whether or not Hussain Nawaz, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's eldest son, is the owner of four flats located in London's upscale Park Lane neighbourhood. Where is the actual document that shows that Hussain Nawaz is the owner of the four London flats? the five-member larger bench of the apex court, exasperated by the repetitive arguments being advanced before it by both prosecution and defense attorneys, had asked the day before. The bench had also asked Salman Akram Raja, the counsel representing Hussain, to "show the court the relevant documents that reveal who paid Minerva Financial Services," the holding company for two off-shore entities that own the flats in question. In Thursday's hearing, Raja submitted documents purporting to show the services rendered by Minerva Services to the two companies, Nielsen Enterprises Ltd and Nescoll Ltd. Documents purporting to show the ownership of the Park Lane flats in London were also submitted before the five-member bench. The documents appear to show the ownership of the flats in question since the year 2006, and state that the payment for the flats was made to Minerva Services by Arrina Company through Barclays Bank. The payments were made to Minerva Services in 2014, the documents state. After submitting the documents, Raja told the court that Maryam Nawaz, PM Sharif's daughter, had remained a trustee of the Minerva Financial Services Ltd between February and July 2006. Registered shares were issued in July 2006 and Minerva Services had appointed directors to Nielsen and Nescoll Ltd, the advocate added. The lawyer told the bench that in 2014, the shares were transferred from Minerva to the trustee. "Was the trust deed rendered obsolete by the transfer of shares?" Justice Ijazul Ahsan asked Raja. The judge was referring to a trust deed dated Feb 2, 2006, signed by Maryam Nawaz, showing her as a trustee of the two off-shore companies. "Even if Maryam Nawaz was a dependent on her father, it does not prove that she is the owner of the London flats [owned by Nielsen and Nescoll Ltd]," the lawyer told the court. "We will want to look at the investment for Hussain Nawaz's expensive properties in London's posh area. If Maryam Nawaz was acting as the representative of her brother, then we will want to see those documents as well," the bench remarked. In response, the lawyer referred the bench to a trust deed that was executed between Maryam and Hussain Nawaz. "It seems that the documents released by Mossack Fonseca were prepared through fraud, " Advocate Salman added. "Even Maryam Nawaz has said her signature on the documents is fake," he added. He was referring to documents purporting to show Maryam Nawaz's involvement with Minerva Financial Services highlighted by German daily, Suddeutsche Zeitung, in a tweet in January. Maryam Nawaz's counsel, Shahid Hamid, had argued before the court that that signatures on the documents in question are fake. "Documents submitted in the court showing Maryam Nawaz is the beneficial owner of the flats are fake," the advocate claimed. "Are you saying that the chain relating to the flats has been established?" Justice Khosa asked. "Hussain Nawaz did not have investment to purchase the london flats," Justice Ijaz Afzal remarked. The lawyer in response told the court Hussain Nawaz acquired the property in turn for the investments in Qatar. SPRINGFIELD - State Sen. Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods) was encouraged by Governor Rauner's annual budget speech Wednesday. Today, Governor Rauner emphasized the need to balance the budget by cutting government spending and enacting spending reductions for the future. He made it clear to the General Assembly that any budget deal must be good for Illinois taxpayers as well as job creators. McConchie said he was was encouraged by the Governors call to invest in the state's future by fully funding education, transforming the states pension system, and making structural changes to improve Illinois job climate. I believe Governor Rauner showed real leadership today and presented a clear plan to the General Assembly that benefits taxpayers and emphasizes the need for state government to live within its means. Under the Governors guidance and vision, Illinois can become a competitive state. Te Pukes Erin Atkinson has won the title of 2017 Bay of Plenty Young Fruit Grower of the Year, becoming the first woman to take the top award. The 29-year-old Technical Advisor for Apata Group based in Te Puke, headed off strong competition from five other young growers to take the trophy, presented in front of an audience of 350 at the awards dinner at Mount Maunganui. She has a Bachelor of Science in Horticulture degree and has spent most of her working life in the horticulture industry. Erin is a strong advocate for horticulture as a career and to this end, has been involved in industry horticultural career expos. In accepting the trophy, Erin, who placed third in last years event, paid tribute to her mentor Dr Sonia Whiteman of Apata Grow. She also thanked the other contestants and the contest organisers. It was a tough battle against some of the Bay of Plenty and Northlands most capable young growers. Im looking forward to competing at the national final and will be stepping up my preparation over the next few weeks. Erin will go on to represent that Bay of Plenty in competing for the prestigious national title of NZ Young Fruit Grower and Young Grower of the Year at events held later in the year. This is the third year in a row that Apata employees have taken out the top award in 2015 it was Craig Ward, and last year Chris Clements. Runner-up was Danni Van Der Heijden, Avocado Services, Trevelyans Pack & Cool, Tauranga and second runner-up was Aaron Wright, Regional Manager, EastPack, Te Puke. Last weekend, in the first past of this years event, the six contestants competed in seven horticulture based practical and theoretical activities at the Te Puke A&P Show. Last night was the final stage of the contests with contestants each presented a three minute speech and took part in a quiz. It was based on their overall performances that the final winners were decided. Horticulture New Zealand chief executive Mike Chapman says the competition develops skills and fosters leadership. Its an important part of retaining top talent in horticulture which is a rapidly growing industry making a significant contribution to New Zealands economy. Todays competitors are a great example of young people who are passionate about the industrys future and their role in it. "The ambitious growth predicted for horticulture is dependent on our ability to attract young growers like Erin who are highly skilled, enthusiastic and able to quickly adapt to change. We wish her all the best as she prepares to compete in the national competition in August. With six competitors aged under 30, five from the Bay of Plenty and one from Northland, the competition is very well supported by local and national horticulture companies. It was fantastic to see so many local organisations recognise the benefits of the competition for the industry by supporting our future leaders, says Kate Longman, Chair of Bay of Plenty Young Fruit Grower Upskilling Inc. We would especially like to thank all of our sponsors of the Bay of Plenty competition, including our Gold sponsors Zespri, GPS-it, EastPack, and Eurofins Bay of Plenty. The national Young Grower of the Year competition is an annual competition run by Horticulture New Zealand to select the finest young fruit or vegetable grower in the country. Sponsored by the Horticentre Trust, the winners from five regional events go forward to contest the final. The competition is part of Horticulture New Zealands strategy to support the growth and development of New Zealands future horticultural leaders. A high-steaks competition involving an amoosing photo of two cows eating grass has surfaced online. Waikato District Police are asking members of the online community to caption a photo of two cows munching down on several cannabis plants in a post to their Facebook page this morning. Its that time of year again when we are wrapping up our annual cannabis operation. While many of you think its gods greatest gift to us, it is still illegal which means we still police it, the post reads. Rather than hitting you with stats and "dont do drugs" comments, we thought wed take a lighter approach and run a competition. But those worried for the cows health, police were also quick to point out they know cannabis is potentially toxic to animals and the plants were taken off the cows well before they could enjoy their high tea. In the first hour of the photo being published online Waikato District Polices post attracted 159 comments. Foreign-owned and controlled companies with New Zealand flagged vessels fishing in New Zealand waters are favouring foreign crews ahead of New Zealanders, says New Zealand First Fisheries Spokesperson Richard Prosser. New Zealand First has been advised Jaico Ltd, a New Zealand listed fishing company based in Timaru with two directors one in Korea, another in Timaru want 100 crew for their trawler Pacinui and seek an Approval in Principle from Immigration NZ to do so. To get approval there must not be suitable New Zealand workers available. However, Jaicos job advertisements are clearly biased in favour of employing Koreans in all of the key positions and excluding New Zealanders, even though Pacinui is a New Zealand flagged vessel and is fishing in New Zealand waters. It is clear Jaico want their ship crewed by Koreans in which case work conditions are less likely to meet New Zealand requirements. With Jaico favouring Korean qualifications in their job advertisements, Immigration NZ should suspend their request for an Approval in Principle because it is a manifest attempt to skirt around our laws and avoid hiring New Zealanders. The employment criteria should be New Zealand qualifications or their equivalent. Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse appeared confused when questioned in Parliament today, at first confirming the system was working but later saying he wouldnt be surprised if it wasnt. National is not taking this seriously, says Mr Prosser. SOURCE: Office of Richard Prosser Police are on the hunt for a Bay of Plenty man who is being sought for a prison recall. An appeal has been issued on the Bay of Plenty & Taupo Police Facebook page asking for information that will lead to the whereabouts of Mathew Tihema. The 35-year-old Rotorua man has a warrant for his arrest. Anyone with information is being asked to either call 111 or Rotorua Police Station on 07 349 9400. Alternatively, information can also be left anonymously via the Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 line. "The solution to a balanced budget will include things not everyone will like," warned State Senator Sue Rezin (R-Peru) in a statement issued after the 2017 budget address at the Capitol. PERU - In order to get a balanced budget, Illinois taxpayers should prepare to take their medicine, a Republican senator from north central Peru said after the governor's budget address Wednesday. I appreciated Gov. Rauners upbeat tone and optimism to solving the states budget problems, State Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Peru) said. This attitude is whats needed from everyone if we are going to move Illinois forward. Working together - in a civil and honest manner - is the vehicle needed that will get us to the right destination for the state, a true balanced budget. Its important to note, due to the states dire financial situation and the fact we have a two party government, the reality is, the solution to a balanced budget will include things not everyone will like. I want to stress, however, we owe it to taxpayers that reforms and cuts must be the overwhelming aspects of any budget solution. Enough is enough. Every day we go without a balanced budget only makes things worse for taxpayers, our schools, and social service providers and kicks our problems down the road even further. The time is now to act. The seafood industry is welcoming the discovery of new Kermadec fish species. Industry has long recognised the conservation values of this large area, untouched by human activities, says Deepwater Group chief executive George Clement. There is full marine reserve status out to 12 miles around the Kermadec Islands and, in 2007, the New Zealand Government created a marine protected area across the whole 200 mile zone around the Kermadec Islands one that prohibits bottom trawling and dredging in order to ensure the seabed ecosystems remain untouched. This has resulted in a pristine area that will continue to yield fascinating new discoveries for science and we welcome that, says George. The new species were discovered on a 20-day scientific voyage to the remote Kermadec region by NIWA on the research vessel Tangaroa. Longline, trolling and purse seining methods which catch transitory species which seasonally migrate through this region and do not impact on the seabed, are the only fishing methods permitted in the Kermadec Benthic Protected Area. The Kermadec marine protected area, is one of several large areas closed by law to protect a representative range of the marine biodiversity found on the seabed of New Zealands EEZ. These closed areas were selected, using the best available science, to protect at least 10 per cent of each of the Marine Environment Classification types found in New Zealand waters. In total, 31 per cent of the seabed within New Zealands EEZ is now closed to protect marine biodiversity thats an area around four times New Zealands landmass, says George. The Benthic Protection Areas also protect 52 percent of known seamounts, which are underwater mountains over 1,000 m in height, and 88 percent of active hydrothermal vents. The Seafood Industry supports these marine protected areas. We look forward to seeing the Government supporting more extensive scientific exploration of New Zealands large marine zone, particularly to establish the biodiversity protected within marine protected areas and elsewhere. The research voyage took place late last year and was unique in bringing together scientific expertise in a range of disciplines from seven New Zealand organisations. It enabling work to be undertaken from the intertidal zone of the islands down to 3000 metres deep, and from the surface of the ocean to the seafloor. Voyage leader NIWA and fisheries scientist Dr Malcolm Clark says the region, about 800km northeast of New Zealand, is as near pristine as can be found in New Zealand waters. This means researchers were able to establish a baseline to compare with future surveys as ocean conditions change. Because the Kermadecs is an area where there is no fishing, were able to measure natural variability and natural change free of some of the main human influences that occur close to mainland New Zealand. This can aid both conservation of biodiversity, and enable us to better understand the effects of human activities, which are important elements of the proposed Kermadec-Rangitahua Ocean Sanctuary, says Malcolm. The survey recorded 236 fish species including three likely new to science. There were 60 that are new records for the Kermadec region and 20 are new to New Zealands Exclusive Economic Zone. More than 250 invertebrate species were also provisionally identified, although many will be sent to experts in New Zealand and internationally for formal identification. It is likely many will be new species to science. Marking a celebratory breakthrough, Simpson Marine concluded the sale to a Thailand-based repeat Monte Carlo Yachts client, with the official media announcement been made at Januarys Boot Dusseldorf by Monte Carlo Yachts Carla Demaria and Fabrizio Iarrera. Im very proud of this sale to an existing Monte Carlo Yachts owner who wished to upgrade his yacht for bigger, and naturally selected this new model MCY 96. This decision shows that the attentive client approach and excellent after-sales support from the shipyard retain owners within the brand says Sergio Loiacono, Simpson Marine Thailand Country Sales Manager. The MCY 96, which marks a new era of growth in the superyacht segment, boasted a flawless design entrusted to the renowned Nuvolari Lenard superyacht design studio. Following the development of the MCY collections Future Classic showcases throughout every nuance and detail of Monte Carlo Yachts, teeming smooth lines, a high bow and deceptively low profile distinguishing its aesthetic as simply timeless. The MCY 96 is the seventh yacht in the collection that we have worked on together with Monte Carlo Yachts, say Carlo Nuvolari and Dan Lenard, designers. The new model is unmistakably a MCY in its visual appeal, the incredible exterior and interior spaciousness, and the total customisation options available for owners, but it is also unique in its personality and details. When discussing the Asian Market, Mike Simpson, Founder and Managing Director of Simpson Marine, expands on the personalised service that remains a core value at the centre of the sales process. "Monte Carlo Yachts success in Asia is largely due to the ability of the shipyard to respond quickly to Buyers requests for customisation, and special features. The shipyard management and designers are always ready to fly out to Asia to meet Buyers in person, listen to their needs and preferences, and make sure these are incorporated in the final design of their yacht. Monte Carlo Yachts personal approach is very much appreciated by Asian yacht buyers." explains Mike Simpson, Founder and Managing Director of Simpson Marine. The first MCY 96 sold to Asia by Simpson Marine is expected to arrive in Pattaya in Autumn 2018. The 31st Spanish film academy awards ceremony, better know as the 'Goyas', was held in Madrid last Saturday night. As the red carpet was rolled out and the best-dressed guests were subjected to the usual minuscule analysis of their choice of dress, there was widespread expectation that Spanish-produced A Monster Calls would do extremely well - and it did not disappoint. The film, based on the book by Patrick Ness, swept away nine of the 28 awards, including Best Director for Juan Antonio Bayona and Best Original Soundtrack. Staring Sigourney Weaver, Felicity Jones, Toby Kebbell and Liam Neeson, it tells the story of a boy who seeks the help of a tree monster to cope with his single mother's terminal illness. The most-coveted prizes for best picture and best screenplay went however to 'Tarde para la ira', (which in English is released as The Fury of a Patient Man). This tells the story of a man who loses his wife during a vicious robbery and who quietly plans to exact revenge while the anger grows within him. Raul Arevalo won the prize for best new director for his work on the film, which he also co-wrote. Other highlights of the evening included the award for Emma Suarez of Best Actress for Pedro Almodovar's Julieta and Roberto Alamo as Best Actor for 'Que Dios nos perdone' A UK academy president The usual large television audience for the event were able to see the first Goyas speech by the new Spanish- film-academy president, Yvonne Blake. Oscar-winning Yvonne is unusual in that she was born and raised in the UK before finding success in the Spanish film industry. She was awarded an Oscar in 1971 for the costume design on the film Nicholas and Alexandra. Yvonne was elected by colleagues as President of 'La Academia de las Artes y las Ciencias Cinematograficas de Espana' in October last year. AP_17004300035910 Google CEO Sundar Pichai speaks during a news conference in a file photo. (Tsering Topgyal | AP Photo) A 7-year-old girl in England sent a handwritten job application to Google and then did what all job seekers do. She waited. In her case, the wait paid off. Chloe Bridgewater received a reply to her letter from Google CEO Sundar Pichai a few days later, according to Mashable. Google confirmed that the letters between Pichai and the girl are real. my 7 yr old daughter wrote to the boss of Google asking for a job, she's so made up he replied! Thanks @sundarpichai pic.twitter.com/EMuANNHiVc Andy Bridgewater (@B21DGY) February 13, 2017 Pichai encouraged Bridgewater to keep learning about computers, robots and technology. He told the girl she could "accomplish everything you set your mind to." He also said he was looking forward to receiving Bridgewater's formal application when she finished school, according to Mashable. Bridgewater sent the letter after she was talking with her father Andy about his work as a sales manager, Mashable said. She asked him if there was anywhere else he'd like to work and he mentioned Google. She became hooked on working for the company herself when she learned more about it. She was especially taken with its California headquarters, complete with bean bags, slides and go-karts, according to Mashable. Chloe's father encouraged her to apply to Google now to "get the ball rolling," he said, according to Business Insider. Chloe sent the letter with some help from her dad. Andy Bridgewater said the whole episode sparked even more interest from Chloe in her school work, according to Mashable. Andy's post about the letter on LinkedIn has been shared over 94,000 times, Mashable said. Chloe wrote in her letter that her teachers say she's good in school, especially math, reading and spelling. She also said if she doesn't end up at Google, she'd like to work in a chocolate factory or become an Olympic swimmer. SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Authorities identified the boy who was hospitalized Tuesday night after a hit-and-run near Destiny USA. hospitalized Syracuse police said Anthony LaPorte, 15, of Syracuse, was walking in the 300 block of West Bear Street at 6:19 p.m when he was hit by a drunken driver who drove off. LaPorte suffered leg fractures as well as injuries to his head and face. He was rushed to Upstate University Hospital. He is currently listed in stable condition. Police blocked off West Bear Street. Officers talked to a witness and were able to locate the suspect vehicle and driver, police said. They identified the driver as James Draveck, 55, of Camillus. He was charged with driving while intoxicated, leaving the scene of a serious personal injury crash and first-degree vehicular assault. cats-away-ipa.JPG Cat's Away IPA is a beer sold by Walmart stores, with a label indicating it's made by a company called "Trouble Brewing." Trouble Brewing is a partnership between Walmart and Genesee Brewing of Rochester, and is made at the Genesee brewery. (Trouble Brewing ) ROCHESTER, NY -- Ever had Cat's Away IPA or After Party Pale Ale? You'll find them on the shelf at Walmart, with labels that evoke the look of what American drinkers have come to call "craft beer." These beers and two other Walmart brands, Round Midnight Belgian White and Red Flag Amber, are brewed at the Genesee Brewing Co. in Rochester. The labels don't say Genesee, however: They indicate the beer is made by a company called Trouble Brewing, which has the same address on St. Paul Street in Rochester as Genesee. A lawsuit filed last week in Ohio claims Walmart is misleading consumers into thinking they're buying "craft" beer (and possibly paying higher prices) when they're not. It argues that Genesee does not meet recognized definitions of a craft brewer, including one put out by the national Brewers Association, based in Boulder, Colo. The Trouble Brewing beers, the lawsuit claims, are "wholsesale fiction" that are "designed to deceive consumers into purchasing the Craft Beer at a higher, inflated price." The lawsuit also states: "The trouble is, 'Trouble Brewing' doesn't really exist." Trouble Brewing is, in fact, a business partnership between Walmart and Genesee. To add some confusion, Trouble Brewing is owned by another business subsidiary, called WX Brands, which has an address in California. "We were intentional about designing a package that conveyed a look and feel you'd expect of craft beer," Teresa Budd, a senior buyer for Walmart's adult beverage team, told the Washington Post in a recent story. That story and other media reports also note that Walmart sells the Trouble Brewing beers for $7 or $8 per sixpack, which is generally about $3 or $4 cheaper than most craft beers. The practice of one company paying another to make its beer is common in the brewing industry, and is as old as "craft beer" itself. It's called "contract brewing." Sam Adams, Brooklyn and many other famous beer-makers started that way (Booklyn continues to have most of its beer made under contract at F.X. Matt Brewing in Utica). In the Rochester area, Three Heads Brewing Co., paid CB's Craft Brewers in nearby Honeoye Falls to make its beer for year before building its own brewery last year. Even non-craft brewers do it: Pabst Blue Ribbon, or PBR, hasn't had its own brewery for decades and is made under contract by other brewers. Genesee itself makes plenty of other beers under contract, although its corporate policy is not to discuss those partnerships publicly. It's also not uncommon for contract brewing partnerships to set up subsidiary company names. Federal law does require beer makers to state on their labels "the name of the bottler or packer and the place where bottled or packed." The law allows the beer label to give the name of a company that contracts with another to make its beer, but does not require it. So Walmart is not legally required to puts its name on the Trouble Brewing beer. The Ohio lawsuit faces another major hurdle: A similar case brought against Coors Brewing over its Blue Moon brand was thrown out of court last year. In that case, the plaintiff argued that Coors, which is not a craft brewer, tried to mask the fact that it brews Blue Moon. As in the Ohio suit against Walmart, the plaintiff argued Coors doesn't meet the Brewers Association definition of a "craft" brewer. The federal judge in that case agreed with the defendant, Coors, that the Brewers Association definition is not legally binding and that there is no widely accepted standard of what craft beer or brewing is. The Brewers Association says a craft brewer is "small, independent and traditional." It further defines a craft brewer as one that makes less than 6 million barrels of beer a year, is less than 25 percent owned by a non-craft brewer and makes beer using only "traditional or innovative" ingredients. Genesee is a subsidiary of North American Breweries, which is itself owned by the Florida Ice & Farm Co. (FIFCo), of Costa Rica, best known as the maker of Imperial brand beer. In 2012, it was making about 2 million barrels a year. But Genesee also has a smaller business, called the Genesee Brew House, which produces beer it calls "craft." Those beers are generally found alongside other craft beers in stores and bars. The question of what craft beer is has long been vexing. and the Brewers Association itself has amended its definition several times over the years to accomodate new thinking in the industry. Don Cazentre writes about food, beverages, restaurants and bars for syracuse.com and The Post-Standard. Contact him by email, on Twitter, at Google+ or via Facebook. Grateful Dead Guitarist Jerry Garcia, right, and drummer Mickey Hart perform with The Grateful Dead at the US Festival in San Bernardino, Ca. early Sunday morning on Sept. 5, 1982. (The Associated Press) The Grateful Dead's most legendary concert is finally getting an official release after years of being bootlegged among Deadheads. Jerry Garcia, Donna Jean Godchaux, Keith Godchaux, Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, Phil Lesh and Bob Weir performed at Cornell University's Barton Hall on May 8, 1977. Recordings have been shared online by fans who called it "the best Grateful Dead show of all time" and long praised its sound quality. "The Grateful Dead just touched a nerve, and it's still relevant in many ways today," Hart told the AP in 2012, when the tape was added to the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress. "It's American-based music, but the combination of it, I guess, was the chemical that ignited, the energy that ignited the spirit of the people for many generations." The epic, full-length show will get its first commercial release on May 5th in celebration of its 40th anniversary, as part of an 11-disc box set called "Get Shown the Light." The jam rock band teased the release by posting their psychedelic, 14-minute cover of "Morning Dew" from the Ithaca performance on SoundCloud: David Lemieux, Grateful Dead archivist and "Get Shown the Light" producer, told Rolling Stone: "It's long been a dream of everyone in the Grateful Dead organization to release the definitive version of Cornell, drawn from the master tapes, and we're as thrilled as the fans are that this show is finally being released." According to the magazine, the Cornell show was part of the Dead's "Terrapin Station" tour, captured by live recording engineer Betty Cantor-Jackson. The box set also includes previously unreleased recordings from her soundboard tapes, known as the "Betty Boards," of other 1977 tour stops with highlights like "Promised Land" in New Haven, Connecticut and "Uncle John's Band" in Buffalo, New York. The box set, limited to 15,000 individually numbered copies, is available to pre-order at dead.net. It also features the book "Cornell '77: The Music, the Myth and the Legend of the Grateful Dead's Concert at Barton Hall," and an essay by Dead scholar Nicholas G. Meriwether. The Cornell set will also be available separately in three-CD, five-LP, digital download, and streaming formats beginning May 5. Ryan McMahon.JPG Onondaga County Legislature Chairman Ryan McMahon (center) speaks to reporters about a proposed city-county merger at the Old Onondaga County Courthouse on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017. Joining him are Legislators Kevin Holmquist (left) and Casey Jordan (right). (Chris Baker | cbaker@syracuse.com) SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- The Onondaga County Legislature's leadership has erected another serious roadblock for any potential city-county merger. Legislature Chairman Ryan McMahon said Thursday the legislature will not vote to put a merger referendum on the ballot in 2017. "This is one vision from one group," he said, referring to a new report from the Consensus commission. "This decision will not be rushed. It's not practical to vote until there's widespread agreement on what the government would look like, its authority and its charter. [The report] does not address any of these issues, therefore it will not receive a vote from the county legislature in 2017." McMahon spoke on behalf of the legislature's 13-member Republican caucus, which has a super-majority. Without Republican support, there is no way to pass a resolution through the legislature. The Republicans' refusal to vote on the issue blocks one of only a few avenues for getting a referendum in front of voters this year -- something the Consensus commission's co-chairs said they plan to accomplish. One way to accomplish a merger would be for the legislature to pass a resolution changing the county charter to consolidate services with the city. Another route would be for the city council and the mayor to approve a home rule that would be passed by the state legislature. Mayor Stephanie Miner has already come out strongly against a city-county merger. Without support from the legislature or City Hall, merger proponents may have to rely on a pending proposal from Gov. Andrew Cuomo that would mandate a consolidation referendum from the county executive, bypassing the legislature. The state legislature has not approved that proposal. McMahon called that second option a top-down approach that strips the legislature of its legal authority. Consensus co-chairs said they are also exploring passing petitions among voters to get the measure on the ballot. McMahon said today that county lawyers don't believe that's a viable option. McMahon also created a subcommittee to review Consensus' other recommendations, which include sharing services like courts, administration and assessors between municipalities. Legislator Kevin Holmquist (R-DeWitt) will chair the subcommittee on consolidation. Holmquist said that the city-county merger was "dead on arrival" and doesn't have support from most local elected officials. "It has no support," he said. "You have over 500 officials in Onondaga County. To my knowledge, one supports this. That, of course, is the county executive, who stands alone...I'm unaware of any official at the city level, the town level, the village level that supports this." Holmquist said the Consensus commission members don't even all support the merger. Mayoral candidate Andrew Maxwell -- a commission member -- said last week he does not support the merger. County Legislator Pat Kilmartin is also a Consensus member and a member of the Republican caucus. McMahon said the county already has many shared services, including a recent merger of the Onondaga County Water Authority and the Metropolitan Water Board. He pointed to a steady drop in county property taxes that has been matched by an increase in unfunded state mandates like Medicaid. Those mandates are the true drivers of property taxes, he said. "If the state of New York paid its own bill, we would not have a county property tax," he said. "It would be gone." McMahon said the subcommittee would explore voluntary ways for local government to work together more efficiently. Members of the subcommittee are: Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 and Mediatek Helio X30 are about to be released as prime candidates for the BEST SMARTPHONE CHIP OF 2017, but what really makes them different and how do they compare? Follow me on this deep analysis on all the data on both chips, and which one you should likely get for your next BEAST SMARTPHONE!A Brief History Of Qualcomm Snapdragon Or how we fell in love with little smartphone Dragons :) Qualcomm is an American Semi-Conductor Company based in San Diego, California.It has become the leading Smartphone SoC(CPU+GPU+Modem+Board = System on Chip)supplier, thanks to their superior modems(X-series) and Adreno(bought from ATi Radeon early 2000s) GPUs. Most notable chips include the mythical Snapdragon 800 and 801, which are widely used 'till this day, and after the fiasco with Snapdragon 810 and Snapdragon 615, they quickly recovered with a superb Snapdragon 820/821 and Snapdragon 625 chips to once again regain the market. Snapdragon chips are widely regarded as the best you can get, thanks to good battery life, thermal management and performance, however the company had a horrid time with the awful Snapdragon 810 and 615 chips that had overheating, battery and performance issues proved Qualcomm can do a bad chip! Snapdragon 835 is the latest flagship chip and will debut with the Samsung S8 in the end of the month, and Qualcomm are aiming to smash all competition, thanks to the new Octa-Core architecture(4xKryo 280+4xA53 CPU cores), 10nm fabrication process and a 1Gbit+ LTE modem. A Brief History of Meidatek Or how we all love and underdog story :) Mediatek or MTK are a Taiwanese Semi-Conductor company, that is most famous with Chinese manufactures like Xiaomi, Meizu, Vivo and Oppo. Mediatek's goals were always to create the fastest chips that cost less than the competition, and it had a few winners over the years, like the famous Helio X10 and MT6752. MTK were the first to put out an Octa-Core/8 CPU Cores SoC(MT6592) and the first to do a Deca-Core/10 CPU Cores(Helio X20). the first to do a Deca-Core/10 CPU Cores(Helio X20). The much smaller financially competitor to Qualcomm has a bad fame going on the web that their chips consumer much more power and have lots of issues, when compared to Snapdragon chips. That is not entirely true, because MTK got their bad fame, because lots of smaller Chinese companies with bad built quality and half-decent engineering have and still use MTK chips in their poor phones. That is so because in order for MTK to prosper they cannot turn down an order, by any company. People with quality devices such as Xiaomi, Meizu, Vivo and Oppo who have MTK chips inside have little to know issues at all, which proves the stated above. Helio X30 is a real attempt for Mediatek to get back to the high-end market, using the new A73 Cores for performance and the smallest A35 for efficiency, while packing iPhone 7's PowerVR 7XT GPU, 10nm fabrication process and a much better modem. Snapdragon 835 Snapdragon 835 looks very impressive, as you can tell from the picture above, but some of you don't really grasp what is all about, so let me briefly try to break the strongest points of the SoC down for you. 10nm Fabrication Process 10nm is the size of a single transistor and this is the latest and most expensive production technology available for chips of any kind, but what does it mean? Basically it allows for engineers to put more transistors into a same-size chip, or same amount of transistors on a smaller chip, and transistor count is incredible important for performance. Just as a note, a single high-end smartphone chip today has 1 billion+ total transistors, Snapdragon 835 is expected to back close to 3 Billion transistors, just a fact the Intel i7 6700 Desktop CPU chip built in 14nm has ~1.8 Billion transistors! GigaBit Mobile Internet With the latest X16 LTE modem, Qualcomm are the only provider in the world that can let your phone(if supported by your carrier)download with speeds exceeding 100MB/sec! 4xKryo 280 + 4xA53 CPU Cores Qulacomm uses custom versions of ARM's best CPU cores and the Kryo 280 is based on the newest A72/A73 design, but with secret modifications to deliver the best performance, however most of the time you only need the phone for browsing, social media and youtube, and that's where the new 4 A53 cores come to help. Just as a fact a A53 cores is around 4-5 times smaller than the big A72/Kryo 280, so it consumes much less power, but is powerful enough to run all the above mentioned daily activities, and that will help improve battery life and when more performance is needed (Gaming, Editing, Heavy Apps)the big Kryo 280 cores will kick in to make sure you never feel any lag! CPU performance is expected to increase by 20% from Snapdragon 820. That is called BIG.little architecture(Big cores working with small cores on a single chip) Just as a note, Snapdragon 810 was Qualcomm's previous attempt at BIG.little architecture and that didn't go so well, let's hope they've learned their lesson. Here are two supposed leaked SD835 Geekbench scores: Adreno 540 Graphics and VR One of the strongest points in Snapdragon chips is 3D/Gaming performance, and that is all thanks to the probably best in-class Adreno graphics. Adreno 540 looks to built on the excellent Adreno 530 from Snadpragon 820/821, while delivering 20-30% more performance on pretty much the same power-level. Another important area that will benefit from Adreno 540 is VR gaming, as the Adreno 540 will be able to push 2K and 4K VR experience without much of an issue, something not possible with any other smartphone GPU! Performance Increase Over Snapdragon 821 With Snapdragon 821 phones like OnePlus 3T and LeEco LePro 3 topping the Android charts at around 160,000 Antutu Points, Snapdragon 835 is expected to be the first to break the 200,000 points line! Helio X30 10nm Fabrication Process This is the first year that MTK can compete with Qualcomm and Huawei, as all their previous generation chips were a nod behind(handicapped) when introduced (Helio X20 20nm compared to 16nm Snapdragon 820 and Kirin 950) That also means that MTK will have no excuses when it comes to performance, thermals and battery life. The Best CPU Architecture MTK is going for just 2 big A73 Cores, but the frequency will be 2.8GHz, which is very important for single-threaded performance, you can see the benefits of A73 over previous generations below: The Second Cluster is composed of 4xA53 Cores clocked high to 2.3GHz, which should save space on the chip(A53 core is about 4 times smaller than a A73 one), while compensating the performance. The biggest and most genius design comes in the form of the smallest A35 cores clocked at 2GHz! Those four cores can literally handle all social media and video with the best efficiency possible! Here is a comparison with A53 cores, and how you'll get better battery life! PowerVR 7XT, a welcomed return to flagship-level Smartphone Graphics! Thanks to their unique architecture PowerVR are still regarded by many as the best mobile graphics available, packing a more efficient rendering and lightning method than ARM's Mali and Qualcomm's Adreno the PowerVR 7XT architecture brings console-level graphics to the Smartphone market. It's no small coincidence that Apple have been using PowerVR chips in all their iPhones and iPads! You can say all you want about iPhones, but as far as gaming is concerned, they are absolute beasts, and that's all thanks to the PowerVR graphics! Helio X30 Price With costs rising to an extreme degree and next flagships like the Samsung S8 and iPhone 8 expected to cost as much as 1000$, we have to ask ourselves "is it really worth it"? Helio X30 probably won't top the Antutu charts like Snapdragon 835, but will certainly probably exceed Snapdragon 821's scores, which I think is more than enough reason to choose a Helio X30 powered phone like the Meizu Pro 7 just because you'll get great performance, but Meizu Pro 7 will cost around 700$, that is 300$ less than S8 and iPhone 8! I definitely believe that if you own a Snapdragon 821 device, you probably might skip getting a new phone, but a better camera, and better efficiency might make you consider a Helio X30 device, and for all of you MTK fans rocking X20/27/27 chips, the X30 will certainly almost double the performance! Conclusion With Samsung S8 and Meizu Pro 7 coming in just a few weeks we can finally assess how both chips will perform, but is paying that big difference worth it? I personally believe Helio X30 will be quite the Beast and won't break a sweat running anything thrown at it, but if VR and being top of the Benchmarks is your passion, than you better start saving. I dropped my Nokia 3310 the most because it was the smallest and it survived every single time. So yeah, based on my own experience, Nokia 3310 is as tough as nails and it certainly deserves all the praise it's getting until today, at least in that regard. My first ever Nokia phone is a Black 5110, which my dad handed down to me way back in 2000. I was 16 then.It was followed by a Grey Nokia 3210.And then, I got a Dark Blue Nokia 3310.In hindsight, it's hard for me to say which of those three was the toughest since you'd need to run durability tests to determine that -- but what I remember for sure is thatYesterday, I read news or rumors that HMD Global - the new home of Nokia phones - is planning to release Nokia 3310 again this year; Fifteen years since it was first launched by the Finnish Giant. According to sources, HMD Global will unveil the device at Mobile World Congress 2017, which is set to take place in Barcelona, Spain later this month and will give the phone a new SRP of 59 Euros or around Php 3,130 with current conversion.At that amount, I certainly hope that HMD Global would add fresh features to the classic model to make it more enticing to consumers. Then again, the mere legend of the device - that even young consumers are aware of - should be enough to move units.Well, I think they just want to show long-time Nokia fans that they know exactly what the brand stands for, which - first and foremost - durability. Also, Nokia 3310 remains to be one of the most popular phone models from any company since this age of mobile devices started so I guess HMD also wants to show the new generation of consumers - those who've never seen Nokia 3310 in the flesh - what the buzz is all about. Apple devices are notoriously tricky to repair. Legitimate replacement parts are nearly impossible to purchase, many internal components are glued or use tamper-proof construction, and service manuals are rarely available. Nebraska and seven other states are now considering "right to repair" legislation to solve all three of these issues. An unidentified source within the legislature told Motherboard that Apple is planning on fighting the upcoming bill in court. The source has stated that Apple and AT&T will both testify against the Nebraska bill on March 9th. Among their planned arguments are claims that "consumers who repair their own phones could cause lithium batteries to catch fire." Independent repair shops around the nation formed the Repair.org trade organization to help advance the right to repair legislation. As expected, the tech industry has heavily lobbied against it in their hopes to gain a monopoly on the repair of their devices. The organization helped successfully pass an automobile repair law back in 2012, and now their sights are set on the tech industry. Apple and other manufacturers have argued in the past that it's unsafe to repair your own devices. Lobbyists have claimed that broken glass can harm consumers who try to repair their screen, among others. To combat this constant pressure, the repair community has been using a shotgun approach. They file requests in numerous states and hope corporations don't want to deal with the required paperwork to stop them. The hope is that if a law is passed in at least one state, rather than deal with the varying laws, manufacturers will just implement the change across their whole line. Dubai, described by some as the jewel of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is one of the most opulent places on Earth. Currently home to the tallest building in the world (the Burj Khalifa), Dubai is now looking to significantly extend its footprint... all the way to Mars. Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, earlier this week announced plans to build the first inhabitable human settlement on Mars by 2117. Barring any major medical breakthroughs, most of us won't get to see "Mars Project 2117" in our lifetime but the prospect is exciting nevertheless for future generations. The objective in the near future, according to bin Zayed, is to develop their educational system so future generations will be able to lead scientific research across various sectors. Initial research will involve an Emiratis team of scientists before eventually extending to include international scientists and researchers, we're told. In a recent interview with CNBC, Saeed Al Gergawi, manager of the scientific and research committee of the World Government Summit, said the city they envision would be about the size of Chicago with the ability to support around 600,000 citizens - far more people than the 80,000 Elon Musk wants to start his Martian colony with. Images courtesy Government of Dubai Media Office Caffeine junkies get ready to scream because ice cream has come to Starbuck's menu. Starbucks is adding a new lineup of beverages that feature ice cream as a main ingredient this week in 10 of its Reserve coffee bars and more than 100 selected stores. The Seattle coffee giant will begin serving affogatos, an Italian dessert drink that consists of baristas pouring a shot of espresso over a scoop of ice cream. The new affogato menu includes the following ice cream beverages: Classic Affogato: two shots of Reserve small-lot espresso poured over vanilla ice cream. House Affogato: two shots of Reserve small-lot espresso and Demerara syrup poured over vanilla ice cream, with a sprinkle of cinnamon on top. Cold Brew Float: Reserve small-lot cold brew with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Cold Brew Malt: An ultra-thick spindle-blended malted milkshake with Reserve small-lot cold brew, vanilla ice cream and chocolate bitters. Prices range from just more than $6 for the Classic Affogato to $8.50 for a Cold Brew Malt. This new affogato menu will start being tested in 10 of the chain's upscale Reserve bar establishments that include locations in Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago and Washington, D.C. While this menu sounds divineand expensive for a coffee treatcheaper alternatives will roll out this week in more than 100 Starbucks locations in Orange County, CA. The main difference in the menu items is the drinks sold in the Reserve coffee bars have small-lot cold brews, whereas the other 100 select locations will contain the cold brew coffee that is mass produced. The Affogato Menu for Orange County features the following beverages: Classic Espresso Affogato: two shots of espresso poured over vanilla ice cream. Starbucks Narino 70 Cold Brew Float: cold brew poured over vanilla ice cream. Starbucks Narino 70 Cold Brew Malt: cold brew blended with ice cream, malt and chocolate bitters. The ice cream used at Starbucks will all come from The Washington-based creamery, Mora Iced Creamery. Keeping in mind that affogatoo means "drowning" in Italian, imagining the creamy ice cream slowly melting as the warm espresso swims around it sounds like a divine dream for coffee lovers. The new menu items were first released back in June at the Starbucks Reserve Roastery and Tasting Room in Seattle. They are now rolling out to more locations after seeing success as a top five menu choice. Sipping on an espresso beverage that also has ice cream sounds like the perfect way to satisfy a Starbucks craving. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Data breaches really hurt, and Yahoo is reminded of that reality at the negotiating table. Verizon has been renegotiating the acquisition deal with the web company, and it wants a big chunk off the price tag. The internet company revealed in September that a hack in 2014 affected 500 million users. In December, Yahoo reported another cyberattack that occurred in 2013, and this time, it confirmed that as much as 1 billion users were affected. Yahoo-Verizon Renegotiated Deal With the biggest reported cyberattacks in recent memory, Yahoo just cannot dictate the price. Verizon wants a big price cut of $250 million from the original $4.8 billion purchase price, according to Bloomberg. Another report claims that the discount might be as much as $350 million. People with knowledge of details of the deal revealed that two companies are close to sealing the deal and that an announcement of the latest agreement might be released within the next days or weeks. However, the terms can still change. In addition to the big discount, Verizon and the Yahoo entity that will exist following the acquisition will share legal responsibilities linked to the data breaches. Once Verizon seals the deal, Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer will step down from the board, and the company will be renamed Altaba Inc. "It looks like they're going to get a price cut but it's not dramatic. [There is] more certainty around there actually being a sale," said Brett Harriss, an analyst at Gabelli & Co. Representatives for Yahoo and Verizon did not comment about the report. Why Verizon Wants To Buy Yahoo The data breaches are far from being minor slips of Yahoo. CEO Marissa Mayer had her plate full when she joined Yahoo in 2012. While she was able to upgrade the services of Yahoo, money is not just flowing in. Mayer cannot save the internet company from the big mess. The SEC also has Yahoo under the microscope because of the data breaches. It's another headache for Verizon, but just In case you're wondering why Verizon still insists on buying Yahoo, here's the deal. It wants a bigger audience for its ads. Big spending may spell big profits. Verizon is not buying the whole of Yahoo but mainly its core businesses including internet assets such as its advertising technology, messenger, Yahoo Mail, and Fantasy Sports. Buying Yahoo is a similar move to what it did when it acquired AOL for $4.4 billion in 2015. The Yahoo-AOL combo ups the chances of Verizon to compete with advertising giants such as Google and Facebook. Yahoo just warned users today of a possible third data breach by state-sponsored hackers. Yahoo might not be able to say Yahoo with this deal, but it is still a good deal. And a lot of things can still happen. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Astronomers have found 60 new planets, including a super-Earth, orbiting stars near the solar system. Lick-Carnegie Exoplanet Survey For two decades, scientists observed 1,600 stars using the W.M. Keck Observatory in Hawaii and discovered 60 new planets outside of the solar system. Through the project called the Lick-Carnegie Exoplanet Survey, which started in 1996 and aims to search for exoplanets, scientists were also able to find evidence of 54 planets, bringing the total number of potential new worlds to 114. Finding Planets Through Radial Velocity Mikko Tuomi, from the University of Hertfordshire, and colleagues were able to detect the presence of the planets using a technique called radial velocity, which measures the tiny changes in the color and location of target stars. The method, which is one of the most successful technique for finding and confirming planets, takes advantage of the fact that planets are not just influenced by the gravity of the star that it orbits but the gravity of the planet itself also affects the star. Scientists used tools to detect the tiny wobble that the planet's gravity induces on the star. Using these signals, researchers were able to detect the presence of new extraterrestrial worlds. "Of these signals, 225 have already been published as planet claims, 60 are classified as significant unpublished planet candidates that await photometric follow-up to rule out activity-related causes, and 54 are also unpublished, but are classified as "significant" signals that require confirmation by additional data before rising to classification as planet candidates." the researchers reported. Super-Earth With Rocky Surface One of these newly discovered exoplanets is the super Earth called GJ 411b. Scientists described the planet as a hot super-Earth with rocky surface orbits the star GJ 411. The star, also known as Lalande 21185, is the fourth nearest star to the sun and is about 40 percent of the solar mass. The planet has a short orbital period of under 10 days and its discovery continues a trend astronomers have observed in the overall population of exoplanets discovered so far, which is that the smallest planets are likely to be found around the smallest stars. Challenging Conventional Wisdom About Planets The discovery challenges conventional wisdom about planets. Scientists historically assumed that only a few stars had planets but there appears to be a nearly infinite number of planets beyond the solar system based on recent surveys of the sky. Tuomi said that when they look at the nearest stars, all of them seems to have planets orbiting them, something that astronomers were not convinced about a few years ago. He said that the newly found worlds also shed light on the evolution of planetary systems. "Over the recent years it has been established as a scientific fact that there are more planets in the Universe than there are stars. This means that virtually every star has a planet, or several of them, orbiting it," Tuomi said. "Our discovery of dozens of new nearby planets highlights this fact. But it also does more. We are now moving on from simply discovering these worlds." 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. One of the largest phone makers globally, Huawei, is reportedly beginning to tap into the world of voice-enabled virtual assistants, specifically by creating its own, reports suggest. Huawei Enters The Voice Assistant Game A team of more than 100 engineers is apparently in the early stages of the voice assistant technology in Huawei's home country, China, as per a report by Bloomberg, citing a person familiar with the matter. The efforts are reportedly extensive and is meant to output a product that would rival Apple's own voice assistant Siri, Amazon's Alexa, and Google's Assistant, instead of small-time voice assistant competitors, the report suggests. It Might Be China-Exclusive Huawei's voice assistant's purpose is to specifically communicate in Chinese languages in China, with plans for the company to sustain its relationship with Alexa and Assistant for phones to be released outside China despite its growing traction in those markets. Building its own version of Siri may aid Huawei in standing out among a crowded Chinese smartphone market, where many of Google's services are blocked. Huawei Combating Formidable Foes Huawei has been exerting efforts to compete with Apple, Samsung, and other major phone manufacturers in months. After usurping Xiaomi to become the world's third largest smartphone manufacturer, Huawei is now preparing to take on bigger, fiercer market competitors the likes of Apple and Samsung. Employing its own voice assistant may help it achieve such a feat. As per a report by MacRumors, Richard Yu, Huawei's consumer head, says that the company hopes to become the top smartphone manufacturer globally by 2021, which to achieve in four years is a staggering forecast. Moreover, to do so would require Huawei to break into the U.S. market, an arrival it needs to trumpet more. The company is aiming for $33 billion in sales this year, according to Bloomberg. Huawei announced last month that its Mate 9 smartphones hitting stateside would come with Alexa support. At present, Google's Assistant is locked to its pair of home-grown flagships, the Pixel and Pixel XL, its smart speaker Home, and Android Wear 2.0 smartwatches, although rumors point to a wider rollout of the voice assistant. Voice assistants, once a standout feature, could soon see top players other than Apple, Google, and Amazon barreling into the forefront, which could potentially crowd the market, with companies such as Adobe and Samsung planning to steer into that direction. On a different note, Huawei's most imminent public gig is at this year's Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, where it's planning to officially unveil the P10 and, rumors suggest, a new smartwatch. A wealth of leaks has been ascribed recently to the smartphone in question, as with any hyped smartphone nowadays. It suggests the phone will have 8 GB of RAM, run Android Nougat out of the box, a Quad HD display, and pack a Kirin 960 processor. Thrilled for Huawei's forthcoming smartphone plans? What do you think about its proprietary voice assistant potentially being exclusive to China? Feel free to sound off in the comments section below! 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. General knowledge says that there are seven continents on Earth namely Asia, Europe, Africa, North America, South America, Australia and Antarctica. However, scientists have made a startling discovery of a hidden continent named "Zealandia." The 11 geologists involved in the study stated that the southwest region of the Pacific Ocean located to the east of Australia, which contains New Zealand and New Caledonia, is actually a continent of its own. The study is featured in GSA Today and states that Zealandia, which was once part of the long-lost ancient supercontinent called Gondwana, is a 4.9-million-square-kilometer slab of continental crust situated southwest of the Pacific Ocean. The study was conducted by 11 researchers namely, Nick Mortimer, Hamish J. Campbell, Andy J. Tulloch, Peter R. King, Vaughan M. Stagpoole, Ray A. Wood, Mark S. Rattenbury, Rupert Sutherland, Chris J. Adams, Julien Collot and Maria Seton. Discovery Of Zealandia The term Zealandia was first coined in 1995 by Bruce Luyendyk, a geophysicist at the University of California, Santa Barbara. However, according to Luyendyk, the name was given to describe New Zealand, New Caledonia, and a collection of submerged pieces and slices of crust which were part of the Gondwana supercontinent. The researchers went a bit further and decided to re-examine Luyendyk's idea by decoding the existing evidence under four basic criteria. The geologists referred to a number of criteria to deem a slab of rock as a continent. The four basic criteria are: One: If the land jolts up comparatively higher from the ocean floor. Two: The crust must contain all the three types of rocks namely metamorphic, sedimentary and igneous. Three: The slab of crust must be thicker and less dense compared with the thickness of the surrounding ocean floor. Four: There must be well-defined boundaries surrounding an area large enough to be considered as an continent, rather than terming it a micro-continent or a fragment of any continent. Both New Zealand and New Caledonia fulfill the first three criteria, enabling the researchers to coin the term Zealandia for the new continent. At first glance, the continent seems to be broken, but based on the results of the study which used satellite-based elevations and gravity maps Zealandia indeed looks part of the unified region. Zealandia And Its Characteristics The study states that Zealandia is a part of former supercontinent Gondwana. Zealandia is also the youngest and the thinnest of all other continents on Earth. Nearly 94 percent of Zealandia is currently submerged, which Mortimer says is nothing unique. "It is not unique in this regard: an ice-free, isostatically corrected West Antarctica would also largely be submerged," said Mortimer. The new continent once made up approximately 5 percent of supercontinent Gondwana. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. It is not every day that you get to receive a letter from Google's CEO. Chloe Bridgewater, a 7-year-old girl living in Hereford, England, was ecstatic when she received a personal response to her job application at Google. The girl received a letter straight from Google CEO Sundar Pichai saying that he is looking forward to receiving her job application once she's done with school. In the letter, Pichai thanked the girl and hoped that she would continue her interest in computers and robots. The CEO also gave advice on how to get hired by Google: "I think if you keep working hard and following your dreams, you can accomplish everything you set your mind to do from working at Google to swimming in the Olympics." Google has since confirmed that the letters from the girl and Pichai were real. It all started when Chloe had a career talk with her father Andy Bridgewater. The daughter asked Bridgewater about his job as a refrigerator parts sales manager. She also asked her father where his ideal place to work would be, aside from his current job. Bridgewater replied, "Google would be a nice place to work," and then proceeded to tell his child of the many perks while working for Google and showed her photos of the Google campus in Silicon Valley, complete with bean bags, slides, and go-karts. Chloe Bridgewater's Job Pitch To 'Google Boss' Chloe was convinced she wanted to work there as well, so her father prodded her on to submit an application. Just like any other job applicant, she proceeded to tell her best qualities in the letter: "I am very good in class and am good at my spelling and my sums." She also told Pichai that she likes computers, and that she has been practicing on her Amazon Kindle Fire tablet a lot. And just in case her application pans out, Chloe has it all figured out. She also had other career plans, such as becoming a chocolate factory worker or an Olympic swimmer. Bridgewater posted Pichai's letter on his LinkedIn page, where it became viral and has been liked more than 100,000 times. This could not have come at a better time since Chloe lost a great deal of confidence after getting involved in a car accident a couple of years ago. Bridgewater says that Pichai's letter gave the girl a boost of confidence, and that "she is now even more eager to do well at school and work for Google." 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has developed at a rapid pace in the past few years all thanks to its oil and gas reserves revenue. The city of Dubai now houses many skyscrapers and also boasts the tallest building in the world the Burj Khalifa. However, it seems that the UAE is trying to break the mold of a country known only for oil and gas reserves by stating its ambitious space explorations plans. UAE has unveiled its plan to colonize Mars by 2117. The announcement was made at the sidelines of the fifth World Government Summit in Dubai on Feb. 14, confirming the country's plan to build a mini-city and community on the Red Planet. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed also tweeted about the ambitious project that has already send the world in tizzy. The project, to be named "Mars 2117", integrates a vision to create a mini-city and community on Mars involving international cooperation. pic.twitter.com/v27jA3K3pS HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) February 14, 2017 "Human ambitions have no limits, and whoever looks into the scientific breakthroughs in the current century believes that human abilities can realise the most important human dream," said His Highness. Phases Of The Plan Although the plan at this point of time may sound absurd, the execution process does enlist some practical steps that could be put in place gradually. Also, the huge 100-year deadline makes the goal look a little more realistic to achieve. The impending project is a long term one. The first objective of the mission is to educate people so that future generations can lead the project. Sheikh Mohammed also stated that the knowledge gained through this project will be available for reference to all international research institutions. To aid the arrival of humans to Mars in the next few decades, the first phase of the project will be focusing on forming the human cadres. The succeeding phase would be preparation of a team of scientists and development of an international scientific consortium for the smooth progress of the plan. For the proposed plan, the UAE team will be working in collaboration with a global band of researchers to consider various challenges associated with the plan. UAE explained that the project will also concentrate on development of faster means of transportation to the Red Planet and will examine several conditions for successful human habitation on Mars. It will soon launch its own Mars Probe Mission, which was announced in 2015. The Probe Mission will send UAE's first spacecraft to Mars for scientific exploration. The Probe will likely land on Mars by 2021. Photo: Kevin Gill | Flickr 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Arce stressed that "this table has a vital importance to continue giving certainties and solutions, above the whims, subway agreements and political calculations". | Read More Heads up to prevent injury from falls Morning walks in my neighborhood are one of the most enjoyable parts of my day. I love the coolness of daybreak and the special sightings of the stag and two does that frequent our open space. I also enjoy my walk because each day at... Signs that point to the best time for retirement Ive been thinking a lot about retirement lately. One of our amazing staff members, who has been with Senior Concerns for the last 13 years, retired last month. It just doesnt seem real. I always thought of Dana as young. Certainly not the person to... Rethinking the mandatory retirement age How old is too old for working at a job? Last week a news story hit my inbox and it really got me to thinking about age and retirement. The article noted that Target Corp. abandoned its mandatory retirement age of 65 for its CEO,... Tips to promoting a healthy nights sleep for children Question: Help, please. My daughter is almost 2 years old and has been an easy child to put into her own bed. Yet in the past few weeks she is purposefully stretching out the bedtime routine longer and longer. She wants more: more stories, more... Purchases made via links on our site may earn us an affiliate commission The upscale Towne Center shopping hub now has the freedom to add bars and lounges, but the property manager said people should not expect the area to become a hot spot for alcohol. The Metro Council agreed on Wednesday to change Towne Center's concept plan to allow for bars and lounges to be built there. Tenants in the development previously could only serve alcohol if they were restaurants. Property Manger Doris Volentine said they asked for the change because one of their tenants, Don Juan Cigar Co., wants to expand and start serving wine and other high-end alcohol. While the change should open the door for Don Juan to grow, Volentine said it still be a cigar store that serves some alcohol and not a bar, per se. Towne Center does not have the space, nor the desire, to start building other lounges or places to imbibe, she added. "We really don't want it to be a bar environment, it's a shopping environment," she said. Plans underway for second Baton Rouge location of Rock N Roll Sushi Baton Rouges first Rock N Roll Sushi location is still about a month away from opening, but Should any other bar or lounge open in Towne Center in the future, the new requirements say it cannot exceed 4,000 square feet. The Metro Council also approved zoning changes for two locations of Rock N Roll Sushi, the first of which should open in about a month. The first will be located at 7949 Jefferson Highway, and the second will be at 3627 Perkins Road inside of a shopping center at Perkins and Acadian Thruway. More fault lines surfaced Thursday in the rancorous debate on how to overhaul Louisiana's public schools, with some superintendents predicting major problems for classrooms if the new rules take effect in August. The sometimes heated arguments took place during a three-hour meeting of the influential Superintendents' Advisory Council, which advises Louisiana's top school board. The gathering pointed up rising tensions over the merits of a plan by state Superintendent of Education John White, which he wants the state to submit to the U.S. Department of Education by April 3. Doing so, White has long said, would allow public school letter grade changes and a host of other revisions to be in place for the start of the 2017-18 year, not take effect in the middle of the academic calendar . Here are key questions surrounding Louisiana public school revamp After more than a year of public hearings, forums and debates, key questions remain on just Michael Faulk, superintendent of the Central school system, led the criticism of the timeline, and others said the state will risk Common Core-style upheaval if the overhaul is in place by August. Faulk said superintendents and others need more time to analyze the switch, which is being prompted by a federal law called the Every Student Succeeds Act. Just how many times should students be tested? Top leaders trying to reach an accord State education leaders, allies of Gov. John Bel Edwards and even teachers are embroiled in St. Helena Parish School District Superintendent Kelli Joseph voiced similar concerns. "There are still a lot of questions out there," Joseph told colleagues. "We don't know where we are going." Scott Richard, executive director of the Louisiana School Boards Association, was more emphatic in comments to the 22-member group. Richard noted that 30 states plan to submit their proposals in September. He said the overhaul could spark a rerun of months of controversy similar to the bickering that erupted when the Common Core math and English benchmarks were started. "Do you want to jump on the horse while it is running or jump on the horse the normal way?" Richard asked. "A September date certainly makes more sense." Richard also said a delay is needed to build consensus rather than "running the risk of a state plan that has tremendous opposition." White noted that the federal law was passed in December, 2015, has been discussed around the state for nearly one year and that remaining differences can be aired out in the next two months. State officials plan to visit school districts in March to spell out the state's proposal. The controversy was the second in two days over White's plan. On Wednesday nine education and business groups, including some traditional allies of White, issued a statement that criticized plans to revamp the way public school letter grades are calculated. White wants 25 percent of school performance scores to stem from annual academic growth, which critics say would distort letter grades that are linked to the scores. The plan also revamps tests schedules, charts new ways to help struggling public schools and spells out steps to help teachers. The federal law requires states to show how they plan to measure academic skills, report those results to parents and other taxpayers and how they plan to spend the federal aid. Aside from disputes in the past two days, there are major differences between White's proposal and changes recommended by a panel named by Gov. John Bel Edwards. That group wants to end annual science exams in grades three through eight, among other suggestions. Faulk offered a motion to delay submission of the state's proposal until September. Superintendents later opted to delay any vote, in part because of the sharp divisions. Hollis Milton, chairman of the council and superintendent of the West Feliciana Parish School District, said there are clearly tensions surrounding the issue. Comments by Ed Cancienne, superintendent of the St. James Parish school system, pointed up some of those hard feelings. Cancienne, who is not on the council, told the group the federal law was supposed to allow for flexibility, and be simpler than the No Child Left Behind law that it replaced. He also blasted White. "I know you have done a good job of dividing and conquering superintendents in this state," said Cancienne, former superintendent of the Iberville Parish School District. The state House is again considering a plan that proponents say will free up tens of millions of dollars each year, under a unique maneuver of cutting into normally protected funds. If approved, House Speaker Taylor Barras says his proposal would free up an estimated $97.5 million in next year's budget, but Gov. John Bel Edwards' administration and some Democratic lawmakers remain skeptical. The plan, which was shot down by the state Senate last year, was resurrected as state lawmakers meet in a special session to try to close a $304 million deficit in the current budget that ends June 30. The proposal would have no impact on that mid-year shortfall, the state's 15th in the past nine years. Barras, a New Iberia Republican who is a banker by trade, argued on Thursday that his idea could help provide more financial stability in the future. "Some say it's unconstitutional, I say it's completely the opposite," Barras told the House Appropriations Committee. The proposal, which comes in the form of a resolution instructing the state treasurer to begin the process, will now head to the full House for consideration. It passed committee in a 21-2 vote. It would also need to win approval by the state Senate that rejected the idea less than a year ago. Barras and other backers of the proposal say that a portion of the fees and statutory dedications that go into a debt fund should have been going to pay down the state debt, freeing up money for other areas of the budget. Barras said he thinks the plan is backed by state statute that governs the fund and the monies that typically just flow through it. "I don't consider it a fund sweep," he said "That's using the fund as it was set up in statute to pay the state debt." The process would effectively be a cut to funds that currently only pass through the debt fund. For example, estimates for the coming year say the proposal would pull $19.6 million meant for the transportation trust fund that is meant for improvements to roads and other infrastructure projects. It would draw down nearly $1.8 million from the Hospital Stabilization Fund that allows local hospitals to draw down more federal Medicaid matching funds, and it would take $1.9 million from the fund that goes toward paying for the popular Taylor Opportunity Program for Students scholarships. The cuts vary but would be spread across even obscure funds ranging from the state's Battered Women Shelter Fund to funds held by parish-level convention and visitors bureaus. Barras said that any concerns about cuts could be addressed when the Legislature builds the budget, with the opportunity to back-fill some of the cuts. In a statement after the committee vote, Edwards called the plan a dangerous, back-door gimmick that has the potential to seriously threaten the states credit rating." "This is an especially precarious time to be taking money from TOPS and the Transportation Trust Fund, as this proposal does, given that our state faces a massive infrastructure backlog," Edwards said. "If these members want to make cuts to these programs, there is a much more transparent way to do it that doesnt cause unnecessary harm to the state." Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne told the Appropriations Committee during the hearing that the administration had been "very interested" when the idea was proposed last year, but ultimately deemed it unworkable and a potential threat to the state's financial stability. "Confusing this issue is what concerns me, about what it may say to investors and Wall Street," Dardenne said. Dardenne called it a "procedural nightmare." "This will not be an easy process," Barras acknowledged, but he said it would be worth it to free up the funds. House Speaker Pro Tempore Walt Leger III, D-New Orleans, questioned whether state law provides the proper framework. "The way I read it, there is no instruction on how to distribute the funds," he said. The resolution's approval came a day after the same committee to a significant step toward closing the $304 million mid-year deficit the state currently faces. Other items on the agenda included the House Democrats plan for closing the mid-year deficit and a resolution needed to tap into the state's rainy day fund. The committee OK'd a vehicle for transferring $74.6 million from the rainy day fund. Tapping the rainy day fund requires approval from two-third of the members of the House and Senate. It rejected the governor-backed budget proposal carried by Leger, but two other bills are advancing to the floor that can still be altered. One, pushed by Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry, R-Metairie, and other GOP leaders in the chamber, would use $74.6 million from the state's rainy day fund. The other, which is more experimental, would use none of the rainy day fund but broaden cuts. Both bills are expected to get full vetting on the House floor on Friday. Anything that passes the House would then go on to the Senate for consideration. Gov. John Bel Edwards had asked legislators to pull $119.6 million the maximum amount allowed by law to lessen cuts to state departments with four months left in the budget cycle. Henry and other Republican members in Wednesday's hearing stressed their hope that the state could use the deficit to establish long-term cuts. The money they hope to cull from various budgets would lead into decreased budgets when the Legislature meets in April to craft a budget that will begin July 1, they said. State Sen. Neil Riser officially announced his bid to run for the state Treasurers post. Today, I announce that I will be running for State Treasurer, Senator Riser said in a press release Thursday. Louisiana wants a watchdog as Treasurer and thats exactly what Ill be, Riser said in a press release. Dont tell me theyre spending money efficiently throughout a $28 billion dollar budget. Thats a load of bull, and we all know it. We must restore accountability and fiscal responsibility to our state's finances. Riser is in Baton Rouge for a special legislative session aimed at closing a $304 million revenue gap in the states spending plan for the fiscal year ending June 30. His entry into the sweepstakes to replace John N. Kennedy, who was elected to the U.S. Senate, was widely anticipated. Riser told State Capitol reporters Wednesday that his announcement was imminent. He promised to continue Kennedys outspoken critiques of legislators and governors actions concerning the states fiscal policies. Its quite obvious that the way our state does business is out of date and must be changed if we ever expect to truly put our state back on a solid financial footing, Riser said. The Columbia Republican heads the Senate Committee on Labor & Industrial Relations and had chaired the Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee during the Jindal administration. Hes the only candidate who has served on the State Bond Commission, which the Treasurer chairs. The special statewide election will be held on October 14, 2017. He joins in the race state Rep. Julie Stokers, of Kenner; Rep. John Schroder, of Covington, and Mike Lawrence, a Mandeville Republican CPA, all Republicans. Kenner Rep. Julie Stokes announces run for state treasurers post Republican state Rep. Julie Stokes announced Friday she is running for state treasurer in th Riser, 54, was frontrunner in 2013s hastily called election to replace Rodney Alexander in Congress. He made the runoff but was beaten by political neophyte Vance McAllister, a businessman who went on to win international notoriety for a security camera video of him kissing an aide. Riser graduated from Caldwell Parish High School in Columbia in 1980 and received a Bachelor of Science degree in business management from the University of Louisiana at Monroe in 1984. As a senator, he sponsored the 2012 constitutional amendment, which was approved by 74 percent of the states voters, requiring a strict scrutiny standard when courts consider cases involving gun laws. Under strict scrutiny, regulations must be narrowly tailored to fit a public purpose and it would be up to the government to prove that regulations were constitutional, rather than requiring opponents of a measure prove that the law violates the Constitution. Gov. John Bel Edwards has requested additional federal money for the historic flood of 2016. One item of the request was $125 million to complete the Comite River Diversion Canal Project. The only way this project will be completed is to seek these funds directly from the federal government. The Amite River Basin Commission has been collecting local property taxes since 2001 for the acquisition of land for the project. We are fulfilling our commitment to the project by acquiring nearly half of the lands needed for it. The federal government, through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, is responsible for the actual construction of the canal. There has been no significant construction on the canal by the Corps in over 10 years. The present federal funding through the U.S Army Corps of Engineers is simply broken. The Louisiana legislative auditor recently issued a report concerning the reasons for the delay in the project. Its auditor found that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has failed to provide "sufficient and consistent funding." The ARBC and LADOTD have already spent over $38 million, and the Corps has spent over $75 million. Right now, there are no guarantees that the federal government will live up to its commitment to fund this project. We need the public's help to get this project completed. Please contact U.S. Sens. Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy, U.S. Reps. Garret Graves and Cedric Richmond, and the White House to urge support for Edwards' effort to secure the funds for this project. Without their support, this project may never be completed. It is irresponsible to spend over $113 million in taxpayer's money and not finish the work. Col. Ben Babin president, ARBC Baton Rouge Jury deliberating in '39'ers' gang trial sent home until Tuesday; judge cites death in one juror's family The Rev. W. Marshall Myles lamented to his congregation at New St. John Baptist Church on a recent Sunday that he felt so low that I had to r Justice Amanda Tonkin was sworn in to the Federal Circuit Court of Australia at a ceremony on Thursday, where she was praised for her integrity and forensic approach to the law. Justice Tonkin was a teacher before she turned to law. Justice Amanda Tonkin. Credit:Melissa Adams She worked for several years as a prosecutor with the ACT Director of Public Prosecutions, and was a Legal Aid commissioner in the ACT for 15 years. In 1995, Justice Tonkin was called to the bar, where she spent more than two decades and earned a "reputation of diligence and fearless advocacy", Sarah Avery, president of the ACT Law Society said at the ceremony on Thursday. The new Qatar Airways flights from Doha to Canberra may include a Sydney leg to "mitigate the risk" of launching in a new market. It's understood a final decision won't be made until after bilateral talks between the Qatar and Australia governments. Qatar Airways is waiting for talks between the Qatar and Australia governments before finalising details of its proposed Canberra-Doha service. Credit:Krisztian Bocsi Qatar carriers are restricted to 21 flights a week into the major Australian ports of Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. Adelaide, Canberra and regional airports are exempt from the restriction. Industry journal Aviation Week recently reported that Qatar Airways chief executive Akbar Al Baker said the proposed new Canberra service would include Sydney. Women in Canberra's jail face overcrowding and fewer opportunities, the ACT opposition says. ACT corrections minister Shane Rattenbury admitted up to 32 women at a time had been housed in the 29-bed facility in the past year in the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday. An expanded laundry, a new bakery and a multi-purpose activities centre, have been built as part of the Government?s response to the need for more employment and activities opportunities at the Alexander Maconochie Centre. Credit:Clare Sibthorpe Canberra Liberals' spokeswoman for women Giulia Jones asked why given the rising rate of female incarceration, the women's facilities were not expanded when the men's unit was last year. "It appears these efforts by the government to address increasing prisoner numbers at the AMC have been entirely directed towards men. I have been advised that no additional accommodation was built for women," Mrs Jones said. Virgin Australia has unveiled plans to fly direct to Hong Kong and mainland China, and codeshare with three Chinese carriers on international and domestic flights. Australia's second-largest airline has applied to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission for permission to launch an alliance with Hong Kong Airlines, HK Express and HNA Aviation, which owns 20 per cent of Virgin. Virgin will fly direct to Hong Kong starting in June. Credit:Glenn Hunt The deal comes as Australia's two largest airlines are eager to tap into opportunities in China, which is Australia's fastest-growing inbound travel market. Qantas last month resumed flights between Sydney and Beijing, more than seven years after it axed services to China's capital. Virgin Australia last year also flagged plans to launch services to Beijing and Shanghai. The first stage of the Virgin's latest deal will see Virgin fly direct between Australia and Hong Kong from June this year using Airbus A330s, the airline said on Friday. A $1.9 billion write-down of assets disclosed earlier in the week pushed Origin Energy's earnings heavily into the red, with the improved performance of its energy utility business overwhelmed by asset valuation adjustments. In the December half, Origin's net loss blew out to $1.68 billion, from a $254 million loss a year earlier, with the loss per share widening from 18.1 to 95.6. "We continue to focus on accelerating debt reduction and improving returns to shareholders," recently installed chief executive Frank Calabria said. Credit:Peter Braig Putting the write-down to one side, the group's energy utility arm earned an underlying net profit of $576 million, up from $557 million, with its extensive gas arm losing $208 million, from a $43 million loss previously. The underlying profit for the half ran at $184 million, down from $254 million, hurt by the impact of low oil prices on its Queensland gas export project, with income here insufficient to cover interest payments. The Australian dollar has surged higher overnight, easily clearing the US77 mark to its highest since the US election, and positive January jobs data could solidify its advance, according to NAB economists. The currency rallied more than 1 per cent from an overnight low of US76.37 to jump over the US 77 cent mark. It was further boosted by Thursday's employment figures, reaching a high of 77.32 US cents just after 11:30 AEDT. The Aussie, which has risen 6.8 per cent so far in 2017, managed to press through a key technical trading level, said NAB economist Rodrigo Catril, adding it "now has more freedom" to move still higher. In Washington, Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen testified before US lawmakers for a second day, reiterating her expectation that the central bank will be looking at lifting interest rates in the months ahead as the world's largest economy expands bolstering both the labour market and inflation. Clive Palmer has told a court there was nothing personal about his relationship with a woman for whom he paid $250,000 to fly to from Kyrgyzstan to Singapore in a private jet. The former federal MP was back in the Federal Court on Thursday to be grilled by liquidators who are now winding up his Queensland Nickel business, which has debts of about $300 million. But he bristled and directed his lawyer to object when barrister Walter Sofronoff QC, for liquidators FTI Consulting, began to quiz him about his relationship with a woman named Evgenia Bednova, how often he'd met her, and where. Mr Sofronoff wanted to know why Mr Palmer's company Mineralogy had paid a quarter of a million dollars to fly her privately from her homeland to Singapore in 2011, where Mr Palmer was attending a Forbes business conference. Domino's CEO Don Meij has admitted up to 2400 of the pizza chain's staff were underpaid while blasting whistleblowing former franchisees as blackmailing "criminals". Mr Meij had previously refused to reveal the number of workers who missed out on wages despite numerous requests from Fairfax Media. Speaking after the company's share price fell on the back of lower than expected profit and wage fraud concerns, he attempted to downplay the underpayments. "On average over the three years, it was just over 800 workers per year," he told ABC Radio Brisbane on Thursday morning. The retail job losses continue to pile up, with the shut-down of 13 Marcs and David Lawrence stores putting at least 20 more staff out of work, and another 50 facing an uncertain future as the administrator tries to secure them new roles in the shrinking store network. Four David Lawrence stores and one Marcs outlet in Victoria will shut by next week, along with one David Lawrence boutique and one Marcs shop in Sydney. The job losses from the two Australian fashion chains come just days after 10 staff were axed from smart suit-maker Herringbone and sister brand Rhodes & Beckett after administrator Cor Cordis turned out the lights in seven of its boutiques, including three Sydney stores, one Victorian outlet and both its Perth shops. The collapse of six high-profile apparel brands since December has triggered a jobs rout that threatens to push close to 4000 workers onto the unemployment line, and insolvency professionals warn there are more retail failures on the horizon as Australian chains without the scale, distribution infrastructure or brand identity to compete with global giants like Zara falter. Fierce competition in the mobile phone market is sending customers into the arms of Telstra's competitors, carving a nasty hole in the telco giant's profits. The slowing growth in customers is aggravating the pressure on the nation's biggest telecom provider, which has seen its traditional mainstay business crunched as Australians are abandoning the fixed-line phone, and is now forced to pay the government-owned NBN Network to access its customers. Telstra's shares dived 4.5 per cent on Thursday after management admitted it was struggling to attract new customers. "There is no doubt the competitive intensity in the market has increased," chief executive Andrew Penn said as he delivered a surprise 12 per cent fall in first-half profit on Thursday. US Secretary of Defence Jim Mattis is emerging as an alternative and status quo power centre in Donald Trump's administration, with a capacity to influence the White House's Asia policy in reassuring ways. Mattis was in Japan and South Korea this month, making the first overseas visit by a Trump administration cabinet member. His decision to visit the two Asian countries ahead of other US allies was strategic: a signal of the priority the Pentagon will place on the Asia-Pacific. But the trip also gave Mattis and like-minded National Security Council officials a golden opportunity to set the tone for this administration's engagement of US allies in the region. Asian allies and partners have been deeply anxious since Trump labelled America's global alliances as "bad deals" for the US during the presidential campaign. Mattis needed to allay these fears by delivering two messages of reassurance. When Paralympic wheelchair racing champion Kurt Fearnley spoke out this week to attack the Coalition government for its horse trading over the NDIS, his words cut through the political game playing. "It is mischief. It is political opportunism and it is just wrong", Mr Fearnley said. The Age agrees. Now that the government has had to abandon its proposal to link disability funding and childcare reform to welfare cuts, thanks largely to Senator Nick Xenophon's refusal to support the so-called omnibus savings bill, Social Services Minister Christian Porter and others are trying to claim that the National Disability Insurance Scheme was never under threat. We call bunk on this. NDIS (Not Doing Inspiring Stuff): Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull with Treasurer Scott Morrison. Credit:Bloomberg The Turnbull government was clearly trying to bully Parliament into supporting its bill by suggesting savings had to be found to pay for the NDIS by cutting welfare payments, including family tax benefits and paid parental leave. So one group of disadvantaged Australians would be sacrificed to fund support for another. This is shabby politics and questionable ethics. The Age has been a firm supporter of the NDIS and continues to be so, of course understanding that the scheme is effectively in a trial stage and will need further review and adjustment. But just as the NDIS is about equality of opportunity, it is also compelled by economics. President Donald Trump's administration has a spelling problem, and it seems to be getting worse. The latest cringe-worthy gaffe, courtesy of the Education Department, was a double whammy: In a tweet on Friday, the agency misspelled the name of the late scholar-activist and NAACP co-founder W.E.B. Du Bois. Then it followed up with a correction, with its own glaring error: "Our deepest apologizes for the earlier typo." It wasn't long ago that pretty much everyone across the political spectrum could agree that it was embarrassing when our elected officials failed to use the English language correctly. Just ask former Vice President Dan Quayle how to spell "potato". Yet as critics pounced on the latest errors as a sign of carelessness or incompetence, Trump defenders howled back, blasting the criticism as liberal-elite snobbery. It's come to this: The fault lines of our deeply divided country have crossed into the once-neutral territory of grammar and spelling. Elections always throw up their fair share of weirdos. Even the major parties struggle with it. But the minor parties are fishing from an even smaller pond of excellent candidates, as evidenced by One Nation's line up for the coming WA election. Richard Eldridge is running for the West Australian upper house in the southern metropolitan area of Perth. Credit:Facebook On Thursday the news broke that Richard Eldridge, candidate for the safe Labor seat of South Metro, had been making some pretty noteworthy statements on his now-deleted Twitter account. "The only real thing Muslims are good at is multiplying but that is all they need to do history will show Let's hunt down some indo reporters and balibo them. What's Suharto up to these days." he cleverly Tweeted - because students of history agree that the brutal murder of five Australian journalists in 1975 was, first and foremost, hilarious! A One Nation candidate receiving Liberal preferences in the West Australian election once advocated killing Indonesian journalists, and attacked "poofters", Muslims and black people on his now-deactivated Twitter account. Richard Eldridge, a real estate agent contesting an upper house seat in the South Metropolitan region of Perth, called Muslims "little sheet heads", derided gay relationships as "poo games" and advocated taking up arms against "extreme Muslims". Richard Eldridge is running for the West Australian upper house in the southern metropolitan area of Perth. Credit:Facebook In one extraordinary rant about Indonesians in November 2013, Mr Eldridge said we should "Balibo" Indonesian journalists, an apparent reference to the 1975 murder of the Balibo Five group of Australian journalists in Timor. "The only real thing Muslims are good at is multiplying but that is all they need to do history will show," he tweeted. "Let's hunt down some indo reporters and balibo them. What's Suharto up to these days. End of the day. What happened? Labor has been pushing the Coalition to say whether or not it has a plan to change capital gains tax arrangements ; has been pushing the to say whether or not it has a plan to ; the Coalition is doing its best to sound like it is saying 'no' while leaving itself a bit of wriggle room ; is doing its best to sound like it is saying 'no' while ; Malcolm Turnbull had another go at Bill Shorten in question time and basically calling him a cry baby; had another go at in and basically calling him a cry baby; this was in response to constant needling from Labor about One Nation ; and about ; and a government senator has defended politicians' perks. My thanks to Andrew Meares and Alex Ellinghausen for their super work and to you for reading and commenting. You can follow me on Facebook. Andrew, Alex and I will be back when Parliament returns on February 27. Until then, take care. Noah also made a point of the photo that Ivanka shared to her Instagram that showed her sitting in the Oval office flanked by her father and Trudeau. The photo has attracted some criticism given that Ivanka has been involved in official events but doesn't have a formal role at the White House. Though perhaps the most warranted criticism is this from The Daily Show's Trevor Noah: "Oh, I'm sorry, that photo shows the importance of women having a seat at the table? Your dad let you sit at his desk" said Noah. "That's not a woman in power, it's take-your-daughter-to-work day. No I mean, don't get me wrong, it's a lovely Instagram photo. I think she probably used the 'nepotism' filter." "And what makes this really annoying is 3 million more Americans wanted a woman sitting behind that desk full-time, not just for the photo op." When Jennifer Hawkins invites you to dinner in a dark car park in Melbourne, you put aside any thoughts of an Underbelly type demise that could await and RSVP, "yes". The face of Myer jump started the department store's bi-annual fashion launch, set in the car park of the University of Melbourne, dressed like a blonde Morticia Addams in a gown by Alex Perry on Thursday. Sleeves too long to eat with, pom poms for grown ups, deep burgundy hues, dark florals and heavy leather pieces by Yeojin Bae, By Johnny and Mishca, were all on the fashion menu while Ian Curley of the renowned eatery French Saloon, dished up some of his famed dishes to the 116 VIP guests including Neighbours star Jodi Gordon, comedian Andy Lee and The Project's Carrie Bickmore. Myer's love affair with car parks continued for its autumn-winter showcase, with the smaller event following in the footsteps of last year's innovative parade inside Barangaroo's sparse parking lot. Except this time there were actual cars - Tesla electric ones - which was lucky as fuel emissions and Billecart-Salmon champagne are an uglier combination than pink and neon. For years Parramatta's reputation as Sydney's second CBD has been an aspirational drum beat by politicians and business groups, but largely unmatched by reality. But the gap between hype and actuality is projected to close, with Parramatta on track to outstrip the growth in Sydney's other major business centres including the city's CBD and Macquarie Park, according to projections by real estate consultants Knight Frank. The new data reveals Parramatta CBD will grow by 32 per cent over the next five years, which will see it eclipse North Sydney to become the third largest office market in Sydney, while closely trailing second-placed Macquarie Park. The growth is being driven by the $2 billion Parramatta Square project, where three office towers comprising a total of 180,000 square metres of office space will be built over the next few years, bringing thousands of workers to heart of Parramatta. The Bankstown train line in Sydney's west will be closed for between three and six months to allow it to be converted to carry single-deck metro carriages, the state government has confirmed. "At the end of the day we have to do this we have no option," Transport Minister Andrew Constance said on Thursday. "We're seeing patronage growth on the existing network at the moment of almost 10 per cent." Mr Constance said the temporary closure from about the end of 2023 was needed because much of the construction could only be carried out once the existing trains stopped operating on the line. The government has committed $265 million over six years and an extra 329 full-time staff to Queensland Corrective Services and another 18 staff for Queensland Health for rehabilitation, drug, alcohol and mental health services. The announcement comes as part of sweeping changes to parole to be implemented following a review of the system conducted by Walter Sofronoff QC. Queensland Corrective Services will get more than 300 extra full-time staff. The government commissioned the review following the death of 81-year-old Elizabeth Kippin in Townsville in July 2016. A man on parole was charged with her murder. The work of acclaimed street artist Banksy can attract global interest when it appears on city streetscapes and be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. But if Banksy decided to come to Queensland, he could expect Brisbane City Council officers to quickly paint over the valuable artwork. Lord Mayor Graham Quirk paints over graffiti at the council's Stafford Heights skate park. Credit:Cameron Atfield And Lord Mayor Graham Quirk, who announced the 2016 prosecution rate for his Taskforce Against Graffiti at a northside skate park on Thursday, said he would not have it any other way. "If Banksy had come to town, we would treat it in exactly the same way as Lister was treated," Cr Quirk said, referring to a 2014 incident in which council officers buffed away an Anthony Lister piece, that would have been worth thousands of dollars, in Elizabeth Street. It seems something is lurking out there but stargazers don't know what it is. Measurements taken from the movements of distant objects in our solar system suggest there is a ninth planet way out beyond Neptune in the huge wasteland of icy debris called the Kuiper belt. Now you can join in and help find the elusive object. Astronomers from NASA and the University of California, Berkeley, want you to trawl through thousands of images taken by NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer to see if you can spot Planet Nine. The outlook has improved for one badly injured survivor of the Bourke Street tragedy, who has been in a critical condition in hospital for nearly a month. The Royal Melbourne Hospital issued a statement on Thursday morning advising that the patient's condition "has improved from critical to serious but stable". The patient is the only one remaining of the 11 people the major trauma hospital treated on January 20 after a car smashed into pedestrians on Bourke Street. Six people died following the incident: three-month-old Zachary Bryant, 10-year-old Thalia Hakin, Matthew Si, 33, Jess Mudie, 22, an unnamed 25-year-old man, and Bhavita Patel, 33. A man has been charged three months after allegedly setting fire to a Commonwealth Bank in Springvale. Nur Islam, a 21-year-old man from Springvale, has been charged with 92 offences, including conduct endangering life, criminal damage by fire, gross violence, intentionally causing serious injury and recklessly causing serious injury. The Springvale Commonwealth Bank branch after the fire in November. Credit:Michael Dodge The Rohingya asylum seeker from Myanmar suffered severe burns after allegedly setting himself alight inside the Springvale Road bank branch at 11.30am on November 18, 2016. He has been in hospital since, but faced Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday afternoon and was remanded to appear again on May 11. A man is fighting for his life after he was thrown from a van, which rolled after hitting a pole in Melbourne's south east on Thursday night. It's believed the Ford "rent-a-van" was travelling north on Springvale Road, between Vermont Street and Waverley Road in Glen Waverley, when it hit a pole and lost control about 9.30pm, police said. The overturned 'rent-a-van'. Credit:Twitter/@9NewsMelb The vehicle rolled several times before it came to rest on its roof. A 39-year-old Ferntree Gully man was the only occupant of the van and was found by paramedics "some distance from the van with serious head and chest injuries", an Ambulance Victoria spokeswoman said. A man who abused teenage girls and still believes his Wiccan religion condones his crimes could do "catastrophic" harm to possible future victims, a court has heard. The secretary of the Department of Justice, Greg Wilson, is challenging a Supreme Court decision to revoke a decade-long supervision order against Robin Fletcher, who previously served eight years in prison for sexually abusing two teenage girls in the 1990s. Robin Fletcher leaving the Supreme Court last Wednesday. Credit:Justin McManus The order restricts him to living at a particular address, which he can only leave under strict conditions. He cannot move from that address without the Adult Parole Board's approval. Justice Phillip Priest last week ruled that Fletcher, 60, posed no greater risk of sexual reoffending "than the average sex offender released into the community". He said there was a "low" risk he would reoffend in the same way, based on psychological evidence, the fact he is now legally blind, his age and his physical weakness. "There's trouble, they're playing a game I think," a man who did not want to be named said. "The last probably five years Margie wanted to get a job in the school but... the school won't allow it." Mr Samson, when questioned about the allegation, admitted he believed the school should employ more local people. "The system is you must have a police clearance for anyone, whether it's Margie or someone else... I wonder if the white staff actually have a police clearance as well," he said. "The main big thing in this community is unemployment and that's the reality. "When you start coming out and looking at remote communities, closing the gap is not there for us... for someone [local] to be able to become a principal of the school down the track, or become a doctor... education is a key to that and it's not happening." But Mr Samson's fight to have more local people employed at the school has meant the educational outcomes of the community's children has begun to suffer. In 2015, the school was boasting its attendance rate had jumped as high as 80 per cent after long struggle with high truancy rates. It credited a new teaching method called direct instruction for the change a new program championed by Cape York leader Noel Pearson, and supported by Mr Samson. Mr Samson told The Australian in March 2015 that before the new program was introduced, he had not stood foot in a classroom in his community in 20 years because he was so disappointed by the low standards reached there. "A few years ago, in the last mining boom, we had talks with big mining companies and they were going to employ our young people but they came back and said, 'Sorry, their literacy and numeracy is not up to standard'," he said. "It was so disappointing and a big wake-up for a lot of us. I thought, 'This can't go on', and that's when we started looking for a new way." Since his comments, yearly attendance averages at Jigalong Remote Community School have dropped from 62.8 per cent in 2015 to 33 per cent in 2016. Department deputy director general of schools, David Axworthy said he would like to see families sending their children back to the school. "I understand there is unrest in the community and it's unfortunate that the operations of the school are being affected, along with a number of other community services," he said. "The Department is working with the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Federal Government to organise a community meeting and find a resolution. "At the end of the day, children need to go to school. It's not only the law, it's also vital to children's personal development and future prospects." The anonymous community member, who has family members at the school, said the rest of the community had "had enough" and that the students wanted to go back to school. But Mr Samson has given no indication when he will let that occur. "You must remember these kids, they actually have a culture of authority by the elders... therefore if some elders decided to say this is what we're going to do, they respect it... because it's a cultural value," he said. Jigalong's Martu people have one of Australia's most ancient cultures and hold dear the traditions of desert life. There are some Martu elders still alive who can recall the first time they saw a white man. However, the living conditions in many Martu communities are Third World. Some Martu children go hungry, rarely attend school and are at risk of abuse from alcohol-affected people. Since the Jigalong school's principal, Mr Wilson, was employed in February 2015, five staff members have come to the end of their remote teaching service contracts, while two have completed six months and decided to relocate to other remote communities. The transient nature of teachers in such a remote area is not unusual, but Mr Samson claimed it showed others were also unhappy with Mr Wilson. WA Labor MP and chairperson of the Martu Schools Alliance, Alannah MacTiernan, described the situation at the school as "tragic" and urged Mr Samson to allow the children to return to school. "My strong counsel to Brian would be get the children back into school... but as a matter of principle in these remote communities, there must be regard had to very strongly held opinions about the appointment of a principal," she said. "The tragedy of all this is that Brian was the person that really pushed direct instruction because he was so unhappy with the lack of education that was being delivered to the kids across the Western Desert... he got the whole ball rolling." The Federal Government's ninth Closing the Gap report, released on Tuesday, showed Indigenous school attendance rates continued to decrease with remoteness. In 2016, the attendance rate for Indigenous students fell from 86.9 per cent in inner regional areas to 66.4 per cent in very remote areas. Loading Washington: Andrew Puzder, President Donald Trump's choice to serve as the next labour secretary, has withdrawn his nomination amid growing resistance from Republicans and Democrats in the Senate. "After careful consideration and discussions with my family, I am withdrawing my nomination for Secretary of Labour," Puzder said. "I am honoured to have been considered by President Donald Trump to lead the Department of Labour and put America's workers and businesses back on a path to sustainable prosperity." Widespread criticism: Andrew Puzder, chief executive officer of CKE Restaurants. Credit:Bloomberg He continued: "I want to thank President Trump for his nomination. I also thank my family and my many supporters - employees, businesses, friends and people who have voiced their praise and hopeful optimism for the policies and new thinking I would have brought to America as Secretary of Labour. While I won't be serving in the administration, I fully support the President and his highly qualified team." In the hours leading up to Puzder's withdrawal, 12 Republican senators "at a minimum" were withholding support, said one Republican senator, who asked for anonymity to avoid political retribution. President Donald Trump's choice for national security adviser, retired Vice Admiral Robert Harward, has turned down the offer, a senior White House official said on Thursday. Harward was offered the job after Michael Flynn was fired by Trump on Monday for misleading Vice President Mike Pence over his conversations with Russia's ambassador to the United States. The White House official said Harward cited family and financial reasons for opting not to take the job. Harward was offered the job after Michael Flynn resigned on Monday for misleading Vice President Mike Pence over his conversations with Russia's ambassador to the United States. Wellington: Henry Reese watched through a thick haze of smoke as his Christchurch family home burnt to the ground on Thursday morning. Huge wildfires in Christchurch, raging out of control since Monday, have destroyed houses and torn through 1850 hectares of land around the Port Hills district. More than 1000 people were evacuated from some 450 homes overnight after a state of emergency was declared in New Zealand's third largest city. "I don't think my brain is playing tricks on me. I'm 99 per cent sure we're watching our house burn down," Reese said on Thursday morning. Washington: Former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn denied to FBI agents in an interview last month that he had discussed US sanctions against Russia with that country's ambassador to the United States before President Donald Trump took office, contradicting the contents of intercepted communications collected by intelligence agencies, current and former US officials said. The January 24 interview potentially puts Flynn in legal jeopardy, as lying to the FBI is a felony, but any decision to prosecute would ultimately lie with the Justice Department. Some officials said bringing a case could prove difficult in part because Flynn may attempt to parse the definition of sanctions. A spokesman for Flynn said he had no response. The FBI declined to comment. Flynn spoke to Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak following Trump's election, and denied for weeks that the December conversation involved sanctions the Obama administration imposed on Russia in response to its meddling in the US election. New York: It was President Donald Trump's first press conference since a bombshell report detailing contact between members of his team and Russian intelligence officials during the election campaign. It also followed the abrupt resignation of his national security adviser Michael Flynn over claims he lied about his own contact with Russia. But when the President took to the podium in front of a packed room of journalists on Wednesday, alongside the visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he was not pressed about his knowledge or involvement in either of the scandals engulfing his administration. Instead, he took only two questions from his choice of conservative media outlets. It was a move that angered many journalists in the White House press corps, who have accused Mr Trump of avoiding scrutiny, and comes as his war with the mainstream media continues to escalate with the publication of more damaging stories that are derailing his first month in office. SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 16, 2017 -- The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) and the Transportation Research Board (TRB) invite Bay Area residents and visitors to take part in an ongoing Study of the Future Interstate Highway System, and to attend a pair of upcoming listening-and-outreach events in San Francisco at which participants can share recommendations about how best to plan, fund, operate and maintain the 60-year-old, nearly 47,000-mile freeway network in the decades ahead. TRB will host the first of these meetings on Thursday, Feb. 23, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., in the Yerba Buena conference room at the Bay Area Metro Center at 375 Beale Street in San Francisco. The second meeting will be held at the same location on Friday, Feb. 24, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. At the request of Congress, TRB which is part of the National Academies of Science, Technology and Medicine is in the midst of a study that will provide recommendations to support the Interstate Highway System for the next 50 years. Throughout 2017, TRB is holding a series of events across the country to hear from Americans about the Interstates and the future of the system. The Feb. 23-24 events in San Francisco will focus on issues of regional governance and planning, and on possible funding innovations. TRB asks members of the public who wish to participate to RSVP at http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/3269657/Future-Interstate-Highway-System-Meeting-SanFrancisco. MTC is the regional transportation planning, financing and coordinating agency for the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area. TRB is a nonprofit organization that provides innovative, research-based solutions to improve transportation; manages transportation research by producing publications and online resources; convenes experts that help to develop solutions to problems and issues facing transportation professionals; and provides advice through policy studies that tackle complex and often controversial issues of national significance. 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... City of Columbias Pet of the Week Meleas is a five-month-old pit bull puppy who is looking for a home to call her own. Meleas is happy to hang around with her humans, sunbath, snooze on a... For Dogs, its Trick and Treat Its almost Halloween, a great time to teach your dog a trick and give him a treat. Most trainers are fans of trick training. Its not as silly as it... The Second Session of the Seventh Peoples Congress of Nanshan District invited foreigners to attend the opening ceremony 2017-02-16 Shenzhen Nanshan On the February 14th, with district peoples concerns and expectations, The Second Session of the Seventh Peoples Congress of Nanshan District successfully opened. Foreigners from U.S.A, U.K, France, Ukraine and other countries witnessed this grand meeting and heard the report on the work of the government. District mayor Wang Qiang pointed out that the main tasks for 2017 was to build Nanshan into a world-class innovation-oriented coastal urban district by improving eight qualities. He also pointed out that this year was the first year for building Nanshan into a world-class innovation-oriented coastal central urban district. Nanshan district will adhere to the general principle of seeking progress while keeping performance stable, grasp the main line of the supply-side structural reform, focus on Shenzhen Quality and Shenzhen Standard as the guideline, implement the Year of Enhancing City Quality as the starting point, pool resources to fight ten tough battles, speed up the construction of the core area of Shenzhen international scientific and technological and industrial innovation center, and strive to usher in a new phase of building our district into a world-class innovation-oriented coastal central urban district. the conference hall provided with facilities for the simultaneous interpretation for the first time, which fully embodies the characteristics of international exchange center. Elisabeth Paulette Montgomery, the international consultant of Nanshan education and the foreign vice-president of experimental school of south university of science and technology of China, also had the honor to be invited to attend The Second Session of the Seventh Peoples Congress of Nanshan District. She was greatly inspired by this conference and saidWhat I appreciate as a foreigner working in Nanshan District is Mayor Qiangs measured and detailed reflection of the variety of important projects our leaders undertake in a single year. The Mayor's emphasis for next year inspired me to think about last years outstanding accomplishments while considering his new objectives for 2017. We will all work together to develop the new skills that release the inherent creativity in Nanshan government, businesses, schools. AMSTERDAMHer name was Amanda Todd. She was 15 years old, and she became a tragic symbol of what has come to be called sextortion. Persuaded on a live chat to flash her breasts, she then was told that all her social media friends and email contacts would see the images if she did not cooperate on video and go much further. She refused and her friends were sent a link to the image on a porn site. Soon she was bullied mercilessly until, finally, she made her own compelling video about her ordeal that went viral on YouTube. Since it was posted in 2012 it has been viewed more than 20 million times. But for Amanda the worlds sympathy came too late. Her internet plea for understanding was the last act of a desperate girl exhausted after what seemed to her an eternity of blackmail and harassment. On Oct. 10, 2012, only weeks after Amanda posted her plaintive appeal, she took her own life at her home in Canada. International investigators eventually tracked the alleged origins of Amandas suffering to one man: Aydin Coban, a 38-year-old Dutch national arrested in January 2014 who is now on trial in Amsterdam. And what the case against Coban has shown is that Amanda Todd in faraway British Columbia was only one of many children in many countries victimized by what the Dutch describe as this webcampedothis webcam pedophile. Although the Dutch press is constrained to identify Coban only by his first name and last initial, his full name has been published extensively in Canada. Cobans alleged sextortionist schemes involved at least 34 young girls, and five grown men as well. His youngest victim is said to have been 11 years old. He pretended to be a young woman or a young man when he chatted with young girls, and a young man when he contacted the older men: homosexuals he threatened to out if they didnt pay up. He was unfazed when a girl said she would kill herself if he posted pictures of her; unperturbed when girls said they were only 13. Despite the publicity that surrounded Amanda Todds suicide, it took two years before Coban was found and arrested, and the initial break in the case actually came before her death. In 2012, at the same time Coban was allegedly targeting Amanda, he also was pursuing a Norwegian girl who decided to approach the police about it. They tracked his IP addresses to the Netherlands. The Norwegian police contacted the Dutch police and the predators IP address was then traced to the trailer park in Oisterwijk where Aydin Coban lived. But that did not lead to his arrest. It took Todds suicide and a report compiled by Facebook in its wake to jolt the Dutch police into further action. In Facebook's own investigation a relationship was established between a phone number, an IP address and 86 accounts in which it appeared aliases were being used to target young girls. That information then led Dutch police to Cobans home, where they installed spyware on both of his computers. In all, Coban has been indicted for 72 alleged offenses related to sexual exploitation and extortion over the internet. At his place, police found a trove of more than 204,000 photos and videos on a partially encrypted hard drive, many of them involving child pornography. The Dutch police also found a drive with 5,800 bookmarked names that served as a database of potential victims and their social networks. Much of the evidence presented in court has come from the spyware that allowed police to collect every keystroke and multiple screenshots from Cobans computers. Put something sexy on now, and guide cam, totally naked, masturbating, if you dont do it, I can start posting your video on porn sites, Coban would tell his victims, according to the key-logged transcripts presented at the trial. The defense team claims this software was installed illegally and has asked for the charges against Coban to be dropped entirely. Coban has protested his innocence and refused to submit to a psychiatric evaluation. But the prosecution does not appear worried. The Public Prosecutor stands by the fact that the evidence was gathered completely according to the law and can be used, spokesperson Wim de Bruin told The Daily Beast. We would not be asking for a jail sentence of 10 years and eight months if we did not think we had a strong case. The monitored threats are chilling. You have been naked on the webcam for me before. If you dont go on the webcam for me, I will post this on an internet site. You dont want your family to get these pictures, do you? During his blackmailing sessions, Coban was hiding behind several aliases: Kelsey Rain, Tyler Boo, Mel Rain, Kody or Mark Camerons. With his multiple Facebook accounts he built a worldwide network of victims. Some live in the United States and Canada, others in the United Kingdom, Norway, and the Netherlands. I have all the addresses of your classmates, friends and your parents. You will give me 3 shows of 15 minutes, or I will send them the photo. You have until the end of the day or all hell will break loose, Coban allegedly told Amanda Todd after persuading her to do nothing more than lift her T-shirt. That was when she refused. That was when her photo was posted on a porn site and the link sent to all her contacts. What she most feared had happened. Her mother, Carol Todd, is attending the trial in Amsterdam. We came all this way and we are not afraid of him, she told Dutch television. Knowing that I will see him, face to face is hard but we will get through it. Coban, whose mother was Turkish, was born in the Netherlands and raised in the southern province of Brabant. Coban quit school at 17 when his father died and started supporting his family working in greenhouses. He is unmarried and has no children. Regional broadcaster Omroep Brabant interviewed two close friends and reported them saying Coban was interested in philosophy, especially Plato, and said he didnt need relationships or sex. He loved nature, played the guitar, and did some occasional busking, his friends said. Eventually he worked repairing computers and installing software, a trade that would come in handy as an internet prowler. Carol Todd said that after Amandas picture was posted by Coban the girl was bullied relentlessly. They called her names: slut, camwhore, pornstar, people were brutal, they wouldnt let her forget. And even when she changed schools the predator kept after her. You know that I will go on until you give me three shows, he said. Even if you go to a new school and you have new friends, it doesnt matter, I will always be there. It is every parents worst nightmare: a young boy or girl is groomed and seduced in cyberspace. It used to be the hazards of urban nightlife that a parent feared most, but the predators have found their way through the internet into a childs bedroom. The pattern is now grimly familiar: a young insecure girl falls for the charms of a grown man pretending to be a boy or girl her own age. To them it seems a harmless enough flirtationor maybe a slightly daring game. After a while and much gentle persuasion, a girl finally agrees to take her top off in front of the webcam. To her it is a very private moment, but the screenshot the predator grabs is where his power over her really begins. The verdict in the case is due on March 16. Then Coban will face extradition to Canada, which already has been approved, and there he will face justice again, specifically, for what he did to Amanda Todd. She was brutalized by one person who started a landslide of other people traumatizing her, said Amandas mother. He hurt her, he damaged her soul, and he blew out her spark. House Republicans reacted foolishly Tuesday to the Trump administrations shifting explanations of the December calls that disgracedand now resignedNational Security Adviser Michael Flynn made to the Russian ambassador to Washington. But they werent ordering full-scale investigations and public hearings into Trumps failed cover-up, but working frantically to shift attention away from the facts to the secondary question of how those facts got out. Fox News, Breitbart, and other reliable GOP outlets followed Trumps lead in offering extensive harsh commentary about the FBI, NSA, and other national security agencies. Attacking intelligence agencies (those are Trumps scare quotes) for fulfilling their counterintelligence duties is a strategy beyond dumb. It has no upside for the Republicans, who position themselves as patriots trying to save America from Democrats hell-bent on destroying our way of life. The strategyif it can be called thatruns big risks. This is no one-off, a simple mistake by a new administration that will fade over time. The response from House Republicans reveals its leaders are still in denial about the fundamental character of their party's leader, a con artist for whom lying and denying is a lifelong and thoroughly documented practice. Furthering the Trump cover-up by refusing to investigate can only hurt the GOP in future elections. Since we can expect lying and denying to continue as standard operating practice under Trump, we can also expect more White House cover-ups. In turn, that means Republicans risk becoming perceived as more concerned about party interests and protecting Moscow than about ensuring American national security. For the GOP to be perceived as a party with divided loyalties would be disastrous to its brand. The problem here is not that Flynn, a retired general and anti-Muslim bigot whom Trump chose as his national security adviser, called Sergey Kislyak, the Russian ambassador, during the transition. If all Flynn had done was express Christmas Day pleasantries it would be a good thing, even though Barack Obama was still president. But thats not what happened. And it didnt just happen once. Flynn placed numerous calls and the two men discussed the sanctions that the Obama Administration placed on Russia on Dec. 29 for interfering in the November elections on Trumps behalf. That Trump praised Putin, the Russian leader, at every turn during the campaign and publicly solicited his help in hacking Hillary Clintons emails, should itself alarm Americans. Indeed, even Americans who detest Clinton should be troubled that any presidential candidate would, at the least, happily benefit from foreign intervention in domestic elections. Flynn and the Russian ambassador reportedly discussed Obamas sanctions just before Russia first vowed counter-sanctions and then withdrew them, an action Trump praised as very smart. Both Vice President Mike Pence and Reince Priebus, the White House chief of staff, told national television audiences that Flynn and Kislyak never discussed the sanctions. That was not true. In his resignation letter Flynn offered a mealy-mouthed excuse unworthy of a military officer, for whom honor should be paramount. Unfortunately, because of the fast pace of events, I inadvertently briefed Pence and Priebus with incomplete information regarding my phone calls with the Russian ambassador, Flynn wrote. Flynns letter raises another question: Was his excuse another lie designed to protect Trump from responsibility for his actions? Trump, The Washington Post reported Monday, in a story that appeared to trigger Flynns resignation, was warned weeks ago that FBI counterintelligence, which routinely monitors the calls of Russian agents, knew that what Pence and Priebus told the nation was falsethat Flynn had indeed talked about the sanctions. What matters here is that Trump kept this to himself, that he said nothing when Pence and Priebus gave Americans false information, and that he stood by Flynn. The obvious question is whether Flynn was doing Trumps bidding or was freelancing. No matter the answer, Americans need to know. How can the nation trust a president who lets his own vice president and chief of staff make false statements? And then theres what the president said on the way back from Mar-A-Lago on Air Force One. Asked about the report that broke the facts about what Flynn discussed, Trump feigned ignorance. This scandal is not a one-off that will fade with time. Rather, it is the first peek into the dark vision of America's liar-in-chief. The response from House Republicans, who are putting Trump ahead of country and party, is disturbing. Speaker Paul Ryan deflected when asked if he would investigate this scandal, saying, Im not going to prejudge circumstances surrounding this. Perhaps he should look up the word investigation. Rep. Jason Chaffetz, the Utah Republican who chairs the House Oversight Committee, said theres nothing for him to investigate here. This from a man who held numerous public hearings on the actions of Hillary Clinton that resulted in finding nothing significant. Chaffetz says any investigation would fall to Intelligence Chair Devin Nunes, who also says hes not interested in looking into it. Echoing Trumps tweets, Nunes declared: The big problem I see here is that you have an American citizen who had his phone calls recorded. Then theres Rep. Mike Brady, the Texas Republican who chairs the House Ways and Means Committee. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, a Texas Democrat, asked the Committee to examine Trumps returns to learn about his entanglements with Russia and Russians, and with Chinese banks and other foreign interests, and to investigate whether Trump is a tax cheat. Doggett also noted that the tax returns would indicate whether Trump is in violation of the Constitutions emoluments clause, which bars all federal officials from getting anything of value from foreign powers. On Tuesday, on a 23-15 party-line vote, the committee refused the request. Brady says he will not allow the committees staff of tax experts to examine the presidents tax returns because its a slippery slope that could result in staff poking around in anyones tax returns. Thats a level of logic one might expect from grammar schoolers; it insults voters. Looking the other way will not make the Trump financial issues go away. Indeed, expect big marches on April 15, a Saturday, demanding that Trump finally fulfill his campaign promise and release his tax returns. The broader issues of Trumps characterthe ease with which he lies, his not fully understood fealty to Putin, his reliance on foreign powers for moneyare not just going away. The Flynn episode is just the beginning. With each new episode, more Americans will come to understand the true nature of the winner of the Electoral College vote. House Republicans should ask themselves some questions: Why should we be loyal to a man who is only nominally a Republican? Were we elected to serve Trump or our nations best interests? Is Trump the kind of man we want our party to be identified with? And how much are we willing to risk our own positions and the long-term interests of our party to protect Trump from himself? PARISPerhaps its a badge of honor. Emmanuel Macron, the surprise front-runner in the race for the French presidencythe man now given the best chance to meet and defeat right-wing populist Marine Le Pen in the final round of elections this Maynow alleges his campaign is a target of Russian-backed hacking and fake news. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Tuesday dismissed such claims. We didnt have and do not have any intention of interfering in internal affairs of other countries, or in their electoral processes in particular, Peskov insisted. Such charges are part of a hysterical campaign against Russian President Vladimir Putin, he said. But the head of Macrons party wouldnt give an inch, sketching the kind of cyberattacks that became infamous in the American presidential campaign and continue to undermine the legitimacy of the U.S. election results. If these attacks succeeded, said Richard Ferrand, Macrons campaign would become extremely difficult if not impossible. We are in the presence of an orchestrated attempt by a foreign power to destabilize a presidential candidate, Ferrand said. The current French government made it clear on Wednesday that it takes that possibility very seriously. President Francois Hollande asked his security cabinet to brief him on the cyberthreat to the upcoming elections, and Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault was perfectly blunt: We will not accept any interference whatsoever in our electoral process, whether by Russia or any other state, he said. After what happened in the United States, it is our responsibility to take all steps necessary to ensure that the integrity of our democratic process is fully respected. Macron, a 39-year-old former wunderkind investment banker at Rothschild and economy minister under Hollande, stands for just about everything Putin and his favored politicians in the West oppose. Indeed, Macron may be the last, best chance liberal internationalism has to resist the populist wave that brought us Brexit and Donald Trump, and if it brings us Le Pen she is determined to destroy the European Union as we know it. Macron represents what might be called the radical center, and it will hold, or not, depending on his success. *** Neither left, nor right, is how Macron likes to style his movement En Marche!. But if the rhetoric about transcending traditional party politics is lofty in a conventionally cheesy way, Macrons decision to quit the Hollande cabinet months before former Prime Minister Manuel Valls did the same, and then to eschew the Socialist Party primary, now looks like incredible political foresight. Or perhaps just pure dumb luck. Because as both mainstream parties, the Socialista and Les Republicains, have tacked hard left and hard right, Macron finds himself exactly where he hoped to bepopular, unencumbered, and leading a potentially broad coalition of the center. On the right, Francois Fillon of Les Republicainsa traditionalist, a committed Catholic, a would-be French incarnation of Margaret Thatcheris running on a platform of small government and deregulation of the type almost never seen in mainstream French politics. Relying on an atmosphere of broad discontent with the expansive state bureaucracy, he has proposed over 100 billion a year in spending cuts, as well as the elimination of 500,000 public sector jobs. Adjusting for population, thats the equivalent of 3 million public sector jobs in the U.S. Either Fillon or Le Pen would introduce a host of new challenges to the European Union at a time when it is hemmed in by both Putin and Trump. Fillon would favor the re-emergence of austerity in the Eurozone, which would exacerbate the Greek crisis and hit southern economies still suffering from a lack of aggregate demand. His pro-Russia tendencies (he and Vladimir Putin are said to be on a first name basis) would further increase tensions with Germany and other EU members about how to respond in Ukraine, or to a hypothetical crisis in the Baltics. And Marine Le Pen, whose campaign has been partly financed with loans from Russian banks, wants for her part an outright Frexit. For months, the left, encumbered by the astoundingly low approval ratings of President Francois Hollandes government, despaired at the seemingly inevitable looming choice between these two anathemas. And then the emploi fictif scandal, the allegations that Fillon had hired his wife as a legislative assistant, paying her more than 800,000 over several years out of public funds for a job she never did, began to torpedo Fillons campaign. It didnt fit well with his talk of austerity and cutting hundreds of thousands of government jobs. As a result, Fillon has dropped precipitously in the polls, with Macron so far the beneficiary. On the left, after Hollande bowed out of the race, the Socialist Party divided between a wing that wants to reform, and a wing that wants to reimagine. The latter wing emerged from a low-turnout primary victorious, led by the eco-socialism of Benoit Hamon, who rose to prominence on a platform that called for a universal basic income. Although he has gradually walked back his proposed 750 per month giveaway, which would have cost 600 billion per year, or 30 percent of French GDP, large swaths of the party are worried that in a general election his call to eventually tax the robots lacks a widespread appeal beyond the already converted. Having seen both Brexit and Trump, the gravity of this years election, and the danger of splitting votes in the first round escapes few. I cant vote for Hamons platform, Socialist Party Deputy Francois Lance told Franceinfo radio toward the end of January, Its a project meant for 2040 I cant go before my voters and tell them Im behind it, they wouldnt at all understand. Another minister has publicly defended the possibility of being a socialist, and also supporting Macron. *** As a result of the Socialist Partys leftward turn, and the implosion of the Fillon campaign, Macron has increasingly become the non-Le Pen frontrunner. For the first time, recent polling shows him advancing to the second round, with 21-22 percent of the vote, behind Le Pens 25 percent and in front of Fillons 18-20 percent. French voters have a history of thinking strategically, and Macron benefits from the broadest range of acceptability. Forty-four percent of the general public say they want him to have more influence on politics, and 48 percent named him the political personality of 2016in both instances, more than any other candidate. When questioned about their first round voting intentions, 43 percent declare that they could vote for Macron, with only 36 percent saying the same about Fillon and Hamon. In hypothetical matchups for round two, which pits the top two vote getters from the first round against each other, Fillon beats Le Pen 60-40 percent, and Macron, 65-35 percent. This indicates two things: First, that left-wing voters are more likely to stay at home when faced with the choice between Fillon and Le Pen, but will come out in support of Macron to keep the National Front away from the presidency. And second, that Fillon supporters will break more heavily for Macrons liberalisme doux, which aligns more closely to Fillons economic platform than Marine Le Pens statist protectionism. Because if they broke massively for Le Pen, we should expect to see her portion of the vote increase against Macron, rather than decrease. *** Didnt 2016 teach us not to put too much faith in polling, though? Perhaps. But then again, it also showed us that maybe we should look more closely at something anecdotalcrowd sizes as an indicator for the effect of energy and enthusiasm on a race. And crowds? Macron draws those. Bigly. At his recent official campaign launch rally, Macron stood before nearly 10,000 supporters in Lyon and called for the defense of an open West, implicitly taking aim at Trump, and offering a vision of how he saw his nations future. To all those [scientists, academics, researchers, entrepreneurs] who today embody innovation and excellence in the United States, he said, From next May, you will have a new homeFrance. Bucking the anti-globalist trend, Macron has made it a hallmark of his platform (often justly characterized by his opposition as vague) to call for more Europe. Like increased fiscal integration in the Eurozone, and the development of a common European defense force. There is no wall in my campaign, he declared at a recent rally, in a thinly veiled reference to Trumps Mexico project. Can you remember what happened to the Maginot Line? And yet, the 39-year-old former banker, never before elected to office, could be the last line of defense against the collapse of the liberal world order itself. with additional reporting by Christopher Dickey Wednesdays joint press conference between President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reminded Trevor Noah that as rough as these last few weeks have been, life with Trump can also be pretty funny. We all know that Donald Trump is going to destroy the world, The Daily Show host said. But we cannot deny that its going to be an amusing destruction. As difficult as the issue of peace in the Middle East is, Trump isnt worried at all, Noah said. Did this guy just tell us the problem like its the solution? he asked after Trump said he would be fine with either a one-state or two-state solution, whatever works. Trump would be the best hostage negotiator ever, Noah said. Whatever makes both the hostage takers and the hostages happy, that works for me, he imagined Trump saying into a bullhorn. While most leaders struggle with how to broach the sensitive subject of illegal settlements when dealing with Israel, Noah said Trump is not most leaders. Speaking to Netanyahu, Trump just directly said he wants to see him hold back on settlements for a little bit. Im sorry, Donald Trump is a genius, Noah declared. No one has ever thought to just straight-up ask Netanyahu to stop the settlements. He compared it to a neighbor asking someone to turn down their music. You can see Netanyahu is like, Who the fuck is this dude? Noah added. You know, Trump is either a genius or hes the biggest idiot the world has ever seen. Because I honestly wonder if Trumps plan is to be such a bumbling fool, that Israel and Palestine are going to get together in a room and go, I think we can both agree, that guys a fucking moron. Wed better sort this problem before he tries to help out. A white supremacist planned a terror attack in the spirit of Dylann Roof on a South Carolina synagogue, the FBI alleges. Benjamin Thomas Samuel McDowell, 29, of Conway, South Carolina was arrested Wednesday for allegedly attempting to buy a gun from an undercover agent posing as a hitman for the Aryan Nations. McDowell is a convicted felon and legally prohibited from buying firearms. McDowell allegedly sought the weapon after spending the past month writing Facebook posts about murdering Jews and praising Roof, who was convicted of murdering nine black churchogers in Charleston in June 2016 . According to an FBI affidavit filed Thursday, McDowells internet activity suggested that he set his sights on the Temple Emanu-El, a conservative synagogue in Myrtle Beach. I love love to act what u think, [sic] he wrote in a December Facebook post linking to the synagogue's website. Contacted by The Daily Beast on Thursday, the temple declined to comment, citing an ongoing investigation. McDowell had already been convicted on multiple felony charges of animal abuse, violent burglary, larceny, drugs, and assault. During his time in prison for those offenses, police said he developed connections to white supremacists. According to the FBI, McDowell elaborated on his preferred form of action on Facebook. Dylann roof did what these tattoos wearing so badass is supposed to be doing they don't give f*** about their white race, he wrote on January 5. All they wanne do is stay loaded on drugs the Jews put here to destory white man and they feast on the drugs. they should be Feasting on the enemy that stole their Heritage and their bloodline and trying to run us off of this Earth you can post pictures off****** Viking and swords all the s*** you want to post if you ain't got the heart to fight for Yahweh like dylann roof did you need to shut the f******up damn right I'm pissed off when I see a f******white young and disable beat him to death before f******n****** and white people running:their f******mouth not doing nothing!!!!!! !damn right I'm pissed off'. The following day, McDowell allegedly sent a Facebook message to an undercover FBI agent posing as a member of the Aryan Nations. McDowell asked for iron, slang for a gun. When McDowell met the undercover agent at a Myrtle Beach hotel several days later, he supposedly told the agent that screaming white power would not be enough to accomplish his goals. "I got the heart to do that shit, but I don't have the good training," the agent quoted McDowell saying. McDowell said Roof inspired him to take up arms. "I seen what Dylann Roof did and in my heart I reckon I got a little bit of hatred and I I want to do that shit. Like, I got desire ... not for nobody else it just... I want something where I can say, 'I fucking did that' ... me personally ... If l could do something on a fucking big scale and write on the fucking building or whatever, 'In the spirit of Dylann Roof."' But unlike Roof, who was arrested and later sentenced to death, McDowell told the agent he planned to get off with murder scot-free. But he continued to post his murderous intent to Facebook even after the meeting. Clean up world jewelry [sic] in the name of Yahweh, he wrote on January 25, in apparent reference to Jewry. Heidi Beirich, director of the Southern Poverty Law Centers Intelligence Project said the language was a call-out to sect of white supremacist Christianity. Where he talks about cleaning up world jewry in the name of Yahweh, thats a term for God thats used by members of a particular Christian sect: a white supremacist version called Christian Identity, Beirich told The Daily Beast. The language in here shows he was deeper into white supremacist thinking. Its not some surface-level thing. If he knew about Yahweh and he knew about Christian Identity, hed been spending some time studying white supremacy. Anti-Semitic hate crimes have surged since Donald Trumps election. In New York City, Jews were the victim of twice as many hate crimes in the first two months of 2017 than during that same period in 2016, the according to the NYPD . Jewish centers nationwide have reported a spike in graffiti and threatening phone calls, with approximately 60 bomb threats called into Jewish community centers in January, CNN reports . In his January 25 post, McDowell called on white supremacists to be more like Roof. I wish the day we all get off Facebook and white Warriors like we was born to be like Dylan roof but we gotta do it in a smart away and it takes a team it takes no drugs and party and more planning for the real Victory and not just saying it but should want Bloodshed 2 crave it and be a fanatic for your white race and for Yahweh God they've been murder and.killed our birth rites of our white race, he wrote. The following day, McDowell allegedly called the undercover agent to explain his plans. "I just be plotting it out, like, I mean you just run up there on them if they back there partying, and all, with a fucking AK and rip them sumbitches down, and throw, a damn, something at them, McDowell allegedly told the agent. He asked the agent to buy him a gun and ammunition. The alleged murder plot went on hold for weeks, after McDowell allegedly told agents that his mother would not allow him to continue using her cell phone for calls. There was also the matter of paying for the gun and ammunition; McDowell allegedly told agents he needed to ask his grandfather for money. None of McDowells family members returned The Daily Beasts requests for comment. But on February 11, McDowell allegedly called the agent to say the plot was back on. They agreed to meet at a Myrtle Beach Hampton Inn to finish the deal. McDowell arrived at the hotel on February 15 with $109 in hand to allegedly buy the gun. Instead, he found himself swarmed by federal agents. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Tuesday, a state official told The Daily Beast. I think this was a guy who was pretty well ensconced in white supremacist thinking, down to the point where he knew the slogans, the buzzwords, and so on, the SPLCs Beirich said. Im not surprised to see him praising Dylann Roof. Hes not the only white supremacist who sees Dylann Roof as a hero, a martyr to the cause. Thom Browne by Lizzie Crocker A German fashion editor was once baffled when I told him that Thom Brownes womenswear shows are invariably my favorites at New York Fashion Week. Wasnt I bothered by how his models are always made to appear so disembodied, the editor asked, like wind-up dolls or props in Brownes theatrical presentations? Nope. While most runway models look like miserable clothes horses (rarely do they get to show any personality), Brownes models get to playact in his high-concept shows. And its not a gender issue: The menswear shows are surrealist theater pieces, too. That doesnt mean its not hard work. Backstage before the show, one of the models said she and others had been getting ready for five hoursand the hairstylists and makeup artists, all in Thom Browne uniforms, were still putting finishing touches on the girls. But everyone was in good spirits. One of the models playfully lassoed a leather tassel whip that was woven into her hair. Others tried not to laugh as herringbone lips were placed over their mouths. Then, they went skating. Brownes stage-set was a pond in an historical New England town. The first batch of models wore mostly gray, merchandise-friendly suiting: double-breasted coats in herringbone or patchwork Prince of Wales prints with fur-trimmed hems; a jacket and pleated skirt combo in a patchwork print that echoed the scenery on the wall; argyle sweaters and puffer jackets in various shades of white and gray. Then came the colors: primary reds, greens, blues, and yellows on a striped rainbow coat or a crocheted sweater jacket. A red vest paired with blue trousers. Penguins were a recurring motif, printed on jackets and suits or rendered into bags like stuffed animals, as Browne has done with dachshunds in previous years. The shoesthe skates, ratherwere cleverly on-brand, designed to look like shirts and ties. However impractical, they were the most playful, creative footwear Id seen all week. The same goes for the clothes. As ever, Browne delivered a high-concept, theatrical show without compromising his sartorial craftsmanship. His collections stand as persuasive arguments that fashion is indeed art. Marchesa by Brea Tremblay At any fashion show, there are two kinds of people: the Haves, who have seats, and the Have Nots, who will be standing. The rich, the powerful, the organized who remembered to RSVP earlythey sit their precious behinds down on their fat wallets while the poor huddled masses scrounge around the back like so much fashion steerage. Oh the humanity. At tonights Marchesa show, both lines smelled like fancy perfume and human sweat because it was at least 90 degrees and much of the audience was wearing very spendy furs. I watched a man in a silk robe waltz up to the front. Security guard: Standing lines is over there.Man in robe, horrifically offended: Do I look like I stand?Security guard: You look like youre going home to sleep. Robe Man tossed his hair in disgust and dramatically joined the vaulted Seat line. The theme of the show was Imperial China and the collection celebrated opulence, luxury, and the empires appreciation for grandiosethese are dresses for lifes Seat people. And they were all dresses. Marchesa famously makes red carpet fineryusually if a starlet is wearing a pretty dress with lots of fancy things stuck to it, its Marchesa. Tonights show continued on the theme. Gowns were spun of silk and tulle, bejeweled, be-flowered, and be-feathered, with marabou feather wisps and gold and lace and bows as big as the models faces. A few of their heads were crowned with flowers like a real-life filter. The colors were lushmost gorgeous to me as a gorgeous chartreuse, so vivid I almost expected little green shoots to be growing from the hemline as if the fabric was a living thing. A march of Marchesa gowns looks so rich, so seductively expensive that I found myself wanting to touch them, wanting to pop them in my mouth, wanting to put them on parade around in them. One of the dresses featured red fringe across the boobs, and in my right mind, I would find such a thing ludicrous but then, in that moment, I wanted to put the gown on and shimmy around in it for the rest of my life. Michael Kors by Sarah Shears The vast majority of fashion consumers dont participate in fashion week. The reasons are obvious and manifold: how does one get invited to a show, inflicting life and work schedules, the challenging and unwearable fashions, and the rest. Most importantly however is that for most average consumers, being on the cutting edge of fashion, frankly, just doesnt make the cut in most peoples lives. And then there is Michael Kors, the man, the brands, and of course the clothes. His name is one that is equally ubiquitous in the lexicon of both the high-fashion world and the constellation of mid-range markets. The name has managed to straddle different worlds within the fashion galaxy in a way that only a few others, like Calvin Klein, have. And all those worlds were on display Wednesday in a midtown showroom. The high-fashion brand that walked the runway Tuesday was the Michael Kors Collection. And as was the fashion on show generally this fashion week, the Fall 2017 Michael Kors Collection was a love letter of sorts to the eponymous Strong Woman. In the companys sleek marble and wood showroom overlooking Bryant Park, the soundtrack of the runway hovered in the air. It was a string orchestra covering 80s hits like Eurythmics Sweet Dreams and a sample from Beyonces Formation served as a transition between songs. The opulent line of over 50 looks was fierce and not designed for the faint of heart. Animals were abundant in furs, accessories and prints, as well as in elaborately sequined, beaded, fringed and metallic fil coupe pieces. The luxury was palpable and the inverted triangular silhouettes of the 80s was in full force. While walking around the showroom, this reporter had childhood flashbacks of her mothers wardrobe: shoulder pads were compulsory, oversize patent leather belts cinched in waists, draped faux wrapped skirts formed upside-down tulip shapes, and pleats featured in almost all the trousers. The color gold also saw the spotlight in a number of dresses and was featured in metallic thread embellishments, as well as in the heels of some exceptional boots and more softly in the earthy hues of the furs and snake-skin accessories. The mens line was more understated, with 12 pieces making a debut in Tuesdays runway show. Standards like the peacoat were included and there was a modern twist of super-casual yet semi-formal luxury. A suit made of wool featured sweatpants-style trousers, a style choice that would probably resonate with millennials. Like the womens collection, the 80s and 90s made a strong comeback with pleated pants, double-breasted jackets and combat boots. Michael by Michael Kors (MMK), the lowest-end brand of the bunch, was filled with ready-to-wear items in the mode of fast-fashion: Branded purses, faux-fur outerwear, high-waisted jeans, and cone-heeled boots. The collection very much fit in with the on-trend styles for 2017, and the line was mostly united by grommets and studding, giving it a slightly garish retro feel that wouldve made 1990s Gwen Stefani proud. In 2015, transgender actress Laverne Cox told the world that trans is beautiful. Two years later, theres proof of that everywhere you look. Take just the past 30 days, for instance: Transgender model Carmen Carrera walked the runway at Chromats New York Fashion Week show, YouTube star and fashion icon Gigi Gorgeous released a new documentary, and Cox has been rocking the awards-show red carpetas well as the press circuit for her new CBS drama Doubtin an array of stunning dresses and gowns, like the remarkable one-shoulder chain-link get-up that she wore to the Grammys. But wait, theres more: French Vogue announced its first transgender cover model Valentina Sampaio, model Anjali Lama became the first transgender woman to model at Indias Lakme Fashion Week, and teenage transgender TV star Jazz Jennings got her very own doll sporting a white beret and a tiered tulle skirt. Transgender glamour is clearly having a moment. But what does that mean when transgender rights are imperiled? The Justice Department has already dropped the Obama administrations defense of transgender students, state legislatures are continuing to propose vicious bathroom bills,and the Trump administration reportedly scrapped a discriminatory executive order but is still stacked with figures who have anti-LGBT track records. How important could fashion and style be at a time like this? The answer is very. Transgender modeling and performance are, in and of themselves, courageous acts in a world that still sees transgender people as ugly, inhuman monsters. Trans is Beautifulwhich Cox still posts as a hashtag on several of her Instagram postsis not just a statement of fact; its a slogan that swims upstream against a current of bile and hatred. As Elle reported, that hashtag had about 25,000 posts in 2015; today, it has over 10 times as many from men, women, and non-binary people who have had their self-esteem boosted by Coxs message. This follows a tried-and-true pattern in the LGBT community, too: lifting each other up through style and fashion, both high and low. As British supermodel Naomi Campbell said in praise of Carmen Carrera at the 2014 GLAAD Media Awards, The truth is LGBT culture and fashion go hand in hand. They flourish in light of making bold and brave statements. But aside from that important cultural work, the arenas of fashion, beauty, and performance have given transgender people an important political platform. As it turns out, when glamorous transgender people gain entree into elite circles, they tend not to forget the struggles their less-famous peers are facing. Look no further than Cox, who has spent the past few days amplifying the story of transgender teenager Gavin Grimmwhose potentially precedent-setting Supreme Court case goes into oral arguments next monthfrom every microphone shes been put in front of. Cox told everyone to Google Gavin at the Grammys in an unscripted moment Sunday, explained the case to Stephen Colbert on Monday, and then woke up bright and early Tuesday morning to talk about Gavin and bathroom bills some more on CBS. These bills are not about bathrooms. Theyre about whether transgender people have the right to exist in public space, Cox said. If we cant access public bathrooms, we cant go to school, we cant work, we cant go to health-care facilities. And then she seamlessly pivoted into talking about Doubt and meeting Beyonce and other morning talk-show niceties, all while wearing dangly earrings that were even more hypnotic than the Lana Jewelry hoops she wore at the Grammys. But its not as if Cox is Trojan-horsing her activism into these venues; shes simply refusing to be anyone but herself no matter how much success she attains. Her insistence on using her public platform to do good isnt the exception to the rule, either. Two examples: Carmen Carrera advocates for transgender people in the United States as well as in Latin America, and Anjali Lamaas Mic reportedgot her start with the Blue Diamond Society, a Nepalese LGBT rights organization. Even Caitlyn Jenner, who breaks from most LGBT Americans in her support of the Republican Party, had a MAC cosmetics line that raised $1.3 million for transgender organizations. Im honored to be a part of this moment, Jenner said in a statement at the time, and to give back to the community to whom I owe so much. But no good deed on behalf of transgender people goes unpunished, and these glamorous transgender women have drawn their share of critics for participating in feminine fashion while doing activism. Shortly after Jenners groundbreaking Vanity Fair cover, The New York Times published an opinion piece by journalist Elinor Burkett criticizing what she interpreted as Caitlyn Jenners idea of a woman: a cleavage-boosting corset, sultry poses, thick mascara, and the prospect of regular girls nights of banter about hair and makeup. Laverne Cox drew similar ire after posing nude in a breathtaking shoot for Allure. These critiques tend to come from a strain of feminism that perceives feminine beauty and political empowerment as incompatible, and that places a unique onus on transgender women to undo longstanding norms and conventions. Theres a hypocritical reason why Caitlyn Jenner and Laverne Cox get more blame for upholding the feminine ideal than Sofia Vergara, who preceded Jenner on the cover of Vanity Fair, or Blake Lively, who appeared on the cover of Allure when Cox did her spread: The criticism of transgender femininity isnt about femininity in the abstract, but rather a loosely veiled discomfort with transgender women themselves. Nor do these critics stop to consider the radical potential of something like Coxs Allure shoot for transgender women of color, many of whom lose their lives to violent transphobia. As Cox herself told the magazine, Black women are not often told that were beautiful unless we align with certain standards. Trans women certainly are not told were beautiful. Seeing a black transgender woman embracing and loving everything about herself might be inspiring to some other folks. A more valid concernwith fewer ulterior motivescomes from within the transgender community itself, namely that the image-drenched industries in which Jenner and others participate implicitly tells transgender people that they must be conventionally beautiful in order to be valuedor even to be seen as deserving of basic human dignity. After Jenner came out, for example, transgender writer Meredith Talusan expressed concern in a Guardian column that much of the reaction to the Vanity Fair cover boiled down to how beautiful [Jenner] looks. But rather than dismissing the value of these compliments outright, Talusan simply called for more balance and nuance in our discussions of transgender beauty. Sure we can notice, and even praise, the elegance of her cheekbones or her resemblance to Jessica Lange, she wrote. But lets also notice how we may be thinking of her as more of a woman because she presents herself now according to conventional standards of beautyand thinking of her as more of a woman because shes more conventionally feminine on the outside excludes the many trans women who dont have the money to make themselves look like she does. These beauty standards can affect all women, cisgender and transgender alike, as trans blogger and activist Annika Penelope discovered when she started to transition. As she recalled in a blog post for the queer womens site Autostraddle, Penelope told her girlfriend that she couldnt wait to see a pretty girl staring back at me from the mirror, to which her girlfriend replied: You realize thats never going to happen, right? Youre going to look at your reflection and feel unsatisfiedjust like every other woman. But as Talusan pointed out, transgender women arent just seen as ugly when they fail to conform to often-impossible standards of appearance and comportmenttheyre seen as not really women. Even Laverne Cox has haters who refuse to acknowledge her womanhood, sprinkled in between the legions of adoring followers who urge her to slay and werk. Crucially, though, Cox has been vocal about how the praise she receives for her appearanceeven when it comes from other transgender peopledepends on her proximity to beauty standards defined by cisgender people. In a June 2015 Tumblr post, she wrote that when she was called drop dead gorgeous by fans, what I think they meant is that in certain lighting, at certain angles I am able to embody certain cisnormative beauty standards. She went on to acknowledge that many trans folks because of genetics and/or lack of material access will never be able to embody these standards. Cox doesnt want only those transgender people who can look as good as she does to be seen as beautiful; she wants a society that doesnt automatically punish transgender bodies for being noticeable as such. Cox made that clear when she explained the meaning behind the phrase Trans is Beautiful at the 2015 Fashion Media Awards: All the things that make me uniquely and beautifully transmy big hands, my big feet, my wide shoulders, my deep voiceall of these things are beautiful. Im not beautiful despite these things. Im beautiful because of them. Trans is Beautiful doesnt mean that transgender people can be beautiful if they have facial surgery or a good stylist or the right body shape. Trans is Beautiful means that transness itself is beautiful. Thats the revolutionary notion that Cox, Carrera, and others are spreading every time they walk a runway or a red carpet. When transgender acceptance seems to be predicated on beauty, the solution isnt to dispense with the beauty world altogethera fools errand that would sacrifice the cultural and political importance of fashion for the marginalizedits to build a world in which we can see the beauty in everyone. In that world, Trans is Beautifulwould no longer be a radical statement. It would be an accepted truth. Justice Clarence Thomass wife is organizing in support of President Donald Trumps agenda. And it might make her husbands life a little complicated. In an email sent to a conservative listserv on Feb. 13 and obtained by The Daily Beast, Ginni Thomas asked an interesting question: How could she organize activists to push for Trumps policies? What is the best way to, with minimal costs, set up a daily text capacity for a ground up-grassroots army for pro-Trump daily action items to push back against the lefts resistance efforts who are trying to make America ungovernable? she wrote. I see the left has Daily Action @YourDailyAction and their Facebook likes are up to 61K, she continued. She then linked to a Washington Post story about the group. But there are some grassroots activists, who seem beyond the Republican party or the conservative movement, who wish to join the fray on social media for Trump and link shields and build momentum, she wrote. I met with a house load of them yesterday and we want a daily textable tool to start Suggestions? Neither Ginni nor Clarence Thomas returned requests for comment. The group she referred to, Daily Action, encourages people who oppose Trumps agenda to make a phone call every day on relevant issuesincluding the travel ban. Thomas, on the other hand, has characterized former acting Attorney General Sally Yates as part of a subversive alt-government trying to undermine the president and make America ungovernable in a recent Daily Caller article. Yates drew ire from the right when she refused to have DOJ lawyers defend the presidents travel ban. And that travel ban could end up before the Supreme Court. Last week, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco ruled against Trumps travel ban. And a federal judge in Virginia on Monday issued a preliminary injunction against the ban, blocking its enforcement in the Commonwealth. It isnt clear yet if the Justice Department lawyers defending Trumps ban will appeal the 9th Circuit ruling to the Supreme Court. But if that happens, then Thomass activism could be an issue, according to legal experts. Heidi Li Feldman, a professor at Georgetown Law School and expert on legal ethics, told The Daily Beast that the email could be grounds for lawyers challenging Trumps travel ban to ask Justice Thomas to recuse himself from the casea move that could doom the executive order. You can imagine circumstances easily where such conduct on the part of the spouse of a Supreme Court justice would lead to a non-frivolous disqualification motion, she said. Feldman added that just being politically active wouldnt be enoughafter all justices spouses arent barred from engaging in electoral politics, and Thomass activism has drawn scrutiny before. The difference here, Feldman said, was Thomass apparent support for specific activism on specific issues that could come before the court. Its pretty egregious, Feldman said. Its pretty clear that its quite partisan and in context, given the date of the email and that the tool is meant to rebut activity on the leftwhat has the left been really active on? The executive orders. So minimally, I would say the author of the email is thinking of that executive action. Its so specific, its so narrowly tailored, she said. I was taken aback, she added. Supreme Court justices dont have outside oversight on their decisions regarding whether or not to recuse themselves from cases. So if Thomas decides hes impartial, thats it. It wouldnt be the first time Thomas recused himself from a case involving issues related to his family. In 1996, Thomas recused himself from United States v. Virginia. The case that involved enrollment at the Virginia Military Institute, and his son was attending there at the time. More recently, though, Thomas declined to recuse himself from a Supreme Court case on the Affordable Care Act, which his wife vocally opposed. And some legal experts who spoke with The Daily Beast said Thomas wouldnt necessarily have to recuse himself from cases involving the travel ban. Its an important principle: Just because youre married to somebody doesnt mean you share all their views, said Charles Wolfram, a legal ethics expert and emeritus law professor at Cornell. As a matter of common sense, it seems to me its just silly for her to be emailing in this fashion, he added. And Norm Eisen, a Brookings Institution scholar who formerly helped the Obama administrations ethics initiatives, said that the email sounds related to the travel ban. Given the timing of this email, the liberal example that Mrs. Thomass email cites, and the nature of the matters that are in the news, one must read this email as effectively asking, What is the best way to set up a daily text capacity for ground-up grassroots army for pro-Trump daily action including to defend the muslim ban executive order cases? he said. Its reasonable to read the email that way. So there you have her talking about doing meetings and doing activism relating to an issue that is quite likely to be before the court. Even if its unlikely to trigger a recusal under the standards that the Supreme Court has previously applied, I do think it raises an eyebrow, he added. Gregory Green killed both his families, he admitted by pleading guilty in a Michigan courtroom on Wednesday. In 1991, Green pleaded guilty to murdering his wife, who was then seven months pregnant, then called 911 to report himself. After serving 16 years for the second-degree murder charge, Green was paroled with the help of a pastorwhose daughter he married after he left prison. Green raised Faith Harris-Greens two children from a previous marriage and together they had a son and daughter. Last year he murdered all four children and made his wife watch. Just as he had done 25 years before, he called the police and said he was guilty of the murders. He wanted to get it over with, Greens attorney Charles Longstreet II told The Daily Beast of Greens guilty plea, which included four counts of second-degree murder, torture, assault, and firearm possession. Green faces 45 to 100 years in prison, Longstreet said. At 1:15 a.m. on Sept. 21, 2016, Green called 911 and told operators he had killed his four children, he told operators. When police arrived at Greens home in Dearborn Heights, he was standing in the driveway with his hands up, officials told the Detroit Free Press. Inside the tidy, one-story house, police discovered a horrific scene. Greens wife was bound to a chair in the basement, where Green had shot her in the feet and slashed her face and throat. (She survived.) Lying before her were the children from her previous marriage: Chadney Allen Jr., 19, and Kara Allen, 17. Both had been bound and shot dead. Upstairs, police found Green and his wifes two daughters. Koi, 5, and Kaleigh, 4, could have been sleeping, but they were dead. Green had rigged his cars tailpipe into the back of the vehicle and and left both girls inside the running vehicle to die, prosecutors said. Then he had carried them back into the house and placed them in bed. They bore no visible injuries. Before she was tortured, Harris-Green had previously warned of her husbands violent tendencies. Hes trying to make me leave our home, she wrote in a 2013 request for a restraining order, obtained by the Free Press. Hes being beligerant [sic], kicking things. He kicked the couch while the baby was sleeping on it. Just kicking things, threatening me and saying if I dont leave, things are going to get ugly. Jumped at me like he was going to attack me. This went on for hours. The restraining order was denied. When she filed for divorce later that year, Green was never served, and her case was dismissed, the Free Press reported. Then in August 2016, she filed for a second time. One month later, Green had murdered her four children. Words cannot describe the horrific tragedy our family is experiencing over the untimely deaths of Chadney, Kara, Koi, and Kaleigh, Harris-Greens sister wrote on a GoFundMe page, where the family sought funeral costs for the four children. There is no way that a mother could fathom laying to rest one child, let alone all four of her children at once without life insurance. Funeral attendees wore pink. It matched the flowers on the siblings caskets and the teddy bears the family had placed underneath. Some 1,700 mourners attended the service, the Detroit News reported. Chadney, Harris-Greens eldest child was remembered as a gifted artist. His sister Kara was a star student and an aspiring doctor. Koi, five, was the familys princess and loved wearing dresses. Kaleigh, four, was her mothers Sweet Pea, and loved to sing. It was the second funeral of Greens making. In 1991, he was married to Tonya Clayton Green, who was seven months pregnant with their child. But the couples relationship was troubled. One of Tonyas friends told the News that Green had changed suddenly, and that Tonya no longer felt safe at home, and that she planned on packing her clothes and leaving Green. Before she had the chance, he stabbed her 10 times with a steak knife, killing her and her unborn child. Just as he would do 25 years later, Green called 911 to report the murder. I stabbed her. Shes in the kitchen, he told officers, according to a 1991 police report. He pleaded no contest to murder charges and spent 16 years in prison. During those years, Apostle Fred Harris and members of Greens immediate family called on the Department of Corrections to release him on parole, describing him as a changed man. By 2008, a parole board agreed, releasing Green to marry and murder again. It is unclear whether Green-Harris knew of Greens criminal past. Longstreet told The Daily Beast he considered filing an insanity plea for his client in his latest murder case, until a psychological analysis found Green competent to stand trial. During the Wednesday court appearance, Longstreet said Green felt remorse. Unfortunately I took the lives of Kaleigh, Koi, Chadney [and] Kara, Green admitted during his Wednesday court appearance. I shot my ex-wife. Green will be sentenced in March. On my Thursday, Malaysian authorities arrested the second of two women in connection with the death Monday of Kim Jong Nam, once in line to lead the North Korean regime. Kim, the elder half-brother of leader Kim Jong Un, died on his way to a hospital after an unidentified woman covered his face with a cloth containing an agent of some sort. North Korean diplomats unsuccessfully tried to prevent an autopsy and obtain the return of Kim Jong Nams body. The assassination, which took place in the budget terminal of Kuala Lumpur International Airport, suggests the North Korean regime is unstable and its leader is desperate. Jong Nam was the eldest acknowledged son of Kim Jong Il, the second Kim family member to rule the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea. Jong Nam fell out of favor as his fathers heir in 2001, when he was detained trying to enter Japan on a fake Dominican passport, ostensibly to visit Disneyland. Kim Jong Il, after his 2008 stroke, began to train Jong Un as his successor. The young Kim in December 2011 became the third from his family to rule when his father died of a heart attack. Jong Nam in recent years lived under Chinese protection. Beijing apparently wanted a Kim in reserve to possibly serve as a China-friendly leader of a successor regime in Pyongyang. Jong Nam, often called a playboy, appeared to harbor no desire to do so and exhibited little aptitude for such a demanding role. In reality, Jong Nam posed virtually no threat to his half-brothers rule, but that did not mean Jong Un did not try to kill him. There was also an assassination attempt in 2012. Kim Jong Un, unfortunately, is now known for blood lust. He has ordered the execution of 340 officials according to one recent count. Some Korea watchers believe that, once those sent to camps are included, the total is closer to 500. When viewed in this light, the killing of one more individual, his half-brother, looks to be unexceptional. Yet ordering a hit on a Kim, in a society where family members were once considered divine and where regime legitimacy rests on bloodline, is an especially heinous act. It is also a desperate one. The execution of a family member can intimidate others in the short term, but it erodes support and undermines regime credibility. The murder could even be interpreted as a last resort. It is so risky that it might also be Kim Jong Uns last mistake. At some point, that symbiotic balance of power, that invisible balance of power between the tyrant and his sycophants, that will be broken, Lee Sung-Yoon of Tufts Universitys Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy told radio-show host John Batchelor on Wednesday night. I see his own grim fate in the face of his half-brother. The killing of his Nam Jong is not the only sign of instability in Pyongyang this month. Two weeks ago, for instance, the world learned of the demotion of the minister of state security, General Kim Won Hong. On Sunday, the chief of North Koreas strategic missile forces did not witness the launch of the Pukguksong-2 intermediate-range missile, indicating instability at the top of the Korean Peoples Army. Whether Kim Jong Un is deeply insecure or suffering from a delusional disorderthe diagnosis of South Koreas National Intelligence Servicethe international community faces a North Korean supremo who now exhibits a low threshold for risk, largely because he feels he has so little to lose. Kim has long-range missilesthree that can reach the western U.S.and a stockpile of enough plutonium and uranium to fashion about 16 to 20 warheads. His technicians have almost certainly learned how to mate a nuclear warhead to his intermediate-range missiles and within, say, four years will have mastered the ability to strap on nukes to his intercontinental-range missiles as well. Few think the Kimster would ever launch in anger because missiles have return addressesin other words, their launch sites can be traced and target countries can retaliate. Yet to bolster legitimacy, he might try something unthinkable, especially if he believes he can get away with it because of the political disarraythe impeachment crisisin Seoul. And if Kim creates a confrontation that turns out badly for him and thinks he will die anyway, he might decide to take everyone else with him. One is pleased to see the bugs die in a fire even though ones house is burned down, Kim Il Sung reportedly told his son, Kim Jong Il. Kim Jong Il expressed the same sentiment this way: If we lose, I will destroy the world. Kim Jong Un now has the arsenal to do just that. So call his murderous family drama Macbeth with Nukes. Were three and a half weeks into Donald Trumps presidency and Seth Meyers isnt tired of winning yet. Its hard to remember now, but it wasnt always supposed to be like this, Meyers said at the top of Wednesday nights A Closer Look segment on new allegations of the Trump campaigns ties to Russia. When Trump ran for president, he promised us a much brighter future, filled with non-stop winning. No one gets tired of winning, its never happened, he added, after playing a clip of Trumps stump speech refrain. If anybody did, it would be DJ Khaled. All he does is win and he doesnt seem tired of it in the least. Despite all the promised winning, Meyers demonstrated just how much of a loser Trump has been during his first few weeks on the job, culminating with Michael Flynns resignation and Andrew Puzders decision to step aside. Playing a clip of that DJ Khaled song, Meyers added, And my tiny hands go up! Addressing this unprecedented level of dysfunction in the White House, Meyers quoted one critic who called the Trump administration amateur hour before pointing out that Trumps previous job hosting The Apprentice was literally an amateur hour. Meyers went on to imagine Trump as the anonymous leaker calling the media in an attempt to get himself fired: Yes, Washington Post? This is Donna T. Rump. I work at the White House and the president has no idea what hes doing. Please impeach him and let him go free. Hes very sad and he misses his gold apartment. How could things possibly get any crazier? Meyers asked. Cut to reports that Trumps campaign was in regular communication with Russian intelligence officials throughout the 2016 race. This administration is like a really intense haunted house, where every door you think is an exit is just a door to an even scarier room, Meyers said. How do I get out of this fucking place? I wet my pants three rooms ago! Meyers also hit Trump for complaining that the fake media, in his words, was unfair to Flynn and treated him badly over the past couple of weeks. Youre the one who just fired him! Did you already forget that? he asked, suggesting that Trump start tattooing things hes said on his body Memento-style. But the weirdest thing to come out of the White House this week, Meyers said, was press secretary Sean Spicers assertion that the irony of the Flynn story is that Trump has been incredibly tough on Russia. I dont think you know what irony means, Meyers told Spicer. Irony does not mean, heres something that is completely untrue. On Wednesday night, Susan Sarandon returned to Chris Hayess prime-time show on MSNBC for the first time since she caused a firestorm by seeming to say a Donald Trump presidency might not be the worst thing in the world. Last year she made headlines for suggesting she might not support the eventual Democratic nominee, Hayes said in his introduction of the actress and strong Bernie Sanders advocate during the 2016 campaign. That was a bit of an understatement. In their original interview nearly a year ago, Sarandon said a lot of people just cant bring themselves to vote for Clinton and said she would see what happens regarding her general-election vote. People feel Donald Trump will bring the revolution immediately, if he gets in then things will really explode, she said. That went kinda viral, Hayes said of Sarandons statement. Sarandon, who was joined by environmental activist Josh Fox to talk about the uncertain future of the Dakota Access Pipeline, faced some tough questions from the host about how she feels now that Trump has been in office for three and a half weeks. Do you feel like you properly appreciated what a Donald Trump presidency would be? Hayes asked her. I think that I absolutely feel that talking about blaming people for what happened is really wasting your time and energy, Sarandon replied. Because what we have now is a populous that is awake. She went on to say that Trump is so clumsy and so bad at putting policy together that now everyone is awake. She insisted that shes not in favor of a revolution brought on by Trumps misdeeds instead of the one we could have had with Sanders in office. To the people that would attack her for her statements, she asked, Really? Thats where we want to spend our time and energy? Sarandon sat stone-faced when Hayes pointed out that the status quo she feared may have just gotten much, much worse. For instance, he said, the head of Exxon is the secretary of State. Could you look me in the eyes, both of you, and say, Yes, 24 days into the Trump administration, this is about what I expected it would be? Hayes asked. A better question might have been, Do you really think Hillary Clinton would have been worse? What is the point of even saying that? Sarandon shot back. Instead of answering him, she challenged the host to look her in the eyes and say that he was doing his job to cover these issues completely. Yes, I can, Hayes said, without hesitation. ROME Catholic conspiracy theorists unite! After weeks of speculation that American Cardinal Raymond Burke had been secretly slapping up anti-Pope posters and stirring up a schism among conservatives who oppose Pope Francis, the American has suddenly been shipped out to sea. Specifically, Burke has been sent to the island of Guam, an American outpost of about 162,000 people in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. His departure was seemingly spontaneous, with the Catholic News Service only announcing his arrival when he landed on the island late Wednesday. The Vatican press office offered a quick explanation for Burkes departure. While it hadnt been publicized at the time, Burke had been named by the Vaticans Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith as the presiding judge in a case against Guam Archbishop Anthony Apuron last October. Apuron has refused to resign despite a handful of allegations of sexual misconduct from altar boys who served him in the 1970s. This is the first such case that Burke has been sent to oversee. He was the head of the Vaticans tribunal until 2014 when Francis sidelined him shortly after he started his papacy in 2013. On Thursday, Burke was supposed to hear testimony from chief accuser Roland Sondia, but the Associated Press reports from Guam that the accusers lawyer David Lujan advised his client against it because he couldnt be there to support him, calling the whole Vatican legal process under Burkes guidance worse than he thought. Sondia was told his lawyer could not be present while he was questioned by the prosecutor, who is a priest, and Archbishop Apuron's lawyer, who is a priest, and a presider who is Cardinal Burke, and a notary who is also a priest, Lujan told the Associated Press in Guam. We felt it wasn't in my client's best interest to be in that position. Sondia will instead file a written deposition. Despite being well versed in Canon law, Burkes reputation on clerical sex abuse cases is dismal. He stands accused of not reporting predator priests while he worked in the United States, and he once blamed gay priests as the authors of the assaults, accusing the perpetrators of being feminized and confused about their own sexual identity. Burke has most recently been caught up in two public rifts with the pope. In one, he and three other cardinals signaled dubia or doubts about the popes teachings on love and the family. In the other, the Pope felt compelled to intervene in the inner governance of the sovereign Knights of Malta Catholic order, for which Burke is a chief advisor and chaplain. But even that story seems to be as veiled as a cloistered nun. Writing in Crux Catholic website papal biographer Austen Ivereigh broke the news on Wednesday that it wasnt actually the orders Grand Master Fra Matthew Festing who forced the resignation of its Grand Chancellor Albrecht Von Boeselager over a scandal that involved Von Boeselager approving the distribution of condoms to sex slaves in Myanmar. It was apparently Burke himself who forced the original resignation. The pope to intervened to require Festings resignation and reinstate Von Boeselager. If the account is accurate, it was Burke, not the pope, who may have violated the Knights sovereignty, Ivereigh writes. A decision to sack a member of the Sovereign Council can only be made by the orders General Chapter, not by the popes chaplain, or patronus, who represents the Holy See. If that is truly the case, it is not just the pope who can rest easier with Burke away, no doubt the Knights of Malta can also put their house in order once again. One thing everyone is watching is whether, with Burke now on posted among the palms of tropical Guam, the anti-pope campaign will stop. If it does, widespread theories that Burke was the mastermind will be all but confirmed. But if it doesnt, the plot clearly thickens. Moments after Jeff Sessions was sworn in as the nations next attorney general, President Trump signed his latest executive orders, creating a task force to reduce crime. Rising crime, the new attorney general said, represents a dangerous, permanent trend that places the health and safety of the American people at risk. This grim warning echoes Trumps remarks to a group of sheriffs that the murder rate is the highest its been in 47 years. Theres just one problem. Overall crime rates in America stand at or near lows not seen since the 1960s. There is no national crime wave. But Trump repeatedly tells the American public a different story. Why does the presidentand now the attorney generalblatantly lie so often about crime? Why is this mistruth so important to the administration? Simple: this imaginary crime wave undergirds the presidents most controversial policiesfrom building a border wall with Mexico, to banning immigrants from Muslim countries, to expanding police presence in cities. Broad belief in American carnage is a necessity for his agenda. Here are the facts: Nationally, crime has been cut in half since its peak in 1991. Murder and violence are near historic lows. In cities once beset by violence, a new generation walks the streets safely. A warped picture of crime and violencematched with unconventional, sweeping solutions to this imaginary threathas been a Trump staple since the beginning. While announcing his candidacy, the president accused Mexican immigrants of bringing crime and drugs into the country. Theyre rapists, he said. And some, I assume, are good people. That, Trump argues, is why his wall with Mexico is so badly needed. Continued illegal immigration presents a clear and present danger, reads his recent executive order directing the walls construction. Last week, the president claimed his wall will stop the drugs from pouring into our country. The same rhetoric underlies his executive order barring immigrants from several Muslim countries. He claims the ban is the only way to prevent an imminent threat of domestic terror attacks. Call it what you want, Trump tweeted , the travel ban is about keeping bad people (with bad intentions) out of the country! Only this, he says, will make America safe again. This same dynamic holds true on domestic criminal justice policy. Last year, Trump told the Republican convention: Decades of progress made in bringing down crime are now being reversed by [the Obama] administrations rollback of criminal enforcement. And hes kept at it as president. Families dont feel secure, Trump said recently to Republican lawmakers. We have to give power back to the police because crime is rampant. What does Trump plan to do in response? Last Thursday he issued three executive orders: to create a commission on public safety, sweep away illegal immigrant criminals, and protect law enforcement. One order promises legislation to curtail crime, which may include federal funding for controversial stop and frisk policies to be implemented nationwidea campaign promise. Sessions will also likely end or significantly reduce federal oversight of troubled police departments. Listening to all this, one would think the country is falling apart and that we need to act fast. But data from the FBI and several reports from the Brennan Center tell a different story. Like crime, the national murder rate peaked in 1991, and has been cut in half since then. In cities, which the president has called war zones, crime has fallen by more than 60 percent in those 25 years. Its true that some cities have seen an increase in murders. Last year, the murder rate rose by 14 percent in Americas 30 largest cities but Chicago alone caused almost half that increase. Its a mistake to overlook violence in these cities. But its an even graver mistake to portray Chicagos experience as typical. The average person walking down the street today is safer than they have been at almost any other point in recent history. Unfortunately, the combination of media coverage and repetition makes the presidents claims about rising crime and violence feel true, even when they arent. But we cant let the presidents falsehoods go unchecked. If we allow Trump to succeed at making us feel less safe than we are, we will end up with extreme policies that waste taxpayer money without making us safer. To be sure, its natural to worry about public safety. But solutions to crime and violence must start with an accurate understanding of the problem. The president, on the other hand, offers solutions without real problems. If the myth of a crime wave were removed, the defense for so many of these new policies would crumble. These decisions are too important to make based on political rhetoric. Worse, basing policy on alternative facts sets a dangerous precedent for our countryone that may be difficult to unwind. Inimai Chettiar is director of the Justice Program at the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law. Ames C. Grawert is the John L. Neu Justice Counsel. Windsor & Eton launches Father Thames beer Father Thames premium bitter is the first new beer of 2017 to be released by Windsor & Eton Brewery. The brewery claims that the name evokes the spirit of the ancient river god worshipped in London since pre-Roman times. Paddy Johnson, co-founder and master brewer says: Father Thames is a really important beer for us. This beer tells the story of how the Thames has been a historic gateway for beer into London. We want to carry that story on with this great new beer. Father Thames is a strong, full flavoured premium bitter with notes of toffee and caramel that are offset with a marmalade hop aroma. From our brewery on the bank of the Thames, weve gone upriver to source the barley from local Berkshire farms and downriver to Kent for the British hops. Following on from a successful 2016, co-founder and CFO Will Calvert says: We had a really strong 2016 growing by over 25%. A lot of this is due to the fact that we think we are unique in having a father and son brewing team each with his own brewery name and style. Paddy is an accomplished master brewer responsible for all Windsor & Eton beers, while his son Kieran is the lead brewer for Uprising Brewery." Though trading conditions remain tough going into 2017, we believe that Father Thames will prove very popular especially in London and the wider Thames Valley. 16 February 2017 - Sam Coyne The Drinks Report, news editor We will not be paid off by bribes and inducements! I am not able to stand by and let this happen to my children or the people in this area. When I took Moises to the doctors they recommended that we leave the reservation because of the environmental contamination. I had to fight with the public health company and the doctors, because it is hard to be referred to a specialist. I pleaded with them and with Cerrejon to help me; I asked for an appointment with the specialist doctors, with the paediatrician and for the money for the medicines we needed. But no one offered to help. So I had to take a case to the Colombian justice system. I asked them to reduce the pollution from the mine, which is all over my house, my reservation, for the sake of my son's health. Then, a representative from Cerrejon came to my house saying it would pay for my son's health care and offered my husband a job, but only on the condition that I dropped my claim. I couldn't drop the claim because we all need to breathe clean air and you cant buy the life of a child. The company must change the way it operates so that it does not pollute so much. The mine has been here for 40 years and yet there has never been an independent investigation into the health impacts that the mine is having on our tribe. We do not know the full extent of the health problems it creates. I am a human rights defender and I am not only defending the rights of my children, but of the children in all of La Guajira. In the hope that they can grow up in a healthy environment and that they will have opportunities in their lives. Victory in the courts - but nothing has changed! The rulings went in Moises' favour. The judges decided that there was an imminent risk to his health and his rights. They ordered the Cerrejon coal company, the health provider and the Colombian environmental authorities, to provide him with adequate health care and make a plan which guarantees that he can continue living in our reservation. The rulings have gone in my son's favour. But nothing has changed. I am demanding that Cerrejon reduces the pollution, but the pollution will remain if you decide to buy coal from Cerrejon. Recently I came to London to denounce the impacts of having a coal mine as our neighbour. I spoke at the BHP Billiton AGM - they along with Glencore and Anglo-American own the Cerrejon coal mine. It was horrible to be there and to try to talk to them. Why don't they listen to us? Will you listen to us? The situation here makes our lives very hard. Our territory is rich in coal but after 40 years of the Cerrejon mine the area is very, very poor. So I am asking you not to increase the consumption of imported coal. For the sake of the children living in my reservation please do not encourage more extraction. Wherever coal is mined there are health impacts on the local population, be that from Colombian, Russian or Welsh coal. Please consider this and close Aberthaw power station, rather than add to the erosion of the health and traditions of the communities living near coal mines. In peace, Luz Angela Uriana Epiayu. Luz Angela Uriana Epiayu is an Indigenous environmental activist and defender of children's and Indigenous rights in Colombia's northeastern Guajira department, where her community suffers the impacts of one of the largest open-pit coal mines in the world. She is mother to six children, and one of her sons, Moises Daniel, suffers from respiratory problems the family attributes to air pollution emanating from the coal mine. Uriana's activism is driven by her desire to see the Cerrejon coal mine, owned in part by BHP Billiton, shut down. Uriana has been nominated as a finalist for Colombia's 2016 National Prize for the Defense of Human Rights. This bionote is from TelesurfTV. Adani reject claims over jobs and lack of indigenous support Where green groups have failed in the courts, the indigenous peoples hope for success with a network of support and a different set of tools. "Environmentalists and environmental campaigns have ways to take legal action to prevent the mines. I'm not saying for certain that we are going to win, but we've got a different set of tools we get to use" a W&J Council advisor told the Ecologist. These tools include international support from other first nations and indigenous groups and the United Nations Special Rapporteur, Victoria Lucia Tauli-Corpuz. The Tauli-Corpuz report (2016) recommends that Australia - a supporter of the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous People's (UNDRIP, 2009) - upholds Article 32, granting traditional owners legal recourse to contest their land being used without their free, prior and informed consent. W & J is also working with the Athabasca Chipewyan battling the tar sands in Alberta; the Achuar Indians fighting oil and gas in the Amazon and the Ogoni and Ijaw's fight against Shell in the Niger Delta, and plan to take this campaign global - a W&J Council advisor says "we already have international connections and support. Our intention is to widen this campaign, the cause and promote it globally". Adani's Response Adani in conjunction with the Bowen Basin Mining Company (BBMC) recently held a series of roadshows in the region for those seeking jobs and supply contracts. Nearly 1,300 regional business owners and suppliers met key project team members from both Adani and the mine construction and operations contractor, Downer Group. BBMC stated that "The supplier briefings were all extremely well-attended, with exceptional support from local industry associations, indigenous communities, councils and peak economic development bodies", adding that "there was also a strong show of support for the Carmichael project from the Wangan & Jagalingou Traditional Owner groups, as well as other Indigenous groups and businesses in all locations". The roadshow events began with an indigenous supplier briefing, with Indigenous groups singled out as "a large focus of the mine, rail and port projects...the key to effective supplier proposals is indigenous involvement, as indigenous training and jobs, along with regional supply, are main priorities for project procurement". Some members of W&J are challenging the focus on indigenous jobs: "The jobs and benefits to indigenous peoples argument is a sham. It's the usual package to clear the regulatory hurdles around native title" warned a W&J Council advisor. Whilst Adani continues to work with indigenous groups over native title claims, green groups have been accused of underhand illegal tactics that could prevent jobs for the community. Queensland Resource Council (QRC) has accused green groups of threatening behavior, saying: " While we believe it is a democratic right to protest, using dishonest and underhanded tactics in a bid to cheat Queenslanders out of jobs, is going too far. We can only hope that no-one has been put in danger, or hurt, as a result of these desperate tactics, which had the potential to bring these groups into personal direct conflict with regional Queensland business people in attendance" said a company statement. Undeterred, environmental activists groups are looking to work with the W & J and planning to hold the largest protest campaign the country has witnessed in the coming months. The Galilee Blockade campaigns will wait and see if W & J request support, and will continue to plan large scale direct actions and blockades. Australian Government's response is to bypass the law In a week where Australian Treasurer Scott Morrison, Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce and Minister for Energy and the Environment, Josh Frydenberg passed around the parliamentary chamber a large lump of coal in support of the fossil fuel industry, both the Federal and Queensland governments are looking at ways to push through the project as a matter of national critical infrastructure development. Australia's pro-mining Attorney General George Brandis wants to rush through new legislation allowing the Adani mine and the remaining 40 other mining projects in Queensland all affected by the McGlade ruling to go ahead. Any new legislation would be a reversal of current policy to a 2010 ruling (Bygraves decision) that stated that as long as a majority decision was made by a native title claimant group then all deals can go ahead. Leading Aboriginal rights advocate, a primary W&J Traditional Owner and Council, Adrian Burragubba, says: "Our fight is far from over. Anyone who wants to bankroll Adani, and the Queensland and Commonwealth Governments, is now on notice that we will not stand by if attempts are made, in response to the Noongar decision, to put our rights and interests, and our laws and customs, on the chopping block for the mining lobby,". Wangan and Jangalingou Traditional Owners are currently awaiting for Adani's official response before deciding whether to go to court. This Author Maxine Newlands reports on Australian environmental issues for the Ecologist Blacklists developed by the Canadian governments Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) have tagged the Philippines as having the third highest number of individual terrorists behind Saudi Arabia and Iraq. The DFAIT list of more than 1800 identified individual terrorists, and a separate list for groups, was released by Canadas Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions last week and posted under the offices anti-terrorism financing page. About 68 Filipinos were identified on that February 2017 DFAIT list, with the Philippine total behind the 113 of Saudi Arabia and the 88 of Iraq, research by graduate journalism students of the University of Santo Tomas, showed. The listed Filipinos are affiliated with local rebel groups like the National Democratic Front (NDF) and Abu Sayyaf, which were identified by the Philippine government as terrorist organisations. On the list is Jose Maria Sison of the National Democratic Front (NDF). The NDF group was negotiating a peace deal with the Philippine government until President Rodrigo Duterte ordered government negotiators on February 4 to pull out of the talks. Another person on the list is Mukhlis Saifulla, one of the suspects in the bombing of the Light Railway Transit couches on 30 December 2000. Also on the list is Julkipli Salim Salamuddin, an Abu Sayyaf member arrested in 2003 for a bombing incident in Zamboanga City that killed three, including an American green beret (special force) officer. Some of those Filipinos identified in the list have been detained, like five of them who are members of the Rajah Solaiman Movement The DFAIT also has a separate list of terrorist groups. Those from the Philippines made part of the list include the Abu Sayyaf group, the New Peoples Army/Communist Part of the Philippines, the Southeast Asian group Jemaah Islamiyah that has operations in the Philippines, and the Rajah Solaiman Movement. The lists release comes at a time Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte had called for the end of peace negotiations between the government and the NDF, as well as his orders to pummel the Abu Sayyaf group. In the list of individuals, Yemen was ranked fourth with 43 terrorists. Syria (36) and Russia (33) were fifth and sixth. Other countries included in the DFAIT terror list (individuals) is the United Kingdom (26), France (23), Turkey (10), and even the United States (seven). US President Donald Trump earlier banned the entry of nationals from Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia, and Yemen to the US as part of his administrations anti-terror campaign. But among the groups listed, three Filipino groups who were earlier identified to be linked with ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) were not in the DFAIT list: the Ansarul Khilafa Philippines, the Maute group, and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters. Duterte tagged the Maute group, allegedly led by Abdullah Maute, as behind the September 2, 2016, bombing of a night market in Davao City (President Duutertes hometown) that killed 14 and injured 70 people. The Canadian terrorism database has included notorious terrorists like Ibrahim al-Asiri, Ayman al-Zawahiri and Nasir al Whuayshi, as well as Hasan Izz-al-Din and Abdul Rahman Yasin (both tagged by the American Federal Bureau of Investigation as among the most wanted terrorists). Among the groups included in the list were ISIS, Al-Qaeda, the Taliban and Boko Haram. The lists were posted on the anti-terrorism financing page of the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions. Last year, though not related to terrorist financing, the Philippines was on the receiving end of the worlds largest online bank hacking incident that saw the Bangladesh central bank lose US$81 million to casino operators based in Manila. Some money had been recovered and returned to the Bangladeshi government, while a Filipino-run remittance company and a commercial bank are being investigated. Reporting by Roy Abrhamn Narra and Carlo Casingcasing, graduate journalism students of the University of Santo Tomas. This story was reported as part of the course Global Journalism Practice and Studies at UST. Guest Editorial I love this community. That statement sums up my political leaning and agenda in the most concise manner I can offer. That is enough about me. The focus of my first column is a mega project that can arguably be considered the most detrimental waste of public funds since the BC NDP decided we need to reach Vancouver Island faster. People have said the $3.5-billion George Massey Tunnel Replacement Project is already decided and I am wasting my time; they might be right. However, what I ask is nothing more than the consideration, due process and reasonable expectations that anyone should ask of any government acting on their behalf. If that is too much to ask, we have all lost. Since the project first appeared (fully formed, it seemed) on the landscape, the government has not wavered in its plan to begin construction in 2017. That date was chosen without public consultation, without environmental review, without a costed business case and without any justification. In fact, we are still missing a lot of the information required to make an informed decision. To say the provincial government jumped the gun is an insult to understatements. If a 10-lane, tolled bridge is such a good idea, why has the provincial government worked so hard to avoid public oversight? If a bridge were a good idea, why does Delta have the only mayor in the province who supports a bridge while the honest questions of community leaders like Ian Robertson, Vicki Huntington, Doug Massey, Harold Steves, Stephen Rees and Jim Wright go unanswered? I cannot square that circle and the entire project is rife with similar incongruities. The shroud surrounding the bridge points to a clear lack of accountability and $3.5 billion being spent on another unnecessary super project. Does traffic at the George Massey Tunnel require a solution? Absolutely. But the B.C. Liberals and the Gateway Council had a solution in 2006 that would cost less than $800 million: another submerged tunnel. That makes a bridge more than four times more expensive. I love this community, but I fear the isolation that will come with a tolled bridge. It will eliminate South Delta's traditional north-south travel corridor and cost families thousands of dollars per year. There are dozens of similarly disturbing concerns looming in the background of the slogan, "Canada Starts Here." Dear Ministry of Transportation: "Here" is my home. If you want to spend more than $3.5 billion to dredge the river deeper so the port can get larger vessels up the Fraser, I want a clear statement of intent and I want to know why it is worth sacrificing the best place on Earth. The research has been done by dedicated members of our community. It is time for the provincial government and Delta Municipal Hall to listen to truth and reason. My sincerest thanks to you, Ted Murphy, Ian Robertson and everyone who helped make this possible. Supporting details can be found in my 18 page report hosted at nicholaswong.ca. Born and raised in the greatest place on Earth, Nicholas Wong is a 26-year-old political junkie who often wonders what's "Wong" in Delta. On Friday, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Florida) introduced a bill in the House that would terminate the Environmental Protection Agency by the end of next year. Earlier in the week, the House also voted to remove the blocks preventing coal ash and other debris from being dumped in streams. Two years ago, we had a first-hand view of the impact coal ash dumping had on a community, after the spill in Eden, North Carolina. But Im not going to talk about the EPA or coal ash. I want to talk about Easter Island. Easter Island is the remote Chilean island in the Pacific Ocean famous for its moai, the giant stone heads weighing hundreds of tons that circle the islands outer perimeter. The moai were constructed by the Rapa Nui, the Polynesian people who arrived on Easter Island between the years 300 and 1200. Archaeologists believe that for the Rapa Nui, the moai were almost like batteries filled with spiritual power. They represented the religious and political power of the gods, and for the most part, they were made to stare inward toward the island rather than out to sea. They were built to protect the islanders. When the Rapa Nui arrived on Easter Island, it was a lush sub-tropical forest covered in millions of towering Easter Island palm trees. Nesting seabirds and land birds lived on the island, and while the soil wasnt great, it was more than sufficient to grow sweet potatoes and a few other crops. What they could not grow they supplemented through fishing. When Europeans arrived on Easter Island in 1722, however, they found a grim sight. The land was barren, devoid of any trees more than ten feet tall. The only animals still living on the island were rats. Just 2,000 native Rapa Nui remained, and they were starving to death and at war with one another. The Europeans were baffled. How had the Rapa Nui gone from a great society that built these massive stone heads, these marvels of engineering, to a society that had to eat rats to survive? It is only in recent years that we have begun to learn what happened. There are a few different theories about how the Rapa Nui moved the moai heads from their quarry to the outer edges of the island, but the prevailing theory is that they dragged the moai across the island using ropes, wooden sledges and conveyor belts made from logs. Obtaining logs, ropes and sledges required the islanders to chop down palm trees. Between 1200 and 1500, the construction of the statues hit its peak, and its no coincidence that the deforestation of Easter Island hit its peak at the same time. Around 1400, the Easter Island palm went extinct. The rats that had stowed away when the Rapa Nui arrived on the island had proliferated, and they ate the palm seeds faster than they could sprout. Without palm trees, the islanders couldnt make canoes, so they couldnt fish at sea or, for that matter, escape the island. They had to eat birds to survive, and before long, the birds went extinct, too. Because the birds were responsible for scattering the seeds and pollinating the plants, the forests had no chance of recovery. Without the palm forests to shade them, the streams dried up, causing the islands drinking water to literally evaporate into thin air. Wind and rain blew the already thin topsoil out to sea, since it was no longer held in place by the roots of the palms. What was once a tropical paradise had transformed into a barren, rocky, rat-infested hell. How did the Rapa Nui respond? They built more statues, of course, because they had complete faith that as long as they were building the statues, their deities would protect them from famine and disease. At some point, just a few hundred years ago, a lone Rapa Nui chopped down the last palm tree on his island, utterly convinced that his great civilization would survive no matter what his people did to their island home. He was wrong. The deities did not protect the Rapa Nui, and as their crops failed and their animals died and the rats surged, the islanders erupted into civil war, fighting amongst themselves for meager provisions. The Rapa Nui learned a hard lesson, and its one we would do well to remember today: If you dont save your environment, your environment is not going to save you. Millennial Moms Review: 2022 Acura MDX is pretty close to the perfect family car I dont know if perfect is attainable, especially considering weve got the world of options when it comes to modern vehicles. Were spoiled and, as such, we have very specific needs and wants. Driving-wise, the 2022 Acura MDX is one of my favourite ... Leistikow: Hawkeyes uncover much-needed star in Kaleb Johnson After a 200-yard day, Johnson seems as surprised as anybody that he has a starring role for the Hawkeyes down the stretch. STAMFORD Phyllis Sinrich and Deborah Loeb Bohren view the world through a lens. The women have photographs from their travels around the globe. Sinrich, a Stamford resident since 1960, has been to 86 countries; Bohren, who has lived here just over two years, has toured about 20, with plans to visit three more this year. Their images capture the people, environment, culture and spirit of countries such as Cuba, Croatia, Italy, France and Iceland. About 50 are on display in Wanderlust at the Loft Artists Association, through March 19. An opening reception takes place Thursday evening. Each has taken thousands of photos, many of which sit untouched on their computers for years until fresh eyes and focus allow the images to re-emerge. I will spend eight to 10 hours a day walking, Bohren said. I may have a destination in mind because it gives me a route, but I really dont know what Im going to shoot along the way. Later, when she starts to work with the images, she tries to seize what she saw and felt For me, its What was I feeling and how do I communicate that? Bohrens work is bold she hopes to prompt visceral reactions from viewers. Focused mainly on city scenes, her photography is very much about the intersection of light and line and color. Its texture. Give me a wall of peeling paint and come back in three hours and Ill still be there For me, its not about taking photographs, its about making images. More Information Wanderlust Loft Artists Association, 575 Pacific St. East Gallery through March 19 Opening reception 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 16 Gallery hours 1 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday/Sunday For information, visit loftartists.com or call 203-247-2027 See More Collapse As for Sinrich, its the thrill of discovery. I walk around with my camera and I look at everything and I seem to see things that other people dont see. Its what speaks to me at any given moment. She points to Typical Teenagers, hanging in the gallery. A group of girls sit on a bench all dressed as Iranian women are expected to dress but they are all holding these bags of chips, Sinrich said. To her, the scene was typical of what teenagers do, regardless of where they live. The women have photography in their genes. Bohrens parents were photographers she remembers shooting her first photos as a child and Sinrichs family were photo editors. The two had careers in public relations that spanned 30 years before deciding to devote all their time to their passion. When she looks at her body of work, Bohren said, My photographs may not be changing the world, but if I can make somebody happy if somebody is going to come look at my photographs and smile and envelop themselves in some wonderful memories of their life experience then my photograph has succeeded. Sinrichs view is global. My hope is that by seeing all of this work, and being on a kind of virtual tour of the world, that people will get to appreciate and understand that we are a great big world with different people and different cultures, but its a wonderful world. And ultimately we come together. Patricia Hines is a freelance writer. patricia8236@att.net HARTFORD Legislative leaders on Thursday joined union members and worker advocates in pushing for legislation to extend the $10.10-per-hour minimum wage to $15 by the year 2020. They also support a bill that would create a worker-funded family and medical leave program, so employees could take time away from their jobs to care for sick children or aging parents. But with a 17-17 split between Democrats and Republicans in the Senate and a narrow 78-72 Democratic majority in the House, the fate of the two bills is uncertain. In advance of public hearings on the legislation, Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney, D-New Haven, said during a news conference that opponents of higher pay use the misconception that the minimum wage is earned only by young, first-time teenaged earners who use it for spending money. It is critically important for thousands upon thousands of Connecticut families, Looney told about 100 supporters in the Capitol. Families are living and struggling on minimum wage. The typical minimum-wage earner in Connecticut is a woman in her thirties with children that she is trying to support. He said that gradual increases in the minimum wage have never harmed state business. Looney said the family and medical leave would be good for employers who want to retain their best workers. Working families should not have to face the prospect of economic ruin when presented with serious family needs such as caring for a newborn or a spouse or a parent, he said. Sen. Edwin A. Gomes, D-Bridgeport, co-chairman of the Labor & Public Employees Committee, told reporters that a business tactic of keeping employees on call prevents many workers from taking a second job. Working families need a decent minimum in order to have independence and financial stability for their families, Gomes said. If they dont have it theyre going to end up on the backs of the taxpayers. During the afternoon public hearing, Gomes also spoke in favor of a bill that would force employers to give on-call employees 24 notice. People out there are being misused, Gomes said. An estimated 330,000 state workers would benefit from the wage hike. Sen. Marilyn Moore, D-Bridgeport, said that more than 40 percent of state wages go to pay rent. Its time for the state of Connecticut taxpayer to end the practice of subsidizing child care, food and health care to people who work for companies who earn high profits and pay low wages," Moore said. Rep. David Rutigliano, R-Trumbull, a member of the committee who opposes the higher wage, said during the hearing that he would like to see wages linked to the Earned Income Tax Credit. He said that most of the minimum-wage workers are below the age of 24. Democrats including Gomes contested Rutiglianos claim. What were talking about is poverty-wage jobs versus non-poverty-wage jobs," said Rep James Albis, D-East Haven. I think its just young people starting out in their working lives," Rutigliano, a restaurateur, countered, stressing the need to encourage people to work more hours. I have quite a few employees, to be perfectly blunt, that wont work past the 20-hour limit, even if we ask them." Sen. Craig A. Miner, R-Litchfield, co-chairman of the committee, said that he sees the debate over pay scales and family leave as discouraging the states business climate and growth. Thats the problem, Miner said. To have this play out, I just worry. We are not in a good place here in the state of Connecticut. kdixon@ctpost.com; Twitter: @KenDixonCT NORWALK Education advocates are calling on the state Supreme Court to include funding for public charter schools in its decision to reevaluate the way Connecticut divvies out money for public education. Advocates for Educational Choice, a coalition consisting of Connecticut Coalition for Achievement Now, Families for Excellent Schools, the Northeast Charter School Network, Achievement First, and dozens of Connecticut public charter school parents, including 10 from Bridgeport, filed a brief in the years-long Connecticut Coalition for Justice in Education Funding v. Rell court case. As the Connecticut Supreme Court thinks of crafting a remedy... we argue that it is vital to take into account Connecticut public charter schools, said Joshua Lipshutz, a partner at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP and counsel for the Advocates for Educational Choice. In September, Superior Court Judge Thomas Moukawsher made a ruling on the court case, giving the state six months to fix what has been dubbed an irrational school funding formula and better define what an adequate education means. The state Supreme Court agreed to take up an appeal to the case later that month. In the brief, advocates argue the court should make the state define an adequate education as one that produces college and career-ready students and also take into account and address the funding of public charter schools as a part of addressing general public school funding. There is a need for reform within the way the state funds public charter schools, because the brief says, Connecticuts state laws and policies threaten the public charter schools ability to provide students a high-quality education and prevent them from serving more children. Public charter schools receive significantly less in per-pupil funding than traditional public schools, the brief said. At most, public charter schools receive $11,000 per child from the state annually, though the average statewide per-pupil expenditure has increased to $16,000, according to the brief. The process by which the public funds are allocated to public charter schools is also brought up as an issue. The brief describes that process as both cumbersome and unpredictable. Unlike traditional public schools, which automatically receive per-pupil funding for each student they enroll, charter public schools are forced to depend on the shifting whims of the General Assembly to provide them with the support necessary to keep their doors open, the brief states. Although the states public charter schools are entitled to $11,000 annually for each student enrolled, the brief said that sum is paid out in installments and the fourth installment is made within available appropriations and may be adjusted for each student on a pro rata basis. Additionally, because the General Assembly may refuse to provide necessary support in any given year, the brief states that public charter school operators are caught in the cross-hairs of the uncertain political process. Therefore, the brief states that students who attend charter public schools are left not knowing whether their schools will exist the following year. Opponents to the idea argue against increasing funding for public charter schools, saying that charter school funding takes money away from already-strapped traditional neighborhood schools. State Rep. Gail Lavielle, R-Wilton, and a House Ranking Member of the General Assemblys Education Committee, said the issue doesnt come down to a debate about charter schools, but the appropriate and adequate funding of all public schools no matter the type. If the Legislature is going to deal with education funding as I understood it to be laid out in CCJEF, of course they should consider all of the education funding that the state provides public schools no matter what you call them, Lavielle said. They are all public schools. They are all funded by taxpayers and we must have a rational system to be dealing with them. KSchultz@thehour.com; 203-354-1049; @kevinedschultz While taxes and the state budget are important to the financial ability to raise families in Connecticut, legislators in Hartford have consistently failed to provide that stability. Subsequent revisions as well as the recent departure of General Electric and an announcement of Aetna are indicative that legislative leaders such as Senate Majority Leader Sen. Bob Duff are inept at their responsibilities to our state. Many legislators prefer to focus on fiscal policy and ignore the social issues. But when abortion is killing an unborn child, I must question the wisdom in cutting hundreds of millions of dollars in aid to hospitals resulting in staff cuts and arguably delaying life-saving care while at the same time in 2015 providing a $404,763 grant to renovate the abortion clinic and headquarters of Planned Parenthood in New Haven. It is the so-called social issues that leave lasting marks on our lives. Women become pregnant all the time. They always remember whether they are supported or not supported during their pregnancy, regardless of whether their child was born, miscarried, or aborted. Our state has an interest in ensuring they have as many options and choices available. Those feelings and memories last much longer than their previous years tax burden. If legislators like state Rep. Jonathan Steinberg of Westport, who is chairman of the states Public Health Committee, truly cares about women why is he failing to allow public input to bills which aim to protect children and give them more information and choices? One measure would educate 16- and 17-year-old pregnant girls on their options, which is already a requirement for younger girls. Parental notification proposals ensure girls are not subject to the control of sexual abusers. In 2014, a Coventry fire chief impregnated a 15-year-old fire cadet during a two-year relationship, and paying for her abortion unbeknownst to her parents. It could also have short circuited sex traffickers Adam Gault of West Hartford, who forced another girl into child pornography, when he brought her for an abortion. In both cases, abortion clinic workers failed to report the incidents to authorities. The failure to do so prolonged the abuse of both girls and raises questions as to whose interest they are working on behalf. Perhaps requiring a parents or guardians signature on a piece of paper attesting that the child is theirs could give abortion clinic workers more evidence to report suspected abuse to the proper authorities than they do today. Connecticut is one of only seven states without these proposals. Yet, state Sen. Duff vowed on Jan. 23 to not allow any anti-choice, anti-women bills to be voted on and passed in the State Senate. He doesnt even want a debate. On Jan. 31, he further discussed his desire not to have a discussion: I will block any anti-women, anti-choice bill ... from coming up for a vote. He called these two bills extreme and radical. What can be so extreme as to provide more information, more choices, and ensure that children are not being abused? Sen. Duff is endorsing the status quo where children are sent back home to their abusers. His social policy mirrors his job-killing fiscal policies. Just who is he working for? Please tell Rep. Steinberg and Sen. Duff that public hearings must be held on these topics They are willfully ignoring their responsibilities to have the discussion women and children we care for deserve. Christopher OBrien is vice president of CT Right to Life. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate WILTON One in five women and one in 16 men are sexually assaulted while in college, and more than 90 percent of those victims never report the assault, according to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center. This past fall, the Wilton Domestic Violence Task Force was made aware that a former Wilton High School student was part of that statistic and part of an issue that many experts consider an epidemic. To raise awareness about campus sexual assault, and in recognition of Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, the task force collaborated with a coalition of local groups to put on a full day of programs on Wednesday at the public schools and library, including a free screening of The Hunting Ground Wednesday night. Martha Griep, a Wilton parent who came to the screening with her high school daughter, said the issues of sexual violence and sexual assault need to be addressed more. I think if it sees the light of day, kids are going to realize its not OK, Griep said. Its scary. My daughters a junior and shes going to be a senior next year and then off to college. The condensed 40-minute version follows several undergraduate sexual assault survivors, including Andrea Pino and Annie Clark, co-founders of End Rape on Campus, an advocacy group for survivors of campus sexual assault. The two launched a nationwide campaign in 2013 to use Title IX complaints to push institutions to address sexual assault and related issues more aggressively. More Information Numbers to Call Wilton Police Department: 203-834-6260 (main office); 203-563-0256 (anonymous tips) Domestic Violence Crisis Center 24-hour Hotline: 888-774-2900 The Center for Sexual Assault Crisis Counseling and Education Hotline: 203-329-2929 The Women's Center of Greater Danbury Hotline: 203-731-5204 (domestic violence); 203-731-5204 (sexual assault) See More Collapse In some cases, as shown in the documentary, perpetrators of sexual assault received light disciplinary action such as a $25 fine, a one-day suspension or an assignment to write a reflection essay. A panel discussion followed the screening, with Wilton police Lt. Rob Cipolla, a member of the Wilton Domestic Violence Task Force, as one of the four panelists. Cipolla is the police departments domestic violence liaison and oversees the Detective Bureau that is tasked with investigating cases of more serious nature, including sexual assaults. In the past three years, Wilton has had an average of four sexual assault complaints per year, he said. In Wilton, we are fortunate in respect that this isnt a prevalent crime that we see reported, he said. But again, one is too many. If someone has been a victim of sexual assault, he or she has 120 hours to seek medical attention from a hospital to have a forensic evidence exam collected, which will be held at the lab for up to five years, and decide whether or not to file a police report, according to Rosie Enyart, lead crisis counselor and adult advocate at The Center for Sexual Assault Crisis Counseling and Education in Stamford. Usually at that time, an advocate from our center will be called and will come with you to help you through the process, Enyart said. Most importantly, seeking counseling of some kind, seeking support is very important for survivors of sexual assault. In terms of prevention, Enyart said fostering awareness and providing education about sexual assault are key, starting as early as kindergarten. Every local and regional school district in Connecticut is required to have a K-12 sexual assault and abuse prevention awareness program, a mandate effective since Oct. 1, 2016, stated in Connecticut General Statute Sec. 17a-101q. We are doing our very best to get into every school in lower Fairfield County to provide such education, Enyart said. We dont going into Kindergarten talking about sexual assault but we do start at Kindergarten by talking about Its OK to say no to hugs and Youre the boss of your own body. By instilling those skills when somebodys young, they can carry them through high school and then into their adult years, added Allison Roach, an attorney advocate with the Domestic Violence Crisis Center, which also offers educational and awareness programs in schools. Toward the end of the panel discussion, the panelists addressed a question often linked to sexual violence and assault cases: What role do drugs and alcohol play? Its definitely an important piece of the puzzle that needs to be a part of the conversation, said Johanna DeBari, an adult educator at The Womens Center of Greater Danbury. Alcohol is the most commonly used date rape drug. ... Its a tool that facilitates perpetrators to commit these acts of violence. Enyart agreed, emphasizing the difference between causation and correlation. Alcohol consumption does not cause sexual assault and abstaining from alcohol consumption will not prevent sexual assault, Enyart said. The only person who can prevent sexual assault is the perpetrator. SKim@hearstmediact.com; 203-354-1044; @stephaniehnkim About Builders Design Center | Building Supply & Hardware Store | Grand Island Operating since: 1977 Everything Grand Island needs to improve the function, or appearance of their homes. Flooring, kitchen, bath, paint and so much more! Looking to update or restore the look of your home, or improve efficiency with new insulation installation? Visit our store to find all your hardware & building supply needs. We also have a beautiful & large selection of cabinets, carpet, lumber windows flooring, paint and even household appliances! We have a pros prepared to help you in when you want to remodel your bathroom from shower to sink. We take the time to figure out what you are looking for and find what is your style choices and price range to give you the ideal bathroom. We know that the kitchen is the center of most homes, so we make sure that our products and staff hold up to that standard. From countertops to appliances we have everything you need! We work with you to help in bringing your ideas to life. We are not just about selling products. We help make your dreams a reality. We hold numerous accreditations and certifications that set us apart from other bathroom and kitchen remodeling supply services. We only supply the highest quality products in our kitchen bathroom, and other remodeling projects. Whether you need a complete renovation or only several extra tasks knocked out, we can provide you with specialist guidance and the right selection to help. Come and see us and we will help you design the home of your dreams! Best Of Houzz 2016 & 2017 by over 35 Million Monthly Unique Users. Nominated Best Home Building, Remodeling and Design Professionals in North America and Around the World. Visit us at any of our locations: Builders Kearney - Lumber Yard, Home Improvement Center and Design Center 4600 2nd Avenue Kearney, NE 68847 308-234-5533 Mon - Fri 7:00 am - 7:00 pm Saturday 8:00 am - 6:00 pm Sunday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm http://builderscorp.com/builders-kearney/ Builders Colorado - Lumber Yard 17600 East Smith Road Aurora, CO 80011 303-288-4214 Mon - Fri 7:00 am - 5:00 pm http://builderscorp.com/builders-colorado/ Spelts Schultz - Countertops #9 Rovar Park East Highway 30 Kearney, NE 68847 308-237-5218 Mon - Fri 7:00 am - 5:00 pm http://builderscorp.com/spelts-schultz-countertops/ Spelts Schultz - Truss 3522 W 2nd St Grand Island, NE 68803 308-382-2953 Mon - Fri 7:00 am 5:00 pm http://builderscorp.com/spelts-schultz-truss/ January 11, 2016 Builders has won Best Of Customer Service on Houzz, the leading platform for home remodeling and design. Builders was chosen by the more than 35 million monthly unique users that comprise the Houzz community from among more than one million active home building, remodeling and design industry professionals. The Best Of Houzz is awarded annually in three categories: Design, Customer Service and Photography. Design award winners work was the most popular among the more than 35 million monthly users on Houzz. Customer Service honors are based on several factors, including the number and quality of client reviews a professional received in 2015. Architecture and interior design photographers whose images were most popular are recognized with the Photography award. A Best Of Houzz 2016 badge will appear on winners profiles, as a sign of their commitment to excellence. These badges help homeowners identify popular and top-rated home professionals in every metro area on Houzz. Our designers are here to offer their services, not just in designing and selling you cabinets, but by helping you select colors, paint, lighting, sinks, faucets and appliance packages. We are here to be your one stop experts, ready to help you as much or as little as your require to end up with a brand new space that you are going to love. Jesse Hawney, Design Center Sales Manager for Builders. Anyone building, remodeling or decorating looks to Houzz for the most talented and service-oriented professionals said Liza Hausman, vice president of Industry Marketing for Houzz. Were so pleased to recognize Builders, voted one of our Best Of Houzz professionals by our enormous community of homeowners and design enthusiasts actively remodeling and decorating their homes. Follow Builders on Houzz http://www.houzz.com/pro/buildersdesigncenter/builders. Accepts: American Express Cash Check Discover MasterCard Visa Authorities have identified a body found in the Missouri River, but can't say for certain if it's the same man reported to have jumped into the river from a bridge more than a month ago. An Atlantic magazine article by Washington journalist David Frum frets about a coming autocracy engineered by President Donald Trump, and the amazing thing is that the author did not notice the past eight years. Its as if Noahs Ark had finally landed and the understood message was that a flood was only now on its way. Equally bad as Trump is this kind of overwrought despair about him, the round-the-clock crying, the fanatical diatribes, the rioting, the celebrity angst, the intellectual wannabes worrying themselves into paranoia. Yes, Trump is as debased as debased gets for a president of the United States of America. He is ignorant, small-minded, vulgar, insensitive, inarticulate and egotistical, for starters. But all of this has to be viewed in context, and the context is Hillary Clinton, of course, the main encouragement for multitudes of Trump voters, and also President Barack Obama, the opposite of Trump in sophistication though not in ego. He happened to be unequipped as president to negotiate with his assumed inferiors but prepared to discard democratic principles if they got in his legacys way. Were not just going to be waiting for legislation, said Obama in 2014 after Republicans captured the Senate on top of controlling the House. Ive got a pen and Ive got a phone, and I can use that pen to sign executive orders and take executive actions and administrative actions that move the ball forward. In other words, so much for constitutional checks and balances and on with unflinching power. It wasnt just talk. It was action. Frum, to his credit, does mention Obamas granting legal status to vast numbers of illegal immigrants after saying at least 22 times that he had no authority to do that without congressional approval. He was right. The order is now in court. Also in court is his order establishing a sweeping Clean Power Plan that would cost Americans a fortune in utility bills, erase scads of jobs and do zip about global warming (as admitted by EPA director Gina McCarthy). It was based on a plain misinterpretation of law and would simply scuttle state laws unconstitutionally (as argued by constitutional expert Laurence Tribe). There is much, much more along these lines, but consider one of the surest ways of autocratic oppression in these United States, and thats tens of thousands of pages of regulations that aim to micromanage businesses and your life. Guess who holds records on all of this? Obama, of course. The most impressive of these, autocratically speaking, is his 600 major regulations costing a total of $743 billion. You can run but you cant hide. Frum spends a lot of time on subjects irrelevant to his main topic, such as possible conflicts of interest. He gets downright ridiculous when he apparently thinks Trumps rhetoric is more dangerous to a free press than the Obama administrations spying on The Associated Press and threatening reporters with jail on issues of identifying sources. He goes after Fox TV as entangled in a Trump love affair without acknowledging a widespread media enmity that he himself illustrates. Frum also cheats statistics by denying a significant crime rise in Americas biggest cities in Obamas last years in office, seeing this claim as a political trick by Trump to divide and conquer. The numbers are as undeniable as the blood in the streets, and the writers excuse of crime being a lot lower than in the 1990s is like shrugging your shoulders at the 2008 recession because the Great Depression was worse. Beyond Frum, there is the Muslim ban that was not a Muslim ban. There were the immigration raids that were no different from similar raids under Obama. There were Trumps court criticisms that did not come close to Obamas 2010 State of the Union assault on Supreme Court justices sitting right in front of him. How To Build An Autocracy is the headline of the Frum piece. Obama gave us some very good lessons. The new administration has introduced Washington to a new mantra on trade. Complicated multilateral trade deals, such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership or NAFTA, are a thing of the past. No longer will we enter into these massive deals, with many countries, that are thousands of pages long and which no one from our country even reads or understands, President Trump promised on the campaign trail. A free-trade agreement, or FTA, does not have to be thousands of pages long, the new conventional wisdom goes. From now on, the United States will seek simple bilateral agreements. Dump the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, known as TTIP, and its opaque investment courts and rules of origin. Instead, lets fast-track a U.S.-Britain FTA, ready to enter into force as soon as Britain leaves the European Union. As laudable as the idea of a U.S.-Britain FTA may be, the new narrative is naive at best. At worst, it could bring genuine trade liberalization to a standstill. Trade agreements are not long and intricate primarily because trade negotiators are incompetent or captured by special interests; the true source of complexity is that modern economies are governed by complex rules. In other words, theyre complicated because regulation is complicated. The idealized one-page trade agreement that scraps tariffs, quotas and other explicit forms of discrimination is no longer sufficient to reduce costs. Were not in the 19th century anymore; tariffs are at historic lows and quotas are practically nonexistent. Open-trade barriers directed at specific countries typically run against World Trade Organization rules. Meaningful liberalization, then, has to focus on smoothing over the differences in regulatory regimes. Value chains extend through numerous countries and often involve shipping intermediate products across borders. As a result, there are countless environmental, safety and sanitary rules enforced by different conformity assessment bodies. In a case cited by the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, for instance, a U.S. company that sought to export a popular model of light truck to Europe had to create 100 unique parts, spending an additional $42 million on design and development, and perform rigorous tests of 33 different vehicle systems without any performance differences in terms of safety or emissions. Car manufacturers and large corpor- ations with armies of lawyers can muddle through the morass; smaller businesses and start-ups less so. Given this state of affairs, those who say that FTAs should be short and simple are effectively saying that they do not wish to deal with the real issue. Although trade agreements sometimes involve a harmonization of rules, thats just one form of international regulatory cooperation used to bring down trade barriers. More frequently, governments commit to open-ended partnerships on regulatory policy, agree to take into account existing international standards set by transnational organizations, or recognize each others regulatory requirements as equivalent. For some free-market advocates, mutual recognition is the preferred tool of trade liberalization. Taken to the extreme, it could lead to FTAs written on a single page. However, governments use mutual recognition only when they are confident that the regulatory practices in question are closely aligned. It is no coincidence that the most successful example of mutual recognition, the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Arrangement, involves Australia and New Zealand two countries with a shared political history and common legal heritage. By contrast, the United States and the EU have a number of mutual recognition agreements that are not actually enforced due to underlying divergences in regulations on both sides of the Atlantic. None of this is to deny that a U.S.-Britain FTA is a good idea. Those eager to make progress, though, will soon find that the two economies are separated not only by an ocean, but by differences in regulation as large as those the E.U. and the U.S. attempted to bridge during TTIP negotiations. That reality will not miraculously change after Brexit, and no matter Trumps fervent desires, a successful FTA is bound to be complicated and politically controversial. Those who imagine otherwise are living in a fantasy and are in for a rude awakening. Astros win second World Series title in six seasons behind dramatic moonshot The Astros beat the Phillies in six games to win the World Series, thanks to Yordan Alvarez's 450-foot three-run home run in the clincher. For the lady who receives an engagement ring during the winter holidays, she need not wait for the robins or the daffodils to start planning. In fact, experts say during the winter months just may the best time to begin planning a wedding set for any time of the year. One such wedding destination that can attest to this is the romantic village of Eureka Springs, located in the Arkansas Ozarks. "Eureka Springs is known as The Wedding Capital of The South.; As such, the community will see nearly 3,000 weddings per year," explained Jodie English, Director of Sales at the historic 1886 Crescent Hotel and Spa and 1905 Basin Park Hotel. "In fact our two hotels will be the site for more than 300 wedding events each year. Part of that reason is our 130-year heritage of romance. The other major reason is that we are but minutes away from the iconic Thorncrown Chapel. And during the first couple months of the year, following so many diamonds being placed on ring fingers during holidays, Eureka becomes the wedding planning capital of the south." English listed a few of the reasons why early planning during the winter months is so advantageous. "One obvious reason is that these venues are exclusive however now there are more dates from which to choose to reserve one of Eureka Springs" iconic venues; so very important. For example, there is only one Crescent Hotel with its "extraordinary spaces and places" and only one Thorncrown Chapel. That perfect date coupled with that perfect place once fulfilled creates the bedrock foundation for that dream wedding." Other winter planning advantages that English mentioned include: Site visits tend to be more relaxed when other events are not underway at that chosen venue. The bride-to-be garners all the attention. The farther out a date is set makes it easier for family and friends to build that "save the date" it into their annual schedule. In fact many brides turn their wedding event into a multi-day family and friends reunion of sorts. An earlier set date, allows friends and family members to utilize a few vacation days to enjoy it to the fullest. English added, "Our friends at The Knot thought of a few more." Relaxing with family over the holidays allows greater ease in building the "wedding timetable." >There is ample, uninterrupted time to dream the dream of that fantasy wedding. Nothing is off the table at this point. Plenty of time to whittle down choices and ideas as/if needed. Early budgeting allows for a range of money to be considered in producing that fantasy wedding. Plus, it is never too early to start saving to meet that range. No better way not to forget "Uncle Charlie"or "Aunt Michele"when they are sitting across from you at the holiday table. The "right before you"friends and relatives might be a good source to connecting to guests who should be invited. So this is a good time to begin making a list and checking it twice. You are going to be in dozens of stores during this time of year anyway, why not look for stores and items where you could register for those much appreciated, perfect wedding gifts. Now that you have that sparkling "rock" on your hand, a call to your insurance provider might not be a bad idea in order to get that ring insured. Things happen! "These suggested planning items do not represent a finite list by any means," concluded English, "but it is a good place to start while you have time and you are surrounded by loving family and friends who would love to help in the planning. Just remember it is your wedding and you should have final say." To start planning for a wedding in Eureka Springs, one should first go to www.eurekaspringsarkansasweddings.com. Those fond of art, history and architecture won't want to miss SIUE Arts & Issues' next presentation when Director Mark Richard Smith visits the Arts & Issues stage on Feb. 23 to present his documentary Louis Sullivan: The Struggle for American Architecture. Smith will introduce the 7:30 p.m. film which will be shown in the Dunham Hall Theater and afterwards show footage of SIUE's Louis Sullivan ornament collection. A question and answer session will follow. Known as the father of the skyscraper and as the person to create the iconic phrase, form follows function, Sullivan is a well-known name in American architecture and produced some of the country's most beautiful buildings. Sullivan was at the peak of his career in 1890, but through a series of setbacks, he plunged into destitute obscurity from which he never fully recovered. However, Sullivan's beliefs and ideas inspired his protege, Frank Lloyd Wright, to fulfill his own dream of a truly American style of architecture. The story of Louis Sullivan, the revolutionary and brilliant Chicago architect, was brought to life in 2010 by Director Mark Richard Smith in the first feature-length documentary Louis Sullivan: The Struggle for American Architecture. Smith, who wrote, produced and directed the film, talked about why he chose to tell Sullivan's story for his documentary. The subject of Louis Sullivan really combines three of my passionate interests which are history architecture and design, Smith explained. I had been a graphic designer for 20 years before I sold my business and went back to school to get a history degree because that was something that I had always wanted to study further but was dissuaded in doing because there was no money in it. Smith said that he had always loved architecture too. In fact I wanted to be an architect when I was a kid but was terrible at math and science. I was just too creative to embrace those subjects, Smith said. When I encountered the story of Louis Sullivan and saw his work which was exciting to look at and so different from anything I'd seen, I then realized no one had really told his story on film before. Smith recalled that at that time, he had one of those ah-ha moments when he knew he had to make the documentary. It was like this is the biggest sign in the world that I need do this, he said. It was this moment of inspiration, and I just went for it. Filming of the Louis Sullivan documentary brought Smith to the SIUE Museum that houses a significant collection of Sullivan ornamental architecture pieces. SIU is a really important repository of Sullivan's work. The school and the museum really bent over backwards to accommodate me and my crew when I was there, Smith noted. Although Smith was only in Edwardsville for a couple of days for filming, they turned into memorable ones. We shot one day, and then we went to St Louis because there are a couple of very important Sullivan buildings in downtown St. Louis. I photographed those, and then we had a technical issue where our footage that we shot in Edwardsville was erased so I had to call the (museum) director again and see if we could go back. He said of course you can, and then we had to go back and shoot it all again, Smith said with a chuckle. It all had a happy ending though. Smith emphasized that the university was simply amazing to work with. And it was such a pleasure to go in there and photograph these relics really of Sullivan's work. It's almost like photographing King Tut's tomb for me because it's such a really amazing collection of art that I hope one day can be seen by more people, he said. I'm just really excited to be going back to Edwardsville, Smith added. That was the place that really made it easier for me to tell the story. Smith also pointed out that he felt Louis Sullivan was more than just an architect. He's a really important cultural figure in the U.S. he noted. And the time that he was practicing architecture was a time of huge change in our society. Society wrestling with going from a rural society to an urban society - you see that in his work, and I just think that's really important to look at. Beyond the drama of Sullivan's story there's a real intellectual part of it that I really enjoy. Following the documentary showing on Feb. 23, Smith will also show a rough cut of part of the story that never made it into the film. The extra footage includes the story behind Richard Nickel, a Chicago preservationist, who rescued and amassed a large collection of Sullivan architecture ornaments in the 60s before selling them to SIU in 1965. Smith will then host a question and answer session after the showings and will have a director's cut of the documentary available for sale on DVDs after the event.View Smith's documentary's trailer at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqAcZyXnDD4 and a short highlight clip from the Louis Sullivan Documentary at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfl0yB9OpMw For this event, Arts & Issues is also collaborating with the SIUE Lovejoy Library to present a one-day Louis Sullivan Conference as well as collaborating with the Edwardsville Arts Center for a special art exhibit where regional artists have used the form of Sullivans work and biography of his life as a platform for their own creative projects. The Louis Sullivan Architectural Ornaments at SIUE Conference: Bringing the Past to Life in the 21st Century will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Feb. 24 with sessions at the Morris University center, Edwardsville Arts Center and SIUE Lovejoy Library. Keynote speakers for the conference will include Mark Richard Smith, John Celuch, Inlandesign director and first curator of the SIUE Sullivan Collection, and Ward Miller, executive director of Preservation Chicago. This unique, free conference is open to the public and is being sponsored by SIUE Graduate School Conferences and Workshops Program, Friends of Lovejoy Library, SIUE's Arts & Issues and Preservation Chicago. This day-long conference is dedicated to celebrating SIUEs Louis Sullivans architectural ornament collection, Sullivans designs and legacy, and preservation efforts, Therese Dickman, Fine Arts Librarian and Associate Professor in SIUEs Library and Information Services, said. It will bring a fresh perspective through various speakers, media presentations, and new, exhibited artworks inspired by Sullivan architectural ornaments. Registration for the Louis Sullivan conference is limited to 100, and the registration deadline is Feb. 17. Register at http://www.siue.edu/lovejoylibrary/misc/sullivanconference.shtml The Louis Legacy: Artists Respond to Louis Sullivan art exhibit at the Edwardsville Arts Center will take place from Feb. 10 to March 17. Entry into the exhibit is free. Tickets for the SIUE Arts & Issues Louis Sullivan documentary showing at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 23 can be ordered on-line at artsandissues.com or in-person at the Morris University Center (MUC) Welcome Desk. The MUC Welcome Desk is open Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. and Saturday 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. The Welcome Desk is closed on Sunday. To place your order by phone call 1-866-698-4253. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Ary Hermawan (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, February 16, 2017 The conventional wisdom among local and foreign observers of Indonesian politics is that the Jakarta gubernatorial race will only get nastier in the runoff if incumbent Governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama makes it to the second round. For many, the first round of the Jakarta election, which lasted four months, was already exhaustingly and dismayingly sectarian, with thousands of conservative Muslims taking to the streets of Jakarta four times! spewing hate at Ahok, the Christian and ethnic Chinese candidate. His rivals, Anies Baswedan and Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, have rejected allegations that they were behind the four religiously driven anti-Ahok rallies, but they (first Agus, and then Anies) certainly benefited from the rising sentiment against Ahok following allegations that he insulted the Quran. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Mirza Satria Buana (The Jakarta Post) Banjarmasin Thu, February 16, 2017 Vote-buying is considered endemic in Indonesian politics, particularly since direct local elections were introduced in 2004. However the government and many election experts have stated that direct elections are still relevant, as a lesser evil compared to indirect elections, by guaranteeing peoples votes and encouraging public participation. Direct elections have been evaluated and challenged by many lawmakers following the defeat of their candidates in the 2014 presidential election. The opposition parties argued that the election of governors, regents and mayors should be reconverted to indirect elections in which local legislative councils (DPRDs) have the right to appoint regional heads. This would be counterproductive because indirect elections will negate the right of people to vote for their leaders and strengthen oligarchy in both DPRDs and political parties. Fortunately, the law reinstated direct elections into practice, along with its drawbacks. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official stance of The Jakarta Post. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Julia Suryakusuma (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, February 16, 2017 When you think of art, what comes to mind? It could be anything and everything under the sun but the military probably would not be the first thing you think of, right? So I was intrigued when I received an invitation for an art exhibition held last Monday, which was opened by Defense Minister Gen. (ret.) Ryamizard Ryacudu. The exhibition was called Bela Negara (Defend the Nation) featuring 36 painters who displayed their works with various themes: human interest, religion, nature and some with nationalistic themes befitting the exhibitions title. It was attended by other military figures such as Air Force chief of staff Air Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto, the ministrys secretary-general Vice Admiral Widodo and Defense University rector Lt. Gen. I Wayan Midhio. Luckily it was also attended by collectors and the painters themselves, otherwise it could have been mistaken for a military convention! So why Bela Negara and why Ryacudu? Because thats the name of his pet project. Its a program created out of his and the Indonesian Militarys (TNI) concern over what they see as increasing disharmony of the nation, particularly following the rise of increased Islamic fundamentalism and also what they perceive to be the rise of leftist ideas. The Bela Negara program is thus a new initiative to instill and promote patriotism, nationalism and Pancasila (state ideology) values among the public. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official stance of The Jakarta Post. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Hotli Simanjuntak (The Jakarta Post) Banda Aceh Thu, February 16, 2017 Aceh province, which hosted 21 elections, including a gubernatorial election, saw a smooth electoral process on Wednesday in which residents showed enthusiasm in exercising their voting rights. I arrived at the polling station early in the morning to vote. This is an event I wouldnt miss, said Muhaimah, a resident of Aceh Besar regency. Muhaimah, who arrived at the station with her family, said they were all enthusiastic because they felt they had a say in determining their next leader and were contributing to improving the political economy of her regency. I hope we choose the right person, she said. Another voter in West Aceh regency, Roni Fadlianto, said he hoped the next leader of the regency was well-mannered. Because a well-mannered leader is a good example. That can be seen in a candidate who really pushes for sharia, said Roni as quoted by Antara news agency. He said the future leaders of West Aceh and Aceh province should be someone who did not intimidate people. A leader should be a good example for the people. Just look at the younger generation, members of which use drugs and have other vices. The first bulwark against that should be the government, he added. (Read also: Aceh elections must not be violent) Law No. 11/2006 grants Aceh, known as the Veranda of Mecca, a special status in Indonesia, allowing the Aceh administration to uphold sharia. The Election Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) has placed Aceh at second place on the list of the most vulnerable regions with a score of 3.327, behind West Papua in first place with a score of 3.381. Banten is ranked third with 3.147, West Sulawesi at fourth with 2.367 and Jakarta at fifth with 2.297. Concerns about security in Aceh were related to the fact that most of the candidates were from the Free Aceh Movement (GAM). Previous regional elections in Aceh saw incidents involving violence and intimidation implicating candidates. But this time, I feel everything has gone smoothly, no violence or conflicts, said Muhaimah. In the Aceh gubernatorial election, the six pairs contesting the position and four of the candidates were former GAM figures: Zaini Abdulah, Muzakir Mana, Irwandi Yusuf and Zakaria Saman. Zaini was close in rank to the late Hasan Tiro, the leader of GAM, while Muzakir was a GAM commander. Zakaria is a former defense minister of GAM while Irwandi was an elite figure in GAMs combatant unit during the height of conflict. Associations for Election and Democracy (Perludem) recorded earlier that the 2016-2017 campaign period in Aceh had seen 26 incidents involving violence and vandalism. There was an incident in which a grenade was thrown. Regions with the most violent cases are East Aceh, North Aceh, and Pidie, Perludem director Titi Anggraeni said. Regional Leader Coordinating Forum (Forkopimda) reported the electoral process on Wednesday in Banda Aceh municipality and Aceh Besar regency was smooth. Iskandar Muda Military Commander Maj. Gen. Tatang Sulaiman said Wednesday that he had not received any reports of conflicts or riots, saying he observed enthusiastic voters at polling stations. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, February 16, 2017 Although the official results of the first round in Jakartas gubernatorial election have yet to be released, candidate Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono has conceded defeat. I accept my defeat wholeheartedly, he said, as quoted by kompas.com. The candidate was speaking following the release of various quick counts, all of which indicated his defeat, at the Democratic Party central executive board office in Menteng, Central Jakarta, on Wednesday evening. Agus said that to him, the 2017 Jakarta gubernatorial election was a competition, in which there would always be someone who won and someone who lost. He added that he considered his defeat a reality of life. Agus admitted that his low voter support indicated he could not yet meet the expectations of Jakarta residents on the ideal figure of a leader they wanted to lead the capital city. However, he said he believed there was a lesson for him to be learned from his failure. Allah, the almighty God, has not yet permitted me and Bu Sylvi to lead Jakarta. I believe Gods plan and decision will always be correct and better than ours, Agus said, referring to his running mate, Sylviana Murni. (Read also: New ball game awaits Jakarta) A Kompas quick count showed that the Ahok-Djarot team secured 42.87 percent of the vote and Anies Baswedan-Sandiaga Uno received 39.76 percent, leaving just 17.37 percent for the Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono-Sylviana Murni ticket. The Jakarta election will proceed to a second round, because none of the candidate pairs won a majority (50 percent plus 1 vote), but as the candidates with least voter support, the Agus-Sylviana duo will not enter the second round. Agus congratulated Ahok-Djarot and Anies-Sandiaga, who will compete in the second round. (ebf) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Nurul Fitri Ramadhani (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, February 16 2017 Candidates in the Bekasi regency election in West Java and the Banten gubernatorial election were still on the edge of their seats waiting for final tally results on Wednesday evening after polling closed. One of the candidates in Bekasi, union activist Obon Tabroni said his camp had deployed 4,000 volunteers to monitor the process of ballot counting. Obon said he remained optimistic about his chances of winning despite media reports showing quick counts that put him in second place. We are very optimistic, because results from our voter base are yet to be included [in the official count]. Our voters live in densely populated areas, so we understand that the vote recapitulation process will take more time, he told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, February 16, 2017 A Ferrari and a BMW driven by college students crashed into each other on Jl. Bulevar Pagedangan, South Tangerang, on Thursday morning. Martin, 23, and Barry, 25, drove the cars from Bumi Serpong Damai in South Tangerang early in the morning to buy fried rice in Kelapa Dua, Tangerang. It appears that the Ferrari, which was in front of the BMW, suddenly turned right without signaling and the BMW crashed right into it, Pagedangan Police chief Adj. Comr. Army Sevtiansyah told The Jakarta Post. Nearby residents who witnessed the accident called the police. Thankfully, there were no casualties in the accident, said Army. The two parties involved in the accident have agreed not to file a lawsuit because they are friends and will solve the problem between themselves, he said. The police stressed that neither of the drivers were under the influence of alcohol. (dea) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Callistasia Anggun Wijaya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, February 16 2017 Dozens of international observers who participated in the Election Visit Program 2017 initiated by the General Elections Commission (KPU) were impressed with voting at Suropati Park in Menteng, Central Jakarta. The polling station appeared relaxed and cheerful as musicians entertained voters with traditional keroncong music. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Hans Nicholas Jong (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, February 16, 2017 The State Administrative High Court (PTUN) ruled on Thursday in favor of the Environment and Forestry Ministry, allowing the government to not disclose forest cover maps, which are essential in providing greater transparency on forest governance. In September 2015, Greenpeace Indonesia filed a lawsuit at the Central Information Commission (KIP) against the ministry for refusing to release various cover maps in shapefile format, which the ministry deems to be confidential documents. Shapefile format for maps enables users to analyze data by overlaying different maps. It functions to provide greater transparency about who controls areas of land and what happens within those areas. Last October, the KIP ruled in favor of Greenpeace Indonesia. However, the ministry appealed to the PTUN, which in turn decided that the ministry could keep the documents confidential. The future of Indonesias forests is getting darker with this ruling. There are many changes within forest areas unknown to the public because the data and information are being kept deliberately by the ministry, Greenpeace Indonesia forest campaigner Ratri Kusumohartono said. She said the ruling and the governments stance meant there was no transparency on forest governance under President Joko Jokowi Widodos administration. This ruling means that theres less opportunity for the public to participate in preventing deforestation and forest fires. Meanwhile, important data that was requested by Greenpeace Indonesia is key information to knowing the conditions of our forests today, Ratri said. Therefore, Greenpeace Indonesia would file a cassation at the Supreme Court. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, February 16, 2017 Gold and copper miner PT Freeport Indonesia has laid off 25 senior employees as the company negotiates with the government regarding the conversion of its contract of work (CoW) to a special mining license (IUPK). Freeport Indonesia spokesperson Riza Pratama said in principle, the company had agreed to convert its CoW to adjust to the new regulation. There are 25 [who were laid off] at the senior official level, Riza confirmed, adding that the company had also informed its contractors to change their operation plans and reduce its number of employees. (Read also: Government ignores Freeports threat to lay off workers) Freeport Indonesia employs some 32,000 people totally, including the staff of its contractors. If we cannot export, it is possible that reductions of our workforce may continue, Riza added. We are ready to convert to the IUPK if there is an agreement on investment legal and fiscal stability assurances like in the CoW, said Riza as reported by tribunnews.com. Freeport also wants the contract to be extended to 2041, as well as ensuring its unchanged tax status. The government has yet to respond to Freeports proposal. Freeport has temporarily stopped operations despite still having large stocks of mineral concentrates. (bbn) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, February 16, 2017 The government has so far disbursed some 18.54 trillion (US$1.39 billion) for the construction of the trans-Papua highway, which is being funded by multi-year state budgets from 2015 to 2017, an official has said. Public Works and Housing Ministrys Bina Marga (road agency) director general Arie Setiaji M said that Rp 5.78 trillion would be disbursed this year. As much as Rp 4.06 trillion is being allocated to construct the road and bridges in Papua, while another Rp 1.71 trillion is [for projects] in West Papua, Arie said as reported by kontan.co on Wednesday. The total length of the trans-Papua highway is 3,259 kilometers, consisting of 10 road sections, Arie said, adding that the government had so far developed 2,789 kilometers. He added that 1,570 kilometers of the road had been laid with asphalt. (bbn) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Marguerite Afra Sapiie (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, February 16, 2017 Efforts to resolve the murder of human rights activist Munir Said Thalib once again hit a stumbling block, as a provincial court annulled on Thursday the Public Information Commissions (KIP) ruling that obliged the state to reveal the case's investigative report by a fact-finding team. The Jakarta State Administrative Court (PTUN) has ruled in favor of the State Secretariat that challenged the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras), which jointly filed a public information request with Munirs widow Suciwati and the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute (LBH Jakarta) to the KIP in April. PUTN judge Tri Cahya Indra Permana said the panel of judges concluded that there was no evidence that the investigative findings submitted to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in 2005 had been handed over to the State Secretariat to be archived. The government does not yet have to disclose the findings on Munirs death as referred to in Presidential Decree No. 111/2004 on the fact-finding team because [the document] is not in possession of the plaintiff [State Secretary], presiding judge Wenceslaus said when reading out the ruling, adding that the KIPs ruling dated Oct. 10, 2016, that is being disputed, therefore is declared annulled. (Read also: Expecting miracle in Munir murder investigation) The KIP stipulated on Oct. 10, 2016, that all the findings on the case submitted to the government in 2005 was public information that should be disclosed. The KIP specifically told the State Secretariat to reveal all requested information as it was in charge of the governments administrative paperwork, including documents sent to the president. (dan) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, February 16, 2017 The government has ignored a threat from gold and copper mining company PT Freeport Indonesia, the countrys biggest taxpayer and major employer, to lay off its workers if an agreement with the government failed to be reached. If it is part of pressure, just ignore it, said Coordinating Economic Minister Darmin Nasution, as reported by tribunnews.com on Wednesday. Darmin said Freeport had demanded legal guarantees from the government that the current policy would not change if there were a change in the government. (Read also: Freeport seeks to dodge piling problems) Such certainty was demanded with regard to the amount of taxes the company paid and the continuity of its operations in Indonesia, Darmin said. The taxes the company paid were, in fact, on a declining trend, but the company had doubts about whether such a policy would be maintained if there were a change in government, Darmin said. Previously, Freeport Indonesia spokesman Riza Pratama said the company needed a stable investment agreement with the Indonesian government on the conversion of its contract of work (CoW) to a special mining license (IUPK). Riza stressed that such an agreement was important for Freeport, because it was related to its long-term investment plan in Indonesia. The government has barred the company from exporting its concentrate, saying the export licenses would be issued soon after the company signed an agreement that included a commitment to build a smelter and sell stakes to Indonesian entities. (bbn) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, February 16, 2017 Director General of Haj and Umrah Management Abdul Jamil told Commission VIII of the House of Representatives on Thursday that the government has taken ongoing efforts to improve pilgrimage services, including haj preparation courses and a guarantee of better accommodation, among others. He informed the legislators that the governments priority was to properly inform pilgrims about the haj process in Mecca and other important religious sites in Saudi Arabia before they departed on the pilgrimage. He explained that this preparatory program was expected to mitigate some of the problems encountered with the pilgrimage thus far due to a lack of information. Most of the pilgrims are poorly educated, so it is imperative that they be prepared to carry out the pilgrimage rituals and other activities properly. Hopefully, this training will help them understand the haj procedures better, Jamil told members of Commission VIII. Indonesias haj quota for 2017 is approximately 204,000 pilgrims. Jamil said the government also planned to improve the accommodation facilities, especially in Arafah, where pilgrims were housed in tents. One of the main steps to be taken was the provision of a better air conditioning system for the tents. (Read also: Saudi Arabia allocates Indonesia haj quota of 221,000 per year ) He also said the government was encouraging the use of its Smart Haj cellphone application launched in 2015, which has several features, including a collection of prayers and route information. The Smart Haj app can be downloaded on to phones with the Android operational system from the Google Play Store. (rdi/yan) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Agus Maryono (The Jakarta Post) Banjarnegara, Central Java Thu, February 16, 2017 Incumbent candidates Tatto Pamuji-Syamsul have declared victory in the regent election in Cilacap, Central Java, securing 57 percent of the vote. Supported by the Democratic Party, the National Awakening Party (PKB), the Golkar Party and the National Mandate Party (PAN), Tatto-Syamsul secured 439,515 votes from a total of 777,729 votes considered valid on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the two other candidate pairs, Tofik-Faiqoh and Fran Lukman-Bambang, received 213,268 votes, or 27 percent, and 124,946 votes, or 16 percent, respectively. Im grateful for this victory. We will not be drawn into any euphoria. We will immediately continue with our work, Tatto told journalists on Thursday. He said poor road access, natural disaster mitigation and the economic improvement of rural people would be prioritized during his leadership over the next five years. Cilacap General Elections Commission official Aniroh said the quick count had been completed. However, we will still conduct a manual vote, starting from the district polling committee [PPK] level through to the regency level, she told The Jakarta Post on Thursday. The manual vote count will be conducted from Feb. 16 to Feb. 24, she added. (ebf) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Fedina S. Sundaryani (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, February 16, 2017 With relatively stagnant growth in the manufacturing sector, the government is considering assigning a special institution to provide long-term financing for industrialists, who used to provide a major boost for economic growth. Once an outstanding feature in the domestic economy, the manufacturing sector seems to have hit a rough spot, with the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) recording only 4.29 percent expansion last year, lower than the economic growth that stood at 5.02 percent. The sectors contribution to economic growth stood at 20.51 percent. The absence of a financial institution or bank with a specific focus on industry financing has made it difficult for many business players, particularly those in remote areas, to seek additional sources of capital, says Industry Minister Airlangga Hartarto. To encourage more equality [between regions], we must push for a special funding institution specifically for the industrial sector, the minister said on Tuesday after a meeting with President Joko Jokowi Widodo at the State Palace. We previously had Bapindo [Bank Pembangunan Indonesia], but we no longer have a bank for the industries. (Read also: Indonesia's manufacturing sector set to be part of global supply chain) To address such an issue, Airlangga has suggested diverting state-owned infrastructure financing companies PT Sarana Multi Infrastruktur (SMI) or the Indonesian Export Financing Agency (LPEI), also known as Indonesia Eximbank, to also provide long-term financing for industrial development. Furthermore, he also emphasized the need to set up a micro-credit scheme for small and medium industries. Furthermore, we would like to encourage export-oriented, labor-intensive industries with tax incentives, in addition to the funding, he said, adding that the ministry had yet to propose a list of financing companies suitable for the new scheme. The government has continued to boost the manufacturing sector and hopes the non-oil and gas industry grows 5.5 percent this year. Indonesia has become a new entrant in the group of top 10 manufacturers, con-tributing 1.93 percent to global manufacturing value added, according to data from the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) referred to by the minister. However, Southeast Asias largest economy has seen its manufacturing sector expand at a singledigit rate for more than a decade. In contrast, the period prior to the 1997-1998 financial crisis showed the expansion of the manufacturing industry outperforming the levels of economic growth. President Jokowi has repeatedly emphasized the importance of developing the downstream sector, especially since commodity prices continue to remain low in the sluggish global economy. We have to develop the downstream industries because it directly affects the people and increases job opportunities, and moves the regional economy, he said. Establishing a financing institution is not the only solution the government hopes to offer. It cut recently the price of gas for stateowned firms in the petrochemical, steel and fertilizer industries to US$6 per million British thermal units (mmbtu) from around $9 per mmbtu. The government is also considering allowing gas imports to cut the prices for other manufacturing sectors. Meanwhile, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said she was still mulling over whether it was necessary to establish a specific financing institution, especially for industries, especially since a similar idea had been thought of years ago. We are still evaluating the issue in the form of pros and cons, especially compared to a standard financing institution. We need to evaluate what the legal basis would be, especially since it would have a different position in comparison to other financial institutions, she said. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, February 16 2017 The Haj Pilgrimage Counseling Group (KBIH) asked House of Representatives Commission VIII on Tuesday to support it with official recognition in a haj bill. The KBIH offers haj-assistance services to would-be pilgrims, providing them with training, information before departure and guidance while on the haj. The KBIH charges for the services it offers pilgrims outside the fees set by the Religious Affairs Ministry. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Eileen Ng (Associated Press) Kuala Lumpur Thu, February 16, 2017 Malaysian police have arrested two women in the death of Kim Jong Nam, the half brother of North Korea's leader who was reportedly poisoned this week by a pair of female assassins as he waited for a flight in Malaysia, police said Thursday. The women were picked up separately Wednesday and early Thursday and were identified using CCTV footage from Kuala Lumpur International Airport, where Kim Jong Nam suddenly fell ill Monday morning before he died on the way to the hospital. The woman arrested Thursday was holding an Indonesian passport that identified her as 25-year-old Siti Aishah, a Malaysian police statement said. The other suspect held Vietnamese travel documents bearing the name Doan Thi Huong, 28. Still photos of the CCTV video, confirmed as authentic by police, showed her in a skirt and long-sleeved white T-shirt with "LOL" emblazoned across the front. There was no immediate way to determine if the IDs were genuine or if the women were believed to be the alleged assassins. Investigators are trying to shed light on a death that set off set off waves of speculation over whether North Korea dispatched a hit squad to kill a man known for his drinking, gambling and complicated family life. Medical workers completed an autopsy late Wednesday, but it was not immediately clear if or when Malaysia would release the findings publicly. North Korea had objected to the autopsy but Malaysia went ahead with the procedure anyway as the North did not submit a formal protest, said Abdul Samah Mat, a senior Malaysian police official. Kim Jong Nam, who was 45 or 46, was estranged from his younger brother, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, and had been living abroad for years. He reportedly fell out of favor when he was caught trying to enter Japan on a false passport in 2001, saying he wanted to visit Tokyo Disneyland. According to two senior Malaysian government officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the case involves sensitive diplomacy, the elder Kim told medical workers before he died that he had been attacked with a chemical spray at the airport. Multiple South Korean media reports, citing unidentified sources, said two women believed to be North Korean agents killed him with some kind of poison before fleeing in a taxi. Hunted: A man believed to be Kim Jong Nam, eldest son of then North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, is surrounded by the media upon arrival from Macau at Beijing airport in Beijing. Kim was assassinated at an airport in Kuala Lumpur, telling medical workers before he died that he had been attacked with a chemical spray a Malaysian official said Tuesday. (Kyodo News via AP, File)(AP/file) Since taking power in late 2011, Kim Jong Un has executed or purged a number of high-level government officials in what the South Korean government has described as a "reign of terror." South Korea's spy agency, the National Intelligence Service, said Wednesday that North Korea had been trying for five years to kill Kim Jong Nam. The NIS did not definitively say that North Korea was behind the killing, just that it was presumed to be a North Korean operation, according to lawmakers who briefed reporters about the closed-door meeting with the spy officials. The NIS also cited a "genuine" attempt by North Korea to kill Kim Jong Nam in 2012, the lawmakers said. The NIS told them that Kim Jong Nam sent a letter to Kim Jong Un in April 2012, after the assassination attempt, begging for the lives of himself and his family. The letter said: "I hope you cancel the order for the punishment of me and my family. We have nowhere to go, nowhere to hide, and we know that the only way to escape is committing suicide." Although Kim Jong Nam had been originally tipped by some outsiders as a possible successor to his late dictator father, Kim Jong Il, others thought that was unlikely because he lived outside the country, including recently in Macau. He also frequented casinos, five-star hotels and traveled around Asia, with little say in North Korean affairs. But his attempt to visit Tokyo Disneyland reportedly soured North Korea's leadership on his potential as a successor. Kim Jong Nam had said he had no political ambitions, although he was publicly critical of the North Korean regime and his half brother's legitimacy in the past. In 2010, he was quoted in Japanese media as saying he opposed dynastic succession in North Korea. Among Kim Jong Un's executions and purges, the most spectacular was the 2013 execution of his uncle, Jang Song Thaek, once considered the country's second-most powerful man, for what the North alleged was treason. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Anton Hermansyah (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, February 16, 2017 Malaysian-owned lender Bank Maybank Indonesia plans to issue bonds in the first half of the year and hold a rights issue in the second half to support credit expansion. The bank aims to collect Rp 300 billion (US$22.5 million) to Rp 500 billion from the bond issuance, while from the rights issue it expects to earn around Rp 1.5 to Rp 2 trillion, said Bank Maybank finance director Thilagavathy Nadason. Nadason, however, said the bond issuance was still under consideration. (Read also: Maybank Indonesia sells stake in WOM Finance to Reliance Capital Management) "The rights issue will be held in the second half of this year, while for the bonds, they may or may not be issued, depending on our fund supply," Nadason said during the bank's 2016 performance press conference in Jakarta on Thursday. Maybank group will be the standby buyer of the rights issue. It currently holds 78.98 percent shares in Maybank Indonesia through Sorak Financial Holdings Pte. Ltd and Maybank Offshore Corporate Services (Labuan) Sdn Bhd, with 45.02 percent and 33.96 percent ownership, respectively. "The rights issue might take 10 to 15 percent ownership," she said. Other than the bond and rights issue, the bank also expects incoming funds from the sale of 68.55 percent shares in PT Wahana Ottomitra Multiartha (WOM Finance) to PT Reliance Capital Management for Rp 673.77 billion. The sale awaits approval from the Financial Services Authority (OJK). (bbn) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Marguerite Afra Sapiie, Haeril Halim and Margareth S. Aritonang (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, February 16, 2017 The State Palace has responded coolly to allegations made by former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono that President Joko Jokowi Widodos decision to grant clemency to murder convict and former antigraft chief Antasari Azhar was politically motivated and part of an attack on the Democratic Party leader. State Secretary Pratikno said on Wednesday that Yudhoyono should leave the President out of his personal feud with Antasari, who has accused Yudhoyono of orchestrating the murder case against him. Pratikno said the former Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) leader was acting alone when he publicly accused Yudhoyono of abusing his power to criminalize him. Dont believe [the government] had any agenda when granting clemency. We complied with the prevailing regulations in making the decision on the clemency, including having received a recommendation from the Supreme Court, the official said. (Read also: SBY behind murder accusations against me: Antasari) Jokowi granted clemency to Antasari on Jan. 25. A day later, Antasari met with the President at the State Palace where the former, Pratikno said, shared his experiences as KPK leader. Yudhoyono launched a tirade against his successor, Jokowi, on Tuesday accusing the President of using Antasari to attack him and his family. Yudhoyonos remarks were made the night before the Jakarta gubernatorial election in which his son, Agus Harimurti, was a candidate. Agus fared poorly in Wednesdays election, garnering less than 20 percent of the vote and has been forced to quit the race. Jokowi has yet to issue a statement regarding Yudhoyonos latest salvo. The President has typically avoided confrontation with his predecessor, even though tensions between the two have been brewing for months, particularly since the start of the Jakarta gubernatorial race, which pitted Agus against Jakarta Governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama, a close Jokowi ally. Tuesday was not the first occasion that Yudhoyono accused Jokowi of being responsible for what he claimed were political attacks against him and his family ahead of the Jakarta gubernatorial election. On Jan. 31, Ahoks lawyers claimed Yudhoyono had phoned Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) chairman Maruf Amin on Oct. 7, 2016, asking the latter to issue a fatwa that was later used by the police to name Ahok a blasphemy suspect on Nov. 17. Ahoks lawyers said they had evidence of the conversation, a claim that was interpreted by Yudhoyono as indicating that his phone had been tapped by the government. On Feb. 1, Yudhoyono held a press conference accusing the government of illegally bugging his phone and demanding Jokowi instruct law enforcement to investigate the case. Pratikno said he was bewildered by the fact that Jokowi and the palace were always associated with anything untoward related to Yudhoyono. We should treat things proportionally. Dont link everything to the palace and the President, Pratikno said. Meanwhile, media and business tycoon Hary Tanoesoedibjo has denied any involvement in Antasaris murder case. Antasari had claimed that Hary, founder of the MNC media group and business partner of United States President Donald Trump, was sent by Yudhoyono to ask Antasari not to arrest Aulia Pohan for corruption in 2009. Aulia is the father-in-law of Agus and was at the time a Bank Indonesia deputy governor. Antasari said he was charged with murdering business executive Nasrudin Zulkarnaen a few weeks after rejecting Harys request. All of [Antasaris claim] is slander. I dont want to waste my time responding to it, Hary said, adding that had no intention of following Yudhoyonos lead in reporting Antasari to the police for defamation. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Mirza Satria Buana (The Jakarta Post) Banjarmasin Thu, February 16 2017 Vote-buying is considered endemic in Indonesian politics, particularly since direct local elections were introduced in 2004. However the government and many election experts have stated that direct elections are still relevant, as a lesser evil compared to indirect elections, by guaranteeing peoples votes and encouraging public participation. Direct elections have been evaluated and challenged by many lawmakers following the defeat of their candidates in the 2014 presidential election. The opposition parties argued that the election of governors, regents and mayors should be reconverted to indirect elections in which local legislative councils (DPRDs) have the right to appoint regional heads. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Despite social tensions tainting this years mayoral election, community leaders in Singkawang, West Kalimantan, have pledged to maintain the citys image as a tolerant, multiethnic and multireligious society. With a diverse makeup, Singkawang has long been known as a place of tolerance, where people have been able to live in peace with each other regardless of background. In 2015, a Setara Institute survey conducted in several cities across the archipelago ranked Singkawang as the third-most tolerant city in the country after Pematang Siantar in North Sumatra and Salatiga in Central Java. Singkawang Dayak Customary Council (DAD) head Aloysius Kilim said to maintain the tolerant city status, ethnic and religious harmony had to be preserved. He made the statement in response to the Singkawang election, in which four candidate pairs with various ethnicity and religious backgrounds were running for the citys top post. No candidate with Dayak [the regions native people] ethnicity was running in the election. Nonetheless, institutionally, we have never dictated to our people to support a certain candidate pair, said Kilim. Two female candidates of Chinese descent competed for the mayoral post on Feb. 15. Singkawang Mayor Awang Ishaks wife, Tjhai Nyit Kim, also known as Malaika Fitri, ran alongside running mate Suriyadi. Meanwhile, Tjhai Chui Mie, a former Singkawang Legislative Council speaker, contested the election with deputy Irwan. They competed against candidate pairs Abdul Mutalib-Muhammadin and Andi Syarif-Nurmansyah, in which the latter ran as independents. Social unrest had tainted the races early stages. A group of people attacked the Singkawang General Elections Commission (KPU Singkawang) office to demonstrate their rejection of one candidate pair they allegedly deemed as unqualified. The incident continued with vandalism of a dragon statue, a Singkawang icon. In a separate incident, unidentified people threw a Molotov cocktail into a Chinese temple, locally known as klenteng, in the downtown area. The conflicts, however, were resolved quickly and peacefully. Ahead of election day, Singkawang Police categorized 123 out of 405 polling stations vulnerable to disruption because of the condition of residents living in those areas or district-related matters. I hope there will be no incidents related to tribal affiliations, religion, race and societal groups [SARA] in this election. This is because Singkawang has been known as a tolerant city despite its multiethnic and multireligious society. But we dont want to underestimate the situation and we are ready to dispatch our personnel at anytime, said Singkawang Police chief Sandi Alfadien Mustafa prior to voting day. Singkawang Chinese Customary Council (MABT) chairman Wijaya Kurniawan asserted that effective communication was the guarantor of a harmonious multiethnic and multireligious city. Each time a potential social conflict emerged, the council immediately communicated with related stakeholders to prevent the conflict from escalating. So far communication among ethnic and religious groups in this city has been very intimate. There has never been large-scale social friction because we all want to live peacefully here, said Wijaya. For the election, the police had prepared 303 personnel, with 100 personnel from West Kalimantan Police and another 100 from the Indonesian Military as backup. Auxiliary forces comprising 150 Singkawang police officers and 180 police personnel from nearby regencies, such as Bengkayang, Mempawah and Sambas, as well as 200 military personnel, had also been readied. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Vishal Bhargava (The Jakarta Post) Mumbai Thu, February 16 2017 There is a good chance one has never heard of a company by the name of inktomi. The search engine company was acquired by Yahoo for US$250 million in 2002. Yet, that purchase price by Yahoo was only 1 percent of the whopping $25 billion valuation it commanded merely two years earlier. The dot-com bubble had burst and Google had entered the scene. Fifteen years later it seems the arrogance of the technology companies has returned to a level that highlights the pinnacle of a bubble that is due to burst. The company providing that signal is Snap Inc., the parent company of the mobile app Snapchat. The camera company that allows users to communicate through pictures and videos and is hugely popular among Apple users in the US and Europe has filed for a listing on the New York Stock Exchange. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Winny Tang (The Jakarta Post) Kourou, French Guiana Thu, February 16 2017 It is not easy to enter the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana. Even guests with ID badges still face scrutiny at numerous checkpoints throughout the spaceport before they can get in. In this strictly controlled facility, hundreds of VIP guests and journalists in the Jupiter control room looked nervously excited about witnessing the liftoff of the Telkom 3S satellite on Tuesday night Kourou time. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Dina Kurniasari (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, February 17 2017 ASEAN will celebrate its 50th anniversary this year as a momentous milestone for the region after five decades of success and achievements. This remarkable year will be led by the Philippines as the new ASEAN chair country. Proclaiming this years theme, Partnering for Change, Engaging the World, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte pledged to promote ASEAN, home to more than 640 million people at different stages of economic development, as the ideal model of regionalism and as a global player with the interests of its people at its core. During the handover of ASEAN chairmanship from Lao at the ASEAN Summit last Sept. 8, the President promised to steer and guide the association to pursue initiatives and enhance cooperation with global partners, while retaining ASEANs centrality, unity and solidarity. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Fachrul Sidiq (The Jakarta Post) Depok, West Java Fri, February 17 2017 Red tape and ignorance are said to be among factors that have contributed to the number of children without birth certificates in Depok, West Java. Children without birth certificates number almost 200,000, posing difficulties for school enrolment and other administrative matters. Senior citizen Herniati, 60, said the problem prevailed because of a lack of awareness among residents, particularly those who lived far away from the city center. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, February 17 2017 President Joko Jokowi Widodo has instructed his ministers to prepare North Sumatra to become an international hub because geographically, the province is strategically positioned in the international shipping line. Geographically, North Sumatra has a strategic position in the Malacca Strait shipping line, which is near Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, said Jokowi while opening a limited Cabinet meeting at the State Palace in Jakarta on Thursday. The meeting particularly discussed national strategic projects in a number of regions. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, February 17 2017 The Budapest Business School (BGE) in Hungary has launched an Indonesian-language course. Officially inaugurated on Tuesday by Indonesian Ambassador to Hungary Wening Esthyprobo, 39 people reportedly signed up for the course, which can only accommodate 15 people per class. Learning a foreign language has many advantages, especially Indonesian, which is used as the main language in a country of 258 million citizens, said Wening, as quoted by kompas.com, adding that the students could expect to learn more than just the language, but also Indonesian culture. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Callistasia Anggun Wijaya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, February 17, 2017 There will be an increase in the number of Jakartans registered on the final voter lists (DPT) in the second round of the gubernatorial election slated for April because voters who cast votes using electronic identification cards (e-KTP) and recommendation letters issued by Civil Registry and Demography Agency (Disdukcapil) on the Feb. 15 will be added to the existing lists. We have agreed the additional voters will be added onto the existing DPTs because they are legitimate voters, General Elections Commission (KPU) commissioner Hadar Nafis Gumay said on Thursday. According to the KPU, Jakarta had 7,108,589 registered voters on polling day on Feb. 15. KPU Jakarta will organize the data update, Hadar said. The commissioner said the KPU would discuss further whether it needed to verify the data of the additional voters. The commission would also further determine whether new voters, who reached the age of 17 years or got married after Feb. 15, could vote in the second round of the election. On Wednesday, unregistered voters who wanted to cast their votes arrived at polling stations with e-KTP and Disdukcapil recommendation letters, causing many polling stations to run out of ballots although the KPU had provided 2.5 percent extra ballots for each polling station and another 2,000 extra ballots for emergency purposes. The unexpected number of additional voters, who were given the chance to vote for only an hour before the polling stations closed, left many unable to exercise their voting rights. Some of the unregistered voters reportedly failed to cast their votes because of a shortage of ballots in polling stations. (ebf) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Liza Yosephine (The Jakarta Post) Bangkok Fri, February 17 2017 Having been led by a military junta since 2014 and seen new King Maha Vajiralongkorn take the throne, Thailand is aiming to transform the country into an ASEAN financial hub through a state-driven innovation and value-based economic model. Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said on Wednesday his administration would start this year with the national plan to be carried out over the next two decades. The plan aims to establish a sustainable smart economy, dubbed Thailand 4.0. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Fachrul Sidiq (The Jakarta Post) Fri, February 17 2017 Under scorching sun, on the rooftop of a shopping center, 23-year-old Yohanes Widi Setyawan prepared to descend with a set of ropes, as it was his turn to clean the windows of the eight-story building in Glodok, West Jakarta. Everything was quiet high above street level, except for the sound of giant air-conditioning fans and honking horns from vehicles below. Yohanes refused to give in to fear about the possible dangers he might encounter. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, February 16, 2017 13:14 2089 a291276806121264c0bd211cde051853 4 News students,#students,Education,#education,Hungary,Budapest,Bahasa-Indonesia,courses,language-course,Budapest-Business-School Free The Budapest Business School (BGE) in Hungary has launched a Bahasa Indonesia language course. Officially inaugurated on Tuesday by Indonesian Ambassador to Hungary Wening Esthyprobo, 39 people reportedly signed up to join the course that can only accommodate 15 people per class. "Learning a foreign language has many advantages, especially Bahasa Indonesia, which is used as the main language of the country's 258 million citizens," said Wening, as quoted by kompas.com, adding that the students could expect to learn more than just the language, namely also Indonesian culture. The head of the university's Oriental Studies Department, Prof. Tamas Novak, said the business school had chosen to offer the course due to Indonesia's increasing role in the world and in Asia in particular, adding that learning Bahasa Indonesia would allow smoother cooperation and social science research in the future. (Read also: Bahasa Indonesia course to be offered at Finland university) Mastering at least two foreign languages is part of graduation requirements for BGE students. Due to high demand, the university is said to be considering opening a second class for Bahasa Indonesia, but currently lacks lecturers. The newly opened course will be taught by staff members of the Indonesian Embassy in Budapest, who master both Bahasa Indonesia and Hungarian. BGE presently offers international courses and has cooperated with several Indonesian universities, such as Gadjah Mada University, Mercu Buana University and Yogyakarta Technology University. Aside from BGE, the Indonesian Embassy in Budapest has reportedly also received a request to provide a Bahasa Indonesia lecturer for the Hajtomu Language School in Budapest. (kes) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Masajeng Rahmiasri (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, February 16, 2017 15:56 2088 a291276806121264c0bd211cde05a6c0 1 News Education,research,French,#education,Competition,#competition,My-Thesis-in-180-Seconds,IFI,French-Institute-in-Indonesia Free A national competition that requires participants to present a thesis in French is currently open for entries. Held for the second time by the French Institute in Indonesia (IFI), the My Thesis in 180 Seconds (MT180) competition caters to Indonesian doctoral students or graduates who speak French or have studied in France. In the competition, participants will be asked to present a thesis in French within 180 seconds, using just one presentation slide and simple terms. They will then be judged on their research subjects quality and originality and how the presentation is conducted. Nicolas Gascoin, the attache for cooperation in science and technology at the French Embassy in Indonesia, said the competition aimed to contribute to research in Indonesia as well as help Indonesian researchers find employment. He added that there werent many well-known theses presented by Indonesian researchers who speak French. (Read also: Monolingual bias and English language education in Indonesia) Moreover, young researchers are frequently considered over-qualified and thus sometimes struggle to find employment outside of universities. Yet, many large French companies in Indonesia are searching for qualified Indonesians to recruit, he stated. Registration for MT180 is open until Feb. 17. The competitions final will be held in Yogyakarta on May 3, which coincides with the 9th Joint Working Group Indonesian-French Cooperation in Higher Education and Research event. Last year, Gemala Cempaka Hapsari won the competition in Indonesia. She was awarded Rp 100 million (US$7,489) and given the opportunity to ride on the zero-gravity Airbus A310 ZERO-G. The doctoral student from Franche-Comte University in France also advanced into the international MT180 competition in Rabat, Morocco. (kes) The developers of Essex Crossing last night announced changes in their plan for the large Lower East Side project, including the addition of 61 affordable apartments and more units for low-income seniors. The adjustments, forced by the expiration of the states 421-a tax break program, will also mean fewer affordable condo units, fewer affordable apartments for larger families and the elimination of mixed-income diversity in three buildings. The changes were outlined at a meeting of Community Board 3s land use committee by Isaac Henderson, project manager of Delancey Street Associates. Thats the consortium responsible for building the residential and commercial complex in the former Seward Park Urban Renewal Area. The original plan was heavily influenced by CB3, which spent years reaching a community-wide consensus for the sites. Essex Crossing was meant to include 1,000 apartments, 50% of them set aside for low- and middle-income residents. 157 of the units were supposed to be condos available for purchase (including 32 affordable condo units). But the plan was dependent on 421-a, a state program that offered generous property tax breaks in buildings which include blocks of affordable housing. 421-a expired more than a year ago and the mayor, governor and State Legislature have been haggling ever since about a new version of the program. The developers say theyre revamping the housing plan to make sure the project stays on track while the Legislature weighs the latest proposal from the governor (approval in Albany is expected in the not-too-distant future, perhaps by the end of March). The changes do not impact phase one of the construction project on sites 1, 2, 5 and 6. When the first four buildings open next year, more than half of the apartments planned in Essex Crossing will have been delivered, including 311 affordable units. But the second and third phases of the project will be impacted. Heres an overview from Hendersons presentation last night and from an interview with The Lo-Down earlier in the week. Site 3, located at Delancey and Norfolk streets, was originally planned as a rental building split evenly between market rate and affordable apartments (98 total residential units). Now that project will be 100% market rate condos. Site 8 (where one of the Essex Street Market buildings now sits) was intended as an 80/20 condo project, including 19 market rate and 5 affordable apartments. It will now consist of 92 studio apartments for low-income seniors. As senior housing, its available for a zoning increase of about 10,000 square feet. Site 9 (the current home of the Essex Street Market) was meant to be another 80/20 condo building. The developers are now hoping to make it a mixed-income rental project with half of the units designated as affordable. The plan assumes that a version of the 421-a program will be enacted in time to utilize tax incentives on this site. [The Essex Street Market, by the way, is moving to a new building within Essex Crossing and the current facility will remain open until the move occurs.] Site 10, formerly an 80/20 condo building, is now being refashioned as a market-rate condo project. A health care clinic has a lease on this parcel until the year 2021, so construction is not expected to begin for a few years. In total, the changes mean there will now be 1.078 apartments in Essex Crossing, as opposed to 1,000. There will be an increase in low-and middle-income units of 61, making the project 52% affordable. The developers are adding 17 additional market-rate apartments. One goal in revising the housing plan is to add more affordable units for very low-income households. In the new configuration, some apartments are set aside for families earning as little as 30% of Area Median Income (AMI). The citys Department of Housing Preservation and Development encouraged the developers the add new income bands, which were not part of the initial Seward Park plan. Under the new plan, 343 apartments will be available to people earning 60% of AMI or below. One downside in the revised plan is that 20 affordable condo units are being sacrificed. When a new version of 421-a is enacted, it is not expected to include a home ownership program. Without a tax abatement, said Henderson, its virtually impossible to do affordable home ownership. Delancey Street Associates is making up for this loss by creating a larger number of affordable units and by doubling the number of senior units in the project. The developers are relying on new tax breaks for the senior housing not impacted by the expiration of 421-a. [In a related conversation last night, board members expressed serious concerns about the 421-a application for site 1, where 55 condo units are under construction. While 11 of those units are designated as permanently affordable, it has come to light that the tax abatement for those apartments will expire in 15 years. The unit owners will then be responsible for thousands of dollars each month in property taxes. Well have more about this situation in a separate story.] When affordable housing lotteries begin in a few weeks, former tenants of the urban renewal area (displaced in 1967) will have priority status. But Henderson explained, A lot of people are really concerned that the former site tenants, who will receive a 25% preference in each of these projects, wont have an opportunity to live in these projects. Most of them are going to be senior and most of them are going to be very low-income, he added. During last nights meeting another concern was raised. The changes are forcing the elimination of 30 affordable apartments for larger families. Board member Lisa Kaplan said, I get, 100%, that there is a real need for very low-income senior apartments. But she added, I think a lot of the seniors who are former site tenants and a lot of seniors in our neighborhood live with extended families. And I think the need for affordable units is not restricted to studio apartments (for seniors). Theres an overwhelming need for affordable housing at every apartment size. I regret that we werent able to find a solution here that allowed for deeper subsidies. Henderson said he understood Kaplans concern, which she has apparently voiced repeatedly during private meetings of a Seward Park community task force. But he argued that its important to evaluate Essex Crossing as a whole. If you look at the overall project, he said, there are apartments available for a range of incomes (from 40-155% of AMI) He said 40% of Essex Crossings affordable apartments are larger units. One issue that did not generate much conversation last night concerns the mixed-income makeup of Essex Crossings buildings. The community boards original guidelines placed a high priority on income diversity. Plans called for an equal number of affordable and market rate apartments throughout the project and in each building. This priority has been maintained in most of the buildings. But sites 3 and 10 will now be purely market rate, while site 8 will be all affordable. Under the new plan, Henderson pointed out, 3 out of 5 parcels in the second and third phases will not require 421-a (or whatever replaces it). Essex Crossing is still dependent, however, on the tax abatement program for site 4 (located at Delancey and Suffolk streets) and for site 9. Delancey Street Associates and city officials are in conversations about a contingency plan should Albany fail to act on a 421-a replacement. Delancey Street Associates is a partnership among Taconic Investment Partners, L+M Development Partners and BFC Partners. A Day Without Immigrants; lots of restaurants are closed today to protest the Trump administrations border policies. Among them: Norfolk Street Mexican restaurant La Contenta. [AMNY] All of Blue Ribbons restaurants, including Blue Ribbon Izakaya on Orchard Street, will be closed. [Eater] New statistics show hate crimes are on the rise in New York City. [Politico New York] A report from the rally against a developers plans for the former P.S. 64. [Bedford & Bowery] Resilient Design: The boiler in an East 8th Street affordable building moves from the basement to the penthouse. [New York Times] A meeting on the looming L Train shutdown has been rescheduled for March 9. [EV Grieve] The school that ate New York: NYU is getting ready to build a huge construction project on Mercer Street. [DNA Info] Robert Sietsema reviews Lalo in Chinatown. [Eater] Debauchery on the Bowery: a guide to the saloons that lined the notorious block in 1903. [Bowery Boys] As a bookish only child who came of age in the 90s, I got ideas about how I might become lovelyand as a result, I hoped, passionately lovednot from the style sites, beauty blogs, YouTube tutorials, Instagram videos, and Pinterest pages that are now ubiquitous, but from the novels and stories in which my nose was perpetually buried. My innate interest in beautyspiritual, sartorial, skinwise, and otherwisewas stoked by 20th-century literature and the captivating female characters who populate it. Books I read between the spongy ages of 12 and 20 were especially potent. They inspired me to become a writer and invent fictional characters of my own, but I didnt only long to write; I also longed to be written, like the heroines of these booksto be regarded with the kind of affection, interest, and attention to detail that infuses so many of the satisfying sentences their authors used to describe them. Inevitably, many of my choices and rituals concerning beauty and adornment, several of which persist, resulted from the images that bloomed in my imagination while I read. In junior high, my hairthanks to hormonal changes, no doubttransformed of its own accord from fairly straight to extravagantly curly. I struggled to accept the sudden ringlets, which required an entirely new way of washing, combing, and styling. I also agonized over what I was sure was the near-fluorescent ruddiness of my cheeks; it betrayed, I thought, the awkward bashfulness with which I was often battling, and I tried to mask it with powder as soon as I was allowed to wear a bit of makeup. Then I met Antonia Shimerda, the 14-year-old Bohemian immigrant to Nebraska in Willa Cathers My Antonia. She was a character whose vitality, spirit, and earthiness I admired. And she had curly hair. And red cheeks. Antonias curly and wild-looking locks make an ideal if temporary dwelling for a grasshopper she brings home to show her father. She carefully put the green insect in her hair, Cather writes, tying her big handkerchief down loosely over her curls, and her cheeks had a glow of rich, dark color that Cather likens to red plums. Because of Antonia, who was a role model of mine due to the indomitable strength of her personality and warmth of her heart, I embraced my curls and put down the face powder. Eschewing makeup, however, demands vigilant skin care, and Im grateful for potions that lend the face a lit-up look. One of Leopold Blooms errands on the eventful day of June 16th in the first part of James Joyces Ulysses is to have the neighborhood chemist make up a batch of the face lotion favored by his lush wife, Molly. Bloom marvels at the quality of Mollys skin, which he deems so delicate, like white wax. At the chemists, he recites most of the lotions ingredientsSweet almond oil and tincture of benzoinand then orangeflower waterand white wax alsoso Ive been able to concoct an approximation at home with supplies sourced from the local health food store. Playing apothecary is fun, and I share Blooms sentiment that homely recipes are often the best: strawberries for the teeth: nettles and rainwater: oatmeal they say steeped in buttermilk. Skinfood. Of course fastidiousness is crucial to both inner and outer beauty, and the skin of ones body must not be forgotten in the effort to maintain a luminous face. Following in the footprints of the ever-fresh Komako, the lonesome young woman living at a hot springs resort town in the mountains of Japan in Yasunari Kawabatas Snow Country, I take frequent baths. Komako always seems to be coming from or heading to the bath: [T]he impression she gave was above all one of cleanliness, Kawabata writes. Every day she had a bath in the hot spring, famous for its lingering warmth. While my own bathwater doesnt spurt from a mineral-rich spring, its usually infused with what I hope are similarly healing salts, plus drops of pine oil to evoke the conifers of Kawabatas icy landscape. Just as I imagine Komako does, I like to do plenty of scrubbing to detoxify and promote good circulation. Nicole Diver, the charismatic blonde with a sad secret in F. Scott Fitzgeralds Tender Is the Night, also takes a bath before beginning a love affair that will shift the trajectory of her life. She bathed and anointed herself and covered her body with a layer of powder, while her toes crunched another pile on a bath towelShe put on the first ankle-length day dress that she had owned for many years, and crossed herself reverently with Chanel Sixteen. This passage not only impressed upon me the degree to which literature can provoke an exquisite sensory experience, but also the importance of perfume application as an everyday ceremonial rite. Fitzgerald invented Chanel Sixteenthere never was such a thingbut the first fragrance I bought for myself was a Chanel, the softly shimmering eau de toilette version of No. 5. Then I caught it: the perfume bug, an ongoing fascination with odor as a kind of olfactory language that both makes and unearths memories. My obsession has not only inspired me to write a books worth of as-yet unpublished perfume essays, each one devoted to a different scent, but has also driven me quite happily from costly bottles of obscure niche fragrances to tiny vials of cheap but pleasing oils and everywhere in between. I dont discriminate. I just want to smell like someone about whom stories could be written. After bathing comes dressing. In D.H. Lawrences Women in Love, the cooler of the two titular women, Gudrun, is an artist blessed with an enviable sang-froid that remains unruffled even when she is catcalled by local minersWhat price the stockings?while stepping out in her signature boldly-colored tights. She has them in a kaleidoscopic array of shades and fabrics: grass-green stockingspink silk stockingswoolen yellow stockings Because of Gudrun, I went through a brightly-tinted-tights phase, partly because of the aesthetic pleasure it gave me, and partly because I wanted some of her blithe attitude to seep into mine, though in actuality I was much more like her hypersensitive sister, Ursula, who dons no stockings of remarkable color but instead has practically got her heart sewn onto her sleeve. Little finishing touches that complete a look come in many forms, including nail polishan adornment about which Ive always had mixed feelings. I sometimes put it on, but invariably remove it within hours. I love it on others the same way I love other peoples tattoos, but on me it feels somehow wrong, artificial. Maybe it makes me uneasy because I cant help but associate it with Muriel, the shallow wife of the brilliant and sensitive seer, Seymour Glass, who figures in J.D. Salingers A Perfect Day for Bananafish and other stories. When Muriel first appears, she is in the process of putting lacquer on the nails of her left hand. Growing up, Ilike his younger siblings Franny and Zooeywas heavily influenced by and devoted to Seymour, and it was clear the hopelessly mainstream Muriel just didnt get him. With her little lacquer brushshe went over the nail of her little finger, accentuating the line of the moon. She then replaced the cap on the bottle of lacquer and, standing up, passed her leftthe wethand back and forth through the air. This insouciant gesture seemed to embody all the spiritual poverty and bourgeois materialism of which I was sure Muriel was guilty. Other finishing touches, however, feel the opposite of artificial, but rather like external reflections of ones inner self. Im never without my two little gold braceletsone on each wrist. There is something about adorning my wriststhe gateways to my handsin this way that makes sense. I like to write and make jewelry; my hands accomplish the tasks at the heart of my life. But I first got the idea to do this while reading my favorite of Jack Kerouacs novels, the autobiographical chronicle of once-in-a-lifetime adolescent love, Maggie Cassidy. The books title character accessorizes similarly. Tonight, Kerouac writes of Maggie, she is more beautiful than ever, she haslittle bracelets on both wrists; hands crossed, sweet white fingers I eye with immortal longing to hold in mine I may feel complete with the bracelets, but theres also sometimes a vaguely nagging sense of unfinished business: like many women, my thoughts often return to my hair, as they did in junior high. I may maintain its natural coiled texture, but what about the color? Its a question over which Im lately mulling, especially now that Ive spotted and plucked a number of silvery strands. So far, though, Ive done nothing about it. In Thomas Hardys The Return of the Native, witchy Eustacia Vye, fondly dubbed Queen of Night by Hardy, is a loner desperate for adventures beyond the bleak heath where she lives. She has inky hairas dark as her eventual mood. To see her hair, Hardy writes, was to fancy that a whole winter did not contain darkness enough to form its shadow. The romantic portrait is partly why in the era of ombre, sombre, tortoiseshell, lowlights, babylights, and all the other enticing iterations of highlights, I continue to choose, sometimes uneasily, to let my locks remain their natural nearly-black hue. Consequently, not too long ago, an author of short stories and novels thrilled the bookish girl in me when he whispered that my hair was so dark a seagull would love to die in it. Oil-dark was what he meant. His statement, too, was darkhumorous, singularly strange and sweet, a compliment only a writer could give. For a few moments, I felt a little like a woman inside a novel. He answered the longing Id felt when I first fell under the spell of fascinating feminine figures bound between pages and rendered only with words. I was no longer exclusively the reader or the writer; sometimes, I would be the one who is written, the one who is read. Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons. Turns out those fatty fivers wont be getting pulped after all, as many campaigners had hoped. The Bank of England has said it will keep the new 5 polymer note which contains traces of tallow, a substance made from animal fat in circulation. It will also go ahead with a new 10 polymer note as planned in September, despite widespread objections on ethical and religious grounds. What? I don't understand the bank of England's refusal to change the 5 notes- aren't the Scotland notes tallow free??? PawsForAll (@PawsForAll) February 15, 2017 When the Bank admitted on Twitter late last year that the notes contained tallow, the backlash was sizeable. An online petition, which described the decision as unacceptable to millions of vegans, vegetarians, Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and others in the UK, attracted 134,000 signatures. @SteffiRox there is a trace of tallow in the polymer pellets used in the base substrate of the polymer 5 notes Bank of England (@bankofengland) November 28, 2016 But the central bank said it had carefully considered options such as destroying, reprinting or delaying the issue of the 10 note but insisted it would be costly and compromise new anti-counterfeit measures. It said: Weighing the considerations below, the Bank has now concluded that it would be appropriate to keep the 5 polymer note in circulation and to issue the 10 polymer note as planned, in September. Good decision by #BankOfEngland A load of unnecessary trouble caused by over-sensitive vegans & nutters. Leave the 5 note alone. #vegan CocoPop (@frances_frankly) February 15, 2017 Doug Maw, who started the petition, said he was quite angry and was considering legal action. The decision comes just weeks after the 48-year-old, from Keswick, Cumbria, met representatives at the Bank of England to discuss the issue. He said: The fact that theyve decided to go ahead and not withdraw and continue (circulating the notes), means they are forcing people who have religious and ethical objections to use something thats against their religious beliefs and their ethical beliefs. Im most definitely as of now looking at legal advice and we will definitely be bringing a test case against them because Im pretty sure we will win it. Following their 17-month student campaign, Fossil Free St Andrews has announced that the university has just joined an increasing number of British institutions in divesting completely from fossil fuel operations. As of November last year 25% of British universities had already taken this significant step, with many more pledged to do the same. Behind this campaign is 350.org: a grassroots movement which organises climate-oriented projects around the world. Their central aims are to keep carbon in the ground, to help construct a low-carbon economy and to pressurise governments into limiting emissions. 350.org has projects in almost every country and its online presence has been key in creating mass mobilisation for climate change issues. The groups name, 350, refers to the safe level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere in parts per million (ppm): the current global average is approximately 400 ppm. The impact of this ever-increasing figure will be devastating to biodiversity, food security and much more. 350.orgs Fossil Free campaign has drawn global interest as it confronts major educational, religious and social organisations which profit from fossil fuel investments. These institutions, premised on the concept of serving and benefitting society, are being accused of behind-the-scenes funding of fossil fuel operations - an ultimately destructive process. In teaming up with 350.org, the environmental organisation People and Planet has used its power as Britains largest student activist network to tackle university fossil fuel investment. Student populations are now a major driving force behind this growing global movement for fossil fuel divestment, urging their universities to pave the way. In their official press release, Andrew Taylor, from People & Planet said: "St Andrews ditching their investments in fossil fuels shows that Scotland continues to be a leader on sustainability - and students have been at the forefront of this movement. This is a fight for their future and ant effective way of standing in solidarity with front-line communities." Fossil Free St Andrews told The National Student: Going forward we are aiming to submit a petition by April to the University Court so that the Universitys Sustainable Investment Policy will be updated so that investing in fossil fuels will be banned. https://gofossilfree.org/ Find more information atwhere campaigners reveal the hidden world of fossil fuel divestment within some very famous institutions. Images by Sometimes you just really need a side with your pizza: some potato wedges, a few chicken wings, maybe even some garlic bread. But one Dominos driver in Liverpool has been accused of offering up something a little different. A customer reported receiving a note along with their pizza offering weed, MDMA, pills and ketamine, as well as raw cocaine and much more, signed by an individual called Smokey. (Paul Faith/PA) Someone even wrote to the Liverpool Echo to report theyd been offered viagra with their pizza, which was presumably a very confusing situation. We all love pizza, but thats a bit too much. Nina Arnott, a spokeswoman for Dominos, said: The individual in question is no longer working for Dominos following an investigation in conjunction with Merseyside Police. Unfortunately, The Content Is Not Here You have arrived at this page because the page or post you were looking for no longer exists. 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According to the police, the blast took place during the Sufi ritual of Dhamaal at the Lal Shahbaz Qalandar shrine in Sehwan in Sindh province. By India Today Web Desk: A suspected suicide bomber blew himself up near the gate of the shrine of Sufi saint Lal Shahbaz Qalandar in Sindh province of Pakistan Thursday late evening, killing at least 100 people and injuring more than 250. According to the police, the blast took place during a Sufi ritual called Dhamaal, when hundreds of devotees were present inside the premises of the mausoleum of the saint. Hospital staff confirmed that at least 100 people had died in the attack. advertisement The Pakistani army chief responded strongly to the attack, saying the country's forces would avenge every drop of Pakistani blood and that restraint would not be shown for anyone.The US, the UN and the EU were among the first the condemn the deadly attack. Meanwhile, the Pakistani military announced that the Pak-Afghan border has been indefinitely sealed. Major General Asif Ghafoor, the spokesperson of Pakistan Armed Forces, tweeted his from official account, saying, "Pakistan-Afghanistan Border closed with immediate effects till further orders due to security reasons." Pakistan-Afghanistan Border closed with immediate effects till further orders due to security reasons. Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) February 16, 2017 ISIS CLAIMS RESPONSIBILITY Initial reports suggest that it was a suicide bombing on portion reserved for women in the shrine, the Dawn reported, quoting SSP Jamshoro Tariq Wilayat. "It seems to be a suicide bombing according to initial information provided by Sehwan police to me and I am on way to Shewan," Wilayat added. Assistant Superintendent of Police in Sehwan said a suicide bomber entered the shrine through its golden gate. The attacker blew himself up after throwing a grenade, which failed to explode, he said. 8th attack in 4 days:Suicide bombing inside Dargah of Hazrat Lal Shehbaz Qalandar in Sehvan Sharif many women and children among dead Hamid Mir (@HamidMirGEO) February 16, 2017 The ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack via its Aamaq news agency, saying a suicide bomber had targeted a "Shiite gathering" at the shrine in Sindh. The militant organisation also released a picture purportedly of the suicide bomber. A large number of devotees, from across the country, frequent the shrine on Thursdays as it is a popular day to visit Sufi shrines. This Sufi pilgrimage centre, famously called Sehwan da Sakhi Shahbaz Qalandar, is the same one that which is mentioned in the popular qawwali Dama Dam Mastt Qalandar, said to have been penned by Amir Khusro. Watch famous qawwali singer Tahir Qawwal perform in a video shot at the same location advertisement ARMY CHIEF: EVERY DROP OF BLOOD WILL BE AVENGED Tweeting from his official account, Major General Asif Ghafoor, the spokesperson of the Pakistani Armed Forces, quoted the country's chief of army staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa as saying, "Each drop of nation's blood shall be revenged, and revenged immediately. No more restraint for anyone." Maj Gen Ghafoor further tweeted that the chief has appealed for calm. "Your security forces shall not allow hostile powers to succeed. We stand for our nation", Ghafoor quoted Gen Bajwa as saying. Ghafoor added that medical teams from the army and the Pakistani Rangers have reached the location and that air evacuation of the injured has begun. Meanwhile, an emergency has been declared in all hospitals of the area, with the injured being shifted to Liaquat Medical Complex Jamshoro and the sub-district hospital. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah ordered immediate rescue operation and government announced emergency in the hospitals of the nearby Jamshooro and Hyderabad districts. EU, UN, US CONDEMN ATTACK The European Union (EU) denounced the suicide attack with a spokesperson of the the EU's diplomatic service, European External Action Service, saying, "We express our condolences to the families of the victims and wish a speedy recovery to those who were injured. We are determined to stand by Pakistan in fighting all forms of terrorism and will continue to strengthen our cooperation with Pakistan in this regard." advertisement The United Nations too released a statement that quoted Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' as saying, "The United Nations supports the government of Pakistan in its fight against terrorism in full respect of international and human rights norms." "We call for the perpetrators of this attack to be brought to justices swiftly," the statement added. The US condemned the attack as well. "We stand with the people of Pakistan in their fight against terrorism and remain committed to the security of the South Asia region," acting State Department Spokesman Mark Toner said, adding, "We will continue to work with the Government of Pakistan and our partners across the region to combat the threat of terrorism." This is the fifth terror attack in Pakistan within a week. (With inputs from agencies) Also read: Bhar do jholi singer Amjad Sabri shot dead in Karachi Also read: Suicide blast rocks Lahore's Mall Road, 16 including 2 senior cops killed Watch: First images after the bomb blast at Lal Shahbaz Qalandar shrine in Pakistan advertisement --- ENDS --- Dream merchants from India's eastern heartland and Nepal may have helped Pakistan's spy agency ISI in its attempts to stage nightmarish train derailments so they could get their Bhojpuri movie projects on track. By Kamaljit Kaur Sandhu: The National Investigation Agency's probe into the Ghorasan incident from Bihar in which an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was found near a railway track on October 1 has thrown up at least three key links to the regional film industry. The first is Brajkishore Giri, an actor who also owns the Big Bollywood studio in Nepal's Beergiri area. Another name is of Gajendra Sharma, proprietor of the Dangal Studio in Bihar's Motihari city who also ran an orchestra for weddings and other events. The third is Mukesh Yadav, a Bhojpuri songwriter. advertisement All three were allegedly lured by the money ISI promised in return for derailing Indian trains. All the accused have landed in the police net in Nepal and India. According to NIA sources, acting on behest of Sheikh Shafi, a Pakistan-based ISI handler, Shamshul Hoda, who's a Nepalese citizen, was tasked with hiring Indian men to carry out train derailments. Hoda is known to have contacted Brajkishore Giri, a man with ambitions who was bitten by the Bhojpuri movie bug. Also read: Bihar cabinet passes proposal amending rules to bar govt staff from having liquor anywhere in state Over 150 people died on November 21 when the Indore-Patna Express flew off the tracks. A month later, 50 people were injured when the Ajmer-Sealdah Express derailed. Both incidents took place near Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh. Authorities are probing the possibility of sabotage in these and a clutch of other train crashes in the past six months. Already having acted in Bhojpuri films such as Raftar, Brajkishore Giri was working in an underproduction project Ae Moray Jaan Tohray Mein Bas Le Hamray Pran when he was arrested by Nepal Police. After being approached by Hoda, Giri used his Bhojpuri movie contacts to rope in Gajendra Sharma and Mukesh Yadav. Brajkishore Giri was baited with money amounting to several lakhs, which he wanted to pump into the film business to fulfil his "own dream of producing a Bhojpuri movie". The agency is also probing a fake Indian currency racket linked to the ISI conspiracy. Also read: Resolve issues internally, don't slam Madhya Pradesh govt like Opposition, BJP asks MLAs Giri contacted Gajendra Sharma, who also made low-budget movies in Motihari. The third among the Bhojpuri movie trio is Mukesh Yadav, one of the first arrests made in the case by Bihar Police. He is a songwriter. Gajendra, whose music studio was leaking money, allegedly conspired with Giri. But with Gajendra's surrender in Motihari, Bihar, the NIA is hoping to complete the jigsaw puzzle in the ISI-hatched plot. advertisement Three people - Moti Paswan, Uma Shankar and Mukesh Yadav - were arrested last month from Bihar's East Champaran district and they reportedly pointed to ISI's role in the Indore-Patna Express derailment. Sources said on the instructions of ISI handler Shafi, Hoda hired Arun and Deepak, two of Mukesh Yadav's links, who were tasked to derail a train in Ghorasan. "However, the duo developed cold feet," said sources. Also read: Darjeeling toy train ride becomes costlier; tourists to feel the pinch "The powerful IED was later discovered by children playing near the rail track. The authorities were informed and the bomb exploded while it was being taken aside, though no one was injured. With the use of sulphur and ammonium nitrate, a cocktail of explosives was prepared, but the plan of ISI failed with the discovery of the bomb." Arun and Deepak were called to Nepal where they were allegedly eliminated by the ISI. Sources say that songwriter Mukesh was also called to that country, but he survived because he did not show up. They added that a team will soon go to Nepal to question Hoda and Giri. They will also examine the funding in the case, which is suspected to be in fake Indian currency. advertisement --- ENDS --- It has been alleged that the AAP office in Patna is linked to Sunny Priyadarshi Group, which was involved in money laundering activities in the past. By Atir Khan: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has served an eviction notice to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) office in Krishna Puri, Patna. The agency has said that the property from where the party office was being run was bought from money fraudulently withdrawn from banks. Sources said the ED has served a notice to AAP central observer on February 6 in this regard. However, the party is yet to react to the notice. The party office is still being run from the premises, sources said. The office, it is alleged is linked to Sunny Priyadarshi Group, which was involved in money laundering activities in the past. advertisement Priyadarshi Group came to light in 2013, when the Economic Offences Wing of Bihar Police had busted an inter-state gang and arrested eight of its members including alleged kingpin Sunny Priyadarshi from Patna. Two of his associates were arrested from New Delhi and one of them from Kolkata for their involvement in fraudulent activities. As per reports, Sunny Priyadarshi, Chandan Kumar and others were involved in fraudulent money withdrawal from semi-government and government accounts by presenting fake/cloned cheques for realisation through the bank accounts held in fictitious names. Eight persons including two State Bank of India officers were arrested by state police in connection with the fraud. Investigations had then revealed that a bank officer would get a 10 per cent share of the money withdrawn with the fake cheques. The accused would open several bank accounts with fake identity papers in various locations. Fake cheques would then be presented for encashment. Around 50 cheques were deposited each month by the gang, each for Rs 4 to Rs 5 lakh. Also read: AAP government's 2 years in Delhi: 3 reasons why Kejriwal's mohalla clinics are a flop A total of Rs 9.97 crores were fraudulently withdrawn from the bank accounts held in State Bank of India in Bihar, from 2011 onwards by Sunny Priyadarshi Group. After the state police, the ED had also investigated the case and had attached various properties including one flat in Park View Apartments, Sri Krishna Puri, Patna. The properties were made out of the ill-gotten wealth acquired by the accused. The flat in Krishna Puri was acquired by one Chandan Kumar and was attached by the ED March 31, 2014. The adjudicating authority of PMLA had confirmed the attachment. The accused had also made an appeal before the tribunal for release of the property. However, the tribunal had rejected the appeal and had directed the ED to take over the possession of the property. Sources said initially eviction notice was served to the party on December 6, 2016. But AAP is still running its office from there. It is neither vacating the property nor handing over the possession to the ED. When contacted for comments, central observer of the party Sanjeev Jha was not available for comments. advertisement Also read: NSEL case: ED attaches 63 Moons (FTIL) properties worth Rs 135 cr under PMLA --- ENDS --- Army calls for Phuket taxi, van drivers to get licences PHUKET: At the behest of the Royal Thai Army, the Phuket Land Transportation Office is calling for all drivers of public transport vehicles, including taxi, van and bus drivers, to apply for their commercial drivers licences. crimetransportmilitary By The Phuket News Thursday 16 February 2017, 11:22AM The official notice from the PLTO calling for taxi and van drivers to get licences, received by The Phuket News yesterday (Feb 15) but dated Feb 10. The official notice from the PLTO calling for taxi and van drivers to get licences, received by The Phuket News yesterday (Feb 15) but dated Feb 10. The call for taxi and van drivers to get licences came in an official notice from the PLTO, received by The Phuket News yesterday (Feb 15) but dated Feb 10, titled Training and testing for public transportation driving licence (Special class) As in the policy of public transportation arrangement to support Phuket tourism. The Army Region 4 base in Nakhon Sri Thammarat together with the Phuket Provincial Office are in the process of solving tourism problems in Phuket for safety and correctness, said the notice. This is to make sure that tourists will get efficient service and be more confident when they are travelling in Phuket. This also is to make a good image for Phuket. The PLTO by order of the Secretary of the Public Transportation Management Committee is working on the (issues of) drivers uniforms, driving licences, fares, grabbing customers and exploitation of customers, the notice added. The PLTO will hold special training and testing for drivers who dont have a driving licence from Feb 24-26. Normally, we have this testing only once a month, the notice said. Training and testing for public transportation driving licences, namely taxis and other green plate commercial passenger vehicles, will be held on Feb 24, the PLTO said. Applicants must provide a copy of their ID card, a copy of their house registration (tabien baan), a copy of their five-year personal driving licence and a doctors certificate. Training and testing for driving licences for other commercial drivers, such as those operating hotel or tour vehicles, will be on Feb 25-26. Applicants must provide a copy of their ID card, a copy of their house registration and a doctors certificate. To all public transportation operators, tourism operators, hotel operators and others that use public transport vehicles in your business, please send your drivers that dont have a public transport vehicle driving licence to train and test on the above dates by submitting the drivers names with documents and send to the PLTO by Feb 23, the notice said. Any questions, please call 076 214 930, it added. Malaysia police arrest second woman over N. Korea killing MALAYSIA: Malaysian police probing the killing of the half-brother of North Koreas leader on today (Feb 16) arrested a second woman over the spy novel-style assassination Seoul said was carried out by Pyongyang agents. crimedrugsmurdertransportviolencepolitics By AFP Thursday 16 February 2017, 02:30PM Malaysian police have confirmed the detention of a second suspect in the killing of the half-brother of North Koreas leader. Photo: Manan Vatsyayana/AFP A woman with an Indonesian passport was taken into custody overnight, a police statement said, and was being quizzed along with a 28-year-old Vietnamese woman detained yesterday (Feb 15). The two women were arrested separately by detectives trying to get to the bottom of the murder of Kim Jong-Nam, the estranged playboy brother of Kim Jong-Un. South Korean intelligence chiefs say he was poisoned by North Korean agents as he walked through Kuala Lumpur International Airport on his way to board a flight for Macau. The portly 45-year-old had some kind of liquid sprayed in his face after being set upon by two women, Malaysian police have said. He was rushed to hospital suffering from a seizure, but was dead before he got there. CCTV images that emerged in Malaysian media, purportedly of one of the suspects, showed an Asian woman wearing a white top with the letters LOL emblazoned on the front. Several more arrests were expected throughout the day, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Noor Rashid Ibrahim told national Malaysian news agency Bernama. The first suspect, named as Doan Thi Huong, had been expected to appear in court this morning, but Selangor state police chief Abdul Samah Mat said that officers had obtained a seven-day remand order for her and for Indonesian passport holder Siti Aishah, aged 25. Kims body was today being held at Kuala Lumpur Hospital following an autopsy, the results of which have not yet been released. North Korea had objected to the post-mortem examination being carried out, a senior Malaysian official familiar with the investigation said. But we told them to follow Malaysias laws, he added. Malaysian media cited unnamed senior sources as saying North Korea had requested the body, but Abdul Samah said yesterday that nobody had come forward and that it would remain in the morgue until it was claimed. An official at the morgue said they had no indication who would claim the body or when. But North Korean embassy officials were seen visiting the hospitals forensics department in a diplomatic vehicle yesterday afternoon and again overnight. If confirmed, the assassination, which analysts said could have been ordered over reports Kim was readying to defect, would be the highest-profile death under the watch of the Norths young leader Kim Jong-Un. Malaysia police arrest woman over N. Korean killing MALAYSIA: Malaysian police probing the killing of the half-brother of North Koreas leader arrested a woman yesterday (Feb 15) as they tried to unravel a Cold War-style assassination the South said was carried out by Pyongyangs agents. crimedeathhealthmurderpoliticsviolence By AFP Thursday 16 February 2017, 09:27AM CCTV image of one of the suspects, reportedly arrested at the airport in Malaysia. As Seoul pointed the finger at poison-wielding female spies from North of their shared border, police in Kuala Lumpur said they were holding a woman with a Vietnamese passport. Her arrest came around 24 hours after news broke of the death of Kim Jong-Nam, the elder sibling of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, with reports saying female assassins had sprayed toxins in his face at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. CCTV images that emerged in Malaysian media, purportedly of one of the suspects, showed an Asian woman wearing a white top with the letters LOL emblazoned on the front. Malaysian police chief Khalid Abu Bakar said 28-year-old Doan Thi Huong was arrested at the airport on Wednesday morning two days after the killing. The suspect was positively identified from the CCTV footage at the airport and was alone at the time of arrest, Khalid said in a statement. The woman is due to appear in court today. Meanwhile, pathologists in the Malaysian capital examined the body for clues as to how he died, in a killing that has echoes of Soviet-era spycraft. If confirmed, the assassination, which analysts said could have been ordered over reports he was readying to defect, would be the highest-profile death on Kim Jong-Uns watch since the 2013 execution of his uncle, Jang Song-Thaek, in a country with a long record of meting out brutal deaths. South Koreas spy chief Lee Byung-Ho said the two women struck on Monday morning (Feb 13) as Kim was readying to board a flight to Macau where he has spent many years in exile. Malaysian police said Kim, a portly 45-year-old, was walking through the departure hall when he was attacked. He told the receptionist... someone had grabbed his face from behind and splashed some liquid on him, Selangor states criminal investigation chief Fadzil Ahmat was reported as saying by Malaysias The Star newspaper. He asked for help and was immediately sent to the airports clinic. At this point, he was experiencing headache and was on the verge of passing out, said Fadzil. At the clinic, the victim experienced a mild seizure. He was put into an ambulance and was being taken to the Putrajaya Hospital when he was pronounced dead. An autopsy at Kuala Lumpur Hospitals forensics department was completed yesterday evening, Selangor Police Chief Abdul Samah Mat said, but said no results had yet been issued by the hospital. A black Jaguar sedan bearing the North Korean flag was seen outside the department, and four officials wearing flag pins were observed within the forensics compound. The officials left the department around 8pm (1200 GMT) without commenting to reporters. No party had yet laid claim to the body, Abdul Samah said. As for now the body will be kept at the Kuala Lumpur morgue. Kim, 45, had at one time been set to assume the leadership of his isolated country, but fell out of favour after an embarrassing attempt to get into Japan on a fake passport in 2001. Kim has since lived in exile, gaining a reputation as something of a playboy with much of his time spent in the gambling enclave of Macau, where he was believed to have enjoyed some protection from Chinese security forces. Quizzed about the killing during a regular press conference, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said Beijing was aware of the reports. According to our understanding, the incident took place in Malaysia and the Malaysian side is investigating this issue. We are following the developments, he said. In Pyongyang, celebrations were under way for todays anniversary of the birth of Kim Jong-Il, Jong-Nams father, with an ice-skating gala that made no mention of the drama. Jong-Un has been trying to strengthen his grip on power in the face of growing international pressure over his country's nuclear and missile programmes, and regular reports have emerged on purges and executions. Jong-Nam, known as an advocate of reform in the North, once told Japanese reporters that he opposed his countrys dynastic system. In a 2012 interview from his school in Bosnia, a 17-year-old Kim Han-Sol, Jong-Nams son, said his father had been passed over for succession because he was not really interested in politics. I dont really know why he became a dictator, Kim said of his uncle Kim Jong-Un. It was between him and my grandfather. It emerged yesterday that Jong-Nam had pleaded with his younger brother for his life to be spared after an earlier assassination attempt. Jong-Nam in April 2012 sent a letter to Jong-Un saying Please spare me and my family, Kim Byung-Kee, a member of South Koreas parliamentary intelligence committee, told reporters. Cheong Seong-Chang of the independent Sejong Institute in Seoul said the assassination was unthinkable without a direct order or approval from Kim Jong-Un himself. His killing was likely motivated by a recent news report that Kim Jong-Nam had sought to defect to the EU, the US or South Korea as far back as in 2012, he said. On Demand We have a new story every day on the front page of thephuketnews.com. Also like us on our Facebook page (facebook.com/thephuketnews) and be the first to watch all the new stories. Finally you can watch any segment, any time by going to thephuketnews.com/tv where all the stories are listed for you to enjoy. All our programs can be enjoyed in High Definition when watching on the internet. In-Room VDO Ashok Kumar Singh, SP of Mathura City, told India Today that Sadiq was an original resident of Yangon in Myanmar and prima facie appeared to be a refugee, who had escaped alleged religious persecution there. By Siraj Qureshi: Agra police has arrested an illegal immigrant from Myanmar who was living in Aurangabad village of Mathura district for the last 10 years under an alias. According to the information available, Mohd. Sadiq had reached this village in 2007 and got a passport, ration card, Aadhaar card in his name. He had even got himself enrolled in the voter list. advertisement "Mathura is a highly sensitive district in terms of terrorist threats. Local and central intelligence agencies must have taken note of this issue and promptly acted. The passport that Sadiq got made for himself lists Abid Hussein as his father, while on Aadhar, his father's name is Mohd. Hussein. Shockingly, the passport was made without any inquiry at his permanent address. Such a lapse by intelligence agencies is a serious issue", local resident Rajkumar told India Today. Also read | Over 1,000 Rohingya Muslims, regarded as illegal immigrants, feared killed in Myanmar army crackdown, says UN "If any police officer had gone to the village to conduct an inquiry, he would have felt something amiss about a simple labourer applying for a passport. On 15th January, as soon as intelligence agencies got a whiff of this, the information was forwarded to the local police and he was arrested", Rajkumar added. SADIQ'S BACKGROUND BEING PROBED: MATHURA SP Ashok Kumar Singh, SP of Mathura City, told India Today that Sadiq was an original resident of Yangon in Myanmar and prima facie, appeared to be a refugee, who had escaped alleged religious persecution there, but the exact truth about his background was still being probed. Sadiq's source of financing is also being investigated. Senior citizen and social activist Gyas Qureshi said, "This is a very serious issue. There could be several such people living in the region under false names and the intelligence agencies might have failed to detect them. Previously in Mathura, intelligence agencies had failed in the Jawaharbagh incident, where a senior police official was attacked and murdered by a violent mob." Another Mathura resident said that Sadiq had even married his two sisters Shamina and Zohra in Aurangabad. --- ENDS --- Maitreyan along with 12 MPs and seven other leaders met with EC officials for half and hour today. V Maitreyan and other leaders did not comment on the nature of the meeting. By Brijesh Pandey: Even as E Palaniswami has been sworn in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Sasikala faction in AIADMK might have little to rejoice about after OPS loyalist V Maitreyan today met Election Commission in reference to Sasikala's illegal incumbency on party general secretary post. Maitreyan along with 12 MPs and seven other leaders met with EC officials for half and hour today. advertisement This meeting assumes significance because Sasikala's appointment as General Secretary of AIADMK was challenged after Jayalalithaa's death as well and that time the commission had asked the party to clarify its procedures for such an appointment. V Maitreyan and other leaders did not comment on the nature of the meeting, but according to sources, following are their demands. Appointment of Sasikala as general secretary of the party is unconstitutional. The appointment of Dinakaran as deputy general secretary was unconstitutional All the decision taken by Sasikala should be declared null and void. Also read: Sasikala's elevation as AIADMK general secretary illegal? EC hears Team OPS plea Also read: VK Sasikala's 'floor' test in Bengaluru jail: Prisoner No 9234 denied VIP treatment Maitreyan refused to speak in front of camera but later said,"We have made a representation to EC and they will consider it... No time frame has been given by them". The Election Commission has said it will take a decision only after hearing from the other faction No new date for this case has been given so far. Also read: From Poes garden to Prison: How Sasikala Natarajan became late AIADMK supremo's 'asset keeper' --- ENDS --- How many people have already voted absentee in South Dakota ahead of Election Day? elections A recent viral video shows members of ANGA, the residential association for men in St Stephen's College, pledging to "promote misogyny". Problem is, this is not the first time the oath was taken. By Shreya Biswas: A badly-lit video was posted on the Facebook page of Pinjra Tod: Break the Hostel Locks yesterday. When you play it, it takes a while to understand what's going on. Then, you hear the voices. A group of men, led by one, can be heard taking a pledge. The men identify themselves as "the people of ANGA", that is, as the members of Allnutt North Gentlemen's Association, St Stephen's College's residential facility for boys. advertisement As the video rolls on in the dark, the men of ANGA pledge to "promote misogyny". A GENTLEMEN'S OATH TO PROMOTE MISOGYNY Read out on the eve of February 14, this pledge is not a new one. On the contrary, it is a "traditional oath" of the ANGA members which has been around for quite some time now. "I am not certain how long it has been around, but it's been around since 2010 at the very least," former ANGA member Samyobrata Mukherjee told IndiaToday.in. "I encountered it first in 2012 after joining college in July 2011. And people from the batches two years senior to me were familiar with it too," he said. WHY ARE WE SUDDENLY TALKING ABOUT IT TODAY? Because it is still around. Despite Nirbhaya, despite Keenan and Reuben, despite men and women protesting against sexism every day, we still have a gentlemen's oath that swears to promote misogyny. #FYI: Hailing Nirbhaya a martyr is unfair to her unjust death Here's how the oath goes: "We the people of ANGA, Have solemnly resolved To Constitute ANGA Into a Paramount Egalitarian Fellowship And to Secure to all its members- Justice- Social, Sexual and Sentimental Liberty- to philander exclusively with men Equality- of status and opportunity And to promote among them all misogyny Assuring the dignity of the individual And the unity of ANGA Hail ANGA!" WATCH THE VIDEO POSTED BY PINJRA TOD HERE: PROMOTING MISOGYNY, "JUST FOR FUN" Prerna Geeta Manian, a former student and co-head of Gender Studies Cell at St Stephen's College, wrote on the Facebook post's comment thread that the oath was often justified and trivialised as "being funny". "It [the oath] is also justified by saying, 'We are being funny, like we also say we will philander only with men. Not that we would, we aren't gay afterall,'" Manian wrote. Speaking to IndiaToday.in, Manian said that when some of the students, including herself, tried to protest against the disturbing wordings of the ANGA oath, they were "hushed on the grounds of respect." They were also told that it is simply "harmless and stupid". advertisement "I myself wrote against it, but was told that this isn't even big a deal, and that it is done in jest," said Manian. THE TIME IT WAS STOPPED On following up with some former students and with the Facebook post, we learned that the pledge was, once, barred from taking place. A student named Vaibhav Srivastava had stopped the ANGA oath from being pledged in 2016, as Samyobrata recalls. While we were unable to get in touch with Srivastava, he did comment on Pinjra Tod's post: "...I didn't take part in the ANGA oath in my first two years and didn't let it happen in my third year as ANGA prince. I was strictly opposed to this so called "tradition". But it was restarted next year," Srivastava wrote. DOES ANGA STAND BY THEIR OATH? "In my time there, there were no protests about this oath that I knew of," said Samyobrata. "However, not all the people from ANGA attended this ceremony." Reports have it that there had been protests against the hostel curfew for girls in the past, in which people from ANGA participated as well. But when it came to revolting against the ANGA oath, the protests mostly remained hushed and muffled. advertisement "There were definitely conversations about the oath. Some people thought it was harmless and funny. Many thought otherwise," said Samyobrata. Apart from the one time that Vaibhav Srivastava stopped it from taking place, the men of ANGA have pledged "to promote misogyny" several times on the grounds of St Stephen's college, as many remember. So, as we condemn Donald Trump for his "locker room banter" and worry about sexism in the rest of the world, young men in one of India's most reputed colleges continue to swear to "promote misogyny" in the name of 'jest'. --- ENDS --- By Press Trust of India: New Delhi, Feb 16 (PTI) Vice President Hamid Ansari will soon embark on a five-day visit to Rwanda and Uganda, seeking to further boost ties with them and broaden Indias diplomatic footprint in Sub-Saharan Africa. Ansari along with wife Salma will visit Rwanda from February 19-21 and Uganda from February 21-23, during which he would be accompanied by Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Vijay Sampla, four MPs, senior officials and a business and media delegation. advertisement "This is the first high-level visit to Rwanda from India and the visit is taking place shortly after the official visit of President of Rwanda for the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit in January 2017," a senior MEA official told reporters. MEA Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said during this visit, the Vice President would be meeting the President of Rwanda, and the Vice President of the Senate and deliver an address at the University of Rwanda. "The Vice President would pay homage at the genocide museum (in Kigali), interact with the Indian community in Kigali and attend a banquet hosted by the Prime Minister of Rwanda," he said. "India-Rwanda relations are marked by cordiality, convergence of views and cooperation on major international issues and an increasing bilateral trade and investments, greater people-to-people contact and a deep sense of mutual respect. "During the official visit of President Paul Kagame to India from January 9-11, a decision to give strategic content to our partnership was taken," he said. From Rwanda, Ansari will proceed to Uganda for his visit to that country from February 21-23. "During the visit, the Vice President would be meeting the Vice President of Uganda and the President of Uganda. The Vice President (Ansari) would also interact with the India community in Kampala," Swarup said. The senior MEA official said that this will be the "first high-level bilateral visit from India to Uganda since 1997, i.e., after 21 years." Relations between India and Uganda are characterised by historical cultural linkages, extensive economic and trade interest, and a convergence on major bilateral and international issues, the MEA Spokesperson said. "The visit is expected to deepen and expand the bilateral relationships," he said. "The forthcoming visit of the Vice-President is part of the conscious broadening of Indias diplomatic footprint in Sub-Saharan Africa, especially in the Great Lakes region," the senior official said. "He will also address India-Uganda Business Forum. Besides, the Vice President would also be paying floral tribute to the bust of Mahatma Gandhi at a place called Jinja. (MORE) PTI KND RT --- ENDS --- advertisement By Press Trust of India: Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni had attended the third Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni had attended the third India-Africa Forum Summit held in October, 2015 in Delhi. "Our engagement with Africa has intensified significantly. ....We had invited representatives of all 54 African countries at the Forum Summit in 2015. Since then we had 12 outgoing visits to Africa - three by the President, five by the Vice President already and the PMs four," the senior MEA official added. advertisement "During the current government under our Africa outreach initiative, we have also had visits to African countries at ministerial level, except perhaps the CAR, the Central African Republic, and in many of these, no high-level visits had taken place for several years," she said. "This underscores the importance that we attach, both our countries attach, to our relations," the official said. In Rwanda, Ansari will also launch India-Rwanda Innovation Growth Programme as part of which there would be a technology expo of Indias low-cost innovations. The Vice President along with the Prime Minister of Rwanda would address an India-Rwanda Business Forum, she said. There have been some high-level visits from Uganda, including the visit by Ugandan President Museveni for the India-Africa Forum Summit, she said. "As regards our relationship, both Rwanda and Uganda are important from the view point of trade, especially in the pharmaceuticals, automobiles and mechanical appliances and machinery sectors. Our trade with Rwanda has doubled over the last five years, while we are one of Ugandas largest trading partners," the MEA official said. India is also one of the largest investors in Uganda. Also, the Indian diaspora has invested over USD 1 billion in Uganda. Indian investors have also invested in agriculture, mining, construction, pharmaceuticals and financial services in both Uganda and Rwanda. "30,000-strong Indian community is an important link of India with Uganda, and 3,000 Indian community members in Rwanda. India has also stationed a four-member military training team in Uganda since 2010 to train Ugandan defence personnel, and have also deployed a telecom expert. "We have provided a Line of Credit for a hydrocarbon project, which has been completed and has been running successfully, and it is learned that the project has significantly augmented the power capacity of Rwanda. "We have also solar-electrified 35 schools in Rwanda and an LoC has also been given for export-targeted agricultural projects," she added. PTI KND KUN --- ENDS --- Director Ali Abbas Zafar chose not to divulge much information about his supposed third collaboration with superstar Salman Khan, which is apparently the remake of South Korean drama film Ode to My Father. Salman and Ali worked in last year's blockbuster Sultan and have teamed up again for the sequel of Ek Tha Tiger, titled Tiger Zinda Hai. There were reports that the duo will also work on the Indian adaptation of Ode To My Father. When asked about the same Ali told reporters, "It's too early to speak about it. First, I am going to start Tiger Zinda Hai,' next month. That's my next film. I am excited about teaming up with Salman again. It is always great to work with him." He was speaking at the special screening of Shoojit Sircar's upcoming production, Running Shaadi, last night. Starring Taapsee Pannu and Amit Sadh in lead roles, the film is scheduled for release this Friday. Ode to My Father, the 2014 drama, was directed by Yoon Je-kyoon and represented Korean history. It is a story about a young boy's promise made during the chaos of the Korean War to take care of his family, which ends up spanning 60 years of turbulent modern history. The film's remake rights have been bought by Salman's brother-in-law Atul Agnihotri. The Hindi film will reportedly be set during India-Pakistan partition. Tata Consultancy Services will consider a proposal to buy back its shares from the market as the software developer seeks to put a floor under its stock and stave off criticism from activist shareholders seeking a better return on their investment. TCS, sitting on a cash pile of more than Rs.29,000 crore, informed the exchanges on Thursday that its board will consider a proposal to buy back shares in its meeting slated for February 20. Mumbai-based TCS is the first software company to discuss a buy back in an overall tepid business environment for technology companies. TCS, valued at Rupees 4.82 lakh crore, has slumped 13 per cent from its most recent high of 2,840 rupees, stuck in October 2014. The stock has fallen due to inclement global economic conditions. TCS` most recent low was of 2,069 rupees a share, hit in early November as the broader markets contracted in the face of the government's surprise demonetization move. The move to consider a buy back by the Tata Group, which controls 73.4 per cent equity in TCS, comes against the backdrop of an embarrassing public battle ongoing between the founders of smaller rival Infosys Technologies Ltd. and the company's board. Infosys' founder N R Narayana Murthy is butting heads with the chairman and the CEO of Infosys on how to manage costs and provide a better return to shareholders. Infosys, sitting on $5 billion in cash, has often been criticised by some institutional investors that it should either return a part of this cash hoard to investors via a one-time dividend or institute a share buyback plan to boost value for remaining shareholders. Infosys surged 3.1 per cent to 1,012 rupees as investors speculated that TCS' move would force Infosys to announce a similar buy back. Technology companies, which disgorge large amounts of cash from ongoing operations, have traditionally kept liquid cash on their balance sheets in a bid to have a cushion during economic downturns and also keep their powder dry in case a good acquisition comes up. Infosys, for example, raised cash by selling fresh capital in 1999 to create a fund for a large scale acquisition. That plan is yet to fructify after 16 years and the company's cash pile has grown dramatically over the last decade. A large amount of cash results in deterioration of operating ratios and leads to longer term shareholders being short changed. We need to decide what is the safe amount of cash that we should retain,'' Natarajan Chandrasekaran, Chairman-Designate of Tata Sons, the parent of TCS, said. We have to keep a minimum amount of comfort.'' Chandrasekaran was the Chief Executive Officer of TCS before being elevated as chairman of Tata Sons earlier this year. The philanthropic Tata Group also depends upon its cash cow TCS to keep making substantial dividend payouts to fund its social obligations. India's export oriented technology sector is being buffeted by a global headwind of lower tech spending and an increasingly hostile business environment in the United States, the main market for their services. US President Donald Trump, in a bid to save local jobs, has taken steps to limit companies such as TCS and Infosys from sending relatively cheaper Indian software coders to the United States. It is in this kind of uncertainty that tech CEOs prefer the safety of cash on their balance sheets instead of instituting buy backs or paying one time dividends. It is this level of uncertainty that also prompted industry body NASSCOM from giving its annual forecast of the sector's growth trajectory. Investors, too, have acted upon this unpredictability, which is visible in the 11 per cent fall in the sector benchmark over the last 8 months. TCS rose 1.5 per cent higher at 2,450 rupees with Rupees 512 crore worth of shares changing hands on the National Stock Exchange. The stock has been one of the biggest wealth creators for long term investors since it got listed in 2004 Thailand wants to work with India for conclusion of negotiations for the comprehensive free trade agreement which aims to promote economic cooperation between the two nations. Thailand Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak said, "We really want to work with Indian government to have free trade agreement (FTA) together even though we had some obstacles in the past but I think we can keep that off." The two countries have already abolished duties on 82 items under an 'Early Harvest Scheme' launched in 2004, which include products like fruits, processed food, gems and jewellery, iron and steel, auto parts and electronic goods. It was the initial phase of the proposed comprehensive FTA, which is to be upgraded to a full fledged arrangement for reduction and elimination of duties on about 90 per cent of goods traded between the countries. The FTA would also cover opening up of trade in services, an area of interest to India. Issues like significant cut in duties on number of products and movement of professionals are yet to be resolved by both sides. Jatusripitak said there is a need to accelerate the process of the FTA talks. India and Thailand are also members of the mega trade deal Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). When asked about the progress of this pact, he said, "It is one of the best opportunities that we have and we are ready to join any kind of FTA agreement of the regional (nature)." RCEP members are meeting in Japan later this month to fast track the negotiations. The members would discuss finalising the maximum number of goods on which duties will either be eliminated or reduced drastically. RCEP aims at covering goods, services, investments, economic and technical cooperation and competition. The 16-member bloc RCEP comprises 10 ASEAN members and India, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. The mastermind of the 2005 Delhi serial blasts that killed over 60 people and injured about 200 was sentenced to 10 years in prison by a local court here on Thursday. Tariq Ahmed Dar and two other accused, Mohammed Rafiq Shah and Mohammed Hussain Fazili, were acquitted of all charges. The court in 2008 framed charges against Tariq Ahmed Dar, the mastermind, and the other two for waging war against the state, conspiring and collecting arms. The Delhi Police chargesheeted Dar, mentioning his call details that allegedly proved he was in touch with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operatives. The first blast took place at Paharganj, near the New Delhi railway station at around 5.38pm on October 29, 2005. Police later said the bomb was planted on a two-wheeler parked outside a chemists shop. The second blast took place in a bus in south Delhis Govindpuri area, injuring several passengers. The third explosion at 6.05pm took place in the Sarojini Nagar market, a business hub which remains busy with shoppers till late in the night. With the arrest of one of Nabha jailbreaks mastermind from the house of an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) worker, Punjab Congress president Captain Amarinder Singh on Wednesday demanded a thorough probe into party supremo Arvind Kejriwals alleged nexus with militants and gangsters in the state. In a statement issued here, the Congress chief ministerial candidate expressed serious concern over the arrest of Gurpreet Singh Sekhon from an AAP activists house, just two weeks after Kejriwal himself courted controversy by staying at a Khalistan Liberation Forces (KLF) militants home in Punjab. There is apparently a strong nexus between AAP and militants as well as dreaded gangsters, posing a major threat to the states security and safety, said Captain Amarinder, demanding an independent investigation, preferably by a central agency, into the partys dangerous links. With the Maur bomb blast also being traced to KLF, and occurring just a few days after Kejriwals suspicious stay at KLF terrorist Gurwinder Singh during his Punjab visit ahead of the Assembly polls, the situation warranted a detailed inquiry into what appeared to be nefarious links between AAP and anti-social elements, the Punjab Congress chief said. While AAP, led by Kejriwal, had increasingly been exposing its extremist ideology in the run-up to the polls, things had now come to a head in the wake of the latest reports of Sekhons arrest from the home of party activist Goldy Gill, an NRI who had been actively engaged in campaigning for the AAP, said Captain Amarinder. He said Kejriwal was trying to radicalise the youth of Punjab with its dangerous mix of extreme left and extreme right ideology. The state had suffered enough during its militancy period and could not afford to be plunged once again into the dark days of terrorism, the Congress leader said. A dead rat was found in a midday meal served at a government school in south Delhi on Thursday, following which at least nine students who consumed the food were hospitalised. All of them were said to be out of danger. According to government officials, the rodent was found at the Government Boys Senior Secondary School in Deoli area. "A rat found in midday meal of a government school. Nine students (who had eaten food) were immediately rushed to hospital (Madan Mohan Malaviya). I have talked to doctors and the students are safe now," Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia tweeted. Sisodia also visited the hospital to enquire after the students and took stock of the situation. He assured of strict action against those found guilty. "An FIR is being lodged against the meal supplier. We will also blacklist him," Sisodia, who hold the education portfolio, said. "The meals will now be prepared at the school kitchen in presence of our officers," Sisodia added. Union Minister of State for Home Hansraj Gangaram Ahir on Thursday asked the Delhi Police to give top priority to the cases related to women, children and senior citizens and stressed on "friendly policing". On Delhi Police's 70th Raising Day here, the minister conferred 44 medals on its personnel, including for gallantry, President Medal for Distinguished Service and Police Medal for Meritorious Service. "Delhi is at the centre stage of all political, social, cultural and commercial activities across the country. Delhi Police has to be well prepared to face and control any event on a large scale, besides performing regular duties like maintaining law and order and containing crime," Ahir said on the occasion. He stressed on friendly policing and advised the force to give "top priority to the cases of women, children and senior citizens". The minister cautioned the citizens against "internal terrorism" but at the same time expressed confidence in Delhi Police, saying it is a "well-equipped force to fight any kind of contingency". Ahir assured of the Home Ministry's positive outlook towards modernisation and digitisation of the 84,000-strong Delhi Police and announced enhancement of the Nirbhaya Fund by around Rs 25 crore. The fund is expected to support initiatives by the government and non-governmental organisations working towards safety of women in India. It was first announced by the government in its 2013 Union Budget. Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik said: "I am determined to make Delhi Police people-friendly and more digitised to cope up with changing nature of crime in the metropolis. The force is well equipped and in high morale to face any eventuality." Opposition National Conference on Thursday dubbed as "tragic" the Army Chief's warning of tough action against stone-pelters and said the government needs to engage politically with the "alienated" youth of the Valley. "Mobs rushing to encounter sites should concern us and alarm us into constructive political action NOT issuing threats of no mercy. The Govt needs to engage politically with the alienated youth of Kashmir threats and warnings will only compound their hostility," NC state spokesperson Junaid Azim Mattu said in a series of tweets. He said it was "tragic that New Delhi was warning the alienated youth of Kashmir through army chiefs". The NC spokesperson said in a democratic set-up, politically-alienated people cannot be made to cooperate by threats. Army chief Bipin Rawat had on Wednesday warned those attacking security forces during anti-militancy operations of "tough action". The stern message from Rawat came after three soldiers faced heavy stone-pelting at Parray Mohalla of Bandipore in north Kashmir when they were about to launch an operation against militants holed up there. Alerted by the stone-pelters, the militants had got an opportunity to fire hand grenades and empty a few magazines from AK-rifles into the advancing troopers, leaving three jawans dead and some others, including a Commanding officer of CRPF, injured. One terrorist managed to flee the area. General Rawat said security forces in Jammu and Kashmir were facing higher casualties due to the manner in which the locals were preventing them from conducting the operations and "at times even supporting the terrorists to escape". "We would now request the local population that people who have picked up arms, and they are the local boys, if they want to continue with the acts of terrorism, displaying flags of ISIS and Pakistan, then we will treat them as anti-national elements and go helter-skelter for them. "They may survive today but we will get them tomorrow. Our relentless operations will continue," the Army chief had said. Megastar Amitabh Bachchan has completed over four decades of his cinematic journey and says he became an "official entrant" in Bollywood on February 15, 1969. The 74-year-old on Wednesday night wrote on his blog: "There is an avalanche of events related to this date the 15th of February. On this date in 1969 I became an official entrant to the film industry, by signing my very first film, Saat Hindustani. The Piku star shared a series of black and white photographs from the film's set as well. In his over four-decade journey in Bollywood, Big B worked in over 100 films and was feted with Padma Shri in 1984, the Padma Bhushan in 2001 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2015 for his contribution to arts. The government of France honoured him with its highest civilian honour, Knight of the Legion of Honour, in 2007 for his exceptional career in the world of cinema and beyond. Amitabh has worked in hits like Bombay to Goa, Zanjeer, Abhimaan, Namak Haraam, Sholay, Agneepath and Deewar. Actor Ashton Kutcher, who during his 2012 visit to India had met sex trafficking victims and has been batting for their cause for long, says there's need to understand the importance of using technology as a tool to eradicate slavery. Kutcher testified on his anti-sex trafficking efforts before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in a hearing on progress in combating modern slavery. The actor spoke on behalf of Thorn: Digital Defenders of Children, an organisation he co-founded with former wife Demi Moore in 2009 that builds software to fight human trafficking, CNN reported. He called his "day job" his work as chairman of Thorn and also as a father he and wife-actress Mila Kunis welcomed son, Dimitri Portwood, in November, and daughter, Wyatt, is two years old. "As part of my anti-trafficking work, I've met victims in Russia, I've met victims in India, I've met victims that have been trafficked from Mexico, victims from New York and New Jersey and all across our country. I've been on FBI raids where I've seen things that no person should ever see," Kutcher said. "I've seen video content of a child that's the same age as mine being raped by an American man that was a sex tourist in Cambodia. And this child was so conditioned by her environment that she thought she was engaging in play," he added. Kutcher emphasised the importance of using technology as a tool that can be used to disable slavery, citing specific progress. "It's working. In six months, with 25 per cent of our users reporting, we've identified over 6,000 trafficking victims, 2,000 of which are minors. This tool has enhanced 4,000 law enforcement officials in 900 agencies. And we're reducing the investigation time by 60 percent," he said of a software tool called 'Spotlight'. Another tool called 'Solis' has taken investigation times from dark web material from three years to three weeks, Kutcher said. He spoke on the issue and called for specific actions, including additional funding for the technology, fostering public-private sector relationships, looking into the pipeline for victims, including working with the foster care system and the mental health system, and differentiating solution sets for sex trafficking and labour trafficking with enforcement and legislation initiatives. By Press Trust of India: Guwahati, Feb 16 (PTI) Assam Health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma today said three medical colleges and hospitals will be constructed across the state over the next three years at an investment of Rs 570 crore. "In construction of the three medical colleges and hospitals in Dhubri, Nagaon and Lakhimpur, we will spend Rs 570 crore. The amount will be divided equally among the three hospitals," Sarma said at a press conference here. advertisement He said 90 per cent of the amount would be funded by the Centre and the rest would be borne by the state. "For the Medical Council of India inspection, we will have to upgrade the hospitals in the second phase. For that, we will require another Rs 40-45 crore in each hospital. This amount will be financed entirely by the state government," Sarma said. Land in all the three places has been acquired and the institutions would be ready in the next three years, he said. Union Health Minister J P Nadda would launch the construction work for the hospitals in Dhubri and Nagaon during his two-day tour to the state from tomorrow, Sarma said adding, "all three hospitals will be 500-bedded". The minister said an additional Rs 25 crore have been spent for acquiring 60 bighas of land for Dhubri Medical College and Hospital. Likewise, around Rs ten crore has been invested for purchasing 50 bighas of land in Lakhimpur. "In Nagaon, we did not purchase any land. Government already has enough land and the hospital will be constructed on a 100 bigha plot," Sarma said. He said work for three more medical colleges at Nalbari, Tinsukia and Kokrajhar would begin by the end of this year. "The ongoing construction for the Diphu Medical College and Hospital will be over by this year and we will inaugurate it in 2017," Sarma said. (More) PTI TR DKB SNP --- ENDS --- TV actor and COO of Elder Pharmaceuticals Anuj Saxena, accused of bribing former Ministry of Corporate Affair official B.K. Bansal who committed suicide, surrendered himself before a Delhi court on Thursday. Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Special Judge Gurdeep Singh directed the Chief Operating Officer (COO) to mark his presence on Friday, the next date fixed for hearing. Saxena was directed by the Delhi High Court on February 13 to surrender himself before trial court by February 17. The High Court had also directed him to withdraw his anticipatory bail plea and move it afresh before the trial court concerned. The CBI has alleged that Saxena had contacted another co-accused Vishwadeep Bansal to negotiate with a senior Corporate Affairs Ministry official for not recommending the matter to Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) for probe against his company. The investigating agency has also alleged that Corporate Affairs Ministry officer Bansal was dealing with the violations by Elder Pharmaceuticals. The court observed that Saxena's role is direct, as he was the beneficiary from the alleged offence. Key accused B.K. Bansal and and his 31-year-old son Yogesh committed suicide on September 27, 2016, by hanging themselves at their house in east Delhi. His wife Satyabala, 57, and daughter Neha, 27, committed suicide on July 19 last year. Bansal, an Additional Secretary-rank Director General in the ministry, was arrested by the CBI on bribery charges on July 16. Later, he was granted bail. He was accused of receiving Rs 9 lakh from Mumbai-based Elder Pharmaceuticals. Movie review: 'Running Shaadi' keeps you smiling Film: Running Shaadi Starring Amit Sadh, Tapsee Pannu Directed by Amit Roy Rating: *** and a half (3 and a half stars) What do you call these? Haan, the Pheelgoood type of film. Running Shaadi keeps the proceedings running at a hectic pace. With a shaadi happening every ten minutes you'd expect a certain strain monotony to waft into the proceedings. But no. Debutant director Amit Roy knows how to make every shaadi look freshaor freessss, as our Bihari hero would say. And hey, this is as good a place as any to tell you, Amit Sadh's Bihari accent is bang-on. Neither overdone, nor too casual it fits the character's lackadaisical personality like a hand in glove. Ram Bharose yup, that's our Bihari Baba's name Bihari migrant in Amritsar, loves the feisty Punjabi girl Nimmi. She is the doughty Sardarni who at the beginning of the film asks her father's helpful employee to help her with an abortion. Ahem. Did I tell you? Running Saadi breaks a lot of rules regarding how the Hindi film's lead should behave. He is a weakling and a doormat, a full-on phattu. She is a user-friendly clever little chick always alert about what the guy friends ,the Bihari and his buddy Cyberjeet (Arsh Bajwa, a full-on fun-toosh) are up to. The trio gets together to set up a website that helps couples to elope. The screenplay (written jointly by director Roy and Navjot Gulati) will remind you strongly of Maneesh Sharma's Band Baaja Baaraat and Imtiaz Ali's Jab We Met. Funny, how every Punjaban who wants to elope reminds us of Kareena Kapoor, with or without the Khan. Though Tapsee Pannu's accent is a tad over-the-top she brings her own individual sassiness to her part. Neither a prototype nor too eccentric to lose her charm Tapsee plays Nimmi with a verve that draws her close to the audience. Amit Sadh is the "perfect" foil. Foolish and flawed he is the kind of sucker who falls into a pit because well, it is there. These two fatally flawed characters are run through the grinder with a glorious whirr in a plot that relentlessly weaves whimsical adventures around their unfinished personalities. The finest segment of the plot moves to Patna where -what else? a wedding is about to occur. The preparations are in full bloom. It is here that director Amit Roy captures the flavor and fervor of the festivities that festoon the Great Indian Muddle Class to a tenuous brand of cultural grounding.From the girl's officious brother (played brilliantly by Pankaj Jha) to the bride's makeup girl (who takes umbrage when her skills are questioned by Tapsee) and is pacified with icecreamAby the bride's bro, every character falls into place with a thundering rightness of tone. Running Shaadi has its share of flaws. The beeped-out 'com' from Running Shaadi is an irksome speedbreaker. Also, the effort to keep the goings-on constantly brisk-paced gets exhausting at some point in the narrative. I am really not sure when. It all happens so swiftly and happily and fluently. This is a rom.com with a dot between the 'rom' and 'com' reminding us that the traditional romantic comedy has come a long way. And dot's the whole truth. AIADMK General Secretary VK Sasikala had a hard time in the Central Jail here as she could not sleep and was restless at night, a party leader said on Thursday. "Chinnamma could not sleep well and was restless as she had to sleep on the floor in a 108 feet ordinary cell in the women's barracks after jail officials denied her request for a mattress," the AIADMK's Karnataka unit Secretary, V Pugazhendhi, told reporters. As the trial court denied Sasikala's demand for some privileges, including home food, she refused to have supper on Wednesday night though she was served two rotis, one ragi ball, 200 gm rice and 150 gm sambar (lentil) like all other inmates. "When Saskiala's sister-in-law and co-convict Elavarasi cajoled her to have food in view of her weak health, she took rice with sambar and butter milk," a jail source said on the condition of anonymity. The judge also rejected Sasikala's request for a special room for prayers and yoga, A-class facilities and an attached toilet-cum-bathroom. She was given a plate, a tumbler and a blanket. Before entering the cell, she deposited her valuables at the counter and recorded the 21 days she spent earlier in the prison as per the procedure. Expressing anguish over her plight and harsh conditions in which women inmates live in prisons, Pugazhendi said Sasikala woke up early (5am), did yoga and walked in the barracks for a while. "She also read a couple of Tamil newspapers, had lemon rice for breakfast at 7.30am and a frugal meal (sambar rice) for lunch at 12.30," said Pugazhendi. Saskiala, 59, surrendered before the trial court here on Wednesday evening and entered the jail premises before 6 pm after the Supreme Court declined her plea for more time to give herself up. As trial court judge Ashwath Narayana denied her privileges she sought on health grounds, Sasikala was lodged in a 108 feet cell in the women's barracks. This is the second time Sasikala, her sister-in-law Elavarasi and nephew VK Sudhakaran are serving their four-year sentence in the jail after being held guilty for corruption in a two decade-old illegal wealth case. The three were in the same jail from September 27 to October 18, 2014 after the trial court held them guilty along with late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, who died on December 5 in Chennai. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said he was the "adopted son" of Uttar Pradesh as he slammed the successive governments of SP, BSP and Congress for failing to curb the high-crime graph in the state. Krishna was born in Uttar Pradesh but made Gujarat his karma bhoomi. I was born in Gujarat but I am the adopted son of UP. I cannot ditch the state that has given me this great honour, Modi said at a public rally in Hardoi. He lambasted the ruling Samajwadi Party (SP) for not maintaining law and order in the state. UP notorious for maximum number of gangrapes in the country and it also witnesses the highest political murders, said Modi. The SP, BSP (Bahujan Samajwadi Party) and the Congress have not focuses on how to bring in development in the state. All they are concerned about is how to use the people here as vote banks, Modi added. However, the fact remains that India will progress only if UP develops, Modi said further. The third phase of polling in Uttar Pradesh will take place on February 19. A total of 69 assembly seats spread over 12 districts will go to polls. Participating in the six-nation talks on Afghanistan in Moscow, India made it clear that any peace and reconciliation process in the war-ravaged nation must be Afghan-led and own and underlined that the government in Kabul should be given the freedom to decide whom to engage in direct talks. At the same time, it was essential to end all forms of terrorism and extremism that beset Afghanistan and the region and to ensure denial of territory or any other support, safe havens or sanctuaries to any terrorist group or individual in countries of the region, New Delhi opined. view is being interpreted as an indirect endorsement of Kabuls position that Pakistan is providing support to terrorism in Afghanistan. Apart from India and Russia, yesterdays meeting in Moscow was attended by top officials from China, Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan. India was represented by Gopal Baglay, Joint Secretary in-charge of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran at the MEA. According to MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup, the consultations brought together regional countries, which have important stake in peace and security in Afghanistan, to exchange views on promoting security as well as peace and reconciliation in that country. India expressed the hope that the initiative for these consultations, which mark a new beginning, would help promote regional cooperation for stabilising the situation in Afghanistan, protecting its unity and integrity and pursuing peace and reconciliation. India stressed that an end to violence and terrorism was fundamental to promoting security and creating environment necessary for peace. It also underlined that it was up to the Afghan Government to decide whom to engage in direct talks. These efforts could only be facilitated by friends and well-wishers of Afghanistan. India pointed out that regional efforts to promote security, peace and development in Afghanistan could benefit from wider international collaboration and cooperation, wherever Afghanistan benefits from them. Tamil Nadu Governor C Vidyasagar Rao has called a meeting at 11.30 am on Thursday with Edappadi Palanisamy who was picked by AIADMK General Secretary VK Sasikala for the post of chief minister. Vidyasagar Rao is expected to decide by this afternoon who will take oath as Tamil Nadu's next chief minister, media reports stated. Palaniswamy and four other AIADMK MLAs will meet the Governor, the reports added. Meanwhile, Sasikala, convicted for corruption, on Wednesday surrendered before a trial court set up in the prison complex in Bengaluru. Sasikala gave herself up at the Central Jail on the city's southern outskirts with her relatives Elavarasi and VN Sudhakaran after reaching from Chennai by road. The Supreme Court on Tuesday, while holding Sasikala and two others guilty of amassing disproportionate assets, had directed Sasikala to surrender to the trial court to undergo her remaining sentence. AIADMK General Secretary V.K. Sasikala on Thursday watched on television K. Palaniswami taking oath as the new Chief Minster of Tamil Nadu at Raj Bhavan in Chennai from the Central Jail on the city's southern outskirts, said sources. "Sasikala watched live Palaniswami and 30 lawmakers taking oath as the Chief Minister and Cabinet ministers in the prison's woman barracks, along with her sister-in-law Elavarasi and other inmates," a jail official told IANS on the condition of anonymity. Sasikala, 60, Elavarasi and her nephew V.K. Sudhakaran returned to the prison on Wednesday and surrendered to resume the four-year term they were sentenced to after being held guilty of corruption in the two-decades old illegal assets case. The main convict late Tamil Nadu J. Jayalalathaa passed away on December 5 after a prolonged illness in a private hospital in Chennai. "Palanaswami is likely to visit the prison on Friday along with his cabinet colleagues to take blessings of Chinnamma (Sasikala) before assuming charge," party's Karnataka unit Secretary V.A. Pugazhendi told reporters here. Police stepped up security and put up barricades outside the jail complex at Parapanna Agrahara area to prevent the ruling party's factions from crowding and causing law and order problem. "In view of Wednesday's clashes between the cadres of the party's two factions when Sasikala came from Chennai by road, we have decided to restrict the entry of people to the prison to prevent any untoward incident," said a police official. Returning to the jail after 21-day stay from September 27 to October 18, 2014, as the apex court Tuesday upheld their conviction by the trial court, Sasikala had a hard time in the cell as she could not sleep and was said to be restless at night. "Chinnamma could not sleep well and was restless as she had to lie down on the floor in a 108 feet cell in the women's barracks after jail officials denied her request for a mattress," lamented Pugazhendi earlier in the day. As the trial court denied Sasikala's demand for some privileges, including home food, she refused to have supper on Wednesday though she was served two rotis, one ragi ball, 200 gm rice and 150 gm sambar (lentil) like all other inmates. "When Elavarasi cajoled her to have food in view of her weak health, she took rice with sambar and butter milk," recalled the jail source. The judge (Ashwath Narayana) also rejected Sasikala's request for a special room for prayers and yoga, A-class facilities and an attached toilet-cum-bathroom. She was given a plate, a tumbler and a blanket. Before entering the cell, she deposited her valuables at the counter and recorded the three weeks she spent in the prison in 2014, as per the procedure. Expressing anguish over her plight and harsh conditions in which women inmates live in prisons, Pugazhendi said Sasikala woke up early (5 a.m.), did yoga and walked in the barracks for a while. "She also read a couple of Tamil newspapers, had tamarind rice for breakfast at 7.30 a.m. and a frugal meal (sambar rice) for lunch at 12.30," said Pugazhendi. Saskiala, 59, surrendered before the trial court here on Wednesday evening and entered the jail premises before 6 p.m after the Supreme Court declined her plea for more time to give herself up./Eom/545 words. The Supreme Court has made it easier for the people of middle and lower income groups to approach it to avail legal aid, an official said on Thursday. The Middle Income Group Scheme, introduced by the Supreme Court, is self-supporting and people whose gross income does not exceed Rs.60,000 per month or Rs.7,50,000 per annum can now avail its services, an official release here said. A sum of Rs.500 shall be payable to the Supreme Court Middle Income Group Legal Aid Society and a stipulated fee as per the schedule attached to the scheme. The release said that a case will be registered under the MIG Legal Aid Scheme and forwarded to Advocate-on-Record/Arguing Counsel/Senior Counsel on the panel for their opinion. If Advocate-on-Record is satisfied that it is a fit case, then the society will consider that applicant is entitled to legal aid. The view expressed by Advocate-on Record will be final in determining eligibility of the applicant for obtaining the benefit under the scheme. The person desirous of availing the benefit of scheme shall have to fill up the prescribed form. The scheme provides for creating a contingent fund to meet miscellaneous expenditure in connection with the case and the applicant would also be required to deposit Rs 750 to the fund. The scheme will enable people in the middle income group, who cannot afford expensive litigation in the Supreme Court, to avail services of the society at a nominal amount, the release said. If the advocate takes a view that the case is not fit one for an appeal to the Supreme Court, then the entire amount after deducting Rs.750 towards minimum service charges of the committee shall be refunded to the applicant through cheque. The release said that if an advocate, who is appointed under the scheme, is found negligent in pursuing the case entrusted to him, he would be required to return the brief together with the fee which he may have received from the applicant under the scheme. The society will not be responsible for the negligent conduct and the entire responsibility will be that of the advocate vis-a-vis the client. The name of the Advocate will, however, be struck off from the panel prepared under the scheme. The Law Ministry release said that the Chief Justice of India is the Patron-in-Chief of the society with Attorney General its ex-officio Vice President, Solicitor General its Honorary Secretary and other senior advocates of the apex court as its members. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abes visit to the United States, bearing tribute in the form of billions of dollars of pledged direct investments that will create thousands of jobs, raises an intriguing question. While China and the US were allied against Japan during World War II, will the US and Japan ally against China in World War III? This is not a forecast but it is a not implausible scenario. True, Mr Donald Trumps belated confirmation to Chinese President Xi Jinping that Washington will adhere to the one China policy and not, as was feared, kindle the fires of recognising Taiwan as a separate and independent state postpones and, at least for now, diminishes the plausibility of the scenario. But Japans starkly Janus-faced political attitude towards its former enemies can still be illustrated by the following observations. While Mr Abe visited Pearl Harbour in late December, a visit to Nanjing or other Asian sites where Japanese troops committed atrocities did not follow. Instead, Defence Minister Tomomi Inada made a very public visit to the Yasukuni Shrine, which commemorates a number of prominent war criminals guilty of atrocities against the Chinese and other victims of Japans militarism. During World War II, Korea was a Japanese colony and forced to supply young women as sex slaves to Japanese soldiers, in a hideous practice known in Japanese as ianfu (comfort women). Following the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the USSR joined the China-US alliance against Japan, and Korea was liberated from Japanese colonial rule on Aug 15, 1945. Divided between North and South, war broke out in 1950 and concluded in a stalemate not a peace treaty in 1953, resulting in two national entities: the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea in the North and the Republic of Korea in the South. North Korea is officially an ally of China, and South Korea an ally of the US as Japan has been since 1952. North Korea is the worlds last Stalinist redoubt. Unlike its nominally communistbrethren, China and Vietnam, North Korea has not undertaken market reforms, and is not integrated into the global market economy. It is also an emerging nuclear power and one of the four world nuclear powers not to have signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, besides Israel, Pakistan and India. Despite the very tense nature of the relationship between South Korea and Japan, the two countries are both allies of the US, so Washington is trying to bolster the bilateral relationship as a means to contain not only the North, but also China. Part of the effort has resulted in imposing on South Korea the US-made missile shield known as the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (Thaad) platform. China remains both Japans and South Koreas most important trading partner. The geopoliticisation of business in the Asia-Pacific is illustrated by the fact that, in putting pressure on South Korea to oppose the deployment of Thaad, Beijing has, for example, forced Hyundai Motors to postpone the launch of its Sonata plug-in hybrid in China and the Lotte Group to renounce its US$2.6 billion Chinese theme park. Beijing has also blocked imports of high-tech bidets and some cosmetics, cancelled music concerts by South Koreans and restricted Chinese flights and tourism to Korea, according to a report in the Financial Times. In contrast to the post-World War II settlements in Western Europe, the post-war situation in the Asia-Pacific is extremely messy. This arises from a combination of historical legacies of deep enmity and carnage, ideological differences and territorial disputes. For instance, Japan has territorial disputes with its former enemies China and Russia, and with its former colony Korea. While paying tribute to its former enemy, the US, as a means of bolstering the alliance to defend it from China, Tokyo has also been trying to cosy up to Moscow. Mr Abe has been courting Russian President Vladimir Putin, including an invitation last December to share a hot spring bath the so-called Onsen Summit in his home town of Yamaguchi in western Japan. Arguably, the hottest fault line in the Asia-Pacific is in the South China Sea, where a naval confrontation between China and the US is another scenario that is not implausible. Mr Trumps recently appointed Secretary of State Rex Tillersons sabre-rattling by threatening a possible US blockade of Chinas access to the islands in dispute significantly raised the Sino-American geopolitical temperature. With the current business environment rather murky, to put it mildly, there would seem to be one possible bright spot. The China-initiated New Silk Road and Maritime Route has the potential of not only rebooting and reshaping the world economy, but also providing a means for Chinas peaceful rise. However, with both the US and Japan showing resistance to the project, the relationship between Russia and China remains ambiguous at best. While China and Russia share a border of more than 4,000km, for as long as they have been neighbours, they have rarely if ever been friends. Central Asia, through which the Silk Road would pass en route from Xian to Rotterdam, has since czarist days been part of Moscows sphere of influence, and its nations were integrated into the former USSR. Now, Russia badly needs China economically, but it remains to be seen whether that is sufficient to prevent future conflict. India, with which China also shares a more than 4,000 km border, looks upon the Silk Road project with suspicion, especially as one of its current key components is the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which provides China with access to the Indian Ocean via the Pakistani port of Gwadar. So what to make of all this? Twenty-six years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, we are very far from the prospects of a new world order, the end of history or the peace dividend. Though the geopolitical panorama is very cloudy and, hence, difficult to decipher it would seem that we are in a 21st-century variant of the age of empire, in which the dominant actors are China, Russia and the US. China, after more than a century of humiliation as the victim of imperialism, is the newly rising empire. Russia is a declining and asymmetric empire, with its geopolitical ambitions and military clout masking its economic weakness. Does that make the US an empire under Mr Trump? Its difficult at this stage to say. Showing both isolationist and interventionist propensities, from an Asia-Pacific perspective, America seems to be materialising into the proverbial bull in the china shop. Other countries in the Asia-Pacific, as well as in South, Central and West Asia, will be caught in the rivalry between the three dominant global empires the Great Game of the 21st century. What are the implications for business? At a time when the erstwhile global multilateral rules-based trading system has been derelict for some time and will clearly be made even more defunct under Mr Trump, business will be increasingly subjected to political pressures as illustrated above in the case of Beijing and corporate Korea clashing over Thaad. Imperialist geopolitics are back and with a vengeance! The writer is emeritus professor of international political economy at IMD business school, with campuses in Lausanne and Singapore, and visiting professor at Hong Kong University. The Straits Times/ANN. If only Nagaland chief minister TR Zeliang had shown due regard for propriety by accepting the demand of several tribal organisations to postpone the election (on 1 February) to the local urban bodies, allowing 33 per cent reservation for women, he would have saved himself the ignominy of being asked to resign. But Zeliang says as long as he enjoys his loyalists support he will not quit. Interestingly, Zeliang runs the countrys only opposition-free state, after the eight-member Congress opposition team merged with the ruling Naga Peoples Front that is in power since 2003. Given the eccentricities of Naga politics, and with the awkward position Zeliang finds himself in, it will not come as a surprise if he and his team join the BJP, a distinct possibility since it happened in Arunachal Pradesh last year. What is going on in Nagaland, and for that matter in Manipur ~ now under an indefinite economic blockade of its two vital national highways since 1 November imposed by the pro-NSCN (M) United Naga Council in protest against chief minister Ibobi Singhs decision to create seven new districts ~ are the manifestations of frustration over the delayed Naga peace talks. The political aspects may have been tackled in the August 2015 Framework Naga Peace Accord but the main hindrance, the demand for unification of Naga-inhabited areas of Manipur, remains. It is worth recall in this respect what the NSCN(IM) leadership had said on this issue a month after the Nagaland ceasefire came into effect. On 31 August 1997, a national newspaper reported that the NSCN(IM) dismissed as baseless a reported statement that its leadership had demanded from the Indian government the need to unify Nagainhabited areas of Nagalands neighbouring states as a single administrative unit. The paper also quoted them as having said in a joint statement that the Meiteis and Nagas must know that the Indian government is not the final authoritythe ultimate authority are the Meiteis and the Nagas themselves for us the Meiteis and Nagas are the brothers and sisters of the same parents, beyond disputetherefore, anyone who attempts to break this oneness is reactionary. Well said, but all these good intentions disappeared after BJP Prime Minister AB Vajpayee accepted the Nagas unique history, all for the sake of winning votes in Nagaland. The Centres interlocutor RN Ravi is right to suggest that for lasting peace all stakeholders must unite. Being the dominant group the NSCN(IM) must treat all others on an equal footing. BJP released a poster from Raigad district where they alleged a Shivsena and Congress tie-up. The poster which has raised many eyebrows is from the Vadkhal-vashi segment of the Raigad Zilla Parishad elections. By Kamlesh Damodar Sutar: The BJP on Wednesday released a poster from Raigad district where the Shivsena and Congress forged a local front alleging tie-up between the two parties.The BJP has alleged that what was initially a tactict understanding has now come out in the open. The poster which has raised many eyebrows is from the Vadkhal-vashi segment of the Raigad Zilla Parishad elections. advertisement The voting for 15 Zilla Parishad in the state will take place on Thursday 16th February. The Congress, Shivsena and local parties have formed a united front against the NCP there. Speaking to the reporters about the poster, BJP Spokesperson Madhav Bhandari said, "We have always been talking about an understanding between the Congress and Shivsena. But now this poster confirms what we had been alleging. On one side of the poster, there is Sonia Gandhi and on the other there is also Balasaheb Thackeray .. these posters have come up in entire Raigad district? This is a clear cut proof about the understanding they have with each other." Also read: Uddhav Thackeray tells how Shiv Sena's equation with BJP has changed The Posters have also embarrassed the party leadership in Mumbai as Shivsena has been caught on the back foot. The Party soughted a report from the local leadership about the posters. "We are totally unaware about such posters. We will have to verify the authencity of it. However, we have sought a report from the local leaders on it." said Arvind Bhonsale, Shivsena leader and spokesperson. Also read: Tamil Nadu crisis: Governor asks Palanisamy, OPS to come up with names of supporters Meanwhile another poster showing BJP MP from Solapur Sharad Bansode on stage with local NCP leaders too have gone viral on social media, alleging a 'deal" between the NCP and BJP in Solapur. Elections for the Solapur Municipal Corporation will take place on February 21, along with 9 other corporations in Maharashtra. --- ENDS --- Regular intake of Vitamin D supplements may help protect against cold and flu, as well as tackle high levels of the vitamin's deficiency in countries like India, a study has said. The 'sunshine vitamin' as it known, not just improves bone and muscle health but also protects against respiratory infections by boosting levels of antimicrobial peptides natural antibiotic-like substances in the lungs. Acute respiratory infections such as pneumonia are a major cause of global morbidity and mortality. "Most people understand that Vitamin D is critical for bone and muscle health. Our analysis has found that it helps the body fight acute respiratory infection,," said Carlos Camargo from the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). The findings showed that daily or weekly supplementation halved the risk of acute respiratory infection in people with most significant Vitamin D deficiency below 25 nanomoles per litre (nmol/L). Administering occasional high doses of Vitamin D did not produce significant benefits. People with higher baseline Vitamin D levels also benefited, although the effect was more modest (10 per cent risk reduction), the researchers noted, in the paper published in the journal BMJ. "Our study strengthens the case for introducing food fortification to improve Vitamin D levels in countries where profound vitamin D deficiency is common," added lead researcher Adrian Martineau Professor at Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) in Australia. For the study, the team analysed nearly 11,000 participants in 25 clinical trials conducted in 14 countries including India, Britain, US, Japan, Afghanistan, Belgium, Italy, Australia and Canada. Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar will visit Sri Lanka from February 18 to 20, during the course of which a wide range of bilateral issues will be discussed, a senior official said on Thursday. "The visit will continue the tradition of close exchanges with Sri Lanka that has gained momentum in the last two years," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said in his weekly media briefing here. "He will interact with the Sri Lankan leadership for discussions on possibilities of collaboration and cooperation in a number of sectors, including power, highways, airport, hydrocarbon sector, etc," he said. "The visit would help in taking stock on various decisions taken during the meetings between the two leaderships." Secretary General Antonio Guterres has extended the term of Atul Khare, the highest ranking Indian civil servant at the UN, as the Under- Secretary General for Field Support till April 2018. khare plays a key role in tamping down the sexual abuse and exploitation scandal in UN peace-keeping operations. "The Secretary General has decided that the mandate of senior officials working in the Peace and Security pillar should be maintained for another one year," his spokesperson Farhan Haq said Wednesday. This also related to Guterres setting up a team to review the working of the UN in order to carry out his promise of reforming the UN. "This important work will require both expertise and experience from principals and all staff members," Guterres said while announcing the review. Khare will also serve on the UN's Senior Management Group, the high-level body chaired by the Secretary-General that deals with policy and planning matters across the UN. A medical doctor by training, Khare joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1984 and has since served in several UN positions, many relating to peacekeeping. Appointed in 2015 by former Secretary-General as the head of the Department of Field Services, Khare has the crucial role of overseeing the agency that provides logistical, administrative and human resources support to the UN peacekeeping and political missions around the world. Amid the scandal of sexual abuse and exploitation by UN peace-keepers, he emerged as the point person for dealing with it by enforcing a zero tolerance policy. Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Herve Ladsous, under whose leadership the UN peacekeeping suffered a blow to its image and reputation because of the sex scandals, is leaving the the world body when his term ends in March. Haq said that Jean-Pierre Lacroix will succeed Ladsous. Both men are French and France has traditionally held the top peacekeeping spot under the UN spoils system for Security Council permanent members. China, which has dramatically increased its participation in the peace-keeping operations in recent years, had unsuccessfully lobbied for that job, according to diplomatic sources. It is expected to keep the Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs position now held by Wu Hongbo. The term of Jeffrey Feltman, the Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, was also extended till April 2018, Haq said. That slot is held by an American. With a push for a woman to succeed Ban failing, Guterres promised to increase the number of women at the UN, especially in its top ranks. He has appointed Amina Mohammed of Nigeria to the second highest post of Deputy Secretary General and Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti of Brazil as his chef de cabinet or chief of staff. Vijay Nambiar of India, who was Ban's Special Adviser on Myanmar and served on the Senior Management Group left the UN when Ban's term ended in December. Earlier, he was Ban's chef de cabinet. Iran said on Thursday that Israel's atomic arsenal is the biggest danger to world peace, a day after US President Donald Trump vowed to prevent Iran developing a nuclear weapon. Israel is the "biggest threat to the peace and security in the region and the world," Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi said, quoted by state news agency IRNA. Trump had warned on Wednesday after meeting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington that the "threat of Iran's nuclear ambitions" was one of the major security challenges facing Israel. The US president told reporters that he would do "more to prevent Iran from ever developing I mean ever a nuclear weapon". But Ghasemi dismissed the comments by Trump and Netanyahu comments as "nonsense". "The bitter truth is that these unjust claims are being repeated by the Zionist regime that doesn't abide by any international laws and has hundreds of warheads in its atomic arsenal," Ghasemi said, referring to Israel. Ghasemi said the United Nations' atomic watchdog had repeatedly confirmed the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear programme. Israel is believed to be the Middle East's sole nuclear power but it has long refused to confirm or deny that it has such weapons. A war of words has been escalating between Tehran and Washington since even before Trump took office in January. Under Trump's predecessor Barack Obama, the US and five other world powers reached a 2015 deal with Iran to lift sanctions in return for curbs on its nuclear programme. Trump himself has repeatedly denounced the historic accord as "one of the worst deals I've ever seen". The Islamic republic's archfoe Netanyahu has warned that the deal will expire too soon to permanently remove the threat. Iran has consistently denied seeking nuclear weapons, saying its activities are exclusively for peaceful purposes such as power generation. Concerned over Malaysia losing Indian tourists to other South-East Asian countries in recent years, the Malaysian Government has come up with certain measures to check the fall in numbers and plans to make further investment to attract more tourists. Malaysia's Tourism Minister Mohamed Nazri bin Abdul Aziz, talking to IANS, said they were in the process of fixing the visa-related issues the top-most concern raised by some quarters. "Other countries, such as Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia, are making it easier for Indians to travel to their countries, thus taking away some of the tourists previously visiting Malaysia. So, now we have introduced visa-free entry facility for Indians, even for those living away from their home country," Nazri said. Nazri said that after he found that extra visa fee was being charged from those Indians applying for multiple entry, he standardised the visa fee. The minister said that his government was planning a tie-up with PayTM a digital wallet widely used in India to facilitate smooth transaction for India tourists in his country. Noting that Indians are frequent visitors to his country, Nazri said: "We have planned many incentives for Indians. For example, we have made easier for Indian travel agents to set up companies in Malaysia, investors can have 100 per cent ownership, such as in five-star hotels and resorts, without any involvement of local partners." "We will also make it easy for the Indian movie-makers to shoot in Malaysia and provide some special incentives to Indian markets," he said and stressed the traditional social and cultural bonding between the two countries. In 2015, over 722,000 tourists from India visited Malaysia, making the country one of the 10 largest source of tourists. However, the number declined to 620,000 in 2016, against the projected one million tourists for the year. Nazri said that he did not know the exact tourist projection for this year "but the number will top 700,000". "We are promoting eco-tourism in Borneo. Also, health tourism is big thing in Malaysia and we have many Indian tourists visiting Malaysia for treatment. Almost 25 per cent of our doctors are trained in India," he said. Asked about the effect of the demonetisation of high-value currency notes in India, Nazri said: "It will be too early to say if it had any impact on the decline in number of Indian tourists to Malaysia." "Even if it did affect, the impact will be minimal. The most important issue is visa, which we are already addressing," he said. Nepal has urged the European Union to lift an air traffic ban imposed, stating that the Himalayan country has made significant progress on aviation safety, the foreign affairs ministry said here on Thursday. Foreign Affairs Minister Prakash Sharan Mahat made the request to European Commission President Jean Claude Juncker during their recent meeting in Brussels, Xinhua news agency reported. "The European Commission President assured the foreign minister of looking into the matter positively based upon the facts to be provided by the government of Nepal," the ministry said. The EU imposed a blanket ban on all airlines from Nepal from flying into the 28-nation bloc since December 2013 under the changes to a list of unsafe carriers better known as "the EU air safety list". During the meeting, Mahat also sought enhanced level of support from the EU in Nepal's infrastructure development and post-earthquake reconstruction efforts, the statement said. The Nepalese minister also held a meeting with EU's Vice President Federica Mogherini where the latter expressed the bloc's commitment to support in Nepal's development efforts, post-earthquake reconstruction process, constitution implementation and electoral support. A South Korean court has denied a bid by prosecutors to force aides of impeached President Park Geun-hye to comply with a search on the presidential compound. The decision by the Seoul Administrative Court on Thursday was an apparent setback for the special prosecution team that must conclude its inquiry into Park's corruption allegations by the end of the month. The prosecutors filed the lawsuit last week after Park's aides blocked them from searching the presidential Blue House although they had a search warrant. The court said the matter cannot be determined through an administrative lawsuit because Park's aides blocked the search based on criminal litigation laws that allow sites containing state secrets to do so. In May 2001, a man was rounded up after trying to smuggle himself into Narita International Airport in Tokyo, alongside his son and two women, using fake Dominican Republic passports. The incident introduced Kim Jong-nam, the slain older half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, to the outside world. But his yearning 16 years ago to visit Tokyo Disneyland blew his chances to succeed in the reclusive dynasty, incurring the wrath of his father and longtime strongman Kim Jong-il. Born in 1971 to Kim Jong-il and Sung Hae-rim, a married actress with whom the late leader had an affair, Kim Jong-nam spent his childhood at international schools in Moscow and Geneva, like his brothers and sisters. After his return home, he quickly climbed the regimes ladder, securing four-star general status in 1995 and chairing a state computer committee in charge of the countrys information technology policy in 1998. Yet his political fate began to wane in the late 1990s after his aunt, Sung Hae-rang, took asylum in the US, following her son Lee Han-yong, who defected to South Korea via Switzerland in 1982 and was shot to death by North Korean agents in 1997. Kim Jong-nams parents, meanwhile, had also become estranged, as the leader had started seeing Ko Yong-hui, Kim Jong-uns mother. Kim Jong-nam had since lived a life in exile, transforming himself into a vocal regime critic until allegedly being slain with poison by North Korean operatives Monday in Kuala Lumpur. Despite his fall from grace, he was believed to be managing his fathers slush funds in China, Macau and other Southeast Asian countries where he also enjoyed casinos, top hotel bars and other extravagances. After the despot fell ill and his much younger half-brother geared up to take over, however, he raised his voice against a third dynastic succession during interviews with Japanese media. In 2011, he questioned the newly minted heirs capabilities, saying, In that young kids face, I cant read at all any signs of his sense of duty, prudence and agony over the nations future. He faced an endless series of death threats, including a botched attempt in 2010 in Beijing by an agent disguised as a defector who testified to South Korean authorities that the order came from above. Safety concerns may well have affected his absence at his fathers funeral in December 2011, as well as his decision to maintain a low profile, especially since the 2013 execution of Jang Song-thaek, his once-formidable uncle and patron. Kim was last spotted in France last September and in 2013. His son Han-sol was studying at the Sciences Po university in Paris. Han-sol did a rare interview with a Finnish broadcaster in 2012, during which he called his uncle a dictator. Yoji Komi, an editor at the Tokyo Shimbun who built personal ties with him via emails and meetings, wrote Wednesday that though Kim refrained from political remarks due to safety concerns about his son, he had told acquaintances he was going to start speaking out against the regime again once he graduates from college. US President Donald Trump plans to assign an ally to lead a broad review of American intelligence agencies, according to administration officials, an effort that members of the intelligence community fear could curtail their independence. Stephen A Feinberg, a co-founder of Cerberus Capital Management, has informed his company's shareholders that he was considering a move to join the Trump administration, the New York Times reported. On Wednesday, Trump blamed leaks from the intelligence community for the departure of Michael T Flynn, his national security adviser, whose resignation he requested. "From intelligence, papers are being leaked, things are being leaked. It's criminal action. It's a criminal act, and it's been going on for a long time before me, but now it's really going on," Trump said. "The real scandal here is that classified information is illegally given out by intelligence' like candy. Very un-American!" There has been no announcement of Feinberg's job, which would be based in the White House. He is a member of Trump's economic advisory council. Feinberg, who has close ties to Stephen K Bannon, Trump's chief strategist, and Jared Kushner, the President's son-in-law, declined to comment on his possible position. Top intelligence officials told the daily that they feared the businessman was being prepped for a position within the intelligence community. Feinberg's only national security experience stems from his company's involvement with a private security company and two gun makers. remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. By Press Trust of India: From M Zulqernain Lahore, Feb 16 (PTI) The death toll in the Lahore suicide attack today rose to 14 with one more person succumbing to his injuries, as officials arrested a key facilitator of the blast which took place outside Pakistans Punjab assembly. "One more injured of the Mondays Lahore Mall Road blast succumbed to his injuries rising the death toll to 14," Punjab Police spokesman Niyab Haider told PTI. advertisement He said the condition of over half-a-dozen injured was still very critical. Two senior police officers were among 13 people killed when a Taliban suicide bomber blew himself up during a protest rally outside Pakistans Punjab assembly on Monday that also wounded more than 71 others. "Police have taken more than 50 suspects including some Afghans into custody in connection with the blasts and they are being interrogated," Haider said. A senior police officer has said that the intelligence agencies have got a lead in the case and arrested a facilitator of the suicide bomber. "We are positive to get to the mastermind and other culprits through him. The facilitator/handler is being interrogated," officer said. The Home Department has directed law enforcement agencies to ensure extreme vigilance and heightened security. "Combing operations [must] be conducted in all targeted areas, particularly where the Afghan/Pathan community is residing," it said in a statement. Meanwhile, the government has formed a Joint Investigation Team headed by Crime Investigation Departments Senior Superintendent of Police Muhammad Iqbal to probe the matter. Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah said the federal government will speak to Afghan government about action against Jamaat-ul-Ahrar. Jamat-ul-Ahrar faction of the outlawed Tehreek-i- Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has claimed responsibility for the attack. The group had claimed responsibility for a blast on March 27 last year at Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park in Lahore that left 75 people dead, mostly Christians who were celebrating Easter. Founded in August 2014 by a former TTP leader, the outfit has staged several attacks in Pakistan targeting civilians, religious minorities, military personnel and law enforcement agencies. "The only solution to end the continuing acts of terror seems to be an indiscriminate, immediate and ruthless operation against terrorists," Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had said. PTI MZ MRJ --- ENDS --- US President Donald Trump plans to issue a new immigration order to replace the controversial travel ban. By India Today Web Desk: US President Donald Trump's administration filed court documents saying that it does not plan to appeal a ruling that places a hold on the January 27 travel ban signed by President Trump. The administration said the president intends to replace the travel ban with a new executive order that will be tailored to the recent court order blocking it. advertisement A three-judge bench of the 9th circuit court had earlier dismissed the US government's request that a lower court's order placing a hold on the travel ban's implementation be lifted. The travel ban, which severally restricts entry into the US from seven Muslim-majority countries - Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen - attracted significant controversy and opposition. All you need to know: On January 27, President Donald Trump signed an executive action severally restricting entry into the US for travellers originating from seven Muslim-majority counties: Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. The Trump administration took pains to maintain that the order was not a so-called 'Muslim ban', a phrase Trump had used during his presidential campaign. The order sparked chaos at airports in the US and also sparked protests at several places. The Trump administration however maintained that the implementation of the ban had been smooth. The state of Washington became one of the first US states to file a lawsuit against the executive order. Ruling in the suit, a US federal judge temporarily put a US-wide block on the travel ban's implementation. The Trump administration criticised the judge's order, with Trump himself tweeting that the "so-called" judge's "ridiculous" opinion "essentially takes law-enforcement away from our country." The US Justice Department appealed the judge's ruling, asking a higher court to reinstate the travel ban. The appeal was, however, rejected and the temporary hold on the travel ban stayed in effect. While Trump initially indicated that his administration would take up the matter with higher courts, it now appears that the US government won't be taking the case forward. Instead, it plans to replace the original travel ban with a new immigration order in the near future. (With inputs from agencies) Also read: Trump, Trudeau express willingness to improve bilateral trade, but differ on immigration ban Also watch: US Court revokes Donald Trump's travel ban order --- ENDS --- This is a short travel video of a 2 1/2 week trip around Japan in late November 2016. Japan is an amazing country with a unique coexistence between the old and the new that sometimes boggles the mind of a foreigner. At its heart lies a beautiful country, filled with generous and polite people always willing to help a lost stranger with map reading issues. During his brief visit, Charlie passed through Tokyo, Shirahama, Kumano Kodo, Koya San, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara and some strange and wonderful places in between. Shot & Edited by Charlie Johnston Foreign crisis after the Cold War In honor of Veterans Day, this is part 2 of a 3- part series on the confl ict in Iraq, containing interviews with two local men who served. Christopher Jones and Gregory Fitzgerald Robinson are two Burke County men who served with the military in Iraq. Jones entered the U.S.... Making history As always, the community showed up to support D.O.O.R. 2022 marks the most money raised in Celebrity Waiter Night history with a whopping $18,365, including the largest single top in history at $1,250! BOC refuses to stop talking trash The Board of Commissioners may be inching toward a decision on how to manage the Countys solid waste. The panel met Tuesday, October 25 during a work session to address the issue once again. County Manager Merv Waldrop presented the board with a comparison of the proposals the County received... Cycling event returns to burke county The Bird Dog100 Gravel Cycling Event returns to Burke County for its second year on Saturday, November 5th. The event, coordinated by Cycling Quests, begins Friday night with registration and prerace activities at First Liberty Market, in downtown Waynesboro. The race will be held on Saturday beginning at Liberty Market... Local residence notified the Guardia Urbana to the presence of an unidentified flying object that gave gave off lights and bursts of color. Police officers have not dismissed any hypotheses out of hand, but are almost entirely sure it was a star. By Inexplicata 2-8-17 "It looked like a large donut-shaped circle that gave off flashes of light. One was white, while the other, smaller one was orange." This was the eyewitness report provided by Vicenta Quillez, one of the residents of Reus who confirms the sighting of a UFO (unidentified flying object) flying over the Santuari de Misericordia, an event that prompted the Guardia Urbana to take a closer look at the events.Wednesday around seven o'clock in the evening. It was around this time that she and other neighbors became aware of the presence of a large circle of lights over the sanctuary. Quilez recalls that they looked at the object for nearly two hours, unable to ascertain its nature. It was then that the UFO ceased to be motionless "and began heading toward the mountains," she says, adding: "I've always had misgivings about UFOs, but I've never seen anything like this before."The sighting took place from Avenida La Salle. Uncertain as to where to go from there, the locals decided to phone the Guardia Urbana. After repeated inquiries, this newspaper has learned that the police sent two cruisers to the Santuari de Misericordia to investigate the possible UFO sighting. Police officers did not dismiss the possibility of a light-emitting object. However, all appears to indicate it was a star made visible thanks to the clear skies." Still Standing: Four the Moments legacy honoured at Nova Scotia Music Week When a quartet of Halifax women began singing together a cappella in the name of social justice in 1982, there was little in the way of a music industry at play in Atlantic Canada. And even if there had been, its likely that Four the Moment would ... US President Donald Trump talked about Jews at a joint news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The two leaders met face-to-face for the first time since Trump's victory in the 2016 presidential election even as Palestinians urged the White House not to abandon their goal of an independent state. By Reuters: At a joint news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, President Donald Trump responds to a question about concerns that he may be anti-Semitic discussing his Electoral College victory. "Well, I just want to say that we are, you know, very honored by the victory that we had -- 316 electoral college votes. We were not supposed to crack 220," he said. advertisement Trump had been asked, "What do you say to those among the Jewish community in the states and in Israel and maybe around the world who believe and feel that your administration is playing with xenophobia and maybe racist tones? ' Trump later responded to the question saying, "As far as people, Jewish people, so many friends; a daughter who happens to be here right now; a son-in-law, and three beautiful grandchildren." Also read: Trump's defence secretary threatens NATO, says pay up or US will pull out of it Netanyahu also spoke of his ties to the Trump family, highlighting his relationship with Trump senior adviser and son in law jared Kushner who was in the audience. "If I can respond to something that I know from personal experience, I've known President Trump for many years, and to elude to him or to his people, his team, some of whom I've known for many years too -- can I reveal, Jared, how long we've known you?," Netanyahu said. "Well, he was never small, he was always big. He was always tall. But I've known the president and I've known his family and his team for a long time. There is no greater supporter of the Jewish people and the Jewish state than President Donald Trump. I think we should put that to rest." Critics have accused Trump's senior adviser Steve Bannon, who was also in the audience, of harboring anti-Semitic and white nationalist sentiments. The two leaders met face-to-face for the first time since Trump's victory in the 2016 presidential election even as Palestinians urged the White House not to abandon their goal of an independent state. Also read: Immigration raids have helped fulfil campaign promise, says US President Donald Trump For Netanyahu, the talks with Trump are an opportunity to reset ties after a frequently combative relationship with Democrat Barack Obama, Trump's predecessor. After speaking to reporters, the two leaders were due to hold talks in the Oval Office followed by a working lunch. The prime minister, under investigation at home over allegations of abuse of office, spent much of Tuesday huddled with advisers in Washington preparing for the talks. Officials said they wanted no gaps to emerge between U.S. and Israeli thinking during the scheduled two-hour Oval Office meeting. Trump, who has been in office less than four weeks and has already been immersed in problems including the forced resignation of his national security adviser earlier this week, brings with him an unpredictability that Netanyahu's staff hope will not impinge on the discussions. advertisement The two leaders, who seemed to strike up an emerging "bromance" in social media exchanges since the election, sought to demonstrate good personal chemistry face-to-face as well, both sporting smiles and exchanging asides. --- ENDS --- Patnaik's close aides say that to understand him, one has to understand his empathy By Pratul Sharma/Photos Sanjay Ahlawat The remonetisation situation with regard to replenishing the scrapped currency is "almost normal" now and the Reserve Bank of India is monitoring the supply on a daily basis, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said today. "As far as remonetisation is concerned, the situation is almost normal and RBI is monitoring the currency supply position on daily basis," he said. The government had withdrawn legal tender character of old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes on November 8, 2016 with an aim to check black money, counterfeit notes and terror financing. The government is now pushing and incentivising digital payments. Talking to reporters on the sidelines of 'Momentum Jharkhand Global Investors' Summit 2017 here, Jaitley said cash economy has many vices as it leads to crime and tax evasion. Therefore, there was need to change the way the trade and commerce is undertaken in the country, he added. When asked about the amount of scrapped currency received by banks post demonetisation, the Finance Minister said RBI Governor Urjit Patel had recently informed that the central bank would disclose the figure only after the process of currency verification is complete. "Whatever time is required, RBI will take that much time. I would not like to say anything beyond that," he added. To a query on discrimination on royalty payment on minerals, Jaitley said it is done based on defined rule. To strengthen ties with the African countries, Vice President Hamid Ansari will embark on a six day state visit to Rwanda and Uganda from February 19. "India-Rwanda relations are marked by cordiality, convergence of views and cooperation on major international issues, an increasing trend in bilateral trade and investments, greater people to people contacts and a deep sense of mutual respect. During the official visit of President Paul Kagame to India from January 9 to 11, a decision to provide strategic context to our partnership was taken, MEA officials said. India is one of the largest investors in the African countries, particularly in mining and pharmaceuticals. During this visit, Ansari would meet President of Rwanda and even deliver an address at the University of Rwanda. The vice president would pay homage at the Genocide Museum, interact with the Indian community in Kigali and attend a banquet hosted by the Prime Minister of Rwanda. From there, he would proceed to Uganda, on February 21. Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni had attended the third India-Africa Forum Summit held in October 2015 in Delhi. The External Affairs ministry official claimed that this would be first high level bilateral visit to Rwanda since 1997. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had last visited Uganda to attend CHOGM meet in 2007. During this visit, Ansari will meet both Vice President and President of Uganda. Ansari would also interact with the Indian community in Kampala. India has been helping these countries in training defence personnel and providing other expertise. Ansari would be accompanied by Vijay Sampla, minister for social justice and empowerment, four members of Parliament and senior officials. Foreign secretary S. Jaishankar will embark on a three nation tour this month, covering neighbourhood countries with whom India shares dynamic relations. He will reach Sri Lanka on February 18, move on to China on February 22 and visit Bangladesh on February 23. The Sri Lanka visit (February 18 to 20) is important, given that it will help sustain the momentum of boost in bilateral ties since new governments took over in both countries. Discussions will range from prospective tie-ups in a host of areas from highways to hydrocarbons, as well as the various decisions taken jointly by both countries. While ties with Sri Lanka are on a definite upswing, the island nation has made it clear on several ocassions that, while it will give first preference wherever possible to India, its needs are enormous and it will not make a commitment to an 'India Only' policy. The country's cabinet has approved a deal to lease 80 percent of Hambantota port to a Chinese firm for 99 years at $1.12 billion. The decision has been a cause of concern for India as well as the US, given that it gives China easy access to sea routes in south Asia. Sri Lanka did emphasise that it would not allow anyone to use its territory for an anti-India initiative. Yet, Jaishankar has his work cut out as he heads to Colombo he needs to sort out several such hiccups while taking forward the bilateral ties. While at Beijing, he will participate in the first meeting of the India-China Strategic Dialogue to be co-chaired by India's foreign secretary and the executive vice foreign minister of China. This dialogue mechanism is the result of a decision for continuous and involved interaction the outcome of Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi's visit to India last August. Ministry of external affairs spokesperson Vikas Swarup said all issues of mutual interest in the bilateral, regional and international domain would be discussed. Here again, apart from existing issues with China, there are emerging areas of friction as well as joint concern. China has accused India of playign with fire for hosting a Taiwanese delegation, though the MEA was quick to respond that it was an informal group of academics, businessmen and legislators. Such informal groups have visited India in the past for business, religious and tourist purposes. I understand they will do so to China as well. There is nothing unusual about such visits and political meanings should not be read into them," Swarup said. The new government in the US, India's pending membership to the Nuclear Suppliers Group are among the other topics of mutual interest in the international domain. The last leg of the journey is Dhaka on the invitation of Bangladesh foreign secretary Mohammed Shahidul Haque and is aimed at reviewing areas of bilateral cooperation. Swarup did drop a hint, without actually taking names, that there might be discussion on a long pending visit of Bangladeshi Prime minister Sheikh Hasina to India. The AIADMK camp led by acting Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam is hoping to receive a sizeable number of legislators on Thursday, said a senior leader. He also said Governor C. Vidyasagar Rao may not invite Public Works Minister Edapadi K. Palanisamy to form the government in the state till everything seems to be clear. "There is no patch up moves between the two groupsone led by Panneerselvam and the other led by AIADMK General Secretary V.K. Sasikala, who is now in a Bengaluru jail. "We expect around 30 legislators to our sides from the rival camp," a senior AIADMK leader told IANS on condition of anonymity. "With Deepa Jayakumar joining hands with Panneerselvam, the strength of our camp has increased manifold and there is no patch up moves," he added. Deepa Jayakumar, the niece of former chief minister late J. Jayalalithaa was opposed to Sasikala. Soon after the death of Jayalalithaa, thousands of AIADMK cadres rallied behind Jayakumar and wanted her to enter politics. According to the AIADMK leader, the political impasse in the state may end in a couple of day's time. "Yesterday (Wednesday) when we met the Governor, we reiterated the point that majority of AIADMK legislators are held in captivity at the beach resort and if they are freed then support for our leader would swell," he said. "At the Governor's meeting there was no indication that he would soon invite Palanisamy to form the government," he added. On Wednesday evening, AIADMK's leader of the legislature party Palanisamy and Panneerselvam met Rao separately. After the meeting AIADMK Presidium Chairman K.A. Sengottaiyan expressed confidence that the Governor would soon invite Palanisamy to form the government. Fisheries Minister D. Jayakumar too echoed similar views post Rao's meeting. According to AIAMDK leader in the Panneerselvam camp, the appointment of T.T.V. Dinakaran as the party's deputy general secretary by Sasikala is void. "As per party byelaw only a person who is a party member for five continuous years can hold any party post. Dinakaran was not a member of the party for the past several years. He was dismissed from the party by Jayalalithaa," he added. Even the election of Sasikala as the general secretary in 2016, was being questioned on this ground and a complaint has been filed with the Election Commission. "I do not know where the party is going. The general secretary is in jail for corruption and the deputy general secretary faces case under the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act," K.C. Palaniswamy, former AIADMK MP told IANS. He said Dinakaran's appointment as deputy general secretary goes against the party laws. "The Election Commission is expected to decide on my petition challenging the election of Sasikala as general secretary by the general council. A general secretary can be elected only by party members in an election," Palaniswamy said. "I expect status quo would continue in the state till the Election Commission decides on my complaint so that there will be stability in the ruling party," Palaniswamy added. A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed in the Madras High Court on Thursday a last ditch effort to prevent AIADMK legislature party leader Edappadi K.Palanisamy from being sworn in as the chief minister has been dismissed. After the AIADMKs interim general secretary was convicted by the Supreme Court, the governor had invited Palanisamy to form the government and prove his majority in the house within 15 days. The PIL has been mentioned as an urgent matter by advocate N.Jothi who was a long time legal advisor to the late chief minister Jayalalithaa. Jothi had defected to the DMK camp after serving stint as a Rajya Sabha member of the AIADMK. The matter was mentioned on Thursday before the division bench of Justice Huluvadi Ramesh and Justice Sumath. The PIL names the state as well as the central government authorities, besides the governors secretariat, as respondents. The plea was dismissed by the Madras HC. In yet another development, the list of new council of ministers to be sworn in along with Edappadi K.Palanisamy has been released. 31 ministers, along with Palanisamy, will be sworn in. The council will largely remain the same, except for O. Panneerselvam and his supporting minister Ma Foi K.Pandiarajan. Panneerselvams portfolios, including home and finance, will be retained by Palanisamy in addition to the state highways portfolio that he holds at present. Education portfolio will now be with Sasikalas right hand man K.A. Sengottaiyan, who had stayed with her through thick and thin in the fight against Panneerselvam. Sengottaiyan has been given the school education portfolio, previously held by Ma Foi K.Pandiarajan who defected to the OPS camp. Apart from this all the other portfolios continue to remain with the existing ministers. OPS camp, on Friday, removed V.K.Sasikala, T.T.V.Dhinakaran and S.Venkatesh from all party posts. The move came a day after Tamil Nadu Governor invited AIADMK General Secretary V.K. Sasikala's proxy E. Palanisamy to form the government. Palanisamy and his cabinet of 30 ministers took oath on Thursday evening. The news triggered wild celebrations at Golden Bay Resort where AIADMK MLAs backing Sasikala are staying. <Internal Rate of Return (IRR) and a targeted investment hold period of two to three years. "ArborCrowd has established a unique investment model that has already generated cash distributions for our investors," said Adam Kaufman, Co-founder and Managing Director, ArborCrowd. "It starts with selecting the right sponsor, who has the savvy insights into properties that can yield attractive returns. The Southern States Portfolio fits this sweet spot and may attract investors who want a shorter investment period than a typical direct real estate investment." VCP has extensive experience in commercial real estate with a focus on multifamily acquisitions in the southern and southeastern United States. The Sponsor currently owns 40 properties, has sold more than 42 properties, and has acquired 82 apartment assets valued at approximately $1 billion. The Southern States Portfolio consists of 607 rental units across three properties located in Huntsville, AL and Robinsonville, MS. The properties in the Portfolio were acquired concurrently by the Sponsor. Combining these assets into a single portfolio may produce several key benefits for ArborCrowd Investors: Market Diversity: Investing in multiple markets balances varying economic drivers for each property and reduces potential risk. Investing in multiple markets balances varying economic drivers for each property and reduces potential risk. Low Cost Basis: By acquiring the properties together at an attractive cost basis, VCP is able to be competitive on rental rates while making the necessary improvements to increase occupancy and realize significant profit through the eventual sale of the Portfolio. By acquiring the properties together at an attractive cost basis, VCP is able to be competitive on rental rates while making the necessary improvements to increase occupancy and realize significant profit through the eventual sale of the Portfolio. Short Hold Period: A simple business plan provides for a short projected hold period. Early cash distributions for investors are expected because of the potential to quickly reposition multiple assets. Another key factor in successful commercial real estate investment is understanding the rental demand and opportunity. Huntsville is the largest city within northern Alabama's metro area an economy that outperforms Alabama as a whole, according the Nielson Company. From 2005 to 2015, employment in the metro area rose by 21,000 jobs a 10.4 percent increase. The average asking rent in the Huntsville metro area reached $695 per unit in 2016, a 10 percent increase from 2012, according to commercial real estate research firm Reis. Robinsonville is a short 30-minute drive from the diversified economy of Memphis, TN, making it an attractive rental opportunity. Legalization of dockside gaming in 1990 brought dramatic economic change for Robinsonville. The city's Tunica casinos and resorts employ about 5,500 people and generated revenue that exceeded $649 million in 2015. From 2000 to 2016, population within five miles of the property increased to nearly 63 percent and is attributed to industrial and residential development.1 To learn more about the Southern States Multifamily Portfolio or to invest go to https://www.arborcrowd.com/offerings/. Follow @ArborCrowd on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook for the most recent updates and industry trends. About ArborCrowd ArborCrowd breaks down the barrier of entry into real estate investing. By allowing people to co-invest with successful real estate deal-makers in the industry, ArborCrowd enables millions of investors to maximize their financial returns. At every step of the deal process, ArborCrowd stays alongside investors and takes the weight of managing properties off their shoulders. ArborCrowd is part of the Arbor family of companies that includes Arbor Realty Trust, Arbor Commercial Mortgage and AMAC. Media Contact Kara Yi Phone: 1 (646) 695-0659 Email: [email protected] Investor Contact Phone: 1 (844) 365-1200 Email: [email protected] 1 Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics and Economy.com To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/arborcrowd-opens-new-224-million-commercial-real-estate-deal-to-qualified-investors-300408532.html SOURCE ArborCrowd [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Dilaudid (HYDROmorphone HCl) Injection, USP Now Available in Simplist Prefilled Syringes Fresenius Kabi announced today the immediate availability in the United States of Dilaudid (HYDROmorphone HCl) Injection, USP in four presentations of Simplist ready-to-administer prefilled syringes. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170216006036/en/ Dilaudid (HYDROmorphone HCl) Injection, USP is now available in four presentations of Simplist ready-to-administer prefilled syringes. (Photo: Business Wire) Fresenius Kabi is a global health care company that specializes in medicines and technologies for infusion, transfusion and clinical nutrition. Fresenius Kabi now offers Dilaudid in the following commony used strengths: 0.5 mg per 0.5 mL 1 mg per 1 mL 2 mg per 1 mL 4 mg per 1 mL. "Medication errors due to 'look-alike' and 'sound-alike' names are real, well documented and can have tragic outcomes for patients," said John Ducker, president and chief executive officer of Fresenius Kabi USA. "Fresenius Kabi Simplist Dilaudid prefilled syringes can help prevent name confusion between hydromorphone and morphine and to assist health care professionals in delivering the right medication to their patients." The Institute for Safe Medication Practices (www.ismp.org) includes morphine and hydromorphone on its "List of Confused Drug Names." All Simplist ready-to-administer prefilled syringes, including the new Dilaudid presentations, are designed to offer clear and consistent labeling and feature individual bar codes on both packaging and syringes. The syringes are ready-to-administer meaning they require no assembly or point-of-care preparation, and they have a 24-month shelf life. About Fresenius Kabi Fresenius Kabi (www.fresenius-kabi.us) is a global health care company that specializes in medicines and technologies for infusion, transfusion and clinical nutrition. The company's products and services are used to help care for critically and chronically ill patients. The company's U.S. headquarters is in Lake Zurich, Illinois. The company's global headquarters is in Bad Homburg, Germany. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170216006036/en/ By Press Trust of India: From Lalit K Jha Washington, Feb 16 (PTI) India ranked a dismal 143 in an annual index of economic freedom by a top American thinktank, behind its several South Asian neighbours including Pakistan, as progress on market-oriented reforms has been "uneven". The Heritage Foundation in its Index of Economic Freedom report said despite India sustaining an average annual growth of about 7 per cent over the past five years, growth is not deeply rooted in policies that preserve economic freedom. advertisement Putting India in the category of "mostly unfree" economies, the conservative political thinktank said progress on market-oriented reforms has been "uneven". It said the state "maintains an extensive presence" in many areas through public-sector enterprises. "A restrictive and burdensome regulatory environment discourages the entrepreneurship that could provide broader private-sector growth." Also, Indias overall score of 52.6 points is 3.6 points less than that of last year, when India ranked 123rd. Hong Kong, Singapore and New Zealand topped the index. Among South Asian countries, only Afghanistan (163) and Maldives (157) were ranked below India. Nepal (125), Sri Lanka (112), Pakistan (141), Bhutan (107), and Bangladesh (128) surpassed India in economic freedom. The thinktank, however, credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi with "reinvigorating" Indias foreign policy. It said Modi, who in June 2016 made his fourth visit to the US in two years, has bolstered bilateral ties, particularly in defence cooperation. "India has technology and manufacturing sectors as advanced as any in the world as well as traditional sectors characteristic of a lesser developed economy. Extreme wealth and poverty coexist as the nation both modernises rapidly and struggles to find paths to inclusive development for its large and diverse population," it said. India is a significant force in world trade, the report noted, but corruption, underdeveloped infrastructure, and poor management of public finance undermine overall development. China with a score of 57.4 points - an increase of 5.4 points compared to previous year - was placed at 111 position. The United States was ranked 17 with 75.1 points. The world average score of 60.9 is the highest recorded in the 23-year history of the index. Forty-nine countries - the majority of which are developing countries, but also including countries such as Norway and Sweden - achieved their highest-ever index scores. PTI LKJ ABH --- ENDS --- Hylant Represented at Harvard Business School Leadership Program Hylant, one of the nation's largest privately owned insurance brokerage firms, congratulates Derek Shinska for his selection to the Harvard Business School's Young American Leaders Program (YALP). Chosen by the Detroit YALP committee of civic leaders, Derek will attend a three-day workshop at the Harvard Business School with 90 other motivated and dynamic leaders from nine U.S. cities to identify short- and long-term solutions for improving their communities. Participants representing government, business, education, nonprofit, labor and other sectors will work across traditional boundaries to develop creative and innovative practices for encouraging prosperity at the local level. "It is a great honor to be selected for the Young American Leaders Program and we are proud to have Derek represent Hylant and the Detroit area," said Linda Koos, President, Hylant-Ann Arbor. "Hylant strongly supports public service and we appreciate Derek's shared commitment to our community and his willingnss to explore ways to continue to make it stronger." A graduate of the University of Michigan, Derek joined Hylant last year as a client executive in the Ann Arbor, Michigan office. About Hylant Hylant, an eight-consecutive-year winner of Best Places to Work in Insurance, was founded in 1935 and is a full-service insurance brokerage with 14 offices in Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Tennessee and Florida. As a member of the Worldwide Broker Network, Hylant offers complete risk management services, employee benefits brokerage and consultation, loss control, healthcare management and insurance solutions for businesses and individuals. Hylant is one of the largest privately held brokerage firms in the United States and serves a wide variety of clients locally, nationally and internationally. For more information, please contact Sandy Seitz at [email protected] or visit hylant.com. Follow Hylant on LinkedIn and Twitter (@hylantgroup). View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170216006150/en/ [February 16, 2017] LightPointe, a Manufacturer of Wireless Bridges, Deploys Industrial Wireless Solution for ArcelorMittal, the World's Largest Steel Producer SAN DIEGO and BRUSSELS, Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- LightPointe, a manufacturer of point to point radios and laser bridges used for data networks and security cameras, announced that ArcelorMittal (NYSE: MT), the world's largest producer of steel, deployed its 60 GHz solutions in an industrial wireless application. In its steel production and manufacturing processes, ArcelorMittal was utilizing an existing system consisting of two 5 GHz radios to transmit videos from cameras on a large movable rail-based platform. "This deployment of LightPointe radios in an industrial wireless application illustrates the benefits of 60 GHz radios in manufacturing and security camera environments, where safety, precision, and reliability are paramount," said Dr. Heinz Willebrand, CEO of LightPointe. "LightPointe's 60 GHz radio was connected to three Axis cameras, which monitor the steel plant's rail platform and processes, and transmit PLC traffic. LightPointe's AireLink 60 SX provides up to 100 times the bandwidth of the combined capacity of the two legacy 5 GHz radios which were replaced, and at much lower latency. Our 60 GHz radio is ideally suited for low latency real-time applications in the industrial communications sector, as well as building to building LAN connectivity." "We're very pleased with the increase in performance achieved by replacing the radios e previously used to transmit camera videos at the ArcelorMittal steel production plant in Ghent, Belgium," said Davy Schatteman, ArcelorMittal's manager responsible for upgrading the industrial wireless system. "LightPointe's radios enable us to transmit camera feeds with greater reliability even while the rail platform moves, which enhanced our ability to monitor the production in real time, thus ensuring high quality and safety." The legacy system in place at the factory had high latency, slow transmission, and only provided a total of 6 Mbps of capacity. It was prone to radio frequency interference and reliability problems which led to video feeds not being transmitted well, especially during rail system movement. "We selected LightPointe's 60 GHz solution because of its compact design, low latency, and nine levels of adaptive modulation, which automatically optimizes the data rate for the security cameras," said Erik Delcart, senior account manager for Black Box Network Services, a wireless distributor and integrator which recommended the LightPointe solution to ArcelorMittal. "In a steel manufacturing plant, where safety and quality of production are critical, it's essential that all camera feeds transmit evenly during movement of the production rail platform." About LightPointe LightPointe (www.LightPointe.com) is a San Diego manufacturer of wireless bridges for campus building-to-building connectivity, video security and surveillance networks, industrial communications networks, as well as the ISP and carrier backhaul market. About ArcelorMittal ArcelorMittal is the world's leading steel and mining company, with a presence in 60 countries and an industrial footprint in 19 countries. Guided by a philosophy to produce safe, sustainable steel, ArcelorMittal is the leading supplier of quality steel in the major global steel markets including automotive, construction, household appliances and packaging, with world-class research and development and outstanding distribution networks. About Black Box Network Services Black Box Network Services is the world's largest independent provider of communications, infrastructure, and product solutions. To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lightpointe-a-manufacturer-of-wireless-bridges-deploys-industrial-wireless-solution-for-arcelormittal-the-worlds-largest-steel-producer-300409033.html SOURCE LightPointe [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 16, 2017] OurCrowd Continues Asia Expansion, First Platform to Bring Equity Crowdfunding to Taiwan OurCrowd, the leading global equity crowdfunding platform, has announced its expansion in Asia with a new Taipei office and financial partner, Shanghai Commercial & Savings Bank (SCSB). Recently, SCSB received the approval of the Financial Supervisory Commission, to invest in Israel's equity crowdfunding platform OurCrowd, making it Taiwan's first bank to invest in an overseas FinTech equity crowdfunding platform, and becoming OurCrowd's strategic alliance partner in Taiwan. "We see Taiwan as one of the major technology and innovation centers in the world and are excited to be partnering with one of Taiwan's leading banks, SCSB," said Jon Medved (News - Alert), founder and CEO of OurCrowd. Denes Ban, OurCrowd's managing partner Asia, who will lead the initiative said, "The goal of the expansion is threefold. Firstly, to help Taiwanese small and medium sized enterprises to get more funding. Secondly, to help Taiwanese investors to diversify and invest into global startups and thirdly, to connect the latest disruptive Israeli tech with Taiwanese companies to be more effective and efficient in reaching global markets.'' SCSB, in collaboration with the Taiwanese Financial Supervisory Commission, is innovating digital science and technology to create a smart financial vision, by actively utilising financial technology to promote internet banking and mobile banking services. It also aims to use bigdata analysis for precision marketing, and to deepen social media to promote digital marketing. SCSB Director of Board and Executive Vice President and Chief InformationOfficer, Mr. John Yung (News - Alert), said, "The objective of the bank's investment in Israel's OurCrowd equity crowdfunding platform, aside from wanting to generate investment income, also aims to be able to use its investment to access foreign start-up companies, and the latest financial technology, network security technology, and innovative financial services. At the same time as introducing Israel's OurCrowd to Taiwan, it hopes to facilitate its understanding of the progress of new developments in the country, improve OurCrowd's investment opportunities in Taiwan, and inject fresh funding sources into new Taiwanese ventures." ---ENDS--- Notes to Editor About OurCrowd OurCrowd is the leading global equity crowdfunding platform for accredited investors. Managed by a team of seasoned investment professionals and led by serial entrepreneur Jon Medved, OurCrowd vets and selects opportunities, invests its own capital, and brings companies to its accredited membership of global investors. OurCrowd provides post-investment support to its portfolio companies, assigns industry experts as mentors, and takes board seats. The OurCrowd community of almost 17,000 investors from over 110 countries has invested over $400M into 110 portfolio companies and funds. OurCrowd already has thirteen exits to date, two IPO's and eleven acquisitions. To join OurCrowd as an accredited investor visit http://www.ourcrowd.com and click "Join". About Shanghai Commercial & Savings Bank (SCSB) Shanghai Commercial & Savings Bank, Ltd. (SCSB) was established in Shanghai in 1915 with the aspiration "to serve society, to support industry, and to promote international trade." Together with its subsidiary Shanghai Commercial Bank Ltd. (SCB) in Hong Kong, SCSB in total manages consolidated assets of US$48.7 billion and capital of US$1.2 billion, and has shareholder's equity of US$4.59 billion, as of the end of 2014. As of 2014, it also manages over US$5 billion of private wealth and has achieved annual foreign exchange transactions volume of over US$320 billion. For Press Materials: http://blog.ourcrowd.com/lead View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170215006481/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 15, 2017] Rimini Street Client Kumagai Gumi Receives IT Award from Japan Institute of Information Technology Rimini Street, Inc., the leading global independent provider of enterprise software support services for SAP (News - Alert) SE's (NYSE:SAP) Business Suite, BusinessObjects and HANA Database software and Oracle (News - Alert) Corporation's (NYSE:ORCL) Siebel, PeopleSoft, JD Edwards, E-Business Suite, Oracle Database, Oracle Middleware, Hyperion, Oracle Retail, Oracle Agile PLM and Oracle ATG Web Commerce software, today announced that Kumagai Gumi Co., Ltd. received the IT Special Award from the Japan Institute of Information Technology (JIIT). The organization was recognized for its innovative utilization of Rimini Street independent support and adoption of cloud services that have allowed the company to save IT budget and resources, and reallocate these savings to advance new strategic areas of growth. JIIT's IT Special Award recognizes outstanding achievements by a company, department or individual who has helped strengthen management performance through innovative IT. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170215006318/en/ Kumagai Gumi recognized for adoption of independent software support and cloud services, enabling the reallocation of IT budget to new strategic initiatives (Photo: Business Wire) As part of its long-term IT infrastructure roadmap, Kumagai Gumi proactively evaluated and utilized external services to help drive down the cost of operations and allow for more optimal allocation of funds to strategic areas of the business. This included switching the maintenance and support for their SAP ERP system from the ERP vendor to Rimini Street. In addition, Kumagai Gumi moved its existing on-premise servers, database systems, email systems, TV conference application and groupware to a cloud service environment. Savings of Over 100 Million Yen Funds Strategic Project As a result of these efforts, Kumagai Gumi was able to avoid a large expense to their existing software application simply because it was nearing the end of vendor support, and also leverage their cloud infrastructure. These strategies helped the organization reduce immediate IT costs associated with an upgrade by 100 million yen, and cut down operations and maintenance expenses by about 40 million yen every year. The company was then able to redistribute these budget savings into new projects, including the installation of 800 iPads to help improve operational efficiencies. "We are very pleased that our efforts to achieve IT budget optimization were recognized with this award. Our primary focus has been to find solutions that allow us to reduce our valuable IT budget and instead utilize the liberated funds to improve the efficiency and working practices of our employees," said Mr. Isao Shigihara, manager of the IT Planning Group, Corporate Planning Department, Kumagai Gumi. "I think there are companies that are still evaluating the move to independent support, or hesitant to adopt the cloud due to uncertainty and cost, but we have taken a very proactive position to introduce these advanced technologies and services throughout our organization to continue to gain market share and remain competitive." Company's IT Cost Optimization Efforts Earn Recognition Mr. Shigihara was responsible for the identification and analysis of external services for Kumagai Gumi, including evaluating a switch from ERP vendor support to independent support. Based on his efforts, which resulted in helping the company realize an increase in the ROI of their IT investments, Kumagai Gumi was recognized by JIIT for its efforts in supporting their overall business management strategies through IT innovation. "Reducing the costs associated with IT infrastructure is one of the biggest challenges for companies today - not only in Japan, but globally - and Kumagai Gumi is a prime example of how to do this effectively and net very powerful results," said Yorio Wakisaka, country manager, Nihon Rimini Street. "Rimini Street's maintenance and support model cuts annual Oracle and SAP vendor maintenance costs in half, and also makes it possible to reduce total maintenance costs by up to 90%. Adoption of Rimini Street is the best option for companies looking to maximize their IT investments and leverage existing and stable ERP systems for a minimum of 15 years guaranteed." The ceremony and memorial lecture for the JIIT Information Technology Awards was held at the Tokyo Conference Center Shinagawa on February 9th and 10th, 2017. To learn more, follow @riministreet on Twitter (News - Alert) and find Rimini Street on Facebook and LinkedIn. About Rimini Street, Inc. Rimini Street is the global leader in providing independent enterprise software support services. The company has redefined enterprise support services since 2005 with an innovative, award-winning program that enables Oracle and SAP licensees to save up to 90 percent on total support costs. Clients can remain on their current software release without any required upgrades for a minimum of 15 years. Over 1,750 global, Fortune 500, midmarket, and public sector organizations from a broad range of industries have selected Rimini Street as their trusted, independent support provider. To learn more, please visit http://www.riministreet.com. Forward-Looking Statements This press release may contain forward-looking statements. The words "believe," "may," "will," "plan," "estimate," "continue," "anticipate," "intend," "expect," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, and are based on various assumptions. If the risks materialize or our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. Rimini Street assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements or information, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Rimini Street and the Rimini Street logo are trademarks of Rimini Street, Inc. All other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners. Copyright 2017. All rights reserved. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170215006318/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 15, 2017] UiPath Latest Product Release Brings Higher Intelligence to RPA Solutions LONDON, Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- UiPath, a leading Robotic Process Automation (RPA) software provider, announces its latest release - with 50 new product features and 800 enhancements that bring unprecedented intelligence, productivity and scalability to its RPA solution suite. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161118/441073LOGO ) Key advances in robotic technology include: Intelligent Scheduling, Multi-tenancy: Multi-Robot Residency. Major enhancements to existing product features include Computer Vision and Cognitive Automation. The Intelligent Scheduling feature accelerates virtual workforce efficiency with autonomous automation intelligence: as a robot completes scheduled transaction, UiPath Orchestrator automatically reassigns it to other prioritized work. This means fully utilized robots and fulfilled service level requirements. This release introduces Multi-Tenancy to the RPA industry. For the first time, customers can provide RPA groups with separate, secure tenant space within just one central server - unlike other RPA solutions that require dozens of servers to handle hundreds or thousands of robots. With the UiPath technology in this release, customers can slash RPA operating costs and infrastructure investment. The Multi-Robot Residency feature revolutionize RPA solution scalability and productivity with technology that makes the industry's current 1 robot = 1 virtual machine bottleneck obsolete. Now customers can put multiple robots on one virtual machine, gaining huge deployment ease and economy advantages. Cloud-based Virtual Delivery Center: Intelligent Scheduling, Multi-Tenancy & Multi-Robot Residency are essential building blocks for this low cost, plug & play machine-to-machine delivery model - forecasted to emerge as a popular deployment vehicle in 2017. Significant enhancements in this release include Computer Vision and Cognitive Automation. Computer Vision - UiPath's unrivalled technology - that enables robots to see like humans - now provides even greater automation speed and accuracy advantages within Citrix environments. Cognitive Automation provides UiPath's Front Office, agent-assist robots with more powerful technology for: language detection - which also improves OCR image analysis and outcomes; named entity recognition - extracts unstructured/semi-structured data and delivers it in a structured format; sentiment analysis - understands language meaning/emotion and uses it for "right first time" decisions. Read more here About UiPath UiPath is a leading RPA vendor providing a complete software platform to help organizations like yours to efficiently automate business processes. Offices in London, NYC, Bucharest, Bengaluru, Singapore and Tokyo. 200 global customers (75% of which register revenues exceeding $2 billion) and over 150 partners across the globe http://www.uipath.com - Twitter - LinkedIn. Oliver Ellerton Ellerton & Co. Public Relations Mob: +65-9019-4926 [email protected] [February 15, 2017] Automotive Usage-Based Insurance (UBI) Market Report 2016-2026: Forecasts & Analysis of Leading Companies Developing Black-Box, OBD-II Dongle, Smartphone & Hybrid NEW YORK, Feb. 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Report Details The latest report from business intelligence provider visiongain offers comprehensive insight into the global commercial vehicle telematics market. Visiongain assesses that this market will generate revenues of more than $13bn in 2016. The commercial vehicle telematics industry is undeniably one of the fastest growing sectors in the commercial vehicles sector. Now: TomTom Telematics will be highlighting the latest developments in connected fleet management systems at this month's CV Show. This is an example of the business critical headline that you need to know about - and more importantly, you need to read visiongain's objective analysis of how this will impact your company and the industry more broadly. How are you and your company reacting to this news? Are you sufficiently informed? Questions answered by this report - How is the commercial vehicle telematics market evolving and what is driving and restraining the market dynamics? - How will each one of the commercial vehicle telematics submarket segments grow and which technologies will prevail? - How will the national commercial vehicle telematics markets change by 2026 and which geographical region will lead the CVT market? - Who are the leading commercial vehicle telematics players and what are their prospects over the forecast period? - And what are the trends in the commercial vehicle telematics market? We break down the most important subsegments within the commercial vehicle telematics market but also the key connectivity type's, service providers', countries' and player's competitive positioning and characteristics that will make them lead this specific market. How this report will benefit you Read on to discover how you can exploit the future business opportunities emerging in this sector. Visiongain's new study tells you and tells you NOW. In this brand new report you find 201 in-depth tables, charts and graphs, and trends all unavailable elsewhere. The 174 page report provides clear detailed insight into the global commercial vehicle telematics market. Discover the key drivers and challenges affecting the market. By ordering and reading our brand new report today you stay better informed and ready to act. Report Scope - 201 tables, charts and graphs analysing the CVT market - Overview of the commercial vehicle telematics market by connectivity and service provider type - Global commercial vehicle telematics market forecast 2016 - 2026 and analysis of drivers and restraints - Global forecasts of 7 individual commercial vehicle telematics submarkets by connectivity and service provider type covering the period 2016 2026 - Global forecast of commercial vehicle sales and major trends for the period 2016 2026 - Global commercial vehicle shipments with telematics forecast and analysis for the 2016 026 - Analysis of the commercial vehicle telematics technologies which are expected to become mandatory in major regions - Commercial vehicle telematics forecasts and analysis of the 12 leading national markets for the period 2016-2026. - In greater detail, we provide: - The Status of the commercial vehicle telematics market in 2014-2015 including: - The most notable developments in telematics for commercial vehicles - Overview of the M&A within the commercial vehicle telematics market - Examination of the commercial vehicles market during 2005-2015 - Segmentation of the commercial vehicle telematics market into 2 types submarkets: - By type of connectivity into embedded, integrated and tethered solutions - By service provider into OEM hardware, aftermarket hardware, telematics services, and connectivity services submarkets - Market value forecast of the global commercial vehicle telematics market (revenues $bn) throughout 2016 to 2026 coupled with: - Analysis of the micro, macro and regulatory drivers of growth in the market - Identification of the restraints & the challenges that the market faces until 2026 - Market Value ($bn) Forecast 2016-2026 of the two submarkets along with: - Individual examination of drivers and restraints of each secondary submarkets - Allocation of submarket shares in the global commercial vehicle telematics market for 2016, 2021, and 2026 respectively - Market value forecast ($bn) of the commercial vehicle telematics market in the 12 leading national markets: United States , Canada , Brazil , Germany , UK, France , Italy , China , Japan , India , South Korea and Russia - Forecast for sales of commercial vehicles during 2016 to 2026 allocation of regional market shares in sales of CV for 2016, 2021, and 2026 - Forecast of smartphone and tablet shipments 2016-2026 to support the growth of telematics in commercial vehicles - SWOT analysis of each one of the individual commercial vehicle telematics submarkets - Profiles of the leading companies within the commercial vehicle telematics market comprising 12 leading aftermarket telematics providers & and 4 leading OEM telematics providers for commercial fleets: - Analysis of their role in the CVT market and overview of their portfolio (up-to-date) with regards to telematics hardware - Company financials (Group Revenues, Profits) - Assessment of their subscription revenue and number of telematics subscribers (where available) - Conclusions How will you benefit from this report? - Keep your knowledge base up to speed. Don't get left behind - Reinforce your strategic decision-making with definitive and reliable market data - Learn how to exploit new technological trends - Realise your company's full potential within the market - Understand the competitive landscape and identify potential new business opportunities & partnerships Who should read this report? - Anyone within the commercial vehicle logistics and fleet management industry - Aftermarket Companies for Connected Vehicles - Automotive Safety Systems Companies - Connectivity Solution Companies, - Collision Avoidance Systems Companies - Telematics Solution Companies - Diagnostics Companies - V2X Safety and Security Companies - Road Safety Authorities - Telecommunication Companies - Business intelligence analyst - Competitive intelligence analyst - Business operations manager - Product development manager - Business development managers - Marketing managers - Technologists - Suppliers - Investors - Banks - Government agencies - Contractors Visiongain's study is intended for anyone requiring commercial analyses for the commercial vehicle telematics value chain and leading companies. You find data, trends and predictions. Buy our report today Commercial Vehicle Telematics Market 2016-2026: Top Companies & Connectivity Solutions For Fleet Management, Logistics, Tracking, Routing & Navigation For Fuel Efficiency, Driver Monitoring, Safety, Diagnostics & Predictive Analytics. Avoid missing out by staying informed get our report now. Read the full report: http://www.reportlinker.com/p03837894-summary/view-report.html About Reportlinker ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place. http://www.reportlinker.com __________________________ Contact Clare: [email protected] US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001 To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/automotive-usage-based-insurance-ubi-market-report-2016-2026-forecasts--analysis-of-leading-companies-developing-black-box-obd-ii-dongle-smartphone--hybrid-300408475.html SOURCE Reportlinker [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 15, 2017] Votiro Takes Home Three Awards at the 13th Annual 2017 Info Security PG's Global Excellence Awards(R) TEL AVIV, Israel, Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Votiro, global leader in Secure Sanitization Gateways solutions, protecting organizations against undisclosed, zero-day exploits and other ongoing cyber threats, announced today that Info Security Products Guide, the industry's leading information security research and advisory guide, awarded Votiro's Advanced Content Disarm and Reconstruction (CDR) solutions Gold, Silver and Bronze trophies at the 2017 Global Excellence Awards. Votiro was granted awards in the categories of "Anti-Malware, Anti-Spam or Anti-Virus", "Most Innovative Security Software of the Year" and "Email Security Management". The award ceremony took place in parallel to the RSA Conference, the world's leading information security event held annually in San Francisco. With cybercrime increasing at an alarming rate, businesses have a hard time figuring out which email they can open without riskng their company's security. But once an exploit penetrates an enterprise's network, the recovery costs can skyrocket or there may be no recovery at all. Votiro's Secure Gateway solution powered by patented Advanced Content Disarm and Reconstruction technology scans each file in an email and removes all malicious content, protecting businesses from undisclosed and zero-day threats. The sanitized files preserve the functionality and file type of the original attachments, allowing users to retrieve and edit them as they normal would. The sanitization process is invisible to users, done in real time and does not disrupt other day-to-day business activity. "It is an honor to receive these Info Security Products Guide Awards as it's another confirmation that Votiro is a leader in the email security industry," said Itay Glick, CEO of Votiro. "Our patented Advanced CDR technology allows us to eliminate threats that are unknown to common security systems in less than one second. This makes our solution unique and effective for all types of organizations today." About Votiro Votiro provides organizations with protection against undisclosed and zero-day exploits utilized in cyber-attacks. The company's Secure Gateways provide robust protection using patented Advanced Content Disarm and Reconstruction technology for sanitizing files from potential cyber-threats. Founded in 2010, Votiro is headquartered in Israel with sales offices in the United States and Singapore. For more information, visit http://www.votiro.com. Follow Votiro on Twitter - @votiro. Media Contact: Idan Yatziv [email protected] +972-52-330-9099 [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 15, 2017] iD Tech Goes Global With New Location at The University of Hong Kong Two Leaders in STEM Education Bring Premier Tech Camp to Asia CAMPBELL, Calif. and HONG KONG, Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- iD Tech, the #1 tech camp and leader in STEM education in the United States, joins forces with Koding Kingdom, the largest professional kids coding teaching institution in Hong Kong, to bring technology camps to The University of Hong Kong this summer. Logo - http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/468254/iD_Tech_Logo.jpg "John Huen, CEO of Koding Kingdom, has been instrumental in this endeavor. He is a well-connected ambassador to Hong Kong, and together we will deliver almost two decades of technology education experience and the spirit of Silicon Valley to families in Asia," says Joy Meserve, Chief Program Officer of iD Tech. Since 1999, thousands of families have traveled from all over Asia to atend iD Tech programs in the US. Now, students in Hong Kong will receive the same world-class instruction from top-notch staff. The University of Hong Kong is the territory's oldest institute of higher learning and has one of the top-ranked computer science programs in all of Asia. "In the US, we've had great success at making STEM education impactful and meaningful to students at an early age, well before they are exposed to it the classroom," says Kristopher Kasper, Regional Manager for iD Tech. "Our camps set students on a path toward college and future careers -- and now we are bringing that success to Hong Kong." Weeklong courses will be held at The University of Hong Kong over a period of seven weeks starting June 26, 2017. Kids and teens can take a range of one-week courses including coding, electrical engineering, robotics, and game design. Students will spend the week getting one-on-one instruction and creating an impressive project. Courses provide academic rigor and hands-on experience in a fun, approachable way that's proven to help students build a competitive advantage for their future. About iD Tech iD Tech is the leader in summer STEM education programs for over 275,000 students ages 6-18 since 1999. Camps are held at prestigious campuses such as Stanford, Princeton, and MIT in the USA, Middle East, and Asia. The company offers four distinct divisions all aimed at delivering inventive, individualized technology experiences. Learn more at iDTech.com. CONTACT: Kristopher Kasper, +1 408-455-7604, [email protected] [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 15, 2017] DocuSign and Shachihata Announce Launch of Paperless Hanko Solution to Empower Japanese Companies to Achieve Digital Transformation TOKYO and SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- eSignature and Digital Transaction Management (DTM) pioneer and global standard DocuSign Japan and Shachihata Inc. (Shachihata), whose hanko seals are widely used by Japanese companies, announce today the launch of a new solution that digitizes business processes from end-to-end to achieve the paperless business. The integration of Shachihata's e-hanko with DocuSign's DTM platform enables the digitization of business processes that require the use of traditional seals unique to Japanese companies. The joint solution the first to be launched following DocuSign Japan and Shachihata's partnership announcement in November 2015 empowers Japanese companies to achieve digital transformation for faster speed of transactions, increased security and compliance, and improved customer experiences. DocuSign Japan Vice President Hayato Koeda said, "The advantages of digitization are now more widely recognized. However, traditional Japanese business customs including the process of affixing a seal remain, resulting in the persistent use of paper which acts as a bottleneck to improving work efficiency. By collaborating with Shachihata, a leading company in Japan's traditional hanko culture, we're providing a solution that makes it easier for Japanese companies to improve operational efficiency, compliance measures and customer experience. In Europe and the United States, many progressive companies have already undertaken the move towards digitization and with this solution, Japanese companies can also achieve digital transformation with completely paperless business operations." Shachihata Inc. President Masayoshi Funahashi said, "Shachihata is involved i authorizations that are essential to any business and we are now providing an electronic hanko system with computer authorization as a seal service for electronic documents. In addition to this, I am delighted by our partnership with DocuSign through which we can now provide a new joint solution that is suitable for Japanese business customs. By bringing together the expertise we have cultivated with DocuSign's DTM service, we can support the digitization of contractual processes in Japan in the future." "DocuSign is honored to partner with Shachihata to serve as the catalyst to advance digital transformation across Japan," said Keith Krach, Chairman of the Board, DocuSign. "Individuals and businesses alike throughout Japan can transact business anytime, anywhere, on any device securely with trust and confidence using DocuSign." With this solution, contracts can be electronically signed and completed using an e-hanko rather than a signature this is possible through the eSignature function provided by DocuSign's DTM solution. Similar to the eSignature, the e-hanko can't be copied or altered due to DocuSign's advanced security functions which provide document tracking with regards to who, when and where the signature was made. DocuSign is consequently more secure than a paper contract. This service will be available in March 2017. For more information on the product, please refer to DocuSign Japan's website at www.docusign.jp About DocuSign Japan DocuSign is changing how business gets done by empowering anyone to send, sign and manage agreements anytime, anywhere, on any device with trust and confidence. DocuSign's Digital Transaction Management (DTM) platform and eSignature service help make every approval, decision, workflow and signature fully digital. The DocuSign Global Trust Network has more than 250,000 companies and more than 100 million users in 188 countries, with an average of 130,000 new unique users joining every day. For more information, please see DocuSign Japan's website, https://www.docusign.jp/ Copyright 2003-2017. DocuSign, Inc. is the owner of DOCUSIGN and all of its other marks (www.docusign.com/IP). All other marks appearing herein are the property of their respective owners. Product & Services Contact DocuSign Japan KK [email protected] Marketing Contact DocuSign Japan KK [email protected] Media Contact Ashton Consulting (DocuSign PR Contact) Yoko Fukui / Yuko Miyazaki 03-5425-7220 [email protected] To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/docusign-and-shachihata-announce-launch-of-paperless-hanko-solution-to-empower-japanese-companies-to-achieve-digital-transformation-300408525.html SOURCE DocuSign, Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 15, 2017] AHF Partners with National Center for Civil and Human Rights to Unveil "Atlanta's HIV+ Population Now" Art Sculpture In recognition of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Month, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) partnered with the Center for Civil and Human Rights (CCHR) to unveil "Atlanta's HIV+ Population Now" art sculpture yesterday. The unveiling of this very powerful artistic presentation was preceded by a short luncheon update for the media on the status of HIV in our community and the work of AID Atlanta, one of the oldest and largest HIV/AIDS service organizations in the south-east, in addressing the current crisis. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170215006414/en/ Created through support from the AHF Grant Fund, "Atlanta's HIV+ Population Now", an 8-foot art installation designed by local Atlanta artist Matthew Terrell, shows audiences the ever-growing problem of new HIV diagnoses in the Atlanta metro area. (Photo: Business Wire) Created through support from the AHF Grant Fund, "Atlanta's HIV+ Population Now", an 8-foot arts installation, designed by local Atlanta artist Matthew Terrell, shows audiences the ever-growing problem of new HIV diagnoses in the Atlanta metro area. Taking inspiration from the iconic "Atlanta's Population Now" sign located on Peachtree Street, which has charted our city's growth since 1965, the "Atlanta's HIV+ Population Now" sign uses data from the CDC (which has been compiled by the AIDSvu Map project at Emory University) to show how many people are diagnosed every day with HIV in the Atlanta Metro Area. The piece, which takes the form of a pyramidal sign, simple text, and interchangeable marquee-style digits, will stay on display in the lower, external courtyard area of CCHR through June 27th, National HIV/AIDS Testing Day. To further exemplify the impact of the HIV epidemic in the Atlanta community, and to encourage public engagement, every Friday at 12 noon, the artist will update the numbers in the marquee and will be on hand to discuss HIV with visitors, and to talk about the meaning of the project. Recent statistics by AIDSvu show that,nationally, the downtown Atlanta corridor has one of the highest rates of people living with an HIV diagnosis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has also reported that the HIV prevalence rate among people living in urban poverty areas is very high (2.1%) and exceeds the 1% cut-off that defines a generalized HIV epidemic. "As AHF continues to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic in communities across the nation, we have found the arts to be a powerful tool for breaking down the barriers of stigma and judgment, providing awareness and encouraging powerful and transformative dialogue on how diverse communities can work to combat this major public health issue," shared Imara Canady, AHF Southern Bureau Regional Director for Communications and Community Engagement. "Through this artistic expression, we hope to both continue the awareness of the impact of the HIV epidemic in Atlanta and to work with the Center for Civil and Human Rights team, to create thought-provoking public discourse on how this community can address this epidemic. AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest global AIDS organization, currently provides medical care and/or services to over 694,000 individuals in 35 countries worldwide in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean, the Asia/Pacific Region and Eastern Europe. To learn more about AHF, please visit our website: www.aidshealth.org, find us on Facebook (News - Alert): www.facebook.com/aidshealth and follow us on Twitter (News - Alert): @aidshealthcare and Instagram: @aidshealthcare About Matthew Terrell: Matthew Terrell works as an artist, writer, and communication professional in the fine city of Atlanta. His work focuses on issues such as HIV/AIDS, drag culture, queer Southern identity, and the intersection of sexuality and technology. Terrell's visual art has shown in San Francisco, Atlanta, and Savannah. He contributes reviews, essays, and articles for publications including BURNAWAY Magazine, VICE, Huffington Post (News - Alert), Creative Loafing, and ArtsATL. Terrell has spoken about issues related to HIV (including organ donation, PrEP, and other prevention initiatives), for NPR's (News - Alert) Here and Now, Georgia Public Broadcasting's On Second Thought, and WABE's Closer Look. His proudest moment was, while researching an article on Keith Haring's work in Atlanta, finding a missing fragment of the original Haring mural. Terrell helped return the piece to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. Terrell has attended Djerassi Resident Artist Program, Atlantic Center for the Arts, The Studios of Key West, and Serenbe Artist Residency. He has a BFA and MFA (News - Alert) in writing from SCAD, and an MA in communications from Georgia State University. Terrell was a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar in Prague, and studied international media at Charles University 2008-2009. He is an alum of Arts Leaders of Metro Atlanta class of 2016, Burnaway Emerging Arts Writers Mentorship Program in 2015, and NPR's Next Generation Radio in 2006. About the Center for Civil and Human Rights: The Center for Civil and Human Rights in Downtown Atlanta is an engaging cultural attraction that connects The American Civil Rights Movement to today's Global Human Rights Movements. The Center features a continuously rotating exhibit from The Morehouse College Martin Luther King, Jr. Collection, which includes many of Dr. King's documents and personal items. Visitors will be immersed in experiential exhibits through powerful and authentic stories, historic documents, compelling artifacts, and interactive activities. The Center is a source for ongoing dialogue - hosting educational forums and attracting world-renowned speakers and artists who work on a variety of human rights topics. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170215006414/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] By Press Trust of India: From Shirish B Pradhan Kathmandu, Feb 16 (PTI) India will provide Rs 44 million to Nepal for the construction of a technical institute building under bilateral economic cooperation programme. A tripartite Memorandum of Understanding was signed among the Indian Embassy, Kathmandu, Sindhuli local development office and Sindhuli Community Technical Institute for construction of three three-storey building with 19 rooms, computer and Internet lab, reading room with variousother facilities as part of India?Nepal Economic Cooperation Programme. advertisement Sindhuli Community Technical Institute, which was established in 2014, has been providing diploma courses in engineering and plans to expand programs in health and agriculture. The new infrastructure would provide much needed classroom space and would create an improved environment for learning and contribute to the development of the technical education in the district, a statement said. PTI SBP NSA --- ENDS --- INVESTOR ALERT: Lundin Law PC Announces Securities Class Action Lawsuit against USANA Health Sciences, Inc. and Encourages Investors with Losses to Contact the Firm Lundin Law PC, a shareholder rights firm announces a class action lawsuit against USANA Health Sciences, Inc. ("USANA" or the "Company") (NYSE: USNA). Investors, who purchased or otherwise acquired shares between March 14, 2014 and February 7, 2017 inclusive (the "Class Period"), are encouraged to contact the Firm in advance of the April 14, 2017 lead plaintiff motion deadline. To participate in this class action lawsuit, click here, or call Brian Lundin, Esquire, of Lundin Law PC, at 888-713-1033, or e-mail him at [email protected]. No class has been certified in the above action yet. Until certification occurs, you are not represented by an attorney. You may choose to take no action and remain a passive class member. USANA designs, manufactures and sells nutritional and personal care products primarily to reduce the risk of chronic degenerative disease. On February 7, 2017, USANA announced that it will be initiating an internal investigation of its Chinese subsidiary, BabyCare Ltd. ("BabyCare"). The Company's investigation specifically concerns "compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act" as well as "BabyCare's expense reimbursement policies." When this information was announced to the investing public, the value of USANA dropped, causing investors harm. Lundin Law PC was established by Brian Lundin, a securities litigator based in Los Angeles dedicated to upholding shareholders' rights. This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170215006439/en/ [February 15, 2017] Hanon Systems Wins IR52 Jang Young-Shil Award for Automotive Water-Air Cooled Condenser SEOUL, Korea, Feb. 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Hanon Systems (KS:018880), a leading global provider of automotive thermal and energy management solutions, has been named co-winner of the IR52 Jang Young-Shil Award with Hyundai Motor Company for its water-air cooled condenser for passenger vehicles. Hanon Systems' award winning water-air cooled condenser combines a conventional air-cooled condenser with a water-cooled condenser into a single, compact package that reduces power consumption and increases fuel efficiency compared to individual components that offer equivalent performance. The IR52 Jang Young-Shil Award is presented to companies in Korea with technologically outstanding and innovative new products. Jointly sponsored by Korea Industrial Technology Association nd Maeil Business Newspaper, a leading Korean business publication, the award is presented in the name of the Minister of Science and Technology. "We are honored to be recognized for our technical expertise and innovative delivery of value-added customer solutions," said In-Young Lee, president and chief executive officer of Hanon Systems. "The company remains sharply focused on expediting the development of innovative technologies, and continuously improving our product offering and level of service." First introduced on the hybrid-version of the 2016 Hyundai Ioniq, the Hanon Systems water-air cooled condenser will be showcased at the 2017 Seoul Motor Show. About Hanon Systems Hanon Systems is a full-line supplier of automotive thermal and energy management solutions. Products include heating ventilation and air conditioning; powertrain cooling; compressors; fluid transport; and thermal and emissions solutions for conventional and electric, hybrid, fuel cell and autonomous vehicles. With 40 manufacturing sites supported by four global technical centers in 20 countries, the company employs more than 16,500 people. To learn more, visit hanonsystems.com. To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hanon-systems-wins-ir52-jang-young-shil-award-for-automotive-water-air-cooled-condenser-300408543.html SOURCE Hanon Systems [February 16, 2017] Lenovo's Third Quarter FY 2016/17 Results Led by Growth In PC Business Lenovo (News - Alert) Group (HKSE: 0992) (PINK SHEETS: LNVGY) today announced results for its third fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2016. Quarterly revenue was US$12.2 billion, a six percent decrease year-over-year. Third quarter pre-tax income was US$101 million, a 68 percent decline year-over-year. Net income fell 67 percent year-over-year to US$98 million. Lenovo faced sizeable challenges in its three main lines of business, namely data center, mobile devices, and PCs and smart devices, all three industries that according to analysts' reports continued to experience either slow growth or no growth during the quarter ended December 31, 2016. "Despite ongoing macro-economic uncertainties and the two new businesses still in transition, Lenovo delivered a solid performance last quarter," said Yang Yuanqing, Lenovo Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Our PC business remains strong, our Mobile business has made steady progress, and our Data Center business now has a clear improvement plan in place. Although it takes time to build the core competence in these two new growth engines, we are confident to achieve breakeven and profitable growth in them." The Company's gross profit for the third fiscal quarter decreased 15 percent year-over-year to US$1.6 billion, with gross margin at 13.1 percent. Operating profit for the third quarter was US$138 million, down 64 percent year-over-year. Basic earnings per share for the quarter was 0.90 US cents, or 6.98 HK cents. As of December 31, 2016, Lenovo's net cash was US$155 million. Business Group Overview In the third fiscal quarter, sales in our PC and Smart Devices (PCSD) Business Group, which includes PCs and tablets, was US$8.6 billion, an increase of two percent year-over-year. Quarter-to-quarter, our PCSD business grew a healthy 10.2 percent. Pre-tax income was US$431 million, an increase of seven percent year-over-year. Pre-tax income margin improved by 0.2 points year-over-year to five percent. Helped by strong growth in North America, where Lenovo increased its shipments by 14 percent year-over-year, the Company shipped a total of 15.7 million PCs worldwide during the quarter. This is an increase of two percent year-over-year, and four points better than the industry as a whole, when compared to a total industry decrease of two percent for the same period. With record-high market share in China, Europe/Middle East/Africa region and Latin America, Lenovo remained the worldwide PC market leader with a record 22.4 percent market share. Lenovo also saw strong growth in tablets, up ten percent year-over-year, outperforming the market by 29 points, as well as significant year-over-year increases in high-growth product lines such as gaming PC (up 71 percent), Chromebook (up 76 percent ), and detachables (up 91 percent). These are all product lines that Lenovo is ramping up, typified by our new Legion-branded series of gaming laptops launched last month at CES (News - Alert). In our Mobile Business Group, which includes Moto and Lenovo-branded smartphones, Lenovo's quarterly sales were US$2.2 billion, a decrease year-over-year of 23 percent, but an indicative seven percent increase over last quarter, driven by strong growth in mature markets. Pre-tax loss margin for the quarter improved by 0.6 points quarter-to-quarter to 7.1 percent. With 15 million smartphones shipped in the third quarter, Lenovo improved seven percent quarter-to-quarter, including a 20 percent increase in shipments of Moto-branded products. Moto G shipments were up 12 percent year-over-year, aided by an increase in Latin America alone of 23 percent. In India, the world's third-largest smartphone market, Lenovo was a strong smartphone supplier with 9.9 percent market share in the third quarter. For Lenovo's Data Center Group (DCG), which includes servers, storage, software and services, sales in the third fiscal quarter were US$1.1 billion, down 20 percent year-over-year, and three percent quarter-to-quarter. With large quarter-to-quarter revenue gains in North America (up 27 percent), Latin America (up ten percent), and Europe/Middle East/Africa region (up nine percent), Lenovo's DCG business showed signs of improvement quarter to quarter. Lenovo continued its focus on the transformative actions that will help drive long-term DCG competitiveness, such as strengthening our sales teams, investing in the channel, revamping our product lines, building our brand strategy, and adding new partnerships. For example, we have fortified our Global Accounts team, our sales group that services Fortune 500 clients, and saw growth in our DCG business there for the quarter grow 37 percent year-over-year. Geographic Overview In China, in the third fiscal quarter, Lenovo recorded consolidated sales of US$3.5 billion, a two percent decrease year-over-year, but an eight percent increase quarter-to-quarter. China represented 28.5 percent of the Company's total worldwide third quarter sales. Pre-tax income in China increased eight percent to US$180 million year-over-year, with pre-tax income margin gaining half-a point to 5.2 percent. In Asia Pacific, Lenovo had consolidated sales in the third fiscal quarter of US$1.7 billion, a decrease of 14 percent year-over-year, representing 14 percent of the Company's total worldwide sales. The region had a pre-tax loss of US$41 million and a pre-tax loss margin of 2.4 percent. In Europe, Middle East and Africa, consolidated sales in the third fiscal quarter declined 2.7 percent year-over-year to US$3.4 billion, but increased a robust 23 percent quarter-to-quarter, or 27.6 percent of the Company's total worldwide sales. The pre-tax loss was US$102 million with a pre-tax loss margin of three percent. In the Americas, consolidated sales were US$3.6 billion, down eight percent year-over-year, or 29.9 percent of Lenovo's total worldwide sales during the third fiscal quarter. Pre-tax income was US$39 million, with a pre-tax income margin of 1.1 percent. About Lenovo Lenovo (HKSE: 0992) (PINK SHEETS: LNVGY) is a US$45 billion global Fortune 500 company and a leader in providing innovative consumer, commercial, and enterprise technology. Our portfolio of high-quality, secure products and services covers PCs (including the legendary Think and multimode YOGA brands), workstations, servers, storage, smart TVs and a family of mobile products like smartphones (including the Motorola (News - Alert) brand), tablets and apps. Join us on LinkedIn, follow us on Facebook or Twitter (News - Alert) (@Lenovo) or visit us at www.lenovo.com. LENOVO GROUP FINANCIAL SUMMARY For the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2016 (in US$ millions, except per share data) Q3 16/17 Q3 15/16 Y/Y CHG Revenue 12,169 12,913 -6 % Gross profit 1,595 1,885 -15 % Gross profit margin 13.1 % 14.6 % -1.5pts Operating expenses (1,457 ) (1,506 ) -3 % Expenses-to-revenue ratio 12.0 % 11.7 % 0.3pts Operating profit 138 379 -64 % Other non-operating expenses (37 ) (59 ) -37 % Pre-tax income 101 320 -68 % Taxation 6 (26 ) N/A Profit for the period 107 294 -64 % Non-controlling interests (9 ) 6 N/A Profit attributable to equity holders 98 300 -67 % EPS (US cents) Basic 0.90 2.71 -1.81 Diluted 0.90 2.70 -1.80 View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170215006458/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 16, 2017] IP Bridge and JFDI.Asia Launch ManGO Factory Go Global Program for Japanese SMEs with "Buried IP" IP Bridge, Inc (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, CEO: Shigeharu Yoshii) and JFDI Pte Ltd (Headquarters: Singapore) today announced their agreement to launch a new program for Japanese Small to Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs). The ManGO Factory Go Global Program aims to help SMEs across all industry sectors that have "buried intellectual property (IP)" to exploit it internationally through joint ventures, partnerships, licensing or franchise. The ManGO Factory Go Global Program will start in April 2017 with around ten SMEs receiving mentoring from IP Bridge and JFDI.Asia in Tokyo collaborating with Mitsui Fudosan's co-working space, Clip Nihonbashi, to explore their potential to expand outside Japan. The program is motivated by Mitsui Fudosan's ambition to co-create new ventures and industries with new partners and the mission of IP Bridge to help Japanese companies to create more wealth from IP that they are not currently exploiting globally. Satoshi Kanno, Director of IP Bridge, said: "Among the patent applications filed in Japan by Japanese companies, the rate of filing in other countries is only about 15% in the case of SMEs and about 30% in the case of large companies, even though the technologies behind such applications have high potential for global use. This program intends to help such companies with excellent 'buried IP' to connect with partners internationally". The ManGO Factory Go Global Program will be based in two locations that both support strong entrepreneur communities. Japanese SMEs will prepare for their international expansion at "31 Ventures Clip Nihonbashi" in Chuo-ku, Tokyo, with mentoring from IP Bridge and JFDI.Asia. Then, when they are ready to "Go Global", the SMEs will spend up to three months in Singapore co-located with JFDI.Asia. Hugh Mason, CEO of JFDI.Asia, said: "This program will be a bridge to bring Japanese technologies to those who can create wealth from them outside Japan, benefiting not only Japan but also people of all nations. Once we have proved the pathway for SMEs to take "Buried IP" out of Japan we then want to explore how this new bridge can also support international businesses seeking access to the Japanese market to bring their know-how to entrepreneurs in Japan". SMEs interested to participate in ManGO Factory Go Global Program or the below seminar in April should contact: [email protected] Tentative Schedule for the ManGO Factory Go Global Program 2017 April 14th: Kickoff Seminar in Nihonbashi Mid May: Selection of up to 10 candidates Early June: Kick off gathering June - August: SMEs prepare in Tokyo September: SMEs make facilitated presentations to potential partners in Singapore Information for Editors About IP Bridge http://ipbridge.co.jp/ IP Bridge is the first and largest intellectual property fund management company in Japan. It was established in 2013 with a fund size of US $300 million provided by a major public-private fund Innovation Network Corporation of Japan and other investors. IP Bridge's mission is to promote open innovation through the use of intellectual property. IP Bridge creates community and connections to encourage the sound development of industry. In addition to licensing its own patents, IP Bridge's business includes creating and supporting new businesses with partner companies in Japan and overseas based on intellectual properties, and finding financial solutions based on intellectual properties. IP Bridge currently holds more than 3000 Japan and foreign patents acquired from major companies in Japan and the United States, small and medium enterprises, universities, etc. Through a wide network of companies, financial institutions and universities IP Bridge promotes the utilization of its patents. The technical domains of the patents relate mainly to mobile communications, semiconductors, image codecs, displays and motors (automobiles, robots, consumer electronics, electronics), etc., but not limited to the ICT area, healthcare, environment. IP Bridge is promoting the use of intellectual property in a wide range of fields including energy, food related (functional foods, food processing), medical engineering collaboration. IP Bridge staff includes both intellectual property experts who have been active in the intellectual property department of major Japanese companies for many years, as well as a team of experts from various fields such as corporate management, investment companies, financial institutions and law firms. This has allowed IP Bridge to establish a system that can respond to a wide range of intellectual property utilization models. About JFDI.Asia http://jfdi.asia JFDI's experience, processes and international community of entrepreneurs, investors and mentors were formed through the experience of accelerating and investing $3m into 70+ startups. The team began taking shape in 2009 when founders Hugh Mason and Meng Wong led the co-founders of Hackerspace.sg, Singapore's first co-working space. It was pivotal in bringing together a community of innovators and gave them confidence to launch JFDI.Asia a year later as Southeast Asia's first accelerator program for tech startups. More than 50% of the startups that JFDI nurtured went on to secure seed funding, creating a portfolio now valued at $60m+. More recently JFDI has hosted approximately 50 startups from countries as diverse as Norway, Kazakhstan, Korea and Russia that are seeking to 'Go Global'. Several have raised substantial funding, set up partnerships, joint ventures and have acquired other businesses as a direct result of this work. About 31 VENTURES Clip Nihonbashi http://www.31ventures.jp/en/ventureoffice/clip-nihonabashi/ View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170215006462/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 16, 2017] Sea Asia Survey: Industry Leaders Call for More Big Data Experts SINGAPORE, Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- In a new survey released by Sea Asia 2017, maritime leaders have revealed that a severe skills shortage is preventing the industry from effectively harnessing Big Data and ultimately negating performance and cost-saving potential. According to the survey, 63 per cent of the leaders believe the lack of access to Big Data is holding back their ability to utilise it, with only 12 per cent saying they are currently compiling, analysing and storing Big Data. The leaders also identified that the key areas where they see potential benefits from the use of Big Data are real time information on vessel performance (77 per cent) and cost savings for their respective companies (70 per cent). The survey, conducted ahead of Sea Asia 2017, was carried out among maritime leaders to gain insights into key trends in the industry. The trends highlighted in the survey will form part of the discussions taking place at Sea Asia 2017. Recognising the benefits that Big Data brings to the industry, Mr Oh Bee Lock, Head of Group Technology at PSA International Pte Ltd, said leaders need to start looking more closely into how data analytics can augment human decisions, while bringing the current and future workforce up to speed. "There is no question that Big Data will transform the port and logistics industry substantially. From enabling cargo visibility to the development of self-piloting ships, the benefits are clear. With technology changing rapidly today, the industry will develop slower than others if it does not harness and use Big Data successfully. "The next step must be for us to prepare the industry to fully integrate Big Data analytics into the working environment. We need to look into developing the skills of our current workforce to ensure that there are professionals who are trained to collect and use the large amounts of data in the industry, and make it more interesting for Big Data professionals to join the industry. "Only with a competent set of professionals can the opportunities provided by Big Data be leveraged effectively," said Mr Oh, who will be speaking at Sea Asia 2017. A majority of the industry leaders surveyed also supported this sentiment. Half of the leaders (50 per cent) recognised the need for more skilled professionals, especially with the industry moving towards smart shipping, while 83 per cent highlighted the importance of focusing on developing the skills of current employees. Mr Oskar Levander, Vice President of Innovation -- Marine at Rolls-Royce, highlighted that with the global move towards smarter technologies, it is crucial that all stakeholders recognise the need to change with the times and work together to keep up. "Big Data has the potential to change and disrupt the maritime sector, changing the way services are offered and allowing new players with new and different skills sets to enter the market. The evolution of technology means that the competitive landscape for the maritime industry is also changing quickly. It is therefore crucial for the industry to come together and collaborate with one another and the government to accelerate innovation, improve processes and create value. This will help us navigate challenges to come," said Mr Levander, also a speaker at Sea Asia 2017. Seatrade Chairman, Chris Hayman, said the results of the Sea Asia 2017 survey highlight the industry's focus on the need to move towards Big Data and smart shipping. At the same time, it is clear that there is still a lot of work to be done to ensure they effectively harness the power of Big Data and new technology. "Some of the key discussions that will be taking place at Sea Asia 2017 include conversations around the utilisation of Big Data and smart shipping technologies. At the 'The Fourth Industrial Revolution: Threat or Opportunity' session, we will delve into how technology and innovation can be leveraged as strategies for the maritime industry to move forward amidst today's challenges. "As with previous editions, leaders from the global maritime scene will come together on the Sea Asia platform this year to also discuss and debate with one another on how the industry can leverage opportunities that come along with new trends impacting the industry," said Mr Hayman. Sea Asia 2017 will be held in Singapore at the Marina Bay Sands, Singapore from 25-27 April 2017. Note to editors: Respondents of the Sea Asia 2017 survey are the CEOs, chairmen and directors of maritime and offshore companies. For more information, please contact: Disha Gurnani Lyna Hanis Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Mobile: +65 9780 1655 Mobile: +65 9139 0572 DID: +65 6239 4105 DID: +65 6239 4108 Notes to Editors About Sea Asia 2017 Sea Asia, the premier maritime and offshore conference and exhibition in Asia is returning for the 6th edition from 25 - 27 April 2017 at the Marina Bay Sands, Singapore. Co-organised by Seatrade and the Singapore Maritime Foundation, Sea Asia is well-attended by trade professionals and some of the most influential and respected leaders in the industry, delivering an unparalleled reach of key decision-makers. Alongside an international exhibition, the highly acclaimed and interactive Sea Asia conference complements and puts Sea Asia at the forefront of regional maritime events. International thought-leaders will address the latest topics, debate on key trends, and discuss opportunities and challenges facing the maritime and offshore businesses from a commercial perspective. For a full list of sponsors and exhibitors, and more information on the conference programme, please visit www.sea-asia.com/. About Seatrade Founded in 1970, Seatrade was acquired in 2014 by UBM, the world's second largest media and event organiser across a wide variety of industries. Seatrade's publications, events, management training, research and award schemes cover every aspect of the cruise and maritime industries. The company's principal strength is its ability to bring key people together, encouraging innovation and facilitating better communication within the industry. Seatrade is headquartered in Colchester, UK, with regional offices in Dubai, Singapore, as well as representatives in all major maritime centres and cruise destinations across the globe. For more information, please visit www.seatrade-maritime.com. About the Singapore Maritime Foundation Established in 2004, the Singapore Maritime Foundation (SMF) is a private sector-led organisation that seeks to develop and promote Singapore as an International Maritime Centre (IMC). As the representative voice for the commercial players of the maritime industry, SMF seeks to forge strong partnerships with the public and private sectors of the maritime industry. SMF spearheads initiatives to promote the diverse clusters of the maritime industry in Singapore and at international frontiers, and to attract young talents to join the sector. SMF is directed by its Board of Directors which comprises prominent leaders in the Singapore maritime community. For details, please visit www.smf.com.sg. About the Singapore Maritime Week 2017 (22nd - 28th April 2017) Sea Asia 2017 is held in conjunction with the Singapore Maritime Week 2017 (SMW). SMW is the leading maritime event in Singapore driven by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore. SMW gathers the international maritime community in Singapore for a week of conferences, dialogues, exhibitions and social events in celebration of all things maritime. These events reflect the vibrancy and diversity of Singapore as a major international maritime centre. To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sea-asia-survey-industry-leaders-call-for-more-big-data-experts-300408631.html SOURCE Seatrade Communications [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 16, 2017] IESA Vision Summit 2017 to Showcase Design Led Manufacturing - Redefining the Future of India's Electronic System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) BANGALORE, February 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- - Biggest event for Electronics and Semiconductor Design and Manufacturing in India - Over 900 industry participants and over 50 thought leaders will congregate and share ideas to make IP creation happen in India - 12 International Plenary/Keynote speakers. - Technovation Awards - Celebrating Excellence in ESDM' for excellence in the electronics and semiconductor ecosystem from Industry and Academia - MAKEATHON Awards - IESA will honour the next-gen tech innovation, which can change the way Industrial IoT & AR/VR is applied in various industry segments. - Focused workshops on the side-lines of the Summit on a. Design - on Designing with Fully Depleted Silicon-on-Insulator FDSOI technology for IOT products; b. Manufacturing- India Digital Broadcast c. Skill Development- Creating ESDM Product Innovation Hubs on campus India Electronics and Semiconductor Association (IESA), the premier body for the ESDM industry in the country, is all geared to bring the 12th edition its annual flagship event, IESA Vision Summit 2017. Powered with global and Indian audiences to discover, innovate and bring together a stellar line-up of thought leaders and robust speakers. Scheduled on February 21 and 22 at The Leela Palace, Bangalore, it aims to steer India closer to its goal of Design Led Manufacturing - Redefining the Future of India's ESDM. The two-day summit has a strong line-up of government, industry veterans, start-ups, venture capitalists and technology leaders expected as attendees. The first day will celebrate design, including a workshop on designing with FDSOI led by SOITEC and IMEC. The highlight on February 22 will be on manufacturing with a track session on Flexible Electronics - Trends and Challenges by Smile Electronics; Western Digital; Lam Research India & National Centre for Flexible Electronics, IIT-Kanpur. The day will continue to emphasise on manufacturing with the panel on Manufacturing challenges for Indian EMS led by Foxconn, Sricity, Bosch and SFO Technology. Last year's Vision Summit focused on the action plan consisting of - Talent Development, Strengthen Start-up Ecosystem, Industry-Academia involvement and IP Creation. The electronics manufacturing services (EMS) industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9% over the next five years. Even s India's manufacturing scene is changing much faster than predicted, things are still not at the level that allows us to compete on a global scale. This year, the allocation and incentives of schemes like M-SIPS and EDF to Rs 745 crore will reflect a strong commitment to promote local value additions in electronics manufacture. The overall tax reliefs given to start ups and MSME's will boost sustainable employment and the quality of start-ups in the design led manufacturing sector. K. Krishna Moorthy, Chairman, IESA setting expectations said,"India's ever growing consumption and demand for electronics is posing a challenge and an opportunity for the country. The challenge is about reducing the import bill which today is at approximately 70% of the demand a situation which could soon spiral out of control. It is essential for the Indian ESDM to own the design and IP if it were to meet the target of zero import in the next 5 years and herein lies the opportunity for the Indian ESDM ecosystem to raise the bar and meet the challenge by developing and manufacturing electronics systems and components required for the country. We are working with different stakeholders in the Government of India and many state governments in creating supportive policies and infrastructure in design, manufacturing and skill development. IESA today represents larger breadth of organizations involved in the design and manufacture of electronics products. We aim at providing a platform that will support Indian companies especially start-ups gearing up for indigenous design and manufacturing and developing new technologies." Gearing up for Vision Summit 2017, M.N. Vidyashankar, President, IESA said, "With the allocation and incentives of schemes like M-SIPS and EDF to Rs 745 crore in this year's budget, we strongly believe that India will be the next manufacturing powerhouse of the globe. It is the right time for the industry players to take full advantage and contribute to transform India into the next global - Design-led manufacturing destination. This year, Vision Summit is exploring the boundaries of creating solutions to make India a global ESDM manufacturing hub." The government's 'Make in India' initiative is projected to make India a preferred manufacturing destination encompassing sectors that includes ESDM, automobiles, chemicals, IT, aviation, design manufacturing, renewable energy and several other sectors that rely heavily on electronics, expanding the opportunities to create employment, purchasing power, spending and supply. As India attempts to become a manufacturing nation, the ESDM start-up ecosystems are uniquely positioned to drive innovation and deliver path-breaking products. Start-ups also have the advantage of being able to focus on niche, cutting-edge technologies while also managing to remain extremely nimble. Highlights of Vision Summit 2016: The summit culminated with over 80 speakers, over 850 industry and government leaders, international business delegates' academia and entrepreneurs with a focus on automotive, high performance computing, IoT and entrepreneurship, intellectual property. Last year the IESA Makeathon was introduced which saw tremendous participation and applaud from the industry. About India Electronics & Semiconductor Association (IESA) IESA is the premier trade body representing the Indian Electronics System Design and Manufacturing(ESDM)industry and has represented it since 2005. It has over 260 members - both domestic and multinational enterprises. IESA is committed towards building global awareness for the Indian ESDM industry and supporting its growth through focused initiatives in developing the ecosystem. This is through publishing credible data, networking events and alliances with other international associations. IESA works closely with the government as a knowledge partner on the sector, both at the centre and at the state level. For more details on IESA, visit http://www.iesaonline.org Follow 'Vision Summit' on Twitter @IESA_VS and 'IESA' @IESA_online For more details, please contact Sonali Pappur Sadanand Text100 Global Communications +91-9844489854 [email protected] Indrani Bharadwaj +91-8147010007 [email protected] Pooja Shetty Senior Account Executive Text100 [email protected] +91-8105004435 [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 16, 2017] Blighter Unveils Man Portable Radar/Camera System for Rapid Deployment and Covert Operation CAMBRIDGE, United Kingdom, February 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- - Blighter Explorer Nexus is a Fully Integrated Battery Operated Radar/Camera System Featuring the Blighter B202 Mk2 E-scan Micro Doppler Ground Surveillance Radar, an Integrated Visible and Infra-red Thermal Imaging Camera System, Windows HMI, Covert Eyepieces and Rugged Laptop - Blighter Explorer Nexus is Compact, Lightweight and low Power and Designed for Rapid Deployment From Backpacks by Foot Patrol or From a Vehicle for use in Remote Border Surveillance, Forward Reconnaissance, Temporary Camp protection and other covert operations - Blighter to Showcase new Product at IDEX 2017 (Stand 05-C20), 19 to 23 February 2017, Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, UAE Blighter Surveillance Systems Ltd (http://www.blighter.com ), a British electronic-scanning (e-scan) radar and sensor solution provider, has unveiled Blighter Explorer Nexus, a fully integrated, battery operated, man portable radar/camera surveillance system. It is designed for rapid deployment from transport backpacks by foot patrol or from a vehicle for use in remote border surveillance, temporary camp protection, forward reconnaissance and other covert operations. Blighter Explorer Nexus is a compact, lightweight and low power all weather surveillance solution and comprises the Blighter B202 Mk2 e-scan micro Doppler ground surveillance radar, an integrated visible and infra-red thermal imaging camera system, a Windows HMI, covert eyepieces and optional rugged laptop. The product is designed for fully covert operation with a 'silent' mode and zero light emissions. Mark Radford, CEO, Blighter Surveillance Systems, said, "Blighter Explorer Nexus is a rapidly deployable fuly integrated e-scan radar and thermal imaging system designed to provide covert all weather day/night surveillance for small border patrols in mountainous terrain and for specialist reconnaissance personnel including those operating behind enemy lines." "Our new system is designed for covert foot patrol deployment in specially designed transport backpacks with the radar and camera sensors mounted on a single tripod," added Mark Radford. "This means wide area detection can be up and running in a matter of minutes providing immediate protection for the military or black ops personnel." Blighter Explorer Nexus is backpack mounted and can be set up and operated by a single user. The Blighter radar provides rapid detection and location of moving targets. For example, it can detect a crawler at 1.5 km (0.9 miles) and a moving vehicle at 8 km (5 miles). The radar automatically cues a long-range camera to enable the operator to identify any target. A wireless backhaul link can be used to send real-time sensor data feeds to a remote location for monitoring and strategic evaluation. Blighter radar solutions are used by the U.S. military and the British Army for force protection, and in numerous asset protection and border security applications, including monitoring the Korean Demilitarised Zone (DMZ), a buffer zone which runs 250 km across the Korean peninsula and separates North and South Korea. Blighter Surveillance Systems delivers an integrated multi-sensor package to systems integrators comprising the Blighter radars plus cameras, thermal imagers, trackers and software solutions. Its ITAR-free systems are used worldwide in commercial, government and defence markets in area and asset protection for national border security, homeland security and critical infrastructure protection such as oil and gas facilities, coastal surveillance and in military applications. Blighter will be showcasing Blighter Explorer Nexus and other surveillance solutions - including the AUDS counter-drone system - at The International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX 2017), at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), Abu Dhabi, UAE, (Stand 05-C20), from 19th to 23rd February 2017. For more information about Blighter Explorer Nexus and other products from Blighter Surveillance Systems, please visit http://www.blighter.com , telephone +44-1223-491122 or email [email protected]. Media photo: http://www.blighter.com/images/images/pr/2017/blighter-explorer-nexus-system-high-res.jpg About Blighter Surveillance Systems Ltd Blighter Surveillance Systems Ltd (http://www.blighter.com ) is an independent electronic-scanning radar and sensor solution provider. It delivers an integrated multi-sensor package to systems integrators comprising the Blighter e-scan radars, cameras, thermal imagers, trackers and software solutions. Blighter radars combine patented solid-state Passive Electronically Scanned Array (PESA) technology - utilising digital beamforming (DBF) on transmit and receive - with advanced Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) and Doppler processing to provide a robust and persistent surveillance capability and an unmatched combination of high reliability, accuracy and performance with a low cost of ownership. Products are manufactured under a BS EN ISO 9001:2008 certified management system. Blighter Surveillance Systems Ltd is based at Great Chesterford on the outskirts of Cambridge, England. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 16, 2017] Women Who Tech and craigslist founder Craig Newmark Announce Winners of the Women Startup Challenge VR and AI NEW YORK, Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Women Who Tech, a national nonprofit working in partnership with craigslist founder Craig Newmark to break down barriers to women in the tech industry, announced the winners of the Women Startup Challenge VR and AI. The "Shark Tank-style" competition was held before an audience of tech industry executives at Google's New York campus in Chelsea. Didimo of Clayton, California received the grand prize -- a cash grant of $50,000 from the Craig Newmark Philanthropic Fund as well as $15,000 in legal services from Paul Hastings LLP. Didimo automatically creates 3D virtual characters from a single photo; in about 2 minutes it creates a lifelike avatar that can speak, move, and represent you in a 3D world. Platform agnostic and compatible with all 3D environments, their technology can be used in games, social media, film, AR, and VR. "We are grateful to Women Who Tech for believing in our mission and helping bring Didimo to the whole world. It was an exciting night, preparing the pitch for the event was enriching, and we were given the opportunity of sharing why we build Didimo with everyone. It has been an honor to share the stage with other amazing companies," said Didimo Cofounder Veronica Orvalho. "This is our fourth competition," said Allyson Kapin, founder of Women Who Tech. "We've received many hundreds of submissions from female entrepreneurs whose product ideas are often brilliant and disruptive, and a ew that could even be the 'next big thing.' We're just scratching the surface of the pent-up talent, as you see from the caliber of today's winners. It's all about giving women in tech some well-deserved recognition and support." The competition's runners-up were Spirit AI and Addicaid, both located in New York. Both will receive $10,000 in legal services from Paul Hastings LLP. Spirit AI is developing tools to craft more expressive characters, stories, and worlds in games and VR; players can communicate naturally with characters, be deeply understood, and have unique conversations. With this technology, they're also combating online harassment in multiplayer video games. Addicaid is a digital addiction wellness platform for individuals with substance and process disorders, as well as for friends and family coping with loved ones in care. Addicaid is a dashboard for treatment centers and insurance companies to facilitate care delivery in an organized, intelligent, cost-effective manner. The competition featured 10 finalists from a pool of nearly 200 entries from around the country, representing women-led startups working in the areas of virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI). All are in the forefront of VR and AI innovation and included ventures building self-driving non-automotive vehicles, 3-D immersive cameras, drone technologies, wearable tech for gaming, and other innovative technologies. "Supporting women in tech is a big deal," said craigslist founder Craig Newmark. "The tech industry needs more women. We need their perspective and talent. But many aren't getting a fair shake. Only 10 percent of investor money goes to women-led startups, and yet women-led companies deliver a 35 percent higher return than those led by men. We need to level the playing field." The panel of judges who selected the winners included investors Kate Shillo (Director, Galvanize Ventures), Kai Bond (Principal, Comcast Ventures), and Lisa Stone (Entrepreneur and Cofounder, BlogHer). Other sponsors included startup investors Fred and Joanne Wilson, and the global law firm Paul Hastings, LLP, which will provide $35,000 in pro bono legal services. Today's competition marks the fourth Women Startup Challenge since June 2015. To date more than 1,500 women-led startups have participated and nearly $1M in cash and other prizes have been awarded to winners and finalists. The Women Startup Challenge Europe will be held in London, May 3, at City Hall, and will be open to women-led startups based in the UK and Europe. MEDIA CONTACT: Bruce Bonafede 760-831-5080 [email protected] To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/women-who-tech-and-craigslist-founder-craig-newmark-announce-winners-of-the-women-startup-challenge-vr-and-ai-300408798.html SOURCE craigconnects [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 16, 2017] Viewpost and Medius Help Florida Hospital Cure Costly Inefficiencies Viewpost, the secure B2B network for electronic invoicing payments and real-time cash management, announced today an expanded relationship with Florida Hospital, one of the largest not-for-profit healthcare providers in the United States. With a combination of services from Viewpost and Medius, a leading provider of AP invoice automation solutions in the cloud, Florida Hospital is accelerating and optimizing bill payment to greatly reduce back-office costs while continuing its commitment to expert, compassionate and individualized patient care. Florida Hospital is a long-time customer of Viewpost and a recent adopter of Viewpost Express early payment discounting. The addition of MediusFlow, a next-generation cloud-based AP invoice automation solution from Medius, is expected to accelerate Florida Hospital's discount savings by reducing invoice processing time, making it possible to capture even more available early payment discounts. Working with Medius to further accelerate and optimize payables for an existing customer is a first-of-its-kind partnership for Viewpost and a prime example of how healthcare companies like Florida Hospital are leading the way in payables automation and operational efficiency. The combination of these services, including dynamic discounting and supplier presentment and payment, has improved trading partner relationships and reduced costs for Florida Hospital, positively impacting the organization's commitment to its million-plus patients each year. "The medical industry has been leading the migration to electronic patient records, so it's a natural step for us to do the same with electronic business transactions," said Esmond Chan, Director of Accounting at Florida Hospital. "With over 10,000 suppliers from across the country, Florida Hospital is using Viewpost to streamline payables, lower operating costs, and collaborate with our suppliers to provide more than $5 million in working capital financing." Taking full advantage of Viewpost Express early payment discounting, Florida Hospital has made more than 2,600 dynamic discounting transactions with 147 suppliers, saving tens of thousands of dollars. Florida Hospital is streamlining transactions across the country by sending electronic payments through the Viewpost network to suppliers that include 3M (News - Alert), Allstate, FedEx, Georgetown University, H.J. Heinz, Harvard University, Google, Mayo Clinic, Medtronic, Microsoft, St. Jude Medical, Target and The Walt Disney (News - Alert) Company. "The partnership between Medius andViewpost will expand our offering and further enhance our ability to modernize the way accounts payable functions. We're excited to help Florida Hospital achieve their invoice automation goals," said Andreas Granath, Senior Vice President at Medius. "By focusing on capture, validation, process management and reporting, our clients can easily map out their gaps, identify areas for improvement and build a streamlined roadmap toward AP invoice processing best practice. Viewpost's comprehensive and inventive solution for data visibility in the B2B marketplace is a perfect complement to our own cloud-based invoice automation and benchmarking capabilities." "Viewpost is designed to remove the costly transactional friction experienced by any company, from the largest enterprises to the smallest service providers," said Max Eliscu, CEO of Viewpost. "Florida Hospital, with its diverse population of suppliers and quick adoption of Viewpost Express dynamic discounting and payment automation, is validation of the win-win created by an ability to securely connect, transact and track payments electronically while collaborating to optimize cash distribution and access to on-demand working capital." About Florida Hospital Opened in 1908, Florida Hospital is a faith-based institution focused on providing whole person care. It is one of the largest not-for-profit hospitals in the country, with more than two million patient visits per year - more than any other hospital in the country, according to the American Hospital Association. Florida Hospital has 26 hospitals, more than 4,600 patient beds, and over 32,000 employees statewide. Florida Hospital provides a wide range of health services, including many nationally and internationally recognized programs in cardiology, cancer, women's medicine, neurosciences, diabetes, orthopedics, pediatrics and transplant and advanced surgical programs. Florida Hospital is a designated statutory teaching hospital and also trains physicians from all around the world on the newest technologies. About Medius Medius is a leading provider of AP invoice automation solutions in the cloud. The MediusFlow solution automates and simplifies the entire P2P process. The company has 1,900 customers worldwide processing 50 million invoices annually, with high density in retail, manufacturing and services. Founded in 2001, Medius now has 200 employees working out of offices in Sweden (HQ), Norway, Denmark, Poland, the Netherlands, the United States, Malaysia and Australia. More information is available at www.mediusflow.com. About Viewpost Viewpost North America is revolutionizing the way businesses transact with each other. Viewpost built the most trusted open business network to empower businesses of all sizes with real-time cash management for anytime operating decisions. On the secure Viewpost network, companies connect and exchange electronic invoices and payments with unprecedented ease and visibility, accessing working capital on demand. Enterprise clients are using Viewpost to cut costs, increase efficiency and improve cash management, including Accenture (News - Alert), Florida Hospital, Georgetown University, the Orlando Magic and Whole Foods Market. With enterprise-grade security, including ISO 27001 and SSAE16 audited certifications and the TRUSTe Privacy Seal and Skyhigh CloudTrust Enterprise-Ready Rating, Viewpost is partnering with financial institutions to bring cash management tools to business customers at U.S. Bank, Bank of America and Fifth Third Bank. Viewpost innovation has been awarded Best in Show by Barlow Research, Best CISO/CSO by FireEye (News - Alert) Cyber Defense Summit, CSO50 Award (four-time honoree) by IDG's CSO, and Best B2B Payments Platform by Tradestreaming. Since Viewpost was opened to the public in early 2015, the total invoices presented and payments processed have reached $71.4 billion across the network. Founded in 2011, Viewpost is headquartered in the Orlando area, with additional teams in Boston, Minneapolis and San Francisco. Learn more at www.Viewpost.com, Viewpost.com/blog and @Viewpost. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170216005437/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 16, 2017] IHI Summit 2017: Improving Patient Care in the Office Practice and the Community Institute for Healthcare Improvement-- WHO: The Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), a leader in health and health care improvement worldwide, plus more than 800 health improvers, health care professionals, and community change agents. Featuring keynotes from Maureen Bisognano, President Emerita and Senior Fellow, IHI; Erika Bliss, MD, Founder and CEO of Qliance; Kavita Patel, MD, MS, a Nonresident Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution and a co-founder of Tuple Health; and Trissa Torres, MD, MSPH, FACPM, Chief Operations and North America Programs Officer, IHI. WHAT: The 18th Annual Summit on Improving Patient Care in the Office Practice and the Community WHEN: Thursday, April 20 - Saturday, April 22, 2017 WHERE: Orlando World Center Marriott Resort & Convention Center 8701 World Center Drive Orlando, Florida 32821 WEBSITE: ihi.org/summit TWITTER HASHTAG: #IHISummit ABOUT THIS YEAR'S SUMMIT The Summit is IHI's signature offering for quality improvers who are in the trenches of creating team-based and new, more collaborative models for patients in primary care extending into the community. The event is also the place where some of the freshest approaches to improving health and health equity emerging from communities themselves - often using the tools and methodologies of Quality Improvement (QI) - can be learned about and brought back home. To that end, the Summit will also feature lessons learned from two years of IHI's SCALE initiative (Spreading Community Accelerators through Learning and Evaluation; funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation), dedicated to testing and spreading community-level health interventions. CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS: The IHI Summit will feature more than 800 health improvers, health care professionals, and community change agents gathering to energize one another, co-create solutions to similar challenges, and gain practical solutions for transformative change across health and health care. Choose from half-day minicourses, extended learning labs, and general conference workshops, on topics such as: Creating community solutions to heroin addiction challenges Designing and implementing community-based improvement collaboratives Creating an inclusive environment for LGBTQ patients Reducing health care worker burnout and increasing joy in work Building effective quality improvement (QI) teams Fostering wellness with person-centered care Transforming the primary care teaching clinic Find new insights and take-away tools that can be put into practice immediately, shared from peers across primary care practices, multispecialty clinics, academic practices, government agencies, community health centers, and home health agencies, as well as health plans and insurers. RSVP: To register, visit IHI.org/summit For press credentials or additional media information, contact Sandy George at CXO Communication, [email protected] About the Institute for Healthcare Improvement IHI is a leader in health and health care improvement worldwide. For more than 25 years, we have partnered with visionaries, leaders, and front-line practitioners around the globe to spark bold, inventive ways to improve the health of individuals and populations. Recognized as an innovator, convener, trustworthy partner, and driver of results, we are the first place to turn for expertise, help, and encouragement for anyone, anywhere who wants to change health and health care profoundly for the better. Learn more at ihi.org. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170216005645/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] By Press Trust of India: From Shirish B Pradhan Kathmandu, Feb 16 (PTI) Nepal has not taken any steps to stop Indias move to "weaken" SAARC process, former prime minister K P Oli said today as he stepped up his anti-India rhetoric. Oli in his political document presented during the CPN-UMLs politburo meeting, which concluded here today, claimed that India is giving more importance to sub-regional groupings such as BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) and BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal Initiative). advertisement "India is giving more importance to sub-regional groupings such as BIMSTEC and BBIN but it is effortful in not allowing SAARC Summit to take place," Oli said. "Nepal has not taken any measure to stop Indias move to weaken SAARC process," he said in his 10-page political document. "SAARC is weak due to Indo-Pak standoff and India?s policy towards Bangladesh," according to the paper. It also criticised the government for allowing foreign security personnel inside Tribhuvan International Airport. Oli, who became Prime Minister in October 2015 following promulgation of the new constitution, resigned from the post in August last year blaming India for his fall. He had inked the landmark Nepal-China Transit and Transportation Agreement after Nepal-India border remained blocked for almost six months. PTI SBP PMS --- ENDS --- [February 16, 2017] Leading Online Freelance Content Marketplace Expands Global Footprint GURGAON, India, Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Contentmart, an online portal that connects freelance copywriters and editors with content buyers from around the world, continues expanding its reach worldwide. "We're seeing an explosion in demand for online content worldwide, yet many companies find it difficult to recruit and retain highly-skilled content producers," said Contentmart Founder Anton Rublevskyy. "Our mission is to provide writers and businesses with a one-stop solution to earn from and access quality-written content on a global scale. It's complete end-to-end solutions combined with an intuitive, user-friendly experience." Just one of the key factors contributing to Contentmart's growth is an upward trend in the marketing world with studies showing over 55% of marketers are increasing their content marketing budget. With an ever-growing user base of writers and editors located all over the globe, Contentmart is particularly valuable for companies with a global audience -- providing content buyers with the ability to view writers categorized by location, language, and their industry expertise and project type area of focus. Since its August 2015 launch, over 50,000 writers and more than 63,000 clients have registered on Contentmart, with over 20,000 projects completed to date. The startup is currently comprised of 40 team members operating across Gurgaon, India and Kiev, Ukraine Contentmart focuses solely on facilitating comprehensive content writing services, including business writing, web page content, articles, blogs, press releases, travelogues, case studies, whitepapers, and academic writing across print, electronic, and digital media platforms. The company offers dedicated account managers for clients who have large scale content needs and rigid deadlines -- helping them save time and concentrate on their core competencies. Following a free registration, content buyers create an order by filling in the order details and receive bids from verified writers, who list fixed prices for completing the order. Buyers can view writer portfolios, client reviews, areas of expertise, and qualifications to help narrow down the candidate best suited for their specific project. Clients make payments directly to their designated writer upon completion and only if they are satisfied with the finished product. Before they can start bidding on projects, writers must complete a multi-level screening process that includes a writing and an English language examination to demonstrate their ability in their chosen writing language. Writers can also opt to further build their skillset with additional exams designed by professional, native linguists. Unlike many competitors who charge up to 40% commissions, Contentmart only retains a 10% commission from the writer's order total. Contentmart is also in the process of rolling out several new features within the first half of 2017. Releases include multilingual content writing services and translation services, enhanced content distribution and promotion, and an API that automatically checks content for grammatical errors. A built-in chat messenger will also enable clients and writers to communicate with each other in real time, and anti-plagiarism algorithms that verify content originality. "With the constant evolution of technology, maintaining a digital presence is an absolute must for twenty-first century businesses," said Rublevskyy. "And it's also directly contributed to major growth in the freelance space. With Contentmart, we're entering the right market, at the right time, and with a platform that makes bridging the gap between businesses and the freelancing community much simpler and much more value-driven." To learn more about Contentmart and what they have in store for all freelancers and businesses, visit their site here. For more information about this story, contact: Lovelesh Sharma Contentment Pvt. Ltd. [email protected] +1.888.370.4149 To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/leading-online-freelance-content-marketplace-expands-global-footprint-300408740.html SOURCE Contentmart [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 16, 2017] PerfectServe Offers Educational Webinars on MACRA and Mobile Device Optimization KNOXVILLE, Tenn., Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- WHAT: PerfectServe is hosting two complimentary educational webinars for physicians, practice administrators and health system IT professionals. From making sense of MACRA to optimizing a mobile device strategy impacting patient care, the webinars help participants to prepare for new policies and technologies. WEBINAR TIME / REGISTRATION: Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017, 1:00-2:00 p.m. ET Webinar: Making Sense of MACRA Click here to register. MACRA is complex and confusing, thus understanding the regulatory details is vital to a medical group's success. Co-hosted by PerfectServe and The Health Management Academy, physicians and practice administrators will learn: Two definitive paths to ensure compliance with MACRA requirements Strategies and tactics to help practices keep pace and evolve Appropriate considerations for unique organizational challenges Webinar presenter is Caitlin Greenbaum, director of Health Policy & Strategy at The Health Management Academy. As an analyst in the federal intelligence community, Greenbaum has written strategic papers and delivered briefings to senior policymakers on the implications and mitigation strategies around worldwide public health issues. WEBINAR & TWEETCHAT TIME / REGISTRATION: Thursday, March 2, 2017, 12:00-1:00 p.m. ET Webinar: Optimizing a Mobile Device Strategy to Impact Patient Care (use the hashtag #HSCIOchat) Click here to register. healthsystemCIO.com All Stars Panel's Kevin Grady, M.D., chief medical officer, St. John Hospital and Medical Center; Ken Kleinberg, senior healthcare technology strategist; and Don Dally, chief technology officer, PerfectServe, explain how a health system can optimize its mobile device strategy within the context of its enterprise IT strategy. The experts discuss the importance of extending fragmented enterprise mobile communications to a more comprehensive integrated strategy. They also propose recommendations for advancing the mobility of care teams tomorrow. PerfectServe Synchrony is healthcare's most comprehensive and secure care team collaboration platform. The platform is unique in its ability to improve communication process accuracy and reliability via its proprietary Dynamic Intelligent Routing capability. Headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, with offices in Alpharetta, Georgia and Chicago, PerfectServe has helped clinicians provide better care since 2000. Media Contact: PerfectServe Contact: Angela Jenkins Heather Dorsett, MBA Agency Ten22 Director, Content Strategy and Marketing 303.877.0115 855.871.7299 [email protected] [email protected] To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/perfectserve-offers-educational-webinars-on-macra-and-mobile-device-optimization-300408866.html SOURCE PerfectServe [February 16, 2017] Avnet Named to FORTUNE Magazine's "Most Admired Companies" Avnet (NYSE: AVT) was honored on FORTUNE magazine's "World's Most Admired Companies" list for 2017 in the wholesalers: electronics and office equipment category. This marks the eleventh consecutive year that FORTUNE has recognized Avnet for its continued leadership and management in areas such as financial soundness; global competitiveness; long-term investment value; people management; quality of products and services; and use of corporate assets. "FORTUNE's ranking is a testament to the strength and dedication of Avnet's global team," said William Amelio, chief executive officer, Avnet. "As Avnet continues to build our unique distribution model to support customers a every stage of the product lifecycle, this recognition from FORTUNE underscores our unwavering commitment to the success of our employees, customers, suppliers and shareholders around the world." Amelio added, "It's the core values exemplified by our employees that has earned us this honor from FORTUNE time and time again, and we'll continue to find new routes for innovators, engineers and manufacturers to bring their ideas and products to market." FORTUNE rankings are considered the "definitive report card on corporate reputations" and they are based on surveys completed by executives, directors and analysts. Within the surveys, participants are asked to rate companies in their industry based on specific criteria from investment value to social responsibility. To make the list a company's score must rank in the top half of their industry. For more information on the FORTUNE "Most Admired Companies" visit http://www.fortune.com. All brands and trade names are trademarks or registered trademarks, and are the properties of their respective owners. Avnet disclaims any proprietary interest in marks other than its own. About Avnet, Inc. From components to cloud and design to disposal, Avnet, Inc. (NYSE: AVT) accelerates the success of customers who build, sell and use technology globally by providing them with a comprehensive portfolio of innovative products, services and solutions. For more information, visit www.avnet.com. (AVT_IR) View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170216005811/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 16, 2017] Broadridge Named One of FORTUNE Magazine's 2017 'World's Most Admired Companies' LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- FORTUNE magazine has named Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:BR) to its 2017 list of the World's Most Admired Companies in the category of financial data services. The FORTUNE list, considered one of the leading measures of corporate reputation among the world's largest companies, rates companies on a range of criteria, from investment value to global competitiveness and innovation. Broadridge is a global fintech leader that provides communications, technology, managed services, data and analytics solutions to financial firms in capital markets, wealth management, asset management and corporate issuers across multiple industries. With more than 50 years of experience, Broadridge is focused on helping its clients transform their businesses by providing solutions that help them enrich client engagement, optimize efficiency, generate growth and navigate risk. "At Broadridge, we are focused on our clients and staying at the forefront of driving technological change and innovation in the financial industry, and this recognition from FORTUNE reflects that commitment," said Richard J. Daly, president and chief executive officer, Broadridge. "It's an honor to be recognized for the value we deliver, which can be credited to our dedicated and talented associates who continue to earn the trust of our clients each and every day." This is the fourth time Broadridge has been named a FORTUNE Most Admired Company in the financial data services category. The company is frequently recognized by industry organizations for its business and employer leadership. Broadridge has been named one of the "Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality" for five consecutive years by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation and was also ranked among the 30 "Best Companies to Work for in New York State" for nine consecutive years by the New York State Society for Human Resource Management. About FORTUNE World's Most Admired Companies list Each year, FORTUNE magazine partners with the Hay Group to survey financial analysts as well as top executives and directors from FORTUNE 1000 and Global 500 companies to identify companies that have the strongest reputations overall and within their individual industry segments. Companies are rated on innovation, people management, use of corporate assets, community and environment social responsibility, quality of management, financial soundness, long-term investment value, quality of products or services and global competitiveness. For more information and to view the complete list of companies, visit: www.fortune.com/worlds-most-admired-companies. For more information about Broadridge, please visit: www.broadridge.com. About Broadridge Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:BR) is a leading provider of investor communications and technology-driven solutions for banks, broker-dealers, mutual funds and corporate issuers. Broadridge's investor and customer communications, securities processing and managed services solutions help clients reduce their capital investments in operations infrastructure, allowing them to increase their focus on core business activities. With over 50 years of experience, Broadridge's infrastructure underpins proxy voting services for over 90% of public companies and mutual funds in North America, and processes on average over $5 trillion in equity and fixed income trades per day. Broadridge employs approximately 10,000 associates in 16 countries. For more information about Broadridge, please visit www.broadridge.com . Media Contacts: Linda Namias Erica Sunkin Broadridge Edelman +1-631-254-7711 +1-212-729-2126 [email protected] [email protected] To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/broadridge-named-one-of-fortune-magazines-2017-worlds-most-admired-companies-300408902.html SOURCE Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 16, 2017] Jorge Weingarten, MD, Named New Chief Medical Officer at SynerMed SynerMed, a market-leading healthcare platform for government-sponsored healthcare programs in Monterey Park, California, announced today that Jorge Weingarten, MD, has joined the organization as the new Chief Medical Officer. Reporting directly to President and Chief Executive Officer James Mason, Dr. Weingarten will oversee the company's medical affairs and clinical operations. Dr. Weingarten is board certified in Internal Medicine and brings with him a wealth of experience in population health management, government-sponsored healthcare delivery, value-based care and quality improvement. He joins SynerMed from Care1st, a health plan where he oversaw all clinical operations as the company grew from a single line of Medi-Cal business with 40,000 members to more than 500,000 members in Medi-Cal and Medicare throughout California, Arizona and Texas. "We have worked with Dr. Weingarten for many years and have grown to appreciate his capabilities and knowledge, especially in the government-sponsored arena," said James Mason, President and Chief Executive Office of SynerMed. "We are excited to have him as part of our team at SynerMed." During Dr. Weingarten's 17-year tenure at Care1st, he spearheaded the recruitment and development of high-performance healthcare teams that managed all aspects of medical and quality standards, social services and pharmacy operations. He was instrumental in improving quality metrics, including attaining a Four-Star rating for Care1st's Medicare plan, and maintaining NCQA accreditation over the last 10 years. Dr. Weingarten's efforts in both utilization and quality activities led to the successful sale of Care1st to Blue Shield in 2015 for $1.3 billion. "I look forward to working with James and his entire team at SynerMed to ensure the continued delivery of high-quality care that is both innovative and affordable," said Dr. Weingarten, Chief Medical Officer at SynerMed. Dr. Weingarten received his medical degree from University of Texas Medical School in Houston, Texas, and he completed his residency in internal medicine at Los Angeles County + University of Southern California Medical Center. He is a Diplomate of the Board of Internal Medicine. About SynerMed SynerMed is a market-leading healthcare organization specializing in government-sponsored programs headquartered in Monterey Park, California. SynerMed is dedicated to innovating healthcare through an integrated system of tools, purpose-built web platforms, and professional services that connect physicians, members, hospitals and health plans. SynerMed's mission is to transform the healthcare system by rewarding high-quality and cost-effective care. For more information about SynerMed, visit www.synermed.com and www.synermedconnect.com. Follow SynerMed on: Twitter YouTube LinkedIn View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170216005989/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 16, 2017] Harvest Exchange Wins the 2017 Alt Credit Intelligence Award for Best Distribution Platform Houston, Texas, Feb. 16, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- February 15, 2017 -- Harvest Exchange has been named the winner for the Best Distribution Platform by Alt Credit Intelligence, part of HFM Week. Harvests technology exists to strengthen investor relationships through digital distribution, discovery and data, said Peter Hans, CEO of Harvest. Im so proud of the Harvest team for what weve accomplished thus far, but even more excited for whats on the horizon for both of our platforms, Harvest Exchange and Vosterra. Winning the award for the Best Distribution Platform speaks to our top priority at Harvest; to help our clients educate their target audience on their unique value proposition, and to do so in a manner that offers real value to that target audience. Weve spent te past 4 years building our software and community for a market that is rapidly changing and its amazing to watch it materialize." Harvest was also a finalist for the Best Data and Information Provider and Best Technology Overall as part of the US Services Awards 2017. The 2017 US Service Awards hosted by Alt Credit Intelligence recognizes and rewards hedge fund service providers that have demonstrated exceptional customer service and innovative product development over the past 12 months. Alt Credit Intelligence is part of HFM Weekly, a Hedge Fund Management community. The judging panel comprised of representatives from Alternative Credit Intelligence, leading fund managers and other industry experts. The official winners were announced at an afternoon ceremony held on Wednesday, February 15 in New York. Harvest is a financial discovery marketplace that enables asset managers to meaningfully reach and distribute to their target audience and leverage behavioral data to initiate and strengthen client relationships. For more information on Harvest visit: www.hvst.com. Contact: Sital S. Patel Director of Communications Phone: 202-436-1312 Email: [email protected] [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 16, 2017] Local elementary school received education grant, allowing students to succeed in STEM TACOMA, Wash., Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Elmhurst Elementary School received an education grant from Seattle's Pacific Science Center in partnership with Google, giving students exposure to STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education. The grant allowed 450 students from kindergarten through fifth grade to take a field trip to the Pacific Science Center in Seattle. Inspirus Credit Union sponsored the field trip by providing staff and students with t-shirts to identify their group. "We're honored for the opportunity to take our students to the Pacific Science Center, so they can get a jump start in STEM education," said Elmhurst Elementary School Principal, Carrie Adrian. "Our students have a unique opportunity to discover science beyond the classroom, and we're grateful for the support of Inspirus Credit Union, Google and the Pacific Science Center for giving our studentsthis chance." On February 13, students walked through the halls of the science center and immersed themselves in health and wellness, environmental and earth sciences, and physical sciences and engineering. They explored the science playground to learn how an electric motor works and discovered how elements in the environment change from morning to evening, and summer to winter. "This truly was an amazing learning experience and our students were so captivated by the different exhibits and what they learned from this field trip. We will be bringing what we learned back to the classroom, and continue to work on STEM education with our students," said Adrian. Elmhurst Elementary School is one of eight elementary schools in the Franklin Pierce School District. Their approach to learning in a respectful, responsible and safe place allows for their students to soar in the classroom. About Inspirus Credit Union Founded in 1936 by a Seattle math and journalism teacher, Inspirus serves 80,000 members across Washington who share a passion for education. With $1.1 billion in assets, Inspirus operates branches in Seattle, Spokane, and Lynnwood. Its philanthropy model includes education-giveback programs that allow members to direct charitable contributions to schools in their communities. Inspirus employees donate upwards of 1,000 volunteer hours each year in support of education. For more information, visit inspirusCU.org. To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/local-elementary-school-received-education-grant-allowing-students-to-succeed-in-stem-300408944.html SOURCE Inspirus Credit Union [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 16, 2017] Medical Properties Trust, Inc. Increases Regular Quarterly Dividend by Four Percent to $0.24 Per Share Medical Properties Trust, Inc. (NYSE: MPW) announced today that its Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.24 per share of common stock to be paid on April 13, 2017, to stockholders of record on March 16, 2017. Today's declaration marks the third consecutive year of a cash dividend increase resulting in a 14 percent increase compared to 2014 dividends. "We are pleased to continue to increase our cash dividends to shareholders commensurate with growing Funds from Operations," said Edward K. Aldag, Jr., Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. "With this increase, we continue to maintain our strong payout ratio of between 75% and 80% of adjusted funds from operations." Annual Meeting of Stockholders Medical Properties Trust also announced that its annual meeting of shareholders will be held at the Summit Club in Birmingham, Alabama at 10:30 a.m. Central Time on May 25, 2017. Shareholders of record as of March 20, 2017, will be invited to attend. About Medical Properties Trust, Inc. Medical Properties Trust, Inc. is a self-advised real estate investment trust formed to capitalize on the changing trends in healthcare delivery by acquirin and developing net-leased healthcare facilities. MPT's financing model allows hospitals and other healthcare facilities to unlock the value of their underlying real estate in order to fund facility improvements, technology upgrades, staff additions and new construction. Facilities include acute care hospitals, inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, long-term acute care hospitals, and other medical and surgical facilities. For more information, please visit the Company's website at www.medicalpropertiestrust.com. The statements in this press release that are forward looking are based on current expectations and actual results or future events may differ materially. Words such as "expects," "believes," "anticipates," "intends," "will," "should" and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results of the Company or future events to differ materially from those expressed in or underlying such forward-looking statements, including without limitation: the payment of future dividends, if any; increases to future dividend payments; expected dividend payout ratio, and other factors affecting the real estate industry generally or healthcare real estate in particular. For further discussion of the factors that could affect outcomes, please refer to the "Risk factors" section of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, and as updated by the Company's subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other SEC (News - Alert) filings. Except as otherwise required by the federal securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update the information in this press release. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170216006330/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] February 16, 2017 By Ken Briodagh, Editorial Director The first answer to any use case question or proposal is always to prove ROI, and IoT is in the unique position of making that ROI proposition a much easier case to prove and present. In a new webinar, scheduled for Thursday, February 23, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. ET/ 8:00 a.m. PT, the speakers will address how connectivity and the IoT can do your proof-of-concept work for you, in large measure. In the rapidly-evolving IoT market, choosing the right IoT SIM is critical for the success of an IoT initiative. Here, you will learn why customers have moved away from traditional roaming SIMs and networks in favor of IoT SIMs specifically designed for the needs of connected products and services. Now that new eUICC/eSims are a viable option, how will these complementary technologies provide the best option for your IoT initiative? During this webinar, speakers will address: The rapidly evolving IoT landscape and emerging SIM technologies Ensuring your IoT devices always have resilient, optimized, global connectivity Top questions to ask when selecting the right IoT SIM and connectivity provider Customer use cases for IoT SMART SIM and eUICC/eSims How to future-proof your connected business with eUICC/ eSIMS to enable growth Key criteria when selecting an IoT connectivity platform to manage your IoT deployment Click here to register. PRESENTERS: Chris Gnanakone Founder & CEO, Nube Chris comes from a background spanning more than two decades in Information Technology. He is avidly enthusiastic in the development that encompasses cloud, mobile and more recently IoT (Internet of Things) strategy and execution. Chris has founded and co-founded four technology startups, two being mobile applications, and is an investor and Ambassador at Boomtown Boulder, CO a technology start up accelerator / incubator. He acts as mentor to entrepreneurs and startups at Boomtown Boulder and The Deming Center for Entrepreneurship at Colorado University, Boulder, CO - Leeds School of Business. Currently, he is Founder & CEO of Nube, an IoT (Intelligence of Things) startup seeking to revolutionize the LP Gas industry in Latin American markets (LATM). He is also Founder & Chief Development Officer of One Sri Lanka Foundation, a not-for-profit participating in/ funding the vision to free Sri Lanka of land mines (2020) in partnership with HALO Trust. In addition, the foundation provides micro credit loans to women entrepreneurs for home based small businesses. Chris is passionate about supporting education and health related programs using technology as a vehicle for underprivileged children. He currently supports There With Care, Boulder, CO, a charity that assists families with children that have a terminal illness, Tamauje Iwigara a raramuri indigenous school in the state of Chihuahua and Suenos y Esperanzas" (Hopes and Dreams) - an orphanage in Guadalajara in the state of Jalisco, Mexico. Staffan Eriksson Head of Product Management, Sierra Wireless (News - Alert) Staffan Eriksson joined Sierra Wireless in 2015 as a result of the acquisition of Wireless Maingate and is now the Director of Product Marketing, Cloud & Connectivity business unit. Staffan has more than 20 years' experience from the telecom and IT sectors and has held senior positions within several companies. At Wireless Maingate (News - Alert), an MVNO and provider of M2M/IoT connectivity in the Nordics market, he held the position as head of Product Management. Before joining Wireless Maingate, Staffan was at SmartTrust (News - Alert) (now Giesecke&Devrient), a world leading supplier of SIM and device management solutions, where he was driving the development of the company's mobile values added services portfolio. Staffan holds a Master of Science from the Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm and a Bachelor in Business Administration from the University of Stockholm. MODERATOR: Carl Ford CEO and Co-Founder, Crossfire Media Carl Ford is Co-Founder of Crossfire Media focused on the impact of communication technology on consumers and industry. Carl has been highlighting the key initiatives around the advances of the Commercial Internet since the beginning. From developing product and service strategies to moderating meetings at ETSI (News - Alert), Carl's 20+ years have always focused on the impact that service cost, regulatory and marketing issues have in rolling out new services. As a community developer for Pulvermedia (News - Alert), Carl developed all of the VON Conference content. As an integral part of the IP Communications community, Carl has been instrumental in helping develop various trade organizations and has advised many companies on both strategic and technical issues to satisfy the needs of these company's customers. Register now. Edited by Alicia Young A look back on all of our reporting of the Delphi murders since 2017 crime According to the Chinese media, India's space technology still lags behind the US and China and it has not yet formed a complete system. By Ananth Krishnan: A Chinese state-run newspaper in an editorial Thursday said India's record of sending 104 satellites into space was "a limited achievement", with India's space programme still lagging behind China's successes in its manned space programme. India on Wednesday launched a record 104 satellites on a single rocket, which followed the Mars orbiter mission, which also garnered attention in China. The Chinese government described the Mars orbiter mission as "the pride of Asia" and said it would be keen to work more closely with India on space projects. advertisement The state media, however, struck a different note on Thursday. "The Indians have reason to be proud," said a Thursday editorial in the Party-run Global Times, a widely read tabloid. "However, the space technology race is not mainly about the number of satellites at one go," it added. "It's fair to say the significance of this achievement is limited. In this regard, Indian scientists know more than the Indian public, who are encouraged by media reports." INDIA'S SPACE PROGRAMME VERSUS US, CHINA The editorial pooh-poohed where India's space programme stood in comparison to America's and China's. "India's space technology development tends to project national image. It's reported that India also plans to reach Venus, another programme that is suitable for media hype but lacks follow-up research," the editorial said. "On the whole, India's space technology still lags behind the US and China's. It has not yet formed a complete system. For instance, the engine of its rockets is not powerful enough to support large-scale space exploration." WHERE IS INDIA LAGGING BEHIND The editorial pointed out, "There is no Indian astronaut in space and the country's plan to establish a space station has not started," referring to China's manned space missions, with two astronauts last year spending 30 days in the Tiangong-2 space module, which will be developed into a full-fledged space station. The paper did add that it was "a hard-won achievement for India to reach current space technology level with a relatively small investment", saying it offered "food for thought for other countries", pointing out that the US space budget in 2013 was $39.3 billion, China $6.1 billion, Russia $5.3 billion, Japan $3.6 billion and India $1.2 billion. The editorial concluded that India's example was "worth pondering". "The first is its ambition to make India a great power. Therefore, it's focused not only on immediate interests but long-term ones. Second, the country believes it should remain present in space technology development, given its close links with military. And third, India is under pressure to compete with China and refuses to lag behind." "India's Achilles' Heel is its relatively small economic scale and a weak foundation for national development. As a hierarchical society, it has both world-class elite and a largest number of poor people. Many lessons can be drawn from India. As a rising power, it has done a good job. It is ambitious but pragmatic, preferring to compare with others as an incentive to progress. India's political and social philosophy is worth pondering." advertisement ALSO READ | ISRO creates history as PSLV launches 104 satellites in one go China lodges protest with India over visit of parliamentarians from Taiwan ALSO WATCH | Here is all you need to know about ISRO's PSLV rocket launched today --- ENDS --- Council approves rules to limit self-storage growth Future self-storage facilities in the city of Thousand Oaks will be excluded from prime commercial areas, according to a new ordinance adopted by the City Council this month. In a... Dealership does Distinguished thing SPECIAL TRIPChildren from Boys & Girls clubs in Camarillo, Simi Valley and Moorpark, and Oxnard and Port Hueneme attended Misty Copelands Oct. 18 appearance in the Distinguished Speaker Series at... Stagecoach Inn honors veterans The Stagecoach Inn Museum is honoring those who served with a Veterans Day exhibit featuring museum volunteers who have served in the military as well as family members who have... By Press Trust of India: From Lalit K Jha Washington, Feb 16 (PTI) Terming the nuclear deal with Iran as "the worst" agreement ever, US President Donald Trump has assured visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Tehran would never be able to build a nuclear weapon. "The security challenges faced by Israel are enormous, including the threat of Irans nuclear ambitions, which Ive talked a lot about. One of the worst deals Ive ever seen is the Iran deal," Trump told reporters at a joint news conference with Netanyahu at the White House yesterday. advertisement "My administration has already imposed new sanctions on Iran, and I will do more to prevent Iran from ever developing - I mean ever - a nuclear weapon," Trump said. He said the American security assistance to Israel was currently at an all-time high to ensure that the Jewish state has the ability to defend itself from many threats. "Both of our countries will continue and grow. We have a long history of cooperation in the fight against terrorism and the fight against those who do not value human life. America and Israel are two nations that cherish the value of all human life," he said. "This is one more reason why I reject unfair and one-sided actions against Israel at the United Nations - just treated Israel, in my opinion, very, very unfairly - or other international forums, as well as boycotts that target Israel," he said. Trump said his administration was committed to working with Israel and common allies in the region towards greater security and stability. "That includes working toward a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians. The United States will encourage a peace and, really, a great peace deal. Well be working on it very, very diligently," he said, adding that the parties themselves who must directly negotiate such an agreement. "Well be beside them; well be working with them," he added. Netanyahu applauded Trump for his strong stand on Iran and radical Islamic terrorism. "Our alliance is based on a deep bond of common values and common interests. And, increasingly, those values and interests are under attack by one malevolent force:radical Islamic terror," he said. "Mr President, youve shown great clarity and courage in confronting this challenge head-on. You call for confronting Irans terrorist regime, preventing Iran from realising this terrible deal into a nuclear arsenal," Netanyahu said. "You have said that the United States is committed to preventing Iran from getting nuclear weapons. You call for the defeat of ISIS. Under your leadership, I believe we can reverse the rising tide of radical Islam. And in this great task, as in so many others, Israel stands with you and I stand with you," he said. (MORE) PTI LKJ MRJ --- ENDS --- advertisement By Press Trust of India: New Delhi, Feb 16 (PTI) Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar will visit three key countries -China, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh- in Indias neighbourhood beginning Saturday. Announcing the visits, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said Jaishankar will travel to China to attend first round of India-China Strategic Dialogue on February 22. During the dialogue, the two sides will discuss key issues of mutual "concern and interest" including "friction points" such as Masood Azhar and NSG. advertisement The Foreign Secretary will be in Sri Lanka from February 18-20 during which he will interact with the leadership there on possibilities of collaboration and cooperation in a number of sectors including power, highways, airport, hydrocarbon sector, etc. "The visit will continue the tradition of close exchanges with Sri Lanka that has gained momentum in the last two years... The visit would help in taking stock on various decisions taken during the meetings between the two leaderships," he said. Jaishankar will visit Dhaka on February 23-24 and hold talks with his Bangladeshi counterpart Shahidul Haque. The two Foreign Secretaries will review areas of bilateral cooperation between the two countries, including high level visits, Swarup said, adding during the visit, Jaishankar is expected to call on the Prime Minister of Bangladesh. PTI PYK ZMN --- ENDS --- After a toll booth company's assistant manager was abducted at gunpoint, kidnappers let him go after getting stuck in a Gurgaon traffic jam. By Tanseem Haider: A man with a fake driving license was driving a Mercedes car. While crossing the Kherki Daula toll plaza in Gurgaon around 10.15 am, he denied to pay the toll tax of Rs 60 and even threatened the toll booth official to not ask for the toll. Around 11.37, the same Mercedes returned to the toll booth with more than 15 miscreants and at gunpoint, abducted the toll booth's assistant manager. advertisement They drove off some 150 metres away from the booth and thrashed the assistant manager. Eventually, after getting stuck in the Gurgaon traffic, and finding no place to go, the assistant manager had to be let go by the men. Watch the CCTV video here: Few days ago, a local Congress leader also made headlines threatening the toll operator at the same booth. --- ENDS --- In exciting news, its just been announced that Grammy-winning Canadian songwriting legend K.D. Lang is heading to our shores for an Aussie tour celebrating the 25th anniversary of her first album proper, Ingenue. The three-stop tour will see her take on Melbourne and Sydney, but forego Brisbane in favour of Perth, strangely enough. Sorry QLD, but good news for Perth fans a bit sick of missing out when tours roll around. This album was her first to be made up entirely of original material, and K.D. has since gone on to become one of the worlds most respected songwriters, collaborating with the likes of Elton John and Roy Orbison and picking up her home countrys highest honour, the Order of Canada, along the way. I am thrilled K.D. is touring to celebrate this iconic album which was released in 1992, said Paul Dainty, CEO/President of tour presenters TEG Dainty. Ingenue is on the list of albums everyone should listen to before they die. To see K.D. and her stunning band perform the album in its entirety, along with her other major hits, is going to be a very special evening for Australian fans, he added. Tickets go on sale at 10am on Tuesday Feb 28, but Telstra customers can jump in first and grab them at 10am on Tuesday Feb 21 through to Feb 23 get in quick. K.D. Lang 2017 tour Tickets through Ticketek Tuesday 18 July Plenary Hall, Melbourne Sunday 23 July Riverside Theatre , Perth Wednesday 26 July ICC Theatre, Sydney So far this seems like a mostly a JoCo thing . . . Because all of the bodegas around KCMO seem to be open and still mostly oblivious to most of the local protest that might keep them from making a buck.Take a look at media covering more news that might be kinda fake or at least VERY MUCH politically motivated . . .Developing . . . This week's favorite quiet local music gathering is dedicated to the influence of protest music, the theme of this weekend's annualin Kansas City.. . . If only as a conversation starter for exceptionally flighty broads.Developing . . . Congressman Cleaver and CHC Members Kicked Out of Meeting with ICE This afternoon, Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II along with Members from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus were ejected from a scheduled meeting with Acting Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Thomas Homan. The purpose of the meeting was to gather information from ICE regarding the recent reports of raids and arrests of undocumented immigrants across the country.It is very unusual for a federal agency to refuse to share information when that is the purpose of their visit to Capitol Hill. In my 14 years in Congress, I have never seen this happen. Even a 25 year Member and leader on the issue of immigration, Congressman Luis Gutierrez, was not allowed to stay. The information obtained from this meeting could have been vitally important to the people of my district, said Congressman Cleaver.CHC members called for a meeting with ICE last week in a letter, which can be read here, addressed to Mr. Horman. The purpose of that meeting was to have an open and candid discussion regarding changes ICE has made. ICE officials canceled that meeting, then scheduled a second meeting with a select few Members of Congress. There was no indication that House Democrats or the CHC would be denied access.This is not Washington, this is the new Washington, said Congressman Cleaver. But that will not prevent me from doing my job and getting answers for the American people.#################Developing . . . "The current proposed bill was introduced and sponsored by eight Republican and seven Democrat representatives early this year. Robert Dunham, the executive director of the non-profit Death Penalty Information Center, sees the bill as a reflection of the emerging trends in terms of death penalty legislation." "The only states that are left that are seeking to abolish the death penalty require bipartisan support for abolition efforts to succeed," Dunham said. "Opponents of the death penalty are moving away from the traditional, moral, economic and racial fairness issues to making arguments based on government overreaching. Do we trust the government to get the policy right?" Consider this bit of reading a primer for the. . . Take a look at the real life prison industrialstruggle that'sas cleaver as Internets drama.Money line and a new rhetorical tactic casts doubt on government's ability to play God . . .You decide . . . Wars in the Middle East and eastern Europe. Terror on the streets of North America. Riots, violence, spiraling murder rates sometimes, it can feel like the planet is going crazy. Confronted with all this mayhem, many of us want nothing more than to run and hide our families away somewhere where they can be safe. But where could you possibly go to escape the nonstop horror that is the modern world? Were glad you asked. Every year, the non-partisan, London-based Legatum Institute releases its global prosperity rankings. Alongside other metrics like GDP and democracy, they rank every country on Earth according to how safe it is. The results give a fascinating guide to where on the planet you are least likely to be hurt, robbed, raped, or murdered. Wanna escape the horror of the daily news cycle? Youve come to the right place (NOTE: to keep things fair, were gonna be ignoring non-recognized states and micronations, as otherwise Vatican City would be #1 every single darn time) 10. Sweden Forget the gloomy, rain-soaked Scandi crime dramas. Northern Europes liberal bastion Sweden is one of the safest countries on the planet. In 2015 (the last year the US Department of State holds records for), there were a mere 90 murders in a population of nearly 10 million. If youre thinking thats still a lot for a tiny number of citizens, remember that Sweden has as many people living in it as Michigan. In any given year, Detroit alone records waaay more than 90 murders. To be fair, Sweden isnt totally crime free. In the tourist months, pickpocketing rates soar. Theres also the thorny matter of rape. Sweden has the highest rape rate in the whole of Europe, which certainly doesnt sound very safe until you realize the sheer differences between what constitutes rape in Sweden and what constitutes rape in the USA. To take an example given in the Globe and Mail, if your American boss was to rub himself against you at work every day for a week, you could probably sue the jerk for harassment. If he did exactly the same thing in Sweden, hed face 52 separate counts of rape. Since 2005, Swedish rape law has been the most-feminist in the world. Perhaps its no wonder only 15% of Swedes feel unsafe walking alone at night. 9. Austria This tiny European nation of beer and sausages was once home to one of historys great empires. The Habsburgs ruled huge swathes of the world from their base here, with various members in charge of everywhere from modern Germany, to Spain, Mexico, Peru, and Bosnia. Although the dynasty collapsed following WWI, their imperial capital of Vienna is still one of the worlds great cities. As a bonus, its shockingly safe to visit, too. From a population only a million or so smaller than Sweden, Austria clocks around maybe 40 murders on an average year. Its homicide rate is the 6th lowest in the entire 38-country OECD. Thats not to say Austria is entirely problem free, of course. Following the 2015 migrant crisis, the country briefly became a popular human trafficking route, culminating in the tragic death of 70 migrants in a truck abandoned on the countrys roads. The following year, in a perhaps not unrelated event, the public came within a whisker of electing Europes first openly far-right head of state since WWII. Despite this, though, Austria remains a largely-friendly, beautiful place where youre unlikely to meet a sticky end. Plus, its got some seriously nice landscapes for you to get drunk in. 8. Switzerland The first thing you notice about Switzerland, when you get over all the awe-inspiring natural beauty, is that the country is absolutely awash with guns. The Swiss love guns like Texans love well. Guns. The country has one of the highest firearm ownership rates in the world, only a few places behind the USA. But while the US is infamous for shootings, crime in Switzerland is incredibly low. In 2014 (the last year we have data for), there were only 41 murders in a population of 8 million. Part of this may be to do with just how crazy rich the nation is. Switzerland has the 12th highest GDP per capita, and is one of only two countries in the top 14 with a population over 5 million. The towns fairly reek of prosperity. Forget streets paved with gold. In Switzerland, peoples wallets are practically lined with Platinum. However, all this prosperity has come with something of an ethical price. In WWII, the countrys national bank profited handsomely from handling stolen Nazi gold. In the years since, the countrys secretive banking industry has been accused of hiding cash for everyone from money launderers to Pablo freakin Escobar. 7. Germany Germany has the highest population in the whole of the EU, with nearly 15 million more citizens than either of its nearest rivals (France and the UK). On top of that, the country recently absorbed more than one million refugees from Syria and other warzones. Yet despite all this, nearly every single category of crime has been falling steadily since reunification in the 1990s. The only crime thats skyrocketed in recent years? Shoplifting. Overall, the country has the 9th lowest homicide rate in the OECD, meaning youre only slightly more likely to get murdered in big, bustling Germany than you are in teeny tiny Austria. Obviously, the raw numbers are higher, but cmon, dude. 2,100 murders in a population of 80 million is still pretty good, especially when you consider the US (pop. 318 million) has recorded over fifteen thousand in recent years. Of course, life in Germany isnt all lederhosen and walking home at night in perfect safety. As the 2016 truck attack on a Berlin Christmas market showed, Germany is sadly not free of the ills that are currently bedeviling other Western nations. 6. Norway The population of Norway is an astonishingly-tiny 5 million. Know how many of these five million modern-day Vikings were murdered in 2015? Twenty one. If Norway was a US state, it would have the lowest murder rate, and the 3rd lowest number of overall murders in the whole of America. Only sparsely-populated Vermont (pop. 626,000) and New Hampshire (pop. 1.3 million) would have fewer stiffs clogging up police freezers. About the only crime in Norway that is statistically-likely to have any impact on newcomers is burglary. Not that Norway is completely trouble free. Its still fewer than six years since far-right terrorist Anders Breivik detonated a car bomb in Oslo, then went on a shooting rampage, killing 77. While its unlikely theres another Breivik out there, people, especially Oslo residents, are still traumatized by the incident. Still, the 2011 tragedy aside, Norway remains one of the coolest, most-attractive, most-hassle free countries in the world. Ignore those who accuse the Scandi nation of being boring. Rich, prosperous Norway is the country other northern European countries secretly want to be (albeit with more daylight and beer that doesnt cost $10 a pop). 5. Denmark We dunno about you, but if we lived in a place where a single beer cost upwards of seven bucks, wed probably be more inclined to angry outbursts. But what do we know? Demark is so safe that even residents of Norway probably feel they can relax there. The murder rate is the 5th lowest in the entire OECD. Street crime is almost unheard of. Even the drug traffickers who ship heroin through the country frequently eschew violence (at least, on Danish soil). Interestingly, despite all this, Denmark is seen as being a prime target for al-Qaeda and ISIS, who have called on followers to attack the nation. However, no mass-casualty Islamist terror attack has yet taken place, leading to global praise for Denmarks intelligence services and anti-extremism units. Even ignoring safety and crime rates, Denmark should be high on your list to escape to if life ever gets too much. Home to the happiest capital city in the world, Copenhagen, and possibly the worlds only autonomous republic run by hippies, Denmark is nothing if not absurdly cool. 4. Iceland In January 2017, a young woman in Icelands capital Reykjavik was tragically abducted and murdered while walking home from a bar. While this grim story would probably end there in any other nation, in Iceland it resulted in a public outpouring of grief unmatched in modern times. Vigils were held by candlelight. Tens of thousands marched on the streets. The entire population came together to mark this senseless death. In doing so, they showed the world why Iceland remains one of the safest nations. The people there really, truly, deeply care about one another. With a population of only 323,000, Iceland is one of the remotest, least-populated countries out there. But while remoteness often breeds violence, in Iceland the opposite has happened. There are no armed police patrolling the streets, yet violence, even in rural backwaters, is practically unheard of. The cliche of people still leaving their doors unlocked at night is true. A year with more than one murder is a bad year indeed. Much of this is to do with how integrated the population is. Everyone essentially knows everyone, which may be why the recent death struck home so hard. Iceland is safe not because its relatively rich, but because its inhabitants have chosen to make it so. 3. Japan Well, look at that. A non-European country for once. An island nation of 127 million, Japan is notorious for its meme-ready weirdness, its ultra-strict work culture, and for being so safe even its Yakuza gangsters refuse to carry guns. The murder rate is the third lowest in the OECD, with fewer than one thousand homicides in 2015. In that same time period, the US a country with a population less than three times the size of Japans recorded fifteen times that many. Its fair to say Japan is a very safe country indeed. And it just keeps on getting safer. 2015 saw the lowest rate for every single type of crime since 1945. Tokyo is ranked as the safest city in the world. Osaka is ranked as the 3rd safest. Given that Greater Tokyo is the second largest urban habitation on the planet (only Chinas Pearl River Delta is bigger), thats one heck of an accolade. Before you rush to pack your bags, though, its worth pointing out that Tokyo is also one of the worlds most dangerous cities. Yeah, we know, confusing. But hear us out: theres safety from other human beings, and then theres safety from Mother Nature. And in that second category, Japan in general falls way down. Frequently hit by earthquakes and tsunamis that kill thousands, Japan can sometimes feel like Mother Natures unfortunate, anime-obsessed, whipping boy. 2. Luxembourg Jammed between France, Germany and Belgium, super-rich Luxembourg is one of Europes smallest nations. How small? So small it makes Holland look big by comparison. Rhode Island is bigger. But Luxembourg has something the Netherlands and Rhode Island lack. No, not the European Court of Justice. No, not an X in its name (seriously, dude, thats a terrible guess). No, Luxembourg has something far more awesome. It has the lowest violent crime rate, and the second lowest murder rate in the whole of the OECD. Violent crime essentially doesnt exist here. There were a handful of armed robberies in 2015. Aside from that, nothing. Even with a population of only 543,202, thats still impressive. Kansas City has a population around 100,000 smaller, and saw over 125 murders in 2016. Luxembourg saw almost none. The reason for all this may be due to the high standards of living and extremely low poverty rates in the nation. Luxembourg has the 6th highest GDP per capita, and consistently ranks high on quality of life listings. Interestingly, though, the country isnt totally free from troubles. There are currently six whole Luxembourgers fighting with ISIS in Syria. 1. Singapore This is it. The safest country on Earth. Tiny Singapore is home to 5.3 million people crammed into an area almost four times smaller than Rhode Island (pop. 1 million). With such an insane level of overcrowding, you might expect things to quickly spiral into violence and resentment. Not so. In 2011, a mere 16 people were murdered. In 2015 & 2016, all forms of violent crime and thefts hit either 10 or 20 year lows. The only crimes that are currently increasing are cybercrimes, which may be unpleasant, but at least arent going to end with you lying in a pool of your own blood and vomit. As an added bonus, Singapore completely lacks the natural disasters endemic to Japan. Its clean and livable, with even stuff like spitting gum being punishable with enormous fines. However, all this security has come at something of a cost. In Singapore, the government is in charge, and you better believe they value safety over freedom. The country ranks 75th on the Economist Intelligence Units respected democracy index, behind Colombia, Serbia, Hungary and Brazil, to name a few, and only 10 places ahead of Honduras (the US ranks 20th, before you ask). In this tiny little Asian nation, security definitely comes with a price tag. Whether or not its worth the cost is something only you can decide. Other Articles you Might Like Fraport Greece CEO Alexander Zinell this week expressed confidence in the growth potential of the 14 regional airports around Greece whose management the German-Greek consortium will soon assume. he German executive referred to "tremendous" potential for both the facilities' growth as well as the destinations they serve, a handful of whom are the country's best-known tourism attractions. Speaking during a briefing roughly a month before the Fraport-led consortium takes over the airports -- a landmark privatization in the country -- Zinell reiterated that the company has committed to investing at least 330 million euros during the first four years of the concession, on top of an up-front payment of 1.2 billion euros to the Greek state. Several stakeholders attended and participated in the briefing, including representatives of Greece's Civil Aviation Authority, state and law enforcement officials, as well as commercial partners. "With the 14 Greek regional airports, we are launching a new era, in terms of operation and governance, as well as customer service. We want to operate and develop the airports to better serve these destinations and Greece overall, and to grow the airports hand-in-hand with their respective communities and regions ..." the Fraport Greece CEO said. Read more here. RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report By Press Trust of India: Kochi, Feb 16 (PTI) The Kerala High Court will hear from March 9 a revision petition filed by CBI challenging a special court verdict discharging Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and six others in a case related to alleged corruption in a hydel project deal with a Canadian firm two decades ago. The court today dismissed a petition filed by M R Ajayan, seeking speedy disposal of the revision petition. advertisement Considering the petition, the court found that the petitioner had no interest in the case and it was filed only for publicity. The court also expressed displeasure over discussions taking place on TV channels about pending cases. Referring to such a TV channel discussion on the SNC Lavalin case, Justice P Ubaid said, "Judges are aware of their responsibilities, commitments and know how to manage and control the court proceedings." Coming down heavily on such discussions, it said judicial proceedings were not mechanical or electronic processes. "Judicial process are governed by law", it said. The revision petition was filed against the November 2013 Thiruvananthapuram CBI special court order,discharging Vijayan and six others from a case relating to alleged loss of Rs 374.50 crore caused by them to the state exchequer in awarding a contract to Canadian firm SNC Lavalin for renovating three hydel projects in the state. Vijayan was then power minister in the LDF government headed by E K Nayanar. The previous Congress-led UDF government had alleged that it was Vijayan who had finalised the deal with the Canadian firm. In February 2016, the high court had rejected a plea by the then UDF government for early hearing of CBIs revision petition, challenging the acquittal of Vijayan. The CPI(M) had come out publicly against the then UDF government, alleging that it wanted an early hearing in the matter to build a case against the party and and its leader Vijayan for political reasons. PTI COR TGB APR ZMN MVV --- ENDS --- Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), the international financial centre in Abu Dhabi, has signed agreements to strengthen cross-border co-operation with the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) and Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA). The MoUs aim to further collaboration on joint initiatives and bolster the growth of the financial markets. Joseph V Bannister, chairman of the Malta Financial Services Authority said: The main objective of the Memorandum of Understanding is to create a formal framework for regulatory collaboration between the two Authorities. Such collaboration should prove beneficial in protecting investors, promoting the integrity of regulated markets and bolstering the growth of financial services in both markets. This will be achieved by providing clear means for co-operation between the two Authorities including channels of communication, increased mutual understanding, exchange of regulatory experience and technical information and investigative assistance. Richard Teng, chief executive officer, FSRA of ADGM said, Malta and Abu Dhabi have established years of great friendship, robust trade and investment initiatives. We are pleased to further our partnership with Malta FSA through closer collaboration in efforts to uphold high regulatory practice and standards in our respective jurisdictions. By harnessing joint efforts and regulatory co-operation, financial institutions and companies can further expand their global footprints through ADGMs internationally recognised platform. We look forward to working closely with the MFSA to leverage each others regulatory experience and insights and bolster the growth of financial services in both markets. We are pleased to deepen our on-going engagement and collaboration with APRA, Teng added. By harnessing our expertise and experience, financial institutions and companies from both markets can further expand their global footprints via each others internationally recognised platforms. I look forward to the two teams working closely together in leveraging each others regulatory experience and insights, developing the financial services sectors, and supporting our stakeholders in achieving their growth plans. TradeArabia News Service The United Arab Emirates (UAE) took the top spot in the Middle East in the 2017 Index of Economic Freedom, released by the US-based Heritage Foundation. It was ranked 8th globally on the list. Hong Kong topped the list, while Singapore and New Zealand are in the second and third positions. Others in the top 10 are: Switzerland (4th), Australia (5th), Estonia (6th), Canada (7th), UAE (8th), Ireland (9) and Chile (10th). The UK is placed in the 12th position, while the US took the 17th rank. Among the GCC countries, Qatar was at 29th ranking on the list; Bahrain 44th; Kuwait 61st; Saudi Arabia 64th and Oman 82nd. The Index analyses economic policy developments in 186 countries. Countries are graded and ranked on 12 measures of economic freedom that evaluate the rule of law, government size, regulatory efficiency, and the openness of markets. Per capita incomes are much higher in countries that are more economically free. Economies rated free or mostly free in the 2017 Index generate incomes that are more than double the average levels in other countries and more than five times higher than the incomes of people living in countries with repressed economies. Not only are higher levels of economic freedom associated with higher per capita incomes, but greater economic freedom is also strongly correlated to overall well-being, taking into account such factors as health, education, environment, innovation, societal progress, and democratic governance. No matter what their existing level of development may be, countries can get an immediate boost in their economic growth by implementing steps to increase economic freedom through policies that reduce taxes, rationalise the regulatory environment, open the economy to greater competition, and fight corruption. In the 2017 Index, 103 countries, most of which are less developed or emerging economies, showed advances in economic freedom. Remarkably, 49 countries achieved their highest economic freedom scores ever. Two large economies (China and Russia) are included in this group. While two countries (Mauritius and the UK) recorded no change in score, 73 experienced declines in economic freedom. Sixteen of these 73 countries, including notably the Bahamas, Bahrain, El Salvador, Pakistan, Venezuela, and the US recorded their lowest economic freedom scores ever, the Foundation said. The AsiaPacific region is home to nine of the 20 most improved countries: Fiji, Kiribati, Kazakhstan, China, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Tajikistan, and the Solomon Islands all recorded score gains of four points or more. On the other hand, Sub-Saharan Africa has the most countries (Cabo Verde, Djibouti, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, The Gambia, and Madagascar) recording notable score declines, followed by the Americas (Barbados, the Bahamas, Venezuela, Suriname, Saint Lucia, and Brazil). Of the 180 economies whose economic freedom has been graded and ranked in the 2017 Index, only five (Hong Kong, Singapore, New Zealand, Switzerland, and Australia) have sustained very high freedom scores of 80 or more, putting them in the ranks of the economically free. A further 29 countries, including Chile, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Georgia, the US, and Mauritius, have been rated as mostly free economies with scores between 70 and 80. A total of 92 economies, just over half of those graded in the 2017 Index, have earned a designation of moderately free or better. These economies provide institutional environments in which individuals and private enterprises benefit from at least a moderate degree of economic freedom in the pursuit of greater competitiveness, growth, and prosperity. On the opposite side of the spectrum, nearly half of the countries graded in the Index88 economieshave registered economic freedom scores below 60. Of those economies, 65 are considered mostly unfree (scores of 5060), and 23 are considered repressed (scores below 50). Economic freedom is about much more than a business environment in which entrepreneurship and prosperity can flourish. With its far-reaching impacts on various aspects of human development, economic freedom empowers people, unleashes powerful forces of choice and opportunity, gives nourishment to other liberties, and improves the overall quality of life, the Foundation said. - TradeArabia News Service VKL and Al Namal Group, a multinational conglomerate founded by Bahrain-based non-resident Indian (NRI) businessman Varghese Kurien, is entering the co-living homes sector in India through an operating agreement with Square Plums, an upcoming brand of co-living homes based in Bengaluru. Co-living homes are fully furnished, ready-to-move-in homes based in gated communities available on rent for youngsters relocating to cities for jobs. VKL and Al Namal Group and Square Plums have been in discussion for the last few weeks and cemented the deal during Kuriens visit to Bengaluru recently, said a statement. As part of the agreement, VKL and Al Namal Group plans to build 2 million sq ft of co-living homes in Indian metro cities. The group has earmarked an investment of Rs 300 crores (around $45 million) for this foray. Square Plums is founded in early 2016 by Rajesh Kotta and Hemant Attray, alumni of BITS Pilani. It has managed to create an aspirational brand of co-living homes that is popular with young executives working at leading MNCs and IT companies. In August last year, it announced raising an undisclosed amount of funding from Indian Angel Network. Kurien said: We are bullish on the India story and have already invested hundreds of crores in commercial and real estate projects in many cities of Karnataka and Kerala. Co-living homes are a new class in the sector and we have been watching this space for a while. Mohammad Mansoor, managing director of Exelon Solutions, a strategic marketing partner for Square Plums, added: After doing our diligence, we have found that Square Plums, with its focus on high-end, branded homes specifically designed keeping in mind the needs of co-living youngsters, is an ideal operator partner for us. The technology and marketing platform they have built is key for us to succeed in this venture. Kotta commented: Finding a quality rental home is still a challenge in Indian cities, especially for singles. Over the last one year, we have created a product that ideally suits youngsters looking for a home in the city. Homeowners who partner with us have found that on an average, rental yields from Square Plums branded homes can be up to 80 per cent higher. Attray said: In this partnership with VKL and Al Namal Group we look forward to bringing the Square Plums co-living home experience to over 7,000 youngsters across three cities in India. TradeArabia News Service The Saudi government is set to hand over 120,000 residential units to its citizens across the kingdom under an ambitious housing programme named Sakani, which was launched on Wednesday (February 15), said a report. This is part of the total 280,000 housing units and financial assistance to be allotted by the ministry, reported Saudi Gazette. Under the Sakani programme, the Ministry of Housing will start alloting the homes to the most deserving citizens this year. There will be preference for widows, divorcees, people with special needs, and financially backward citizens, stated the report. Prince Saud Bin Talal, adviser and general supervisor at the agency for housing at the ministry, said that the first batch of the Sakani program includes 15,653 housing units and financial assistance. These include 2,937 housing units, 5,016 housing plots, and financial support for 7,700 through the Real Estate Development Fund (RDF), in collaboration with the local banks and financial institutions, the report said. Prince Saud the housing project will be implemented in partnership with the private sector, which is represented by local and international real estate developers. Apart from 120,000 housing units, the Sakani program includes 75,000 housing plots ready for construction, and financial support for 85,000 from RDF and banks, said the Saudi Gazette report. The housing units and financial assistance will be allotted in monthly installments over a period of three years, it added. Iran and Wuhan Company of China have signed an agreement to invest $3.6 billion in Masjed Soleiman Petrochemical Industries, a report said. Meanwhile, three MoUs were also signed between Iran and Austria, the Netherlands and China, added the Iran Daily report, which cited Mehr News Agency. Also, another agreement for joint production in food industries, including energy drinks, cheese and other dairy products, was signed by Iran and an Austrian company, according to the report. Sage, the market and technology leader for integrated accounting, payroll and payment systems, has appointed Dynamic Cloud as an authorised partner in Saudi Arabia. Dynamic Cloud, a subsidiary of Dynamic Energy, provides cloud-based business management software including ERP solutions in the Al Khobar IT sector. The company is engaged in the research and development of new technologies and innovative products around areas such big data analytics and IoT. It also constantly seeks partnerships with globally recognized brands to maximize market share and profitability. The company will be a partner for Sage X3, Sage X3 People, Sage 300 and Sage CRM business management solutions. Dynamic Cloud serves industries ranging from oil and gas, to healthcare, logistics, manufacturing, and education. The partnership agreement will offer Sage a springboard to reach new clients with its state-of-the-art business management solutions, said a statement. Dynamic Cloud and Sage are working together to increase market share while providing professional sustainable solutions to the Saudi market, especially in Al Khobar, noted Othman Al Othman, CEO Dynamic Energy. Further, partnering with Sage gives us an insight into the future of business management solutions utilizing the best technology, and best support. Having more business partners in Saudi Arabia is a core element of Sages commitment to the Saudi market. This goes together with an aggressive training plan that Sage is undertaking to improve its business partner capabilities to serve customers in Saudi Arabia, said Albadr, founder and CEO, Josor, Sage certified distributor in Saudi Arabia. We are excited by the potential of this partnership with Dynamic Cloud to reach clients across a variety of industries. As the countrys focus on economic development and modernization of existing businesses continues into 2017, we are thrilled to be an enabler of sustainable, and robust business solutions in Saudi Arabia, said Keith Fenner, vice president Sage Enterprise Africa & Middle East. The Vision 2030, an economic development policy released by the Saudi government outlines the prospects for the development of the non-oil sectors in the country. Modernisation of the countrys business sector, a goal of the policy document, falls on partnerships such as these between local, and regional or global solution providers to devise by utilizing the core competencies of market knowledge held by local companies, and high quality product and service knowledge of regional and global brands. Using Sage solutions for business operations and business planning combined with professional services to assist with change implementation and management, will result in the empowering of businesses with important information and the freeing of resources (time, people) for strategic growth of the company and the economy, said the statement. - TradeArabia News Service Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), the country's space agency, has successfully launched 104 satellites from a single rocket, setting a world record, that will cement the country's space smarts after its successful Mars orbiter mission. The PSLV-37 rocket blasted off from India's Satish Dhawan Space Centre at 10:58 p.m. EST (0358 GMT) on Wednesday with three satellites from India and 101 foreign satellites from six countries - US, Kazakhstan, Israel, Netherlands, Switzerland and UAE, reported the Indian Express. Using the time-tested and popular Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), ISRO surpassed its personal best of sending up 20 satellites in one go. The bar, however, was previously set by Russia in 2014 when it launched 37 satellites in a single mission. The launch has almost tripled the current record of 37 satellites Russia sent into orbit in 2014, stated the report. A delighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the ISRO for its world-record launch. "Congratulations to @isro for the successful launch of PSLV-C37 and CARTOSAT satellite together with 103 nano satellites!, the prime minister tweeted. Acknowledging the proud moment for India, Modi said the nation salutes our scientists. This remarkable feat by @isro is yet another proud moment for our space scientific community and the nation. India salutes our scientists. The prime minister also spoke to the Secretary, Department of Space, congratulating him and the entire team of scientists for Wednesdays exceptional achievement. He dubbed it as yet another feather in the cap of India's ambitious space programme that has earned a reputation of offering a reliable low cost alternative to existing international players. The Indian government has increased the budget for its space programme this year and also announced plans to send a mission to Venus. The increasing competition for space-related power and prestige in Asia has echoes of the Cold War space race of the mid-20th centurym, according to CNN. India, China and Japan have all outlined bold space exploration plans for 2017 and beyond. Smaller powers, like South Korea, also want to get in on the act with ambitions of their own. "It's going to be a big deal. It shows the sophistication of India's space program," Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan, head of the Nuclear and Space Policy Initiative at the Observer Research Foundation, said before the launch. "I've long said that the real race is in Asia," says Joan Johnson-Freese, a professor and space specialist at the US Naval War College. "Recognition of the multifaceted benefits from space exploration and space technology dates back to the Apollo program. Asian countries have been following that model and seeking those benefits ever since." India's Mangalyaan probe - Asia's first successful Mars orbiter - forced the world to take note of India's space program, which was set up in 1962, said the CNN report. The probe was famously sent to the Red Planet in 2014 for $74 million -- less than the $100 million than Hollywood spent making space thriller "Gravity." The Mangalyaan now has pride of place on India's new 2,000 rupee note. "It was a 'beat the Chinese' mission which they hoped would translate into regional and global prestige cum leadership. Anything that gets you into the records book -- like breaking the Russian satellite launch record -- falls into a similar category," says Johnson-Freese. The Mars mission was not just a "sound and light show," says Rajagopalan. It established India's credibility as a space power and has translated into tangible economic benefits when it comes to the big business of satellite launches. To date India has launched 79 satellites from 21 countries, including satellites from big companies like Google and Airbus, earning India at least $157 million, according to government figures. In 2016, it launched 20 satellites in one go but Wednesday's launch was a far bigger challenge. Flydubai has announced the addition of three new destinations for the upcoming summer season. Batumi in Georgia, Qabala in Azerbaijan and Tivat in Montenegro are the latest destinations to join flydubais growing network and will operate from June to September 2017. Following the launch of its latest popular destination, Bangkok, at the end of 2016, flydubai continues to diversify its network with the addition of more popular summer destinations for passengers from Dubai and across the region. Flydubai will be the first carrier to offer direct flights from the UAE to Qabala and Tivat, and the first from Dubai to Batumi. GCC nationals will not need a visa to any of these three new destinations, while UAE residents will receive visa on arrival. We would like to thank the authorities in Azerbaijan, Georgia and Montenegro for making it easier for the residents of the UAE and GCC to visit these countries by facilitating their visa requirements, said Ghaith Al Ghaith, chief executive officer at flydubai, commenting on the announcement. We continue to look for opportunities to further expand our network and offer our passengers more options to travel especially for the summer holiday season. These popular new routes will complement our existing comprehensive network and will be a gateway to explore this part of the region, added Al Ghaith. Supported by new aircraft deliveries in 2017, flydubai continues to widen its network, which comprises 93 destinations in 44 countries spanning from Yekaterinburg in the north, Bangkok in the east, Zanzibar in the south and Prague in the west. Batumi, which will be served by three flights a week, will be flydubais second destination in Georgia following Tbilisi. Qabala, which will be served by two fights a week, is flydubais second point in Azerbaijan after Baku. The start of two weekly flights to Tivat will mark flydubais first entry to Montenegro following the successful promotional trip that was held in October 2016 in partnership with Porto Montenegro. We are confident that the demand for these new summer flights will be strong in both Business and Economy Class. The interest in affordable, popular and off-the-beaten-track holiday destinations continues to grow especially from the GCC markets and these routes offer alternative options for those seeking a beach holiday or city breaks, said Jeyhun Efendi, senior vice president commercial (UAE, EU, ME, CIS) at flydubai. Batumi, Georgia Flydubai will operate three weekly flights between Dubai and Batumi from June 22 to September 30, 2017 on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Batumi is the second largest city in Georgia, located on the coast of the Black Sea in the country's southwest region. Batumi is a popular tourist destination known for its bustling seaside resorts during the warm months of the summer. The city is also an important sea port with thriving shipbuilding, food processing and light manufacturing industries. Qabala, Azerbaijan Flydubai will operate two weekly flights between Dubai and Qabala from June 22 to September 17, 2017 on Thursdays and Sundays. Qabala, also known as Gabala, is the capital of the Gabala District one of the richest archeological and historic regions of Azerbaijan. Qabala is considered a popular tourist destination due to the combination of a mild climate, woods along the mountains, excellent wildlife and recreational resorts. Tivat, Montenegro Flydubai will operate two weekly flights between Dubai and Tivat from 23 June to 25 September 2017 on Mondays and Fridays. Already a popular tourist resort, Tivat is set to become a nautical tourism centre for the southern Adriatic. This coastal town in southwest Montenegro is renowned for its pleasant climate and natural beauty and is conveniently located a short drive away from Dubrovnik in Croatia and Sarajevo in Bosnia-Herzegovina. - TradeArabia News Service Online travel agency Rahlat.com is growing rapidly in popularity among travellers in the Middle East and Gulf regions as the company has reported over 6,000 downloads of its recently released mobile applications (both iOS and Android). The applications, which target phone and tablet device users, aim at serving Arab travellers everywhere by comparing hotel and flight ticket prices through a single outlet in Arabic and English languages. Users originated from many Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Egypt. Looking ahead, Rahlat.com expects more than 200,000 application downloads before the end of the current year. Elie Messo, Rahlat CEO, mentioned that the company's mobile applications are user friendly and easy to navigate as they only require entering the simplest of details, such as dates, number of adults and children, as well as destination. Search takes place with a single click for the application to list a wide range of hotel and flight choices in Arabic language at the best prices. Catering majorly to the Arab travellers, the company also provides a chat support service on its website, which will soon be rolled out to its mobile apps as well. - TradeArabia News Service By Press Trust of India: Goalpara/Guwahati, Feb 16 (PTI) A Foreigners Tribunal member was beaten up allegedly by a lawyer in Goalpara after he gave an opinion that eight of the advocates clients were foreigners, police said today. Tribunal member Ajay Kumar Phukan on February nine had given his opinion that eight of 13 D (Doubtful) voters presented in his court were Foreigners, police said. advertisement The lawyer of the eight persons and some other advocates yesterday had an argument with Phukan in his court premises on the order, beat him up and also broke furniture in the court, they said. As the security personnel rushed to arrest them, they managed to flee. Phukhan filed an FIR with the Goalpara Sadar police station after the attack and police has launched a search operation to apprehend the culprits. The incident prompted Gauhati High Court Judge Ujjal Bhuyan, Additional Chief Secretary (Home and Political) T Y Das, Director General of Police Mukesh Sahay and Special Additional DGP (Law and Order) Kuladhar Saikia to rush here to take stock of the situation. "We want to say from the government side that we take this assault on the Member of the Foreigners Tribunal very seriously," Das told reporters in Guwahati. "We want to see there is no compromise on the safety of the Members of the Foreigners Tribunal. It is non negotiable. We will do everything to see the culprits are brought to book," she added. PTI COR ESB PR SMJ --- ENDS --- The Rezidor Hotel Group has unveiled plans to introduce its first residence property in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, with the opening of a 92-key Radisson Blu Residence in 2019. We are delighted to open our first residences in Dhahran as we see the perfect opportunity to cater to the increasing demand from corporate and leisure guests looking for spacious and stylish serviced apartments on a short-, medium- or long-term basis. We are confident that the combination of high quality, serviced apartments and the globally recognized Radisson Blu brand will prove to be a compelling proposition and will be in popular demand, said Mark Willis, area vice president, Middle East & Turkey, The Rezidor Hotel Group. Located in the Aramco business district, Radisson Blu Residence, Dhahran is situated close to the famous Mall of Dhahran, the areas major retail and shopping complex, and only a kilometer away from the city center. The Residence is also close to the Aramco headquarters and the corporate offices of many international companies. The Radisson Blu Residence is just 55km from King Fahd International Airport Dammam, providing the perfect hub for many of the citys corporate travelers. Radisson Blu Residence, Dhahran provides comfortable and stylish accommodation, with a range of guest rooms and two- and three-bedroom apartments, ideal for guests to create a home-like atmosphere within the convenience and comfort of a hotel environment. All rooms are equipped with free, high-speed wi-fi; flat screen TVs; and a range of complimentary amenities. Each apartment includes a kitchenette and is decorated with a warm and light color palette to create a soothing space to relax. For the discerning palate, the residences restaurant offers a wide selection of international cuisine. Fitness aficionados will be delighted with the well-equipped gym facilities that help them maintain their fitness regimen, including treadmills and weight machines. We are very excited to open Radisson Blu Residence, Dhahran. Our team is all set to deliver the brands Yes I Can! service philosophy. We believe that this, combined with the quality of accommodation, will deliver a great experience for our guests. Demand in the city of Dhahran is largely driven by corporate travelers within the oil industry, however, many leisure guests from Riyadh and neighboring cities in the Eastern Province also enjoy visiting the city. As such, we believe that Radisson Blu Residence, Dhahran will perfectly complement the needs of both segments, says Fadi Mheisen, general manager, Radisson Blu Residence, Dhahran. The three cities of Dhahran, Dammam and Al Khobar compose Greater Damman, the largest metropolitan area in Saudi Arabias Eastern Province. Dhahrans oil reserves have made it integral to the Saudi oil industry, and Saudi Aramco has its headquarters within the city. The Aramco residential camp houses much of the citys sizable international population, which helps give Dhahran a cosmopolitan atmosphere that both business and leisure travelers appreciate. The Rezidor Hotel Groups next property in Dhahran will be Radisson Blu Hotel, Dhahran Square. The hotel will be located across the road from the Radisson Blu Residence, Dhahran and will open in Q1 2019 featuring 216 rooms, a business class lounge, two gyms, a swimming pool and meeting facilities. - TradeArabia News Service This year's Valentine's Day has already passed. Yet, love is definitely still in the air as the romantic vibe and sensation continuously flows all over the nerves of the people even in the hopeless romantics. Just in time as Amazon hails the "20 Most Romantic Cities in the United States". Which city tops the list? San Antonio in Texas. Amazon has formulated the list based on the collection of all sales data from cities that are composed of over 100,000 residents on a per capita basis. The ranking was derived from purchases of novels and books about romance and relationships, romantic music from artists such as John Legend, Barry White, Drake, Ed Sheeran and Adele, and DVDs and digital copies of romantic comedy movies. Even the sales of "sexual related products" are included on the basis of the list. For the previous years, San Antonio City did not make it to Amazon's list of the most romantic cities in the United States. Surprisingly, as years went by, the Texans were probably more romantic than the world expected them to be. Aside from San Antonio, the only Texan city that has made it to the cut was the Round Rock which landed on #19. According to a report by the Business Wire, most romantic music sold by Amazon were purchased by people coming from Seattle, Houston, Chicago, New York and San Diego. On the other hand, Amazon Alexa's most requested songs include the hits of Ed Sheeran, Whitney Houston and Johnny Cash. Southern Living reported that novels by Emily Griffin titled "First Comes Loves" and Jojo Moyes' "Me Before You" are the most ordered romantic novels specifically by customers from Atlanta. It is also revealed that more customers of Amazon stick to the Classic Rock Love Songs streaming more than any other music genre available. Below is the complete list of Amazon's Most Romantic Cities in the USA this year. And of course, San Antonio is found at the bottom because we always want to save the best for last. 20. Rochester, New York 19. Round Rock, Texas 18. Portland, Oregon 17. Las Vegas, Nevada 16. Tampa, Florida 15. Scottsdale, Arizona 14. Seattle, Washington 13. Gainesville, Florida 12. Vancouver, Washington 11. Columbia, South Carolina 10. Ann Arbor, Michigan 9. Atlanta, Georgia 8. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 7. Cincinnati, Ohio 6. Knoxville, Tennessee 5. Salt Lake city, Utah 4. Orlando, Florida 3. Alexandria, Virginia 2. Miami, Florida 1. San Antonio, Texas See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018 The Second World War showed the true terrors of war and advanced technology and the scars it would bear across the surface of a post-war world. Heroes and villains have fought and died for their country and are commemorated in these five locations in America and Europe. America jumped into World War II when Japan first attacked the navy troops situated in Pearl Harbor. The surprise attack had devastated thousands of lives. But America forced Japan to surrender at the end of its blade on the historic USS Missouri in 1945 -- which is still anchored in the USS Arizona Memorial in Hawaii. The Netherlands rarely made a page of history in World War II, but the Germans held the Arnhem Bridge in the Netherlands, which still exists today, until it needed to be destroyed for the Allies to advance. What exists today is only a replica of the bridge built in 1949. According to Escape Here, the bridge is now renamed "The John Frostburg" to honor the eponymous British Commander who he and his men valiantly defended the bridge against German fire. America's entire story of the Omaha Beach takeover -- the amphibian assault featured in "Saving Private Ryan" -- is told in the National D-Day Museum in New Orleans. According to USA Today, about 125 troop boats carried soldiers to the battle and Historian Stephen Ambrose during his time dedicated his life to make the most comprehensive museum that tells the detailed story of D-Day possible. When in Poland, take the time to look at the factory where Nazi Party member Oskar Schindler -- the only one with a heart -- ran an enamel factory in Krakow, Poland where he used his influence to employ and protect Jews from persecution during his time. His administration building is now the Krakow Museum of Contemporary Art where his story and the lives of all he has rescued -- is told. Going on the rarely visited sites of World War II, the ruins of Oradour-Sur-Glane in France tells the grim story of how SS officers slaughtered the entire hundreds of villagers including defenseless men, women and children. The motive was reprisal -- which was legal in the Geneva Convention of 1949 -- because of the villagers' involvement with the French Resistance group. See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018 Have you ever wished there was a way to visit oil rigs? A Norway cruise company plans to take travelers on a tour to Norway's different oil rigs -- instead of cities. No nightlife here except great knowledge and experience one can bring home while atop a usually restricted facility that is least known by many. According to Business Insider Norway, Edda Accommodation initially concentrated on bringing workers into oil rigs and other industries in Norway. The news website said Edda Accommodations has completed a dry run of its oil rig cruise trip of 120 passengers -- with many responding positively to the four-day experience. To travel to an oil rig can be considered a once-in-a-lifetime experience given one needs to shell out about $700 to $3,500 for a single trip. Oil rigs are dangerously high-risk locations for obvious reasons -- should an emergency break out, it could mean life or death -- even for tourists not allowed on the platform. The Telegraph coined the oil rig tourism or safari as the world's first "rig-spotting" cruise. The news website reports all passengers traveled inside the Edda Fides, a "high-tech offshore vessel."As oil is one of Norway's primary exports, the oil industry oil production equipment and routines in its oil platforms are state-of-the-art. A bit of Googling helps one imagine the methods but seeing everything in action including the equipment, even from afar. To acknowledge the arrival of tourists observing their activity from the Edda Fides, water cannons and flares lit up the sky. According to The Telegraph -- citing on-board Hotel Manager Bjon Erik Julseth -- a rescue helicopter "dangled a worker" above the cruise ship to say "hello." The oil rig trip sounds truly amazing and Norway's oil rig tourism is the first of its kind. Edda Accommodation's creativity in the midst of an oil production slump could indeed pay off for tourists looking for something truly unique in 2017. See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018 You don't actually have to leave the United States to get a memorable travel experience. The US is filled with beautiful states, each having their own unique characters waiting to be explored. One of the must-travel destinations is Arkansas. The whole state is bustling with attractions and travel excursions that will fill your travel-hungry soul. Don't know where to start? Here are the top things to do when traveling Arkansas: Go diamond-hunting at Crater of Diamonds State Park. Arkansas is the only place in the world to have a diamond mine that is open to the public. While the hours away searching for diamonds in the 37 -acre plowed field of the entire park, and if you're lucky to find one, the diamond is yours! Go hiking. Explore the wilderness side of Arkansas by going on hiking trails. Don on your hiking gear and sturdy boots and pick from the extensive choices of hiking routes found in the state. In Petit Jean State Park, you can tread the beautiful trail of the 95-foot Cedar Falls, and in Whitaker Point Trail, discover the hype why it's called the most photographed natural site in Arkansas. Have the time of your life at Magic Springs and Crystal Falls Water and Theme Park. Forget Disneyland. This theme park boasts of thrilling rides and family-friendly activities. Have the guts to try Arkansas Twister, Plummet Summit and the Sky Shark? If not, you can participate in equally fun but more kid-friendly rides like Rum Runner Pirate Ship and the Diamond Mine Coaster. Take a trip into the past. History buffs will surely love Arkansas' heritage trails. There are four routes in all, named Butterfield Trail, Civil War Trails, Southwest Trail, and Trail of Tears. Every one of these trails will take you to certain historic sites just like the Clinton Presidential Center and the Old State House Museum. See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018 A woman is blaming United Airlines for the death of her Golden Retriever. The dog was transported on board a United Airlines flight from Detroit to Portland. A 1-hour layover at Chicago turned to 20 hours after the dog's crate did not fit on the connecting flight. The woman is a Michigan native named Kathleen Considine who posted what happened on Facebook, recently moved from Michigan to Portland. The dog was a 7-year-old healthy golden retriever named Jacob, an 80-pound canine, reports Fox News. By the time Jacob landed on Portland, however, Considine alleges that Jacob was disoriented and no longer responding, despite having undergone and passed a physical test less than 24 hours before the flight. She took Jacob to an emergency veterinarian, but by the time they arrived, Jacob was hardly breathing. After being given CPR for several minutes, Jacob dog was declared dead. The vet diagnosed the cause of death as stomach flip, an illness that cuts off blood flow to the organs. It is often caused by meal problems, stress, or both. "After his three hour journey to central Oregon, Jacob was still non-responsive, and getting worse. My very best friend who I was expecting to trample me with kisses barely even acknowledged my existence." said Considine. United PR manager Charlie Hobart confirmed that airline staff in Chicago were not able to fit the dog on the second leg of the flight because the original crate size had been identified as a much smaller specification. He also said that an agent in Detroit mistakenly informed the customer that they would be able to get that crate on the next flight. United says they informed Considine that her dog would be made to stay at a kennel until they could find a place on the next plane to Portland. It took 20 hours before the golden retriever was brought back in flight, but Hobart insists that the dog received the proper food and care during his stay at the Chicago PetSafe facility. United says it flies over 200,000 pets yearly through its PetSafe program. According to U.S. Department of Transportation statistics, 70 animals have died while flying United from May 2005 through Nov. 2015. See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018 The local body polls are being seen as mini Vidhan Sabha elections, with relatives of several top state leaders aiming to make their mark. Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis at an election rally in the state (PTI photo) By Kamlesh Damodar Sutar: Approximately 69 per cent voters exercised their franchise for the Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections in Maharashtra. Voting for 15 Zilla Parishads and 165 Panchayat Samitis took place on Thursday. A total of 855 seats were in play for the Zilla Parishads polls while the Panchayat Samiti polls covered 1,712 seats. A lot is at stake for the state's political bigwigs with the Zilla Parishad polls, being seen as mini Vidhan Sabha elections. advertisement ALL IN THE FAMILY Top leaders from state politics have fielded their next generation in the Zilla Parishad polls. Dheeraj Deshmukh, youngest son of former chief minister the late Vilasrao Deshmukh is contesting from Latur, while Sharad Pawar's grandson Rohit Pawar is contesting from Baramati. Aditi Tatkare, daughter of state Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Sunil Tatkare, is contesting from Raigad. The Bhartiya Janata Party is not far behind either, with state unit president Raosaheb Danwe fielding his daughter from Jalna. State minister Babanrao Lonikar, also of the BJP, roped in his son. In the Beed district, warring Munde siblings Pankaja and Dhananjay are once again engaged in a battle for supremacy. Also read: Maharashtra civic polls: Why Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray's anti-Modi rant doesn't worry BJP VOTER TURNOUT The local body elections saw robust turnout with an overall 69 per cent of all voters casting their ballots. The region-wise turnout figures are as follows: Ahmednagar: 70.83 per cent Aurangabad: 66.22 per cent Beed: 68.73 per cent Buldhana: 67.31 per cent Chandrapur: 71.75 per cent Gadchiroli: 71.45 per cent Hongpai: 72.49 per cent Jalgaon: 64.14 per cent Jalna: 74.80 per cent Latur: 70.31 per cent Nanded: 71.69 per cent Osmanabad: 71.94 per cent Parbhani: 74.94 per cent Yawatmal: 70 per cent Also read: Maharashtra: BJP takes a digital leap to woo voters ahead of civic polls --- ENDS --- One way to move toward a cleaner, greener city is through offering citizens financial incentives to get out of their cars and onto two wheels. Getting around on a bicycle can be an excellent way to clean up our daily commutes and errand runs, but sometimes you need a little bit of a boost, which is where electric bikes come in. And sometimes you need a little more space to haul groceries and gear with you, which is where cargo bikes come in. Combine the two, and you've got an efficient and fun way to not only get from point A to point B, but to also get the shopping home in a single trip without having to stack boxes and bags on your rear rack until you're wobbling your way precariously down the road (been there, done that). The capital of Norway, Oslo, is looking to get more of its citizens out of their cars and onto bikes, and more specifically, onto a set of wheels that is made to haul more than just a single person, in the form of grants covering part of the cost of an electric cargo bike. Last year, the city council offered residents a financial incentive toward buying an electric bike, up to 20% of the purchase price of an e-bike, capped at 5000 kroner (about $600). Now that effort has been extended a bit into an electric cargo bike grant program, which will cover part of the cost of purchase of one of these electric workhorses. According to the Oslo Council, residents can apply for a grant for up to 25% of the purchase of an electric cargo bike, capped at 10,000 kroner, or $1,200, through its Climate and Energy Fund. This subsidy won't help those who can't come up with the rest of the purchase price of an electric cargo bike, which can run anywhere from 20,000 to 50,000 kroner ($2,400 to $6,000), but it's certainly a decent incentive to those who might be leaning toward buying one anyway. City Lab reports that Oslo has experienced poor air quality recently, causing the city to place a temporary driving ban on diesel-fueled vehicles, and this financial support for a cleaner transport option might help push people toward choosing a more efficient mode of getting to work and to the market and home again. When sunscreen chemicals wash off beach-goers, they bleach coral, stunt its growth, and sometimes kill it outright. If youre heading to Hawaii, or any other tropical paradise, to soak up the sun this winter, you might want to leave the sunscreen behind. It sounds counterintuitive after years of being told to slather on sunscreen to protect our skin from dangerous UV rays, but now research is showing that human use of sunscreen could be seriously damaging tropical coral reefs. Senator Will Espero presented a bill to the state congress on January 20 that would ban sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate (except under medical prescriptions) in Hawaii. Espero argued that a ban is crucial to maintaining the health of coral reefs an tourist attraction on which Hawaii relies. Sunscreens use filters, either chemical or mineral, to block out the suns radiation. The chemical filters are most damaging, washing off the skin into the water while swimming, surfing, spearfishing, or even using a beach shower. Researchers have measured oxybenzone in Hawaiian waters at concentrations that are 30 times higher than the level considered safe for corals. According to Hawaiis Department of Land and Natural Resources: The division bench of the Bombay High Court Justice Ranjit More and Shalini Phansalkar Joshi had asked the question as to why the agency had re-investigated the case. By Vidya : The investigation done by Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) of Maharashtra was riddled with "loopholes" and their story "incoherent" in the 2008 Malegaon blast case in which seven people had died and over 100 were injured. This statement was made by special public prosecutor Sandesh Patil, who is representing the National Investigating Agency (NIA) in the Bombay High Court which is hearing the bail application of Lt Col Purohit, an accused in the case. advertisement The division bench of the Bombay High Court Justice Ranjit More and Shalini Phansalkar Joshi had asked the question as to why the agency had re-investigated the case. The NIA had re-recorded statements of a few witnesses whose statement had been recorded by ATS earlier. Justice More asked, "In further investigation, can the NIA re-examine witnesses?" Patil told the court, "The agency decided to re-examine the case as it had the expertise in this field. We had to see if the ATS investigation had been done properly as the NIA cannot just accept any investigation that has been done and handed over to it." Patil added that in furtherance to the issues that cropped up during the investigations, the NIA had even wanted the custody of the accused persons in the case but that was not granted by court. So they questioned a few witnesses. "The details revealed by witnesses was recorded. The story before us was different from the story recorded by ATS," added Patil. Also read: Malegaon blast case: Allegations that Purohit procured RDX from Kashmir baseless, says lawyer The NIA had examined 109 witnesses during the process of investigation, out of which 17 witnesses are common in both the chargesheets filed by the ATS and NIA. "After investigation, the NIA concluded that there are six accused against whom charges do not apply," added Patil, speaking about Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur and five others against whom the NIA has found no evidence and has thus sought that they be discharged from the case. Sadhvi too has filed for bail in the Bombay High Court. Prior to this, Purohit's advocate Shrikant Shivde finished his arguments in the case stating that he had been picked up by civil police based on an FIR registered in Pune, which was a case of forgery of arms documents. "There is an elaborate procedure on how an Army officer can be picked up by the civil police. However, here Purohit was taken away secretly on the pretext of Pune case and handed over to the ATS, where he was illegally detained and tortured by ATS officers while Army did not know about his whereabouts. All this was done only to gain some time, so that in the meantime ATS could falsely plant the RDX and create the evidence against him," claimed Shivde. advertisement Shivde had also alleged that the sanction given by Maharashtra government for prosecuting Purohit had not followed laid down procedures. According to Shivde, an independent sanctioning authority had not been in existence when the sanction was granted. Patil said that the authority had been created after the sanction was granted, however, the authorities orders had retrospective effect. He added , "However, these are issues that can be decided at the time of trial and not at a prima facie stage when the bail is being granted." While opposing Purohit's bail, Patil added that the seriousness of the offence has to be seen where it is not just the sections of Indian Penal Code that have been invoked against him but also Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and Explosives Act. The arguments in the case will go on Friday as well. Also read: Bombay HC gives interim custody of 9-month-old to couple who 'bought' the baby --- ENDS --- Petrol is being sold in black market in poll-bound Manipur at Rs 200-250 per litre. The oil prices have affected electioneering in the northeastern state that is going to polls in two phases next month. Petrol crisis deepens in Manipur, which is going to polls on March 4 and 8. (Photo: PTI) By India Today Web Desk: Manipur is one of the five states which will have a new government next month after completion of elections process. But, unlike other four states of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab and Goa, electioneering in Manipur is hit by oil prices. Petrol is being sold in the state at Rs 250 per litre and that too in black market. The Indian Oil Corporation tried to mitigate the fuel crisis by airlifting 96,000 litres of oil in Manipur but the crisis stays. advertisement The candidates contesting the two-phased Assembly polls are campaigning door-to-door on foot as hiring vehicles would escalate the election expenditure. PETROL PRICES AND MANIPUR POLLS: THINGS TO KNOW Manipur is battling with an indefinite economic blockade since November 1 last year. The blockade was launched by United Naga Council (UNC), which is opposing the creation of new districts bifurcating the existing ones and converting Sadar Hills areas into full-fledged districts. The two main highways - also called the lifelines of Manipur- NH-2 (passing through Dimapur) and NH -37(passing through Jiribam) are blocked leading to acute shortage of essential items in Manipur. The supply of oil has virtually stopped in Manipur with most of the petrol pumps running dry. Those having some quantity of fuel are selling it in black at an exorbitant rate between Rs 200 to Rs 250 per litre. The ruling Congress has accused the BJP of colluding with the UNC to disrupt the life in Manipur to take advantage in the assembly elections. The BJP, on the other hand, has accused the Okram Ibobi Singh government of trying to divide the state along ethnic lines by arbitrarily creating new districts. Manipur goes to polls in two phases on March 4 and March 8 for the 60-seat Assembly. About 65 per cent population of Manipur lives in Imphal Valley, which is dominated by the non-tribal Meiteis. Two tribal groups - Naga and Kuki-Zomi- account for the remaining 35 per cent of the population of Manipur. The tribal population is spread across the hills, which make up about 90 per cent of the geographic area of Manipur. The plains have greater share in the Legislative Assembly in Manipur accounting for 40 of the 60. The hills dominated by the tribal groups have only one-thirds of the seats in the Assembly. --- ENDS --- By Jeemon Jacob: Malayalam director Kamal has finally chosen Manu Warrier to play the role of late Kamala Das, a writer who inspired a generation with volatile writings, in the biopic Aami. "I'm thrilled to do the role and shooting will start next month. Thank God for selecting me for the role," Manju told India Today. Manju has stepped into the shoes of Vidya Balan after she backed out from the film last month despite signing the contract. advertisement ALSO READ: Vidya Balan backs out of Kerala director's film, he had opposed playing of national anthem in theatres Kamal was planning to make a film on Kamala Das for a long time and it was only after talking to Kamala's friends and family and reading her works that he was able to work on the film script. "It would be a different movie that portrays the writing and life of the legendary writer," Kamal told media. Kamala Das (1934-2009) shocked a generation with her finest writings and her open and honest admission of female sexuality. At the age of 42, she published her autobiography , My story, which was rated as one of the finest prose in Malayalam. At the fag end of her life, she converted to Islam under the influence of her lover who remains anonymous. Kamal has indicated that his film would tell the real story of the controversial writer. The director earlier triggered a controversy when BJP attacked him for supporting the people who were arrested for insulting the national anthem by not standing up while it was played in the theatre during film festival 2016. ALSO WATCH: Vidya Balan walks out of Kamala Das biopic --- ENDS --- Parveen Arora Tribune News Service Karnal, February 16 Giving a jolt to Indian rice exports, Iran, a major buyer of the Indian basmati, has reportedly imposed a price cap on the import of Indian basmati. It has fixed a price of $850 per tonne while earlier it had an open market due to which price benefits were coming to the Indian rice industry. Terming it an unfortunate decision, Indian rice exporters have decided to focus on other markets, including Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Europe, Dubai, Afghanistan, Yemen and others, where they already export a huge chunk of rice. The rice exporters also requested the Iranian government to reconsider its decision as the basmati is not a commodity of common people and is consumed by the rich people. As per exporters, Iran imports around 20-25% of Indian basmati, but this decision will definitely reduce the export of Indian rice in Iran as with this price cap it would not be economically viable to export the commodity. It is unfortunate and unfriendly decision by the Iranian government and it will not be beneficial to Iranian trade and industry, said Vijay Setia, former president, All India Rice Exporters Association (AIREA). We have an open market across the world and it is for the first time that any country has put a price cap on Indian basmati, he said. Gurnam Arora, joint MD, Kohinoor Foods Ltd., and founder president of the AIREA, said, We are not only dependent on Iran to export our rice and this year we already have a shortage of around 20-30% of basmati. So, we dont have much rice to export to Iran under such circumstances. Satish Goel, executive member, AIREA, said, Business always depends on demand and supply. The cap on price cannot deter the demand of Indian rice. On this price we will not export it and the Iran government has to take the decision back. We have a vast market in the world and will shift our exports to other countries, he said. New York, February 16 Nokia is rumoured to relaunch 3310, one of its most reliable handsets that was officially unveiled in the year 2000, at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2017 in Barcelona later this month, a media report said. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) "The new 3310, which will feature the same "indestructible" body and long-lasting battery as the original, will retail for 59 euros, or about $62. It's expected to ship with software packing the same clock, calculator, reminder app, and games (Snake II, Pairs II, Space Impact, and Bantumi) as its ancestor," Digital Trends reported on Wednesday. Nokia is also set to launch its first Android smartphone Nokia 6 in China on February 26. Last year, Nokia announced that it licensed HMD Global to produce Nokia-branded mobile phones and tablets. Nokia remained the owner of the Nokia brand after it sold its handset business to Microsoft for 5.4 billion euros but was forbidden to license it to outsiders until the end of 2015. HMD Global has reached agreements with both Microsoft and Nokia about the use of the Nokia brand and some design rights. The agreement HMD Global signed with Nokia is exclusive and valid for 10 years. The agreement with Microsoft has some conditions and only covers the use of the Nokia name in basic phones. Microsoft continues the production of the high-end Lumia smart phones, which will use Windows platforms. HMD Global is planning to spend some 400 million euros to market the Nokia brand for the next three years. IANS Tribune News Service Chandigarh, February 16 Accused Harmehtab Singh Fareeds stepbrother led to his arrest in Haridwar where he was hiding. His stepbrother and their manager from Khanna were rounded up in Zirakpur as they were in touch with the accused. The accused had first fled to Bengaluru and then came to Delhi and later went to Haridwar. Sources said they were tracking Fareeds stepbrother Palbachan and the manager, Kulwinder. Palbachan was in touch with the accused and had got the anticipatory bail plea signed by the accused. On Wednesday evening, the accuseds stepbrother and the manager decided to meet outside a housing society in Zirakpur. Police teams, which were tracking them, reached the spot and rounded them up. The police questioned the duo, who revealed that the accused was hiding in Haridwar. The police teams then went to Haridwar and nabbed the accused during the wee hours of today. The sources said the accused had taken a postpaid number through which he was in contact with his stepbrother. After the incident, both accused, Balraj Singh Randhawa and Harmehtab Singh Fareed, had gone to a friends house where they slept for a few hours. Randhawa had already left the house when Fareed woke up. Fareed called his friends, who dropped him at the airport. He then flew to Bengaluru. The next day, Fareed was informed about Aknashs death, after which he contacted a lawyer. The police said Fareed took a train and came back to Delhi, where he stayed at a friends flat. Fareed also stayed at Gurugram and then went to Haridwar. Fareed had Rs 1.20 lakh The police said while fleeing from Chandigarh, Fareed had Rs 20,000 with him. Later, his stepbrother gave him Rs 1 lakh, which he used all these days. The accused didnt withdraw money from his bank account while he was on the run, the sources said. Police suspect BMW car is with Randhawas cousin Sources said the day the police raided Randhawas house in Sohana, his cousin staying nearby tipped him about the raid. The sources said Randhawa, who had parked the BMW car near the house, then told his cousin to take the keys of his BMW car from his house and park it at a safe place. Tribune News Service Chandigarh, February 16 A day after his pre-arrest bail plea was dismissed and after remaining on the run for a week, Harmehtab Singh alias Farid was finally arrested on Thursday. Farid was accompanying Balraj Singh Randhawa, who ran over Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singhs nephew, Akansh Sen, in a BMW car, leaving Sen dead in Sector 9 here on February 9. However, the main accused Randhawa is still at large. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) Farid is the great grandson of former chief minister of PEPSU state Gian Singh Rarewale. Read more: Himachal CMs relative run over by BMW car Himachal CMs nephew succumbs to injuries at PGI Virbhadra, kin doubt probe by UT police SIT formed to expedite inquiry BMW case: Murder accused still at large BMW case: Falsely implicated, says Harmehtab Harmehtabs bail plea dismissed Confirming the development, a senior UT police officer told The Tribune that Farid was arrested during a raid in the wee hours of Thursday. Though it is learnt that Farid was nabbed from his friends flat, the police have not yet disclosed the location of arrest. He was hiding at a friends flat in Delhi. We had rounded up his cousin, who then led us to Delhi, the police officer said. Farid has been brought here and put under sustained interrogation at Crime Branch by UT DIG Alok Kumar, SSP Eish Singhal and other senior police officers. Sen, 28, who ran Boom Box cafe in Sector 9, was run over by the BMW car thrice and had suffered 13 grievous injuries, leading to his death. With Farids arrest, we hope to nab Randhawa, who is a resident of Sector 77 near Sohana in Mohali, soon, the police officer said. UT District and Sessions Judge Balbir Singh, while dismissing Farids pre-arrest bail plea on Wednesday, had called Sens murder as a heinous offence of serious nature, which leaves no ground for granting anticipatory bail. Sushanshu Ranjan ECONOMIC inequality is rising day by day the world over. It is the biggest cause of worry for economists and policy makers. Disturbing figures keep tumbling out of different researches conducted by different bodies. One such figure is that 1 per cent of the affluent individuals of the world are in possession of more than the remaining 99 per cent, and the top .1 per cent own more than the 90 per cent from below. According to a report of Oxfam International, An Economy For the 1%, 62 wealthiest people of the world own half its assets. Curbing this inequality is a daunting challenge. In case of India, this canker acquires a more hideous proportion. According to a report of New World Health, India is the second most unequal country in the world after Russia in terms of distribution of wealth. In Russia, 62 per cent of the total wealth is in the hands of the few moneybags, while Japan is the most equitable country where only 22 per cent of the nation's assets are owned by the filthy rich. This year's Economic Survey has taken a serious note of the appalling conditions of India. Invoking the vision of Mahatma Gandhi, it has advocated the concept of Universal Basic Income (UBI), Whose time, even if not ripe for implementation, is ripe for serious discussion. It has a whole chapter titled Universal Basic Income: A Conversation With and Within the Mahatma. Since the vision of Mahatma Gandhi has been invoked, it will be in the fitness of things to understand what did Gandhi stand for. The Mahatma believed in the parity of salaries and wealth. In a letter to Viceroy Lord Irwin, dated March 2, 1930, he wrote about the inequality in income, Take your own salary. It is over Rs 21,000 per month, besides many other indirect additions. The British Prime Minister gets 5,000 per year, that is over Rs 5,400 per month at the present rate of exchange. You are getting Rs 700 per day against India's average income of less than two annas per day. The Prime minister gets Rs 180 per day against Great Britain's average income of Rs 2 per day. Thus you are getting much over 5,000 times India's average income. The British Prime Minister is getting only 90 times. He, in fact, advocated for the equal salary for the king as well as for the scavenger as his (scavenger's) work is no less important than that of king. He was of the firm opinion that all wealth is socially produced as no Robinson Crusoe on a solitary island, be he a capitalist or a labourer, can generate wealth. So, he advocated the equal division of socially produced wealth. His speech at the inauguration of the Banaras Hindu University on February 4, 1916 reflects on his thoughts: The Maharaja who presided yesterday over our deliberations spoke about the poverty of India. Other speakers laid great stress upon it. But what did we witness in the great pandal in which the foundation ceremony was performed by the Viceroy? Certainly a most gorgeous show, an exhibition of jewellerycompare with the richly bedecked noblemen the millions of the poor. And I feel like saying to those noblemen: There is no salvation for India unless you strip yourselves of this jewellery and hold it trust for your countrymen in India. Even now we find a vulgar display of opulence in marriages when the filthy rich spend billions. His idea of trusteeship was a most revolutionary idea for ushering in an equitable society, free from exploitation. In his words, My theory of trusteeship is no makeshift, certainly no camouflage. I am confident that it will survive all other theories. It has the sanction of philosophy and religion behind itNo other theory is compatible with non-violence. However, none of his theories or ideas was subjected to such ridicule as Trusteeship was. This ridicule is quite natural when "sycophants of inequality" cry hoarse that rising inequality is an essential concomitant of economic growth. They feel that it will have a trickledown effect that will benefit the underprivileged. They have the audacity to argue that if the option of aggrandising unlimited wealth is closed, nobody will work or invest or do business. The idea of supporting inequality for growth is not only revolting but also factually wrong as is evident from an IMF study of 2015: We find an inverse relationship between the income share accruing to the rich (top 20 per cent) and economic growth. If the income share of the top 20 per cent increases by 1 percentage point, the GDP growth is actually 0.08 percentage point lower in the following five years, suggesting that the benefits do not trickle down. Instead, a similar increase in the income share of the bottom 20 per cent (the poor) is associated with 0.38 percentage point higher growth. UBI is not a new idea. Switzerland rejected it last year. The Swiss government proposed to pay every adult citizen and long-term resident 2,500 Swiss francs (Rs 1.75 lakh) per month as UBI to all, irrespective of their earnings. In the referendum, the people rejected it as many were averse to the idea of giving people money for doing nothing. Some conservatives were worried about its budgetary implications. UBI may come as a great relief for the poor but it is not a permanent solution. The government must do something to reduce the disparity in income and raise the standard living of the poor. Planning occupied the centre stage of Indian thinking as World War II neared its end. A Plan of Economic Development for India, prepared by a body of distinguished industrialists, was published in 1944. More popularly known as the Bombay Plan, it envisaged an investment of Rs 10,000 crore spread in three successive five-year stages. It said that only through heavy investment in the economy and through a concerted drive to raise the living standard of the people could the challenge of the appalling backwardness of the country, the indigence and illiteracy of its people and the high mortality rate be combated. The writer is a senior journalist. By Press Trust of India: Bhubaneswar, Feb 16 (PTI) Managing Director of Orissa Small Industries Corporation Ltd (OSIC) Partha Sarathi Mishra was today arrested by anti-corruption Vigilance wing after he failed to explain the source of over Rs 2.14 lakh found from his possession. A criminal case has been registered against the IAS officer under various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and further investigation in the matter is going on, a statement from the Vigilance Directorate said. advertisement Mishras comment could not be obtained immediately as he was forwarded to the court after being arrested. On receipt of reliable information regarding collection of huge amount of illegal money from different persons by Mishra and proceeding towards his residential quarter in Government vehicle, Officers of Cell Vigilance Division, Cuttack intercepted him last evening in front of his office to ascertain facts, vigilance statement said. During interception, a sum of Rs 2,14,750 in a closed cover was found from the possession of Mishra. On preliminary interrogation, he failed to explain the source of this money, it said. In this connection, his government quarter at Unit-II, Bhubaneswar, his private residential house at Bajrakabati Road, Cuttack and his office chamber situated at Khapuria Chowk, Cuttack were searched simultaneously. Subsequently, a criminal case was registered against him today and he was arrested, it said. PTI SKN RG --- ENDS --- The high casualty figures in Kashmir must have been extremely galling for the new Army Chief, Gen Bipin Rawat. For the first time in three decades, the government had breached the unwritten norm of seniority to appoint him as the Army Chief because General Rawat was said to have scored over his two superseded seniors on the strength of his presumed expertise in counter-insurgency operations. His outburst at best could be attributed to two very bad days this month in Kashmir that claimed the lives of six Army personnel, including a Major. What made the situation worse was the injured Major could not be rushed to hospital in time because of protesting mobs, resulting in his death. It is natural that such instances should trigger a temporary feeling of primitive blood lust in the closely-knit Army fraternity. But it does not behove an Army Chief though schooled in the principle of using minimum force during anti-militancy operations to overstep his jurisdiction and threaten the civilian population. The Army has a well delineated role in anti-insurgency operations. That has been clearly breached. In fact, there is no provision in the extant laws that can make good his threat of treating all those who obstruct the Armys operations during encounters as anti-national elements. Nor does the Army have the power to go after or declare elements who display flags of other countries as terrorists. This is a task best left to the local police. By all accounts, the police had tear-gassed people moving to the encounter site. The reason for crowds obstructing encounters in the recent past needs to be deciphered by the civilian authorities, who in turn, need to work out a solution after consulting all stakeholders, including the Army. As General Rawat would be aware, unbridled violence during the early years of insurgency in J&K made a bad situation worse and the wounds didnt heal. A heavy hand can bring about a temporary and deceptive calm. It can even be misconstrued as a victory. But no one has won the battle by treating all civilians as the enemy. Tribune News Service Rohtak, February 16 The All-India Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti (AIJASS) has stated that the state government appeared to be hatching a conspiracy and no further talks would be held until they (govt) stop imposing conditions and clarify their stance regarding their demands. Addressing the gathering at the Jat Nyay Dharna in Jassia village of the district today, Malik maintained that even while the state government had constituted a committee to hold talks with them, the Chief Minister had stated that the cases pertaining to murder and attempt to murder registered during last years agitation would not be withdrawn. We will talk to the state authorities only after the Haryana governments intention and stance are clear to us and no conditions are imposed in this regard, Malik told reporters later. He warned the state government that the stir would be intensified if its ministers, MLAs and other leaders did not stop issuing statements against the Jat agitators. Malik stated that a meeting of the AIJASS core committee would be held at Jassia tomorrow to review the arrangements for the February 19 balidan divas ceremony and decide the future course of protest. The AIJASS leader stated that the agitators in Haryana would not block highways or railway tracks this time, but also hinted that their sympathisers in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh would not sit silent. Sumedha Sharma Tribune News Service Gurugram,February 16 In view of the ongoing Jat agitation, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar today held a meeting with ministers and senior BJP leaders of 10 districts to take stock of the situation. Khattar asked the participants, including Union Steel Minister Birender Singh, Finance Minister Capt Abhimanyu, Transport Minister Krishan Lal Panwar, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Dr Kamal Gupta, state BJP president Subhash Barala, to keep a close watch in their areas. The Chief Minister asked the leaders to persuade Jat representatives for talks. The government is alert and we do not want any violence. So, we have been asked to keep a watch on the situation. We shall also be getting in touch with the Jat leaders of our respective areas to ensure peace, said a senior BJP leader. While Chief Minister refrained from talking to the media, Agriculture Minister Om Prakash Dhankar said: The government is trying to resolve all issues with the agitators, but we are also keeping a close watch on Jhajjar, Rohtak, Bhiwani, Charkhi Dadri, Hisar, Jind, Sirsa, Kaithal, Sonepat and Panipat which are currently sensitive. The Chief Minister has asked everybody right from ministers to workers to keep eyes open for any trouble and also be in touch with the Jat leaders, he said. Dhankar said the state government was open to discussions and negotiations and they should reciprocate the same way. New York Regular intake of Vitamin D supplements may help protect against cold and flu, as well as tackle high levels of the vitamin's deficiency in countries like India, a study has said. The 'sunshine vitamin' as it known, not just improves bone and muscle health but also protects against respiratory infections by boosting levels of antimicrobial peptides -- natural antibiotic-like substances -- in the lungs. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) Acute respiratory infections such as pneumonia are a major cause of global morbidity and mortality. "Most people understand that Vitamin D is critical for bone and muscle health. Our analysis has found that it helps the body fight acute respiratory infection,...," said Carlos Camargo from the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). The findings showed that daily or weekly supplementation halved the risk of acute respiratory infection in people with most significant Vitamin D deficiency -- below 25 nanomoles per litre (nmol/L). Administering occasional high doses of Vitamin D did not produce significant benefits. People with higher baseline Vitamin D levels also benefited, although the effect was more modest (10 per cent risk reduction), the researchers noted, in the paper published in the journal BMJ. "Our study strengthens the case for introducing food fortification to improve Vitamin D levels in countries where profound vitamin D deficiency is common," added lead researcher Adrian Martineau Professor at Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) in Australia. For the study, the team analysed nearly 11,000 participants in 25 clinical trials conducted in 14 countries, including India, Britain, US, Japan, Afghanistan, Belgium, Italy, Australia and Canada. IANS Pratibha Chauhan Tribune News Service Shimla, February 16 Adamant on his demand that the Congress regime must honour its election commitment of granting unemployment allowance to the jobless youth, Transport Minister GS Bali once again seems to be in a belligerent mood as he plans to hold a state-level rally for unemployed youth and women from all over the state by this month-end. Having raised the issue of rising unemployment in the state on several occasions in the past, the plans of Bali, who shares a blow hot- blow cold relationship with Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, could once again embarrass his own government. While the state government has been maintaining that the number of actual jobless in the state is a mere 3.83 lakh as most other are either under-employed or have not got their names struck off the employment exchanges, Bali has been putting the figure well close to nine lakh. Sources close to the minister said he is scheduled to hold the first rally on the issue of unemployment and problems confronting the youth and women in his Assembly segment of Nagrota by this month end and later at Dharamshala in March. He is learnt to have already written letters to people in various parts of the state to be part of this exercise. When contacted, Bali confirmed that since unemployment was a big issue, he was planning to hold a rally. The rally by Bali, especially during the election year, could give ample ammunition to opposition BJP against the government. With both Virbhadra and Leader of Opposition PK Dhumal trading charges on the number of actual jobs given by the government in the last four years, Balis action could put the Congress regime on the back foot. The Chief Minister has also very categorically said that considering the financial health of the state it was not possible to give unemployment allowance and the better and wiser option was to provide them with skilled training. In fact, Bali had openly aired his opinion in favour of grant of unemployment allowance to the youth, when the Chief Minister had said that it was not possible to fulfill the promise. The Congress in its election manifesto during the 2012 Assembly elections had promised grant of monthly unemployment allowance to all youth who were plus two or graduates and from families having annual income of less than Rs 2 lakh. While the figure of youth registered with various employment exchanges in the state stands at 8.92 lakh, the highest number is from Mandi (1.99 lakh) followed by Kangra 1.68 lakh, Hamirpur 81,319 and Shimla district 76,750. The number of post graduates in the state is 67,816, graduates 1.17 lakh, matriculate and under graduate- 6.44 lakh and under matriculate - 61,820. Tribune News Service Solan, February 16 The movement of vehicles from the Solan bypass at Deori Dwar to the Kumarhatti bypass on the National Highway-22, where the four-laning work is under way, will remain suspended from February 22 to 24. Solan Deputy Commissioner Rakesh Kanwar issued the directions after officials of the National Highways Authority of India told the district administration that the large-scale excavation of the hill was in progress and could pose a threat to commuters. Officials of the PWD, municipal committee and police have been issued directions to ensure the smooth movement of vehicles from Barog on the state highway. Last year, a Nangal resident had lost his life after being trapped under the debris on the stretch of the highway while a couple had a close shave when a huge boulder hit their cars bonnet a few days ago. The incidents while exposing the risk of commuting on this excavated portions of the highway had necessitated the need to adopt safety measures. It was learnt that some hilly portions on the stretch had become risky for commuting in view of the large-scale excavation and time had been sought from the district administration to clear such hazardous sites. Since a state highway passing through Barog was a viable option for the vehicles, the commuters would not face any problem in travelling here. We are preparing a plan to divert the traffic from Deori Dwar through the gurdwara road and being narrow it will require a large number of policemen to ensure smooth movement of vehicles, said Additional SP Manmohan Singh. Barely 10 per cent of the total four-laning work has been executed by NHAI in the first 18 months as against its target of completing it within 30 months. Ambika Sharma Tribune News Service Solan, February 16 With three consecutive samples of water drawn from the Ashwani Khud testing negative for hepatitis A and E viruses, the district administration today gave its nod to resume lifting of water from the source. Deputy Commissioner Rakesh Kanwar, who convened a meeting with officials of the Health Department, took the decision after pondering over the issue at length. He said three consecutive samples of the untreated water drawn on January 21, January 31 and February 9 had tested negative for hepatitis A and E viruses at the Pune-based National Virology Lab. The district administration had exercised caution after the first sample of water had tested negative for hepatitis E virus on December 20 and another lifted on January 5 was found infected with hepatitis A virus. The lifting of water from the source was suspended on January 13. Though the virus had only been detected in the untreated water and the samples of treated water were found to be virus-free, the administration had chosen to suspend the lifting of water from the Ashwani Khud. Following this, measures like hyper-chlorination and thorough cleansing of tanks were undertaken to check the outbreak of jaundice. It had affected more than 800 persons in Solan last year with one death too having been reported. Since the Ashwani Khud accounts for the major supply of water in the town, shortage was experienced despite the fact that the lifting had been stepped up from the other source Giri Water Scheme. The cause of contamination of water had remained undetected though no case of jaundice had come to the fore in Solan after the detection of the hepatitis virus. Samaan Lateef Tribune News Service Srinagar, February 16 Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti will expand her Council of Ministers on Friday by filling one of the two vacancies which fall in the Peoples Democratic Party quota in the coalition government. Sources said PDP legislator Altaf Bukhari would be inducted into the Cabinet. He was Public Works Minister in late Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeeds government. I have received an invitation to attend the oath-taking ceremony of Mr Bukhari at 12:30 pm on Friday, a PDP legislator told The Tribune. PDP sources said the Chief Minister wanted to complete the expansion of Council of Ministers before she left for Umrah pilgrimage to Mecca on February 23. Official sources said the Chief Minister had conveyed the decision to expand the Council of Ministers to Governor NN Vohra on Wednesday during a meeting. However, a formal communication from the Chief Ministers Office was not received by the Raj Bhawan till today evening. The sources said the induction of Bukhari into the Cabinet was aimed at strengthening the PDP in Srinagar ahead of the byelection to its Lok Sabha seat, which fell vacant after the resignation of Tariq Hamid Karra during the last summer agitation. Karra was likely to join the Congress. The PDP only has a Minister of State Asiea Naqash in the Council of Ministers from Srinagar district and the inclusion of Bukhari was to allay public anger against the party, the sources added. Only 20 per cent of the total strength of both Houses of the legislature can be inducted into the Council of Ministers. As the Cabinet can have a maximum of 25 ministers, the PDP and the BJP currently have eight Cabinet ministers and three ministers of state each. Besides, one is occupied by the Chief Minister herself while two are lying vacant from the PDP quota. The sources said while the portfolios of the present Cabinet ministers and ministers of state would not be touched, the decision to induct Bukhari into the Cabinet was taken considering the votebank in his Amira Kadal constituency in Srinagar. Tribune News Service Srinagar, February 16 Mainstream political parties and separatist organisations have strongly reacted to the remarks of Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat that tough action would be taken against the people supporting militants and creating hurdles in operations of the security forces. Expressing disappointment over the remarks, the National Conference said such posturing would compound the situation and increase hostility in the Valley. It is tragic that New Delhi is trying to talk to the youth of Kashmir through the defence establishment when there is a need to engage them politically, a spokesman of the NC said. Youth rushing towards encounter sites and incidents of stone-throwing on the forces during encounters are worrying and alarming signs of the sense of alienation and disenchantment in Kashmir, he added. In a statement, the hardline APHC Chairman, Syed Ali Geelani, termed it as an apparent threat to carry out a killing spree of civilians, which had become a practice over the past seven decades. He said the Centres arrogance and stale thinking was the basic reason for continuous bloodshed and political uncertainty in the state. He said during the situations arising in encounters people exhibit their extreme valour and without any fear even face tough and dangerous situations. The separatist leader that instead of taking this development serious, they (government) are beating about the same bush and suppress people at the barrel of gun. The moderate APHC chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, said the threat issued by General Rawat to the people of Kashmir is unfortunate and reflects a tyrannical mindset towards the people of Kashmir. He said the Army Chief needs to ask the executive as to why is the institution of the Army being used to crush a mass political movement and why do people at the obvious risk to their lives gather? JKLF chairman Yasin Malik said threatening the protesters was a case of political immaturity, which amounted to a direct threat to the people of Kashmir. Malik termed the Army Chiefs statement as an open invitation to many to take up arms. This statement may add to the miseries of Kashmiris but it will also push many youth to the wall and drive them towards armed struggle hence promote violence in the region, Malik added. By Press Trust of India: Jammu, Feb 16 (PTI) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti will carry out tomorrow the first expansion of her nine-month-old ministry with induction of one or two PDP members. "There is a cabinet reshuffle. New Ministers will be inducted into the government tomorrow," a top source in the state government told PTI. According to the arrangement between the two allies, PDP has a quota of 14 ministers, including the Chief Minister, while BJP has 11 ministerial berths. advertisement Currently, PDP has 12 Ministers and BJP has 11 Ministers including, the Deputy Chief Minister and Sajjad Lone. According to sources, PDP MLA from Amira Kadal constituency Altaf Bukhari is likely to stage a comeback. Bukhari, who was a minister in the Mufti Mohammed Sayeed government, was not included in the cabinet when Mehbooba was sworn-in as the Chief Minister in April last year. There are unconfirmed reports that Mehbooba is also likely to induct an MLA from South Kashmir in the ministry. Besides Bukhari, Javid Mustafa Mir and two Ministers of State Mohammad Ashraf Mir and Abdul Majeed Padroo, who were part of the previous government led by her father, had been dropped by her. BJP had dropped Sukhnandan Choudhary. The state can have a maximum of 25 ministers. PTI AB RT --- ENDS --- Vikram Sharma Tribune News Service Jammu, February 16 After having served different terms in various jails in Pakistan for spying and repatriated to India, the Indian spies, now living in seclusion and destitution, have decided to raise voice against the governments nonchalance towards them. The cross-border espionage, as per the repatriated spies is a common phenomenon which the intelligence agencies take up in far-off villages, mostly those adjacent to LoC or international border, through a channelised effort to rope in young people for the job in lieu of handsome payments. We are picked up as fodder for Pakistan. Though the brainwashing session by intelligence sleuths instils patriotism in us, but once into their clutches, they simply buy our lives on an assurance of feeding our families, said Vinod Sawhney, 54, a pick of the intelligence agencies in 1977 who was bartered across the border and was allegedly double-crossed by the agent that landed him into trouble in Pakistan. He said, back home, he fought a much longer battle with the government to earn a small kiosk at Hari Market, Jammu, to earn livelihood. Since then, Sawhney has formed the Jammu Ex-Slueths Association and has been fighting government on different forums to get recognition for his fellow repatriated spies living in most inhumane conditions. Urmila Devi, 43, wife of Kuldip Singh, resident of Makwal, whose husband is languishing in Pakistans Kot Lakhpat jail, has joined the crusade to raise voice for the repatriation of her husband besides seeking rehabilitation of her family. We know protest is the only democratic way in India to get ones rights secured, but unlike Sawhney we are not literate and courageous enough to stand up against the government, said Babu Ram, 52, a repatriated prisoner, who dared and risked his job of postman at Dinga Amb, Hiranagar, in 1982 to take up assignments for intelligence agencies in Pakistan. Parveiz Ahmed Masoodi, 42, son of Mohammad Yousaf Masoodi, resident of Aripantham village, Beerwah, a repatriated spy in May 2008 after serving 14 years in the Kot Lakhpat jail and two years interrogation period in Pakistan, is a jobless person in Srinagar. Nobody raised any voice for us. The government is keen to give amnesty, jobs and money to stone-throwers and surrendered militants who work against the nation, but have abandoned us who risked lives for the security of nation, said Parveiz. The system of cross-border spying by both the governments is quite old in which persons caught are thrown into jails, subjected to tortures and later repatriated under certain treaties of both the governments. There is a general opinion that the intelligence agencies disown spies once caught in operations. The intelligence people feed their families here through ration, cash and kind for their sustenance until something does not go wrong. Washington, February 16 Al-Qaeda has used Americas preoccupation with the Islamic State to regain strength in South Asia and preparing to spread its ideology in India from its home in western Pakistan, top US lawmakers have warned. Al-Qaida has never changed, and it still sees itself in what it conceives as an existential struggle against the West and against the US in particular, Bruce Hoffman, Director Center for Security Studies at Georgetown University, told members of the House Armed Services Committee. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) I think that its taken advantage of our preoccupation with ISIS to rebuild its strength, particularly in South Asia, where, again, almost completely escaped notice when they created al-Qaida in the Indian Subcontinent which was designed simultaneously to reinvigorate its presence in Afghanistan, he told Congressman Mac Thornberry, chairman of the committee. During a Congressional hearing on terrorism and counter-terrorism strategies on Wednesday, Hoffman said al-Qaida had been preparing to spread its ideology to India, which has the worlds second-largest Muslim population. We already see its effectiveness in Bangladesh and in Burma (Myanmar), he said. But elements like the Khorasan group are an elite forward deployed special operations unit that is waiting for the proper time to take the struggle to the West and to the United States, Hoffman said. Michael Sheehan from the Combating Terrorism Center, West Point, told lawmakers in response to a question that the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) of Pakistan is the home of al-Qaida central, which is traditionally Americas biggest strategic threat. Theyre the ones that blew up our embassies in Africa, at least an African arm of that, blew up the Cole in - in Yemen, an arm of the al-Qaida central and are the people that are responsible for 9/11. They reside in Pakistan. Some of them are floating back in Afghanistan but its difficult for them to operate in Afghanistan because we own the terrain around Afghanistan, Sheehan said. In Pakistan, in Western Pakistan, its interesting. We havent had soldiers there in over 10 years, yet we continue to diminish and degrade the capability of al-Qaida central to reach us strategically. I worry about this all the time, that without that presence there and the Pakistani army isnt in there very often either. Once in a while they come rumbling through, but thats not really that effective, Sheehan said. That theyre there in those mountainous regions and whats interesting is we need Afghanistan almost as much as a base to attack the FATA than we need Afghanistan itself. Afghanistan has no strategic importance to the United States. However, the importance is that al-Qaida is there and blew up the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. We cant allow that to come back again, Sheehan said. They are in Western Pakistan and for a variety of political reasons we cant put troops on the ground there so weve had to come up with a solution to diminish AQ in Pakistan without one soldier on the ground. So sometimes you have to come up with solutions with no troops on the ground. Other times if you have the ability to send 1,00,000 there it doesnt mean you should. So its a matter of finding the right solution commensurate with the threat, Sheehan said. PTI Bengaluru, February 16 AIADMK General Secretary VK Sasikala had a hard time in the Central Jail here as she could not sleep and was restless at night, a party leader said on Thursday. Chinnamma could not sleep well and was restless as she had to sleep on the floor in a 10 by 8 feet ordinary cell in the womens barracks after jail officials denied her request for a mattress, AIADMKs Karnataka unit Secretary V Pugazhendhi told reporters. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) As the trial court denied Sasikalas demand for some privileges, including home food, she refused to have supper on Wednesday night though she was served two rotis, one ragi ball, 200 gm rice and 150 gm sambar (lentil) like all other inmates. When Saskialas sister-in-law and co-convict Elavarasi cajoled her to have food in view of her weak health, she took rice with sambar and butter milk, a jail source told IANS on condition of anonymity. The judge also rejected Sasikalas request for a special room for prayers and yoga, A-class facilities and an attached toilet-cum-bathroom. She was given a plate, a tumbler and a blanket. Before entering the cell, she deposited her valuables at the counter and recorded the 21 days she spent earlier in the prison as per the procedure. Expressing anguish over her plight and harsh conditions in which women inmates live in prisons, Pugazhendi said Sasikala woke up early (5 am), did yoga and walked in the barracks for a while. She also read a couple of Tamil newspapers, had lemon rice for breakfast at 7.30 am and a frugal meal (sambar rice) for lunch at 12.30, said Pugazhendi. Saskiala, 59, surrendered before the trial court here on Wednesday evening and entered the jail premises before 6 pm after the Supreme Court declined her plea for more time to give herself up. As trial court judge Ashwath Narayana denied her privileges she sought on health grounds, Sasikala was lodged in a 10 by 8 cell in the womens barracks. This is the second time Sasikala, her sister-in-law Elavarasi and nephew VK Sudhakaran are serving their four-year sentence after being held guilty for corruption in a two-decade-old illegal wealth case. The three were in the same jail from September 27 to October 18, 2014, after the trial court held them guilty along with late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, who died in Chennai on December 5. IANS Karachi, February 16 At least 100 persons were killed and 150 injured tonight when an IS suicide bomber blew himself up inside the crowded shrine of revered Sufi Lal Shahbaz Qalandar in Sehwan town, 200 km northeast of Karachi. The bomber entered the shrine and blew himself up near the site where the ritual of Sufi dance Dhamal was on. He first threw a grenade, which did not explode, and then blew himself up, SSP Jamshoro Tariq Wilayat said. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) Police sources said 100 people, including women and children, had been killed in the attack. Faisal Edhi of the Edhi foundation confirmed they had shifted 60 bodies to hospitals in Hyderabad and Jamshoro. The IS claimed responsibility for the attack. PTI Jitendra K Shrivastava Tribune News Service Patna, February 16 Bihar bureaucrats and judicial officers cannot consume liquor or any intoxicating substance even when outside the state, which is under total prohibition, and would face departmental proceedings if they do so. The state cabinet has issued fresh conduct rules for government servants from Group A to Group D and judicial officers in a bid to tighten the enforcement of the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act, 2016. The Cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, approved the Bihar Judicial Officers Conduct Rules, 2017, and amended the Bihar Government Servants Conduct Rules, 1976, for this purpose. In accordance with the amended conduct rules, government employees, including those of judicial service, will be barred from consumption of liquor and intoxicating substance in and outside the state, said Brajesh Mehrotra, Principal Secretary, Cabinet Coordination department. Mehrotra said: Earlier there were no rules for judicial officers with regard to consumption of intoxicants and liquor but now they will now have to abide by the prohibition rules already enforced across the state and beyond. He said departmental proceedings would be initiated if anyone was found violating the law across the state and beyond. The state government had banned liquor consumption on April 5 last year. Since then, over 30,000 persons have been arrested and huge amount of liquor has been seized by excise sleuths and police officials. Satya Prakash Tribune News Service New Delhi, February 16 The Centre-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) has filed chargesheets in only four of the 59 anti-Sikh riot cases taken up for further probe. Almost 3,000 people were killed, most of them in Delhi, in the riots that broke out after the assassination of then PM Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984. In a status report filed in the Supreme Court, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has said while 38 cases have been closed, 17 are under investigation. It is being ensured that the investigation is carried out expeditiously and thoroughly, the report, filed on the directions of the apex court, says. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) The MHA, which extended the SIT tenure till August 11 this year, has written to the Delhi Government and the Delhi High Court for designating a single court to hear the cases. The SIT has been notified as a police station with jurisdiction over the entire Delhi. Also, of the 293 cases taken up for scrutiny, 199 have been closed with preliminary enquiries (PEs) held in 35 cases. A large number of representations related to these cases were received from the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee and private persons/bodies, which are being examined by the SIT, says the report. The SIT has recorded statements of more than 1,000 witnesses, including one from New York. Lucknow, February 16 The Congress on Thursday dismissed Prime Minister Narendra Modis charge that the party had made a bid on Mulayam Singh Yadavs life, saying the word murder was synonymous with Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah. The word murder is synonymous with Modi and (Amit) Shah. The killing spree started with the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi by RSS. We are Gandhians from the core of our heart and firm believer of non-violence, AICC general secretary and in-charge of party affairs in Uttar Pradesh Ghulam Nabi Azad told a news conference here. He was reacting to Modis remark on the issue of assassination attempt on Mulayam in 1984 allegedly involving a Congress leader, which was aimed at driving a wedge into the fledging SP-Congress alliance. Modi had said this at an election rally in Kannauj yesterday and questioned SP chief Akhilesh Yadav as to how he could form a coalition with those who tried to murder his father. The Prime Minister had also said Akhilesh lacked experience and hence did not know, unlike his father, how cunning Congress people are. Ahead of the third phase of Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls, he exuded confidence that the coalition would bag over 300 seats and storm to power. Asked when Priyanka Gandhi Vadra would campaign, Azad said, She would definitely do so. Priyanka is already looking after deployment of party leaders across the length and breadth of UP. Have you seen the Army chief going to the border to fight the enemy? He monitors everything from his office, he said, referring to Priyankas role in the party campaign. Azad accused BJP and BSP of having a tacit understanding and alleged that Mayawati had transferred her partys votes to BJP after she got afraid of the fundamentalist elements. Congress is of the view that there should be no use of religion in politics and electioneering, he said. On the issue of both SP and Congress candidates still in the fray at certain seats, Azad said his party would withdraw its candidate from that constituency where it is weak and SP will do the same at other places. If any candidate is defiant, he or she will be expelled, he said. PTI New Delhi, February 16 India and China will hold their first Strategic Dialogue on February 22 in Beijing during which the two sides will discuss key issues of mutual "concern and interest", including "friction points" such as Masood Azhar and NSG. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar and Executive Vice-Chairman of China Zhang Yesui will co-chair the meet to discuss "all issues of mutual interest in bilateral, regional and international domain", External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said today. Acknowledging that there are "friction points" in Sino-China ties, Swarup said the dialogue will strive for a holistic view of the relations between the two countries and see to what extent they can accommodate each other's concerns and interests. "India and China share a close development partnership and there are number of issues also between the two countries. While there are collaborative activities, there are also some friction points. "The idea is that through the mechanism of this strategic dialogue, the foreign secretary from our side and his Chinese counterpart can take a holistic view of India-China relations and see to what extent the two sides can accommodate each other's concerns and interests," he said. Maintaining that the upcoming Strategic Dialogue, which was set up during the visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in August last year, was a new mechanism, Swarup said it is a more "comprehensive" forum. India-China ties have witnessed strain following Beijing's rigid stand on issues crucial to India such as membership to the Nuclear Suppliers Group and designation of JeM chief and Pathankot attack mastermind Masood Azhar as global terrorist by the UN. Not only China scuttled India's membership bid at the meeting of NSG last year, it also opposed banning of Azhar by the UN, apparently at the behest of its "all-weather" friend Pakistan. Yesterday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry also said it has lodged a protest with India for hosting a Taiwanese parliamentary delegation and asked it to deal "prudently" with Taiwan-related matters. New Delhi dismissed the protest saying no "political meanings" should be read into such trips. PTI Simran Sodhi Tribune News Service New Delhi, February 16 Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar will undertake a three-nation tour to Sri Lanka, China and Bangladesh starting Saturday. The aim is to try and iron out strains that have crept into Indias ties with these countries. February 18 will see Jaishankar undertake the first leg of his tour by visiting Sri Lanka. During the three-day visit, he will interact with the Sri Lankan leadership for discussions on various aspects. Officially, India maintained that Jaishankar would hold discussions on possibilities of collaboration and cooperation in a number of sectors, including power, highways, airport and hydrocarbon sector. The next stop will be China on February 22 when Beijing and Delhi will hold their first meeting of the India-China Strategic Dialogue co-chaired by the Foreign Secretary and the Executive Vice Foreign Minister of China. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) Recently, the US, backed by France and the UK, also made a proposal to designate Azhar, JeM chief, as an international terrorist. But China stuck to its position of being a spoiler and did not let the proposal go through. Jaishankars last stop will be Dhaka on February 23-24 where he is expected to call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is expected to visit India next month. Hasina has been supportive of Indias initiatives and both nations have been on the same page when it comes to terrorism and Pakistan-sponsored terror. By Press Trust of India: From Sajjad Hussain Islamabad, Feb 16 (PTI) Pakistans former dictator Gen Pervez Musharraf has demanded JuD chief Hafiz Saeeds release from house arrest, claiming the Mumbai attack masterminds outfit was a "very fine NGO" engaged in relief activities. "Hafiz Saeed should definitely be freed. They are not terrorists, they run a very fine NGO, they contribute to relief activities in post earthquake and post floods periods in Pakistan. They run great welfare organisations," he said. advertisement Musharraf told a Pakistani TV channel that Saeeds Falah-e-Insaniyat Foundation (FIF) charity - a front for Jamaat-ud Dawah - was engaging "religious" youth in relief and welfare activities, according to a report in Dawn. "In my opinion they are against Taliban (in Pakistan), they did not commit any terrorism in Pakistan or anywhere in the world. So they should be dealt separately," he said. The government last month included Saeed on Exit Control List, barring him from leaving the country. He was also put under "house arrest" for 90 days for engaging in activities "prejudicial" to peace and security. When asked about recent developments regarding JuD, he said, "We (as a nation) remain confused on terrorism, like we are confused in respect to JuD and Hafiz Saeed". India is against them because their supporters "go voluntarily" to Kashmir to fight the Indian army, he said. Musharraf also admitted he had received millions of US dollars from Saudi Arabian King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in 2009 to buy apartments in London and Dubai, the report said. However, Musharraf did not disclose the details, calling it a "private affair". He also said that Pakistans Punjab province has become the stronghold of militancy. PTI SH UZM ABH AKJ UZM --- ENDS --- Kohima, February 16 Nagaland Chief Minister T R Zeliang on Thursday appealed to the agitating tribal groups to give him two-three more days to step down to ensure smooth transition of power, after ruling Naga People's Front legislators backed party supremo Shurhozelie Liezietsu to take over. Zeliang's appeal to the Nagaland Tribal Action Committee (NTAC), which is spearheading the agitation demanding the resignation of the Chief Minister, came after 42 of the 49 NPF legislators "unanimously supported" supremo Liezietsu to take over from Zeliang as the new legislature party leader. In a letter to NTAC convener K T Vilie, Zeliang stated, In order to ensure smooth transition of office, and in larger interest of the state, I appeal to you to wait for 2-3 more days. Please be re-assured that this appeal is being made the not in my personal interest but in the greater interest of Nagaland and my dear fellow citizens." "I am seized of the matter regarding the demands for my stepping down as Chief Minister. You will appreciate that all decisions taken so far have been collectively and likewise all future decision will also have to be taken collectively," Zeliang stated. Earlier, Nagaland's lone Rajya Sabha member K G Kenye told IANS, Majority of the NPF legislators have unanimously elected Liezietsu as their new legislature party leader to break the deadlock between the agitating groups and the government. We have tried our best to persuade the groups but they refused to climb down." "Liezietsu has accepted the offer of the legislators to lead the NPF-led Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government to restore normalcy and prevent the imposition of President's rule in the state," Kenye said. Liezietsu is also the chairman of the DAN government. In the 60-member House, the ruling Democratic Alliance of Nagaland coalition government, which comprises 48 NPF legislators, including suspended legislator Imkong Imchen, four of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and eight Independents. Earlier on Thursday, Governor P B Acharya and Zeliang left for New Delhi from Dimapur. Zeliang is expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh. Agitating tribal groups -- under the banner of NTAC and Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) -- have been demanding the resignation of Zeliang over his decision to conduct civic bodies' elections with 33 per cent reservation for women. On Wednesday, the group had served the Chief Minister an ultimatum to resign or face further protests. Their three-day ultimatum will end on Friday. The groups have decided to hold a public rally on Friday at Kohima to mount pressure on Zeliang to step down. "Had the Governor and the Chief Minister not left Kohima (state capital), Liezietsu along with the legislators would have driven down to Raj Bhavan to stake claim and form the new government," Kenye said. He said both the Chief Minister and the Governor are expected to return to Kohima on Friday to pave way for formation of the new government. "We are sure that there will be smooth transition of power as the Chief Minister himself wants to ensure peace in the state after weeks of agitation," he added. Nagaland has been on turmoil since January, after the NPF-led government decided to hold local body elections in 12 towns across the state. The government later declared the civic elections as "null" and "void". Three persons were killed and many injured following clashes between police and the public, who were opposing the civic polls. In fact, NPF legislator Neiphrezo Keditsu had resigned as Chairman of Nagaland State Mineral Development Corporation Limited on moral grounds since one of the persons killed in the Dimapur police firing was from his village. IANS New Delhi, February 16 A Delhi court on Thursday convicted one person while acquitting two, accused in 2005 Diwali-eve serial blasts case here which had claimed 67 lives, saying the prosecution has failed to prove their guilt. Additional Sessions Judge Reetesh Singh acquitted Mohd Rafiq Shah and Mohd Hussain Fazli of all the charges. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) However, he held the third accused, Tariq Ahmed Dar, guilty of being a member of a terror outfit and giving support to it, but let him off too, saying he has already undergone more than ten years in jail, which is the maximum punishment prescribed under the law for these offences. The serial blasts at three places Sarojini Nagar, Paharganj and Kalkaji on October 29, 2005 had taken a toll of 67 lives and injured over 225 persons. Dar was convicted for the offence punishable under Section 38 (being the member of a terror organisation) and Section 39 (giving support to such outfit) of Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). Farooq Ahmed Batloo and Ghulam Ahmed Khan had earlier pleaded guilty and were let off by the court for the period already undergone by them. Terror funding was the allegation against both these accused. Three separate cases were registered by Delhi Polices Special Cell following the blasts. The court had clubbed all the three cases for the purpose of recording of evidence. As per the prosecution, Dar, along with Abu Ozefa, Abu Al Kama, Rashid, Sazid Ali and Zahid, had allegedly entered into a criminal conspiracy to wage a war against the country and planned serial blasts. All these five co-accused are still at large and are said to be in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Prosecution said that Dar had allegedly hatched a conspiracy with the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militants to plan and carry out the bomb blasts in the national capital. PTI Chennai, February 16 Edappadi K Palaniswami, a VK Sasikala loyalist, was today sworn in as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, ending the 10-day political uncertainty in the state which began with caretaker Chief Minister O Panneerselvams revolt against the AIADMK general secretary. Palaniswami is the third person to occupy the top post in the last nine months. He has 15 days to prove his majority and has decided to seek the trust vote on Saturday. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) All ministers, barring one, retain the portfolios they held in the Panneerselvam Cabinet. The CM will retain key Home and Finance portfolios. Governor C Vidyasagar Rao administered the oath of office to 63-year-old Palaniswami, a party veteran from western Tamil Nadu, and his 31-member Cabinet here this evening. AIDMK supremo and late CM J Jayalalithaa had powered the party to a rare successive term in office in the May 2016 poll. She continued in the post through her grim 74-day battle for life. Within hours of her death on December 5, Panneerselvam, who had filled in for Jayalalithaa twice when she was jailed in corruption cases, was sworn in as CM. He stepped down on February 5, paving the way for Sasikala, already chosen AIADMK general secretary. Two days later, he rose in rebellion against Sasikala plunging the state into a turmoil. PTI Chennai, February 16 Edappadi K Palaniswami, a VK Sasikala loyalist, was on Thursday sworn-in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, ending the 10-day political uncertainty in the state which began with caretaker CM O Panneerselvams revolt against the AIADMK general secretary. Palaniswami is the third person to occupy the top post in the last nine months. A vote of confidence would be held on February 18, Tamil Nadu Assembly Secretary Jamaludeen said. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) Governor C Vidyasagar Rao administered the oath of office and secrecy to 63-year-old Palaniswami, a party veteran from western Tamil Nadu, at the head of a 31-member Cabinet at a ceremony in the Raj Bhavan this evening. The ministers were sworn-in in batches. Palaniswami is the third AIADMK leader to be sworn-in as Chief Minister in the last nine months. AIADMK supremo and Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa had powered the party to a rare successive term in office in the state in the Assembly elections held in May last year. She continued in the post through her grim 74-day battle for life. Within hours of her death on December 5, Panneerselvam, who had filled in for Jayalalithaa twice in the past when she had to go to jail in corruption cases, was sworn-in as Chief Minister. Panneerselvam later stepped down, paving the way for Sasikala, who was already chosen AIADMK general secretary, to be elected its legislature party leader on February five. However, the usually reticent man Friday of Jayalalithaa rose in rebellion against Sasikala two days later, claiming he was coerced into resigning. He even expressed willingness to become Chief Minister again if the people of Tamil Nadu and AIADMK workers so desired. His belligerence plunged the state into a political crisis. Amid the face off with Panneerselvam, Sasikala met Governor Rao on February 9 and staked claim to form the government. Notwithstanding criticism from several quarters, Rao preferred to wait and watch as the political tug-of-war played out between the rival AIADMK factions. He stood vindicated when Sasikala and two members of her family were convicted and their sentences restored by the Supreme Court in a disproportionate assets case on February 14, rendering her ineligible for contesting elections for 10 years and dashing her hopes of becoming the Chief Minister. Sasikala then handpicked her loyalist Palaniswami, who was elected AIADMK legislature party leader, and staked claim to form the government on Tuesday. Palaniswami was invited by the Governor today to form the government after he submitted a list of 124 MLAs supporting him last night. He has 15 days to prove his majority in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly. Portfolios Palaniswami will hold the important Home and Finance portfolios, which were earlier held by his predecessor O Panneerselvam. Besides, the new Chief Minister will also take care of other key portfolios of Public Works, Highways and Minor Ports, which he had managed as a minister in the Jayalalithaa and Panneerselvam cabinets. We dont want Panneerselvam: Sasikala camp The AIADMK party owing allegiance to Sasikala today made it clear that it would not embrace O. Panneerselvam. Barring Panneerselvam and School Education Minister K. Pandiarajan, all other MLAs in the rival camp are welcome to join us, Handloom and Textiles Minister O.S. Manian told the media here. Fight will continue: Panneerselvam Panneerselvam today said the fight would continue against "one family controlling the AIADMK". In an apparent reference to now jailed Sasikala, Panneerselvam said he launched a peaceful protest to save the party from becoming the property of one family. This struggle, he said, gained good support from the people. Mumbai, February 16 Singapore Airlines on Thursday announced the launch of its fourth weekly flight from Ahmedabad to Singapore, beginning March 26. All flights will be operated by the Airbus A330-300 wide-body aircraft, Singapore Airlines said in a release issued here. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) Travel to and from Ahmedabad has steadily increased over the years. Singapore Airlines is pleased to offer an additional frequency to meet the growing market demand. The new service will provide travellers a much-sought-after weekend departure window, to travel to Singapore and to onward destinations, Singapore Airlines General Manager, India, David Lim said. He said Indian nationals could also avail one-way, visa-free transit facility for up to 96 hours in Singapore with a valid onward ticket and a valid visa from select countries. The transit facility will be provided at the discretion of the immigration authorities. With Singapore as its main hub, the Airline operates services to 61 destinations in 31 countries. PTI Aditi Tandon Tribune News Service New Delhi, February 16 For the first time since she became the Congress president 17 years ago, Sonia Gandhi has given election campaign trail a miss. She, however, leads the list of Congress star campaigners the party submitted to the Election Commission for each of the five poll-bound states. Gandhi didnt visit Punjab, Uttarakhand and Goa for canvassing and doesnt plan to visit Manipur either. The only area on her radar is Rae Bareilley in Uttar Pradesh that she represents in the Lok Sabha. I will campaign in Rae Bareilley, Gandhi said a while ago when asked to comment on her conspicuous absence from the poll scene. Party insiders say they are not surprised by Gandhis conscious withdrawal from political action. It fits into a pattern, they say. The Congress president first missed the partys working committee meeting, allowing Rahul Gandhi to chair it. Later, she missed the 132nd Congress foundation day event on December 28, letting her son lead the celebrations. Soon afterwards on January 11, she again absented herself from the Congress national convention against demonetisation on January 11 this year. In Parliament also, she has taken a back seat, allowing Rahul to strategise with the Opposition and that was why Rahul was seen sharing the stage with Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee during the joint anti-note ban press conference of six Opposition parties, said a top Congress leader. Sonias absence from electioneering should be read in line with her recent moves to install Rahul Gandhi as the partys undisputed leader, he added. Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi will address the first rally of this election season in Rae Bareilley tomorrow with sister Priyanka Vadra expected to accompany him. Satya Prakash Tribune News Service New Delhi, February 16 Two years after the Narendra Modi government set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to re-investigate serious anti-Sikh riots cases of 1984 that had been closed, the SIT has filed chargesheet only in four of the 59 cases taken up for further probe. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) Almost 3,000 people were killed, most of them in Delhi, in the anti-Sikh riots that broke out following the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984. In a status report filed in the Supreme Court, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said 38 of the cases taken up for further probe have been closed while 17 were still under investigation. However, the report said: It is being ensured that investigation is carried out in expeditiously and thoroughly. No stone is being left unturned to ensure a thorough and comprehensive investigation. The report has been filed in response to the courts direction from the top court which is hearing a PIL filed last year on the issue. The MHA which extended the tenure of the SIT up to August 11, 2017 earlier this month -- has also written to the Delhi government and the Delhi High Court for designating a single court for anti-Sikh riots cases. The SIT has been notified as a police station having jurisdiction over whole of Delhi. Apart from the said 59 cases in which further probes were carried out, 293 cases were taken up for scrutiny and 199 of them have been closed, the MHA informed the court in its status report. Of these, preliminary enquiries (PEs) were conducted in 35 cases and 28 PEs have been completed while 7 PEs were pending. A large number of representations relating to these cases have been received from the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee and other private persons/bodies which are being examined by the SIT and further necessary action is being taken, read the status report. The SIT examined and recorded statements of more than 1,000 witnesses, including one witness from New York through video conferencing with the assistance of Consulate General of India, New York and Ministry of External Affairs, it said. Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Ludhiana, February 16 On the issue raised by the Aam Aadmi Party regarding the security breach at strong rooms where EVMs have been kept, the Election Commission on Thursday sent a special team comprising Himachal Pradesh CEO Narinder Chauhan to check strong rooms. Meanwhile, AAP leaders termed the checking an eyewash. They alleged that EC officials were not paying heed to their demand of taking action against the Returning Officer, Gill constituency, Ludhiana. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) The team is now heading to Jalandhar and Tarn Taran to check strong rooms. EC officials evaded queries about the allegations by the AAP. Deputy Commissioner Ravi Bhagat said the EC team would submit its report to the EC. Balwant Garg Tribune News Service Faridkot, February 16 The Medical Council of India (MCI) has directed all medical colleges to post the complete list of admitted students on the respective college websites. This list should stay on the websites till all students have passed the final MBBS year and obtained registration with the state medical council. In a letter sent to all medical colleges and Baba Farid University of Health Sciences (BFUHS) that was received today, Dr Rajendra Wabale, joint secretary, MCI, said the decision to bring transparency was taken when the issue of vacant seats in various medical colleges was placed before the monitoring sub-committee and executive committee of the MCI last month. In Punjab, the recognition status of Chintpurni Medical College, Pathankot, and Punjab Institute of Medical Sciences, Jalandhar, leaves students and their parents in confusion every year as the MCI is giving year-based recognition and permission to these colleges. The MCI directed that in case there is any change in the list of admitted students in view of the decision by regulatory bodies, it would be incorporated whenever the direction to do so is received and the updated list should be made available. Besides, the medical colleges are supposed to put information pertaining to permission/recognition for courses on the college website and update it on a regular basis, reads the MCI letter. Information in the form of documentary evidence regarding permission/ recognition to a medical college by the Centre should be uploaded on the website of the medical college. On this linked page with information, individual letters of permission/recognition in a PDF format need to be hyper-linked to year-wise labels. The compliance with respect to above should be available on college website within two weeks from the date of dispatch of this letter failing which action will be taken, reads the letter. CMC postpones counselling Chandigarh: Christian Medical College (CMC), Ludhiana, has postponed its separate counselling, scheduled for Friday, for admissions to postgraduate courses. Though most of the private medical and dental colleges and universities in the state have agreed to joint counselling being conducted by the Baba Farid University of Health Sciences (BFUHS), Faridkot, the CMC has so far refused to follow the governments guidelines.Sources said the CMC planned to conduct its counselling on the plea that it was an unaided minority institute. CMC Principal Dr Bobby John said he was not authorised to talk on the issue, asking The Tribune to contact Abraham G Thomas, college Director. The latter could not be contacted. Meanwhile, another unaided minority institute, Sri Guru Ram Das Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Amritsar, has announced to admit students through BFUHS counselling. TNS India Today met leaders of the powerful insurgent group GPRN-NSCN in Nagaland. With the crisis in the state refusing to end, insurgent groups have threatened to violate the ceasefire pact, if need be. By Manogya Loiwal : The Nagaland crisis seems far from over as five insurgent groups have threatened to violate the ceasefire pact, if such a need arises. These groups have joined hands and are closing monitoring the ongoing crisis in the state. At the heart of the ongoing imbroglio is a Gauhati High Court order directing the state to implement 33 per cent reservation in legislative bodies. Of the 60 assembly constituencies in Nagaland, the Assembly has not a single female legislator. The Nagaland government under TR Zeliang moved to reserve 33 per cent seats for women in the civic polls. advertisement Several tribal organisations boycotted the polls, with the Nagaland Tribe Action Committee (NTAC) calling for chief minister's resignation. As the tension in Nagaland refuses to abate, insurgent groups, led by GPRN/NSCN, have now started speaking out on the issue, demanding chief minister Zeliang's resignation. ALSO READ: Nagaland protests continue as crisis deepens, government offices closed WHAT ARE THE INSURGENTS SAYING? "We are with the movement against the present government and we are with the people," said Alezo Venuh, a representative of the group. "The government should respect the views of the Naga people and do the needful. We are not against women reservation in any way but the chief minister should resign," Alezo said, adding that people have lost faith in Zeliang. "Government held several meeting and said they will extend the date for the civic polls and yet they went ahead with it. This is not acceptable," he said. The insurgent groups have not been vocal about local politics, but not this time. "It has to do with the people, the movement and the issue and agenda raised by the people. The government cannot ignore the voice of the people," Alezo said. "I believe all insurgent groups are on the same page with us because it is about fighting for the cause of the people of Nagaland and we will continue to do so," he said. Despite being in cease fire with government of India for more than a decade they are even ready to break the pact with the central government to join active movement and are threatening action. Alezo says the government failed to uphold the tenets of Article 371 A, which gives special status to Nagaland. Several tribal organisations have argued that reservation of women, which they say is against their tradition, impinges on the Act. It says: "Notwithstanding anything in this constitution, no Act of Parliament in respect of religious or social practices of the Nagas, Naga customary law and procedure, administration of civil and criminal justice involving decisions according to Naga customary law, ownership and transfer of land and resources, shall apply to the state of Nagaland unless the Legislative Assembly of Nagaland by a resolution so decides". Threatening to violate the ceasefire pact with the Central government, Alezo said "we will take action at any level required". ALSO READ: Nagaland protesters demand Chief Minister TR Zeliang's resignation: Latest developments Women are crying in silence in Nagaland Meet the woman who changed lives of 200 women in Nagaland ALSO WATCH --- ENDS --- Saurabh Malik Tribune News Service Chandigarh, February 16 The Punjab and Haryana High Court today rapped the Punjab Police for a shoddy probe into the Rs 10.52-crore paddy milling scam. Justice Deepak Sibal said thousands of quintals of paddy could not have been misappropriated by a single accused, before directing the state to place on record a copy of the challan and the Vigilance Bureau recommendations in the case. He set a 10-day deadline for the purpose. The rap came after Justice Sibal was told that only one man was arraigned as an accused. The developments took place on a petition filed by the Punjab Agro Food Grains Corporation Limited against Manoj Jain and another respondent. As the petition for the cancellation of bail granted to Jain came up for hearing, Justice Sibal said the prosecution case, borne out from the record and arguments by counsel for the parties, was that about 89,006 quintals of paddy were supplied by the petitioner-corporation to the respondent for milling in pursuance of an agreement dated October 24, 2012. But only about 36,908 quintals were milled. The rest was misappropriated. The assessed loss to the corporation was over Rs 10.52 crore. Justice Sibal added that only one person (Jain) was arraigned as an accused in the investigation report or the challan filed under Section 173 of the CrPC before the trial court after an investigation by the vigilance wing. The Judge said it was not disputed that the respondent was also involved in a similar case, where the alleged misappropriation on his part was assessed at about Rs 7 crore. A report under Section 173 in that case, too, had been filed. The investigation apparently is shoddy as it is highly improbable, if not impossible, that in a scam of this magnitude, only one person was involved. Thousands of quintals of paddy could not have been misappropriated without the active connivance of others, which may include officials of the petitioner-corporation. The milled paddy was to be distributed through the public distribution system at subsidised rates and thus, misappropriation is just not limited to an offence between two private parties, but the same is an offence against the public at large, Justice Sibal concluded. Karachi, February 16 At least 100 people were killed when a suspected suicide bomber blew himself up inside the crowded shrine of revered Sufi Lal Shahbaz Qalandar in Sehwan town in Pakistans Sindh province, the fifth deadly terror attack in the country within a week. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) The blast took place during Dhamal a Sufi ritual - when hundreds of devotees were present inside the premises of the vast mausoleum of the saint, police said. Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing on the Sufi shrine, the group's affiliated news agency AMAQ reported. Sehwan police station SHO Rasool Baksh told reporters that around 100 people, including women and children, have been killed in the suicide bomb attack. An emergency has been declared in the hospitals of the area. The area is located far from any hospital, with the nearest medical complex located 40 to 50 kilometres from the site of the blast. Devotees gather at the shrine of the revered Sufi saint every Thursday to participate in a dhamaal and prayers. Initial report suggests that it was a suicide bombing on portion reserved for women in the shrine, the Dawn reported, quoting SSP Jamshoro Tariq Wilayat. It seems to be a suicide bombing according to initial information provided by Sehwan police to me and I am on way to Shewan, Wilayat said. Rescue officials said due to the non availability of adequate ambulances at the shrine the toll could rise. Ambulances have been rushed from Hyderabad and other close by places like Nawabshah, Moro, Dadu, Wilayat said. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah ordered immediate rescue operation and government announced emergency in the hospitals of the nearby Jamshooro and Hyderabad districts. Television channels reported that dead bodies and injured were lying inside the shrine. Lal Shahbaz Qalandar was a Sufi philosopher-poet of present-day Afghanistan and Pakistan. PTI/Reuters Sanaa, February 16 Warplanes of the Saudi-led coalition struck a house north of Yemens capital on Wednesday where mourners had gathered to offer condolences after a woman died, residents said, killing nine women and one child and injuring dozens. The air strike hit the house of a local tribal leader in the Arhab district north of Sanaa on Wednesday night, a resident told Reuters. A spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen could not be immediately reached for comment. People heard the sound of planes and started running from the house but then the bombs hit the house directly. The roof collapsed. Blood was everywhere, a resident of the village, Ashira, told a Reuters cameraman on Thursday. Pictures published in local media showed tribesmen searching through the rubble of a destroyed house said to belong to Mohammed al-Nakaya, a tribal chief allied with Yemens Houthi movement. Another picture showed a man kneeling in the dust with the corpse of an elderly woman in his arms. It was not immediately possible to verify the authenticity of the pictures. In October the alliance of mainly Gulf Arab states came under severe criticism after launching an air strike on a funeral gathering in Sanaa that killed 140 people, according to one U.N. estimate. The death toll from that strike was one of the highest in any single incident since the Saudi-led alliance began military operations in March 2015 to try to restore President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi to power following his ousting by the Iran-aligned Houthis. The White House at the time said it may consider cutting its support to the Saudi-led military campaign which has been providing air support for Hadis forces in a civil war that has killed more than 10,000 people and displaced millions. The coalition, which says it does not target civilians, blamed the October funeral attack on incorrect information it said it received from Yemeni military figures that armed Houthi leaders were in the area. Reuters Brussels, February 16 European NATO allies agreed on Thursday to jointly buy planes and submarines and possibly open a new command headquarters for elite troops as Europe seeks to show the US it is serious about its own security. In signing ceremonies at NATO, defence ministers from France and Germany said they will buy Lockheed Martin C-130J transport planes, while Germany, Belgium and Norway will join a Netherlands-led fleet of Airbus A330 tanker planes. This multinational cooperation through NATO is a clear way for countries to significantly improve their armed forces while ensuring the greatest value for money for their taxpayers, said Rose Gottemoeller, NATOs deputy secretary general. The letters of intent, although not legally binding, are the latest sign that European allies are starting to end years of competing national strategies that have left Europe reliant on the US to provide basics such as refuelling combat planes in the air. New US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis warned NATO allies on Wednesday they must pay more towards their own defences or potentially see less support from Washington. Duplication is also a problem, with EU militaries owning 19 types of armoured infantry fighting vehicles, compared with one in the US, while wasted funds amount to 25 billion euros a year, according to European Commission data. As part of a broader push to revitalise European defence cooperation in the wake of Russias 2014 annexation of Crimea and the rise of Islamic militancy on Europes borders, France agreed to allow Belgian and Dutch jets to fly into its airspace in the case of a conflict with a foreign threat. That means a Belgian jet pursuing an enemy plane would no longer have to turn back at the French border. Ambitions also involve a new command centre for Dutch, Belgian and Danish special forces that could be used by other NATO nations and which many countries outside the main European military powers of Britain, France and Germany do not have. The location of the new headquarters has not been decided, a NATO official said. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said allies faced a demanding and challenging security environment that the alliance needed to respond to. Reuters Baghdad, February 16 A car packed with explosives blew up on Thursday in southern Baghdad, killing at least 51 people and wounding 55, security and medical sources said, in the deadliest such attack in Iraq this year. Islamic State, which is on the defensive after losing control of eastern Mosul to a US-backed Iraqi military offensive, claimed responsibility for the bombing in an online statement. As it cedes territory captured in a 2014 offensive across northern and western Iraq, the ultra-hardline group has stepped up insurgent strikes on government areas, particularly in Baghdad. Security sources said the vehicle which blew up on Thursday was parked in a crowded street full of garages and used car dealers, in Hayy al-Shurta, a Shiite district in the southwest of the city. The death toll could climb further as many of the wounded are in critical condition, a doctor said. The bombing is the second to hit car markets this week, suggesting the group has found it easier to leave vehicles laden with explosives in places where hundreds of other vehicles are parked. A suicide bomber detonated a pick-up truck on Wednesday in Sadr City, a poor Shiite suburb in the east of the capital, killing at least 15 people. That explosion took place in a street full of used car dealers. US-backed Iraqi forces have dislodged IS from most cities it captured in 2014 and 2015. The militants also control parts of Syria. Reuters Officials said the attack was the deadliest in a series of strikes in Pakistan this week. At least 14 persons were killed when a suicide bomber struck close to the Punjab Assembly in Lahore on Monday. AFP Islamabad, February 16 Pakistans former dictator Gen Pervez Musharraf has demanded JuD chief Hafiz Saeeds release from house arrest, claiming the Mumbai attack masterminds outfit was a very fine NGO engaged in relief activities. Hafiz Saeed should definitely be freed. They are not terrorists, they run a very fine NGO, they contribute to relief activities in post earthquake and post floods periods in Pakistan. They run great welfare organisations, he said. Musharraf told a Pakistani TV channel that Saeeds Falah-e-Insaniyat Foundation (FIF) charity - a front for Jamaat-ud Dawah - was engaging religious youth in relief and welfare activities, according to a report in Dawn. In my opinion they are against Taliban (in Pakistan), they did not commit any terrorism in Pakistan or anywhere in the world. So they should be dealt separately, he said. The government last month included Saeed on Exit Control List, barring him from leaving the country. He was also put under house arrest for 90 days for engaging in activities prejudicial to peace and security. When asked about recent developments regarding JuD, he said, We (as a nation) remain confused on terrorism, like we are confused in respect to JuD and Hafiz Saeed. India is against them because their supporters go voluntarily to Kashmir to fight the Indian army, he said. Musharraf also admitted he had received millions of US dollars from Saudi Arabian King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in 2009 to buy apartments in London and Dubai, the report said. However, Musharraf did not disclose the details, calling it a private affair. He also said that Pakistans Punjab province has become the stronghold of militancy. PTI Washington, February 16 A Russian spy ship sits 30 miles off the US coast of Connecticut, according to an American defence official. This is the farthest north the Russian spy vessel has ever ventured, the official told CNN on Wednesday. The Leonov, which conducted similar patrols in 2014 and 2015, was off the coast of Delaware, but typically it only travels as far as Virginia. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) The ship is based with Russia's northern fleet on the North Sea but had stopped over in Cuba before conducting its patrol along the Atlantic Coast and is expected to return there following its latest mission. The vessel is outfitted with a variety of high-tech spying equipment and is designed to intercept signals intelligence. The official said that the US Navy is "keeping a close eye on it". The Leonov is a Vishnya-class spy ship, as is a Russian vessel that trailed the US ship that encountered close-flying Russian aircraft in the Black Sea on February 10. The USS Porter was sailing in the Black Sea when it had three encounters with the Russian aircraft. They were deemed unsafe and unprofessional because of how close the Russian planes flew to the American destroyer. The Pentagon later released pictures of the encounter. IANS Washington, February 16 The US and Russian militaries agreed to "enhance communications" after a meeting between their top commanders in Azerbaijan today, the Pentagon said. Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Joe Dunford and his Russian counterpart Valery Gerasimov discussed military relations between the two countries as well as security in Europe, the Middle East and elsewhere during their meeting in the capital Baku. The two sides "have undertaken efforts to improve operational safety of military activities in order to decrease the prospects for crisis and avoid the risk of unintended incidents," the Pentagon said in a statement. "The leaders further agreed to enhance communications on such stabilizing measures." The United States and Russia already maintain a permanent military communications line over their air operations in Syria to avoid incidents between their aircraft. The last face-to-face meeting between the two highest US and Russian military officers took place in January 2014 between Gerasimov and Dunford's predecessor Martin Dempsey. The Baku meeting comes amid widespread speculation about the future of US-Russian relations following US President Donald Trump's election. AFP The state that always carried the image of treating women with equality has now thrown enough stones in all directions to shatter the image it reflected in the picture perfect clicks of Naga Tribes. By Manogya Loiwal : Nagaland, the land of Nagas or the land of festivals has turned into land of arson, protests, bandhs for more than a fortnight now. The state that always carried the image of treating women with equality has now thrown enough stones in all directions to shatter the image it reflected in the picture perfect clicks of Naga Tribes. advertisement But the battle has just begun, this time politically too. 57-year-old Hukheli, who was given North East Peace General Award in 2009 for her contribution to the society, has been extremely active social activist and instrumental in several peace talks in the past three decades in Nagaland. For the first time she thought of serving the people by contesting as an independent candidate from ward No. 9 of Dimapur Municipal Council elections or the Urban Local Body election in the state. 8 out of 23 seats in the DMC were reserved for women during the elections scheduled this year. But, this resulted in a revolt by civil societies which has come as a shocker to many women candidates like her. Also read: Nagaland governor says people open to women's reservation; protests due to misunderstanding An emotional Hukheli expresses, "When there is war...for example Dimapur is a war zone, I should say and all the factions established here continue to fight from any moment...and then they call us to pacify the parties fighting to stop the war. I am the president of Naga Women Hoho also and I have travelled abroad also to talk to higher and collective leadership to stop the war at various times, to not to kill our own brothers and we used to tell them not to fight and maintain peace also. I have also negotiated with K for peace in the region, even have helped organization at various intervals." As she starts crying and wiping her tears rolling down the cheeks, she recalls, "There are so many orphans and widows...women are the worst sufferers because its only we who can suffer. Men do respect us but when it comes to point of 33% reservation they oppose us. When we were campaigning together for the past seven years together there were no issues, but as soon as we contest elections the protests started. All parts of Nagaland has become deadly against us and we don't understand if the implementation is only an issue. We don't know clearly what is it? Only for women reservation or anomalies in law in the state." advertisement Hukheli was an independent candidate fighting on the symbol of torch from the seat supported financially by her husband and children. Hukheli is thankful to her husband for being supportive and respectful to her, but that is not how the men in the society rather politics are thinking about. Also read: Nagaland unrest: Rajnath Singh speaks to CM Zeliang, assures support from Centre Contesting with the slogan of "Let me be the change you need", Hukheli is now waiting for when and how to make it true - politically too. An inconsolable Hukheli confesses, "Yes I am crying, we were born to save our people and we have taken risk also, but also in all corners, the women are the sufferers. We want to change our society for the better. We are not going to rule over men, but we want to learn and development for the entire society. We are not fighting for ourselves, but for the future generation of the women. This is really hurting us. We want to develop and address the problems. Many women are crying in silence. It pains." advertisement Women who have political aspiration too are feeling hurt. Akokla P. Lucy, a businesswoman and President of Petroleum Dealers Association of Nagaland, is yet to recover from the shock that men opposed reservation on grounds of constitutional rights of Nagas. Also read: Nagaland protests continue as crisis deepens, government offices closed Akokla says, "We were ready to work for the development of the people and all women were enthusiastic about it, but there was such an unfortunate situation that the civil society started protesting against the women reservation. We were harassed mentally, socially, physically and we were so much in problem. It's painful. It was very degrading, unfortunate, shocking I should say. I don't know what will be the final decision on this and now it has been informed that the Joint Coordination Committee will withdraw from the court so I don't know what will happen." Akokla, a Nagaland People Front (NPF) candidate, the party in power in Nagaland, was contesting from ward number 12. There are 23 seats in DMC and 8 were reserved for women from this elections resulting in the furore. Also read: Nagaland tense over anti-women's qouta stir, two killed in police firing advertisement Akokla states, "In the other sense, the women are given due respect, but when we look at the decision making body, the women are very much neglected. In the past few years, women have been given one seat reservation in every village, but there has been no objection from any corner, but when we talk about the urban local bodies or reservation there, the civil societies start making issue that it is not in accordance with the Naga customs. The Government of India has given so much of freedom to the Naga state to make amendments in the state by the assembly it could have been done." According to 2011 Census, Nagaland has population 1978502 of which male and female are 1024649 and 953853 respectively. The population of women has increased from 942895 in 2001 Census to 953853 in 2011 - not a considerable number though. But, the world has changed for many in a decade. WATCH THE VIDEO: --- ENDS --- Ruling Naga People's Front (NPF) president Shurhozelie Liezietsu will take over charge from current Chief Minister T.R. Zeliang. A decision to this effect was taken on Thursday when Liezietsu was chosen as the new leader of the legislature party. By Indrajit Kundu: Nagaland, which has been on the boil in the wake of massive protests against reservation for women in local body elections, will soon get a new chief minister. Ruling Naga People's Front (NPF) president Shurhozelie Liezietsu will soon take over charge from current Chief Minister T.R. Zeliang. A decision to this effect was taken on Thursday when NPF legislators unanimously chose Liezietsu as the new leader of the legislature party. This comes amid a stand-off between various tribal bodies and the state government over elections to urban local bodies (ULB) in the state. advertisement Also read | EXCLUSIVE: As Nagaland simmers, insurgent groups threaten to violate ceasefire, demand CM Zeliang's ouster Nagaland Tribal Action Committee (NTAC), which has been spearheading the agitation, had demanded the immediate resignation of Zeliang as Chief Minister after two protestors died in police firing during the violent agitation. DEADLINE FOR ZELIANG TO STEP DOWN Protestors had set Friday as the deadline for chief minister Zeliang to step down or face further protests. Zeliang, who has rushed to New Delhi to appraise the Centre of the development, wrote to NTAC convener KT Vilie, seeking a few days' time for "smooth transition" of power in the state. CM Zeliang's letter. "I am seized of the matter regarding demands for my stepping down as Chief Minister. You will appreciate that all decisions so far have been collectively taken and likewise all future decision will also have to be taken collectively. In order to ensure smooth transition of office, and in the larger interest of the state, I appeal to you to wait for 2-3 more days", Zeliang wrote in his letter. Also read | Nagaland crisis: Chief Minister Zeliang questions MP Neiphiu Rio's silence Tribal bodies in the state have been up in arms against the TR Zeliang-led Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) coalition government over his decision to conduct civic body elections with 33 per cent reservation for women. NPF's new chief ministerial candidate Shurhozelie is the Chairman of the ruling Democratic Alliance of Nagaland coalition which comprises 48 NPF, four Bharatiya Janata Party and eight Independent legislators. --- ENDS --- By Press Trust of India: From Sajjad Hussain Islamabad, Feb 16 (PTI) Pakistan today inducted 16 new JF-17 Thunder jets jointly manufactured with China to its air force with the Defence Minister asserting that the country was ready to safeguard borders against any aggression. The JF-17 Thunder jets were handed over to the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, Kamra, in Attock area of Punjab province, with Defence Minister Khawaja Asif present as the chief guest. advertisement The new home-made jets, inducted into 14-Squadron of Pakistan Air Force, have been manufactured jointly by China and Pakistan. The JF-17 Thunder is the backbone of PAF and already more than 70 fighters of the category are part of it. Asif, while speaking on the occasion, said the government was committed to fund the PAFs operational readiness especial its JF-17 programme in the future as well. The Defence Minister said Pakistan is a peace-loving country and wishes to maintain peaceful relations with international community especially with neighbours. However, he said, the government stands determined to safeguard Pakistans national interests and borders against any aggression. The minister lauded the role the PAF has played in the anti-terror operation Zarb-e-Azb. This has not only brought peace and normalcy to the country but also put Pakistans economy on a fast-track, he said. Asif thanked China for its support in the co-production of JF-17 Thunder aircraft. In his address, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman said JF-17 fighter jets have the capability comparable to any advanced fourth generation aircraft across the world. PTI SH ASK AKJ ASK --- ENDS --- Turin Event about the bliss of the Italian way of life - Epicurean experiences to enjoy our vida royal in full Turin style: tours, privates and more! SBS sure is milking the Trump presidency for documentaries lately how many more can we endure? The latest is Meet the Trumps in which UK reporter Matt Frei traces Trump family history and how it built a man who (somehow) became President. The media is looking for answers in all corners of Donald Trumps life from who he is to what makes him tick; from his time in military school, to the disdain the Queens boy was shown by the Manhattan elites when he entered the real estate world there. But the force that has shaped Donald Trump more than anything else can be found in his family tree. From his immigrant grandfather Friedrich, who built the beginnings of the Trump fortune on vice and shady dealings in the famous Klondike Gold Rush of the 1890s, to his father Fred, a showboating self-promoter who used FDRs New Deal loan subsidies to build a real estate empire which discriminated against African Americans. In this documentary, Matt Frei tells the remarkable true story of how Trumps family created and then passed down the family culture of doing whatever it takes to come out on top and how that helped make Donald Trump into the man he is today. Tuesday, 21 February at 7.30pm on SBS. NITV has appointed a new Commissioning Editor in Cieron Cody. Cody was previously at Screen Queensland for five years, and held posts as Manager and Acting Director of Development, and Vice President of Development and Production. Im beyond thrilled to be joining the NITV mob. As NITV has entered its tenth year, it has achieved exceptional momentum and success. Theres much to love, Cody said. As a Wiradjuri man, its with immense pride that I can go deeper into community to celebrate and support the revealing of distinct traditions and the evolving diversity of experience for Australias First Nations and Torres Strait Island people people of rich insight, incredible talent and compelling voices. Channel Manager for NITV, Tanya Orman has said; We are delighted to welcome Cieron to NITV Commissions. He is a wonderful addition to NITV and brings with him a strong track record in development and production across all genres. He will be joining a vibrant and committed team at NITV as we continue engage the nation in an in-depth conversation with Indigenous Australia. Cody will commence on February 20. Sherlock has been voted the most popular television character from the BBC by international audiences. Doctor Who ranked second in the survey of over 7,000 people between the ages of 18-64 from Australia, France, USA, Germany, India, Japan and Mexico. Top Ten Favourite British BBC Characters 1. Sherlock (29.7%) 2. Doctor Who (17.6%) 3. Luther (12.4%) 4. Basil Fawlty (11.8%) 5. The Stig (8.2%) 6. Patsy Stone (8.1%) 7. Edmund Blackadder (7.4%) 8. Hyacinth Bucket (6.1%) 9. Vicar of Dibley (5.8%) 10. The Daleks (5.6%) Top Ten Most Iconic BBC Moments 1. Sherlock falling to his death (26.0%) 2. Monty Python Dead Parrot sketch (14.1%) 3. The Doctors regeneration in Doctor Who (13.1%) 4. The Ballroom scene with Prince Andrei and Natasha in War and Peace (12.6%) 5. Mr Darcy emerging from the lake in Pride and Prejudice (12.5%) 6. Basil Fawlty attacking his car in Fawlty Towers (11.5%) 7. Sir David Attenborough and the Gorillas in Life on Earth (10.2%) 8. David Brent dancing in The Office (9.5%) 9. When the murderer comes from out of the bed in Luther (6.53%) 10. Dont tell him Pike in Dads Army (6.50%) Paul Dempsey, President of Global Markets, BBC Worldwide, said: This survey demonstrates the love and affection audiences have for our shows around the world and those defining TV moments that get viewers talking, wherever they are. With over 700 TV buyers from across the world attending our Showcase sales event next week, international demand for British TV is as strong as ever. Benedict Cumberbatch, said: Im honoured to hear that my portrayal of Sherlock has been internationally recognised as viewers favourite BBC TV character. Who would have thought a high functioning sociopath could be so popular with people all over the world The survey also revealed that the British sense of humour was a key factor for audiences in Japan ranking Sherlock as the number one character, with more than a quarter (26%) of fans stating the humour was a reason to watch the show. Meanwhile, in Mexico, the British accent proved to be a turn-on with 34% of viewers giving it their seal of approval as one of their top reasons for crowing the sleuth their favourite BBC character. UK crime documentary The Investigator, from ITV, premieres tonight on Seven. The four-part series investigating the disappearance of Carole Packman 30 years ago has been described as Simon Cowells British Answer To Making a Murderer (The Independent). The series is already available in Australia on Netflix. In June 1985, Carole Packman, a wife and mother mysteriously disappeared. She has never been seen since. Her husband Russell Causley is serving a life sentence for her murder, yet her body has never been found. Renowned investigator, Mark Williams-Thomas, re-examines this real life chilling murder case, which has baffled detectives for decades. 9.30pm tonight on Seven. By Press Trust of India: Noida, Feb 16 (PTI) A five-year-old Pakistani girl has got a new lease of life after undergoing a liver transplant surgery in a private hospital with her father donating a portion of the vital organ. The patient, Anabiya, was suffering from Hyperoxaluria Type 1, a rare condition among children, which required a liver transplant. advertisement This is an inherited condition in which a lack of enzyme leads to oxalate deposition takes place in the body causing renal and bladder stones. Stones cause urinary obstruction, secondary infection of urine and eventually kidney damage. This life threatening condition can only be cured by a liver transplant, Vivek Vij, Director of Liver Transplant Program at Fortis Hospital said. Fortis Hospital, Noida and Fortis Foundation (FF) supported the life-saving transplant surgery on the girl, after Anabiyas family who are not economically well to do requested for financial support for her treatment. The surgery took place on January 13. "I assessed Anabiyas health at an outstation OPD in Pakistan. Lack of awareness, incorrect diagnosis and various factors had prevented her care givers from accessing the right treatment. "We were able to diagnose the problem for which a liver transplant is the only treatment. The patient responded well to the treatment and has been discharged," Vij said. The surgery was successfully conducted when her father, Mansoor Hussain, donated a portion of his liver. Anabiya was discharged after recovery and she is ready to go back home. Expressing gratitude, Hussain said, "We are thankful to Dr Vij for giving our daughter a new lease of life. We remain grateful for the support provided by the hospital." PTI PLB AAR --- ENDS --- Hi, my name is Scott C. Waring and I wrote a few books and am currently a ESL School Owner in Taiwan. I have had my own UFO sighting up close and personal, but that's how it works right? A non believer becomes a believer when they experience their first sighting. You witnessed it, your perceptual field changes, so now you need to share it. I created this site to help the UFO community get a little bit organized. I noticed that there was a lot of chaos when searching for UFO sighting reports, so I hope this site helps. I wanted to support those eyewitnesses who have tried to tell others about what they have seen, yet were laughed at by even closest of friends. More and more each day the governments of the world leak bits and pieces of UFO information to the public. They have a trickle down theory in hopes of slowly getting citizens use to the idea that we are not alone in universe and never have been. The truth is being leaked drop by drop until one day we look around and find ourselves neck high in it. The discovery of alien species in existence is the most monumental scientific event in human history, suppression of that information is a crime against humanity. About me: I live in Taiwan. I OWN MY OWN ENGLISH SCHOOL, AND ONCE HAD 5 SCHOOLS. Am Former USAF at SAC base (flight line). Age: 42 Educ: BA in Elem ed. Masters in Counseling ed. I had two UFO sightings, (30+bus size orbs) in military and in 2012 personally saw the UFO over Taipei 101 building on New Years Day (and recored it). Abdel Moein Al Abed, his wife Fatima, eight-year-old twins Mohamad and Jomaa, and daughter, Shahd, five, prepare to leave Kahlouneye, Lebanon, for resettlement to Tampa, Florida. UNHCR/Houssam Hariri KAHLOUNEYE, Lebanon Over 15 people packed into the small room on a windy winters day in Lebanons Shouf Mountains. Family, friends and neighbours were all there to say their last goodbyes to the Syrian refugee family bound for a new life in the United States. Some were laughing, others were crying as Abdel Moein Al Abed, 37, and his wife, Fatima, 31, walked in and out of the room, stealing a kiss or a hug from their loved ones. They darted back to pack their suitcases with their eight-year-old twins, Mohamad and Jomaa, and their daughter, Shahd, aged five. We were so happy, all of us. I was mostly happy for my children, said Abdel Moein, recalling the moment last year he got the call from UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, telling him his family was being considered for resettlement to the United States. I want them to have good education, a good future. "I was mostly happy for my children. I want them to have good education, a good future. Now preparing to start over in Tampa, Florida, the family were among hundreds of Syrian refugees whose lives were put on hold last month, when their entry to the United States was temporarily suspended. Having waited for years to have a chance to rebuild their lives, the news was devastating. I was told that my departure date was on the 7th of February. So we prepared ourselves and I quit my job. We packed our things and I notified the landlord that I was going to move out. I sold most of my household goods. Lebanon: Syrian family prepares for a new life in the United States But the excitement did not last long. Abdel Moein was watching the news when he heard about the executive order halting the programme. Shortly after that, he received the phone call he dreaded: his resettlement was to be postponed, until further notice. My son Mohamad was so excited that he would sometimes cry and ask me, When are we going to get on the plane? My daughter Shahd would ask too. I didnt know what to say. What would I say? We were about to travel and now we are not? said his wife, Fatima. But a week later, the familys hope was restored. They called me again on the 5th of February and told me that I can now travel. The ban was revoked and you can now travel, they said. UNHCR field staff identify and refer the most vulnerable refugees for resettlement, such as people needing medical assistance, survivors of torture and women and children at risk. Initial checks carried out by UNHCR include document verification and iris scans to verify applicants identity, and a vulnerability assessment to confirm their eligibility for resettlement. Strong candidates selected by the UN Refugee Agency are then put through detailed screening by US authorities, which conduct their own rigorous vetting processes and alone decide whether to accept a refugee for resettlement. The process can take up to two years, and involves inter-agency security checks, in-person interviews, biometric security checks, background checks, different security databases, and U.S. federal government agencies. Before departure for the United States, successful applicants are given a five-day cultural orientation course to prepare them for life in their new homeland, covering issues such as schooling, healthcare and employment. I want to present something positive. I want people to think of me as a Muslim who has something positive to give." On arrival they are received by local resettlement agencies, which provide accommodation and financial assistance for an initial period of three to four months, as well as language courses and help finding work. Abdel Moein and Fatima anticipate some initial challenges settling in, but say they are determined to integrate as quickly as possible into their new lives. Everything will be different there. It will be hard at first, and we all need to learn the language. But we will work hard, and we will adapt, said Abdel Moein. Fatima wants to assure the people who have concerns about the refugee resettlement programme. We have fled Syria because of the war and the problems there. Were not looking for trouble. We just want to live in peace and safety. Abdel Moein voices his wifes reassurance, and says he wants to belong and give back to the community hosting him. I want to present something positive. I want people to think of me as a Muslim who has something positive to give. This will help change the perception they have about us. The family is now in the United States. Though Sasikala maintained a strong grip over AIADMK and the MLAs, the support from legislators to Panneerselvam was also slowly growing with 10 of the total 50 AIADMK MPs, about eight of the 135 MLAs and some senior party leaders backing him. AIADMK's presidium chairman, the number 2 in the party, E Madhusudanan joined him on February 10, giving Sasikala a severe jolt. However, with the apex court convicting Sasikala, her rival Panneerselvam was immediately seen as the frontrunner for the chief minister's post. With the top court asking Sasikala to surrender before the trial court "forthwith", it appeared as if the game of former Tamil Nadu chief minister late J Jayalalithaa's aide was over. But the next 48 hours turned the wheel in the favour of Sasikala camp. After her conviction, Sasikala spent the next 12 hours with the MLAs who were huddled up in Golden Bay Resort near Chennai. Her first major announcement came in the form of Palaniswami getting elected as AIADMK Legislature Party leader in her place. As Panneerselvam and his supporters were rejoicing over the Supreme Court verdict, he along with 20 leaders and seven MLAs was expelled from the party. By the time Sasikala left Chennai for Bengaluru to surrender before the trial court before getting jailed, she had ensured that her "Mannargudi Mafia" family took control of the party. To that end, she reinducted her nephews TTV Dinakaran and Venkatesh into the party, appointing the former as its deputy general secretary. Sasikala had undone their expulsion by Jayalalithaa five years ago. In their meetings with Governor C Vidyasagar Rao on February 15, few hours after Sasikala was imprisoned, both Palaniswami and Panneerselvam staked claim to form the next government in the state. However, the rival camp received the most severe jolt so far when the Governor today invited Palaniswami to form government and prove majority within 15 days. This has put paid to all efforts of the Panneerselvam to be officially seen as the true inheritors of Jayalalithaa's political legacy. In the current situation Panneerselvam has a limited window to dominate over the Sasikala camp. The first step has been taken in this direction. Rajya Sabha MP V Maitreyan, backing Panneerselvam, will meet the Election Commission to request the annulment of Sasikala's election as AIADMK general secretary. If this happens, the expulsion of Panneerselvam and his supporters, including MLAs, will be revoked. This would provide a boost to the rebel camp. This faction which has refused to accept Sasikala as their leader would go among the people to gauge their sentiments and try to form an opinion against their rivals. They will highlight the appointment on key posts of members of Sasikala's family who had been expelled by Jayalalithaa. Finally, the Panneerselvam camp will try to get in touch with the 124 MLAs - whose support Palaniswami has claimed - and convince them to vote against the trust motion. Only with Palaniswami's defeat on the floor of the house, the rebel faction can hope to form government in the state. The village of Luhanske, on the front line in eastern Ukraine, looks abandoned during the day. Only smoke from some of the chimneys shows that people still live there. Just a handful of elderly residents brave the shelling and the severe cold to call Luhanske their home. Anna Tadyka, 68, showed us around the small kitchen where she spent the whole of last winter. When it got freezing cold here, I sealed all the doors, put a mattress on the floor near the stove and burst into tears sitting on it, she said. As Ukraine enters the coldest months of January and February, with temperatures often falling below minus 20 degrees Celsius, winterization support for eastern Ukraine is not adequate to help vulnerable residents cope with the conditions caused by the conflict. I saved some money and bought coal, Anna said. It lasted me one month. But it was of bad quality. Its like dust! As she throws coal into the stove, a layer of black dust covers her face. Anna cannot afford to heat every room in her big house, where she lives alone. Coal for the whole winter season costs about US $400. Her annual pension is less than US$600. Even if she managed to save more money to buy more coal, it would be difficult to have it delivered to a village on the front line. The road to Luhanske is damaged and hazardous, and coal distributors avoid the area. Because of the shortage of fuel and money to pay for it, residents started gathering firewood on the outskirts of the village last summer. Because of fighting and the state of the roads, they do not have the basics to survive through this winter. Nadezhda Rudenok, 66, said they felled trees and spent the summer hauling them to the village. She bought one carload of firewood. I had thought it wouldnt last, but then we received some coal as humanitarian aid, she said. Gathering firewood is highly dangerous, since it often conceals unexploded ordnance which can explode if disturbed. Resident Nina Zus took home some firewood from the field. She put it into the stove and when she cooked dinner, there was an explosion that injured her arm. Since then, she has not used firewood for fuel. A UNHCR worker writes down 82-year-old Nelya's winter fuel needs in the village of Luhanske, Donetsk. UNHCR/Evgeny Maloletka A man pulls a cart of coal to his home in the village of Luhanske, Donetsk. UNHCR/Evgeny Maloletka Nina, 62, looks out of the window of her house in the village of Luhanske, Donetsk. UNHCR/Evgeny Maloletka Anna, 68, and Victor, 67, stand in front of several bags of coal that will heat their homes in the village of Luhanske, Donetsk. UNHCR/Evgeny Maloletka Nina, 62, and Victor, 67, at home in the village of Luhanske, Donetsk. UNHCR/Evgeny Maloletka Halyna, 79, has received a coal supply to heat her home in the village of Luhanske, Donetsk. UNHCR/Evgeny Maloletka In early January, Nina received coal from the NGO Proliska, a local partner of the UN refugee agency UNHCR. Two hundred Luhanske residents will receive support under the scheme. Pablo Mateu, UNHCR representative in Ukraine, said they were trying to reach people who had no money. Because of fighting and the state of the roads, they do not have the basics to survive through this winter, he said. There were many communities with people spending nights in the basement or living out in the cold. In essence, ours is a street of old people. After the shelling, the young people left the village. It was difficult for humanitarian agencies to reach them because of the dynamics of the conflict, he added. Since the heavy fighting in Luhanske in December, people are fearful of being caught up in the shelling when they are out of doors. When UNHCRs coal truck reached the village, residents, who range in age from 50 to 80, helped each other to unload the coal sacks quickly. Halyna Samokhvalova, 79, said she found living alone a challenge. Her daughter died 13 years ago and she has no any relatives with whom she could move in away from the conflict zone. She relies on her neighbour Victor, 64. In essence, ours is a street of old people, said Victor. After the shelling, the young people left the village. He is one of the youngest people on the street and helps his more elderly neighbours get through the day. Every morning I ask Halyna if she needs anything, how she feels today. I can bring her some food, like sausage or bread. Victor said he twice helped her replace windows broken by the shelling. The windows of his own house were also damaged several times, but he decided to board them up. I will wait to repair them when the war ends, he said. A retired IAS officer's account on how meals in our trains are overpriced by almost 100 per cent. A vegetarian meal that costs Rs 50 is sold for Rs 90 and the non-vegetarian meal is sold at Rs 100 when it originally costs Rs 55. By India Today Web Desk: Indian Railways is one of the world's largest railway networks with more than 12,000 trains running across the nation everyday. Scamming with whatever ways we can, is nothing new. According to a Facebook post, a man put out an account of a retired IAS officer who was travelling from Visakhapatnam to Howrah in Yesvantpur-Howrah Express. According to the post, a vegetarian meal was sold to the retired IAS officer Shivendra K Sinha by a waiter at Rs 90. Sensing something wrong, Sinha figured out that he was buying his meal for a price more than what IRCTC is selling at. advertisement Upon Google-ing, he found the rate card and the menu. Photo: guruprasad.net The rate card confirmed that the vegetarian meal costs Rs 30 (excluding taxes) and non-vegetarian meal is priced at Rs 35 (excluding taxes). It became a scam when the pantry car officials asked for a price much higher than what IRCTC has decided. The veg meal that was supposed to be sold at Rs 50 was sold at Rs 90 and the non-veg meal that was supposed to cost Rs 55 was sold at Rs 100. Regardless of what the waiter charged Sinha, he paid the official price but waiter demanded for the price the pantry car officials unofficially fixed. Sinha asked for the rate card which the waiter failed to provide. After the discrepancy was highlighted, the waiter agreed upon taking Rs 50 instead of Rs 90 further telling Sinha to not tell anybody about this. A furious Sinha then did not sit this one out and rushed towards the pantry car to have a word with pantry in-charge. He filed a complaint with the in-charge and in return, he was to get a copy of the complaint. He filed the complaint saying that he was charged more for his meal but to his surprise, the in-charge wrote, "taken only Rs 50 from customer Bill No XXX and this customer writes complaint every time he travels." Here's the full post: --- ENDS --- Pueblo County Commissioners have announced that they are going to be the very first community in the world to provide a cannabis-funded scholarship to graduating high school students and that they are now accepting applications for its first full year of funding. It was Monday when the Board of Pueblo County Commissioners approved the contract between Pueblo County and the Pueblo Hispanic Education Foundation to administer the scholarship, The Gazette reported. Every graduating high school student who resides in Pueblo County and is planning to Pueblo Community College or Colorado State University-Pueblo $1,000 worth of scholarship. In order to be awarded of the scholarship, students will be required to fill out a form. They can also apply online at www.phef.net. Even in the previous years, around 300 to 400 high school graduates have attended a local Pueblo college, according to KKTV 11 News. It has been on the forefront of the cannabis policy not only in the US but even in the world. They are the first ever community to be providing this scholarship funded by cannabis to every graduating high school student because they aim to make college affordable for their youth. And that is how they provide long-term economic opportunity in their community. So while many kids are not able to afford college, their program will be utilizing cannabis-tax revenue to provide these students an opportunity for a brighter future. The Pueblo County Scholarship fund was created by a ballot initiative in the Coordinated Election in 2015 and the money allocated for this program were collected from the 50 percent of all the marijuana excise tax. Excise tax refers to the tax on all marijuana grown in this community and is being charged to the cultivator only once, when the marijuana is sold to a store. The remaining revenue then goes to community enhancement projects. Duke University has taken their stand in court to support a lawsuit against President Donald Trump's executive order on immigration. Duke, together with the 16 other universities filed a joint Amicus brief Monday standing against the order of Trump on immigration and supported a lawsuit by the attorney general of New York, News Observer reported. The said universities who signed in support of the lawsuit in the federal court include: Brown, Carnegie Mellon, University of Chicago, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Emory, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Northwestern, University of Pennsylvania, Princeton, Stanford, Vanderbilt and Yale. The brief states that the executive order of Trump on immigration has created hardship for the schools' international students, faculty and scholars. According to IBusinessLines, the colleges and universities aim to educate the future leaders from every place in the world and attract the best students and faculty across the world, which is why they welcome global students in their communities. They believe that these international students and faculty can contribute significantly to their field of study as well as to campus life in general because they can bring in fresh and unique perspectives to their respective schools and classrooms. International students comprise ten percent of Duke's undergraduates and 47 percent of graduate students, according to the brief. It also said that safety concerns can still be addressed in accordance to the values of the country which includes allowing and welcoming people and immigrants across the borders of the United States. Trump's immigration ban prevented nationals of seven predominantly Muslim countries from entering the country, and it prompted protests at airports as well as in many educational institutions across the country. Institutions have expressed their stand against this order because it threats their ability to educate future leaders from almost every continent. In its current plans, NASA's first launch is scheduled for late 2018. This particular launch does not include a crew for testing the rocket's systems and the capsule - Orion. However, NASA is looking into speeding its plans to take the heavy-lift rocket into space with a crew on board. The acting NASA administrator, Robert M. Lightfoot Jr., says that the agency is currently studying everything involved in carrying a flew on board the mammoth rocket. And that includes a life support system that is capable for deep space missions. Originally, the second mammoth mission would hold the crew and that rocket would take off in 2021, as reported by the New York Times. Now, NASA is reviewing the feasibility of such mission because of an earlier launch date. In the quest to send humans into deep space, NASA is taking a huge risk. The plan was to originally send a crew-less mission to gain confidence before sending a manned one. This enables the agency to test out the environment of a prolonged flight. Which is why NASA is looking to develop oxygen recovery technologies for deep space missions, as reported by Space Daily. The agency is now looking into two proposals that could help astronauts breathe easier during the long journey. With a team of engineers and experts working from different research groups, the agency is confident that they can supply the needed systems for Orion. Honeywell Aerospace in Phoenix has proposed a soot-free recovery of oxygen from carbon dioxide. While the UMPQUA Research Co. in Myrtle Creek, Oregon proposed a continuous Bosch reactor. Both proposals have been selected and funded by NASA. It is still unclear if NASA can make the deadline and Orion capable of supporting a whole crew on board given the short time table. But Lightfoot expresses that current United States President Donald Trump has their goals in mind. So before NASA goes to Mars, they need to test Orion first. Watch the PBS clip below for more details: The University of Cincinnati is taking a leap into the subjects surrounding race and racism. This spring semester, the institution is going to host a workshop to help teach students about "White Tears" and "White Fragility." The workshop is titled "White Fragility, White Tears and White Allies: Learning to Manage Emotion in Difficult Conversations About Race and Racism." The term "white tears" is a phrase that refers to defensive moves Caucasian people make when confronted by racial issues. This then causes them emotional stress. This workshop is reportedly one of the 21 inclusive excellence workshops that is being sponsored by the university, as reported by the Daily Caller. The phrase "white tears" is now made popular among social justice warriors who wants to raise awareness on the issue. The term is a means to insult Caucasian people in a condescending manner. It also describes what happens when certain types of Caucasians either complain about a nonexistent racial injustice or are upset by a non-white person's success at the supposed expense of a white person. One story that made the headlines, in relation to the term, is about an African American student refusing to tip a Caucasian waitress and mocked her for getting upset. The workshop is headed by Ainsley Lambert-Swain, a Ph.D. student who currently studies sociology in the University of Cincinnati. The content of the workshop is not yet being revealed by the university, as reported by Heatstreet. Lambert-Swain has a background in race theory, inequality, interaction and microaggressions. She has a published paper on "Racial Microaggressions and the Reconstruction of Racial Hierarchies." Students who are interested to join the other excellence workshops can find other topics such as "Microaggressions and Unconscious Bias in the Classroom and Beyond," and "35 Dumb Things Well-Intended People Say." In the meantime, here is a TEDx Talk by Gurdeep Parhar, where he discusses why racism is at the root of many of humanitys evils: By Press Trust of India: Pradipta Tapadar Imphal, Feb 16 (PTI) The politics of poll-bound Manipur revolves around the economic blockade issue as all political parties are trying to use it as the key issue in the state assembly election slated for next month. Even though economic blockade brings misery to the border state whenever NH-2 and NH-37, Manipurs lifelines, are blocked, it relegates every other issue - demonetisation, corruption or anti-incumbency - to the background. advertisement Economic blockade is an issue which has seemingly widened the divide between the hills and the plains. The land-locked state is witnessing an indefinite economic blockade by United Naga Council (UNC) since November 1, 2016 against the state governments decision to create seven new districts by bifurcating the existing ones and upgradation of Sadar Hills to a full-fledged district. The state government had, however, claimed that the decision was taken to improve administrative efficiency. Although ruling Congress has accused the main opposition BJP of instigating the UNC to continue with the blockade and not doing enough for the state. The BJP has levelled counter allegations that Okram Ibobi Singh government has deliberately bifurcated the districts to divide the state along ethnic lines and gain out of ethnic frenzy in the Valley arising out of the blockade. "BJP is covertly supporting the blockade and is hand in glove with UNC. Whenever we try to take any action against UNC, they create some problem. "Even though a blockade is going on for three months and the supplies are drying up fast, the Centre is silent and is not taking necessary action to restore normalcy in the highways," senior Congress leader K H Joykishan told PTI. Supply of essential commodities, including fuel has been severely hit due to the economic blockade and their prices are shooting up in the state. The Congress leader said the decision to bifurcate districts was done to ensure more administrative efficiency and was under consultation for the last two years. State BJP president K Bhabananda Singh, however, said, "The Congress was facing tough anti-incumbency after ruling for the last 15 years and they know they would loose the (assembly) polls. "So to win the elections they have divided those districts knowing very well that it will push the state towards economic blockade and thus divide it along ethnic lines," he said. Almost 65 per cent of Manipurs population live in Imphal Valley dominated by the non-tribal Meiteis. Two tribal groups ? Naga and Kuki-Zomi, account for the remaining 35 per cent of the population scattered across its hills that make up 90 per cent of the states geographical area. advertisement The plains have 40 of the 60 seats in the state assembly. MORE PTI PNT SUN KK DIP SMN --- ENDS --- STEM students at Dalton State University have one more reason to be inspired this coming fall semester as they are going to receive a half-point grade boost for their GPA this coming semester. The half-point grade boost for STEM students is the product of a new bill passed by the Georgia state legislators in order to have higher retention rates in STEM degrees as well as attract new students to pursue degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math. It also aims to make more STEM students eligible for HOPE scholarship, a merit-based scholarship available for residents of Georgia. Dr. Randall Griffus, dean of the School of Science, Technology, and Mathematics at DSU, said that STEM classes, even the introductory ones, are very rigorous. He hopes that the new GPA boost will be more reason for students to pursue and remain in STEM degrees as there is also a need to fill high-demand jobs. With the new GPA boost for STEM students, those who have a B, C, or D .5 score will have a half point added to their final grade. Thus, a score of B which is equivalent to 3.0, will become 3.5. The same goes with the other GPA scores. However, the weighted grades for STEM are only applicable to courses that are taken during the first two years of college. For DSU's case, these courses include introductory biology, chemistry, anatomy, physiology, physics, and programming courses. Also part of the list are pre-engineering and calculus courses. Pat Chute, provost and vice-president for Student Affairs at DSU, said that the GPA grade boost for STEM students is a testament of Georgia's commitment to address the needs of the workforce in the state. On the other hand, students who have a STEM degree, have more opportunities waiting for them in different fields as well as internships and research positions. Posters that say "Imagine a Muslim-Free America" started appearing on different college campuses across the United States. The incident has stirred fear in the hearts of Muslim students in case it escalates and incite physical action against them. The black and white anti-Muslim posters with the images of the American flag and the World Trade Center towers were posted in places in the campuses where Muslim students often frequent. Images of these posters were uploaded on One of the posters was found posted at Rutgers University outside the Paul Robeson Cultural Center, which Muslim students use to say their prayers and hold some of their meetings and programs. Rutgers University authorities have removed the poster last Monday. In a report on USA Today, Executive Director of Public Safety Kenneth Cop said that they also reported the incident to the Middlesex County Prosecutors Office for further investigation. Meanwhile, the University of Texas in Austin also reported a similar incident where the same poster was seen on some buildings in the campus including the College of Liberal Arts and the student campus center. There were also some posted on utility poles. J.B. Bird, director of Media Relations, released a statement on the UT Austin News criticizing the posters saying that although the university supports free speech, the signs are nowhere near the bounds of the university's rules of free speech. UTA president Gregory Fenves tweeted Longhorn's stand regarding the issue saying that "diversity and inclusion" are the top priorities of the university. Jim Sues, the executive director of the Council of American-Islamic Relations' New Jersey chapter, condemned the action saying that such 'hate and bigotry' should not be tolerated. He also added that students should be able to practice their faith without fear or intimidation. Over the years, there are celebrities who used their influence and status to speak about and advocate different issues that are happening around the world. Most of the time, the issues they advocate are very dear to their hearts. Here are some of the celebrities who have testified before Congress. Human Trafficking Ashton Kutcher Ashton Kutcher was the latest celebrity to appear before Congress, specifically before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, speaking about the dangers and perils of human trafficking. Kutcher spoke on behalf of Thorn: Digital Defenders of Children, an organization he co-founded with ex-wife Demi Moore and whose main goal was to combat child trafficking. The organization is also known for its software which helps the law enforcement find children who are victims of child trafficking get located much faster. Julia Ormond Like Kutcher, Ormond's heart is for those who are victims of human trafficking. She was the goodwill ambassador for the abolition of slavery and human trafficking speaking against its evils. In 2006, Ormond appeared before the House International Relations Committee hearing and testified against the inhuman act. She also attended a conference about human trafficking in Bangkok, Thailand the same year. Education James Earl Jones If there's a celebrity whose heart is to see the literacy rates in America improve, that would be James Earl Jones. In 2002, Jones appeared before the House Education Reform Subcommittee to talk about the role of corporate sponsorships in improving literacy in America. Jones was also honored the same year by the Kennedy Center for his lifetime contributions to the American culture. Arts Chris Klein While some celebrities focus on the 'darker' issues, Chris Klein focuses his energy on making the world a more beautiful place by investing in the arts. In 2007, he appeared before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on the Interior urging lawmakers to invest more in the arts. John Legend Legend, along with wife former wife Kerry Washington, shares Klein's passion for the arts. He and his wife appeared before the same House Appropriations Committee in 2008 during the hearing on the funding for the arts. Jewish Champion Helen Mirren When Mirren played the role of a Jewish woman fighting to recover her family's stolen art in the 2015 film Woman in Gold, she was moved by the struggles of the Holocaust Jews that she spoke up for them when the opportunity came. In 2016, she urged Congress to approve the Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act (HEAR), which will allow Jews to recover their stolen properties much quicker. By Press Trust of India: Guwahati, Feb 15 (PTI) Protests erupted across Assam, including Guwahati, on a girls Facebook post about allegedly being molested in Jorhat town by a group of motorbike riding youths and a state ministers reaction to her posting. Public meetings, rallies and signature campaigns were held against helmet wearing youths allegedly groping, harassing and verbally abusing the girl in Jorhat last week. advertisement The girl last week put up a Facebook post about her harassment which went viral, arousing shock, concern and anger among students, womens organisations and others. The matter had come up for discussion in the Assembly on February 13 when legislators raised the issue. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary identified the girl as an SFI activist and said she should have lodged a police complaint instead of writing it in Facebook. The girls harassment and the ministers remarks together sparked further protests today in Jorhat, Golaghat and Sonitpur districts, besides Guwahati, where eminent citizens took part in rallies that demanded the ministers resignation for "making such an irresponsible statement". Sahitya Akademi winner Nirupama Borgohain lauded the girls courage for bringing the issue in public domain in the interest of others risking her own security. The speakers in the rally said that the government should take measures to stop such harassment and provide security to women in the state. Assam Director General of Police Mukesh Sahay has said the girl has not lodged any complaint with the police but the force registered a suo motu FIR and investigations are on. PTI ESB NN LNS --- ENDS --- By Press Trust of India: New Delhi, Feb 16 (PTI) Restructuring of Tata Steels European operations is crucial for companys consolidated financial health, S&P Global Ratings said today. "The recent improvement in profitability at Tata Steel Ltd is in line with our expectations and supports the companys credit quality. However, we believe restructuring of Tata Steels European operations will be a key to an improvement in the companys consolidated financial health and ratings," the ratings agency said. advertisement This is given the companys large debt, low margins and volatile profitability, especially in the UK. "We attribute Tata Steels improved profitability in India in the third quarter of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017, to stronger global steel prices, aided by better demand than we expected in stimulus-driven Chinese markets and optimism on the new US administrations infrastructure spending proposals," it said. S&P Global Ratings credit analyst Vishal Kulkarni said, "We expect the improving profitability trend, especially in India, to continue in the quarter ending March 2017 despite some headwinds in India, where short-term demand could get disrupted due to slower construction following demonetisation." The Indian governments protectionist measures for the domestic steel industry also continue to support the Indian steel market, in our view, it said adding these measures have lowered steel imports in here, helping domestic steelmakers, including Tata Steel, to generate better profitability per tonne, despite steep rises in prices of raw materials such as coking coal. "We believe that Tata Steels India operations can deliver more than Rs 10,000 average EBITDA per ton for fiscal 2017. The companys India EBITDA per tonne improved to more than INR 11,332 in the third quarter of fiscal 2017, from about Rs 628 in the previous quarter," S&P said. Talking about the Tata Steels new capacity at the Kalinganagar industrial zone in India, it said it is also ramping up well, producing 1.5 million tonnes of steel in fiscal 2017, which is higher than 1.3 million tonnes expected. Profitability at Tata Steels Europe operations will continue to be volatile, given it is a function of raw material prices and currency movements. Europe EBITDA of USD 50 per tonne for the nine months ending December 2017 is a turnaround from negative EBITDA during the same period last year, and is in line with our expectation. It said in line with our forecast of EBITDA per tonne at Rs 10,000-11,000 in India and USD 40-USD 45 in Europe over next two years, "we expect Tata Steels ratio of funds from operations (FFO) to debt to improve to about 12 per cent, and EBITDA interest coverage to be around 2.0x over the next one to two years," the Rating agency said. MORE PTI NAM ABI --- ENDS --- advertisement UTSA and Mexico researchers team up to fight childhood obesity The UTSA College of Education and Human Development hosted a group of international researchers from three Mexican universities to launch Healthy Change. (Feb. 16, 2017) -- -- Researchers from four different universities, including The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), recently launched an international pilot program to help lower the rate of childhood obesity in Texas and Mexico. Dr. Meizi He and Erica Sosa, professors of kinesiology, health and nutrition in the UTSA College of Education and Human Development, are working with a group of health researchers led by Yolanda Flores-Pena from Nuevo Leon, Tamaulipas, and Zacatecas, Mexico to launch the Healthy Change program, a pilot program designed to educate Hispanic mothers about childhood obesity prevention. "Childhood obesity is a major public health concern and is disproportionately affecting Hispanic children in the United States and Mexico," said Dr. He. "Mothers are the key influencers to their children's healthy growth." The international team of researchers has already begun working with two head start centers in San Antonio and with childcare facilities in northern Mexico to implement the intervention program. The findings from their pilot study will be used to refine and further develop the Healthy Change program. "From a health promotion standpoint, obesity prevention actions will not occur if mothers do not perceive their child's obesity as being a problem," said Sosa. "We hope the Healthy Change Program will positively influence the mothers' perception of their child's health." Other team members include Velia M. Cardenas-Villarreal from the Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Hermelinda Avila Alpirez from the Universidad Autonoma de Tamaulipas, and Perla Maria Trejo Ortiz and Roxana Araujo Espino from the Universidad Autonoma de Zacatecas. The program is funded by grants through the National Council for Science and Technology (CONACYT) and Institute of Nutrition and Health Kellogg's (INSK) in Mexico. - Jo Ann Jones ------------------------------- For more information about Healthy Change, contact Dr. Meizi He at meizi.he@utsa.edu. Learn more about other UTSA research programs combatting childhood obesity. Connect with UTSA online at Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and LinkedIn. UW Seminars Designed to Assist Small Businesses with Financial Forecasting Small businesses in Wyoming can learn how to create rolling financial forecasts, based on key business drivers. These forecasts, combined with project-based planning, can provide a framework that will support better decision making by small businesses. A seminar, titled Financial Forecasting for the Small Business, will be presented by the Wyoming Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in Gillette and Casper. The Gillette seminar is scheduled Wednesday, March 15, 2-4 p.m., at Gillette College, 300 W. Sinclair St. The Casper program will take place Thursday, March 16, 2-4 p.m., at the Wyoming Technology Business Center, 2435 King Blvd. The SBDC is a partnership among the University of Wyoming, the Wyoming Business Council and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The SBDC focuses on educating small-business owners and potential owners on how to successfully start and operate small businesses. The SBDCs main office is located at UW. Carl Young, nationally recognized author and speaker, and a former CFO, will teach Wyoming businesses how to create rolling financial forecasts, based on key business drivers. The traditional business budgeting process utilizes past data in order to forecast data for the upcoming year. This method can work well, if costs, sales and margins remain the same as in the past year. In times of fluctuating information, however, results from last year may not be a great predictor. Rolling forecasts allow business managers to consistently add new data into their process to create a more accurate picture in rapidly changing times. This will be a great opportunity to get some new ideas about how to forecast financials, says Cindy Beth Unger, business adviser for the Wyoming SBDC. Due to grant funding from an SBA Portable Assistance Grant, these seminars will be free of charge, but attendees must register at www.wyomingsbdc.org. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made, if requested at least two weeks in advance. For more information, call Greg Jordan at the SBDC at (307) 766-3593 or email him at gregj@uwyo.edu. The Wyoming SBDC Network is a business advising group of the Wyoming SBDC, Procurement Technical Assistance Center, Market Research Center and SBIR/STTR Initiative. The networks mission is to help Wyoming entrepreneurs succeed. Advising and most market research activities are free of charge to Wyoming residents. The SBDC is funded, in part, through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. SBA. Additional support is provided by the Wyoming Business Council and UW. For more information, go to www.wyomingsbdc.org. Tthe Supreme Court has ordered the seizure of Sahara's Aamby Valley project in Pune to force the group to pay Rs 14,799 crore more to the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi). The law appears to be coming down ever more heavily on Subrata Roy, chairman of the embattled Sahara Group, who's out on bail after spending more than two years in Tihar jail in a case of seeking illegal deposits from the public. On February 6, the Supreme Court ordered the seizure of Sahara's Aamby Valley project in Pune, to force the group to pay Rs 14,799 crore more to the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi). Roy's options are running out. If his lawyers cannot come out with an alternative list of properties to sell, the prime Aamby Valley property, a township in Pune that spans over 10,000 acres and is reportedly worth Rs 39,000 crore, could go under the hammer. A Mumbai-based corporate lawyer with knowledge of the case says, "Sebi is likely to seek the help of some top real estate consulting firm to auction off the project and raise the money." The case will next be heard on February 27. advertisement Roy's problems date back to 2008, when the Sahara Housing Investment Corporation (SHICL) and Sahara India Real Estate Corporation (SIRECL) raised Rs 19,400 crore from 22.1 million investors through optionally fully-convertible debentures (OFCDs), which are loan certificates that can be converted into equity shares when the investor wishes. Later, when Sahara Prime City Ltd, a developer of homes and commercial properties, sought Sebi's nod to raise money from the public, it was alleged that the other Sahara companies hid facts about the debenture issue in the documents they had submitted. After a tough legal battle, in August 2012, the Supreme Court ordered SIRECL and SHICL to return the investors' money with 15 per cent interest. This amounted to Rs 24,000 crore, which could be paid in instalments. With the group playing truant, the court later ordered that at least the principal amount must be paid back to investors. The company has so far deposited Rs 11,000 crore, Sahara's counsel Kapil Sibal told the apex court in November last year. Corporate lawyers see the move to seize the Aamby Valley project as the next logical step in getting Roy to pay up. "It is not an empty threat from the apex court," says another lawyer. "The company is taking too long to comply with the court's earlier order, which leaves it with no option but to tighten the screws." Sahara is not even able to pay off the principal amount, which has infuriated the court, he adds. The apex court now wants to take the case to its logical conclusion. If Roy cannot pay, he faces the spectre of going back to jail. --- ENDS --- AIADMK Rajya Sabha MP V Maitreyan will represent the OPS camp infront of the Election Commission during hearing on their plea that Sasikala's elevation as party general secretary is illegal. By India Today Web Desk: Even as the AIADMK celebrates a victory for the Sasikala faction with Edapaddi Palaniswamy's appointment as new Chief Minister, they've been dealt another blow. The Election Commission will today hear a petition by the rebel O Panneerselvam camp challenging VK Sasikala's appointment as the AIADMK's general secretary. AIADMK Rajya Sabha MP V Maitreyan will represent the OPS camp at the hearing which is scheduled for 3.00 PM. The hearing will determine whether Sasikala continues as the AIADMK's general secretary or whether she'll be removed from the post. advertisement ALSO READ: Will BJP rope in Rajinikanth to form new party in Tamil Nadu? Wait and watch, says Amit Shah If removed from the post by the Election Commission, Sasikala's decision to expel Panneerselvam from AIADMK will stand null and void. Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Governor C Vidyasagar Rao has invited Edapaddi Palaniswamy to take oath as the chief minister. The swearing-in ceremony is likely to take place later today. The Governor has given Palaniswamy 15 days time to prove majority in the 234-seat Tamil Nadu Assembly. Palaniswamy's supporters claimed on Wednesday night that he had the backing of 124 of the 135 party legislators as opposed to acting Chief Minister O Panneerselvam. WATCH: Prisoner VK Sasikala assigned these works on first day in Bengaluru jail ALSO READ: Congratulations Tamil Nadu, E Palaniswamy is your next chief minister. Who is he? VK Sasikala's 'floor' test in Bengaluru jail: Prisoner No 9234 denied VIP treatment --- ENDS --- By PTI: New Delhi, Feb 14 (PTI) AIADMK General Secretary V K Sasikala was today convicted by the Supreme Court which set aside the Karnataka High Court verdict acquitting her in the 19-year-old disproportionate assets case that also involved late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa. The apex court restored in toto the judgement and the findings of the trial court in Bengaluru which had held guilty all the accused including Sasikalas two relatives, V N Sudhakaran and Elavarasi. advertisement The two-judge bench comprising Justices P C Ghose and Amitava Roy directed Sasikala and the two relatives to surrender forthwith to the trial court in Bengaluru and serve the remaining part of four year jail term. (More) ABA SJK RKS PKS GSN DV --- ENDS --- Im not exactly sure how long a particular event has to have been going on for it to be credibly labeled an institution, but whatever that length of time, the ZAP Zinfandel Festival in San Francisco would certainly qualify. For nearly 25 years lovers of Zinfandel have been descending upon San Francisco in late January to celebrate their favorite grape. While there are now many Pinot Noir festivals, several Cabernet happenings, and more than one event focused on Rhone grape varieties, there has only ever been one ZAP. And while Zinfandel might be poured at other regional tastings, no event ever offered such a comprehensive view into the grape that very nearly became Californias official state grape. But after more than two decades of opening the floodgates of Zinfandel to the masses each winter, ZAP has been in a mode of reinvention. For starters, the event is no longer known as ZAP, it is known as the Zinfandel Experience, or ZinEX for short. Starting on Friday, February 24th, the event kicks off with a seated tasting and then an evening filled with winemaker dinners. The main event, however, comes the next day, when Pier 27 hosts a complete day of Zinfandel immersion. From 11:00 AM to 4:30 PM attendees can wander around and taste Zinfandel to their hearts content. In a new format this year, attendees can sit down at designated tables and chat with winemakers from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM to get a little story with their wines. And finally, for a little extra coin attendees can taste some of the highest rated Zinfandels in the world as part of an exclusive best of afternoon tasting. Perennially popular, this event is likely to sell out, so youll want to get your tickets soon. Ive got four tickets to give away to aspiring Zin drinkers, so hit me with a Zinfandel poem or limerick. The first four to do so will get in free! Now go get your Zin on! 2017 Zinfandel Experience Gand Tasting Saturday, February 25, 2017 11:00 AM to 4:30 PM Pier 27 Cruise Terminal San Francisco, CA 94111 Tickets for the various events range from $60 to $315 for the winemaker dinner. Purchase your tickets online soon, as they will certainly sell out. This past Saturday, 11 February, an estimated four thousand people gathered on Ocean Beach in San Francisco to offer a message to the world, spelled out by a crowd on the sand. The 50-metre-high letters they created formed the word resist followed by two exclamation marks (photo below by Stefan Ruenzel). This gathering was not unusual for San Francisco, nor for the rest of the country, which in the weeks since President Trumps election has been marked by significant amounts of public protest, both in opposition to Trumps election, as well as to his actions since having taken office. My (admittedly liberal-leaning) Facebook timeline has unsurprisingly been awash in protest and criticism of the new administration, but it has also been increasingly filled with activism. Instead of a constant stream of cute baby pictures, humorous memes, and navel-gazing, Ive watched friends, neighbours and acquaintances sharing their new daily practices of calling their Senators and Representatives, sharing phone numbers for key legislative offices, and soliciting e-mail and financial support for causes they believe threatened by the new administration. Perhaps not surprisingly, some folks in the wine industry have also joined the fray. Meg Murray, a long-time wine industry consultant, has a habit of collecting domain names, she says. And when the phrase nasty woman became an overnight meme during the presidential debates, she registered the domain name NastyWomanWines.com, not knowing if shed ever do anything with it. But on election day she decided to turn what had been a fanciful notion into a real wine brand. I called my attorney and insisted it happen that day, the day we would have our first female President, she says. With my husband driving and my laptop open, Nasty Woman Wines started to take shape on Interstate 5 South, on November 8th, 2016. The next morning I was on my kitchen floor with tears running down my face, she continues. Read the rest of the story on JancisRobinson.Com. This article is my monthly column at JancisRobinson.Com, Alder on America, and is available only to subscribers of her web site. If youre not familiar with the site, I urge you to give it a try. Its only 8.50 a month or 85 per year ($11/mo or $111 a year for you Americans) and well worth the cost, especially considering you basically get free, searchable access to the Oxford Companion to Wine ($65) and the World Atlas of Wine ($50) as part of the subscription costs. Click here to sign up. Photo Credit: Stefan Ruenzel . By Indo-Asian News Service: Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan will be hosting TED Talks India: Nayi Soch, a global first Hindi TV talk show created in partnership with TED, a non-profit devoted to 'ideas worth spreading', Star India, a unit of 21st Century Fox has announced. "I believe TED Talks India-Nayi Soch will inspire many minds across India. It is a concept I connected with instantly, as I believe that the media is perhaps the single most powerful vehicle to inspire change. I am looking forward to working with TED and Star India, and truly hope that together, we are able to inspire young minds across India and the world," Shah Rukh said in a statement. advertisement The show on Star Plus will feature speakers sharing big ideas in TED's signature format of short, powerful talks. This is the first time TED is collaborating with a major network and mega-star to produce a TV series featuring original TED Talks in a language other than English. Also read: Exciting news! Shah Rukh Khan might feature in a new reality show soon "In an age of high volatility the role of ideas to fuel positive change cannot be overstated. We are delighted to have Shah Rukh Khan share our vision and lend his charisma to this exciting endeavour," Uday Shankar, Chairman and CEO, Star India, said. Juliet Blake, head of TV at TED and executive producer of the series, added: "The size of Star TV's audience, with more than 650 million viewers, makes this a significant milestone in TED's ongoing effort to bring big ideas to curious minds." --- ENDS --- The project will use advanced virtual reality technology to deliver safer, more accurate evaluations of ballast water tanks, offshore wind farms and other enclosed or difficult to access spaces on ships and marine structures, including inspections of coatings and corrosion. Traditionally, inspections are carried out by crew, surveyors or independent inspectors - a potentially risky activity which represents one of the most common causes of work-related fatalities in the industry. "Surveys of enclosed spaces and ballast water tanks are an essential part of routine maintenance and are increasingly critical for ship owners," explained Michael Hindmarsh, business development manager at AkzoNobel's Marine Coatings business. "Inspecting these areas thoroughly can require working at height, entering confined spaces and negotiating slippery surfaces that could be poorly lit, all of which are high-risk activities that the maritime industry is keen to address." By replacing human inspections with a drone, routine maintenance can be monitored remotely and in real time by office-based staff, with instant feedback available to the vessel or offshore structure's superintendent. This in turn will reduce costs, increase efficiency and significantly reduce risk to human life during essential maintenance. The partnership itself offers a complete overview of the issues and challenges associated with enclosed space inspections. These include coatings expertise and consultancy, drone building, ownership of marine structures, and an in-depth working knowledge of current repair and inspection practices. Additional coatings expertise will be provided by Safinah Ltd, a leading coatings consultancy. AkzoNobel is already using innovative drone technology. The company is currently testing the use of drones in Australia for inspecting sites in remote locations where access is limited and the movement of heavy equipment is difficult. As the new project progresses, the drone will undergo flight trials at AkzoNobel's UK-based coatings test site and Barrier Group's indoor training facility. The drone's completion and launch is planned for October 2017. Tran Van Sinh, general Director of Chang Yih Ceramic JSC, said as more and more ceramic tiles are imported from Europe to Vietnam, Chang Yih has decided to change its strategy and focus on the high-end segment. "With the goal of gaining market share, especially in the high-end segment, we need to invest in cutting-edge technology to catch up with the latest global trends and produce unique, high-quality products that can compete with western business giants," said Sinh. They have invested more than $2 million in a 3D printer pattern, high-tech pressing machine from Italy to develop high quality products. Chang Yih is now one of the few ceramic tile companies boasting of products which have been highly appreciated for their hardness, digital colour inkjet technology, and beautiful patterns. Besides, the company also offers homogeneous tiles. These unglazed tiles have a uniform colour on their whole surface with high reliability. According to the Chang Yih board of directors, their decision to shift production to homogeneous tiles is a way to separate Chang Yih from the competition. Thanks to its high-tech production lines, Chang Yihs products have elegant design and high reliability, with competitive prices 10-20 per cent cheaper than imported products. The companys current partners include the largest real estate groups in Vietnam, such as Coteccons, Ricons, Unicons, FDC, CapitaLand, and Cofico, to name but a few. In addition to investing in technology, Chang Yih constantly researches and comes out with new designs. According to its development plan, the company has invested in another two high capacity pressing machines to produce large format premium ceramic tiles (600mm x 1,200mm and 1,000mm x 1,000mm). These new tile sizes meet the demands of Vietnams big real estate investors. Every year, the companys product line up welcomes at least one novel addition as a result of its fruitful research of the market in Vietnam as well as its neighbouring countries. In 2017, Chang Yih will introduce their new design called Chang Yih Style, which has a size of 800mm x 800mm. This collection was designed by Italian and Spanish designers to lend the product a characteristic European feel and make it aesthetically different. "Focusing on the high-end domestic market is our key strategy, responding to the increasing foreign investment in the Vietnamese real estate sector, said Sinh. Established in 2000, Chang Yih is a trusted tile provider of many leading real estate investors in Vietnam. Chang Yihs products are also exported to Turkey, Germany, the UK, Belgium, Japan, and Thailand, which strongly confirms the companys position in the high-end segment. The scene of the Panama ships cabin after the fire was extinguished.-VNA/VNS Photo Trung Nguyen No casualties have been reported. Officials are investigating the cause of the fire. Ta Quang Viet, deputy director of Cai Lan terminal, said the blaze started in one of the bedrooms of the ship MV Iris Express 8908777. The room belonged to chief mechanic Liu De Fang, a Chinese national, but when the fire broke out, nobody was in it. The crew used waterspouts on the ship to fight the fire. Authorities at Cai Lan terminal also sent a fire prevention and control ship, and the blaze was extinguished in 25 minutes. The loss incurred is being estimated. Hoang Van Hoan, an official from Quang Ninh port authority, said the 40,000-tonne capacity ship had entered Cai Lan at 11.30pm on Monday. When the fire broke out, the ship was receiving wood for export to Japan. The ship has 23 crew members, all Chinese nationals. The HCMC government has unveiled a plan to develop Binh Dien, Thu Duc and Hoc Mon wholesale markets into destinations for not only product buyers but also tourists. Traders prepare farm produce at Hoc Mon Wholesale market. HCMC authorities want to develop whole- sale markets into new tourist sites for foreigners Speaking at a meeting with agencies on February 13, HCMC vice chairman Tran Vinh Tuyen said many countries including Japan and South Korea have turned their traditional wholesale markets into destinations for people to visit and shop. HCMC will manage to make the three whole markets attractive venues for visitors. The markets will sell high-quality products with clear origins in different sectors and to promote these products, Tuyen said. However, relevant agencies were of the opinion that the city would have to solve problems related to the environment, wastewater treatment, food safety and traffic if it wanted tourists to come. Tran Thuy Lien, director of the management company of Binh Dien Wholesale Market, said the market operates a wastewater treatment system with a daily capacity of 2,500 cubic meters but is unable to treat all the wastewater there. The company is spending an additional VND20 billion doubling the capacity in the next 18 months. The company plans to invest in a facility to generate electricity from garbage burning, Lien said. She added that garbage treatment at the market costs VND1.3 billion (around US$57,330) a month. Lien called for competent agencies to tighten control over product quality and food safety at Binh Dien Wholesale Market for farm produce and fresh food. Meanwhile, representatives of Hoc Mon and Thu Duc wholesale markets sought the municipal governments nod to hike management fees and build more facilities to slaughter cattle and process food, and rearrange surrounding roads to better traffic. Thu Duc Wholesale Market supplies agricultural products not only for HCMC but also elsewhere in the country while Hoc Mon market located in HCMCs northwest wholesales food and farm produce, especially vegetables and fruits. Hoc Mon is among the two markets that sell the biggest volume of pork in the city. The city government plans to relocate Ho Thi Ky Flower Market in District 10, Binh Tay market for dried seafood and a fruit market on Trang Tu Street in District 5 to wholesale markets in outlying districts. The objective is to diversify products at the wholesale markets and ease traffic congestion in inner-city districts. The citys vice chairman Tuyen told the HCMC Department of Finance to submit new management fees applicable to the three wholesale markets to the municipal government for approval in mid-March at the latest. HCMC targets six million international visitors in 2017. The local government is weighing plans to upgrade an medicinal herb quarter in District 5, a tour to Can Gio District for seafood lovers, music streets and a weekend fair at Bach Dang Wharf in District 1 in order to attract more tourists to the city. A Japanese firm introduces their products to their Vietnamese partner.-Photo bizlive.vn Hiroshi Chishima, Deputy Chief Representative of the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) in Ha Noi made the statement during a workshop on opportunities in agriculture and investment cooperation between Viet Nam and Japan, held on Wednesday by JETRO and the International Co-operation Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD). Attending the event were representatives from over 100 Vietnamese enterprises and nearly 20 Japanese firms operating in the areas of agriculture and produce processing, as well as agricultural machinery manufacturers who are keen on learning about investment opportunities between the two countries. Before attending the workshop, Chishima said, the Japanese business delegation went on some field trips to Viet Nams northern provinces, including a visit to the high-tech agricultural zone in northern Vinh Phuc province. "During their trips, the firms conducted field work at the sites, carried out surveys and collected information to further study Viet Nams current agricultural situation," Chishima said. He added that after the trips, Japanese firms can now carry out a comprehensive assessment of Vietnamese agricultural development. Most of the enterprises said Vietnamese farming businesses are showing eagerness to develop and co-operate with the Japanese partners, which is a good sign for both sides. However, most local firms are operating on a small scale and under the form of individual farming households. Chishima said the Japanese business delegation will continue their field trips at some farming areas in the Central Highland Lam Dong provinces Da Lat city on Thursday and Friday to learn about the situation in the central highland and southern regions. Speaking at the event, Deputy Director of MARDs International Cooperation Department Nguyen Anh Minh said the workshop was a precious platform for co-operation and exchange between Vietnamese and Japanese firms, adding that the number of Vietnamese firms attending the workshop this year increased five-fold compared to last year, which proved that local businesses were really interested in seeking co-operation opportunities with their foreign partners. Minh said: "In recent years, Vietnamese government was focusing on the development of infrastructure, technology and human resources to promote productivity growth and improve the efficiency of the agricultural sector." Local firms should seize the opportunity to collaborate with Japanese businesses, learn from their experiences and high-tech farming techniques, develop production bases for material supplies, high-tech farming equipment and agriculture machines provided from their partners, Minh said. Nguyen Manh Tung, Head of the Ha Noi-based Linh Nam Agricultural Services Cooperative, told the Viet Nam News that his business operates in produce, offering fresh vegetable to many supermarkets and food stores in Ha Noi and surrounding areas. Tung said the workshop brought about plenty of good chances for his company to seek foreign partner, learn from their advanced techniques and study their modern management model. Omani Oil and Gas Minister Mohamed al-Rumhi says non-OPEC producers had delivered on more than half of their pledged cuts and he expected them to reduce output further in the coming weeks. (NEZAR BALOUT/AFP) "We expect the (compliance) figures to be encouraging in February," Mohamed al-Rumhi told reporters at an oil conference in Kuwait City. OPEC and non-OPEC countries, including Russia, agreed in November to reduce output by about 1.8 million barrels per day following a sharp drop in oil prices. Oman is one of 11 non-OPEC oil producers which agreed to slash their total crude production by about 558,000 barrels per day. Rumhi said non-OPEC producers had delivered on more than half of their pledged cuts and he expected them to reduce output further in the coming weeks. His comments come after Kuwait, head of a committee tasked with overseeing implementation of the deal, on Monday said OPEC had made more than 90 percent of the cuts it agreed. Kuwaiti oil minister Essam al-Marzouk said non-OPEC states were yet to fully comply as they had export commitments signed prior to the deal. Russia, the world's top crude producer, agreed to cut output by 300,000 bpd. Rumhi said he expects Russia to edge closer to implementing pledged cuts in February and March. "From the start, Russia said they will take some time to reach the full compliance," said the minister. Rumhi said he hoped the deal would be extended past its June expiry date. Global oil prices fell from more than US$100 a barrel in June 2014 to near 13-year lows of less than US$30 in early 2016, hitting the public finances of many oil-producing nations. Prices have since bounced back above US$50 after output cuts that took effect at the start of 2017. The five-member committee monitoring the deal is set to meet in Kuwait next month to reassess compliance with the pledged cuts. illustration photo On February 15, Subway held a franchising partner recruitment meeting for investors in Ho Chi Minh City. At present, Subway is considered the worlds biggest franchising network. The company is ambitious to become the number one fast food brand in every marketand Vietnam is not an exception. Underwhelming pace Following other brands like KFC, Lotteria, and Jolibee, sandwich and salad restaurant chain Subway officially opened its first restaurant in Vietnam in February 2011, almost a year later than anticipated. Subway has cooperated with PepsiCo to start its first restaurant on the Street of foreigners Pham Ngu Lao Street, District 1 of Ho Chi Minh City. According to the arrangement, Subway is responsible for the sandwiches and PepsiCo provides the soft drinks. Upon arrival to Vietnam, Subway has set a goal of 50 franchise restaurants by 2015. However, at present, there are only six of them in Ho Chi Minh City. Like other fast food brands, Subway entered into Vietnam late. Initially, we had to adjust our strategies to fit the culture as well as market trends. It takes time for us to adapt to the differences in the Vietnamese market to get the desired foothold here, Mark Mason McGrath, general director of Subway Vietnam, explained. In 1985, 20 years since its establishment, Subway had 590 restaurants. Ten years later, there were 11,420 restaurants in the US and now there are 45,000 restaurants in over 100 countries. In Southeast Asia, Subway has opened 200 restaurants in Singapore, 100 in Thailand, and 40 in the Philippines. However, Subway has not reached its expected goals in Vietnam. Known as a healthy food provider over the world, Subway can enter into market segments untouched by other giants like McDonalds and Burger King. However, the company has not been able to forge this into a comparative advantage in Vietnam. Seeking individual investors Entering a new market is an inevitable course to Subway. The company has been very successful in the US, but the market became saturated. Moreover, the international market holds real potential, placing expansion on top of Subways agenda. However, the first challenge that Subway had to face was building its brand and exploring its target customers desires. In the west, Subways products brought about a shift in fast food eating habits and reduced obesity, which was welcomed in western countries. However, the situation in the Asia-Pacific region is different. Relatively low obesity rates and a lack of health concerns associated with common foodstuff create a largely different playing field in the Asia-Pacific.. At the same time, KFC and McDonalds have been present for longer and have been shaping consumption habits in the area. This is a reason why, despite the substantial market potential, the growth rate of Subway in Asia is still low. To overcome the obstacles, Subway is starting over to become the worlds biggest fast food franchise. The company will focus on enhancing customer experience. In Vietnam, Subway is looking for franchisees. In 2017, Subway is planning to expand outside Ho Chi Minh City through cooperation with other franchising brands. Nha Trang will be the next destination, and Subway is considering other potential cities and provinces. Nonetheless, the brand has a careful approach to expanding its network. We do not want to cooperate with too big brands like other giants did when entering and expanding in Vietnam. The best way for us to expand our network is to cooperate with the individual investors in the long-term, said McGrath, adding that Subway brings a chance for fruitful investment and doing business for those who wish to be owners. Comparative advantages galore Compared to other competitors in the fast food industry, where investors have to pay dollar millions to become franchise partners, such as McDonalds ($1-2 million) and KFC ($1.3-2.5 million), investors in Subway have to pay only a portion. The initial investment in a Subway restaurant in Vietnam ranges from $124,000 to 300,000, dependant on the location and the size of the restaurant. Of the amount, the franchising fee for the first Subway restaurant in Vietnam is about $10,000. From the second restaurant on, the fee is only $5,000. The total cost to launch and maintain a franchise restaurant like this is low and is considered an advantage and a big investment opportunity. However, according to Mcgrath, it is not the cost of investment, but investors low awareness of Subways value that hampers cooperation. Of all fast food brands, Subway has the comparative advantage of being able to fit in many different areas all over the world other than only traditional locations. Subway appears in universities, airports, hospitals, convenience stores, cinemas, hotels, zoos, casinos, museums, parks, stadiums, and near churches. Subways restaurant model fits in anywhere, even in narrow spaces, while its competitors cannot. This ensures Subways coverage all over the world, which significantly increases its number of restaurant. Besides, Subway also actively cooperates with small fast food brands in supermarkets. Two parties will share a space, staff, management, but still maintain their separate brand identity with different uniforms for wait staff, decorations, menu, and other specified colouring principles. Subway always offers its franchisees preferential conditions. Its linkage to local financial institutions to support franchisees is one of the reasons for investors to open Subway restaurants. With all these comparative advantages over competitors, we expect investors to realise with time the opportunities we have to offer, McGrath said. A man looks at a screen displaying Toshiba's share price in front of a securities company in Tokyo on Wednesday. | AFP-JIJI Toshiba, which was listed on the first section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange in 1949, will be downgraded to the second section if it fails to avoid negative net worth by the end of the fiscal year on March 31. Toshibas decision comes a day after the company estimated a loss of 712.5 billion ($6.23 billion) from its U.S. nuclear business in the April-December period and fell into negative net worth of 191.2 billion at the end of December. President Satoshi Tsunakawa said at a news conference Tuesday that his company is looking to bolster its capital by selling a majority or even the entire stake in its chip operation after spinning it off. But he did not specify the timing. Fears grew among its creditors that if it sells the chip business now the manufacturer may be forced to bargain it away. The 140-year-old conglomerate decided to take its time to try to sell the profitable operation at a higher price. Toshibas chip business is believed to have a value of 2 trillion ($17.46 billion). It doesnt have to rush to sell it at a lower price, a senior official at one of Toshibas creditors said. Whether it sells a stake in the core chip business by the end of March or later, Toshiba is still in dire need of a new growth strategy. The move means its business strategy centering on three pillars the chip and nuclear operations as well as social infrastructure has stumbled less than a year after it was announced. Selling the chip operation would leave the company with no core profit-making business after it sold another cash cow, its medical equipment unit, to Japanese imaging powerhouse Canon Inc. last year as part of restructuring steps to weather an accounting scandal. Now that they are letting go their crown-jewel memory chip business, it is really unclear what will be Toshibas profitable business for a turnaround, said Masayuki Kubota, chief strategist at Rakuten Securities. Its chip and device division posted an operating profit of 78.3 billion in the first half that ended in September, contributing 81 percent of its overall operating profit. Toshiba is the worlds second-biggest producer of NAND flash memory chips after South Koreas Samsung Electronics. The chips are used in devices such as smartphones. Kubota said Toshibas survival strategy was illogical because companies should keep hold of their competitive operations. But for Toshiba, its the complete opposite, he said. During a meeting on Wednesday, three major creditors Mizuho Bank, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. and Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank agreed to continue extending loans to Toshiba, but some local banks expressed frustration over the companys poor corporate governance, sources said. The meeting was supposed to end in the morning but was extended into the afternoon. Toshiba is in a rough spot given revelations by a whistleblower who has claimed deficiency in internal control at its U.S. nuclear unit, Westinghouse Electric Co., over the acquisition of CB&I Stone & Webster. Its auditor has asked Toshiba to investigate the matter and, if true, to assess the impact on its earnings. Japanese ratings agency Rating and Investment Information Inc. said in a release Wednesday, Attention should be paid to whether such issues will adversely affect Toshibas liquidity, including lender banks willingness to provide support. The rating agency has downgraded its issuer rating by three notches to B. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) speaks during a joint press conference with US President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington, DC. (MANDEL NGAN/AFP) The new president warmly welcomed Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House and hailed the "unbreakable" bond between their countries. And - while he urged Netanyahu to "hold back" from building Jewish settlements for a "little bit" - Trump broke with the international consensus insisting on a two-state future. "So I'm looking at two state and one state, and I like the one that both parties like. I'm very happy with the one that both parties like. I can live with either one," he said. "I thought for a while the two-state looked like it may be the easier of the two but, honestly, if Israel and the Palestinians are happy, I'm happy with the one they like the best." This change in the US stance was calculated to please Netanyahu and his right-wing coalition, and Trump's views on the shortcomings of the Palestinian position will delight them. "I think the Palestinians have to get rid of some of that hate that they're taught from a very young age," he said, echoing Netanyahu's argument that Palestinians are not ready for peace. Netanyahu had warm words for the Israeli-US alliance, and hammered home his own prerequisites for peace. "First, the Palestinians must recognise the Jewish state. They have to stop calling for Israel's destruction," he said. "Second, in any peace agreement, Israel must retain the overriding security control over the entire area west of the Jordan River," he added. This region contains the entire West Bank area that would represent the heart of any Palestinian state as conceived in all previous international agreements. ARAB CAPITALS The previous US administration of Barack Obama had warned Israel that if it did not reach a two-state deal with the Palestinians, it would never reach an accommodation with the Arab world. But Netanyahu insisted he was already developing closer security ties with his Sunni neighbours, who share Israel's concerns about Iranian subversion and "radical Islam." And he urged Trump's administration to get on board. "For the first time in the life of my country, Arab countries in the region do not see Israel as an enemy, but increasingly as an ally," he told Trump. "I believe that under your leadership, this change in our region creates an unprecedented opportunity to strengthen security and advance peace." But whatever the view in Cairo and in Riyadh, the change in the US position, which was revealed overnight by a White House official, triggered Palestinian despair and consternation in international capitals. The second-ranking official in the Palestine Liberation Organisation, Saeb Erekat, denounced it as an attempt to "bury the two-state solution and eliminate the state of Palestine." And he implicitly warned Israelis that any single state that emerged would not be a specifically Jewish nation. "There's only one alternative," he told a news conference. "A single democratic state that guarantees the rights of all: Jews, Muslims and Christians." VICTORY CRY The new US message deliberately echoed the long-standing Israeli position: No peace deal can be imposed from outside and the agenda for talks must reflect the reality on the ground. Naftali Bennett, the right-wing leader of the hardline Jewish Home party and an opponent of any Palestinian state, cried victory. "A new era. New ideas. No need for third Palestinian state beyond Jordan and Gaza. Big day for Israelis and reasonable Arabs. Congrats," he tweeted. But Trump's decision flew in the face of an international consensus that any final status agreement must be based on a return to Israel's 1967 border - albeit with land swaps. Just five days before Trump's Jan 20 inauguration, Barack Obama's outgoing US administration was among 70 countries to endorse this vision at a peace conference in Paris. And just a month before that, Obama's ambassador to the United Nations allowed a Security Council motion that criticized Israeli settlement building to pass without the usual US veto. Addressing a US-Israeli conference in December, the then secretary of state John Kerry called settlements a "barrier" to progress. Under Trump, that vision appears dead, and Washington has aligned itself with Netanyahu's government and its supporters in the right-wing settler movement. Speaking in Cairo after talks with Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, UN chief Antonio Guterres warned that "everything must be done" to preserve the two-state solution. France, which organised the January peace conference, was also unimpressed. Its ambassador to the UN, Francois Delattre told reporters "our commitment to the two-state solution is stronger than ever." Trump has tapped son-in-law Jared Kushner and lawyer Jason Greenblatt to lead peace efforts. Kushner had dinner with Netanyahu - a long-time family friend - and US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Tuesday night and attended the White House news conference with his wife Ivanka Trump. Shahid Kapoor was seen with Mira Rajput on a romantic date. By India Today Web Desk: When Bollywood was going all mushy with romantic dinner dates on Valentine's Day, Shahid Kapoor and his wife Mira Rajput decided to ditch the conventional way. And went out on a date a day later. The couple was spotted together in Bandra on Wednesday night. WATCH: Shahid Kapoor's hilarious imitation of Mira Rajput ALSO READ: This is what Mira Rajput is planning for Shahid Kapoor's 36th birthday advertisement While Shahid was seen in his casual best, Mira looked stunning in a dress. The couple has become a favourite with the fans ever since the two got married in 2015. And Mira's first big appearance on Koffee With Karan only added to her fan following. Despite the busy schedule, Shahid always takes out time for his wife. And last evening was no different for the lovebirds. While Shahid is busy with the promotions of his upcoming film Rangoon these days, his lovely wife is on the toes planning Shahid's 36th birthday bash. On the work front, Shahid is also shooting for Sanjay Leela Bhansali's period drama Padmavati. ALSO WATCH: Shahid Kapoor and Mira Rajput get hitched --- ENDS --- One year ago this month, seven U.S. senators sent a letter to Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen expressing their concerns over the human rights situation in Cambodia. One year later, one of the seven senators who initiated the letter says hes not convinced any meaningful progress has been made. The letter to Hun Sen signed by the seven senators, all Democrats, expressed concerns about various issues, ranging from voting irregularities during the 2013 national elections, to land grabbing to Cambodias record on human trafficking. The seven senators were Christopher Murphy and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut; Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken of Minnesota; Maria Cantwell of Washington state; Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts. The letter was sent to the prime minister a few days before he and other ASEAN leaders met with then President Barack Obama at the U.S.-ASEAN Summit in Sunnylands, California, to talk about trade and cooperation in many fields under the administrations pivot to Asia policy. The senators say they wrote as friends of Cambodia, who wish to see a strong relationship between the two countries but who are troubled by the increased social and political turmoil in Cambodia. One year later, Murphy, a Democrat from Connecticut who took the lead in writing the letter told VOA Khmer in an email that he is not convinced any meaningful progress has been made. I remain concerned about the countrys troubling pattern of violence and social and political turmoil, but hope that democratic reforms are soon put into place. In the letter to Hun Sen, the senators expressed their concerns about the lack of human rights in Cambodia, citing the attacks by pro-government supporters against two opposition party lawmakers in front of the National Assembly in October 2015. In his email to VOA Khmer late last week, Murphy stressed the importance of respect for human rights. The people of Cambodia deserve a more fair and transparent government that believes in the rule of law, human rights, and property rights, he said. Hun Sen reportedly returned the letter to the senators immediately without reading it. Phay Siphan is the spokesman for the Council of Ministers in Cambodia. Speaking to VOA Khmer by telephone, he says its not the responsibility of the Cambodian government to correspond with the U.S. Senate. The Cambodian government does not have the mandate to correspond with the U.S. congress. By the same token the U.S. congress does not have the mandate to tell or to suggest the Royal Cambodian Government what to do. Thats the international principal. Sok Eysan, CPP spokesman, expresses a similar view. He told VOA Khmer that Cambodian leaders are working to improve society and that the country does not follow the demands of foreigners. The Kingdom of Cambodia is a sovereign and independent state, so what has not been in the national sovereignty, we cannot do just as outsiders who wrote any wandering letter. Nonetheless, the lack of a response still worries Murphy. In the same email to VOA Khmer, the Connecticut senator said Im troubled that we didnt hear back from Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen. Senator Chris Coons is a Democrat from Delaware and a member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. Although not one of the letter writers, Coons told VOA Khmer that under the Trump Administration, the U.S. must continue to make human rights, a free press and the promotion of democracy the core values of U.S. foreign policy. I raised these issues in the confirmation hearing for Secretary of State Tillerson, Coons said. I will raise these questions in every conversation with leaders of our State Department and I think you will hear in our senate foreign relations hearings a bipartisan commitment to continue to raise human rights concerns in Cambodia and throughout the world. Senator John McCain was the 2008 U.S. Presidential nominee for the Republican Party and is the chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services. He told VOA Khmer that Cambodias close relationship with China is a concern. Its clear that Cambodia is becoming closer and closer to China. And theres continued repression on human rights. Hun Sen has been in power for many, many years and the repression of basic human rights continues and it should be a concern for all of us. VOA Khmer reached out to all seven senators for comments but only Senator Murphys office responded. The other six senators declined to comment. Prime Minister Hun Sen has lodged a legal complaint against a political analyst over comments he made in a recent radio interview where he alleged that the authorities were responsible for the murder of Kem Ley last year. The legal action against Kim Sok, a Phnom Penh-based political analyst, comes amid heightened political tensions in the Kingdom ahead of local elections planned for June and the resignation of Sam Rainsy, former president of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party. Sok Eysan, CPP spokesman, told VOA Khmer that the complaint to the Phnom Penh Municipal Court, filed on Monday, was in direct response to the analyst suggesting government involvement in the murder of Kem Ley, a prominent political commentator who was gunned down in July in what many Cambodians believe was a politically motivated assassination. [Soks] comments hurt CPP honor and dignity as well as the government badly. Now he knows clearly, he said clearly without uncertainty, or ambiguity. Now let him find the evidence and bring it to the court. This will end the story, Eysan said. Ky Tech, Hun Sen's lawyer, declined to comment for this story. Hun Sen requested $500,000 in compensation as part of the defamation complaint against Sok. He was subpoenaed by the court to appear on Friday. Sok told VOA Khmer on Sunday that he had expected to face harassment from the ruling party following his comments. He called on the government to be brave and allow the release of security camera footage of the murder scene and to reveal who was ultimately responsible for organizing the killing. He added that the lawsuit would be brought against him because he had hit the right point when talking about the murder and had exposed their tricks of oppressing people and how they have sold the nation. Last year, the CPP filed a defamation suit against another analyst, Ou Virak, for saying that the ruling party had used the courts to apply political pressure on the oppositions then-deputy leader, Kem Sokha. Hun Sen has also sued several opposition party members related to comments they made about Leys killing and has also brought a case against Meas Ny, a social researcher, for criticizing a decision to block opposition lawmakers from questioning three of his ministers in parliament. Brad Adams, executive director of Human Rights Watchs Asia division, said Hun Sen was simply trying to defeat and destroy all opposition forces in the country, even people who are poor. Asking for $500,000 from [Sok] is absolutely ridiculous, and prime ministers should not be doing this when they control the court and the police... its simply not fair, he added. Hun Sen said in a speech on Monday that Sok would face two years in prison if he could not afford to pay the compensation. Sok said that although he did not expect a fair hearing, he wanted to show the people courage and resistance in society. We will resist democratically although this society is not a democracy. We can achieve change, but that change will not be change that can be imposed on any individual. It will be a change for the rule of law. Following his appearance on the Hello VOA radio program on Monday, a friend of Sok, Sieng Chin, was briefly detained by Daun Penh district security forces for questioning. Huot Chan Yarann, chief of Daun Penh police, declined to comment on the arrest, but claimed in an interview with a local radio station that Chin was detained for speeding. While leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations wait to see U.S. President Donald Trumps policy stance toward the region, regional and international researchers have spoken of the key role former President Barack Obama played in the region, particularly by organizing the Sunnylands Summit in California last year. Tang Siew Mun, the head of the Asean Studies Center at Singapores Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, said Obamas initiative was a high water mark of the U.S.-Asean relationship, which now serves as a point of comparison and reflection on the future of this important bilateral relation under the Trump administration. Trumps moves and policies towards Asean will inevitably draw a close comparison with those of the Obama administration, he added. Why were there no summits held prior to the Obama Administration? If Asean is considered as part of Obamas legacy, then the bilateral relation may be relegated to the back burners under the Trump administration. A. Ibrahim Almuttaqi, head of the Asean Studies Center in Indonesia, said in an email that the election of Trump was overshadowing the legacy of the Sunnylands Summit. Few could have predicted that such a person would become the leader of the Free World and there is no doubt that his many statements, orders and even behavior has thrown the region into tumult, Almuttaqi said. One would like to think that holding the summit in the US would act as a statement that Asean-U.S. relations would remain strong and that both sides feel equally committed to this endeavor. Unfortunately, we simply do not yet know clear enough how Trump's foreign policy towards Asean will play out. Shihoko Goto a senior researcher at the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington, DC, told VOA Khmer by phone that the relationship has changed under the new US administration. When they think [of] Asia, they really think [of] East Asia and that means that China is a concern, as a trade rival, as a military competitor as well but at the same time the Trumps administration is looking more toward the traditional Asian powers like Japan as well as Korea. It sees North Korea as a big threat. It isnt really looking to the Asean countries as much as the Obama administration had done, she said. There are opportunities for Asean countries to look to multiple sources for security as well as growth... I think this is an opportunity for Asean countries to really flourish. Almuttaqi said that China will seize the opportunity while the U.S. is in disarray. Beijing has clearly not lost any time in trying to take full advantage of the disorder and chaos that has arisen from the Trump administration. For example, Xi Jinping has positioned China as a champion of free trade. Another example, while Trump has upset the Arab and Muslim states by promising to move the US embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, Xi Jinping has publicly called for the creation of a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, he said. In this sense, I believe China will do similar things in Asean if the U.S. does not engage with the bloc. This is already happening to some extent. China has signed defense deals with Malaysia and even the Philippines, despite having territorial disputes with them in the South China Sea. Siew Mun questioned whether the U.S. would allow China to step into a political vacuum in Asean. ASEANs relations with China will continue to grow naturally notwithstanding U.S. actions (or inaction). The critical question for U.S. policy-makers is whether Washington is willing to bear the cost of engaging Asean to retain its primacy in the region, and to avoid ceding strategic space to China, he said. Chheang Vannarith, a regional analyst, told VOA Khmer by phone that the U.S. may be more focused on regional security at the expense of economic growth and stability. But what we have seen clearly is that the U.S. focuses only on security in the Asia-Pacific region because of China and North Korea. Recently, the U.S. Secretary of Defense visited Japan and South Korea, showing the U.S. stance in the Asia-Pacific region regarding security, he said, adding that the cancellation of the Trans-Pacific Partnership was another blow to economic development. We see that Obamas legacy should remain and the new US administration should continue the policy of rebalancing to Asia because it is not only for the benefit of the region, but it is for the benefit of the U.S. as the trade and investment partnership all are in the region and security is also important. So they should not abandon the region. Achmad Rizal Purnama, first secretary of Indonesian Embassy in Washington, D.C., told VOA Khmer by phone that Obama has engaged with Asean deeply. The infrastructures that have been created under Obamas administration by having the U.S. Asean Leaders Summit, especially after Sunnylands meeting, it [gives] us a platform for both Asean and U.S. leaders to discuss and to advance in achieving our common goal, he said. We want to see the continuation of U.S. engagement to Asean that is not only [of] benefit for Asean countries in the region, but also for the U.S. The Sunnylands Summit, held at Rancho Mirage, California, led to the Sunnylands Declaration between President Obama and Asean leaders. The declaration included common commitments on many issues such as trade, freedom of navigation, terrorism, trafficking in persons, climate change, the South China Sea, rule of law, good governance, and human rights. When taken as a whole, Asean is the fifth largest economy, with a gross domestic product of about $2.4 trillion. The ten Asean countries comprise Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Voeung Chan Delice is part of a new generation of young female Cambodian entrepreneurs. Having been an entrepreneur for almost ten years, Delice is the owner of Asia Exotic Trading, which produces baby wipes under the brand names of Alice, Mammy, and Julie. Seeing the increasing need for local baby products, she decided to start her business in mid-2015, targeting customers in the provinces. A handicraft business, located in the capital, Phnom Penh, is her second venture after the success of her first business. The Phnom Penh-born businesswoman started Asia Exotic Tour in 2008, a while after she received her undergraduate degree in tourism from the Royal University of Phnom Penh. The company provides a variety of tourism and travel-related services to both local and international clients, and today it has eight employees bringing in a stable profit. But it was not a smooth journey in the beginning for Delice, whose family has no business background. Her father is a government official, and her mother is a housewife. Though Delices husband is also a businessman, she said, he takes a more traditional approach to enterprise. Delice believes that successful business people never stop learning, and this drove her to attend an entrepreneurial program, WECREATE, in late 2015, shortly after she started her second business. Under the Lower Mekong Initiative, WECREATE, which stands for Womens Entrepreneurial Center for Resources, Education, Access, and Training for Economic Empowerment, was founded by the U.S. State Department in a partnership with GriffinWorx, which promotes start-ups. It is the first center opened in the Lower Mekong Region. The WECREATE center in Phnom Penh offers a variety of programs to women entrepreneurs, ranging from mentoring and networking to childcare services. It provides a physical platform, resources and tools for women to meet and broaden their knowledge of doing business. As a result of her participation, Delice was able to expand her handicraft business by hiring two additional full-time employees and four part-time staffers. I understand better how to start a business, how to organize our operation, finance, sales, marketing and so on. So, we are able to improve our business, she said. Sean Griffin, founder and CEO of GriffinWorx, told VOA Khmer that the organization saw a tremendous need for women entrepreneurs who had aspiration and a strong desire to start a business, but had very little knowledge or experience of what is required to do the business. WECREATE aims to break down social barriers that women face through entrepreneurship. Were using economic empowerment as the lens to address gender-based violence or gender issues that women may face, Griffin said. An economic census conducted by the Royal Government of Cambodia in a collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in 2011 showed that of the more than half a million businesses in the country, just over 329,000, or nearly two-thirds, were owned by women, while 80 percent were small businesses with two employees or fewer. Delice, who was pregnant when she started attending WECREATE, highlighted how women entrepreneurs face more challenges than men in doing business. Women have to work 10 times harder than men because besides business, women still have to look after the family and be responsible for the household chores, said Delice, a mother of two. To date, WECREATE Cambodia has helped 1,338 women, creating more than one hundred new businesses and some 915 jobs, according to Dy Many Dy, the director of the center. In November, after more than a year of operations, WECREATE Cambodia was given over to local direction in partnership with Paz y Desarrollo (PYD), which translates to Peace and Development, an organization that helps manage development initiatives. Since then the center has had to find ways to generate revenue to be self-sufficient, and one way is to charge a fee for participating in some of the programs, according to Griffin. Delice told VOA Khmer that she wants to expand her business by producing a variety of quality baby products at an affordable price to compete with imported products from neighboring countries, such as Thailand and Vietnam. Her advice to women is to not give up. Dont turn back, no matter what challenges you meet. We have to go forward. So, we will be successful. Dont ever think that women are weak, and cant do things like men. Men and women can do the same. Some women are even smarter than men, she said. It has been more than 150 years since the American Civil War ended and slavery was officially abolished. Now there is a renewed interest in the life of a man who before the outbreak of war believed armed insurrection was the only way to overthrow the institution of slavery in the United States. VOA's Chris Simkins traveled to Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, where abolitionist John Brown launched his daring plan to end one of the darkest chapters in American history. Portuguese prosecutors are bringing charges of corruption, money-laundering and forgery against Angolan Vice President Manuel Vicente as part of an investigation in Lisbon, Portugal's attorney general's office said Thursday. Vicente is suspected of bribing a Portuguese magistrate to favor him in two investigations, a statement said. It said Vicente was at the time of the alleged crimes the head of Angolan state oil company Sonangol. The magistrate, Vicente's lawyer, and his representative in Portugal are also accused in the case, called Operation Fizz. The attorney general's office said it would inform Vicente of the charges via Angolan authorities. Vicente's whereabouts weren't immediately known. Investigators allege Vicente paid Portuguese magistrate Orlando Figueira, who was arrested a year ago, about 760,000 euros ($808,000) to drop two investigations that involved alleged money-laundering and Angolan investments in Portugal. Authorities have seized about 512,000 euros from the magistrate. Those amounts were found in banks in Andorra, the attorney general's office said. International human rights groups have long accused Angola's leadership of corruption. The southwest African country is rich in oil and diamonds but most of its people live in poverty. Activists allege the government and its political and military supporters have siphoned off much of Angola's wealth. Angola's political and financial elite have in recent years invested hundreds of millions of euros (dollars) in Portugal, Angola's former colonial ruler. The investments have largely gone into real estate purchases and buying Portuguese companies. Argentina's President Mauricio Macri and U.S. President Donald Trump shared their "concern" over Venezuela in a Wednesday phone call, Macri's spokesman told Reuters. Trump also invited Macri to visit the United States, the office of Argentina's presidency said in a statement. The two leaders spoke broadly about Latin America and on Venezuela in particular in the five-minute-long call, the statement said. Venezuela's socialist government had its first diplomatic flare-up with the Trump administration this week after the U.S. blacklisted Venezuela's Vice President Tareck El Aissami on drug charges, a move El Aissami decried as imperialist aggression. Macri, a center-right leader who took office in late 2015 following more than a decade of leftist rule in Argentina, also spoke to Trump in November. Macri, a former businessman, met Trump decades earlier while working on a real estate deal for his father, Franco Macri. The leaders agreed Argentina's foreign minister and U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who are scheduled to meet on Thursday in Germany, would determine the dates of Macri's visit, the statement said. Brazils Lower House of Congress on Wednesday approved a bill that reopens a program providing an amnesty against criminal prosecution to Brazilians holding undeclared assets abroad if they pay tax and a fine. In a 303 to 124 vote, lawmakers approved legislation that is expected to yield 13.2 billion reais ($4.32 billion) in extra revenues this year. The bill, which was changed by the lower house, will return to the Senate for final approval. The extra cash would help ease the financial strains of many states struggling to pay wages and public services while also improving the fiscal position of the federal government, which has posted three straight years of hefty budget deficits. A group of governors met in Brasilia earlier Wednesday to call for their allies in Congress to support the legislation, whose proceeds would be shared between the federal government and states and municipalities. To avoid any legal challenges over the constitutionality of the tax rate, lawmakers raised the fine to 20.25 percent from 17.50 percent, of the undeclared assets, while lowering the tax percentage to 15 percent from 17.5 percent. Most states and municipalities are under heavy financial stress and need this money now, said Alexandre Baldy, the congressman in charge of reviewing the legislation. Lawmakers continued to debate a controversial provision in the bill that allows relatives of elected politicians to participate in the amnesty program. In the initial program, the government collected a total of 46.8 billion reais, which helped authorities meet their primary budget deficit goal for 2016. Brazilian police targeted the son of Senator Edison Lobao and a former senator in search-and-seizure operations on Thursday, a source said, investigating possible bribes paid during construction of the Belo Monte hydroelectric dam. Federal police said they were searching homes and offices based on warrants issued by a Supreme Court judge handling a sweeping corruption probe known as "Car Wash," but did not disclose the names of the targets who were members of two political parties. But a source with knowledge of the matter said the targets included a former senator, Luiz Otavio Campos, and Marcio Lobao, whose father is a senator and was energy minister in the government of impeached leftist and former president, Dilma Rousseff. Campos and Senator Lobao are affiliated with the ruling Brazilian Democratic Movement Party. The warrants were issued by Justice Edson Fachin, police said in a statement, based on evidence obtained during the Car Wash probe, Brazil's largest corruption investigation. Lawyers for Marcio Lobao, who is chief executive officer of the Banco do Brasil's investment wing Brasilcap, said he had committed no illegal act. In a statement, they called the warrants "drastic." The two face possible charges of corruption, money laundering and involvement in a criminal organization, based on evidence suggesting they were involved in political bribes paid by some builders of the massive Belo Monte dam in the Amazon rainforest, police said. The senior Lobao was recently elected chairman of the Senate Constitution and Justice Committee, which confirms nominees for the Supreme Court. While the senator was part of the ousted Workers Party government, he is a leader of President Michel Temer's PMDB party, and Thursday's police operation will not help efforts to distance the president's administration from the corruption scandal. Lobao and four other PMDB senators are being investigated for allegedly taking bribes from an engineering consortium that won the Belo Monte contract when he was the minister responsible for the state electricity companies that own the dam. The 26 billion reais ($8.5 billion) Belo Monte project started generating electricity last year and could become the world's third-largest hydroelectric dam when all its turbines come on stream by 2020. ($1 = 3.051 reais) Hundreds of thousands of people in Somalia may die or be near death in May if immediate action isn't taken to address the threat of famine, Britain's envoy for the Horn of Africa warned Wednesday. Nicholas Kay said at a briefing for a group of journalists that Britain is deeply concerned by the famine warning in Somalia. Somalia, which faced famine in 2010-2011, is currently experiencing widespread drought that was first declared in August 2015. According to the U.N. humanitarian office, 5 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance. The Famine Early Warning Systems Network warned earlier this month that nearly three million people in Somalia face crisis and emergency acute food insecurity with little to eat. The network, started by the U.S. Agency for International Development, said approximately 363,000 acutely malnourished children need urgent treatment and nutrition support, including 71,000 who are severely malnourished. Conference set for May Britain's government is organizing a conference on Somalia in London in May seeking to spur progress on long-term stability and security in the country, but Kay said that action is needed immediately. If by the time the conference in May happens we are having to sound the alarm and discuss the famine issue, that is going to be too late,'' said Kay, the former top U.N. envoy for Somalia. There may be hundreds of thousands of people dead or about to die. Situation began in 1991 Somalia began to fall apart in 1991, when warlords ousted dictator Siad Barre and then turned on each other. Years of conflict and attacks by the al-Shabab Islamic extremist group, along with famine, shattered the Horn of Africa country of some 12 million people. The country has been trying to rebuild since establishing its first functioning transitional government and electing a new president February. 8. U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the top priority for President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo's new government must be tackling the drought and the imperative of averting a famine. The famine network said that with severe drought gripping most parts of Somalia, the food crisis is worsening in rural areas following consecutive seasons of poor rainfall and low river water levels. It said this has led to near total crop failures, reduced rural job opportunities, widespread shortages of water and pasture land, and an increase in livestock deaths. Households are rapidly diminishing Poor households are facing rapidly diminishing access to food as prices of staples continue to rise sharply and livestock prices decrease significantly, the network said. The U.N. humanitarian appeal for 2017 for Somalia is $864 million to provide assistance to 3.9 million people. But additional funds are needed to cope with the worsening situation, and last month, the U.N. World Food Program launched a $26 million plan to respond to the drought. Globally, the famine network said, the need for emergency food assistance is unprecedented with famine also possible in South Sudan and Yemen and likely in inaccessible areas of Nigeria's northeast. Shruti Haasan is reportedly dating a man called Michael Corsale who happens to be a theatre actor from London. Or is he her manager? By India Today Web Desk: Is Shruti Haasan dating London-based theatre actor Michael Corsale? Or is Shruti Haasan dating her manager who happens to look like Michael Corsale? Shruti Haasan and Michael Corsale (Photos by Yogen Shah) While the photos indeed appear to be of a man named Michael Corsale, her publicist informed the paparazzi that the man Shruti was recently spotted with at the Mumbai international airport was her manager. advertisement Now, according to a report in Mumbai Mirror, Michael Corsale - the theatre actor from London, that is - was in Mumbai for a week to spend time with Shruti. Apparently, Shruti and Michael have been dating for almost three months. "Shruti and Michael met for the first time in London through a common friend, when she was there to record a track with the British alternative rock band, Dinosaur Pile-Up. They are very happy together," a source told the tabloid adding that Michael left on Wednesday for London. Indeed, Shruti shared a mushy but mysterious photo of herself with an unidentified man on her Instagram account yesterday. The photo shows Shruti and a man's feet, and is captioned 'Every step counts - together or apart - walk to your own sunshine.' Every step counts - together or apart - walk to your own sunshine A post shared by @shrutzhaasan on Feb 14, 2017 at 7:19pm PST London-born-and-raised Michael Corsale graduated from the famous Drama Centre London and is a part of the London-Based theatre group Deep Diving Men. Meanwhile, Shruti's spokesperson said, "She (Shruti) has never spoken about her personal life in the past and that's not going to change now." So, by calling the mystery guy Shruti's 'manager', did the publicist make an attempt at diverting attention from this gorgeous-looking man called Michael Corsale? Hmm. No one's getting fooled though. WATCH: 10 hottest songs of Shruti Haasan ALSO READ: Funny & ridiculous, says Shruti Haasan on link-ups with Ranbir Kapoor ALSO WATCH: Shruti Haasan's bikini act --- ENDS --- Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari's nearly month-long medical leave in London is a sharp reminder to taxpayers that while they finance their leaders' health care abroad, they often are stuck with decrepit, ill-staffed government health facilities at home. For decades, Nigerians have paid for their leaders and former rulers to get medical treatment overseas. That courtesy also extends to senior government employees. This is despite taxpayers' funding of the State House Medical Center, said to be Nigeria's best-equipped facility, which serves the president and vice president, their families and staff. The center's budget this year of 3.8 billion naira to care for fewer than 1,000 people represents 1 percent of the entire public health budget for the country's 170 million people. "For years, billions have been budgeted for the State House Medical Center while it has always been evident that every president mostly accessed medical facilities outside the country, going back to the 1980s," said Oluseun Onigbinde, co-founder of BudgIT, an organization that tries to bring clarity to the West African nation's opaque budget. The mysterious nature of Buhari's absence is adding to the unhappiness at home, as one of Africa's largest economies and oil producers lurches through a recession. His government has not said what exactly his health issues might be or when he will return. The president's trip, originally scheduled from Jan. 20 to Feb. 6, was described as a vacation during which he would undergo routine medical tests. It has been extended for further tests. Officials insist that Buhari is "hale and hearty," and he was well enough this week to speak by telephone with U.S. President Donald Trump. Human rights lawyer Femi Falana said Nigerians should seize on the president's medical leave to demand adequate funding for public hospitals he described as ``mortuaries for the masses.'' "The practice of allowing poor citizens to die of preventable diseases while top public officers and rich private citizens are allowed to travel abroad for medical treatment can no longer be justified," he said in a lecture this week, noting that Nigerians have a life expectancy of 52 years, though the World Health Organization puts it at 49. It is not clear how much the country's taxpayers pay for leaders' treatments abroad. Former first lady Patience Jonathan has claimed that half of $31.5 million frozen in a corruption investigation was a government payout for medical bills she incurred in London in 2013. Ever-witty Nigerians took to social media to ask if she was buying eternal life. The Ministry of Health estimated that Nigeria paid about $1 billion for government officials traveling abroad for medical care in 2014, with ordinary Nigerians spending about $6.3 billion in 2015 for what is called medical tourism. Senior Nigerian officials get "high yearly allowances" for health care abroad which "provides them opportunity to demand amounts to take care of their non-health care needs like shopping abroad,'' economist Vitalis Chi. Nwaneri wrote in his 2013 book "Governing the Ungovernable." Former military dictator Gen. Ibrahim Babangida returned home this month from a six-week "medical vacation" in Switzerland. Last year, he was treated for weeks in Germany. Taxpayers also footed the bill when former President Umaru Yar'Adua received months of medical treatment in Saudi Arabia in 2008-2009, before he returned home to die in office. In April, Buhari announced that his government would no longer pay for officials to travel abroad for medical services available at home. But two months later, the president was in London for treatment of an ear infection. "The best-funded clinic in Nigeria does not suffice to treat the president's ear infection. Nor does the president have enough confidence in the same clinic to do his `routine checkups' there," novelist Okey Ndibe wrote at saharareporters.com . "Imagine, then, the fate of Nigerians who have no choice but must seek treatment at the ill-equipped, wretchedly funded hospitals in our country?" he asked. Nigeria has just five hospital beds for every 100,000 people, as opposed to a global average of 35 beds and 24 beds per 100,000 in South Africa, which has the continent's most advanced medical care, according to a PricewaterhouseCoopers study in 2015. Nigerians who can afford it shun even private health care at home. Because the country has one of the world's worst infant and maternal mortality rates, women fly to the United States and Britain to have babies safely delivered. The risk of a woman dying because of pregnancy or childbirth in Nigeria is one in 15, compared to one in 5,000 in developed nations, according to Dr. Chris Akani, professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Nigeria's College of Health Sciences at the University of Port Harcourt. Buhari's medical costs do not come with a heftily priced five-star hotel bill, as did those of predecessors. The 74-year-old anti-corruption crusader known for his simple lifestyle is staying at the residence of the Nigerian High Commission in London, a spokesman said. The U.S. Senate's top Democrat said Thursday that Congress and the Justice Department must conduct meticulous, thorough investigations of any links between Russia and President Donald Trump's inner circle stretching from last year's campaign to the present. "This is not a drill," said Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York. "All of us can agree that what is required are the facts. We have to evaluate the scope of Russia's interference in our election and assess if agents of their government have penetrated to the highest levels of our government." Republicans concurred on the goal, if not the specifics, of Schumer's call for action, which came days after the resignation of the president's national security adviser, Michael Flynn, who reportedly discussed U.S. sanctions with Russia's ambassador to the United States in the waning days of the Obama administration. 'Persistent' concern "Russia is an ongoing, persistent counterintelligence issue for the United States," said Republican Senator Marco Rubio of Florida. "I don't view this as a partisan issue. We're going to do our job." Schumer endorsed an ongoing probe by the Senate Intelligence Committee on Russian espionage and meddling in American domestic affairs, but added that other panels, like the Judiciary Committee, have a role to play as well. He also demanded measures to protect the Department of Justice from any obstruction by the White House, saying that Attorney General Jeff Sessions, a close ally and confidant of the president, must recuse himself from the department's probes. "[Federal] prosecutors should not be reporting to the first senator who endorsed Donald Trump's campaign, who served on the same campaign committee as General Flynn, and who nominated Donald Trump at the Republican [National] Convention," Schumer said. In addition, the minority leader said, steps must be taken to preserve emails, data and records pertaining to the investigations, and that White House officials as well as former Trump campaign staffers "must be made available to testify in public, under oath." First things first Republicans did not rule out Schumer's demands, but suggested some were premature. "All of this has to be cleared up," said Republican Senator John McCain of Arizona, adding that the Senate Intelligence Committee should be allowed to do its work before further steps are taken. "Ask fundamental questions [in committee], have the White House give the answers and then decide where to go from there," he said. Republican Ron Johnson concurred. "The best place to hold that [investigation] is in the Intelligence Committee," the Wisconsin senator said. "I know, on a bipartisan basis, they are taking this charge up. They are going to do it very seriously. They are going to do it very comprehensively." Johnson echoed Republicans in the House of Representatives who insist that any probe delve into intelligence and Justice Department leaks to the news media about information uncovered so far. "I'm concerned about the intelligence leaks," he said. "Some of this is classified material that we shouldn't be talking about in the public domain." Ready to act Schumer said he believed that Republican-led congressional committees would set party interests aside in probing the Trump White House, but that Democrats were prepared to take steps if Republicans did not. "We will be watching very carefully," Schumer said. "If the Intelligence Committee investigation is not proceeding to unearth the entire truth, we will seek alternative tools and structures to get to the truth, because get to the truth we must." Another Democrat, Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont, said he had "a minimum amount of confidence" that Republican lawmakers were up to the task. "I think we need an independent commission, just as we did with Watergate," Leahy said, referring to the high-profile probe of a cover-up of illegal activities that led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon in 1974. In its war on hazardous air pollution, Chinas government has a dilemma: It needs to be open about air quality data to hold polluters to account, but worries that too much bad news from alternative, independent sources could stoke public unrest. Beijing has greatly improved how it collects data, made more of it available to the public and cracked down on misreporting, but its concerned about the spread of unauthorized or inaccurate data from popular mobile apps and handheld detectors. The conflicting approach reflects a broader debate about Chinas appetite for political reform. The Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP), under a former academic, wants to create a modern regulatory system based on independent monitoring and the rule of law, but that could rub up against the ruling Communist Partys priority for stability. Measure smog, don't discuss it After scandals about fraudulent data, the government also worries that alternative sources of information on pollution levels could erode public trust in official statistics, and undermine its message that the environment is improving. Liam Bates, CEO of Origins Technology, which produces the Laser Egg handheld pollution monitor sold in Beijings Apple store, said China has no problem with people measuring air quality; it just doesnt want the findings to be published. Basically [China] says its illegal to publish data from nonofficial sources. As far as I know theres nothing about collecting data, or processing data and using it for research, he said. China says its main concern is accuracy. In 2014, it ordered mobile phone pollution apps to drop data provided by the United States embassy and its consulates, concerned it might differ from its own. More recently, apps came under scrutiny for trying to give a more detailed picture than the government of Chinas air quality. In one recent example of what the government calls rumor mongering by individuals, a man was detained by police for five days in Chengdu in the southwest after he warned on his Weibo microblog that the city faced its heaviest smog in its 2,000-year history, local media reported. Regulators also accused one air pollution-monitoring app of spreading rumors by providing data in December indicating Chengdu was the third most polluted city in the world. While Chinas short-staffed environmental watchdogs are keen to involve the public in enforcing standards, authorities are wary that social media-driven protests against chemical plants, waste incinerators or nuclear processing facilities could trigger protests. In general, there is hope at the provincial and ministerial level that they will not try to shut down all these other sources, but what theyre really concerned about is that they will show something that isnt scientific, said Ma Jun, director of the Institute for Public and Environmental Affairs (IPE), a nongovernment organization campaigning for greater transparency. This is a challenge in this era of mobile internet and social media, he noted. The MEP did not respond to a faxed request for comment. Information gaps Despite progress on official information disclosure, led by the environment ministry, Ma says, there are still gaps, with agencies like the National Development and Reform Commission lagging and some local governments reluctant and resistant. China still does not give out data for climate-warming carbon dioxide emissions, and offers only incomplete heavy metal pollution figures, a sensitive issue following food scandals in rice-growing regions. There is also reluctance to allow the free publication of sensitive data on the health impact of pollution. There is no database on the health impact from pollution that companies could access to help them decide where to locate their staff. While Chinese media have cited foreign studies on the correlation between smog and mortality, including the heavy death toll in London in the winter of 1952-53, there have been few equivalent Chinese studies. As winter pollution gripped much of northern China last month, the health ministry told state media it had no data linking smog to cancer, and it was too early to reach any conclusions about the impact of PM2.5, the tiny particles that form smog, on human health, though foreign researchers say the evidence was available. The centers for disease control have this kind of data, said Dan Greenbaum of the Health Effects Institute, which has studied the links between pollution and health. Some foreign studies suggest pollution could cause more than 1 million premature deaths a year in China. Public distrust Despite doing more than many countries to make real-time air quality data publicly available, China has yet to overcome public skepticism about official statistics. Recent cases of fraud have not helped. Last year, staff members at a monitoring station in the northwestern city of Xian were accused of tampering with equipment to reduce emissions measurements. Beijing promises zero tolerance on statistical fraud and has brought as many as 1,436 local monitoring stations under central government control. It also uses satellite imagery to check local governments data accuracy. But individuals are prepared to enter a legal gray area by measuring emissions themselves. One mobile phone app, AirMatters, with more than 9 million subscribers, got into trouble from at least one local government for crunching official data in alternative ways. But the government itself is starting to use data from private citizens. The IPE has its own app that allows users to report pollution on the ground, and the environment ministry feeds that information into its own official reporting platform. Monitoring water pollution presents even tougher challenges, says Ma at the IPE, noting the high cost of measuring equipment. They [regulators] want the data to be the right data when it gets published. The next challenge will be [to see] who will be qualified to provide third-party monitoring services, he said. My gut feeling is that it will be no longer totally closed, but they want a more controlled opening of this space. When Immigration and Customs Enforcement ((ICE)) agents arrested at least 680 undocumented immigrants in cities around the United States last week, immigration advocates hailed it as the first mass enforcement operation of the Donald Trump era. It is time to sound the national alarm bell, said a group of organizations led by United We Dream. But is it? The truth is more nuanced. Barack Obama inherited and expanded the capacity to identify, apprehend, and deport unauthorized immigrants, according to the Migration Policy Institute, and he used it as president, deporting more than 2.5 million people between 2009 and 2015. At the border, there was a near zero tolerance system, where unauthorized immigrants were increasingly subject to formal removal and criminal charges. Immigration enforcement, as laid out in a 2014 memo, also focused on immigrants who committed crimes and those who arrived after the beginning of 2014. A more robust enforcement system inevitably inflicts damage on established families and communities, the Migration Policy Institute report said. What ICE did not do during the Obama era was detain people who were in the wrong place at the wrong time. ICE was instructed to arrest only people who were targeted in advance and not just anybody swept up in a raid, so-called collateral arrests. Obama said his government did not have the desire to deport millions of undocumented immigrants whose only crime was to enter the country illegally. And now? President Donald Trump's Enhancing Public Safety in the Interior of the United States executive order shows that collateral arrests are not to be avoided. Many aliens who illegally enter the United States and those who overstay or otherwise violate the terms of their visas present a significant threat to national security and public safety, the order says. After last week's enforcement operations, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary John Kelly said that 75 percent of the people apprehended had criminal records. This implies that 25 percent of the 680 arrests reported by DHS were non-criminals. ICE said during targeted enforcement operations officers frequently encounter additional suspects who may be in violation of federal immigration laws. Those persons will be evaluated on a case by case basis and, when appropriate, arrested by ICE, the agency said. On Capitol Hill, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus has requested a meeting with ICE's acting director to learn about the location of last week's operations, the reason for apprehensions, the number of people detained with criminal convictions and the number of parents with minors arrested along with the arresting reason. The request to have the meeting, of course, is to get real information, data, about who is apprehended, who are the targets, where, and confirm that information with our constituents and to make sure that we are following the law, and we're clear that people are getting due process and that they know their rights, and the fact that we are not causing, which we are, fear and panic in our communities, New Mexico congresswoman and caucus chair Michelle Grisham said. Building a basis for comparison While fear is running high in immigrant communities, it is still too early to say how different the Trump administration's policies will be from the previous one's. Syracuse University's Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC) intends to follow it. TRAC is building a baseline against which arrests by fugitive operation teams and other components of ICE can be compared under the new Trump administration. Using case-by-case records of both apprehensions and removals, TRAC has put together an initial report that shows 65,332 individuals were detained and deported by ICE during FY 2016, the last year of Obama's presidency. TRAC says that amounts to approximately 1,250 per week. Only a small part of those arrests, however, were the result of ICE raids or other enforcement operations. Instead, most of these estimated weekly 1,250 ICE apprehensions happened when ICE assumed custody of individuals held by another law enforcement agency, the TRAC report says. Putting aside the other law enforcement agencies, TRAC says that less than 300 individuals were arrested each week from their place of work, where they lived, or other places they may have been when found by ICE. Organizers in cities across the U.S. are telling immigrants to miss class, miss work and not shop Thursday as a way to show the country how important they are to Americas economy and way of life. A Day Without Immigrants actions are planned in cities including Philadelphia, Washington, Boston and Austin, Texas. The protest comes in response to President Donald Trump and his 1-month-old administration. The Republican president has pledged to increase deportation of immigrants living in the country illegally, build a wall along the Mexican border, and ban people from certain majority-Muslim countries from coming into the U.S. He also has blamed high unemployment on immigration. Employers in solidarity Employers and institutions in some cities were expressing solidarity Wednesday with immigrant workers. Washington restaurateur John Andrade said he would close his businesses Thursday, and David Suro, owner of Tequilas Restaurant in Philadelphia and himself a Mexican immigrant, said he also planned to participate. The Davis Museum at Wellesley College in Massachusetts said it would remove or shroud all artwork created or given by immigrants to the museum through February 21. In New Mexico, the state with the largest percentage of Hispanic residents in the nation, school officials worried that hundreds of students may stay home Thursday. We respectfully ask all parents to acknowledge that students need to be in class every day to benefit from the education they are guaranteed and to avoid falling behind in school and life, principals with the Albuquerque Public Schools wrote in a letter to parents. Students who take part in the protest will receive an unexcused absence, Albuquerque school officials said. Organizers in Philadelphia said they expect hundreds of workers and families to participate. What would US look like? Our goal is to highlight the need for Philadelphia to expand policies that stop criminalizing communities of color, said Erika Almiron, executive director of Juntos, a nonprofit group that works with the Latino immigrant community. What would happen if massive raids did happen? What would the city look like? Almiron said that while community groups have not seen an uptick in immigration raids in the city, residents are concerned about the possibility. Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney is among leaders in several cities nationwide who have vowed to maintain their sanctuary city status and decline to help federal law enforcement with deportation efforts. Many people who make the choice to skip work Thursday will not be paid in their absence, but social media posts encouraging participation stressed that the cause is worth the sacrifice. Slavery and the Civil War were some of the darkest chapters in American history. But one man predicted the bloody conflict and believed armed insurrection was the only way to overthrow the institution of slavery in the United States. John Brown's prophecy came true, but now, 158 years after his death, people are still in turmoil over the legacy of the controversial white American abolitionist. "Some believe he is a tyrant, and even use the word terrorist. Conversely, others say no, he is a freedom fighter, he is a martyr, he is a hero." Those are just a few of the sentiments Dennis Frye has heard over many years. Frye is chief historian of the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. He grew up in the shadow of the national park made famous as the site where John Brown attempted to launch an uprising and slave rebellion. Frustrated American "John Brown is a very frustrated American. He was so angry that he determined the only way to remove slavery from the country was through violent overthrow of the institution, to literally eliminate it through war," Frye said. Brown led a group that took control of the U.S. Army's arsenal in Harpers Ferry in 1859. Brown and his men planned to steal 100,000 rifles from the Federal Armory and distribute them to thousands of black slaves and white abolitionist fighters in an effort to overthrow the government. John Brown wanted his army to orchestrate a huge migration of slaves from southern plantations. "The rest of the plan is provide them with armed protection as they migrate North to the promised land, to the land of freedom, to the ground north of the Mason-Dixon line, where they would be free, Frye said. "But Brown's plan went terribly wrong. Thirty six hours after he captured the armory Brown was surrounded by Marines at the armory's fire engine house. Soon after that he was captured alive." Frye said Brown was dragged out of the engine house, taken to nearby Charles Town and placed on trial for murder and treason. Only six weeks after his capture, Brown was executed, on December 2, 1859. Life before the raid Before the Harpers Ferry raid John Brown was a wanted man. He grew up in an abolitionist in a deeply religious family. His family, his parents brought him up that everyone should be treated equally, and there should be no concern with sex, gender, race, anything, it is just everyone should be treated equally, said Alice Keesey Mecoy, great-great-great granddaughter of John Brown. From her home in Texas, Mecoy told VOA Browns passion was in abolitionism, but he had to provide for his second wife, Mary Ann, and 10 children. After living in several states, he and his family would establish a family farm in North Elba, New York, an area in which black families resided. Historian Frye explains religion fueled the familys activities in the furthering of the abolitionist movement. The absolute eradication of the stain of slavery, every family member believed in, there were no rebels in John Browns family, except rebels against slavery. Frye said. Browns belief that God had a mission for him to end slavery led him and five of his sons to Kansas in 1855, where a battle was occurring to decide if the state was to become free territory or slave territory. The Brown's took on the pro-slavery forces as well as government forces. John Brown became a wanted man. He gained a reputation as an outstanding guerilla fighter, but everything he was doing was illegal and he had a price on his head, Frye said. Family after execution Only one son, Owen, out of the three who participated in the Harpers Ferry raid would escape, he would be racked with guilt for his survival. The limelight was ever-present on the family in New York following John Brown's execution. This led his wife Mary Ann to move the family across the country, 3,000 miles, to the state of California, where Mecoy grew up. Mecoy said Mary Ann looked to start a new life for her children, where they were not quite as notorious. It was not until 1976, when as a teenager, Mecoy and other family members would learn of their relation to John Brown. Former slave and renowned abolitionist Frederick Douglass was a friend of John Brown, but did not join him on the raid. Dennis Frye said 22 years after Brown's execution Douglass believed his actions were a success. "Douglass would firmly state that John Brown had commenced the Civil War, that Brown was responsible for starting the war that brought the ultimate end to the greatest stain in American history, the enslavement of human beings," Frye said. Jemima Homawoo contributed to this story. The Democratic National Committee will have a chance to officially slam FBI Director James Comey for his election-year probe of Hillary Clinton in a resolution that's a riff on the ABC television series "Designated Survivor." A Clinton supporter proposed a resolution calling Comey's public statements about Clinton "infamous, partisan and illegal." Many Democrats blame her loss to President Donald Trump on Comey's late October letter suggesting FBI agents were reviewing new emails, in the wake of a closed probe about whether she had previously mishandled classified information as secretary of state. Two days before the election, Comey said the inquiry had again found that Clinton should face no criminal charges. The resolution from Bill Owen of Tennessee begins as a sarcastic critique of "Designated Survivor" and its depiction of the FBI. But Comey is clearly the intended target. A party spokesman downplayed the resolution, noting any DNC member can introduce one ahead of next week's meeting. The budget minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo has cast doubt on whether the country will be able to finance elections this year. His statement has sparked concern as delaying the polls last year led to violent unrest. DRC Budget Minister Pierre Kangudia gave reporters the news Wednesday. He said it will not be possible to disburse $1.8 billion from this years budget to organize elections in 2017. That hardly comes as a surprise. Total government spending for 2017 is expected to be around $5.2 billion, according to the most recent budget submitted to the National Assembly, which has yet to approve a public spending plan for this year. The budget ministers words have angered the opposition. A deal signed on News Years Eve with the ruling alliance stipulates some of the nationwide polls postponed from last year should take place in late 2017, including the presidential election. VOA spoke to Delly Sessanga, a signatory of the agreement from the opposition. He said the ministers declaration demonstrates the government is going down a path completely different to that of organizing elections. He said the government must leave to be replaced by a responsible one capable of taking the country to elections. The president of the electoral commission, known as CENI, cited the $1.8 billion figure in early December when he presented the budget to cover the electoral process. That includes compiling a completely new voter list, an initiative launched last August, as well as holding presidential, parliamentary and local polls in this vast and poorly connected country. Delaying last year's elections has allowed President Joseph Kabila to stay in office beyond his constitutional two-term limit. The opposition says that was and remains Kabila's intention. But the DRC budget minister said while the government is unable to deliver $1.8 billion to the CENI, that does not mean there will not be elections this year. The New Years Eve agreement urges the government to mobilize resources both internally and from the international community. But there is another hurdle. The deal also calls for the installation of a new national unity government led by a prime minister from the opposition. Six weeks later, that has not happened. The details still have not been sorted out. On Thursday, the African Union, European Union, United Nations and International Organization of the Francophonie released a joint statement expressing concern about the delay and calling on the signatories to redouble their efforts for DRC elections. Educating the world's religious leaders could encourage millions more men to undergo circumcision and reduce the rate of new HIV infections, according to research printed in the Lancet medical journal. Circumcision can lower a man's risk of getting HIV by up to 60 percent, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), which recommends it as an effective intervention in countries gripped by an HIV epidemic. In Tanzania alone, the education drive could lead to more than 1.4 million new circumcisions, which could in turn prevent 65,000 to 200,000 new HIV infections, the research showed. In 2011, the WHO set a target of 20.8 million new circumcisions across 14 sub-Saharan countries by 2016. By the end of 2015, just 10 million men had been circumcised, the study said. Previous research had suggested that a low uptake may be influenced by religious tradition and fears that circumcision could be an attempt to convert Christians to other religions. Circumcision is widely practiced by Jews and Muslims, and is carried out by some Christians. The practice predates Islam and Judaism and was depicted in ancient Egyptian tombs and wall paintings. Aside from religious reasons, it is often carried out for health reasons or as a rite of passage in childhood or puberty. When religious leaders are highly respected in their communities, they can use this influence to convince more men to get circumcised and therefore help to prevent new HIV infections, said the study, which was published late Tuesday. The researchers studied 16 villages in Tanzania where the country's health ministry carried out a circumcision campaign. In villages where religious leaders attended seminars about the procedure, 23 percent more men were circumcised compared to villages that only received information from the ministry. More than 30 percent of men cited discussions in church as the reason for their decision to undergo the procedure. "We equipped religious leaders with information and education, and then they could teach their congregations as they saw fit," Jennifer Downs, of Cornell University and the lead author of the report, said in a statement. Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest rate of the virus that causes AIDS, accounting for about 70 percent of the 36.7 million people living with the virus worldwide, according to the WHO. Nearly 1.4 million people were newly infected with HIV in the region in 2015. The research said educating religious leaders about the role of circumcision in HIV prevention should be extended to other sub-Saharan countries. They could also be involved in promoting other healthy behaviors, it said. The study took place from June 2014 to December 2015. The European Commission welcomed on Thursday as a very good step the decision of the Romanian government to repeal a decree that would have decriminalized graft, and offered Bucharest assistance and funds to improve the country's prisons. The one-month-old cabinet of Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu enraged voters when it quietly approved emergency decree two weeks ago that would have decriminalized several corruption offenses, prompting the largest display of popular anger since the fall of communism in 1989. Warning to Romania After the protests, the decree was repealed and its main architect, Justice Minister Florin Iordache, resigned. I really welcome the fact that the emergency order has been repealed. It is a very good step, the European Commission vice president Frans Timmermans told a news conference in Brussels after a meeting with Grindeanu. Timmermans, who had warned Romania not to backtrack in the fight against corruption after the graft decree was approved, urged the country to continue tackling graft and to involve the civil society in the reform of its corruption laws. He also offered Romania EU assistance to improve the prison system, saying EU funds could be used for that purpose. The Social Democrat-led government had argued that the decriminalization of some graft offenses would have reduced overcrowding in the country's jails. New minister could be outsider Speaking at the same news conference, Grindeanu committed to new reforms and said he will work to make sure the EU's monitoring of Romania's judicial sector and anti-graft legislation would no longer be needed by 2019, when the country takes over the EU presidency for the first time since it joined the bloc in 2007. Grindeanu also said he will propose next week a new justice minister, who is likely to be picked from outside the political sphere, he told journalists. The free SIM cards will be provided to foreign tourists arriving to India on e-visa. By India Today Web Desk: In a bid to promote hassle-free travel for foreigners arriving in India, the government will now issue pre-activated, free SIM cards to those visiting the country on e-visa. Hailed as a progressive move by the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), the SIM cards will initially be provided to foreign tourists arriving at the Indira Gandhi International Airport. The service will later be extended to 15 other airports in the country that have provisions for e-visas. Currently, 161 countries can avail the e-visa facility for travelling to India. advertisement The initiative has been launched in association with BSNL, who will be providing SIM cards with a talktime of Rs 50 and 50 MB data for internet on phone. BSNL will be collecting a copy of the e-visa and the first page of the passport before providing the pre-loaded SIM. Tourism minister, Dr Mahesh Sharma, at the launch of the new initiative. Picture courtesy:Twitter/incredibleindia "The initiative will help tourists immediately communicate with their relatives back home, hotels, tour operators and so on. I got this idea when I received a similar card on visiting Sri Lanka," tourism minister Dr Mahesh Sharma was quoted as saying by Livemint during the launch. The SIM card will be valid for a month and will also help travellers contact the 24-hour tourist helpline number available in 12 languages, including Russian, German and Japanese. Also Read: IN PICS: 10 beautiful countries Indians can visit without a visa The reason for restricting the facility to e-visa tourists lies in the fact that the information about these travellers will be available much in advance. This in turn would ease the process of syncing the tourist's data for issuing SIM cards. --- ENDS --- Five years ago, Kim Jong Nam, the half-brother of North Korea's ruler, pleaded with his younger sibling to spare his life, according to two lawmakers in South Korea. He wrote a letter to Kim Jong Un, who took power after their father Kim Jong Il died in December 2011, and asked him to withdraw a standing order for his assassination, according to the lawmakers, who were briefed by South Korea's spy agency. "We have nowhere to go, nowhere to hide. We are well aware that the only way to escape is suicide," Kim Jong Nam said in a letter to Kim Jong Un, one of the lawmakers said. Kim Jong Nam, 46, died after an assault, possibly with poison, at an airport terminal in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Monday. U.S. and South Korean government officials have said they believe he was assassinated by agents from the North. The eldest son of Kim Jong Il, Kim Jong Nam was hidden from public view for years because his father and actress mother were not legally married. He was not shown to his grandfather, North Korea's founding President Kim Il Sung, until he was five years old. Kim Jong Nam spent nine years at an international school in Geneva. When he returned to Pyongyang, he joined the government. His father became leader in 1994 and Kim Jong Nam was expected by some eventually to succeed him - until the Disneyland incident. In May 2001, Kim Jong Nam was nabbed at Tokyo's Narita airport and held for using a false Dominican Republic passport. He was accompanied by his wife, another woman believed to be a nanny, and a four-year-old boy, his son, according to media reports. He said the family wanted to visit Tokyo Disneyland. All four were deported and went back to North Korea via Beijing. His father was embarrassed and after that, Kim Jong Nam's star was on the wane. Kim Jong Nam's mother Song Hye Rim ended up living in Moscow, away from him, and died there after struggling with depression for years. Kim said he often visited the mother's grave in Moscow. Loved being free After the Disneyland incident, much of the rest of Kim Jong Nam's life was spent overseas, first in China and then in Macau. South Korea's intelligence service said he had wives and children both in Beijing and Macau, according to lawmakers. "Because I was educated in the West, I was able to enjoy freedom from early age and I still love being free," he said in notes to a Japanese journalist, Yoji Gomi, who wrote a book on Kim Jong Nam in 2012. "The reason I visit Macau so often is because it's the most free and liberal place near China, where my family lives. South Korean lawmakers said the spy agency told them that young, unpredictable Kim Jong Un had issued a "standing order" for his half-brother's assassination after he took power, and that there had been a failed attempt in 2012. "Kim Jong Un said: 'I just hate him. So get rid of him,'" Kim Byung-kee, one of the lawmakers, cited the spy agency as saying about the standing order. Some analysts have said Jong Un believed his brother could be used in any overthrow of his regime. After that, Kim Jong Nam did not stay long in any place, and travelled frequently between various cities in Southeast Asia and China. Kim Jong Nam had not kept his disdain for his brother a secret. "I'm his half brother, but I've never met him so I don't know," he said in another note to Gomi. "I'm concerned how Jong Un, who merely resembles my grandfather, will be able to satisfy the needs of North Koreans. Kim Jong Un is still just a nominal figure and the members of the power elite will be the ones in actual power. The dynastic succession is a joke to the outside world." He added: "The Kim Jong Un regime will not last long. Without reforms, North Korea will collapse, and when such changes take place, the regime will collapse." Numerous North Korean officials have been purged or killed since Kim Jong Un came to power. Those include his uncle, Jang Song Thaek, who was considered the country's second most-powerful person and was believed to have been close to Kim Jong Nam, who he had helped raise. "I was raised getting special love from the aunt and uncle and I am not denying that they are even now taking special care of me," Kim Jong Nam said in a note written to Gomi before his uncle was killed. Nearly 800 former Environmental Protection Agency officials urged the U.S. Senate to reject President Donald Trump's nominee to run the agency as the chamber moved closer Thursday to approving his pick, Scott Pruitt, the attorney general of oil-producing Oklahoma. The 773 former officials signed a letter organized by the nonprofit group Environmental Integrity Project that said Pruitt's record and public statements suggest he does not agree with underlying principles of environmental laws. As attorney general, Pruitt sued the EPA more than a dozen times on behalf of Oklahoma, and he has cast doubt on the science of climate change. "Mr. Pruitt has shown no interest in enforcing those laws, a critically important function for EPA," the letter said. A spokesman for Pruitt did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the letter. 'Fundamental lack of understanding' Pruitt's efforts to challenge the EPA's authority reflected "a fundamental lack of understanding and respect for the vital role that EPA plays in ensuring clean air and water for every American no matter where they live or their color or creed," said Joseph Santarella, an EPA enforcement lawyer under former Republican and Democratic administrations, who signed the letter. Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine came out against Pruitt on Wednesday, saying his actions left her with doubts about whether his vision for the agency is consistent with its mission to protect human health and the environment. Unless more Republicans join Collins, Pruitt's nomination is likely to succeed. Senator John Barrasso, a Republican from coal-producing Wyoming and head of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, said Pruitt had "led the charge to rein in big government and Washington overreach." The Senate advanced Pruitt's nomination Thursday on a 54-46 vote, clearing the way for 30 hours of debate before a final vote, expected Friday. The path to stopping Pruitt became even steeper Thursday after Senator Heidi Heitkamp, a North Dakota Democrat, said she would vote for him, even though she had "concerns" about his commitment to a wide energy strategy that includes renewable power like solar and wind and his commitment to reduce emissions from energy operations. Fossils including sharks, sea reptiles and squid-like creatures dug up in Idaho reveal a marine ecosystem thriving relatively soon after Earth's worst mass extinction, contradicting the long-held notion life was slow to recover from the calamity. Scientists on Wednesday described the surprising fossil discovery showing creatures flourishing in the aftermath of the worldwide die-off at the end of the Permian Period about 252 million years ago that erased roughly 90 percent of species. Even the asteroid-induced mass extinction 66 million years ago that doomed the dinosaurs did not push life to the brink of annihilation like the Permian one. The fossils of about 30 different species unearthed in Bear Lake County near the Idaho city of Paris showed a quick and dynamic rebound in a marine ecosystem, illustrating the remarkable resiliency of life. "Our discovery was totally unexpected," said paleontologist Arnaud Brayard of the University of Burgundy-Franche-Comte in France, with a highly diversified and complex assemblage of animals. The ecosystem from this pivotal time included predators such as sharks up to about 7 feet long (2 meters), marine reptiles and bony fish, squid-like creatures including some with long conical shells and others with coiled shells, a scavenging crustacean with large eyes and strangely thin claws, starfish relatives, sponges and other animals. The Permian die-off occurred 251.9 million years ago. The Idaho ecosystem flourished 1.3 million years later, "quite rapid on a geological scale," according to Brayard. The mass extinction's cause is a matter of debate. But many scientists attribute it to colossal volcanic eruptions in northern Siberia that unleashed large amounts of greenhouse and toxic gases, triggering severe global warming and big fluctuations in oceanic chemistry including acidification and oxygen deficiency. The Idaho ecosystem, in the earliest stages of the Triassic Period that later produced the first dinosaurs, included some unexpected creatures. There was a type of sponge previously believed to have gone extinct 200 million years earlier, and a squid-like group previously thought not to have originated until 50 million years later. The researchers found bones from what could be the earliest-known ichthyosaur, a dolphin-like marine reptile group that prospered for 160 million years, or a direct ancestor. "The Early Triassic is a complex and highly disturbed epoch, but certainly not a devastated one as commonly assumed, and this epoch has not yet yielded up all its secrets," Brayard said. The research was published in the journal Science Advances. The law works as it has for centuries in the Guatemalan indigenous community of Solola: Townsfolk bring grievances and local authorities make rulings, usually with a speed unheard of in a country where justice is often delayed, if it comes at all. At one recent weekly court session, Maria Micaela Panjoc, baby in arms, came with a request for paternity payments. Others sought help with land disputes. Andres Xelp wanted the judges to force his son to move back home. The generally non-partisan leaders of local Mayan communities hear the cases, trying to find quick resolutions when they can and sometimes passing cases over to formal prosecutors when they cannot - as in the case of a young woman speaking the Kaqchikel language who said she'd been raped. The Solola court alone handled 3,000 cases last year. For generations, outsiders have looked down on indigenous law courts, as they have on the native cultures themselves. Some 40 percent of Guatemala's 17 million people identify themselves as indigenous and they are pushing for wider respect for the traditional ways in which their cultures deal with their differences, though opposition remains strong within the country's non-indigenous communities. Guatemala's Constitutional Court already has accepted some rulings by indigenous courts and there's a move to formally amend the country's constitution to recognize them. An earlier measure to do that came two votes short in congress, with opposition coming from conservatives and from business interests that said they feared legal confusion if different systems co-exist. Members of congress were scheduled to discuss the proposed constitutional amendment to recognize indigenous justice as part of the country's judicial system, but on Wednesday they put off the debate for a week after no consensus emerged among the political parties. At least 105 of 158 legislators must approve the proposal for it to pass. The idea has gained support from national Attorney General Thelma Aldana, as well as Ivan Velaszuqez, who heads the U.N. Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala that has been assisting in corruption investigations in the country. "Guatemala has to be a place where all its inhabitants belong," said Velazquez, who visited Solola to view the court process. The formal legal system has often exploited or ignored indigenous Guatemalans, who were legally required to perform forced labor well into the 20th century and who generally found it nearly impossible to pay for lawyers. Even now, only 10 percent of the country's townships have prosecutors' offices. In Solola, Mayor Tomas Saloj presided over hearings in a town hall decorated with the 20 figures representing the Mayan calendar - 20 days per month, 18 months per year. On the table that served as the judge's bench were a candle and a glass of water, an invitation for the wisdom of dead ancestors to enter. Punishments can include restitution, community labor, banishment or whippings: Two braided leather whips hang in the Solola town hall as a reminder. Agustin Bocel, a town spokesman, recalled a case of attempted rape in which the attacker was sentenced to nine lashes of a whip - at the insistence of his own mother, one for each month she carried him, to remind him of the shame he caused her. Bocel said the man has never caused problems again. Tomas Guarcas, the mayor of nearby Pixabaj, defended the practice. "Whipping is a punishment that is like educating children, without violating human rights," he said, adding that the punishment is usually applied by "by one of the offender's relatives, the mother, father or in-laws.'' Indigenous Congressman Amilcar Pop said the use of floggings is increasingly discouraged, however. "This type of mechanism is something that has to be controlled and avoided," Pop said. Aldana, the attorney general, said she sees no contradiction between the indigenous system and the formal courts. The indigenous courts, she said, "have helped maintain the peace'' and helped "reduce pressure on the regular justice system and its budget.'' Victoria Chuj is one of just three women among the 71 mayors in the province of Solola, of which the town of Solola is part. She carries her wooden staff - the badge of her authority, decorated with four tokens representing the four directions - with pride. "The staff has to be good and straight so that, like justice, it cannot be bent," Chuj said. A California man is expected to plead guilty Thursday to providing the high-powered rifles used to kill 14 people in the San Bernardino terror attack. Enrique Marquez Jr. is due to appear in federal court in Riverside after signing a plea agreement with prosecutors. Marquez, 25, of Riverside is the only person criminally charged in the December 2015 attack that also left 22 people wounded at a meeting of San Bernardino County employees. Husband-and-wife assailants Syed Rizwan Farook and Tashfeen Malik were killed in a gunfight with authorities later that day. Marquez is charged with providing the rifles used in the rampage and plotting mass killings with Farook several years earlier that were never carried out. Prosecutors said there is no evidence Marquez participated in the San Bernardino massacre or had advance knowledge of it. Under the plea deal, Marquez could face up to 25 years in prison. A message seeking comment was left for his attorney, Young Kim. Prosecutors said Marquez acknowledged being a "straw buyer" when he purchased two AR-15 rifles from a sporting goods store that were used in Farook's attack on the meeting of his work colleagues. Prosecutors have said Marquez agreed to buy the weapons because the attackers feared Farook's Middle Eastern appearance might arouse suspicion. Marquez also acknowledged plotting with Farook in 2011 and 2012 to massacre college students and gun down motorists on a gridlocked Southern California freeway, though those attacks never occurred. Marquez said he backed out of the plot after four men in the area were arrested on terrorism charges in late 2012, the FBI has said in court documents. Marquez and Farook met in 2005 after Marquez moved next door to Farook's family in Riverside, about 55 miles east of Los Angeles. Farook began educating his new friend about his Muslim faith and Marquez converted in 2007. The FBI said the two began discussing extremist views shortly thereafter. By late 2011, Marquez spent time at Farook's home reading magazines published by al-Qaida and studying radical material online, federal officials said. Conservative lawmakers hoping to push the House of Representatives on a long-awaited vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act introduced their own plan Wednesday. The bill would be a replacement for former President Barack Obama's controversial health care legislation. It was offered by members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus and mirrors a similar piece of legislation introduced in the Senate by Republican Rand Paul of Kentucky. The American people have had it, Rep. Jim Jordan, a member of the caucus, said, describing the Affordable Care Act. They are frustrated and they're frustrated because you've got to remember the framework they were told nine different lies when this thing passed. 'Repeal and replace' The caucus said its bill addresses some of the problems in the Affordable Care Act commonly known as Obamacare by offering tax incentives for health savings accounts that would help patients pay for their health care expenses, allowing for the purchase of health insurance across state lines, and allowing individuals to deduct the cost of health insurance from their income taxes. The rallying cry repeal and replace fueled the successful campaigns of many congressional Republicans during the 2016 election season. But the planned strategy of repealing the old law and replacing it with improved legislation by mid-February never materialized even though House Speaker Paul Ryan continues to emphasize repeal and replace as one of the key items on Congress' agenda. Added pressure on Republicans The new proposal from the House Freedom Caucus will put pressure on Ryan and more mainstream Republicans to accelerate the timetable for accomplishing that campaign promise. We're very serious about pursuing this agenda in a timely fashion, said Rep. Dave Brat, a Republican from Virginia. So we put in place these measures in March in the first reconciliation, tax reform in the second reconciliation a few more months after that. By then the economy starts taking off and the American people will be happy again. House Freedom Caucus members believe that allowing the health care market to operate under free market principles will drive costs down for consumers and allow patients more control over their health care decisions. But the bill does not address a replacement for Medicaid expansion, and it takes a different approach to the difficult question of protections for pre-existing conditions. Portable insurance I think that's determined ultimately by a marketplace in terms of pre-existing conditions, said Rep. Mark Sanford, one of the co-sponsors of the bill. He said the existing system is fundamentally flawed for the way that it drives costs and makes the overall system unsustainable. Sanford, of South Carolina, said the bill addresses this question by making insurance portable from job to job and incentivizes good behavior for individuals staying on health insurance plans. The caucus told reporters in a news conference Wednesday that they will seek a vote on their legislation within days of a vote repealing the Affordable Care Act. But after months of debate over repeal and replace, the members of the caucus acknowledge that putting a proposal forward will spark a new round of health care debates on Capitol Hill. The minute you put anything on paper now it won't be that you don't have a plan, it will be the merits of that plan and that's where the debate should be, said Rep. Mark Meadows of North Carolina. He added that an earlier Senate proposal by Senators Bill Cassidy and Susan Collins did not align with conservative principles because it retained some of the more well-liked aspects of the Affordable Care Act. Meadows said the House Freedom Caucus bill draws from many of the proposals put forward by recently confirmed Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price, which means the chances for consensus are good. Islamic State propagandists have launched a coordinated online campaign accusing prominent Muslim clerics in the Arab world and the West of betrayal in an apparent bid to delegitimize them, especially in the eyes of younger Muslims. The terror group says the clerics are collaborating with Arab regimes and the international coalition opposed to IS and are urging supporters as a top priority to kill the evil scholars. Some analysts suspect the terror group is casting around looking for traitors to explain the collapse of ISs battlefield fortunes and to shape perceptions about the reasons for the fall of the terror groups self-styled caliphate. Others see the new campaign as linked more immediately to the propaganda struggle being waged between IS and the Iraqi government over the unfolding battle for Mosul in which both sides are questioning the religious and historical legitimacy of the other. Imams of unbelief The campaign, titled "Fight the Imams of Unbelief targets prominent clerics by name, including Salafi theologians such as firebrand Egyptian cleric Yousuf al-Qaradawi and Saudi Arabias 'Abd Al-'Aziz Aal Al-Sheikh. Several of the scholars and clerics named are associated either with the Muslim Brotherhood, which the Trump administration is considering designating a terrorist organization, or are apologists for the Islamic States jihadist rival al-Qaida. The clerics listed have long criticized IS and took issue with Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi when the terror groups leader announced in July 2014 from the pulpit of the Grand Mosque of Mosul a caliphate straddling Iraq and Syria and instructed all Muslims to obey him. The caliphate declaration was seen by an older generation of jihadist and Islamist scholars as subversive and not in line with their interpretations of Sharia Law. Qatar-based Yousuf al-Qaradawi warned al-Baghdadis ambitions would have dangerous consequences for Sunnis in Iraq and Syria and dismissed the caliphate announcement when it was made as void under Sharia. IS-affiliated online channels circulated a banner on February 9 announcing the start of the campaign, according to the Middle East Media Research Institute, a Washington-based research organization that monitors jihadist online activity. Popular preachers on Arab satellite channels such as Muhammad Al-Arifi also are targeted, as well as prominent clerics in the West, including Australian sheikh Shady Al-Suleiman and U.S.-based cleric Omar Suleiman. Clerics of evil As part of the campaign, IS issued two official videos attacking the "clerics of evil. In addition, IS supporters and pro-IS media outlets have circulated articles and posters. An IS-affiliated media outlet posted a hit list of 35 clerics. The videos contrast supposedly corrupt and worldly, older, wealthier establishment clerics with IS's own young, pure and sincere 'fighting imams, says Alberto Fernandez, a former U.S. ambassador, now with MEMRI. The IS videos, which show children killed allegedly in coalition airstrikes preceded by images of smiling or laughing "establishment" clerics, appear to be portraying an ideological struggle in generational and even class terms, says Fernandez. The videos titled "Agents, Not Clerics" and "Fight Ye the Imams of Unbelief", were produced by the terror groups branch in Nineveh province in northern Iraq and the IS branch in Al-Khair province in Syria respectively. Religious legitimacy has been at the core of an intense propaganda struggle between the Iraqi government and IS, according to Pete Knoetgen. In a study in the Journal of Middle Eastern Politics and Policy published by Harvard Universitys John F. Kennedy School of Government, Knoetgen argues the Iraqi government has been highlighting in its propaganda output the terror groups illegitimacy. Among other things the Iraqis have been publicizing ISs deviations from its supposedly pious beliefs, typified in a recent Counter Terrorism Service Twitter post that displayed liquor bottles found following a raid on an IS position in Mosul. He adds, For its part, IS uses terms that attack the religious credentials of the government, often in sectarian fashion. IS propagandists dismiss Iraqi forces as rafidee (rejectionist), a term used for Shiite Muslims by Sunnis in reference to their rejection of the three caliphs who succeeded Mohammad. Analysts have highlighted a recent sharp decline in the volume and coherence of IS propaganda. The group has shifted the themes of its propaganda output from playing up the "civic order and virtues" of the caliphate to material based more on battlefield reality. While some shifts can be explained as a preemptive framing of defeat in Mosul; others may be reflective of a breaking down in terms of the terror groups hierarchy and cohesion or an exploratory rebranding, say analysts. Perhaps because Indonesia's democracy is still young, just 19 years old, Indonesians seem palpably excited about the chance to vote. The country grants extraordinary suffrage to its far-flung citizens. Even inmates in the nation's prisons voted in Wednesday's regional elections across Indonesia, including the hotly contested race for Jakarta's governor. Although the military can't vote in Indonesia, inmates who are serving sentences of fewer than five years can. And thousands of them voted at orderly, even festive, booths at prisons around Jakarta Wednesday. Their votes largely mirrored the split in total ballots in the Jakarta election, in which incumbent governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama won about 43 percent, former minister Anies Baswedan picked up about 40 percent, and Agus Yudhoyono, son of a former Indonesian president, took the remaining 17 percent. Since no one won at least 50 percent of the vote, Ahok and Baswedan will proceed to a runoff in April, according to Jakarta's electoral rules. Election day at a women's prison Inmates at the Pondok Bambu women's prison in East Jakarta started lining up around 7:00 AM to punch their ballots. Although there are more than one thousand prisoners at the facility, only 157 of them were eligible to vote in Jakarta. They were called up in rounds to vote behind cardboard screens. On the way out, they dipped their fingers in navy blue inkwells, stained fingers being a proud sign of having voted across Indonesia. "We've been following all the debates on TV from inside here," said Latifa, a middle-aged woman who, like most of the inmates at this prison, was arrested for drug offenses. "We've been up since 6:00, and we're really excited to vote." Latifa and her friend Ella were both planning to vote for Ahok, the embattled Chinese-Christian sitting governor accused of blasphemy. (He cited a Quranic verse about electing Muslim leaders on the campaign trial, which right-wing groups found worthy of robust protests in recent months.) "It's not just because I'm Christian too," said Ella. "He's just the best man for the job." Her husband is in a different jail, and her kids currently live in her sister's house in Jakarta. "I want my kids to grow up in Ahok's Jakarta," she said. Another prisoner, Maya, stood in the voting line while feeding her nine-month old baby, who came with her to prison when she was sentenced last fall. She quietly shook her head and told VOA, "I could never vote for Ahok after what he said." She was tight-lipped about which of the remaining two candidates she preferred, but said, "I'm not excited for this election. I just feel it's my duty to vote." At the day's end, it was actually Yudhoyono and his running mate Sylviana Murni who edged out the lead in Pondok Bambu, with 55 votes to Ahok's 51. Joyful democracy Voter turnout in the Jakarta election was reported to exceed an impressive 80 percent of its 7.1 million eligible voters. There were 13,000 polling stations set up across the city for the occasion, which is a public holiday in all of Indonesia. "You have to understand, voting is still really fun for us," said Ophan Lamara, a travel agent, speaking at his neighborhood voting booth in the East Jakarta neighborhood of Cipinang Indah. "We're a new democracy. We're like kids in a candy store." He had come with his two young kids, like many of the civilian voters in Jakarta today, who made election day a family affair. Every polling station, including the ones in prisons, have a steady flow of snacks, like fried tofu and banana leaf-wrapped rice, a crucial element of any Indonesian undertaking. The General Election Commission (KPU) encouraged Jakartans to register to vote in September and October with whimsical posters featuring an anthropomorphized Monumen Nasional as a mascot. "Ayo, memilih untuk Jakarta," they said: "Vote for Jakarta." And votes are counted in public at polling stations, with the ballots held up for any doubting observers. "Indonesia is very democratic, and we are proud to put in the work to make this happen," said Yuliana, a security official at Pondok Bambu. An imminent repeat There were a few famous faces much sought after and ultimately missing at the women's prison polls: Angelina Sondakh, a pageant queen turned politician who was arrested for bribery; and Jessica Wongso, perpetrator of last year's infamous " cyanide coffee " murder. There were 178,063 prisoners in Jakarta as of 2015, but they come from all over Indonesia, so only about one-fifth of them were eligible to vote in the gubernatorial election. There were also 16,000 policemen deployed on city streets on election day, according to Reuters, due to concerns that hardline groups might get in a few more anti-Ahok protests. But the day was largely uneventful. At the high-security Cipinang men's prison in East Jakarta, inmates even ground and served free coffee for polling and security officials on-site. Ahok won the most Cipinang votes. The question of suffrage for convicted criminals is by no means universal, and it doesn't exist in some of the world's oldest democracies, like 48 American states and all of Britain. It was no easy feat even in Indonesia. Prison voting requires extra security, preparation, and coordination. "We have been planning this for a year," said Dian Hepirashidasani, of KPU. And they will have to do it all over again, when Ahok and Anies rematch in April. The cost of Lockheed Martin Corp's F-35 stealth fighter jet could fall 16 percent to around $80 million in future purchases, according to the Department of Defense's head of the program. In February, the Pentagon agreed to a deal for the tenth batch of the fighter aircraft at below $95 million per jet for the first time, compared with $102 million in the previous purchase and the lowest price ever. Lieutenant General Chris Bogdan, who runs the F-35 program for the Pentagon, gave his new estimate for the future cost of the jet while speaking to the U.S House of Representatives at a Capitol Hill hearing Thursday. President Donald Trump and other U.S. officials have criticized the Pentagon's most expensive program for delays and cost overruns, but the price per jet has steadily declined in recent years as production ramps up. Bogdan said in his testimony to Congress that he has spoken to Trump several times about the cost of the stealth aircraft. Lockheed and its main partners have been developing and building F-35s for the U.S. military and 10 allies. The F-35 comes in three configurations, the A-model for the U.S. Air Force and U.S. allies; the B-model, which can handle short take-offs and vertical landings for the Marine Corps and the British navy; and the carrier-variant F-35C jets. Lockheed, the prime contractor, and its partners, including Northrop Grumman Corp, United Technologies Corp's Pratt & Whitney and BAE Systems Plc, have been working on building a more cost-effective supply chain to fuel the production line in Fort Worth, Texas. The U.S. Defense Department expects to spend $391 billion over many years to develop and buy 2,443 of the supersonic warplanes. At a meeting of NATO members in Brussels on Thursday, U.S. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis ruled out any military collaboration between the United States and Russia, saying current conditions were not ideal. "We are not in a position right now to collaborate on a military level," Mattis said at a news conference at NATO headquarters. "But our political leaders will engage and try to find common ground." Relations between the two countries have reached their lowest point since the Cold War because of Moscow's alleged meddling in last year's U.S. elections and its continued aggressive actions in Ukraine. Mattis said that before any military cooperation could take place with Russia, it would have to prove itself able to comply with international law. Mattis made his comments after Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Moscow was "ready to restore cooperation with the Pentagon." U.S. President Donald Trump praised Russian leader Vladimir Putin during the U.S. presidential campaign and has done so since taking office. And although the U.S. ceased cooperating with Russia in 2014 after it annexed Crimea from Ukraine, Trump has expressed interest in working with Russia again on issues of common interest, such as the fight against Islamic State. Mattis said Thursday that he did not think the fight against IS would end quickly, but he added the U.S. would like to speed up the multinational campaign against the militant group. When asked about possibly sending U.S. ground troops into Syria, Mattis said he had not had enough time in office to form a plan and wanted to confer with allies before moving forward. Top officials meet Meanwhile, U.S. Joint Chiefs Chairman General Joseph Dunford met with his Russian counterpart, General Valeriy Gerasimov, in Azerbaijan on Thursday to discuss the status of U.S.-Russia military relations. The Pentagon issued a statement after the meeting, saying the two countries agreed to "enhance communications" and "improve operational safety of military activities" to prevent crises and "avoid the risk of unintended incidents." On the diplomatic front, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson met in Germany with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov for the first time and said afterward that Washington could collaborate with Moscow under certain circumstances. "As we search for new common ground, we expect Russia to honor its commitment to the Minsk agreements and work to de-escalate violence in the Ukraine," Tillerson said in Bonn, where foreign ministers of the G-20 nations are meeting. Under the 2015 Minsk agreement, Ukraine, Russia and Russia-backed separatists agreed to end the crisis in Ukraine, beginning with the withdrawal of heavy weapons. On Wednesday, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin told VOA that he expected the White House and European allies to continue pressuring Russia on its commitments. "I absolutely expect that the U.S. will play a more proactive role, along with our European partners, in pressuring Russia to fulfill their obligation according to the Minsk agreement," Klimkin said, adding that Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko was scheduled to meet with U.S. Vice President Mike Pence on Saturday. "We've had a lot of communication, cooperation and coordination [with the White House], and we are very happy about it. We had a strong message from United States Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley," he added, referring to Haley's recent condemnation of Russian aggression in eastern Ukraine. "Now we're hearing it from the new administration. It's all part of our efforts to build practical and logical cooperation with the U.S." Earlier this week, Trump accepted the resignation of newly appointed national security adviser Michael Flynn following reports that Flynn had misled the administration about conversations he had with Russian Ambassador Sergei Kislyak. Several U.S. investigations are underway into alleged interference by Russian intelligence services in favor of Trump during last year's U.S. presidential election. Putin reaches out Putin, meanwhile, called for a restoration of ties Thursday between U.S. and Russian intelligence agencies to work on common problems. "Restoring dialogue with the special services of the United States and other NATO members is in our mutual interest," Putin said in a televised speech before Russia's Federal Security Service. Tillerson is attending his first G-20 meeting, hosted by German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel, who has been a vocal critic of some of Trump's policies. The G-20 countries account for about 85 percent of the world economy and two-thirds of the global population. The Bonn meeting is a precursor to a G-20 summit scheduled for July in Hamburg in what may be the first time Trump meets Putin in person. Myroslava Gongadze of VOA's Ukrainian service contributed to this report. Sonnie Kath has travelled across the length and breadth of the country and it was then that she realized the need of empowering the women of her own land -- Nagaland. By Manogya Loiwal : Tucked away in the far northeast corner of the country, Nagaland is witnessing an unprecedented movement on rights of women to contest elections in urban local bodies. However, just a few kilometres away from Dimapur, a lady has shown how women are capable of transforming an entire village into a success story. Located around 15 kilometres away from Dimapur, Diezephe village, also known as the handicraft village, now has more than 200 women busy spinning and weaving. advertisement Sonnie Kath, the woman who has made a difference in the life, is nothing less than a Goddess for these women. Sonnie has travelled across the length and breadth of the country and it was then that she realized the need of empowering the women of her own land -- Nagaland. Also read: Tribal Indian designs in modern format at London Fashion Week A co-founder of Exotic Echo, to bring around rural empowerment, Sonnie started working on the mission of livelihood for women in 2008. She used the centuries-old-traditional art of weaving for weaving a better future. The Loin-loom is a dying art and needs precision to weave the best clothes, but Sonnie did not think of failure, instead kept spinning the wheel for the women. Sonnie explains the challenges, "In our state, the women dominate the household. From early morning to evening, from food to cultivation -- everything is looked after by them. So, it is very difficult to mobilize the women to work out of household in the state as a full time worker for livelihood. We started making them understand and convince them to why not earn Rs 50 a day around eight years ago and slowly it started and kept increasing. It is a big challenge to talk to the village committee also because in old days the women did not weave for livelihood, but weaved to cover the family, so turning into commercial was also a big step for us to achieve. The patriarchal set up in the state is so strong that we have to be very careful with the tribal designs also." With not much cooperation from the government and no loans available for loin-loom, Sonnie took up the challenge. What had started with just 15 women, now has more than 200 working and earning more than Rs 4000 per month. More than supporting a dying art, it was the passion to do something for the women and her native state. Sonnie states, "It was a big challenge because the mainland people do not understand what loin loom is and the loin loom products are time consuming, need lots of strength and people don't even know we are from which place and there is a problem of identification there. Even at home, because of economic problem people have started wearing acrylic and other materials readily available and cheap. These are issues that create problem in entering the market despite introduction of modern looms, nothing much has happened. We cannot compete with the neighbouring states like Assam and Manipur in handloom sector. The only thing we can do is loin loom which is home-based work and is a dying art. It is attracting the international market, so it is important for the government to specify and support the loin loom to get better market." advertisement Sonnie can leave any man behind in her respect for her traditional values and art, but is shocked at the response woman reservation has got from the elite political class. Wondering that this is a protest where many find it difficult to find women in protests. A proud Sonnie says, "It is time consuming and strength is required for it. We do not want our traditional stuff, which in old days even the head hunters had earned lying on the streets. Talking about the value, it is higher because we do not create it in bulk. In other states, the weavers remain weavers and so do artisans and the product is cheap. I don't want Naga traditional stuff to lie on the streets of any metropolitan cities. It is very unique and so has to be expensive. The government should help in recognizing, and why it cannot come to bulk so that we get the price of the effort and goods remain expensive because of the uniqueness. Reservation should not have become a big issue and could have been resolved if dialogue was there. I feel that dialogue was not there and they are not connected with the grass roots and have no idea on what the women folks sentiment are, only the state-level politicians are creating these kind of problems here." advertisement Exotic Echo has now echoed to the European countries, who buy more than Indians. With due respect to the effort put in making the cloth, but it's women like Sonnie who are still waiting for recognition for the gender in the society in Nagaland. --- ENDS --- Nigerian President Muhammadu Buharis nearly monthlong medical leave in London is a sharp reminder to taxpayers that while they finance their leaders health care abroad, they often are stuck with decrepit, ill-staffed government health facilities at home. For decades, Nigerians have paid for their leaders and former rulers to get medical treatment overseas. That courtesy also extends to senior government employees. This is despite taxpayers funding of the State House Medical Center, said to be Nigerias best-equipped facility, which serves the president and vice president, their families and staff. The centers budget this year of 3.8 billion naira to care for fewer than 1,000 people represents 1 percent of the entire public health budget for the countrys 170 million people. For years, billions have been budgeted for the State House Medical Center while it has always been evident that every president mostly accessed medical facilities outside the country, going back to the 1980s, said Oluseun Onigbinde, co-founder of BudgIT, an organization that tries to bring clarity to the West African nations opaque budget. Recession at home The mysterious nature of Buharis absence is adding to the unhappiness at home, as one of Africas largest economies and oil producers lurches through a recession. His government has not said what exactly his health issues might be or when he will return. The presidents trip, originally scheduled from January 20 to February 6, was described as a vacation during which he would undergo routine medical tests. It has been extended for further tests. Officials insist that Buhari is hale and hearty, and he was well enough this week to speak by telephone with U.S. President Donald Trump. Human rights lawyer Femi Falana said Nigerians should seize on the presidents medical leave to demand adequate funding for public hospitals he described as mortuaries for the masses. The practice of allowing poor citizens to die of preventable diseases while top public officers and rich private citizens are allowed to travel abroad for medical treatment can no longer be justified, he said in a lecture this week, noting that Nigerians have a life expectancy of 52 years. Medical bills add up It is not clear how much the countrys taxpayers pay for leaders treatments abroad. Former first lady Patience Jonathan has claimed that half of $31.5 million frozen in a corruption investigation was a government payout for medical bills she incurred in London in 2013. Ever-witty Nigerians took to social media to ask if she was buying eternal life. The Ministry of Health estimated that Nigeria paid about $1 billion for government officials traveling abroad for medical care in 2014, with ordinary Nigerians spending about $6.3 billion in 2015 for what is called medical tourism. Senior Nigerian officials get high yearly allowances for health care abroad, which provides them opportunity to demand amounts to take care of their non-health care needs like shopping abroad, economist Vitalis Chi. Nwaneri wrote in his 2013 book Governing the Ungovernable. Former military dictator Gen. Ibrahim Babangida returned home this month from a six-week medical vacation in Switzerland. Last year, he was treated for weeks in Germany. Taxpayers also footed the bill when former President Umaru YarAdua received months of medical treatment in Saudi Arabia in 2008-2009, before he returned home to die in office. Best Nigerian clinic not enough In April, Buhari announced that his government would no longer pay for officials to travel abroad for medical services available at home. But two months later, the president was in London for treatment of an ear infection. The best-funded clinic in Nigeria does not suffice to treat the presidents ear infection. Nor does the president have enough confidence in the same clinic to do his routine checkups there, novelist Okey Ndibe wrote at saharareporters.com . Imagine, then, the fate of Nigerians who have no choice but must seek treatment at the ill-equipped, wretchedly funded hospitals in our country? he asked. Nigeria has just five hospital beds and not even one doctor for every 100,000 people, as opposed to an average of 35 beds and 24 doctors per 100,000 in South Africa, which has the continents most advanced medical care, according to a PricewaterhouseCoopers study in 2015. Nigerians who can afford it shun even private health care at home. Because the country has one of the worlds worst infant and maternal mortality rates, women fly to the United States and Britain to have babies safely delivered. The risk of a woman dying because of pregnancy or childbirth in Nigeria is one in 15, compared to one in 5,000 in developed nations, according to Dr. Chris Akani, professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Nigerias College of Health Sciences at the University of Port Harcourt. Buharis medical bills do not come with a bed at a heftily priced five-star hotel, as did those of predecessors. The 74-year-old anti-corruption crusader known for his simple lifestyle is staying at the residence of the Nigerian High Commission in London, a spokesman said. Malaysian police detained a second woman Thursday suspected of involvement in the apparent assassination of the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. State-run Bernama news agency reported that she has been remanded in custody for seven days along with a woman who was caught at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Wednesday, two days after Kim Jong Nam was assaulted there with what was believed to be a fast acting poison. Police said the latest arrest was made at 2 a.m. Thursday local time (2000 GMT Wednesday), and the woman was carrying an Indonesian passport, unlike the first suspect who held Vietnamese travel papers. Lawmakers in South Korea earlier cited their spy agency as saying it suspected two female North Korean agents had murdered Kim Jong Nam. U.S. government sources also said they believed North Korean assassins were responsible. The woman arrested in the early hours of Thursday was alone when she was apprehended, a police statement said. Her Indonesian passport bore the name Siti Aishah, and gave her date of birth as February 11, 1992, and place of birth as Serang, Indonesia. The statement gave no other details. A Malaysian government source confirmed to Reuters that the first suspect detained was the same woman whose image was captured by close circuit television footage showing her wearing a white shirt with the letters LOL on the front. Her travel documents were in the name of Doan Thi Huong, showed a birth date of May 1988 and birthplace of Nam Dinh, Vietnam. There was still no mention of Kim Jong Nams death in North Korean state media as of Thursday morning. At midnight, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun to mark the birthday of his father, the late leader Kim Jong Il, who died in 2011. "I don't feel I have to wipe everybody out, Tom. Just my enemies." - Michael Corleone in The Godfather Part II. The apparent assassination this week of Kim Jong Nam, the half brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, bolsters the argument that North Korea is a mafia state that operates outside the law, ruthlessly eliminates its enemies and is dependent upon criminal enterprises for survival. Investigation update On Thursday, Malaysian police arrested a second woman carrying an Indonesian passport suspected of involvement in Kim Jong Nams murder this week at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Another women carrying Vietnamese travel papers was arrested Wednesday in connection with the case. Police also detained a man who provided information that led to the arrest of one of the women. South Korean officials have said two North Korean female agents poisoned Kim Jong Nam at the airport by reportedly spraying him in the face with an unidentified liquid and holding a cloth over his face. The suspected assailants' images were captured by airport close circuit television (CCTV) cameras. A Malaysian government source confirmed to Reuters the suspect detained with a Vietnamese passport was the same woman whose image was captured by CCTV footage showing her wearing a white shirt with the letters "LOL" on the front. Malaysian authorities reportedly also rebuffed efforts by North Korean officials to stop an autopsy from being carried out on the body of Kim Jong Nam. Crime family North Korean analysts have categorized the Kim regime as a highly corrupt, family-led criminal enterprise that disregards international laws and is involved in smuggling, arms dealing, including the proliferation of nuclear materials and missile parts, drug trafficking, counterfeiting money, all to generate revenue for the wealthy ruling elite. In 2012 U.N. diplomats flagged North Korean-made graphite cylinders capable of being used to produce ballistic missiles, from a Chinese freighter ship on its way to Syria. In 2005 an official from Ireland was arrested for distributing high-quality counterfeit $100 bills produced by North Korea known as "super-notes." And in 2016 A British citizen was sentenced to 15 years in prison for conspiring to import 100 kilograms of North Korean methamphetamine into the United States. North Korea's illicit activities help them evade international economic sanctions imposed for its continued efforts to develop nuclear weapons and ballistic missile capabilities that have been banned by the United Nations. So ordering the murder of a critic and perceived rival like Kim Jong Nam, even if he is a blood relative, would not be unexpected for a North Korean leadership that operates with an underworld mentality, said Robert Kelly with Pusan National University. "They just don't follow the rules internally and externally. They treat their own people terribly and overseas they basically have engaged in this massive illicit economy and it's not surprising that that would also include illicit political behaviors like assassinations," he said. Stranger than fiction "Fredo, you're my older brother, and I love you. But don't ever take sides with anyone against the Family again. Ever." - Michael Corleone in the Godfather Part II. If proven, the ordered killing of Kim Jong Nam by the North Korean leader goes beyond stereotypical mafia behavior to actually emulate the classic Godfather movies of the 1970s, that chronicled the rise of a fictional Italian-American family crime syndicate. In the movie Godfather Part II, Fredo Corleone is passed over by his father to become the head of the family crime business in favor of his younger brother Michael. Fredo goes on to betray his brother and (spoiler alert) Michael eventually orders him put to death. Kim Jong Un's older half brother was also once in line to become head of state, but fell out of favor with their father, Kim Jong Il, after he tried to enter Japan on a forged passport to visit Tokyo Disneyland in 2001. He was basically exiled to Macau where he later openly criticized his brother's rule. In 2012 he wrote a note to Japanese journalist Yoji Gomi saying, "The Kim Jong-un regime will not last long. Without reforms." There was also speculation that Chinese President Xi Jinping would have preferred to see him replace his younger brother as the leader of North Korea. Kim Jong Un issued a "standing order" for his half-brother's assassination after he took power, and there was a failed attempt in 2012, according to a briefing given to lawmakers by the South Korean National Intelligence Service this week. Criminal minds Analysts who view North Korea as a mafia state argue that understanding the criminal mentality of the Kim family government can inform the international community to develop effective strategies to halt Pyongyang's threatening nuclear program and end the widespread repressive human rights violations in the country. Engaging with a criminal state that has repeatedly lied and violated past agreements, Kelly argues, will likely again end in failure. "I have no particular ideological animus against speaking to North Korea. The problem is that they just don't seem to follow through, and we catch them cheating all the time," said Kelly. Cutting off the illicit income of the elites and attempting to prosecute leaders involved in criminal activities, he said, could put real pressure on the regime to change. But that would require more cooperation from China, North Korea's top trading partner and supporter. Beijing has been reluctant to support harsh measures that would threaten the Kim family's hold on power and create regional instability. There was still no mention of Kim Jong Nam's death in North Korean state media as of Thursday morning. At midnight, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun to mark the birthday of his father, the late leader Kim Jong Il, who died in 2011. The number of anti-Muslim hate groups in the United States has nearly tripled since 2015, due in part to radical Islamic attacks and the incendiary rhetoric of last year's presidential campaign, the Southern Poverty Law Center said Wednesday in a new report. The number of anti-Muslim groups increased from 34 in 2015 to 101 in 2016, the SPLC said. The number of hate groups overall tracked by the watchdog group also increased to 917 last year from 892 the previous year, the report said. 2016 was an unprecedented year for hate, said Mark Potok, a senior fellow at the Southern Poverty Law Center. The report blamed the increase in part on incendiary rhetoric from the campaign of now-President Donald Trump, which included threats to ban Muslim immigrants and mandate a registry of Muslims in America. It also cited as factors the unrelenting propaganda of a growing circle of well-paid ideologues and radical Islamist attacks such as the June 2016 massacre at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida. The SPLC's findings come as anti-Muslim posters were discovered this week at a mosque in Bossier City, Louisiana, and on the campuses of the University of Texas and Rutgers University in New Jersey. The Council on American-Islamic Relations wants campus officials to assure the safety of Muslim students and to investigate the mosque posters as a hate crime. It is clear that these signs, which were used to vandalize a house of worship, are part of a nationwide campaign by racists and Islamophobes to intimidate the American Muslim community, spokesman Ibrahim Hooper said. The Southern Poverty Law Center, a non-profit organization based in Montgomery, Alabama, monitors the activities of hate groups and other extremists across the country. The SPLC defines hate groups as those that vilify entire groups of people based on immutable characteristics such as race or ethnicity. Patriot or anti-government groups are on the downswing, according to the report. The groups had skyrocketed from a low of 149 in 2008 to a high of 1,360 in 2012, in large part as a reaction to the November 2008 election of Barack Obama, the report said. But now the number of Patriot groups is falling, dropping from 998 in 2015 to 623 last year. Militias, which the report called the armed wing of the Patriot movement, also fell from 276 to 165 groups. Black separatist groups grew from 180 in 2015 to 193 last year, as did neo-Confederate groups, which rose from 35 to 43 groups. The number of Ku Klux Klan groups fell from 190 in 2015 to 130 in 2016. The report said contraction was expected among Klan groups, which had more than doubled from 72 in 2014. The peace and love that generally abound during Rio de Janeiro's Carnival festivities is threatened this year by a spat pitting a well-known parade troupe against Brazil's powerful farmers because of development in the Amazon rainforest. Imperatriz Leopoldinense, one of the samba schools that march in the glitzy Carnival processions that kick off Feb. 24, plans to honor the Amazon and its native tribes with a parade featuring six giant floats and 2,800 dancers, musicians and other costumed celebrants. Part of the show, "The Clamor that Comes from the Forest," highlights the longstanding tension between development and conservation in Brazil, particularly with regard to the world's largest rainforest and the industrial agriculture that at times helps destroy it. Marching to song lyrics lamenting the "bleeding heart of Brazil" and the "riches that greed destroys," participants will don vests with skulls and crossbones and pretend to spray pesticide. Others will wield toy chainsaws and bundles of felled timber. To a farming sector that bristles at any suggestion it destroys the environment, the imagery seems anything but celebratory especially at a time when agriculture, responsible for as much as a quarter of Brazil's economy, is one of the few vibrant activities in a country hobbled by recession. "It's gross and unfair," said Marcelo Eduardo Luders, president of Ibrafe, an association of Brazilian bean growers. "Millions of people will see this and could think twice about buying our exports." Such is the ire that Ronaldo Caiado, a conservative senator from the farm-belt state of Goias, proposed Congress study "the defamation of a sector that should be praised." Fabelia Oliveira, a television presenter for a program about Brazilian agriculture, suggested that if native tribes wanted to be left alone they should go without modern medicines. "They'll have to die of malaria and tetanus and during childbirth," she said, outraging indigenous communities and native rights activists. In an interview, Oliveira said she was being argumentative and meant that modern and ancient cultures must learn to live together. "Rural workers are closer to nature than the urban Carioca types who criticize them," she said, using the local term for residents of Rio. For Imperatriz, the controversy was a shock, particularly because last year it feted "sertaneja" music and the farm culture from which it sprang. "This is not about offending farmers," says Cahe Rodrigues, the designer responsible for the parade. "This is about the threats that native people and the environment face." Big business It's not the first time a Carnival parade has sparked controversy. Beija Flor, another big samba school, was accused of supporting Brazil's military dictatorship in 1975 with an ode to federal tax programs. In 2012, another school finished last in the parade competition because judges deemed its song, a tribute to a sponsoring yogurt manufacturer, as too commercial. "These contrasts, these controversies, are part of Carnival," says Haroldo Costa, a cultural historian in Rio. "They reflect society here." Agriculture is nothing if not prevalent in Brazil. One of the globe's top producers of food, Brazil's growers have become the world's leading exporters of soybeans, beef, coffee and sugar. The sector generated over $400 billion in 2016. Some of its growth indeed came from deforested lands. But the rate of deforestation, despite recent upticks, is less than a fifth of what it was in 2004, when forest the size of Belgium was cleared. Deforestation continues, but most new agricultural production in Brazil comes from technological gains. Carnival itself, broadcast to millions of viewers in Brazil and abroad, is big business. Rio's municipal government expects more than a million visitors and says the week of parades, tourism and related activities should generate almost $1 billion. Groups such as Imperatriz, one in a league of 12 top samba schools, in recent years have enjoyed corporate sponsorships. But the recession this year means it, and most others, will rely mostly on about $2 million each from television rights, parade tickets, music sales and a city subsidy. That pays for the glitter, plastic foam, feathers and elbow grease workers are now using to prepare the spectacle. At the giant Rio warehouse where they are assembling parade floats, welders last week finished a fanged monster with horn-like ribs that symbolizes "avarice." "I don't mind the controversy," said Cris Machado, a seamstress who oversees a team of 16 people sewing costumes. "You can't solve problems unless you talk about them." Rodrigues, the designer, in December traveled to the Xingu, an Amazon region named after a river whose shores are home to several tribes, including the Kayapo, whose culture inspired the theme. Raoni, a well-known Kayapo elder, even agreed to parade. "I wanted to make sure I got their clothing, their culture, just right," said Rodrigues, explaining that he did not want to make a caricature of the natives. Instead, farmers say, Imperatriz made a caricature of them. "Indians, farmers, it doesn't matter who you are talking about," said Luders, of the bean association. "There may be a few bad actors, but most of us try to do what's right." Palestinians are expressing alarm but not surprise at the outcome of Wednesdays meeting in Washington between the U.S. president and the Israeli premier, in which President Donald Trump appeared to back down from decades of U.S. policy. I'm looking at two states and one state, and I like the one both parties like," Trump told a joint news conference with Netanyahu. I can live with either one. Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, created further confusion Thursday when she insisted that "the two-state solution is what we support." But that did nothing to quiet anger among the Palestinians, who remained focused on Trump's openness to a single state. In an editorial entitled Absence of Two-State Solution Means Single State, Even Racism, the Jerusalem-based pro-Palestinian Al-Quds newspaper online said Thursday that Trump complements the position and policy of Netahyahu, who, killed the two-state solution in the wake of the unusual settlement savagery and the Knesset decision in this regard. The latter is a reference to the Israeli parliaments passage February 6 of the controversial Regularization Law, which retroactively legalized dozens of settlements across the West Bank. The editorial called for Palestinians to reassess their goals: We should call for a single state, which is practically and politically dead after the meetings in Washington, and call for one state. And perhaps we should also hand over all Palestinian keys to Israel. PLO Executive Committee member Hanan Ashrawi accused the White House of accommodating the most extreme and irresponsible elements in Israel, saying it was no way to conduct foreign policy. If the Trump administration rejects this [two-state] policy, it will destroy the chances for peace and undermine American interests, standing and credibility abroad, Ashrawi said in a statement. And, she added, if the U.S. leader intends to end the two-state solution,he should put alternatives on the table. The Palestinian News and Information Agency quoted a press release by the Palestinian ministry of foreign affairs that cautions against drawing premature conclusions about Wednesdays meeting in Washington, stating that the new U.S. president is still evaluating the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Meanwhile, in Israel, the political right-wing was generally positive about the meeting. Trump Is Good for the Jews, declared Israel Hayom foreign affairs editor Boaz Bismuth in Israel Hayom, a pro-Netanyahu daily. "The press conference with Trump and Netanyahu was a U-turn from everything we have heard, known, understood, and considered for decades. "For the most part, the ideas of the two-state solution for peace, road maps, multilateral negotiations, international initiatives, threats of sanctions against Israel, fingers of blame pointed at the settlements, have become irrelevant, or at best, secondary. ... And while the Israeli Left will surely frown upon this formula, only time will tell if the Israeli Right will fully subscribe to it," Bismuth continued. Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman noted apparent chemistry and trust between Trump and Netanyahu, according to open source reports. It takes years to build relations between two countries, step by step, and in the first meeting, the critical thing is to build positive personal relations. ... The prime minister ... successfully achieved this, Lieberman said, adding, with respect to the rest, we dont know exactly what happened. Earlier in the week, Lieberman had suggested the Trump-Netanyahu meeting should focus on another, more important issue: The greatest threat to Israel is Iran, Iran and Iran, he said. For his part, Naftali Bennett, Education minister and leader of the right-wing Jewish Home party offered rare praise for Netanyahu in an interview with Kol Baramah radio: Netanyahu made a correct decision yesterday to put an end to the adoption of a state of Palestine position, a position which Israel had adopted for 24 years. After 24 years, the Palestinian flag has come down from the mast and the Israeli flag has taken its place, he added. But those to the center and left on Israels political spectrum had mixed reactions. In an editorial for Yedioth Ahronoth, Nahum Barnea, though critical of the U.S. president, agreed with Trumps assertion that the future of the Israeli-Palestinian crisis should be determined by the players themselves. One should not be shocked by the lightness in which Trump threw into the bin decades of American support for the two-state solution, he wrote in the centrist daily. In his simplistic, blatant way, he put his finger on the heart of the problem: If both sides want two states, they should agree on two states; if both sides want one state, they should agree on one state. America shouldnt have to teach them what is best for them. Chemi Shalev, the U.S. editor for the left-leaning Haaretz newspaper, wrote: "Supporters of a peace agreement with the Palestinians had a tough night, for sure, but at least they can console themselves with Trumps impromptu turn to Netanyahu to 'hold off with settlements for a while' and with his continued lip service to achieving a solution to the conflict. Shalev interpreted Trumps statements as more than just a retraction of U.S. support for a two-state solution. Trump ... distanced himself from the need to take any position whatsoever, preferring a sort of nihilistic formula of one state, two states, whatever, I dont care," Shalev said. U.S. Vice President Mike Pence heads to Europe this week to meet with allies seeking clarity on the Trump administration's foreign policy strategy and its stance toward Russia after the resignation of the top White House national security aide. Pence, who has hewn more closely to Republican orthodoxy than his boss President Donald Trump, will attend the Munich Security Conference this weekend and will visit Brussels. The trip comes as turmoil swirls within the administration following the resignation of Trump's national security adviser, Michael Flynn, on Monday. Flynn, who championed closer ties to Russia, stepped down after reports he had discussed U.S. sanctions on Moscow with Russia's ambassador. Even before Flynn's departure, Trump's calls for warmer ties with Moscow and his praise of Russian President Vladimir Putin had unnerved both U.S. lawmakers at home and NATO allies. Trump has called NATO "obsolete" and said member nations were not paying their fair share for U.S. protection. Some European capitals greeted Flynn's departure with relief. Flynn was seen by some officials in Europe as one of the Trump administration's leading advocates of closer ties to Russia and a hardline opponent of the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and western powers. One fear, ahead of a series of important elections in Europe, is that a Trump White House could actively promote the disintegration of the European Union, Wolfgang Ischinger, chairman of the Munich Security Conference told reporters in Berlin. Ischinger said he hopes Pence states clearly that the breakup of the EU is not the goal of the U.S. government. Mixed messages Pence may be unable to lay out many details about Trump's policies given the turbulence on the foreign policy team, but he could provide insight into White House views ahead of a NATO summit in May that Trump will attend. "I think from the administration's point of view, this is an opportunity to make a very major pronouncement on its foreign policy and its European policy," said Alexander Vershbow, a former U.S. ambassador to Russia and a former deputy secretary general of NATO. The White House has not yet previewed Pence's remarks. Pence's comments on Russia's incursions into Ukraine will be closely parsed to see whether Trump will be willing to trade off U.S. economic sanctions to achieve other security goals, said Vershbow, now with the Atlantic Council. Trump's mixed messages on NATO have perplexed European allies. "One minute NATO is obsolete - the next minute he loves NATO. One minute NATO is an impediment and doesn't do anything for terrorism - the next minute NATO is the centerpiece of the global fight," said retired U.S. Navy Admiral James Stavridis, a former supreme allied commander of NATO. Pence is the right person to set a more reassuring tone, said Stavridis, now dean of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. "Because of his personality: he's calm, he's centered, he's thoughtful, he's widely regarded with respect on both sides of the aisle in the United States," Stavridis said in an interview. With Flynn's departure, European officials said they hope Pence, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson become the dominant players in Trump's foreign policy. But this remains an open question. Tillerson is also in Europe this week, meeting with G20 nations in Bonn, and Mattis traveled to NATO, warning allies that they must honor military spending pledges. Wrapped up in grey blankets, migrant boys, some as young as 10, warm themselves by a fire in a large, abandoned warehouse near the main railway station in Serbia's capital Belgrade. Hungry, destitute and cold, they are often visited by Serbian men who offer to pay them for sex - knowing some are so desperate that they will do anything to survive. "They come here and target the foolish ones," said Navid, a 16-year-old from Afghanistan, who did not wish to use his real name like other child migrants interviewed by the Thomson Reuters Foundation. "They ask how much money you need. They pay and they go, but they do bad things with them," he said, explaining how some men offer up to 2,000 euros ($2,114) to have sex with the boys. However, Navid's Afghan friend, Ali, said he did not blame those boys who sell their bodies in order to get by. "They sleep hungry for nights here. It is cold, they have nothing, no money and they feel they have to do it," the 16-year-old said through a translator. Hundreds of child migrants have arrived in Serbia since last year, travelling for months to escape fighting and poverty in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq and Syria. Like Ali, many are stuck in Serbia unable to continue their journeys to Western Europe because of snow and closed borders, having spent most of their money on smugglers who got them this far. The United Nations children's agency UNICEF has said children who rely on human smugglers to move through Europe, often under a "pay as you go system," are prone to exploitation and violence, including prostitution and rape. Around 7,700 migrants live in Serbia, the U.N.'s refugee agency says, with around 1,100 people, mainly Afghans, sheltering in abandoned warehouses in Belgrade. Save the Children estimates that 10 percent of migrants in Serbia are unaccompanied minors. The charity said it had not heard reports of lone child migrants selling sex in the country. "When they become stuck in Serbia, or any other country, due to the closed borders, they spend all the money they have, and they need money to continue the journey with smugglers," said Tatjana Ristic, Save the Children spokeswoman in Belgrade. "It is very often difficult to reach and protect them," she told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. Beaten and kicked Serbia, which is not part of the European Union, was a focal point for migrants last year, when hundreds of thousands of migrants travelled through the Balkans to reach Western Europe. Although that route was closed off last March, Serbian authorities estimate a further 110,000 migrants have passed through the country, many using smugglers to cross Serbia and its barbed-wire border with Hungary. Ali said his journey had so far cost him 9,500 euros ($10,040) and that he was beaten by smugglers in Bulgaria, forced to eat leaves and drank dirty water to survive. "I was about to faint because of thirst. But if I didn't keep walking, the smuggler would kick me and punch me," he said. The eldest son in his family, Navid said he fled to Europe for a better life after suicide bombings devastated his hometown in northeast Afghanistan. "My mother said, 'If you work in the city, there is fighting. If you go to school, they plant bombs and kill people.' We decided that I should leave," he said in the small room he shares with a 12-year-old boy at the Belgrade warehouse. His bed, a dirty rug on a concrete floor, is in stark contrast to the heated, government-run refugee centers where some 6,600 migrants live, mostly women and children. The two teenage boys said the warehouse was their only choice and they feared deportation if they looked for shelter at state-run migrant centers. However, Dragan Velimirovic, who runs Serbia's largest refugee center near Adasevci village, about 113 kilometers (70 miles) west of Belgrade, said such fears were unfounded. Some migrants prefer to sleep rough so they are able to contact smugglers more easily, he said. "Authorities wouldn't send them back. If authorities wanted to do that, they could do it in 24 hours but they don't want to do that," he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. Stretched resources But with the borders closed and around 100 migrants arriving each day, Serbian centers are reaching breaking point, says aid agency CARE International. "The number doesn't seem big, but it's big for a country like Serbia which is a middle-income country with high unemployment," said Sumka Bucan, director of the group's humanitarian operations in the Balkans. "It's very difficult to deal with this situation without assistance from the international community," she said. Bucan said the poor living conditions outside of official camps as well as deportation fears are pushing many desperate migrants into the hands of smugglers and human traffickers. "It's a very lucrative business and they are exploiting people, but it seems like it's the only option for the migrants," she said. Despite a traumatic journey that has left him afraid for his life, Ali said he intended to use a smuggler to get him to Calais in France and onto Britain. "I want to build my life there, and continue my education, he said. "I hope that I will arrive to my destination safely, God willing. Peru refiled its request for U.S. authorities to detain and extradite fugitive ex-president Alejandro Toledo on Wednesday, as two other former leaders of the Andean nation vowed to cooperate with a fast-growing graft inquiry. The United States declined to try to apprehend Toledo when authorities believed he was in California last week, asking Perus judiciary for stronger proof that he took $20 million in bribes from Brazilian builder Odebrecht, Peru has said. Toledo has denied wrongdoing and insists he is not on the run. But he has declined to give his whereabouts since a judge ordered his arrest last week, arguing that the judiciary is biased. Odebrecht says bribes widespread Odebrecht has acknowledged distributing hundreds of millions in bribes across Latin America, spurring inquiries from Peru to Panama in Latin Americas biggest regionwide graft scandal. Peru sent the United States additional information on the investigation Wednesday, the attorney generals office said. The U.S. Justice Department declined to comment, saying it generally does not discuss extradition-related matters publicly. The government of Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski said it believed Toledo was still in the Bay Area Wednesday, and was pursuing a parallel path to bringing Toledo back. Kuczynski has asked U.S. President Donald Trump to personally order Toledos deportation under a provision in U.S. migratory law that allows the president to expel people to preserve diplomatic ties, Vargas said. Without a doubt that would be the shorter and faster path that I think is in the best interest of the country, Deputy Interior Minister Ruben Vargas said. Kuczynski, a former Wall Street investor who served as Toledos finance minister and prime minister in his 2001-2006 term, plans to meet with Trump on a visit to the United States next week. Second former president to testify In Peru, former president Alan Garcia said he was returning to Peru from Spain this week to provide testimony into a natural gas pipeline project proposed by his government that was awarded to Odebrecht during his successors term. Garcia has denied taking any bribes from Odebrecht and has stressed that he is only providing testimony as a witness. Ollanta Humala, who was Perus president during 2011-2016, told prosecutors, who have accused him of taking illicit funds from Odebrecht, that he would cooperate fully and invited them to inspect his home, his office said Wednesday. Humala has previously denied any wrongdoing. Kuczynski has also denied involvement in kickbacks paid by Odebrecht. Odebrechts former Peru-based executive Jorge Barata told prosecutors he personally negotiated up to $35 million in bribes for Toledo in exchange for help winning two highway contracts in 2005. The company only paid Toledo $20 million because he did not fully meet his end of the bargain, prosecutors have said. Toledo rose to power denouncing widespread corruption in the government of his predecessor Alberto Fujimori, who is now serving a 25-year sentence in Peru for graft and human rights abuses. An opposition senator pressed Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday to publicly release details of his bank accounts to disprove allegations that he had large sums of undeclared money. Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV first alleged Duterte had unexplained wealth during the presidential campaign last year. He told a news conference he was raising the issue again because Duterte has not yet bared details of the more than 2 billion pesos ($40 million) he allegedly kept in bank accounts as a former city mayor. Trillanes, one of Duterte's harshest critics and a navy officer once detained for a failed coup plot against a former president, said he would resign if Duterte can disprove the allegations. Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said Duterte would not release those bank details in response to grandstanding, but suggested the president may do so as part of a legal process. Duterte, who took office in June, has denied amassing ill-gotten wealth. I know he will not release and he will not accept my challenge because it will be proven that he is really a corrupt official, Trillanes said. During the campaign in May, Trillanes released documents he said were handed to him by a concerned citizen purportedly showing 2.4 billion pesos ($48 million) flowed into Duterte's various bank accounts from 2006 to 2015, representing alleged unexplained wealth the mayor failed to declare as required by law. Trillanes and Duterte's lawyer then went to a branch of the Bank of the Philippines Islands, where Duterte and his daughter allegedly had an undeclared deposit of more than 200 million pesos ($4 million) in a joint account. Lawyer Salvador Panelo said that Duterte had authorized him to request the bank to open the account but that bank officials told him it would take seven days to study the request. Trillanes said the account has not been opened to scrutiny. Duterte has projected himself as a politician who rose from poverty and still lives a modest life in a rundown house in southern Davao city, where he was a longtime mayor. He has faced criticism for his brutal crackdown on illegal drugs that has left thousands of mostly poor suspected drug users dead. By Press Trust of India: From Aditi Khanna London, Feb 16 (PTI) Googles India-born CEO Sundar Pichai surprised a seven-year-old British girl by personally responding to her hand-written job application. Chloe Bridgewater from the town of Hereford in England was so fascinated with her tablet and the idea of robots that she decided to apply for a job at the global tech giant. advertisement She listed out her computer skills as well as an interest in a workplace that had bean bags and slides in her letter addressed to Dear google boss. "Thank you so much for your letter. Im glad that you like computers and robots, and hope that you will continue to learn about technology," Pichai wrote back to her. "I think if you keep working hard and following your dreams, you can accomplish everything you set your mind to - from working at Google to swimming at the Olympics. I look forward to receiving your job application when you are finished with school! :) All the best to you and your family," he noted. Chloes letter was shared with Business Insider by her father Andy, who described the response as a great confidence boost. The schoolgirls fascination with Google began recently when she asked her father where his ideal place to work would be. Andy currently works in sales for a refrigeration-system parts manufacturer. "And I said, Oh, Google would be a nice place to work?," he said. When Chloe decided she wanted to work there, too, her father encouraged her to apply and "get the ball rolling?, he said. Chloe even provided references in her letter: "My teachers tell my mum and dad that I am very good in class." "My dad told me that if I carry on being good and learning things that one day I will be able to have a job at Google. "Thank you for reading my letter, I have only ever sent one other and that was to Father Christmas". Andy says his daughter now wants to find a way into the Silicon Valley-based company through going on TV and talking to the media. "Shes got a great entrepreneurial spirit. Ever since nursery, shes always been told in school reports shes bright, hard-working and polite - were very proud of her and her younger sister [Hollie, five] is similar," he said. PTI AK NSA --- ENDS --- advertisement A top executive at the company building the controversial Dakota Access pipeline is comparing pipeline opponents to terrorists. Joey Mahmoud, executive vice president of Texas-based Energy Transfer Partners, says protesters have "assaulted numerous pipeline personnel," destroyed millions of dollars' worth of construction equipment and even fired a pistol at law enforcement during months of demonstrations against the 1,200-mile pipeline, which will carry North Dakota oil to an Illinois terminal. Mahmoud tells Congress that the protest movement "induced individuals to break into and shut down pump stations on four operational pipelines. Had these actions been undertaken by foreign nationals, they could only be described as acts of terrorism." The chairman of the Cheyenne River Sioux, one of two tribes suing to stop the project, called Mahmoud's comments unfair to project opponents. "The majority of them are there in prayer," Chairman Harold Frazier told reporters Wednesday. "From what I've seen [law enforcement officers] are the terrorists." Law enforcement has used tactics such as rubber bullets, tear gas and water sprays against protesters during clashes in southern North Dakota near the pipeline route, Frazier said, adding that he personally has been hit by rubber bullets and tear gas. Also Wednesday, North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, a Republican, ordered protesters to evacuate their camp near the pipeline site by February 22, citing safety concerns that have arisen with accelerated snowmelt and rising water levels of the nearby Cannonball River. 'Half-truths and misrepresentations' In testimony Wednesday for a hearing before a House energy subcommittee, Mahmoud also blasted the Obama administration, which twice delayed the project last year. Mahmoud called the delays "politically motivated actions" that were "accompanied by a host of half-truths and misrepresentations in both social and mainstream media." Mahmoud also targeted the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, whose reservation lies near the pipeline's route and who say the pipeline threatens their water supply and tribal artifacts. The pipeline developer reached out to the tribe more than two years ago but has been continually rebuffed, Mahmoud said. "It was clear from their response they had no interest in discussing the project with us," he said. Mahmoud challenged the tribe's objections and said the pipeline poses little threat to drinking water. The Dakota pipeline will be at least the 15th pipeline to cross the Missouri River, will employ state-of-the-art technology and will be buried more than 90 feet below the lowest part of the river, Mahmoud said. "To cast this as a dispute about protection of water resources is, quite simply, at variance with the facts, and it ignores universally accepted scientific and engineering practices," he said. Tribes concerns 'ignored' Chad Harrison, a councilman at-large for the Standing Rock Sioux, said the federal government and the pipeline company "ignored the concerns of the tribe" for almost three years before the Obama administration paused the project last September. On Dec. 4, then-assistant Army secretary for civil works, Jo-Ellen Darcy, declined to issue an easement, saying a broader environmental study was warranted. "To be clear, the tribe does not oppose economic development, energy independence or protecting our national security," Harrison said. "What we oppose is development that is undertaken without our consent and in such a way that it is our community, our people, our cultural sites and our natural resources that are put at the most risk, and when we are the ones who will pay the cost when something goes wrong." A federal judge on Monday refused to stop construction on the last stretch of the pipeline, which is progressing much faster than expected and could be operational as soon as next month. U.S. District Judge James Boasberg ruled that as long as oil isn't flowing through the pipeline, there is no imminent harm to the Standing Rock Sioux and Cheyenne River tribes, which are suing to stop the project. Another hearing is scheduled on Feb. 27. Shoes in miniature and in artwork line the desk of Dr. Donna Sweet, a Wichita, Kansas, physician known for wearing high heels every day. But she's even better known for her early 1980s work with AIDS patients. Sweet knows medication keeps HIV patients healthy and helps them avoid transmitting the disease to others. If the Affordable Care Act's prescription drug coverage is eliminated, "these patients would all be back to the 1983-1984 mode where they die quickly because they don't get their medicines," she said. And without the drugs, she added, HIV patients are much more likely to spread the disease, possibly creating a public health crisis. Prescription drug and pre-existing health condition coverage are two top provisions of the Affordable Care Act, which was signed into law in March 2010 by then-President Barack Obama. Twenty million Americans have coverage under the ACA, commonly called Obamacare, but detractors complain of recent sharp increases in premiums and lack of provider reimbursements. The new administration of President Donald Trump has vowed to repeal the act and is researching replacement ideas. Two Republican congressmen announced their ideas Wednesday, but they had difficulty explaining how their proposal would handle pre-existing conditions. Such coverage is critical to people like Bobby, a Kansan currently looking for work as a designer. He previously ran a store but closed it before the Affordable Care Act was enacted because he couldn't afford employee health insurance. He could reopen the business now but lacks money to invest in it. Bobby, who did not want his last name or city of residence given, requires expensive medication to stay alive. His daily pill "costs about $2,500 a month," he said as he popped one into his mouth. The Affordable Care Act pays for his prescriptions. Bobby agreed that the ACA isn't perfect, but his message to Congress is: "Don't do away with it." Hospital closures Since passage of the ACA, 80 rural hospitals have closed. Many factors the recession, shorter inpatient stays, smaller populations contributed to the shutdowns. But former hospital administrators and a University of North Carolina study contend that lower reimbursement rates from the ACA and the lack of state mandates to expand Medicaid reimbursements have also been parts of the problem. Mercy Medical Center in Independence, Kansas, ran into financial trouble and closed in 2015. As a state, Kansas did not increase Medicaid eligibility, making reimbursement a double hardship for the hospital. Without nearby hospitals, ACA patients must rely on specific clinics, which are difficult to find in rural areas. Cindy Williams has a lack of choice in Iola, Kansas. Her husband lost his job a year ago; she is a paraeducator. They are both covered through the Affordable Care Act. Williams is anxious about a replacement plan and hopes Congress keeps costs down. "We've saved money over the years, so we have a little backup," she said. But Williams said the key is Congress. She wants to see bipartisanship on this issue, "because that's when the government works the best." The plan unveiled Wednesday is expected to be discussed, argued, edited and rewritten several times before Congress votes on whether to approve it. A fire alarm rang out moments before indicted former pharmaceutical executive Martin Shkreli was to speak at Harvard University, briefly delaying an appearance that also was disrupted by student protests. The former CEO of Turing Pharmaceuticals, who was widely criticized for hiking up the price of a drug used by AIDS and cancer patients to fight parasitic infections, was invited by the Harvard Financial Analysts Club to discuss investing at the Wednesday night event. But a few minutes before it began, someone pulled a fire alarm and police evacuated the building. When the event did start, protesters kept interrupting Shkrelis presentation, chanting and calling him names before walking out. There were no reports of any violence. One student group said the appearance promotes and glorifies murderous financial practices. It organized a rally and an alternate teach-in to discuss pharmaceutical price-gouging while Shkrelis event was taking place. The Boston Globe reported that most of Shkrelis presentation focused on his experience in hedge fund management and health care. Toward the end of his discussion, he said he had a solution for the high price of prescription drugs. Trump should start a drug company, he said. I would be proud to help implement this. The 33-year-old New York resident is free on $5 million bail pending his federal securities fraud trial in an unrelated case. He has pleaded not guilty. A judge earlier this month approved his request to travel to Massachusetts. In January, a joint appearance by Shkreli and far-right commentator Milo Yiannopoulos at the University of California, Davis was canceled after heated protests erupted. Shkreli is scheduled to speak at UMass-Boston Thursday. Over the past two weeks, Romania has seen Eastern Europe's largest protests since the fall of communism in 1989.The demonstrations center on corruption, and they continue even after the government survived a no-confidence vote. For the West, the crisis represents a dilemma in which people on the streets of Bucharest are exposing a darker side of the government's anti-corruption efforts that have been much lauded by the United States and the European Union. To many of the demonstrators, the anti-corruption fight itself has become corrupt. Angered by a recent move to decriminalize corruption offenses below a $50,000 threshold, demonstrators want the government to quit. The government reversed the decree, but the protests continued. Many believe that leaders are using anti-corruption laws to smash the political opposition, with tactics similar to those employed by the communist government of the late longtime ruler Nicolae Ceausescu. Anti-corruption leader The protests have cast a spotlight on Laura Kovesi, the woman who heads Romania's anti-corruption directorate, known as the DNA. On Kovesi's watch, the DNA has boasted a conviction rate topping 90 percent, with guilty verdicts being handed to the likes of a prime minister and other top government officials. To her supporters, the figure represents an impressive achievement in the fight against corruption. To her critics, it is evidence of a system that is rigged in a way not seen since the communist era, when trials were often held only for show. In Britain and elsewhere in the West, there have been warnings for years of what some analysts say is a corruption crisis that could bring embarrassment, or at the very least a reassessment of support for what has been a staunch and favored ally of Washington on Europe's eastern flank. As some in the rest of Europe see it, the integrity of the region is at stake. Romania has been a member of the EU since 2007 and is a part of NATO. "If Romania is not adhering to democratic standards that are supposed to bind not just members of the European Union, but also members of the Council of Europe, members of the [Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe], then it becomes a problem because it creates a potential for the Putinization of parts of Europe and that sort of creeping return of authoritarian and anti-democratic practices which are incompatible with the kind of Europe that we've been trying to build since 1989," said David Clark, a former special adviser to the British Foreign Office. Steadfastly pro-Western But condemning Romania, demanding thorough reforms and threatening expulsion from the EU are difficult notions for Washington and other nations in the West to embrace. Since 1989, Romania has been steadfastly pro-Western and relations between Bucharest and Washington have remained consistently robust. The two countries have a number of security agreements that the U.S. sees as crucial in a sensitive and important region. In addition to hosting hundreds of U.S. troops and elements of U.S. missile defense systems, Romania has contributed troops and equipment over the years to NATO efforts in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya and Kosovo. But some politicians and Romanian exiles in Britain have for years warned that ignoring the corruption problems in the country could prove harmful to American and Western interests in the long run. "I think the biggest danger for the United States is that it could lose its credibility in Romania," said Alexander Adamescu, a London businessman whose father, Dan Adamescu, a billionaire owner of an opposition newspaper, died of blood poisoning last month in Romania. Authorities had imprisoned him on corruption charges that his family, lawyers and international human rights advocates said were politically motivated. Human rights reputation The United States, the younger Adamescu told VOA, could "lose the status it has enjoyed thus far as the power that's protecting Romania from all kinds of evil in the region by ignoring the problems on the anti-corruption front and just blindly supporting" the country's anti-corruption efforts. "It is putting in danger the long-standing assumption, the belief that the United States are defenders of democracy, separation of powers and human rights." Kovesi's efforts have received praise from Western officials, including Americans. But some analysts say the longer the protests continue, the more likely the West will start to reassess its opinion of her and the effort she leads. "They've accepted the PR on this. Laura Kovesi has been very effective at projecting herself internationally as a great crusader against crime," Clark said. "Laura Kovesi's international reputation is one that should be subjected to much more serious scrutiny and consideration." A secret deployment of a new nuclear-capable missile in apparent violation of an arms control treaty. Russian spy ships lurking 50 kilometers from a U.S. East Coast submarine base while Moscow's jets buzz an American Navy destroyer in the Black Sea. These actions are being seen by some as a test of how the new Trump administration will react at a time when it faces heat for taking what critics call a suspiciously soft line toward the Russians. "I don't think they do these things by accident," said Dmitry Gorenburg, senior research scientist at The Center for Naval Analyses. "Given the disorder in Washington, they're just doing some things knowing there will be no reaction." Others see a more benign explanation. "We should not try to read too much into this without more evidence," said political science professor Brian Taylor at Syracuse University. He told VOA it is not necessarily "part of some coordinated test" by Russia. The first high-level face-to-face meetings between Russian officials and representatives of the Trump administration are to occur Thursday. The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, U.S. Marine Corps General Joseph Dunford, sits down with Russian General Valeriy Gerasimov in Azerbaijan, a meeting Dunford has sought for months to discuss Syria and Ukraine. And Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is scheduled to talk with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at the G-20 meeting in Bonn, Germany. Treaty violation It is expected the U.S. officials will raise the alleged violation of the 1987 Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces treaty caused by the deployment of two Russian battalions armed with the SSC-8 ground-launched cruise missile. In Moscow, presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia "remains committed to its international commitments, including to the treaty in question." Senator John McCain, who chairs the Armed Services Committee, said Russian President Vladimir Putin is "testing" the Trump administration. He also said Congress has made it clear Russia's treaty violations require "a meaningful response." But "what can the U.S. do?" asked Gorenburg, who also is an associate of Harvard University's Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies. "How do they punish this violation, or do they even punish this violation?" As for the Trump White House's view of Russia, "not much is coming into focus due to a rather chaotic transition" while things "are fairly stable on the Russian side," Taylor, who is writing a book on Putinism, told VOA. Trumps distractions The Trump administration, in power for less than a month, is distracted with other Russia troubles. Seven members of Congress three Republicans and four Democrats on Wednesday called for the right to review any attempt by the president to ease sanctions on Russia, two days after his national security adviser was forced out. Michael Flynn, a former director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, was asked to resign after it was revealed he discussed sanctions with the Russian ambassador before Trump was inaugurated. Flynn's ouster is a setback for the Russians because his successor is likely to be someone with a more skeptical view of Moscow, in line with the policy of past administrations, predicts Taylor, a specialist on Russian politics. Senator Bob Corker, the Republican chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, told a television talk show that he wants a congressional investigation of Flynn and the administration's ties to Russia. "The base issue is getting to the bottom of what the Russian interference was and what the relationship was with associates of the Trump effort, and so that is the big elephant in the room that has got to be dealt with in the most appropriate way," Corker said on the MSNBC cable channel. Intelligence information leaked to reporters Tuesday indicated that several Trump associates linked to his campaign team and businesses were in repeated contact with Russian intelligence operatives during the presidential race. A federal investigation is under way to determine whether the Russian government sought to influence the November election, in which Republican Trump emerged as the surprise victor over the Democratic Party nominee, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The president on Wednesday, during a joint news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, denounced as "conspiracy theories" any relationship with the Russians, blaming "illegal" news leaks for forcing Flynn out of his administration. "It's a criminal act," Trump said. "And it's been going for a long time before me. But now it's really going on." The Senate Judiciary Committee will begin confirmation hearings for President Donald Trump's Supreme Court pick, Neil Gorsuch, on March 20. Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, made the announcement on Thursday after consulting with the panel's top Democrat, California Sen. Dianne Feinstein. Grassley said he expects the confirmation hearings to last three to four days. The first day will include opening statements by committee members as well as by the federal judge tapped for the high court vacancy. Questioning of Gorsuch will begin on March 21. The hearing is the first step in the confirmation process, which Republicans hope to complete by April. The committee will then vote on the nomination, and it will move to the Senate floor. It's still unclear if Republicans will be able to get enough Democratic votes to move forward on the nomination. Because of expected Democratic procedural maneuvers, Republicans will likely need the support of 60 of the Senate's 100 members to move to a confirmation vote on Gorsuch. Republicans have a 52-48 majority, so at least eight Democrats will need to vote with Republicans. As part of the effort to woo some of those Democrats, Gorsuch has been making traditional courtesy calls to members of the Senate for the past few weeks. He's meeting with five Democrats and two Republicans Thursday. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said earlier this month that he has "serious, serious concerns" about Gorsuch, saying he had deflected many questions. But Gorsuch has shown some willingness to be independent from the president who nominated him, telling Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut that he found the president's attacks on the judiciary "disheartening" and "demoralizing." Trump had lashed out at a federal judge who issued a stay on his refugee and immigration ban, calling him a "so-called judge" in a tweet. Grassley said Gorsuch, a judge on the Denver-based 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, is "well qualified and respected" and has displayed independence. "It's time for him to have the opportunity to speak for himself before the judiciary committee," Grassley said. The vacancy occurred more than a year ago when Justice Antonin Scalia died. Republicans refused to consider former President Barack Obama's nominee, Merrick Garland, insisting that voters should have a say. Officials in South Sudan say army troops entered a village near the capital, Juba, on Sunday and raped at least a half-dozen women and girls, some of them at gunpoint. The alleged rapes occurred less than two weeks after South Sudanese President Salva Kiir issued a warning that soldiers who commit acts of rape and sexual assault will be shot. An increasing number of rapes by members of the Sudan Peoples Liberation Army (SPLA) have sparked outrage among civilians and raised tension between the Kiir government and countries that pay for most of the war-torn countrys humanitarian needs. The latest alleged incident occurred in the village of Kubi, 15 kilometers southeast of Juba. Local leaders say SPLA troops were deployed to the area after unidentified gunmen killed an army general last week. Paul Yugusuk, Bishop of the Episcopal Church of Sudan and South Sudan, said two girls, aged 13 and 15, and several women were raped after SPLA soldiers entered the village. Victim recounts attack The 15-year-old told VOAs South Sudan in Focus program that soldiers entered Kubi early Sunday and began shooting at random to scare residents. She said two soldiers threatened and harassed her before they took turns raping her. The 13-year-old told VOA that a soldier gave her money after raping her at gunpoint. She said the soldier told her that her life was no more important than the lives of soldiers who were killed in ambushes along Juba-Nimule road. He said we are lucky that they are only raping us and leaving us alive. He then raped me and gave me money. He said take this money; it will help you. I said, You are giving me money? He said if I refuse the money, he will beat me. I got the money and threw it in the house, she said. Both girls were being treated for wounds at the Juba Teaching Hospital. VOA does not identify rape victims or victims of alleged rape. A widow and mother of six in Kubi said she too was raped by the soldiers. The alleged rape victim said the soldiers threatened to kill her if she cried for help. He said, you have husband, your husband is not there? You people are the ones killing us in the nation. I said, father, I dont have husband, my husband died. He said No, you are the ones killing us on this road. He threatened me with my child in my house and then raped me, she said. Lokiliri County Commissioner George Ladu confirmed the rape cases. He said the attack caused about 3,000 residents to flee in fear. We have raised the issue to the high authorities. According to the legal channel, I, as the person in charge of the area, I think nothing more will take place. We call our people home and let the law take its course, Ladu said. Bishop condemns sexual assaults Bishop Yugusuk said for two days the soldiers blocked a mother and baby wounded during the attack from to traveling to Juba for treatment. He condemned the soldiers if they carried out such brutal, criminal acts on defenseless women and children. We are very sorry for what has happened, in the eyes of our own army, our own protector is now turned against the civilians; raping them, beating them, detaining and doing all sorts of human rights abuses to our community, which is absolutely innocent, he said. Bishop Yugusuk said shortly after the rapes occurred, he spoke to the military commander in the area, First Lieutenant James Nyikur, in the presence of the alleged rape victims and some of the soldiers. He said even though the women were able to identify some of their attackers, the commander failed to take immediate action and apprehend the suspected soldiers. Ladu and Yugusuk said the soldiers arrested dozens of youth from the area, but later released them. Both men said four of the youth are still missing. Army promises investigation SPLA spokesman Brigadier General Lul Ruai Koang said the army leadership has received reports some SPLA soldiers committed crimes and says those military leaders take the allegations seriously. They have formed an investigation committee. The committee will travel to the area where the alleged rapes took place and their intention is to do their investigation, identify the culprits and bring them to book, Koang said. A month ago, the United Nations mission in South Sudan reported it recorded more than 200 rape cases between July 2016 and January 2017. The report calls on the government to ensure that perpetrators of sexual violence are held accountable for their actions, to carry out justice for the victims, and to provide a strong deterrent so that South Sudanese men do not commit rape. An Islamic State suicide bomber killed at least 75 people and wounded about 250 others Thursday inside a crowded Shi'ite shrine in southern Pakistan. Reuters reports that 30 of those killed were children. Through its media wing, IS claimed responsibility for the attack in which women and children were among the victims in Sehwan, a remote town in Sindh province. A military spokesman, Major-General Asif Ghafoor, said troops, helicopters and a C-130 aircraft were dispatched to assist in rescue efforts. District administration officials say a woman carried out the attack and her head has been retrieved from the scene.Separately the army said a roadside bomb struck a military convoy in southwestern Baluchistan province, killing three soldiers. A wave of suicide bombings and other militant attacks have killed and wounded dozens of people this week across Pakistan. The deadliest attack occurred Monday, killing at least 14 people and wounding more than 100 others in the eastern city of Lahore. The anti-state Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility for the violence. General Ghafoor said recent terrorist attacks in Pakistan are being executed on directions from hostile powers and from sanctuaries in Afghanistan. He did not elaborate, but Islamabad often alleges Indian intelligence agencies, together with Afghan counterparts, are helping and funding fugitive members of the Pakistani Taliban to plot violence against Pakistan. Kabul denies the charges and India has not commented. As a result of the shrine attack, Pakistan sealed its border with Afghanistan "with immediate effect until further orders due to security reasons," said a late night military statement. ISs local franchise in Afghanistan and Pakistan, the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), has lately stepped up its extremist activities in both countries. The terrorist group took credit for a Monday bomb blast in Quetta, the capital of Baluchistan. That attack left three security personnel dead and wounded eight others. The loyalists of the Middle East-based terrorist group bombed a Sufi shrine in Baluchistan last November that killed over 60 people and wounded scores of others. Thai forces surrounded the country's biggest Buddhist temple Thursday and the junta leader declared he was imposing control after it failed to hand over an influential monk wanted for money laundering. With political parties and many activists silenced since a coup in 2014, the Dhammakaya Temple is a rare institution in defying the junta, which has so far trodden warily in confronting a religious group that claims millions of followers. Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said Article 44 of the constitution a security measure dubbed "the dictator's law" by critics was being used to impose control on the monastery because it had resisted law enforcement efforts. Published in the Royal Gazette in the early hours on Thursday, the order allows forces to enter the area at will; control entry or exit; summon anyone inside; carry out arrests, searches or demolitions; or do anything else they see fit. Phra Dhammachayo, 72, faces charges of conspiracy to launder money and receive stolen goods, as well as taking over land unlawfully to build meditation centers. The former abbot's aides dismiss the accusations as politically motivated. 1,000-acre compound Thousands of black-clad police and personnel in combat uniform deployed before dawn around the temple compound, which at 1,000 acres (400 hectares) is nearly 10 times the size of the Vatican City. Motorists were told to avoid the area. "Blockades are now enforcing prohibiting anyone from entering or leaving," the temple said on its Twitter feed. Security forces did not say whether there would be an attempt to storm the temple or they were preparing to wait it out. The junta's order allows water and other services to be cut off. Police have tried several times over the past year to question the abbot and get into the temple, without success. Each time, thousands of monks and devotees rushed to the temple to barricade the entrances. The temple's head of public relations said Wednesday that the abbot had not been seen since May and had not gone to the police because he was gravely ill. The controversy in part reflects more than a decade of divisive politics in Thailand, which have penetrated all aspects of life including the religion followed by some 95 percent of Thais. Different approach The Dhammakaya Temple differs from traditional temples not only in its size and its flying-saucer-shaped golden stupa. A brash approach to winning followers it has its own television station jars conservatives. They say it exploits its followers and uses religion to make money. It says it is as committed to Buddhist values as they are. Although the temple has no overt political affiliation, the abbot is widely believed to have had links with populist former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was overthrown in 2006. A government led by his sister was toppled in 2014. The new move against the temple came days after the appointment of a new supreme patriarch to head Thailand's 300,000 monks. Somdet Phra Maha Muniwong, from the most austere of two Thai Buddhist fraternities, was chosen by the king after a change in the law allowed him to ignore the choice of a religious council, which had recommended a monk with links to Dhammakaya. The tigers that roam the dense forests of eastern India have more clout than the people they live alongside, tribal activists say, as a drive to boost lucrative wildlife tourism trumps the rights of poor indigenous villagers. Tiger and man both exist in dwindling numbers in Similipal forests, with a race now on to see which mammal will win priority in the place both call home. "Why are indigenous people being asked outright to leave without even attempting to explore reasonable options of co-existence with wildlife?" asked Sanghamitra Dubey, who works with an informal Indian advocacy group for forestry rights. Dubey said families had been stripped of their ancestral lands to protect the shrinking tiger stock and traditional ways of life such as ancient rope plaiting had been decimated. India has about half the world's estimated 3,200 tigers in dozens of reserves established since the 1970s, with some of the designated land shared with ancient tribal villagers. Wildlife tourism is a growing money maker for India, though conservationists are divided as to whether travelers help protect threatened species or encroach on their habitat. Notice to quit Last November, hundreds of families from 44 tribal villages were asked to leave their homes to ensure the security of a local tiger habitat. The villages, spread over hills and valleys around Odisha's Similipal Tiger reserve, had secured rights to the area nearly 25,000 hectares of woodlands just months before. Under India's Forest Rights Act of 2006, tribal households can harvest and use forest resources to maintain their ancestral livelihoods. Anup Kumar Nayak, a senior forest officer in Bhubaneswar, told Reuters that wildlife protection laws forbid humans from living within critical wildlife habitat or what is deemed the "core zone" of a national park. He said relocations are voluntary, but a number of villages around Similipal were in the "core" habitat zone or so close they were "as good as inside it" and would need to move. "[Only] the buffer zone is for human-animal co-existence" Nayak said. Yet activists say Indian wildlife protection laws stipulate there must be scientific evidence that human activity is irretrievably destroying tiger habitat before any relocations. One-off payment Villagers reported a visit in November by parks officials who offered them a one-off payment to leave their homes and lands under a plan to clear forest lands of human activity. Tribandha Barja, a member of a 144-tribal household in Khejuri village on the outskirts of the reserve, said most people refused the payment. "[They told us] take one million rupees [$14,960] keep it in the bank and live better with the bank interest," Barja told Reuters. Dubey, of advocacy group CFR, said 50 families in the neighboring village of Kiajhari were also targeted for re-location. "It is not even close to the core zone," Dubey said. Official figures show the tiger reserve covers about 2,750 square kilometers (1,062 square miles) of dense forest and rich, biodiverse land and adjoining forest that is used by other wildlife as a corridor. Authorities estimate that 10,000 people live within the park and in buffer-zone areas, while half a million people in 1,200 villages live in a 10-kilometer radius around the park. Odisha's 10-year tiger conservation plan suggests that a population of 80 to 100 tigers need an inviolate space of between 800 and 1,000 square kilometers. Nayak said the relocation program follows this plan. However, after 43 years as a protected area, the official Odisha government tiger count last year found just 26 Royal Bengal tigers in the Similipal reserve. End of the rope In the village of Jamunagarh, in the park's "core," just three families of more than 35 families have decided to stay on and continue to use the land they won in 2015. The others chose to take the compensation and move away. Telenga Hasa, one of the holdouts, told Reuters that neighboring families had been paid one million rupees ($14,960) via bank deposit in September 2015 of which 30,000 rupees ($449) was paid in cash. All are still waiting to be allocated the two acres of farmland they were promised. "Now they have no forests, no farmland and no livelihood how can they live with dignity?" Hasa said, adding that another 25 families who live in the hillside village of Bakua have decided to stay on, too. Deepak Pani, a spokesman for the activist group Gram Swaraj, says the Mankidia and Khadia two nomadic forager groups are the worst affected. He said the Forest Rights Act is supposed to protect their ancient cultural and livelihood traditions, but had not been enforced. Arun Mankidia, whose family live in Dengam village on the outskirts of the tiger reserve, said his people have been forced to abandon their ancient rope-making traditions. The rope, plaited from a sacred grove creeper known as "siali," which grows in abundance in the park, is very strong and in high demand among farmers in rural areas. Now, local families have been forced to buy plastic potato sacks at three rupees ($0.04) each so they can painstakingly unravel the strands and re-plait them into ropes, which are sold for little more than their cost. As per eye witnesses, four armed men with their faces covered, believed to be militants, entered the J&K Bank branch at Turqwangam of Shopian district in south Kashmir. By Ashraf Wani: Four masked gunmen have looted another branch of J&K Bank in Turqwangam village in Shopian district of south Kashmir. As per eye witnesses, four armed men with their faces covered, believed to be militants, entered the J&K Bank branch at Turqwangam of Shopian district in south Kashmir. They managed to loot about Rs 3 lakh from the bank and also fired some shots in air before leaving from the spot. The area has been cordoned off. advertisement Also read: Gunmen loot Rs 13 lakh from Jammu and Kashmir Bank's Budgam branch Earlier in November and December last year after demonetization, militants looted three branches of J&K Bank in Budgam and Pulwama districts of south Kashmir and looted more than Rs 30 lakh. After that bank robbery, security for bank branches in rural areas of Valley was enhanced. --- ENDS --- U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson says Washington could collaborate with Moscow under certain circumstances. "As we search for new common ground, we expect Russia to honor its commitment to the Minsk agreements and work to de-escalate violence in the Ukraine," Tillerson said in Bonn, where foreign ministers of the G-20 nations are meeting. Tillerson spoke after meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Before the meeting Lavrov said Russia does not meddle in the internal affairs of other countries. Under the 2015 Minsk agreement, Ukraine, Russia and Russian-backed separatists agreed to end the crisis in Ukraine, beginning with the withdrawal heavy weapons. In 2014, Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimean peninsula, and fomented and supported a separatist conflict in the countrys east that has since claimed close to 10,000 lives. Moscow denies direct involvement in the conflict. Earlier this week U.S. President Donald Trump accepted the resignation of his national security advisor, Michael Flynn, following reports he misled the administration about conversations he had with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak. Several U.S. investigations are underway into alleged interference by Russian intelligence services in favor of Trump during last year's U.S. presidential election. President Trump has dismissed the allegations as nonsense. Russian President Vladimir Putin, meanwhile, called Thursday for a restoration of ties between U.S. and Russian intelligence agencies to work on common problems. "Restoring dialog with the special services of the United States and other NATO members is in our mutual interest," Putin said in a televised speech before Russia's Federal Security Service. Tillerson is attending his first G-20 meeting, hosted by German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel, who has been a vocal critic of some of Trump's pronounced policies The G-20 countries account for about 85 percent of the world economy and two thirds of the global population. The Bonn meeting is a precursor to a G-20 summit scheduled for July in Hamburg in what may be the first time Trump meets Putin in person. Mexico says U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly are headed to Mexico next week. Mexico's foreign ministry said in a statement that the two Cabinet secretaries will be in Mexico City on Thursday, February 23, to meet with Mexican officials. The ministry said the talks aim to promote a respectful, close relationship between the U.S. and Mexico. The U.S. State Department confirmed the trip as well. The trips come at a sensitive time for U.S.-Mexico relations. President Donald Trump is vowing to move quickly to build a border wall. A planned visit by Mexico's leader, Enrique Pena Nieto, to Washington last month was canceled after Mexico said it wouldn't abide Trump's demand that it fund the wall. This will be Tillerson's second official trip abroad. He's visiting Germany this week. Tropical Storm Dineo, which has been building along the east coast of southern Africa, made landfall in Mozambique on Wednesday evening, battering two coastal towns with heavy rain and wind at speeds of up to 160 kilometers per hour (100 mph). In Inhambane, 500 kilometers north of the capital, Maputo, television footage showed roofs blown off houses, electricity pylons uprooted and trees sprawled across the streets. There were, however, no immediate reports of deaths or injuries. The government's emergency services had yet to give an update on the situation. One resident told Reuters the storm had also hit the town of Massinga, 75 kilometers from Inhambane. Dineo was expected to develop into a Category 1 cyclone with winds at more than 130 kph, South Africa's National Forecasting Center said in a statement. "This is still a formidable storm system which has the potential to cause much damage to coastal and inland infrastructure," the center said. One of the world's poorest countries and also in the throes of a financial crisis, Mozambique is prone to flooding. It is especially vulnerable now because of a major drought last year; soils degraded or hardened by dry spells do not easily absorb water. Mozambique's National Institute for Disaster Management urged residents in the coastal cities of Inhambane and Maxixe and surrounding villages to reinforce their roofs, to protect windows, and to stockpile food and water. In January 2012, Mozambique was hit by two cyclones that killed 26 people and displaced more than 125,000, according to official data. South African petrochemicals group Sasol said it had suspended drilling at its oil and gas field in Inhambane because of the approaching cyclone. President Donald Trump on Thursday nominated former National Labor Relations Board member R. Alexander Acosta to serve as U.S. secretary of labor, one day after Trump's original choice withdrew. Acosta is dean of the Florida International University College of Law in Miami and is Trump's first Hispanic nominee. Acosta has had a decades-long public service career, serving in three presidentially-appointed and Senate-confirmed positions, and is expected to face a smooth confirmation process. "Mr. Acosta's nomination is off to a good start because he's already been confirmed by the Senate three times," said Senator Lamar Alexander, who chairs the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions that will be vetting the nomination. Acosta was appointed to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) by former Republican President George W. Bush, who also appointed him to be assistant attorney general in the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division. He was then appointed to be U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Florida, where he went after high-profile defendants such as Jack Abramoff and UBS, resulting in the Swiss bank paying more than $750 million in fines for a tax-avoidance scheme. Acosta also previously served as a law clerk to Samuel Alito from 1994 to 1995, when the conservative Supreme Court justice was a judge at the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. "I thank the President and his staff for their confidence in me and I am eager to work tirelessly on behalf of the American worker," Acosta said in a statement. While at the NLRB, Acosta signed hundreds of opinions. Those familiar with his work describe him as a careful and cautious public servant whose career trajectory suggested he may someday vie for a federal judgeship. Because he has already gone through multiple vettings by the U.S. Senate, it is unlikely there will be any surprises in his background that could derail his nomination. The choice of Acosta, a traditional Republican conservative, is seen by some as a sign that Trump was forced to give up a more aggressive policy on worker issues. Trump's first labor secretary pick, Andrew Puzder, the chief executive officer of CKE Restaurants Inc, was outspoken in opposition to issues such as overtime pay, minimum wage hikes and even discussed the superiority of robots over human workers. He removed his name from consideration on Wednesday amid concerns he could not garner enough Senate votes to be confirmed. "This is the humbling of Donald Trump," said Seth Harris, a former Acting Labor Secretary during the Obama administration, who said Puzder would have been a "radical disruptor" but Acosta won't be. Acosta has been a staunch defender of the civil rights of Muslims who faced a backlash after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States. In a 2011 congressional hearing, Acosta applauded how the Justice Department responded to civil rights violations, saying they helped assure Muslim Americans that "their government would protect their rights." Some progressive groups were already responding negatively to the Acosta appointment, with Allied Progress alleging he had mismanaged the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division when he ran it. In 2008, an internal Justice Department report faulted Acosta for failing to rein in a staffer who engaged in improper politicized hiring. However, the response to Acosta's nomination from union groups who had staunchly opposed Puzder was much more measured on Thursday. "Unlike Andy Puzder, Alexander Acosta's nomination deserves serious consideration," said AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka. "In one day, we've gone from a fast-food CEO who routinely violates labor law to a public servant with experience enforcing it." President Donald Trump Wednesday staunchly defended the national security adviser he ousted earlier in the week, saying Michael Flynn was the victim of illegal leaks from the country's intelligence community detailing his conversations with Russia's ambassador to Washington. Trump made no mention of why he forced Flynn's resignation after just 24 days on the job, as he spoke at a White House news conference alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The White House has said the move was made because of the president's "eroding trust" in the former Army general. "I think it's really a sad thing he was treated so badly," Trump said. "I think, in addition to that, from intelligence -- papers are being leaked, things are being leaked. It's criminal action, criminal act. And it's been going on for a long time, before me. But now it's really going on." Watch: Analyst: Only Independent Commission Could Be Trouble for Trump He suggested that officials leaking details about Flynn's calls with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak were "trying to cover up for a terrible loss that the Democrats had under Hillary Clinton," the former U.S. secretary of state Trump defeated in the November election. Trump made similar accusations on his Twitter account earlier in the day. Clinton was among those who during the election campaign raised questions about links between Trump and his associates to Russia. White House spokesman Sean Spicer said Tuesday that Flynn had misled Vice President Mike Pence and other officials by telling them he had not spoken to Kislyak about sanctions imposed by former President Barack Obama for Russia' meddling in the election, when U.S. intercepts showed he had. A group of bipartisan members of Congress introduced legislation Wednesday to prevent the Trump administration from lifting those sanctions without congressional approval. There is also an ongoing investigation into Russian influence on the election and fresh calls from both Democrats and some Republicans for probes into links between Russia and key Trump aides. The heads of two congressional committees asked the Justice Department on Wednesday to investigate the leaks that Trump criticized. House Oversight Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte said in a letter they have "serious concerns about the potential inadequate protection of classified information here." The Washington Post last week was the first newspaper to publish details about the phone conversations between Flynn and the Russian ambassador before Trump took office, while the New York Times in Wednesday's editions said Trump aides and associates had repeated contacts with senior Russian officials during the 2016 campaign. Russia dismissed the Times' report that members of Trump's campaign and other associates were in contact with senior Russian intelligence officials before the November U.S. election. The Times cited four current and former U.S. officials as saying law enforcement and intelligence agencies intercepted calls and had phone records involving Trump's one-time campaign manager, Paul Manafort, and several other unnamed associates. Manafort called the accounts "absurd," the Times said. He also denied a similar CNN report that Trump associates, including Manafort and Flynn, were regularly communicating with Russian nationals before the election. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE) says it rounded up 680 undocumented immigrants last week in enforcement actions in multiple locations around the U.S. This is the first big ICE operation of the Donald Trump presidency, and it has sparked a lot of fear and questions. What actually happened? During the week of February 6, ICE launched a series of targeted enforcement operations across the country, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary John Kelly said in a release. More than 680 undocumented people were taken into custody by ICE in Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, San Antonio and New York City. There also were reports of arrests in other locations. DHS is the parent agency of ICE. Who was targeted? Kelly said the action was aimed at individuals who pose a threat to public safety, border security or the integrity of our nations immigration system. Of those arrested, approximately 75 percent were criminal aliens. Why were the media reports so much more dramatic than DHS version? Over the course of that week, immigrant protection groups got an unusual number of calls from panicking immigrants reporting arrests in homes and at workplaces. A number of groups, led by United We Dream, held a press call February 10, alerting the media to what they said was a new era of persecution under Trump. They shared reports of roadside checkpoints and apartment building sweeps. Angelica Salas, executive director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA), told reporters that she has had 30 years' experience working with ICE and that the operations that week were "not normal." But the evidence provided by hers and other groups was largely anecdotal. The call led to reports in major media outlets with headlines such as "Reports of Raids Have Immigrants Bracing for Enforcement Surge" and "Reports of Immigration Raids Whip Across Texas." Amid the flurry of reports, ICE and DHS felt compelled to issue a number of statements, stressing that the enforcement operations were routine. ICE conducts these kind of targeted enforcement operations regularly and has for many years, Kelly said. What set the stage for this? One of Trumps signature campaign promises was to crack down on illegal immigration, promising to deport up to 3 million people involved in criminal activity. He tweeted on February 12 that he is doing just that. The crackdown on illegal criminals is merely the keeping of my campaign promise. In the first week of his presidency, he signed an executive order called Enhancing Public Safety in the Interior of the United States. The order expanded the definition of who was deportable, making it easier to send undocumented immigrants back to their countries of origin. As a result, widespread deportations were expected and feared. Reports of the deportation of the mother of two American children further fueled fears. Guadalupe Garcia de Rayos, 36, went in for a routine check with ICE on February 8. She had checked in with immigration authorities every year since 2008, when she was stopped for using a fake Social Security number. In past visits, she answered questions that were put to her and went home. This time she was taken into custody. Was this round-up routine? To show that this roundup was routine, ICE pointed to several nationwide enforcement operations, often called Operation Cross Check, it has conducted since 2011. President Obama issued guidelines that year specifying that removal efforts should be focused on people who were a threat to public safety. The operations include: March 2015 National Cross Check operation that resulted in 2,059 arrests nationwide; August 2013 National fugitive enforcement operation resulting in 1,660 arrests, including 1,517 convicted criminals; April 2012 National Cross Check operation that resulted in more than 3,100 arrests; September 2011 National Cross Check operation resulting in the arrest of more than 2,900 convicted criminal aliens; June 2011 National Cross Check operation that resulted in more than 2,400 arrests across all 50 states. Were there indications that these operations were not routine? Yes. While there were no checkpoints and whole apartment houses werent raided, there were differences that point to changes in deportation policy. When Secretary Kelly said that 75 percent of the people apprehended in the enforcement operation had criminal records, he also was saying that a quarter of the people picked up were not criminals. That those people were apprehended, likely caught up in a net thrown for someone else, was a break with the past. During the Obama administration, ICE was instructed to pick up only people who were targeted in advance and not just anybody swept up in a raid. This time seems to have been different. For example, among those arrested in the ICE roundup was DACA recipient Daniel Ramirez Medina, 23, who was caught in a raid at his fathers Seattle, Washington, house, targeting a prior deported felon, according to ICE. Not only was Medina a collateral arrest, but under Obamas Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), a program protecting young people who came to the U.S. as children, he had a legal work permit. Lawyers have filed suit on his behalf. Another area where there seems to have been a change in policy is an Obama-era rule that ICE agents would only target deportation orders dating from the beginning of 2014. Rayos, mentioned above, would have had a deportation order dating from 2008. And finally, if DHS is targeting criminal aliens, there is the question of what that means in the Trump era. His executive order would indicate the bar has moved. A DHS official indicated just how far by telling the Washington Post that a criminal alien includes anyone who had entered the United States illegally or overstayed or violated the terms of a visa. Some 11 million people in the United States are in that group. What now? Pro-immigrant groups believe the roundups were intended to strike fear into the heart of the immigrant community, and that they have succeeded. The Congressional Hispanic Caucus has requested guidance from ICE Acting Director Thomas Homan. Without it, the caucus said in a letter, "our communities will be paralyzed as students will remain home from school, parents will be afraid to leave children alone, and our local economies will be irreparably damaged." Vice Admiral Robert Harward, the man reported to be U.S. President Donald Trumps choice to replace his ousted national security adviser, is a former Navy SEAL who went to high school in Iran and speaks fluent Farsi. Harward is well-respected in the national security community. He has close ties with Defense Secretary Jim Mattis. They served together during Harward's time as deputy commander of Central Command, which oversees U.S. forces in the Middle East. The 60-year-old Harward, who retired from the military in 2013, is currently working as an executive at Lockheed Martin, the weapons and aerospace company, where he focuses on the United Arab Emirates. The White House has not publicly announced his appointment, nor is it known whether he has accepted the position, which is not subject to Senate confirmation. If confirmed, Harward would replace retired General Michael Flynn, who left his post this week after misleading White House officials about his contact with Russian officials during the presidential transition period. Michael Flynn resignation Flynns tenure as national security adviser was the shortest ever less than one month and the outspoken general provoked strong partisan sentiment in Washington. Harward, on the other hand, is respected on both sides of the political spectrum. "As far as I know there's not a political bone in Admiral Harward," said Tom Spoehr, a retired three-star Army general who is now the director of the Center for National Defense at the conservative Heritage Foundation. Spoehr said Harward is a "fairly distinct" opposite from Flynn, who got involved early in Trump's presidential campaign. "Harward is not a personality. He's not a celebrity. I don't think you could find him making a statement on either side of the political spectrum," he added. Bill Danvers, a senior fellow at the left-leaning Center for American Progress, agrees that Harward has a reputation as a "warrior and a patriot." "It's potentially a very good move," he said. Harward spent his formative high school years in Iran before the 1979 Islamic revolution that ousted the pro-American shah. His father was a U.S. Navy captain, who advised the Iranian military. As national security adviser, he would be responsible for helping the president coordinate policy on Irans nuclear and missile programs, as well as responding to Tehrans growing regional influence. Harward has previous experience serving in the White House. He worked in the National Security Council under former President George W. Bush, where he focused on counterterrorism. Though his reported appointment could bring a measure of stability to a White House racked with divisions, Danvers stresses that ultimately U.S. foreign policy will depend on the president, not the national security adviser. "The president set the tone, he sets the parameters of the policy, and sometimes sets the policy," he said. "It really does begin and end with the president." Tuhin Das is a writer, activist and poet. In a quiet, melodious voice, he shares a part of a poem. I dont know how I can express myself, as feelings become obtuse from fear. Soldiers of darkness caught me like an animal and butchered me in dreams. You know the feelings of dreaming are like reality. It is midnight in my Bangladesh. Tuhin Das is from Bangladesh, but he lives now in exile. Forced to leave his home in April 2016, Tuhin Das sought refuge at City of Asylum Pittsburgh, a sanctuary for endangered writers. I left my country in an extreme situation and I came here not for only security," he said. "I came here for freedom, freedom of expression, freedom of writing and freedom for living a certain way. Born and raised in Barisal, Bangladesh, Tuhin Das loved to read poems. Tuhin began writing his own poems when he was in seventh grade. Some of his works were featured in a local childrens magazine. Basically, I write poetry because that is my voice, my soul voice. I wrote a few rhymes, like children(s) poetry," he said. "They were published in childrens magazines. Tuhin Das also started writing other things, like short stories. However, in the 1980s things changed in his country. A military dictator took control and established Islamic rule. Tuhin Das says he began to write more serious articles as a witness to the rise of fundamentalism. When I started writing articles, basically our community in Bangladesh was ninety-four percent Muslims and they did not think [writing] is good because some feelings hurt them," he remembers. "I wrote against war crimes, some war criminals in our country, and they are still in our country and they are doing their job. They were never condemned, so for that, we wrote against them. However, freedom of expression came at a cost for Tuhin Das. Right now there are local collaborators of 1971, and right now in our country there are a lot of their supporters," he said. "So, when we wrote against them and the supporters, sometimes online, they personally threatened us. To save his own life, Tuhin Das left Bangladesh. Since 2013, Das has been the target of fundamentalist groups who have murdered freethinking bloggers, writers and editors. In Bangladesh, writers are being persecuted under the countrys Information and Technology Communication Law. Instead of protecting Tuhin, the police collected and searched his writings for anti-Islamic statements to use against him. City of Asylum Pittsburgh has given exiled writer Tuhin Das a refuge. I think a lot of bad things have happened in our country and already 16 writers are murdered by the extremists so, right now, I am feeling safe here," he said." I am writing freely. Right now, I am writing a novel about (the) social structure of my country, basically the Islamization of my country. Tuhin Das appreciates the community support he is receiving. He joined the Greater Pittsburgh Literary Society where he is learning the English language and about American culture. His work has continued to appear in Bangladesh. In his native language, Bengali, Das has authored seven poetry books. He has served as editor of several literary magazines, written short stories and published columns in his home country. He says his proudest accomplishment is the founding of a popular magazine called, The Wild. However, Tuhin Das says he misses his Bangladeshi home and hopes one day to return there. I love my country and also my family, my parents and my nephew and my sisters and a lot of friends," he said. "I think the situation of my country will be good and I will come back to my country. I hope that. The U.N. human rights office is appealing for $253 million to pay for projects to stop growing xenophobia, racial and religious discrimination and other violations from spreading around the world. Two-hundred-and-53 million dollars may sound like a lot of money and the appeal is the most ambitious ever launched by the U.N. human rights office; but, this money represents only 3 percent of the overall U.N. budget. Human rights spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani said the sum requested is only a pittance, considering human rights is one of the three pillars of the United Nations, along with peace and security. She told VOA the world is in a perilous state and the situation of human rights globally is dire. She says conflicts have always existed, but that what is new and worrisome is the erosion of human rights values, laws and principles that were put together after World War II. There were human rights laws and principles that we took for granted, that states voluntarily signed on to that are now being questioned, that are being reopened and, in some cases, are being overturned. This is really the worrying part of the state of the worlds human rights today, said Shamdasani. The agencys appeal comes at a time of great financial uncertainty. The United States has been the largest donor to the United Nations, as well as the OHCHR. The Trump administration, however, has indicated that it may cut funding to the U.N. Shamdasani agreed this is of potential concern, but notes the United States has played a leadership role since the days of the League of Nations and her office is counting on that role continuing. Of course recently there have been some alarming rhetoric and even some alarming steps that have been taken that appear to be causing an erosion of these values; however, at the same time, we have seen quite an inspirational groundswell of defense of human rights, she said. Shamdasani said the appeal will support hard-hitting investigations into rights violations committed in places such as Bangladesh, South Sudan and Syria. She said money will be used to train government, judicial and political officials about human rights principles. This, she added, will help alleviate some of the suffering of thousands of people victimized by torture, arbitrary arrests, disappearances and other abuse. Security concerns forced the United Nations to pause its aid operations this week in east Mosul, which Iraqi forces recaptured from Islamic State last month, but they will resume soon, a U.N. humanitarian official said on Wednesday. Based on reports of insecurity, the U.N. decided that we would not send missions into eastern parts of Mosul until we reassess security conditions, said Lise Grande, the U.N. Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq. This has now been done and we expect to re-engage as soon as possible, hopefully within the next day or so. A suicide bombing at a restaurant in east Mosul last Friday killed 14 people and wounded 39, the second of its kind in the four-month-old Mosul battle. The attack fractured a sense of safety and relief that many residents felt after Iraqi forces pushed the jihadists out of their neighborhoods in months of heavy street fighting. Islamic State militants who retreated across the Tigris river to western districts also regularly target civilian areas under government control in the east with mortars and grenades dropped from drones. Residents in the east have been without electricity for months and have been forced to dig wells for water. U.S.-backed Iraqi forces are gathering on the perimeter of west Mosul, where hundreds of thousands of people are estimated to be living, for a renewed offensive expected to start in the coming days. By Press Trust of India: Hyderabad, Feb 16 (PTI) Tiruvuru Exporters Association may set up ten units in the proposed textile park at Warangal, an official release said. Telangana IT and Industries Minister KT Rama Rao today visited Tiruvuru and Palladam Textile parks in Tamil Nadu and met Industrialists and enquired about the measures taken for developing the Textile industries in the clusters. advertisement The minister also enquired about incentives to handloom and powerloom workers and industries in the state of Tamilnadu, it said. "Minister met TEA (Tiruvuru Exporters Association) representatives and explained about the handloom policies of Telangana Govt and the proposed mega textile park in Warangal, TEA agrees to set up 10 units in Warangal Textile park. "He appreciated the initiatives and planning of TEA. Minister also requested them to visit the Warangal textile Park," the release said. The Minister assured the TEA representatives that Telangana Government will be allocating a separate block for TEA officials in the Warangal Textile Park. PTI GDK NP --- ENDS --- The violence in Africa's newest country has created the continent's largest displacement crisis, and as thousands of South Sudanese refugees continue to pour into neighboring countries to escape attacks from armed groups, the U.N. refugee agency is sounding an alarm. "We now have 1.5 million refugees that have fled South Sudan ... 60 percent of them children ... with this, now, South Sudan becomes Africa's largest refugee-producing country and third largest after Syria and Afghanistan," Babar Baloch, a spokesman for the officer of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, told VOA from Geneva. Uganda is the largest recipient of South Sudanese refugees. "Around 700,000 have fled to Uganda," Baloch said. "Others have gone to Sudan, Ethiopia, DRC and Central African Republic as well. And what we have seen is all these communities in the neighboring countries who are welcoming the South Sudanese refugees, they don't have enough themselves." Refugee Sidah Hawa, who recently arrived with her six children in Kuluba, a small town in northern Uganda, said she "had just planted some crops and I was waiting to harvest. I lost everything because of the war. They are killing people." 'A terrible situation' Raimon Towongo barely escaped his hometown on an old bicycle. He lost everything when his village was attacked. "Look at me. I am wearing torn, dirty clothes. We sleep in the bush. This is a terrible situation," he said. Hawa and Towongo are among the thousands of refugees who have streamed into Uganda since intense fighting broke out in July, following the collapse of a peace deal between the government and opposition forces. With hostilities now entering a fourth year, Brian Adeba, associate director for policy at the Enough Project, a Washington nonprofit focused on ending genocide and crimes against humanity, said it's time to focus on the root causes of the conflict. "These charades that are taking place like the national dialogue, which is not inclusive; the statements by JMEC, the organization that is supposed to oversee this peace agreement, the statements that allude to the fact that everything is moving on smoothly this is just a phantom process, and we need to recognize the peace deal for what it is: It is dead," Adeba said. All the parties involved need to return to the negotiating table, he said. "The government is a key actor in this conflict [and] needs to be at the table," Adeba said. "The SPLM-IO in opposition, led by Riek Machar, has to be at the negotiating table as well, but we also have to be cognizant of the armed groups that have come up. There are several of them in the Equatorias and in the Upper Nile that need to be brought to the table." The Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) condemned the violence in South Sudan and called for the parties involved "to cease all military activity." Appeal for protection force Speaking at a JMEC meeting in South Sudan's capital, Juba, on February 8, Chairman Festus Mogae, the former president of Botswana, said he was "dismayed at the continuing conflict in Equatoria and the appalling outbreak of the violence in Wau and Upper Nile over the past two weeks." He demanded unfettered humanitarian access and highlighted reports of torture, sexual violence and other human rights abuses in parts of the country. To bolster security in Juba and its surroundings, Mogae appealed for the urgent deployment of a 4,000-member regional protection force as approved by the U.N. Security Council. "President Salva Kiir has made a commitment to end the violence and bring about peace, yet we still see ongoing clashes, and the risk that mass atrocities will be committed remains ever present," Adama Dieng, the U.N. special adviser on genocide prevention, warned last week. Dieng said he was particularly alarmed at the situation in Kajo-Keji, where fleeing civilians have said they fear mass violence. The latest influx of refugees is straining the capacity of transit and reception centers in neighboring countries. Agencies are appealing for more donor funds. One-third of funds needed In 2016, Baloch said, the UNHCR "only got 33 percent of the funding needed to deal with the refugee crisis. The horrifying tales that are being shared by the refugees who have lost so much are a reminder of how brutal this war has been, and of the need for more help from the international community." The total revised 2017 requirements for the South Sudan situation, including additional requirements, now amount to $781.8 million. "It costs almost $10 million to host 10,000 refugees, and we have 4,000 crossing every day. That means in three days we have a need to raise almost $10 million to help them out," Ajit Fernando, UNHCR deputy representative, said at a meeting Tuesday in Kampala with U.S. Ambassador to Uganda Deborah Malac. In response to UNHCR's 2017 supplementary appeal, Malac announced the U.S. government would give an additional $25 million to help Ugandan authorities deal with the South Sudan refugee crisis. The U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations says the Trump administration "absolutely" supports a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. "The two-state solution is what we support," Nikki Haley told reporters after attending her first Security Council meeting on the long-running conflict. "Anybody that wants to say the United States does not support a two-state solution, that would be an error." The councils regular monthly meeting on the situation happened to come a day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with President Donald Trump in Washington. During a joint news conference Wednesday, President Trump appeared to make a major departure from nearly two decades of U.S. policy, declaring that he could live with either a one or two-state solution to the conflict. The international community has for years firmly supported two contiguous states Israel and Palestine living side-by-side and achieved through direct negotiations as the only viable solution to the 70-year old conflict. We absolutely support a two-state solution, Haley said repeatedly. But we are thinking out of the box as well, which is what does it take to bring these two sides to the table? What we do we need to have them agree on? She said that ultimately any solution is going to come from the Israelis and the Palestinian Authority and that the United States is just there to support the process. Firm international support for two states The two-state solution remains the only way to achieve the legitimate national aspirations of both peoples, said Nickolay Mladenov, the U.N. Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process. Speaking via a video link from Jerusalem, Mladenov told council members that each side could demonstrate goodwill the Israelis by stopping settlement expansion and construction, and the Palestinians by tackling violence and incitement. He said such moves would create an environment conducive to bilateral final status negotiations. On Wednesday, U.N. chief Antonio Guterres told reporters during a visit to Cairo that the two-state solution is the only option, adding, there is no Plan B. In January, France hosted a conference to reaffirm international support for two-states and establish a package of incentives to encourage the parties to move toward this solution. We consider that the two-state solution has never been so threatened and yet so necessary, Frances U.N. Ambassador Francois Delattre told reporters. Threatened by settlements and violence; necessary because it is our view the only political option that answers both the Palestinian need for justice and the Israeli need for security. Britains ambassador, Matthew Rycroft, welcomed the Trump administrations interest in striking a peace deal that meets the requirements of both parties as a positive step, and reiterated his countrys support for a two-state solution. President [Mahmoud] Abbas stated yesterday clearly, that we are committed to the end of the occupation, to the two-state solution and to the implementation of Security Council resolutions, including 2334, Palestinian U.N. envoy Riyad Mansour told reporters. Resolution 2334 was adopted at the end of 2016 and declared settlements an obstacle to peace and called on Israel to halt construction. We are committed to this process, and we believe that this is the shortest distance to putting an end to this conflict, Mansour added. On Wednesday, President Trump called on Prime Minister Netanyahu to hold back a bit on settlement building. Israel has surged ahead approving thousands of new units in recent weeks, despite the adoption of U.N. resolution 2334. Trump has also nominated as his ambassador to Israel New York lawyer David Friedman, who is a well-known supporter of settlements and opposes a two-state solution. Thursday, Friedman faced senators and protesters who disrupted his hearing on Capitol Hill, where he was grilled on some of his past comments. "Ironclad support" for Israel Ambassador Haley also vigorously reaffirmed U.S. support for Israel, accusing the United Nations of an anti-Israel bias that Washington will not turn a blind eye to anymore. Im here to underscore the ironclad support of the United States for Israel, Haley told reporters. We will never repeat the terrible mistake of resolution 2334, she said of the settlements resolution. She said outrageously biased resolutions from the Security Council and General Assembly have made peace harder to reach, by discouraging one of the parties from going to the negotiating table. Haley said Washington would not hesitate to speak out against these biases. A senior U.N. official warns Syrian civilians will starve to death unless the United States and Russia pressure the Syrian government and armed opposition to allow humanitarian aid to reach hundreds of thousands of people trapped in besieged and hard-to-reach areas. The special advisor to the U.N. Special Envoy for Syria, Jan Egeland, says people already are dying. In recent days, he says five people in the besieged Syrian cities of Medaya and Kefraya have died because the United Nations has been unable to evacuate them to receive urgent medical treatment. He says people in the two towns as well as in the towns of Foah and Zabadani are particularly at risk of dying from starvation because they have not received food for many months. But, he says conditions in other besieged and hard-to-reach areas also are grim and getting worse. Although the situation was not great before, he says it was better when the United States and Russia, co-chairs of the Humanitarian Access Task Force for Syria worked together in pushing for humanitarian access. We were great when there was co-leadership by the United States and Russia last year. We have not seen that of late," he said. "We have not had as much progress of late. I think that can come back. I am convinced it will come back. The Humanitarian Task Force was born one year ago this week because people in besieged areas in Syria were starving to death. Egeland says the aim was to have Russia, the United States and other members of influence pressure the warring parties to gain access to these areas. He says the results have been mixed and the first two months of this year have been an enormous disappointment. We have, so far, this year not reached a single besieged area with land convoys, in spite of infinite number of attempts to reach the remaining 13 besieged areas with more than 600,000 civilians, he said. Egeland says U.N. relief convoys are lined up and ready to leave for the besieged town of al-Weir on Friday. If the mission is successful, he says it would be an important sign of good will in the days leading up to next weeks expected resumption of political negotiations on Syria. Venezuela's socialist government said on Thursday it would seek to block CNN's Spanish-language service online after pulling it off the airwaves in anger at its coverage of the South American nation. U.S.-based "CNN en Espanol" became unavailable on Venezuela's main cable providers from Wednesday, but it could still be seen on YouTube and various other websites. "Managers are coordinating with all internet providers, using the available technology, to make the respective blocks," Andres Mendez, head of state communications regulator Conatel, told state media. "CNN en Espanol" has often taken a tough line toward President Nicolas Maduro's government, but particularly irked authorities here with a report alleging passports were sold illegally at Venezuela's embassy in Iraq, including to members of the Hezbollah movement. Maduro was also furious at the network for giving prominence to comments by a girl who told him on live TV that some fellow students were fainting from hunger amid the OPEC nation's deep economic crisis. CNN has stood by its reporting on Venezuela. "We believe in the vital role that freedom of press plays in a healthy democracy," it said in a statement on Wednesday. On Thursday, CNN President Jeff Zucker criticized the Maduro government's move. "When authoritarian regimes around the world start attacking journalists like that, we all have a problem," Zucker told reporters at a press luncheon in New York. CNN's Spanish-language service could still be easily accessed online in Venezuela by mid-afternoon on Thursday. A small group of journalists, politicians and activists protested at Conatel's office in Caracas on Thursday, where a few dozen red-shirted government supporters also rallied in support of the measure against CNN. Venezuelan authorities took Colombia's NTN24 TV network off the air in 2014 over its reporting of opposition protests that turned violent, and blocked Argentine news site Infobae. Opponents say Maduro, who has seen his popularity slide since narrowly winning a 2013 election to replace the late Hugo Chavez, has morphed into a dictator by jailing opponents, sidelining the opposition-led congress and delaying local elections. The 54-year-old former bus driver and foreign minister says he is fighting against well-financed coup plotters intent on ending socialist rule in Venezuela with the help of the United States and the connivance of hostile foreign media. Venezuela's spat with CNN has come amid rising tensions with the United States this week. U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed concern over Venezuela in various calls with South American leaders and met with the wife of the country's best-known jailed opposition leader, Leopoldo Lopez. The U.S. Treasury Department has blacklisted Maduro's vice president on accusations of drug-trafficking. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by former Movement for Democratic Change secretary general, Tendai Biti, has joined a group of opposition parties known as the Coalition of Democrats (CODE), comprising several parties vying to unseat President Robert Mugabe. Speaking at the signing ceremony in Harare on Thursday, Biti said they are joining the coalition after realizing that this is the only way to remove the ruling Zanu PF party from power. It is with great humility that as PDP, we have taken this position of joining CODE, a process which we were part of when the first CODE meeting was held in Harare on 14 May 2014. Today, we complete a journey started nearly three years ago. CODE is bound by upright qualities of that no one is more equal than the other. He said the coalition wants to ensure that Zimbabweans will establish a free and democratic society based on some provisions of the countrys constitution. That is the vision of CODE. We are not asking for much. We are asking what is in the Constitution - the freedom to love. A Zimbabwe that treats us like first class citizens and not fourth class citizens, that is why we are forming this coalition. We are confident that CODE is the only coalition in Zimbabwe and that believes in personal accountability and this is our natural home. This is a coalition, we are not in competition with other political parties but it is a coalition that is not going to beg anyone and we are going to work very hard. CODE is the only political alliance and it will survive. We have respect for different views and we cannot question the lack of wisdom. He said Zimbabwe is less than 18 months to an election, which would be held without significant electoral reforms. As we sit here right now, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has been kicked out (of the voter registration process). Zanu PF is known for predatory, toxic politics. It is state capture. Zanu PF is confirming that it has captured ZEC. It is therefore not accidental that we are signing CODE in a church. We find it humble that we are signing this in church and the walls of Jericho are going to fall sooner. Chief among our demands will be a new voters roll Biti said CODE will give Zanu PF a run for their money and there is need for it to establish a transformative state. Our agenda in CODE is we have a duty to transform Zimbabwe and as PDP we commit ourselves to work tirelessly to achieve this. My words to Zanu PF are that we are coming for you Robert Mugabe. He further noted that it is sad that at least 91% of the people are unemployed. Many young children are fleeing the country at a rate of 3,000 a week crossing the flooded crocodile-infested Limpopo River into South Africa. The majority of the people in urban areas are surviving on tsaona. We are living like wild animals. We have to mobilize for the crisis that we are facing. The other parties in the coalition include Mavambo Kusile Dawn led by Simba Makoni, Professor Welshman Ncubes Movement for Democratic Change formation, Renewal Democrats of Zimbabwe led by Elton Mangoma, Democratic Assembly for Restoration and Empowerment and Zimbabweans United for Democracy and Zapu led by Dumiso Dabengwa. Doctors in Zimbabwe have downed tools over poor allowances and other issues, resulting in the shutting down of several departments in state-owned health institutions. In a statement, the Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association (ZHDA) said, There was an overwhelming high response from Government doctors across the country. Central hospitals such as Mpilo, Parirenyatwa and Harare hospital today literally closed their Outpatients department and cancelled emergencies. The ZHDA deployed a few doctors in casualty and emergency department to cover for emergency cases. This response by the ZHDA membership countrywide is a signal of the strong message that should there be no meaningful concessions from the employer on the three main sticking issues(post internship employment, on call allowance and duty free) service delivery is likely to further deteriorate as Government doctors in District and provincial hospitals are joining in from tomorrow (Thursday). The ZHDA urged its members to stay home. All government doctors are urged to remain resolute in this course. The ZHDAs will be meeting Clinical Directors and CEOs on your behalf. You are therefore advised to stay at home until further notice. Let us take inspiration from the resounding success of the first day of our strike. It further noted that the ZHDA is also considering approaching the office of the president and cabinet for a meeting to seek intervention on these issues. Junior doctors went on strike a couple of months ago expressing dismay over similar issues, which were not wholly addressed by the government. There was no comment from Health Minister David Parirenyatwa. The Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights (ZADHR) says the Ministry of Health and Child Care and the Health Services Board should urgently address striking doctors grievances. In a statement, the ZADHR said, In so doing we wish to reiterate and lament the undesirable exposure of patients and indeed all Zimbabweans to violations of their right to healthcare. We note that while the bickering and gerrymandering continues patients continue to suffer. It is therefore important for the responsible institutions to address the concerns of the doctors to avoid needless loss of lives in Zimbabwes hospitals. ZADHR said medical professionals are an important cog in the resuscitation and development of the health sector. We believe prioritizing their conditions of service will motivate the doctors to contribute towards better health outcomes for the nation. We therefore, as ZADHR, stand in solidarity with the striking doctors as they not only work to enhance their well-being but to enhance quality of healthcare to all Zimbabweans. Health professionals are pivotal in the advancement of the right to healthcare as enshrined in the constitution of Zimbabwe. As a result, ZADHR said the Ministry of Health and Child Care should urgently improve the conditions of work for health professionals instead of issuing threats of ostracization and victimization and to ensure that essential drugs and medicines are provided in all public health institutions. Zimbabwean doctors, who went on strike Wednesday, want the government to address post internship employment and on-call allowances and several other issues. Some hospital departments have been shut down as a result of the strike. They went on a similar strike last year. By Press Trust of India: From Rajesh Rai Bangkok, Feb 16 (PTI) Thailand wants to work with India for conclusion of negotiations for the comprehensive free trade agreement which aims to promote economic cooperation between the two nations. Thailand Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak said, "We really want to work with Indian government to have free trade agreement (FTA) together even though we had some obstacles in the past but I think we can keep that off." advertisement The two countries have already abolished duties on 82 items under an Early Harvest Scheme launched in 2004, which include products like fruits, processed food, gems and jewellery, iron and steel, auto parts and electronic goods. It was the initial phase of the proposed comprehensive FTA, which is to be upgraded to a full fledged arrangement for reduction and elimination of duties on about 90 per cent of goods traded between the countries. The FTA would also cover opening up of trade in services, an area of interest to India. Issues like significant cut in duties on number of products and movement of professionals are yet to be resolved by both sides. Jatusripitak said there is a need to accelerate the process of the FTA talks. India and Thailand are also members of the mega trade deal Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). When asked about the progress of this pact, he said, "It is one of the best opportunities that we have and we are ready to join any kind of FTA agreement of the regional (nature)." RCEP members are meeting in Japan later this month to fast track the negotiations. The members would discuss finalising the maximum number of goods on which duties will either be eliminated or reduced drastically. RCEP aims at covering goods, services, investments, economic and technical cooperation and competition. The 16-member bloc RCEP comprises 10 ASEAN members and India, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. PTI RR ABM --- ENDS --- On 15 February, the Alliances Ministers of Defense assembled at the Nato headquarters in Brussels, in the presence of General James Mattis, Secretary of Defence in the Trump administration. At this meeting the ministers decided to establish a South Hub and gave it the mandate of controlling Africa and the Middle East. It was also resolved to suspend spying flights in Syria. Right from the start of the war launched by Washington, London and Paris against Syria, Nato has been responsible for the surveillance of the battlefield through its AWACS and its members satellites. The intelligence gathered was immediately filtered and some was transmitted to jihadist groups, thus allowing them escape the Syrian Arab Army. On withdrawing its AWACS, the Organization made it clear that it is not taking a position in the conflict, which currently pits against one and other the Kurds, among others. The new UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, has proceeded to appoint his team. Jeffrey Feltman, the Director of Political Affairs, has been given a one-year extension to his post. During Ban Ki-moons term, he was the highest diplomatic official in the world. Mr Feltman represents the interests of the US Deep Government. A career diplomat, he served in Israel first, then on behalf of the Interim Authority of the Coalition in Iraq (a private organization that did not depend on the Coalition but brought together members of the US government of continuity). As ambassador to Lebanon, he organized the assassination of the former Prime Minister, Rafiq Hariri, the UN Commission of Enquiry and the Special Tribunal to try President Emile Lahoud and President Bashar el-Assad. Following this, he became the assistant to Hillary Clinton in the State Department. He then made his entree as number 2 to the UN. He is the author of a plan (technically drafted by the German Volker Perthes) for the total and unconditional destruction of Syria. At the meeting of the North Atlantic Council that kicked off yesterday in Brussels, Minister Pinotti and the other European Defense Ministers exhaled a long sigh of relief: Nato is not, as President Trump had said, obsolete. In his first official declaration at Brussels, the new US Defence Secretary, Jim Mattis, pledged that Nato is still the fundamental base of the United States. It is the most successful military alliance in history, he told journalists while flying to Brussels. The US commitment to the Alliance is evidenced by the fact that the only Nato command headquartered in the United States is the Supreme Allied Commander for Transformation (Sact), a role that Mattis himself has already taken on. Sact, responsible for the Military Committee (the highest military authority in Nato), promotes and controls the perpetual transformation of the Alliances forces and capabilities. Over the last 20 years, Mattis emphasized, Nato has been transformed (indeed, it has swallowed up every single country of the former Warsaw Pact, three from the former USSR and three from the former Yugoslavia). Yet it must continue to keep reinventing itself to accommodate the events of 2014, the year of change, when it became clear that our hopes of some sort of partnership with Russia would yield no fruit. To do this, we need to be sure that our transatlantic link remains robust. To prove the point, the Nato Secretary General, Stoltenberg made a joint declaration with Secretary Mattis yesterday, confirming that US troops and equipment are arriving in Poland and the Baltic states, a clear indication that the United States is determined to stand side by side Europe in these troubled times. And so, under US command (which is responsible for appointing the Supreme Allied Command in Europe), Nato continues to inject further power to the forces lined up on the Eastern border, with anti-Russian intentions in mind. And this is so despite President Trumps declared intentions to strike some sort of deal with Moscow. At the same time, Nato empowers the southern border by [deploying] new military apparatus there. Today we will decide to establish a new Hub for the South at our Joint Forces Command at Naples announced Stoltenberg, emphasizing that this will allow us to evaluate and confront the threats emanating from this region to complement the work carried out by our new Division of Intelligence established here at the Nato headquarters. Much to the satisfaction of Minister Pinotti, Italys profile is raised. And it is in Italy where Stoltenberg, opening the North Atlantic Council, defined projecting stability that reaches beyond our borders. The new Hub for the South, which will be built at Naples will comprise the operational base for launching land, air and naval forces in a region whose borders are not clearly drawn up, including North Africa and the Middle East but also reaching areas beyond these. The Nato Response Force, is available for such operations and noteworthy is the increase to the Very High Readiness Spearhead Force to 40,000 men. This can be launched in 48 hours anywhere, at any time. The new Hub for the South, built at the Command for Joint Allied Forces headquartered at Lake Patria (Naples), will be headed by the US Admiral Michelle Howard who has nerves of steel and who, in addition to heading the Nato Command, is the commander of the US Naval forces for Europe and the US Naval forces for Africa. Therefore the new Hub for the South will fall within the Pentagons chain of command. All this has its price. Mattis has confirmed the non-negotiable invitation that defense expenditure should be spread among all the European allies and each one should contribute, at the very least, 2% of the GDP. Only five Nato countries have reached or surpassed this level: the United States (3.6%), Greece, Great Britain, Estonia and Poland. Italy lags behind with barely 1.1% of the GDP, but it is making progress: according to official Nato statistics, in 2015-2016, the amount Italy spent on defence leapt from 17,642 to 19,980 million euro. This translates to about 55 million euro per day. Of course, actual military expenditure is far higher, given that the defence balance sheet does not include military missions abroad, funded with a specific fund at the Ministry of Economy and Finance, nor the cost of important weaponry, also funded by the Stability Law. Stoltenberg, delighted, announces that at long last, Nato had turned the page, increasing military expenditure in 2015-2016 by 3.8% in real terms, that is, around 10 billion dollars. Minister Pinotti is confident that Italy will reach the 2% minimum target (that is, that Italy will spend 100 million euro every day on defence). While unemployment will increase, we will have the satisfaction of having a new Hub for the South at Naples. The EU Military Chief of Staff has uncovered its role in establishing Decodex: a service provided by the daily newspaper Le Monde. Decodex aims at destroying the credibility of certain websites. This service, technically subsidized by Google and Facebook, aims at fighting an alleged Russian influence in the West. Its strategy? Going after Internet sites challenging Nato, and charging them with being trivial in design and spreading this so-called propaganda from Moscow. Several media outlets have been chosen to collaborate with this project. All of them are French. And what, is the root of the evil according to those promoting the campaign? Not Sputnik and Russia Today, but [yours truly], Voltaire Network. Get Involved Centro Latino is only one of many organizations in Columbia devoted to building community harmony through charitable action. Here are a few places that have a great impact in the community. Granny's House Grannys House is an after-school program for children living in public housing. Located just a few blocks from Centro Latino, this nonprofit provides kids with a safe place to do their homework, eat snacks and foster relationships every weekday afternoon. How to get involved: The nonprofit requires up to 20 volunteers per week for the after-school program and is always seeking financial assistance. Volunteers can get involved in a number of ways. They may clean up the property after hours, providing transportation for group outings, helping organize fundraisers and give tangible donations especially in the form of snacks, sports equipment and office supplies. Contact: 442-5683; grannyshouse.org City of Refuge City of Refuge is a nonprofit organization that started in 2010. They help refugees who have been placed in Columbia adjust to life in the U.S., whether that is through lessons in how to grocery shop or assistance applying for local jobs. The organization aims to make the transition into life as a CoMo resident as seamless as possible. How to get involved: Currently, two of the organizations biggest demands are for volunteers who can teach English or give driving lessons. Volunteers are taught how to do both by City of Refuge staff, so theres no need for prior experience to help out. Contact: 814-1170; cityofrefugecolumbia.org The Food Bank A member of Feeding America, The Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri doles out millions of pounds of food per year to partner agencies and, ultimately, into the hands of those who need it most. For every $1 of donations, The Food Bank is able to serve $21 worth of groceries. How to get involved: The Food Bank is always seeking donations in the form of cash or food goods, whether that means peanut butter jars or garden-fresh carrots. Volunteers are welcome to work shifts as individuals or in groups, packaging and distributing food. Contact: 474-1020; sharefoodbringhope.org Big Brothers Big Sisters Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Missouri is a one-on-one mentoring program that aims to help children facing adversity develop key life skills. Adult mentors, who are referred to as Bigs, are paired with Littles, who are the mentees, and together they work with each other to set and achieve goals for a successful future. How to get involved: Individuals wishing to become mentors must fill out an application online. Following submission, potential mentors go through a thorough background check. Once that is complete, a staff member will get in touch with the mentor to match them with a child. Contact: 874-3677; bigsofcentralmo.wordpress.com Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images Here is some very good and encouraging news. According to The Hollywood Reporter, peoples champion Constance Wu is in talks to lead the cast of Crazy Rich Asians, the high-profile adaptation of Kevin Kwans novel of the same name. The movie, which will be directed by Jon M. Chu, will follow an American-born Chinese economics professor named Rachel Chu, who goes to a wedding in Singapore with her boyfriend, Nick, and learns along the way that he is from an obscenely wealthy family that lives in the city. So, going to her boyfriends best friends wedding turns into Rachel fielding scores of high-class women who want to take her place at Nicks side. Amid so much talk of whitewashing in Hollywood lately, Crazy Rich Asians stands far out from the pack by featuring an all-Asian cast to tell a story that revolves around Asian characters. (Get out!) THR says that Chus film hasnt actually been given the official green light yet, but cites sources who say its on the development fast-track. If Warner Bros. has the good sense to bring on Wu, theyre off to a very good start with this movie. Hillary Clinton. Photo: JEFF KOWALSKY/AFP/Getty Images After being greeted by some very warm welcomes at The Color Purple and In Transit, Hillary Clinton got another Broadway crowd clapping on Wednesday night. The former presidential candidate took in the evening performance of Sunset Boulevard, where, once more, the audience gave her as much affirmation as the onstage talent, cheering and applauding Clinton as she entered the theater. Clintons mutual admiration society with the Broadway community is in stark contrast to the reception Vice-President Mike Pence received at Hamilton last year. Sunset Boulevard marks Clintons third musical viewing in nearly as many weeks. As unwanted quasi-retirement plans go, not half bad. Kitesurfing while DC Burns After eight years of squabbling with Republicans, it's hard to begrudge Barack Obama a vacation. Still, Americans wondered on social media, does he have to look so happy? While his compatriots protested in the street and furious op-eds about fascism were being published, Obama posted pictures of himself partying in the Caribbean with billionaire Richard Branson. Hopefully, he remembered to send a postcard. Wish you were here, America. ??? advertisement A Legend by Midnight Who knew O. Panneerselvam had such a sense of occasion? Just minutes after he was broadcast meditating outside Jayalalithaa's memorial, he was trending on Twitter, and social media wags were coming up with appropriate memes. Said wags had been at work already, as 'Chinnamma' Sasikala was busily shedding her half-size status. Borrowing from the prime minister's playbook, Panneerselvam commissioned a "people's survey" on social media. Luckily, 95 per cent of said people want him to be thalaivar. ??? Blonde Faith During the Punjab polls, AAP Norway (apparently, it's a thing) released a video of four teenage girls expressing their support. Now why the Aam Aadmi Party thinks a childlike blonde mispronouncing Gurpreet Ghuggi would encourage people to get to the polls is anyone's guess. Speaking of childlike blondes, Karolina Goswami is a waifish Pole who moved to India for love. She now makes YouTube videos supporting demonetisation and explaining why cows are holy-"If a dead piece of wood converted into a cross can become holy... cow is connected with Krishna, just like a cross is connected with Jesus." She has a strong Slavic accent, she wears saris, she supports Modi. What's not to like? --- ENDS --- When Jason Isaacs was in drama school, the director Peter Chelsom came to one of his classes and imparted this advice: You may have one line in a film, but you better create a whole movie in which youre the lead, and it happens to overlap with the one youre being paid for by one line. Isaacs clearly took those words to heart, because it only takes about 30 seconds of screen time for one of the many characters hes inhabited over the years to fill you with a kind of cold sick. From heels like Lord Felton in DragonHeart and Colonel William Tavington in The Patriot, to larger-than-life fantasy villains in Pan and the Harry Potter films, to the charismatic baddies next door in The OA and Stockholm, Pennsylvania, the actor has spent a significant portion of his 30-year career making viewers skin crawl. Hes almost become a human spoiler; if Isaacs enters a room, its best you exit as fast as you can. Now, in Gore Verbinskis sci-fi horror spectacle A Cure for Wellness, Isaacs sweeps onto the screen like a cold wind once more, with those crystal blue eyes dialed in to disarm you before you get flayed alive. The camera loves madness, the camera loves secrets says Isaacs. The camera loves anybody who is saying one thing but its really only a slight indication to the whole bunch of volcanic, toxic shit thats going on behind the eyes. On the eve of the films release, Vulture spoke with the perennial bad guy about how he goes about creating such toxic shit, the scariest role hes every played, and if theres any hope for the Democratic party in the United States. I want to talk to you about your expertise in the craft of villainy. Well, I dont do villainy. I take parts where the person can believe that they are entirely right. Now, they may end up being an engine of some kind of antagonistic side of the narrative, but I wont take the job unless the person can fully justify and rationalize everything they are doing. When people write a villain, very often that means its something two-dimensional, designed to make the audience dislike you, and those things I run a million miles from. So in this story for instance, A Cure for Wellness, this is a man so completely convinced that he has the right way and that he has simple answers to other peoples problems, that people who find their lives too complicated just throw themselves at his mercy. You dont need to go too far in the Vulture archives to find someone else whos doing that in the world at the moment. I take your point about villain being too thin of a term, but the subject of villains is something thats come up a lot lately. The real-world villains were looking at right now seem like they would be kind of terrible if they were in a movie, because they seem almost like a caricature of villainy. Too two-dimensional. Well, yes and no. If you pick your favorite boogeyman and sit them down these people who are in the headlines and giving us all nightmares they can absolutely justify everything they are saying and doing. In fact, they have tens of millions of people who would agree with them, and thats the key to any great antagonist onscreen. They have to fully believe that anything they are doing is the right way and they are justified. If they felt like they were doing the wrong thing, they wouldnt be doing it. One hopes. They wouldnt. Ive met criminals people whove done all kinds of things I would find ethically, morally repulsive and they can tell you why its the right thing to do. Its because I dont understand the world correctly, they would think. I dont see the world how it is. They have a different Darwinian view of the world. Maybe they grew up in violence, so violence is the only answer. For [my character], the way the world has treated him and the things he has to offer, he is utterly justified. All these powerful Fortune 500 heads and world leaders who come and submit themselves to his treatment agree with him. Often times, it seems like a hallmark of these insidious characters you play is empathy, actually. Well, thats probably more suited to a conversation between you and your therapist, but sure. Ill take it. Yeah. Your characters are very seductive! And they are often terrifyingly effective at knowing what people want and giving it to them as a way of spinning up a trap. Anyone who says Believe me, trust me, and says it with utter confidence has people falling in behind them. Weve just seen that in the elections in Britain and America and all around the world, that people are so uncertain about their lives and uncertain how to navigate their way through what seems like increasing complications that theyll take simple platitudes and lies. Theyll latch on to lies even if they suspect its lies, because its easier than trying to find a way through. I dont know if I try to be sympathetic. I try to be human, and if youre human at all youre sympathetic. If you spend enough time with someone as an actor, you can bring their humanity to bear so you can see what motivates them. Whether its fear or jealousy or loneliness, some part of you no matter how much youre repulsed by their actions understands. So even Lucius Malfoy, who is a repulsive creature in the Potter films, is a racist. Hes a eugenicist. Hes a bully. Hes a terrible father, and you can see hes doing it out of a weakness and a desperation for status, a fear of the future. All the pure-blood fascism is about a fear of the future he doesnt belong in, and a longing to return to a past when he and people like him reigned supreme. The job is to make that specific and real audiences might not like you, but they get you. The thing I find you are especially effective at is this kind of ominous intimacy. In Stockholm, Pennsylvania, The OA, and now Cure for Wellness you end up in these narratives of very intimate psychological violation or manipulation. Is that character profile just most interesting to you? I dont draw patterns. The job of an actor is not saying the lines or doing things in the script. Its creating the 99.9 percent of stuff going on in the characters head and in their past that leads into the point where the scene starts, and then for the director to say action, and then to let stuff happen, to listen to the other person. I try to engage with them, because ultimately it doesnt matter if 20 spaceships are blowing up behind you, or if a bunch of horses are doing tai chi. What youre really watching is human beings connecting, or failing to connect, and thats my job, to try and connect with the other people in the scene. So if what you feel is an uncomfortable intimacy, what youre catching is me really genuinely trying to make contact with the other person, and thats making you uncomfortable. Well, you do make some very uncomfortable contact in this movie and others. Yeah. That is true. So is there anyone youve played whos scared you? I was in a very dark place once. I was in a thing called Scars. It was based on a series of interviews that a documentary filmmaker named Leo Regan in Britain did with a man whos had a very, very violent life. He did a series of interviews in order to help him write a script, but once hed done the interviews it became clear that they were much better than any fiction he could come up with. He asked the man if he changed the details, could he recreate the interviews with an actor. They were completely verbatim, and it was a guy in London, a real guy, whos led a life, from the very first second, that has been steeped in the most extraordinary and horrendous violence. And he was just one of many, many millions of people who are exactly the same. He wasnt extraordinary. That was just the world he grew up in, and its still the world that exists for a lot of people. That certainly made me walk down the street and think that half the people were carrying knives or guns or clubs and if you beep your horn in the car, theres a chance that someone might get out with a wrench and smash your head in. It was a monologue, because the interviews had been one-on-one. So it was just me on-camera all day every day, living in this very, very dark and violent place. And as much as acting is pretend, you still have to try and get your imagination around it, and if for 12 hours a day you are leading this dark life and chronicling one after the other of these horrendous acts of maiming and burning and stabbing and running people over that haunted me. I felt toxic. I wanted to get away from my kids. I almost wanted to take my kids to another country or wished Id never had them, because I didnt want them to live in this world where these things were possible. It took a while for it to clear. So how does one create a character that instills such a pervading sense of dread? I would say if youre thinking down that route you should go and open a cake shop and stop acting. If you create a general sense of anything, any general wash of nastiness or friendliness it just doesnt mean anything. Who is this person at this time with the things that have happened to them? And what do they want in this moment? Anything more general than that is for Renaissance fairs. How, then, can we neutralize the true believers like Volmer in Wellness or Dr. Hap in The OA who inflict great harm, but are convicted in their moral correctness? If you met them in real life? I dont know, but if you find out the answer let everyone in the Democratic party know. Photo: Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/Getty Images Well, this is awkward. On Monday evening, infamous pharmaceuticals price gouger Martin Shkreli announced via his Facebook page that he would be hosting an event at New York Citys Webster Hall that would serve as a combination listening party and public policy discussion. The Eventbrite listing for An Evening With Martin Shkreli said Shkreli would discuss investing, healthcare and politics in a presentation/lecture format for one hour and will take questions. He also promised to pose for photos with attendees and play tracks from his unreleased music collection, which includes the Wu-Tang album he purchased at the end of 2015. Just two days later, however, Pitchfork is reporting that Webster Hall will no longer house the event, with a rep saying, Officially, it is not happening. The Eventbrite link is still live, though the location of the event has been removed, and tickets are available. So an evening with the guy who threatened to beat the hell out of Chris Evans could still be happening at another venue. Shkreli confirmed the turn of events on his Facebook page, saying, Webster Hall has cancelled the 2/20 event, and Its sad that a couple of threats can cancel a 500 person event people wanted to go to In Shkrelis original announcement, he said, Buy your tickets. Chill with me and listen to the Wu Tang album. Prices for the tickets are likely to rise exponentially. Captain Americas nemesis, of course, entered the spotlight after he raised the price of the prescription drug Daraprim 4,000 percent from $18 to $750 per pill essentially overnight. So if theres anyone who knows how to obscenely raise the price of a supply based on consumer demand, its definitely this guy. Update, February 16: A source with knowledge of the situation tells Vulture that the event Shkreli rented out Webster Hall to host was unofficial and unauthorized because Webster Hall exclusively uses Ticketweb for all ticketing, not Eventbrite. The event was canceled accordingly. The ever-controversial Mel. Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images The past year has been an upward swing for Mel Gibson, but a downward tumble for Warner Bros. DC Films brand, and now the two appear to have met somewhere in the middle. According to The Hollywood Reporter, there are extremely early talks between the embattled Gibson and the troubled studio about having him direct the sequel to last years critically reviled but profitable Suicide Squad (which is not to be confused with the Suicide Squad spinoff co-starring Harley Quinn, which is being directed by the originals helmer, David Ayer). There arent any details beyond that, but even this tiny leak certainly plays into Gibsons much-criticized postHacksaw Ridge comeback narrative. If he were to score the gig, he will have gone from a reviled persona non grata caught on tape spouting horrific racist, anti-Semitic, and misogynistic remarks to having the coveted Hollywood twofer of Oscar-nominated legitimacy and a lucrative superhero-franchise job. What makes this rumor all the more remarkable is the fact that Gibson had a terrible relationship with Warner just a few years ago, when he was dropped from 2011s The Hangover: Part II due to distaste for him within the cast and studio. If he can conquer Warner Bros. and DC, theres no telling how high Mels rise can go. Planet Earth IIs iguana hero. We begin with a close-up of a marine iguana hatchling, followed by a close-up of the nearly blind snake thats trying to eat it. The iguana freezes as the snake slithers right behind it. The music swells and the iguana is off! This is just the start of what might be the most exhilarating nature clip ever filmed: Like many of the best Planet Earth clips, this incredible footage is the result of the kind of extreme luck that only comes with hard work. A camera crew worked from dusk to dawn for weeks filming the exact spot, hoping something would happen, and if it did, that the camera would be in focus. As is often the case with the acclaimed series, they got their shot. Ahead of Planet Earth IIs American premiere this Saturday night on BBC America which debuts with the standout Islands episode Vulture spoke with Liz White, the producer behind the episode and the iguana versus snakes clip. White explains exactly how the moment was captured, how the story evolved once they discovered the Galapagos Islands wall of death, and what Hollywood blockbuster scores they used while editing. I wanted to talk about the iguana versus snake scene because I believe is one of the all-time greatest filmed things. You were the producer of the episode, but that can be a malleable term. What was your role in the episode? With this series, we had six different producers for six different episodes each had a single producer. They wanted us to really immerse in one show, one habitat, so we could get under the skin of it. For me, that was three-and-a-half years about nothing but islands, trying to work out what stories to do. And I really, really wanted to do a Galapagos story. I was like, You cant do a show about islands and not do something in Galapagos. Because my background is marine, I was like, I dont really want to do the finches or the turtles. Ive always thought marine iguanas were cool. I mean, their faces, they look like Godzilla and they swim and they dive. Theyre awesome. It was a shoo-in. The problem is, everyones seen marine iguanas before, so what can you do thats different? I was having a brainstorm with one of our cameramen who lives out in Galapagos and he happened to say, Oh, you know what I filmed a few years ago? The hatchlings. Its really cool because they walk up on the plateau of the rocks and these snakes grab them. It had been filmed twice before, but it never really had much coverage. So we came up with the whole story about how the marine iguanas are really successful at staying alive, and how that allows other animals to survive. Weve got the crabs in there [who feed on the iguanas dead skin] and the smaller lizards who eat the flies that fly around the colony. We also expected to be filming hawks, birds, and snakes. Did the story change when you got to the island? The day we arrived to Galapagos we were on the beach and we saw a baby iguana caught by snakes. We were like, Cool, weve timed it really, really well. Still, there was a lot of scouting, with us going around and looking for where these hatchlings were coming out. You have no idea because the mother iguana laid its egg three months in advance. A lot of the time was spent standing at the top of the beach with a pair of binoculars just looking for teeny-weeny little black heads. Suddenly wed see this little thing on the sand and then its like, Oh my god, everybody has to stand to attention and watch and wait and film and blah, blah, blah. That was our system because you cant run across the sand. The Galapagos is very protected, so you cant get too close to the animals. We had a park ranger with us and he was telling us where we could and couldnt go. Most of the time youre at the top of the beach, just waiting and watching. Was there a breakthrough? Quite early on, this little hatchling came out and it was wandering towards one particular rock wall, which we eventually started calling the wall of death, because when it got near the wall, a medusas head of snakes just poured out. We all just went, Shit! Wed been looking for snakes, and seen quite a few little individual snakes, but we realized there would be like ten snakes in any one crack. Theyre really smart because all the iguanas from that side of the beach have to go past that bottleneck in order to get to the colony, so the snakes are always hanging out there because theres more of a chance of getting a meal. Thats where we focused. We were like, well do the wall because its way more interesting to see snakes crawling out of the rock rather than just a kind of ambush. We put pretty much all of our resources to just working that one area of the beach. Ive never seen that number of snakes together in one spot, and theyve got really evil-looking little faces. Do you see that and start figuring out a story? Like, Okay, the snakes will be the villains. It wasnt even as complicated as that. You look at the cracks and theres like ten snake heads and youre like, Whoa, thats a lot snakes. Its a no-brainer. Ive never seen that number of snakes together in one spot, and theyve got really evil-looking little faces. But, also, I want to argue the snakes case. Theres very little food for them. Even though, obviously, we tell the story from the marine iguanas perspective and thats pretty brutal, if you happen to get caught as a baby marine iguana the snakes have got a really tough time. Once the marine iguana get to the sea, their life is fairly easy. Its the most brutal life for the snakes. Theyre not actually that big. We filmed it all right down on the iguanas eye level, where snakes look quite big. Thats the whole point. We put you into the iguanas world. When youre there as a human being, theyre not at all threatening, theyre not even that venomous. Theyre not hunting together. Theres absolutely no pack hunting. Every single snake is out to get that meal for himself. We saw snakes bite other snakes. Literally, they are fighting each other to get that food. They totally are watching the sand. You could stand in front of them as a human and move your hands around near them and they wont take notice. They dont even take notices of larger lizards, because they are too fast. Theyre totally waiting for baby marine iguanas. What was your plan going in to actually shooting it? We had quite a big shopping list. It was about three weeks long, and the first two weeks we did nothing but concentrate on the beach. The cameraman would sometimes go off and film, say, the lizards catching flies, but, for the core like for me, the camera assistant, the ranger, and one of the cameramen we constantly were stationed on the beach. Literally dawn till dusk. Wed get there as soon as possible in the morning because those iguanas can come out at any time. We reckoned there was probably more coming out in the middle of the day because theyre cold-blooded and they need to warm up but you just dont know. Sometimes a little hatchling would come out and if they went down towards the sea, some of them would just walk through completely boldly and make it straight down to the colony. Others would go towards the wall. The cameraman has to take a gamble and go, Do you know what? Im just gonna cover these snakes and hope that the iguana comes this way. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesnt, and we can get anything from like one hatchling in the day to six or seven. An awful a lot of times there would be just one and we missed the moment, or it got through and we just didnt get it. We tried to maximize our chances by having two cameramen: One of them was shooting on a very long lens from a tripod so he would be able to get all the close-ups; and the other was using a hand-held system where he could actually walk around holding the camera and try running into position, in front of the shots. Some people think some of the shots are shot on a drone, but theyre not thats actually a cameraman holding it just above waist height. Youre not allowed to use a drone in Galapagos. We had to be active and flexible. How close would the cameraman get when the iguana was running? The rule in Galapagos is you cant go within, I think, two meters of any wildlife. If any of the animals come closer to you, thats fine. Sometimes theyd run past you really close, or even just walk past you really close. I remember sitting on the sand one day and one of them literally walked up and sat in my shadow. Also, when theyre running, you have no chance, you cant keep up with them. Theyre way faster than humans. A few of them we showed running at high speed, but virtually all of it is very much slowed down because you just cant see the action otherwise. Every single snake is out to get that meal for himself. We saw snakes bite other snakes. Literally, they are fighting each other to get that food. Theres one that ends up being the focus with the incredible escape. Yes, hero. Do you remember that day or the moment when you captured that one? I remember it fairly well. The thing was, there was no guarantee wed actually really get the shots, because it all happened so fast. Its only when you go back to the boat in the evening and you go through footage that you can actually see whether its in focus. This chase happened and the cameraman was swearing and going, Oh, shit I dont think its in focus. In fact, if you watch the sequence, there are shots that are not in focus, where the focus is actually on the rocks behind and not iguana. Amazingly, where it comes into focus is just as the snake bites. It ended up being more tense at the end of filming because were suddenly going, Well, that was amazing but we dont actually know if weve got it. Its why we kept working for two weeks to really make sure we had enough material. Once you saw the heros escape was in focus, how did you start conceptualizing the piece with the editor? From the beginning, I knew what I wanted, so it was a case of just trying to figure out how best to tell it. Specifically, in terms of the order of events whether to start with one getting nailed or whether to let one go first that was the debate between the editor and me. Its like doing a jigsaw puzzle. Also, trying to make sure youve got the right bits to tell the story and the biological story. You want it to be a big, emotional piece where people are going to feel like theyre rooting for a character, but we also wanted to be able to have the stuff about the snakes eyes. When I talk about the scene its hard not to describe it as if its about a person. What do you think grounds it in such a visceral human reality? Its in the images. The fact that theyve got four legs and they stand up on their back legs to run, and that theyre cute, massively makes it an easier story. Or that last shot, where the snakes fall back and the little one is left basically gripping by his little fingernails it does have a clear movie parallel. If it was a different kind of animal, it probably wouldnt have the same results, but the fact that theres something about it thats almost quite human makes a big difference. Also, human beings are normally fearful of the idea of giant snakes. We didnt plan for it to be that kind of story we expected it to be an ambush story so it takes on its own organic feel. We were just really lucky that the ingredients came together. How does the music get incorporated? The music was absolutely beautiful for it. We could have killed the sequence with the music by making it too in your face. We used all sorts of music, anything from Mad Max to Batman, when we were editing a temporary piece. This is the one that the guys really, really had to work on to get it just right. Youve just got to get the right amount of tension because it is quite a high-octane sequence from the beginning. The very first take when the iguana comes out, hes running for his life. The music had to add the tension. If you watch it without the music, it hasnt got anywhere near as much impact. You want it to be a big, emotional piece where people are going to feel like theyre rooting for a character. How did you ultimately score it to have the proper amount of tension? I worried a little bit when I first watched it. I said, The first part of the music is a bit too stop-start and that at the end the music needs to carry it so it feels like you were climaxing towards something. It was simple things, like when the iguana gets caught by the snakes, you could literally stop the music there and everybodys emotion would just go, Ugh. But theres a slightly discordant string that carries on and then it gets more and more discordant. Its a music cue that is basically telling everybody, Keep watching, because its not over yet. As a result, theres very, very little commentary. You dont need it. Its much better to just let it all unfold. Like if we had it going, Oh, look, theres a snake behind him! it would lose all its magic. Also, the fact that the shots run long. A lot of his shots are left as is, and that adds to the suspense. Like the shot in the beginning with the little one walking, and then one snake comes in, and then two snakes, and then three, that is all about the fact that you dont change shots. You let that one shot run and let it develop and let it develop, and that in many ways puts in natural tension. Though Planet Earth II hasnt come out in the states yet, this clip especially has gone viral in the U.K. Considering how long it took to make, what has that felt like? Its just been lovely that that particular clip seems to have suddenly resonated on many different levels. Obviously youve got the funny parodies, some of which are brilliant. I still want to call the first iguana Fiona thanks that the Ozzy Man parody. Its something around the series that has been really nice, that people see the animals and then they relate to them in their own world. Thats exactly what we wanted. We want people to feel more connected to nature by seeing these animals and their stories and feeling a sense of empathy for it. Theyre thinking, God, yeah, actually that animal has got a really hard life. It does summarize quite neatly what the series is about. Its about putting you into the animals world and making people feel as if theyve got a better understanding of what those animals go through to live their lives. It both connects your life to the iguanas and the iguanas life to yours like we are all essentially just trying to wriggle through. Its been really sweet. On Twitter there are kids all over the U.K. playing snakes and iguanas. You see people doing these little funny things online about, Oh, I know what that iguana feels like. For us as filmmakers thats what we wanted to see for people to watch nature and relate. Photo: Sony Pictures Classics If theres one thing we can all agree the dazzling 2011 Indonesian movie The Raid was missing, it was absolutely nothing. The Raid is essentially a perfect pure action film, with damn near every minute filled by stunning fight choreography the likes of which we had rarely ever seen here in the United States. So, naturally, its getting a domestic remake. Well, its not a remake so much as it is a reimagining, according to director Joe Carnahan, who will also produce alongside Gareth Edwards. The original movie, which The Hollywood Reporter called a cult action hit, follows a SWAT team as they fight their way to the top of an apartment building that houses a drug lord. In a tweet about the news, Carnahan said, Its not a remake. Its a reimagining of the same scenario. Everybody take a deep breath. We wont disappoint you, rabid-fanboy-from-Hell. Thats fine, but a reimagining of the same scenario (except with white people) was kind of already made in 2012. It was called Dredd, and in it, two judges had to ascend a criminal-infested super-high-rise apartment building in Mega City 1 to reach the grizzled and ruthless drug lord at the top, played by Lena Headey. But, hey, as long as the fight choreography is on point, Carnahans white Raid should be fun, especially if Iko Uwais can just reprise his original starring role. THE RAID remake will hew closer in tone & feel to THE GREY and NARC.@Ghuevans is producing alongside & has given us his full blessing. Joe Carnahan (@carnojoe) February 15, 2017 It's not a remake. It's a reimagining of the same scenario. Everybody take a deep breath. We won't disappoint you, rabid-fanboy-from-Hell. https://t.co/ShPcXmng5n Joe Carnahan (@carnojoe) February 15, 2017 Frank Grillo and I are going to sit down with @colliderfrosty this week, do an in-depth and then all your fears will be allayed #theraid. Joe Carnahan (@carnojoe) February 15, 2017 The Great Wall. Photo: Jasin Boland/Universal Studios The Great Wall, which stars Matt Damon as a monster-slayer in medieval China, hits U.S. theaters this weekend, finally answering the question: How many white men does it take to save the Great Wall of China? In the run-up to the movies release, Fresh Off the Boats Constance Wu echoed the concerns of many Asian-Americans when she criticized the movie for peddling the racist myth that people of color need to be saved by white people. The movie hasnt been able to shed this controversy, with Damon himself telling people to see the movie before they criticize it. Of course, thats a tactic that makes the movie money either way, something you may not be into. Thats where Vulture comes in. We watched The Great Wall, and are happy to help you calibrate the appropriate amount of outrage for it. So, whats the movie about exactly? Matt Damon plays William, a European mercenary in Song Dynasty China on the hunt for black powder (gunpowder) alongside his pal Pedro Pascal. In their quest, they happen upon the Great Wall, manned by an army called the Nameless Order, who defend the wall from a horde of monsters called the Tao Tei. While Damons character is initially motivated by individualism and greed, the beautiful Commander Lin Mae (Tian Jing) teaches him that there are greater causes to fight for, like saving China. Damon is swayed by her message and desire to do trust falls, and helps lead the charge to defeat the monsters. How does he do that? In one of the movies many incomprehensible action scenes, Damon and Pascal are attacked in the dark of night by one of the monsters, and Damon manages to chop off one of its claws. When the Nameless Order captures them, they see the Tao Tei hand and are amazed: How did this gweilo manage to kill a Tao Tei when weve been fighting them our entire lives? A few scenes later, when the Wall is attacked by an army of Tao Tei, Damon and Pascal kill a couple of those suckers and are immediately hailed as heroes. White exceptionalism is a helluva drug. So it sounds like Constance Wu was right? Yes. The Great Wall has a white-savior complex, an issue thats different from whitewashing, (which would mean that Damon was playing a character originally written as a person of color, a straw-man argument the actors been using on the press tour). While the Chinese clearly demonstrate impressive technological might, the narrative revolves around Damons character: His actions, bravery, and ingenuity are what propel the plot forward. Most troubling is the fact that the Chinese, both visually and narratively, are often represented as their own kind of indistinguishable horde shields to be raised, bodies to be killed, etc. But didnt Zhang Yimou say that there are four Chinese heroes? There are some Chinese characters, but the only one of any significance is Lin Mae, who gets a big heroic moment in the end, but mostly serves to move Williams heart. While the movie was directed by Zhang Yimou, its important to note that the script was written by Carlo Bernard, Doug Miro, and Tony Gilroy, from a story by Max Brooks, Edward Zwick, and Marshall Herskovitz. (Do you sense a pattern?) The movie is mostly in English; its got fewer subtitles than an episode of Lost. So are William and Commander Lin Mae, like, you know ? Lin Mae is one of the only commanders who can speak English, so she becomes the de facto interpreter for William, and his interest is clearly piqued from the moment he sees her in her souped-up Chun-Li power armor. All of their scenes together make you feel like they are thisclose from making out. So do they make out? No. Rest easy, bruh. Are there any hotties to thirst after? Lin Gengxin in The Great Wall. Photo: Universal Studios Heres Lin Gengxin, who only appears in a few scenes and has no plotline of his own. #Linsanity Alright, lets table the whole white-savior thing for a second. I mean, I still watched The Last Samurai. Is the movie any good? Its emphatically mediocre, which makes it hard to get worked up about. The monsters are generic, the action scenes are often incomprehensible, and huge sections of plot seem to have been edited out. Still, there are moments where it achieves the sublime ridiculousness of a Fast and the Furious or Mortal Kombat movie. The best parts of the movie come when it leans into epic-fantasy mode: The Nameless Order wears crazy color-coded armor, almost like theyre Power Rangers. The women, dressed in blue, are called the Crane Corps and they have a fun technique where they bungee jump off little diving boards to spear the monsters. That sounds pretty dope! It is! Plus, the Chinese army has some cool weapons, like these giant scissors that appear from slits in the Wall and cut the monsters in half while theyre scaling the wall. If nothing else, the movie should be commended for inventing the concept of wall-scissors. Should I be mad about this movie? Meh. Call your senators, instead. "Talaq, talaq, talaq." And Murtaza hung up the phone, ending his 15-year marriage to Ishrat Jahan, a mother of four. The embroiderist from West Bengal, now in Dubai, wanted a new life and a new wife. "Just because we eat apples, can't we like other fruits?" Ajmal Basheer WhatsApped his talaq to his bride of 10 days in Kerala. Dowry or divorce? Syed Ashhar Ali Warsi of Madhya Pradesh used Speed Post to liquidate his marriage to Afreen Rehman. Rizwan Ahmed of Uttar Pradesh simply posted a letter to wife Shayara Bano, 37: "Talaq. Talaq. Talaq." It's a normal story: just a few men among many, exercising 'rights' bestowed by the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937. But there's a twist in the tale. In a groundswell of anger, Muslim women are coming forward. Burqas unveiled, staring unflinchingly into press cameras, navigating the labyrinth of court procedures, to challenge the tradition that grants their husbands the instant, unilateral and irrevocable right to divorce them: the talaq-ul-biddat or triple talaq. In the summer of 2016, several women who had been treated with casual disregard by their husbands suddenly had to be taken very seriously indeed. Their petitions in the Supreme Court, along with the Narendra Modi government's clarion call to topple the custom, caught the nation off-guard, triggering a tense debate: about the condition of 'hapless Muslim women', the legal status demanded by them, the brash rejection by Muslim clerics, the real interpretation of the law, the scenario in other Muslim nations, the misogyny inherent in the personal laws of all communities, the possible need to inscribe a religion-neutral common code (or the Uniform Civil Code) in the statute books and, of course, the politics of vote bank in view of the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections. With the Supreme Court having resumed arguments on the triple talaq cases from January, the countdown has started. advertisement "Just as Hindus committing female foeticide will have to go to jail, likewise, what is the crime of my Muslim sisters that someone says 'talaq, talaq, talaq' over the phone and her life is destroyed?" On October 24 last year, when Prime Minister Modi suddenly expanded the boundaries of the debate on triple talaq during an election rally in Bundelkhand, the nation sat up. It was the second time he had spoken out on the issue since his Vijayadashami speech in Lucknow on October 11. He alerted news channels against turning it "into an issue of Hindu versus Muslim or BJP versus others" and cautioned politicians against the "lust for vote bank": "Daughters, mothers, sisters should be protected. One should not consider religion." The media went into overdrive. Had Modi hinted at a move toward a uniform civil code, a fixture in BJP manifestos since 1998? Social networks lit up with excited chatter: why has the PM jumped into the debate before Uttar Pradesh goes to polls? Hashtags started trending: #OneNationOneLaw. The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) issued a volley of protest that the PM had no right to interfere. "Those opposing uniform civil code should go to Pakistan," retorted Hindu hardliners. Union ministers held press conferences on gender justice, while their political opponents questioned their 'intention' of imposing a 'single ideology' on all citizens. The Law Commission of India floated its questionnaire, calling for public debate. The Supreme Court maintained a sphinx-like silence, announcing its intention to set up a larger seven-judge bench: a sign of the upcoming storm over fundamental questions of law. Politics of justice But the nation is squirming. As Uttar Pradesh heads towards polls, the triple talaq issue is getting subsumed within the campaign rhetoric. On February 5, Union minister Smriti Irani, on the campaign trail in Lucknow, demanded that the Congress and the Samajwadi Party clear their stand on triple talaq. "Women should be respected? I am saying it publicly that be it Akhileshji, Rahulji, Dimpleji or Priyankaji? Will they give their opinion on triple talaq or will they hint that there is a difference between the rights of Hindu and Muslim women?" A day later, Union law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad similarly threw a dare at the Samajwadi Party, Congress and the Bahujan Samaj Party to make clear their stand on the contentious issue, adding that the Centre would take "a major step" to ban triple talaq after the elections. The same day, Union urban development minister M. Venkaiah Naidu said: "There is a stated stand of the Bharatiya Janata Party from the beginning, and the government will present its view when the matter comes up before the Supreme Court." What the nation faces now is a worrying question: What's behind the Modi government's determination to do away with triple talaq? Is it a legal manoeuvre or political warfare? For, the complexity of triple talaq and personal laws goes far beyond politics. The Constitution describes India as a 'sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic', yet the private lives of its citizens are governed by different laws, inherently discriminatory to women and outliers within a community, explains Upendra Baxi, professor of law, Warwick University. "It has exposed a basic dilemma which the nation must face one day," he says. To some, the government is using triple talaq to demonise the Muslim community and build a polarising narrative on the eve of the UP elections. "In the heat of the debate, nobody asks Mr Modi what have you delivered," says Shabnam Hashmi, co-founder of ANHAD, a human rights network. "Uncomfortable questions get diverted." Personal laws, she says, do not affect only Muslims; there are problematic laws in every community. "If the government is so bothered about women, why not bring in laws against khap panchayats and honour killing?" she asks. advertisement An eternal debate To Flavia Agnes, feminist lawyer and director of Majlis Legal Centre, Mumbai, it's a debate that has been with India since the 1930s. "Yes, personal laws are patriarchal," she says (see interview: 'Merely getting rid of personal laws won't reform society'). "But you must realise that all personal laws are not similarly affected. If you have a specific injustice happening in your community, you can go to court and set that right." During the Constituent Assembly debates, then law minister B.R. Ambedkar and Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had proposed a common code. With the Hindu Right opposing it tooth and nail, it had led to Ambedkar's resignation. "The truth is that women's rights are always a pretext," says Agnes. For Ambedkar, the point was to bring all Hindus into one fold; Modi's agenda is to get back at the Muslim community, she says. "The irony is that Modi deserted his own wife. He had no tears to shed for her, but he suddenly has a lot of sympathy for Muslim women." advertisement A new mood has been picking up at the Supreme Court for quite some time now. Up and down its marbled labyrinth, courtrooms are echoing with outspoken jurists, venting their frustration at the surge in cases on confusing personal laws and the Centre's inaction. In October 2015, there was a stunned silence as Justice Vikramjit Sen's voice rumbled through courtroom 10 of the Supreme Court: "What is happening?" he thundered. "Why is this happening? There is total confusion." It was the third time in a year that the top judges had thrown up their hands in despair. Sen tossed a question at the solicitor general: "What happened to the uniform civil code? Why don't you frame it and implement it?" advertisement Within a few days, a bench of Justices A.R. Dave and A.K. Goel requested the chief justice of India (CJI) to constitute a special bench in order to make Muslim personal laws gender-equal, in line with the Constitution. "Laws dealing with marriage and succession are not part of religion. The law has to change with time," the bench said. Yet, in December 2015, CJI T.S. Thakur refused to entertain a PIL that asked for court intervention to direct Parliament or the government to enact a uniform civil code, calling it "a matter for the legislature" and a community's issue. "Let its women come forward to challenge," he said. And it did happen in 2016: Shayara Bano, after 15 years of marriage, multiple pregnancies and forced abortions, became the first Muslim woman in India to challenge triple talaq. At the core of the debate is the question: Is the uniform civil code an idea whose time has come? As the Constitution, in Article 44 of the Directive Principles of State Policy, states, "The State shall endeavour to secure for the citizens a uniform civil code throughout the territory of India." The underlying assumption is that a uniform civil code would create a sense of 'Indianness' and strengthen national unity. "But it's a goal, not a right," Baxi points out. "It contains no mechanism and provides no timetable for enforcement." Article 44 is also silent on how long the state shall "endeavour". Nearly eight decades have gone by since a uniform civil code was first mooted. Isn't that too long for the state to "endeavour" without anything to show for it? Or, as some say, is the time not ripe yet? Or is it time to amend the article itself and change its vague promise into a time-bound schedule? Outrage from below This is an extraordinary moment for ordinary people. For, the demand for change is coming from them. Over 50,000 signatures from Muslim women and men demanding a ban on the practice of triple talaq have been sent to the prime minister. "Muslim personal law has become the sole and arbitrary privilege of a few clergies with vested interest," says Zakia Soman, co-founder of the Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan (BMMA). "This situation must change. They cannot forever exclude women." A survey ('Seeking Justice Within Family', March 2015) of nearly 5,000 women by BMMA shows 59 per cent divorced Muslim women in the sample were victims of triple talaq and 92 per cent want it to be banned. "I want justice and to get on with my life," says Shayara Bano. Rehman, who moved the Supreme Court in May 2016 to end "frivolous triple talaqs", calls it "wrong and unfair". Ishrat Jahan, who has lost the roof over her head as well as her children to her husband, says: "I don't accept the talaq by phone. I want justice. And I will fight to the finish." Afshan Begum has shot off a letter to the CJI against Mohd Zaheeruddin Siddiqui, 59, a district judge in Aligarh, who divorced her in a fit of anger in February last year. "I urge our PM to help women like me and stop this tradition of triple talaq, which has destroyed the lives of innumerable women," she wrote. On October 23, 2016, Arshiya, 18, of Baramati, Maharashtra, made an appeal to the PM. Her husband, Mohammad Kazim Bagwan, terminated their marriage after two years and a child because allegedly he had "no place" for her in his heart. And it's not just Muslim women. There's a surge in petitions in various courts from people of all communities, challenging laws considered to be discriminatory. Take Albert Anthony, a Delhi citizen who has challenged the constitutional validity of Section 10A(1) of the Divorce Act, which prescribes a minimum two-year period of separation for Christian couples before they can file for divorce by mutual consent, whereas Hindus and Parsis can file a divorce suit after a year of living separately. Between May and August 2016, in two different verdicts, the courts upheld the rights of women to enter and worship at the Sabarimala temple in Kerala and the Haji Ali shrine in Mumbai. And in December 2015, Sujata Sharma, eldest daughter of a Delhi businessman, won the right of a woman to be the karta of the property in the Hindu Undivided Family. Parsi sisters Goolrokh M. Gupta and Shiraz Contractor Patodia have challenged the ban on women of the community who marry outside their religion to enter the fire temple to participate in the funeral rites of their parents and relatives. Mumbai resident Roxann Sharma, who used to teach at the Los Angeles Community College, US, has been fighting the Hindu Minority and Guardianship (HMG) Act since 2012, when her husband absconded after forcibly taking away their son. It worked in his favour for a while as the HMG Act makes the father the "natural guardian" of a child. The Supreme Court granted Sharma interim custody of her three-year-old son in February 2015, declaring the mother to be the "natural guardian" if a child is less than five. "My case is a landmark one, as it offers some medicine to a society diseased with misogyny," Sharma writes in her blog. Charged with making sense of the nation's personal laws by the Union law ministry, the Law Commission of India, on October 7, 2016, brought out a questionnaire with 16 questions, calling all Indian citizens to engage, debate and suggest models and variations of a single common code by mid-November. There are questions on the topics the uniform civil code should include or exclude, whether or not the common code should be optional, on triple talaq among Muslims, property rights of Hindu women, Christian women's right to equality in divorce, inter-caste and inter-religion marriages, the compulsory registration of marriage and so on. "We are inviting every Indian to keep an open mind, read and respond to our questions, understand your own country, before thinking about the code," says Justice B.S. Chauhan, chairman of the Law Commission of India. It's a legal landmine, though. "India is a land of religions and it is not easy to change people's religious beliefs," he says. The Constitution assures protection of the fundamental rights of equality before law (Article 14), the right to live with human dignity (Article 21), the freedom to profess, practise and propagate religion (Article 25). "These are the limits within which the modern Indian state has been struggling to balance, negotiate and mediate the claims of various communities of faith and their laws," says Justice Chauhan. As his office digs deep, the variety, diversity and range of laws and judgments take them by surprise. Thus, they have come across a Bombay High Court judgment that gave Muslims the freedom to opt for the 80-year-old Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937, governing triple talaq and polygamy. Our laws hold many such surprises: while Indian males are liable to be jailed for marrying two women at the same time, in Gujarat just the promise of everlasting love (and a financial undertaking) before a magistrate can keep one out of jail, thanks to the maitri karar (friendship) contract between a man and a woman. The family laws in Goa recognise something called "limited polygamy" for Hindus. Polyandry is common in Haryana and among various communities in the Northeast and elsewhere in the country. Hindu personal laws prohibit sagotra vivaha (marriage within the clan), which has provoked the honour killing diktats of khap panchayats. It is evident that discrimination towards women runs across religions. "All feudal laws are unjust," says former Supreme Court judge Justice Markandey Katju. But as Agnes points out, the obsession is solely with the Muslim community. "People are too busy pointing fingers at Muslims rather than bothering about the rights of their own daughters," she says. --- ENDS --- Last Sunday with considerable excitement my church unveiled a new piano in the sanctuary. Outwardly it looked about like the older grand piano it was replacing, albeit newer and, somehow, more luminous maybe there seemed to be a glow about it. But the real difference hit you when you heard it the first time. It sounded fantastic. The tone was richer and fuller by far, the pitch more secure. That was no surprise: it was a Steinway. A Steinway piano is the gold standard for quality in its field and has a long reputation of being the best there is. Moreover, the story of the company combines American industrial history and art history like few I can think of, and reveals much about the place of music in American society. Henry Steinway (born Heinrich Steinweg in 1797, in what would later be central Germany) immigrated to New York City with his wife and children in 1850. Within a few years he was engaged in building pianos under the name Steinway & Sons and the company took off. Year by year, output increased and quality improved. By the 1870s the company had received dozens of gold medals for its pianos and moved its production facilities out of Manhattan and into Queens where it established a factory town that rivaled any textile factory town in the American South. In 1877, the New York Times said it would be like attempting to gild refined gold to say anything in praise of Messrs. Steinways pianos, and there is no state in the union in which they are not known; there are very few towns of any size in the majority of the states in which one or more of their pianos cannot be found. As part of a creative marketing strategy, the company built its own concert venue in 1866. Steinway Hall hosted everything from orchestras to soloists, all of who would play Steinway pianos to the delight of the citys music aficionados. On the national stage the company also sponsored tours by well-known European musicians. As Richard K. Lieberman writes in his 1995 book Steinway & Sons, by bringing famous pianists like Arthur Rubinstein and Ignacy Paderewski to the United States, Steinway delivered piano recitals to people who lived in regions barren of classical music. William Steinway (Henrys son) did for classical piano music what P.T. Barnum did for the circus. Others like Franz Liszt raved about the distinctive sound and touch of Steinway pianos. In the 1920s, as American culture became more and more disposable, Steinway began marketing its product as being a form of art itself: It was the real thing in a day of cheap imitation. Creating one of its pianos remained an art in an age of machines. The factory is still there in Queens and produces around 1,500 pianos a year. There are 12,000 parts in every Steinway grand piano and it takes almost a year to build a piano. In 2013 when the company was sold, there was worry among musicians that the new owners would try to introduce efficiencies that could spoil what they prize: the delicacy of a Steinways touch, the colorations of its sound. So far that hasnt happened. In art, quality counts. In fact one can make the argument that quality and originality are the two most important measures of any art. Imitations simply dont have the effect of the real thing. Its one of the ways that art is an ill fit in todays disposable society, but at the same time, one of the reasons we need it more than ever. A five-judge constitution bench of the Supreme Court will sit on May 11 to decide on pleas relating to aspects of triple talaq. By Praveen Shekhar: In a major development in the triple talaq case, the Supreme Court on Thursday took the first step towards the framing of issues in the case. A bench of the Chief Justice JS Khehar and Justices NV Ramana and DY Chandrachud today received four questions from the Centre to be considered by the court over the matter. Four questions submitted by the Centre: advertisement 1. Whether the impugned practices of talaq-e-biddat, Nikah halala and polygamy are protected under Article 25(1) of the Constitution of India? 2. Whether Article 25(1) is subject to part III of the Constitution and in particular Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution of India? 3. Whether personal law is a law under Article 13 of the Constitution? 4. Whether the impugned practices of talaq-e-biddat, Nikah halala and polygamy are compatible with India's obligations under International treaties and covenants to which India is a signatory? The Supreme Court said the questions for consideration of the constitution bench would be decided on March 30. A five-judge constitution bench will sit on May 11 to decide on pleas relating to aspects of triple talaq. Also read: The war on women The SC had asked all the parties to frame their respective set of questions and accordingly the Centre submitted its list in the court. The bench said, "The issues are very important. These issues cannot be scuttled." Referring to the legal issues framed by the Centre, it said all of them relate to the constitutional issues and needed to be dealt by a larger bench. The bench asked the parties concerned to file their respective written submissions, running not beyond 15 pages, by the next date of hearing, besides the common paper book of case laws to be relied upon by them during the hearing to avoid duplicity. In the last hearing on February 14, the SC had clarified that it would not touch the domain of Uniform Civil Code, but made it clear that it wants to adjudicate on the triple talaq issue as it "was a matter which involved a person's human rights." "It's a matter of human rights, so we would deal with it properly," the court said. MUSLIM PERSONAL LAW The Supreme Court said the question whether divorce under the Muslim Personal Law needs to be supervised by either courts or by a court-supervised institutional arbitration falls under the legislative domain. The observation was made by an apex court bench headed by Chief Justice Khehar, after hearing the plea filed by one Shayara Banu, who had moved the apex court challenging the validity of triple talaq. advertisement Banu had stirred a hornet`s nest after she moved the Supreme Court to challenge the triple talaq under the Muslim Personal Law, under which a man simply has to utter `talaq` thrice to divorce his wife. Also read: 'Merely getting rid of personal laws won't reform society' Banu has also challenged the concept of `nikah-halal` in the Supreme Court, under which a woman must consummate another marriage in order to go back to her first husband, if she wants to. Earlier also, several women have filed a petition before the Supreme Court seeking the quashing of the triple talaq practice. The Central government has also told the top court that it is against gender injustice and is for equality between men and women under the Constitution. In December last year, the Allahabad High Court termed the Islamic practice of divorcing a woman by uttering the word "talaq" thrice as unconstitutional. "Triple talaq is unconstitutional, it violates the rights of Muslim women," ruled the High Court, adding that no personal law board is above the Constitution. All India Muslim Personal Law Board, however, had rubbished the stand taken by the Narendra Modi government that the apex court should re-look these practices as they are violative of fundamental rights like gender equality and the ethos of secularism, a key part of the basic structure of the Constitution. advertisement Also read: Delhi Legal Service Authority to train lawyers on Muslim personal law --- ENDS --- Brett Hendrix and his band will take the stage Saturday night for the 24th Zack and Jim Anniversary Blowout theyll be followed by good musical friends. They opened for headliner Aaron Watson at Watsons Melody Ranch show and also for Zane Williams, the evenings second act, in previous shows at the Melody Ranch and the Robinson Music Festival. The Blowout, started as a fan appreciation event by longtime WACO-FM morning radio personalities Zack Owen and Jim Cody, has become an annual fixture in the Waco country concert scene and raises some $20,000 for local charities. Its audience, which usually averages around 6,000, has plenty of Hendrix friends, too, but the 21-year-old Hendrix, a Lorena native newly relocated to College Station, said they may need a slight introduction. If youve seen me before, you havent seen this band, he said in a recent phone interview, adding that those who attended the bands recent Melody Ranch appearance have already been introduced. Hendrix, long known for a precocious guitar wizardry, and his three fellow band members brother Chance on drums, Jacob Smith on bass guitar and Shane Hall on keyboards are putting final touches on a new EP, Brett Hendrix, set for release this spring. Hes been working with fellow Texas musician Kyle Park in the studio and says the new release shows a band that has jelled. With all the changes, the band has always gradually gotten better and tighter, he said. Ive gone from straight blues to Texas country and blues. Blues is where I started and where my heart is. His body these days is in College Station, where he presently works for the pub The Tap. The move positions him to work on expanding fan support among college students and in the Houston market, although his band still lives in the Waco area. Their 45-minute opening set on Saturday will feature a lot of original material with an emphasis on the upcoming record, Hendrix said. Hell use audience reaction, in fact, to shape the marketing strategy for the new EP, testing which songs get the best response with a mind toward picking a single for radio promotion. The Anniversary Blowout marks a return for Watson, who missed last years concert due to a European tour. That tour followed the smashing success of Watsons 2015 album The Underdog which premiered at the top of Billboards country albums chart. Watson was the first independent male country performer to debut at No. 1 and the achievement came after more than a decade of patient hard work building up his Texas fan base. Watson brings material from a new album, Vaquero, set for a Feb. 24 release. He wrote or co-wrote the albums 16 songs and its first single, Outta Style, recently hit No. 1 on Texas country radio playcharts. In between Watson and Hendrix at Saturdays concert is Williams, another Waco favorite who has found a steady audience for his songwriting and a fiddle-and-steel-guitar-flavored Texas country sound. Williams performed at last summers Margarita & Salsa Festival. By Press Trust of India: From Lalit K Jha Washington, Feb 17 (PTI) Batting for warm relations with Russia, President Donald Trump has said it is a "good thing" if the US gets along with Moscow as both the countries are nuclear powers. "It would be great if we could get along with Russia, just so you understand that. Now tomorrow, youll say Donald Trump wants to get along with Russia, this is terrible. Its not terrible. Its good," Trump told reporters at a White House news conference yesterday. advertisement He was responding to a series of questions on some of the recent provocative behaviour of Russia. Asked if Putin was testing him, Trump said he did not think so. "No, I dont think so. I think Putin probably assumes that he cant make a deal with me anymore because politically it would be unpopular for a politician to make a deal. I cant believe Im saying Im a politician, but I guess thats what I am now. It would be much easier for me to be tough on Russia, but then were not going to make a deal," Trump said. Trump said he wanted to do right thing for the world. "To be honest, secondarily, I want to do the right thing for the world. If Russia and the United States actually got together and got along - and dont forget, were a very powerful nuclear country and so are they. Theres no up-side. And anybody that ever read the most basic book can say it, nuclear holocaust would be like no other," Trump said. "Theyre a very powerful nuclear country and so are we. If we have a good relationship with Russia, believe me, thats a good thing, not a bad thing," Trump said. He alleged that the previous administration was soft on Russia. "We had Hillary Clinton (Secretary of State in the Obama Administration) try and do a reset. We had Hillary Clinton give Russia 20 per cent of the uranium in our country. This thing called nuclear weapons like lots of things are done with uranium including some bad things," he said. "Nobody talks about that. I didnt do anything for Russia. Ive done nothing for Russia. If we could get along with Russia, thats a positive thing," he said, adding that his talented Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is going to meet with the Russians shortly. "The greatest thing I could do is shoot that ship thats 30 miles off shore right out of the water. Everyone in this countrys going to say oh, its so great. Thats not great. Thats not great. I would love to be able to get along with Russia," he said. Trump said it was possible that he might get along well with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. advertisement "I love to negotiate things, I do it really well. But its possible I wont be able to get along with Putin. Maybe it is," he said. (MORE) PTI LKJ MRJ --- ENDS --- The actor had been asked to surrender by the court before February 17. By India Today Web Desk: Indian television actor Anuj Saxena, who was charged with a graft case, which also accused senior bureaucrat B K Bansal, has finally surrendered. The actor had been asked to surrender by the court before February 17. Also read: TV actor Anuj Saxena's anticipatory bail plea rejected; court asks him to surrender in two days advertisement The high court had asked Anuj to present himself before the court on Feb 13 after his lawyer had withdrawn his anticipatory bail plea. The court had said that it would not grant relief to the actor, according to report in The Hindu. Saxena had contacted another co-accused Vishwadeep Bansal to negotiate with senior Corporate Affairs Ministry official for not recommending the matter to Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) for investigation against his company -- Elder Pharmaceuticals. Key accused B.K. Bansal and his 31-year-old son Yogesh committed suicide on September 27 by hanging themselves at their house in east Delhi. His wife Satyabala, 57, and daughter Neha, 27, committed suicide on July 19. Bansal, an Additional Secretary-rank Director General in the ministry, was arrested by the CBI on bribery charges on July 16. Bansal was accused of receiving Rs 9 lakh from Mumbai-based Elder Pharmaceuticals. (Inputs from agencies) --- ENDS --- Lifelong Learning will have a coffee and a speaker event at 10 a.m. Friday at the Lee Lockwood Library, 2801 W. Waco Drive. Featured will be a presentation about the Gildersleeve Project, which is working to preserve Fred Gildersleeves iconic photography of Waco from the early 20th century. For more information, email Audrey_B_Johnson@Baylor.edu or call 710-6440. Kiwanis chili supper Kiwanis Club of Waco Seniors will have a chili supper fundraiser from 4 to 7 p.m. Feb. 18 at Lakewood Christian Church, 6509 Bosque Blvd. Cost is $8. Proceeds will fund the Kiwanis work with Waco students. For more information, call 399-0072 or email rrood@mygrande.net. Mayborn Design Den Baylor Universitys Mayborn Museum, 1300 S. University Parks Drive, will celebrate National Engineers Week with two sessions of a Design Den: Build event from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday and from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday. Visitors will be tasked with engineering challenges as they construct their own creations. Regular Museum admission rates will apply. For more information, call 710-1110. Quilters event Heart of Texas One Stop Shop Hop is having a Quilters Flower Patch event from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Waco Convention Center, 100 Washington Ave. Featured will be more than 40 quilt shops in one location, with sewing and quilting supplies available to purchase. A Batting 101 class will be presented at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Friday. Cost is $6. For more information, call 857-9201. Boil notice lifted East Crawford Water Supply Corp. has rescinded a boil-water order it issued Feb. 12. The notice affected customers who receive water service from Plant 1. For more information, call 723-1834 or 486-2429. DARs Washington Tea The Elizabeth Gordon Bradley Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution will have its annual George Washington Tea program from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Clifton House, 2600 Austin Ave. Mary Duty, educator and veterans supporter, will present a program about Washington, the first U.S. president. For more information, call Marilyn Judy at 744-6076. A day after hosting an animated town hall meeting where Baylor University supporters criticized regents handling of a sexual assault scandal, the Baylor Line Foundation asked the board to delay its Friday vote to adopt a set of governance reforms. Although Chairman (Ron) Murff has stated that the regents will hold meetings to discuss governance reform after they vote, we ask that they, instead, enter into that dialogue now with the Baylor family before making final decisions that affect our beloved university, the foundation wrote in a statement. We ask that the regents who attended or watched last nights event passionately advocate for delaying tomorrows vote in order to begin holding town hall gatherings like the one we hosted last night. We would be happy to help facilitate those meetings to try to find some middle ground between the board of regents and Bears for Leadership Reform proposals. A Baylor spokesman said Murff was unavailable for comment Thursday. Five regents attended the meeting Wednesday night: Dan Chapman, Wayne Fisher and Julie Turner, whom the Baylor Line Foundation elected to the board; and Jennifer Elrod and Mark Rountree, whom the Baptist General Convention of Texas elected to the board. None of the regents spoke or answered questions during the meeting, but Rountree said after the meeting he is glad he attended and will bring the concerns he heard back to the board. Murff released a statement after the meeting, saying regents recognize the passion and debate surrounding governance and transparency more than anyone. Bears for Leadership Reform, a group of prominent alumni and donors who have criticized regents since the group formed in November, was represented Wednesday by Houston lawyer John Eddie Williams, former regent Randy Ferguson and alumna Liza Firmin. The group has called for regents to open meetings to the public, among other measures regents do not plan to consider Friday. The governance reforms regents plan to vote on Friday are based on a 30-page report written by a task force of three regents and three nonregents. If approved, the board would extend voting privileges to regents representing the Bear Foundation and the Baylor B Association and increase their terms to three years, which is the boards standard. A second faculty member would also join the board, and both would have voting rights and three-year terms. The faculty regent position is now nonvoting. Also under the reforms, the boards governance committee would create a selection task force, meant to bring an outside perspective to regent selection. At least half of the task forces members would be nonregents, according to the report. The boards executive committee would expand, and three regents would serve as vice chairs instead of one. The report also calls for a shakeup of the boards standing committees. According to the report, the governance task force spoke with Baylor faculty, administrators, regents, past regents, distinguished alumni and other constituents. Wednesdays meeting would have been more productive if regents views had been represented, according to the Baylor Line Foundation statement. Clearly, the life of Baylor, as we know her, may depend on this decision, according to the statement. Surely those responsible for her future will want additional input before voting on something of this magnitude. SAN ANTONIO The day after her 23rd birthday, Yvette sat in a Bexar County courtroom, facing up to 99 years in prison for exploiting a 16-year-old girl. She wasnt the ringleader of the prostitution enterprise, the prosecutor said. But as an adult who showed a teenager the ropes while they were both being sold for sex, he said, Yvette was just as guilty the pimp. In other circumstances, Yvette would have been considered a victim. Shed had a childhood scarred by sexual abuse and instability. Shed been recruited herself to sell sex. A pimp who went by Red Nose wrote the online ads that listed her as a sexy lil Latina. He decided what hours she worked, which men she had sex with and how much she cost. His brutal attacks left her covered in bite marks. Instead, on that afternoon in October 2015, Yvette was the accused, pleading not guilty to three felony charges related to trafficking a minor. In the past decade, the states strategy for fighting sex trafficking has largely focused on going after pimps and strengthening the laws that help send them to prison. By raw numbers, it has worked. Trafficking convictions in Texas have climbed during the past five years. In Dallas County alone, the district attorneys office went from no convictions in 2010 to 16 in 2015. But the laws used to secure those convictions can fail to distinguish victim from perpetrator, meaning Texas mission to put traffickers behind bars is sweeping up their prey, too. Without corresponding efforts to identify and treat victims, a few years in age can mean the difference between a chance at rehabilitation and a lengthy prison sentence. 2011 law Ask prosecutors to explain the spike in sex-trafficking convictions and they point to 2011, when legislators passed a far-reaching law aimed at combating the practice. The law dramatically lowered the burden of proof to send pimps to prison when their victims were underage. Prosecutors no longer had to show that traffickers had forced a child into sex work, only that they had helped facilitate it in some way. Anyone who participated by renting a hotel room for a minor, for instance could be charged with the same crime. It was a watershed moment that turned a previously ineffective law into a powerful tool, said Kirsta Melton, a career prosecutor who helped write the law and now leads the Texas attorney generals year-old sex-trafficking unit. The law gives tremendous discretion to prosecutors, who must sort out the intricate hierarchies in a criminal underworld with complicated power dynamics. Pimps, who use fear and shame to control their victims, may enlist experienced prostitutes to lure in other girls in exchange for fewer beatings or a meager profit-share. More sophisticated operators shield themselves from culpability by designating bottom girls women who manage other sex workers, rent the hotel rooms and communicate with potential customers. Victims are often afraid or unwilling to talk about their experiences. That leaves law enforcement with few tools but age to help distinguish victims from perpetrators. Because cases with adult victims are more difficult to prosecute, there also is less incentive to pursue them. Although we dont focus on just kids, if we get five tips in and one of them is a kid, were going to go after the kid. Thats just the way we do business, said Austin Police Detective Trent Watts, who has been in the departments vice unit since 2013. The first time Yvette ran away from her home on the outskirts of San Antonio, she was 15. She had just started getting her period, and she was afraid of getting pregnant. An older relative in the house had been molesting her since she was a child. My mom would always wonder why, but I would never tell her, she said. I didnt want her to hurt. By the time she was 18, Yvette was dancing at strip clubs to pay the bills. The next few years were a blur of alcohol and drugs. She lived with friends or in motels. Though pimps often approached her, she said she always turned them down. I was just like, Ive got to do me, she said. I like to keep my money. Yvette fell more deeply into a meth addiction after going through a breakup. At 21, she moved back in with her mom. Thats when a woman came knocking at the door with a 16-year-old girl, Jade, in tow. The woman, who Yvette would later learn was a recruiter for a pimp, asked her if she wanted to make some money with them. She had never intended to work as a prostitute, but she agreed to the proposal. The decision is difficult for her to explain even now, except to say that her life felt so empty that any change seemed appealing. I didnt even want to be here anymore, she said. Prosecutors acknowledge its not unusual for sex-trafficking victims to be implicated as perpetrators. We often have people who are both victims and offenders, said Brooke Grona-Robb, a prosecutor in Dallas County who has worked on human-trafficking cases for more than a decade. That puts us in a difficult situation. Texas Tribune reporters identified several recent cases in which women who had been sold for sex were themselves charged as traffickers. A particularly poignant example comes from a 2012 case Melton tried as a San Antonio prosecutor. Melton went after a pimp who had sold a 16-year-old girl for sex over two years. The girl suffered horrific abuse at his hands. When she tried to run away, the pimp carved his initials into her forearm. The pimp got a 20-year sentence. A year later, the same girl was 19 and headed to prison herself. A federal judge sentenced her to three years for helping her new pimp recruit a San Antonio high school student. Melton said what happened to the girl, who never received treatment, broke her heart. Its a great example of the cyclical nature of trafficking and how devastating it is, and how if you do not intervene it will indeed continue, and just continue to breed itself both victims and defendants, she said. Yvettes story The pimp went by Red Nose a muscled, heavily tattooed man in his late 20s who wore red clothing and shared his nickname with a breed of pitbull. Hed been in prison for assault and drug-related charges. But when Yvette first met him, she said he made her feel protected. I never had my dad, so to me he was like a father figure in a way. And I guess thats what attached me to him, she said. Red Nose set up Yvette and 16-year-old Jade at the Fiesta Inn on the northwest side of San Antonio. He posted photos of the girls online, sometimes listing Yvette under the name Selena. When clients arrived, he left. This continued at three different motels over the next four days. Red Noses name, which the Tribune is not disclosing to protect Yvettes identity, was never on the room bookings. That responsibility, along with answering the phone and calling the cabs to move the group from motel to motel, usually fell to Yvette, who gave half her money to Red Nose. On the fourth day, an undercover police officer responded to one of Jades ads and found her alone in a motel room. Once he learned she was 16, he took her to her mothers house. Then it was just Yvette and Red Nose. Red Nose began insisting Yvette see clients at all hours, plying her with meth and Ecstasy. She would stay awake for days on end. He began talking about demons in his head that made him want to hurt her. Two weeks after the undercover sting, Yvette told Red Nose shed had enough. He flew into a rage, breaking the motel room window and viciously beating her. When officers arrived, they found her covered in bite marks, her face battered and one eye swollen shut. Red Nose was gone. The police wrote up the case as domestic violence. Yvette kept making plans to run. But every time she tried, Red Nose found a way to draw her back. I ended up in stuck mode, she said. He told me he would kidnap my little brother, kidnap my mom, or rob my mom, or shoot up my moms house. As her attempts to escape grew increasingly desperate, Yvette said she sought help at a friends house. But Red Nose tracked her down, she said, and forced her to betray her friend. Accompanied by Yvette, Red Nose and a companion confronted the friend in the parking lot of an apartment complex, shoving him into the trunk of his own car. Then they took the mans debit card and drove to ATMs around the city. Security camera footage showed Yvette, along with the two men, unsuccessfully attempting to withdraw her friends money. It was ugly, I couldnt control it, Yvette said. The man would ultimately regain consciousness hours later, staggering out of his abandoned car to get help from a nearby house. A week after the ambush, police arrested Yvette and charged her with robbery. Red Nose remained at large. While she was in jail, prosecutors linked her to the trafficking of 16-year-old Jade. The trial Yvettes sex-trafficking trial lasted a day and a half. She didnt testify; her lawyer recommended against it because of the pending robbery charges, she said. Prosecutors relied on two primary pieces of evidence: hotel room bookings with Yvettes name on them and statements from Jade. The 16-year-old said Yvette had given her advice on how to look happy when clients arrived at the motel room. Act like you really want them there, Jade said Yvette told her. The only witness called on Yvettes behalf was her mother. But prosecutors blocked her from describing Red Noses abuse of her daughter. Jurors in Yvettes trial never learned of Red Noses extensive criminal record and history of violence, or what hed done to her. In the eyes of the law, Yvette was the pimp. She got 15 years for trafficking a minor, and another eight years for the robbery. Red Nose never went to trial; he took a plea deal the day before Yvettes trial began. He got 10 years for trafficking a minor and was never charged with the robbery. As part of the plea bargain, he received an additional 25-year sentence for a separate child endangerment case. Yvette does not have clean hands: She helped instigate a violent robbery that easily couldve been fatal. She also played a part in the operation that exploited Jade. But its clear she was a victim, too. David Lunan, who heads the sex-trafficking unit in the Bexar County District Attorneys Office and handled Yvettes case, understood that. He knew about the abuse Yvette had suffered, and he was hoping to lock up Red Nose for as long as possible. He said prosecutors offered her a greatly reduced sentence if she would testify against him. When it came time for Yvette to make a statement to the judge, though, Lunan said she froze up. Yvette said she was willing to testify against Red Nose, but she was terrified when she saw him in the courtroom. Without Yvettes testimony against her pimp, Lunan said, there was nothing he could do to help her. She was victimized, but she graduated from victim to oppressor and exploiter, he said. Her loyalty to him was too strong to even protect herself. At just under 20 per cent of the electorate, Muslim voters have traditionally been important to parties with ambitions of forming the government. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has shown that you can win big, even in Uttar Pradesh, without the support of Muslims. But as the state assembly elections draw near, the Muslim vote is once more the subject of fervid discussion. At just under 20 per cent of the electorate, Muslim voters have traditionally been important to parties with ambitions of forming the government. advertisement The Bahujan Samaj Party, which failed to win a single seat in the general elections, has since worked hard to recover its position among Muslims in western UP. Source: Maneesh Agnihotri Party boss Mayawati deployed trusted lieutenant Nasimuddin Siddiqui for the purpose. In two years, over a thousand local 'bhaichara' meetings have been organised to push the idea that Dalits and Muslims can transform the politics of the state. The message, a BSP insider says, "is that the BJP and Samajwadi Party work hand in glove and the Muzaffarnagar riots were the result". The SP, meanwhile, is confident its alliance with the Congress will breed confidence in Muslim voters. Azam Khan is the face of the party and leaders such as Shahid Manzur in Meerut and Mehboob Ali in Amroha have large followings. "Muslims are not going to support the BSP anymore," says Khan. "Every vote cast for the BSP will ultimately help communal forces." In the final analysis, that may be the deciding factor. The broad aim remains to defeat the BJP. The BSP has expended plenty of effort on outreach and fielding Muslim candidates, but will the SP's alliance with Congress persuade Muslim voters that theirs is the more likely winning combination? Pullquote Akhilesh Yadav, speaking at an event in Lucknow, downplayed his newfound political credibility among the chattering classes. Having proved his bona fides by outsmarting the Samajwadi Party's wily old guard and taking control, it is his coat-tails on which a grateful Congress is riding. Should the SP and Congress win in UP, would Akhilesh become a national figure? He is too canny to say. --- ENDS --- ASHLAND Law enforcement officials have made a number of arrests in a string of ATM burglaries that included Ashland. According to Ashland Police Chief Joe Baudler, several suspects were recently arrested for a series of nearly 60 burglaries that targeted ATMs in Ashland, Omaha, Lincoln, Waverly and Sarpy County. They are responsible for similar crimes in Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Iowa and South Dakota. They were linked to a lot of crimes, said Baudler. In most of the burglaries, the suspects would break out the glass of a business, attach a rope or chain to the automatic teller machines (ATM) and then attempt to tear it out of the building using a vehicle. These guys were pretty active all throughout the country, Lancaster Sheriffs Officer Investigator Michael Hipps said. In Ashland, the ATM at the U-Stop was damaged on May 2, 2105, when suspects attempted to remove the machine. Local citizens saw a U-Haul vehicle backed up against the window of the business before opening hours. They called police, but before the officer could get there, the suspects fled. The APD officer pursued the suspects along the Platte River, but he was not able to catch them. The Nebraska State Patrol K9 unit also assisted in the search. The vehicle was later found abandoned on County Road A just off of Highway 6. The suspects did not take any money from the ATM at U-Stop, but they did damage the machine as they attempt to steal it. The mangled remains were left in the business parking lot after they fled. The suspects also broke a window and dismantled some of the stores video surveillance cameras. Ashland police continued their investigation into the burglary attempt, tracking down the person who rented the vehicle. Baudler said the vehicle was rented by a man who was on parole for robbery and murder. He was not involved in the crime in Ashland, however. In March 2016, four suspects were arrested near Bennington for the series of burglaries targeting ATMs, including the Ashland case. The follow up investigation led to a multi-agency, multi-jurisdiction operation involving the FBI, Safe Streets Task Force, Lancaster County Sheriffs Office, Lincoln Police Department and Omaha Police Department. Ten suspects were indicted on federal charges, including at least one count of criminal conspiracy. On Feb. 1, eight arrests were made in the case. Five of the suspects were already in jail. They are Larry Dean Gordon Jr., Bakari Hunt, Wakonda Hazel, Darnell DJ Gordon and Lyle Gordon. The three other suspects who were arrested are Omari Manuel, Brenis Vaughn and Bajah Pittman. The approximately 60 burglaries resulted in over $1 million damage to vehicles, buildings and ATMs in the six-state area. The crime spree also included at least two incidents in the Waverly area, said Hipps. The first occurred in April 2015, when burglars attempted to remove an ATM from the Caseys General Store along Highway 6 in Waverly. A window was smashed in an attempt to remove the money machine, but the suspect fled before gaining entry to the business. The second incident occurred when an unknown person entered the unsecured entryway of First State Bank in November 2015. According to the incident report, the person then pulled the ATM through the glass doors, pried it open and made off with an undisclosed amount of cash. The damage to the doors was estimated at $5,000, as was the damage to the ATM. The Ashland Police Department assisted in the lengthy investigation, which could lead to more arrests. Hopefully more crimes will be solved because of it, Baudler said. (Staff Reporter Michael Wunder contributed to this report.) WAHOO Building a team has been the main initiative of Denver Plastics, Nebraska Manager Kelly Wilson since he first stepped foot in the plastic molding manufacturing company last June. The Denver Plastic teams efforts paid off, and the Wahoo business was recognized as this years Terry OBrien Business of the Year during the Feb. 1 Wahoo Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet. Its a huge motivation and morale boost for everyone, Wilson said of the award. Im really proud of what weve accomplished. The Chamber Executive Director Doug Watts attributed the 24 hour, seven days a week operation an integral component to Wahoos economic base, with 52 employees and annual sales of $10 million. The 53,000 square feet facility in north Wahoo specializes in custom injection molding with large tonnage equipment and machines. The plastic components are shipped across the country and Mexico to build recreational vehicles, exercise equipment, automobiles, consumer electronics and agriculture products among others. According to Wilson, the company has recently increased employment to meet the increase in business demands and to plan for the future. 2017 is going to be a very positive year for us, Wilson said. Were working with that build it and they will come mentality. The company, which currently has 13 molding machines, is expecting to add additional molding and processing equipment. Denver Plastics, Nebraska has acquired property which would allow the company to expand to greater than 100,000 square feet, Wilson added. This team is built for the long term, he said. We have very aggressive growth plans for this facility in the next five years. With other Denver Plastics companies in Hudson and Alda, Colo., Denver Plastics opened its Wahoo branch in 1984 because of its proximity to Lincoln, where Kawasaki Motors Manufacturers Corp., USA is located. Kawasaki is Denver Plastics biggest customer, Wilson said. Denver Plastics creates plastic molds for Kawasaki all-terrain vehicles, utility vehicles, personal watercraft, recreation utility vehicles and passenger rail cars. While most of Denver Plastics products are pieces to a bigger product, the company has manufactured The Simply Fit Board from beginning to end since September 2015. The new home workout fit board designed to strengthen the core was featured on Shark Tank, an ABC television show which allows entrepreneurs to pitch their idea of company to a panel of investors. Wilson gives a lot of credit to his employees, and recognizes that eachs special skills add a valued piece to a greater puzzle. With future growth plans on the horizon, Wilson said a team of skilled employees is a requirement. He said about 30 percent of the companys employees are in technical positions, while 70 percent are operators receiving training for technical positions. We put in a training room to get them more exposure as to what this business is all about, Wilson said. Employees are required to complete 30 hours of on-site training a year, Wilson added. Wilson said other plans for his team members include being more visible and integrating into the community However we can do that is very important, he said. The Chamber Business of the Year Award is named after long-time Johnson, Erickson and OBrien partner Terry OBrien, a tireless promoter of Wahoo business and economic growth. The award is given yearly to a Wahoo business that is not only successful, but contributes to the vitality of the community. The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Red Tail Squadron, Americas tribute to the Tuskegee Airmen, announced their line-up for upcoming events around the country for 2017. After an incident last year resulted in an 11 month restoration, the Squadrons P-51C Mustang Tuskegee Airmen will return to flight this air show season to wow audiences with its aerobatic tribute to our nations first black military pilots and their support personnel. The CAF Red Tail Squadrons unique cross-country outreach program also includes the RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit. This mobile movie theater takes visitors on a journey through time and then through the air with the original short film Rise Above. The theaters dynamic 160-degree panoramic screen creates the sensation of being in the cockpit soaring above the clouds in a P-51C Mustang, the signature aircraft of the Tuskegee Airmen. Entrance to the RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit is always free, although tickets may be required to host venues. Here is a snapshot of where you can find the CAF Red Tail Squadron. For a full list of events, visit redtail.org/calendar. Dallas, TX February 6-17 CAF National Airbase Tribute to Black History Month Yuma, AZ March 17-18 MCAS Yuma Airshow Columbus, GA April 8-9 Thunder in the Valley Air Show Montgomery, AL April 8-9 Maxwell Air Force Base Air Show Meridian, MS April 15 Community Open House at Key Field Panama City, FL April 22-23 Gulf Coast Salute Open House & Air Show Lake Charles, LA April 28-30 Chennault International Airshow Waseca, MN July 13-17 Waseca County Free Fair Ypsilanti, MI September 2-4 Thunder Over Michigan Air Show Omaha, NE September 13-17 Nebraska Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. Community Outreach Event Port Clinton, OH September 20-24 Liberty Aviation Museum Open House Tallahassee, FL October 31-November 5 Community Open House Atlanta, GA October 7-8 CAF Atlanta Warbird Weekend While on tour, the RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit makes additional visits to local schools where students are encouraged to think critically about the groups Six Guiding Principles Aim High, Believe In Yourself, Use Your Brain, Be Ready To Go, Never Quit and Expect to Win. Contact Kristi Younkin, logistics coordinator, at logistics@redtail.org or (479) 228-4520 for information on how to bring the RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit to your community. About the CAF Red Tail Squadron The CAF Red Tail Squadron is a volunteer-driven non-profit organization dedicated to educating audiences across the country about the history and legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen, Americas first black military pilots and their support personnel. RISE ABOVE: Red Tail, their three-fold outreach program, includes a fully restored WWII-era P-51C Mustang, the signature aircraft of the Tuskegee Airmen; the RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit 53 mobile theater featuring the original panoramic film Rise Above; and resource materials for teachers and youth leaders. Each year, they embark on a nine-month cross-country tour that includes appearances at air shows, schools, museums and community events. The groups Six Guiding Principles Aim High, Believe In Yourself, Use Your Brain, Be Ready To Go, Never Quit and Expect to Win serve as the foundation for their outreach programs and are based on the experiences and successes of the Tuskegee Airmen. The CAF Red Tail Squadron is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization part of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF). Learn more at www.redtail.org. A total of 2.28 crore voters, including over 1.04 crore women, were eligible to cast their ballot in 14,771 polling centres and 23,693 polling stations in the second of the seven-phase polling. By Rajat Rai: The second phase of the crucial assembly elections witnessed an impressive turnout of over 65 per cent in 67 constituencies across 11 districts of western Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday. A total of 2.28 crore voters, including over 1.04 crore women, were eligible to cast their ballot in 14,771 polling centres and 23,693 polling stations in the second of the seven-phase polling. advertisement These figures are slightly more than the percentage of votes cast in these constituencies in the 2012 Vidhan Sabha elections. The voter turnout in the first phase was recorded at 64.2 per cent-an increase of nearly three per cent from the first phase turnout in the 2012 state Assembly polls. The fate of 721 candidates, including 62 women (BJP-67, BSP-67, SP-51, Cong-18, RLD-52 and others-466) in the districts of Bijnor, Saharanpur, Moradabad, Sambhal, Rampur, Bareilly, Amroha, Pilibhit, Kheri, Shahjahanpur and Badaun are in the fray. Also read: Assembly election: Uttarakhand records over 68 per cent voter turnout, number could go up "Slightly over 65.5% voters exercised their rights in the second phase. However, these are preliminary figures and will definitely increase, as we have only provided the figures up to 5 pm. Those who reached the polling booths by 5 pm are eligible to vote," said Vijay Dev, deputy election commissioner said. Illicit liquor worth over `9 crore was also seized besides other cash recoveries, he added. Besides some incidents of minor violence and EVM malfunction, the polls were by and large peaceful and successful, Dev said. Also read: Resolve issues internally, don't slam Madhya Pradesh govt like Opposition, BJP asks MLAs Of the 67 seats at stake, the ruling Samajwadi Party had won 34 seats in the 2012 polls, followed by BSP 18, BJP 10, Congress three and others two. At certain places, long queues were seen outside polling stations. Muslim women clad in burqas were seen outside several booths, while the photograph of a newly married couple going to cast vote in Bareilly went viral on social media. The upcoming five phases of polling will be held on February 19, 23, 27 and on March 4 and 8. Counting of votes will be taken up on March 11. (With inputs from agencies) --- ENDS --- THIS June, Waterford will see its first Pride march in over a decade as part of the Pride of the Deise festival. Taking place over... Following on from the success of the inaugural To Be Irish At Christmas initiative last year, the programme returns again this December (8th - 23rd), celebrating... RENTS in Waterford are now spiralling out of control, with costs 16.2% higher than they were in the same period last year and... WATERFORD is marking time with a new museum in the Viking Triangle. The Irish Museum of Time is the first of its kind in the... Human Rights Commission president Gillian Triggs is set for a showdown with government MPs on Friday over a controversial case at the centre of a push to overhaul Australia's racial discrimination laws. The commission confirmed on Thursday it would not use public interest immunity provisions to avoid answering questions about how it handled a complaint brought against three Queensland University of Technology students. It clears the way for Professor Triggs to be grilled by a parliamentary inquiry on Friday as the government's inquiry into section 18c of the Racial Discrimination Act nears its close. At an earlier hearing, the human rights boss declined to answer questions about the case which was ultimately thrown out of court citing a need to consult on a possible public interest immunity claim. Catholic church authorities have paid almost $280 million in compensation to victims of alleged child sexual abuse in the past 35 years, a royal commission has heard. For the first time, detailed claims data released by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse on Thursday reveal the amount of financial compensation paid to alleged victims. Counsel assisting the commission Gail Furness SC told the hearing Catholic church authorities had paid a total of $276.1 million to thousands of claimants who came forward between 1980 and 2015. The average amount of financial compensation was $91,000, the inquiry into Catholic church authorities heard. By Press Trust of India: New Delhi, Feb 16 (PTI) Union minister of state for home Hansraj Gangaram Ahir today called for the creation of "visa-based data" of foreign nationals visiting India. While speaking at the 70th Raising Day Parade of Delhi Police held in northwest Delhis New Police Lines, Ahir stressed on creating a database of foreign nationals visiting India since many a times, they overstay their visa. advertisement "It is the need of the hour to work on creating this data to safeguard our country," he said while referring to the recent arrest of a Nigerian by the Narcotics Control Bureau for allegedly smuggling cocaine by ingesting it. The minister also said that 85,000-strong Delhi Police is under tremendous pressure since it guards the national capital that houses the Parliament and various ministries. "Delhi Police has to be more alert while doing their duty. You dont have to only contend with criminal elements but also forces that are trying to weaken the country," he said. He also referred to the recent data released by Delhi Police that portrayed a marginal decline of two per cent in rape cases in 2016 and hoped that the good work will continue in the future. "Incidents of rape came down by two per cent and we hope that they should reduce by 20 per cent. There has been a decline in cases of molestation, kidnapping of children and these things (the decline) should continue in the future," Ahir said. He assured Delhi Police that the Centre will support police in every way, while alluding to the huge promotions given in the force last year and the allocation of Rs 6,378.18 crore to Delhi Police in the Union Budget, including an almost nine-time increase in the Nirbhaya fund from last year. Delhi Police commissioner Amulya Patnaik said that his first priority is to develop a better sense of security among people of Delhi, a point also made by Ahir in his address. "We will increase our patrolling and presence so that criminals fear us. In order to ensure that the personnel are motivated, we will ensure that promotions are given on time. PTI SLB KUN --- ENDS --- One of the state's most powerful organised crime figures is facing a lengthy jail term and deportation back to Italy after being convicted of extortion, drug and weapons offences. Rocco Arico, 38, has been identified by law enforcement as a major player in Melbourne's underworld as a drug trafficker with family links to the 'Ndrangheta or Honoured Society one of the country's most influential mafia groups. Rocco Arico was arrested in 2015 and convicted of drug trafficking, extortion and weapons offences in 2016 and 2017. Credit:Pat Scala The verdict is a major win for Victoria Police's Purana anti-gangland taskforce, which had been investigating Arico for more than a year. Arico has previous convictions for kidnapping in 1999 and attempted murder in 2000, spending more than seven years in prison. He is also suspected of involvement in orchestrating the prison murder of drug kingpin-turned-witness Carl Williams in 2010. Robert Menzies, left, with Winston Churchill in London during the early part of World War II. Credit:Keystone He later became friends, at least for a time, with the writer H.G. Wells, whose hugely popular The War of the Worlds, about Martians invading Britain, was broadcast in 1938 - a year before Churchill wrote and revised his article. (Churchill once said Wells' The Time Machine was one of the books he would like to take with him to purgatory.) Churchill argued that it was probable that extraterrestrial life existed somewhere in the universe. This was years before Frank Drake, the US astronomer and astrophysicist, presented in 1961 his theory about the number of communicative civilisations in the cosmos. "It is astonishing that Churchill wasn't a scientist and yet he showed such an interest in science," Livio said. The manuscript was passed on to the National Churchill Museum in Fulton, Missouri, the site of Churchill's famed 1946 Iron Curtain speech, in the 1980s by Wendy Reves, the wife of Churchill's publisher, Emery Reves. It had been overlooked for years until Timothy Riley, who became the museum's director last year, stumbled upon it recently. Soon after news of the discovery, two other copies were found in a separate archive in Britain. Although the article was sent to Reves in 1939, it was not published. Churchill had revised it a number of times in the 1950s. In his article, Churchill wrote: "I am not sufficiently conceited to think that my sun is the only one with a family of planets. "I, for one, am not so immensely impressed by the success we are making of our civilisation here that I am prepared to think we are the only spot in this immense universe which contains living, thinking creatures or that we are the highest type of mental and physical development which has ever appeared in the vast compass of space and time." Largely self-educated in the sciences, Churchill had boundless curiosity for practically anything, an attitude he once described as "picking up a few things as I went along". He wrote about 30 million words throughout his lifetime, including wartime speeches, an African travelogue, a book on oil painting, a lengthy memoir, and even an essay on an imagined invasion of Russia when he was just 15. For his body of work, he won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1953. Welding an active imagination with scientific thought, Churchill produced a few madcap ideas - which he called "funnies" - that he actually championed while he was prime minister, as a means to defeat Nazi Germany. There was Operation Habakkuk, an imagined fleet of aircraft carriers made from wood pulp and ice to fight German U-boats in the mid-Atlantic. Then there was the Great Panjandrum, an enormous, rocket-propelled wheel packed with explosives. Churchill even invented a green velvet "siren suit" to be put on in a hurry during air raids. While none of these ideas came into being (the giant wheel having run amok in the testing stage), science was not just a hobby for Churchill. He was the first prime minister to hire a science adviser. Frederick Lindemann, a physicist, became Churchill's "on tap" expert and once described him as a "scientist who had missed his vocation", said Andrew Nahum, who curated an exhibition on Churchill and science at the Science Museum in London. He found a separate copy of the essay in the Churchill Archives Centre at the University of Cambridge. Churchill also regularly met scientists such as Bernard Lovell, the father of radio astronomy and the Lovell telescope. "Churchill presided over a culture that encouraged technological development," Nahum said. He had such a genuine interest in science, he added, that as chancellor of the exchequer in pre-war Britain, he complained to a friend of having to draft the budget instead of reading a book on quantum physics. During World War I, when he was lord of the admiralty and later secretary of state for air and war, he encouraged military aviation, chemical warfare and tanks. During World War II, which he called in his memoirs "The Wizard War", he supported the development of radar, rockets and Britain's nuclear program. In 1958, Churchill founded the British equivalent of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology at Cambridge - Churchill College - which has since produced 32 Nobel Prize winners. In the interwar period, Churchill wrote numerous scientific articles, including one called Death Rays and another titled Are there Men on the Moon? Washington: US President Donald Trump has attacked the media and leakers who exposed details of his calls with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto in a combative and wide-ranging press conference. Taking questions for more than an hour at the White House, Trump labelled the furore over his fired national security adviser Michael Flynn's phone calls with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak as "fake news". The news conference was ostensibly billed as a chance for Trump to announce his new pick to head the Labour Department - Alexander Acosta, who would be the first Latino in Trump's cabinet - after Andy Puzder, his original choice, withdrew from consideration on Wednesday amid mounting opposition on Capitol Hill. But for one hour and 17 minutes, the president offered the verbal equivalent of the brash and impetuous early morning tweets that have become the alarm clock for much of Washington, taking aim at everything from "illegal immigrant violence" to the "criminal leaks" within his intelligence community. Patrick Norman Pat Chapman is a 34-year-old, Caucasian male who was last known to be in Piedmont which is near the area of Greenville, Missouri on May 10, 2020. Pat had stayed the night with a friend and his wife at their home. In the early morning when the friend woke to go to work. Pat was gone in his own Burgundy color 1995 Ford Escort. That is the last anyone was known to have seen him. The vehicle was later recovered on May 29, 2020 in Mill Spring, Missouri. Before surrendering at the special court set up inside the Bengaluru jail after her conviction in the disproportionate assets case, Sasikala had requested for special facilities in the cell. By India Today Web Desk: AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala, now prisoner no. 9234 lodged in Bengaluru's Parappana Agrahara Central Jail, spent her first night inside her cell without any of the special facilities she had demanded. Sasikala had jail food - rice, roti and vegetables - in dinner and slept on the floor in her cell which she is sharing with two other inmates. There is neither a cot nor a concrete platform inside the cell. advertisement MUST READ: The rise of Chinnamma In the morning today, Sasikala, 61, 'meditated' for a few minutes before having her breakfast - tamarind rice with chutney. According to sources, jail doctors would today decide whether she would be provided with a cot or not. Before surrendering at the special court set up inside the Bengaluru jail after her conviction in the disproportionate assets case, Sasikala had requested for special facilities. She asked for a separate cell with a TV, helper, mineral water and 24-hr hot water. However, she was denied VIP treatment. Jail sources said Sasikala has been assigned the job of making candles and incense sticks. She will be paid Rs 50 daily but will get any off on Sunday. CHINNAMMA BRINGS BACK RELATIVES EXPELLED BY JAYA INTO AIADMK In a move that raised several eyebrows, Sasikala re-inducted two of her relatives back in the AIADMK before surrendering before the court. TTV Dhinakaran and Venkatesh, who were expelled from the party in 2011 by Jayalalithaa were brought back in the party. Dhinakaran has now been appointed deputy general secretary of Tamil Nadu's ruling party. The move is being seen as Sasikala's attempt to keep her hold over the AIADMK while she is away in jail. WATCH: Tamil Nadu: Does E Palanisamy have enough numbers for floor test? ALSO READ: Sasikala surrenders before court, sent to Parappana Agrahara jail in Bengaluru Sasikala in jail but 'mafia from Mannargudi' is here to stay. Who are they? --- ENDS --- Under the auspices of WCO/JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) Joint Project, which was launched in July 2016 to support trade facilitation in Africa, a WCO/JICA Joint Workshop on Intelligence Analysis for Master Trainers of East Africa was held in Kampala, Uganda, from 6 to 10 February 2017. Those Master Trainers are Customs officials and have been actively contributing to sustainable capacity building in Customs administrations in East Africa. During the workshop, twenty-six (26) customs officials from Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda developed training materials on Post Seizure Analysis (PSA) which reflect the enforcement challenges faced by Customs Administrations in East Africa. Benefitting from advice from WCO and Japan Customs experts, as well as from the cooperation extended by JICA under its Project on Capacity Development for International Trade Facilitation in East Africa, participants worked intensively to review and improve the training material under development and made outstanding progress.. The development of this training material is expected to be completed at the next workshop on intelligence analysis planned in late 2017. Once completed, the Master Trainers are going to use the materials for training of Customs officials in East Africa in order to contribute to the improvement of intelligence-driven risk management through better intelligence analysis. Considering the important role that Master Trainers are playing in the Customs administrations in East Africa, the WCO expert introduced in detail the Risk Management Compendium focusing on Profiling and Targeting. He also referred to the on-going work on the development of PSA Guidelines. Experts from Japan Customs shared their experience and techniques in the area of PSA. In addition, all experts contributed to the participants work to refine the training materials, building on both global and national perspectives. Throughout this workshop, all participants made excellent contributions to improve the training materials while developing a deeper understanding of the WCO tools and instruments relating to intelligence analysis. At the end of the workshop, the participants agreed to continue their efforts to further review the training materials with a view to finalize them at the next workshop in late 2017. The JICA/WCO Joint Project is committed to supporting these continuous efforts of Customs administrations in East Africa to ensure sustainable capacity building. WSU Professor Named to Journal of Business Ethics Editorial Board February 16, 2017 OGDEN, Utah The Journal of Business Ethics has invited Shaun Hansen, Weber State Universitys associate business professor in the John B. Goddard School of Business & Economics, to serve on its editorial board. It is an honor to serve on the editorial board of the Journal of Business Ethics and to continue to serve as a faculty member in the Goddard School of Business & Economics, Hansen said. Not all business schools emphasize ethics, but the Goddard School decided a long time ago to make ethics a top priority. That choice continues to benefit the lives and careers of our students. Editorial board members are selected based on a number of criteria including subject matter expertise, research impact and affiliation with key, accredited business schools. The Journal of Business Ethics is a well-respected publication that discusses original and unique aspects of ethical issues related to business. Hansens research focuses on gaining the trust of company stakeholders. Were finding that when companies truly understand the psychology of trust and use it as a foundational strategy, it can significantly reduce risk, cut costs and boost performance at all levels of a company, Hansen said. Weber States MBA program is unique in its adoption of trust as a teaching platform for its coursework. MBA students at Weber State begin the program with a course that focuses on the role psychological trust plays in business. After our foundational class, students might take a course in marketing, for example, Hansen said. In marketing, they learn specific strategies for strengthening customer trust. Similarly, in our organizational behavior class, they learn how to strengthen employee trust; in finance, they learn how to strengthen shareholder trust, and so on, and so forth. Dean of the Goddard School Jeff Steagall said the MBAs teaching process helps students lay a powerful ethical foundation for their professional lives. Business people find their ethics challenged on a daily basis due to pressures from Wall Street to show immediate returns or from bosses to squeeze out extra profits through questionable means, Steagall said. Every Goddard School graduate not only takes a course in business ethics, but also hears from and engages directly with a multitude of business people about the choices they've made, whether good or bad, and their consequences. Having Shaun as an accessible, hands-on professor, while serving on the editorial board for the Journal of Business Ethics is a win for our students, the companies they serve and the future of ethics in business. Hansen earned his Ph.D. in management from the Krannert School of Management at Purdue University in 2010 and continues to publish research related to ethical leadership, psychological trust and corporate responsibility. Visit weber.edu/mba for additional information about Weber States MBA program. Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University. "We the undersigned, demand the Government of the Bahamas KILL THE BILL - The Interception of Communications Bill (ICB), 2017 (Known locally as The Spy Bill) until such time as there has been sufficient public consultation. "Across the Bahamas, civil society organizations, legal experts and prominent individuals warn that in its current form, the Bahamas proposed Interception of Communications Bill, 2017 may violate every citizen's constitutionally protected right to privacy and strike a mortal blow to civil liberties in general. "While accepting that effective law enforcement requires modern surveillance capacities, in its current form, the Bill is extreme, draconian and may lead to a situation in which nobody's intimate life will be free from scrutiny anymore... Find out more and sign the petition here... VERNON PARISH -- The roundabout project at La. 184 and La. 468, in Vernon Parish, is slated to be bid out for construction in August of this year, according to the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development. Deidra Druilhet, a department spokesperson, told the West Central News Center on Wednesday that if the bid process stays on track, officials expect construction to begin late this year, in November or December. DOTD officials have called the single-lane roundabout a "safety project" as that area, which is near the Vernon Parish Correctional Facility, is considered "high accident." State highway officials say roundabouts enhance safety because they improve traffic flow and reduce congestion. The state project's estimated cost is between $1 million and $2.5 million, and is smaller in scope than the planned roundabout at U.S. 171 from Boone Street to La. 1211 in Leesville. Druilhet said the roundabout at U.S. 171/Boone Street is scheduled to be bid out for construction in July 2018. According to information outlined at a public meeting held last year on the La. 184/La. 468 roundabout project, it will include: - The addition of asphalt pavement approaches; - Concrete circulating roadway; - The addition of concrete splinter islands; - The addition of a concrete truck island; - Removal and replacement of drainage pipes; - Clearing and grubbing; - Lime treatment to the existing roadway; and - Installation of a shoulder underdrain system. The first section is on La. 468 and proceeds eastward along 468 approximately 0.135 mile. The second section is on La. 184 and proceeds north on La. 184 for 0.271 mile. The project utilizes 15.85 acres which consists of 13.88 acres of existing right-of-way and 1.97 acres of required right-of-way are required. An on-site diversion will be created during the construction of the project in order to allow access to Fort Polk, according to DOTD. The intersection will be closed and detour signs posted. The design speed will be 55 miles per hour. Access to adjacent properties will be maintained during construction, officials said. DOTD data states that the average daily traffic values for La. 468 are 2,000 vehicles per day for 2017, and is projected to be 2,400 vehicles per day for 2037. The average daily traffic values for La. 184 are 2,900 vehicles per day for 2017, and is projected to be 4,600 vehicles per day for 2037. Fort Polk, LA (71446) Today Cloudy skies during the morning hours followed by scattered showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. High 82F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies during the evening. Fog developing overnight. Low 68F. Winds light and variable. By West Kentucky Star Staff Feb. 16, 2017 | 01:04 PM | FARMINGTON, KY A 911 hang up led to four drug arrests Thursday morning in Graves County. According to the Graves County Sheriff's Office, a 911 hang up came into dispatch around 2:45 am. A woman reportedly called in and said she couldnt explain what was going on but firearms were involved. When deputies arrived at the home in the 1000 block of Burnett's Chapel Road, south of Farmington, they found six people inside. A search warrant was obtained and during the search of the home, police found items used in the manufacturing of methamphetamine. There was also a marijuana growing operation set up in a closet in a bedroom. Deputies also found methamphetamine, marijuana and several items of paraphernalia. A backpack was found in one of the bedrooms that contained a handgun with the serial number removed. Four people inside the home were arrested. The owner of the home, 46-year-old Christopher Emerson, is charged with manufacturing methamphetamine, cultivating marijuana under five plants, possession of controlled substance and possession of marijuana. Thirty-four-year-old Justin Harrison of Mayfield is charged with possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, possession of a defaced firearm, possession of controlled substance and possession of marijuana. Twenty-eight-year-old Sabrina Weeks of Wingo and 31-year-old Cody Elkins of Hardin, are each charged with possession of controlled substance and possession of marijuana. All four were lodged in the Graves County Jail. Advertisement By The Associated Press Feb. 15, 2017 | FRANKFORT, KY By The Associated Press Feb. 15, 2017 | 05:58 PM | FRANKFORT, KY The Republican-controlled state Senate has voted to double how much money people can donate to political campaigns. Senate Bill 75 would increase the maximum individual campaign contribution to $2,000 from $1,000. Similar proposals have passed the Senate before, only to die in the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives. But this year, Republicans control both chambers. The bill would also allow political candidates to not disclose their donors if they raise less than $3,000. The current limit is $1,000. And it would allow candidates to accept individual anonymous donations of up to $100 instead of $50 and let candidates accept a total of $2,000 in anonymous donations for one election cycle. The current limit is $1,000. By West Kentucky Star Staff Feb. 15, 2017 | 09:38 AM | GRAVES COUNTY, KY Two people have been charged with stealing a car in Graves County. Graves County Sheriff Dewayne Redmon said deputies responded Tuesday morning to a home in the 800 block of KY 945 on a report that a car was being stolen from the property. When deputies arrived, they were told that a 1997 Honda Accord had been stolen. The suspects had reportedly loaded the vehicle on a trailer and traveled north on KY 945. Deputies saw a truck and trailer hauling the stolen car behind a home in the 1000 block of KY 945. Thirty-seven-year-old Billy Crouch and 41-year-old Angela Thomas were arrested at the home and charged with theft of auto. Both were lodged at the Graves County Jail. All clear after semi crashes blocked I-24 Caldwell County; semi crashes also blocked detour route The Patriot Wings newest honorary commander has known Westover all her life. Thats because Marie Laflamme, whos treasurer for the city of Chicopee, is a life-long resident of Westovers neighboring city. Brig. Gen. Jay Jensen, 439th Airlift Wing commander, swore Laflamme in as part of the wings annual awards gala held Feb. 3 at the Westover Club. The honorary commander program encourages the exchange of ideas, experiences, and friendships between Westover leadership and key members of the local community. It was overwhelming, she said of the evening she learned of being selected. It was emotional to be around so many military folks who deserve the awards. A standing ovation from the crowd humbled Laflamme. I thought, no way, its not me. Its you. I think my speech said it all. A strong supporter of Westover and its Air Force mission, Laflamme has been a Galaxy Community Council member for many years. Shes assisted in planning the Great New England Air Show and Westovers Family Day. She serves on the Board of Directors as the councils secretary. She participates in fund-raising efforts to support the USO, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, Young Marines, and Civil Air Patrol. Laflamme is a veteran civic and business leader and volunteer in western Massachusetts. She volunteers at the Holyoke Soldiers Home and is a communicant of St. Rose De Lima Parish, also in Chicopee. Her favorite part of volunteering is working with people. Ive met so many friends. My goal to volunteer was to help others, but Ive met so many friends too, she said. Its all about the people. Shes on the board of directors for Sunshine Village and the Westover Metropolitan Development Corporation. Laflamme attended Chicopee public schools, graduating from Chicopee Comprehensive High School and later earned a bachelors degree in business at Western New England College. As treasurer, Laflamme oversees a $180 million budget and the citys payroll for approximately 2,500 employees. Shes served on the Greater Chicopee Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and as its chairwoman. Despite all the accolades, she prefers to sidestep the attention. She wants to help bring more public awareness to what people do at Westover while in service to their country. Im the worker, Laflamme said. I like to wear the jeans and get the job done. EDITORS NOTE: Tech. Sgt. Malcolm Tevanian contributed to this story. Insurance Back IAIS names Jonathan DIXON as new Secretary General The International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS) has named Jonathan DIXON as the successor to long-time Secretary General Yoshihiro KAWAI. He will become Secretary General following the IAIS Annual Conference on 3 November 2017. Jonathan DIXON will join the Secretariat on 1 September as part of a two-month transition before taking over as Secretary General after the end of the IAIS's Annual Conference. "Jonathan DIXON brings a unique combination of proven insurance supervisory experience with global leadership on key insurance initiatives," said Victoria SAPORTA, Chair of the IAIS Executive Committee. "I have worked alongside Jonathan for several years and have been impressed by his commitment to the mission of the IAIS, his pragmatic and proportionate approach to insurance supervision, his inclusiveness in reaching out and building strong partnerships and, ultimately, his track record of delivering on a vision." Since 2008, Jonathan DIXON has served as Deputy Executive Officer of the Financial Services Board of South Africa, with oversight of insurance regulation and supervision. In this role, he has transformed insurance regulation and supervision into a more proactive, risk-based and outcomes-focused approach. Jonathan DIXON has also been an active participant in the IAIS, having held a number of leadership positions including IAIS Executive Committee member since 2009 and Chair of the Implementation Committee since 2012. Among his many accomplishments, he spearheaded the creation of a Coordinated Implementation Framework for maximising the impact of IAIS implementation initiatives and was part of a small leadership team that developed the current IAIS five-year strategic plan. As Chair of the Governing Council for the Access to Insurance Initiative, Jonathan DIXON is a highly regarded leader on inclusive and responsible insurance. Yoshihiro KAWAI, the current Secretary General, joined the IAIS as Deputy Secretary General in 1998 before assuming his current position in 2003. "Under his leadership, the IAIS has been transformed into the international standard setter for insurance and become an integral part of the international financial architecture to support global financial stability. Yoshi has led the Secretariat through a period of enormous growth, including the adoption of comprehensive Insurance Core Principles, identification of G-SIIs (global systemically important insurers) and development of G-SII policy measures, and development of the first-ever global insurance capital standardthe Basic Capital requirement (BCR)", said Victoria SAPORTA. In 2015, at the request of the Executive Committee, Yoshihiro KAWAI agreed to postpone a planned departure and remain in the position for an additional two years to steer the association through the completion of several key projects. Author: Vlad BOLDIJAR on 16.02.2017 Archive Comment this article 0 comments Atention! "Comment" and "E-mail" are mandatory Name: If you are logged on and you do not fill in your name, will be used the name that you used when you registered If you are not logged on, your name will appear preceded by '(Anonymous)'. For authentication, click here If you are logged on and you do not fill in your name, will be used the name that you used when you registered E-mail: Comment: < 10.000 car. Fill in the code from the image: Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 15/02/2017 (2090 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. It doesnt take long for Iranian director/writer Asghar Farhadi to establish the mood in The Salesman. When married couple Rana (Taraneh Alidoosti) and Emad (Shahab Hosseini) return to their apartment to collect their belongings after being evacuated (the building is unstable because of a nearby construction project), an ominous web of cracks has broken up the wall above their bed. Its a not-so-subtle sign that all will not be well with the couple, though the Oscar-winning Farhadi (A Separation took home the 2012 Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film; The Salesman is nominated in the same category this year) comes nowhere near melodrama in this quietly tense film about the futility of vengeance. The Salesman (in Persian, with English subtitles) is, in the vein of Farhadis previous films, a domestic drama set in modern-day Tehran. Rana and Emad work in culture (maybe only in Iran is this information greeted with reverence rather than dismay by the neighbours), as actors who are playing Linda and Willy Loman in a production of Death of a Salesman. Emad also teaches high school literature; hes a well-liked instructor whose students seem to respect him. When they find themselves temporarily homeless owing to the evacuation, an actor friend offers up an apartment he rents out. The last tenant, however, a single woman with a kid, has left behind most of her belongings and proves reluctant to pick them up. Theres something portentous about her shoes and clothes in the closet, the crayon drawings her child has scrawled on the bedroom wall. The neighbours, however, have a good riddance to bad rubbish attitude, implying the woman was a prostitute. Then, in a scene thats all the more chilling for the fact we see nothing, Rana is attacked; it might be that the violence was intended for the previous tenant. Her head is stitched up at the hospital (although there are possibly other wounds that go unspoken), and shes sent home, but the attack drives a wedge into the relationship. Cohen Media Group / Amazon Studios Taraneh Alidoosti (left) and Shahab Hosseini ignore cracks in their marriage in The Salesman. Emads personality shifts as he struggles to cope with his tamped-down rage. Hes curt with his students and impatient with Rana, seemingly unsympathetic to her fear of being left alone. Farhadi carefully ratchets up the tension theres the sense of bad decision being piled on bad decision as Emad, rather than consoling or comforting Rana or going to the police, opts for vigilante justice. This is not John Wick-style hail-of-bullets revenge, of course. Its small and sad and wrong-headed and destined to fail, but no less devastating. The director is aided by his two leads, who are as committed to realism as he is. Alidoosti portrays the inner struggle of a woman who wants to return to normal but cant, while as Emad, Hosseini is a man who realizes his life is being poisoned but picks the wrong antidote. Much in The Salesman is implicit the Iranian governments censorship code would likely forbid referring directly to prostitution (the female tenant had many acquaintances) or explicitly saying Rana was sexually assaulted. Farhadi even pokes fun at it himself; in the production of Death of a Salesman, Willys seductress is clad in a long-belted trench coat and hat, despite the scripts reference to lingerie, and the plays director mentions some of Arthur Millers scenes may have to be cut to pass muster. Habib Majidi / Cohen Media Group / Amazon Studios Rana (played by Taraneh Alidoosti) is a married woman who attempts to cope with the aftermath of her assault in The Salesman. But when it comes to his own work, Farhadi uses the implied nature of Ranas injuries to the films advantage. Neither she nor Emad ever directly speak of it, but the possibility of her rape hangs over every moment afterward, freighting their actions with shame and impotence, and ensuring peace, or even closure, is not an option. jill.wilson@freepress.mb.caTwitter: @dedaumier If you value coverage of Manitobas arts scene, help us do more. Your contribution of $10, $25 or more will allow the Free Press to deepen our reporting on theatre, dance, music and galleries while also ensuring the broadest possible audience can access our arts journalism. BECOME AN ARTS JOURNALISM SUPPORTER Click here to learn more about the project. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 16/02/2017 (2089 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The most expensive movie ever made in China is a historical-fantasy-action saga directed by Zhang Yimou and starring Matt Damon, Jing Tian and a horde of ravenous CGI beasts. Is it good? Well, no. But at times it possesses the kind of nutty magnificence you might expect from Chinese master Zhang lending his practiced, elegant hand to what is essentially a hyper-inflated B-grade monster-movie. UNIVERSAL PICTURES Matt Damon Zhang, who has helmed such wuxia films as House of Flying Daggers and Hero, as well as dead-serious dramas like Raise the Red Lantern and To Live, does what he can with this massive American-Chinese co-production, which, like many recent international blockbusters, is less about global culture and more about global capital and the pragmatic mixing of Asian money and Hollywood stars. This relationship may be financially practical, but it can also be awkward and unwieldy (like that point in Transformers 4 when the action suddenly and arbitrarily moves east). In the case of The Great Wall, its a shotgun-movie marriage not helped by a strained script and stiff epic-style acting. Damon plays European mercenary William, who is first seen traversing the dangerous Gobi Desert with fellow fighter Tovar (Pedro Pascal of Game of Thrones). Drawn to Song Dynasty China by rumours of the terrible power of gunpowder, they are hoping to make their fortune as medieval arms dealers when they are captured by the Nameless Order, a fearsomely armed and ferociously skilled military force tasked with protecting the Great Wall from attack by what, exactly? UNIVERSAL PICTURES Junkai Wang as The Emperor. In a violent, gorgeously preposterous action sequence, we watch through William and Tovars amazed eyes as the soldiers prepare to battle the taotei, basically insatiable and extremely ugly dragons that periodically try to swarm the Wall, eating everything in their way. William, who starts out as a not-my-fight loner, is eventually won over by the stern and very beautiful example of Commander Lin (Police Story 2013s Jing Tian). There have been charges of whitewashing: Why should the Chinese need Matt Damon to defend the Great Wall, after all? And Damon himself seems a little abashed. No matter what hes doing, the Bourne star tends to retain a certain all-American captain of the lacrosse team vibe, and he struggles to play a period character in a large-scale saga in which people say things like Die well, brother. UNIVERSAL PICTURES Willem Dafoe as Ballard. Damon does get a lot of screen time, but this is not exactly a white saviour narrative. From the viewpoint of the Nameless Order, William and Tovar are basically barbarians. They arrive at the Wall filthy, smelly, greedy and lacking in any kind of moral code, having fought under the flags of a dozen masters for food or money. Though the films scripters are American, its made clear that the battle against the taotei will be won not with Williams Western-style individualism but with the traditional Chinese values of teamwork, duty, self-discipline, sacrifice to the greater good and all-round technological awesomeness. The cast is also more balanced than the Damon-centric movie posters suggest. While the European characters speak English, theres also a lot of dialogue in subtitled Mandarin, spoken by such Asian stars as Zhang Hanyu and Eddie Peng, as well as Chinese-born K-Pop star Lu Han. Ultimately, though, the characters, European and Chinese alike, are flat and predictable. While the battle scenes will offer some compensations, especially for anyone missing the orc action from The Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Great Wall doesnt really hold up. This is a humongous movie built on flimsy foundations. alison.gillmor@freepress.mb.ca UNIVERSAL PICTURES If you value coverage of Manitobas arts scene, help us do more. Your contribution of $10, $25 or more will allow the Free Press to deepen our reporting on theatre, dance, music and galleries while also ensuring the broadest possible audience can access our arts journalism. BECOME AN ARTS JOURNALISM SUPPORTER Click here to learn more about the project. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 15/02/2017 (2090 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. OTTAWA The American market will likely always be Manitobas BFF when it comes to trade, but opportunities in Europe for Manitoba pork producers and manufacturers will help diversify the provinces export sales, local advocates say. The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between Canada and Europe, known as CETA, passed two hurdles this week. The House of Commons voted in favour of implementation legislation and sent the bill off to the Senate for its approval. Across the pond, the European Parliament voted in favour with about 58 per cent of European MPs giving it the nod of approval. Now the 28-member nations of the EU will have to pass it at their national legislatures. TIM SMITH/ BRANDON SUN FILES According to Manitoba Pork documents, Europe is the only region in the world where pork is a significant commodity in which Canada doesn't have decent market access. Manitoba Chamber of Commerce president Chuck Davidson said the deal is a great opportunity for Manitoba business. With all the uncertainty we are seeing with the United States this is a perfect opportunity for Manitoba companies to look to diversify, said Davidson. Its never going to change that the U.S. is our biggest trading partner but diversity is a good thing. CETA eliminates or phases out most tariffs for goods travelling between Canada and the 28-member nations of the European Union. It increases quotas for agricultural products like pork and beef, and allows companies from each to compete for foreign government contracts. Davidson said food products from Manitoba will likely see the biggest impact. Those are the doors that are really being opened, he said. According to Manitoba Pork documents, Europe is the only region in the world where pork is a significant commodity in which Canada doesnt have decent market access. High tariffs and quotas have kept Canadian pork exports to the European Union extremely limited. Manitoba Pork said in 2011, for instance, only 415 tonnes of the 1.1 million tonnes of pork exports from Canadian producers went to the European Union. Andrew Dickson, general manager of Manitoba Pork, said there are still some details to come which will tell the final story, but he expects a few Manitoba companies might decide its worth it to focus on the European market. He said the market is extremely competitive for pork products so the profit margins are going to be tight, meaning it is likely only high-end specialty pork products, like specialty cut hams, might be worth shipping. Its a market of 500 million people, said Dickson. Pork is their favourite dish. Surely to goodness there is a niche for us. We dont need a big slice. Manitoba exports to the European are a small fraction of the more than $13 billion in exports from the province in 2016. The United States gets the lions share, about two-thirds. Thats followed by China and Japan. Only about four per cent of Manitoba exports went to Europe in 2016. Pharmaceuticals and medical manufacturing, oilseeds, wheat and metals were the biggest components. Critics of CETA fear the deal gives too much control to corporations to sue if government policies affect their companies. NDP Leader Tom Mulcair said Wednesday he wants assurances with actual numbers from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that CETA will create well-paying jobs and that the provisions allowing corporations to sue will be changed. I want our parliament to maintain jurisdiction and sovereignty over those key issues. Mr. Trudeau has to make the case thats still allowed under this deal and he cant make the case because whats before us now still allows multinationals to have the final word. Trudeau is in Europe where he will become the first sitting Canadian prime minister to speak to the European Parliament Thursday. He will then head to Germany to speak to business leaders there. Selling CETA and discussing the benefits of open markets are key to his talks, which will also focus on the need to improve the lives of the middle class in order to quash the growing protectionist sentiments that have led to things like Brexit and the election of U.S. President Donald Trump. Ten of Manitobas 14 MPs voted in favour of the trade deal Tuesday. NDP MPs Niki Ashton and Daniel Blaikie voted with their party against the implementation of CETA. Conservative MP Larry Maguire was absent. mia.rabson@freepress.mb.ca A threat from the hilltop Ravshatzim are armed by the state and fall under the authority of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). But they are paid by the settlement where they reside. This places them in a dual role. They are participants in an ideologically driven settlement process that displaces Palestinians, and they are under the command of a force meant to, at least on paper, prevent friction between settlers and Palestinians (though many critics of the occupation say that soldiers often see West Bank settlers as their partners in maintaining Israeli rule). According to an Israeli army spokesperson, ravshatzim help maintain the safety and security of Israeli communities and have been able to thwart terrorist attacks. While some settlement guards stick to securing their communities, others seem to spend much of their time patrolling outside the settlement. Shabtay Bendet is a former ravshatz from Yitzhar and Rechelim, and he is now a journalist for the Israeli news outlet Walla News. He tells In These Times that when he was a guard in Rechelim, he patrolled outside the settlement to frighten neighboring Palestinians so they would move away. Driving Palestinians off their land clears the path for settlement expansion, he explainsand expansion is a primary goal of Israels West Bank settlers. And by handing over equipment to guards in order to thwart terrorist attacks, the One Israel Fund is arguably helping to intimidate and push out Palestinians. The Israeli settlement of Yitzhar lies deep in the northern West Bank, about an hours drive from Jerusalem through topsy-turvy roads. Like many Israeli settlements, it sits on a hill overlooking Palestinian villages, part of what the Israeli scholar Eyal Weizman calls the architecture of Israeli occupation, in which settlers on hilltops can peer down and keep a close eye on Palestinian movement. About 1,300 settlers live in Yitzhars squat, one-story homes. Most are deep believers in the ideology of the Israeli settlement project, which since 1967 has grown to include a population of about 600,000 Jews. The settlers believe this is the Jews biblical homeland, and that they have a right to be here. Yitzhar is expanding: On hills below the main hilltop, mobile homes sprawl across the land. These are Israeli outpostssettlements built without government permission. Yitzhar, which has received at least $12,900 in security equipment from the One Israel Fund, has a particular reputation for violence and extremism. The bus stop on the way out is plastered with posters declaring Kahane was righta reference to Rabbi Meir Kahane, an ultra-right Israeli politician who advocated the expulsion of Palestinians from Israel and the occupied territories. Israeli human-rights groups such as BTselem and Rabbis for Human Rights routinely document Yitzhar settlers descending from their hilltop into the Palestinian villages below to throw rocks at farmers and set fire to olive trees. The nearby Palestinian village of Burin, visible from the road out of the settlement, is a frequent target. According to residents of Burin, their harassers include Yitzhars ravshatz, Yitzhak Levy. In August 2014, the human rights group Yesh Din helped file a criminal complaint against Levy for driving over plants on a plot of land owned by a Burin villager. According to Yesh Din, the police closed the case the following year, saying the offender was unknowna common reason given when complaints against settlers are dismissed. Yesh Din subsequently documented three separate incidents in which Levy kicked Palestinians off their land. Twice, it says, Levy reportedly threatened to kill villagers by cocking his rifle and drawing his finger across his throat. He also threatened to bring other settlers to chop down trees in Burinno idle threat, as settlers routinely cut down trees in the village. Several Burin residents interviewed by In These Times described the ravshatz as a singularly menacing presence. Munir Qadus, a villager, says that, according to an eyewitness he spoke with, Levy shot tear gas into a schoolyard in Burin in February 2014. Village youth responded by throwing stones. The army intervened, shooting more tear gas canisters, blanketing the schoolyard in the acrid, choking gas. Another villager, who asked not to be named because he fears retaliation, says he has had repeated run-ins with Levy over the last two years. He says the guard has threatened to destroy his olive grove or shoot him if he returns to it. The farmer was too frightened to plow the land in fall 2015, leading to a diminished harvest the next year. When In These Times contacted Levy to ask about these allegations his relationship with the One Israel Fund, he was unwilling to talk. But the One Israel Funds Facebook page boasts of lavish donations to Yitzhars security operations, which its ravshatz directs. In a photo album from October 2012 titled Itzhar - Keeping It Real, two armed men look straight into the camera, assault rifles slung to the side, as they stand next to a thermal surveillance cameraa $10,000 tooldelivered to them by the One Israel Fund. Other photos, taken in October 2015 and in February 2016, show Marc Provisor, director of the One Israel Funds security projects, personally giving one of these men two armored vests, which cost $1,450 apiece. An ex-ravshatz who lives in the settlement of Shilo, Provisor travels across the West Bank handing out equipment to guards. None of the recipients in the photos are identified. Yitzhak Levy does not have an online presence, so In These Times was unable to determine conclusively whether he appeared in the photos. However, when shown the Facebook albums, multiple Burin villagers identified the red-bearded man receiving equipment as the ravshatz. Presented with claims that Levy harassed villagers and asked about its vetting process for recipients, One Israel Fund did not respond. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 15/02/2017 (2090 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Manitobas public sector unions are launching collective bargaining as though theres no threat of government-imposed settlements hanging over their heads. About 32,000 employees in five of the largest public sector unions have their current deals expiring March 31. Its business as usual, no change in attitude, no change in timing and no change in expectations, union leaders said this week. WAYNE GLOWACKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES From right, Manitoba Federation of Labour president Kevin Rebeck, Michelle Gawronsky, president of Manitoba Government and General Employees' Union and Kelly Moist, president of the Canadian Union of Public Employees arrive at the meeting with Finance Minister Cameron Friesen and representatives of the public sector unions in January. Last Friday, they met again with Pallister government senior officials but learned nothing more about the possibility the Tories could impose wage freezes on the public sector and even reopen existing collective agreements. CUPE is proceeding with our part of the bargaining process weve served notice of intent to bargain as usual. We have no indication from the health care sector that shows a change in the basic bargaining process. Its too early to tell how the next steps in the process will go, said a spokeswoman for the Canadian Union of Public Employees. The University of Manitoba Faculty Association is the only bargaining unit so far thats been affected by a government-imposed settlement. The university and the union reported jointly in November shortly before UMFA went on a three-week strike that the province had told them in early October to take a one-year wage freeze. Premier Brian Pallister and Finance Minister Cameron Friesen have never publicly confirmed or denied having given that order and now they acknowledge everything is on the table to control public sector spending. On the bargaining front, UMFA has served its notice of intent to bargain, and we do so expecting to negotiate a fair agreement with our employer, without interference from government, said UMFA president Prof. Mark Hudson. There are further meetings planned between the public-sector unions and government. We want to work with government to find a balanced approach to the provinces fiscal situation, one that recognizes that Manitobans really value their public institutions and services. There is nothing about the Manitoba fiscal position that warrants a panicky, hack-and-slash approach, and nothing that demands legislation that infringes on collective bargaining, Hudson declared. Were expecting a series of further meetings with government, Manitoba Federation of Labour president Kevin Rebeck said. We believe there are a number of realistic fiscal options for government to return to balance responsibly, while honouring their pledge to protect and improve the public services that Manitobans count on, and without resorting to heavy-handed legislation that interferes with free and fair collective bargaining, said Rebeck. We anticipate many more meetings with government, Manitoba Government and General Employees Union president Michelle Gawronsky said. We are ready to work with government to find balanced solutions that both address Manitobas financial challenges, and keep the premiers promise to protect public services. The finance minister has said his goal is to return the budget to balance over eight years, so we remain puzzled by the governments rush to heavy-handed legislation. We dont believe its necessary for our government to hit the panic button. In terms of bargaining, our approach has not changed. We are preparing to go to the table to bargain contracts that are fair for both our members and their employers. We agree with president Rebeck in that we believe there are options for the government to take before looking at heavy-handed legislation. UFCW is not delaying or changing how we are approaching the upcoming bargaining, said a spokesman from the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 832. nick.martin@freepress.mb.ca Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 15/02/2017 (2090 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The future of the volunteer bingo program that helps fund more than 400 non-profit groups across Manitoba has been officially filed under the NO for not certain. The bingos will still run at provincial casinos but no longer need volunteers from various sports, community and charity groups who used them as fundraisers. Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries started notifying stakeholders last week that it can no longer justify the fundraising program because automation has eliminated the need for volunteers to run the bingos. The province announced late Wednesday afternoon that grant money will remain in place for 2017-18, even though volunteers are no longer needed. That is, the bingo volunteer program grants will still be distributed but dont bother sending down volunteers. The decision was made because theres virtually no paper bingo anymore, said MLL spokeswoman Andrea Kowal. The Crown corporation has begun a review of the program, which pays out $4 million annually, she said. For decades, MLL has doled out grants where non-profit groups ran bingos at its casinos, thereby saving MLL having to staff them. But the old practise of marking paper bingo cards with pink dabbers has gone the way of the plains bison. Volunteers would show up at the bingos and just stand around with nothing to do. There are only 70 seats left for paper bingo at the Club Regent Casino, and none at the McPhillips Station Casino, Kowal said. The Manitoba Schizophrenic Society has been receiving bingo grants for more than 20 years. The MSS depends on grants from many sources but losing the bingo money would leave a big hole, said executive director Chris Summerville. Our concern would be are you then going to be able to give us grants in place of the voluntary bingo, executive director Chris Summerville said. Wednesdays announcement trumped MLLs earlier notification that the grant monies would only be guaranteed up until March 31. Even so, people who run non-profit groups like Summerville are concerned the change could mean scaling back the grant amounts in the future. Many groups worry about what might replace the bingo program, coming at a time when the Pallister government is wielding a budget axe to tackle the provincial deficit. PHIL HOSSACK / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Electronic Bingo games such as this one have eliminated MLL's need for bingo volunteers at either of the city's casinos. The Woodlot Association of Manitoba (WAM) had been approved to run bingos in April and May worth $20,000 to fund forestry education programs but was told last week not to bank on it anymore. Yesterdays announcement was good news. The volunteer bingo program is significant because small non-profits like ours have great difficulty trying to find alternative funding sources, said Irene de Graaf, WAM president. WAM has about 60 members. There are about 1,500 managed woodlots in Manitoba that are harvested or kept for aesthetic or environmental reasons. We educate, we advocate, and we bring industry folks together, especially with climate change now, said de Graaf. The loss of the money from the bingo volunteer program would have been devastating to the hundreds of volunteer groups that have come to rely on them. Organizations serving sports, the arts, community services, culture and heritage, as well as ethnic groups, all use bingo money to survive. Groups were able to earn between $1500 and $3000 per bingo worked. Running a bingo used to require about a dozen volunteers, said Kowal. The number was cut to four in recent years. Now its none. The province has run the volunteer bingo program since 1984 when Manitoba Lotteries Commission took over bingo operations from private bingo halls. The program was operated out of provincial casinos when Club Regent and McPhillips Street Station opened in 1993. Government justified its venture into gambling back then by promising money would be used to benefit health care and communities. Distribution of bingo monies are decided upon by six government-funded umbrella organizations: Manitoba Arts Council, Manitoba Community Service Council, Sport Manitoba, Multiculturalism Secretariat, Heritage Grants Advisory Council, and Manitoba Community Education Association. Recipients of bingo money from the Manitoba Arts Council includes dance companies, theatre groups, and galleries, while bingo grants allocated through Sport Manitoba cover just about every sport under the sun. The Manitoba Community Services Council has a volunteer council that meets monthly to decide on who gets bingo grants. It then distributes bingo money to such groups as parent advisory councils, daycares, senior centres, community centres, libraries, and groups that work with new immigrants. Organizations have to be volunteer-driven with volunteer boards. bill.redekop@freepress.mb.ca Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 16/02/2017 (2089 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. An 18-month-old Selkirk girl is missing and a Canada-wide warrant for child abduction has been issued against her mother, Rebecca Mikalosh. Manitoba RCMP is asking for the publics help in locating Seaira Neveah Hunter. The child was in the care of her mother, 36-year-old Mikalosh, who did not take her to a scheduled visit with her father. RCMP HANDOUT 18-month-old Seaira Neveah Hunter, and her mother Rebecca Mikalosh, 36, missed a scheduled visitation with Seairas father. RCMP say it is possible Mikalosh may have taken Seaira out of the province. Mikalosh has care of Seaira but did not have authority to take her outside the local area. An Amber Alert has not been issued because there is no indication of imminent danger to Seaira, based on information investigators have at this time. We are asking for Rebecca to contact us so that we can confirm that Seaira is doing well, said chief superintendent Mark Fisher of the Manitoba RCMP. We are also asking anyone who may have seen or been with Rebecca and Seaira to contact their local police immediately. RCMP officers spoke with Mikalosh over the phone on Wednesday morning and she confirmed that she had Seaira and that both were doing well. However, she declined to meet with police. Police have not been able to make further contact with Mikalosh. A family member was in contact with Mikalosh on Wednesday evening and she again declined to meet with police. RCMP HANDOUT 18-month-old Seaira Neveah Hunter, and her mother Rebecca Mikalosh, 36 (above), missed a scheduled visitation with Seairas father. Police say it is believed Mikalosh is travelling west with Seaira in a grey 2001 Ford Taurus with the Manitoba licence plate number GVD 275. They may be in western Saskatchewan, in the North Battleford or Saskatoon area, or Alberta. Seaira is described as Caucasian, approximately 2-foot-9 tall and weighing about 20 pounds. Mikalosh is described as Caucasian, approximately 5-foot-6 tall and weighing 120 pounds, with short brown hair. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 15/02/2017 (2090 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The U.S. Border Patrol says the number of asylum seekers crossing into Canada on foot from North Dakota may be growing but theyre not beefing up resources or stopping anyone from leaving their country theyre just trying to prevent anyone from freezing to death on the way out. Weve been looking at this issue back to 2010, said Chief Patrol Agent Aaron M. Heitke of the Grand Forks sector. Its not a new issue but its received a lot more attention recently, he said in a teleconference Wednesday afternoon with reporters on both sides of the border. Weve been keeping an eye on this issue, Heitke said. Basically, what were seeing is growing numbers of individuals crossing illegally into Canada, said Heitke, who didnt have any data to back that up but said the Canada Border Services Agency is keeping track. The rise in the number of asylum seekers on foot hasnt led to any increase in resources for the U.S. Border Patrol, he said. We maintain a steady presence in the area. SUPPLIED Chief Patrol Agent Aaron M. Heitke The border patrol in North Dakota and the RCMP are co-ordinating efforts to make sure those risking life and limb to cross into Canada get there safely, said Heitke. Specifically, we work with our Canadian partners daily. The U.S. Border Patrol is in radio contact with its Canadian counterparts to make sure they know whats heading north up to their area, said Heitke. Basically what we do is real-time interaction over the radio, said Heitke. If we see a group of people heading into Canada and in close proximity to the border, we call them and give them a description of people and where theyre at so they can intercept them. Theyre not looking for the border jumpers to arrest them theyre there to help them when theyre in trouble, Heitke said. Its not a crime to be on the border, said Heitke. Were most often called when its a rescue situation: Someone called 911 because theyre lost or too cold to move. We go and help them, he said. Theres not a crime there for us to arrest them. If they see people heading for the Canadian border, all they can do is make sure they get to the other side alive by letting their partners to the north the RCMP know theres a group heading towards them. Our message is a humanitarian message, said Heitke. A lot of these folks come from African countries, he said. Theyre unfamiliar with brutally cold North Dakota winters. When they walk across the field with a 20-mile-an-hour wind, people can get in trouble, he said. Trekking for hours in the bitter cold and being unprepared for the weather puts peoples lives at risk. We want to discourage that, Heitke said. Theres not a lot the border patrol can do to discourage the refugee claimants, though, he said, other than get the word out about the danger to the groups making the trek. What we have done is get some information back to the communities where we know folks are coming from, Heitke said. Weve made some contacts with consulate offices to put out some travel warnings so they can let their citizens know just how cold it is here so they have a little more of an idea. On Tuesday, a Somali community leader in Minneapolis said he was going on an ethnic radio program and social media to advise Somalis not to make the trip. The Twin Cities are home to 200,000 ethnic Somalis, the largest Somali community in the U.S. Most of the refugee claimants crossing into Canada at Emerson are Somali, the CBSA has reported. But theyre not all coming from Minnesota, said Heitke. Theyre coming from all over, not any one particular state, he said. Were going to see more people out of St. Paul/Minneapolis but not exclusively (from) there. Officials are investigating reports of smugglers from Minnesota dropping asylum seekers off in the freezing cold in North Dakota and telling them to walk toward the Canadian border, said Heitke. The U.S. Border Patrol questions the refugee claimants theyve rescued in North Dakota. Theyre asked how much and who they paid, he said. Were going to be asking them about that sort of thing. Heitke said hes not sure why there are so many more asylum seekers fleeing the U.S. for Canada lately but he thinks the tide will continue to rise with the temperature. Obviously, with the rise in numbers weve seen, we are concerned that the numbers will go up as the weather warms up, he said. With spring, the melting snow will fill ditches and make fields muddy and present a new set of hazardous conditions. Its going to be very wet out here soon, said Heitke. We dont know what the numbers are going to do. carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca Opinion Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 16/02/2017 (2089 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. In a now-famous experiment, a Stanford psychologist presented small children with a simple choice. They could have one marshmallow now, or, if they waited a short time, two marshmallows later. Many children sought instant gratification and ate the one marshmallow immediately. Others waited 15 minutes to collect their two-marshmallow reward. When these children were followed into their adult years, the two-marshmallow group enjoyed greater life success: better education, better jobs, higher incomes all stemming from their ability to delay gratification. Last week, Statistics Canada released data on population growth in Canada for the last half-decade. What was on display was one-marshmallow thinking. SEAN KILPATRICK / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne (left) and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have risked deficits to spur economic growth. Politicians and business leaders rejoiced in provinces and cities growing above the national average. Those below, mainly Atlantic Canada and especially New Brunswick, despaired. Population and economic growth is, evidently according to our political elite the solution to all our problems. So your government cant balance its budget and deficits add to mounting debt? No worries. Economic growth fuelled primarily by population growth will care of that. When new growth statistics arrive, there is temporary euphoria, which eventually subsides. Until that next hit of growth statistics arrives. Then, more euphoria. But what if growth slows or stops? Political and business leaders get nervous and jittery. These are familiar symptoms. They have become addicted to growth. The question is: why? And what happens if we cant get enough? Soon after taking office, Justin Trudeau convened a council of 14 economic advisers. They were tasked with solving Canadas problem of sluggish economic growth. Their solution? Boost population growth dramatically. Canada should grow to a population of 100 million by the end of the century. With more and faster growth, we will become an economic superpower. However, there is a cost. We will need much more immigration, especially business talent and international students. This means poaching the best minds, often from places where such talent is needed badly. But all is fair in love, war and the pursuit of economic growth. This proposed policy is ecological, economic and ethical madness. Stealing the youth and leadership from other nations, particularly the developing world, the source of many of our international students, borders on criminal. Beyond this, our economic leaders must explain why economic growth fed by population growth is virtuous. Sluggish economic growth is symptomatic of global population growth that has been slowing since the 1960s. It will likely grind to a halt in the latter half of this century. This is bad news for growth addicts, especially since we have built our economic model around perpetual, steady growth. But any population ecologist knows this is fantasy. No population can grow without limit. Sooner or later something runs out: food, water, space, clean air. Our current economic model, in which economic growth makes deficits and debt acceptable, crumbles with the end of growth. Instead of doubling down and planning for a growing population of 100 million by the end of the century, why not plan for a post-growth era, and sooner rather than later? We live in a nation blessed with abundant natural resources. We can keep it that way. Our natural wealth can be used to build a comfortable future in a no-growth world. Norway has a population of five million and, through prudent economic stewardship, has built a sovereign wealth fund now well in excess of $1 trillion. They are shaping what most would view as a utopian future. Norwegians will not have to know want, oppression or economic hardship. They will lead the world, for example, in the introduction of zero-emissions vehicles powered by renewable energy. All paid for, ironically, by dividends from accumulated fossil fuel royalties. They have lived the two-marshmallow life. Canada is far richer than Norway, yet our one-marshmallow leadership has squandered our natural wealth. Instead of being blessed with a sovereign wealth fund that guarantees our future, we are burdened with a large and growing debt, with reassurances by decision-makers that all is fine. Past and present federal and provincial governments have plunged us into a world of structural deficits and mounting debt with no feasible plan for escape. The best that leaders such as Trudeau and Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne can do is to hide the numbers as best they can. Trudeau and Wynne are not exceptional in any way. They are just more open about espousing the view that deficits and debt are virtuous. That is the custom on the political left. Those on the political right eschew this view publicly but cynically go ahead and do the same thing anyway. Canada needs more two-marshmallow leadership. And we need to abandon the oxymoron of sustainable growth. Instead, we need a credible plan to set aside royalties from renewable and non-renewable resources to build our own sovereign wealth fund, our own endowment for the future in a genuinely sustainable, post-growth world. We need political leadership willing to look beyond the next budget cycle. Such a utopian future requires no revolutionary changes to our political or economic systems as advocated by well-meaning but loopy advocates of the Leap Manifesto. Liberal democracy coupled with a domesticated form of capitalism will do just fine. Rather, it just requires a shift in philosophy away from instant gratification, a shift from a one- to a two-marshmallow world. Scott Forbes is an ecologist at the University of Winnipeg. Twitter: @lsf58 Opinion Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 16/02/2017 (2089 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. How many women who make a sexual assault complaint to police are outright lying? According to some Canadian police forces, more than half of sexual assault complaints are unfounded. Yet only two per cent of complaints to Winnipeg police are unfounded. Police services across the country are supposed to categorize a complaint as unfounded if they believe that no crime was attempted or occurred and therefore no further investigation is warranted. According to recent media reports, sexual assault cases are far more likely than other cases to be designated as unfounded. On average, 20 per cent of sexual assault complaints made to police forces across the country are categorized as unfounded, with this number skyrocketing to more than 50 per cent in some police forces. In contrast, at two per cent, the Winnipeg Police Service has the lowest unfounded rate in the country. Winnipeg police are not seeking accolades for having a low unfounded rate. Some members believe the high unfounded rates recorded by other police forces might be due to incorrect data entry, such as categorizing a complaint as unfounded when it should have been categorized as unsolved. They also recognize they have resources that smaller police forces cannot access. Nonetheless, we should still ask: why is the local unfounded rate so low? All sexual assault cases in Winnipeg are investigated by specially trained officers belonging to the sex crimes unit. These officers understand how biased thinking, especially victim-blaming, has tainted interviews with complainants in the past. They also understand how trauma impacts a complainants capacity to participate in an interview. If a beat cop is first to the scene, he or she will secure the scene, obtain contact information and make sure the complainant is transferred to medical care. But the actual interviews with complainants are done only by officers assigned to the sex crimes unit. Designated nurses, who keep up to date on best forensic practices, do the initial physical examinations and collect evidence from complainants. They also discuss health-care needs and concerns and law enforcement reporting options. After seeing the nurse, most complainants can go home, have a shower, get some sleep and have something to eat before they decide whether to sit down with an investigator for the all-important interview. The sex crimes unit is well-resourced. An experienced supervisor is always on call and ready to talk if an investigator wants to consult. The unit shares space with the counter-exploitation unit, the child abuse unit and the missing persons unit. When necessary, these units can co-ordinate their work. The caseloads are manageable, which means sex crimes investigators can do their work properly and thoroughly. It is not surprising an assignment to the sex crimes unit is one of the most sought-after in the Winnipeg Police Service. The unit meets regularly with an interagency working group. Between meetings, if members of this group notice or hear about a problem with how the unit is approaching an issue, they let the unit know. The unit is also dedicated to raising awareness, and members participate regularly in public education programs on sexual assault. The unit is open to thinking about how to do things better. The unit is also willing to work with academic researchers. One such project, led by Jane Ursel at the University of Manitoba, seeks to answer the question: What are the determinants of successful prosecution in sexual assault cases and what are the determinants of case attrition? The sex crimes unit and Manitoba prosecutors have agreed to open their files to permit researchers who are bound by strict ethical guidelines to track two years worth of cases from the victims police report until final case disposition. Sexual assault convictions will always be difficult to obtain. The accused has the right to silence and the burden falls on the Crown to prove the charge beyond a reasonable doubt. In a he said, she said scenario without corroborating evidence, it is not difficult to establish reasonable doubt. But ensuring that complainant interviews are appropriately conducted, medical forensics are state-of-the-art, investigators are well-supported, community organizations can give feedback and researchers are welcome all contribute to establishing a stronger foundation for sexual assault prosecutions. Karen Busby is a law professor and director of the Centre for Human Rights Research at the University of Manitoba. Opinion Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 16/02/2017 (2089 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The town of Emerson can expect a steady stream of asylum seekers from the United States to continue turning up on their doorsteps much more so as the weather turns milder and the risk of frostbite diminishes. Manitoba and Canada should not let the small border town bear the burden of sheltering and managing people seeking refuge. The authorities should take full advantage of their eagerness to live in Canada and set them on a path to becoming model citizens, keeping in mind, of course, refugee claimants are statistically the least likely to be involved in terrorist activities. For the most part, the Somalis and Djiboutis who have been turning up at Emerson have been in the U.S. for a period of months or years awaiting adjudication of their refugee claims. They are suddenly anxious to leave the U.S. because of the proposed clampdown on refugee claims and on people from Somalia and six other Muslim-majority countries. Their misfortune is Canadas opportunity. Once they make it through the snow and across the fields to Emerson, these people have overcome difficulties that would discourage most of us, showing the depth of their desire to be here. They are likely to treasure Canadian citizenship much more than people who acquired it more easily. JOHN WOODS / THE CANADIAN PRESs fileS Near the border at Emerson We must not be naive. Somalia has been a theatre of civil war and Islamic insurgency for the past 25 years. Terrorists of al-Shabab occasionally turn up in Kenya to shoot up shopping malls or set off bombs. The Somali national assembly met briefly Feb. 7 in a heavily guarded hangar at Mogadishu airport to elect a new president, formerly a New York state transport official from Buffalo, who will control very little of the country. Mobile people may have perfectly valid reasons for leaving such a chaotic place, but we have to know with whom were dealing. Fortunately, most of them have some kind of track record in the U.S. Once they are identified, the Canadian authorities should be able to access U.S. files to get some background on each individual. Ordinary human decency demands that Canada and Manitoba should feed and shelter them. Caution dictates that we should find out all we can about their history and their motives. Self-interest should urge us to respond to their ingenuity and the intensity of their desire to live here. It may take many years, but these migrants include people who will start businesses, send their kids to university and become some of the most patriotic Canadians you could ever meet. They will cling to Canada the way drowning people cling to a life-raft. We should spend a little bit now to shelter them and expect a rich harvest of new citizens in future years. The traffic of asylum seekers at Emerson, numbered in the dozens, is a mere trickle compared with the hundreds of thousands crossing the Mediterranean Sea, at risk of their lives, to seek refuge in Greece, Italy and eventually in northern Europe. Many are rescued from shipwrecks and taken to the Italian island of Lampedusa. Europe is having a tough time coping, for want of good co-operation among European states. Here, we have just one immigration authority, the government of Canada. Even if the numbers increase a great deal, we can handle it. Emerson never expected to become Canadas Lampedusa. Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen, also of Somali origin, should step forward and equip Emerson for the new role thrust upon it. The Iran Front Page report was not specific about the nature of the supposed offense against the Emir, or about the Foreign Ministrys response. But it did clearly highlight the notion that such provocations, though apparently undertaken by organized groups of hardliners with the backing of certain officials or media outlets, are out of keeping with the foreign policy approach that the Islamic Republic is officially pursuing at the moment. The comparatively soft approach has been underscored by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, who has a reputation for pragmatic engagement with foreign nations, even sworn enemies of the Islamic Republic including the United States. Some parties hoped that the 2015 nuclear agreement spearheaded by the Rouhani administration in Iran and the Obama administration in Washington would lead to a more general rapprochement between the two nations. But hardline rhetoric has persisted on the Iranian side, and now the USs newly inaugurated President Trump is taking clear steps to return to an assertive policy toward Iran. And amidst new sanctions and preliminary efforts to list the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps as a foreign terrorist organization, the emerging US policy may be more assertive than that of any of Trumps predecessors since the time of the Iranian Revolution. It is perhaps no coincidence that Trumps efforts to put pressure on Tehran coincide with Rouhani visiting Gulf Arab states in an effort to shore up regional relations. The visits may be part of an effort to focus Rouhanis pragmatism upon traditional adversaries that are closer to home, instead of upon the US itself. But whatever his motivations, public provocations against the leaders of a place like Kuwait are directly at odds with Rouhanis own public statements indicating that his country wants peaceful relations with the Arab nations. Reuters reported upon Rouhanis statements to this effect on Wednesday. And it added that the Iranian president had called for less sectarianism in regional issues. This, however, comes in the midst of widespread accusations that Iran is personally exacerbating the sectarian dimensions of regional conflicts. Irans participation in the Syrian Civil War, for instance, has given an apparently permanent foothold to the Islamic Republic and its militant proxies including Hezbollah. Whats more, those forces have repeatedly broken ceasefire agreements and have made concerted efforts to relocate entire populations along sectarian lines, as part of an apparent effort to make large swaths of Syria into part of a Shiite crescent led by the Islamic Republic. In light of the numerous examples of this effort, Rouhanis call for peaceful relations in the region cannot be taken for granted. And indeed, it is contradicted by the contemporary efforts of some of his fellow Iranian officials, even those in his own cabinet. The Turkish daily Yeni Safak reported on Wednesday that Iranian Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Reza Salehi Amiri had continued to lash out rhetorically against Irans chief Arab rival, Saudi Arabia, over the issue of Saudi management of the annual hajj pilgrimage. Iran refused to send pilgrims to the even last year, following a stampede and crush in 2015 that reportedly killed hundreds of Iranians, and possible as many as 2,431 people altogether. But the ensuing conflict has gone beyond the discussion of security concerns and has been interpreted by some observers as an effort by the Islamic Republic to challenge Saudi Arabias fitness to control the main Islamic holy cities of Mecca and Medina. Amiris recent revisiting of the topic was described by Yeni Safak as a new phase of tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia, in that it entailed Amiri threatening to continue barring Iranians from making the pilgrimage until the Saudis have paid blood money. If this public relations competition with Arab rivals was the limit of Irans provocative activity, it would perhaps be possible to reconcile it with Rouhanis effort to reach out to Gulf Arab states with Sunni majorities. But this week also saw the revelation of new details about the Revolutionary Guards terrorist training activities, in a press conference at the Washington office of the National Council of Resistance of Iran. In it, the NCRI noted that the IRGC has expanded its recruitment of foreign nationals and its program for training individuals both as paramilitary fighters and as terrorist operatives. The NCRI report specifically named Kuwait the country that Rouhani was visiting on Wednesday as one of the regions without open warfare to which the Islamic Republic has been deploying its training camp graduates as members of terrorist cells. It is quite possible that these sorts of revelations will encourage the Gulf Arab states to resist the new Iranian charm offensive especially avowed adversaries like Saudi Arabia, whose intelligence chief personally spoke at last summers international gathering of the NCRI. In any event, Al Arabiya published an analysis peace on Wednesday describing the NCRIs revelations as a potential source for renewed efforts by the Trump administration to confront the Islamic Republic and urge more of the international community to turn away from the previous administrations conciliatory policies. Al Arabiya discussed those revelations not just in terms of the IRGCs terrorist activities, but also in terms of its apparent increase in domestic power, which it has utilized to prosecute a major crackdown on domestic dissent. This too casts doubt upon the sincerity of Rouhanis friendly tone with the Gulf Arab states. Or failing that, it raises questions about the amount of support that Rouhani has for that effort among his fellow officials and especially among those who are more powerful than he, such as Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and arguably the IRGC itself. Reuters reported on Wednesday that Khamenei had spoken critically of the Iranian president, saying that he would have to do more for the countrys economy before his bid for reelection in May. But the Iran Project reported that in separate comments, Khamenei had reiterated familiar talking points blaming the United States for conspiring to slow Irans economic recovery subsequent to the Iran nuclear deal. These two sets of remarks seem contradictory, and taken together they may suggest an effort on the part of the supreme leader to subject Rouhani to insincere criticism in the interest of weakening his political clout or reelection bid. Although Rouhanis moderate credentials have been widely disputed by opponents of the Iranian regime including the NCRI, he does appear to be more pragmatic than renowned hardline entities like the IRGC. Khamenei has seemingly withdrawn former support from the president while putting his weight behind an outpouring of anti-Western rhetoric from the likes of the IRGC. This may be indicative of a turn away from collaborative foreign relations and other nuanced policies that distinguish the Rouhani administration from other factions of the regime. It also seems to coincide with outright rejection of progressive sounding campaign promises regarding Irans domestic situation, although Rouhani has made no apparent effort to fulfill those promises after nearly four years in office. Reuters notes that in the same speech in which Khamenei commented on Rouhanis role in the economy, he rejected the notion of national reconciliation, in an apparent reference to the Green Movement leaders who have been under house arrest since 2011, and whom Rouhani had previously promised to have released. Teachers need wide-ranging skills to be successful in todays learning environments, according to Jen Hegna, Director of Information and Learning Technology with the Byron Public School District. In partnering with Winona State to create a Certificate of Innovative Instructional Leadership, the district is not only investing in student learning, its investing in its teachers. We believe in the development of all educators for the greater good of public education, said Hegna. The program provides Innovative Instructional Leadership professional development for teachers, with courses focused on 21st Century technology strategies for improving student learning. Participants are provided with constructive and innovative ways to guide student learning. The courses are job-embedded, as the curriculum is sensitive to the needs of individual teachers and their students, said WSU professor Robert Howman. Byron teachers have class sessions in Byron, and are taught by a Byron administrator. We provide guidance, support and other resources from start to finish. Additionally participants in the program act as a professional learning community, working closely with one another across schools and grade levels. Participants help each other learn and improve, and they even lead instructional innovation in their schools and throughout the school district, Howman said. Byron Public School District Superintendent Jeff Elstad said the district has seen improvement among the teachers who have elected to take part in it. I would definitely encourage other districts to take part in the program, Elstad said. The learning that our teachers have done in this cohort is putting real action to many of our strategic objectives, including personalizing learning for all students and promoting and providing applied learning experiences for students. Owl enthusiasts from around the world will gather March 3-5 at the 15th annual International Festival of Owls in Houston. They will celebrate people who do amazing work with owls. Three people will be inducted into the World Owl Hall of Fame to honor their exceptional contributions to the study, conservation and public awareness of owls. The festival the only full-weekend, all-owl event in North America celebrates the hatch day of Alice, a Great Horned Owl. Alice, the first owl ambassador at the International Owl Center, works under the tutelage of Karla Bloem, center director and festival organizer. The festival includes family-friendly activities such as live-owl demonstrations, nest-box building, a photo contest, owl-themed shopping, face-painting and art projects for children. Some activities, such as field trips and banquet, require advance registration. The World Owl Hall of Fame is sponsored by the International Owl Center, the Global Owl Project, and Bob Kierlin and Mary Burrichter. More information on the festival is available at visitingfestivalofowls.com. Three internationally acclaimed owl experts will receive awards at the festival: R. J. Gutierrez will receive the Champion of Owls Award for his lifetime work on behalf of owls. His long-term research on the Spotted Owl in western North America provides a foundation for conservation of this rapidly declining species. Jonathan Slaght will receive a Special Achievement Award for research and conservation efforts with the endangered Blakistons Fish Owl in Russia. And Sumio Yamamoto will also receive a Special Achievement Award for studies and conservation of the Blakistons Fish Owl. His focus is the natural behavior, habitat, and captive rearing of the fish owl in Japan. The Winona Mall will be under new management, after its purchase early this week. Local landlord John Alexander bought the building from the Winona Mall, Inc., based in Clear Lake, Iowa, for $5 million. Alexander said he hadnt initially planned to make the purchase, but had been looking into the building and the opportunity presented itself. It kind of just happened, Alexander said. Everything fell into place. Alexander said the business has a number of positive aspects that can be capitalized on such as the number of young families frequenting KidSport and the indoor playground, and several health oriented businesses, including a gym. Restored Blessings, a Winona thriftstore, will be moving into a 7,000 square foot space in the mall. A move that will allow them to expand and offer more furniture. Alexander said he has been exploring a variety of business, including a real estate company and insurance provider, and expects to fill the spots by spring. He is focusing a number of different locally-owned and operated businesses: moving away from the larger franchises which, he said, have not been as successful in the Winona Mall. If we can get some local businesses, local owners in there, it would help, Alexander said. Alexander also took over 101 Johnson St., home to Engravs Home Decorating Center, in November. Alexander said in January that Engravs would continue to operate in the building, and that he had not bought the business. He is in the process of fitting the property for a chiropractors office. Johnnys Saloon in Elba also changed hands. According to Winona County sales documents, the business, located at 1180 S. Main St., will stay Johnnys Saloon and continue to operate. The property was sold to Elba Properties and Kimball Strickland for $125,000 in mid-January. Register for more free articles. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! Already a Subscriber? Already a Subscriber? Sign in Terms of Service Privacy Policy 2 Dominican journalists killed during live transmission: SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic A radio producer and an announcer have been fatally shot in the Dominican Republic while one of them was reading the news during a live transmission on Facebook. Police said the shooting occurred Tuesday in San Pedro de Macoris, just east of the capital of Santo Domingo. Three men have been detained, but no one has been charged. Gunfire is heard during the Facebook Live video, along with a woman yelling Shots! Shots! Shots! before the transmission cuts off. Police say they dont yet have a motive. Shining Path leader to be tried in 1992 deaths of 25 in Peru: LIMA, Peru Imprisoned Shining Path leader Abimael Guzman is being tried for a 1992 car bombing in Perus capital that killed 25 people and injured 155. The 82-year-old Guzman is already serving a life sentence for the killing of 69 people in the Andean village of Santiago de Lucanamarca in 1983. The Maoist-inspired group began its fight against Perus government in 1980 but was badly weakened by the 1992 capture of Guzman and many of its other leaders. The latest legal process against Guzman began on Tuesday in a military prison. Prosecutors have called for another life sentence and an order of $122,000 in reparations for his alleged intellectual authorship of the deadly attack in a middle-class Lima neighborhood. 500 US troops arrive in Romania to bolster defense: MIHAIL KOGALNICEANU, Romania Five hundred U.S. troops are arriving at a Romanian Black Sea port with tanks and hardware to bolster defense in the East European NATO nation. The U.S. embassy said the Fighting Eagles, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, will be stationed in the Mihail Kogalniceanu air base in eastern Romania on a rotating basis. U.S. Ambassador Hans G. Klemm said Tuesday the deployment underscores that the strong U.S.-Romania strategic partnership exists in both word and deed. JUNEAU A 27-year-old Watertown man made his initial appearance in court on Wednesday after being charged with sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl. Andrew M. Schommer is charged with second degree sexual assault of a child under the age of 16. He could face up to 40 years in prison and a $100,000 fine if convicted of the charges. Schommer appeared before Dodge County Court Commissioner Steven Seim. Seim found probably cause and issued a $5,000 cash bond. Schommer may not have any direct contact or communications with the victim. He may not have unsupervised contact with any minor females. According to the criminal complaint, the girl reported to an officer at Watertown High School on Feb. 8 that she had sex with Schommer. The girl had previously been questioned by the officer after her friend had mentioned that the girl was in a relationship with Schommer. The girl told the officer that she believed Schommer was her boyfriend. According to the criminal complaint, she had not heard from him since they had sex and now felt that she was being used. According to the criminal complaint, Schommer originally denied the charges, but later admitted to having sex with the girl on one occasion. A preliminary hearing in the case is scheduled for Feb. 23. JUNEAU According to Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt the civil asset forfeiture law benefits everyone except drug dealers. Civil asset forfeiture laws allow law enforcement agencies to seize assets from individuals if those assets were used during the commission of a felony. The most common use of civil asset forfeiture law is to seize the profits and tools of drug dealers. Schmidt said in a column that ran in the Daily Citizen, the reform efforts seem to be targeting potential abuse by agencies. He wrote, While abuses have happened in other areas of the country, our current Wisconsin laws just dont provide an opportunity for abuse. Schmidt said in Dodge County, forfeitures have been put directly back into law enforcement investigations and have helped offset taxpayer costs. In the last three years the Dodge County Sheriffs Office has seized eight vehicles under civil asset forfeiture law which were later sold at public auction. No more than 50 percent of the proceeds may be retained when the amount seized is more than $2,000. The other 50 percent is given to the Wisconsin School Fund, which is distributed to school districts as library aid funds. The amount of money retained for the Dodge County seizures in the last three years totals $16,773. Schmidt said the money received from civil asset forfeiture is used to cover the costs of the Drug Task Force unit. These funds have been used to pay for training specific to drug task force investigators and to purchase operating supplies and capital items that directly benefit the task force and its investigators, he said. The state legislature may consider civil asset forfeiture reform in its current session. Sen. David Craig, (R-Town of Vernon) began circulating legislation to reform the current civil asset forfeiture laws Jan. 19. The bill has not yet been introduced. As currently written, the law allows the government to permanently seize private property and use the proceeds from the sale of that property for various governmental purposes. In some instances, law enforcement will bring a suit against property suspected of being involved in or obtained via criminal activitywith no suspect ever charged or convicted. The proposed legislation would require a criminal conviction in order for a forfeiture to occur, require forfeitures to be proportional to the crime committed, send all forfeiture proceeds to the state common school fund and raise the burden of proof in forfeiture cases. Craig wrote in a press release, Civil asset forfeiture reform is an important step to ensure that no person is, deprived of life, liberty or property, without due process of law as guaranteed by the 5th amendment. Criminal justice policy should focus on punishing the convicted, not raising revenue. Craigs reforms are similar to reforms sought on a federal level by Wisconsin Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner in the Due Process Act of 2016. The Due Process Act would entitle property owners to an initial hearing where they can retrieve confiscated property immediately if it was not seized according to the law. It also places a higher burden of proof on the government. Sensenbrenner wrote in a press release, Forfeiture is a critical tool in the fight against crime, but it is also vulnerable to abuse. Congress must address civil asset forfeiture... to curb abuse, restore confidence in law enforcement, and help citizens protect their property rights. Rep. Mark Born (R-Beaver Dam) said that while he shares some of the same constitutional concerns as Craig and Sensenbrenner, he would prefer a compromise. I think that I have concerns about the current law and that it doesnt provide all the constitutional protections that it should. I also have problems with the current proposed bill because I think we should still have these funds used to fight crime and drugs in our community, Born said. The bill really focuses on how in the world can someone lose their property when they havent been convicted of the crime? Constitutionalists say, and I tend to agree, if you are losing personal property it should be tied to a conviction. This is a pretty difficult argument because it puts a constitutional protection against public safety, he said. Born said that while he wishes for the legislature to address the constitutional concerns, he opposes putting all the money from civil asset forfeitures into the state school fund. Born said his office has been working on the issue for the past year and he plans to meet with his colleagues to find a compromise. Schmidt opposes changes in legislation. In his column he wrote, My question to those who are trying to remove this legitimate law enforcement tool is why, when our state is in the midst of a drug crisis, are we looking to change this law in a way that will ultimately benefit drug dealers? As funding continues to be an issue at the local level for combating our heroin epidemic, and as we continue our work towards finding ways to save lives, it seems that the proposal may be a solution in search of a problem. The proposal will make law enforcements job financially more difficult and an obvious increased burden on the taxpayer. After investigating a stabbing incident that occurred Wednesday morning, Beaver Dam Polce determined that a woman with a child broke into a residence and a girl living at the home defended herself with a knife. Detective Terrence Gebhardt said over the phone that the identity of the child who was with the woman is being withheld. Beaver Dam Police Department responded to a stabbing report in the 700 block of Park Avenue in Beaver Dam at 7:17 a.m., Wednesday. According to an updated news release, officers arrived on the scene and found the victim, a girl, with a laceration. Later officers learned that a woman and a child had forced their way into the residence. From there a physical altercation took place that resulted with the girl using a knife for defense, according to the release. The two suspects fled the residence, but where later taken into custody in Washington County. The incident resulted in non-life threatening injuries to the woman suspect and the girl resident. The girl was taken to Beaver Dam Community Hospital, 707 S. University Ave. and the woman was transported to Saint Josephs Hospital in Washington County. Charges will be forwarded to the Dodge County District Attorneys office and Dodge County Human Services. The names of all the people involved are being withheld. According to the release this is an ongoing investigation. Dodge and Washington county sheriffs offices and the Wisconsin State Patrol assisted Beaver Dam Police Department. Board members of Wisconsins for-profit college watchdog said Wednesday theyre concerned by Gov. Scott Walkers plan to eliminate the board in the next state budget. Walker, in his 2017-19 budget proposal released last week, moved to eliminate the state Educational Approval Board and transfer its duties to another agency, the Department of Safety and Professional Services. The board licenses and regulates for-profit schools, which have weathered criticism for questionable marketing practices and degree programs. At a meeting Wednesday, board members postponed any official response to Walkers budget until their next meeting in March. An overview of the plan produced by Walkers office says the move would provide enhanced oversight for the authorization and review of private postsecondary educational institutions. Among the questions board members want to address is how the move would result in enhanced oversight, said David Dies, the boards executive secretary. Board member Mark Kapocius questioned how the boards focused mission and small workforce would fit within the much larger agency, which oversees state licensing of professions ranging from accountants to cosmetologists. My concern would be that the actual mission would get lost in the shuffle, which is to say, looking out for the best interests of the students, Kapocius said. This isnt the first time Walker has tried to eliminate the board. Two years ago Walkers budget proposal called for transferring the boards equivalent of 6.5 full-time employees to one part-time staffer. The Legislatures joint budget committee removed that provision from the final budget. This time Walkers budget calls for moving all 6.5 full-time equivalent positions to DSPS. But Dies said the budget doesnt specify how many of those employees would retain comparable job descriptions or if existing staff members would transfer to the department. Walkers proposal comes at a time when federal oversight of for-profit colleges is expected to weaken. After the Obama administration toughened oversight of for-profit colleges, the Department of Education under President Donald Trump is expected to ease that pressure, which could shift much of the industrys regulation to the states. Bank of Montreal provides diversified financial services primarily in North America. The company's personal banking products and services include checking and savings accounts, credit cards, mortgages, and financial and investment advice services; and commercial banking products and services comprise business deposit accounts, commercial credit cards, business loans and commercial mortgages, cash management solutions, foreign exchange, specialized banking programs, treasury and payment solutions, and risk management products for small business and commercial banking customers. It also offers investment and wealth advisory services; digital investing services; financial services and solutions; and investment management, and trust and custody services. In addition, the company provides life insurance, accident and sickness insurance, and annuity products; creditor and travel insurance to bank customers; and reinsurance solutions. Further, it offers client's debt and equity capital-raising services, as well as loan origination and syndication, and treasury management; strategic advice on mergers and acquisitions, restructurings, and recapitalizations, as well as valuation and fairness opinions; and trade finance, risk mitigation, and other operating services. Additionally, the company provides research and access to markets for institutional, corporate, and retail clients; trading solutions that include debt, foreign exchange, interest rate, credit, equity, securitization and commodities; new product development and origination services, as well as risk management advice and services to hedge against fluctuations; and funding and liquidity management services to its clients. It operates through approximately 900 bank branches and 3,300 automated banking machines in Canada and the United States. Bank of Montreal was founded in 1817 and is headquartered in Montreal, Canada. Your Ultimate Investing Toolkit Sign up for MarketBeat All Access to gain access to MarketBeat's full suite of research tools: Portfolio Monitoring Top Stock Lists Premium Reports Stock Screeners Live News Feed Premium Support Free for your first month. Juniper Networks, Inc. designs, develops, and sells network products and services worldwide. The company offers routing products, such as ACX series universal access routers to deploy high-bandwidth services; MX series Ethernet routers that function as a universal edge platform; PTX series packet transport routers; wide-area network SDN controllers; and session smart routers. It also provides switching products, including EX series Ethernet switches to address the access, aggregation, and core layer switching requirements of micro branch, branch office, and campus environments; QFX series of core, spine, and top-of-rack data center switches; and juniper access points, which provide Wi-Fi access and performance. In addition, the company offers security products comprising SRX series services gateways for the data center; Branch SRX family provides an integrated and next-generation firewall; virtual firewall that delivers various features of physical firewalls; and advanced malware protection, a cloud-based service and Juniper ATP. Further, it offers Junos OS, a network operating system; Contrail networking, which provides an open-source and standards-based platform for SDN; Mist AI-driven Wired, Wireless, and WAN assurance solutions to set and measure key metrics; Mist AI-driven Marvis Virtual Network Assistant, which identifies the root cause of issues; Juniper Paragon Automation, a modular portfolio of cloud-native software applications; and Juniper Apstra to automate the network lifecycle in a single system. Additionally, the company provides software-as-a-service, technical support, maintenance, and professional services, as well as education and training programs. It sells its products through direct sales, distributors, value-added resellers, and original equipment manufacturers to end-users in the cloud, service provider, and enterprise markets. The company was incorporated in 1996 and is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California. Hologic, Inc. develops, manufactures, and supplies diagnostics products, medical imaging systems, and surgical products for women's health through early detection and treatment in the United States, Europe, the Asia-Pacific, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Diagnostics, Breast Health, GYN Surgical, and Skeletal Health. The company provides Aptima molecular diagnostic assays to detect the infectious microorganisms; Aptima viral load tests for HIV, Hepatitis C, and Hepatitis B; Aptima SARS-CoV-2 and Panther Fusion SARS-CoV-2 assays for the detection of SARS-CoV-2; ThinPrep System for use in cytology applications; Rapid Fetal Fibronectin Test that assists physicians in assessing the risk of pre-term birth; and various diagnostic tests for the detection of Group B Streptococcus. It also offers breast imaging and analytics, such as 2D and 3D digital mammography systems and reading workstations, minimally invasive breast biopsy guidance systems and devices, breast biopsy site markers and localization, specimen radiology, and ultrasound and connectivity solutions; and breast conserving surgery products. In addition, the company provides NovaSure Endometrial Ablation System for the treatment of abnormal uterine bleeding; MyoSure Hysteroscopic Tissue Removal System for the removal of fibroids, polyps, and other pathology within the uterus; and Fluent Fluid Management System that provides liquid distention during diagnostic and operative hysteroscopic procedures. Further, it offers Horizon DXA, a dual energy X-ray system; and the Fluoroscan Insight FD mini C-arm to perform minimally invasive orthopedic surgical procedures. The company sells its products through direct sales and service forces, and independent distributors and sales representatives. Hologic, Inc. was incorporated in 1985 and is headquartered in Marlborough, Massachusetts. Alumnus plays it forward with gift of cello Cello donation Professor Jamie Bartlett, chair of the Department of Music, Jeffrey Doyon 85 and Gerald Bullock, executive director of development for Arts and Sciences (left to right), with the cello Doyon donated to the music department. Courtesy photo Photo - of - Hide Caption At age 10, Jeffrey Doyon 85 told the inquiring music teacher that, sure, he was interested in learning to play the cello. The only problem was he didnt have one. She had a solution for that. The teacher got William & Marys Department of Music to loan Doyon a cello, which he repaid decades later by donating one to the department in December. I was pleased to be able to do it, Doyon said. And I like the thought that the College will be able to put the instrument to good use. And maybe facilitate the next generation of musicians. Doyon grew up in York County, Virginia, and it was a regular occurrence for the music program to poll 5th graders to see who was interested in playing. His music teachers relationship with W&M facilitated the cello loan. Doyon used that cello from ages 10 to 16, and borrowed another one during his junior year at W&M to use in private lessons. During his younger years, he played cello with the Williamsburg Youth Symphony at W&M on weekends for three years. Certainly I knew other students I met from around the Virginia Peninsula who were renting instruments, Doyon said. But the instrument the College lent me was actually much nicer than what the local music stores were typically renting out. So it was a real encouragement in my pursuit of music. Doyon currently lives in Arlington, Virginia, and is chief financial officer for Human Network International, which provides information and communication technology mostly in developing countries in Africa and Asia. As an adult, he has owned a couple of instruments, including the cello he purchased in South Carolina when he decided to take up playing again. He occasionally played in quartets and with his brother, a violist. As the years went by, I was playing less and less, and I thought about selling the cello, Doyon said. I thought, you know what? I could pay back an overdue debt to the school for the time they lent me an instrument. And I thought there was some nice symmetry in me being able to eventually donate an instrument back to the College. Doyon has other connections to the university. His son graduated from W&M last year, and Doyons father attended W&M in the 1950s before eventually graduating from George Washington University. Doyon swinging by to drop off the instrument was very welcome, according to Director of Orchestras David Grandis. He was running short on cellos, and still is. Its a huge help, Grandis said, going on to add a quip, The only regret I have is that the donation came too soon because I was going to beg the dean to buy another cello, and we would have had four instead of three. There is a demand for loaner instruments in the department for several reasons, he added. There are a lot of cases where a student owns a cello, but didnt bring it thinking they wouldnt have time to take lessons or dont have space to store it. Others want to try playing an instrument, but arent serious enough to purchase one. It barely covers our needs, Grandis said. With this donation, we have three cellos right now, and its not enough. Because I have plenty of students, like five to 10, between the fall and spring who would like to take lessons with [Instructor] Neal Cary who do not have a cello. And theyre asking me if there is a cello for rent or to borrow. All three of the departments cellos are currently on loan. So that was fantastic because we were down to two, Grandis said. One is heavily damaged and probably beyond repair, and one has been lost before I came to William & Mary. So two or three are not enough. So to have this third cello, that is quite beautiful better than the other two. So now I will wait a little bit [to ask]. Ideally we would need at least a fourth one. China News on Women Sorry, the page you requested was not found. If you're having trouble locating a destination on Womenofchina.cn, try visiting the Womenofchina Home page Decommissioning plan for Shimane 1 amended 16 February 2017 Share Japanese utility Chugoku Electric Power Company has submitted to the regulator an amendment to its decommissioning plan for unit 1 of its Shimane nuclear power plant. Shimane (Image: Chugoku) Shimane 1 was among five reactors officially taken out of service in April 2015. Chugoku submitted its decommissioning plan for the unit to the Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) in April last year for approval. Its plan outlines the facilities and equipment to be dismantled and a timetable for completing the work. Chugoku said on 14 February it had submitted an amendment to its plan. After feedback from the NRA on its original plan, the company has added sections confirming decommissioning works at Shimane 1 would not interfere with the safe operation of unit 2 at the plant. In addition, used fuel stored at the site would not be damaged in the event of a loss of cooling water in the fuel storage pools, it said. Chugoku has also provided the NRA with further details about how the equipment at Shimane 1 will be maintained during the unit's decommissioning. Chugoku expects decommissioning of Shimane 1 - a 460 MWe boiling water reactor (BWR) that started commercial operation in March 1974 - to be completed by March 2046. The company submitted an application to the NRA in December 2013 for approval to restart Shimane 2, a 791 MWe BWR. It is one of 20 reactors moving through the process. Shimane 1 was one of five older Japanese reactors to be officially declared for decommissioning in mid-March 2015 following the introduction of an accounting-related system earlier that month to determine which units should not be restarted. The other units included Kansai Electric Power Company's Mihama units 1 and 2, unit 1 of Japan Atomic Power Company's Tsuruga plant, and Kyushu Electric Power Company's Genkai 1. Kansai, which submitted its decommissioning plan for Mihama 1 and 2 to the NRA in February last year, submitted similar amendments to its plan earlier this month. Researched and written by World Nuclear News Related topics Waste shipments to WIPP expected to resume soon 16 February 2017 Share The shipment of transuranic wastes from generator sites to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) in New Mexico is set to resume in April. The US Department of Energy (DoE) expects a total of 128 shipments to be made to WIPP over the next 12 months. The entrance to the WIPP facility (Image: DoE) WIPP began operations in 1999 and is the USA's only repository for the disposal of transuranic (TRU) wastes from its military program. The wastes - clothing, tools, rags, residues, debris, soil and other items contaminated with small amounts of plutonium and other man-made radioactive elements - are sealed in drums and disposed of underground in rooms mined out of an ancient salt formation. Operations at the WIPP underground storage facility were suspended in February 2014 following two unrelated incidents. First, operations were stopped following a fire in an underground vehicle on 5 February. Nine days later, a radiological event occurred underground when a waste drum ruptured following an exothermic chemical reaction in organic absorbent material used in the drum to stabilise liquids and nitrate salts. The DoE eventually authorized operator Nuclear Waste Partnership to resume waste emplacement in late December 2016, confirming that all pre-start corrective actions identified in two operational readiness reviews and other required actions had been completed. The first waste emplacement operations were completed on 4 January, with waste from the DoE's Savannah River site which had been in storage at WIPP's Waste Handling Building (WHB). All the facilities that generate TRU waste normally sent to WIPP have in the meantime been storing their wastes on-site while the facility has been out of action. DoE earlier said all recertified waste from the WHB is to be emplaced before WIPP begins accepting new waste shipments. DoE has now announced shipments from generator sites are expected to resume in April. "Shipments from a given site can commence once the site has demonstrated its readiness to load and ship TRU containers and has verified that waste destined for WIPP meets the updated Documented Safety Analysis requirements," DoE said. "The exact allocation and sequence for shipping will be adjusted based on the emplacement rate at WIPP, operational needs at WIPP and generator sites, and logistical issues (such as weather) that affect shipping." DoE has released preliminary estimates for the resumption of shipments of TRU waste to WIPP over the next 12 months. By the end of January 2018, DoE estimates WIPP to receive 61 shipments from Idaho; 24 from Oak Ridge; 24 from Los Alamos; eight from Savannah River site and 11 from Waste Control Specialists. Carlsbad Field Office manager Todd Shrader said, "We are pleased that WIPP is once again emplacing waste. The suspension of disposal operations has posed challenges at DoE sites, with backlogs of TRU waste building up. Resuming shipments from generator sites is important to support cleanup and ongoing missions at those sites. We look forward to doing that as soon and as safely as possible." Researched and written by World Nuclear News Related topics Where Is The Serengeti? Serengeti is one of the prominent ecosystems in Africa, located in northern Tanzania and stretching to southwestern Kenya. The ecosystem covers approximately 12,000 square miles while Kenyas part of the ecosystem is called Maasai Mara. Serengeti hosts one of the largest land mammal migrations in the world securing it as one of the wonders of Africa and part of the worlds natural travel wonders. The ecosystem is incredibly diverse and is known for its large lion population. The Serengeti National Park and a host of game reserves form part of the Serengeti ecosystem. The high biodiversity in Serengeti is as a result of the diverse habitat including the riverine forest, swamps, grasslands, and woodland. Serengeti is home to an astonishing 500 species of birds and 700 species of mammals including a large wildebeest population in Tanzania. The name Serengeti is a Maasai word meaning Endless Plain. Overview Of The Great Migration The Serengeti National Park is one of the most famous national parks in the world, renowned for its magnificent pride in their natural habitat but especially known for the great migration. Every year, the Great Migration consist of 1.5 million wildebeests accompanied by over 200,000 zebras. For the wildebeest every year is an endless journey in search of rains in a race of life across 150,000 square miles of wilderness, plains, and woodlands which include the Serengeti National Park and Maasai Mara game reserve in Kenya. The great migration is considered a continuous movement of the wildebeest and zebras in an ongoing search for water and food. The great migration offers an opportunity for tourists and environmental enthusiasts to watch the cycle of life in action. Wildebeests Of The Great Migration The wildebeests are a genus of antelopes belonging to the family Bovidae. The wildebeests of Serengeti are of two species; the white-tailed gnu and the blue wildebeest, the latter the most common species in the national park. The two species differ regarding the structure of their horns and body coloration. The blue wildebeest is the most popular big game species in East Africa by numbers. The wildebeest species are herbivores, feeding mainly on short grass. The male wildebeests are larger than the female and can weigh up to 640 lb. The front has a heavy appearance with distinctive robust muzzle. The skin color of the wildebeest ranges from bluish gray to light gray with dark brown vertical stripes marking the areas around the neck and also at the back of the ribcage. Wildebeest possess horns shaped like parenthesis extending outwards to the sides. The horns can be as long as 33 inches for the male and 16 inches for the female. Wildebeests are extremely agile and wary and devote half of their time resting and slightly over 10% of their time walking around. The Great Migration Pattern The great migration by the wildebeests is a natural movement which is determined by the availability of food and water. The migration phase lasts between January and March when there is plenty of grass for the over 200,000 zebras, which precede over 1.5 million wildebeests who are then followed by thousands of other plain game like gazelles. Although the timing of the migration changes every year based on the environmental factors, the movement of the wildebeests begins at Ngorongoro Conservation area in Southern Serengeti, Tanzania. At the beginning of the year, during the rainy season between January and March, over half a million calves are born. When the rains end in May, the land dries faster due to the size of the large herds. As the rains end the wildebeests and other animals begin to move northwest to the areas around the Grumeti River temporarily settling there until June. The crossing of both Grumeti and Mara Rivers begin at the start of July with crocodiles wait. The crossing of the rivers makes a spectacular scene that attracts tourists around the world. The wildebeest reach Kenya in late July or early August and stay there for the remaining part of the dry season while the Gazelles move eastwards. At the beginning of the short rains in early November, the journey starts towards the south again for the short plain grass. The wildebeest arrive in Ngorongoro again in December with a lot of time for calving. The journey from South Serengeti to Maasai Mara and back covers a distance of about 500 miles with 85% or more of the cycle occurring in Tanzania. Because the wildebeests have no natural leader, the herds may split up and head in different directions making the Great Migration a mega-herd surrounded by several smaller splinter herds The Captivating Scenes Of The Great Migration The great migration is not just a journey made by the animals from Tanzania to Kenya and back but a rare spectacular event that is unique to East Africa. The migration is characterized by unique and captivating moments like wobbling calves trying to stay on their feet but failing, increasing dense concentration of animals, chanting sounds by the large herd, the great battle for survival at the Grumeti and Mara Rivers between the wildebeests and the hungry crocodiles, and the chase and capture of the animals by the land preys like lion, and the trail left behind by the moving herd. Both Kenya and Tanzania provide viewing areas at different sections of the journey for the many tourists who visit the countries during the Great Migration. The Aftermath Of The Great Migration The journey from Southern Serengeti to Kenya and back by the wildebeests is beset with danger. Over 200,000 die during the journey while a few may wander away from the main herd into other territories. The leading causes of death are usually exhaustion, hunger, predation, and thirst. Some of the wildebeest, especially the young ones are swept away by the moving waters of the Grumeti and Mara Rivers. The main predators include the crocodiles, the big cats, and hyenas that live in the Serengeti National Park and Maasai Mara National Reserve. Some of the bold wildebeests may protect themselves from potential predators by scaring them away by their horns. However, a determined lion is rarely scared of them. When hearing "ghost town," one may picture a mysterious place filled with legends of other-worldly events, with bits and pieces being true. These towns may not have such claim-to-fame, but making them famous are the too-true stories that would spook-off pants anyone who understands real-life hardships that forced the formerly prosperous residents of the booming towns brimming with entertainment to leave. Kennecott, Alaska Kennicott Mine, Wrangell - St. Elias National Park, Alaska. Despite the remoteness and not gold, but mere copper was luring the brave miners to Kennecott after two prospectors "stumbled" upon $200 million worth of the metal in the early 1900s while giving their horses a break in the journey. Forming the Utah Copper Company in 1903 with the help of J.P. Morgan and the Guggenheims a few years later, the place was functioning as a "self-contained company town." In fact, one of the five mines was aptly named "Bonanza" for containing the world's richest copper concentration. Unlike many other mining towns, Kennecott miners blew their steam off on the tennis court and the skating rink. The mines stopped running when the supply dwindled after 1938, with the town staying erect as a National Historic Landmark and one of Alaska's most popular attractions, set right in the heart of the massive free-entrance Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. Also, the proximate 14-storied red mill iconic landmark above a glacier can be explored by visitors on the official Kennecott Mill Town Tour. Batsto Village, New Jersey Historic Batsto Village Southern New Jersey, United States. Established in 1766, Batsto Village has a deep-rooted history as a thriving iron- and glass-making town, with Charles Read's iron furnace being the largest in the region. Reaching its peak during the American Revolution, Batsto was a top producer of iron, casting housewares and ammunition for the Continental Army. Its premature ending came in 1874 when a fire rummaged through the glass-making facilities and sealed fate for the remaining iron furnaces along with 17 houses. With residents fleeing, Batsto was sold at an auction for $14,000 to Joseph Wharton, a businessman who revived the town and made it prosper again through farming. Upon his death in 1909, Batsto spiraled down into its second desolation, only to make a final comeback in the mid-century as a rebuilt historic site for the curious, the adventures, and the historians, showing its resilience to fate. Blue Heron, Kentucky Blue Heron Mining Tipple in Kentucky. The Blue Heron abandoned mining community set along the Big South Fork River was once the central focus of Kentucky's mining boom in its gold-prospecting history. One can wander around the atmospheric Blue Heron's mining camp with an audio tour for a day trip that is thoroughly enjoyed by history buffs. The ghost town of Blue Heron also comes complete with the Big South Fork Blue Heron Ghost Train, a bucket-list-worthy experience comprising an aural train ride through the town's abandoned camp while hearing the tales of its storied being. Bodie, California Bodie Ghost Town's abandoned homes and cars. Founded by miners in 1876 as the town with hillsides rich in gold and silver deposits, Bodie was quickly overrun by gold-crazed prospectors with more than two-dozen settling per day settling in the late 1870s. When the population reached some 10,000 residents, it was already known for its "sea of sin" reputation, filled with rough men, sex workers, opium dens, and whiskey-fuelled shootouts. Going bust from outgrowing its meager infrastructure, the harsh winters also forced many prospectors to move to better locales while the last residents left in the 1940s. Fully intact as one of America's best-preserved ghost towns, its 200 dilapidated buildings are kept in a state of "arrested decay" by park rangers. To this day, some store shelves remain stocked with goods, while the inns contain the same pool tables with balls and cues, assorted chairs, and cutlery that rests as it was left more than half a century ago. Nelson, Nevada Nelson, Nevada. Founded early by Spanish settlers searching for gold in the place known as El Dorado in 1775, it wasn't until a century later that the town was really seen and overrun by other prospectors, with many Civil War deserters believing its potential. It was one of the largest booms in Nevada, complete with disputes, especially over the town's most notorious site, the Techatticup Mine, that frequently ended in murder. The mines functioned until the last ounce of gold, silver, copper, and lead was extracted through 1945. With the town subject to regular flash flooding, most people moved out, having no more reason to stay in the unbearable living conditions, although the buildings remained intact. While some "ghost towns" are only called so for their abandonment, Nelson really presents itself as a creepy location for photo, film, and music videos. Dogtown, Massachusetts Dogtown Rocks, inspirational saying carved on boulders in the 1920's. Supposedly this "hardscrabble" town got its name for either the dog-like living conditions or because the local war widows kept dogs for protection. Regardless, the roughneck Dogtown has gained a legendary appeal that even Thoreau wrote about upon visiting in 1858. Half a century later, during the Great Depression, the famous American entrepreneur who predicted the stock market crash and later ran for president, Roger Babson, installed two dozen boulders in the mostly forested ruins. These comprise eerily beloved sights for tourists today who venture out hiking to see messages reading things like "Prosperity Follows Service," "Get a Job," and "Help Mother" on the boulders. Frisco, Utah Abandoned buildings and mine machinery in Frisco, Utah. A booming town in the past of 6,000-some residents, Frisco's mine was also one of the most profitable in the region with gold, silver, zinc, and copper. A lump amount even today, $60 million worth of the resources was hauled out by 1885, with people making serious money. The off-duty miners got their R&R at the numerous saloons, brothels, and gambling halls that were popping up in the rich-crazed town for entertainment purposes, but created a volatile environment steeped in money and alcohol. Soon, the town was fraught with tension and violence, where fights broke out, and a murder would reportedly be committed every day. When the law enforcement stepped in to stop the havoc, the town quickly became abandoned by the 1920s. The mines and mills are left behind as sights for tourists in this shadow-of-a-town, known as one of the West's most haunting ghost towns. Santa Claus, Arizona Santa Claus, Arizona. Image credit: Todd Huffman via Wikimedia Commons. As a marketing gimmick to some being set in the middle of the Mojave Desert, the town was established in the 1930s to draw money to the region with tourists and by selling real estate in the dust bowl. Santa Clause was on the streets every day of the year to meet visitors, while the inns and the restaurants in town were Christmas-themed. The post office and postmark were the main draws in the later years, with kids around the nation receiving letters from St. Nick that came not from the North Pole, but Arizona. Soon completely dwindling due to disinterest, the town went on sale in 1983, remaining just a good detour on the way to Kingman or the Hoover Dam today. During one's visit, the vandalized buildings, an old wishing well, and the remnants of "Old 1225" derailed pink children's train make some spookily jolly landmarks. St. Elmo, Colorado Old Western Wooden Buildings in St. Elmo Gold Mine Ghost Town in Colorado. Established in 1880, St. Elmo quickly came to boast some 2,000 residents and over 150 mines as a town rich in gold mining and a popular whistle-stop on the Pacific Railroad. The many inns and dance halls catered to people, but it all went downhill upon the closure of the Alpine Tunnel in 1910. Already affected by the falling price of silver, the last rail service stopped in 1922, and while some stayed to suffer further loss for 30 more years, the death of the postmaster and discontinuation of the postal service put a definitive end to civilization in town. The area must have made someone angry up above, for even post-abandonment, it was subject to numerous fires. Still, the buildings stayed intact, making St. Elmo one of America's best-preserved ghost towns. Tourists can stay in historic cabins while seeking entertainment from the old mining roads in ATVs and fishing along Chalk Creek, in between getting an unfiltered glimpse into life during the mining boom. Rhyolite, Nevada Aerial view of the abandoned ruins of Rhyolite mining camp in the Nevada desert. Set near the Death Valley National Park, the town of Rhyolite was named for its main namesake resource, the local silica-rich volcanic rock. It was established in 1905 with an ironic promise of gold that never panned out, even though a rich man, Charles M. Schwab, sank a lot of money into trying to make it happen. Nevertheless, there was a school, a Sunday school, a hospital, a symphony, and a stock exchange by 1907, not to mention lots of prostitution. Despite being a bustling society for a few years, the town with an empty promise of a future was quickly left behind. Since then, Rhyolite had a few stardom moments as an old-West movie-set in the 1920s, while its cool photo-op buildings, including the apt Bottle House, covered with liquor and beer bottles, make it popular for tourist visits today. Stepping into one of these towns makes one subject to decades of stand-still history, knowing that the erect buildings and the nature around have breathed everything from the very beginning only to exhale onto the visitors in a heavy sigh. Seemingly similar in their spontaneous establishment, booming, and prosperity period, followed by complete dissolution and abandonment, these towns feature their unique atmospheres with auras of the unraveled events still in the air for a real ghost feel. Drunk man (illustration) By: Alexis Bell WorldWideWeirdNews.com A manas dream to become a police employee has been dashed after showing up drunk to his interview at the police station, according to police in the United Kingdom. Manchester police said that they have arrested 48-year-old Andrew Jackson, after being accused of driving under the influence of alcohol. Jackson has been charged with one count of drunk driving. Jackson of Barlow Moor Road, appeared in court, where he pleaded guilty to drunk driving. A judge has banned Jackson from driving for a year, and he was ordered to pay a fine of $250. According to the criminal complaint, Jackson applied for a job at the Greater Manchester Police. When he arrived for his interview, the person in charge of hiring new employee, smelled alcohol on Jacksonas breath. The police worker then continued with the interview for an hour. Since Jacksonas breath continued to smell of alcohol, the police worker called a traffic officer to question him. Jackson admitted that he shared a bottle of wine with his wife. He was given a breathalyzer, which showed that he was above the legal limit for driving. Jacksonas job application was rejected. A young man wanted to make a point about racism in the United States, but his plan backfired when he was exposed for a liar by police. 20-year-old Khalil Cavil of Texas was working at the Saltgrass Steak House in Odessa when he claimed he was discriminated against because of his Muslim name. Cavil took At its 27th Annual Fundraiser Dinner on Saturday, the Wrangell Chamber of Commerce announced its honors list for 2017. There were five nominees for this years Wrangell Citizen of the Year: school board member and Wells Fargo Bank employee Aleisha Mollen; Sourdough Lodge proprietor Bruce Harding; Alaska Vistas operator Sylvia Ettefagh; Dr. Lynn Prysunka at Alaska Island Community Services; and Evergreen Elementary School secretary Renate Davies. Of the candidates, Prysunka was awarded this years honor, having served the community as a family practice physician for 20 years. Noted among... ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) A state lawmaker wants to spike Alaska's studded-tire tax from $5 to $75. Sen. Cathy Giessel's bill is aimed at raising money to repair rutted roads damaged by studded tires, reported KTVA-TV. Giessel called the tax hike a public safety user fee. There are states in northern climates that do ban studded tires, but this is not a ban, she said. It is a user fee to help to restore the damage that's caused from the studded tires. The higher tax would add $300 to the cost of four studded tires compared with the current $20. While the state is facin... In its first meeting of the new year, the governing board for Southeast Alaska Power Agency looked ahead to political reshufflings at the state and federal levels. Meeting in Petersburg February 8, members of the board learned from SEAPA executive officer Trey Acteson a change in administrations at the federal level could be useful to the agencys future operations. For example, only two commissioners sitting on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission which licenses hydropower projects remain in place since the swearing in of President Donald Trump last month, with three open sea... [February 15, 2017] Untangle Recognized in Five Categories at 2017 Global Excellence Awards SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Untangle, Inc., today announced that Info Security Products Guide, the industry's leading information security research and advisory guide, honored the company with multiple awards across product categories in the 13th Annual 2017 Global Excellence Awards. More than 40 judges with a broad spectrum of industry voices around the world participated, and their average scores determined the 2017 Global Excellence Awards Finalists and Winners. Winners were announced during the awards dinner and presentation on February 13, 2017 in San Francisco attended by the finalists, judges and industry peers. Untangle was recognized for excellence in the following categories: Integrated Security and Unified Threat Management (UTM) NG Firewall v12.1, Gold winner Most Innovative Security (Hardware) of the Year NG Firewall u25 appliance, Gold winner Most Innovative Security (Software) of the Year ScoutIQ v1.0, Silver winner Security Products and Solutions for Small Businesses and SOHO NG Firewall v12.1, Bronze winner Best Security Software (New or Updated version) NG Firewall v12.1, Bronze winner "We wish to extend our thanks to the editors of Info Security Products Guide and the industry leaders of the jury for this recognition," said Scott Devens, chief executive officer at Untangle. "These five awards across multiple product categories are meaningful validation of Untangle's commitment to innovation and technical leadership in the network security segment." About NG Firewll Untangle NG Firewall delivers a comprehensive solution for small-to-medium businesses and home offices that require enterprise-grade perimeter security with the flexibility of a convergent UTM device and the utility of a consumer product. Untangle's industry-leading approach to network traffic visibility and policy management provides its customers deep insight into what's happening on their network via its database-driven reporting engine and 360 Dashboard. About u25/w The Untangle u25 and u25w appliances have the smallest footprint of any network security appliance on the market, measuring less than five inches square. Available in a wired or wireless model, the appliances are fanless, making them ideal for quiet desktop operation. They include an HDMI video port, three gigabit ethernet ports and two USB ports, providing easy access to all the trusted network security features of the rest of the NG Firewall appliance line. About ScoutIQ The ScoutIQ cyber intelligence platform delivers detailed threat analysis for all traffic types seen on today's networks, inspecting data at the application level, to provide insights across every port, protocol, and application, including SSL-encrypted traffic. By synthesizing intelligence information in the cloud, ScoutIQ can provide superior protection against unknown and emerging threats to Untangle NG Firewall subscribers globally and seamlessly. About Info Security Products Guide Awards Info Security Products Guide plays a vital role in keeping end-users informed of the choices they can make when it comes to protecting their digital resources. It is written expressly for those who are adamant on staying informed of security threats and the preventive measure they can take. You will discover a wealth of information in this guide including tomorrow's technology today, best deployment scenarios, people and technologies shaping info security and market research reports that facilitate in making the most pertinent security decisions. The Info Security Products Guide Global Excellence Awards recognize and honor excellence in all areas of information security. To learn more, visit www.infosecurityproductsguide.com and stay secured. About Untangle Untangle is an innovator in cybersecurity designed specifically for the below-enterprise market, safeguarding businesses, home offices, nonprofits, schools and governmental organizations. Untangle's integrated suite of software and appliances provides enterprise-grade capabilities and consumer-oriented simplicity to organizations with limited IT resources. Untangle's award-winning network security solutions are trusted by over 40,000 customers around the world. Untangle is headquartered in San Jose, California. For more information www.untangle.com. To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/untangle-recognized-in-five-categories-at-2017-global-excellence-awards-300407939.html SOURCE Untangle, Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Reports Of Two Incidents At Two Shops In Two And A Half Hours This article is old - Published: Wednesday, Feb 15th, 2017 The police helicopter was in the skies of Wrexham twice last night, with residents reporting two separate incidents at the Premier Store in Caia (Abbey store) off Abenbury Road and Pizza Fresh on Prince Charles Road. Update Thursday police have put further details out click here. Update 11:15pm: The police helicopter returned to the skies above Caia just after 11pm with reports a second shop, Pizza Fresh on Prince Charles Road, had been subject to a similar incident again yet to be confirmed by police. Original information below The police helicopter was overhead the location of the store at 8:40pm. Mark told us police forensic teams and a police car remain on the scene as of 9:50pm. Dean told us how the shop was shut by staff after the incident. We are told no staff were injured in the incident. If a confirmed robbery or attempted robbery, the incident would be the latest in a string of similar shops targeted in the Wrexham area and on the evening where one man was been charged in relation to a similar incident. We will update when there is official detail from North Wales Police. Earlier Hannah got in touch to say there was an increased police presence in the area, but that was due to an attempted arson attack. Car registration plate set a light in Betws Anne Caia Park this evening. Residents please be mindful . Anyone with any information call 101 John Davies (@NWPPCSO2810) February 15, 2017 The proactive policing included door knocks to residents after the attempted arson, with a numberplate on a vehicle being set alight. The same area the previous evening saw a car crashed and left, we are told by residents they had been informed it was due to joyriders. [February 15, 2017] Artificial Intelligence Market - Impact of $16 Billion by 2022 in Semiconductor Industry PUNE, India, February 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Artificial intelligence (AI) can be understood as a science, engineering and deployment of machines, which perform tasks with intelligence as similar to humans. Since its inception 60 years ago, AI has observed significant growth in recent years. Initially, AI was considered as topic for academicians, though in recent years with development of various technologies, AI has turned into reality and is influencing many lives and businesses. Additionally, evolution of various other supplementary technologies such as cloud computing, machine learning and cognitive computing are collectively paving the growth of the market for AI. According to Mr. Sachin Garg - Associate Director at MarketsandMarkets who tracks the global semiconductor market, the global artificial intelligence chipset market is expected to be worth USD 16.06 Billion by 2022, growing at a CAGR of 62.9% between 2016 and 2022. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160303/792302 ) Many IT giants and start-ups are investing heavily in development of AI software solutions and hardware products. Some the prominent players in AI Market in the recent times are Intel Corporation (U.S.), Google Inc. (U.S.), Microsoft Corporation (U.S.), Amazon.com, Inc. (U.S.), Baidu, Inc. (China), and NVIDIA Corporation (U.S.). Browse 60 market data Tables and 60 Figures and in-depth TOC on "Artificial Intelligence Market" http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/artificial-intelligence-market-74851580.html Early buyers will receive 10% customization on this report. Significant development in various technologies such as deep learning and natural language processing technologies has emanated the growth of AI market Computer vision technology has become a part of high definition video games, while deep learning; which is a subset of machine learning is now implemented in speech recognition, drug discovery, health monitoring and various others applications. Robotics has evolved as one of the most promising AI technology in recent times. With wide range of applications, AI enabled robots are nowadays applied in welding, cutting, color coating and polishing purposes in automotive industry; carrying out several clinical tests and performing surgeries in healthcare industry. Furthermore, robotics and AI are likely to benefit the industries which are lacking the skilled and young workforce such as agriculture, factories, food processing and fulfillment centers. As per Mr. Garg, AI is likely to gain traction with amalgamation of various technologies such as deep learning, robotics, digital personal assistance, querying, natural language processing, and context-aware processing to develop an AI-featured product. In near future, AI is expected to make a crucial impact in multiple end-use applications such as driverless cars, healthcare diagnostics, and physical assistance in elder care Download PDF Brochure @ http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownload.asp?id=74851580 Transprtation & Automotive, Media & Advertising, Retail were the key contributor to the AI market in 2015 AI is likely to disrupt every business segment across the world. The end-use industries of AI featured in this AI market study includes, agriculture, BFSI, manufacturing, healthcare, oil & gas, media & advertising, transportation and automotive, retail, among others. Among these verticals, transportation and automotive sector was the largest contributor to the AI market in 2015. This was resultant of significant investment made by federal governments and venture capitalists in development of connected and autonomous vehicles. These funding consequently resulted in some of the tangible recent development in autonomous projects. For instance, in October 2016, Otto (U.S.) (now acquired by Uber Technologies, Inc. (U.S.)) shipped its first consignment from Denver, Colorado, U.S. to Denver Springs, U.S. using driverless truck. The autonomous driving was carried for 120 mile journey. However, healthcare industry is estimated to exhibit highest growth in near term. The growing penetration of AI in health care assistance and medical management are the two key factors driving the market for the healthcare industry. Moreover, AI technologies are also used in the healthcare industry for decision-making processes, extracting information from the data collected from patients, and processing it further for testing and simulation of new treatments, scenarios, and devices. Inquiry Before Buy @ http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_Buying.asp?id=113821652 Market Dynamics The increasing large and complex datasets even called as big data, and the adoption of AI-enabled products and services to improve consumer-centric services are the two major growth drivers of the AI market. However, the scarcity of low cost and energy efficient hardware, and the lack of skilled workforce for development of AI algorithms and tools is curbing the growth of the AI market. In essence, AI offers significant growth opportunities to all the stakeholders involved in its ecosystem. Development of human-aware AI systems and widening scope of AI technologies in niche markets are prominent market opportunities existing today. In addition to this, deploying AI at the edge of the network is likely to become a massive industry trend in coming years. From new product launches to mergers & acquisitions, AI industry has witnessed some tremendous and crucial developments in recent years. Many companies are relying on their in-house developments, while some are growing with inorganic growth practices. Google, one of the frontrunners in AI had launched industry's first AI-enabled smartphone "Pixel" in October 2016, which signifies that AI is now turning into a reality. On the other hand, IBM acquired Truven Health Analytics (U.S.) in April 2016, with this IBM intent to derive insights from Truven's health data using Watson Health's cognitive capabilities. On similar lines, in January 2016, IBM acquired The Weather Company, based in Atlanta, Georgia (U.S.) to introduce a new platform for IBM Watson Internet of Things. Alongside this, leading graphics processing unit (GPU) providers, NVIDIA Corporation launched the industry's first deep learning system, "NVIDIA DGX- 1", in April 2016. This tool is a completely integrated system with deep learning hardware and software, and development tool kit. Thus, AI technologies are the future for many industries which are striving for efficient, low-cost operations and high profitability in their markets Browse Related Reports Neuromorphic Computing Market by Offering (Hardware, Software), Application (Image Recognition, Signal Recognition, Data Mining), Industry (Aerospace & Defense, IT & Telecom, Automotive, Medical & Industrial) and Geography - Global Forecast to 2022 http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/neuromorphic-chip-market-227703024.html Deep Learning Market by Application (Image Recognition, Signal Recognition, Data Mining), Offering (Hardware (Von Neumann and Neuromorphic Chip), and Software), End-User Industry, and Geography - Global Forecasts to 2022 http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/deep-learning-market-107369271.html Subscribe Reports from Semiconductor Domain @ http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Knowledgestore.asp About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets is the largest market research firm worldwide in terms of annually published premium market research reports. 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Contact: Mr. Rohan MarketsandMarkets 701 Pike Street Suite 2175, Seattle, WA 98101, United States Tel : 1-888-600-6441 Email: [email protected] Visit MarketsandMarkets [email protected] http://www.marketsandmarketsblog.com/market-reports/electronics-and-semiconductors Connect us on LinkedIn @ http://www.linkedin.com/company/marketsandmarkets [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] A week-old strike at Chiles massive Escondida copper mine became more tense Wednesday after government mediation scheduled between the 2,500 striking workers union and BHP Billiton, the Anglo-Australian multinational mining conglomerate, were postponed until the weekend. The talks, initially proposed by Chiles state labor board, have now been put off until at least Saturday. The acceptance of the government intervention on the part of the copper miners union signals a willingness by the union to bow to BHPs demands for wholesale concessions, including cuts in benefits and a two-tier system for new-hires. The workers had walked out demanding increased pay and bonuses. Last week, the union had rejected government mediation because of the companys refusal to guarantee the same benefits to current and future workers. According to the Chilean daily La Tercera, when the walkout began, workers were demanding a seven percent salary readjustment, maintaining the benefits they currently have, a contract that lasts up to 36 months and a bonus of 250 million Chilean pesos (US$390,600), the highest amount for a bonus delivered in the mining sector. The delay in renewing the talks came after the mines management threatened legal action over alleged clashes last weekend, when it claimed that more than 300 people wearing hoods stormed into the mine site, forced contractors to flee and damaged the mines surveillance equipment. The union denied the charges, saying that 200 strikers had carried out a peaceful march at the mine site. Escondida, located in northern Chiles Atacama Desert, is the largest copper mine in the world, with an annual production of 1.14 million tons, 6 percent of the world supply. Strikers have set up a tent camp on the desert floor outside the mine, while throwing up roadblocks to prevent the importation of scabs. The strike at Escondida followed a similar walkout at the Las Bambas mine in Apurimac, Peru, where miners declared an indefinite strike, blocking all roads linking the facility to the rest of the country. Over the weekend, however, the Peruvian government sent its ministers of Health, Patricia Garcia, and Housing, Edmer Trujillo, to negotiate a temporary lifting of the job action. Part of the deal was expected to be promises to local residents that their demand for the construction of a hospital, made under the government of former presidentand now fugitiveAlejandro Toledo (20012006) would finally be met. The Las Bambas mine was expected to produce 462,000 tons of copper in 2017. So tense is the situation that the Peruvian government required 400 policemen to reopen the highways connecting Las Bambas to major Andean commercial centers like Cusco, Abancay and Chumbivilcas, which had remained blocked by stones for one week. The continuous presence of the police to enforce the opening of the roads and the declaration of a 30-day state of emergency in the region have created a feeling of indignation among the local population. Altogether, the strikes have at least temporarily reversed a five-year downward spiral of copper prices, which went from US$3.80 per pound in 2012 to around US$2.10 per pound in 2016. The Escondida strike, which began February 8, had an immediate impact, hiking the the price of copper to US$2.68 per pound on the global markets after the strike was announced. Analysts predicted a price of US$2.35 to US$2.50 per pound this year. Things may get worse for copper mine owners with 13 percent of the worlds supply subject to renegotiations this year. From the other side of the world, another conflict may develop at the Indonesian Grasberg mine run by Freeport McMoRan, which faces an export suspension by the Indonesian government. One factor in the turmoil is the insecurity that President Donald Trump has created on the world markets. Sector analysts are divided in their opinions. The future price of copper is uncertain, and a large number of financial speculators are positioning themselves, betting on whether the copper price will go up or down in the short run. What could become the biggest strike in the Chilean copper industry goes hand-in-hand with a deterioration of the Chilean economy. In a piece titled Chile and the Economic Miracle that Never Was, Telesur reports: A Credit Suisse report shows that nearly 42 percent of Chiles wealth is concentrated in the hands of the richest 1 percent. More than a third of Chileans say they routinely have trouble making ends meet. Chile is the first country to privatize its entire water supply, leading to shortages, and massive protests. Similarly, privatized education has made Chiles per capita educational costs among the highest in the world. The economic deterioration goes hand-in-hand with rising social struggles. The streets of Santiago and major cities have been the scene of continuous mass protests, including by retirees opposed to the private pension funds being exploited by speculators in the Chilean and global stock marketsa system imposed upon them under the ruthless watch of dictator Augusto Pinochet, back in the early 1980sand Chilean high school and university students demanding free quality education for all. These protests are aimed ever more directly against the government of Socialist Party President Michelle Bachelet. Brought back to power nearly three years ago with the support of the unions, the Communist Party and the pseudo-left, her government has failed to keep election promises and is mired in corruption scandals. Bachelets popularity rating has dropped from 54 percent when elected to her second term in March 2014 to 22 percent today. In addition, Chile is facing its worst man-made forest fire in its history. In neighboring Peru, a protracted conflict at the Las Bambas mine can have significant consequences for President Pedro Pablo Kucynski (better known as PPK), whose popularity has similarly plummeted amid continuing social crisis and a mushrooming scandal over bribes paid by the Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht in which all of the last four presidents, including PPK, are implicated. According to Peruvian economists, the country expected 18 percent of national copper production to come from Las Bambas. In 2016, it is estimated that 60 percent of GDP came from mining. Over 680 people were arrested in a five-day-long campaign of raids by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency last week, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). A quarter of those arrested had no criminal records. The first immigration sweep by the Trump administration also marks the first arrest of a DACA recipient, 23-year-old Daniel Ramirez Medina. Ramirez, who arrived in the United States at the age of seven, was granted a temporary stay of leave and a work permit under the Obama administrations Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Ramirez was arrested at his fathers house in Seattle, Washington on the morning of February 10, in a raid targeting his father. ICE is seeking to deport Ramirez in spite of his DACA status, which he renewed last year. Ramirez has no criminal record. ICE claims that Ramirez has admitted to being a gang member, but his attorneys assert that the agents repeatedly pressured [him] to falsely admit affiliation. The agents who arrested and questioned Mr. Ramirez were aware that he was a DACA recipient, yet they informed him that he would be arrested, detained, and deported anyway, because he was not born in this country, according to the complaint filed by his attorneys. Ramirez is being held in an ICE detention center in Tacoma, Washington ahead of deportation proceedings before an immigration judge. His attorneys are arguing that his detention is unconstitutional, and are seeking an injunction against further arrests. Federal magistrate judge James Donohue has ordered DHS to justify Ramirezs detention by today. More than two dozen demonstrators gathered outside the Northwest Detention Center on Tuesday to protest Ramirezs detention. All his life is here, he has his family here, he has his dreams here, Wendy Pantoja, one of the protesters, told the News Tribune. But now hes here, she said motioning toward the detention center. In the past few days, tens of thousands of workers and young people have rallied in the defense of immigrant rights and in opposition to the recent ICE raids. Ramirez is one of 750,000 young DREAMers who were brought to the United States as children and granted a two-year, renewable reprieve from deportation under the DACA program. The Trump administration is now in possession of the fingerprints and addresses of all 750,000 DREAMers. Up to 8 million people are potential targets for deportation under Trumps January executive orders, including immigrants only accused of committing a crime. The crackdown on illegal criminals is merely the keeping of my campaign promise, Trump tweeted Sunday morning. Gang members, drug dealers & others are being removed! A majority of last weeks raids were conducted near or around homes, in the early hours of the morning. Immigrant advocacy groups report ICE agents posing as other branches of law enforcement and arresting immigrants heading out to work. Retired Marine general John Kelly, Secretary of Homeland Security, applauded the heroic efforts of the ICE agents in a Monday press statement, asserting that they had arrested convicted child molesters. Executive orders signed by President Trump in the first week of his administration set the groundwork for a massive escalation of the assault on immigrants in the US, ordering the construction of the wall along the Mexican border incessantly promoted in his election campaign, the establishment of new DHS detention camps, and the hiring of 10,000 additional ICE agents. Prior to his election, Trump vowed to overturn all of the Obama administrations executive orders, including the DACA program. In an interview with ABC News last month, he said that DACA recipients had nothing to fear because he had a big heart. The level of terror and fear in the community is very real, Cristina Jimenez, executive director of United We Dream, an immigrant advocacy organization, told the Intercept. In an open letter sent to the Obama administration in November, congressional representatives from California and Illinois reported that DREAMers had committed suicide in fear of deportation under the Trump administration. The Obama administration, which was responsible for the deportation of 2.7 million immigrants, more than any previous administration, had rejected numerous appeals to grant a blanket pardon to shield both DREAMers and legal permanent residents from deportation. David Ward, Director of the National Association of Former Border Patrol Agents, speaking on Fox and Friends on Monday, said that last weeks ICE raids were probably planned at least three or four months ago, under the Obama administration, and finally launched under the Trump administration. The author also recommends: Stop the attacks on immigrants! For a socialist policy of open borders and full rights for all workers! [11 February 2017] Thousands demonstrate in defense of immigrants as White House vows more deportations [13 February 2017] Obama White House spurns appeal to shield DREAMers and green-card holders [28 December 2016] February 11 marked the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Flint sit-down strike. The 44-day battle by autoworkers lasted from December 29, 1936 to February 11, 1937. It forced General Motors, then the largest industrial enterprise on the planet, to recognize the recently founded United Auto Workers union. The first installment of this two-part series can be found here. On December 29, 1936, the day after Cleveland GM workers began a sit-down strike, workers in Flint sat down in the plant after five union leaders at GMs Flint Fisher Body Plant Number Two were fired and management tried to move critical equipment to other plants. With the strike spreading to other GM plants in Detroit and elsewhere, 200 UAW delegates convened in Flint, elected a board of strategy headed by Kermit Johnson, and issued their demands. These included: union recognition and a signed contract; abolition of piecework; the 30-hour-week and six-hour day; time and a half for overtime; minimum pay rates; reinstatement of victimized workers; sole collective bargaining rights for the UAW; and union participation in regulating the rate of the assembly line. Knudsen denounced the strikers as trespassers and said there would be no talks until the plants were vacated. GM obtained an injunction from County Judge Edward Black, but it was revealed that the judge owned 3,365 shares of GM stock worth $219,000. Since Michigan law prohibited a judge from presiding over a case in which he had an interest, the injunction became invalid. On January 11, 1937, the Battle of the Running Bulls (aka Battle of Bulls Run) took place after GM shut off the heat and sent guards and police to block supporters from delivering food to the strikers inside. Other workers then charged, overwhelming the cops, i.e., bulls, and opening the way for the delivery of food. After several police counter-attacks were repulsed by workers inside the plant firing bolts, car hinges and other metal missiles, plus freezing water from a fire hose, the cops retreated. Afterwards, however, Michigans supposedly pro-labor Democratic governor dispatched 1,300 National Guardsmen to Flint, with machineguns and 37-inch howitzers. He then restarted negotiations, reaching a deal with UAW President Homer Martin to pull the workers out of the plant for 15 days, while negotiations took place, during which time, GM would not try to operate the plant. The deal fell through, however, when a telegram was discovered from GM to the right-wing vigilante group Flint Alliance, which indicated that it would recognize both the Alliances company union and the UAW as representatives. Workers refused to leave the plant and devised a plan to seize Plant Number Four, the engine assembly plant that supplied Chevrolet operations all over the country. Well aware that GM would have spies everywhere, they leaked information instead that they had planned to seize Plant Nine. After hundreds of guards descended on Plant Nine to accost the strikers there, workers in the real target seized the engine plant, bringing GMs empire to a halt. As historian Robert Conot wrote, There was a widespread conviction that Americas 1917 was at hand For Sloan and Knudsen, the coup represented Bolshevism unbridled. The UAW had taken over by force the property of General Motors. If this were not a revolution, then it was the prelude to a revolution. Most liberals, while backing the workers, were almost as horrified as management by the sit-downs and, especially, by the seizure of the plant. AFL President Green thought it outrageous. President Roosevelt was shocked. Governor Murphy regarded it as a betrayal of his own studied impartiality. Furious he told union leaders that if they did not order the men out, he would order the National Guard in. As the deadline approached, the sit-downers issued a defiant statement in the face of another violent attack. But they were defended by workers who poured into the city. All roads into Flint were jammed with cars loaded with unionists from Detroit, Lansing, Pontiac and Toledo, wrote Art Preis. More than a thousand veterans of the Toledo Auto Lite and Chevrolet strikers were on hand. Rubber workers from Akron and coal miners from the Pittsburgh area rallied to defend the Flint strikers. We threatened to burn the plant if the National Guard came in, Malone said. At Plant No. 8, the National Guard tried to bulldoze the back door. We used slingshots, monkey wrenches and clubs, anything we could use. Our feelings toward the Democratic Party were the same as for the Republicans. They were both for big business. On February 11, after a week of continual maneuvering and bargaining, a six-month agreement was signed. GM would not recognize or deal with any other organization in the 17 plants closed by the UAW; all unionists and strikers would be rehired; unionism could be discussed on company property during lunch and rest periods, and that negotiations would proceed at once on wages, hours, production speed-up, and other issues. The workers elected the only black sit-downer in the Flint strikes, Roscoe Van Zandt of Plant 4, to lead them out of the occupied plants in a victory parade. The ruling class made a tactical retreat. Roosevelt had asked GM to bargain with the UAW to end the strike and the governor wired country sheriffs to take no action against strikers. What we did was the seizure of private property, the cardinal sin of society, Malone said. Roosevelt saw the danger of losing capitalism and like any skilled driver, he threw out a bone. He saved capitalism. I dont believe he was pro-labor. You can go back as far as you want, the Democrats and Republicans have always been a tool of the ruling class. Roosevelt had facilitated legal recognition of the unions when he signed the Wagner Act into law in 1935. He then worked with leaders of the new Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) unions, like John L. Lewis, to convince workers that a revolution and socialism were not necessary because their grievances would be addressed through the vehicle of the trade unions, the Democratic Party and American capitalist democracy. For the government to openly side with the corporations and violently crush the new unions would discredit the entire political system and radicalize workers even further. The workers marching in Flint were determined they would not be pushed back into the ranks of the economic dropouts, Conot wrote. To fire on them, and on a man of Lewiss stature, would be to push America to the brink of revolutiona revolution not of scattered bands of farmers, but of tens of thousands of workers under organized leadership in key industrial centers. As in Spain, or Italy, or Germany, the consequence might well be the division of the country between the extreme right and the far left. The ruling class never forgave the Flint strikers. Thirty-five years later in a 1970 interview with historian Studs Terkel, Charles Steward Mottlong-time GM board member and three-time Flint mayorbitterly complained that Governor Murphy didnt do his job during the sit-down strikes. He didnt protect our property. They should have said [to the strikers], Stop that thing. Move on, or well shoot. And if they didnt, they should have been shot. The victory at Flint was an enormous breakthrough for the American working class, which had been fighting for the elementary right to organize for nearly a century. An immense impulse to this achievement was the first workers revolution in Russia in 1917, which served as an inspiration for the most class-conscious workers. It was the specter of Americas 1917 that convinced the ruling class to adopt, at least temporarily, a policy of class compromise and social reform based on the immense wealth accumulated by American capitalism. The rise of the CIO unions demonstrated the revolutionary tendencies in the American working class, its tenacity and self-sacrifice. But the great weakness of this heroic movement was its politics and political program. If the class struggle is not to be crushed, replaced by demoralization, Trotsky wrote in a letter to his supporters in the Socialist Workers Party in 1938, then the movement must find a new channel, and this channel is political. On this basis, the SWP fought against the efforts of the CIO leaders and the Stalinists to subordinate the new unions to the Democratic Party by calling for the building of a Labor Party based on socialist policies to fight for the perspective of socialist internationalism among American workers. Lewis, Walter Reuther and other CIO leaders, fervently opposed a Labor Party and tied the working class to the capitalist Democratic Party and the national and international interests of the US corporations. This included the unions collaboration with American imperialisms intervention in World War II and drive for global domination. In the immediate aftermath of the war, Reuther carried out a purge of the socialists who played the leading role in building the UAW. In 1954 he would declare that there was no need for a labor party because unlike Europe, America did not have a rigid class structure and in the US, the unions could work within the two-party system to bring about a fundamental realignment of basic political forces. The next year, Reuther would engineer the merger of the AFL and CIO unions based on Cold War anti-communism and the integration of the unions into the apparatus of the national-security state. The anti-socialist purges in the unions paved the way for their decades-long degeneration and transformation into direct instruments of the corporations and the state. The pro-capitalist unions had no answer when the ruling class, entering a long period of economic decline and facing the rise of powerful competitors, returned to its traditional policy of class warfare in the late 1970s and 1980s. In the face of the globalization of capitalist production the unions in the US and around the world, hostile to an international socialist policy, joined with their own capitalists to stamp out working-class resistance and force workers into a race to the bottom. A new generation of autoworkers, along with every other section of workers, is being thrust into rebellion once more as the global corporations and the Trump administration move to roll back every achievement won by the working class in over a century of struggle. To prepare the coming battles of the working class it is necessary to assimilate the political lessons of history, including the great Flint sit-down strike 80 years ago. Under a deal announced earlier this week, India will become a major service and repair hub for the US Seventh Fleetthe armada that is at the center of US war preparations against China. The deal gives flesh and blood to a recent Indo-US agreement giving US warplanes and battleships routine access to Indian bases and ports for rest, refuel, and resupply. Signed last August, the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) also allows the US military to forward deploy war materiel at Indian bases. Reliance Defence and Engineering announced last Monday that it has signed a Master Ship Repair Agreement with the Pentagon to service and repair Seventh Fleet warships and supply and patrol vessels at its shipyard at Pipavav, in the western Indian state of Gujarat. According to a Reliance official, the shipyard stands to carry out as much as 100 billion rupees (US$1.3 billion) worth of work for the US Navy over the next five years. This is potentially a massive profit windfall for Reliance Defence, given that in 2014 the companys total revenues were less than $50 million. Over 100 ships of US Navy operating in the Indian Ocean can now avail services at Pipavav shipyard, crowed a company spokesman. He added that the US Navy follows some of the most stringent standards, so we are hopeful that this deal would lead to us bagging similar projects in other countries as well. The Ship Repair Agreement comes close on the heels of the US Navy designating the Reliance shipyard an approved contractor. The Seventh Fleet has responsibility for the western Pacific and the eastern stretches of the Indian Ocean up to the India-Pakistan border. As such it is at the center of US plans to wage war on China. These plans includes imposing an economic blockade on China by seizing control of the Straits of Malacca and other Indian Ocean/South China Sea chokepoints and mounting a massive bombardment of Chinese military installations, cities and infrastructurewhat the Pentagon calls its Air Sea Battle plan. Hitherto, maintenance and repairs on the Seventh Fleet have been carried out in Japan and Singapore. The repair deal is driven by geostrategic considerations. Washington has long been seeking to harness New Delhi to its strategic agenda and make India the southwestern pillar of a quadrilateral anti-China alliance, led by the US and including its principal Asia-Pacific allies, Japan and Australia. The Indian bourgeoisie, for its part, has tilted ever more sharply toward Washington, in the hopes of drawing on US support in pursuing its own predatory great power ambitions. Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government have not only unabashedly declared the US to be Indias most important ally. Since coming to office in 2014, they have effectively transformed India into a frontline state in the US confrontation with China. New Delhi has adopted Washingtons provocative stance on the South China Sea dispute that paints China as an aggressor and has enormously expanded bilateral and trilateral strategic ties with the US, Japan, and Australia. Recently, the head of the US Pacific Command, Harry Harris, revealed that the US and Indian militaries are sharing intelligence on Chinese submarine and ship movements in the Indian Ocean. Although this is all but unknown to the Indian people, under the LEMOA the US could use Indian military bases to wage war if New Delhi gives its consent. Getting India to agree to a LEMOA type-agreement was a major foreign political goal of Washington ever since India and the US formed a global strategic partnership in 2005. No doubt both Washington and New Delhi though it politic that the Pentagons first publicly proclaimed use of the LEMOA should bring, or at least appear to bring, significant economic rewards to India. To help Reliance clinch its deal with the Pentagon, the BJP state government in Gujarat is giving the company tens of millions of dollars in aid to upgrade its shipyard. Modi was himself Gujarats chief minister until he became Indias prime minister in May 2014, and he continues to dominate the state BJP. Reliance Defence and Engineering is owned by the multibillionaire Amil Ambani. Mukesh Ambani, his brother, is Indias richest man with a fortune of more than US$23 billion. Both Ambani brothers are strong supporters of Modi and helped spearhead corporate Indias push for him to become the BJPs prime ministerial candidate in the 2014 elections. Indias corporate media is staunchly in favor of the Indo-US alliance. Yet even it recalled that Washington used the Seventh Fleet to threaten India during the December 1971 Indo-Pakistani war. At the time, Pakistan was a major Cold War ally of the US, whereas India, spooked by Washingtons recent overtures to China, had just signed a Friendship Treaty with the Soviet Union. [February 15, 2017] Fornetix Announces OEM Agreement with Thales e-Security for Enhanced Security for KMIP Encryption Key Management ASHBURN, Va., Feb. 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Fornetix announced an OEM Agreement with Thales, integrating the nShield HSM with Fornetix Key Orchestration. The Key Orchestration Appliance is now commercially available, tightly integrating the nShield HSM directly in the Key Orchestration Appliance. The Key Orchestration Appliance delivers the unprecedented key management scale and automation capabilities of Key Orchestration in a highly-secured FIPS 140-2 Level 3 appliance. "The integration of the nShield HSM with Key Orchestration software and hardware will allow customers to operate at the highest level of physical based security," said Peter Galvin, VP of Strategy at Thales e-Security. "We are pleased that Fornetix selected the industry leading nShield HSM to integrate with their Key Orchestration Appliance to provide high assurance KMIP compliant key management. "The Fornetix Team is very excited to be able to announce our OEM Agreement with Thales at RSA 2017," said Jack Wright, COO and Acting CEO of Fornetix. "In 2015 and 2016, and now in 2017, Key Orchestration has demonstrated a high level of compliance with the full spectrum of KMIP functionality. This commercial release of the Key Orchestration Appliance with the Shield KMIP compliant HSM is the culmination of many years' worth of dedicated effort to bring a higher level of cybersecurity to all legitimate enterprises at this critical time when cybersecurity is so much in question." "The Fornetix team has focused consistently on standards-based encryption and encryption key management as a way to make encryption more affordable, as well as more secure and easier to manage," said Chuck White, CTO of Fornetix. "This fully integrated FIPS 140-2 Level 3 Appliance is a dramatic demonstration of the commercial power being made available by the OASIS KMIP standard." Jack Wright continued, "Our standards-based mission has been greatly assisted by the Key Management Interoperability Protocol as it has evolved over the years through KMIP 1.0 through 1.4. In addition, Key Orchestration has been built using the powerful KMIP foundational software developed and provided by Cryptsoft." Fornetix will be in the OASIS booth and independently exhibiting at the 2017 RSA Conference, South Expo booth # 2743, on February 13th through 17th at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, CA. "Our Mission is to protect and serve," said Jack Wright. About Fornetix Fornetix is an advanced encryption/key management software company based in Northern Virginia. We are a Team of 70 cybersecurity and business experts that are Mission Driven to reverse the tide of eroding cybersecurity. From core to edge and beyond, Fornetix reduces costs, improves security, and removes the operational complexities by automating and optimizing enterprise encryption key management services. For more information about Fornetix, visit: https://www.fornetix.com/. Our solution is Key OrchestrationDon't Just Manage Encryption. Orchestrate it! To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fornetix-announces-oem-agreement-with-thales-e-security-for-enhanced-security-for-kmip-encryption-key-management-300408102.html SOURCE Fornetix [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Three high-level meetings scheduled to take place this week express the deepening conflicts and crisis within Europe following the election of US president Donald Trump. The defence ministers of NATO are meeting in Brussels Wednesday and Thursday, the foreign ministers of the G20 will meet Friday in Bonn, and the 53rd Munich Security Conference will be held over the weekend. Participants from the US will include Vice President Mike Pence, Defence Secretary James Mattis and several senators. German Chancellor Angela Merkel will also participate in the conference, as well as several dozen heads of state, 50 foreign ministers and 30 defence ministers from other countries. In the lead-up to the meeting, Wolfgang Ischinger, the chairman of the Munich Security Conference, sharply criticised the new US president and called upon the European Union to show unity and begin a military build-up. The 70-year-old diplomat has 45 years of foreign policy experience behind him and is among the most influential voices in German politics. The US is unfortunately no longer suitable as the symbolic political-moral leader of the West, Ischinger told the Berlin-based Tagesspiegel last Saturday. The arrival of Trump means the end of the West, in which the US was the torch-bearer that the others sought to emulate. Europes task now is to replace this loss. In 40 years, Ischinger said he had never experienced such a maximum destabilisation as has emerged since the US [called into question] the elements of world order, NATO, European integration. He added, Until now, foreign and security policy was basically a static activity with firm guidelines and regulations. We are now dealing with new aggregate conditions, with a maximum degree of unpredictability. That is extraordinarily dangerous. Ischinger proposed defending the Western order of values by means of a massive military build-up in Europe and particularly in Germany. He demanded in the Tagesspiegel that German military spending not merely be increased from its current level of 1.2 percent to the 2 percent called for by the US, but to 3 percent of GDP. This amount should incorporate the development budget, and diplomatic and humanitarian assistance, which would thus become part of the military budget. This approach, Ischinger said, would not be opposed by all lefts from the outset. Ischinger told the press on Monday that such an increase in military spending was not in Americas, but in Germanys interests. The issue here is therefore not what some third-rank boy comes up with in the Pentagon, he said. The issue was much more what was required by the Bundeswehr (German army) to protect the country. To strengthen the strike capability of the German army, Ischinger is pushing for closer cooperation within the European Union in the areas of the military and armaments industries. If the EU members purchase their jets or weapons together, they would only pay half per piece, he calculated to Tagesspiegel. We have six times as many weapons systems than the US with just half as much spending, but our fighting ability is less than 10 percent. With an end of regionalismconnected with the ability to take decisions in foreign policy we Europeans would be a political-military power which would in fact make an impression. In contrast to other European politicians, who would rather write off the US as an ally today than tomorrow, Ischinger wants to drag out a potential open break as long as possible, as he wrote in a guest piece for the Suddeutsche Zeitung on Thursday. Instead of turning away decisively from the United States, we should cooperate with all of those interested in the retention of the Transatlantic community of values. Ischinger named potential partners as Trumps opponents in Congress and also members of the new government. One had to try to integrate the new US government as much as possible, he said. Integrate, secure influencethis is precisely the realpolitik now required. Ischinger is placing his hopes above all on Defence Secretary Mad Dog Mattis, Vice President Pence and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who unlike Trump have thus far expressed support for the EU and NATO. The resignation of National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, who was also originally supposed to have attended the Munich Security Conference, was taken note of by EU supporters with relief. Flynn was seen as an opponent of the EU and an ally of Moscow, while many European politicians consider it necessary to pursue a course of confrontation with Russia in order to prevent a further breakdown of the European Union. In his Suddeutsche Zeitung piece, Ischinger left no doubt about the fact that his policy of integrating and securing influence was about buying time to rearm the military. In the short and medium term, he noted, the Europeans could not abandon the American security guarantee. He evidently views this differently over the long-term. At the same time, he drew red lines, the violation of which would provoke a grave Transatlantic crisis. First, he warned, If there is in fact a new government policy under Donald Trump which views the EU as an opponent and hopes for its speedy breakup, and backs right-wing populists, that would be a disaster for mutual relations. He had previously described such a policy as a declaration of war without weapons. Ischinger named his second red line as a deal between Russia and the US at the expense of Europe, and the third as new sanctions against Iran, which Germany would not support. Ischinger urgently called on the European states to show unity and act with self-assertion, because Trump would hardly be able to realise his plans against Europe. At the same time, he noted that especially we Germans must significantly heighten our efforts in the areas of foreign, development and defence policy in light of the fragile world situation. Ischingers advocacy of a huge military build-up demonstrates that his criticism of Trump and right-wing opponents of the EU in Europe has nothing to do with the defence of a community of values. Three years ago, the Munich Security Conference served as the stage for the German government to proclaim the end of military restraint. The then Foreign Minister and current President Frank-Walter Steinmeier stated at the time, Germany is too large to merely comment on world politics from the sidelines. He was supported by his predecessor, President Joachim Gauck, and Defence Minister Ursula Von der Leyen. The rise of Trump, just like the return of German militarism, is the result of the insoluble crisis of global capitalism. The ruling class in every country has no other response to deepening social and economic tensions than to take up a bitter struggle for the global redivision of political and economic power. Germanys attempts to reorganise Europe militarily under its leadership will also inevitably incite the conflicts within Europe that provoked two world wars in the last century. Written and directed by Pedro Almodovar, based on short stories by Alice Munro Written and directed by veteran Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almodovar, Julieta is loosely based on a trio of short stories by Canadian author Alice Munro (from Runaway, 2004). The directors twentieth feature is a family melodrama that seeks to explore themes of guilt, alienation and absence, but with very limited results. The middle-aged Julieta (Emma Suarez), when the film opens, is packing up her elegant Madrid apartment and moving to Portugal with her partner Lorenzo (Dario Grandinetti). But her plans are disrupted when she runs into Beatriz (Michelle Jenner), a childhood friend of her daughter Antia, who informs Julieta that Antia now has three children and is living in Switzerland. The news rips through the protagonist, having been out of touch with her offspring for some twelve years. In the event that Antia should come looking for her, Julieta rents an apartment in the same building where she last lived with her daughter, leaving Lorenzo in the dark regarding his lovers change of heart. A distraught Julieta then proceeds to write a lengthy letter to her missing daughter. In it, she recounts meeting Xoan (Daniel Grao), Antias father, on a train. (The younger version of Julieta is played by Adriana Ugarte.) Xoan is a fisherman, whose wife has been comatose for five years. Later, responding to an invitation from Xoan, a pregnant Julieta arrives at his picturesque seaside home just as his wife passes away. To begin with, Julieta, Xoan and Antia are happy, but Julietas life is also affected by a mother dying of Alzheimers, and the presence of Ava (Inma Cuesta), Xoans old friend and part-time lover. A man needs a woman, not a vegetable, says Xoans stern housekeeper (Rossy de Palma) to justify the Xoan/Ava liaison. Julieta and Xoan quarrel and the latter goes out to sea never to return. Past and present intertwine in a convoluted plot, revealing that Antia, now a young adult (Blanca Pares), became estranged from Julieta while attending a retreat in the Pyrenees. Having been religiously indoctrinated, she disavows both her mother and Beatriz, with whom she has had an affair. But, ultimately, what part does Xoans death play in the endless river of tears? Almodovars film, unhappily, does not add up to that much. It is overwrought, preoccupied with an upper middle class milieu, whose emotional vocabulary and behavior feel largely contrived. Julieta is guilt-ridden: over Xoan, over Antia and even over the man who kills himself by jumping in front of the train in which Julieta and Xoan meet. She is alternately obsessed with and angered by Antias disappearance. There is not much else in her lifeexcept that it is clearly devoid of financial stress. Hanging in Julietas well-appointed Madrid flat, for example, is a Lucian Freud self-portrait. The artists work today auctions for millions of dollars. While critics congratulate the filmmaker for crafting a female-centric work, Julieta oddly gives its female characters a plethora of handicaps and diseases: brain death, Multiple Sclerosis (Ava), Alzheimers, hero-worship (Julietas young stepmother) and religious fanaticism. Is this meant to signify their oppression? As for the male characters, they function, for the most part, as mere plot mechanisms. Characteristic of Almodovar, his latest film is not lacking in visual delights, nor in solid performances. Film critic Andrew Sarris once noted that the Almodovars films would have been inconceivable before the death of the inglorious Franco and the birth of glorious Technicolor. Hence, even when Mr. Almodovars ploys have verged on unacceptable silliness, his ravishing color canvases have dazzled the eye with a lyrical exuberance. With Julieta, the eye may again be dazzled, but the critical mind is largely neglected. Almodovar, the leading Spanish filmmaker of his generation with a considerable global following, is an intelligent and sensitive figure. He makes reference in his public pronouncements to important filmmakers like Luis Bunuel, Douglas Sirk and Rainer Werner Fassbinder. Furthermore, regarding Julieta, the filmmaker says, [Alfred] Hitchcock is always present. But, in different ways, Bunuel, Sirk and Fassbinder associated themselves with social criticism and opposition. In Hitchcocks case, the anti-establishment element was inevitably more indirect, but nonetheless powerfully felt. That this social ingredient is largely missing from Almodovars work must be bound up with the peculiarities of the transition from General Francos authoritarianism to democratic rule in 1975 and subsequent developments. In the face of widespread strikes and ferment among students directed against the hated Franco, the various parties dedicated to preserving bourgeois orderincluding the social democratic and Communist parties, Catalan nationalists and right-wing, pro-fascist elementsjoined hands to suffocate popular opposition to Spanish capitalism. Almodovar, whether out of disillusionment or despair, or out of a sense that the new order was universally accepted (because it was agreed to by all of official Spain, including its perfidious left wing), has never called the political and economic framework of post-Franco Spain into question. His early films had a certain subversive spirit, but it was mostly a matter of sexual transgressiveness. Now, even that seems to have dissipated. What is left at this point? Presumably, Munro means her small-town dramas to convey a larger significance, something more universal. But in Julieta, that universal aspect has become so abstract and diffuse that it has relatively little emotional or any other kind of impact. Spain, after Greece, is one of the European countries that has been most devastated by the 2008 financial crash and subsequent austerity measures. The official unemployment rate for young people is 43 percent, and more than half of those who are employed work on temporary contracts. Spain is an unstable, crisis-ridden country that from December 2015 through October 2016for 314 daysdid not even have a government. However, Almodovars antennae are pointed in another direction. The International Socialist Organization has posted a statement on its Facebook page, stating that it now supports the International Youth and Students for Social Equality's application for club status at New York University. The endorsement was issued on February 13, three days after the publication of an IYSSE Open Letter, which criticized the ISO's silence on the NYU Student Activities Board (SAB) refusal to grant the club status to the IYSSE. The SAB justified its November decision with the claim that the IYSSE was too similar to the ISO, which has club status at the university. In its Facebook statement, the ISO claims that it had not been aware of the IYSSE's efforts to achieve club status, and that it had not previously refused to support its efforts to reverse the action of the SAB. It also attacks the IYSSE as "sectarian." We print below the reply of Isaac Finn, the IYSSE representative at NYU, to the ISO's Facebook statement. The ISO's statement is reprinted below Finn's reply. *** To the International Socialist Organization, The International Youth and Students for Social Equality welcomes the belated decision of the International Socialist Organization to end its long silence and support the democratic right of students at NYU to form an IYSSE club. It is, however, regrettable that the ISOs statement includes an absurd and obviously false explanation of the long delay in issuing this declaration. Referring to the IYSSEs call for support, the ISO claims that it was unaware of said request until this notice was published denouncing us for not responding to it. In fact, the IYSSE at NYU sent an email to the president of the ISO club at NYU, Sean Larson, on December 6, 2016. The email included the text of the open letter sent to the NYU SAB on November 29titled Reverse the rejection of club status for the International Youth and Students for Social Equalityalong with a call for the ISO and other student clubs to support the IYSSE in its fight for free speech and to democratize the club application process at NYU. Neither Mr. Larson nor any other representative of the ISO replied to this email. IYSSE members encountered the vice president of the club, Paul Heideman, and other ISO members on several occasions during their petition campaign to obtain club status and reverse the SABs decision. Mr. Heideman refused their requests that he sign the petition. In any event, the IYSSE should not even have had to ask the ISO to take a position on the matter. Your organization was well aware of the SABs refusal to recognize the IYSSE as a club. Our campaign for club status has been widely publicized on the NYU campus. The university newspaper, The Washington Square News, has published several articles and an opinion piece on this issue. The IYSSE has distributed thousands of leaflets on campus. It has campaigned extensively both for its own right to form a club and against the anti-democratic club policy at NYU. The campaign won the support of hundreds of students and many members of the NYU faculty, including Bertell Ollman, the prominent radical professor who has taught at NYU for decades. The real reason for your initial refusal to support club status for the IYSSE is revealed in the text of your belated and grudging endorsement of our democratic rights. Most of your statement is devoted to denouncing the IYSSE as sectarian. Your letter asserts that the IYSSE and its parent organization, the Socialist Equality Party, spend an entirely unhealthy amount of time denouncing other organizations on the left. Attempting to make the IYSSE and SEP appear ridiculous, you write: A search of their website, wsws.org, for example, for the term pseudo-left (their preferred designation for all groups outside of their own sect), reveals, as of February 13th, 25,423 articles using that term (no doubt by the time this response finds readership, the number will have grown). Your brilliant statistician arrived at this absurd number by failing to recognize that a WSWS site search of the term pseudo-left includes in its calculation all articles in which either or both of the words (pseudo and/or left) appears. Nor did it occur to your statistician that the search engine does not distinguish between the use of the word left as a noun (The left), an adjective (The left politician) or a verb (He left the room). Using the same careless approach to his or her calculations, the ISO statistician claims to have discovered no less than 13,887 articles in which the term white chauvinism appears in the WSWS. As anyone familiar with the WSWS would immediately know, the term white chauvinism rarely appears on our web site because we do not employ the categories of race-obsessed identity politics. But you arrive at the astronomical number of 13,887 because the search engine is including every use of the word whitein whatever context (i.e., the black and white film or The White House)on our web site. On the basis of your wild distortion of the content of the World Socialist Web Site, you denounce our aggressive sectarianism, writing: For the SEP, fighting the rottenness of capitalist society takes a back seat to the task of fighting the rest of the left. What you mean by sectarianism is our defense of Marxist principles and opposition to the sort of political opportunism practiced by the countless middle-class organizationsthe ISO includedwhich is oriented to and collaborates with the capitalist class and its political agents. By your standards, every revolutionary socialist going back to Marx, Engels, Lenin, Trotsky and Luxemburg would be branded as sectarian. A substantial portion of the writings of all the great Marxists was devoted to an exposure of opportunist tendencies within the socialist movement. Notwithstanding our irreconcilable political differences, we welcome your acknowledgement that NYU should not be in the business of deciding which groups are too politically similar to be allowed club status. If nothing else, the content of your letter definitively refutes the notion that the IYSSE is too similar to the ISO to justify an independent club at New York University. Yours sincerely, Isaac Finn *** Response from the ISO to the IYSSEs open letter, February 13, 2017 On Friday, February 10th, the organization International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) published an open letter to the NYU International Socialist Organization, accusing us, among other things, of solidarizing [ourselves] with the NYU administration and its allies on Wall Street and the military-intelligence apparatus and engaging in political censorship for refusing to support the IYSSEs democratic right to free speech. These accusations caught our organization quite unawares, most centrally because we had made no such refusal. The IYSSE letter states that our club has been emailed with a request for support. We received no such email at the account we use for club business, nyusocialist@gmail.com, and were unaware of said request until this notice was published denouncing us for not responding to it. Similarly, the article accuses our Vice President, Paul Heideman, of refusing to sign an IYSSE petition on Wednesday, February 1st. Once more, this accusation is false, as Paul was, to his knowledge, not even asked by the IYSSE to sign a petition. This is, unfortunately, all too typical conduct from the IYSSE and its parent organization, the SEP, both of which spend what seems an entirely unhealthy amount of time denouncing other organizations on the left. A search of their website, wsws.org, for example, for the term pseudo-left (their preferred designation for all groups outside of their own sect), reveals, as of February 13th, 25,423 articles using that term (no doubt by the time this response finds readership, the number will have grown). A search for the term white chauvinism, (their preferred designation for racism) finds only half as many articles, 13,887. Male chauvinism rates even lower, turning up a measly 2,859 articles. For the SEP, fighting the rottenness of capitalist society takes a back seat to the task of fighting the rest of the left. Nonetheless, despite their aggressive sectarianism towards all left organizations besides themselves, and despite their abuses of the truth in their open letter to our organization, we do, of course, support their right to have a club at NYU. It is a basic democratic principle that the university administration should not get to police student organization. If students at NYU wish to organize themselves into a branch of the IYSSE, it should be their right to do so. In particular, we would like to register our opposition to the SABs policy on similar student groups. The university should not be in the business of deciding which groups are too politically similar to be allowed club status. Students themselves should decide when they belong in the same group, and when they do not. This is a policy that is often weaponized against the left at universities across the country, and we strongly feel that it is an inappropriate basis for denying club status. We will be passing this sentiment along to the SAB. Two distinct processes have emerged in the month since the inauguration of Donald Trump. Millions of people in the United States and internationally have participated in protests against the fascistic policies of the new government. They are motivated by genuine and deeply felt anger over the administrations attack on immigrants and its cabinet of billionaires and social reactionaries. At the same time, much of the media and major sections of the political establishment have been carrying out an escalating campaign against Trump that is of a very different character. In close coordination with US intelligence agencies, Trumps establishment critics are seeking to hijack the opposition of workers and youth to Trump and channel it behind their own imperialist and militarist agenda. The Washington Post outlined the essential foreign policy concerns of the ruling class in an editorial published Wednesday, following the resignation of Trumps national security advisor, Michael Flynn. The Post wrote that Trump could begin to undo the damage of his first month in office by selecting a new national security advisor. While the past two weeks have seen some welcome corrections by Mr. Trump to what looked like potentially rash departures from previous US policies, the newspaper continued, Trump still had some fixes to make. This meant, above all, improving relations with the European powers and changing his dangerously appeasing stance toward Mr. Putin. The same basic line is repeated in innumerable newspaper editorials, on cable news programs and late night talk shows, and from both Republican and Democratic politicians. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, one of the most rabid Russophobes, declared Wednesday that an unsubstantiated report in the New York Times about contacts between Trumps election campaign and Russian intelligence officials was a game changer that justified an independent bipartisan investigation. Senator Elizabeth Warren, who supposedly represents the left wing of the Democratic Party, issued a statement asserting that Trump owes the American people a full account of his Administrations dealings with Russia Congress must pull its head out of the sand and launch a real, bipartisan, transparent inquiry into Russia. Our national security is at stake. Bernie Sanders, who is nominally an independent but has been elevated into the leadership of the Senate Democrats, called for the Senate Intelligence Committee to thoroughly investigate if Russia coordinated with Trump and his campaign. Michael Moore, the documentarian who campaigned aggressively for Hillary Clinton and can be counted on to trail behind the Democratic Party, tweeted, What part of vacate you Russian traitor dont you [Trump] understand? The Democrats are hoping to kill two birds with one stone. They want to contain social tensions and prevent them from giving rise to an independent political movement of the working class. And they want to force a correction in the foreign policy of the Trump government, bringing it into line with the economic, political and military campaign against Russia initiated by the CIA under Obama. The response of Sanders is particularly significant given his central role over the past year in diverting anger over social inequality behind the campaign of Clinton, the candidate of Wall Street, who focused her opposition to Trump on the latters alleged ties to Russia. In a meeting of Democratic senators on Tuesday, Sanders was reportedly asked by party leaders to placate popular anger that has erupted at constituency meetings held by Democratic congressmen. According to Senator Joe Manchin, Sanders was told by Minority Leader Charles Schumer and others that he might be the only person who can make sure that this anger is directed in all the right proper channelsthat is, exclusively against the Republicans. After the right-wing campaign of Clinton paved the way for the victory of Trump, the first response of the Democratic Party was to call for accommodation and cooperation. Democrats did everything they could to discourage opposition and ensure a peaceful transition. Obama proclaimed the elections an intramural scrimmage in which all sides were on one team. Both he and Clinton said they wished Trump every success, while Sanders announced that he and other progressives are prepared to work with Trump on policies to improve the lives of working families. They covered up the ultra-right-wing character of the new administration and downplayed the significance of Trumps defeat in the popular vote. Trumps inauguration, however, was followed immediately by protests involving millions of peoplethe most significant and widespread international demonstrations since the US invasion of Iraq in 2003. These demonstrations were followed barely a week later by protests at airports across the country against the anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant executive orders of the new administration. Protests of an essentially progressive and left-wing character have continued across the country. As the World Socialist Web Site has warned, these protests lack an independent program and are politically dominated by organizations oriented to the Democratic Party. This creates the danger that they will be suppressed or channeled behind the warmongering policies of the CIA and the Pentagon, to shift the narrative in a pro-war direction. This is precisely what the Democratic Party is attempting to do. The furor over Flynns phone calls with Russia and Trumps ties to Putin has served to bury public discussion of the anti-Muslim ban, the attack on refugees, the fascistic character of the new administration and the cabal of CEOs, bankers and ex-generals in Trumps cabinet. What if the anti-Russia campaign is successful? The Democratic Party and the organizations that surround it are committing themselves to a policy that has catastrophic consequences. They would presumably consider the outbreak of war with nuclear-armed Russia a great triumph. This would not be the first time that a popular movement, lacking a clearly-defined working class character and socialist program, was employed by the ruling class to achieve its own ends. In Egypt, the massive demonstrations that erupted in 2013 against the right-wing Muslim Brotherhood government were utilized by the military and its political agents to reestablish a military dictatorship two years after the downfall of the US-backed dictator Hosni Mubarak. The political situation poses immense dangers. The brutal character of the Trump administration does not make its opponents in the intelligence agencies any less reactionary. They are conspiring to unleash not only bigger and more bloody wars abroad, but also war on the working class at home. The same think tanks that call for war preparations against Russia in order to maintain US domination of Eurasia insist that workers in the United States must be made to sacrificein the form of massive cuts in social programs and pensionsto pay for a huge increase in military spending. The working class does not want war. There is virtually no popular support for a conflict with Russia or China, or an expansion of military aggression in the Middle East. There remains deep opposition to social inequality and the attack on democratic rights. The radicalization of the working class must be given a conscious and organized political form. It must be guided by a socialist program. The critical question posed by the mounting political crisis and the growth of social protest is that of revolutionary leadership. Multimillionaire fast-food boss Andrew Puzder withdrew his nomination to head the Department of Labor Wednesday, in another sign of the deepening political crisis of the Trump administration. He is the first one of Trumps 16 cabinet picks to fail to win confirmation. Puzder withdrew after four Republican senators on the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee announced they would vote against him, enough to block the nomination in committee, since every Democrat was opposed. Another dozen Republicans had refused to commit themselves to vote for Puzder in a vote on the Senate floor, the first time a Trump nomination has attracted significant Republican opposition. In the end, the split in the Republicans is what torpedoed the nomination, since the Senate has confirmed a series of Trump nominees by near party-line votes, including Steven Mnuchin for Treasury secretary, by 53-47, and Betsy DeVos to head the Department of Education, by 52-48. The Democrats had staged their usual for-the-record opposition, citing Puzders opposition to increasing the minimum wage and his role as a typically vicious exploiter of workers, for which the fast-food industry is notorious. What undermined his support among Republicans however, were two aspects of his personal life: allegations of domestic violence by his first wife, and his hiring of an undocumented woman as a housekeeper, while concealing his payment of wages. He did not pay the back taxes for her employment until nominated to become head of the Department of Labor. Puzders first wife ultimately retracted the domestic violence charge as part of her divorce settlement, but last week a 29-year-old television tape from the Oprah Winfrey Show, in which she detailed the abuse while wearing a disguise, was sent to the US Senate for review. It was widely circulated on Capitol Hill. Even more significant in the shift among the Republicans were suggestions from right-wing groups that Puzders hiring of an undocumented housekeeper was part of a larger pattern, and that he was insufficiently militant in his hostility to immigrant workers. On that basis, the ultra-right magazine National Review called Wednesday for the Senate to reject his nomination. There was also some hostility to Puzders nomination among Christian fundamentalist groups over sexually provocative television ads for his hamburger chains. These groups, however, endorsed Trumps presidential campaign, making it difficult for them to exercise a veto based on such moralizing. Puzder had the full support of industry groups, including the US Chamber of Commerce, the International Franchise Association, the National Restaurant Association and the National Retail Federation, as well as such Republican Party bigwigs as former presidential candidate Mitt Romney. Why is Jorg Baberowski suing the Bremen student body? Under this title, the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) organised a meeting at Berlins Humboldt University to defend the freedom of expression of the Bremen Asta (Student Union). While the vast majority of the audience, comprising workers and students, sympathised with the Bremen Asta and supported the content of the criticism of Baberowski, Humboldt Professor Johannes Helmrath and a group of right-wing students came to defend the authoritarian actions of Baberowski. Baberowski has sued the Bremen Asta, gaining a restraining order against it that prevents Asta representatives from quoting and commenting on certain of Baberowskis statements. The Asta has filed an appeal that was heard on Wednesday before the Cologne State Court. Two representatives of the Bremen Asta, Jan-Eric Hahn and Irina Kyburz, addressed the meeting. Their contributions immediately made clear how serious the adoption of a legal muzzle would be: We are not permitted to address the details of the matter here, said Irina, and that is very annoying. Such a measure hangs like a sword of Damocles over the students, IYSSE spokesman Sven Wurm said in his introduction. If such an action were to succeed, then students would need to consider in future whether they possibly had enough money for a lawyer and a trial before they criticised the right-wing positions of their professors. The Bremen Asta has received many signs of support and solidarity. On February 2, more than 100 students attended a support meeting at the University of Bremen, and several student organisations have letters of solidarity, including the student parliament of the Berlin Free University and several student committees at Humboldt University. Several professors have also expressed their solidarity in discussions, as Jan-Eric from Bremen Asta reported. However, they did not have the courage to take a position publicly, partly not to compromise the peace at their institutes, partly as they admitted themselves, that they were too cowardly. That is already scary, he added, when something happens today that was common in the 1930s. One professor emeritus, the mathematician and computer pioneer Frieder Nake, has written a letter of support, and Irina read it to the meeting. Wurm said that the growing protests against Baberowskis attempt to muzzle critical students have prompted the right-wing professor to act increasingly aggressively. He himself had been insulted and threatened by Baberowski while he was handing out leaflets. Baberowski had photographed him and called him a red-painted fascist and disgusting informer, and threatened him with the police and a court case. At his lecture, Baberowski had then denounced the IYSSE as criminals and called on both the university administration and his fellow professors to take action against them and their meeting. In his contribution, Christoph Vandrier, IYSSE spokesman in Germany, thoroughly refuted Baberowskis assertion that his critics had libelled him by tearing quotes out of context for this purpose. He cited several of Baberowskis public statementsincluding what he said to the newsweekly Der Spiegel at the beginning of 2014: Hitler was no psychopath, and he wasnt vicious. He didnt want people to talk about the extermination of the Jews at his table.presenting them in their full context, and with the sources. He played an original audio recording of one quote from a panel discussion at the German Historical Museum (DHM) entitled Intervention Force Germany. In this, Baberowski had said, And if one is not willing to take hostages, burn villages, hang people and spread fear and terror, as the terrorists do, if one is not prepared to do such things, then one can never win such a conflict and it is better to keep out altogether. Baberowski had later claimed he had said this to discourage military intervention. That this is not true can be shown by other quotes from the same talk at the DHM. Baberowski said there: One has to be aware that this will cost a great deal of money and you have to send soldiers and weapons into a power vacuum. In order to separate the parties from each other in the first place. And above all, and this is the most important thing...you need the political will and political strategy and above all, you have to say that in order for this to work, we will go in. And it has to be worth it. That costs money. We have to send troops in. As Vandreier explained, Baberowskis advocacy of military intervention is also perfectly in line with his theory of violence, which he had outlined in one of his books, Spaces of Violence (Raume der Gewalt).Vandreier said, He is of the opinion that violence cannot be limited by civilisation, tolerance and social justice, but only and exclusively by violence. That is his reactionary fundamental thesis, about which I could present dozens more quotes. With this thesis, Baberowski not only justifies violence, but speaks out in favour of the maintenance of social inequality and the creation of a police state. He had, for example, already said that it would be better that money for social programmes was poured in the Spree, because the state was not responsible for social welfare but for security. Vandreier demonstrated the way Baberowski agitates against refugees, using the example of an article that had appeared in the Basler Zeitung (owned by the right-wing Swiss populist Christoph Blocher). In this, the professor expresses himself in the following way: Refugees are for the most part a burden, not an asset because they are not needed on the labour market. The welfare state will not survive this test. Baberowskis brazen outpourings can only be explained in the context of the current political developments, Vandreier concluded. It is part of the shift to the right by the political establishmentwith the rise of Donald Trump in the US and the turn in German foreign and security policy. This is not a personal vendetta against Baberowski, Vandreier insisted. The point is to prevent the universities being again transformed into right-wing think tanks and centres of militarism. The election of Trump has made nationalism, xenophobia and militarism, here in Europe too, a political means again. In the discussion, a fierce argument developed with the right-wingers who had come to the meeting at Baberowskis bidding. While they said nothing about the content of the questions, they employed anti-communism, lies and insults in their attempts to whip up the audience against the IYSSE and to justify Baberowskis actions against the Bremen Asta. Their attempts failed miserably. When Professor Helmrath, a colleague of Baberowski who teaches medieval history at Humboldt University, claimed the IYSSE were only pursuing Baberowski with their hatred because he had invited the historian Robert Service to present his critical Trotsky biography, IYSSE members took him to task. In reality, Service had not written a critical Trotsky biography but a work that failed to meet the most elementary scholarly standards and therefore had been described as a piece of hack work (Betrand Patenaude) and a diatribe (Hermann Weber). Baberowski had reacted to the dispute at that time with authoritarian methods. In February 2014, he used a security guard to exclude critical professors and students from a public colloquium with Service. Professor Helmrath, who had nothing to say about the substance of the criticisms of Baberowski, increasingly lost his composure and let rip with his anti-communism. In this, he revealed more about his own political opinions than he perhaps wanted to. He angrily claimed the students were acting as stooges of an American Trotskyist old boys club, whose teachings no longer interested anyone, and which has therefore now specialised in Nazi hunting. The more Baberowskis supporters were challenged to state their position on the content of the criticism, the more wretched their attacks became and the more openly their own right-wing views became apparent. A young man declared that Trotsky stood for violence and blood, and that of course the professor had the right to turn to the courts to take action against his critics. Many of those present who were not from the Bremen Asta or were not IYSSE members also emphatically opposed the right-wingers. One young participant pointed out that even an extremely well-intentioned interpretation of the quotes from the talk at the German Historical Museum would not change the content of the sentences which Baberowski had demonstrably said there: I do not understand how you can say the quotes were taken out of context. Everyone can check this. No matter how benignly you embellish the context, the sentences are no less horrifying. The response of an elderly audience member, who had attended Baberoskis lectures as a mature student, was very interesting. He said the quotes by Baberowski were completely newand I have to say, I am shocked. He was very interested in the topic, wanted to research the questions himself and purchased the book Scholarship or war propaganda? after the meeting, which documents the struggle of the IYSSE against the return of German militarism at Germanys universities. On Monday, a US federal judge rejected an emergency request made by the Standing Rock Sioux and Cheyenne River tribes seeking to halt construction on the Dakota Access Pipeline. Energy Transfer Partners (ETP), which is managing the pipelines construction, resumed construction on the project last Thursday after the Army Corps of Engineers granted an easement that allowed them to tunnel under the Lake Oahe reservoir on the Missouri River. The request represented a desperate, eleventh-hour attempt by the Standing Rock Sioux in the face of the pipelines completion. They argued that the project endangers their drinking water and impedes the practice of their religion, which requires clean water. Nicole Ducheneaux, lawyer for the Cheyenne River Sioux, stated, The mere presence of oil in the pipeline renders the water spiritually impure. In a ridiculous example of legal hairsplitting, Judge James Boasberg of the US District Court in Washington, DC ruled that as long as oil isnt flowing through the pipeline, there is no imminent harm to the Cheyenne River and Standing Rock Sioux Tribes. Of course, the project in question serves no other purpose but to ensure the flow of oil under the reservoir. He ordered ETP to update the court weekly on the status of the construction and the estimated date by which oil would flow under Lake Oahe. ETP is hoping that the pipeline will be operational by May. In the face of narrowing legal options for the Standing Rock Sioux tribe, protests against the project have heightened. Military veterans from several states have begun to travel back to Standing Rock, both to protest the construction on Lake Oahe and to defend protesters against the actions of law enforcement. Law enforcement agencies have responded to this renewed surge of determination by singling out the veterans. At least four veterans have reported that they were targeted by law enforcement in both North and South Dakota as they traveled to Standing Rock in recent days. In South Dakota, police stopped a vehicle with Michigan license plates, although they did not note any reason to stop the vehicle aside from the out-of-state plates. They vaguely reported that an officer recognized signs of criminal activity, whereupon police searched the vehicle. They confiscated what the report alludes to as protest gear, which appears to have been nothing but camping supplies, as well as the car, after finding medical cannabis oil in one of the mens suitcases. The two men were put in jail in Selby, South Dakota. One of the men, Travis Biolette, spent four nights in jail. A 41-year-old former Marine, he has a prescription for cannabis oillegal in his home state of Michiganfor the treatment of PTSD. He stated to the Guardian that he was pulled over for going six miles over the speed limit, but that when he informed officers that he was en route to Standing Rock, they made him exit his car and escorted him into the police cruiser. They then searched the vehicle, finding his prescription. He now faces a felony charge and up to five years in prison for possession of the oil, which South Dakota still regards as an illegal substance. Police have refused to release Biolettes car or other possessions, including cold weather clothing. He has stated that he intends to continue on to Standing Rock. In his comments to the Guardian, he expressed hope that police would somehow understand... that they might not be on the right side of history. Protests have not been limited to Standing Rock. On February 13, 75 people in Minneapolis marched to the home of Richard Davis, the CEO of US Bank, to protest the banks funding of the Dakota Access Pipeline. Demonstrators have also gathered at multiple branches of Wells Fargo to speak out against that banks funding of the project. On February 15, protests broke out throughout the US as part of a Day of Action against the pipeline. In San Francisco, thousands of protesters blocked access to Market Street and then held a sit-in outside the Army Corps of Engineers office there. In New York protests continued even after some demonstrators were arrested. Among other cities, demonstrations were also held in Minneapolis and Washington, DC. As the Morton County Sheriffs Department doubled down on protesters near Standing Rock, North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum issued an order for the immediate evacuation of the main protest camp. He claimed that the Army Corps initial deadline of February 22 was no longer viable, and with no hint of irony, he stated, One of the biggest environmental threats to clean water in the Missouri right now is the camp itself. On February 27, Judge Boasberg will adjudicate another hearing at which the Standing Rock Sioux tribe will seek a legal injunction to rescind the easement granted to ETP by the Army Corps. In the meantime, both the Standing Rock Sioux tribe and their most adamant supporters have vowed continued resistance. Dave Archambault II, chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe, stated, Our fight is no longer at the North Dakota site itself. Our fight is with Congress and the Trump administration. He encouraged supporters to join a march of indigenous people in Washington, DC on March 10. Addressing the annual Independence Day celebrations on February 4, President Maithripala Sirisena complained of the lack of economic freedom and appealed for all of us to commit ourselves to ensure the economic freedom of our country. He continued: We expect the commitment and the sacrifice of all the people, including the intellectuals, academics, politicians, public officials, in implementing national sustainable development policies and strategies and freeing the country from poverty. Sirisenas call for commitment and the sacrifices from all is not to ease the economic burden on the masses. On the contrary, it is to fulfil the dictates of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to ensure the survival of Sri Lankan capitalism, which is being battered by the worsening global economic breakdown. The government is seeking to make working people pay for the huge debts racked up by successive governments to ensure the economic freedom of businesses to boost their profits. Annual debt servicing this year is $US2.6 billion and the government is borrowing more just to cover this rising cost. It plans to raise another $1 billion loan and a further $1.5 billion by issuing sovereign bonds in the next few months. To meet the IMFs conditions, the government is to privatise more state-owned enterprises, including land and buildings. It is already finalising the sale of Hambantota Port and Sri Lanka Air Lines. Government-owned luxury hotels, such as the Hilton, Hyatt, Waters Edge and Grand Oriental, as well as Lanka Hospital and Mattala Air Port, are also being lined up. The government is under strict IMF orders to drastically reduce the budget deficit to 3.5 percent of gross domestic product by 2020, almost half what it was in 2015. This means not only enforcing privatisations but slashing funds for public education and health, and abolishing the current pensions system and welfare subsidies. The government has stepped up the privatisation of education and health services and reduced fertiliser subsidies for farmers, and subsidies for school children and the poor. Sirisenas deceitful slogan of economic freedom only means the further deterioration of the unbearable social conditions. Working people should consider the balance sheet of the last 69 years of so-called national independence. The Sri Lankan bourgeoisie has proved incapable of addressing the democratic and social rights of the masses. It plunged the country into three decades of devastating communal war and is now presiding over a widening gulf between rich and poor. In his address, Sirisena went through the ritual of hailing national independence. [D]uring the decades of 1930 and 1940, as a result of the demands made by the leaders of this country, we got rid of some major grievances through the Donoughmore and Soulbury Commissions. We succeeded in winning the freedom on the 4th of February 1948, he declared. In reality, the capitalist class mounted no struggle for independence from the British. It concocted a deal with London to head off a movement of the masses. What has taken place since confirms the warnings made at the time by the Trotskyist movementthe Bolshevik Leninist Party of India (BLPI)which characterised the independence granted by Britain to India and Ceylon (Sri Lanka) as fake. The BLPI explained in 1948: [T]he native exploiting classes of Ceylon have been handed over, well nigh completely, the task of administering British imperialisms interests in Ceylon. The continued subordination of Sri Lanka to imperialism would mean the ongoing suppression of the democratic rights and living standards of the masses. To denounce the fake independence, the BLPI held a protest rally in 1948 at the Galle Face esplanade in Colombo, the very place where this years independence celebrations were held. The rally drew some 50,000 people from the working class and rural masses of all communitiesSinhala, Tamil and Muslim. The BLPI wrote: Will there be anything for the masses of this country to hail in it [independence] at all? Its answer was a clear and unequivocal No! Significantly, after two years of relatively low-key celebrations, Sirisena delivered his speech this year, calling for sacrifice, amid a huge military-police pageant at Galle Face. The massive show of force is a warning of the methods that will be used to suppress growing popular opposition to the governments austerity agenda. The parade included 7,553 armed personnel from the military, air force, navy, civil defence force, special task force and police. Air force planes and Israeli-built combat aircraft performed an air show, while 34 parachutists jumped to the venue. The military displayed all the hardware used in its brutal war against the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)tanks, artillery, amphibious vehicles, anti-aircraft guns, armed speed boats and multi-barrel rocket launchers. Sirisena glorified the valiant war heroes who fought to save our country from LTTE terrorism throughout 30 years. The war, fought to ensure the dominance of the countrys Sinhala Buddhist elites, resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths and the devastation of much of the island. The military top brassthe war heroesdestroyed the LTTE through a series of brutal offensives in 2009. They are responsible for war crimes that involved the killing of tens of thousands of civilians. Sirisenas hailing of the war heroes underscores the hypocrisy of his appeal for national peace and reconciliation and the cosmetic concession of ending the celebration by singing the national anthem in both Sinhala and Tamil. The government continues the repression of the countrys Tamil minority, including through the continued occupation of their homes and land by the military. Sirisena boasted of winning accolades, locally and internationally, for his reconciliation efforts. What is meant by international accolades is the partial withdrawal of war crimes allegations raised at the United Nations Human Rights Council. The US only raised the issue of Sri Lankan human rights abuses as a means of pressuring the previous President Mahinda Rajapakse, whom it regarded as too close to China. After Rajapakse was ousted at the 2015 election and Sirisena re-oriented to Washington, the US shelved its concerns about human rights. Sirisena has adopted the slogan of economic freedom to obscure the failure of his government to fulfil its promises to lift the living standards of working people and to cover up preparations to implement the new round of IMF austerity demands. He is facing a challenge from Rajapakse who is whipping up reactionary Sinhala chauvinism and posturing as a defender of workers, peasants and youth in a bid to return to power. Sirisena ended his speech with a demagogic pledge to develop the motherland of you and me. The working class and oppressed masses should realise their interests cannot be advanced through Sirisenas motherland, where property and the state that defends it are in the hands of the capitalist class. There will be no economic freedom for the working people until a workers and peasants government is established as part of the struggle by the international working class for world socialism. Only one month into his administration, and two days after the ouster of his National Security Advisor, Michael Flynn, President Donald Trump faces the growing prospect of congressional investigations into alleged ties to Moscow. Powerful sections of the American ruling class are seeking to put the US on a war footing against Russia in a campaign orchestrated by the major intelligence agencies, acting through their preferred media conduits, the New York Times and the Washington Post. The crisis deepened on Wednesday, with the Post and Times claiming new revelations based on unnamed current and former intelligence sources, and leading Senate Republicans joining Democrats in calling for a congressional investigation into Trumps alleged connections to Russian intelligence agencies, both prior to and after the November election. Meanwhile, figures in and around the Democratic Party began to allude to impeachment, drawing comparisons to the Watergate scandalthe 1972 break-in at the Democratic National Committeethat led to the resignation of Richard Nixon. Trump responded Wednesday by publicly attacking the intelligence agencies he nominally directs, declaring the leaks to the Times and Post illegal and criminal at a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He made similar comments earlier in the day in a Twitter post, raising the prospect that the White House could attempt to organize a purge of the CIA, FBI, and National Security Agency (NSA). From intelligence, papers are being leaked, things are being leaked, Trump said at the White House appearance with Netanyahu. Its a criminal action, criminal act, and its been going on for a long time before me, but now its really going on. The litany of unsubstantiated allegations of Russian control over Trump continued. The lead Times report Wednesday cited four current and former American officials in claiming that Trump associates had repeated contacts with senior Russian intelligence officials in the year before the election, while Wednesdays lead Post article cited a seemingly endless list of unnamed sources, including officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity; current and former US officials; officials inside the National Security Council; several senior officials who discussed the sensitive matter on the condition of anonymity; as well as unnamed Senior Obama administration officials. In neither the Times nor the Post is a single source named. No statement is independently corroborated. No further evidence is presented beyond the anonymous statements themselvesalong with broad accusations over Russian interference in the US elections, which are presented as fact. It is now well established that Flynns December 29 phone call with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyakin which the incoming national security adviser reportedly indicated that sanctions targeting Russia would be reviewed by the Trump administrationwas secretly recorded by the NSA. There would be nothing illegal in such a discussion, and numerous historical precedents exist, some of them far more egregious than the claims being made about Flynns callincluding the notorious instance of Reagan campaign officials intervening to prevent the release of US hostages in Iran until after the November 1980 election. Instead, the intelligence agencies seized on the conversation to drive out Flynn, who advocated a temporary understanding with Russia so that the US could quickly move against Iran, and potentially China. The NSA shared the transcript of the Flynn call with the FBI. At some point, multiple unnamed intelligence agents then shared the transcript with the media, as well as politicians and government officials. By last weekend, the transcript, which the White House refused to allow Flynn to review, was circulating widely in Washington. Flynn tendered his resignation on Monday evening. A concession from the Trump administration to the anti-Russia campaign, Flynns ouster only emboldened it. The intervention of the intelligence apparatus against Trump has become so heavy-handed that on Wednesday it brought a warning from conservative writer Eli Lake, who supported Hillary Clinton in the general election. Normally intercepts of US officials and citizens are some of the most tightly held government secrets, Lake wrote on Bloomberg. This is for good reason. Selectively disclosing details of private conversations monitored by the FBI or NSA gives the permanent state the power to destroy reputations from the cloak of anonymity. This is what police states do. The warfare within the ruling class is being waged along a front that extends from the intelligence agencies through the Republican Party and into the Trump White House itselfas evidenced by the number of leaks coming from current administration officials. It is notable that Vice President Mike Pence, who would assume the presidency if Trump were to be impeached or resign, has been kept above the fray by all sides in the conflict. Tuesday brought an ominous signal that the military brass may become involved. In a breach of democratic norms, Army Gen. Raymond Thomas, commander of US Special Operations forcesincluding the Navy SEALs and Army Green Beretscommented on the controversy that day. Our government continues to be in unbelievable turmoil, said Thomas, in evident reference to the departure of Flynn, while speaking at a public event in Maryland. I hope they sort it out soon because were a nation at war. Later when given an opportunity to clarify his comment, Thomas instead reiterated it. As a commander, Im concerned our government be as stable as possible, he said. Two leading Republican senators, John McCain of Arizona and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, have indicated support for the formation of a special committee to investigate the alleged ties between the Trump campaign and the Russian government. In an appearance on Good Morning America, Graham announced his support for a full investigation into the Trump administration, carried out by an extraordinary joint select committee. If it is true, it is very, very disturbing to me, and Russia needs to pay a price when it comes to interfering in our democracy and other democracies, Graham said. And any Trump person who was working with the Russians in an unacceptable way also needs to pay a price. Graham came to the political essence of the controversy when host George Stephanopoulos, quoting Thomas Friedman of the Times, asked the senator, What is going on between Donald Trump and the Republicans? Trump is an outlier when it comes to the Russians, Graham responded. I do not know one Republican senator who believes Russia is anything but an enemy I cant explain Donald Trumps view of Russia. Grahams views were echoed by Senator Bob Corker of Tennessee, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, who told MSNBCs Morning Joe program, Let's get everything out as quickly as possible on this Russia issue maybe there's a problem that obviously goes much deeper than what we now suspect. Corker also questioned whether or not the White House [is] going to have the ability to stabilize itself. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan have both accepted as fact alleged Russian interference in the US election. They have called for investigations by the regular congressional committees, while stopping short of acceding to demands for the formation of a special investigative committee. Democrats, meanwhile, have begun to raise the possibility of impeachment. This is already bigger than Watergate, said Democratic National Committee senior adviser Zac Petkanas, in a statement. The sanctity of our democracy demands an immediate, independent, transparent investigation into the connections between Donald Trump, his staff, and the Russian government. There are many problems with this fallacious comparison. But there is one fundamental difference. In 1972 Richard Nixon used illegal methods to harass and discredit political opponents, at a moment when leading sections of the Democratic Party, adapting to mass popular anger, had presented themselves as opponents of the war in Vietnam. Responding to this mood, the Washington Post and the New York Times investigated Nixons abuses, uncovering the Watergate scandal that lead to the resignation of Nixon, and ultimately, the end of the Vietnam War. Forty-five years later, the Times and the Post, serving as mouthpieces of the CIA, are leading the charge against Trump from the right, not to accommodate mass popular antiwar sentiment, but for the opposite purpose, to help prepare the political conditions for war with Russia. Already beset by defections and rifts, the Turnbull government suffered another major political blow this week. An array of senators declared they would block the omnibus bill the government introduced last week to ram through sweeping social spending cuts that have stalled since 2014 in the face of widespread public opposition. The Senate impasse throws into disarray the governments plans for the May budget, just three months away, and further undermines its pledges to the financial markets to eliminate the budget deficit of nearly $40 billion a year by 202021. Reduced to only 29 seats in the 76-member upper house by last weeks defection of right-wing Senator Cory Bernardi, it is now virtually impossible for the government to push through the cuts, worth $7.5 billion over four years, unless it can strike deals with the Labor Party or the Greens. Both these parties helped the Liberal-National Coalition government pass billions of dollars in pension and other social spending cuts last year. But such is the depth of the popular hostility to the remaining 2014 budget measures that further such deals are seen as political suicide. By unveiling the omnibus bill in the first parliamentary week for the year, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull sought to demonstrate to the financial elite that he could impose the cuts that his predecessor Tony Abbott, whom Turnbull ousted as Liberal Party leader in September 2015, failed to deliver. The bill seeks to slash welfare payments, family tax benefits and pensions, with the most punishing cuts hitting young unemployed people, students, working-class households and aged pensioners. Over the past three years, the media has labelled these zombie cutslanguishing in a twilight zone between life and death. Last week, Turnbull and Treasurer Scott Morrison sought to coerce senators into voting for the welfare provisions by tying them to supposed improvements in childcare subsidies and parental leave. In reality, these changes were designed to push more parents into low-paid jobs, and would have left thousands of working-class families worse off. Over the weekend, Morrison only worsened the situation by seeking to blackmail senators into voting for the omnibus bill by declaring that $3 billion from the cuts was needed to finance the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). The future of this scheme, which actually underfunds and privatises disability services, was thus thrown into doubt, along with the social security payments and family tax benefits on which most working-class people depend to survive. Fearing an electoral backlash if he backed the bill, Nick Xenophon, one of the right-wing populists in the Senate, said his team of three senators would oppose it, at least in its current form. Several of the other 10 cross-benchers in the Senate also declared their opposition to the bill, effectively killing it off. They included Bernardi, who said he had been prepared to back the welfare cuts, but objected to diverting the savings into the NDIS, which he branded another big-spending government program. His stance underscores the fact that behind his bid to tap into the intense disaffection with the government, by emulating US President Donald Trumps xenophobia and anti-Muslim witchhunting, is a brutal agenda of gutting social spending. These declarations left only one three-member Senate crossbench group willing to vote for the omnibus billPauline Hansons anti-immigrant One Nation. Hanson, who postures as an anti-elite political leader, said she would support the governments efforts to pull back the welfare system. However, in a transparent populist maneouvre, Hanson threatened to vote against the bill unless the government reduced the recently-revealed $5.6 million annual salary package of Australia Post chief executive Ahmed Fahour. As with Bernardi, Hansons enthusiasm for slashing welfare lays bare the anti-working-class character of her bid to copy Trump. If implemented, the welfare, pension and family tax cuts would further devastate the lives of millions of people. After decades of pro-corporate restructuring enforced by successive Liberal-National and Labor governments, they confront soaring housing, electricity, healthcare, childcare and education costs, worsened by the relentless corporate and public sector destruction of full-time jobs. The loss of a job, or a reduction in hours, can tip many families over the edge. Recent reports provided some indication of the immense financial hardship being experienced. A survey of 500 households in New South Wales by the Wesley Mission charity found 44 percent were in financial stress, up 7 percent from 2010, with 38 percent spending more than they earn. Nationally, household debt now makes up 187 percent of total disposable income, the highest level in the world. The blockage in the Senate is part of an underlying political crisis that afflicts not just the Coalition government but the entire political establishment. Over the past decade, it has become increasingly difficult for any government to push through parliament the austerity measures demanded by the corporate elite, which are so antithetical to the interests and basic social rights of the majority of the population. Turnbull called a double dissolution election last July 2 in an attempt to break through the parliamentary logjam produced by the opposition parties fear of social unrest. Instead the election reduced the government to a majority of one seat in the lower house and saw a record vote against the main establishment partiesthe Coalition, Labor and the Greensin the Senate. Turnbulls government now looks set to unravel, as has each of its predecessors since John Howards Coalition government suffered a near-record electoral rout in 2007. Compounding the turmoil is a worsening economic crisis, with the collapse of the mining boom intensified by a sharp decline in corporate investment. These pressures are being magnified by Trumps presidency. Not only is his America First program of aggressive trade measures heightening the dangers of trade war and war. His proposed huge cuts to company taxes and social spending are driving the ruling class in every country to demand their governments match or outdo himmoves that will trigger convulsive social and class struggles. Late last month, the steering committee of the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) reluctantly agreed to stand candidates in Mays local authority elections. TUSC is a coalition between the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union, the Socialist Party (SP) and the Socialist Workers Party (SWP). It was formed in 2010, supposedly to provide a socialist alternative to a neo-Thatcherite Labour Party. This pose of independence was exposed by the election of Jeremy Corbyn as Labour leader in September 2015. Corbyns surprise victory gave limited expression to a leftward shift among layers of workers, and particularly young people. For this reason, the Labour right-wing tried by every methodbureaucratic, electoral and legalto overturn Corbyns leadership. Corbyna loyal backbench MP for more than 30 yearshad no intention of leading a fight against the right-wing. His leadership victory was the unintended consequence of attempts by the Labour left, with the support of the Stalinist Morning Star and the pseudo-left, to prevent the party from complete collapse following its electoral debacle in 2015. Nevertheless, Corbyns election was seized on by the pseudo-left to regroup around Labour. The Socialist Party claimed it was a step towards the partys re-founding as a democratic, socialist, anti-austerity party. It penned an open letter to Labour, signed by 75 of its current and former leading membersled by Peter Taaffe and Hannah Sellcalling for them to be admitted to membership to help consolidate Jeremy Corbyns victory. The SWP did its usual political book-keeping. Publicly it maintained an organisational distance from Corbyn, and even reprinted extended quotes from Leon Trotsky dissecting the insidious political role of the Labour left. But this was only so the SWP could maintain credibility among workers and youth unconvinced by Labours proclaimed socialist transformation so as to better corral them behind the prospect of a possible Corbyn-led government. In line with these manoeuvres, TUSC was all but wound up. In the May 2016 local elections, TUSC candidates ran only against carefully selected right-wing Labour candidates, as the self-professed electoral wing for the Corbyn insurgency. This was followed in autumn by an SP proposal that TUSCs preparations for the 2017 elections should be placed on hold, pending discussions with Jeremy Corbyn and his supporters While the right-wing failed in their immediate objective of removing Corbyn, his response has been one of wholesale political capitulation. Corbyn has supported, or facilitated, the victory of the right on party policyfrom war in Syria, to retaining nuclear weapons, to the campaign in support of the European Union and now on restricting immigration. This is despite the fact that Labours right is a tiny minority within the party, which has grown by hundreds of thousands of members in response to Corbyns campaign. Leon Trotsky warned of such a situation in 1926 in the wake of the betrayal of the British general strike by Labour and the Trades Union Congress, which was followed by Labour Party conferences decision to bar Communists from membership. It would be the crudest blunder, Trotsky warned, to think that the task of establishing a united front against the right-wing consisted in obtaining a victory for a left candidate. Such an objective would contain within itself a contradiction, he wrote. The left muddleheads are incapable of power; but if through the turn of events it fell into their hands they would hasten to pass it over to their elder brothers on the right. They would do the same with the state as they are now doing in the party. He continued, The extreme rights continue to control the party. This can be explained by the fact that a party cannot confine itself to isolated left campaigns but is compelled to have an overall system of policy. The lefts have no such system nor by their very essence can they. But the rights do: with them stands tradition, experience and routine and, most important, with them stands bourgeois society as a whole which slips them ready-made solutions. [Trotsky, Notes on the situation in Britain 1925-1926, Where is Britain Going?] Trotskys prognosis has more than stood the test of time as Labour has proven its role as the principal political prop of British capitalism, irrespective of whether led by Clement Atlee, Tony Blair or Jeremy Corbyn. As for Momentum, the pro-Corbyn campaign into which much of the pseudo-left liquidated, last month its chairman, Jon Lansman, engineered the dissolution of the groups structuresincluding the national committee and the planned congress--and the imposition of a new constitution seeking Momentums affiliation to the Labour Party. His aim, and that of the leadership team around Corbyn of which he is a part, is to purge the pseudo-left from Momentum, as previous or current political affiliations are grounds to be barred from Labour membership. Corbyn sanctioned this in an email to Momentum members, in which he sanctimoniously called on them to not let internal debate distract from our work that has to be done to help Labour win elections. Labour now faces two by-elections on February 23, in Copeland and Stoke Central, triggered by the resignation of right-wing Labour MPs. Polls indicate it could lose both. According to Polly Toynbee in the Guardian, this is the intention of the party apparatus, citing rumours that some Labour MPs secretly hoping a Stoke loss would ignite a Corbyn must go move. Labour MP Clive Lewis, who Corbyn has promoted as his ally, has positioned himself for this eventuality, resigning from Labours front-bench last week in opposition to the partys support for triggering Article 50, beginning Britains exit from the European Union. Despite Labour having shut down all means of opposition to the right, Hannah Sell called on TUSCs steering committee to maintain its cautious approach to standing against the party, claiming that it consists of two parties in one. The SWPs Charlie Kimber opposed standing any candidates at all. While reportedly agreeing that Labour was not a means of transforming society, he argued that TUSC must not stand against Labour, because we need to allow contradictions within Labour to develop further. This is all sophistry to cover for the fact that the SP and SWP fear nothing more than the collapse of the Labour Party and will do all in their power to prop it up. As for the RMT, executive member Paul Reilly went out of his way to stress the unions backing for Corbynhighlighting that it was the second largest donor to his leadership campaigns despite not being affiliated to Labour. But National President Sean Hoyle said Corbyn can't keep his socialist principles intact and the Labour Party intact at the same time and councillors needed to be challenged at the ballot box. Two factors motivate this position. The RMT has complained that Labour does not currently have structural/constitutional arrangements that would make affiliation in the union's interests. In other words, due importance is not being given to the union in terms of its weight within the party apparatus. Secondly, Labour councils across the country are implementing massive spending cuts, laying waste to vital services and jobs. Last year, Labour-controlled Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service Authority threatened to sack firefighters en masse and impose worse contracts before being forced to back down. The situation in many Labour-controlled towns and cities is even worse today, under conditions in which Corbyn has instructed Labour councillors not to defy Tory cuts and to impose austerity. For these reasons, the RMT wants to keep its freedom to manoeuvre, backing TUSC, Labour or other candidates on a case-by-case basis. Likewise, the SP argues that Corbyns biggest Achilles heel is the Labour councils up and down the country which are implementing Tory cuts and warns that we could see anti-cuts campaigners concluding that they have no choice but to stand in elections themselves if the Labour candidates are seen as just another pro-austerity establishment politician. In reality, the only areas where TUSC is seriously considering running candidates are in Scotland and Wales, where Labour is all but wiped out. TUSCs political efforts are instead going to be directed towards advising Labour councillors how to save their political skins. This is the purpose of a briefing document prepared by TUSC to inform Labour councillors how they can easilylegallyprevent cuts by using reserves and borrowing powers to set legal no-cuts budgets TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has found no evidence of violations in the case of a sexual harassment filed by a former Kearney Center employee. The EEOC issued the following determination: Based upon its investigation, the EEOC is unable to conclude that the information obtained establishes violations of the statutes. This does not certify that the respondent is in compliance with the statutes. No finding is made as to any other issues that might be construed as having been raised by this charge. The dismissal of the case comes after the organization investigated into the case for 180 days. Lawyers for Rick Kearney, the man Sarah Bohentin is suing of sexually harassing her back in 2015, say that the development is positive for Rick Kearney and the Kearney Center. The full statement from Phillip Russell, Kearney's attorney, is below: "This is a very positive development for The Kearney Center and Rick Kearney. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) fulfilled its statutory duty and conducted an investigation into Ms. Bohentins claims. For employers with 15 or more employees, federal and state law both require an investigation of all workplace harassment claims filed with them. In this case, Ms. Bohentin jointly filed her claim with the EEOC and its state counter-part, the Florida Commission on Human Relations (FCHR). The two agencies have a work-sharing agreement in which they work together to fulfill their complementary statutory duties. The investigators at these agencies are trained and experienced professionals. "The EEOC spent 8 months investigating Ms. Bohentins sexual harassment claims and was unable to conclude the information obtained establishes violations of the statutes. How did the EEOC reach this conclusion? It accepted and analyzed her initial charge, required her to sign the charge under oath, processed the charge, reviewed and analyzed documents and information she submitted, reviewed and analyzed documents and information submitted by The Kearney Center, and examined all the evidence in light of the law. "We are not surprised at all by the result. As we have said all along, Ms. Bohentins claims may be salacious enough to garner headlines, but they dont stand up to any level of reasonable scrutiny. They dont measure up to the law. "The EEOCs determination is significant. Under the law, Ms. Bohentin certainly has the right to proceed with her lawsuit. But, a no-cause determination by the EEOC matters, even if she proceeds with her misguided lawsuit. The EEOC fulfilled its statutory duty it conducted an investigation. After reviewing the information it obtained, the EEOC could not find The Kearney Center violated the law. "Finally, this is exactly the kind of pre-suit, government review that has been in state and federal employment law for decades that we believe is lacking in the Leon County Human Rights Ordinance. It is for this reason we believe all citizens, especially the LGBT community, should unite in fixing the Ordinance. The laudable goal of prohibiting workplace discrimination and harassment of all kinds is weakened when there is no meaningful process for weeding out frivolous claims." TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - A Florida State University researcher has made a link between the impacts of climate change and untreated drinking water and how its making children sick. Assistant Professor of Geography Chris Uejio partnered with the Wisconsin Department of Health to look at a health disparity going on in northern and central Wisconsin. Surprisingly, a lot of the local communities don't treat their drinking water, meaning there's no filtration or chlorination. Uejio's study found that in these communities during periods of heavy rainfall there was an increase rate of illness. He also says there is good evidence that these heavy rainfall events and the climate is going to increase. "Climate change sounds like it is this big scary issue and it's really hard to understand how it may impact our everyday lives and our study tries to do that," said Uejio, "it actually shows that rainfall, a very specific part of climate change, is actually increasing our risk of becoming sick." He adds that there is a lot people can do to help this. They can treat their drinking water and install a water treatment system so they can become more resilient and adaptive to climate change. "They may not be as concerned about climate change, but everyone is concerned about their drinking water, everyone is concerned about their children and the health of their children," said Uejio. He hopes that his study will be a springboard for other researchers to also investigate these impacts in other areas across the United States. MONTICELLO, FL (WTXL) -- The Jefferson County School District is on the verge of becoming the first in the state to be run by a charter organization. The district will make its case before the state board of education Thursday. For Jefferson County's 700 students, that decision could change the course of their education. The school board voted last week to turn the district over to a charter school operator. "I just want Jefferson County to improve, and I'm sure the company selected will have good people," said Bill Brumfield, a Jefferson County school board member and former superintendent. "That's the least of my worries." If the State Board of Education approves the plan, Jefferson County Schools would have its day-to-day operations run by an out-of-town organization. "They'll select the principals, they'll select the teachers, and then they have their own board which works with the company," Brumfield said. A drastic move for a district left with few options, including a complete shutdown of the district. "We've had a school district in Jefferson County since 1828," Brumsfield asserted, "and there's no way that we would've closed it." For years, the district has struggled with low academic performance and for elementary school students, the latest scores from the Florida Standards Assessment are proof. Less than one-third of students are proficient in English, less than one-half are proficient in math, and less than one-fifth are proficient in science. Brumfield said he hopes a charter school operator will help turn things around. "We've had four that have already contacted us, and we're going to meet with them and drill them good and talk to them," he said. "I'm just hoping and praying that we will be able to get it going well." The board also voted to shut down Jefferson Elementary School, which had been open for about 60 years. The district will close it at the end of this school year and move all students, staff and resources to the site of the combined middle-high school. The Florida Department of Education provided WTXL with the following statement: "The prior plans were not strong enough to improve the schools; they were heavily dependent upon district involvement, which had not worked in the past for years and years. Given the history of the district it is the lowest performing in the state; it has been years since any school in the district earned a C or above, and it is in a financial, as well as an educational emergency, more extensive measures are needed. This means that a charter school, or some other external provider, will be brought in by the district to improve the schools." Superintendent Marianne Arbulu was in Gainesville Wednesday and was unavailable for comment. The State Board of Education will meet Thursday morning in Gainesville. Arbulu will be joined by at least three school board members to make the district's proposal to state education officials. The State Board of Education has already denied the district's plans three previous times. JEFFERSON COUNTY, Fla. (WTXL) - Today, the State Board of Education voted unanimously to approve a charter organization takeover of the Jefferson County school district. This decision comes after the county's school board voted last week to turn the district over to a charter school operator. For almost an hour, officials spoke about the district's future. With the approval, Jefferson County Schools will have its day-to-day operations run by an out-of-town organization. For years, the district has struggled with low academic performance and for elementary school students, the latest scores from the Florida Standards Assessment are proof. Less than one-third of students are proficient in English, less than one-half are proficient in math, and less than one-fifth are proficient in science. District officials made their case that this is the best option to bring up the grades of the failing district as well as fix their continued financial problems. The charter selection process will still be closely watched by the state, to try and make sure the best possible company is picked. Jefferson County Schools is already in contact with four charter school companies, two of which they say have expressed interest in taking on the school. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - The attorney for Leigh Felten, a Tallahassee woman facing charges for taping herself performing sexual acts while breast feeding, has argued to postpone her pre-trial hearing. Leigh Felten was a music teacher, operating "Ms. Leigh's Piano Studio" and volunteering to teach children with autism, when she was arrested for selling child pornography. Her attorney tells WTXL that the defense is enlisting it experts and doctors to preform a psycho-sexual analysis on her mental health. Feltrn was arrested one year ago on Oct. 12th for multiple charges including molesting a child, cruelty toward a child and allowing a child to engage in sex. The Tallahassee Police Department says they were contacted by the Crawford County Sheriff's Office in Wisconsin after a witness told them her husband, Blaude Lein, purchased and downloaded seven videos of Felten breastfeeding while inappropriately touching a child. Authorities say in addition to purchasing the videos, Leigh traveled to Tallahassee and sex with Felten. When officers went to Felten's home over the weekend, they discovered more explicit videos of Felten and the child. Felten's next pre-trial court appearance is scheduled for April 12th. The defense says in the mean time they'll be coordinating with Tallahassee Police and the prosecution to make sure that every piece of evidence appears in discovery. [February 16, 2017] Two-Thirds of Seniors Have Been Scammed Online: Survey OMAHA, Neb., Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly 97 percent of seniors age 70 and older are using the internet at least once a week to check email, manage money and keep in touch via social media. All this time online is putting them at risk for scams and hacks, including tax fraud. To help seniors understand potential hazards and how to prevent fraud, Home Instead Senior Care collaborated with the National Cyber Security Alliance to launch a national public education program, Protect Seniors Online, available at www.ProtectSeniorsOnline.com. "We understand the stress seniors feel when they perceive their financial security and their independence may be at risk," said Jeff Huber, CEO of Home Instead, Inc., franchisor of the Home Instead Senior Care network. "Unfortunately, we know scammers often target seniors. That's why we're committed to educating and empowering seniors to proactively protect themselves. Implementing simple cybersecurity best practices can go a long way in helping seniors protect sensitive information and reduce their risks online." A new surveyi by Home Instead found that two-thirds (67 percent) of U.S. seniors online have been the victim or target of at least one common online scam or hack. More than one-third (38 percent) report that someone has tried to scam them online, and 28 percent of surveyed seniors have mistakenly downloaded a computer virus. Like younger generations, many seniors are using the internet to manage their finances, with 41 percent banking online and more than one-in-four (26 percent) paying bills online. And nearly one-quarter of seniors (21 percent) file their taxes online. As seniors' finances move online coupled with what scammers view as perceived financial security and a trusting nature seniors are a primary target for scammers. Approximately one in 10 seniors (9 percent) said they had been a victim of criminals posing as the IRS and demanding immediate payment of taxes. Michael Kaiser, executive director of the National Cyber Security Alliance, explains that encouraging seniors to protect themselves online can go a long way in protecting sensitive identity and financial information. "Cybersecurity is about risk reduction. It's difficult to achieve perfect security. But you can help older adults work to make themselves a more difficult target," Kaiser said. The Protect Seniors Online program offers free resources and tips to help seniors understand how scammers operate, familiarizes themselves with the most common scams targeted at seniors, and provides proactive steps seiors and caregivers can take to protect sensitive information. The resources include the online "Can You Spot an Online Scam?" quiz to test seniors' cyber security knowledge. According to the National Cyber Security Alliance and the Better Business Bureau, here are five of the hottest cyber scams that older adults need to avoid: Tech support scams: These types of scams can appear as "pop-ups," that show up on computer screens and look like legitimate offers from reputable companies such as Microsoft. They could be selling fake software or asking for remote computer access, or install malware to steal personal and financial information. Tax scams: The tax season provides another window of opportunity for online fraudsters. One IRS scam being perpetrated by email as well as mail is an official-looking notice CP2000 for the tax year in question. Scam emails may direct that an immediate payment be sent. If you get a notice like this, delete it immediately and call the IRS at 1-800-366-4484. The IRS will never reach out to you by email nor will they call demanding payment. Stay up-to-date on current tax scams at IRS.gov. Ransomware: This is a malicious software designed to block access to a computer system until a sum of money is paid. Prevent ransomware by ensuring your system has an up-to-date antivirus system. Also, never open suspicious emails from unknown senders, do not download attachments from senders you do not trust or suspicious emails, and avoid clicking on links in suspicious emails. False debt collectors: False debt collection emails often come as official-looking documents and the tone of the emails may be threatening and urgent. Do not respond, open any attachments or click on any links. Delete these emails. If you're concerned about whether you owe money, contact any creditors directly to find out if they sent the emails. Sweepstakes scams: A sweepstakes scam often asks you to pay to receive your prize. Another version of this is a charity scam, asking you to help those in need. Sweepstakes and charities scams prey on emotions, and scam charities may have names similar to real charities. However, they usually cannot provide important documentation of their identity and mission, nor provide proof of tax-deductible contribution. If you believe the charity is legitimate, you can check it out by looking up the number and calling it. Seniors can test their cybersecurity skills at "Can You Spot an Online Scam?" and view other program resources and tips at www.ProtectSeniorsOnline.com. Or, contact your local Home Instead Senior Care office for additional resources and to learn how professional caregivers may be able to assist. Find an office near you by visiting www.homeinstead.com/state/. ABOUT HOME INSTEAD SENIOR CARE Founded in 1994 in Omaha, Nebraska, by Lori and Paul Hogan, the Home Instead Senior Care network provides personalized care, support and education to help enhance the lives of aging adults and their families. Today this network is the world's leading provider of in-home care services for seniors, with more than 1,000 independently owned and operated franchises that annually provide more than 50 million hours of care throughout the United States and 12 other countries. Local Home Instead Senior Care offices employ approximately 65,000 CAREGiversSM worldwide who provide basic support services that enable seniors to live safely and comfortably in their own homes for as long as possible. The Home Instead Senior Care network strives to partner with each client and his or her family members to help meet that individual's needs. Services span the care continuum from providing companionship and personal care to specialized Alzheimer's care and hospice support. Also available are family caregiver education and support resources. At Home Instead Senior Care, it's relationship before task, while striving to provide superior quality service. i In October 2016, FleishmanHillard conducted telephone interviews with a random, self-selected sample of 1,003 North American seniors in the United States (503 seniors) and Canada (500 seniors) who use the internet or email more than once a month and own or have access to an internet-capable device. To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/two-thirds-of-seniors-have-been-scammed-online-survey-300408178.html SOURCE Home Instead Senior Care [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] A movie poster advertising the new James Franco-starring film "In Dubious Battle," based on the John Steinbeck novel of the same name. You are the owner of this article. Crews with Dude Wheres My Car Towing work to upright an SUV that came to rest on its top after from an accident on Ahtanum Road in Yakima County, Wash., Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017. (SHAWN GUST/Yakima Herald-Republic) An effort to abolish the death penalty in Washington state got a new push this year with strong backing from the governor and attorney general, but as in previous years, the measure is expected to stall in the Legislature. If you are sending a Letter To the Editor, please be sure to follow these rules: Letters have a firm 200-word limit and will be edited for grammar, clarity and accuracy. The person who signs the letter must be the author. Anonymous letters will not be considered. Letters must address the editor, not a third party. We will not print form letters, libelous letters, business promotions or personal disputes, poetry, open letters, letters espousing religious views without reference to a current issue, or letters considered in poor taste. Letters reflect the opinion of the writer. The Yakima Herald-Republic cannot verify the accuracy of all statements made in letters. Writers are limited to one published letter per calendar month. A new Hamas leader was elected Monday Yahya Sanwar , a murderer with blood on his hands. The man, who takes pride in the fact that he murdered 12 collaborators with Israel, plans to lead a tough line and to make soldier abductions a top priority, as he sees that as the essential tactic for releasing his friends who remained in prison after he himself was released in the Shalit deal. In the past decade, Hamas policy has been a sort of compromise between the relatively cautious civilian wing, led by Ismail Haniyeh, and the military wing. From now on, there is only a military leadership, and it is very militant. From now on, there is only a military leadership, and it is very militant (Photos: AP, EPA) Ministers Naftali Bennett and Yoav Galants statements about an expected conflict with Hamas in the spring allegedly reflect an inevitable development, but that is not the case. Yahya Sanwar will also realize very fast that things you see from here you dont see from there. Hamas supreme interestto keep controlling Gazarequires both minimum international legitimacy and an immediate improvement of the economic situation in the strip. Hamas is neither al-Qaeda nor the Islamic State. It is a political movement which needs the support of its street. Israel can work to increase both the stick and the carrot, without using military force. On the stick side, with the help of the new administration in Washington, it can make a sharp change in the way we used to act in the past and clarify to Hamasthrough Turkey, for examplethat if it fails to maintain the calm, the state of Gaza and its residents will be prevented from receiving any economic aid, including the United Nations massive support for the educational, health and food institutions operating in the strip. In other words, the state of Gaza will not be able to have the best of both worldsattack Israel with rockets while knowing that there is someone else feeding its residents. When the rocket fire begins, Israel will immediately close the Kerem Shalom crossing. No fuel, no food and no medications will enter Gaza. A normal state does not keep providing supplies to a state it is in war with. If the Hamas government wants to end its civilians suffering it must stop the rocket fire. On the carrot side, Israel can and should encourage an infrastructure reconstruction project in Gaza, including the creation of a seaport. Gazas reconstruction should be carried out in cooperation with the Gaza government, just like anywhere else in the world. Hundreds of millions will be invested in the construction of power stations and desalination facilities, which will provide Gazas residents with 24 hours of electricity a day compared to only six hours today, and drinking water. All this will happen if the calm is maintained. When everyonethe government in Gaza, the Strips residents, the United Nations and the donor countriesknow that as soon as Gaza opens fires these infrastructures will be destroyed, the Gaza governmenteven a government headed by Sanwarwill not rush into a decision to stop playing by the rules. In order for such a policy to succeed and prevent a military conflict for a long time, two things should be done: First, the narrative must be changed. Gaza is a state for all intents and purposes, and if this state chooses a military conflict, it will pay the price along with its residents, as has always happened throughout history. By creating a distinction between the bad guys (Hamas) and the good guys (Gazas poor residents), we are shooting ourselves in the foot. The second thing that must be done is to explain our expected policy in case of a military conflict in advance. When Ehud Olmert first traveled to Washington as prime minister, in the spring of 2006, he avoided discussing the Lebanese issue. When the Second Lebanon War broke out, it was already too late to coordinate the policy with the United States. The change of governments in Washington and in Gaza are an opportunity, on the one hand, and a need, on the other hand, to create a change. The response to the new government in Gaza should therefore be a change in policy, rather than just preparing for an inevitable conflict the old way. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that he will "examine the possibility of freezing settlement construction Wednesday evening, and asked US President Donald Trump to formally recognize the Golan Heights as part of Israel. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Netanyahus comments on settlements come after the president requested that he hold back a little bit during a joint press conference before the two leaders first meeting together as heads of state in Washington. President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu (Photo: MCT) Commenting during a briefing of foreign and Israeli journalists in Blair House on the presidents reaction to his request that the strategically vital Golan Heights be recognized as Israeli territory, Netanyahu held back on divulging too many details. I wont say what his response was, the prime minister originally said, before elaborating slightly further. I wouldn't say that he was surprised by my request." Israel made a similar request to the Obama administration in 2015, but it was rejected, diplomats said at the time. Israel annexed the territory in 1981 which it captured in the 1967 Six-Day War after Syria launched an assault on the beleaguered country. Its incorporation into Israel however was not recognised internationally. Photo: AP The prime minister also addressed the pressing issue of settlements, particularly in light of Trumps requests. We agreed to discuss the settlements with the goal of arriving at an understanding that is consistent with the desire to achieve peace, he said. Photo: Reuters The president of the US said that he is ready to work with us for the interests of Israel. There were no matters in which we did not see eye to eye. If there is a desire on his part to examine the matter of settlements, efforts should be made and it should be examined. Netanyahu insisted that he had no desire whatsoever to incorporate into Israel, by way of annexation, two million Palestinian civilians, emphatically stating that he has no interest making them subject to Israeli rule. On the other hand, he continued, we will not be subjected to terror. I have not changed a thing since my Bar-Ilan speech, Netanyahu insisted, in reference to a speech he made in 2009 endorsing the concept of a two-state solution. Photo: Reuters However, when asked such a solution was dead, the prime minister responded with some degree of ambiguity. It depends on what is two states. Abu Mazen (Mahmoud Abbas) thinks that a Palestinians state means the right of return and that the IDF leaves. That is unacceptable. I am talking about substance and that is what I said in the beginning, he stated before repeating his words in the joint press conference. The question is will it be a Costa Rica or an Iran. Will it be a sovereign state?" Asked about the issue of transferring the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, in accordance with Trumps key campaign pledge, Netanyahu reiterated his support. He heard our unequivocal opinion and he wants time to examine the matter. During the joint press conference, Trump was asked what he would do to allay fears among many Jewish people in the US which have risen in light of a surge in anti-semitic attacks since his ascent to power. Coming to his defense during that press conference, Netanyahu did so once again in the conference thereafter, spurning any accusations that Trump is an antisemite. Photo: AP Trump is a huge friend of the Jewish people and the State of Israel. He is not anti-Semitic, he averred. The concerns of Jewish Americans, he said, were unfounded. I am saying this having known him and his family. Trump has a personal empathy for Israel and also for me personally. We didnt just get to know each other yesterday. Sara Netanyahu with Melania Trump (Photo: Shmulik Almani) He also criticized a government minister for comments made about establishing a Palestinian state in the Sinai. One of the government ministers came with good intentions to help me and leaked that he was about to suggest to Trump a Palestinian state in the Sinai, he said. I have stated just how much the relations are between Israel and Egypt contribute to stability in the region. The relations with Egypt are excellent. We see Egypt as a stable country. The peace agreement between us in al its aspects contribute to regional stability. During the press conference, while Trump urged Netanyahu to curb settlement activity, he avoided any explicit endorsement of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a longstanding bedrock of US Middle East policy. Dont grovel, Britains newspapers advised their prime minister, Theresa May, on the eve of her trip to Washington for a first meeting with US President Donald Trump. May did not follow their advice, was criticized for it, and when she returned home she attacked Trump from afar. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Prime Minister Netanyahu is built of different materials. When he decides to grovel, nothing will stop him, not even the facts. Out of everything that was said and wasnt said during Wednesdays press conference , one sentence was unforgivablethe last one. There is no greater supporter to the Jewish people or the Jewish state than Donald Trump, ruled the Jewish states prime minister. Wednesday's meeting at the White House. When Netanyahu decides to grovel, nothing will stop him, not even the facts (Photo: AP) Netanyahu gave Trump this authorization in response to a question from our colleague, Channel 10 correspondent Moav Vardi, which mentioned the rise in anti-Semitic incidents in America in recent months. Trump opened the door to this phenomenon by making racist comments, by challenging political correctness, by encouraging radical right-wing movements and by refusing to condemn these movements' anti-Semitic posts. This is not the way a great supporter of the Jewish people acts. This is not even the way a small supporter of the Jewish people acts. For those of you who are wondering why this makes my blood boil, as there were more urgent issues on the agenda Wednesday, this is my response: Trumps election tore the Jewish community in America in half. Experts on this community, which is so important to Israel, are warning that the day in which Jews will refuse to pray side by side at the synagogues is close. There are Jews who take pride in Trumps Jewish son-in-law and in his converted daughter; other Jews, the majority, see Steve Bannon by their side, the guru of anti-Semites in America and the man who calls the shots in Trumps White House. They hear the words of flattery from the Jewish states prime minister, and they start choking. And now to the urgent issues. We should not be shocked by the lightness in which Trump threw into the bin decades of American support for the two-state solution. In his simplistic, blatant way, he put his finger on the heart of the problem: If both sides want two states, they should agree on two states; if both sides want one state, they should agree on one state. America shouldnt have to teach them what is best for them. If he had a bit more knowledge, he would understand that both sides have basically chosen the third option: Not to agree. Netanyahu told him on Wednesday about the far-reaching concessions he is prepared to make for peace. He is good at telling these stories. He also told him about his secret affair with the regimes in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan and the oil emirates. If opposition leader Isaac Herzog believed him, so will Trump. But there will be no regional peace without a regulation of the Palestine issue, and there will be no regulation without concessions which are unbearable for the leaders of both sides. Trump spoke like someone who is eager to get involved, and get his son-in-law involved, in the negotiations. The settlers should be concerned by this enthusiasm. It brings along an expectation for flexibility in Israels stance and for restraining the settlement construction. The annexation of Maale Adumim or Gush Etzion is not in line with these statements. Neither is massive construction. The greatest supporter of the Jewish people is demanding flexibility. How can we say no? The more important question is Iran. Trump and Netanyahu didnt say much about it at the press conference, apart from the derogatory names they both gave Barack Obamas nuclear agreement. Netanyahu has to return to Israel with some kind of achievement on this front. Without Iran, all he is left with is the attention Trump devoted to Saraa nice gift, and fortunately completely legal. What a shame she cant drink it. From the American medias perspective, what happened on Wednesday was outrageous, regardless of Israel. Trump chose the American journalists who got to ask questions, and they were both hired workers of marginal pro-Trump media outlets. The question at the heart of the agendathe cooperation between Trumps people, and perhaps Trump himself, with a Russian move to sabotage the presidential electionwas not asked. Trumps version regarding the dismissal of General Michael Flynn, his national security adviser, was false. The accusations he made were fabricated and did not clear the air. The affair will keep casting a shadow over his presidency. Of the two men standing on the stage, the more eloquent, more reasoned, more presidential person was our man. Sara Netanyahu once said that her husband could have been elected US president. Trump proved that she was right. Magen David Adom has finally been able to fly one hundred units of blood to Peru overnight Wednesday in an effort to save the life of an Israeli hiker, Zohar Katz, who contracted deadly bacteria. Flying the blood units was made possible after authorities in Peru approved bringing them into the country. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday demanded a halt to Israeli settlement expansion in disputed territory and said he was committed to a two-state solution to the conflict with Israel after US President Donald Trump suggested he could be open to alternatives. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Abbas's office issued a statement after Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke at a news conference in Washington before a meeting. "The Palestinian presidency stressed its commitment to the two-state solution and to the international law and international legitimacy in the way that secures ending the Israeli occupation and establish the Palestinian State with east Jerusalem as its capital," the statement read. Palestinian President Abbas (Photo: AFP) At the news conference, Trump dropped US insistence on a two-state solution, a longstanding bedrock of Middle East policy, upending a position embraced by successive administrations and the international community and a US commitment to the eventual creation of a Palestinian state. Giving a convoluted response to a question on whether he backed a two-state solution, Trump suggested that he could abide by whatever the two parties decided. "I'm looking at two states and one state, and I like the one both parties like," he said as he stood alongside Netanyahu. "I can live with either one." Abbas' statement stessed the Palestinians' "readiness to deal positively with the Trump administration to make peace." At the same time, the Palestinian leader slammed the "persistence of the Israeli prime minister in his dictates regarding continuation of Israeli control over the eastern border of the territory of the State of Palestine as well as to demand recognition of Israel as a Jewish state," saying these preconditions "are considered a continuation of the attempt to impose facts on the ground and to destroy the two-state option while replacing it with the principle of one state with two systemsApartheid." Trump welcomes Netanyahu to the White House (Photo: Reuters) He warned that "the insistence of the Israeli government to destroy the two-state option through the continuation of settlements and imposing facts on the ground will lead to more extremism and instability." In what appeared to be a gesture to the Palestinians, meanwhile, Trump also asked Netanyahu to "pull back on settlements for a little bit." Abbas said he agreed with Trump's call for Israel to refrain from settlement building in the West Bank and east Jerusalem. "The presidency demands that (Israel) agree to (Trump's call), and that of the international community, to halt all settlement activities including in occupied east Jerusalem," the statement said. The Palestinians seek to establish an independent state in the West Bank, territory Israel captured in the 1967 Six-Day War and the Gaza Strip, which is controlled by Islamist Hamas, with east Jerusalem as its capital. Five former US ambassadors to Israel said Wednesday that the man President Donald Trump has selected as his pick to represent the US in Israel, David Friedman, holds extreme views and are urging senators to carefully consider his nomination. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The letter was signed by Thomas Pickering, William Harrop, Edward Walker, Daniel Kurtzer and James Cunningham. The former diplomats said David Friedman has staked out "extreme, radical positions" and has derided the two-state solution as an "illusory" fix for a non-existent problem. David Friedman (Photo: Reuters) "We care deeply about Israel: an American ally, a stronghold of democracy in the Middle East, and a homeland for the Jewish people," the diplomats' letter read. "We believe the committee should satisfy itself that Mr. Friedman has the balance and the temperament required to represent the United States as ambassador to Israel," they wrote. The committee is scheduled to meet Thursday for Friedman's confirmation hearing. Trump, during a White House news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was evasive about endorsing a two-state solution with the Palestinians. The idea of two states would create an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel and has been the international community's preferred outcome for nearly two decades. The ambassadors, who served Republican and Democratic presidents, say Friedman accused former president Barack Obama and the entire State Department of anti-Semitism. They say he's also characterized supporters of J Street, a liberal, left-wing Jewish group, as "kapos," in reference to the Jews who cooperated with Nazis during the Holocaust. The State Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the letter from the former ambassadors. The son of an Orthodox rabbi, Friedman is a fervent supporter of Israeli settlements, an opponent of Palestinian statehood and staunch defender of the Israeli government. David Friedman with Head of the Samaria Regional Council Yossi Dagan The former envoys wrote that Friedman has said he does not believe it would be illegal for Israel to annex the West Bank and has been active in supporting the settler movement. They said the committee should address the question of whether Friedman, if confirmed, would defend the established US position that annexation of West Bank territory, without an international resolution, would be "counterproductive and a violation of international law." "The American ambassador must be dedicated to advancing our country's longstanding bipartisan goals in the region: strengthening the security of the United States and our ally Israel, and advancing the prospects for peace between Israel and its neighbors, in particular the Palestinians," the former ambassadors wrote. "If Israel is to carry on as a democratic, Jewish nation, respected internationally, we see no alternative to a two-state solution." Friedman runs a nonprofit that raises millions of dollars for Beit El, a settlement of religious nationalists near Ramallah. Beit El runs a right-wing news outlet and a yeshiva whose dean has provocatively urged Israeli soldiers to refuse orders to uproot settlers from their homes. Friedman has also waded into the divisive subject of moving the US Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a shift favored by conservatives that Trump endorsed during the presidential campaign. Upon being selected by Trump, Friedman said he looked forward to carrying out his duties from "the US embassy in Israel's eternal capital, Jerusalem." Saudi Arabia's foreign minister says his country expects to have a productive relationship with the Trump administration and is optimistic that US-Saudi cooperation can overcome challenges in the Middle East. Adel al-Jubeir made the comments on Thursday at the top of a meeting with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who is on his first overseas trip as America's top diplomat. Jubeir said Saudi Arabia was looking forward to working with the US on numerous issues. He did not elaborate but Saudi Arabia has deep concerns about Iran's increasing assertiveness in the region and he and Tillerson were to attend larger meetings on the crises in Yemen and Syria on the sidelines of a gathering of foreign ministers from the Group of 20 world powers in nearby Bonn. Former residents of the evacuated West Bank settlement of Amona have expressed their concern that their living in Ofra will become permanent and replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's promise to find an alternative site where they could start a new settlement. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The evacuated settlers sent the letter to Netanyahu and Bayit Yehudi Leader Naftali Bennett following Netanyahu's meeting with US President Donald Trump, in which Trump asked Netanyahu to hold back a little bit on construction in the West Bank. In it, they claimed that the Israeli government is promoting a solution for their resettlement in a one-sided manner and is shirking its promise to build a new settlement for them as they promised. The Amona evacuation (Photo: EPA) They were also worried that the temporary housing units currently being built for them in Ofra are not as temporary as they had been promised by Netnayahu. "It has been brought to our attention that a lease was signed between the Binyamin Council and the government's supervisor for property in Judea and Samaria, in which plot 84 in Ofra will be rented out to the council to be used by the Amona evacuees." The letter continued to say that "We oppose and reject any use for the plot on our behalf." The former Amona residents have reportedly set their sights on land belonging to the Geulat Zion outpost in the Shiloh Valley, which is in accordance to Netanyahu's promise, that they could select the location of their new settlement. But with construction work advancing in Ofra, they fear that Netanyahu is preparing these plots as their new place of residence. Netanyahu and Trump meeting (Photo: Reuters) They stressed that they will not leave their temporary housing in Ofra to any place but to the area of land of their choice. "We have been left in sub-human conditions for the past two weeks. We will not leave this place until we are allotted both the temporary and permanent lands we were promised," they summarized. Netanyahu's office has yet to respond to their letter, while Bennett's office has stated that it is not interested in responding to it. Flight crew aboard an easyJet flight en route to Luton Airport from Tel Aviv were forced to contact police mid-flight when a group of Haredi men began causing chaos as they refused to sit next to women. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter According to a report in the Mail Online, the men began blocking the aisles until they were reseated while the plane was 30,000ft in the air during the flight that one steward described as the worst in 11 years. One man began plugging a phone into the planes control panel, risking the flights safety, while in an attempt to aggravate the flights hosts, hostesses, and passengers alike, the disruptive group rang the service button repeatedly. Photo: easyjet 'They were constantly ringing the bell for the steward. I've never heard it go off so many times. It was dinging constantly and to the point it was really intrusive if you are trying to read or something, one witness told Jewish News. The witness described the commotion caused by around ten Haredi men as absolute bedlam. 'It was infuriating to witness both for passengers and for the stewards, who tried but failed to control them. The helpless witness said that the task of calming the situation and forcing them back to their seats proved impossible. 'I was next to quite an elderly gentleman and he did not sit down the entire time, the passenger recalled. Everybody had to walk round him, he was just oblivious, because he was trying to swap his seat, so he wouldn't be sitting next to a woman.' When one frustrated woman decided to agree to swap her seat in order to pacify the ultra-Orthodox passengers, the man who took her seat did not even acknowledge her deed. 'I chatted to her later on. She just couldn't believe the whole thing and they didn't even say thank you, the witness said. 'That was something the staff mentioned as well, that they did not say please or thank you.' When the plane finally landed, police officers were waiting on the tarmac at the airport and urged passengers to remain in their seats. One policeman then came on the plane, stood by the door and oversaw everybody leavingand there were two more officers standing on the tarmac.' The airline issued a statement mentioning a small group of passengers behaving disruptively, by not complying with the captain and cabin crew's request to take their seats, both prior to departure from Tel Aviv and during the flight. For the safety of all passengers easyJet's crew must ensure that whenever the seat belt signs are illuminated all passengers are in their seats with their seatbelts fastened. EasyJet's cabin crew are trained to assess and evaluate all situations and to act quickly and appropriately to ensure that the safety of the flight and other passengers is not compromised at any time. Separately during the flight a passenger plugged a mobile device into a USB port on the crew control panel in the forward galley in a foolish attempt to charge it. This led to the exit light above the panel being illuminated but did not in any way compromise the safety or security of the aircraft. Despite the chaos caused, the Bedfordshire Police said issued a statement saying that no offense had been caused by the disorderly men. Three weeks ago, a Civil Administration force arrived with heavy equipment at Khirbet 'Ein al-Karzaliyah, an area located three kilometers east of the Palestinian village of al-Jiftlik in the Jordan Valley. The force crossed a tough mountainous area which only off-road vehicles are able to cross. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The area accommodates three Palestinian families from the Bany Maniya clan. Seventeen people live there in the most basic conditions imaginable: A few tents, a sheep pen, a tiny beehive and water that comes from a nearby natural spring. There is no electricity. The force arrived to demolish a few tin shacks and confiscate two or three tents in which the families live. There were no Israeli, Palestinian or international media crews waiting there. Zuhir Bany Maniya, the head of the families, was forced to cope with the situation on his own. The mission was completed within short order and the forces left the area. The Bany Maniya clan in Khirbet 'Ein al-Karzaliyah (Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg) They arrived in the morning hours and told me that this is an IDF training area and that we cant live here, but we have been here for 35 years now. We are simple shepherds. There are no settlers here, there are no agricultural crops here, there is nothing here, Bany Maniya says, pointing to the rocky ground and the bald hills. I dont understand what they want from us and who is it that we are disturbing. Until 2012, there were six families living in the area. Today, only three are left. The Bany Maniya story, it turns out, is one of many. A new report released by the BTselem organization shows that 2016 was a record year in terms of building demolitions in the West Bank since the organization began documenting these activities in 2004. BTselem members believe this is no coincidence. These demolition activities reflect Israels increased efforts to reduce the Palestinian presence in the areas it is attempting to take over through planning and administrative measures, an organization official says. I have no documents Area C in the West Bank is under full Israeli civil and military control. For the 200,000-300,000 Palestinians living there this means that every part of their lives depends on the Israeli authorities. According to the BTselem report, throughout 2016 Israel demolished 274 homes in the West Bank (excluding east Jerusalem), leaving 1,134 peopleincluding 591 minorshomeless. The extent of demolitions in 2016 exceeded the extent of demolitions in the two preceding years together, and a review of the demolition map reveals that the Israeli government focuses its efforts primarily in three areas: South Mount Hebron, the Maale Adumim area and the Jordan Valley. The policy is very similar in east Jerusalem too. Over the past year, Israeli authorities have demolished 73 homes and 48 other structures, leaving 295 people160 of them minorswithout a roof over their heads. The tin huts, tents and structures being destroyed by Israel were built without a permit, but the Palestinian residents and human rights organization claim there are two sides to the story. The number of zoning plans for Palestinian villages that are in the process of obtaining approval from the Civil Administration is minimal compared to the size of the population there. Every year, hundreds of plans are submitted for approval, and only few are approved. An exception took place in 2016 as well. According to figures provided by the Civil Administration recently to the non-profit organization Bimkom, the Administration issued 37 building permits for Palestinians in Area C. This is an unprecedented high number, but a Bimkom examination revealed that 35 of these permits were issued at the request of the Administration itself, which plans to forcibly move Bedouin communities living east of Maale Adumim to advance a controversial building plan that was frozen in the past following international pressure. The lands the communities sit on are being declared as fire practice areas, and the fact the clans have been there for many years doesn't help them pass the legal property test. In the past, there were no lands belonging to private people but to clans, and each clan had its own area which was recognized and accepted by everyone, Bany Maniya says. Today I have no document proving that this land belongs to me, so I cannot go to court either. I will never move away from here From 'Ein al-Karzaliyah we continued northward on Route 90. We met Mahmoud Awad Ayoub, who lives with his family in a wadi surrounded by two hills that are turning green, about 4 kilometers south of the Mehola Junction. Ayoub welcomes us with traditional coffee near his tent, opposite the ruins of what used to be his sheep pen. I have lived here almost my entire life, he says. Everything I know is from this mountain to the next mountain, he points to the two hills. Since Israel came, they keep telling me that this land is only for agriculture and not for living, and that therefore we cannot stay here. Mahmoud Awad Ayoub near the ruins. Everything I know is from this mountain to the next mountain (Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg) But although Ayoub and his family are required to evacuate the land, which the authorities say can only be used for agriculture, an outpost named Givat Salit has been established just 200 meters away. Why can they stay here? Why isnt anyone destroying what they built? he asks, frustrated. They want me to emigrate from here, but I will never move away from this land. I have no relations with the settlers here, neither good nor bad. All I want is to work and live in peace with the world. Between our visit to the Jordan Valley and the release of this report, the Civil Administration has demolished eight buildings in Khirbet Ras al-Ahmar in the northern Jordan Valley. The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories unit offered the following response: The Civil Administration conducts enforcement operations against illegal construction in Judea and Samaria in accordance with the political echelons instructions. In the past year, the Civil Administration approved zoning plans for the villages of Taanakh and Izbeit at-Tabib, and these days it is advancing the zoning plans of the city of Qalqilya, Nabi Ilyas, Hableh and Dahar al-Malakh. In addition, the Civil Administration is looking into and advancing several plans to legalize infrastructure and housing for the Bedouin population in Judea and Samaria, in the Maale Adumim area and the Jordan Valley, as part of which the families will be allotted plots of land including proper housing infrastructures such as water, electricity and sewage, while maintaining the population's lifestyle. About two years ago, the Civil Administration approved such a plan near Abu Dis, which is ready to take in the families, but unfortunately they are refusing to move to this place and legalize their planning status. Such a plan was implemented several years ago in the old neighborhood of Jahalin in Abu Dis. It included the construction of some 200 legal structures in which families live today. GENEVA - The United States and Russia have not been cooperating to solve Syrian humanitarian problems recently, despite a ceasefire and 13 illegal sieges amounting to "strangulation of the civilian population", a senior UN official said on Thursday. Jan Egeland, the UN humanitarian adviser on Syria, said US-Russian co-leadership had been "great" last year, but he had not seen it of late. He hoped they would join Turkey and Iran in pushing for breaking the "horrific gridlock" of aid convoys in upcoming Syria peace talks in Astana and Geneva. MOSCOW - Russian President Vladimir Putin is calling for a new level of cooperation with Western intelligence agencies in order to fight terrorism. "It's in the general interest to establish a dialogue with the special services of the United States and other member countries of NATO," Putin said Thursday at a meeting of top officials of the Federal Security Service, news agencies reported. "We need to establish cooperation at a new level in the antiterrorist sphere with foreign partners," he said. Putin at the same time complained that NATO "is constantly provoking us and trying to draw us into confrontation," the reports said. He claimed that Russia last year thwarted the activity of more than 400 foreign special agents, but did not give details. DUBAI - Saudi Arabia has broken up four cells belonging to militant group Islamic State and suspected of recruiting members to fight abroad, Saudi state television reported, citing an interior ministry statement. It said 15 Saudi nationals, two Yemeni citizens and a Sudanese man were detained in a pre-emptive operation. The Arab League issued a sharp response Thursday to a meeting that took place between President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahus the previous night, spelling out its unshakeable commitment to a two-state solution to resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and warning of the dire consequences involved in moving the US embassy in Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit said that the Palestinian-Israeli conflict required a two-state solution after Trump was less emphatic about the prospect for such a conclusion to the conflict and the USs unwavering commitment to Palestinian statehood. Arab League (Photo: AFP) "It requires a comprehensive and just settlement based on a two-state solution and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on ... 1967 borders with its capital in Jerusalem," Egypt's state news agency quoted Aboul Gheit as saying after meeting the UN chief Antonio Guterres in Cairo. Gheit also said, according to Egypt's state news MENA, that moving the US embassy to Jerusalem would be explosive for the situation in the Middle East. The comment came on the heels of a remark made by President Trump during the meeting when asked whether he was still committed to realizing his campaign pledge to move the embassy. Id like to see that happen. Were looking into it very carefully, he answered one of the journalists. Lebanese Hezbollah said on Thrusday that the Trump-Netanyahu meet had effectively signalled an end to peaceful negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. "After what came out after the meeting between Netanyahu and Trump, I am not exaggerating if I say that yesterday there was a semi-official announcement of the death of the path of negotiations," Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said in a live televised speech. "For the Israelis, there is no such thing as a Palestinian state," Nasrallah said, adding that the two-state solution was the only thing keeping the door to negotiations open. Trump and Netanyahu spoke with a significant degree of ambiguity regarding what a new and original plan may entail which they said would involve other key regional players, ostensibly such as Saudi Arabia and Egypt. The Arab League (Photo: AFP) However, with Egypts statements and those of the Arab League, any hopes for a more flexible or changed position on how to resolve the seemingly intractable conflict seem scant. Nevertheless, reports in the international media which surfaced in recent weeks indicated that such regional players would potentially show greater flexibility than simply pedalling the mantra of pre-1967 borders which has dominated Middle East talks since the Six-Day War the same year. For example, The New York Times reported last week that Trump and his advisors are putting together a plan to have Arab countries such as Saudi Arabia and Egypt directly involved in negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, as he sees their input as an important element to solving the conflict. Additionally, London-based newspaper Al-Hayat said that the Trump administration is considering hosting a summit in Washington for Arab leaders to discuss the peace process. The paper further claimed that Jordanian King Abdullah II had managed to convince Trump to renege on his promise to move the US Embassy to Jerusalem, citing concerns over the region's security and the detrimental blow it would deliver to any prospect of peace. A Jordanian official was quoted on Thursday as saying that Jordan still holds strong to the two-state vision of a Jewish Israel and an Arab Palestine. Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said his country expects to have a productive relationship with the Trump administration and is optimistic that US-Saudi cooperation can overcome challenges in the Middle East. ARCOLA (JG-TC) -- A railroad crossing on Illinois Route 133 in Arcola is scheduled to be closed for repairs, starting Tuesday. The crossing between Chestnut Street, also U.S. Route 45, and Oak Street is set to be closed until Thursday, according to a news release from the Illinois Department of Transportation. The news release said the crossing will be closed so maintenance work can take place. It said a posted detour will route traffic to other streets to connect with Route 133, which is also Springfield Road. The Saudi Arabian Interior Ministry says authorities have arrested 18 suspects belonging to ISIS, including bomb makers. Maj. Gen. Mansour al-Turki, a ministry spokesman, said in a statement Thursday that the suspects, including Yemenis, were arrested in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina and two other cities. He added that the suspects had different roles, including logistical operations and recruitment, as well as providing shelter and financial support to the militants. Al-Turki said the suspects had experience in making explosives and suicide vests. Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Thursday that Israel would be willing to help build infrastructure and create jobs in the Gaza Strip in exchange for the return of three Israeli civilians and the bodies of two IDF soldiers Hamas is holding. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter As part of the deal Lieberman is offering, Israel would allow the construction of a seaport , an airport and an industrial zone in Gaza, as well as help create 40,000 jobs in the strip. In exchange for that, the defense minister is demanding the return of IDF soldiers Oron Shaul and Hadar Goldin , who were killed during the 2014 Operation Protective Edge and snatched up by Hamas, as well as three Israeli civilians who entered Gaza of their own volition Abera Mengistu Hisham al-Sayed and Jumaa Ibrahim Abu-Ghanima Defense Minister Lieberman (Photo: Eli Mendelbaum) Furthermore, Lieberman is demanding Hamas to demilitarize the Gaza Strip and remove an article in its charter calling for the annihilation of the State of Israel. Lieberman's offer was posted in Arabic on the website of the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) in an effort to create pressure on Hamas by the Palestinian population in the strip. "There is no reason for the residents of Gaza to live in the 21st century under lesser conditions than in Judea and Samaria or in the Arab world," the defense minister said. "The Gazans must understand that Israel, which withdrew from the Gaza Strip to the last millimeter, is not the source of their sufferingit is the Hamas leadership, which doesn't take their needs into consideration. The moment Hamas gives up its tunnels and rockets, we'll be the first to invest." Last week, IDF tanks and aircraft destroyed a total of six Hamas positions in Gaza after a rocket was fired from the strip toward the Hof Ashkelon area and Hamas militants opened fire on an IDF force working near the Gaza border fence. Despite this escalation, Lieberman said on Thursday that Israel has no intention of launching a military campaign in the Gaza Strip, but threatened that "any provocation will be met with a powerful response." The defense minister also spoke of the complete lack of trust between the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, saying the solution to that is for Israel to ease economic restrictions and make trust-building economic moves. "Economic stability and growth in Judea and Samaria are an Israeli interest, and that is why on this issue we are partners. I'd rather focus on points we already agree on and only later discuss what we disagree on," he said. He stressed that his policy is to improve the life of Palestinians who are willing to coexist with the State of Israel. "We need to meet them halfway on employment, permits and the ability to move freely," Lieberman said. "We've been made to live here together and that is why we should internalize that we must look for ways to cooperate and not fight." Despite this, in addressing the Regulation Law, which retroactively legalizes government-backed Jewish outposts built on privately-owned Palestinian land, he insisted that "the settlements have never been an obstacle to diplomatic agreements or peace accords." Lieberman, a resident of the settlement Nokdim, spoke about his relationship with his Palestinian neighbors in the nearby village of Tuqu'. "I see quite a few Palestinians who've been living next to us for decades. They're welcomed in the settlement and we have quite good relations with the Palestinians in the area," he said. He concluded with a message to the Palestinians, saying: "We're open people. We must find the right formula that would allow the two peoples not only to exist but also prosper. When you reach an agreement with someone, it's not going to work if only one side is benefitting. The two sides need to benefit and feel like they've gotten a good deal." KARACHI -- A suicide bomber attacked a crowded Sufi shrine in southern Pakistan on Thursday, police said, with local media reporting at least 25 people had been killed and dozens more wounded in the latest in a wave of bombings this week. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif immediately condemned the attack on Lal Shahbaz Qalandar in the town of Sehwan in Sindh province. A suicide bomber entered the shrine as crowds massed on Thursday, a statement from the Sindh police spokesman said. BEIRUT (AP) -- A leader of the Russian delegation at Syrian talks in Kazakhstan says an agreement has been reached to form a permanent contact group of Russia, Turkey and Iran to "preserve and strengthen the cessation of hostilities." Sergei Vershinin made the statement Thursday after talks in the Kazakh capital, Astana, attended by Russia, Turkey and Iran, as well as the Syrian government and Syrian rebels. The meeting is intended to pave the way for the revival of broader peace talks in Geneva next week. Sergei Afanasyev, of the Russian military's General Staff, said the parties agreed on an "exchange mechanism for forcibly held people, primarily women and children," without elaborating. ASTANA -- Syrian rebels said on Thursday they had raised the issue of conducting a prisoner swap with the Syrian government and that the issue would be the subject of separate talks in Ankara. The Syrian government has said it is prepared to swap prisoners in its jails for people "kidnapped by terrorist groups." The head of the Syrian opposition delegation to talks in Astana, Mohammed Alloush, said the rebels had also complained about "hundreds" of breaches of a shaky ceasefire in Syria. The rebels continued to object to Iran's military participation in Syria, said Alloush, saying the issue was hampering progress in talks with the Syrian government. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah warned Israel Thursday that the Lebanese terror group has the ability to launch missile strikes at cargo ships approaching Haifa Bay as well as an ammonia tank situated in the harbor. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Speaking to Hezbollahs al-Manar television station, Nasrallah also leveled a veiled threat at Israels nuclear reactor in Dimona, suggesting Israel dismantle the site or face an attack on the reactor in the event of an armed conflict between the sides. He warned that the organization has hidden weaponry that has not been detected by Israeli intelligence agencies and could surprise Israel in the event of a war. Secretary-General of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah I call upon Israel not only to evacuate the ammonia tank from Haifa, but also to dismantle the Dimona nuclear reactor. The Israeli nuclear weapon that represents a threat to the entire regionwe will turn it into a threat to Israel, Nasrallah said. Minister of Intelligence Yisrael Katz responded to the threat saying, "If Nasrallah dares to fire at the Israel homefront or at its national infrastructure, all of Lebanon will be hit," he said in response to Nasrallah's threats. The Hezbollah leader declared yesterdays meeting between Prime Miniser Binyamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump as the semi-official death notice for the negotiation process, and cautioned that his organization is not afraid of changing US policy in region. Republished with permission from the Tazpit Press Service (TPS). Minister of Health, Rabbi Yaakov Litzman, has threatened to stop admitting and treating Syrian refugees over the rising costs associated with such a policy. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter This comes less than two months after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated how proud he was of the dedicated care hospitals in Israel give to Syrian refugees. Minister of Health Rabbi Yaakov Litzman (Photo: Shaul Golan) The government has barely paid the hospitals for the refugees' admission. Every day of treatment is estimated to cost about NIS 10,000, yet the state refunds the hospital only NIS 1,300 per Syrian patient. "The government has decided to admit the wounded of the Syrian conflict, and I think it's the right thing to do and I do not object to it at all," said Litzman, adding "but it can't be that this puts the hospitals into huge debts. There are medical centers that got into enormous deficits just because of this. If it continuesI will issue an unequivocal order to cease treating the Syrian refugees, effective immediately." Syrian child wounded in the conflict being treated in Israel (Photo: Effi Sharir) A meeting is expected to take place on Thursday between Director-General of the Prime Ministers Office, Eli Groner, and officials from the ministry of health to resolve the debt. So far, hospitals in Israel have treated 2,278 people who were wounded in the Syrian civil war. "We've been treating Syrian patients for 4 years now. The wounds themselves tend to be very complicated and require complex surgeries with many teams," explains Director of the Galilee Medical Center Dr. Masad Barhoum. "We suffer the costs of their treatment which means that we can't afford better technology, renovations or optimal treatment for the residents of the north." US ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, said on Thursday that Washington "absolutely" supported the two-state solution to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, without dismissing "alternatives." "We absolutely support a two-state solution, but we are also considering alternatives," Haley said after a Security Council meeting on the Middle East. US President Donald Trump said Wednesday at a joint White House press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he was not overly concerned about the two-state solution. President Donald Trump's nominee to be US ambassador to Israel faced repeated heckling at a Senate confirmation hearing on Thursday as well as tough questions on views he has expressed about liberal American Jews, Jewish settlements and a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter X David Friedman, a bankruptcy lawyer whom Trump has called a longtime friend and trusted adviser, has supported Israeli settlement building and advocated for the annexation of the West Bank, which Israel captured from Jordan in the 1967 Six-Day War. His nomination has been fiercely opposed by some American Jewish groups. Friedman expressed regret over derogatory comments he made likening liberal American Jews to Jewish prisoners who worked for the Nazis during the Holocaust, telling the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in his opening statement, "I regret the use of such language." A shift in US policy toward Israel has already begun. On Wednesday, with visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his side, Trump dropped a US commitment to a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, long a bedrock of Washington's Middle East policy, even as he urged Netanyahu to curb settlement construction. The controversy over Friedman's nomination erupted in the hearing room as Friedman began his opening statement, with several hecklers including a man who held up the Palestinian flag and shouted about Palestinian claims to the land of Israel. Protestors burst into the hearing. (Photo: Reuters) "My grandfather was exiled," the man said before being escorted out of the room. "Palestinians will always be in Palestine!" Sen. Lindsey Graham, a Republican and the chairman of the Judiciary committee, acknowledged that Friedman has said things he did not agree with but said he backed the nominee as qualified, experienced and passionate. "I believe he is the right guy at the right time. He'll be Trump's voice. Trump won the election," Graham said. Sen. Ben Cardin, the senior Democrat on the committee, said he was concerned about Friedman's stances. Friedman (Photo: Reuters) "Mr. Friedman, I have questions about your preparedness for this important post. I am uncertain of how you will represent all Americans to all Israelis and whether you are committed to a longstanding US policy to a two-state solution," Cardin said. Five former US ambassadors to Israel from both Republican and Democratic administrations urged the Senate in a letter not to confirm Friedman, saying that he holds "extreme, radical positions" on issues such as Jewish settlements and the two-state solution. "We believe him to be unqualified for the position," wrote the former ambassadors including Thomas Pickering, Edward Walker, Daniel Kurtzer, James Cunningham and William Harrop. Friedman is likely to be confirmed by the Senate, which is controlled by Republicans. BRUSSELS -- NATO defense ministers have decided to beef up the military alliance's naval presence in the Black Sea in response to an increasingly aggressive Russia. Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Thursday that NATO will hold more war games and training in the strategically important sea, which borders allies Turkey, Bulgaria and Romania, but also Russia, Ukraine and Georgia. Russia's naval fleet based at Sevastopol in Crimea has been a major concern for NATO. Stoltenberg told reporters after chairing the talks in Brussels that the move "will be measured, it will be defensive, and it will in no way aim at provoking any conflict or escalating tensions." A Haredi reporter's question on rising anti-Semitism in the United States was apparently misunderstood by President Donald Trump on Thursday evening, who seemed to think that he was being labeled an anti-Semite. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter X The reporter for Ami Magazine, Jake Turx, was called on by Trump to pose a question at a press conference in the White House. He began by asking to differentiate from other reporters and stated his belief that neither the president nor his staff is anti-Semitic. Jake Turx at the conference (Photo: Reuters) He mentioned Trump's familial connection to the people of Abraham, remarking that the American president is the "zayde" to three Jewish grandchildren, employing the Yiddish term for "grandfather." Finally reaching the meat and potatoes of his statement (as he did not manage to reach an actual question), he drew the president's attention to the recent "uptick in anti-Semitism" and said that his community was concerned with how the government is intending to handle it. He starting going into specifics, such as bomb threats and other public, threatening anti-Semitic incidents when Trump cut him off, 44 seconds into what was supposed to be a question for the president. Trump accused Turx of posing an unfair question and told him, 'Sit down; I understand the rest of your question." Seemingly thinking that he was being accused of anti-Semitism, he said, "I hate the charge; I find it repulsive." Trump recalled the statement of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the day before, quoting the prime minister as saying, "I've known Donald Trump for a long timeForget it." Trump concluded by calling the question "insulting" and remarking once more "that's the way the press is." Shortly thereafter, Turx posted to his Twitter, "President Trump clearly misunderstood my question. This is highly regretful and I'm going to seek clarification." Speaking by telephone with Ynet's Ilana Curiel two hours after the press conference, Turx explained that he had meant to ask what the US government would do to counter the rise in anti-Semitism in the country. "As the only fulltime Orthodox Jewish correspondent in the White House," Turx said that his duty was to ascertain this information. Turx hastened to clarify that he did not doubt Trump's pro-Jewish credentials, recalling his being the grand marshal of the Israeli Day Parade in the past and his warm relationship with Netanyahu. Asked if he felt attacked by the president when the commander-in-chief told him to be quiet, Turx replied, "That's not something I take personally, and that's not something that reporters take personally." Having lived in New York, the reporter said that he wasn't fazed by a "heated exchange." He portrayed the American Orthodox Jewish community as turning to the president as "an ally" and "a friend of the community" for help in combating anti-Semitism. The Anti-Defamation League relased a statement that reads in part, "On two separate occasions over the past two days, President Trump has refused to say what he is going to do about rising anti-Semitism or to even condemn it. It is mind-boggling why President Trump prefers to shout down a reporter or brush this off as a political distraction. This is not a partisan issue. Its a potentially lethal problemand its growing." WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump dismissed a growing controversy about ties between his aides and Russia on Thursday as a "ruse" and "scam" perpetrated by a hostile news media, and denied that any of his associates had contacts with Moscow before last year's election. "The leaks are absolutely real. The news is fake," Trump told a news conference, referring to media reports that his presidential campaign team had contacts with Russian intelligence officials. A common request I receive from Nebraskans is for help getting bureaucracy off their backs. Especially over the past eight years, federal agencies have far too often violated the separation of powers and legislated through red tape. A study by the American Action Forum found the cost to our economy of the Obama administrations midnight regulations, or regulations passed after the election of President Trump, totaled $157 billion. With 99 regulations issued in December alone, the Obama administrations monthly regulatory churn more than doubled in its final weeks. The House has spent the first few weeks of the new Congress focused on undoing this regulatory damage. We are working rule by rule to get rid of as many onerous, job-killing regulations as possible. President Trump has joined us in this effort, requiring agencies to kill two major regulations for every new one implemented. An important tool Congress can use to reduce regulatory burdens is called the Congressional Review Act, or CRA. In order to maintain Congresss constitutional role in setting federal law, the CRA provides a streamlined process, including expedited Senate consideration, to overturn newly finalized rules by the executive branch. A CRA resolution only requires 51 votes to pass in the Senate rather than the usual 60. When the Obama administration finalized its Waters of the U.S. rule, or WOTUS, in 2015, I introduced a resolution to block it using the CRA. The Senate version of my resolution passed both chambers but was vetoed by President Obama, along with all the other CRA bills passed by the last Congress. Thankfully, President Trump has expressed his desire to sign these CRA resolutions when they reach his desk. Many of the Obama administrations midnight rules targeted domestic energy production. The Bureau of Land Managements Methane Rule has been estimated to cost the industry anywhere from $110 million to more than $1 billion per year while providing little environmental benefit. Despite rapid growth in oil and natural gas production, methane emissions have already declined significantly in recent decades. The Stream Protection Rule, a duplicative regulation with a new flowery name, would cost tens of thousands of mining jobs and put up to 64 percent of U.S. coal reserves off limits. The House has used the CRA to block both of these damaging regulations. To achieve U.S. energy independence, we should be embracing all forms of American energy rather than strangling them with the heavy hand of the federal government. Another midnight regulation by the Obama administration threatened the constitutional rights of millions of Americans. In December, the Social Security Administration finalized a rule to automatically add Social Security beneficiaries with representative payees to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). Approximately 4.2 million Americans have representative payees, and as the Ways and Means Committee explored in a recent hearing, there are numerous concerns about how beneficiaries end up on the representative payee rolls in the first place. Receiving help to manage ones Social Security benefits does not correlate with the capacity to own or judiciously use firearms. However, under this rule, these law-abiding Americans would be reported to the NICS list with no judicial review and forced to go through an appeals process to be removed. The House used the CRA to block this rule and protect Americans Second Amendment and due process rights. We have many more CRA bills to work through in the coming weeks, as the Obama administrations regulatory labyrinth will take time to dismantle. To strengthen our economy and ensure greater opportunity for Americans, cutting regulations must remain a top priority. There is no expiration date on a good idea. As a state senator in the Nebraska Unicameral, I developed innovative approaches to solving funding challenges for our states surface transportation needs. One of these proposals aimed to give local communities more control over the highway construction process. My legislation, which was later signed into law, tasked the Nebraska Department of Roads with developing the Federal Funds Purchase Program. In exchange for giving up a portion of federal transportation dollars, Nebraska counties and towns can now receive funds with more reasonable regulatory requirements. Because of this program, transportation projects, like the longstanding bridge replacement in Buffalo County and a major arterial street in South Sioux City, are up and running. Another initiative I championed at the state level was the Build Nebraska Act. It directed a fraction of each cent of sales tax revenue toward maintaining Nebraskas roads and highways. Because of it, more than $1 billion will be available to meet Nebraskas infrastructure needs over the next 17 years. I am now bringing these ideas to the U.S. Senate. Called the Build USA Infrastructure Act, my legislation is modeled on Nebraskas successful laws, and it offers real solutions to our national transportation challenges. Those challenges are significant. According to the March 2016 estimates by the Congressional Budget Office, by the year 2026, the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) will face a cumulative shortfall of approximately $107 billion. The HTF allocates federal transportation dollars on an annual basis to states to help pay for vital infrastructure projects. States and communities across our country depend on certainty in this crucial funding for highway, road, and bridge infrastructure projects. My Build USA Infrastructure Act would directly address the near-term solvency of the HTF. Specifically, it would divert $21.4 billion annually in revenues collected by the Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) on freight and passengers into the HTF. The agency only uses a portion of this revenue for operations, so allocating it to transportation would not affect the CBPs operating budget. These diversions would take place for five years following the expiration of the latest long-term highway bill. To help states get projects up and running at a faster pace, the act also establishes voluntary state remittance agreements with the Federal Highway Administration. As part of these agreements, states may choose to return some of their allocated federal highway dollars for greater control over certain design, permitting, and construction aspects of federal regulatory approval for highway projects. Bottom line: the Build USA Infrastructure Act will address the near-term solvency of the Highway Trust Fund without raising taxes on Americans. It will also give states greater flexibility in meeting transportation needs. In the Senate, I serve as the chairman of the Surface Transportation Subcommittee on the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. I am also a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee. At a recent EPW committee hearing, I highlighted the Build USA Infrastructure Act and invited feedback from state transportation leaders. Like its Nebraska namesake, this bill earned positive reviews for bringing certainty into questions about funding and offering greater flexibility to states in initiating critical transportation projects. Few Americans understand the value of surface transportation better than Nebraskans. We rely on our roads and highways to connect families, bring goods and services to market, and feed a hungry world. We carry on this important work across more than 97,000 miles of public roads. Nebraska acted prudentially to care for its roads and surface transportation infrastructure. I am excited to bring that same idea to Americans nationwide. I look forward to working with the White House and my colleagues in Congress to do just that. Thank you for participating in the democratic process. I look forward to visiting with you again next week. YORK Alec J. Holland, 23, of Des Moines, Iowa, has pleaded not guilty to possession of marijuana with the intent to deliver while in possession of a firearm, which is a Class 2 felony. He also has pleaded not guilty to one charge of not having a drug tax stamp. Holland, along with his co-defendant, Timothy S. Craker, 60, also of Des Moines, was arrested after a traffic stop on Interstate 80 at the Bradshaw exit. After a drug dog alerted to the presence of narcotics, their vehicle was searched. Troopers alleged they found three 5-gallon buckets of high grade marijuana, weighing a total of 10 pounds. They said they also found a loaded handgun. Craker earlier pleaded not guilty in the case. Judge Stecker told Holland that he could be facing a possible maximum sentence of 1-50 years in prison, if he is convicted. A jury trial has been set for June. YORK Annually, the county commissioners and county assessor review property tax exemptions for non-profit organizations. There are dozens upon dozens of properties that are exempt because they are owned by charitable, religious or educational entities. But just because the owner is a non-profit doesnt always mean that the property is tax exempt, Assessor Ann Charlton reminded the county board members. And they agreed, as they tabled the exemptions of several properties because they had questions about their use and whether they are truly exempt. Charlton said she would not be recommending reaffirmation of some exemptions, until she had an opportunity to talk with the owners. That was the case for some properties owned by Henderson Health Care. Charlton said the agency had purchased a number of residential properties in the area of the hospital . . . likely to be used for future expansions. My question is how long will it be before they begin working on those lots, because until they start working on them, they cannot be exempt, Charlton said, noting that HHC had purchased other lots and removed houses. That is my main question how long before they start, because holding for the future does not mean its exempt. So I want you to table these exemptions until we can talk with them. The next questionable exemptions were for Grace Childrens Home in Henderson, which owns a number of residential properties. My question about Grace Childrens Home is why do they need all these properties when they have very few clients? Charlton asked. I will call Mr. Patrie (the director) and ask him to come in for a visit. Well, do you know how many clients Epworth Village has? asked Commissioner Jack Sikes, saying that it is currently not that many. But they (Epworth) have also gotten rid of some of their property because it was not being used, Charlton responded. They (Epworth) dont have a lot of property any longer. I would like to talk with Grace officials to see if all these residential properties are being used and what they are being used for. There were also questions about residential properties owned by York General Health Care Services. Charlton said one house is used for on-call staff quarters and a second is being used as an office for the contractor who is currently working on the hospital expansion. I understand the exemptions for churches and hospitals, but this type of housing kind of gets to me, said Commissioner Kurt Bulgrin. Why should it be exempt if it is for lodging for staff and a contractor? And they are being paid to be there, commented Commissioner Paul Buller. They also had questions about a property that YGH says is for green space. Im not picking on these, its just out of fairness for everyone, Bulgrin said. Thats why we are having this conversation, to make sure that everything is fair and equitable, Charlton responded. The commissioners also had questions about some houses that are owned by York College which are used by employees and guests. Are there any educational opportunities taking place on those properties? Bulgrin asked. Not 24-7, no, Charlton responded. These are all legitimate questions that have to be asked. Bulgrin asked about an exemption request filed by Goodwill Industries. How is it that they qualify? Bulgrin asked. It is charitable and this is only for their personal property, it is very minimal, Charlton said. This is not for the building, they just rent the property. Charlton said she also didnt want to immediately exempt a parking lot that is owned by Emmanuel Lutheran Church. It is supposed to be for spill-over parking for the church, but it is always filled with vehicles used by employees of (a local business), Charlton said. I will deny the exemption for now and contact the church, asking them to explain why it should be exempt. We also need to remember that we have a lot of churches with over-flow parking areas and we need to be fair to them all, said Commissioner Randy Obermier. The commissioners approved exemptions with the exception of the following: York College, York General Health Care Services, Henderson Health Care Services, Emmanuel Lutheran Church and Grace Childrens Home. Charlton will contact these entities and ask about the specific properties in question. Then the matter will be brought back to the county commissioners for further review. Entities receiving tax exemptions Arbor Drive Community Church of York Assembly of God Church of York Benedict United Methodist Church Bethel Evangelical Lutheran Church Bethesda Mennonite Church of Henderson Blue Valley Community Action Inc. Board of Church Extension of General Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church (Zion Lutheran, Benedict) Calvary Bible Church Catholic Bishop of Lincoln Camp Kateri Church of the Nazarene Columbus Rescue Mission/Living Water Rescue Mission Community Bible Church of Lushton Cornerstone Sports Complex Council 1708 Building Corporation/ Knights of Columbus East Hill Church of York Evangelical Mennonite Brethren Church of Henderson (Faith Evangelical Bible Church) Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church Missouri Synod of York First Christian Church of York First Evangelical Lutheran Church of McCool Junction First Presbyterian Church of York First United Evangelical Lutheran Church of York First United Methodist Church of York First United Methodist Church of York Foundation Four Corners Public Health Department Fraternal Order of Eagles (partial exemption) G Mennonite Brethren Church German Evangelical Lutheran Church (St. Peters, Gresham) Goodwill Industries Grace Mission Inc. Greenwood Cemetery Association Gresham Community Club (community center in old school) Henderson Heritage and Tourism (Heritage Park) Irvin J. Blum Post #1609 League of Human Dignity Rural Housing Development Corporation Masonic Temple Company McCool Junction Iron Horse Station Mennonite Brethren Church Ministerios Pentecostes Maranatha Mosaic Nebraska Evangelical Lutheran High School Association Peace Evangelical Lutheran Congregation Pentecostal Church of God Presbyterian Church of Gresham Presbyterian Memorial Foundation Region V Foundation St. Patricks Catholic Church, McCool Junction St. Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church of Waco St. Josephs Church of York Tabitha Trustees of First Congregational Church of Arborville Trustees of First Methodist Episcopal Church (Waco) Trustees of the Councils Union Church Trustees of ME Church of Bradshaw Trustees of Presbyterian Church of Gresham Trustees of the United Methodist Church (Ebenezer, Waco) United Brethren Church (United Methodist Church of McCool) United Methodist Church of Bradshaw York Adopt A Pet Wessels Living History Farm York Congregation of Jehovahs Witnesses York Evangelical Free Church York Elks Lodge (partial exemption) Yorkshire Playhouse YORK Dustin R. Braddock, 21, of Geneva, has pleaded no contest to attempted possession of a controlled substance with the intent to deliver. His arraignment was held this past week in York County District Court. According to court documents, an investigation was underway involving the Rural Apprehension Program (RAP). An officer working with RAP was in contact with a confidential informant who indicated he or she could purchase marijuana from Braddock. The investigator says in court documents that on two separate occasions, the confidential informant met with Braddock in a business parking lot in York in order to make the transactions. Both times, the investigators watched the transactions, which were also recorded. On two occasions, the confidential informant gave Braddock $120 for the marijuana. Judge James Stecker told Braddock that upon his no contest plea, he could now be facing a possible maximum sentence of five years in prison. Sentencing has been set for late March. As a homeowner, you probably already know that you should be working to maintain your home. But, chances are, you Read More 1. Comments must not be racist, misogynistic, homophobic, or otherwise bigoted. 2. Comments must not involve little more than name-calling and insulting remarks. 3. Comments must not be made by "anonymous" or "unknown". 4. Comments must not try to sneak in some free advertising for themselves (like spam). I invite anyone who wishes to comment on this blog to do so. I enjoy the comments, whether you agree with what I have said or not. But some people want to abuse the right to comment, and since this is my blog, I have decided to lay down the following rules. If your comment violates these rules, it will not be published. A bright orange, endangered Francois Langur was born February 6 at Lincoln Park Zoo and is now on exhibit at Helen Brach Primate House. The infant is the seventh successful offspring for Lincoln Park Zoos breeding pair, Pumpkin (dam) and Cartman (sire), and a part of the Francois Langur Species Survival Plan (SSP), which cooperatively manages the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited-zoo population. Lead Keeper Bonnie Jacobs serves as Vice-Chair of the Francois Langur SSP and has been managing the studbook for this population in the AZA for the past 15 years. The sex and measurements of the infant are yet to be determined, as the newborn is still clinging tight to mom. Pumpkin is an experienced and attentive mother and the entire troop is being supportive, said Curator of Primates, Maureen Leahy. We recently updated the Langur exhibit to include more dynamic elements such as vines, sway poles and pulley feeders, so it will be exciting to see the newest addition of the troop grow more independent and explore the habitat. Photo Credits: Julia Fuller / Lincoln Park Zoo Francois Langurs (Trachypithecus francoisi) are classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List due to habitat degradation and hunting. Theyre native to the southern Guangxi province of China, northern Vietnam and west-central Laos. Adults display black body coloration with a white marking from ear-to-ear and a black crest atop the head. Infants are born with a bright orange hue, which scientists believe encourages alloparenting, or aunting behavior, among females in the group. Infants fur turns black within the first three to six months of life. With its parents, the Langur infant joins sisters Kieu and Orla, brothers Vinh and Pierre, and adult female Chi on exhibit at Helen Brach Primate House, open daily from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Lincoln Park Zoo. For more information, visit www.lpzoo.org . A Texas-based food manufacturer has recalled noodles from stores in several states, including Nebraska. Veggie Noodle Co. of Austin, Texas, said it voluntarily recalled 62 cases of Butternut Spirals due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems. The recalled product was distributed to Whole Foods Markets and other retailers in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio and Wisconsin. It is packaged in a 10.7-ounce clear plastic container, has the UPC Code 852287006059 and has an Enjoy By date of February 23, 2017. The product is sold in refrigerated sections of the grocery store. The potential contamination of the product was found as a result of routine product testing, and so far there have been no reported illnesses associated with the recall. Speaker of the Legislature Jim Scheer of Norfolk decided Thursday to limit the time permitted to conduct a legislative filibuster. Scheer's decision followed on the heels of legislative approval Wednesday of a motion to leave current minority filibuster rights in place at least for another month. Under the current rule, it takes the votes of at least 33 senators in the 49-member Legislature to end a filibuster. The Speaker's new directive reduces the amount of time that can be consumed by debate before senators can attempt to end a filibuster with a cloture motion. The new limits would be six hours at first-stage floor consideration, three hours during the second round and an hour and a half at the final state. Prior to the change, those numbers were eight, four and two hours. A day earlier, the Legislature declared a truce in a session-long battle over efforts to diminish minority filibuster rights and cleared the way for consideration of bills that have backed up on the floor during the filibuster standoff. Scheer said he might entertain a cloture motion prior to the newly imposed time limits depending on "the quality of debate" and the number of participants in the filibuster. The changes in time that can be devoted to a filibuster come at a point when the Legislature already has consumed one-third of its 90-day session in wrangling over filibuster rights. Thursday marked its 31st legislative day. "We're looking at a short session now," Scheer said during a brief interview an hour after he announced his decision. At that point, he said, he had received "no complaints" from senators and he considered that a demonstration of support for the changes. "My perception is we have set a floor, not a ceiling," he said. "Very contentious issues could go longer." New Delhi: Fourteen-year-old Rohit Kumar, who has been forced to stay at AIIMS for over a year for want of a portable ventilator and other related accessories after he underwent a spine surgery, can finally go home. Courtesy, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), which has offered financial assistance of Rs two lakh to the boy for buying the equipment. The Minister of State in PMO, Jitendra Singh, came to know about the matter and got Rs 2 lakh released for the portable ventilator, oxygen concentrator and solar power inverter that Rohit needed for him to be able to be at home. When contacted, the minister said he was moved after reading about Rohit's condition in the media following which he decided to help him. "It was really disturbing to know about Rohit's condition. After reading about his condition, I immediately asked my staff to get in touch with the family to help him. No one should suffer for the lack of money like this," he told PTI. Singh, who is also a doctor, said he used to treat poor and marginalised people for free while he was practising. "We must do a good job every day. That has been my mantra for past so many years. It is one such deed," he said. A letter confirming payment of Rs two lakh help from the Prime Minister's Relief Fund to Rohit has been issued by the PMO, the minister said. Rohit, a native of Siwan district in Bihar, sustained spinal cord damage after a fall. He underwent a spine surgery and should have been discharged by January last year. "After the surgery, Rohit is paralysed neck down and needs a ventilator to breathe. He belongs to a very poor family who cannot afford to buy such a costly equipment, which costs around Rs 1 lakh and thus he is admitted in the neurosurgery-3 ward of the AIIMS for over a year," said Dr Deepak Agarwal, Professor, Neurosurgery department at AIIMS. The family has rented a room near Badarpur and keeps visiting Rohit. "We are yet to withdraw the money and then the process of buying the ventilator will be initiated," Agarwal said. Kohima: Ruling Naga People's Front (NPF) supremo Shurhozelie Liezietsu will take over from Chief Minister T.R. Zeliang after 42 of the 49 legislators "unanimously supported" the former as the new legislature party leader, a top NPF leader said on Thursday. "Majority of the NPF legislators have unanimously elected Shurhozelie as their new legislature party leader to break the deadlock between the agitating groups and the government. We have tried our best to persuade the groups but they refused to climb down," Nagaland`s lone Rajya Sabha member K.G. Kenye told IANS. "Shurhozelie has accepted the offer of the legislators to lead the NPF-led Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government to restore normalcy and prevent the imposition of President`s rule in the state," Kenye said. In the meantime, Governor P.B. Acharya and Zeliang left for New Delhi on Thursday afternoon from Dimapur. Zeliang is expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh. Agitating tribal groups under the banner of Nagaland Tribes Action Committee (NTAC) and Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) have been demanding the resignation of Zeliang over his decision to conduct civic bodies elections with 33 per cent reservation for women. On Wednesday, the group had served the Chief Minister an ultimatum to resign or face further protests. Their three-day ultimatum will end on February 17. The groups have decided to hold a public rally on Friday at Kohima to mount pressure on Zeliang to step down. "Had the Governor and the Chief Minister not left Kohima (state capital), Shurhozelie along with the legislators would have driven down to Raj Bhavan to stake claim and form the new government," Kenye said. He said that both the Chief Minister and the Governor are expected to return to Kohima on Friday to pave way for formation of the new government. "We are sure that there will be smooth transition of power as the Chief Minister himself wants to ensure peace in the state after weeks of agitation," he added. When IANS tried to contact Zeliang for his comment, he did not take the call. Nagaland has been on turmoil since January, after the NPF-led government decided to hold local body elections in 12 towns across the state. The government later declared the civic elections as "null" and "void". Three persons were killed and many injured following clashes between police and the public, who were opposing the civic polls. In fact, NPF legislator Neiphrezo Keditsu had resigned as Chairman of Nagaland State Mineral Development Corporation Limited on moral grounds since one of the persons killed in the Dimapur police firing was from his village. On Thursday, normal life remained paralysed as the indefinite shutdown sponsored by the tribal bodies entered the fourth day after Zeliang refused to accede to the demand to step down. The state secretariat, state and central government offices, banks, shops and other businesses remained closed. National Highway-2, which connects the main commercial town of Dimapur with the poll-bound state of Manipur, was also affected. Volunteers were seen picketing the road to prevent traffic movement and the government employees from attending their official duties; even as security forces were seen patrolling the roads to thwart any untoward incident. "We are keeping a close watch on the situation in the wake of these political developments and the state and central machineries will ensure to prevent breakdown of law and order," a police official said. "It's not fun being Grinch. I'd rather be Santa Claus, but that's what the times dictate." Sen. John Stinner of Gering, speaking as Gov. Pete Ricketts put his signature on $137 million in deficit cuts to this year's state budget. Stinner and four other members of the Legislature's Appropriations Committee flanked Ricketts during the signing ceremony in the Capitol. In searching for parity among the state agencies competing for tax dollars over the next two-year budget cycle, Appropriations Committee Chairman John Stinner of Gering said the Legislature is trying to work to ensure the University of Nebraskas success. With roughly 45 percent of the states budget tied to both K-12 and higher education, Stinner said all agencies will be asked to scale back spending to meet a projected revenue shortfall of $910 million. The Appropriations Committee approved a plan calling for a 2.3 percent reduction in NUs spending for the remainder of the fiscal year, instead of the 4 percent it asked other agencies to trim from their budget before the end of June. The committees full plan for the states two-year budget is expected to be released next week. Stinner said the committee will ask NU to absorb a 1.2 percent cut in both years of the budget, rather than cutting 3 percent and adding back funds for salary and health insurance cost increases as previously proposed by Gov. Pete Ricketts. The committee's plan would shield the university from $3.4 million in cuts over the biennium, when compared with the plan put forward by Ricketts. It backloads more of the cuts, as opposed to Ricketts' proposal, which called for $12.2 million in cuts in the first year. That would give them an opportunity over a full year to make the appropriated reductions, whether thats through attrition or another technique, Stinner said. Another difference between the committee's and Ricketts' plan is the base appropriation to NU at the end of the budget cycle. NU would receive $576 million to start the next biennium under the Appropriation Committees preliminary plan, which is about $1.7 million less than it would receive if Ricketts proposal was adopted. Stinner said depending on tax receipts and revenue projections, funding to the university could increase by the time lawmakers meet to create the next biennial budget in 2019. We dont know what revenue is going to do, he said. It could bring back the base and add something on. Its guesswork on everybodys part on whats going to happen in the next biennium. NU President Hank Bounds said in a statement Thursday the preliminary budget plan issued by the Appropriations Committee would still require cuts of more than $50 million across the university even as that plan keeps more in the budget initially. I have been candid that a budget challenge of that scale would necessitate significant cuts that will impact real people and services and tuition increases for students and their families, Bounds said. Our unique role in growing Nebraskas economy and workforce would be put at risk. Stinner said the committee has had several formal and informal discussions with NU and will give the university a chance to discuss its needs at a hearing on Feb. 27. Were trying to be as fair and equitable across the board as we can possibly be, he said. Bounds said he will continue to steer lawmakers from making what he called decisions that will harm Nebraskas long-term momentum and competitiveness. We look forward to working closely with them on solutions that are in the best interest of students and citizens of Nebraska, he said. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 16, ARMENPRESS. The Defense Ministry of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR) told Armenpress the Azerbaijani forces made 44 ceasefire violations firing various caliber small arms across the Nagorno Karabakh-Azerbaijan line of contact. The Ministry issued a statement which says: On February 15 and overnight February 16 the Azerbaijani side violated the ceasefire regime 44 times by firing over 500 shots from various caliber small arms at the Armenian positions in the Nagorno Karabakh-Azerbaijan line of contact. In the eastern direction of the line of contact the Azerbaijani forces fired also 60 mm mortar (1 shell) and anti-tank grenade launcher (4 grenades). The NKR Defense Army forces are fully controlling the situation in the frontline and continue confidently fulfilling their military tasks. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 16, ARMENPRESS. A center is going to be established in the National Institute of Education which will control the process of creation of textbooks and will be directly involved in that process, Ashot Arshakyan - acting Head of the General Education Department of the Staff of the Ministry of Education and Science, told Armenpress. He informed that the center will mainly deal with the creation of textbooks. Previously we didnt have such a structure. Creation of textbooks is being carried out with a quite difficult procedure. The process runs as follows: first of all, a tender is announced with the participation of publishers. They create their author groups and take part in the tender. The tender is comprised of two stages, content and pricing. The first one is the content stage, the textbooks are being assessed, then if they comply with certain scale, they pass to the next stage. The textbooks that win are put on testing, Ashot Arshakyan said. Based on the results, the textbooks can be returned to publishers aimed at improving them. After all these stages, an order is given for the new publication. Despite this difficult process, the content of textbook is still difficult for many people, there is a complaint both among teachers and parents. Head of State Language Inspectorate Sergo Yeritsyan told Armenpress that there is such a problem. The problem is that we still havent developed the culture to present the textbooks simpler, clearer. By presenting any historical event, the authors are trying to include so many facts in the textbooks, that sometimes it is difficult to understand the entire sentence. This is an attempt to include information as much as possible, Yeritsyan said, adding that it is necessary to present the text simple and clear as much as possible. He also stated that there are some foreign words in the textbooks which are not understandable for the school children. We must get rid of this. And here the Ministrys initiative to create such a center is welcomed which will not only define standards but also will make some clarifications, will help to organize trainings, he said. Asked when the center will be established and from when it will start dealing with creation of textbooks, Ashot Arshakyan said this year they will not manage to change something. Thus, currently they are carrying out active work in order the results to be visible for the next year. Firstly, we need to understand how this structure is going to be. Creation of textbooks is a complex process, we didnt have this culture. There are specific institutions working on this process in various countries of the world, serious research is being done before creation of textbooks. One thing is clear: the center will have a direct participation in the process of creation of textbooks, Ashot Arshakyan said. During the Governments February 2 session, Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan expressed concern over the quality and content of textbooks in the schools of Armenia. In order to eliminate the shortcomings, the PM instructed the Minister of Education and Science to present a reform program of the National Institute of Education within a month. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 16, ARMENPRESS. Meetings are underway in Astana with the participation of the Syrian opposition, Anuar Zhajnakov, spokesman of the Kazakhstan foreign ministry told TASS on February 16. According to him, prior to the plenary session of the Conference on the Syrian Conflict, which is scheduled at 15:00 local time, bilateral consultations of the delegations will be held. Meetings have already begun, including with the participation of the armed opposition, he said. Participants of the International meeting on Syrian settlement held preparatory meetings on February 15. The conference will focus on supervising the ceasefire regime and prospects of the Geneva consultations. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 16, ARMENPRESS. Greeces stance on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement is unchanged, Ambassador of Greece to Azerbaijan Dimitrios Tsoungas told APA, announcing the Azerbaijani media have incorrectly translated his speech on February 10. Greece supports the OSCE Minsk Group efforts on the conflict settlement within the framework of international rights. Last Thursday, my question regarding Nagorno Karabakh during my speech in the union of young diplomats of Azerbaijan was incorrectly translated. My thoughts were incompletely reflected, the Ambassador said. He mentioned that he said in his speech Greece fully supports the OSCE Minsk Group efforts within the framework of international rights. I mentioned the importance of respecting international rights and I said that such situation exists in Cyprus. The issue requires patience, the Ambassador said. Earlier on February 10, Azerbaijani media published the Greek Ambassadors speech, incorrectly reporting him as saying as if Greece supports the stance of Azerbaijan on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 16, ARMENPRESS. Clean Armenia program will launch by the initiative of Armenias Government, reports Armenpress. During the Governments session on February 16, Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan said it is necessary to ensure the purity of cities, villages, parks, roads and other places in order to make Armenia attractive and comfortable for tourists and investors. The PM said thats why Clean Armenia program will launch. I instruct the Minister of Territorial Administration and Development to develop and present within two months a concept of Clean Armenia, by clearly defining the action plan and timeframe, as well as the circle of responsibility of every subject, agencies, communities, citizens, the PM said. In addition, he also tasked to submit the concept to a public discussion, by involving the Ministry of Nature Protection, the environmental NGOs in the process. The Legislatures Appropriations Committee will recommend a softer cut to the University of Nebraska in the first year of the biennial budget ending in 2019 than that proposed by Gov. Pete Ricketts. But an identical-sized cut proposed in the second year of the two-year budget cycle would put NUs base funding at a level nearly $1.7 million below the target identified by the governor in his January State of the State address. According to a Feb. 10 budget document shared with the Journal Star, the Appropriations Committee will propose a 1.2 percent reduction roughly $7 million from NU's current funding level of $583 million for both the 2017-18 and 2018-19 fiscal years. The rest of the Appropriations Committee's budget proposals will be released next week. Ultimately, the committees proposal would keep $3.4 million more in NUs budget over the next two years, but it would set the university further behind its current funding level when lawmakers convene to craft a biennial budget beginning in 2019. Under the Appropriations Committee's proposal, NU would end the biennium with $576 million in state funds. Under Ricketts' proposal, the university would finish the biennium with $577.6 million in state funding. Ricketts put forth a proposal in January to cut NUs budget by $12.2 million in the first year of the next biennium, a 2.1 percent reduction in its current funding. Some of that funding would be restored in the second year, when the university would see a $6.8 million, or 0.9 percent, reduction, according to the governor's plan. Any future cuts approved by the committee and debated by the full Legislature will come on top of a $13.3 million cut imposed on NU by Ricketts for the remainder of this fiscal year ending in June. NU President Hank Bounds told the Appropriations Committee at a hearing last month that the university would manage the budget adjustment stemming from a projected revenue shortfall. Making future cuts would be more difficult, Bounds told the committee, as expense increases tied to health insurance premiums, collective-bargaining agreements and utility costs would create a budget gap potentially exceeding $58 million. To manage the cuts, NU will have to make vertical cuts meaning cuts to staff and programs rather than across-the-board cuts to each department, he told the Board of Regents and faculty and staff in a series of recent meetings. The university convened a budget response team in January to begin looking for cuts in 10 areas tied to services such as facilities management, information technology, human resources and others in an effort to avoid directly affecting the academic mission of NU. At the same time, NU would look at increasing its other revenue stream tuition paid by students to close the gap, although tuition wont be set until state funding is locked in by a vote of the Legislature and the signature of the governor. NU will take its case to the Appropriations Committee in early March. Bounds is expected to testify then, along with Board of Regents Chairman Bob Whitehouse, campus chancellors, students and others with ties to NU in business and ag sectors. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 16, ARMENPRESS. Defense Minister Vigen Sargsyan and Deputy Finance Minister Karen Tamazyan were appointed members of the Board of Trustees of the Fund for compensation of servicemen for health/life damages sustained during defense of Armenia, reports Armenpress. During the Government session on February 16, Minister-Chief of the Government Staff Davit Harutyunyan said the adoption of the Governments draft decision on appointing members of the Funds Board of Trustees is linked with the necessity to form a Board of Trustees of this Find. The Government appoints 3 out of 9 members of the Board. In case of death or having 1st degree disability a lump-sum 10 million AMD will be compensated. In case of 2nd degree disability a lump-sum 5 million AMD will be compensated. Thereafter, there will be monthly payments. In case of officers deaths or 1st degree disability 300.000 AMD will be compensated, in case of 2nd degree disability 200.000 AMD. 250.000 AMD and 150.000 AMD respectively will be compensated for the corporal staff, 200.000 AMD and 100.000 AMD respectively will be compensated for the privates. The financial resources will be formed from monthly 1000 AMDs of each of employees salaries, from the sales of securities, as well as from grants and donations provided for that purpose. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 16, ARMENPRESS. The Government of Armenia dissolved the Vayots Dzor arspas CJSC, a state owned company. Ashot Markosyan, deputy head of the State Property Management Department said the companys main activities were everyday household services to the population. 100% state-owned shares of the company were put up for privatization once by an auction by the July 25, 2013 Government decision. It wasnt privatized because there was no buyer, Markosyan said, adding the territories of the company were put up for sale in 2014, but no one was interested in buying it. In 2015, one storey of the building was alienated. Since 2015, the company is not engaged in any activities, it has only one employee a director. The Prime Minister has tasked the State Property Management Department to present a list of state owned companies which operate with damages, and present a privatization program. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 16, ARMENPRESS. An important community assembly will be held on February 16 in the Armenian Patriarchate of Istanbuls Mother Church complex, where among other issues, the heated atmosphere which resulted from the resignation of Bishop Sahak Mashalyan will be discussed, Istanbuls Armenian Zhamanak reports. The newspaper says the expanded consultation will discuss the current panic in the community life, the consequences of Mashalyans resignation and the issue of speeding up the Patriarchal election. The meeting coincided with the tense and turbulent period. Community leaders are extremely concerned and are in a quite radical mood. According to some reports, the secular community leaders will express decisive expectations for reaching a final moment in the Patriarchal election process. Everyone is impatiently waiting for the results of the meeting. The Patriarchates response is also probable. It is even probable for Patriarchal Vicar Archbishop Aram Ateshyan to resign, the newspaper said. Bishop Sahak Mashalyan resigned on February 13, saying Patriarchal Vicar Aram Archbishop Ateshyan is to blame for the decision. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 16, ARMENPRESS. The military investigative department of the Investigative Committee of Armenia launched a criminal case on the deadly accident involving a contractual serviceman, the Investigative Committee told ARMENPRESS. According to initial information, around 15:00 on February 15, a T-170 bulldozer belonging to an unnamed military base crashed into a gorge when carrying out snow removal in the road leading to the base. Contractual servicemen Garegin Minasyan, Armen Pukha and Vruyr Nersisyan, who were operating the bulldozer, suffered injuries. Garegin Minasyan died on the way to the military hospital of Gegharkunik. A. Pukha and V. Nersisyan were hospitalized in the Central Clinical Military Hospital. A criminal case has been initiated and an investigation is underway. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 16, ARMENPRESS. Culture Minister Armen Amiryan accepted the proposal on being included in the proportional list of the Republican Party of Armenia normally, said it is pleasant and obliging for him, reports Armenpress. I will carry out the propaganda in accordance with the law. The majority will form a government, and if the Republican party is a majority and forms a government, of course, we will be provided with a chance to continue the already started programs with Prime Minister Karen Karapetyans team, Amiryan said. Commenting on the remaining political forces and alliances participating in the upcoming election, the Culture Minister said he appreciates the capabilities of all forces. Defense Minister Vigen Sargsyan will head the RPA proportional list in the upcoming parliamentary election. The second number in the list is Yerevan Mayor Taron Margaryan, then comes Justice Minister Arpine Hovhannisyan, MP Ara Babloyan is the 4th, and Armen Amiryan is the 5th in the list and etc. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 16, ARMENPRESS. British lawyer Ramute Remezaite has been detained in Baku airport, and then was deported from Azerbaijan, Contact.az reports. My turn came to understand that from now on I am also a persona non grata in Azerbaijan, she wrote on Facebook. Member of the European Association of Lawyers for Human Rights, Remezaite got a visa from the Azerbaijani Embassy in London. She arrived in Baku with two colleagues at the invitation of a foreign embassy, however in the border control she was informed that there is a problem with her entry to Azerbaijan despite the existence of visa. Later she was sent back without receiving any comment. All this means that I am a persona non grata in Azerbaijan and cannot return there in the nearest future. This also means that you will not be allowed to enter that country if you defend human rights and are not silent when that countrys regime puts pressure on rights and freedoms, she writes. Lawyer Ramute Remezaite is an author of several articles about the topic of human rights violations in Azerbaijan. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 16, ARMENPRESS. President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev held negotiations with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the US Armed Forces General Joseph Dunford in Baku, RFE/RL reported. The sides discussed political and economic cooperation. It was reported that General Dunford is scheduled to meet his Russian counterpart General Valery Gerasimov in Baku on February 16 as well. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 16, ARMENPRESS. US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has confirmed President Donald Trumps readiness to resolve problems in relations with Russia, Armenpress reports, citing TASS, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on February 15. "We have discussed the situation in bilateral relations, which were seriously undermined by the Obama administration," Lavrov said after his first meeting with Tillerson. "Tillerson has confirmed readiness to overcome this period expressed by President Trump during the phone talks with President Putin," he added. According to the Russian top diplomat, sanctions were not discussed at the meeting. "No, the issue of sanctions was not discussed. We do not discuss sanctions," Lavrov said. A meeting of Russian and US Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump will take place as soon as both leaders deem it possible, he added. "Well proceed from the fact that the meeting of President Putin and President Trump will take place when the presidents deem it possible, the foreign minister said. "We have agreed that well continue contacts and well have a whole number of possibilities in the next few months," Russias top diplomat said. The Eurofighter Typhoon is a major prestige product for the European defence industry Austria sued European aerospace giant Airbus on Thursday over a 2003 Eurofighter deal that was long alleged to have been highly shady, seeking up to 1.1 billion euros ($1.2 billion) in damages. Austria's defence ministry said that the lawsuit, filed on Thursday, accused Airbus and the Eurofighter consortium of deliberately hoodwinking Vienna over the two-billion-euro order. "Austria would have never decided to buy the Eurofighter jets in 2003 without the fraudulent deception by Airbus and Eurofighter," Defence Minister Hans Peter Doskozil said. A spokesman for a "surprised" Airbus said that Vienna has yet to provide it with any information about its move, saying that it had only learned about the lawsuit from media reports. "The reported allegations, in particular those of fraud and deception, are incomprehensible to us. They appear contrived and we explicitly reject them," the spokesman told AFP via email. "We see today's action as a political manoeuvre," he said. The firm would however fully cooperate with the Austrian authorities, he added. - Prestige project - The Eurofighter Typhoon is a major prestige product for the European defence industry, with 475 aircraft delivered so far to Germany, Britain, Italy and Spain, as well as to Austria and Saudi Arabia. The four founding nations in the consortium -- Germany, Spain, Britain and Italy -? all use the planes in their own air forces. Other contracts have been signed with Oman and Kuwait. As well as Airbus Defence and Space, representing Germany and Spain, the consortium includes British group BAE Systems and Italian firm Leonardo. The total supply chain employs some 100,000 people. Austria was the first country outside the consortium to sign up, ordering in 2003 18 of the aircraft, which then dropped to 15 because of budgetary constraints. Negotiations had begun in 2000, stirring unease in the neutral Alpine country -- it is not in NATO -- and allegations started to swirl about kickbacks to politicians and others. Story continues A graft probe was set up in 2007 and led to the suspension of the then air force chief following revelations that his wife's company had been paid 87,600 euros by a lobbyist. - 'Taxpayers pay bribes' - In 2012 Austrian and German authorities launched a probe into Airbus, previously called EADS, to investigate whether officials had been paid millions of euros through advisory firms to secure the contract. Prosecutors in Munich are set to publish their preliminary findings later this year. In late January, Airbus had already agreed to pay tens of millions of euros in additional taxes over an allegedly shady 90-million-euro payment linked to the Austrian Eurofighter contract. The new "Task Force" report presented on Thursday, five years in the making, alleges that Airbus knowingly misled Austria about the purchase price, delivery times and the jets' technical equipment. In particular Austria wants to claw back 183.4 million euros in additional costs in "legal... and also criminal" commissions allegedly paid to lobbyists and others that Vienna says was not specified in the deal. "It is not acceptable that taxpayers pick up the tab for bribes," Doskozil said. When Guy Reynolds read 1984 as a teenager growing up in 1970s Great Britain, George Orwells novel depicting an authoritarian regime was an allegory for the communist Soviet Union in the middle of the Cold War. Some four decades later, Reynolds is interested to see how students at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln interpret the novel in a country where facts have been described as alternative and world leaders have taken an authoritarian bent. The storyline is broad enough and the allegory is complicated enough to keep it alive, said Reynolds, a professor of English and director of the Cather Project at UNL. Thats the important thing about this political writing; its got a kind of density to it that can be remade. Reynolds taught a literature survey to UNL freshman honors students last fall centered on the American Modernism movement of the 1920s and 1930s, exploring works by Ezra Pound, F. Scott Fitzgerald and T.S. Elliot. In preparing for his second honors seminar to be taught next fall a 100-level class offered to a select group of freshmen Reynolds said he looked back to his homeland for inspiration, drawing on post-World War II works, including Anthony Burgess' A Clockwork Orange, William Golding's The Lord of the Flies and Orwell. I can go back and read all the books I loved reading when I was younger, he said. The emerging theme of the course is punks and authoritarians, Reynolds said, but its the dystopian novel depicting the mid-level bureaucrat Winston Smith responsible for changing history to meet an authoritarian regimes narrative in 1984 that is drawing attention particularly after the election of President Donald Trump. The novel, first published in 1949, sold out on Amazon and in bookstores in the weeks after Trump's inauguration, and its publisher has ordered another printing of 75,000 to meet demand. Reynolds said while interest in 1984 has always been high in both America and Britain, and he intended to include the book in the course as early as last fall. But recent statements made by Trump staffers have brought new readers to the novel. "Literature is terribly important as you see how this stuff is still relevant," he said. Students will look at Orwell both as an author and a journalist to study the whole question of news and factuality, what is true and what is not true, how the media works, all of that is sparked by this book, which seems to have its finger on the pulse, Reynolds said. The honors seminar will emphasize independent learning and unique research into the themes presented in class, he added. In teaching a class about the use and misuse of authority, Im not about to ram a party line down their throats. Last semester, Reynolds said his students were able to compare and contrast literature set in sprawling 1920s New York or on the prairies of Willa Cathers Nebraska. Beyond the urban and rural divides presented in Modernist American literature, they also explored issues of race through Zora Neale Hurstons presentation of the Harlem Renaissance. The small class size will allow students to discuss how the text works and how 1984 may or may not apply to the world at large. Reynolds said the book, along with Burgess' and Goldings works, explore the darker devils of our nature. These novels have a kind of power we can still see, recognizing those things are part of human culture and human behavior whether we like it or not, he said. Theres always going to be an importance to reading these kind of novels, because they make us pay attention to those aspects of human experience which are forbidding. It wont be all dystopia and evil, though. Postwar British literature includes a rich comic tradition as well, Reynolds said, as exemplified in Kingsley Amis Lucky Jim and other novels hes considering for the syllabus. What it all sets up is teaching students to ask questions both of the world and of themselves. Its the questions we ask rather than the answers we provide, Reynolds said. Lee Jae-Yong (C), Samsung Electronics vice chairman and the son of Samsung group chairman Lee Kun-Hee, arrives at the court for a hearing to review the issuing of his arrest warrant at the Seoul Central District Court in Seoul on February 16, 2017 Prosecutors on Friday arrested the de facto head of South Korea's largest conglomerate, Samsung, on bribery and other charges related to a political corruption scandal that triggered the impeachment of President Park Geun-Hye. In a fresh blow to the electronics giant's corporate image, a district court cited new evidence in approving the arrest warrant against vice-chairman Lee Jae-Yong, who oversees the family-run conglomerate in the absence of his ailing father. Among other allegations, Lee is accused of paying nearly $40 million in bribes to a confidante of President Park's to secure policy favours. "It is acknowledged that it is necessary to arrest (Lee Jae-Yong) in light of a newly added criminal charge and new evidence," a court spokesman said in a statement. Shares of many Samsung units took a hit on the Seoul stock market following the news, with the group's flagship Samsung Electronics sliding 0.4 percent. Its de-facto holdings firm, Samsung C&T, dropped two percent and another key unit, Samsung Life Insurance, fell 1.4 percent. "We will do our best to ensure that the truth is revealed in future court proceedings," the group said in a statement. Lee was already being held at a detention centre after appearing in court Thursday as judges deliberated whether to issue an arrest warrant. He will remain in custody as he awaits a trial likely to begin within a few months. Prosecutors said they planned to summon him Saturday for further questioning, raising the prospect of Lee appearing in public in handcuffs -- a rare sight in the nation dubbed the "Republic of Samsung" due to the group's huge lobbying power. Lee, the son of Samsung group boss Lee Kun-Hee, has been quizzed several times over his alleged role in the scandal. The 48-year-old, described as a key suspect, narrowly avoided being formally arrested last month, after the court ruled there was insufficient evidence. But prosecutors on Tuesday made a second bid, saying they had collected more evidence in recent weeks. Story continues His arrest, the first for a Samsung chief, will send shock waves through the group, which is a major part of the South Korean economy and includes the world's largest smartphone maker, Samsung Electronics. "This is a blow to Samsung's image as a global player in the short term", HMC Investment Securities' analyst Greg Roh told AFP. IBK Investment Securities' Lee Seung-Woo said that given the cloud over Lee, at a time when the firm is attempting a complicated restructuring, Samsung could refrain from pursuing long-term investments such as overseas mergers and acquisitions. The company is already reeling from the debacle over the recall of its flagship Galaxy Note 7 device and reports have suggested it could face sanctions from overseas authorities if Lee is punished. Lee's father and grandfather repeatedly had close brushes with the law but were never jailed. - 'Donation' scandal - The scandal centres on Choi Soon-Sil, who is accused of using her close ties with Park to force local firms to "donate" nearly $70 million to non-profit foundations which Choi allegedly used for personal gain. Samsung was the single biggest donor to the foundations. It is also accused of separately giving millions of euros to Choi to bankroll her daughter's equestrian training in Germany. The court turned down prosecutors' demand for a separate arrest warrant for another Samsung executive, who is also the head of the Korea Equestrian Federation, citing his limited role in the scandal. Lee has effectively taken the helm of Samsung -- South Korea's biggest business group -- since his father suffered a heart attack in 2014. Prosecutors are probing whether Samsung had paid Choi to secure state approval for the controversial merger of two Samsung units seen as a key step towards ensuring a smooth power transfer to Lee. The merger in 2015 of Samsung C&T and Cheil Industries was opposed by many investors who said it wilfully undervalued the former unit's shares. But the deal went through after Seoul's state pension fund -- a major Samsung shareholder -- approved it. Samsung is South Korea's largest business group and its revenue is equivalent to about a fifth of the country's GDP. Lee's arrest was seen as a blow to Park who is staging an uphill battle at the Constitutional Court to overturn her impeachment by parliament. The Constitutional Court on Thursday said it would wrap up hearings on the impeachment case Friday next week, sparking expectations that it will reach a verdict around March 10. A railway line to the coal-rich east of Ukraine has been blocked by protesters since the start of the year Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko warned Thursday that nationalist protesters blocking a railway to the coal-rich Russian-backed separatist east could cause power outages across the country and job losses as a result. Ultranationalists have put a stop to a railway line since the start of the year between the coal-producing east and the rest of Ukraine to protest against Kiev trading with the rebels. Ukraine has declared a state of emergency in the energy sector over the blockade. Poroshenko called it a "destabilising factor" for the war-scarred and cash-strapped former Soviet state. The pro-Western Ukrainian leader warned in a speech that the coal delivery stoppage would cause several cities and parts of the capital to "be left without heating". He said the protest could cost Ukraine "300,000 jobs" because factories will grind to a halt without the required power. He later told an emergency National Security and Defence Council meeting that Ukraine would temporarily raise its nuclear power reliance to nearly 60 percent from the current 47 to reduce its dependence on coal. "I am pleased to report that we are sharply raising the share of nuclear energy in our energy balance," he said in a statement. The blockade has also drawn expressions of concern from the European Union on Wednesday and the United States on Thursday. "We are concerned by the current disruption to the coal supply from the non-government-controlled areas of Donetsk and Lugansk and its potential impact on Ukraine's energy system, the Ukrainian economy, and the Ukrainian people," the US embassy in Kiev said in a statement. - Trading with the foe - The activists blocking the shipments believe Ukraine should not be trading with its foe and that the insurgents are using the freight trains to shuttle weapons and fighters to flashpoints in the war. Kiev buys a specific type of coal produced only in the eastern self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic to fuel the power plants that provide the country's electricity. Story continues The trade has gone on even as Kiev and the separatists are locked in a 34-month conflict that has claimed more than 10,000 lives. Ukraine's army and police said that three of its soldiers and one civilian were killed in a new uptick of violence in the war zone. Energy Minister Igor Nasalyk warned that Ukraine was preparing for a month of possible rolling blackouts and urged consumers to sharply curtail their electricity use. The country has been beset by problems ranging from a war it blames on Russia to a complete lack of control of its vital industrial east in which rebels have set up their own fiefdoms. Yet Poroshenko is walking on thin ice because direct condemnation of the protests risks further angering the ultranationalists and turning them against Kiev. The protesters on Thursday vowed to continue their action. "All the threats by the corrupt authorities only confirm that we are on the right path and give us strength and inspiration," they said in a statement. Organisers later announced setting up their first road block to prevent Ukraine and the militias from trading using alternative routes. TEMPE, Ariz.Payment services platform leader CCBill announced today its newest Integration Partners: SkaDate and WP Dating. With the addition of these leading dating membership management solution providers, CCBill continues its commitment to supporting the growth of the internet dating market, and its mission to further expand their portfolio of technology and business service providers for CCBill merchants to contact when looking to launch or expand their current business offering. CCBill Merchants can now access these innovative dating software modules and their various features directly through the Integration Partners Marketplace, allowing merchants to unite CCBills best-in-class Payments-as-a-Service solution with dating software platforms from premium providers. Offering online dating and mobile business solutions since 2005, SkaDate offers a combined web and mobile solution, as well as a mobile-only version for businesses that want to take advantage of the mobile wave. SkaDate provides all the products and services needed to launch and run a successful and unique dating business: web and graphic design, site optimization and usability, mobile app development, and online dating website marketing. SkaDate has a long-term relationship with CCBill. Weve been supporting this integration for years because CCBill is the default go-to payment provider for a specific type of our customers. Although theres no shortage of payment providers on the market, CCBill proved to be a reliable partner that knows well the specifics of risk management and fraud protection. Our customers find it highly invaluable," said Emil Sarnogoev, SkaDate founder and CEO of Skalfa LLC. Also available through the CCBill Integration Partners program, WP Dating is a professional WordPress Dating plugin solution provider that powers leading dating sites on the market. The WP Dating plugin provides a super SEO friendly WordPress platform and enables access to more than 80 Premium WordPress Themes. The challenges of establishing an online dating business presence remains complex, as it requires time, familiarity with design and coding, and access to the right tools and resources to get a dating website up and running, said Chris Pike, channel manager for CCBill. Our Integration Partnerships with SkaDate and WP Dating bring sets of powerful features and services to CCBill Merchants, helping them run successful online dating business." In other CCBill news, the company was rewarded with back-to-back iDate Awards for the Best Payment System. Each year, the internet dating industry gathers business professionals from around the world to acknowledge and honor the greatest achievements in the market at the iDate Awards ceremony. This years iDate Awards ceremony took place during the iDate 2017 Dating Industry Conference, held January 2426 in Miami, Florida. Being included in the iDate Awards ceremony again in 2017 is an amazing honor for CCBill, says Gary Jackson, Managing VP of sales at CCBill. The iDate Awards promote industry innovations, while inspiring collaboration between professionals in different fields of the online dating industry. We are so proud to have received the votes that earned us the Best Payment System award again in 2017, and we are delighted to continue our work with the online dating community to help expand their impact and potential." More information about CCBill Dating Payments-as-a-Service package can be found here. For the full list of leading proprietary and open sources tools and modules on the Integration Partners Marketplace, go here. Yuhuang Shannan an hour's high-speed train journey from Shanghai is a newly formed, walled village in which only hedge fund employees and their visitors are allowed to venture, a kind of Canary Wharf with Chinese characteristics, with schools staffed by non-Chinese teachers, a private club, and its own health care facilities. Hedge funds in China like hedge funds everywhere are losing money on average, but they're losing it at a slower rate than local equity and credit markets, so they have not faced the investor exodus that has threatened the hedge fund industry out of China. Many western hedge funds are relocating to China, claiming that the country's inefficient markets offer opportunities to "achieve alpha" and beat the market (if the Chinese government doesn't intervene, as it did in summer 2015 to prevent short-selling and to kill equity index futures). Bruce McGuire, who runs the Connecticut Hedge Fund Association, says he's hosted four Chinese delegations in Greenwich over the past 12 months. The former Goldman Sachs Asset Management executive has also toured fund towns in Hangzhou and Beijing, and he predicts it won't be long before the country develops its own global hedge fund powerhouses. When those firms eventually look for a base in the U.S., McGuire wants to make sure Greenwich is at the top of their list. "We'd like to get more than our fair share," he says. "We want to attract the Bridgewater of China." Until then, Yuhuang Shannan Fund Town will serve as China's launchpad. "When you're still a small firm, even if you venture into Beijing or Shanghai, it's hard to reach out to the right funding partners," says Wang of MD Grand Investments. "It's easier to talk with banks and brokerages as a member of a fund town. If you're not in a center of funds, you'll be ignoredthe last thing you want as a startup." Welcome to Greenwich, China [Gary Gao, Emma Dong, Dingmin Zhang, and Sam Mamudi/Bloomberg] (via Marginal Revolution) (Image: Qilai Shen/Bloomberg) Deb Andrews, a Lincoln woman who has shown an active interest in local and state issues by speaking at City Council, school board meetings and legislative hearings, has announced she is running for one of the council's at-large seats. Andrews, 66, said life experiences have shaped her focus and priorities. "My lens is different than most. Government has strayed from its constitutional function. Services to citizens have become secondary to the union and select private businesses," she said in a news release announcing her candidacy. "Bonds, fees and taxes have soared while median household income has largely stagnated. Rules and ordinances to control citizens and business have been implemented that have nothing to do with health and safety -- the primary role of government," she said. Andrews said as a member of the City Council she "will work to put the citizen back in charge, improve services and reduce taxes." Andrews is one of seven people running for the three at-large seats on the seven-member city council. Six people will move from the April 4 primary to the May 2 general election ballot. Andrews is registered nonpartisan and said she will accept no campaign contributions. The City Council is officially nonpartisan, with no party labels on the ballot. But the two major parties sometimes support specific candidates. Andrews attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the University of Nebraska at Omaha and was employed with the Nebraska Department of Labor for 11 years, according to a news release. She was also active in many organizations as a mother, homemaker and volunteer, including board member for the Nebraska Association for the Gifted, and charter member of the Nebraska Parent Network, serving as president of the Omaha chapter. Andrews lived in Portland, Oregon, from 2001 to 2007, where she started a consulting business. Andrews said she continues her research into local, national and international issues and testifies at meetings of the Lincoln Public Schools Board of Education, State Board of Education, Lincoln City Council and at legislative hearings. She is a member of Women in Sales and Business and the Lincoln Independent Business Association. Andrews was an unsuccessful candidate for the state Legislature last year. Other candidates for the at-large City Council seats include Brayden McLaughlin, Bennie Shobe, Tom Nesbitt, Lou Braatz III and incumbents Roy Christensen and Leirion Gaylor Baird. College Readiness Report: Students Accepted to College Still Unprepared for Higher Ed An investigation by the Hechinger Report has found that most colleges enroll "many" students who aren't prepared for higher education. The organization, which does journalism on public education, found that among 209 two- and four-year colleges across the country, more than half of incoming students had to take remedial courses in math or English. The study examined 2014-2015 data from 911 schools in total, almost all of which accepted students who then required extra help before they were ready to tackle a "full load of college-level, credit-bearing courses." The report stated that remediation rates are difficult to compare among states because they all use different cutoff scores to decide who must take the classes. However, according to Hechinger, Maine leads the way with 49 percent of all first-time students requiring remedial classes, followed by New Jersey, where 46 percent of students do. The percentages are higher for recent high school graduates and at community colleges. Fifty-nine percent of new graduates in Tennessee needed remedial education; 58 percent of Nevada students did. The report said that "more than two-thirds" of first-time students enrolling in Arkansas' two-year colleges required remedial classes in 2014, and about 60 percent of those in Massachusetts and Tennessee did. Interestingly, the same analysis also showed that remediation rates have been dropping in most states by small amounts, as states have adopted the Common Core standards in K-12 intended to align what's expected of high school graduates to be college-ready. Those outcomes are problematic for two main reasons: First, it's a "financial drain" to the tune of $7 billion a year for students, colleges and taxpayers, the report explained. Second, and more importantly, research has found that students who take remedial classes often don't move into courses that lead to earning credits for a degree. Many never bother completing their remedial programs either. To counter the high numbers, colleges are trying several approaches. Several are working with their local "feeder" school districts to identify people in high school who aren't ready for college math or English and trying to bring them up to snuff before graduation, with some measure of success. For example, Hechinger found that the proportion of students arriving from high school between 2011 and 2014 who needed remedial instruction dropped from 69 percent to 59 percent under such efforts. Another approach is to try shorter stints of remediation. Baltimore City Community College, as one example, shrunk the length of some remedial courses from 16 weeks to 12 or eight. They're also shifting to open educational resources for those classes to reduce the cost to students of doing remediation. The same school is experimenting with just-in-time remediation, in which an instructor teaches college-level courses and then spends time immediately after the classes with students who need extra help to focus on problem areas. While these kinds of efforts "take considerable time and energy" as well as more money, administrators are finding the outlay worthwhile. The report quoted CCBC President Sandra Kurtinitis, who noted, "It's an expense we incur gladly.... It's really an investment in retaining students who are now prepared at the college level." Mothers key to preventing radicalisation Belgian mother of a slain extremist narrates her story at Dhaka event; she now works on de-radicalisation The Daily Star, Bangladesh/February 15, 2017 A Belgian mother, whose son was killed in 2013 while fighting for Islamic State in Syria, has called for awareness building among mothers to counter radicalism and extremism. I think it is important to focus on the families and mothers. Because mothers are the first and the last persons that the children, the youths, stay in touch with, said Saliha Ben Ali, a Belgian citizen of Tunisian origin, during a programme at the Dhaka University Senate Bhaban yesterday. The second of her four children, 19-year-old Sabri was radicalised by an extremist group in Belgium in just two months, all beyond the knowledge of the family. Sabri fled to Syria in August 2013. Three months later, Saliha learnt from an anonymous phone call that her son had died. After Sabri's death, she founded a non-profit organisation, Society Against Violent Extremism (SAVE) Belgium, whose goal is to fight all forms of violent radicalisation. As part of her worldwide awareness campaigns on de-radicalisation and counterterrorism, she is now on a four-day Bangladesh visit ending tomorrow. She will attend events at different schools, colleges and universities and talk to law enforcement agencies as well as families of some slain militants, organisers said. I have to transform my tragedy into something positive and I need to help those like me just by speaking, Saliha said at yesterday's programme titled Campaign to Counter Violent Extremism: Learning from the Society Against Violent Extremism (SAVE) Belgium, organised by Innovation for Wellbeing Foundation and supported by The American Centre, Dhaka. Radicalisation of Sabri Once a happy and music-loving boy, Sabri became isolated and started skipping school as he was frustrated over the discrimination for being an immigrant Belgian. He tried to join the army and firefighting force but was refused. Then he started turning more religious and went to mosque to learn more about religion but the imam rejected him due to the language barrier. Imam couldn't speak Dutch or French while Sabri didn't understand Arabic. After this, Sabri met some preachers, basically members of an extremist group. They told him that he needed to go on hijrah (migration) to be a good Muslim. The mother came to know this after his departure. He was feeling useless and trying to find a sense of his life, and I think this is why he chose to join this group, said Saliha. Expressing concern over what was happening in Syria and Palestine, he often used to ask questions like Why nobody reacts and takes action? and What can I do for them? Gradually, he stopped playing games, listening to music and watching TV. He started saying that vote and democracy are prohibited in Islam. Then he left for the war-torn country. Mom, please don't be mad with me I'm in Syria and Mom, please forgive me I'm now in the Sham I came here to help the Syrian people -- these were two of the messages from Sabri to his mother in social media. Around 500 Belgians have left for Syria since the civil war erupted in the West African country six years ago, The Washington Times reported, citing the findings of the Netherlands-based International Centre for Counter-Terrorism on May 8, 2016. From Bangladesh too, around 20 went to Iraq and Syria to join IS. Some of them have already been killed and a few have returned, a top counterterrorism official told The Daily Star recently. According to Saliha, she is one of the first Muslim European women who agreed to speak to the media to make families aware of signs of radicalisation. We the affected families didn't have the right to speak out; we just had the right to be silent at home and shut the doors and windows just to remain isolated, Saliha said. In the keynote address titled Countering violent extremism in Bangladesh, senior journalist Julfikar Ali Manik said combating religious extremism and terrorism in Bangladesh largely depends on law enforcement agencies and the judiciary. Arrests are not enough, he said, adding that prisons should have de-radicalisation programmes with proper training and monitoring so that the arrested militants don't get the chance to radicalise others and they themselves get reform opportunities. Apart from legal and security measures, there should be effective socio-political and cultural programmes to create awareness among all sections of people, said Manik, a noted investigative reporter. The programme was also addressed by Dhaka University Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof Nasreen Ahmad; Ann B McConnell, director of The American Centre, Dhaka; Monira Rahman, founder of Innovation for Wellbeing Foundation; and barrister Sara Hossain, among others. To see more documents/articles regarding this group/organization/subject click here. Donald Trump Michael Flynn CIA Former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn told the FBI in an interview last month that he did not speak to Russia's ambassador to the US, Sergey Kislyak, about sanctions, The Washington Post reported on Thursday. That may put Flynn in legal jeopardy because he has said that he couldn't recall exactly what he and Kislyak discussed during their calls in December, but the issue of US sanctions on Russia may have been touched upon after all. The Post's account of Flynn's interview with the FBI appeared to conflict with CNN's reporting, however, which said that the bureau's interviewers "believed Flynn was cooperative and provided truthful answers" and "don't believe he was intentionally misleading them." Even if the FBI recommended charging Flynn with perjury, it is unclear whether a Justice Department led by Attorney General Jeff Sessions would move forward with those charges. The FBI interviewed Flynn about the calls, which were intercepted by US intelligence agents, two days before Sally Yates, then the acting attorney general, told White House counsel Donald McGahn she believed Flynn was vulnerable to blackmail by the Kremlin, which knew about the conversations. Yates, who along with top US intelligence officials obtained transcripts of Flynn's calls with Kislyak in late December, said she considered Flynn's comments in at least one of the calls to be "highly significant" and "potentially illegal," The Post reported, citing a US official close to her. President Donald Trump said in a press conference on Thursday that Flynn was "just doing his job" when he called Kislyak in December. While Trump said he did not direct Flynn to discuss sanctions on the calls, he said that he would have if he had known the nature of their discussions. "I don't think he did anything wrong if anything, he was doing something right," Trump said. "He didn't just call Russia, he called and spoke to both ways, I think, 30-odd countries. He was just doing his job." Weiterlesen Flynn resigned on Monday, four days after The Post and The New York Times, together citing nearly a dozen current and former US officials, reported that Flynn had spoken with Kislyak about sanctions, despite repeated denials on both sides that anything sensitive was discussed on the calls. In an interview with The Daily Caller shortly before resigning, Flynn said he wasn't trying to "relieve sanctions" on Russia, but that he called the ambassador at least once on the day President Barack Obama imposed new penalties related to Russia's election-related meddling "basically to say, 'Look, we're coming into office in a couple of weeks. Give us some time to take a look at everything.'" A former official told The Post, however, that Flynn gave the ambassador "the impression that the sanctions would be revisited at a later time." Donald Trump The Defense Intelligence Agency has suspended Flynn's security clearance pending a review of his communication with Kislyak, CNN reported. Trump on Thursday criticized the press for publishing "classified" information, though The Post's and The Times' reports did not specify whether the sources came from within the intelligence community. "The first thing I thought of when I heard about [Flynn] is: How does the press get this information that's classified?" Trump said on Thursday. "How do they do it? You know why? Because it is an illegal process, and the press should be ashamed of themselves." Trump insisted on Thursday, however, that the only reason he asked for Flynn's resignation was because Flynn "didn't tell our vice president properly, and then he said he didn't remember, so either way, it wasn't very satisfactory to me." Vice President Mike Pence was "incensed" at Flynn for misleading him about the calls, The Times reported on Monday. Pence had defended Flynn in an interview with CBS on January 15, saying Flynn "did not discuss anything having to do with the United States' decision to expel diplomats or impose censure against Russia." Pence wasn't informed about the investigation into Flynn's communication with the ambassador until February 9, according to The Post weeks after Yates first briefed McGahn about the calls. "For the vice president, I feel terrible," Flynn told The Daily Caller. "I put him in a position. He's a man of incredible integrity. I think the world of him. ... I should have said, 'I don't know. I can't recall,' which is the truth. Looking back, that's what I should have done." NOW WATCH: 'I'm not going to tell you': Trump refuses to answer how he will respond to a Russian spy ship spotted near the coast More From Business Insider SIXTEEN years ago, Pakistan promulgated the Juvenile Justice System Ordinance (JJSO) 2000 to bring its current juvenile justice framework into conformity with its international obligations. The law was meant to shield children who came into conflict with the law from the rigours of the formal judicial system. This included right of legal aid, expedited trials held in separate courts, access to services for rehabilitation and reintegration with their families. The law also provided protection to accused children from corporal punishments, torture and the death penalty. Despite the existence of such a comprehensive legal framework (and being one of the earliest countries in the world to ratify the 1998 UN Convention on the Rights of the Child), the government has failed to demonstrate much interest in implementing a comprehensive juvenile justice system. The JJSO was not enacted retroactively. A significant proportion of the population of juvenile prisoners, therefore, fell outside the ambit of the protections accorded by the law, including protection from the death penalty. However, the Pakistani president issued a notification in 2001, in exercise of his powers under Article 45 of the Constitution (ie, the power to grant pardon, reprieve and respite, and to remit, suspend or commute any sentence passed by any court). Under the notification, juvenile offenders sentenced to death prior to the enactment of the JJSO were to be accorded remission following an inquiry into their juvenility. An upcoming report by Justice Project Pakistan, Death Rows Children, reveals that such inquiries hardly ever took place; when they did they were marred by arbitrariness and inefficiency. Additional shortcomings in Pakistans juvenile justice system, which result in the governments unlawful, arbitrary implementation of the death penalty against juvenile offenders have been highlighted in the report. The research analyses individual cases of juvenile offenders who have been executed or are awaiting executions to highlight the many junctures at which violations occur, starting from the arrest to the juveniles unlawful march to the gallows. In Pakistan, police and courts follow no age determination protocols. This is especially problematic for a country where birth registration rates are dismal. According to official estimates, nearly 10 million children below five years are unregistered, with the figure growing by nearly 3m every year. Courts inevitably posit the burden of proof on juvenile offenders who are not accorded any benefit of doubt. Since a majority of those facing arrest lack any form of official documentation, they are placed in a virtually impossible situation. In May 2016, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child in its concluding observations urged the government to order a stay in executions involving minors and launch a review of all cases where there is an indication that the accused was a juvenile. The need for such a review cannot be overemphasised as it is estimated that 10pc of the current death-row population constitutes juvenile offenders. Muhammad Anwar was sentenced to death in 1998 for a crime allegedly committed when he was just 17-years-old. Despite having sufficient proof of juvenility the government remained unable to provide the benefit of this presidential remission and he is still on death row. In December 2014, Anwar came within hours of execution; he remains at serious risk of receiving another warrant. Similarly, Muhammad Azam is another juvenile offender who was arrested in 1998 for murder and convicted and sentenced to death by an anti-terrorism court prior to the JJSOs promulgation. Copies of his birth records, jail records, including a copy of the birth roll confirm he was 17 when he was first admitted into custody. Jail records also demonstrate that Azam was initially held in Youthful Offenders Industrial School Karachi a borstal institution especially designed for juvenile offenders. Following the 2001 notification, jail authorities sent a request to the trial court asking the court to determine Azams age to ascertain whether his sentence should be commuted. However, he couldnt get the relief on the basis that the court was already functus officio following the conclusion of the appeals. JPP in its report asks the government to reinstate the moratorium in the first instance, especially for those prisoners who were juveniles or can avail the benefit of reasonable doubt of juvenility at the time of offence committed. The report additionally asks for the enforcement of the solid age determination protocols, in compliance with international legal and policy standards. As Pakistan prepares for the Universal Periodic Review in November 2017, it is absolutely essential that it institutes these measures in order to demonstrate its commitment to human rights in both the domestic and international arena. Source: Dawn , Miqdav Naqvi, February 16th, 2017. The writer is a child rights activist and law practitioner in Lahore. | Report an error, an omission, a typo; suggest a story or a new angle to an existing story; submit a piece, a comment; recommend a resource; contact the webmaster, contact us: deathpenaltynews@gmail.com Opposed to Capital Punishment? Help us keep this blog up and running! DONATE! By Joseph Sipalan and Liz Lee KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysian police made a third arrest on Thursday in their hunt for the people involved in the murder of the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The third person, whose nationality was not disclosed, was the friend of an Indonesian woman who was detained earlier in the day in connection with the killing of Kim Jong Nam at the airport in the Malaysian capital on Monday, police said. "He was detained to facilitate investigations as he is the boyfriend of the second suspect," said Abu Samah Mat, the police chief in Selangor state, told Reuters. The Indonesian woman was remanded in custody for seven days along with another woman, who held a Vietnamese travel document, who was caught trying to leave the country through the budget airline terminal of Kuala Lumpur airport on Wednesday, the Bernama state news agency reported. Kim Jong Nam, 46, was assaulted at the same airport on Monday with what was believed to be a fast-acting poison as he was about to leave on a flight to Macau. He sought help, collapsed and died on his way to hospital. Lawmakers in South Korea earlier cited their spy agency as saying it suspected two female North Korean agents had murdered Kim. U.S. government sources also said they believed North Korean assassins were responsible. Kim Jong Nam had spoken out publicly against his family's dynastic control of the isolated, nuclear-armed state, and he had also expressed fears for this safety. South Korea's intelligence agency told lawmakers in Seoul that the young, unpredictable North Korean leader had issued a "standing order" for his elder half-brother's assassination, and that there had been a failed attempt in 2012. North Korean agents have killed rivals abroad before. The Indonesian woman was alone when she was apprehended, police said. Her passport bore the name Siti Aishah, and gave her date of birth as Feb. 11, 1992, and place of birth as Serang, Indonesia. The Indonesian foreign ministry said it had requested consular access to the woman. The first suspect detained had travel documents in the name of Doan Thi Huong, with a birth date of May 1988 and birthplace of Nam Dinh, Vietnam. 'NO REASON TO KILL' North Korea has made no public reference to Kim Jong Nam's death, and calls to the embassy in Malaysia were unanswered. But a source in Beijing with ties to both the North Korean and Chinese governments told Reuters that North Korea was not involved in his killing, and had no motive. "Kim Jong Nam has nothing to do with (North) Korea," the source said. "There is no reason for (North) Korea to kill him." "(North) Korea is investigating," the source said when asked why there has been no publicly denied involvement, adding that North Korea wanted the body returned. There was also no mention of Kim Jong Nam's death in North Korean state media, as of early Thursday. At midnight on Wednesday, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun to mark the birthday of his father, the late leader Kim Jong Il, who died in 2011. The late leader was also the father of Kim Jong Nam. The two had different mothers. Malaysian police said Kim had been at the airport to catch a flight to Macau on Monday when someone grabbed or held his face from behind, after which he felt dizzy and sought help at an information desk. "The cause of death is strongly suspected to be a poisoning attack," said South Korean lawmaker Kim Byung-kee, who was briefed by his country's spy agency. Malaysian authorities rebuffed North Korean officials' efforts to stop an autopsy being carried out on Kim, three Malaysian government sources familiar with the stand-off told Reuters. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, a Malaysian government leader said he believed the police had received a request from North Korean officials for the body, and it could be eventually released to the North Korean embassy. "After all the police and medical procedures are completed, we may release the body to the next of kin through the embassy," Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said. According to South Korea's spy agency, Kim had been living with his second wife, under Beijing's protection, in the Chinese territory of Macau, South Korean lawmakers said. One of them said Kim also had a wife and son in Beijing. In Beijing, a foreign ministry spokesman said on Wednesday China was aware of reports of the murder and was closely following developments. (Additional reporting by A.Ananthalakshmi in KUALA LUMPUR and Benjamin Lim in BEIJING; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore, Robert Birsel) Monday, President Donald Trumps national security adviser Michael Flynn resigned after reports that he had misled Vice President Mike Pence and other officials about his contacts with Russia. Tuesday, The New York Times reported that U.S. intelligence agencies had intercepted phone calls between Russian officials and Trumps 2016 campaign team. While the officials who spoke to the Times say they have found no evidence that the Trump campaign colluded with Russia to alter the outcome of the election, the revelations and Flynns resignation are nonetheless troubling and, under ordinary circumstances, would trigger a congressional investigation. That certainly is what occurred repeatedly when the Republican Congress investigated Hillary Clintons use of a private email server and conducted eight separate probes into her role while secretary of state in the 2012 Benghazi attack. Neither of those cases put the nations security at risk. Flynns contact with the Russians, which could have left him vulnerable to blackmail, as well as Russias involvement in the election, including its theft of Democratic National Committee and Clinton campaign emails, put the countrys security at risk. But beyond a few GOP senators who have said that the Senate investigation of Russian involvement in the election needs to be deepened, the highly partisan Republican Congress has shown little interest in truly investigating Russias connection to the Trump campaign. I just dont think its useful to be doing investigation after investigation, particularly of your own party, Sen. Rand Paul said. Tuesday. Well never even get started with doing the things we need to do, like repealing Obamacare. If were spending our whole time having Republicans investigate Republicans, I think it makes no sense. In fact, it makes total sense for the Republicans to investigate Republicans -- to restore trust in representative government, reinforce the separation of powers between the three branches of government and, most importantly, to determine if the nations security and electoral process were compromised by the Russians. Perhaps Sen. Ben Sasse, who has made our nations cyber security one of his priorities, can urge his colleagues to thoroughly investigate the Trump campaign, Flynns contacts with the Russians and election tampering. Otherwise, the revelations, likely to continue, will require an independent counsel to investigate the deeply troubling Russian meddling in U.S. politics and the connection with the Trump campaign and administration. In January, FCA sales in Europe were up 15.2% year-over-year, once again outperforming the industry average of 10.1%. Group market share increased to 7.0% from 6.6% one year ago. January sales were up 31.4% for Alfa Romeo, 17.3% for Fiat and 2.5% for Lancia. The Fiat Panda and Fiat 500 continued their leadership in the European A segment with a combined 31.6% share. The Fiat 500L was the best selling vehicle in its segment with a share of nearly 22%. The Fiat 500X and Jeep Renegade were once again among the leaders in their segment with a combined 12.1% share. The Fiat Tipo, already one of the most popular vehicles in Italy, continues to gain momentum in Europe. FCA started the year with another strong monthly sales performance in Europe (EU28+EFTA). Group sales were up 15.2% (+10.1% for the industry) to approximately 83,800 vehicles. Market share was 40 basis points higher at 7.0%. FCA posted increases in nearly all major European markets, with sales up 12.7% in Italy (industry +10.1%), 22.7% in Germany (industry +10.5%), 19.0% in France (industry +10.6%) and 32.2% in Spain (industry +10.6%). Fiat brand posted a 17.3% increase in European sales in January, with 63,500 vehicles sold. Market share was 40 basis points higher at 5.3%. The brand posted increases of 14.5% in Italy, 25.0% in Germany, 24.1% in France, 41.6% in Spain, 31.4% in Switzerland, 20.1% in Austria, 22.3% in Belgium, 19.9% in the Netherlands and 107.5% in Poland. Fiat remained leader in the European A segment with the Panda and 500 holding a combined 31.6% share. The Panda was overall leader with approximately 17,900 units sold (+4.8% year-over-year) followed by the 500 with approximately 15,700 units sold (+14.6%). The 500L was leader in the Small MPV segment with a nearly 22.0% share. The 500X continued as one of the best selling models in the Small SUV segment, ranking first in Italy with a 14.7% share, and among the top 5 in Spain, Belgium and Austria. The Fiat Tipo continued to gain momentum, ranking second in its segment in Italy and posting sales increases across Europe. Lancia/Chrysler posted January sales of nearly 5,900 vehicles (+2.5% year-over-year). Share was in line with the prior year at 0.5%. Sales of the Lancia Ypsilon were up 2.8% year-over-year in Europe and 4.0% in Italy, where it is leader in the B segment. Alfa Romeo posted another strong month with a significant contribution from the Giulia. In fact, sales were up 31.4% year-over-year, with a total of 6,000 vehicles sold, and market share was 10 basis points higher at 0.5%. Sales were up 27.2% in Italy, 48.4% in Germany, 2.4% in France and 58.6% in Spain. Jeep brand sales in Europe totaled 7,400 vehicles and market share was 0.6%. Sales in France were up 1.5%. The Jeep Renegade, consistently one of the top ten in its segment, made another solid contribution with sales up 0.8% year-over-year. For Maserati, the Group's luxury brand, European sales in January totaled 995 vehicles. London, 16 February 2017 For further information: +39.011.0063088 mediarelations@fcagroup.com www.fcagroup.com MANCHESTER, N.H., Feb. 16, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Southern New Hampshire University's low-residency MFA in Fiction and Nonfiction program would like to congratulate faculty member Mark Sundeen on the launch of his highly anticipated work of immersive journalism. Steeped in a distinctively American social history and sparked by a personal quest, "The Unsettlers" traces the search for the simple life through the stories of a new generation of pioneers and what inspired each of them to look for or create a better existence. Captivating and clear-eyed, it dares us to imagine what a sustainable, ethical, authentic future might actually look like. This book is an example of how literature can be a catalyst for dialogue and new ways of thinking. It is a work that is deeply engaged with important questions that many Americans are currently grappling with. In a review in The Rumpus, Bradley Babendir writes that "the most important aspect of the book is not about homesteading. Instead, it's this: every choice is, in some way, political. What one buys at the store and how one gets around are all expressions of one's values, conscious or not. We should all do more thinking on that subject." Sundeen is currently on a book tour. Upcoming readings will be held in cities including Portland, Oregon; Seattle, Washington; and Denver, Colorado. For more information about events near you, visit the book's Facebook page. Mark Sundeen's work has appeared in The New York Times, Outside, National Geographic Adventure, and The Believer. He is the author of "Car Camping" and "The Making of Toro," and co-author of the New York Times bestselling "North by Northwestern." He lives in Colorado. Author website: marksundeen.com. For more on Southern New Hampshire University's low-residency MFA in Fiction and Nonfiction program, visit http://www.snhu.edu/campus-majors/graduate/mfa-creative-writing-fiction-nonfiction Quote: (A) Although the first pulsar, or rapidly spinning collapsed star, to be sighted was in the summer of 1967 by graduate student Jocelyn Bell, it had not been announced until February, 1968. to be sighted Quote: (B) Although not announced until February, 1968, in the summer of 1967 graduate student Jocelyn Bell observed the first pulsar, or rapidly spinning collapsed star, to be sighted. Quote: (C) Although observed by graduate student Jocelyn Bell in the summer of 1967, the discovery of the first sighted pulsar, or rapidly spinning collapsed star, had not been announced before February, 1968. the discovery of discovery Quote: (D) The first pulsar, or rapidly spinning collapsed star, to be sighted was observed in the summer of 1967 by graduate student Jocelyn Bell, but the discovery was not announced until February, 1968. Quote: (E) The first sighted pulsar, or rapidly spinning collapsed star, was not announced until February, 1968, while it was observed in the summer of 1967 by graduate student Jocelyn Bell. discovery This is a classic case of an SC question with a terrible-sounding correct answer. (And if I remember correctly, I got this !&$!^$%ing question wrong the first time I saw it a decade or so ago, for exactly that reason.) But in case you arent tired of hearing me say it yet: sound doesnt matter on SC , right?We have all sorts of problems here. For starters, it seems to refer to the first pulsar, and that makes no sense: the first pulsar had not been announced until February, 1968? What the heck does it mean to announce a pulsar? You could announce a sighting, but not the pulsar itself.The use of the past perfect tense (had not been announced) also isnt great in (A). That verb tense needs to describe an action that happens BEFORE some other action in the past. But in this case, its backwards: the pulsar was observed in 1967, but then it was announced later, in 1968 so its awfully strange to use the past perfect tense to discuss the 1968 announcement, given the context of the sentence.Thats enough to eliminate (A). But for whatever its worth, theres other goofy stuff here: why would you say that the first pulsarwas in the summer of 1967?? You could say that it was observed in the summer of 1967 or was first seen in the summer of 1967 or maybe even was first sighted in the summer of 1967, but the version in (A) doesn't make much sense.But even if you ignore everything I said in that last paragraph, we still have plenty of reasons to eliminate (A).The biggest problem with (B) is that funky modifier at the beginning of the sentence: Although not announced until February, 1968. needs to be followed by the thing that was (eventually) announced presumably, the observation of the pulsar. But that doesnt really happen. Instead, the phrase is followed by in the summer of 1967 graduate student Jocelyn Bell And that makes no sense, because neither the summer of 1967 nor Jocelyn Bell was announced in 1968.So (B) is gone, too.(C) has some of the same problems as (A) and (B). That opening modifier is still a problem: the opening phrase Although observed in the summer of 1967, thethe first sighted pulsar suggests that thewas observed in the summer of 1967, and thats nonsense.Im also still uncomfortable with the use of past perfect tense (had not been announced) at the end of the sentence. Its odd to say that the discovery had not been announced before February, 1968 unless that action comes before some other action and it doesnt, since the pulsar was first observed in 1967.Finally, I dont love the way the word sighted is used here. Its structured as an adjective in (C), and sighted generally means having the ability to see (i.e., not blind) when its used as an adjective. So if we say the first sighted pulsar, were literally saying that the pulsar has eyesight. Sounds cool, but not terribly reasonable.So we can get rid of (C).Ill be honest: I think this sounds lousy. That initial clause (the first pulsar to be sighted was observed in the summer of 1967) SOUNDS redundant. I mean, it just doesnt SOUND right to say that the pulsar was both sighted and observed.But if youre answering SC based on sound, youre not doing it right (more on that here ). In this case, theres actually a pretty good reason the sentence is written the way it is: if it just said the first pulsar was observed in the summer of 1967, that would imply that the pulsar Bell observed was the first pulsar that ever existed. And that makes no sense.So we actually need the phrase to be sighted in order to understand which pulsar Bell observed.And I dont see anything else thats really a concern. Lets keep (D).For starters, its illogical to say that the first pulsar was not announced until February, 1968. You might announce theof the pulsar; you wouldnt announce the pulsar itself.Second, we still have that problem with the adjective sighted. See answer choice (C) for more on this, but it literally suggests that the pulsar has eyesight; if we want to say that it was the first pulsar anybody had ever seen, then we could say something like the first pulsar to be sighted or the first pulsar ever seen or something along those lines.And finally, the sequencing of the sentence is odd. When you read the first half of the sentence telling us that the pulsar was not announced, we have no context for it yet, since we dont know when it was first observed by Bell. This isnt a dealbreaker, but its one more reason that (E) isnt awesome.So (E) is out, and (D) is our answer._________________ Anderson ($90k) or Kellogg ($0) ? - Advice appreciated!! [ #permalink Hi All, I am a business journalist who looks to transition into big tech as a PM. I got admitted by Anderson with $90k, Darden with half scholarship and Kellogg with no money. I've been struggling to make a decision between Anderson and Kellogg, and I would really appreciate some advice or insights in either school! THINGS THAT MATTER TO ME: 1. As a journalist, I don't have high salary or savings. $$$ matters, so $90k is a huge amount to me, otherwise I would have to take at least $150k loans. 2. A strong school brand that opens doors matters, since I'm from a very nontraditional background. 3. Access and placement in tech is important. I am about to take CFA III this year, so I'll also be open to finance, but not strongly interested. 4. My boyfriend hopes he can move with me as we are planning on family. He is a software engineer at one of the biggest tech firms in Seattle. 5. My bf and I plan to live in the west coast post-MBA, either in California or back to Seattle. We are open to go to NYC or other cities, but if given options, we prefer west coast. MY CONSIDERATIONS: ---Kellogg--- Pros: 1. There is no doubt that its ranking is significantly higher, which means its reputation and alumni network will open more doors for me wherever I go in the long run. 2. Has great strengths across industries, so in case I change my mind about tech at school, I would still be able to find my way out and end up in a good position in consulting, GPG or something else. Cons: 1. The tuition and living expense is already very expensive. My bf and I will have to do long distance since Chicago does not have big tech jobs (unless he goes to a startup. That will be a sacrifice taking him back a few steps in career). We will pay double rent, more food, more transportation.... 2. Cold....it's depressingly cold... 3. Evanston is far from west coast tech hubs. I will have to fly for off-campus interview and networking. I won't be able to do during-semester internships at companies like Uber or Hulu that some Anderson students do in LA. --- Anderson --- Pros: 1. Tech access. Its culture and career support is very tech oriented. Tons of alumni in tech in California and west coast in general. 2. My bf can easily find a job at a peer company in LA and move with me. Given that plus $90k, we will save a significant amount from tuition, rent, food, flights...I'll almost be debt-free coming out of school. My post-MBA income can be fully put into our plan for a family (potentially buying a house) and having kids, which will also be costly. 3. Weather. Can't be better. Cons: 1. School reputation, ranking, size of alumni network. I have a master degree from an Ivy school and I understand the reputation and alumni network makes a big difference. I have spoken to probably 50+ MBAs from many business schools. Most of them said ranking is the #1 priority, especially for career switchers like me, because a school like Kellogg will greatly benefit me in the next 30 years no matter which industry I'm going. They tend to think that Anderson is also a great school, but not comparable to Kellogg. 2. Recruiting. I will likely have to commit to tech if I go to Anderson, otherwise it's not worth it. My MBA friends and consultant said the higher the school's ranking is, the more power its recruiting process is, simply because 1) companies pay more attention at resumes from top schools 2) top school alumni network is bigger at large firms. Anderson has very good alumni network in tech and California(70+% stay in state), but not so much in other industries or geographic areas compared to Kellogg. While Kellogg's presence in west coast is not as extensive as Anderson, its reputation definitely carries through in Silicon Valley. 3. Anderson has a smaller class size, which will translate to a smaller network in the future. Its students mostly stay in California, while Kellogg people spread out more evenly nationwide. Going to Anderson means I'll have fewer friends outside California in the future. These are my considerations so far. My apology for typing so much! Any advice would be very much appreciated!! Some help on one of the most common CR question types from 's Mike McGarry Practice question Before reading this post, try this question: 1) Which of the following most logically completes the passage? Recidivism is the return to criminal behavior, and consequently a return to prison, of a former prisoner who has already served in incarceration for a criminal conviction. In the United States, most burglars and common thieves have a recidivist rate above 70%. Studies have shown that, when available, those incarcerated burglars and thieves who pursue post-secondary education while in prison have substantially lower recidivism rates. Therefore, the government should fund programs that assist incarcerated burglars and thieves in pursuing higher education, especially since ___________________________. A. right now, only a small percentage of all incarcerated burglars and thieves are pursuing any educational opportunities. B. a wider education would allow those currently incarcerated to understand and appreciate the high incidence of recidivism C. the cost of providing a complete post-secondary education would almost double the yearly costs associated with keeping that person incarcerated D. higher educational level provides wider job opportunities, and according to studies, poverty is one of the chief causes of recidivism E. convicts with certain mental illnesses tend to lapse into recidivism regardless of the opportunities and support they encounter upon their release The question type One question the GMAT CR seems to love is the complete-the-argument type. The prompt in such a question is something along the lines of, Which of the following most logical completes the passage? This is followed by an argument, the core of which is already relatively complete. This argument ends with a blank, and your job is to figure out what best would fill in that concluding blank.By far the most frequent cases are those in which the blank is preceded by the word since or because thats what we have in question #1 above. In this case, you are asked to find corroborating evidence, some additional facts that would strengthen the argument. You often cant predict such an answer. You need to understand the connection the argument is trying to establish, and you look for something that would strengthen that connection.In a few questions of this type, the blank may be preceded by words such as it may be expected that (looking for a prediction) or assuming that (looking for an assumption). If you are asked to provide an assumption, you may be able to formulate some tentative guesses before proceeding to the answer. Contextual critical thinking As always on GMAT CR, this question demands critical thinking and careful attention to contextual details. Sometimes prompts bring up emotionally charged issues: for example, if some you know well has served time in prison, recidivism could be a deeply moving issue for you. As always, its important to put any strong emotions aside and tune into exactly what the argument does, and does not, say.In the cases with because or since before the blank, in which you are asked to find additional strengthening evidence, be very clear in distinguishing those facts that could strengthen the argument vs. those fact that must strengthen the argument. Obvious, the correct answer must be of the latter kind, but this means that some incorrect answers could be of the former kind. Dont be tempted by an answer because you could imagine, if X and Y and Z were also true, that this answer could be a strengthener.Having read this, you may want to give the practice question another look before reading the analysis below. Analysis of the practice question The prompt gives usa. a definition of recidivismb. a brief explanation of why its a problemc. evidence: post-secondary education lower recidivism ratesd. conclusion: government should spend $$ to educate prisoners that will reduce recidivismNow, we want an answer that will strengthen the conclusion, that could tip the balance in convincing someone that, yes, the government should spend money on educating incarcerated criminals. Lets look at the answers. A. right now, only a small percentage of all incarcerated burglars and thieves are pursuing any educational opportunities. Hmmm. Does this mean that, by and large, these convicts are simply not interested in education? That would weaken the argument (why spend money educating folks who dont want to be educated?) Or, would more of them be interested, but currently are not pursuing higher education because they cant afford it? That would be a very strong strengthener for the argument (they want the education that will help them, but they need the money.)Because we can interpret this ambiguous fact both as a weakener and a strengthener, its not a particularly strong answer to the question. B. a wider education would allow those currently incarcerated to understand and appreciate the high incidence of recidivism Theres a big difference between (a) understanding that something is a problem, and (b) knowing how to solve the problem. Many people know that smoking is a problem but continue to smoke. Some homeless people understand how vast and complicated a problem homelessness is, but that knowledge doesnt help them escape the problem. In this vein, educating folks so that they could understand how extensive and serious a problem recidivism is would not, in and of itself, do much to solve the problem. Therefore, this is not a strong answer. C. the cost of providing a complete post-secondary education would almost double the yearly costs associated with keeping that person incarcerated Finding out purely that this would cost a great deal is certainly not an inducement to throw more money at it. If anything, this weakens the argument not what we want. This is not correct. D. higher educational level provides wider job opportunities, and according to studies, poverty is one of the chief causes of recidivism Poverty is a cause of recidivism, and higher education leads to jobs jobs reduce poverty, and that in turn reduces recidivism. This provides support and explanation for the evidence that higher educated reduces recidivism, making it all the more plausible that spending more money on educating convict would reduce recidivism. This strengthens the argument, which is exactly what we want, so this is a very strong answer. E. convicts with certain mental illnesses tend to lapse into recidivism regardless of the opportunities and support they encounter upon their release Educational opportunities are not helpful to some mental ill convicts, so spending more on education will do nothing for these folks its not what they need. This is actually an argument against spending more money on educational opportunities - some people will not be helped at all by such spending. This is a weakener: not what we want. This is not correct.Of these answers, (C) & (E) are weakeners, so they are not correct. (B), by itself, is not strong enough and (A) is ambiguous, so those are not particularly attractive answers. By contrast, (D) is a clear, direct, unambiguous strengthener, so it is by far the best answer._________________ There is an old saying, "what goes around comes around," or "you reap what you sow." Don't ever take that lightly because evil begets evil. Some way, in the course of time, we will pay. You know this new administration thinks it is getting away with murder, just like it did for 18 months of campaigning. There is just one big problem; you can't con God! Psalms 2 says, "Why do the heathen rage and the people imagine a vain thing?" We now have a heathen dictator who will rule from his own mind and not the power of God. According to this chapter, the greedy and power-mad will be broken with a rod of iron. They will be dashed to pieces like a potter's vessel. This lying, demeaning dictator Donald Trump is a disaster. When someone kicks God's children around like he does, it raises a reaction in the universe. Nothing evil can be in the same realm as God. There will be repercussions on Earth. Trump's time is coming soon now. Impeachment can't come soon enough. You can think it's too early or that I'm a hothead, but he should never have been sworn in in the first place. He will be escorted out the front door of the White House and met with the same treatment he has put upon the people in this country. Ridicule and scorn is happening all over the world right now. All those who defended him better beware because when he goes down, so will they. Anita Crouse, Lincoln - Man abandons wife and a child with disability, never to be seen or heard from again - The two year old child has oversized and misshaped head and suffers from multiple illnesses. She cant see hear or walk - The family is extremely poor. The disabled girls mother, who also reportedly takes care of her parents, is jobless. People are now asking what the welfare system is meant for if it cant support the needy family Salon Angel visited the poor family and highlighted their plight in heartbreaking photos. READ ALSO: 4-year-old boy kidnapped on his way back from school in Abuja (photo) The baby was born with a severely oversized head. PAY ATTENTION: Get all the latest gossips on NAIJ Gossip App The disabled girls mother, who also reportedly takes care of her parents, is jobless. Salon Angel, a celebrity beautician, is appealing for people to help the family. Angel is appealing to both the government and well-wishers to come to the rescue of this youngster and her poor mother. Watch video of a child with oversized head: Source: Legit.ng Our lawmakers will consider a policy that gives tax cuts to the wealthiest Nebraskans while giving little relief for the rest of us ("Ricketts, business groups justify tax cut; others raise concerns," Feb. 9). LB337 also would siphon away money from proven programs that support our high quality of life. This proposal comes at a time when our state is facing a nearly $1 billion budget gap and would drain hundreds of millions of dollars needed to support schools, health care and other essential services. I urge state senators to oppose LB337. Its not good for Nebraska. News_release Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a bacterial scourge. As its name suggests, MRSA is resistant to most common antibiotics and thus difficult to treat, particularly in children where it commonly causes complicated skin and skin structure infections. In a randomized, controlled clinical trial the first of its kind a multi-institution research team reports that daptomycin, part of a new class of antibiotics currently approved only for use in adults, is effective and well-tolerated in children. The findings are published in the March 2017 issue of Pediatrics. The safety and efficacy of intravenous daptomycin was comparable to standard-of-care IV antibiotics used for hospitalized children, usually vancomycin or clindamycin for MRSA and cefazolin for methicillin-susceptible strains of S. aureus, said first author John Bradley, MD, professor of clinical pediatrics, co-chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at UC San Diego School of Medicine and director of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Rady Childrens Hospital-San Diego. Daptomycin should provide a safe and effective alternative to vancomycin, clindamycin or linezolid for IV treatment of invasive MRSA skin infections. Concerns for vancomycin renal toxicity and clindamycin antibiotic resistance were not present. There was no evidence of daptomycin toxicity in the trial. The Food and Drug Administration is currently reviewing whether to approve daptomycin use in children. MRSA infections are commonly associated with patients in hospitals and nursing homes whose immune systems are weakened, but community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA) is widespread, readily transmitted at daycare centers, playgrounds and in schools where children have frequent skin-to-skin contact, share toys that have not been cleaned and are more likely to have scrapes, abrasions and bites that offer potential infection entry points. CA-MRSA usually causes skin infections but can lead to more serious consequences, such as pneumonia and infections of bones and joints. Daptomycin is active against MRSA and was approved for use in adults in 2003 for treatment of skin and skin structure infections, and for bloodstream infections three years later. The new study was a prospective, randomized, investigator-blinded study that included more than 250 daptomycin-exposed children, ages 1 to 17, to document safety and efficacy of the antibiotic in treating pediatric skin and skin structure infections. Dosing was based on adult experience, but researchers found that the younger the child, the more quickly their bodies eliminated daptomycin. Thus pediatric doses increased as the age of the research participants decreased. Most news these days is about the declining utility of antibiotics as microbial resistance becomes more widespread and intractable, said Bradley. These findings are encouraging. Daptomycin appears to be a suitable, once-a-day alternative to existing antibiotics with harsher side effects. Co-authors include: Chad Glasser, Hernando Patino, Minjung Yoon, Diane Anastasiou, Dominik Wolf, and Paula Bokesch, Merck; Sandra L.R. Arnold, University of Tennessee; Antonio Arrieta, Childrens Hospital of Orange County; Blaise Congeni, Akron Childrens Hospital, Ohio; Robert Daum, University of Chicago MRSA Research Center; and Tsoline Kojaoghlanian, Childrens Hospital at Montefiore, Bronx, NY. Funding for this research came, in part, from Merck & Co. Disclosure: Bradley, Arnold, Arrieta, Congeni, Daum and Kojaoghlanian were study site principal investigators whose respective employers received institutional research funding from the study sponsor, Merck. Additionally, UC San Diego received funding from Cubist Pharmaceuticals, now part of Merck, to advise Cubist on clinical trial design. 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 HASTINGS Authorities have released the name of a man who was fatally injured when his motorcycle collided with a car in Hastings. Police said the accident occurred a little after 5:10 p.m. Wednesday when the car, pulling out of a parking lot into traffic, was hit by the motorcycle. The motorcyclist was pronounced dead later at a hospital. Police identified him as 23-year-old Josiah Nelson. An autopsy has been scheduled. The car driver was treated for minor injuries. She's been identified as 62-year-old Lynette Steiner of Holstein. The collision is being investigated. It can be lonesome searching Nebraska for evidence of a bipedal, hairy beast that most of society has written off as fantasy. But no longer. Take heart, Nebraska Bigfoot researchers and enthusiasts: You are not alone. For the first time, Nebraska will host its own Bigfoot conference, which seeks to bring together believers and skeptics, as long as they are polite. While Bigfoot, also known as Sasquatch, is unlikely to make an appearance -- he's notoriously enochlophobic -- there will be plenty of first-person stories of close encounters, plus footprint castings, blurry pictures and a map of sightings across the state. The conference at the C3 Hotel and Convention Center in Hastings begins Friday evening at 6 with popcorn and a showing of the movie Something in the Woods, a 2016 independent thriller about a family threatened when Bigfoot shows up at its farm house. Movie tickets are $5; students and children are free. Actors and producers Stuart Miller and David Ford will be on hand to answer questions. The main event runs from 9 to 5 Saturday and will include displays, door prizes, vendors and speakers. Entry is $10 for adults and $5 for children 5 to 15; younger kids are free. Organizer Harriett McFeely said she decided Nebraska needed its own Bigfoot get-together last year while driving home from yet another 500-mile trip to attend a conference. Her husband, Dick McFeely, told her to solve the problem by organizing one at home. The idea almost got scrapped when Dick McFeely died in June, but after some contemplation, Harriett McFeely decided Cornhusker Sasquatch researchers needed a gathering to call their own. And yes, Nebraska has had numerous sightings. McFeely knows of at least 40, many concentrated around Salt Creek and its tributaries. That is the hot spot for Nebraska, she said. McFeely, a member of Sasquatch Investigations of the Rockies, is a believer. She saw Bigfoot for herself during a 2014 trip to South Fork, Colorado, waking one night to a thump and spotting two adolescent creatures near a fellow campers tent when she looked out her RV window to investigate. Her stories have earned her the moniker the Bigfoot Lady, she said, plus other less-flattering names. Bigfoot researchers, especially those in small towns, can sometimes be as hard to find as the critters they seek. They keep their passion for the beast to themselves for fear of become laughing stocks, she said. I thought I was the only one out here in the middle of Nebraska interested in Bigfoot, she said, adding that she's gotten lots of calls from people interested in attending the conference. Little did I know there are lots of people around me. It's a chance for enthusiasts to come out of the closet, she said, to spend time among friends and pursue dreams to prove Bigfoot exists. Speakers will include Lyle Blackburn, author of "Beast of Boggy Creek," Robin Roberts and Mike Johnson of Sasquatch Investigations of the Rockies and musician Scotty Plowman. Find out more at bigfootcrossroads.org. There is a majesty and drama to the annual sandhill crane migration that must be experienced to appreciate. The sound of hundreds of thousands of birds with wings spanning more than 5 feet, the cranes deep trumpeted call, their exuberant mating dances and the scent of the Platte River. Once you experience it, its magical, said Joel Jorgensen, Nebraska Game and Parks Commissions nongame bird program manager. You have several hundred thousand cranes flying overhead coming in to roost in a spring evening. And in the background there is the drama that these birds are migrating. For them, its an issue of survival and reproducing the next generation. Each spring, 600,000 northbound sandhill cranes funnel into the Platte River Valley to spend a few weeks feasting on leftover field corn, and turning over cow pies with their long, needlelike beaks, looking for tasty bugs and frogs. Each evening, they flock to the shallow waters of the Platte, where they roost overnight, then fly out again in the morning to look for more food. Theyll put on about 20 percent of their body weight before flying on to Canada and other northern spots, where they will spend the summer raising chicks. The key to having a great crane viewing experience, Jorgensen said, is to be in a blind or on a viewing platform in the evening or first thing in the morning. The best viewing times generally are half an hour before sunrise and sunset. There are numerous places in Nebraska to view the cranes. Reservations for choice spots in strategically situated viewing blinds and for guided excursions are still open, but they're being filled fast by bird lovers and nature enthusiasts. The migration peaks in March, but the leading edge has already been spotted near Grand Island, along with thousands of ducks and geese, said Bill Taddicken of the Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary just east of Kearney. The cranes generally start on the eastern portion of the river near Grand Island then fill in to the west. Rowe Sanctuary which offers daily 2-hour tours March 4-April 9 hosted 22,000 visitors last year, of which about 5,000 watched birds from one of Rowe s blinds, Taddicken said. During the migration, the sanctuary also offers educational series and its 47th annual Audubons Nebraska Crane Festival, set for March 16-19. The festival features family activities, workshops and field trips to see cranes, as well as other wildlife, such as prairie chickens and sharp-tailed grouse. The keynote speaker this year will be actress and author Jane Alexander. For a full list of offerings from the Rowe Sanctuary visit rowe.audubon.org. There are free viewing areas, but they can get crowded on peak evenings. One popular stop is the hiking and bike bridge spanning the Platte River at Fort Kearny State Recreation Area. The bridge is one-third of a mile from the parking area. The Fort Kearny State Historical Park visitor center will open daily March 3-April 9 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $2. A park entry permit is required for each vehicle entering the park. Call for more information at 308-865-5305. There is a public viewing area on Lowell Road south of the Gibbon I-80 exit after crossing the second branch of the Platte River. Another public viewing area is on South Alda Road at the Platte River south of the Crane Trust Nature & Visitors Center. A comparison of the native adult subunit of human hemoglobin, left, and a mutant version found in the Kirklareli variant, which is associated with iron deficiency and increased carbon monoxide binding. The mutation was found to cause mild anemia in a young woman. But her father, who also carries the mutation, appears to be protected by carbon monoxide ingested while smoking. Credit: Olson Lab/Rice University There's at least one person in the world for whom smoking has a beneficial effect, and it took an international collaboration of scientists led by a Rice University professor to figure out why. Rice biochemist John Olson and collaborators in Germany and France helped a young woman and her father understand why she has anemia but her father, who is a smoker, does not. The woman, who was in her 20s when diagnosed, and her father share a mutation in the gene that encodes hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells responsible for taking up and delivering oxygen to cells around the body. The mutation is one of more than 1,000 discovered so far in adult human hemoglobin. Most appear to have no effect on people, but when medical problems occur, the disease is called a hemoglobinopathy and often named after the city or hospital where it was discovered. In this case, the family was living in Mannheim, Germany, but the father was born in the Turkish city of Kirklareli. The Kirklareli mutation did not affect the iron content of her dad's blood, but did appear to be the root cause of the young woman's chronic anemia, according to the researchers. Further investigation revealed that absorbing carbon monoxide from cigarette smoke is therapeutic for those with this rare genetic disorder. A paper on the research appeared this month in the Journal of Biological Chemistry. The mutation is in the alpha subunit of human hemoglobin (H58L) and causes it to rapidly auto-oxidize, or rust, which causes the protein to fall apart, lose heme and precipitate. As a result, the protein loses its ability to carry oxygen. Eventually, Olson said, the red cells themselves become deformed and are destroyed. Remarkably, this same mutation gives the protein an 80,000-fold higher affinity for carbon monoxide than for oxygen. Carbon monoxide from a cigarette will be selectively taken up by the mutant hemoglobin and prevent it from oxidizing and denaturing. This high affinity for carbon monoxide explained why the father showed no signs of anemia, Olson said. "He may never be an athlete because his blood can't carry as much oxygen, but smoking has prevented him from being anemic," he said. "And there's a side benefit. People with this trait are more resistant to carbon monoxide poisoning." Olson said he does not know how or if the doctors treated the young woman. He doesn't even know her name. But he suspected her iron-deficient anemia was more an annoyance than a threat to her life and would not recommend she start smoking to relieve it. "She shouldn't smoke," he said. "But she could take antioxidants, such as a lot of vitamin C, which would help prevent oxidation of her mutant hemoglobin. Her anemia is not that severe. At the same time, she shouldn't worry too much about secondhand smoke, which might have a positive effect." After ruling out common causes like blood loss, gastritis or congenital defects, her doctors were curious enough about her ailment to call upon Emmanuel Bisse, a researcher at the Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine at the University of Freiburg, who discovered the mutation after sequencing her DNA. Bisse in turn recruited Olson and his team to help determine why the histidine-to-leucine change caused anemia in the daughter but not the father. Ironically, Ivan Birukou, a graduate student in Olson's lab, had already generated the same mutation in human hemoglobin (one of several hundred made at Rice) to study how the protein rapidly and selectively binds oxygen. "Emmanuel wrote to me and said, 'I know you've been making all these mutants in hemoglobin, and you've probably done the H58L mutation in (alpha) chains. Does this phenotype make sense?'" Olson recalled. "I said, 'We can do a really neat study here, because we've already made the mutant hemoglobin in a recombinant system.' We actually had a crystal structure (matching Kirklareli) that Ivan and (staff scientist) Jayashree Soman never published but had deposited in the Protein Data Bank. We had made this mutation to try to understand what the distal histidine was doing in alpha subunits." They found in their 2010 study that replacing the histidine, which forms a strong hydrogen bond to oxygen, with leucine caused a dramatic decrease in oxygen affinity and an increase in carbon monoxide binding. Olson and Birukou realized back then that histidine played a key role in discriminating between oxygen and carbon monoxide in hemoglobin. "When Emmanuel wrote to me about his discovery, I already 'knew' what was happening with respect to carbon monoxide binding," Olson said. He said that the normal hydrogen bond causes bound oxygen to stick more tightly to hemoglobin in the same way hydrogen bonds cause spilled soda to feel sticky. "When you touch it, the sugar oxygens and hydrogens make hydrogen bonds with the polysaccharides on your finger," Olson said. "That stickiness helps hold onto oxygen. But leucine is more like an oil, like butane or hexane, and oxygen does not stick well inside hemoglobin. In contrast, bound carbon monoxide is more like methane or ethane and can't form hydrogen bonds." Andres Benitez Cardenas, a postdoctoral researcher in Olson's laboratory, did the crucial experiment in which he put carbon monoxide on the mutant alpha subunit of hemoglobin Kirklareli. The bound carbon monoxide slowed down oxidation of the protein and prevented loss of heme and precipitation. "In effect, Andres did the 'smoking experiment' to show why the father's hemoglobin didn't denature and cause anemia," Olson said. He said the effect caused by Kirklareli, though unusual, is not unique. "There is another 'smoking is good for you' mutation," he said, noting discoveries in Zurich in the late 1970s and early '80s. That case mirrored the current collaboration, as the researchers looking for answers then sought help from Nobel Laureate Max Perutz, whose pioneering work on hemoglobin structures won him the prize in 1968. Olson himself served as a reviewer on some of the papers for hemoglobin Zurich in the 1980s. "Emmanuel knew that we had worked on these histidine-to-leucine mutations in myoglobin and hemoglobin, which is why he contacted us," he said. "This type of collaboration is how science and medicine should work together." More information: Emmanuel Bisse et al. Hemoglobin Kirklareli ( H58L), a New Variant Associated with Iron Deficiency and Increased CO Binding, Journal of Biological Chemistry (2017). DOI: 10.1074/jbc.M116.764274 Journal information: Journal of Biological Chemistry (HealthDay)For patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), direct admission to a primary PCI center is associated with lower 12-month mortality, according to a study published online Feb. 15 in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions. Using data from a prospective nationwide registry, Damian Kawecki, M.D., Ph.D., from the Medical University of Silesia in Poland, and colleagues examined the impact of direct admission versus transfer via regional hospital to a PCI center on time delays and 12-month mortality in STEMI patients. A total of 70,093 patients were eligible for analysis, of whom 56 percent were admitted directly to a PCI center. The researchers found that direct admission correlated with a 44-minute shorter median symptoms-to-admission time (P < 0.001) and total ischemic time (228 versus 270 minutes; P < 0.001), higher left ventricle ejection fraction (47.5 versus 46.3 percent; P < 0.001), and lower propensity-matched 12-month mortality (9.6 versus 10.4 percent; P < 0.001). Direct admissions and shorter symptoms-to-admission time were significant predictors of lower 12-month mortality in propensity matched analysis (hazard ratios, 1.06 and 1.03, respectively). "In a large, community-based cohort of patients with STEMI treated by PCI, direct admission to a primary PCI center was associated with lower 12-month mortality and should be preferred to transfer via a regional non-PCI-capable facility," the authors write. Copyright 2017 HealthDay. All rights reserved. Cervical cancer cells expressing a wound healing signal (green) in response to TRAIL stimulation. Credit: Dr Conor Henry and Professor Seamus Martin, Trinity College Dublin. Scientists at Trinity College Dublin have discovered how certain cancers hijack the immune system for their benefit, tricking it into helping rather than harming them. While most of us are aware that our immune system protects us from infection, we may be less aware of the key role that cells of the immune system also play in coordinating the repair of damaged tissue. This 'wound-healing' aspect of the immune response stimulates growth of new cells within damaged tissue and brings extra nutrients and oxygen into the injured tissue. However, cancers frequently exploit the wound-healing side of the immune system for their own ends. Indeed, cancers have been described as 'wounds that do not heal' due to their ability to masquerade as damaged tissue in order to receive help from the immune system. But just how cancers switch on this wound-healing response is not well understood. However, scientists from the Smurfit Institute of Genetics at Trinity College Dublin, led by Smurfit Professor of Medical Genetics, Seamus Martin, have just found that a molecule called TRAILwhich is frequently found in high concentrations on many cancerscan become 're-wired' in certain tumours to send an inflammatory 'wound-healing' signal. Ironically, TRAIL normally delivers a signal for cells to die, but the Trinity scientists found that this molecule can also send a wound-healing message from tumour cells. The research, conducted by Research Fellow at Trinity, Dr Conor Henry, has just been published in the internationally renowned journal, Molecular Cell. Commenting on the findings, Professor Martin said: "Understanding how cancers turn on the wound-healing response has been mysterious, so we are very excited to find that certain cancers exploit TRAIL for that purpose." "This suggests ways in which we can turn off this reaction in cancers that use TRAIL to hoodwink the immune system into helping rather than harming them." In this photo released by the US Drug Enforcement Agency, DEA, and taken on Oct. 21, 2016, a sample of carfentanil is being analyzed at the DEA's Special Testing and Research Laboratory in Sterling, Va. China is adding the deadly elephant tranquilizer carfentanil and three related synthetic opioids to its list of controlled substances effective March 1, China's National Narcotics Control Commission said Thursday. (Russell Baer/U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration via AP) So deadly it's considered a terrorist threat, carfentanil has been legal in China until now. Beijing is banning carfentanil and three similar drugs as of March 1, China's Ministry of Public Security said Thursday, closing a major regulatory loophole in the fight to end America's opioid epidemic. "It shows China's attitude as a responsible big country," Yu Haibin, the director of the Office of the National Narcotics Control Committee, told the Associated Press. "It will be a strong deterrent." He added that China is actively considering other substances for sanction, including U-47700, an opioid marketed as an alternative to banned fentanyls. China said the March 1 ban will also apply to carfentanil's less-potent cousins furanyl fentanyl, acryl fentanyl and valeryl fentanyl. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration called China's move a potential "game-changer" that is likely to have a big impact in the U.S., where opioid demand has driven the proliferation of a new class of deadly drugs made by nimble chemists to stay one step ahead of new rules like this one. After China controlled 116 synthetic drugs in October 2015, seizures in the United States of compounds on that list plunged. "It's a substantial step in the fight against opioids here in the United States," said Russell Baer, a DEA special agent in Washington. "We're persuaded it will have a definite impact." In this photo released by the US Drug Enforcement Agency, DEA, and taken on Oct. 21, 2016, a sample of carfentanil is being analyzed at the DEA's Special Testing and Research Laboratory in Sterling, Va. China is adding the deadly elephant tranquilizer carfentanil and three related synthetic opioids to its list of controlled substances effective March 1, China's National Narcotics Control Commission said Thursday. (Russell Baer/US Drug Enforcement Administration via AP) Legally used as an anesthetic for elephants and other large animals, carfentanil burst into the North American drug supply last summer, causing hundreds of unsuspecting drug users to overdose. The DEA confirmed more than 400 seizures of carfentanil across eight U.S. states from July through October. So lethal an amount smaller than a poppy seed can kill a person, carfentanil was researched for years as a chemical weapon and used by Russian forces to subdue Chechen separatists at a Moscow theater in 2002. New data from DEA laboratories suggests the supply of furanyl fentanyl is now surging. DEA labs identified 44 samples of furanyl fentanyl in the last three months of 2016, up three-fold from the prior quarter. Though Beijing has said U.S. assertions that China is the top source of fentanyls lack evidence, the two countries have deepened cooperation as the U.S. opioid epidemic intensifies. Beijing already regulates fentanyl and 18 related compounds, even though they are not widely abused domestically. Since 2016, China has arrested dozens of synthetic drug exporters, destroyed eight illegal labs and seized around 2 tons of new psychoactive substances, according to the Office of the National Narcotics Control Committee. But the battle against rapidly evolving synthetic drugs is complicated by the deeply global nature of the narcotics trade and the deeply national nature of law enforcement. Some online drug vendors host their websites on servers abroad to thwart police. All benefit by submerging their illicit packages in the vast tides of legitimate commerce shipped or sent by courier from China. One example of the kind of global coordination needed to take down synthetic drug barons is the case of Zhang Lei, whom the U.S. Treasury Department designated a drug kingpin in 2014. China shared 4,221 clues with 58 countries and areas in the hunt for Zhang, Chinese drug control authorities said Thursday. Zhang was sentenced to 14 years in Chinese prison last year, according to one of his lawyers, Fan Renzhong. In this photo released by the US Drug Enforcement Agency, DEA, and taken on Oct. 21, 2016, a sample of carfentanil is being analyzed at the DEA's Special Testing and Research Laboratory in Sterling, Va. China is adding the deadly elephant tranquilizer carfentanil and three related synthetic opioids to its list of controlled substances effective March 1, China's National Narcotics Control Commission said Thursday. (Russell Baer/US Drug Enforcement Administration via AP) In October, the AP identified 12 Chinese companies willing to export carfentanil around the world for a few thousand dollars a kilogram (2.2. pounds), no questions asked. That same month China began evaluating whether to ban carfentanil and the three other drugs. Usually, the process can take nine months. This time, it took just four. Good international cooperation and effective early warning systems to track the emergence of novel drugs helped speed the process, Chinese drug control officials said Thursday. China's action is "a hopeful sign of political and strategic law enforcement cooperation," said Jeremy Douglas, a regional representative for the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime in Bangkok. "But having legislation is a first step. The law will need to be enforced effectively." Offers for carfentanil from Chinese vendors were scarce Thursday, but the AP quickly secured five offers to export furanyl fentanyl to the United States. Some vendors also pushed U-47700. "One news I just got is that the carfentanil and furanyl fentanyl etc opioid analogs will be controlled in China on March 1 effective," one vendor called Ete wrote in an email. "So if you need them pls make it before that day. After that day it will be unavailable." The vendor did not immediately respond to a request for comment from AP. 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The old adage about two being better than one doesn't necessarily apply to brain surgery. That's according to a study performed by University at Buffalo engineers that used high performance computing to examine how to best treat aneurysms. To reduce blood flow into aneurysms, surgeons often insert a flow divertertiny tubes made of weaved metal, like stentsacross the opening of an aneurysm. With the blood flow into the aneurysm reduced, the risk of rupture is minimized. If the opening, or neck, of an aneurysm is large, surgeons will sometimes overlap two diverters, to increase the density of the mesh over the opening. Another technique is to compress the diverter to increase the mesh density and block more blood flow. But which technique is better? A computational study published in January in American Journal of Neuroradiology points to the single, compressed diverter provided that it produces a mesh denser than the two overlapped diverters, and that it covers at least half of the aneurysm opening. The research, which is ongoing, could eventually help doctors determine the best way to treat patients suffering from aneurysms. "When doctors see the simulated blood flow in our models, they're able to visualize it. They see that they need to put more of the dense mesh here or there to diffuse the jets (of blood), because the jets are dangerous," said Hui Meng, a mechanical engineering professor at UB and lead author of the study. Meng, PhD, holds appointments in UB's School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. She is also co-director of the Toshiba Stroke Research Center at UB. Using UB's supercomputer Working with UB's supercomputing facility, the Center for Computational Research, Robert Damiano and Nikhil Paliwal, both PhD candidates in Meng's lab, used virtual models of three types of aneurysms fusiform (balloons out on all sides), and medium and large saccular (balloons on one side) and applied engineering principles to model the pressure and speed of blood flowing through the vessels. The engineers modeled three different diverter treatment methods single non-compacted, two overlapped, and single compacted and ran tests to determine how they would affect blood flow in and out of the aneurysm using computational fluid dynamics. "We used equations from fluid mechanics to model the blood flow, and we used structural mechanics to model the devices," Damiano said. "We're working with partial differential equations that are complex and typically unsolvable by hand." These equations are converted to millions of algebraic equations and are solved using the supercomputer. The very small size of the mesh added to the need for massive computing power. "The diverter mesh wires are 30 microns in diameter," Paliwal said. "To accurately capture the physics, we needed to have a maximum of 10 to 15 micron grid sizes. That's why it is computationally very expensive." Compressed versus overlapped The models showed that compressing a diverter produced a dense mesh that covered 57 percent of a fusiform-shaped aneurysm. That proved more effective than overlapping two diverters. The compacted diverter was less effective in saccular aneurysms. As diverters are compressed, they become wider and bump into the sides of the vessel, so they could not be compressed enough to cover a small opening of an aneurysm. Compression was more effective in a large necked saccular aneurysm, producing a dense mesh that covered 47 percent of the opening. Complete coverage of an aneurysm using a solid diverter is not favorable because a porous scaffold is needed to allow cell and tissue growth around the neck of the aneurysm, Paliwal said. In addition, the danger of blocking off smaller arteries prevents the use of solid diverters. Next, as part of a National Institutes of Health-funded project, the team wants to look back over hundreds of previous cases, to determine how blood flow was affected by the use of diverters. The idea is to build a database so that more definitive conclusions can be drawn. "We're going to look at and model previous cases, and hopefully we'll have a way to determine the best treatment to cause the best outcome for new aneurysm cases," Damiano said. More information: Compacting a Single Flow Diverter versus Overlapping Flow Diverters for Intracranial Aneurysms: A Computational Study, Compacting a Single Flow Diverter versus Overlapping Flow Diverters for Intracranial Aneurysms: A Computational Study, DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.A5062 (HealthDay)People with diabetes have to think about their condition and make treatment decisions constantlyand all that extra work and worry can lead to psychological distress at times. "Diabetes distress" isn't the same as depression, however, diabetes experts note. It's a condition unique to the 24/7 demands that come with diabetes, particularly for people dependent on insulin. "The day you develop diabetes, it's like the universe just handed you a new full-time job that you have to do in addition to whatever else you're doing. It's a special job that has a big impact on the rest of your life. There's no pay and no vacation," said William Polonsky, president of the Behavioral Diabetes Institute in San Diego. Alicia McAuliffe-Fogarty, vice president of lifestyle management at the American Diabetes Association, put it this way: "Diabetes distress is the extra burden that people with diabetes have to carry. They have to do everything that other people dotake care of work, family, financesand in addition they have to make sure to check their blood sugar, remember to take their medicine and/or adjust their insulin doses, count carbohydrates when they eat. "It's a day-to-day and minute-to-minute burden. It's doing everything 'right' and still seeing your blood sugar levels go up," she added. Diabetes distress is a range of different emotional responses that come with dealing with the burdens of caring for diabetes, Polonsky explained. "It's being fed up and overwhelmed with the demands and concerns of diabetes. It's feeling powerless in the face of diabetes. It's knowing that despite your best actions, sometimes those [insulin] numbers go up and down and it seems beyond your ability to influence. And it can negatively influence one's quality of life," he added. The phenomenon hasn't been well-studiedPolonsky said he and his colleagues are in the middle of a study on diabetes distress that will hopefully answer some questions about the condition. He said diabetes distress probably affects about 30 percent of people with diabetes at some point in their lives. "It's not everybody, and it's not all the time, but it's pretty darn common, and a whole lot more common than depression" among those with diabetes, Polonsky added. Diabetes distress and other psychological conditions are common enough that the American Diabetes Association added a section to its Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes - 2017 guidelines on screening and treating people with diabetes for distress, depression and other mental health concerns. The new guidelines, published recently in the journal Diabetes Care, suggest that providers screen all of their diabetes patients with standardized tests for these conditions. A demanding juggling job with no breaks There are two main types of diabetestype 1 and type 2. People with type 1 diabetes don't make enough insulina hormone the body needs to use the carbohydrates in food for fuel. Because of this, people with type 1 rely on insulin injections or insulin delivered through a tiny catheter inserted under the skin and then attached to an insulin pump worn outside the body. People with type 1 diabetes using shots may need five or six insulin injections daily. In people with type 2 diabetes, the body is no longer able to use insulin properly. Most (95 percent) of diabetes cases involve the type 2 form of the disease. Sometimes, people with type 2 diabetes also need to use insulin injections. However, using insulin is a difficult balancing acttoo much or too little can cause problems, even life-threatening ones. When blood sugar levels drop too low from too much insulin, people can become disoriented, and if levels drop even further, they may pass out. Blood sugar levels that are too high and left untreated over time can cause complications such as kidney troubles, eye problems and heart disease. To keep track of blood sugar levels when using insulin, most people rely on glucose meters and a lancing device that pricks the finger to draw out a drop of blood. This may be done as few as 4 times a day, or as many as a dozen or more times daily, depending on how blood sugar levels are fluctuating. And, many factors besides insulin can influence blood sugar levels. Food, alcohol, physical activity, emotions such as stress, and illness all can cause unpredictable changes in blood sugar levels. It helps to find strength in numbers Both Polonsky and McAuliffe-Fogarty said it's important to recognize and treat diabetes distress because it can have a negative impact on blood sugar management. "In some studies, diabetes distress can impact diabetes care more than depression," McAuliffe-Fogarty said. Antidepressants aren't likely to help someone with diabetes distress, according to Polonsky. McAuliffe-Fogarty suggests checking in with your health care provider so you can go over your current diabetes management regimen. It's possible that changes in your management might help, she said. Or, it might help to have a visit with a diabetes educator to go over some of the basics again, she recommended. Many people with type 1 diabetes are diagnosed as children, and as adults may not realize they're missing some of the basics of diabetes education. "Maybe pick one or two things that would make the most impact on your management and focus on those one or two small things, and you'll likely achieve those goals. Then set one or two more goals and move along like thatnot everything needs to happen at once," McAuliffe-Fogarty said. It's also important to look for "evidence-based hope," Polonsky said. Many studies have suggested that with consistent modern management of diabetes, many people can live well with the disease. "Most people have heard the scary messages, but with good care, the odds are pretty good you can live a long and healthy life with diabetes," he noted. Both experts agreed that support is an important component of treating diabetes distress. "You don't want to do diabetes alone. If you have someone who's rooting for you, that really helps," Polonsky said. He said parents or spouses can give a person with diabetes a break by taking over the management of the disease for a little while. It gives them a "diabetes vacation." For some, distress can get more serious. Depression isn't always easy to spot in someone with diabetes. And some of the physical signs of diabetes, such as low energy, could signal that someone's blood sugar is out of whack, Polonsky explained. McAuliffe-Fogarty said about one in every four or five people with diabetes will experience depression at some point. She said signs that suggest you need to speak with a mental health professional include: changes in appetite and sleep patterns, having no interest in activities you once enjoyed, social isolation, feeling persistently sad or hopeless, and having a down mood on more days than not. More information: Alicia McAuliffe-Fogarty, Ph.D., vice president, lifestyle management, American Diabetes Association. Alexandria, Va.; William Polonsky, Ph.D., C.D.E., president, Behavioral Diabetes Institute, San Diego; Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes - 2017; January 2017, Diabetes Care Alicia McAuliffe-Fogarty, Ph.D., vice president, lifestyle management, American Diabetes Association. Alexandria, Va.; William Polonsky, Ph.D., C.D.E., president, Behavioral Diabetes Institute, San Diego;; January 2017, Learn more about diabetes distress from the American Diabetes Association. Journal information: Diabetes Care Copyright 2017 HealthDay. All rights reserved. Suffering from pre-eclampsia, this young mother had to undergo a caesarean to deliver her twin boys, being held by her own mother. Credit: DFID A complication of pregnancy that causes the mother's blood pressure to rise often fatally is more common in women of African descent than any other. Research in Uganda by African and Cambridge researchers is helping to uncover why. As a young doctor in Uganda a few years ago, Dr Annettee Nakimuli was told that nothing could be done about a complication of pregnancy that was putting thousands of pregnant women a year at risk of death. She remembers the frustration: "I felt like we were accomplices in this war of sorts. People say we do not remember the words of our enemies but the silence of our friends. I did not want to accept that it was beyond hope." The disease is pre-eclampsia, a condition that is thought to be caused by the placenta developing abnormally. Women with pre-eclampsia often experience very high blood pressure, which can be fatal without medical intervention. Although the condition affects women worldwide, in African women it is more common and particularly severe. It also occurs earlier in pregnancy and can recur in subsequent pregnancies. "What makes pre-eclampsia such a challenge is it has been impossible to predict or prevent," explains Professor Ashley Moffett, from Cambridge's Department of Pathology and Centre for Trophoblast Research, who is an expert on the disease. "It's been called the 'silent killer' because many women cannot feel the danger sign that their blood pressure is rising until it's too late. Even when it is detected the only course of action is constant monitoring, and ultimately the only cure is delivery sometimes at too early a stage for the baby to survive," adds Moffett. The silent killer Nakimuli knows only too well the difficulties that African women face. Today she's an obstetrician in Mulago Hospital, Kampala, where 33,000 babies are born each year. It has the highest number of live births of any hospital in the world (around 100 per day), and 15% of pregnancies develop life-threatening complications such as pre-eclampsia, haemorrhage, obstructed labour and sepsis. She describes herself and her colleagues as being "on the front line" in the battle against death in pregnancy and childbirth. "I would often see women who had had four or more Caesarean sections with no living child they continued exposing themselves to the danger until they had a baby," says Nakimuli, who is also a lecturer at Makerere University. "I felt like not sitting back and just saying this is a disease with theories." Seven years ago, she began work with Moffett through the Cambridge-Africa Programme, first as a MUII PhD fellow registered at Makerere University, then as a MUII postdoctoral fellow and now as a research collaborator. Based in Kampala throughout, she would periodically travel to Cambridge to learn new techniques, analyse samples and spend time with Moffett trying to unravel why a complex disease is so much worse in Africa. A few years earlier, Moffett had discovered that, when the placenta is formed, a remarkable 'boundary-setting' process occurs between the mother and the fetus deep within the lining of the womb. "The placenta must invade the mother enough to access nourishment for the growing baby, yet not so much as to penetrate through the uterus," she explains. "Placentation is a setting up of the territorial boundary between two genetically different individuals the mother and her baby, who carries genes from the father. It needs to be in exactly the right place for both to survive and thrive." Dr Annettee Nakimuli . Credit: University of Cambridge Moffett found that maternal immune cells called uterine natural killer cells mediate the compromise between mother and baby. These cells have unique proteins on their surface called killer-cell immunoglobulin receptors (KIRs), which recognise proteins called MHC on the invading fetal cells. Certain combinations of maternal KIR genes and fetal MHC genes are associated with pre-eclampsia, whereas other KIR genes appear to protect against the disease. But why would women of African descent suffer so much more from pre-eclampsia than other women? "There was an assumption in Africa that there was a socioeconomic reason, like poverty," says Nakimuli. "I was convinced that there was something biological." Nakimuli set about recruiting 750 mothers at Mulago Hospital to what is the largest genetic study of pre-eclampsia conducted in Africa. She collected blood and umbilical cord samples and, in Cambridge, 'typed' the DNA to look at all the genetic variation. "It was kind of a high-risk project, but my determination kept my hope alive. I wanted to find big things." Her hunch proved right. She found that the KIR genes that protect African women against pre-eclampsia are different from those that protect European women. Moreover, the risky combination of maternal KIR and fetal MHC proteins occurs at a much higher frequency in sub-Saharan Africa than anywhere else in the world. The findings immediately opened up new avenues of research into the biology of pre-eclampsia. The study also has implications for understanding infectious diseases, as Moffett explains: "We think that women of African ancestry may have these risk genes because of certain beneficial selective pressures, otherwise why would genes that kill mothers and babies be so common in the population? People with the gene that causes sickle-cell anaemia are able to fend off malaria perhaps something similar is happening for KIR genes? And so now we are starting work to see whether the genes are protecting against infections such as measles, HIV and malaria." Africa's Voices While Nakimuli and Moffett continue pinpointing the genetic basis of pre-eclampsia, and hope to bring out the first comprehensive textbook on African obstetrics, they are aware that one of the key issues surrounding pregnancy is that too many African women go to hospital too late, leaving it until their complications are advanced and dangerous. "There's a general lack of awareness and understanding," explains Nakimuli. "There isn't even an Ugandan word for pre-eclampsia. The closest people get to describing the condition is 'having hypertension which is different from the other hypertension when you're not pregnant'. It becomes a mouthful." Last year she took part in a series of radio programmes in Uganda as 'Doctor Annettee', the on-air doctor ready to answer questions from the audience. The programmes were part of an innovative Cambridge-led research project, 'Africa's Voices', which uses interactive radio and mobile communications to gather and analyse the views of ordinary citizens. "Because of the high rates of maternal mortality, a coping mechanism among Ugandan women is to consider pregnancy as being about bravery and fortitude," says Nakimuli. "This way of coping might however lead to late self-diagnosis of the warning signs." "Sociocultural beliefs like coping mechanisms will determine how people behave," says Dr Sharath Srinivasan, who is Head of Cambridge's Centre of Governance and Human Rights and leads Africa's Voices, "and so it's important to understand a person's thinking to support better maternal and neonatal health policies." However, the challenge has always been how to collect and assess all of the different 'voices' from hard-to-reach African communities. Srinivasan and colleagues realised that Africa's digital revolution particularly the widespread use of mobile phones and SMS messaging could provide the answer when combined with the huge popularity of local radio stations and the team's technical know-how. Radio interview with 'Dr Annettee' as part of the Africa's Voices study. Credit: Africa's Voices The team developed a format in which a radio presenter would play a real-life testimonial such as a woman relaying the complications of her pregnancy and then invite listeners to reply to a related question by sending a text to a toll-free number. Each respondent would subsequently receive an SMS sociodemographic survey to complete. "What makes this set-up so rich is the fact that ordinary citizens are encouraged to voice their views. They aren't restricted by a poll-style yes/no answer," says Srinivasan. "We've developed a methodology that can take this data, which is often complex, unstructured and in more than one local language, and analyse it with qualitative social science and computational techniques to draw out key themes and insights." During Africa's Voices pilot phase, the team used this format in eight sub-Saharan countries, working with nine radio stations, and choosing radio presenters who have a good relationship with their audience. In these 'social spaces', they probed beliefs on HIV/AIDS, vaccination, women's issues, agriculture and governance processes. Now spun-out of the University as a non-profit organisation, Africa's Voices works in East Africa with NGOs, health agencies and media organisations, and maintains strong links with researchers such as Nakimuli and Moffett. An interactive radio project to shed light on pregnancy complications like pre-eclampsia was recently completed with three local language radio stations in Kampala, Uganda, and rich insights emerged into the perceived causes of complications in pregnancy. One finding is the difference in beliefs between men and women. "Men, more than women, tend to think that the causes of complications are related to enduring traits of the mothers their biology or their personality but that the risk of complications is more likely to happen to other women, not their own partner," explains Srinivasan. "Women on the other hand are more likely to believe that complications arise because of factors that they can control such as their lifestyle. Both women and men agree that insufficient health provision is the major reason women delay seeking healthcare." Srinivasan suggests from his experience that governments and service deliverers are keen to listen intelligently to what people are saying and to organise their work more attentively to the world views and collective beliefs of the populations they serve. "Sociocultural beliefs that limit the seeking of healthcare are addressable," he says. "Interventions that engage women and communities in conversations can help change beliefs, opinions and norms, and thus behaviour patterns." "We needed to study the disease in Africa" When Nakimuli is asked what her own research findings on the genetics of pre-eclampsia will mean for the mothers she sees every day on the wards at Mulago hospital, she is pragmatic. "Can it help medically? We are still far from that," she says. "Yes, theoretically we can predict risk by genotyping pregnant mothers, but we are in a low-resource setting everything needs to be cost-effective. Really we need to develop a bedside test that doesn't require costly and time-consuming laboratory analysis. Then we could know which women need to be monitored carefully." In the seven years since Nakimuli first embarked on her studies to understand why so many women die in pregnancy, Cambridge-Africa research partnerships with Mulago Hospital have widened considerably. They now include pharmacist Dr Ronald Kiguba and Professor Sheila Bird OBE (Medical Research Council Biostatistics Unit, Cambridge) investigating how to report medication errors and adverse drug reactions; microbiologist Dr David Kateete and Professor Stephen Bentley (Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute) tracking how infections like MRSA spread through hospitals; and a group of obstetricians and midwives from Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust looking at best practice with their contemporaries in Kampala. Meanwhile, a typical day at Mulago Hospital will bring around five pre-eclamptic pregnancies and several cases of obstructed labour, preterm birth and stillbirths; and a team of five doctors will be supervising 80100 deliveries. Funds are being sought by Cambridge-Africa to help set up an African Centre of Excellence in Pregnancy and Childbirth at Mulago Hospital, in partnership with Makerere University's College of Health Sciences. "We would like to train more specialised staff who in turn will train the next generation, and we want to turn new understanding of pregnancy complications into clinical interventions," explains Nakimuli. Looking back to when she decided not to accept that nothing could be done about pre-eclampsia, Nakimuli says: "I was convinced that the reason we didn't know much about the disease was because we'd been looking in the wrong place. We needed to study the disease in Africa. After all, if you want to study a disease properly, then you should look at the population most affected by it." The Butler County Landfills plan for a major expansion has new life after a judge said the county could not recommend the state deny it. District Court Judge Mary Gilbride ruled Feb. 7 the landfill expansion application should have been approved by the Butler County Board of Supervisors in December 2015. The landfill had appealed the denial in 2016. The expansion for one of the state's largest landfills would extend its life 30 years. Without the expansion, it's expected to be filled in seven to nine years. The county could appeal Gilbride's decision, but Butler County Attorney Julie Reiter said she had not yet reviewed the ruling. Landfill officials said they will return to planning, which includes construction of a paved road from Nebraska 92 south of David City to State Spur 12B, which runs between Abie and Nebraska 15. It essentially would create a paved bypass around David City. The ruling brings us a step closer to paving the road, said Kelly Danielson, district manager of Waste Connections, which owns and operates the landfill. The expansion of the landfill, which serves much of eastern Nebraska, awaits approval by the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality. We now look forward to preparing the solid waste permit application for NDEQ review and (for) approval. Timing is hard to project, but we are moving forward expeditiously, Danielson said. In December 2015, the County Board voted 7-0 to deny a recommendation of approval to NDEQ. The move effectively stalled the 30-year-old landfill's plan to expand to the south by 160 acres, with 110 acres of new space for waste disposal. Gilbride said the boards denial of the landfill application "was not based on competent evidence in the record, was contrary to law and was arbitrary and capricious. The landfill permit application followed nearly a decade of back and forth about landfill issues, including heavy truck traffic. The landfill has paid for upgrades to roads over several years and ongoing maintenance has included dust control and other upgrades. The landfill has both its supporters and opponents. Local businesses have praised Waste Connections' support of local causes and highlighted the business' economic impact. Area village board members are concerned about losing the convenience of the landfill. Opponents have raised concerns about the wear and tear on roads and blowing trash that escapes the landfills extra fences and trucks hauling waste. Gilbride said the board incorrectly argued the landfill would serve only Butler County when historically it has served a larger area. In its denial, the County Board also claimed the landfill had not evaluated the potential for adverse health effects from exposure to pollution. The judge wrote Waste Connections had provided the necessary evaluation. Another issue cited by the board was whether the landfill provided a design to minimize the impact on existing traffic flows as required by state law. The judge ruled state law doesnt require the landfill to cure traffic problems. Gilbride said Waste Connections had proved it is not feasible for Butler County, David City or a political subdivision within Butler County to permit and construct an entirely new transfer station in an effort to meet the needs of the landfill's intended service area. She said they showed the landfill will run out of space in seven to nine years and it takes 10-12 years for a new facility to obtain a permit and become operational. They also proved the landfill is unique among Nebraska landfills in its ability to receive and process tires and fly ash. No evidence appears on the record to controvert this evidence," Gilbride said in her ruling. "The findings of the board that the proposed expansion is not necessary to provide service to the area to be served is not supported by the record, is arbitrary and capricious, and constitutes error. Credit: CC0 Public Domain As one of the first records of human music, infant-directed singing permeates cultural boundaries and parenting traditions. Unlike other forms of caregiving, the act of mothers singing to infants is a universal behavior that seemingly withstands the test of time. On the surface, the exchange between mother and child may seem standard, but to Shannon de l'Etoile, professor of Music Therapy and associate dean of Graduate Studies at the University of Miami Frost School of Music, there is much more to the infant-directed song than meets the eyeand ear. "We know from previous research that infants have the innate ability to process music in a sophisticated manner," explained de l'Etoile. "Initially, I set out to identify infant behaviors in response to live infant-directed singing compared to other common maternal interactions such as reading books and playing with toys. One of the main goals of the research was to clarify the meaning of infant-directed singing as a human behavior and as a means to elicit unique behavioral responses from infants," she added. Additionally, de l'Etoile explored the role of infant-directed singing in relation to intricate bond between mother and infant. In an initial study, she filmed 70 infants responding to six different interactions: mother sings an assigned song, "stranger" sings an assigned song, mother sings song of choice, mother reads book, mother plays with toy, and the mother and infant listen to recorded music. The results were promising, but also raised additional questions. "High cognitive scores during infant-directed singing suggested that engagement through song is just as effective as book reading or toy play in maintaining infant attention, and far more effective than listening to recorded music," said de l'Etoile. "But what did the infant engagement tell us about the mother's role during the interaction?" she questioned. de l'Etoile continued the study by focusing on the role of the caregiver during infant-directed singing by measuring the make-up of the song and the mother's voice. "Findings revealed that when infants were engaged during song, their mother's instincts are also on high alert," said de l'Etoile. "Intuitively, when infant engagement declined, the mother adjusted her pitch, tempo or key to stimulate and regulate infant response." While the intuitive adjustment of the song or singing voice seemed natural to most of the mothers, de l'Etoile was inclined to dig further. In a study published in the Journal of Music Therapy, she explored the acoustic parameters in the singing voices of mothers with post-partum depression. "The extraction and analysis of vocal data revealed that mothers with post-partum depression may lack sensitivity and emotional expression in their singing," stated de l'Etoile. "Although the infants were still engaged during the interaction, the tempo did not change and was somewhat robotic." According to de l'Etoile, for mothers with postpartum depression, infant-directed singing creates a unique and mutually beneficial situation. Through song, the infants are provided with much-needed sensory stimulation that can focus their attention and modulate their arousal. Simultaneously, mothers experience a much-needed distraction from the negative emotions and thoughts associated with depression, while also feeling empowered as a parent. "Mothers around the world sing to their infants in remarkably similar ways, and infants prefer these specialized songs," she said. "The tempo and key certainly don't need to be perfect or professional for mothers and infants to interact through song. In fact, infants may be drawn to the personalized tempo and pitch of their mother, which encourage them to direct their gaze toward and ultimately communicate through this gaze," added de l'Etoile. A type of sleep study called a polysomnogram uses sticky electrodes on the skin's surface to measure and record brain waves and muscle activity. Credit: David Samson, Duke University Screen time before bed can mess with your sleep. But people without TV and laptops skimp on sleep too, researchers say. A Duke University study of people living without electricity or artificial light in a remote farming village in Madagascar finds they get shorter, poorer sleep than people in the U.S. or Europe. But they seem to make up for lost shuteye with a more regular sleep routine, the researchers report in the American Journal of Human Biology. Americans sleep less than they did a generation ago. The decline is largely attributed to artificial light before bedtime wreaking havoc on our ability to stay in sync with the 24-hour day. Our bodies are particularly sensitive to the short-wavelength "blue" light emitted from smartphones, TVs, computers, LED bulbs and other devices. Staring at bright bluish light before bed sends a signal to the brain to secrete less melatonin, the hormone that makes you sleepy. "I think we can safely assume that our ancestors weren't staying up late at night cruising Facebook or looking at their e-readers," said David Samson, a senior research scientist in evolutionary anthropology at Duke. "It makes falling asleep much harder." To better understand our natural sleep patterns, Samson, Duke professor Charles Nunn and colleagues went to the remote village of Mandena, in northeastern Madagascar, where most households do without electricity. A farming community where people grow rice and cash crops such as vanilla, this tiny town at the outskirts of Marojejy National Park is one of the few remaining places on Earth where light pollution is not a problem. The villagers of Mandena are among more than a billion people worldwide who live without artificial light. Instead of switching on a light when the sun goes down, most people in Mandena spend their evenings in relative darkness. Nights are lit by the glow of cooking fires and kerosene lamps, or, when it's clear, the natural light of the moon and the stars. The Duke researchers analyzed sleep-wake patterns in 21 people aged 19 to 59 while they slept at night and napped during the day. The participants wore watch-like devices with built-in light and motion sensors that tracked subtle changes in their body movements and light exposure from one minute to the next, for 292 total nights of data. Nine of these people also took a sleep test called a polysomnogram to determine how deep and restful their sleep was. The test uses sticky electrodes on the skin's surface to measure and record electrical activity in the brain and muscles. The data revealed that even without artificial lighting to disrupt their rest, people in Mandena get less sleep than most adults in the U.S. and Europe. The villagers usually turned in around 7:30 p.m., two hours after sunset, and woke up around 5:30 a.m., about an hour before sunrise. But only 6.5 of those hours were spent sleeping30 minutes to an hour less each night than people in the U.S. or Italy. What sleep they did get was fragmented and light. Mandena villagers sleep together in houses with bamboo walls and tin or thatched roofs that do little to buffer noise. "On a nightly basis there are parties, dogs, roosters, children crying. It is a challenging environment for getting a good sleep," said Nunn, director of the Triangle Center for Evolutionary Medicine and professor of evolutionary anthropology and global health at Duke. The participants frequently woke up in the middle of the night, sometimes to use the bathroom, and then stayed up for an hour or two before returning to sleep. They also spent less time in deep sleep and the dream state known as REM sleep compared with Western populations. Yet rather than complain about being bleary-eyed or foggy-brained, 60 percent reported they were happy with their sleep. People in Mandena compensate for lost nighttime sleep by napping during the day, often for up to an hour. That's nearly twice as long as the average catnap for Westerners, Samson said. More importantly, Samson said, their sleep patterns were more consistent than most Westerners from one day to the next. Even when the researchers gave 10 people an LED camping lantern for a week, they still slept and woke at virtually the same times each day. "Sticking to a schedule may be just as important as getting a solid night's sleep," Samson said. The findings support other studies suggesting that humans were shortchanging their sleep even before the advent of electronic gadgets. Diaries, court records and other historical documents suggest the ideal of getting seven to nine hours of uninterrupted sleep didn't come about until recently. In preindustrial times broken sleep was the norm, according to research by sleep historian Roger Ekirch of Virginia Tech. Samson plans to continue studying sleep patterns in traditional societies across the globe. "My ultimate goal is to build a global data set of traditional sleep," he said. More information: David R. Samson et al, Segmented sleep in a nonelectric, small-scale agricultural society in Madagascar, American Journal of Human Biology (2017). Journal information: American Journal of Human Biology David R. Samson et al, Segmented sleep in a nonelectric, small-scale agricultural society in Madagascar,(2017). DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.22979 uberculosis bacteria infected and killed over 1.5 million people in 2015. A simple blood test may help identify infected children who are likely develop the disease. Credit: Kateryna Kon/Shutterstock A Stanford investigator and his colleagues found that a screening test for tuberculosis was a good predictor of whether children infected with the bacteria would become sick. A simple blood test commonly used in screening adults for tuberculosis could predict whether children infected with the TB bacteria are likely to progress to the active disease, according to a study by researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine and five other institutions. In an analysis of medical data from more than 2,500 South African babies, infectious disease specialist Jason Andrews, MD, and his colleagues found that a test, known as the QuantiFERON-TB assay, was a valuable predictor of which infants carrying the bacteria would become sick. The test could be particularly useful in high-risk countries like South Africa, where hundreds of thousands of young children die of the disease every year and where screening tests for TB in children are ineffective, Andrews said. "It could be highly valuable in determining which kids will develop TB disease," said Andrews, an assistant professor of medicine who is lead author of the study. Andrews said he hopes the study will prompt changes in World Health Organization guidelines, which currently don't recommend use of the test in children. "Given the high rates of TB and the difficulty of diagnosing it in kids, this can be something that could be done routinely in kids to identify the high-risk ones," he said. "You could imagine in a high-burden country that at a child's 12-month visit, they could also get a QuantiFERON test and, if it's high, they'd get aggressively investigated for TB." The test is a type of interferon-gamma release assay, or IGRA, commonly used for TB screening, both here and abroad, as it is more accurate than the older skin test. "These new findings confirm that the IGRA test for tuberculosis infection performs differently in young children compared with adults," said Mark Hatherill, MD, senior author of the study and senior clinical researcher at the South African Tuberculosis Vaccine Initiative. "More importantly, we now know that the IGRA test can be used to identify those children who are at highest risk of developing tuberculosis disease and who would benefit most from investigation and therapy." The study was published online Feb. 10 in The Lancet Respiratory Disease. Potentially fatal lung disease TB is a potentially fatal lung disease caused by a bacterium that is airborne and readily transmitted by coughing. In 2015, it caused 1.8 million deaths worldwide and is one of the top 10 killers around the globe, according to the WHO. In South Africa, it is the leading cause of death among both adults and children, accounting for some 8.5 percent of the nation's fatalities, said Andrews, who has been studying the disease there for a decade. He said young children are particularly vulnerable to TB, with up to 20 percent of those infected by the bacteria developing the active disease. While adults are commonly screened in South Africa using sputum testing, this method doesn't work in children, as they typically swallow their sputum after coughing, he said. And though children may be screened if their parents become ill, they also can become infected through contact with other infected individuals on buses, in churches, schools or other public places, he said. So there is no effective screening tool for children, who often show up in clinics in a late stage of the disease, when it is more difficult to treat, he said. "We really need a reliable screening test for children. It's so frustrating to see how little progress we've made," Andrews said. Analyzing data from trial In the hope of finding a viable testing method, Andrews and his colleagues analyzed data from a published trial of a potential TB vaccine that had raised high hopes but proved to be a disappointment. The trial was done by the South African Tuberculosis Vaccine Initiative between 2009 and 2012 in a rural area outside Cape Town, a city of 3 million people where about 30,000 TB cases are reported every year. The trial included 2,512 babies who were all healthy and HIV-negative, with no known exposure to the disease. Half of them received the experimental vaccine, and half received a placebo. The researchers in the trial used the QuantiFERON-TB test, also known as QFT, to measure infection in the children, who were all tested at the start of the trial and again at one year and two years. The assay exposes whole blood cells to the TB antigen and then measures the amount of interferon gamma, a type of cell-signaling protein, released by certain immune system cells. If the response measures less than 0.35 international units per milliliter, the person is considered negative for the bacteria, while any result higher than that is considered to be positive. Test results at one year When the 2,512 children in the study were tested at a year, 172 of them6.8 percentwere found to be positive carriers of the bacteria, a very high rate of infection, the researchers reported. Of these, 30 had already been diagnosed and treated for the active disease. The researchers more closely examined the other 142 children who tested positive but hadn't yet developed TB. They found that among those whose test results were between 0.35 and 4.0 international units per milliliter, only 2.5 percent developed the active disease. But among those with values greater than 4.0 international units per milliliter, many more children28 percentbecame ill. Only 0.7 percent of those with a negative test developed TB. "We found that as your value goes up, your risk goes up, and the risk really begins to accelerate after a value of 4," Andrews said. "The children in the high-value group had a 40-fold higher risk of getting sick, which is a very powerful marker." He said the study is the first to show that these higher numbers matter more. "What we are hoping is that this will show the international communitythe WHO, CDC and those creating guidelinesthat QuantiFERON testing can be reliable in kids, and that the quantitative values may be important so we may need to look a different thresholds than we use in adolescents or adults," Andrews said. He said the only drawback of the test is that it is moderately expensive and requires a well-equipped laboratory and trained personnel to perform. It may be viable in a country like South Africa, with its relatively advanced infrastructure, but would be less practical to use in poorer countries. The researchers are now exploring whether it could be cost-effective to scale up testing in South Africa, he said. More information: Serial QuantiFERON testing and tuberculosis disease risk among young children: an observational cohort study, The Lancet Respiratory Disease, DOI: Serial QuantiFERON testing and tuberculosis disease risk among young children: an observational cohort study,, DOI: dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2213-2600(17)30060-7 KIEV, Ukraine Probably nowhere outside Washington and Moscow are the Trump administrations smoke signals on Russia followed as intensely as in this Ukrainian capital. Sanctions are the only motivation to keep Putin at the table of negotiations, the Ukrainian president, Petro Poroshenko, declared to a group of American journalists and experts invited to Kiev last week. Absent sanctions, Mr. Poroshenko argues, President Vladimir V. Putin would have no reason to stop supporting separatists in Eastern Ukraine, and Russian aggression could spread through Eastern Europe and beyond. President Trumps attitude toward Moscow has been one of the major questions during his campaign and his first days in office. What little is known of Mr. Trumps phone conversations with Mr. Putin and Mr. Poroshenko offers little enlightenment; nor is it fully clear what Michael Flynn said to the Russian ambassador, Sergey Kislyak, that cost Mr. Flynn his job as national security adviser. CareerJunction has released its latest CareerJunction Index (CJI) report, which shows that labour demand has experienced strong growth in the IT industry. The demand for telecommunications professionals, however, has shown a strong decline over the last 6 months. The CJI uses data gathered from the CareerJunction website to represent labour dynamics in South Africa. Recruitment activity picked up within the IT, Finance, HR, and Motor sectors during January, stated the report. Labour demand has decreased significantly within the telecoms sector over the past 6 months. Job advert numbers are down by over 70% within the telecoms sector during the last 3 months alone. The graphs below show volume trends for IT and telecommunication job adverts published on the CareerJunction website over the past year. Parisien: French man wins 160 million in European lottery U.S. decides to block number of seats on planes because of the increase in passenger weight BMW M4 turned into a pickup truck Blinken calls on Israel and Palestine to urgently de-escalate tensions Romania signs deal with Norway for purchase of over 30 F-16 fighters Stoltenberg: The alliance has no plans to change nuclear positions and deployments Tagesschau: Nearly 200,000 people took part in strikes at industrial enterprises of Germany Teenagers hacks Uzbekistan senate website Artsakh Ombudsman: Azerbaijanis fired at tractor in Khramort village of Artsakh Rally participants' statement: Artsakh can't be a part of Azerbaijan Person accused of arson in Russia cafe confesses Fars: Iranian Foreign Ministry reported UAV deliveries to Russia a few months before the start of the UAS Bayramov: Azerbaijan, Armenia leaders next meeting will take place in Brussels this month Unity rally of participants start march in downtown Yerevan North Korea launches 4 ballistic missiles Council of Border Guard Troops commanders discusses situation at CIS external borders Armenia ex-President Kocharyan joins rally in downtown Yerevan Russia oil, natural gas companies plan to collaborate with Iraq Armenia army intelligence troops 30th anniversary is solemnly celebrated (PHOTOS) Rally of unity in support of Karabakh kicks off in downtown Yerevan Pentagon announces sending 8 NASAMS air defense systems to Ukraine Armenian Apostolic Church Supreme Spiritual Council meeting ends, Armenia and Artsakh security discussed Tropical Storm Nalgae death toll climbs to 155 in Philippines Artak Beglaryan is appointed advisor to Artsakh Minister of State (PHOTOS) US House committee extends deadline for Trump to produce documents on Capitol attack Over 200 elephants die in Kenya amid drought 13 dead in cafe fire in Russia Armenia Security Council chief to head for Poland, Netherlands, Lithuania Rishi Sunak: State cannot fix all problems Newspaper: To what extent Armenia adheres to sanctions on Russia? Biden accuses Twitter of spewing lies Newspaper: There are active political processes in Karabakh Qatar FM slams hypocrisy of calls to boycott World Cup France, Singapore and Switzerland begin joint testing of experimental digital currencies Oil war is Biden's biggest mistake Japan considers possible deployment of hypersonic missiles by 2030 Germany to install better air defense system over Defense Ministry buildings Erdogan and Stoltenberg discuss war in Ukraine Armenian MOD: Azerbaijani Armed Forces open fire in direction of Armenian positions True cost of Europe's rejection of Russian gas White House tries to explain Biden's statement about freeing Iran Former Pakistani Prime Minister: Either we will have a peaceful revolution or a bloody one Aramyan: Why are police officers' salaries increasing, while defense officers' are not? Pentagon and U.S. weapons manufacturers to discuss Russia, human resources and supply chain Ankara says U.S. may approve sale of F-16s to Turkey within few months IMF: Turkey should tighten monetary policy and give the Central Bank more independence Pope urges religious leaders to keep the world from brink of abyss Putin awards Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II with Order of Honor U.S. says G7 countries realize need for coordinated response to China Round-the-clock curfew is introduced in Kherson Borrell says they can't put China and Russia on same level Olaf Scholz calls on China to influence Russia G7 foreign ministers express 'unwavering commitment' to protecting Ukraine, criticized PRC and IRI Political technologist explains why Pashinyan was elected chairman of board of ruling party in Armenia Erdogan signs up for TikTok China's army is constantly preparing for war amid provocative U.S. actions Kalin: Armenia is constructive about normalization of relations Poland asks EU to suspend fines Putin: Situation in Ukraine was deadly for Russia Portugal to test a four-day workweek US embassy in Armenia issues statement ahead of November 5 protests in Yerevan Dollar, euro go up in Armenia Baku authorities once again refuse to allow PFPA to hold protest rally Iranians commemorate anniversary of US embassy seizure Richard Kauzlarich: Azerbaijan, Armenia FMs meeting in Washington 'will send message to Putin' Russia ratifies protocol on requirements for length of service of EEU bodies' employees for pensions Armenia deputy defense minister in Russia, discusses military cooperation Yerevan receives proposal to hold Russia-Armenia-Azerbaijan interparliamentary talks Health minister: We will work with fallen Armenia detainees relatives one more time after which bodies will be buried Putin allows mobilization of citizens with unexpunged criminal record for serious crimes Arnika, NESEHNUTI NGOs of Czech Rep. issue joint statement on plan to expand gold mine in Armenias Karaberd Putin urges to evacuate civilians living in Kherson from the war zone Iran parliament speaker to visit Armenia Ruling force MP: Canada is opening embassy in Armenia because we are one of worlds most democratic countries Girl with Armenian roots ends up in Vladimir orphanage Erdogan says he has agreed with Putin to supply grain to needy countries for free Armenia President, UK envoy agree to continue cooperation, close contacts Armenia FM receives EU Monitoring Capacity Spanish MPs don't approve agreement with Baku as a sign of solidarity with Armenia Japan says North Korea may go ahead with nuclear test Armenia government to allocate about $5M to Karabakh refugees support program Belarusian border service: Border guards intercepts Ukrainian training drone President appoints Ruben Vardanyan as Karabakh Minister of State US embassy expresses concern about human rights violation in Azerbaijan Azerbaijan continues muscle play on Iran border Ibrahim Kalin says Turkey will become an important gas center one way or another Biden: We're gonna free Iran Reuters: G7 countries and Australia agrees on fixed price for Russian oil World oil prices dropping Wizz Air to launch new flights between Venice, Yerevan EU assesses Armenia, Azerbaijan border commissions meeting in Brussels as constructive Artsakh President convenes enlarged working consultation Envoy: China supports Armenians Azerbaijan MOD disseminates disinformation, Armenia army did not fire Armenia ruling party recounts congress voting results Quake jolts Turkey Newspaper: Armenia PM once again manipulates topic of negotiations, Karabakh conflict Newspaper: Studies underway on Armenia MPs business involvement US wants to prevent Germany, other allies from working together with China Protests turn violent in Iran's Alborz Province STEPANAKERT. Blogger Alexander Lapshin has become the victim of a witch-hunt. Davit Babayan, Head of the Central Information Department of the Office of the President of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR/Artsakh) and Deputy Head of the NKR Presidents Office, stated the aforesaid commentingat the request of Armenian News-NEWS.amon Azerbaijans attempts to keep Artsakh under an information blockade, and the European organizations demeanor towards these attempts. The whole process of Lapshins arrest and extradition was being carried out with flagrant violations of international law, whereas the European organizations turned a blind eye to all this, noted Babayan. Sadly, corruption has penetrated into many organizations; such apathy will not lead to anything good. (). Europe better not forget about principles. In his words, Azerbaijan had to exert considerable efforts to have Lapshin extradited from Belarus. In the meantime, [Belarus President Alexander] Lukashenko personally had come to congratulate Junior Eurovision [Song Contest 2010] winner Vova Arzumanyan, learning that he is from Nagorno-Karabakh, stressed the deputy head of the NKR Presidents Office. In December 2016, Israeli Russian blogger Alexander Lapshin was detained in the Belarusian capital city of Minsk. The reason was his being on the international wanted persons list, due to a search which Azerbaijan had declared. Baku accuses him of visiting Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) without its consent. And on February 7 of the current year, Belarus extradited the blogger to the Azerbaijani capital city of Baku, where he was taken into custody. The Canadian company seeking to build the controversial Keystone XL pipeline has filed an application to get state approval for its Nebraska route. TransCanada filed the more than 400-page application Thursday morning with the Nebraska Public Service Commission, an independent elected board that regulates phone service, pipelines, taxis, grain dealers and other services in the state. The company based in Calgary, Alberta, needs approval to move forward with burying 275 miles of pipe through Nebraska, as well as proceeding with eminent-domain proceedings against a group of landowners who have refused to sign easements for the $8 billion project. TransCanada already has more than 90 percent of the easements it needs to build the Keystone XL in Nebraska and all of the rights-of-way it needs in South Dakota and Montana. Legal battles and political wrangling in Nebraska helped delay the previous attempt to build the Keystone XL, originally slated to begin moving oil in 2012. The delay gave opposition groups time to galvanize and turn the project into a symbol of the fight over how the nation addresses climate change. In November 2015, then-President Barack Obama denied the cross-border permit TransCanada needs, but President Donald Trump revived the project last month by inviting the company to reapply. The 1,179-mile pipeline would run from Hardisty, Alberta, to Steele City along the Nebraska-Kansas border, where it would meet up with an existing Keystone pipeline network. Completion of the final leg would connect crude oil producers from the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin and U.S. Bakken region to refineries along the Texas Gulf Coast. Trump has promised to fast track approval of the federal permit, but TransCanada will still need the Nebraska Public Service Commission to approve a route before it can start work here. Thursday's submission of the state application begins what could be a year-long process during which TransCanada must prove to the five-member Public Service Commission that construction of the 36-inch-diameter pipeline along its chosen path is in the public interest. The commission has 210 days to make a decision on the application, although it can extend the deadline by five months for just cause. The quasi-judicial process calls for public hearings, testimony from experts, and opportunities for comment, including an intervener process through which landowners and others can present testimony. Omaha-based Domina Law plans to continue to represent a group of landowners who oppose the pipeline and has pledged a lawsuit if TransCanada gets approval to move forward with eminent domain, arguing a foreign corporation should not be allowed to force land agreements for private profit. TransCanadas application mirrors the route reviewed by the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality and approved by then-Gov. Dave Heineman in 2013. It was a compromise to move the pipeline out of the heart of the environmentally sensitive Nebraska Sandhills, as well as avoid fragile soils and shallow groundwater identified by the NDEQ. "This application has been shaped by direct, on-the-ground input from Nebraskans," TransCanada President and Chief Executive Officer Russ Girling said in a statement Thursday. "The thousands of Nebraskans we have met over the last eight years understand the value of this project and what it means to the state. As we have said consistently, safety and a respect for the environment remain our key priorities. But opponents say it still passes through the Sandhills, and that state lawmakers used maps showing the unique region of prairie grass-covered sand dunes to be less extensive than it actually is. Environmental groups say the Keystone XL would hasten production of carbon-heavy oil sands and that the risk of leaks the pipeline would move as many as 830,000 barrels of oil a day endangers wildlife, the environment and local water supplies, including the Niobrara River and Ogallala Aquifer, the source of drinking water for millions of people in several High Plains states, as well as water for irrigation and livestock operations. But the Nebraska Public Service Commission wont consider safety, because that falls under the purview of federal regulators and covers issues including design, construction, inspection, emergency plans and procedures, testing, operation, replacement maintenance, and risk and impact of spills. TransCanada says the Keystone XL would be the safest oil pipeline ever built and that it would be monitored around the clock as it carries oil to American refineries. Supporters, including major labor unions, tout tax dollars and thousands of construction jobs the project will generate, as well as the boost workers will give local economies as they frequent hotels and restaurants. Jane Kleeb, chairwoman of the Nebraska Democratic Party and head of the advocacy group Bold Alliance, said opposition arguments before the PSC will focus on reasons why the pipeline is not in the public interest and highlight that state rules say existing utility corridors must be considered, including the existing Keystone pipeline that began operating in June 2010. The most important piece of the Public Service Commission process is that they have to consider if there is any other utility corridor that exists that this pipeline could use, she said. Bold Nebraska, the state branch of the Bold Alliance, plans to offer training for people who want to register as interveners, which requires that they show they have a substantial legal interest in the proceedings. Issues state law says the Public Service Commission can consider as it reviews the application include: * Whether it follows all state rules, regulation and statutes. * Evidence to be provided by TransCanada of effect on natural resources, including an environmental impact and soil permeability studies, distance-to-groundwater survey, and effect on wildlife and plants. * Methods to minimize impact on natural resources. * Economic and social effects, including taxes to be paid to local governments. * Whether another utility corridor exists that is feasible to use. * Effect of the pipeline on development of the surrounding area. * Reports from state agencies. * Views of local governments along the proposed route. Representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) mission have visited the Azerbaijani citizen who is detained in Karabakh. On February 14, the representatives of ICRC Mission in Nagorno-Karabakh carried out the visit to the recently detained Azerbaijani, Communication officer of the ICRC Mission in Nagorno-Karabakh, Eteri Musayelyan, told Armenian News NEWS.am. The visit was conducted in line with the standard ICRC procedures. According to its mandate, the ICRC visits detainees to monitor their treatment and conditions of detention and help to ensure that they are able to maintain contact with their families. To note, taking advantage of the foggy weather, the Azerbaijani side launched a diversionary infiltration attempt on February 1, in the northern direction (Talish) of the line of contact between the KarabakhAzerbaijani opposing forces. As a result of an organized anti-diversion operation, however, the Karabakh armed forces at the frontline captured Azerbaijani army serviceman Elnur Huseyin Zade, born in the city of Barda, in 1995. YEREVAN. The Government of Armenia has decided to simplify the border procedures for foreigners arriving in the country. Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan stated the aforementioned at Thursdays Cabinet meeting. In his words, at present, foreigners, who enter Armenia and need to get a visa at the border, have to fill out a questionnaire and pay the visa fee in cash. In this connection, the PM instructed the police chief to examine, within a week, the possibility of canceling the requirement for filling out the said questionnaire. In addition, the minister of finance was instructed to develop a procedure for non-cash payment of the visa fee. YEREVAN. The story of blogger Alexander Lapshin consists of several measurements, Russian political scientist Sergey Markedonov on Thursday said at a press conference in Armenias capital city of Yerevan. First, he pointed to Russian-Belarusian relations. When something is used as a bargaining chip, to reach your positions, he noted. When human life becomes secondary. Subsequently, Markedonov pointed to integration problems in the post-Soviet space expanse, stating that the interests of many do not coincide. In his words, visits to de facto entities with such suspended statusjust like Nagorno-Karabakhare indispensable. People are living there, added the Russian political scientist. They are not ready to consider Azerbaijan their homeland. And how will people outside know what is happening there? So, journalists and political scientists need to visit. The [Karabakh] issue should be resolved through negotiations, mutual concessions, he added. A return to 1988 is impossible even because it was Soviet Azerbaijan, with Soviet mechanisms. Todays Armenia and Azerbaijan will hardly be ready for that. Sergey Markedonov recalled that even though the Azerbaijan Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) blacklist of Karabakh visitors is already four years old, the conflict is still unresolved. In December 2016, Israeli Russian blogger Alexander Lapshin was detained in the Belarusian capital city of Minsk. The reason was his being on the international wanted persons list, due to a search which Azerbaijan had declared. Baku accuses him of visiting Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) without its consent. And on February 7 of the current year, Belarus extradited the blogger to the Azerbaijani capital city of Baku, where he was taken into custody. Businesses, primarily shops and restaurants, are closing around the country today for 'A Day Without Immigrants.' The labor strike is in protest of the immigration ban, proposed border wall and roundup of undocumented immigrants. Shops are closing in solidarity with their employees or simply because they won't be able to open for lack of staff. Immigrants in major cities like Washington, D.C., Austin and Philadelphia are planning on staying home so the nation as a whole can acknowledge that it can't function without them. Sweetgreen took a proactive stance with an email from the co-founders to everyone on its D.C. distribution list that the company's D.C.-area eighteen stores would be closed in support of the company's employees. "Our diversity is what makes this family great, and we respect our team members' right to exercise their voice in our democracy," read a particularly moving paragraph of the email. "We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and hope you understand our commitment to our people." Watch More: We Still Don't Know Donald Trump's Opinion on the Border Adjustment Tax The strike isn't solely relegated to immigrants; native-born Americans are also taking part by staying home in what is surely the first of many business-targeted retaliations against the Trump administration. For instance, there's a general national strike occurring tomorrow. The idea is simply not to show up to work and not purchase anything. Instead, contribute to democracy in some small way like donating your time to community service or reaching out to a local representative. The Women's Strike or "A Day Without Women" is being organized for March 8th after the success of the Women's march or "the resistance," as it's referred to across social media platforms. And we thought 2016 was interesting. A brand new sign will soon be visible to the occupants of the 250,000 cars that pass the Menomonee Valley on I-94 each day. City Lights Brewing Company will flip the ceremonial switch on its brewery sign for the very first time this evening at 5 p.m. The "old school" sign which will be lit by Corey Zetts, executive director of Menomonee Valley Partners was created by Poblocki Sign Company. It will be erected atop the five-story octagonal "Tower Building" on the City Lights Campus. The sign itself is 3 feet, 8 inches tall and illuminated by white LED bulbs. "The City Lights sign is a welcoming beacon for a revitalized Menomonee Valley," notes Zetts. "The Valley has embraced its industrial past while evolving to create a bright new future, in the same spirit that Robin [Gohsman] and the City Lights team lovingly restored this former coal gasification plant as a state-of-the-art brewery. We couldnt be more excited to have City Lights become one of the Valleys iconic places." An underwater scene at National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa. Credit: Image courtesy of Greg McFall/NOAA. There is a species of coralcalled bubblegum coral for its pinkish appearancethat has provided a peak into ancient migration paths for marine species as far back as 10 million years. That discoveryand others like itcould only have happened through exploration of what is known as the deep seathe ocean's lowest layers, 200 meters (600 feet) or more below the surface. For reference, the average depth of the ocean is 3,800 meters. According to the Professional Association of Diving Instructors, most recreational scuba divers only dive as deep as 40 meters (130 feet). Despite the importance of ocean health to humankind's well-being, more than 95 percent of the world's ocean remains unexplored using advanced technologies. "By far, the largest habitable space on our planet is the deep ocean, yet we know very little about it," says Santiago Herrera , visiting assistant professor of biological sciences at Lehigh University. "We have observed far less than 1% of all the seafloor. Scientists have a better knowledge of the surface of Mars or the Moon than we do the surface of the earth." Herrera is part of a team working to change that by expanding knowledge of the unknown through underwater exploration at the deepest layers of the ocean. Adds Herrera: "Every time we dive we gain a better understanding of the ocean and its importance to ensure our own survival." This month, Herrera joins a team aboard the Okeanos Explorerbuilt and operated by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)as the Biology Science Lead for the 2017 American Samoa Expedition. The Okeanos Explorer is the only federally funded U.S. ship assigned to systematically explore the unknown parts of the ocean for the purpose of discovery and the advancement of knowledge. The goal of this expedition is to collect critical baseline information of unknown and poorly known deepwater areas in American Samoa, Samoa, and the Cook Islands. Two voyages are planned. The first begins on February 16th and ends on March 2nd. The second part is scheduled for April 4th through 21st. The missions are telepresence-enabled and the remotely operated vehicle dives will be streamed live at: http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/media/exstream/exstream.html. The dual-body ROV is dedicated to the ship and includes the camera sled Seirios (left) and ROV Deep Discoverer (right). Both vehicles are outfitted with powerful lighting, high-definition imaging, and sensors to collect in situ environmental information on habitats being explored. Deep Discoverer is also equipped with a temperature probe, and two manipulator arms, coral cutters, and storage boxes for sample collections. Credit: NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research. During the cruises, the at-sea and shore-based science teams will work together to map the seafloor and make some of the first deepwater scientific observations in these areas. The dives will be conducted daily from approximately 3:00 pm to 11:00 pm Eastern Time. During the February/March trip, the team will conduct 24-hour operations consisting of daytime remotely operated vehicle dives overnight mapping operations including during transit. Daytime remotely operated vehicle operations will focus on depths between 250 and 6,000 meters and will include high-resolution visual surveys and sample collections. "By focusing our exploration on seamounts areas between 250-6000 meters deep we expect to find new biological communities, several new species and associations between species, as well as patterns that will help us test our biogeographic and geological hypotheses," says Herrera. Exploring an uncommon, pristine Pacific reef The expedition is part of the three-year Campaign to Address the Pacific monument Science, Technology, and Ocean Needs (CAPSTONE) , a NOAA initiative to collect deepwater baseline information to support science and management decisions in and around U.S. marine protected areas in the central and western Pacific. The areas to be explored contain some of the last relatively pristine marine ecosystems on the planet and harbor numerous protected species, undiscovered shipwrecks, and cultural landscapes. Their designation is unprecedented in terms of geographic scope, ecological value, and national symbolism for ocean conservation. Herrera, whose research focuses on the ecological and evolutionary processes that produce biodiversity patterns in the ocean, notes: "From the biological perspective, American Samoa is located at a biogeographical crossroads. It sits right at the boundary of four major deep-sea biogeographical provinces that have been hypothesized from observed differences in environmental parameters such as seawater temperature, food supply to depth and surface ocean productivity, a product of photosynthesis. The region is likely an important transition zone for the faunas from the south and North Pacific." A picture of the striking pink hue of the fringing reef at Rose Atoll Marine National Monument. Credit: Image courtesy of Wendy Cover/NOAA. He adds: "Furthermore, the area north of the Samoan Islands, known as the Samoan Passage, is extremely important for the circulation of deep water in the pacific. It's been estimated than more than half of all the bottom water that moves from the south Pacific into the north Pacific has to funnel through this narrow gap. Thus, the deep currents that form in this area may constitute a significant barrier for many species and therefore could play a major role structuring the biodiversity that is found in the deep Pacific Ocean." The two areas of focus will be the National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa and the Rose Atoll Marine National Monument. Located in the cradle of Polynesia's oldest culture the National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa covers 13,581 square miles of nearshore coral reef and offshore open ocean waters across the Samoan archipelago. Today, National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa protects extensive coral reefs, deepwater reefs, hydrothermal vent communities, and rare marine archaeological resources. The Rose Atoll Marine National Monument remains one of the most pristine atolls (a ring-shaped coral reef) in the world. The marine environment around the atoll supports a dynamic reef ecosystem that is home to a diverse assemblage of marine species, several of which are threatened or endangered. One of the atoll's most striking features is the pink hue of its fringing reef, which is caused by the dominance of coralline algae, the primary reef-building species in the area. The dominance of this species makes Rose Atoll's reef quite distinctive from the reefs found at other Samoan Islands. This reef supports the highest densities of giant clam in the Samoan archipelago and and an estimated 272 species of fish. The atoll also contains nesting grounds for the endangered green sea turtle. Telepresence extends deep-sea expedition's reach Expanding the reach of these expeditions is the fact that the ship is telepresence-enabled. This means that NOAA's Okeanos Explorer will use telepresence technology to transmit data in real-time to a shore-based hub where the video is then transmitted to a number of Exploration Command Centers located around the country as well as to any internet-enabled device. Access to the video combined with a suite of Internet-based collaboration tools allow scientists on shore to join the operation in real time and allows the general public to follow the expedition online. Scientists access the live feed by standing watches in Exploration Command Centers tuning in to the high-definition video via Internet-2 or watching the live video on standard Internet from their home institutions. Shore-based scientists interact with the ship through a teleconference line and Internet collaboration tools. Using these communication tools, the scientists and students can contribute expertise and help guide the at-sea operations in real time, extending the reach of ocean exploration to more scientists and students than could possibly be accommodated on board. "We will be making discoveries that will be shared in real-time with anyone with access to the internetincreasing appreciation of and connection to our planet," says Herrera. "In addition, this technology enables the participation of scientists from all over the world to contribute their knowledge and help our interpretation of observations. All the images and data collected are made publicly available as they are collected. It is a truly democratic way to do science." Six different whitefish species in Lake Lucerne. Credit: Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology Humans influence evolution. In the case of whitefish in Swiss lakes, one consequence of this is replacement of a diversity of specialised species by fewer generalists. A recent analysis now suggests that communities of diverse specialists utilise trophic resources more efficiently. In a theme issue on "Human influences on evolution, and the ecological and societal consequences," published by the Royal Society (UK), two review articles are devoted to fish: the first discusses adaptive capacities in fish exposed to pollution, while the second an Eawag contribution examines the effects of lake eutrophication on fish biodiversity. The authors show that the increase in primary production caused by eutrophication can lead to changes throughout the food web. Changes in productivity alter the physico-chemical environment, which has further effects e.g. via selection processes on lake fauna and flora. Such changes can also affect habitat availability, thus eroding differences in habits and behaviour which had previously contributed to the separation and genetic differentiation of species. Eutrophication thus commonly results in reduced ecological specialization and genetic and phenotypic homogenization of species, both among lakes and among niches within lakes. Essentially, these findings reflect those of an earlier Eawag study of whitefish (published by Vonlanthen et. al. in Nature in 2012), as well as studies of other fish in other lakes. Here, however, the phenomenon of "eco-evolutionary feedback" has been further investigated. Taking the example of whitefish, the authors not only studied the effects of eutrophication on biodiversity but also, for the first time, analysed the relationship between current fishery yields, nutrient availability and functional diversity. The latter was measured in terms of the range of a key functional trait the number of gill rakers: sparsely rakered fish are better adapted for sediment feeding but cannot filter plankton effectively, while for densely rakered fish the converse is true. Fishery yields relative to lake productivity were shown to be higher in lakes where whitefish diversity is higher. In Lakes Thun or Lucerne, for example, which were not subject to heavy eutrophication and which still harbour relatively diverse communities, the whitefish yield per unit phosphorus is higher than in, say, Lakes Zug or Geneva. According to the researchers, this indicates more efficient utilization of the trophic resources available in the lakes. Correlation between whitefish yield per unit phosphorus (y axis) and the range of gill raker numbers, an index of functional diversity in whitefish species (x axis). Credit: Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology Six different whitefish species in Lake Lucerne Until recently, four species of whitefish were known to occur in Lake Lucerne, differing in size, shape and spawning depth/season: Coregonus suidteri ("Balchen/Bodenbalchen"), C. zugensis ("Albeli"), C. nobilis ("Edelfisch") and the so-called "Alpnacherfelchen." In 2009, Eawag scientists identified a fifth species, spawning at depths between the shallow-spawning C. suidteri (up to approx. 10 metres) and the deep-spawning C. zugensis (from approx. 40 metres). Because it spawns at intermediate depths, this species is known unofficially in German as the "Schwebbalchen." Now, a sixth species has been identified by the group led by Ole Seehausen, head of the Fish Ecology and Evolution department at Eawag and Professor of Aquatic Ecology at Bern University. The six whitefish species all differ not only genetically but also in growth rate and spawning behaviour; in most cases, they also differ in appearance and in gill-raker count. Surprisingly, the most recently identified species which has yet to be named spawns in close proximity to the "Schwebbalchen," but is found particularly in the open waters of the lake. According to Seehausen, the fact that another whitefish species has been identified in Lake Lucerne highlights the importance of unbiased sampling strategies using quantitative genetic and morphological methods. "These are essential if we are to understand the evolutionary mechanisms structuring biodiversity, and also to improve conservation and fisheries management," he says. More information: Alan G. Hudson et al. Managing cryptic biodiversity: Fine-scale intralacustrine speciation along a benthic gradient in Alpine whitefish (spp.), Evolutionary Applications (2016). DOI: 10.1111/eva.12446 Timothy J. Alexander et al. Does eutrophication-driven evolution change aquatic ecosystems?, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences (2016). DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2016.0041 Journal information: Nature Provided by Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology Grover and his research team have been focused on improving the resolution of EEG neural imaging technology, a portable and non-invasive brain imaging system. Credit: Carnegie Mellon University College of Engineering Writers and scientists throughout history have searched for an apt technological analogy for the human brain, often comparing it to a computer. For Pulkit Grover, Carnegie Mellon University assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering and the Center for Neural Basis of Cognition, this analogy couldn't be more fitting. Although Grover and his research team spend much of their time exploring how information flows through computer networks (such as coding systems, cyberphysical systems, and low-power wireless systems), they also apply these information theory principles to brain-imaging systems. This cross-disciplinary research approach bridges mathematical theory with clinical applicationsstriving to improve the treatment of neurological disorders such as epilepsy. "It is exciting to be applying my research in the neuroscience and neuroengineering space because I am tackling information theory challenges that have the potential to impact the quality of life of patients, or make a doctor's diagnosis faster and easierthat is the goal I'm always working toward," says Grover. Grover and his research team have been focused on improving the resolution of EEG neural imaging technology, a portable and non-invasive brain imaging system. This research goes against the trend in the field of neuroscience. Many researchers believe that EEG systems are fundamentally limited to imaging resolutions that are too low to be effective, and that it is impossible to improve the resolution of these systems beyond their current levels. "The current overarching view in both clinical and neuroscientific communities is that a different imaging modality needs to be invented. However, it is our view that the potential of EEG has been severely underestimated, and that EEG's low resolution became a self-fulfilling prophecy of sorts," explains Grover. "We are working towards building the first 'Ultra-Resolution EEG' platform. This platform offers important benefits that no other modality currently has, such as high spatiotemporal imaging resolution, while still being portable. It is also more than ten times cheaper than other imaging technologies such as MRI or Magnetoencephalography (MEG), which is important for doctors who will be using this for the treatment and monitoring of their patients." Professor Grover and student. Credit: Carnegie Mellon University College of Engineering Recently, Grover and electrical and computer engineering Ph.D. student Praveen Venkatesh established the first-ever fundamental limits on EEG imaging, and showed that the reason that most neuroscientists believe EEG has inherently low-resolution is incorrect. These limits show how an earlier study was misunderstood at-large in the field to suggest that low-density systems (with a hundred or so electrodes) obtain the best possible imaging. Grover and Venkatesh explored the question of how many electrodes should be used in this system to provide the best imaging results. "If you improve both the data analysis and the number of electrodes for EEG systems, then you can improve the resolution dramatically," says Grover. "This new theory lays the foundation for exciting experimental work with our Carnegie Mellon BrainHub collaborators. The study, titled "An information-theoretic view of EEG sensing," was published in the Proceedings of the IEEE. The research was conducted as part of Carnegie Mellon's BrainHub, a university initiative that focuses on how the structure and activity of the brain give rise to complex behaviors. Grover and Venkatesh are collaborating extensively across the university to validate these fundamental results and bring them into practical systems. Their collaborators include Marlene Behrmann and Michael Tarr (professors of psychology and the Center for Neural Basis of Cognition), Shawn Kelly (senior systems scientist in the Engineering Research Accelerator), and Jeffrey Weldon (associate professor of electrical and computer engineering). They are also working with Mark Richardson, an epilepsy neurosurgeon at the University of Pittsburgh, to obtain clinical validation and establish relevance in epilepsy. The collaborative team published experimental validation of some of this work at the 2016 Information Theory and Applications Workshop. "To change the widespread perception of EEG technology and get these systems into clinical practice, we need more experimental validation of this theory," Grover concludes. "We are well on our way to getting these validations and I'm looking forward to what the future holds for this research." Credit: University of Warwick Gadgets are set to become flexible, highly efficient and much smaller, following a breakthrough in measuring two-dimensional 'wonder' materials by the University of Warwick. Dr Neil Wilson in the Department of Physics has developed a new technique to measure the electronic structures of stacks of two-dimensional materials flat, atomically thin, highly conductive, and extremely strong materials for the first time. Multiple stacked layers of 2-D materials known as heterostructures create highly efficient optoelectronic devices with ultrafast electrical charge, which can be used in nano-circuits, and are stronger than materials used in traditional circuits. Various heterostructures have been created using different 2-D materials and stacking different combinations of 2-D materials creates new materials with new properties. Dr Wilson's technique measures the electronic properties of each layer in a stack, allowing researchers to establish the optimal structure for the fastest, most efficient transfer of electrical energy. The technique uses the photoelectric effect to directly measure the momentum of electrons within each layer and shows how this changes when the layers are combined. The ability to understand and quantify how 2-D material heterostructures work - and to create optimal semiconductor structures - paves the way for the development of highly efficient nano-circuitry, and smaller, flexible, more wearable gadgets. Solar power could also be revolutionised with heterostructures, as the atomically thin layers allow for strong absorption and efficient power conversion with a minimal amount of photovoltaic material. Dr Wilson comments on the work: "It is extremely exciting to be able to see, for the first time, how interactions between atomically thin layers change their electronic structure. This work also demonstrates the importance of an international approach to research; we would not have been able to achieve this outcome without our colleagues in the USA and Italy." Dr Wilson worked formulated the technique in collaboration with colleagues in the theory groups at the University of Warwick and University of Cambridge, at the University of Washington in Seattle, and the Elettra Light Source, near Trieste in Italy. Understanding how interactions between the atomic layers change their electronic structure required the help of computational models developed by Dr Nick Hine, also from Warwick's Department of Physics. More information: Neil R. Wilson et al. Determination of band offsets, hybridization, and exciton binding in 2D semiconductor heterostructures, Science Advances (2017). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.1601832 Journal information: Science Advances A pair of hirola bulls pause in a clearing in Ishaqbini Community Conservancy in eastern Kenya. Credit: Abdullahi Hussein Ali Photo University of Wyoming researchers took a big step toward solving the mystery of the decline of hirola, a rare African antelope, conducting wildlife research in one of the most formidable environmentsthe border region of eastern Kenya and southern Somalia. "In spite of a long history of coexistence between hirola and local people, we think overgrazing, loss of elephants from poaching and lack of fires have taken away food supplies for hirolaa large antelope that specializes on grass," says Abdullahi Hussein Ali, a UW second-year Ph.D. ecology student at the time of his research. "Unlike efforts to 'green' the desert in many areas, it is the encroachment of shrubs into grasslands that is impacting hirola." Ali, now a postdoctoral associate at Utah State University, was lead author of a paper, titled "Resource Selection and Landscape Change Reveal Mechanism Suppressing Population Recovery for the World's Most Endangered Antelope" that appeared in the Feb. 15 (today) issue of the Journal of Applied Ecology. The publication is a bimonthly journal of the British Ecological Society that publishes high-impact papers on the interface between ecological science and the management of biological resources. The article first appeared in the journal's online edition Feb. 3. Jacob Goheen, a UW associate professor in the Department of Zoology and Physiology, was a co-author of the paper. Between 2012-15, the researchers used GPS collars to track more than 50 hirola from seven herds, and found that the antelope prefer grassland habitats. Using a time series of satellite imagery, the authors showed a 250 percent increase in tree cover since the mid-1980s in the hirola's native range. This "tree encroachment" occurred at the expense of grassland habitats. Ali and his group also looked at dozens of kill sites made by lions, cheetahs and other predators of hirola. These kill sites were found in open areasthe very areas where hirola typically spend their time foraging on grassesand not forested areas. The researchers concluded that habitat was the major reason why hirola have declined and remain rare for the past 40 years. Hirola numbers dwindled to fewer than 500 by the mid-1980s, and their populations have remained precariously low since. The reasons for their low numbers have puzzled wildlife biologists and conservationists. The Abdallah and AbduwaqSomali clans that live alongside hirolatreat hirola as near-mythical beasts, indicators of good grass. "Fortunately, solutions for hirola recovery are at hand, and it all starts with people," Ali says. "Because hirola are indicators of healthy rangelands, local communities welcome them. We are working with these communities to find solutions that benefit hirola, other wildlife and people." Goheen, Ali's former Ph.D. supervisor at UW, commends his former student for his persistence. "Hirola don't live anywhere that's convenient for outsiders to work," Goheen explains. "This region has seldom been visited by western scientists due, in part, to political uncertainty. The fact that Ali pulled off this study under such challenging conditions is just what the hirola will need if they are to survivea friend in hard times." These challenges haven't stopped Ali, who is forging ahead with hirola projection and community engagement. In the second year of his Ph.D., Ali founded the Hirola Conservation Programme and is currently its director. Through this organization, Ali and his team are active in restoring grasslands throughout eastern Kenya through elephant conservation, clearing of trees and grass reseedingsolutions that will provide benefits to both people and wildlife. More information: Abdullahi H. Ali et al. Resource selection and landscape change reveal mechanisms suppressing population recovery for the world's most endangered antelope, Journal of Applied Ecology (2017). DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.12856 Journal information: Journal of Applied Ecology The letters' authors cited Trump's threats to stop government scientists from talking to the press or publishing findings without permission European science bodies on Thursday criticised Donald Trump's administration for what they said was a "policy reorientation" in favour of views "not based on facts and sound scientific processes and evidence." A letter signed by 46 scientific organisations urged Europe's politicians to defend the principles and values that have traditionally underpinned scientific progressincluding the open exchange of people and ideas. Principles such as transparency, information-sharing and the physical mobility of scientists were vital to scientific development and the benefits they bring to societies and economies, the letter said. The authors cited the new US president's attempts to ban travellers from seven Muslim-majority countries and threats to stop government scientists from talking to the press or publishing findings without permission. They were particularly concerned, the group said, about "the unwarranted credibility to views not based on facts and sound scientific processes and evidence in areas such as climate science or the safety of vaccines." There was no place in modern science for restrictions on research in "inconvenient areas", the letter said. "Our colleagues working in the US will suffer, the United States and US citizens will pay a price, as will Europe and Europeans, and countries and people all across the globe." Now more than ever the world needs solid science and research to address "unprecedented challenges," the letter added. Signatories included the British Royal Society, the science academies of Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark and the Netherlands, the European University Association and EuroScience, an association of researchers. It was sent to the heads of the European Council and European Commission Donald Tusk and Jean-Claude Juncker, EU science commissioner Carlos Moedas, and the premiers and science ministers of all EU member states and of Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Serbia. The letter was dated to coincide with Thursday's opening the annual general meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Boston. 2017 AFP Victoria Rubin, a professor in the Faculty of Information and Media Studies, has been working on deception detection since 2010, more recently focusing on developing an algorithm to detect fake news. Credit: Adela Talbot // Western News The impetus behind Victoria Rubin's research is a tip from Ernest Hemingway: "Develop a built-in bullshit detector." Working with a team of graduate students in the Faculty of Information and Media Studies (FIMS), Rubin has been studying deception detection since 2010, more recently focusing on developing an algorithm to detect fake news. The project, funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, looks to identify deliberate misinformation using text analytics in an online environment. Rubin isn't looking to identify the kind of 'fake news' U.S. President Donald Trump might refer to; her research team has honed in on satirical news, specifically, and is working to develop an algorithm that will help hone the skill of deception detection online. While deliberate journalistic fraud and online hoaxes that spread quickly via social media equally qualify as 'fake news,' satirical news pieces from outlets such as The Onion and The Beaverton presented Rubin and her doctoral students with a concrete opportunity to contrast and compare, to put fiction and truth side by side, in order to determine what separates the real from the false. "(Satire) was something we could really understand very clearly in terms of linguistic properties. We collected a large data set of The Onion as opposed to The New York Times, and Toronto Star, as opposed to The Beaverton, and we tried to find the differences," Rubin explained. Identifying the differences is crucial to developing an algorithm to test the accuracy of a 'news' piece, she noted. Every brand of 'fake' whether it is journalistic deception, a hoax or a satirical news piece would need its own algorithm. The art of developing an algorithm to weed out fake news is part linguistics, part information science, part technology, part data management and part natural language processing, which Rubin teaches in FIMS. Combining these elements when comparing real news and fake news, her students (Niall Conroy, Yimin Chen, Sarah Cornwell and Toluwase Asubiaro) identified five features that serve as a litmus test in determining whether or not something is legitimate. A high prevalence of absurdity, humour elements, long sentences, negative affect and punctuation indicates a likelihood something is fake. And if you think assessing the legitimacy of a satirical news piece is trivial, consider the story of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and last year's 'elbowgate' scandal. In May, Trudeau was accused of "manhandling" two opposition members of parliament. Following the incident, Canada's satirical news outlet, The Beaverton, ran a piece that claimed members of parliament, in solidarity with the two Trudeau reportedly "manhandled," showed up to work in neck braces. The fake was picked up, re-reported and later retracted by the Hamilton Spectator. "Even a qualified journalist wasn't able to tell that was a satirical piece," Rubin said, stressing the importance of reporting accurate information and individual discretion both of which her algorithm and resultant satire detector are meant to bolster. "Automation is not enough; education is crucial. It's a matter of activating critical thinking and providing as much assistance as we can to humans in distinguishing types of fakes," she explained. "We've been going with the idea everybody should be able to identify (fake news), and if they can't, perhaps they can rely on some assistance, or having the kind of tools that would allow a person to be more aware. It's about increased awareness, decision making, how you proceed with your daily life, how you proceed with your life as a citizen. Having misleading information changes your thinking; it affects elections and many aspects of life." Rubin's satire detector, which will soon be live on a website hosted by FIMS, will allow anyone to upload a story to assess its accuracy using the algorithm her students developed. The detector will take into account the five linguistic elements and indicate to the user whether or not the story is likely to be a fake. The detector has a relatively high accuracy, Rubin noted, with a likelihood of being right 80-85 per cent of the time. She hopes to see engagement with the detector to improve its accuracy, she said. "We're not collecting information; were just interested if we got it right or not. We're considering making it more of a game. If people can come up with different ways of being satirical (in news), we can modify and improve the algorithm." Artistic view of the diversified and complex Early Triassic marine ecosystem of southeastern Idaho as revealed by the Paris Biota. Illustration by and with permission of Jorge Gonzalez. Credit: Jorge Gonzalez (Phys.org)An international team of researchers has found a trove of marine fossils at a North American site that offers evidence of life bouncing back faster than thought after the most devastating mass extinction in Earth's history. In their paper published in the journal Science Advances, the team describes the wide assortment of fossils they found and what they believe the discovery will contribute to understanding the evolutionary history of our planet. The researchers were studying rocks unearthed from a site near the town of Paris, Idaho, where a wide variety of fossils dating back approximately 250 million years have been foundfrom a time just 1.3 million years after what is known as the 'Great Dying', the end of the Permian Period when approximately 96 percent of marine species went extinct along with 70 percent of all terrestrial vertebrates. Until this discovery, it was believed that life on Earth took many millions of years to recover from the 'Great Dying'. Now, it appears that it happened much faster than anyone thought. To date, the researchers have identified 20 Metazoan orders (which include approximately 30 species) that lived during the early years of the Triassic Period. Fossils found included top predators such as sharks, primary producers and those typically found at the bottom of the food chain. The team has identified creatures that resembled squid, some with long shells; bony fish and other creatures that looked like sponges and starfish, and some other creatures that do not resemble anything alive today. The researchers believe that the fossil find shows life under the sea bounced back in ways that were totally unexpectedand the large diversity suggests it happened rapidly and that the Early Triassic was much more complex than thought. It is not a geologic picture of devastation. The team reports that they also found a sponge fossil representing a species believed to have gone extinct 200 million years earlier and a type of squid that came about 50 million years earlier than previously known. They also found a fossil that appeared to come from a marine reptile that resembled the modern dolphin. View of a sampled slab from the Paris Biota showing abundant fish scales and shrimp. Credit: Arnaud Brayard Remarkable group of sponge fossils from the Paris Biota under UV light. Scale bar lenght: 5 mm. Credit: Arnaud Brayard The Paris Biota illustrates the oldest occurrence of derived characters in several clades and it shows that at least some Early Triassic marine communities include ancient lineages in the lowest trophic levels together with newly-evolved groups occupying higher trophic levels. Credit: Carla Schaffer/ AAAS A graphic detailing how the Early Triassic was an epoch that recorded major extinctions and geochemical perturbations. Credit: Arnaud Brayard & Gilles Escarguel 2017 Phys.org DNA double helix. Credit: public domain In a highly anticipated decision that could sway the fortunes of a handful of biotechnology companies, the federal patent office has turned back a challenge to patents covering a widely used method for editing genes. The office's board of appeals ruled Wednesday that the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard can keep patents it had been awarded for a technique called CRISPR that lets scientists alter DNA within cells. It turned back a challenge from the University of California, Berkeley. The school had filed its own CRISPR patent application in 2012 a few months before the Broad institute, but the Broad got its patents approved while Berkeley's application is pending. The financial implications are huge, since CRISPR may lead to many lucrative products in medicine, agriculture and elsewhere. One company that has licensed Broad's technology, Editas Medicine Inc., saw its shares jump by 29 percent Wednesday. In a statement, Berkeley said it respects the ruling, but that it will "carefully consider all options for possible next steps in this legal process, including the possibility of an appeal." The patent dispute involved work led by Feng Zhang of the Broad Institute and Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier at Berkeley. Lawyers for Berkeley maintained that Doudna and Charpentier were the first to invent CRISPR for use in all settings. They said the work at Broad, which showed how to use CRISPR in the relatively complex cells of plants, people and other animals, wasn't enough of an advance beyond the Berkeley work to warrant its own patents. The appeals board, however, concluded that the Broad work was not simply an obvious extension of the research described in the Berkeley patent application. So Broad's patent coverage is different from Berkeley's, the board ruled. Jacob Sherkow, who specializes in patent law for matters of biological sciences at the New York Law School, said he thinks it would be worthwhile for Berkeley to take the matter to a federal appeals court. 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. A close-up of a neonate Eastern Massasauga in southwestern Michigan. Credit: Eric T. Hileman A new study is bringing attention to a little known and imperiled rattlesnake that slithers among the wetlands in regions surrounding the Great Lakes. The Eastern Massasauga rattler was once common in such states as Indiana and Illinois. Until recent years, it could still be found in Chicago's Cook County. But the reptile's range and numbers have been steadily declining. In 2016, the snake was listed as threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. In the new study, Northern Illinois University biological sciences professor Richard King and his former student Eric Hileman examine the life history of the Eastern Massasauga, revealing important local climate impacts on the snake that should be carefully weighed when developing conservation strategies. "Our results provide evidence that climatic variation in the Great Lakes region strongly influences body size, individual growth rates and key aspects of reproduction," says Hileman, first author of the study published in PLOS ONE, a journal of the Public Library of Science. Hileman earned his Ph.D. in biological sciences from NIU in December and is now a postdoctoral fellow in biology at Trent University in Ontario, Canada. An adult male Eastern Massasauga in southwestern Michigan. Credit: Eric T. Hileman Hileman, King and more than 40 co-authors gathered and synthesized more than a century of data on the snakes from study sites across the range of the Eastern Massasauga. Most of the data was culled from studies conducted from the mid-1990s forward at sites in Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York, as well as Ontario, Canada. The scientists found strong evidence for geographic variation in six of nine life-history variables. Among the findings: The average body size of the snake and the size of its offspring increased with increasing mean annual precipitation, possibly because wetter climates yield greater prey abundance. Litter sizes decreased with increasing mean temperature, and increased by one offspring for each 1.89-degree increase in latitude, even when maternal size was held constant. "It's been rare to look within a species and show that these patterns exist," King says. "The study results demonstrate that a one-size-fits all conservation strategy is not appropriate. Rather, assessments of extinction risk and the design of management strategies need to account for geography." A juvenile Eastern Massasauga in southwestern Michigan. Credit: Eric T. Hileman The Eastern Massasauga snakes are generally found in wet prairies or sedge meadows, where the reptiles employ a sit-and-wait strategy to catch and feed on small mammals. Adult size ranges from about 2 feet to 2 feet in length. While venomous, the snakes are not particularly aggressive or dangerous to work with. "You're not likely to encounter them unless you're looking for them," King says. "It's easy to walk right by one. They're very cryptically colored to look like dead leaves and cattails, so they blend in exceedingly well." The reptiles suffered habitat loss from extensive drainage of land for agriculture and development. As recently as the 1970s, some states had bounties on the snake. With concerns over whether they would persist in the wild, the remaining snakes in Chicago's Cook County were taken into a captive breeding program in 2010, King says. Eric Hileman collects Eastern Massasauga morphometric data while the snake is safely restrained in a PVC tube. Credit: Kristina Kroening "In Illinois, they've nearly blinked out entirely," he adds. "We're probably down to one location in the southern part of the state that has a stable population. They seem to have stronger holds in Michigan and southern Ontario." The study authors believe findings will aid Eastern Massasauga recovery efforts. "The life-history parameter estimates will be essential for improving models related to extinction risk and climate change," Hileman says. "The results from these predictive models can subsequently be used to develop site-specific management strategies." More information: Eric T. Hileman et al, Climatic and geographic predictors of life history variation in Eastern Massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus): A range-wide synthesis, PLOS ONE (2017). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0172011 Journal information: PLoS ONE University of Virginia linguistic anthropologist Mark A. Sicoli and colleagues are applying the latest technology to an ancient mystery: how and when early humans inhabited the New World. Their new research analyzing more than 100 linguistic features suggest more complex patterns of contact and migration among the early peoples who first settled the Americas. The diversity of languages in the Americas is like no other continent of the world, with eight times more "isolates" than any other continent. Isolates are "languages that have no demonstrable connection to any other language with which it can be classified into a family," Sicoli said. There are 26 isolates in North America and 55 in South America, mostly strung across the western edge of the continents, compared to just one in Europe, eight in Africa[?] and nine in Asia. "Scientists in the past few decades have rethought the settlement of the Americas," Sicoli said, "replacing the idea that the land which connected Asia and North America during the last ice age was merely a 'bridge' with the hypothesis that during the last ice age humans lived in this refuge known as 'Beringia' for up to 15,000 years and then seeded migrations not only into North America, but also back into Asia." In a Feb. 17 presentation to the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Boston, Sicoli will join other scientists discussing "Beringia and the Dispersal of Modern Humans to the Americas." Since much of Beringia, theorized to have been located generally between northwest North America and northeastern Asia, has been under water for more than 10,000 years, it has been challenging to find archaeological and ecological evidence for this "deep history," as Sicoli calls it. Recent ecological, genetic and archaeological data support the notion of human habitation in Beringia during the latest ice age. The new linguistic research methods, which use "big data" to compare similarities and differences between languages, suggest that such a population would have been linguistically diverse, Sicoli said. In "Linguistic Perspectives on Early Population Migrations and Language Contact in the Americas," Sicoli shows how big data analyses point to the existence of at least three now-extinct languages of earlier migrations that influenced existing Dene and Aleut languages as they moved to the Alaska coast. The data comparing dozens of indigenous languages support phases of migration for the Dene languages and multilingual language contact systems along the Alaska coast, which potentially involved languages related to current linguistic isolates. Traces of such language contacts support that the mixing populations also mixed their languages as part of human adaptation strategies for this region and its precarious environment. "The computational methods give us traction on questions that have been unanswered," said Sicoli, who has been working in collaboration with Anna Berge of the University of Alaska and Gary Holton of the University of Hawaii. "They help us understand how people migrated and languages diversified not simply through isolation, but through multilingual contact." Analyzing languages of the Dene-Yeniseian macro-family, Sicoli and Holton previously found support for Dene migrations from Beringia into North America and Yeniseian migration into Siberia. The linguists' continuing research is following up on this earlier study that posited a back-migration for the Yeniseian language family. "In new work, Holton and I also are considering typological linguistic evidence for the subgrouping of the Dene languages suggestive of multiple routes and phases for Dene migrations in North America," Sicoli said. "We find additional support for coastal and interior distributions with two interior migration chains from Alaska into Canada and a later phase of migration involving connections between Tsuut'ina Athabaskan in western Canada and the Apache and Navajo languages of the U.S. Southwest. We also find support for a series of migrations from the Alaska and Canadian interior to the Alaska coast, which raises the question of language contact with prior languages that we are exploring with Aleut specialist Anna Berge." In his presentation, Sicoli describes several comparisons from computational work with multiple languages from the Dene family and the more recently arriving Eskimo-Aleut family of languages. He combines geographical maps with language networks from the database that show shared features. For example, they "coded Aleut and Eskimo languages, adding them to the typological database that already included Dene languages and Haida [an isolate], and have been integrating results of phylogenetic and network analysis with prior studies of vocabulary and grammatical patterns," Sicoli writes. "Based on linguistic analysis including computational phylogenetics," Sicoli writes, "we suggest the prehistory of South Alaska, the Aleutian Islands, and the Pacific Northwest Coast involved intensive language contacts, including language shifts from now extinct languages that we can infer through typological features, grammar and vocabulary found in languages documented in historic periods." University of Central Florida Professor Sudipta Seal is working with NASA to help future astronauts survive on Mars. Credit: University of Central Florida It's hard enough to transport humans to Mars. But once they get there, where will they live? A University of Central Florida professor is working with NASA to figure out a way to extract metals from the Martian soil - metals that could be fed into a 3-D printer to produce the components of a human habitat, ship parts, tools and electronics. "It's essentially using additive-manufacturing techniques to make constructible blocks. UCF is collaborating with NASA to understand the science behind it," said Pegasus Professor Sudipta Seal, who is interim chair of UCF's Materials Science and Engineering program, and director of the university's Advanced Materials Processing & Analysis Center and NanoScience Technology Center. NASA and Seal will research a process called molten regolith electrolysis, a technique similar to how metal ores are refined here on Earth. Astronauts would be able to feed Martian soil - known as regolith - into a chamber. Once heated to nearly 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit, the electrolysis process would produce oxygen and molten metals, both of which are vital to the success of future human space exploration. Seal's expertise also will help determine the form those metals should be in that's most suitable for commercial 3-D printers. NASA intern Kevin Grossman, a graduate student from Seal's group, is also working on the project, which is funded by a NASA grant. Grossman said he hopes future projects in similar areas can grow the current partnership between UCF and the research groups at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. NASA is already working on sending humans to the Red Planet in the 2030s. The agency has begun developing plans for life-support systems and other technology. NASA isn't alone. Elon Musk, billionaire founder of SpaceX and Tesla Motors, is working on his own plan. Mars One, a Dutch nonprofit, is touting a plan to send dozens of volunteers from around the world on a one-way trip to colonize Mars. They all agree that for sustainable Mars exploration to work, they must be able to use resources on Mars that would otherwise require costly transportation from Earth - a concept known as in situ resource utilization. That's where Seal's research comes in. "Before you go to Mars, you have to plan it out," Seal said. "I think this is extremely exciting." UCF has a long relationship with NASA, dating back to the first research grant ever received by the university, then known as Florida Technological University. Other UCF faculty members continue researching in situ resource utilization. Phil Metzger of UCF's Florida Space Institute, is working with commercial space mining company Deep Space Industries to figure out a way to make Martian soil pliable and useful for 3D printing. The same company has tapped Metzger and UCF colleague Dan Britt to develop simulated asteroid regolith that will help them develop hardware for asteroid mining. Credit: Syda Productions/Shutterstock.com Professor Gianvito Lanzolla and Dr Hans Frankort, examined a large online B2B marketplace to identify the key factors which influence a buyers' decision to make a purchase. They analysed the activities of companies across a multitude of industries that were registered to an online marketplace during a 21-month period. It's a myth that digital marketplaces are fair The study found that while digital transformation could provide companies with more possibilities for connecting with buyers, this was not completely true in terms of business realities. In fact, rather than providing a more level playing field, digital marketplaces were more segmented than traditional ones. While digital marketplaces are often seen as meritocratic platforms in B2B markets, the research shows that in reality, they are 'winner-takes-all', with only a small percentage of online companies receiving the majority of buyers' attention. This is good news for online businesses with established geographical locations synonymous with a particular industry. For example, technology businesses with headquarters in Silicon Valley and in Bangalore or for financial services with addresses in the City of London. Key findings Credit: City University London Location matters - B2B digital marketplaces are subject to the same bias as their off-line counterparts, with location having an impact how potential buyers engage with sellers online Online doesn't equal fair - B2B digital marketplaces are subject to clues or 'signals' that show biased, social hierarchies are at play. These hierarchies share the same 'signals' as off-line marketplaces including, brand and reputation; location; certification and legal status. All signals matter - In B2B digital marketplaces, where these signals can be difficult to spot all signals matter and companies should take care how they present themselves to the public. Buyers will gauge a seller's online profile and use these 'signals' to divide companies into a perceived hierarchy. Marketplace monopolies - The divide between online companies that are seen and those that remain unseen, is likely to increase and widen, leading to de-facto monopolies within the B2B digital marketplace. The digital bubble The data shows that a buyer's perception of where a company or seller stands in the marketplace's hierarchy will impact the likelihood of them contacting that company or seller. Specifically, the higher a company or seller is perceived to be in the hierarchy, the greater chance of contact from buyers who have a much lower position in the same hierarchy. This research presents many opportunities for entrepreneurs and policy makers to address these trends. For instance, by establishing ting new benchmarks that can substitute these social comparison dynamics or creating new mechanisms to increase the visibility of companies at the fringes. Professor Lanzolla adds, "What is certain, is that going forward, we need to think differently about digital marketplaces if we want to ensure a fairer, more unbiased system." Credit: City University London More information: G. Lanzolla et al. The Online Shadow of Offline Signals: Which Sellers Get Contacted in Online B2B Marketplaces?, Academy of Management Journal (2015). DOI: 10.5465/amj.2014.0051 Journal information: Academy of Management Journal Credit: shutterstock.com/Rice University For the new energy sector in Mexico to spearhead the economic development of the country, it must follow the best international practices of sustainability, according to a new paper from the Mexico Center at Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy. The paper, "The Environmental Challenges of the Energy Reform," identifies areas of Mexico with an abundance of energy resources that could be targeted for exploitation in the wake of the reform. The paper also highlights areas of possible conflict in terms of access to and handling of natural resources and environmental impact with considerable consequences for Mexico's natural capital. It was authored by Luis Serra, executive director of Tecnologico de Monterrey's Energy Initiative, who wrote it while he was head of research at Centro de Investigacion para el Desarrollo A.C. Serra said Mexico's Security, Energy and Environmental Agency must establish regulatory criteria for operating safety and environmental protections in the sector based on a perspective that the handling of natural resources and productivity of the country remain closely related. The agency was established in 2014 to protect the personnel, environment and infrastructure of the hydrocarbons sector. "Assuming from the get-go that the productive activities of the hydrocarbons sector will be prioritized over any other soil use, such projects require strategic planning that guarantees performance that is sustainable over the entire service life of the project and minimizes the impact such operations will have on other productive activities among them fishing, agriculture, tourism and cattle raising," Serra wrote. "Such strategic planning on the one hand must contemplate the existing risk of environmental damage and its potential externalities including social ones not only to establish compensation for landowners whose soil is sought to be modified, but also to determine the actual opportunity cost represented by the activities of the hydrocarbon sector." The paper was written for a Mexico Center research project examining the rule of law in Mexico and the challenges it poses to implementing the country's energy reform. The project's findings are compiled in a Spanish-language book and are being posted on the Baker Institute's website in English. Mexico's energy sector had been under strict governmental management since 1938. This changed in 2013 and 2014 when Mexico amended its constitution and passed legislation overhauling its energy sector to allow private and foreign investments. "Mexico has finally reached the political consensus to rearrange its energy sector to achieve competitiveness in accordance with the requirements of international markets," Serra wrote. "Converting such a sector into the cornerstone of economic development in the country also requires sizing up the role played by its natural resources and its ecosystems. Otherwise, the risk exists that the benefits of the energy reform will become diluted over time." Bright-field images of a zebrafish embryo at sequential stages from the beginning to the end of doming 90 minutes later. Credit: IST The little striped zebrafish starts out as single big cell sitting on top of the yolk. During the next 3 days, cells divide and tissues move to give the fish its final shape. But how do tissues coordinate their often-complicated movements? The physical basis of tissue coordination in early zebrafish development is subject of a study by Carl-Philipp Heisenberg, Professor at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (IST Austria) and his group, including first author and postdoc Hitoshi Morita, and colleagues at The Francis Crick Institute in London and the Max-Planck-Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems in Dresden. Until now, little has been known about how tissues coordinate their movement both temporally and spatially during development. In the study, published today in Developmental Cell, Heisenberg and co-authors investigated how tissues coordinate their movements and how the forces required for tissue movements are generated. In the paper, they show that cells at the surface are crucial for coordination. Carl-Philipp Heisenberg explains: "A reduction of surface tension by cells on the surface of the embryo is the key process that coordinates tissue movements at this timepoint." Tissue spreading is a key process both in development and disease, for example in wound healing. For a tissue, especially a complex tissue with several layers, to spread, it needs to simultaneously thin and expand. One example of such spreading is the so-called doming in the zebrafish embryo. During doming, the blastoderm, a tissue composed of surface epithelial cells and inner mesenchymal cells, thins and spreads over the yolk cell. Doming involves two tissue movements: the epithelial cell layer at the surface expands, and inner cells undergo intercalations thereby thinning and spreading the inner cell mass. In the present study, Heisenberg and his colleague asked how the two tissue movements - surface cell expansion and inner cell intercalation - coordinate their movements during blastoderm spreading. Combining theory and experiments, they show that surface cells, by undergoing active expansion, reduce the surface tension of the blastoderm. Strikingly, this loosening at the blastoderm surface not only triggers surface cell layer expansion, but also induces inner cell intercalation leading to inner cell layer thinning and spreading. Thus, the reduction in blastoderm surface tension represents the key process coordinating surface cell layer expansion with inner cell layer thinning and spreading during doming. First author Hitoshi Morita explains the significance of this study for understanding tissue spreading: "We have unravelled the force-generating processes that drive doming. Our study shows that by reducing its surface tension, the layer of epithelial cells simultaneously drives expansion and thinning of the blastoderm, and so coordinates these two processes. Coordinated tissue spreading is a universal mechanism by which embryos take shape. Understanding the force-generating mechanism is central for understanding the physical basis of embryo development. We have uncovered the key role surface cells play in this process." Global trade of cotton (HS 52) in 2009; only 49 countries with trade above $ 100 million USD are depicted. Names of countries are represented by the ISO 3166 standard three letter code. Credit: Kharrazi, et al, 2017 Bi- and multilateral trade agreements can make commodity trade networks more efficient and lead to more rapid growth of the volume of trade, but these gains come at the expense of resilience to economic shocks, such as the 2009 global financial crisis which decimated economies around the world. A new study published in the journal PLOS ONE makes use of the similarities between ecosystems and commodity trade networks to explore these phenomena. "There is a fundamental tradeoff between efficiency and growth, on one hand, and redundancy and resilience of growth on the other," says University of Tokyo researcher Ali Kharrazi, who started the work as a participant in the 2012 Young Scientists Summer Program at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA). Global commodity trade networks are increasingly complex dynamic systems, affected also by bilateral agreement between countries as well as broad regional trade agreements. Traditional economic methods struggle to account for the complexity of these interactions and their role in defining the resilience of trade. In the new study, Kharrazi and researchers at IIASA applied an approach first developed to study ecological networks in order to better understand the dynamics and properties of the global commodity trade system. "In this study, for the first time, we demonstrate empirically how redundancy and efficiency in global trade networks can make them resilient to global economic shock, while sustaining both long- and short-term growth," says IIASA Advanced Systems Analysis Program Director Elena Rovenskaya, who contributed to the study. "Local and global shocks, such as economic and financial crises, political instability, and environmental disasters require strategies to increase our capacity for resilience," says Kharrazi, "Policy and decision making should consider both the short and long term growth and resilience of growth based on inclusivity or exclusivity and intensity of trading partners from a network perspective." The researchers point out that resilience and growth are not the only targets that should be considered in economic policymaking, adds Brian Fath, a researcher at IIASA and Towson University in the USA who also worked on the study. He says, "While our study showed growth is not hindered by redundancy, resilience of growth is not the only metric to consider in a healthy community. The merits of continued trade growth should be evaluated based on the three economic, environmental, and social pillars of sustainable development." More information: Kharrazi A, Rovenskaya E, Fath BD (2017). Network Structure Impacts Global Commodity Trade Growth and Resilience. PLOS ONE journals.plos.org/plosone/arti journal.pone.0171184 Journal information: PLoS ONE A10 Lelystad. Credit: UNStudio Electric cars that require charging and autonomous cars that can be summoned to take you from A to B. How do you take these future challenges into account in spatial planning? And what will Dutch roads and the living environment look like in 2030? In February 2016, the Professional Association of Dutch Architect's Agencies (Branchevereniging Nederlandse Architectenbureaus, BNA) and TU Delft launched a design initiative inviting design teams and the municipalities of Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Utrecht to examine five ring road locations in the respective cities. On Wednesday 15 February 2017, the resulting visions were presented at TU Delft in a new book entitled motorway x City. In order to improve the connection between the city and motorways, and thereby improve liveability, space usage and accessibility, seven multidisciplinary design teams set to work developing visions for five ring road locations: Amsterdam Lelylaan, Amsterdam Gooiseweg, Utrecht Science Park, Rotterdam A20 and Rotterdam A13. Each team included at least one architect, landscape architect, urban planner and traffic expert from various architect's and consultancy agencies. Roads of all types and sizes In parallel with the design team's activities, TU Delft organised a range of education and research activities. These included a research project into the generic aspects of ring roads and the built environment. Hans de Boer, TU Delft Project Manager: 'Fransje Hooimeijer and her colleagues from the Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment looked at the impact of future types of mobility on five types of ring road: at ground level, raised road, raised road on columns, raised road with ditch and road with ditch. They also examined how these changes would impact the neighbourhoods characterised by the 1950s (reconstruction era), the 1970s ('cauliflower' neighbourhoods, with a tree-like layout) and the 1990s (VINEX neighbourhoods, in large outer city areas). Filip Geerts explored how the road situation will change with the advent of autonomous cars (the line: the cross-section of a motorway). For example, additional space will be created adjacent to roads, because fewer traffic systems will be required. Roberto Cavallo, Valentina Ciccotosto and Manuela Triggianese focused on the space where the motorway and city meet, such as park & rides, in a historical context of technological developments, infrastructure and architecture. Electric car charging and parking In order to develop concrete recommendations for the future, several expert meetings were organised for the design teams and the students involved. The Netherlands Institute for Transport Policy Analysis (KiM) presented a scenario study for self-driving cars. Within TU Delft, Dimitris Milakis from the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences is studying the potential impact of self-driving cars on road capacity, car ownership and how people choose to travel. The research of Riender Happee, from the Faculty of Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering, focuses on cars that drive autonomously using cameras and sensors, human-machine interaction and the interaction between autonomous vehicles and vulnerable road users. Hans de Boer: 'These academic insights, the expertise of the agencies and the expertise of the involved municipalities and regional branches of Rijkswaterstaat regarding motorways in the urban context all help to accelerate the production of compelling ideas. For example, autonomous cars could be parked under a road raised on columns, while electric cars could be charged at park & ride locations. For example, their use as a traffic junction will intensify as people will be able to switch easily from the autonomous car to the autonomous bus, such as a WEpod'. Short-term adjustments The study has not only contributed to a vision for the future and a strategy for how to apply this vision, it also resulted in a new working method. Hans de Boer: 'By closely examining the locations together in this way, municipalities and the regional branches of Rijkswaterstaat can identify opportunities to make short-term adjustments, and to include these in maintenance programmes. Consider, for example, improving bicycle access to the residential areas located between the A20 motorway and De Rotte river. By working together, the parties involved will be able to view the motorway in an urban context, and to make optimal use of the space. This is of particular interest to the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment, which was also involved in this study. With this book, which is being published in both Dutch and English, we would like to share the acquired insights and working method with other European ministries of infrastructure and the environment (Rijkswaterstaat in Dutch). These ministries have joined forces in the Networking for Urban Vitality joint venture, within which the Dutch Rijkswaterstaat is also an active partner'. UW-Madison Professor Tracey Holloway. Credit: U.S. Department of Energy The drumbeat calling scientists to share their work with the public is as loud as ever, and Tracey Holloway is happy to answer. It's just that education isn't exactly what she's offering. She's got satellites. "We have hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of data from satellites that have been up in space for over 10 years," says Holloway, a professor of environmental studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. "And we know people have problems they want to solve. And we want to know how we can help." Holloway leads a group of 13 researchers drawn together as NASA's Health and Air Quality Applied Sciences Team (HAQAST) who are trying to step outside their community of atmospheric scientists and satellite experts to provide space-based tools to relative laypeopleand to put those new users in a position to shape the way satellite data is collected and used. Holloway presented HAQAST's brand of public engagement here Thursday (Feb. 16) at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. "The traditional model of science outreach moves in one direction: scientists disseminating information," says Holloway. "What's unusual about our experience with HAQAST is that we're building a two-way dialogue to move the research along and to make sure that the research is addressing questions of social value." The newest Earth-observing satellites deployed by NASA and other agencies around the world are streaming back information about the air we breathe in nearly real time, and with coverage that dwarfs ground-based sensors. They can see atmospheric pollutants like nitrogen dioxideNO2, a lung irritant that also forms the problematic greenhouse gas ozoneand dust and smoke from storms and fires. "A big question is how air quality is changing in areas where we don't have ground monitors," says Holloway. "States in the western U.S. may only have one or two monitors, and only in major cities. But there are two instruments in space that can see NO2 concentrations in the atmosphere, and they see the whole world once a day." That could be a boon for lawyers, urban planners and doctors tasked with air pollution management and public health decisions who are trying to track air quality shifts in rural and even suburban areas. But while the satellites take in all the Earth in 24 hours, it can be tough for potential data customers to keep track of cutting-edge science. "The mission for these folks is to do their jobto keep the air clean, to develop good policies, to protect public health, to understand the problem so they can solve it," says Holloway. "We don't want to expect them to read our scientific journals, trying to figure out how to use novel data sources in new ways." HAQAST is. And its brand of public outreach involves special issues of industry magazines, visits to meetings of professional organizations and state consortiums, social media, and visits with individual agencies and small groups in an effort to remove any and all barriers. "A lot of people have no idea where the front door is. Can you just call up a scientist?" says Holloway. "And they really don't know if you can ask a scientist to get something you need. We want those questions." Planning a new satellite and shooting it into orbit is not a casual enterprise. It takes years, presents hard decisions about which capabilities are worth adding or subtracting, and requires a commitment from researchers like Holloway to interpretand find new ways to usethe resulting data. NASA's HAQAST effort helps identify data that users will value, and how to make the best use of the instruments that are already up in space. "I'm promoting super-high-value data that's readily available online, but I also want those users to help guide our next research questions," Holloway says. "It takes time to go from a good idea to a published research studyor another instrument in space. Nobody should have to wait 10 years to know how to use data from new-generation satellites." Input from fire chiefs may help NASA provide real-time tracking of smoke plumes from wildfires, and meetings with air quality workers in Maricopa County, Arizona, sparked work by one of Holloway's graduate students to sharpen the way satellite measurements of formaldehyde in the air are used to track pollutants that can cause smog, make people sick and contribute to climate change. Stepping outside their usual scientific circles puts the HAQAST members in touch with people who may know plenty about air quality, but from the perspective of a business or policy-maker or doctor or community group, according to Holloway. "Those members of the public deserve more credit for what their expertise can contribute to the scientific enterprise," she says. "Science is about having good ideas and fresh perspectives to solve problems. It's hard to do that if you don't expose yourself to new people and different viewpoints." Prototypes of the computational sensor designed by machine learning are shown. Credit: Aydogan Ozcan/UCLA Finding practical solutions to detect proteins, cancer biomarkers, viruses and other small objects has been a key challenge for researchers worldwide for decades. These solutions hold promise for saving lives through more timely diagnosis and treatment of serious infections and diseases. Now a UCLA team's new research shows how such detections might be done for a fraction of the cost by using "smart" mobile devices designed by machine learning. One method to detect small objects and related biomarkers is called plasmonic sensing, which involves shining light onto metal nanostructures to amplify the local electric field. The interaction between this amplified electric field and the molecule of interest can be measured, revealing important information about molecular concentration and kinetics. Although scientists have explored this type of sensing for decades, they have faced challenges when it comes to environments outside of laboratory settings that are limited in resources. This is because expensive and bulky instruments are needed for this work. The primary goal of machine learning is to "train" an algorithm with a large amount of data so that it can "learn" complex trends and statistics and in turn be used to predict outcomes with far more accuracy than a traditional model. For example, Google has been using machine learning in such applications as recognizing letters and numbers on our streets and homes. The UCLA team, led by Aydogan Ozcan, Chancellor's Professor of Electrical Engineering and Bioengineering and associate director of the California NanoSystems Institute, took this concept and applied it to plasmonic sensing, constructing a mobile and inexpensive device that is far more accurate than conventional sensor designs. The prototype device is lightweight and portable, consisting of a 3-D printed plastic housing, four light-emitting diodes, or LEDs, of different colors and a camera. As described in the study, a machine learning algorithm selects the four most optimal LEDs out of thousands of other possible choices, coming up with the most accurate design, and a computational method to quantify the sensor output. This work aims to provide a design tool that other engineers and researchers can use to optimize their own low-cost optical sensor readers for various applications in health care as well as environmental monitoring. By using newly discovered nanofabrication methods, the research team was able to produce flexible plasmonic sensors that are robust and inexpensive enough to be disposable. These sensors can undergo "surface modification," which ensures that only the molecules of interest interact with the amplified electric field. This biochemistry step can be thought of like two complementary puzzle pieces, where one piece is attached to the sensor surface, preventing any other piece other than its complement to join it and interfere with the measurement. This means these sensors can be "modified" to capture any number of specific bio-targets such as bacteria, viruses or cancer cells, among many others. To use this plasmonic reader, a fluidic specimen, for example blood or urine, is applied to the sensor surface using a disposable microchip. The sensor then fits into a cartridge that can be inserted into the device, which then automatically measures and analyzes the specimen, delivering the sensing result. The research team says that such a plasmonic reader could be designed as a mobile-phone attachment to further drive down the costs and take advantage of cloud connectivity as well as the computational power of smartphones. The study's first author is Zach Ballard, an electrical engineering graduate student and National Science Foundation fellow. The research was published in ACS Nano. "Amazing discoveries and results are being made daily at research institutions like UCLA, but oftentimes when engineers begin to envision moving this science into the real world, they hit roadblocks," Ballard said. "So it is always exciting to me to see cutting-edge technology become more practical." More information: Zachary S. Ballard et al. Computational Sensing Using Low-Cost and Mobile Plasmonic Readers Designed by Machine Learning, ACS Nano (2017). DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.7b00105 Journal information: ACS Nano PLEASANT PRAIRIE Police are seeking an armed Pleasant Prairie man who may be in Mount Pleasant, according to a press release issued by Pleasant Prairie Police Thursday afternoon. As approximately 4:47 p.m. Wednesday, Pleasant Prairie Police received a call about a fraud incident that had reportedly occurred earlier that day. The callers indicated that their grandson, 20-year-old Edward Vincent Becs, had allegedly charged $4,600 worth of fraudulent transactions on their credit cards, the release stated. While officers were en route to the couple's home on the 11800 block of 28th Avenue, Becs reportedly fled the home with a backpack and gun case. Family members made statements leading officers to believe that Becs was armed and on foot in the area, and that he had made suicidal threats regarding returning to prison, the release stated. Pleasant Prairie Police, with the assistance of Kenosha Joint Services, made a Reverse 911 call and advised area residents that they would be conducting a search for Becs. An area around the home was secured and officers began the search. As of 10:30 p.m. Thursday, Becs was still at large. Anyone with information related to this incident or about Becs whereabouts is asked to contact the Pleasant Prairie Police Department at 262-694-7353 or Kenosha Area Crime Stoppers at 262-656-7333. Credit: Oregon State University Women have always played an important role in Oregon's commercial fishing industry, even if they don't actually fish or work on boats - but a new study indicates their roles are changing. The research, funded by Oregon Sea Grant and published in the journal Marine Policy, was based on a series of oral-history interviews conducted mainly with fishermen and their wives. The findings could help government agencies set policies that take into account their potential impacts on the well-being of entire fishing communities, said Flaxen Conway, a community outreach specialist with Oregon Sea Grant Extension and a co-author of the paper. Conway, who is also a professor in OSU's College of Liberal Arts, noted that a federal law, the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, requires policymakers to consider how management policies could affect the economic and social well-being of fishing communities. Women's contributions to the fishing industry are not always visible and are continually evolving, Conway said. They have traditionally performed onshore legwork roles, such as provisioning vessels and taking care of the financial side of the business, she said. But some of those interviewed noted an increase in the number of women involved in research or management such as serving on task forces and commissions sometimes because of increasingly complex regulations and markets. Sarah Calhoun, a former OSU master's student, conducted interviews with 15 women and 10 men from the coastal Oregon towns of Astoria, Warrenton, Garibaldi, Newport and Port Orford; and Morro Bay, Calif., as part of this project. One fisherman's wife said she entered the "politics of fishing" when fishing quotas were starting to be implemented. "It was really obvious that our boat and our community was going to be entirely left off it [if] we weren't at the table to participate in the really finer details of the design of the [catch shares] program, and so that's when I got involved," she said. Another fisherman's wife noted, ". . . more women and fishermen's wives are much more aware of the regulatory issues than they were 20 years ago, and are much more active . . . self-educating or attending the meetings, or pushing their husbands out the door [to a meeting] and telling them, 'You need to go to this.'" The increasing complexities of the fishing industry have increased women's need to turn to social support groups such as Newport Fishermen's Wives and to adapt by learning new skills, said Conway. For example, one fisherman's wife described the challenge of understanding fishing quotas: "How do I open a quota share account, how do I trade quota, how do I transfer it from account to account?" she asked. "That's the kind of constant learning [that's necessary] as regulations change. And I think that the learning curve as opposed to 20 years ago [has] grown exponentially." As one fisherman's wife put it: "Fishing isn't what it used to be. It isn't the same. So I think you have to be able to adapt to change." Conway agreed. "I've always been really impressed with the resilience of the fishing community, and this work has showed us that adaptation has actually resulted in a major change in the roles women play in the family business." Experian Wins Global Excellence Award! Experian wins Info Security Products Guides 2017 Global Excellence Awards Fraud platform receives global recognition Costa Mesa, Calif., Feb. 15, 2017 Successfully managing fraud happens when companies stay ahead of fast-paced threats. Experian helps businesses across the globe with this reason in mind. Our recently released fraud and identity platform, CrossCore won New Security Product or Service and Security Product Management / Development Team of the Year awards at the 13th Annual Info Security Products Guides 2017 Global Excellence Awards. We are proud to be recognized for helping organizations catch fraud faster while making it safe for consumers to go about their daily routine. This is what inspires Experian to create innovative fraud and identity solutions that benefit consumers, companies and the entire industry, said Steve Platt, global executive vice president, Fraud and Identity, Experian. For the first time, companies can use an open platform CrossCore to manage their entire fraud and identity portfolio, keep up with the speed of fraud, and deliver a great customer experience. The Info Security Products Guides 2017 Global Excellence Awards are the security industrys premier global excellence awards program, honoring achievements in every facet of security and information technology. These prestigious awards recognize security and IT vendors with advanced, ground-breaking products and solutions that are helping set the bar higher in all areas of security and technologies. Experian connects new and existing fraud and identity systems in one central place. The plug-and-play capability blends disparate products and services through a common access point, enabling a layered approach to managing risks. CrossCore has a powerful workflow and strategy design capabilities that allow fraud and compliance teams to rapidly create and adapt based on evolving threats and business needs. This has been a game changer, allowing organizations to better control risk exposure while providing a safer and more enjoyable experience for customers. About Info Security Products Guide Awards SVUS (Silicon Valley United States) Awards are conferred in 10 annual award programs: The Info Security PGs Global Excellence Awards, The IT Industrys Hot Companies and Best Products Awards, The Golden Bridge Business and Innovation Awards, and Consumer World Awards, CEO World Awards, Customer Sales and Service World Awards, The Globee Fastest Growing Private Companies Awards, Women World Awards, PR World Awards, and Pillar Great Employers World Awards. These premier awards honor organizations of all types and sizes from all over the world including the people, products, performance, PR and marketing. Experian and the Experian marks used herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of Experian Information Solutions, Inc. Other product and company names mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners. Other POS articles that may interest you: Partnership recognizes contribution and importance of small businesses in Canada TORONTO February 16, 2017 The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) and Mastercard today announced an agreement that recognizes the contribution and importance of small businesses to the Canadian economy and local communities. The partnership demonstrates the benefits of electronic payments in Canada while helping to reduce the cost of acceptance for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) who are members of the CFIB Canadas largest organization representing SMEs. This new agreement with Mastercard is a big deal for small business, said Dan Kelly, President of CFIB. It gives members access to transaction rates that reflect their combined sales of more than $3 billion, and lowers their cost of acceptance. This is a significant step forward in Canadas payment industry and serves as an important sign of progress in the relationship between payment companies, like Mastercard, and smaller merchants, Kelly concluded. Mastercard is continuing its commitment to small businesses, which play a critical role in fueling the Canadian economy and local communities, said Brian Lang, President of Mastercard in Canada. By recognizing the collective contributions and strength of CFIBs 109,000 members, we expect our agreement will help small businesses continue to grow and give them more opportunity to bring innovative products and services to Canadian consumers. The agreement advances Mastercards strategy to strengthen the growth of SMEs across Canada. In addition to the new CFIB membership offer, business owners already have access to a number of valuable, Canadian-specific resources from Mastercard, created with local business owners in mind, including the Mastercard Business Owner Toolbox [1] (MBOT), Local Market Intelligence [2] , Master Your Card [3] education sessions, and Digital Main Street [4] , in partnership with the City of Toronto. More details on the new partnership are available at www.cfib.ca/mastercard [5] . About CFIB CFIB is Canadas largest association of small and medium-sized businesses with 109,000 members across every sector and region. Other POS news: RACINE COUNTY Members of the Washington 4-H Club received various awards at the recent Waukesha County Youth Awards event. Awards included County Fair, project medals (bronze to gold), special awards, trips and scholarships. Brody Jones received the County Citizenship Award and was selected as a delegate to the International Leadership Camp and Washington D.C. National Conference. Brianna Jones received a Leadership Medal, and was selected as a delegate to the National 4-H Congress and the National 4-H Conference in Washington D.C. Jeremy Norem won the Achievement Medal, State Key Award and a college scholarship. Mackenzie Norem and Tyler Norem were selected for the American Spirit trip. Katie Bugenhagen received the Leadership Medal and a Key Award. Sean McGrath and Alanna Szcech were selected to attend the Citizen Focus Washington D.C. Amara Bugenhagen, Lyta Muszytowski and Chris Szech will attend the State 4-H Youth Conference in Madison. Washington 4-H Club was organized in 1950 at Washington School, a joint Waukesha/Racine County school district at that time, now Washington-Caldwell School. Washington 4-H Club now meets just a bit further north at Chirst Lutheran Church, Highway 164, Big Bend. General meetings are held at 6:45 p.m. on second Monday of the month. Interested families are welcome. Through the years the clubs membership has expanded to include youth K5 through high school and continues to include families from both Racine and Waukesha counties. 4-H operates under the direction of the University of Wisconsin-Extension. 4-H youth programs develop leadership, citizenship, responsibility and life skills in our future leaders. 4-H programs focus on four essential elements youth need to become successful adults: Belonging, Independence, Leadership and Generosity. Inventory needs to be managed and managed well, or you are going to get in recurring trouble, and lose your credibility and hard-earned conversions, whether Read more A man accused of shooting dead two journalists live on air in the Dominican Republic died during a shootout with police, the authorities said Thursday, in what they called a suicide. Police were chasing Jose Rodriguez because they suspected him of shooting dead 103.5 FM station director Leonidas Martinez and presenter Luis Manuel Medina on Tuesday. Rodriguez, 59, "died last night from a shot to the head which he inflicted himself with a pistol he was carrying," a police statement said on Thursday. Rodriguez had shot at police as they pursued him before turning the gun on himself, it said. However, the president of the Dominican College of Journalists, Olivo de Leon, called the police statement into question, saying it contradicted earlier claims that officers had shot Rodriguez. Leon complained that Rodriguez's death made it difficult to identify other possible suspects linked to the killing of the journalists. Police said earlier that they were questioning dozens of other people about the attack at the radio station in San Pedro de Macoris, east of the capital Santo Domingo. In a video of the broadcast, streamed on Facebook, gunfire is heard as Medina reads the news and a woman's voice is heard calling "Shots, shots!" Medina was presenting the influential investigative news show "Milenio Caliente," or "Hot Millennium," on Tuesday morning. His sister Magally Medina said he had been investigating a local company's alleged pollution of a lake. Media rights groups condemned the killings. The Caribbean nation, which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti, is a popular beach destination for foreign tourists. Reporters Without Borders says journalists who tackle corruption and drug trafficking in the Dominican Republic often face attacks. Blas Olivo, press director of the Dominican Agribusiness Association, was found murdered that year, the media rights watchdog noted. A television cameraman was fatally shot in broad daylight in 2014 and a newspaper reporter shot days before that. Other journalists have said they were victims of hate campaigns after speaking up for the citizenship rights of Haitians born in the Dominican Republic. Google's venture to beam the internet to remote areas of the world via balloon has hit a legal snag in Sri Lanka that could see the project abandoned on the island, a minister said Thursday. "Project Loon" uses roaming balloons to beam internet coverage and planned to connect Sri Lanka's 21 million people to the web, even those in remote connectivity black spots. But just a year after testing began in Sri Lanka regulators have been unable to allocate Google a radio frequency for the airborne venture without breaching international regulations. Communications minister Harin Fernando said the Geneva-based International Telecommunications Union (ITU) was opposed to Google using the same frequency as Sri Lanka's public broadcasters to provide its internet. "It boils down to a legal issue," Fernando told reporters in Colombo. "The government as well as Google are lobbying the ITU, but if we fail there's a risk Google will go to another country that is not bound by these rules." Google's giant helium-filled balloons act as floating mobile base stations, beaming high-speed internet to areas beyond the reach of ground-based telecommunication towers. The first of three balloons -- which roam the stratosphere at twice the altitude of commercial aircraft -- entered Sri Lankan air space a year ago after being going airborne in South America. The government and Google planned a joint venture where Colombo would receive a 25 percent stake, without any capital investment, for sharing its cellular spectrum with the project. One of the balloons was found in a Sri Lankan tea plantation after its maiden test flight last year, although authorities described it as a controlled landing. About one-third of Sri Lankans have regular access to the internet, a figure expected to swell through the Loon project. Sri Lanka was the first country in South Asia to introduce mobile phones in 1989, and also the regional frontrunner when it unveiled a 4G network three years ago. aj/np/iw In 2016 alone, 19,000 people in Singapore were made redundant. Putting that into perspective, thats almost 1 in 200 working people. High profile job losses made news headlines, such as during the staff terminations and/or retrenchments from SMRT, SPH, Surbana Jurong, Inchcape, ANZ, and Raffles Country Club. Retrenchment can arise from multiple reasons, from not getting along with your boss to the harsh reality of your job becoming obsolete. Regardless of the reason, retrenchment is not an issue that we can sweep under the carpet, thinking that we are too young to be laid off. Here are some things you need to know. 1. You Are Never Too Young To Be Retrenched One misconception about retrenchment is that it can only happen to the middle-aged age group. Even though it is true that middle-aged executives were reported to be hardest hit by layoffs, retrenchment is not completely foreign to younger people. Singapores youth unemployment rate for those below 30 increased from 3.8% in March to 7.1% in June in 2016, with one retrenched individual reflecting that companies preferred to let the younger ones go as they contribute less to revenue. Another young employee who was let go from his first job after university, foresaw no prior warning and that it came as a huge surprise. Image Credit: Bob Aubrey LinkedIn The optimism bias that your job is perpetually secure is actually dangerous because you may not be prepared for the day you lose your job. The incorporation of more advanced technologies in industries such as Fintech, and increasingly Foodtech, also compounds the risk of career instability, especially in easily automated roles (which PMEs are at more risk than low wage workers). Robot restaurant Rong Heng Seafood Restaurant / Image Credit: asiaone Factoring how dismal it may sound, some companies may also set employees up for retrenchment by rigging KPIs to be so high that they become impossibly tough to hit. Story continues 2. Retrenchments Can Be Disguised Image Credit: unscrambled While you might be confident of finding a new job, the main concern is if you know how to protect yourself in terms of claiming retrenchment benefits from your previous position. A recent article in November chronicled how workers were being cheated out of their benefits by being terminated with a months notice, as stated in employment contracts. According to NTUC Assistant Secretary-General Patrick Tay, such irresponsible retrenchments can happen to anyone across the board, and if disguised properly, can appear legal. Although companies are now required to notify the MOM of retrenchments, masking these actual retrenchments lets companies avoid bad press. Retrenched staff might also be potentially shortchanged in terms of retrenchment benefits, which you can read about here. 3. Know Who Can Represent Your Workplace Interests As stressed by Mr. Tay, it is important to know what union help you can get so that the union can help with negotiating the retrenchment payout as well as helping you in your job transition. June calls herself a union member by chance as she had happened to chance upon a UWEEI (United Workers of Electronics & Electrical Industries) roadshow at her former company, and signed up for union membership. Image Credit: UWEEI In fact, she got retrenched shortly after with a weeks pay of retrenchment benefits. Her union was able to successfully negotiate a three-fold increase in retrenchment benefits as well as an extra 2 weeks pay for up-skilling courses. 4. Workplace Advice for Your First Job What about fresh graduates who arent familiar with what they need to know in their first job? The NTUC U PME Centre and Law Society of Singapore have published a legal guide for first jobbers called My First Job where you can get advice on employment contracts, retrenchments, restraint of trade and terminations. You can also contact the NTUC U PME Centre for workplace advice online. 5. Resolve Workplace Disputes If I Lose My Job Firstly, you need to know why you lost your job. If your boss gives you iffy excuses which are not related to performance, or if you didnt get your retrenchment benefits, salary and/or notice pay upon termination, there is a chance you have a case against your employer. The infographics below outline what young PMEs who have lost their jobs or been retrenched can do. Remember to download/share/bookmark them for easy reference! Before 1 April 2017 Image Credit: NTUC From 1 April 2017 Onwards From 1 April 2017, if you have a salary-related dispute against your employer, you can approach the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management (TADM), which includes the Employment Claims Tribunal (ECT). The new TADM system covers more workplace issues and there is no cap to your salary to be eligible for this. The infographic below will be applicable from April 2017. (Remember to save this down too!) Image Credit: NTUC Retrenchment Is Not The End It is bad yes, but its not a permanent roadblock. Think of it as a chance to start anew, and look at opportunities in different job roles, industries and even different countries! Perhaps at your old job, you were not able to fully utilise your strengths, so now would be a chance to look for a new role in which you can truly shine. In response to a worried question by a MediaCorp interviewer on losing her job to technology, NTUC Secretary-General Chan Chun Sing shared how technology actually enables working people with global skill sets to serve a global audience. He pointed out that jobs of the future will be high tech, high touch and high trust, and Singapore has a good head-start in the high trust category. Image Credit: : Committee on the Future Economy Report The Committee on the Future Economy listed acquiring and utilising deep skills as one of the 7 strategies to help Singaporeans be prepared for the future. This would see unions working in concert with enterprises and the Government to move SkillsFuture forward and care for the wellbeing of all Singaporeans. Here some other initiatives that the Labour Movement has embarked on to help working people sort out their careers. From invaluable work advice schools wouldd never teach you, concerns about finding that elusive job, and finding your job of tomorrow, knowing all this will help not only job seekers, but also people having problems in their job. The Labour Movement wants you to know that losing your job isnt the end. There are avenues for workplace advice, channels to seek redress and plans in place to help you into your future job. Featured Image Credit: @passerbyshaz / Vulcan Post Also Read Fake It Till You Make It 16 Realities Of Work That 16 Years Of Formal Education Never Taught You The post [Infographics] Retrenchment in Singapore And What You Should Do If Youve Been Let Go appeared first on Vulcan Post. President Bashar al-Assad on Thursday said Raqa is not a priority target for his forces, saying his goal is to retake "every inch" of Syrian territory. "Raqa is a symbol," Assad said in an interview with French media, while asserting that jihadist attacks carried out in France were "not necessarily prepared" in the Islamic State group (IS) stronghold in Syria. "You have ISIS close to Damascus, you have them everywhere," Assad said, using another acronym for IS. "Everywhere is a priority depending on the development of the battle," he said, as a new round of peace talks was set to kick off in the Kazakh capital Astana. "They are in Palmyra now and in the eastern part of Syria," he said in the interview in Damascus with Europe 1 radio and the TF1 and LCI television channels. "For us it is all the same, Raqa, Palmyra, Idlib, it's all the same." The Syrian leader said it was the "duty of any government" to regain control of "every inch" of its territory. After a string of major losses in both Iraq and Syria, the jihadists' two main strongholds of Mosul and Raqa are both under attack from forces backed by a US-led coalition. After a massive, four-month campaign, Iraqi forces are tightening the noose on Mosul, while in Syria, an Arab-Kurd alliance, the Syrian Democratic Forces, has begun advancing on Raqa. Also in the interview, Assad categorically denied that his government practises torture and reiterated his rejection of recent allegations by Amnesty International of executions and atrocities perpetrated at a prison near Damascus. Assad said Amnesty's "childish report" contained "not a single fact (or) evidence" to support allegations that some 13,000 people were hanged at the Saydnaya prison between 2011 and 2015. - Winning hearts - "They said they interviewed few witnesses, who are opposition and defected. So it's biased," the Syrian president said. Regarding torture, he said, "We don't do this, it's not our policy," adding: "Torture for what? ... For sadism?... to get information? We have all the information." He argued: "If we commit such atrocities it's going to play into the hands of the terrorists, they're going to win. It's about winning the hearts of the Syrian people, if we commit such atrocities... we wouldn't have (popular) support (through) six years" of war. Concerning international negotiations to end the conflict that has claimed more than 300,000 lives, Assad said Western countries had "lost their chance of achieving anything in Geneva twice." While Turkey, Russia and Iran take the lead in the talks in Astana, the West has become "passive", he said, denouncing the coalition for supporting "those groups that represented the terrorists against the government. "They did not want to achieve peace in Syria." Russia and Iran have helped turn the tables on the ground with their military backing for Assad, while Turkey has supported rebels fighting to oust the strongman. A new round of the Astana talks was set to kick off on Thursday after a one-day delay for "technical reasons". The talks -- pushed by key Assad supporter Moscow -- are viewed as a warm-up for UN-led negotiations that are due to begin in Geneva on February 23. The meeting in Geneva, the fifth time negotiators have gone to Switzerland, has been pushed back twice already, in part to give the opposition more time to form a unified delegation. WATERFORD Voters will be choosing among four candidates for one Waterford Graded School Board seat in Tuesdays primary. Each believes he is most qualified to serve on the board. They answered the same set of questions to make their case. Two former School Board members, Dean Schrader and Douglas Schwartz, are attempting to get back on the board while Michael Mabert and Ryan Ross seek to win their first position in elected office. There is no incumbent. The top two vote-getters on Tuesday will face off in the April 4 general election. What makes you qualified to be on the School Board? Mabert: I served in 2016 on the districts strategic planning committee, a three-month term looking at how to shape the future of the school district. I have been involved in organizing 2016 STEM school visits with concerned parents and school board members, such as KTEC, a STEM academy in Kenosha. Ross: As a recent graduate and having attended Evergreen, Woodfield and Fox River, kindergarten through eighth grade, I believe I am uniquely qualified to serve on the board. I would bring a fresh and much-needed perspective to the table. Schrader: Having served terms previously I have experience and commitment to WGSD. I am a longstanding resident of the Waterford community, and as a local postal carrier have the ear of many WGSD residents. I was also on the WGSD board for building referendums and hiring of administrators. Schwartz: I believe I am qualified having been on the board for six years, servicing as board clerk and as president. Having also been on the Waterford Fire Department serving as rescue captain, department chairman, training officer, and safety officer, and also being on the Racine County Fire Investigation Task Force, and Town of Waterford Waterway Committee. How has your life experience in education shaped the way you view education today? Mabert: My engineering education has provided many opportunities and it is critical that Waterford schools provide an education that will allow our students to succeed in the 21st century workforce, where technical skills and abilities will unlock many opportunities for students to succeed. Ross: My life experience in education has had a major impact on the way I currently view education. It has made me realize just how important and big of a difference a passionate teacher can make. And has showed me how much important life skills are left out of the curriculum. Schrader: As a Waterford public schools graduate I have seen several changes in the school system. Buildings have changed as well as the fundamentals behind them. I have experience in the school board that will allow me to bring unbiased and independent decision making to the board. Schwartz: My interest in education stems from having four children go through the district and seven grandchildren that have gone or are in the district. Also having been involved with three grandchildren in special education makes me very interested with there education. If elected, what would be your main focus on the School Board? Mabert: In 2016-2017, WGSD started a rotational Project Lead the Way course to expose the elementary schools to computer programming, but it is only a few weeks per year. This is a step in the right direction. I would focus on continuing to enhance STEM curriculum for our students. Ross: If elected I will strive to find creative ways to improve the overall quality of the education, equipping our children not only for the next grade but, more importantly, for life after school. I will actively seek out ways to lower the tax burden on our community by making efficient use of our resources. Schrader: To create a superb learning environment for all Waterford students and staff. The 21st century learning is rapidly changing and I will do my best to make sure students, parents, and staff always have the most current resources available to provide the highest quality education. Schwartz: To keep the tax rate down, follow up on what the board was doing when I was on the board, and look at ways to keep improving the great education our students receive. Follow up on making our district a destination district. Austria said Thursday that it will sue European aerospace giant Airbus over a $2-billion sale of Eurofighter jets that has long been plagued by allegations of kickbacks. A government probe concluded that the Airbus and Eurofigher consortium had "deliberately misled the Austrian Republic on the real price, delivery capabilities and its equipment" of the deal signed in 2003. "Austria would have never decided to buy the Eurofighter jets in 2003 without the fraudulent deception by Airbus and Eurofighter," Defence Minister Hans Peter Doskozil said. EU member Austria is seeking damages of up to 1.1 billion euros ($1.16 million) for its largest-ever defence deal, worth around 2 billion euros ($2.1 billion). According to the "Task Force Eurojet" report presented in Vienna, Eurofighter knew that it would not be able to meet the delivery deadline of the 15 planes. The five-year-investigation also found that Austria had been overcharged for costs that allegedly included backhanders. "The two companies never informed Austria that the 2-billion-euro deal would include 183.4 million euros of legal but also criminal fees," Doskozil told reporters. Ahead of the report's release, Airbus said in a statement sent to AFP that it was not aware of the Austrian findings and had received "no details" regarding the lawsuit. However it said that Airbus has been "cooperating with the authorities in recent years, for example through its own enquiries". In late January, Airbus had already agreed to pay tens of millions of euros in additional taxes over an allegedly shady 90-million-euro payment linked to the Austrian Eurofighter contract. - Public unease - Austrian and German authorities launched the current corruption probe into Airbus, then called EADS, to investigate whether officials had been paid millions of euros through advisory firms to secure the contract. Prosecutors in Munich are set to publish their preliminary findings later this year. The Eurofighter deal was first announced in 2000 by Austria's then conservative-run government despite fierce opposition from its far-right coalition partner and the Social Democrats. The government had initially ordered 24 jets but later dropped the number to 18 and then to 15 because of budgetary constraints. The purchase of the military fighter jets also stirred public unease in non-NATO neutral Austria. Shortly after the contract was signed, allegations started to circulate that politicians and others involved in the deal were receiving kickbacks. A probe was set up in 2007 to look into possible bribes, but came to no firm conclusion. - Prestige project - The Eurofighter Typhoon is a major prestige product for the European defence industry. The first prototypes were made in 1989. The four founding nations in the consortium -- Germany, Spain, Britain and Italy - all use the aircraft in their own air forces. Austria saw the first sale outside of the four consortium members, and since July 2007 the 15 Austrian jets have clocked up more than 5,000 flying hours, according to the consortium. In 2006 Saudi Arabia agreed to purchase 72 Eurofighter Typhoons. Other contracts have been signed with Oman and Kuwait. As well as Airbus Defence and Space, representing Germany and Spain, the consortium includes British group BAE Systems and Italian firm Leonardo. Eurofighters were used in combat missions in Libya in 2011. AFP News Pope Francis warned in Bahrain on Friday that "opposing blocs" and global divisions have put humanity on a "delicate precipice", a veiled reference to the Ukraine war. "We are living at a time when humanity, connected as never before, appears much more divided than united," he said during a speech to religious leaders in the Gulf kingdom. "We continue to find ourselves on the brink of a delicate precipice and we do not want to fall." Francis, who has made religious dialogue a pillar of his papacy, was speaking on the first full day of his trip to the tiny island state, where he arrived on Thursday afternoon. His visit comes with the Ukraine war in its ninth month, and tensions growing on the Korean Peninsula. In his speech on Friday, Francis warned that "a few potentates are caught up in a resolute struggle for partisan interests, reviving obsolete rhetoric, redesigning spheres of influence and opposing blocs." "Instead of cultivating our surroundings, we are playing instead with fire, missiles and bombs, weapons that bring sorrow and death, covering our common home with ashes and hatred," he said. Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb, the grand imam of Cairo's prestigious Al-Azhar mosque and centre of Sunni learning, also addressed the gathering. Tayeb warned that "market economics, monopolisation of resources, greed and arms sales to the Third World" were "manufacturing victims of war". Ahead of the pope's speech, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who met Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in September, told journalists that there had been "a few small signs" of progress in negotiations with Moscow. "All peace initiatives are good. What's important is that we carry them out together and that they're not exploited for other goals," he said. The pontiff's 39th international trip since taking office comes three years after he signed a Muslim-Christian manifesto for peace in the United Arab Emirates during the first papal visit to the Gulf region, where Islam was born. The pope's visit to Bahrain has been shadowed by accusations of rights abuses, particularly against Shiites in the Sunni-ruled kingdom, allegations Manama rejects. On Thursday the pontiff criticised use of the death penalty and urged nations to respect human rights. cmk/par/ho/it The on-demand carpooling service has already logged over 2 million rides in Singapore Ride-hailing giant Grab has announced the rollout of its popular carpooling service GrabShare in Malaysia and Philippines. For the uninitiated, GrabShare is essentially Grabs answer to Ubers uberPOOL. And although it was released a few months later than uberPOOL, Grab believes its algorithm, which was developed in its R&D centres in Beijing, Seattle, and Singapore, will deliver a smoother carpooling experience. GrabShare pairs up to two passengers bookings (or two parties, an additional passenger can tag along one party at no additional cost) with similar destinations travelling along the most efficient trip route. The algorithm factors in relevant measurements such as travel time, current traffic conditions, overlap of traffic routes and closest available drivers, to deliver the most optimised passenger matches. Also Read: Grab: How we grew a business from 40 to 630,000 drivers Passengers can expect a fare reduction of up to 30 per cent when they use GrabShare as opposed to the normal GrabCar Economy fares (although usual surge fees still apply), and Grab takes a 20 per cent cut of the drivers fee as usual. Grab is continually refining our carpooling algorithm to ensure we tailor our GrabShare passenger matchings for a hyperlocal carpooling service, which mirrors the optimal driver and passenger carpooling habits of each city, said Dominic Widdows, Software Engineer for GrabShare, in a press release. This is critical for Grab as each of our cities have unique passenger travel patterns and the app is about to customise how bookings are efficiently matched. In a nutshell, the more people use GrabShare, the more robust and efficient the algorithm ultimately becomes, he added. Since its first launch in Singapore two months ago, GrabShare has logged over two million rides. It claims the service has helped increase Grab drivers income by an average of 10 per cent. Story continues Image Credit: Grab The post Grab rolls out GrabShare in Malaysia and Philippines appeared first on e27. Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Wednesday rejected the possibility of reconciliation with a "minority" that is opposed to the regime. The idea of reconciliation emerged in newspapers this week after former reformist president Mohammad Khatami mentioned it in a statement calling on people to join a march marking the 1979 Islamic revolution. "Some are speaking about the idea of national reconciliation," Khamenei told a public gathering in Tehran, without mentioning any names. "I think such talks are meaningless. People are united where Islam, Iran and fighting the enemy are concerned. "Yes, some may have political differences (but) why do you speak of reconciliation? Are people sulking?" he added. However, he dismissed any reconciliation "with those who took to the streets on the day of Ashura and ruthlessly and shamelessly undressed a young Basiji (Islamist militiaman) and beat him". The nation was angry with them "and we will not reconciliate with them," said Khamenei. He was referring to demonstrations in late 2009 following the election of former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Authorities accuse protesters who took to the streets on December 27, 2009 of insulting Islam by celebrating on a day of mourning as well as attacking the Basiji militia. Khamenei said they used the election as an "excuse" while aiming to target the "basis of the revolution". "Of course, they are few... a drop in the ocean." That year's protests -- which officials call the "sedition" -- were organised after calls by two losing candidates in the elections, Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mahdi Karoubi. The pair, who alleged the vote was rigged, have been under house arrest since February 2011. At the time, many reformist figures were imprisoned for "acting against national security" and "propaganda against the regime". Most have since been freed. Khatami, who is accused of playing an important role in the "sedition", faces strict restrictions. The media is banned from naming Khatami directly or publishing pictures of him, and he is prevented from attending official ceremonies. Although absent from day to day events, he remains the de facto leader of the reformist camp. He urged people on February 7 to take part in this year's revolution day march to "neutralise the conspiracies", calling for "national reconciliation". "I believe that now is the best situation to put in place in the country an atmosphere of national reconciliation," Khatami wrote in his statement. "People have no doubts in resisting and confronting any threats against the basis of the (Islamic) system," he said. From left, Lithuania's Defense Minister Raimundas Karoblis, Norway's Defense Minister Ine Marie Eriksen Soreide, German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen, Dutch Defense Minister Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, Belgium's Defense Minister Steven Vandeput and Luxembourg's Defense Minister Etienne Schneider pose before signing a european military cooperation agreements at NATO headquarters in Brussels, on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017. (Francois Lenoir, Pool Photo via AP) BRUSSELS (AP) Lithuania's defense minister said Thursday he is confident that all NATO allies will help protect his country from Russia despite recent concern over the U.S. commitment to European security. Raimundas Karoblis told The Associated Press that he had no doubts about "the solidarity from any NATO country, including the United States." U.S. President Donald Trump sparked anxiety at NATO with his election campaign suggestion that he might not help defend countries that don't pay their fair share. Karoblis said the deployment of NATO troops to Lithuania, which borders Russia's Kaliningrad territory, is "a really powerful measure of the deterrence" the allies are providing. He said that any "potential invader" of Lithuania and its Baltic neighbors Estonia and Latvia is now "calculating the consequences." U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis warned NATO allies this week to boost defense spending to 2 percent of economic output or Washington could "moderate its commitment" to the alliance. Mattis declined Thursday to say exactly what that meant. Only five countries the United States, Britain, Estonia, Poland and Greece are meeting the target, according to NATO figures. Karoblis said Lithuania is on target to meet the spending benchmark soon. "Next year without any doubt we will reach two percent of our GDP and it's not the limit, we will go further according to our (defense) needs," he said, on the sidelines of talks with his NATO counterparts in Brussels. Lithuania has been spurred to boost its military budget by Russia's annexation of the Crimean Peninsula in 2014 and its continued support for separatists in Ukraine. Karoblis said Russia is also responsible for hostile propaganda aimed at destabilizing his country which has a large Russian speaking minority and is raising concerns by moving nuclear-capable missiles in Kaliningrad. "The security situation around Lithuania is quite tense," he said. "Sometimes it is difficult to predict the actions of Russia, but we are preparing ourselves for defense as necessary." Story continues NATO allies, including the United States, are currently deploying around 4,000 troops to the Baltic States and Poland in an effort to deter an increasingly aggressive Russia. But Karoblis warned that it's not just Lithuania and its neighbors that are under threat. "We are speaking here about the possible test of all NATO," he said. Myanmar's army has halted "clearance operations" in northern Rakhine, a senior official said Wednesday, ending a four-month crackdown by security forces the UN has warned may amount to crimes against humanity. Hundreds from the Muslim minority are thought to have died and almost 70,000 have fled to Bangladesh since the military launched a campaign to find militants who attacked police border posts. Escapees have given harrowing accounts of how security forces raped, killed and tortured Rohingya and burnt their houses to the ground during the four-month operation. A UN report based on accounts from refugees in Bangladesh said troops had carried out a "calculated policy of terror" that probably amounted to crimes against humanity. For months Myanmar has dismissed similar testimony gathered by foreign media and rights groups as fabricated and curtailed access to the region. But the UN allegations have piled pressure on Myanmar's civilian government led by Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi to rein in the military, which still controls key levers of power. Late Wednesday her office said the troops had ended their campaign and left the locked-down area under police control. "The situation in northern Rakhine has now stabilised," newly appointed National Security Advisor Thaung Tun was quoted as saying in a statement. "The clearance operations undertaken by the military have ceased, the curfew has been eased and there remains only a police presence to maintain the peace." The government has tasked a state-backed commission led by former military man turned Vice President Myint Swe with investigating the allegations in the UN report. "We have shown that we are ready to act when there is clear evidence of abuses," Thaung Tun added in the statement. More than a million Rohingya Muslims live in Rakhine state, where they are treated as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and denied citizenship. Vicious communal conflict between Buddhists and Rohingya in 2012 drove tens of thousands of them into camps, where they live today in conditions rights groups have compared to apartheid. Suu Kyi has been criticised for not speaking out against the recent crackdown, which has sapped the goodwill she built up during years fighting for democracy under the former military government. Last week Pope Francis weighed in, saying Rohingya had been tortured and killed "simply because they wanted to live their culture and Muslim faith". Suu Kyi's power is curtailed by a junta-era constitution that gives the military control of key ministries, including defence, and a quarter of parliamentary seats. An aide to French presidential candidate Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday accused Russia of trying to derail his campaign by spreading false rumours, echoing charges of Russian meddling in the US election. Macron's spokesman Benjamin Griveaux accused the Kremlin of mounting a "smear campaign" via state media against the 39-year-old centrist former economy minister, a staunch defender of the European Union who is riding high in polls. "The Kremlin has chosen its candidates: Francois Fillon and Marine Le Pen," Griveaux told the broadcaster i-Tele, referring to the conservative Republicans candidate who is pushing for closer ties with Moscow, and the leader of the anti-immigration, anti-EU National Front. Russia's choice was "for a very simple reason: they do not want a strong Europe, they want a weak Europe," he alleged. Griveaux accused the state-owned Russia Today (RT) channel and the Sputnik news agency, both of which have French-language sites, of trying to taint Macron, who was forced last week to deny rumours of a gay affair. The claims echo accusations by US officials that Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered cyberattacks on US organisations to help Donald Trump get elected. Moscow vehemently denied the French allegations. "We never had, and do not have, the intention of interfering in the domestic affairs of other countries, and especially not in their electoral process," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. RT and Sputnik echoed the denials. The allegations came as a poll showed Macron's campaign stagnating for the first time in weeks. The Opinionway poll showed Le Pen stretching her lead in the first round of the election in April to 27 percent compared to 22 percent for Macron. While Macron was shown easily beating her in a May runoff between the top two candidates, former frontrunner Fillon, who is battling an expenses scandal, appeared to halted his slide, gaining one point to 20 percent in the first round. Fillon has been dogged by revelations that his Welsh-born wife Penelope was paid for years for a suspected fake job as a parliamentary aide. He insists she played a real role. On Tuesday, he faced down another attempted putsch from within his party, telling Republicans lawmakers there was no question of him stepping aside after winning November's rightwing primary. A day earlier, a group of around 20 MPs from the party has said they could no longer bring themselves to campaign on his behalf. Those present at Tuesday's meeting however said the "vast majority" of the party's MPs had reiterated their support for the 62-year-old former premier. - Cyberattacks - Rumours about Macron's private life had grown louder in recent weeks, in tandem with his poll surge. Last week, he tackled the gossip head on, laughing off claims he was cheating on his wife with the head of French radio, Mathieu Gallet. In an opinion piece in the daily Le Monde on Tuesday headlined "Russia must not be allowed to destabilise the French presidential election", the secretary-general of Macron's movement En Marche (On The Move) accused RT and Sputnik of fanning the "slanderous" claims. "One day he is being financed by 'a rich gay lobby', the next he is an 'American agent of the banking lobby'," Richard Ferrand wrote, referencing claims by a lawmaker from Fillon's party published by Sputnik. Griveaux on Tuesday also pointed a finger at Russia over a flurry of cyberattacks on Macron's campaign site in the past month. "Half of the attacks, and there are hundreds a day, come from Ukraine, which is known for its links to hackers and people responsible for cyberattacks in Russia," he said. During a visit to Algeria on Tuesday Macron said he welcomed Russia's assurances of neutrality. "They should pass on the message to Russian media not to relay false rumours," he told AFP, adding that he would remain "vigilant". Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy says he thinks a deal can quickly be worked out with Britain to defend the rights of British expats in Spain after Brexit. "I am absolutely convinced that we will reach an agreement so that these people will not be affected by political decisions," Rajoy told AFP in an interview this week. Up to one million Britons are estimated to be living in Spain, many of them pensioners enjoying sunnier climes. They currently receive healthcare coverage under EU mechanisms that give them the same treatment as locals, but this access could become prohibitively expensive once Britain leaves the EU. "I hope that we will soon be able to tell them: Don't worry, nothing is going to change for the Spaniards in the United Kingdom, nor for the Britons in Spain," he said. He said the negotiations would start after an EU summit that will convene once Britain formally begins its EU divorce proceedings, expected for the end of March. He also noted the importance of British tourism to his country, which attracts more visitors from Britain than any other country. "Last year 17 million Britons came to Spain, and we want that to continue," he said. "They like it, and so do we." Rajoy also reiterated that he would use Brexit to renegotiate with London the status of Gibraltar, the tiny territory on Spain's southern tip that was ceded to Britain in 1713. "We are going to ask that all decisions affecting Gibraltar be made bilaterally between the United Kingdom and Spain," he said. Madrid has recently offered dual citizenship to Gibraltarians in exchange for joint sovereignty of the territory, which offers strategic control of access to the Mediterranean. "I think that our proposal of shared sovereignty is quite reasonable," Rajoy said -- although both London and the government of Gibraltar have rejected the idea. RACINE An alleged drug supplier has been charged after a man reportedly overdosed on heroin at Buffalo Wild Wings, 5880 Durand Ave. On Feb. 10, police and rescue crews responded to Buffalo Wild Wings for a report of an incoherent and unresponsive man in the bathroom. After rescue crews revived him with Narcan, he told officials that he bought the heroin from a friend named Josh. On Wednesday, police executed a search warrant in the 400 block of Luedtke Avenue, where Joshua D. Hudy, 26, reportedly lives. At the house, police found needles, syringes, numerous Narcan kits, cocaine and cotton swabs that tested positive for heroin. Two residents present during the search said Hudy was an addict and trying to "wean himself." U.N. Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, left, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, right, enter a hall for talks in Moscow, Russia, Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin) BEIRUT (AP) Syrian government officials sat face-to-face with rebels for the second time in three weeks in Kazakhstan on Thursday, as diplomats stepped up efforts to lay the groundwork for U.N.-brokered peace talks next week. A leader of the Russian delegation to the talks in Astana, sponsored by Russia, Turkey and Iran, said an agreement has been reached to form a permanent contact group of the three nations to 'preserve and strengthen" a cease-fire that has technically been in place since Dec. 30. The meeting is intended to pave the way for the revival of broader, U.N.-led peace talks in Geneva next week, but huge challenges remain as both sides criticized each other and continued to spar about the agenda for the talks. The Syrian government's envoy to the talks accused Turkey, one of the sponsors, of continuing to support "terrorist" groups and urged Ankara to withdraw its troops from Syria. Bashar al-Ja'afari, Syria's U.N. ambassador, said at a press conference that Turkey "cannot be fanning the flames and be extinguishing them at the same time." He accused Turkey of continuing to facilitate the entry of "tens of thousands of mercenaries" to Syria, and said the meeting ended without a final statement because of the late arrival of the Turkish delegation and the Syrian opposition delegates. Turkish troops have been helping Syrian opposition forces battle the Islamic State group around the IS-held town of al-Bab in northern Syria, near the Turkish border, since August. Al-Ja'afari also criticized Jordan, Syria's southern neighbor, accusing it of sponsoring rebel factions that have been clashing with government forces in the southern city of Daraa for the past few days. "There is an attack by eight factions on Daraa since four days and they... have unleashed thousands of shells at innocent civilians" in the area, he said. In Geneva, U.N. humanitarian adviser Jan Egeland called on parties to allow aid convoys to reach besieged and hard-to-reach areas of Syria to demonstrate "goodwill" before the talks in Geneva on Feb. 23. Story continues Egeland lamented that not a single U.N.-arranged land convoy has reached any of more than a dozen besieged towns or villages this year, citing a lack of approvals from authorities. He said relief convoys were lining up Thursday in hopes of delivering aid to the opposition-held enclave of al-Waer in Homs, Syria's third-largest city. The U.N. envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, was meanwhile meeting with top Russian officials in Moscow in the run-up to the anticipated talks. The meeting in the Kazakh capital, Astana, includes representatives from the government and armed rebel groups, and is aimed at reinforcing a cease-fire that has been violated on a daily basis. The Geneva talks will include the exiled civilian opposition and will have as their goal a broader political settlement to the nearly six-year conflict. The Daraa clashes have continued despite the stepped up diplomatic efforts. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says an al-Qaida-linked faction attacked government forces Sunday, shattering an extended spell of calm in the contested region. The opposition-run monitoring group says government forces have responded with a relentless barrage of artillery and airstrikes, destroying at least one field hospital in the contested provincial capital. Issam al-Rais, a commander in the rebel Free Syrian Army's Southern Front, said mainstream rebel factions were also taking part in the fighting, in response to persistent government violations of the Dec. 30 cease-fire. "If the regime disciplines itself, then we are committed to the cease-fire," al-Rais told the AP. Turkish troops and Syrian opposition forces meanwhile pounded the northern Syrian town of al-Bab as pro-government forces attacked the nearby village of Tadef. Both sides are trying to expel the Islamic State group from the region and claim it for themselves. The two sides are about 5 kilometers (3 miles) apart. The Observatory said 24 civilians have been killed under Turkish and Syrian opposition fire in al-Bab in the past 24 hours. The figure could not be independently confirmed. ___ Associated Press writers Jamey Keaten in Geneva and Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow contributed to this report. WASHINGTON (AP) The combative attorney President Donald Trump picked as his ambassador to Israel sought to repair the damage from past attacks on political opponents, telling Congress he deeply regretted using inflammatory language and promised to be "respectful and measured" should he be confirmed. During his confirmation hearing Thursday, David Friedman said he deserved criticism for incendiary comments that targeted former President Barack Obama, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, liberal Jewish advocacy groups and others. Friedman had called one group, J Street, "worse than kapos" a reference to Jews who helped the Nazis imprison fellow Jews during the Holocaust. "Apology is the first step to atonement," Friedman told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. "I have profound differences of opinion with J Street. My regret is that I did not express my views respectfully." The son of an Orthodox rabbi, Friedman has been a fervent supporter of Israeli settlements, an opponent of Palestinian statehood and staunch defender of Israel's government. The hearing played out along familiar party lines. Republicans largely sought to play to the Trump nominee's strengths, while Democrats aimed for weak spots. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., vigorously defended Friedman and rejected the notion that he needed to distance himself from passionately held beliefs. Rubio argued the U.S. should be unashamedly pro-Israel, noting that the Jewish state is America's staunchest ally in the volatile Middle East. But Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., delivered a blistering assessment of Friedman's record, which the senator said is full of insulting comments and extreme views. Friedman labels anyone who disagrees with him, including the entire Obama State Department, as anti-Semitic, Udall said. Udall referenced a letter from five former American ambassadors to Israel who called Friedman unfit for the post. The former envoys, who served Republican and Democratic presidents, cited examples of Friedman's "extreme, radical positions," such as believing it would not be illegal for Israel to annex the occupied West Bank. Story continues During the hearing, Friedman assured members he would not campaign for such an annexation. He also cautioned against the expansion of settlements in the West Bank. "It makes sense to tread very carefully there," Friedman said, echoing words used by Trump. The letter opposing Friedman's nomination was signed by Thomas Pickering, William Harrop, Edward Walker, Daniel Kurtzer and James Cunningham. Friedman said he "absolutely" supports a two-state solution, but said he's skeptical such an approach can succeed because Palestinians haven't renounced terrorism and have refused to accept Israel as a Jewish state. But he said he would be "delighted" if it were possible to reach a two-state agreement. Friedman appeared before the committee a day after Trump and visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu refused to endorse the two-state solution as the preferred outcome of Middle East peace talks. Their remarks at the White House effectively abandoned what has been the foundation of U.S.-led peace efforts since 2002. The Palestinians and the international community have long favored the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. But Trump declared he also could endorse a one-nation solution to the long and deep dispute between Palestinians and Israel. Prior to the hearing, Friedman had called the two-state strategy a "narrative" and an "illusory solution in search of a nonexistent problem." But the alternatives appear to offer dimmer prospects for peace, given Palestinian demands for statehood. Dozens of countries, including the U.S., reaffirmed their support for a two-state accord at an international conference in Paris last month, just before Trump's inauguration. During an exchange with Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., Friedman acknowledged the difficulty, if not impossibility, of a single-state approach. Just as Israel wouldn't accept a two-state solution that didn't recognize Israel's right to exist, Kaine said, the Palestinians shouldn't be expected to agree to a resolution that undercut their legal rights and relegated them to second-class status. "I think so," Friedman said. Friedman said it's not his role to make policy, but he recommended efforts to create a Palestinian middle class in the Gaza Strip that is empowered with economic opportunities. He said most Palestinians are "being held hostage by a ruthless regime," a reference to the Islamic militant group Hamas, which seized power there in 2007. Protesters interrupted Friedman during his opening remarks. Two men, minutes apart, stood and shouted pro-Palestinian slogans. They each held up Palestinian flags before being removed by the Capitol police. Other protesters sang before being ushered out. One blasted a "shofar," an instrument made of a ram's horn used by Jews during the High Holidays. He prefaced it with the traditional chant "tekiah" that precedes the blowing of the shofar. A woman shouted, "Do not confirm David Friedman. He is a war criminal!" ___ Associated Press writer Josh Lederman contributed to this report. ___ Contact Richard Lardner on Twitter: http://twitter.com/rplardner By Phil Stewart and Robin Emmott BRUSSELS (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump's defence secretary warned NATO allies on Wednesday that they must honour military spending pledges to ensure the United States does not "moderate" support for the alliance. Jim Mattis, on his debut trip to Brussels as Pentagon chief, also accused some NATO members of ignoring threats, including from Russia. "America cannot care more for your children's future security than you do," Mattis said in a closed-door session with NATO defence ministers, according to prepared remarks provided to reporters. The comments represented some of the strongest criticism in memory of allies who have failed to reach defence spending goals. Europe's low expenditure has long been a sore point for the United States, which puts up 70 percent of alliance funds. But Trump has made change a priority, saying allies have "been very unfair to us" for not spending more. Trump was sharply critical of NATO during his election campaign, making European allies nervous by calling the alliance obsolete and praising Russian President Vladimir Putin. Since taking office on Jan. 20, Trump has voiced strong support for NATO, comments echoed by Mattis at NATO's Brussels headquarters. Mattis called NATO "the most successful and powerful military alliance in modern history" and made a point of shaking hands with each of his European counterparts at the start of the meeting. Mattis, however, suggested U.S. support should not be seen as a given. "I owe it to you to give you clarity on the political reality in the United States, and to state the fair demand from my country's people in concrete terms," Mattis said. "America will meet its responsibilities, but if your nations do not want to see America moderate its commitment to this alliance, each of your capitals needs to show support for our common defence." Mattis stopped short of issuing an explicit ultimatum or say how the United States might moderate its support. The United States for years has called for European allies to spend 2 percent of economic output on defence, he said. But he added that NATO allies must show progress in 2017 and adopt a plan, with target dates, toward defence spending goals. Italy and Spain, two of Europe's larger economies, spend barely 1 percent a year on defence as they seek to curtail budget deficits following the 2008/2009 global financial crisis. Belgium, the Netherlands and Denmark, three other wealthy European nations that are among the smallest spenders on defence, still need to convince centre-left political parties that do not support higher defence spending, preferring to prioritise welfare and education. But the Baltic states of Latvia and Lithuania, who fear a repeat of Russia's 2014 annexation of Ukraine's Crimean peninsula, are on course to meet the 2 percent goal, while Romania is also heading towards that level. HARDLY A "MAD DOG" After Mattis' address, Britain's Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said the former U.S. general had explained that "the impatience of the American taxpayer is a reality". Other defence chiefs appeared to back up Mattis' plea and he was broadly seen to be reassuring NATO of America's commitment after a contentious election campaign that put allies on edge. German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen told the session that "the United States is right" on defence spending, according to one official who was present at the time, who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity. Czech Defence Minister Martin Stropnicky said he was not surprised by Mattis' remarks, and described him as "absolutely calm, humble even" - far from the "Mad Dog" nickname that Trump himself has used for him. "It wasn't that dramatic," he told Reuters. "The important point is that the United States is committed to a strong NATO and that means properly financed armed forces." NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also dismissed concerns about the U.S. commitment to NATO, and played down the fallout from turmoil within Trump's administration. Trump has been jolted by the resignation of national security adviser Michael Flynn over his contacts with Russia's ambassador. U.S. intelligence agencies have accused Moscow of interfering in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. (Reporting by Phil Stewart; Editing by Tom Heneghan) Smash Skates presents their first Footage Dump, this one featuring the magic feet of James Grindley with some offcuts from an upcoming project. Mind boggling tech and stair hammers in Leeds, Milton Keynes, Barcelona and more, this raw footage is the leftovers from an upcoming edit which should make an appearance later this month so keep an eye out Filmed on everything from DSLRs to phone cameras to what looks like it might be a portal to another dimension. You know I only sign the winners. Web-based startup Splacer began with a simple idea. Urban areas are loaded with unique, attractive spaces that are both expensive to own and very often, underutilized. The solution offered by Israeli architect-entrepreneurs Lihi Gerstner and Adi Biran is a new Internet marketplace that enables owners of these spaces to connect with event planners for short-term rentals. The Airbnb of Event Spaces Splacer is less than two years old, but it has already grown from its Tel Aviv roots to include about 500 spaces in the New York metropolitan area and another 200-plus spaces in and near Los Angeles and San Francisco. Splacers Miami marketplace is scheduled to open for business on Thursday Feb. 16, 2017. Splacer aims to become the Airbnb for event spaces, though there are important distinctions. Splacers focus is on space rentals for several hours at a time as opposed to the days or weeks of a typical vacationing Airbnb client. While the focus for Airbnb is exclusively residential space, Splacers unique approach provides small business owners with low-hassle opportunity to defray the cost of expensive real estate, said Gerstner, the chief marketing officer for Splacer. A restaurant or a bar can rent out space during the day and during the night they can have it for their own use, she said. A gallery can rent out space in the evenings while they work during the day. On the side of the event organizer, everybody is always looking for unique spaces. Everybody is looking for spaces that no one knows or hasnt seen. A quick search of the New York listings reveals an assortment of lofts, empty warehouses, art galleries, taverns, a geodesic dome in upstate New York and a former mechanics garage in the West Village. Asked to name her favorite listings, she immediately named a small midtown Manhattan apartment where Andy Warhol had his first art gallery. Very often, the story tied to the space is part of its appeal, Gerstner said. It could be an abandoned church or factory, she said. The spaces really, really vary. I think thats whats exciting about a platform like Splacer, that its not only residential spaces and its not only commercial spaces. Similarly, the cost of leasing spaces also varies, from as little as $40 or $50 an hour to as much as $5,000 an hour, Gerstner said. Much of this is dependent on the space and what kind of event the organizer is planning. You can compare it to any other sharing economy platform that the supplier fixes their price and the demand will decide who buys or not, Gerstner said. The platform has become a destination for production companies or photographers who are looking to shoot subjects in a specific type of environment say exposed brick walls or a Parisian-style apartment. Splacers platform is searchable to allow clients to look for specific features and amenities that they want. The platform is also ideal for small business owners who are looking to host clients for special events, meetings, exhibitions or a pop-up, Gerstner said. Space owners can also limit how their spaces are used, for example, limiting clientele to other businesses so that events like weddings or baby showers are excluded, if they so desire. Splacer has all the tools space owners and would-be leasers need to get in touch with their counterparts, get quotes, book an event date and even get paid. All of the tools on the platform are free to use, though Splacer does get a commission if an event is booked, Gerstner said. The idea for Splacer began while Gerstner and Biran were teaching architecture students in Tel Aviv. They asked them to take stock of how they spent their day. The realization set in how much space in the urban environment goes unused during the course of a day. Splacer is looking to expand to other American cities this year after its Miami marketplace opens this week. Gerstner said she and her partners are working on building their space inventory. Were planning to expand in various markets, but were concentrating this year on the United States, Gerstner said. We believe that a platform such as Splacer could work anywhere in the world. Image: Splacer Robert Gilpin, R.I.P. - The Washington Post : His greatest book was written in 1981, but the main theory in it is perhaps more trenchant now... Central and Eastern European consumers eat poorer quality branded products than people who live in western countries. Font size: A - | A + I had enough of poor quality food in Slovakia. Could you advise me where to go for shopping to Austria?, came one recent question in an online debate forum, but it is not a new issue. Over the past few years many Bratislavans and others living in the near the border with Austria have gotten used to doing their grocery shopping in Austria. They claim that the food they get in the supermarket in Kittsee or Hainburg is much better than what they get in Slovakia even if the products carry the same brand. Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement The Slovak government has recently acknowledged the complaint too when it joined the initiative of all the Visegrad Group (V4) countries to raise the issue in Brussels. Czech Agriculture Minister Marian Jurecka reported the problem to the EU Council of Ministers, Agriculture Minister Gabriela Matecna told the Sme daily on May 25. We have followed him as we have the same experience, she said. What is at stake is dual quality of products which are imported under the same brand name. The list includes sweetened beverages, coffee, chocolate products, cosmetics and detergents. Jarmila Halgasova, the director of the Food Chamber of Slovakia (PKS), said that Austrian food is generally not better than that in Slovakia. The quality requirements in Slovakia are more stringent than in other countries, however, restrictive legislation does not affect imported goods, said Halgasova, as quoted by the Sme daily. EU competency Dual quality is an issue that the EU needs to deal with since the mutual recognition clause applies within the common market, said Jana Gasperova of the Agriculture Ministry. Individual member countries do not have a legal framework to monitor quality of food produced in other member countries, Gasperova told The Slovak Spectator. The Czech Ministry of Agriculture plans to open the discussion also on the Forum for a Better Functioning Food Supply Chain which will take place this September. Expert discussion should lead to legislative amendment that will make the practice of dual quality impossible, said Czech Czech Ministry of Agriculture spokeswoman Marketa Jezkova, as quoted by Sme. Unofficial tests show differences While EU authorities have called on the V4 countries to prove their claim about dual quality with official laboratory tests, they so far based complaints on the unofficial analyses of consumer associations and inspection authorities, Gasperova noted. Miroslav Tulak of the Association of Slovak Consumers (ZSS) sees a long-term problem recalling tests by Milos Lauko of another association, the Association of Consumers in Slovak Republic (ASS), who first drew attention to varying quality of selected beverages, chocolate, coffee and spices in 2011. Lauko found significant differences, for example, in the sweeteners used, Tulak told The Slovak Spectator. Research of the University of Chemistry and Technology in Prague also revealed a different fat content in yoghurts or the caffeine in coffee, as reported by Sme. However, Halgasova said that complaints are unjustified until they are not confirmed by the evidence of accredited laboratories. Producers may legitimately complain for damaging their reputation, Halgasova told The Slovak Spectator. RACINE Two of the three state superintendent candidates on Tuesdays primary ballot are scheduled to appear at a forum Thursday night in Racine. The campaigns of John Humphries and Lowell Holtz confirmed the candidates will be at the Racine Taxpayers Association forum, set for 7 p.m. in the Great Lakes room of Gateway Technical College, 1001 S. Main St. Incumbent Tony Evers will not attend, according to his campaign, which cited scheduling reasons. The Taxpayers Association says the forum will last about an hour. Admission is free. The top two vote-getters in Tuesdays primary will advance to the April 4 general election. The state superintendents race is the only contested statewide election this spring. In autumn 2017, new flights to Bologna and Thessaloniki will be added. Font size: A - | A + M.R. Stefanik Airport in Bratislava will serve routes to Bologna in Italy and Thessaloniki in Greece flown by Ryanair in late October/early November. Both flights are to be operated two times per week. They will be included in the winter timetable, set to come into effect in late October, the TASR newswire wrote on February 15. Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Thessaloniki will thus become the third Greek destination to which Ryanair will regularly fly from Bratislava, as the airline already offers a link to Athens and summer flights to the island of Corfu. Bologna is the fifth destination in Italy, after Milan, Rome and seasonal summer flights to Alghero on Sardinia and Trapani on Sicily. In winter 2017/18, the airline will offer 17 destinations and 57 weekly flights from Bratislava airport, which will amount to a year-on-year growth of six flights per week and two destinations, Ryanair informed, adding that it will support 800-plus jobs at Bratislava Airport, thanks to a growth of 12 percent and to the new routes. The motion of the chairperson of the Supreme Court (SC), Daniela Svecova, against SC judge Stefan Harabin will continue but her appeal was refused. Thus, the case returns to a first-instance disciplinary senate. Font size: A - | A + In October 2015, Svecova filed a motion against former justice minister, head of the Supreme Court and Judicial Council, Harabin, and two other judges. When Harabin headed the panel with two other judges, Gabriela Simonova and Viliam Dohnansky, they allegedly committed a grave disciplinary offence when they arbitrarily decided to free Milan M. sentenced for sexual crime, who caused a threat to society. Svecova proposed to re-allocate Harabin and Dohnansky to a lower-instance court, and to reduce Simonovas salary by 50 percent for six months, the SITA newswire wrote. Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Read also: Read also: Harabin in trouble over verdicts Read more However, she only filed the motion in October 2015 which was too long after the alleged violation happened. Svecova argued that she only learnt about the case from the media in May 2015. Also, she was of the opinion that the case should have been considered to start form April 8, 2015 when the written arguments were available, and not from February, when the case was decided by Harabins panel. Refusal and reasoning Her motion was refused and she appealed the decision. On February 15, 2017, the appellate disciplinary panel headed by Stanislav Libant, refused the appeal but returned her proposal to the lower-instance court for re-consideration. Harabin insists on the case being handled, as he claims his innocence must be proven. Thus, the first-instance court must complete the evidence and rule in the case; however, it cannot punish Harabin anymore, Libant said, as quoted by SITA. Read also: Read also: Harabin escapes unpunished Read more Currently, Harabin faces five disciplinary motions, and in two cases, Svecova proposes to sack him as a judge altogether. Read also: The activist MPs think they have greater chance in regional elections as independents. Font size: A - | A + Viera Dubacova and Oto Zarnay are leaving OLaNO-NOVA, the media informed. Former whistleblower and civic activist Zarnay confirmed this for the Korzar daily and both of them, together with OLaNO head Igor Matovic, as cited by the JOJ TV channel, stated their intentions after the meeting of the party caucus. Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Read also: Read also: Supreme Audit Office: Fired ex-teacher Zarnay was right Read more They argued for the TASR newswire, that their rational decision before the regional elections makes independent candidates more likeable for voters. Zarnay will run in his Kosice Region, Dubacova in the Banska Bystrica Region where she wants to run as an alternative to the current Governor, extreme right-wing activist, Marian Kotleba. Read also: Read also: UPDATED: Regional governor Kotleba refuses subsidy, sparks protest Read more Matovic can further count on their support in parliament although OLaNO-Nova will be left with only 17 MPs after they leave, the SITA newswire wrote. Neither of them intend to join independent MP Miroslav Beblavy and his project Progresivne Slovensko. Fake news opens the door to power for populists and fascists. Font size: A - | A + Lies spread in the virtual world dangerously fast. Faster than the truth. Enemies lurking behind every corner of the world, the big hand that pulls all the strings, murderous vaccines, omnipotent sodium bicarbonate, well-meaning neo-Nazis and Soros dollars. Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Today, waving it off and saying that its just stupid, is no longer enough. Because fake news has a real impact on the lives of people. It threatens the health of our closest ones, provokes anger and leads to bad decisions. Read also: Read also: The Sme daily starts a hunt for hoaxes Read more Fake news opens the door to power for populists and fascists. It creates a false image of the world we live in and claims that traditional media outlets are telling lies. In this way, fake news prepares the groundwork for a world in which people willingly denounce democracy, exchange science for charlatanism, facts for myths, and medicines for placebo. If people lose the passion for truth that is based on knowledge and facts, we will enter an era of lies and darkness. And the society will pay dearly for such a return to the past. Sme Read also: After wrangling within the Slovak cabinet, the transport minister yielded to pressure from the finance minister and changed the project of the northern bypass of the city of Presov; the state will not spend 900 million as it had originally planned. Font size: A - | A + Transport Minster Arpad Ersek (Most-Hid) on February 14 partly yielded to pressure from Finance Minister Peter Kazimir and agreed with him on changes to the project of the Presov bypass. According to the new plan, the road will have only two lanes. Analysts from the Finance Ministry believe this could save some 200 million, the Sme daily wrote. The second part of the Presov bypass is the construction of the southwest part. Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement The Finance Ministrys Value for Money team recently calculated that as much as 400 million could be saved via a comprehensive approach to addressing the traffic situation in Presov. However, the Transport Ministry dismissed this proposal, stating that the preparation work for the citys bypass is now in its final stages and that changes at this point would cause big delays. Read also: Read also: Completion of D1 Bratislava-Kosice highway still far away Read more The Finance Ministrys Financial Policy Institute (IFP) came up with yet another alternative on February 14, a compromise solution via which the citys northern bypass would follow a modified route and include a tunnel. This would ultimately bring savings of 220 million. Kazimir stressed that he is not in any personal conflict with Ersek. Its about seeking the right solution, the finance minister said, as quoted by the TASR newswire. The project drawn up by the Value for Money team doesnt address the problem of the lowest price. It seeks an optimal solution at the optimal price. If were seeking an answer to call an optimal solution, in the given case it should address the traffic situation in Presov so that Presov residents will no longer have to put up with traffic jams and so that well be able to resolve this at the most favourable price possible. The designers of this construction project produced a plan in the past that was not ideal in terms of reducing pressure on Presovs traffic, according to Kazimir. The whole misunderstanding is based on an old transport survey that references about 50 percent of Presovs traffic being transit. A new transport survey speaks about only 25 percent transit. Therefore, the original solution was based on a bypass rather than an inter-urban road within Presov, the minister explained. Ersek informed President Andrej Kiska in a letter on February 15 about steps that are being prepared as part of a solution to the traffic situation in Presov. He also asked Kiska for a meeting as soon as possible so that he can familiarise him with the results of talks with a contractor. Because the state has already chosen the winner of the tender for 356 million, it will not change it, Sme wrote. EC says its role is to monitor safety, not quality but Slovaks want the same as Austrians, says minister. Font size: A - | A + The same orange juice on the shelves, but a different colour and even flavour under the microscope. This is just one of the revelations from recent tests of the same goods sold here and abroad, carried out by Slovak food inspectors. Though rumours have long swirled about differences in the quality of foods sold in Slovakia and its western European neighbours, there had been little hard evidence, until now. Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement The latest analysis, conducted by the Agriculture Ministry and the State Veterinary and Food Administration (SVPS), revealed that about half of the foodstuffs tested displayed significant differences in their composition. The agriculture minister says she will raise the issue at the European level. Customers expect the same quality from the same brand, regardless of the country of production or purchase, Agriculture Minister Gabriela Matecna told a press conference on February 14. However, she may face a problem, observers warn: European Union authorities are not much interested in the quality as opposed to the safety of food produced and sold across its member states. Read also: Read also: Slovaks want better food too Read more More sweeteners, less meat The SVPS inspectors tested a range of 22 foodstuffs sold in retail chains in both Slovakia (specifically in Bratislava) and Austria (in the border towns of Kittsee and Hainburg) in November and December 2016. They picked various kinds of food, including dairy, meat and fish products, chocolates, baked goods, cheese and drinks. As well as checking the packaging, including information about the composition and weight in grams, they also analysed the colour, flavour and smell. In their analytical tests, the inspectors focused on quality parameters like the content of meat, fats or proteins (depending on which product was tested), and additional substances (like sweeteners and colouring). Up to one half of the products contained differences that significantly impact their quality, Matecna said. These were mainly, with respect to the products sold in Slovakia, a lower proportion of meat, and a higher proportion of fats, more artificial sweeteners and preservatives, and a lower weight in grams, she added. Retail chain Lidl cast doubt on the selection of some of the foods analysed, claiming that in case of ham, the inspectors had not tested the same product. They bought braised ham in Austria, but cooked ham in Slovakia. The inspectors listed the ham among products with only little differences. It is unfortunate and misleading from the point of view of the customer to compare two different products, Lidl spokesperson Tomas Bezak said, as quoted by the Dennik N daily. We hope this happened by mistake. Other companies also disagreed with the findings. Wafer producer Josef Manner & Comp., for example, claims that the ingredients they use are the same for all markets, regardless of country or client, a member of its board of directors Thomas Gratzer told Sme. The company has thus called on the Agriculture Ministry to publish records from the testing so that they are able to comment on the methods used and the results. No obligation to sell identical products Tests comparing the quality of foods sold in western and eastern Europe were carried out previously in 2011, commissioned by the Slovak Association of Consumers. It tested a selection of labelled food products purchased from supermarkets in eight EU member states: Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria. Among the selected foodstuffs were beverages, chocolate, pepper and coffee. Those tests also confirmed that multinational companies typically vary the quality of the products that they ship to different European countries under the same brand. The only product that proved to be of identical quality across all the samples tested was Milka chocolate. The European Commission, however, responded to the findings by saying that the accusations were baseless, and stating that multinational companies were free to adapt their products to different markets. Companies are under no obligation to market an identical product under the same brand in all EU countries, said Frederic Vincent, spokesperson to for the then-commissioner responsible for health and consumer policy, John Dalli, back in 2011. As long as EU legislation on labelling and safety is respected, products can differ from one country to another. As a result, companies can use different ingredients and sell their products at different final prices, Vincent explained. The EC position on this matter has not changed, Ingrid Ludvikova of the EC Representation Office in Slovakia confirmed to The Slovak Spectator in late October 2016. It depends only on food companies which products they place in markets within the EU, she added. Quality vs. safety While the EC is particularly careful about food safety, adopting various orders and regulations to ensure standards are observed, this is not the case for food quality, explains Peter Simko from the Faculty of Chemical and Food Technologies at the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava. It takes the position that it is up to consumers which foodstuffs they choose to buy. Thus, it is not interested in whether food quality in Slovakia or the Czech Republic is different from in other EU member states, Simko told The Slovak Spectator in October 2016. There are several reasons why multinational producers sell goods under the same brand, but with varying composition in different markets. One is an effort to save costs and increase profits. As a result, they may try to use cheaper ingredients in products sold in central and eastern European countries, Simko explained. Another factor is the food production technology used. The more modern the technology is, the higher the quality parameters that the foodstuff can meet. Producers often place food manufactured with more up-to-date technology in western European markets, but foodstuffs made using older technology in eastern European stores, he added. Customers in eastern Europe are not as mature [as western ones], Simko said, explaining that multinational producers are well-informed about Slovaks shopping mentality and purchasing power, and adjust their sales strategies to this. He stresses that food quality is, however, much better than it was at the beginning of the millennium. While it dropped significantly after the state passed responsibility for the quality of foodstuffs to producers, it started increasing in the early 2000s, due to an increase in competition between big retail chains, Simko explained. Awareness necessary Some producers defend the differences in the composition of their foodstuffs by saying that it is important to state the details on the packaging. Moreover, they say, they need to meet the expectations of their customers. Food producers need to meet the demands of customers with their products, as their ambition is not only to produce food, but also to sell it to customers who will be satisfied and will return to buy it again, Jarmila Halgasova of the Food Chamber of Slovakia told The Slovak Spectator. As a result, small producers as well as big multinational companies often change the composition of food to meet the demands of customers in various countries, she explained. However, Matecna says that the claim that consumers prefer various regional tastes no longer stands up to scrutiny. Slovak consumers certainly do not expect artificial sweeteners and colouring, more preservatives or a lower share of meat than Austrians, she added. The ministry says it plans to continue monitoring and testing products made by multinational companies that are sold in shops here. Moreover, together with other countries from central and eastern Europe it intends to continue discussion of the variable quality of foodstuffs at the EU level. The EC may oppose it because there is big pressure from multinational companies, Matecna said, but we have a single European market and a single consumer, so it is incorrect to create two groups of consumers. Meanwhile, it is also important to raise awareness, say observers. Consumers should realise that it is they who ultimately decide which foodstuffs are offered in the market, said Simko. Boycotting certain products is the only way to persuade producers that the Slovak market is at least as good as any western one, he added. The parliamentary debate lasted nearly 12 hours. Font size: A - | A + Only 60 of 130 MPs present supported the opposition proposal to oust PM Robert Fico due to the scandal over high energy bills. Fico was backed by deputies of the ruling parties Smer, Most-Hid and the Slovak National Party, but also by non-affiliated MPs Peter Marcek and Rastislav Holubek, the TASR newswire reported. Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement The special session lasted nearly 12 hours, with 27 deputies speaking in the plenum. Matovic talks for three hours Finally start doing something for the people, opposition OLaNO leader Igor Matovic concluded his unusually long speech in the parliament, during the special session with only one point on the programme - to oust the prime minister. PM Robert Fico labelled Matovics speech three hours of empty words, as quoted by the Sme daily. Read also: Read also: No-confidence vote in Fico postponed Read more Matovic, who is behind the motion to have Fico dismissed as prime minister, took the floor first and went on speaking for three hours. First he apologised for using a picture of a late elderly lady from the Czech Republic to illustrate his point in the parliament. He also accused Fico of cynicism and hyenism. Matovic took his time to read out loud parts of the governments programme statement about energy poverty, as well as transcripts of televised debates and news programmes to prove that Fico ignored the increase in energy prices even when it was already clearly happening, Sme reported. Read also: Read also: Energy prices hike tensions in coalition Read more I am only here out of respect to the Constitution, Fico, who originally stated he would not be attending the session, said in response to Matovics speech and added that he has no respect for those proposing the vote. I ask the MPs to go and devote themselves to their normal work, Fico said to conclude his speech, as quoted by Sme, and left the plenum. Many coalition deputies followed suit. The opposition filed a motion to have a no-confidence vote held on February 10 following the scandal with energy prices. If the parliament expresses no confidence in the prime minister, the whole government falls. Smer made it clear from the beginning that they are sure not to vote against their prime minister. Fico can also count on the support of his coalition partners. Thus, it is highly unlikely that the opposition could actually recall Fico. Slovak defence minister met with his colleagues in Brussels Font size: A - | A + It is necessary to implement the conclusions of the Warsaw Summit, including strengthening the eastern border of the Alliance, Slovak Defence Minister Peter Gajdos agreed with his Latvian counterpart Raimonds Bergmanis. The two ministers met bilaterally in Brussels following the meeting of NATO defence ministers on February 16. They discussed the work of Slovak soldiers in Latvia planned for the second quarter of 2017 and the bilateral defence cooperation, the SITA newswire reported, citing the ministrys spokesperson Danka Capakova. Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement The Visegrad Group countries (Slovakia, Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary) are sending training troops on a rotation basis to the Baltic this year. The Czech soldiers are already present in Lithuania now. NATO defence ministers at their meeting agreed that it is important to strengthen the eastern wing of the NATO area for the defence of the alliance. Meanwhile, the Slovak parliament passed the deployment of 152 soldiers for a training mission to Latvia as part of the V4 programme. We consider this our first contribution to regional security, Gajdos said as quoted by SITA. Long-expected service now arrived. Font size: A - | A + The customers who shop online will have the chance to decide whether they want goods delivered to their homes or whether they will pick them up from the shop. In both cases it is possible to choose the date. Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement While shopping online its possible to choose from a whole assortment of several thousands of products, excepting specific items such as plants, piece goods or foods, said the manager of eCommerce Nina Malakova, as quoted by the SME daily. The prices of transport and pick-up should also be the same for customers who order the service in shop, regardless of the amount or weight of the goods, stated Ikea. Read also: Read also: IKEA will launch e-shop in Slovakia Read more In the Czech Republic the online shop was launched in September last year. Our customers have wanted on-line shopping for a long time, stated managing director of Ikea Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia Marek Feltl, as quoted by SME. The blockade caused traffic collapse. Font size: A - | A + More than one hundred inhabitants of the Kysuce region protested against the postponement of the D3 highway construction announced by the government. They walked across a pedestrian crossing on a frequently used road in Povina and stopped the traffic for 15 minutes. However, they kept the road accessible for rescue vehicles and three ambulances went by at the time of the blockade. Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement We dont want to wait for years more. Roads are needed everywhere but especially where they are unfinished, said the head of the petition committee Lubomir Janoska, as quoted by nasekysuce.sk. He said that the reason for the blockade is also for future generations. Read also: Read also: Construction of D3 highway near Cadca has started Read more The inhabitants of Kysuce dont know how to protest. Hundreds year ago, they left for the USA. Fifty years ago, they left for Ostrava and its surroundings. Today they are still leaving to go abroad but we want them to stay, explained Janoska for nasekysuce.sk, adding that finishing the highway would also help Zilina. The village of Povina is on the main road between Zilina and Cadca and is also used by many people heading through Slovakia to Poland. The works officially started in September 2016. Font size: A - | A + The car manufacturer, Jaguar Land Rover, announced its aim to build a Slovak production plant in August 2015. At the end of the same year the Slovak government contract was signed with the car-maker's representatives. Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement The factory will stand near Nitra, where the state has begun to build an industrial area. The official construction works started in September 2016. Read also: Read also: Jaguar will produce Discovery in Slovakia Read more Jaguar is planning to spend 1.4 billion dollars on investments and in the first phase wants to employ about 2,800 people. The car factory plans to produce 150,000 cars yearly, with the first car rolling off the production lines by the second half of 2018. Mali, Chad, Niger and the Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso have agreed to form a new G5 counter-terrorism force that will work in cooperation with the similar (but larger and better equipped) French force that has been operating in the Sahel (the semi-desert area south of the desert that stretches across northern Africa) since 2014. Back then the French concluded that the Sahel was still troubled by thousands of Islamic terrorists and that this situation could not be taken care of quickly. In order to maintain pressure on the Islamic terrorists France established a special force of 3,000 troops to fight Islamic terrorists throughout the Sahel (actually just Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Chad and Burkina Faso). Since then the French force has grown to some 4,000 troops equipped with 200 armored vehicles, 20 transport and attack helicopters, six jet fighters and three large UAVs. There are also two twin engine C-160 air transports available for use within the Sahel. Supplies and reinforcements are regularly flown in using long-range transports (like the C-17) belonging to NATO allies (especially the U.S. and Britain). From the beginning the French force included a thousand French troops in Mali and the rest dispersed to other Sahel bases and ready to quickly move anywhere in the region that Islamic terrorist activity had been detected. The G5 nations already cooperated by sharing intelligence and providing quick access to their territory by the French force. In addition the Americans provided satellite and UAV surveillance and other intel services (especially analysis and access to nearly all American data on Islamic terrorist activities in the region). All this was meant to keep the Islamic terrorists in the Sahel weak and disorganized. So far that has worked, but AQIM (Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb), which has been around since 2007, is still in business (as gangsters smuggling drugs and illegal migrants north) and getting support from Islamic terrorists in Europe and the Persian Gulf. Islamic terrorists continue to carry out attacks in Mali (mainly the north) and in the G5 states to let the world know that Islamic terrorists were still present in the area. Another reminder has been the high casualty rate among peacekeepers in Mali. UN peacekeepers in Mali suffered 26 dead during 2016, the highest number of any UN peacekeeping operation and 90 percent of the UN peacekeeper deaths in 2016, even though the Mali force comprises less than 15 percent of all UN peacekeepers. The Mali peacekeepers have been in this situation for three years in a row. Over a hundred peacekeepers (mostly UN, but some French) have died in Mali since they arrived in 2013. This is the highest casualty rate of all current UN peacekeeping operations. The new G5 forces will be small (500-2,000 personnel) and consist largely of special operations troops. Many of these troops have already worked with their French counterparts or been trained by French or American special operations advisors. February 14, 2017: In the north (outside Kidal) French soldiers, acting on a tip, found and destroyed a cache of 25 mortar shells that were recently placed there for a planned (according to locals) attack sometime in the next few days. Similar tips by locals have led to the recent disabling of three roadside bombs. February 13, 2017: In central Mali (near the junction of the Niger and Bani rivers) there was another outbreak of violence over the weekend involving Peul (Fulani) and Bambara tribesmen. It began when some Bambara attacked a Peul village and killed as many as 30 people and wounded many more. More than 500 villagers fled their homes to avoid the violence. This tribal feuding has been going on for years but got worse since 2015 when the Peul became widely known as a source of recruits for Islamic terrorist groups and for generally supporting AQIM. The more numerous Bambara (who tend to be pro-government) live north of the Niger and are about a third of the population. The Fulani (who tend to be more rebellious) are largely from south of the Niger. This is not just a Mali problem as Nigeria complains that armed Fulani herders from Mali have showed up in northeast Nigeria and joined local Islamic terrorist groups. February 12, 2017: Algeria and Mali have agreed to allow Algerian telecommunications companies to offer Internet and cell phone services in Mali. February 10, 2017: In the north (near Gao) German peacekeepers now have all three of their leased Israeli Heron I UAVs (similar to the American Predator) operational. The first Heron 1 arrived in October 2016 and its initial mission lasted nearly six hours. Peacekeepers in Mali have found Israeli UAVs very useful for keeping an eye on large, thinly inhabited, areas. The first one found there were no serious problems operating in the Mali desert-like conditions. February 7, 2017: In the south (300 kilometers east of the capital near the Burkina Faso border) four armed men kidnapped a Catholic nun (from Colombia) who provided health care from a clinic in a parish compound. At first it was feared the kidnappers were Islamic terrorists, who prefer to attack non-Moslems (especially clergy) and kidnap foreigners. The four men claimed to be Islamic terrorists. Police concluded (based on testimony of the other three nuns in the compound) that the attackers were probably just common criminals. The other nuns were not killed by the armed men but rather locked up in a closet as the compound was looted of all valuables and the attackers left with the one nun. The getaway car was later found abandoned. Since then the police have arrested at least twenty people in the area, killing one of them in the process. There has not yet been a ransom demand and it is feared that the criminals plan to sell their captive to Islamic terrorists, who often buy such captives from criminals. Thats because the criminals dont want the long term problems with police because they made the country look bad by kidnapping a foreigner. The Islamic terrorists, on the other hand, seek that kind of attention and generally can obtain a much higher ransom, or die trying. January 26, 2017: In the south police arrested two men suspected of being Islamic terrorists who planned an attack in the capital (Bamako). The two were caught with weapons and equipment needed for such an attack, which was cancelled because the heavily guarded international conference on January 13-14 proved impossible for the attackers to get at. Rather than try anyway the Islamic terrorists decided to remain hidden and wait for another opportunity. But police did hear about the plan and began looking for the participants. The German parliament approved the expansion of the German peacekeeper contingent in Mali from 650 to a thousand. Also approved was the use of eight German military helicopters (four NH90 transports and four Tiger gunships.) While Germany also has troops in Iraq and Afghanistan (as trainers and advisors) but the largest contingent is in Mali. January 25, 2017: French counter-terrorism forces in the north have arrested three suspects believed to be involved with the January 18th suicide truck bomb attack outside Gao that killed 77 and wounded over a hundred, most of the casualties were members of pro-government Tuareg militias that AQIM later said were being punished for making peace with the foreign infidels (non-Moslems). January 23, 2017: In the north (outside Kidal) Islamic terrorists fired several mortar shells at a peacekeeper base a killed a soldier from Chad and wounded two others. Policy Issues California District Faces Heat for Offering 'Common Applications' A California school district supplied its families with an online tool that would allow them to learn more about available schools both those that are part of the district and those that are charter schools and to apply to both kinds of schools with single applications for each type. Oakland Unified School District said it was providing the Oakland School Finder to make the enrollment "experience" "welcoming, transparent, fair and easy to understand." However, one community group is calling the initiative a ploy to "send more students to charter schools, thereby depriving public schools of students and funding for resources, ultimately forcing more schools to close or be turned over to charter school organizations." The school finder provides detailed information about 86 district-run schools and 42 charter public schools in the city. As of the 2014-2015 school year, about 37,000 students attended district-run schools and almost 11,000 students attended charter schools. The tool also includes links to common application forms. Previously, each school maintained its own application; now families can fill out a single application for either the district-run schools or the charters. The application process for the district schools closed in mid-January; the window for applying to charter schools closes on February 17. When a visitor goes to the school finder, he or she has to click a button for one type of school or the other. Both sites are run by SchoolMint, a company that produces cloud-based systems for school and district enrollment. A "network" of district families, "Parents United for Public Schools," has come out against the common enrollment program. In a November blog article, the group suggested that the project was just one more strategy by "big-money special interests" to revamp the public school enrollment system. Quoting from an article published by the Post News Group, OUSD Parents United said that common enrollment "is dishonest: It presents all schools in its system as public schools even though charter schools are privately run and not publicly accountable." Distance Ed Florida Virtual School Boosts CTE The Florida Virtual School (FLVS), a statewide online public school, has developed two new courses to round out its career and technical education offerings. The new programs arrived during "CTE Month," a public awareness campaign started by the Association for Career & Technical Education, a national organization that promotes the advancement of education to prepare young people and adults for careers. Digital Information Technology, which began this month, promises to teach students foundational skills for careers in "game development, web design, military defense and software engineering." Students will use Microsoft Office online applications and learn about digital design, emerging technologies and careers in IT. Foundations of Programming is a follow-on course intended to teach the basics of programming using Python. The Florida school already had 15 other courses in its CTE program, including classes on the use of business software, digital media, web design and networking and database usage. Several of those lead to vendor certification from Microsoft, Adobe, CompTIA, Cisco and Oracle. "Companies are shifting their focus to employable proficiency, and we want to make sure our students are ready," said Jodi Marshall, executive vice president of business and school solutions, in a prepared statement. "Skills such as adaptability and managing complexities, social and civic responsibility and interactive communications are all very imperative to any job out there. Above all, FLVS wants to ensure student success, so we designed these courses to meet the needs of industry and academia." Recently, the school said that it had reaccredited under AdvancED, a non-profit, non-partisan organization that conducts school reviews for teaching and learning impact, leadership capacity and resource usage. According to the school, the reaccreditation ensures that students can transfer the credits they earn from FLVS to other institutions. This site focuses on Republican politicians and conservatives that rip off their constituency. We have the Tea Party, fundamentalist churches, the corruption of ALEC and other special interests groups. But the site also supports progressive Democrats and the local Democratic Socialist of America. We must have ideas on how to replace regressive and corrupt politicians with something better. For comments steveotto2001@yahoo.com or ottozero2001@yahoo.com. (Updates with quote, background) AMSTERDAM, Feb 16 (Reuters) - The Dutch government on Thursday proposed legislation that would give it power to block or undo mergers in the telecommunications sector. The Netherlands is gearing up for a national election on March 15 in which the ruling conservative VVD Party is facing a strong challenge from the far-right nationalist Party for Freedom of Geert Wilders. In a statement, the Economic Affairs Ministry said telecommunications, including data hosting centres and other Internet infrastructure, was vital to national security and the law was permissible under European Union rules. "The Netherlands profits from the fact that we have an open economy," said Minister Henk Kamp in a statement. "We take over more companies abroad than vice versa." However, the minister said "our country is not helped by takeovers by foreign companies that are linked to criminal activities, that are financially weak or that have a non-transparent ownership structure." He said the new law was needed to give a legal basis to prevent such takeovers. Separately, Kamp said the government was seeking further powers over the national mail company, including insuring it remains headquartered in the Netherlands and makes sufficient infrastructure investments. Last month PostNL (Swiss: PN6.SW - news) rejected a takeover offer from Belgian rival Bpost (EUREX: BPO.EX - news) under pressure from the Dutch government. Attempts by America Movil, owned by Mexican tycoon Carlos Slim, to take over Dutch telecom KPN (Amsterdam: KPN.AS - news) in 2013 foundered as the company took poison pill measures to prevent it. In 2015, Britain's NCC (BSE: NCC6.BO - news) bought Dutch cyber security firm Fox-IT, which is responsible for securing Dutch government communications, for 133 million euros. Now (Frankfurt: 11N.F - news) that Britain has voted to leave the European Union, a Dutch newspaper reported the government has sought to have parts of Fox-IT's business ring-fenced in a division called Fox Crypto that the Dutch government would exert considerable control over. Those controls would include a veto right on board appointments and right of first refusal to purchase it if it was put up for sale. (Reporting by Toby Sterling; Editing by Michael Perry and John Stonestreet) (Adds details) By Tiisetso Motsoeneng JOHANNESBURG, Feb 15 (Reuters) - South Africa's competition watchdog has recommended fines against banks including Citigroup (Swiss: C-USD.SW - news) , Nomura and Standard Bank equal to 10 percent of their annual revenues for rigging the rand currency, it said on Wednesday. The Competition Commission said it had concluded an investigation into whether banks colluded by using an instant messaging chat room called "ZAR Domination", to coordinate their trading activities when giving quotes to customers who buy or sell currencies. ZAR is the code for the South African rand used in financial markets. The Commission did not say if the fines should relate to the global revenues of the banks in question or just their South African business. The probe found that from at least 2007, traders at these banks had an agreement to collude on prices for bids, offers and bid-offer spreads for spot trades involving the rand and the U.S. dollar, the Commission said. "They also created fictitious bids and offers, distorting demand and supply in order to achieve their profit motives," the Commission said in a statement. The Commission launched the investigation in April 2015, joining a global clampdown on price-rigging in currency markets that has led to dozens of traders fired and big banks fined around $10 billion in total. The Commission, which investigates anti-trust practices, said it had referred the case to the Competition Tribunal for prosecution. Other banks named in the case are Investec (LSE: INVP.L - news) , JP Morgan (Other OTC: MGHL - news) , BNP Paribas (LSE: 0HB5.L - news) , Credit Suisse Group , Commerzbank AG (Xetra: CBK100 - news) , Standard New York Securities Inc, Macquarie Bank, Bank of America Merrill Lynch , ANZ Banking Group Ltd, Standard Chartered Plc (BSE: 580001.BO - news) and Barclays Africa, part of the Barclays Plc (LSE: BARC.L - news) . (Editing by Susan Fenton and David Holmes) By Benet Koleka TIRANA (Reuters) - Albania and Croatia have asked NATO to revise plans for its peace-keeping mission in Kosovo, arguing that nationalist rhetoric by Serb politicians threatens to destabilise the region scarred by the 1990s wars. Relations between Serbia and its former province Kosovo came under renewed strain since Belgrade sent a train painted with the slogan "Kosovo is Serbia" to the border and Kosovo police said it would stop it from entering its territory. Serbia's president has accused the authorities in Pristina of wanting to start a war, while his Kosovo counterpart has said Serbia could use the model of Russia in Crimea to annex the northern part of Kosovo. Mimi Kodheli and Damir Krsticevic, defence ministers of alliance members Albania and Croatia, wrote to NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg condemning the "nationalistic rhetoric from Serb politicians and concrete actions on the border". The ministers wrote those actions aimed at "encroaching the sovereignty of the Republic of Kosovo and destabilising the security situation in the Western Balkans", according to a statement from Kodheli's office. "Both ministers asked that the Operational Plan of the peace-keeping mission in Kosovo be revised following the latest developments there," the Albanian statement added. The statement did not say what any revision should lead to. The integration of the western Balkan countries into the EU and NATO is seen by the two institutions as a way to guarantee peace in a region still scarred by the wars that followed the collapse of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s. The ministers told Stoltenberg that Albania and Croatia backed the transformation of the Kosovo Security Force, which is lightly armed and engages in crisis response, civil protection and ordnance disposal, into the a fully fledged army. But to create the army, Kosovo needs support of the Serb minority in the parliament, whose representatives oppose the move. Serbia lost control over Kosovo in 1999, when NATO bombed it to halt Serb ethnic cleansing in a counter-insurgency war. NATO still has around 4,500 troops stationed in Kosovo to keep the fragile peace. Backed by the U.S. and major western European states, Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008. Ethnic Albanians make up more than 90 percent of Kosovo's 1.8 million population. Northern Kosovo is home to a Serb minority of around 40,000 to 50,000 people who do not consider Pristina their capital. (Reporting By Benet Koleka; Additiona reporting by Fatos Bytyci in PRISTINA; Editing by Ivana Sekularac and Tom Heneghan) The issue of illegal immigration is a dicey one. Voters on both sides feel very strongly on the subject. The one issue both sides should agree on is that those who commit crimes should be justly punished and shouldnt be free to walk our streets. That is not always happening. At least 121 killings within a four-year span were carried out by immigrants convicted of crimes who were not deported, according to a 2015 U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee document published by the Spanish newspaper El Nuevo Herald and picked up by the Associated Press. The article goes on to say that every year federal immigration authorities release foreign nationals convicted of crimes because their countries refuse to take them back even after immigration judges have ordered deportation. This is especially concerning because the U.S. Supreme Court has prohibited indefinite detention and therefore these immigrants must be released. That is not right. President Donald Trump needs to fix this. When Trump was campaigning, he stated, There are at least 23 countries that refuse to take their people back after theyve been ordered to leave the United States. While others in the past have accepted that, Trump said, Not going to happen with me, not going to happen with me. Trump has suggested one way he could compel countries to take back their deportable nationals is halting the issuance of visas to visitors and immigrants from those nations. According to a CNN report, Trumps immigration reform includes forcing the State Department to put pressure on countries by denying visas until they comply with U.S. deportation orders. That would pertain to situations like the one involving Thong Vang, who was from Laos. He had already spent 16 years in prison for rape of underage girls. But Laos didnt want him back. And he was released. This past September, Vang reportedly went to the county sheriffs office in Fresno, California, and opened fire, shooting corrections officers Juanita Davila and Toamalama Scanlan. According to a CNN report, Laos is one of 23 countries, including China, Afghanistan, Iraq, India, Libya, Somalia and Ghana, that has refused to take back criminals found illegally in the United States. The refusals have left more than 86,000 undocumented immigrants with a criminal history on the streets here, the report stated. The situation like the one involving Vang should never have happened. We need the president and the United States government to take action and make other countries take their criminals back. By Michele Kambas ATHENS (Reuters) - Face-to-face talks between both sides of divided Cyprus broke off on Thursday, sources at the meeting said, after the Greek Cypriot parliament angered Turkish Cypriots by honouring a 1950 plebiscite seeking union with Greece. The meeting between Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades and his Turkish Cypriot counterpart, Mustafa Akinci, ended abruptly about an hour after it started, after which a go-between had to shuttle between the two to keep the peace process on track. "Both leaders very strongly said they are committed to this process, and nobody sees this process as over, or terminated, or suspended," said Espen Barth Eide, the United Nations special envoy who is overseeing the peace negotiations which have been ongoing for almost two years. The talks aim to end the division of the island, for decades a source of tension between NATO allies Greece and Turkey and an obstacle to Turkey's bid to join the European Union. Cyprus's parliament, comprised solely of Greek Cypriots, adopted a resolution on Feb. 9 commemorating a 1950 unofficial referendum where more than 95 percent of that community voted for "enosis", or union, with Greece. The anger that caused among Turkish Cypriots reflects the historic sensitivities on the island which was split in a Turkish invasion in 1974 triggered by a brief Greek Cypriot coup by elements of the military seeking union with Greece. The two sides gave differing accounts of what happened on Thursday. Anastasiades said he took a short break and returned to find Akinci gone. Akinci said Anastasiades walked out, slamming the door. "Enosis" has always been a deep source of resentment among Turkish Cypriots, and was partly the cause of inter-communal clashes in the 1960s shortly after the island gained independence from Britain. The notion of unification with Greece has, officially at least, been abandoned as a concept for decades. The Mediterranean island has been a member state of the EU since 2004. Last week's vote was proposed by a small nationalist party. Anastasiades's conservatives abstained and the left-wing party voted against it. (Editing by Robin Pomeroy) A suicide bomber detonated a pick-up truck in Sadr City, a heavily-populated and poor Shiite suburb of Baghdad. The explosion is the deadliest in Baghdad so far this year. It happened in a crowded street full of garages and used car dealers in the Habibya neighbourhood in the north of the Iraqi capital. Was anyone killed? Yes. At least 15 people were killed outright. 50 more were wounded. Has anyone admitted planting the bomb? Not yet. ISIL has stepped up bombings in Iraq in the last year. Analysts say this is in retaliation for a US-backed campaign that dislodged the hardline Sunni group from most Iraqi cities it took over in 2014. The militants also control part of neighbouring Syria. In tweets Dozens killed and wounded in Sadr City truck bombing https://t.co/u0tu5mEkH9 pic.twitter.com/ZRTfTJXJsb Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) February 15, 2017 Car bombing kills 15 in Baghdads Sadr City https://t.co/804SvZiMKg pic.twitter.com/3BwvWVe0t1 Nigeria Trend News (@nigeriatrend) February 15, 2017 Baghdad blast kills 18 in Shia district of Sadr City https://t.co/RNBvEoISdc pic.twitter.com/X6RHpjhnlB OneNewsSource (@OneNewsSource) February 15, 2017 Britain's defences against cyber attacks are more critical than ever as the vast majority of the population use online services, a senior security official has said. In her first interview, Alison Whitney, deputy director for digital services at the new National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), highlighted its importance in an era when millions log on as part of their everyday lives. She told the Press Association that the facility's official unveiling on Tuesday represents a "really significant" moment. It will play a crucial role in efforts to make the UK the safest place to "live and do business online", she said. The opening of the NCSC by the Queen comes amid mounting concern over the damage state hackers or terrorists could inflict on the country's economy and infrastructure. It was revealed at the weekend that Britain's national security is threatened by dozens of cyber attacks every month, with assailants attempting to steal secrets from the heart of government. Ms Whitney said cyber is in the "top tier" of national security threats. She said: "There are terrorist groups that have an intent when it comes to cyber attacks, but they don't have the capability." The scale of cyber crime has been laid bare by official figures showing there are an estimated two million computer misuse offences a year. Ms Whitney said: "We do so much business online. Every citizen in the United Kingdom, pretty much, is accessing some service online, be it just things like internet shopping or more and more the kinds of service that we get from government. "Making sure that we can do that securely is more and more important to everybody in the UK. "That's really what the NCSC is here to do. We say and we really do mean that we are here to make the UK the safest place to do business and to live online." Story continues The NCSC, part of intelligence agency GCHQ, will use the new central London office as its operational nerve centre. Ms Whitney said it will give will give more "ease of accessibility" and help ensure greater collaboration. She said: "I do think this is the ceremonial start of showing how we are doing things really, really differently. "That accessibility, that joined up approach, doing so many things across the whole of the public sector, across industry, with citizens at large. "I really think it is a step change in the way that we've done cyber security as a country. I think it will make a huge difference looking ahead to achieving that goal of making the UK the safest place to live and do business online." She also issued a call for cyber security experts of the future, and girls in particular, to consider joining the sector. A number of initiatives have been launched recently in a bid to head off the risk of a future skills shortage and inspire more women to join the fight against online crime. Only 10% of the global cyber workforce are female. Ms Whitney said: "It would be great to see far more women taking part in cyber security. I've had a great time doing it. I really encourage as many girls and women to get involved in cyber security as possible." Storyful Tulsa fire investigators appealed for information following an arson attack at a donut shop on October 31, the second time in a month the store had been vandalized.The shop had been vandalized after hosting an art installation donut shop run by drag queens on October 15, The Donut Hole said. Store owners told local media that anti-LQBTQ posters were left near the scene.The store set up a GoFundMe campaign to cover repairs after the October 15 incident, which had raised over $23,000 by November 4.Surveillance footage posted by the Tulsa Fire Department from the October 31 incident shows a suspect swinging a baseball bat at the glass door of The Donut Hole, lighting a bottle on fire, and throwing it inside the store. The department asked anyone with information to come forward. Credit: Tulsa Fire Department via Storyful By Steve Holland and Patricia Zengerle WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A crisis over the relationship between President Donald Trump's aides and Russia deepened on Wednesday as a growing number of Trump's fellow Republicans demanded expanded congressional inquiries into the matter. Trump sought to focus attention on what he called criminal intelligence leaks about his ousted national security adviser, Michael Flynn. Trump forced Flynn out on Monday after disclosures he had discussed U.S. sanctions on Russia with the Russian ambassador to the United States before Trump took office, and that he later misled Vice President Mike Pence about the conversations. The drama of Flynn's departure was the latest in a series of White House missteps and controversies since the Republican president was sworn in on Jan. 20. At a news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday, Trump said Flynn, a retired U.S. Army lieutenant general, was a "wonderful man" who had been mistreated by the news media. But Republican Trump critics including Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham voiced fresh consternation. Adding to the pressure were comments by Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker, who has been a Trump supporter. Corker said the Russia issue was threatening Trump's agenda on foreign affairs and domestic matters like healthcare and tax policy. He questioned whether the White House was able to stabilise itself and said Flynn should testify before Congress. "Let's get everything out as quickly as possible on this Russia issue," Corker told MSNBC's "Morning Joe" programme. "Maybe there's a problem that obviously goes much deeper than what we now suspect." Democrats, doubting Trump's Justice Department or the Republican-led Congress will pursue the matter vigorously, have demanded an independent investigation of possible illegal communications between Flynn and the Russian government and any efforts by Flynn or other White House officials to conceal wrongdoing. CALLS FOR RECUSAL The most powerful Democrat in the Senate, Chuck Schumer, said Attorney General Jeff Sessions, a close ally of Trump, must recuse himself from any investigation. The Republican and Democratic leaders of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee asked Sessions and FBI Director James Comey on Wednesday to send the committee documents and provide a briefing on Flynn's resignation. Citing reports that both the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Justice Department were involved in events leading to Flynn's departure, Senators Chuck Grassley and Dianne Feinstein said they raised "substantial questions" about Flynn's discussion with Russian officials. Graham called for a broader bipartisan congressional investigation to be conducted by a newly formed special committee rather than existing committees, if it turns out Trump's presidential campaign communicated with the Russians. But the top Republicans in the Senate and House of Representatives have insisted the matter be investigated by existing Republican-led committees. The Senate and House Intelligence Committees and a subcommittee of the Senate Judiciary committee have announced they launched investigations into alleged Russian efforts to influence the election through computer hacking. U.S. intelligence agencies previously concluded that Russia hacked and leaked Democratic emails during the presidential campaign as part of efforts to tilt the vote in the Nov. 8 election in Trump's favour. Congressional inquiries into alleged Russian interference in the U.S. elections are gaining momentum as Capitol Hill investigators press intelligence and law enforcement agencies for access to classified documents. The FBI and several U.S. intelligence agencies are investigating Russian espionage operations in the United States. They are also looking at contacts in Russia between Russian intelligence officers or others with ties to President Vladimir Putin's government and people connected to Trump or his campaign. The FBI recently questioned Flynn about his telephone contacts with the Russian ambassador in Washington. People familiar with the agency's multiple probes said there was no evidence so far of pre-election collusion between Russians and Trump's campaign, or any evidence of criminal activity by Flynn or anyone else connected to Trump. Some experts expressed concern the White House could curtail or divert probes into Flynn and Russian involvement in the election unless Congress becomes more aggressive by holding hearings and appointing an independent commission or special prosecutor into whether Trump's team violated federal laws in their contacts with Russia. Intelligence agencies now overseen by Trump may not be ideally suited to the job, they added. "It's not, at the end of the day, the job of the intelligence community to regulate the White House - and it shouldn't be," said Stephen Vladeck, a University of Texas law professor who focuses on constitutional law and national security. 'VERY UN-AMERICAN' In Twitter posts on Wednesday, Trump called the reported Russian connection with his campaign team nonsense and said the leaks were the "real scandal." From early on in his White House bid, Trump said he would like improved relations with Putin, a stance criticized by Democrats and those Republicans concerned about Washington softening its stance after Russia's annexation of Crimea from Ukraine and aggression in Syria. Only a few Republican lawmakers have supported even the idea of extending any investigation to cover actions by Trump's team in the weeks after the election, when Flynn made his calls. Some Republicans, including House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes, are calling for investigations into leaks to the news media of conversations between Flynn and Russia's ambassador in Washington. The Trump administration has offered Flynn's former job to U.S. Navy Vice Admiral Robert Harward, said two U.S. officials familiar with the matter. It was not immediately clear if Harward, a former deputy commander of U.S. Central Command, had accepted the offer, according to sources. (Additional reporting by Rick Cowan, Mohammad Zargham, Susan Cornwell, Susan Heavey, Julia Edwards Ainsley, Doina Chiacu, Julia Harte and Mark Hosenball; Writing by Will Dunham and Lisa Lambert; Editing by Frances Kerry and Peter Cooney) WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Marine Corps General and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Joseph Dunford will meet with the head of the Russian army's General Staff Valery Gerasimov on Thursday in Azerbaijan, Dunford's office said in a statement on Wednesday. "The military leaders will discuss a variety of issues including the current state of U.S.-Russian military relations and the importance of consistent and clear military-to-military communication to prevent miscalculation and potential crises," the Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said. (Reporting by Idrees Ali; Writing by Susan Heavey) Kara Scott to Host Monthly 888poker News Show February 16 2017 Matthew Pitt Editor 888poker ambassador Kara Scott is no stranger to the spotlight in front of a camera having hosted dozens of high profile poker shows, including the World Series of Poker. Now Scott has another presenting role as the face of 888poker News. 888poker News made its debut on YouTube Feb. 5 while Scott and the 888poker team were at the Kings Casino in Rozvadov for the 888Live Festival. The segment ran for just under six-and-a-half minutes and was focused on all matters 888poker, congratulating winners of the Super XL Series, highlighting current promotions and welcoming Parker Tonkaaaa Talbot to the roster of 888poker ambassadors. It comes as no real surprise that 888poker has created 888poker News because the online poker world seems to be embracing social channels such as YouTube and Twitch more than ever before as they attempt to build closer relationships and connections with their customers. PokerStars pros regularly stream their online poker sessions and contend with the ever-popular vlog of the United Kingdoms Jake Cody, while partypoker is gaining plenty of fans and subscribers on its own Twitch channel with the help of Adam IT5PAYDAY Neal, Sit & Go Hero specialist Beata WildHungarian Jambrik and its own roster of pros and ambassadors. Utilising its ambassadors in this way is a master stroke from 888poker. Scott is not only a respected poker player in her own right, she is vastly experienced in front of the camera, highly professional and well-liked throughout the poker community. 888poker also has the aforementioned Talbot in its ranks, himself a hugely popular streamer on Twitch, and has signed with David Tuchman to commentate for 888Live broadcasts. 888poker also signed the media-savvy Natalie Hof to its impressive stable of ambassadors. For the first episode, which can be seen below, 888poker News is informative with Scott adding an element of fun to proceedings. Whether or not it will gain a cult following because it is very 888poker centric and a little on the long side at more than six minutes, remains to be seen. SAN FRANCISCO The state of Texas on Wednesday defended President Donald Trumps ban on travelers from seven predominantly Muslim nations as an assertion of presidential authority intended to protect the country from terrorists, splitting with states that have denounced the order as a religious attack. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed documents asking the San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to reconsider its decision not to immediately reinstate the ban. Every state has a substantial interest in the health and welfare of their citizens, but the states must rely on the federal executive to determine when the entry of aliens should be suspended for public-safety reasons, Paxton wrote. A three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit last week refused to block a lower-court decision that suspended the ban. The judges rejected the Trump administrations claim of presidential authority and questioned its motives. The decision came in a lawsuit brought by the states of Washington and Minnesota, which said the ban unconstitutionally blocked entry on the basis of religion and harmed their residents, universities and sales tax revenue. Eighteen other states, including California and New York, supported the challenge. The appeals court will decide whether to have a larger panel of judges reconsider the decision. It has asked the Trump administration and Washington and Minnesota to file arguments by Thursday on whether more judges should hear the case. The three-judge panel said the states had raised serious allegations that the ban targets Muslims, and the courts could consider statements Trump has made about shutting down Muslim immigration. The judges also rejected the federal governments argument that courts do not have the authority to review the presidents immigration and national security decisions. They said the Trump administration presented no evidence that any foreigner from the seven countries Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen was responsible for a terrorist attack in the U.S. Texas argued Wednesday that the panel failed to consider the presidents authority to suspend immigration power that Congress has delegated to the office and wrongly extended constitutional rights to foreigners. Trumps executive order targeted specific nationalities, not a religion, and the states could not support their legal challenge with the presidents campaign statements, Texas said. Republicans in Texas also have supported some of Trumps other plans to crack down on immigration, including a threat to withhold federal funds from sanctuary cities. The GOP-controlled Texas Legislature is considering a bill that would cut off state-controlled grants to local jurisdictions that dont cooperate with federal immigration authorities. Airbnbs business is booming in New Mexico, according to new data from the online vacation rental marketplace. The Land of Enchantment is now home to about 2,300 active Airbnb hosts, 60 percent more than a year ago. Those hosts recorded 119,900 guest arrivals in 2016. That marks a 110 percent jump from 2015. Airbnb, which enables individuals to use their own residences as vacation rentals, said its typical New Mexico host is making $5,100 a year by renting out his or her property for an average of 37 nights, according to a news release. Figures detailing Airbnbs New Mexico growth come amid discussions about the role and responsibility of such accommodation services within the larger hospitality industry landscape, particularly when it comes to paying taxes. The New Mexico Hospitality Association says a loophole in New Mexico law exempts many short-term rentals including those offered online through Airbnb, VRBO and HomeAway from paying lodgers taxes, though Airbnb already has begun collecting and remitting taxes in some New Mexico communities. State statute currently grants the tax exemption if the vendor does not offer at least three rooms within or attached to a taxable premise for lodging or at least three other premises for lodging or a combination of these within the taxing jurisdiction. Two state lawmakers Rep. Carl Trujillo, D-Santa Fe, and Sen. John Sapien, D-Corrales have introduced bills to nix that exemption. New Mexico Hospitality Association President and CEO Jen Schroer said removing that language would provide parity because short-term rental hosts who dont pay the same taxes as traditional hotels and lodging operations are getting a 12 to 15 percent competitive advantage. Charlie Gray, executive director of the Greater Albuquerque Innkeepers Association, said he could not quantify the impact the growing short-term rental market has had on the hotel industry, but I think we all know that there is business being lost. He said he could better determine the impact if the short-term rentals paid into the lodgers tax system a move he said would benefit both industries since the tax revenue helps advertise the state to potential visitors. There will be more money for marketing the state and if more people come to the state, theyll stay not only at hotels, but Im sure theyll stay at short-term rentals as well, said Gray, whose membership includes about 50 metro-area hotels. Albuquerques lodgers tax rate is 5 percent. The city collected a record $11.8 million in lodgers taxes in fiscal year 2016, the highest since the tax was imposed in 1969. At least half of that revenue must go toward tourism-related marketing and promotion. Schroer said some short-term rental hosts already pay the tax; in fact, Airbnb last year began collecting lodgers tax from its hosts in Santa Fe and Taos after forging an agreement with each municipality. The city of Santa Fe has collected $158,000 in lodgers taxes from its Airbnb community since the agreement went into effect last August, according to a letter Tourism Santa Fes Randy Randall wrote to legislators this month. He said 2017 collections should top $500,000. An Airbnb spokeswoman said the company is looking to do the same at the state level. Our community of hosts want to pay their fair share. Right now, tax rules are written for big hotels with teams of lawyers and accountants, not everyday people sharing the homes in which they live. This makes the tax remittance process challenging for our host community. We hope to reach an agreement with the state of New Mexico to be able to voluntarily collect and remit this tax on their behalf soon, like we do in more than 220 communities around the world, to make this process easier for everyone and ensure the state is getting 100 percent of this revenue, spokeswoman Laura Rillos said in a statement. Airbnb said its New Mexico hosts made a total of $16.5 million in 2016. The Santa Fe contingent saw the most action among New Mexico communities, collecting a total of $6.8 million. Albuquerque hosts made $3.2 million. But Airbnb is not the only player in the short-term lodging market. According to a study commissioned by the New Mexico Hospitality Association, the state currently has 4,076 active short-term rentals with a combined 9,296 bedrooms. Thats the room equivalent of nearly 50 hotels the size of Hotel Albuquerque. The study estimates the state could make an additional $6.9 million from the short-term rental market if all the hosts paid lodgers taxes and gross receipts taxes. One of the bills in the Legislature has been recommended for approval by the House Taxation and Revenue Committee, and the other is pending in committee. MOUNT PLEASANT A Racine teenager was charged Wednesday with burglary after allegedly being stopped by police with stolen video-gaming equipment offered for sale on Facebook. Terrance Grayson, 17, of the 1600 block of Blaine Avenue was charged Wednesday with burglary and carrying a concealed weapon. According to the criminal complaint: Grayson allegedly burglarized a Mount Pleasant home, in the 3000 block of Pinehill Boulevard, with another man Tuesday morning. Grayson allegedly entered an unlocked patio door and took a PlayStation 4 gaming system and accessories, gold watches, a chain and a set of headphones. The victim reported it to police and called them after spotting the stolen items on a Facebook exchange page. Grayson was located during a traffic stop in Mount Pleasant with the stolen items and armed with a concealed weapon later determined to be a BB gun that appeared to be an actual firearm. Racine County court commissioner Alice Rudebusch set cash bond at $500. Grayson was not listed as an inmate in the Racine County Jail's online records Wednesday. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Feb. 23. If convicted of the most serious charge Grayson faces up to 7 1/2 years in prison and a $25,000 fine. Just 24 days into his presidency, President Donald Trumps embattled national security adviser was forced to resign a glaring misstep by the fledgling administration. White House press secretary Sean Spicer says retired Army Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn didnt leave because he had multiple contacts with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak prior to Trumps Jan. 20 inauguration: He resigned because he had misled Vice President Mike Pence and other White House officials about those contacts, which contributed to an evolving and eroding level of trust between Flynn and the Trump administration. Thats what happens when obfuscation and alternative facts are acceptable. Though its illegal for private citizens to conduct U.S. diplomacy, Spicer finally admitted Tuesday that Flynn did, indeed, discuss Obama-imposed sanctions against Russia with Kislyak, despite Flynns previous denials. Those sanctions, which included expulsion of 38 Russian diplomats, were levied after evidence surfaced that Russia had attempted to interfere with the U.S. presidential elections that saw Hillary Clinton winning the popular vote while Trump won in the electoral college. There is a plethora of disturbing, unanswered questions surrounding the Flynn affair, including whether Flynn acted on his own or at the direction of the then-president elect. And why did President Trump, Spicer and White House counselor Kellyanne Conway maintain for weeks almost up to the day of Flynns resignation that he had done nothing wrong and remained in Trumps good graces? If theres a redeeming note in this disappointing saga, its that Flynn who was unnervingly close to Russian officials and considered Russia a possible military partner in Syria and elsewhere is no longer advising the president on national security issues. Though a close affiliation with Russian officials and business is clearly not viewed negatively by the new president, Flynns associations put him in a compromised position even before he officially became national security adviser. House Democrats quickly brought out the long knives, calling for an investigation not only of Flynns actions, but also of the administrations tardiness in recognizing the problem. And Senate Intelligence Chairman Richard Burr, R-N.C., reversed course late Friday and said his committee will investigate possible contacts between the Trump campaign and Russia. Although Trump has never served in the military, he has a clear affinity for high-ranking career officers: Defense Secretary James Mattis and Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly are both retired Marine generals. And hes named retired Army Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg as Flynns temporary replacement. Now, Trump is reportedly considering Vice Admiral Robert Harward, a retired Navy SEAL who served under Mattis, works for defense contracting giant Lockheed Martin and appears to have less baggage than Flynn or apparent backup pick retired Gen. David Petraeus the ex-CIA director who resigned in disgrace after admitting he leaked classified information to his mistress/biographer Paula Broadwell. Whether or not the new president adds yet another retired officer to his staff and the argument can and should be made that he needs to cast a wider net the Flynn affair shows that a very, very thorough vetting of candidates is in order. 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. All of the major cartels are involved in cocaine smuggling, with profit margins that make the risk worthwhile. In the interior of Colombia, it takes about 2 tons of coca leaves to make a kilogram of cocaine that sells for between $2,000 and $3,000. By the time it gets to Mexico, that kilogram is worth from $10,000 to $14,000, depending upon how close to the U.S. border the smugglers are able to deliver it. The closer to the border the higher the value. Once in the United States a kilogram is worth more than $20,000 more than $25,000 in the New York City area. Unlike other drugs on the cartel shopping list, cocaine has become harder to get in recent years. The Medellin and Cali cartels, large operations that rivaled the Mexican cartels, are no more. Theyve been broken up into much smaller operations that are more vulnerable to Colombian and international law enforcement efforts like raiding laboratories and seizing shipments. An unstable political situation in Venezuela has reduced the number of ports used for shipping cocaine from South America. Some studies indicate less acreage in Colombia is now being used for coca production, while production in Peru has increased. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and other law enforcement agencies believe more cocaine is being siphoned to markets in Europe and Asia where a kilogram can sell for more than $40,000 much higher than in the U.S. market. All of that had has led to a decrease in the availability of cocaine here. Source: federal court records and DEA reports Katy Balko, 13, recently discovered a fun, relaxing new hobby and a satisfying way to give back to the community. A few months ago, the seventh-grader learned to knit through Madison Middle Schools autism magnet program, which draws students from around the east side. She ultimately completed six small beanies for premature and newborn babies, as well as kids with cancer. In total, the students in the autism program nine seventh-graders and three sixth-graders knitted 84 hats, donating them to Presbyterian Hospital during a presentation at the school Feb. 3. I tried to come up with good colors for the babies, she said. I got really good at the end. Madison Middle School special education teacher Zayda Raimundi applauded her students for all their hard work on the beanie project, which kicked off in late November. When theyre knitting, they have to concentrate, so, at least for a little while, their other cares go away, said Raimundi, who first began teaching knitting to students with emotional disorders. Once they get the hang of it, its amazing to watch them. After the presentation, Annie Lopez, a pediatric oncology social worker for Presbyterian Hospital, accepted the hats and said she was excited to present them to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit staff and child cancer patients. Lopez told the Journal that other schools are welcome to come up with their own creative donation drives. We always appreciate it, she said. A number of students said they plan to keep knitting for themselves and others. Next, Katy wants to try a scarf and a blanket, while her classmate Ryan Burton, 13, is looking forward to making more hats and maybe some socks if he can get the shape right. Matt Aley, a 12-year-old sixth-grader, proudly wore a hat he made for himself complete with a big rainbow pompom. Hes so proud of his creation that he plans to post a YouTube tutorial on pompoms for his 10 subscribers. We welcome suggestions for the daily Bright Spot. Send to newsroom@abqjournal.com. Supporters of the Affordable Care Act rallied in Albuquerque Civic Plaza on Wednesday calling on Republicans in Congress to find bipartisan ways to retain benefits the law has provided. The rally in Albuquerque was part of a two-month bus tour organized by a coalition of health care and advocacy groups that began in Washington, D.C., in mid-January and has visited more than two dozen cities nationwide. Its purpose is to give residents in each city the opportunity to share stories of how the law passed under the Obama administration has helped them and how they could be harmed if it is repealed. The nonpartisan Urban Institute has estimated that up to 30 million people nationwide could lose health care coverage if the law is repealed without being replaced. Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., who sent a representative to the rally, estimated 300,000 New Mexicans gained coverage under the law and the associated expansion of Medicaid. We are sending a message to Republican lawmakers asking them not to take our health care away, said Lorie MacIver, district president of the National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees. Albuquerque small-business owner Alexis Kaminsky was among several people who spoke to the crowd of about 35. She said she had a pre-existing health condition that made it incredibly expensive to get coverage before the law passed. She fears she would either be denied coverage or face skyrocketing premiums without the laws provisions. The law prevented insurance companies from denying coverage to those with pre-existing conditions. It removed lifetime caps on the amount insurance providers would pay out and allowed parents to continue providing coverage for their children until age 26. New Mexico was also one of the states that expanded Medicaid coverage under provisions of the Affordable Care Act. Sen. Martin Heinrich and Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham, also New Mexico Democrats, sent representatives who spoke at the rally. Congressional Republicans have floated various plans to replace it, but discussions are still ongoing. SANTA FE A 60-day legislative session that began with the patching of New Mexico budget holes hits its halfway point today, with more budget battles on the horizon. The money issues lawmakers are looking at ways to come up with as much as $250 million for next year to plug reserves and keep state programs running have largely dominated the sessions first half and led to fewer bills being introduced than in past legislative sessions. As of late Wednesday, 468 House bills and 433 Senate bills had been filed at the Roundhouse. The number of bills will increase, because today is the last day to file legislation, but it appears on pace to be down significantly from as recently as 2015, when 1,365 bills were introduced. I think when the money goes away, the number of bills certainly goes down, Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth, D-Santa Fe, said this week on the Senate floor. House Majority Whip Doreen Gallegos, D-Las Cruces, said the budget uncertainty has led to slow going in the Legislature for bills dealing with crime, education and other issues. Until we know where the revenues are, things are getting parked, Gallegos told the Journal. She said majority Democrats who reclaimed control of the House in Novembers election are trying to find common ground with Republican Gov. Susana Martinez on the budget but are reluctant to sign off on another round of spending cuts to state agencies and programs. Just two weeks into this years session, Martinez signed into law a $190 million solvency package that includes reduced funding for most school districts statewide and other one-time budget fixes. Those fixes were aimed at just getting the state through the rest of the current fiscal year, which ends in June. I know that our caucus is wanting to take a different approach, Gallegos said. Theres a difference between tightening our belts and not providing the services needed. However, top-ranking GOP lawmakers say Democrats havent offered new solutions to jump-start a stagnant economy New Mexicos jobless rate was second-highest in the nation last month and have largely opposed Republican-backed ideas to change labor and education laws. Were just disappointed we havent seen more, said House Minority Leader Nate Gentry, R-Albuquerque, who claimed Democrats agenda consists of increasing taxes and raising the states minimum wage. Although a Democratic jobs plan unveiled last month did include an increase to the current $7.50-per hour minimum wage, it also included five other provisions. But both the House and Senate had passed only bills dealing with two of the six jobs proposals as of Wednesday separate measures dealing with legalizing industrial hemp research and expanding broadband access. There have been some signs of bipartisanship, however, and Gentry said hes hopeful lawmakers can strike a compromise in the coming weeks to overhaul the states tax code to make New Mexico more competitive. A slew of tax proposals have been filed at the Capitol, with some increasing tax rates and others calling for a mix of tax hikes and tax cuts. I do think we need major-league tax reform, Sen. Williams Sharer, R-Farmington, said during a Senate committee hearing on Wednesday. Our entire tax structure drives businesses out of New Mexico. However, its unclear whether the governor would support such proposals, as Martinez has vowed to veto any tax increases approved by the Legislature. Although, in a statement sent earlier this week, a Martinez spokesman suggested there may be some flexibility. The governor stands her promise: she will not raise taxes, Martinez spokesman Chris Sanchez said. She does, however, support closing tax loopholes and modernizing the tax code. The two-term governor will have final say over whatever budget plan lawmakers send to her desk. A House panel is crafting a spending plan that would advance to the Senate if approved. Legislators will get a sense today of how much money they have to work with for next year when executive and legislative branch economists release a new revenue update. Meanwhile, funding for the states cash-strapped court system is just one part of the budget crunch debate thats expected to unfold over the next 30 days. The state Board of Finance recently approved $600,000 in emergency funds to avoid a halt in jury trials, starting March 1, but the money is only expected to last through mid-April. A stand-alone bill pending in the Senate would appropriate enough money to keep jury trials going through the end of the states budget year, June 30, but a big increase in funding for next year appears unlikely. Weve just got to figure out how were going to keep our heads above water for the next two years, Gallegos said. No furloughs, no layoffs, no pay cuts, no uncompensated work, no increased class sizes. That was the message a teachers union caucus brought to the Albuquerque Public Schools Board of Education on Wednesday night. About 40 members of AlbuCORE, a caucus within the Albuquerque Teachers Federation, protested outside district headquarters before the board meeting, appealing to APS to cover a $12.5 million budget cut exclusively from the $53 million cash reserve, rather than turning to furloughs or layoffs. We are in the midst of a crisis caused by the Legislature and the governor starving public education of funding, Clayton Beverly, a Spanish and science teacher at Jefferson Middle School, said in an interview. They need to find other funding sources. District administrators have stressed that the budget is so dire they must consider every option. A message from the APS Budget Steering Committee, sent to employees a few weeks ago, says there is little meat on the financial bones of Albuquerque Public Schools, which means anticipated cuts in state funding are going to hurt in the coming months and years. To save $10 million, the district could lay off 750 people or shut down completely for four days, according to the email. Before any of that happens, APS is dipping into cash reserves as much as it can and cutting spending on such things as school supplies, the email states. We wish we had more specifics. The only thing we can say for sure is that were working diligently to do whats best for our students and our employees. Mary Kelly, an Albuquerque High School social studies teacher, said she found the Budget Steering Committee message threatening and upsetting. That was really poorly worded and, I think, very poorly handled by the district, she added. It scares people. As a union rep at school, I had a lot of people come up to me and say, Am I going to lose my job?' Albuquerque High junior Hannnah Fry is worried the cuts will impact her education. While it may be fun to think about getting out of school four days early, Fry said it is important for students to have that time in the classroom. During the demonstration, she held up a sign that read: To define success, we need dictionaries a reference to the reduction in supplies. A handful of protesters also addressed the board at the public comment portion of the meeting, handing out letters signed by dozens of teachers from across the district. Board members said they sympathize with the activists stance. We have to make our voices heard, said Board Vice President Lorenzo Garcia, who called for more outcry at the Legislature. Enough is enough. We have to stand up for whats right. Steven Michael Quezada, whose board tenure ends this month, said the state government is balancing the budget on the back of public education. I call on the governor to sufficiently fund education, he said. APS is facing an unprecedented money crunch for the current fiscal year, losing $12.5 million in late January when Gov. Susana Martinez signed a bill that pulled a total of $46 million from school district cash reserves to help cover a massive state budget deficit. The cut comes on top of the $12.5 million reduction instituted during Octobers special legislative session $9.5 million from APS operational funds, and $3 million for areas like transportation and instructional materials. The districts total budget is over $1 billion, with $688 million for general operations. PHOENIX The Arizona Senate is set to vote on a revised version of legislation requiring drug or alcohol testing for drivers involved in major crashes. Thursdays scheduled vote comes a day after an amendment removed a requirement that police test drivers who cause serious accidents. The revision also changed the proposal to only require police to test drivers in fatal accidents if they believe the driver caused the wreck. Senate Bill 1054 is being sought by the parents of an 18-year-old recent Phoenix Horizon High School graduate who was killed last June. Joe Smith and a man in another vehicle died when a semi-truck slammed into stopped traffic on Interstate 10. The driver told a state trooper that he was tired but he wasnt tested or charged. LISBON, Portugal Portuguese prosecutors are bringing charges of corruption, money-laundering and forgery against Angolan Vice President Manuel Vicente as part of an investigation in Lisbon, Portugals attorney generals office said Thursday. Vicente is suspected of bribing a Portuguese magistrate to favor him in two investigations, a statement said. It said Vicente was at the time of the alleged crimes the head of Angolan state oil company Sonangol. The magistrate, Vicentes lawyer and his representative in Portugal are also accused in the case, called Operation Fizz. The attorney generals office said it would inform Vicente of the charges via Angolan authorities. Vicentes whereabouts werent immediately known. Rui Patricio, Vicentes lawyer in the Angolan capital, Luanda, reportedly said that neither he nor his client were aware of the charges. Im astounded that my client has been accused, not only because he had nothing to do with the facts mentioned but also because he has never even been questioned about them, Patricio said in a written statement reported by the Portuguese national news agency Lusa. The fact that Vicente wasnt questioned invalidates the (legal) process, he wrote, according to Lusa. Investigators allege Vicente paid Portuguese magistrate Orlando Figueira, who was arrested a year ago, about 760,000 euros ($808,000) to drop two investigations that involved alleged money-laundering and Angolan investments in Portugal. Authorities have seized about 512,000 euros from the magistrate. Those amounts were found in banks in Andorra, the attorney generals office said. International human rights groups have long accused Angolas leadership of corruption. The southwest African country is rich in oil and diamonds but most of its people live in poverty. Activists allege the government and its political and military supporters have siphoned off much of Angolas wealth. Angolas political and financial elite have in recent years invested hundreds of millions of euros (dollars) in Portugal, Angolas former colonial ruler. The investments have largely gone into real estate purchases and buying Portuguese companies. CHICAGO Its a classic story: Two people meet, fall in love, decide to move in together. If the lovebirds are moving from one rented pad to another, its a simple enough plan to wait until a lease is over and search for a shared abode. But if, like many young professionals, both halves of the couple already own property, the path to domestic bliss becomes a bit more complex. When Robin Phelps Hanson, a broker with @properties, was dating the man she would later marry, she helped him purchase his condo and took the experience as a very bad sign for the future of their relationship. I actually remember thinking, OK. Maybe this isnt going anywhere,' she said with a laugh. At the time, her boyfriend, Rich Hanson, a freelance operations manager, sought a small place to come home to between frequent work trips, so she helped him buy a one-bedroom condo in an amenity-packed building near Chicagos lakefront. When the couple got engaged a few years later, in 2008, he moved into her condo, and they decided to rent out his place. We would have liked to have sold them both and purchased right away, but I also really liked my condo, Phelps Hanson said. It was very comfortable and large enough where he could move in. There were lots of couples in the building, so it was kind of natural. It wasnt an easy decision, because his (mortgage) was a lot lower price. But their decision paid off when, a few years later, married with a new baby, the couple got a knock on their door from a neighbor whose parents were hoping to buy in the building. Phelps Hanson and her husband anxious for more space jumped at the opportunity to sell. They have since been renting an apartment while they look for their perfect home, taking schools into account for their 4-year-old daughter, Remy. All the while, theyve kept Rich Hansons condo, which gives them a mortgage interest tax write-off every year. We have a great tenant in there who has renewed the last 2 1/2 years, Phelps Hanson said. My dream would be to keep it and to keep it vacant for family, because it really does feel like a hotel. Shes living out a situation she sees frequently with her clients. Many choose to focus on their career for longer, before they get married and start a family, she said. Part of that is a lot of times purchasing a home as a single person. According to the 2015 American Community Survey, based on U.S. Census information, over a third of all homebuyers in Chicago in 2015 were single, 55 percent were married and the other 11 percent were unmarried couples. A study conducted by the online real estate database Zillow placed the 2016 median age of homebuyers across the country at 36. Kim Wirtz, a suburban real estate agent with Century 21, said she often advises couples in their 30s and 40s who want to combine homes. What Im finding more in the Chicago area is youll have two maybe 30-something-year-old corporate executives who found love, but they own their own condos downtown and more than likely theyre a little too small to move in together, Wirtz said. What I usually find with that situation is one of them will sell and one of them will rent. Shes also worked with clients who both want to sell one pair of clients lived in the same subdivision and met while walking in the neighborhood. They took the conservative approach, Wirtz said, and sold one property at a time, moving in together temporarily in her house while his sold, then selling hers before they bought jointly. Wirtz recommends that type of slower, but less risky, approach for couples who can wait. She also recommends that couples find out what type of loans they qualify for before getting too excited about options. The first step is talking to a lender, Wirtz said. Next, she noted, a couple should have their homes appraised to pin down their worth and figure out how soon they can sell. Timing could be everything, she explained; if a couple jumps into purchasing a new home together before their individual homes sell, they could be on the hook for paying three mortgages instead of one. For those itching to rent, Jeremy Wacksman, chief marketing officer at Zillow, also urges couples to rely on the math. Even before starting talks with a realty agent, a duo can equip themselves with vital information by crunching the numbers. The first thing that you want to do is figure out the actual monthly expenses at each given property, Wacksman said. Most people understand what their mortgage is, but their (monthly payment) also includes real estate taxes, insurance, your HOA dues. Once the actual cost of maintaining each property is determined, the next step is figuring out a reasonable rental rate for each, to determine if it makes sense to hold onto either property and rent it out. There are online tools and calculators that can help with this process. But even if a tenant would more than cover a homes mortgage and costs, Wacksman cautions that people should also think critically about whether they want to take on landlord duties. Your phones going to ring if things go wrong, he said, adding that landlords also have to allocate a maintenance budget. Being a landlord, even part-time, isnt for everyone. But with home values rising, more couples may see that as an attractive option. Wacksman suggests researching common landlord issues and local laws before jumping in. (EDITORS: STORY CAN END HERE) Wirtz cautions her clients to get approved by a lender before deciding to hold on to a condo and also purchase a new house. Some lenders now want to see six months of actual rental income, she said. Getting each persons financial ducks in a row is crucial, Wirtz said. She has had clients who dont get approved for a new home loan and need to live in one or the others existing property. It helps to absorb that news if couples are prepared for all outcomes. What is amazing and fun about buying and selling and renting is, it is an emotional and a rational journey, Wacksman said. You fall in love and you make it a home, but then you have to make a math decision at the end of the day. Sometimes the decision isnt based on numbers, but familial needs. That was the case for Kala Callahan, a professional home stager, and Jon Hunt, a real estate broker with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, friends who had known each other for years and began dating about 10 months ago. Callahan owns a five-bedroom house in an affluent Chicago suburb, an investment she made in 2009 to ensure that her son, now a high school senior, would have a nice home near his school. Hunt owns a two-bedroom, two-bath condo in a nearby suburb. When the couple decided it was time to live together, Callahan said it was tempting to imagine selling her house, but she couldnt envision making her son move and switch school districts. Hunt agreed; the decision was a no-brainer for him to move into her house and find a tenant to rent his. Callahan plans to put her house on the market once her son heads off to college, and buy a home with Hunt after she sells. My property taxes here are right around $30,000 a year, she said. You could buy a serviceable new car every year for that. But I consider it tuition. 2017 Chicago Tribune Visit the Chicago Tribune at www.chicagotribune.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. - PHOTO (for help with images, contact 312-222-4194): _____ SANTA FE Facing a new budget crunch after several rounds of spending cuts, top-ranking House Democrats said Thursday that they will forge ahead with a budget-balancing plan that hinges on increased taxes on vehicle sales, health care providers, online retailers and commercial trucking. If enacted, the package could generate roughly $200 million in revenue in the coming year enough, majority Democrats say, to bolster state reserves and provide a modest funding boost to public schools and the states court system. However, several of the tax provisions could be rejected by Gov. Susana Martinez, who has vowed to veto any tax increases approved by the Legislature. But a spokesman for the two-term Republican governor described the tax proposal as the typical Santa Fe mentality, while suggesting lawmakers look at other funding sources. The governor is open to true tax reform, but she will not let lawmakers bail out Santa Fe on the backs of our families, Martinez spokesman Michael Lonergan said. The Governors Office has suggested it would be open to closing certain tax loopholes, and at least two of the proposals in the Democratic-backed tax package making online retailers collect tax and removing tax deductions for health care providers could meet that definition. Debate over changes to the states tax code will play a prominent role in the second half of a 60-day legislative session that hit its halfway mark Thursday. A House budget panel is expected to roll out its spending plan for the coming fiscal year next, and a House tax committee will begin moving on the tax package Monday, Egolf said. If approved by the full House, the measures would advance to the Senate, which is expected to put together its own tax package. Revenue flat The tax increase plan was unveiled Thursday, hours after leading lawmakers were told the states revenue outlook for the coming fiscal year had been left unchanged after a review by executive and legislative branch economists. Even after steep budget cuts last fall, the state is on track to take in roughly $123 million less in revenue in the coming year slightly more than $5.9 billion in total than current spending levels. In addition, the states reserves have been largely depleted and are projected to be just 1.6 percent of state spending far below recommended levels when the new budget year begins on July 1. But after two consecutive years of lower-than-expected revenue levels, some lawmakers heralded the news of flat revenue projections as a positive. Maybe weve leveled out, and thats encouraging, Senate Finance Committee Chairman John Arthur Smith, D-Deming, said during a Thursday committee hearing. In a memo sent to the heads of the House and Senate budget panels, economists said the outlook for oil prices had improved since December, but the outlook for job growth and personal income growth had worsened. New money While some recent polls have found a majority of New Mexico voters favor a mix of tax hikes and spending cuts to only spending cuts when it comes to balancing the states budget, theres likely to be significant pushback to the proposed tax hikes. Many GOP lawmakers have expressed opposition to stand-alone tax increases, though three gas tax hike measures did pass a Senate committee earlier this week with bipartisan backing. Meanwhile, a report released this week by the Rio Grande Foundation, a nonpartisan think tank that favors open markets, found that New Mexicos state spending as a percentage of its gross domestic product is still higher than that of all of its neighboring states and is fourth-highest in the nation. However, House Appropriations and Finance Committee Chairwoman Patricia Lundstrom, D-Gallup, said additional spending cuts could have serious repercussions, including jeopardizing the accreditation status of New Mexico universities. Although $123 million would be needed to maintain current spending levels, both Lundstrom and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Smith have suggested lawmakers may have to come up with as much as $250 million in new money for the coming year to bolster reserves and keep state programs running. That would have to come from tax hikes, spending cuts, one-time budget fixes, or a mix of the three approaches. New Mexicos budget woes are largely caused by plummeting oil and gas prices, which have had a ripple effect on the collection of other taxes. The states top bond rating has already been downgraded, and Martinez approved a $190 million solvency package last month that reduces funding for most school districts statewide and takes money from various government accounts. Highlights A proposed tax package unveiled Thursday by House Democrats would generate an estimated $197 million for the coming fiscal year. The bill consists of four tax proposals that would: Require out-of-state online and catalog retailers to collect gross receipts tax customers $20 million estimated revenue. Increase excise tax rate on new and used vehicle sales from 3 percent to 4 percent $49 million estimated revenue. Impose new $90 permit fee on commercial trucks $63 million estimated revenue. Reduce and streamline tax deduction for hospitals and health clinics $65 million estimated revenue. DALLAS A 38-year-old Dallas teacher fired when her pornographic actress past became public says she was forced into sex slavery as a teenager and wants her education job back. The Dallas Morning News (http://bit.ly/2kWCDcc ) this week obtained a copy of Resa Woodwards Dec. 13 termination letter. The science teacher at Balch Springs Middle School, in the Dallas Independent School District, was put on administrative leave when her past surfaced. The dismissal letter cited her work in adult content media accessible online. Woodward appealed to the Texas Education Agency, saying a controlling man forced her into sex slavery and adult films. TEA is reviewing the case. An ethics code requires Texas teachers to have good moral character. Woodward attorney Calvin Johnson told WFAA-TV that she should be commended for bouncing back from adversity. ___ Information from: The Dallas Morning News, http://www.dallasnews.com AUSTIN, Texas Bills heeding Gov. Greg Abbotts calls for a convention of states to amend the U.S. Constitution have begun making their way through the Texas Legislature. Abbott has long backed legislatures nationwide convening a convention to impose a federal balanced budget amendment. He made it an emergency item, fast-tracking proposals on the issue. A proposed amendment to the Texas Constitution allowing for such a convention was introduced Thursday in the Senate State Affairs Committee. Some conservative Texans testified to applaud the idea, despite the GOP now controlling Congress and the White House. But others opposed it, worried about a runaway convention where liberal states could weaken things like the Second Amendment. The proposed amendment passed committee hours later, but faces an uncertain future before the full Texas Senate and House. NEW YORK White model Karlie Kloss is apologizing for appearing in a fashion spread in Vogues diversity issue styled as a geisha, calling it culturally insensitive. Kloss, who has Danish and German roots, was photographed by Mikael Jansson in a black wig and wears a kimono in one shot and poses beside a sumo wrestler in another. In its introduction, Vogue writes that the spread is paying homage to geisha culture. Kloss took to Twitter on Wednesday to apologize for participating in a shoot that was not culturally sensitive. My goal is, and always will be, to empower and inspire women. I will ensure my future shoots and projects reflect that mission. Vogue, published by Conde Nast, did not respond to requests for comment. The magazines March issue already has generated some social media backlash. Intended to celebrate womens diversity, the cover features seven models of different ethnic backgrounds, but some say it isnt as inclusive as it could be. This isnt the first time Kloss has had to apologize for cultural appropriation. In 2012 she was deeply sorry after wearing a Native American feather headdress, suede vest, skirt, and turquoise jewelry at a Victoria Secret fashion show. The outfit was later removed from subsequent broadcasts. The issue of whitewashing, in which Caucasians are chosen for roles that actors of other ethnicities ideally would play, has taken on new urgency in the wake of Matt Damons film The Great Wall. Damon plays an English mercenary in the upcoming $150 million adventure fantasy. But the movies trailer sparked criticism in the U.S. that a white man had been chosen to play the lead in a film set in China meant to showcase Chinese culture. Several dozen area residents marched down Broadway Avenue in Pittsburgh's Beechview area Thursday Feb. 16, 2017, protesting the recent crackdowns on immigrants ordered by President Donald Trump. "Day Without Immigrants" protests are being held across the United States. (Nate Guidry/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette via AP) Allison Perez, 9, holds a sign as she marches with others during a protest outside the Grayson County courthouse in downtown Sherman, Texas, Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017. In an action called "A Day Without Immigrants," immigrants across the country are expected to stay home from school, work and close businesses to show how critical they are to the U.S. economy and way of life. (AP Photo/LM Otero) FILE - In a Monday, Feb. 6, 2017 file photo, family members who have just arrived from Syria embrace and are greeted by family who live in the United States upon their arrival at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. Organizers in cities across the U.S. are telling immigrants to miss class, miss work and not shop on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017, as a way to show the country how important they are to America's economy and way of life. "A Day Without Immigrants" actions are planned in cities including Philadelphia, Washington, Boston and Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle) Several businesses along Isleta Blvd in the south valley have closed in support of immigrant workers including El Mezquite Market at 3765 Isleta Blvd. (Roberto E. Rosales / Journal) A mail carrier passes a closed bakery Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017, in south Philadelphia's Italian Market. In an action called "A Day Without Immigrants", immigrants across the country are expected to stay home from school and work on Thursday to show how critical they are to the U.S. economy and way of life. (AP Photo/Jacqueline Larma) Several businesses along Isleta Blvd in the south valley have closed in support of immigrant workers including the Rio Grande Vegetable and Groceries store at 1403 Isleta at 3765 Isleta Blvd. (Roberto E. Rosales / Journal) Several businesses along Isleta Blvd in the Albuquerque's south valley have closed in support of immigrant workers including the Rio Grande Vegetable and Groceries store at 1403 Isleta. (Robert E. Rosales / Journal) High school senior Vicky Sosa holds a sign outside the Grayson County courthouse in downtown Sherman, Texas, Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017. In an action called "A Day Without Immigrants," immigrants across the country are expected to stay home from school, work and close businesses to show how critical they are to the U.S. economy and way of life. (AP Photo/LM Otero) Prev 1 of 8 Next PHILADELPHIA (AP) The heart of Philadelphia's Italian Market was uncommonly quiet. Fine restaurants in New York, San Francisco and the nation's capital closed for the day. Grocery stores, food trucks, coffee shops, diners and taco joints in places like Chicago, Los Angeles and Boston shut down. Immigrants around the U.S. stayed home from work and school Thursday to demonstrate how important they are to America's economy, and many businesses closed in solidarity, in a nationwide protest called A Day Without Immigrants. The boycott was aimed squarely at President Donald Trump's efforts to step up deportations, build a wall at the Mexican border and close the nation's doors to many travelers. Organizers said they expected thousands to participate or otherwise show support. It was unclear how many people participated, but in many cities, the actions were disruptive, if not halting. More actions are being planned for May 1 known as May Day, the internationally recognized holiday honoring workers. I fear every day whether I am going to make it back home. I don't know if my mom will make it home, said Hessel Duarte, a 17-year-old native of Honduras who lives in Austin, Texas, with his family and skipped class at his high school to take part in one of several rallies held around the country. Duarte said he arrived in the U.S. at age 5 to escape gang violence. The protest even reached into the U.S. Capitol, where a Senate coffee shop was among the eateries that were closed as employees did not show up at work. Organizers appealed to immigrants from all walks of life to take part, but the effects were felt most strongly in the restaurant industry, which has long been a first step up the economic ladder for newcomers to America with its many jobs for cooks, dishwashers and servers. Restaurant owners with immigrant roots of their own were among those acting in solidarity with workers. Expensive restaurants and fast-food joints alike closed, some perhaps because they had no choice, others because of what they said was sympathy for their immigrant employees. Sushi bars, Brazilian steakhouses, Mexican eateries and Thai and Italian restaurants all turned away lunchtime customers. The really important dynamic to note is this is not antagonistic, employee-against-employer, said Janet Murguia, president of the Hispanic rights group National Council of La Raza. This is employers and workers standing together, not in conflict. She added: Businesses cannot function without immigrant workers today. At a White House news conference held as the lunch-hour protests unfolded, Trump boasted of his border security measures and immigration arrests of hundreds of people in the past week, saying, We are saving lives every single day. Since the end of 2007, the number of foreign-born workers employed in the U.S. has climbed by nearly 3.1 million to 25.9 million; they account for 56 percent of the increase in U.S. employment over that period, according to the Labor Department. Roughly 12 million people are employed in the restaurant industry, and immigrants make up the majority up to 70 percent in places like New York and Chicago, according to the Restaurant Opportunities Centers United, which works to improve working conditions. An estimated 1.3 million in the industry are immigrants in the U.S. illegally, the group said. The construction industry, which likewise employs large numbers of immigrants, also felt the effects of Thursday's protest. Shea Frederick, who owns a small construction company in Baltimore, showed up at 7 a.m. at a home he is renovating and found that he was all alone, with a load of drywall ready for install. He soon understood why: His crew, five immigrants, called to say they weren't coming to work. They were joining the protests. I had an entire day of full work, he said. I have inspectors lined up to inspect the place, and now they're thrown off, and you do it the day before the weekend and it pushes things off even more. It sucks, but it's understandable. Frederick said that while he fundamentally agrees with the action, and appreciates why his crew felt the need to participate, he feels his business is being made to suffer as a result of the president's policies. It's hurting the wrong people, he said. A gigantic part of this state didn't vote this person in, and we're paying for his terrible decisions. There were no immediate estimates of how many students stayed home in many cities. Many student absences may not be excused, and some people who skipped work will lose a day's pay or perhaps even their jobs. But organizers and participants argued the cause was worth it. A school board official said that more than 1,100 students went on strike at Dallas Independent School District schools. Marcela Ardaya-Vargas, who is from Bolivia and now lives in Falls Church, Virginia, pulled her son out of school to take him to a march in Washington. When he asked why he wasn't going to school, I told him because today he was going to learn about immigration, she said, adding: Our job as citizens is to unite with our brothers and sisters. Carmen Solis, a Mexico-born U.S. citizen, took the day off from work as a project manager and brought her two children to a rally in Chicago. I feel like our community is going to be racially profiled and harassed, she said of Trump's immigration policies. It's very upsetting. People like to take out their anger on the immigrants, but employers are making profits off of them. On Ninth Street in South Philadelphia's Italian Market, it was so quiet in the morning that Rani Vasudeva thought it might be Monday, when many of the businesses on the normally bustling stretch are closed. Produce stands and other stalls along Calle Nueve as 9th Street is more commonly known for its abundance of Mexican-owned businesses stood empty, leaving customers to look elsewhere for fresh meat, bread, fruits and vegetables. In New Orleans' Mid-City neighborhood, whose Latino population swelled after the damage wrought by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 created lots of jobs for construction workers, the Ideal Market was closed. The place is usually busy at midday with people lining up at the steam tables for hot lunches or picking from an array of fresh Central American vegetables and fruits. In Chicago, Pete's Fresh Market closed five of its 12 grocery stores and assured employees they would not be penalized for skipping the day, according to owner Vanessa Dremonas, whose Greek-immigrant father started the company. It's in his DNA to help immigrants, she said. We've supported immigrants from the beginning. Among the well-known establishments that closed in solidarity were three of acclaimed chef Silvana Salcido Esparza's restaurants in Phoenix; Michelin star RASA in San Francisco; and Washington's Oyamel and Jaleo, run by chef Jose Andres. Tony and Marie Caschera, both 66, who were visiting Washington from Halfmoon, New York, thought a tapas restaurant looked interesting for lunch, but then realized the lights were off and the place was closed. Tony Caschera, a registered Republican whose family emigrated from Italy before World War II, said he supports legal immigration, but added: I don't like illegal aliens here. Associated Press writers Sophia Tareen in Chicago; Juliet Linderman in Baltimore; David Saleh Rauf in Austin, Texas; Alex Brandon in Washington; Kevin McGill in New Orleans; and Russell Contreras in Albuquerque contributed to this report. Errin Haines Whack covers urban affairs for The Associated Press. Follow her work on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/emarvelous 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Learn more about our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. KARACHI, Pakistan An Islamic State suicide bomber struck inside a famed shrine in southern Pakistan on Thursday, killing at least 75 people in the deadliest attack in the country in more than two years. The bomber entered the main hall of the shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar in Sehwan and detonated his payload amid dozens of worshippers, according to three security officials, who said at least 20 women and nine children were among the dead. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief reporters. Fazal Palejo, a senior health official in Sindh province, confirmed the toll. The Islamic State group claimed the attack in a statement circulated by its Aamaq news agency, saying it had targeted a Shiite gathering. The Sunni extremist group views Shiites as apostates and has targeted Pakistans Shiite minority in the past. It views Sufi shrines like the one targeted Thursday as a form of idolatry. Raja Somro, who witnessed the attack, told a local TV network that hundreds of people were performing a spiritual dance known as the Dhamal when the bomber struck. I saw bodies everywhere. I saw bodies of women and children, he said. Local TV showed graphic footage of the aftermath of the blast, with wounded worshippers crying out for help and the floors covered with shoes, blood and body parts. Women cried and beat their chests in grief. Ghazanfar Shah, the custodian of the site, said security was lax at the shrine, which is entered through two gold-plated doors. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif vowed that security forces would track down the perpetrators of the attack, according to Pakistani state TV. Each drop of the nations blood shall be avenged, and avenged immediately, Pakistans army chief, Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa, said in a statement. No more restraint for anyone. The U.S. State Department condemned the attack and offered its support to Pakistan in bringing the perpetrators to justice. We stand with the people of Pakistan in their fight against terrorism and remain committed to the security of the South Asia region, said a statement by acting State Department spokesman Mark Toner. Thursdays attack was the deadliest in Pakistan since Dec. 16, 2014, when militants assaulted an army-run school in Peshawar, killing 154 people, mostly schoolchildren. Pakistan has been at war with the Taliban and other extremist groups for more than a decade. In recent years it has launched major offensives against militant strongholds in the tribal regions along the border with Afghanistan, but insurgents have continued to carry out attacks elsewhere in the country. The Islamic State group has been expanding its presence in Pakistan in recent years and has claimed a number of deadly attacks, including a suicide bombing at another shrine in November 2016 that killed more than 50 people. The government has downplayed the IS affiliate, insisting that only a small number of militants have pledged allegiance to the group. Afghanistan and Pakistan have long accused each other of failing to crack down on militants who operate along the porous border. The army spokesman, Maj. Gen. Asif Ghafoor, said acts of terrorism were being carried out from hostile powers and from sanctuaries in Afghanistan, without elaborating. Pakistan closed the main Torkham border crossing with Afghanistan shortly after the attack. ___ Ahmed reported from Islamabad. Associated Press writers Riaz Khan in Peshawar, Pakistan and Muhammad Farooq in Jam Shoro, Pakistan contributed to this report RIFLE, Colo. The police chief of a small town in western Colorado has retired without a public announcement after being put on leave for several months. The Post Independent reports (http://bit.ly/2lmwgQF ) that Levy Burris had been Silts police chief for 10 years before his quiet retirement in January. He was placed on paid leave in September after the towns mayor formally accused him of harassment. Burris said Wednesday that his leave was unrelated to Mayor Rick Aluises claim. He said he cant disclose why he was placed on leave but that multiple issues had come up. The Post Independent obtained a copy of the claim by Aluise and his 19-year-old step-daughter through the Colorado Open Records Act. The claim is required as a precursor to a potential suit against a government body. ___ Information from: Post Independent, http://www.postindependent.com/ One of three people accused in a drive-by shooting that left popular Manzano High School athlete Jaydon Chavez-Silver dead was sentenced Thursday to one year in custody. Nicholas Gonzales pleaded guilty in July to charges of shooting at an occupied dwelling, resulting in great bodily harm, and conspiracy to commit shooting at a dwelling. Gonzales, 17, wore an orange CYFD jumpsuit as he read a hand-written letter to the court, blaming his foolishness and selfishness for Chavez-Silvers death and apologizing to his family and friends. Because of my actions, an innocent life has been taken away. A life I did not know, a life that did not grow to its full potential, he said. And for that, I am very sorry. Chavez-Silver, 17, was killed in June 2015, and police said that Gonzales was driving the car from which the shots were fired, and also fired shots himself. The bullet that hit Chavez-Silver in the neck, police said, was intended for someone else. It is not clear who fired that shot. The shooters were targeting someone who lived in the home on Nakomis NE, where Chavez-Silver was hanging out with a group of friends, police said. Gonzales plea agreement with the 2nd Judicial District Attorneys Office specified that he would be sentenced as a juvenile to one year in the custody of the Children, Youth and Families Department, prosecutor Penny Gilbert said. He also promised to testify truthfully against other defendants in the case.Also charged in Chavez-Silvers death are Dominic Conyers, 20, and Esias Madrid, 19. Both men are facing first-degree murder and several more charges. Conyers is scheduled to go to trial in May and Madrid in September. DAs Office spokesman Adolfo Mendez II said Gonzales plea in the case was necessary to build a stronger case against the other defendants. Chavez-Silver had just been accepted into the Air Force Academy. The courtroom was full of his friends and relatives, and many wiped their eyes as they watched a slideshow of images of Chavez-Silver, many showing him posing with his younger sister or decked out in football gear. Speakers at the hearing, many armed with large posters filled with images of Chavez-Silver, told Judge Christina Jaramillo about a charismatic and charming teen whose promising life was cut short. His mother, Nicole Chavez-Lucero, told Gonzales that she hoped during his short time in custody he would concentrate on getting an education and on building life skills so that he would avoid becoming another statistic, another repeat offender on our streets. I want Jaydons life and death, she said, to mean something more. PUEBLO, Colo. Police say a Colorado woman threw rocks at a local jail in an attempt to get the attention of her love interest on Valentines Day. The Pueblo Chieftain reports (http://bit.ly/2lbSCBL ) that Pueblo County deputies say they responded to a report of suspicious activity at the county detention center just before midnight and found that a window on the second floor had been broken. Deputies say surveillance video showed someone throwing rocks at the building and deputies later learned that the person has a relationship with a jail inmate. An arrest warrant for criminal mischief has been issued for a 38-year-old woman. The investigation is ongoing. ___ Information from: The Pueblo Chieftain, http://www.chieftain.com SANTA FE A renewed attempt to ban coyote-killing contests in New Mexico cleared its first Senate committee on Thursday, despite vociferous opposition from ranchers. The proposal, Senate Bill 268, was touted by supporters who described coyote-killing contests as an immoral and barbaric blood sport. They described the aftermath of a 2014 contest in which nearly 40 coyote carcasses were dumped in the desert outskirts of Las Cruces. We got rid of dogfighting, we got rid of cockfighting, and its definitely time to get rid of this, said Kathy McCoy, a former state representative from Sandia Park. But critics of the legislation, which would make organizing a coyote-killing contest a misdemeanor offense and participating in one a petty misdemeanor, called the derbies a legitimate tool to control coyote populations. Sen. Pat Woods, R-Broadview, told the story of one eastern New Mexico rancher who recently lost 200 lambs to coyotes. Its an Eat or be eaten world, Woods said. Another opponent of the bill was more blunt, saying, A dead coyote doesnt eat. The strong feelings on both sides of the issue were reflected in attendance, as supporters and critics filled a Roundhouse committee room to capacity. A separate committee room, with live webcasting of the hearing, was set up to accommodate those who werent allowed in. After about an hour of debate, the measure passed the Senate Conservation Committee on a 6-3 vote. It would still have to clear two more Senate committees before reaching the full Senate. Wildlife advocates say dozens of coyote-killing derbies have been organized around New Mexico in recent years. Such contests typically award prize money for the most coyotes killed or the biggest coyote killed. Participants often use calling devices to lure coyotes into range. This years legislation is not the first attempt to prohibit coyote-killing bills. A similar proposal passed the Senate in 2015 but stalled in the House. Unlike some other issues at the state Capitol, votes on banning coyote-killing contests typically break down along urban-rural lines, instead of political party lines. The three senators casting no votes Thursday on the measure included one Democrat Richard Martinez of Espanola and two Republicans, Sens. Ron Griggs of Alamogordo and Pat Woods. The bill is sponsored by Sens. Jeff Steinborn, D-Las Cruces, and Mark Moores, R-Albuquerque. It now advances to the Senate Judiciary Committee. OKLAHOMA CITY A Colorado man was charged with murder Thursday in the death of his year-old daughters mother, a day after authorities in Oklahoma caught up to him and the girl, who had been reported missing and was recovered unharmed. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol arrested Adam Densmore, 32, on Wednesday for violating a custody order, Shannon Cordingly, a Boulder, Colorado, police spokeswoman said Thursday. He had his daughter, Winter Mead, with him, and the girl was placed in state custody in Oklahoma, she said. While in the Pawnee County jail, Densmore was served with a first-degree murder arrest warrant out of Boulder for the death of 25-year-old Ashley Mead, Cordingly said. She said a womans body had been found about 40 miles away in a dumpster at a gas station outside a Wal-Mart in Okmulgee, which is about 90 miles east of Oklahoma City and nearly 600 miles from Boulder. The body has not been identified, but Cordingly said the warrant was issued because authorities believe Ashley Mead is dead and the body was found near where her daughter and Densmore were discovered. Cordingly declined to say how Mead is believed to have been killed, but said the slaying is believed to have taken place in Boulder, where she said Densmore and Cordingly had an on-again, off-again relationship and were living together. At this point the arrest warrant is still sealed, Cordingly said. Its not going to be unsealed until we have positively identified the body as that of Ashley. The body was sent to the Oklahoma medical examiners office for identification and to determine the cause of death, said Amy Elliott, a spokeswoman for the office. There are some factors involved that make it very, very difficult for us, so I dont know how long its going to take, she said. She would not elaborate. Jail records dont list an attorney who might be able to speak on Densmores behalf. Ashley Mead and her daughter were reported missing Tuesday when Mead did not show up for work. She was last seen in Boulder on Sunday. ___ This story has been corrected to delete a reference to Densmore being charged with murder in Oklahoma. The warrant for the murder charge was issued from Boulder, Colorado. Trump won. Consumer and small business confidence surged. Now what? The optimism sparked by the election of President Donald Trump could become a self-fulfilling prophesy that stokes economic growth, according to Wells Fargo senior economist Eugenio Aleman. On the flip side, he said: The government must now make economic policy that justifies that optimism. When people feel better, they borrow, they spend, they invest, Aleman told those attending New Mexico State Universitys Economic Outlook Conference on Thursday. Since the election, consumer confidence skyrocketed. Consumers are happy. Stagnant confidence levels were keeping the U.S. economy from growing faster, he said. But, he added, Unless we do something with these confidence increases, and we put money behind this confidence, nothing will happen in the economy. The new administration also brings with it big risks to the economy, not the least of which is Trumps position on trade with Mexico. Its an area of risk that could hurt New Mexico especially hard. The state more than doubled its exports to Mexico in two years to more than $1.5 billion in 2015, and business activity at the Santa Teresa border industrial complex has been a bright spot in the states lagging economy. Trump has often cited the U.S. trade deficit with Mexico as an example of unfair trade policy, and he has insisted that NAFTA, the agreement that underpins more than $530 billion in annual U.S.-Mexico trade, should be renegotiated. He has said he believes the U.S. can get a better deal. I think this is the biggest risk of this administration: trade and the issues with Mexico, Aleman said. The U.S. has a $60 billion trade deficit with Mexico and an almost incomparable $320 billion trade deficit with China, he said. But look at the deficit with Mexico by sectors of the economy, and a more nuanced picture emerges. The U.S. has 56 sectors of trade with a surplus, and in 42 sectors of trade, Mexico has a surplus, he said. If you look at the sectors, we export $70 billion in autoparts to Mexico. And we import $80 billion in automobiles from Mexico. The trade relationship is symbiotic. If we hurt Mexico, he said, were going to hurt ourselves. Aleman forecasts 2.2 percent GDP growth in 2017 and 2.4 percent growth in 2018. SAN ANTONIO Prosecutors say a San Antonio school board member has been indicted in a public corruption probe involving alleged bribes from insurers seeking district contracts. FBI agents on Thursday arrested Olga Hernandez in San Antonio. The 66-year-old San Antonio Independent School District trustee faces one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and honest services wire fraud. Hernandez was elected in 2006. The indictment alleges Hernandez, from March 2008 to May 2015, accepted cash, jewelry and travel and then voted in favor of contracts for specific insurers. Prosecutors say Hernandez conspired with two insurance representatives whove since pleaded guilty to conspiracy-related counts. An attorney for Hernandez denies the allegations. Details werent immediately available on further court proceedings for Hernandez. A school district statement says administrators await additional information in the case. PRESCOTT, Ariz. A man already accused of identity theft and fraud in the death of his ex-business partner in Arizona now is facing a first-degree murder charge. Yavapai County Sheriffs officials said Thursday that 53-year-old Anthony Richards remains jailed in Camp Verde and the additional charge was added this week. Richards was arrested last May in Oregon and extradited to Arizona. He was indicted for allegedly using Larry Powers credit card in three states. Powers was last seen in April 2007 at gold mining stores in Wickenburg and Salome. The then 58-year-old Powers was a partner with Richards in a mining claim outside of Bagdad, Arizona. He was declared to be presumed dead by a California court in 2012. Sheriffs officials say human remains recently found were identified as those of Powers. OYO, Indias largest hotel chain, has appointed Vasanth J as the Head of Kerala hub. In this role, Vasanth will be focused on developing Kerala as one of the key leisure markets for OYO and building strong relationships with owner-partners in the state. Vasanth joined OYO in June 2016 to lead the business in Pondicherry and played an instrumental role in establishing the city as a top revenue-generator in the leisure segment. Prior to OYO, Vasanth headed business operations at Finantics Consultancy Pvt. Ltd. A seasoned professional, Vasanth has nearly 7 years of work experience spanning Project Management, Data Acquisition, and Analysis, Business Development, Strategic Planning, Networking, Sales and Operations Management. He is a graduate in Mechanical Engineering from NITK, Surathkal, and has also worked at Coal India Ltd. Talking about his new role, Vasanth shared OYO has disrupted the Indian hospitality industry through category-defining innovation. Kerala is one of the top leisure destinations in India and has the potential to be a huge revenue driver for OYO. I am thrilled to be tasked with driving this strategic opportunity and my focus will be on business growth as well as increased engagement with our partner hoteliers. OYOs network in Kerala spans over 2,500 rooms in more than 350 hotels. Vasanths core functions will include building strong business metrics, understanding the needs of customers and creating innovative solutions as well as establishing a structured set-up for employees, and contributing to increased primary and secondary employment in the state. OYO is the pioneer of delivering affordable, predictable accommodation in the Indian hospitality sector. To enable this, it has partnered hotel owners across India, giving them access to best-in-class technology and operational expertise. In turn, owner-partners have witnessed an increase in overall profitability and customer satisfaction. Mrs. Prameela, an OYO partner from Kochi shared her experience, Partnering with OYO has increased our occupancy levels to over 80% from the earlier 30%. I am extremely happy and satisfied with this association. I entered into the partnership with OYO in February 2016 with 10 rooms and witnessed a swift increase in occupancy and revenue. Now, 18 rooms of my property are with OYO. Not only has the hotels business performance improved, Ive also seen an increase in positive feedback from customers. OYO offers several consumer friendly touch-points to book hotels, including OYO App through which guests can control every aspect of their experience - from searching for a hotel, booking a cab, to ordering food. The company also recently launched OYO Captains who provide personalized local assistance to guests. OYO currently operates over 70,000 rooms in 200 cities in India and Malaysia. OYO has also introduced OYO Townhouse a new category of neighbourhood hotels. Times Network has launched the second phase of its campaign Remonetise India Invest in the Nation. While the first phase included activities like Telethon, Go-Cashless Rally and Sahayata Camps, the second phase of the campaign urges people to Help your Help. The demonetisation drive, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 8, 2016, pulled out of circulation 85 per cent of Indias currency. Out of the Rs 15 lakh crore that was demonetised, only about 50 per cent has been restored. This obviously has had its impact on economic activity and day to day lives of Indians. In a time when the country is coming to terms with one of the most revolutionary economic reforms that has taken place in human history, Times Network launched a campaign, Remonetise India Invest in the Nation, on January 4, 2017. Commenting on the launch, MK Anand, MD and CEO, Times Network, said, Times Network reaches out to about 4.5 crore Urban English viewers every week. This is the largest base of premium, influential audience in the country. At a time when the nation is attempting to leapfrog economically, we believe that Regulation, Infrastructure and Technology are not enough to jumpstart socio-economic change. Behavioural and cultural transformation is as important, if not more. This is where a uniquely positioned Media Group like Times Network can help. Through the Remonetise India campaign, we aim to focus on making changes in every-day behaviour of Urban Indians so that the benefits of this disruptive reform (Demonetisation) flow in the right manner. He added, One of the pledges under Remonetise India is to help others around us to go digital and benefit from the new economy. The Sahayata Camps that we have started has already resulted in the opening of thousands of bank accounts and more and more young people taking the Remonetise India pledge. The second phase of the campaign, Help your Help, is a call to capable urban citizens to help and aid others in achieving financial inclusion. Publicis Ambience and Director Karthik Bhat have put together the concept in a TVC that will be promoted across the network channels and additionally in 300+ multiplexes, supported by a digital contest where the viewers will be gratified with goodies to promote participation. Watch the TVC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UasOcHXp-T8 In the first phase of the campaign, a telethon was organised that witnessed the participation of key influencers, policy makers and opinion leaders like Nirmala Sitharaman (MoS (Independent Charge), Ministry of Commerce & Industry Minister for Commerce), Amitabh Kant (CEO, Niti Ayog) and Narayana Murthy (Founder Infosys), who answered questions on the way forward for the Remonetisation Movement. B-town celebrities like Sonam and Anil Kapoor, R Madhavan, Shilpa Shetty, Sonu Sood and Manoj Bajpayee supported this initiative and came together to be the agents of change to help bring Indias economy back on track. Additionally, the network organised Sahayta Camps which were supported by actor Taapsee Pannu, who encouraged people to get Pan Cards, Aadhaar Cards and open bank accounts (Jan Dhan Yojana Accounts) for the development of Digital India. Finally, the Go-Cashless Rally took place to drive awareness about digital transactions and save cash for those who cant do without cash. As part of this initiative, the network will further organise these activities across the length and breadth of the country to take the movement forward. Client Speak In conversation with Adgully, MK Anand, MD and CEO, Times Network, sheds more light on the entire concept behind Remonetise India Invest in the Nation. Please tell us about the conceptualisation of the Remonetise India initiative. What made Times Network associate with this concept? Besides delivering our great products in the news and English entertainment space and holding on to that leadership, we also wanted to go one step forward instead of looking at each of our products as pillars, we wanted to put a canopy to it and make it a building, and that is what Times Network is all about. We were earlier addressed as Times Now or Movies Now, but now we address ourselves as Times Network. Advertisers and trade at large have come to realise that we as a combined entity made sense our strength, our influence impact, spare inventory, creativity and marketing abilities to pick up topics of interest. The advertiser uses us as a 4-and-a-half-crore base to launch something. In trade media, we call ourselves Times Network Gateway to Influencers. We influence the influencer and by doing so, can we not pick up a subject that we can influence the influencer to make an impact on India and be a grand scale activity. India is no longer what it was like in the 70s or 80s. Todays India wants to catch up with the world and go forward. India has the potential of doing much better and this urge is spilling on to political movements. Capturing all of it, we believe that a media network such as ours has a very unique audience. We are not looking at just the atta, dal and household kind of an audience; we are talking to the intelligent thinkers here and people who run this country. We believe we have demonstrated a lot of real impact. There is a strategic intent to create an impact at a national level. The topics that we take up, the subjects and the area depends upon what we stand for; we stand for being able to engage, inform and entertain leaders of the country. We want to inspire these leaders to lead the country in the right direction. Thus, we looked at demonetisation as an opportunity as it has got a lot of future benefits, even though the present is a bit messy be it losing jobs or livelihoods or the inability to cope. Our viewers are the lucky few in the country who can cope without cash and we can tell them to use less cash so that the cash they dont use can be available for other people. We pledged to use less cash to bring more activity in cities to bring more activity in the formal economy and to make it available for the needy in the villages. Teaching your nearby vegetable vendor to use e-wallets, open bank accounts for your staff. While taking such small steps, financial inclusion happens and it has got a huge future benefit. English viewers are the ones who could do best and it was natural for us to pick up this topic. Demonetisation is not about a political guy doing a political thing. If you want to get out of it in a good place, you need to do three things: Dont panic and dont stop spending Use less cash Help and educate others to use less cash and more use of e-wallet By doing these three things, the tax compliance will go up and most importantly, we will set free so much of cash into the banking system. What has been the response to the first phase of the Remonetise India initiative? It has been great. We didnt not go into mass media to the extent that we could have. It was conceptualised only in the third week of December 2016, whereas a massive activity like this takes at least three months of planning. We launched the initiative on the 15th day of the conceptualisation of the initiative. Now, the TVC for the second phase has been launched on February 15. Over the next two months, you will see it go more into mass media and then we can say how it has really helped the people. What are the initiatives and activities planned as part of Phased 2 of Remonetise India? A large part of the Sahayta Camps are being set up now. In the last 20 days, 25 camps have conducted, with at least 8-10 more camps planned. The next level will now be in Jammu and Darjeeling. By the end of this month there will be an ATM Bandh activity. We are looking at content features from the editorial side to highlight how careless behaviour is leading to all those ill practices returning already. What kind of growth is Times Network targeting this year? The fact that we have a depression this year means next year will be good. Fortunately, our growth rate has been high enough; despite demonetisation we will be growing about 7 per cent to 10 per cent this year. But earlier we were growing at about 20-22 per cent. I cant say about next year, but we are looking for at least 15 per cent. Agency Speak Publicis Ambience is the agency behind the campaign. Bobby Pawar, MD & CCO, Publicis South Asia, speaks with Adgully on the thought process behind the campaign, the challenges ahead and more. Please elaborate on the thought process behind the campaign. Immediately after demonetisation was announced, people were saying, Its our money, how can somebody just take it away? The deeper impact will be seen over the next two quarters; because most of the transactions are in cash, business is going to get affected, raises will get affected, employment will get affected, and people might start losing their jobs. We can keep talking about it or do something to change this scenario. Thats where this notion for remonetising India comes from. Lets first rebuild faith in our economy and make it stronger than what it was before by making sure that we use less cash, because using cash is a problem. No doubt cash is convenient, but it is a problem because it is non-trackable. The cash in your wallet is completely idle, its out of the economy till it gets used. But if it is in the bank, it gets used every second and creates economic activity. So lets start by sewing in social, doing things on ground and then take it to mass media. What it lets us do is read and react. What were the challenges while conceptualising this campaign? One of the biggest challenges is apathy. Most people would think that it is not a problem of their creation. Hence, to get people beyond themselves is a tough task, and if you move a few thousand it would be a big thing. Dozens of people have been given Aadhar Cards, Pan Cards and bank accounts because of the activation camps. Remonetise India is not so much about advertising as it is about changing the mindset of the people. Through this we aim to bring in more maids, istriwalas, dhobis, etc., into the formal economy. If they have a Pan Card today, they can have a bank account tomorrow and a Paytm day after. If they begin to use the debit card received from the bank, then it would be a big thing. Its these fundamental changes that the campaign is looking at, but it will take a lot of time and effort. Other brands are also talking about it, because a formal economy helps all good businesses, good employees, everyone. Thus, the salaried people wont be carrying this country anymore with their taxes. Thats the most unfair thing that has been going on out there. How did you come up with the #HelpyourHelp concept? When you look at the people who help us with our chores, such as maids, dhobis, doodhwalas, etc., a lot of them dont even have birth certificates let alone Pan Card or other documents. They have little or no education, nor any knowledge of how to get official documents. Hence, they are going to need a lot of help in the move to go cashless be it getting an Adhaar Card or Pan Card or opening a bank account. Since you are in a position to help them and you know them on a personal basis, you could surely do that much for them. It also makes your life that much easier because you wont need to dig out cash to pay them, you could give them a cheque or make digital payment. What motivated you for this campaign? Working with Times Network itself is motivation is enough. Its an opportunity to do something for the society and thats a privilege, it goes beyond selling something. It is a difficult subject to take on because you are talking about changing peoples deep-seated habits. The biggest hypocrisy thats going on right now is that while everybody says that we must stand while the National Anthem is playing, but there are people who dont pay their taxes. Its not enough to say Mera Desh Mahaan, we have to work towards it. These things need to change and media can be such a strong voice. Its a bold move by MK Anand and Times Network, who are saying that we must bring out this change and move the society forward. How difficult will it be to measure the outcome of the campaign? The activation and social engagement measures are in place. MK Anand is being modest. Demonetisation has been trending on social media quite a bit and it has had its clap back on it, but thats precisely why we should do it. Thats the mindset we need to change. If we dont help ourselves nobody else will. We can help you make sense of the agribusiness industry, extending from chemicals and fertilizers used as inputs into agriculture, to the commodities, food and by-products that are an output to farming, with policy and regulation applied at every step of the value chain. HTC has been struggling in the past few years, and it looks like their struggles are continuing now. As pointed out by Wave7, both AT&T and T-Mobile have removed HTC from their websites. None of HTCs devices are listed there at all anymore, not even the HTC 10 which is not even a year old at this point. On AT&Ts website, you want to refine the search of devices by manufacturer, you wont see HTC listed, which shows that these two carriers are looking to focus on more lucrative manufacturers like Samsung, Apple and LG. Additionally, while Verizon is technically selling two HTC devices, almost none of their stores actually have any in stock. This comes just in the same week that HTC announced their earnings for the previous quarter, which showed that they were continuing to lose money and sell even less smartphones. HTC also announced during their earnings call that they are going to shift more of their focus from their low-end and mid-range devices back to the high-end. This is due to the fact that the high-end devices also have a higher profit margin, although there is also more competition in that area. HTC stated that they will launch 6 to 7 high-end smartphones this year, of course they have already announced two last month in the HTC U Play and U Ultra, and early reviews arent looking to promising for the Taiwanese company. HTC has seemingly been moving towards selling their smartphones unlocked, something that a lot of manufacturers are leaning towards lately. As they can sell directly to the customer, without having to work with carriers. This is good because it means that HTC can push out updates faster, as they dont need to be certified by the carrier, but this also means there are less stores carrying their devices. It also means that there are less employees pushing their new smartphones when they come out. For many customers, they head to their local carrier store for a new phone, and if it isnt available at T-Mobile, Sprint, AT&T or Verizons store, it wont be in the discussion as their next smartphone. Unlocked smartphones are starting to gain some traction in the US, but itll be a while before it becomes profitable for manufacturers like HTC, Huawei and even Sony all of which sell their flagships in the US as an unlocked device. Evan Blass has just shared a new Huawei P10 image, and we get to see the device in several color variants thanks to that image. If you take a look at the provided image, youll get to see the Huawei P10 in Blue, Gold and Green color variants. Now, this is not the first time that we see the device pictured in rather interesting color variants, as the phone already leaked in Green, Yellow and Purple variants, and the company even confirmed that they will release this smartphone in several interesting colors. Huawei actually confirmed this via an official teaser which they posted quite recently. The leaked image also confirms that the phone will sport two cameras on the back, which is also something many previous leaks suggested, and Huawei pointed in that direction in their recent teaser as well. Leicas lenses will cover both of those camera sensors, and next to them youll notice the dual-LED flash, and below it sits a laser autofocus sensor. Huaweis branding is quite noticeable on the back as well, and the phone features a home key below the display. We still do not know whether this is a physical home key, or just a capacitive home button which will double as a fingerprint scanner, well just have to wait and see. Bezels on this smartphone are quite thin, well, at least its side bezels are. The Huawei P10 will be made out of metal, judging by these images, and the phone will launch during this years Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, to be more precise, it will land on February 26th. Huawei is also expected to announce Huawei P10s larger sibling during that press conference, the Huawei P10 Plus. The Huawei P10 got certified by the FCC quite recently, and its specifications also surfaced recently. The Huawei P10 is expected to sport a 5.2-inch fullHD (1920 x 1080), 4GB / 6GB of RAM and several internal storage variants. The device will be fueled by the Kirin 960 64-bit octa-core processor, which is Huaweis very own chip, and you can expect to see two 12-megapixel shooters on the back of this phone. Huawei P10s pricing is rumored to start at 3,488 Yuan ($508), at least according to the latest info, and the most expensive variant of the device will reportedly cost $4,688 Yuan ($682) Advertisement Buy the Huawei P9 Lenovo Groups mobile division is aiming to become profitable by December of this year, the companys Chairman Yang Yuanqing revealed on Thursday. Despite the fact that the firm recorded a 67-percent decrease in quarterly earnings during the last period, the Chinese tech giant is cautiously optimistic about its future prospects, mostly due to the fact its hoping to record significant growth in overseas sales in the coming months. Yang also denied the rumor that Lenovo is considering selling its phone division in an effort to refocus its resources on other divisions like the one thats manufacturing personal computers. While the companys Chairman admitted he wasnt entirely happy with the way their mobile unit has recently been performing, he reiterated how mobile devices should still be a part of Lenovos core business, Reuters reports. The idea of Lenovo selling its mobile unit and reinvesting some of its resources into the personal computer segment isnt outrageous seeing how the Beijing-based tech giant is already the largest PC maker in the world by shipments. However, Yangs latest comments seemingly suggest such a move is out of the question for the foreseeable future. Many industry analysts saw Lenovos 2014 purchase of Motorola from Google like a logical move, but the smartphone market experienced some significant changes since then and isnt growing as quickly as it used to. The companys mobile division posted an operating loss of approximately $112 million during the final quarter of 2016 and didnt do any better during the previous quarter, making many industry watchers skeptical about its future prospects. While the company may be in trouble if its mobile unit doesnt turn things around, Yang still doesnt sound worried given how he labeled the units performance as being in line with his expectations, Reuters reports. The company recently appointed Samsungs former official Jaden Jiang to head its mobile strategy in China in an effort to do a better job at competing with its domestic rivals like Huawei and OPPO and is hoping to turn things around during the next fiscal year thats starting in April. With that said, time will tell whether Lenovos optimistic approach to managing its mobile division will turn out to be the correct one. Quite a few new Moto G5 Plus images just surfaced, following several images that leaked in the last 24 hours. Both the Moto G5 and Moto G5 Plus have been leaking like crazy in the last couple of weeks, and in the last 24 hours or so both devices surfaced. In any case, the Moto G5 Plus just surfaced on K-Tronix, which is website that sells tech, smartphones included. This listing not only shares the design of the Moto G5 Plus, but also what seem to be Lenovos official press materials, and also the devices specifications. That being said, we have a lot of ground to cover, so lets see what will the Moto G5 Plus have to offer, shall we. If you take a look at the images down below, youll get to see the Moto G5 Plus in the flesh. Truth be told, some of these images surfaced in previous leaks, as we did see bits and pieces of this listing leak in the last 24 hours, but this time around we bring you all the details, as weve managed to track down K-Tronixs cached URL, considering that the listing has been removed at this point. As you can see, the Moto G5 Plus will ship with a home button below the display, while both its power / lock and volume rocker keys will be placed on the right. SIM card slot will be placed on the top of this smartphone, and unfortunately we dont get to see the bottom of the device, though you can probably expect to see a 3.5mm headphone jack there, as the leaked Moto G5 has a 3.5mm headphone jack, though it is located on the top of that smartphone, so were guessing that it will be on the bottom of the Moto G5 Plus. This smartphone will be made out of metal, and as you can see, the oreo is placed on the back of the device and contains not only the phones camera, but also its dual-LED, dual-tone flash. One more thing worth mentioning here is the fact that this smartphone has Lenovos branding on its right side, which youll notice in the provided images. According to the source, the Moto G5 Plus will sport a 5.2-inch fullHD (1920 x 1080, 424 ppi) display, along with 2GB of RAM (other RAM variants will almost certainly be available as well) and 64GB of expandable internal storage. The device will be fueled by the Snapdragon 625 64-bit octa-core processor clocked at 2.0GHz, while you will get two SIM card slots (2 x nano SIM) in this smartphone. Android 7.0 Nougat will come pre-installed on the Moto G5 Plus, and a 3,000mAh battery will also be a part of this package, and it will support TurboPower fast charging. A 12-megapixel shooter will be placed on the back of the Moto G5 Plus, while a 5-megapixel shooter will be included on the front side of this smartphone. The Moto G5 Plus will measure 150.2 x 74 x 7.9mm, while it will weight 155 grams. For more spec info you can check out the provided images down below, and the source lists this smartphone for $899.90, which is definitely an exaggerated price point, as the device will be considerably more affordable, no doubt about that. The Really Blue variant of the Google Pixel and the Google Pixel XL is now available for pre-orders in Canada exclusively from Rogers. This turn of developments marks the first time the Really Blue Pixel phones officially became available in Canada after their Quite Black and Very Silver counterparts launched back in late October. The two listings at Rogers clearly state that the mobile service provider is selling a limited edition of both the Google Pixel and the Google Pixel XL, meaning this could be the one and only batch to ever make its way to Canada. Unfortunately, Rogers is only selling the 32GB models of the Google Pixel and the Google Pixel XL in Really Blue, while the 128GB models of both devices are only available in Very Silver and Quite Black. The Really Blue iteration of the Google Pixel and the Google Pixel XL can be ordered by following the source link below. Note that you dont have to go through all of Rogers offerings on that page but can simply filter the available products using a drop-down menu located in the upper-left corner of the user interface. The new variants of the Google Pixel and the Google Pixel XL start at $199 CAD and $349 CAD, respectively. While the Canadian wireless carrier initially suggested that both devices will be available exclusively on the Share Everything plan, they can also be purchased without a contract. Just like the other variants, the Really Blue Google Pixel and Google Pixel XL are priced at $899 CAD and $1049 CAD, respectively. Note that pre-ordering either device on Rogers Share Everything plan will also allow you to purchase the Daydream View headset for only $29 CAD, in addition to netting you $100 CAD of Google Play Store credit, but that offer is only valid until February 28. Rogers originally announced its intentions to start retailing the Really Blue variant of the Google Pixel and the Google Pixel XL at the Grammy Awards on Sunday when the company aired a minute-long commercial explaining how the Canadian carrier and the Mountain View-based tech giant are brightening up the winter blues with their next offer. Latest rumors from the tech industry suggest that the recently trademarked Samsung Hello may be Samsungs answer to Google Home and Amazon Echo smart speakers. The rumors are based on recent developments which saw Samsung receive a Wi-Fi certificate for a mysterious device after filing for a certain patent and the aforementioned trademark. Back in late 2016, the South Korean company filed for a patent with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) and revealed some documents depicting sketches of what looks like a revised version of the Otto robot which Samsung unveiled last spring. Not long after that, the company filed for the aforementioned Samsung Hello trademark which described voice-enabled software for organizing and aggregating digital content, as well as controlling certain devices. Among other things, Samsung Hello can apparently manage music, videos, games, and news, in addition to interacting with users, the firms trademark filing reveals. In other words, Samsungs mysterious service bears all of the traits of a digital assistant, which is why initial speculation suggested that Samsung Hello is in some way connected to Bixby, the upcoming AI assistant thats expected to debut with the Galaxy S8 and the Galaxy S8 Plus. Furthermore, the companys robot assistant may be the SM-R210, an unannounced product mentioned by a 2016 import listing. That mysterious device was said to feature a camera like Otto did, but its model number suggested that the product itself is neither a camera nor a smartphone. Finally, the same model number appeared in a Wi-Fi Alliance certificate earlier this week. The documents in question revealed that the SM-R210 features a camera and a Wi-Fi adapter, in addition to running the Tizen operating system. Seeing how this would be the first Samsung-made product bearing the model number in the SM-R2 range, its reasonable to presume that it isnt a revision of an existing device. Naturally, since the SM-R210 already received its certification, its commercial debut may be just around the corner. It remains to be seen whether the Seoul-based tech giant is truly developing its very own smart robot thats meant to rival the Echo and Google Home, but if it is, its possible that more information will follow later this month once Mobile World Congress kicks off. Jay Y. Lee, Vice Chairman and heir of Samsung Group attended the court hearing on his arrest warrant on Thursday. Lee was interrogated by the Seoul Central District Court along with Samsung Electronics President Park Sang-jin after the Korean Supreme Prosecutors Office (SPO) requested arrest warrants for both men. The SPO is seeking to arrest two Samsung executives on charges of bribery, hiding of assets, and embezzlement, while Lee himself is also facing charges of perjury and concealing the proceeds of a criminal act. The two men were charged following an investigation into an influence-peddling scandal in the Far Eastern country involving the South Korean President Park Geun-hye and her associate Choi Soon-sil. Lee and his colleague Park were interrogated by a judge in private and a decision on their arrest warrant will likely be made by early Friday. The Seoul Central District court already dismissed one request to arrest Lee in January due to a lack of evidence. Since then, the SPO claims it collected additional evidence against Samsung Groups Vice Chairman, as evidenced by the fact that the charges against him have recently been expanded. Lee allegedly paid over $37 million in bribes to several organizations connected to Choi which previously backed President Parks policy initiatives. One such organization is also connected to Chois daughter Park Geun-hye as Samsung apparently financed her equestrian career. Coincidentally, Samsung Electronics President Park also presides over the Korea Equestrian Federation. The SPO claims that Samsung paid bribes to facilitate a controversial 2015 merger between Samsung C&T and Cheil Industries. The largest business conglomerate in the country denied all accusations, as did his two executives. President Park mimicked those sentiments along with Choi, though the latter is currently in jail awaiting trial, while her daughter was recently arrested in Denmark after Seoul filed an extradition request for her. Neither Lee nor Park commented on the contents of their arrest warrant hearing and both are currently awaiting the courts decision in a detention center. It remains to be seen whether how the situation will develop but Lees potential arrest likely wont affect the companys short-term earnings. More details on the matter are expected to follow by tomorrow. Banks across the country are experimenting with ATMs that will dispense cash by using your smartphone much like a mobile purchase rather than fumbling through a wallet or a purse for your ATM bank card. Many men do not even carry a wallet anymore and just keep their debit card with them in their pants or jacket pocket. Women are always digging around in their purse looking for their debit card. Many just keep it in the glove box of the car, ready to grab it when needed, while others can never remember where they put their card. Debit cards can be misplaced, lost, or stolen, but people never seem to forget their smartphone. That is along the same line as banks are thinking as they start testing ATM transactions using a smartphone. JPMorgan Chases has 18,000 ATMs in the US more than any other bank and they are testing the new technology in four major cities, including Miami and San Francisco. Currently, only a few hundred ATMs are included in the study, but they have thousands ready to go if their experiment is successful. Wells Fargo and Bank of America plan to implement the technology by the end of the year. Wells Fargos Jonathan Velline, head of ATM and branch banking says it is all about giving their customers more choices as banks compete for new customers. Using your phone sounds like a great idea that will add convenience and quickness to an ATM transaction, but that convenience brings its own set of security issues. One of the driving forces behind the switch to using a smartphone is added security. Magnetic stripes on bankcards are incredibly hackable, so the banks moved to issuing Chip-n-Pin cards. While more secure than just a magnetic stripe, they too, have proven hackable and even cloned by a group of security researchers. This need for security is where smartphones enter the picture. With no card and no pin, it should boost security and speed up transactions. Not to mention, reduce fraud since no card information is stored on the phone. Banks believe that the added convenience and safety offers benefits to their customers, not to mention the millenniums excitement for the new technology. Advertisement Banks are implementing their procedures in different ways Chase, for example, does not require the use of a PIN number along with the customers smartphone. Other banks use a combination of the customers smartphone and the entering of a PIN number as well to help verify your identity. Most of the major banks use the near-field communications (NFC) technology because most modern smartphones have the NFC chip installed for mobile payments using Apple Pay or Android Pay. You simply tap your phone on the ATM pad, then enter your PIN, and proceed with your transaction. Some banks are requiring their customers to use the banks app to withdraw cash from the ATM. The app will ask you how much you want to withdraw and store this information until you reach an ATM. On the ATM, select the Mobile Cash option and then scan the quick response code (QR) on the screen with your smartphone and collect your cash. Wells Fargos mobile app will issue you a one-time access code that is good for 30 minutes. The customer must enter that code and a PIN number to withdraw cash. No matter how the bank uses your mobile device; NFC, setting the transaction up before hand, or using a one-time code, fraud is substantially reduced over using the basic ATM card. Some banks are ditching all electronic forms of identification and are trying out biometrics, where a body part is used as your identification. It could be a fingerprint, a palm scan, and even a scan of your iris. The future of banking will be changing over the upcoming years some of the changes are out of security needs while others are for the convenience of the customer. ZTE is planning to release a new forward-looking smartphone at this years Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona. The company reached out with a press release in order to tease their new smartphone, but also share some of their MWC 2017 plans. In addition to releasing this new, mysterious, smartphone, ZTE will also focus on 5G, advancing cloudification, creating the Internet of Everything, and developing state of art devices. Those of you who are planning to visit MWC this year, can find ZTEs booth at 3F30, Hall 3, Fira Gran Via in Barcelona. Now, lets talk a bit more about this smartphone, shall we. This handset will be called the ZTE Gigabit Phone, and according to the company, it marks an important cornerstone for the 5G mobile era. This device will be able to achieve 1Gbps download speeds, which opens a lot of possibilities. ZTE says that this device will make instant cloud storage possible, while it will help a great deal in many other areas as well, as it will enable fast cache of ultra Hi-Fi music and movies, and so on. Thats pretty much all the info ZTE shared about this device, we dont know what will it look like, nor what specs will it sport, well just have to wait for the company to share more info during this years Mobile World Congress. That being said, ZTE also mentions that the ZTE Axon 7 will be available for consumers to check out in Barcelona, which is the companys current-gen flagship. This variant of the device will actually offer Google Daydream support, which cannot be said for the original ZTE Axon 7 which was announced last year. In addition to this device, ZTE will also showcase a number of Blade-branded smartphones at MWC 2017, and if youre interested in the companys products, you can always visit them in Barcelona during MWC 2017. For those of you who are not able to do so, well make sure to keep you posted straight from Barcelona, as theres plenty of new tech to look forward to, from the announcement of ZTEs new Gigabit Phone, to various other tech launches. Yes, you can transfer your domain to any registrar or hosting company once you have purchased it. Since domain transfers are a manual process, it can take up to 5 days to transfer the domain. Domains purchased with payment plans are not eligible to transfer until all payments have been made. Please remember that our 30-day money back guarantee is void once a domain has been transferred. For transfer instructions to GoDaddy, please click here. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 15, ARMENPRESS. Under the auspices of First Lady Rita Sargsyan a charity concert was held in Yerevan all proceeds of which will be directed towards the treatment of children with cancer. The ticket buyers were children, mainly school-children, reports Armenpress. A child must learn to make a charity from the early childhood and feel that charity is a supreme pleasure, the First Lady said. She said the concert repertoire includes old and kind songs for children. We remembered the children songs of parents, grandmothers and grandfathers, and there was a need to translate them. At that moment, Avet Barseghyan helped us, translated all the texts, then Narek Duryan joined us with his perfect scenario, Rita Sargsyan said. Broadcaster, author of words of songs Avet Barseghyan said they managed to hold this concert due to Rita Sargsyans many years of teaching experience. The main guarantee of the success of songs is Rita Sargsyans careful work since she has worked with children for many years and knows well which songs, sounds can enjoy the children, Avet Barseghyan said. February 15 is celebrated all over the world as the International Childhood Cancer Day aimed at raising the awareness and providing assistance to sick children and their family members. According to the statistics of the World Health Organization (WHO), 215.000 new cases of malignant tumor morbidity is being registered annually throughout the world among the children up to 14 age, and 85.000 cases among the children from the age of 15 to 19. The WHO experts say in case of diagnosis and receiving treatment on time, 80% of malignant tumor is treated. In Armenia this number ranges from 65% to 70%. However, as a result of the medical science developments of the recent decades, positive results were registered in the pediatric oncology field. Diseases, that previously were considered incurable, now can be treated as a result of various innovative medical methods. 50 to 60 new cases of childhood cancer are annually registered in Armenia. The diagnosis and treatment of children with malignant tumor morbidity is being made in the National Oncology Center after V. Fanarjyan, the Hematology center after R. Yolyan. The participation of honorable Chairwoman of Devote life charitable foundation and Board of Trustees Rita Sargsyan is invaluable in the treatment process of children with cancer. The foundation always assists solving problems related with the treatment of sick children, acquiring expensive drugs, as well as supporting to organize the treatment in the hospitals abroad, as well as in the Hematology Center after R. Yolyan. The malignant blood diseases diagnosis in the Center is carried out with innovative methods in accordance with the international standards. Since Enzo Ferrari praised the engine above all the other components of a car, we'll start with the heart of the 812 Superfast.Instead of bringing the 6,262cc V12 of the F12benrlinetta and F12 TDF to the 800 hp the unit delivers when mounted on the LaFerrari, the Italian engineers increased the displacement to 6.5 liters for the newcomer.The fresh V12 becomes Ferrari's most potent naturally aspirated mill to date. As the LaF powertrain, the 812's engine delivers 800 prancing ponies. Nevertheless, the Grand Tourer's 718 Nm (530 lb-ft) of torque place it 18 Nm (13 lb-ft) above the internal combustion torque level of the hyper hybrid.And with peak power coming at an impressive 8,500 rpm, the 812 Superfast will certainly make audiophiles jump for joy - maximum torque arrives at 7,000 rpm.The 6.5-liter engine, which, by the way, matches the displacement of the Lamborghini Aventador 's V12, works with a seven-speed, dual-clutch transmission that now offers even quicker shifts.For the official performance figures, you can look at the F12 TDF , since the 812 Superfast delivers the same numbers as the less powerful, but considerably lighter special edition. To be more precise, the F12 replacement can play the 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) game in 2.9 seconds and comes with a maximum velocity of 211 mph (340 km/h).We can't bring the same purity praise for the 812's steering, as this is the first Ferrari that features electric power steering. However, the carmaker explains that the rear-steer system features updated software compared to that of the F12 TDF, so we get an agility boost.The Prancing Horse is well aware of the drifting craze that has taken over the automotive realm, which is why the the automaker's Side Slip Control, now in its 5.0 generation, is present on the machine.Judging from the rather artificial-looking images we have here, this is the kind of aerodynamic sculpture that looks even better in real life. As such, it's still a bit early to drop a conclusion on the appearance of the thing.Still, it's worth noting that the 812 Superfast follows the GTC4Lusso down the quad-taillight path. Then we have the aero changes. For instance, we get active flaps for the front underbody. And while the aero bridge adorning the F12's front fenders seems to have disappeared, Ferrari mentions an aerodynamic by-pass for the rear flank, one we can't wait to see in action.Those familiar with the F12 cabin will feel at home in the 812, but we have to explain that the seats, instrument cluster and steering wheel are new.We expect certain aficionados to have an issue with Maranello switching from an Italian nameplate to an English one that plays the all-too-obvious card. However, we all have plenty of time to let the nameplate of the GT grow on us until Ferrari marks the official debut of the 812 Superfast at next month's Geneva Motor Show. AWD As SUVs get more popular with each passing year, the peeps over at GKN Driveline find it increasingly hard to keep up with demand for the GKNDisconnect system. And so, the company decided that the time is definitely right to start production in China with the help of its local partner, SDS.Shanghai GKN Huayu Driveline Systems is tasked with rolling out the all-wheel-drive system at its facility in Shanghai . From the power transfer unit to the rear drive module, propshaft and sideshafts, as well as the software control unit, the entirety of the AWD Disconnect system is made in China.This move will benefit GAC Fiat Chrysler Automobiles in the city on Guangzhou, where FCAs joint venture produces the Jeep Renegade . Speaking of the smallest Jeep money can buy these days, GKN Driveline highlights that the software alone necessitates 300,000 lines of code to work properly.GKN has capabilities to manufacture sophisticated all-wheel drive systems on a global basis and thats why automakers choose to partner with us on their mega-platforms, explains Phil Swash, the chief executive officer of GKN Driveline. The demand for all-wheel drive vehicles is growing at a rapid rate in China and GKN and SDS have a number of localization and domestic programs in the pipeline for the coming years, he concluded.The secret to GKN's disconnecting AWD , as the name implies, is its ability to switch from front- to all-wheel-drive very smoothly. This is made possible by a clutch pack that disengages the rear axle with minimal rotating losses.Compared to a standard all-wheel-drive system, GKN Driveline says that its solution improves highway fuel economy by up to four percent. And when the going gets rough, the AWD Disconnect system is capable of engaging the rear section of the driveline within 300 milliseconds (0.3 seconds). AWD Whats missing from this picture? Its obvious: the Civic Type R is the missing piece of this puzzle. Following numerous sightings on the Nurburgring, on the streets of Europe, and in the U.S. , the Type R is finally ready to present itself in production-ready guise.This March at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show, the all-new Type R will share the floor with the Clarity Fuel Cell and a concept thats christened NeuV. In the automakers own words, the highlight of Hondas show presence will be the all-new Civic Type R , which has been engineered to deliver the most rewarding drive in the hot hatch segment. The latter part of that quote is interesting, to say the least.Like its predecessor, the new kid on the block will have its drive sent to the front wheels, meaning that the Japanese automaker refused to give in to Fords challenge of going. The Civic Type R is also confirmed to pack Hondas latest 2.0-liter VTEC Turbo , a detail that superimposes on every report regarding the matter of propulsion.Production is programmed to commence this summer at Hondas UK Manufacturing facility in Swindon, United Kingdom . What this means is that the United States will get the go-faster hatchback as a 2018 model year. The Civic Type R will be exported to all four corners of the world, including its domestic market of Japan.The advent of the Civic Type R in the U.S. is a significant moment for the automotive industry and Honda aficionados for a reason: it marks the first time that any Honda-badged Type R has been sold in the U.S. Previously, only the Acura brand had the opportunity to sell Type R-branded vehicles in the United States Output remains a mystery, though. According to the most recent reports, 310 PS (306 horsepower) and 295 lb-ft (400 Nm) is the minimum amount of firepower expected from the Civic to rule all Civics. A six-speed manual will act as the only means to swap cogs. 6x6 The offroading adventure that involved the six-wheeler getting stranded reportedly took place two years ago. The rugged terrain trip involved a group of enthusiasts who decided to put their high-riding machines through the paces over in Azerbaijan's Neftcala region.As you can see in these images, which come from Marchetinno , the white G63 six-wheeler ended up slipping off an edge. However, with the field that hosted that part of the adventure being loaded with assistance vehicles, the situation was far from critical.It's enough to check out the smiles displayed by those taking part in the expedition to understand that the men knew such moments can be considered the norm when it comes to terrain-taming adventures of the sort.In fact, a second G63shortly came to the rescue and we can also see a Toyota Land Cruiser waiting next to the troubled six-wheeler.Nevertheless, judging by the fact that the second Gelandewagen used at least two different approaches in the attempts to free its brother, things didn't go exactly smooth during this phase of the trip.This is an excellent opportunity to remember that, earlier this week, Mercedes introduced what could be the swansong of the W463 G-Class generation. We're talking about the Mercedes-Maybach G650 Landaulet, a high-riding beast that comes with a production run of only 99 unitsThe carmaker chose to launch the limited edition over in South Africa. The three-pointed star turned to a safari adventure in the Madikwe Game Reserve for the event, which saw at least one example of the behemoth getting the proper offroading treatment. Army chief Chhetri inaugurates old age homes Chief of Army Staff Rajendra Chhetri inaugurated 10 new grottos at an old age home in Lapsifedi, Sankharapur Municipality, on the outskirts of Kathmandu amid a programme on Wednesday. The supercharged beast has been given the pickup truck treatment and, given the overly long nose of the senior hypercar, the resulting proportions fully deserve the oddball tag.Yasid Oozear, the artist behind this rendering, decided to take the Australian path, labeling his creation as a Ute.It's worth noting that the infamous side exhaust pipes have maintained their position. Nevertheless, the V8 animal has lost its factory stock rims, gaining a set of rolling goodies "supplied" by Rotiform Wheels.We've been following the artist for quite a while now, keeping you up to date with his digital contraptions. And it seems the man's pixel play episodes are getting crazier by the month, as this supercharged truck demonstrates.Here's the pixel wielder explaining his otherworldly bed creature: "This is a Mercedute McLute SLute.. lol. I don't even know why man,"Truth be told, the artist has been on a pickup truck craze this month. Those of you who aren't following our pixel play tales will be reminded this is the pathway that led to the giggle-generating Ferrari F40 and Nissan GT-R blue collar proposals.We've decided to split the man's creations into two categories, depending on their... practicality level. Since all of them come with the same microscopic ground clearance, the criterion we turned to is the bed capacity. This is, of course, an imaginary factory, but such a take is only natural given the circumstances. First up, Joe Biden is thinking about dropping tariffs against China. But theres a spy in prison this morning that helps us understand why he shouldnt. Ill explain. Your second brief, If youre looking for a good paying job, you might consider being a CEO for a health insurance company. One executive made $142M dollars last year. Let's talk about that. And as always, Im keeping an eye out for developing stories. Put this one on your radar. Mexican cartels are grooming American kids online and paying them cash to traffic illegals or run drugs across the border. Ill share details. If you enjoyed this episode of the President's Daily Brief, remember to subscribe and listen daily at podfollow.com/pdb. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Big 3 deal likely to put SLMM under pressure Three major parties have reached an agreement to declare dates for local elections in four-five days and go for the polls, most probably in May-June, even if the Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM) refuses to come on board. Calls intensify for formulation of Petroleum Act Calls for the formulation of a Petroleum Act have intensified to control malpractices in the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) business. Lack of laws has prevented Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) CIEDP opens new plaint registration window A week after extension of its tenure, the Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons (CIEDP) has resumed registration of complaints of the conflict victims. There are fears that Des Cahill won't be dancing up a storm this weekend on Dancing with the Stars Ireland. The RTE Sport presenter is suffering a bout of conjunctivitis, a sinus infection, fluid on the knee and a calf strain. That's quite a lot to content with, without adding a new dance number on top. A doctor told him to rest and he has been unable to train for the upcoming round of the dancing competition. If he's in top shape in time he'll be dancing to 'Quando, Quando, Quando' but that seems unlikely. It was tweeted that Des got sick trying to keep up "with his much younger and cooler new friends." So Des got sick trying to keep up with his much younger and cooler new friends. He'll probably ask where he can get ripped jeans next... pic.twitter.com/knvvD1JDYA Paul Cahill (@paulcahill13) February 15, 2017 Des retweeted this, so we'll take it his new hobby is the cause of his injuries, yeah? Recently, he told RTE Entertainment that continuing to work, while training with DWTS Ireland, has been taking its toll on him. "I was home around 11:40pm Monday night," he told them. "I was in work at 5:30am on Tuesday morning, left [for dance training], got home again at 8pm. Then back in at 5:30am this morning." You'd think that with the main event on Sunday their day of rest would be Saturday, but that's not the case. "We're all in Ardmore for the rehearsals but I've to come in and do a four-hour Saturday Sport programme," he said. He continued, saying his age and fitness levels were working against him but it was trying to do it all at once that was really dragging him down. Here's wishing Dancing Dessie well and hoping we'll see him take to the floor in good health soon. Astronomers have discovered 60 new planets orbiting stars near the Earth's solar system. The team of international scientists, which include Dr Mikko Tuomi of the University of Hertfordshire, also found evidence of a further 54 planets - bringing the total number of potential new worlds to 114. A hot "super-Earth" with a rocky surface located in the fourth nearest star system to the sun was among the extrasolar planets discovered. Researchers said the planet - named Gliese 411b - demonstrates that "virtually all" the nearest stars to the sun have planets orbiting them and some of these "could be like Earth". The results are based on almost 61,000 individual observations of 1,600 stars taken over a 20-year period by US astronomers using the Keck-I telescope in Hawaii. The observations were part of the Lick-Carnegie Exoplanet Survey, which was started in 1996 by astronomers Steve Vogt and Geoffrey Marcy from the University of California and Paul Butler, from the Carnegie Institute of Science, in Washington. Dr Tuomi, who was the only European-based researcher working on the project and led analysis of the data, said: "It is fascinating to think that when we look at the nearest stars, all of them appear to have planets orbiting them. "This is something astronomers were not convinced about, even as little as five years ago. "These new planets also help us better understand the formation processes of planetary systems and provide interesting targets for future efforts to image the planets directly." Dr Butler said: "This paper and data release is one of my crowning achievements as an astronomer. It represents a good chunk of my life's work." The group's paper has been accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal. Syrian President Bashar Assad has hit out at his French counterpart, accusing Francois Hollande of sponsoring terror in Syria. He also encouraged Western nations to reset their relations with his pariah government, after six years of civil war. The comments, which came in an interview with French media outlets Europe 1 and TF1, were the latest in a string of Assad's public remarks aimed at revamping his image in the West in the wake of military victories on the ground in Syria. In the interview, Assad said the French president's policy is tantamount to "supporting terrorists" in Syria, adding that he would prefer someone who is "not a warmonger" to be the next French president. Assad's government has labelled all armed opposition to his rule - including the Western-backed rebels - as "terrorists". French voters are going to the polls to elect a new president on April 23. Outgoing Mr Hollande maintained former president Nikolas Sarkozy's position to support Syria's 2011 uprising against the Assad family rule. The revolt descended into all-out civil war, sparked by the government's brutal crackdown on demonstrations. Mr Hollande pushed hard for an international intervention in 2013, after more than 1,000 people were killed in a sarin gas attack in a Damascus suburb. Several Western nations and human rights groups subsequently accused Assad's government of carrying out the attack. Mr Hollande argued that Assad's unchecked brutality fostered terror in the region. France subsequently suffered from a number of attacks claimed by Islamic State (IS), including the horrific multi-pronged Paris attack in November 2015 that killed more than 100 people. Francois Hollande The intervention ultimately failed to materialise, with then US president Barack Obama securing a guarantee from Assad's sponsor Russia that Damascus would give up its chemical weapons stockpiles. In the interview, which aired on Thursday, Assad took particular issue with Mr Hollande's ardour for a military intervention in Syria. "Hollande himself said it was a mistake not to launch a war in 2013," Assad said. The interview comes on the heels of Assad's remarks last week, in which the Syrian president said he would welcome US troops on the ground in Syria, to join the battle against "terrorists" - as long as it is in co-operation with his government and respects his country's sovereignty. Syria's six-year civil war has killed more than 300,000 people and displaced half the country's population. The country is shattered and the chaos has enabled the rise of IS, which has managed to seize a substantial chunk of Syrian territory for its self-styled caliphate. Ibec yesterday warned that Ireland must play "a central and assertive role" in Brexit negotiations to ensure interests are forcefully represented and reflected in the final settlement. The group that represents Irish business claim this will require a collective, national effort, spearheaded by government. Ibec say business is firmly focussed on ensuring the best possible outcome and is actively working at a national, UK and EU level to that end. Ibec has long highlighted the competitive threat from the UK's increasingly pro-business tax regime. Responding to the Taoiseach's key note address on Ireland's place in a changing EU at the Mansion House Dublin yesterday, Ibec CEO, Danny McCoy said, "The combative approach of the UK government to Brexit negotiations must inform the Irish position. A comprehensive free trade agreement with minimal trade barriers is desirable, but fair competition must underpin any new EU-UK relationship. This will require clear ground rules, along with effective arbitration and governance structures to ensure legal certainty and recourse when disputes arise." He added, "Ireland and our European partners are well placed to shape the next phase of globalisation. To do this, the EU will need to step up efforts to deliver sustainable growth, support job creation and create the right conditions for infrastructure investment." Source: www.businessworld.ie Modified On Feb 16, 2017 02:45 PM By Raunak The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is heading for its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month. Japanese automaker Mitsubishis new compact SUV, which was teased last month ahead of its world premiere at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show in March, is named the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross. With this, the speculations about the new compact SUVs naming that the car will borrow the name of Mitsubishi Motors Corporations coupe model sold in the US since1989 seem to have come true. The automaker has just added an extra Cross to the label, which according to MMC is short for crossover. The Eclipse Cross, touted to be Mitsubishis major all-new model in recent years, is expected to go on sale in the USA first probably later this year. This will be followed by its launch in other markets. Speaking of its positioning in the line-up, the Eclipse Cross will sit between the Outlander Sport and the Outlander (not available in India any more), and will take on the likes of the Skoda Yeti, Hyundai Tucson, and others. It will be based on Mitsubishi's Dynamic Shield design language and the automaker has highlighted in an official release that it will feature a new exclusive high-saturation shade of red. Will it come to India? To put it straight, expecting it here in the near future is a little far-fetched. Though Mitsubishis revival began recently under the Renault-Nissan alliance and the leadership of Carlos Ghosn, we are yet to see the ripple effects in its Indian operations. Our guess is, Mitsubishi would currently be focusing on bringing the all-new Pajero to India. The Eclipse Cross might make it to India at a later date since most of its rivals are present in the country, but Mitsubishi will need to localise the car and price it right to ensure that it remains competitive. Stay tuned to CarDekho for more updates on the Eclipse Cross. Find out how Nissans takeover will affect Mitsubishis Indian operations here: Nissan-Mitsubishi Coalition: How It Affects India Cyclist dies after being hit by bus A cyclist died after being hit by a mini-bus in Rijal chowk of Bharatpur Sub-metropolis-10 last night. GSK plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the creation, discovery, development, manufacture, and marketing of pharmaceutical products, vaccines, over-the-counter medicines, and health-related consumer products in the United Kingdom, the United States, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Pharmaceuticals, Pharmaceuticals R&D, Vaccines, and Consumer Healthcare. The company offers pharmaceutical products comprising medicines in the therapeutic areas, such as respiratory, HIV, immuno-inflammation, oncology, anti-viral, central nervous system, cardiovascular and urogenital, metabolic, anti-bacterial, and dermatology. It also provides consumer healthcare products in wellness, oral health, nutrition, and skin health categories. The company offers its consumer healthcare products in the form of nasal sprays, tablets, syrups, lozenges, gum and trans-dermal patches, caplets, infant syrup drops, liquid filled suspension, wipes, gels, effervescents, toothpastes, toothbrushes, mouthwashes, denture adhesives and cleansers, topical creams and non-medicated patches, lip balm, gummies, and soft chews. It has collaboration agreements with 23andMe; Lyell Immunopharma, Inc.; Novartis; Sanofi SA; Surface Oncology; Progentec Diagnostics, Inc.; Alector, Inc.; and CureVac AG., as well as strategic partnership with IDEAYA Biosciences, Inc. and Vir Biotechnology, Inc. The company was formerly known as GlaxoSmithKline plc and changed its name to GSK plc in May 2022. GSK plc was founded in 1715 and is headquartered in Brentford, the United Kingdom. As part of the launch of the AIDA Selection program last weekend, the AIDAcara met up with the AIDAprima on Saturday. The AIDAcara joined with the new AIDAprima, as they sailed into Hamburg together on Feb. 11. The AIDAcara docked in Altona, while AIDAprima went to her berth at the Cruise Center Steinwerder. The ship departed later on Saturday, on a 14-day cruise north, with port calls at Haugesund, Bod, Troms and Alta. From there, AIDAcara set a course for Vesteralen, Trondheim and Bergen. There was also a special ceremony for the departure. The AIDAcara headed for the HafenCity, passing the Elbphilharmonie concert hall at around 8:30 p.m. From the Pool Deck, guests at the Sail Away Party were treated to the traditional Hamburg dishes, labskaus and pannfisch. After a further turning maneuver, the ship sailed down the Elbe in the direction of Altona. The AIDAprima then cast off at 9:00 p.m. and lined up behind AIDAcara as the two sailed together toward the North Sea with a fireworks display schedule. Atlanta-based Arbys restaurants has acknowledged a data breach involving approximately a number of its corporate-owned locations, reports Krebs On Security. The breach is estimated to have occurred between Oct. 25, 2016, and Jan. 19. According to reports, the breach involved malware placed on payment systems only at corporate locations, which are approximately one-third of the companys more than 3,330 locations. An Arbys official says not all of the corporate locations were affected, but more than 355,000 card numbers may have been exposed. CUNA is a strong advocate for data breach legislation that includes a strong, scalable security standard for merchants, as well as a notification standard in the event of a breach. NAFCU Senior Regulatory Affairs Counsel Michael Emancipator is at the Treasury Department today to discuss credit union participation in the departments Community Development Financial Institutions Fund. The discussion will also focus on Treasurys recent request for input from industry stakeholders on the CDFI designation process as the fund explores ways to enhance this process and reevaluates its criteria for CDFI eligibility. Credit unions can comment via NAFCUs Regulatory Alert. Comments are due to the CDFI Fund by March 10. Credit unions that have the agencys low-income designation share many of the qualifications required for CDFI certification. Last year, the NCUA and Treasury signed a memorandum of understanding to facilitate increased credit union involvement in the fund, with the aim of doubling the number of CDFI-certified credit unions. The Limits Of Cyber Warfare Future wars might be waged online, but evidence from recent fighting between Russia and Ukraine suggests it won't be that simple. Russian-backed troops had the greatest capability for shutting down Ukraine's electronic systems, but neither side has done much cyber fighting, according to a report compiled by NATO researchers in Estonia. Calculations about military strategy come down to costs and rewards, said Martin Libicki, a cyber security expert at Rand Corp. He is a chapter contributor to the report, Cyber War in Perspective: Russian Aggression Against Ukraine. Maybe this cyber stuff isn't all it's cracked up to be, Libicki told the Trib. It might be that it's more difficult and that there's less reward from carrying out a cyber-attack than we ever assumed. Many reasons exist for the lack of online conflict between Russia and Ukraine, experts said, and the incident provides some direction for American military leaders. The United States still must prepare for a complete wartime shutdown of systems for energy, communications, utilities and more but it also should plan for more nuanced incidents. Modern war is a messy affair, not a clean and glittery Hollywood movie, Sven Sakkov, director of the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defense Center of Excellence, wrote in the report's introduction. The emergence of cyber as a separate domain of war-fighting does not necessarily offer magic solutions and miraculous short-cuts to achieve strategic goals. Cyber presents some unique advantages, but it's just one weapon in a military's arsenal, said Jim Lewis, director of the Strategic Technologies Program at the Center for Strategic & International Studies, a Washington think tank. People sit back and calculate, What's the benefit to me of doing this?' said Lewis, who contributed a chapter. The Russians also didn't do aerial bombardment or shoot cruise missiles. Cyber is another weapon, and they chose not to use it. NATO created a cyber defense centre of excellence in Estonia after 2007 cyber-attacks that overwhelmed banking and communications systems there. The attacks, which some have attributed to Russian hackers, caused widespread panic but no real damage. The fallout drove Estonia closer to NATO and provided little military advantage, Libicki said. It's possible that Russia learned from that experience and did not want to repeat it in Ukraine, he said. It's also possible that Russia feared crossing some undefined line that would have provoked the United States to retaliate, he said, or Russia did not want to appear to be more involved in the conflict than it was. In addition, Russia had much to gain from leaving the systems intact, the NATO report says. Russia likely uses the networks for spreading propaganda and collecting espionage. TribLive: NATO Tools Up For Cybewar: Cyberwar: The Smart Person's Guide: Dadeldhura jeep crash kills seven; five injured Seven persons were killed and five others injured when a jeep met with an accident at Thulikhola along the Bagarkot-Bhagheshwor road section in the district on Wednesday. Experimental evidence confirms what surveys have long suggested: Physicians are more likely to prescribe antibiotics when they believe there is a high expectation of it from their patients, even if they think the probability of bacterial infection is low and antibiotics would not be effective, according to a study published by the American Psychological Association. Numerous studies have shown that inappropriate and excessive antibiotic use remains one of the main causes of antibiotic resistance and is widely considered a major threat to global health. "Much effort has been spent encouraging physicians to adhere to clinical guidelines when prescribing antibiotics. However, with few notable exceptions, these efforts rarely address the non-clinical factors, such as how to tackle patients' expectations," said the study's lead author, Miroslav Sirota, PhD, of the University of Essex. The study is published in the journal Health Psychology. Researchers conducted two separate experiments involving 436 physicians in the United Kingdom. In the first experiment, practicing family physicians (50 percent male) from around the U.K. filled out a questionnaire that presented them with one of several different vignettes. All the vignettes involved a 15-year-old girl accompanied by her mother who is on her third day of symptoms of a typical ear infection with fever, ear pain and reduced hearing, however is systematically well with no ear perforation or discharge. In one version, the mother insists that the doctor help the girl to recover quickly since she has to participate in an important swim meet in four days (high expectations condition). In another vignette, there is no upcoming swim meet; rather, the girl has already finished her swimming season (low expectations condition). The physicians assessed the probability of a bacterial infection and expressed their willingness to prescribe antibiotics on a scale of zero to 10. While ear infections can be either bacterial (which may respond to antibiotics) or viral (which don't respond to antibiotics), U.K. guidelines, which is in line with the U.S. and Canadian guidelines, suggest physicians can safely withhold or delay antibiotics unless the child is systematically unwell, has perforation and/or discharge in the ear canal, or if the symptoms have persisted for four days or more, the authors noted. The order of the questions given to the physicians was manipulated randomly for each participant, so some received the bacterial probability question first and then the question on antibiotics prescribing while others saw the questions reversed. Overall, despite the order of the questions, physicians who read the vignette where the mother had higher expectations for antibiotics prescribed them even though they were no more likely than physicians in the low expectations group to think the infection was bacterial. "This was a somewhat reassuring finding as we thought that the effect of non-clinical factors might have been even more serious than we had imagined," said Sirota. "Imagine, for example, that a physician rationalized her decision to prescribe the antibiotics by increasing the perceived probability of a bacterial infection. We did not find any evidence of that happening, which is good news, and has taught us something new about the 'localized' effect of expectations." The second experiment presented a story of an adult patient with ear infection symptoms who either had low or high expectations for antibiotics - similar to the vignette in the first experiment. In this case, 52 percent of physicians prescribed antibiotics and were more likely to prescribe them if the patient expected antibiotics during the consultation. As in the previous experiment, there was no difference between the doctor's reports of bacterial probability and antibiotics prescribing. In the third vignette, involving an adult patient with typical cold symptoms who had high expectations for antibiotics, only 12 percent said they would prescribe them. "We do not intend our study to criticize physicians and how they prescribe antibiotics," stressed Sirota. "Rather, we want to point out that the over prescribing of antibiotics is a serious systemic issue: we should all work together- from patients having more realistic expectations about antibiotic effectiveness to physicians managing patients' expectations when contradicting clinical guidelines - to tackle its multiple facets." ### Article: "Expectations for Antibiotics Increase Their Prescribing: Causal Evidence About Localized Impact," by Miroslav Sirota, PhD, University of Essex; Thomas Round, BS, King's College London; Shyamalee Samaranayaka, MD, University of Sri Jayewardenepura; and Olga Kostopoulou, PhD, Imperial College. Health Psychology, published online Feb. 16, 2017. Full text of the article is available from the APA Public Affairs Office and at http://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/releases/hea-hea0000456.pdf. Contact: Miroslav Sirota can be contacted by email at msirota@essex.ac.uk or by phone at +44 (0) 1206 874 229. The American Psychological Association, in Washington, D.C., is the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States. APA's membership includes nearly 115,700 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants and students. Through its divisions in 54 subfields of psychology and affiliations with 60 state, territorial and Canadian provincial associations, APA works to advance the creation, comunication and application of psychological knowledge to benefit society and improve people's lives. Vitamin D supplements can help prevent acute respiratory tract infections, particularly among very deficient individuals, concludes a study in The BMJ today. The researchers from Queen Mary University of London say their findings "support the introduction of public health measures such as food fortification to improve vitamin D status in settings where profound vitamin D deficiency is common." In a linked editorial, researchers who recently questioned the evidence for use of vitamin D supplements to prevent disease, say a clinically useful effect remains uncertain and requires confirmation in well-designed adequately powered randomised controlled trials. Acute respiratory tract infections are a major cause of global illness and death. They can include anything from the common cold to bronchitis and pneumonia and have been linked with low blood levels of vitamin D. Some studies have shown that vitamin D can trigger immune responses to certain bacteria and viruses, but randomised trials of vitamin D supplements to prevent acute respiratory tract infection have led to conflicting results. So an international team of researchers set out to assess the overall effect of vitamin D supplements on risk of acute respiratory tract infection, and to identify factors modifying this effect. They conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of individual participant data from 25 randomised controlled trials of vitamin D supplementation, involving 11,321 participants aged 0 to 95 years. All but two trials were assessed as being at low risk of bias (problems with study design that can influence results). This type of research provides the strongest evidence for drawing causal conclusions because it draws together all of the best evidence. After adjusting for other potentially influential factors such as age, sex and study duration, the researchers found that vitamin D supplementation resulted in a 12% reduction in the proportion ofparticipants experiencing at least one acute respiratory tract infection. They calculate that 33 people would need to take vitamin D supplements to prevent one acute respiratory tract infection. Further analyses among specific groups showed benefit was greater in those receiving daily or weekly vitamin D without additional large (bolus) doses. And the protective effects in this group were strongest in those with severe vitamin D deficiency (less than 25 nmol/L baseline blood levels). The researchers calculate that only four people in this group would need to take supplements to prevent one acute respiratory tract infection. Use of vitamin D was safe, they add. Potential adverse reactions were rare, and the risk of such events was the same between participants randomised to intervention and control arms. The researchers point to some study limitations, including limited power to detect effects of vitamin D for some groups. Nevertheless, they conclude: "Our results add to the body of evidence supporting the introduction of public health measures such as food fortification to improve vitamin D status, particularly in settings where profound vitamin D deficiency is common." In a linked editorial, Mark Bolland from the University of Auckland and Alison Avenell from the University of Aberdeen, ask is this really a major new development, or is it yet another hypothesis about vitamin D supplementation that needs testing in adequately powered randomised controlled trials? They point to several methodological issues with the study and argue that the results are "heterogeneous and not sufficiently applicable to the general population. We think that they should be viewed as hypothesis generating only, requiring confirmation in well designed adequately powered randomised controlled trials." "Current evidence does not support the use of vitamin D supplementation to prevent disease, except for those at high risk of osteomalacia (weak bones and muscles due to low blood vitamin D levels, currently defined as less than 25 nmol/L)", they conclude. ### Note to Editors Research: Vitamin D supplementation to prevent acute respiratory tract infections: systematic review and meta-analysis of individual participant data Editorial: Do vitamin D supplements help prevent respiratory tract infections? About BMJ BMJ is a healthcare knowledge provider that aims to advance healthcare worldwide by sharing knowledge and expertise to improve experiences, outcomes and value. For a full list of BMJ products and services, please visit bmj.com/company DURHAM, N.C. -- Screen time before bed can mess with your sleep. But people without TV and laptops skimp on sleep too, researchers say. A Duke University study of people living without electricity or artificial light in a remote farming village in Madagascar finds they get shorter, poorer sleep than people in the U.S. or Europe. But they seem to make up for lost shuteye with a more regular sleep routine, the researchers report in the American Journal of Human Biology. Americans sleep less than they did a generation ago. The decline is largely attributed to artificial light before bedtime wreaking havoc on our ability to stay in sync with the 24-hour day. Our bodies are particularly sensitive to the short-wavelength "blue" light emitted from smartphones, TVs, computers, LED bulbs and other devices. Staring at bright bluish light before bed sends a signal to the brain to secrete less melatonin, the hormone that makes you sleepy. "I think we can safely assume that our ancestors weren't staying up late at night cruising Facebook or looking at their e-readers," said David Samson, a senior research scientist in evolutionary anthropology at Duke. "It makes falling asleep much harder." To better understand our natural sleep patterns, Samson, Duke professor Charles Nunn and colleagues went to the remote village of Mandena, in northeastern Madagascar, where most households do without electricity. A farming community where people grow rice and cash crops such as vanilla, this tiny town at the outskirts of Marojejy National Park is one of the few remaining places on Earth where light pollution is not a problem. The villagers of Mandena are among more than a billion people worldwide who live without artificial light. Instead of switching on a light when the sun goes down, most people in Mandena spend their evenings in relative darkness. Nights are lit by the glow of cooking fires and kerosene lamps, or, when it's clear, the natural light of the moon and the stars. The Duke researchers analyzed sleep-wake patterns in 21 people aged 19 to 59 while they slept at night and napped during the day. The participants wore watch-like devices with built-in light and motion sensors that tracked subtle changes in their body movements and light exposure from one minute to the next, for 292 total nights of data. Nine of these people also took a sleep test called a polysomnogram to determine how deep and restful their sleep was. The test uses sticky electrodes on the skin's surface to measure and record electrical activity in the brain and muscles. The data revealed that even without artificial lighting to disrupt their rest, people in Mandena get less sleep than most adults in the U.S. and Europe. The villagers usually turned in around 7:30 p.m., two hours after sunset, and woke up around 5:30 a.m., about an hour before sunrise. But only 6.5 of those hours were spent sleeping -- 30 minutes to an hour less each night than people in the U.S. or Italy. What sleep they did get was fragmented and light. Mandena villagers sleep together in houses with bamboo walls and tin or thatched roofs that do little to buffer noise. "On a nightly basis there are parties, dogs, roosters, children crying. It is a challenging environment for getting a good sleep," said Nunn, director of the Triangle Center for Evolutionary Medicine and professor of evolutionary anthropology and global health at Duke. The participants frequently woke up in the middle of the night, sometimes to use the bathroom, and then stayed up for an hour or two before returning to sleep. They also spent less time in deep sleep and the dream state known as REM sleep compared with Western populations. Yet rather than complain about being bleary-eyed or foggy-brained, 60 percent reported they were happy with their sleep. People in Mandena compensate for lost nighttime sleep by napping during the day, often for up to an hour. That's nearly twice as long as the average catnap for Westerners, Samson said. More importantly, Samson said, their sleep patterns were more consistent than most Westerners from one day to the next. Even when the researchers gave 10 people an LED camping lantern for a week, they still slept and woke at virtually the same times each day. "Sticking to a schedule may be just as important as getting a solid night's sleep," Samson said. The findings support other studies suggesting that humans were shortchanging their sleep even before the advent of electronic gadgets. Diaries, court records and other historical documents suggest the ideal of getting seven to nine hours of uninterrupted sleep didn't come about until recently. In preindustrial times broken sleep was the norm, according to research by sleep historian Roger Ekirch of Virginia Tech. Samson plans to continue studying sleep patterns in traditional societies across the globe. "My ultimate goal is to build a global data set of traditional sleep," he said. ### This research was supported by Duke University's Bass Connections program and the Duke Global Health Institute. Other authors of this study include Melissa Manus and James Yu of Duke, Andrew Krystal of the University of California, San Francisco, and Efe Fakir of the Bahcesehir University School of Medicine. CITATION: "Segmented Sleep in a Non-Electric, Small-Scale Agricultural Society in Madagascar," David Samson, Melissa Manus, Andrew Krystal, Efe Fakir, James Yu and Charles Nunn. American Journal of Human Biology, Feb. 9, 2017. DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.22979 Boston, Feb. 16, 2017 - Five researchers have been named winners of the 2017 Elsevier Foundation Awards for Early-Career Women Scientists in the Developing World for their research in engineering, innovation and technology. The winning scholars from Bangladesh, Ecuador, Ghana, Indonesia and Sudan are being honored for their accomplishments in chemical engineering, energy and minerals engineering, environmental engineering and computer science. They are also celebrated for mentoring young women scientists in their respective countries. "The determination, commitment and enthusiasm of these five women are an inspiration to us all, and especially to other women undertaking scientific research in developing countries. This award celebrates their excellent science and demonstrates that their hard work has had an impact both regionally and internationally, despite the difficult local conditions," said Jennifer Thomson, president of OWSD. The five researchers are: Dr. Tanzima Hashem of the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology; Dr. Maria Fernanda Rivera Velasquez of the Universidad Nacional de Chimborazo in Ecuador; Dr. Felycia Edi Soetaredjo of the Widya Mandala Catholic University Surabaya in Indonesia; Dr. Grace Ofori-Sarpong of the University of Mines and Technology in Ghana; and Dr. Rania Mokhtar of the Sudan University of Science and Technology. "Each of these winners is working in emerging fields tackling some of the toughest challenges out there - from cyber security to decontamination of our most precious resources," added Ylann Schemm, Director of the Elsevier Foundation. "By celebrating their achievements at the AAAS, our goal is to open doors and connect them with their global research peers." The awards represent a longstanding partnership between the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) and the Elsevier Foundation. A panel of eminent scientists selected the winners, who will all receive USD $5,000 and all-expenses-paid trip to attend the 2017 AAAS Annual Meeting, provided by the Elsevier Foundation. The five winners will be honored on February 18, 2017 during a ceremony at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Annual Meeting in Boston. "We are celebrating the exceptional achievements of five truly outstanding women scientists", said TWAS Executive Director a.i. Mohamed Hassan, also Special Advisor to OWSD. "Their work will be widely recognized and appreciated for the benefits it can bring to developing countries and the entire world. Just as important, they will serve as inspiring role models to future generations of women science leaders." The 2017 winners are: Dr. Tanzima Hashem, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Bangladesh (Central and South Asia Region) Computer science and engineering: For her work in developed computational approaches to protect the privacy of people accessing location-based services. Specifically, for her new and innovative solutions which allow citizens to have control over their personal and sensitive data on health, habits and whereabouts. "This award gives me the confidence to fulfil my dream of making user-friendly technology to solve the specific challenges we face in the developing world," said Dr. Tanzima Hashem. Dr. Maria Fernanda Rivera Velasquez, Universidad Nacional de Chimborazo, Ecuador (Latin America and the Caribbean Region) Environmental engineering: For her work using the fibre of a native Ecuadorian plant (Cabuya) and reactive minerals (zeolites) taken from the region to reduce contamination in industrial areas. Through her geological research into the availability of mineral resources in Ecuador, Dr. Rivera Velasquez has contributed to expanding Ecuador's capacity to exploit minerals and improving working conditions. "I belong to a generation of Ecuadorians who have received great opportunities of advanced training," said Dr. Rivera Velasquez. "I am happy and proud to receive the OWSD-Elsevier Foundation award. It also strengthens my commitment to engage in the scientific development of my country and of the Andean region." Dr. Felycia Edi Soetaredjo, Widya Mandala Catholic University Surabaya, Indonesia (East and South-East Asia and the Pacific) Chemical engineering: For her research on using biomass for environmental remediation and renewable energy. Dr. Soetaredjo utilizes biomass and clay material to produce biosorbents, adsorbents and composites, which remove hazardous compounds such as antibiotics, heavy metals and dyes from wastewater. "Realizing that a challenge can also be an opportunity, I started working on research in the area of environment and waste," said Dr. Soetaredjo. "My home country Indonesia is uniquely rich in biodiversity and I believe that nature has answers for each question." Dr. Grace Ofori-Sarpong, University of Mines and Technology, Ghana (Sub-Saharan-Africa) Energy and minerals engineering: For her research work in microbial-mineral interaction, recovery of precious metals, water quality monitoring and acid mine drainage. Dr. Ofori-Sarpong's research focuses on making the extraction of gold-bearing minerals and free gold particles possible and more efficient. She also is the founder of the Association of Women in Mining and Allied Professions in Ghana. "Difficulties in the process of extracting gold from recalcitrant gold-bearing minerals motivated me to start a new research I call mycohydrometallurgy, which uses fungi to break down the host materials to ease gold extraction in a one-pot process," said Dr. Ofori-Sarpong. "With this pleasant surprise from the Elsevier Foundation and OWSD, I am greatly encouraged to reach higher." Dr. Rania Mokhtar, Sudan University of Science and Technology, Sudan (Arab Region) Computer engineering: For her research into the knowledge, methods, theory and application of advanced security systems for mobile devices. Dr. Mokhtar is involved in research projects funded by national bodies in the field of wireless communications, agriculture automation, sensor networks and security systems. "I strive to help transform communication systems in African Universities as I see this as key to opening doors to education for many more women in STEM," said Dr. Mokhtar. "Receiving the OWSD-Elsevier Foundation award means that I can push forward with my vision." ### Read more on Elsevier Connect. Notes to editors The awards ceremony will take place on February 18, 2017 during a ceremony at 8:30 a.m. in Boston at the Sheraton Boston Hotel Republic Ballroom during the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Annual Meeting. Reporters wishing to attend the ceremony can contact Domiziana Francescon at +31 61 021 5901 or d.francescon@elsevier.com. About OWSD The Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) provides research training, career development and networking opportunities for women scientists throughout the developing world. Headed by eminent women scientists from the South, OWSD has more than 5,000 members and runs various programmes, including a PhD fellowship programme with over 200 successful graduates from Least Developed Countries and sub-Saharan Africa. OWSD is the first international forum to unite eminent women scientists from the developing and developed worlds with the objective of strengthening their role in the development process and promoting their representation in scientific and technological leadership. OWSD is affiliated with The World Academy of Science (TWAS) and based in Trieste, Italy, with national chapters throughout the developing world. About The Elsevier Foundation The Elsevier Foundation provides grants to knowledge centered institutions around the world, with a sustainability focus on innovations in health information, diversity in STM, research in developing countries and technology for development. Since 2006, the Foundation has awarded more than 100 grants worth millions of dollars to non-profit organizations working in these fields. Through gift-matching, the Foundation also supports the efforts of Elsevier employees to play a positive role in their local and global communities. The Elsevier Foundation is a corporate not-for-profit 501(c)(3), funded by Elsevier, a global provider of scientific, technical and medical information products and services. About Elsevier Elsevier is a world-leading provider of information solutions that enhance the performance of science, health, and technology professionals, empowering them to make better decisions, deliver better care, and sometimes make groundbreaking discoveries that advance the boundaries of knowledge and human progress. Elsevier provides web-based, digital solutions -- among them ScienceDirect, Scopus, Research Intelligence and ClinicalKey -- and publishes over 2,500 journals, including The Lancet and Cell, and more than 35,000 book titles, including a number of iconic reference works. Elsevier is part of RELX Group, a world-leading provider of information and analytics for professional and business customers across industries. Media contacts Tonya Blowers Program Coordinator, OWSD 39-040-2240-682 tblowers@owsd.net Hadley Dreibelbis Finn Partners 1-202-518-6496 hadley.dreibelbis@finnpartners.com Ylann Schemm Director, Elsevier Foundation 31-623982359 y.schemm@elsevier.com Scientists at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University have mapped a vast spider web of interactions between proteins in lung cancer cells, as part of an effort to reach what was considered "undruggable." This approach revealed new ways to target cells carrying mutations in cancer-causing genes. As an example, researchers showed sensitivity to an FDA-approved drug, palbociclib, for a gene that is commonly mutated in lung cancer cells, which is now being tested in a clinical study. The results are published online in Nature Communications. Many genes that drive the growth of cancer cells don't have any drugs available against them. For "tumor suppressor" genes, researchers are often not sure how to go after them. When the tumor suppressors are gone, cells often become more deranged, but there's no bullseye left to target. Exploiting the cancer cells' derangement remains a daunting challenge, says senior author Haian Fu, PhD. "Our approach is to place tumor suppressors in the context of a network of cancer-associated proteins and link tumor suppressors to drugs through a known drug target protein," Fu says. "In this way, changes in a tumor suppressor may be linked with the response of the target to the connected drug." The study is part of a push by the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Target Discovery and Development (CTD2) network to translate genomics data into therapeutic strategies, he says. Emory is a member of the NCI CTD2 network. Fu holds the Winship Partner in Research endowed chair and is leader of Winship's Discovery and Developmental Therapeutics Program, director of the Emory Chemical Biology Discovery Center and professor of pharmacology and hematology and medical oncology. Co-corresponding author Fadlo Khuri, MD, maintains his professor appointment at Winship Cancer Institute and is now president of the American University of Beirut in Lebanon. Cancer researchers have been searching for ways to target mutations in the gene STK11/LKB1, found in 15 to 25 percent of non-small cell lung cancers. The tumor suppressor STK11/LKB11 encodes an enzyme that is thought to regulate cell migration and metabolism. One of the Winship team's newly identified interactions -- a "thread" in the spider web -- suggested that palbociclib, recently approved against metastatic breast cancer, may work against cells carrying mutations in LKB1, through LKB1's connection to CDK4, the target of palbociclib. That prediction was supported by genomic data analysis and cell culture experiments: lung cancer cells with LKB1 defects showed a tendency of increased sensitivity to palbociclib. Now a study led by Taofeek Owonikoko, MD, at Winship is using LKB1 status as a biomarker for interpreting the effect of palbociclib. How OncoPPI works If cells are complex machines, then a number of ways exist for figuring out how the machines' parts, dominated by proteins, fit together. Some of them involve multiple washing steps to remove nonspecific partners after breaking cells apart, but FRET (Forster resonance energy transfer) does not. If two fluorescent molecules with colors that are near on the spectrum are close enough (less than 10 nanometers), that proximity can be detected by FRET. Fu and his colleagues established a large-scale platform for tagging proteins with two different fluorescent molecules, introducing them into cancer cells, and then detecting interactions between the proteins. They call this network of cancer-associated proteins "OncoPPI." Starting with a set of 83 lung cancer-related proteins, the team detected more than 260 interactions that were not known previously. They tested the interactions several times, in different orientations, and in other lung cancer cell lines with selected interactions to establish reliability. More than 80 percent of the interactions the researchers detected could be confirmed by another method (GST pulldown). As an additional example to illustrate the utility of a protein interaction web, the team focused on the prominent oncoprotein Myc, which was also considered "undruggable." But the researchers could connect Myc indirectly through NSD3 to another protein called Brd4, against which inhibitors have been developed. Brd4 inhibitors are being currently tested in clinical trials. This finding revealed a new pathway Brd4-NSD3-Myc as potential targets for therapeutic intervention, Fu says. ### The OncoPPI research was supported by the National Cancer Institute Cancer Target Discovery and Development (CTD2) network (U01CA168449), lung cancer program project (P01CA116676) and Winship Cancer Institute (P30CA138292) and the Georgia Research Alliance, and the Emory University Research Committee. The clinical study of palbociclib is sponsored by Pfizer. Co-first authors are research associate Zenggang Li, PhD, now at Michigan State University, instructor Andrei Ivanov, PhD and Xiangya Hospital medical student Rina Su, now at Chao-yang Hospital, Capital Medical University in Beijing, China. Emory/Winship co-authors include Qi Qi, PhD, Philip Webber, PhD, Yuhong Du, PhD, Wei Zhou, PhD, Adam Marcus, PhD, Carlos Moreno, PhD, Lee Cooper, PhD and Margaret Johns, PhD, graduate students Valentina Gonzalez-Pecchi and Lauren Rusnak, and visiting medical student Songlin Liu. Collaborators from UT Southwestern contributed to the paper. DENVER - East Asian female breast cancer patients receiving radiotherapy have a higher risk of developing second primary lung cancer. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, causing more deaths than breast, colon and prostate cancers combined. The risk factors for developing lung cancer include tobacco smoking, age, family history, medical or occupational radiation exposure and other chronic inflammatory diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Further, a history of prior cancer such as lymphoma, head and neck cancer or smoking-related cancer is considered to be a risk factor for developing second primary lung cancer (SPLC). Studies have also shown that second primary cancers, specifically esophageal cancer, can develop after receiving radiation therapy for a prior cancer. Interestingly, while radiation exposure is a known risk factor for lung cancer, it is not clear whether treatment with radiation therapy (RT) for breast cancer increases the risk of developing SPLC. Taiwanese researchers conducted a study to evaluate whether breast cancer patients treated with RT are at greater risk for developing SPLC. The Taiwan Longitudinal Health Insurance Database (LHID), which is randomly abstracted from the National Health Insurance Research Database, was used to collect 986,713 patients with medical events from 2000 to 2010 for cohort analysis. All women with newly diagnosed invasive breast cancer, aged 18 years or older, and without other types of malignancy before 2000 or in the follow-up periods were enrolled in the study. Eligible patients were assigned to the radiation or non-radiation cohorts. Age, comorbidities, insurance premium, urbanization level, location, date of event and hospital care level were analyzed. Kaplan-Meier curve analysis and the log-rank test were used to demonstrate the cumulative risk for subsequent lung cancer. The hazard ratios of parameters were calculated by Cox regression analysis. The results of the study published in the Journal of Thoracic Oncology, the official journal of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC), reported that of the 986,713 patients identified in the LHID, 7,408 female patients with breast cancer were eligible for the study. Among these, 5,696 patients underwent radiotherapy and 1,713 did not. At the end of the follow-up period, lung cancer had been diagnosed in 128 patients in the radiotherapy cohort (2.25%) and 4 patients in the non-radiation cohort (0.23%). Cox regression analysis showed that the adjusted hazard ratio was 10.08 times higher in the radiotherapy cohort than in the non-radiation cohort. The authors comment that, "Treatment choices for breast cancer are multidisciplinary and include a combination of surgical resection, radiation, chemotherapy, hormone therapy and targeted therapy. This study investigated whether radiation, a frequently used therapeutic option for multidisciplinary treatment of breast cancer, subjected patients to a greater risk for SPLC in an East Asian country. The results of this study showed that radiation for breast cancer, which is an important treatment option, was correlated with a significant increase in the incidence of SPLC, particularly among older women or those with advanced-stage breast cancer. Regardless of the clinical or pathological stage, radiation for breast cancer also significantly increased the risk in the non-radiation cohort. Patients who undergo radiation for multidisciplinary treatment of breast cancer should be carefully monitored to detect potential SPLC." ### About the IASLC The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) is the only global organization dedicated to the study of lung cancer. Founded in 1974, the association's membership includes more than 5,000 lung cancer specialists in over 100 countries. Visit http://www.iaslc.org for more information. Written by: Jacinta Wiens, PhD, 720-598-1941; jacinta.wiens@iaslc.org Media Contact: Becky Bunn, 720-254-9509; Becky.Bunn@iaslc.org AMES, Iowa - It's no longer enough for scientists and engineers to communicate their work by publishing in technical journals, says an associate dean for Iowa State University's College of Engineering. Today's scientists and engineers need to communicate the potential impacts of their work to the public, said Sriram Sundararajan, Iowa State engineering's associate dean for academic affairs and a professor of mechanical engineering. They also need to find ways to use their expertise to advance societal goals such as developing a stronger workforce in technical fields. Sundararajan will present his ideas during a seminar at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Feb. 16-20 in Boston. The theme of the meeting is "Serving Society Through Science Policy." Sundararajan will be one of three speakers for a seminar called, "Scientist Motivations, Support and Challenges for Public Engagement." The seminar will be 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, in Ballroom A of Boston's Hynes Convention Center. Sundararajan will explain how Iowa State is working to help researchers succeed in broader impacts activities, including public engagement. "Being able to communicate effectively to multiple audiences is important to scientists and engineers," Sundararajan said. "And so we want to help faculty and graduate students develop a broader impacts portfolio." An individual's portfolio could include outreach to high school students, communicating the value of campus research, mentoring young engineers or nurturing diversity in technical fields. Iowa State has several programs devoted to helping faculty and graduate students develop ideas and programs for engaging the public. Here are two examples, both supported by the National Science Foundation: Iowa State's Strengthening the Professoriate initiative provides resources and support for faculty members, postdoctoral research associates and advanced graduate students who are developing broader impacts programs for their grant proposals and research projects. The initiative offers events, programs, resources and consulting to help researchers develop effective engagement activities. Iowa State offers a graduate course to engineering students that's taught by Sundararajan and is designed to help students apply their technical work to benefit society. As part of the course, students design a broader impacts project. One student, for example, developed LEGO-based activities to help high school students learn about industrial engineering. Describing those and other Iowa State programs will help Sundararajan deliver his main point to the seminar audience: "You need to encourage individual faculty and graduate students to develop broader impacts and public engagement," he said. "You need to develop a structure to provide them with the tools they need to be successful." ### In addition to Sundararajan, the seminar will feature talks by Tracey Holloway, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison; and Ezra Markowitz, an assistant professor of environmental conservation at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. More information about the seminar is here: https://aaas.confex.com/aaas/2017/webprogram/Session15884.html The AAAS was founded in 1848 and is the world's largest general scientific society. The association publishes the journal Science and several other scientific journals. BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- A study reported Feb. 17 in the journal Science led by researchers at Indiana University and Harvard University is the first to reveal in extreme detail the operation of the biochemical clockwork that drives cellular division in bacteria. The discovery, made possible through a revolutionary method used to color bacterial cell walls developed at IU, is an important step forward in research on bacterial growth and could inform efforts to develop drugs that combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Globally, antibiotic-resistant bacteria, or "superbugs," pose a major risk to human health. The World Health Organization estimates about 480,000 people develop multi-drug resistant tuberculosis each year. In the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control estimates 1 in 4 hospital-acquired infections in long-term patients are caused by six major strains of the bugs. "This is the first study to 'connect the dots' between each part of the cell involved in bacterial cellular division," said Yves Brun, the Clyde Culbertson Professor of Biology in the IU Bloomington College of Arts and Sciences' Department of Biology, who is an author on the study. "We've finally closed the circle on this mechanism and opened the door to more precise methods in the fight against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. "If you understand how an engine works, you can shut it down by removing a single part," Brun said. "You no longer need to throw a hammer into the works to destroy it." Early antibiotics like penicillin function like a hammer: a blunt instrument that destroys the bacterial cell in the midst of division by tricking cell wall-making enzymes called penicillin-binding proteins, or PBPs, into binding to the drug rather than the building blocks of the cell walls, causing the walls to breach and the cells to explode. Other parts of the cell that drive bacterial division include cytoskeletal proteins, called FtsA and FtsZ, which form skeleton-like fibers inside cells to direct construction of the cell wall. All three elements must coordinate to build a cell wall in the middle of the cell to ensure the material inside doesn't escape after it splits in half. The fact that these three parts of the cell play a role in cellular division is known, but the new study is the first to show exactly how they coordinate. Essentially, Brun said, FtsZ acts as a "foreman" that directs the movement of PBP "workers" as they construct a cell wall. The researchers were able to detect the action with high-tech, multi-colored dyes called fluorescent D-amino acids, or FDAAs, discovered five years ago in the lab of Michael VanNieuwenhze, professor in the IU Bloomington College of Arts and Sciences' Department of Chemistry, who is a co-author on the study. "The application of different colors of these dyes during the cell wall construction process revealed a 'bull's-eye pattern,' indicating the circular wall is built from the outer edge of the cell inward to the center," VanNieuwenhze said. The study also solves another mystery: How do FtsZ molecules build the wall? The researchers found that FtsZ -- which is arrayed in a biochemical chain called a filament -- constantly loses a molecule at one end and gains a molecule at the other end, resulting in a circular motion around the cell's edge described as "treadmilling." IU researchers chemically labeled the cells for analysis. Harvard scientists performed the experiments that showed the motion of the FtsZ and PBP proteins inside the cell. The subject of a U.S. patent filed by the IU Research and Technology Corp., FDAA dyes have played an important part in dozens of other scientific papers on bacteria since 2012. VanNieuwenhze's lab also has about 50 material transfer agreements with researchers across the globe to provide access to the tool. The creation of the dyes at IU was led by Erkin Kuru, a former Ph.D. student in the labs of VanNieuwenhze and Brun who is currently a research fellow at Harvard. Kuru and Yen-Pang Hsu, a IU Ph.D. student also in the labs of VanNieuwenhze and Brun, are co-authors on the study. "This is the first time we've been able to observe cell division as a dynamic process -- that is, a process occurring over time," Kuru said. "This wasn't possible before since we lacked the tools to see it." Hsu added that "the visualization of these cell structures is no small task when you consider the organism that contains them is less than a micrometer -- or one-thousand of a millimeter -- wide. We wouldn't have been able to measure the fluorescent patterns in these cells without the technology at the IU Light Microscopy Imaging Center." ### Harvard authors on the paper were Ethan C. Garner, Alexandre W. Bisson Filho, Georgia R. Squyres and Yingjie Sun. Additional authors were Cees Dekker of Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands; Seamus Holden of Newcastle University, England; and Fabai Wu of the California Institute of Technology. This research was funded in part by the National Institutes of Health. A new global collaborative study has confirmed that vitamin D supplementation can help protect against acute respiratory infections. The study, a participant data meta-analysis of 25 randomized controlled trials including more than 11,000 participants, has been published online in The BMJ. "Most people understand that vitamin D is critical for bone and muscle health," said Carlos Camargo, MD, DrPH, of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and the study's senior author. "Our analysis has also found that it helps the body fight acute respiratory infection, which is responsible for millions of deaths globally each year." Several observational studies, which track participants over time without assigning a specific treatment, have associated low vitamin D levels with greater susceptibility to acute respiratory infections. A number of clinical trials have been conducted to investigate the protective ability of vitamin D supplementation; but while some found a protective effect, others did not. Meta-analyses of these trials, which aggregate data from several studies that may have different designs or participant qualifications, also had conflicting results. To resolve these discrepancies, the research team - led by Adrian Martineau, PhD, from Queen Mary University of London - conducted an individual participant data meta-analysis of trials conducted in more than a dozen countries, including the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. While traditional meta-analyses compare average data from all participants in each study, individual participant data meta-analysis separates out the data from each individual participant, producing what could be considered a higher resolution analysis of the data from all studies. The investigators found that daily or weekly supplementation had the greatest benefit for individuals with the most significant vitamin D deficiency (blood levels below 10 mg/dl) - cutting their risk of respiratory infection in half - and that all participants experienced some beneficial effects from regular vitamin D supplementation. Administering occasional high doses of vitamin D did not produce significant benefits. "Acute respiratory infections are responsible for millions of emergency department visits in the United States," says Camargo, who is a professor of Emergency Medicine at Harvard Medical School. "These results could have a major impact on our health system and also support efforts to fortify foods with vitamin D, especially in populations with high levels of vitamin D deficiency." The study was funded by a grant from the National Institute of Health Research (U.K.). ### Massachusetts General Hospital, founded in 1811, is the original and largest teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School. The MGH Research Institute conducts the largest hospital-based research program in the nation, with an annual research budget of more than $800 million and major research centers in HIV/AIDS, cardiovascular research, cancer, computational and integrative biology, cutaneous biology, human genetics, medical imaging, neurodegenerative disorders, regenerative medicine, reproductive biology, systems biology, photomedicine and transplantation biology. The MGH topped the 2015 Nature Index list of health care organizations publishing in leading scientific journals and earned the prestigious 2015 Foster G. McGaw Prize for Excellence in Community Service. In August 2016 the MGH was once again named to the Honor Roll in the U.S. News & World Report list of "America's Best Hospitals. Prithvi Man Shrestha is a political reporter for The Kathmandu Post, covering the governance-related issues including corruption and irregularities in the government machinery. Before joining The Kathmandu Post in 2009, he worked at nepalnews.com and Rising Nepal primarily covering the issues of political and economic affairs for three years. In some areas of the U.S., medical providers consistently order more tests and treatments for patients than providers do elsewhere -- a fact that has generated considerable public debate. Now a new study co-authored by MIT scholars suggests that these differences in medical practices influence how the apparent health of populations is measured across regions. Population health is typically measured according to medical claims data based on the diseases individuals are diagnosed with and treated for. But the study shows that, in practice, such measures reflect not only the underlying health of local populations, but also the propensity of providers to offer tests and treatments, a phenomenon the MIT researchers call "diagnostic intensity." Because patients in areas with greater diagnostic intensity will have more health problems diagnosed and entered into their records, insurance-based health metrics will make those patients appear sicker than equivalently healthy patients in places with lower diagnostic intensity. This matters partly because standard insurance-based health metrics are used to adjust payments for insurers or providers to account for the apparent differences in the health of the patients they serve. But now, those standard metrics may need some revising. "The idea of risk-adjusted payments is to create a level playing field so providers are not penalized for serving sicker or harder-to-treat patients, and insurers are not penalized for covering them," says Amy Finkelstein, the John and Jennie S. MacDonald Professor of Economics at MIT and a co-author of a new paper outlining the study's results. "But if risk adjustment is based on measures that reflect not only underlying patient health but also [a] provider's 'diagnostic intensity,' that can be problematic." The paper, "Adjusting Risk Adjustment -- Accounting for Variation in Diagnostic Intensity," is being published this week in the New England Journal of Medicine. The authors are Finkelstein; Matthew Gentzkow, a professor of economics at Stanford University; Heidi Williams, an associate professor of economics at MIT; and Peter Hull, a doctoral candidate in MIT's Department of Economics. Sharpening up Medicare estimates? The current study covers all 306 hospital referral regions (HRRs) across the U.S. and builds on a previous analysis by Finkelstein, Gentzkow, and Williams, published last fall, which quantified how much variation in Medicare spending was due to regional medical practices, as opposed to the underlying health of patients. That previous analysis showed that about half the regional difference in Medicare spending, nationwide, was due to medical practices, and about half was due to differences in population health. That first analysis arrived at its conclusions by examining Medicare patients who moved from one region to another, in order to see how spending levels differ across regions, for the same patients. In the newly published paper, the researchers again examine what happens when Medicare patients move across regions, focusing on how such moves affect people's measured health. The researchers illustrate their approach by focusing on the "risk scores" used to reimburse private insurers in the federal government's Medicare Advantage program. The risk score is designed to capture differences in patient health that affect Medicare spending. An enrolled person with a risk score of 1 would be expected to have an average level of Medicare spending; a risk score of 1.1 would suggest that the person's spending would likely be about 10 percent above average. The new study shows that when people move to areas of the country where providers have a greater diagnostic intensity, the risk scores of patients -- which are supposed to reflect underlying health -- increase. And while the general problem of geographic variation in diagnostic intensity had been recognized by previous researchers, the new study for the first time devises a solution that could be applied to this problem in practice. "This work develops a new measure [that] provides practitioners and researchers with place-specific measures of diagnostic intensity that can be used to correct that sort of bias in these measures," Hull says. Medicare administrators, for instance, could use the new adjustments to more accurately determine the underlying health of regional populations. On the map The map that Finkelstein and her colleagues have built shows some notable national trends. Medical providers in the Northeast, the deep South, and most of California tend to diagnose their patients relatively aggressively. By contrast, providers in the Midwest and Mountain West, among other areas, are less aggressive in diagnosing patients. The study also helps illuminate contrasts between specific places in the U.S. -- such as Miami, where medical practitioners spent about $14,423 per Medicare patient in 2010, compared to an average of just $7,819 per Medicare patient in Minneapolis that year. But as the new study shows, Miami also happens to have a greater diagnostic intensity than Minneapolis. That implies the relative health measures of the two cities' populations are closer than the raw spending data would suggest. "Our findings suggest that people in Miami are less sick than you would think based on the standard risk adjustment measure, and people in Minneapolis are more sick than you would think," Finkelstein observes, adding: "There's been a lot of fascination with these geographic patterns." And now, the new data about those patterns may have a direct practical application. ### Additional background PAPER: Adjusting Risk Adjustment - Accounting for Variation in Diagnostic Intensity http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp1613238 ARCHIVE: Decoding the medical cost mystery http://news.mit.edu/2016/providers-patients-health-care-spending-equal-1104 ARCHIVE: Study: With Medicaid, ER visits remain high for two years http://news.mit.edu/2016/study-medicaid-er-visits-remain-high-two-years-1019 ARCHIVE: Making a splash in health-care economics http://news.mit.edu/2016/faculty-profile-heidi-williams-1018 ARCHIVE: Study: More epxensive emergency care does yield better results http://news.mit.edu/2015/more-expensive-emergency-care-yields-better-results-0205 A new study is bringing attention to a little known and imperiled rattlesnake that slithers among the wetlands in regions surrounding the Great Lakes. The Eastern Massasauga rattler was once common in such states as Indiana and Illinois. Until recent years, it could still be found in Chicago's Cook County. But the reptile's range and numbers have been steadily declining. In 2016, the snake was listed as threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. In the new study, Northern Illinois University biological sciences professor Richard King and his former student Eric Hileman examine the life history of the Eastern Massasauga, revealing important local climate impacts on the snake that should be carefully weighed when developing conservation strategies. "Our results provide evidence that climatic variation in the Great Lakes region strongly influences body size, individual growth rates and key aspects of reproduction," says Hileman, first author of the study published in PLOS ONE, a journal of the Public Library of Science. Hileman earned his Ph.D. in biological sciences from NIU in December and is now a postdoctoral fellow in biology at Trent University in Ontario, Canada. Hileman, King and more than 40 co-authors gathered and synthesized more than a century of data on the snakes from study sites across the range of the Eastern Massasauga. Most of the data was culled from studies conducted from the mid-1990s forward at sites in Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York, as well as Ontario, Canada. The scientists found strong evidence for geographic variation in six of nine life-history variables. Among the findings: The average body size of the snake and the size of its offspring increased with increasing mean annual precipitation, possibly because wetter climates yield greater prey abundance. Litter sizes decreased with increasing mean temperature, and increased by one offspring for each 1.89-degree increase in latitude, even when maternal size was held constant. "It's been rare to look within a species and show that these patterns exist," King says. "The study results demonstrate that a one-size-fits all conservation strategy is not appropriate. Rather, assessments of extinction risk and the design of management strategies need to account for geography." The Eastern Massasauga snakes are generally found in wet prairies or sedge meadows, where the reptiles employ a sit-and-wait strategy to catch and feed on small mammals. Adult size ranges from about 2 feet to 2 feet in length. While venomous, the snakes are not particularly aggressive or dangerous to work with. "You're not likely to encounter them unless you're looking for them," King says. "It's easy to walk right by one. They're very cryptically colored to look like dead leaves and cattails, so they blend in exceedingly well." The reptiles suffered habitat loss from extensive drainage of land for agriculture and development. As recently as the 1970s, some states had bounties on the snake. With concerns over whether they would persist in the wild, the remaining snakes in Chicago's Cook County were taken into a captive breeding program in 2010, King says. "In Illinois, they've nearly blinked out entirely," he adds. "We're probably down to one location in the southern part of the state that has a stable population. They seem to have stronger holds in Michigan and southern Ontario." The study authors believe findings will aid Eastern Massasauga recovery efforts. "The life-history parameter estimates will be essential for improving models related to extinction risk and climate change," Hileman says. "The results from these predictive models can subsequently be used to develop site-specific management strategies." ### February 10, 2017 New Zealand has granted the United States permission for a U.S. Coast Guard icebreaker, the USCGC Polar Star, to visit the port of Lyttelton later this month. The icebreaker will make the port call on its way to its home port of Seattle after completing a resupply mission supporting the U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP), which is managed by the National Science Foundation (NSF). The U.S. embassy in Wellington announced the port call earlier this week. New Zealand has not permitted port calls by U.S. naval and military vessels since its government passed a 1984 anti-nuclear law banning warships carrying nuclear weapons or operating with nuclear propulsion - something the U.S. does not disclose about its ships. Last summer, a U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke-class destroyer made the first New Zealand port call since 1984. U.S. Charge d'Affaires Candy Green said in a news release that both nations would consider any future U.S. ship visits on a case-by-case basis. The USCGC Polar Star port call will save transit time on its way back to Seattle, as the vessel would otherwise need to stop in Tasmania, a much longer oceanic haul. Once it arrives in Seattle, scientific samples and other cargo will be offloaded. Any cargo that can be shipped out of Antarctica also frees space on the Program's support aircraft, which include the LC-130 Hercules, flown by the New York Air National Guard, and the U.S. Air Force C-17. The USCGC Polar Star annually breaks a channel through the sea ice of Antarctica's McMurdo Sound to allow a cargo ship and a tanker to resupply NSF's McMurdo and Amundsen-Scott South Pole stations. This mission is part of Operation Deep Freeze, the U.S. military's logistical support for the civilian Antarctic program, and helps NSF maintain three year-round research stations in Antarctica. The McMurdo resupply mission also supports New Zealand's Scott Base, a year-round station adjacent to McMurdo. ### Researchers have completed the first flights of a NASA-led field campaign that is targeting one of the biggest gaps in scientists' understanding of Earth's water resources: snow. NASA uses the vantage point of space to study all aspects of Earth as an interconnected system. But there remain significant obstacles to measuring accurately how much water is stored across the planet's snow-covered regions. The amount of water in snow plays a major role in water availability for drinking water, agriculture and hydropower. Enter SnowEx, a NASA-led multi-year research campaign to improve remote-sensing measurements of how much snow is on the ground at any given time and how much water is contained in that snow. SnowEx is sponsored by the Terrestrial Hydrology Program at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C., and managed by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. The first year of the ground and air campaign takes place in February in western Colorado. "This is the most comprehensive campaign we have ever done on snow," said Edward Kim, a remote sensing scientist at NASA Goddard and the SnowEx project scientist. "An army of nearly 100 scientists from universities and agencies across the U.S., Europe and Canada are participating. Our goal is to find and refine the best snow-measuring techniques and how they could work together." Scientists know that they will need multiple sensors to measure the water content in snow. "No one instrument is perfect," said Charles Gatebe from NASA Goddard, SnowEx deputy project scientist and senior scientist with Universities Space Research Association. "One of our biggest problems is detecting snow through trees. We will work closely with our ground team to try new techniques to see if we can figure out how to do that accurately." Why snow? More than one-sixth of the world's population relies on seasonal snow for water. In the western U.S., nearly three-quarters of the annual streamflow that provides the water supply arrives as spring and summer melt from the mountain snow packs. Right now, predictions of streamflow can vary widely due to limited ground measurement sites. This is one of the reasons scientists and resource managers are interested in a comprehensive view from space of what they call snow-water equivalent -- the amount of liquid water contained in snow cover. Scientists use snow-water equivalent to estimate the amount of water that will melt into mountain streams, rivers and reservoirs. Snow also effects and is affected by the climate. Scientists have detected changes in snow quantity and snowmelt timing that track with other changes prompted by Earth's warming climate. While satellites are not able to measure snow-water equivalent accurately over all snowy landscapes, satellites have monitored the extent of seasonal snow-covered areas for decades. Since 1967, Northern Hemisphere spring snow cover has declined by about 1 million square miles. Loss of snow cover results in Earth absorbing more sunlight, accelerating the planet's warming. In the air, on the ground The instruments and techniques developed in campaigns such as SnowEx could one day result in a snow-observing space mission. "We will also figure out a better way to optimize the use of existing satellites to make measurements," said Jared Entin, program manager of the Terrestrial Hydrology Program at NASA Headquarters. Five aircraft with a total of 10 different sensors are part of the SnowEx campaign. From an operations base at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado Springs, SnowEx will deploy a P-3 Orion aircraft operated by the Scientific Development Squadron ONE (VXS-1), stationed at the Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland. High-altitude NASA jets will fly from NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, and NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center in Palmdale, California. A King Air and a Twin Otter will fly out of Grand Junction, Colorado. The planes will carry one passive and four active microwave sensors that are good at measuring snow-water equivalent in dry snow, but are less optimal for measuring snow in forests or light snow cover; a thermal infrared camera and a remote thermometer (KT-15) for measuring surface temperature; laser instrument that it good at measuring snow depth and snow water equivalent through trees; an imaging spectrometer which measures snow albedo -- the amount of sunlight reflected and absorbed by snow, which controls the speed of snowmelt and the timing of its runoff. The King Air carries the Airborne Snow Observatory from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. ASO is the first remote sensing system to ever measure snow depth, snow water equivalent and snow albedo across entire mountain basins, and has uniquely quantified snow water equivalent over mountainous regions since 2013. The field portion of the campaign is based in Grand Mesa and Senator Beck Basin. Scientists will use measurement and sampling procedures that will allow the team to validate the remotely-sensed measurements acquired by the multiple sensors on the various aircraft. Traditional and high-tech equipment is being used for the ground campaign, including snow pits and remote sensing instruments hoisted 40 feet in the air on boom trucks. "The big challenge to the ground campaign is collecting high-quality field measurements while keeping everyone safe and healthy in these harsh environments," said Kelly Elder, research hydrologist with the U.S. Forest Service's Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fort Collins, Colorado, who is leading the overall ground campaign. Scientists will be working above 10,000 feet in potentially windy and freezing conditions up to 10 hours a day. They need snow goggles or sunglasses to protect their eyes. Hypothermia is a very real threat, so researchers wear special clothing designed to wick away sweat and keep them dry. The teams use snowshoes, skis and snowmobiles to access the ground measurement locations on Grand Mesa and Senator Beck Basin. The Senator Beck Research Basin study area is near the headwaters of the Rio Grande River Basin. "Its research areas are the first major mountain systems downwind of the desert Southwest and Colorado Plateau, making it an ideal place to study the effects of dust on snowmelt," said Hans-Peter Marshall, of Boise State University, who is leading ground operations in Senator Beck Research Basin. "Grand Mesa was chosen for its flatness and range of forest conditions," said Chris Hiemstra, a research physicist with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the lead for the Grand Mesa ground operations. The variety of terrain and environments make the ground sites good models for developing global measurements of snow. Ground equipment was installed in September 2016, before snow started to fall. A ground site near a campground will host specialized equipment too large to move around. This Local Scale Observation Site effort is led by Ludovic Brucker from NASA Goddard. Teams of 50 researchers are making ground measurements, rotating in and out of the field every week over a three-week period. Data acquired from the SnowEx campaign will be stored at the National Snow and Ice Data Center in Boulder, Colorado, and will be available to anyone at no cost, as is the case with all NASA data. After the field work, SnowEx scientists will analyze data and recommend to NASA how to proceed in the next few years. "This campaign will generate the best ideas from the global community of snow experts," Kim said. Senator Beck Basin is managed by the Center for Snow and Avalanche Studies CSAS, a non-profit organization that hosts research studies on snowpack at the basin. ### BROOKLYN, New York -Self-driving cars could account for 21 million new vehicles sold every year by 2035. Over the next decade alone such vehicles -- and vehicles with assisted-driving technology --could deliver $1 trillion in societal and consumer benefits due to their improved safety. For autonomous vehicles to make good on that promise they will need onboard artificial intelligence (AI) technology able to link them to highly detailed maps that reflect every change in the status of lanes, hazards, obstacles, and speed-limits in real time. Researchers at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering are making this critical machine-to-machine handshake possible. Yi Fang, a research assistant professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and a faculty member at NYU Abu Dhabi, and Edward K. Wong, an associate professor in the NYU Tandon Department of Computer Science and Engineering, are developing a deep learning system that will allow self-driving cars to navigate, maneuver, and respond to changing road conditions by mating data from onboard sensors to information on HERE HD Live Map, a cloud-based service for automated driving. The NYU Multimedia and Visual Computing Lab directed by Professor Fang will house the collaborative project. Fang and Wong recently received a gift fund from HERE, a global leader in mapping and location-based services owned by Audi, BMW, Daimler and Intel, with Tencent and NavInfo of China and GIC of Singapore also poised to become investors during 2017. NYU Tandon is one of HERE's first university research and development partners in HERE HD Live Map. High-definition (HD) maps meant for machine-to-machine communication must be accurate to within 10 to 20 centimeters. Self-driving vehicles need to continuously update, or register, their location on these maps with an equally high degree of accuracy, according to Fang, who said that the goal of the collaborative research is to enhance car-to-map precision to within 10 centimeters. "Essentially, we want to be able to precisely match what the car sees with what's in the cloud database. An incredibly precise ruler isn't of much use if your vision is blurry," he explained. "Our work involves employing computer vision techniques to refine the vehicle's ability to continually locate itself with respect to HERE's cloud-based service," said Wong. "That requires real-time images of the street and surrounding objects derived from cameras, LiDAR [a laser-based range-finding technology], and other on-board sensors." The researchers added that this precision is also important because automobiles connected to HERE's HD Live Map service will deliver data to the cloud on road conditions, traffic, weather, obstacles, speed limits, and other variables, allowing the service to upgrade nearly in real-time to reflect changing conditions. "3D computer vision and Deep Neural Network are the technologies driving the development of high- definition live maps for self-driving cars," said Xin Chen, HERE senior engineering manager and research scientist. "We're excited to kick off a long-term research collaboration with Professors Wong and Fang individually based upon their expertise in this domain as well as with NYU as a top institution for research and learning in the field." "The convergence of cybersecurity, big data, wireless technology, and artificial intelligence is already revolutionizing how people live and travel, and it holds the promise of safer transportation for billions across the globe," said NYU Dean of Engineering Katepalli R. Sreenivasan. "We gratefully acknowledge this research gift funding from HERE, which will advance the important work of Professors Wong and Fang and the students assisting them in this new frontier." The HERE mapping project joins a number of recent initiatives at NYU Tandon addressing safer and smarter transportation. The U.S. Department of Transportation selected a research consortium led by NYU Tandon Department of Civil and Urban Engineering researchers to become the first Tier 1 University Transportation Center (UTC) in New York City, dedicated to using data to make every mode of surface transportation - from walking through mass transit - more efficient and safe. Another venture - headed by a cybersecurity research team in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering - is developing the first free, open-source method for automakers to secure software updates. Uptane will protect vehicles from cyber criminals and cyber war while providing the auto industry with an inexpensive and quick way to install safety fixes. ### About the New York University Tandon School of Engineering The NYU Tandon School of Engineering dates to 1854, the founding date for both the New York University School of Civil Engineering and Architecture and the Brooklyn Collegiate and Polytechnic Institute (widely known as Brooklyn Poly). A January 2014 merger created a comprehensive school of education and research in engineering and applied sciences, rooted in a tradition of invention and entrepreneurship and dedicated to furthering technology in service to society. In addition to its main location in Brooklyn, NYU Tandon collaborates with other schools within NYU, the country's largest private research university, and is closely connected to engineering programs at NYU Abu Dhabi and NYU Shanghai. It operates Future Labs focused on start-up businesses in downtown Manhattan and Brooklyn and an award-winning online graduate program. For more information, visit http://engineering.nyu.edu. Despite dramatic growth in enrollment in online charter schools in Ohio, students are not achieving the same academic success as those in brick-and-mortar charter and public schools, finds a study by NYU's Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development and RAND Corporation. "Our research suggests that online schools - in their current form, a largely independent learning experience - are not effective for K-12 learners. Instead, learners still need the presence of teachers, mentors, or peers to help them through the learning process," said study author June Ahn, associate professor of learning sciences and educational technology at NYU Steinhardt. The findings are published in Educational Researcher, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Educational Research Association. In Ohio, where online charter schools have been authorized since the early 2000s, a variety of providers can operate online charter schools, including school districts, non-profits, and private for-profit companies. These K-12 schools deliver most or all education online and lack a brick-and-mortar presence. Advocates of online schools argue that new technologies used in online learning have the potential to expand the courses available to students and provide flexibility in location and scheduling. However, questions have been raised about the effectiveness of learning outcomes in online charter schools, as well as how they compete for limited educational resources. In addition, research shows that certain factors can influence how families choose schools. If information is challenging to acquire - whether it has a cost, is in a language not spoken by the family, or is too complex - low-income families often base decisions on easy-to-access information. In choosing schools, at-risk students place less weight on academic indicators, and low performing students are more likely to attend a school with low average achievement. In the current study, the researchers analyzed data from 1.7 million K-12 students in Ohio who attended a traditional public school, charter school, or an online charter school between the 2009-10 and 2012-13 school years. They measured educational outcomes using standardized tests and looked at demographic data, including attendance and suspension; race and ethnicity; free and reduced price lunch status; and participation in gifted education, special education, or programs for English learners. Online charter school enrollment grew around 60 percent during the period studied, from approximately 22,000 students in 2010 to over 35,000 students in 2013, with high schools making up the majority of online charter enrollment. While enrollment in traditional charters also increased during this period, traditional public school enrollment decreased. "Online charter schools accounted for two percent of Ohio's student population in 2013, but the sector experienced the largest growth during this four-year period," said study author Andrew McEachin, policy researcher in the economics, statistics, and sociology department at the RAND Corporation. In studying the characteristics of students in each school sector, the researchers observed that students in charter schools - both online and traditional - have lower baseline achievement than traditional public school students, are more likely to qualify for free and reduced price lunch, and are less likely to participate in gifted education. However, students and families within the charter sector appear to self-segregate in stark ways. Low-income, lower achieving White students are more likely to choose online charter schools while low-income, lower achieving students of color are more likely to opt into a brick-and-mortar charter school. Around 50 to 60 percent of traditional charter school students are Black, compared to approximately 10 percent in online charters and 12 percent in traditional public schools. "Our findings reveal that, across all grades and subjects, students in online charter schools perform worse on standardized assessments and are significantly less likely to pass Ohio's test for high school graduation than their peers in traditional charter and traditional public schools," said McEachin. The researchers point to the importance of understanding how learning happens in online schools, much of which is self-directed and independent, but may not be suitable for many learners. They note that online curricula may be designed to efficiently deliver content, but should be combined with certain teaching and mentoring practices to serve students more effectively. In educational technology research, it is well established that technology as a delivery mechanism has no direct impact on student learning outcomes. What really matters is understanding how the introduction of technology impacts who chooses to participate in particular learning environments, and what they experience that result in learning outcomes, said Ahn. "In educational technology research, it is well established that technology as a delivery mechanism has no direct impact on student learning outcomes. What really matters is understanding how the introduction of technology impacts who chooses to participate in particular learning environments, and what they experience that result in learning outcomes." ### About the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development (@nyusteinhardt) Located in the heart of Greenwich Village, NYU's Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development prepares students for careers in the arts, education, health, media, and psychology. Since its founding in 1890, the Steinhardt School's mission has been to expand human capacity through public service, global collaboration, research, scholarship, and practice. To learn more about NYU Steinhardt, visit steinhardt.nyu.edu. Headaches and backaches also come with the job, which lacks ergonomic guidelines COLUMBUS, Ohio--Getting a tattoo may hurt, but giving one is no picnic, either. That's the finding of the first study ever to directly measure the physical stresses that lead to aches and pains in tattoo artists--workers who support a multibillion-dollar American industry, but who often don't have access to workers' compensation if they get injured. Researchers at The Ohio State University measured the muscle exertions of 10 central Ohio tattoo artists while they were working, and found that all of them exceeded maximums recommended to avoid injury, especially in the muscles of their upper back and neck. In the journal Applied Ergonomics, the researchers presented their findings and offered some suggestions on how tattoo artists can avoid injury. The study was unique, explained Carolyn Sommerich, director of the Engineering Laboratory for Human Factors/Ergonomics/Safety at Ohio State. She and former master's student Dana Keester spent a summer "hanging out in tattoo parlors with our EMG equipment, cameras and a tripod," observing artists who agreed to work while wearing electrodes that precisely measured their muscle activity. The electrodes gathered data for 15 seconds every 3 minutes for the entirety of each tattoo session. Though a single tattoo session can last as long as 8 hours depending on the size and complexity of the tattoo, the sessions used in the study lasted anywhere from 1 to 3 hours. In addition, the researchers used a standardized observational assessment tool to assess each artist's posture every five minutes and took a picture to document each observation. To the researchers' knowledge, this is the first time that anyone has gathered such data from tattoo artists at work. To Keester, some reasons for the artists' discomfort were immediately obvious. She noted that they sit for prolonged periods of time, often taking a posture just like the one immortalized in Norman Rockwell's painting "Tattoo Artist"--they perch on low stools, lean forward, and crane their neck to keep their eyes close to the tattoo they're creating. All 10 tattoo artists exceeded recommended exertion limits in at least one muscle group. Most notable was the strain on their trapezius muscles--upper back muscles that connect the shoulder blades to either side of the neck, a common site for neck/shoulder pain. Some exceeded limits by as much as 25 percent, putting them at high risk for injury. Those findings mesh well with a prior survey of tattoo artists that Keester carried out at the Hell City Tattoo Festival in Columbus, Ohio, in 2014. Among the 34 artists surveyed, the most common complaints were back pain (94 percent), headache (88 percent), neck pain (85 percent) and eye pain (74 percent). Tattoo artists suffer ailments similar to those experienced by dentists and dental hygienists, the researchers concluded. Like dental workers, tattoo artists perform detailed work with their hands while leaning over clients. But, unlike dental workers, tattoo artists in the United States lack a national organization that sets ergonomic guidelines for avoiding injury. One of the main problems is that the industry doesn't have specialized seating to support both the artist and the client, said Sommerich. "There's no such thing as an official 'tattoo chair,' so artists adapt dental chairs or massage tables to make a client comfortable, and then they hunch over the client to create the tattoo," Sommerich said. Adding to the problem is the fact that many tattoo artists are independent contractors who rent studio space from shop owners, so they're not covered by workers' compensation if they get hurt on the job, Keester said. Despite these challenges, the Ohio State researchers came up with some suggestions that may help artists avoid injury. Artists could experiment with different kinds of chairs for themselves, and try to support their back and arms. They could change positions while they work, take more frequent breaks and use a mounted magnifying glass to see their work instead of leaning in. They can also consider asking the client to move into a position that is comfortable for both the client and the tattoo artist, Sommerich added. "If the client can stand or maybe lean on something while the artist sits comfortably, that may be a good option," she said. "Switch it up once in a while." In the United States, tattooing is a $2.3 billion industry. A 2016 Harris Poll found that a third of Americans have at least one tattoo, and an IBISWorld report estimated that the industry is growing at around 13 percent per year. ### The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health provided funding for Keester's graduate studies. Contacts: Carolyn Sommerich, 614-292-9965; Sommerich.1@osu.edu Dana Keester; dana.keester@gmail.com Written by Pam Frost Gorder, 614-292-9475; Gorder.1@osu.edu There's at least one person in the world for whom smoking has a beneficial effect, and it took an international collaboration of scientists led by a Rice University professor to figure out why. Rice biochemist John Olson and collaborators in Germany and France helped a young woman and her father understand why she has anemia but her father, who is a smoker, does not. The woman, who was in her 20s when diagnosed, and her father share a mutation in the gene that encodes hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells responsible for taking up and delivering oxygen to cells around the body. The mutation is one of more than 1,000 discovered so far in adult human hemoglobin. Most appear to have no effect on people, but when medical problems occur, the disease is called a hemoglobinopathy and often named after the city or hospital where it was discovered. In this case, the family was living in Mannheim, Germany, but the father was born in the Turkish city of Kirklareli. The Kirklareli mutation did not affect the iron content of her dad's blood, but did appear to be the root cause of the young woman's chronic anemia, according to the researchers. Further investigation revealed that absorbing carbon monoxide from cigarette smoke is therapeutic for those with this rare genetic disorder. A paper on the research appeared this month in the Journal of Biological Chemistry. The mutation is in the alpha subunit of human hemoglobin (H58L) and causes it to rapidly auto-oxidize, or rust, which causes the protein to fall apart, lose heme and precipitate. As a result, the protein loses its ability to carry oxygen. Eventually, Olson said, the red cells themselves become deformed and are destroyed. Remarkably, this same mutation gives the protein an 80,000-fold higher affinity for carbon monoxide than for oxygen. Carbon monoxide from a cigarette will be selectively taken up by the mutant hemoglobin and prevent it from oxidizing and denaturing. This high affinity for carbon monoxide explained why the father showed no signs of anemia, Olson said. "He may never be an athlete because his blood can't carry as much oxygen, but smoking has prevented him from being anemic," he said. "And there's a side benefit. People with this trait are more resistant to carbon monoxide poisoning." Olson said he does not know how or if the doctors treated the young woman. He doesn't even know her name. But he suspected her iron-deficient anemia was more an annoyance than a threat to her life and would not recommend she start smoking to relieve it. "She shouldn't smoke," he said. "But she could take antioxidants, such as a lot of vitamin C, which would help prevent oxidation of her mutant hemoglobin. Her anemia is not that severe. At the same time, she shouldn't worry too much about secondhand smoke, which might have a positive effect." After ruling out common causes like blood loss, gastritis or congenital defects, her doctors were curious enough about her ailment to call upon Emmanuel Bisse, a researcher at the Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine at the University of Freiburg, who discovered the mutation after sequencing her DNA. Bisse in turn recruited Olson and his team to help determine why the histidine-to-leucine change caused anemia in the daughter but not the father. Ironically, Ivan Birukou, a graduate student in Olson's lab, had already generated the same mutation in human hemoglobin (one of several hundred made at Rice) to study how the protein rapidly and selectively binds oxygen. "Emmanuel wrote to me and said, 'I know you've been making all these mutants in hemoglobin, and you've probably done the H58L mutation in (alpha) chains. Does this phenotype make sense?'" Olson recalled. "I said, 'We can do a really neat study here, because we've already made the mutant hemoglobin in a recombinant system.' We actually had a crystal structure (matching Kirklareli) that Ivan and (staff scientist) Jayashree Soman never published but had deposited in the Protein Data Bank. We had made this mutation to try to understand what the distal histidine was doing in alpha subunits." They found in their 2010 study that replacing the histidine, which forms a strong hydrogen bond to oxygen, with leucine caused a dramatic decrease in oxygen affinity and an increase in carbon monoxide binding. Olson and Birukou realized back then that histidine played a key role in discriminating between oxygen and carbon monoxide in hemoglobin. "When Emmanuel wrote to me about his discovery, I already 'knew' what was happening with respect to carbon monoxide binding," Olson said. He said that the normal hydrogen bond causes bound oxygen to stick more tightly to hemoglobin in the same way hydrogen bonds cause spilled soda to feel sticky. "When you touch it, the sugar oxygens and hydrogens make hydrogen bonds with the polysaccharides on your finger," Olson said. "That stickiness helps hold onto oxygen. But leucine is more like an oil, like butane or hexane, and oxygen does not stick well inside hemoglobin. In contrast, bound carbon monoxide is more like methane or ethane and can't form hydrogen bonds." Andres Benitez Cardenas, a postdoctoral researcher in Olson's laboratory, did the crucial experiment in which he put carbon monoxide on the mutant alpha subunit of hemoglobin Kirklareli. The bound carbon monoxide slowed down oxidation of the protein and prevented loss of heme and precipitation. "In effect, Andres did the 'smoking experiment' to show why the father's hemoglobin didn't denature and cause anemia," Olson said. He said the effect caused by Kirklareli, though unusual, is not unique. "There is another 'smoking is good for you' mutation," he said, noting discoveries in Zurich in the late 1970s and early '80s. That case mirrored the current collaboration, as the researchers looking for answers then sought help from Nobel Laureate Max Perutz, whose pioneering work on hemoglobin structures won him the prize in 1968. Olson himself served as a reviewer on some of the papers for hemoglobin Zurich in the 1980s. "Emmanuel knew that we had worked on these histidine-to-leucine mutations in myoglobin and hemoglobin, which is why he contacted us," he said. "This type of collaboration is how science and medicine should work together." ### Bisse is lead author of the paper. Co-authors are Christine Schaeffer-Reiss, Alain Van Dorsselaer and Tchilabalo Dilezitoko Alayi of the University of Strasbourg, France, and the Hubert CURIEN Multidisciplinary Institute, Strasbourg; Thomas Epting and Karl Winkler of the Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine at the University of Freiburg; and Birukou, Benitez Cardenas, Soman and graduate student Premila Samuel at Rice. Birukou is now a technical expert at Syngenta Crop Protection, North Carolina. Olson is the Ralph and Dorothy Looney Professor of Biochemistry and Cell Biology at Rice. Read the abstract at http://www.jbc.org/content/early/2016/12/23/jbc.M116.764274.abstract This news release can be found online at http://news.rice.edu/2017/02/16/a-case-where-smoking-helped/ Follow Rice News and Media Relations via Twitter @RiceUNews Related materials: Protein Data Bank listing for Mutant Alpha H58L: http://www.rcsb.org/pdb/explore/explore.do?structureId=3QJD Olson biography: http://biosciences.rice.edu/facultydetail.aspx?riceid=310 Hubert CURIEN Multidisciplinary Institute: http://www.iphc.cnrs.fr BioSciences at Rice: https://biosciences.rice.edu Wiess School of Natural Sciences: http://natsci.rice.edu Located on a 300-acre forested campus in Houston, Rice University is consistently ranked among the nation's top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has highly respected schools of Architecture, Business, Continuing Studies, Engineering, Humanities, Music, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences and is home to the Baker Institute for Public Policy. With 3,879 undergraduates and 2,861 graduate students, Rice's undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio is 6-to-1. Its residential college system builds close-knit communities and lifelong friendships, just one reason why Rice is ranked No. 1 for happiest students and for lots of race/class interaction by the Princeton Review. Rice is also rated as a best value among private universities by Kiplinger's Personal Finance. To read "What they're saying about Rice," go to http://tinyurl.com/RiceUniversityoverview. Boulder, Colo. -- Feb. 16, 2017 -- NASA's Dawn spacecraft recently detected organic-rich areas on Ceres. Scientists evaluated the geology of the regions to conclude that the organics are most likely native to the dwarf planet. Data from the spacecraft suggest that the interior of Ceres is the source of these organic materials, as opposed to arriving via impacting asteroids or comets, according to a paper published in the Feb. 17, 2017, issue of Science. "This discovery of a locally high concentration of organics is intriguing, with broad implications for the astrobiology community," said Dr. Simone Marchi, a senior research scientist at Southwest Research Institute and one of the authors of the paper. "Ceres has evidence of ammonia-bearing hydrated minerals, water ice, carbonates, salts, and now organic materials. With this new finding Dawn has shown that Ceres contains key ingredients for life." Ceres is believed to have originated about 4.5 billion years ago at the dawn of our solar system. Studying its organics can help explain the origin, evolution, and distribution of organic species across the solar system. Data from Dawn's visible and infrared mapping spectrometer show an unusually high concentration of organic matter close to the 50-km diameter Ernutet crater in the northern hemisphere of Ceres. The distribution and characteristics of the organics seem to preclude association with any single crater. The largest concentration appears to drape discontinuously across the southwest floor and rim of Ernutet and onto an older, highly degraded crater. Other organic-rich areas are scattered to the northwest. While other scientists looked at the distribution and spectra of the materials, Marchi focused on the geological settings. "The overall region is heavily cratered and appears to be ancient; however, the rims of Ernutet crater appear to be relatively fresh," Marchi said. "The organic-rich areas include carbonate and ammoniated species, which are clearly Ceres' endogenous material, making it unlikely that the organics arrived via an external impactor." Ceres shows clear signatures of pervasive hydrothermal activity, aqueous alteration and fluid mobility, so the organic-rich areas may be the result of internal processes. Dawn scientists will continue to study the dwarf planet to identify a viable method for transporting such material from the interior to the surface in the pattern observed. ### These findings appear in the paper "Localized aliphatic organic material on the surface of Ceres" published in the Feb. 17, 2017, edition of the journal Science. Dawn's mission to Ceres and Vesta, the two most massive bodies in the asteroid belt, is managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for NASA's Science Mission Directorate in Washington, D.C. Dawn is a project of the directorate's Discovery Program, managed by NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. UCLA is responsible for overall Dawn mission science. Editors: Image to accompany this story: http://www.swri.org/press/2017/ceres-organic-materials.htm Alpha cells in the pancreas can be induced in living mice to quickly and efficiently become insulin-producing beta cells when the expression of just two genes is blocked, according to a study led by researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine. Studies of human pancreases from diabetic cadaver donors suggest that the alpha cells' "career change" also occurs naturally in diabetic humans, but on a much smaller and slower scale. The research suggests that scientists may one day be able to take advantage of this natural flexibility in cell fate to coax alpha cells to convert to beta cells in humans to alleviate the symptoms of diabetes. "It is important to carefully evaluate any and all potential sources of new beta cells for people with diabetes," said Seung Kim, MD, PhD, professor of developmental biology and of medicine. "Now we've discovered what keeps an alpha cell as an alpha cell, and found a way to efficiently convert them in living animals into cells that are nearly indistinguishable from beta cells. It's very exciting." Kim is the senior author of the study, which will be published online Feb. 16 in Cell Metabolism. Postdoctoral scholar Harini Chakravarthy, PhD, is the lead author. "Transdifferentiation of alpha cells into insulin-producing beta cells is a very attractive therapeutic approach for restoring beta cell function in established Type 1 diabetes," said Andrew Rakeman, PhD, the director of discovery research at JDRF, an organization that funds research into Type 1 diabetes. "By identifying the pathways regulating alpha to beta cell conversion and showing that these same mechanisms are active in human islets from patients with Type 1 diabetes, Chakravarthy and her colleagues have made an important step toward realizing the therapeutic potential of alpha cell transdifferentiation." Rakeman was not involved in the study. Food's effect on glucose levels Cells in the pancreas called beta cells and alpha cells are responsible for modulating the body's response to the rise and fall of blood glucose levels after a meal. When glucose levels rise, beta cells release insulin to cue cells throughout the body to squirrel away the sugar for later use. When levels fall, alpha cells release glucagon to stimulate the release of stored glucose. Although both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are primarily linked to reductions in the number of insulin-producing beta cells, there are signs that alpha cells may also be dysfunctional in these disorders. "In some cases, alpha cells may actually be secreting too much glucagon," said Kim. "When there is already not enough insulin, excess glucagon is like adding gas to a fire." Because humans have a large reservoir of alpha cells, and because the alpha cells sometimes secrete too much glucagon, converting some alpha cells to beta cells should be well-tolerated, the researchers believe. The researchers built on a previous study in mice several years ago that was conducted in a Swiss laboratory, which also collaborated on the current study. It showed that when beta cells are destroyed, about 1 percent of alpha cells in the pancreas begin to look and act like beta cells. But this happened very slowly. "What was lacking in that initial index study was any sort of understanding of the mechanism of this conversion," said Kim. "But we had some ideas based on our own work as to what the master regulators might be." Chakravarthy and her colleagues targeted two main candidates: a protein called Arx known to be important during the development of alpha cells and another called DNMT1 that may help alpha cells "remember" how to be alpha cells by maintaining chemical tags on its DNA. The researchers painstakingly generated a strain of laboratory mice unable to make either Arx or DNMT1 in pancreatic alpha cells when the animals were administered a certain chemical compound in their drinking water. They observed a rapid conversion of alpha cells into what appeared to be beta cells in the mice within seven weeks of blocking the production of both these proteins. To confirm the change, the researchers collaborated with colleagues in the laboratory of Stephen Quake, PhD, a co-author and professor of bioengineering and of applied physics at Stanford, to study the gene expression patterns of the former alpha cells. They also shipped the cells to collaborators in Alberta, Canada, and at the University of Illinois to test the electrophysiological characteristics of the cells and whether and how they responded to glucose. "Through these rigorous studies by our colleagues and collaborators, we found that these former alpha cells were -- in every way -- remarkably similar to native beta cells," said Kim. Testing the theory in human cells The researchers then turned their attention to human pancreatic tissue from diabetic and nondiabetic cadaver donors. They found that samples of tissue from children with Type 1 diabetes diagnosed within a year or two of their death include a proportion of bi-hormonal cells -- individual cells that produce both glucagon and insulin. Kim and his colleagues believe they may have caught the cells in the act of converting from alpha cells to beta cells in response to the development of diabetes. They also saw that the human alpha cell samples from the diabetic donors had lost the expression of the very genes -- ARX and DNMT1 -- they had blocked in the mice to convert alpha cells into beta cells. "So the same basic changes may be happening in humans with Type 1 diabetes," said Kim. "This indicates that it might be possible to use targeted methods to block these genes or the signals controlling them in the pancreatic islets of people with diabetes to enhance the proportion of alpha cells that convert into beta cells." Kim is a member of Stanford Bio-X, the Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, the Stanford Cancer Institute and the Stanford Child Health Research Institute. ### Researchers from the University of Alberta, the University of Illinois, the University of Geneva and the University of Bergen are also co-authors of the study. The research was supported by the National Institutes of Health (grants U01HL099999, U01HL099995, UO1DK089532, UO1DK089572 and UC4DK104211), the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the Center of Excellence for Stem Cell Genomics, the Wallenberg Foundation, the Swiss National Science Foundation, the NIH Beta-Cell Biology Consortium, the European Union, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the H.L. Snyder Foundation, the Elser Trust and the NIH Human Islet Resource Network. Stanford's Department of Developmental Biology also supported the work. The Stanford University School of Medicine consistently ranks among the nation's top medical schools, integrating research, medical education, patient care and community service. For more news about the school, please visit http://med.stanford.edu/school.html. The medical school is part of Stanford Medicine, which includes Stanford Health Care and Stanford Children's Health. For information about all three, please visit http://med.stanford.edu. Print media contact: Krista Conger at (650) 725-5371 (kristac@stanford.edu) Broadcast media contact: Margarita Gallardo at (650) 723-7897 (mjgallardo@stanford.edu) Home he returns, in a coffin, almost six years after death When the phone rang on July 8, 2011, Raj Kumar Moktan was sitting with his mother and sisters at Hiledevi-5 in Ramechhap district. The call was from Saudi Arabia where his father Bam Bahadur Moktan had gone to work. A simple blood test commonly used in screening adults for tuberculosis could predict whether children infected with the TB bacteria are likely to progress to the active disease, according to a study by researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine and five other institutions. In an analysis of medical data from more than 2,500 South African babies, infectious disease specialist Jason Andrews, MD, and his colleagues found that a test, known as the QuantiFERON-TB assay, was a valuable predictor of which infants carrying the bacteria would become sick. The test could be particularly useful in high-risk countries like South Africa, where hundreds of thousands of young children die of the disease every year and where screening tests for TB in children are ineffective, Andrews said. "It could be highly valuable in determining which kids will develop TB disease," said Andrews, an assistant professor of medicine who is lead author of the study. Andrews said he hopes the study will prompt changes in World Health Organization guidelines, which currently don't recommend use of the test in children. "Given the high rates of TB and the difficulty of diagnosing it in kids, this can be something that could be done routinely in kids to identify the high-risk ones," he said. "You could imagine in a high-burden country that at a child's 12-month visit, they could also get a QuantiFERON test and, if it's high, they'd get aggressively investigated for TB." The test is a type of interferon-gamma release assay, or IGRA, commonly used for TB screening, both here and abroad, as it is more accurate than the older skin test. "These new findings confirm that the IGRA test for tuberculosis infection performs differently in young children compared with adults," said Mark Hatherill, MD, senior author of the study and senior clinical researcher at the South African Tuberculosis Vaccine Initiative. "More importantly, we now know that the IGRA test can be used to identify those children who are at highest risk of developing tuberculosis disease and who would benefit most from investigation and therapy." The study will be published online Feb. 10 in Lancet Respiratory Medicine. Potentially fatal lung disease TB is a potentially fatal lung disease caused by a bacterium that is airborne and readily transmitted by coughing. In 2015, it caused 1.8 million deaths worldwide and is one of the top 10 killers around the globe, according to the WHO. In South Africa, it is the leading cause of death among both adults and children, accounting for some 8.5 percent of the nation's fatalities, said Andrews, who has been studying the disease there for a decade. He said young children are particularly vulnerable to TB, with up to 20 percent of those infected by the bacteria developing the active disease. While adults are commonly screened in South Africa using sputum testing, this method doesn't work in children, as they typically swallow their sputum after coughing, he said. And though children may be screened if their parents become ill, they also can become infected through contact with other infected individuals on buses, in churches, schools or other public places, he said. So there is no effective screening tool for children, who often show up in clinics in a late stage of the disease, when it is more difficult to treat, he said. "We really need a reliable screening test for children. It's so frustrating to see how little progress we've made," Andrews said. Analyzing data from trial In the hope of finding a viable testing method, Andrews and his colleagues analyzed data from a published trial of a potential TB vaccine that had raised high hopes but proved to be a disappointment. The trial was done by the South African Tuberculosis Vaccine Initiative between 2009 and 2012 in a rural area outside Cape Town, a city of 3 million people where about 30,000 TB cases are reported every year. The trial included 2,512 babies who were all healthy and HIV-negative, with no known exposure to the disease. Half of them received the experimental vaccine, and half received a placebo. The researchers in the trial used the QuantiFERON-TB test, also known as QFT, to measure infection in the children, who were all tested at the start of the trial and again at one year and two years. The assay exposes whole blood cells to the TB antigen and then measures the amount of interferon gamma, a type of cell-signaling protein, released by certain immune system cells. If the response measures less than 0.35 international units per milliliter, the person is considered negative for the bacteria, while any result higher than that is considered to be positive. Test results at one year When the 2,512 children in the study were tested at a year, 172 of them -- 6.8 percent -- were found to be positive carriers of the bacteria, a very high rate of infection, the researchers reported. Of these, 30 had already been diagnosed and treated for the active disease. The researchers more closely examined the other 142 children who tested positive but hadn't yet developed TB. They found that among those whose test results were between 0.35 and 4.0 international units per milliliter, only 2.5 percent developed the active disease. But among those with values greater than 4.0 international units per milliliter, many more children -- 28 percent -- became ill. Only 0.7 percent of those with a negative test developed TB. "We found that as your value goes up, your risk goes up, and the risk really begins to accelerate after a value of 4," Andrews said. "The children in the high-value group had a 40-fold higher risk of getting sick, which is a very powerful marker." He said the study is the first to show that these higher numbers matter more. "What we are hoping is that this will show the international community -- the WHO, CDC and those creating guidelines -- that QuantiFERON testing can be reliable in kids, and that the quantitative values may be important so we may need to look a different thresholds than we use in adolescents or adults," Andrews said. He said the only drawback of the test is that it is moderately expensive and requires a well-equipped laboratory and trained personnel to perform. It may be viable in a country like South Africa, with its relatively advanced infrastructure, but would be less practical to use in poorer countries. The researchers are now exploring whether it could be cost-effective to scale up testing in South Africa, he said. ### Other co-authors of the study are scientists from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, the Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, the Jenner Institute at Oxford and Aeras, a TB vaccine nonprofit in Rockville, Maryland. The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health (grant K01A1104411). Stanford's Department of Medicine also supported the work. The Stanford University School of Medicine consistently ranks among the nation's top medical schools, integrating research, medical education, patient care and community service. For more news about the school, please visit http://med.stanford.edu/school.html. The medical school is part of Stanford Medicine, which includes Stanford Health Care and Stanford Children's Health. For information about all three, please visit http://med.stanford.edu. (New York, NY - February 16, 2017) --Mount Sinai researchers have created a novel model that shows the step-by-step progression from normal blood cells to leukemia and its precursor diseases, creating replicas of the stages of the disease to test the efficacy of therapeutic interventions at each stage, according to a study to be published in Cell Stem Cell. This research marked the first time scientists have been able to transplant leukemia from humans to a test tube and then into mice for study, a landmark feat that will allow for valuable research to help find therapies for blood cancer patients in the future. "The new model will empower investigation into the cellular and molecular events underlying the development of leukemia in ways that were not possible before," said Eirini P. Papapetrou, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Oncological Sciences, Medicine, Hematology, and Medical Oncology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. "These findings provide a framework to aid investigation into disease mechanisms, drug responses, and the cellular and molecular events driving leukemia progression." Scientists used CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat), a new, cutting-edge genome editing technology, to convert blood cells from patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) to particular stem cells (called induced pluripotent stem cells) that can mimic all stages of disease progression, from a healthy state to pre-malignancy and finally full-blown leukemia. Though scientists believe that cancer develops through a step-by-step process by which a normal cell transforms to a fully malignant cell through intermediate stages, recreating the steps was challenging with previous tools. Scientists were able to manipulate the leukemia in a test tube environment, both by genetically modifying the disease-ridden stem cells at certain stages to revert to a pre-cancerous state, and by altering them so they would either progress to a severe or mild form of MDS. The ability to manipulate the leukemia to regress or progress will allow future researchers to test therapies that may be most potent at a particular stage, thus saving or extending a patient's life. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center was a valuable collaborator in this research. The lab of Michael G. Kharas, PhD, performed some of the mouse transplantation experiments in the study. "We are encouraged by the discovery that it was possible to generate potent engraftable leukemia derived from AML induced pluripotent stem cells," said Dr. Kharas, the co-corresponding author. "This work shows that integrated patient cell reprogramming and cancer genetics is a powerful way to dissect cancer progression." The progression model created through this research could also be used to develop models for more complex cancers, including solid tumors, the researchers said. ### The research was funded by grants from the National Institutes of Health from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (R01HL121570 and R00DK087923); the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation, the Edward P. Evans Foundation, the Ellison Medical Foundation, the Henry and Marilyn Taub Foundation, the Babich Family Foundation and Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation. About the Mount Sinai Health System The Mount Sinai Health System is an integrated health system committed to providing distinguished care, conducting transformative research, and advancing biomedical education. Structured around seven hospital campuses and a single medical school, the Health System has an extensive ambulatory network and a range of inpatient and outpatient services--from community-based facilities to tertiary and quaternary care. The System includes approximately 7,100 primary and specialty care physicians; 12 joint-venture ambulatory surgery centers; more than 140 ambulatory practices throughout the five boroughs of New York City, Westchester, Long Island, and Florida; and 31 affiliated community health centers. Physicians are affiliated with the renowned Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, which is ranked among the highest in the nation in National Institutes of Health funding per investigator. The Mount Sinai Hospital is on the "Honor Roll" of best hospitals in America, ranked No. 15 nationally in the 2016-2017 "Best Hospitals" issue of U.S. News & World Report. The Mount Sinai Hospital is also ranked as one of the nation's top 20 hospitals in Geriatrics, Gastroenterology/GI Surgery, Cardiology/Heart Surgery, Diabetes/Endocrinology, Nephrology, Neurology/Neurosurgery, and Ear, Nose & Throat, and is in the top 50 in four other specialties. New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai is ranked No. 10 nationally for Ophthalmology, while Mount Sinai Beth Israel, Mount Sinai St. Luke's, and Mount Sinai West are ranked regionally. Mount Sinai's Kravis Children's Hospital is ranked in seven out of ten pediatric specialties by U.S. News & World Report in "Best Children's Hospitals." For more information, visit http://www.mountsinai.org or find Mount Sinai on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. How international university students think about home significantly influences their migration plans upon graduation, according to a new study from the University of British Columbia. "A lot of research focuses on where international students go to study, but few focus on where they go after graduation," said study author Cary Wu, a PhD candidate in UBC's department of sociology and an international student from China. "Our study shows that migration plans for international students are far more complex than this binary of stay or return." Wu analyzed data from interviews with more than 200 international students from more than 50 countries who attended UBC from 2006 to 2013. He found that students had four ways of thinking about home: as host, as ancestral, as cosmopolitan and as nebulous. These concepts of home influenced the students' decisions to stay, return, be open to either option or move to a new or third place in which they have already lived. "We tend to think people migrate based on a single factor like a job offer or a family obligation," said Wu. "But these factors alone aren't enough. What's more important in their decision-making is how they think about home. It determines where post-grads look for jobs and where they establish close relationships." If students thought of their host home as "home", their plan was to stay. Of the 232 students interviewed, 16 per cent planned to stay in Canada, citing emotional attachments, interpersonal relationships, family or political unrest. The more welcomed they felt, the more likely they were to stay. Neema, an undergraduate student from Tanzania, said: "A lot of the times I tell people this, that I spend more time here than I actually do at home. So this is home again." If home was seen as ancestral, the plan was to return. Roughly 27 per cent of the students said they would return home. Students from the United States, France and Australia planned to return largely due to social and family ties. For some students from China and Japan, the decision to return was partially due to language barriers, difficulties fitting into the local culture, or discrimination. Meili, an undergraduate student from China, said: "I don't know how to be a part of Canadian culture or Western culture. Like adapt. I think that's a problem for most international student(s)." For African students, many planned to return out of a sense of obligation to their town or village. Almost 57 per cent of students were open to any migration plan, including moving somewhere else. Wu said many international students have actually lived in two or three different countries prior to studying in Canada, so they can perceive home to be in multiple places. "For cosmopolitan types, they are people who feel like they could fit in anywhere," he said. For a large group of students who saw home as nebulous, or unclear, they did not feel like they fit in anywhere and have experienced identity confusion, displacement and rootlessness. Saya, a student from Yemen, said: "Home is the world. I feel like I identify with so many different countries and so many different places that I can't call one place home. Home is where I have a bed to sleep on, for me. I don't know if I've ever felt at home anywhere." Wu said understanding the motivations and experiences of students who study abroad, especially in the context of the global competition for talent, helps inform scholarship and policy on migration. "Our study shows international students are not a monolithic group," said UBC sociology professor Rima Wilkes, Wu's co-author and supervisor. "Their ideas of home are as diverse as who they are as people. There's a lot to learn from that." ### Background The study, "International Students' Post-Graduation Migration Plans and the Search for Home", was published online today in the journal Geoforum. View here: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0016718517300222 Names of the international students who participated in the study are pseudonyms. They are not available for interviews. UBC sociology professor Wendy Roth provided the study's data set. More than five million students are currently enrolled in higher education outside their country of citizenship, a number estimated to increase to seven million by 2020, according to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a bacterial scourge. As its name suggests, MRSA is resistant to most common antibiotics and thus difficult to treat, particularly in children where it commonly causes complicated skin and skin structure infections. In a randomized, controlled clinical trial -- the first of its kind -- a multi-institution research team reports that daptomycin, part of a new class of antibiotics currently approved only for use in adults, is effective and well-tolerated in children. The findings are published in the March 2017 issue of Pediatrics. "The safety and efficacy of intravenous daptomycin was comparable to standard-of-care IV antibiotics used for hospitalized children, usually vancomycin or clindamycin for MRSA and cefazolin for methicillin-susceptible strains of S. aureus," said first author John Bradley, MD, professor of clinical pediatrics, co-chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at UC San Diego School of Medicine and director of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego. "Daptomycin should provide a safe and effective alternative to vancomycin, clindamycin or linezolid for IV treatment of invasive MRSA skin infections. Concerns for vancomycin renal toxicity and clindamycin antibiotic resistance were not present. There was no evidence of daptomycin toxicity in the trial." The Food and Drug Administration is currently reviewing whether to approve daptomycin use in children. MRSA infections are commonly associated with patients in hospitals and nursing homes whose immune systems are weakened, but community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA) is widespread, readily transmitted at daycare centers, playgrounds and in schools where children have frequent skin-to-skin contact, share toys that have not been cleaned and are more likely to have scrapes, abrasions and bites that offer potential infection entry points. CA-MRSA usually causes skin infections but can lead to more serious consequences, such as pneumonia and infections of bones and joints. Daptomycin is active against MRSA and was approved for use in adults in 2003 for treatment of skin and skin structure infections, and for bloodstream infections three years later. The new study was a prospective, randomized, investigator-blinded study that included more than 250 daptomycin-exposed children, ages 1 to 17, to document safety and efficacy of the antibiotic in treating pediatric skin and skin structure infections. Dosing was based on adult experience, but researchers found that the younger the child, the more quickly their bodies eliminated daptomycin. Thus pediatric doses increased as the age of the research participants decreased. "Most news these days is about the declining utility of antibiotics as microbial resistance becomes more widespread and intractable," said Bradley. "These findings are encouraging. Daptomycin appears to be a suitable, once-a-day alternative to existing antibiotics with harsher side effects." ### Co-authors include: Chad Glasser, Hernando Patino, Minjung Yoon, Diane Anastasiou, Dominik Wolf, and Paula Bokesch, Merck; Sandra L.R. Arnold, University of Tennessee; Antonio Arrieta, Children's Hospital of Orange County; Blaise Congeni, Akron Children's Hospital, Ohio; Robert Daum, University of Chicago MRSA Research Center; and Tsoline Kojaoghlanian, Children's Hospital at Montefiore, Bronx, NY. Disclosure: Bradley, Arnold, Arrieta, Congeni, Daum and Kojaoghlanian were study site principal investigators whose respective employers received institutional research funding from the study sponsor, Merck. Additionally, UC San Diego received funding from Cubist Pharmaceuticals, now part of Merck, to advise Cubist on clinical trial design. COLUMBIA, Mo. (Feb. 16, 2017) -- Tumors that originate in other organs of the body and spread to the brain are known as metastatic brain tumors. According to the American Brain Tumor Association, this type of tumor is the most common in adults, affecting as many as 300,000 people each year. University of Missouri School of Medicine researchers compared two common postsurgical therapies for metastatic brain tumors and found that stereotactic radiosurgery can provide better outcomes for patients compared to whole-brain radiation. During whole-brain radiation therapy, beams of radiation cover the entire brain. Because it treats the whole brain, the therapy is thought to control the spread of tumors by treating both identifiable and hidden cancerous cells. However, whole-brain radiation has been associated with a decline in cognitive functions that can negatively affect a patient's quality of life. In stereotactic radiosurgery, radiation is delivered to more precise areas of the brain. Because it is a targeted therapy, less collateral damage occurs to healthy brain tissue. As a result, patients experience less cognitive decline when compared to whole-brain radiation, and experience a higher quality of life. "Although radiosurgery has been shown to be an effective post-surgical treatment for metastatic brain tumors, previous studies did not compare patient outcomes from a single hospital over the same period of time," said N. Scott Litofsky, M.D., chief of the Division of Neurological Surgery at the MU School of Medicine and senior author of the study. "Our study is one of the first to directly compare outcomes of patients treated at the same hospital during a set period of time. Ultimately, our findings reinforce the use of radiosurgery over whole-brain radiation." Under Litofsky's mentorship, Kristen Scheitler-Ring, a medical student doing a pathology fellowship at the MU School of Medicine, studied the outcomes of patients treated at MU Health Care from 2010 to 2014. After undergoing brain surgery to remove a metastatic tumor, 46 patients received whole-brain radiation, while 37 patients received radiosurgery. The researchers found that radiosurgery controlled the spread of the cancerous cells as effectively as whole-brain radiation; patients who received radiosurgery experienced less cognitive decline compared to those who received whole-brain radiation. Additionally, the median survival rate for patients who received radiosurgery was 440 days, compared to 202 days for patients who received whole-brain radiation. "For patients with metastatic cancer of the brain, the importance of surviving for a longer period of time cannot be overstated," Litofsky said. "In our practice, we now treat patients almost exclusively with radiosurgery following their surgery. Although this therapy does cost more, results often can be achieved in one to three visits compared to 10 to 12 visits for whole-brain radiation. With these considerations, we strongly suggest physicians consider radiosurgery as an initial radiation treatment after surgery." ### The study, "Radiosurgery to the Postoperative Tumor Bed for Metastatic Carcinoma Versus Whole Brain Radiation after Surgery," recently was published in the medical journal Cureus. Research reported in this publication was supported by a Bob Willis Medical Student Fellowship of the American Brain Tumor Association and a Medical Student Summer Research Fellowship from the MU School of Medicine Office of Medical Research. The researchers have no conflicts of interest to declare related to this study. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the funding agencies. Gadgets are set to become flexible, highly efficient and much smaller, following a breakthrough in measuring two-dimensional 'wonder' materials by the University of Warwick Electronic devices set to become smaller, flexible and highly efficient - following University of Warwick research on 2D materials Researchers measured the electronic structure of stacks of 2D 'wonder' materials -- atomically thin, highly conductive, and extremely strong materials - for first time Understanding the electronic structures will allow scientists to find optimal materials for efficient semiconductors in nano-circuitry Gadgets are set to become flexible, highly efficient and much smaller, following a breakthrough in measuring two-dimensional 'wonder' materials by the University of Warwick. Dr Neil Wilson in the Department of Physics has developed a new technique to measure the electronic structures of stacks of two-dimensional materials -- flat, atomically thin, highly conductive, and extremely strong materials - for the first time. Multiple stacked layers of 2D materials -- known as heterostructures -- create highly efficient optoelectronic devices with ultrafast electrical charge, which can be used in nano-circuits, and are stronger than materials used in traditional circuits. Various heterostructures have been created using different 2D materials -- and stacking different combinations of 2D materials creates new materials with new properties. Dr Wilson's technique measures the electronic properties of each layer in a stack, allowing researchers to establish the optimal structure for the fastest, most efficient transfer of electrical energy. The technique uses the photoelectric effect to directly measure the momentum of electrons within each layer and shows how this changes when the layers are combined. The ability to understand and quantify how 2D material heterostructures work - and to create optimal semiconductor structures -- paves the way for the development of highly efficient nano-circuitry, and smaller, flexible, more wearable gadgets. Solar power could also be revolutionised with heterostructures, as the atomically thin layers allow for strong absorption and efficient power conversion with a minimal amount of photovoltaic material. Dr Wilson comments on the work: "It is extremely exciting to be able to see, for the first time, how interactions between atomically thin layers change their electronic structure. This work also demonstrates the importance of an international approach to research; we would not have been able to achieve this outcome without our colleagues in the USA and Italy." Dr Wilson worked formulated the technique in collaboration with colleagues in the theory groups at the University of Warwick and University of Cambridge, at the University of Washington in Seattle, and the Elettra Light Source, near Trieste in Italy. Understanding how interactions between the atomic layers change their electronic structure required the help of computational models developed by Dr Nick Hine, also from Warwick's Department of Physics. ### The paper, 'Determination of band offsets, hybridization, and exciton binding in 2D semiconductor heterostructures', is published in Science Advances. Notes to editors: The University of Warwick is one of the top 10 research environments in the UK for Physics, as assessed by REF 2014, with all aspects considered to be either world-leading or internationally excellent. 96% of the research papers submitted to REF2014 were judged to be at least "internationally excellent" and a quarter "world leading" (4*). Scientists at the University of Washington have discovered that a common type of cell in the vertebrate immune system plays a unique role in communication between other cells. It turns out that these cells, called macrophages, can transmit messages between non-immune cells. Their paper, published online Feb. 16 in the journal Science, describes how pigment cells in a species of fish have co-opted macrophages to deliver messages important for pigment patterning in skin. This is the first reported instance of macrophages relaying messages over a long distance between non-immune cells. But since the macrophages are common to all vertebrates, the researchers believe their discovery is no quirk of aquatic life. Macrophages may be common interlocutors for long-distance messages among cells. "If pigment cells have figured out how to use macrophages for signaling, it stands to reason that others have as well," said senior author and UW biology professor David Parichy. "This could occur in a variety of cells and animals." Parichy and lead author Dae Seok Eom, a UW postdoctoral researcher, discovered this new role for macrophages while studying zebrafish. They had wanted to understand how the zebrafish gets its telltale stripes of silver-yellow and black. Each color -- black, yellow and silver -- arises from a different type of pigment cell. When zebrafish are juveniles, these pigment cells migrate to the right spot to create the stripes. "As they migrate, communication among these three populations of pigment cells is critical to forming the stripes we see in adult zebrafish," said Parichy. Eom and Parichy used laboratory genetic tools to make zebrafish pigment cells glow fluorescent colors -- making these cells easier to track using a microscope. In the process, they discovered that xanthoblasts -- the precursors to yellow pigment cells -- produced unique, elaborate projections during the peak time for pigment pattern formation. "Xanthoblasts sent these thin projections out in circuitous, almost random directions," said Parichy. "The projections would eventually encounter another pigment cell, the black melanocyte, and stop." Eom discovered that these projections -- which they named "airinemes" for mathematician and astronomer Sir George Airy, who described the optical limits to view small objects, as well as the Greek messenger goddess Iris -- contained tiny, membrane-bound packages of proteins that provide molecular signals to melanocytes, the black pigment cells. The researchers showed that when an airineme from a xanthoblast encountered a melanocyte, the signal proteins from the airineme would cause the black pigment cell to migrate into the stripe. But they didn't understand how airinemes found melanocytes, or why they took such a seemingly random route, until Eom made a critical observation. "I saw a macrophage interacting with an airineme, and then another, and then another," said Eom. "In one experiment, I counted 178 airinemes coming from xanthoblasts and 94 percent of them were obviously associated with a macrophage." Macrophages are constantly on the move. In fish, people and everything in between, they wander the tissues of the body, "crawling" along like amoebae. Along the way, they sample their environment, picking up and ingesting debris. Their scavenged prizes are often harmless cellular detritus. But if they ingest a bit of a pathogen, or receive signals that a cell nearby is under assault from an invader, macrophages can alert other cells of the immune system. Armed with this knowledge, Eom tested whether macrophages were truly facilitating the dialogue between yellow and black pigment cells. Using genetic tools, he created zebrafish without macrophages and saw that xanthoblasts produced far fewer airinemes. And under these conditions, melanocytes did not migrate properly to form stripes. Under the microscope, Eom captured images and movies of how macrophages behaved when they randomly encountered an airineme. A macrophage would seemingly "engulf" one of the round, globular protein packages on the airineme and drag it along, stretching the airineme out. "Now we know why airinemes seem to take such a meandering, random route," said Eom. "They are being dragged by macrophages that are themselves moving along randomly." But when that same macrophage encountered a melanophore, the macrophage appeared to "hand off" the airineme to the melanophore and wander away, presumably delivering the message -- via the airineme -- to the melanophore. Eom showed that airineme membranes contain a type of lipid that is often an "eat me" signal for macrophages, which may explain why the macrophages attach to and drag along these projections. He and Parichy plan to investigate why macrophages do not digest the airinemes and how the airineme is "handed off" specifically to a melanocyte. But given the macrophage's tendency to wander and pick up objects, Parichy believes this is unlikely to be the sole instance of macrophage co-option by cells outside of the immune system. "It's very plausible that what we've seen here occurs in other contexts where macrophages play important roles, from tissue development and regeneration to cancer," said Parichy. "We can easily see how macrophages might facilitate signaling between cells in a variety of situations." ### The research was funded by the National Institutes of Health. Link to Dropbox folder containing images, movies, captions and credits: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/wn3k25z86v3ta2q/AACi4dUo8vi9Zsl5-_MWnQjFa?dl=0 DOI link to Science paper (active post-embargo): http://science.sciencemag.org/lookup/doi/10.1126/science.aal2745 For more information, contact Parichy at dparichy@uw.edu or 206-734-7331 and Eom at dseom@uw.edu or 512-350-9454. Grant number: NIH R01 GM096906 Cuba has some of the healthiest coastal ecosystems in the Caribbean, with largely intact coastal mangroves and many of the best coral reefs in the region. The normalization of relations between the United States and Cuba is expected to increase pressures on these systems while also providing new opportunities for collaborative science between the two countries. Environmental Defense Fund and the University of Vermont are proud to bring together leading Cuban scientists whose research on marine protected areas, sharks, and coral reefs is bringing the U.S. and Cuba closer together. This group of experts will discuss the state of Cuban marine ecosystems and the socioeconomic levers that affect those ecosystems, exploring how science can inform U.S. and Cuban policies. They will highlight pioneering Cuban conservation work that has protected biodiversity, human welfare, and marine ecosystems. Together the group will explore how researchers can work together to study and manage common resources as US-Cuba relations evolve. WHO: Patricia Gonzalez Diaz, University of Havana Fabian Pina Amargos, Coastal Ecosystems Research Center Jorge Angulo Valdes, University of Florida & University of Havana Joe Roman, University of Vermont (organizer) Dan Whittle, Environmental Defense Fund (organizer) WHERE: In Person: AAAS Meeting (American Association for the Advancement of Science) Hynes Convention Center Room 103, Boston, MA Live Webcast: Watch live at https://www.eurekalert.org/aaasnewsroom/2017/briefings/(Journalists who aren't already registered as reporters with AAAS' EurekAlert! must do so by Friday, February 17th at the very latest in order to watch the webcast Saturday. Sign up here: https://eurekalert.org/register.php) WHEN: 2 PM EST (Eastern U.S. Standard Time) on Saturday, February 18, 2017 CONTACT FOR MORE INFORMATION: Please RSVP by contacting Violet Dixon (617-510-7101 and vdixon@edf.org or Dan Whittle (919-931-9677 and dwhittle@edf.org ).AAAS meeting attendees are also invited to the preceding panel session for all meeting participants on Saturday at 10am, Hynes Convention Center in Room 313. ### February 15, 2017 - For patients undergoing total hip or knee replacement, smoking is associated with an increased risk of infectious (septic) complications requiring repeat surgery, reports a study in the February 15 issue of The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery. The journal is published by Wolters Kluwer. "Our results found that current smokers had a significantly higher rate of septic reoperation compared with nonsmokers," commented senior author Dr. Matthew S. Austin of the Rothman Institute at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia. "Furthermore, each additional pack-year significantly contributed to total reoperations." Smokers Show 80 Percent Increase in Risk of Reoperations for Infection The researchers looked at how smoking history affected the risk of hospital readmissions among patients undergoing total joint replacement--either hip or knee replacement. The study included data on 15,264 patients who underwent a total of 17,394 total joint replacements between 2000 and 2014--8,917 hip and 8,477 knee replacements. At the time of surgery, nine percent of patients were current smokers, 34 percent were former smokers, and 57 percent were nonsmokers. Current smokers were younger than nonsmokers: average age was about 58 versus 63 years. Smokers also had higher rates of certain major respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. The absolute risk of reoperation for infectious complications within 90 days was low: 0.71 percent. However, this risk was substantially higher for current smokers: 1.2 percent, compared to 0.56 percent for nonsmokers. After adjustment for other characteristics, current smokers remained at significantly increased risk of reoperation for infectious complications--the relative risk was 80 percent higher, compared to nonsmokers. As a group, former smokers were not at increased risk. However, for current and former smokers alike, the risk of 90-day nonoperative readmission increased with the number of "pack-years" smoked. Smoking an extra pack per day for a decade was associated with a 12 percent increase in that relative risk. Smoking overall, however, was unrelated to the risk of readmission without surgery, or for reoperation for reasons other than infections. Total joint replacement (also called arthroplasty) is an effective treatment for advanced degenerative joint disease. Nearly one million total joint replacements--most commonly of the hip and knee-- were performed in the United States in 2011. The demand for these procedures is expected to increase over the next decade. Although some important risk factors for complications have been identified, the relationship between smoking and complications after total hip or knee replacement has been unclear. Minimizing unplanned hospital readmissions is a major focus of efforts to improve the quality and value of healthcare. While there's no difference in the total readmission rate, the new results suggest that current smokers are at substantially higher risk of reoperation for septic complications. Patients with a history of heavier smoking are also at increased risk, even if they have since quit smoking. "If smoking is associated with elevated perioperative risk of readmission and/or reoperation, then it may be reasonable to engage the patient in a smoking cessation program prior to total joint arthroplasty," Dr. Austin and coauthors write. However, further studies would be needed to determine whether quitting smoking before joint replacement surgery can reduce the risk of complications. ### Click here to read "Smoking Increases the Rate of Reoperation for Infection within 90 Days After Primary Total Joint Arthroplasty." Article: "Smoking Increases the Rate of Reoperation for Infection within 90 Days After Primary Total Joint Arthroplasty" (doi: 10.2106/JBJS.16.00311) About The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery (JBJS) has been the most valued source of information for orthopaedic surgeons and researchers for over 125 years and is the gold standard in peer-reviewed scientific information in the field. A core journal and essential reading for general as well as specialist orthopaedic surgeons worldwide, The Journal publishes evidence-based research to enhance the quality of care for orthopaedic patients. Standards of excellence and high quality are maintained in everything we do, from the science of the content published to the customer service we provide. JBJS is an independent, non-profit journal. About Wolters Kluwer Wolters Kluwer is a global leader in professional information services. Professionals in the areas of legal, business, tax, accounting, finance, audit, risk, compliance and healthcare rely on Wolters Kluwer's market leading information-enabled tools and software solutions to manage their business efficiently, deliver results to their clients, and succeed in an ever more dynamic world. Wolters Kluwer reported 2015 annual revenues of 4.2 billion. The group serves customers in over 180 countries, and employs over 19,000 people worldwide. The company is headquartered in Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands. Wolters Kluwer shares are listed on Euronext Amsterdam (WKL) and are included in the AEX and Euronext 100 indices. Wolters Kluwer has a sponsored Level 1 American Depositary Receipt program. The ADRs are traded on the over-the-counter market in the U.S. (WTKWY). Wolters Kluwer Health is a leading global provider of information and point of care solutions for the healthcare industry. For more information about our products and organization, visit http://www.wolterskluwer.com, follow @WKHealth or @Wolters_Kluwer on Twitter, like us on Facebook, follow us on LinkedIn, or follow WoltersKluwerComms on YouTube. February 16, 2017 - Adding a patient-created video testimonial to a living will or "POLST" form can help to prevent errors of interpretation regarding the choice between life-sustaining treatment or allowing natural death in critically ill patients, according to a study in the March Journal of Patient Safety. The journal is published by Wolters Kluwer. "Interpretation errors are common with living wills and POLST forms," commented Dr. Ferdinando L. Mirarchi of University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Hamot, in Erie, Pa., lead author of the new report. "Our study shows that medical professionals are more likely to reach a consensus after viewing a video testimonial, proving that we can do better than paper forms alone." Video Testimonials Improve Consensus Regarding Patients' Wishes Written documents such as living wills (LWs) seek to direct medical treatments in the event the patient loses decision-making capacity. A newer type of document--called Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment, or POLST--provides a one-page format for seriously ill patients to indicate their treatment preferences. "Both living wills and POLST are very much needed and effective," Dr. Mirarchi explained. "However, they are prone to medical errors related to provider misinterpretation of what is documented and appropriate patient selection." He notes three ways in these medical errors can cause harm: by taking a life inappropriately, by preventing the natural dying process, or by leading to overuse of costly medical resources. In a nationwide internet survey, 741 physicians at 13 hospitals were presented with clinical scenarios involving critically ill patients who had either an LW or POLST. Doctors were randomly assigned to interpret the patients' wishes based on the LW or POLST alone, or with the addition of a scripted video testimonial in which patients talked about their treatment choices. Responses were compared to see if the video testimonials led to more accurate interpretation of the patient's intentions. Choices included full aggressive treatment including CPR; aggressive care with a brief attempt at CPR; or no CPR/'allow natural death.' The results suggested that doctors reached a higher level of agreement in interpreting the patients' wishes when they viewed the video testimonials. Based on the LW or POLST documents only, doctors reached a consensus (95 percent agreement) in two out of nine clinical scenarios. Adding the video testimonials produced statistically significant changes in the responses of seven scenarios--in five of these, physicians were more likely to choose full aggressive treatment. Overall, the addition of a video testimonial was the most consistent predictor of resuscitation choices achieving interpretive consensus. While end-of-life treatment should be predicated on consensus understanding of patient wishes, there is concern about how LW or POLST documents might affect patient-centered, medical decision making. Previous studies have raised questions as to how well medical providers understand these documents--including the simplified POLST form. Twenty-six states have adopted the POLST or similar forms so far, and that number is expected to increase. At present both LWs and POLST forms "fail the litmus test" of achieving consensus among physicians, the results suggest. "Video testimonials can ensure the safe interpretation of LWs and POLST documents and ensure that these documents are faithful to the wishes and goals of the patient producing benefits for all stakeholders in the health care system," Dr. Mirarchi and colleagues conclude. The study also raises concerns related to medical provider bias with respect to chronically ill or disabled people who have an LW or POLST. "This population should be carefully managed and researched to ensure their safety and decision making," Dr. Mirarchi commented. ### Click here to read "TRIAD VIII: Nationwide Multicenter Evaluation to Determine Whether Patient Video Testimonials Can Safely Help Ensure Appropriate Critical Versus End-of-Life Care." Article: "TRIAD VIII: Nationwide Multicenter Evaluation to Determine Whether Patient Video Testimonials Can Safely Help Ensure Appropriate Critical Versus End-of-Life Care" (doi: 10.1097/PTS.0000000000000357) About Journal of Patient Safety Journal of Patient Safety is dedicated to presenting research advances and field applications in every area of patient safety. While Journal of Patient Safety has a research emphasis, it also publishes articles describing near-miss opportunities, system modifications that are barriers to error, and the impact of regulatory changes on healthcare delivery. This mix of research and real-world findings makes Journal of Patient Safety a valuable resource across the breadth of health professions and from bench to bedside. About Wolters Kluwer Wolters Kluwer is a global leader in professional information services. Professionals in the areas of legal, business, tax, accounting, finance, audit, risk, compliance and healthcare rely on Wolters Kluwer's market leading information-enabled tools and software solutions to manage their business efficiently, deliver results to their clients, and succeed in an ever more dynamic world. Wolters Kluwer reported 2015 annual revenues of 4.2 billion. The group serves customers in over 180 countries, and employs over 19,000 people worldwide. The company is headquartered in Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands. Wolters Kluwer shares are listed on Euronext Amsterdam (WKL) and are included in the AEX and Euronext 100 indices. Wolters Kluwer has a sponsored Level 1 American Depositary Receipt program. The ADRs are traded on the over-the-counter market in the U.S. (WTKWY). Wolters Kluwer Health is a leading global provider of information and point of care solutions for the healthcare industry. For more information about our products and organization, visit http://www.wolterskluwer.com, follow @WKHealth or @Wolters_Kluwer on Twitter, like us on Facebook, follow us on LinkedIn, or follow WoltersKluwerComms on YouTube. Kim Jong-nam: Post-mortem finished on leader's brother A post-mortem examination has been completed on the body of Kim Jong-nam, the brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Wednesday, February 15, 2017 The New Mexico State Legislature is currently in session, and today supporters of physician aid in dying for terminally ill patients converged on the Roundhouse in Santa Fe in support of House Bill 171, the End-of-Life Options Act. The bill was introduced by State Rep. Deborah Armstrong (D-Albuquerque) and Rep. Bill McCamley (D-Las Cruces). Rep. Armstrong said, The End-of-Life Options Act would allow mentally capable, terminally ill adults in New Mexico the ability to request a prescription from their doctor that they may self-administer to achieve a peaceful death if they decide their suffering has become intolerable. We have worked hard to tailor the bill to New Mexicos unique and rural character, ensuring that those who qualify dont face unnecessary and burdensome barriers and that doctors and caregivers are protected. To pass this bill, I need your voice to ensure my colleagues at the Capitol know how important it is to their constituents that terminally ill adults have the option to die peacefully, should their suffering become unbearable. According to Rep. Armstrong, 80% of New Mexicans polled agree that the decision of a terminally ill patient to receive medication to bring about his/her death is a personal decision between the patient and his/her doctor. And 65% of voters in neighboring Colorado recently supported a ballot initiative to authorize the practice. The ACLU of New Mexico and Compassion and Choices both support this bill. Gail Rubin, Certified Thanatologist and a pioneer of the Death Cafe movement in the United States, spoke with her state senator Cisco McSorley in his office about HB 171. Here is a video of their conversation: [embedded content] Share this: Thursday, February 16, 2017 In a quest to regain momentum after a serious launch pad explosion, SpaceX will launch a Space Station Resupply Mission, CRS-10, from one of NASAs most historic launch pads at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Having signed a 20-year lease to use LC-39A, used by Apollo 11 in July 1969 going to walk on the Moon, SpaceX has been modifying the pad to accommodate the Falcon 9 rockets. Liftoff is set for February 18 at 10:00 am EST. Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, posted a picture of the vertical Falcon 9 rocket, topped with the Dragon Spacecraft, on Instagram as the countdown has begun following a hot rocket test on the pad. The space game is ramping up worldwide with China planning lunar missions based on the Soviet model of creating their own orbiting space station that will serve as a way-port for large freight style craft bound for the lunar surface. This approach, viewed by Behind the Blacks Robert Zimmerman as smart, signals a step-by-step Chinese plan to establish a lunar base for their permanent tenancy. Indias program is progressing from a satellite launch provider into other areas and Great Britain has established a quasi-space agency in hopeful anticipation of independent operations. [embedded content] Based in Hawthorne, California, SpaceXs pad modifications are described by Robert Z. Pearlman of Space.com, They made structural improvements to the fixed service tower that supported the space shuttle, added new propellant, data and power lines, modified the flame trench and installed new rainbirds to deluge the pad with water to combat acoustic damage at liftoff. SpaceX also erected a horizontal integration hangar at the base of the pad to process its rockets and designed a new transporter erector launcher (TEL) to move the boosters to the launch platform and stand them vertical for flight. Plans are also in place to remove the shuttle-era rotating service structure, though it was not necessary to complete prior to beginning use of the pad. The company accelerated its preparation of Pad 39A after a Falcon 9 exploded in September 2016 in the lead up to a static fire at the nearby Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. That pad, now out of service, is currently being repaired with work expected to be complete later this spring, at earliest. For the Trump Administration the key is to get the most for the publics money, something NASA and their historic contractors have unable to accomplish while innovators like SpaceX, Orbital ATK, SpaceFlight and others add vital elements to the equation with an eye towards faster implantation and cost-cutting. SpaceXs reusable first stage rockets changed the equations and forced Boeing and Lockheed Martin, partners in the United Launch Alliance, to take a closer look at their own operations as the United States Congress, and the President, will demand the same service from them. For sure the positions of Lockheed Martin and Boeing within the defense establishment are solid, but it appears business as usual will not fly anymore, so to speak. Exploration of deep space with probes is a constant fascination for even casual observers and it should get more exciting in the coming years. For more info go to www.SpaceX.com. COLUMBUS In 2016, 47 corn silage hybrids representing 16 commercial brands were evaluated in a joint trial with Michigan State University. One Ohio location is combined with Michigans two southern (Zone 1) silage locations. The Ohio test site was located in the Northwest Region at Hoytville (Wood County). The two MSU sites were located in Branch and Lenawee counties, which are on the Ohio/Michigan state line. The test results from the three 2016 locations are treated as one region. The plots were planted with Almaco precision 4-row air planters and maintained by each respective state with standard production practices. The center two rows were harvested using MSUs New Holland T6.175 tractor which powered a two-row Champion C1200 Kemper forage harvester with a rear mounted Haldrup M-63 Weigh system. Silage tests were harvested uniformly as close to half milk line as possible. Near Infrared Reflectance (NIR) Quality Analysis was performed by MSU utilizing the NIRS Consortium calibration established for silage quality. Results present the percent dry matter of each hybrid plus green weight and dry weight as tons per acre. Other data presented include percent stand, the percentage of in vitro digestible dry matter, acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber digestibility, crude protein and starch. Milk production in pounds per ton and pounds per acre were estimated using MILK2006 (UW-Madison Dairy Science Department). A complete summary of the Ohio results will be available online at: www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/silagetrials. More information can be viewed at www.varietytrials.msu.edu/corn. For more information on Ohio State crop variety testing, visit: http://u.osu.edu/perf. The next two years are 'critical' for the Scottish sheep industry, outgoing chair of the National Sheep Association has said as she urged more people to eat lamb. Sybil MacPherson attended an annual meeting of the group where she stressed the importance of the sheep industry keeping in close contact with politicians in order to ensure a good outcome from post-Brexit negotiations. Up to 40% of UK lamb production is exported each year, with 96% of that going into the EU single market. Mrs MacPherson, who featured on the popular This Farming Life television programme, said the focus for her successor would also be sorting out the 'shocking situation' with late farm payments. She also highlighted recent export trade data which was positive but not certain to continue in the future. 'Turning away from big aspirations' In a meeting with Scottish rural affairs minister Fergus Ewing, she said she hoped her successor would be hosting the visit after sending an invitation, she said: "It's really important that he gets out and discovers what sheep farming does." NSA chief executive Phil Stocker recently said: "Despite calls that we want Britain to be a major global player, our sheep industry may need to consider turning away from such big aspirations and focus far more on growing and protecting our domestic UK market. That's not the current model and would require substantial restructuring." George Milne, the NSA development officer, said: "We need to make a start because there is a whole load of work to do." Aberdeenshire farmer John Fyall was yesterday elected chairman of the Scottish branch of the NSA. The former north chairman for the Scottish Association of Young Farmers' Clubs said in his speech: "The chance to be involved for the next two years is one I couldn't resist because I want to make sure there's somewhere for me to farm in the next 20 years." Supermarkets have been forced to commit to clearer labelling rules after coming under fire from customers and farmers over imported lamb products incorrectly described as 'British'. Aldi and Waitrose have been subjected to criticism after they claimed their lamb products had been 'Produced in Britain' but in fact contained traces of imported New Zealand meat. On Monday, Waitrose announced all the 'British' lamb meals will be rebranded as 'Classic'. But shoppers still shared their anger on social media over the issue. Dairy farmer Robert Martin said: "Waitrose why are you using New Zealand lamb in your British lamb dishes? Shame on you for not supporting British suppliers." "To ensure the provenance of the lamb in the meals is clearer (it has always been on back of pack) we have [already] stickered all packs on the front," said a Waitrose spokeswoman. "We are about to re-launch the range with the branding "Classic", removing the large "British" reference from the front of pack. Twitter The National Farmers Union (NFU) said the situation was 'frustrating' for British farmers. "We made our concerns very clear to Waitrose right from the beginning on this product," said NFU President Meurig Raymond. "The inclusion of the word "British" in the brand name despite the meat being sourced from New Zealand is misleading for shoppers - and it's frustrating for British farmers, especially those who produce lamb Waitrose could have sourced." An Aldi spokesperson said the "the ingredients are clearly labelled. "However, in line with other major supermarkets, we are relaunching the range to make the distinction even clearer." Acting 'contrary' A farmer from the Lake District had started a poll on Twitter at the weekend asking whether the previous lamb labelling was acceptable or not. It attracted over 4,000 votes in 12 hours, with 97 per cent of respondents voting "Unacceptable (and a lie)". Morrisons has also been accused of acting contrary to its commitment to British lamb by running a promotion of imported lamb legs. The Bradford-based food retailer signed a pledge to source its own-branded lamb from British farms. But the NFU claims that they are acting 'contrary' to their pledge with some of their products containing Australian and New Zealand lamb meat which is confusing for shoppers. "We appreciate that Morrisons purchases around 750,000 lambs every year, but in our view its a real shame that the retailer is now acting contrary to its commitments to consumers," said Charles Sercombe, livestock board chairman for the NFU. "We also have concerns that these imported products are being placed near British messaging at the point of sale, potentially leaving shoppers confused about the origin of the product they are purchasing. We want shoppers to be able to buy British food confidently. A spokesperson for Morrisons said: "As has always been the case, all year round and in all stores, 100 per cent of Morrisons branded fresh lamb is British." A number of supermarkets have come under fresh fire this week for not clearly denoting some lamb products as imported. A spot check by Farmers Weekly found Aldi selling a number of lamb ready meals called British Classic, when the small print on the back said they contained New Zealand lamb. Another Aldi ready meal had a British flag on the front with the words Produced in Britain, but again the fine print said the lamb was imported. See also: Twitter storm erupts over Waitrose British lamb label Ruth Mason, chief food chain advisor at the NFU, said the branding was misleading and the NFU was concerned it would confuse customers. She said the NFU would be contacting the retailer. And National Sheep Association chief executive Phil Stocker described the branding as shocking. Its being done on purpose and is playing on the high quality and provenance that British [farming] has got, he told Farmers Weekly. An Aldi spokesperson said the British Classic brand was used to indicate the origin of the recipe, but not necessarily the provenance of the ingredients. The ingredients are clearly labelled, he said. However, in line with other major supermarkets, we are relaunching the range to make the distinction even clearer. Criticism Premium retailer, Waitrose, also faced widespread criticism earlier in the week for a ready meals line called Waitrose British, which uses New Zealand lamb. A Twitter poll started by Lake District shepherd James Rebanks attracted more than 4,300 votes in 12 hours, with 98% of respondents saying the label was unacceptable. Waitrose said the label was only ever supposed to refer to the origin of the recipe and it was in the process of reprinting the packaging. The range would be called Waitrose Classic from next month. We use New Zealand in our ready meals because of a lack of availability of suitable UK trim from our supply chain, said a Waitrose spokesperson. We take the whole carcass from our farmers, with all of the trim generated from those lambs going into our popular burgers, meatballs and mince. Imported legs Morrisons also came in for flak for promoting imported lamb legs when British lambs are plentiful. NFU Cymru said its members had raised concerns about consumer confusion over the products country of origin. We have concerns that these imported products are being placed near Welsh and British messaging at the point of sale, potentially leaving shoppers confused about the origin of the product they are purchasing, said livestock board chairman, Wyn Evans. We want shoppers to be able to buy British food confidently. A spokesman from the retailer said the country of origin was very clearly labelled and the product was sold away from the counter. NFU chief livestock advisor John Royle, said Morrisons had traditionally been a strong backer of British. But he added: Were aware that an estimated 120,000 fewer (British) lambs have been slaughtered in 2016, which means there is the potential for more lambs to come through in early 2017. Like every other grandmother, theres just one thing Afsath Rehman wants to talk about: the children that her sons, Ejaz Kettiyapuraiyil and Shihaz Kettiyapuraiyil, have had in past few months. They promised to send me photographs but they havent so far, she sighs, echoing the complaints of a million other parents with children living in the diaspora. They said they have to travel one-and-a-half hours to reach a telephone. Thats a very long way. Except, Afsath Rehman isnt like every other grandmother. Last year, Ejaz Kettiyapuraiyil, his wife Rahaila, then three months pregnant, and their two-year-old child, along with Shihaz Kettiyapuraiyil, and his wife Ajmala, disappeared into the mountains of Afghanistans remote Nangarhar province along with eighteen other Kerala residents, all members of an Islamic State-inspired cult led by preacher Abdul Rashid. From interviews with family members, and messages they have sent their friends, The Indian Express has pieced together a portrait of the bizarre life the group has built for itself in the eight months since they disappeared. The members of the group have set up stores, teach religion, have married, and had children. None appears to be engaged in military activity. The intent seems to be to set up a community that will nurture future jihadists who will arrive from Kerala and other parts of India for training, says an Indian intelligence official. This is the incubator, the nursery. Hamsa Sagar, the Rehman familys comfortable home near Kasaragod, isnt anyones conception of a jihad incubator. Ejaz practised medicine; his younger brother was an engineer; their father, Abdul Rehman, worked hard overseas to lay solid middle-class foundations for his family, and by all accounts, had little to do with religious chauvinism. Three years ago, though, the sons discovered neo-fundamentalist religion, and began rebelling against their father, saying they wanted to live life as the Prophet had. They rejected all this, Abdul Rehman says, this life I had made. In Nangarhar, the life they have is hard. The region they inhabit, Indian intelligence officials believe, is remote and mountainous, unconnected by regular road links. The rest of the migrants from Kerala are also thought to be living in village homes dotted around the same area. Ejaz said both families are living together in a small house, his mother says. There is no air conditioner or fridge or any luxury. But, they say they are living in heaven and would not come back. In their last call home, made a month and a half ago, Ejaz told his family about the birth of the two sons, and said he was running a medical clinic contributing his skills as a doctor to the war-torn community. Shihaz, he said, was working as a teacher, also volunteering his knowledge of the sciences. A third child has been born to the fledgling Islamic State community from Kerala. Bexin Vincent, who named himself Issa after converting to Islam, called his father K F Vincent to inform him of the news. Bexin called his mother-in-law, too, to say his wife and he were living some distance away, and that phone calls were expensive. Though Afsath Rehman craves phone calls from her children, her husband disagrees. I dont like attending to their calls, he says bluntly. When we tell them to come back, they ask us to join them in what they tell us is the true Islamic life. They imagine they are living as every true Muslim should. Its a lecture, not a conversation. Abdul Rehman says he believes others in Kasaragod are also in touch with his sons. When one of our family members met with an accident a few months ago, Ejaz came to know about it much before I did, he says. Local police and intelligence officials agree. Theres a whole subterranean Islamist network thats still active in Kerala, sympathetic to the Islamic State project, says an officer familiar with the investigation into the disappearance. The next stage will likely be the recruitment of volunteers for actual military training. That assessment may not be alarmist: al-Qaeda channels on the encrypted chat client Telegram, for example, have been producing prodigious amounts of translated propaganda material in Tamil and Malayalam for the past six months, translating the primary texts of jihadist patriarchs Abdullah Azzam, Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri for audiences so far unfamiliar with them. It isnt hard to detect the communal strains that underly this development. Ashfaque Masjid, who travelled to Nangarhar with his wife, Shamsiya, and one-year-old daughter Ayesha, called his sister, Shajira Majid, some months ago. This is a land of Muslims, Shajira Majeed recalls her brother saying, and we need not see any Hindu here. He wanted all of us join him in that place. He told us he would not return. No one is quite certain what shaped Ashfaque Majids world view. Until 2012 a commerce student at Mumbais Mithibhai College, he looked after his fathers hotel business in the city alongside. But then, according to charges filed by the National Investigation Agency, Majid made contact with Arshi Qureshi, a manager with controversial neo-fundamentalist preacher Zakir Naik Islamic Research Foundation, who in turn put him touch with the cult in Kasaragod. Majid broke with his family business, and moved back to Kerala. The idea that emigrating is necessary for a full practice of Islam has old roots in South Asias political history: in 1920, tens of thousands responded to calls to make hijrat, or migration, to Afghanistan, rather than live in British-ruled India. Large numbers of migrants were killed by hunger or looters; the Khyber pass, contemporary accounts record, was littered with corpses. For the families of many of those who have gone to Afghanistan, the politics underlying their migration is incomprehensible. Mohammad Mehmood, whose son Mohammad Salil was among the migrants, has got two calls from his son, once a well-off worker in Sharjah. When I asked him why left home, he had no answers, Mehmood says. He is living according Koran and has no plan to return. I pick up his calls, and he starts delivering religious sermons. The shortest conversations have been between Hafeezuddin and his mother, Khadeeja. The words get stuck in my throat, she says, speaking from behind a half-closed door. I cried when he last called. He told me that we would meet in heaven. Hes sent Telegram messages since. Sleep doesnt help when its your soul thats tired, one reads. Source : Indian Express The alarming changes in the demographic composition of the strategically placed north-eastern state of Arunachal Pradesh that borders Tibet has been pitchforked to national consciousness two days ago by Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju. The minister, who hails from that state, has rightly ignited a debate on the unbridled activities of Christian missionaries who have been proselytising poor tribals of that state with monetary and other enticements. But what also needs to be highlighted is that these Christian evangelists pose a grave threat to national security. Not only have they been converting the simple tribals, the proselytisers have been implanting the seed of rebellion in their heads. In doing so, these evangelists have followed a long tradition of creating a sense of alienation between the newly-baptised tribals from the rest of India. This sense of alienation is what led to the birth of many insurgencies in north-east India. The church in states like Mizoram and Nagaland has always played a nefarious role in aiding and abetting insurgencies and even providing the insurgents a global platform to plead for secession from India. The diabolic role played by Michael Scott, a Christian priest, in aiding the Naga rebels in the name of negotiating peace between them and the government Of India, is well known. Mizo insurgent leader Laldenga and Naga insurgent leader A Z Phizo received a lot of help from the Church of England. Even before 1947, British missionaries had conspired to create a Christian crown colony comprising the Arakan province of present-day Myanmar, the Chittagong Hill Tracts (of present-day Bangladesh), Lushai Hills (present-day Mizoram), Naga Hills (present-day Nagaland), some areas of Assam and the hill areas of Tripura and Manipur. This colony, they envisaged, would be loyal to England and the Church of England. In addition, this colony would serve the useful purpose of being Britains eyes and ears in South Asia and provide the West with a permanent foothold in the region to play mischief. Though that plan came to naught, the church in north-east India and its proselytising priests have never given up the dream of making Northeast India a bastion of Christianity and a large landmass that would be in perpetual opposition to Hindu India, Islamic Bangladesh and Buddhist Myanmar and one that would serve the interests of western powers like England and the USA. Creating A False Naga Identity For Arunachal, the Christian missionaries have a more diabolic plan: to not only convert all the tribals into Christianity, but float a fraudulent theory that all of them belong to the same genetic stock as the Nagas and, hence, should join their Naga brothers in demanding that they live together as one people under a common administrative and political setup. It would be worth noting here that the early Christian missionaries (mainly the American Baptists) who went to the Naga Hills to proselytise the tribes there also gave them the artificial identity of Nagas and united all the warring tribes the tribes used to kill each other and have nothing in common, not even a common dialect under this identity that has become very closely linked with Christianity. All the tribes inhabiting the present-day state of Nagaland, as well as some others in the northern hill districts of Manipur adjoining Nagaland and in the Sagaing division and Kachin state of Myanmar bordering India (they have been labelled as Eastern Nagas), are overwhelmingly Christian (mostly Baptists). And based on the myth first floated by Christian missionaries and which has now become an accepted narrative (remember Goebbels theory that a lie repeated a thousand times becomes the truth?) by Nagas and non-Nagas alike about the shared and unique history of the Nagas, these tribes have been demanding one homeland called Nagalim. This Nagalim comprises Nagaland and Naga-inhabited areas of the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Assam as well as Myanmar. Significantly, the insurgent outfit the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN) led by Thuingaleng Muivah has been an ardent advocate of Nagalim and has Nagalim for Christ as its avowed goal. The Baptist church has very close links with this outfit and the two act in tandem to further their common goal of founding a Christian state (or country) called Nagalim. Naga insurgents have been funded, given moral support and provided shelter by the church, especially the Church of England. The Diabolic Plan As for Arunachal, the Christian proselytisers have been successful in getting the Wancho, Nocte and Tangshang tribes inhabiting the southeastern Tirap and Changlang districts of the state bordering Nagaland to believe that they are actually Nagas. The NCSN has also been proclaiming this for the past few decades. Thanks to the concerted efforts of the Church through material and other enticements and even threats by the NSCN, these three tribes have bought into the Naga narrative and now proclaim themselves to be Nagas. The Catholic and the Baptist missionaries have converted tens of thousands of members of the Adi, Apatani, Galo, Idu Mishmi, Nyishi and Tagin tribes into Christianity by foul means: monetary rewards, free education and healthcare, and material benefits over the past 15 years. Catholics number about 3.4 lakh now while Baptists are about 1.92 lakh, thus making them about 34 per cent of the states estimated present population of 15.65 lakh. By 2020, Christians are expected to make up for 40 per cent of the states population. The southern portions of Arunachal Pradeshs southern districts bordering Assam like East Kameng, Lower Subansiri and Papumpare districts have already become overwhelmingly Christian habitats. So are major parts of Upper Subansiri and Kurung Kumey districts. Tirap and Changlang are wholly Christian districts and many parts of Lohit, Lower Dibang and East Siang are dominated by Christian converts. The Christian missionaries are now trying, with alarming success, in converting tribals living in the rest of the state also to Christianity. The process of convincing the other tribes of Arunachal that they belong to the greater Naga family has already started. Catholic priests and Baptist clerics have been preaching from the pulpits that the tribals of Arunachal have little in common with the rest of India that is inhabited by heathens following a pagan religion of idolatry (quoted from a Baptist Church text). Thus, an artificial divide is being created between these tribals and the people of the rest of the country. Along with creating this divide, the tribals are also being bombarded with false propaganda by the Christian proselytisers (almost all of them hail from Kerala) that Hindu-majority India has been neglecting them and according step-motherly treatment to them and the only way they can claim their rights is to assert themselves as Christians and Nagas. The Adis, Apatanis, Galos, Idu Mishmis, Nyishis and Tagins are being told that they are, in fact, the lost Naga tribes. And that Christ the Lord ordained for all of them to live as one people. It is only a matter of time a decade or so at best before the Christian missionaries plan of convincing these indigenous tribes of Arunachal that they are, in fact, Nagas succeeds. And once these tribes also adopt the creation of a Christian Nagalim as their common goal, the church would have succeeded in its ploy of creating a client state of the West in the strategically located and sensitive north-east India. This can only have hugely adverse security implications for the country. Source : Swarajya Magazine Salafist mullahs issue fatwas against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BJP leaders. A prominent cleric opines that all women, irrespective of their religion, should cover themselves. Schoolchildren are taught to hail their parents as abbu and ammi, while school textbooks are revised to delete all non-Islamic terms. The killing of Osama bin Laden is publicly mourned and a price is put on the head of writer Taslima Nasreen and others who are pronounced by regressive clerics to be anti-Islam. Bigoted mullahs publicly call for the assassination of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed for her crackdown on Islamists in her country. Authorities deny permission to Hindus to celebrate their religious festivals due to objections from Muslims. Houses and shops of Hindus are looted and torched, but the perpetrators are never booked. One would have expected this from some medieval corner of Pakistan thats under the reign of the Taliban or the Daesh. But no, this is West Bengal under the chief ministership of Mamata Banerjee who often dons the hijab and bends over backwards to please venom-spewing Salafi mullahs. In the six years she has been in power in Bengal, the state has come under the firm grip of Islamists who have started dictating the agenda in many fields. Thus, the word ramdhanu (rainbow) gets changed to rongdhanu in school textbooks since the original name (of the rainbow) starts with Ram. Schoolchildren are taught to call their paternal uncles chacha, not the Bengali kaku, and their paternal aunts fufi-amma instead of the Bengali pishi. The Islamisation of school textbooks in Bengal is firmly on its way as dictated by hardline Islamists. The Politics Behind It The reason for Bengal slipping into the grip of hardline Islamists is political. Since the late 1950s, Muslims have, more or less, voted en bloc for any party that promised them security and privileges. The Congress, which ruled the state till the late 1970s, not only wooed them, but also looked the other way when illegal Muslim migrants from neighbouring Bangladesh started flooding the border districts of Bengal. Congress politicians offered them political patronage, protection and citizenship in return for their votes. The Left, which ruled (or misruled) Bengal for 34 years from 1977, actively continued with this policy to hold on to power. Mamata Banerjee has now perfected this policy because she has come to realise that without the Muslim vote, she would not be able to hold on to power in the state. It is the Muslims, who voted almost en masse for Mamata in the 2011 and 2016 Assembly polls, who are responsible for her impressive victories. Mamata believes that in order to keep her crucial Muslim electorate happy, she has to humour the hardline mullahs who exercise near-total control over the mostly poor and illiterate Muslims in Bengal. That assessment is true. Over the decades, maulanas belonging to the Deobandi school of Islam have taught and preached the orthodox and bigoted version of Islam in madrassas and mosques in Bengal. Slowly, the syncretic and tolerant Sufi Islam that Bengali Muslims used to adhere to gave way to puritanical Islam. The Tablighi Jamaat, an offshoot of the revivalist Deobandi movement (which started as a result of the failed bid in 1857 to drive the British out of India and re-establish Mughal rule in this country), complemented the efforts of the hardline maulanas (all of them Urdu-speaking and hailing from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar) by preaching the puritanical form of Islam to Muslims in Bengal. What also played a major role in radicalisation of the Muslims in Bengal was the huge inflow of money from the Gulf states (which follow the totally intolerant and regressive Salafi version of Islam) to fund mosques and madrassas. The Deobandi maulanas very soon metamorphosed into Salafis and started preaching hate and intolerance to the Muslim masses. The spread of Salafi Islam, which is very political in nature, soon resulted in political awakening among the Muslims who realised the need to vote en masse for any politician or party that would safeguard their interests. This safeguarding meant allowing illegal Muslim migrants from Bangladesh to settle down in Bengal (on mostly government land), providing them with the requisite citizenship documents and turning a blind eye to their misdeeds and criminal activities. The Demographic Change Just before the partition of Bengal in 1947 (when East Bengal became East Pakistan), Muslims constituted around 30 per cent of the population of this part of Bengal (West Bengal). Immediately after Partition, with many Muslims migrating to East Pakistan (and some even to West Pakistan), the Muslims were reduced to about 19.4 per cent of West Bengals population. But since the late 1950s and early 1960s, with unchecked flow of illegal Muslim migrants from Bangladesh into Bengal, their numbers have been steadily rising. The 2011 census revealed that Muslims form 27.5 per cent of the population of Bengal, and according to unofficial estimates, they are about 29 per cent now. Thus, the percentage of Muslims in Bengal is back to the pre-Partition levels. Had this not been so demographically alarming, it could have been construed as a total negation of Jinnahs two-nation theory: Muslims for whom he created (East and West) Pakistan have been migrating back to India within a few years of Pakistans formation. It is not only the large-scale illegal influx of Bangladeshi immigrants into Bengal that has led to this demographic change. Muslims have a much higher birth rate than other communities. And also, migration of Muslims from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar in search of livelihood has contributed to this growth. The decadal growth of the Muslim population has been much higher than the Hindus. Two large swathes of BengalNorth and South Dinajpur, the Malda-Murshidabad-Birbhum belt, and the North and South 24 Parganas-Kolkata-Haora belthave seen an exponential growth in Muslim population and many areas in these two belts have become Muslim-majority areas. Political Assertion By Muslims With the rise in numbers, the Muslims sense of entitlement to political power has also increased. As has already happened in neighbouring Assam where a Muslim partythe All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) led by ultra-orthodox business magnate Badruddin Ajmalnow represents the Muslims of that state, in Bengal, too, the Muslims have started asserting themselves politically. But while clean-shaven Muslim politicians are elected, the actual power behind them are the hardline and intolerant Salafist mullahs with their hennaed hair and beards, kohl-lined eyes, turbaned heads (a la Osama bin Laden), long kurtas and short pyjamas. It is their writ that runs among the largely illiterate and radicalised Muslims in Bengal. Mamata knows this only too well and thus woos them with freebies and other material and political enticements to keep them happy. They, in turn, deliver their captive Muslim votes to Mamata, thus ensuring the victory of her party in the polls, and her indebtedness to them only increases with each passing poll in the state. These hardline mullahs have grown assertive and very influential in the years since Mamata came to power in the state. The Shahi Imam of Kolkatas Tipu Sultan Masjid (so named since it was constructed in 1832 by Tipu Sultans youngest son Ghulam Mohammed), Nuroor Rehman Barkati, typifies this powerful breed of mullahs and maulanas in Bengal. A couple of weeks ago, Barkati offered Rs 25 lakh to anyone who would cut off Prime Minister Narendra Modis beard, shave his head and smear him with black ink. This he did while addressing a press meet with Trinamool MP Idris Ali by his side. A few weeks before that, Barkati issued a fatwa against Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh, asking him to leave Bengal and offering Rs 5 lakh to anyone who would beat up Ghosh and kick him out of the state, once again with Idris Ali sitting beside him. Barkati had, in May 2011, held funeral prayers for Osama bin Laden, and in July 2015, for Mumbai blast accused Yakub Memon. Barkati moves around in an expensive SUV fitted with a red beacon provided to him by a grateful Mamata Banerjee. In April 2013, 16 Islamic organisations held a rally in the heart of Kolkata that was attended by tens of thousands of angry, skull-capped Muslim young men in kurtas and pyjamas in protest against the execution of war criminals in Bangladesh. Speaker after speaker at the rally condemned Sheikh Hasina and some even called on faithful Muslims to execute her. They extolled Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh vice-president Delawar Hossein Sayeedi, who was on trial then for collaborating with West Pakistani forces in the genocide against Bengalis. Many of the mullahs accused Hasina of being soft on Hindus and declared her apostate. The Trinamool, the Left parties or the Congress had no word of condemnation against the rally. While Mamata allows such rallies to take place in Kolkata, she has been consistently denying permission to the BJP, RSS and other such organisations to hold rallies in Bengal. She has, in fact, adopted a virulent anti-BJP stance only to please Muslims. Mamatas blatant acts of appeasement of Muslims, like the monthly stipends of Rs 2,500 and Rs 1,000 respectively to imams and muezzins of about 55,000 masjids in the state, promises to build houses at state expense for them and other such acts have only acted to encourage the Muslims to demand far more than their share of funds and projects. The Mamata government is accused of funneling most of the benefits of state and central government-sponsored schemes like bicycles and books for schoolchildren, agricultural subsidies, housing and crop loans, loans to micro, mini and small enterprises and grants under various projects to Muslims. It is estimated that more than 50 per cent of the total funds for development are spent on 29 per cent of the states population (that is, the Muslims). In December, the state government forced organisers of a seminar on Balochistan that was to be held at Calcutta Club to cancel the event. The reason was twofold: one, hardline Salafi maulanas in Bengal didnt like the idea of Pakistans perfidy in Balochistan being talked about, and two, Tarek Fatah, an ardent advocate of liberal, progressive Islam who has no love lost for hardline mullahs was to speak at the seminar. Major General (retired) G.D. Bakshi, who was also invited to speak at the seminar, expressed his disgust at the Mamata Banerjee government bending to the wishes of radical, anti-Indian and pro-Pakistani Islamists. Muscle-Flexing By Mullahs Such appeasement of Muslims by the state government has emboldened the hardline clerics to flex their muscles. Some maulanas in Muslim-dominated districts like Malda and Murshidabad have openly called for the execution of Narendra Modi, BJP president Amit Shah and others, and have called on Muslims to ensure the steady elimination of Hindus from their areas. Many maulanas have prohibited Muslim women from wearing orange sarees or clothes with even orange spots since orange (saffron, actually), they have held, is the sacred colour of Hindus. Such fatwas and directives have been winked at by an indulgent Mamata, thus emboldening the mad mullahs more. The result: the revision and Islamisation of school textbooks as dictated by the mullahs. Not only Muslim clerics, even large sections of the radicalised Muslim populace have felt encouraged to launch attacks on Hindus. Such attacks have been growing with alarming frequency over the last couple of years. Hindu homes and establishments have come under attack in Malda, Murshidabad, Birbhum, Haora, Hooghly, North 24 Parganas and some other districts of the state. Such attacks have been engineered in a very sinister manner: the spark for the simultaneous attacks launched on Hindus in at least 12 different places in the state after the Durga Pujas last year were false rumours spread by Muslim clerics that Hindus had attacked Muharram processions. Such attacks have also been provoked: in the latest instance at Ichhapurs Garulia locality (16 kilometres north of Kolkata). In the third week of January, a Muslim youth allegedly posted some derogatory comments about Hindu gods and goddesses on Facebook, took printouts of those and pasted them at some places in the locality. Angry Hindus thrashed the youth, and Muslims from neighbouring areas then launched coordinated attacks on Hindus at Garulia. Administrative inaction, characterised by police looking the other way when Hindus are attacked and failure to take action against radical Muslim clerics who have been provoking members of their community to attack Hindus or even arresting the attackers has led to a sense of immunity among radical Islamists. They know that the Mamata Banerjee government will do nothing against them for fear of losing their support, and the stronger that this feeling grows, the more brazen do the Deobandi-Salafi mullahs and the Muslims they have radicalised get. What has added to this sense of immunity among hardline Muslims is the state governments blanket denial of Hindus coming under attack from Muslims in the state and trying to prevent the media from reporting them. Leaders of Hindu Samhati, which has been monitoring and highlighting attacks on Hindus in the state over the past six years, say this is all part of a larger and very sinister long-term gameplan of hardline Islamists. For the first couple of decades, they (Muslims) act as mute and submissive vote banks to political parties. Once the parties grow dependent on them and start appeasing them, the Muslims start asserting themselves. Simultaneously, Deobandi-Salafi clerics radicalise the Muslim populace and preach hatred and intolerance. Once the Muslim population in one area increases, attacks are launched on Hindus to create a sense of fear among them and drive them out of the area. Next comes total Muslim domination of the area. The long-term gameplan is to convert the entire belt from lower Assam, north Bengal, Murshidabad, Malda and Birbhum and adjoining areas of Bihar and Jharkhand into a totally Muslim-dominated area under the firm grip of Salafist mullahs and maulanas and their radical and orthodox followers that will ultimately pose a grave threat to Indias security, says Hindu Samhati leader Dulal Bhattacharjee. Many progressive Muslims from different walks of life are also equally concerned over the rise of fundamentalist Islamist forces in Bengal. These mullahs are not only giving Islam a very bad name, but also snuffing out the liberal, tolerant and progressive Muslims, says Shamsuluzzaman Mullick, a pediatrician. Bigots and regressives like Barkati are harming the entire community. Liberal Muslims are feeling suffocated and we resent the domination of our communitys discourse by people like Barkati. They are not true Muslims and dont understand Islam at all. Unfortunately, politicians legitimise these fundamentalist clerics by according them importance. This should stop and the liberal, progressive Muslims should be encouraged by politicians to represent the community. Only then can people like us take over the leadership of the community. This is critical in the interests of our nation. His apprehension cannot be dismissed offhand: within a few years at best, a large swathe of eastern India will be populated by first, second and third generation Bangladeshi migrants who have been radicalised by Salafi preachers and this whole belt will be under the firm control of the Salafis who would definitely make it the happy playground of Islamic terror groups. The threat of the Daesh entering India through Bengal, and not via Pakistan as is being feared, is real and imminent. The Story Of Mayurgram/Morgram Mayurgram was, till about two-and-half decades ago, a sleepy, idyllic village near Nalhati (about 240 kilometres north of Kolkata) in Bengals Birbhum district. Surrounded by lush paddy fields, it was home to some 280-odd Hindu families and just 15 Muslim families, all of whom were sharecroppers. It bordered Murshidabad district. From the early 1990s, Bangladeshi immigrants started settling down in the village as guests of the 15 Muslim families. The old Muslims of our village told us the new people were their relatives. They started setting up shacks on government land and grazing land. We complained, but leaders belonging to the CPI(M), which was in power then, did nothing. By about 1998, there were more than 50 Muslim households in our village. Some of them suddenly got money and started buying farmlands, said Kabiraj Mukherjee, 67, a former resident of the village who now stays in Bolpur town. And then harassment by the Muslims started. Our womenfolk used to be teased and a few were also molested. We lodged police complaints, but to no avail. The Muslims started objecting to our pujas and rituals and the administration supported them. Two mosques came up, one just next to our Kali Mandir, and the administration stopped us from blowing conch shells or beating drums, saying it would disturb the peace and the Muslims were objecting. The Muslims, of course, were allowed their azaan and all their festivals. The Muslims started abusing and threatening us. From 2001, Hindus started selling off their farmlands and migrating to the nearby towns and to Kolkata. The Durga Puja in our village stopped, said Mukherjee, who sold off his 10-bigha plot of farmland and two-storied house to a Muslim family and migrated to Bolpur eight years ago. Today, Mayurgram does not exist; its name has been changed to Morgram and there are just 10 Hindu families left in the village. All of them are sharecroppers in farmlands owned by Muslims. We just could not put up with daily threats and abuses by those belligerent Muslims, the harassment being faced by our wives and mothers and daughters, and other forms of mental torture. They used to slaughter cows during Eid just next to our Kali Mandir. They used to mock us. The police and politicians did nothing. Life became hell for us, and so we were forced to leave our ancestral village, said Haripada Boral, 48, another resident of that village who now stays in Burdwan town. It is not just Mayurgram (or Morgram) that has changed thus. Hundreds of villages across Bengal are witnessing this forced migration of Hindu families and their gradual takeover by Muslims. All thanks to Mamata Banerjee. Source : Swarajya Magazine Hilcorp Alaska Has Been Fined for Disregarding Regulations, Seeks to Build Massive Liberty Project in Beaufort Sea ANCHORAGE, Alaska, February 15, 2017 Hilcorp Alaska LLC, the operator of the leaking natural gas pipeline in Cook Inlet, has been warned by federal regulators to improve maintenance of its gas pipelines. State regulators have also repeatedly fined the company and said disregard for regulatory compliance is endemic to Hilcorps approach to its Alaska operations.Hilcorp is seeking to build the controversial Liberty project, which involves a 5.6-mile pipeline in the Beaufort Sea. The companys Cook Inlet pipeline is currently leaking and diverting maritime traffic around waters bubbling with the flammable gas. Federal officials have said the pipeline leak could harm endangered Cook Inlet beluga whales, which number just 340 animals.This leaking gas pipeline may be a warning. Liberty is a huge, complex project that cant be trusted to a company that recklessly disregards regulations, said Kristen Monsell, a Center for Biological Diversity attorney who has raised concerns about the Liberty project. Offshore drilling in the treacherous waters around Alaska is inherently dangerous, and its no place for operators who ignore safety rules.The U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration issued Hilcorp warning letters over its gas pipelines in September and January of 2016 and December 2015, citing improper maintenance, corrosion control and control-room management.The Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission has also repeatedly cited Hilcorp for violating safety regulations for its oil and gas operations in the state. In December 2016 the commission fined Hilcorp $30,000 for failing to calibrate its gas meters or submit required reports from August 2014 through December 2016. In its order the commission wrote, Hilcorps history of noncompliance and its failure to take the rudimentary measure of entering AOGCCs requirements in its regulatory tracking system preclude any claim that Hilcorp has acted in good faith.Just seven months earlier, the commission fined Hilcorp $20,000 for failing to test crucial blowout-prevention devices, calling its communications over the incident misleading and incomplete and writing disregard for regulatory compliance is endemic to Hilcorps approach to its Alaska operations.The U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management is currently considering an application by Hilcorp Alaska to build the Liberty project, which was initiated by oil giant BP more than 10 years ago. That project would involve constructing a nine-acre artificial island in the Beaufort Sea, drilling horizontal well to tap underwater oil reserves, and building an underwater pipeline more than five miles long to send the oil to onshore facilities.The Center for Biological Diversity is a national, nonprofit conservation organization with more than 1.2 million members and online activists dedicated to the protection of endangered species and wild places.Center for Biological Diversity Lamki Multiple Campus chief, deputy missing; abduction suspected Students affiliated to the Netra Bikram Chand-led CPN Maoist at Lamki Multiple Campus in Kailali have been suspected behind the disappearance of the campus chief, Bhishma Thapa, and the assistant chief, Kamal Bista. Immigrant communities across the country are on edge after federal immigration agents arrested over 600 people in the past week in the largest raids since Donald Trump became president. Raids were reported in at least 11 states, including California, New York, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri and Wisconsin. [ Photo: A Homeland Security / Immigration & Customs Enforcement MRAP [Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected] Special Response Team vehicle rolls past the famous Giant Dipper roller coaster at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk while terrifying the predominantly Latino community living in the Beach Flats neighborhood. ] On Monday, February 13 at approximately 4:45 AM in the Beach Flats neighborhood, armored vehicles and soldiers with machine guns were escorted by Santa Cruz police. They broke down doors, detained women and children, and checked people's immigration papers. Members of the Salvadoran community were targeted for prosecution and deportation under the guise of searching for "gang members." The Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids involved helicopters, flash grenades, and fully armed officers in several neighborhoods in Santa Cruz who detained at least eleven individuals. The same thing happened elsewhere on California's central coast, including in Live Oak, Soquel, Watsonville, Hollister, Salinas, and Daly City. SCPD's new Deputy Chief Dan Flippo said the city of Santa Cruz and the Santa Cruz Police Department would not participate in an immigration raid and the timing of Monday's raids were "unfortunate" but in no way connected to an immigration sweep. "This investigation was ramped up very recently based on the belief that there was a significant threat to public safety," Flippo said in a release. But, in light of Trump's recent threats to deport citizens without documents, the people of Beach Flats are terrified. "This morning's raids threw the immigrant community into a panic. Trump's new mandate to prioritize deportation of a far broader swathe of the immigrant community means many, many more people parents, families, ordinary working people must be fearful. Many are now in hiding," said Paul Johnston of the new community organization Sanctuary Santa Cruz. Police enthusiasts, including corporate media, diligently repeat police statements indicating that the raids occurred as part of a five year investigation and had nothing to do with illegal immigration. So far most of the media covering this incident has focused on an alleged MS-13 gang affiliation of the people detained. However, there have been accounts of people being seized who have no affiliation to this gang, as well as tearful testimonies of law enforcement breaking down doors without warrants, smashing windows, and in some cases, taking money and computers and vandalizing homes. The police chief's statement that "this was not an immigration enforcement operation" dangerously invisibilizes how the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may have targeted undocumented individuals under the auspices of solely targeting "criminals". This brings to question the cooperation between local police and ICE as well as the guises and tactics ICE might use to enact their agenda. Highly Militarized ICE Raids in Watsonville, California The Watsonville Police Department assisted Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to conduct terrifying raids in Watsonville on February 13. ICE used flash grenades, armored vehicles, and military tactics to enter homes. ICE was also roaming the streets and scaring people. Communities are being terrorized. People, and especially children, are scared. Watsonville just adopted the sanctuary resolution, so what does this mean? How are we a sanctuary city if they are employing tactics that terrorize the immigrant population? Central Coast Communities Respond to the Terror of ICE Raids Ernestina Saldana, an activist with Sanctuary Santa Cruz, addressed over 700 people at a standing room only community meeting in the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium on Monday, February 13. She cried as she spoke about the ICE raids that happened at 4 AM that morning. It was a coordinated raid by highly militarized ICE officers in Santa Cruz, Watsonville, Live Oak, Soquel, Hollister, and Salinas. Supposed "gang members" were being deported, but many other people were picked up in the raid, including mothers who had been deported and come back across the border to be with their American born children, considered federal criminals. As she cried, Ernestina told the audience that she'd received 350 emails and 38 calls by 5 in the morning. Doors were broken open. "We have proof of that" she stated. "We are afraid. I am afraid. These kinds of actions make fear grow like a weed everywhere." Later in the day on February 13, there was a training in Watsonville for parents about what to do if they get separated from their children, but only a few people attended, since many people were too afraid to attend. Children didn't go to school. People are terrified and locking themselves in their homes. While the city passed a resolution to be a Sanctuary City, this has not yet become a legal ordinance, which is a much stronger commitment. The City Council previously postponed this agenda item to February 28, rather than addressing it on February 14. Given the events of February 13, this is clearly not soon enough. On Tuesday, February 14, Santa Cruz City Hall was packed with people demanding that local governing officials pass legislation confirming Santa Cruz's status as a Sanctuary City and preventing the Santa Cruz police from cooperating with Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, as well as all of DHS. ICE Arrests 600 in Nationwide Raids After Trump Order Expands Criminalization of Immigrants Immigrant communities across the country are on edge after federal immigration agents arrested over 600 people in the past week in the largest raids since Donald Trump became president. Raids were reported in at least 11 states, including California, New York, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri and Wisconsin. On Sunday, February 12, Trump tweeted, "The crackdown on illegal criminals is merely the keeping of my campaign promise. Gang members, drug dealers & others are being removed!" Immigrant rights activists say the actions signal a clear shift by the Trump administration to deport people who were considered a "low priority" for removal under the Obama administration. Reduction of financial backing of Russian non-commercial organizations: Human right activi by JimOlson Thu, Feb 16, 2017 1:12AM Update 11.05 The Government has just won a motion of confidence in itself in the Dail by 57 votes to 52, with Fianna Fail abstaining. Update 9.30pm: The Government is on course to win a motion of confidence in the next hour in the Dail. Taoiseach Enda Kenny led the debate tonight offering garda whistleblower Sergeant Maurice McCabe a full apology for the way he was treated. The debate came after the first signs of a leadership heave against Mr Kenny, with Leo Varadkar and Simon Coveney calling at the Parliamentary Party meeting for Fine Gael to be 'prepared for an election'. Mr Varadkar also went into the Dail and declared Maurice McCabe to be a hero. Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe attacked Sinn Fein saying they'd debased the Dail, and see every problem as an advantage for political gain: "Your efforts here tonight, they are malicious, they are nakedly political and they are aimed at destabilising the Government that is doing its best on behalf of those who we are privilaged to serve." Update 8pm: The Independent Alliance will vote confidence in the Government tonight after a meeting with the Taoiseach. The group says they got a commitment to hire an international policing expert to investigate the matters of public concern about Garda ethos and culture. Fianna Fail's to abstain in the vote, as part of the confidence and supply agreement, meaning the minority government will survive. But party leader Micheal Martin says they are on their last chance: "The events of this last week, have put the agreement under serious strain. "We do want a change of Government, but we also feel that this Dail has not fulfilled its obligations to the people who we are elected to serve." Update 7pm: The Independence Alliance considered pulling out of Government over the way in which the Taoiseach and other Government Ministers have handled the Maurice McCabe scandal, writes Political reporter Elaine Loughlin. While the five members of the Independent Alliance have announced they will be supporting the motion of confidence in the Government in the Dail tonight, when asked they failed to express confidence in Enda Kenny. At a press briefing after their meeting with Mr Kenny, the Alliance said they still unsatisfied with his version of events. Transport Minister Shane Ross said the group had told Mr Kenny that they "were very disappointed with a lot of confusion that had occurred in government in recent days and that we found it unacceptable and we hoped it wouldn't happen in the future". Asked if a withdrawal from government was an option Mr Ross said: "We considered it". When Mr Ross was asked if the Alliance have confidence in Mr Kenny he said it would "not be appropriate" to suggest anything. "What we have said about that is this, we are upset and very distressed by what's has happened, both with the Taoiseach another members of Government in the past few days, we do not think it would be appropriate in this situation where we are putting down a motion of confidence in the Taoiseach to suggest that we have no confidence in the Taoiseach." Update 5.55pm: The Independent Alliance has announced that it is to support a motion of confidence in the Government. It comes after The Taoiseach met with the Alliance this afternoon to discuss their confidence in the Government over the handling of the Maurice McCabe affair. Speaking in the past few minutes, the Transport Minister Shane Ross says the Alliance have secured a commitment to hire an international policing expert to investigate the matters of public concern about Garda ethos and culture. Mr Ross says the group has serious concerns about the ongoing difficulties in the Garda sector, and wants them investigated. He said: "We in the Independent Alliance have therefore secured a commitment from the minister for Justice today to appoint without delay an independent international policing expert to carry out a thorough investigation into the wider and more fundamental issues of public concern which have emerged relating to the administration, ethos and culture of An Garda Siochana." Update 12.50pm: A leading Fine Gael backbencher has said the party needs to address the leadership issue within the next two months, writes Daniel McConnell, Political Editor. Speaking on his local radio station, KCLR live, Carlow/Kilkenny TD John Paul Phelan today said Enda Kenny should depart as leader in the near future because an early General Election is likely. Mr Phelan said that the Government is in a precarious position and that Fine Gael TDs need to act in order to avoid catastrophe. KCLR Live presenter John Masterson asked when this should happen and Mr Phelan replied: "Within six to eight weeks. I do think there should be a new leader of Fine Gael in the near future because we will probably have another general election in the near future." The remarks come ahead of tonights meeting of the parliamentary party. There is speculation within Leinster House that Mr Kenny will be told to spell out his exit strategy and a timeframe for his departure. Last Monday, Fine Gael Dublin North-West TD Noel Rock called on Mr Kenny to set out "a deadline for the future not only for himself but for the sake of Fine Gael party", saying the issue needed to be cleared up "sooner rather than later". Senior ministers Leo Varadkar, Simon Coveney and Simon Harris have been approached in recent days by concerned Fine Gael TDs and senators deeply concerned about Mr Kennys leadership. The feeling is that the party must unite to overcome the McCabe crisis, but that the issue of the leadership must be addressed in the near future. Update 12.30pm: The Independent Alliance is to hold a showdown meeting with Taoiseach Enda Kenny this afternoon at 4pm to address their concerns over the Sgt McCabe crisis writes Daniel McConnell, Political Editor. The Irish Examiner understands that the Alliance, which have been locked in an emergency meeting since early this morning, are dismayed at Mr Kenny's handling of the crisis since last week, particularly his admission that he made up a conversation with Childrens' Minister Katherine Zappone. "What did Katherine Zappone tell you, and what did her officials tell your officials?" the Taoiseach is asked. pic.twitter.com/6qCZDyUSMU RTE News (@rtenews) February 12, 2017 Taoiseach says he is guilty of 'not giving accurate information' in relation to his contact with Katherine Zappone pic.twitter.com/i5OKcvqiy3 RTE News (@rtenews) February 14, 2017 Ministers Shane Ross, Finian McGrath, John Halligan and Sean Canney along with alliance whip Kevin 'Boxer' Moran have been holding talks as to whether they can express confidence in Mr Kenny and the Government when the Dail votes on the matter tonight. The Dail debate is to commence at 7pm and conclude at 10.15pm with the vote to be taken at that point. As it is to be a walk through vote, as opposed to an electronic vote, the result is expected about 10.45pm. After a rocky day yesterday, Mr Kenny has been facing further questions in the Dail this afternoon ahead of a meeting of the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party meeting. Fianna Fail health spokesperson Billy Kelleher described the Governments response to the whistleblower controversy as being incoherent and shambolic, but said that his party was committed to stability. Mr Kelleher said Fianna Fail will not bring down the Government and said he did not believe that there was any malicious intent by the Taoiseach to mislead either the Dail or the public. Martin asks how did Enda Kenny know terms of #MauriceMcCabe inquiry would cover Tusla file unless he knew what allegations were about #Dail Juno McEnroe (@Junomaco) February 15, 2017 Update 12.24pm: Speaking at a jobs announcement in Dublin this morning, the Taoiseach admitted: "It's a lot easier talk to you that some of the other people I've to talk to these days." 'It's a lot easier talk to you than talk to some of the other people I have to talk to these days,' Taoiseach says at jobs announcement. pic.twitter.com/CcnauYoVVf RTE News (@rtenews) February 15, 2017 Update 10.48am: Health Minister Simon Harris has called for cool heads among the Independent Alliance Ministers ahead of this evenings motion of confidence in the Government. The Independent Alliance remaining in Government and as a part of Government is crucial to the Governments survival and I absolutely hope it happens, he said. They have many excellent people playing a very important role, and I think its a time for cool heads, its a time for people to deliberate on the important issues, but ultimately its time for people to put the national interest first. And the best thing we can do as a Government and as an Oireachtas is set up a full public inquiry to address these very, very serious allegations. The group is understood to be unhappy with the Taoiseach's performance in the Dail last night. They had hoped to raise their concerns at a Cabinet meeting this morning - but that has now been postponed until tomorrow. The Independent Alliance are also seeking a meeting with the Taoiseach. Earlier: The crisis in Government has escalated this morning as an emergency meeting of the Independent Alliance has been called for 10am, writes Daniel McConnell, Political Editor. The Alliance are dismayed at what they see are the inconsistencies in the versions of events of the past week in the Governments handling of the Sgt Maurice McCabe saga. Alliance Ministers have been told to clear their diaries for the day and have been requested to gather in Dublin to discuss their next step, but the Irish Examiner understands that several members of the Alliance would have grave difficulty in expressing confidence in Enda Kenny as Taoiseach. The Dail is due to discuss a motion of confidence in Government at 7pm this evening, with voting set to take place at 10.15pm. A result is expected at around 10.45pm. As of now, Independent Alliance ministers Shane Ross, Finian McGrath, John Halligan and Sean Canney along with Kevin 'Boxer' Moran appear unable to support that motion. LATEST 8.30pm: The Taoiseach has refused to discuss any plans for his departure, saying he is focused on his job as leader of the country. The story today so far: Pressure is building on Taoiseach Enda Kenny regarding his Governments handling of the Maurice McCabe controversy Two Fine Gael TDs have now publically called on Taoiseach to clarify when he intends to step down as leader The Government have won last nights motion of confidence by 57 votes to 52 Taoiseach Enda Kenny offers full apology to whistleblower Sergeant Maurice McCabe Read More: Ministers tell Enda Kenny to resign as Taoiseach or face a motion of no confidence early next week Ministers tell Enda Kenny to resign as Taoiseach or face a motion of no confidence early next week Cabinet agrees terms of reference for public inquiry into the Sgt Maurice McCabe controversy and will now probe evidence relating to a number of whistleblowers and will look at possible contact between Tusla and Garda personnel Senator Michael McDowell says Noirin OSullivan should be asked to step aside during Tribunal Leo Varadkar says he believes Enda Kenny will know when the time is right to step aside as Fine Gael leader. Leo Varadkar says he believes Enda Kenny will know when the time is right to step aside as Fine Gael leader. Leo Varadkar's been installed as the bookies favourite to succeed Kenny. Update 8.30pm: The Taoiseach has refused to discuss any plans for his departure, saying he is focused on his job as leader of the country. Enda Kenny's defiant stance may set up a confrontation with his own TDs, who are demanding he give a timetable to step down. Fine Gael's vice-chairman Pat Deering has threatened a motion of no confidence next week if Mr Kenny has not announced a departure plan. But this evening he has refused to entertain any talk of retirement, and says he has got plenty on his plate. "I'm focusing entirely on a really busy and challenging agenda up ahead and we've got lots of work for all of our party to engage themselves in, ministerial portfolios and programmes for Government to implement. That's what we should be about." Henry McKean of NewsTalk travelled to Enda Kenny's hometown of Castlebar to hear what people in his hometown think about the pressure on him to step down as Taoiseach. Update 5pm: The Taoiseach remains under pressure this evening to name the date for his departure from the office. Leo Varadkar's been installed as the bookies favourite to succeed him, the Social Protection Minister says Mr Kenny will know when the time is right to depart. But backbench TDs say a timeline for Mr Kenny to leave will have to be spelled out in the coming days. Leo Varadkar, described Mr Kenny's leadership as "fabulous". But he added: "The events of this week showed a timeline for a general election is now shorter than we might have thought. "The Taoiseach has said he won't lead us into the next general election and I've absolutely every confidence that he will know when the right time is for himself and the party and the country to step aside." Another of the frontrunners to replace him is Simon Coveney, Housing Minister, while rising star Simon Harris, the Health Minister, has also been named in some circles as a potential candidate. Mr Kenny had already committed to stepping down as leader of his Fine Gael party ahead of the next election. His supporters and colleagues will now be looking for a candidate to fill his sizeable reputation on the European stage as Brexit looms and Ireland needs someone at the helm of government to keep issues affecting relations with Britain, such as the border, customs, trade and travel, front and centre throughout negotiations. Finance Minister Michael Noonan echoed that sentiment. He said another election was closer but added that Mr Kenny has a "skill set that is very valuable for the country". Update 3.45pm: The Policing Authority has expressed confidence in Garda Commissioner Noirin OSullivan. The Authority says it has confidence in the ability of Garda management to do a challenging and difficult job. The next public meeting with the Garda Commissioner and senior management is due to take place next week. Update 2.40pm: Leo Varadkar says he believes Enda Kenny will know when the time is right to step aside as Fine Gael leader. The Taoiseach has been given 5 days to outline plans for his departure, or face a no confidence motion. Various Ministers have said that events of the past week involving Maurice McCabe have moved an election closer. Leo Varadkar, seen as the favourite to replace Enda Kenny, said the Taoiseach will know when the time is right to go: "The events of the last week have show the timeline for the next General Election is shorter than we thought ... I have every confidence he will know when the right time is ... to step aside." Update 2pm: TDs are debating the terms of reference for a Tribunal into the treatment of Garda whistleblowers. The expanded Tribunal will look at the handling of the Tusla file on Maurice McCabe, and whether it was used by Gardai to smear him. It will also look into the treatment of Keith Harrison other whistleblowers, as well as that of Sergeant Maurice McCabe. However, the Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald says it is important that nobody rushes to conclusions before all evidence is heard. She said: "Everyone has basic human rights and it would be a cruel irony if our beliefs about the appalling treatment of some lead to the ill-treatement of others. "Hearing the other side is a basic requirement for fair procedure." Update 1pm: A former Attorney general and justice minister says the Government should ask the Garda Commissioner to step aside during the Tribunal. Senator Michael McDowell, who did represent Sergeant Maurice McCabe during the OHiggins Commission, says Noirin OSullivan should be asked to step aside or resign. Mr McDowell said: "I want to state here in the strongest possible terms that there is no reason at all for the Government to permit the Commissioner to remain in office. "She must step aside, either temporarily for the three-month duration of the tribunal until it has reported, or else permanently." Update 11.40am: Finance Minister Michael Noonan has said the Maurice McCabe crisis has brought the idea of a General Election centre stage, write Daniel McConnell and Eamon Quinn of the Irish Examiner. Speaking to reporters in Dublin this morning, Mr Noonan said it had been a difficult week for the Government but that ministers are united now. He said: "It has brought the idea of an election centre stage on the political agenda and that wasnt the case when we came back in January." Mr Noonan said no Fine Gael representative had raised the issue of the date of Taoiseach Enda Kennys departure. He said that despite a difficult week the Government was united. He said Mr Kenny had previously said he would not lead Government into next election. On the date, it was entirely a decision for the Taoiseach to make but said that Mr Kenny has a skillset given the challenges of Brexit that lie ahead. Pat Deering, the vice-chair of the party, has called on the Taoiseach to reassess his position, adding that "a motion of no confidence" in Enda Kenny "is coming down the line" if he doesnt go in the next number of days. The Government, meanwhile has signed off on the terms of reference for the new tribunal of inquiry into the mistreatment of Garda whistleblowers. Update 9.58am: The Cabinet has unanimously agreed to the terms of reference for the Tribunal of Inquiry into the allegations of a smear campaign against Garda whistleblower, Sergeant Maurice McCabe. They will go before both Houses of the Oireachtas. A spokesperson for the Department of Justice said: "The terms of reference for the Tribunal of Inquiry are comprehensive and clear in their focus. The Tanaiste believes that what is now proposed reflects the will of the Oireachtas. "Mr Justice Charleton will chair the Tribunal and is available to begin work this week. The Tanaiste has thanked him for agreeing to take on this role." It has been extended to cover other officers who exposed wrongdoing. The tribunal will also investigate the State child and family agency Tusla for its role in the scandal, relating to its file containing false allegations of sexual abuse against Sergeant Maurice McCabe. The inquiry will also look at allegations of "inappropriate contacts" between the force and Tusla in relation to garda Keith Harrison and other officers. It will investigate any "pattern of the creation, distribution and use by Tusla of files containing allegations of criminal misconduct" against rank and file gardai who alleged wrongdoing in the force and of the use of the files "knowingly" by top brass to discredit whistleblowers. Supreme Court judge Peter Charleton, who will head the tribunal, will have to issue an interim report within three months. Priority will be given to allegations against Maurice McCabe with an interim report to be provided within three months. Other whistleblowers will be looked at later and the Tribunal will be asked to investigative any negative links between Gardai and Tusla. Update 9.50am: Sinn Fein Deputy Leader Mary Lou McDonald has said that Enda Kenny and his government are on borrowed time. Deputy McDonald made the comments as the Fine Gael led minority government scraped through a vote of confidence in the Dail last night with the effective support of Fianna Fail. She said: This Taoiseach and his shambolic government are clearly on borrowed time, and the clock is ticking. Enda Kenny and other senior cabinet Ministers, in their mishandling of the scandal caused by the alleged campaign of character assassination waged against Garda Whistleblower Sgt McCabe, have proven themselves to be utterly incompetent. However, this incompetence is not a new development. The unprecedented and ever-worsening crises in housing, health and public transport is proof positive that this government is not fit for office. This government has lost its authority and only remains in power by way of favour from Fianna Fail and Micheal Martin. Abstaining on vote of confidence in a government is not an expression of neutrality. It is an expression of support." Ms McDonald said Fianna Fail have "put their own narrow, electoral considerations ahead of the needs of the people" by keeping the Government in power. She said: "The sooner there is a general election the better. The chaos has to be brought to an end. This Taoiseach and his government has to go." Update 8.50am: The Government Chief Whip, Regina Doherty, says those in Fine Gael seeking to replace Enda Kenny as leader should "think twice". The Chief Whip says the Taoiseach should be given the opportunity to make a decision on his future in his own time. Ms Doherty said: "You know what I dont agree with is that there are people in my party that are planning to be disrespectful to the leader of the last 15 years. "Well I think they should think twice, because it serves no purpose other than what Fine Gael normally do, that is to eat ourselves from the inside out." Update 7.55am: Enda Kenny has been given days to resign as Taoiseach or he will face a motion of no confidence in his leadership early next week, accoring to Read More: The Irish Examiner. Mr Kennys disintegrating authority is set be confronted by senior Fine Gael members in the coming days after ministers warned of the possibility of a snap election. Things are going to move very quickly, said one senior minister last night. Theres a feeling the Taoiseach must now make way or he will be moved against by way of a motion at a meeting next week, said the minister. Ministers and backbench TDs called for an early meeting next week, before Mr Kenny travels to Brussels for a meeting on Brexit. Party sources said the issue of his leadership was central to the move. Mr Kenny has said that he will not lead the party into another general election, but ministers are worried about being prepared if an early poll is triggered. Under the Fine Gael constitution the election of a new leader must be completed within 20 days of a vacancy arising. The result will be decided by TDs, Senators, MEPs, party members and councillors. Sources also stressed that ministers had called for unity in Fine Gael. Party figures said Mr Kenny at the meeting accepted responsibility for what had happened in recent days but that there was also a need to focus on the inquiry into the treatment of whistleblowers. Mr Kenny told the meeting he accepted that people had pressures and frustration and he was prepared to discuss these another day if necessary. Earlier: The first moves to replace Enda Kenny as Fine Gael leader were launched last night, hours before the Government won a vote of confidence in itself. Ministers Simon Coveney and Leo Varadkar called for the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party to begin preparations as early as next week for a General Election in the wake of the Garda whistleblower scandal. Hours later the Government won a motion of confidence in itself by 57 to 52 with Fianna Fail abstaining. Government Ministers attacked Sinn Fein for the motion of no confidence with Simon Coveney saying they are getting on with the job of government. He said: "What we will focus on is solving significant problems with solutions, solutions that can put a just solution in place for people like Maurice McCabe. "The Tanaiste and the Taoiseach are determined to do that this week and instead of actually finalising the terms of reference for a tribunal of inquiry that we want to put into place without any further delay, we are in here talking about a nonsensical motion." Taoiseach Enda Kenny offered a full apology to whistleblower Sergeant Maurice McCabe after the Government survived the confidence vote in the Dail. As he faced down an attempt to collapse the administration over the handling of allegations of a smear campaign against the respected officer, Mr Kenny said the unfounded child sex abuse slur was appalling. "I therefore offer a full apology to Maurice McCabe and his family for the treatment that was meted out to them," the Taoiseach said. A judge-led tribunal is to be held into allegations that the top brass of the Gardai orchestrated a black propaganda campaign against Sgt McCabe among journalists and politicians. Hearings are to be held in public, with the inquiry expected to be extended to cover other Garda whistleblowers who have alleged victimisation. Also, an independent, international policing expert is to be brought into the country to carry out a "root and branch" audit of the Garda, focusing on the administration, ethos and culture of the force. The Independent Alliance said it had secured agreement for the oversight reform, despite the existence of the Garda Inspectorate. Mr Kenny defended his minority coalitions handling of allegations of a sex abuse smear campaign following days of obfuscation over who knew the detail of the unfounded slur faced by the McCabe family. "The Governments sole objective in responding to the recent protected disclosures has been and remains to get to the full truth," he said. "The false allegations against Sgt McCabe are simply appalling. Sex abuse is the worst crime a person can be accused of." Judge Peter Charleton, of the Supreme Court, is expected to lead the tribunal into the McCabe affair. He previously worked as senior counsel to the Morris Tribunal, which spent years examining corruption and negligence among some gardai in Donegal in the 1990s. Superintendent Dave Taylor made the allegation of a smear campaign in a protected disclosure last year. He returned to work on Tuesday after being suspended for almost two years while a separate investigation ran into the alleged leaking of information to the media about the identities of Roma children taken into care over a suspected but unfounded kidnap concern. Garda Keith Harrison is a second whistleblower who wants his case examined by Judge Charleton. He has been on extended sick leave. He claims he and his girlfriend endured covert and overt Garda surveillance, referrals to Tusla - the Child and Family Agency - and that they were the victim of rumour, innuendo and malicious falsehoods. Mr Harrison, who was previously nominated for a Scott Medal for bravery, was stationed in Athlone when he stopped a colleague on suspicion of drink-driving in 2009. He also raised concerns about drug-dealing investigations. In a statement through his solicitor, he claimed there is an "orchestrated system and culture" among senior management of the force that dictates the treatment of whistleblowers. Reopening Fitzgibbon Street Garda Station, and increasing the visible Garda presence on the street, are just some of the measures announced in a new report on regenerating Dublins North Inner City. What we know so far: Government accepts recommendations of the Mulvey Report for regeneration of the North East Inner City. Ring-fenced funding of 5m will support implementation of the report. Policing resources in the area to increase by 30 additional Gardai by end 2017. Rutland Street School to remain in state ownership and to be developed as a community hub. Design, planning and procurement relating to the re-opening of Fitzgibbon Street Garda Station to begin. Government to move quickly to put in place Implementation Structures recommended with strong Community Engagement and Government Oversight. The Taoiseach has this evening formally launched the report, which also inludes multiple actions on education, training opportunities and social supports. There are also plans for a 'rebrand' without losing the area's identity with suggestions that it may be renamed along the lines of Dublins North Central City Quarter however that will be decided by locals. The Taoiseach announced that with Minister Donohoes support, funding is being ring-fenced to support the implementation of the Report which will amount to 5 million. Minister Donohoe said, this significant funding will ensure the programme is driven from day one and ensures existing funding is used in ways which is smarter and has greater impact. I also expect the local business community and employers will play their role in matching this effort to deliver real change for the individuals and families whose community they operate within. Theres been a mixed reaction to the publication of the report. It was commissioned in the wake of multiple gangland shootings in the area and contains recommendations for a three year action plan. Sinn Feins Mary-Lou McDonald says locals were not consulted enough. "The real issues here are issues around housing, issues around education, issues around drug misuse and abuse, mental health. To get this right you have to bring the community with you in a full way, not in a tokenistic way. So from speaking to people, and their initial take, the initial big dissappointment is that it is very light - some people were saying tokenistic - in community involvement." The Taoiseach said that community participation is vital in the planning, implementation and evaluation to ensure to the success of the programme. Without real and direct engagement with the people within the community, we cannot make change. The Government fully accepts that to achieve the impact we all want, the community have to help in leading and driving implementation." Councillor Eilis Ryan attacked the report for focusing on cliches over actual substance. "The focus in the report on narrative changing is deeply disappointing. After decades of neglect the communities in the North Inner City deserve more than patronising cliches about branding, that are lacking in any real substance. They deserve a clear and focused strategy of public investment in jobs and housing to tackle the inequality and severe disadvantage that they face." Heineken Ireland grew its share of the total long alcohol drinks (LAD) market by 0.8%, with like-for-like revenues growing by 4%. This was helped by the introduction of Heineken Light boosting sales of the groups eponymous lager label, and Coors Light maintaining its position as the number one bottled beer in the Irish on-trade sector. Furthermore, the groups Orchard Thieves cider brand unveiled in April of last year is now the second biggest cider brand in the country, behind C&Cs Bulmers label, with a 10.3% slice of the category. 2016 saw growth for Heineken Ireland across both the on-trade and off-trade channels, Heineken Ireland managing director Maggie Timoney said yesterday. Our share of the long alcohol drinks market grew by 0.8%, driven by growth in Heineken and a strong innovation performance led by Orchard Thieves, she added. Goodbody Stockbrokers Patrick Higgins said Orchard Thieves impact suggests the Irish cider market remains competitive. While we anticipate Bulmers volumes to [have grown by] 6% in 2016, we expect the brand will have continued to lose share in the cider market, he said. Strong growth in Asia and Mexico led to an increase in Heinekens overall global beer sales in 2016 as the worlds second-largest brewer yesterday said it edged above earnings expectations and forecast even better margins this year. The Dutch brewer sold 3% more beer last year, with the sharpest increase in Asia. Sales also grew in France, Italy, Poland, Spain and Mexico, but fell in Nigeria, one of the groups top four markets, as well as in the Democratic Republic of Congo and in Russia. Chief executive Jean-Francois van Boxmeer said margin expansion should be in line with the groups target of 40 basis points, excluding major unforeseen economic and political developments and the impact of recent acquisitions in Brazil and Britain. Heinekens 2016 operating profit excluding one-offs rose by 9.9% on a like-for- like basis to 3.54bn, with total revenue up 1.4% at 20.8bn. Its a good set of numbers ... and margin expansion this year. You couldnt really ask for better than that, said Trevor Stirling, beverage analyst at Bernstein Research. Heineken said it assumed a similar negative impact from currencies as last year, including a 1.1bn hit on revenue. Chief financial officer Laurence Debroux said, for example, another devaluation of the Nigerian naira was likely later this year. One further uncertainty would be the impact on Mexico, Heinekens largest market, of US President Donald Trump, who has talked about imposing duties on imports from its southern neighbour. Mr. van Boxmeer said for the time being it was not yet legislation. How that all will pan out we dont know. We are prepared for that. Were going to surf the wave as it comes, but I think specifically for the tax situation, the NAFTA situation, this is a lot of speculation, he told Reuters. Heineken shares rose by up to 4% yesterday, making them the strongest performers in the FTSEurofirst 300 index of leading European stocks. Taoiseach Enda Kenny was on hand for the official announcement, calling the companys expansion in Ireland staggering growth since it first opened in Dublin in 2012. Indeed aggregates job listings in a Google search-style from employer career sites, staffing agencies, job boards, and career pages and has sites in more than 60 countries and 28 languages. Every month more than 200m job seekers visit Indeed to find and apply for jobs, according to the company. The Austin, Texas-based company has already started recruiting for sales, client services, HR, business development, marketing, finance, strategy and operations roles to join its existing 530 employees on St Stephens Green, which is its headquarters for EMEA Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Company president Chris Hyams said Indeed had handily beat its goal set in 2012 of rapid expansion because Irish culture of being adaptable fits with its own corporate identity. Having our EMEA hub in Dublin is the natural choice given the large pool of high-skilled talent both locally and from the rest of Europe. Mr Kenny said that Indeeds expansion in Ireland was a ringing endorsement of the IDA. He claimed that despite Brexit and other challenges, investments like Imagine would continue to make Ireland one of the best places globally for foreign direct investment. IDA chief executive Martin Shanahan played down fears that the new US administration will affect US investment in Ireland. Pharma giant Eli Lilly confirmed that it has put back a decision on whether to proceed with a planned 200m expansion of its operations in Cork. Speaking to the Irish Examiner, Mr Shanahan said: I wont comment on individual companies but there is any amount of uncertainty in the investment world. It isnt unheard of or unreasonable that companies take stock of where they are at as they await the articulation of policy by a new US administration. My expectation is we may see some holding off of investment. However, we had hundreds of new Irish jobs announced this week and that will continue in the coming days and weeks. Jobs Minister Mary Mitchell OConnor said she was concerned but not fearful regarding the Eli Lilly decision. I have assigned extra funding so the IDA and Enterprise Ireland can employ more people to go out and win more business for Ireland, she added. In the past 20 years, 209 women have died violently in this country 131 of these women were killed in their own homes. Under the new approach, regular gardai will still respond immediately to incidents and carry out a general risk assessment around the house call. The following day, the cases will be taken over by the new units, with victims given a key Garda contact who will conduct more extensive risk assessments around these women and children so the likelihood of violence escalating can be better predicted. Detective Superintendent Michael Daly of the Garda National Protective Services Bureau will outline plans for the units at a North Cork Domestic Violence Project You are Not Alone conference at Cork Institute of Technology today. The units are to be set up in Cork, Louth, and Dublin this year as gardai move towards a more consistent and professional response to such abuse. Det Supt Daly said a number of gardai at the bureau have already completed specialised training in domestic abuse, sex abuse, the handling of sex abuse offenders, human trafficking, and organised prostitution. Staff at the new divisional units will receive similar expert training. Under our domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence strategy, standards will become more consistent across the teams. The divisional protective services units in Cork, Louth, and Dublin metropolitan region west will mirror what the bureau is doing on a national scale, he said, adding that, in time, the units will be extended to all Garda divisions. Meanwhile, UK-based safeguarding consultant Maddie Bell, who also works with Barnardos, has said domestic violence homicides and child deaths from abuse can be reduced with the correct risk-assessment tools. Ms Bell, who will speak in Cork today, has developed her own tool for social workers as she says some tools are too dependent on disclosures from the victims. The Domestic Abuse, Stalking, and Honour Based Violence (DASH 2009) risk-assessment model was implemented across all police services in the UK eight years ago. It is believed the gardai want to introduce a more up-to-date approach. We are also revising our policy on domestic abuse intervention and are currently developing risk assessment tools to identify and manage risk within families, said a Garda spokesman. He said he was confident the EU would not bring Ireland back to the borders of division after Brexit is triggered. Speaking at the Mansion House before the Institute of International and European Affairs, Mr Kenny said a 10-year plan would help protect Ireland. As a direct response to Brexit, I have asked the Ministers for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform to prepare an ambitious multi-annual 10-year capital plan that will make Ireland a far better place in which to live and work, he said. That plan will make prudent and effective use of our own resources, as well as resources available to Ireland as a member of the European Union. We are already in active discussions with the European Investment Bank, which recently opened an office here in Dublin. I am confident those discussions will lead to significant further EIB investments in Ireland. That new plan will show how we will invest in roads, in public transport, in energy, in water, in schools, in higher education, and in hospitals and health facilities. Mr Kenny said Ireland must remain at the heart of Europe as the Government prepares to plan for Brexit. He admitted that Britains exit from the EU is a serious direct threat to Irelands economic prosperity. Setting out part of Irelands position in advance of Brexit likely being triggered next month, Mr Kenny said Ireland would need to protect the hard-won peace on the island. He said common values in the EU were under threat and must be defended. We must remain at the heart of Europe and open to the world. We must protect the hard-won peace on our island, and we must pursue thoughtful, prudent, but ambitious economic policies, he said. The Governments plan for Brexit combines these three essential elements, and key challenges lie ahead, said Mr Kenny. So for Ireland to succeed and prosper, we must remain at the heart of Europe and we must preserve the hard-won peace on our Ireland. The final, and enormous, challenge is to protect and grow our economy. Brexit is a serious, direct threat to Irelands economic prosperity. The potential impacts are profound, right across the economy. Key sectors, such as agri-food and fishing, face particular risks and challenges. These sectors are among Irelands priorities as the agri-food sector has traditionally been reliant on the UK export market, while fishing depends enormously on access to the waters around Britain. In the Dail during a debate on Brexit, Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams said a hard border would undermine the Good Friday agreement. During a debate, Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan said: There will be a need for the British government to definitively factor into their own negotiating position with the European Union in the stated objective in relation to the border. I reinforced this message in my meeting with the secretary of state for Northern Ireland James Brokenshire in our meeting yesterday. Minister Mahat urges EU to lift ban on Nepali airlines Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat has urged the European Union to lift the ban on Nepali airlines. Burma Authorities Block Kachin National Conference Police block Majoi Hall in Kachin State capital Myitkyina / Nan Lwin Hnin Pwint / The Irrawaddy MYITKYINA, Kachin State Authorities blocked the first Kachin National Conference on Thursday morning at Myitkyinas Manaw Park in Kachin State. Lawmaker and conference participant Ja Seng Hkawn Maran told The Irrawaddy that about 100 local police arrived before the conference was due to start at 8:30am and blocked access to Majoi Hall and park entrances. The Kachin National Consultative Assembly had sought to conduct two-day consultations at Majoi Hall ahead of the Union Peace Conference later this month, but the Kachin State government turned down their request to use the facilities on Wednesday. About 300 peopleincluding politicians and CSO representativesare currently being held inside the park, Ja Seng Hkawn Maran said. The entrances to the park are blocked as the Kachin State government will not allow the meeting, Ja Seng Hkawn Maran said. He added that the conference organizing committee was holding a meeting, while other participants waited. Some 500 people from Kachin and Shan states as well as Rangoon and Mandalay divisions were invited to join the conference. From amongst them, we will select about 100 representatives to present the collective voices from different sectors at the forthcoming 21st Century Panglong, said secretary of the Kachin National Consultative Assembly Labang Gam Awng, referring to the upcoming peace conference organized by the government. The consultation is expected to reflect public sentiment on the implementation of the Panglong promises of the famed 1947 agreement toward ethnic equality and federalism, said Ja Seng Hkawn Maran, a Kachin State parliamentarian representing Injangyang Constituency. Our Union was born with the Panglong Agreement, but as the Panglong promises are not yet fulfilled, war has been waged across our nation, she said. Ja Seng Hkawn Maran said that, by invoking the name of the 1947 agreement, the peace process should be continued in the spirit of the first Panglong. About 700 delegates from the government, ethnic armed groups, political parties, and civil society groups are expected to attend the 21st Century Panglong Peace Conference which is slated to begin Feb. 28. Burma Burma Army Forms Team to Investigate Allegations of Abuse in Arakan State Military and police travel through Maungdaw, in northern Arakan State on Oct. 17, 2016. / Hein Htet / The Irrawaddy In response to the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) report released on Feb. 3, the Burma Army has formed its own investigation team tasked with ascertaining whether security forces committed unlawful acts during clearance operations in Arakan State. The announcement from the Tatmadaws True News Information Team on Thursday said officials at all levels are instructed and supervised to act within the framework of law and to ensure that security forces stay away from using excessive force and committing human rights violations in areas where military operations are conducted. It reaffirmed that legal action will be taken against anyone who breaks any of the directives. The ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Wednesday that the Burmese government is deeply concerned about the OHCHRs findings and considers the allegations contained in the report [to be] very serious in nature. The government requested more information from the UN concerning the report, which is based on interviews conducted from Jan. 12-21 with more than 200 Rohingya refugees who fled Burma since October for neighboring Bangladesh. Since coordinated October attacks on the border police posts in northern Arakan State left 10 security personnel dead, combined security forces of the Tatmadaw and the police have led clearance operations through the region to capture the attackers and to retrieve seized weapons and ammunitions. The Tatmadaws five-member investigation team is the first formed by the army but the third team formed to look into the regional situation. The Kofi Annan-led Arakan State Advisory Commission was formed in August of 2016 to make recommendations toward addressing longstanding tensions in the region, and the Vice President U Myint Swe-led National Investigation Commission was formed on Dec. 1 last year to look into the allegations of abuse carried out by security forces in the Arakan State. In contrast to the UNOCHRs report detailing extensive human rights violations, the Vice President U Myint Swe-led commissions January report said it identified no evidence of widespread abuses committed by police and Burma Army troops. The Burma Armys new investigation team is chaired by Lt-Gen Aye Win, who is the Inspector General. The other four members include Brig-Gen Khun Thant Zaw Htoo, vice adjutant general from Adjutant-Generals office; Brig-Gen Aung Kyaw Hoe, the Commander of No. 9 Defense Services Advanced Training Depot; Major Hla Myo Kyaw, the deputy assistant judge advocate general member from the Western Command; and Lt-Col Myo Win Aung, assistant judge advocate general secretary from the Judge Advocate General Office. U Pe Than, an Arakanese lawmaker in the Lower House, told The Irrawaddy that since the investigation committee members were under the control of the Tatmadaw or the government, he expected that their enquiries would be independent and truthful. Despite allegations of the Tatmadaws own alleged involvement in the reported abuses in Arakan State, U Pe Than argued that the armys enquiry team may be able to investigate in remote areas and reach conflict zones better than civilian investigators; humanitarian aid teams and journalists have been limited access to these areas by the Burmese military during clearance operations. Burma Burma Says Security Operation in Troubled Arakan Has Ended National security advisor U Thaung Tun, far left, meets foreign diplomats at a meeting on Feb. 15, 2017. / Chan Son / The Irrawaddy RANGOON The Burma Army has ceased conducting a clearance operation in northern Arakan State, the new National Security Advisor U Thaung Tun said. The security operation had been underway since nine policemen were killed in attacks on security posts near the Bangladesh border on Oct. 9. Almost 69,000 Muslim Rohingyas have since fled from Burma to Bangladesh amid a crackdown that sparked widespread accusations of grave human rights abuses by security forces. The situation in northern Arakan has now stabilized. The clearance operations undertaken by the military have ceased, the curfew has been eased and there remains only a police presence to maintain the peace, newly-appointed national security advisor U Thaung Tun was quoted as saying in a statement released by State Counselors Office late on Wednesday. There can be no excuse for excessive force, for abuses of fundamental human rights and basic criminality. We have shown that we are ready to act where there is clear evidence of abuses, he told a group of diplomats and UN representatives in a meeting, according to the statement. Two senior officials from Burmas President Office and the Ministry of Information confirmed that the security operation in northern Arakan had ended but said that a security presence remained in the region to maintain peace and security. The Burma Army did not immediately respond to requests for comments. The military and police have separately set up teams to investigate alleged crimes after Daw Aung San Suu Kyi promised to probe UN allegations of atrocities against the Muslim minority. More than 1,000 Rohingya Muslims may have been killed in the crackdown, two senior UN officials dealing with refugees fleeing the violence told Reuters last week. A Burma presidential spokesman has said the latest reports from military commanders were that fewer than 100 people had been killed in the counterinsurgency operation. Burma Chinese Farmers Trespass on Burmese Soil, Lawmaker Claims A sugarcane field near the Burma-China border. / Aye Min / The Irrawaddy NAYPYIDAW Chinese farmers have been illegally planting crops in Man Waing Gyi, near the Burma-China border of Kachin State, according to Lower House lawmaker U Chin Pe Lin who represents Kachins Mansi Township. Chinese farmers have been crossing the border and have been working illegally on farms on the Burmese side for years, U Chin Pe Lin told the Lower House session on Wednesday. The lawmaker asked the government to take action, saying that Chinese farmers had encroached on about 10 acres of Burmese land. He also presented photographic evidence of Chinese farmers growing sugarcane near milepost No. 53/2 of the Burma-China border in Man Waing Gyi. Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Maj-Gen Aung Soe replied that the government would take action in line with the regulations of the Burma Immigration Emergency Provisions Act of 1947 if Chinese farmers were found to be illegally entering Burma. However, the deputy minister added that Chinese businessmen have recently been working in partnership with Burmese farmers near milepost No. 53/2, close to the Pang Kham border check-point. I heard that Chinese businessmen offer loans to Burmese farmers and then buy the crops according to market prices after the harvest, deducting the loans, said Maj-Gen Aung Soe. U Chin Pe Lin insisted that Chinese farmers are illegally working on the farms in Man Waing Gyi. They have now harvested sugarcane and are plowing the land. This problem can be settled quickly by a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Otherwise, the Chinese farmers will trespass and grow crops on our soil every year, U Chin Pe Lin told The Irrawaddy. The lawmaker also criticized the government for its failure to construct a retaining wall near mile post No. 53/4 on the Burma-China border. The government needs to pay attention to this. I think it is rather negligent. This is a border post, and you cant build a new one as you wish, saying the old one has collapsed, said U Chin Pe Lin. The construction of a 30-meter (100-foot) retaining wall is estimated to cost around 20 million kyats (US$15,000), but the Kachin State government did not include this amount in its fiscal year budget proposal for 2016-17, said Maj-Gen Aung Soe. However, the funds will be allocated in the 2017-18 fiscal year budget, he said. I dont think construction of a small retaining wall will cost that much, said U Chin Pe Lin. The mile post No. 53/4 lies on the bank of Nang Wang Creek in Mansi Township. The mile post is leaning toward the creek, the lawmaker said. Burmas foreign affairs ministry has reported the problem to Chinese authorities, according to the deputy minister. Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko Burma Displaced Persons Ordered to Leave Kachin Camp The Shing Chyai camp for internally displaced persons. / Myo Min Soe / The Irrawaddy KACHIN STATE Local militia authorities have ordered the relocation of Shing Chyai camphome to around 1,000 displaced persons in Sadung sub-township of Kachin State Special Region 1as soon as possible, camp leaders told The Irrawaddy. Kachin State Special Region 1 is controlled by veteran militia leader Zahkung Tin Ying of the New Democratic Army-Kachin (NDA-K), which is firmly allied with the Burma Army and became a Border Guard Force in 2009. The special region consists of Waingmaw Township, Sadung and Kambaiti sub-townships, and Pan War town. A leader of Shing Chyai campwho requested anonymity for his safetysaid that Zahkung Ying Seng, who is a son of Zahkung Tin Ying, summoned camp administrators to his tea processing plant near the camp on Monday evening and told them to leave. He asked us who had built the camp here, said the leader. We said war victims who had fled clashes built the camp. Then, he asked us to leave, to go back to our villages as quickly as possible. Zahkung Ying Seng threatened to set fire to the camp if we dont, said the camp leader. Camp sources said that Zahkung Ying Sengs tea plantations and processing plant are next to the camp, and that Zahkung Ying Seng ordered the camp be moved because some displaced persons had caused damage to tea plantations. Even if his tea plants are damaged by children from our camp, it will just be a few. Displaced persons from our camp wont damage them, said the camp leader, instead blaming the Chinese community. Currently, camp leaders work as a ten-member committee to organize food supplies and health care for the displaced persons taking shelter at the camp. The Kachin Baptist Convention (KBC) has been supplying aid and camp leaders said they would inform the KBC of Sahkung Yin Sengs order to move. We are worried, and afraid. So, well inform the KBC and consult with them. They did not set a deadline for relocation, said the camp leader. Dr Hkalam Samson, general secretary of the KBC, told The Irrawaddy on Monday that the military had blocked KBC from sending rice to Shing Chyai camp around one month ago, citing security reasons. In December 2015, Pat Jasan, a local anti-opium group comprised of Kachin locals under KBC leadership, attempted to destroy poppy fields in Waingmaw and Sadung. More than 20 Pat Jasan members were injured as the border guard force and militias opened fire on them. Local authorities threatened to behead leaders of the camp, accusing them of collecting information about poppy fields for KBC. The Irrawaddy was not able to contact Kachin Special Region-1 authorities for comment. Currently, around 1,000 displaced persons from 16 villages in Waingmaw Township are taking shelter at Shing Chyai camp. The camp came to existence in November, 2011 following clashes between Burma Army and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA). Displaced persons said they could not go back to their homes as Burma Army soldiers were deployed near their original villages. The Burma Army, however, allow them to work on their farms in their villages during the daytime, though they are not allowed to stay overnight. Burma International Partners Pledge Support for Bagan Renovations The International Conference on the Proposed Program of Bagan Monuments Post-Earthquake Restoration and Preservation, held in Bagan from Feb. 15-16. / Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture / Facebook International partners pledged financial and technical support in the restoration of central Burmas quake-hit ancient Bagan pagodas, during a two-day international conference on the renovations, from Feb 15-16. The conference, held in Bagan, was attended by experts from Burma, China, Japan, India and South Korea, as well as representatives from the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). We are collaborating to be able to best renovate those damaged temples, said U Aung Aung Kyaw, director of the Bagan branch of Burmas Department of Archaeology, National Museum and Library. The discussions are on very detailed renovation work, such as what we found during our assessments and which materials would be best used in renovating the affected temples. Burmese authorities, in collaboration with national and international experts, have conducted assessments of the stupas and undertook emergency stabilization measures following the 6.8-magnitude Aug. 24 earthquake; 389 out of a total of 790 temples in Bagan and the surrounding area were left in need of repair. As of last week, the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture had received more than 5 trillion kyats and US$1 million from nationals contributions, according to figures released by state-run media. On Wednesday, during his address to the International Conference on the Proposed Program of Bagan Monuments Post-Earthquake Restoration and Preservation, Chinese ambassador to Burma Hong Liang confirmed his countrys donation of US$1 million, which Mr. Liang pledged last year. Chinas State Administration of Cultural Heritage also lent its support by dispatching two teams of archaeological experts to Bagan to cooperate with the UNESCO and experts from other countries to jointly undertake the repair work, said the ambassador. Through the Bagan Pagoda repair cooperation, the cultural bond of Buddhism between China and Myanmar will be even stronger and our traditional pauk-paw friendship will blossom forever, said Hong Liang, using a term to reference a relationship like the one between siblings. Germany also promised a contribution of 100,000 euros ($106,400) to the cause, said U Aung Aung Kyaw. He added that the total donations should be enough to cover the costs of the repairs, including both short- and long-term measures to preserve the cultural sites. Min Jeong Kim, the head of UNESCO in Burma, called for all conservation efforts to be better coordinated and to adhere to international standards and conservation norms. Ms. Kim said in a press statement released on Wednesday that UNESCO had prepared rehabilitation guidelines endorsed by the Burmese Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture, and added that a detailed checklist with required procedures for planning and implementing restoration work would also be put in place. U Aung Aung Kyaw added that Burma would accept and abide by those guidelines, so that Bagan could be added to UNESCOs World Heritage sites. Burma KNU Chairman Meets KIO Central Committee in Laiza Gen Saw Mutu Say Poe, the KNU chairman, stands (left) to address the KIO central committee in Laiza. Seated next to him is KIO vice chairman NBan La. / Supplied Gen Saw Mutu Say Poechairman of the Karen National Union (KNU)and the Kachin Independence Organizations (KIO) central committeeled by KIO vice chairman Gen NBan Lamet and discussed Burmas peace process in Laiza, the KIOs headquarters, according to a joint statement released on Thursday. The KNUa signatory to the countrys 2015 nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA)and the KIOa non signatorypledged collaboration to achieve peace; by seeking the best and necessary approaches, in the statement. Two advisers from the Restoration Council of Shan State also joined the discussion. We urge the responsible stakeholders to work together to end the current armed conflict and to find solutions in accordance with the NCA promises and to have inclusion of all stakeholders, read the joint statement. It said that none of the ethnic armed groups trying to achieve peace were terrorist groupsa reference to a label proposed in December of last year in the Shan State Parliament for the four-member Northern Alliance, to which the KIO belongs. The motion passed. The KIO-KNU statement said that these groups should instead be regarded as peace partners in the peacebuilding process. Before it signed the NCA in October of 2015, the KNU was a member of the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC), the ethnic armed alliance that the KIO now chairs. The KNU chairmans trip to Laiza was planned after Saw Mutu Say Poe met Gen NBan La, also the chairman of the UNFC. Gen NBan La invited the KNU chairman after it was expressed that he wanted to meet with the KIO central committee as well as with the Kachin Public Consultative Committee, the group tasked with advising on the peace process and future political processes, said Gen Gun Maw, the vice chairman of the KIO. The KNU delegation also met with the Kachin Public Consultative Committee on Wednesday. We also made decisions to try to create a meeting platform between the Shan, Karen and Kachin public consultative committees, Gen Gun Maw told The Irrawaddy on Thursday. He added that the meeting had yielded positive results, as both the KNU and the RCSS is had been holding ongoing peace talks with the government and that the KIO was briefed on the developments. It is very helpful for the whole [peace] process we are in, as we were able to mutually discuss the strengths and weaknesses as well as the requirements [of the process], Gen Gun Maw said. The trip by Saw Mutu Say Poe to the KIOs territory is the first such trip in recent years. Other KNU members, including secretary Saw Pado Kwe Htoo Win, joined an ethnic summit held in Mai Ja Yanga KIA-controlled areain 2016, and vice chairperson Padoh Naw Zipporah Sein also joined the UNFC-led consultations. KNU Chairman Saw Mutu Say Poe also reportedly met with Chinese authorities in Kunming this week to discuss Chinas role in the peace process. Burma After Local Objections, Mon State Bridge Will Undergo Name Change Construction of the bridge on the Salween River between Chaungzon and Moulmein townships. / Aung Aaing Oo / Facebook RANGOON The chief minister of Mon State has said he will reconsider naming a bridge after Burmese independence icon Gen Aung San, after objections from ethnic Mon locals. Leaders from the Mon National Day Working Committee met Chief Minister U Min Min Oo on Thursday morning to discuss the issue of the bridge, which is located on the Salween River between Moulmein and Chaungzon townships. Construction of the two-lane, 5,200-foot structure will be completed in March, and has cost an estimated 60 billion kyats (US$44 million). In the meeting, U Min Min Oo promised to choose a name for the structure that would be acceptable to locals. He told us that his government would not use the name of Gen Aung San for the bridge. He will consider another name, which could be a local regional name, said Nai Kyi Win, minister of Natural Resource and Environmental Conservation for Mon State and a committee member of the Mon National Day Working Committee. The bridges proposed name became known when the Ministry of Construction sent a letter to Aung Naing Oo, deputy speaker of the Mon State parliament, announcing a celebratory opening ceremony for it on Feb. 13. Locals were outraged by the decision, instead preferring a name celebrating ethnic Mon heritage. The opening ceremony has since been canceled. Aung Naing Oo said that U Kyaw Myint, director of the Ministry of Construction, informed him on Thursday morning that he had made the state and Union governments aware of the naming conflict. He told me that he had informed the state and Union governments already about how it would be a problem to use the name [Gen Aung San] for the bridge, because the ethnic Mon did not agree to it. He even asked to use a name given before to the Salween River bridge, said Aung Naing Oo, referring to the Mon term Chaungzon. We will see their actions first, then we can decide next what we should do, he said of the government, adding that he would stand with the Mon community in fighting for the name change. The main disagreement from our ethnic people was, that Gen Aung San has no relation to this bridge, and not even any relation to this area, Aung Naing Oo explained, adding that the countrys ruling partythe National League for Democracywas trying to take political advantage by invoking Aung Sans name, without considering the views of ethnic minorities. The Mon National Party also issued a statement on Tuesday requesting that the state government designate a name that does not harm ethnic unity, peace and stability in the region, and could contribute to national reconciliation in the country. Burma Man Found Dead on Boat Drifting off Arakan Coast Men found aboard a boat in Gwa Township, Arakan State. / Ye Min Oo / Facebook Police in Arakan States Gwa Township discovered a drifting boat containing nine men and a dead body on Wednesday afternoon near the coastal village of Zee Kone. The menof whom six are thought to be aged 20 to 30 and three aged 40 to 50 were arrested and are being held in Gwa Township Police Station, according to police official Naing Lay Ko. Police are awaiting an interpreter to assist with questioning as the detained men cannot speak Burmese or Arakanese, he added. Police believe the boat came from Bangladesh. The dead mans body was sent to Gwa Township hospital for post-mortem examination, but investigators believe he died from starvation. The boats engine was not working, and the men had made sails out of blankets, Naing Lay Ko said. I think they had been at sea several days without food. When we took them ashore, they immediately asked for water and drank a lot. Zee Kone village administrator U Maung Ngay said fishermen from his village first spotted the boat about 3pm Wednesday and informed the authorities because the boat did not look like an Arakanese fishing vessel. He added that on board were a damaged fishing net, a cooking pot, and some dishes. I think they lost their way and came here, U Maung Ngay said. Zee Kone village is the native town of Arakan State Chief Minister U Nyi Pu. Burma Rangoon Govt Issuing Smart ID Cards to Squatters Two people pose for a photograph to obtain a smart ID card in Seikkan Township. / Hein Htet / The Irrawaddy RANGOON The Rangoon divisional government has issued smart ID cards to more than 37,000 squatters households, according to divisional lawmaker U Nyi Nyi. Since September, the new government has been surveying the population of squatters across 13 townships in Rangoon. So far, the program has identified and issued smart cards to 37,524 households in six townships, lawmaker U Nyi Nyi told The Irrawaddy. The pilot project was conducted in South Dagon. And then we planned to conduct the survey in 12 more townships, and have completed five townships so far, said the lawmaker, who represents South Dagon Township. According to U Nyi Nyi, more than 22,000 people live in 5,591 households in South Dagon Township where the pilot project was conducted. Surveys have already been completed in Seikkan, North Dagon, East Dagon, North Okkalapa, and Thaketa townships, he added. The government will cover Mayangone, Ahlone, Thanlyin, Kyauktan, Dala, Shwepyithar, and Hlaing Tharyar townships before the overall survey project is completed. There have been complaints that some recipients of the new smart ID cards have pawned the cards to get immediate cash to solve their daily problems. In Ward No. 93, many of the smart card holders pawned their cards for between 50,000 to 100,000 kyats [$37-74 US dollars], as they need the money, said Daw Sandaw Win, a squatter in Seikkan Township. But as far as I know, no one is selling their cards for some large offer like 1 million kyats [$740], she told The Irrawaddy. Lawmaker U Nyi Nyi said he had received complaints about pawning and selling of cards. He plans to investigate the matter and report to the division chief minister. The smart cards employ high technology, and people who tried to profit by selling the cards would probably get nothing, U Nyi Nyi said. There have been many previous examples of selling certificates. So the chief minister asked us to operate this program in cooperation with IT experts. These cards include fingerprints and detailed data from the squatter families. So even if the whole family comes and gives their fingerprints, we will surely find out later, said U Nyi Nyi. The smart cards include bar codes, fingerprints, and photos. Many of the smart card recipients hope to use the cards to obtain apartments from the government in the future. They will be given apartments only when their fingerprints match what is on the smart cards. Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko Major parties agree for FSU polls on set date Top leaders of major political partiesthe Nepali Congress, CPN (Maoist Centre) and CPN-UMLagreed on Wednesday to hold Free Student Union (FSU) elections in the Tribhuvan University-affiliate colleges at the announced date. Burma Who is Aung Win Khaing? Aung Win Khaing. / Presidents Office / Facebook NAYPYIDAW A former Burma Army lieutenant colonel is suspected of involvement in the killing of U Ko Ni at Rangoon International Airport on Jan. 29, the Presidents Office said in a press release on Wednesday. The press release named Aung Win Khaing, 45, as a suspected conspirator who hired gunman Kyi Lin to shoot U Ko Ni, the legal advisor to Burmas ruling party the National League for Democracy (NLD). Aung Win Khaing is the third person named in connection with the murder by the Presidents Office, after it identified Kyi Lin and Aung Win Khaings elder brother Aung Win Zaw. Aung Win Khaing joined Burmas Defence Service Academy at age 19 in 1991, making him part of the 36 intake. He went on to become a major of Infantry 13 in Chauk Township, Magwe Division, where he served as a company commander. In 2010, he was assigned as interim commanding officer of Infantry 32 at Kyainseikgyi Township in Karen State. After promotion to lieutenant colonel in 2011, he was named commanding officer of the same infantry division. Before his retirement in 2014, Aung Win Khaing worked as an instructor at No. 14 Military Advanced Training Depot in Loikaw, Karenni State. His elder brother Aung Win Zaw is also a retired military officer. A current navy colonel also from the 36 intake told The Irrawaddy that he was surprised to learn Aung Win Khaing was suspected of involvement in U Ko Nis killing. We attended the second-in-command training togetherhe may have something we dont know about him, the colonel said. Another fellow intake remembered Aung Win Khaing as someone religious and polite. He came to our 36 intake gatherings, and we learned he was doing business. So this news is a big surprise to me, he said. Some sources believed that Aung Win Khaing had worked as a security officer for the previous Sagaing Division Chief Minister, U Tha Aye, but The Irrawaddy has not been able to verify this. VANCOUVER, Feb. 16, 2017 /CNW/ - Nevada Sunrise Gold Corporation ("Nevada Sunrise" or the "Company") (TSXV: NEV) is pleased to announce that it has signed a Letter of Intent (the "LOI") with Lithium Corporation of Elko, Nevada (OTCQB: LTUM) on the Salt Wells lithium brine prospect ("Salt Wells") located in Churchill County, Nevada. Salt Wells consists of 43 placer claims covering an area of approximately 3,440 acres (1,392 hectares) in a desert salt flat located approximately 75 miles (120 kilometres) east-southeast of Reno, Nevada. Under the terms of the LOI, Nevada Sunrise may earn a 100% interest in Salt Wells, subject to a 2.0% Net Smelter Royalty ("NSR"), by making staged payments of cash and common shares of Nevada Sunrise over the next two years, on the following terms: US$10,000 non-refundable deposit upon execution of the LOI; non-refundable deposit upon execution of the LOI; US$15,000 and issuance of 400,000 common shares of Nevada Sunrise on the later of TSX Venture Exchange acceptance of the LOI or the signing of a formal definitive agreement (the "Effective Date"); and issuance of 400,000 common shares of Nevada Sunrise on the later of TSX Venture Exchange acceptance of the LOI or the signing of a formal definitive agreement (the "Effective Date"); US$50,000 and 500,000 shares on the 1st anniversary of the Effective Date; and 500,000 shares on the 1st anniversary of the Effective Date; US$75,000 and 600,000 shares on the 2nd anniversary of the Effective Date. Nevada Sunrise has the right to conduct due diligence on Salt Wells for 15 days from the execution of the LOI, and if satisfied with the results of that due diligence will give notice to Lithium Corporation that it wishes to proceed to a definitive agreement. The Company will pay all claim and other property-related fees during the earn-in phase of the Salt Wells definitive agreement, and will also retain the right to purchase one-half (1%) of the NSR at any time up until the third anniversary of the signing of the definitive agreement for $1,000,000. Lithium Corporation conducted past exploration at Salt Wells that culminated in a multiple phase, shallow direct push drilling program in 2011. The target model at that time was near-surface lithium brines. Nevada Sunrise plans to pursue a deeper sub-basin target, which is interpreted from historical gravity survey work. Recent field work conducted by Nevada Sunrise at Salt Wells consisting of surface sediment and water sampling returned values in soils ranging from 51 to 691 parts per million lithium, and a water sample that contained 34.1 milligrams/litre lithium. The Company intends to carry out a geophysical survey to locate conductive zones that may indicate the presence of brines and perform follow-up drilling, if warranted. For further information about the Company's exploration properties, please access the Nevada Sunrise website at: http://www.nevadasunrise.ca/projects/nevadalithium/ John Kerr, P. Eng., is the Company's designated Qualified Person for this news release within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical information contained herein. About Nevada Sunrise Nevada Sunrise is a junior mineral exploration company with a strong technical team based in Vancouver, BC, Canada, that holds interests in nine mineral exploration projects in the State of Nevada, USA. Nevada Sunrise began acquisitions of Nevada lithium properties in September 2015, which include options to earn a 75% interest in the Neptune project (Resolve Ventures Inc. (TSXV: RSV) owns a 25% interest), a 100% interest in the Clayton Northeast project, and a 100% interest in the Aquarius Project, all located in the Clayton Valley area. The Company also holds options to earn 100% interests in the Jackson Wash and Atlantis projects, and has a 50% participating interest in the Gemini project, each located in playas proximal to the Clayton Valley. The Company has recently optioned five of the Nevada lithium projects to Advantage Lithium Corp. (TSXV: AAL), and the Atlantis project is currently under option to American Lithium Corp. (TSXV: LI). Salt Wells, in which the Company can earn a 100% interest, is the newest lithium property acquisition by Nevada Sunrise. The Company's three key gold assets include a 21% interest in a joint venture with Pilot Gold Inc. (TSX: PLG) at Kinsley Mountain near Wendover, a 100% interest in the Golden Arrow project near Tonopah, and an option to earn a 100% interest in the Roulette gold property in the southeastern Carlin trend near Ely, with each of the properties subject to certain production royalties. VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Feb. 16, 2017) - Graphite One Resources Inc. (TSX VENTURE:GPH)(OTCQX:GPHOF) ("Graphite One", "GPH" or the "Company") announces that it has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") with the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority ("AIDEA") to explore opportunities to collaborate on the development of Graphite One's proposed vertically integrated project to mine, process and manufacture high grade coated spherical graphite primarily for lithium-ion electric vehicle batteries (the "Graphite One Project" or the "Project"). Highlights of the MOU include: Exploration of opportunities to maximize job creation and economic development via the Graphite One Project Facilitation of project permitting and development of a framework for community and stakeholder dialogue Options and opportunities for AIDEA to participate in infrastructure funding of project facilities related to the Graphite One Project "Following the recent release of our Preliminary Economic Assessment(1), this MOU with AIDEA marks an important step in progressing our studies on the development of our Graphite One Project," said Anthony Huston, Chief Executive Officer of Graphite One. "It serves as a strong signal of Alaska's commitment to responsible development of the State's natural resources. Graphite One pledges to be a responsible partner in this potential development." "The completion of the MOU with Graphite One aligns with our mandate to promote economic growth and diversification in Alaska," said John Springsteen, Executive Director of AIDEA. "With the Preliminary Economic Assessment now available, we look forward to working with the Graphite One team to advance all aspects of the project's review." The MOU acknowledges that Graphite One has commenced preliminary discussions with State of Alaska officials from the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development (DCCED), AIDEA and the Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to begin evaluating potential sites, within Alaska but away from the Graphite Creek property, at which facilities might be developed for further processing of Graphite Creek graphite. Criteria relevant to deciding on the location of such facilities in Alaska include power cost and supply, availability of industrial zoned land, proximity to tidewater and port facilities, and infrastructure that allows easy access for the workforce. AIDEA has provided Graphite One a list of potential sites in Alaska to evaluate whether they might satisfy some or all of the relevant criteria. In summary, the MOU covers the following aspects of the Project: Economic Impact. Facilitate strategies to maximize local economic benefits and job opportunities as a result of responsible development of the Graphite One Project. State Agency Collaboration. Establish the groundwork for collaboration with DCCED and DNR in order to assess the potential opportunities at each of the proposed locations for Processing and Manufacturing Facilities for suitability of the site and any other multi-user opportunities, including the assessment of future marine traffic patterns and logistics. Community Engagement. Provide a framework for AIDEA and Graphite One to engage cooperatively with local communities and other stakeholders to incorporate their input via public meetings and consultations. Permitting. Allow the parties to work cooperatively to identify activities requiring federal, state or local permitting. AIDEA Infrastructure Funding. Allow both parties to investigate options and opportunities for AIDEA to participate in funding some of the project facilities. ABOUT AIDEA AIDEA's purpose is to promote, develop, and advance the general prosperity and economic welfare of the people of Alaska. One of the ways AIDEA fulfills this purpose is by supporting development of natural resources in Alaska. AIDEA has the statutory authority to finance, develop and own and operate facilities and improvements, including roads intended for use in connection with the extraction, production, and transportation of minerals and materials. ABOUT GRAPHITE ONE RESOURCES INC. GRAPHITE ONE RESOURCES INC. (TSX VENTURE:GPH)(OTCQX:GPHOF) continues to develop its Graphite One Project (the "Project"), whereby the Company could potentially become the dominant American producer of high grade Coated Spherical Graphite ("CSG") that is integrated with a domestic graphite resource. The Project is proposed as a vertically integrated enterprise to mine, process and manufacture high grade CSG primarily for the lithium-ion electric vehicle battery market. As set forth in the Preliminary Economic Assessment, potential graphite mineralization mined from the Company's Graphite Creek Property, is expected to be processed into concentrate at a graphite processing plant. The proposed processing plant would be located on the Graphite Creek Property situated on the Seward Peninsula about 60 kilometers north of Nome, Alaska. CSG and other value-added graphite products, would likely be manufactured from the concentrate at the Company's proposed graphite product manufacturing facility, the location of which is the subject of further study and analysis. The Company intends to make a production decision on the Project once a feasibility study is completed. For more information on Graphite One Resources Inc. please visit the Company's website, www.GraphiteOneResources.com. VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Feb. 16, 2017) - Blue Sky Uranium Corp. (TSX VENTURE:BSK)(FRANKFURT:MAL2)(OTCQB:BKUCF), ("Blue Sky" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on the progress of the reverse circulation ("RC") drilling program at the Amarillo Grande uranium project, in Rio Negro Province, Argentina. To date, 46 holes have been completed at the Ivana area on targets defined by the previous geophysics program and older pit sampling. Holes range from three to 21 metres, averaging 13.6 metres in extent. The first batch of samples has been sent to the laboratory for analysis. In addition to the on-going exploration work, the field team has hosted the Mining Secretary of Rio Negro, Senor Juan Pablo Espinola, at site at the end of January. Sr. Espinola reported being pleased with both the working standards and the Company's relationships with landowners. Also in January, Dr. Jon Thorson, a well-respected geological consultant specializing in exploration for mineral deposits in sedimentary basins, conducted an on-site review of the Amarillo Grande project along with Company Technical Advisor, Jorge Berizzo. The review provided additional insight into controls to uranium mineralization at the project which will be incorporated into the current program. "We are pleased to have both government support and third party validation for our program at Amarillo Grande. The 3,000 metre program is continuing, and we are looking forward to our first batch of results in the upcoming weeks," stated Nikolaos Cacos, Blue Sky President & CEO. For additional details on the program please refer to the Company news release dated January 26, 2017. About the Amarillo Grande Project This new uranium district was first identified, staked and underwent preliminary exploration by Blue Sky from 2007 to 2012 as part of the Grosso Group's strategy of adding alternative energy focus to its successful portfolio of metals exploration companies. The close proximity of several major targets suggest that if resources are delineated a central processing facility would be envisioned. The area is flat-lying, semi-arid and accessible year round, with nearby rail, power and port access. Mineralization identified to date represents a Surficial Uranium style of deposit, where carnotite mineralization coats loosely consolidated pebbles of sandstone and conglomerates. Carnotite is amenable to leaching, and early metallurgical work indicates that the mineralized material can be upgraded using a very simple wet screening method. The near-surface mineralization, ability to locally upgrade, amenability to leaching and central processing possibility suggest a potentially low-cost development scenario for a future deposit. Rio Negro is host to several facilities related to the nuclear industry. Furthermore, the Provincial government is amenable to mining as a means of socio-economical development. In addition, the Federal government has expressed support for building domestic resources of uranium. In particular, the Argentina Atomic Energy National Commission (CNEA) published its Strategic Plan 2015-2025, which includes a strategic objective "To ensure the supply of domestic uranium for nuclear power plants in operation, under construction and planned." For additional details on the project and properties, please see the Company's website: www.blueskyuranium.com Qualified Person The contents of this news release have been reviewed and approved by David Terry, Ph.D., P.Geo. Dr. Terry is a Director of the Company and a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101. About Blue Sky Uranium Corp. Blue Sky Uranium Corp. is a leader in uranium discovery in Argentina. The Company's objective is to deliver exceptional returns to shareholders by rapidly advancing a portfolio of surficial uranium deposits into low-cost producers. Blue Sky holds has the exclusive right to over 428,000 hectares of property in two provinces in Argentina. The Company's flagship Amarillo Grande Project was an in-house discovery of a new district that has the potential to be among the first domestic suppliers of uranium to the growing Argentine market. The Company is a member of the Grosso Group, a resource management group that has pioneered exploration in Argentina since 1993. TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Feb. 15, 2017) - Yamana Gold Inc. (TSX:YRI) (NYSE:AUY) ("Yamana" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of Kimberly Keating to its Board of Directors ("the Board") and the formal appointment of Jason LeBlanc as Chief Financial Officer. Ms. Keating has been appointed to the Company's Board, effective immediately. She has nearly 20 years of experience in the Canadian energy industry with extensive engineering and project management expertise. Ms. Keating is currently Vice President, Fabrication with the Cahill Group, where among other things she has overseen the construction of the largest offshore accommodation facility built in Canada. In Ms. Keating's career, she has made significant engineering and project management contributions to key projects in the North Atlantic offshore oil and gas industry. Ms. Keating also currently serves as the Vice Chair of Memorial University's Board of Regents, where she is also the Chair of the Governance & Pensions Committee, and is a board director with the Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Care Foundation and Opera on the Avalon. She holds a Bachelor of Civil (Structural) Engineering degree, a Masters of Business Administration, and is a registered member of the Professional Engineering & Geoscientists NL (PEGNL). She also holds the Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP) designation. In June 2016, Ms. Keating was named a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineers; a national institution through which Canada's most distinguished and experienced engineers provide strategic advice on matters of critical importance to Canada. Ms. Keating brings a wealth of strategic, risk assessment, policy and technical expertise to Yamana's Board. In particular, the addition of Ms. Keating further enhances the Board's technical and project management expertise, and she is expected to make valuable contributions to the strategic oversight of the Company's current and future development projects and growth plans. With the addition of Ms. Keating, Yamana's Board is comprised of 11 Directors who together possess diverse and complementary skillsets that are well suited to providing strategic oversight to the Company. Peter Marrone, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented as follows: "We are delighted with the addition of Kim to Yamana's Board. She is an accomplished engineer, project manager and senior executive, who will enhance our Board's technical expertise. She brings a considerable wealth of experience and diversity to our board and we look forward to her contributions to Yamana, which based on her impressive accomplishments should be significant." The Company also announces that Jason LeBlanc, Senior Vice President, Finance has now been formally appointed as Chief Financial Officer ("CFO"). He has been with Yamana for 11 years and has held increasingly senior positions over that time. In February 2016, the Company announced that Charles Main, Executive Vice President, Finance and CFO would be retiring effective the end of February 2017 and that in the interim an orderly succession plan would be undertaken to transition Mr. LeBlanc into the CFO role. That transition is now completed. That orderly transition allowed Mr. LeBlanc to assume increasing levels of responsibilities over the course of 2016 based on a series of detailed steps, which minimized any potential disruption to the Company's management. Now that the transition is complete, Mr. LeBlanc has assumed the role of CFO and all of the corresponding responsibilities of this role. Mr. Marrone further commented as follows: "I am also pleased to confirm that we have successfully completed our CFO succession plan. We are delighted to have formally appointed Jason into the role of CFO. He is a formidable addition to an augmented senior management group and is well positioned to sustain the strength of our accounting and financial reporting group. A year ago, we announced that Chuck intended to retire and initiated a one year succession plan whereby Jason would transition into the role of CFO in a planned and orderly fashion. While we are sad to see Chuck retire, he has played a pivotal role in our company including, in this last year, preparing Jason for this role and ensuring a successful succession plan and transition to CFO. We could not have asked for a smoother transition, any more effort on Chuck's part or a better or more qualified person than Jason to fill Chuck's boots. I would like to again thank Chuck for his dedication and contributions to our company since its founding in 2003." Charles Main commented as follows: "I would like to congratulate Jason on his appointment as CFO. We have worked closely for a number of years to prepare for this transition. During the last year, in particular, Jason has demonstrated levels of expertise, dedication and leadership that will serve him well in his new role. It saddens me to leave this great company although it is left in good, responsible and high quality hands with our management including Jason in his new role." About Yamana Yamana is a Canadian-based gold producer with significant gold production, gold development stage properties, exploration properties, and land positions throughout the Americas including Canada, Brazil, Chile and Argentina. Yamana plans to continue to build on this base through existing operating mine expansions, throughput increases, development of new mines, the advancement of its exploration properties and, at times, by targeting other gold consolidation opportunities with a primary focus in the Americas. Toronto, Canada / TheNewswire / February 15, 2017 - Savary Gold Corp. (TSX-V: SCA) ("Savary" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an exploration update for the ongoing Karankasso JV exploration Project in south western Burkina Faso. At year-end 2016, upon closing, it is anticipated that the Karankasso JV Project is approximately 69.5% owned by Savary and 30.5% owned by Sarama Resources Limited ("Sarama") with Savary as operator. In addition to 22 holes of drilling completed in December, 2016, (see Savary news release January 17, 2017), since late October 2015, Savary, on behalf of the Karankasso JV, has completed, 9,211 metres of auger drilling in 1,381 holes, 275 line kilometres of IP gradient geophysical surveys and collected 5,231 soil samples. The Karankasso JV is pleased to announce that the current drill program, which commenced in late January, 2017 has already completed 28 holes totalling 2,663 metres or approximately 27 % of the planned, approximately 10,000 metre, Q1, 2017, drill program. Assays are pending. This is the largest program completed to date on the Karankasso Project and has led to the development of numerous drill targets and potential targets. "The current drill program is designed to build on our current inferred mineral resources of 671,000 ounces grading 2.28 g/t Au* and actively explore for new zones, especially on the southern portion of the project area. Exploration on the southern portion of the property had identified numerous areas with significant amounts of gold mineralization with recent geophysical and auger surveys providing context to the historic results. Follow-up drill testing is currently being carried out." stated Don Dudek, President and CEO of Savary. Mr. Dudek further noted that "We are optimistic that drilling will not only extend the existing gold zones, but, also will lead to the discovery of new zones that will have the potential for defining new resource zones." * Mineral resource estimate presented in Savary news release dated October 8, 2015 IP gradient geophysical surveys were carried out over 6 areas: Serakoro 1 Main, Serakoro 1 West, Karangosso-NWQV zone link, Bilenkulu zone area, Kien East northern extension and Kien West northern extension (see Figure 1). Serakoro 1 Main Area The largest survey area, Serakoro 1 Main, was designed to trace the central mineralized trend from the Diosso South Zone area (0.82 million tonnes grading 2.93 g/t gold*) to the Serakoro 1 Main zone area, where previous drilling had returned up to 2.66 g/t gold over 10 metres. This survey successfully extended the control shear/alteration structure another 13 kilometres to the south, for a currently traceable distance of approximately 43 kilometres (see Figure 1). In conjunction with this survey, 530 auger drill holes totalling approximately 3,700 metres were completed in select localities along a 13.5 kilometres long gap between the southernmost Diosso South Zone holes and the northernmost Serakoro 1 Main area, where overburden masked the bedrock response. The combination of the geophysical, auger and soil survey data has led to the delineation of a 3.9 km long untested target area (see Figure 2) immediately adjacent to the same geophysical feature that hosts and links the Diosso South, West Trend, Kueredougou West and Kueredougou Main zones, all of which contained inferred mineral resources. In-fill auger drilling and drill testing of this target area, which returned the highest gold-in-auger value of 1,970 ppb gold, has been recommended by Savary the Operator. Figure 1 - 2016-17 IP Geophysical Survey Blocks Figure 2 - Main Trend - Significant gold-in-auger anomalies on color-contoured geophysical base Serakoro 1 West Target Area The Serakoro 1 West area is a 3.6-kilometre long by 1.2-kilometre wide area where previous drilling returned intercepts of up to 6.42 g/t gold over 15 metres, 18.72 g/t gold over four metres, 8.74 g/t gold over six metres and 2.8 g/t gold over 12 metres. During the current exploration program, the southern half of this area was covered by 24 line kilometres of IP gradient geophysical surveys and 255 auger drill holes. The results of this work, have delineated several high-quality drill targets with gold-in-auger highs following the flanks of distinct chargeability geophysical anomalies (see Figure 3). The chargeability anomalies show three structural orientations with north-northeast, north-northwest and northeast trends. Multiple structural directions with coincident gold-in-auger values, are deemed positive exploration targeting features. Follow-up drilling has been carried out with assay results pending. Karangosso-NWQV Zones link area Recent IP gradient geophysical surveys (32-line kilometres) and 308 auger drill holes have been carried out between the Karangosso and the NWQV Zones, which have been inferred to be structurally linked. While the new data does not support structurally linking the two zones, five gold-in-auger anomalies were delineated with the best anomaly returning 1,490 ppb gold, which in management's view suggests that the auger hole drilled directly into a gold zone (see Figure 2). This strong gold-in-auger anomaly lies along a 900-metre long, distinct, resistivity and chargeability geophysical anomaly near the eastern edge of the southern projection of the Karangosso Zone felsic intrusion host. Since the initial auger lines were 800 metres apart, in-fill auger holes have been drilled; assays are pending. Auger Drilling Vertical auger holes were planned over overburden-covered areas where soil sampling has been ineffective. Auger holes range from 3 to approximately 21 metres deep with an average of 6.7 metres deep. Auger lines in select areas, varies from 400 to 800 metres apart with auger stations every 25 metres. Two auger samples are collected in each hole comprising, basal laterite, which is considered a mobile layer and the adjacent saprolite, which is inferred to represent the top of the weathered rock profile. As a back-up, a representative sample, for every metre down-hole, is collected and placed into chip trays. While it is ideal to intersect gold values in the saprolite, which means that the auger hole intersected a gold zone, the odds are the hole will miss. This is why the basal laterite samples are collected and analysed; this horizon can pick up gold from a nearby gold zone that wasn't intersected in the auger hole. Gold-in-auger values greater than 200 ppb gold are considered significant with auger values above 30 ppb gold sufficient for delineating mineralized trends. Management believes that the highest value obtained from the current survey of 1,970 ppb gold, likely indicates that the auger hole intersected the upper portions of the gold zone. Figure 3 - Serakoro 1 West Area - Auger, Geophysics and Historic Drilling Continue Drill Target Development Soil assay data has defined strongly anomalous gold-in-soil values outside of the current drill target areas. More work will be required to develop drill targets over these recently discovered gold-in-soil anomalies. QA/QC Comments Savary's procedure for handling auger samples comprises initial riffle splitting of the auger samples from one metre drill length samples into approximately 2.5-kilogram samples, as well as description and logging into a database. These samples are then presented to Savary personnel where QA/QC standards, blanks and duplicates are inserted into the sample stream, representing 4% of the samples. These samples are then collected on site, or delivered directly to Activation Laboratories in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso where they are subjected to BLEG analysis of the entire sample. Soil samples are collected in the field along 400 metre spaced lines with stations every 25 metres. Each sample site is excavated with picks and shovels to a depth of approximately 50 cm. Material from this depth are sieved with a 1mm mesh screen with approximately 0.6 to 0.7 kg of sample collected for each station. QA/QC standards, blanks and duplicates are inserted into the sample stream, representing 6% of the samples. These samples are then collected on site, or delivered directly to Activation Laboratories or SGS Laboratories in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso where they are subjected to BLEG analysis of the entire sample. About Savary Gold Corp. Savary is a Canadian exploration company which, along with anticipated JV partner Sarama Resources Limited, is focused on exploring and developing the Karankasso Gold Project in Burkina Faso. The Project is located within the Birimian age, Hounde Greenstone Belt, which hosts Semafo's Mana mine, Roxgold's Yaramoko Mine and additional gold deposits that are presently subject to production decisions and extensive exploration efforts (including Endeavour Mining's Hounde Project, Orezone's (acquired by Sarama) Bondi Project and Sarama's/Acacia's South Hounde Project, which is adjacent to Savary's property). The Project contains an Inferred open pit constrained mineral resource estimate of 9.16 million tonnes grading 2.28 g/t gold* (Savary news release November 24, 2015). For additional information please visit our website at www.savarygold.com. Don Dudek, P.Geo., President and CEO of the Company and a qualified person under National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this press release. TORONTO, Feb. 16, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Seabridge Gold Inc. announced today an updated independent mineral resource estimate for the Deep Kerr Deposit at its 100%-owned KSM Project in northwestern British Columbia, Canada. The new inferred resource now totals 1.92 billion tonnes grading 0.41% copper and 0.31 g/T gold (containing 19.0 million ounces of gold and 17.3 billion pounds of copper) constrained by conceptual block cave shapes. The updated resource estimate represents an increase of 3.0 million ounces of gold and 2.1 billion pounds of copper over last years inferred resource estimate which was incorporated into the updated National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report on KSM announced on September 19, 2016. Seabridge Chairman and CEO Rudi Fronk noted that the resource additions at Deep Kerr fall within a conceptual mine plan that supports cost-effective block-cave underground mining methods. The estimate has been constrained by this mining method. As the deposit grows year by year, it provides us with further opportunities for economic optimization including increased production rates and higher cut-off grades if we need them. You can see the upward trend of projected economics in the new Technical Report we released last year. The Technical Report contains a Preliminary Economic Assessment incorporating the inferred Deep Kerr resource into the KSM project and the positive economic impact is striking. This years resource additions likely mean further enhancements to the projects economics, Fronk said. The 3.0 million ounce increase in inferred gold resources is once again accretive in terms of ounces of gold per share, as these new ounces more than offset the one million shares issued in two financings completed in 2016. Growing ounces of gold per share remains an important objective in Seabridges corporate strategy, Fronk added. Gold, copper, silver and molybdenum grades in the resource were estimated by Resource Modeling Inc. (RMI) using inverse distance weighting methods and gold and copper grade domains that were designed within modeled structural and lithologic controls of mineralization for the Deep Kerr zone. Trend plane search strategies were defined for four distinct structural domains defining strike and dip projections for sample data. Copper and gold domains were comparable to those used in the resource model completed in March of 2016 that was also prepared by RMI. Drilling during the 2016 campaign corroborated the major controls identified in past drilling with respect to copper and gold distribution and the predictability of the resource model. The grade models were validated visually and by comparisons with nearest neighbor models. The drill hole database that was used for the estimate of the Deep Kerr mineral resources consisted primarily of data collected by Seabridge from 77 core drill holes totaling more than 74,000 meters of core drilling completed between 2009 and 2016. RMI reviewed the quality assurance/quality control protocols and results associated with the Seabridge drilling and has concluded that the number and type of gold and copper standard reference materials (standards, blanks, and duplicates) were reasonable. Based on the performance of those standard reference materials, RMI believes that the Seabridge drill samples are reproducible and suitable for estimating mineral resources. Historical drill hole results were used in conjunction with the 77 Seabridge core holes to estimate block grades for the upper portion of the Deep Kerr resource. Block net smelter return values (NSR values) were calculated by Moose Mountain Technical Services using metal recovery projection formulae developed by TetraTech from metallurgical test work. This NSR value, stated in terms of Canadian dollars, reflects metal prices, a US/Cdn currency exchange rate of 0.80, and offsite transportation, smelting, and refining charges. Deep Kerr was treated as a potential block cave (bulk underground) mining target. The lateral and vertical continuity of the zone provides a geometric configuration that is likely to be amenable to these mining methods. Seabridge has retained Golder Associates, a leading industry expert in underground mining, to undertake bulk underground mining studies for Deep Kerr. Golder used the block model prepared by RMI to establish three separate draw point elevations at an NSR shutoff value of Cdn$16, and the conceptual cave footprints of these three elevations were extruded upward 495 meters. Resources within the extruded shapes were tabulated for each of the three hypothetical draw point elevations using an NSR cut-off value of Cdn$16, consistent with last years resource statement in the Technical Report. Evaluation of the economic potential of Deep Kerr was based on metal prices of US$3.00 per pound of copper, US$1300 per ounce of gold, US$20 per ounce of silver, US$9.70 per pound of molybdenum together with estimated metal recoveries from metallurgical test work. These metal prices are generally in line with, or lower than, the metal prices used by major mining companies for their current resource disclosure for similar types of projects. A comparison of the previous Deep Kerr inferred resource estimate to the updated resource estimate is as follows: Deep Kerr Undiluted Block Cave Inferred Mineral Resources at C$16 NSR Cutoff Date of Estimate Tonnes (millions) Average Grades Contained Metal Gold (gpt) Copper (%) Silver (gpt) Moly (ppm) Gold (000 ounces) Copper (million pounds) Silver (000 ounces) Moly (M pounds) May 31, 2016 1,609 0.31 0.43 1.8 25 16,036 15,249 93,115 89 February 13, 2017 1,921 0.31 0.41 2.1 24 19,050 17,301 130,853 102 Note: Mineral Resources which are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. It is reasonably expected that the majority of Inferred Mineral Resources could be upgraded to Indicated Mineral Resources with continued exploration. Resource estimates included herein were prepared by RMI under the direction of Michael Lechner, who is independent of Seabridge and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Lechner is a highly-regarded expert in his field and frequently undertakes independent resource estimates for major mining companies. Mr. Lechner has reviewed and approved this news release. Exploration activities by Seabridge at the KSM Project have been conducted under the supervision of William E. Threlkeld, Registered Professional Geologist, Senior Vice President of the Company and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. An ongoing and rigorous quality control/quality assurance protocol was employed during the 2016 program including the submission of blank and certified reference standards, in addition all copper assays that exceeded 0.25% Cu were re-analyzed using ore grade analytical techniques. Cross-check analyses are conducted at a second external laboratory on at least 10% of the samples. Samples were assayed at ALS Chemex Laboratory, Vancouver, B.C., using fire assay atomic adsorption methods for gold and total digestion ICP methods for other elements. Seabridge holds a 100% interest in several North American gold projects. The Companys principal assets are the KSM Project located near Stewart, British Columbia, Canada and the Courageous Lake gold project located in Canadas Northwest Territories. For a full breakdown of Seabridges mineral reserves and mineral resources by category please visit the Companys website at http://www.seabridgegold.net/resources.php. Minister Mahat describes Nepals peace process as unique Foreign Minister Prakash Sharan Mahat on Tuesday addressed a thematic panel entitled Implementation of Mediated Peace Agreements, What are the Challenges? In Defence of Marxism is committed to safeguarding your privacy. At all times we aim to respect any personal data you share with us, or that we receive from other organisations, and keep it safe. 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Please let us know if you have any queries or concerns whatsoever about the way in which your data is being processed by emailing the Data Protection Manager at webmaster@marxist.com Rolf,I have collected some of the phenocrysts there - the ones I found were weathered out of the dike and were pretty easy to collect, but getting good clean twinned ones took awhile.Unfortunately there are not a lot of other minerals that I found in the Bellehelen area, but the Tybo and Keystone districts are north of there and have lots of interesting minerals and mining history. In the mountains above and north of Tybo are an ancient arrastra, and 4 different sets of coke ovens - all of different construction. Found some nice covellite in the area. To the east is the lunar crater area - found fayalite, forsterite, etc - some small facet grade pieces. To the south is military base (Area 51) so you cannot travel very far south.Rory It once seemed like the Rangers were moving swiftly toward a deal with free agent first baseman Mike Napoli, but nothing has come together as of yet. That may be because Texas is only interested in guaranteeing the veteran a single season, as ESPN.coms Buster Olney reports (Insider link). Its not terribly surprising, perhaps, to learn of that stance. With so many other power bats still remaining even with Mark Trumbo and Jose Bautista now off the market theres good reason for teams to look to minimize their commitments in adding defensively limited hitters. Indeed, weve heard before that the Rangers were hoping to see whether Napoli or Chris Carter would settle for a deal to the teams liking. It seems that may be more than just a temporary bargaining position, though, as Olney suggests that Texas just isnt interested in Napoli if it means promising him two years worth of salaries. There are certainly some warts on Napolis free-agent case, too. He did hit 34 home runs and post a productive .239/.335/.465 batting line last year, but he also struggled badly down the stretch and in the postseason. Likewise, defensive metrics turned on him after previously showing favor toward his glovework at first base. Given that hes already 35 years of age, Napoli comes with some obvious risks on a multi-year pact. Still, Napoli is arguably the best-remaining slugger of the bunch. Only Carter compares in terms of right-handed hitters, with Mark Reynolds perhaps representing a bounceback option after an underwhelming 2016 season. But there are still a variety of strong lefty hitters out there, including Brandon Moss, Pedro Alvarez, Adam Lind, and Logan Morrison; any could also draw consideration from teams that dont have a strong preference for handedness. Minister Thapa vents his anger at bureaucratic red tape Health Minister Gagan Thapa has expressed discontent at bureaucratic red tape that has affected many of his programmes on the health sector reform. The Ministry of Tourism, Culture & Creative Arts, in collaboration with the Cocoa Processing Company (CPC), on Tuesday celebrated this year's National Chocolate Day with students of the Christ Faith Foster Home School at Frafraha in Accra. The day which is marked yearly was instituted to coincide with and reshape the celebration of Valentine's Day to promote the consumption of chocolate and other cocoa-based products, as cocoa is the mainstay of Ghana's economy. This year's celebration was on the theme: 'Love Chocolate, Love Adventure'. Nana Oduro Kwarteng, Chief Director of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture & Creative Arts, said the day was to increase the consumption of chocolate as it is not just for the taste of it but has a lot of compounds in terms of medicinal purposes. He said cocoa is an important product and the ministry wants to ensure that it is used to promote domestic tourism. In order to reap the necessary benefit of cocoa, it is advisable for all to add the consumption of the cocoa products to our daily meal, he said. Dr Frank Asante, Managing Director of CPC, said the National Chocolate Day was instituted to promote Ghanaian chocolate as the preferred gift of choice for loved ones. He said the company chose to spend the day with the school in order for the students to know the essence of the day, as well as know the importance of the consumption of chocolate on regular basis. He said the black chocolate is always better and chocolate eaten before meal is better, adding, It should not be chewed but licked. The CPC later donated cocoa products, including bags of drinking chocolate, buckets of tiger nut, chocolate spread and chocolate worth GH2,000. It also presented a vending machine to the school. Madam Ellen Ohene-Bekoe, Director Christ Faith Foster Home School, expressed appreciation to the ministry, as well as CPC, for the kind gesture and the love shown to the children on this special day. She called on other corporate organisations to support the school and spend time with the children. As part of activities from the Kwaw Kese Foundation which is aimed at giving back to society, rapper Kwaw Kese and his team took their special Tuesday, 14h February; Valentine's Day celebration dubbed 'Love Feast' to the Pantang Psychiatric Hospital. Kwaw Kese and his team coupled with team members from the Sarkcess Nation including BET winner Sarkodie , Dr Poundz of Hitz FM, Kofi Laing from Joy FM and Joy Prime as well as fast rising artiste Skonti where present to support the donation of items worth millions of Ghana cedis to patients. The eventful ceremony which was graced with sumptuous meal at Pantang amidst singing and dancing had a similar treat two years ago with the Kumasi Prisons inmates as well as the Nsawan Prisons last year where Kwaw Kese's Foundation donated to some four thousand inmates. Kwaw Kese with the support of his family, wife and new-born baby, donated Mattresses, Flat Screen TVs, Toiletries and products from Joy industries to the Kwaw Kese Ward of the hospital. The Abodam crooner has always said it's his passion to donate to the needy especially those who have been neglected by society. It appears the patients at the Pantang Psychiatric Hospital have been rejected and stigmatization is also on the increase, people do not want to get closer to them to show them love. Almost all philanthropists donate to children homes and the aged. Hardly do you hear people go there to check on the mentally deranged to show them love. I have vowed to show them love, he said. Check out photos from the donation below.. Photos Sarkodie Supports Kwaw Kese's Love Feast At Pantang Hospital 1 Photos Sarkodie Supports Kwaw Kese's Love Feast At Pantang Hospital 2 Photos Sarkodie Supports Kwaw Kese's Love Feast At Pantang Hospital 3 Photos Sarkodie Supports Kwaw Kese's Love Feast At Pantang Hospital 5 Photos Sarkodie Supports Kwaw Kese's Love Feast At Pantang Hospital 6 15.02.2017 LISTEN Last year, on the eve of the day of the NDC campaign launch in Cape Coast, I felt scandalized by the fleet of over-speeding horn-touting hazard lighted V8 vehicles that raced on the Accra Cape Coast road; it was reckless, and opulence, on display. I have a lot of respect for the Winneba fishmongers. They are illiterate, but they know how to keep records. I remember my mother used to apply what, in educational circles, we call Bar charts. Whenever she was counting large numbers, she would tally the figures in nines, on the wall, and she will cross the tenth. So all she did in the end was, to count the number of tally scores, and she knew how many she had counted. We sent this same method of counting to the classroom, and we called it Bar Chart, or Histogram, and so on, and we congratulated ourselves for being wiser, just because we put everything they know already, into a code called literacy, in a language called English, and we used it to steal, then we thought we were wiser. We are not wiser, we are poorer. These our fish mongers are illiterate, they do not have any computer, they do not have any software, they have no databases, and they do not have any stock keepers, neither do they have accountants, yet they keep track of all those who owe them, and all those they owe, and they know, off head, how many they have in stock. What are we doing as educated people? We deliberately refuse to learn how to keep records of vehicles in our possession, so that we can steal them. There is absolutely no way 200 cars would have gone missing from any fish mongers fleet of cars, no way. They could not have kept the records on paper, but trust me, they would have kept mental images of every single person who drove their cars. We got educated for poverty. We got educated to manipulate the system. We are all dying, dying of stealing from ourselves. I dont know when the world will come to an end. The world must come to an end sooner; otherwise the poor will rise, to slaughter all the public servants that got rich through greed, and all of us will look on as their throats are slit. How could a government official, a human being worth his name, auction to himself a two years old government vehicle that was purchased for GHC400,000, how could you have looked into the eyes of God, and purchase such a vehicle for GHC5,000? What is wrong with you? I bought my first car in 2004. It was a home used Nissan Primera, and it was a 1994 make. I bought that car, which was then ten years old, for an equivalent of $5,000. At the beginning of this year 2017, I gave it as a gift to my most trusted driver. He is proud to convert it for a taxi business. I swear I could have gotten more than $3,000 if I were to sell that 23 year old primera car today, even to scrap dealers. So how could a 2015 V8 be sold for GHC5,000? This week Nana Akomea is reported to have said he bought his nine year old Skoda Octavia car, for $800, when he was leaving office in 2009. At the moment, the cheapest price for Skoda Octavia for that type and age is in the region of $15,000. So how could he have purchased that 2001 model machine in the equivalence of $800? You see what I have been telling you? Anyway, the Chief of Staff has set up a committee to retrieve the 200 stolen cars. So because of greed, we have to set up tea-sucking committee, to spend our monies in search of the vehicle which are hidden in plain sight. The next moment, the new government will buy more new cars, because the old regime had failed to return theirs, and then the cycle will continue in 2020? Sometimes I dont know why we do these to ourselves. You have been employed, paid to do a certain type of work for a set period of time. Your time is up, and you are supposed to return all assets in your possession. Instead, you decided to keep them, and then we set up another committee, using our money, to retrieve the cars from you? And this too has turned into NPP and NDC issue? I have said it, that, it is about time party activists recognized that you may belong to a political party, but you are never part of those who are siphoning from the state, and therefore when they are being asked to account for the resources they were entrusted with, you should not throw a blind support for them. You should know that some party people are so greedy that they keep all the benefits of being in power to themselves, and they remember you only when they need to embark on demonstrations or they need you to defend them; dont defend them, defend yourself. You should not blindly defend those troubled officials who have refused to return their cars. After sacrificing to bring the party to power, they had more, you had nothing. For instance, Pee Sammy, a teacher and an NDC activist, was, at one point in time, everything for the NDC party in Winneba. He left the teaching profession because of NDC. He was so unrepentantly loyal, that his name became synonymous with the party NDC. When the party was in opposition, he virtually sacrificed everything of himself, including abandoning his work in UK, to come to Ghana to help bring the party back to power. The man has seen blood several times over, in defense of NDC. Eventually the party came to power, and he became poorer. I saw many hardly fit individuals being made deputy ministers. I saw toddlers becoming rich over night. But Pee Sammy, an educated dedicated party man with children, someone who should easily have been made a DCE, was left to rot, while many very young less qualified individuals got excessive riches. Pee Sammy had nothing; no car, no house, no job, nothing. Mr Saforo used to be the NDCs Eastern Regional Chairman. He was a business man. One of his main businesses was the making of blocks. His property is right opposite Nestle Ghanas office at Dzorwulu junction, not too far away from the Dzorwulu traffic lights. I first met Mr Saforo in 2004. He became my friend, as he tried so much to convince me to join the NDC. He was so hopeful that the party was going to win the 2004 elections. I saw this man investing so much of his time and personal resources in the party. Despite the fact that the NDC did not win power in the year 2004, he was still very hopeful, and he worked even harder to get the NDC back in power. He kept convincing me, even though I kept letting him know that I was too far away from partisan politics. Eventually the party won power. Mr Saforo was not given any appointment. He was not given contracts. I saw Mr Saforo nearly every week as he remained poorer and poorer, I saw him chased after government officials for jobs that never came, and I heard him lament day after day, as his business took a nose dive. Finally his business collapsed. If you will like to verify, just drive pass Dzorwulu Junction, opposite Nestle Ghana office, you will see an abandoned block factory; that is the remnant of Mr Saforos business, a testimony of how Kweku Ananse shared the mangoes with his son, Ntikumah. Kweku Ananse told his son, Ntikumah; you should keep planting, keep weeding, and keep watering until the mangoes are ripped. When you are done, I will take over, and I will keep harvesting, and I will keep all the ripped mango fruits in my house, and I will keep them until the next farming season, and then Ntikumah you will start the planting and the weeding again, while I wait for the next harvest. Do you get it? So Mr Saforo worked hard for the NDC party to come to power, and they stayed in power for eight years, but he got nothing; some got GHC51million for nothing, very young people became rich in power, some who did not lift a shovel, those who stood on the fence rather became richer and richer. And of all the V8s that raced to Cape Coast, of all the mansions that sprung up in Ghana and Dubai, Pee Sammy, and Mr Saforo, got none. And after those who got everything were done with filling themselves with riches, they went on to another, they took the cars too, and you are now being called upon to defend them. That is not greed, that is poverty. James Kofi Annan Peace and security advocate, West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP), wants security agencies to heighten surveillance in conflict-struck Bimbila, despite the recent calm in the area. The peacebuilding organisation said in a release issued in Accra on Wednesday that peace in the Northern Region town is crucial to forestall further division, mistrust, fear, social and economic impoverishment of the area. WANEP-Ghana appreciates the enforcement of order by the police and imposed curfew, which will restore calm and stability in Bimbilla. However, it is important that the police maintain strict vigilance, said organisation. Renewed conflict in Bimbilla last week Thursday between the Nakpaa and Andani royal gates has left about 11 people, mostly women and children, dead as well as countless injuries and the destruction of properties. Many residents of the impoverished town have also fled to nearby communities. Although a combined force of military and police personnel have quelled the gun violence that hit the town last week with the imposition of a curfew, the situation remains fluid. There are reports of people breaking the curfew and over 20 people have been arrested since the violence started, says WANEP. WANEP laments the recent clashes, calling it a major setback because, since November 2016, it has partnered with key organisations such as the Creating Awareness and Relief Everywhere Int. Ghana (CARE-Ghana), Action Aid Ghana, Social Enterprise Ghana (SEND-Ghana), USAIDS and the Northern Region Peace Council to end the decades-old chieftaincy conflict in the town. Unfortunately, this recent violence constitutes a drawback to the ongoing dialogue process and smooth implementation, WANEP said. In view of the current situation WANEP-Ghana has urged the following: - Government to continue to enforce law and order to create space for ongoing efforts in preventive diplomacy; - Disputing factions to exercise restraint and their leaders should call on their followers to remain calm and not engage in any further violence so as to not derail the existing curfew; - Politicians and political leaders to be mindful of their direct or indirect participation in the conflict, as both factions tend to draw some leverage from politicians to escalate the conflict. In this light WANEP applauds the Interior Minister, President and other government officials who have firmly indicated their stance not to interfere in chieftaincy affairs; - The media to be circumspect and conflict-sensitive in their reportage and refrain from being channels of violent communication by disputing parties capable of reinforcing tensions and insecurity; - Disputing factions to remain committed to the ongoing dialogue process initiated by WANEP-Ghana and its consortium in partnership with the Northern Peace Council; WANEP further adds that it will continue to collaborate with relevant institutions in peacebuilding to enable the environment for peaceful coexistence and sustainable development in Bimbilla. Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | George Nyavor | [email protected] The Electoral Commission of Ghana says it has made all the necessary arrangements to hold a smooth Council of State election today [Thursday, February 16, 2017]. About 430 voters across the country are expected to cast their ballots to elect their respective regional representative on the Council. A total of 113 candidates between the ages of 23 and 84 are contesting in the election which will take place in all regional capitals across the country. The Director of Communications at the Electoral Commission (EC), Eric Dzakpasu told Citi News, the polls are expected to end by 2pm due to the small number of the electorates. The rules of the elections are the same. You need to establish your identity as in who you are on the electoral roll, one man-one vote and observe secret ballot. Whoever gets the most number of votes, wins the election. By 10 am voting should start and because of the small number of voters on the electoral roll, by 2 pm we are expecting that voting should come to an end. Ballots will be counted, there and then at the center and the results will be declared. In the event of the tie, we must continue voting till the tie is broken. The Council of State consists of one representative from each region of Ghana, elected in accordance with regulations made by the EC under article 51 of Ghana's constitution, by an electoral college comprising two representatives from each of the districts in the region, nominated by the District Assemblies in the region, and eleven other members appointed by the President. President Akufo-Addo earlier this week announced the names of his 11 nominees to serve in the Council accordance with Article 89 (2)(d) of the constitution. Notable among the appointees are the former Metropolitan Chief Executive of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, Stanley Nii Adjiri Blankson and a former President of the Ghana Bar Association, Sam Okudzeto. The others are: the Jaubenhene Nana Otuo Siriboe II, Nana Kofi Obiri Egyir II, Mrs. Alberta Cudjoe, Alhaji Aminu Amadu, Dr. Margaret Amoakohene, Alhaji Sahanun Moqtar, Mrs. Georgina Kusi, Alhaji Sule Yiremiah and Mr. Paa Kofi Ansong. Aside these 11 appointees, the Council of State must include a former Chief Justice, a former Chief of the Defence Staff and a former Inspector General of Police and the President of the National House of Chiefs per Article 89(2)(a)(i) of the constitution. By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana Follow @jnyabor A total of 350 officers of the Ghana Police service mainly prosecutors have so far benefitted from a training course aimed at further enhancing their skills and helping them build their capacities to enable them serve their country in ensuring peace and order through the court system has ended in Accra. The training course is organised by LADA Institute with funding from the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, an agency under the U.S. Dept of State has trained about 5 batches of police prosecutors including the current intake of 50 bringing the total number to 350. Speaking at a closing ceremony of a one month training section, Chief superintendent Benjamin Addai of the legal department of the Ghana police service said;"the legal department pride itself in excellence and quality adjudication of cases. He therefore charged the prosecutors to emulate their predecessors and compatriots who demonstrated professionalism in their field of work during their course of training study. He urged the officers to be focused and work assiduously ahead of their acquired skills and put into practise the knowledge and skills to prosecute effectively. Supt.Addai further thanked the family members of the officers for allowing them stay away from them for a month to enable them undergo this training section. Mr.Navarro Moore, a deputy political chief at the US Embassy advised the officers to be discipline and adhere to the rules and regulations of the legal profession, urging them to work hard and justify the huge investments made in them. He added that, it is important for police prosecutors to have optimal legal knowledge in prosecution so that they can represent the state well in delivering justice. The officers who were drawn from all the ten regions of Ghana were taken through courses like cross examination, mock trails, law of evidence, court room simulations, criminal law and criminal procedure. He however noted that effective prosecution department of any police service is essential to the dispensing justice in any country including Ghana. He admonished the officers to live by the law saying, justice delayed is justice denied. The Director of the LADA group Mr. Mark ofori-Amanfo thanked the officers for making themselves available for the course and being discipline and studious at all times. He hoped that they will become good ambassadors and put their acquired skills to use. Each participants from the ten regions thanked the organisers and facilitators especially Atuguba and Associates and the judges for assisting them acquire such skills. Certificates were later given to the prosecutors at the ceremony. LADA Institute with funding and support from the US Department of State is expected to train about 100 more prosecutors throughout all the ten regions of Ghana. A coalition of civil society groups has joined forces to challenge governments plan to draw from the oil and gas Heritage Fund to finance the free senior high school policy. The Civil Society Platform on Oil and Gas is asking the government to immediately abandon its decision to raid the oil and gas Heritage Fund. In a statement released in Accra on Wednesday, the civil society group said the current figure of 9% that is set aside on net petroleum revenues as a heritage for future generations was reached after intense negotiations and broad national consultations, hence it will amount to an act of bad faith if the achieved consensus is altered without recourse to the people of Ghana. The Heritage Fund is an endowment reserve established to support the development for future generations when Ghanas petroleum reserves have been depleted, the Petroleum Revenue Management Act of 2011 explains. The group also rejects the suggestion that the children of today are the future generation referred to in the Petroleum Revenue Management Act, explaining that the future generation is the generation unborn, and who are unlikely to meet the countrys oil wealth by the time they are born. Yaw Osafo Maafo Senior Minister, Yaw Osafo Maafo, revealed Wednesday that government would review the Heritage Fund component in the Petroleum Management Act in order to use the proceeds to finance President Nana Akufo-Addos Free Senior High School (SHS) policy. According to Dr Yaw Osafo Maafo, the decision has become necessary because the government wants to invest significant revenue generated from the oil industry to fund major sectors like education since it has the potential of building a good foundation for the country. However, the coalition of civil society groups points out that at the current production levels and world market prices, the Heritage Fund is not likely to yield more than $25 million a year, and so once the accumulated fund is exhausted in the first year of the free SHS programme, which will certainly be the case, the annual Heritage streams will be woefully inadequate in meeting the free SHS expenditure, raising serious questions about its sustainability. They want the government to re-think the policy as currently conceived. Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | GN The discovery of the internet in the early 70s and the emergence of commercial satellites have drastically contributed to the speedy improvement of the living standards of many countries. Regardless of their challenges, these two technologies offer uncountable advantages that benefit all aspects of social life. Very quickly, the access and use of these technologies have become an essential part of Human Rights. However, as such Rights are differently perceived and enforced by current world powers, the internet and satellite technologies have also become a very powerful geopolitical and strategic tool for control, manipulation, oppression, suppression, and soft war. Africa has neither invented the internet nor the satellite, but has become a user like many other countries. Nevertheless, Africa has been paying a much higher bill for sub-standard services. Perceiving this as another injustice, African private sector and governments have decided to combine their resources in order to equip Africa with internet and satellite infrastructure. It was at this point that the reality surfaced once again that beforehand, very important decisions have been made at highest level of Western governments to never allow Africans to succeed in this desire for technological independence. For proof, to date, all African projects aiming at either successfully sending in orbit, keeping in orbit, and running satellites in orbit to cover the continent of Africa, under the control of Africans, or providing internet via cables have all failed. Worse, a recent initiative by a non-African (Facebooks co-founder) to provide free internet access to Africa via satellite went literally in smoke. This happened on 01 September 2016, when the rented rocket exploded on its launch pad in Florida, USA. Eutelsat (French company) was also involved in the operations. Israelites (Spacecom) designed and manufactured the satellite Amos 6 and loaded it with their latest space technologies. Amos-6 was installed on a rocket, designed and built by SpaceX (an American company whose founder is of South African origin). Both Spacecom and SpaceX called the explosion a sabotage and opened an investigation. It is worth noting that for almost all of these projects, there is always a French presence one way or the other; which calls for strategic thinking. The vital question is as follow: knowing the critical importance of communication technologies in the economic development and the efforts of the people to improve their living standards, and the violence of the hostilities, what are the strategies that those good African leaders should apply in order to succeed? It is recommended NOT to post the most serious solutions online; but send them to those leaders. Chronology of sabotage and/or destruction of African Satellite and internet connection projects RASCOM/RascomStar-QAF : 1st African (intergovernmental) satellite project ($400 million US) launched in 2005, financed up to seventy five percent (75%) by H.E. Muhama Kadhafi and headquartered in Abidjan, Cote dIvoire under H.E. President Laurent Gbagbo. It was planned to cover the entire continent of Africa and deliver highly competitive and low cost services including: universal telecommunication services to around 700 million customers, telephony, fax, internet/data and TV simultaneously. In 2011, France under former president Sarkozy, The US under Obama, NATO, and UN waged war against Libya and Cote dIvoire. They arrested and transferred H.E. Gbagbo to ICC (International Criminal Court) and assassinated H.E. Kadhafi; then relocated the RASCOMs headquarters in the Arab Emirates. The following year (2012), France successfully imposed the ACE (Africa Coast to Europe) project. RascomStar-QAF was manufactured by Alcatel Space (French company) and launched by Ariane (an European company controlled by France). On 21 Dec. 2007, it was launched with mixed success: it had just 2 years life span instead of 15 in the contract. The replacement satellite, RASCOM QAF 1R, was built in 2010. New Dawn: 1st African satellite project by African private sector initiated in 2008 for $250 million US. It was financed up to 90% by several African funds including the South African Convergence Partners in partnership with Intelsat (the Western giant Telecom). The project aimed at promoting the technological independence of Africa in the Telecom sector. The satellite was manufactured in the US by Orbital Sciences in 2010 but launched again by Ariane, on 22 April 2011. Once in orbit, a technical anomaly prevented one of its reflectors from deploying. Thus, reducing drastically it functioning capabilities. In 2012 Convergence Partners withdrew from the project. 1st submarine cable of West Africa to provide high speed internet was connected to Benin in 1995 for the conference of Francophonie. Regardless of the massive investments and efforts, the connection could only release about 15% of its promised capabilities and only covered the capital, Cotonou and its surrounding towns. 2nd submarine cable to provide high speed internet was inaugurated in Dec. 2012. It originated in France and was supposed to connect all the West Coast of Africa till South Africa, according the project ACE (Africa Coast to Europe). In almost all connected countries, the quality of internet connection and access is still far below the terms of the contract which creates profound frustration. Alcatel Submarine was in charge of the installation, while Orange Telecom runs the operation: here as well, two (2) French companies. Like the CFA Franc for some African countries, the issues raised above remain a major obstacle even to the noblest development efforts of the people of Africa. It is worth looking at two recent examples: Equatorial Guinea and Chad. Equatorial Guinea made serious development progress in the last decade thanks to the oil boom and Chad as well, to some extent. Since the final trimester of 2016, both nations, users of CFA Franc, have respectively been experiencing serious economic slowdown and cash flow problems. These economic struggles are as the result of France, the country that prints their currency (the CFA Franc), displaying hostilities toward these two particular African countries for their development and self-governance drive. It is worth noting as well that these kinds of hostilities did not prevent some countries from successfully dumping the CFA Franc: Algeria, Tunisia, Vietnam, Laos, Guinea, and most recently Mauritania. Likewise, hostilities and threats towards projects aiming at transforming Africa for the better in general, and projects for building viable satellite and internet connection infrastructure in particular, should not halt efforts geared toward changing the status quo. Enjoy the thinking and dare to act now! Author: Wole, contributor on www.generationnehemiah.org/ 15 February, 2017 16.02.2017 LISTEN Good afternoon fellow Ghanaians,we could recalled on the 7th May 2014. Hon Dominic Nitiwul of the NPP Spitted fire over the Heritage Fund.On that very faithful day he boomed and said 'For the first time,they will really see what the people of Ghana are capable of.We have always been trying to keep this country at peace and we've always been trying to keep this country up.'These were the exact words of the Deputy Minority Leader, Dominic Nitiwul,when the issue about the proposed use of the 'Heritage Fund' came up for discussion. Fellow Ghanaians,for a person in his capacity to issue a threat of such grave magnitude,one will say was an indication of the seriousness he attached to the proposal by the respected General Secretary of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, for an amendment of the law that established the Ghana Heritage Fund from the country's oil proceeds. Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia's argument at that time has been that,'In the current situation that we find ourselves as a country and people, he was of the view that,it does not make economic sense to be keeping any money called Heritage Funds' while questioning the rationale behind borrowing from international financing institutions and countries 'at a rate of about five percent, eight percent and so on, when our own money is being kept by somebody.It does not make sense he stressed'. Firmly buttressing his point,it does not make sense for government to be keeping an estimated amount of $120million in an offshore account when the country was heavily smarting under economic hardship arising seriously out of lack of funds in the national kitty. The Deputy Minority Leader in Parliament Hon Dominic Nitiwul at that time, has indicated their preparedness as opposition and minority NPP to kick against any such proposal that is brought before the House and have since dared the ruling NDC to bring it on. Hon Nitiwul who spoke on Citi FM said the proposal was unreasonable and therefore shot it down, while asking government to consider other options instead. He continued and added,the then NDC government should not think that, the people of Ghana does not know what they are about and let nobody take us as a country for granted and that the NDC government can just not do anything he cautioned. He stressed the belief that, Ghana still has enough money for which reason there was no need to 'Touch Our Heritage Fund.It must be there; it must be protected.' Instead, the Deputy Minority leader made a sarcastic suggestion that if government believes 'the economy is so run down that we have to go and take everything we have, the best solution is for them to leave government to enable people who are better managers to govern the country.' Interestingly,Act 815 which established the Ghana Heritage Fund spells out the objectives of the Fund, to among other things, provide 'an endowment to support development for future generations when the petroleum reserves have been depleted; and (b) receive excess petroleum revenue.' This provision of the Act is part of reasons why the Minority Members of Parliament have kicked against the proposal of the NDC under the pretext of salvaging the ailing economy. 'The Fund receives a percentage of petroleum revenue which shall be determined by Parliament as savings for the purpose while Parliament may by a resolution supported by the votes of a majority of members of Parliament at intervals of fifteen years from the date of commencement of the Act, review the restriction on transfers from the Ghana Heritage Fund and authorize a transfer of a portion of the accrued interest on the Ghana Heritage Fund into any other Fund established by or under the Act.' Fellow Ghanaians,l want to find out whether Hon Dominic Nitiwul is in the country?l have heard Hon Osafo Marfo said that, the Money to fund the Free SHS propounded by our President HE Nana Addo which is slated to commence this academic year in September will come from the Heritage Fund.What are the views of Hon Dominic Nitiwul this time round concerning the same Heritage Fund now that NPP wants to use it to fund the Free SHS?I am calling on Hon Dominic Nitiwul to come out and tell Ghanaians his views on the development to enable us take him as a citizen and not a spectator.Again he said those who can better manage the country should be allowed now Ghanaians have voted for them why are they also trying to relied on the very money he said nobody should touched?The Nana Akufo Addo led government needs about $1billion and over a year to sustain the TRULY FREE SHS and the Heritage Fund is just about $200million so far.So in effect using the heritage fund won't it mean eating our maize seed instead of planting it?Just thinking aloud! Hon Dominic Nitiwul,the Heritage Fund that, the NPP is coming to use is it not against the law governing the Petroleum Revenue Management Act?Has the our Petroleum Reserves depleted?Has the Law allows the use of the Heritage Fund at any point in time? Help me get answers to the above questions bothering my mind and the minds of the masses. To conclude we in the NDC are supportive of the Free SHS and will not make statements of war against the use of the Heritage Fund as you did in the past because your party was not in power.The future is unknown so we must be guided in our utterances irrespective of our political divide. 0200255295/0243735430 16.02.2017 LISTEN From the look of things, the Kumawu chieftaincy dispute which has for a while been on a knife edge, is about to pass the tipping point any moment from tomorrow, Thursday 16 February 2017. The alleged coward, Kumawuhene Barima Tweneboa Kodua V, but who indeed has persistently believed in allowing the laws as enshrined in the countrys conventions and constitution to take their course, has consequentially been presumed a weakling by the supposed strong and intimidating Kumawuhene Barima Sarfo Tweneboa Kodua. The alleged Kumawuhene Barima Sarfo Tweneboa Kodua, dubiously imposed on Kumawuman as their paramount chief by Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and the Asanteman Council acting in contravention of laid down procedural conventions and the nations constitution, thinks he is the sole rightful and recognised Kumawuhene who is without any restraints asserting his authority and dictating his wishes. Barima Sarfo Tweneboa Kodua, although ineligible by available facts and evidence to occupy the Kumawu Kodua stool but currently occupying it owing to Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and Asanteman Council illegally and autocratically arrogating to themselves powers they have no right to, thinks he can commit crimes with impunity. On several occasions during the presidency of former President John Dramani Mahama, the bosom buddy of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Barima Sarfo Tweneboa Kodua had arranged then DCOP Nathan Kofi Boakyes Ashanti regional police force to proceed to Kumawu to intimidate Kumawuhene Barima Tweneboa Kodua V and his supporting subjects who form about 95% of Kumawuman subjects. Both Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and Barima Sarfo Tweneboa Kodua did exploit their friendship with President Mahama who was secretly using his presidential powers to influence the police and the High Court judges to twist justice in favour of the otherwise illegal occupant of the Kumawu paramount stool, thus, Barima Sarfo Tweneboa Kodua, known in Kumawuman as Dr Yaw Sarfo. This does not, and should not, be seen by the Ghana Police and those not familiar with Asante customs and traditions, especially, the customs and traditions prevailing in Kumawu with regard to the selection and election of a royal to become a Kumawuhene-elect and finally, the Kumawuhene, to believe and insist that Barima Sarfo Tweneboa Kodua is the legitimate Omanhene of Kumawu. Nope!!! When Barima Tweneboa Kodua V was celebrating his first Akwasidee in Kumawu on 18 January 2015, a swarm of police personnel descended on Kumawu to intimidate him and his subjects and almost the entire citizens of Kumawu and Bodomase. Nobody was fighting. Why did DCOP Nathan Kofi Boakye, the then Ashanti Regional Police Commander move his forces to molest Barima Tweneboa Kodua V and his Kumawuman subjects? Watch the video recordings on the incidents via the below indicated YouTube links. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40J4KEhPPKo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nm4sV_XJF4c When he was celebrating the funeral of his late younger sister, Diana, who passed away in Belgium with her remains flown to Ghana, the police prior to the funeral held on Saturday 2nd April 2016, invited him to a meeting and warned him not to carry himself about as a chief during the funeral. They said if he did, they would deal with him, arrest him and disrupt the funeral. After deep cogitation and consultations with his elders, coupled with the pain he was in, he decided, but with pain and regret, to adhere to the instructions by the police. His decision, although as thoughtful as it was, did not settle well with his teeming supporters who felt let down. On the Saturday, 2 April 2016, the Barima Sarfo Tweneboa Koduas Ahenfie Boys proceeded to Kumawu-Bodomase where Dianas funeral was being held with intent to disrupt it if Barima Tweneboa Kodua V was to be found at the funeral grounds with a kingly umbrella over his head. This audacious, but completely absurd attitude demonstrated by that handful of supporters of Barima Sarfo Tweneboa Kodua, led to some sort of skirmishes with the numerous supporters of Barima Sarfo Tweneboa Kodua V. The supporters of Dr Yaw Sarfo, the alleged Kumawuhene Barima Sarfo Tweneboa Kodua, had to run for their sheer life leaving their sandals behind. Again, Barima Sarfo Tweneboa Kodua has arranged with the police to disrupt the funeral of the late Kumawu Akyempemhene Nana Okyere Krapa II who as I write now, (Wednesday, 15 February 2017) is laid in state at Kumawu-Bodomase. There is already a heavy presence of the police personnel in Kumawu and Bodomase. When a guy from America who is attending the funeral approached them to find out about their mission to Bodomase, they responded by saying they had come to ensure the safety and protection of all those attending the funeral. He questioned on what grounds? Are people fighting? Have the funeral organisers invited them for protection? All the answers were no. He then asked them for what ulterior motive then have they come to Bodomase for the entire duration of the funeral which will last until Sunday, 19 February 2017? Information I have gathered is that the police did meet to discuss that they would proceed to Kumawu-Bodomase to ensure that Kumawuhene Barima Tweneboa Kodua V does not conduct himself as a chief but an ordinary person or an ordinary chief mourner. Kumawu Akyempemhene Nana Okyere Krapa II was one of the sub-chiefs of Barima Tweneboa Kodua V. Therefore, Barima Tweneboa Kodua V is the principal organiser of the funeral. All told, his supporters are peeved and feel that the intimidations they have persistently been subjected to have gone overboard and therefore, they will no longer sit down to be fed the nonsense that have become the trademark of Dr Yaw Sarfo and his handful of supporters with the illegal backing of the police who are not conversant with the processes of selecting, electing and enthroning a royal as Kumawuhene-elect/Kumawuhene. Readers, please watch the video clip on how Asantehene colluded with Kumawuhemaa and Asanteman Council to impose Dr Yaw Sarfo on Kumawuman as their Omanhene which is no way in conformity with the existing Kumawu customs and traditions regarding the nomination, selection, vetting, and enstoolment of a royal as Kumawu Omanhene. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ac8wZIPlVu8 Now that the patience of the people has worn thin by the continuous bullying and harassment at the hands of Barima Sarfo Tweneboa Kodua and his supporters, the battle is set for a showdown should the police and their supporters make any silly move to disrupt the funeral for any stupid reasons. Interested public readers could familiarise themselves with the terms of reference indicating that Asantehene goofed big time by imposing Dr Yaw Sarfo on Kumawuman as their Omanhene by referring to the contents of the two underlying web links. https://www.modernghana.com/news/584823/re-asantehene-is-the-overlord-of-asanteman.html https://www.modernghana.com/news/589565/1/kumawuhene-sends-a-manipulative-letter-to-police-c.html However it pans out, the name of the Chief Justice, Mrs Theodora Georgina Wood, may be mentioned. Her office somehow, as per the view of a layman in the legal profession, intervened dubiously to cause the court proceedings on the illegal destoolment of some Kumawu chiefs by Barima Sarfo Tweneboa Kodua acting on the instructions of Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to be adjourned sine die. She went further to order the transfer of the case that had already fairly been decided by a Mampong High Court judge, from Mampong to Kumasi, naming a specific judge to preside over it and then transferring the Mampong High Court judge to Bolgatanga. There is an Akan proverb that says if a child falls to his/her death at the back of your house (in your backyard), you did not kill him/her but your name will always be associated whenever we mention the death of the child. Rockson Adofo (Written on Wednesday, 15 February 2017) Missing Nepali students body found in Sydney beach Police on Thursday recovered the body of a man believed to be of Sudeep Uprety, a Nepali student, under a rock ledge at Maroubra Beach in Sydney, according to a local media. We wish to congratulate the distinguished son and proud Prince of Bawku Alhaji Sulemana Yirimea on his nomination as a member of the newly constituted Council of State by His Excellency President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. Your appointment is an indication of your selfless numerous years of contribution to the development of Ghana's democratic dispensation. You suffered a series of political detentions in your struggle against oppresion and dictatorship and we are very happy your effort has been acknowledged. It is our prayer that Allah grants you and your colleagues the needed wisdom to advice H. E. President Akufo-Addo to enable him succesfully govern our beloved country. Once again we celebrate you and you will continue to be a role model for our youth. SIGNED Satim Saa Director Sateem Yiridema Centre For Educational Advancement 16.02.2017 LISTEN If Ghana is serious about achieving development, then it is about time it condemned vehemently the unpardonably uncouth behaviour of the theft of its assets by officials in the NDC. The assets belong to Ghana, as such, it behoves all Ghanaians to condemn that nauseous act, irrespective of party inclinations. Therefore, I am befuddled and dumbfounded by the fact that some supporters of the party are defending those officials. Poor me, there I was, thinking that the party's Better Ghana Agenda did the trick: it worked as promised. Indeed, it was described by many as just a "colourful gimmick", but I thought we could still expect something good to come from Nazareth. I never envisaged an impetuous quest for personal aggrandisement, culminating in a nonchalant stealing of assets of the state. In cognisance of the truculent outbursts by Mr Asiedu Nketiah: "Assets task force rubber stamps NPP thuggery", Mr Rashid Pelpuo: "Harassing ex-government officials for state assets wrong", and other NDC officials, it seems it was perfectly planned and executed. In any case, it unequivocally implies that the Better Ghana Agenda was just a shameless mission on the wings of chicanery. Otherwise how can a better Ghana push them into stealing cars? A worse Ghana? Unfortunately, the act has the perilous potential of scraping all the successes we have chalked up in the development arena in recent times. Hence, it is not surprisingly that several statesmen and unwavering enthusiasts for sustainable development have labelled it "bush", "brutish", "outrageous", among others. That is symptomatic of the party's niggling and esoteric apathy towards the development of Ghana. Today that all politicians are admonished to live above reproach, as a luscious way of achieving development, the party feels otherwise. Looting the scanty resources of the nation whilst in power was not enough for you. Contemplate all the colossal amounts of money the nation lost under your care - SADA, GYEEDA, WOYOMI-DA, etcetera. And now that you are out of power you cannot get divorced from that nation-wrecking behaviour. Is the party for or against Ghana? Will it be wrong for someone to name the party as "Ghana's nemesis"? Perhaps, we should offer this piece of advice to the party: if you have nothing to offer your in-law, never steal from the little that she has. However, it is unclear what the task force established by His Excellency President Akufo-Addo is waiting for. I hope it will not turn out to be a case of "you can have them, we will buy new ones". Watching how events are unfolding, one is liable to conclude that the government has been somewhat lackadaisical, if not magnanimous, in retrieving the stolen assets. Is the man who boasts of an enviable wealth of pugnacity changing into the proverbial vegetable? I hope not! The above does not mean I am advocating the arrest of the NDC "criminals". It would be intellectually incredible and stupendously naive on my part, even to conceive that. Also, it would be deemed an inexplicable aberration on my part in the face of our all-important democracy, which has been extremely helpful. Its only demerit so far: has given "stealing" a new meaning. What am I talking about? It has given our politicians the repugnant impetus of giving the word a different meaning. Indeed, they have stolen. But aren't they still free? The taxpayers' money, as we always put it. Is it because they are politicians? Imagine a young man caught stealing a tuber of yam at Nyamebekyere. A man caught stealing a car at Kaneshie. Can he make noise about it when people go to him with the intention of retrieving the car? He will be arrested and expeditiously arraigned before court. Yet, all we hear about is NDC launches vituperative attacks on the people who go to them for the assets. Indeed, it is illegitimate for ordinary people to go to them; lawlessness must not be entertained. But whoever takes ant-infested firewood home should be prepared to witness a sordid invasion of his home by the ants. Nevertheless, only those mandated by law have to retrieve the stolen assets. They should, with a nose-to-the-grindstone focus, accomplish that onerous task. Thus, it sounds quixotic for some of the citizens of a country that is already set on a veritable development voyage to act that way, especially coming from the members of a political party that just left office. Corruption? Envy or sheer egocentrism? What is more shocking is the fact that some of their supporters are putting up a rather rancorous defence of the perpetrators. Yet, we claim we want to achieve development. Check out how institutions work in consonance with the interest of the state in the world's giants of development such as Australia, Britain, Canada, Denmark, etcetera, and see if you will not say we are joking. We need to wake up and smell the coffee, people. The NPP government must be proactive in retrieving all the assets, though in a civil and legitimate manner. They should never think of being emollient with the NDC, expecting to be offered such favours if they also find themselves in such a quagmire one day. More importantly, Ghana should not accentuate the establishment of ad-hoc committees or task force hook, line and sinker. Rather, we should call for the institution of a permanent body charged for that purpose, if we are really serious about curbing such egocentric tendencies that have a deleterious effect on our development aspiration. That is where parliament comes into the fray. It should enact laws in terms of the institution that would be mandated to retrieve the assets and the punishment for the perpetrators of such an apocalyptic-to-development behaviour. Egocentrism, corruption and greed on the part of politicians are inimical to development! Enough is enough! Kwabena Aboagye-Gyan ([email protected]om) Free secondary education has gained national public discourse for some time now. This was a main subject matter in any public political discourse when the NPP, prior to the 2012 elections, promised Ghanaians free secondary education whiles the NDC the then ruling government promised progressively free secondary education and had indeed started it before leaving power in 2017. In fact the 1992 constitution of Ghana is very explicit on this matter. I will refer to the necessary provisions in the following paragraph. I have always supported free education though I disagree with the wholesale implementation strategy of it by the NPP at a go. Free education would provide a level playing field for the rich and marginalized in our Ghanaian society and that is very fair for fairness and equality in a civilized developing nation like ours. I have always said that free education is feasible only through progressiveness as implied in article 38 under the directive principles of state policy. The progressive approach adopted by the erstwhile NDC government is also supported by article 25(b) which says "secondary education in its different forms including technical and vocational education shall be made generally available and accessible to all by every appropriate means, and in particular, by the progressive introduction of free education". Interestingly, the NPP before it was elected into power had always run away from any debate on how they were going to fund their free education policy. All they say is that we have the resources and that it is all about resource allocation. Less than three months into power, the NPP government has revealed its intention to use the heritage fund to finance its free education policy. Really!! Kindly refer to the news item below. https://citifmonline.com/2017/02/15/govt-to-fund-free-shs-with-heritage-fund-osafo-maafo/ Very interesting! Do the NPP actually understand the wisdom behind the heritage fund? Well, for the purposes of first time readers on this subject matter, let me shortly explain the heritage fund. The Heritage Fund is a strategic endowment reserve established to support the development for future generations when Ghana's petroleum reserves have been depleted, according to the Petroleum Revenue Management Act of 2011. The fund receives nine per cent of the country's annual petroleum revenue. I will forever remember Prof Evans Atta Mills of blessed memory for leaving behind this legacy. A legacy which envisioned to create a better future for the next generations. It is only commonsensical for any visionary leader, to develop or support, long term goals. For the NPP to think of "raping"the long envisioned goal to fulfil their political promise of free education is only a sign of a leadership that lacks vision and critical thinking. It is a very cheap way of solving a problem. Any innovative leadership that is committed to implementing its agenda would certainly device innovative ideas through the necessary legislations. You cannot rob Peter to pay Paul in this manner!! It is backward thinking, lazy thinking and a clear case of desperation anchored in political expedience against economic and legal wisdom. Clearly, the senior minister, Osafo Marfo, is only consistent with his bias against long term planning for this country. He made it known during his vetting that he is personally against any development planning that is beyond ten years. What he should know therefore is that governance is about national vision and not personal convictions. His words certainly does not match his much touted experience that attracted him his political accolade as senior minister, amidst controversy in national discourse. He is yet to prove that experience and seniority. What makes the NPP more hypocritical is that when a similar suggestion was made by Asiedu Nketia somewhere in 2014 that government could use the heritage fund to support the then development agenda by the NDC government, they(NPP) castigated him and indicated fiercely that any attempt by the then government to make any proposal of that sort, would be resisted. My question is, what is different today that the NPP think it can use the heritage fund differently from the original intended purpose of the fund? Is the NPP being fair to discerning citizenry? Be reminded with the publication below, http://citifmonline.com/2014/05/05/well-resist-govt-attempts-to-use-heritage-fund-minority/ . I will be extremely flabbergasted if discerning citizens, think tanks and civil society groups allow the NPP government to use this heritage fund in this manner. I am very disappointed at the senior minister and others who think that there is no wisdom behind the heritage fund. We cannot continue with this level of lazy thinking, nonsensical approach and political convenience again visionary socioeconomic consensus. We are becoming a laughing stock to the outside world because of our level of hypocrisy and double standards as clearly demonstrated by the senior minister Hon Osafo Marfo. Enough of this hypocrisy! Shall be back......... Denis Andaban. denisandabanblog.blogspot.com 16.02.2017 LISTEN Barely a few months after becoming the 4th President of the 4th Republic of Ghana, NPP led by then Vice-Presidential candidate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumiah, started ruining verbal assault on Mr. John Dramani Mahama. Dr Bawumaih picked the word incompetent and hammered on that word until even class one pupil, illiterate farmers and market women across Ghana could pronounce the word incompetent. Whether the meaning of the word incompetent was clear to the populace is another question, yet it had a bad repercussion on Mr. John Mahama-led government. To support my facts, I copied few articles readers can read articles about this incompetency: Mahama is incompetent driver leading Ghana nowhere- Bawumia ... www.myjoyonline.com/.../ mahama-is-incompetent-driver-leading-ghana-nowhere-ba... Sep 27, 2016 - The New Patriotic Party running mate Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has reignited the debate of incompetence, describing President John Mahama as an. ... The Economist said Ghanaians do not need to be in the driving seat ... Mahama is worst performing President Bawumia | Ghana News citifmonline.com/2016/10/22/mahama-is-worst-performing-president-bawumia/ Oct 22, 2016 - ... Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia says President John Dramani Mahama is the ... According to him, the incompetence of the Mahama administration ... 'Mahama's incompetence message to Bawumia perfect' | General ... www.ghanaweb.com/.../ Mahama-s-incompetence-message-to-Bawumia-perfect-3944... Nov 17, 2015 - ... Dr Edward Omane Boamah has applauded President John Dramani Mahama'srecent ... Did you hear Bawumia say incompetent Mahama? Bawumia jabs Mahama; says he's an incompetent driver | 3News 3news.com/bawumia-jabs-mahama-says-hes-an-incompetent-driver/ Sep 27, 2016 - Vice Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Dr Mahamudu Bawumiahas taken a swipe at President John Dramani Mahama, ... Ghana: Mahama Is an Incompetent and Bad Driver - Bawumia ... allafrica.com/stories/201603250815.html Mar 24, 2016 - Alhaji Dr. Mahammudu Bawumia, vice presidential candidate for the New ... that his government is an incompetent one, he disagreed, and said I ... the only thing the NDC, led by President Dr. John Dramani Mahama, has ... Mahama's Incompetence Comments: NPP Goes Down Memory Lane https://www.modernghana.com/.../ mahamas-incompetence-comments-npp-goes-down... Ex-Vice Presidential Candidate and his verbal assault Incompetent has lots of meaning such as inept, unskillful, unskilled, inexpert, amateurish, unprofessional, lacking ability, bungling, blundering, clumsy, proficient, inadequate, substandard, inferior, ineffective, deficient, inefficient, ineffectual, no good, not good enough, wanting, lacking, leaving much to be desired. Could be someone forgetful and utterly incompetent assistant or not having or showing the necessary skills to do something successfully. Having been successful in hammering on incompetency to vote John Mahama out of power, Ghanaians were waiting anxiously for the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo/Dr Mahamudu Bawumiah competent government. Plagiarism/academic crime On 7th January 2017, when the whole country, presidents of 15 African countries, representatives of some African and overseas countries, international media, multinational companies representatives, gathered at Ghana Independence Square to witness this august and historical inaugural ceremony, our Present was made to plagiarized in his inaugural speech. No competent administration will ever cause such a woeful blunder and play equity with it. In fact, the President should have resigned immediately after such humiliation. But here in Africa, its just off the wall. Just say, you are sorry and you will have supporters to defend you. After all, they are all waiting for appointments. Press release by Communication Director: President releases list of Council of State member appointees. Just a few days ago, the Communications Director at the Presidency released the names of governments appointees to Council of State. In his press release, he quoted Article 82(2)(d) of Ghana Constitution 1992 to substantiate the mandate the President has to appoint his own Elders. This press release was published on major websites and had been read over and over by the Presidents own men. I am so much confused and cannot believe this is 21st century Ghana, where document coming from the Presidency will carry an Article which does not exist in our Constitution. In fact it leaves a great deal to be desired. In Ghana 1992 Constitution, there is noArticle 82(2)(d) and there cannot be Article 82(2)(d). Quoting a wrong provision of the constitution is like non-citation of relevant provisions, which is equally settled law that non-citation of the relevant provisions in the notice of motion renders a proceeding incompetent. The actual point of reference is Article 89(2)(d) of Ghana Constitution which mandates the President to appoint 11 members to Council of State. One will question what is going on in this newly administration where they have been boasting of having the competent men? If we have competent people working at the Presidency where some are well known lawyers and ace journalist, Ghanaians would like to see competency. I believe Ghanaians are entitled to know the truth instead of flimsy excuses to throw dust on their eyes. The want administration who walks the talk. The above two examples completely vindicates ex-President John Mahama, and I extend an olive leaf to him. God Bless Ghana. Lewis K. Addo 16.02.2017 LISTEN Gone were the days were universities and colleges graduates were graced with job opportunities even before they had their graduation service for their respective courses. That day were yesterday and today is today. Today, the unemployment rate in the country is tremendously increasing at a faster pace. Ghanas unemployment rate is estimated at 25.29% as in the end of the year 2016. A vacancy opportunity at a company is somewhere Adum-Kumasi is competitively available not only to dwellers but competent and eligible applicants around the globe. In this informative age of our, information is key and so one must be abreast with information. One may be sitting on gold but without information, he or she may not be aware. The Bible makes it vivid as it is indicated in the book of Hosea my people are perished because of lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I have also rejected you. Somewhere in this world, genius inverted internet and the work of the postman in a corner was thrown to the thrash making their generated revenue an excuse. An economy of effort is at work. Finish school so that you could get a white collar job with a better wage, better working condition and a better standard of living. This is the mentality of our parents and also the pattern of heritage being passed on from generation to generation. My years in the college gave me the definition that, education is what you have left after you have forgotten all that you learnt in school. The new is, majority of the youth who have completed unfortunately have nothing left after forgotten all that they learnt in school. In Robert T. Kiyosakis book Rich Kid Smart Kid I learnt that, the richest men in our societies do not even own a degree and as a matter of fact, money is an idea. So what are these papers we boast of in this competitive world? From readings and lessons I have learned that, we need to strategically position ourselves well in this competitive and dynamic world of ours. Success is contagious and its commanded when innovative, creative, informative, decisive, dedicative, enthusiastic and enabling individuals with high degree of competitiveness in this modern day of economic competitiveness from all works of life who have the drive and influence to make positive impact to the growth and development of my motherland Ghana and the continent as whole. By assessing the competitiveness landscape of this country, providing in-depth insights into the drivers of their productivity and prosperity. We have come to the age where the mentality that makes our country poor must be dealt with. The youth must emerge resources, ideas, trust, creativity and foster personal growth and development. The rate of unemployment is not decreasing as a result of increasing population. There must be a paradigm shift. With that in mind the unemployment rate will be reduced and in the long run raise the living standard of the people. Why should we live on gold and lick dust? In a breadth, I agree to the fact that, our previous government and the current governments have failed in raising the sense if competitiveness as corruption steers the affairs of the state making the entrepreneurship and no go venture for most of the Ghanaian youth. The mixed economic system is questionable as its only applicable in theoretical terms. There should be a framework to determine how total production could be accrued out in the economy. Government owned enterprises from the year 1990 to now have either been sold to foreigners or mismanaged and collapsed. In fact, Nkrumahs freedom he brought us is questionable in a way. Who deceived him that the black man is capable of managing his own affairs? Specialization is supreme but diversity is logic. It is wrong for a qualified doctor to only limit himself or herself to the consulting room, the teacher to the classroom. We must diversify our personal resource, makes ourselves available and resourceful and create a competitive advantage that leads to greater economic prosperity. Even though its increasingly clear that resourceful societies are a magnet for talentand investment. Talking with a friend by name Vida Mpupukita from Kenyas capital Nairobi she asserted that she sees numerous opportunities but the pressing setback is capital. Capital, a drive for dreams and innovations. If any government wants to prosper in economic and industrial wise then it must seek to provide an enabling economic environment and resourceful ventures. Akwasi Brobbey (Senior writer and editor at TIC) [email protected] 0548412192/0266175686 Abuja (AFP) - The leader of Nigeria's Senate on Thursday said President Muhammadu Buhari was well after visiting him in London, trying to dispel rumours about the state of his health. Bukola Saraki on Wednesday travelled to the British capital with the majority leader in the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, and the speaker of the lower House of Representatives, Yakub Dogara. It was the latest political delegation to visit 74-year-old Buhari at Nigeria's official diplomatic residence, where he has been staying for nearly a month. Saraki said in a statement on his Facebook page that Buhari was "healthy" and there was "no cause for alarm". The head of state was "cheerful and in good spirits", he added. In a separate series of Tweets, he added there was "no vacuum in government" and "all organs of government (are) fulfilling their mandate". A tweet on Buhari's own Twitter account late on Wednesday said he appreciated the visit and thanked "Nigerians, Christians and Muslims alike, for their prayers and kind wishes for my health". Unlike some heads of state and government, Buhari does not initial tweets he writes himself. Photographs showed him meeting the politicians looking apparently relaxed. Buhari's health has been the subject of increasing concern in Nigeria since he extended his stay in London earlier this month, just as he was scheduled to return to Abuja. The presidency has repeatedly insisted he is not seriously unwell but was awaiting the results of medical tests. The former army general, who headed a military regime in the 1980s, received treatment for what his office said was a persistent inner ear infection in London in June last year. The health of Nigeria's president is a sensitive issue given the death in 2010 of president Musa Umaru Yar'Adua from a long-standing, but previously undisclosed, kidney complaint. His initial illness and treatment in hospital abroad triggered months of political uncertainty. His deputy, Goodluck Jonathan, took over on Yar'Adua's death. Buhari's number two, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, is deputising during his absence. An Accra-based radio station, Citi 97.3 FM, has appealed to Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to launch an investigation into a contract awarded by the Bank of Ghana (BoG) to SIBTON Switch Systems for the creation of the country's Retail Payment Infrastructure System. The Retail Payment Infrastructure contract, which was awarded by the Central Bank in 2016, is valued at a whopping GH4,667,414,340.82. Under the said contract which has been described by many experts in the industry as unnecessary and shady Sibton Switch Systems Limited, a company reportedly formed in August 2015, would run a system to make banks, mobile money platforms and other payment systems interoperable. Two other entities that bid for the same contract Vas Intel Limited and Mericom Solutions Limited submitted tender amounts and packages worth GH14,094,795.00 and GH5,465,396.06 respectively, according to reports. In the petition signed by Bernard Koku Avle, Director of News Programming at Citi 97.3 FM, the radio station urged the vice president to determine whether the procurement processes that led to the award of the contract to Sibton followed the provisions of the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663); and ascertain if the contract, as it exists, offers value for money for Ghana and conforms to international best practice. We further respectfully urge that if the contract is found not to be in accord with any or all of the above, that you initiate processes to terminate it and then engage with industry players on the best way to achieve interoperability for the sector, including the consideration of giving GHIPSS first offer for any of such system, if so determined, the petition indicated. By Melvin Tarlue 16.02.2017 LISTEN Wole Soyinka once described the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a nest of killers. That was at the height of PDPs power when former President Olusegun Obasanjo held sway and prominent political personalities were gruesomely murdered in their bedrooms, on the streets and other unimaginable places. Many, including the Nobel laureate, construed those killings, rightly or wrongly, as politically motivated. He was particularly incensed after the brutal murder of his childhood friend, Bola Ige, who, as the attorney general of the federation and minister of justice, was the countrys chief law officer. The lethargy that characterised the investigation of Iges murder didnt help matters. Soyinka is yet to put a sticky tag on the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), which he helped elect in 2015 by unreservedly endorsing its then presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, a man he had had issues with since his first coming as military head of state on December 31, 1983. I doubt if Soyinka will do so very soon, considering that he will be hard put explaining to Nigerians what has changed. If the PDP was a nest of killers, the APC is a nest of liars. The party, like the swashbuckling United States President, Donald Trump, came to power by serving the people cocktails of lies, and it has sustained itself in office for 21 months by upping the ante, feeding the people more egregious lies. That is expected. Unlike truth that stands on the parapet of facts, realities and evidence, and therefore needs no further propping, lies stand on nothing. And because lies stand on nothing, for sustainability, they must be hoisted on an effigy of more invidious lies. That is the story of the APC. Truth is anathema to it. Its officials take pride in worshipping at the altar of mendacity. Nothing illustrates this more than the stories the party and its government officials have been dishing out since Buhari proceeded on an impromptu 10-day winter vacation in London, his third in one year. The vacation, which began on January 19 and was to end on February 6, was so sudden that Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, the man Buhari temporarily handed power to, had to abruptly end his participation at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, to rush back home. Yet, whatever was the matter with the president was so serious that he could not wait for the arrival of Osinbajo before leaving. It was that bad. Nigerians were told he was going to rest after working so hard. For someone the Financial Times of London described last week as the man supposedly in charge of the country who has been literally sleeping on the job, hard work must have a new meaning. Buhari was hardly airborne when the stories started making the rounds that there was more to the trip than ordinary vacation. And the lies started pouring in. First was the picture of the president, with his leg on the table watching Channels Television (his favourite television network, we are told) and making a call. Yet, many Nigerians were still prepared to give the APC the benefit of the doubt, believing that the president was, indeed, resting. But Buhari failed to come back. Instead, he wrote another letter to the National Assembly (NASS) on Sunday, February 5 seeking an indefinite extension of his leave. And the lies continued to pour in. Let me first say the president is hale and hearty, Osinbajo told reporters in the State House on Tuesday, February 7. I spoke to him just this afternoon and we had a fairly long conversation, he is in good shape and very chatty. House of Representatives Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, took his own turn at the altar on Thursday, February 9 when he claimed to have had a telephone discussion with Buhari the previous day. Buhari called me yesterday evening. He talked about what the executive/legislature must do to ensure food security for all Nigerians, Dogara disclosed. On Wednesday, Information Minister (and Dean of the APC School of Lies), Lai Mohammed, upped the ante after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting. I can say without any hesitation that Mr. president is well, is hale and hearty. No question about that,Mohammed reiterated. He said the fact that all ministers were working optimally was proof of his assertion. Do you think we will be conducting our business like this if Mr. president is ill? he asked rhetorically. He (pointing at Minister of Power, Babatunde Fashola) was in Anambra last week, I was in Kwara yesterday, all our ministers are busy doing their work. Mr. president is well and is absolutely not in danger. Lies. Lies. And more lies. If Buhari is hale and hearty, then what is he doing in London after his vacation? Has he absconded? If he is hale and hearty and yet refuses to speak to Nigerians or return to work, is that not truancy? Is he now governing Nigeria from London? The goings-on in the country in the last three weeks are sobering. They remind us of the last days of President Umaru YarAdua. They make an unequivocal statement on the negative tendencies that have stultified Nigerias development. The happenings bring to the fore our predicament as a people and why it is almost impossible to realise the dream of a Nigerian nation. For a septuagenarian who, despite all protestations to the contrary, does not seem to enjoy the best of health, it is not difficult to fathom the reasons for the death rumour swirling around him. Some people have asked why Nigerians are overtly interested in Buharis health. The simple answer is that he is not an ordinary Nigerian. He is the president. I am saddened that some people seem to be bubbly about his health crisis. The way the death rumour swirls seems to suggest that some people actually think that they will be better off if the man is dead. Maybe! But Buhari is first a human being before being president. He has a wife, children, relations and friends who care for and love him and naturally want him to live. We should join them in prayers that God, the Ultimate Physician, should heal him and restore him to good health. We all lose our humanity whenever we wish others dead, because the death of one diminishes all. Nonetheless, the presidents health crisis has seriously incapacitated him and diminished his ability to govern although some believe, as the Financial Times poignantly put it , that dead or alive, Buhari makes no difference. The tragedy for Nigeria is that policy making has been so ponderous during the 20 months since Mr. Buhari took office that, dead or alive, it is not always easy to tell the difference, the newspaper wrote. I totally agree that the biggest tragedy to befall Nigeria in recent times is the election of a man who has neither the mental/intellectual nor physical capacity to govern. The result of our collective folly almost two years ago is that we have on our hands an administration gravely hobbled. At the best of times, Buhari is the archetypal definition of cluelessness. More so now because of his health challenges. The government deludes itself that it can solve Nigeria's problems by believing its own lies. And by telling new lies to cover up old lies, it pretends, annoyingly, to be working very hard at tackling the myriad problems facing the country when it is now obvious that even if Buhari is hale and hearty, as the APC would want us believe, politically, rigor mortis set in quite some time ago, as the Financial Times put it . But because this is Nigeria where lying is seen as an art of political sagacity, the same process that brought us to this sorry pass may be repeated in 2019. Shame! *Ikechukwu Amaechi, former Editor of Daily Independent, is the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief ofTheNiche, a weekly newspaper published in Lagos every Sunday. ( [email protected] ) Every government since the start of the Fourth Republic has identified the private sector as an engine for inclusive economic growth. Data from the Ghana Statistical Service indicates that the private sectors contribution to the GDP has seen exponential growth over the past decades. With government ambitiously pursuing Public Private Partnerships (PPP) for infrastructure development, it is estimated that private capital and private sector share of the economy would increase thereby creating more jobs and bringing in revenue for the government. In spite of the plethora of the private sectors contribution to the economy, the sector is bedevilled with an avalanche of issues ranging from poor business operating environment to high cost of credit. In some instances, the enabling laws and regulations are absent making it difficult for the smooth operations of the same. For example, the sector has to compete with the government for credit making the cost of credit expensive. High cost of credit is translated into high cost of operating which in turn makes the goods and services expensive, thereby rendering the Ghanaian private sector not competitive in the sub-region. High Cost of Private Sector Advocacy Some actions and inactions of the government may have a costly impact on the development of the private sector. The question is: why is the government not doing whatever is needful to make the private sector thrive knowing well the contribution and the potency of the sector? In most cases, it takes business associations, CSOs and professional bodies to get the government to pass the appropriate law or implement effectively an existing law. For an example, it was the BUSAC Fund which funded the advocacy action of the Ghana Institute of Engineers that produced the Engineering Council ACT 819 which is meant to establish an engineering council as a corporate body with the objective of ensuring that the highest professional engineering standards are used all the time. In an environment where a lot of resources go into evidence -based advocacy, many business associations, community based organizations, farmers, CSOs, may not be able to have the financial fluid mechanism to engage and affect policy to attain the desirable outcome. It is public knowledge that government does not fund CSOs activities and with dwindling donor support, it is possible that essential issues would not get the attention of the appropriate institution. Success Stories Over the past ten years, the Business Sector Advocacy Challenge Fund (BUSAC Fund) has been in existence to help promote public- private dialogue and create an enabling business environment for an inclusive growth. Funded by USAID, EU and DANIDA as the lead development partner, the BUSAC Fund over the years has supported over 700 grantees nationwide to advocate the removal of barriers in the business environment at the district, regional and national levels. The Fund is managed by an international management consulting firm called COWI, with Nicolas Gebara as the Fund Manager. Between 2004 and 2015, the BUSAC Fund provided a total of 271 advocacy grants to agricultural sector-based business associations to enable them advocate the removal of constraints related to agricultural inputs, extension service delivery, infrastructure (markets, access roads, irrigation dams, industrial sites, etc), enforcement of regulations and standards, access to land, etc. The Fund also provided funding to the Ghana Employers' Association for a project dubbed building a culture of voluntary compliance with labour standards in all workplaces. As an organization, CUTS Ghana in July 2014 received funding from the BUSAC Fund to advocate for functional competition policy. The main goal of the project was to complement the Government of Ghanas efforts towards evolving a functional national competition policy and law in Ghana, through an informed process, incorporating the views of key actors and with public support. Through the project, CUTS Ghana worked closely with senior policymakers, Parliamentarians and business leaders to deepen their understanding on the benefits of a functional competition regime. Now the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MOTI) has been able to draft National Competition Policy which is before cabinet and hopes it would be approved before the end of the first quarter this year. CUTS was of the strong view that an enactment of a national competition policy and law infuses a level playing field in key markets and enhances the predictability and certainty in the market, thereby stimulating entrepreneurship and economic growth which becomes a win-win for both consumers and producers. The objective of a functional competition regime is to promote competition, and contribute towards increased efficiency and curb anti-competitive practices in the market. Anti-competitive practices including cartels, abusive monopolies, predatory pricing, collusive tendering, exclusive market sharing agreements, bid rigging etc. These practices have negative effects on both consumers and producers. Certainly, a well-enforced competition regime reduces uncertainty for businesses and is an important element of promoting private sector development. In competitive environments, firms are pushed to be innovative and find better and more efficient ways to produce and distribute goods and services. Businesses tend to benefit from a well-enforced competition law, for instance, through cheaper (not overpriced) inputs and indirectly from an enabling business environment. Conclusion A public-private dialogue and partnership is essential in attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is the aspiration of many Ghanaians in the private sector that the new government would be responsive to the needs of the private sector. Going forward and when donor funded projects like BUSAC Fund and STAR Ghana are gone, Ghanaian businesses should be able to sustain the steam momentum by supporting CSOs in their evidence-based advocacies. Appiah Kusi Adomako is the Country Coordinator for CUTS International Ghana. CUTS Ghana is a research and advocacy policy think tank which works in the areas of consumer protection and education, economic regulation, trade and development, regional integration, competition policy and law, etc. CUTS can be contacted through | Office: +233-30-224-5652 | Email: [email protected] , Website: http://www.cuts-international.org/ARC/accra The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has appealed to the public not to panic over inaccurate reports of an imminent shortage of fuel and rush to pumps. This follows a press release by the Institute of Energy Security (IES), which warned that the country could face severe fuel shortage as well as increase in prices of petroleum products in two weeks time. But speaking to Citi Business News, the Public Relation Officer of the NPA, Yaro Kasambata was of the view that such inaccurate information could lead to panic buying and cause distortions that may result in shortages of fuel in some places. What we are actually asking the public not to do is panic buying, because if you start doing this type of speculations and start making people fear that there will be shortage of fuel, they will start panicking and buy more than they will normally buy. When that starts happening then it will dislodge your normal consumption pattern and then what you will have in the end is artificial shortage, he lamented. Mr. Kasambata assured that Ghana has enough stock with over 200 million litres of gas oil and more than 100 million litres of petrol at various depots throughout the country. These stocks are expected to last up to 6 weeks. Additionally, over 73 million litres of gas oil and 46 million litres of petrol are expected to be delivered into the country from the 13th to 18th February 2017, he said. He maintained that the NPA continuously monitors the weekly schedule of fuel imports to ensure that there is constant supply of fuel for the country. The Authority wishes to assure the general public that there are no challenges at the discharging terminals at the country's ports and ensures that there is fairness in the process leading up to the discharge of cargoes of all importers, he stressed. We therefore encourage the media and the general public to disregard any projections being put out in the public domain as merely speculative without any empirical basis, he added. By: Lawrence Segbefia/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana No pipe dream The management of many of Nepals public enterprises is shambolic, impeding service delivery to the population. President Akufo-Addo with Boris Johnson, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Shirley Ayorkor Botchway and Jon Benjamin at the Jubilee House yesterday The relationship between Ghana and the United Kingdom (UK) was given a major boost yesterday when the British Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson, called on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo at the Flagstaff House. After hours of meeting behind closed doors, President Akufo-Addo and his guest, emerged beaming with smiles. At a short press briefing, the president said, I think it's been a very good discussion; I've enjoyed it; I think he has too. According to him, A lot of work is being done to make sure that the relations between us and Great Britain continue to be on an even field and that the areas for greater trade and cooperation, business cooperation will improve. He continued, At the end of the day, we are both concerned about what we can do to improve the lives of our various people and that is the main consideration. On his part, Mr Boris Johnson, who claimed the visit was his first time in the country, expressed delight in meeting the president. As a former Mayor of London, he indicated, We were fortunate beneficiaries of many Ghanaians who contributed massively to our society; we have several MPs in UK of Ghanaian extraction as you may know. We've had some great discussions about our historic relationshipwe hope to have an even deeper friendship going forward; particularly, we want to make sure that British firms come here in greater numbers and greater strength to invest in Ghana and if I may say, so take advantage of the fantastic opportunities there are in this wonderful country. The British Foreign Secretary underscored, It's been great to spend time with you Mr President, to discuss matters of common interest, including lots of foreign policy and security questions where clearly we share a joint interest in ensuring the stability of the region which affects us in Europe as much as anybody else. It's a huge pleasure to be able to congratulate you Mr President personally on your triumphto see your government getting smoothly underway and to getting ready to meet all the challenges that I know the people of Ghana want you to lead. From Charles Takyi-Boadu, Flagstaff House Abidjan, Cote dIvoire, February 16, 2017 On February 1, 2017, the African Development Bank disbursed an equity investment of US $8.2 million in Shelter Afrique, a Development Finance Institution investing in affordable housing for Africa. It is owned by 44 African countries, together with the African Development Bank and African Reinsurance Corporation as shareholders. The Bank announced on February 14, 2017 that it is also arranging for an immediate loan of US $20 million to the company to consolidate the position of the housing specialist for 2017 and beyond. These new resources show that the African Development Bank is fully committed to the growth and development of Shelter Afrique, which plays a vital and unique role in the development of affordable housing across Africa. Affordable housing is a key issue at the heart of the High 5 priorities for our Bank, namely Improve the quality of life for the people of Africa.* At the same time, the African Development Bank takes issues of governance seriously. With the strong measures taken by Shelter Afrique to improve its governance and the support of its shareholders, the company can move to the next stage of its development, said Gabriel Negatu, Director General at AfDBs East Africa Regional Development and Business Delivery Office. The African Development Bank participated in Shelter Afriques Extraordinary General Meeting which was held on January 31, 2017 in Nairobi. At the EGM, shareholders present unanimously resolved to pay up their share capital commitments of approximately US $116 million as soon as possible or to face temporary suspension from membership if not done by the end of 2017. With additional equity support, Shelter Afrique will be in a stronger position to finance an increasing number of projects whether directly or indirectly. Shelter Afrique has recently been the subject of press speculation of overstated asset quality and substandard management operations. Following those allegations, the Board of Directors of Shelter Afrique took immediate steps and appointed a reputable firm to conduct an independent forensic audit. That investigation concluded on January 2, 2017 and recommended improvements in policy and processes which will be implemented by Shelter Afrique. Shelter Afrique has announced that it will fundamentally improve its governance structure. Several interim executive managers are being contracted by Shelter Afriques Board to improve financial management and governance. The Board of Shelter Afrique will also take appropriate disciplinary actions to address the irregularities and shortcomings identified in the forensic audit report. The shareholders also agreed to expand the shareholder base to include African and non-African impact investors this year and take Shelter Afrique to the next stage of its development. The African Development Bank intends to work with Shelter Afriques management and Board to support the company with technical and business development assistance throughout 2017. * Improve the quality of life for the people of Africa is one of the High 5 Priorities set by the Bank in 2015. Africas economic growth has not been rapid or inclusive enough to create enough jobs and improve quality of life. The Bank is committed to building up the availability of technical skills so that African economies can realise their full potential in high-technology sectors. Acknowledging the urgent need to address climate change, the Bank will nearly triple its annual climate financing to reach US $5 billion a year by 2020. The other High 5 Priorities are Light up and power Africa, Feed Africa, Industrialise Africa and Integrate Africa. With the ongoing parliamentary investigations into the corruption scandal involving some Members of the Appointment/Vetting Committee, one will just hope and wait that the alleged bribery never happened. However it turns out, someone or some people, and of course Members of Parliament, will come out bruised. Their reputation will be tarnished as either greedy bastards taking bribes on top of all their enhanced salaries and emoluments that they call Ex-gratia and the unqualified respect they command in the public eye as HONOURABLES or people lying with intent to defame fellow politicians with the ulterior motive only known to them. There is now a division within the Members of the Appointment/Vetting Committee. One group, principally the NPP members supported by Hon. Muntaka (is he not the one who once used State money to purchase Christmas hampers and nappies for his girlfriend?) from the minority NDC Caucus on the Committee, say that no bribe was offered or taken. The other group from the minority NDC members on the Committee are insisting and shouting it LOUD that they were offered or given bribes. The alleged bribery has to do with Hon. Boakye Agyarko, the current Energy Minister. It was allegedly offered to facilitate his successful passage through the vetting process. If indeed it was offered as alleged, then my question to the public, the Vetting Committee and Mr Agyarko himself is, what was his hidden problem that made him think that without offering the bribe he could not be cleared by the Appointments/Vetting Committee? Is he not the Saint we all know him to be? Is he a wolf in a lambs skin? On the other hand, why should people be so devious to intentionally devise a plot to tarnish his image? Are they afraid that Hon. Boakye Agyarko will in less than no time perform a marvellous job in his post to prove beyond doubt that President Mahama and his NDC-led government were so incompetent and intrinsically corrupt that they could for all the eight years in power unable to solve the outrageously ruinous power outages (dumsor) faced by the nation and the people of Ghana? As I said earlier on, whatever the case is and however it pans out, a member or some members of the supposedly august house, parliament, will be caught lying. It will either be Mahama Ayariga and Okudzeto Ablakwahs camp (those saying bribery or attempted bribery took place) or Osei-Wusus camp (those saying no instance of bribery did take place at the Committees sitting). Whichever group is determined to be lying or to have committed a crime must be punished. They will have become unfit for their job as parliamentarians and dishonourable enough to be called honourable who sit in parliament to make laws for the nation of which laws, they do not respect or conform to themselves. When it comes to this point, I shall request of them to resign as Members of Parliament for by-elections to be held in their various constituencies to enable Ghanaians elect other men and women of integrity but not corrupt people or those who do deliberately pervert the course of justice through utter lies oozing out of their mouth full of sharp baby teeth. When at all will Ghanaian politicians be role models to the youth by ceasing to be corrupt so that they can become more respectable to earn the public respect? Honestly, and as matters stand now, with my knowledge of President Mahama and his Ghanaian version of the Arabian Ali Baba and his forty thieves government, being corrupt beyond imagination, I currently have less respect for the Ghanaian parliamentarian, politician or judge. Heads will roll so let the heads roll! Sack the corrupt and lying parliamentarians! Rockson Adofo Supporters of two New Patriotic Party aligned candidates vying for membership of the Council of State in the Ashanti region have clashed at the regional coordinating council. The police have been called in to restore calm, Ultimate FMs Isaac Bediako Justice has reported from the scene. Followers of Akrofosohene Nana Owusu Akyaw and former NPP regional chairman Yaw Amankwah pounced on each other after the chiefs backers called on the former chairman to quit the race and support their candidate. They said their candidate has paid his dues towards the party and now deserves acknowledgement and appreciation. They claim, among other things, that Nana Akyaw paid the filing fee of President Akufo-Addo during the 2016 elections. In all, 16 people are vying in the Ashanti regional council of state elections which is underway across the country today, Thursday February 16. Students in second cycle schools are prone to misbehaving under crowd situations, especially during sporting and other activities. It is something which did not start today. In curbing the consequences emanating from such engagements, however, law enforcement agents must be extra careful. Any action to the contrary can visit negative consequences. A couple of days ago, the Kumasi Police were confronted with a difficult situation when students of the Kumasi Technical Institute following a clash with their colleagues blocked the route to their school. The police reportedly moved in to clear the route resulting in the consequences which triggered this commentary. Pictures from the scene of the police response to their reported attack by the students was rather disturbing, the kind parents would not take kindly to no matter the causes. It would appear that something went wrong in the manner the riotous situation was managed and unfortunately the police would have some queries to address. Ghanaians would want to find out whether the appropriate procedures of engagement were applied by the law enforcement when they responded. There are many instances for the law enforcement agents to refer to when addressing such situations and so when consequences of this magnitude are recorded, we are unable to allow the police to go scot-free. The use of teargas the most appropriate means of quelling such riotous situations requires some skills and this the police very well know. Failure to be careful in the use of firing teargas can lead to fatal consequences. We recall a similar incident when teargas which some do not know can kill when overused on suspected rioters, was administered on protesters at the Greater Accra Regional BNI offices in Accra. The consequence was fatal. A young man lost his life having been excessively exposed to the chemical. It is our position therefore that in dealing with students irrespective of their conduct the police must be excessively cautious. The water cannon would have been most ideal. Parents are agitated and would have to be placated under the circumstances lest the future records similar situations. It is our position that a probe be ordered by the IGP. This way, the true picture of what happened would be painted and presented to the public, especially parents and students. When it is glaring that the police response was the most appropriate under the circumstances parents, students and the general public would appreciate it and let bygone by bygone. If it is the contrary, those who were overboard should be punished. Ignoring a probe when that is the best option now would be turning our backs on the terrible situation which erupted and continuing a rather inappropriate trend in the history of policing in recent times. We are compelled under the circumstances to recall how the police managed a peaceful demonstration last year when thousands of NPP supporters marched towards the EC. The management of the situation was so bad that one of the demonstrators lost an eye when a cop directed a rubber bullet or so at the organ. It was a terrible situation, especially after the police turned a blind eye on the victim. There was no probe because the police did not find it necessary, as well as the politicians at the helm at the time. Responses to riotous situations need a major overhaul because the records so far are appalling. Two persons were on Tuesday remanded by an Accra circuit court for conspiring with another person, now at large, and robbing two persons of their personal belongings and monies. Samuel Adjako, 19-year-old mason and Benjamin Adu Asante Attah, 18-year-old apprentice driver, were said to have conspired with one Kwadwo, now at large. The gang allegedly robbed one Rosemary and Linda Kugblenu of one Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge mobile phone worth GH3,000.00, a jewelry box containing assorted jewelries worth GH590.00, an amount of GH3,410.00 and a susu box containing an unspecified amount of money at gunpoint in their house. They pleaded not guilty to the charges but were remanded by the court presided over by Aboagye Tandoh, to reappear on February 27. Prosecuting, Deputy Superintendent of Police Patience Mario told the court that the complainants are pharmacy technician and a police officer resident in the same house at Abokobi in the Greater Accra Region. Samuel Adjako is a mason residing at the area and Benjamin Adu Asante Attah is a driver at Teiman. DSP Mario said on January 28 at about 1240 hours, Samuel and Benjamin, armed with a cutlass and a locally manufactured pistol, entered the house of the victims and forcibly took away the items. She said before entering the house, Benjamin was masked in a hood whilst Samuel and Kwadwo were not. The prosecutor said the accused persons entered the room whilst their accomplice was kept outside the main gate to keep vigilance and alert of any intruder during the operation. Linda managed to escape, leaving Rosemary at the mercy of the accused persons. DSP Patience Mario said Samuel, who saw Rosemary naked in bed, was said to have attempted to rape her but was prevented from doing so by Benjamin so that they could escape. She told the court that on February 3, at about 1330 hours, Samuel was seen in the vicinity, identified by Rosemary and he was subsequently arrested. She said in the course of investigations, Samuel mentioned Benjamin and Kwadwo as his accomplices. Benjamin was also arrested on February 4. In their caution statements, Samuel stated that he together with his accomplices had been partners in crime, robbing people at Oyarifa and Abokobi for the past two years. The prosecution said investigations led to the retrieval of the exhibits from an uncompleted building. GNA After over a year of legal battle, the Attorney-General (A-G) and Minister for Justice, has finally charged the two young men standing trial over the murder of Joseph Boakye Danquah-Adu, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Abuakwa North in the Eastern Region. According to the prosecutor, Superintendent Francis Baah, the AG has advised that Vincent Bosso aka Junior Agogo be charged with abetment of crime to wit robbery. Earlier, Agogo was charged with abetment of crime which was later changed to conspiracy to murder. Sexy Don Don's earlier charge of murder has been maintained. At the hearing yesterday, Supt Baah told the court, presided over by Magistrate Ebenezer Kweku Ansah, that the Bill of Indictment would be completed and served on Augustines Obuor, the defence lawyer. The Senior Police Prosecutor said that the document would be served on Obour for the committal processes to start at the next hearing. The trial magistrate, who adjourned the case to March 2, 2017, stated that the court was adjourning the case for the prosecution to begin the indictment of the two and nothing else. Bosso is in the dock with Daniel Asiedu, 19, aka Sexy Don Don. The two are standing trial over the death of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Member of Parliament (MP) for Abuakwa North in the Eastern Region, fondly called JB. In the case of Agogo, the prosecution held that Vincent at about 1 am on February 9, this year at Shaishie, East Legon in Accra, abetted Sexy Don Don to commit murder. Sexy Don Don, according to the prosecution, on the same day and time intentionally and unlawfully caused the death of the MP. Agoogo reportedly assisted Sexy Don Don to enter the house of the deceased through the iron fence wall at the blind side of the security man, who was fast asleep. By Jeffrey De-Graft Johnson [email protected] Comments by the Minister of Education that head teachers of basic and second cycle schools would be sacked should more than 90 per cent of their students fail the Basic Education Certificate Examinations (BECE) and West African Senior Secondary School Examination (WASSCE), smacks of lack of leadership skills in him, Christian Addai-Opoku, National President of the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), has said. According to him, there are several factors that lead to students failing examinations, hence the minister, who is new in office, should rather conduct a probe into the problem to find a lasting solution. His comments follow a statement made by Dr Prempeh while addressing heads of senior high schools (SHS) in Kumasi as part of a two-day familiarisation tour to the Ashanti Region to the effect that the Ministry would not continue to tolerate school heads who superintend over consistently poor performances. He said, among other things: "Any school head who superintends over a failure of over 90% cannot be allowed to continue operation without accounting to the Ghana Education Service (GES). But reacting to these comments in an interview with Chief Jerry Forson, host of Ghana Yensom, on Accra100.5FM on Thursday February 16, Mr Addai-Opoku said: If, indeed, the minister made those comments, then he did not show leadership. He did not show leadership because this is his first interaction with teachers as Minister of Education, therefore, he should not have started with a threat. We expected him to lay down his vision and mission statements and the plans to achieve those visions. After putting all these down, you rally them (school heads) behind that vision, because in the end there are over 250,000 workers who are supposed to help you achieve that vision. The best way to help you achieve your vision is not to threaten them but to motivate them, get them well informed in order that they will rally behind you to achieve your goals. "And so it is really unfortunate that you assume office with threats on the workers. If the children fail to pass their exams, it is not only teachers to be blamed. There are several factors, and so it doesn't just take one person to get the result. Nairobi (AFP) - Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed's victory in Somalia's presidential election last week brought joyous crowds into the streets of Mogadishu, a testament to the former prime minister's enduring popularity. But analysts warn that the iron will and nationalist discourse that Somalis fondly remember from his time as premier could be Mohamed's biggest obstacles when it comes to rebuilding the world's most notorious failed state. Mohamed, who is better known by his nickname Farmajo, or "Cheese", has inherited an administration that has limited control over Somali territory due to the presence of Shabaab Islamists, and is heavily propped up by the international community. This fragile core is further weakened by deeply entrenched corruption and the rivalries in a maze-like clan structure that dominate Somali politics. "There is a super-sized expectation, but the problems that bedevilled Somalia for three decades won't vanish because Farmajo is the president," said Abdirashid Hashi, a researcher at the Heritage Institute. Why so popular? While prime minister for a mere eight months in 2010-11, Farmajo swiftly won over Somalis with his efforts to improve governance. His resolute nationalism, in which he tried to revive Somali pride in a nation best-known for anarchy and bloodshed, was also well regarded. He culled the number of government ministers and banned non-essential foreign trips by officials, and launched a program for stamping out corruption. Farmajo's image also received a boost from the improved security in Mogadishu which saw Shabaab militants driven from the capital a few months after he stepped down as premier. "It was under Farmajo that the groundwork was laid for this victory," said Roland Marchal, a researcher at Sciences Po university in Paris. He was also highly popular within the military, not least because his government made sure to regularly pay soldiers, a rarity in Somalia's turbulent history. Risky nationalism Farmajo inherits a Somalia still operating under an interim constitution, with little in the way of solid administrative structures: the army, central bank, fiscal administration and electoral commission remain rudimentary. While Farmajo favours a strong central government, Somalia has in recent years shifted towards a system of federalism. The building of a state will require careful negotiations with powerful regions such as Puntland, Jubaland and Galmudug to finalise the constitution, properly define the federal agenda -- which has already been a bone of contention -- and stabilise the country. "The fatal error of past Somali presidents has been to believe they can govern simply because they have a title," said Matt Bryden, a Somalia specialist with the Nairobi-based Sahan thinktank. "The federal member states can't be ignored. Most are still embryonic but they have presence on the ground, they collect taxes, and they control the paramilitary forces that are fighting Al-Shabaab." Tension with Ethiopia Another tricky issue Farmajo will have to navigate is Somalia's tense relationship with its powerful neighbour Ethiopia. The two nations have a long history of conflict over territory. Ethiopia has on several occasions sent troops into Somalia to fight Islamists and its current powerful military presence in the country and perceived political meddling irks many. Analysts say that many young lawmakers voted for Farmajo because they are fed up with seeing Addis Ababa intervene in Somalia's affairs. But analysts say antagonising Ethiopia could backfire: the country could withdraw its military from fragile border zones and thus offer a respite to militants, or it could lend its support to Somali regions hostile to central government. "If he wants to re-adjust the relationship between Somalia and Ethiopia, he has to be very careful," said Rashid Abdi of the International Crisis Group. "If he uses the old anti-Ethiopia rhetoric, he is going to quickly run into trouble." Lessons learned? During his short term as prime minister, Farmajo's direct style made him few friends among the country's old guard of politicians, many of whom were happy to see the back of him. But his surprise presidential victory after a tortuous six-month voting process -- marked by claims of vote-buying and corruption -- may prove that he has learned to navigate Somalia's corridors of power. "These last days, he has held lots of consultations," Abdi said. "It does not look like someone who is going to rush into decisions or act like a disrupter." Ing. Ferdinand Porsche, after his assignment for Adolf Hitler to have invented the Beatle for Volkswagen, started his very own success story and said before production of his first own car started: Nobody needs any Porsche 911, but all want to buy it. After Valentines and Chocolate Day in Ghana, Ivory Coast, worlds biggest exporter of Cocoa Beans feeding one third of its own Population with this cash crop, sees a march from the Hinterland to Abidjan, the Capital city. In the Harbour cocoa beans get rotten as the price for Cocoa Beans has sharply declined for the reason that countries like China do not consume enough Chocolate as forecasted and the very few big Players in the market dictate their prices to the producers ignoring their cry for a decent life. Exporters can no longer raise the needed funds to pay the expected prices and pull out of their contracts. Farmers see their livelihood in jeopardy and call for the Government to intervene. A Government Fund can be opened to ease the pain of the Farmers with one warning attached to itthe fund cannot pay year after year for the problem in which a great chance can be seen for business people with sense and understanding of the market as well as business environment in general. Any crises is a wake-up call to leave the comfort zone and a chance for a change, improvement and better life. The devil, paid by GOD, more often than not, forces people that are willing to listen to GODs action to greatness and into happiness. The well-well known giant Multinationals smiling and enjoying increased profits for their shareholders have potential influence over Supply chains like Supermarkets, over Media perception but no control over the individual buyers. Cocoa-Cola in the rubble of destroyed buildings at the end of World War II standing, had send their trucks to Germany, a country that needed a complete reorientation that was hungry for something better, something to lift the people up to a better life. Truemmerfrauen, widows with their children, tried to find something to eat for their hungry kids while at the same time cleaning one brick after the other for reuse to build houses for themselves and others; they saw the red trucks with the famous Cocoa-Cola logo waiting on market places for them to come. The widows had no money but children, and these children embraced the free taste of sugar, brown colour and water in an attractive designed bottle coming from a country that had set them free from Adolf Hitler, a country so far away and free with nice soldiers smiling at them, lifting them up to give them comfort. Their stomach got filled with love and affection, for them to make a link between a free and rich society, the American Dream, and the potentially diabetic product of a Cola. It was in those days that at the other end of society Ing. Ferdinand Porsche created for himself and others the dream of a Porsche 911, a car that nobody needs, but everyone dreams of that is not taller than 1, 85 m. It is not the product in the first place that matters for a success story, it is the idea wrapped in the right marketing concept and put into the public domain at the right time (see Steve Jobs, apple Inc.) guided with a good story to tell, offensively and aggressively presented, which is the focus point. Even if the Multinationals would ever try to block the shortlisting of chocolate products made in Africa by Africans themselves by Supply Chains in the West, the lessons to learn from life demonstrate as evidence, with the right understanding, insight and approach with marketing Consumers can be challenged to buy your product and force the Wholesalers to stock them on their shelves as their egoism is only directed to their point of interest, their profit at the end of the day. Therefore, the time for victory is knocking at the door of Ivory Coast and Ghana when producing their own quality chocolate with lower raw material prices, affordable labour cost and right marketing to increase the sale of chocolate in their own country, other low income countries and offer the African story to the White Man that has the money that is needed to consume plenty of chocolate in excess to the already high level currently, making them understand with chocolate from Africa they eat is a gift from GOD, support the countries and enjoy a healthy product that brings smiles into the hearts of all humans. Africa: You do not know what your story really is. A White Man has to tell youwhat nonsense. Allow him to help you and make you rich and strong as you yourself do not trust each other anyway. Author: Dipl.-Pol. Karl-Heinz Heerde, Lashibi, Tema West, Ghana, phone +233(0)265078287, [email protected] , 15.02.2017 PM Dahal urges UN to support Nepals reconstruction Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has urged the United Nations to support Nepal in the post-earthquake reconstruction efforts. Some people improve on their status by listening to others that had walked before them and improve on their right information/wisdom to be equipped with the insight in life to be a generation of reaching higher levels than people in the past. Some people only learn by forcewhere to draw the line and when? Christopher Retzlaff, German Ambassador to Ghana, informed the Minister of Education on Valentines Day (coincidence?) 2017 that Germany is going to support the Free SHS initiative with an impressive amount of EUR 25 Mio... This awakes old memories. Thomas Akwasi Owusu-Afriyie, the next in line for the Golden Stool of the Ashanti Kingdom, lived in Germany for 19 years with his first wife and three children still living in Hamburg-Wandsbek being German Citizen like he used to be before taking up US Citizenship. Working for Mercedes-Benz in Bremen as Security Officer was trained for the 2000 World Exhibition in Hanover/Germany and called one day into the Police Headquarters in Hamburg at Berliner Tor. The late Otumfo had passed on and Otumfo Osei Tutu II was not yet installed. The German Government offered him to push him unto the Throne while he declined protecting the interest and tradition of the Ashanti Kingdom. Germany wanted to have a direct influence in Ghana to ensure less people immigrate to Germany and above all use the Ashanti Kingdom to influence countries around. The new initiative clearly shows the real intentions behind the offer. Germany has come to realize that on the horizon the danger is real that more economic migrants influx Europe and especially Germany. Angela Merkel seem to be convinced, only well trained citizen will stay in their own country or when immigrating, will integrate well in Germany and easily benefit our society in areas of our economy where we need qualified personel as the population of Germany is shrinking (until 2030 4 Mio. less original Germans with growing older over aged society) and our highly developed complex social systems need to be upholded and financed by fresh Tax papers money. Valentines Day in Ghana Parliament was once again a Day of Sadness and tears in the eyes of people with foresight and senses when the Minister for Tourism declared, in the financial disaster the country is currently in, the plans of a Tetteh Quarshie Cocoa Museum in the Eastern Region...another milestone of madness of African Politicians. Ghana allows itself the luxury of having two National Holidays, Independence and Republic Day. Civilized countries with sense have only one such many days to remember their existence. When in Ghana a Holiday is falling on a Sunday, the following Monday people are asked to celebrate and abandon work bringing productivity and Tax Revenues to a standstill. Celebrating 60 years of Ghana at the expense of GHC 20 Mio., while the countrys very few Men/Women with clear mind know nonsense in Ghana is ruling over them, is a disgrace and shame to the intellectual capacity of Mankind. Woyome, SADA, Bus Branding Sagas, White Elephant Komenda Sugar Factory, indebted CPC Ltd, collapsed school buildings to kill innocent children, Bimbella killings with more tribal fights to comethe list is endless; too much! After June 3rd 2015 disaster killing more than 150 innocent people, ignorant citizens with Black colour and Ghana citizenship still dump used sachet water rubber at the spot where they stand. The White Man can stand aside the Black Man advising him to do better and recycle the small plastic bag. Only when he has the power over a Police Officer, he can ask him to arrest the offender, take him to court in which a Judge will sentence the bad boy to a heavy fine, if not paid immediately, jail him for the family to bail him out. When the White Man is giving Donor Money to Africa like Germans do now, they do not understand that help like a needle in an ocean of mindset caused problems will more do harm over time than improve the situation of Africa on a stable and sustainable basis to the extent Africa can financially support Europe and USA. To a certain extent it can be claimed that AID money kills people and extends their suffering in life, a boomerang that will sooner than later back clash to the White Man the moment when the Black Man knocks on his Door being hungry and desperate. Looking back it must be acknowledged even by the White Man that their intervention in Africa by only standing at the sideline of African Politics, has failed. At the same time, time is running out (scaring rapidly increasing population, falling commodity prices and soon empty/exploited African soil plus climate change effects) to solve the problems of the last frontier in human development and Humanity, a process that takes generations of thinking, planning, structuring and finally action to implement and make the change visible and effective. Something is now in the air as more Ghanaians this days stand before me with open, confused eyes asking in public spaces: In the midst of everything we have here in Ghana and Africa, still we are suffering. Mr. Karl, what is wrong with us? For this very reason the White Man has to take charge again as a Servant to protect his own society from destruction by the hungry Black Man and fix the Continent to make it a happy place for GODs people. All people with senses and eyes to see the see the future coming have to take their national Governments to court for misuse of Tax Payers money. Help cannot be without conditions, without a goal and time frame to make someone stand independently on his own feet. When Politicians and Social/Society fail in their extended and controversial debates still go the wrong way based on their corrupted mindset of a wrong Humanity strategy, the court is the last resource to make them stop and give to this world the much needed force by which Africa has a realistic chance to change for the better. The inner pressure of African society, the cry for help when no help is provided and doors are closed, opens the way for the Black Man to change his mindset. During this process the White Man needs power to influence processes and build the foundation for an Africa, no Black Man would dream of leaving behind. It is an illusion to think that when EU or/and USA is not helping, Russia and China will bring Africa under their controlnonsense. Africas problems can only be solved when all of us are engaged! It is inhuman to refuse Africa the Punishment for Development. Author: Dipl.-Pol. Karl-Heinz Heerde, Lashibi, Tema West, Ghana, phone +233(0)265078287, [email protected] , 15.02.2017 Dan Sackey, MD, Ecobank and other officials present the items to authorities at the Korle-Bu Maternal Ward Ecobank Ghana recently donated medical equipment, computers and scholarships worth over GH600,000 to various institutions and individuals to mark its fourth annual Ecobank Day. The annual Ecobank Day is a community-action day set aside to embark on major corporate social responsibility projects across Africa to meet identified societal needs. The maternal departments of seven hospitals in the country received various sophisticated medical equipment, while three senior high schools in Aflao received 15 computers and 100 career development books Twenty-five brilliant but needy senior high school students were each awarded three-year full scholarship. This year's theme was: 'Promoting ICT Education and Improving Maternal Health Care in Africa.' The medical equipment included suction machines, ultrasound machines, incubators, autoclave desktops, delivery beds, infant weighing scales, radiant heaters, phototherapy lights and oxygen concentrators. Dan Sackey, Managing Director of Ecobank Ghana, who presented the medical equipment to the Maternity Department of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, said similar equipment were presented to six other hospitals in the country. Other beneficiary hospitals included La General Hospital, Tema Polyclinic, Maternal-Child Health Hospital in Kumasi, Kumasi South Hospital, and Tamale Government Hospital. Mr Sackey said the bank's focus on maternal healthcare and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) stemmed from the fact that women in developing countries continued to die from preventable complications. A World Health Organisation (WHO) report indicated that 830 women died daily from preventable complications associated with pregnancy and childbirth, adding 99 percent of the deaths occurred in developing countries. This is lamentable more so for women living in rural and impoverished areas and this is what drove the decision to use Ecobank Day, this year to help reduce maternal mortality in our countries, he said. On ICT, Mr Sackey said recent studies by Aga Khan University in Kenya showed that access to ICT facilities in schools in Africa was 150 students per computer while the ratio was 15 per computer in developed countries. He said the studies also showed ICT had penetrated all sectors of economies and that showed how important it was to improve ICT studies in schools, hence the decision by Ecobank to help schools with computers this year. Dr Roberta Lamptey, Acting Medical Director of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, thanked Ecobank for the continuous support to the hospital since 2012 through the provision of $200,000, as well as, GH25,000 from the Ecobank ladies to the hospital in 2015. There are indications the 'one district, one factory' policy of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) would come to fruition to help improve the lives of the citizenry. A prominent traditional leader in the Ashanti Region, Nana Owusu Achiaw Brempong, Chief of Agona Akrofonso, has expressed preparedness to help the president to implement the policy effectively. The chief recently extended an invitation to a group of wealthy investors from the US, who arrived in Ghana on February 14, this year, to invest in the agricultural sector of Ghana. Nana Achiaw Brempoong, who schooled and worked in the US, told BUSINESS GUIDE that the investors would construct a number of factories across the country to enhance the agric sector. According to the chief, who owns large tracts of farm lands, a different group of investors from the US, recently stormed the country at his instance to support the agric sector. Nana Achiaw Brempong disclosed that the first US team of investors had started a pilot project on Nana Akufo-Addo's 'one village, one dam' policy on my farm that would be extended to other farms soon. The Agona Akrofonso chief, who is contesting in the Ashanti Regional Council of State elections, stated that Nana Akufo-Addo would positively transform the agric sector and I am prepared to help him to succeed. He implored all affluent Ghanaians, especially those in the country and abroad to come on board and also invest in the agric sector to reap the benefits from that sector. Nana Achiaw Brempong said without a buoyant agric sector, Nana Akufo-Addo's industrialization vision would be a mirage, saying we cannot import materials from overseas to feed the factories that would be constructed here. Nana Achiaw Brempong said that if elected as the Ashanti Regional representative on the Council of State, he would give advice to President Akufo-Addo to boost the agric sector and ensure food production and security. From I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi Agricultural Development Bank 16.02.2017 LISTEN Staff of the Agricultural Development Bank (adb) converged on the National Theatre on Sunday in Accra to praise God for His mercies and blessings in 2016. They drummed, danced, sang and prayed to God to protect and make them flourish in 2017 and the coming years. Managing Director (MD) of adb, Daniel Asiedu, in an address, observed that God had been merciful and generous to the bank in 2016. According to him, the rationale behind the thanksgiving service is to let the whole world know that God has favored us. The decision of staff of the bank to recognize the hand of God in their day-to-day operations has contributed to the success story of adb over the years since its inception in 1965, he added. According to him, any organization that does not recognize the hand of God in its activities cannot survive, saying so many businesses have gone under because they didn't recognize the hand of God. Commenting on the company's operations this year, he indicated that God has extended his blessings upon adb over the years, saying after reviewing its performance for this year, the bank realized in January that it made more profit than it did in the last three years. Mr. Asiedu told journalists that the bank's shares on the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) in 2016 had appreciated significantly from GH2.65 to GH3.83. Delivering the sermon, a Senior Bishop at Action Chapel International, Bishop James Saah, made reference to the book of Luke 17:2-15 during the service, stressing the need for all and sundry to remember God whenever he answers their prayers. He urged Christians not to treat God like the nine lepers whom the Bible spoke about in Luke but always show gratitude to the Lord. By Melvin Tarlue Ghanas programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is likely to be extended by eight months. The three-year programme, which began in April 2015, was expected to end by April 2018 but challenges in meeting programme targets have forced the scheduled reviews forward, a development that would affect completion date for the programme. Sources say an extension is automatic and does not leave government with the option of rejecting it. Chair of Parliament's Finance Committee, Dr. Mark Assibey Yeboah, who also confirmed this, maintained this might be good for the economy. The planned 4th and 5th reviews to assess government's performance under the programme, which should take place in April, have been put on hold for now. Sources attribute this to current discussions with the Fund on the GH7 billion undisclosed arrears. Another critical engagement is Article 4 consultations, which is a surveillance assessment by the Fund to test the health of the economy has also delayed. For some analysts, this gives credence for the programme to be extended. But Senior Minister, Yaw Osafo Marfo, says they are looking at the options available to them when it comes to the programme extension with the IMF. He, however, described recent engagement with the IMF as fruitful, saying that the Fund bought into most of its policies and was willing to work with government to stabilize the economy. Myjoyonline The Finance Unit of Stanbic Bank has donated items worth GH14,000 to the Dzorwulu Special School. The items include 17 ceiling fans, 45 yards of school uniforms, a box of A4 sheets, a box of exercise books, 80 cups, 20 buckets and two hair washing basins. The Team also sponsored the establishment of a hair dressing and sewing unit. The donation was part of the unit's annual employee initiative in support of the school. This year's donation was to revamp the school's new vocational centre. According to Darwin Mireku, Head, Corporate and Investment, Finance, Stanbic Bank, the initiative is in tandem with Stanbic Bank's culture of supporting and caring for the vulnerable. Stanbic is not just interested in making profit; we want to have an impact in the lives of the less fortunate, he said. That's why every year, we take a day off and try to touch the lives of these special students. We are committed to taking stock of the vocational centre this year, because we believe vocational training will go a long way to build them up for the future. The Dzorwulu Special School is a state funded boarding institution with both teaching and non-teaching staff. The students are usually taken through academic, cognitive and vocational skills training in order to help them properly. Veronica Sackey, Headmistress of the School, lauded the bank for the kind gesture and pledged to put the items to good use. The Finance Unit has adopted the school and pledges to periodically provide the students with learning materials whenever they request. Stanbic Bank is committed to creating prosperity and giving back to the people of Ghana. The bank provides social support in education, sports development, agricultural sector, poverty relief, health and environmental protection. Reaction to a publication on Ghana Web: Bimbilla clashes: Blame Ibn Chambas by Danaa Nantogmah, The Spokeperson of the Kpatihi family, Bimbilla The chieftaincy crisis in Nanung, is above all else, a crisis of unmanaged traditional governance structure and functions and not an individual-driven crisis. The transition to a more peaceful and just society will require measured radical changes in the actions of government, state machinery and individuals of Nanung. It calls for significant changes in the attitude and mindset of individuals like Danaa Nantogmah in Nanung, the spokesperson of Kpatihi family, Bimbilla. The throne to the paramountcy of Nanung, Bimbilla is legally contested and, it will continue to test both the aged long customary and legal systems in Ghana to their limits. The use of arms to resolve this chieftaincy problem is not part of the solutions. As the Supreme Court reviews the case, it will be of great interest to all Nanumbas who believe in the rule of law to restrain from using violence and making wild allegations as a means to solving this problem. Having said this, let me turn to some erroneous and wild allegations made against an icon and advocate of social justice, human rights, and the rule of law, Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, Special Representative of the United Nations for West Africa and the Sahel by one Danaa Nantogmah, the spokeperson for the Kpatihi family. WHAT is truth? That was Pontius Pilate's answer to Jesus's assertion that Everyone that is of the truth heareth my voice. It sounds suspiciously like the wild allegation made by Danaa Natogmah. Like the Biblical statement "Can anything good come from Nazareth" in this case "Can anything good come from Bimbilla?" The answer is yes, the gem "Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas". The overwhelming majority of the good people of Ghana and the world know the impeccable track records and personality of this number one United Nations Rep for West Africa and the Sahel. Apart from his proven-tested records in multi-track diplomacy, conflict resolution, transformation, peacekeeping, peace enforcement and peace building, his character can be matched to that of a saint if not mistaken. The Ghanaian community, West Africa community and the world as a whole can attest to this public knowledge and facts. The Truth has shared so much of itself with him-Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, love of all befriended this finest gentleman immensely that it has turned to free him of every ill-minded and black image that Danaa Nantogmah seeks to paint him. We are pretty convinced that some well-meaning family members of the Kpatihi family do not want to associate themselves with this reckless, self-fish interest and wicked lies. The grace of God will continue to shield this innocent and well-meaning nobleman from the orchestrated against him. "When they go low" Dr. Chambas will "go high" and the Almighty God will continue to let him soar higher. It is important to mention that Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas is one of the world's clearest, best informed and most serious thinker on peace and security of the world, not just Nanung, and will not meddle or fuel the chieftaincy crisis. There are more insight and good sense advice he has offered to meet the immense challenges and other sustainable development challenges in the area. The best legacy he has bequeathed the generations of Nanung is education among others. We will not touch on the legalities since the case is still pending in the highest court of the land. The ruling made mentioned by Danaa Nantogmah is a clear evidence that sufficiently demonstrated that something went wrong in the recent past in the dispensation of justice related to the chieftaincy crisis in Nanung. Evidently, let us treat these wild allegations as a deceit that lack sufficient evidence to paint the personality of Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas black. If Nanumbas are going to choose a safe route through this chieftaincy crisis, we need to change our conventional worldview like Danaa Nantogmah, the spokesperson of the Kpatihi family. This attitude and behavior are profoundly dangerous. The surest way for us to crash disastrously is to continue to believe that we know individuals who are causing the chieftaincy crisis in Nanung because then we lose our capacity for self-criticism, self-reflection that the problem can be resolved with our collective efforts. Let us look for ways to prevent and forestall horrible outcomes, not just managing things-an approach that is often ineffective and counterproductive-but reflecting on our situations and working to implement more radical far-reaching solutions. Most importantly, let us make our society and each of us a more united Nanumbas than ever. Let us know that we have entered a critical time in our traditional history, and the choices we make and the paths we choose at this junction will determine our collective future. The stakes are high as they can get but let us all turn to be good citizens of Nanung and Ghana. We pray for the repose of all departed souls in Nanung. Alhassan Marshall Keene, New Hamsphire, USA [email protected] The President of the National House of Chiefs of Togo and Paramount Chief of Notsie, Togbe Agorkoli IV, on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 paid a historic visit to the seat of government, the first time a chief from Togo has paid a courtesy call on the President of the Republic. Togbe Agorkoli IV, who was accompanied by the President of Ghana's House of Chiefs, Togbe Afede XIV, and nine other Paramount Chiefs from Togo and the Volta Region, revealed that his visit to President Akufo-Addo was to extend fraternal greetings from the people of Notsie, the ancestral home of Ewes, and the people of Togo to Ghanaians. He disclosed that the decision by President Akufo-Addo to accept his request for a meeting was indicative of the respect Ghana's President has for the institution of chieftaincy. Togbe Agorkoli indicated that the responsibility of chiefs is to adhere to the vision of their respective Heads of State. He admonished all Ghanaian traditional rulers to extend their full support and cooperation to the Akufo-Addo administration so that development, progress and prosperity can be extended to all parts of the country. Togbe Agorkoli IV also used the opportunity to invite the President to the well-known festival of the people of Notsie on September 9, 2017. Togbe Afede XIV, the Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State, on his part, indicated that Togbe Agorkoli visited President Akufo-Addo because he was inspired by your pledge and commitment to the Ghanaian people to be a 'Father for all. He added that the boldness of vision already espoused by President Akufo-Addo is one which will ensure that all ethnic and religious groupings are united with the common goal of developing the country. Addressing the delegation, President Akufo-Addo thanked Togbe Agorkoli for the visit and reciprocated the goodwill messages extended to him by the King of Notsie. President Akufo-Addo gave assurance that he would advance the solid relationship between Ghana and Togo during his term in office, revealing that at the just-ended 28th AU Summit in Addis Ababa, he and His Excellency President Faure Gnassingbe of Togo agreed to meet on a regular basis to discuss issues pertaining to the advancement of the two countries. The President further stressed that the relations existing between political and traditional rulers are essential for the wellbeing of the citizenry, and indicated that his government will do all within its power to ensure relations between these vital bodies remain cordial for the forward movement of the country. Unless something dramatic happens, I, together with Togbe Afede and the chiefs from the Volta Region, are going to be in Notsie for the celebration of the festival on September 9. Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in the forest sub-sector of Ghana have commended the new Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Peter Amewu, for immediately issuing a directive to restore sanity in the forestry sector. In a joint statement, the CSOs explained that the directive immediately deals with illegal logging, mining and encroachment in forest reserves. The 23 CSOs, including Civic Response, Forest Watch Ghana, Friends of the Earth, pointed out that the directive would further halt all special permits issued after 10th December, 2016, halt all operations of loggers with expired permits, logging of rosewood, and finally ban all rosewood exports. We believe this is a good approach to sanitizing a sector which is bedeviled with immense challenges, including endemic corruption, breakdown in professionalism and overbearing negative influence of politicians, the statement said. It contended that the rosewood situation can best be described as complete insanity. Ghana illegally exported rosewood amounting to 10% of the global trade in 2016. The problems keep escalating, as exports in the banned wood continue in flagrant defiance of the previous directives banning rosewood exports, it added. According to the statement, While Ghana has been making noticeable progress in efforts to reduce illegal logging with the implementation of the FLEGT-VPA and the contribution of many NGOs, the abuse of political power has caused an upsurge in the illegal practice in some parts of Ghana. Some forest encroachments have been masterminded by politicians, particularly in parts of the Western Region. By Melvin Tarlue Come back home, come back home Come back home, come back home Come back home; Nigerians are missing you Come back home; Nigerians are waiting for you. Mr. President, your health and wellbeing are important to us. Nigerians want to see and feel you. We are like a family whose breadwinner has been away for sometimes. We know that you feel nostalgic. But do not be in a hurry if something is yet to be finalized on your health. We are patiently waiting, praying and working for our nation in your absence. The Presidency told Nigerians the possibility of your return because you are no longer enjoying your stay outside our beloved country. Your Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu to us: As a matter of fact, we should be getting ready to see the president in fresh and that will be soon as possible. The President himself is looking to being home to be with his people. I dont think he is enjoying any longer with an extended vacation outside the country. We are happy that your vacation was utilized for many things. One thing is clear. You have shown your sincerity by granting unhindered control of the government to your vice, the vibrant and erudite compatriot, Professor Yemi Osinbajo. He has performed wonderfully in your absence. Secondly, your vacation has revealed that Nigerians are massively behind you despite the few discordant voices from some quarters. Nigerians love you and they want you to come back and look after them. Thirdly, it has shown that what unites Nigerians is stronger than what divides us because even the oppositions are heaving signs of relief that you are great and God-sent. They also feel your absence and want to see you physically at home. We are happy that you spoke with the American President. America knows the importance of Nigeria for their economic wellbeing. Mr. Trump, like his predecessor, Barack Obama, recognizes your sincerity of purpose and leadership style. Nothing is more heartwarming than this international recognition. It is the beginning of a friendship that will see Nigeria progressive amidst earlier uncertainty that the new America will antagonize your government. Many prominent Nigerians were received by you in London. Surely, it is not easy to differentiate the purposes for their visits. The heart is a sealed bag; only God knows its content(s). But be assured that millions of Nigerians who can never afford to travel are with you in prayers. By God, it is their sincere prayers that are really working for you and the nation. Many of us want nothing than good health and success for you and the nation. And so it shall be. Ameen. Your wife, Aisha recently returned from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia where she performed Umrah. She must have cried out her eyes to God for you in the Grand Mosque of Makkah. As she arrived the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, she asked Nigerians to pray harder and do good deeds for Nigeria and expressed gratitude to all Nigerians for their supports for you. Your ministers have been up and doing. The leadership of your party APC and its members are loyal and doing their best. The national assembly has been working on the 2017 Budget which you presented to them in December. You said it is going to be free from padding and we believed you. But there are reports that some things have been observed in it by the assemblymen. One of your ministers, Babatunde Raji Fashola shocked the Senate when he disclaimed the sum of N2billion voted for Regional Housing Scheme by the Ministry of Finance out of the N64.99billion budgetary proposal for the housing sector for 2017. The lawmakers in their various standing committees are carrying out wide scrutiny of at least 590 suspicious line items as budget defence by government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) goes on. Senate President Bukola Saraki was reported to have given all Senate committee chairmen a working document and directed them to thoroughly examine all allocations in the budget. The document, titled 2017 Budget: Frivolous & Suspicious Items, was prepared and presented to the National Assembly by a leading government transparency organization BudgiT, led by Seun Onigbinde which outlined the questionable 590 items in the 2017 budget from 32 MDAs. Reports say that there are about six outrageous and suspicious items that raised various questions in the ministry of Power, Works and Housing apart from other items on other ministries and parastatals of government. The document also according to reports showed that there is about seventeen line items worth over N2.1trillion in the Ministry of Transportation. This means that the padding regime is not yet over. The civil servants are hungry, though patient and yearning for your return to increase their salaries. There are stories, just like before, that smile will soon be put on their faces. The Nigerian farmers want you back. The Nigerian children want their grandfather back home to give them warmth and love. We want to assure you that our love for you is great, our wishes for our nation are magnificent, our expectations are high and we wish you safe journey back home. Muhammad Ajah is an advocate of humanity, peace and good governance in Abuja. E-mail [email protected] PM tells CEC dates for polls by Sunday Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Wednesday assured Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Ayodhee Prasad Yadav that the government would declare the dates for local level elections by February 19 (Sunday). Still suffering from lower oil prices, Tullow Oil has announced that it will not pay a shareholder dividend payment for the foreseeable future. The company prefers to pay down debt and preserve cash for capital investments. Last week, Tullow Oil reported mixed results for the 2016 year. Revenues declined by 21% to $1.2 billion, down from $1.6 billion in 2015, however, the Net Loss After Taxes of $597 million, compared favorably to the Net Loss of $1,037 million in 2015. More importantly, Net Cash Flow of $774 million declined in 2016 from $967 million in 2015. With Capital expenditures of $857 million exceeding Cash Flow by $83 million in 2016, it's no surprise that the Directors voted to suspend the Dividend. In 2017, Tullow expects Capital expenditures to drop to roughly $500 million, due to the completion of work at the TEN fields, located off the coast of Ghana, whose ownership is still being disputed by the Ivory Coast. Tullow's operations in Ghana are certainly one of its bright spots. Tullow Oil reported that in Ghana it produced 65,500 barrels per day and Tullow expects to produce from 78-85,000 barrels per day in 2017. This includes factoring in the projected shutdown of the Jubilee Field later in 2017 to fix faulty drilling equipment. Tullow Oil expects to be meeting soon with the new government to review its 2017 drilling plans. Exploration Director at Tullow, Angus McCoss reported to Ghanaweb that Tullow looks forward to the approval of the development plan so Tullow can maintain full production in the Jubilee Field. McCoss said: We will be talking to the new government and expect that to have the Jubilee Field development plan approved by the middle of the year so that we can work in our real capacity as required to make sure we can maintain full production in Jubilee Field. Tullow Oil, with a reputation for exploring oil in exotic places in the world and does not draw the attention of the huge, multinational oil giants. Currently, Tullow Oil is active in countries such as Ghana, Uganda, Kenya, Uruguay, Guyana, and Jamaica, which are not places one expects to see Exxon or BP. Tullow Oil remains very optimistic that despite recording losses for the last three years, the combination of reduced capital needs, access to highly profitable light crude, and an active and successful exploration program will restore profitability and growth. By Richard Liebman Competition on the Accra Lagos flight route has been intensified with an additional airline operating effective today (February 16, 2017). The Nigerian owned Air Peace which operates an intra-city flight in Nigeria, has since extended its services to Accra due to the increased passenger volumes along the route. The move also comes at a time that Ghana is positioning itself to become an aviation hub within the sub-region. Speaking at the launch of the first flight to Accra, the Chief Operations Officer of Air Peace, Oluwatoyin Olajide told Citi Business News its preference for Ghana is influenced by the potential in the country's aviation sector. We chose Ghana because we believe Ghana is a gateway to Africa which has a lot of potential, we believe strongly in the people of Ghana and we believe that commencing from Ghana and eventually making it a hub for us will be a big reality, she said. Madam Olajide added, For now we cannot say much about the cost of operation because so far the authorities have been so co-operative and but going along, we will. Air Peace will operate a daily seamless flight between Lagos and Accra. It is expected to be in competition with other airlines operating inter-regional flights. They include Africa World Airlines and Arik Air. Some of the interventions that the new government intends to roll out include reducing cost of aviation fuel to ease the cost borne by airlines which eventually increase their air ticket fares. Speaking at the same event, the Nigerian Ambassador to Ghana, Mrs Adekunbi Sonaike-Ayodeji was confident the operations of Air Peace will deepen Ghana's trade and bilateral relations. The Minister of Aviation, Cecelia Dapaah has stressed the need for Ghana to adopt strategies to tap into the 326 million and 1.2 million passenger volumes for ECOWAS and Africa respectively, recorded in 2016. By: Pius Amihere Eduku/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana Senior lecturers and staff at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), are on strike. They have resolved to stay out of the lecture halls and other offices until a substantive Deputy Rector is elected. A convocation to elect a Deputy Rector today [Thursday], was called off by the acting Registrar, Julius Atikpui, who explained in a letter that the decision was reached in consultation with the Ministry of Education, and the National Council for Tertiary Education. However, the staff believe the decision to cancel the convocation is a deliberate one to frustrate the process, hence the notice of a strike. According to a mail sent to all staff members and seen by Citi News, the decision to strike arose from the failure by GIMPA Management to conform to a key element of voting to elect a Deputy Rector today as provided within the road map of 31st January, 2017. It further added that,the behaviour by Management is contrary to the advice of the lawyers. The letter also asked staff members to be bold and resilient in the decision taken. Please be bold and conform to this directive. This applies to both administrative, teaching and supporting staff. The strike action will remain in force until we have a satisfactory resolution; a Deputy Rector is elected. Meanwhile, some students of the institution have expressed worry about the latest development. By: Felicia Osei/citifmonline.com/Ghana The news has emerged or unfolded in the public domain; reported by the media that His Excellency President Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo has been blocked by the NPP gurus from appointing Kwabena Agyei Agyepong a Minister for Sports. If indeed the President made any such attempts and was disrespectfully blocked as reported, what lessons are there for us to learn from the whole saga? Firstly, the President has shown that he holds no grudge against Kwabena Agyepong, my own son by the Ashanti tradition, although Kwabena publicly exhibited some attitudes towards Nana and NPP that could be interpreted by many a Ghanaian as having some malicious intent. His behaviours angered me so much that after my numerous publications to get him to refrain from such pursuits failed, I personally led the crusade to oust him from his cushy post. Did I not place many advisory publications on both Ghanaweb and Modernghana for his attention but he ignored all those fatherly advice? The President by his attempt has proved to Kwabena Agyepong that he was not the wicked type that he, Kwabena, had sought to sabotage by his probable association with the rumoured Agenda 2020. That agenda was meant to scupper Nana Akufo Addos chances of ever becoming the president of Ghana. However, man proposes, but God disposes. Again, as action speaks louder than words, Kwabena cannot deny before God and man that he was up to something dodgy that had the potential to deny then NPP flag bearer, Nana Akufo Addo, accession to the presidency. Secondly, it is good that the President was blocked from offering Kwabena Agyepong a ministerial post as he had intended or attempted to. The reason is if he had succeeded in appointing him a Minister, other people might decide to do same as Kwabena did and hope to get away with it. If Kwabena could grab the post of a Minister after all his diabolic acts, why not me, a future saboteur may say? In order to serve a notice to would-be saboteurs, and for them to understand that there is no reward for playing the devil, it is good that the President was blocked from executing his good intentions about Kwabena Agyepong. It is a good act of deterrence! Nonetheless, I shall be disgusted at the attitude of the NPP gurus if indeed, they behaved irresponsibly towards the President when he disclosed his good plans for Kwabena Agyepong. According to what I read on Ghanaweb, the gurus in venting their venomous anger forgot to recognise that Nana Akufo Addo is now a President. If it is true as reported, then I should really be annoyed with those gurus. Much as I do appreciate their action, I do disagree with the way they did carry their bitter feelings across. Let it be known to them that about 90% of the electorates voted for NPP just because of the personality of Nana Akufo Addo. His incorruptibility, honesty, dynamism, dedication to serve his people and nation etc., endeared him to the Ghanaian masses hence the Ghanaian electorates voting massively for him and NPP on 7 December 2016. Those NPP gurus who were disrespectful to him should please go back and render their heartfelt apologies to him. Finally, I conclude by saying Kwabena Agyepong should have vigorously identified himself on the ground with NPP during the electioneering campaign if he ever entertained the idea or wish to play a future role in the government of NPP. I published an article requesting him to effectively join the campaign but as obstinate as he has always been, he refused to adhere to the wise admonition exuding from the overflowing fountain of wisdom from the (Agona clan) son of Kumawu/Asiampa. I am privileged to foresee things but my son did not listen to me. He is understood to have donated GHC85, 000 towards the NPP campaign to help our contestants in some perceived difficult constituencies, however, his presence on the ground could worth more than the money to bring him back into the good books of NPP. I was happy to see Mr Alan Kwadwo Kyeremateng campaign tirelessly alongside Nana Akufo Addo to ensure Nana won the election. Following that, the respect for him by the public has been boosted. Anyway, Kwabena was in a dilemma, wedged between the rock and a hard surface. If he had come out openly to campaign for NPP, the Mahama family or the NDC would have come out with any secret information on his underhand dealings with them if indeed Ibrahim Mahama had bought him a car as alleged. To avoid any such difficult to handle embarrassment, he did better choose to remain quite unlike the chirping Paul Afoko. However, he could in the end not have his cake and eat it. He could not fleece the NDC, if indeed he did as alleged, and still hope to enjoy with NPP after all his perceived acts of sabotage. If he proves himself a reformed person, in the course of time, His Excellency President Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo Addo may be permitted by the NPP gurus to reconsider him for government appointment. Rockson Adofo Two persons have been confirmed dead with several others injured in an accident involving a Toyota Highlander, and an urvan minibus on the Techiman-Sunyani road. The Toyota Highlander crashed into the urvan minibus, near Nsuta, a suburb of Techiman. The accident occurred at about 10:00 am on Thursday, with the driver of the urvan passenger bus along with a female passenger dying on the spot, according to police. The 2016 New Patriotic Party Parliamentary candidate for Kintampo South, Alexander Gyan, was on board the Toyota Highlander heading towards Sunyani for the Council of State elections. Alexander Gyan, however sustained minor injuries and is being treated at the Holy Family Hospital. Over 10 others are reported to be in critical condition, but are responding to treatment at the Holy Family Hospital. The two deceased persons, yet to be identified, are also at the hospitals morgue awaiting autopsy. By: Kojo Agyemang/citifmonline.com/Ghana Lisbon (AFP) - Portuguese prosecutors on Thursday charged Angolan Vice President Manuel Vicente with corruption over allegations he bribed a magistrate with roughly 760,000 euros ($800,000) in 2012 to drop two investigations against him. Vicente, who was the president of Angolan national oil company Sonangol at the time of the alleged crimes, is charged with bribery, money laundering and document falsification, the public prosecutors' office said in a statement. His alleged accomplices, his lawyer Paulo Blanco and his business representative in Portugal, Armindo Pires, were also charged over the affair, as was the Portuguese magistrate who he is accused of having bribed, Orlando Figueira. Figueira, who was arrested in 2016 and is currently under house arrest, was charged with accepting bribes, document falsification, money laundering and violation of the confidentiality of an official investigation. Vicente has denied any involvement in the affair, saying shortly after Figueira's arrest that he had "absolutely nothing to do with any payment". He will be notified of his indictment through an official letter sent to the authorities in Angola, an oil and diamond rich former Portuguese colony in southwestern Africa, the prosecutors' office said. According to Portuguese media reports, one of the investigations which Figueira allegedly dropped in exchange for cash centred on the origin of funds which Vicente used to buy a luxury apartment in a Lisbon suburb. In 2012, attempts to investigate alleged money laundering and tax evasion by several Angolan officials in Portugal sent a chill in relations between the two countries, which have strong economic ties. Portugal is Angola's main source of imports and Portuguese companies are active in banking and construction in the vast African country. In turn, Angolan investors including state oil company Sonangol -- currently headed by billionaire businesswoman Isabel dos Santos, the daughter of Angola's President Jose Eduardo dos Santos -- have built up significant stakes in Portugal's top telecommunications firms and banks. Dos Santos announced earlier this month he will not run in elections in August, signalling the end to 37 years in power and naming his defence minister Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco as the candidate to succeed him. Vicente was once considered to be a possible successor to Dos Santos. His Majesty King Mohammed VI of the Kingdom of Morocco, has arrived in Ghana for a two-day state visit. King Mohammed VI arrived at the Kotoka International Airport at 5pm today Thursday, February 16 2017, with his entourage. He was met on arrival by the Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, the Foreign Affairs Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey and other government officials. An earlier trip to Ghana in January was postponed. The visit is aimed at deepening the existing cordial relations between Ghana and Morocco, as well as present an opportunity to define new areas of co-operation that would serve the mutual interests of the two countries. King Mohammed VI is also expected to hold bilateral talks with President Akufo-Addo at the Flagstaff House. -Starrfmonline The King of the Kingdom of Morocco, His Majesty King Mohammed VI, accompanied by some members of his government and business leaders have arrived in Ghana for a three-day visit. This comes a few days after his country was accepted into the African Union. King Mohammed VI was due in Accra last month but the visit was later postponed. President Akufo-Addo is expected to hold bilateral talks with the King at the Flagstaff House tomorrow. The meeting is aimed at deepening the cordial relations between Ghana and Morocco and will present the two countries with an opportunity to define new areas of co-operation to serve their mutual interests. King Mohammed VI considers Africa as a priority for which he has paid 39 visits to 21 African countries. He is expected to depart for Morocco on Saturday. By: Farida Shaibu/citifmonline.com/Ghana Call me a nerd. But I must admit theres nothing like a good sift through the dictionary to fire up the brain. That might sound a little weird. But sometimes its good to get clarification of something important. Like resources. You know what resources are; gold, iron ore, coal, copper, gas, these are a few examples. But do you really know what a resource is? I knew too. But I decided the other day to double check. Just for my own clarification. And while it didnt open any Pandoras box, it did make me realise theres far more to resources than you might think. Stock and supply create a market The Google search for what is a resource brings up a lot of information. For example, the definition of a resource is, a stock or supply of money, materials, staff, and other assets that can be drawn on by a person or organisation in order to function effectively. There are some critical words in there. Such as Stock and supply. Thats the first thing that jumps off the page at me. Its this stock and supply thats incredibly relevant to three particular ASX stocks that my colleague Jason Stevenson has uncovered. These resource plays arent like any other on earth. Theyre about to cash in on an opportunity that could see them return 100x your investment in a matter of months. Jasons has been working in stealth mode on this research for months. And hes only now confident the market is ripe to release these Gigastocks into the wild. Its incredible research, which you would be crazy not to take a look at. The resource opportunities Jason has found are ones that dig up dirt (valuable dirt I might add). These are more traditional resources. But looking again at the definition of resource theres something else that catches my interest. Its the reference to other assets. We often think of resources companies as the dirt diggers. But the reality is resource companies can be anything that uses an asset to function effectively. Its also the stock and supply of these other assets that creates a market. Or in some cases destroys a market. The resource of taxi licences At the local supermarket on Monday I saw a headline in the Express & Star that read, Taxi Drivers In Standstill Threat. I did a double take because the very same day in Melbourne were headlines that read, Melbourne taxi drivers protest as cabbies face financial ruin NEWS.com.au Melbourne taxi protest causes chaos Sky News Australia Melbourne taxi protest against Uber changes causes traffic chaos The Guardian Opposite ends of the world, suffering the same problem on the same day. Thats worth a double take. Distance may separate the taxi industry in the Midlands in the UK from Metropolitan Melbourne. But they both share a common threat. You know what Uber is. You know the service they offer. And you know that theyre forcing the taxi industry into major overhaul. In Melbourne its caused the state government to compulsorily acquire taxi licences from the incumbent taxi operators. And the industry is in uproar. Let me be clear on something. I despise the taxi industry in Melbourne. In the 30 years of living there, not once did I have a good experience with Melbournes cabs. Until Uber came along. Then it changed. It changed because Uber had a better, safer, more reliable service. It turned the industry on its head. It continues to turn the industry on its head. This kind of competition is outstanding. Its natural selection of the corporate world. Adapt and survive, or become extinct. Thats capitalism working at its finest. If left to their own devices the industry would naturally change for the better. Instead the government has stuck their nose in where it doesnt belong. And theyve once again stuffed things up. The incumbent taxi operators all held licences to operate cabs. In most instances they paid a lot of money for these licences. Back around 2010/11 perpetual taxi licence holders were paying around $500,000 for a single licence. Even in September 2015 a taxi licence transfer price was around the $260,000 mark. But looking at the chart below, the value of those licences has been in freefall. Source: Taxi Services Commission Click to enlarge You know what that chart looks like? It looks like the chart youd see for a resource like gold, iron ore or copper. Thats because a taxi licence isnt that different to your traditional resources. In fact a taxi licence is a resource and as you can clearly see, the tumbling prices are killing the industry. But is that a bad thing? In short, yes. Im highly critical of the incumbents. But the government decision to acquire their licences is authoritarian government at its finest. And its not on. The government wants to compulsorily acquire existing taxi licences. Theyre willing to pay $100,000, plus $50,000 for each additional licence held. And the funds for that are coming fromyou. Paying for a worthless resource When you take a ride in a cab or an Uber youll pay a $2 surcharge. Sorry, a $2 tax. That money will go to buying back the licences from the incumbents. Congratulations, you are buying a worthless resource from an industry thats on its knees. Imagine if the government forced you to spend money buying up silver while the silver price was tanking. Or imagine the government forcing you to sell them your home because they want to build a new rail tunnel that no one wants (oh, sorry, they are doing that). Any forced action or tax to support a failing market is inexcusable. Its the government again showing how incompetent they are at managing an economy. The government has no business in this industry. This resource of taxi licences is a market, where supply and demand sort out the price. The government thinks its helping cabbies. The cabbies think theyre getting screwed. The real outcome is you get screwed. You end up with blockades, protests, horrible services, and in the end, an Uber-dominated city anyway. Even if the incumbents fail, it will be through their own doing. They will rue the day they had a chance to cash in $100,000 and didnt, when a licence is worth $10. But thats how markets work. Thats natural selection. However, what could be even worse is an Uber monopoly. No monopoly has ever been good for society. But it can be incredible for investors (while Uber is yet to go public, Id watch this space). The market needs companies and competition like Lyft, BlaBlaCar, Uber and yes, even yellow cabs. Competition is vital for a thriving market the government sticking their nose in is not. Regards, Sam Hydropower Project: Politicians continue to sell West Seti dream to locals in Farwest Last Saturday, Energy Minister Janardan Sharma arrived in the far western village of Dhungad in a chopper to meet locals who are likely to be affected by proposed West Seti Hydroelectric Project, which is expected to generate at least 600 megawatts of electricity. The White House has released the full text of the telephone call between President Trump of America and Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria The news is coming after some Nigerians refused to believe the call actually took place. According to reports from the Presidency, President Buhari spoke with President Trump on Monday, February 13. This however generated a lot of controversies. But according to a release on the official website of the White House titled 'readout of the Presidents Call with President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria,' Trump discussed diverse issues with his Nigeria counterpart. The press release read in full: President Donald J. Trump spoke this week with President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria to discuss the strong cooperation between the United States and Nigeria, including on shared security, economic, and governance priorities. President Trump underscored the importance the United States places on its relationship with Nigeria, and he expressed interest in working with President Buhari to expand the strong partnership. The leaders agreed to continue close coordination and cooperation in the fight against terrorism in Nigeria and worldwide. President Trump expressed support for the sale of aircraft from the United States to support Nigerias fight against Boko Haram. PAY ATTENTION: Get the latest News on Legit.ng News App President Trump thanked President Buhari for the leadership he has exercised in the region and emphasized the importance of a strong, secure, and prosperous Nigeria that continues to lead in the region and in international forums," it added. Recall that a group, International Society for Civil Liberties and the Rule of Law (Intersociety) urged Nigerians not to believe the reported call between President Trump and his Nigerian counterpart, Buhari until the White House confirms it. The group insisted that it lacks credibility that Presidential media adviser Femi Adesina who is unaware of the presidents whereabouts to know the exact thing the two presidents discussed Source: Legit.ng A school allegedly belonging to Unoma Akpabio has been seized by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Unoma is the wife of the immediate past governor of Akwa Ibom state, Godswill Akpabio The governor is being investigated by the anti-graft agency A report by The Punch indicates that the EFCC has seized a school allegedly belonging to the Mrs Unoma Akpabio. EFCC allegedly seize Senator Godswill Akpabio's wife school Unoma is the wife of the immediate past governor of Akwa Ibom state, Godswill Akpabio, who is currently the Senate minority leader. Senator Akpabio and his wife, Unoma According to the report, the seizure was part of investigations into the former governor who has been accused of alleged N108bn fraud during his tenure from 2007 to 2015. The school, St. John Paul II School in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state has been marked under investigation by EFCC. It was learnt that the EFCC resorted to marking the school instead of shutting it so that innocent parents and students who had paid school fees would not be adversely affected. PAY ATTENTION: Get the latest News on Legit.ng News App The school had reportedly been under the watch of the EFCC considering the enormous amount said to have been sunk into its construction. A senior operative at the EFCC confirmed that the school had been seized. I understand our operatives were recently in Akwa Ibom and did mark a school as under investigation, he said. Since August 2016, the EFCC has been intensifying investigation into the former governor and was reportedly planning to seize his properties and freeze accounts linked to him. The EFCC had written five banks demanding information on Akwa Ibom state finances under Akpabios administration. The commission also invited key members of the Akwa Ibom state House of Assembly and serving commissioners many of whom served during the ex-governors administration. A source at the EFCC said: We have written to Zenith Bank, Keystone Bank, FCMB, Skye Bank, and UBA demanding information on the states accounts. We are also inviting the accountant-general, the auditor-general, the Speaker and the clerk of the House of Assembly. We have traced some houses to the former governor in Lagos and Abuja and it is just a matter of time before we seize them. READ ALSO: Tuface protest is not the solution to Nigerias problem, says Akpabio Meanwhile, Akpabio, has urged governors elected on the platform of the the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to emulate Ekiti state governor Ayodele Fayose. Akpabio who made the comment at the 73rd National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the PDP held on Thursday, January 26, in Abuja, commended Fayose for speaking for the party. Source: Legit.ng - There are report that Atiku Abubakar will run for presidency in 2019 in the PDP - This will be determined f President Buhari runs again in 2019 - The former vice president has reportedly been meeting with top PDP members There are reports that former vice president, Atiku Abubakar is making arrangement to return to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to contest the 2019 presidential election. The Punch reports that the former vice president will be battling it out with Alhaji Sule Lamido, the former governor of Jigawa state. Atiku reportedly makes plan to replace Buhari in 2019 READ ALSO: Atiku will contest for 2019 presidency under PDP ticket PDP leader It was reported that both politicians have spoken to the leadership of the party on their interest in running for the presidency on the platform of the party. Although Atiku is still an APC member, there are reports that he might leave if President Muhammadu Buhari choses to run for a second term. A member of the Board of Trustees of the PDP who spoke on the condition of anonymity claimed Atiku was deep in consultation with the party. He said Nigerians will be surprised at the calibre of people who have been engaging in talks with the party. He said: Atiku knows that he may not have the chance to contest the APC ticket, and thats why we have been talking. READ ALSO: Igbo presidency lies in the hands of Nigerians - Atiku He wants to be President and as it is, nothing is sure for him in his new party. He still believes that his former party, which is the PDP, is a formidable party on which platform he can realise his age-long ambition. This speculated is fuelled by Atikus recent visit to former head of state, Ibrahim Babangida although he denied that it has anything to do with the 2019 election. Source: Legit.ng Preparations complete for Shivaratri festival in Pashupati The Pashupati Area Development Trust has said that it has almost completed the preparations for the upcoming Mahashivaratri, a major Hindu festival dedicated to Lord Shiva. Rivers state governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has taken a major decision The governor relieved the state commissioner of health, Dr Theophilus Odagme of his appointment yesterday, February 15 No reason was given for the as decision The Rivers state governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has relieved the state commissioner of health, Dr Theophilus Odagme of his appointment. Governor Wike fires Rivers state health commissioner Briefing journalists after the state executive council meeting on Wednesday, February 15 the state information commissioner, Dr Austin Tam-George noted that the governor wished the former commissioner well in his future endeavour. Tam-George was however silent on why the decision was taken. The decision is coming two days after Acting President Yemi Osinbajo left the state after an official visit. READ ALSO: Governor Wike reveals why he has stopped going to Abuja Similarly, the Benue state governor, Samuel Ortom, sacked four of his commissioners and a special adviser on the same day. According to a statement by the special adviser to the governor on media, Mr Tahav Argezua, the governor also announced the appointment of Professor Anthony Ijohor, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, as the secretary to the Benue state government. Those affected by the exercise are the commissioner for information and orientation, Chief Odeh Ageh, his colleagues in the ministries of women affairs and social Development, Mwuese Mnyim; water resources and environment, Nick Wende; and arts, culture and tourism, Sekav Iyortyom. Argezua added that the special adviser on small, medium enterprises and micro financing, Dr. Augustine Idogah, was also sacked. PAY ATTENTION: Get the latest News on Legit.ng News App Meanwhile, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has given Governor Wike the nick name 'Mr Projects' because of his high profile projects across the state. Osinbajo who made the declaration at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Monday, February 13 added that he was impressed by the project sites he visited. Source: Legit.ng The youth wing of Peoples Democratic Party has recommended that Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers and Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti states should visit President Buhari. The youth wing of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has recommended that Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers and Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti states should visit President Muhammadu Buhari in London. The group which is also called the PDP Youth Frontier said visiting the president was not the exclusive right of the All Progressive Congress members only. PAY ATTENTION: Get the latest News on Legit.ng News App They made this known on their twitter handle saying: Buhari health is not the APC internal affairs alone therefore PDP youths recommending that Fayose and Wike should also visit him in London. The twitter reaction was as a result of the recent visit of Senate President Bukola Saraki and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, to President Muhammadu Buhari at the Abuja House in London. The Senate president and speaker of the House of Representatives departed for London to meet the president on Wednesday morning, February 15 to visit Buhari probably to know the status of his health, given the negative reactions concerning him. Source: Legit.ng Budhigandaki Hydroelectric Project: Residents likely to receive compensation this week The District Administration Office (DAO), Gorkha is likely to start distributing compensation to residents of three VDCs for their land taken over by the Budhi Gandaki Hydroelectric Project this week. Nigerian music producer, Benjamin Obaze popularly known as Spellz has welcomed his first child, a baby boy in the United States. Music Producer, Spellz welcomes baby boy in US A very excited father shared the news on his social media page with a photo of the new born and captioned it: READ ALSO: JohnPaul Nwadike cutting his twin boys umbilical cords as his wife puts to bed 'Thank God every man doesnt have a wife like you or else every man would claim to be the happiest in the world. Thanks wifey. #itsaboy #mywifeandkid #bundleofjoy #welcometotheworld #YoungKing All glory to the most high'. Music Producer, Spellz wedding Spellz got married on Sunday, February 28, 2016 to his beautiful wife Hadiza Dije Badaki on at Oriental Hotels Lagos. The couple got engaged in August 2015 after Spellz proposed to her during a family dinner. READ ALSO: Famous music producer Spellz weds in style DJ Spellz is also known as sound god. He has produced for A-list artists like 2Baba, Banky W, Dammy Krane, Tiwa Savage and others Congratulations to the new parent. Source: Legit.ng The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara has said that President Muhammadu Buhari is as fit as a fiddle. Dogara in a tweet on Thursday, February 16, described his encounter with President Buhari at the Abuja House, London saying: After burning national issues, it was all PMB's vintage humorous jokes. I'm so elated he is as fit as a fiddle PAY ATTENTION: Get the latest News on Legit.ng News App The Senate president, Bukola Saraki led the leadership of both the Senate and House of Representatives on a visit to the president after the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the former Ogun State governor Bisi Akande visited Buahri in London. Meanwhile, President Buhari thanked all Nigerians after his meeting with Senate President, Bukola Saraki and Speaker of the House of Representative. Buhari in a statement thanked Nigerians for the prayers and kind wishes. He said: I thanked them for visiting. I'm also grateful to Nigerians, Christians and Muslims alike, for their prayers and kind wishes for my health. Source: Legit.ng Femi Adesina who is the special adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on media and publicity has said that the president will not speak to Nigerians as he has a right to his vacation. The presidents extended vacation in the UK has caused a stir in the country with many speculating about his state of health. READ ALSO: Buhari is healthy and there is no power vacuum - Saraki The Senate president, Bukola Saraki and the Speaker of the House, Yakubu Dogara were the latest people to visit the resident in UK although many have urged him to speak with Nigerians to dispel rumour about his state of health. Adesina who appeared on a show on TVC on Thursday, February 16 said the president has a right to his vacation and there was no need to intrude. On the issue of the presidents health, he said: It is a matter of opinion and that those who say are welcome to their opinion as there are some people who dont want to believe the word of other people and no matter what you say or do you have not done it well hence you leave them to their opinion. READ ALSO: Deputy Speaker Lasun to join Saraki, Dogara in London for Buhari's visit If Buhari will speak to Nigerians it will be his choice his prerogative we dont need to intrude what some people want to do is to ram it dawn his throat willy willy it is a point of principle that Buhari is not speaking to Nigerians. Source: Legit.ng RPP unanimous on Thapa as its chair The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) has made a unanimous decision to appoint incumbent Chairman Kamal Thapa as the next chairman of the party. One person sustained injury as a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) helicopter conveying personnel on medical outreach programme at Gwoza in Borno state on Wednesday, February 15, came under attack by Boko Haram members. This was disclosed by the Nigerian Air Force spokesman, Group Captain Ayodele Famuyiwa in a statement on Thursday, February 16. Scores of B'Haram members killled as sect attacks Air Force helicopter in Gwoza READ ALSO: Nigerian Air Force promotes 78 senior officers According to Famuyiwa, the Mi-17 helicopter was shot at severally by the insurgents, Daily Trust reports. However, there was no casualty except for an airman that sustained bullet wound. Famuyiwa said that the helicopter had departed from Maiduguri enroute the venue of the two-day medical outreach programme in Gwoza when it came under attack by the insurgents. He added: Nevertheless, the pilot was able to fly the helicopter safely to and from its destination to enable the outreach programme continue uninterrupted. Following the attack, the NAF immediately scrambled a fighter aircraft and helicopter gunship to the location between Bama and Gwoza to neutralise the threat. Intelligent report by ground troops confirmed scores of BHTs were killed, signifying that the air attack on the threat location was successful. Recall recalled that the NAF has been conducting medical outreach in the North East as part of its humanitarian support to Internally Displaced Persons. "The latest of this effort was in Gwoza. This follows a similar effort undertaken recently for IDPs in Lagos area. Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has intensified air operations in support of Operation Rescue Finale so as to create an enabling environment for troops to undertake final onslaught against the remnants of Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) in the Sambisa forest. According to a report from NAF headquarters, the latest air operations involve air interdiction and armed reconnaissance by NAF fighter jets and helicopter gunships against Boko Haram terrorists camps and major hideouts. Source: Legit.ng Second arrest over death of Kim's brother A second woman has been arrested in connection with the death of Kim Jong-nam, the brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. - The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is set to clash with Nigerian governors over a probe of how they spent the Paris Club debt refund - The governors, who met in Abuja, Nigeria's capital, are poised for war as they say EFCC must produce the report of its investigation The Nigeria Governors' Forum (NGF) has dared the Economic and Finance Crimes Commission (EFCC) and its chairman, Ibrahim Magu, to go ahead and probe them over the scandal rocking the N552.74 Paris Club loan refunds. The EFCC is said to be probing how the fund was spent There are allegations that the governors diverted the funds instead of paying salaries and engaging in infrastructure development. Daily Trust reports that the governors gave the challenge on Thursday, February 16 after a close-door meeting they held at the Old Banquet Hall of the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja. READ ALSO: 12 politicians who decamped to APC will not win any seat in South-East - Ezeife The chairman of the NGF and governor of Zamfara, Abdulaziz Yari, said the governors discussed the issue in details and said they were ready and waiting for a probe. "We discussed the issue of Paris Club and London Club. We observed that the EFCC said it is doing investigations. Yeah, we support the federal government for fighting corruption. "We are waiting for the EFCC to come up with what they say is the investigation and come up with the result," Yari said. President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the fund to be distributed to the governors on December 22, 2016. He also directed governors to pay salaries with part of the money. READ ALSO: EFCC boss Magu, governors in face-off over Paris Club loan refund The EFCC reportedly commenced investigations into allegations of misappropriation of the fund. The EFCC was yet to react at the time of this report. Source: Legit.ng Nigerias debt profile has hit N17.36 trillion according to the Debt Management Office (DMO). Shehu Sani wants Nigeria to seek for debt forgiveness The director-general of DMO, Abraham Nwankwo, reportedly said this on Thursday, February 16, 2017 as it has also been revealed that the country would not seek any debt reprieve. Premium Times reports that Nwankwo, who appeared before the Senate committee on local and foreign debts chaired by Shehu Sani, said Nigerias economy is too strong to ask for debt pardon. He disclosed that Nigerias total debt profile as at December 31, 2016 rose to $57.39 billion, which is N17.36 trillion if converted. READ ALSO: Governors dare EFCC over alleged probe of Paris fund spending A breakdown of the debt profile shows that it comprises of $11.41 billion (N3.48 trillion) foreign debt and $45.98billion (N13.88 trillion) domestic debt. He said the external debt rose by 6.53 percent in 2016 from $10.71 billion on December 31, 2015, while the domestic debt profile rose from N8.84 trillion in December 2015 to N11.06 trillion. According to him, Nigeria paid $353.093 million for external debt service in 2016 instead of the projected $421.893 million. This, he said, showed a shortfall of 16.31 percent difference between the projected debt service estimate and what was actually paid. He said though the economy was facing a major challenge, it is very strong and does not need debt forgiveness. Nigeria is not in a position to beg for forgiveness. We are still a strong economy. Although there are challenges, but we have not got to the stage to ask for debt forgiveness, he said. However, Sani was not happy with Nwakwos position that the countrys economy was sound. He reminded the latter of how former President Olusegun Obasanjo got debt forgiveness. READ ALSO: National Assembly threatens to arrest bosses of oil companies over unpaid billions But in response, Nwakwo said: I dont think I have the mandate and I dont want to presume that I have the capability to come here and pontificate on how all the problems of Nigeria can be resolved because that is not my mandate. And I will be very presumptuous to be saying that. Source: Legit.ng Sorry! This content is not available in your region Subscribe | What is RSS Date: February 16, 2017 Contact: Denise Germann, 307 739 3393 February 16, 2017Denise Germann, 307 739 3393 Park rangers recovered the body of a backcountry ski mountaineer at the bottom of a couloir on the south aspect of the South Teton Wednesday, February 15, at approximately 6 p.m. The skier is identified as John Jack Fields Jr., age 26, a current resident of Jackson, Wyoming. Teton Interagency Dispatch Center received a call for assistance at approximately 11a.m. Wednesday with a report of a backcountry skier who fell in the area of the Amore Vida Couloir and was not responding via his radio. The three other members of the party remained above the couloir and made the call for help. Park rangers requested the Teton County Search and Rescue helicopter and conducted an aerial reconnaissance of the area. The victim was visually located. The three park rangers on board the helicopter were flown to Snowdrift Lake, and skied and hiked to the scene. Upon arrival at approximately 1:45 p.m. Fields was determined to be deceased. It is believed he died from injuries sustained in the fall. His body was removed via a helicopter long-line operation and transported to the Sawmill Ponds Overlook near the north end of the Moose-Wilson Road. The body was turned over to the Teton County Coroners Office. Fields was in a party of four that had summited the South Teton and planned to ski down via the Amore Vida Couloir. On the approach to the Amore Vida Couloir, Fields fell and slid out of sight from the other individuals. He fell approximately 1,400 vertical feet in an unnamed couloir between Amore Vida Couloir and the southeast face of the South Teton. As the body was being recovered, the other three individuals in the party waited at a location approximately 1,300 feet below the summit of the South Teton. They waited for snow conditions to improve before ascending back to the summit of the South Teton and making their descent down Garnet Canyon. The party arrived safely at the Taggart Lake Trailhead at 10:30 p.m. Park rangers report highly variable conditions in the backcountry at this time. Snow can vary from soft and wet surfaces to rock-hard wind slab or breakable crusts with subtle changes in aspect and elevation. The addition of the incendiary right-wing writer Milo Yiannopoulos to Fridays lineup for the HBO late-night series Real Time With Bill Maher quickly proved controversial on Wednesday evening when another guest, the journalist Jeremy Scahill, said he would not appear on the show because of Mr. Yiannopouloss booking. Mr. Scahill, a co-founder and editor of the news site The Intercept, announced his decision on Twitter only hours after Mr. Yiannopouloss scheduled appearance was made public. Mr. Scahill said that allowing Mr. Yiannopoulos to appear on Real Time was many bridges too far. He has ample venues to spew his hateful diatribes, Mr. Scahill said in a statement. There is no value in debating him. Appearing on Real Time will provide Yiannopoulos with a large, important platform to openly advocate his racist, anti-immigrant campaign. It will be exploited by Yiannopoulos in an attempt to legitimize his hateful agenda. NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. Union organizers fell far short on Wednesday in a bid to enlist workers at Boeings South Carolina facilities in what was widely viewed as an early test of labors strength in the Trump era. Organizers with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers failed to persuade a majority of about 3,000 union-eligible Boeing workers in the state to vote for the union amid enormous pressure from management. Boeing said 74 percent of the more than 2,800 workers voting rejected the union. Many analysts say that Boeing decided to put its second Dreamliner aircraft assembly line in the state to reduce the leverage of the machinists union, which represents Boeings work force in the Puget Sound region of Washington State and has used work stoppages to exact concessions from the company in the past. South Carolina is one of the least unionized states in the country. Hoyt N. Wheeler, an emeritus professor of business at the University of South Carolina who taught labor relations and employment law, said in an interview before the vote that a victory would be highly significant because one of Boeings motivations for coming to South Carolina was to escape the union. The small spurt of deals is occurring as Asian companies look for expertise on where to invest their stockpiles of money and hone their ambitions to become financial conglomerates. Several of these multibillion-dollar firms have hired New York banks to help them find investments that include private equity and insurance. It is an opportunistic time for the buyers and the sellers. For many partners at hedge fund and private equity firms, it is a good time to sell. Years of disappointing performance and cheaper index-tracking alternatives have emerged as a challenge to what was once a lucrative, high-fee business. Firms like SkyBridge Capital, which offer investors a chance to spread their money around in an array of other hedge funds, the so-called fund of funds business that layers on additional fees, have had a particularly difficult time lately. The fund of fund industry is facing a lot more challenges than it ever has, said Michael Rees, head of Dyal Capital Partners, which buys stakes in hedge funds and private equity firms. Faced with difficult markets, several hedge fund firms closed last year and returned money to investors. Against a backdrop of heavy losses and investor withdrawals, Fortress Investment Group was forced to close a $1.6 billion flagship hedge fund, run by the outspoken trader Michael Novogratz, last year. Sprawling Asian firms with voracious appetites for deals have a chance to diversify when target acquisitions may be cheaper. SoftBank paid $3.3 billion for Fortress, less than half its $7.4 billion value when it became one of the first private equity firms to publicly list shares in February 2007. When it made its debut on the New York Stock Exchange, each Fortress share was worth $35. On Monday, the day before the SoftBank deal was announced, Fortress was trading at less than $6 a share. The United States attorneys office is looking into the way Fox News handled payments related to sexual harassment cases to determine whether the company misled investors, according to the lawyer for a woman who is suing the network. At a hearing in New York State Supreme Court on Wednesday, the lawyer, Judd Burstein, who is representing the former Fox anchor Andrea Tantaros, said that another one of his clients had received a grand jury subpoena related to Fox News. He did not identify that client. Mr. Burstein said in a text message that he believed federal investigators were looking at whether Fox News structured sexual harassment settlement claims by paying them out in salaries, so as not to have to report them. He added that the prosecutors had identified themselves as being from a securities fraud division of the United States attorneys office in Manhattan. White House misconduct. Sensational leaks. Battling broadsheets. The swirling story around President Trumps dealings with Russia is being compared in journalism circles to past blockbusters like Watergate and the Monica Lewinsky scandal with a 21st-century twist. News organizations like The Washington Post, The New York Times and CNN are jousting for scoops, but instead of sending clerks to grab the early editions from newsstands, editors watch the news unfold on Twitter in real time. Anonymous sources are driving bombshell stories, but leaks are springing from encrypted iPhone messaging apps rather than from meetings in underground parking garages. The news cycle begins at sunrise, as groggy reporters hear the ping of a presidential tweet, and ends sometime in the overnight hours, as newspaper editors tear up front pages scrambled by the latest revelation from Washington. In consequence and velocity, the political developments of the past four weeks has it been only four weeks? are jogging memories of momentous journalistic times. There is this sense of urgency and energy that I feel now that reminds me of being 29 and in a very different situation: in the middle of a revolutionary situation in Russia, said David Remnick, the editor of The New Yorker, who was a correspondent for The Washington Post in Moscow during the collapse of the Soviet Union. Im not saying its a revolution now. But there is this uncertainty about what is happening minute to minute, day to day. There is a mythic new man in fashion retail, much talked about but seldom encountered. He thinks nothing of dropping $875 on Balmain quilted high-top leather sneakers. He enjoys an old-fashioned shave and haircut at a barber shop, and if he can buy a cup of free-trade coffee and an Italian suit in one place, all the better. This free-spending fashion-forward apparition is regarded as a savior by the struggling brick-and-mortar retail industry, with its department store and mall closings, sluggish sales and the existential threat of online shopping. And one retailer in particular, Saks Fifth Avenue, is making an appeal to him. Image Credit... Tawni Bannister for The New York Times Next week, Saks will open its first free-standing store specially for men, in Brookfield Place, the retail, office and dining complex in Lower Manhattan. (Other Saks mens stores were afterthoughts, created when the company needed to free up space in its stores for more womens product.) Brookfields proximity to the World Trade Center Transportation Hub and its stunning Santiago Calatrava-designed main hall, known as the Oculus, and high-income financial workers and Conde Nast employees headquartered nearby, has made the area a hot spot for retailers and shoppers. Adele C. Smithers, who expanded on her husbands bequests to help recovering alcoholics at a Manhattan treatment center and, in the process, won a consequential lawsuit that empowered benefactors and their families to oversee their charitable contributions, died on Monday in Santa Monica, Calif. She was 83. The cause was complications of Parkinsons disease, said her son, Christopher, the president of the Christopher D. Smithers Foundation, which is named for his grandfather, a wealthy investment banker. The Smithers name is generally associated with the prevention and treatment of alcoholism. For many years the Smithers Alcoholism Treatment and Training Center treated thousands of people, including celebrities like John Cheever, Joan Kennedy and Dwight Gooden, mostly at what was once a stately 55-room home on East 93rd Street. But Mrs. Smithers also attached the family name to a groundbreaking legal development in philanthropy when she sued St. Lukes-Roosevelt Hospital Center in Manhattan over its administration of a $10 million endowment left by her husband, R. Brinkley Smithers. The disease is caused by exposure to an infected animals urine, Dr. Bassett explained, not through bites or by touch or by watching a rat scurry across subway tracks. She urged anyone in the area with flulike symptoms to seek medical help. The disease can be treated with antibiotics. While the disease might be rare, for residents in the area, the exposure to rats is nothing new. Rosa Flores, 73, has lived for 10 years with her son, her daughter and her nephew in one of the eight illegal basement units in the affected building. Rats have always been a problem, she said, but the situation has been worse in recent months, especially since their cat ran away. The cramped two-bedroom apartment was littered with chipped paint and broken appliances; rats had gnawed several holes in the floor and walls, which were loosely patched over by the citys Department of Buildings. Last month, the family came home to find the refrigerator door ajar and rats crawling everywhere. Soon after, Ms. Floress son, Braulio, 43, became sick. He had a bad fever; his whole body ached; he looked terrible, she said in Spanish. She finally prevailed upon him to go to Lincoln Hospital, where he spent two weeks in intensive care. He was released last week, and the family was relocated to a hotel in Queens. I want the city to come check everything out because the rat population is a dangerous thing, Ms. Flores said. Every day there is a fresh outrage emerging from the murky bog of the Donald Trump administration. Every day there is a new round of questions and a new set of concerns that raise anxieties and lower trust. Every day it becomes ever more clear that it is right and just to doubt the legitimacy of this regime and all that flows from it. The latest round involves the former national security adviser Michael T. Flynn, who this week was forced to resign following disclosures about his communications with the Russian ambassador on the same day that then-President Obama announced sanctions against Russia for its interference in our election to help Trump and damage Hillary Clinton. The official reason given for requesting Flynns resignation was, according to the White House press secretary, Sean Spicer: The president was very concerned that General Flynn had misled the vice president and others. Mr. Trump voiced optimism about getting a great peace deal between Israel and its neighbors. While Mr. Trump did urge Mr. Netanyahu to hold back on settlements in the West Bank and said Israel must make compromises, he offered no details on any peace initiative, and the vagueness of his remarks suggests he has no inkling of how to move forward. His willingness, however, to lend credence to those who would deny a separate state to the Palestinians will certainly make peace harder to achieve. Palestinians have long sought their own state and are sure to reject the idea of having their lands annexed by Israel, even if offered some kind of limited autonomy. The two-state solution began to take shape after the 1993 Oslo accords and was endorsed by President Bill Clinton in 2001. As recently as December, the United Nations Security Council reaffirmed its vision of a region where two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, live side by side in peace within secure and recognized borders. The last peace negotiations collapsed in 2014, and in recent years, Israels right-wing government has so greatly expanded settlements in the West Bank that the options for establishing a Palestinian state in that territory may be nearly foreclosed. This has led to increased talk among Israelis of the one-state solution, in which Israel subsumes the West Bank formally while incorporating the Palestinian population or somehow shifting the Palestinians to Jordan and Egypt. The likeliest outcome, given the growth rate of the Arab population, is that Israel would be confronted with a miserable choice: to give up being a Jewish state or to give up being a democratic state by denying full voting rights to Palestinians. Palestinians reacted with anger and bafflement to Mr. Trumps policy shift. This is going to give Israel a free hand to do what it wants, said Mosheer Amer, an associate professor at the Islamic University in Gaza City. Saeb Erekat, the Palestinians chief negotiator, raised the specter of apartheid and called for concrete measures in order to save the two-state solution. Neither Mr. Trump nor Mr. Netanyahu said how Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries would be persuaded to pull back from the two-state solution. The two leaders want the Arab countries, now on better terms with Israel because of a shared hatred of Iran, to join with Israel in prodding the Palestinians into an agreement, rather than having Israelis and Palestinians first negotiate a deal that would then lead to peace with the broader Arab world. Given that context, one might expect Mr. Trump to be clamoring for details that would eliminate any suspicion that his administration is in league with an enemy. Instead he has waged an unhinged attack on the intelligence agencies themselves, praising President Vladimir Putin of Russia at every turn and pointing fingers everywhere but at himself, while refusing to take a single step to resolve questions about his administrations ties to Russia. Hence the urgent need for high-level congressional intervention. The ideal vehicle would be an investigative committee of senior senators from both parties as well as members of the House. Some Senate Republicans are beginning to step up. Senator Richard Burr, chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, has already said his committee will investigate the election hacking. Chuck Grassley, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Dianne Feinstein, the panels top-ranking Democrat, are asking for a briefing and transcripts of Mr. Flynns calls to the Russian ambassador. Senators John McCain, Lindsey Graham and Pat Roberts favor a broader investigation. John Cornyn, the Senate majority whip, has also raised the possibility of an investigation by Senate committees with jurisdiction over the intelligence community. The Democrats would obviously be on board Chuck Schumer, the Senate Democratic leader, has also called for the Senate Intelligence Committee to lead a bipartisan inquiry. The person who needs to make this happen is Mitch McConnell, the Senate majority leader. Whatever form the committee takes, as Mr. Schumer said on Wednesday, all members must be granted equal access to intelligence officials, transcripts and documents that they need to answer critical questions, and they must be permitted to make their findings public to the maximum extent possible. Admittedly, this is hoping for a lot from a Republican leadership whose natural inclination is to protect the president. This week, for instance, congressional Republicans closed off one avenue to forcing the release of Mr. Trumps tax returns, which he has refused to divulge and which could help prove to Americans that he is not indebted to Russian financial entities. (It bears repeating, in this regard, that Mr. Trump didnt fire Mr. Flynn this week for chummily discussing American sanctions on Russia with Moscows ambassador, or for lying about it. Mr. Trump knew all that for weeks. He fired Mr. Flynn after both of them got caught.) We dont know whether the Russians had domestic help in their effort to steal the U.S. election, but here are a few dots that are begging to be connected: First, the American intelligence community agrees that the Kremlin interfered during the campaign in an attempt to help Donald Trump. This isnt a single agencys conclusion, but reportedly a strong consensus among the C.I.A., the F.B.I. and the director of national intelligence. Second, the dossier prepared by a former MI6 Russia expert outlines collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia. CNN reports that American intelligence has communications intercepts corroborating elements of the dossier, and the latest revelation of repeated and constant contacts between the Kremlin and the Trump campaign give additional weight to the dossiers allegations although its also important to note that officials told The Times that they had seen no evidence of such cooperation in election manipulation. Third, President Trump has been mystifyingly friendly toward Russia and President Vladimir Putin. As Jeffrey H. Smith, a former general counsel to the C.I.A., puts it: The bigger issue here is why Trump and people around him take such a radically different view of Russia than has been the case for decades. We dont know the answer to that. Fourth, Flynn, before taking office, discussed Obama administration sanctions on Russia with the Russian ambassador. Flynn has now resigned, but he was steeped in the principle of a chain of command; I doubt he made these calls completely on his own. Daniel Benjamin, a former counterterrorism coordinator at the State Department who has known Flynn for years, says it would have been out of character for Flynn to do so. So who told Flynn to make these calls? Steve Bannon? Trump himself? More than a dozen years before the hit film La La Land set an everyday urban romance to song, another pair of star-crossed lovers were making oddly similar music together on a New York stage. Their names are Rosemary and Kevin, and they have returned to the city this month in Good Samaritans (first seen in Brooklyn in 2004), written and directed by the experimental theater auteur Richard Maxwell, at the Abrons Arts Center. Portrayed by performers named Rosemary (last name: Allen) and Kevin (Hurley), Rosemary and Kevin are not, it should be noted, in exactly the same mold as the couple played by Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling in La La Land. Theyre older, for one thing, and not nearly as cosmetically perfect. And while critics have noted that Ms. Stone and Mr. Gosling can sing only passably, Ms. Allens and Mr. Hurleys vocal performances would barely pass muster in their own showers. Yet they, too, have songs in their hearts, and when those songs surface seemingly out of nowhere its an occasion for such sweet sorrow. Mr. Maxwell, one of the most resolutely individual voices in American theater for more than two decades, would probably hate this comparison. But the concrete-hard Good Samaritans, a production of Mr. Maxwells New York City Players, might be described as a concentrated, sugar-free version of the fluffy La La Land. Third suspect arrested in Malaysia over murder of North Korean Malaysian police made a third arrest on Thursday in their hunt for the people involved in the murder of the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Though its words are well chosen and artfully placed, Tracy Lettss Man From Nebraska, which opened on Wednesday night at Second Stage Theater, has a radiant respect for what cannot be said. As directed with masterly force and delicacy by David Cromer, with a matching performance by Reed Birney in the title role, this beautiful drama of lost faith occurs amid a darkness that swallows language. Its a scary place, for sure, and its one many of us have visited, often around 3 a.m. during a sleepless night even a man like Ken Carpenter (Mr. Birney), long steeped in the religious convictions of the Baptist church and a life shaped by reassuring routine. But Ken has reached that dangerous age (the script puts it at 59) when solidity suddenly looks like sham. So one night after a churchgoing Sunday that has been, you imagine, like hundreds of other Sundays in Kens life he finds himself sobbing violently into a hand towel in his bathroom. His frightened wife, Nancy (Annette OToole), asks him whats wrong. He chokes on the words: I dont believe in God. And it becomes immediately clear that neither he nor Nancy has the resources to even discuss this declaration, much less provide answers. There isnt going to be any harmony: Theyre out to bring this guy down, Mr. Bellows said, referring to the Democrats and the liberals and the left. They hate the fact that he was elected, he said. Theyre astonished that he was elected. Another host in Omaha, Matt Tompkins, whose radio show does not claim a partisan viewpoint and who was critical of the Trump administration at times on Wednesday, bemoaned the loss of civility in public discourse. Now its like you have to hate the other person, the other party, Mr. Tompkins said. You bring up a discussion or a debate on anything Russia, whatever it may be were talking about today and Ill get messages from people that are just: No, thats completely wrong. Everything you said is fake. The New York Times is fake. Its all fake. Youre an idiot. I hate you. A wide variety of people voted for Mr. Trump, including moderate conservatives who were mainly trying to block Hillary Clinton from being elected. In interviews on Wednesday, moderates, too, were for the most part standing by Mr. Trump. They said that it seemed Mr. Flynn had made mistakes, but that ultimately, Mr. Trump had taken responsibility and asked him to step down. If you think about it, at the end of the day, he said youre fired, said Michael Fortune, a pension plan administrator in Atlanta. Hes handled this situation appropriately. He added: The way its being presented is that he hired a liar. Im like, guys, I dont think thats how the common man sees it. He fired someone who was not honest with him. Jeff Wagner, a conservative talk show host in Milwaukee, noted that during the presidential campaign, he was not a supporter of Mr. Trump, and said he believed that some of the administrations actions so far should have been executed differently. But he defended the president on his show, denouncing the news media and the intelligence community for their roles in revealing that Mr. Trumps campaign aides were in contact with Russian intelligence officials before the election. The number of extremist groups active in the United States rose for the second year in a row last year, propelled in part by the mainstreaming of far-right rhetoric by the Trump campaign, particularly on topics like immigration and Islam, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks extremism in the United States. The number of anti-Muslim groups grew the most, almost tripling to 101 in 2016 from 34 in 2015, in part because of President Trumps 2015 proposal to bar Muslims from entering the United States in response to the Syrian refugee crisis and terrorist attacks in San Bernardino, Calif., and Orlando, Fla. There were a total of 917 hate groups operating in the United States in 2016, an increase from 892 in 2015 and 784 in 2014, the center said in its annual report. The number of organized anti-government groups, like armed militias, dropped by almost 40 percent, however, to 623 in 2016 from 998 in 2015. That decline was a consequence of the increasingly mainstream presence of policy ideas and conspiracy theories about Islam and immigrants that originated on the political fringe, researchers said. Mark Potok, a senior fellow at the center, said Mr. Trumps election had been absolutely electrifying to the radical right. WASHINGTON In a city where expense account meals are a central part of power players lives, some of Washingtons best-known restaurants will close their doors on Thursday in solidarity with a national campaign to draw attention to the power and plight of immigrants. The campaign, spread on social media and messaging apps, has called for a day without immigrants. It asks foreign-born people nationwide, regardless of legal status, not to go to work or go shopping in a demonstration of the importance of their labor and consumer spending to the United States economy. Activists and groups in cities across the country have picked up the call, reposting fliers found online, and in some cases organizing demonstrations to coincide with the event. Several activists said that they did not know how the campaign began or how many people would heed it, and that as far as they knew, there was no national organization behind it. But the dining scene in Washington, where the new Trump administration is taking a hard line on immigration and deportation, took notice. At least a few dozen restaurants in and around the Beltway have committed to staying closed on Thursday. Others have said they would offer limited service in the expectation that many of their employees would be out for the day. Some restaurants in other cities, including several of the Blue Ribbon restaurants in New York, have joined in. Against this backdrop, Mr. Trump has appointed Mike Pompeo, a former Republican congressman from Kansas, to run the C.I.A., and former Senator Dan Coats, an Indiana Republican, to be the director of national intelligence (he is still awaiting confirmation). Both were the preferred choices of the Republican congressional leadership and Vice President Mike Pence and had no close or longstanding ties to Mr. Trump. In fact, they each endorsed Senator Marco Rubio of Florida for president during the 2016 Republican primaries. But the potential White House role for Mr. Feinberg follows intense speculation among intelligence professionals that Mr. Feinberg is in line for a powerful position within the intelligence community. Reports that Mr. Feinberg was under consideration to run the clandestine service rocked the intelligence community in recent weeks, raising the prospect of direct White House control over Americas spies at a time when Mr. Trumps ties to Mr. Putin are under investigation by the F.B.I. and congressional committees. The last time an outsider with no intelligence experience took the job was in the early days of the Reagan administration, when Max Hugel, a businessman who had worked on Mr. Reagans campaign, was named to run the spy service. His tenure at the C.I.A. was marked by turmoil and questions about the politicization of the agency. He was forced to resign after six months, amid accusations about his past business dealings. (He later won a libel case against the two brothers who made the accusations.) Even the prospect that Mr. Feinberg may lead a review for the White House has raised concerns in the intelligence community. Mr. Coats is especially angry at what he sees as a move by Mr. Bannon and Mr. Kushner to sideline him before he is even confirmed, according to current and former officials. He believes the review would impinge on a central part of his role as the director of national intelligence and fears that if Mr. Feinberg were working at the White House, he could quickly become a dominant voice on intelligence matters. QUITO, Ecuador The Venezuelan government blocked CNNs Spanish-language channel on Wednesday about a week after the network broadcast an investigation naming Venezuelas second-in-command as being among officials involved in passport fraud. In the program, which was broadcast on Feb. 6 and Feb. 8, CNN said it had obtained an intelligence document, during a yearlong investigation, that linked Vice President Tareck El Aissami and others to more than 150 Venezuelan passports and identification papers that were issued to people in the Middle East. CNN did not say where the intelligence document originated. The report came days before the Trump administration froze Mr. El Aissamis American assets and forbid United States companies from doing business with him over accusations that he had been involved in narcotics trafficking. Mr. El Aissami, 42, has vigorously denied any wrongdoing. The CNN report, which described a passport-for-cash racket run out of the Venezuelan Embassy in Baghdad, appeared to have little overlap with the accusations that led to the sanctions, but one came after the other in a one-two punch that left Venezuelas government reeling. KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia Two more people, one of them a woman with an Indonesian passport, were arrested Thursday in the assassination of Kim Jong-nam, the half brother of the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, the Malaysian authorities said as they continued to hunt for conspirators. The Indonesian, identified as Siti Aishah, 25, is the second woman arrested in the case. Her appearance matches the image of a woman captured in airport surveillance videos, said a statement from Khalid Abu Bakar, the inspector general of police. The police later said in a statement that Ms. Sitis boyfriend, a 26-year-old Malaysian, had been arrested to assist in investigations. He was identified as Muhammad Farid Bin Jalaluddin. In Jakarta, an official from Indonesias Foreign Ministry said that Ms. Siti was an Indonesian citizen. The Indonesian government has asked for access to her so that its embassy employees in Kuala Lumpur can provide legal assistance. The arrests brought the number of people detained in the case to three. A woman arrested Wednesday was carrying a Vietnamese passport, but it remained unclear whether she was from Vietnam. BONN, Germany When President Trump met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel at the White House on Wednesday, Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson was conspicuously absent. He was on his first flight overseas as Americas top diplomat, pretty much alone. Mr. Tillerson, who has no government experience, also missed two other important occasions in Washington this week: a lunch with Russias ambassador and Mr. Trumps meetings with the prime minister of Canada. He has yet to hold a news conference. Among the eight senior State Department staff members who accompanied Mr. Tillerson on Wednesday to Bonn, five are serving in temporary positions. Mr. Tillerson was not expected to do much talking, at least publicly, at a Group of 20 foreign ministers meeting here on Thursday, which will lay the groundwork for the Group of 20 meeting in July. WASHINGTON The nations top military officer will try to reopen a military dialogue with his Russian counterpart on Thursday amid tensions over Russias harassment of American warships, stepped-up fighting in eastern Ukraine and accusations that Moscow has violated a landmark arms control accord. The meeting between Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Gen. Valery V. Gerasimov, chief of the Russian general staff, will take place in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. It will be the first face-to-face meeting between military chiefs from Washington and Moscow since 2014. A Pentagon statement said that discussions would center on the current state of U.S.-Russian military relations and the importance of consistent and clear military-to-military communication to prevent miscalculation and potential crisis. The state of military relations between the two sides certainly has not been good. Last week, Russian warplanes flew at an usually low altitude over an American guided missile destroyer in the Black Sea, according to a spokesman for the United States European Command. It was a pattern of harassment that Western officials say has been increasingly common as NATO works to strengthen its defenses against a resurgent Russian military. Many drivers who cause accidents expect to see an increase in their auto insurance premiums. But even those who are deemed not culpable could end up paying more for coverage, a report from a consumer group finds. The Consumer Federation of America sought online price quotes from five of the largest auto insurers in 10 cities to see what happens to premiums after drivers are in accidents. The study found that based on the quotes, drivers in New York City and Baltimore tend to pay the most after being involved in accidents that they did not cause. The penalties add to the costs of auto insurance, which is required for drivers in most states but expensive for many, said Doug Heller, the researcher who conducted the analysis for the consumer federation. Innocent drivers who dont cause accidents should not be charged more because someone else hit them, J. Robert Hunter, the consumer groups director of insurance, said in a telephone conference call this week with reporters. Unit set up to improve orange production The government has established an Orange Zone Implementation Unit in the western district of Syangja in a bid to make orange farming more organised and raise production of the fruit. They havent met Martha, and they dont know the history of her ballets, Denise Vale, the senior artistic associate and rehearsal director at the Martha Graham Dance Company said of the troupes current generation of dancers. Theyre not immersed in Graham like we were. We were closed in our little house of Martha. Ms. Vale spoke between rehearsals of Primitive Mysteries (1931), an early Graham work the company is reviving after 12 years as part of its season at the Joyce. None of the dancers have performed it before. It is Ms. Vales job to bring back not only the steps but also the spirit of the work. In some ways, it is an anomaly in the companys current repertory, which infrequently dips back to its earliest years, before Graham had accepted any men into the company. (That wouldnt happen until 1938.) Unlike her later, narrative works, it mostly eschews overt drama. Its so economical and spare and slow, the companys artistic director, Janet Eilber, said recently at its studios at the Westbeth complex in the West Village. It has the least dancing of any Graham work. Theres no set or story to rely on; the palette is restricted. Primitive Mysteries predates Grahams interest in Jung, in Greek myth, in the psychodrama of sex and the sensual shapes of Isamu Noguchi. It is Graham at her most stark and pure. Martha the Modernist At regular intervals, rows of women advance deliberately across the floor in clean, spare lines, accompanied only by the sound of their bare feet striking the ground. They are erect and taut, like figures in an ancient frieze. It is a striking example of Grahams Modernism, as bold and unforgiving as a Picassos Les Demoiselles dAvignon. In 2013 the comedian Petra Mede the Swedish equivalent of Tracey Ullman performed a masterpiece of national self-deprecation for the 170-million-strong audience of the Eurovision Song Contest. Accompanied by dancing meatballs and showgirls clad in blue and yellow, she waxed rhapsodic about Abba and Ikea, generous parental leave and, above all, the Swedish national tradition of seriousness. Proper and polite and private is our style/ Never, ever talk on a train, belted Ms. Mede, arms locked stiffly at her sides. And if we see a stranger throw us a smile/ Hes either a drunk or insane. There is no Swedish art in Treasures From the Nationalmuseum of Sweden, on view at the Morgan Library & Museum, but there is something of that stiffness in this large showcase from Stockholms principal museum. Accomplished, unimpeachably correct if not exactly heart-quickening, it features dozens of old master drawings the Morgans primary focus but there are also 14 French paintings, permitted to travel while the Nationalmuseum is closed for renovations. (Many were on view in a related show at the Louvre in Paris earlier this winter.) This is a quieter, stricter sort of blockbuster, but its an occurrence all the same, and devotees of Rococo luxury should make a special effort to see it. The works in Treasures From the Nationalmuseum were assembled by Count Carl Gustaf Tessin, a Francophile diplomat who also served as a tutor to the art-loving King Gustav III. From 1739 to 1742, Tessin was the Swedish ambassador to the court of Louis XV, where he lived large in a palace on the Seine and later, to pay his debts, sold many of the drawings here to Gustavs father, Adolf Frederick. A poised sketch by Raphael of the adoration of the newborn Jesus, done around 1503-4, is one of several Italian prizes, though Tessin also bought architectural renderings and numerous figure studies. In a smooth, luscious red chalk drawing by Annibale Carracci, a master of the early Baroque, an upside-down boy with his eyes closed softly lets his head droop, perhaps asleep, perhaps expiring. (When Tessin bought it, it was erroneously attributed to Correggio, who worked more than a half-century earlier.) German, Dutch and Flemish drawings indicate a similar omnivorousness. Tessin acquired fine portraits by Albrecht Durer, Peter Paul Rubens and Hendrick Goltzius the last of whom is represented by a rare, crystalline self-portrait, complete with a bristling mustache and arctic eyes, done in 1590-91 in a mix of chalk and watercolor. Highly worked mythological scenes, including a chock-full Fall of the Rebel Angels, attributed to Anthony van Dyck, share space with genre drawings, such as a speedy sketch of hard-drinking peasants by Adriaen van Ostade. And there are seven sheets here by Rembrandt, of varying exactitude and importance. The most intriguing depicts a young woman in a high-waisted skirt and gauzy shawl, twirling a barely outlined flower in her right hand. As the bared midriff and bangles on her wrists suggest, Rembrandt probably based this work on an Indian example. We do know that Trumps campaign was talking to the Russians a lot, and the frequency of the communication and the proximity to Trump of those involved raised a red flag with U.S. intelligence. Yes, intelligence were worried that once he got in the White House, he might raise a red flag. COLBERT, recalling some Cold War colors Mike Pence is forcing Trump to get his back tattoo of Putin removed. There are consequences! Yeah, thats a Trump stamp. TREVOR NOAH The story is all over cable news, and Trump is not happy about it. In fact he went on Twitter this morning and said that MSNBC and CNN are unwatchable. Then he said, And I know, because I spend all day watching them. JIMMY FALLON Heres the thing: It cant be both fake news and an illegal leak of classified information. Your honor, I did not murder that man. The real criminal is whoever filmed me strangling him. COLBERT BERLIN Hundreds of artworks that were hidden for decades by Cornelius Gurlitt, the son of a Nazi-era art dealer, will at last go on view beginning in November, in exhibitions in Bern, Switzerland, and in Bonn, Germany, two museums have announced. The long-awaited exhibitions were scheduled after a Munich court ruled in December that Mr. Gurlitt, who died in 2014, had been of sound mind when he bequeathed his collection of roughly 1,500 works to the Kunstmuseum Bern. The Bern museum will host Dossier Gurlitt: Degenerate Art, Confiscated and Sold, from Nov. 2 to March 4, 2018. The Bonn show, Dossier Gurlitt: Nazi Art Theft and Its Consequences, will run from Nov. 3 to March 11, 2018, at the Art and Exhibition Hall of the Federal Republic of Germany, commonly known as the Bundeskunsthalle. It will focus on works seized by the Nazis and on Jewish art collectors and dealers who were persecuted. Is this the only known glimpse of Marcel Proust in a motion picture? A university professor has discovered silent black-and-white film footage from 1904 showing a man wearing a bowler hat descending church steps at a wedding in Paris. The professor, Jean-Pierre Sirois-Trahan, of Laval University in Canada, discovered the film in archives in Paris, he said. The scene provides but a glimpse of the man (four seconds into the footage), but Prof. Sirois-Trahan believes it could just be the only known footage of the influential French author. We can never prove it beyond all doubt, he said in an interview by email. I try to support the hypothesis and to each decide for himself. The words are like an incantation, a spell intoxicating for children and mercifully unannoying for parents, even on the hundredth reading. To hear the opening line of Margaret Wise Browns Goodnight Moon In the great green room is to embark on a Proustian reverie about a calm place with the lights turned low and a child snuggling sleepily in your arms. It seems as complete as a childrens book can be. But soon there will be Good Day, Good Night, a previously unpublished book by Brown that can be read as part variation on, part expansion of Goodnight Moon. Consisting of two fragments written in 1950 and put away after Browns sudden death two years later, then combined by an editor a few years ago, the book is being brought out in October by HarperCollins Childrens Books, with original art by the author-illustrator Loren Long. Good Day, Good Night is not meant to be a sequel to Goodnight Moon, which did not sell well during Browns lifetime, finding its extraordinary success only years later. But the theme and cadences will be instantly familiar to anyone who knows the earlier work. While Goodnight Moon takes place inside a house on a single evening, the new story follows its young-bunny protagonist as he wakes up, goes outside and greets numerous things, then heads back home and bids it all good night. Is the new book even necessary, when Goodnight Moon, written in 1944 and still in print with 32 million copies sold in various formats worldwide, does its job so well? MY UTMOST A Devotional Memoir By Macy Halford 357 pp. Alfred A. Knopf. $26.95. When Macy Halford started a job at The New Yorker in late 2004, headlines told her that a book that had shaped her Southern Baptist faith had also shaped the faith of George W. Bush. The book in question, a collection of devotional readings titled My Utmost for His Highest, had been beloved by evangelicals since its publication in 1927. Halford, who, like the president, was a Christian raised in Texas, was unsettled to think that her faith now might mark her as someone who stood by this presidents politics. Whose book was this, then? His or hers? In order to answer that question, Halford set out to discover everything she could about Oswald Chambers, the Scottish minister who wrote the book. My Utmost: A Devotional Memoir tells the story of Chamberss intellectual and spiritual formation as it follows Halfords drift from the Dallas girl who had loved lines like Think of the healing and far-flung rivers nursing themselves in our souls! to a believing yet anchorless adult. Now, when I thought of God, Halford writes of her New York days, the noise came flooding immediately in, the voices of a thousand pundits and politicians and preachers, the flickering images of a dozen holy wars, all lit by the eternal light of the screen. Halfords book is billed as a memoir, but its really an ardently told, diligently researched intellectual biography of Chambers. Perhaps the most important thing to know about him is that the title of his book didnt come from Scripture but from the writings of a Victorian symbolist painter. Before finally giving himself over to the ministry, Chambers, born in 1874, was an art student who admired the writings of John Ruskin and dreamed of saving souls through his painting. Halford is an expert, assured surveyor of all the rivers that nursed Chamberss soul whether shes parsing minuscule differences between various evangelical doctrines, or suggesting a line from Scottish folk beliefs to the Victorian fantasy writer George MacDonald. My Utmost will be enjoyed and admired primarily by those who feel, as Halford does, a complicated nostalgia for the evangelical faith they were raised in those who cant and wont defend all the old doctrines but find that religion still pulls at them when they come up against, as she puts it, the fact that there are limits on what we know and what we can know; the fact that we all must learn to live with mystery, however clever we are, however much of it we dispel. And by those who struggle, or struggled, as Halford did, to reconcile the person who wants to believe with the person who wants to think. But those readers may also long for just a little more confession. What was Barnard College like for an obedient girl from Dallas? What exactly did the man she fell in love with in Paris referred to here only as the mountaineer make of her faith? Readers who, like Halford, chose to worship books instead of just one Book, who chose pluralism over narrow-minded huddles, can sometimes ache for family stories, as it were, from siblings who know what it was like to wish for escape from those warm sanctuaries while worrying that the larger world might prove too cold. (Want to get this briefing by email? Heres the sign-up.) Good morning. Heres what you need to know: White House plans review of intelligence agencies. President Trump may ask Stephen A. Feinberg, a billionaire investor and a member of his economic advisory council, to lead an assessment of spy operations. The possibility has top intelligence officials on edge and fearing that a review by a Trump ally with no intelligence experience would stifle their independence. One hundred years earlier, another member of the breed was honored at the New York City show. Filax of Lewanno earned a bravery award for rescuing 54 wounded soldiers in World War I. Unlike Rumor, Filax didnt win best in show that honor went to Conejo Wycollar Boy, a wire-haired fox terrier. New Yorkers were familiar with German shepherds by then. A police inspector brought some back to New York from Belgium, according to a 1929 article in The Times, and the breed filled the citys first police canine squad. Rex, Pup, Nogy and Flora von Berlin were mentioned in the article for their pursuit of the Staten Island pants burglar. German shepherds were first bred in the late 19th century. During World War I, shepherds like Filax carried first-aid kits, pulled wounded soldiers on stretchers and delivered messages. Some of the dogs later served as guides for the blind. One, Rin Tin Tin, even became a movie star in police dog roles. Clearly, he was a good actor: In 1928, the dog slept through a burglary. _____ Your Morning Briefing is published weekday mornings. Read the latest edition of the U.S. briefing here and the latest for Asia and Australia here. What would you like to see here? Contact us at europebriefing@nytimes.com. After that, he called a lawyer, seeking counsel for a beekeeper who had lost his bees after the ranch across the street sprayed an organophosphate. It was an illegal application, and the county knows it, he said. But the county is dragging its feet. He needs some help. In 2006, David Hackenberg, another beekeeper with a large bee collection, lost 90 percent of them and coined the term colony collapse. Mr. Adee had no such problem that year. I in the documentary made that year, The Vanishing of the Bees, he can be heard saying,We havent seen any of this colony-collapse disorder here. Shortly after the film came out, though, he also lost almost all the familys bees. Still, I was convinced my problem was a virus, not what David had, Mr. Adee said. I thought it would take three years for it to run its course, and then wed be done with it. But the losses stretched on, into a fourth and then fifth year. Last year, after having lost roughly half of his 90,000 hives, he joined Mr. Hackenberg, other beekeepers and environmental groups in a lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency. The suit contends that the E.P.A. broke the law by failing to require registration of seeds coated in pesticides, as many genetically engineered seeds are. E.P.A.s actions and inactions have caused both acute honeybee kills and chronic effects leading to excess bee colony mortality, excess bird mortality, nationwide water and soil contamination, and other environmental and economic harms, the plaintiffs argued. There is no federal insurance program to cover beekeepers. The federal 2008 Farm Bill did allocate $50 million in emergency assistance to cover losses in livestock, farm-raised fish and honeybees, but only through 2011. A year later, the Agriculture Department estimated that beekeepers had spent $2 billion to replace the 10 million hives they had lost in the six years since bee colonies first began experiencing declines. Water diplomacy Nepal, China, and India have witnessed civilisations with diverse religions, cultures and heritages growing in harmony but with a brutal history of colonisation followed by periodic shocks. Whats the cost of two enormous data breaches? About $300 million if youre Yahoo and youre trying to sell yourself to Verizon. Instead of battling to preserve the deals original price after two reports of data breaches, Yahoo has opted to renegotiate, according to a person with knowledge of the matter. As well as shaving a few hundred million off the $4.8 billion that Verizon was going to pay, the two companies are expected to share legal responsibility and costs for the data breaches. Asian Conglomerates Scour the U.S. They are flush with cash and they want investment management. Be it SoftBank of Japan or HNA Group of China, Asian companies are looking for expertise to help them invest their stockpiles of money and fulfill their ambitions to become financial conglomerates. For anyone who thinks that Republican control of the presidency, the Senate and the House of Representatives means that an overhaul of the tax code will zip through at bobsled speed, there is an important phrase to remember: Blah, blah, blah, blah. That was the reaction of the Republican speaker of the House, John A. Boehner of Ohio, in 2014 to a sweeping overhaul of the federal tax code proposed by the chairman of the Ways and Means Committee and a member of his own party. Republicans remain united in their desire to cut taxes, simplify the system and recover some of the $2 trillion in untaxed profits that American companies have stashed overseas, out of the reach of the Internal Revenue Service. And the possibility of a once-in-a-generation makeover of the rules governing both business and personal taxes provides powerful motivation. Still, despite their grip on power, they are far from united in how to accomplish those goals. Just because theres an R in the White House, an R in the House and an R in the Senate doesnt mean theyre from the same alphabet, said Douglas Duncan, the chief economist at Fannie Mae. This time around, the speaker, Paul D. Ryan of Wisconsin, and the Ways and Means chairman, Kevin Brady of Texas, have both taken ownership of a House blueprint for transforming the tax code, currently a masterpiece of complexity, inefficiencies and inequities. On the plate is a tangle of fernbrake, wild young shoots shading from purple to rust brown to army green, the colors of mulch. In Korean, this is called gosari and often prepared as a small side dish. But at Cafe Lily, a restaurant in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, run by Uzbeks of Korean descent, it comes in a great heap, a shovels worth of forest floor. A cousin to fiddleheads, the fernbrake arrives at the kitchen dried in packets and must be soaked overnight. Then its boiled into submission and fried in a quick flare of soy and sesame oil. It emerges with a texture somewhere between softened twigs and grass, and the earthy, mineral flavor of dark greens. Rumors of chile steal through the undergrowth. Its the most memorable dish at Cafe Lily, comfort found in a bunch of kindling. Lilia Tyan, the chef, grew up in Tashkent, Uzbekistans capital. She is Koryo Saram, meaning that her ancestors were among the Koreans who left their homeland starting in the mid-19th century to settle the far eastern frontier of the Russian empire. Some fought on the side of the Red Army in World War I. In 1937, under Stalins orders, about 200,000 Koryo Saram were rounded up on suspicion of sympathizing with imperial Japan and shipped by freight train to the steppes of Central Asia. They made a life there, planting rice on collective farms and speaking Russian because Korean was banned by the Soviet regime. The same accumulation of history is not available for Americans, where the modern wine era traces back just a scant few decades. Here, the differences in terroir have not been so rigorously codified and agreed upon. A case in point is the Sonoma Coast of California, a region so unwieldy and with so many perspectives on what it is and what it can be that the appellation is all but useless. Its not news that this particular American Viticultural Area, as appellations in the United States are formally known, makes little sense except perhaps to the big wine companies that own vineyards in distant parts of it. The all-encompassing boundaries permit these companies to blend grapes grown 75 miles apart, as the car drives, and claim they are making an estate wine, which they could not do if the grapes came from different appellations. At the least, that violates the spirit of the term estate. The big companies were the ones that pushed through the boundaries of the Sonoma Coast region, which stretches along the coast from the southern border of Mendocino County to the northern border of Marin, and juts inland more than 40 miles to the other side of Highway 101. It overlaps areas that are rightly part of other appellations, like the Russian River Valley, Green Valley and Sonoma Valley. Yet grapes grown in those areas can make Sonoma Coast wines, if the producers choose, with the connotation of its wind-swept, fogbound rugged terrain. Not surprisingly, producers that are actually in the coastal portion of the region have initiated efforts to subdivide their corner of the appellation into more manageable slices, guided by soil and climate characteristics rather than business and political concerns. One such subappellation, Fort Ross-Seaview, already exists, and more may be coming in the next decade or so. Despite the frustrating vagaries of the appellation, which make choosing wines difficult for consumers, the true Sonoma Coast shows great promise for pinot noir. A wine panel tasting of 20 Sonoma Coast pinot noirs from recent vintages offered ample evidence of the regions potential rewards and frustrations. Speaking of Mr. de la Renta, Mrs. Clinton reflected on their friendship, recalling the first time she met him as a first lady, and the times Mr. de la Renta and his wife, Annette, hosted Mrs. Clinton and former President Bill Clinton in the Dominican Republic, where Mr. de la Renta was born. (He left for Spain when he was 19 and moved to New York in 1963.) As personal as her remarks were, they were also pointed. Indeed, Mrs. Clinton, the Democratic presidential nominee, made a point of highlighting the importance of Mr. de la Rentas foreign roots. Oscar de la Renta was an immigrant, she said. And arent we proud and grateful that he was? She later added, What a fitting person to be chosen by our Postal Service, mentioned by the way in our Constitution, something we should all read and reread in todays times. Though Mr. Bloomberg, the former mayor of New York, began on a light note, saying that when he was invited to speak, his first thought was about what he should wear (dark blue or darker blue?), he dedicated a large portion of his speech to Mr. de la Rentas foreign-born status as well. Referring to the stamps 10 of which feature patterns from Mr. de la Rentas designs and one of which is a portrait of him Mr. Bloomberg said, I hope they remind people of the extraordinary contributions immigrants make to our city and our country every single day. One of the most maddening things about the constant contact between the Trump Administration and Russian officials before the election, says Mr. Rosenthal, is that President Trump and his team are trying to make this about leaks. This is not just about the leaked email at this point, Mr. President. This is about your national security adviser undermining the foreign policy of the United States before and giving a serious adversary a little heads-up, in private, about a matter of grave national security. Last, the good news. Mr. Rosenthal says the positive point is the press. It is great to see invaluable and irreplaceable news organizations like The Washington Post and The New York Times doing their vital work without pause, continuing to uncover the truth about Michael T. Flynns phone calls and contacts between other Trump officials and the Russian security apparatus. Since Donald J. Trump became the 45th president of the United States, a flurry of executive orders, court rulings, presidential nominations and confirmation hearings have brought questions about the roles of the three branches of government to the center of national discourse. Even teenagers think civics is cool again, according to this Times article: In the hallways of Middle School 447 in Brooklyn, talk of gay rights and President Trumps executive order on immigration has replaced chatter about the Kardashians or Beyonce, or somebodys new sneakers, said Leslie Hughes, a seventh-grade English teacher. In this lesson, students use current events to analyze how our constitutional system of checks and balances works, and they investigate executive orders to see how these particular presidential actions fit within that system. How are you teaching this topic? Let us know. _________ Warm Up and Background Before moving forward with this lesson, students need to understand some basic concepts about the U.S. government. To gauge how much background you will need to teach, you might first ask your students to do a K/W/L chart listing what they know, or think they know, about this topic already. In short: The principle of separation of powers is the underlying reason the federal government is divided into three branches (executive, legislative and judicial), with each branch wielding different powers established in the Constitution. This division of powers among the three branches operates as a system of checks and balances to prevent any one branch from gaining too much power. For example, the president can negotiate a treaty with a foreign government, but the Senate has to approve it for the treaty to become binding. And, if a president commits treason or bribery, Congress can impeach him or her. I like a good prune. I mean, when its soft and sweaty like a candy bar on a hot day. When its a sinister Disney-villain shade of brownish purple, and it tastes of nothing but honey and caramel, whats not to like? Its the word that no one likes, the word that indicates, to so many Americans, constipated octogenarians praying on spoonfuls of paste. I dont blame the California Prune Board for its rebranding efforts. In the early 2000s, it officially changed its name to the California Dried Plum Board, hoping to avoid the association entirely. We thought maybe the stigma was too much of a challenge for us to overcome, Donn Zea, the boards director, told me. And dried plum was an accurate description: Its a plum. It grows on a tree. We dry them. Most of Americas prune-producing plum trees grow in California, in the Sacramento Valley, not too far from where they were first planted in 1856. Thats when Pierre Pellier came back to California from a trip to France with cuttings of le petit pruneau dAgen, the plum tree requested by his brother Louis Pellier, whod failed to make much money during the Gold Rush. The plants had been stuck in potatoes to keep them moist, ready to grow, and they thrived in what is now Silicon Valley. Plums are harvested in August, when the fruit is soft enough, and laid out on wooden trays, where theyre dehydrated for about 18 hours in tunnel dryers. In that time, the fruits sugar and flavor are slowly, deeply concentrated, until its an inky, wrinkled violet, left with only about 20 percent of its moisture. The fruit may be rehydrated industrially with steam, or at home in hot water or tea. It may be revived and plumped, juiced or processed, but theres no going back to what it was: Its a prune now, and its delicious. Still, as Bard read up on the virus that causes cold sores, herpes simplex 1, she began to worry. The virus can infect the eye, causing whats known as herpes keratitis, which if left untreated can cause permanent damage to the eye. It is the most common infectious cause of blindness in the United States and much of the rest of the world. While it is easiest to spread through direct contact between an open blister and the skin, herpes can be transmitted even when there is no sore visible. A Dangerous Kiss Bard wasnt sure this was what the child had, and she was reluctant to suggest that her sister-in-law might have infected her child. At her office that day, she asked her colleagues whether they had ever seen herpes transmitted to the eye by a kiss. None had. It was theoretically possible but rare, she was told. But of all the diseases she saw online, this was the only one that carried real risk. After work, she explained her concern to her sister-in-law. If the infection is only on the eyelid, its probably fine, but if the eye is affected, shell need to be treated. The key symptoms to watch for were light sensitivity or watery eyes. The mother decided to take the child to the pediatrician the next day, a Friday. At the office, the doctor listened carefully as the mother described the girls eye and her recent behavior. She asked if they could be linked. Unlikely, the doctor told her. Then she examined the child. The eye itself looked fine, the doctor said, and her vision wasnt affected. The little sores around the eye seemed to be healing. There was no need for any testing or treatment at this point, she said. The mother asked about herpes. Could this be from my cold sore? That also seemed unlikely, the doctor replied. The mother asked if she could test the girl anyway. Bard had been so insistent that the child be tested that the mother was determined to push for it if she had to. But the doctor readily agreed to the test and quickly swabbed the center of each sore to send for a culture. Both the mother and Bard were initially reassured by the pediatricians lack of concern. But that changed over the weekend. First, the grandmother noticed that the girls left eyelid seemed to droop when she smiled. Then, when the mother turned on a light by the bed one morning, the girl covered her eyes. Turn the light off, Mommy! she shrieked. Its hurting my eyes. Unexpected Results Early Monday morning, the pediatricians office called. The childs eye was infected with herpes. She needed to see an ophthalmologist right away. The specialist examined the childs eye and found a tiny sore on the white part. She was immediately started on acyclovir, an antiviral medication effective in treating the herpes virus. In A Cure for Wellness, Lockhart, a young corporate executive played by Dane DeHaan, travels to the Swiss Alps, but not for vacation. He is sent to retrieve his companys chief executive, who has gone to a health center there and has indicated no plans to return. This psychological thriller goes down many dark paths, and this scene involves a labyrinthine journey Lockhart takes through a steam room. While Mr. DeHaan is the focus of the camera, crew members are engaged in a sort of behind-the-scenes ballet to make this Steadicam shot work. The director Gore Verbinski explains in the video and in excerpts below. Could you tell me about how the sanitorium was conceived? It was always designed as a kind of tiramisu, with multiple layers. When Lockhart first arrives, hes coming from a very dark place, Manhattan, which is treated in a sinister manner. Hes arriving at this place and its wonderful here. Its therapeutic. So his first journey through the place, after his car accident [which has him in crutches in the scene], he experiences hydrotherapy, steam baths, everything thats seemingly benign and tranquil. But then as he finally gets to this steam room, its our first step outside of the real world and into the dream logic of things. As hes making his way, he finds himself in a room where the entrance he came through turns into a wall and hes trapped. How did you do that? Its an old theater trick. Theres another wall above the set and a tightly fit guillotine. It comes slamming down as the camera pans away. It had to be so tightly fit that you wouldnt see any seams. But it made the most horrific, squealing, thundering sound. That was combined with everybody racing and hiding in corners and running around in circles trying to stay out of the frame as the camera is doing a circle around Dane. It looks like a guy alone in a room, but its a madhouse in there shooting that thing. Why munching sounds can make me angry Why some people become enraged by sounds such as eating or breathing has been explained by brain scan studies. Mr. Damon, wearing hair extensions and employing an on-and-off Irish accent, looks uncharacteristically ill at ease during much of this. He may be the headliner, but hes also just one of this movies many, many whirring parts. The Great Wall flirts with romance and bleats out a little propagandistic blather about the benefits of bilateral action, but the focus throughout remains on multitudes of shifting, surging bodies human and beast, digital and not that, as they ebb and flow, resemble a Chinese military pageant and a lavish Busby Berkeley number. At times the effect brings to mind the German theorist Siegfried Kracauers ideas about Berkeley-like revues or, as he wrote in 1927, indissoluble girl clusters whose movements are demonstrations of mathematics. In such formations, bodies are abstracted into larger geometric shapes and people transform into a collective mass ornament. This transformation obviously takes on sinister meaning when such formations are adapted for, say, Nazi propaganda, as demonstrated in the film Triumph of the Will. In The Great Wall, though, the bodies are divided into two distinct, oppositional configurations: the raw and the cooked. On the one side are the monsters that despite being nicely designed zeros and ones suggest a wildness that cannot be denied. On the other are the meticulously choreographed warriors, who never seem less human than when joined together. It first spread on social media, rippling through immigrant communities like the opposite of fear and rumor: a call to boycott. In the New York region and around the country, many cooks, carpenters, plumbers and grocery store owners decided to answer it and not work on Thursday as part of a national day without immigrants in protest of the Trump administrations policies toward them. The protest called for immigrants, whether naturalized citizens or undocumented, to stay home from work or school, close their businesses and abstain from shopping. People planned for it in restaurant staff meetings, on construction sites and on commuter buses, but the movement spread mostly on Facebook and via WhatsApp, the messaging service. No national group organized the action. Its like the Arab Spring, said Manuel Castro, the executive director of NICE, short for New Immigrant Community Empowerment, which works primarily with Hispanic immigrant day laborers in Jackson Heights, Queens. Our members were coming to us, asking what the plan was. Frankly, it kind of came out of nowhere. But what began as a grass-roots movement quickly reached the highest levels of federal government. In Washington, the Pentagon warned its employees that a number of its food concessions, including Sbarros, Starbucks and Taco Bell, were closed because immigrant employees had stayed home and that they could expect longer lines at restaurants that were open. If Mayor Bill de Blasios State of the City speech on Monday night was the opening act of his re-election campaign, one thing seemed clear to some critics: New York schools wont get much attention. In a speech that ran to over 8,000 words, a mere 214 of them were devoted to education. Mr. de Blasio promoted the citys high school graduation rate, which reached a record high of 69.6 percent last year. He boasted about his successful expansion of prekindergarten and cited progress toward his goal of bringing Advanced Placement courses to all high schools. And he alluded to his effort to build new schools in overcrowded neighborhoods. He did not mention that black and Hispanic students still graduate from high school at far lower rates than their white and Asian counterparts 64.6 percent and 63.5 percent, compared with 80 percent and 83.3 percent. Or that only half of the students who do graduate are prepared for college-level work, according to the standards of the City University of New York. Nor did he argue for the importance of renewing mayoral control of schools, which is set to lapse on July 1 if Albany does not extend it, or of the state providing the city the additional $1.6 billion in annual school funding that it is owed under a 2006 court ruling. There was not a word about his $760 million school turnaround program, known as Renewal. Aaron Pallas, a professor of sociology and education at Columbia University Teachers College, said he interpreted the decision to focus the speech narrowly on affordable housing and jobs as an effort to target the economic concerns that appear to be foremost in the minds of voters in the city and nationally. Built at the turn of the 20th century, No. 334 is two buildings in one: virtually identical dumbbell tenements so called because they fill the width of the lot at either end but are narrower in the middle to create a light court. By 1969, the Lower East Side plagued by heroin and seemingly ineradicable poverty was described by The Times as a world where rape, assault, gang warfare and even murder are almost commonplace. Landlords were abandoning properties. The building on East Eighth Street was foreclosed by the city in 1973. Twenty years later, under Mayor David N. Dinkins, the city conveyed the building to what was then known as the Mutual Housing Partnership, to be renovated as housing for low- and moderate-income families. Enterprise Community Partners raised $665,228 from private investors to finance the project. (The investors benefited from a tax credit over 15 years.) The Lower East Side has since become increasingly unaffordable to people of modest means. But at 334 East Eighth Street, eligible low-income families pay $719 to $1,098 a month for studio, one-, two- or three-bedroom apartments. These are families whose combined household income is 60 percent or less of the median in New York City, currently $90,600 a year for four people. Apartments are also set aside for medium-income families. The building is three blocks from the East River and was identified on the federal flood map as being at risk of a 500-year flood; that is, a flood that stands a 0.2 percent chance of happening in any given year. No one at 334 East Eighth Street had any notion how devastating Sandy would turn out to be. Isabel Ortiz, 53, has lived on the fifth floor of the building since it was rehabilitated, having won her studio apartment in a lottery. Ms. Ortiz works at Job Corps, helping young students obtain high school equivalency certificates and vocational training. She went to bed on the night of Sandy scared but hopeful. CAPE TOWN Summer break in December and January brought a much needed pause in the unrest at South Africas universities. Protests have been continuous here since March 9, 2015, when students demanded the removal of the statue of the British colonizer Cecil John Rhodes from the campus of the University of Cape Town, where I work. Seen as the symbol of a colonial past, the Rhodes statue found few defenders and was soon removed. The Rhodes Must Fall movement turned into Fees Must Fall, which besieged Parliament and brought a welcome reduction in tuition. Black college students outnumber white students four to one and now are a majority on the best-funded campuses. The changes in demography have created new opportunities, but also an opening for radicalization. And now, a movement founded on a repudiation of colonial monuments is pushing for an unsustainable policy of free higher education and a wholesale cultural transformation. The government doesnt have the 60 billion rand ($4.5 billion) a year necessary to abolish tuition. Economic growth has fallen to 0.5 percent, unemployment is the highest in more than a decade, and businesses are trying to leave the country. In December, the ratings agency Standard & Poors came close to downgrading it to junk status. IOWA CITY This article has been updated to reflect news developments. Since the election of Donald Trump, the Republican Party has embarked on a concerted attack on organized labor and public education. Republican senators have introduced a right to work bill that would extend the anti-union provisions common in Southern states to the rest of the country. Betsy DeVos, the newly confirmed secretary of Education, is a strong advocate of privatizing public schools. At the same time, Republican statehouses are redoubling their efforts to gut public universities. Take Iowa, where we live, and where Republicans control both branches of the state legislature. On Thursday, lawmakers passed a bill that, if signed into law by Gov. Terry Branstad, would drastically reduce the collective bargaining rights of most of the states public employees. The proposed law would allow government agencies to unilaterally reduce or eliminate the health insurance and other employment benefits of more than 180,000 public servants, including nurses, schoolteachers and college instructors. The bill is similar to an anti-union push by Gov. Scott Walker of Wisconsin, which by some accounts reduced public-sector workers take-home pay by about 10 percent. At the University of Iowa, where we are graduate students and unionized public employees, this assault on organized labor threatens not only our compensation, but also the quality of our education and that of our students. The Iowa Writers Workshop and the nonfiction writing program, where we are students, have put our state on the global literary stage. Together, the programs have produced numerous Pulitzer Prize, National Book Award and Man Booker Award winners. Despite his international protestations, Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority (like Yasir Arafat before him), has consistently denied that the Jews have a historic connection to the Temple Mount. Far more than arcane arguments over historical minutiae, the Arafat-Abbas tradition of denying a longstanding Jewish link to Jerusalem is the Palestinians inimitable way of saying that the Jews are simply the latest wave of Crusaders, that Israel is nothing but a colonialist presence in the Middle East. Just as the crusaders and colonialists of the past ultimately departed, the argument goes, so too will the Jews. The belief that President Abbas sees the two-state solution as a steppingstone to a one Arab state solution leaves many Israelis cynical about the peace process and tiring of the rhetoric about two states. Mr. Trump may have shifted that momentum. President Trump afforded Prime Minister Netanyahu an opportunity to assert despite American denials that Palestinian schools textbooks teach Palestinian children to hate Jews. Israelis wholeheartedly believe that accusation to be true. They know of the Fatah Partys incendiary boast on Facebook that it had killed 11,000 Israelis and that the Palestinian Authority recently named its fourth school for Salah Khalaf, mastermind of the 1972 Munich Olympic massacre of Israeli athletes. While President Barack Obama obliquely acknowledged in his eulogy for Shimon Peres, the former Israeli president and prime minister, that Arab youth are taught to hate Israel from an early age, Mr. Trump gave Mr. Netanyahu a stage from which to make the accusation explicit. Outward appearances of confidence notwithstanding, Palestinian leaders undoubtedly understand that the jig is up gone (for now) are the days in which they can tell the world one story and their people another. That actually gives Israelis hope that if the Palestinians want political sovereignty the Palestinian Authority will have to lay the groundwork by forging an entirely different narrative about Israel and Jews. There is still no reason to assume that President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu can forge a deal. Mr. Trumps White House is in disarray, Mr. Netanyahu is under investigation for corruption and politically weakened, Mr. Kushner has not a day of diplomatic experience, the other Arab countries that Mr. Trump and Mr. Netanyahu hope will be part of an agreement may or may not cooperate and Palestinian hatred of Jews may be too deeply entrenched. As he spoke, I thought about the wall Donald J. Trump wants to build at the Mexican border. Today we struggle with a national epidemic of opioid and opiate addiction, first to narcotic painkillers overprescribed by doctors and now to heroin. As Ive toured America talking about our opiate scourge, Ive encountered many people who believe a wall will stop heroin from coming north. Walls, in fact, have been shown to stop people. Illegal crossing has all but ceased in Tijuana because of two walls, including one that starts in the Pacific Ocean and runs for more than 14 miles before hitting a mountain. But walls have not stopped drugs, especially heroin. It is the easiest drug to traffic in small batches across a border because it is so easily condensed and easy to cut later. The rancher from Sinaloa told me he put a little more than a pound and a half of heroin in those shoes, clearing as much as $12,000 in a single trip to the States. You could never fit enough cocaine, meth or marijuana into a shoe to make it worth the risk. Theyre too voluminous, he told me. Larger Mexican drug operations, of course, ship bigger quantities hidden in trucks, particularly for long-distance hauls to the East Coast. The United States cannot check every one of the millions of trucks that cross north every year. But many ordinary people traffic small amounts of heroin a la hormiga antlike. They need the money, for things like cows or tractors, to finish a house, or simply to spend like kings for a while. This wasnt just Clintons doing, of course. For the past fifty years, the Democratic Party has been the moving force behind rights movements generally, including, prominently, immigrant rights. Over that same time period, the Republican Party has been, and still is, the political arm of those opposed to the expansion of civil rights. This division has been a mixed blessing for both parties. The political advantage of pro-rights positioning for the Democrats is that it has put the party at the forefront of social and cultural movements that have steadily gained public acceptance. The payoff was evident in Bill Clintons victories in 1992 and 1996 and in Obamas in 2008 and 2012. The political disadvantage emerges when a majority of voters see the Democratic Party as too far out in front of the electorate as the proponent of new rights that do not yet have majority support. Republicans reaped the benefits of Democratic overreach in the 1980 election of Ronald Reagan; the wave midterm elections of 1994, 2010 and 2014; and the Nov. 8 election of Donald Trump. I asked a number of political operatives and election analysts for their views on these volatile issues. There was no consensus. Steve Murphy, a Democratic campaign consultant, argues that the power of anti-immigrant messages will be short-lived: Trump and other Republicans, he wrote, are simply going for a higher percentage of white votes with bigotry toward ALL people of color. America is headed toward majority minority status and these Republicans are simply betting on a white backlash. Last year they got it with a record percentage of the white vote. Will it continue to grow? History says these racist waves eventually crash on the shoals of decency. Others disagreed. Simon Rosenberg, president and founder of NDN (formerly the New Democratic Network), a center-left think tank in Washington, has his own argument: Democrats will have a hard time winning this debate unless we acknowledge peoples legitimate concerns about having a functioning border and keeping people safe. Countering Trump will require us to lean into Obamas success at halting the unauthorized flow into the country, and preventing foreign fighter terror attacks on US soil, We can be for legalizing the 11 million and more generous immigration policies while also being for a strong border and counterterrorism efforts. They arent mutually exclusive and shouldnt be seen that way. Then, addressing the 2016 campaign, Rosenberg said: The Clinton campaign did not adequately rebut, or even really address, the xenophobic open borders/weak on terror arguments Trump made, and I think it hurt her particularly in the parts of the country where immigrants havent been settling in large numbers. Nolan McCarty, a political scientist at Princeton, put it this way: Purely in terms of politics and strategy, the Democrats have played immigration badly. They have allowed their position to be associated with open borders and sanctuary cities. They have based their opposition to the immigration restrictionists in terms of identity politics rather the economic benefits of well-managed immigration. This has caused them to be deaf to concerns that many voters have about the effects of immigration on wages and public services. While I do not think the evidence shows immigration has these alleged harms, the Democrats have to do better than dismiss all opposition to immigration as racism. McCarty specifically disputed the argument that Clintons lenient position was a net plus because it was crucial in mobilizing Hispanic voters. It was probably her underperformance in mobilizing African-Americans that hurt her most, and they are generally the group least enthusiastic about open door immigration policies. McCarty cited an October 2016 Pew poll to show that African-Americans support for immigration is about 15 points below Democrats overall. Jonathan Haidt, a social psychologist at N.Y.U., took a similar but broader view in disagreeing with Clintons immigration strategy: Political thinkers going back to Hobbes have noted that people crave safety and will give up many freedoms to a strong leader or state if it can deliver safety. In the 1970s and 1980s, the Democrats were seen as being on the side of those accused of crime they reflexively sided with the accused, to defend their rights and fight systemic prejudice. This made them easy targets for the Republicans, who became the party of law and order under Nixon and Reagan. Now, in Haidts view, adoption of a very liberal immigration stance carries substantial liabilities: In these times of heightened fear of ISIS attacks and slow economic growth, if you are seen to favor open borders, or to not be concerned about illegal immigration, you will be an easy target for the party of law and order. It is, however, possible that Trumps excesses will revive support for an immigration policy somewhere between Obamas and Clintons. Adam Bonica, a political scientist at Stanford, said that in looking toward the future everything points to a strategic advantage for the Democrats in promoting immigration and the core values of decency and inclusiveness that their base stands for. I asked Marc Farinella, a former political consultant and the executive director of the Project on Political Reform at the University of Chicagos Harris School of Public Policy, about the direction of the debate going forward, and he wrote back: Trump has left the Democrats an enormous amount of running room on this issue. From a strictly strategic perspective, all Democrats have to do to capitalize politically is sound more compassionate and stand up against excessive government oppression. In the process, the party could also reap additional political rewards by giving voice to Americans desire for fairness and concerns about cheating and safety. Farinella added that Democrats would benefit politically by making it clear that while they oppose amnesty, they do support a path to citizenship for long-time, law-abiding and productive undocumented residents that has real work and assimilation requirements, and recognize that we do have to have efforts to identify and remove violent criminals and improve border security. Speaking exclusively in terms of the politics of the issue, all theyll have to do is sound reasonable, humane and compassionate. Farinellas analysis sounds logical, but after an election that gave the White House to Donald Trump, the argument that victory will go to the candidate who sounds reasonable, humane and compassionate is no longer persuasive. To the Editor: Re U.S. Wont Press a Two-State Path to Mideast Peace (front page, Feb. 16): In 1917, my forebear Arthur Balfour, as British foreign secretary, wrote the Balfour Declaration, a great humanitarian initiative to give Jews a home in their ancient lands, against the background of the dreadful Russian pogroms. We are conscious, however, that a central tenet of the declaration has all but been forgotten over the intervening decades: respect for the status of (Arab) Palestinians. The increasing inability of Israel to address this condition, coupled with the expansion into Arab territory of the Jewish settlements, are major factors in growing anti-Semitism around the world. If this situation is to have a chance of being neutralized, Israel must respect the United Nations resolutions (the same United Nations that gave Israel legitimacy 70 years ago) and look to allow the Palestinians their own state. Of course, this will mean disruption and Israeli political upheaval, and its disappointing that this week President Trump looked more like Janus on the issue. Nevertheless, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu owes this to the millions of Jews around the world who suffer essentially because of the results of internal Israeli politics, as well as to the unenfranchised Palestinians. Will accept LLRC report with changes: Madhes-based parties Madhes-based parties have hinted at accepting the report of the Local Level Restructuring Commission if appropriate changes are made in line to their demands. From the start, the Trump administration was a dark combination of mean and inept. But it was, on occasion, at least sort of mesmerizing. For instance, on Wednesday the nominee for secretary of labor went down the drain. Because somebody thought it was a good plan to go for a cabinet member with a history that includes employing an illegal immigrant housekeeper and an ex-wife who once went on Oprah to talk about spousal abuse. Things are so dire, people are feeling sympathy for Kellyanne Conway. Did you see that poor woman trying to answer questions about Flynn on the Today show? She looked as though shed been hit over the head with a skillet. Back in the good old days last week, Kellyanne was in trouble for violating the rule against federal officials giving endorsements. (Im going to give a free commercial here: Go buy it today, everybody. You can find it online.) It was a pretty good crisis, actually. The kind of thing we could have complained about at dinner parties for a month without losing our appetites. The majority of American voters who didnt support Donald Trump used to watch him on TV with a kind of cynical amusement as he bragged about fake election results and crowd sizes. Now every time it happens you cant help thinking wow, is this guy really unhinged? On Wednesday, in the middle of a press conference with the prime minister of Israel, Trump responded to a question about anti-Semitism in America by immediately pointing out he had won 306 Electoral College votes. (We were not supposed to crack 220.) And the president was so out to sea he couldnt come up with a consistent cover story for why Flynn left. His press secretary said Trump had requested Flynns resignation due to a trust issue. But when Trump showed up in person, he seemed to believe the whole thing was orchestrated by the fake media and a different chief executive from another planet. Background reading: Trump, Meeting With Netanyahu, Backs Away From Palestinian State, by Peter Baker. Andrew Puzder Withdraws From Consideration as Labor Secretary, by Alan Rappeport. Tune in, and tell us what you think. Email us at thedaily@nytimes.com. Tweet me at @mikiebarb. And if that isnt enough, we can even text. How do I listen? If you dont see an audio player on this page or to subscribe to The Daily for free, follow the instructions below. On your iPhone or iPad: Open the preloaded app called Podcasts; it has a purple icon. If youre reading this from your phone, tap this link, which will take you straight there. (You can also use the magnifying glass icon to search; type The Daily.) Once youre on the series page, you can tap on the episode title to play it, and tap on the subscribe button to have new episodes sent to your phone free. But he was eager to continue the hunt. I wanted education, he said. It was a guided tour. I wasnt going to say no. He saw a one-bedroom with a balcony in a postwar condo building on East 65th Street in Lenox Hill. The rent was $3,400 a month. The place was surprisingly noisy. I expected to see a whole heap of traffic right beneath us, but there wasnt, Mr. Stansfield said. It wasnt even that busy a time of day. The halls reeked of cigarette smoke. He thought he was open to walk-up buildings, and one was on his itinerary, a one-bedroom for $3,000 a month on East 61st Street in Lenox Hill. But now that he knew about doorman buildings, he bypassed it altogether. In Australia, he said, you dont have staff that will question everybody who comes in or keep a security register or anything like that. A triplex condominium with a doorman was available in Yorkville on East 86th Street for $3,200 a month. The interior seemed worn. The place was another no. It was very much a quick assessment, Mr. Stansfield said. He then spent a day hunting on the Upper West Side. The new buildings on Riverside Boulevard met his requirements, but left him cold. It was more devastating than the event that annihilated the dinosaurs some 186 million years later. Scientists think it may have been caused by intense volcanic activity that released tremendous amounts of carbon dioxide, heating the planet and acidifying the oceans. And the fossils Mr. Krumenacker first stumbled upon in Paris Canyon may be a sign that life on Earth recovered much more quickly than previously known. Something in the neighborhood of 90 percent of species went extinct, said Daniel Stephen, a paleontologist at Utah Valley University and an author of the paper that appeared in Science Advances on Wednesday. Just imagine you go outside, look around you and nine out of 10 of every life form you see around you have vanished. Though Mr. Krumenacker believed the fossil site was important, it took him more than a decade to draw professional paleontologists to Idaho. Since his first find, Mr. Krumenacker, who is now a doctoral student at Montana State University, made frequent trips back to the Paris Canyon site and uncovered shrimp and sponge fossils. These soft-bodied specimens typically dont fossilize well, but the ones he collected were pristinely preserved. They were just the discoveries he needed to attract the attention of other paleontologists and finally organize a professional dig. Stepping into the Stockholm design shop Layered, you might wonder if you had inadvertently crossed the border of Sweden into another country. Housed in an ornate 500-year-old building, the space is all marble pillars and gold scalloped moldings, with walls painted in deep turquoise and salmon. Antique fringed lamps mingle with furniture covered in dusty pink and marine blue velvets, and surrealist carpeting covers the floors. Where is the purely functional, the blond wood, the stark white walls? In fact, this design is as Swedish as minimalism. Inside Stockholms hotels, restaurants and shops, a slow return to the more colorful, often forgotten periods in the countrys design history can be seen a vibrant emulsion of the gilded trappings of the 18th-century court of King Gustav III, the wild textiles and individuality of spirit espoused by the textile designer Josef Frank and a movement known as Swedish Grace. The latter style is an appealing pastiche of Nordic folk motifs and ornate craftsmanship that arose around the same time as Art Deco (and, as it happens, was named by Philip Morton Shand, the journalist grandfather of Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall). The furniture and ceramics heralding Swedish Grace made their debut at the worlds fair in Paris in 1925, and were later exhibited and widely celebrated at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. By the 30s, however, the movement was eclipsed, in Sweden as well as internationally, by functionalism and the politicized mass production of home furnishings (see Ikea). Forever after, the words Scandinavian design equaled minimalism. There are plenty of reasons to avoid doing business in Europe: sluggish economic growth, concerns over security and terrorism, as well as political uncertainty. But venture capitalists and tech start-ups across the region have considered those risks and met them with a collective shrug. Funds have continued to raise large amounts of money to finance start-ups from Berlin to Bratislava, despite the rise of populist parties ahead of elections in France and Germany this year, questions over Britains exit from the European Union and terrorist attacks that have left many on edge. In another sign of that sentiment, Niklas Zennstrom, a founder of Skype who now runs Atomico, a venture capital firm, on Thursday announced a new $765 million fund, one of Europes largest-ever tech venture capital fund-raisings. The money will primarily be used to find fledgling European companies that can eventually compete on a global stage still dominated by Silicon Valley. A boy learns of a faraway land without guns or gangs. Everyone is rich there. Everything is free. The boy wants to know if there are trucks there. They have the biggest trucks in the world, his cousin replies. That land is America, and that boy is Asad Abdullahi, the subject of the spirited, wrenching and often sublime music drama A Man of Good Hope, created by the South African Isango Ensemble and Londons Young Vic and presented at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Based on Jonny Steinbergs book of the same name a work of narrative nonfiction derived from years of interviews with the real-life Asad Abdullahi it is the story of a boy who loses everything and then loses more. Asad is a refugee whose refuge, that America of riches and trucks, keeps receding. At the age of 8, Asad, a Somali boy, watches militiamen kill his mother. He flees with an uncle and a cousin but is separated from them. In Kenya, he finds another cousin, but fate conspires to part them, too. So he travels on, first to Ethiopia, where he eventually marries, then back through Kenya to Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe and finally to South Africa. In the prosperous Johannesburg, Asad, a chancer with an entrepreneurial streak, believes he has found a temporary place of safety. He is mistaken. Between those two pioneering forces, a peaceful culinary revolution began. More than a half-dozen homey restaurants have opened with prideful Georgian menus proclaiming organic status for both food and wine. With the current exchange rate, the experience is not only exciting, but also often a bargain. This culinary fever also has spread from the traditional tourist area, the sandstone crumbling Old City, to Tbilisis more contemporary quarters across the Kura River. Now bargain hunters heading to the Dry Bridge Market, an enclave to buy drinking horns and Soviet memorabilia, can reward their appetite without compromise. Shavi Lomi has relocated there. Another hot spot is Barbarestan, housed in an old butcher shop with meat hooks still visible and caged singing canaries. Family-owned, the restaurant drew its menu from Georgias beloved 19th-century cookbook by Barbare Jorjadze, who celebrated the Silk Road influence of her countrys cuisine. While her cookbook remains a strong influence on other local dining spots too, Barbarestans fare shows fealty in all details. Ghee, clarified butter, is used exclusively. The nadugi a typical fresh cheese spread and stuffing gets a vegan spin when substituting Ms. Jorjadzes recipe for pumpkinseed milk. Good morning. (Want to get California Today by email? Heres the sign-up.) J.W. Paine, a truck driver in Hollister, said his car windows were broken and his house egged after he put Donald Trump signs in his yard. Nathan Morton, wearing a #buildthewall shirt, said he was approached by a man and woman and cursed out in the clubhouse of his Santa Rosa apartment complex. Corrin Rankin, a Redwood City business owner who led Californias African-Americans for Trump coalition, said shes been shunned by people in town she had considered friends. Mr. Secretary has a new title: Professor. Former Secretary of State John Kerry was out of work for about a month before landing a new job at his alma mater, Yale, where he will teach a course as well as host presentations called Kerry Conversations. The new program, called the Kerry Initiative, was announced today by the universitys Jackson Institute for Global Affairs. Secretary Kerry is going to teach school, said Jim Levinsohn, director of the institute, home of the new program. Students are going to show up, and thats going to be John Kerry in the classroom. Mr. Levinsohn said Mr. Kerrys class, a seminar open to students across the university, will start in the next academic year. The Kerry Conversations will feature Mr. Kerry in discussions with world leaders, Mr. Levinsohn said. What It Is KauaiEclectic is a collection of observations, images and writings about Kauai Kamawaelualanimoku and the world as seen, felt, experienced and interpreted by me. WASHINGTON Moving quickly after his first choice for labor secretary withdrew his nomination amid controversy, President Trump made a seemingly safe selection on Thursday in R. Alexander Acosta, a Florida law school dean and former assistant attorney general. In Mr. Acosta, Mr. Trump has chosen a nominee with deep experience in labor relations, law and education. The pick answers concerns about the lack of diversity in the Trump administration, in that Mr. Acosta would be the first Hispanic in the presidents cabinet. And his chances of being confirmed appear relatively high, since Mr. Acosta, currently the dean of Florida International Universitys law school, has made it through the Senate process three times for different roles. Alex is going to be a key part of achieving our goal of revitalizing the American economy, manufacturing and labor force, Mr. Trump said as he called on the Senate to confirm Mr. Acosta swiftly. A Miami native, Mr. Acostas most relevant experience to the job of labor secretary is his time at the National Labor Relations Board, where he was a member from 2002 to 2003, under President George W. Bush. Mr. Bush later tapped Mr. Acosta to be assistant attorney general for the Justice Departments civil rights division, one of the highest positions at the agency. The rally will be only the second public appearance by Mr. Trump outside of Washington since he took office. On Friday, he is scheduled to visit a Boeing plant in North Charleston, S.C., for the unveiling of the aerospace manufacturers new Dreamliner aircraft. Mr. Trump filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission for his 2020 re-election campaign on Jan. 20, the day he was sworn in. That allowed him to continue to accept contributions including proceeds from the sales of his popular red Make America Great Again hats without running afoul of the law. Mr. Trump ended the 2016 campaign flush with funds, in part because of substantial sales of the hats. At the end of 2016, he had $7,611,702.92 cash on hand and no debt. The rally comes at a precarious time for Mr. Trump, as his White House is reeling from personnel turmoil and has yet to score any legislative victories. On Tuesday, he accepted the resignation of his national security adviser, Michael T. Flynn, who had become embroiled in allegations that he had improper contacts with Russian officials before Mr. Trump took office. That was followed on Wednesday by the abrupt withdrawal of Andrew F. Puzder, the presidents nominee to be secretary of labor, amid allegations that he had abused his ex-wife and employed an illegal immigrant. Mr. Trump had vowed to move quickly to put his policy agenda in place once in the White House. But his effort to use executive power to crack down on immigration has faltered in the face of legal challenges, and his administration has yet to issue a proposal either for repealing the health care law he railed against during the campaign or enacting the tax overhaul he has promised. Larry M. Noble, the general counsel of the Campaign Legal Center, a nonpartisan group, said he was not aware of any president having held a campaign rally this early in his tenure. When you spend a lot of time talking about policy and debating policy in the presidential campaign, it is far easier to be specific about legislation when you get into office, said Austan Goolsbee, who served as the chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers during the Obama administration. President Trump spent the campaign fleshing out nothing in detail, so its not really a surprise that they cant even agree on priorities, much less on actual legislative detail. House Republicans say slow and steady was always the plan. We are 100 percent on pace with the 200-day plan we presented to President Trump and to members at our retreat, Brendan Buck, a spokesman for Speaker Paul D. Ryan, wrote in an email. Budget first (check), then regs (check), then Obamacare bill (in process and on schedule), and then tax (after Obamacare). But even Democrats, who had been gearing up for fights and compromises on health care, a tax overhaul, infrastructure and other policy matters, are bored and frustrated. Its painful for someone like me who was excited about infrastructure and tax reform, said Representative Jim Himes, Democrat of Connecticut. It seems like the administration and the majority are nowhere. Congressional Republicans seem wary of offering their own bills, lest Mr. Trump or one of his aides, who have largely been distracted by personnel and intelligence scandals, undercut their efforts. This was most visible when Mr. Trump demanded that Republicans come up with a replacement plan for a health care law they had hoped to simply repeal, sending members flailing. The administration also gave conflicting messages on a tax plan embraced by House Republicans that would apply the corporate tax rate to all imports while exempting exports. What we consider before using anonymous sources. Do the sources know the information? Whats their motivation for telling us? Have they proved reliable in the past? Can we corroborate the information? Even with these questions satisfied, The Times uses anonymous sources as a last resort. The reporter and at least one editor know the identity of the source. Learn more about our process. On our side, its pretty clear who drives policy, said a Republican aide who spoke on the condition of anonymity to avoid being written about by Mr. Trump on Twitter. But take any issue and try to figure that out from their side. Is the leading influence Mr. Trumps policy adviser, Stephen Miller, who presents himself as the voice of the White House? Or the presidents son-in-law, Jared Kushner? Or Vice President Mike Pence? No one seems to know. WASHINGTON President Trumps nominee to be ambassador to Israel, David M. Friedman, a bankruptcy lawyer with no diplomatic experience, apologized on Thursday for his language during the highly charged presidential campaign, an apparent reference to his comments comparing liberal American Jews to the Jews who aided the Nazis in the Holocaust. Appearing before senators for his confirmation hearing, Mr. Friedman a former campaign adviser who has aligned himself with the Israeli far right and questioned the need for a two-state solution spoke broadly of regretting his language and promised to be respectful and measured if confirmed. The inflammatory rhetoric that accompanied the presidential campaign is entirely over, he said. Mr. Friedman came under fire last year for an op-ed he wrote for the website of Arutz Sheva, an Israeli news organization, in which he said supporters of the liberal Jewish lobbying organization J Street were far worse than kapos, the Jews who cooperated with the Nazis. As prolific as he is provocative, Mr. Friedman has also drawn condemnation for lobbing accusations of anti-Semitism against President Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and others. And among his criticisms of sitting senators who now stand in judgment of his fitness for the post he once slammed Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the Democratic leader, for not doing enough to derail the Iran nuclear deal, saying Mr. Schumer was validating the worst appeasement of terrorism since Munich. I will vote to oppose Congressman Mulvaneys nomination because it would be irresponsible to place the future of the defense budget in the hands of a person with such a record and judgment on national security, Mr. McCain said. Mr. Mulvaney enters the job with a busy agenda, because the administration must prepare a budget and address raising the debt limit in the coming weeks. The Trump administration has also promised to roll out a tax plan in short order. Mr. Mulvaneys views favoring drastic changes to Medicare and raising the eligibility age for Social Security put him at odds with Mr. Trump, who campaigned as the candidate who would protect those popular entitlement programs. Mr. Mulvaney was blamed by Democrats and some Republicans for orchestrating a government shutdown during the Obama era. His stands on spending may also clash with Mr. Trumps promises of big, new investments in the military and infrastructure. WASHINGTON The Senate hearing on Judge Neil M. Gorsuchs nomination to the Supreme Court will begin on March 20, the Judiciary Committee said on Thursday, setting the stage for one of the most contested judicial confirmations in a generation. Democrats, still angry that Republicans refused to allow President Barack Obama to fill the seat over the last 11 months of his presidency, have vowed tough questioning of Judge Gorsuch, who was nominated by President Trump on Jan. 31. Despite the judges strong legal credentials, some Democrats are likely to oppose him, with many people on the left demanding that they push back against Mr. Trump in any way they can. Democrats have also argued that the court seat was effectively stolen by Senate Republicans, who refused to hold hearings or a vote on Mr. Obamas nomination of Judge Merrick B. Garland. Republicans hold a 52-seat majority in the Senate, but they would need some Democratic votes to reach 60 and break a possible filibuster. That raises the prospect that Republicans could change Senate rules to prohibit, for the first time in two centuries, the use of the filibuster on Supreme Court nominations. Mr. Trump has encouraged Republicans to employ this so-called nuclear option. New York Times readers responded strongly to the revelation that members of President Trumps campaign staff and other associates spoke repeatedly to Russian officials in the year before the election, according to four current and former American officials. Below is a selection of the thousands of comments received on nytimes.com. Comments were edited for length and clarity. These Russian Contacts Could, Potentially, Be Treason Some readers questioned whether the actions of Mr. Trumps campaign staff and associates were treasonous. Im trying to figure out one scenario where the Trump campaign having repeated contacts with Russian intelligence during the campaign is NOT treasonous. Either they were collaborating with the Russians or they were private citizens engaging in foreign diplomacy. Neither is OK. Dan in Atlanta These Russian contacts could, potentially, be treason. That puts this at a whole other level. Things are moving at warp speed by D.C. standards. Something big is happening, very big. RBS in Maine What it means is that its going to be a blood bath when Pruitt gets in there, said Christine Todd Whitman, a Republican former governor of New Jersey and the E.P.A. administrator during the first term of President George W. Bush. Ms. Whitman predicted a standoff between career employees and their politically appointed bosses, noting that Mr. Pruitt would be blocked by legal Civil Service protections from immediately firing longtime employees, but would probably be able to retaliate in other ways, such as shifting them to different jobs. The showdown could embolden the White House and Congress to change federal Civil Service laws. The Civil Service is supposed to be a class of experts implementing policy, regardless of politics, said Myron Ebell, a fellow at the free-market Competitive Enterprise Institute, who led Mr. Trumps environmental transition team. If they have now become a special interest group pleading their own agenda, then it is probably time to look at reforming the Civil Service laws. The revolt has also angered supporters of Mr. Pruitt. There clearly has been an organized effort to demonize Pruitt, and I think thats unfair and unfortunate, said Jeffrey Holmstead, a senior E.P.A. official in the George W. Bush administration who has been mentioned as a possible deputy to Mr. Pruitt. I dont remember, in my time, anything like this. But I think that anyone Trump nominated would be targeted. We know that hell dismantle Clean Power Plan and the Waters of the U.S. rule, but hes not going to go in there and start firing people, said Mr. Holmstead, referring to Obama regulations on climate change and water pollution. What we consider before using anonymous sources. Do the sources know the information? Whats their motivation for telling us? Have they proved reliable in the past? Can we corroborate the information? Even with these questions satisfied, The Times uses anonymous sources as a last resort. The reporter and at least one editor know the identity of the source. Learn more about our process. Mr. Pruitt, the attorney general of Oklahoma, has sued the E.P.A. at least 14 times, often in concert with the nations largest fossil fuel companies, to block major environmental regulations. He has questioned human-caused global warming and is a key architect of the national legal effort to dismantle former President Barack Obamas climate change policies. WASHINGTON A top aide to President Trumps housing secretary nominee, Ben Carson, was fired and led out of the departments headquarters by security on Wednesday after writings critical of Mr. Trump surfaced in his vetting, according to two people briefed on the matter. Shermichael Singleton, who was one of the few black conservatives in the Trump administration, had been working at the Department of Housing and Urban Development since Jan. 23 as a senior adviser. He was preparing a cross-country tour for Mr. Carson, who is expected to be confirmed by the Senate this month. But according to the two people briefed, Mr. Singletons background check had not been completed. As it was being finished this week, Mr. Trumps advisers turned up public writings by Mr. Singleton that appeared during the later stages of the campaign in which he was deeply critical of the candidate. WASHINGTON The Justice Department told a federal appeals court on Thursday that it would not seek a rehearing of a decision that shut down President Trumps targeted travel ban. Instead, the administration will start from scratch, issuing a new executive order, the department said. Last Thursday, a unanimous three-judge panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, in San Francisco, blocked the key parts of the original executive order, which suspended the nations refugee program as well as travel from seven predominantly Muslim countries. The panel said the original ban was unlikely to survive constitutional scrutiny. The Justice Department said that the panels decision was riddled with errors but that the flaws it noted would be addressed in the new executive order. Rather than continuing this litigation, the Justice Departments brief said, the president intends in the near future to rescind the order and replace it with a new, substantially revised executive order to eliminate what the panel erroneously thought were constitutional concerns. WASHINGTON President Trump on Thursday dismissed reports about his associates contacts with Russia last year and vigorously defended his performance in his first four weeks in office, in a contentious news conference that showcased his unconventional and unconstrained presidency. At a hastily organized White House event ostensibly to announce a new nominee for labor secretary, R. Alexander Acosta Mr. Trump engaged in an extended attack on the news media and insisted that his new administration was not a chaotic operation but a fine-tuned machine. Any challenges, he said, were not his fault. To be honest, I inherited a mess, he said. In addition to his cabinet announcement, the president revealed that he had asked the Justice Department to investigate government leaks and said he would sign an executive order next week restricting travel to the United States. He promised to produce by March a plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, followed by another plan to overhaul the tax system. But his 77-minute news conference was dominated by an extraordinarily raw and angry defense of both his administration and his character. At times abrupt, often rambling, characteristically boastful yet seemingly pained at the portrayals of him, Mr. Trump kept summoning the spirit of his successful campaign after a month of grinding governance to remind his audience, again, that he won. STRASBOURG, France Declaring that the whole world benefits from a strong E.U., Justin Trudeau on Thursday became the first sitting prime minister of Canada to address the European Parliament, underscoring their close ties even as Britain prepares to leave the European Union and as President Trump celebrates the fracturing of the 28-nation bloc. Mr. Trudeau, who talked about the important bedrock of common values of peace and justice shared by Canadians and Europeans, did not once mention Britain, the Commonwealth (of which Canada is a member) or the United States in the prepared text of his 1,500-word speech. It was a subtle indication, perhaps, of the reshaping of the trans-Atlantic order, and the world itself, by the political events of 2016. Mr. Trudeaus speech here in Strasbourg, a potent symbol of the French-German alliance that is at the core of the European Union, came a day after the European Parliament ratified a landmark trade deal that many economists and other observers see as a counterweight to the protectionist policies supported by Mr. Trump. Seven years in the making, the deal slashes tariffs on industrial and agricultural products and opens up the services sector in areas like cargo shipping, telecommunications and financial services. [Read in Chinese - ] Despite promises to cut steel overcapacity, China actually brought more steel production online last year, resulting in a surge in air pollution in northern China, especially around Beijing, according to a report released this week by Greenpeace East Asia. The growth in operating capacity was more than twice the total steel making capacity of Britain, the report said. The increase in steel production, which is powered by the burning of coal, also means that levels of greenhouse gas emissions from that sector almost certainly grew last year, compared with 2015 levels. Greenhouse gases are the main factor behind the acceleration of climate change. The steel industry is the second biggest emitter of carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas; the first is power generation, which also relies mostly on coal. But Mr. Kwons lawyers said they did not know which ones were classified as subversive and did not know whether the picture of the T-shirt was one of them because officials denied their requests to see Mr. Kwon and the case files. They also disputed the claim that such criticism amounted to subversion. The two lawyers hired by Mr. Kwons parents were excluded from defending him in court days before the trial started, when a judge demanded extra paperwork and then Mr. Kwons father said their services were no longer needed. A judge from the court told us that we needed to provide a letter of introduction from our local bureau of justice in Beijing, Zhang Lei, who was Mr. Kwons other defense attorney, said by telephone. Thats an impossible request and outside the bounds of the law. Its an unlawful and unreasonable demand. Mr. Kwon embodies a phenomenon that worries the Chinese government: young people, exposed to foreign ideas, sometimes through study abroad, who feel free to criticize the government, perhaps naively believing that they wont get into serious trouble, Mr. Liang said. Hes from a younger generation thats absorbed ideas about democracy and freedom, he said. They have a clearer spirit of opposition. In January of last year, Zhang Haitao, an activist in his 40s, was sentenced by a court in far western China to 19 years in prison on charges of inciting subversion through his writings on the internet and of illegally providing information abroad. Mr. Kwon studied aerospace engineering at Iowa State University but worked for the family trade business after finishing his studies in 2014, Mr. Liang said. Yanbian, the city where Mr. Kwon lives and stood trial, is a hub for trade between China and North Korea, and South Korean businesses have also invested there, partly because of its ethnic Korean population. JAKARTA, Indonesia This weeks bitterly contested election for governor of Jakarta pitting a Christian incumbent charged with blaspheming Islam against two rivals who emphasized their Muslim faith was widely seen as a test of whether Indonesias young democracy could resist the pull of sectarian politics. Whether it passed that test is still an open question. The capitals governor, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, an ethnic Chinese Christian known as Ahok, finished first in Wednesdays balloting, with about 43 percent of the vote, according to unofficial estimates from independent polling agencies. But his poll numbers were substantially higher before October, when his political opponents accused him of blasphemy. And because Mr. Basuki did not win a majority of the vote, he will face the second-place finisher, Anies Baswedan, in an April runoff. Mr. Anies, a former minister of education and culture, finished just a few percentage points behind Mr. Basuki, according to the polling agencies. Some analysts said they expected Mr. Anies to gain the support of many voters who had backed the third candidate who, like him, had emphasized his Muslim identity during the campaign. While Mr. Lees arrest was welcome news to many in South Korea, some fear that even if he is convicted he will be pardoned. The arrest is a hard-won victory for the special prosecutor, Park Young-soo, who has been struggling to establish a bribery case against Mr. Lee and Ms. Park. Mr. Lee, who also goes by the name Jay Y. Lee in the West, had survived the prosecutors first attempt to arrest him last month, when a court in Seoul ruled that there was not enough evidence of bribery. But investigators have since collected what they called more incriminating evidence and again asked the court for an arrest warrant. Given the newly presented criminal charges and the additional evidence collected, the legal grounds and need for arresting him are recognized, the judge, Han Jeong-seok, said Friday when he issued the arrest warrant. The prosecutor must indict Mr. Lee within 20 days. In a statement, Samsung said, We will do our best to ensure that the truth is revealed in the court proceedings. The prosecutor is preparing to bring bribery charges against Ms. Park as well, although she cannot be indicted while she is in office. If she is removed and indicted, she will be the first South Korean leader on trial for corruption since two military dictators, Chun Doo-hwan and Roh Tae-woo, were convicted of bribery in the mid-1990s. Samsung was the most generous among a handful of conglomerates that each contributed millions of dollars to two foundations controlled by Ms. Choi, the presidents confidante, or signed lucrative contracts with companies run by Ms. Choi or her associates. ISLAMABAD, Pakistan A suicide bomber turned a spiritual dance celebration at a revered religious shrine into a slaughterhouse on Thursday, killing at least 70 people and wounding more than 250 in the worst act of terrorism to hit Pakistan in months. At least 50 of the wounded were critically hurt in the explosion at the Sufi shrine in a remote part of southern Pakistan, officials said. Many of the victims were women. The Islamic State, the extreme Sunni militant organization based in Syria and Iraq, announced that its branch in the region had carried out the attack. The Islamic State, which regards members of other Muslim groups as nonbelievers deserving death, also claimed responsibility for an attack on a Sufi shrine in southwestern Pakistan in November. Sufism, popular in Pakistan, is regarded as a relatively tolerant branch of Islam. BERLIN The German mass-circulation daily Bild has emphatically apologized to its readers for an article that said a mob of Arab men had sexually assaulted women on New Years Eve in a Frankfurt restaurant, after the police said that an investigation had failed to turn up any evidence. The accusations carried echoes of genuine attacks on New Years Eve a year earlier, and Nadja Niesen, a spokeswoman for prosecutors in Frankfurt, said on Thursday that the authorities had opened a preliminary investigation of two people suspected of fabricating a crime. In its Feb. 6 report, Bild, the most widely read newspaper in Germany, quoted Jan Mai, the owner of a cafe in downtown Frankfurt, as saying that 50 Arab-looking men had assaulted women on Dec. 31. It also quoted a woman it identified only as Irina A., 27, who said she had been among those who were groped everywhere by the men. The article mirrored a high-profile episode in Cologne a year earlier, when hundreds of women reported being robbed or sexually attacked on New Years Eve, some by groups of migrants and newly arrived asylum seekers. At the NATO defense ministers meeting this week, part of the new administrations first diplomatic engagement in Europe, much of the talk in the hallways dwelled on whether Mr. Mattis could continue to move the Trump administration toward positions on national security issues more palatable to the United States European allies. After speaking with Mr. Mattis, we dont have any doubts that the United States will stay committed to NATO, said Raimundas Karoblis, the Lithuanian defense minister. He, like several defense ministers, seemed so relieved to hear Mr. Mattis repeat standard American talking points about its commitment to NATO that he and the others did not complain about the demand the American defense secretary issued on Wednesday, telling them to commit more to military spending or see the United States moderate its commitment to the alliance whatever that might mean. Pressed on Thursday about what exactly he had meant by what sounded like an ultimatum, Mr. Mattis declined to elaborate, sparing the assembled diplomats from envisioning a pullout of American troops from Europe. Thats the headline that I do not want, he said, smiling broadly at the reporters in front of him. We will write our own headlines as a unified alliance. He said that the American commitment to Article 5 remains solid, referring to the NATOs principle that an attack on one is an attack on all. It remains unclear just how long Mr. Mattiss influence over an unpredictable president will last, and officials at the Pentagon have privately speculated about how long Mr. Mattis will last. For now though, he appears to be influencing policy. He told reporters that he had not decided whether to recommend sending more American troops to Syria as part of the campaign to fight the Islamic State, but that he wanted to consult with American allies first and get a better view of the situation in the Middle East. BONN, Germany By the time Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson decided that he wanted to join his counterparts at an important global gathering in Bonn his first trip overseas as Americas top diplomat all the good hotel rooms in this small German city had been taken. So Mr. Tillerson and his entourage of temporary State Department helpers took rooms at a rambling health clinic and spa next to a public bathhouse in the picturesque town of Bad Neuenahr, more than 20 miles outside the city a bit like holing up in Beltsville, Md., for a conference in Washington. The remoteness of the location fit with the growing distance between the Trump administration and its European counterparts on such issues as immigration, refugees, defense and trade. Indeed, so much uncertainty has crept into what had been close relations that Mr. Tillerson largely dispensed with the usual gushing and grinning news conferences with his counterparts on Thursday at the gathering of foreign ministers from countries in the Group of 20. The meeting was called to lay the groundwork for the summit meeting of leaders of G-20 countries in Hamburg in July. With the Russians, though, Mr. Tillerson repeated what has become an increasingly hard line in the administration against the kind of warming ties that President Trump presaged in his campaign. In brief remarks after meeting the Russian foreign minister, Sergey V. Lavrov, Mr. Tillerson said that Russia needed to honor its commitments to de-escalate the violence in Ukraine. Michiel Servaes, a Labor Party member of Parliament, campaigned in favor of the pact with Ukraine and said people like Mr. Baudet promoted a narrative that was word for word what would be used by a spokesman from the Kremlin. He recalled facing a barrage of criticism at one public meeting from a member of the audience who introduced herself as a Ukrainian but who turned out to be Russian. It was really quite shocking, Mr. Servaes said. People presented themselves as Ukrainians but were in reality Russians. For his part, Mr. Van Bommel acknowledged that some of his Ukrainian helpers were perhaps Russian but said it was not his job to verify their identities. I never ask people to see their passports, he said during an interview in The Hague. If they support our political platform they are welcome. A particularly active member of the Ukrainian team was Nikita Ananjev, a 26-year-old student born in Moscow who moved with his mother to the Netherlands, where he is now chairman of the Russian Student Association. He said he had attended 15 or more public meetings across the Netherlands during the referendum campaign, speaking out against the Ukrainian pact and what he described as the European Unions rusty and corrupted nomenklatura and its unfairly negative views of Russia. Mr. Ananjev, now a university student in the eastern Dutch region of Twente, went to Moscow in 2013 for a youth leaders school, a program sponsored by Rossotrudnichestvo, a state-funded organization that promotes cultural exchanges and works to promote Moscows take on the world. In December, he visited Brussels for the European Russian Forum, an annual gathering of Moscow-friendly politicians and experts supported by the Russian Foreign Ministry. Complaining that Russians who defend their country and criticize its adversaries often get labeled unfairly as intelligence operatives, he said in an interview: I am not a spy. Not yet. ERBIL, Iraq A car bomb exploded in a crowded Shiite Muslim neighborhood in Baghdad late Thursday afternoon, the latest terror attack in the capital claimed by the Islamic State, security officials reported. At least 54 people were killed and at least 63 more wounded in the bombing, making it the deadliest in Baghdad in at least a month. The attack came as Iraqi security forces, backed by American military advisers and Special Operations forces, prepared to assault an Islamic State stronghold in Mosul, Iraqs second-largest city, about 225 miles north of Baghdad. The country has been consumed by news from Mosul, where Iraqi forces have been mounting the countrys largest military operation since the United States invasion in 2003, driving Islamic State fighters from eastern Mosul over the last month Security officials said the bomb in Baghdad went off in a parked pickup truck. Ambulances responding to the scene quickly filled to capacity, so the police and civilians helped transport other victims to hospitals, according to Abu Jafar, a police commissioner. JERUSALEM The huge billboard images appeared overnight in Tel Aviv: a menacing crowd of Palestinians making the V for victory sign and bearing a legend in Arabic, Soon we will be the majority. One interpretation of that inevitability was explained in Hebrew for those who dialed the number on the billboard: If Israel does not act to separate itself from the Palestinians, it will be less secure, less democratic and less Jewish. The provocative many said racist campaign was kicked off last month by retired Israeli generals and senior officers to shake Israelis out of apathy. President Trump accomplished something similar over the course of just a few seconds on Wednesday, when, standing beside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, he declared that he was looking at two-state and one-state formulas for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. I like the one that both parties like, he added, seemingly overturning decades of American policy centered on the creation of a Palestinian state alongside Israel. UNITED NATIONS Twenty-four hours after President Trump swatted away at a broad international consensus on how to achieve peace between Israelis and Palestinians, his United Nations envoy sought to assure the world on Thursday that his administration supports Palestinian statehood but wants a thinking out of the box approach. We absolutely support a two-state solution, the American ambassador, Nikki R. Haley, said in answer to a question after a United Nations Security Council meeting devoted to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. But we are thinking out of the box as well, which is what does it take to bring these two sides to the table, what do we need to have them agree on? she said. She said nothing about what that approach would be, nor did she go any further in revealing a coherent picture of United States policy on the conflict, one of the most intractable in the world. MOSUL, Iraq The water taps are dry in Rashidiya. The water and sewage system collapsed in this eastern Mosul neighborhood after 100 days of street combat. On Sunday, Haitham Younis Wahab and his neighbor Shamsuldeen Ahmed Saed decided to do something about it. Out came the sledgehammers, steel pipes and shovels. The two men pounded and dug for three days. Sixteen feet down. Twenty feet down. Nothing. And then, 26 feet beneath the cracked sidewalk, they struck water. After all, they live just a half mile from the muddy Tigris River, which divides eastern and western Mosul. We came across the two neighbors as we walked through the crumbling streets of Rashidiya to find out how residents were faring three weeks after Iraqi security forces had driven most Islamic State fighters from eastern Mosul. STOCKHOLM A former Syrian rebel who took part in the mass killing of seven captured Syrian soldiers in 2012 was sentenced to life in prison in Sweden, where he had traveled and applied for asylum, officials announced on Thursday. The former rebel, Haisam Omar Sakhanh, 46, was arrested last March in Karlskoga, Sweden, and charged with a crime against international law. According to prosecutors, Mr. Sakhanh was among a group of rebels who took part in the killings of the soldiers, in Idlib Province in northwestern Syria, in 2012. A former rebel, horrified by the atrocities, provided a video of the killings to The New York Times, which revealed them in September 2013. To justify the prosecution of an international law violation in Sweden a country that had nothing to do with the killings the prosecutors extensively researched the conditions of the civil war in Syria, and in particular in Idlib. Last week, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials arrested more than 680 people in at least 12 states, shown below, stoking fears that the Trump administration is increasing the arrests and deportations of undocumented immigrants. States where arrests occurred Wis. N.Y. Ind. Ill. Calif. Kan. Mo. Ky. N.C. S.C. Ga. Tex. States where arrests occurred Wis. N.Y. Ind. Ill. Mo. Kan. Calif. Ky. N.C. S.C. Ga. Tex. Source: United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement | By The New York Times But a comparison of last weeks arrests and similar ones during the first four years of the Obama presidency shows that the recent level of enforcement activity is not unprecedented. It is unclear, however, if the numbers are an actual increase in enforcement, because information on operations in only 12 states was disclosed. In President Obamas first year, officials arrested an average of 675 immigrants a week in so-called community arrests. During the 2009 fiscal year, immigration officials made 35,094 arrests an average of 675 each week at individuals homes, workplaces or elsewhere in the community, which is similar to the number of arrests made last week. These types of arrests are sometimes called community arrests. Operations on this scale do not occur every week and may take several weeks to plan. Average number of community arrests each week 700 680 arrests last week 600 500 400 300 200 100 Fiscal year (Oct. - Sept.) 04 08 09 12 BUSH OBAMA 700 680 arrests last week 600 500 400 300 200 100 Fiscal year (Oct. - Sept.) 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 BUSH OBAMA Source: Interior Immigration Enforcement: Criminal Alien Programs by William A. Kandel, Congressional Research Service | Note: Includes all arrests made by national fugitive operations teams, which conducts the vast majority of community arrests. | By The New York Times The weekly average of such arrests made by Immigration and Customs Enforcement fugitive teams under President Obama rose to 771 in 2011 and declined slightly to 719 the next year. Data after 2012 are not readily available, but in more recent years, the number of ICE apprehensions and removals decreased overall, especially after the Obama administration began to focus on convicted criminals. In Mr. Obamas two terms in office, there were at least six known operations in which more than 500 people were arrested, according to an analysis by The New York Times. Announced Number arrested April 2010 596 June 2011 More than 2,400 September 2011 2,901 April 2012 3,168 August 2013 1,660 March 2015 2,059 In one of the largest operations, the Obama administration announced in 2015 that immigration officials had arrested more than 2,000 individuals in a five-day nationwide effort that targeted unauthorized immigrants convicted of crimes. Several other large nationwide operations resulted in more than a thousand arrests. While the numbers may not be unusual, Mr. Trump has opened the door to removing more unauthorized immigrants. Whats different about last weeks arrests is the context, said Randy Capps, Director of Research for United States Programs at the Migration Policy Institute, a nonpartisan research group. In 2014, the Obama administration began targeting unauthorized immigrants in three primary categories: those convicted of serious crimes, those considered national security threats and recent arrivals. But immigrants who committed minor offenses or none at all were often swept up in operations. Still, by the end of Mr. Obamas presidency, not counting migrants turned back at the border, about 90 percent of Immigration and Customs Enforcement removals from inside the United States were of convicted criminals. President Trumps executive order uses a broader definition of serious crimes and includes anyone who has crossed the border illegally a misdemeanor. The Obama administration was careful to say that only people who had very serious charges or were recent arrivals were priorities for enforcement, but now, everyone is a priority, Mr. Capps said. Most of those arrested last week had criminal convictions. Immigration officials reported that about 75 percent of the 680 people arrested during last weeks operations had criminal convictions. Of the 161 arrested in the Los Angeles area, 94 percent had been convicted of the following crimes: Most serious conviction Total Domestic violence 42 Drug offenses 26 Assault 23 Sex crimes 17 D.U.I. 17 Burglary 6 Weapons violations 5 Vehicle theft 4 Other 11 Of the 235 arrested in six Midwestern states, 163 had criminal convictions, 60 illegally re-entered the United States after being removed, and the remaining 12 were picked up because they had outstanding orders of removal issued by a federal immigration judge. Not all of the 680 will be removed immediately from the United States. Some of those arrested in last weeks operation have final orders to be deported and will probably be removed quickly from the country. Immigration officials can also quickly deport those individuals who re-entered the United States illegally by reinstating their previous removal order. For others, however, immigration officials will begin a removal process, which includes scheduling a hearing before an immigration judge. In this case, individuals can get a lawyer as well as appeal the ruling, which further delays the process. If theres one thing about paprika that Anita Molnar wishes more people knew, its that we owe Hungarian food to women. In fact, shell tell you, we owe every goulash, every fish soup and every chicken paprikash to one very particular group of 19th century women from the small village of Szeged, Hungary. If it hadnt been for them, none of the Hungarian dishes we love would even remotely resemble the subtly sweet flavor profiles we recognize today. Instead, they would be hot, pungent replicas, burning with the heat of raw paprika pods. What the women of Szeged discovered in the mid-1800s changed Hungarian cooking in ways they couldnt have possibly imagined. After recognizing that some of the dishes were just too spicy for the everyday eater, they went back to the sourceand realized that if they used their bare hands to cut out the spicy membranes of the raw paprika pods and washed the seeds, most of the heat from the fruit would be scrubbed away, leaving behind a sweet husk that could be dried and milled into a bright red powder. They knew, somewhat fortuitously, that plenty of people would want to swap out spicy paprika for the sweet stuff, so they started producing and selling it to local shops and grocers. Soon enough, as Molnar tells it, everyone started to use it in everything. The process continued in this way for nearly 100 years, until someone discovered how to cultivate a natural sweet variety after World War II. Shes sure that the women of Szeged were happy about this, because peeling out those membranes was a hell of a job. Molnar is now a descendant of these women, a paprika farmer and woman of Szeged herself, who spends her days drying and milling thousands upon thousands of those pepper pods. In the mid-1800s, Szeged probably didnt look much different than it does today: rolling green hills, rows and rows of crops, little houses with triangle-shaped roofs and lots of cows and horses roaming the landscape. Today, its very much the same, despite a few crumbling buildings and abandoned factories, uneasy evidence of communism and a life dictated by the state. Visitors come to Szeged looking for the roots of this luminescent spice that has been embraced in dishes across the globe, from the United States to Thailand. What they might not know is that paprika didnt actually originate heresources say it originated in Central Mexico and brought to Spain in the 16th centuryand didnt become a major crop in Eastern European farmlands until the 19th century. Molnars parents started the Paprika Molnar farm in the heart of Szeged nearly 200 years later, in the beginning of the 1990s, at a time when starting ones own business wasnt exactly as easy as putting in an application for a loan from a bank. What you need to understand, Molnar told me, is that Hungary was in the middle of a bloody and difficult transition from communism to capitalism, struggling to understand how to transition from state-owned cooperatives to privately-owned land. The 1990s as we understand them herea decade of economic prosperity and rapid GDP increasewas not the 1990s in post-Communist Szeged. Unlike many people who found themselves out of work after the fall, Molnars parents were a well-suited team to try their hands at creating a new business. Her mom, who had worked for the state, knew enough about finances and the banking sector to take on the administrative duties, and her dad, an agricultural worker, had 20 years of experience handling paprika and other crops like corn, wheat, garlic, onion and sunflower. They thought about what kind of crop would make for a good farming endeavor, decided on paprika and began the planting the seeds for what would become Paprika Molnar, their namesake and farm. At first, her dad grew some paprika plants on leased land, biding his time until he could build and manage his own mill and dehydrating plant. Her mom did all of the accounting and administration, all the while juggling full-time jobs at a local bank and in the financial sector. As goes much of life, they did good work, and then they retired. After earning her degree in English and History and spending years teaching English and translating, Molnar came back to the farm. Today, nearly 10 years later, she owns and runs the entire operation by herself. She cant even count the number of hats she wears, telling me that not only does she manage six employees (including her), she plans everything, oversees manufacturing, does HR, PR, marketing, sales, payments and billing, customer relations and any and everything else you could imagine. Her brother Daniel, who co-owns the business, doesnt actually work therehe has his own business as a manufacturer of conveyor belts for industrial plants. He does, however, write poetry about paprika. In one recent work, he lovingly calls it a healing elixir, a great wizard, a strong poisonthe true God of the stomach landscape. Today, the Molnars farm focuses nearly all of its attention on one thing: processing raw paprika. Though the family does own a few small hectares of landthey grow two or three local sweet varieties and one hot one (the sweet strands being Szegedi-80, Bolero, and Mihalytelki, and the hot one being Szegedi 178). These numbers mean little to most people, but to Molnar, they are everything. Inside the drying plant, Molnar dries nearly 100 tons of paprika. This is the weight of the end product, she says. In terms of raw produce this weight would be seven times more, which means seven kilograms of raw paprika makes one kilogram of spice. They dry most of this for their own operation, but she does tell me that they also offer drying and milling services for farmers who also produce paprika spice. She starts this process at the end of summer, when all of the paprika is ready to harvest and be dried. She adds one more thing to her list of things she wished people knew about paprika. The paprika that became the symbol of Hungary is produced from special red varieties that are suitable for drying, she says, explaining that the most suitable species for drying are also the ones with the lowest water content. These peppers are the one that develop the reddest pigments during maturation time. What this means, she says, is that its the least juicy one of all. Kristin Winet is an award-winning travel writer, photographer, and teacher. Her travel writing, which has been featured both online and in print, focuses on the intersections of culture, gender, and food. She is also Assistant Professor of English at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida. Check out her blog at www.bontouriste.com. For this series, well be following Pastes own Curmudgeon, Geoffrey Himes, as he sets out on a massive road trip across the South, exploring musical landmarks, traditions and history along the way. First stop: Rosine, Ky. Bluegrass is usually associated with southern Appalachia, the mountains between West Virginia and Georgia, where so many of its major figures lived. But the music was created and given its name a good distance from those mountains, in western Kentucky where the dark green grass does seem to have a blue tint when the sunlight hits it a certain way. Thats where Bill Monroe was born and raised. Thats where young William, the youngest of eight children, learned Anglo-Celtic fiddle tunes from his Uncle Pendiver, who raised Bill after his parents died, and blues from Arnold Schultz, the African-American railroad worker who was passing through town. Eventually Bill would quit the old-time country duo with his older brother Charlie and fuse those fiddle tunes and blues into a revolutionary music that brought high-speed virtuosity to the old string-band instruments. My traveling companion Ben and I were on a quest to find where it all started. We had begun our trip in Baltimore, had spent a wonderful evening and morning in Louisville, and now were tramping up a long one-and-a-half-lane blacktop in Rosine, Kentucky, looking for Bills childhood home. We climbed one ridge, found Charlies retirement house, went down a slope, climbed Pigeon Ridge, followed the curving ridgetop and more than a mile later, there it wasthe green-and-white-painted home with the sandstone chimney and stone-slab walkway to the wide porch. You could easily picture young Bill and Uncle Pen sitting on that porch after a long day of farm chores, picking out the notes that seemed all the sharper amid the immense stillness of the isolated ridgetop. It was the middle of February, so we were up there alone, and all we could hear was the wind whistling through the bare winter trees on the steep slope to the creek bed below. But what impressed us the most was just how far removed we were from the outside world. When we walked back to the highway and crossed the railroad tracks (that perhaps Arnold Schultz had worked on) and then drove into the tiny hamlet of Rosine, we realized how far young Bill would have had to walk to the nearest store. It was the kind of isolation that gives rise to radical innovation, of complete breaks with conventional methods. But it can also engender a deep nostalgia for a lost world once one leaves home to work in the big towns and small cities of the South. Virtuosity and nostalgia have been the twin poles of bluegrass ever since. A block from the two stores on the crossroads that constitutes Rosine even today is the Rosine Cemetery. Its easy to find Bills grave site in the small burial ground, for its white obelisk towers above the more humble markers. Charlies grave is nearby, and so are the tombstones for many other members of the Monroe family. But Bills is an ornate affair with the obelisk, a bas-relief plaque of Bill and his favorite dog Scotty and a short biography carved into the horizontal slab above the casket. Bill had a rare musical genius and the willpower and determination necessary to bring his music to millions of fans around the world, the slab reads. For many of those fans and for all of us who are members of his family, Bill Monroe is bluegrass music! Walk softly around this grave for my father Bill Monroe rests here as the blue moon of Kentucky shines on. It was signed, Son, James William Monroe, 1997. From Rosine we drove north through rolling hills and winter meadows little changed since Bills adolescence in the 1920s. The dilapidated trailers and bungalows indicated that the regions persistent poverty hasnt changed much, either. Before long, the lovely farmland gave way to the garish plastic signage of strip malls along Highway 231. We eventually pulled into Owensboro, Ky. and parked by the front door of the International Bluegrass Museum. I thought such parking spaces only happened in movies. Executive Director Chris Joslin met us and showed us around. Though the museum was founded in 1991 by members of the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA), then based in Owensboro, it only opened to the public in 1995. The current space became available in 2002 and its new permanent homestill in Owensborois scheduled to open in 2018. An independent entity from the IBMA, the museum is still a fledgling, small-budget operation, but it has its rewards. Most importantly, the museum contains the Bluegrass Hall of Fame. Along a curving wall, the 50 copper-colored bas relief plaques honor all the genres legends, beginning with Bill Monroe, inducted in the initial class of 1991 and continuing through Monroes banjo whiz Bill Keith, inducted in 2015. The 2016 inductees, Byrds guitarist Clarence White and the founders of Rounder Records, will be hung on the wall during the museums annual June event, the ROMP Festival. What I most like about music museums are one-of-a-kind artifacts, and though this museum is still a bit light on such objects, it does have some impressive items. Pete Seegers Vega Longneck banjo is there, with the head inscribed This machine surrounds hate and forces it to surrender, a variation on Woody Guthries guitar which read, This machine kills fascists. J.D. Crowes longtime stage banjo is on display and so is the first fiddle ever sawed on by Monroes longtime fiddler Kenny Baker. A temporary exhibit on Dixie and Tom T. Hall, who wrote dozens of songs recorded by bluegrass artists, includes handwritten lyrics, the small table where they would leave drafts of the lyrics they were co-writing for each other and the Wollensak Tape recorder that Tom T. used to demo his most famous songs. A temporary exhibit on Dailey & Vincent includes five Grammy awards and 13 IBMA awards. But the best artifact of all is Uncle Pen Vandivers original fiddle from the earliest part of the 20th century and the small, hand-carved cedar chest that served as its carrying case. Here was the instrument that first made Bill Monroe fall in love with music, that partially inspired him to create the sound that changed American music forever. Next to the glass case is a video monitor that showed the best fiddlers in Nashville playing the recently restored instrument and talking about what it means to them. As we left the museum, we drove west on Second Street, parallel to the banks of the Ohio River, and three blocks down Second there was the steel-girder skeleton of the new museum taking shape. With its handsomely rounded front atrium, it seemed a potentially impressive building. Owensboro is known for something else besides bluegrass music, and thats mutton barbeque. Only in that region is sheep meat popular for slow cooking. So we stopped at the renowned Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn. The mutton has a strong taste, more like venison than beef, and its not for the faint of stomach, but I loved it and had seconds. But Moonlite has a buffet with seven different kinds of barbeque, plus a salad bar, cornbread, biscuits and many Southern vegetable dishes and dessertsall for $15.25 on weeknights. Western Kentucky is often overlooked in histories of American culture, without big cities, mountains or the Mississippi River to call attention to it. But it was here that an important chapter in American music was written. And its here that the strangest barbeque youll ever taste is cooked. Few cities in the world are as inviting as Amsterdam. Its like an eccentric and oh-so-cool aunt that you finally get to meet for the first time. Its a city of inclusion, where youll find a church, brothel and child care center all on the same block. With tall brownstones, endless canals and more than 300 days of sunshine, the city has an ethereal glow, whether youre visiting in January or July, making it is easy to see why 17th century masters such as Van Gogh and Rembrandt chose to call Amsterdam home Biking is more than a trend in Amsterdamits a way of life. Approximately 63 percent of Amsterdam residents ride a bike on a daily basis, which explains how a city with a perpetual case of the munchies manages to stay so trim. Even having invented the stroopwafel, Amsterdam boasts a low 10 percent obesity rate. Tourists can rent a bike and join the fun, though theyre likely the ones responsible for the 12,000-15,000 or so bikes fished out of the canals every year. If youre visiting Amsterdam, dont only experience the citys laissez-faire approach to prostitution and marijuana. While both are an undeniable part of the citys day-to-day life, theres much more to explore. Photo courtesy of Getty Images This is arguably the most significant cultural experience in all of Europe. Nothing compares to walking the same steps, experiencing the same enclosures and peeking out of the same attic window as Anne Frank did while in hiding. For the hour or so that youre touring the house, you cease to be a Democrat or Republican, an immigrant or a minority. You become Anne Frank. You experience her struggle. You cry for the futility of a war waged against an innocent group of people and feel a sense of hope at the boundless optimism of a child. The walls still display the clippings Anne used to decorate her room and show her measurements in pencil, documenting the years as they passed. There are no photographs permitted on the premises, despite what you may have seen on Beyonces Instagram account. Theres also a permanent line around the block to get tickets, even in the offseason, so save time and disappointment by booking online. It will be well worth the effort to actually plan the rest of your trip around this visit. 2. Cheese Museum Just down the street from the Anne Frank House is the Cheese Museum. This is the perfect place to decompress and eat your feelings after an emotional experience. With dozens of cheese variations and, more importantly, free samples, you wont mind the fact that this museum is technically more of a store with a photo area and some artifacts in the basement. There are props, costumes and a backdrop where you can take a commemorative picture on your own phone or on the machine provided. Prices are reasonable overall. Not to mention, the service is friendly and the cheese is outstanding. Dont leave without trying the Prima Donna; it lives up to its name. 3. Van Gogh Museum Photo by Jasper Juinen/Getty Three floors of incredible artwork and multimedia enhancements await you in one of the best-curated museums in all of Europe. Founded by Van Goghs nephew in his honor, the museum takes you through his life and works chronologically, allowing you to see Van Goghs progress as an artist and a person. Unlike his reclusive contemporaries, Van Gogh wrote profusely to his brother and friends, leaving fans with countless letters from which to gain rare insight into the mind of the man behind all the self-portraits. Well-known pieces such as Sunflowers, Almond Blossoms and The Bedroom draw a steady crowd, but photographs are not allowed. Spend the extra 5 euros on the audio guide and, if your schedule permits, visit on a Friday night when the museum is open late (till 10 p.m.), with live music and a bar in the lobby. 4. Bridge of Love The Bridge of Love was actually formed for two wealthy sisters who wanted access to each other from across the Amstel River. Today, it is open to pedestrian and bikes only and symbolizes the value of all types of love. While the French government has taken extreme measures to ban locks of love from the Ponts de Arts bridge in Paris, those looking to leave a token of their affection in Europe will find an equally worthy, though still not government sanctioned, alternative at the Bridge of Love. Also, legend has it that those who kiss at the bridge will be together forever, so choose who you lock lips with wisely. 5. Rijksmuseum Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty It is impossible to look at an Amsterdam guidebook without seeing a picture of the famous I amsterdam statue. Erected in front of the Rijksmuseum, it makes the perfect background for your welcome photographs and Snapchats. If you visit early enough, you might just luck out and get the famous landmark all to yourself. The added benefit of tackling Rijksmuseum first thing is the quick admission line and sparse crowd around the museums most famous paintings. Though it spans the length of a wall, The Night Watch by Rembrandt is difficult to catch without a bevy of onlookers. Go straight to the Great Hall on the second floor upon arrival and begin a 90-minute highlights tour. You can download the audio guide for free on the Rijksmuseum app, just make sure you have headphones as it does not play aloud on your phone. 6. Hermitage Amsterdam Russia limits the display of Russian artwork outside the country, lending its pieces only to pre-approved institutions. The Hermitage Amsterdam, a branch of the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, is one of the few places in the world where you can view Russian art year-round. While it has only been open since 2009, it is already an integral part of Amsterdams museum scene. The exhibits rotate and have featured jewelry and furnishings belonging to Catherine the Great. 7. Canal Cruise Photo by Mark Dadswell/Getty Amsterdam is affectionately referred to as the Venice of the North because of its many canals and bridges. Unlike Venice, however, Amsterdams canals are man-made. The city started off as a dam. You can learn this and more while exploring the city aboard the Friendship Amsterdam, a small open-air boat that offers one of the most thorough canal cruises available. While others wait in line forever to board a boat enclosed by windows with 50-100 people, those who choose Friendship Amsterdam take unobstructed pictures on a boat so tiny that it can go under smaller bridges and through secluded canals. Youre encouraged to touch the panels underneath one of the bridges for luck while cruising by, or recline comfortably with a drink in hand. This is the way a canal cruise should be, and is sure to be the highlight of any trip to Amsterdam year-round, day or night. 8. Zaanse Schans Amsterdam is such a modern city that it can be hard to forget youre in the Netherlands. A mere 40 minutes outside the city by bus or train, however, is Zaanse Schans, a living outdoor museum that provides visitors with a uniquely Dutch experience: life in the 1800s. Start by attending a clog making demonstration to witness firsthand how a block of wood is turned into a shoe. Next, tour one of the eight working windmills on the premises, each devoted to a different purpose such as harvesting raw materials or sawing lumber. Dont forget to try hot chocolate with rum on your way out if youre visiting during the winter; it will warm you right up. 9. Rembrandt House This is the house where Rembrandt lived before going bankrupt and having to sell all his belongings. It is important to note that this is a reconstruction so no original paintings or furniture are on display. What is on display, however, is the original near-complete collection of his etchings in an annex to the house. Guests can gain context and background by attending a sketching demonstration beforehand, held throughout the day. There is also a paint-making workshop demonstrating how to make paint from scratch. The raw materials you see featured in the paint workshop are the very ones produced and manufactured at Zaanse Schans. 10. Coffee Shops Last but definitely not least, you have to visit a coffee shop. Big names like Dampkring or Green House have many celebrity visitors, but their wait times and prices reflect the hype. Check out Coffee Shop New Times instead, with chic Middle Eastern decor, leather seating and televisions. If youre in the Centraal Station area, drop by Coffeeshop The Store. It has a warm tavern feel and is the perfect bookend to any trip. Jen Ruiz is a Fort Lauderdale-based lawyer and blogger. In a clear display of historical ignorance and distasteful, incorrect analogizing, The Belleville News-Democrat of southern Illinois published a political cartoon by conservative cartoonist Glenn McCoy depicting newly-confirmed Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos as Ruby Bridges. Hindsight is 20/20 is how the old adage goes. In the United States, we are now overwhelmingly able to look back at Jim Crow segregation as very separate, not at all equal, and quite racist. In 2017, it seems Americans can look at images of the young black boys and girls who desegregated all-white schools in their districts, and the vile, hateful white faces flanking them, holding signs, throwing food, protesting our very existence, trying with all their might to intimidate the black children. Famed artist Norman Rockwell depicted then six-year-old Ruby Bridges in a painting as she desegregated the all-white William Frantz Elementary School in her hometown of New Orleans, Louisiana. This was in 1960: six years after the decision from Brown v. Board of Education determined the separate schools were in fact, completely unequal (the discrepancies were obvious; something every black family at the time already knew to be true). In Rockwells piece, The Problem We All Live With, the young Ruby Bridges is walking past a wall graffitied with the word NIGGER and smeared with the remnants of a tomato thrown at her by white people protesting her being educated with their white children. Servicemen escort her through the mayhem. In the political cartoon featuring DeVos, titled, Trying to Trash Betsy DeVos, the Secretary of Education is similarly surrounded by men (though in business suits, rather than military uniforms). A tomato has been thrown at her, too. And where NIGGER was in Rockwells painting is the word CONSERVATIVE in McCoys cartoon. The issues with the political cartoon are many: for starters, Betsey DeVos is not an innocent child whose race and proximity to whiteness was found threatening by white southerners. DeVos is a grown adult, one who is not at all qualified for the job she now holds, with some evidence even suggesting she bought her way into the job. Indeed, the pushback and protestation DeVos has gotten is not because she is a conservative, as the political cartoon has scrawled on the wall behind her suggests, but because she, quite simply, does not know enough (or possibly anything) about education. Additionally, relating the word conservative to the word nigger is offensive in and of itself. Unlike nigger, conservative is not a dehumanizing slur with its roots based in a system that legalized and legitimized the ownership of black human people. Being a conservative means choosing a political position with which other people may disagree. Ruby Bridges did not choose to be black. No matter how much racists throughout history have tried to force their own political and racial viewpoints via economics, laws, and prison system, there is no room for disagreement with the assertion: black people are as worthy of human dignity as anyone else. Meanwhile, one can disagree with DeVos harmful political stances and what they mean in practice without discounting her own innate human dignity. Much to her horror, people protested outside of a D.C. school last week, refusing to let the shamefully unqualified DeVos inside. Bridgeslike many other young black people who desegregated schoolswas brave in the face of unnecessary hate and bigotry. She wanted to go to school; she wanted to attend a school that was properly funded, with desks and books and chalkboards, rather than the less-than-satisfactory schools all black people had previously been subjected to. On the other hand, DeVos has made several choices too: shes chosen to remain ignorant of our education system and then decided to make herself available for the Secretary of Education position. Though The Belleville News-Democrat provided no further explanation for the cartoon other than its title, the implication is clear: conservatives, be they the man drawing this cartoon or the people seeing no issue with it, think being obviously unfit for ones job is as traumatic as a young black child standing up to once-legalized bigotry. To be completely clear: DeVos is not facing bigotry. That citizens are displeased she stands to ruin public education and think she is unqualified for her current position is not the product of hate. It is not somethinglike Jim Crow lawsmaking DeVos an inherently second-class citizen. So to present the American peoples displeasure and forced accountability for DeVos and the Trump administration, as a) a civil rights issue and b) something that makes them systemically victimized is offensive to marginalized people and woefully ignorant of education itself. Perhaps conservatives can learn a thing or two from the institutions in the United States teaching us about history. Maybe they could help the people learning that history to draw adequate parallels and give out merits or demerits out based on how well that knowledge was absorbed. It is essential the subject knows how to actually apply these concepts in real life. Alex Aqel Wins WSOPC Potawatomi February 15, 2017 Mo Nuwwarah Editor Potawatomi Casino in Milwaukee is proving quite the lucrative poker spot for Alex Aqel. Just a few months after winning a Mid-States Poker Tour event for about $140,000 there, Aqel hit his biggest score yet by winning the World Series of Poker Circuit Main Event for $208,184. It roughly doubled the career tournament cashes of the Chicago-based business owner. Playing for that amount of money is a lot easier because I just recently had a big score," Aqel said to tournament staff afterward. Official Final Table Results Place Player Hometown Prize 1 Alex Aqel Orland Park, IL $208,184 2 Chad Wiedenhoeft Whitewater, WI $128,816 3 James Gregg New Berlin, WI $94,482 4 Denise Pratt Olive Branch, MS $70,262 5 Garrett Riley Quincy, IL $52,958 6 Nick Pupillo Addison, IL $40,447 7 Nik Stone Auburndale, WI $31,298 8 Josh Reichard Janesville, WI $25,534 9 Brad Jansen West Bend, WI $19,477 With 677 runners turning up in the first WSOP Circuit Main Event at Potawatomi, 72 were paid out. Former PokerNews Managing Editor Chad Holloway, Everett Carlton, Andy Philachack, Nick Jivkov, Allen Kessler, Ravi Raghavan, Rich Alsup and TK Miles were some of the players who cashed in the event but fell short of the final table. The final table was reached late on Day 2, and according to the live updates, Aqel was in command with around 100 big blinds. However, Denise Pratt took the lead after picking up aces and three-betting Brad Jansen, who called with ace-king and stacked off on a king-high flop. Jansen was left with less than a big blind and busted before everyone bagged for the night to leave eight players for the final day. Bagging and tagging did nothing to slow down how hot Pratt ran, as she coolered Josh Reichard right off the bat on Day 3. Both players made trip eights in a button versus blind spot, but Pratt had Reichard outkicked and took most of chips before he busted in eighth. Reichard could at least console himself with the sixth career ring that he picked up earlier in the series. Aqel then won a big pot against Nik Stone by flatting from the button when Stone opened on his right. The flop came and Aqel called a bet, then another on the turn. After a arrived, Aqel made a big bet on the end and Stone called off most of his stack only to see Aqel show king-queen for the turned nut straight. Left with crumbs, Stone busted in seventh. Nick Pupillo tried to add a second ring to his collection but faltered in sixth after running ace-king into Garrett Riley's aces. Meanwhile, Aqel dwindled down to about 15 big blinds when he jammed in the big blind over a button raise from Riley. Riley called with but lost to Aqel's when enough low cards hit the felt to allow Aqel's kicker to play. Pratt's roll show finally slowed down after she bluffed all in on the river into Chad Wiedenhoeft's full house and then lost a big flip to Aqel, who paired up with ace-jack against Pratt's sevens. She then lost another big pot to Aqel, this time calling a raise in the small blind and then shoving all in with tens on an flop only to see Aqel snap with sevens. After Riley ran out of steam in fifth, Pratt bluffed off her remaining chips on the river with queen-high when James Gregg made a wheel. Gregg shoved all in with ace-king for about 20 big blinds over a Wiedenhoeft raise three-handed. Wiedenhoeft called with ace-three and found a three on the turn to take the slightest of leads into heads-up play with Aqel. The decisive heads-up hand started with Wiedenhoeft limping the button and Aqel raising to 350,000 at 50,000/100,000/10,000. Wiedenhoeft called and he called barrels of 250,000 and 450,000 as the board came down . Aqel fired a final bullet of 1,050,000 on the river only to see Wiedenhoeft move all in. Aqel called since he had for quads and Wiedenhoeft showed his . Wiedenhoeft was left with 32 big blinds and a 3-1 deficit and couldn't recover, settling for second and $128,816 when he called off his remaining chips with a pair of jacks on the river only to see Aqel show down trip kings for the win on a board. Here's a look at all of the other ring winners at the Potawatomi stop: Event Winner Prize $365 Reentry Ty Veras $67,726 $580 NLHE Yousef Anbar $29,371 $365 Turbo Winston Ackerman $22,842 $365 NLHE Leon Gao $14,500 $365 PLO Josh Reichard $17,021 $365 Six-Max Travis Lauson $19,639 $365 Monster Stack Eric Guth $34,310 $2,200 High Roller Nadya Magnus $71,398 $365 Turbo Byron Ziebell $19,547 $580 NLHE Kalpesh Shah $22,950 Photo courtesy of WSOP Life is Dulce We call it the dolce far niente. It means the sweetness of doing nothing. You may have heard this while scrolling through Instagram or T Read moreThe benefits of doing nothing CBRE Global Investors, on behalf of its clients, has acquired an office property, Tobaksmonopolet 2, Sodermalm in Stockholm. The asset was sold by Aberdeen. Tobaksmonopolet 2 is a well-known, historic landmark property located on the inner-city island of Sodermalm in Stockholm. The asset benefits from excellent access to public transport [] Philips Poland will occupy 4,000 sq m which constitutes almost half of the Symetris Business Park II building in Lodz. The firm will expand its business in a new office located in the complex owned by Echo Investment. The Knight Frank Tenant Representation team represented Philips Poland in the process [] Scientists at the Interdisciplinary Centre for Security, Reliability and Trust (SnT) of the University of Luxembourg have developed an important mathematical algorithm called "Equihash." Equihash is a core component for the new cryptocurrency Zcash, which offers more privacy and equality than the famous Bitcoin. Zcash came into operation as an experimental technology for a community-driven digital currency in late 2016. Bitcoin is by far the most recognized and widely used digital currency. It was introduced in January 2009 and has garnered much attention since then. But it is not the only one of its kind. Wikipedia lists nearly one hundred cryptocurrencies boasting more than 1 million US dollar market capitalisation. One of the newest cryptocurrencies is "Zcash," which can be seen as an update to the Bitcoin protocols. In Bitcoin, the transfer of coins is recorded in a global ledger, the so-called blockchain. The validity of the latest transfers in the blockchain is verified about every ten minutes. Verifying the transfers and creating new blocks for the blockchain (the so-called mining) requires a lot of computing power, which is provided by distributed computers worldwide. The "miners" who allocate the processing power are rewarded with new coins. Zcash is trying to resolve two main shortcomings of Bitcoin: its lack of privacy for transactions and the centralization of transaction verification into the hands of a mere dozen miners who have invested in large amounts of specialized mining hardware: Bitcoin is prone to such centralization because the computational load of the bitcoin mining algorithm can be split into many different small tasks, which can be conducted in parallel. The algorithm is easy to implement in dedicated, energy-efficient and cheap microchips, but not suited to standard hardware. Bitcoin mining today is therefore done on special-purpose supercomputers which are located in places with cheap electricity and/or cheap cooling. Such supercomputers are expensive, costing millions of euros, but provide much more mining power than if one were to use standard PC hardware of the same price. Prof. Alex Biryukov, head of the research group "Cryptolux" and Dr. Dmitry Khovratovich at SnT have developed the algorithm "Equihash" which can resolve this problem. Equihash is a so called memory-hard problem, which can not be split up into smaller working packages. It can be more efficiently calculated on desktop-class computers with their multiple processing cores and gigabytes of memory than on special hardware chips. "If 10,000 miners with a single PC were active, in Zcash the investment to compete with them would be 10,000 times the price of a PC, while with bitcoin, the investment would be significantly smaller," says Khovratovich. This creates a more democratic digital currency by allowing more users to contribute to the mining process. Khovratovich adds: "The strength of a cryptocurrency comes from the fact that the ledger is globally distributed. Our Equihash algorithm reverses the situation back to this more ideal world." Equihash was first presented at the Network and Distributed System Security Symposium last year -- one of the top-5 IT security events. Prof. Biryukov comments: "Since Equihash is based on a fundamental computer science problem, advances in Equihash mining algorithms will benefit computer science in general. Equihash is so far unique among all the mining algorithms: it is memory-hard on the one hand and very easy to verify on the other." In other words, while mining new coins with Zcash/Equihash is comparatively expensive, hence posing a smaller risk of monopolization because it requires large amounts of computer memory and hard computational work, checking that the new coins are genuine is memoryless, fast and cheap. Understanding these advantages, the creators of Zcash chose Equihash as the algorithm for mining coins and verifying transfers. Equihash itself is not limited to use in Zcash and can be used in any cryptocurrency, including Bitcoin. "With our contribution to Zcash, the Cryptography and Security lab (CryptoLux) has shown its strength in innovative research that has immediate applications in the financial technology industry," says SnTs director, Prof. Bjorn Ottersten. "We invite students to follow us in this promising field," adds Professor Biryukov: "There are still lots of challenging research problems to solve." A wireless network of sensors aimed at preventing explosions in mines is an innovation of worldwide significance that is being developed by a Norwegian-African cooperative project. The South Africans want to be able to detect explosive gases in mines -- before they explode. This has led to SINTEF, the largest independent research organisation in Scandinavia, and GasSecure, one of its spin-off companies, being awarded a contract in that distant land. In collaboration with South African researchers and industrial scientists, the Norwegian project participants intend to develop a rather unusual communications network, which will wirelessly transmit and receive signals within deep mine workings in which drilling, blasting and excavation are taking place. Mines are extremely inhospitable environments, with high levels of humidity, dirt and dust, not to mention high temperatures. "In the first instance, the system will be used to gather data that can immediately detect a potential explosion hazard in the mine, enabling mine-workers to rapidly receive a warning of danger. The next objective will be to use the data as a basis for on-demand, and thus energy-saving, ventilation in the mine. Quite simply, we want to develop an integrated on-demand ventilation system for mining operations," says project manager Trond Bakken of SINTEF Digital. Norway's Foreign Affairs Ministry behind the project If their efforts are successful, the members of the project will also market their results in other countries that operate manned mines. The bilateral project's budget of NOK 17 million includes outgoings at the test site, an operating mine whose facilities are being provided by the industry. Of the total, MNOK 11 come from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs via its Embassy in Pretoria. The remainder is made up of individual contributions contributed by SINTEF and the other project partners. advertisement The work follows in the wake of a pilot project that was carried out in 2012 -- 2013. This preliminary effort produced just the answers that everyone involved was hoping for: It had already been shown that a gas-sensor from SINTEF spin-off GasSecure, which is based on SINTEF research, can detect leakages of explosive hydrocarbon gases such as methane on board offshore platforms. The pilot project found that the sensor can also operate in mine workings, a capability that will improve safety for workers in the mining industry. The pilot project also demonstrated that underground wireless communication is possible even under the challenging conditions that prevail in the mining industry. Vital air flow measurements Project manager Bakken says that the current project focuses on two main tasks: The Norwegian and African participants will collaborate on the development of a sensor to be used in conjunction with the gas sensor. This additional sensor will measure air flow, temperature and humidity in mine workings. Information regarding air flow in mines at crucial points down a mine can tell the operator whether or not leakages of explosive gas are dangerous. Location information of this sort will reduce the number of gas sensors needed. The project will also develop the communication system that will link all the sensors into an integrated network. Gold and diamonds South African mines mainly produce gold, diamonds and platinum. "This collaborative project aims both to strengthen local partners and improve safety in an industry that is vital to the South African economy. We also hope that we will succeed in meeting our long-term aim of developing an on-demand ventilation system. If we do, this will bring additional benefits: improved profitability in South Africa's mining industry, a reduction in energy consumption, and in consequence, less stress on the environment," says Trond Bakken. The local project partners include the South African research and development organisation -- the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), the University of Pretoria and the manufacturing company Ansys, which makes equipment for the mining industry. Modern computer technology is based on the transport of electric charge in semiconductors. But this technology's potential will be reaching its limits in the near future, since the components deployed cannot be miniaturized further. But, there is another option: using an electron's spin, instead of its charge, to transmit information. A team of scientists from Munich and Kyoto is now demonstrating how this works. Computers and mobile devices continue providing ever more functionality. The basis for this surge in performance has been progressively extended miniaturization. However, there are fundamental limits to the degree of miniaturization possible, meaning that arbitrary size reductions will not be possible with semiconductor technology. Researchers around the world are thus working on alternatives. A particularly promising approach involves so-called spin electronics. This takes advantage of the fact that electrons possess, in addition to charge, angular momentum -- the spin. The experts hope to use this property to increase the information density and at the same time the functionality of future electronics. Together with colleagues at the Kyoto University in Japan scientists at the Walther-Meiner-Institute (WMI) and the Technical University of Munich (TUM) in Garching have now demonstrated the transport of spin information at room temperature in a remarkable material system. A unique boundary layer In their experiment, they demonstrated the production, transport and detection of electronic spins in the boundary layer between the materials lanthanum-aluminate (LaAlO2) and strontium-titanate (SrTiO3). What makes this material system unique is that an extremely thin, electrically conducting layer forms at the interface between the two non-conducting materials: a so-called two-dimensional electron gas. The German-Japanese team has now shown that this two-dimensional electron gas transports not only charge, but also spin. "To achieve this we first had to surmount several technical hurdles," says Dr Hans Hubl, scientist at the Chair for Technical Physics at TUM and Deputy Director of the Walther-Meiner-Institute. "The two key questions were: How can spin be transferred to the two-dimensional electron gas and how can the transport be proven?" Information transport via spin The scientists solved the problem of spin transfer using a magnetic contact. Microwave radiation forces its electrons into a precession movement, analogous to the wobbling motion of a top. Just as in a top, this motion does not last forever, but rather, weakens in time -- in this case by imparting its spin onto the two-dimensional electron gas. The electron gas then transports the spin information to a non-magnetic contact located one micrometer next to the contact. The non-magnetic contact detects the spin transport by absorbing the spin, building up an electric potential in the process. Measuring this potential allowed the researchers to systematically investigate the transport of spin and demonstrate the feasibility of bridging distances up to one hundred times larger than the distance of today's transistors. Based on these results, the team of scientists is now researching to what extent spin electronic components with novel functionality can be implemented using this system of materials. Researchers at the National Institutes of Health have uncovered new clues to the link between Nodding syndrome, a devastating form of pediatric epilepsy found in specific areas of east Africa, and a parasitic worm that can cause river blindness. The study, published in Science Translational Medicine, suggests that the mysterious neurological disease may be caused by an autoimmune response to the parasitic proteins. "This study identifies a cause of Nodding syndrome. But more broadly, these findings provide a novel perspective on epilepsy and suggest that some forms of this neurological disorder may be autoimmune in nature," said Avindra Nath, M.D., clinical director of the NIH's National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). Nodding syndrome is a form of epilepsy that occurs in children between the ages of 5 and 16 who live in distinct regions of Tanzania, Uganda and the Republic of South Sudan. It is characterized by head nodding, seizures, severe cognitive deterioration and stunted growth. Nodding syndrome may lead to malnutrition and patients have died through seizure-associated traumas such as fatal burns and drowning. Many studies have reported an association between Nodding syndrome and Onchocerca volvulus, a parasitic worm that can also cause river blindness. The worm is spread by black flies in specific geographic areas, where clusters of Nodding syndrome have been observed. However, it was unclear whether the worm caused this neurological disorder. In this study, Nath and his colleagues compared serum samples from patients with Nodding syndrome and healthy controls who all lived in the same village in Uganda. The results showed high levels of antibodies to leiomodin-1 in the samples obtained from patients. In addition, antibody to leiomodin-1 was also present in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with Nodding syndrome. Previous studies have shown leiomodin-1 is found in muscles, but this was the first time researchers saw it in the nervous system. advertisement To confirm that finding, Nath's team examined brain tissue and found leiomodin-1 inside brain cells, notably in regions associated with symptoms of Nodding syndrome. Furthermore, when healthy neurons in a dish were treated with serum from the patients and antibodies against leiomodin-1, they did not survive, but removing the antibodies increased brain cell survival. "These results may ultimately provide a diagnostic test, which can help identify individuals at risk for developing Nodding syndrome," said Tory Johnson, Ph.D., a post-doctoral fellow in Nath's lab who conducted many of the research experiments. In addition, Nath and his group found that antibodies that bind to leiomodin-1 also attach to proteins from Onchocerca volvulus. Structurally, leiomodin-1 was shown to be very similar to specific proteins from that parasite. The results of this study suggest that Nodding syndrome may be an autoimmune disease, in which the immune system incorrectly attacks the body's own proteins. According to the researchers, the immune system creates antibodies to fight off the parasite following infection with Onchocerca volvulus. However, those antibodies also bind to leiomodin-1, so the immune system-incorrectly-will attack brain cells that contain that protein, which can result in symptoms of Nodding syndrome. "The findings also suggest that therapies targeting the immune system may be effective treatments against this disorder and possibly other forms of epilepsy," said Nath. "Another huge implication of this study is that exterminating black flies and getting rid of the parasite should stop the disorder from occurring." More research is needed to learn about the role of leiomodin-1 in healthy people as well as in individuals with epilepsy. For example, one-third of controls also had leiomodin-1 antibodies, but it is unclear whether these individuals may eventually develop Nodding syndrome. Nath's team is currently developing an animal model of Nodding syndrome to further study the disease and test potential therapies. Dr Pim Bongaerts, a Research Fellow at The University of Queensland's Global Change Institute (GCI) and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, and lead author of the study, said deep reefs share coral species with the shallow reef, which has led to the idea that deep reefs could be an important source of larvae and help to 'reseed' shallow reefs. "We argue that this concept of deep coral populations 'reseeding' their shallow-water counterparts may be relevant to some species, but is ultimately unlikely to aid more broadly in the recovery of shallow reefs," he said. Given the impossibility of tracking the movements of individual coral larvae on the reef, understanding the 'connectivity' between shallow and deep coral populations relies on methods that assess the genetic similarity between coral populations. The team focused on the relatively isolated reef system of Bermuda in the Western Atlantic where they screened the genomes of more than 200 individual coral colonies from shallow and deep water, belonging to two coral species with similar depth distributions on the reef. The study demonstrates that the extent of 'connectivity' between shallow and deep populations can differ greatly between species on a reef, and can be strongly affected by natural selection processes that vary across shallow and deep reef environments. Director of GCI, and co-author, Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg said deep coral reefs had been highlighted as holding hope for shallow reefs that were badly damaged by bleaching events. "Our results, however, contribute to a growing body of evidence, that the role of deep reefs in shallow-reef recovery is likely to be very limited," he said. According to Dr Bongaerts, the study once again highlights that under the increasing disturbances that coral reefs continue to face, they are unlikely to just 'sort themselves out'. "Instead, the responsibility for their future lies with us. If we want to have any chance of preserving these unique and diverse ecosystems, it is crucial that we start curbing our emissions and divest from fossil fuels," he said. Getting a tattoo may hurt, but giving one is no picnic, either. That's the finding of the first study ever to directly measure the physical stresses that lead to aches and pains in tattoo artists -- workers who support a multibillion-dollar American industry, but who often don't have access to workers' compensation if they get injured. Researchers at The Ohio State University measured the muscle exertions of 10 central Ohio tattoo artists while they were working, and found that all of them exceeded maximums recommended to avoid injury, especially in the muscles of their upper back and neck. In the journal Applied Ergonomics, the researchers presented their findings and offered some suggestions on how tattoo artists can avoid injury. The study was unique, explained Carolyn Sommerich, director of the Engineering Laboratory for Human Factors/Ergonomics/Safety at Ohio State. She and former master's student Dana Keester spent a summer "hanging out in tattoo parlors with our EMG equipment, cameras and a tripod," observing artists who agreed to work while wearing electrodes that precisely measured their muscle activity. The electrodes gathered data for 15 seconds every 3 minutes for the entirety of each tattoo session. Though a single tattoo session can last as long as 8 hours depending on the size and complexity of the tattoo, the sessions used in the study lasted anywhere from 1 to 3 hours. In addition, the researchers used a standardized observational assessment tool to assess each artist's posture every five minutes and took a picture to document each observation. advertisement To the researchers' knowledge, this is the first time that anyone has gathered such data from tattoo artists at work. To Keester, some reasons for the artists' discomfort were immediately obvious. She noted that they sit for prolonged periods of time, often taking a posture just like the one immortalized in Norman Rockwell's painting "Tattoo Artist" -- they perch on low stools, lean forward, and crane their neck to keep their eyes close to the tattoo they're creating. All 10 tattoo artists exceeded recommended exertion limits in at least one muscle group. Most notable was the strain on their trapezius muscles -- upper back muscles that connect the shoulder blades to either side of the neck, a common site for neck/shoulder pain. Some exceeded limits by as much as 25 percent, putting them at high risk for injury. Those findings mesh well with a prior survey of tattoo artists that Keester carried out at the Hell City Tattoo Festival in Columbus, Ohio, in 2014. Among the 34 artists surveyed, the most common complaints were back pain (94 percent), headache (88 percent), neck pain (85 percent) and eye pain (74 percent). Tattoo artists suffer ailments similar to those experienced by dentists and dental hygienists, the researchers concluded. Like dental workers, tattoo artists perform detailed work with their hands while leaning over clients. But, unlike dental workers, tattoo artists in the United States lack a national organization that sets ergonomic guidelines for avoiding injury. advertisement One of the main problems is that the industry doesn't have specialized seating to support both the artist and the client, said Sommerich. "There's no such thing as an official 'tattoo chair,' so artists adapt dental chairs or massage tables to make a client comfortable, and then they hunch over the client to create the tattoo," Sommerich said. Adding to the problem is the fact that many tattoo artists are independent contractors who rent studio space from shop owners, so they're not covered by workers' compensation if they get hurt on the job, Keester said. Despite these challenges, the Ohio State researchers came up with some suggestions that may help artists avoid injury. Artists could experiment with different kinds of chairs for themselves, and try to support their back and arms. They could change positions while they work, take more frequent breaks and use a mounted magnifying glass to see their work instead of leaning in. They can also consider asking the client to move into a position that is comfortable for both the client and the tattoo artist, Sommerich added. "If the client can stand or maybe lean on something while the artist sits comfortably, that may be a good option," she said. "Switch it up once in a while." In the United States, tattooing is a $2.3 billion industry. A 2016 Harris Poll found that a third of Americans have at least one tattoo, and an IBISWorld report estimated that the industry is growing at around 13 percent per year. 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To help you find what you are looking for: Enter Search Term(s): Still cant find what youre looking for? Send us a message using our contact us form. To report a broken link or other problems with the website, please include the URL. Thank you for visiting state.gov. In late 2016 Sweden decided to reactivate a coast artillery battery (using RBS15 anti-ship missile) disbanded in 2000 due to budget cuts. There were originally supposed to be three such batteries but the Cold War was over and the need for coast defense artillery kept diminishing in importance. The revived coast defense battery has three launcher trucks (each carrying four missiles) plus several other trucks for surveillance, control and maintenance. The Swedes are not disclosing details of how targets would be found but that would probably involve integration of data from multiple sources (shore, ship or aircraft radars plus submarine sensors and satellite sensor data (from an allied nation). Knowing the Russian fondness for electronic jamming the Swedes want to make their command and control network as safe as possible. The RBS15 is a fire and forget anti-ship, sea-skimming, cruise missile developed by Sweden in the early 1980s. It became an export success. The latestt RBS15 Mk3 can also also be used against land targets. The Mk3 is jointly produced by Sweden and Germany. The missile is available in several variants: naval (used by Swedish, Finnish, German and Polish ships), land-based launchers (the coastal battery) or air-launched (currently by Gripen aircraft). RBS15 is 4.3 meters (13.8 feet) long in length, 500mm in diameter and weighs about 630 kg (800 kg with boosters for land and naval versions). Max range is at least 200 kilometers. Guidance includes GPS (backed by INS) to reach the general target area and radar for detecting, identifying and homing in on the specific target. RBS15 is capable of several evasive maneuvers including re-attack if necessary. All this gives the missile a very high hit probability. The warhead is a 200 kg (440 pound) blast and fragmentation type triggered by delayed impact or proximity fuse function which is enough to cause severe damage for any target, including large warships. This increased concern for coast defense aspect of growing awareness by the Swedish government that simply increasing the defense budget is not enough. You have to spend the additional money where it will do the most good. Thus increasing coastal security also includes things like restoring the permanent military presence on Gotland Island. The permanent force was withdrawn from Gotland in 2005. The reactivation of RBS coastal missile battery connected with restoration of a permanent military presence on Gotland Island will be also joined by medium air defense system. Sweden plan to choose it in later 2017 (for now only participants in competition are the European SAMP/T and American Patriot). Sweden is not trying to rebuild its Cold War era force, which had to deal with a Russian military that was five times the size of what Russia now has. During the Cold War Sweden 100,000 active-duty troops backed by a fast and efficient mobilization system that could rapidly deploy even more trained and fully equipped reservists within hours. This time around Sweden is coping with increasingly aggressive Russian behavior. The most visible aspect of this is the revival of Russian military aircraft violating Swedish airspace as they did during the Cold War. Russia conducted simulated air attacks on Sweden in March 2013 and after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2014. Russia is also upgrading its force of amphibious ships. --- Przemysaw Juraszek Russia is the latest nation to adopt the American practice of creating aviation units with helicopters equipped and crews trained for special operations missions. These units concentrate on special operations missions and answer only to special operations commanders. But rather than putting all the special operations helicopters in a few large units the Russians are creating a training program to prepare experienced helicopter pilots to use existing transport helicopters equipped with the special equipment that enables them to fly at night and in bad weather. These pilots and their helicopters will be assigned to ten or more detachments of special operations aviation that will be stationed around the country to support special operations units that are similarly dispersed. Many other countries, like Australia, Britain, Canada, France, Italy and Japan created units similar to the American 160 th Aviation Regiment. So has the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy, mostly for combat rescue missions they are called on to perform. American commandos and Special Forces have had their own air force; the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, since 1981.The 160th began by converting the aviation brigade of the 101st Airborne Division. This involved adding night flying gear to most of the helicopters and later additional electronics and special weapons. By 2001 the 160th had 1,600 personnel and over a hundred manned and unmanned aircraft. They were nicknamed the Night Stalkers and had proved so effective that after 2001 the army (to which the 160th belongs) doubled the size of the unit. That was mainly accomplished by adding additional battalions to the regiment. By 2006, the 160th had over 3,000 personnel and more a billion dollars was spent on this expansion. In the last decade number of personnel shrank by at least ten percent but new aircraft (like a dozen of the new large MQ-1C UAVs) and equipment upgrades were added. The 160th has nearly 200 helicopters and UAVs. The Night Stalkers are so named because their helicopters are equipped for night flying, and the crews spend a lot of time training at night. The pilots of the 160th are also expert at long range operations. Thus the larger choppers, like the 37 MH-47D Chinooks can refuel in the air. The size and capabilities makes the MH47s makes them very popular so they are being upgraded to the MH-47G standard and another 50 are on order. More MH-60 Black Hawks will also be bought. The new equipment on the MH-47G includes a radar that shows terrain below and allows safer flight in all weather and at night. New cockpit controls and displays that reduce pilot workload and make it easier to keep on top of things. A new and improved forward-looking infrared radar (FLIR). A 7.62mm six barreled machine-gun (a Gatling gun type) that can fire up to 66 rounds a second. The MH-47G has structural and equipment improvements that increase chances of surviving attack or a crash. There are also larger fuel tanks. The Russian and American approaches are not that different because the American special operations aircraft operate usually operate in small detachments while supporting operations all over the planet. But the rest of the time the components of the 160th are based in three locations in the United States, which is more efficient for training, maintenance and morale. by Austin Bay February 15, 2017 The U.S. Navy may be on the verge of a light aircraft carrier renaissance. New technology spurs the revival, both new smart weapons in the arsenals of potential military adversaries and new American weapons systems, the USMC F-35B strike fighter being the most pertinent example. The issue is complex, so the back-story here is particularly relevant. In World War II, the U.S. Navy made extensive use of small aircraft carriers, ranging from very small carriers escorting convoys (CVEs) to light aircraft carriers (CVLs) that were essentially downsized models of the iconic big carriers (CVs). CVLs could handle post-WWII jets. However, the Navy concluded super carriers made more sense strategically and economically. Nuclear-powered super carriers (CVNs) could carry a wing of multi-mission, high-performance combat aircraft and pack an array of defensive weapons. They could remain at sea for months. Two CVN battle groups, operating as a pair, was a lethal Cold War-era combination. So that's where the U.S. Navy put its money. Light carriers of a certain type never quite went away, or at least ships that looked like light carriers. Several classes of Navy amphibious assault ships sport aircraft carrier decks. Some of these assault ships are huge. However, they lack catapults for launching fixed-wing jets. They carry helicopters, U.S. Marine Harrier AV-8B jump jets, V-22 tilt-rotor aircraft and a usually a battalion task force of Marines. They also carry amphibious vehicles. U.S. Marine Corps Harriers are Vertical/Short Take-Off and Landing (V/STOL) strike aircraft that don't require a catapult launch. They are light bombers whose primary mission is close air support for Marines ashore. USN amphibious assault ships rely on CVN-based air wings for fleet air defense In the 1982 Falklands War, the British used their Royal Navy Sea Harriers to intercept Argentinian fighters attacking the British fleet. They did so because they had no choice. They didn't have a CV with supersonic jets. It's now 2017. Enter the F-35B Lightning II. The controversial but versatile F-35B is the U.S. Marines variant of the Joint Strike Fighter. Like the Harrier, which it replaces, it is V/STOL. Unlike the Harrier, the F-35B is supersonic and stealthy. A dozen F-35Bs give an assault ship a small but credible multi-mission aircraft squadron, capable of intercepting enemy aircraft and enemy cruise missiles and conducting strike missions. Is this a 21st century CVL? Not quite. Assault ships are built to conduct and support amphibious attacks -- to assault a beach. They aren't built to support sustained aircraft carrier operations. Typically, assault ships carry only six Harriers. Permanently add more F-35Bs and you must reduce space for other equipment, like helicopters and V-22s. Assault ships also tend to be slower than other blue water surface warships. Potential adversaries have spent decades developing new, long-range, smart weapons that are "carrier killers." China has been in the forefront of long-range anti-carrier missile development. China has deployed the DF-21D anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM). The DF-21D is clearly designed to target and sink Navy CVNs. There are many ways to counter it. However, US Navy officers are already worried that relying on one or two CVNs to lead an operation approaching East Asia puts "too many eggs in one or two baskets." This is one reason building a few 21st century CVLs make sense. It's a way of hedging against the loss of a CVN by putting some eggs in a few more baskets. There are others. The Navy is experimenting with new ways to "disperse" ships in a battle group, in order to make long-range targeting of individual ships more difficult. Two or three CVLs, each with two-dozen or so F-35Bs, dispersed through a CVN-led battle group would increase fleet survivability. Arming the CVLs with squadrons of armed drones would present an enemy with a lethal challenge. Can the Navy build three or four CVLs for the price of one CVN? Maybe, maybe not. It's a question yet to be answered. The Childrens Book Review | February 16, 2017 Written by Rick DeDonato Illustrated by Tracy Bishop Age Range: 3-7 Hardcover: 40 pages Publisher: Two Lions Publishing / Amazon ISBN: 978-1503950610 What to expect: Nature, Adventure, Friendship Pipsie and her turtle friend, Alfred, must finish their field trip scavenger hunt and find whoever stole their lunches! Pipsie is a sweet little elementary-school detective with long dark braids and a turtle for a best friend. What child wouldnt be enamored with her? On a field trip, Pipsie and Alfred the turtle are excited to hear about a special nature-themed scavenger hunt. It doesnt bother her when a boy makes fun of her for having a turtle as a scavenger hunt partner, because she knows Alfred is a great friend. But they get more trouble than they bargained for as they set out when someone steals their delicious sack lunch! The search begins to find their sandwiches, as well as find all the clues on the scavenger hunt along the way. After all, there is a really cool prize for whoever photographs all of the items on the list. Luckily Pipsies detective skills save the day, and she discovers the lunch thief, as well as finds all of the scavenger hunt clues. Pipsie, Nature Detective: The Lunchnapper is a great book with perfectly adorable illustrations and sweet narration. The story is intriguing without being too scary no one gets lost or hurt, which I appreciated. I found all of the nature facts to be a fun surprise my daughter loved to hear about what deer ate or how beavers made their homes. This book does a great job injecting facts into a storyline, making learning fun, while also touching on friendship and bravery. Pipsie holds her head high and defends her friend the turtle, doing what she knew to be right. A brave little girl! I look forward to reading more Pipsie adventures with my daughter in the future. Highly recommended. Available Here: About Rick DeDonato Rick DeDonato started writing and drawing storybooks for his two kids, Alexis and Matt, when they were little. Theyre grown now, but Rick is still creating stories. He is the author of Pipsie, Nature Detective: The Disappearing Caterpillar, illustrated by Tracy Bishop. When hes not dreaming up new adventures for Pipsie, hes an award-winning creative director in advertising. Born in New Jersey, he now lives in Wilmington, Delaware, with Nancy McAleer; their two dogs, Tugger and Nacho; and their turtle, Alfred E. Turtle. About Tracy Bishop Tracy Bishop won an art contest in kindergarten, and shes been creating art ever since. A graduate of San Jose State University, she is also the illustrator of Not the Quitting Kind by Sarra J. Roth and Pipsie, Nature Detective: The Disappearing Caterpillar by Rick DeDonato. She lives in San Jose, California, where she is inspired on a daily basis by her son, husband, and a hairy dog named Harry. Take a peek inside Tracy Bishops studio Pipsie, Nature Detective: The Lunchnapper, by Rick DeDonato and Tracy Bishop, was reviewed by Denise Mealy. Discover more books like The Environmental Pack: Little Reader Series by following along with our reviews and articles tagged with Adventure, Backyard Books, Friendship, Nature Studies, Pipsie Nature Detective Series, and Rick DeDonato. After more than a week trapped deep inside of a narrow borehole well, a terrified puppy has finally been brought to safety ending his unimaginable ordeal which gripped an entire nation. Istanbul Fire Department It's unclear how the young dog ended up in the well in the town of Beykoz, Turkey, but residents were alerted to his predicament by the sound of whimpering. One look at the narrow space made it clear that he could never escape on his own. The earthen hole, while just under a foot in diameter, dipped more than 200 feet below the ground. While helping the pup might have at times seemed impossible given the circumstances, rescuers alerted to the predicament refused to give up trying. Dodo Shows Adopt Me! Scared Little Dog Is So Full Of Joy Now And Looking For A Family Twitter/Bars Sengun Emergency crews, made up of local firefighters and animal rescue organizations, were called in to assess the situation. They put up a tent around the hole to prevent rain from entering, and lowered down camera equipment to check on the puppy's condition. Istanbul Fire Department The puppy, though scared and alone, was still very much alive. Twitter/Bars Sengun Rescuers were able to give the puppy food to stay alive but getting him out would be far more challenging. For 10 long days, crews struggled to devise a way to lift the dog out, though without luck. The rescue effort soon garnered widespread attention in Turkey via social media and national television. Hope came when Energy Minister Berat Albayrak heard about the puppy's plight and, as the Daily Sabah reports, ordered a state-owned mining company, Turkish Hard Coal Enterprises, to step in to help. Using a long, mechanized lasso lowered into the hole, the team finally managed to collar the puppy and pull him up to safety a dramatic moment caught on film. After more than a week, the puppy was freed an outcome that, at times, seemed to hinge on the thinnest of possibilities. Istanbul Fire Department Ford's commitment to investing in its Ontario facilities has not wavered since the election of U.S. President Donald Trump, the head of the automaker's Canadian operations said Thursday. We're very committed to our manufacturing footprint here in Canada, Mark Buzzell said in an interview during a media day at the Canadian International AutoShow. Ford promised last fall it would inject $700 million into its Canadian operations as part of a labour deal reached with Unifor, which represents about 6,700 workers at the company's facilities in Ontario. That money will go towards Ford's engine plants in Windsor, Ont., and its assembly plant in Oakville, Ont., said Buzzell, who took over as Ford Canada's president and CEO last month. We've got a really good globally competitive situation for us here in Oakville, Buzzell said, adding that the vehicles it produces there the Ford Edge, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKX and Lincoln MKT are exported to more than 100 countries. In total, the so-called Detroit Big Three automakers committed about $1.5 billion in investments to their Canadian operations after weeks of collective bargaining with Unifor. Since Trump became president promoting protectionist policies, questions have arisen over whether the automakers remain committed to those investments. Last month, prior to Trump's inauguration, Ford scrapped plans to build a $1.6 billion (U.S.) auto plant in Mexico and shifted investment to the U.S. The company said market forces led to the decision. Trump has also kick-started efforts to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement, spoke of the need to implement border tariffs and withdrawn U.S. participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Buzzell said it's difficult to speculate on how such policies could affect the auto sector, but added that Ford is a big proponent of free trade and believes NAFTA has served it well. He said Ford wants to see trade agreements that are fair, provide an even playing field and prevent currency manipulation. SHARE: CALGARYCanadas producers of peas and lentils are preparing for the possibility that their largest market may soon shut down imports because of a purported problem with pests. For more than a decade, India has allowed Canada to treat pulse shipments for pests after shipping rather than before. But that may come to an end next month. The fumigation of pulse pests requires the use of methyl bromide, a pesticide that Canada is trying to phase out because of concerns it depletes the ozone layer. It also doesnt work well in Canadas colder temperatures, leaving pulse producers with few options. Read more: Free-trade agreement with India a high priority for Canada Our future with India pulses with possibility China's new canola import protocol injects uncertainty The stakes for the countrys estimated 12,000 pulse farms are high. Canada shipped $1.5 billion worth of peas and lentils to India in 2015, accounting for about a third of all pulse exports. Thats why were very concerned, said Gordon Bacon, CEO of Pulse Canada. Bacon said the federal government submitted documents to India in December pressing its case that the risks of Canadian pulse crops carrying pests is minimal because of the winter climate. Indias message has become much more firm in terms of what their intention is at the end of March, which is why were much more concerned now, he said. Pulse producers are now eagerly waiting for a response, with an answer possibly coming in days. But shipments are already being disrupted, Bacon said, with at least one shipping firm refusing to take pulses this past Monday because of the uncertainty. Its hugely problematic for the industry when theres no clarity on what the policy will be, said Bacon. The Indian government could not be reached for comment. But a notice issued by the India Pulses and Grains Association summarized a presentation that the Indian government made last month. According to the notice, an Indian government official said methyl bromide is the only effective treatment against pulse pests, Indian exporters follow requirements of other countries and importers should do the same and India shouldnt bear the risks to the ozone layer alone. The associations notice said the government official also outlined potential alternatives, including the possibility of countries submitting data proving that other treatments are equally effective, a system-wide preventative approach assessed by Indian officials, or cargo pre-inspection. The issue carries some parallels to Canadas dispute last year over canola exports to China, which had set restrictions on the amount of detritus allowed in shipments because of phytosanitary, or pest, concerns. Marlene Boersch, owner of the market research firm Mercantile Consulting Venture, said a bumper crop and dropping pulse prices in India may be behind that countrys decision to tighten its import policies. It could be Im phrasing it carefully a little bit of a means to keep domestic prices up, Boersch said. Guy Gallant, a spokesperson for federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay, said in an email that the matter is a priority and the government is working diligently with the Indian government to address concerns and demonstrate that Canadian pulse exports do not pose a phytosanitary risk to India. Read more about: SHARE: In the last several years, hating the 2003 classic holiday rom-com Love Actually has become a time-honoured tradition on the Internet. Yet as the haters tear it to shreds, ridiculing its wildly unrealistic premise, sexist tropes and stalker storyline, Love Actually persists and is, actually, getting a sequel. Well, sort of. As it turns out, people still love Love Actually so much (some people really love it) that it has landed its own minisequel. On Wednesday, NBC announced that writer-director Richard Curtis and some of the cast will reunite for Red Nose Day Actually, a short film that will air as part of Comic Reliefs annual Red Nose Day Special, which raises money to benefit children living in poverty. The people returning include Hugh Grant, who plays the British prime minister; Martine McCutcheon as Natalie, the prime ministers assistant and eventual love interest; Keira Knightley, a new bride who discovers her husbands best friend is in love with her (and may be a stalker); Andrew Lincoln, the aforementioned best friend; Colin Firth, the wounded writer who finds love with his Portuguese housekeeper; and Lucia Moniz as the housekeeper. Then theres Liam Neeson as a grieving widower who has to bond with his tween stepson; Thomas Brodie-Sangster as the adorable stepson in love with a fellow classmate; Olivia Olson, said crush with the voice of an angel; Bill Nighy, the washed-up pop star who winds up with a hit Christmas single; Marcus Brigstocke, who played a DJ that we cannot remember; and Rowan Atkinson, the slowpoke salesman who really made things difficult when Alan Rickmans character was trying to buy a present for his maybe-mistress. Rickman, who died last year, will tragically be a missing piece of the cast. Theres also no word about stars such as Emma Thompson, who played Rickmans wife, or Laura Linney, whose love story with her co-worker Karl (Rodrigo Santoro, also not appearing) went sadly awry. The sequel/reunion will air in the U.K. on March 24 and repeat on NBC on May 25. According to the network, Curtis wrote the script and the film revisits the characters to see what theyre up to in 2017. Hate-tweeters, get ready. SHARE: Is the Weeknd mocking Justin Bieber in the lyrics of his latest collaboration? Does he brag about pleasing Selena Gomez better than Bieber did? Is this pop musics first great all-Southern-Ontario beef? It didnt take long for speculation to start, after Toronto R&B superstar the Weeknd, born Abel Tesfaye, posted a link to a stream of Some Way, a track by fellow Torontonian Nav, on Wednesday. The Weeknd provides guest vocals on the first verse, whose lyrics slide from familiar Tesfaye territory success, friends, debauchery into a couplet about romantic prowess: I think your girl, think your girl, fell in love with me./ She say my f--- and my tongue game a remedy. The more intense music fans to whom lyrics are never just some dashed-off words that rhyme were quick to parse this. Many assumed that this was Tesfayes comment on Justin Bieber. Bieber had in the past dated fellow pop star Selena Gomez, though they broke up and she has more recently been seen frequently in the company of Tesfaye. If the lyrics are inspired by personal differences, Tesfaye, 27, wasnt the first to go public with the hostilities. Bieber the 22-year-old pop superstar from Stratford was asked by a roving TMZ film crew in California last month if he could enjoy the Weeknds music. His response: Hell no, I cant listen to a Weeknd song. That s--ts wack. For her part, Gomez also released a new track on Wednesday, It Aint Me, whose lyrics might also be construed to refer to Bieber. The song refers to parting ways with someone despite knowing him since she was 17 (the age which, by all accounts, she was when she met the guy). The chorus: Whos gonna walk you through the dark side of the morning?/ Whos gonna rock you when the sun wont let you sleep?/ Whos waking up to drive you home when youre drunk and all alone . . . It aint me. Read more about: SHARE: SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH-Utah isnt dry. That surprises people who know precious little about this state other than the fact the Mormon members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who make up at least half the population cant drink. Booze has been sold here since 1935, two years after the end of Prohibition. OK, so you cant gamble or buy lottery tickets in this conservative state either, but in return Utah offers an embarrassment of ski hills and national parks in a family-friendly playground, and a surprisingly progressive capital full of left-leaning delights, namely thriving craft beer, food, music and arts scenes. Make your first stop in downtown Salt Lake City at Squatters pub and order a Polygamy Porter. Why have just one is the award-winning beers tagline, and the black T-shirt goes even further with the slogans Ive tried polygamy on the front and bring some home to the wives on the back. I think you can be pretty cheeky here, says brewmaster Jason Stock, a former Mormon missionary, and I think there is a line. He will admit Salt Lakes very thriving craft-beer scene (with more than a dozen breweries) has to work around some quirky liquor laws. Squatters has a club licence that means people who are at least 21 can drink without eating, but anyone younger than that must be with an adult and sit at a table instead of the bar. At restaurants, however, you cant drink without ordering food and you cant pour alcohol within view of patrons. Utahns have coined the term Zion curtain for the barrier (wall, curtain or separate room) that drinks must be poured or mixed behind. It makes for fascinating small talk, no matter what you drink or dont drink. If youre lucky enough to be in Salt Lake City for the monthly Old Jews Telling Jokes Night at Feldmans Deli, secure yourself a ticket for the fixed-price menu and stand up to tell a joke to get $5 off your meal. Otherwise, come here if you crave the best deli food west of New Jersey. Mike Feldman specializes in Sloppy Joe double-decker sandwiches, a half-pound of corned beef, pastrami and coleslaw with homemade Thousand Island dressing on Jewish rye. He says a local politician took the Havana-born sandwich to Maplewood, N.J., where it was reinvented and became a staple in Jewish delis. The four-year-old, kosher-style deli is at the crossroads of four neighbourhoods filled with people who moved to Utah from somewhere else and arent necessarily Jewish but who know deli. Insider tip: Feldmans wife comes from a long line of Jewish bakers (and knows the back-breaking hours) and so Feldmans makes just 30 boiled and baked bagels a day. For another authentic local food experience, I lined up in the rain in December for the signature mole dishes at Red Iguana (killer Mexican food thats worth the wait). The outdoor check-in counter, benches and free hot cider are part of the scene at this 31-year-old hot spot created by Ramon and Maria Cardenas. (Insider tip: Theres a food-court version called Taste of Red Iguana downtown in City Creek Center). Two more food spots of note: Pop into Evas Bakery Boulangerie for kouign-amann (a Breton cake), and Pago for farm-to-table fare, such as the pork chop served on white grits with braised kale. Speaking of City Creek Center, head here at 10 a.m. on a Saturday and help feed the cutthroat trout (Utahs state fish) that live in the re-creation of a creek that once meandered through the city. The mall has a scenic pedestrian skybridge, retractable roof, two waterfalls and musically choreographed shows at fountains designed by the creators of the Bellagio fountains in Las Vegas. Ask for the architectural tour pamphlet. While wandering the walkable downtown admiring the new Eccles Theater, Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center or Capitol Theatre, one quirk that stands out is that the city leaves a container of neon orange flags at each end of certain crosswalks so pedestrians can wave them while crossing the street to be more visible and less likely to be hit. Salt Lakes top tourist attraction, you wont be surprised to learn, is Temple Square, a 35-acre complex owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Mormons will pick you up at the airport for a quick tour on a stopover, or you can take a free guided tour (in 30 languages, no less). The iconic Salt Lake Temple is off limits, though. I delved into my family tree at the worlds largest genealogy library, and quizzed my tour guides about the religions ban on coffee and tea, various names (Mormon, LDS and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) and global missionary work. Im still mulling over their questions, such as, how are you able to recognize truth when you see it? and how do you find your sense of strength? I also caught the famous Mormon Tabernacle Choirs Christmas Concert with tenor Rolando Villazon at the churchs Conference Center. You can watch Sunday broadcasts and other recitals and rehearsals. Salt Lake City got its name from the states famous salt-water lake in the middle of the desert and I managed a quick trip out of town to dip my finger in Great Salt Lake and see the bison at Antelope Island State Park. It was too cold to see if you really can float better in this unusual water with extra-high salinity and where only algae, brine shrimp and brine fly larvae can survive. Ill be back to Utah, heading further west to the Bonneville Salt Flats to catch noisy land speed events at the Bonneville Speedway, or be mesmerized by the flats otherwordly silence. Utah, you see, is just fine with contradictions. Jennifer Bain was hosted by the Utah Office of Tourism and its partners, none of which reviewed or approved this story When you go Get there: I flew Delta (delta.com) from Toronto to Salt Lake City. Get around: You can get from the airport to downtown Salt Lake City by public transit on the TRAX/light rail for $2.50 (U.S.) Car rentals and taxis are other options. Souvenir shop: The Salt Lake Visitors Center in the Salt Palace Convention Center (90 South West Temple) has brochures and a gift shop. Save money: The Visit Salt Lake Connect Pass offers one, two, three and 365-day passes that help you save 50 to 80 per cent on regular admission prices at more than a dozen spots. I explored the Natural History Museum of Utah (nhmu.utah.edu), the Leonardo (a science/arts space) (theleonardo.org) and Tracy Aviary (tracyaviary.org). Passes start at $32 for adults and $26 for kids ages 3 to 12. Read up:Salt Lake City WeeklySalt Lake City Weekly (cityweekly.net) will tell you where to go, what to do and what to hear at places like the State Room (thestateroom.com) and the Depot (depotslc.com). Stay: I stayed at the Montage Deer Valley in Park City (montagehotels.com/deervalley ) and at the Peery Hotel in downtown Salt Lake City (peeryhotel.com). SHARE: OTTAWAThe federal government is facing mounting pressure, including from within the Liberal caucus, to change the name of the building that houses the Prime Ministers Office the Langevin Block, located across the street from Parliament Hill. The building is named after Hector-Louis Langevin, a politician and father of Confederation who also happens to have expressed strong support for establishing what would become the infamous, government-run residential school program. That particular detail is a problem for indigenous leaders including Assembly of First Nations National Chief Perry Bellegarde, who raised his concerns in a letter to the government obtained by The Canadian Press. Bellegarde wants the government to find a new name for the building in consultation with indigenous peoples, something he says aboriginal communities would take as a sign of good faith. Canada has committed itself to launch an era of reconciliation and that important work cannot advance without facing the harsh truths of Canadas colonial past, Bellegarde wrote in a letter to Public Services Minister Judy Foote. A group of aboriginal MPs independent Hunter Tootoo, the NDPs Romeo Saganash and Georgina Jolibois and the Liberal indigenous caucus are also asking the federal government for a new name. Saganash, the NDPs indigenous affairs critic who spent 10 years in residential school, said he has been on a lifelong mission to reconcile with the people who put him there. It doesnt help to walk beside a building and be reminded of the principal architect that sent me away, he said Thursday during a news conference on Parliament Hill. You can ask any survivor of residential school that you meet ... it is a trauma you carry throughout your life ... I can still remember how it looked, I can still remember the smell, the odour of the place. I remember all of that. We carry that. It would be fitting if the building home to the prime minister is named after one of the First People of Canada, Tootoo said. I think this would be a good, symbolic step by the government ... to continue to move forward on reconciliation. The demand is not without precedent: last month, the City of Calgary said it would rechristen its Langevin Bridge as Reconciliation Bridge, part of its own effort to foster reconciliation with indigenous communities. Canada has committed itself to launch an era of reconciliation and that important work cannot advance without facing the harsh truths of Canadas colonial past, Bellegarde said. Action would be particularly poignant in a year where the country is marking a key anniversary of Confederation, he added. This is all the more important as Canada proceeds with its Canada 150 events. Read more: First Nations want to ensure their role in climate talks by including their rights in the Constitution Inquiry on missing, murdered indigenous women to break legal ground For his part, Saganash does not plan to celebrate the anniversary. I must admit that I have never celebrated July 1 in my life, he said. Even to this day, as every Canadian will be probably partying this year, our kids and our youth continue to take their lives. Our women and girls continue to disappear and get murdered in this country. Langevin, who died in 1906, was a lawyer, newspaper editor and Conservative MP from Quebec. He spent more than 25 years in federal politics, resigning as public works minister in 1891 amid a corruption scandal. It was in his role as minister of public works that Langevin argued for a separate school system with a specific mandate to assimilate indigenous children. Footes office said it will respond to Bellegardes letter, adding that any decisions will be made in accordance with the Truth and Reconciliation Commissions calls to action and in full partnership with indigenous people. The commission released 94 sweeping recommendations in 2015 after it spent six years documenting the long-standing impacts of residential schools. Read more about: SHARE: Under pressure to take action, Energy Minister Glenn Thibeault has asked local utilities to stop disconnecting residential customers who cant pay their electricity bills during the winter. The move came as opposition parties urged him to order a halt on winter disconnections until proposed legislation banning them can be passed after MPPs return from their Christmas recess next week. At no point, under any circumstances, should a customer be put at risk over their electricity bill, Thibeault wrote in a letter to utilities Thursday. All LDCs (local distribution companies) should commit to this high standard, he added. In December, Hydro One announced it would no longer do winter disconnections and promised to hook 1,400 customers back onto the grid. Officials have said some utilities in the province have quietly adopted informal policies of not disconnecting customers for non-payment over the winter. Others put limits on how much electricity customers in arrears can use. Thibeault said some northern and rural residents who lose hydro also end up without water because they use electric pumps to raise it from wells. If you knock out power . . . theres no water, he told the Star from his Sudbury riding. New Democrat Leader Andrea Horwath said Thibeaults letter falls far short of the actions Ontarians expect and deserve and joined the Progressive Conservtatives in accusing him of playing political games. The Conservatives have called on the government to break the winter disconnection ban from a larger bill introduced last June. It is being studied by a legislative committee. Families are freezing in the cold, said Tory MPP Todd Smith, his partys energy critic, who repeated a demand that Thibeault order the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) to ban winter disconnections by utilities. Thibeault said he doesnt have that power under the Electricity Act passed by a previous Tory government in 1998. Breaking the component out of the bill that gives the OEB more power over disconnections would take longer because it mean going back to square one in the legislative process, Thibeault added. The Liberals have offered to bring the bill back for final debate starting Feb. 28. We can do this quickly if we work together, Thibeault said About 60,000 customers had their electricity disconnected for non-payment last year. The energy board does not yet have statistics for this winter. In the meantime, Thibeault and Premier Kathleen Wynne have promised more relief on high electricity prices in the coming weeks, in addition to instant rebates on the 8 per cent provincial portion of the HST. The energy minister acknowledged the government has done a very poor job of communicating the reasons behind the rise in hydro rates and on programs for low-income families to get assistance. People dont understand it, he said. Not only are the bills confusing. So is the system. Read more: Relief package coming for northern, rural Hydro users, Kathleen Wynne says Electricity prices spur renewed push to have Hydro One $100,000-plus salaries on the sunshine list SHARE: A justice of the peace has imposed a $10,000 fine on the owner of a Willowdale home who violated city bylaws by accepting short-term renters, often using web sites such as Airbnb to find them. Justice of the Peace Gerry Altobello rejected a submission from the city prosecutor that the fine be set at $1,000 because that was not enough to send a message of deterrence to others doing the same thing. Altobello said the defendant was thumbing his nose at the community and the city, by continuing to rent the home at 5 Glenelia Ave., for periods of less than seven days after being told to stop. The maximum penalty for a conviction is $50,000. Read more: Ontario court upholds condo rule banning short-term rentals Bleecker St. rentals charged with zoning violations To snitch or not to snitch? Airbnb in the city is a complicated thing: Micallef The home has been the site of problems. Neighbors complained about the high turnover of occupants and loud parties. Last March during one party nearby residents heard four or five shots ring out inside the home, and saw partygoers fleeing. A young man who received a gunshot wound to his head survived, Toronto police say. Last November, Yan Pan Zhao pleaded guilty on behalf of 2391324 Ontario Ltd., which owns the two-storey home at the corner of Bayview Ave. Zhao told the Star on Wednesday that he was acting as an agent, for the homeowner. He acknowledged his wife, Dan Wei, is the sole officer and director of the numbered company. Zhao said that after the city told them to stop the short-term rentals, there were no new bookings. There was existing bookings but no more new bookings. The company has 90 days to pay the fine. Prosecutor Geoffrey Uyeno told court the defendant corporation had lessened the penalty, by co-operating with the city, selling the house last November and agreeing not to rent it on a short-term basis until the March 31 closing. But Altobello said $1,000 fine would just be an expense of doing business, and failed to take into account the soaring value of the property in todays explosive housing market. The Star has learned the detached house sold for $2.038 million, more than $230,000 over asking price. The guilty plea related to a zoning bylaw violation in October 2015 that came after inspectors interviewed a couple from Ottawa who were renting the house for four nights. Altobello agreed to the prosecutors request to impose an order prohibiting the company from renting any property in this fashion in Toronto, unless the law changes. He said its essential that this doesnt happen somewhere else and disrupt and upset communities and not making it a good atmosphere for people to live in. In court Wednesday was Glenelia Ave. resident Jan Morrissey, who said she was absolutely thrilled the justice of the peace imposed the harsher financial penalty in order to send a strong message. I hope people have to balance, Gee I could rent my place out and get some money, with I could also, perhaps be fined, big time. Morrissey also praised the bylaw enforcement officers for their persistence. I hope this now helps in turn to prod city politicians to get their act in gear and speed up on this and get the regulation thats needed. It is the first conviction and sentence for the citys municipal and licensing department, which is grappling with Torontos fast-growing short-term rental market. The licensing division will make recommendations on how to regulate the burgeoning industry in June. Under an old North York bylaw, which still applies while the review is underway, short-term home rentals must be seven days or more. SHARE: Relatives of three people who died in a Brampton house fire on Tuesday are in agony as they scramble for more information. Speaking from Pakistan, family members said they are most worried about 8-year-old Zoya Kapadia, whose parents and sister died in the early morning blaze on Madison St., near Dixie Rd. and Williams Pkwy. Officials havent released the names of the family members, but friends and relatives have identified them as Amina Kapadia, 19, and her parents, Iftekhar Niazi, 48 and Jyoti Kapadia, 45. Zoyas uncle and cousin, who live in Toronto, were with her at the Hospital for Sick Children, where she was in serious but stable condition, said Zeeshan Niazi, a nephew of Iftekhar Niazi. Niazi said the family had spoken to police at the Canadian Embassy in Pakistan but there were very few details available. He said Iftekhars 80-year-old father and 70-year-old mother have been hit hardest by the news. In this age, how can they bear this kind of loss? Niazi asked. Iftekhars parents treasured their granddaughters, Amina and Zoya, as they were the only girls among their many grandchildren, he said. Their hope is that Zoya will be able to live with them now that her parents are gone. They called Sheldon Teague, the 19-year-old man who was staying in a basement apartment and rescued Zoya, an angel. Niazi said the family of four was planning to visit Pakistan next month. He said Iftekhar had immigrated to Canada in 1998 and married Jyoti there. Iftekhar, who Niazi said was nicknamed Guddu, which means little one, was a businessman and Jyoti worked at Rogers, Niazi said. Jyoti returned from work at 1:30 a.m. on Tuesday and spoke to family in Pakistan on the phone. She had just celebrated a birthday on Monday and was describing the dinner, cake and family time. The University of Guelph said it would fly its flags at half-mast and hold a memorial service on Friday for Amina, a first-year undergraduate science student. Her death was confirmed on the schools website. Our heart goes out to the friends and family of Amina, Brenda Whiteside, the universitys associate vice-president of student affairs, said in the statement. This is a tragic and incredibly sad event, and we are here to support the U of G community. Jemaya Balkarran, a Grade 12 student in Brampton, said Amina was like a big sister to her. She said they became close during a school trip. Balkarran gushed about the friend she called a role model, describing Amina as incredibly smart, full of school spirit and always well dressed. Niazi said Amina dreamed of becoming a doctor and that she enjoyed drawing and painting. Amina had been in a car accident five days before her death, Niazi added, saying the car was badly damaged but she was not injured. Since news of the fire broke, heartbroken friends have posted tributes to Amina on social media, and people offering condolences online have expressed interest in helping Zoya. Two GoFundMe pages have been started for the family to help pay for funeral costs and Zoyas medical and financial needs. One of the pages had raised $600 towards a $75,000 goal as of Wednesday evening, while another had raised $20,600 towards a goal of $30,000. Staff from the fire marshals office were back at the scene Wednesday to continue their investigation into the cause of the fire, said investigations supervisor Richard Derstroff. SHARE: The owner of top-dollar land under a swanky Yorkville mall pays zero property taxes to the city a multimillion-dollar anomaly that infuriated councillors fighting over scraps to fund vital services. Victoria University, a federated college of the University of Toronto, owns 131 Bloor St. W. in the heart of the posh Mink Mile shopping strip. Revenue Properties leases the land and owns The Colonnade 71,156 square feet of apartments plus luxury shops, including Cartier, Chanel and Escada atop it. The 1951 Victoria University Act exempts all the colleges land but not commercial buildings. The U of T enjoys the same exemption but voluntarily pays the city about $240,000 a year in lieu of taxes for a few small commercial properties. City staff estimate the Victoria exemption cost taxpayers $12.2 million between 2009 and 2015. This (tax-exempt) designation was meant for property used for education not to have a profit centre, said Kristyn Wong-Tam, the local councillor. Now is the time to come up with a resolution, otherwise well push forward with asking the province to change the Act to force Victoria College to start paying its fair share to the city like other commercial property owners. Councillor Joe Cressy, whose ward includes much of U of T, took a break from city budget deliberations Wednesday to say its infuriating that months of negotiations to remedy the situation have so far failed. If youre using your land for commercial purposes, you should be paying commercial taxes, he said. Were debating whether to spend $85,000 to save school swim programs, whether were going to spend $265,000 to do much-needed newcomer settlement support, whether were going to spend $1 million to not cut staff in the shelter budget this is (property tax) money that would be well spent and well used to take care of our city. William Robins, president of Victoria College, refused an interview request but his office provided an email. Ontario deliberately created this policy, which encouraged the redevelopment of the south side of Bloor Street W. in a neighbourhood that was struggling at the time, he wrote, adding buildings on Victoria land have provided the city with millions of dollars in tax revenues over the decades. Such development would also provide an income stream for post-secondary education and a new revenue stream for the City of Toronto, and all lease income is used to fund the colleges core educational mission, such as academic programming and student support. As a university in the public sector, Victoria University holds that the tax treatment of its property should not be changed in a way that would have an adverse effect on students or the university. The citys government management committee will next week debate a staff recommendation authorizing the city treasurer to negotiate with the college but also to ask the Ontario government to amend Victoria University Act, bringing the college in line with other universities that pay commercial taxes on commercial land. The financial unfairness to the city and to the other public universities in Toronto from Victoria Universitys broad tax exemption is stark and should be fixed, says a report to councillors who last June voted to put the issue on hold to give the college and city staff time to find a solution. Robins said his college is actively co-operating with the city as it conducts its review, and looks forward to continued discussions on this subject. Wong-Tam, however, said city staff told her talks have produced no real progress. Councillor Joe Mihevc noted universities are primarily funded by the province. He called the situation another example of the province absconding its responsibility through various dekes and moves. Im sympathetic to the funding plight of universities, but at end of day we need them to pay their taxes like everyone else, he said. An attachment to the city report is being kept secret because it contains legal advice. A spokeswoman for Deb Matthews, Ontarios minister of advanced education, said she would have a response to the citys concerns Thursday. SHARE: Hes the self-styled champion of the Forgotten American. But if youre trying to figure out how billionaire President Donald Trump will square his much-touted business acumen with his concern for the working masses, the clues may lie in a list of broken web links. In a review of the Department of Labors website, the Star found that multiple posts about protecting precarious workers, enforcing labour laws, and cracking down on wage theft appear to have vanished from the website. For the charitably-inclined, it might be a mysterious coincidence. For critics, its a signal of whats to come. The first three actions that Donald Trump took, one was to take down information from the Department of Labor website, said California-based workers rights advocate Carmen Rojas on a recent visit to Toronto. If we have been living in an overcast period for working people in the U.S., we are about to enter into a dark, dark period. Gone is Trumps first pick for labor secretary Andrew Puzder, who withdrew his nomination Wednesday following a public outcry over the business magnate who has trash talked minimum wage hikes and overtime protections. But critics have other concerns. The Star found that many official departmental documents and orders from the Obama administration were still available. Yet there were notable disappearances, including an executive order that lifted the minimum wage of federal contractors to $10.10 an hour a move that provided an estimated 200,000 low-wage workers with a raise. Numerous links to Department of Labor blog posts also appeared to be broken, specifically on issues related to wage theft, enforcement, and employee misclassification the practice of wrongly classifying workers as independent contractors to avoid legal obligations like paying minimum wage. All three areas were championed under Obama in an effort to better protect vulnerable workers. The administrations significant investments in proactive enforcement recovered more than $1.2 billion in back pay for wage-theft victims over five years. Other pages from a similar time period are still available. No one from the department or the White House answered the Stars questions as to why pages on specific subjects appeared to have vanished, or what the administrations overall labour strategy would be. David Weil, a senior Department of Labor official under Obama and outgoing head of its Wage and Hour division, said the posts were still active under his tenure. The stuff they are playing with on their website is the stuff we were very successful with, he told the Star. But also its the stuff that is about helping the people who have been left behind for too long. Weil, a Boston University business professor and the author of a book called The Fissured Workplace, has documented how businesses have increasingly moved to subcontracting, franchising, and temp agency employment to cut costs and dump legal responsibilities. (A recent study by Harvard and Princeton economists showed 94 per cent of net American job growth since 2005 came from temporary, insecure gigs.) The result is a workforce where basic protections are substantially eroded, and the hardest hit are women, immigrants and people of colour. I think (our policies) were all efforts to say, enough risk has been shifted onto working people and its time that growth in the economy should be shared with all people in our country, Weil said. Weils work has been influential in shaping the Ontario governments current Changing Workplaces Review, which aims to update the provinces employment laws to better protect precarious workers. But south of the border, Rojas believes many such trailblazing protections are about to be eviscerated. The president has significant leverage to do so. Currently, traditional labour groups as well as workers rights centres, which support precarious non-union workers, enjoy tax exempt status in the U.S. a privilege Rojas believes the Trump administration will soon attack through the Internal Revenue Service. With a conservative majority now restored at the Supreme Court, a seminal legal case that (so far unsuccessfully) sought to block public sector unions from collecting mandatory dues from members could be re-argued. Trump will also select a new general counsel for the National Labor Relations Board, a body that issued significant rulings to protect vulnerable workers under Obama. I think the mandate for Trump writ large is, lets destroy government. This is an anti-state, anti-government administration, Rojas said. So far, the presidents narrative has focused mainly on job creation a task Rojas believes he will be successful in; his plan to fix our inner cities and rebuild our highways, bridges, tunnels, airports, schools, hospitals translates to employment for working-class Americans. Free trade and jobs figured in discussions with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Monday: an estimated 9 million U.S. jobs are tied to free trade with Canada. But Weil says simply generating work is not enough noting that Obama-era policies focused not just on creating jobs, but ensuring they were safe, secure and decently paid. If Donald Trumps reaction is to pull all that back, then I dont know what Making America Great Again means. I think it would be very clearly a step in the opposite direction, he told the Star. Its a cautionary tale for the rest of the continent, says Weil, where the same dynamic of precarious employment and rising disparity is unfolding. I think what concerns me most is we have decades of erosion (in work standards), and that erosion has led to this phenomenon of growing inequality, he said. I dont view it as unrelated that we have this level of inequality and some of the threats to the basic democratic practices we face. To me, these factors are related, and they deeply concern me ultimately because of the threat they pose to democratic market-based economies. Which is why Deena Ladd of the Toronto-based Workers Action Centre says the Ontario government must pay attention, as it reviews its own legislation on workplace standards. I think its a big wake-up lesson for everyone, she said. With the Changing Workplaces Review, its the perfect time to ensure were keeping up with more of the up-to-date, 21st century labour legislation. If working people have power, voice, agency, and mobility in the places where they spend the vast majority of their time, then our democracies are richer, added Rojas. Our countries and cities are better. Our families are healthier. To accomplish that, Weil has a few suggestions. Governments across the continent, he says, need to reset the boundaries within which businesses operate so the balance is more evenly weighted between innovation and worker protection. Labour groups, he says, must experiment with new forms of organizing that support better work for all, whether they are union members or not. And Trump, he says, must be judged on whether he remembers the Forgotten American he claims to represent. They brought into their coalition people who felt left behind and truly were left behind by economic growth and didnt reap the benefits of it, Weil said. The question is whether any of his policies will lead to a change in that. Read more about: SHARE: In its earliest incarnation, Yonge St was a wild, tangled, muddy affair. When soldiers from the Queens Rangers, a British Army regiment, finished clearing it at the shores of Lake Simcoe on Feb 16, 1796, it barely deserved the title of street. At best, it was a rough track connecting the obscure army town of York (now Toronto) to the Upper Great Lakes. Barely a decade had passed since the end of the American Revolution, and Lieutenant-Governor John Graves Simcoe feared that the Thirteen Colonies might add a 14th: Upper Canada. He commissioned Yonge St. in 1793 as a military highway for British troops in the event the U.S. invaded. Simcoe named it after Britains then-Secretary of Warand Roman road expertSir George Yonge. But Yonge St. had little in common with the paved, rigorously marked, and ruthlessly straight roads of the Roman Empire. The Queens Rangers hacked Yonge St. out of the woods north of York, sometimes following the twists of Indigenous hunting trails. British settlers were required to keep roadside brush at bay. It was notoriously muddy in spring, prone to flooding, and unpaved. Twenty years after the Queens Rangers cleared Yonge St., Simcoes fears of an invasion were realized. The U.S. Army crossed into Canada several times over the course of the War of 1812. Canadian militia companies and local farmers used Yonge to either get to (or avoid) battle. Ironically, Torontos first mayor, William Lyon Mackenzie, also used Yonge St to try and seize the Legislature of Upper Canada in 1837. The street became more and more critical to Toronto as the 19th century rolled on. By the 1840s, horse-drawn omnibuses were hauling passengers from the St. Lawrence Market to the Red Lion Inn, north of Yonge and Bloor. In 1861, construction crews began laying down the citys first streetcar tracks. The first subways rumbled under Yonge in 1954. Two hundred years later, Yonge St. is still evolving. SHARE: Nancy Elgie must search her conscience as she clings to her position on the York Region school board after using an unacceptable slur in reference to a black parent, says Premier Kathleen Wynne. While she stopped short of urging the defiant trustee to resign, Wynne herself a former Toronto trustee instead said individuals have to make their own decisions. But there are no circumstances in which a child or a staff member or family anyone who works in a board should be subjected to racism, should be subjected to discrimination You know an individual will have to make up her own mind, Wynne said at Queens Park on Wednesday. Theres a lot of pressure on her. When reporters noted that two of Wynnes own cabinet ministers, as well as the leaders of the Progressive Conservatives and the NDP, have publicly urged Elgie to step down, she said the broader issue is the culture at the York public board, one that is making it so that people feel unsafe, that they feel that theyre not able to speak out? Its important that we recognize that from what we are hearing, there may be some concerns about systemic racism at the board, that is a huge concern. Read more: Education minister urges trustee to do the right thing and resign Nancy Elgie wants to choose her punishment for racial slur York board falters amid accusations of racism, Islamophobia END Just last month, Education Minister Mitzie Hunter ordered two troubleshooters to probe incidents of racism and Islamophobia at the board, as well as trustee conduct and travel spending, as the controversy around Elgie continued to grow. Last November, Elgie, 82, used the word n----- to refer to a black parent, in public, after a meeting. The board hired an outside investigator and Elgie apologized. Her family blamed the incident on a head injury, suffered last October, and the resulting concussion that caused Elgie to mix up her words. She is now on a medical leave. When asked to respond to the premiers comments, Elgies daughter Allyson Harrison replied: Mom has given this lots of thought. The comments I sent (Tuesday) still stand. Those comments include an apology, saying she could not be more sorry as she has expressed, but she did not use this word with malicious intent. There are many different views on what is the appropriate remedy here. Some have called for suspension, some for resignation. Others like the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion have opposed punishment, and called for a process of investigation, understanding and learning. She wants to do the right thing, and set a good example. When you do something that causes harm, even if it was not intentional and you apologize and take responsibility, there still should be some consequence. She believes there should be a sanction, one that reflects all the circumstances here, as well as a process to promote learning, healing and restoration. Elgie herself has proposed a three- to six-month suspension from the board, although parents and community members continue to push for her to resign. Board Chair Loralea Carruthers has said its clear to her the board cannot move forward from all of its troubles unless Elgie goes. Meanwhile, the head of the Ontario Human Rights Commission took to social media to comment on the situation, after Carruthers publicly called for Elgies resignation the first on her board to do so. Much-needed leadership, Renu Mandhane tweeted. Single serious incident can create a poisoned environment & intention is not required to find discrimination. In a statement sent to the Star, Mandhane said Elgies comments point to a bigger problem. Nancy Elgies comments are symptomatic of a serious problem. Racial slurs can create a poisoned environment that has a corrosive impact. Its not enough for institutions to react to individual incidents, they must proactively put in place systems to prevent and address systemic discrimination, Mandhane said. Wynne said Elgie must now search her conscience and make a decision for herself. I am not excusing a particular behaviour, but what I am saying is that we need to look at systemically, whats going on, whats the culture that needs to be tackled here, she said of the York Region District School Board. But am I concerned about the culture of the board? Absolutely, Wynne said. Thats why the investigation is going on. And quite frankly it is why at this moment we have set up an Anti-Racism Directorate. You know because I believe that there is systemic racism. Its not about one institution, its not about one particular sector. But the reality is were dealing, with whether its anti-black racism, whether its Islamophobia, we are dealing with issues of racism right now that have to be challenged and have to be dealt with. Read more about: SHARE: PHILADELPHIAThe heart of Philadelphias Italian Market was uncommonly quiet. Fine restaurants in the nations capital and New York closed for the day. Grocery stores, food trucks, coffee shops and taco joints in places like Chicago, Los Angeles and Boston shut down. Immigrants around the U.S. stayed home from work and school Thursday to demonstrate how important they are to Americas economy and way of life, and many businesses closed in solidarity, in a nationwide protest called A Day Without Immigrants. Read the latest on U.S. President Donald Trump The boycott was aimed squarely at U.S. President Donald Trumps efforts to crack down on immigration, legal and illegal, by such means as a wall at the Mexican border. Organizers said they expected thousands to participate or otherwise show their support. The protest even reached into the U.S. Capitol, where a Senate coffee shop was among the eateries that were closed as employees did not show up at work. Read more: Heres what could be in store for workers under Trump The Flynn scandal is bigger than Watergate, Democrats argue. But Republicans give no hints theyll investigate As Trumps Russia scandal grows, Americans are being told two very different stories The days activities also included rallies in several cities. Marcela Ardaya-Vargas, who is from Bolivia and now lives in Falls Church, Virginia, pulled her son out of school to take him to a Day Without Immigrants march in Washington. When he asked why he wasnt going to school, I told him because today he was going to learn about immigration, she said, adding: Our job as citizens is to unite with our brothers and sisters. Organizers appealed to immigrants from all walks of life to take part, but the effects were felt most strongly in the restaurant industry, which has long been a first step up the economic ladder for newcomers to America with its many jobs for cooks, dishwashers and servers. Expensive restaurants and fast-food joints alike closed across the country. Sushi bars, Brazilian steakhouses, Mexican eateries and Thai and Italian restaurants turned away lunchtime customers. On Ninth Street in South Philadelphias Italian Market, it was so quiet in the morning that Rani Vasudeva thought it might be Monday, when many of the businesses on the normally bustling stretch are closed. Produce stands and other stalls along Calle Nueve as 9th Street is more commonly known for its abundance of Mexican-owned businesses stood empty, leaving customers to look elsewhere for fresh meat, bread, fruits and vegetables. Its actually very sad, said Vasudeva, a 38-year-old professor at Temple University. You realize the impact the immigrant community has. We need each other for our daily lives. At a White House news conference held at the same time as the lunch-hour protests, Trump boasted of his border security measures and immigration arrests of hundreds of people in the past week, saying, "We are saving lives every single day." Since the end of 2007, the number of foreign-born workers employed in the U.S. has climbed by nearly 3.1 million to 25.9 million; they account for 56 per cent of the increase in U.S. employment over that period, according to the Labor Department. The foreign-born who include American citizens, green-card holders and those working without legal authorization tend to be younger and to take jobs in fields that have been growing fastest, including restaurants, hotels and stores. Roughly 12 million people are employed in the restaurant industry, and immigrants make up the majority up to 70 per cent in places like New York and Chicago, according to the Restaurant Opportunities Centers United, which works to improve working conditions. An estimated 1.3 million in the industry are immigrants living in the U.S. illegally, the group said. The construction industry, which also employs large numbers of immigrants, was also affected. Shea Frederick, who owns a small construction company in Baltimore, showed up at 7 a.m. at a home he is renovating and was surprised to find that he was alone, with a load of drywall ready for install. He soon understood why: His crew, five immigrants, called to say they werent coming to work. They were joining the protests. I had an entire day of full work, he said. I have inspectors lined up to inspect the place, and now theyre thrown off, and you do it the day before the weekend and it pushes things off even more. It sucks, but its understandable. Frederick said that while he fundamentally agrees with the action, and appreciates why his crew felt the need to participate, he feels his business is being made to suffer as a result of the presidents policies. Its hurting the wrong people, he said. A gigantic part of this state didnt vote this person in, and were paying for his terrible decisions. In New Mexico, the state with the largest percentage of Hispanics, school officials said hundreds of students might stay home. Many people who skipped work will lose a days pay or worse, and many student absences will not be excused. But organizers argued that the cause is worth the sacrifice. They are tired of their communities being criminalized, said Olivia Vazquez, a 22-year-old community organizer and a Mexican immigrant living in the U.S. illegally. Theyre ready to fight back. In New Orleans Mid-City neighbourhood, whose Latino population swelled after the damage wrought by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 created lots of jobs for construction workers, the Ideal Market was closed. The place is usually busy at midday with people lining up at the steam tables for hot lunches or picking from an array of fresh Central American vegetables and fruits. In Chicago, Petes Fresh Market closed five of its 12 grocery stores and assured employees they would not be penalized for skipping the day, according to owner Vanessa Dremonas, whose Greek-immigrant father started the company. Its in his DNA to help immigrants, she said. Weve supported immigrants from the beginning. Carmen Solis, a Mexico-born U.S. citizen, took the day off from work as a project manager and brought her two children to a rally in Chicago. I feel like our community is going to be racially profiled and harassed, she said of Trumps immigration policies. Its very upsetting. People like to take out their anger on the immigrants, but employers are making profits off of them. Among the well-known establishments that closed their doors in solidarity were three of acclaimed chef Silvana Salcido Esparzas restaurants in Phoenix; Michelin star RASA in San Francisco; and two Washington restaurants run by chef Jose Andres Oyamel and Jaleo. Tony and Marie Caschera, both 66, who were visiting Washington from Halfmoon, New York, thought a tapas restaurant looked interesting for lunch, but then realized the lights were off and the place was closed. Im in support of what theyre trying to say, said Marie Caschera, a registered Democrat, adding that immigrants are fearful for their communities. Her husband, a registered Republican whose family immigrated from Italy before World War II, said he supports legal immigration, but added: I dont like illegal aliens here. SHARE: WASHINGTONU.S. President Donald Trump mounted a vigorous defence of his presidency Thursday, pushing back against media reports that his campaign advisers had inappropriate contact with Russian officials and vowing to crack down on the leaking of classified information. Nearly a month into his presidency, Trump said in a freewheeling White House news conference that his new administration had made significant progress and took credit for an optimistic business climate and a soaring stock market. The president reserved his harshest language for attacks on members of the media present for the news conference. Tomorrow they will say Donald Trump rants and raves at the press, Trump said at one point. Im not ranting and raving, youre just dishonest people. Trump denounced reports of a chaotic start to his administration marked by a contentious executive order now tied up in a legal fight to place a ban on travellers from seven predominantly Muslim nations. Read the latest on U.S. President Donald Trump This administration is running like a fine-tuned machine, Trump declared. He said he would announce a new and very comprehensive order to protect our people. Throughout the news conference in the East Room of the White House, the new president delivered repeated criticism of the news media, accusing it of being out of control and promising to take his message straight to the people. He dismissed recent reports in The New York Times and CNN that Trump campaign aides had been in contact with Russian officials before his election. Trump called Paul Manafort, his former campaign manager who has ties to Ukraine and Russia, a respected man. Trump called the reports a ruse and said he had nothing to do with Russia. Trump added, Russia is fake news. This is fake news put out by the media. Amid reports of widespread leaks within his administration, Trump also warned that he would clamp down on the dissemination of sensitive information, saying he had asked the Justice Department to look into the leaks. Those are criminal leaks, adding, The leaks are real. The news is fake. The president announced that Alexander Acosta, the dean of the Florida International University law school, would be his nominee for Labor secretary. It came a day after fast-food executive Andrew Puzder withdrew his nomination for Labor after losing support among Republican senators. Trump, a reality television star and real estate mogul who was elected as an outsider intent on change, opened the hastily arranged news conference to bash coverage by the news media. He accused reporters of not telling the truth and only serving special interests. Read more: Trump, angry at leaks revealing his teams contacts with Russia, wants an ally to lead a sweeping review of U.S. spy agencies Trump says he will introduce a new travel ban next weekend Donald Trump says Michael Flynn was just doing his job The press has become so dishonest that if we dont talk about it, we are doing a tremendous disservice to the American people, Trump said. The president said his ousted national security adviser, Michael Flynn, was just doing his job, but said he was not happy with how information about Flynns phone call to a Russian diplomat was relayed to Vice-President Mike Pence. But Trump said what Flynn did wasnt wrong and said he had identified a strong replacement for Flynn, which made the decision to let him go easier. Trump is said to favour Vice-Admiral Robert Harward, a former Navy SEAL, as his next national security adviser, according to a White House official. Harward met with top White House officials last week and has the backing of Defense Secretary Jim Mattis. He is slated to meet with officials later Thursday. Earlier in the day, Trump had a breakfast meeting with some of his staunchest House supporters. The White House has said Trump asked for Flynns resignation because he had misled Vice-President Mike Pence over his dealings with Russia and whether he had discussed sanctions with Russias ambassador to the U.S. before Trumps Jan. 20 inauguration. Flynn previously had denied those conversations to Pence and other top officials. On Thursday, he warned in a pair of tweets that low-life leakers of classified information will be caught. As journalists were being escorted out of the breakfast meeting, Trump responded to a reporters question on the subject by saying: Were going to find the leakers and theyre going to pay a big price. Read more about: SHARE: The Kremlin ordered state media to cut way back on their fawning coverage of President Donald Trump, reflecting a growing concern among senior Russian officials that the new U.S. administration will be less friendly than first thought, three people familiar with the matter said. The order comes amid a growing chorus of anti-Russian sentiment in Washington, where U.S. spy and law-enforcement agencies are conducting multiple investigations to determine the full extent of contacts Trumps advisers had with Russia during and after the 2016 election campaign. Vladimir Putins administration justified the decision to curb coverage of Trump by saying that Russian viewers no longer find details of his transition to power interesting, according to one of the people. In reality, some of the most popular TV segments on Trump touched on ideas the Kremlin would rather not promote, such as his pledge to drain the swamp, the person said. They wont pour buckets of criticism on Trump, they just wont talk about him much, Konstantin von Eggert, a political commentator for TV Rain, Russias only independent channel, said by phone. The fate of Russia-American relations is much less predictable than it was just a few weeks ago. The order marks a stark turnaround from just a few weeks ago. Trumps unexpected triumph over Hillary Clinton in November has been widely hailed in Russia as the beginning of a new era of co-operation between the former Cold War foes. Trumps campaign was watched with rapture as news anchors gushed over the novelty of hearing an American presidential candidate praise Putin. Read more: Trump renews media attacks as controversy over Russia deepens As Trumps Russia scandal grows, Americans are being told two very different stories The Flynn scandal is bigger than Watergate, Democrats argue. But Republicans give no hints theyll investigate But the wall-to-wall coverage went too far for the Kremlins liking. In January, Trump received more mentions in the media than Putin, relegating the Russian leader to the No. 2 spot for the first time since he returned to the Kremlin in 2012 after four years as premier, according to Interfax data. The decision to temper the publics expectations for better relations follows the resignation of Trumps national security adviser, retired Lieutenant General Michael Flynn, who sat with Putin at a media event in Moscow in 2015 and is widely reported in Russia to be a sympathetic voice in Washington. Other Trump associates whose activities the FBI and other agencies are examining include former campaign chairman Paul Manafort, who worked for a Putin ally in Ukraine for years, and energy consultant Carter Page, who used to live in Moscow and gave a speech here last summer. Manafort said in a statement he never had any connection to Putin or the Russian government. Trump on Wednesday accused Putin of seizing Crimea from Ukraine in a series of Twitter posts that were delivered amid a flurry of allegations that his team has ties to Russia. Crimea was TAKEN by Russia during the Obama Administration. Was Obama too soft on Russia? the U.S. president tweeted. Russian officials, who had readily commented to local media on earlier news from Washington, suddenly became less talkative after the Crimea comment. Read more about: SHARE: KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIAMalaysian authorities announced two more arrests Thursday in the death of the North Korean leaders half brother, whose apparent assassination this week unleashed a wave of speculation and intrigue: a pair of female assailants, a broad-daylight killing and a dictator-sibling out for blood. Investigators were still piecing together details of the case, including the widespread assumption that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un dispatched a hit squad to kill his estranged half brother, Kim Jong Nam. Known for his love of gambling and casinos, Kim Jong Nam had lived abroad for years, aware he was a hunted man. Three suspects two women and a man were arrested separately Wednesday and Thursday. The women were identified using surveillance videos from Kuala Lumpur International Airport, where Kim Jong Nam, who was 45 or 46, suddenly fell ill Monday morning. Malaysian officials said he died on the way to a hospital after telling medical workers at the airport that he had been sprayed with a chemical. Multiple South Korean media reports, citing unidentified sources, said two women believed to be North Korean agents killed him with some kind of poison before fleeing in a taxi. Read more: Why was North Korean leader Kim Jong Uns half-brother assassinated? One of the female suspects had Vietnamese travel documents and was picked up Wednesday at the budget terminal of the airport, the same place where the attack took place. The other woman held an Indonesian passport and was arrested early Thursday. Police said they were working to determine if the IDs were genuine. It was not immediately clear if the women were believed to be the actual assassins. Indonesian diplomats met with the second suspect and confirmed she is an Indonesian citizen, officials said. Authorities identified her as Siti Aisyah, 25, originally from Serang in Banten, a province that neighbours the Indonesian capital, Jakarta. Indonesian Immigration Office spokesman Agung Sampurno said officials from the Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur met with the woman in Selangor state, where she is being held, and ensured she is in safe condition. They were allowed to see her but cannot make any questions, said Sampurno. However, the team can confirm that Aisyah is Indonesian. News of the third arrest came Thursday afternoon. Police said they had detained a Malaysian man who was believed to be the boyfriend of the Indonesian suspect. Medical workers also completed an autopsy on Kim Jong Nam, but the results have not been released. The findings could reveal whether he was actually poisoned. North Korea had objected to the autopsy but Malaysia went ahead with it anyway because the North did not submit a formal protest, said Abdul Samah Mat, a senior Malaysian police official. On Thursday, Malaysian Deputy Home Minister Zahid Hamidi said security is a top priority for the government and the authorities had acted swiftly and efficiently. Asked at a news conference why Malaysia failed to protect Kim Jong Nam, Zahid said: What do you mean? Do we have to engage a bodyguard and usher him everywhere? No. Kim Jong Nam was estranged from his younger half brother, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, and had been living abroad for years. He reportedly fell out of favour when he was caught trying to enter Japan on a false passport in 2001, saying he wanted to visit Tokyo Disneyland. Kim Jong Nam was the son of Kim Jong Il, North Koreas second leader, and Sung Hye Rim, an actress who analysts say was forced to divorce her first husband to live in secret with the future leader in 1970, a year before their son was born. He was reportedly educated in Geneva and Moscow in his early teens and became fluent in English, French and Russian. After Kim Jong Ils death in 2011, Kim Jong Nam complained that Kim Jong Un, the countrys new leader, was failing to treat him with respect and send him enough money, according to Cheong Seong-Chang, an analyst at South Koreas Sejong Institute. However, Kim Jong Nam refrained from openly criticizing the North and kept a low profile after Kim Jong Un executed his uncle and former protector Jang Song Thaek, once considered the countrys second-most powerful person, in 2013. Since taking power, Kim Jong Un has executed or purged a number of high-level government officials. The National Intelligence Service said North Korea had been trying for five years to kill Kim Jong Nam, and that he had sent a letter to Kim Jong Un in April 2012, begging for the lives of himself and his family. Officials from South Koreas spy agency, the National Intelligence Service, told lawmakers that Kim Jong Nam leaves behind two sons and a daughter with two women living in Beijing and Macau. Read more about: SHARE: U.S. President Donald Trump plans to assign a New York billionaire to lead a broad review of U.S. intelligence agencies, according to administration officials, an effort that members of the intelligence community fear could curtail their independence and reduce the flow of information that contradicts the presidents world view. The possible role for Stephen Feinberg, a co-founder of Cerberus Capital Management, has met fierce resistance among intelligence officials already on edge because of the criticism the intelligence community has received from Trump during the campaign and since he became president. On Wednesday, Trump blamed leaks from the intelligence community for the departure of Michael Flynn, his national security adviser, whom he fired earlier in the week. Read the latest news on U.S. President Donald Trump There has been no announcement of Feinbergs job, which would be based in the White House, but he recently told his companys shareholders that he was in discussions to join the Trump administration. He is a member of Trumps economic advisory council. Feinberg, who has close ties to Stephen Bannon, who is Trumps chief strategist, and Jared Kushner, the presidents son-in-law, declined to comment on his possible position. The White House, which is still working out the details of the intelligence review, also would not comment. Bringing Feinberg into the administration to conduct the review is seen as a way of injecting a Trump loyalist into a world the White House views with suspicion. But top intelligence officials fear that Feinberg is being groomed for a high position in one of the intelligence agencies. Bannon and Kushner, according to current and former intelligence officials and Republican lawmakers, had at one point considered Feinberg for either director of national intelligence or chief of the CIAs clandestine service, a role that is normally reserved for career intelligence officers, not friends of the president. Feinbergs only experience with national security matters is his firms stakes in a private security company and two gunmakers. On an array of issues including the Iran nuclear deal, the utility of NATO, and how best to combat Islamist militancy much of the information and analysis produced by U.S. intelligence agencies contradicts the positions of the new administration. The divide is starkest when it comes to Russia and President Vladimir Putin, whom Trump has repeatedly praised while dismissing U.S. intelligence assessments that Moscow sought to promote his own candidacy. Against this backdrop, Trump has appointed Mike Pompeo, a former Republican congressman from Kansas, to run the CIA, and former Republican Sen. Dan Coats, to be the director of national intelligence (he is still awaiting confirmation). Both were the preferred choices of the Republican congressional leadership and Vice-President Mike Pence and had no close or long-standing ties to Trump. In fact, they each endorsed Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida for president during the 2016 Republican primaries. But the potential White House role for Feinberg follows intense speculation among intelligence professionals that Feinberg is in line for a powerful position within the intelligence community. Reports that Feinberg was under consideration to run the clandestine service rocked the intelligence community in recent weeks, raising the prospect of direct White House control over Americas spies at a time when Trumps ties to Putin are under investigation by the FBI and congressional committees. The last time an outsider with no intelligence experience took the job was in the early days of the Reagan administration, when Max Hugel, a businessman who had worked on Reagans campaign, was named to run the spy service. His tenure at the CIA was marked by turmoil and questions about the politicization of the agency. He was forced to resign after six months, amid accusations about his past business dealings. (He later won a libel case against the two brothers who made the accusations.) Even the prospect that Feinberg may lead a review for the White House has raised concerns in the intelligence community. Coats is especially angry at what he sees as a move by Bannon and Kushner to sideline him before he is even confirmed, according to current and former officials. He believes the review would impinge on a central part of his role as the director of national intelligence and fears that if Feinberg were working at the White House, he could quickly become a dominant voice on intelligence matters. Michael Hayden, a retired general who ran the CIA and the National Security Agency during president George W. Bushs administration, said it was hard to wrap his head around the idea of a DNI nominee in the confirmation process while others consider retooling the position. I think Id be concerned too, he said. The challenge is less immediate for Pompeo. He does not see an urgent need for a review of the intelligence community, according to current and former U.S. officials, but sees it as better than the appointment of Feinberg to a job with actual authority over daily intelligence operations. Many intelligence officials question what purpose a White House intelligence review would serve other than to position Feinberg for a larger role in the future. Most significant changes to the intelligence community would require an act of Congress, a fact that would ultimately blunt whatever ideas or proposals Feinberg came up with. Even with a Republican majority in both houses, getting Congress to agree to major changes to intelligence agencies seems unlikely. It is difficult to object to someone putting fresh eyes on the organization of the intelligence community, Hayden said. But, even though the DNI staff has become far too large, I dont think any of us think a major restructuring of the community is in order. Tensions between the intelligence community and the White House have already played out on several fronts. Before Flynn was forced out, one of his top aides, Robin Townley, was denied a security clearance by the CIA. But distrust of the intelligence community has been building for years in conservative political circles, where the CIA during the Obama administration was seen as heavily politicized. Republican Rep. Steve King said in a recent interview that some officials in the intelligence community were trustworthy but not all. People there need to be rooted out, King said. Another Republican lawmaker said that the predominant view at the White House is also that the politicians in the intelligence agencies need to be cleaned out. Through Cerberus, his private equity company, Feinberg has strong ties to the government contracting industry. Cerberus owns DynCorp International, which has had a wide array of large contracts providing security to the State Department and other agencies. DynCorp is locked in a major legal dispute over the fate of a $10 billion State Department contract that it previously held to provide air support for counternarcotics operations overseas. John Kelly, the new Homeland Security secretary, was paid $166,000 a year as a DynCorp adviser until he was named to the new administration. Cerberus also owns Remington Outdoor, a major firearms manufacturer. In 2008, Feinberg also considered investing in Blackwater, the security firm founded by Erik Prince, a former member of the Navy SEALs, before it was ultimately acquired by other investors. New York magazine reported last year that Feinberg went to Blackwaters North Carolina compound in 2005 to take firearms training. Read more about: SHARE: WASHINGTONDavid Friedman, the combative bankruptcy lawyer U.S. President Donald Trump tapped as his envoy to Israel, said Thursday he regretted using inflammatory rhetoric during the divisive 2016 presidential campaign, but didnt specify which remarks he apologized for. Friedman told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee during his confirmation hearing that language he used has come in for criticism and rightfully so. But he said his use of incendiary and hurtful comments is entirely over and that he recognized the discretion the post requires even when he has profound differences with his critics. Read the latest news on U.S. President Donald Trump I regret the use of such language and I want to assure you that I understand the important difference between a political contest and a diplomatic mission, Friedman said. Partisan rhetoric is rarely if ever appropriate in achieving diplomatic progress, especially in a sensitive and strife-torn region like the Middle East. But Friedmans apology didnt convince the committees top Democrat, Sen. Ben Cardin of Maryland. I am having difficulty with the language you have used, he said. Friedman had called J Street, a liberal Jewish advocacy group, worse than kapos, a reference to Jews who helped the Nazis imprison fellow Jews during the Holocaust. J Street worked closely with the Obama administration and is critical of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The group says Friedman lacks the temperament and responsibility required for such a sensitive diplomatic assignment. Five former U.S. ambassadors to Israel who are opposing Friedmans nomination said he accused President Barack Obama and the entire State Department of anti-Semitism. The ambassadors, who served Republican and Democratic presidents, said Friedman is unqualified for the post and have urged the committee to carefully consider his nomination. Friedman told the committee hes skeptical a two-state solution can succeed because Palestinians havent renounced terrorism and have refused to accept Israel as a Jewish state. But he said he would be delighted if it were possible to establish an independent Palestinian state. His remarks come a day after Trump and visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu refused to endorse the two-state solution as the preferred outcome of peace talks. Their remarks at the White House effectively abandoned what has been the foundation of U.S.-led peace efforts since 2002. The Palestinians and the international community have long favoured the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. Prior to the hearing, Friedman had called the two-state strategy a narrative and an illusory solution in search of a nonexistent problem. He said its not his role to make policy, but he recommended creating a Palestinian middle class in the Gaza Strip that is empowered with economic opportunities. He said most Palestinians are being held hostage by a ruthless regime, a reference to the Islamic militant group Hamas, which seized power there in 2007. Protesters interrupted Friedman during his opening remarks. Two men, minutes apart, stood and shouted pro-Palestinian slogans. They each held up Palestinian flags before being removed by the Capitol police. Other protesters sang before being ushered out. One blasted a shofar, an instrument made of a rams horn used by Jews during the High Holidays. He prefaced it with the traditional chant tekiah that precedes the blowing of the shofar. A woman shouted, Do not confirm David Friedman. He is a war criminal! Read more about: SHARE: OLYMPIA, WASH.The Washington Supreme Court ruled unanimously Thursday that a florist who refused to provide services for a same-sex wedding broke the states anti-discrimination law, even though she claimed doing so would violate her religious beliefs. A lower court had fined Barronelle Stutzman, a florist in Richland, Washington, for denying service to a gay couple in 2013, and ordered her to pay a $1,000 fine. Stutzman argued that she was exercising her First Amendment rights. But the court held that her floral arrangements do not constitute protected free speech, and that providing flowers to a same-sex wedding would not serve as an endorsement of same-sex marriage. As Stutzman acknowledged at deposition, providing flowers for a wedding between Muslims would not necessarily constitute an endorsement of Islam, nor would providing flowers for an atheist couple endorse atheism, the opinion said. Stutzmans lawyers immediately said they would ask the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the decision. Its wrong for the state to force any citizen to support a particular view about marriage or anything else against their will, Stutzmans attorney, Kristen Waggoner, wrote in a statement issued after the ruling. Freedom of speech and religion arent subject to the whim of a majority; they are constitutional guarantees. Its one of several lawsuits around the country including some involving bakers about whether businesses can refuse to provide services over causes they disagree with, or whether they must serve everyone equally. A Colorado case involving a baker who would not make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple is pending before the U.S. Supreme Court, according to Lambda Legal. In 2014, the court declined to hear an appeal of a case out of New Mexico that went against a photographer who denied a same-sex couple service. Gov. Jay Inslee lauded Thursdays ruling, saying it was in favour of equality for all Washingtonians. By ruling that intolerance based on sexual orientation is unlawful, the Court affirmed that Washington state will remain a place where no one can be discriminated against because of who they love, Inslee said in a written statement. Stutzman had previously sold the couple flowers and knew they were gay. However, Stutzman told them that she couldnt provide flowers for their wedding because same-sex marriage was incompatible with her Christian beliefs. Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson and the couple sued her, saying she broke state anti-discrimination and consumer protection laws, and the lower court agreed. The states nine high court justices upheld that verdict. The court rejected several arguments put forth by Stutzman, including the assertion that since other florists were willing to serve the couple, no harm occurred. As every other court to address the question has concluded, public accommodations laws do not simply guarantee access to goods or services. Instead, they serve a broader societal purpose: eradicating barriers to the equal treatment of all citizens in the commercial marketplace, the court wrote. Were we to carve out a patchwork of exceptions for ostensibly justified discrimination, that purpose would be fatally undermined. The case thrust the great-grandmother into the national spotlight and she testified before state lawmakers in Indiana and Kansas. Michael Scott, a Seattle attorney who worked with the American Civil Liberties Union to represent Robert Ingersoll and Curt Freed the couple denied the flowers had previously told justices he didnt believe Stutzmans floral creations constituted speech. By providing flowers for a same-sex marriage, he argued, shes not endorsing same-sex marriage. Shes selling what she sells. Ferguson had said the states argument rested on long-standing principle, and uprooting it would weaken anti-discrimination law. After the arguments in the Supreme Court case last November, at a packed theatre at Bellevue College, a large crowd of Stutzmans supporters greeted her outside, chanting her name and waving signs that said Justice For Barronelle. In a February 2015 ruling, Benton County Superior Court Judge Alexander Ekstrom found that Stutzmans refusal to provide flowers because of sexual orientation violated Washingtons anti-discrimination and consumer protection laws. The following month, Ekstrom ordered Stutzman to pay a $1,000 penalty to the state and $1 in costs and fees. Stutzman entered the florist business 30 years ago, when her mother bought a flower shop. At a press conference following the ruling, Ferguson said that under Washington law, a business is not required to provide a particular service, but if it does so for couples of the opposite sex, it must provide that service equally to same-sex couples. Ferguson noted that Stutzman is not currently selling wedding flowers, but if she were to resume that side of her business, she would not be allowed to sell to only heterosexual couples. The state Supreme Court has made that very clear, he said. SHARE: Aiming to outshine the U.S. on the world stage isnt exactly setting the bar high these days. Outshining Norway and Ireland, however, might present a challenge. And these two small countries are the main competitors if Justin Trudeau is to realize his dream of nabbing a seat for Canada on the United Nations Security Council. For all the focus on surviving his meeting with Donald Trump this week, the real prize for Trudeau lies at the UN as he seeks to position himself, particularly in Canadian eyes, as a peacekeeping-loving, refugee-embracing, women-buttressing internationalist, leading a Canada that is back engaging with the world. Thats why Trudeau has appointed an eight-person team in Ottawa and New York to work on drumming up enough international support to secure the prestigious UN seat (for two years, starting in 2021), following former Prime Minister Stephen Harpers humiliating failure to win one, breaking Canadas long record of winning a Security Council seat whenever we tried. For Trudeau, cultivating the persona of a progressive internationalist especially as his progressive credentials have been tarnished lately on the domestic front is key if he wants to hold onto the large swath of Canadian voters who embraced him as the anti-Harper in the last election. The problem is that, while Trudeaus warm reception of refugees and his return to peacekeeping have won him kudos at home and abroad, his staunch support for Israel at the UN a holdover from the Harper years has left Canada significantly offside with world opinion, including major Canadian allies (and influential UN players) Britain, France and Germany. As Paul Heinbecker, former Canadian ambassador to the UN, told me: Canadas strongly pro-Israel position on the Israel-Palestine issue puts it at odds with all the other members of the Security Council except the U.S.A. and with the great majority of members of the General Assembly. This will not help our bid for a seat. Although the PM wants to restore Canadas reputation as an honest broker in the Middle East a reputation Harper had few qualms tossing to the wind Trudeau has continued Harpers blanket support for Israel in recent UN votes and in the process left Canada isolated from almost all other nations, huddling in a corner with the U.S. and U.S. dependencies, such as the Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palau. Canadas position became particularly isolated in December when even the U.S. took the surprise move of abstaining on a resolution condemning Israeli settlement-building, allowing the resolution to pass the Security Council 14-0. Its passage may put Canada in violation of international law since our bilateral trade deal with Israel doesnt distinguish between products from Israel and the Occupied Territories, as that resolution calls for. So why is Trudeau allowing Canada to be so offside with world opinion on the long-boiling Israeli-Palestinian conflict? Conventional wisdom has it that Canadian politicians take strong pro-Israel positions in order to please Canadian voters. But the results of a just-released poll by EKOS Research Associates throw this conventional wisdom out the window. According to the poll, 46 per cent of Canadians have a negative view of the Israeli government, while only 28 per cent have a positive view. Among Liberal voters, the negative view rises to 55 per cent while the positive drops to 22 per cent. Indeed, support for the Israeli government is largely confined to Conservative voters, 58 per cent of whom have a positive view, compared to an average of just 11 per cent among the other four parties. It turns out Canadians are in line with the world on the issue. Its the Trudeau government thats wildly offside with global opinion, Canadians in general and potential Liberal voters in particular. The Trudeau government probably knows this, and it explains why it has largely kept quiet on the subject of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict even as it has voted in lockstep with Micronesia and Palau. By keeping its staunchly pro-Israel stance low-key and out of the news, Trudeau is able to satisfy Canadas well-organized pro-Israel lobby, while not attracting the attention of the broader Canadian public. Keeping the Canadian public ignorant has been key. Trudeau won mostly good reviews this week for his balancing act with Trump in Washington. But winning the coveted UN seat and with it, the image of being the broad-minded internationalist he aspires to be seen as may prove trickier than figuring out what to do when faced with an outstretched orange hand attached to the free worlds pre-eminent snake-oil salesman. Linda McQuaig is a journalist and author. Her column appears monthly. Read more about: SHARE: Re: Fourth suicide has Guelph reeling, Feb. 14 Fourth suicide has Guelph reeling, Feb. 14 This article makes excellent points about the pressures that impact students and how challenging it can be for universities to find help for their students in the outside community. Guelph has a well-deserved reputation as a university that really cares about its students. May I say, though, that before reading the article, I was certain there would be no mention as to the means used by these four students to tragically end their lives. Decreasing suicidal risk involves peers getting into difficult discussions with those who are clearly suffering from anxiety, depression or both. Those discussions must include trying to get a handle on associated risk factors, such as alcohol, drug or prescription drug abuse, all of which increase lethality, as well as questions about what kind of lethal means the suicidal person is considering, and whether or not he or she has access to a lethal weapon, such as a gun. Asking a question like how would you actually do it? can help institute measures that decrease suicide risk. Many more women than men attempt suicide, but men have a higher rate of actually killing themselves, in part because they choose more lethal means. There are many stories of suicides in our northern communities and on reserves that similarly fail to include information about suicidal methods used by those who complete the tragic act. Dr. Ron Charach, Toronto SHARE: Trian Fund Management recently disclosed that it has a $3.5 billion position in Procter & Gamble (PG) , the fund's largest position, and one that suggests that an activist campaign involving operational improvements, cost cuts or a break up of the $232 billion market capitalization company could be next. The comments, which were first reported on Tuesday, suggest that Trian Fund's founder, Nelson Peltz, one of the most well-respected activists driving share price improvement, has quickly been accumulating shares in the American multi-national, setting the stage for an activist campaign. "Between December 31 and yesterday, Trian increased their position six-fold," said Joe Mills, founding partner at proxy solicitor, Saratoga Proxy Consulting. "Peltz has set up an expectation that Trian has done its research and they have ideas that would improve Proctor & Gamble." Late Tuesday, Trian disclosed in a securities filing that as of Dec. 31, it owned about $539 million Procter & Gamble shares. However, CNBC TV reported later that the stake has grown to roughly $3.5 billion's worth. Mills suggests that Trian likes the stock and is going to begin talking to management, which might result in getting directors installed on the company's board. Some of Trian's ideas for improving Procter & Gamble could emerge from the company itself if they agree with Peltz and his private suggestions. Alternatively, if the two don't see eye to eye on proposals and management resists it is possible that Peltz could escalate his campaign and issue a long white paper with suggestions and this could ultimately be the platform for a proxy contest. "We might see Peltz on TV talking about what he wants to see happen at the company," Mills said. "They likely want to see operational improvements and could have some M&A suggestions." Peltz's track record suggests that he could escalate his campaign at Procter & Gamble into one that involves a long white paper or letter detailing operational and strategic M&A ideas, and possibly followed by a director election contest. Trian has launched 23 campaigns at 20 companies since 2005, including three proxy fights and eight publicly-disclosed letters to management, according to FactSet. Most famously, Trian started and narrowly lost a contest at DuPont in 2015 -- but Peltz subsequently collaborated with the company to help engineer a combination with Dow Chemical that is expected to create three different companies afterward. Peltz, is considered one of a rare breed of insurgents known as "operational activists" because he has a proven track record as an operator, which sets him apart from most others in the trade who we might call "financial activists" because they come from a hedge fund background and focus on balance sheet activism by urging capital distributions or spinoffs. Peltz, and another Trian partner, Peter May, are best known for their acquisition and turnaround of Snapple Beverage Group in the late 1990s. That operational experience contributed heavily to Trian's partial victory in a campaign at Heinz in 2006, shortly after the firm's founding, where they succeeded in installing two of five director nominees including Peltz to the ketchup producer's 12-person board. In fact, shareholders acknowledged that success by voting in huge numbers to elect former Snapple Beverage chief Michael Weinstein, a Peltz nominee, to Heinz's board. In other cases, companies have quickly relented and given Peltz a board seat. Trian revealed a 7% Sysco Corp. stake in August 2015, just six days before Sysco settled by adding him and another dissident to its board. Peltz's next step at Procter & Gamble could be to release a long white paper, complete with operational suggestions, following the fund's 2015 campaign at General Electric Co., GE. At GE, Trian produced an 80-page GE white paper that came after the fund manager visited the conglomerate's operations and division chiefs. Jefferies analyst Kevin Grundy told The Deal that Peltz's track record suggests he could pursue discussions about further portfolio divestitures or splitting up the company as part of his expected talks with Procter & Gamble. He noted that in response to a question about whether P&G would ever consider breaking up the business, executives have commented that P&G is not averse to looking at any option that creates value for shareholders. As a result, Grundy said Trian might attempt to make a case for splitting up the business. However, he added that it's hard to tell with certainty what a potential split-up of Procter's ten businesses may look like, as any discussion must contemplate dis-synergies, tax consequences, and various regulatory considerations. "While P&G has taken sensible steps to enhance shareholder value recently, perceived value of a P&G breakup is likely to re-emerge," he said. The Amazon (AMZN) Echo and Alphabet's (GOOGL) Google Home could soon replace the smartphone as a means to make phone calls. The tech giants could bring the feature to their voice assistant platforms sometime this year, the Wall Street Journal reported this week, citing sources. The launch has been delayed as the companies work out various issues related to privacy, telecom regulations and emergency services. The Echo and Home would probably use voice over internet protocol technology to connect with a user's smartphone, the Journal noted. Call forwarding technology could also be used to connect the devices. By adding a phone call feature, Amazon and Google would invent another reason for people to keep using voice assistant devices, instead of their smartphone, tablet or any other technology. "It's a natural extension because think of where we typically use these devices - in the kitchen or in the living room - where our hands are busy," said Moor Insights president Patrick Moorhead. Moorhead added that the calling technology could be a boon for businesses that might use it in conference call scenarios. Both the Google Home and Amazon Echo have seen a spike in sales, although Amazon's line of Echo products has arguably seen greater adoption. Google Home came to market later than the Amazon Echo and the Seattle-based company is estimated to have sold 5.1 million Echo units between 2014 and 2016. Alphabet is a holding in Jim Cramer'sAction Alerts PLUS Charitable Trust Portfolio. Want to be alerted before Cramer buys or sells GOOGL? Learn more now. Google hasn't released sales figures for its Home device, but analytics firm VoiceLabs estimates that the number of Google Home users quadrupled last December during the holiday season. If the Google Home ends up including calling capabilities, it would demonstrate that the search giant is serious in carrying out its vision about the future of voice commands. Google CEO Sundar Pichai said on the company's latest earnings call that the company hopes to carry its voice assistant technology beyond just the Home device and into other areas of users' lives, like phones, TVs and cars. As more cars have 5G wireless connectivity, it would make sense for voice assistant software to be rolled into that, Moorhead said. "When you add a broadband modem in cars, that automatically enables you to do an over-the-top type service," Moorhead explained. "What kind of interface do you need for that? Voice is a really good one." Both Google and Amazon have ventured into the connected car space. Last month, Ford (F) said it would begin integrating Amazon's Alexa voice assistant into its vehicles, while Hyundai said in January that its connected cars now work with Google Home. Including voice assistant calling technology in cars would also extend Google and Amazon's ability to catalog their users, something that's become a major priority for both companies. By including voice calls in Echo and Home devices, Amazon and Google could potentially pull metadata from conversations to help them better understand their users. "Access to what people are talking about is just a treasure trove of profile building capabilities," Moorhead said. "It gives them an indication of what's on your mind and what's the next service they could sell you." But that ability to monitor users' conversations has also become a point of contention. Among consumers, phone conversations are considered to be the third most sensitive data category, the Journal noted. Both Amazon and Google record and analyze data to improve their artificial intelligence technologies, a practice that may prove to be a sticking point if a call feature is integrated into their voice assistant devices. Moorhead also pointed to Amazon's privacy policy, which says the company won't sell any user data, but can use it to provide customizable user experiences. "I have to assume that Amazon does build profiles based on the types of conversations I'm having as well," Moorhead said. For Amazon, even though the company continues to diversify itself into dozens of different business areas, it would ultimately benefit the firm's core mission, which is to be an e-commerce company. "Amazon likes selling you things and so I think that adds value to the user profiles that it's building," Moorhead added. "It's a very clever way for them to get access to that data." Air France-KLM (AFLYY) shares surged to a seven month high Thursday after the flagship carrier posted better-than-expected full year profits and pledged further cost reductions in order to boost capacity and offset rising fuel prices . Air France shares rose more than 8.2% in early Paris trading to change hand st 5.91 each, the highest since July 2015, before paring gains to 5.85. Over the past three months, the shares have gained nearly 9%, nearly double the 4.9% advance for the Stoxx Europe TMI Airlines index. The group said full-year 2016 operating profits came in at 1.05 billion ($1.12 billion), modestly ahead of the 969 million forecast by analysts, even as per-ticket revenue fell 5%. Cost cuts in 2016 amounted to around 1% for the year, and the company said it plans to lift that figure to 1.5% in 2017 but will, at the same time, increase its capacity by between 3% and 3.5%, more than five times the pace of increase in 2016. The airline carried 93.4 million passengers in 2016, up 4% from the previous year, with revenues coming in at 24.844 billion. "While the fall in the oil price significantly reduced the Group's costs, the geopolitical context, competition and industry overcapacity all resulted in lower unit revenues," said chairman Jean-Marc Janaillac. "With Trust Together, our strategic project, we are resolutely committed to regaining the offensive, reinforcing our ability to innovate and improving our competitiveness. In an economic and geopolitical context that remains very uncertain, and faced with aggressive competition, the status quo is not an option." However, the group cautioned that its 2017 outlook had a high level of uncertainty owing to "geopolitical, economical and airline industry capacity environment" conditions even as it said that January figures and performance had thus far been "resilient". PSA Peugeot Citroen's (PEUGF) possible acquisition of the European operations of General Motors (GM) may have German politicians and unions trembling, but it is Britain's Brexit-bound auto industry that will likely quake. "Carlos Tavares (Peugeot's CEO), has little choice but to close (GM's) UK Vauxhall plants to make the Opel acquisition work," said John Colley Professor of Practice at Warwick Business School in England. "The cost of closing the high-cost German plants will be at least triple that of the UK plants." Politicians in both Germany and the U.K. this week rushed to secure assurances from GM that local jobs will be secured. Th U.S. automaker's President Dan Ammann fielded a call from Britain's Business Secretary Greg Clarke on Wednesday hours after his company confirmed talks with Peugeot. He then dashed to his group's European headquarters in Germany, where he was joined by GM Chairman and CEO Mary Barra, to reassure workers, unions and management of their future. Such assurance may soon no longer be GM's to give. It is wishful thinking to hope that Peugeot's notoriously frugal Tavares is buying GM without a view to significant cost cutting. Since joining Peugeot as CEO in early 2014, he has improved margins from -2.8% to about 5.9% much of it by eking out annual cost savings of about 2.6 billion. The screws will be tightened at GM. Plants are likely to close to bring down overcapacity that dogs both Peugeot and GM in Europe. Theoretically the cuts could fall on Peugeot's side. Its production costs in France, where Peugeot makes 53% of its cars, are amongst the highest in Europe. Yet the French state is a key shareholder in Peugeot and given this year's election in France it is unlikely a new government will accept massive auto-industry job losses soon after taking office. GM's plant's in Germany, which employ about 19,000 workers and account for about 27% of output, are on shakier ground. The Eisenach factory in central Germany, is operating at just 49% of capacity and is hardly a poster boy for profitability. Yet German unions have a veto on major decisions such as plant closures. And Germany also has political leverage, not least through a determination shared with France to demonstrate the value of the EU. Opel's other major plant in Zaragoza, Spain, which accounts for about 35% of output, is low cost, running at beyond name plate capacity, and in the euro area, so also seems safe. The odd man out in this reckoning is clearly the U.K., where GM's Vauxhall, the local equivalent of Europe's Opel, makes the Astra model at Ellesmere Port near Liverpool, and Vivaro vans at Luton to the North of London. Together the plants account for about 20% of GM's European output and employ about 4,500 workers. Even without a potential takeover the operations were under pressure. GM, earlier this month, said Brexit had cost it $300 million over 2016, as the slump in sterling led to price hikes on imported parts and undercut U.K. revenues converted back to dollars. "Brexit is a reality and we need to take new action to get back on the path to a sustainable business," GM's CFO Chuck Stevens told analysts on a call on Feb. 7. Ellesmere sells about 85% of its Astra's to Europe and imports all but 25% of the parts that go into the cars. In the event of a so-called hard Brexit, where World Trade Organization tariffs will replace EU free trade, British made cars exported to Europe would be liable to 10% sales tax. Parts could be hit with a 4.5% tax whenever they cross the EU frontier. Worryingly for Ellesmere workers GM also makes Astra's in Poland where employment costs are about a third of what they are in the U.K. and there is no Brexit uncertainty. GM's Luton operations faces similar issues. Some 66% of its Vivaro vans are built for export, while 60% of the parts are imported. Complicating matters further the plant is run as a joint venture with Peugeot's rival Renault. Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May has already had to step in once to secure British automaker jobs threatened by Brexit. In October, she struck a secretive deal with Nissan, pledging to insulate the group from potential tariffs as part of a packaged that convinced the Japanese car maker to expand operations at its plant in the North of England. She may now have to repeat the trick. Shares of MGM Resorts International (MGM) tanked before the opening bell Thursday after the gaming company reported adjusted fourth-quarter earnings of 11 cents a share, well below analysts' 17-cents a share expectations for the period. Revenue for the period of $2.46 billion was slightly ahead of Wall Street's $2.44 billion expectations. MGM shares were down 3.8% to $28.48 pre-market. Separately, the company also initiated a quarterly dividend of 11 cents per share payable March 15 to shareholders of record on March 10. Revenue at the company's domestic resorts increased 17% year over year to $1.8 billion. "We are excited about the outlook for 2017, including the full-year contributions from MGM National Harbor and Borgata, the continued favorable Las Vegas dynamics supported by our investments including T-Mobile Arena and the Park Theater, the opening of MGM Cotai in Macau, and our persistent drive for continuous improvement throughout all aspects of our company," CEO Jim Murren said in the earnings release. The company's casino revenue in the U.S. increased 33% year over year, thanks mostly to the acquisition of the Borgata in Atlantic City, N.J., and the opening of the $1.4 billion MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Md. Room revenue increased 4% on a same store basis, though the occupancy rate of the company's hotels remained unchanged year over year at 89%. MGM scheduled its earnings call for 11 a.m. ET Thursday. - Government Spokesperson Eric Kiraithe said the government has a budgetary allocation for corruption - He said this as he debated stakeholders on the ongoing health crisis in Kenya brought on by the doctors' strike - Kiraithe had been taken to task after claiming that the government does not have enough money to implement a salary increase for doctors' - His response in which he is heard confirming that the government has a huge budget for corruption has sparked an online outrage from Kenyans Stakeholders in the ongoing doctors strike met with a government representative to debate on the state of the health sector in Kenya and the ongoing doctors' strike. Doctors have been on strike for 75 days now, demanding the government implement their 2013 CBA before they return to work. READ ALSO: Photos of Kidero copying Peter Kenneth which have made Kenyans viciously attack him The debate which took place on Wednesday, February 15, saw Government Spokesperson Eric Kiraithe meet with Civil Society activists, and the debate aired on a local channel. It is is the outcome of Kiraithes statements that has since left many Kenyans shocked. One Kenyan asked Kiraithe why the government cannot fund the 2013 Collective Bargain Agreement the doctors have been demanding but there is so much money being lost because of corruption. You want to tell me the government cannot fund the doctors' CBA because there is no budgetary provision for the same. Do we have a budgetary allocation for corruption such that you can finance corruption and not the CBA? asked a riled up lady. READ ALSO: THIS nasty MESSAGE by Mohamed Ali of Jicho Pevu's will make Uhuru and Ruto really ANGRY Government Spokesperson Eric Kiraithe READ ALSO: Counties with the highest number of voter TRANSFERS To everyones surprise, Kiraithe said the government, indeed, does have a budgetary allocation for corruption. Wether it was accidental or not, here is how it went down. Based on corruption, of course the government has a huge budget for corruption going to. said Kiraithe before he was laughed down by the crowd. The video however cuts out, and few have been guessing what actually Kiraithe meant. The video has gone viral with many criticising him A Gikonyo Mwangi, who claims to have been at of the debate, seems to clarify what Kiraithe actually meant before being shouted down. "This was so out of context. You fished out the first few words of his statement to elicit peoples sentiments.His words were "the government has a huge budget for corruption to the EACC, the courts and prisons to imprison the corrupt," wrote George Gikonyo Mwangi. Install TUKO App To Read News For FREE This is the woman who took on Kiraithe, demanding to know about the government's 'corruption budget'. READ ALSO: This man from Kiambu looks like Kalonzo musyoka and Kenyans are losing it (photos) Public doctors have been on strike for 75 days now, demanding the government implement their CBA which will see them have pay rises, structures for promotion set in place and improvement of working environments. They also want new or improved equipment in hospitals and better working hours so that Kenyans do not have to be overcharged for services or sent abroad for further treatment. This is how Kenyans reacted to Kiraithe's statement: "He gon get fired for this one..For real?? Did he just say yes to that ???...that lady deserves champagne..," wrote Loco Collo Ayisi. "This is why we need NASA as next government," wrote Omwenga Junior. "The young gal confused government spokesman, from her looks and her augment," wrote Micheal Mutsembi. READ ALSO: Raila Odinga's CHILLING warning of what will happen if Jubilee rigs the election is too SCARY The KMPDU officials were arrested on Monday, February 13 and released the following day after CORD leaders joined in the call for their unconditional release. READ ALSO: TRUTH on why Museveni sent military commandos to Migingo island "Put the whole clip unless you just want to it for other purposes put the whole clip and let us judge from there.......unless you just want to tarnish the govt...," wrote Antony Kamau. "So out of context, crooked NTV," wrote Melvin Mbogo. " I know its not what he meant to say ,but how it came out was just hilarious," wrote Musalia Mwenesi Matthew. READ ALSO: HEARTBREAK as talented footballer Kadenge DIES CORD leader Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka joined striking doctors at Uhuru Park to demand the government implement the 2013 CBA. The Court of Appeal ordered them back to the negotiating table with the Ministry of Health. Have something to add to this article or suggestions? send to news@tuko.co.ke Source: TUKO.co.ke The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has adopted a decree on temporary introduction of emergency measures in the national electricity market. This decision was approved at an extraordinary Cabinets meeting on Wednesday evening, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. "We summoned the Cabinet to make the decision on introduction of emergency measures in the energy system of our country," Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman said. Thus, the ministers approved revision of the schedule of operation of industrial enterprises and start of rolling blackouts during peak hours in seven regions of Ukraine Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Kyiv, Chernihiv, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy and Cherkasy regions. Earlier, Energy and Coal Industry Minister of Ukraine Ihor Nasalyk noted that Ukraine would face the inability to cover peak power system loads in two weeks if no emergency measures were taken now. ol Republican Senator John McCain has called on US President Donald Trump to provide Ukraine with lethal weapons. So he answered the question of Trump whether Obama was too soft on Russia, when it annexed Crimea. "Yes, he was too soft lets take a different course together: give defensive lethal assistance to Ukraine and keep sanctions on Russia," McCain wrote on Twitter. Earlier on Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump posted on his Twitter page that Crimea had been taken by Russia under the leadership of Barack Obama, who had been too soft on Russia. White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said that US President Donald Trump expected Moscow to stop the violence in eastern Ukraine and return Crimea to the Ukrainian authorities. Spicer also noted that the policy of Washington's sanctions against Moscow would remain unchanged. ol The city of Kyiv is ready to host Eurovision-2017 and conducts events for the future comfort of tourists. Deputy Chairman of the Kyiv City State Administration Oleksiy Reznikov said this during a briefing in Kyiv, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. "The city of Kyiv was, is and will be ready to host the Eurovision Contest in May of this year. I want to remind you that any thought is material. Therefore, Kyiv mayor's position has been already materialized in the universe, and the Eurovision Song Contest will be held at a high level," he said. He stressed that Kyiv had allocated UAH 200 million from the city budget for financial support of Eurovision. ish A version of this story originally appeared in the Associated Press. HAJJAH, Yemen, 14 February 2017 For 19-year-old Mohammed, the first rays of light falling in the small hospital room only bring more bad news. His two-year-old cousin Yehia has succumbed to the curse that has consumed his country: severe and acute malnutrition. But he cannot mourn, he has to be strong for himself and for his younger brother, Mohanned, who lies beside him, curled up in bed and breathing noisily as the air pushes through his lungs. Five-year-old Mohanned is suffering. His severely malnourished body aches with each breath. His ribs push through the skin and his eyes try to focus on his elder brother. He winces every few seconds with pain. Mohammed holds his younger brothers frail hands as helplessness seeps in. I have already lost a cousin to malnutrition today, I cant lose my little brother, he says softly, looking away from his brothers emaciated body. Mohanned is undergoing treatment at the Abs hospital in Hajjah, a governorate in Yemen which has some of the highest numbers of severely and acutely malnourished children. With little food, the family can barely make ends meet. Their 35-year-old mother Juhairiyah is ill, but no one knows whats wrong with her. She has never been to a hospital. Their father works as a farmer in another district and can afford to come home only once a month. It takes one hour for Mohammed to reach the hospital from their village. His brother sits uncomfortably in his lap. The drive is as bumpy as it is unsafe, but there is no choice. Mohanneds health has been deteriorating for over two years, but only now has the family been able to afford the cost of bringing him for treatment. Mohammed hopes its not too late. His younger brothers recovery has been slow. Across Yemen 1.7 million children suffer from acute malnutrition. Of them, 462,000 suffer from severe acute malnutrition (SAM), similar to Mohanned. Global estimates suggest that a child suffering from SAM is 11 times more at risk of death if not treated on time than a healthy child of the same age. In other words, Mohanned is 11 times more likely to succumb to this preventable illness than his healthy peers. Matters have been made worse by the unceasing and unforgiving conflict. Health facilities have been forced to close their doors because of the fighting and thousands like Mohanned have nowhere to go to seek treatment. Its been nearly two years now, and less than half of the health facilities are functional. Yemens children are suffering the most. Hundreds of children under five die every week from preventable diseases such as diarrhoea, malnutrition and respiratory tract infections. Children who could easily be saved are now fighting to stay alive. Back in the hospital in Abs, Mohammed gently caresses his younger brother. Life has not been fair to them, but what is more disconcerting for Mohammed is the bleak future that lies ahead. With a grievously sick brother, an ill mother and a father who cannot return home for days on end, he knows he has a lot resting on his young shoulders. In 2016, UNICEF has supported the treatment of more than 237,000 children suffering from SAM across Yemen and provided more than 4 million children under the age of five with vitamin supplements to boost their immunity. But this lifesaving work remains hindered by the shortage of funding and limited access to areas caught in the fighting. Funding continues to be a challenge. In 2017, UNICEF needs US$83.5 million to provide much needed nutrition services to mothers and children across the country. Learn more: UNICEF's Humanitarian Action for Children 2017 > Iran's exiled crown prince, Reza Pahlavi, is urging the United States and Israel not to fall into a "trap" by escalating their disputes with the Iranian government into a military conflict. U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are due to hold their first official meeting at the White House on Wednesday. White House spokesman Sean Spicer said Tuesday that the leaders of the two longtime allies will discuss how to respond to what they see as "threats posed by Iran and its proxies." In an exclusive studio interview with VOA's Persian service, Pahlavi said he expects to see "more harmony and coordination" of U.S. strategy on Iran under the Trump administration, with Israel and other American partners in the Middle East and Europe. Speaking in Washington last Thursday, Pahlavi said he anticipates Iran's Islamist rulers reacting to that increased coordination with "typical rhetoric and bravado" for domestic consumption. But, he said, Tehran would be "ill advised" not to take the issue of U.S.-Israeli cooperation seriously. WATCH: Pahlavi Warns US, Israel Not to Fall into 'Trap' Appeal for restraint Pahlavi also had a warning for Trump and Netanyahu as they consider adopting a tougher approach toward Iran, in contrast to the sanctions relief Iran secured from Trump's predecessor, Barack Obama. Other world powers joined in that 2015 deal to curtail Iranian nuclear activities that could produce a bomb in return for easing the sanctions. "If there is anyone who would be the most pleased to see an escalation of conflict, it happens to be the [Iranian] regime, because they stand to benefit by creating more distraction from their problems and one should not fall into that trap," he said. "I have always been a proponent of [a strategy] that avoids military confrontation because I consider that to be lose-lose, and there are so many other options on the table." Trump told reporters on February 2 "nothing is off the table" in terms of a U.S. response to Iran's January 29 ballistic missile test, which his administration criticized as undermining regional security and putting American lives at risk. The U.S. and Israeli governments also have long refused to rule out military action to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and following through on threats to destroy Israel. Tehran has long described its nuclear program as peaceful. Pahlavi said the only strategy that he thinks can end Iran's dispute with the U.S. and Israel is to bring about the departure of the Iranian clerical leadership. "Then, everything will start making sense [in terms] of whatever action you have to take, from sanctions to helping the [Iranian] people. In that scenario, we can see a true alternative shaping up," he said. In a January 31 letter to Trump, Pahlavi said the U.S. should play a "pivotal role" in supporting what he called the Iranian people's "quest for liberty and justice." Pahlavi leads an Iranian opposition group called the Iran National Council for Free Elections. A tougher approach Former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. John Bolton also spoke in favor of "regime change" in Iran at a Washington forum held by U.S. advocacy group United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) on February 9. "It should be declared American policy to overturn the regime in Tehran, because that is ultimately the only way you will get Iran to back off the pursuit of nuclear weapons," he told the forum. Bolton said that policy requires more U.S. support for the Iranian opposition, rather than military action. Even so, he believes there may not be enough time to achieve regime change before Iran's Islamist rulers acquire nuclear weapons. Critics of the 2015 nuclear deal say it will allow Iranian leaders to quickly build a nuclear bomb when restrictions on Iranian nuclear activities begin expiring after 13 years. That, said Bolton, "is why, if you don't want an Iran with nuclear weapons, you have to contemplate the use of military force to prevent that." WATCH: Bolton Discusses Irans Nuclear Program Responding to a question from VOA Persian at the UANI forum, Bolton said any U.S. attack on the Iranian nuclear program would resemble what he described as "very surgical and very limited" Israeli airstrikes against Iraqi and Syrian nuclear facilities in 1981 and 2007. However, Iran poses a distinct challenge for the U.S. military because its nuclear program is more dispersed, according to Bolton. "The danger is that we have let so much time go by that there are any number of [nuclear] facilities that we simply don't know about in Iran, so that we could destroy those we know about and we still wouldn't close the program down," Bolton said. "I'd nonetheless be prepared to take that risk than see the program proceed unimpeded, which is the course we are on now." Risking unintended outcomes Bolton's tough talk drew a sharp response from Iran analyst Barbara Slavin of the Washington-based Atlantic Council. Speaking to VOA via Skype, she said any kind of military action against Iran would be a "disaster," given the U.S. military's recent experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan. "The kinds of threats coming from people like Bolton [also] will have the reverse effect than we would want," Slavin said. "It would perhaps make certain elements in Iran more interested in acquiring nuclear weapons to deter an attack." WATCH: Slavin Talks About Iranian Political Change Slavin said the best way of achieving regime change in Iran is to encourage a "peaceful evolution" of its political system by reintegrating the country into the international community. "If it means more contact between Americans and Iranians, that's fine," she said. "We should get to know each other better. We should reduce the hostile rhetoric. And then, I think, Iran will have a brighter future, and I think the U.S. will, too." Cindy and her three children live in a tiny bedroom in an apartment shared with two other unrelated adults outside a major U.S. city. Born in Guatemala, Cindy who does not want her last name used was brought to the U.S. when she was 5 years old. Yet she still has no legal status. Even though I dont have papers, I feel that Im from here, Cindy says. She has been working at various jobs since she was 17. Now 29, she has a baby on the way and wants to stay in the only country she knows, so she can make a better life for herself and her American-born children. Of course Im proud of having been born in Guatemala, but I wasnt raised there. I dont know the culture, and I dont know what its like to live there," she says. Her biggest dream, she adds, is to get residency status in the U.S. But now, more than ever, she is scared of being caught and deported. Collateral arrests Cindy is among an estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the U.S., more than half from Mexico and other Latin American countries. Some of them were targeted last week by agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which launched enforcement actions that rounded up 680 undocumented immigrants in cities around the country. ICE said the recent operation was no different than ones it conducted during the administration of former President Barack Obama. Those also targeted individuals with criminal records, the agency said. "President [Donald] Trump has been clear in affirming the critical mission of DHS [the Department of Homeland Security] in protecting the nation, and directed our department to focus on removing illegal aliens who have violated our immigration laws," Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly said in a news release Monday. Kelly's statement also said the specific focus is on those posing a "threat to public safety and those charged with criminal offenses." One of Trumps signature campaign promises was to crack down on illegal immigration, promising to deport up to 3 million people involved in criminal activity. On January 25, he signed an executive order to protect public safety that expanded the governments reach in rounding up those involved in criminal activity or with criminal records. On Sunday, Trump, in a tweet contradicting ICE's assertion that is operation was routine, tweeted: "The crackdown on illegal criminals is merely the keeping of my campaign promise. Gang members, drug dealers & others are being removed!" Those were not the only people netted in last week's operation, however. Homeland Security said that 25 percent of the undocumented people rounded up last week were not criminals, and they will be "evaluated on a case-by-case basis and, when appropriate, arrested by ICE." Angelica Salas, executive director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA), told reporters Friday that she has had 30 years' experience working with ICE and that last week's operations were "not normal." Salas said her organization received an unusual number of calls while the operation was ongoing in Los Angeles, including reports of people being seized in their homes and on their way to work. Near panic The immigrant community is full of fear. Rumors of ICE checkpoints and sudden detentions are rife. At a Catholic Charities center in Washingtons Columbia Heights neighborhood, long a Latin American immigrant community, people standing in line waiting for food assistance spoke openly of their fears of being deported. Catholic Charities staffer Rodrigo Aguirre says he has noticed a difference from a year ago. Were seeing people more afraid of asking for help because they are fearful of the consequences, Aguirre said. Fear that their name might be given to immigration and that they will eventually be deported. Such is the case of a Salvadoran woman waiting for food assistance who gave her name only as Hemelina. She said she came across the border illegally last year, fleeing a husband who beat her, as well as gang violence. Catholic Charities immigration lawyer Smita Dazzo said Hemelina could qualify for asylum, if she provides credible proof before an immigration judge. Dazzo said that in her experience, most of the undocumented immigrants she sees have a well-founded fear of persecution. "The majority of people who are coming here are really fleeing for their lives, she said. And I dont think it gets the amount of coverage it merits. Its really, really scary for these people and some of them really, honestly feel like they have no choice" but to flee. Dazzo added she is now consulting with undocumented immigrants who have been in the U.S. for years and only now, after Trumps inauguration, are trying to fix their status. But with so many seeking to stay, supporters of Trumps immigration policy say the U.S. must impose limits. Dan Stein, who heads the Federation for American Immigration Reform, notes that in the past 40 years, the United States has had its highest sustained level of immigration in its history, a level he considers unsustainable. There are simply far more people who would like to move to a country like the United States than we can possibly handle and still provide a good quality of life and a shot at the American dream for people who are here today," Stein says. Yet the question remains over what happens to the millions of law-abiding undocumented immigrants in the U.S., with families and jobs. Immigration activists say an immigration reform law that allows them to stay and obtain some kind of legal status is the answer. As Dazzo, the Catholic Charities lawyer, put it: There are a lot of people who come here as children that are really upstanding citizens. They work hard, theyre family oriented theyre exactly what you hope that Americans are. Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. Barely a year after I arrived in the United States, I experienced a devastating loss. My new friends, college students not far out of their teens, struggled to guide me away from my despair. Why dont you write about what youre feeling, one of them said to me. Write? I wasnt sure whether to laugh or get angry at such a suggestion. Where I come from Cameroon the brokenhearted do not write about their pain. Why write when there is so much crying to do? Because to write is to find a new way to see the world, says Yiyun Li in Dear Friend, From My Life I Write to You in Your Life , her meditation on writing, living and losing. There is a lot of loss in this book, most notably the loss of ones life by ones own hands. How does one come to terms with a strong urge to commit suicide? How does one make sense of this urge when outwardly one is an example of the American dream come true? How does a writer partake in a genuine conversation with a world that loves the sight and sound of success stories the splendor without the abyss beneath? [Review: Imbolo Mbues Behold the Dreamers] The author Yiyun Li (Philippe Matsas) Born and raised in Beijing, Li came to the United States in 1996 in her mid-20s and trained as a scientist before switching to a literary career. She won acclaim for her debut short story collection A Thousand Years of Good Prayers and her novels The Vagrants and Kinder Than Solitude. She has received prestigious awards including a MacArthur genius grant and a PEN/Hemingway Award, remarkable achievements for someone who considers herself unqualified to be called a dreamer. Her immigrant-made-good story is the kind were desperate to applaud. Dont, she says this transformation from new arrival to success story is as superficial and deceitful as an ad placed on the back of a bus. Its a journey she barely focuses on (who cares how she did it?) in her memoir, which she wrote during a two-year period when she was in and out of hospitals for the treatment of suicidal depression. Those who know little about depression can be quick to dismiss it as an indulgence (why cant you be happy?) and many think of it as a passing sadness. But for Li, it is a profound desolation: All the things in the world are not enough to drown out the voice of this emptiness that says: you are nothing. And yet, within this emptiness lies love, and literature. In her void, Li floats surrounded by the words of men and women whove pondered the worthwhileness of it all and shaped her ability to join in that pondering. Katherine Mansfield, Stefan Zweig, William Trevor, Marianne Moore, Ivan Turgenev and others in their private letters and public works, she finds solace, questions without answers, answers without questions. From Mansfield, she got the title of her memoir, a line which upon reading made her cry and reminded her why I do not want to stop writing. In Zweigs letters, she found disconcerting and relatable thoughts before a double suicide. With Trevor, who died late last year, she develops a brief, sweet friendship that made me almost want to send a letter to Andrew Solomon asking whether he wanted to talk about his book Far From the Tree over tea. [Yiyun Lis extraordinary immigration tale] Lis ruminations on her anguish are so poignant that its nearly impossible not to close your eyes and give her a long mind-hug when she says again and again my mind breaks at the same spot as though it is a fracture that never fully heals or I wished then and I wish now that I had never formed an attachment to anyone in the world or wanting nothing is as extreme as wanting everything. "Dear Friend, from My Life I Write to You in Your Life," by Yiyun Li (Random House) Being an acclaimed Chinese-born novelist writing in English, Li has to field questions on why she does what she does the way she does it. Nabokov provides her with an ideal answer for the endless what it meant to renounce my mother tongue inquiries, and when shes asked at one of her readings why her writing isnt political enough, she asserts that her refusal to be defined by the will of others is my one and only political statement. Good for you, girl. Interspersing her thoughts with stories from her Beijing childhood and her time in the army (her university class was sent there for a year after the Tiananmen Square massacre to prevent future insubordination), Li doesnt allow us too far behind the scenes of her private life, and I salute that ironclad hold on writerly privacy. Still, from what she tells us about her mother the family despot I was left disturbed and wishing she would tell us more explicitly about the link, if there is any, between her mothers invectives and Lis eventual melancholia. When Li thinks about how her mother said Li deserved the ugliest death because she did not love her mother enough, she decides she does not want to know the answers, as to the whys of such behaviors. If it propelled her quest to find comfort in words, Li doesnt say because not everyone born to a tyrannical mother has the mental clarity and strength to articulate certain decisions. Mental clarity or not, Li has stared in the face of much that is beautiful and ugly and treacherous and illuminating and from her experience she has produced a nourishing exploration of the will to live willfully. Imbolo Mbue is the author of the novel Behold the Dreamers. Avant-garde Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama with recent works at her new museum in Tokyo.. (Anna Fifield/The Washington Post) Dont ask Yayoi Kusama whats been the highlight of her career. She might be 87 years old, internationally renowned and about to have major, simultaneous exhibitions in the United States and Japan, but shes not done yet. Its still coming. Im going to create it in the future, said Kusama, often described as Japans most successful living artist, at her studio in central Tokyo, paint in her red wig and on her glasses. Kusama, who has a history of neurosis and has lived as a voluntary resident at a mental hospital a block away for about four decades, had been up at 3 a.m. painting, partly because she couldnt sleep and partly because she wanted to squeeze in time for work before the engine of Yayoi Kusama Inc. started up for the day. Im old now, but I am still going to create more work and better work. More than I have in the past, she said. My mind is full of paintings. Kusama works in her three-story studio from 9 to 6 every day, sitting in her wheelchair she can walk, but is frail painting on canvases laid on tables or propped on the floor. The studio is packed with new paintings, vibrant works full of tiny dots. Theyre all about what Kusama calls self-obliteration the endless repetition silencing the noise in her head. A new gallery across the road is ready to open, and another dedicated museum north of Tokyo is in the works. Plus, she has two major exhibitions about to begin. Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirrors, a retrospective of her 65-year career, will open at the Hirshhorn Museum, in the District, on Feb. 23, running until May 14 before moving to Seattle, Los Angeles, Toronto and Cleveland. (Erin Patrick O'Connor/The Washington Post) The exhibition will feature more than 60 of Kusamas paintings, sculptures and installations, along with six of her idiosyncratic infinity mirror rooms featuring balloons, LEDs and polka dots, all endlessly repeated in the mirrors. She is a pioneer first and foremost, as a female and Asian artist in the 1960s, transgressing painting, sculpture and performance, said Mika Yoshitake, associate curator at the Hirshhorn. These mirror rooms are works that reflect her ability to transgress the genres. Installation view of Infinity Mirror RoomPhallis Field, 1965, in Floor Show, Castellane Gallery. (Eikoh Hosoe/Copyright Yayoi Kusama/Ota Fine Art/Victoria Miro; David Zwirner) One, a re-creation of the mirror room called Phallis Field from 1965, features hundreds of white-and-red-spotted stuffed fabric penis creations. In another, the Obliteration Room, visitors will be invited to stick multicolored polka dots all over a white living room. These rooms reflect all of her elements: her obsessions, her accumulations, her infinite repetitions. And its all very bodily and immersive, Yoshitake said. The day before this exhibition opens in Washington, another will open at the National Art Center in Tokyo. Together, the exhibitions underscore the global phenomenon that is Yayoi Kusama. Her polka dots cover everything from Louis Vuitton dresses to buses in her home town. Her artworks regularly fetch a million dollars, and can be found from New York and Minneapolis to London and Amsterdam. Her exhibitions are so popular that they need crowd control the Hirshhorn will be giving out timed tickets to try to regulate the stampede. But Kusama still needs outside validation. Am I really? she responded when a reporter asks her about achieving her goal, stated decades before, of becoming rich and famous. When I was a kid, I had a hard time convincing my mother that I wanted to become an artist. Is it really true that I am famous and successful? [Its the Hirshhorns turn. Computer problems mar giveaway of free timed passes for Kusama opening] Mired in neurosis Kusama was born in Matsumoto, in the mountains of central Japan, in 1929 into a prosperous and conservative family of seedling merchants. But theirs was not a happy home. Her mother had contempt for her womanizing father and sent the young Kusama to spy on him. The girl saw her father with other women, sparking what she has described as a lifelong abhorrence of sex. While still a child, she began experiencing visual and aural hallucinations. The first time she saw a pumpkin, she imagined that it was speaking to her. The young Kusama dealt with her hallucinations by drawing, and by drawing repetitive patterns to obliterate the thoughts in her head. Even at that young age, art became a form of therapy, what she would later call art-medicine. But Kusamas mother was vehemently opposed to her desire to become an artist, insisting that she follow a traditional path. She wouldnt let me paint. She wanted me to marry someone, Kusama said in an interview, wearing the blank expression of the heavily medicated. She threw away my artworks. I wanted to throw myself in front of the train. Every day I fought with my mother, and thats why my mental state was damaged. Yayoi Kusama last year with recent works in Tokyo. (Tomoaki Makino /Copyright Yayoi Kusama) In 1948, after the war had ended, Kusama went to Kyoto to study Nihonga, a traditional and highly rule-bound form of Japanese painting. She detested it. Earlier, while living in Matsumoto, she had found a book by Georgia OKeeffe and was struck by the paintings. So she went to the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo and searched the Whos Who reference publication for OKeeffes address. She sent her a letter and some paintings, and, astoundingly, OKeeffe wrote back. I couldnt believe my luck! She had been kind enough to respond to the sudden outburst of a lowly Japanese girl shed never met or heard of before, Kusama wrote in her autobiography, Infinity Net. Despite OKeeffes warnings that the United States was a tough place for a young artist let alone a young, single, female Japanese artist Kusama wouldnt be dissuaded. In 1957 she managed to get a passport and a visa, and sewed dollars into her dresses to circumvent postwar currency controls. First stop: Seattle, where she held an exhibition at a small gallery. Then she made her way to New York, where she had a rude awakening: Unlike post-war Matsumoto, New York was in every way a fierce and violent place. I found it all extremely stressful and was soon mired in neurosis, she wrote. Making matters worse, she found herself in abject poverty. Her bed was an old door, and she scavenged fish heads and old vegetables from dumpsters and boiled them into soup. But this situation made Kusama throw herself into her work even more. She began producing her first trademark Infinity Net paintings, huge canvases one was 33 feet high covered with mesmerizing waves of small loops that seemed to go on and on. White nets enveloping the black dots of silent death against a pitch-dark background of nothingness, is how she described them. Polka dots adorn the windows as installation continues at the Hirshhorn for the upcoming show. (Bill O'Leary/The Washington Post) Infinity Nets Yellow, 1960, oil paint on canvas. (Copyright Yayoi Kusama/Courtesy of the National Gallery of Art, Washington) This obsessive-compulsive repetition helped stave off neurosis, but it didnt always work. She repeatedly found herself suffering from psychotic episodes and ended up in a hospital in New York. Ambitious and driven, and happy to play the role of the kimono-clad exotic Asian, she fell in with an influential artist crowd, hanging out with the likes of Mark Rothko and Andy Warhol (who she later said had imitated her work). She soon found a degree of fame, holding exhibitions in packed galleries. She also found or rather, courted notoriety. In the 1960s, when her polka dot obsession was taking off, she began staging happenings around New York enticing people to strip naked in such places as Central Park and the Brooklyn Bridge, then painting their bodies with polka dots. [The museum events you shouldnt miss in 2017] Decades before the Occupy Wall Street movement, Kusama organized a happening in the New York financial district, declaring that she wanted to Obliterate Wall Street men with polka dots. Around this time, she also started covering objects an armchair, a boat, a stroller with phallus-shaped protuberances. I began making penises in order to heal my feelings of disgust towards sex, she wrote, describing how the process gradually turned the horror into something familiar. Kusama never married, although she did have a decadelong relationship of sorts in New York with the artist Joseph Cornell. I disliked sex and he was impotent, so we suited each other very well, she once told Art Magazine. But she increasingly became known more for her stunts she offered to sleep with President Richard M. Nixon if he stopped the Vietnam War: Lets paint each other with polka dots, she wrote him and less for her art. This led to a waning interest in her work, and she found herself out of favor and out of money. News of Kusamas escapades had made it back to Japan, turning her into a national disgrace and leading her mother to say she wished that Kusama had died during a childhood illness. Still, in the early 1970s, the broke and failing Kusama returned to Japan. She checked herself into the mental hospital where she still lives and fell into artistic obscurity. All the Eternal Love I Have for the Pumpkins, 2016. (Copyright Yayoi Kusama/Ota Fine Arts/Victoria Miro) Then, in 1989, the Center for International Contemporary Arts in New York put on a retrospective of her work. This began a revival, if slow, of interest in her art. She filled a mirrored room with pumpkins for the Venice Biennale in 1993, then in 1998 held a major show at the Museum of Modern Art in New York a venue where shed once held a happening. Kusama has become a global phenomenon in the past few years. The Tate Modern in London and the Whitney Museum in New York have held major retrospectives, drawing huge crowds, and her signature polka dots are immediately recognizable. Although she has no intention of slowing down artistically, she has started thinking about her mortality. I dont know how long Im going to survive even after I die; there is a future generation that is following in my footsteps, she said, sitting in the bright open space that is her new gallery in central Tokyo. I would be highly honored if people would like to look at my work and be moved by my work. Despite the commercialization of her art, shes thinking about her grave in Matsumoto not in the family plot; shes had enough of them and how to avoid making it a shrine. But Im not dying yet, she said, striking a more upbeat tone. I think I can live another 20 years. More than half of our fruits and vegetables go uneaten. Buying more frozen foods can help solve that problem. (Deb Lindsey /For The Washington Post) Cutting waste is one of the food worlds top priorities. Up to 40 percent of all the food we produce ends up in the trash, and there are programs up and down the supply chain to try to pare that down. But theres a simple step consumers can take to cut waste: Rethink fresh. Its a word we associate with food thats wholesome and good-tasting. And theres no argument about a just-picked tomato or a just-caught striped bass; those are the tastes that drive me to grow tomatoes and catch fish. But most tomatoes and fish dont come to us just-picked or just-caught. They come to us after having been picked or caught, packed and shipped, warehoused and displayed. [Chefs are used to being thrifty. Now theyre joining the push to curb food waste.] Because fresh signifies perishable, especially when it comes to produce and seafood, theres a lot of waste in that system. According to JoAnne Berkenkamp, senior advocate for the food and agriculture program of the Natural Resources Defense Council, freezing and canning can cut back significantly on produce waste a huge problem, since slightly more than half of our fruits and vegetables go uneaten. The savings start within hours of picking. The vegetables are typically shipped straight from the farm to processing facilities and frozen or canned within hours, and then stabilized for months or years, she says. [How one company eliminated food waste: The landfill can no longer be an option.] The logistics are closely managed. Farmers contract to grow the produce, and planting dates are coordinated with processing plant availability, so when the peas are ready to harvest, the processor is ready to receive. With fresh, Berkenkamp says, you could be moving from farm to packing shed to warehouse to truck to distribution facility to supermarket. Each of those steps has the potential for loss. Frozen vegetables can be just about as nutritious as their fresh counterparts. Some nutrients get lost in chopping and blanching, but others are retained because less time elapses between harvest and processing. (Deb Lindsey /For The Washington Post) But the biggest loss is our own fault. About 43 percent of all food waste occurs in consumers homes, says Berkenkamp. Its the largest single contributor to food waste, and much of that will be fresh product. When was the last time you threw out fresh produce that moldered in your crisper? If youre like most people, it was recently. I am shamed every time the greens get slimy or the broccoli goes limp. And when was the last time you threw out frozen produce? You probably have I know theres been some freezer-burned sweet corn in my compost but probably not nearly as often as fresh. Freezing and canning cut down on waste in another way, too. Because the processing generally involves chopping and blanching, it doesnt matter if some of the produce isnt picture-perfect. The imperfect specimens go right in with the perfect ones, without the need to establish a separate chain for selling the rejects. Eat frozen, eat ugly. Produce isnt the only food we waste, of course, and theres an argument that the problem of throwaway seafood is even more acute, given that seafood is a more limited resource. Among all the food categories, seafood comes in second only to produce in the amount we waste about half of it, according to Berkenkamp, with much of waste coming at the retail level. Some retail waste comes from a downright ridiculous practice that exists solely because of our prejudice against frozen food: thawing it at the fish counter. Frozen tuna is ferried through a fish market in Tokyo. After produce, seafood is second-most-wasted food; about half of it ends up in the trash. (Koichi Kamoshida/Getty Images) Youve undoubtedly seen it. You go to the fish market, or the fish department at the supermarket, and the fish are spread out on ice in the case. Some of the fish are labeled fresh. Others are marked previously frozen. Now why on earth would the fish market take a frozen product that is only moderately perishable and turn it into one that is extremely perishable, thereby dramatically raising the probability that it will go to waste, either at the market or once you take it home? Because, and only because, we consumers dont like the idea of frozen fish. Even if our rational brain knows it used to be frozen, our reptile brain still thinks its more appealing in its thawed state. Nobody seems to track how much fish goes into the garbage because we are ruled by our reptile brain. But of all our food waste problems, this seems to me to be some of the lowest-hanging fruit. Can we just stop? The preference for the thawed fish arises from a perfectly rational objection, of course: Frozen fish can be downright disgusting. I remember buying scallops that were the size of marshmallows when I took them out of the bag and the size of pencil erasers after I sauteed them. And mealy, nasty-tasting pencil erasers they were. But heres the thing. Fresh fish, too, can be downright disgusting, as anyone who has ever left one in the fridge a couple days too long can attest. The quality of any particular piece of fish isnt as much in the frozen or fresh as in the devilish details. Fish thats frozen on the boat in low-temperature flash-freezers, then packaged to reduce moisture loss, can reach our table all but indistinguishable from the fresh version. When we at The Post did a salmon tasting a couple years back, a frozen sample won top honors. If youre a sushi lover, perhaps the more convincing proof is that nearly all fish served raw in the United States is required by the FDA to be frozen first, to kill parasites. Have you noticed texture problems? I havent. [Farmed vs. wild salmon: Can you taste a difference?] So what do we do about all this waste? Some fruits and vegetables freeze better than others. Kale fares well after being frozen, though your reptile brain surely would prefer the fresh specimen on the right over the icy block on the left. (Deb Lindsey /For The Washington Post) Im not going to plug canned vegetables, because, other than tomatoes, which are a kitchen staple, I find very few that Im willing to put on my table although I know people who grew up with them and actually enjoy them, and power to you. But Im a big fan of frozen vegetables and fruit, and not just because they reduce food waste. Some vegetables, such as peas and corn, are often better than what you find fresh. (Starchy vegetables freeze well because they have a lower water content, and its water, which expands when you freeze it and breaks down cell walls, that destroys texture.) Others, such as kale and collards, are pretty close seconds. Ive found a brand of baby Brussels sprouts that dont get all mushy when I microwave them, and frozen edamame are a standard accompaniment when we make sushi at home. (Nutritionally, by the way, freezing is a wash; some nutrients get lost as foods are blanched, but others are retained because the foods get processed just after harvest, before the nutrients have been lost to deterioration.) Freezing may degrade some fruits texture, but thats not important if youre going to cook them or turn them into smoothies. (Deb Lindsey /For The Washington Post) And then there are fruits. For smoothies, it doesnt matter much that their texture has been compromised, because youre using them in a way that compromises their texture anyway. Ditto for compotes or sauces or even some kinds of pie. I always have frozen cherries in the house because I snack on them, right out of the freezer. One of the biggest problems with frozen, though, is simply that it isnt fresh. I talked with Sean Cash an economist who studies consumer behavior when it comes to food and nutrition, and an associate professor at Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy and asked him about the allure of fresh. Its the closest thing to our ideal of what food should be, and rightfully so, he said. We love the taste. We love the smell. If its fresh, we can connect with it, in the absence of growing it or buying it from someone who grows it. But it can turn into something emblematic of some ideal picture of the food system, which can, in turn, become a tendency to look at anything that isnt fresh as inferior. Its that pesky reptile brain again, getting in the way. Show it whos boss. Fight food waste and visit the freezer aisle. One day late last month, right after the inauguration, I was driving with a friend. On the radio, an NPR correspondent was discussing some pending executive order by the new president I didnt listen carefully, but Im presuming it made it legal to give noogies to foreign-looking persons, or something. Me: Whoa, he just actually said President Trump. Out loud! Twice! Friend: I know. I heard. (Long pause, long sigh.) I suppose he has to. Its his job. For many progressives, the Trump presidency has been difficult to accept on a gut level. There are many reasons, among them that the man is an inveterate braggart more desperate for a stamp of validation than some guy with an $80 parking tab in a suburban mall. But mostly, its just that the man is actually president. It happened. We liberals cope with our anxieties in different ways. No way is better or more creative than the solution presented by the subconscious mind of a friend of mine, whom I will call Cassandra. Cassandra is a journalist in Washington. The other morning she sent me a frantic series of IMs describing a vivid dream shed had the night before. I am repeating it here, just about verbatim. (Her dream references another journalist, a friend of hers and mine, whom I will call Benjy.) Cassandra: So Benjy decided to organize a huge charity event to achieve complete global nuclear disarmament. It was to be in honor of members of the clergy, who have a history of anti-nuke activism. The benefit was going to be a race called Nuns for None, and the deal was that everyone had to run 10 miles dressed as a nun. I worried about whether I could run that far in a full habit, so Benjy and I were out on a training run together, both in costume, when suddenly our phones went off with a huge breaking news alert: It seems that the Electoral College had just voted, and, in a stunning development, every single elector abandoned his or her assigned candidate, instead writing in the name of a top-secret, highly intelligent trained seal named Yonkers. Leading scientists had been studying and communicating with Yonkers for years! Everyone trusted his judgment. Then Benjy and I immediately got texts from our editors telling us to report to the White House ASAP because President Yonkers was going to conduct his first press conference. There was no time to change, so we literally sprinted to the White House in full nun costume. There we see President Yonkers awkwardly flopping his way down the hallway, the way that seals flop when on dry land. One of the presidents staffers assures us, Dont worry, hes far more presidential when he gets in the pool, so we follow him to this ornate, beautiful indoor White House swimming pool, and Yonkers splooshes into the water. The press lines up along the perimeter of the pool. Thats when Al Gore appears out of nowhere. Al is in a wet suit and snorkel, because it turns out he is President Yonkerss VP, and also his chief human translator, and has been leading the secret seal-communication work for years. So Al gets in the pool with Yonkers, and the press starts asking questions. After every question, Gore disappears under the water to converse with the president and then he surfaces and conveys, in the nasal manner of a guy with his nostrils pinched shut, whatever Yonkers just said. I dont know why Al felt the need to talk like that, but he did. So Benjy keeps asking really intense, urgent, pointed questions about nuclear disarmament, just bulldogging that one issue. Hes so lost in it that he doesnt seem to be noticing that theres anything at all unusual about any of this, so I am elbowing him and hissing into his ear: WE ARE TALKING TO A FREAKIN SEAL. But then I calm down! Its because I realize, hey, its Al Gore and a marine mammal, so of course they are for nuclear disarmament! They will be on the right side of everything important. The world will be a better place. I become filled with a profound sense of wonder and relief and all I can think of is a campaign slogan for 2020: YONKERS/GORE NO MORE WAR! Which is when I woke up. For stories, features such as Date Lab, @Work Advice and more, visit WP Magazine. Follow the Magazine on Twitter. Like us on Facebook. Email us at wpmagazine@washpost.com. Our readers share tales of their ramblings around the world. Who: Cecilia Capestany (author); and her husband, Noel Capestany, of Alexandria, Va. Where, when, why: In January, my husband and I traveled to Cuba with a bird-conservation group to conduct a survey of endemic and migratory species, and to meet with local scientists and naturalists involved in research and conservation activities. We traveled to the western side of the island to explore a wide range of bird habitats, from forests to mountains to coastal wetlands, including the wild and sparsely populated Guanahacabibes Peninsula. The author strikes a pose in Playa Larga, Cuba. (Noel Capestany) Highlights and high points: Cuba, with its geographical diversity and large areas of government-protected habitat, is home to many endemic bird species and a refuge to a number of migratory ones. With the help of local experts, our group was able to identify 153 species, which we duly reported to help in the management and conservation efforts of the bird population. As we were doing the survey, nothing surpassed the sheer thrill of birdwatching in some of the most beautiful and unspoiled landscapes on the island. We marveled at the jewel-like feathers of the Cuban tody, an adorable, chubby bird sporting a combination of vibrant green, red, light blue and pink colors; and the red, white and blue Cuban trogon, the national bird of Cuba, so designated because its colors are those of the Cuban flag. We squinted to find and follow the zigzagging bee hummingbird, at 2.5 inches the smallest bird in the world and increasingly rare. And we were enchanted by a Cuban pygmy owl which, perched for the longest time on a branch, was as curious about us as we were about it. Cultural connection or disconnect: If todays Havana is iconic for being a throwback to the 1950s, the countryside and remote villages we traveled through seemed to be at a standstill even farther back in time. Horse-drawn carriages, first a novelty for us as we were leaving the capital, then commonplace as we entered small towns, are the principal means of transportation for people and goods. Men on horseback were as ubiquitous in the town squares as in the fields. We saw parents picking up their kids at school in carts pulled by horses and donkeys. People at the edge of the road would hitch a ride. These are vignettes of a way of life were no longer used to in the United States. And yet, the warmth and friendship of the Cuban people we encountered, the professionalism and dedication of the local naturalists and biologists we worked with and the overwhelming welcome we received in all the communities we visited easily bridged any cultural differences. Biggest laugh or cry: The richness of the bird habitats usually went hand-in-hand with a lack of choice in accommodations. Our group often stayed at lodgings or private homes where a hot shower was not to be taken for granted, toilet seats were a luxury and mattresses seemed to have passed from generation to generation. Our initial consternation soon went out the window as our misadventures became the butt of our daily jokes! How unexpected: During our explorations, we had logged many miles to get sightings of one or maybe a handful of birds of a particular species at a time. We spent over an hour in the karstic, limestone hills to find the Cuban solitaire, a difficult bird to locate. It is rather dull looking, but one of the most exquisite songbirds in Cuba. And then, as we were near the end of our trip, we traveled to the south coast of central Cuba, past the famed Giron Beach, one of the landing sites for the Bay of Pigs invasion, to a remote national wildlife refuge and biological station on the delta of a river. As we approached the edge of the wetlands, we saw what looked like an infinite crimson ribbon between water and sky: Thousands of Caribbean flamingos wading in the coastal estuary were putting on an amazing display for us. With binoculars and cameras at the ready, we marveled at their pink and coral plumage, and the elegance of their movements. Fondest memento or memory: Cuba, with its great biodiversity, is well positioned for ecotourism. Both the casual birdwatcher and the experienced birder will find much joy in its national parks and biosphere reserves, which are lovingly cared for by devoted naturalists, biologists, and concerned citizens, often with scarce resources. So it was a happy moment when our group made a donation of crayons, pencils, markers, coloring books and other materials to contribute to the educational activities in the communities surrounding protected areas. The hope is that, through education and conservation efforts, Cubas birds will be enjoyed by generations to come. To tell us about your own trip, go to washingtonpost.com/travel and fill out the What a Trip form with your fondest memories, finest moments and favorite photos. More from Travel: Spending Christmas Eve at an onsen in Japan Walking Spains Camino de Santiago In Portugal, a personal Age of Discovery Correction: An earlier version of this article stated that the Charlottetown Conference took place in 1884. The conference was in 1864. The story has been updated. The Trans-Canada Highway, seen near the shore of Lake Superior, runs the length of the country. (Pavel Cheiko/Alamy Stock Photo) The Trans-Canada Highway stretches nearly 5,000 miles and crosses six time zones. If youre in a rush, you can probably drive it in a week. But add a temperamental SUV, two working parents and three school-age kids, and it turns into a month-long adventure. Motoring from one end of Canada to the other is a once-in-a-lifetime journey, but seeing it through the eyes of three children, ages 9, 11 and 14, makes it all the more wondrous and worthwhile. Our TCH trip took place in two stages. Part one, from Montreal to Vancouver in early fall; part two from Ottawa to Charlottetown, on Prince Edward Island, in late spring. Grant me a small literary license to tell the story from east to west. Americans are born with an almost DNA-level desire to take big road trips: The TCH beckoned us, her kilometers of open road waiting to be explored. I had high hopes of sharing the diverse cultures and must-see landmarks north of the border with my kids, and while I did, Im pretty sure theyll remember the trip as a culinary tour. Our journey began in Charlottetown, on Canadas Atlantic coast. During the fall of 1864, this seaside village was the site of a meeting that led to the Canadian confederation. Prince Edward Island or PEI, as the locals call it is also home to one of Canadas most famous beaches, the Singing Sands in Basin Head Provincial Park. The beach hums when you drag your feet along its powdery quartz sand. But when we visited, the only sound we could hear was the rain beating relentlessly against our umbrellas. Curiously, the PEI answer to cold weather is ice cream. The place to go is Cows, which has locations throughout the island and bovine-themed flavors like Wowie Cowie and Gooey Mooey. Whats in them? Ribbons of caramel, chocolate and ingredients most adults should only eat sparingly such as bubble gum, cake frosting and rainbow sprinkles. Years from now, the kids will have long forgotten our week-long visit to the birthplace of the Canadian confederation and the rainy beach. But well always have Cows. [10 tips for travel bliss with kids from a dad who spent 300 days on the road with his] The baguettes of Montreal Its a full days drive from Charlottetown to Montreal along roads that invite you to explore New Brunswick and Quebec. The kids, normally either transfixed by a Roblox session or taking swings at each other in the back seat, seemed distracted by the French road signs, but in a kind of educational way. Yes, Saint-Louis-du-Ha! Ha! is a funny name for a town, children. Theres probably more where that came from. We should really take that French immersion class next summer. It takes a lot of discipline to resist the detour, but your reward is Montreal, and its quite the trophy. It can seem more French than France, yet is also thoroughly Canadian. There was only one way to see this place: by bicycle. Iden Elliott, left, and Erysse Elliot, the authors children, ride by the Biosphere, an environmental museum in Montreal. ( Christopher Elliott/ ) Hundreds of miles of bike paths crisscross the city. We took a spin around town in unseasonably balmy weather, pedaling past the port through the islands of Montreal to the site of the 1967 Worlds Fair. Highlights included running the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Montreals Formula One track and a close encounter with the raging St. Lawrence River, which engulfs the islands on both sides. Watching the ferries push against the rapids using the power of the current to move downstream, with a grand view of the city, was one of the most memorable parts of our journey. And what will the kids remember from this bike tour? The baguettes, exclaimed my youngest daughter. Fresh out of the oven from one of the citys many boulangeries. We paired it with soft cheese and a fruit plate, bought from Atwater Marche, one of Montreals famous public markets. Sigh. The mousse of Ottawa About two hours down the road, we pulled into Canadas capital. We dragged the kids to all the requisite tourist attractions, which included the Parliament and the Rideau Canal, with its impressive stair-step locks that lead to the Ottawa River. The kids complied without making a fuss. Our fourth child our finicky Honda Pilot wasnt as well behaved. As we navigated Ottawas narrow streets, a blinking light started to nag us about low pressure in our front right tire. I thought it was a faulty sensor, as all of the tires on our SUV appeared to be inflated. We spent the afternoon in the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum, hoping our technology-enamored teenage son would connect with some of the exhibits. The displays are separated thematically into islands within the large, hangar-like building. One exhibit in particular drew his attention. It was dedicated to the Canadian aviation pioneers who flew into the remotest parts of the country in aircraft such as the de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver, first placed in service in 1947. Hes into that kind of thing. But not as much as the ByWard Market, a district filled with shops, bakeries and boutiques. Our visit coincided with the annual weekend during which we celebrate three family birthdays. A cake needed to be bought. The kids bounced from one patisserie to the next, searching for the perfect baked goods, and finally consulted the great oracle Yelp before deciding on a hazelnut mousse cake from a small French bakery on Bank Street. Long after theyve forgotten the locks of the Rideau, well all be reminding each other of the hazelnut mousse. The meat of Toronto By the time we reached Toronto, a four-hour drive away, we decided to try reverse psychology. Instead of making the food an afterthought, why not think of it as the main course? No sooner had we landed in Canadas most populous city than we headed to the St. Lawrence Market, where we had promised the kids a visit to the legendary Carousel Bakery. Our young foodies had heard about the peameal ham sandwich we Americans refer to it as Canadian bacon and desperately wanted to try it. Try it they did. We scarfed down seven sandwiches. The adults applied hot mustard for a little extra zing. I admit, the ham sandwich is a great excuse to visit Toronto. The meat is delicate and flavorful without being overpoweringly salty or sweet. But once we finished, I said, Okay, kids, can we see Toronto now? When they agreed, I thought that our parent mind tricks had finally worked. But kids are clever. Even as we walked past the Legislative Assembly, through Queens Park and around the University of Toronto, with postcard views of the iconic CN Tower, I could almost feel the gravitational pull toward every cafe. Before we could finish our hike through town, we had been sucked into one, where the children persuaded us to try the coffee cake. Their excuse? They wanted to see if it tasted like American coffee cake. It kind of did. A peameal bacon sandwich from the Carousel Bakery in Torontos St. Lawrence Market. ( Christopher Elliott/ ) I know what youre thinking: This sounds like a great vacation. And it was great mostly if not always a vacation in the traditional sense. Between driving, parenting from behind the wheel and planning daily excursions, there was work, and lots of it. The almost-constant search for a reliable WiFi signal defined almost every day on the road. I was knee-deep in deadlines and coping with the unexpected death of a close friend. My better half, Kari, was wrestling with deadlines of her own, on top of making sure our home-schooled kids finished their assignments. Even our SUV was feeling the strain. It didnt have a faulty sensor after all. Instead, a nail had burrowed itself into a tire, setting off the alarms. In Toronto, things started to come apart at the seams. Wed lined up rentals at our previous destinations through VRBO, but because of a scheduling error, found ourselves suddenly homeless there. We scraped together a few hotel points and found a Staybridge Suites in Markham with room for us. It was neither the first nor the last time we asked ourselves, What are we doing here? The fish of Winnipeg The Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg. ( Christopher Elliott) A few days later, we stopped in Thunder Bay, which will forever be known as A Good Place for Finnish Pancakes. (Check out the Hoito Restaurant, known across Canada for its lettu, or thin, plate-size pancakes.) Finally, after two uninterrupted days in the car, we decided to make our last stand for expanded cultural horizons in Winnipeg. The children needed enlightenment, so we took them to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, with its thought-provoking displays that climb toward a glass spire overlooking the provincial capital. We examined a rare copy of the Magna Carta. We strolled through exhibits that explored every kind of human rights violation. And then, just as I thought the kids understood what this road trip was all about, and as I began to believe they were making contact with the real Canada, they asked about dinner. As it turned out, they had a place in mind the nearby Forks Market, another one of those Canadian food courts where you can find almost anything. The kids decided that, as they were thousands of miles from the ocean, they required fish and chips which they found at a place called Fergies. I think it was the long line that made them ask for it; they never eat fish at home. Winnipeg may not have deepened their social conscience, but it certainly expanded their appreciation of seafood. Ill take it. [Beyond ear buds and eyerolls: Nine ways to make travel with your teen fun] The poutine of everywhere A days drive west, across the flat prairie of Manitoba, we arrived in Regina. Until now, this road trip had been a series of oohs and aahs and lets-stop-heres but the Canadian prairie is a different kind of experience, with vast stretches of flatness, farmland and open fields with nothing to do except count down the kilometers. It tests your patience and your endurance. You do not hear the words, Are we there yet? coming from the back seat. Those words do not exist, because you want to arrive at your destination sane. Of all of our the planned activities, I most looked forward to visiting the training headquarters for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and its Heritage Center, which has exhibits and multimedia displays that explain the law enforcement agencys origins. The menu board at Coney Island Cafe, a favorite poutine stop for Royal Canadian Mounted Police recruits. ( Christopher Elliott/ ) Nothing could be more Canadian than the RCMP, with its trademark red uniforms and Stetson hats. The museum was everything I had hoped for, and because we were there in the early afternoon, we had a chance to see a practice parade at the RCMP Academy. Wed made it half a day without stumbling into another culinary trap, but just as I was getting hopeful, our middle son asked one of the officers a great travel-journalist question: Where do the locals eat? The cadets go to Coney Island Cafe, he said, matter-of-factly. They have the best poutine in Canada. Well, you can probably guess what happened next, right? A few minutes later, the children were ordering poutine french fries with gravy topped with pierogi and barbecued pork. I admit, it doesnt sound appetizing, but the cadets are correct. Im no fan of french fries or gravy, but put the two together and I will happily join you for lunch. The Indian food of Calgary Maybe I should have given up then, scrapped every planned stopover and let Gordon Ramsay adopt my children. But Im a fighter. After another days drive west to Drumheller, I pushed them into the Royal Tyrrell Museum. (Hey kids, who wants to see dinosaurs?) The following day, in Calgary, we plunged down the Olympic ski jump on a zip line. Its not that they didnt enjoy any of those activities. Im sure they did. But for them, the main event remained the meal. Our kids werent the only ones acting up. Our empathetic SUV began to flash intermittent warning lights. A look at our well-thumbed owners manual suggested the left rear tire had a slow leak but we could find no evidence of one. During the afternoon, I set up camp in our hotel room to file a story while they prowled around Calgary in search of ever more exotic food. They returned with shopping bags filled with spicy Thai noodle soup and butter curry and naan. In Canada? Yes and they insist that it was the best Indian food theyd ever had. A fearsome Tyrannosaurus rex greets visitors in Drumheller, Alberta. ( Christopher Elliott/ ) By the time wed crossed the Canadian Rockies and arrived in Vancouver, the parents admitted defeat. Yes, I could have taken them to Stanley Park or the Vancouver Aquarium or driven up to Whistler, my favorite Canadian ski resort. But almost 1 in 5 people here are ethnic Chinese, and if theres one thing we could agree on, it was that we all loved Chinese food. I mean, Canadian Chinese food. [Want fantastic Chinese food in North America? Head to Vancouver] Our search for Chinese fare led us down Broadway, on the perimeter of Vancouvers Chinatown. We found a small table during the lunch hour at Peaceful Restaurant where we ordered tasty egg drop soup, beef rolls and sweet and sour pork. Even our car seemed to have righted itself. The flashing lights went dark after we crossed the mountains. Wed set out to discover Canada by car, but I think our mistake was wanting to experience it as adults. You know museums, monuments, and culturally significant buildings. Our children had other plans. For them, it was about the food. Maybe theyre right about Canada. Maybe its the kind of place you have to savor, one meal at a time. Elliott writes the Travel sections Navigator column. Road rules for the Trans-Canada Highway When to travel You can drive the Trans-Canada Highway anytime, but the best times of the year are during shoulder season fall and spring. During the summer months, the roads are at their busiest. Eastern Canada, with its maple trees, is a prime viewing area for bright-red foliage. During spring, Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, flowers and cherry trees often blossom as early as March. Pack well Temperatures can fluctuate dramatically, so pack for extreme heat and cold. And bring sunglasses. During the height of summer, you can get as much as 17 hours of daylight along some parts of the highway. If youre a bird-watcher, youll definitely want to take your binoculars. Canada has 18 UNESCO World Heritage sites, many accessible from the TCH. Driving secrets The TCH straddles the U.S. border some of the way, cutting through Canadas most populated areas. Watch for traffic, particularly in Toronto and Montreal. As you head west, gas stations are more spaced apart, so practice the half-tank rule if you see a service station and youre below half a tank, stop and refuel. To experience the full length of the TCH, be prepared for ferry crossings and the related fees in areas such as Vancouver Island on the west coast, and Newfoundland and Labrador. Take your time Most people crossing the TCH are in a hurry. Dont make that mistake. Canada is filled with national parks and provincial parks along the way or just off the highway. They offer rewarding views, natural wonders, wildlife sightings and other adventures. And, of course, theres the food. You wont discover any of it by eating every meal at Tim Hortons not that theres anything wrong with that. More from Christopher Elliott: How to get an airline to compensate you even when it doesnt have to How to avoid gotcha toll fees from your rental-car company Before you use a flight-delay compensation company, take a minute to think twice If youre an experienced traveler, maybe you know about the Department of Transportations 24-hour rule for airline ticket purchases, or EU 261, the European consumer protection regulation for air travelers, or the Fair Credit Billing Act. But what about the cruise bill of rights? The flat-tire rule? The Lanham Act? Turns out there are a lot of rules, regulations and policies that benefit travelers. Travel companies sometimes go to great lengths to avoid mentioning that you have rights. Thats because it could cost them money in the form of refunds or penalties. At a time when regulation is becoming an epithet, it may behoove you to take a moment to appreciate one or two of the more obscure rules. Who knows, maybe they could improve your next trip. First, just in case you didnt know: The 24-hour rule generally allows customers to cancel airline ticket reservations within 24 hours of making the booking and receive a full refund. There are exceptions for travel booked within a week, hence the generally. EU 261 is the European regulation that makes airlines pay customers when their flights are delayed or canceled. And again, certain exceptions apply. The Fair Credit Billing Act protects customers when fraudulent purchases are made with their credit cards and allows them to dispute the bogus charges. [How to get an airline to compensate you even when it doesnt have to] You knew all that, didnt you? But how about these: The Lanham Act: This is a fairly broad federal statute that says anyone who makes a false or misleading description of fact is in violation of the law. Specific to travel, it forbids a company from misrepresenting the nature, characteristics, qualities, or geographic origin of goods, services or commercial activities. In other words, if a hotel room isnt as advertised online or if a tour doesnt live up to its billing, it may run afoul of federal law. Similarly, when car-rental agents imply that insurance is mandatory and offer to upsell you on their pricey policy, that could technically be a violation. The cruise bill of rights: Most cruise passengers dont know they have a bill of rights set forth by the cruise lines, says Tanner Callais, editor of the cruise website Cruzely.com. The bill of rights, adopted by the industry in 2013 to avoid more formal government regulation, gives passengers the right to leave a docked ship if it cant provide essentials such as food, water, bathroom facilities and medical care. It also grants passengers the right to a full refund for a trip canceled because of mechanical failures and a partial refund if a trip is cut short for the same reason. The bill also promises to offer customers timely updates about any changes in a ships itinerary caused by a mechanical failure or an emergency. It is legally enforceable because its part of your contract with the cruise line. The flat-tire rule: This rule stipulates that if youre delayed and you miss your flight because of traffic, for example you can go standby as long as you arrive within two hours of the flight. Although I have seen this rule invoked by passengers on a regular basis, none of the airlines publicize this rule on their websites. According to former and current airline employees, some, but not all, airlines cite such a rule in internal manuals and refer to it during agent training. Ive questioned airlines about it on numerous occasions. For example, when I visited United Airlines a few years ago, the companys senior vice president of customer experience confirmed that it did, indeed, exist. However, even when airlines have a flat-tire rule, it can be unevenly applied by agents, so invoking it wont always do you much good. [Before you use a flight-delay compensation company, take a minute to think twice] Rental-car upgrade and reciprocity rules: Like the flat-tire rule, company policies on rental-car upgrades and reciprocity are not readily available to the public. However, industry insiders have told me they exist and I have successfully invoked them myself on many occasions, so here goes: If you reserve a class of car and the location runs out of vehicles in that class, youll get a free upgrade into the next available class of vehicle. If the location runs out of cars, it will pay for a comparable car from a competitor. Both of these are standard practices, and often formalized as internal policies. Although they are practically universal in the car rental business, they are not widely known. More rules and regulations that could potentially benefit travelers are constantly being added to the books. For example, a few years ago, Josh Summer, a Dallas guitarist, discovered a line in the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 that required airlines to allow passengers to carry violins, guitars or other musical instruments in the aircraft cabin, without charging the passenger a fee in addition to any standard fee that carrier may require for comparable carry-on baggage. As a musician, I have been very thankful for that obscure rule, Summer says. Do the rules really work? Yes, this column is filled with regular examples of how the 24-hour rule, the Fair Credit Billing Act and EU 261 can help travelers. [How to avoid gotcha toll fees from your rental-car company] Even the lesser-known regulations demonstrate their effectiveness every day. Who can forget the 2008 YouTube video United Breaks Guitars, by the Canadian country band Sons of Maxwell, which lamented the airlines mistreatment of the groups guitars in the cargo hold? Since the passage of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act, complaints sent to me about damaged instruments have virtually disappeared. Likewise, the cruise bill of rights, initially criticized by consumer advocates for not going far enough, has dramatically reduced the number of grievances Ive received about cruise ship service problems. A polite reminder of these relatively obscure policies many of which have existed for years is often all that it takes to secure that upgrade or rebooking. Taken together, the rules and regulations offer necessary protections for travelers. Thats an important thing to remember at a time when regulation has become a dirty word in Washington and also a warning to anyone looking to dismantle the few rules that protect us. Elliott is a consumer advocate, journalist and co-founder of the advocacy group Travelers United. Email him at chris@elliott.org. Tanya Snyder with Milo Evans-Snyder, 5 months old, left, Jessica Champagne with Benjamin Toth-Champagne, 3 moths old, and Jamie Davis Smith with Adam Smith, 10 months old, stand in the hallway after dozens of parents with toddlers and others sat through a D.C. Council hearing to show support for a paid family leave bill that the mayor let become law Thursday. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post) A bill to offer workers in the District of Columbia some of the most generous paid family leave benefits in the nation will become law, barring last-minute intervention from Congress. D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser, who was considering vetoing the bill over its cost, has decided not to do so. The bill now goes to Congress, as all local legislation does in the nations capital. While Republicans in Congress have expressed interest in overturning the citys assisted suicide law, rolling back its gun laws and ending its legalization of marijuana, observers say they seem less likely to block the family leave law, since there is greater bipartisan support for the idea. Bowser had voiced concerns she heard from business leaders who oppose a new payroll tax needed to pay for the benefits. Under the legislation, passed by the D.C. Council in December, the District would guarantee more paid family leave for private-sector workers than any of the states. It would also rival legislation New York will begin phasing in next year to offer more than two months of paid leave after the birth of a child. (Claritza Jimenez/The Washington Post) The D.C. bill guarantees up to eight weeks of paid time off to new parents, six weeks to workers caring for ailing family members and two weeks of personal sick time. Workers could begin taking the benefit in 2020. Bowser, a Democrat, had split from many in her party including former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, who praised the D.C. bill by raising objections about the fiscal impact on businesses. The first-term mayor signed legislation last year to raise the Districts hourly minimum wage to $15 by 2020. Bowser said she also supported the idea of family leave, but was swayed by arguments that the city needed to move more slowly to understand the combined impacts of family leave and higher wages, especially on smaller businesses. Bowser also said the bill would send too much money out of the District, to city workers who live in Maryland and Virginia. But in the end, Bowser appeared hesitant to test the power of her veto, as it remained unclear whether she could muster five votes needed on the 13-member council to sustain it. The D.C. Council has shifted to the left over a series of recent elections, mirroring the progressive mind set of the citys increasingly younger and more affluent Democratic majority. In a letter to the council, Bowser nonetheless blasted the legislation, saying she still has grave concerns about its cost. The mayor said that while she would not veto it, she would not sign it, letting it take effect without her endorsement. Bowser also suggested continued resistance to the plan, saying she may not fund its implementation in her next budget, leaving that task to the council. While the legislation will advance without my signature, my administration will look to our partners on the council to provide ways to overcome the very significant deficiencies, Bowser wrote. The council must fund and refine the legislation before any significant outlays of resources can be made. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson (D) said he was thrilled that the legislation would become law and said he would entertain alternative funding schemes for the estimated $250 million annual cost of providing the benefits. Council members Elissa Silverman and David Grosso, at-large independents who co-introduced the legislation, both celebrated. Im happy for the many people who shared very personal stories with me often heartbreaking stories about choosing between caring for a loved one or keeping a paycheck, Silverman said. This program will help them weather the critical life events when they need help the most. Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.) says he wants to use the federal appropriations process to bar the District from implementing its assisted-suicide law. (Andre Chung/For The Washington Post) Republicans on Capitol Hill said Wednesday that Congress is unlikely to act in time to block the Districts assisted-suicide law before it takes effect Saturday, handing city officials an inadvertent victory against congressional intervention. Very doubtful it can get to the finish line, said Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah), chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, which voted Monday to strike down the D.C. law. Were just flat-out running out of time. But as the city prepares to implement the law, federal lawmakers are working on another line of attack: using the appropriations process to neutralize the law. Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.) said that he was confident the assisted-suicide law could be effectively stifled through the appropriations process and that he would absolutely pursue such an amendment. Harris said there is still time to block the law because it is going to take District agencies several months to set up the required process before terminally ill residents can try to obtain life-ending drugs, and the city has to identify funds for that project. The D.C. government has to do some various things in the [law]: They have to develop a form. They have to receive a form. They have to process a form. They have to do studies, he said. Chaffetz has said that he is morally opposed to the Districts law which will make it legal for doctors to prescribe lethal doses of medications to terminally ill patients and that he thinks Congress should intervene, no matter what form that action takes. Rep. Tom Graves (R-Ga.), chairman of the appropriations subcommittee that has jurisdiction over the District, declined through a spokesman to say whether he would support efforts to block the assisted-suicide law. At D.C. government headquarters, Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) and council members all but declared victory over Chaffetz, even as they acknowledged that another fight with Congress over the funding of the measure appeared likely in coming months. Although the law is set to take effect Saturday, terminally ill patients will not be able to seek lethal doses of medications for several months, possibly not until October. The mayor and council must first appropriate $125,000 to create a way for doctors to document requests for life-ending drugs and for the citys medical examiner to create a classification for reporting deaths that ensue. Unless the city takes urgent action, funding for the law would be included in the annual spending plan that takes effect Oct. 1. Terminally ill patients would then have to make two requests of a doctor for life-ending drugs over a period of two weeks. Doctors are also not required to abide by patients requests. A spokesman for Bowser said it was possible that the mayor and council might move more quickly to implement the law before Congress can stop it. We are committed to ensuring this legislation becomes law and will keep all options on the table to implement it should Congress attempt to meddle in our local affairs, spokesman Kevin Harris said. Council member Mary M. Cheh (D-Ward 3), who wrote the legislation, said she was tentatively celebrating. Yea, yea, yea. Of course Im very happy the time period will expire before they can disapprove, she said. But Cheh said the episode raised questions about the Districts autonomy. Chaffetz has shown the effort to try to frustrate other measures of ours, so it is going to make us a lot more insecure about the feeble democracy that we have being eroded further. Chaffetz has expressed concern about the citys new fund to help undocumented immigrants fight deportation, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) has said he wants to eliminate the Districts gun laws, and Harris wants to bar the city from spending money to regulate recreational marijuana use, which voters overwhelmingly approved in a 2014 ballot measure. Eleanor Holmes Norton, the Districts nonvoting delegate to Congress, said she thinks the House did not move swiftly on Chaffetzs plan because a floor vote would have put some members in an awkward spot. Two dozen House Republicans represent states that have assisted-suicide laws, including House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), she noted. But attaching language to an appropriations bill allows Chaffetz and other opponents of the assisted-suicide law to eliminate the measure without attracting the attention that a stand-alone vote would draw. Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Ill.), the top Democrat on the appropriations subcommittee with jurisdiction over the District, said he would fight for the Districts right to enact its own laws. It is a little bit a back-door approach to accomplish the same things, he said. Here we are in appropriations trying to divvy up scarce resources, and our time is spent talking about states rights and federalism, he said. [After angry demonstration in Utah, Chaffetz returns to more wrath in D.C.] Meanwhile, on Wednesday, about 150 residents with DC Vote, which pushes for District statehood and autonomy, walked the halls of Congress to lobby for a hands off approach by Congress toward the city. Bo Shuff, the groups director of advocacy, said he expected Congress to target the progressive agenda that D.C. believes in. The group had 43 meetings with members of Congress and their staffs but was not granted an appointment with Chaffetz. If Jason Chaffetz is going to try to pretend to be our city councilman, Shuff said, he should probably come and meet face-to-face with us. On a Monday, Jim Miller argued a case against the U.S. Department of Agriculture in federal appeals court. The next day, he took his biostatistics exam at Johns Hopkins University. He won the appeal. He did not win the midterm exam nor was his professor at all sympathetic that he been cramming to prepare for oral arguments in court, Miller said. But Miller was exhilarated by this dramatic career pivot, one that saw him walk away from decades of specialized legal work and enroll in school for the first time since the 1970s to earn a masters degree in public health. Like many people at various points in their careers even the most successful he had asked the question: Can I reinvent myself? People in their 20s can switch majors, transfer, apply seamlessly to graduate schools as their interests evolve. Theyre less likely to be tied to a job, a mortgage, a family all the things that make dramatic change seem daunting, if not impossible. The younger you are, the easier it is, always, said Patricia Rose, director of career services at the University of Pennsylvania. But advances in technology have changed the calculation for older workers, leading some back to school to launch themselves on a new path in life. The speed of change is so rapid now that the kind of work that people do will be continuously reinvented, said Steven Laymon, interim dean of continuing and professional studies at the University of Virginia. Digital technology, the ubiquity of data and the globalization of work will be these evolutionary drivers that change peoples jobs on an ongoing basis. Sometimes those can be changes of lane or acceleration. And sometimes it will be a complete, gut-wrenching U-turn. The turn could be spurred by the market, a diagnosis, a lifelong dream, a conversation at a cocktail party, a revelation one that could have profound impact far beyond a single person. What drove Miller was a growing fascination with the science of the legal cases he was arguing, many involving pharmaceutical companies and the Food and Drug Administration. He felt he needed to know more. It had been so long since his undergraduate years that he had forgotten an entire year of biology. At 58, he took an entry-level biostatistics course. It was a revelation, he said. He told his partners, who were dumbfounded, that he had been accepted at Hopkins and was leaving the firm. While his wife continued working, he found himself studying alongside people from all over the world, a young and idealistic group whom he found inspiring and refreshing after so many years in Washington. I just cannot emphasize enough how fascinating I found epidemiology. I would say, Do it, he said, to anyone who asked. If youre really interested in something, you ought to pursue that interest. Thats certainly what happened to me. It happened to Andrew Feinberg, too. Feinberg, a professor of medicine at Hopkins since 1994, was standing on Charles Darwins grave in Westminster Abbey a few years ago, surrounded by a crowd of other tourists looking at memorials of famous scientists, when an idea just came flying into my head. Feinberg had just looked at a plaque honoring the physicist Paul Dirac, one of the founders of quantum theory, when he had the insight: that there might be, in biology, a built-in variability thats a little like quantum theory. He immediately sensed that could explain something that he had long been trying to understand. It could, perhaps, help predict who would get cancer or other diseases. It was an electrifying idea. But he needed to know more to explore it. I knew that what I was really interested in was how randomness and noise, this variability, how that could cause changes in a system, and make it suddenly behave in a different way, he said. But I didnt know how to do it. Feinberg had studied math in college but left early to go to medical school. And thats the dark ages. I knew six programming languages, but theyre all dead now theres no way to code them. So he went back to school for a year. He took graduate classes in systems biology, and engineering and biostatistics and computing, doing the homework and taking the tests, with the other students in the class staring at him wondering, he said, Whats with this this geriatric person? He never gave up his job. He kept running his lab. But he took a very big risk. His reputation as a pioneer in cancer epigenetics was somewhat on the line. And he gave up some funding, including a cancer research grant he had had his entire career. When you want to start over, embark on a new area of research in academia, its very difficult, said Denis Wirtz, vice provost for research at Hopkins. The research youre doing is typically funded by the federal government or a private agency, which often are more likely to support proven areas than radical new ideas. Feinberg applied for a pioneer award from the National Institutes of Health designed to encourage high-risk, high-reward research, and that made it possible for him to go back to the classroom. Then he was given an endowed chair at Hopkins that allows him to have appointments in the medical school, the engineering school and the school of public health. Such positions are designed to give the capital that professors need to break that Catch-22, Wirtz said. Sometimes people dont realize their experience can be an asset, rather than a barrier to admission, said Janet Gilmore, a spokeswoman for the University of California at Berkeley. They may not need a new degree but instead could change gears with an additional course or certificate. If you want to do something different, lets help you do something different, said Sara Neher, assistant dean of MBA admissions at U-Va.s Darden School of Business. The school has found many doctors, lawyers, engineers and teachers want a business degree. The key is to make a compelling case for a pivot. For Martin Johnson, a plastic surgeon in Arizona looking for a new direction at age 60 after chemotherapy left lingering numbness in his hands, the key was a desire to help a nonprofit group providing medical care in Central America. He wanted to better understand the complexities of the problems they are trying to solve. So he went back to school to study public health. For Pauline Lubens, the desire to pivot came from an unexpected grief. She had been following an army sergeant after his return from Iraq, taking photographs documenting months of intense, emotional recovery from a traumatic brain injury. Then, the man died after a routine surgery. Lubens felt lost, no longer sure that the work she did as a photographer mattered. She wanted to help families affected by war in a way that was more direct. So she took a GRE test-prep course and, at 53, applied to Hopkins to get a masters in public health. She quit her job, accessed some of her retirement money and took out student loans. Anyone in finance would tell me I made a horrible decision, she said and then the real estate market tanked while she was in school, upending her plan to pay off the loans with a line of credit on her house. Now shes pursuing a doctorate, and teaching a class on war and public health, delving into issues such as the lack of drinking water in Syria. She lives in graduate-student housing in California and watches the interest mount on her loans, well aware that its difficult to find good faculty jobs. But, she said: I love it. Its so exciting. I really fell in love with teaching. I fell in love with finding new ways of defining these important issues. And there was something about starting over that made any bumps along the way easier to ride out. If you live long enough, you fail at a lot of things, she said. Or else youre not really trying. Correction: An earlier version of this article stated that Jim Miller had been an undergraduate at Yale University. Although he holds a law degree from Yale, Miller received his undergraduate degree from New College of Florida. THE DISTRICT Naked man who invaded TV station charged A man has been charged with two crimes after D.C. police said he ran naked through the offices of WRC-TV in Northwest Washington on Saturday and bit a studio engineer who helped in the mans capture. A police report said the assailant was taken to a hospital for evaluation, and a police spokeswoman said Wednesday that Mark William Baker, 20, of Northwest, was charged via citation with simple assault and unlawful entry. He has a court date Feb. 27. Peter Hermann Building evacuated after fire in Northwest A 10-story office building was evacuated Wednesday when a fire broke out inside a ground-floor Starbucks store at 14th and G streets NW in downtown Washington. A spokesman for the D.C. Fire Emergency Medical Services Department said that sprinklers contained the fire, which was reported shortly before 11:30 a.m. Heavy smoke could be seen coming from the coffeehouse. No injuries were reported. The Starbucks is two blocks from the White House. MARYLAND Man who fatally shot child is sentenced A Maryland man who fatally shot a 3-year-old girl after firing into a townhouse full of women and children was sentenced Wednesday to 45 years in prison, according to the Prince Georges County States Attorneys Office. Davon Wallace, 27, of Seat Pleasant, was convicted of second-degree murder in November in the death of Knijah Bibb. During his trial in Prince Georges County Circuit Court, prosecutors said Wallace recklessly fired into a house in Landover after fighting over clothes with a teenager inside the home in 2014. Wallace eluded police for five weeks after the shooting before being caught and charged. Lynh Bui Lanham man fatally shot is identified A man was fatally shot Tuesday night in Greenbelt, Md., authorities said. The victim was found shortly after 8 p.m. just inside the entrance of an apartment house in the 6200 block of Breezewood Drive, said George Mathews, the spokesman for the Greenbelt city police. The man was later identified as Martin Atemnkeng Nchotaku, 20, of Lanham. No information was immediately available about a motive or suspect. Martin Weil Rep. Elijah E. Cummings (D-Md.) (Manuel Balce Ceneta/Associated Press) Rep. Elijah E. Cummings swatted away President Trumps claim that the Baltimore Democrat wouldnt meet with him after repeated calls from the White House. Trump made the comment during a wide-ranging news conference Thursday and speculated that Cummings may have been dissuaded from coming to the White House for political reasons, perhaps by Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), whom Trump dismissed as a lightweight. I have no idea why President Trump would make up a story about me like he did today. Of course, Senator Schumer never told me to skip a meeting with the President, Cummings said in a statement. Trump said Cummings was all excited and then he said, Well, I cant move, it might be bad for me politically. I cant have that meeting. Trump continued: But he probably was told by Schumer or somebody like that some other lightweight. . . . He was probably told: Dont meet with Trump. Its bad politics. And thats part of the problem with this country. The musings came in response to a question about whether Trump would meet with the Congressional Black Caucus of which Cummings is a high-profile member to discuss crime in poor, urban areas. The 11-term congressman and ranking Democrat on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee said he planned to talk to Trump about the skyrocketing cost of prescription drugs. But first, he said, he wanted to finalize a proposal he has been working on with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) to allow the Department of Health and Human Services to negotiate drug prices a concept that Cummings says Trump has supported. I also sincerely have no idea why the President made this claim in response to an unrelated question about the Congressional Black Caucus. I am sure members of the CBC can answer these questions for themselves, the congressmans statement said. Cummings noted that prescription drugs affect every American family not just people of color. The congressman told reporters on Capitol Hill on Thursday afternoon that his office is working on setting up a meeting. Were looking forward to it, he said. Im excited about meeting with the president. Hes my president, and Im excited about meeting with him. Minutes after Trumps news conference concluded, the Oversight Committee announced that Cummings had joined Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and other Democrats in calling for a review of how the president and his staff handled sensitive national security materials at Mar-a-Lago, Trumps Palm Beach, Fla., resort. In a letter, the lawmakers asked the Government Accountability Office to determine whether protocols were followed and to provide an accounting of taxpayer costs related to Trumps stay at his private club, which he has dubbed the Winter White House. Former news anchor and Marriott executive Kathleen Matthews, who lost to then-state Sen. Jamie Raskin in Marylands 8th District Democratic congressional primary, said Wednesday that she is a candidate for state party chair. Matthews said in an interview that she was approached about the job by senior Maryland Democrats U.S. Rep. Steny H. Hoyer and Sens. Benjamin L. Cardin and Chris Van Hollen. Chair Bruce Poole said he will step down March 1, when the state partys executive committee is scheduled to meet. Registered Democrats outnumber registered Republicans in Maryland more than 2-to-1. But the party has been struggling to recover from the upset victory of Republican Larry Hogan over Democrat Anthony Brown in the 2014 governors race, and Hogans soaring popularity since then. Poole, 57, a former member of the Maryland House of Delegates for 12 years and House majority leader from 1990 to 1993, has been chair since 2015. He said he had to return to his busy law practice. I loved it and had a great time, but I need to get back to work, he said. Shortly after her primary loss, Matthews expressed interest in trying again for elected office, saying that all options are on the table. Her name has surfaced in speculation about campaigns for Montgomery County executive, County Council or the 6th district Congressional seat, should Rep. John Delaney (D) decide to step down after 2018. in 2018. But Matthews, 63, said she is focused on the chairs job. I thought it would be a great way to serve my state and country at this critical time, said Matthews, who lives in Chevy Chase. Poole and other party leaders said that there is no discernible competition for the post and that Matthews has been working hard to contact party leaders. Shes going to be in a pretty good position, Poole said. Shes got a lot of attributes that will aid her in running the party. Shes a woman, she comes from Montgomery County, and shes got a lot of great connections. After leaving WJLA, Matthews spent a decade working as a vice president at Marriott International, where among other duties she oversaw a political action committee that contributed more than $1 million to House and Senate candidates. She is married to MSNBC Hardball host Chris Matthews. Matthews worked as a surrogate speaker for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton in the 2016 campaign. She also serves on the board of Emerge Maryland, an organization that helps prepare women to run for office. Poole said that if Matthews is named by the state partys executive board, she will serve as interim chair until May, when the full committee meets. Josh Hicks contributed to this report. An earlier version of this article misidentified the name of the board that Matthews serves on. The correct name is Emerge Maryland. Damaris A. Reyes Rivas, 15, was found dead by police in Springfield on Feb. 11 near an industrial park in the 7100 block of Wimsatt Road. (Family photo) Two adults and three teenagers from Northern Virginia have been charged with murder in the gang-related slaying of a 15-year-old Gaithersburg girl. Fairfax County Police Chief Edwin C. Roessler Jr. said Thursday at a news conference that the slaying of Damaris A. Reyes Rivas was savage and brutal . . . horrific, but police would not discuss how she was killed or any motive. Roessler said authorities had uncovered video evidence of the slaying before the teens body was found Saturday, but would not describe the footage. That evidence came out of a Jan. 25 intelligence briefing involving various police departments from across the region, Roessler said, underscoring the complex web of gang ties across the D.C. area. Damaris left her Montgomery County home voluntarily in December and was reported missing by her mother. Authorities later got word she might be in danger. Police have said they think she was held against her will, assaulted and then killed at a Springfield park on or around Jan. 8. Police would not identify which gang is suspected to have carried out the slaying, but Maria Reyes, Damariss mother, has said that her daughter had become involved with a local clique of MS-13. The teens killing has renewed concern about the violent street gang, which has its roots in El Salvador and has made a resurgence in the Washington suburbs in recent years. Its members have been linked to murders and other crimes. The crimes of these transnational gangs are on the rise, Kevin Donovan of the FBIs Washington Field Office said at the news conference. Police said the investigation into Damariss death has overlapped with other cases, including the unsolved slaying of a young man who was found dead last month in Prince William County. In all, 10 suspects have been taken into custody in connection with Damariss death. Jose Castillo Rivas, 18, of Springfield, and Wilmer A. Sanchez-Serrano, 21, of no fixed address, were charged with murder. Three teens also were charged with murder: a 17-year-old girl from the Alexandria area and two 17-year-old boys, one from Annandale and one from Springfield. Five other suspects face gang participation charges including two adults, Cindy Blanco Hernandez, of Reston, and Aldair J. Miranda Carcamo, of Springfield, both 18. Three others are juveniles. Police have not said whether the juveniles attended school in the area or detailed the role they believe any of the suspects played in the case. According to court records, Blanco Hernandez and Miranda Carcamo were initially arrested in the disappearance of Lizzy Rivera Colindres, a 16-year-old from Springfield reported missing Jan. 15. She returned last weekend. Police said they are exploring connections between Damariss slaying and the disappearance and return of both Colindres and Venus Lorena Romero Iraheta, 17, of Alexandria. Police said Iraheta, 17, was possibly in danger before she returned home safely Tuesday night. She was later interviewed by detectives and was an acquaintance of Damariss, police said. Iraheta knew 21-year-old Christian Alexander Sosa Rivas, of Fairfax City, who was found dead in Prince William County on Jan. 12, police said. Reyes said she thinks her daughter also knew Sosa Rivas and had dated him. Speaking about gangs in general during the Thursday news conference, Jay Lanham of the Northern Virginia Regional Gang Task Force said gang recruitment of youths is a growing problem. We are seeing a lot of increase in recruiting of high school, middle school students, he said. Douglas W. Keen, chairman of the task force, said in an email that there has been an upswing in violence within MS-13. We have gathered some intelligence that says MS-13 leaders from El Salvador want to make leadership changes, Keen said. We have seen an increase in violent crime, and even more concerning, an increase in violent acts by juvenile offenders. Keen said MS-13 has increased recruitment of unaccompanied minors, who have made their way to the United States in record numbers in recent years. When we debrief some of the arrestees they are telling us they were recruited at a young age and encouraged to commit crimes of assaults and larcenies, Keen said. Then they move to narcotics and more violent crimes. A 42-year-old man serving 10 years in prison for raping a woman in her Arlington apartment has been charged with kidnapping and raping a woman in Northwest Washington in 2007, according to police and court documents. Ronald Perry Berton, of Craigsville, Va., was brought into D.C. Superior Court on Wednesday. A grand jury indicted him in November on charges of burglary, kidnapping and first-degree sexual abuse with aggravating circumstances. He is to be arraigned on Friday. Police said the attack in the District occurred Oct. 6, 2007, in the 1800 block of T Street NW, near Adams Morgan. Police said a man broke into a residence, went to a womans bedroom and sexually assaulted her. Police said he then stole items before fleeing. Berton was convicted in July 2014 of breaking into an apartment in Arlington in 2010 and raping a woman as she slept. Court documents say the woman did not know she had been attacked until she woke up and found a beer had been taken from her refrigerator and found a condom on her couch. A medical exam revealed she had been raped, the court documents show. Berton was initially charged with that rape and with burglarizing and intent to commit rape of another woman in 2008. Court documents allege he stood over the woman and masturbated as he held her down. He was convicted in both cases, but a Virginia appeals court overturned the rulings in 2013, saying the cases had been inappropriately consolidated. The court ordered Berton to be retried in both cases. He was convicted in the 2010 rape case in 2014. Prosecutors did not pursue the 2008 case. Two people arrested in the fatal shooting of a man found slain inside his car in Accokeek may have been in a dispute with him over money, police said. Prince Georges County Police on Thursday announced the arrests of Donvain Hodges, 24, of Fort Washington, and Cessna Blow, 19, of Temple Hills, in the killing of Timothy Sherod, 28. [Md. man found fatally shot in car is identified] Sherod was found with gunshot wounds Monday morning in his car in the 3300 block of Saint Marys View Road in Accokeek. Sherod, of Glenarden, was pronounced dead on the scene. Hodges and Blow have been charged with second-degree murder and are being held without bond. Metro would receive an extra $750 million in federal funds over 10 years in exchange for changes in the transit systems governance structure and labor contracts under a bill proposed Thursday by a Maryland congressman. The legislation put forward by Rep. John Delaney (D) is the first of two bills that representatives from the region plan to submit in a bid to force the District, Maryland and Virginia to rewrite Metros compact, the document that outlines how the agency is governed and funded. Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-Va.) is drafting the other bill. The congressional initiatives reflect a growing conviction in the Washington region that Metro needs fundamental changes in its governance and funding if the agency is to solve its chronic safety, reliability and financial problems. Virginia elected officials of both political parties and area business groups also are advocating changes in the compact. Delaneys bill shrinks the Metro board to nine members from 16, to make it more efficient, and requires members to have certain professional skills or experience. It also requires that Metro make unspecified changes in its collective bargaining agreements that the new board would certify as necessary to provide a high level of service, reliability and safety. Comstocks bill, which will probably get a more sympathetic hearing in the GOP-controlled Congress, will not include extra federal money for Metro. She said governance and labor reforms must come first. Her bill also will require bigger concessions from Metros labor unions than Delaneys. [2 U.S. lawmakers want to fix Metro by rewriting its governing charter. ] But both Delaneys bill and the one planned by Comstock include a far-reaching provision. Both would withdraw Congresss approval of the Metro compact unless the transit systems governing structure is revamped. That would leave Metro in legal limbo and also deprive it of $150 million a year in federal funds that it receives. Congress cannot consent to a broken Metro forever, and if these changes are not met, we should withdraw from the compact, Delaney said. Under his bill, Congress would withdraw its assent to the Metro compact if the three jurisdictions failed to make the governance changes within 21 months. With the changes, however, the federal government would give Metro an extra $75 million a year for 10 years, providing that the three jurisdiction contributed an extra $25 million apiece in matching funds. That would be on top of the $150 million that Congress now gives Metro under a law that will expire in 2019 unless it is extended. Theres a bit of a carrot and a stick here, Delaney said. [Va. bill creating Metro body clears critical hurdle but requires talks on rewriting compact. ] Delaney conceded that his legislation faces very significant challenges in the Republican-dominated House, which has tried unsuccessfully in the past to kill the annual grants for Metro. Delaneys bill, surprisingly, drew criticism from a fellow Democrat, Rep. Gerald E. Connolly (Va.). Connolly praised Delaney for his commitment to improve Metro but said it was a mistake to float the idea of giving Metro an additional $75 million a year. He said he feared Republicans might treat that figure as a substitute for instead of an addition to the existing $150 million the agency receives. You really think the Republican Congress is going to give us two tranches of money? Connolly said. Connolly also faulted Delaneys proposed standards for Metro board members, which would probably have the effect of keeping elected officials off the board. Connolly said Northern Virginia counties and municipalities, which pay most of Virginias share of Metros costs, deserve to have their elected representatives on the board if they so choose. Delaneys bill does not take a stand on whether to keep binding arbitration of labor disputes. Instead, it allows the new board to make that decision. Comstock has said her bill will end binding arbitration to rein in labor costs. Without it, however, unions would be free to strike, raising the risk of work stoppages that would paralyze commuting in the nations capital. But Delaney does insist on adjusting current union contracts to give management greater flexibility, such as to reassign workers or use outside contractors. He would preserve existing wage safeguards for Metro workers under the federal Davis-Bacon Act. Im all for union protections. I also want [management] to be able to operate the system, Delaney said. [How to salvage Metro? Rewrite the compact, says influential D.C. business group.] A centerpiece of Delaneys bill is overhauling the Metro board, which has long been criticized as unwieldy. The board has eight voting members and eight alternates evenly divided among the District, Maryland, Virginia and the federal government. Delaneys bill would get rid of the eight alternates and add the Metro chief executive, Paul J. Wiedefeld, for a total of nine members. In addition, the revised compact would specify that board members have a primary legal responsibility to Metros overall interest. At present, members fiduciary duties are split between representing Metro as whole and representing the jurisdictions that appointed them. The bill also provides that all Metro board members be certified as meeting certain high professional standards in transit, management, finances or safety. For instance, a member would have to have served as a senior executive of a transit authority or have managed more than 1,000 full-time employees for at least five years. It is unclear when Comstock will submit her bill. Spokesman Jeff Marschner said her staff is consulting with key stakeholders including representatives of U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao. This legislation is vitally important for the region, and we want to get it right, Marschner said. In an apparent suggestion that Delaneys bill was likely to fail, Marschner added, We also want [the bill] to have a chance of ultimately becoming law. Metro car 4054 is loaded onto a freight truck at the Greenbelt rail yard in College Park before heading to retirement. The 4000-series models of cars, plagued by door and propulsion issues, will retire with a reputation as the system's most fail-prone cars. (Faiz Siddiqui/The Washington Post) As the truck pulled away from the Greenbelt rail yard with car 4054, a dirty, dusty hunk of aluminum stripped of its Metro insignia, there was little of the nostalgia felt a year ago when the transit agency began retiring its original subway cars. There he goes, Metro General Manager Paul J. Wiedefeld deadpanned, before slipping in a quip: Its a very emotional moment. Metros clunky 4000-series riddled with door, propulsion and brake problems and, unlike earlier models, never treated to a midlife overhaul was nearing the end of its life Wednesday, as the agency began retiring the first cars in the troublesome fleet. The rail cars which began arriving in 1991 and have been in service a quarter-century will leave behind memories of stalled trains, maddening delays and the unsettling experience of doors opening mid-ride. [For Metros original subway cars, the last stop is just ahead] There are really three things that need to work on a train for it to go, said Dan Tangherlini, who served as interim Metro general manager in 2006. The doors, the propulsion system and the brakes. And the 4000-series just had an inability to keep all three of those things going. The cars, made by Italian manufacturer Breda which made two earlier series still in service cost about $1.3 million apiece and logged about 1.5 million miles each during their life span. The 100-car fleet was gradually introduced into the system to supplement service on the initial portion of the Green Line when it opened in 1991. And while they carried Metro through the completion of the original system in 2001 as ridership boomed the series has had to be pulled from service at least three times since then, according to the agency. In 2010, the cars were sidelined because of reports that doors were opening before trains reached the platform. Five years later, the fleet was yanked again for the same problem. The final straw came in November, when Metro pulled the series and then decided to belly the cars sandwiching them between more reliable models after discovering a control glitch that might cause a collision if one of them was in the trains lead position. The transit agency determined that it didnt have the equipment to fix the problem. By January, the 4000-series cars were far underperforming every other model in the Metrorail system. They broke down almost twice as often as the slightly newer 5000-series. And the 6000-series, the agencys most dependable fleet through 2016, was almost four times as reliable, with the 6000-series trains averaging 101,000 miles between delays last year, compared with the 4000-series 26,000. To put it simply: Its the weakest link in the chain, Wiedefeld said. Often, problems with 4000-series cars would snarl trains made of otherwise-reliable cars. Metro expects to see an uptick in performance as the cars are retired and more 7000-series models arrive. The sooner we get those off of here, the more 7000s we get on the system, the better for our customers, Wiedefeld said. So how did cars commissioned in 1991 come to be condemned to the scrap heap years before models that were built decades earlier? Current and former Metro officials said a combination of funding shortages, maintenance and technology challenges, and timing contributed to their early retirement. For starters, the 4000s run on a power system that was nearly outdated the moment they arrived. Even as many rail cars were being upgraded to a more advanced and efficient alternating-current power system in the 1990s, the 4000s arrived with direct-current motors that were never upgraded, Metro officials said. Even so, the older cars were mixed with modern technology in the rehabilitated fleet. Experts say mixing cars with two different technology platforms makes that train set more likely to fail. [For Metro riders, 2017 is Back2Good vs. right-sizing] And mixing the technologies in train sets made failures more likely, particularly when it came to doors. The 4000-series cars have analog circuitry in their doors, while the upgraded models in the legacy fleet have more reliable and advanced digital equipment, officials said. Cutting-edge technology was not the aim when the 4000s were procured, said David L. Gunn, who was Metro general manager from 1991 to 1994. Rather, rail cars were being added to meet capacity needs as the system grew. You built in a newer technology, but it wasnt a great leap forward, Gunn said Wednesday from his home in Nova Scotia. It was an expansion. But ultimately, cars, you figure, are good for 30, 40 years, or even 50 years if theyre well maintained, he said. Moreover, Gunn said, Metros fleet increased by 30 percent from 2002 to 2010, but its maintenance staff only grew by 10 percent in that time leading to a decline in work quality just as the 4000-series cars reached midlife. [In scathing report, FTA blasts Metro track maintenance program] Todays problems, officials said, can be traced back to Metros decision not to give the fleet midlife upgrades. What happens is that toward the end, the fatigue sets in; no matter what you do, you cannot keep up, said Sachit Kakkar, Metros chief engineer for vehicles. Had those cars gone through the midlife overhaul, and we had put enough money into overhaul, this car would still be great. Between the mid-1990s and 2000s, the 1000-, 2000- and 3000-series cars all went through midlife modernization, extending their life spans. Funding shortages prevented the 4000-series from receiving the same treatment, officials said. And because of the outdated power system and other factors, there was an inability to obtain spare parts, Kakkar said. The factors combined to make the 4000-series less reliable, even, than the original model put into service when the system opened in 1976. That model, the 1000-series, was deemed un-crashworthy by the National Transportation Safety Board after the June 2009 Red Line crash at Fort Totten, and Metro prioritized its retirement. Metro said 104 of the 1000-series cars remain, down from more than 280 when the decommissioning process began. Today, because of their individual safety concerns, the 1000- and 4000-series models are the only ones condemned to be bellied between more reliable cars. [Metro pulls rail cars from service after discovering collision risk] Now, the agency aims to remove all 1000- and 4000-series cars from passenger service by the end of 2017, before moving on to the 5000-series models, which number about 200 and will be replaced by the 7000-series. Eventually, Metro plans to replace more than half the fleet with the new 7000s, manufactured by Kawasaki. The effect of retiring the old models is unlikely to be felt by riders, though Metro is receiving about 20 of the new cars per month and getting rid of 16 to 19 of the older models. By late last year, 4000-series cars still in service made up about 7 percent of the 1,212-car passenger fleet. [After SafeTrack, Metro to shift focus to rail cars the biggest cause of delays] The 4000-series models will now be stripped of their Metro logos, radios and some reusable components and sent to Baltimore, where theyll be scrapped in accordance with Environmental Protection Agency requirements. Afterward, Wiedefeld said, some might be donated to police and government agencies for safety training. Unlike the 1000-series models, he said, there will probably be little interest in preserving them. Tangherlini gave the cars, which contributed to so many delays over the years, an abbreviated eulogy. Goodbye and thanks for some service. Most Virginia voters are undecided about this years governors race but theres a heated battle taking place on the Democratic side, and either Democrat would comfortably beat any one of the four Republican candidates, a poll released Thursday found. Six in 10 Democratic- and Republican-leaning voters are undecided, according to Quinnipiac Universitys polling of the 2017 Virginia governors race. Democratic Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam and former congressman Tom Perriello each drew support from 19 percent of Democratic leaning voters. Its a sign that Northam has yet to lock up support two years after declaring his candidacy. Perriello entered the race last month. In the four-person GOP field, former Republican National Committee chairman Ed Gillespie led with support from nearly a quarter of Republican-leaning voters. Corey Stewart, chairman of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors, drew 7 percent of respondents, while State Sen. Frank Wagner (Virginia Beach) took 5 percent and distillery owner Denver Riggleman attracted 2 percent. All four Republican candidates for governor are scheduled to meet Saturday for their first debate in Charlottesville. The poll found both Perriello and Northam would beat the Republican candidates in hypothetical head-to-head matchups. Perriello had slightly larger margins than Northam, while Gillespie fared the best of Republicans in a general election. Although none of the candidates Democrat or Republican is very well known to the Virginia electorate, the Old Dominion obviously has a blue tinge at this point, said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll, in a statement. The fact that relatively unknown Democrats are scoring better than relatively unknown Republicans indicates that for now at least this Democratic brand is more attractive to Virginia voters. The poll also found just over half of respondents approve of the job performance of Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) and two-thirds are happy with the states direction. The Republican-controlled state legislature was much less popular, with 4 in 10 respondents disapproving of its direction. The fact that two-thirds of Virginia voters are satisfied with the way things are going in the state probably helps the Democratic side in the governors race. But that two-thirds satisfaction translates to only a 51 percent job approval for Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe solid but not spectacular, Brown said. Virginia has no party registration, and voters can cast ballots in either major partys June primary. Pollsters surveyed 989 Virginians between Friday and Wednesday, with a margin of about 4.7 percentage points. [Poll: Northam, Gillespie ahead in governors primaries] Another survey this month, by the Wason Center for Public Policy at Christopher Newport University also found that voters were largely undecided. That poll had Northam leading with support from 26 percent of Democratic-leaning voters to Perriellos 15 percent, while nearly 6 in 10 were undecided. And it placed Gillespie at the top of the four-person field with the backing of a third of Republican-leaning voters and his competitors in the single digits. Half of those voters were undecided. David Burwell, the co-founder and first president of the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, a Washington-based organization that has led nationwide efforts to convert thousands of miles of unused railroad corridors to trails and parklands, died Feb. 1 at his home in Bethesda, Md. He was 69. He had complications from acute myeloid leukemia, said his wife, Irene Burwell. Inspired in part by his mother, who helped create an 11-mile bike trail on Cape Cod, Mass., Mr. Burwell was instrumental in building a national movement to preserve green space and to provide options for alternative modes of transportation. As thousands of miles of old railroad lines were abandoned each year, some communities across the country remade them as paths for bicycling and nature walks. The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, which Mr. Burwell founded in 1986 with Peter Harnik, became the first group to coordinate national efforts to build such a network. It was David who turned rails-to-trails from an idea with very good potential into a powerful national force backed by firm legal standing, true political muscle and undeniable financial backing, Harnik said in a statement released by the conservancy. David Burwell in 2011. (Rails-to-Trails Conservancy) The organization was launched with a $75,000 grant from environmental advocate Laurance Rockefeller, who called Mr. Burwell a fireball of energy and determination and talent. Mr. Burwell and Harnik persuaded officials from the Interstate Commerce Commission to develop regulations that eased the conversion of old rail lines to trails. With his training as a lawyer, Mr. Burwell helped untangle thorny right-of-way ownership issues across the country. In the beginning, the rails-to-trails coalition fought road builders and other entrenched interests before it could claim a place as part of the nations surface transportation network. The idea of turning unused lines into a vibrant resource unites many people hiking clubs, cyclists, wildlife advocates, political types who are community-oriented, Mr. Burwell told the San Francisco Chronicle in 1997. But you get long, skinny parks, cutting across several jurisdictions. Such things fall through the cracks of conventional government. Who has the current title? Wholl fund the trail, who winds up managing it? Thats where we arrive, to provide expertise. In 1991, the conservancy won a major battle with the passage of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA), which mandated that a small portion of federal highway funds be reserved for projects other than paved roads. That money helped groups buy old railroad property, rip up the tracks or build new trails alongside existing rail lines. Today, often in conjunction with the National Park Service, the conservancy has helped build more than 2,000 trails on more than 22,000 miles of rail corridors in all 50 states and the District. Another 8,000 miles of trails are in the planning stage. The longest trail, the John Wayne Pioneer Trail, stretches 253 miles in the state of Washington. David Gates Burwell was born Sept. 14, 1947, in Boston and grew up largely in Falmouth and Woods Hole, Mass. His father was a doctor. His mother spent more than a decade spearheading the Shining Sea Bikeway, the rail-trail on Cape Cod. Mr. Burwell received a bachelors degree in government from Dartmouth College in 1969 and a law degree from the University of Virginia in 1973. He practiced law in Boston and Vermont before working for a public interest advocacy group in Massachusetts. He came to Washington in the late 1970s to work on transportation issues for the National Wildlife Federation. He stepped down as president of the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in 2001 to found the Surface Transportation Policy Project. He later worked as a consultant on transportation, the environment and urban policy before directing the energy and climate program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace from 2010 to 2014. His first marriage, to Elizabeth Hennings, ended in divorce. Survivors include his wife of 16 years, the former Irene Ovchinnikova of Bethesda; her son, Victor Ovchinnikov, whom he adopted, of Watertown, Mass.; a sister and brother; and two granddaughters. My dream, Mr. Burwell told a Rails-to-Trails Conservancy publication in 2006, is that one day you could go across this entire country old or young, handicapped or able on flat, wide, off-road paths. I want rail-trails to be Americas main street. A newly sworn-in U.S. citizen leaves a naturalization ceremony Feb. 15 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, where 6,700 immigrants became U.S. citizens during two naturalization ceremonies held there. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) WASHINGTON Dreamer, in U.S. legally, faces removal Federal immigration authorities have arrested and threatened to deport a 23-year-old Mexican immigrant who was living in the United States legally under the Obama administrations Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, according to a lawsuit filed Monday in federal court in Seattle by a group of lawyers, including Harvard Law Schools Laurence Tribe and First Amendment lawyer Ted Boutrous. Daniel Ramirez Medina was taken into custody last week by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Seattle during a raid on his fathers house and transferred to a facility in Tacoma, Wash., despite having committed no crime, according to the habeas corpus petition. He was brought to the United States illegally as a child, the petition says, but was twice granted legal status under the program, known as DACA. His work permit should have been valid for at least an additional year, his attorneys said. The petition says ICE agents had a warrant for the fathers arrest. ICE officers took Mr. Ramirez into custody based on his admitted gang affiliation and risk to public safety, ICE spokeswoman Rose Richeson told The Washington Post in an email, adding that Ramirez was facing removal proceedings before an immigration judge. Ethan Dettmer, an attorney for Ramirez, denied that his client had any gang ties, telling Reuters that Ramirez was repeatedly pressured by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to falsely admit affiliation. Created in 2012 through an executive order by President Barack Obama, the program has given temporary protection to more than 700,000 people often called dreamers who were brought to the country illegally as children. Derek Hawkins One dead, two ill in New York from rat-related disease: One person has died and two more have fallen seriously ill in New York after contracting a disease that commonly spreads through contact with the urine of infected rats, the citys health department said Wednesday. A cluster of three cases of leptospirosis has been identified in one block of the Bronx, the department said. Two people were diagnosed with leptospirosis in December, and a case also was diagnosed in February. Typically, the city sees about one to three cases of leptospirosis each year. Sarah Larimer INDONESIA Runoff likely in race for Jakarta governor Unofficial counts indicate that the acrimonious election for the Indonesian capitals governor will head to a second round, with the incumbent, a minority Christian, failing to secure the 50 percent needed for an outright win. Most of the quick counts carried out by research companies show incumbent Basuki Ahok Purnama, whose campaign was hurt by blasphemy charges, winning 40 percent to 43 percent of the vote. Anies Rasyid Baswedan, a former education minister who courted hard-line Muslims, trails by a couple of points. Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, the son of former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, was in a distant third place that eliminates him from the contest. Religion and Ahoks Chinese ethnicity, rather than the problems that face a car-clogged and sinking Jakarta, dominated the campaign and transformed the election into a high-stakes tussle between conservatives, who want Islam to be ascendant in politics and society, and moderates. Ahoks chances appeared dashed after accusations that he blasphemed the Koran led to criminal charges and a trial, but he rebounded in opinion polls after televised debates. The trial and protests by hard-liners against Ahok in November and December have undermined Indonesias reputation as a tolerant and moderate Muslim-majority nation. Official results of the election are due in late February. Associated Press MEDITERRANEAN SEA Migrant deaths surge along route from Libya Migrant deaths have risen to a record level on the Libya-to-Italy Mediterranean Sea smuggling route, and the increasing number of rescue boats trying to prevent mass drownings there might actually be helping the smugglers, the European Unions border and coast guard chief said. Frontex Executive Director Fabrice Leggeri said Wednesday that authorities face a sad paradox: As the international community increases its efforts to send more rescue ships close to Libya, more people die as smuggling rings pack ever more people onto tiny dinghies and push them out into the open sea. He said the recorded number of migrant drowning deaths on the route in 2016, which might be much less than the true loss of life, stood at 4,579. The central Mediterranean route had 2,869 deaths in 2015 and 3,161 in 2014. A Frontex report, Risk Analysis for 2017, said smugglers have grown more bold and reckless, knowing that rescue boats will be right on the edge of Libyas territorial waters. Associated Press KENYA Doctors union officials released from prison In the wake of a new wave of protests by Kenyas doctors now including those in the private sector the Court of Appeals on Wednesday released seven imprisoned doctors union officials and ordered them back to the negotiating table. The officials had been given one-month sentences for contempt of court in connection with the months-long strike by Kenyas public hospitals over unkept government promises. The doctors are demanding the fulfillment of a 2013 agreement between their union and the government that would raise their pay and improve working conditions. After the officials jailing, Kenyas medical association, which is separate from the public-sector union, urged all health professionals to withdraw their services in protest. A majority of private hospitals shut down in solidarity. The closings, on top of the 75-day-old strike by public hospitals, has left Kenyans almost entirely without any form of health care. Rael Ombuor Yellow fever outbreak in Congo, Angola has ended, WHO says: The World Health Organization has declared an end to a yellow fever outbreak that killed about 400 people in Congo and Angola. The outbreak, first detected in Angola in late 2015, caused 965 confirmed cases and thousands of suspected cases in both countries, the WHO said. Neither country has reported a new confirmed case in six months. German authorities investigate possible Turkish spies: German authorities raided the apartments of four Islamic clerics suspected of spying on opponents of the Turkish government. The clerics, affiliated with a union of Turkish-Islamic cultural organizations in Germany, are suspected of spying on allies of U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, who is accused by the Turkish government of orchestrating a failed July 15 coup attempt. Gulen has denied involvement in the putsch. From news services Lets not mumble or whisper about the central issue facing our country: What is this democratic nation to do when the man serving as president of the United States plainly has no business being president of the United States? The Michael Flynn fiasco was the entirely predictable product of the indiscipline, deceit, incompetence and moral indifference that characterize Donald Trumps approach to leadership. Even worse, Trumps loyalties are now in doubt. Questions about his relationship with Vladimir Putin and Russia will not go away, even if congressional Republicans try to slow-walk a transparent investigation into what ties Trump has with Putins Russia and who on his campaign did what, and when, with Russian intelligence officials and diplomats. Party leaders should listen to those Republicans who are already pondering how history will judge their actions in this wrenching moment. Senators such as John McCain and Lindsey Graham seem to know it is only a matter of time before the GOP will have to confront Trumps unfitness. They also sense that Flynns resignation as national security adviser for lying about the nature of his contacts with Russias ambassador to the United States raises fundamental concerns about Trump himself. [Why do smart people in the White House do stupid things? Because Trump tells them to.] (Adriana Usero/The Washington Post) The immediate political controversy is over how Congress should investigate this. Republican leaders say attention from Congresss intelligence committees is sufficient, and for now Democrats have agreed to this path. But many in their ranks, along with some Republicans, argue it would be better to form a bipartisan select committee that could cross jurisdictional lines and be far more open about its work. Those pushing for the select committee have reason to fear that keeping things under wraps in the intelligence panels could be a way to bury the story for a while and buy Trump time. Letting Americans in on what went on here, and quickly, is the only way to bolster trust in this administration, if that is even possible. And lets face the reality here: It could also hasten the end of a presidency that could do immense damage to the United States. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, in the meantime, must immediately recuse himself from all decisions about all aspects of the Russia investigation by the FBI and the intelligence services. Sessions should step back not simply because he is an appointee of the president but, more importantly, because he was a central figure in the Trump campaign. He cannot possibly be a neutral arbiter, and his involvement would only heighten fears of a coverup. In this dark moment, we can celebrate the vitality of the institutions of a free society that are pushing back against a president offering the country a remarkable combination of authoritarian inclinations and ineptitude. The courts, civil servants, citizens collectively and individually and, yes, an unfettered media have all checked Trump and forced inconvenient facts into the sunlight. It is a sign of how beleaguered Trump is that his Twitter response on Wednesday morning was not to take responsibility but to assign blame. His villains are leakers and the press: Information is being illegally given to the failing @nytimes & @washingtonpost by the intelligence community (NSA and FBI?). Just like Russia. It is notable that in acknowledging that the news reports are based on information, Trump effectively confirmed them. At the same time, he was characteristically wrong about Russia, whose government prevents transparency and punishes those who try to foster it. Theres also this: Kremlin agents stole information from a political party in a free country. That is very different from the actions of the medias informants inside our government who are holding our own officials accountable for their false denials and fictitious claims. [Where is the very first place anybody should have looked for a Russia-Trump connection?] 1 of 83 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad See what President Trump has been doing since taking office View Photos The new president is expected to make his mark on an aggressive legislative agenda. Caption The beginning of the presidents term has featured controversial executive orders and frequent conflicts with the media. March 17, 2017 President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump and their son, Barron, walk to Marine One at the White House en route to Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Fla. Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post Wait 1 second to continue. It will be said that Trump was elected and thus deserves some benefit of the doubt. Isnt it rash to declare him unfit after so little time? The answer is no, because the Trump we are seeing now is fully consistent with the vindictive, self-involved and scattered man we saw during the 17 months of his campaign. In one of the primary debates, Jeb Bush said of Trump: Hes a chaos candidate and hed be a chaos president. Rarely has a politician been so prophetic. And this is why nearly 11 million more Americans voted against Trump than for him. His obligation was to earn the trust of the 60 percent of Americans who told exit pollsters on Election Day that they viewed him unfavorably. Instead, he has ratified their fears, and then some. As a country, we now need to face the truth, however awkward and difficult it might be. Read more from E.J. Dionnes archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook. In theory, if only occasionally in fact, Congress plays a role when a president wants to initiate military hostilities. Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) thinks Congress should also have a say when a president wants to initiate a trade war. Lee is a constitutional, meaning an actual, conservative who is eager for Congress to retrieve some of the power it has improvidently, and sometimes unconstitutionally, delegated to presidents. As a step toward correcting Congresss self-marginalization, he proposes the Global Trade Accountability Act. It is analogous to the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (Reins) Act, which has several times passed the House only to expire in Democratic-controlled Senates. Reins, which the House again passed Jan. 5, would require Congress to approve any major (at least $100 million cost) regulation. The theory is that if legislators fingerprints, rather than just those of unaccountable and secure bureaucrats, are going to be on such regulations, they will receive more exacting cost-benefit analyses. Reins attempts to somewhat expand Congresss governing role as todays sprawling administrative state churns on: Lee notes that last year Congress passed 2,966 pages of laws while federal agencies were churning out 32 times that many (97,110) pages of regulations. [Admit it: Trump is unfit to serve] Lees proposed act pertaining to tariffs is part of the Article I Project, a bicameral collaboration among legislators interested in resuscitating Congresss powers. It would provide for congressional review of the imposition of duties and other trade measures by the executive branch. No such measures could take effect until both houses of Congress pass a joint resolution of approval. Lees excellent proposal would, like Reins, leave Congress in a reactive posture, but at least able to react. House Speaker D. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) declares that were meaning Congress not going to be raising tariffs, but Congress has long since invested presidents with vast discretion regarding tariffs. Tariffs are taxes imposed at the border. The Constitution says Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises and to regulate commerce with foreign nations. Because the country came into existence insisting on no taxation without representation, the initiative in raising revenue was entrusted to the political institution composed of directly elected representatives proportionate to population: The Constitutions origination clause says, All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the House. Although all tariffs raise revenue, not all are primarily for that purpose. Some are intended to protect from competition some industries that the government decides should be favored. So, by repeatedly over a century, beginning with the 1917 Trading with the Enemy Act, delegating to presidents the power to impose tariffs, Congress has empowered them to raise taxes. Lees proposal would require congressional complicity in this core government function. Without it, presidents can wield powers akin to those of a wartime commander in chief. Gary Clyde Hufbauer of the Peterson Institute for International Economics notes that the Trading with the Enemy Act is the mother of all presidential powers over international trade. In 1933, newly inaugurated President Franklin D. Roosevelts first act was to invoke a section of the act never mind that the nation was not at war to declare a national emergency and order a bank holiday, actions that were, as Hufbauer says, at best remotely related to foreign commerce. Congress promptly extended the act to cover national emergencies declared by presidents. In 1971, the national emergency invoked to justify President Richard Nixons 10 percent surcharge on imports was the Korean War. It had never been declared and essentially had ended 18 years earlier, but the emergency that was declared when it began had never been formally ended. [Why do smart people in the White House do stupid things? Because Trump tells them to.] Although the acts opening language says it pertains in time of war, the current president could use it with impunity to legitimize his imposition of tariffs, citing ongoing U.S. operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977, like the Trading with the Enemy Act, and six other statutes give presidents vast power to regulate international commerce during an unusual and extraordinary threat, which the current president thinks is the nations current condition. And courts defer to presidents about emergencies. 1 of 83 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad See what President Trump has been doing since taking office View Photos The new president is expected to make his mark on an aggressive legislative agenda. Caption The beginning of the presidents term has featured controversial executive orders and frequent conflicts with the media. March 17, 2017 President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump and their son, Barron, walk to Marine One at the White House en route to Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Fla. Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post Wait 1 second to continue. Congress last passed a declaration of war many wars ago, on June 5, 1942, regarding Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria. Since then, Congress has explicitly authorized certain uses of military force, but its ability to inhibit presidential discretion regarding war-making has atrophied. If Congress passes Lees measure, and Trump signs it, it will limit presidential discretion regarding trade wars and will crimp the modern presidencys imperial swagger. Read more from George F. Wills archive or follow him on Facebook. PRESIDENT TRUMP on Wednesday signaled a dangerous retreat from the Middle East policy that Republican as well as Democratic presidents have pursued for the past two decades. In a news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Mr. Trump said he can live with a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that creates a single state for both peoples, rather than separate Israeli and Palestinian entities. He did so while strongly asserting his desire to broker a bigger and better deal in the region. In fact, by retreating from the two-state formula, the president has made the already slim prospects for an accord even more remote and increased the chances that one of the few relatively peaceful corners of the region will return to conflict. Mr. Trump cast his policy shift which contradicted the position of not just President Barack Obama, but also Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton as a matter of acting as a neutral broker. Im looking at two states and one state. I can live with either one, he said, depending on what the Israelis and Palestinians agreed to. But there is no workable one-state formula under which Israel would remain both a Jewish state and democratic. Palestinians rightly say a single state would have to grant them equal rights, including full voting rights. Most Israelis who favor it imagine an apartheid-like system in which Palestinians would live in areas with local autonomy but without either sovereignty or the same democratic rights as Jews. Mr. Trump may have been trying to accommodate Mr. Netanyahu, who has been under tremendous pressure from his far-right coalition partners to abandon the two-state formula, which he endorsed in 2009. For his part, the Israeli prime minister declined to restate his support for Palestinian statehood, instead insisting that peace would require Palestinians to recognize Israel as a Jewish state and accept Israeli security control over all of the West Bank. Both leaders indicated they will seek to pursue a new diplomatic avenue first proposed last year by Mr. Netanyahu in which Israel would develop closer ties with Arab Sunni states, which presumably would help broker a settlement with Palestinians. But Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan will never support a deal in which Palestinians do not have full political rights; Mr. Netanyahu, at least, surely knows this. His proposal for a regional initiative is less a serious peace plan than a dodge. By naively embracing it, Mr. Trump has set himself up for diplomatic failure. He also has raised the odds that Palestinian frustration will spill over into a new wave of violence. To his credit, Mr. Trump did seek to check Mr. Netanyahu in one area: settlements. The Israeli leader, who recently approved thousands of new West Bank housing units, responded that he would seek an agreement with Mr. Trump so we dont bump into each other. A U.S.-Israeli deal limiting construction to existing communities close to Israels borders would have the practical effect of preserving the possibility of side-by-side states. If Mr. Trump really wants to broker a deal, he should start by pressing Mr. Netanyahu for such a commitment. AS A candidate, Donald Trump pledged zero tolerance for criminal aliens, a stance, stripped of its tough-guy rhetoric, that might not have represented too drastic a departure from President Barack Obamas prioritization of undocumented felons for deportation. Within days of taking office, however, Mr. Trump issued an executive order that expanded the definition of criminality so broadly as to encompass virtually any undocumented immigrant charged with a crime or even suspected of having broken a law. In sweeps by immigration agents across the country, the new administration seemed to be making good on Mr. Trumps threat by arresting more than 600 undocumented immigrants, most of them in metropolitan areas in a dozen or so states. While the actions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in themselves were not dissimilar to raids undertaken during the Obama administration which in the 2012 fiscal year alone resulted in the deportation of more than 400,000 people they unleashed a wave of anxiety in immigrant communities. For good reason, they feel they are in the new presidents crosshairs. That anxiety was fed by reports, subsequently confirmed by ICE officials, that along with unauthorized immigrants who had committed serious crimes, others were caught in the dragnet if they happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, lacking papers. In a conference call with reporters, David Marin, a top ICE official in Los Angeles, justified the raids by saying that dangerous criminals who should be deported are being released into our communities. At the same time, though, he cast doubt on his own assertion by acknowledging that about 40 of the roughly 160 undocumented immigrants detained by ICE agents in the Los Angeles area had been convicted not of felonies but of misdemeanors and in a few cases had no criminal convictions at all. Its anyones guess how those 40 count as dangerous criminals who should be deported. The president says he will hire 15,000 additional immigration officers and Border Patrol agents, if Congress will pay for them, and advocates for undocumented immigrants are braced for more sweeps. Immigration courts, already so clogged that hearings are scheduled 18 months and more in advance, may face a fresh deluge of detainees. It is sensible policy to target undocumented immigrants who are convicted felons, especially repeat offenders, for deportation. Gang members who have committed violent crimes, drug traffickers and others who represent a genuine threat to public safety should be found and sent packing, as they were during the Obama administration. It is hard to imagine what purpose is served by focusing on immigrants with clean records, unless instilling terror in immigrant communities is the goal. Of the estimated 11 million illegal immigrants, most have been in this country for more than 15 years. Roughly 8 million of them are in the workforce. Large numbers have children, spouses and other relatives who are U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents. They are part of this countrys fabric, and to deport them en masse is wrong. The Feb. 11 Metro article U.S. transit funds withheld from Va., Md., D.C. reported that Virginia, Maryland and the District will not receive as much as $15 million from the Federal Transit Administration until their governments approve an oversight commission for Metro. The article included responses from legislators from all three jurisdictions, each describing how crucial these funds are to their jurisdiction. Notably absent was Virginia Del. James M. LeMunyon (R), who represents Fairfax County and Sterling, areas that support and depend on Metro. Mr. LeMunyon has been slow-walking the approval of the oversight board to wring concessions from Metros board of directors on labor issues. Wrong time, wrong place. Mr. LeMunyon achieved nothing except to delay creation of an important safety board something riders in Fairfax and Sterling need and a holdup in the disbursement of much-needed transit funds. Shirley Cross, Chantilly Correction: An earlier version of this review incorrectly said that Trayvon Martin had a can of Arizona iced tea with him on the night of his death. He had a can of Arizona Watermelon Fruit Juice. This text has been updated. Wesley Lowery is a national reporter for The Washington Post and author of They Cant Kill Us All: Ferguson, Baltimore, and a New Era in Americas Racial Justice Movement. Mamie Till-Mobley published Death of Innocence nearly 50 years after the murder of her 14-year-old son, Emmett Till. Her 2004 book, an account of Emmetts life and death and the failure of justice in his killing, has served as a handbook for other families suffering a similar fate. I quietly pray for the grieving mothers of other missing or murdered children, Till-Mobley wrote. We are connected, these other mothers and I. We share a bond, the knowledge of an exclusive few. In February 2012, Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin gained that painful knowledge. Their son, 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, was shot and killed as he walked home from a convenience store in Sanford, Fla., a bag of Skittles in his hand and a can of Arizona Watermelon Fruit Juice in his pocket. His killer, George Zimmerman, was a self-appointed neighborhood watchman who found Trayvon suspicious. Zimmerman, armed with a gun, followed the boy, prompting a confrontation. After the shooting, Zimmerman claimed self-defense, and local police let him go. [A reporter on the front lines of police killings of African Americans] The nations eyes turned to Sanford as thousands demanded that Zimmerman be arrested and tried. I am Trayvon became a rallying cry painted on protest signs and posted online by athletes and celebrities. And later, after a jury declined to convict Zimmerman, the decision prompted the creation of a new, insistent refrain: Black lives matter. "Rest in Power: The Enduring Life of Trayvon MartinJan 31, 2017 by Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin (Spiegel & Grau) Like Tills mother, Trayvons parents were unprepared for the attention their sons death stirred, and they have worked to ensure that his name and his tragedy will not be forgotten. Now, five years after his death, they have published a beautiful, searing account of their experience. Rest in Power: The Enduring Life of Trayvon Martin is an intimate portrait of their slain son and a detail-rich chronicle of the year from his death to his killers acquittal. In death, Trayvon Martin became a martyr and a symbol of racial injustice, a name and a face on T-shirts, posters, and protest signs, Fulton writes in the books opening pages. When he was alive, of course, he was none of those things, Fulton writes. He was simply a boy, growing into a young man, with all of the wonder and promise and struggle that that journey entails. The book proceeds chronologically in alternating chapters narrated by each parent. We join Tracy Martin in the frantic search for his son the morning after the shooting, when he realizes that Trayvon had never come home. Then we are taken next to Sybrina Fulton in Miami as she hears confirmation of her sons death: Trayvon is gone. [Finally we hear from the white woman who drew Emmett Tills wolf-whistle] Next came three difficult battles: first, the push to get local police to publicly release 911 tapes and other crucial evidence; then, the campaign to have Zimmerman arrested, charged and tried; and finally, the trial itself. At each juncture, Trayvons parents provide what amount to diary entries containing their resolve and their frustration. While the chapters are written separately, this book is not just the story of grieving parents. It is the tale of two individuals, two partners even in divorce bound forever by their son and drawn close again by his loss. Striking, too, is their recall of the graciousness and solidarity that were showered upon them by the attorneys who never gave up, the public relations consultant who worked for months pro bono, and the activists and organizers from New York and D.C. who took up Trayvons cause and havent stoppped. Strangers descended on our cause like angels, Martin writes. Fulton recalls that she had no desire to travel to Sanford to see the place where her son was killed. But when she arrived for the first time, she couldnt look away from the memorial that residents had made for Trayvon. She knew then that she was not alone. While the book tracks only the years 2012 and 2013, with just passing references to Ferguson, Mo., and the protest movement that came later, the cocoon of support and outrage that surrounded Trayvons death eerily forecast the racially charged cases that followed. Calls for justice came quickly from both the civil rights old guard, the Jesse Jacksons and Al Sharptons, as well as from a new crop of young activists, such as the Dream Defenders and Million Hoodies United for Justice, who would take to the streets and stay there. Also here to stay are Trayvons parents, who six months after his death created the Trayvon Martin Foundation and who have served as mentors and friends to the parents of Eric Garner, Michael Brown, Tamir Rice, and other black men and women whose deaths have stunned the nation and saddled their loved ones with the knowledge of the exclusive few. That Fulton and Martin have become the elder counselors of this morbid fraternity should perhaps surprise no one. Midway through the book, Martin recalls one of Fultons first television interviews after Trayvons death, in which an MSNBC host asked just how long she planned to keep fighting. Until the day I die, she responded, in a tone not much different from Till-Mobleys. I am a mother, and I want justice for my son, and I wont stop until I receive that. THE NEWS that members of President Trumps circle had repeated contacts with Russian intelligence officials in the year before the election, reported by the New York Times on Tuesday, might have been less concerning if the president had responded by explaining or condemning the contacts and accepting the need for an impartial investigation. Instead, on Wednesday morning, he dashed off a half-dozen tweets in which he curiously both denied the news and attacked the leakers who disclosed it. In so doing, he gave more cause for Republicans and Democrats to demand answers about his opaque and increasingly troubling ties with Moscow. The fake news media is going crazy with their conspiracy theories and blind hatred, Mr. Trump tweeted. This Russian connection non-sense is merely an attempt to cover-up the many mistakes made in Hillary Clintons losing campaign. Then he insisted, The real scandal here is that classified information is illegally given out by intelligence like candy. Very un-American! The emerging White House line that questions about a Trump campaign-Russia connection merely reflect a war by the intelligence community on the president makes little sense. In fact, the FBI, not some rogue spy agency, has taken the lead role in investigating contact with Russian officials by associates of Mr. Trump. That would be the same agency whose questionable disclosures about its probes of Ms. Clintons emails may have gained Mr. Trump the presidency. Moreover, those who are properly concerned about Mr. Trumps possible connections to the regime of Vladimir Putin are not mere Clinton dead-enders, but a growing and bipartisan list of senators. To be clear, there is still plenty the public does not know. The nature of the apparent communications remains murky. Direct evidence that the Trump campaign colluded with Russian officials to sway the election continues to be lacking. But even the scant details already reported challenge previous assurances from Mr. Trump that no one on his staff had contact with the Russians during the campaign. Notably, White House press secretary Sean Spicer echoed those claims from the lectern on Tuesday just before reports emerged suggesting otherwise. His credibility, like that of the White House as a whole, has been shattered after less than four weeks on the job. It is heartening to hear that the FBI has devoted significant resources to investigating any connections between Mr. Trumps circle and a foreign government committed to weakening the United States and its allies. Because he was so close to the Trump campaign, Attorney General Jeff Sessions should recuse himself from any and all decisions relating to that investigation. Still, the latest news, on the heels of the forced resignation of national security adviser Michael Flynn over contacts with the Russian ambassador, underscores the dire need for a broader, bipartisan probe of Russias election-year meddling. Members of the Senate Intelligence Committee insist that the panel is working diligently. But there may well be strong political pressure on Republicans to choke the investigation or to keep key findings secret. Senior House Republicans, for example, still seem uninterested in seriously probing these issues. If congressional inquiries ultimately are derailed by politics, an independent commission must be empaneled. White House senior adviser Stephen K. Bannon on Feb. 2, left, and, at right, a photo of him during his Navy days. (Left to right: Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post; Courtesy of the Bannon family) Like presidential senior counselor Stephen K. Bannon, I was a junior officer on a ship in the Persian Gulf involved in the failed attempt to free U.S. hostages in Iran [Bannons Navy experience shaped his worldview, front page, Feb. 13]. Like Mr. Bannon, I and many of my shipmates felt a sense of defeat, and it was disheartening. However, with time and some perspective, I came to understand that U.S. leaders were dealing with a complex and difficult political reality the same reality then-President Ronald Reagans administration had to navigate when 241 Marines were killed in Lebanon, and with later administrations following events in Mogadishu, Somalia, and, of course, the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Unlike Mr. Bannon, my fellow service members and I did not decide to declare war on an entire religion or promote some hyper-jingoism to try to get over the past. There must be other factors at work in the radicalization of Mr. Bannon. Bob Johnson, Burke Jim Hoagland is a contributing editor for The Post. The most disturbing habit that President Trump and his aides have shown in their disastrous break from the gate is the pure recklessness of their behavior and words. When their bluffs are called, they have left themselves no room to maneuver or correct course without having to abandon their original heading. Michael Flynns brief career as Trumps national security adviser lies in ruins after he discussed U.S. sanctions with the Russian ambassador to Washington before Trump was in office and then apparently lied about that conversation to his bosses and the public. Flynn should have paid more attention to the wily ways of the Russian diplomat, Sergey Kislyak, with whom he was reportedly dealing during and after the campaign. And other Trump campaign officials who are alleged to have been in touch with Russian intelligence officials dont seem to have been very aware of Washington rules on how to identify and deal with spies. Finally, those who speak for Trump seem to ignore the Watergate adage that the coverup is frequently worse than the crime that their heated, all-encompassing denials about the president and the Russians keep the story boiling and bring new scrutiny. A case in point is press secretary Sean Spicers continuing refusal to confirm that Trump campaign officials were in touch with Russian diplomats and other Russians before the election, despite persuasive reports based on law enforcement and intelligence agency intercepts and the Russians own confirmation. When I heard Kislyak publicly acknowledge two days after Trumps election victory that he and his staff had had contacts with Trump campaign, I pressed him for some details. Speaking to a group of students and scholars at Stanford University, he brushed me off with a worldly wise disclaimer that the contacts had been routine and he would not elaborate. He reiterated that position to The Post this week after Flynns resignation, even as Spicer persisted. Lack of experience and lack of appointed staff throughout the administration are crippling flaws for Team Trump. But even more destructive, especially in foreign affairs, is the hubris that Trump displays and demands from his subordinates. They proudly ignore the Washington folkways that apply to dealing with Russians or other adversaries, as well as with allies. In the Cold War days, an out-of-the-blue telephone call to a reporter or columnist from a Soviet embassy official or journalist that might include an invitation to lunch was a sure sign that the caller was an intelligence officer. No one else would have been authorized to reach out in that manner. When I engaged in such contacts, I sought to limit myself to repeating what I had already written about an administrations policies or personnel. That was especially true for one KGB station chief who, it turned out, was known to the FBI as a specialist in wet affairs, or assassinations. But there was some gain from these encounters as well. Some of the best analysis I received in the late 1980s on the impending collapse of the Soviet empire came from a KGB agent and from an East German intelligence officer, both of whom could see the internal rot spreading rapidly. So contact in and of itself is not an evil to be avoided at all costs. But even in Putins Russia, that contact has to be controlled, open to scrutiny from others and free of conflicts of interest. Flynns 2015 trip to Moscow to sit beside Putin at a banquet and his post-election exchange with Kislyak fell short. So does most of the rest of the Trump administrations dealings with Moscow. They have incubated suspicion that Trumps business interests depend on foreign financing that has given the Russians leverage over this president. But if Trumps dealings with Moscow inspire distrust, so do his administrations dealings with the American public. Spicer has now been caught in so many bare-faced falsehoods that a Nixon-era saying has become current again: He lies not just because it is in his interests but because it is in his nature. Washington is familiar with credibility gaps. It now deals with a credibility canyon that cannot be easily bridged. Most of what I have referred to as Washington folkways can be boiled down to common sense. Do not lie to people on Monday and expect them to trust you anew on Tuesday. Do not try to shout your way out of a crisis with falsehoods and insults, which can only boomerang on your own credibility. I tend toward historical optimism, so I am not ready yet to write off this administration. Is it possible that the Flynn affair will serve as a mild heart attack for this White House and get it to give up its bad habits? I hope so. But the country could use some proof of that, and fast. President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump and their son, Barron, walk to Marine One at the White House en route to Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Fla. March 17, 2017 President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump and their son, Barron, walk to Marine One at the White House en route to Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Fla. Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post The beginning of the presidents term has featured controversial executive orders and frequent conflicts with the media. The new president is expected to make his mark on an aggressive legislative agenda. The new president is expected to make his mark on an aggressive legislative agenda. See what President Trump has been doing since taking office See what President Trump has been doing since taking office For the past eight years, a presidential news conference was a chance to hear from Professor Obama, the long-winded lecturer in chief who expounded on domestic politics and international relations with nuance, depth, range and, most of all, a lot of words. Under the new administration, brevity is in. President Trump, who has carved out a niche online as the tweeter in chief, is willing to go beyond 140 characters while fielding questions from reporters at the White House. But sometimes, it seems, not by much. Trumps joint news conferences with foreign leaders are brisker affairs. He is not interested in filibustering answers to run out the clock, the way Obama did, but prefers racing through them in a mix of simplistic declarative sentences, ad-libs and non sequiturs. When he does fall back on talking points, as all politicians inevitably do, they are not the kind that come from a briefing book prepared by an aide. Rather, Trumps talking points often appear to spring from his own id and have little or nothing to do with the subject at hand. (Sarah Parnass/The Washington Post) Wednesday offered another example. Appearing in the East Room with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump answered a question about whether the United States was giving up on a two-state solution to Middle East peace, a major change in policy, with 74 words that amounted to his being okay with two states, one state or the one that both parties like. To a question about his proposal to relocate the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem a move that could inflame tensions with the Palestinians Trump was even briefer, offering a 38-word response that hed love to see that happen and that his administration was looking at it very, very strongly . . . with great care, believe me. He did not explain why, what factors he was considering or when it might happen. Most perplexing was Trumps response to a pointed challenge from an Israeli journalist who suggested that many in the Jewish community say that his brand of politics is propagating racism, xenophobia and a rise of anti-Semitism in the United States. Trump spent slightly more time answering this thorny question: 230 words. But the first 56 of them centered on one of his most reliable talking points: boasting about his electoral college victory over Hillary Clinton. We were not supposed to crack 220, he said. Turning to Netanyahu on his right, Trump sought some affirmation: You know that, right? Taking on the question more generally, Trump then offered a number of sweeping promises We are going to have peace, We are going to stop crime before pointing out that he has so many friends who are Jewish, including his daughter Ivanka and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, both sitting in the front row. Trump wrapped up by predicting that a lot of good things would happen to the country under his watch: Youre going to see a lot of love. Youre going to see a lot of love. Okay? Thanks. Trump didnt even bother denying the accusations laid out in the reporters question. In all, Trump spoke fewer than 1,000 words in response to questions from four reporters. By comparison, when Obama joined Netanyahu for a joint news conference in Jerusalem in 2013, he employed more than 2,350 words in fielding queries from four reporters. Trumps economy of words at his White House news conferences matches other aspects of his governing style. He is said not to read books and prefers aides to deliver policy reviews in one-page documents replete with bullet points. Obama, in his final year, carved out hours of his time to discuss his legacy with historians and magazine writers in long-form interviews, even penning his own treatises of 5,000 words for academic journals. Trump prefers to engage in the sound-bite pithiness of cable news and quick-cut optics of reality TV. During a hastily arranged joint appearance with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe last weekend in the wake of North Koreas ballistic missile test, Trump stepped to the lectern after Abe and appeared to disregard a written statement prepared by staffers. Instead, he spoke 23 words off the cuff: I just want everybody to understand and fully know that the United States of America stands behind Japan, its great ally, 100 percent. Trump neglected to mention another U.S. ally in equal, if not greater, potential jeopardy: South Korea. If Obama, a former constitutional law professor, came across as overly cerebral and, on occasion, haughty, Trumps style makes him appear unprepared or, at times, disinterested. But both presidents have used their unique styles to obfuscate on knotty issues. Obamas answers often drowned his audience in this case, reporters in an ocean of words, making modest shifts in the administrations position nearly indecipherable and requiring attentive listening even as it became difficult to remember the question. Trumps quick changes of topic can make it challenging for reporters to pin him down. Trump and his press secretary, Sean Spicer, often move on to another questioner so quickly that reporters are unable to ask a follow-up. And the White House has been accused of favoring conservative-leaning news outlets in hopes of getting friendly questions and coverage. Trump is also adept at employing verbal assaults on his political rivals, including reporters, to divert attention and gain the upper hand. He opened his answers Wednesday by reiterating his attack, first leveled on Twitter, against the fake media for its treatment of his former national security adviser, Michael Flynn, who resigned earlier in the week amid reports that he had misled the administration about his contact with Russian government officials. Later in the day, however, Trump had less to say about the circumstances of Andrew Puzder, who withdrew as Trumps labor secretary nominee amid widespread bipartisan opposition. In an impromptu session outside his office, Spicer told reporters that a presidential statement on Puzder was forthcoming. A few moments later, an aide handed Spicer a note, and the spokesman amended his guidance: The president would have nothing to say after all. Read more: Donald Trump was asked a question about anti-Semitism. His answer was about the electoral college. In the early weeks of the new administration, the humbling of a president Upheaval is now standard operating procedure inside the White House President Trump is stuck in a time warp. As he seeks to steer his young administration through what is shaping up to be a test of his capacity to govern, he seems unable to put 2016 behind him. Urgency is mounting about Russias brazenness in breaching U.S. security, and new questions are being raised about Trump aides dealings with Moscow during the campaign and transition. But to the president, its still all about the election. The Democrats had to come up with a story as to why they lost the election, and so badly (306), so they made up a story RUSSIA. Fake news! Trump tweeted Thursday, noting in parentheses the number of electoral votes he won in November. (Peter Stevenson/The Washington Post) The president brought up his electoral vote total again later in the day at a combative news conference, where he claimed falsely that his was the biggest electoral college win since Ronald Reagan. In fact, of the presidents since Reagan, only George W. Bush won fewer electoral votes than Trump did last year. Trump also made 12 references to Hillary Clinton during the 1 hour and 17 minute news conference. Trump shows little interest in a growing pile of evidence that Russia attempted to influence the outcome of the election. And he doesnt seem curious about whether those who worked for him had improper contact with Russian agents. Instead, he is accusing the intelligence community of disclosing information without authorization, and blaming the news media for harping on it. His priorities worry those who see in Russias behavior as a real threat to U.S. security not only last year, but also going forward. The focus cant be on leaks. The focus cant be on Hillary [Clinton]. The focus has to be on what happened, said Richard Haass, the president of the Council on Foreign Relations, who served in senior positions under the past three Republican presidents. Hes got to use this to clean house, and to essentially reboot his administration. The chaos, Haass added, is both a cause and a symptom of a governing crisis. [The Fall of Michael Flynn: A Timeline] Then-national security adviser Michael T. Flynn gives his daily news briefing at the White House on Feb. 1. Flynn was forced to resign his post. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post) The turmoil over Russia speaks to a larger lack of focus in the Trump White House. With mixed signals coming from the administration, there has been scant progress on key parts of the Republicans agenda most notably, the repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act that Trump promised would be underway in the early weeks of his presidency. And Trumps most dramatic initiative to date, his order banning citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries as well as refugees from entering the United States, was clumsily executed and has been blocked at least temporarily by the court system. Yet the presidents touchstones, his points of reference for nearly every question of substance, are the triumphs and lingering grievances of his campaign. This Russian connection non-sense is merely an attempt to coverup the many mistakes made in Hillary Clintons losing campaign, he tweeted Wednesday morning. Hours later, at a news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump said that Michael T. Flynn who resigned as national security adviser two days earlier amid revelations that he had given misleading accounts of his contacts with the Russian ambassador to the United States was actually the victim of forces trying to cover up for a terrible loss that the Democrats had under Hillary Clinton. Asked about anti-Semitism during that same appearance alongside Netanyahu, Trumps first response was to boast about his electoral vote total. At a White House luncheon last week to discuss his Supreme Court nominee, Neil Gorsuch, with a bipartisan group of senators, Trump once again made his baseless claim that millions of votes were cast illegally. The campaign environment remains his comfort zone. So eager is he to return that on Saturday, he will hold a rally in Florida that White House press secretary Sean Spicer described as a campaign event. [Flynn saga shifts balance of power between president, Congress] In the meantime, however, calls are growing for a thorough and wide-ranging investigation of the questions surrounding Russias efforts to influence the election and its interactions with those close to Trump. The accusations regarding the Trump campaigns ties to Russia are creating a cloud over the White House. They should be fairly investigated by the Congress in a bipartisan manner. It would serve the presidents interests to get to the bottom of this so he can move forward with his agenda, said Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.). Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said in an interview with St. Louis radio station KTRS: I think everybody needs that investigation to happen. In earlier situations, presidents have sought to get ahead of a brewing controversy by calling for an investigation themselves. President Ronald Reagan, for instance, appointed a bipartisan commission to look into the Iran-contra affair just days after it became public in 1986 that money from secret arms sales to Iran had been used to support rebels in Nicaragua, despite a legal prohibition on using government money to aid a right-wing group known as the contras. In 2002, President George W. Bush appointed an independent commission to investigate the circumstances surrounding the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 including the politically sensitive question of why the government had not adequately prepared to prevent it. Former congressman Lee H. Hamilton (D-Ind.), who was vice chairman of the 9/11 Commission, said in an interview that a similar approach is warranted now with respect to Russia. Very aggressive leadership is necessary, Hamilton said. Theres just an awful lot out there that needs to be clarified and investigated independently by people who do not have an interest in the outcome of the investigation. I am doubtful that the Congress can put together a very robust investigation, he added. Their performance on oversight in recent years has been deplorable timid and not robust enough. Former New Jersey governor Thomas H. Kean (R), who chaired the 9/11 Commission, agreed that the issue deserves further investigation, but said that lawmakers should be given the first opportunity to conduct any inquiry. If Congress can do it, Congress ought to do it, Kean said. However it is conducted, a substantive investigation would pose a reckoning for Trump and his administration one in which not every question could be answered by reprising a campaign attack line. Rep. Mark Sanford (R-SC), left, and Rep. Tom Garrett, Jr. (R-VA), right, look on as Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) speaks at a press conference on Capitol Hill Wednesday. They announced their Affordable Care Act replacement with House Freedom Caucus members. (Michael Robinson Chavez/The Washington Post) House Republican leaders plan to unveil on Thursday elements of their plan to repeal and largely replace portions of the Affordable Care Act. House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) told reporters Wednesday that committee leaders will brief GOP lawmakers on some specific proposals at a closed-door meeting scheduled for Thursday morning. The meeting comes as leaders are working to rally sharply divided GOP members around a single plan to remake the health-care law. [Ryan faces major test in selling Obamacare repeal and replacement] Asked whether leaders planned to announce specific elements of the repeal-and-replace plan that will be included in upcoming legislation McCarthy said, Yes. McCarthy did not say which elements of the plan would be detailed at the meeting. But House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-Tex.) said he plans to discuss both repealing the law and ways to give states greater control over health-care decisions. Ill be visiting about the areas in my jurisdiction, Brady said. Health savings accounts, individual credits so people can buy the plan thats right for them thats portable. A senior GOP aide said Wednesday that lawmakers would be presented with a menu of replacement items such as tax credits for purchasing insurance, health savings accounts, high-risk pools for the chronically sick, and major Medicaid reforms, as well as potential ways those elements could be passed into law. But not all of those possible pieces have widespread support among Republicans, who will need to produce 218 votes among their 239 members. Among the most controversial are the tax credits, which under the framework backed by House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.), could be refunded to taxpayers much like the existing Obamacare tax subsidies even to low-income Americans who would owe no tax. Many conservatives have grown tired of waiting for House leaders to follow through on their campaign promises to repeal the ACA. Members of the influential House Freedom Caucus announced their own repeal legislation Wednesday to roll back most of the law and move millions of Americans into health savings accounts (HSAs). We were tired of waiting, said Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) at a news conference on the legislation, and thats why we said: Lets go. Lets go now. Their plan, introduced by Rep. Mark Sanford (R-S.C.) and Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), would end Medicaid expansion, decouple health insurance from employers, offer a tax credit of up to $5,000 to fund HSAs, and eliminate most regulations on what health plans must cover. Insurers would be able to sell policies across state lines; regulations that mandate birth-control coverage would be nixed. What if 30 percent of the public had health savings accounts? Paul asked. What do you do when you use your own money? You call up doctors and ask the price. . . . If you create a real marketplace, you drive prices down. The hard-line conservatives rationale for backing the bill is partly that it exists, while at this point the frequently re-branded plan from GOP leadership does not. There seems to be a coalescing around principles; I dont think its gotten deep in the weeds about what it will actually include yet, Sanford in an interview about the larger GOP effort. House leaders hope to prove Thursday that they, too, can provide details. House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Greg Walden (R-Ore.) defended the pace of the repeal effort. He said that it took time to make sure members had a chance to weigh in on a plan and the Thursday meeting should clear up some of their concerns. I think theyll come away well-informed with what the options are and have a chance to give us their feedback before we move to the next step, which would be a hearing, markup, whatever between now and the end of March, Walden said. Well have some options available for people to look at. Those options may not be enough to appease a growing number of Republicans who insist the repeal bill should go at least as far as a measure approved by Congress in 2015. That effort ended with a veto from President Barack Obama, but GOP leaders touted it as proof of what could be possible with a Republican president. The 2015 resolution is the floor, said Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.) at a roundtable for reporters Tuesday. We all approved of that in 2015. There should be no reason we cant approve of that again. Read more at PowerPost Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) addresses the media on Capitol Hill Wednesday about the fallout from the resignation of Michael Flynn as national security adviser. (Michael Robinson Chavez/The Washington Post) The real world is full of hot wars and cold wars, but the Senate is now fully engaged in a turf war. The battle lines are being drawn by the very powerful leaders of the committees that oversee national security matters, who are trying to assert jurisdiction over the unfolding saga surrounding U.S. assertions that Russia tried to disrupt the 2016 presidential campaign. Before this week, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), seeking to cordon off the probe inside the most secretive of panels, the Senate Intelligence Committee, had faced off against Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), who for weeks had called for a more sweeping public investigation. But the pressure for more immediate and visible action has intensified with Michael Flynns resignation as national security adviser after revelations that he spoke repeatedly with the Russian ambassador last year. With new details coming almost daily, frustration has grown on Capitol Hill with the slow pace of the Intelligence Committees work, under its chairman, Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.). And that has sparked new interest in whether other committees should get a piece of the action or whether a select committee should be created that would pull in the top members of all the relevant committees. After a pair of bipartisan, closed-door huddles, Burr still had the lead role on the investigation. But doubt was creeping in. [Senate Democrats unify around congressional probe of Trump ties to Russia] I guess the question is, is that the best way to have a fulsome look, 360, at everything thats been going on? And I dont know, Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told reporters before the GOPs luncheon. Corker said he is mulling the right path, whether its a select committee or just giving out more pieces of the investigation to other panels. Im telling you that Im not sure we have the most efficient situation right now on this, he said. Burr said hes doing just fine. Were into it and we will methodically continue, he told reporters. But while other senators, both Republicans and Democrats, have called for Flynn to testify about his discussions with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak in December about economic sanctions, Burr also acknowledged that his panel has not decided whether to do so. We dont even know what to ask Mr. Flynn, Burr said. [Pence remains above the fray, but is he outside the inner circle?] Turf wars dont split on ideological lines. They often hinge more on which committees get the clout and glamour that come with a high-profile investigation. These are moments that can often define a senators career. Even before Flynns resignation landed at 11 p.m. Monday, commentators were demanding, What did the president know and when did he know it? parrying the infamous line uttered in 1973 by Sen. Howard Baker (R-Tenn.) when he served on the special committee to investigate the Watergate scandal. Burr has the backing of the top Democrat on his committee, Sen. Mark R. Warner (Va.), who said he told Democrats that there was no need to expand the investigation beyond his panel. Weve already started this process. Were already starting to review the raw intelligence. We are well down this path, Warner said. He also told his colleagues that creating a new select committee would be cumbersome, requiring new legislative authority, a staff and a retread of much of the ground that the Intelligence Committee is already covering. Warners comments came after a previously unscheduled gathering of the Democratic caucus, which Schumers aides trumpeted as an emergency meeting because of Tuesdays report in the New York Times that intelligence officials had traced contacts between Trump advisers and Russian intelligence officials throughout the 2016 campaign. Yet Schumer emerged with nothing new to add to the investigative spectrum other than to say that Democrats would push other committees to weigh in at times. In December, as intelligence officials confirmed their belief that Russian cyberattacks and other efforts were designed to help Trump win, Schumer and Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) led an unsuccessful call for the creation of a select committee. Some Democrats and Republicans latched onto the idea again in light of the latest media reports, including The Washington Posts report Monday that senior officials had warned the Trump administration that Flynns conversations with the Russian ambassador left him open to potential blackmail by Moscow. [Its bigger than Flynn. New Russia revelations widen Trumps credibility gap.] Ones position on the issue can sometimes be determined by membership on the committee in question. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), a former chairman of the Intelligence Committee who remains a senior member, rejected calls for a new committee or commission to wade into the matter. I think its fair to say there are differences of opinion in the caucus, she said after the Democratic meeting. The question is how soon can you get started, in my mind. Critics of that committees recent history have noted that its work is often done in secret and takes years to flesh out, such as the multiple reports issued on interrogation techniques used in the early years of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. This has consequences that are immediate, said Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.), noting that the 2018 elections need protection from Russian interference. Reed, the ranking Democrat on the Armed Services Committee, joined Schumer, McCain and Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.) in the initial push for a new select committee to handle the matter. Now, he has resigned himself to the reality that it will reside exclusively under Burr and Warner so long as the work gets done. Now we have to make sure that that actually is purposeful and accomplishes a full and complete investigation, Reed said. Warner said he understands the concern, and he has promised Democrats that he will revisit the creation of a new investigative panel if he feels Burr and the Republicans are not acting in good faith. If at any point we are not able to get the full information and were not pursuing the information to where the intelligence leads, well look at other options, he said. Read more from Paul Kanes archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said in an interview Thursday that he believes President Trump is a partner in enacting a conservative agenda. (Bill O'Leary/The Washington Post) Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) sees two versions of President Trump: a combative figure whose trigger-happy social media strategy regularly hurls him into controversy, and a Republican leader committed to spearheading a staunchly conservative agenda. McConnell prefers to judge the second version and does so favorably. I like what hes doing more than what hes saying frequently, McConnell told The Washington Post in an interview Thursday. So I kind of draw a distinction between his desire to comment on a lot of things, seemingly on a daily basis, and what were actually trying to accomplish here. McConnell offered two key examples to support his view. First, Trump nominated Circuit Court Judge Neil Gorsuch, a favorite of conservatives, to the Supreme Court. And second, even in areas where the president has veered away from conservative orthodoxy notably in toying with the idea of lifting sanctions imposed on Russia he has not taken any action, McConnell said. The senators comments offered insights into the complicated relationship between two of the countrys most powerful leaders and into McConnells particular challenge: to hold the GOP together through the tumultuous early weeks of Trumps presidency. While Republicans control both chambers of Congress as well as the White House, they have been sidetracked from their policy goals by Trumps all-too-regular controversies. For McConnell, seeing Trump as a helpful partner in enacting a conservative agenda may be the only alternative. Yet its also an unproven position, given the enormous uncertainty that remains about how much the GOP can actually get done with Trump in charge. As McConnell reflected on his interactions with Trump in his office suite on the second floor of the Capitol, he conceded that he has utterly failed to change Trumps penchant for picking fights on Twitter. Weve had very candid conversations about that, McConnell said. And as you can see, my advice has not made a bit of difference. Almost proving McConnells point, two hours after the interview, Trump held an hour-long news conference to announce his new Labor secretary nominee. He veered into a tirade against the media and other controversial statements. Because it happened while McConnell was hosting a GOP luncheon, he declined later in the day to comment on the Trump news conference. In other ways, McConnell believes he has made an impact, notably with the Gorsuch nomination. It was actually my suggestion that they come up with a list and that they consult with the Federalist Society, which they did, said McConnell, who added: Gorsuch was on the list. He also argued that on the whole, Trumps policies put him in line with GOP orthodoxy. I think we know enough now to know that Donald Trump is doing the same kinds of things that Jeb Bush would have done or Marco Rubio would have done or Mitt Romney would have done, he said. Still, many Republicans are troubled by the first month of Trumps presidency. Its not just his brashness or tendency to pick fights, they have said, but also the substance of some of the policies he has tried to implement. Chief among them: his immigration ban. [When governing beckons, Trump keeps campaigning] I dont think any of those people would have rolled out the immigration thing the way that it was rolled out, said Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), speaking of Romney, Bush and Rubio. McConnell declined to say whether Trump ought to try to take the legal fight over the ban to the Supreme Court or instead rework it. The ban, which was crafted without input from congressional leaders, has been halted by a federal court. Thats an executive branch initiative, said McConnell, separating himself from Trumps controversial move to temporarily bar all refugees as well as foreign nationals from seven majority-Muslim countries. Its entirely up to them to decide what path to take. There is also distance between McConnell and Trump on Russia. But the Kentucky senator noted that Trump has not actually taken action that runs contrary to Republican orthodoxy. And that allows McConnell to retain hope that Trump, in the end, will hew to mainstream GOP views. He hasnt done anything, McConnell said. For example, he has not decided to waive any of the sanctions. And I would strongly advise him not to. Democrats were incredulous that McConnell would view Trumps overtures toward Russian President Vladimir Putin and suggestions that NATO is obsolete as something other than policy shifts. Suggesting that a candidate, president-elect and president can say whatever they want and it has no consequences that is a novel understanding of the impact of a head of state making public pronouncements, said Sen. Christopher A. Coons (D-Del.). The resignation of Michael Flynn as Trumps national security adviser after revelations that he misled administration officials about his contact with the Russian ambassador late last year has also been an unwelcome distraction for Capitol Hill Republicans. The Senate has decided to probe the matter. McConnell declined to say whether he thinks transcripts of conversations between Flynn and the ambassador should be released. While Trump has repeatedly said he wants to build a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border, McConnell said he has yet to see a clear proposal from the White House about how that will happen. McConnell and House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) announced last month that they would move forward with a plan to free up money for the wall, but questions remain about whether that funding will be offset by cuts elsewhere. While the leaders of both chambers are largely in sync on policy goals, there are stark differences in their political style. During the campaign, Ryans support for Trump fluctuated during various imbroglios in which Trump was caught up, while McConnell largely stayed above the fray. McConnell, 74, spoke to The Post for more than 20 minutes Thursday, calmly answering questions and seeking to describe his deviations from the president diplomatically. I say it with a smile on my face: Hes a different kind of president, McConnell said. The rigidly disciplined Republican senator has served in the upper chamber since 1985. He became majority leader in 2015. Repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act, a long-standing goal of Republicans, has sputtered in recent weeks amid disagreements and confusion about the path forward, as well as anxiety about what will happen to people currently covered under the law. When will Republicans have a bill they can rally around? When we agree on what we are going to do, McConnell said flatly. He said he expects Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price to offer a wide-ranging plan to move us to a different place. [House GOP lays out elements of a plan to replace Obamacare] McConnell offered little hope that bipartisan cooperation is likely for the GOPs major goals; he said health care and tax reform, another legislative priority, are likely to pass along sharply party-line votes. I think its pretty safe to say this is not a period steeped in bipartisanship yet, he said. The most immediate task ahead for Republicans is confirming Trumps Cabinet nominees. That has proven a challenging process, with Democrats uniting against many of Trumps selections. On Wednesday, Trump withdrew his pick for labor secretary, Andrew Puzder, amid growing concerns among both Republicans and Democrats. McConnell, who has frequently complained about what he calls Democratic obstruction, on Thursday called their resistance to Trumps Cabinet picks a futile gesture. McConnell was also unapologetic about a clash on the Senate floor between him and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) during the confirmation of Jeff Sessions as attorney general. McConnell used a Senate rule to effectively silence Warren after she criticized Sessions, then a member of the Senate. It was mostly about how were going to act in the Senate, not about anything else, said McConnell, seeking to play down the incident. Gorsuchs first confirmation hearing has been set for March 20. He was on Capitol Hill again Thursday, meeting with six Democratic senators and one Republican. While Republicans have praised him, Democrats have been skeptical. Some say they intend to force a procedure requiring him to reach a 60-vote threshold before he can get an up-or-down vote. Hes obviously going to be confirmed, McConnell said. The way in which that occurs is not yet clear. Trump has pressured McConnell to go nuclear meaning changing Senate rules to allow Gorsuch to win confirmation with a simple majority. But such a move for a Supreme Court nomination would be a drastic, precedent-setting maneuver at odds with McConnells adherence to Senate tradition. McConnell said he and Trump talk often, by phone and in person. They had a one-on-one last week, and McConnell was headed back to the White House on Thursday afternoon for a bill-signing ceremony. But how Trump communicates with the rest world continues to concern McConnell as he tries to pass a sweeping agenda. A lot of what the president is interested in talking about, particularly in the tweets, are unrelated to what were trying to accomplish here, he said. And I would rather see he and all of us stay on message as much as possible. Read more at PowerPost Feb. 16 is always a glorious day on the North Korean calendar. Known as the Day of the Shining Star, it marks the anniversary of the birth of Kim Jong Il, the countrys second-generation leader. This year, as usual, wreaths were laid Thursday at statues of Kim Jong Il and his father, North Koreas Eternal President, Kim Il Sung. There were also parades and figure skating and synchronized swimming and displays of the flowers known to the rest of us as begonias but to North Koreans as Kimjongilia. The Norths third-generation leader, Kim Jong Un, cut a solemn figure as he bowed at his fathers tomb and presided over a meeting of Communist Party apparatchiks. But was that look of gravity a mark of respect for his deceased father? A sign of shock at the sudden death this week of his estranged older half brother? Or the steely face of a man who will stop at nothing to hold on to power? For South Koreas often-unreliable intelligence service and some analysts in China, Kim Jong Un is suspect No. 1 in the apparent assassination this week of Kim Jong Nam, who was the oldest son of Kim Jong Il and had been living in a kind of exile for the past 15 years. This image obtained Feb. 16 from the Indonesian news portal Kumparan shows the photo in the passport of Siti Aishah, 25, an Indonesian woman suspected of involvement in Kim Jong Nams killing in Kuala Lumpur on Monday. (Kumparan via AP) North Korea has a history of state-ordered assassinations, including an attempt involving a poison needle disguised as a pen to kill a defector-turned-activist in South Korea as recently as 2011. Malaysian police have arrested two people accused of direct involvement in the brazen attack on Kim Jong Nam at Kuala Lumpur airport Monday the women alleged to have carried out the poisoning, one apparently from Vietnam and the other from Indonesia and have detained the Indonesian womans Malaysian boyfriend to help them with their inquiries. [ Police arrest third suspect in Kim Jong Nam assassination ] But so many questions remain. Why would Kim Jong Un want to kill a half brother who, apart from one statement in 2010 questioning North Koreas hereditary succession system, had shown no political ambitions? Why would he have him killed just days before an auspicious anniversary? And why would North Korea deviate from its practice of using elite agents for such tasks, instead allegedly sending foreign women so ill equipped for the task that they didnt even know to flee? One theory: Kim Jong Un, who was only 27 when he became leader and had little government or military experience, is still getting rid of potential rivals. Like other dictators before him, he has overseen the dispatch, temporarily or permanently, of people who could challenge him for the leadership of his country. He most notably had his uncle and Kim Jong Nams mentor executed in late 2013 for amassing too much power. He has also overseen the purging or execution of a whole raft of senior officials, including his defense minister, his deputy education and construction ministers and, just this month, his apparently demoted minister of state security. A report by the South Korean intelligence services think tank at the end of last year estimated that Kim ordered the executions of 340 people, including 140 senior officials, in his first five years in power. Kim Jong Un showed from the get-go that he would sort out the loyal from the wavering, said Bruce Bueno de Mesquita, a political scientist at New York University and co-author of The Dictators Handbook. The execution of his uncle sent a message: Im sorting out my allies and clearing out the rest, Bueno de Mesquita said. He has been well trained, and he has good intuition about what a person running a place like North Korea needs to do. [ Malaysian airport assassination focuses new attention on N. Korean leader ] But Christopher Green, a North Korea scholar at the Netherlands Leiden University, said Kim Jong Nam was not a threat to his younger brothers legitimacy. He lived in quiet exile abroad, whereas Kim Jong Un was Kim Jong Ils anointed heir, Green said. Kim Jong Nam was never going to be an alternative power center, and power doesnt get consolidated, per se. The process has no start or end. It is a constant battle to stay on top. Kim Jong Un has defied predictions of his imminent demise, in December marking five years at the helm, a period characterized by relatively strong growth and tangible advances in the Norths nuclear and missile programs. Meanwhile, his older half brother appeared to be living the good life. He had been based in Macau and Beijing for well over a decade apparently having wives and families in both places liked visiting casinos and was said to have playboy tendencies. Some analysts, urging skepticism, say it is more likely that Kim Jong Nam ran afoul of the underworld in Southeast Asia than that Kim Jong Un ordered the hit. But in the absence of clear evidence either way, opinion is coalescing around that second idea. [ N. Korean leaders half brother killed in Malaysia in possible poison attack ] Because even if Kim Jong Nam didnt have grand designs for his future, China did. Relations between Beijing and Pyongyang have worsened dramatically in the past five years, with Kim Jong Un showing obvious disdain for Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Chinese appearing to view the young leader as erratic. This has led to speculation that Beijing has been keeping Kim Jong Nam on standby in case it needs to install another, more China-friendly Kim in Pyongyang. Wang Weimin, an international-relations specialist at Fudan University in Shanghai, said China had security measures in place to protect Kim Jong Nam from North Korean agents, even though it had long recognized he was not leadership material. China did not have huge expectations for him but provided protection for him and his family, Wang said, because China had political sympathy for him. Wang estimated the likelihood that Kim Jong Un had ordered his older brothers assassination at 80 percent. It is not surprising that he wants to clean out anybody threatening to his reign, he said. Officials in China also seem to be leaning toward the theory that Kim Jong Un ordered the killing. An editorial in the state-run Global Times said that Beijing would join in expressions of international condemnation if Malaysian authorities conclude that Kim Jong Nam was assassinated. Human civilization is now in the 21st century, and such a savage and outdated political device should be cast into the museums of history, it read. Noting that the investigation was still underway, it said speculation was nevertheless sharply pointed at Pyongyang. Such speculation is severely damaging to North Koreas reputation on the international stage, the editorial said. Congcong Zhang in Beijing contributed to this report. Read more: Who was Kim Jong Nam? Malaysia detains woman as probes widen into killing of Kims half brother A not-that-short history of North Korean assassinations and attempts Today's coverage from Post correspondents around the world Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news At least 73 people were reported killed and up to several hundred injured Thursday when a suicide bomber struck inside a famous Sufi shrine in Pakistan while devotees were gathered for a weekly ritual of music and dance, police and medical officials said. The Islamic State militant group, based in the Middle East with allied outfits in Pakistan and Afghanistan, asserted responsibility for the blast through an affiliated news site. The Islamic State and similar extremist Sunni groups view Sufism, a mystical strain of Islam, as heretical. The attack in the isolated town of Sehwan in southeastern Sindh province was one of the countrys deadliest bombings in a decade of terrorism that the government has struggled to combat. Officials at one hospital said they had received 60 bodies and 250 injured patients, including 40 in critical condition. The bombing at Lal Shahbaz Qalandar shrine followed three successive days of violence that claimed 25 lives in all four provinces of Pakistan and two tribal areas. On Monday, a suicide blast in the eastern city of Lahore killed 13 people and injured scores. An affiliate of the Islamic State, Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, said in an email to journalists that the bombing was the start of an operation targeting government agencies and sites. On Wednesday, Pakistan lodged a formal complaint with next-door Afghanistan, alleging that the Islamic State-linked militants were operating from sanctuaries across the border. Late Thursday, army officials announced that all border crossings would be closed until further notice for security reasons. It was not possible to confirm, however, whether the Islamic State also known as ISIS or ISIL or a local affiliate had carried out the shrine attack. In August, when a bomb killed more than 70 people in the southwestern city of Quetta, the Islamic State and an allied group based in the border region both claimed to have been behind it. [An ISIS attack in Pakistan strikes at the beating heart of Sufism] Government troops were sent to the shrine and the surrounding areas Thursday, and all naval hospitals in the region were placed on alert to receive victims. Pakistans army chief, Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa, issued a statement appealing to the nation to remain calm. Your security forces shall not allow hostile powers to succeed, he said. Each drop of the nations blood will be avenged, and avenged immediately. No more restraint for anyone. The army chiefs tough declaration echoed a statement made Wednesday by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif after a meeting with senior civilian and military officials. Sharif vowed to eliminate all terrorism, whether domestic or foreign in origin, and said that all those who threaten Pakistans peace and security will be liquidated by the might of the state. Pakistan has often been accused of coddling some violent Islamist groups that serve as its proxies in India and at home while cracking down on others that oppose the Pakistani state and unleash attacks on domestic targets. Recently, though, officials placed an extremist anti-India cleric under house arrest, calling it a policy decision reached by civilian and military leaders. Islamist militants, including the Pakistani Taliban, have attacked numerous Sufi shrines in recent years. In November, a shrine in Balochistan province was bombed, killing 45 people. The shrines are open to all, offering poetry and musical events, as well as quiet spaces to meditate, and free food for the poor. Officials said Thursday night that security had been increased at Sufi shrines across the country and that some had been temporarily closed, according to reports on Pakistani news channels. In addition to targeting Sufis, violent Sunni groups have attacked Christians, Shiites and Ahmadiyyas, a faith group that sees itself as a branch of Islam but is reviled by many Muslims. Political leaders in Punjab province where the Lahore attack occurred have been accused of appeasing some sectarian groups there. In Sindh, some political leaders have reportedly resisted pressure from security agencies and provincial officials to ban or better control Islamist extremist groups and seminaries that train and recruit them. Over the past decade, terrorists have targeted shrines, mosques and other sites across the province. As groups affiliated with the Islamic State, including Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, have become more active in Pakistan in the past year, they have created controversy among many local Islamist factions. Followers of some groups have defected to the foreign-linked outfits, while others have distanced themselves from ISIS connections. When Jamaat-ul-Ahrar asserted responsibility for the recent Lahore bombing, it named its planned terror operation for the late leader of Islamabads famed Red Mosque, the scene of a dramatic army siege in 2007. But this week, leaders of the mosque denounced the ISIS affiliate as an enemy of Islam and said its actions were un-Islamic. Mehdi reported from Karachi. Read more: Bombing in northwest Pakistan town leaves 24 dead, 50 wounded Amjad Sabri, a beloved Sufi musician, is gunned down in Pakistan Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news At least 45 people were killed and dozens more injured when a bomb detonated Thursday evening at a popular car market in southwestern Baghdad, the deadliest in a series of recent attacks in the Iraqi capital blamed on the Islamic State militant group, the Interior Ministry said. A ministry spokesman said the bomb was placed in a parked car at the market in the Bayaa neighborhood, between Baghdad International Airport and the Tigris River. The Islamic State asserted responsibility in a brief statement circulated on social media. The attack was at least the third bombing in the capital in as many days, and it appeared to be aimed at diverting the government as it prepares an offensive to drive the Islamic State from the northern city of Mosul, the militants last major stronghold in Iraq. The Iraqi government has spent years and untold sums trying to secure Baghdad, using checkpoints, blast walls and other measures, but militants have consistently found ways through, carrying out small-scale attacks with an alarming frequency and mass killings at regular intervals. In November, an explosion killed at least 70 people, most of them Iranian pilgrims, at a gas station south of Baghdad, in an attack claimed by the Islamic State. [A file on ISIS problem foreign fighters shows some are refusing to fight ] Burnt vehicles at the scene of the blast. (Ahmad Mousa/AFP/Getty Images) Mushtaq Talib, a 28-year-old dentist who lives about 2 1/2 miles from the car market, said the explosion shook his house. The market was crowded, as is typical on Thursdays and Fridays, with people visiting used-car shops and driving their own vehicles to the area, hoping for a sale. Soon after the explosion, Talib rushed to the scene, which he said had been secured by a single checkpoint before the attack, staffed by police officers. It was horrible, he said. Dead bodies and body parts everywhere, they were all civilians. Cars not disabled by the blast were used to ferry the wounded to the hospital, as others waited for ambulances to arrive. Videos of the bombing that circulated on the Internet showed large-scale damage and terrible scenes: a line of white minibuses in flames, firefighters stumbling from one fire to the next and bodies everywhere, disfigured on the ground or bundled into a crude wheelbarrow with someones arm dangling over the side. These are the Iraqi people, a man, wailing, can be heard saying over and over in one of the video clips. In another video, a boy shouted that his father was lying under his food cart. It was not clear whether the man was alive. The string of attacks comes as the militant group is trying to stave off defeat in Mosul. Iraqi military forces, backed by the United States, have secured the eastern party of the city and are expected to advance on western Mosul in the coming days. The remainder of the battle may turn out to be more grueling than its initial phase, which lasted nearly four months. Iraqi forces will be fighting in streets too narrow for armored vehicles to pass, in neighborhoods densely packed with civilians, against militants who may regard the fight for the strategic Iraqi city as a last stand. Fahim reported from Istanbul. Eastern side of Mosul recaptured from Islamic State, Iraqi prime minister says Iraq has never seen this kind of fighting in its battles with ISIS Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news U.S. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis speaks with German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen before a meeting at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Feb. 15, 2017. (Virginia Mayo/AFP/Getty Images) Ahead of a major security conference in Munich this week, Chancellor Angela Merkel and her defense minister both acknowledged the need for Germany to ramp up military spending as the Trump administration increases pressure on European allies to pull more of their weight. Yet the comments by Merkel and her defense minister, Ursula von der Leyen, remained vague enough to suggest that Germany, even as it moves to reverse decades of defense cuts, may not move as fast as some hope. In addition, Europes largest economy is likely to funnel new spending through cooperative efforts with allies rather than rebuild military might on its own. [Defense Secretary Mattis issues ultimatum to NATO allies on defense spending] On Wednesday, U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis delivered a blunt message in Brussels, warning that the United States may moderate its commitment to NATO if European nations do not increase their contributions. That message seemed aimed in no small part at Germany the anchor of the European Union and a nation that after World War II developed a national aversion to military power. In their comments, Merkel and von der Leyen appeared to reflect the driving factors behind any German military buildup: first, that Germany knows it should do more and is already moving in that direction and, second, that more spending should be tied to joint efforts with allies. Speaking to a group of conservative female politicians on Wednesday, Merkel conceded that Germany is not contributing to NATO to a sufficient extent yet. She also, however, underscored the limitations of nations like Germany, adding that the effort to counter Islamist extremists in Iraq, Syria and Libya could not take place without the transatlantic alliance and the abilities of the United States of America. As the Trump administration takes a more independent approach toward diplomacy and defense, she also seemed to warn against unilateral steps. No country can solve problems alone, Merkel said, according to Reuters. In an opinion piece published in Thursdays editions of Suddeutsche Zeitung, von der Leyen also called for increased military spending. Germans and most Europeans have for too long relied on the broad shoulder of our American allies, she wrote. Yet she added that Germany, which spends 1.2 percent of GDP on defense, wanted to gradually work toward fulfilling its pledge to spend 2 percent of GDP by 2024. She gave no timeline, and increases in defense spending face major public opposition. That said, Germany a nation saddled with outdated and nonfunctioning military hardware has already begun reversing years of defense cuts. By 2020, its military spending is projected to rise to 39.2 billion euros ($41.6 billion) or more than 10 billion euros above the level in 2016. Von der Leyen reiterated her belief that military growth should happen through partnerships. She cited a new declaration of intent between Germany and the Czech Republic, as well as another with Romania, to merge certain army divisions under German leadership. [Trumps calls for Europe to increase defense spending could force other upheaval] Germany began deploying nearly 500 troops to Lithuania last month as part of a NATO mission. Germany and France are also creating a joint fleet of transport planes, part of an expanding military partnership that includes a recent Franco-German mission in Mali. The French have the infrastructure, were contributing personnel and planes, von der Leyen wrote. Several similar deals, she noted, had been struck or were on the way with countries including the Netherlands and Norway. Yet meeting the pledge of spending 2 percent of GPD would mean that Germany would end up spending far more on its military than, say, Britain spends on its own military, and analysts and even some German officials acknowledge that that is unlikely to happen fast. That is at least partly because of the belief in Germany that despite Trumps rhetoric, the United States is unlikely to step back from its role as the cornerstone of European defense. I think there is a very strong tendency to keep the perspective that the U.S. is the bedrock and remains the bedrock of collective defense in Europe, irrespective of the early moves by the Trump administration, said Hilmar Linnenkamp, a senior fellow at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs. Stephanie Kirchner contributed to this report. Read more: Theyre young and lonely. The Islamic State thinks theyll make perfect terrorists. Why a German-born soccer star had to choose between his Muslim faith and his career His selfie went viral for all the wrong reasons. Now this refugee is suing Facebook. Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news Martin Schulz last month in Strasbourg, France, before stepping down as president of the European Parliament. (Patrick Seeger/European Pressphoto Agency) The unconventional administration of President Trump may be causing consternation among American liberals. But here in Germany, the anchor of the European Union, Trumps rise is helping fuel an unexpected surge of the left. What is happening in Germany is the kind of Trump bump perhaps never foreseen by his supporters a boost not for the German nationalists viewed as Trumps natural allies but for his fiercest critics in the center left. The Social Democrats (SPD) have bounced back under the charismatic Martin Schulz, the former head of the European Parliament who took over as party chairman last month and is now staging a surprisingly strong bid to unseat Chancellor Angela Merkel. In a country that stands as a painful example of the disastrous effects of radical nationalism, Schulz is building a campaign in part around bold attacks on Trump. He has stopped well short of direct comparisons to Adolf Hitler, but Schulz recently mentioned Trump in the same speech in which he heralded his partys resistance to the Nazis in the lead-up to World War II. [German politicians demand new deportation centers, re-vetting of migrants] We will never give up our values, our freedom and democracy, no matter what challenges we are facing, Schulz said in a recent speech. He added, That a U.S. president wants to put up walls, is thinking aloud about torture and attacks women, religious communities, minorities, people with handicaps, artists and intellectuals with brazen and dangerous comments is a breach of taboo thats unbearable. His anti-Trump platform comes as Germans are questioning American power more than at any point since the end of the Cold War, illustrating an erosion of allied faith in the new era of America first. A recent poll found that only 22 percent of Germans see the United States led by Trump as a reliable partner putting it only one percentage point above Russia. The traditional left remains in disarray in France and Britain. But buoyed by Schulzs approach, his party last week pulled ahead of Merkels center-right Christian Democrats in opinion polls for the first time in six years. Elections are not until September, but analysts are giving the SPD, under Schulz, its best chances to regain power since Gerhard Schroder lost to Merkel in 2005. There are different factors that are coming together for the SPD, said Ralf Stegner, the partys deputy chairman. Schulz has provided a new impulse for people who were waiting to come back . . . but also, the new American president, because Trumps presidency has politicized the German public, making them more active and aware. Without naming names, Merkel, who was perhaps closer to President Barack Obama than any world leader, has taken aim at Trump criticizing, for instance, his refugee ban. But Schulz has also accused Merkel of being too diplomatic. [In Germany, the language of Nazism is no longer buried in the past] Germany, which shoulders the history of Nazi tyranny, is an outlier in containing the current spread of me-first nationalism. Even as far-right parties and isolationist politics gain ground elsewhere in Europe, the largest right-wing populist party here the Alternative for Germany has fallen slightly in the polls since Trumps election. At the same time, left-wing parties in Germany have seen a jump in dues-paying members. There are also signs that Trumps election is making left-leaning voters in Germany more politically active. 1 of 20 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad What 19 foreign leaders have said about Donald Trump View Photos Reactions to the new U.S. president have been mixed among top politicians around the world. Caption Reactions to the new U.S. president have been mixed among top politicians around the world. Russian President Vladimir Putin In 2015 during an annual news conference with reporters, Putin said, He is a bright and talented person without any doubt. He added that Trump is an outstanding and talented personality. Pavel Golovkin/AP Wait 1 second to continue. Take, for instance, Kristina Seidler, a 28-year-old mother and Dusseldorf resident who works as a substantiality adviser for a textile company. She has voted for the SPD before. But the day after Trumps victory, she signed up as a dues-paying member and party volunteer. Horrified by Trumps win, she said she sees the traditional left as the only answer and is preparing to put up posters and help with campaigning as the German election season rolls into high gear. What kind of sign is it for the world when a man who is a racist, who treats women so badly, can become the president of the United States? Seidler said. I thought, Its time for me to do something. Perhaps the biggest single driver of the SPDs new popularity, however, is Schulz. The SPD is already part of Merkels governing grand coalition, with the partys senior operatives filling top cabinet posts. Yet its popularity with its left-leaning base has been hampered by that power-sharing deal. Under its former chairman, Sigmar Gabriel Merkels foreign minister the SPD was struggling to distance itself from the current government. Enter Schulz, who last month took over as the partys chairman and candidate, positioning himself as an outsider who could mix things up in Berlin. A 61-year-old who never finished high school, Schulz has embraced his imperfections, openly speaking about his battle with alcoholism. He started in local politics, becoming the mayor of the western German town of Wurselen before being elected to the European Parliament in 1994. He rose through the ranks as a champion of European unity, civil rights and social justice, becoming the parliaments president in 2012. He has at times been chided for his tell-it-like-it-is approach, drawing the wrath of the Hungarian and Polish governments after decrying democratic lapses in those countries. Critics call Schulz similar to Trump in at least one regard: He is a straight talker who argues against elites and favors the common man. He is also blunt a trait that contrasts with Merkel, a leader famous for her meandering, parsed answers. The way in which he conjures up the alleged division of society in a populist manner is along the lines of the post-factual methods of the U.S. election campaign, Merkels finance minister, Wolfgang Schauble, charged in Der Spiegel last week In the dealmaking game that is coalition governments, Schulz may have several paths to the chancellery if his party can maintain its momentum. It will be difficult, analysts say, but Schulzs rising popularity means it is no longer unthinkable that Merkel loses. [Germany used to be migrants promised land. Now, its turning them back.] Merkels open-door policy for refugees brought a barrage of criticism from the conservative wing of her party. And despite Merkels hesitance, Horst Seehofer, head of her sister party, the Christian Social Union, appears to be extending his hand to Trump, praising the new presidents consistency and speed in implementing his campaign promises. A Merkel loss could mean a greater frost in German-U. S. relations, harking back to the days of Schroders cool relationship with President George W. Bush. Merkel, while hardly cozying up to Trump, has nevertheless avoided outright conflict. Analysts call that further evidence of her pragmatism and firm belief that Germany needs the United States, diplomatically and for collective defense. Going after Trump might be a smart strategy for winning elections but not for running a government, said Jurgen Falter, a political scientist at Mainz University. Stephanie Kirchner contributed to this report. Read more Theyre young and lonely. ISIS thinks theyll make perfect terrorists. Why a soccer star had to choose between his Muslim faith and his career His selfie went viral for the wrong reasons. Now this refugee is suing Facebook. Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news Secretary of State Rex Tillerson made his debut on the world stage Thursday, meeting the Russian foreign minister and urging Moscow to pull back in eastern Ukraine, then signing a joint statement condemning North Koreas latest ballistic missile test. He attended almost a dozen meetings with his diplomatic counterparts from the Group of 20 major world economies, all fairly routine for a secretary of state on an overseas trip. But in one sense it was a landmark day for Tillerson, a former ExxonMobil chief executive with no previous experience in public office. For the first time since addressing employees upon arriving at the State Department two weeks ago, he made a public statement about foreign policy, taking a firm line on Russia and Ukraine. That suggested that the stasis that has gripped the State Department in recent weeks may be ebbing. The ministerial conference was months in the planning. With the change in administrations in Washington, however, it was not certain Tillerson would attend until it was too late to book a large block of rooms for him and his entourage. So they ended up staying 40 minutes from Bonn, in a large, fading hotel attached to a sanatorium with a casino and thermal baths across the street. [Michael Flynn resigns as national security adviser] The joint statement on North Korea, issued with South Korea and Japan, repeated the U.S. commitment to defend the two allies by providing deterrence, backed by the full range of its nuclear and conventional defense capabilities. But the centerpiece of Tillersons visit was his one-hour meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, the first face-to-face meeting between top U.S. and Russian officials since President Trump was sworn in. When it was over, Tillerson came out and read aloud a five-sentence statement. He said they had discussed a range of issues, but the only one he mentioned specifically was the ongoing violence in eastern Ukraine. The conflict began when Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, then backed separatists in eastern Ukraine in what has become a grinding, protracted war, despite a deal to end it, called the Minsk agreement. In Brussels on Thursday, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Russia must prove itself before the United States agrees to any military cooperation. In Bonn, Tillerson delivered a more nuanced message. As I made clear in my Senate confirmation hearing, the United States will consider working with Russia when we can find areas of practical cooperation that will benefit the American people, he said. Where we do not see eye to eye, the United States will stand up for the interests and values of America and her allies. As we search for new common ground, we expect Russia to honor its commitment to the Minsk agreements and work to de-escalate the violence in Ukraine. British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson took much the same view of Russia in his meeting with Tillerson. Youve got to engage with Russia, but youve got to engage in a very guarded way, Johnson told the BBC. Youve got to beware of what theyre up to, and theres no question that when you look at Russian activity on the cyber front, when you look at what theyre doing in the western Balkans, when you look at whats been happening in Ukraine, youve got to be very, very cautious. And so I think its entirely right to have a dual-track approach. Lavrov, known for his wiles, managed to suggest Russia is innocent of accusations it has meddled in U.S. politics. He brushed off a question about the seeming disorder in Washington, saying, You should know we do not interfere in the domestic matters of other countries. [Trump White House in crisis mode] The meetings were not without small, awkward moments. Reporters allowed in briefly when Tillerson and Lavrov started talking were ushered out while Tillerson was just starting to greet Lavrov. Though the handler seeming to push a cameraman out of the way was Russian, Lavrov turned to Tillerson and asked, Why do they shoosh them out? A neophyte as a public official, Tillerson already seems to have developed a jaundiced view of reporters, which might explain why he ignored most of the foreign policy questions reporters doggedly asked at the start of almost every meeting. A reporter allowed in briefly for Tillersons meeting with Johnson asked how turmoil in Washington would affect the transatlantic alliance. Johnson did not answer. But as journalists were leaving, he asked whether his and Tillersons remarks were still being recorded. Tillerson advised him, They never give up. Read more: Trump administration sanctions Iran over missile test On his first day in new job, Tillerson tells State Department employees he values their work Dissent memo circulating in the State Department over Trumps policy on refugees and immigrants Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news President Trump listens as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a joint press conference at the White House on Feb. 15, 2017. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post) Just minutes after President Trump made his first detailed remarks on the decades-long conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, Israelis began debating exactly what the new American leader meant. Did Trump signal the end of the two-state solution, and the Palestinian dream of an independent nation, or not so much? Some members of Israels right thought thats what they heard during the White House news conference on Wednesday but werent really sure. Because Trump also warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that hard choices were on the horizon. Hard choices about what? Israelis wondered. Trump didnt say. Instead, he spoke of wanting a deal but a deal about what? Peace. And so, a torrent of punditry began. Israelis were divided. In part, because Trump was touching on the deepest, most divisive, most personal matters in the region land, religion, the future of a democratic Jewish state. Many saw a new day. Others felt uneasy. Some thought the president didnt seem to know what he was talking about and was just throwing out words and phrases. [Watch: Trump urges Israel to hold off on new settlements] Twitter was on fire after the news conference as tweeters on both sides of the Atlantic and from both sides of the political spectrum tried in both Hebrew and English to interpret the two leaders remarks, particularly Trumps, wrote Barak Ravid, chief diplomatic correspondent for the Haaretz newspaper. One of Netanyahus hard-right cabinet members, Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, thought Trump was giving Israel a green light to make plans to annex the 60 percent of the West Bank where 400,000 Jewish settlers live. But in an interview, an Israel Radio reporter interjected that Trump also warned Netanyahu about the growth of Jewish settlements on the very land Shaked wants to claim for Israel. Everyone interprets this as they see fit, Shaked replied, which pretty much summed things up. When Netanyahu returns he will talk to the ministers, he will explain what happened in the meeting. All we have is bits of rumors and guesses, Shaked said. The Times of Israel noted, Pundits are out in greater numbers than reporters as the Hebrew media breaks down a troubling news conference in Washington. The reporter for the Israeli newspaper Maariv confessed, Anyone who expected to understand how exactly the president of the United States wants to solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was disappointed. Speaking at the U.N. Security Council session on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on Thursday, U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley said, We support the two-state solution, but we are thinking out of the box as well. Its the out of the box part that Israelis are focused on. Trump promised a really great peace deal. Im looking at two-state and one-state, and I like the one that both parties like, the president said. [Palestinians warn Trump not to abandon their dream of independent state] Sima Kadmon, a columnist at Israels Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, wrote, Theres no disputing that Netanyahu received exactly what he wanted from the American president. One state, two states what difference does it make? That is precisely the attitude that Netanyahu would like to see the American president adopt. Someone who doesnt have the foggiest clue what he is talking about. One state could mean many things. If the Palestinians were given full rights, the vote, passports, this could be a game-changer. But few Israelis imagine that millions of Palestinians could soon be fellow citizens. I can live with either one, Trump said. I thought for a while that two-state looked like it might be the easier of the two, but . . . if Israel and the Palestinians are happy, Im happy with the one they like the best. Trump didnt elaborate on what he meant by easier. Three major U.S.-backed peace negotiations, as well as other efforts, have been framed around the goal of two states. All failed. The presidents freewheeling rhetorical style leaves a lot of room for interpretation, and he has no background in the exacting diplomatic language usually used by U.S. officials when discussing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Alon Pinkas, a former Israeli diplomat, told The Washington Post, This is the president of the United States. He stands up and says what he says. And now its an open question whether two states is alive or dead? This is a major, major issue. That both sides can now argue with equal passion and equal validity what he meant? Thats not a good thing, Pinkas said. At the news conference, Trump said, The United States will encourage a peace, and really a great peace deal. Both sides will have to make compromises. You know that, right? he said, turning to Netanyahu. Both sides, the prime minister answered. [Trump pick for ambassador to Israel has contentious Senate audition] On the front page of the pro- Netanyahu newspaper Israel Hayom, Boaz Bismuths column was titled Trump is Good for the Jews. In the left-wing Haaretz newspaper, there were headlines like American Jewish Leaders Call Trumps Comments Terrifying and Bizarre. Trump warned Netanyahu over his governments continued West Bank settlement construction, turning to the prime minister and saying, Id like you to hold off on settlements for a little bit. After the news conference, Gilad Erdan, Israels minister for strategic affairs, said it was not crystal clear whether Trump had approved more Jewish settlements or not. Israeli education minister and leader of the pro-settlement Jewish Home party, Naftali Bennett, was celebrating. He wrote: The flag of Palestine was removed today from the flagpole and has been replaced with the Israeli flag. Construction Minister Yoav Galant called Trumps remarks a historic speech. We have a friend in the White House, Galant said. The leader of the Israeli opposition in the parliament, Labor leader Isaac Herzog, called the exchange between Trump and Netanyahu sad and embarrassing. Herzog worried that a one-state solution from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea with equal numbers of Jews and Muslims, would mean the end of the Jewish state. Gearan reported from Washington. Read more: Israelis not sure what to think of Trump White House statement on settlements Netanyahu thinks a state-minus is enough for the Palestinians Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news Former national security adviser Michael Flynn denied to FBI agents in an interview last month that he had discussed U.S. sanctions against Russia with that countrys ambassador to the United States before President Trump took office, contradicting the contents of intercepted communications collected by intelligence agencies, current and former U.S. officials said. The Jan. 24 interview potentially puts Flynn in legal jeopardy. Lying to the FBI is a felony offense. But several officials said it is unclear whether prosecutors would attempt to bring a case, in part because Flynn may parse the definition of the word sanctions. He also followed his denial to the FBI by saying he couldnt recall all of the conversation, officials said. Any decision to prosecute would ultimately lie with the Justice Department. A spokesman for Flynn said he had no response. The FBI and the Justice Department declined to comment. Flynn spoke to Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak following Trumps election and denied for weeks that the December conversation involved sanctions the Obama administration imposed on Russia in response to its purported meddling in the U.S. election. Flynns denial to the FBI was similar to what he had told Trumps advisers, according to the officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter. In a recent interview with the Daily Caller, Flynn said he didnt discuss sanctions but did discuss the Obama administrations expulsion of 35 Russian diplomats it said were intelligence operatives. The move was part of the sanctions package it announced on Dec. 29. Earlier, in an interview with The Post, he denied discussing sanctions but later issued a statement saying that while he had no recollection of discussing sanctions, he couldnt be certain that the topic never came up. Trump asked for Flynns resignation Monday night following reports in The Washington Post that revealed Flynn had misled Vice President Pence in denying the substance of the call and that Justice Department officials had warned the White House that Flynn was a possible target of Russian blackmail as a result. [Justice Department warned White House that Flynn could be vulnerable to Russian blackmail, officials say] One day after his dismissal, the Defense Intelligence Agency suspended Flynns security clearance. Officials said the spy agency was reviewing Flynns adherence to security procedures in part due to FBI concerns about his conduct. Two days after the FBI interview, then-acting Attorney General Sally Q. Yates and a career national security official informed Donald McGahn, Trumps White House counsel, about the contents of the intercepted phone call in a meeting at the White House. Yates and other officials were concerned that Russia could not only exploit the mischaracterization of the call which Pence had repeated on nationwide television but also did not think it was fair to keep Pence in the dark about the discrepancies, according to officials familiar with their thinking. At a news conference Thursday, Trump called Flynn a fine person and said he had done nothing wrong in engaging with the Russian envoy. Trump said he did not direct Flynn to talk to Kislyak. However, the president added, I would have directed him because thats his job. (Daron Taylor,Jhaan Elker/The Washington Post) Trump said he had asked for Flynns resignation because of what the national security adviser had told the vice president about his communications with the Russian diplomat. I was not happy with the way that information was given, Trump said. The president said the real issue in the Flynn saga was the divulging of classified information. Its an illegal process, and the press should be ashamed of themselves, he said. But more importantly, the people that gave out the information to the press should be ashamed of themselves, really ashamed. [The Michael Flynn situation just went from bad to worse for Flynn and the White House] Senior officials who have reviewed the phone call thought Flynns statements to Kislyak were inappropriate, if not illegal, because he suggested that the Kremlin could expect a reprieve from the sanctions. At the same time, officials knew that seeking to build a case against Flynn for violating an obscure 1799 statute known as the Logan Act which bars private citizens from interfering in diplomatic disputes would be legally and political daunting. Several officials said that while sanctions were discussed between Flynn and Kislyak in the December call, they did not see evidence in the intercept that Flynn had an intent to convey an explicit promise to take action after the inauguration. It wasnt about sanctions. It was about the 35 guys who were thrown out, Flynn told the Daily Caller in an interview just before he resigned and published Tuesday. So thats what it turned out to be. It was basically, Look, I know this happened. Well review everything. I never said anything such as, Were going to review sanctions, or anything like that. It is not clear when the FBI began to probe Flynns communications with Kislyak. Senior members of the Obama administration learned in early January that the FBI was investigating the relationship, according to former officials. On President Barack Obamas final full day in office, Yates, Director of National Intelligence James R. Clapper and CIA Director John O. Brennan recommended informing the Trump team of the Flynn matter. But FBI Director James B. Comey pushed back, arguing that doing so could interfere with the bureaus ongoing investigation. The FBI is examining contacts between Trump associates and Russian officials. Comey dropped his objections after the FBI interviewed the national security adviser. After Yates informed McGahn, the White House counsel informed Trump and then conducted an internal review of the matter, according to White House press secretary Sean Spicer. [Who is Donald McGahn?] While McGahn and Trump were briefed on the matter on Jan. 26, it does not appear that they informed Pence. A spokesman for the vice president said he first learned that he had been misled when The Washington Post on Feb. 9 disclosed that Flynn had, in fact, discussed sanctions with Kislyak, contrary to the vice presidents public statements. Flynn said in his resignation letter that he had inadvertently briefed the Vice President Elect and others with incomplete information regarding my phone calls with the Russian ambassador. Karen DeYoung contributed to this report. Read more: The timeline of Michael Flynns resignation just looks bad for the Trump White House National security adviser Flynn discussed sanctions with Russian ambassador, despite denials, officials say Michael Flynn has absolutely nothing to fear from the Logan Act Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will meet with the top Russian military officer this week, in the first encounter between the two countries leading generals since Russias intervention in Ukraine and its annexation of Crimea in 2014. Dunford will hold talks with Valeriy Gerasimov, the chief of the general staff of Russias armed forces, in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Thursday, Dunfords office said in a statement. There has only been a handful of phone calls between Pentagon leaders and their Russian counterparts since the Ukraine crisis erupted, and no face-to-face meetings, defense officials said. The timing of the unusual meeting is striking, just days after President Trumps national security adviser Michael Flynn was ousted over his communications with a Russian diplomat prior to Trumps inauguration, the latest fallout from an ongoing saga over purported Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. It also comes as lawmakers increase their scrutiny of Trump advisers contacts with Russian officials during the campaign and amplify their criticism of what they call Russian hostility against the United States. In recent days, Russian jets have buzzed an American destroyer in the Black Sea, and Moscow has been reported to have deployed a new land-based cruise missile in violation of a long-standing arms treaty. This week, a Russian ship was also spotted off the coast of Connecticut, a periodic deployment in international waters that nonetheless added to concerns about the Kremlins military posture. [Flynn departure erupts into a full-blown crisis for the Trump White House] Its not yet clear whether the talks in Baku signal the beginning of a rapprochement with Russia in keeping with Trumps friendlier outlook toward Moscow, or whether they foreshadow an expansion of the tightly constrained interactions the U.S. military has had with Moscow since 2014. Under the Obama administration, the United States harshly criticized Russian President Vladimir Putins seizure of the Crimean Peninsula and Russias support for separatists in eastern Ukraine. The Obama White House also enhanced the U.S. military presence in Eastern Europe in response to perceived Russian threats. Current and former officials said that Dunford had been hoping for months to arrange the meeting with Gerasimov, who was targeted by European Union sanctions in 2014, but arrangements were bogged down over scheduling and the proper location for the talks. Some former officials questioned the need for such an encounter at a moment when the Trump administration has not yet articulated its Russia policy and when possible ties with Moscow have plunged the new administration into crisis. Given the domestic context about Russian cooperation, the timing seems fraught, said one former senior defense official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to speak freely. Charles Kupchan, who was a senior official on Russia and Europe in the Obama White House, called the optics surrounding the meeting awkward. That having been said, I do see this as a completely separate channel and a conversation that has its initial roots back in the Obama administration, he said. Whatever is going on inside the Trump [administration] vis-a-vis a reset with Russia, there is a self-standing rationale for having this meeting, and that is that the situation in Syria is evolving. Dunfords office said the meeting would address the importance of consistent and clear military-to-military communication to prevent miscalculation and potential crises. In practice, it will probably focus on Syria, where the United States continues to battle Islamic State militants and where Russia has been conducting bombing raids for more than a year against opponents of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Dunford, who has cultivated close ties with the Turkish chief of defense, will probably play a key role in navigating a U.S. response to improved Turkish and Russian ties in Syria, which has the potential to bring U.S. and Russian aircraft into closer proximity. [Flynn episode darkens the cloud of Russia that hangs over Trump administration] In part because of current congressional requirements, U.S. defense officials have limited their interactions with the Russian military mainly to a series of deconfliction talks about air operations in Syria designed to ensure that Russian and American jets dont come into conflict as they both conduct operations in Syrian airspace. While there have been deep reservations at the Pentagon about proposals to expand military cooperation with Russia, former defense secretary Ashton B. Carter, who stepped down last month, supported Dunfords effort to open a new line of communication with the Russian military, the former official said. As the Pentagon draws up revised plans to battle the Islamic State, including a planned assault on its Syrian capital, Raqqa, its not yet clear where Jim Mattis, Trumps new defense secretary, will come down on the potential for closer ties with Russia. Its natural that as a new administration has come into office . . . that this kind of discussion would unfold between the United States and Russia, said Dakota Wood, a scholar at the Heritage Foundation. That said, Wood added, you just cant cede to a competitor state all of these various activities and not stand up in some way. President Trump said Thursday that he will issue a new executive order on immigration by next week, and Justice Department lawyers asked a federal appeals court to hold off on taking action in the legal battle over his initial travel ban until that new order is in place. In a news conference at the White House, Trump said the new order would comprehensively protect our country, and he hinted that it might contain new vetting measures for travelers. Trumps first order temporarily barred citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries and refugees from entering the United States, ostensibly so officials could review and tighten screening procedures. Extreme vetting will be put in place, and it already is in place in many places, Trump said. He said the administration had to go quicker than we thought because a federal appeals court refused to lift the suspension on his travel ban. [4 ways the Trump administration could fight for its travel ban] The presidents comments and the Justice Departments request to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit mean that the administration at least for now is pumping the brakes on the furious court battle to restore the travel ban. Instead, the administration indicated in its filing that it expects that a revamped executive order will eliminate judges concerns, even those the Justice Department views as unfounded. The 9th Circuit agreed late Thursday to wait until a new order was issued to potentially reconsider the matter before a larger group of judges. Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson, who had successfully sued to block the travel ban, wrote on Twitter that the Justice Department filing, in particular, recognizes the obvious the Presidents current Exec Order violates the Constitution. President Trump could have sought review of this flawed Order in the Supreme Court but declined to face yet another defeat, Ferguson wrote. The legal wrangling, though, is far from over, and even a new executive order will not necessarily end the need for it. What happens next will largely depend on how significantly the rewritten order departs from the original. Justice Department lawyers wrote that the revisions would be meaningful. Rather than continuing this litigation, the President intends in the near future to rescind the Order and replace it with a new, substantially revised Executive Order to eliminate what the panel erroneously thought were constitutional concerns, the lawyers wrote. In so doing, the President will clear the way for immediately protecting the country rather than pursuing further, potentially time-consuming litigation. Trump could make clear that his order no longer applies to green-card holders who probably have the strongest case to sue or he could craft an order that would affect only people who have not yet applied for visas. But a three-judge panel with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit said even those modifications would not necessarily persuade them to lift a suspension of the ban, because such changes would not help U.S. citizens who have an interest in specific noncitizens ability to travel to the United States. Lee Gelernt, who is deputy director of the American Civil Liberties Unions national Immigrants Rights Project and is involved in another legal challenge to Trumps order in federal court in New York, said it is difficult to assess a new order without seeing it, but I think any type of ban is going to be legally problematic, and I also dont think that the taint of religious discrimination is going to go away. The original executive order, signed Jan. 27, barred refugees from entering the country for 120 days; citizens of Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen for 90 days; and citizens of Syria indefinitely. A federal judge in Seattle first ordered the ban suspended Feb. 3, and the three-judge panel with the 9th Circuit last week unanimously rejected the administrations request to undo that freeze. That left Justice Department lawyers with two options in the short run: rush immediately to the Supreme Court, or ask the full 9th Circuit to take up the matter in what is known as a rehearing en banc. They had yet to make a choice when a judge on the 9th Circuit asked the judges to take a vote on their own, and the circuits chief judge asked the parties to file their positions on the matter by Thursday. The Justice Department, representing the Trump administration, argued in its filing that the three-judge panel was wrong, but given that a new executive order was coming anyway the 9th Circuit should hold off on taking up the matter en banc. Washington state and Minnesota, which are suing over the ban, also argued against en banc consideration, but they asserted that the three-judge panel got it right. At issue has not been whether Trumps ban is ultimately legal although that has been part of the consideration. The judges have been asked to consider only whether national security concerns necessitate an immediate restoration of the travel ban, when weighed against the economic and other harms Washington and Minnesota officials say it is imposing on their states. The president has broad authority to set immigration policy, but federal judges nationwide have ruled against Trumps particular travel ban. This week, a federal judge in Virginia handed down perhaps the most stinging rebuke of the executive order, declaring that there was evidence that it was motivated not by national security concerns but instead by religious prejudice toward Muslims. A medical staff member stands at the entrance of the forensic department at a hospital in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017. Malaysian police arrested a woman Wednesday in the apparent assassination of Kim Jong Nam, the North Korean leader's exiled half brother who South Korean spies say once begged his sibling to spare his life. (Vincent Thian/AP) Three people have now been arrested in connection with the apparent fatal poisoning of the half-brother of North Koreas leader, including a Malaysian man held to assist in the investigation, police said Thursday. The man, 26-year-old Muhammad Farid bin Jalaluddin, has been identified as the boyfriend of an Indonesian woman arrested earlier Thursday, suspected of being one of the two women who carried out the brazen attack at Kuala Lumpur airport this week on Kim Jong Nam, the older half-brother of Kim Jong Un. Suspect is currently remanded in custody to assist investigation, Khalid Abu Bakar, the inspector general of police, said in a statement. Kim Jong Nam, 45, was attacked by two women at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Monday as he went to check in for a flight to Macau, his main base since he went into exile about 15 years ago. They grabbed him and sprayed some kind of poison on his face. He sought medical help at the airport but died in an ambulance on the way to the hospital. Surveillance video captured the two women leaving the scene by taxi, sparking a nationwide hunt for them. One woman, who was traveling on a Vietnamese passport that identified her as 29-year-old Doan Thi Huong, was arrested Wednesday as she tried to fly out of Kuala Lumpur. She told police she was tricked into attacking Kim Jong Nam, saying she thought she was just playing a prank on the man, the Star newspaper reported. She also said she was abandoned by the other woman and four men who were involved in the attack. They had all been staying at a hotel not far from the airport, she told police, and when they left her, she decided to fly to Vietnam from the terminal where the attack took place. A second woman, identified as Siti Aishah, a 25-year-old Indonesian, was arrested early Thursday. She was also positively identified from the CCTV footage at the airport and was alone at the time of arrest, Abu Bakar said in an earlier statement. It was not immediately clear whether the women were using fake passports. But the Indonesia Foreign Ministry confirmed, based on information provided by the Malaysian police, that Aishah is an Indonesian citizen, and it has requested consular access to her. [Malaysian airport assassination focuses new attention on North Korean leader] Separately, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Malaysias deputy prime minister, confirmed that the slain man was indeed Kim Jong Nam, the son of former leader Kim Jong Il and older half-brother of Kim Jong Un. He was carrying a North Korean passport bearing the name Kim Chol, a known alias for Kim Jong Nam. The North Korean Embassy has confirmed the identity. This is what the police informed us, Zahid told reporters. Kim Jong Nam appeared to have had two passports with two different names one authentic and one an undercover document, he said. An autopsy has now been completed despite protests from North Korean diplomats based in Kuala Lumpur, who wanted the body released to them immediately. However, authorities have not yet disclosed an official cause of death. A North Korean man driving a black Mercedes with North Korean diplomatic plates refused to answer a journalists questions when he drove into the embassy in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday afternoon. Embassy staff have removed the buzzer from the gate to stop journalists from ringing it. Malaysia would return Kim Jong Nams body to North Korea, Zahid said Thursday, but there were still procedures to be followed. Our policy is that we have to honor our bilateral relations with any foreign country, he told reporters. Read more: Ex-diplomat: Ive known that there was no future for North Korea The secret life of Kim Jong Uns aunt, who has lived in the U.S. since 1998 North Korea fires ballistic missile, first since Trump elected in U.S. A fighter linked to an al-Qaeda group in front of the governorate building in Idlib province in 2015. (Uncredited/AP) Islamic State-linked militants in western Syria have executed scores of rebel fighters as part of an intensifying battle with what remains of the countrys armed opposition, a monitoring group said. The militants, an offshoot of the Jund al-Aqsa group, killed more than 150 rebels in the village of Khan Sheikhoun in Idlib province, the SITE Intelligence Group reported Wednesday. Citing an al-Qaeda-linked news outlet, it said most of the purported victims were part of the U.S.-backed Jaish al-Nasr group. The news could not be independently verified, although a spokesman for Jaish al-Nasr said 71 of its fighters were recently detained in the neighboring Hama province. As a nationwide cease-fire halts the fighting between rebels and forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad across much of Syria, the armed opposition has descended into infighting. In Idlib, many have divided into two broad alliances, with smaller groups hoping that the larger ones will protect them from the other side. One of these is Tahrir al-Sham, formed last month from a merger of Syrias former branch of al-Qaeda, along with several other Islamist groups. The group has turned on more-moderate factions whose representatives have agreed to join peace talks with the Syrian government. Tahrir al-Sham and Jund al-Aqsa have clashed repeatedly in recent weeks as the jihadist factions vie for influence across northwest Syria. [Syria has secretly executed thousands of political prisoners, rights group says] Meanwhile, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitoring network, said Thursday that the Syrian government had dropped barrel bombs on the Idlib town of Habeet. A video circulating on social media showed the apparent aftermath: a young boy sitting on the ground and crying out for his father. Pick me up, baba, pick me up, he shouted. The childs legs had been blown off. Two months after Assads forces recaptured the northern city of Aleppo in a battle that killed hundreds of civilians in its final weeks, human rights groups fear that Idlib could face a similar onslaught before the war is over. Read more: Cease-fire frays in Syrias south as rebels launch new offensive Syrias war creates myriad problems for Turkey Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, president of the left-leaning National Regeneration Movement, center, arrives for an event on Sunday in Los Angeles. The politician known as AMLO is the early front-runner in Mexicos 2018 presidential race. (Dania Maxwell/Bloomberg News) Abel Flores, a 45-year-old day laborer, left central Mexico three decades ago and has not voted regularly in its elections. And yet, as the sun was setting on a recent evening, he was jammed with hundreds of Mexican Americans into a tree-shaded Los Angeles plaza to cheer on a rabble-rousing politician who could take Mexico in a very different direction. I dont normally do this kind of thing, Flores said, referring to the rally for Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, widely known as AMLO. But the day laborer felt that Mexico was threatened by President Trump, who has vowed to build a border wall and renegotiate the historic free-trade agreement with the United States. AMLO is the only person who can do anything to protect Mexico, Flores declared. The outrage in Mexico over Trumps proposals has elevated a longtime politician who has unnerved the countrys business community with his nationalist views and leftist rhetoric. Political opponents have compared Lopez Obrador with the late Hugo Chavez, a strongman who steered Venezuela toward socialism. While that may be an exaggeration, Lopez Obrador, 63, can bring thousands into the streets on command. His critics worry that his penchant for stubborn resistance could provoke confrontation with the United States, while his fans see him as a defender of the common man. Although he has not yet officially declared his candidacy for next years presidential race, Lopez Obrador has become the clear front-runner: A recent poll by El Financiero newspaper had him capturing 33 percent of voter support, six points ahead of Margarita Zavala of the conservative National Action Party (PAN). Lopez Obrador is already in campaign mode, barnstorming the country and traveling to the United States to drum up support from Mexican Americans. [Trump meets with Carlos Slim as Mexican leaders seek better relations] As he spoke to the crowd in Plaza Olvera in Los Angeles on Sunday, Lopez Obrador hit some fiery notes, comparing Trumps America to Hitlers Germany, but he ultimately called for calm. We should counter the strategy of Trump and his advisers not with shouts and insults . . . but with intelligence, wisdom and dignity, he said. This is a battle that we should wage on the terrain of ideas. Trump will probably be a major campaign issue when Mexicans go to the polls next year. Lopez Obrador has criticized the U.S. presidents policies but showed restraint, casting himself as the mature elder statesman. On the night Trump won the election, Lopez Obrador posted a short video telling Mexicans that they had no reason to worry and that they belonged to a sovereign nation that doesnt depend on any foreign government. During the current standoff with Trump over who will pay for the border wall, Lopez Obrador has refrained from bashing President Enrique Pena Nieto, who is accused by some Mexicans of being too accommodating. A fixture on Mexicos left for decades, Lopez Obrador comes from the gulf coast state of Tabasco, where he ran unsuccessfully for governor. He gained prominence as the mayor of Mexico City from 2000 to 2005, cutting an unusual figure by avoiding many of the trappings of high office and driving around in a Nissan Sentra. He gave subsidies to the poor and elderly but also balanced the budget, built elevated roadways to relieve the citys notorious traffic, and raised tax collection. He left office with an approval rating of more than 80 percent. But in 2006, after narrowly losing the presidential election, Lopez Obrador provoked a political crisis by refusing to accept the victory of Felipe Calderon, a conservative, and instead declaring himself the nations legitimate president. The leftist showed his mastery at mobilizing crowds, leading a six-week blockade of one of Mexicos main boulevards. After he again lost the presidential election in 2012, Lopez Obrador left Mexicos main leftist party the Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD) and formed an offshoot called MORENA, or the National Regeneration Movement. [White House says Mexico border wall might be funded by tax on imports] Pena Nieto and his traditionally dominant Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) have become deeply unpopular because of a sluggish economy, corruption scandals and the perception that the president has not stood up to Trump. Pena Nieto and his team have been careful not to antagonize Trump, for fear of damaging the relationship with Mexicos No. 1 trade partner. Andres Manuel is well positioned in this situation to create an alternative path, and he has benefited a lot because Pena Nietos team has been clumsy, said Alberto Aziz Nassif, a political analyst in Mexico City. He is reading these new winds, these new times. Lopez Obrador has been a front-runner before only to fade as the election gets closer. His critics see him as an arrogant, power-hungry figure. Much of the business and political elite consider him a particular threat. He has been skeptical of Mexicos embrace of free trade and opposed Pena Nietos moves to open the countrys crucial oil industry to foreign investment. He is authoritarian, intolerant, he has a vision of the world where those who are with him are good and the others are bad, said Francisco Gil Villegas, a political analyst in Mexico City. Hes not very democratic, and he is willing to operate above the Constitution. Despite his long political history, Lopez Obrador sees himself as an outsider. In a speech on Sunday at a cultural center in Tijuana, south of the border from San Diego, he warned that the electoral system was rigged, and he predicted fraud in next years vote. His new book, 2018 The Exit: Decline and Rebirth in Mexico, opens with the line: Corruption is the principal problem in Mexico, a theme he has emphasized since his first presidential run a decade ago. In his Tijuana speech, Lopez Obrador estimated that hundreds of millions of dollars in government funds are siphoned away each year in corruption and promised that he would recover this money he did not specify how and spend it on scholarships for students. He vowed to sell all the presidential airplanes and helicopters and travel in a more humble fashion. These types of promises resonate with many Mexicans who are fed up with rampant corruption. The crowd that greeted Lopez Obrador in Los Angeles later that day included documented and undocumented immigrants, migrant advocates and Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, who is Mexican American. Trumps threats to deport illegal immigrants and the recent wave of immigration raids in several U.S. cities have alarmed many in the Mexican diaspora. Los Angeles was the first of seven U.S. cities that Lopez Obrador plans to visit in coming weeks as he casts himself as a defender of immigrant rights. At the end of his Tijuana speech, he led a chant that immigrants are not alone. In his remarks, Lopez Obrador was deeply critical of Trump, describing him as a neo-fascist who won the presidency through a discourse of hate. But he called for opposing the U.S. president through legal and democratic means. He urged bilingual lawyers to help migrants and suggested that media outlets document the migrant experience. I confess that I am optimistic, he said. The wall and demagoguery cant compete with the talent and dignity of the United States. He concluded, Viva the state of California! Gabriela Martinez in Mexico City contributed to this report. Read more Trump policies strain the ties that bind a Mexican village to small-town Illinois In fight with Trump, Mexico has plenty of ways to punch back Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news In a White House press conference Wednesday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US President Donald Trump backed away from a decades-old pretense by Washington of a commitment to the pursuit of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Instead, echoing remarks by Netanyahu, Trump advanced a much bigger deal, a much more important deal that would take in many, many countries andwould cover a very large territory. While vague in the extreme, in the context of the evolving foreign policy of the Trump administration, the statement suggested plans for a closer US-Israeli alliance of militarist aggression against Iran, combined with an attempt to bring Arab Sunni regimes such as Saudi Arabia, the other Gulf monarchies and others on board. In the course of the 2016 election campaign, Trump vowed to become the most pro-Israel president in history, promised to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and followed up by naming his personal bankruptcy lawyer, David Friedman, a prominent US supporter of Zionist settlements in the occupied West Bank, as his nominee for US ambassador to Israel. At Wednesdays press conference, which was scheduled before he and Netanyahu met, thereby precluding any questions as to the content of their discussions, Trump indicated a significant shift from the public policy that has been put forward by Washington for decades: that the solution to the conflict in the Middle East required the creation of a Palestinian mini-state on at least some of the territory occupied by Israel since the 1967 war. The pursuit of this supposed solution through so-called peace talks that invariably break down has been a longstanding charade, designed to portray Washington as some kind of even-handed broker even as it arms Israel to the teeth and subsidizes its economy. The continuous encroachment of settlements and security areas have long since reduced and divided the territory that would supposedly be ruled by a Palestinian state, rendering any such entity politically and economically unviable. Nonetheless, Trumps statement at the press conference that, as far as a two-state or one-state solution, I could be happy with either one is a signal to the Israeli government that it can proceed as it sees fit in the continued occupation and oppression of the Palestinian people without facing even the pretense of pressure from Washington. Trump said Wednesday that he would love to see the US embassy moved to Jerusalem, but gave no indication that such a decision, which would spark intense hostility throughout the Arab world, was imminent. On the issue of Israels settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, Trump gave what might be best described as a wink and a nod to the Israeli prime minister, telling him, Id like to see you hold back on settlements for a little bit, while adding, Well work something out. To laughter from the White House audience, he added, peering at Netanyahu, both sides will have to make compromises--You know that, right? Earlier the administration had put forward a formal opposition to the creation of new settlements and the geographical expansion of existing ones, leaving open the building of new settler housing within those that already exist. For his part, Netanyahu, who in the weeks following Trumps inauguration approved plans for more than 3,000 new homes in West Bank settlements and East Jerusalem, made it clear that he was reading the green light from the White House. He dismissed the questions on settlements, saying that they were not the core of the conflict, and voiced confidence that he and Trump would arrive at an understanding so we don't keep on bumping into each other all the time on this issue. Trump also denounced what he characterized as one-sided actions against Israel at the United Nations, which has treated Israel in my opinion very, very unfairly. Last December, then-president-elect Trump denounced the Obama administration for not using its veto in the UN Security Council to defeat a toothless resolution criticizing Israels expansion of settlements in the occupied territories. Both Trump and Netanyahu have promoted a conception that Israel was neglected and mistreated by the Obama administration. In point of fact, last September the Obama White House concluded a $38 billion, 10-year arms aid deal with Tel Aviv, the largest such agreement in history, expanding on the massive US assistance to the Israel, a country which takes in roughly one third of all US aid worldwide, while accounting for just .001 percent of the worlds population. The reaction of the Israeli right to the press conference was ecstatic. Naftali Bennett, Netanyahus extreme right-wing education minister, praised Trumps shift from the two-state solution. A new era. New ideas. No need for 3rd Palestinian state beyond Jordan & Gaza. Big day for Israelis & reasonable Arabs. Congrats, he said on Twitter. He added in Hebrew: After 24 years, the Palestinian flag has come down from the mast and the Israeli flag has taken its place, referring to the 1993 Oslo accords calling for the creation of an independent Palestinian state. Both Trump and Netanyahu issued bellicose warnings to Iran, suggesting that Washington and its main client state in the Middle East are preparing for a redoubling of the provocations and aggression that have repeatedly brought the region to the brink of a war that would have incalculable consequences. Netanyahu made reference to a regional approach involving our newfound Arab partners, while Trump responded by saying, So, I didnt know you were going to be mentioning that, but thatsnow that you did, I think its a terrific thing and I think we have some pretty good cooperation from people that in the past would never, ever have even thought about doing this. These statements follow a report from Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas over the weekend that a senior Egyptian official, apparently acting in cooperation with Israel, had put forward a proposal for a transfer of the Palestinian refugee population to the Sinai Peninsula and the annexation of the Gaza Strip, leaving Israel in control of the West Bank. Trumps CIA Director Mike Pompeo held secret talks with Abbas on Tuesday in Ramallah. The US intelligence agency has played a major role in shaping and assisting the Palestinian Authority as an instrument for containing and repressing the resistance of the Palestinian people. The reaction of the Palestinian Authority leadership was to plead with Washington to continue the two-state charade on the grounds that abandoning it would undermine American interests. The renunciation of the two-state solution would strip the last shred of legitimacy from the PA leaders, who have become millionaires off of CIA payments and foreign aid grants. More broadly, the emerging US-Israeli strategy appears to be aimed at securing the support of reactionary Sunni Arab regimes for a military buildup against Iran, with the Palestinians to be used as a bargaining chip in a new and bloody imperialist carve-up of the Middle East. While calling on two obscure right-wing US news outletsPat Robertsons Christian Broadcasting Network and the Townhall websiteto avoid any hostile questions, Trump was asked by an Israeli reporter to respond to a sharp rise in anti-Semitic incidents in the US since his election, and the perception that behind it, your administration is playing with xenophobia and maybe racist tones. Trump made a rambling reply referring to the number of electoral votes he won in the 2016 election and adding that theres tremendous enthusiasm out there. He made no mention, much less any condemnation, of anti-Semitic attacks; instead he merely stated, As far as people, Jewish people, so many friends; a daughter who happens to be here right now; a son-in-law, and three beautiful grandchildren, referring to his daughter Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner. Netanyahu jumped in, declaring: There is no greater supporter of the Jewish people and the Jewish state than President Donald Trump. I think we should put that to rest. That the Trump White House has as its chief strategist Stephen Bannon, until recently the head of Breitbart News, which serves as a platform for white nationalists and anti-Semites, is not an issue for the Israeli leader. His only concern is that Washington provide unconditional support for the predatory interests of the Israeli state and capitalist ruling elite. An emergency session of the UN Security Council, convened earlier this week at the behest of the US, Japan and South Korea, condemned North Koreas test launch of an intermediate-range ballistic missile on Sunday. The solid-fuel missile, named the Pukguksong-2, flew an estimated 500 kilometres before splashing down in the Sea of Japan. The UN statement declared that North Korea violated a series of Security Council resolutions banning nuclear and missile tests and imposing ever-harsher sanctions on the country. It warned of further significant steps if Pyongyang did not halt its testing and called on all UN members to redouble their efforts to implement existing sanctions. US President Donald Trump backed Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe who, at a joint press conference last weekend, condemned the launch as absolutely intolerable. At a media conference on Monday, Trump said North Korea was a big, big problem and his administration would deal with it very strongly. The US ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, called on UN Security Council members to use every available resource to make it clear to the North Korean regimeand its enablersthat these launches are unacceptable. It is time to hold North Korea accountablenot only with our words, but with our actions. The reference to North Koreas enablers is directed especially at China, which is an ally of North Korea and by far its largest trading partner. This effectively puts Beijing on notice that Washington will demand the imposition of far harsher Chinese measures to force Pyongyang to its knees. Since the beginning of the year, Trump has twice lambasted China for not bringing North Korea to heel. North Korea is already among the most isolated countries in the world, having been subject to a US diplomatic and economic embargo since the end of the Korean War in 1953. Following each of its five nuclear tests, the UN Security Council, supported by China, has ratcheted up economic sanctions that have already taken their toll. The latest, imposed in November, limited North Koreas annual export of coalits largest export itemand also banned the export of zinc, nickel, silver and copper. North Koreas ambassador to Switzerland, Han Tae Song, on Tuesday defended the missile test, declaring it was necessary for building up self-defence capabilities and to protect national sovereignty and the safety of the people against direct threats by hostile forces. He said North Korea rejected the UN resolutions and sanctions, and condemned the massive annual joint US-South Korean military exercises due to start next month. However, North Koreas expanding nuclear and missile arsenal does nothing to protect its people, and in fact, heightens the danger of a devastating conflict, providing the US with a pretext for its military build-up in North East Asia, aimed against China in particular. Moreover, Pyongyangs bellicose threats against South Korea, Japan and the United States drive divisions into the international working classthe only social force able to halt the accelerating drive to war. The Pentagon is already exploiting the latest missile test to hype up the danger posed by Pyongyang. Media spokesman Jeff Davis said North Koreas missiles represented a clear, grave threat to our national security, claiming that the new solid fuel rocket could be launched at short notice and would be harder to detect. In reality, as US Defence Secretary James Mattis warned earlier this month, any attempt by North Korea to use a nuclear-armed missile would be met with an effective and overwhelming response. The huge US nuclear arsenal is capable of obliterating the Pyongyang regime, along with its military and economic infrastructure, in a matter of hours. Moreover, there is a growing chorus of hawkish figures calling for pre-emptive military action against North Korea. Last week, US Forces Korea commander General Vincent Brooks suggested that the Pentagon had to boost its ability to destroy North Korean missiles before they were fired. Defence is not enough, he said. If you are not also able to kill the archers, we will never be able to catch enough arrows. Such comments are raising concerns in South Korea, which faces the possibility of retaliation by North Korea. Reporting on Brooks remarks, the Chosen Ilbo warned: In the past, the prospect of pre-emptive strikes had been mentioned by US analysts on a theoretical basis, but now they are being touted as viable options by government officials and lawmakers. Threats of pre-emptive military action against Pyongyang, and calls for a regime-change strategy, are part of an intensifying debate in US strategic circles over North Korea. The Trump administration itself is reportedly engaged in a review of US policy toward Pyongyang. Those opposed to aggressive military measures against North Korea warn of the disastrous consequences. A lengthy essay in the latest issue of the Foreign Affairs magazine, entitled Trump and North Korea, calls for the White House to enter negotiations and strike a deal with North Korea. Military action could lead to the destruction of Seoul (which sits within range of North Korean artillery) and expose US forces in Guam, Japan and South Korea to devastating retaliation, potentially triggering a catastrophic war in one of the worlds most populous and prosperous regions, it warned. Given the erratic character of Trumps foreign policy statements, nothing can be ruled out. He did in fact suggest last year that he could sit down for a discussion with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un over a hamburger. Everything, however, mitigates against such an eventuality: Trumps own belligerent and militaristic statements, including toward Iran where a deal was struck to limit that countrys nuclear and missile programs, and his appointment of generals and politicians to top security posts in his administration who are known for their hawkish views. Furthermore, the main target of Washingtons aggressive military expansion in the Asia Pacific, which began under the Obama administrations pivot to Asia, is not North Korea, but China. The placement of the sophisticated Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) system in South Korea, along with associated radar sites in Japan, is part of the Pentagons preparation for fighting a nuclear war with China. Far from seeking to ease tensions with China, Trump has foreshadowed actions, including trade war measures against Beijing and a further military expansion in Asia, that only heighten the danger of war. In that context, like previous administrations, the present White House will exploit the confrontational stand-off with North Korea as a means of intensifying the pressure on China, further exacerbating the risks of conflict. Categories Skincare Allow me to introduce you to my best friend Connie, who also happens to be my beautiful mother. My mom and I, while technically of the same DNA, have very different skin types and skincare goals. As unique as we can be, I thought we could learn a lot from trading beauty routines for a week. Mom always knows best, or so the saying goes, but I have a few tricks up my sleeve, too. Here's what we learned from our swap. Connies Skin Type "Unlike my daughter, I never get oilyI have normal to dry skin. Winter is the worst for me, as I get dry patches, especially on my forehead. At 53, I have age-appropriate goals for my skin: I want to tighten and firm it (I've noticed sagging around my chin, and my laugh lines have gotten more prominent in the last five years), eliminate wrinkles (crow's-feet are my problem area) and remove sun spots. My regimen consists of a good cleanser and a makeup remover. I wear a full face every day, so I'm very diligent about taking it all off at night. I was first introduced to Erno Laszlo when I visited the brand's skin institute in New York, and I've been a fan ever since. I use the cleansing duo daily (trading off between the hydrating and detoxifying sets as needed) and the White Marble line is a go-to for me, because it focuses on reversing sun damage. Lastly, the Lancome sleep mask is one of my favoritesI apply it religiously at night, and sometimes when I wake up early on a weekend, I'll slather it on my face and go back to bed." Stephanie's Skin Type There are two things you should know about my skin and routine: I'm a grease ball and a product junkieif you've followed my stories over the years, you know that already. My T-zone gets super oily and the rest of my face is normal, so I focus on reducing oil production in one area and hydrating everywhere else. I just turned 27, so anti-aging is on the brainI haven't introduced hard-hitting ingredients like retinoids yet, but I exfoliate like crazy to help promote cell turnover to keep my skin looking younger longer. Story continues In recent months, I've cut down on the triple-cleanse because it can be controversial. Some people swear by it, but I've been told by multiple facialists that it can overload your skin and make it produce even more oil. I've limited myself to a single cleanser that exfoliates, then an oil-based remover for my eye makeup. I'm obsessed with toner and serum, so I use them immediately after washing my face. To keep my skin hydrated, I use a lightweight moisturizer and spritz my face with a hydrating mist a few times a day. I recently added a light eye cream (baby steps to stopping wrinkles before they start). Finally, a couple times each week, I use my favorite peel by Skin Inc. to slough off dead skin and even out my complexion. I love that it's so gentle but really makes my skin glow every time I use it. Stephanies Current Skincare Routine The Switch My mom is the most selfless, giving person I know, but when it's time to start our experiment, I have to pry her beloved skincare products from her hands. She makes me promise I'll give them back and looks genuinely sad to see them go. When I bust out my bag of tricks, she actually gasps out loud. In shock, she blurts, "I have to put all of that on my face?" Terrified the abundance of products will make her break out, she reluctantly agrees to my challenge. I walk her through every step and watch as she tries to soak it all in. The next day, she calls and admits that my eight-step routine is much less time-consuming than she thought. She immediately raves about the Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Cleanser: "I love how it lathers, and the smell makes me feel like I'm at a spa." (See, sometimes daughters know a thing or two!) Next, it's my turn, and I'm so happy to have a multi-step cleansing routine back (thanks, Mom!). I start with the oil cleanser, then detox with the charcoal bar and it's like I'm my old self again. Once I apply the moisturizer, my skin feels amazing and super hydrated. Sadly, as the morning goes on, I notice significant pilling. I usually allow a one-hour window between my skincare and makeup routines, and by the time I apply the foundation, there's already buildup on my face. I try my best to get the product off while driving (eek!), but I have to go about my day with my skin looking like it's peeling. I decide to continue with my mom's routinebut to proceed with caution. Mom and I climbing Mayan pyramids in Guatemala (in ponchos!) Mommy-daughter trip to New York Connies Final Thoughts "After a week using my daughter's products, my skin feels much more hydrated and moisturized. I have a couple new favorites I'm thinking of keeping (Stephanie has enough stuff anyway). I love the Kate Somerville cleanserI can't wait to incorporate that into my daily routine. I was skeptical about the peel at first, but I'm planning to continue using it. I'm amazed by how it removes dead skin without feeling too abrasive. I have a dark area on the left side of my face, which I think is sun damage from the driver's side window of my car. At the end of the week it seems much lighter. All in all, this was a positive experience. While I can't wait to get my hands on my Erno Laszlo White Marble products and my sleep mask, my skin feels less dry. Keeping up with Stephanie's strict instructions was difficult, but I eventually found my way. I admit I used the peel much more often than she advised, and I thought the eye cream was a second serum so I applied it to my entire face, but no harm done." Stephanies Final Thoughts The biggest lesson I learned after a week of swapping routines with my mom is that I need to be more diligent about my evening regimenmy mom is really good at it. (I just get super lazy and fall asleep with my makeup on.) After seven days, my skin looks less tired and more toned. I'm determined to make this a nightly habit. The only product that didn't work for me was her moisturizer. Keeping in mind she has dry skin and I have normal-oily, it was a little too heavy and just wouldn't absorb. I think that's why my skin completely rejected it, making it pill like fuzz on a sweater. The overarching lesson here is to keep an open mind and try new productsbut ultimately, only you can decide what works for your skin. Homepage image: @violetgrey Related Articles A new study shows that scalp cooling treatments help prevent hair loss caused by chemotherapy. (Photo: Getty Images) Theres promising news for women who are undergoing chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer and are worried about losing their hair. Research published in the peer-reviewed medical journal JAMA states that scalp cooling therapy can be highly effective in reducing hair loss in women who are receiving taxane or anthracycline chemotherapy regimens. The study comprised 182 women with Stage I or Stage II breast cancer who planned to have at least four cycles of taxane- or anthracycline-based chemotherapy. The participants who were instructed to use the Orbis Paxman Scalp Cooling System device wore the item on their head for 30 minutes prior to their chemotherapy treatment, during the entire treatment, and for 90 minutes after treatment. After completing four cycles of chemotherapy, more than 50 percent of the women in the cooling group had hair preservation of grade 0 or 1, meaning no wig or scarf was necessary. As for the women who were placed in the no cooling group, none of them were spared from chemo-induced hair loss. I wasnt surprised [by these results] because there are a lot of studies from Europe and other countries that showed significant hair retention rates, Julie Rani Nangia, MD, lead study author and assistant professor at the Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center within the NCI-designated Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center at Baylor College of Medicine, tells Yahoo Beauty. However, this current research is the first randomized study in the world that observed the effects of scalp cooling devices with patients who received various types of chemotherapy for breast cancer treatment. The previous investigations only examined one specific type of chemo, like the class taxane, which has a higher rate of hair retention, states Nangia. She further explains that the machine is like a little refrigeration unit that circulates coolant to the cap. The device used in this study has a two-cap system: The inner silicon cap circulates the chilled fluid, while the outer neoprene cap insulates the scalp, which fits firmly to the patients head with a chin strap. The cap is connected to a machine, which can be briefly detached from the patient to allow for greater mobility during sessions. Story continues Chemotherapy treatment works by attacking rapidly dividing cells, but in doing this, it also targets rapidly dividing hair cells, 90 percent of which are in the growth stage, resulting in hair loss, states Nangia. With scalp cooling, we are lowering the temperature of the scalp, thereby constricting the blood vessels and reducing the flow of blood to the hair follicles, which will help reduce hair loss by limiting the amount of chemo drugs reaching the follicles. She points out that patients with thicker, coarser hair, like African-American women, may have success if they increase the cooling time from 30 to 45 minutes. And while the volunteers were not instructed to cut their hair before treatment Its more about hair type than hair length African-American women were encouraged to undo their braids. The one person who didnt, the braids just fell out because it wasnt penetrating right. Nangia is hoping that additional research will be conducted on these mechanisms in the near future. I would love to see U.S. registry trials so that we can allow all patients with solid tumors for example, lung cancer, colon cancer, and ovarian cancer to have access to this device, including men, she says. However, these types of products are not safe for patients diagnosed with liquid-tumor-type cancers that spread through the blood, such as leukemia. Thats because part of the way the device works is that it constricts the blood vessels in the scalp, so it could potentially protect, for example, a leukemic cell. As the hair protection system used in the current trial awaits FDA approval, Nangia says, similar products are currently available on the market. (She notes that Penguin Cold Caps is one of the more popular products.) These caps are like ice bags, so they are labor intensive and need to be changed every 30 minutes, she explains. And you need to re-fit them every 30 minutes. In order to protect the hair follicles, Nangia recommends using a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner, as well as gently combing lots and lots of conditioner through the hair because that helps not put as much pressure on the roots. She also advises to go without color-treating your locks, and to avoid curling and straightening your hair with hot tools. Again, because all of that tugs from the roots. And as with the cooling-cap device she studied, Nangia believes the better the fit, the better the chances of retaining your mane. There is definitely a learning curve to using the device, but its about the fit the fit is the key to success. Nangia offers a quick demonstration of the Orbis Paxman Hair Loss Prevention System in the following YouTube video. Read More: Rare Rapunzel Syndrome Causes Woman to Eat Own Hair Kim Kardashian May Suffer From Traction Alopecia Heres What She Should Do Woman Loses Hair From Weaves and Shes Not Alone Lets keep in touch! Follow Yahoo Beauty on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. Photo credit: Chip Somodevilla / Staff / Getty From Cosmopolitan Photo credit: Chip Somodevilla / Staff / Getty Last week, Nebraska Sen. Deb Fischer, a Republican, introduced a pair of bills aimed directly at helping women in the workplace. One, the Workplace Advancement Act, attempts to chip away at the gender pay gap by making it illegal to punish employees for asking about, or sharing, salary information. The other establishes a two-year pilot program that offers tax credits to employers who offer paid leave. The legislation - which Fischer first introduced in 2014 - comes after President Donald Trump unveiled a distinctly un-Republican mandatory paid leave proposal last year. That policy, influenced by his daughter Ivanka, would give new mothers six weeks of partially paid leave. Fischers plan, meanwhile, sets the minimum at two weeks, and allows employers to choose whether or not they want to participate. The senator spoke with Cosmopolitan.com about her legislation, her work with Ivanka, and why shes tired of hearing about the war on women. Youve introduced these bills before and theyve failed to advance. Why do you think theyll be more successful this time and why do you think they havent been in the past? We have great ideas. They're going to be more successful. [Laughs.] They're good bills. There's bipartisan support for both of them. [Maine Independent] Angus King is a cosponsor on the Strong Families Act, and we've had five Democrats vote for the equal pay bill, and so I think if something is worth having, if something's worth getting done, you continue to work for it. And I think these proposals are going to make life easier for families and we need to keep working at it. A critic of the Strong Families Act said that because its a tax credit, it still requires employees to win the employer lottery and hope they work some place where an employer wants to do the right thing." How do you respond to that? Were trying to target especially hourly employees with the Strong Families Act. A lot of our larger companies already provide paid family leave, and that's great. But if were going to encourage smaller businesses, smaller companies, those who have hourly employees, this two-year pilot project that were setting up, thats a way that we can show that it works - for both the employer who wants to do this but might need some help, but really to help that hourly employee face all the juggling that they have to do in their lives. They would have the opportunity to be able to take off an hour or two to take a child to a doctor, or to check on a parent. They're getting squeezed by all the responsibilities that they have at work and then at home. To be able to show employers that they can keep a good worker in their job, which they certainly want to do, but still be able to have a little help from the government in the form of a tax credit, I think we would have some good numbers in this pilot program to be able to show that it does work. Story continues But what is someone supposed to do after having a baby, for example, if her company doesnt opt in to this tax credit? You know, we take it one step at a time. We have to make sure that we can get something passed. Sen. King and I are aware of the reality that we live in. And this is a bill that we can get passed. President Trumps paid leave proposal was six weeks of partial paid time off. Do you think thats too much? Why does your plan set the minimum at two weeks? I haven't seen any concrete proposal from the administration. I did have a meeting with Ivanka Trump, there were a number of us that met with her before the election, and in fact, we're going to be meeting again this week. I'm looking forward to discussing it with her then. ... The reason that Sen. King and I are proposing that two-year pilot program, it really is to get the information that I think we need in order to convince our colleagues that this is a proposal that will succeed in helping to make life easier for families. Do you think two weeks is enough time off for a new parent? It's not just two weeks. It's not just two weeks. The tax credit can be two to 12 weeks for paid leave. It's up to the employer. It can be up to 12 weeks, though, not just two weeks. It's at least two weeks. They have to offer it for at least two weeks. But they can offer it for up to 12 weeks. There was an op-ed in the Times this week that asked, Since When Is Being a Woman a Liberal Cause? What do you think when you see women-focused events, like the Womens March, that present women as a united bloc against Republicans and President Trump? Well, I dont think anybodys ever in a bloc. You know, we're all individuals. If you're a woman, if you're a man, if you're from a rural area or suburbia or a city, no matter what part of the country you're from, we're not - none of us, none of us can be categorized as this united bloc. The election showed us that. I think what we need to do is always encourage people to be who they choose to be. We need to make sure that every individual has the opportunity to make choices for their own life, and grow and develop in a way that they want. And we should encourage that. If it's professionally that someone wants to go in one direction or another, that should be encouraged. I think it's just detrimental to people as a whole, but I think it's very detrimental to women especially to say, Well, you should be a liberal. You're a woman, you should be a liberal. Or: You're a woman, you should be a conservative. Or: You're from New York, you should be this, you're from Nebraska, you should be this. That doesn't help the individual, and it certainly doesn't help us as a country. Republicans have long shied away from paid leave. But Trump made these policies part of his campaign and youve worked on these issues since coming to the Senate. How can Republicans push back on this idea that the GOP is against women? I just think thats a false narrative. And I think women realize that. As I said, look at the election. It was predicted [that] women weren't going to vote Republican. They did. The people that I talk to are tired of politicians playing politics with issues that are important to women. I'm tired of it. I'm tired of hearing about the "war on women." What I want to do is be able to provide opportunities so people can have easier lives. And to continually have this political fight, thinking that we can demonize one side or the other, and make points, and get more votes, who does that help? It certainly doesn't help the single mother who's working three jobs trying to take care of her kids. It certainly doesn't help the young married couple who are trying to figure out how they're going to take care of their young daughter while they're trying to take care of both sets of older parents. That doesn't help anybody. All that does is play into dysfunction and sound bites. And it's not what we should be doing. You have voted in favor of every one of President Trumps nominees. Did any of them - or do any coming up on the docket - raise concerns for you? I have supported the president's nominees, because I had an opportunity, if I did have concerns, to be able to get assurances from them. I would say to you I supported President Obama's nominees too. I went back and looked, and I supported more of his nominees than I voted no on since my time in the Senate. It depended on the nominee. And that's the way I'll continue to look at nominees moving forward. Youve said you didnt agree with Betsy DeVos on every issue. As the daughter of a public school teacher, what do you think about DeVoss strong support for charter schools? I have assurances from the secretary, both verbally and in writing, that she will not be pushing federal mandates with charter schools or with vouchers. I am a strong supporter of public education. I have always voted against vouchers. I have voted against them in the Nebraska legislature and here in the Senate. And as we go forward, I will hold the secretary to her word, that she's not going to be pushing federal mandates. We have great public schools in the state of Nebraska. I was on a school board for over 20 years. I know how wonderful our schools are. And so I look forward to working with the secretary in the future, and I'll hold her at her word. This interview has been edited and condensed. Follow Rebecca on Twitter. You Might Also Like President Trump has an awkward moment with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. (Photo: AP) A routine visit between Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minster Justin Trudeau on Monday quickly went viral after the two men shared an awkward handshake. The two leaders met for the first time at the White House to discuss trade between the respective countries, and while they were sitting side-by-side in front of the press, Trump tried to break the ice. I think they might want a handshake, he told Trudeau, while reaching out his hand. In what was surely one photographers image of the year, Trudeau glanced at the presidents offering, seemingly with disdain, while the presidents hand hung awkwardly in the breeze. To be fair, he two men had a cordial greeting outside the White House and, as Mashable points out, the video of that exchange is more forgiving. Still, the Internet was unrelenting. Justin Trudeau is looking at Trump's hand like he just read the Russian Dossier pic.twitter.com/XGpGF7O7LG Matthew A. Cherry (@MatthewACherry) February 13, 2017 Trump: C'mon, touch it. Trudeau: No. Trump: Why? Trudeau: I know where it's been, and I know it wasn't consenting.#TrudeauMeetsTrump pic.twitter.com/Uk8BbNMT2U Fiona Adorno (@FionaAdorno) February 13, 2017 Trudeau thinks..'should I go for the 30 second + handshake and beat Abe's record or should I have medics wait to sew my arm back on?'???????? pic.twitter.com/oXjmQCVAfO misticJedi (@Misticjedi) February 13, 2017 Making matters worse, on Friday, a handshake between Trump and Japans prime minister, Shinzo Abe, went viral after Trump continued the motion for a full 19 seconds. Once Abe was able to free his hands, he seemed to cringe and roll his eyes, while turning his body away from the president. Story continues Trump is known for his aggressive greeting style, which involves shooting his hand toward the other person and jerking it up and down with force. Its an odd move, considering his fixation on cleanliness (during a January press conference, he confessed to being a germaphobe) and rumors of his alleged small hands. Both these handshakes really soured from the beginning, Susan Constantine, a body language expert who trains law enforcement and the Department of Defense, tells Yahoo Beauty. With Trudeau, Trump passively offers his hand, palm up, as if hes asking the prime minster to dance. Trump could have asserted himself by placing his hand on top, she says. Instead, he assumes a surrender position, which is incomprehensible. Trudeaus expression, she adds, is pure exasperation. His lips are tightly pressed together with the corners pointing down. He seems to be withholding disdain for the moment. Still, the prime minister is a good sport, and the two play along for the cameras. Photo: AP In the case of Prime Minster Abe, Trump may have harbored good intentions, but the greeting wasnt culturally appropriate, says Constantine. In Asian countries, the handshake is gentler, she says. However, since the meeting took place in America, it was expected that the prime minster would adapt to a more confident handshake. Whats more, Trump pats the hand of the Japanese diplomat a warm gesture reserved for a good friend which could be perceived as patronizing or insincere. Then Trump pulls Abes hand toward him in a long series of jerking motions, almost as if hes trying to overcompensate for a loss of power, says Constantine. The experience was likely unusual for Abe, who rolled his eyes and signaled to stand by placing his hands on the armrest of his chair. Its important to learn cultural norms when traveling as a global leader, says Constantine. For example, Trumps infamous thumb-up gesture when he steps off airplanes could be offensive, depending on who is present. Its possible that the president wasnt prepared well for these meetings. Lets keep in touch! Follow Yahoo Beauty on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. Ashton Kutcher has taken his passion for philanthropy to Capitol Hill. Kutcher, 39, testified in front of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on modern day slavery Wednesday. He spoke alongside Elisa Massimino, president and chief executive of the New York-based nonprofit Human Rights First, both of whom shared horrors theyve witnessed through work with their respective organizations. (Kutcher is the co-founder of Thorn, a non-profit organization that drives technology innovation to fight the sexual exploitation of children, according to their website.) Though they discussed a heavy subject, the hearing started off on a lighter note: Senator John McCain joked, Ashton, you were better looking in the movies, to which Kutcher responded by blowing a kiss in the former presidential candidates direction. Kutcher gave a 15-minute speech on modern day slavery, compelling Congress to act to end the horrors faced by women and children around the globe. Im here today to defend the right to pursue happiness. Its a simple notion: the right to pursue happiness, he said. Its bestowed upon all of us by our constitution. Every citizen of this country has the right to pursue it. And I believe that it is incumbent on us as citizens of this nation, as Americans, to bestow that right upon others, upon each other, and upon the rest of the world. But the right to pursue happiness for so many is stripped away its raped, its abused, its taken by force, fraud, or coercion. It is sold for the momentary happiness of another. Story continues Kutchers speech was a timely one as next week marks Shine a Light on Slavery Day. He also spoke of the criticism hes gotten from others or as he referred to them, trolls, who tell him to stick to day job. He rebutted these critiques by saying that his work with Thorn is his day job. He then told a harrowing story about seeing a child, the same age as his daughter, Wyatt (with wife Mila Kunis), who is just 2 years old, being raped by an adult man. Ive seen video content of a child thats the same age as mine being raped by an American man who was a sex tourist in Cambodia, and this child was so conditioned by her environment that she thought she was engaging in play, he said. Ive been on the other end of a phone call from my team, asking for my help because we had received a call from the Department of Homeland Security, telling us that a 7-year-old girl was being sexually abused and that content was being spread around the dark web and she had been being abused and theyd watched her for three years, and they could not find the perpetrator, asking us for help. We were the last line of defensean actor and his foundation were the potential last line of defense. Thats my day job, and Im sticking to it. A former Missouri Dairy Queen manager charged in her teenage employees suicide made her first court appearance on Tuesday as the teens parents broke their silence promising to bring the issue of bullying to light. Authorities say 17-year-old Kenneth Kenny Suttner killed himself in December, with a gunshot to the head, outside his familys home in Glasgow, Missouri. Harley Branham was arrested on Jan. 31 after a jury in a coroners inquest found her to be the principal cause of Suttners suicide. The jurors concluded he had faced bullying and harassment at Dairy Queen, while Branham was a manager there, and at school. Branham, 21, is charged with second-degree involuntary manslaughter, a felony. She appeared in Howard County Court on Tuesday where she waived her arraignment, according to court documents obtained by PEOPLE. She did not enter a plea. Branham is out on a $25,000 bond and is scheduled to return to court for a preliminary hearing on May 25. If convicted, she faces up to four years in prison. (Branham was fired from DQ for unrelated reasons, according to the Columbia Missourian, though its unclear when.) Her attorney, Jeffrey Hilbrenner, did not immediately return calls for comment. But earlier this month, he told PEOPLE it was too early to comment. Its a tragic situation, he said. At the May hearing, special prosecutor April Wilson plans to call three to five witnesses so the judge can determine whether there is enough evidence to bind Branham over to circuit court for trial, she tells PEOPLE. Former co-workers testified at the coroners inquest that Branham forced Suttner to perform tasks others did not have to, including cleaning the floor by hand while lying on his stomach, the Columbia Daily Tribune reports. Allison Bennett, who worked at Dairy Queen with Suttner, testified that Branham threw a cheeseburger at him because she claimed he made it incorrectly. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter. During her testimony at the inquest in January, Branham denied bullying Suttner or making him do anything demeaning, the Tribune reports. Any insults, she testified, were made in jest and he took it in stride. Story continues (A coroners inquest is investigative, not prosecutorial, and is a separate process from standard police proceedings. An inquest involves jurors and testimony, and its findings can affect a law enforcement investigation, but it does not have the same authority as a criminal trial.) Branham did admit that she called Suttner an a at least once but claimed it was intended to be playful, according to the Missourian. While on the stand, she said, Theres a lot of people at Dairy Queen saying I was the reason he killed himself, but I dont understand why it would be that way, the Tribune reports. Suttner also reportedly faced extensive harassment at school: A former classmate testified that she saw him tormented hundreds of times, according to the Missourian. Making Kennys Voice Heard In their first formal statement since their sons suicide, which Wilson provided to PEOPLE on their behalf, Mike and Angela Suttner thanked friends, family and neighbors for their support. There are so many good people in the community and school, which is why we will stay in the community, they said. But they also said they would like to work to prevent something like this from ever happening again. It is long overdue that the issue of bullying be brought to light so that we can all work together to make change, they wrote. They Suttners ended the statement by thanking everyone for making Kennys voice heard. Pick up PEOPLEs special edition True Crime Stories: Cases That Shocked America, on sale now, for the latest on Casey Anthony, JonBenet Ramsey and more. While Wilson is limited in what she can say about the ongoing case, she tells PEOPLE that authorities are continuing to investigate. New information and leads are coming in almost daily, she says, adding that she has received requests for help with bullying incidents from all over the state. Im doing as much research as I can to understand the psychology behind this, Wilson says. I want to understand how Kenny Suttner came to sit on that log when he committed suicide, long enough that ice formed around him. If I can understand what he was thinking, then I can understand how we can help other kids. She adds: It is my duty and responsibility to pursue the truth and pursue what brought him to that point and try to prevent it from happening to others. That is the ultimate goal of this. Musician Jack Antonoff from Bleachers and Fun enlisted support from fellow A-list musicians and celebrities to sign an open letter addressing Texas lawmakers on anti-LGBTQ legislation. The letter reads, Texas Senate Bill 6 (SB6) and House Bill 1362 (HB1362) would criminalize and restrict the simple act of a transgender person using the restroom that aligns with their gender identity a denial of basic human dignity. Other legislation in Texas would force teachers to out LGBTQ students to their parents a violation of the trust built between kids and educators. More than 140 entertainers have signed the letter including musicians Lady Gaga, Sia, Ariana Grande, Britney Spears, Alicia Keys, Janelle Monae, Sting, Bon Iver, Carly Rae Jepsen, and actors Emma Stone, Julianne Moore, Jennifer Lawrence, Lena Dunham, Amy Schumer, Ewan McGregor, and Amy Poehler. I wrote this letter because I want them to know that me and all of my friends all of these wonderful artists and actors and writers and designers are watching Texas and are not OK with this happening, he told Billboard. Interested in a similar story? Find out why Manny Pacquiao is denouncing the transgender lifestyle as fraud: More From Yahoo Celebrity: BERLIN Madrid-based Latido Films, Oscar-winning Tornasol Films and Woody Allen producer Atresmedia Cine are re-teaming on Rodrigo Sorogoyens El Reino, starring Antonio de la Torre. All five backed Sorogoyens latest 2016 release, May God Save Us, a harrowing serial killer thriller which, consolidating Sorogoyens reparation as a director to track, was distributed by Warner Bros. in Spain, won best screenplay at Septembers San Sebastian Festival last year and was still racking up international sales for Latido at this weeks Berlin European Film Market. The lead producer on May God Save Us, Gerardo Herrero and Mariela Besuievskys Tornasol Films, an arthouse institution in Spain, produced Juan Jose Campanellas The Secret in Their Eyes, which won an Academy Award for best foreign-language film in 2009. The film arm of Atresmedia, one of Spains two biggest broadcast groups and film financiers, Atresmedia Cine produced Woody Allens Vicky Cristina Barcelona, as well as Intruders with Clive Owen, and Red Lights, with Robert De Niro and Sigourney Weaver. But one of its large achievements this decade has been to co-produce a string of thrillers which question the manners and mores of Spains establishment. Written by S0rogoyen and Isabel Pena, a co-scribe on all his three features, El Reino turns on a corrupt politician who has to defend his actions when brought to account by fellow party members. It will star De la Torre, one of Sorogoyens troubled cops in May God Save Us and the lead of Venice hit The Fury of a Patient Man, which swept Spains Goyas Awards this month. Latido began introducing El Reino to buyers at Berlins European Film Market. El reino is inspired by true events [in Spain] but is highly international. Theres corruption in all parts of the world, said Latido Films head Antonio Saura. Making his directorial debut with Stockholm, a chronicle of male chauvinism and its devastating consequences, Sorogoyen stepped up hugely in scale with May God Save Us, a portrait of male violence in differing manifestations. Story continues Just as Rodrigo raised his game from Stockholm to May God Save Us, we believe that with El Reino hell take another step forward, and its our policy to follow great directors we believe in from one film to the next, Saura said. Sorogoyen also belongs to a remarkable a generation of directors who want to explore the genre change it, play with it and develop it, said Saura. Unlike slashers, they can also play primetime TV slots and, if sufficiently arthouse, rack up sometimes near worldwide sales abroad. May God Save Us scored an early sale to Jean Labadies Le Pacte in France, announced in Cannes last year, a bell-weather deal of a quality arthouse movie with edge. In May God Save Us, Sorogoyen brought a naturalism to the violence on the screen, positioning it not as spectacle but the result of tragic pathology, traced back in two cases to family circumstance. In El Reino, which is sure to feature as one of the most talked-about Spanish productions of the year, in his only public declarations on the film, which did not go into industrial detail, Sorogoyen said last October in a TV interview that the film would explore the corrupt politicians human side, his motivations and contradictions. El Reino will go into production this summer. Related stories Berlin Film Review: 'On the Beach at Night Alone' Buddhist Movie 'Becoming Who I Was' Picked Up by Bond/360 Berlinale: Mediapro Takes Stake in Burman Office, Creating TV Creation-Production Hub (EXCLUSIVE) Thicker than a shirt or cardigan, but less bulky than a coat or jumper, it can easily become one of the most versatile pieces in your arsenal (iStock/The Independent) With the start of spring upon us, its totally normal to start looking forward to brighter and warmer days (at least, thats what were telling ourselves). Its a very British thing to start wanting to shed those heavy layers at the first sight of a daffodil, and even if it is still a little chilly, we wouldnt blame you at all for getting excited for the new season ahead. The first obvious step in adjusting to your spring/summer wardrobe is, of course, to lose the coat. Whether you invested in a cosy puffa, wrap-around wool or checked number for winter, youll hopefully be needing this a lot less in the weeks to come, and in place of it, those lighter spring jackets can happily emerge from hibernation. The perfect transitional piece for this strange in-between season, the spring jacket is an essential in any capsule wardrobe. Thicker than a shirt or cardigan, but less bulky than a coat or jumper, it can easily become one of the most versatile pieces in your arsenal if you manage to find a great one. We all know how unpredictable the weather at this time of year can be, so in our opinion the best spring jackets need to be easy and layerable. Room for a thin knit underneath to wear now, and light enough to wear with a simple vest or T-shirt later in the season too. Read more: You want to be able to throw it on half way out the door, maybe fit it in a rucksack or around your waist in a blast of sunshine and throw it over your shoulders quickly in an April shower. So, if you dont already own one or are simply after a refresh, weve scoured the high street and found 10 of the best, most versatile jackets on offer this year. Plus, weve already gone through the process of trying and testing them so you dont have to. Keep scrolling to see which ones made it onto our list. Story continues You can trust our independent reviews. We may earn commission from some of the retailers, but we never allow this to influence selections, which are formed from real-world testing and expert advice. This revenue helps us to fund journalism across The Independent. John Lewis & Partners easy mac John Lewis & Partners easy mac is, well, just that: easy to wear, easy to style, easy to take on the great British weather with. Coming in a chic neutral beige, its classic enough to last beyond just one season and guaranteed to go with everything in your wardrobe. The shape though, with a slight Sixties swing to it, still feels stylish enough to make a statement think trench coat vibes but without the fussiness. We also liked that its shower resistant and made with moisture repelling fabric designed with the British weather in mind (so the label tells us), but looks equally appropriate on a sunny day. Our tester found it so easy and light to throw over jumpers, T-shirts, jeans, dresses, joggers, the lot. And all for under 100 theres not much here to fault. Buy now 48.30, Johnlewis.com Zara reversible quilted jacket If you were a big fan of the quilted coat trend that was everywhere this winter, Zaras khaki short jacket is bound to appeal to you. We found it to be super lightweight and definitely roomy enough to fit jumpers underneath (you might even want to size down if you prefer a less oversized look). Despite being so thin, the fabric is made with thermo-insulation which keeps you warm while still being breathable. Its also water-repellent, so perfect for when those April showers roll around. Did we mention its reversible? So thats two coats in one, making it a pretty good value investment. Mostly, we liked the nice balance between it being fashionable and practical. Buy now 49.99, Zara.com Hush verna trench coat The trench coat has a well known reputation for being the perfect spring coat, and for good reason. Its light, usually weather resistant and perfect for layering. There are obviously hundreds on the market but this cotton version from Hush comes in such a fresh springy colour, we think it would be the perfect addition to any new season wardrobe. The unusual hue is balanced out by the classic shape, with storm flaps, belt and everything, so minimalists neednt feel instantly scared off. The quality of Hush products is clear, and this trench is no exception. Coming in a heavyweight lyocell that means its warm but still flowy, and a lot less restrictive than the classic gabardine alternatives. We particularly loved it with just a white tee, blue denim and trainers such an easy, wear everywhere look. Buy now 159.00, Hush-uk.com Asos design faux leather jacket with sleeve drama The name of this spring jacket says it all really, doesnt it? The puff sleeves do certainly bring the drama if youre looking for something a little more out of the ordinary. But the classic putty colour keeps this jacket wearable, and the butter-soft faux leather adds a luxe element that means it works well with both casual and smarter looks. We found it to be extra versatile as you can choose to leave it open for a boxy fit or tie at the waist for a cinched in peplum look, depending on your outfit and mood. Wed particularly recommend this style for petites, as the shorter length means it doesnt overwhelm, and could even appear a little cropped if youre on the taller side. Buy now 45.00, Asos.com M&S tweed relaxed jacket Theres certainly a hint of Chanels famous boucle blazers about this M&S jacket, and were not complaining. In a dream world wed own the real thing, but this cropped tweed version will absolutely do until we win the lottery. We found the cotton-mix fabric lovely and soft to the touch, and its certainly warmer than some of the lighter shackets on this list. Despite at first appearing quite formal, with vintage feel buttons and that classic tweed, the relaxed fit and raw edge detail does keep it casual, and it would be perfect even just paired with denim. Its such a timeless design so you can be confident it will last you for many years to come. Buy now 59.00, Marksandspencer.com Warehouse faux leather western jacket Its not just the lemon yellow shade of this jacket that makes it ideal for spring. With a boxy, ever so slightly cropped shape that reminded us of our favourite denim jacket, its easy to wear for one. It pairs particularly well with floral dresses and we can imagine wearing this again and again to the park or pub garden (hopefully soon), when theres still a chill in the air. The sizing is on the smaller side so in case you prefer a more relaxed, oversized look, wed recommend taking the size up. The buttery faux-leather finish (which could definitely pass for the real thing) elevates this jacket from your standard western style and would breathe a breath of fresh air into any spring capsule. Buy now 55.20, Warehousefashion.com Next khaki belted utility jacket Of all the jackets our reviewer tried, this was actually the one they turned to most when leaving the house during testing. For that reason it comes in a very close second to our best buy, and could even take the top spot if it was more all-weather appropriate. Despite not being waterproof though, a classic khaki utility jacket like this one is one of the most timeless spring throw-ons and goes with, well, anything. At 35 this belted cotton version is an absolute steal, especially considering Nexts reputation for good quality, long-lasting basics. This particular version is also available in petite and tall versions so youre guaranteed to find the perfect fit for you. Buy now 35.00, Next.co.uk Boden pocket detail jacket Bodens update on the classic French chore jacket (i.e. a workers jacket but make it chic), is a great light option for spring. Not least because its practical while still being feminine the puff shoulder detail, oversized buttons and rounded peter pan collar add a nice retro feel that sets this style apart from the rest. As with most Boden pieces, the quality is there but it comes with a price point that reflects that. Yes, theres probably more budget chore jacket options, like H&Ms denim version in this list for example, but we thought this deserved a mention for its lovely rich mustard colour (which makes it feel a bit more dressed up), premium cut and ageless appeal this would look great on anyone, from 17-70+. Buy now 98.00, Boden.co.uk H&M oversized denim jacket Theyre not lying when they say this denim jacket is oversized, but if you take a size down, youll find yourself with a relaxed style that could see you through many a spring. Plus, it means theres plenty of room for more layers underneath if needed. Coming in a light denim, this is one of the more casual styles we tried but the double front pockets and longline shape (as opposed to the classic cropped western shape) means this does the reliable job of a denim jacket but with added style. Part of the high street heros conscious line, you can also feel good about your purchase, made from recycled cotton fibres from post consumer textile waste. Buy now 24.99, Hm.com & Other Stories quilted banana sleeve coat We dont know why were so drawn to yellow jackets this spring maybe because it reminds us of daffodils and chicks, maybe because its one of the main colour trends for the season thanks to many appearances on the recent catwalks. Either way, the appeal of this banana yellow number is undeniable. Again, this is one for the fans of quilted and puffa coats here youll find a much lighter fresher version for the new season. The longer length made it warmer than most, so this would be the perfect style to wear now if you want to feel springy without compromising on body heat. Plus, with it looking like so many of our social activities set to be outside for a while, it might not be a bad idea to err on the side of warmth this spring. Buy now 135.00, Stories.com The verdict: Spring jackets John Lewis & Partners easy mac definitely stood out as ticking the most boxes all round. Weatherproof, light, stylish and easy to throw on and instantly look polished. Nexts utility jacket comes in as a close runner up, however, given how useful a style like that is and, of course, for the great price. Add one of these womens white T-shirts to your capsule wardrobe and have timeless style for every occasion With the MSRP of several Jaguar models now ringing in below the vaunted $50,000 mark, theres more reason than ever to cross-shop British wares or at least notice their presence amid a sea of American, German, and Asian competitors. For the 2018 model year, the automakers top seller, the F-Pace, continues its pricing assault on the compact-SUV segment with a new base inline-four-cylinder engine, a new Portfolio trim, and extra safety features. Having launched last year with only a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder diesel (in the F-Pace 20d) and a 3.0-liter supercharged V-6 (in the 35t model), the F-Pace for 2018 gains a gasoline four-cylinder turbo as its base engine in the new 25t variant. Since Jaguar has finally tossed its ubiquitous Ford-sourced four-cylinder enginesay that five times fastthe F-Paces entry-level 2.0-liter turbo four is instead sourced from the same Ingenium engine family that sprouted the 20ds diesel four. An in-house Jaguar design, the gasoline-powered engine also appears in the base-model XE and XF sedans this year. Like the F-Paces diesel and gasoline V-6 engines, the Ingenium four is mated to an eight-speed automatic, with all-wheel drive as standard. With a twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing and lift, a new direct fuel-injection system, and an exhaust manifold integrated with the cylinder head, the Ingenium engine is claimed to return greater efficiency and faster warmups. (EPA fuel economy estimates for the F-Pace equipped with the new engine are forthcoming.) The turbo fours 247 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque are up 7 horsepower and 18 lb-ft over the now defunct Ford engine, and Jaguar claims it can punt the F-Pace to 60 mph in 6.4 seconds. For reference, the last F-Pace S we tested was a six-cylinder, 380-hp S, and it did that deed in 5.1 seconds; weve yet to test the 180-hp diesel or a non-S V-6 model. Well confirm Jags numbers in our own testing, but the four-cylinders performance is probably peachy for Jaguar buyers who prefer discounts over power. For those with bigger budgets who wish the F-Pace smelled more like a Range Rover, theres the also-new-for-2018 Portfolio trim level. The softer, extra-pleated Windsor leather seats with 22-way adjustment and winged headrests are exclusive to the Portfolio, which only comes with the F-Paces 340-hp V-6. Otherwise, the Portfolio is a Prestige loaded up with three option packages, head-up display, gloss ebony veneer, and 20-inch wheels. Jaguar expects a limited showing, as its only offered in Yulong White with Sienna Tan upholstery and, at $64,195 to start, is now the most expensive F-Pace in the lineup, topping even the more powerful F-Pace S. A sport steering wheel with thicker aluminum accents and thumb bolsters, formerly only for the R-Sport and S, is now standard on the Prestige trim but without any extra badging on the bottom spoke. Two new driver-assistance features are optional. Forward Traffic Detection, a camera- and radar-based alert system for traffic crossing at the front of the car, is also joined by Forward Vehicle Guidance, which enhances the in-dash feed from 360-degree cameras with steering-angle overlays for pulling slowly into a parking space. Later this year, Jaguar owners can elect to pay for gas at Shell stations through an onboard app without leaving their car. (No, the pumps wont magically fill up the tankdrivers will still need to exit the car to actually, you know, insert the fuel nozzle into their Jag.) Considering how Jaguars infotainment system remains plagued by software errors, wed recommend paying with plastic (or, gasp, paper!) like everyone else. Despite no change in standard equipment, the base F-Paces pricing shifts upward for 2018. The diesel 20d, previously the cheapest F-Pace, has been undercut by the $43,060 gasoline-powered 25t. Last years F-Pace, F-Pace Premium, F-Pace Prestige, and F-Pace R-Sport trim levels carry over to 2018, albeit with minor price increases to certain trims ranging from $775 (20d R-Sport) to $2375 (35t Premium). Opting for a diesel on any trim level adds $1500 to the price over the gasoline four, while springing for the V-6 will cost $4200. Finally, presumably to make things easier on the sales floor for dealers that also peddle Land Rovers, Jaguar renamed nine of the F-Pace exterior paints to match those hues on Land Rover models (Italian Racing Red is now Firenze Red, for example). Expect the first 2018 F-Pace models this spring. Beirut (AFP) - Turkish bombardment of an Islamic State group-held town in Syria has killed 34 civilians in one day, a monitor said Thursday, but Turkey's army said only "terrorists" died in the operation. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the dead in air strikes and shelling on the town of Al-Bab had killed 24 civilians -- including 11 children -- by Thursday morning. Renewed bombardment later in the day killed another ten civilians, among them six children, Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP. Turkey's army, quoted by the state-run Anadolu news agency said it had killed 15 "terrorists" in air strikes, artillery fire and clashes. Al-Bab is IS's final stronghold in the northern Syrian province of Aleppo and has come under fierce attack in recent months by Turkish forces and allied Syrian rebels, fighting under the "Euphrates Shield" banner. The joint force entered Al-Bab over the weekend, and Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said Tuesday that the town had "largely been taken under control." The Observatory however said Turkish forces had made little progress since entering the town from the west. Abu Jaafar, a field commander in one of the Euphrates Shield brigades, described a fierce IS defence of Al-Bab. "We tried a new tactic and were able to advance in Al-Bab at 1:00 am (Thursday)" seizing several key grain silos in the city's west, he told AFP. "But unfortunately, as we were storming the city, we were surprised by an ambush set for us by Daesh," Abu Jaafar said, using the Arabic acronym for IS. He said that several of his fighters were wounded when they were attacked by at least one suicide attacker and their equipment sustained serious damage. Abu Jaafar said his forces were regrouping for a fresh attack, and that air strikes by Turkish warplanes and the US-backed coalition were ongoing. On the eastern side of the town, an AFP correspondent saw fighters from the Mustafa Regiment, part of Euphrates Shield, attacking Al-Bab from a large olive grove on Thursday. Story continues Perched atop white pickup trucks, they strafed the town with machine gun fire before entering a few bombed-out buildings. Turkey began military operations in Syria in August, targeting both IS and Kurdish fighters. Initially its forces advanced quickly, but they stalled around Al-Bab in December. The town is also a key target for Syrian government forces, who had been advancing towards from the south. But they have yet to enter Al-Bab, instead focused on clearing IS-held territory in the surrounding countryside in recent days. More than 310,000 people have been killed in Syria since the conflict began in March 2011 with anti-government protests. The war has displaced over half the country's population and drawn in jihadists and international militaries. After taking a hit during the recession, the Las Vegas real estate market seems to be on an upswing. Even so, the best way to ensure you sell your home quickly and at the best price is to work with an experienced agent. The Las Vegas real estate agents below are among those who sold the most homes in the shortest time over the past year, according to Agent Explore, a real estate technology company (and a U.S. News partner). Mary Baca, Desert Lights Realty Average Time on Market: 63 Days Mary Baca, broker and owner of Desert Lights Realty, has been in Las Vegas real estate for almost 20 years. While she primarily works with banks to sell foreclosed properties, she has sold everything from condos to multimillion-dollar homes for residential clients across the Las Vegas Valley. [Read: 4 Ways to Sell Your Las Vegas Home Fast.] Baca's Advice for Sellers: "The home should be in optimum condition before going on the market and priced competitively against comparables. The worst thing you can do is go on the market overpriced." Robert Smith, Keller Williams Realty Las Vegas Average Time on Market: 75 Days Robert Smith started out as a certified public accountant before becoming a real estate agent almost 30 years ago. Now he works with his twin sister, specializing in new homes. Smith's Advice for Sellers: "If someone comes in with an iPhone to photograph your house for the listing, ask them to leave. But also, your agent should sit down with you. First, I listen to my seller, and then tailor my advice to their situation. Nobody's home selling process is the same as someone else's." [Read: 4 Under-the-Radar Neighborhoods in Las Vegas.] Iryna Sysenko, Realty ONE Group Average Time on Market: 68 Days A former computer science professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Iryna Sysenko now specializes in selling homes for investors. Her clients are often people who want to flip a home for profit or want to buy a property to rent it out. Story continues Sysenko's Advice for Sellers: "Put your home online with good pictures, a good description and be sure you have an agent that answers his or her phone. If you do this, and it is priced right, your house will sell." Craig Tann, Huntington & Ellis Average Time on Market: 80 Days Craig Tann, broker and owner at Huntington & Ellis, earned his real estate license and started in the business when he was a 19-year-old college student. Tann does not focus on one part of town, though he specializes in luxury homes. Tann's Advice for Sellers: "Interview at least three agents. Do your own research on them including their personal sales history. Look at their marketing plan and look for reviews online. Make sure they have reviews on multiple sites. The top question to ask is, 'Have you sold anything in my specific area and/or price range?'" [Read: 100 Best Places to Live in the USA.] Enzo Varela, Precision Realty Average Time on Market: 72 Days Broker Enzo Varela, who has been working with local buyers and sellers since August 2003, has sold homes all across town, specializing in those that list between $100,000 and $250,000. He says he's familiar with the unique challenges of the Vegas market, such as the transient population. Varela's Advice for Sellers: "Make sure you have a realistic time frame for selling your home and advise your agent accordingly so he or she can price accordingly. And, don't be pressured into considering a bad offer. It will just waste your time." Looking for a real estate agent in Las Vegas? U.S. News' Find an Agent tool can match you with the person who's most qualified for the job. Misti Yang is a freelance writer and public speaking professor in Las Vegas. From stolen HVAC units days before closing on her home in Las Vegas to a faulty title on the home she sold in Atlanta, Yang understands the challenges of buying and selling a home. Yang previously wrote Yelp's weekly newsletter for Las Vegas and continues to pen stories about food and travel. You can visit her website and connect with her on Twitter. In a long, rambling press conference early Thursday afternoon, President Trump dismissed a number of the controversies swirling around his presidency as fake news, insisted that his White House is running like a finely-tuned machine, and issued a tepid denial that any of his campaign aides were in contact with the Russian government prior to his election. The overriding theme of the 75-minute press conference was Trumps various grievances with the media, but along the way he did make some news. He began by announcing that attorney Alexander Acosta, the dean of Florida International University Law School and a former member of the National Labor Relations Board, would be his replacement nominee for secretary of labor. Related: Why Cant Trump Get His Story Straight on Intelligence Leaks and Fake News? He also said that next week his administration will release a new executive action on border security meant to accomplish some of the things that a previous order, currently stalled in litigation, was unable to do. However, much of the press conference was consumed not by policy discussion, but by Trumps defense of his presidential campaign and of his administrations actions in the first weeks of his term. I turn on the TV, open the newspapers and I see stories of chaos. Chaos. Yet it is the exact opposite, he said at one point. This administration is running like a fine-tuned machine, despite the fact that I cant get my cabinet approved. Trump was pressed by three different reporters on whether or not anyone working for his campaign had contacts with Russian intelligence agents or other Russian officials. Multiple sources in the Intelligence Community have told news organizations that several of Trumps associates had multiple contacts with Russia. After twice refusing to give a direct answer, he finally said, Nobody that I know of. He then wondered out loud, How many times do I have to answer this question? Here are a few more remarkable moments from the event: Story continues * On Obamacare: Trump seemed to suggest that members of Congress facing protests over the planned repeal of the Affordable Care Act represent only their Republican constituents. Weve begun preparing to repeal and replace Obamacare. Obamacare is a disaster, folks. Its disaster. I know you can say, oh, Obamacare. I mean, they fill up our alleys with people that you wonder how they get there, but they are not the Republican people that our representatives are representing. Related: Trump's Risky Message: He Doesn't Trust His Intelligence Chiefs * On the Electoral College: He repeated his false claim that his Electoral College margin in the November election was the largest since Ronald Reagan. When it was pointed out that what he had said was untrue, he said, Well, I dont know, I was given that information. I was given I actually, Ive seen that information around. But it was a very substantial victory, do you agree with that? * On intelligence leaks: Trump has insisted that leaks about his campaigns contact with the Russians are serious breaches of security, but that the news stories revealing the leaks are fake. Asked to clarify, he said, You know what they said, you saw it and the leaks are absolutely real. The news is fake because so much of the news is fake. * On Russia: Asked about recent Russian provocations, including the presence of a surveillance ship off the coast of Delaware, the apparent violation of a nuclear missile treaty and the buzzing of American ships by Russian warplanes, he blamed it all on the media. I want to just tell you, the false reporting by the media, by you people, the false, horrible, fake reporting makes it much harder to make a deal with Russia. His rationale, apparently, is that Russian President Vladimir Putin is becoming increasingly aggressive because Hes sitting behind his desk and hes saying, you know, I see whats going on in the United States, I follow it closely. Its going to be impossible for President Trump to ever get along with Russia because of all the pressure hes got with this fake story. Related: Why Republicans Have Everything to Gain by Impeaching Trump * On anti-Semitism: Given two opportunities to specifically condemn the rise in anti-Semitic threats in the United States since his election, he avoided doing so both times. He suggested that much of it is attributable to his political opponents trying to make him look bad. At one point he berated a reporter for insinuating that he himself is an anti-Semite, despite the fact that the man prefaced his question by explicitly saying that he was suggesting no such thing. * On meeting the Congressional Black Caucus: When an African American reporter asked Trump if he would be working with the Congressional Black Caucus on his plan to revitalize troubled inner cities, Trump asked, Are they friends of yours? She replied, I'm just a reporter. Trump said, Well, set up the meeting. Top Reads from The Fiscal Times: After an apparently very influential career talk with her father, 7-year-old Chloe Bridgewater decided to go where many hopeful job seekers have gone before: the Google careers page. SEE ALSO: Third grader has no time for your silly homework nonsense After submitting her version of an application to work at Google (addressed to "google boss"), she waited for a response. But instead of the dreaded non-response or generic form letter, she received a letter from the company's CEO, Sundar Pichai, just a few days later. Google confirmed the letters between the tech CEO and young girl from Hereford, England, are real. Letter-writer Chloe with her career coach and dad. Image: andy bridgewater In the letter, which wasn't exactly a rejection but more of a supportive message, Pichai wrote, "I look forward to receiving your job application when you are finished with school! :)" He added encouragement for the girl to keep learning about computers, robots and technology, saying, "you can accomplish everything you set your mind to." my 7 yr old daughter wrote to the boss of Google asking for a job, she's so made up he replied! Thanks @sundarpichai pic.twitter.com/EMuANNHiVc Andy Bridgewater (@B21DGY) February 13, 2017 This all started when a few weeks ago, her father, Andy Bridgewater, said in an email Wednesday. When the first-grade student asked her dad about his job as a refrigerator parts sales manager, he told her what he did. She then asked if there was anywhere else he'd want to work. That's when Bridgewater told his daughter about Google. "I said Google would be cool and she asked why. So I showed her the pictures of their offices and the cool things they do." She was hooked after seeing the decked out Google campus in Silicon Valley, complete with bean bags, slides and go-karts. When she said she wanted to work there too, he suggested she send an application, so she did (with some help from dad). In her "application," she was very up front about not really knowing how to apply for a job. "I don't really know what one of them is but [dad] said a letter will do for now," she wrote. She also offered up other possible careers if Google didn't pan out: chocolate factory worker and swimming in the Olympics. Story continues Image: andy bridgewater Like any good cover letter, she propped herself up: "My teachers tell my mum and dad I am very good in class and am good at my spelling and reading and my sums." And she gave specifics to show her skills. "My dad gave me a game where I have to move a robot up and down squares, he said it will be good for me to learn about computers." Bridgewater said he has no Google connections and his entire family also consisting of his wife Julie and younger daughter Hollie haven't even been to California. So he just sent the letter "and hoped for the best." Her dad posted Pichai's response letter to his LinkedIn page earlier this week, where he explained how getting a response has given Chloe a confidence boost. "She is now even more eager to do well at school and work for Google." That post has been liked more than 94,000 times. For Chloe, who is still a kid and mentally healing from a scary car accident a few years ago when a taxi knocked her over, this is all a lot to handle, but still really exciting and encouraging, Bridgewater said. "Never imagined all this attention," he said. As Chloe explained to Pichai, this was only her second letter she's written aside from one to Father Christmas bet she didn't get this much of a reaction to that letter. Related Video: For more news videos visit Yahoo View, available now on iOS and Android. Not everyone wants to spend their retirement in a recreational vehicle or in Florida. Some people want to go somewhere more exotic. Others may be motivated to find a lower cost of living. Whether it's for financial or lifestyle considerations, living overseas can be an appealing proposition for retirees. If you're ready to trade in your life stateside for a foreign land, follow these eight steps to make a smooth transition: [See: 10 Tips for Finding a Great Place to Retire.] Start with the right location. It goes without saying that before you can retire overseas, you need to select a country. Greg Ghodsi, managing director of investments at 360 Wealth Management Group of Raymond James in Tampa, Florida, says his clients often choose to move to a location where they have been vacationing for years. Other people may be hunting for specific attributes such as good weather, a low cost of living or a favorable tax climate. However, don't base your decision solely on these factors. "We've known people who have decided on a location because it looked good on paper," says Kathleen Peddicord, author and publisher of Live and Invest Overseas who is also a U.S. News contributor. "They make a move without having actually spent time in the place and then find that they just don't like it there." Schedule a trial run first. To ensure a country is truly a good match, you'll need more than a short getaway to get acquainted with it. "Living in a place for a few weeks is a lot different than living in it for a few months," says Vincenzo Villamena, managing partner of OnlineTaxman.com. Renting a home for an extended stay will not only help you get comfortable with the culture, but also give you time to identify a favorite region or neighborhood. Decide where you'll have residency. Some retirees may choose to become legal residents of their new country, but Peddicord says splitting time between two homes avoids any requirement to do so. "This is one of the big advantages of retiring overseas part time or dividing your time among two or three different locations," she says. "You never have to invest the time or money in establishing legal residency." Story continues For retirees who will maintain a U.S. base, establishing residency in a tax-friendly state is an important step. Villamena says it's not as easy as simply saying a state is your new home. If you maintain a driver's license or receive tax documents at an address in a given state, you might need to pay that state's income taxes even if you try to claim another state as your home base. [See: 10 Retirement Hot Spots in the U.S.] Assemble your team of professionals. Not every professional has the expertise needed to understand the complexity involved in an overseas move. "You can go to 10 lawyers and get 10 different stories," Villamena says. Take the time to find real estate brokers, attorneys and finance professionals who have experience in international transactions. Ghodsi recommends his clients speak with a high net worth property and casualty specialist who can advise on how to protect valuable real estate and assets overseas. "It's not walking over to the local agent and saying 'get me a quote,'" he says of the process to be properly insured in another country. Buy health insurance. Medicare does not typically pay for health care expenses incurred in a foreign country. Peddicord says retirees living overseas may decide to buy either a local policy or an international medical plan. Going without additional insurance is another option, albeit a risky one. If you require ongoing care or have prescription medications, have a plan for whether to obtain those services at your new home or during trips back to the U.S. Find locals you trust. If you will reside in your foreign home part time, it's important to identify local workers you trust. "Most of our clients have people reside on the property to care for it," Ghodsi says. In addition to a caretaker, find a local attorney, accountant and tradespeople such as plumbers, electricians or others you can call on as needed. In the event of an emergency, having help lined up can prevent scrambling to locate assistance from afar. Evaluate your tax and finance needs. Villamena says taxes often catch people by surprise when they move overseas. "People don't realize what's required as an American living abroad," he says. Having a good accountant or advisor who can ensure you don't run afoul of U.S. or foreign tax laws is critical. While retirees will want to keep their U.S. bank account for Social Security and other deposits, opening a second account in your new country is a smart move. "Most of our clients will get a local bank account because that will help with currency fluctuations," Ghodsi says. He also suggests working with a financial professional to determine how much to set aside in cash reserves for emergencies and where to store that money. [See: 10 Places to Retire on a Social Security Budget.] Enjoy your new life. Once all the work is the done, the final step to successfully retiring abroad is simple: enjoy. Take the time to meet new friends, immerse yourself in the country's culture and sample all it has to offer. You can revel in the fact that you have done something many people consider extraordinary. "After you've made the move, you realize that you're more resourceful than you knew," Peddicord says. And that knowledge may just translate into the confidence you need to make your other retirement dreams a reality. When Joe Roseman, a retirement-planning expert in Charlotte, N.C., meets with a new client, theres one bit of information he wants to know first. Its not how much they have saved, and its not when they want to retire. Its how long their parents and grandparents lived. Thats not because its necessarily the best predictor of longevity (though its a decent place to start). Rather, it gives Roseman a baseline of his clients expectations. Hell then remind his clients that thanks to advances in medicine, theyre likely to live even longer, which means their investments need to last longer too. I tell people that you need to plan to live longer than you think youre going to live, he says. Life expectancy in the U.S. has been steadily increasing over the past two decades (although 2015 saw a slight but troubling drop). And while thats good news overall, it also means that many of the assumptions Americans made about their own retirements are out of date. Here are some pieces of advice from retirement planners and others about how to make ends meet in the new age of much older age. PLAN TO HAVE MORE THAN ONE RETIREMENT The idea of working your entire career at one company and then retiring at age 65 is not realisticand its not sustainable for most workers. Instead, plan to downshift into part-time or less demanding work, postponing the years when youll have to live entirely off your savings. That might mean getting a late-in-life teaching gig, consulting for a company in your industry or working for a local nonprofit. Carl Seidman, a strategic business adviser, recommends taking miniretirements to switch careers, travel or build new job skills. I intend to retire throughout my life several times, he says. START A HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNT A health savings account (HSA) is sort of like a 401(k) for your medical expenses. You put in pretax moneyup to $3,400 in 2017 for one personlet it grow and take chunks out when you have big health-care-related expenses down the road. Jeff Vollmer, managing partner at Hyde Park Wealth Management in Cincinnati, says few of his clients even know its an optionwhich he blames on some of his fellow retirement planners. Most financial advisers stand to make nothing on an HSA, he says, so its generally not something that goes into their financial-plan recommendations. Story continues CONSIDER INVESTING IN AN ANNUITY One problem with 401(k)s, which are one of the most common retirement-saving strategies, is that you have a set amount of money but you dont know how many years youll need to live off it. One way to protect yourself from outliving your savings is to also purchase an annuityessentially a pension plan that you pay for yourself. Matt Sadowsky, director of retirement at TD Ameritrade in Jersey City, N.J., says putting even a small amount into an annuity is a way to balance out your retirement savings. You want to hedge against the outlier event that you live a very long time, he says. MOVE TO A PLACE WHERE ITS CHEAPER TO LIVE Its a truism of accounting: if you cant increase your income, you need to cut your expenses. One way to do that is to move somewhere with a lower cost of living and lower tax rates. Financial advisers say to keep in mind state income-tax rates, local property taxes and sales taxes when contemplating a big move. Roseman recommends considering a move to the South, where those things tend to be cheaper. And some research suggests cities are better for older Americans than rural or suburban areas, because they have denser, more affordable housing and free social services geared toward seniors. USE TECH TO STAY INDEPENDENT LONGER Your nest egg shrinks much more quickly once you need around-the-clock care. But new technological solutions could make it possible to live independently longer. For instance, IBM has partnered with Avamere senior living facilities to test home systems with sensors that alert caregivers when seniors are not following their daily routinesan early sign of possible trouble that could permit them to intervene before a serious problem develops. This would allow someone to stay where they live as long as possible, says Susann Keohane, aging-research leader for IBM. This appears in the February 27, 2017 issue of TIME. Paris (AFP) - Air France-KLM said Thursday profits rose sharply in 2016, but issued a cautious outlook for the current year in face of global uncertainty and aggressive competition in the sector. The French-Dutch airline said in a statement that its bottom-line net profit soared to 792 million euros ($840 million) last year, up from 118 million euros in 2015. The headline figure was boosted by one-off gains from the sale of a 49.9-percent stake in the onboard catering arm Servair to Switzerland's Gategroup. Underlying or operating profit grew by 34 percent to 1.05 billion euros as passenger numbers were up 4.0 percent at 93.4 million. However, revenues declined by 3.3 percent to 24.8 billion euros, the statement said. "While the fall in the oil price significantly reduced the group's costs, the geopolitical context, competition and industry overcapacity all resulted in lower unit revenues," chief executive Jean-Marc Janaillac explained. The airline said lower oil prices cut its fuel bill by nearly 26 percent in 2016. The French business, Air France, booked a decline in operating profit, while the Dutch arm, KLM, saw underlying earnings rise. That was due to the impact on business of a series of jihadist attacks in France, as well as the costs of two flight crew strikes, the carrier explained. But Air France-KLM had rolled out measures to address the situation, it said. "We are resolutely committed to regaining the offensive ... and improving our competitiveness. In an economic and geopolitical context that remains very uncertain, and faced with aggressive competition, the status quo is not an option," said CEO Janaillac. Looking ahead, Air France-KLM said it got off to a "resilient start" to the current year. Nevertheless, "the global context remains highly uncertain regarding the geopolitical and economic environment in which we operate, fuel prices and the ongoing overcapacity on several markets, resulting in pressure on unit revenues," the group cautioned. Air France-KLM said it was targetting a capacity increase of 3.0-3.5 percent for 2017, "in order to regain the offensive in long-haul and to improve the performance in medium-haul." And it also aimed to cut costs by "a minimum of 1.5 percent," it said. Lisbon (AFP) - Use of Airbnb nearly doubled in Portugal in 2016, the home rentals website said Thursday, as record tourist numbers flocked to the country -- some driven away from other sun spots by security fears. A record 1.65 million guests stayed in properties listed by Airbnb in Portugal last year, up from 912,000 in 2015, the company said, with the capital Lisbon accounting for the bulk of the bookings. Founded in 2008 in San Francisco, Airbnb has become a popular alternative to hotels worldwide, allowing homeowners to rent out their properties by marketing them online for a fee. But as Airbnb has rapidly expanded across the globe, it has often come into conflict with local rules and traditional hoteliers who see it as unfair competition. New York, Barcelona and Berlin are among the cities that have cracked down. Under an agreement reached with Lisbon city hall, Airbnb in May began charging guests in the Portuguese capital a "tourist tax" of one euro per night. The tax has so far generated 1.74 million euros ($1.84 million) which city authorities will use to develop local tourism projects, the statement said. Despite the growth of Airbnb, Portuguese hotel revenues still rose by 15.1 percent to 2.9 billion euros last year, national statistics institute INE said Wednesday. Portugal welcomed 11.4 million foreign tourists in 2016 -- a sixth straight record year as security fears lure visitors away from rival sunshine destinations in the Mediterranean and Middle East. France, Tunisia, Turkey and Egypt have notably been hit by attacks in recent years which have rattled tourists. The government announced Wednesday that the little-used Montijo military air base would be modified for commercial traffic because Lisbon's sole international airport is nearing capacity. MIAMI (AP) An Alaska man accused of killing five people and wounding six in a shooting rampage at a major Florida airport is competent to proceed with his court case despite indications of mental illness, his attorneys told a judge Thursday. Esteban Santiago, 26, was treated briefly before the shooting at an Anchorage, Alaska, psychiatric facility after showing up at an FBI office and telling agents he was hearing voices and was under CIA mind control. He made similar statements about mind control after he was arrested in the Jan. 6 shooting at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, authorities said. Defense attorneys Hector Dopico and Eric Cohen, however, told U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom at a hearing that Santiago understands court proceedings, comprehends the charges against him and is able to assist in preparing a defense. They also said he is taking psychiatric medicine in jail for an undisclosed mental condition. "We have met with him hours upon hours. We do not have a concern at this time," Dopico said. "One can be profoundly mentally ill, including schizophrenic, and be competent." Bloom initially said she wanted to order a full psychiatric evaluation for Santiago but decided to wait after Dopico asked for time to obtain records of his previous treatment and his behavior while in a different jail following his Florida arrest. The issue of mental competence could play a key role in whether the Justice Department decides to seek the death penalty against Santiago. "I want to ensure the court is satisfied he is competent," Bloom said. The judge asked Santiago a series of questions about whether he understood the 22-count indictment against him, whether he knew how the death penalty decision would be made and whether he was satisfied with his lawyers. He calmly answered "yes" to each of these and said "no" when asked if he objected to delays in the case. Trial is currently scheduled to begin Oct. 2 in Miami. Another hearing on the competency issue is set for March 15. Story continues According to the indictment, Santiago flew from Alaska to Fort Lauderdale with a 9 mm handgun in a box in checked luggage. After landing he retrieved the weapon, authorities say, loaded it in an airport bathroom and came out firing in a baggage claim area. He was arrested after exhausting his ammunition. The FBI has said he initially told them he acted under government mind control, then claimed he was inspired by the Islamic State extremist group. Investigators have found no links to terrorists and Santiago is not facing any terror-related charges. The FBI also says Santiago confessed fully to the shootings in video and audio recordings. After his meeting with the FBI in November in Anchorage, Santiago was handed over to local police who took custody of his gun and had him admitted to the Alaska Psychiatric Institute. He was released after five days and police returned his weapon in December. Santiago is an Iraq war veteran with the National Guard who grew up in Puerto Rico but later moved to Alaska. His reason for choosing the Florida airport has not been disclosed. _____ Follow Curt Anderson on Twitter: http://twitter.com/miamicurt Time off: Alexis Sanchez at Heathrow on Thursday morning: XPOSUREPHOTOS.COM Alexis Sanchez sought a change of scenery in the aftermath of Arsenal's 5-1 thrashing at the hands of Bayern Munich last night by jetting off for the day on Thursday. The Chile star was pictured at Heathrow Airport early on Thursday morning as he boarded a flight, reportedly, to Italy. Standard Sport understands the entire Arsenal team have been given the day off following their Champions League last-16 first-leg loss at the Allianz Arena. The squad arrived back at London Luton Airport from Munich at about 1am on Thursday morning before Sanchez headed to Heathrow a few hours later with a friend. He is expected back in training alongside the rest of the Arsenal players on Friday morning. Sanchez, who currently leads the Premier League scoring charts with 17 goals this season, cut a dejected figure against Bayern on Wednesday night as Arsenal conceded three times in 10 second-half minutes. The forward had earlier scored a penalty to restore parity following Arjen Robben's stunning opener. But after the Gunners let in a further four goals in the second half, Sanchez was visibly frustrated as Arsenal suffered another heavy last-16 loss, which looks likely to see the club eliminated from this round of the competition for the seventh straight year. Arsenal next travel to take on Sutton United in the FA Cup fifth round on Monday night. ALGIERS (Reuters) - Algerian troops ambushed and killed five armed Islamists in an ongoing operation in an eastern region known as a former stronghold for hardline militants, the defense ministry said on Thursday. Five Kalashnikov rifles and a quantity of ammunition were also recovered during the operation by the army on Wednesday in the Bouira province, some 70 km (43 miles) east of the capital, the statement said. Bouira was inside one of the strongholds for Islamist militants during a war with between the government and fighters in the 1990s that left 200,000 people dead. Violence has declined in Algeria since then. But al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and small bands of militants allied to Islamic State have been active in some remote mountains and in the southern desert border regions. (Reporting by Hamid Ould Ahmed; editing by Patrick Markeya and Toby Chopra) Amanda Knox took the opportunity of this year's Valentine's Day to publicly detail the non-sexual relationship she had with a woman while incarcerated in Italy. In a first-person account published by Vice, Knox discussed the complex relationship she shared with a fellow inmate during her wrongful imprisonment following the murder of a woman with whom she shared a home while studying abroad in Perugia, Italy, in 2007. Watch: Former Inmates Get a Second Chance by Becoming Instructors of 'Prison-Style Boot Titled "What Romance in Prison Actually Looks Like," the account begins about three years into the Washington state native's nearly 4-year incarceration, when a transfer inmate Knox calls "Leny" arrives at Capanne prison. "Every day, Leny watched me jog around the yard," Knox writes. "She told me she was a lesbian and I told her I was straight." Knox writes that Leny was dogged in her attempts to befriend her, nonetheless. "At least initially, Leny might not have been trying to seduce me, and was actually just in need of someone kind to distract her from her loneliness. This is common. Contrary to what you might guess, many prison relationships aren't about sex just like most relationships outside of prison," she writes. However, Knox says Leny wanted more. "Leny wanted to hold hands. 'I've changed women before,' she'd tell me. 'I can do things to you that no man can.' I felt objectified," Knox says. "I'd get annoyed. 'You can't change me,' I'd respond. She'd think I was playing hard to get. One day, Leny kissed me." Knox says she distanced herself from Leny after the kiss but admits that life behind bars creates unique circumstances in which relationships take on a new meaning and importance. "'Gay for the stay' is an insensitive oversimplification that signals a lack of understanding about what its really like to be imprisoned, and an underestimation of human nature, Knox says. "We overlook non-sexual romantic relationships. The relationships inmates establish with each other are treated as nothing more than kinky lies to be ashamed of upon returning to the real world. But they're not." Story continues Read: Vice President Joe Biden Performs Same-Sex Marriage at His Home: 'Love is Love!' Knox's conviction in the murder of her roommate, Meredith Kercher, was reversed in 2011 before she was re-convicted in 2013. She was acquitted a final time by an Italian court in 2015. The entirety of her Vice piece on Leny and prison relationships can be read here. Watch: 'Hot Felon' Jeremy Meeks Makes His Runway Debut at New York Fashion Week Related Articles: Whiff of double standards? Home Secretary Amber Rudd: Getty Images The Home Secretary, Amber Rudd, has unveiled a 40m plan to fund a National Centre of Expertise for Preventing Child Sex Abuse. She states, presumably without a hint of irony, that "Children should be able to grow up free from the horrors of sexual abuse, exploitation and trafficking". That is, unless they happen to be refugees, Amber? Sue Breadner Isle of Man Conservative Canadians need to reassess their values Conservatives who are fuming about a motion in Canadian parliament to curb anti-Islam hatred that is growing like fire need to re-examine their principles and values. Muslims deserve respect like everyone else. The hate against them which led to the Quebec mosque killings must stop. I don't think it is asking too much for a victim to say to the bully I can't take it anymore. We are not in a jungle where the beast follow its natural instinct to terrorise the weak. Even then the weak has every right to say NO and fight for its right for survival. I'm amazed, dismayed and puzzled to see these bullies crying afoul. Demanding an end to hate doesn't entail the end to freedom of expression These people ought to be deradicalised from their crooked way of thinking as if Muslims were cows meat which must be on the menu on the dinner table. Abubakar N Kasim Toronto Remaining in the EU would be disastrous for an independent Scotland The SNP government wants Scotland to remain in the EU. This could be achieved only after Scots voted to separate from the UK. In any referendum campaign, one could legitimately expect the SNP to tell voters the truth about what EU membership would mean for Scotland. We know, from the recent experience of countries in southern Europe, that the EU insists on its members reducing a high deficit, and that that entails severe pain for the inhabitants of these countries. Reducing Scotlands deficit would mean severe cuts to public spending far beyond anything we have experienced or are likely to experience with Brexit. The surest way to inflict pain on Scots is for us to vote for separation and then seek admission to the EU. Story continues Beyond that, Scotland in the EU would not receive the benefits that the UK has enjoyed. The Thatcher rebate will disappear with Brexit: the EU would not offer a proportion of it to an independent Scotland. VAT would be chargeable on items currently zero-rated. New EU member may choose one or two items to have at zero or 5 per cent. Everything else has to be rated at 15 per cent VAT or above. Currently, as part of the UK, Scots enjoy zero-rating on 54 categories of goods, including food, kids clothes and shoes, newspapers. Fuel and power is rated at 5 per cent. So entry to the EU in a separate Scotland would mean that basic items that we take for granted would be liable for 15 per cent or more VAT. Thus, in addition to having to slash public spending, the cost of living would rise. Does anyone seriously think that is a desirable prospect? I await the SNPs admission that this would be the result of its ambitions. I am not holding my breath. Jill Stephenson Edinburgh Providing care for children transcends party lines The Scottish Childrens Services Coalition is pleased to support Care Day on 17 February and to celebrate the lives and listen to the stories of care experienced young people across Scotland. The monumental commitment from the First Minister to listen to 1000 Care Experienced Voices, as well as the Scottish governments commitment to an independent root and branch review of care, has the power to change so many lives and is a bold first step towards rebuilding our broken care system. This Care Day, led by one of our members, Who Cares? Scotland, will see charities from across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland come together to celebrate care experienced young people and hear their stories so that together we can combat the negative stereotypes and stigma they face on a daily basis. Improving the lives of looked after children is a desire that transcends party lines and days such as today go a long way in helping the general public become more informed about the lives of care experienced young people and the hurdles they face. That is why it is so important on this day for us all to stand together with care experienced young people in our communities to positively recognise their identities so that all of Scotlands care experienced young people receive the love and support they deserve. The Scottish Childrens Services Coalition: Duncan Dunlop, chief executive, Who Cares? Scotland Tom McGhee, managing director, Spark of Genius Sophie Pilgrim, director, Kindred Scotland Stuart Jacob, director, Falkland House School Niall Kelly, managing director, Young Foundations Liz May, national coordinator, Action for Sick Children Scotland The Tories are already a laughing stock Apparently some Conservatives feel that the office of Speaker is being demeaned by John Bercow. One feels that their already somewhat spurious case is rather undermined by the fact that the current Foreign Secretary is Boris Johnson and that Jeremy Hunt is the Secretary of State for Health. Julian Self Milton Keynes Boris Johnson has realised he cannot have his cake and eat it Boris Johnson argued that in Brexit negotiations a deal could be agreed with the EU that restricted freedom of movement but retained membership of the single market, the have your cake and eat it option. Since Theresa May has now said that the UK will leave the single market, perhaps Boris could tell us what his new plan for the cake is? Peter Coggins Oxford By Steve Holland and Roberta Rampton WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump dismissed a growing controversy about ties between his aides and Russia on Thursday as a "ruse" and "scam" perpetrated by a hostile news media, and denied any of his associates had contacts with Moscow before last year's election. "The leaks are absolutely real. The news is fake," Trump told a news conference, referring to media reports that his presidential campaign team had contacts with Russian intelligence officials. Trump, who frequently assailed the news media, also said he had not directed his former national security adviser, Michael Flynn, to talk to Russia's ambassador about U.S. sanctions before taking office. Trump said he had asked the Justice Department to look into the leaks of "classified information that was given illegally" to journalists regarding the relationship between his aides and Russia. He also said he did not think that Russian President Vladimir Putin was taking actions that would test him early in his term in office. Trump, who took office on Jan. 20 and has voiced support for improved ties with Russia, added he personally had no business deals in that country. The New York Times reported on Tuesday that phone call records and intercepted calls showed members of Trump's presidential campaign and other Trump associates had repeated contacts with senior Russian intelligence officials in the year before the Nov. 8 election in which Trump defeated Democrat Hillary Clinton. Pressed by reporters about whether he was aware if any member of his presidential campaign team had contacts with Russia before the election, the Republican president said: "Nobody that I know of." Wary Democratic lawmakers challenged Republicans, who control Congress, on Thursday to conduct a credible investigation into contacts between Trump's associates and Russia. The process could take months and might never be made public. Story continues U.S. intelligence agencies concluded last year that Russia hacked and leaked Democratic emails during the election campaign as part of an effort to tilt the vote in Trump's favor. Trump has spoken admiringly of Putin, who had a tense relationship with former President Barack Obama over Moscow's 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine, Russian military actions in Syria and other matters. Even fellow Republicans have expressed unease about Trump's comments about Putin. DEFENDING FLYNN Flynn, a close adviser to Trump during his campaign, was seen by Moscow as a leading advocate of warmer ties with Russia. Trump fired Flynn on Monday after the retired lieutenant general misled Vice President Mike Pence about conversations he had with the Russian ambassador to the United States, before Trump took office, regarding U.S. sanctions on Moscow. Flynn told FBI agents last month he had not discussed sanctions against Russia with the ambassador before Trump took office, the Washington Post reported on Thursday. Flynn's Jan. 24 interview with the FBI could expose him to charges, since lying to the agency is a felony, but any decision to prosecute would lie with the Justice Department. U.S. intelligence agencies intercepted Flynn's call with Russian Ambassador Sergei Kislyak after Trump's election, in which the two discussed sanctions, the Post reported previously. Obama imposed the new sanctions on Russia on Dec. 29 after the U.S. intelligence community's conclusion about Moscow's interference in the election campaign. A U.S. official familiar with the transcripts of the calls with the ambassador said Flynn indicated that if Russia did not retaliate, that could smooth the way toward a broader discussion of improving U.S.-Russian relations once Trump took power. That was potentially illegal under a law barring unauthorized private citizens from interfering in disputes the United States has with other countries. Trump forcefully defended Flynn's discussion with the Russian ambassador. "What he did wasn't wrong," Trump told the news conference. "Mike was doing his job. He was calling countries and his counterparts. So, it certainly would have been OK with me if he did it. ... I didn't direct him, but I would have directed him because that's his job," Trump said. "No, I didn't direct him, but I would have directed him if he didn't do it. OK?" said Trump, who added the problem was Flynn's having misled Pence. A wealthy new York real estate developer with global business interests, Trump also portrayed himself as having no ties to Russia. "I can tell you, speaking for myself, I own nothing in Russia. I have no loans in Russia. I don't have any deals in Russia," Trump said. Critics of the president have called on him since the election campaign to release his tax returns, saying that would shed more light on his business dealings. Trump has said he will not do so while his tax affairs are under audit by the Internal Revenue Service. "I have nothing to do with Russia, haven't made a phone call to Russia in years, don't speak to people from Russia. Not that I wouldn't. I just have nobody to speak to," Trump said. (Reporting by Steve Holland and Roberta Rampton; Additional reporting by Patricia Zengerle; Writing by Will Dunham and Jeff Mason; Editing by Frances Kerry and Peter Cooney) LISBON, Portugal (AP) Portuguese prosecutors are bringing charges of corruption, money-laundering and forgery against Angolan Vice President Manuel Vicente as part of an investigation in Lisbon, Portugal's attorney general's office said Thursday. Vicente is suspected of bribing a Portuguese magistrate to favor him in two investigations, a statement said. It said Vicente was at the time of the alleged crimes the head of Angolan state oil company Sonangol. The magistrate, Vicente's lawyer and his representative in Portugal are also accused in the case, called Operation Fizz. The attorney general's office said it would inform Vicente of the charges via Angolan authorities. Vicente's whereabouts weren't immediately known. Rui Patricio, Vicente's lawyer in the Angolan capital, Luanda, reportedly said that neither he nor his client were aware of the charges. "I'm astounded that my client has been accused, not only because he had nothing to do with the facts mentioned but also because he has never even been questioned about them," Patricio said in a written statement reported by the Portuguese national news agency Lusa. The fact that Vicente wasn't questioned "invalidates the (legal) process," he wrote, according to Lusa. Investigators allege Vicente paid Portuguese magistrate Orlando Figueira, who was arrested a year ago, about 760,000 euros ($808,000) to drop two investigations that involved alleged money-laundering and Angolan investments in Portugal. Authorities have seized about 512,000 euros from the magistrate. Those amounts were found in banks in Andorra, the attorney general's office said. International human rights groups have long accused Angola's leadership of corruption. The southwest African country is rich in oil and diamonds but most of its people live in poverty. Activists allege the government and its political and military supporters have siphoned off much of Angola's wealth. Angola's political and financial elite have in recent years invested hundreds of millions of euros (dollars) in Portugal, Angola's former colonial ruler. The investments have largely gone into real estate purchases and buying Portuguese companies. An iceberg the size of Manhattan has cleaved off of Antarctica's rapidly melting Pine Island Glacier on the southwest coast of the continent. NASA released the new data showing the iceberg's birth on Feb. 15, though the imagery was acquired between Jan. 26 and Jan. 31. The agency says "about a kilometer or two of ice" broke off the glacier's floating ice shelf during this period, making it a large iceberg but comparitively small in the recent history of this particular area. SEE ALSO: This 'GOT' star teamed up with Google to capture Greenland's melting ice According to Ian Howat, a glaciologist at Ohio State University, the event was about 10 times smaller than the chunk of ice that broke off the same glacier in July 2015, when a 20-mile, or 30-kilometer, rift developed and calved an iceberg spanning 225 square miles. I think this event is the calving equivalent of an aftershock following the much bigger event, Howat said in a press release. Apparently, there are weaknesses in the ice shelf just inland of the rift that caused the 2015 calving that are resulting in these smaller breaks. Pine Island Ice Shelf shown before the iceberg broke off on Jan. 24, 2017. Image: nasa Pine Island Ice Shelf shown just after the iceberg broke off on Jan. 31, 2017. Image: nasa Despite its relatively small size, the new iceberg continues to point to the increasing instability of this glacier in particular, and is another warning sign regarding the fate of the much larger and more consequential West Antarctic Ice Sheet. The Pine Island Glacier ends in a floating ice shelf which buttresses the land-based ice behind it. The new iceberg broke off this floating section, which means it by itself will not add to sea level rise. Scientists are expecting more large icebergs to be born from this glacier, and are also anxiously watching the Larsen C Ice Shelf for what is likely to be one of the largest births of an iceberg on record during the next few months. Story continues According to NASA, rifts on the Pine Island Glacier are present about 6 miles from the ice front, including a large one that was spotted in a scientific flight on Nov. 4, 2016. Some of the rifts are hard to see since they are extending upward from the bottom of the ice shelf. The iceberg broke off and drifted into Pine Island Bay. Image: nasa As Howat put it, the glacier's ice shelf is essentially breaking apart from the inside out. Such rapid fire calving does appear to be unusual for this glacier, Howat said. This phenomenon, which yields smaller glaciers, fits into the larger picture of basal crevasses in the center of the ice shelf being eroded by warm ocean water, causing the ice shelf to break from the inside out, he said. What is happening to the Pine Island Glacier is not an isolated incident, either. Glaciers that end in floating ice shelves are melting at increasing rates in many other parts of Antarctica, Greenland, Canada and other areas. SEE ALSO: One of the largest icebergs ever seen is even closer to breaking off Antarctica Such melting from below due to an influx of relatively warm waters potentially dooms seemingly stable ice far inland, since it removes the plugs that had been preventing such glaciers from flowing faster into the sea. Over time, ice shelves are retreating closer to their grounding line, which is where the ice begins to float. The grounding line at Pine Island has been retreating at one of the fastest rates of any glacier on Antarctica, which suggests a growing instability there. Scientists have warned that the West Antarctic Ice Sheet may have entered a period of irreversible (albeit long-term) collapse, which could cause sea levels to rise by more than a meter, or 3.4 feet, by 2100 and a far greater amount thereafter, according to a March study published in the journal Nature. That study projected an astonishing 15 meters, or 50 feet of sea level rise by the year 2500, due to the collapse of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet. By the middle of the 22nd century, the rate of sea level rise could exceed a foot per decade. This could render coastal megacities worldwide, from New York to Dhaka, virtually unlivable. Anthony Joshua speaks at a press conference in Cologne, Germany: Getty Anthony Joshua believes that even victory over Wladimir Klitschko will not earn him widespread recognition as the world's leading heavyweight. With victory at Wembley Stadium on April 29, the IBF champion can also win the WBA title and the scalp of the heavyweight who, in the absence of Tyson Fury, is considered the planet's finest. Victory over Klitschko would also represent a superior achievement than any secured by the WBC champion Deontay Wilder and WBO titlist Joseph Parker. However, the 27-year-old Joshua believes that only when a fighter has secured all four titles, regardless of the opposition they may have beaten, will they no longer be questioned as the world's best. "You have to unify the division to gain that respect," Joshua said. "But I do think you gain a level of respect that can't be denied." "That's a status in itself, so in my opinion I need to do a bit more work before I can claim that." Joshua regardless recognises the victory he expects to earn at Wembley could signal the end of Klitschko's career, with the 40-year-old bidding to avoid back-to-back defeats. Asked of the likelihood of him retiring one of the finest heavyweight champions in history, he responded: "Very possible. There's no doubt about it: if I fight as long as Wladimir I'd have another 14 years left, and he can't possibly have another 14 years left. "I can definitely push him aside and create a pathway for me to reign for a long time." As yet again the bigger fighter, Klitschko's greatest asset on April 29 is likely to be the consistent, concussive jab that has given him such a level of control against so many opponents, but Joshua has already been focusing on how to negate his challenger's biggest strength. "Look at (Evander) Holyfield v Buster Douglas, he said 'I'm going to double jab him'," said Joshua. "He soon picked him apart. Story continues "You can either jab with a jabber, or you can take the jab away from a jabber, with the parry, the slip, the feint. The heavyweight division when I came around, they have all been tall. Wladimir had a lot of wide and stocky (opponents). "I learnt how to jab with people, double it up and deal with their range. "I'm not the best I'll be yet, but I have learnt and can definitely throw a double jab. When you take away one of his main weapons, what will be next? It will be interesting." The mutual respect between the two fighters has starkly contrasted the obvious dislike between Klitschko and his previous British opponents, Fury and David Haye, in addition to that between Dereck Chisora and Vitali Klitschko when they fought. The younger brother said: "This is the silence before the storm. "As soon as our fists fly in the ring, it's nothing personal but business. For however many rounds we're going to be there. Before and after we can be friends in all of this." By John Irish BONN, Germany (Reuters) - Countries opposed to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad will meet on Friday for the first time since Donald Trump's U.S. administration took office, to seek common ground ahead of U.N.-backed peace talks in Geneva next week. The talks on the sidelines of a G20 foreign ministers meeting come as Assad, backed by Russia and Iran, is in his strongest position since the early days of the civil war, and as Trump's policy on Syria remains unclear. "It's urgent to meet to see whether all the like-minded countries are on the same page," said a senior French diplomatic source. "It's a chance to get everyone pushing in the same direction before the Geneva talks." He said the meeting between the United States, France, Britain, Turkey and Saudi Arabia and others would be the first opportunity to "test" U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's position on Syria and how that fitted into the new administration's thinking on defeating Islamist militants. A second European diplomat said it was unclear to what extent Tillerson represented the views of Trump himself. "On the fight against Islamic State, we're comforted, but the question remains what will be the relationship with Russia? The Americans will gradually realize that everything is linked and that the fight against Islamic State and an alliance with Moscow also implies choices in the region and a long-term vision," the first source said. "You can't just do a grand deal with Moscow and hope things will be resolved." Turkey, which has been a major supporter of the rebellion against Assad, has, with Russia and Iran, brokered a shaky ceasefire. "It's also urgent that we see where Turkey stands in light of the newfound proximity with Russia and Iran," the source said, adding that it would be vital to assess how Gulf Arab Sunni states Saudi Arabia and Qatar - opposed to Assad - saw the conflict after "pulling back a little". (Additional reporting by Andrea Shalal in Berlin; Editing by Robin Pomeroy) KHAZER CAMP, Iraq (AP) A bleak refugee camp in northern Iraq saw a rare outpouring of joy on Thursday as Hussein Danoon and Shahad Abed celebrated their wedding less than a month after fleeing the fighting in Mosul. Before their wedding, the 25-year-old Danoon and his 16-year-old bride were taken to a beauty salon outside the camp and dressed in Kurdish clothes. The two are Arabs, but the camp management said the clothing symbolized coexistence. The legal age for marriage in Iraq is 18, or 15 with parental permission. It was only the second wedding held in the camp, where tens of thousands of people live in rows of tents. Iraqi forces have been battling Islamic State militants in and around nearby Mosul, the country's second largest city, since October. The U.N. says some 160,000 people have been displaced by the Mosul operation. Iraqi forces declared the eastern half of the city "fully liberated" last month, but the militants still hold the entire city west of the Tigris River, and have carried out scattered attacks in the east. IS seized Mosul in the summer of 2014 when the extremists swept across much of northern Iraq. Here is a series of photos by Bram Janssen from the wedding. ___ Follow Janssen on Twitter at www.twitter.com/BramJanssen and Instagram at www.instagram.com/bram_anna/ ProFootball Talk on NBC Sports The Packers ruled out linebacker De'Vondre Campbell (knee) after he missed practice all week. That leaves rookie Quay Walker to wear the communication helmet on defense against the Lions. The only game Campbell has missed the past six seasons was Week 18 last season when he was inactive to rest for the postseason, not for [more] WASHINGTON (AP) A federal appeals court said Thursday it will reconsider an earlier ruling that would have made it easier for President Donald Trump to fire the head of the government's consumer finance watchdog agency. The decision offers at least temporary job security for Richard Cordray, the director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau who has been attacked by Republicans for his aggressive oversight of the banking industry. A divided three-judge panel had ruled last year that the way the bureau is organized violates the Constitution's separation of powers by limiting the president's ability to fire the agency director. That 2-1 ruling would have given Trump the power to dismiss Cordray for any reason, a move some GOP lawmakers have sought. But the full U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia said it would grant a request from the bureau to throw out that ruling and hear arguments in the case again on May 24. Cordray is a Democrat and Obama appointee whose five-year term doesn't end until next year. The banking industry has viewed the bureau as a thorn in its side and accused it of overreaching in its regulation of consumer financial activities. Trump had promised during his campaign to dismantle the 2010 law that created the bureau in response to the financial crisis that struck in 2008. The CFPB was created to protect consumers from harmful banking and lending practices. But Wall Street interests, the banking and consumer finance industries, and Republicans in Congress have fiercely opposed and criticized the agency. The law creating the independent agency says its director can only be removed "for cause," such as neglect of duty, and not over political differences. The three-judge panel said that conflicts with the Constitution, which allows the president to remove executives for any reason. That problem can be solved, the panel said, by taking out the "for cause" provision giving the president the power to remove the director at will, and to supervise him or her. Story continues Cordray has run the agency since it began operating in July 2011. His term doesn't expire until 2018. But the court's previous ruling would have allowed the president to fire him before then. As the agency's director, Cordray exercises more power than would be the case with a five-member commission, which is often the structure atop independent federal agencies. The members of such commissions normally are split between the political parties. Under Cordray's leadership, the agency has aggressively taken action against banks, mortgage companies, credit card issuers, payday lenders, debt collectors and others. The CFPB says that over five years it has recovered $11.7 billion that it returned to more than 27 million harmed consumers. The case before the appeals court involves allegations that New Jersey mortgage lender PHH Corp. was involved in a scheme to refer customers to certain mortgage insurance companies in exchange for illegal kickbacks. The CFPB ordered the company to repay $109 million in illegal payments it had received. PHH claimed its conduct was legal and challenged the agency's structure as unconstitutional. The case will now be heard by a panel of 10 judges, six appointed by Democratic presidents and four appointed by Republicans. All three judges on the panel that issued the previous ruling were named by Republican presidents. A CFPB spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a request for comment. By Jonathan Stempel NEW YORK (Reuters) - A divided appeals court in Manhattan on Thursday rejected New York City's plan to give small homeowners a $183 credit on their water and sewer bills, a defeat for Mayor Bill de Blasio. The Appellate Division, First Department of the State Supreme Court ruled 3-1 that the city's water board lacked a rational basis to award the credit to owners of one- to three-family homes, while leaving other property owners ineligible. De Blasio had last April promoted the one-time credit, to be funded with a water board surplus, to cut annual water and sewer bills by 17 percent to 40 percent for about 664,000 homeowners. His proposal also included a 2.1 percent rate increase, and was to take effect last July 1. But real estate companies and the Rent Stabilization Association trade group objected. They called it unfair to subject larger landlords, and in turn their tenants, to the rate hike, while denying them the credit. The appeals court said the credit "cannot be reconciled" with the city's budgetary needs, and the water board had no basis to conclude that small homeowners were "more needy" than other property owners or paid too much relative to them. De Blasio said in a statement he remained "confident" that homeowners will eventually receive the credit. "Wealthy landlords and high-priced lobbyists have spared nothing to line their own pockets at the expense of hardworking New Yorkers," he said. "Today's court ruling keeps $183 of water rate relief out of the hands of everyday homeowners - for now." Michael Berengarten, a partner at Herrick Feinstein representing the objecting landlords, welcomed the decision. "This was a flat giveaway to a broad class of property owners, regardless of need, without any legitimate water-related purpose," he said in a phone interview. "Board members are appointed by the mayor, and abdicated their responsibilities to achieve the mayor's political goals," he added. Story continues De Blasio is widely expected to seek re-election this year. Thursday's unsigned decision upheld a June 2016 ruling by State Supreme Court Justice Carol Edmead in Manhattan. Justice Marcy Kahn dissented, saying the water board had authority to help "overburdened" lower and middle-class homeowners, including the elderly, facing rising water rates. The case is Prometheus Realty Corp et al v New York City Water Board et al, New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, First Department, No. 653003/2016. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Tom Brown and Alan Crosby) Cairo (AFP) - Arab League chief Ahmed Abul Gheit said on Thursday resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict would require a two-state solution, a day after Washington signalled it would drop that demand. Abul Gheit affirmed that the conflict "requires a comprehensive and just peace based on a two-state solution with an independent Palestinian state," a statement said after he met UN chief Antonio Guterres in Cairo. His comments came a day after US President Donald Trump met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and suggested a two-state solution was not necessary. Guterres had also called for a two-state solution on Wednesday in a speech in Cairo, saying there was "no Plan B". The Arab League statement said he and Abul Gheit "agreed that the two-state solution remains the real way to achieving" peace. For the better part of half a century, successive US governments -- both Republican and Democrat -- have backed a two-state solution. Palestinian Liberation Organisation secretary-general Saeb Erekat said the PLO remained committed to two states and would oppose any system that discriminated against Palestinians. President Trump used part of his rambling news conference Thursday to reaffirm his campaign pledge to help revive the nations struggling inner cities, including Chicago. But there was an awkward moment when Trump was asked by April Ryan, a longtime White House correspondent for American Urban Radio Networks, if he would meet with the Congressional Black Caucus on his inner city agenda. Do you want to set up the meeting? Trump asked Ryan, who is black. Are they friends of yours? Im just a reporter, Ryan replied, appearing flummoxed. Set up the meeting, Trump replied. Lets go. I would love to meet with the black caucus. Ryan later wrote on Twitter that it wasnt her role as a reporter to help Trump organize government meetings. I am a journalist not a convener! But thank you for answering my questions. https://t.co/fe9cGXG46w AprilDRyan (@AprilDRyan) February 16, 2017 The unusual encounter came after Trump decried the ongoing situation in Chicago, a city long stricken by gun violence. After one of the bloodiest years on record in 2016, the pace of shootings has not slowed in the new year. More than 400 people have been shot and over 70 killed so far in 2017, including three men who were shot and killed this week alone, according to the Chicago Tribune. Speaking to reporters Thursday, Trump invoked residents who live in areas where they lock themselves in apartments, petrified to leave in the middle of the day. There are two Chicagos, he said. Theres one Chicago thats incredible, luxurious, and all and safe. Theres another Chicago thats worse than almost any of the places in the Middle East that we talk about and that you talk about every night in the newscasts. He called the situation hell and insisted he had great people lined up to help fix the situation. After the press conference, the Congressional Black Caucus wrote on Twitter that it had already requested a meeting with Trump, and that the president had not responded. Story continues Hi, @realDonaldTrump. Were the CBC. We sent you a letter on January 19, but you never wrote us back. Sad! Letter: https://t.co/58KiuHmITF The CBC (@OfficialCBC) February 16, 2017 Read more from Yahoo News: Ashton Kutcher gave an emotional speech to US Senators on child sexual abuse: CNN News An organisation set up by the actor Ashton Kutcher has identified 2,000 child victims of trafficking in the past six months. The Hollywood star gave an emotional speech to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday, as he called for more to be done to tackle child sexual abuse. The 39-year-old co-founded Thorn: Digital Defenders of Children, which builds software to fight human trafficking, with his ex-wife Demi Moore in 2009. In total, the tool had identified 6,000 victims of modern slavery in six months, he revealed. The visibly emotional actor, who has two young children with actress Mila Kunis, said: As part of my anti-trafficking work, I've met victims in Russia, I've met victims in India, I've met victims that have been trafficked from Mexico, victims from New York and New Jersey and all across our country. "I've been on FBI raids where I've seen things that no person should ever see. "I've seen video content of a child that's the same age as mine being raped by an American man that was a sex tourist in Cambodia. "And this child was so conditioned by her environment that she thought she was engaging in play." Kutcher said his team received a call from the Department of Homeland Security asking for help to find a seven-year-old girl after footage of her being sexually abused was "spread around the dark web". "She'd been abused for three years and they'd watched her for three years and they could not find the perpetrator, asking us for help," he said. "We were the last line of defence. An actor and his foundation were the potential last line of defence. "That's my day job and I'm sticking to it." In a more light-hearted moment at the hearing, Kutcher blew a kiss towards Republican senator and former US presidential candidate John McCain. It came after McCain told the actor: "Ashton, you were better looking in the movies." Additional reporting by PA London (AFP) - The president of Britain's Supreme Court on Thursday slammed media attacks on judges after a legal challenge to Brexit, and criticised politicians for not rushing to their defence more quickly. David Neuberger, who presides over Britain's final court of appeal, said judges "were certainly not well treated". "I think some of what was said was undermining the rule of law," Neuberger told BBC radio. "The rule of law together with democracy is one of the two pillars on which our society is based," he added. In November, three High Court judges were criticised for ruling against the government in a case over Article 50, the process that triggers Britain's divorce from the European Union. The ruling determined that the British government could not launch Article 50 without prior parliamentary approval. The decision enraged Brexit supporters and some newspapers who accused judges of thwarting the will of the 52 percent who voted "Leave" in the June 23 referendum on Britain's EU membership. The Daily Mail, Britain's second-biggest-selling newspaper, led the charge against judges, blasting them as "enemies of the people" on its front page. "The judges versus the people" was the lead story on the top-selling broadsheet, The Daily Telegraph. For Neuberger, politicians "should have been quicker and clearer" when condemning the attacks on the judiciary following the High Court ruling. But he then praised them for being "vocal enough quickly enough" after the higher Supreme Court hearing in which the government lost its appeal. "It's easy to be critical after the event. They were faced with an unexpected situation from which, like all sensible people, they learned," he said. Neuberger made the comments as he prepares to retire in September and on the day the Supreme Court begins taking applications for two new judges. BAGHDAD (AP) A car bomb at a Baghdad auto dealership killed at least 55 people and wounded more than 60 on Thursday, Iraqi officials said. Interior Ministry spokesman Brig. Gen. Saad Maan confirmed the toll from the attack, which took place in the mainly Shiite al-Bayaa neighborhood. The Islamic State group claimed the bombing in an online statement circulated by its Aamaq news agency. The Sunni extremist group said it was targeting Shiites. The extremist group has carried out near-daily attacks in Baghdad despite suffering military setbacks elsewhere in the country, including in the northern city of Mosul, where U.S.-backed Iraqi forces have been waging a major operation since October. The U.S. State Department condemned the attack at the car dealership, saying such attacks show the extremist group's "utter contempt for human life and its efforts to sow discord and division among the Iraqi people." Another four attacks in and around Baghdad on Thursday killed eight people and wounded around 30, police and medical officials said. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief reporters. ___ Associated Press writer Murtada Faraj contributed to this report. Madrid (AFP) - Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane hailed the impact of Karim Benzema after his compatriot lifted the European champions from the early blow of conceding to beat Napoli 3-1 on Wednesday. Madrid are now on the brink of a seventh successive Champions League quarter-final as they aim to become the first team to retain the trophy in the Champions League era. Lorenzo Insigne's wonder strike from 40 yards after just eight minutes had given Napoli a shock lead at the Bernabeu. However, Zidane was rewarded for keeping faith in Benzema despite fierce criticism of late from the Spanish press as he headed home his 51st Champions League goal to equalise before second-half strikes from Toni Kroos and Casemiro gave Madrid a commanding lead. "I am always happy with him, said Zidane. "He needed that goal which lately he didin't get, but I am happy not only for the goal but also for how he played generally. He made the rest of the team play better and his movement is very good. "The performances of Karim, Cristiano (Ronaldo), James (Rodriguez) they all made the rest of the team better." Benzema's goal also moved him ahead of compatriot Thierry Henry as top French scorer of all-time in the Champions League proper. "It was a great night. We all played well, not just me," Benzema told Spanish TV station MEGA. "I am very happy and proud of my work. There are a lot of sacrifices, but now I feel good. "I scored a goal and saw that the fans were with me which is very good for my confidence." Napoli had chances to set up a mouthwatering second leg on March 7 as Dries Mertens blazed over with the goal at his mercy and former Madrid winger Jose Maria Callejon had a goal ruled out for offside late on. However, Napoli boss Maurizio Sarri believes his side still have a chance of reaching the quarter-finals for the first time in their history. "Clearly Madrid played their best game of the past three months and we didn't play our best," said Sarri. Story continues "If we manage to play at our best we are not that far away. We may lose (in the second leg) but we can go for it." "It is the first game we have lost in four months. We didn't manage to express ourselves 100 percent, but we can't lose our confidence because we have the return game and league games to come. "We don't have a great chance of turning it around but we have a chance." Even a pre-match pep talk from former Napoli great Diego Maradona couldn't inspire the Italians to victory. However, Sarri believes their fast start more than justified his decision to invite the Argentine into the dressing room before kick-off. "Diego spoke with us for 30 seconds, but he is a legend so clearly it had an impact. Our first 10-15 minutes were our best." Despite that early blow, though, Madrid responded like European champions to take control and Sarri lamented his side's distribution from the back under Real's intense pressing. "It was difficult to mount counter-attacks because we gave the ball away so much," he added. "We were playing a very good team, the best team in the world. The only thing is I feel we committed more errors than normal. "It is normal to suffer in this stadium, it is normal to commit errors, but thanks to these type of games you improve." Berlin (AFP) - Haunted by his own time behind bars, Palestinian director Raed Andoni recreates a notorious Israeli interrogation centre -- and has ex-prisoners re-enact experiences in a bid to set their demons free. In the running for best documentary at the Berlin film festival, Andoni's "Istiyad Ashbah" (Ghost Hunting) examines the rarely documented collective trauma suffered by former Palestinian prisoners. "In Palestinian society, to survive detention and interrogation is like a rite of passage, you either come out a hero or you come out totally broken," the celebrated Ramallah-based filmmaker told AFP this week after the film's Berlinale premiere. "And then people compare notes: how many days without sleep? How long in solitary?" the 45-year-old said. Having been imprisoned himself in his youth, he said he remained "haunted by flashbacks" such as the sound of doors slamming shut and the feeling of a fabric bag being pulled over his head. Shot over seven weeks in a hangar in the West Bank town of Ramallah, the film brings together around a dozen former detainees of all ages and backgrounds, who are asked to recreate the notorious Russian Compound jail in west Jerusalem from memory. - Role play - The participants rebuild the detention centre in painstaking detail, from the size of their cells to the colour of the tiles and even the pulley they say was used to lift inmates off the ground during what they described as torture sessions. Slowly they bring the place of their nightmares back to life -- and as the walls go up, the memories come bubbling back to the surface, forcing the men to confront their memories and breaking taboos in the process. "I use everything I can in the film to help them dig into their subconscience," Andoni said, explaining that he wanted to peel away layer after layer of repression to find "the ghost inside". For some of the ex-detainees it was too much and they walked away from the project. Story continues "I told everyone from the first day of shooting that you have the right to quit," he said, adding that there were psychologists on set to provide emotional support. His quest to push the men to their limits makes for uncomfortable viewing at times, particularly in the drawn-out torture scenes when the former inmates play the roles of Israeli interrogators or prison wardens. Having already explored the topic of trauma in his first feature-length film "Fix Me", which delves into his own psychoanalysis sessions, Andoni said this time he wanted to face the painful memories of his detention through the eyes of others. The experience has been cathartic, he said. "When I think about it now I (think) back more to the movie, and that was the idea," he said. His young assistant director Wadee Hanani, who was held at the Russian Compound detention centre for 45 days in 2009, said the film had helped him find some closure as well. "I haven't yet digested everything that happened, I am on the way, I am more connected. But I need time." Israeli NGOs have accused Israel's Shin Bet domestic security agency of abusing Palestinians under interrogation in a manner so systematic it points to official endorsement. The country has also come under fire at the United Nations over allegations of prisoner abuse -- charges it rejects. "Ghost Hunting" is being screened in the Panorama sidebar section of the Berlinale film festival. The award for best documentary will be handed out on February 18. Millions of college students are about to embark on that fundamentally American tradition of spring break, flocking to sunny spots from Cancun to Punta Cana. Whether youre one of them, or youre just planning some spring travel to shake off cabin fever after a long winter, these five gadgets can help make your trip even better. (Need some spring travel ideas? See this weeks TIME for a little inspiration.) Fujifilm Instax Mini 8 ($59.99, Amazon) Spring break is a great chance to make memories with friends old and new. Go beyond Instagram and create photographic keepsakes of your travels with the Instax Mini 8, a compact, easy-to-use camera that spits out high-quality prints almost instantly, Polaroid-style. Its especially great for passing around at parties. UE Roll 2 ($89.99, Amazon) What good is hitting the beach if you cant bring your music with you? We love the UE Roll 2, a waterproof Bluetooth speaker with amazing sound for its (highly packable) size. One tip: Keep the smartphone youve got connected to this speaker in the shade or in a cooler to keep it from getting overheated in the sun. Extra Chargers ($7.99, Amazon) Want an easy way to make new friends? Grab a handful of these cheap iPhone charging cables and throw them in your travel bag. Then, when else somebody realizes they lost or forgot theirs, youll be there at the ready. Combine them with a battery pack like the Mophie Powerstation to really be a spring break hero. DJI Mavic Pro ($999, Amazon) Why keep your photos grounded when you can take to the skies? DJIs new Mavic Pro drone folds up so it fits in your backpack, then takes amazing photo and video footage when youre ready to fly. Its perfect for grabbing an aerial shot of all your new buddies on the beach or capturing that stunning setting sun. Roku Streaming Stick ($49.60, Amazon) After a long day on the beach, youll want some time chilling, literally, at your hotel. Bring along one of these Roku streaming sticks to ensure youll have access to all your favorite streaming services, from Netflix to HBO, to watch while youre lying around recovering. They work with any TV that has an HDMI port, and connect to the Internet via Wi-Fi. (Read TIMEs affiliate link policy.) Montreal, Canada, knocks Paris off the top spot for best university city in the world, thanks to high immigration rates and affordable living: Rex Features London has been named the third best student city in the world, coming top for student desirability, according to latest global rankings. The Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Best Student Cities list highlighted Montreal, Canada, as the number one location this year, pushing Paris into second place. The table ranks 125 cities on a number of measures, including student satisfaction, affordability, university rankings, employer activity, student mix and desirability. Analysts highlight that UK cities have improved year-on-year, suggesting the country is holding its place against international rivals despite negative projections in the wake of Brexit. Eight British cities made the top 50 this year with Edinburgh rising to from 33rd to 18th place, and Manchester moving up 13 places to 23rd. Based on the QS rankings indicator reflecting the range and quality of higher education institutions situated in each of the 125 cities analysed no city has superior variety and quality of universities to London. This view was echoed by analysts at The Atlantic this week, who marked London as the best city in the world for universities by reputation. One of the main reasons for Londons success in the QS rankings is its fifteen-rank rise for affordability, reflecting the post-referendum weakening of the pound against the US dollar. Despite a three-rank decrease for student mix, London also remains one of the worlds most diverse student cities, coming in 10th place for this category. Only Tokyo and Seoul rank above London for Employer Activity, suggesting that the quality of universities offered by London will ensure that it remains a desirable hunting-ground for the worlds employers. The British capital does fall eight places for desirability, however, reflecting recent news of a dramatic fall in EU applicants in the wake of Brexit. For the first time this year, QS included a "student view" indicator in the ranking, based on a survey of 18,000 international students about their desire to study in, and their student experiences in, the worlds cities. Story continues London was selected by students as the city in which they would most like to study. However, when participants were asked about their personal experiences in London, and whether they intended to remain in the city after graduation, responses were less favourable, leaving the city in 23rd place behind Nottingham (6th place), Edinburgh (12th), and Glasgow (13th). Responding to the results, Michele Glemaud, Admissions Director at the Universite de Montreal, said Montreal is both multicultural and affordable, as well as being a modern, young and vibrant city which is both a great place to study and to live. She added her thanks to the students, who for the first time, had a say in the ranking. Montreal has two universities, both of which are international leaders. McGill University is ranked as 30th in the world and offers courses in English. Universite de Montreal offers courses in French, and is ranked 126th globally. The city's success comes after higher rates of immigration to Canada compared to other Western countries and following concerns over entry to the US. A spokeswoman for the city of Montreal told the BBC that there had been a huge increase in international student number, especially from China and India. With tuition fees for an international student master's at CAN$ 7,971 (4,895) and the monthly cost of living estimated at CAN$ 1,225 (750) the affordability of studying in Montreal is as attractive as its vibrant student life and promising job opportunities, Ms Glemaud added. Concerns have been raised over rising tuition fees and the increasing cost of living for students in the UK, with British students leaving university with the highest debt levels in the English-speaking world. International student numbers could also be cut by as much as half at UK universities, following threats from the Home Office to reject thousands of visa applications in a bid to reduce immigration numbers, it was reported last year. The Government has already pledged to reduce the number of international students- costing the UK as much as 2bn per year according to Higher Policy Education institute forecasts. Milo Yiannopoulos, senior editor at Breitbart News: Drew Angerer/Getty Images More than 1,000 advertisers have pulled out of advertising with far-right news outlet Breitbart, a campaign group has claimed. Kelloggs, BMW, Visa, T-Mobile, Nordstrom and Lufthansa have all severed ties with the company over the last few months, according to a database from Sleeping Giants. A petition for Amazon to cancel its relationship with the website has also reached almost half-a-million signatures. A total of 1,132 companies have so far pledged to remove the ultra-conservative site from their media plan, Sleeping Giants said. Emma Pullman, lead campaign strategist at separate campaign group SumOfUs, told The Independent that most of the companies were pre-existing advertisers. Some had put the website on their black list after accusations it writes misogynist and racist articles, she added. We are reaching fever pitch," she said. Congratulations, you all. You're doing good work here. pic.twitter.com/w807dFH2nY Sleeping Giants (@slpng_giants) February 15, 2017 She added: "The idea behind the campaign is if we can convene enough people we can interrupt its ability to expand. "The campaign is symbolic. This is a really tangible way people can convince companies to not advertise and it's also a way to criticise the rise of the far-right and the hatred, xenophobia and racism that is coming out of Breitbart." Stephen Bannon, former executive chair of Breitbart and now Donald Trump's chief strategist, boasted last year that the website was a "platform for the alt-right. As Breitbart aims to expand around the world, people are buying up URLs like Breitbart.fr to make it more difficult. Large German companies like BMW, restaurant chain Vapiano, Deutsche Telekom and Lufthansa have cut ties. Lufthansa said its decision was due to Breitbart's "violent, sexist, extremist and radical political content". The Independent contacted Breitbart for comment, but none had been received at the time of publication. Customs officials in Dublin have begun preparing for possible checkpoints along the border with Northern Ireland: Getty The Irish Government has begun identifying possible locations for checkpoints along the border with Northern Ireland, as fears grow of a hard Brexit. Preparations are underway for the return of a hard border despite Theresa Mays insistence that the move will not be necessary even after EU withdrawal is completed. Internal documents uncovered by the Irish Examiner showed officials in Dublin fears that full red and green channel customs points may be needed. Those checks would be introduced in Louth, Monaghan, Cavan, Leitrim, and Donegal, with the M1 motorway between Dublin and Belfast also likely to be a focus for customs officials. The move was then confirmed by Michael Noonan, the finance minister, in evidence to an Irish parliamentary committee. Mr Noonan pointed out that both London and Dublin said they did not want to introduce a hard border, but that would require the agreement of the EU as well. Even though it is the intent of the two jurisdictions involved, we still have to get it across the line in Europe and that might be five or six years down the line, he said in a later interview. The customs are looking at contingency, in the event of where the negotiations may land, Mr Noonan added. One minister told the Irish Examiner: No one is aiming for a soft Brexit anymore, it is now about preparing for the worst. And Pearse Doherty, a Sinn Fein representative in the Irish Parliament who lives in the North, told the BBC checkpoints would be devastating. He added: This will absolutely crush certain sectors, particularly sectors along the border region. It will have a devastating impact in terms of the North. The documents pointed to a lack of clarity coming from Downing Street as the reason why the Dublin Government could not be more certain about the possible return of a hard border. When negotiations start, Ireland will be ready. We will negotiate hard and fair, one stated. Only one day earlier, Enda Kenny, Irelands Prime Minister, vowed to fight any attempt to create a fortified frontier, warning success was vital for the Republic. Story continues But Mr Docherty suggested Mr Kenny was unaware of the contingency plans being made by his own officials. The border in the island of Ireland has long been recognised as one of most problematic Brexit issues, with the potential to revive the tensions of the past. During The Troubles, there were only 20 crossings, but there are now thought to be as many as 250 after the peace settlement brought the reopening of huge numbers of roads. The Prime Ministers determination to pull out of the EUs single market and its customs union have raised the prospect of border checks becoming necessary. A spokesman for the Northern Ireland office said the aim was to achieve as frictionless a land border as possible with no return to the hard borders of the past. Jean-Pierre Raffarin, a former French Prime Minister, chaired the report: Getty Britain must not be better off outside the European Union after Brexit, an eight-month inquiry by the French Senate has concluded. The 51-page document also says Theresa Mays keynote Brexit speech at Lancaster House was a mixture of veiled threats and pledges of goodwill a likely reference to the Prime Ministers threat to take Britain out of the EU with no deal, rather than a bad deal. The report adds that the EUs four freedoms goods, people, services and capital are inseparable and it must not be possible for Britain to segment access to the tariff-free single market for certain sectors. It is on this issue that the Senate will be very vigilant, the report warns. The report suggests that the divorce terms of Brexit have to be completed before negotiations over Britains future trading relationship with the EU commence. But the UKs final agreement must not place it in a better position outside the EU, it adds. Last week Jean-Pierre Raffarin, a former French premier who chaired the inquiry, said: From a European point of view ... the new agreements cannot be better than the old ones which might be difficult for the United Kingdom side to accept while at the same time protecting the EUs joint interests, notably on security and defence. The report says that Brexit is a shock to European cohesion but the process, which it claims is now inevitable, must not take the European project hostage and says unity of the 27 other EU states is a priority. It comes after a senior German politician warned that Britains exit from the EU will be mission impossible and create a lot of damage for the UK. MEP Manfred Weber, leader of the European Peoples Party, the largest political group in the European Parliament, said the process of Brexit would not be an easy task. Speaking at a news conference in Strasbourg alongside the European Parliaments chief Brexit negotiator, Guy Verhofstadt, the German MEP said: When I have a look at the content and the topics on the table, for me it is still mission impossible ahead of us but we can manage this. Story continues Mr Weber added: This will create a lot of damage, especially for the Brits, for sure, nobody had the wish to do this but it is the reality. We have to start to recognise this. This will not be an easy task ahead of us, especially having in mind to defend the interests of the European Union. It will be a mirror, from my point of view, to show the people in the European Union that it is much more better to reform the European Union than to destroy the European Union. It will show what Europe is all about. None of the British politicians ever explained to people in Great Britain what is Europe, nobody. And with Brexit everybody will understand this, in a negative way. A controlled explosion was carried out at Bristol Unversity's chemistry block and there were no reported injuries An emergency evacuation took place at the University of Bristol this term, it has been revealed, after a student accidentally made the same explosive that was used in the Paris terror attacks. An investigation by Bristol University found that triacetone triperoxide (TATP) was unintentionally formed during a routine procedure, it was reported. A cordon was set up around the university's chemistry block during the incident earlier this month. A controlled explosion was later carried out and there were no reported injuries. The post-graduate student created the highly dangerous substance as a by-product of another experiment, the inquiry found. TATP is the same chemical used in bomb vests worn by militants in the 2015 Paris attacks, the London 7/7 bombings, and was found by Belgian police following similar attacks in Brussels last year. Hundreds of staff and students at the university's School of Chemistry were evacuated after the chemical was made. Police confirmed they are not treating the incident as suspicious. The Hazard Team boss has arrived & gets directions to chemical incident at Bristol Uni More here: https://t.co/FTVemPHIpQ pic.twitter.com/MQQ9vP9qqA Tristan Cork BPost (@TristanCorkPost) February 3, 2017 In a statement, a Bristol University spokesman said: Following a full investigation, we can confirm that the chemical, triacetone triperoxide (TATP), was unintentionally formed during a routine procedure carried out by a PhD student. The student was following a published literature method and the risk of TATP as a potential by-product had been identified during the risk assessment process. He added: We have robust contingency plans in place to deal with incidents of this nature. As soon as the presence of TATP was identified the student immediately notified those responsible for laboratory safety in the school. Story continues A series of actions were then taken which resulted in the precautionary evacuation of the chemistry building and surrounding buildings and the controlled disposal of the substance by the emergency services. The university said it was reviewing its procedures to determine whether additional checks could be carried out before similar work. STOCKHOLM (AP) Eleven people, including 10 British tourists, have been injured after being thrown into frigid waters in a boating accident in northern Norway. Two speedboats carrying a total of 24 people were returning from a sightseeing trip Thursday when one of the vessels struck a water fountain installation. Nils Mehren, a local journalist who witnessed the accident from his office in the town of Harstad, said the boats were moving at high speeds and the impact threw people into the Norwegian Sea "like dolls." Ten passengers and the driver spent about 15 minutes in the 6-Celsius (42-Fahrenheit) water. Three tourists suffered moderate injuries, seven minor injuries, police said, while the driver was thought to be in critical but stable condition. Harstad is 1,403 kilometers (872 miles) north of Oslo. NAIROBI (Reuters) - The government of Burundi has said it will not attend peace talks scheduled to resume in Tanzania on Thursday, although the main opposition alliance has confirmed its participation. The talks are meant to find an end to a violent political crisis that began in 2015 after President Pierre Nkurunziza said he would seek a third term - a move opponents said violated the constitution and a peace deal that ended an ethnically charged civil war. "The government of Burundi finds some irregularities in the organisation of this present session," a government statement said on Wednesday. Spokesman Phillipe Nzobonariba said the government objected to the presence of senior U.N. adviser Benomar Jamal, but did not say why. The government has repeatedly accused the U.N. of bias against it after several human rights groups have said the security forces and ruling party have committed abuses. The main opposition grouping, CNARED, said it would attend the talks although it has previously accused mediator Benjamin William Mkapa, a former president of Tanzania, of bias. Mkapa said in December that Nkurunziza was legitimate and that mediators should focus on setting up elections for 2020. The violence in Burundi has alarmed people in a region where memories of the 1994 genocide in neighbouring Rwanda remain raw. (Writing by Katharine Houreld; Editing by Aaron Maasho) Getting an MBA is not a golden ticket to success, experts say, but it does increase the odds of achieving a prominent position in the business world, especially if the MBA comes from a top business school. Experts say that, without an MBA from an elite business school, it is very difficult to get fast-track jobs at certain prominent firms, like McKinsey & Co. or J.P. Morgan. "If you want to go for one of those types of companies, it's pretty clear what you want to do," says Peter Vanham, author of "Before I Was CEO: Life Stories and Lessons From Leaders Before They Reached the Top." Vanham's book describes how various Fortune 500 CEOs rose to prominence and offers insight into what distinguishes business people who reach the pinnacle of their profession. Some prominent CEOs advanced without attending business school, he says, but there are certain industries, like management consulting, where an MBA is usually necessary to get ahead. U.S. News contacted executives in various industries who have MBA degrees and asked them what the most important lesson was that they learned during their program and what advice they would give to prospective MBA students. Here are four executives who say that their MBA program helped them succeed. [Learn why college majors rarely tip the scales in MBA admissions.] Nicole Sahin Title: CEO of Globalization Partners, an employment services firm Where she earned her MBA: Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, which is associated with Middlebury College and was previously known as the Monterey Institute of International Studies Her takeaway from the MBA: During business school, Sahin realized that a person who used his or her MBA in the for-profit sector could potentially make a meaningful and positive contribution to society. That led her to switch from pursuing a career in the nonprofit sector to becoming an entrepreneur. "Business doesn't have to be evil," she says. "You can choose what kind of company you work for and what kind of company you build." Story continues Her advice on b-school: Sahin urges prospective MBA students to get significant work experience before starting an MBA program so they can use the wisdom that comes from work to thrive in their courses. Les Williams Title: Chief revenue officer at Risk Cooperative, an insurance brokerage firm Where he earned his MBA: Harvard Business School His takeaway from the MBA: Learning the value of staying silent in a business conversation unless you have something significant to say was an important insight Williams gained during his MBA program, he says. Williams says he learned to speak sparingly in MBA courses so his words had weight and professors and classmates took him seriously. His advice on b-school: "It gives you a really big network so whatever you are interested in down the road, it will take you there," he says. The network he developed at Harvard Business School has helped him get jobs and clients, he says. [Discover 10 ways to ace the MBA admissions interview.] Dave Wright Title: Managing director in the private banking and investment group at Merrill Lynch Where he earned his MBA: Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University His takeaway from the MBA: MBA classmates inspired Wright to be more ambitious, he says. "One of the terrific benefits of business school is that it surrounds you with people who are driven, and it raises your game." His advice on b-school: Although MBA degrees are an expensive investment, Wright is "a huge proponent" of the degree, he says. "It broadens your skill set and and surrounds you with like-minded people who will push you further and higher, but it definitely requires some sacrifice." [Showcase these five key qualities in your MBA application.] Peter Faricy Title: Vice president of Amazon Marketplace, an e-commerce platform owned by Amazon Where he earned his MBA: Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan--Ann Arbor His takeaway from the MBA: Courses that required Faricy to solve problems faced by actual companies gave him a better understanding of how business works than is possible in a theoretical course, he says. "The benefit of action-based learning is it really gives students the advantage of being able to put theory into practice," he says. His advice on b-school: Aspiring executives ought to get an MBA, Faricy says. "If you enjoy business roles and you want to do this for the long haul, I put the MBA in the no-brainer category." Searching for a business school? Get our complete rankings of Best Business Schools. Ilana Kowarski covers graduate schools for U.S. News. You can reach her via email at ikowarski@usnews.com. By Serena Maria Daniels and Marty Graham DETROIT/SAN DIEGO (Reuters) - Businesses shut their doors, students skipped class and thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in cities across the United States on Thursday to protest President Donald Trump's immigration policies. Activists called "A Day Without Immigrants" to highlight the importance of the foreign-born, who account for 13 percent of the U.S. population, or more than 40 million naturalized American citizens. Trump campaigned against the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants, playing on fears of violent crime while promising to build a wall on the U.S.-Mexican border and stop potential terrorists from entering the country. While the number of participants in Thursday's protests could not be determined, many sympathetic business owners closed shop and working-class immigrants forwent pay for the day. "I told my English teacher that I wasn't going to school, and she said she understood," said Rosa Castro, a 13-year-old U.S. citizen in Detroit, who marched with her 26-year-old sister, one of several undocumented family members whose future she is concerned about. Since taking office last month, the Republican president has signed an executive order temporarily banning entry to the United States by travellers from seven Muslim-majority countries and all refugees. That order was put on hold by federal courts. Immigrant rights groups have also expressed alarm after federal raids last week rounded up more than 680 people suspected of being in the country illegally. In San Diego's Logan Heights neighbourhood, a 44-year-old undocumented business owner who identified herself only as Lucia for fear of deportation told Reuters she closed her nutrition shop for the day, costing her $200. "Our community is frightened and cannot speak out," she said. "Things are very bad for us with the new president." Advocates have called attention to cases such as one in El Paso, Texas, where federal agents arrested a transgender woman as she left a courthouse where she was seeking a protective order for domestic violence. Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe wrote Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly to express concern over immigration enforcement in his state, citing an NBC Washington report that agents arrested people outside a church that operates as a shelter from the cold. Sympathy marches and rallies were held in cities including Raleigh, North Carolina, and Austin, Texas. Thousands joined demonstrations in Chicago and Detroit. In the Los Angeles Fashion District - comprising some 4,000 apparel outlets, showrooms and manufacturers covering about 100 blocks of downtown - about half the shops in the area's retail core were closed, along with about 40 percent of one of the large flower markets in the area, said district spokeswoman Ariana Gomez. A Southern California grocery chain, Northgate Gonzalez Markets, said it gave employees at 41 stores and the corporate headquarters permission to use paid personal time off to participate. In Washington, more than 50 restaurants were closed, including high-end eateries. "As far as I'm aware, all of our immigrant employees chose to take the day off," said Ruth Gresser, 57, who owns four pizza restaurants in the District of Columbia area. "We have three relative novices and an old lady making pizza," she said, referring to herself. At the Pentagon, about half a dozen food outlets were forced to close after staff members joined the protest, a Defense Department spokesman said. The National Restaurant Association criticized the walkouts, saying in a statement that the organizers "disrupt the workplaces of hard-working Americans who are trying to provide for their families." In Austin, hundreds chanting "Say it loud, say it clear, immigrants are welcome here" marched from City Hall to the State Capitol, where lawmakers in the Republican-controlled body are considering a measure to punish sanctuary cities that shield immigrants from federal agents. (Additional reporting by Joseph Ax, Gina Cherelus and Yahaira Jacquez in New York, Robert Chiarito in Chicago, Jon Herskovitz in Austin, Texas, Serena Maria Daniels in Detroit, Timothy McLaughlin in Chicago, Lisa Baertlein and Steve Gorman in Los Angeles, Sharon Nunn in Raleigh, N.C., Marty Graham in San Diego and Idrees Ali, Liza Feria, Lacey Ann Johnson and Ian Simpson in Washington; Writing by Joseph Ax and Daniel Trotta; Editing by Jonathan Oatis and Andrew Hay) Justin Trudeau celebrated Canadas trade deal with the European Union on Thursday: Getty As Canadas Prime Minister celebrated his countrys controversial trade deal with the European Union on Thursday, starstruck MEPs seemed to be more concerned with getting the perfect shot of Prince Charming look-a-like Justin Trudeau. Politicians whipped out their mobile phones to capture the moment, as the Prime Minister hailed the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (Ceta) deal as a blueprint for future negotiations, promising that it would create jobs and boost the middle class on either side of the Atlantic. Starstruck MEPs take pics of Justin Trudeau as he addresses European Parliament pic.twitter.com/BTTCdWg6cV Danny Kemp (@dannyctkemp) February 16, 2017 Nevermind the hundreds of protesters who marched outside the European Parliament to oppose the deal, which critics have warned will worsen inequality and increase social tensions across the continent. Of course, elected members of the European Parliament wouldn't be the first to get caught basking in the glow of the Prime Ministers sunny ways. Memes abounded when pictures of Ivanka Trump supposedly swooning over Trudeau during his visit to the White House earlier this week, surfaced. Get you someone that looks at you the way Ivanka Trump looks at Justin Trudeau, one Twitter user quipped. pic.twitter.com/sxTAlpi4av Philip Lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) February 13, 2017 Those memes dominated the news cycle, overshadowing the fact that the photos were ironically captured at a roundtable discussion about women and equality in the workforce. The roundtable itself was seen as an opportunity for the Trump team to leverage Canadas self-proclaimed feminist Prime Ministers presence to improve the US administrations dreadful optics when it comes to womens issues.There are very few politicians living or dead who can hold a flame to Canadas Prime Minister. Justin Trudeau has, at least for the time being, mastered the power of symbolic politics. Story continues That moment Trump tried to pull that weird handshake bit and Trudeau was like not today, motherf**ker. Not today.pic.twitter.com/cR1dTPSPyZ Nerdy Wonka (@NerdyWonka) February 13, 2017 From the very beginning, he set the tone, making history as the first Canadian Prime Minister to name a diverse cabinet made up of equal parts men and women. The phrase, "because its 2015 Trudeaus simple, yet striking response when asked to explain his push for gender parity became a meme in and of itself. But as much as Trudeaus admirable aesthetics and shrewd symbolism might be a tonic against right-wing populism, as a Canadian, its hard to forget that Trudeau owes his country more than a good meme. We must not lose sight of our responsibility to hold him accountable when he fails to deliver on his vow to defend human rights at home and abroad. Despite lofty promises to prioritise the Canadian governments relationship with the countrys Indigenous peoples, an internal report card from the countrys Privy Council Office gave the Trudeau administration a failing grade for meeting its objectives on Indigenous and northern affairs, the National Post has reported. Of course, now that Donald Trump has resurrected plans for the Keystone XL pipeline, a cross-border project that Trudeau has championed himself for years, the Canadian Prime Minister risks further diminishing his governments already rocky relations with indigenous communities that will be affected by the pipeline. Keystones construction will also draw into question Trudeaus position as a climate leader. The Obama administration blocked the project in a bid to protect the environment and the Prime Ministers refusal to do the same will shine a light on where his priorities truly lie. Trudeau will also have to own the legacy of seeing Canada become the second largest exporter of arms to the Middle East, after his government upheld a C$15bn deal inherited from the previous government to sell arms to Saudi Arabia. Last month, a bid launched by members of a Montreal university law faculty lost a court bid to block the arms deal, CBC News reported. The group rightfully argued that Canada has no business entering an arms deal with a country with such a poor human rights record. Dont get me wrong I enjoyed watching my countrys Prime Minister masterfully trump the US President at his own game of handshake power plays as much as the next Canuck. But where the leader will draw the line on other promises, including his commitment to fighting climate change and recognising the rights of Indigenous communities, remains to be seen. And Donald Trump will surely be the one to put both of those vows to the test. But ultimately, it will be up to Trudeau to prove his politics are more than symbolic. Blaze: Smoke could be seen for miles: @TheUrbanHunter Thick, black plumes of smoke could be seen for miles across the capital as dozens of firefighters tackled a blaze at a scrapyard in east London. Eight fire engines and 58 firefighters were at the scene of the fire in Canning Town on Thursday afternoon. Fire crews were called to the blaze in Bidder Street shortly before 3pm, London Fire Brigade said. The blaze broke out at a scrapyard near Ives Road and up to 60 people were evacuated from neighbouring businesses. Scrapyard blaze: The fire could be seen from across east London (@davepayne164 ) A quantity of scrap material and part of a shipping container was damaged by fire. London Fire Brigade said it received the first of more than 12 emergency calls from members of the public at 2.52pm. Dramatic images and video were posted on social media of the view of the fire from miles around London. Video footage of bright red flames raging at the scene of the fire also emerged. Big fire @ Canning Town @# Ives Road E16 pic.twitter.com/xvqoFBpWsg Derrick O (@ousy1) February 16, 2017 Black plumes of smoke could be seen billowing into the sky from as far away as Old Street and the Blackwall Tunnel. Journalist Andrew Lanxon Hoyle tweeted: "Plumes of black smoke visible from Old Street from fire in Canning Town." Plumes of black smoke visible from Old Street from fire in Canning Town. pic.twitter.com/oZ1wpsoooS Andrew Lanxon Hoyle (@Batteryhq) February 16, 2017 Another Twitter user named Dave wrote: "Something's on fire in East London. Hope all are OK..." Simon tweeted: "Olympic Park wreathed in smoke." Something is burning like mad around Canning Town InternationalPapi (@Mr17_5) February 16, 2017 Huge massive fire Canning Town Dan (@eastend79) February 16, 2017 Watch Manager Richard Tapp, who was at the scene said: "The smoke was very visible and could be seen from miles around. Story continues "Firefighters worked hard to bring it under control and will be there throughout the evening damping down pockets of fire." Firefighters from Poplar, Plaistow, Millwall, Shadwell and Whitechapel were attending and the fire was brought under control by 4.30pm. London Ambulance Service were also in attendance but nobody is believed to have been injured. An LAS spokesman said: We were called at 3pm today to reports of a fire at Star Lane. "We sent an incident response officer and our Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) to the scene. An LFB spokesman said the cause of the fire was currently unknown. The nations immigration debate might be coming to a corner booth near you. Workers across America are taking the day off on Thursday for A Day Without Immigrants, a grassroots protest of President Donald Trumps immigration policies. Some restaurants are joining the effort and shutting down for the day to spotlight how immigrants fuel business, and five are Spanish celebrity chef Jose Andres restaurants in Washington, D.C. Its a way to say we love this country, and we want to show you that we are contributing to this country, Andres told TIME. Andres estimated he will sacrifice $100,000 in revenue for the day, and that immigrant workers the vast majority of them Latino make up 65% of his staff. He hopes Thursdays slashed labor force will convince both Republicans and Democrats in Congress to recognize the economys heavy dependency on people he feels are ghosts in the system. An American citizen since 2013, Andres first came to Pensacola, Fla., where the Castillo flag greeted him at high mast in 1991. Hes no stranger to uncertainty facing foreign-born people in the U.S., but he feels Trump is sparking panic in Latino communities by urging ICE raids on. All these raids used to happen, but now all of a sudden, immigrants feel under attack and prosecuted in their neighborhood, he said. According to the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics report, of the 12.7 million employees in the restaurant workforce, 1.4 million are immigrants. Most U.S. farm workers are immigrants many undocumented according to a survey undertaken by the USDA. We all celebrate the best moments of our lives over food at the table linked to immigrants, and we dont want pity. We want respect, he said. But the day is personal for another reason. Andres is embroiled in a multi-million dollar legal fight with the President. Once Trump kicked off his presidential campaign with disparaging remarks for Mexican immigrants in 2015, Andres backed out of a deal to open a Spanish restaurant plugged into the Trump International Hotel in Washington in 2016. When he called Mexicans rapists, it was very obvious that my business couldnt survive with this rhetoric, Andres said. And he has a message to deliver to Trump from immigrant workers: We are here to give back everything we were given, but we cannot be taken for granted. We are here because America needs us in the same way we need America. WASHINGTON (AP) Alaska Republican Rep. Don Young says he never smoked marijuana, but he's a member of the newest caucus on Capitol Hill the Cannabis Caucus. Four House members announced the formation of the caucus on Thursday. While the name elicits smiles, the lawmakers said their intentions are serious: Keep federal policies from interfering with states as they enact laws that allow for recreational or medical marijuana. "I believe in states' rights. Alaska voted to legalize it, pretty large margin," said Young, 83. "The federal government should stay out of it, period." Eight states and the District of Columbia have legalized small amounts of marijuana for adult recreational use. Another 28 states have legalized medical marijuana. The members of the newest caucus said they expect strong interest in joining their group based on the state trends. "Once a state has acted, members of Congress are interested in defending and working with their constituencies," said Rep. Jared Polis, D-Colo. The leaders of the group include two Republicans, Rep. Dana Rohrabacher of California and Young. The Democratic co-chairmen are Rep. Earl Blumenauer of Oregon and Polis. For the record, the lawmakers, for the most part, said they don't use marijuana. Young said he's never used it and doesn't really believe in it. Polis said he's never used it either. Blumenauer said he is going to wait until marijuana is legal federally before using it. Rohrabacher said he recently had surgery on his arm and placed a candle infused with cannabis on it because of the pain. "I got sleep for the first time in weeks after that," he said. Among the group's goals: Keep the federal government from blocking research into marijuana for medical purposes and make it easier for marijuana businesses to operate. The businesses generally can't accept credit or debit cards due to card companies' fears about liability for money laundering or other offenses. Nor can they fully deduct their business expenses, Blumenauer said. Catholic schools, once a mainstay for the Irish, Italian, and Polish communities in American cities, are struggling. With shrinking numbers of nuns as a source of free labor, and fewer parishioners passing the donation baskets on Sunday and enrolling their kids in parochial schools, many simply cannot afford to keep their doors open. Just last week, the Archdiocese of New York announced the closure of five more schools for financial reasons; thats on top of dozens that were shuttered in 2011 and 2013. At least in Milwaukee, Catholic churches have kept their schools alive with the help of voucherspublic money given to parents to spend for their childrens education at the private school of their choice. The economists Daniel M. Hungerman and Kevin J. Rinz and the church administrator Jay Frymark spent three years poring over the financial records of 71 parishes in Milwaukeeinformation that is rarely shared with researchersbetween 1999 and 2013 to understand the impact of school vouchers on churches. In a National Bureau of Economic Research working paper, they explain that vouchers actually staved off imminent school closures in Milwaukee, though they did not improve the churchs overall finances. Recommended: The Anti-Trump Resistance Takes Hold in Red States Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos is a strong advocate for school choice. Donald Trump pledged to create a $20 billion block grant to the states to expand charter schools and vouchers. Given the new administrations embrace of school choice, it is important to understand who benefits from school voucher money, as well as its impact on children and the community at large. The vast majority of students who attend private schools through vouchers are enrolled at religiously affiliated institutions. * * * There are about 6,500 Catholic schools in the country, educating roughly 2 million students in 2014. At their peak in 1965, parochial schools educated 5.6 million students. Story continues In an interview, Daniel Hungerman, an economics professor at the University of Notre Dame, explained that Catholic schools have been undermined by an overall decline in Americans who are religiously affiliated in the past decade. The Catholic Church, in addition, has been rocked by the high-profile cases of child abuse by parish priests. The changing demographics of cities like Milwaukee, Cleveland, and Washington, D.C., have also had a large impact on church attendance. Hungerman and his co-authors found that the number of baptisms in Milwaukee dropped by 25 percent between 1999 and 2011. Fewer people in the pews mean less money in the basket on Sunday, and less money for the schools; typically local parishes, not the archdiocese, support these schools. With fewer worshippers donating dollars and sending their kids in ties and kilts to St. Anns or Our Lady of Peace, Catholic schools have been hit hard. Charter schools have also emerged as competitors for students. Recommended: Donald Trump Will Defeat ISIS While many Catholic schools have been forced to raise tuition to pay lay teachers in the place of nuns who formerly provided that labor for free, their tuition is still remarkably modest. According to the study, the average Catholic school tuition nationwide was $4,200 during the 2007-08 school year, which is far less than the per-pupil expenditures of public schools. Researchers found a very strong association between school vouchers and an educational institutions financial well-being. Milwaukee launched its voucher initiative, Milwaukee Parental Choice Program (MPCP), in 1990. The program has expanded its eligibility criteria over the years, most recently in 2013; vouchers today are restricted to familiesif comprised of four peoplethat make $72,900 per year or less. Currently, 28,188 students take advantage of the program, attending 121 participating schools and, on average, each receivingas of last school yeara voucher worth $7,384.In 2012, according to Hungerman, the state spent $154.6 million on vouchers for Milwaukee residents. The clear beneficiaries of Milwaukees voucher program are religious schools, including parochial ones. Nearly 90 percent of the voucher recipients in Milwaukee attend a religious school, which is close to the national average; from 2007-09, 85 percent of all students attending a voucher accepting school attended a religious school. A plurality, if not a majority, of these religious schools are Catholic. Recommended: Donald Trump Hates His New Job The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled in two casesZelman v. Simmons-Harris (2002) and Arizona Christian School Tuition Organization v. Winn (2011)that school-voucher programs that indirectly support religious schools do not violate the Establishment Clause in the First Amendment. In the Zelman case, the justices found that Clevelands voucher program was constitutional on the grounds that it was neutral with respect to religion. The city gave vouchers directly to the parents, who had the ability to freely choose between a number of school options for their children; they could opt to use that money for, say, a Buddhist school or a secular one. Much of the research on vouchers to date has focused on education outcomes, showing only modest, if any, gains in academic achievement for participating students, although vouchers might boost educational achievement in neighboring public schools. Hungerman, Rinz, and Frymarks work focused on the economics of vouchersspecifically, its impact on the church and the parish. Using the financial records of the 71 parishes, they compared parishes with voucher-accepting schools to two control groupsone including parishes without schools and one including schools that dont accept vouchers. After creating a model that predicted the likelihood that a school would close, they found a very strong association between school vouchers and an educational institutions financial well-being. Vouchers typically increased the revenue for the parishes and prevented school closures or mergers. Catholic-school closures were fairly common in Milwaukee, they found, until the first major voucher expansion took effect in 2006, when the city expanded voucher-eligibility criteria and the number of participating students grew. Vouchers are now a dominant source of funding for many churches. The average voucher-accepting Catholic school in Milwaukee received about $1 million per year from the program in 2012, according to Hungerman, which is a serious help for the cash-strapped parochial schools. Parishes in our sample running voucher-accepting schools got more revenue from vouchers than from their worshippers, Hungerman said. But does this million-dollar influx to the parochial schools free up donations to be spent on other itemssay, organs and stained glass? Not quite. According to Hungerman, they found that voucher-accepting churches also saw a significant decrease in donations and, thus, had to reduce spending on items such as staff salaries, mission support, and church maintenance. In fact, the Milwaukee voucher program may have contributed to a decline in non-educational church revenue of $60 million over time. There are no new church organs in Milwaukee churches, Hungerman said. Hungerman and his fellow researchers are puzzled about why school vouchers would lead to a decline in Sunday offerings from parishioners. Perhaps church members were less generous when they saw that financial support came from other sources or maybe members decided to move to a different church when new students entered the school. Their research could not answer this question. Hungerman, Rinz, and Frymarks research ultimately shows that vouchers can both help and hurt Catholic schools, allowing them to keep the doors open but also, at least in the short term, driving away loyal parishioners and diminishing other religious activity. Regardless, the fact that these findings reiterate how much religious schools benefit from voucher funding is especially relevant given the policy preferences and ideological track record of the current administration. If vouchers really do jump start the sputtering engine of Catholic schools, then it may be time to examine how those school run and evaluate whether the old jalopy shall be traded in for a new model. Read more from The Atlantic: This article was originally published on The Atlantic. Geordi La Forge, Kunta Kinte, and the host of Reading Rainbow are all celebrating their 60th birthday today, because guess what, theyre the same guy: LeVar Burton! Born today, February 16th in 1957, on a U.S. military base in Germany, Levardis LeVar Burton Junior entered the seminary at age 13 to become a priest, but left at 17 to attend the University of Southern Californias School of Theatre. While there, writer Alex Haley saw him in a production of Oklahoma! and soon after in 1977, Burton was starring as Kunta Kinte in the hugely successful TV adaptation of Haleys novel, Roots. In 1983, Burton began hosting and producing the childrens literacy program, Reading Rainbow, for PBS (and you know you just began singing the theme song). The series ran for 23 seasons with Burton, winning a Peabody Award and twenty-six Emmys! In 2014, Burton campaigned on Kickstarter to bring back a web-based version of the show. In just three days, the campaign raised $5.4 million, over triple its goal. And how can we salute LeVar Burton without talking about Captain Planet. Burton voiced, Kwame, the leader of the Planeteers with the power of Earth. Of course we cant celebrate LeVar without discussing his illustrious directing career, including numerous television shows and TV movies like 1998s The Tiger Woods Story. Anything else were forgetting? Well, I guess there was this one little show called Star Trek: The Next Generation. Burton played this blind guy named Geordi La Forge for 176 episodes and four feature films. But no one really cares about that, right? Shrouded in Secrecy, The Magic School Bus Will Return to Netflix Happy Birthday from all of us at SuperFan Los Angeles, Mr. Burton! Well make sure to sing you the entire theme song to Reading Rainbow the next time we see you on the street. Tell us what you think! Hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram or leave your comments below. And check out our host, Khail Anonymous, on Twitter. CEOs across the country, from Under Armour (ticker: UA, UAA) CEO Kevin Plank to Tesla Motors (TSLA) CEO Elon Musk, are having difficulty navigating the political climate amid potentially conflicting business interests. Plank referred to President Donald Trump as a "real asset for the country" in a CNBC interview Feb. 7, Fortune notes, sending both social media and Under Armour athletes into a tizzy. Golden State Warriors player and Under Armour endorser Steph Curry went so far as telling the San Jose Mercury News, "I agree with the description, if you remove the 'et' from asset." Under Armour's issues speak to today's complex political and business climate. Any action could affect many stakeholders, from customers to analysts to the Trump administration itself. Trump often has business leaders to the White House for policy and exploratory talks and CEOs are eager to wield some influence, but they also risk alienating the divided electorate if they are seen either as a Trump ally or foe. Consumers have retaliated against Trump-associated companies, most evidently via the #GrabYourWallet campaign that lists prominent companies like Macy's ( M) and Amazon.com ( AMZN). Campaigns have also started on the other side of the debate, with people using the hashtag #BoycottStarbucks after Starbucks (SBUX) said it planned to hire 10,000 refugees over five years. A #DeleteUber campaign was ignited after the company sent drivers to New York's John F. Kennedy Airport (but turned off surge pricing) amid a temporary work stoppage by New York taxi drivers protesting Trump's immigration ban. Criticism of Uber CEO Travis Kalanick prompted him to leave Trump's business advisory council, Business Insider reports. Musk says he will stay on the council, and that he "and others will express our objections to the recent executive order on immigration and offer suggestions for changes to the policy. Advisory councils simply provide advice and attending does not mean that I agree with actions by the administration." Story continues Musk has spoken out against Trump's immigrant ban, as have many CEOs, including Twitter's (TWTR) Jack Dorsey and Apple's (AAPL) Tim Cook. Musk sent several tweets Wednesday again calling out the ban, including one that read "The Muslim immigration ban is not right." He later deleted them and claimed "they were earlier drafts that I accidentally published. I said the same thing a week already." The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a stay on the ban last week. @Samcornwell they were earlier drafts that I accidentally published. I said the same thing a week already. -- Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 15, 2017 He tweeted these statements in late January: The blanket entry ban on citizens from certain primarily Muslim countries is not the best way to address the country's challenges -- Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 29, 2017 Many people negatively affected by this policy are strong supporters of the US. They've done right,not wrong & don't deserve to be rejected. -- Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 29, 2017 As for Under Armour's continued pushback, it said in a statement Feb. 10 following Plank's comments, "we engage in policy, not politics." Plank also wrote a letter to the city of Baltimore via an ad in The Baltimore Sun. "We stand firmly for equal rights. We believe that immigration is a source of strength, diversity and innovation for global companies based in America like Under Armour," the letter reads. Adweek points out Plank doesn't mention Trump's name in the letter. 7 of the Worst Stocks to Buy for 2017 How 8 CEOs Reacted to Donald Trump's Immigrant Ban David Oliver is Associate Editor, Social Media at U.S. News & World Report. Follow him on Twitter, connect with him on LinkedIn, or send him an email at doliver@usnews.com. Woolly mammoths won't be trouncing through the Arctic tundra anytime soon. Contrary to recent headlines, which herald the extinct beast's coming resurrection, scientists are still a long way from figuring out how to revive the elephant ancestor. SEE ALSO: Humans will drive polar bears to extinction without climate action, feds say Woolly mammoths roamed the planet for hundreds of thousands of years before they vanished about 4,000 years ago. Paleontologists say the culprit for the die-off was possibly overhunting, or changes in mammoth's food supply after the last Ice Age. A camp of scientists known as "revivalists" are dedicated to bringing mammoths back in the modern era for environmental and biological reasons. Some researchers have made important early progress, although nothing is close to leaving the lab. A frozen mammoth discovered in the permafrost zone in Siberia is displayed in Nagakute, Japan. Image: Koichi Kamoshida/Getty Images At Harvard University, geneticists recently spliced mammoth DNA into an Asian elephant genome using Crispr, a powerful gene-editing tool. The team aims to gradually alter the DNA of modern elephants so they resemble a version of their ancient relatives. George Church, a renowned Harvard geneticist leading the project, told the Guardian this week that the team is on the brink of creating a hybrid elephant-mammoth embryo. The so-called "mammophant" would be mostly elephant but with a few key mammoth traits, such as a thick layer of subcutaneous fat, long shaggy hair and cold-adapted blood. "We're not there yet, but it could happen in a couple of years," Church told the Guardian during a major science meeting in Boston. Even still, he noted that the team is many years from attempting to produce a living creature. Another team has produced a kind of instruction manual for reconstructing mammoths in the lab. A mammoth skull and tusks are hoisted from an excavation pit in Michigan in 2015. Image: Daryl Marshke, Michigan Photography Scientists compared the DNA recovered from two mammoth carcasses found in permafrost in the Yukon and Siberia. Then they sequenced the entire genome of the mammoth species, according to a 2015 study published in the journal Current Biology. Story continues "This basically gives you the changes that account for a mammoth being a mammoth," Hendrik Poinar, who led the study and directs the Ancient DNA Center at McMaster University in Canada, told CBS News in 2015. "This then gives us this road map, so to speak, of what we would need to change in an Asian elephant chromosome to make them mammoth-like," Poinar said. As geneticists continue their quests in the lab, paleontologists are hunting remains in the wild. In Michigan's frigid climes, scientists have recovered about 30 mammoths and 300 mastodons over the years, the University of Michigan says. More discoveries have been made in Siberia, where the permafrost keeps woolly mammoths well-preserved. Every summer, scientists with South Korean firm Sooam Biotech hike to the extreme north of the Russian permafrost to find genetic material to clone. The firm's founder, Hwang Woo-suk, previously took less conventional measures to secure his supply of mammoth tissue: he bought it from the Russian mafia, the former stem cell scientist admitted in 2006. So why do people want to bring back mammoths? Some think that giving mammoth traits to modern Asian elephants could help the endangered species adapt to environmental and human pressures. However, if the revivalists succeed, ethical conundrums will ensue. Some scientists say they worry that "mammophants" will become akin to objects in a freak show, instead of part of a healthy, integrated clans to which mammoths once belonged. Would they live in zoos, to the benefit of investors, or roam freely in the wild? One thing is clear: scientists will have plenty of time to figure out the answers. BEIJING (Reuters) - China on Thursday demanded that Vietnam apologize to a Chinese tourist who says he was beaten up by Vietnamese border guards after failing to pay a bribe, an incident that provoked outrage among Chinese internet users. The call comes a month after the neighbors pledged to safeguard peace in the disputed South China Sea, nearly all of which is claimed by China, although Vietnam and four other Asian nations also have claims in the oil-rich area. Last week, a group of about eight uniformed men beat a Chinese man surnamed Xie in Vietnam's northern city of Mong Cai on the border with China, after he failed to pay a "tip", the state-run China News Service said on Saturday, citing Xie. The head of the consular affairs office of China's foreign ministry "had a special appointment" on Thursday with the Vietnam ambassador to "once more express our stern position," Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said. "China demands that Vietnam apologize and pay compensation to the victim, severely handle those involved and take effective measures to ensure an incident does not happen again," Geng told a regular news briefing. Vietnam has already suspended eight people involved in the incident, he added. On Wednesday, Vietnam's Foreign Ministry told Reuters by email that it was "clarifying" information on the incident provided by China, and would "resolve the issue (according to) the nature of the event". Xie, accompanied by his mother and fiancee, was returning from a trip to Vietnam planned for the couple to take location photographs ahead of their wedding, the agency said. The fiancee, identified as Xiao Li, told China News the women had tried to halt the beating and make a video recording of it, only to be restrained, and have their phones confiscated. State media pictures of a bruised Xie in hospital were widely shared online, sparking angry comments calling the incident a matter of national pride for China and targeting Vietnam. Chinese tourists made up nearly 30 percent of all visitors to Vietnam last year at just under 2.7 million, figures from Vietnam's tourism administration show. The border crossing between Mong Cai and the city of Dongxing in China's southern region of Guangxi is the main crossing-point between the two nations. Although China and Vietnam regularly talk up their common interests as "traditional" friends and neighbors in public statements, conflicting claims of sovereignty in the South China Sea have become a major source of tension in recent years. (Reporting by Christian Shepherd and Ben Blanchard; Additional reporting by My Pham in Hanoi; Editing by Clarence Fernandez) BEIJING (Reuters) - A Chinese court on Thursday jailed for life a former senior judge from the country's highest court, after finding him guilty of corruption, state media said, the latest official to fall foul of a sweeping crackdown on graft. Xi Xiaoming, a former vice president of the Supreme People's Court, was put under investigation in 2015. He was one of the most senior judicial officials ousted by President Xi Jinping's anti-corruption campaign since the downfall of Zhou Yongkang, the former domestic security chief whose brief included law enforcement and courts. Zhou was jailed for life in 2015. State television said a court in the northern city of Tianjin found Xi Xiaoming guilty of accepting 115 million yuan ($16.78 million) in bribes between 1996 and 2015. Xi admitted his guilt and has repented and so received a lighter sentence, the report said, probably meaning he avoided a death sentence. It was not possible to reach a legal or family representative for comment. The judge, a member of the ruling Chinese Communist Party for 40 years, was also accused by the party in 2015 of breaching confidentiality rules and leaking secrets related to judicial work. He was the number four official in the Supreme People's Court, where he specialised in economic law cases. A native of eastern Jiangsu province, he rose from working as a policeman in the city of Shenyang in the 1970s to the highest echelon of the judiciary, where he was also a member of the court's leading Party members' group, according to his official biography. China's leaders have pledged to continue combating graft, seen as crucial to the party's survival, and have vowed to go after "tigers" in senior positions as well as lowly "flies". ($1=6.8549 Chinese yuan renminbi) (Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Clarence Fernandez, Robert Birsel) LONDON (Reuters) - The Church of England's legislative body on Wednesday voted against a report from bishops that rejected the idea of blessing same-sex marriages, the latest row over an issue that has divided the Church for years. The wider Anglican communion, which has 85 million members worldwide, has been in crisis since 2003 because of arguments over sexuality and gender between liberal member churches in the West and their conservative counterparts, mostly in Africa. But the Church of England, where the Anglican tradition originated, is itself divided, especially over how to deal with same-sex marriages which are legal in Britain. The latest controversy stems from a report issued in January by the House of Bishops, which along with the houses of Clergy and Laity makes up the Church's legislature, known as the synod. The bishops' report re-affirmed the Church teaching that marriage is between a man and a woman, while calling for "a fresh tone and culture of welcome and support for lesbian and gay people". http://bit.ly/2kSjR5N It advocated sticking to the status quo in terms of Church law on marriage, while interpreting the law "to permit maximum freedom within it". In practice, this would exclude church blessings for same-sex marriages, angering critics who pointed out that warships, animals and pubs are eligible for blessings. The bishops' report required majority support in each of the three houses to be endorsed by the synod, but the House of Clergy voted against it during a session in London on Wednesday. A small crowd of protesters demonstrated outside the venue where the synod was meeting, holding banners with slogans such as "Proud to be gay, now make me proud to be Christian". The vote left the bishops' carefully worded position on same-sex marriage in disarray. A Church spokeswoman said that while the vote was non-binding, in practice it would make it hard to take the bishops' proposals forward. Days before the vote, a group of 14 retired bishops published an open letter to their successors criticising the report and saying it would cause deep disappointment among lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender (LGBT) people. "Our perception is that while the pain of LGBT people is spoken about in your report, we do not hear its authentic voice," the retired bishops wrote. http://bit.ly/2l7KbHy The Anglican communion last year slapped sanctions on one of its liberal member churches in the United States, the Episcopal Church, for supporting same-sex marriage. (Reporting by Estelle Shirbon; Editing by Dominic Evans) New York (AFP) - Hillary Clinton delivered a defense of immigration at a ceremony honoring the late Dominican-born designer Oscar de la Renta on Thursday, earning a standing ovation from fashion watchers. The event unveiled 11 US Postal Service stamps to commemorate de la Renta, who died in October 2014, at the end of a New York fashion week striking for its virulent opposition to President Donald Trump. De la Renta moved to New York in the 1960s, his elegant and glamorous clothes coming to define American fashion for five decades, dressing generations of first ladies and creating a multi-million-dollar fashion house. "Oscar de la Renta was an immigrant," said Clinton, the former Democratic presidential nominee in a rare speech since her loss to Trump last November. "And aren't we proud and grateful that he was," she said to cheers from the well-heeled audience that included members of high society and the designer Ralph Lauren, whose parents were also immigrants. The former secretary of state and first lady, who won the popular vote but lost the electoral college to Trump, could not resist a veiled dig at her former opponent who clashed with the judiciary over his attempt to temporarily suspend immigration from seven Muslim-majority countries. "What a fitting person to be chosen by our postal service, mentioned by the way in the constitution -- something we should all read and re-read in today's times," she said to more cheers. "Let there be many, many more immigrants with the love of America that Oscar de la Renta exemplified every single day," she added. Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, herself British-born, struggled to fend off tears as she paid moving tribute to her late friend. Wintour and much of the New York fashion industry supported Clinton's quest to become the first woman commander-in-chief. "To Oscar and to all of us, Mrs Clinton was someone who lived in the public eye with dignity and grace," said Wintour. "I know Hillary misses him as much as I do." Shares in UK engineering and defence company fell 22 per cent on Thursday to their lowest point in over a decade Shares in UK engineering and defence company Cobham plummeted 22 per cent on Thursday to their lowest in over a decade, after the company cut its forecast for the fifth time in less than two years. The group said that it now sees trading profit for 2016 coming in at 225m, after deducting 20m of year-end adjustments from the forecast issued only last month. The company said that whilst market uncertainties undoubtedly exist, the ability of the group to forecast performance is also not as strong as it should be. 2016 was an incredibly turbulent and disappointing year for Cobham, said chief executive David Lockwood. Execution failure in many businesses led us to miss expectations badly and provides a poor entry point into 2017. Shares slumped to the bottom of the FTSE 250 index of UK small cap stocks and to the bottom of the Stoxx Europe 600 benchmark of the regions biggest companies. They were recently trading at their lowest level in over 10 years having already suffered a tumble of a similar magnitude when Cobham issued its last profit warning in January. Investors are ditching the stock as it looks like the problems at Cobham go further than anyone realised when all this started, said Neil Wilson, a market analyst at ETX Capital. One major drag on Cobham has been its work on Boeing's KC-46 tanker programme. On Thursday it said it would take a 150m charge on the plan. Cobham, whose origins date back to the 1930s, specialises in defence systems, aerospace and surveillance. Quito (AFP) - Colombia's government and the country's last active rebel force announced a preliminary agreement in their work toward a permanent ceasefire at peace talks on Thursday. The government is seeking a peace deal with the leftist National Liberation Army (ELN) to seal "complete peace" after signing an accord last year with the bigger Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). Following a week of talks in Ecuador, the government's lead delegate Juan Camilo Restrepo read out a statement that announcing a "first accord" had been reached. It covers agreements on the role of civil leaders in the peace process and humanitarian measures to de-escalate the conflict. "We want to advance gradually toward a scenario where the conditions will be in place to agree a ceasefire and an end to hostilities with the ELN," Restrepo said in an appearance at the Ecuadoran foreign ministry. ELN commander Pablo Beltran said the preliminary accord was "a good start" despite the differences between the two sides. "We are going to start seeking a bilateral ceasefire." The ELN is the last active remnant of a half-century civil conflict. The war broke out in 1964 when the ELN and FARC took up arms for rural land rights. It drew in various groups and has killed at least 260,000 people, according to official figures. Shortly before Thursday's statement, Restrepo accused the ELN on Twitter of a bombing against a state army patrol on Tuesday that the government said had injured two soldiers. The ELN has not responded to that claim. By Michelle Price and Julie Zhu HONG KONG (Reuters) - A Chinese consultancy that has previously helped to win antitrust battles against Coca-Cola and Apple has taken aim at McDonald's Corp, arguing in a complaint to regulators that the American fast food giant's China sale may hurt workers and consumers. McDonald's said last month it had agreed to sell the bulk of its China and Hong Kong business to state-backed conglomerate CITIC Ltd and U.S. private equity firm Carlyle Group LP for up to $2.1 billion, in a deal that will see the consortium act as the master franchisee for a 20-year period. The complaint, which follows allegations from a U.S. labour union that the transaction will likely lead to poorer pay and conditions for McDonald's 120,000 workers in China, could delay regulatory approval for the deal. Beijing-based Hejun Vanguard Group, a Chinese management consultancy that has a track-record of representing domestic companies against foreign firms, filed two separate complaints against McDonald's with the Ministry of Commerce's (MOFCOM) antimonopoly bureau and its franchise office, Hejun Vanguard told Reuters. While Hejun has stopped short of asking MOFCOM to block the deal, it has called on the regulator to closely scrutinize the transaction and take measures to prevent McDonalds abusing what it claims is the companys dominant position in the fast-food burger market in China. It has also called for MOFCOM to investigate alleged violations of Chinas franchise law by McDonalds, which it claims has failed to properly register all of its outlets in mainland China. MOFCOM had yet to respond to a request for comment at the time of publication. CITIC, CITIC Capital and Carlyle declined to comment. McDonald's said it had filed its franchise business with MOFCOM in accordance with franchise regulations, and disputes Hejun's analysis of its market share in China. It added that its franchise model globally is based on mutually beneficial partnerships. ROYALTIES QUESTIONED Hejun said it was not acting for any specific companies in the case and generally seeks to protect domestic brands from overly aggressive foreign companies. The Service Employees International Union, a U.S. labour organization, last year warned potential buyers of roughly 3,000 McDonald's restaurants in Asia that such deals could saddle them with operational risks, including significant costs and liabilities.. In January, it raised concerns over McDonalds China deal, saying previous such transactions in markets - including Brazil and Puerto Rico - had put enormous pressure on franchisees, making it harder for them to provide adequate pay and conditions for their workers. CITIC and CITIC Capital, an affiliate company that manages private equity funds, will hold 52 percent of the China business following the deal. Carlyle will control 28 percent, while McDonald's will retain a 20 percent stake. McDonald's currently owns and operates most of its outlets on the mainland but the deal will see the fast-foot giant move to a franchise model that should allow it to continue to profit from sales while cutting costs. "The deal will put enormous downward pressure on McDonald's master franchisees, existing franchisees that operate individual stores, and the workers and customers of those stores," said Li Su, CEO of Hejun Vanguard Group in a statement. "Regulators should investigate the transaction and impose restrictions to prevent McDonalds from abusing its dominant market position." Hejun's submission, excerpts of which were reviewed by Reuters, says its analysis shows McDonald's has 53 percent of the fast-food burger market in China and that the company has abused its dominant position to extract higher than average royalties. McDonald's will charge royalties of 6 percent of sales in China under the deal, compared with 3 percent globally, says Hejun, citing The Wall Street Journal. "As McDonalds extracts excessively high royalties and its partners see a deteriorating bottom line, corner-cutting can result in lower quality products and even health concerns," the complaint claims. "MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL" McDonald's does not disclose its royalties and regards itself as a player in the "informal eating out" market, a company spokeswoman said, confirming that McDonald's had filed the transaction for approval by MOFCOM. The company also pointed to awards recognising it as a top employer in China. "Franchising is a key factor underlying McDonalds success across the world based on mutually beneficial partnership. Our local franchisees have also received a wide range of awards in recognition of their local people brand," she added. Hejun has had success with such complaints in the past, opposing Coca-Colas acquisition of Huiyuan Juice, the first deal ever blocked by MOFCOM, and was part of the team that fought a claim to make Apple pay $60 million in 2012 to use the iPad trademark in China. MOFCOM has the discretion to take into account third-party complaints against companies and Hejun expects any review to take at least two months, said Shaun Wu, a China disputes lawyer at law firm Kobre & Kim which is acting for Hejun. Companies in China have increasingly used antitrust complaints to try to hamper rivals. (Reporting by Michelle Price; Edited by Martin Howell) Press conference: Donald Trump launched a scathing attack on the media: REUTERS Donald Trump launched a scathing attack on the worlds media during a press conference at the White House. During a 76-minute talk with journalists the US president told reporters their level of dishonesty was out of control. Nearly a month into his presidency, Mr Trump insisted that his new administration had made "significant progress" and took credit for an optimistic business climate and a rising stock market. The president brushed off reports of a chaotic start to his time in office and said: "This administration is running like a fine-tuned machine. 'Fake news': Donald Trump criticised media outlets during a press conference (REUTERS) Throughout the meeting Mr Trump criticised the media and promised to take his message "straight to the people." Despite airing critical views, Mr Trump told reporters: "I'm not ranting and raving. I love this, I'm having a good time doing this. He dismissed recent reports in The New York Times and on CNN that his campaign aides had been in contact with Russian officials before his election and called Paul Manafort, his former campaign manager who has ties to Ukraine and Russia, a "respected man." Press conference: President Trump addressed reporters at the White House (REUTERS) Mr Trump added: "Russia is fake news. This is fake news put out by the media." Amid reports of widespread leaks within his administration, the president said: "Those are criminal leaks. "The leaks are real. The news is fake." He blamed any problems on the outgoing Obama administration and said: "I inherited a mess at home and abroad - a mess. The president also announced that Alexander Acosta, the dean of the Florida International University law school, would be his nominee for Labor secretary. TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) An Ohio man accused of spray-painting a swastika and a message cursing Arabs on a Lebanese family's home has pleaded no contest to criminal damaging. Police say the 28-year-old told them he left the messages because he was angry over a perceived slight, not because of the family's ethnicity. Osama Nazzal, of Toledo, pleaded no contest Thursday to the misdemeanor charge. The Blade reports he'll be sentenced in May and faces up to 90 days in jail. Court records don't indicate whether Nazzal has an attorney. Police say he told them he felt threatened after the homeowner's daughter snickered at him in a college library, so he researched her address and spray-painted the graffiti. The woman later told police Nazzal stared at her and followed her at the library. An Indian court Thursday cleared three defendants over a series of bomb blasts in New Delhi in 2005 that killed 62 people, but jailed one of them for his links with a banned group. New Delhi's Patiala House Court said there was not enough evidence against Tariq Ahmed Dar, Mohammed Hussain Fazili and Mohammed Rafiq Shah for their involvement in explosions that tore through two crowded markets and a bus ahead of the Hindu festival of lights, Diwali, in October 2005. The court sentenced Dar to a decade in jail for his links with a militant group but since he had already served 12 years behind bars while awaiting the outcome of his case, it said he could walk free. "It appears that no one was held guilty for the blasts because the prosecution could not prove the charges against them, except for one who was proven guilty for his association with a banned terror group," Sushil Bajaj, lawyer for Fazili, told AFP after the hearing. He could not immediately identify the militant group, saying he was yet to read the court's judgement in detail. All three were reportedly charged with waging war against the state, conspiring, collecting arms, murder and attempt to murder in 2008. Apart from the 62 dead, 210 people were wounded in the blasts that hit minutes apart, setting off blazes and turning shops at Delhi's Sarojini Nagar and Paharganj markets into heaps of twisted metal and broken glass. It remains unclear who carried out the bomb blasts, with a little-known group Inquilab (Revolution) claiming responsibility at the time. But New Delhi suspected Islamic guerrillas from Kashmir behind the blasts -- a claim rejected by Islamabad and pro-Pakistan militant groups including Lashkar-e-Taiba which has been involved in a number of deadly attacks in India. Kashmir is divided between India and Pakistan but claimed in its entirety by both. (Reuters) - U.S. LED lighting maker Cree Inc said it would terminate a deal to sell its Wolfspeed Power and RF division to German chipmaker Infineon Technologies AG , citing security concerns raised by the U.S. government. Cree and Infineon have not been able to identify alternatives to address the security concerns, Cree said on Thursday. The Wolfspeed division makes devices using gallium nitride, a sensitive powdery compound with military applications whose use by other companies has led the United States to block deals. Infineon, which agreed to buy Wolfspeed in July last year for $850 million, said earlier in the day that it did not expect to be able to salvage the purchase. Infineon will pay a termination fee of $12.5 million, Cree said. (Reporting by Rishika Sadam in Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila) Top tips: passengers aboard Norwegian Jade's cruise to the fjords are asked to pay 70-90 as a gratuity: Norwegian Cruise Line One of the worlds biggest cruise lines has adopted a bizarre strategy over tips for the crew: making a service charge appear as a compulsory levy, yet allowing passengers to opt out if they ask. Norwegian Cruise Line automatically adds a service charge of US$13.95 (11.25) per person per day for each passenger in one of its smaller cabins; the service charge is higher for more luxurious cabins. On the eight-day voyage to the fjords of Norway departing from Southampton on 14 May, this adds 90 per person pushing the 1,109 price up by 8 per cent. If the customer agrees to pre-pay, they receive a discount on the service charge, which falls to 70 for the eight days. Passengers are told: Staff members including complimentary restaurant staff, stateroom stewards and behind-the-scenes support staff are compensated by a combination of salary and incentive programmes that your service charge supports in other words, the fee forms part of the crews wages. At no point on the relevant web page is there any indication that the service charge is voluntary. It implies that the only grounds for reducing or cancelling the amount is if a service issue arises that the company is not able to rectify to the passengers satisfaction. Were this the case, Norwegian Cruise Line could be in breach of trading standards rules on pricing. These specify: Additional charges should be included in the up-front price if they are compulsory. A failure to include compulsory charges in the up-front price may breach the Regulations. A spokesperson for Norwegian Cruise Line said: If guests are not prepared to pay the service charges, the procedure is to obtain a form from Guest Services to fill out. This form allows NCL to obtain valuable customer feedback so that if there is a serious issue with the service on board it can be addressed. Many British travellers resent the way that cruise lines stipulate the expected level of tips and add it to the on-board account. Some passengers ask for these charges to be removed, and instead reward staff personally with cash. Story continues Most of the cruise firms contacted by The Independent make it clear that the tips are discretionary. Royal Caribbean says: Tips are voluntary and at the discretion of each guest. Cunard tells passengers: If you wish to amend the Hotel and Dining charge in any way you can do so by contacting the Purser's Desk once on board. Its sister company, P&O says: We strongly believe this should remain voluntary and therefore this charge [5.50 per person per day] can be varied at the Reception desk at any time. Norwegian Cruise Line's spokesperson told The Independent: Regardless of the reason for not wishing to pay, no guest will be denied the opportunity to receive a refund or adjust the service charge applied to their on board account. Several cruise lines do not ask for additional payments, including Thomson, Saga and Hapag Lloyd. By Michele Kambas ATHENS (Reuters) - Face-to-face talks between both sides of divided Cyprus broke off on Thursday, sources at the meeting said, after the Greek Cypriot parliament angered Turkish Cypriots by honoring a 1950 plebiscite seeking union with Greece. The meeting between Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades and his Turkish Cypriot counterpart, Mustafa Akinci, ended abruptly about an hour after it started, after which a go-between had to shuttle between the two to keep the peace process on track. "Both leaders very strongly said they are committed to this process, and nobody sees this process as over, or terminated, or suspended," said Espen Barth Eide, the United Nations special envoy who is overseeing the peace negotiations which have been ongoing for almost two years. The talks aim to end the division of the island, for decades a source of tension between NATO allies Greece and Turkey and an obstacle to Turkey's bid to join the European Union. Cyprus's parliament, comprised solely of Greek Cypriots, adopted a resolution on Feb. 9 commemorating a 1950 unofficial referendum where more than 95 percent of that community voted for "enosis", or union, with Greece. The anger that caused among Turkish Cypriots reflects the historic sensitivities on the island which was split in a Turkish invasion in 1974 triggered by a brief Greek Cypriot coup by elements of the military seeking union with Greece. The two sides gave differing accounts of what happened on Thursday. Anastasiades said he took a short break and returned to find Akinci gone. Akinci said Anastasiades walked out, slamming the door. "Enosis" has always been a deep source of resentment among Turkish Cypriots, and was partly the cause of inter-communal clashes in the 1960s shortly after the island gained independence from Britain. The notion of unification with Greece has, officially at least, been abandoned as a concept for decades. The Mediterranean island has been a member state of the EU since 2004. Last week's vote was proposed by a small nationalist party. Anastasiades's conservatives abstained and the left-wing party voted against it. (Editing by Robin Pomeroy) Nicosia (AFP) - Peace talks between the rival leaders on divided Cyprus broke up in acrimony Thursday over a 1950 referendum, but the UN envoy said the process was still on track. UN envoy Espen Barth Eide said that although the meeting "was not a very happy one" and "ended up abruptly" the next round would still go ahead as planned next week. "I am glad to convey to you that both leaders are committed to the process and nobody sees this process as over, terminated or even suspended," said Eide. "There have been no cancellations as of now... no change to the programme," he said, stressing the next round would take place as scheduled on February 23. Tensions have soared over the approval by the Greek Cypriot parliament for schools in the south of the island to mark the 1950 referendum on "Enosis," or union with Greece. Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci said that when the issue of scrapping the decision came up, his Greek Cypriot counterpart Nicos Anastasiades said there "was nothing else to say, slammed the door and left". "At that point there was nothing more to do as this meeting needs to be conducted in an atmosphere of respect so we also left the meeting," he told reporters. But Anastasiades said the Turkish Cypriot side left the talks first. Akinci's walkout was "unwarranted and without cause or reason", he said on television, adding that Eide, chairing the meeting, had also been "unaware of what happened". - 'Emotional meeting' - Anastasiades said Eide had tried to persuade Akinci to return but he was "adamant" and left. Eide himself later explained what happened. "The meeting ended abruptly, which is unfortunate," said the UN envoy. "At some point in an emotional meeting that was difficult for all participants, Akinci himself said that he left this meeting." The 1950 referendum -- before Cyprus won independence from colonial ruler Britain -- overwhelmingly approved Enosis but had no legal value. Story continues Almost 96 percent of the island's majority Greek Cypriots signed up in favour of union between Cyprus and the "motherland" Greece in the unofficial referendum held in churches and coffee shops across the island, according to its organisers, the Cyprus Greek Orthodox Church. The new schools legislation, sponsored by the far-right ELAM party, essentially calls for secondary students to mark the referendum anniversary by learning about the event and reading leaflets dedicated to understanding the Enosis cause. - Some 'don't want reunification' - In a letter to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday, Akinci warned the move would cause "great damage" to the peace process. Turkey has criticised Anastasiades for trying to make light of the referendum and demanded the Greek Cypriots change their "mentality" when it comes to accepting Turkish Cypriots as "co-owners of the island". The two sides have been engaged in fragile peace talks since May 2015 that observers have seen as the best chance in years to reunify the island. In January, the UN hosted talks in Geneva bringing both sides together for the first time with the three "guarantor powers" of Britain, Greece and Turkey. Much of the progress until now has been based on the strong personal rapport between Anastasiades and Akinci, leader of the breakaway Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus who was born in Limassol which is now in the south. "The Greek (Cypriot) leader has acted from time to time hot-headedly," said Akinci. "In the past we tolerated it until the last drop. It was not possible to tolerate this now." Eide said there were "a number of people who want this process to fail and who don't want reunification on these terms" and "those who want it to fail will be a bit more active". "We must be aware that this is happening," said the envoy. The eastern Mediterranean island has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded the northern third in response to an Athens-inspired coup seeking Enosis. The detention of a young undocumented immigrant who was granted protection from deportation under an Obama Administration policy has sent a chilling message to other immigrants, his lawyers said. Daniel Ramirez Medina, 23, is currently being detained in Tacoma, Wash. He was arrested Friday by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials who had come to take his father into custody. A team of civil rights lawyers filed a lawsuit in federal court on Monday, petitioning for his release. Originally, we really thought and hoped and trusted that it was a mistake, and we were hoping that the government would just release him, Ethan Dettmer, a partner at Gibson Dunn & Crutcher and one of the attorneys representing Ramirez, told TIME. Based on what we understand at this point, the government is not intending to release him and hopes to deport him. Ramirez was brought into the country illegally from Mexico at age 7 and has twice been granted protection under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. He has a 3-year-old son and has never been convicted of a crime, according to the lawsuit. ICE spokeswoman Rose Richeson said Ramirez was taken into custody based on his admitted gang affiliation and risk to public safety, the Los Angeles Times reported. The Department of Homeland Security doubled down on that accusation Wednesday, calling Ramirez a gang member who officials encountered during an operation targeting a prior-deported felon. This case illustrates the work ICE fugitive operations teams perform every day across the country to remove public safety threats from our communities when they encounter them, the statement said. But Ramirezs lawyers refuted their claims of gang affiliation. He was pressured during his questioning to admit that hes in a gang, but he didnt [admit it]. He didnt because its not true, Dettmer said. Story continues A court hearing has been scheduled for Friday, and Ramirezs attorneys said theyre optimistic he will be released. The signal that his release on habeas corpus would send is a sigh of relief, but as of now, I think immigrants generally including DREAMers and DACA immigrants are just holding their breath, Harvard Law School professor Laurence Tribe, one of the attorneys who filed the suit, told TIME. I think this is a brutal, inhumane and unlawful seizure of a person, and it sends a terrifying and chilling message to the country, he added. Hundreds of undocumented immigrants have been arrested in the past week during raids by ICE officials, after President Donald Trump signed an executive order prioritizing the deportation of people who have been charged with or convicted of a crime. Trump campaigned on a promise to crack down on illegal immigration, but he suggested in recent interviews that he would be more lenient toward DACA recipients. Immigrants rights advocates said Ramirezs arrest suggests otherwise. Every one of our 11 million undocumented brothers and sisters are now a target, Marielena Hincapie, executive director of the National Immigration Law Center, said in a press call on Wednesday. The Trump Administration betrayed the promise that the federal government made to Daniel and everyone with DACA. Greisa Martinez, a DACA recipient and the advocacy director for United We Dream, said during the call that she doesnt know if any other DACA participants have been detained across the country, but she said its a possibility. The reality is that right now we are on high alert, she said. These Pennsylvania dads may not be naturals at ballet, but they stole the show during a special Valentines dance with their kids. Read: Firefighter Delivers Baby Girl in Ambulance, Adopts Her 48 Hours Later In a series of videos posted by the Philadelphia Dance Center, graceful ballerinas can be seen leaping, turning and pirouette-ing gracefully across the dance floor, as their dads try to follow their lead. This is the first time we did a parent-student Valentines class, studio owner Thom McIntyre told InsideEdition.com. Our parents are always supportive behind-the-scenes [and] I wanted them to see and experience the work, effort and dedication their kids bring to class nightly. McIntyre explained for the special class, the studio invited both moms and dads to join their children in the class an hour for younger dancers and an hour-and-a-half for older dancers. They were asked to come in comfortable clothing to move around in, but its clear in the videos the studio shot that some of the dads decided to play the part, bringing their own tutus. "It was held like any normal ballet class [but] there still was a lot of laughter," McIntyre said. "The kids had so much fun but took their class seriously and helped correct their parents on their form." Read: 12-Year-Old Boy Challenges Deputy to 'Juju on that Beat' Dance-Off Although it was all fun and games at the studio that day, McIntyre said it was a great way for all the boys and girls at their studio to bond. Our dance family is so close, this was just one more way to bring some fun and quality time into their lives, he explained. Watch: Mom-to-Be Tears Up the Dance Floor While 9 Months Pregnant: 'We Dance All Day Every Day' Related Articles: Glee alum Darren Criss has landed a major role in Ryan Murphys FX TV series, American Crime Story. According to TV Line, the actor will play the role of a serial killer named Andrew Cunanan in the Versace installment of the series. Cunanan is the one responsible for killing famed designer Gianni Versace. Edgar Ramirez has been cast to play the lead role. American Crime Story Season 3 will have a total of 10 episodes, and they will chronicle the 1997 assassination of the designer in his own home in Miami Beach. A week following his death, his killer decides to take his own life. The entire season will be based on the book, Vulgar Favors, written by Vanity Fair writer Maureen Orth. As of late, the role of Giannis sister, Donatella, has not yet been cast. Previously, there were rumors that Lady Gaga will be giving life to the character, but the creators of the series debunked this, saying that she wont be part of the third season. Gaga and Murphy worked together in American Horror Story: Hotel in the past. No other cast member has been confirmed to appear in Versace, but actress Annett Benning has signed on to star in another American Crime Story installment, Katrina. She will be playing the role of Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco. Other actors who will be part of the series, but also potentially in different installments, include Courtney B. Vance, Sarah Paulson, Cuba Gooding Jr. and Sterling K. Brown. Meanwhile, Murphy will also be taking on Monica Lewinskis scandal, according to E! News. Paulson will most likely be part of the installment, but she will not be playing the role of Hillary Clinton. American Crime Story: Versace will premiere on FX sometime next year. Darren Criss Photo: Getty Images/Stefania D'Alessandro Related Articles Darren Criss has just finished filming the much-anticipated musical crossover between The Flash and Supergirl. On Wednesday, Criss posted a video on Instagram, announcing that hes done shooting his part for the two-night crossover event. Well my friend, I guess that was a wrap, the Glee alum says in the clip as he exits his Flash trailer. Criss who plays the villain Music Meister in the musical began filming the crossover last Jan. 28, and since then, the 30-year-old actor has been sharing photos from the set of both CW shows. Check out some of those behind-the-scenes pics below: In a tweet last week, Criss told his fans that he has a lot more snapshots to post from the musical, but because he doesnt want to reveal any spoilers, he decided to share them at a later date. The musical serves as a reunion between Criss and his fellow Glee alums Grant Gustin and Melissa Benoist. Criss played Blaine Anderson on the FOX musical dramedy, while Gustin and Benoist portrayed Sebastian Smythe and Marley Rose, respectively. With our Flash (Gustin) and our Supergirl (Benoist) being Glee alums, how could we not have them go up against another Glee favorite like Darren Criss? executive producer Andrew Kreisberg told TVLine last month, revealing Criss casting for the first time. We have been blown away by his talent over the years and we cant wait to see what he brings to the Music Meister. As previously reported, the musical will kick off at the end of the Supergirl March 20 episode and will continue the following night in The Flash, where the bulk of the action takes place. The Flash episode of the musical, titled Duet, will feature singing performances from Criss, Gustin, Benoist, Jesse L. Martin (Joe West), Carlos Valdes (Cisco Ramon/Vibe) , Jeremy Jordan (Winn Schott), Victor Garber (Martin Stein/one-half of Firestorm) and John Barrowman (Malcolm Merlyn). Supergirl stars David Harewood (Jonn Jonzz) and Chris Wood (Mon-El) will also guest star in the Flash episode, but both actors wont be singing. Story continues Darren Criss Photo: Reuters/Jonathan Ernst Related Articles A private university has been criticised after Andrew Wakefield, the disgraced doctor who sparked one of the biggest public health controversies in British medical history, was invited to speak, it emerged on Thursday. Wakefield, who now lives in Texas, received an award as a guest of the Centre for Homeopathic Education at an event held at Regent's University London this week, The Times reports. The talk was to promote his new documentary, Vaxxed, which claims a whistleblower in the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention exposed the omission and manipulation of data in a study of autism among African-American boys. I am on the autistic spectrum and I couldn't believe it. I've seen the anti-vaccine movement pull some stunts, but this is on a new level Fiona Pettit O'Leary However, critics say the film is based on pseudo-science and it has already been pulled from the Tribeca Film Festival, the Curzon cinema in Soho and the European parliament. Wakefield set off a public health time bomb in 1998 with a paper published in The Lancet that claimed the joint MMR vaccine might be the cause of rising numbers of autism cases. He offered no causal mechanism but called for use of the triple vaccine to be suspended until further research could be done. However, other scientists were never able to replicate the results. Subsequent investigations found a string of failings, which led the General Medical Council to conclude that Wakefield had acted dishonestly and irresponsibly". That was not enough to prevent thousands of parents avoiding the MMR vaccine, sparking a rise in case of measles and mumps. David Robert Grimes, a University of Oxford scientist who has long opposed Mr Wakefield, said that he was no more deserving of public attention than a far-right idealogue. "Wakefield is a long-debunked fear merchant whose attempt to paint himself as a Galileo-like figure is at once completely narcissistic and utterly dishonest," he said. Story continues "Whether by oversight or intention, giving Mr Wakefield a platform on vaccines is a grievous mistake, given that we're still reeling from the damage his falsehoods inflicted on public health. "Not only are his claims devoid of evidence, they are vividly disproven by the overwhelming scientific data to date. "When the evidence points in only one direction there is no debate, yet by hosting someone so notorious [the university] gives the perception his assertions might have merit. They do not." During a question-and-answer session Mr Wakefield was asked about Fiona Pettit O'Leary, an Irish woman with Asperger's syndrome who founded the organisation Autistic Rights Together and has criticised Vaxxed. "I've heard her name," he replied. "I really know nothing about her. I've heard that she herself may be on the autism spectrum, is self-reported, and if that is the case my heart goes out to her. I'm certainly not going to go on the attack. It's unfortunate. It's extremely unfortunate." Mrs O'Leary told The Times that she had been belittled and patronised by the remarks. She also castigated Regent's University for not carrying out due diligence on the event. "I was humiliated last night," she said. "I am on the autistic spectrum and I couldn't believe it. I've seen the anti-vaccine movement pull some stunts, but this is on a new level." A university spokesman said that it had not been told about the nature of the event and had severed links with the CHE. "[Our] commercial business arm leases space to a range of clients and does not endorse the views of the film that hired our venue last night," he said. "The name and content of last night's film were not disclosed to us. As a result we are re-vetting all clients and acting accordingly. "The reported content of the film is against all of Regent's University London's values and we have taken the decision to immediately terminate our relationship with the organisation which screened the film." By Lisa Richwine LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Walt Disney Co and major retailers will release the galaxy's newest "Star Wars" toys at a Sept. 1 midnight event ahead of the holiday debut of the next film in the saga, "The Last Jedi," company executives told Reuters. The marketing push called "Force Friday II" is a sequel to an event Disney used to build buzz for merchandise tied to the 2015 movie "The Force Awakens." Star Wars products were a big contributor to the financial success of the series reboot. BB-8 droids, lightsabers and other playthings made "Star Wars" the U.S. toy industry's top-selling property for 2015 and 2016, with $1.5 billion in sales over the two years, research firm NPD said. Hasbro Inc cited "Star Wars" sales when it reported its biggest quarterly revenue rise in nearly five years for the December 2015 quarter. Mattel Inc also posted a surprise rise in sales for the same period with help from "Star Wars"-based Hot Wheels toys. And at Disney, licensing income from "Force Awakens" merchandise drove record quarterly operating income in the consumer products unit. Force Friday II will begin just after midnight on Sept 1. Lego, Hasbro and others will release the first toys, apparel, books and other products tied to "The Last Jedi," both online and in stores at retailers including Wal-Mart Stores Inc, Target, Toys R Us, Kohl's, Amazon.com Inc and Disney Stores. Disney will incorporate new technology to its "Last Jedi" products like it did with the popular BB-8 droid, said James Pitaro, chairman of Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media. New products will feature returning characters such as Rey and Finn, plus new ones, and will span a broad range of categories for male and female fans, he said. "One of our top priorities is to expand the audience," Pitaro said. "The Last Jedi," the eighth installment in the "Star Wars" movie saga that began in 1977, debuts in theaters Dec. 15. Toys typically hit shelves closer to a movie's release, around four to six weeks in advance. At the 2015 Force Friday, fans dressed as Stormtroopers and Jedi waited in line for hours ahead of the midnight store openings. "There was a certain mania that took over," said Marty Brochstein, a senior vice president at the International Licensing Industry Merchandisers' Association. The excitement around "Star Wars" in 2015 was unique because it had been so long since the last film, Brochstein said. "It would be unfair to expect the same kind of volume generated this time around by consumer products," he said, adding it was too early to assess demand. Pitaro said Disney continues to see "very, very healthy sales" of "Star Wars" merchandise. "We have a lot of confidence we will continue in that direction," he said. Disney bought "Star Wars" producer Lucasfilm in 2012 for $4 billion and reintroduced the franchise with "Force Awakens." That movie became the third-highest grossing ever, selling $2 billion worth of tickets worldwide. Disney also released "Star Wars" spinoff "Rogue One" in 2016. (Reporting by Lisa Richwine,; Editing by Peter Henderson & Shri Navaratnam) By Andrew M. Seaman (Reuters Health) - After prostate removal for cancer, men sometimes complain to their doctors that their penis shrank, but a new study from Japan suggests they should not lose hope. Following men for up to two years after surgery, researchers found the patients' penises were shortest a few days after their procedures. Penis lengths generally returned to normal after one year, however. The study's lead author said the research was started after encountering a few patients complaining of penis shortening after prostate removal, which is known medically as a radical prostatectomy. Past reports mentioned shortened penises after prostate removal, but the results were a bit different, said Dr. Yoshifumi Kadono, of Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medicine Science. "Therefore, we started our study to obtain our data," he told Reuters Health. For the new study, the researchers measured the penis lengths of 102 men before having their prostates removed and then at 10 days after surgery and again one, three, six, nine, 12, 18 and 24 months later. The men's stretched penis lengths were shortest 10 days after surgery, when measurements were an average of about 0.10 centimeters (0.04 inches) shorter than before prostate removal. By the one-year mark, the men's penises generally returned to original lengths, which averaged about 11.72 centimeters (4.61 inches), according to the results in BJU International. The researchers wanted to know what caused the shortening and if any particular variable, such as the size of a man's prostate gland, would predict which men would experience this effect. Based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)of the patients, the researchers noticed some internal changes. Specifically, the portion of the urethra directly below the bladder moves up into the body after surgery, but moves back down after some time. "However, further research is needed to elucidate long-term changes of (penis length) with respect to the influence of sex hormones or changes in penile blood flow after (radical prostatectomy)," said Kadono. The new findings may be useful for men who have low-to-moderate self esteem tied to their perceived lost penis length after their surgery, he added. The findings may not represent reality for all men, however. Most men will have some penis length loss after surgery and sometimes that will be permanent, said Dr. John Mulhall, who is director of the Male Sexual and Reproductive Medicine Program at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York. "If you have documental length loss at six months, then you shouldnt expect that to improve at 12 months," said Mulhall, who wasn't involved in the new study. He told Reuters Health that loss of penis length can be attributed to two issues. For example, muscle contractions may pull the penis into the body, but that relaxes over time. Men may also experience after surgery the loss of erection tissue. "Once that muscle degenerates, its gone," he told Reuters Health. Dr. Drogo Montague, who wasn't involved in the new study but often treats urological issues in men after prostate removal, also said some penises may appear shorter after surgery due to scar tissue that builds up when men have sex with partial erections. The patients included in the new study would generally be considered to be normal weight, noted Montague, who is a professor of surgery at the Center for Genitourinary Reconstruction Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. "So these findings wont necessary be generalizable because of the prevalence of obesity," he told Reuters Health. Mulhall said medications like Viagra and Cialis - known as PDE5 inhibitors -are shown in previous research to guard against lost penile length after prostate removal. In addition to PDE5 inhibitor, Montague said men can get prostheses and other interventions to strengthen their penises. SOURCE: http://bit.ly/2lctQla BJU International, online February 8, 2017. Santo Domingo (AFP) - A man accused of shooting dead two journalists live on air in the Dominican Republic died during a shootout with police, the authorities said Thursday, in what they called a suicide. Police were chasing Jose Rodriguez because they suspected him of shooting dead 103.5 FM station director Leonidas Martinez and presenter Luis Manuel Medina on Tuesday. Rodriguez, 59, "died last night from a shot to the head which he inflicted himself with a pistol he was carrying," a police statement said on Thursday. Rodriguez had shot at police as they pursued him before turning the gun on himself, it said. However, the president of the Dominican College of Journalists, Olivo de Leon, called the police statement into question, saying it contradicted earlier claims that officers had shot Rodriguez. Leon complained that Rodriguez's death made it difficult to identify other possible suspects linked to the killing of the journalists. Police said earlier that they were questioning dozens of other people about the attack at the radio station in San Pedro de Macoris, east of the capital Santo Domingo. In a video of the broadcast, streamed on Facebook, gunfire is heard as Medina reads the news and a woman's voice is heard calling "Shots, shots!" Medina was presenting the influential investigative news show "Milenio Caliente," or "Hot Millennium," on Tuesday morning. His sister Magally Medina said he had been investigating a local company's alleged pollution of a lake. Media rights groups condemned the killings. The Caribbean nation, which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti, is a popular beach destination for foreign tourists. Reporters Without Borders says journalists who tackle corruption and drug trafficking in the Dominican Republic often face attacks. Blas Olivo, press director of the Dominican Agribusiness Association, was found murdered that year, the media rights watchdog noted. A television cameraman was fatally shot in broad daylight in 2014 and a newspaper reporter shot days before that. Other journalists have said they were victims of hate campaigns after speaking up for the citizenship rights of Haitians born in the Dominican Republic. 'That's the kind of statement that... would have been greeted with... a hearty Sieg heil!': SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump has been mocked in an editorial by a Pulitzer Prize winner, who asked just who the hell do you think you are. Leonard Pitts Jr was responding to the executive orders issued by the US President, his slating of the media and the declaration by Mr Trump's adviser Stephen Millers that powers of the president will not be questioned. What you do will not be questioned? Lord, have mercy," the 59-year-old, wrote in his nationally syndicated column in the Miami Herald newspaper. That's the kind of statement that, in another time and place, would have been greeted with an out-thrust palm and a hearty Sieg heil'", said the American, author of Becoming Dad: Black Men and the Journey to Fatherhood, and Before I Forget. Leonard Pitts Jr also accused FBI director James Comey and Vladimir Putin of giving Donald Trump a little help YouTube Mr Pitts, who won the Pulitzer Prize for Commentary in 2004, added: "Here in this time and place, however, it demands a different response," he added. Just who the hell do you think you are? He addressed his letter to Mr So-Called President, a reference to Mr Trumps smearing of the federal judges who temporarily blocked his immigration ban. He went on to accuse the FBI director James Comey and Russian president Vladimir Putin of aiding Mr Trumps journey to the White House. The Californian also added the election victory does not entitle you to do whatever pops into your furry orange head. "Let's be brutally clear here. If you were a smart guy with unimpeachable integrity and a good heart who was enacting wise policies for the betterment of all humankind, you'd still be subject to sharp scrutiny from news media, oversight from Congress, restraint by the judiciary and public opinion," he said. And you, of course, are none of those things. Over the weekend, Yale President Peter Salovey announced that the university will give Calhoun College, dedicated to the white supremacist and fervent slavery supporter John Calhoun, a new name: Hopper College, after the renowned computer scientist Grace Murray Hopper. In the fall of 2015, Yale and other universities came under significant pressure to do what Yale has done this week: erase (or at least minimize) the legacies on campus of overtly racist figures. Back then, Yale, Princeton, and others refused to concede to most student and faculty demands. In a statement he made last April, Salovey said it was Yales obligation to retain Calhoun Colleges original name, as it allowed students to confront the legacy of slavery. So what changed? Over the course of his campaign, Donald Trump disparaged political correctness. He mocked students demands for safe spaces and trigger warnings. In this way, when they decided against changing the names of certain campus buildings and landmarks, administrators at places like Yale and Princeton arguably sided with him. Recommended: Three Reasons to Reject Trump's Criticism of Intelligence Leaks Then Trump won the election. Since November, colleges and universities have been jockeying to issue resounding statements against Trump and safeguard their reputations as progressive institutions. Even though Yale officials say the renaming decision had nothing to do with the election, its undeniable that universities are navigating an entirely new set of circumstances now that President Obama is no longer in officeand now that Trump has brought race to the fore not only for minority students, but for white students as well. Under those new circumstances, Yale seems to have decided that the task of expunging Calhouns name from campus is more urgent than it was just 10 months ago. I think its impossible to divorce this decision from the political climate nationally, said Kyle Yoder, who graduated from Yale in 2015. In an age where we are increasingly aware that we are not living in a post-racial society, the legacy of John Calhoun becomes really hard to reconcile with Yale. Story continues In taking that middle position they are increasingly being compared to the alt-right and to Trump. In an interview, the University of Florida professor Ibram X. Kendi, winner of the 2016 National Book Award for his book Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America, explained to me that, over the course of the past year, it has become increasingly difficult for Yale to take what he calls the middle of the road position: claiming to reject racist ideology while insisting on using Calhouns name as a tool for, in Saloveys words, teaching and learning about the most troubling aspects of [Yales] past. Recommended: Trump Kicks Off His 2020 Reelection Campaign on Saturday Yale officials have tried to take this middle position between the anti-racist force that wants these memorials to be eliminated and the more racist force that champions Calhoun and confederate flags. But in taking that middle position they are increasingly being compared to the alt-right and to Trump, Kendi said. Because racist forces were galvanized by Trumps election, Kendi suggested, anti-racist forces have responded in kind, moving further in the opposite direction than they would have if Hillary Clinton had been elected president. As this has happened, he said, the middle positionthe one that straddles the line between racist and anti-racist forceshas ceased to exist. During his tenure as head of Calhoun College from 2005 to 2014, Jonathan Holloway, now Yales dean, opposed changing the colleges name. As a scholar of African American history, he, like Salovey, felt the name would prompt important conversations about race relations in the United States. But, he has changed his mind. Id been holding on to the belief that we as a society could have a sustained and thoughtful conversation about race, especially at a university. But nationally, people were not willing to have that conversation. My reasons for hanging on to the name Calhoun were increasingly sounding too precious, Holloway said. In todays political climate, with the widening gap between what Kendi calls racist and anti-racist forces, there is less and less room for nuance. Institutions like Yale have to move toward one side or the other. Recommended: Miss Manners on Rudeness in the Age of Trump Politically, the vast majority of Yales student body leans left. Overwhelmingly, students and recent alumni are happy that, on this issue, the administration has finally moved to join them. Conservative alumni I spoke with, however, were disappointed in the administrations failure to stand by its original decision. We feared that the administration would lose its spine and cower to the demands of certain undergraduates to suppress the free expression of ideas on campus. Our fears have been proven correct. It seems this administration is unable to stand by its principles, said Michael Knowles, who graduated from Yale in 2012. Its also important to consider the practical consequences for Yale retaining the name, Calhoun College. History shows that universities make decisions they think will bolster their reputations, grow their endowments, and increase their yield rates. As Yale prepares to issue acceptance letters to prospective members of the class of 2021, the vast majority of whom will likely oppose Trump, the university wants to make sure that it looks like a progressive institution. Its a matter of time before the issue of renaming arises at other colleges. Some of the most consequential policy changes at universities have emerged out of concern over prestige and yield rates. Take, for example, Yales and Princetons decisions to admit women in the late 1960s. In her book, Keep the Damned Women Out, Nancy Malkiel, a former dean of Princeton University, discusses Yale and Princetons motives for opening their classrooms to women. The best boys in private and public high schools were beginning to show that they didnt want to attend places that only had men, Malkiel said in an interview with Princeton Alumni Weekly. So they needed to figure out a way to regain their hold on these best boys. In 1963, six years before both Yale and Princeton decided to go co-ed, Harvard began issuing joint degrees to graduates of Radcliffe, a womens college just a few blocks from Harvard yard. Immediately after Harvard made that change, yield rates at Yale and Princeton fell, and those administrations began searching for a solution. When attempts to convince two womens collegesVassar and Sarah Lawrenceto relocate to their respective locations proved unsuccessful, both Yale and Princeton quickly decided to admit women. With many of Yales current and future students, alumni, and faculty opposing Trump, Yale is under significant pressure to prove that it does not stand with his administration. Many other universities may soon find themselves in similar situations, looking for ways to visibly distance themselves from the president. Im guessing that its a matter of time before the issue of renaming arises at other collegesHarvard will be next in line, then perhaps Stanford, said Jerome Karabel, a sociology professor at the University of California, Berkeley, and author of The Chosen: The Hidden History of Admission and Exclusion at Harvard, Yale, and Princeton. As Trump follows through on more promises he made on the campaign trail, universities will likely realize they can no longer have it both ways. Going forward, if they dont do everything in their power to be anti-racist, they will look racist. Read more from The Atlantic: This article was originally published on The Atlantic. President Donald Trump launched a strident defence of his wife on Thursday, insisting that Melania Trump was a fantastic person who would embrace the role of first lady. Ive known her a long time, he said, speaking of his wife of 11 years. The 46-year-old, whose absence in the first three weeks of her husbands presidency had raised eyebrows, would soon begin to work on womens issues, he said. Mrs Trump has stayed in New York to enable their son Barron, 10, to finish school, while Mr Trump moved into the White House. Gossip magazine Us Weekly features Mrs Trump on the front cover of its latest edition, with the headline: "Melania's struggle: a life she never wanted." Profile | Melania Trump They claim: "Feeling isolated and unprepared, the reluctant first lady is secretly miserable," and spoke to her stylist for their report. This life wasnt her dream. It was Donalds, said Phillip Bloch, described by the magazine as a Trump family friend and stylist. Truthfully, its a lot to cope with. But Mr Trump backed his wife. I think that Melanias going to be outstanding, he said. She - like others that shes working with - feel very, very strongly about womens issues, womens difficulties. Shes a very, very strong advocate. I think shes a great representative for this country. Mrs Trump failed to show Akie Abe, the wife of Japans prime minister Shinzo Abe, around Washington last week and is yet to begin offering tours of the White House. Following the criticism, she was present at the White House on Wednesday to welcome Sara Netanyahu, wife of the Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. She was also roundly criticised for filing court documents in a defamation suit alleging that a damaging and inaccurate report had caused her to lose the once in a lifetime opportunity to profit from her brand. A funny thing happens, said Mr Trump. She gets so unfairly maligned. The things they say. Story continues She would go home at night and wouldnt even want to go out with people. She was a very private person. She was always the highest quality that you will ever find. The things they say are so unfair, he said. Mr Trump did not specify what he was referring to, but Mrs Trump recently settled a defamation suit against a Maryland blogger who had claimed she worked for an escort service in the 1990s and had a nervous breakdown during last years campaign. I think shes going to be a fantastic first lady. Shes going to be a tremendous representative of women and of the people, he concluded. It turns out something is actually benefiting from Donald Trump's tenure as President of the United States of America - television series The West Wing. Google Trends data suggests that all this chatter surrounding the US election has seen a spark in interest for the Aaron Sorkin-written TV series which ran from 1999 to 2006. Annual data from Google Trends has shown a clear rise in search for the serial political drama series which follows Martin Sheen's President Bartlett. Renewed interest reached its peak at two specific points from the past year in US politics: Trump's election in November 2016 and his inauguration back in January 2017. The West Wing also starred Rob Lowe, Allison Janney and Richard Schiff. It's clear that people are using the series as an opportunity to see if reality can really be as unbelievable as fiction - in comparison, The West Wing makes for easy viewing. Sorkin - who served as lead writer on the show's first four seasons - went on to pen The Social Network, Moneyball and HBO series The Newsroom. Trump's presidency has seen a rise in viewing ratings for late-night talk show hosts, including Bill Maher and John Oliver. However, it's Stephen Colbert who is proving the current late night show king with his series Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Christian leaders have long debated whether God chooses presidents, but Christian Broadcast Network founder Pat Robertson went further Wednesday when he insisted that anyone who protests the new White House is "revolting against what Gods plan is for America." Robertson, who also hosts the Christian show "The 700 Club," claimed former President Barack Obama and other Democrats had worked together in a grand conspiracy to oust former national security adviser Michael Flynn, who resigned on Monday over his ties to Russias U.S. ambassador. Flynn stepped down after discussing U.S. sanctions against Russia with the Moscow official, but Robertson said Democrats were behind Flynn's resignation. He cited Psalm 2:2: The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed. He went on: "I think, somehow, the Lords plan is being put in place for America and these people are not only revolting against Trump, theyre revolting against what Gods plan is for America. These other people have been trying to destroy America. These left-wingers and so-called progressives are trying to destroy the country that we love and take away the freedoms they love. They want collectivism. They want socialism. What were looking at is free markets and freedom from this terrible, overarching bureaucracy. They want to fight as much as they can but I think the good news is the Bible says, 'He that sits in the heavens will laugh them to scorn,' and I think that Trumps someone on his side that is a lot more powerful than the media." Trump won over white evangelical voters 80-16 percent, winning the most support from that demographic than any Republican presidential candidate since 2004. William Franklin "Billy" Graham, Jr., a Christian evangelist leader, told his followers God was closely watching the 2016 race. "God cares about everything that affects our livesincluding who our leaders will be and how our society will be governed. Thats one reason why He commanded us to pray for our government and its leaders. Would He have told us to do this if He didnt care about good government? Of course not," he said. Story continues But as Christians know, God, if he exists, is said to work in mysterious ways. "Maybe God did choose this bloated narcissist and compulsive liar and con man to be president, and maybe He will send a couple of Corinthians to light his pathway," a Chicago Tribune op-ed declared in November. Related Articles Mr Trump will be centre of attention again at the Florida event: SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump is holding another rally in Florida, his first campaign-style event since he toured the country before Christmas to say thank you to his supporters. "Join me in Florida this Saturday at 5pm for a rally at the Orlando-Melbourne International Airport!" he tweeted. Mr Trump suggested hosting the rally himself, according to Politico. The White House did not respond to request for comment. Returning to his old stomping ground in he sunshine state, near to his Mar-a-Lago estate and where he cruised to victory over Hillary Clinton, could be a reassuring breather in the schedule given his record-low popularity ratings and his record-high number of executive actions. It is also familiar territory for a President who continued to use the same campaign-style language, promising to fight Isis and crime and rip up the Nafta trade deal, in his Inauguration speech on Capitol Hill. Mr Trump, who obtained support and validation through rallies and near contact with his supporters, has been isolated from such support in the White House, where he is surrounded by a small team of staff and who are embroiled in a string of controversies. The event also gives Mr Trump the chance to be the centre of attention on stage, after he had to share the podium several times this week with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu. The President has engaged in a bitter attack upon the media, with his unelected chief strategist Steve Bannon declaring that the media were the "opposition". Michael Flynn was forced to resign this week as nationals security adviser after it was leaked that he phoned the Russian ambassador last year to reassure them about sanctions and misled Vice President Mike Pence about it. The nomination for Labour Secretary, fast food restaurant owner Andy Puzder, also dropped out after allegations of domestic violence resurfaced and Republican support evaporated amid claims of worker abuses. Story continues Upon entering office, Mr Trump was the least popular President in modern political history, and a Gallup poll showed he had only 42 per cent approval whilst in office. The rally in Florida follows the Presidents trip to Charleston, South Carolina, to attend the roll-out of the new Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner. Donald Trump said he 'certainly would have been OK' with Mike Flynn discussing sanctions with Russia: Mario Tama/Getty Donald Trump said he did not instruct General Mike Flynn, his former national security adviser, to talk to Russia about the possibility of easing US sanctions on Moscow but he would have done so if he had not thought it was already being done. General Flynn resigned earlier this week after it emerged that, before taking his post, he had spoken to Sergey Kislyak, Moscows ambassador to the US, about the issue of sanctions. It is illegal for a private citizen to conduct diplomacy on behalf of the US. The retired general had previously denied sanctions were discussed during the conversation - a claim he repeated during private talks with Vice President Mike Pence. Mr Pence then relayed that information to members of the media. Asked about the issue during a White House press conference, Mr Trump defended General Flynn and said his only mistake had been lying to Mr Pence about the nature of the conversations. Responding to a question on whether he would have sacked him if the details of his conversation with the Russian ambassador had not leaked, Mr Trump said: No, I fired him because of what he said to Mike Pence. Very simple. The Republican was also asked whether he had instructed Mr Flynn to raise the issue of sanctions with Russia. He replied: No I didntMike was doing his job. He was calling countries and his counterparts. So it certainly would have been OK with me if he did it. I would have directed him to do it if I thought he wasnt doing it. I didnt direct him but I would have directed him because thats his job. Donald Trump said he wanted 'to do the right thing for the world': AP Donald Trump has been briefed that a nuclear war would be a "bad thing", which he said would be like no other. The US President said he wanted to do the right thing for the world by building a relationship with Russia in an attempt to avoid a nuclear holocaust. Asked during a press conference about his stance on Russia, Mr Trump said: I want to do the right thing for the American people and to be honest, secondarily, I want to do the right thing for the world. If Russia and the United States actually got together and got alongand dont forget were a very powerful nuclear country and so are theytheres no upsidewere a very powerful nuclear country and so are they." He added: Ive been briefedand I can tell you one thing about a briefing that were allowed to say because anybody who ever read the most basic book can say itnuclear holocaust would be like no other. The Republican denied Vladimir Putin was testing him despite Russia's recent deployment a new cruise missile and a spy vessel being sent to lurk off the US coast. Two Russian fighter jets were also reported to have flown dangerously close to a US Navy ship in the Black Sea. Mr Trump said: If you were Putin right now, youd say We are back to the old games with the US. Theres no way that Trump can do a deal with us. He added: Putin probably assumes that he cant make a deal with me anymore because politically it would be unpopular for a politician to make a deal I cant believe Im saying Im a politician but I guess thats what I am now. I dont know if were going to make a deal. We might, we might not. AFP/Getty It was almost as funny to listen to the experts on US channels trying to summarise Donald Trumps ravings on the Middle East as it was to listen to his original gobbledegook at his press conference with Bibi Netanyahu. Unable to understand what the Presidents inanities actually meant, the lads and lasses of the satellite channels were telling us that he was not as committed as his predecessor to the two-state solution but might favour a one-state solution yet wasnt ruling out a two-state solution. Oh yes, and hed like Bibi to hold back on settlements. Most of the experts chose to leave out the pathetic Trump addendum for a little bit because they had no more idea than Trump what this actually meant. The most lamentable quotation looks even worse on paper than it did when first uttered opposite a clearly nonplussed Israeli Prime Minister: So Im looking at two states and one state. And I like the one that both parties like. Im very happy with the one that both parties like. I can live with either one. I thought for a while that two states looked like it may be the easier of the two. To be honest, if Bibi and the Palestinians, if Israel and the Palestinians are happy Im happy with the one they like the best. After the second sentence, most transcripts and you could hear it clearly at the Washington press conference inserted the word LAUGHTER. Indeed there was laughter. Not because this was an intended joke by Donald Trump, but because his words were so flippant, so careless, so ignorant, so utterly deplorable, that laughter was the only psychological human release available to sane men and women after such tragic frivolity. An entire Arab people, a future Palestine I notice the word itself was actually avoided lies under the longest military occupation in modern history and the best the President of the United States could do was say that, heck, hed go along with one state or two states or maybe three, for all we knew. The idea that one state might either be a secular Israel/West Bank state for Jews and Arabs with an Arab majority goodbye Israel or one state for Jews only but including a non-voting Arab majority apartheid Israel was simply neither here nor there. Story continues No wonder Bibi how charming the old reprobate seems now beside Trump, almost moderate you might say kept his mouth shut for longer than usual in the press conference. Trump has some nasty anti-Semites among his supporters, and Netanyahu preferred to keep his throwaway hygienic gloves on during this particular performance. Trump waffled on about Palestinian hate, and the hate-filled Palestinians (poor Hanan Ashrawi, Saeb Erekat and the rest) later preferred to take Trump more seriously, which given that their homes might soon be stolen from them in their entirety by love-filled Israelis was only to be expected. But it was instructive to recall beyond all this nonsense just how the very foundations of any modern discussion of an Israeli-Palestinian solution have for decades been built on a pile of journalistic and political semantic trash which has now become so normal a part of the Palestine story that we have come to accept it as genuine. We all invented alternative facts in the Middle East when Trump was still at school. Lets start with settlements, the one word which both the sane Bibi Netanyahu and the insane Donald Trump felt happy to use. And theres a problem here. Because there are no such objects as settlements on the Arab-Palestinian West Bank. They are colonies for Jews and Jews only on Arab land, stolen immorally, as well as illegally under international law from their rightful owners. The Jews who live on them are colonialists. This word is forbidden by all parties especially journalists for obvious reasons. Which is why Bibi, more anxious about the encroachments of the anti-Israel boycott campaign than he cares to admit, was waffling on about how Jews are called Jews because they come from Judea (the Israeli name for the occupied West Bank) and thus Jews are not foreign colonialists in Judea. Alas Palestinians are called Palestinians because they come from Palestine and that part of Palestine which the Israelis call Judea is not within the border of the territory of the internationally recognised Israeli state (of which Bibi is Prime Minister). But this is far, far too much to grasp for Donald Trump. Better keep to those friendly settlements and the hate-filled Palestinian communities who in some reports surround the settlements. Weve long ago settled on a vocabulary of lies to support these alternative facts. Media reports often speak not of settlements, but of Jewish neighbourhoods as if these examples of land theft are modern versions of Milton Keynes, harmless little state-sponsored suburbs whose Jewish people just want to live in peace with their neighbours (the hate-filled Palestinians) whose territory they have stolen. Similarly, the wall mercifully unmentioned by Trump and Netanyahu is still often referred to as a security fence, or even just a fence. The late Ariel Sharons alleged purpose in building this monstrosity was to prevent Palestinian suicide bombers from entering Israel or Israel Proper, as we have taken to calling it, to distinguish it, I suppose, from Israel Improper, which is the bit to the east of Israel inhabited by settlers but also by the hate-filled Palestinians. I might be more persuaded to accept Sharons explanation if it was not for the fact that the so-called fence higher and longer than the Berlin Wall encroaches on Palestinian territory which does not belong to Israel; and thus is part of the Israeli land-grab from the Arabs. The story, needless to say, goes on and on. Talk of occupied territories in other words, the West Bank (we shall speak not here of Golan) is an absolute no-no these days in all respectable Western/American/Israeli conversation because the occupied territories, filled with hate-filled Palestinians, cannot be occupied if they are the lands of the Jews who are not (ergo Bibi) colonialists. And thus we have devised another phrase: they are disputed territories. This expression has two advantages. Firstly, it avoids as it did for Trump and Netanyahu all talk of occupation. Secondly, dispute suggests a little local disagreement about land deeds, something which might be resolved over a cup of coffee or a chat between two lawyers. Anyone who tries to resolve such a dispute by throwing stones or protesting must therefore obviously be generically violent which accounts for all those hate-filled Palestinians. And thereby we have to conclude. Pack them all into one state, Israel and the West Bank both Israel Proper and Israel Improper and youve got an Arab state. The Peacock, Gaddafi of Libya, almost as cracked as Trump, once proposed to call this Israel-tine. Im not sure what it would be called if all its people had equal human rights. But it wouldnt be Israel. Then theres the Jewish state called I suppose Israel, with no rights for the Arab majority and therefore an apartheid state, though one not much different from other Middle East nations in which minorities rule over majorities. So Im looking at two states and one state, Trump told the world. And I like the one that both parties like I can live with either one. The trouble is that the Israelis and the Palestinians cannot live with either one. But Im happy with the one they like the best, quoth Trump. Cue: LAUGHTER! There has been speculation Russia and the US could work more closely in Syria: Reuters Americas defence minister has said that the US was not in a position right now for military collaboration with Russia - a blow to those in Moscow who may wish for a speedy strategic realignment following the election of Donald Trump. Speaking at NATO headquarters in Brussels, US defence secretary Jim Mattis said Washington would continue to engage politically with Russia, in an effort to try and find areas of agreement. But in words that appeared to put an end to the prospect of the two countries working more closely to battle Isis in Syria, he said military cooperation was not yet possible. We are not in a position right now to collaborate on a military level, he said, according to Reuters. But our political leaders will engage and try to find common ground. US Defence Secretary James Mattis (REUTERS/Yuri Gripas) The US stopped military-to-military relations with Russia in the wake of the 2014 annexation of Ukraines Crimea region. During the election campaign, Mr Trump repeatedly praised Russian president Vladimir Putin and suggested the two countries may be able to work together against Isis. At the moment, the US and Russia military communicate in Syria about air sorties, to avoid mid-air collisions, but do not cooperate further than that. Mr Putin on Thursday called for increased intelligence cooperation with the US and NATO. It's in everyones interest to resume dialogue between the intelligence agencies of the United States and other members of NATO, Mr Putin said, addressing Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB). Its absolutely clear that in the area of counter-terrorism all relevant governments and international groups should work together. In Brussels, the Russian defiance minister, Sergei Shoigu, also expressed a willingness to resume cooperation with the Pentagon. But Russias proposals come at a fraught time for the US administration. Mr Trump was obliged to get rid of his national security advisor after it emerged he had lied about the content of a call he made to a Russian diplomat. Story continues Meanwhile, senior Democrats have called for an independent inquiry into what links Mr Trump may or may not have to Russia. Graphiq This comes against a backdrop of alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election to try and benefit Mr Trump. Mr Trump has repeatedly downplayed US intelligence claims of Russian interference, and claimed he and his administration are the victims of illegal leaks and fake news. As it was Mr Mattis, had little problem saying he believed Moscow had tried to interfere in the election. Right now, I would just say there's very little doubt that they have either interfered or they have attempted to interfere in a number of elections in the democracies, he said, He reportedly told a closed-door session of NATO on Wednesday that the alliance needed to be realistic about the chances of restoring a cooperative relationship with Moscow and ensure its diplomats could negotiate from a position of strength. That prompted a terse reply from Mr Shoigu. Attempts to build a dialogue with Russia from a position of strength would be futile, Mr Shoigu was quoted as saying by Russias TASS news agency. Mr Mattis replied: I have no need to respond to the Russian statement at all. NATO has always stood for military strength and protection of the democracies and the freedoms we intend to pass on to our children. The 1973 case was the first time Donald Trump, five years out of business school, had come to national prominence: Getty Donald Trumps father ordered an employee to get rid of blacks in an apartment block and to avoid renting out flats to them, a newly released FBI dossier has claimed. The potentially damaging allegations of racial discrimination relate to 1973 when Fred Trump was chairman of the Trump Management Company and his son Donald was heavily involved in the family firm as its 27-year-old president. They are contained within a 389-page dossier that has just been made public by the FBI at a time when the US President is already tweeting furiously about how classified information is illegally being given out by the intelligence community like candy. The ex-Trump employee who said he was fired after annoying Trump Sr by proposing changes that involved his company spending money told an FBI special agent that in December 1973: Fred Trump told me not to rent to blacks. He also wanted me to get rid of blacks that were in the building by telling them cheap housing was available for them [elsewhere] at only $500 down payment, which Trump would offer to pay himself. Elsewhere in the FBI dossier, a former doorman at a Trump property in Brooklyn claimed that a supervisor told me that if a black person came to 2650 Ocean Parkway and inquired about an apartment for rent, and he was not there at the time, that I should tell him that the rent was twice as much as it really was, in order that he could not afford the apartment. The dossier, which has just been published on the FBIs freedom of information page, also contains allegations of black people being told no apartments were available for rent, while whites later sent to check on the same properties found they were available. It appears to contain all the FBIs documents relating to an investigation conducted between 1972 and 1974 into allegations that the Trump Management Company had discriminated against applicants for apartment rentals on account of their race. Many of the documents, which are redacted in places, consist of interviews in which people connected to Trump properties insist they were unaware of any discrimination at all. Story continues It is, however, extremely unlikely that President Trump will welcome the release of the FBI dossier when he is already under fire for his attempted Muslim ban on people entering the US and campaign statements about immigrants that accused many of them of being criminals, rapists or bad hombres. The release of the dossier also comes two days after Trumps security adviser Michael Flynn had to resign over a phone call to Russias ambassador to the US. This has already caused Trump to rail against the illegal handing over of information by intelligence agencies including the FBI in a series of frustrated tweets. The real scandal here is that classified information is illegally given out by "intelligence" like candy. Very un-American! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 15, 2017 Information is being illegally given to the failing @nytimes & @washingtonpost by the intelligence community (NSA and FBI?).Just like Russia Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 15, 2017 It was not immediately clear why the FBI had released the dossier at such a potentially sensitive time, but it will now remind the US public of what in the 1970s was one of the biggest federal housing discrimination suits ever brought. In October 1973, the Civil Rights Division of the US Justice Department filed a lawsuit against the Trump Management Company, and Donald and Fred Trump, alleging that African-Americans and Puerto Ricans were systematically excluded from apartments. In a press release the Justice Department accused the company which owned 39 buildings, containing a total of more than 14,000 apartments of violating civil rights laws by: refusing to rent and negotiate rentals with blacks, requiring different rental terms and conditions because of race, and misrepresenting that apartments were not available. Donald Trump, then just five years out of business school, responded in typically pugnacious style, holding a news conference at the New York Hilton in December 1973 and railing against the outrageous lies of the US government. The Trumps retained Roy Cohn, former aide to Senator Joseph McCarthy, to defend them and counter-claimed against the government, seeking $100m in damages for defamation with no success. It was the first time Donald Trump had come to national prominence. He rejected all suggestions of racial discrimination and signed an affidavit saying: I have never, nor has anyone in our organisation ever, to the best of my knowledge, discriminated or shown bias in renting our apartments. Instead, he accused the US government of trying to force the family company to lease apartments to people on welfare, arguing that if that happened: There would be a massive fleeing from the city of not only our tenants, but communities as a whole. The case ended with a settlement involving the Trumps signing a consent decree in June 1975. This included the standard disclaimer that the settlement was in no way an admission of a violation" of the rules. In his 1987 autobiography, Trump characterised this as: In the end the government couldnt prove its case, and we ended up making a minor settlement without admitting any guilt. Others, however, have interpreted things rather differently. As reported by The Washington Post in January 2016, the Justice Department claimed victory, calling the consent decree one of the most far-reaching ever negotiated. It explicitly barred the Trumps from discriminating against any person in the terms, conditions, or privileges of sale or rental of a dwelling. It also ordered the Trumps to thoroughly acquaint themselves personally on a detailed basis with the Fair Housing Act. And it required them to place adverts telling ethnic minorities they had an equal opportunity to seek housing at Trump properties. Some newspaper headlines from the time appeared to reflect the view of a Justice Department victory. The New York Amsterdam News ran with: Minorities win housing suit. Look around any office and youll see some employees with nothing on their desks but a notepad and pen. Then there are others whose desks are covered in mugs, sheets of paper, photos, a diary, cards, post-it notes, hand cream, expenses from four months ago and an ever-changing array of snacks. Some people claim to love having things around them, while others cant bear clutter, but is one better than the other when it comes to work? It has recently returned to public attention that President Donald Trump is messy. For decades, weve seen photos of Trump sitting at his gargantuan desk in Trump Tower surrounded by piles and piles of papers, photos and general knick-knacks. And now that hes moved into the White House, the new president has brought his disorderly habits with him. A screengrab from Fox News' Hannity Look at my desk. Papers. You don't see presidents with that on their desk, Trump told Fox News' Sean Hannity in a recent interview, seemingly proud of his clutter. Historically, the desk in the Oval Office - known as the Resolute Desk - has been orderly and minimal, but unsurprisingly, Trump is doing things differently. But what could it mean that President Trump keeps a cluttered desk? Should we be worried? According to a 2013 study, disorderly environments seem to inspire breaking free of tradition, which certainly sounds right for Trump. Of course, that could be a good or bad thing though. Further studies have reached the conclusion that people with messy desks are more creative and better at solving problems than their tidier counterparts - Steve Jobs, Albert Einstein and Mark Twain all famously had disorganised working spaces. In fact, back in 2012, Trump said he believes all successful businesspeople have messy desks: Ive noticed over the years, successful people have a lot going on on their desk. My desk is in my office, my desk is a very important part of me, and frankly its a very important part of my success. Everything I do comes right through this desk. So, if its not perfectly neat, if theres a lot of action, I think thats okay. I actually think thats a good thing. Story continues But professional organiser and author of Start with your sock drawer Vicky Silverthorn says she thinks thats deluded and not true at all, adding that its a crazy thing to say and just not accurate. Studies have shown that physical clutter affects our brains ability to focus, and productivity and organisational expert Patty Cruz-Fouchard says a messy desk usually equals a scatty brain: It means theres something else going on in your head - you're too busy, you're not really focussed on one thing so youre being reactive instead of proactive. People like that cant find what theyre working on, its difficult for them to work out their priorities and it shows confusion in general, she explained to The Independent. Trump receives a pizza delivery to his desk in Trump Tower in 2005 Workers with messy desks tend to find it hard to stay focussed and it usually reflects whats going on in their lives, hindering their productivity, ability to focus and feel calm. Cruz-Fouchard is not surprised Trumps workspace is chaotic: In the debates it was so difficult for him to maintain any sort of structure. Hes too spontaneous which must be how he organises his day depending on his mood. Theres so much on the desk that Silverthorn doesnt see how Trump could be highly organised or productive, although she concedes that its not completely chaotic. A totally clear and desk and minimalistic working environment doesnt necessarily promote productivity and creativity, but Silverthorn thinks Trumps messy desk is extremely concerning. Clear space equals clear thinking, high levels of productivity, positivity and clarity in the mind, she explained to The Independent. I dont think that's a naturally organised mind which I think anyone would find concerning. US President Donald J. Trump (L) and US Vice President Mike Pence (R) enter the Oval Office: Getty Images Donald Trumps presidency is likely to be the second shortest ever, a leading historian and author has claimed. Professor Ronald L Feinman predicted that the former reality TV star will stay in the top job "between the 31 days of William Henry Harrison in 1841", who died pneumonia and the "199 days of James A. Garfield in 1881", who died 79 days after he was shot by an assassin "after terrible suffering and medical malpractice". Even if his time in office is "dragged out", Professor Feinman predicted that Mr Trump is unlikely to last the 16 months and 5 days of 12th president Zachary Taylor, who died of a digestive ailment while Head of State in 1850. The 20th century American history professor, who recently published a book about the unfortunate fates of US leaders, added that he thought the Pence Presidency was inevitable. He was referring to Mr Trump's Vice President, Mike Pence, who would take over if Mr Trump was to leave the leadership. In a blog post, he added that he thought it was likely that Mr Trump will be impeached or forced to resign in a matter of weeks. His prediction comes shortly after the White House admitted the President was told several weeks ago that his National Security Adviser Michael Flynn had not told the truth about a telephone call with a Russian diplomat. The news fuelled broader concerns about his closeness to Russian President Vladimir Putin and the role his country may have played in helping Mr Trump's election. Professor Feinman, who teaches at Florida Atlantic University, suggested the businessman turned politician is more generally unsuitable for office. Many foreign policy professionals are shaking their head at Trumps inappropriate behaviour and language every time he speaks in public, or issues a Twitter comment, and his instability and recklessness, he said, citing Mr Trump's decision to hold a security meeting over the North Korean missile test in a public space in earshot of other people as a sign of his failure to act responsibly. Story continues The fact that Vice President Mike Pence played a major role in pushing Flynn out is a sign that Pence is already asserting himself with Trump he said, adding the vice President often appears uncomfortable with Mr Trumps freewheeling and careless behaviour. No US president has ever been successfully impeached, although an attempt was made to Bill Clinton but he was acquitted by the Senate. Richard Nixon also resigned before he could be impeached for serious wrongdoing in the Watergate scandal. Secretary of State Tillerson at G20: Brendan Smialowski/Getty Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said that Washington was willing to work with Russia, but only in instances that would benefit the US and its allies. The newly minted American diplomat made his international debut at a G20 foreign ministers gathering in Bonn, Germany, during which he took a more cautioned approach with regards to Russia amid questions of the White Houses relationship with the country. Mr Tillersons remarks to Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov send mixed signals from the White House, as President Donald Trump has pledged to work with President Vladimir Putin but is consistent with the administrations controversial America First doctrine. The United States will consider working with Russia when we can find areas of practical cooperation that will benefit the American people, he said after meeting with Mr Lavrov. Where we do not see eye to eye, the United States will stand up for interests and values of American and her allies. Much speculation has circled Mr Tillerson regarding sanctions imposed on Russia following their invasion of Ukraine and illegal annexation of the Crimean peninsula. As chief executive of Exxon Mobil, Mr Tillerson brokered an estimated $500bn deal with Russia that was frozen by the 2014 sanctions. But the Secretary urged Russia to meet the Minsk ceasefire commitments in the region. US "will consider working with Russia" - US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson after meeting Russian foreign minister https://t.co/JT9UKPs8C1 pic.twitter.com/kW62iMTWC7 BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) February 16, 2017 Mr Tillersons somewhat firmer position on relations with Russia followed Defence Secretary James Mattis comment that the US is not in a position for military collaboration with the Kremlin. We are not in a position right now to collaborate on a military level, Mr Mattis said at Nato headquarters in Brussels. But our political leaders will engage and try to find common ground. Story continues The US stopped military-to-military relations with Russia following the 2014 sanctions. But President Trump had repeatedly praised Russian President Vladimir Putin during his campaign, and suggested the two countries would work together to fight Isis. At the moment, the US and Russia military communicate in Syria about air sorties, to avoid mid-air collisions, but do not cooperate further than that. Mr Putin on Thursday called for increased intelligence cooperation with the US and NATO. InsideGov | Graphiq It's in everyones interest to resume dialogue between the intelligence agencies of the United States and other members of NATO, Mr Putin said, addressing Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB). Its absolutely clear that in the area of counter-terrorism all relevant governments and international groups should work together. In Brussels, the Russian defence minister, Sergei Shoigu, also expressed a willingness to resume cooperation with the Pentagon. But Russias proposals come at a fraught time for the US administration. Mr Trump was obliged to get rid of his national security advisor, Michael Flynn, after it emerged he had lied about the content of a call he made to a Russian diplomat. Meanwhile, senior Democrats have called for an independent inquiry into what links Mr Trump may or may not have to Russia. This comes against a backdrop of alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election to try and benefit Mr Trump. Mr Trump has repeatedly downplayed US intelligence claims of Russian interference, and claimed he and his administration are the victims of illegal leaks and fake news. As it was Mr Mattis, had little problem saying he believed Moscow had tried to interfere in the election. Right now, I would just say there's very little doubt that they have either interfered or they have attempted to interfere in a number of elections in the democracies, he said. Meanwhile in Bonn, Mr Lavrov denied that Russia had any involvement in meddling in US affairs. You should know we do not interfere in the domestic matters of other countries, he said. Trump speaks to reporters during a press conference with Israeli PM Netanyahu: Getty Donald Trump has suggested he is open to the idea of a one-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, breaking with two-decades of US commitment to an eventual two-state solution. Speaking at a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanhayu, the US President said he was looking at two states and one state, and was happy with the one both parties like, to laughs from reporters. This is the 70-year-olds statement on Israel in full: Thank you very much. Thank you. Today I have the honour of welcoming my friend, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to the White House. With this visit, the United States again reaffirms our unbreakable bond with our cherished ally, Israel. The partnership between our two countries built on our shared values has advanced the cause of human freedom, dignity and peace. These are the building blocks of democracy. The state of Israel is a symbol to the world of resilience in the face of oppression. I can think of no other state that's gone through what they've gone, and of survival in the face of genocide. We will never forget what the Jewish people have endured. Your perseverance in the face of hostility, your open democracy in the face of violence, and your success in the face of tall odds is truly inspirational. The security challenges faced by Israel are enormous, including the threat of Iran's nuclear ambitions, which I've talked a lot about. One of the worst deals I've ever seen is the Iran deal. My administration has already imposed new sanctions on Iran, and I will do more to prevent Iran from ever developing - I mean ever - a nuclear weapon. Our security assistance to Israel is currently at an all-time high, ensuring that Israel has the ability to defend itself from threats of which there are unfortunately many. Both of our countries will continue and grow. We have a long history of cooperation in the fight against terrorism and the fight against those who do not value human life. America and Israel are two nations that cherish the value of all human life. Story continues This is one more reason why I reject unfair and one-sided actions against Israel at the United Nations - just treated Israel, in my opinion, very, very unfairly - or other international forums, as well as boycotts that target Israel. Our administration is committed to working with Israel and our common allies in the region towards greater security and stability. That includes working toward a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians. The United States will encourage a peace and, really, a great peace deal. We'll be working on it very, very diligently. Very important to me also -- something we want to do. But it is the parties themselves who must directly negotiate such an agreement. We'll be beside them; we'll be working with them. As with any successful negotiation, both sides will have to make compromises. You know that, right? I want the Israeli people to know that the United States stands with Israel in the struggle against terrorism. As you know, Mr Prime Minister, our two nations will always condemn terrorist acts. Peace requires nations to uphold the dignity of human life and to be a voice for all of those who are endangered and forgotten. Those are the ideals to which we all, and will always, aspire and commit. This will be the first of many productive meetings. And I, again, Mr Prime Minister, thank you very much for being with us today. Mr Prime Minister, thank you. Responding to a question on Iran and the issue of Israeli settlements, Mr Trump said: Michael Flynn, General Flynn is a wonderful man. I think hes been treated very, very unfairly by the media - as I call it, the fake media, in many cases. And I think its really a sad thing that he was treated so badly. I think, in addition to that, from intelligence - papers are being leaked, things are being leaked. Its criminal actions, criminal act, and its been going on for a long time - before me. But now its really going on, and people are trying to cover up for a terrible loss that the Democrats had under Hillary Clinton. I think its very, very unfair whats happened to General Flynn, the way he was treated, and the documents and papers that were illegally - I stress that - illegally leaked. Very, very unfair. As far as settlements, Id like to see you hold back on settlements for a little bit. Well work something out. But I would like to see a deal be made. I think a deal will be made. I know that every President would like to. Most of them have not started until late because they never thought it was possible. And it wasnt possible because they didn't do it. But Bibi and I have known each other a long time - a smart man, great negotiator. And I think we're going to make a deal. It might be a bigger and better deal than people in this room even understand. That's a possibility. So lets see what we do. Responding to questions about the notion of a two-state solution and whether the US embassy could be moved to Jerusalem, Mr Trump said: So Im looking at two-state and one-state, and I like the one that both parties like [laughter]. Im very happy with the one that both parties like. I can live with either one. I thought for a while the two-state looked like it may be the easier of the two. But honestly, if Bibi and if the Palestinians - if Israel and the Palestinians are happy, Im happy with the one they like the best. As far as the embassy moving to Jerusalem, Id love to see that happen. We're looking at it very, very strongly. We're looking at it with great care - great care, believe me. And well see what happens. Okay? Responding to comments from Mr Netanyahu about a possible regional approach involving our newfound Arab partners to the conflict, Mr Trump said: And we have been discussing that, and it is something that is very different, hasn't been discussed before. And it's actually a much bigger deal, a much more important deal, in a sense. It would take in many, many countries and it would cover a very large territory. So I didn't know you were going to be mentioning that, but that's - now that you did, I think it's a terrific thing and I think we have some pretty good cooperation from people that in the past would never, ever have even thought about doing this. So we'll see how that works out. On a question about more specific compromises the President had in mind to help broker a peace deal, Mr Trump said: It's actually an interesting question. I think that the Israelis are going to have to show some flexibility, which is hard, it's hard to do. They're going to have to show the fact that they really want to make a deal. I think our new concept that we've been discussing actually for a while is something that allows them to show more flexibility than they have in the past because you have a lot bigger canvas to play with. And I think they'll do that. I think they very much would like to make a deal or I wouldn't be happy and I wouldn't be here and I wouldn't be as optimistic as I am. I really think they -- I can tell you from the standpoint of Bibi and from the standpoint of Israel, I really believe they want to make a deal and they'd like to see the big deal. I think the Palestinians have to get rid of some of that hate that they're taught from a very young age. They're taught tremendous hate. I've seen what they're taught. And you can talk about flexibility there too, but it starts at a very young age and it starts in the school room. And they have to acknowledge Israel -- they're going to have to do that. There's no way a deal can be made if they're not ready to acknowledge a very, very great and important country. And I think they're going to be willing to do that also. But now I also believe we're going to have, Katie, other players at a very high level, and I think it might make it easier on both the Palestinians and Israel to get something done. Okay? Thank you. Very interesting question. Thank you. Mr Trump was finally asked for his response to alleged rising anti-Semitism across the US since his election, and accusations his administration was playing with xenophobia. He said: Well, I just want to say that we are very honoured by the victory that we had - 306 Electoral College votes. We were not supposed to crack 220. You know that, right? There was no way to 221, but then they said theres no way to 270. And theres tremendous enthusiasm out there. I will say that we are going to have peace in this country. We are going to stop crime in this country. We are going to do everything within our power to stop long-simmering racism and every other thing thats going on, because lot of bad things have been taking place over a long period of time. I think one of the reasons I won the election is we have a very, very divided nation. Very divided. And, hopefully, Ill be able to do something about that. And, you know, it was something that was very important to me. As far as people - Jewish people - so many friends, a daughter who happens to be here right now, a son-in-law, and three beautiful grandchildren. I think that youre going to see a lot different United States of America over the next three, four, or eight years. I think a lot of good things are happening, and youre going to see a lot of love. Youre going to see a lot of love. Okay? Thank you. Getty Images Donald Trump's White House is an absolute effing trainwreck since the resignation of National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, an insider working with the Trump administration has reportedly said. NPR's National Security Correspondent Mary Louise Kelly said she had spoken to a White House official on Wednesday, who succinctly described a scene of chaos. "I just reached somebody inside the White House today and asked them to describe, what's the mood like in there? What's going on in the halls?" " Kelly told the NPR Politics Podcast. "And this official said, it is an absolute effing trainwreck" Ms Kelly also described "a lot of empty desks in the basement of the West Wing," which is where senior members of the National Security Council usually reside, after many abandoned their roles after clashing with the Trump administration. Citing her sources, Ms Kelly said nobody was sure who was steering the ship anymore, and added the White House was, to put it charitably, in upheaval. Mr Flynn handed in his resignation earlier in the week, amid mounting controversy over his interaction with Russian officials. Senior staff in Mr Trumps team were told a month ago by the acting US attorney general they feared the falsehoods made him vulnerable to potential blackmail from Moscow, but the administration took weeks to act. Ms Kelly said the National Security Council was already adjusting to major changes before the scandal erupted, destabilising it further. When Mr Trump took office a lot of security staff who were on loan to the council chose to return to their home agencies rather than work for the new president. In addition, Mr Trump made several new appointments including the new department heads. Mr Flynn's resignation, just weeks after he took on the role, has propelled the department into a state of chaos. "Theres huge upheaval," Ms Kelly said. "There are literally a lot of empty desks in the basement of the West Wing, which is where the NSC is camped out." Story continues She said it was difficult to overstate the importance of the role Mr Flynn had occupied, and questioned if the President could possibly have been prepared for his meeting on Wednesday with the Israeli Prime Minister, under the circumstances. "Who briefed the President before this meeting today?" she said, referring to the gap left by Flynn. "Benyamin Netanyahu was walking into a White House that, to put it charitably, was in upheaval. "The National Security Adviser's job is to bring together all the different points of view, coming from all the bureaucracies around Washington, and brief the president with this detailed thoughtful process so the US goes into a meeting knowing what they're trying to get out of it. "Is this process happening? Theres an acting security adviser who has been there for all of 30 hours at this point..." she said. The staff who remain in the NSC appear to be trying to get on with their jobs she said, but it was difficult without leadership. Senator John McCain has also voiced concerns about the NSC. Speaking to NPR's Congress correspondent, he said: Youve got to go through a regular process of decision making and thats what theyre not doing. "...Whos making the decisions in the White House? Is it the 31-year old [adviser Stephen Miller]? Is it Mr Bannon? The chairman of the joint chiefs of staff?... I dont know." Addis Ababa (AFP) - The international community on Thursday urged government and opposition parties in Democratic Republic of Congo to restart deadlocked talks to set up a transition regime ahead of elections due late this year. The United Nations, African Union, European Union and the International Organisation of the Francophonie "are increasingly concerned by the continuing impasse in the dialogue among the political stakeholders" in DRC, a joint statement said. The talks aim to implement a power-sharing deal signed on New Year's Eve by the government and the opposition to end a political crisis over President Joseph Kabila's fate. Kabila's second and final mandate ran out in December but elections did not take place. Under the terms of the deal, Kabila would remain in office as president until the "end of 2017" but a transition council was to be established under the leadership of veteran opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi. In addition, a prime minister was to be named from the opposition ranks. But Tshisekedi's death two weeks ago has complicated an already strained situation as politicians vie for the top spot. "This situation has the potential to undermine the political goodwill that led to the signing of the 31 December agreement," the statement said. They called on the stakeholders "to redouble, in good faith, their efforts towards a speedy conclusion of the ongoing talks." The talks launched by the Roman Catholic church, were intended to ward off violence as Kabila's mandate ended on December 20 with no sign of him stepping down and no election in sight. The four partner organisations said the agreement "is critical in upholding the legitimacy of the transitional institutions until elections." Its traffic-busting technology worthy of cult 1960s cartoon family The Jetsons. The United Arab Emirates city of Dubai is set to become the worlds first to allow passenger-carrying drone taxis, according to an announcement Wednesday from the Chinese manufacturer of the vehicles. Chinese media group Caixin says that Guangzhou-based EHang has received an order from Dubai for its 184 model, which can carry one person and a small suitcase with a combined weight of 117 kg. Passengers reportedly do not control the drones but simply select their destination, at which point a command center on the ground pilots the aerial vehicles, which have a peak altitude of 3.5 km, a top speed of 160 km/h, and can travel for 50 km (around half an hour) on a single charge. The Chinese drones are due to be delivered in July and are said to be part of a grand strategy that aims to see a quarter of all Dubais traffic become driverless by 2030. The strategy will help increase traffic efficiency, productivity, reduce traffic congestion and pollution, and save millions of driving hours, Dubai Emir Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum said in an April 2016 Twitter post. According to EHangs website, in the case of malfunction or connection problems the drones are programmed to immediately land in the closest possible safe area. Its not clear exactly how many drones have been ordered, but this doesnt appear to be a publicity stunt: test flights are reportedly ongoing across Dubais skies. Some people are just born with impressive dad reflexes, or the ability to defy physics and save a falling baby in a seemingly impossible situation. An employee was assisting a customer who plopped his toddler up on the countertop at iFly, an indoor skydiving center in Houston, when the kid suddenly lost his balance while his father was distracted taking a photo. The employee managed to catch the kid just inches before its head hit the floor. SEE ALSO: Mother shares hilarious picture of her babysitter truly nailing it Realizing the awesome save he just accomplished, the employee turned and stared right into the security camera to flex some of his impressive toddler-saving reflexes. [h/t:Reddit] The Hague (AFP) - The Netherlands plans to bring back retired military officers to train a new generation of soldiers in the "forgotten" art of Cold War tactics, including large-scale battles, a news report said Thursday. "These former officers were schooled during the Cold War and can give tips and tricks for commanders when they have to direct brigades of more than 4,000 soldiers on the battlefield," the Algemeen Dagblad said. "This knowledge has diminished due to the large number of peace-keeping missions since the fall of the Berlin Wall," in 1989 which also heralded the end of communism. The Dutch army wanted to put new emphasis on large-scale warfare "now that tensions are on the rise on Europe's eastern border" with Russia, the popular daily tabloid said. The idea to "re-recruit" former commanders comes from Dutch general Leo Beulen, who so far has been one of two retired soldiers to be pulled back in, with more in the pipeline. "Almost everything we were taught in the past can be used," Beulen said. One of the returning commanders, retired general Otto van Wiggen told the paper that much of today's combat knowledge was acquired during missions to Afghanistan. "Most officers have been to Afghanistan, but there the tempo is much lower. There you usually have two weeks to plan a new mission," Van Wiggen said. "The new adversary is much faster and won't stay in one place for two weeks. For that, you need to train," said Van Wiggen. NATO said Thursday it will step up naval war games and surveillance in the Black Sea to complement its increased land and air force presence near a more assertive Russia. A secret chamber inside the world's most famous tomb could reveal the remains of Egypt's famed Queen Nefertiti. A team of Italian researchers from Polytechnic University Turin will explore King Tutankhamen's tomb later this month in Egypts famed Valley of the Kings, the Washington Post reported. Scientists have tried three times to find the concealed chamber since 2015. The latest probe into the king's 3,300-year-old tomb will involve state-of-the-art radar technology able to scan 32 feet of solid rock. It will be a rigorous scientific work and will last several days, if not weeks, Franco Porcelli, the project's director, told reporters. Who knows what we might find as we scan the ground." The discovery could bolster Egypt's sagging tourism sector. Political turmoil and terrrorism, including the bombing of a Russian charter flight that killed 224 people in 2015 near the resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh have scared many international visitors away in recent years. "We do not know if the burial chamber is Nefertiti or another woman, but it is full of treasures," Egypt's tourism minister, Hisham Zaazou, told ABC, a Spanish national newspaper. "It will be a 'Big Bang' -- the discovery of the 21st century." In 2015, British Egyptologist Nicholas Reeves was the first to claim a secret chamber in the tomb would reveal Queen Nefertiti's grave. Inital radar scans showed the tomb housed two chambers on the northern and eastern walls, but a later scan completed by the National Geographic Society did not find the hidden chamber. "This will be the final investigation," Porcelli said of the upcoming probe. "We will provide an answer which is 99 percent definitive." Queen Nefertiti was married to King Tut's father, the pharaoh Akhenaten, and was the boy king's stepmother. Related Articles SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (AP) Police in El Salvador say they've detained 10 people connected to advertising and media companies in a corruption case in which former President Tony Saca and others are implicated. National police Commissioner Howard Cotto says those arrested Thursday are suspected of money laundering. They include Saca's brother-in-law and a prominent publicist. Saca has declared his innocence in the case. He and several close associates are being prosecuted for the alleged diversion of at least $246 million in government funds. Prosecutors say some $116 million of that amount was transferred to private accounts of presidential employees and later to other accounts and businesses, some of them belonging to Saca. The 51-year-old Saca was president from 2004. He also faces a civil prosecution for alleged illicit enrichment. Brussels (AFP) - The EU on Thursday hailed the decision by Romania to reverse a government decree that would have weakened anti-corruption laws and sparked a wave of protests. "I really welcome the fact that emergency ordinance 13 has been repealed. That's a very good step," said European Commission vice president Frans Timmermans after talks with Romania's Prime Minster Sorin Grindeanu. Romania has been rocked by weeks of anti-graft protests in the biggest demonstrations since the end of communism in 1989. Grindeanu has remained defiant to the uproar and easily survived a confidence vote in parliament last week. "We have reiterated our firm stance on our commitment to fight corruption," Grindeanu said after talks with commission officials. The embattled premier, who took office in December, withdrew the contentious decree on February 5, but protests have continued. Grindeanu told reporters that new corruption legislation in Bucharest "would be debated in parliament involving all kinds of institutions, NGOs and parliament." The demonstrators are calling for Grindeanu's left-leaning Social Democrat (PSD) government to stand down. The decree, which sparked concern in Brussels and Washington, would have made abuse of power a crime punishable by jail only if the sums involved exceeded 200,000 lei (44,000 euros, $47,500). Critics say that this would have exonerated the head of the PSD, Liviu Dragnea, who is currently on trial for alleged abuse of power. Since Romania joined the EU in 2007, Brussels has subjected Bucharest to a Cooperation and Verification Mechanism (CVM) review over corruption concerns. "I strongly believe if that we stick to that roadmap we will be where we want to be: That the fight (against corruption) is so succesful that the situation is irreversible," Timmermans said, when asked about the review. Paris (AFP) - European science bodies on Thursday criticised Donald Trump's administration for what they said was a "policy reorientation" in favour of views "not based on facts and sound scientific processes and evidence." A letter signed by 46 scientific organisations urged Europe's politicians to defend the principles and values that have traditionally underpinned scientific progress -- including the open exchange of people and ideas. Principles such as transparency, information-sharing and the physical mobility of scientists were vital to scientific development and the benefits they bring to societies and economies, the letter said. The authors cited the new US president's attempts to ban travellers from seven Muslim-majority countries and threats to stop government scientists from talking to the press or publishing findings without permission. They were particularly concerned, the group said, about "the unwarranted credibility to views not based on facts and sound scientific processes and evidence in areas such as climate science or the safety of vaccines." There was no place in modern science for restrictions on research in "inconvenient areas", the letter said. "Our colleagues working in the US will suffer, the United States and US citizens will pay a price, as will Europe and Europeans, and countries and people all across the globe." Now more than ever the world needs solid science and research to address "unprecedented challenges," the letter added. Signatories included the British Royal Society, the science academies of Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark and the Netherlands, the European University Association and EuroScience, an association of researchers. It was sent to the heads of the European Council and European Commission Donald Tusk and Jean-Claude Juncker, EU science commissioner Carlos Moedas, and the premiers and science ministers of all EU member states and of Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Serbia. The letter was dated to coincide with Thursday's opening the annual general meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Boston. In the interview with the Met Commissioner, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, in this paper today, he warned that as a result of changes and cuts to government spending, there could be swingeing cuts in police numbers by perhaps thousands rather than hundreds. Some of the cuts which City Hall estimates at up to 700 million are to redistribute funding to the regions, but as Sir Bernard points out, this ignores Londons unique problems. Crucially, as he says, Londons population is increasing as a result of migration by a million in the past decade and in parts of the capital a high birth rate means that there are large numbers of young men, the group that statistically accounts for most crime. Sir Bernards interview is valedictory his successor will be named next week and he can look back with some pride at his achievements at the head of the Met. He took the job on in the wake of the London riots and there has been no repeat of public disorder on that scale. And although he did not handle the phone-hacking and historic child-abuse scandals well, the Met has done formidable work in helping keep the city and the country safe from terrorist attacks though that work needs perpetual vigilance and luck. He has also focused usefully on the growing challenge of cyber crime and has insisted on the importance of attracting ethnic minority recruits. There is a growing problem of knife and gun crime, allied closely to gang violence; that is a societal problem as well as a policing one. It is aggravated by the reality he identifies: more people, densely packed, means more tension. He is absolutely right that London has challenges that the rest of the country does not: this is not just a large city but the UK capital, which means we are more susceptible to terrorist attack and cyber crime, and demonstrations happen here, not elsewhere the cost of the latter is not fully met in existing funding. The Met has already done a great deal to cut its costs for instance by property sales and by slimming its ranks but any more cuts must fall on police numbers. At present Sir Bernard says under-staffing is met through increased overtime an inefficient way to pay for a police presence but if there are fewer police, it will be evident on the street. Sir Bernards parting gift is to make clear the Met needs decent funding. Humanitarian crises Britain is to host a conference in London in May on the worsening political and humanitarian situation in Somalia, which faces famine. But the UN envoy for Somalia, Sir Nicholas Kay, warns that before it happens there may be hundreds of thousands of people dead or about to die. The immediate crisis is drought, but the larger problem is the political instability since warlords ousted the dictator Siad Barre in 1991, unleashing civil war. Somalia is not the only urgent humanitarian and political problem confronting the world. The conflict in Yemen, where Saudi Arabia has intervened militarily in the civil war, has taken a huge toll in innocent lives. We have to broaden our humanitarian concerns beyond the war in Syria: this will take political energy as well as aid. Fashion forward London Fashion Week begins tomorrow and top designer Joshua Kane has called for the industry to be less exclusive. To that end, he is putting on a show at the Palladium, with a capacity of more than 2,000, where fans will be treated to an immersive runway experience. Kanes desire to show his collection to as large an audience as possible is admirable. Londons fashion industry is the best in the world a little democratisation will only make it better. By Alexandra Ulmer and Alexandra Valencia GUAYAQUIL/QUITO, Ecuador (Reuters) - An ally of Ecuador's leftist President Rafael Correa and a conservative ex-banker are battling to become the next president in Sunday's election in the face of corruption scandals and a lackluster economy. Polls show 63-year-old former Vice President Lenin Moreno ahead, but the ruling party candidate, who has used a wheelchair since being shot during a 1998 robbery, appears to be just short of the minimum needed to win outright in the first round. That would trigger an April 2 runoff, probably against opposition candidate Guillermo Lasso, a 61-year-old former executive president of Banco de Guayaquil. Disparate opposition factions in the oil-producing country of 17 million people, which stretches from the Andes to the Galapagos Islands, may then unite to support Lasso, giving him an edge over Moreno, analysts said. Lasso has promised to slash taxes, foster foreign investment and remove Wikileaks founder Julian Assange from the country's embassy in London, where he is avoiding extradition to Sweden over rape allegations. A Lasso victory would intensify the return of the right in South America, where Argentina, Brazil and Peru have all shifted away from leftist rule in the past 18 months as a decade-long commodities boom ended. A Lasso administration would also seek quick renegotiation of opaque financing deals with China as well as lead regional opposition to crisis-hit Venezuela's Socialist government, his running mate Andres Paez said in an interview. "We're going to be active internationally against the fascist 'Chavismo' movement," Paez said in a car taking him from Guayaquil airport to a rally. "Not happy with destroying his country, (late Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez) also wanted to destroy countries like ours." Moreno, who wants to boost social welfare and has a more conciliatory style than the fiery Correa, has struggled to gain a decisive lead. Polls show he is unlikely to win more than 40 percent of valid votes and pocket a 10-point difference with his closest rival as required to avoid a runoff. Leading pollster Cedatos said this month that 32.3 percent of Ecuadoreans planned to vote for Moreno versus 21.5 percent for Lasso. "You must choose between continuity or change to live better," said Lasso, who is running for president a second time. "I have experience in creating jobs, I've done it in the last 40 years and I can do it for Ecuador." A corruption case at Ecuador's national oil company as well as the Latin America-wide scandal involving Brazilian conglomerate Odebrecht have weighed on Moreno, whose running mate is Jorge Glas, the country's vice president and former strategic sectors minister. UNDECIDED VOTERS Polls show a significant number of Ecuador's 12.8 million voters are undecided. While the ruling party has lost ground during a recession, some disenchanted Correa supporters, who tend to be poorer and more rural, balk at the thought of voting for a wealthy conservative banker. And another opposition candidate, lawyer and lawmaker Cynthia Viteri, is diverting votes away from Lasso, meaning Moreno might just win on Sunday. At Moreno's closing rally in a working-class part of capital city Quito on Wednesday night, supporters waving flags or dressed in traditional Andean clothes chanted: "Do it in one round!" After extolling social programs for the elderly, mothers and disabled people, and even breaking into song, Moreno vowed to crack down on corruption, although he did not discuss the Odebrecht or Petroecuador cases. "We're proposing major surgery to remove corruption," Moreno, a former motivational speaker and United Nations envoy on disability, said to cheers. "You don't steal from the fatherland!" There have been no polls on a hypothetical second round, but many analysts expect Moreno to be defeated, marking an end to a 10-year rule of Correa's Country Alliance party. "A Viteri or Lasso victory would be similarly market-friendly and would include both efforts to attract (Foreign Direct Investment) and an IMF program," consultancy Eurasia said in a note to clients, referring to the International Monetary Fund. Lasso's pro-business policies have some fixed-income investors betting on a bonanza in Ecuador should he win. [L1N1FM1WM] Still, the new president will face high expectations for economic improvements in the midst of low oil prices, a steep fiscal deficit, and onerous debts to top financier China. The next presidential term starts on May 24 and lasts four years. Correa plans to move to Belgium with his Belgian wife after leaving office. (Writing by Alexandra Ulmer; Editing by Lisa Von Ahn and Richard Chang) By John Tilak and Nia Williams TORONTO/CALGARY (Reuters) - ConocoPhillips has decided to sell several of its Canadian conventional natural gas assets in a deal that could fetch as much as $2 billion as the biggest U.S. independent oil producer pulls back further from Canada, people familiar with the matter told Reuters. The company expects the sale to bring down its debt load and rebalance its portfolio, the people said, declining to be identified as the process is confidential. Several investment banks have made pitches to ConocoPhillips in recent weeks and the Houston-based company is close to hiring a financial adviser to run a formal sale process, the people said. The company is looking to identify properties, then bundle and sell them as packages, the people said. When contacted by Reuters, ConocoPhillips spokesman Rob Evans pointed to an announcement last November that said the company could sell up to $8 billion in natural gas assets. Evans said that disposition program "largely focused on non-strategic North American gas assets, including select assets in Canada." The Houston-based company is expected to sell some of its Western Canadian assets, which include Deep Basin, running from northwestern Alberta to northeastern British Columbia; Clearwater and Kaybob-Edson in west-central Alberta; and Plains, which straddles parts of British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan. ConocoPhillips does not plan to offload its oil sands properties and assets it owns in the Montney region, the people said. Most of the rest of its Canadian assets could soon be on the block, they added. Major Canadian energy companies such as Canadian Natural Resources Ltd could be interested in the assets that will be up for sale, the sources said. Canadian Natural has shown increasing interest in natural gas properties and is one of the country's biggest natural gas producers. Canadian Natural did not immediately offer a comment when reached by Reuters. About two years ago, ConocoPhillips sold certain oil and gas assets in Western Canada, some of which were picked up by Canadian Natural. Since the oil price began correcting nearly three years ago, energy companies have been under pressure to streamline their operations and strengthen their balance sheets. (Reporting by John Tilak and Nia Williams; Editing by Denny Thomas and Alan Crosby) Imagine a hotel experience as personalized as your movie recommendations on Netflix or product picks on Amazon.com. That is where hotel loyalty programs are headed, according to Thom Kozik, vice president of global loyalty at Marriott International. "We are looking for the right opportunity that brings value to you," he says. "It's all about a personalized stay. The more personalized we can make it for you, the better it is," he adds. Experts say this is the year of customization for hotel loyalty programs. Loyalty program members can expect to have more flexibility, earning opportunities, options for redeeming points and personalization -- from trip-planning to checkout. [See: The 2016-17 Best Hotel Rewards Programs.] "When it comes to loyalty, transaction-based relationships are no longer enough. Consumers want meaningful, personal relationships," says Liz Crisafi, head of loyalty, partnerships and portfolio marketing at InterContinental Hotels Group. Here's what to anticipate in the hotel loyalty space in 2017. Increased Flexibility Hilton conducted a survey of its loyalty members in its rewards program (formerly Hilton HHonors and now Hilton Honors), and found that their guests wanted points to be more flexible, more valuable and more useful. To provide more flexibility, this year Hilton Honors members will be able to pool points with up to 10 friends or family members at no cost in any increment to provide more buying power. Additionally, the company will add an option to easily book a room night using a combination of points and cash, allowing those with fewer points to still enjoy savings and redemption options. Hilton is also allowing members with Diamond status a one-year extension to requalify for their status. Marriott Rewards members have the flexibility to use smaller numbers of points for upgrades or rooms with better views, as well as to book a stay in advance even if they don't yet have enough points. They simply need to earn the points at least 14 days ahead of check-in. Story continues Expanded Buying Power Allowing members to book more stays with fewer points has been a key change. Hyatt will launch its revamped global loyalty program March 1, 2017, rebranding the program from Hyatt Gold Passport to World of Hyatt. The new program aims to provide guests with a broader range of benefits and more attainable rewards based on feedback from members. With the new program, members receive more rewards as they advance through the program's three membership tiers. Meanwhile, Choice Hotels announced changes to its Choice Privileges program in 2016 that lets members use fewer points to book rooms using FlexRewards. Select hotels seasonally offer lower point redemption levels, making it easier to book an award stay. Aside from using hotel points to book rooms, many customers enjoy using their points for products and experiences. Hilton's survey also found members wanted more ways to use their points. As a result, the company will be the first in the travel industry to partner with Amazon, allowing members to use points to buy any product on Amazon. If IHG Rewards Club members can't find what they want to purchase from the program's online catalog of goods, the Rewards Club Concierge can step in to assist. "One example from last year is a frequent Holiday Inn Express guest who was looking for a unicycle, which the Rewards Concierge found for him," Crisafi says. [Read: The Biggest Travel Trends to Watch in 2017.] Since the completed 2016 Starwood-Marriott merger, points held by loyalty members of the two hotel chains now have even greater power. Members can transfer points across programs, earn points on spending using hotel-branded credit cards across both hotel portfolios and more. "The acquisition of Starwood by Marriott has really reset the bar for any loyalty program," says David Flueck, senior vice president of Starwood Preferred Guest and revenue management at Marriott International. "It has provided a breadth of offering that is unmatchable in the industry," he adds. New Benefits Most hotel loyalty programs now include free Wi-Fi access as a standard privilege of membership, but the perks are growing. In 2016, many rewards programs also added the benefit of a guaranteed lowest possible room rates for members who book directly. Loyalty programs such as Marriott, Hilton and IHG offer guests the opportunity to purchase or bid on experiences using their points. Due to their popularity, many programs are adding new offerings, from throwing the first pitch at a Chicago Cubs game at Wrigley Field through SPG Moments to scoring tickets to "Hamilton" in Chicago through the Marriott Experiences marketplace. Meanwhile, Kimpton's Kimpton Karma program offers its members some fun perks like a $10 credit they can apply to their in-room minibar or at the hotel bar at most properties. Members can also get a $30 spa credit for an in-room service or a discount at the hotel spa. And Choice Privileges program members can earn a special reward of their choosing, such as savings on gas or a credit for Amazon. Smart Apps Tech-savvy apps are a primary focus for hospitality companies to better serve guests with options from remote check-in and digital keys to room selection at Hilton and the ability to request items and services during their stay. Loyalty members have access to such cutting-edge features. Marriott revamped its app entirely this year to provide different experiences to guests based on whether they are in transit, in the hotel or between stays. Other new features include the ability to request a room upgrade and be notified when it's fulfilled, ask for a late checkout time, chat with hotel staff before, during and after a stay and access curated information from Marriott's digital magazine. Coming later this year will be mPlaces, a real-time messaging app service that sends information to guests. Meanwhile, IHG updated its app late last year to provide IHG Rewards members with complimentary access to a curated list of Kindle books from Amazon Publishing and Kindle Singles. Some programs, including Kimpton Karma and Marriott Rewards, are even tying points to social media activity. Marriott's #MRPoints program rewards loyalty members with additional points for connecting their social media accounts and sharing specific posts. [See: How Your Hotel Stay Will Evolve in 2017.] "We're making travel more fun, more personable and giving travelers more of what matters most," says Mark Weinstein, Hilton's senior vice president and global head of loyalty and partnerships. And that's good news for guests. Bonn (AFP) - US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson made his diplomatic debut at a G20 gathering in Germany on Thursday as Russia pressed the Trump administration to keep its promises of improved relations. All eyes were on Tillerson as he held initial talks with his British, Saudi and UAE counterparts but he was giving nothing away amid intense interest as to what President Donald Trump's "America First" policy really means. America's top diplomat was also due to meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov as controversy raged over Trump's possible ties to the Kremlin and the shock resignation of his national security advisor Michael Flynn over contacts with Moscow's ambassador. Russian President Vladimir Putin meanwhile called for restoring links between US and Russian intelligence agencies to face shared problems such as terrorism. "Even a simple exchange of information about the channels and sources of terrorists, about people implicated in or suspected of terrorism seriously raises the effectiveness of our joint efforts," Putin told the country's FSB intelligence agency in a televised speech. On the campaign trail, Trump said he would be open to anti-terror cooperation with Russia. Separately, US Defence secretary James Mattis said in Brussels that Washington was not ready "right now" for military collaboration with Russia. Several US investigations are under way into alleged meddling by Russian intelligence services in favour of Trump during last year's elections, charges the president has angrily dismissed as nonsense. Tillerson is a former head of US oil giant ExxonMobil reputed for making major deals in Russia and having close enough ties to Putin to merit a top Russian honour. - Backtracking - Host nation Germany billed the two-day G20 meeting as a chance for the club of leading and developing economies to discuss how to work together on challenges ranging from climate change to conflicts in Syria, Ukraine and Yemen. Story continues US relations with China are likewise in the spotlight. Tillerson could have his first encounter with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, whose attendance was only confirmed by Beijing following a conciliatory phone call between Trump and President Xi Jinping. During the call, Trump reaffirmed US adherence to the decades-old position that Taiwan is not separate from China, backtracking on earlier comments that cast doubt on the "One China" principle. The Texan could also face questions about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, after Trump caused international consternation Wednesday by dropping Washington's years-long quest for a two-state solution, saying he would back a single state if it led to peace. - Blunt warning - Tillerson is part of a major US diplomatic offensive after Trump caused dismay in Europe by dubbing NATO "obsolete," praising Brexit, claiming the European Union is doomed and taking a distinctly softer line on Russia. US Defence Secretary James Mattis is attending the second day of a NATO meeting in Brussels on Thursday, while Vice President Mike Pence will be the highest-ranking US official participating in the Munich Security Conference from Friday. "There are plenty of uncertainties about what they want, what they plan," a European diplomat said about the Trump administration. "We hope we'll get some clarity in the weeks to come." Speaking in Brussels on Wednesday, Mattis reaffirmed Washington's commitment to NATO but the former Marine also warned member states Washington would "moderate its commitment" to the alliance unless they paid their fair share. "Americans cannot care more for your children's future security than you do," he said. Initially, Mattis had taken a more conventional line than President Trump but his blunt words Wednesday came as a shock. Pence has likewise used more moderate language than his boss but his visit to Europe this week will be closely watched to see if has a similarly hardline message to deliver. The G20 meeting is being hosted by German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel who has been a vocal critic of Trump's protectionist and nationalist leanings. "No country in the world can tackle the major international problems of our time alone," Gabriel said ahead of Thursday's talks. The G20 countries account for some 85 percent of the global economy and two thirds of the population. The meeting is a precursor to a G20 leaders' summit scheduled to take place in Hamburg in July, likely to be the first time Trump will meet Putin in person. COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- Boeing workers' overwhelming anti-union vote at the aviation giant's 787 Dreamliner plant in South Carolina is a big victory for Southern politicians and business leaders who have lured manufacturing jobs to the region on the promise of keeping unions out. It's also a win for the company that will host President Donald Trump at its North Charleston facilities Friday. Nearly 3,000 workers were eligible to vote Wednesday on representation by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace workers. According to Boeing, nearly 74 percent of the more than 2,800 votes cast were against representation. It was a massive victory for union opponents, in line with longstanding Southern aversion to collective bargaining. At 1.6 percent, South Carolina maintains the lowest percentage of unionized workers in the country, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Its neighboring states, North Carolina and Georgia, hover slightly higher but still in low territory, at 3.0 and 3.9 percent, respectively. Other largescale Southern unionization efforts haven't met recent success. In 2014, Volkswagen workers in Chattanooga, Tennessee, turned down representation by the United Autoworkers. For years, organizers have campaigned for representation among Nissan workers in Canton, Mississippi, but no vote has been scheduled. Boeing came to South Carolina in part because of the state's minuscule union presence. "I think a failed vote isn't that big of a deal because that's frankly the norm in the South," said Jeffrey Hirsch, law professor who specializes in labor relations at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. "The culture here, at least in recent memory, has not been pro-union." Had the results at Boeing been reversed, Hirsch says, the ripple effect could have been dramatic. Politicians such as former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley -- who, directly and via her labor secretary Catherine Templeton, adamantly spoke against the need for unions here -- would be forced to rethink business recruitment strategies, and corporations also might think more carefully about locating in South Carolina. Story continues "We'll make the unions understand full well that they are not needed, not wanted and not welcome in the state of South Carolina," Haley said in a 2012 address. She has since been appointed ambassador to the United Nations by President Donald Trump. During her 2014 re-election campaign, Haley said she and others "discourage any companies that have unions from wanting to come to South Carolina because we don't want to taint the water." Union opposition in this heavily Republican state is tied to politics, given Democrats' longstanding ties to organized labor. Any lenience toward unions could be seen as giving Democrats a toehold in the state, where both legislative chambers and the governor's office have long been controlled by Republicans. "If they were successful it would be huge, I think," Hirsch says. "The numbers by themselves are not going to move the dial nationally in a substantive way, but the symbolism of it would be quite large." Boeing workers will have to wait at least a year before voting again, and Machinist organizers have said they'll wait and see about their next steps. Despite more manufacturing jobs coming to the state, South Carolina saw the largest drop in union members as a percentage of employed workers over the past decade, according to BLS data. It's not all bad news for unions in the South, however. In the face of falling union membership nationwide, six of the 11 states that were part of the old Confederacy saw more modest losses in that time. Mississippi, Florida and Virginia even saw gains. Boeing's massive win gives the company a boost for Friday's visit from Trump, who blasted the manufacturer during last year's presidential campaign for the cost of building a new Air Force One. "Costs are out of control," Trump tweeted in early December. "Cancel order!" Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg met with Trump two weeks later. Trump's visit will also be his first since naming law school dean R. Alexander Acosta as his pick to lead the U.S. Department of Labor, following the withdrawal of troubled nominee Andrew Puzder. Acosta has served on the National Labor Relations Board and as a federal prosecutor in Florida and was an assistant attorney general for civil rights under President George W. Bush. In a statement on the union election, Boeing vice president and general manager Joan Robinson-Berry looked past the decisive vote to Trump's visit. "It is great to have this vote behind us as we come together to celebrate that event," she said. ___ Emery Dalesio contributed to this report from Raleigh, North Carolina. ___ Kinnard can be reached at http://twitter.com/MegKinnardAP . Read more of her work at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/meg-kinnard/ . Family members of 9/11 victims gathered in lower Manhattan on Thursday morning, blocks away from the World Trade Center, to call on President Trump to stop using the attacks to defend his recent immigration ban. Were here to say, Stop using our loved ones to justify the same type of hatred that killed them, said Terry McGovern, whose mother died in the Sept. 11 attacks. McGovern helped organize Thursdays rally in Battery Park after she saw 9/11 invoked in Trumps executive order, which temporarily banned immigration from seven majority-Muslim countries. Trump had said the immigration ban was necessary to prevent similar attacks from taking place in the future, but none of the Sept. 11 hijackers came from the seven countries affected by his order. The ban suffered legal blows in the past week, as a federal appeals court upheld a temporary restraining order that stopped it from being enforced nationwide. Trump now plans to introduce a replacement for the order. This ban is not in the spirit of New York or America, which is so reflected right here by the Statue of Liberty, Brendan Fay said Thursday, gesturing across the Hudson River. He was friends with Father Mychal Judge, the chaplain for the New York City Fire Department who died at the World Trade Center. Mychal Judge, who loved this city, who loved this country, who often spoke with me about how it is a nation of immigrants hed be shocked, Fay said. Talat Hamdani who lost her 23-year-old son, a New York Police Department cadet and 9/11 first responder urged Americans to pay attention and get involved. I hope they sense how serious the situation is right now, that so much is at stake, she said. They need to realize the urgency of the moment and take action. Among those remembered at the rally was Lt. Joseph Leavey, a first responder who was killed when the World Trade Centers South Tower collapsed. Before becoming a New York City firefighter, Leavey was an engineer, and his construction career included work on Trump Tower. On Thursday, his stepdaughter, Kerri Kelly, was part of the group of about a dozen family members speaking out against Trumps immigration policies. I think a lot about who he was and what he wouldve wanted and what that sacrifice was for, and I feel wholeheartedly that it wasnt for this. It wasnt about more fear, more security, more disruption, more war, more violence, Kelly said. It was the opposite. It was about how we show up for each other as Americans. A former Dairy Queen manager has been charged with involuntary manslaughter, accused of bullying a high school worker who committed suicide just days before Christmas, authorities said. Harley Branham, 21, made her first court appearance Tuesday in connection with the death of Kenny Suttner, 17, who shot himself outside his familys home on December 21 in Glasgow, Mo. Red: Family of Teen Who Killed Himself After Being Bullied at School Considers Wrongful Death Suit: 'You Failed Danny' She did not enter a plea, and was released on $25,000 bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May. Her attorney, Jeff Hillbrenner, said his client feels bad about Suttners death, The Associated Press reported. The boys family released a statement Tuesday saying, It is long overdue that the issue of bullying be brought to light. On January 31, a six-person coroners jury found Branham was the principal cause of the teens suicide. She was charged the next day with second-degree involuntary manslaughter. Several co-workers testified Branham had treated Suttner badly and forced him to perform demeaning tasks such as cleaning the floor while lying on his stomach, according to the Columbia Daily Tribune. She once threw a cheeseburger at him because he made it incorrectly, according to testimony. During the inquest, Branham told jurors, "Theres a lot of people at Dairy Queen saying I was the reason [he killed himself], but I dont understand why it would be that way." She denied bullying the boy. Read: Mom of Olympic Champion Gabby Douglas Opens Up About 'Hurtful' Social Media Bullying Fellow students tearfully testified that the senior was continually bullied and taunted on campus by kids who made fun of the way he looked, talked and walked. Best friend Lexie Graves testified Branham was ridiculed for basically everything about him, including a speech impediment and his weight. She said he reported the abuse once, but nothing was done. Story continues School district officials testified they were not aware of any bullying. No district employees have been charged. Howard County Coroner Frank Flaspohler said his inquest was based on his conclusion that "bullying was going on and things werent getting corrected," the paper reported. The teen wrote several suicide letters before sitting down on a log outside his rural home and shooting himself in the head, authorities said. Watch: Paris Jackson in Tears as She Decries Cyber-Bullying: 'I Don't Know Why I'm Such an Easy Target' Related Articles: Getty Images Fifty Shades of Grey author EL James has left Piers Morgan red-faced on Twitter after the British broadcaster was humiliated in front of millions by JK Rowling last weekend. Morgan engaged in a Twitter feud with the Harry Potter author after she praised Australian comic Jim Jefferies for telling Donald trump supporter Morgan to f*ck off on US talk show Real Time with Bill Maher. Following the high-profile back and forth, Morgan has since been trolled by many including an account who is sending the entire Harry Potter book transcript to him line by line in tweet form (that's 32,567 tweets). Morgan has now embroiled James asking her if she'd mind tweeting him one of her books stating he needed a break from the Harry Potter bombardment. James' reply has left the majority of Twitter users fist-pumping the air in delight - she replied with a line from what he would have assumed to be one of her Fifty Shades novels. @piersmorgan 'I believed that the more exposure I got in the press, the better my career would progress. Trouble was, I became overexposed' E L James (@E_L_James) February 15, 2017 In a follow-up tweet, however, she revealed it was a quote spoken by self-promoting slimeball Gilderoy Lockhart, a character in Rowling's Harry Potter series. @piersmorgan Gilderoy Lockhart, from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. E L James (@E_L_James) February 15, 2017 The adaptation of James' sequel Fifty Shades Darker - starring Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan - is in cinemas now with a post-credits scene teasing final instalment Fifty Shades Freed. Acclaimed Finnish director Aki Kaurismaki is quitting filmmaking, he told Finnish public broadcaster YLE at the Berlin international film festival on Thursday. "I've said this before, but this time it's really 'adios'. We're close to this remaining my last film," he said, referring to his latest film "The Other Side of Hope" which had its international premiere earlier this week at the festival. The comedy-drama about a Syrian migrant who seeks asylum in Finland was supposed to be the second instalment in what the director planned as a migration-themed trilogy. The first instalment was his 2011 movie "Le Havre". "I am tired. I want to start living my own life at last," the 59-year-old said, explaining why he didn't want to finish the trilogy. "The Other Side of Hope" drew cheers at a press preview on Tuesday at the Berlin film festival, where it is in competition for the Golden Bear top prize to be awarded Saturday. It recounts the melancholy fate of Syrian migrant Khaled, played by Syrian actor Sherwan Haji, who ends up against his will in remote Finland. Kaurismaki's previous film "Le Havre", a tale about an African immigrant boy in the eponymous French port city, was awarded the International Federation of Film Critics Prize at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival. WELLINGTON (Reuters) - Hundreds of firefighters and dozens of aircraft fought a massive wildfire threatening New Zealand's third largest city Christchurch on Thursday. The wildfire in Christchurch's Port Hills district spread rapidly overnight to cover more than 1,800 hectares (4,447 acres), emergency workers said. More than 1,000 people were evacuated from their homes, 11 properties were destroyed and a state of emergency was declared. "There's a whole lot of people here who have been traumatized by the events, some who have lost their homes, many have been evacuated," Prime Minister Bill English told reporters in Christchurch after cancelling all his engagements to fly to the South Island city. He said it could take up to a week before the fire was fully under control, but that the blaze had been contained on Thursday and was not spreading further. Seventeen helicopters and fixed wing aircraft were dispatched amid forecasts for winds that could fan the flames. The crew from a U.S. coast guard ship which had been docked in the nearby port of Lyttleton were helping local defense forces. "The situation remains very serious," said David Adamson, Christchurch Civil Defence Controller. "Police and the Defence Force have had a huge job overnight with evacuations, the setting-up of cordons around key areas and security patrols of areas that have been evacuated." A change in the wind direction is predicted for later in the week that will lower temperatures and humidity and could slow the fire's progress, emergency workers said. A helicopter pilot died on Tuesday after crashing while tackling the blaze. The cause of the fire was not yet known and authorities were investigating. The prime minister said two fires had started at the same time which he described as "suspicious" but that he did not want people to "jump to conclusions" (Reporting by Charlotte Greenfield and Colin Packham in SYDNEY. Editing by Jane Wardell, Grant McCool and Michael Perry) Ice Cube and Charlie Day in Fist Fight (Warner Bros.) By John DeFore, The Hollywood Reporter Phil Joanous 1987 teen comedy Three OClock High, while not a remake of High Noon, signaled its heritage and its comic anxiety in the title: The solemnity of Fred Zinnemanns midday-showdown Western was transformed into something sounding like the name of a high school, with the ticking-clock deadline now timed to the final school bell three more hours of desperation than Gary Cooper had to endure. Richie Keens Fist Fight, which isnt a remake of either film, makes a considerably blander promise to viewers: Theres going to be a fight. With fists. Related: Fist Fight Director to Helm Action Comedy Partners If thats an attempt to manage expectations, fair enough. The movie is funnier and more colorful than its flat moniker suggests, and when that dreaded rumble finally arrives, it involves much more than fists. But the feature debut for TV vet Keen also represents a missed opportunity, given the talents of this charismatic and game cast. Moviegoers may respond well given the dearth of grown-up comedy on screens at the moment, but the pic will add little to the reputations of leads Ice Cube and Charlie Day. Day plays mild-mannered English teacher Andy Campbell, whos trying to get through the last day of school without losing his job: His principal (Dean Norris, outperforming most of the comedic actors around him) is laying off much of the faculty, and to add to the stress, an annual Senior Prank Day has brought mayhem to campus. (Think drug-addled horses galloping through the halls.) Fist Fight: Watch a trailer: Ice Cube is Mr. Strickland, a history teacher whose perpetually elevated anger level is never adequately explained. Sure, he eventually rants about budget cuts and disrespect for teachers, but really the cause seems to be that hes Ice Cube, and the movie needs Mr. Strickland to be scary. After some classroom misbehavior triggers a tantrum in which Strickland takes a fire ax to a students desk sure, why not? Campbell is forced to bear witness against him, getting Strickland fired. Strickland, who has already threatened to go postal on the administration, tells Campbell that hell take his revenge on him instead. The two are to meet for a smackdown after school, or else Strickland will follow Campbell home (where his daughter and very pregnant wife are already worried about his ability to care for them). Story continues Related: Fist Fight Premiere: The Cast and Crew on the Films Epic Brawl and Return of Tracy Morgan Perhaps in a nod to Three OClock Highs active camerawork (by Barry Sonnenfeld, before he became a director), Keen and DP Eric Alan Edwards enjoy pushing in on Strickland and Campbell as threats are delivered in this and later scenes. But thats the extent of their use of technique to generate anxiety as Campbell tries to get out of the fight. Instead, the movie relies on a script full of often unbelievable complications. At their worst, these are utterly baffling like the French teacher (Christina Hendricks) who makes threats so psychotic they outstrip Stricklands. Others are just filler, as when the schools security guard tells Campbell that, since the danger he faces is after school ends, theres nothing he can do. (With luck, after the release of The Big Sick, Kumail Nanjiani will never need to take another role this thankless.) Some of the gags work, though, especially when co-stars Tracy Morgan and Jillian Bell are on hand. (Morgans lines could use a punch-up, but hes a very welcome sight after being kept offscreen so long by his 2014 injury.) While he doesnt employ as much of the weirdness he brings to Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia (a show Keen has occasionally directed), Day does eventually come to life as Campbell exhausts his options and realizes he will have to defend himself. The films last act grows more enjoyable by the minute, observing as the teacher stands up not just to his tormentor but to everyone else who might want to demean him. (His daughter follows suit in a talent-show scene that brings down the house.) Whatever punishment he has to take after that 3 p.m. bell rings, at least Campbell is no longer accused of that ultimate big-screen sin: being a wuss. Fist Fight: Charlie Day and Ice Cube Remember Their Own First Fist Fights: WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Former White House national security adviser Michael Flynn told FBI agents in an interview last month that he had not discussed sanctions against Russia with Moscow's U.S. ambassador before President Donald Trump took office, the Washington Post reported on Thursday, citing current and former U.S. officials. Flynn's Jan. 24 interview with the FBI could expose him to charges, since lying to the agency is a felony, but any decision to prosecute would lie with the Justice Department. U.S. intelligence agencies intercepted Flynn's call with Russian Ambassador Sergei Kislyak after Trump's election, in which the two discussed sanctions, the Post reported previously. (Reporting by Tim Ahmann; Editing by Eric Walsh) Chinese manufacturer LeEco sold more than 25 million smartphones worldwide in 2016 -- mainly in China -- five times as many as in 2015 when the firm launched into the mobile phone market. Smartphones are one of many strings to this group's bow, since LeEco works in several fields of consumer electronics, from electric cars and virtual reality headsets to TVs, smart bikes and online video streaming. Founded in 2004, the LeEco group focused for a long time on producing and streaming video content to mass audiences. The firm then started manufacturing and selling devices such as TV sets and headphones before branching out into smartphones in 2015. And LeEco hasn't stopped there, unveiling in 2016 what's probably its most ambitious project yet -- a fully autonomous concept-car called LeSEE. In parallel, the group is a financial partner of the new American intelligent electric vehicle maker Faraday Future, which recently unveiled its first production model, the FF91 -- set to rival Tesla's vehicles from 2018 -- at the CES technology show in Las Vegas. Unlike many of its fellow Chinese manufacturers, LeEco is keen to conquer other global markets, and soon. Some of its products are already available in India and are arriving in the USA soon. Internationally, its current smartphone offer is relatively sparse, limited to the Le Pro3, priced at $399, and the brand new Le S3, priced at $249. Both are 5.5-inch handsets running Android Marshmallow (6.0) that have nothing to envy of competitors from the likes of Huawei and HTC. Although the firm faces tough competition in the smartphone market in China, with the growing success of Oppo and Vivo, a sound international development strategy could help LeEco gain a similar international status to Huawei. More on LeEco smartphones: leeco.com 'That's the kind of statement that... would have been greeted with... a hearty Sieg heil!': SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images Less than a month since Donald Trump took office, a former Republican judge is calling for the US president to be hastily impeached. Writing for Cincinnati.com, Mark P Painter, a former Ohio Court of Appeals Judge, has offered to help his congressman Representative Steve Chabot draft the articles for impeachment. "In any time except our post-factual era, no office holder, much less the president, could get away with any one of the dozens of dazzlingly illegal things Trump has already done. They would forfeit office immediately," Mr Painter wrote. He added: "Who knows what happens next. Each new day is a new nightmare. "We are still trying to digest one breathtaking assault on America when another is signed, issued, or Tweeted. All this amid constant lies. Constant. Lies." Mr Painter, who notes he voted for every Republican presidential candidate from 1968 to 2004, said: "Its tough, but we must end this dangerous presidency. "Trump must be impeached and removed with all haste. But only Congress can initiate the process." In his column, he goes on to write: "After the election, many hoped that Trump would 'grow up' into the job that he couldnt possibly be as bad as some thought. "Well, its gone the other way. The bully has become a more entitled bully. Anyone disagreeing is attacked. Policy is announced in illiterate tweets. "Basic American values free speech, the rule of law, separation of powers, even common decency are unknown in this White House. We now have a president who has no concept of separation of powers, or why we have three branches of government. "If he knew anything about the Constitution, he would know the framers envisioned just the situation we have now a would-be dictator. They provided checks and balances such as an independent judiciary to protect us from presidential tyranny." He concludes: "All the above bothers me and should appall all Americans. We must admit we have elected a president who has immediately proved himself to be a grifter, a pathological liar, a mean-spirited bully and dangerous to American values. "This not-ready-for-prime-time show is too dangerous to continue. America is at stake." Rachid Kassim threatens French President Francois Hollande in an Isis propaganda video from July 2016 One of Frances most wanted jihadis is thought to have been killed in a US air strike near the Isis-controlled city of Mosul in Iraq, both the Pentagon and social media channels used by Isis have confirmed. Rachid Kassim, born in Roanne in 1987 to an Algerian mother and Yemeni father, was a high profile recruiter for the extremist group, encouraging attacks and linking up radicalised teenagers via his Telegram and Facebook accounts. The French authorities suspect him of coordinating the 2016 knife killings of a French police officer and his wife in their home, and the beheading of a priest. He has been connected to several other failed plots. An audio recording which appears to have been made in December, designed to be released after his death spread through social media channels late on Wednesday. In the message, Kassim says he has been asked to carry out a suicide attack, but condemns Isis' leaders for sending their men to the front lines, while not volunteering for fighting or suicide missions themselves. He also implores fellow fighters to treat the wives of those killed in action better. In July last year - just after the Bastille Day attack in Nice which killed 86 people - Kassim appeared in a propaganda video in which he beheaded a captive and called for more attacks against French citizens. A lot of us are jealous of brothers who attack in dar ul-kufr [non Muslim countries], he told Jihadology, a blog which tracks Islamic extremism, in November. We believe that even a small attack in dar ul-kufr is better than a big attack in Syria. As the door of hijrah [migration] closes, the door of jihad opens. If I stayed in dar ul-kufr, I would do an attack there. The fighter was the target of a US coalition strike near Mosul in northern Iraq last week, the Pentagon said on Friday. Both the US and French police sources have since confirmed that Kassim was killed in the February 8 strike. French media said DNA matching the fighter's was recovered from a truck hit in the drone strike. Story continues In Paris, a high-ranking official involved in counter-terror operations told AFP there was not absolute confirmation of his death, but that the probability was high. Kassim became radicalised after travelling to Algeria in 2011, the Counter Terrorism Project reports. On his return to France, he was barred from his local mosque for violent rhetoric, and turned instead to music, writing rap songs with titles such as Im a terrorist. He left France for Syria in 2012, taking his wife and three children with him. While his social media accounts have been quiet since October, his last message implored "brothers in France" to "wake from their coma and attack." Approximately 240 people have been killed in France by Isis-inspired attacks since the beginning of 2015. The country is a major part of the US-led coalition operations to drive Isis out of their territory across Iraq and Syria. PARIS/BEIRUT (Reuters) - France's far-right National Front leader Marine Le Pen is due to visit Lebanon this weekend and will meet Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri and President Michel Aoun on Monday, officials said. Le Pen's visit, confirmed to Reuters by a member of her entourage, will come nine weeks from a French election in which she is among the leading candidates competing with conservative Francois Fillon for the presidency. Many Lebanese fled to France, Lebanon's former colonial power, during their country's 1975-1990 civil war and became French citizens. A Lebanese source said Le Pen's visit may be aimed partly at winning their votes ahead of the election. A spokeswoman for Hariri said a meeting would take place on Monday. The Le Pen official said she would also meet Aoun. Sources in Aoun's office confirmed the meeting, set for Monday. Both Aoun and Hariri have close ties to France and have both lived there for many years. Sunni Muslim Hariri, whose family has close links to conservative former French President Jacques Chirac, still has a home there. Aoun lived in exile in Paris after being forced from Lebanon at the end of the civil war by the Syrian army. During his time in exile, Aoun built strong ties with French politicians while campaigning against Syria's military domination of Lebanon. Emmanuel Macron, a socialist candidate for the French presidency, also visited Lebanon last month. (Reporting by Gerard Bon Paris and; Samia Nakhoul in Beirut; Editing by Toby Chopra and Editing by Dominic Evans) Bonn (AFP) - Washington's position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains "confusing", French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said after talks with his US counterpart Rex Tillerson in Germany on Thursday. "I have got a bit more clarity (on the US position) even if on the Israeli-Palestinian issue it remains very confusing and concerning and I made a point of telling him that," Ayrault said, a day after President Donald Trump stepped back from the US commitment to a two-state solution as part of a final peace deal. Ayrault said he had reaffirmed France's commitment to the two-state solution and its belief that this is the only viable way forward. "A possible Palestinian state will also be a guarantee for the security of Israel," he said. At a meeting in Washington on Wednesday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump shelved Washington's decades-long commitment to a two-state solution, breaking with the international consensus that it provides the only way forward. His move sparked widespread criticism and dismay but was welcomed by Netanyahu as a long-overdue recognition of reality. Trump's predecessor Barack Obama had repeatedly warned Israel that if it did not agree a two-state deal with the Palestinians, it would never reach an accommodation with the Arab world. Violent protests over alleged police brutality that began in the mainly immigrant suburbs earlier this month spread to central Paris and other cities on Wednesday night and 49 people were arrested. Clashes with police broke out after hundreds of demonstrators gathered in the Barbes-Rochechouart area, near the Gare du Nord railway station, where the Eurostar terminal is located, and the Sacre Coeur basilica in Montmartre, a favourite with tourists. Police fired tear gas to disperse about 400 protesters, but smaller groups then went on a rampage in other parts of the capital, smashing windows and overturning dustbins in near Place de la Republique and in the Marais, another popular area for holidaymakers. Disturbances also erupted in the northern city of Rouen, where 21 people were arrested. Nearly 250 people have been arrested around France since unrest began in the Paris suburbs after police were accused of assaulting a black man on February 2. Four officers have been placed under formal investigation for assault. One is also being investigated for rape after allegedly sodomising the 22-year-old man, named only as Theo, with a truncheon. President Francois Hollande, who went to see the man in hospital, visited a suburb hit by unrest earlier this week. He called for calm, saying that violence by police will be punished and promising to work for better relations between police and immigrant communities. The clashes have raised fears of a repeat of the 2005 riots which broke out in a Paris suburb and spread around the country after two youths being pursued by police were electrocuted when they tried to hide in an power station. For many French people, the poverty-stricken suburbs of Paris, plagued by crime and high unemployment, are no-go areas. Police complain that they frequently face attacks by highly organised drugs gangs. US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's G20 peers get their first chance Thursday to hear direct from the top what President Donald Trump's foreign policy will look like. Here are the main issues the G20 foreign ministers are expected to discuss over the two-day meeting in Bonn: - 'AMERICA FIRST' - The first task for the G20 ministers, including Russia, China, Brazil and India, will be to get Tillerson to spell out exactly what "America First" means in practice. For Trump, it is what it says -- American interests come first and the United States will treat other nations on a come-as-you-are basis, doing specific deals on specific issues as it sees fit. That means preserving the global order -- built up since World War II based on the United Nations and international law -- could be a thing of the past, leaving everyone in uncharted territory. - RUSSIA, UKRAINE - Trump's predecessor Barack Obama rallied US allies to impose a damaging series of sanctions on Russia over the Ukraine crisis and its annexation of Crimea in 2014. But the new president has taken a much softer stance on Russia while his nomination of Tillerson, the former chief executive of oil giant ExxonMobil who is known for his close business ties with Moscow, caused unease. Tillerson is due to meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov separately in Bonn. The Ukraine crisis meanwhile remains unresolved, with fighting between government and pro-Moscow rebel forces flaring up again shortly after Trump's inauguration. Revelations that Michael Flynn, who resigned Monday as Trump's national security adviser, discussed sanctions with the Russian ambassador to Washington have also raised many questions over where Trump stands on ties with Moscow. - CHINA - Trump caused outrage in Beijing when he talked by phone to the president of Taiwan following his election victory, seemingly ditching the "One China" policy on which the two countries have built ties since the 1970s. Story continues It appeared at one stage that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi would not attend the Bonn meeting but it now seems he will after a conciliatory call between Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, reasserting the One China principles. Trump also attacked China on the campaign trail, saying one of the US's biggest trade partners got by far the best of the deal and that had to change. The prospect of any US unilateral trade protectionist measures would cause alarm, with many of the G20 states dependent on export-led growth. - NATO, EUROPEAN UNION - Trump's dismissive comments about an "obsolete" NATO sparked deep concern among Washington's European allies who Obama had marshalled into the biggest military build-up since the end of the Cold War in response to a more assertive Russia. At the same time, he praised Brexit, saying Britain would be better off outside a failing super-state EU as voters turned to national solutions and populist leaders. - SYRIA, MIDDLE EAST - Trump's willingness to cooperate with Russia to fight Islamic State and other extremist groups has been picked up by Moscow, adding uncertainty to where Washington stands on the future of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Obama insisted Assad had to go, but Moscow says he should stay and has stolen the initiative in hosting peace talks with key NATO ally Turkey. As for the stalled Middle East Peace Process, the White House signalled Tuesday it would no longer insist on the internationally backed two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict, which successive US governments have supported for nearly 50 years. He said he would back a single state if it led to peace. BERLIN (Reuters) - IMF participation is no longer crucial for Greece's bailout program, a German euro-lawmaker close to Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Thursday, breaking ranks with Berlin's official line that the program would end if the Fund pulled out. The International Monetary Fund has yet to decide if it will fund the bailout, Greece's third, and says Athens can only hit mandated fiscal targets if it is granted significant debt relief. The German government - gearing up for what are forecast to be close-run national elections in September - opposes debt relief, and also says the current program could only continue if the Fund joined in. But Manfred Weber, who leads the conservative bloc in the European Parliament, said that the IMF's role was no longer crucial. "If the IMF insists on a debt cut, then one should let it go," he told the Sueddeutsche Zeitung newspaper. "Europe can stand on its own feet now." The impasse between Greece's international lenders over the country's fiscal targets has slowed progress on a bailout review and rekindled fears of a new financial crisis in Europe. German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said last week that Greece would have to leave the euro zone if it failed to meet its bailout commitments, while the IMF needed to stay on board. "(IMF involvement) is indispensable for us. That's what the Bundestag agreed on," Hans Michelbach, a senior member of Merkel's conservative bloc in the lower house of parliament, told Reuters on Thursday. The conservatives' parliamentary floor leader, Volker Kauder, told Focus magazine: "We insist on the commitments. And the International Monetary Fund must remain on board. Otherwise, we can't approve any further aid." Both Michelbach and Weber are senior members of the CSU, the Bavarian sister party of Merkel's CDU. The IMF argues that Greece will not achieve a targeted fiscal surplus before debt servicing costs of 3.5 percent of GDP unless it adopts more austerity measures and gets debt relief. The issue is crucial because the higher the surplus and the longer it is maintained, the less the need for further debt relief. Berlin, which agrees Greece needs more reforms to improve its competitiveness, believes the Fund can add credibility to the Greek bailout. EU officials have called IMF projections "pessimistic". On Wednesday, European Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs Pierre Moscovici said the bailout review talks had made progress, but more action was needed to wrap them up. (Reporting by Gernot Heller and Michael Nienaber, editing by John Stonestreet) BERLIN (Reuters) - German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble and his new U.S. counterpart Steven Mnuchin spoke on the phone on Wednesday and agreed to work together closely, a spokeswoman in Berlin said on Thursday. "In the conversation, both ministers reaffirmed their keen interest in constructive cooperation," the Finance Ministry spokeswoman said. Schaeuble invited Mnuchin to the G20 meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors in Baden-Baden in March and Mnuchin confirmed his intention to participate, she added. Schaeuble said on Tuesday he would try to dissuade Mnuchin from deregulating the financial markets after U.S. President Donald Trump had ordered reviews of major banking rules that were put in place after the financial crisis. ECB policymaker Jens Weidmann on Thursday also warned against rolling back jointly agreed rules which force banks to build bigger buffers against future crises. (Reporting by Gernot Heller; Writing by Michael Nienaber; Editing by Paul Carrel) JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South African bullion producer Gold Fields on Thursday announced a rise in profits and a long-awaited plan to make its South Deep mine profitable, with a production target of 500,000 ounces a year. * Gold Fields posted normalised earnings of $191 million forthe year ended December 2016 compared with normalised earnings(not losses) of $45 million for the year ended December 2015. * This was in line with what the company had flagged to themarket, primarily driven by an increase in the US$ gold price (8percentYoY) and lower net operating costs in local currencies aswell as the impact of converting these costs at weaker exchangerates. * South Deep, a mechanised operation that is Gold Fields'last South African asset, generated net cash flow of $12 millionand the company said it had a plan in place to wring profitsfrom the mine, which has had a series of set-backs. * Gold Fields, which scrapped production targets for themine of 700,000 or more ounces a year three years ago to focuson getting it to break even, said it was changing mining methodsat South Deep to eliminate cumbersome steps in the productionprocess. (Reporting by Ed Stoddard) Washington (AFP) - Google announced Thursday it was launching voice-activated shopping from its artificial intelligence-powered Home speaker, in a direct challenge to Amazon's Alexa devices. Users can simply tell the speaker to order items -- diapers, paper towels, or trash bags, for example, and get delivery from any of dozens of participating retailers. "If picking up paper towels or stocking up on coffee is on your list, consider it done," said Google Assistant product manager David Wang in a statement. "To help you keep up with your busy schedule and shop for the things you need, we're introducing shopping with your Google Assistant on Google Home." The service ties in with tech giant's delivery arm Google Express, whose US retailers include Costco, Whole Foods Market, Walgreens, PetSmart, Bed Bath & Beyond. Consumers can add payment information to their accounts to enable voice-activated shopping, which is a feature on Amazon's devices powered by the digital assistant called Alexa. Wang said: "Today is just the beginning of what's possible for shopping with the Google Assistant. Over the coming months, we'll continue to add new features and enable purchases for other apps and service." Imagine an Android operating system of the future that would work seamlessly across devices, offering similar experiences across screens and realities. Imagine an Android operating system that would receive regular updates just like the iPhone does. Google might be working on something like that. Only its not going to be Android. Android will be a part of that. Don't Miss: This tiny box lets Alexa control anything that plugs into a wall A few months ago, word got out that Google is developing an Andromeda operating system for laptops, which would combine the best of its two worlds, including Android and Chrome OS. Google was even supposed to announce Andromeda, but that never happened. The project, however, was not canned, and its still in development. Google isnt even trying to hide it, although you have to pay close attention to find traces of it out in the wild. Thats what Daniel Matte did, explaining what Andromeda or Fuchsia, as it might be called now is all about. To my naive eyes, rather than saying Chrome OS is being merged into Android, it looks more like Android and Chrome OS are both being merged into Fuchsia, he said. Its worth noting that these operating systems had previously already begun to merge together to an extent, such as when the Android team worked with the Chrome OS team in order to bring Update Engine to Nougat, which introduced A/B updates to the platform. Mattes findings seem to indicate that Googles future computer OS will work on a variety of devices, regardless of screen size or processor architecture. Andromeda will not replace Android, but rather expand Androids reach and its power. My best guess is that Android as an API and runtime will live on as a legacy environment within Andromeda, Matte said. Thats not to say that all development of Android would immediately stop, which seems extremely unlikely. Furthermore, with Andromeda in place, developers will have the tools they need to code apps for Andromeda, Android, and iOS with minimal extra work, in theory. Story continues Andromeda, however, will provide a laptop OS with native apps and backward compatibility with Android. It could very well look much the same visually as Chrome OS does now, however, Matte concluded. I also have to imagine the Android update problem (a symptom of the monolithic Linux kernel, in addition to starting conditions) will, at last, be solved by Andromeda, but one can never be too sure. Its unclear at this time how Andromeda updates will actually affect mobile devices thatll run the new OS or old Android versions. Thats assuming Google can also fix the carrier/OEM problems. Since its up to OEMs and carriers to create and release Android update, Google cant really fix Android annoying fragmentation issue. Furthermore, its not inconceivable to assume that Andromeda will also have VR and AR applications in the future, as well as advanced AI integration. This is speculation from yours truly at this point. Interestingly, while researching the matter, Matte found that Google is already testing Andromeda rather than just Android on the brand new Snapdragon 835 processor, a chip that will power some of the hottest Android devices of 2017. Does this mean that the first Andromeda device might be released later this year? Will it be a tablet? A laptop? We have no way of knowing. Mattes full report, complete with more technical details is available at this link. Trending right now: See the original version of this article on BGR.com An Arizona man who has published thousands of animal welfare documents on his website since the government purged the once-public information is pledging to keep digging up data until federal officials reverse course. Russ Kick, a 47-year-old writer and anthologist, said he immediately sprang into action last week when the U.S. Department of Agriculture suddenly pulled from its website a slew of papers regarding animal welfare at thousands of facilities across the country. Since then, he has made public again more than 10,000 documents, and thousands more are set to hit the web soon. We have the right to know whats going on, Kick told TIME on Thursday. The more we know about whats going on, the better. For nearly a year, Kick has been running a website called thememoryhole2.org, where he has re-published information wiped from several agencies, including the Federal Aviation Administration and Environmental Protection Agency. His only goal, he said, is to increase transparency and make important government documents more easily available. Months before the Agriculture Department decided to no longer give the public access to its inspection reports and records of violations and enforcement, Kick said he had an inkling that information would soon disappear. His hunch led him to save nine years worth of data from the departments Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) page. Ive been bracing for the worst as far as transparency and secrecy because [President Donald Trump] definitely has shown that hes not pro-transparency by any means, Kick said. I was just surprised that they were there because its sensitive stuff. APHISs website used to have a search tool that made inspection records and violations at animal facilities publicly accessible. It allowed anyone to check government regulation of how animals are treated at about 9,000 zoos, circuses, research laboratories, dog breeding operations and other facilities in the country. APHIS, which is part of the USDA, said the decision to remove that page was based on our commitment to being transparent, remaining responsive to our stakeholders informational needs, and maintaining the privacy rights of individuals. Story continues Kick said he was upset by the change a reaction echoed by many animal activists in the country. Several advocates and animal law experts who had also previously saved the APHIS documents have sent thousands of pages of data to Kirk to be published on his website. Kick said his collection is helpful when it comes to checking back on facilities that have previously come under fire for potential violations, including an Indiana wildlife refuge where tiger cubs were allegedly abused in 2015. The public USDA reports served an important purpose, Kick said, which was shining a light on potentially deadly situations. I cant even read the documents Im posting, he said. I tried reading them, and the things that are going on are just nightmare-stuff. Despite his efforts, Kick concedes his work can only go so far. Unless the government approves a Freedom of Information Act submission and hands over requested data, no new documents can come to light, only the ones he already has from previous years. There is no easy way at this point to get access to those documents, Kick said, adding that he will file as many FOIA requests as needed and keep up his fight until the end. As long as the database is offline, Ill keep posting whatever people send me and Ill keep trying to find more on my own, he said. (Reuters) - The governor of North Dakota ordered protesters on Wednesday to evacuate a demonstration camp near the site of the Dakota Access Pipeline in the latest move to clear the area that has served as a base for opposition to the multibillion dollar project. Republican Doug Burgum ordered demonstrators to leave the camp located on land owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers by Feb. 22, citing safety concerns that have arisen due to accelerated snowmelt and rising water levels of the nearby Cannonball River. Burgum also said in his executive order that the camp poses an environmental danger to the surrounding area. His order reaffirms a Feb. 22 deadline set by the Army Corps for the demonstrators to clean up and leave. Environmentalists and Native Americans who have opposed the pipeline, saying it threatens water resources and sacred sites, have faced a series of set-backs since President Donald Trump took office in January. A federal judge on Monday denied a request by Native American tribes seeking to halt construction of the final link of the $3.8 billion pipeline after the Corps of Engineers granted a final easement to Energy Transfer Partners LP last week. (Reporting by Timothy Mclaughlin in CHICAGO and Brendan O'Brien in MILWAUKEE; Editing by Tom Hogue) More details have been released for Disneyland Resort's "Guardians of the Galaxy"-themed attractions, set to debut with the second instalment of the film franchise this spring. Called "Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission Breakout!," the newest addition to Disney California Adventure Park recreates the fortress-like museum of the mysterious collector Tanaleer Tivan, who has imprisoned the Guardians of the Galaxy. Unbeknownst to the Collector, Rocket Raccoon has escaped and enlists the help of guests to free the Guardians, who are trapped in glass cases. The experience is heightened with visual and audio effects and music from the film soundtrack. Other attractions include a space for a "dance-off," hosted by Star-Lord, who supplies the tunes from his old-school boombox. Likewise, popular characters from the film including the "tree-of-few-words" Groot will make appearances alongside other superheroes like the First Avenger, Captain America and Spider-Man on the park grounds. For a limited time over the summer, young visitors can enroll in the "Avengers Training Initiative" with Black Widow and Hawkeye to see if they have what it takes to join the ranks of the Avengers. Fans will also be able to meet Black Widow, as she rolls through the park in an armored Avengers vehicle. "Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission Breakout!" opens May 27. The second installment of the film hits the big screen May 5, with Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Vin Diesel and Bradley Cooper, as well as appearances by Sylvester Stallone and Kurt Russell. Seoul (AFP) - Hanjin Shipping will declare bankruptcy Friday, with the former titan of the global shipping industry and one of South Korea's powerful family-run "chaebol" finally sinking under billions of dollars of debt. As it heads to a Seoul court to be delivered its last rites, the firm is bereft of assets and has just a few dozen employees on its payroll -- a far cry from its heady days as the country's top sea transport company riding the waves of a booming economy. Rocked by a slump in global trade -- particularly in the past three years -- and a growth slowdown in China, Hanjin filed for bankruptcy protection in August after creditors refused to further help it service $5.37 billion of debt. But the seeds for its demise may have been sown when its owner's widow took the helm in 2007, despite being a self-confessed housewife with no experience, and highlight dangers inherent in the "chaebol" that dominate South Korea. Choi Eun-Young became CEO after the death of her husband Cho Sun-Ho, a son of the Hanjin Group founder Cho Choong-Hoon, and soon embarked on an expansion drive while ramping up fees, buoyed by a booming shipping industry. However, as the global financial crisis set in the company began to struggle, forcing Choi to stand down and her brother-in-law Cho Yang-Ho take over in 2014. During a parliamentary hearing in September last year into the company's slump, Choi broke down saying: "I had no expertise as I had been stuck home as a housewife." But by then the rot had begun to sink despite millions of dollars being piled into the firm. Its bankruptcy filing last year sent shockwaves around the world, with most of its fleet of 141 ships banned from docking in the US, China and many other countries because of failure to pay ports for their services. - Family ties - Chung Sun-Sup, CEO of Chaebol.Com, a website that tracks corporates assets and practices, said the case highlights the flawed corporate governance of chaebol. Story continues While credited with leading the country's fast economic development over the past four decades, their father-to-son succession exposes them to growing risks in the increasingly competitive markets, Chung said. "Chaebol members succeed on the basis of family ties rather than competence," he said. "Choi failed to take actions before growing signs of distress that began to appear several years ago." "Other executives were unable to speak up" owing to the country's rigid top-down corporate culture. A similar crisis of management is playing out at Samsung Electronics, South Korea's biggest company that accounts for 17 percent of its gross domestic product. Its handling of last year's Galaxy Note 7 saga, which saw it recall 2.5 million of the devices owing to exploding batteries, cost it billions of dollars and tarnished its once-stellar reputation. Analysts said the issue came as Samsung navigates a complex generational leadership transfer, with chairman and family patriarch Lee Kun-Hee bedridden since 2014, leaving his son and heir apparent, J.Y. Lee in charge during the disaster. And economist Song Deok-Jin warned the problems have been made more stark as the founders' grandchildren come to the fore. Founders had the chance to educate their sons in the field, teaching them the virtue of diligence and the importance of close communications with their employees and others. But the third-generation owner-executives were often feather-bedded, being raised isolated from the ordinary world, said Song. "After finishing school, they quickly go up the corporate ladder to executive posts no matter whether they are really qualified for the job", he said. "And it was a bad luck for Hanjin Shipping to have a widowed housewife as CEO who had no managerial capabilities at all." A Japanese hotelier has come under fire after allegedly making anti-Semitic remarks in an interview published in a magazine distributed through his Canadian properties. According to the Japan Times, the comments were made by Toshio Motoya, the founder and CEO of APA Hotels one of the countrys largest chains. They were reportedly printed in the February issue of Apple Town, a magazine for APA guests distributed to Canadian subsidiary Coast Hotels. The Japan Times reports that in the issue which has since been withdrawn from circulation Motoya said that Jewish people control American information, finance, and laws, and they benefit greatly from globalization because they move their massive profits to tax havens so they dont have to pay any taxes. The interview apparently ran under the subtitle An American counteroffensive against Jewish globalism. The subtitle and the quote in question were not visible in the articles online edition when TIME accessed the web page. News of the alleged comments sparked condemnation from Jewish groups in Canada, the Japan Times says. A statement purportedly from Coast Hotels said that the Canadian company was deeply saddened at the concerns raised by the Jewish community over the material. The Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver published what appeared to be a separate statement from Motoya addressing the issue, but the hotelier stopped short of apologizing. It is very unfortunate that my writings gave you an erroneous impressions that I hold anti-Semitic beliefs, he wrote. The hotelier is no stranger to international backlash. Just last month, CNN reported that the Chinese state imposed a boycott on APA, after books placed in APAs Japanese properties were found to contain paragraphs by Motoya denying the veracity of the 1937 Nanjing Massacre, during which hundreds of thousands of Chinese were killed. The hotel chain defended the books placement on grounds of freedom of speech. JERUSALEM (AP) Israel warned Lebanon's Hezbollah on Thursday against attacking the Jewish state after the leader of the Iranian-backed militant group threatened to strike its nuclear reactor. The comments by Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah marked the first time his group explicitly threatened to target the reactor in the southern Israeli town of Dimona. Israel and Hezbollah battled to a stalemate during a monthlong war in the summer of 2006. The war broke out after Hezbollah gunmen crossed into Israel and captured two Israeli soldiers. The ensuing conflict killed about 1,200 Lebanese and 160 Israelis before ending in a United Nations-brokered cease-fire. "If Nasrallah dares to fire at the Israel homefront or at its national infrastructure, all of Lebanon will be hit," Yisrael Katz, Israel's Minister of Intelligence, said in response to Nasrallah's threats. The Israel-Lebanon border has remained mostly quiet since the 2006 war but there have been sporadic outbursts of violence. By Jon Herskovitz AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) - Houston and the county containing the fourth most-populous U.S. city will decriminalize low-level marijuana possession, with officials saying on Thursday throwing people in jail for having small amounts of pot had "no tangible public safety benefit." The policy, which takes effect on March 1, means in most circumstances there will be no jail, no tickets, no court appearances and no criminal record for possession of less than 4 ounces (113 grams) of marijuana in the city and its surrounding county, home to about 4.5 million people. More than two dozen U.S. states have legalized some form of marijuana for medical or recreational use, but the drug remains illegal at the federal level and in Texas. Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg, a Democrat who took office this year, said the county had spent more than $200 million in the past decade on more than 100,000 cases of misdemeanor marijuana possession that clog up courts and jails. Saying the effort "has produced no tangible public safety benefit for the people of Harris County," Ogg told a news conference that money could be better spent "to go and fight the real criminals out there, the rapists, the robbers, who plague every corner of our community." The county's new "Misdemeanor Marijuana Diversion Program" applies to people 17 and older facing no additional charges other than misdemeanor marijuana possession, county and city law enforcement officials said. The Texas Attorney General's office could not immediately be reached for comment. "We can be tough on crime and we will be tough on crime, but at the same time, we will be smart and cost efficient," Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner told the same news conference. The move is also aimed at preventing people from being denied education, employment and housing opportunities because of having a criminal record for marijuana possession. Story continues A main provision is for those caught with low-level possession to complete a four-hour course on decision-making at a cost of $150, which will be waived for the indigent. If people eligible for the program do not want to participate, they will be taken to jail and charged. The county and Houston will give police officers and prosecutors discretion to bring criminal charges. Individuals under court supervision through bond, probation or deferred adjudication are not eligible since they have agreements not to violate the law, officials said. (Reporting by Jon Herskovitz; Editing by Dan Grebler and Peter Cooney) Baghdad (AFP) - A powerful car bomb ripped through a used car market in the south of Iraq's capital Thursday, killing more than 50 people in the deadliest such attack this year, officials said. The Amaq propaganda agency linked to the Islamic State jihadist group (IS), which has claimed nearly all such attacks recently, reported the blast and described it as targeting "a gathering of Shiites". The worst car bomb attack to hit Baghdad in more than six months drew condemnation from the United States and the United Nations, while Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi called an urgent meeting of his security chiefs. The explosion, which sent a thick plume of dark grey smoke billowing into the sky above Bayaa neighbourhood, sowed carnage and caused extensive destruction. "A terrorist car bomb attack struck near car dealerships in Bayaa," a spokesman for the Baghdad Operations Command said. An interior ministry official gave a death toll of 52 and said more than 50 other people were wounded. Hospital officials confirmed the figures. He said the emergency services were struggling to cope with the scale of the attack, which ripped through the busy car market at around 4:15 pm (1315 GMT), and warned the death toll may yet rise. Security officials could be seen inspecting the site before the sun went down, while some distressed civilians searched for relatives and others took pictures with their mobile phones of the large crater caused by the blast. "There are so many victims, not just one or two," said Nasser, a young man wearing blood-stained surgical gloves who was near the site of the explosion and rushed to the scene to help the wounded. "There was one here, we carried him," he said, pointing to a spot behind him. "We found a hand here, a leg and heart over there, everything." The site of the bombing is an open space used as a second-hand car market where hundreds of private sellers park their vehicles and wait all day to discuss prices with prospective buyers. Story continues - Deadliest bombing since Karrada - "Just the cars, you can be sure of that, there's always two or three people standing next to each car," Nasser said, explaining the high toll. The explosion occurred in the same neighbourhood where a car bomb blast killed at least four people on Tuesday. At least 11 people were also killed in a suicide car bomb attack claimed by IS on Wednesday on the edge of Sadr City, a northern neighbourhood of the Iraqi capital that has been repeatedly targeted. Baghdad was rocked by a wave of deadly suicide bombings during the first days of 2017 but relatively few explosions had been reported since then until this week. More than 30 people were killed in a suicide car bomb attack on a busy square in Sadr City on January 2. Thursday's blast was the deadliest to hit Baghdad since a huge truck bomb attack claimed by IS set two shopping arcades in the Karrada district on fire and killed more than 320 people in July last year. "We condemn in the strongest possible terms the horrible terrorist attacks carried out by ISIS (IS) targeting a car dealership in Baghdad," the US State Department said. "Yet again, the terrorists are continuing with their carnage against innocent civilians. This is totally unacceptable," said Jan Kubis, the UN's top envoy in Iraq. France, one of the US' main partners in a coalition assisting Iraq in its battle against IS, also condemned the latest string of bombings. IS jihadists are currently defending the west bank of the northern city of Mosul, their last major urban stronghold in Iraq, against a huge offensive by the security forces. Four months into the broad military operation, Iraq's largest in years, elite forces have retaken the eastern side of the city and are preparing for an assault on the part of Mosul that lies west of the Tigris River. The jihadists have carried out diversionary attacks, such as raids in other towns and cities as well as bombings in Baghdad and elsewhere, in an apparent bid to stretch federal security forces and capture headlines. By Lisa Baertlein and Paul Ingram NOGALES, Arizona (Reuters) - For up to 16 hours a day, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and mangoes grown in Mexico flow north through a border checkpoint into Nogales, Arizona, helping to ensure a year-round supply of fresh produce across the United States. This is a city built on cross-border trade. Each year, some 330,000 trucks and 75,000 train cars carrying $17 billion worth of goods move through Nogales, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Economists estimate trade supports nearly one in three jobs here, ranging from workers who inspect the goods to forklift operators who unload them in distribution centers. In many ways, Nogales represents the flip side of free trade deals that have battered industrial cities in the Midwest, where jobs have been outsourced and manufacturing plants shut down. The cities where Donald Trump's promise to throttle what he calls unfair competition resonated most profoundly during the presidential campaign. It also represents potential risks that new trade barriers could pose for businesses and residents along the border. Only a tall, rusted fence separates Nogales, Arizona, from Nogales, Mexico; the cities are so intertwined that locals call them by a single name, Ambos Nogales or Both Nogales. Now in office, Trump is considering a 20 percent tax on imports from Mexico, one of several ideas under review in Washington, and is promising to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement. More than a dozen city officials, employers and workers interviewed here said a border tax, if enacted, could choke the flow of imports from Mexico. They described a chain of events that would harm the economy, threaten local jobs and lead to higher prices for U.S. consumers. President Trump should take a good look at the effects of whatever he does, because hes going to end up with a real problem, said Nogales Mayor John Doyle, who joined other lawmakers from Arizona, New Mexico and Texas in denouncing the import tax plan in letters to U.S. lawmakers. Story continues Food, autos and electronics go both ways across the border checkpoint, sometimes more than once. Mexican mangoes and melons come north while California almonds and apples from Washington state go south. U.S. car parts sent to Mexican factories are imported back as finished vehicles. "There are hundreds of products that come back and forth through the port of entry in Nogales, Doyle said. The Trump administration told Reuters that any tax deal would protect U.S. interests. The American people can rest assured that any policy President Trump pursues will be designed to increase wages for American workers, reduce the U.S. trade deficit, and strengthen the economy so that it works for all, a White House official said in an email. TIED TO TRADE Since the 1994 implementation of NAFTA, trade between Mexico and the United States has risen more than six fold. Each country exported about $40 billion to the other in 1993. Last year the United States imported $294 billion in goods from Mexico and exported $231 billion back, U.S. Census data show. Nationwide, nearly 5 million jobs are now tied to trade with Mexico, from importers to jobs dependent on low-cost goods, according to a study by the non-partisan Wilson Centers Mexico Institute. In Santa Cruz County, surrounding Nogales, the produce import industry and supporting businesses account for more than 22 percent of jobs, according to a 2013 report by economists at the University of Arizona. Trade and support for factories across the border account for another 10 percent of the workforce. The report's lead author, Vera Pavlakovich-Kochi, said a 20 percent border tax would create the strictest barriers to trade in five decades. In addition to Trump's proposal of a 20 percent tax on imports from Mexico, Republican lawmakers have put forth a plan that would cut corporate income tax to 20 percent from 35 percent, exclude export revenue from taxable income and impose a 20 percent tax on imports. The proposals have split Corporate America. A group of major exporters including Boeing Co, General Electric Co and Pfizer Inc have formed a coalition to support the import tax. At the same time, large retailers, including Target Corp and Best Buy Co Inc, have countered that such a tax would raise consumer prices and hurt their businesses. UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES Seated in his second-floor office in a warehouse nestled in the rolling hills on the outskirts of town, produce trader Jaime Chamberlain said business with Mexico is the lifeblood of Nogales, which brings in more pounds of Mexican produce than any other U.S. border town. Its one of the largest industries here with the most employment and the most to lose, said Chamberlain, a board member of the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas. He voted for Trump and his pro-business, socially conservative agendas, but is lobbying state leaders to oppose the tax. Chamberlains parents began the family business with a $1,000 loan in 1971. He and his sister now own J-C Distributing Inc, which employs about 25 people who handle 120,000 pounds of Mexican tomatoes each week for Taco Bell in addition to orders for major companies such as Kroger Co and Sysco Corp. The company warehouse is among more than six dozen such facilities on Interstate 19, just a few miles north of Nogales town square. In all, they bring in fruits and vegetables worth $3.3 billion a year, according to the Fresh Produce Association. Local officials, residents and economists warn that a tax could reverberate across the local economy. For example, a 20 percent border tax could put some of the $17 million in produce trade-related fees on custom brokerage, freight forwarding and truck permits at risk. There are a lot of unintended consequences with this, said Santa Cruz Board of Supervisors Chairman Manuel Ruiz. There are domino effects all over. Many local business people expect Mexico to fight back. A 20 percent tax could start a trade war with Mexico. I don't see how we can impose that unilaterally, said Ricardo Crisantes, vice president of marketing and sales at Wholesum Harvest, which is part of a Mexico-based company that has offices in Nogales and organic farms on both sides of the border. Company representatives said a border tax could drive the company to shift more farming to the United States, but it also could send import demand to other parts of Latin America that would bypass Nogales. Restaurant and store owners say the tax would make already tough times even worse. It would be huge, said Karla Galindo, 35, who owns Rancho Grande restaurant in Nogales with her husband. She and other local business owners said sales have already been hurt by the war of words between officials in Mexico and the United States. People are afraid to spend their money, Galindo said. (Editing by Peter Henderson and Paul Thomasch) An improvised explosive device hit an army convoy on Thursday in the restive southwestern Pakistani province of Balochistan, killing three soldiers and wounding two others, the military said. A captain was among the three killed by the IED in Awaran district, the military said in a statement. Mineral-rich Balochistan has been plagued for decades by an separatist insurgency and sectarian killings. The security situation has deteriorated in Pakistan this week, with a bomb attack on a Sufi shrine Thursday killing 35 people while a suicide bombing Monday rocked the Punjab provincial capital Lahore, killing at least 13 people and wounding dozens more. On Wednesday, four suicide bombers struck northwestern Pakistan in one day, killing six people. Also on Monday two members of a bomb disposal unit were killed in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan, when a device they were defusing went off. It was unclear if the Quetta bomb was related to the other attacks. The spate of attacks has unnerved citizens whose growing sense of security has been shaken. Pakistan has seen a dramatic improvement in security since its deadliest-ever extremist attack -- a Pakistani Taliban assault on a school in Peshawar in 2014 which left more than 150 people dead, mostly children, and prompted a government and military crackdown. The army intensified a long-awaited operation in the semi-autonomous tribal areas, where militants had previously operated with impunity, and the government launched a vaunted National Action Plan against extremism. Emboldened Pakistanis are once again attending public gatherings and a sense of optimism is palpable after more than a decade of militant attacks. But critics have repeatedly warned that the crackdown does not address the root causes of extremism. India has awarded drilling rights for 31 small oil and gas fields as it looks to reduce its costly dependence on energy imports. In its first such auction in six years, contracts for the fields were awarded to 22 companies, the majority of which are new to the oil and gas sector. "The government endeavours to execute these contracts at the earliest so that the awardees can commence production," the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons said in a statement Wednesday. India is hungry to secure more of its own supplies as half its gas and at least 80 percent of its crude oil requirements are sourced from abroad, draining state finances especially as crude prices climb, analysts say. In a bid to bolster domestic production, the government announced in 2015 a new policy to encourage investors in smaller oil and gas fields considered too minor for India's energy behemoths. The government received a total of 134 bids in this auction, with bidders offered improved financial terms on contracts to attract interest. "This is a very positive move by the government to make it lucrative for companies to invest," said an oil and gas analyst, who is not authorised to speak to the press and declined to be named. "But the bottom line is that in India we don't have much oil and gas so this is too small a step to move the needle to secure India's energy needs." (This February 13 story has been corrected to insert dropped word in para 3; and clarify that Baswedan won a Fulbright scholarship, but was not one of the first Indonesians to do so in para 17) By Kanupriya Kapoor and Fergus Jensen JAKARTA (Reuters) - A former Indonesian education minister backed by the main opposition party has quietly made gains in the race to become the capital's governor by courting disaffected Muslim voters while acrimony over a blasphemy trial occupies his rivals. Anies Baswedan poses a late but serious challenge in Wednesday's vote for governor of Jakarta, a post that can be a stepping stone to the presidency of a country with the world's largest Muslim population. Campaigning for the election has raised the sensitive issue of religion in the politics of a country with a state ideology that enshrines religious diversity in an officially secular system. Officials from the Gerindra party backing Baswedan dismiss any suggestion he has played a religious card, while acknowledging he has appealed to voters, who happen to be Muslim, in slums where the incumbent, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, has raised anger with forced evictions to combat flooding. "Anies has made sure he heard the voices of the victims of forced evictions who were mainly Muslim," said Arif Poyuono, a senior Gerindra official, referring to Baswedan by his first name. Baswedan's popularity has spiked since the head of the party, Prabowo Subianto, who narrowly lost the 2014 presidential election, started campaigning on his behalf, promising a comeback to the national stage in 2019, Poyuono said. The Jakarta poll is being widely seen as a proxy battle for the 2019 presidential election. Purnama, Jakarta's first ethnic Chinese and Christian governor, has won credit for cutting red tape and improving the performance of the bureaucracy. He has the backing of President Joko Widodo's party, and is standing again. The third contender is Agus Yudhoyono, the son of former President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. But the election has been overshadowed by Purnama's trial on blasphemy charges stemming from an accusation that he insulted the Koran in comments about how people vote. Purnama, known by the nickname Ahok, denies insulting the Koran but the accusation has provided common ground for Widodo's opponents and Islamist political forces, who have staged massive rallies against him. Former President Yudhoyono and his son have rejected claims that they or their family supported the protests. 'POLARIZED' Though largely staying out of the fray, Baswedan has also turned to religion in the hope of winning votes and some analysts warn that his tactic risks fanning greater intolerance. "With Ahok arguably commanding the so-called pluralist vote, Anies' campaign team and political backers clearly made a decision to focus on the Muslim vote at a time when such identities have become increasingly polarized and politicized," said Ian Wilson, a lecturer at Australia's Murdoch University. Analysts attribute Baswedan's popularity partly to his strong performances in televised debates, as well as efforts to appeal to more conservative Muslims. Baswedan on Saturday made an appearance at Jakarta's grand mosque, Istiqlal, where religious leaders urged thousands of people attending prayers to elect a Muslim leader. Baswedan, a respected academic who won a Fulbright scholarship to study in the United States, served as Widodo's speechwriter during his 2014 presidential campaign before becoming minister for education and culture. He was removed from the cabinet in a reshuffle last year. He has pledged to improve public education, contain living costs and end forced evictions. After lagging his rivals for months, recent polls put Baswedan in second place, just behind Purnama. Wednesday's election is widely expected to go to a second round in May if no candidate wins an outright majority. (Editing by Ed Davies and Robert Birsel) JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) Indonesian diplomats have met with a woman arrested in Malaysia for suspected involvement in the killing of the North Korean leader's half brother and confirmed she is an Indonesian citizen, officials said Thursday. Authorities have identified her as Siti Aisyah, 25, originally from Serang in Banten, a province that neighbors the Indonesian capital, Jakarta. She was arrested by Malaysian police early Thursday. Indonesian Immigration Office spokesman Agung Sampurno said that officials from the Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur met with the woman in Selangor state, where she has been imprisoned, and ensured she was safe. "They were allowed to see her but cannot make any questions," said Sampurno. "However, the team can confirm that Aisyah is Indonesian." He said a passport ID page published by Indonesian media is "the same as the passport held by her." Lalu Muhammad Iqbal, director of Indonesian Citizen Protection at the Foreign Ministry, said Indonesia would ensure Aisyah's rights are protected and that she has legal assistance. Malaysian police have now arrested two women and one man in the death of Kim Jong Nam, who was reportedly poisoned on Monday by a pair of female assassins as he waited for a flight at the Kuala Lumpur airport. Malaysian police said the first woman they arrested had Vietnamese travel documents. Vietnamese Foreign Ministry's Deputy Spokeswoman Nguyen Phuong Tra said in a statement that Vietnamese authorities were closely coordinating with Malaysia on the case. Kumparan, an Indonesian news portal, said Aisyah lived in the Tambora neighborhood in western Jakarta for about 10 years before moving to Malaysia in 2013 along with her husband and children. It cited interviews with former neighbors and said she had returned to Indonesia in 2014 to arrange a divorce. Sampurno said immigration data showed that Aisyah had visited Indonesia earlier this year and returned by ferry to Johor, Malaysia, from the nearby Indonesian island of Batam on Feb. 2. Several million Indonesians work in Malaysia as maids and construction and plantation workers. Investigators in Malaysia are trying to shed light on the death of Kim, which has set off set off waves of speculation over whether North Korea dispatched a hit squad to kill him. Craig & Karl met in art school in their native Australia and have been creating together ever since. Now they work across the pond, with Craig based in New York, and Karl in London, on projects around the world. In this video, they work side by side on a fresh, multi-layered art piece and show their latest work a collaboration with LIFEWTR which is helping to make art more accessible. To see these and other artists work with LIFEWTR, head to LIFEWTR.com. Jerusalem (AFP) - Donald Trump's shelving of the decades-long goal of a two-state solution to the Middle East conflict excited Israelis and alarmed the international community Thursday, though an official appeared to temper his comments. In the first meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu since his inauguration, Trump on Wednesday broke with international consensus and decades of US policy insisting on a future that included an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel. "I'm looking at two-state and one-state, and I like the one that both parties like. I'm very happy with the one that both parties like," Trump said. "I can live with either one." The two-state solution has long been the cornerstone of US and international policy and the seeming shift met with hostility from other world powers Thursday. The United Nations said there had been no change in its policy. "The two-state solution remains the only way to achieve the legitimate national aspirations of both peoples," UN envoy for the Middle East Nickolay Mladenov told the Security Council. French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault labelled the US position "confusing" and reiterated his government's support for two states. "A possible Palestinian state will also be a guarantee for the security of Israel," he added. Arab League chief Ahmed Abul Gheit said no alternative to two states would be acceptable. Perhaps seeking to clarify the US's position, US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley told reporters they were "absolutely" committed to two states. - US 'thinking out-of-the-box' - "We absolutely support a two-state solution, but we are thinking out-of-the-box as well," Haley said following a Security Council meeting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In Israel, ministers in Israel's right-wing government hailed what they said was a historic statement by Trump. Story continues "The Palestinian flag has come down from the mast and the Israeli flag has taken its place," far-right Education Minister Naftali Bennett said. Science Minister Ofir Akunis hailed "the end of a dangerous and erroneous idea: the creation of a Palestinian terrorist state." In contrast to international powers, the Palestinian leadership publicly tried to downplay the issue. The foreign ministry said it was too early to talk about Israel and US perspectives aligning, while Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas said his government was "ready to deal positively" with the White House. Hossam Zomlot, a special adviser to Abbas, said the two-state solution was still their preferred option. "What we retain is that Trump says he wants peace," Zomlot said, adding Israel sought an "apartheid state". Trump's controversial pick for ambassador to Israel, longtime settlement supporter David Friedman, appeared at a confirmation hearing at the Senate foreign relations committee Thursday. Friedman, a 58-year-old Jewish American bankruptcy lawyer who has worked for Trump's property empire, expressed "skepticism" about the two-state solution over what he perceived as Palestinian "unwillingness to renounce terror and accept Israel as a Jewish state". Trump and Abbas have never spoken and officials have quietly fretted about being frozen out. On Tuesday, however, CIA chief Mike Pompeo held talks with Abbas in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Palestinian officials said, the most senior figure to meet with him since Trump's inauguration. - 'Weak' position - The UN envoy for the Middle East peace process, Nickolay Mladenov, said the two-state solution remains "the only way" to meet the aspirations of the Palestinians and the Israelis. Jihad Harb, a Palestinian political scientist, said the leadership was being cautious due to its "weak position" and its past failure to follow through on threats. "The Palestinian leadership has failed to open a dialogue with the US administration. It is afraid that an escalation (in rhetoric) at this stage could ruin any possibility of dialogue," he said. The leadership, Harb added, has limited options if Trump continues to freeze them out. Ghassan Khatib, a professor and former Palestinian official, agreed Trump was "very bad for the Palestinians". What a one-state solution would look like in reality remains unclear. Michael Oren, deputy minister in Netanyahu's office, implied Thursday there was support for what has been dubbed by Israeli media as the "state minus" approach, meaning levels of autonomy for Palestinian areas in the West Bank but never full independence. "(It) may not conform to what we know as a two-state solution but would enable the Palestinians to lead their lives in prosperity and security," Oren said. Ofer Zalzberg of the International Crisis Group think-tank said the Trump administration appeared to have "zero clarity" on the meaning of a one-state solution, leaving the Israelis in prime position to dictate terms. "Essentially Netanyahu was presented with the choice between one state and two," he said. "But he is in favour of one state and a half." Every child left behind? The Islamic State has set up education programs to groom the next generation of fighters. And they dont just cover your standard jihadi topics, but also the more banal subjects like math, grammar and the English language. The Islamic States built schools, created textbooks, and even developed phone apps, to educate children, shedding light on a surreal aspect of the terrorist organizations reach and strategy. Heres an app the Islamic State purportedly developed to teach children things like the alphabet and tanks and guns. Screen Shot 2015-08-10 at 11.44.56 AM Screen Shot 2015-08-10 at 11.44.56 AM From the Islamic States mobile child education app: B is for Bunduqiyya (gun) Screen Shot 2015-08-10 at 11.44.56 AM S is for sayf (sword) Screen Shot 2015-08-10 at 11.44.56 AM D is for Dababa (tank) Experts say there is a tactical purpose behind the pedagogy. Theres a need to physically and mentally prepare children to be the next generation of fighters, said Mia Bloom, terrorism expert at Georgia State University told Foreign Policy. It exposes the children to violence in a routine and daily fashion so it ceases to be shocking and normalizes violence, she said. Bloom and others at the Georgia State University Minerva research project on children and extremism track these apps, textbooks, and other macabre Islamic State learning tools. She told FP her team already found 35 Islamic State textbooks easily downloadable and ready to use in the dark corners of the Internet. Some are even in English. Whatever they find, they send to U.S. law enforcement and defense officials. The Islamic State doesnt stop at teaching materials. It has even built schools in eastern Syria in 2015, complete with curriculum, lesson plans and salaried teachers to indoctrinate children. And what school wouldnt be complete without phys ed? The Islamic State has a textbook on that, saturated in Islamic State imagery, that focuses less on dodgeball and more on tactical fighting moves. Screen Shot 2015-08-10 at 11.44.56 AM Then theres the math textbook, where children learn to count things like cherries, crayons and bullets with weapon watermarks in the background. Story continues Screen Shot 2015-08-10 at 11.44.56 AM Screen Shot 2015-08-10 at 11.44.56 AM Heres excerpts of an Islamic State English primer, obtained by the Middle East Media Research Institute: Screen Shot 2015-08-10 at 11.44.56 AM Screen Shot 2015-08-10 at 11.44.56 AM What the Islamic State does actually isnt uncommon, experts say. Childrens education may be one of the most important and overlooked front lines in the battle against terrorism. Terrorist groups from ETA in the Basque Country to Hezbollah use ersatz education programs to lure children into their ranks. It makes terrorist organizations resilient and makes things like targeted assassinations far less effective, Bloom said. If a key fighter is taken out, by drone strikes, special forces raids, or otherwise, his children can quickly take his place in the ranks. Officials and experts say its too early to gauge the long-term effect of the Islamic States educational efforts. After all, the organization has only been around for just over two years. But the group is unusually tech-savvy, likely making its impact more potent. The Islamic States use of social media and technology is more sophisticated than past groups, said Peter Weinberger, senior researcher at University of Marylands National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Response to Terrorism. And the investment pays off. Weinberger told FP once the Islamic State teaches young followers English, they can deploy not just to the frontlines but to meetings with criminal networks, to cities to recruit more fighters, and to the Internet to bolster the groups online presence in the English-speaking world. But some are used for more gruesome tasks. The United Nations recorded 362 cases of child soldier recruitment in Syria in 2016 alone, of which 274 were attributed to the Islamic State. The terrorist group was reported to use children to carry out raids, engage in fights, and even execute enemies. But the path taken from child to executioner, experts say, all started in the classroom. Image Credits: Middle East Media Research Institute; Georgia State University Minerva Research Project: Preventing the Next Generation: Children and Violent Extremist Organizations Jared Leto is set to make the transition from actor to director in a new Police thriller for Paramount Pictures. The Hollywood star will move behind the camera for "77", his feature directorial debut, Variety reports. The film will tell the tale of two police officers attempting to rescue heiress Patty Hearst from kidnap in Los Angeles in 1974. Although the project marks the Oscar winner's first feature film as a director, he has been practising his new craft by helming various music videos and commercials, as well as the 2012 documentary "Artifact." JK Rowling has stepped up her feud with Donald Trump, stating his wild Thursday afternoon press conference was the "scariest thing" she'd ever seen. In the press conference, Mr Trump lambasted the news media and insisted his administration was running like a "finely-tuned machine". The Harry Potter author, who has been a regular critic of the Republican president, tweeted afterwards: Up until an hour ago, the scariest thing I'd ever watched was Psycho. #TrumpPresser J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) February 16, 2017 Earlier this week, the author was embroiled in a Twitter spat with Piers Morgan, the British television presenter and vocal Trump supporter. He called her work "drivel" and she called him "amoral" after Morgan defended the US government's travel ban during an appearance on HBO's "Real Time with Bill Maher" last Friday. Morgan faced off with Australian comic Jim Jefferies on the episode during a discussion of the executive order. Morgan said it was "not a Muslim ban," and Jefferies directed an expletive at him. Rowling tweeted that it was "satisfying" to hear Jefferies say that. A flurry of tweets between Rowling and Morgan followed. At the Bafta awards on Sunday, Rowling was asked, while on the red carpet, what she thought of the political situation in the world at the moment. Rowling replied: "Let's just say it's a very interesting time to be writing a franchise about the rise of a populist maniac". Paris (AFP) - French conservative Francois Fillon suffered a new blow to his ailing presidential campaign Thursday, with prosecutors ruling out dropping a probe into damaging claims his wife had a fake parliamentary job. Three weeks into a preliminary probe for misuse of public funds the financial prosecutor's office said "numerous elements gathered" warranted further investigation. Fillon shrugged off the statement, telling the conservative daily Le Figaro there was "nothing new" in it and that it served merely to "fuel the media frenzy". The 62-year-old former prime minister has pledged to withdraw from the race if charged. The revelations that Fillon put his Welsh-born wife Penelope on the public payroll have dragged down his poll numbers and boosted the prospects of centrist rival Emmanuel Macron ahead of the two-stage election. Also bolstered by the scandal is far-right National Front leader Marine Le Pen, who has stretched her poll lead for the first round on April 23 but is expected to lose to her opponent in the May 7 runoff of the top two candidates. Penelope Fillon, 62, netted at least 680,000 euros ($720,000) as a parliamentary assistant to her husband and another MP over a period spanning some 15 years. She is accused of having barely worked for her salary. - 'Bitter cup' with Sarkozy - The investigative and satirical weekly Le Canard Enchaine broke the story last month along with revelations that Penelope worked at a literary review owned by a billionaire friend of her husband's where she allegedly earned another 100,000 euros. Two of the Fillon's children were also briefly on the parliamentary payroll. Fillon's spokesman Thierry Solere is also under investigation for tax evasion, Le Canard reported this week. Fillon has asserted that he is the victim of a smear campaign orchestrated by the ruling Socialists. His lawyers argue that Fillon enjoyed discretion in the use of funds available to him as an MP and that the probe was therefore "totally inapplicable". Story continues Fillon, a staunch Catholic who won the Republicans nomination in November by campaigning as a man of integrity, was the long-time frontrunner in a race that has turned into a rollercoaster. The main beneficiary of his woes has been Macron, a 39-year-old former investment banker who served as economy minister under outgoing Socialist President Francois Hollande. Hollande is not seeking re-election. Seeking to shore up his presidential bid and silence critics in his camp, Fillon went cap in hand on Wednesday to his former Nicolas Sarkozy, a bitter rival during the right-wing primaries. The former president, who had dismissed Fillon as a "Mr Nobody" when Fillon was his premier between 2007 and 2012, retains a base of loyal supporters. Thursday's papers were awash with editorials about the lunch meeting, with one commentator saying Fillon was made to drink a "bitter potion down to the dregs". Hours later at a campaign appearance, Fillon vowed, if elected, to lower the age at which defendants can be tried in adult courts to 16 -- apparently at Sarkozy's behest. The two are also thought to have discussed a secret deal for Fillon to name ex-finance minister and Sarkozy stalwart Francois Baroin as his prime minister if he wins in the spring. Through the twists and turns of the race Le Pen's support has remained constant. The candidate who wants France to drop the euro and pull out of the EU has a solid foundation, with 74 percent of her supporters who say they will "definitely" vote for her, according to a new study by a leading university think tank, CEVIPOF. In the survey of nearly 16,000 respondents, Le Pen came out on top as the candidate who "worries" the French the most, but also as the one "who really wants to change things". The Department of Energy has taken down its public-facing employee directory, making it far more difficult for journalists and members of the public to locate email addresses and phone numbers for agency personnel. The move, which was announced to agency contractors on Wednesday and implemented Thursday morning, was confirmed in an internal email shared with Mashable. Making federal scientists and policy makers harder to contact isnt a trivial matter. These kinds of moves toward opacity wall off employees from the outside world and make it more likely that they wont experience public pressure related to their taxpayer-funded work. SEE ALSO: Rick Perry regrets calling for abolishment of Energy Department It also makes it easier for public relations officers to assume more control over access to interview subjects, since journalists unfamiliar with agency sources will need to contact the central press office to make headway on a story. The phonebook was functioning early Thursday morning but went down around 10:15 a.m. ET. This is how the page reads now: Department of Energy public-facing phonebook. Image: energy.gov Instead of finding the Energy Department phonebook online on Thursday, visitors to the department website now are directed to a central phone number (which is 202-586-5000) and are told to contact a specific office via a web directory. The directory allowed any user to search for department employees by name and retrieve their basic contact information and office division, which was a help for journalists, civil society watchdog groups and many others seeking to penetrate the often opaque federal bureaucracy. Until this morning, you could look up Department of Energy (DOE) employees by name to find their office phone number and email addresses. Considering the fact that the department is a maze of more than 10,000 employees and contractors located around the world, that phonebook is more than convenient its essential. Story continues Other federal agencies, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and NASA, still have intact public phonebooks, as they did throughout the Obama administration. The Energy Department says it took down the phonebook because of internal complaints from agency personnel who didn't want their information shared anymore. "The Office of Public Affairs had received complaints from the workforce regarding the release of their direct contact information and the disruption to their operations as a result of outside personnel reaching out directly vice working through the appropriate channels," said Shelley Laver, an agency spokeswoman, in an email. "The public is still able to communicate with the department through various channels," she said. The agency's database did not provide a feasible way to allow individual employees to opt out of being listed while also maintaining the public directory, she said. The internal email sent to an agency contractor did not provide a reason why the public phonebook was removed. Given that the phonebook has been online for years, it's removal now strikes some as suspicious. Energy Department employees, contractors and watchdog groups have been on alert for changes at the department that would limit transparency and would infringe upon the agency's broad portfolio of climate science research. Maintaining the scientific integrity and independence of the agency's scientific work has been a particular concern in light of the Trump administration's denial of mainstream climate science findings. "Taking down the phonebook doesnt make sense," said Michael Halpern, the deputy director of the center for democracy at the Union of Concerned Scientists, an environmental advocacy group. "This centralizes communication and makes it more difficult to get in touch with individual DOE employees without going through an approval process first," he said, using the acronym for the agency. Halpern said the removal of the phonebook, if it is permanent, "could limit direct access to DOE scientists." By routing callers through main offices, he said, "It has the potential to add a political filter to how DOE communicates science." Prior to stepping down at the end of former president Barack Obama's second term, then-secretary Ernest Moniz signed an agency-wide scientific integrity policy that would ostensibly protect the organization's research from political interference. "The DOE scientific integrity policy states that employees dont need to ask for permission before publicly sharing scientific information with those who ask," Halpern said. "DOE should be doing all it can to make scientific experts more accessible to the public, and this goes in the opposite direction." EPA scientists have already been forced to violate their integrity policy when they were told not to speak to the press or share research results with the public during the presidential transition. Wind turbines dot the landscape near Steele City, Neb. Image: Nati Harnik/AP/REX/Shutterstock Under Obama, the Energy Department became a leading source of venture capital for clean energy firms, in addition to funding cutting edge climate science and energy research at its network of national labs. The Trump administration made waves during the transition when it asked the department for the names of employees who had worked on climate programs and participated in international climate negotiations, suggesting a coming purge of staff involve in climate programs. The Trump transition team then backed off from that questionnaire, attributing it to a "rogue" staff member. The transition team also hinted that the department is destined for an across the board 10 percent budget cut under the new administration. President Donald Trump's nominee for Energy Secretary, former Texas governor Rick Perry, has said he would work to protect scientists at the department and is still awaiting Senate confirmation. In the past, Perry has denied the existence of human-caused climate change and advocated for the elimination of the agency entirely, though he softened that stance at the opening of his confirmation hearing. "I have learned a great deal about the important work being done every day by the outstanding men and women of the Department of Energy," Perry said. "My past statements made over five years ago about abolishing the Department of Energy do not reflect my current thinking," he said. The disabling of the public Energy Department phonebook is similar to what the Trump administration did to the White House public contact number, when it instead asked for comments via social media or a web form. In both cases, the ease of public access to key parts of the federal government has been limited. The White House is now essentially walled off from comment by anyone without an internet connection. If you are a federal employee, scientist or citizen scientist who sees climate science and policy shifts at federal agencies and wishes to alert the media, we want to hear from you. Please send an email from your personal email account to science@mashable.com. You can also contact science editor Andrew Freedman via the secure messaging app Signal, with detailed information in his Twitter bio. Kaley Cuoco and her horses share a beautiful bond. On her Instagram account, the actress posted a snap of one of her horses, Benji, kissing her head as she looks away from him. Cuoco seems to be inside her barn, which she visits regularly these days since shes also training for horseback riding and participating in competitions. In the snap, the Big Bang Theory actress can be seen wearing black pants and a white shirt. A day earlier, Cuoco also posted an action shot from one of her horseback riding competitions. Cuoco expressed how much she misses one of her horses, Netty. The actress captioned the pic by saying that she cannot wait to work with Netty again in the show ring. Every now and then, Cuoco posts photos of her horses, and she also speaks very sweetly of them. In a recent interview on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Cuoco said that her horses and horseback riding have become very important parts of her life. It kind of levels me out with his whole Hollywood thing, she said. Cuoco shared that she doesnt like the paparazzi flocking the competition venue, so she uses a secret name whenever she participates. Bringing paparazzi to horse shows is not a great idea. It spooks the horses, so Ive actually started showing under a secret name. I have a little bit of an alias which would be really stupid if I said the name right now, but its a little bit hard when youre being followed around, she said. Meanwhile, Cuoco also becomes very emotional whenever her horses have to retire from competing. In November 2016, Cuoco bid her horse Thor goodbye after several years of competing together. But part of Cuoco is also pleased that Thor no longer has to be stressed with training, and he can just enjoy running around grassy fields for the rest of his life. Kaley Cuoco Photo: Getty Images/Alberto E. Rodriguez Related Articles FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) Dust off that old bottle of whiskey tucked away in the attic because there could soon be a market for it in the world's bourbon capital. A Kentucky House panel advanced legislation Wednesday that would allow vintage, unopened bottles of spirits to be put back into circulation in the state's bars and restaurants. Supporters see it as another way to boost the state's growing bourbon tourism industry. "Wouldn't it be great if you go into a restaurant or a bar in Louisville and say, 'I'd like to compare a 1950 Old Forester versus one of today's Old Forester brands and see how they taste?'" said Eric Gregory, president of the Kentucky Distillers' Association. The measure would allow people who possess old, unopened bottles of spirits to sell them to bars, restaurants or liquor stores. The bill drew no opposition in the House Licensing, Occupations and Administrative Regulations Committee. If the bill becomes law, Kentucky bars and restaurants could seek out rare bottles to add to their shelves and pour out as shots or mixed in cocktails. The trend has become especially popular in some big city bars and restaurants in other states. "We think that the world's largest bourbon library needs to be in Kentucky," Gregory said. The bill's lead sponsor is Republican state Rep. Chad McCoy of Bardstown, which calls itself as the epicenter of Kentucky's bourbon industry. McCoy said many of his constituents have vintage bourbon collections. "There are probably more bottles of bourbon tucked away in attics in Kentucky than anyplace else in the world," Gregory said. "It just stands to reason, because we are the birthplace of bourbon and we have been producing the great majority of the world's bourbon for now over 200 years." Bottles of rare whiskeys can fetch hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Hard-to-find Scotch and American whiskeys and cognacs are especially popular, said Frank Coleman, a spokesman for the Distilled Spirits Council. Story continues "Some pre-Prohibition bourbons are particularly sought after. And bourbon that was produced during Prohibition under the medicinal licenses," Coleman said. ___ The legislation is House Bill 100. By Katharine Houreld NAIROBI (Reuters) - Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga said on Wednesday mass protests were possible if August elections were rigged, comments likely to scare Kenyans fearful of a repeat of the widespread violence that erupted after a disputed poll in 2007. Then, more than 1,200 people were killed in weeks of fighting after political protests turned into ethnic clashes, but 2013 polls, when Odinga accepted the result after a court ruling, passed relatively peacefully. "This country is not ready for another rigged election. Kenyans will not accept it," Odinga said, noting that multiple people had been registered to vote with the same identity card in a registration period that has just ended. The national election commission accepts that some of his criticisms are justified and has identified 78,000 duplicate registrations. Spokesman Andrew Limo said the commission was resolving the issue. "We are confident we will have a credible and convincing register by May 10 to start verification," he said. The government said that Odinga was simply trying to discredit the voting process early to lay the ground for challenging the results on the streets. "The opposition is trying to create a narrative so eventually they have a way of rejecting the elections," government spokesman Munyori Buku said. "They never accept the result." REGIONAL STABILITY Kenya is a staunch Western ally and a stable anchor in a region roiled by conflict. Its $63 billion economy is East Africa's biggest but growth is not fast enough to absorb a mass of unemployed youth. President Uhuru Kenyatta's government has also been hit by a string of corruption scandals and a strike by doctors that has now entered its third month. Kenyatta, Odinga's arch political rival, has spent the last two months on a massive voter registration drive across the country and in his ethnic Kikuyu heartland, a strategy that helped him prevail over Odinga in 2013. Odinga, a leading candidate for the top job, also took part in this year's registration drive, which officials say added 3 million people to nearly 16 million registered voters, but he said it was deeply flawed. "This is a big mess," he said, "The executive office is trying to downplay it. It is a major, major mess." Odinga said he would first seek redress through the courts but that the government was putting pressure on the judiciary, citing a parliamentarian's recent public criticism of a judge. "That was an attempt to try to intimidate or blackmail the judiciary so they can be complicit," he told Reuters in an interview in the capital, Nairobi. "We have not ruled out what we call mass action ... to ensure the rule of law is respected," he said. "Every option is open to us." FLASHPOINTS Both sides accuse each other of stoking tribal tensions, a dangerous game in a country where politics often splits along ethnic lines. Analysts say the 47 county governorships, which come with a big budget and perks, will be flashpoints. "They (voters) are being manipulated to believe that if so-and-so from another tribe is in leadership then ... their lives are going to be endangered and they can only be secure when their man occupies the top position," Odinga said. Last week, during a campaign to register voters, Kenyatta accused the opposition of "lies, tribalism, hatred and divisive politics". Some diplomats fear that the international community, which played a major role in mediating and ending the 2007 violence, may be less engaged this time as they grapple with Brexit, a European refugee crisis and a new American administration. The threat of prosecution at the International Criminal Court, which hung over the 2013 polls, has also receded after the case against Kenyatta collapsed following allegations of political interference and witness-tampering. "You could see a whole lot more violence this time around before the international community intervenes because there are so many fires burning everywhere," said one diplomat. (Additional reporting by Edmund Blair; Editing by Louise Ireland) The advert has caused outrage on Twitter with people accusing them of body-shaming and airbrushing the image: Cindy Ord/Getty Images Protein World is no stranger to controversy. The fitness company is responsible for the now infamous Are you beach body ready advert which triggered a massive backlash two years ago. After a massive campaign against the advert, Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, chose to ban adverts which promote unrealistic expectations about body image from the capitals transport networks last summer. But it seems Protein World is back in the public eye and, yet again, not for the right reasons. The company has come under fire for its advert which features Khloe Kardashian, with critics arguing it could cause confidence issues among young women. Despite the fact it has triggered a backlash on Twitter, TfL has said the advert featuring the reality TV star, who is the sister of Kim, would not be covered by Mr Khans ban. A spokesman for the Mayor told the Evening Standard: This advert was closely reviewed and deemed to comply with the new TfL advertising policy that bans adverts that could pressurise people to conform to unhealthy or unrealistic body images. The advert features a picture of Khloe in a revealing leotard and is part of the companys 30-day weight-loss challenge. It asked, Can you keep up with a Kardashian? Green Assembly member Caroline Russell, claimed she had received complaints from her constituents about the advert and voiced her concerns about the ban. People taking the Tube should not have to be bombarded with adverts that imply their bodies arent good enough. Young people receive this negative message from enough social media channels and its appalling that this is being reinforced on Tube platforms, against the Mayors own policy, when people are taking trips to school, to work, or going out to socialise. Story continues I am urging the Mayor to look again at these adverts that challenge young people to keep up with reality stars known for idealised and unrealistic body shapes. He needs to enforce his own guidelines and live up to his manifesto promise to Londoners. Every body is a good body and TfL should be promoting inclusion and making their stations welcoming spaces. Allowing these adverts risks making people lose confidence in themselves. The advert has caused outrage on Twitter with people accusing them of body-shaming and airbrushing the image. Can I keep up with a Kardashian? Better than you can keep up with feminism, mate, said Cordi Morrison. What a contrast - one advert designed to empower women and the other designed to feed on insecurities #thisgirlcan pic.twitter.com/0bOPBF00ry Elizabeth Atherton (@ElizAtherton) February 11, 2017 Why spend 30 days on @ProteinWorld when 10 minutes of photoshop will do the exact same thing? #KeepUpWithYourself, said Clare Francessca. "I remember when I first started I was so frustrated that I did not have this body in the first week I started working out," Khloe says on Protein World's website. "Obviously if it was easy everybody would have their dream bodies, but it takes work and perseverance. It takes dedication and literal sweat and tears. That said, it's the most rewarding feeling ever." Protein Worlds ubiquitous yellow posters for their meal replacement collection caused a massive backlash two years ago. Some adverts were defaced with slogans such as you are lovely as you are and a petition demanding the removal of adverts amassed almost 50,000 signatures within just a few days and prompted a beach-themed demonstration in London which women and men of all shapes and sizes attended in their swimwear. Another great one here (via itv news) pic.twitter.com/iHfUjQfYc2 The Vagenda Team (@VagendaMagazine) April 27, 2015 Protein World outrightly denied suggestions that the campaign objectifies women at the time. The brand later claimed that publicity from the furore had generated an additional 2 million in sales. Representatives for Khloe, Protein World, and the Mayor did not immediately respond to request for comment. The two female and four male suspects in the killing of Kim Jong-nam are hired assassins who did not know each other before they were brought together for the murder plot, a Malaysian security source has told the Telegraph. The six suspects, most of whom are thought to be sleeper agents, were all living in Kuala Lumpur and were recruited and briefed for the hit by a secret agent point man or woman, the source, who did not want to be named, said. Siti Aishah, the second Indonesian suspect who was arrested in the early hours of Tuesday morning, had been living in Kuala Lumpur for several months. She was working as a hostess in a nightclub in the Malaysian capital. Both Siti and the other female suspect, a Vietnamese woman, claimed to police they were persuaded to attack Mr Kim as part of a "prank". Aishah had been approached by a mysterious man at the nightclub where she worked in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, and offered $100 to help with the stunt, reported Indonesian news-site Kumpuran. The report, which could not be independently verified, suggested that Siti went ahead with the deal because she needed the money, but had no idea who Kim Jong-nam was. It claimed she did not know the other suspects in the case, and thought they were a film crew in a comedy reality television show. According to Kumpuran, Siti, from Serang, northern Indonesia, was an uneducated divorced mother of one son, who did not live with her. She had previously worked as a domestic helper in Jakarta, Indonesia, before moving to Malaysia in 2013 with her now ex-husband. The Malaysian security source said Malaysian police also detained a 25 year old Malaysian male on Wednesday evening. The detainee is believed to be the boyfriend of Aishah, the second Indonesian suspect. He is not thought to be involved in the case, but merely used to provide information leading to the arrest of Siti Aishah. The claims fit with similar reports from Malaysia that the second woman arrested over the murder, Vietnamese citizen, Doan Thi Huong, also told police she had been tricked into wiping poison on Kim in what she believed was a harmless prank. Story continues Multiple reports suggest that the two women did not leave Kuala Lumpurs international airport, the scene of the attack, with any sense of urgency, and lined up for a cab at the exit. They were both arrested as police stepped up the hunt for a six-strong team of assassins believed to have been behind the death of Kim Jong-nam. The autopsy report has been delayed, and Mr Kim's body will remain under police protection. A post mortem has also reportedly identified the poison used in the attack at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Monday, although the results of the autopsy have yet to be announced. Speculation continues to mount that Kim Jong-nam was killed on the orders of Kim Jong-un, who feared that he could become the rallying point for a coup against his regime. Mr Kim had consistently denied having designs on the North Korean leadership. South Korea's Yonhap News reported that North Korean diplomats had met Kim Jong-nam in January and asked him to voluntarily go to Pyongyang. The report claimed that Kim Jong-un was concerned at reports that Kim Jong-nam was considering "defecting" on a permanent basis to South Korea or the United States - a move that could have significantly damaged the regime's legitimacy and standing with its own people. Perhaps concerned at the rash of executions that his half-brother has recently ordered, Kim Jong-nam asked for time to consider the request. It is not clear whether he had delivered an answer before his death. Siti Aishah was taken into custody by police at 2am on Thursday, joining Doan Thi Huong, who was arrested the previous day. Suspect wore 'LOL' t-shirt A Malaysian government source has confirmed to Reuters that the first suspect detained was the same woman whose image was captured by close circuit television footage showing her wearing a white shirt with the letters "LOL" on the front. Police said they were still searching for four men identified on CCTV at the airport who are believed to be North Koreans. "One of the girls was told to hold a handkerchief on the face of the victim after he'd been sprayed by the other girl," an unnamed senior police officer told The Telegraph. "She held it there for 10 seconds. She said she thought spraying him had been a 'prank'. "We have already looked through the CCTV footage, hence we managed to arrest the taxi driver who had taken the two woman who carried out the assassination," said the senior police official, who asked not to be named. Meanwhile Ahmad Zahid, Malaysia's deputy prime minister, said that North Korea asked for Mr Kim's body and that it will be released to the country in accordance to proper legal procedure once police and medical procedures are complete. The body of #KimJongNam will be released to North Korea in accordance to proper legal procedure after post mortem report is out pic.twitter.com/DCXB5J7ate Melissa Goh (@MelGohCNA) 16 February 2017 Murder 'carried out by North Korean agents' Lawmakers in South Korea earlier cited their spy agency as saying it suspected two female North Korean agents had murdered Mr Kim. US government sources also said they believed North Korean assassins were responsible. In Pyongyang, celebrations are under way to mark the 75th anniversary of the birth of Kim Jong-il, the late dictator and father of both Kim Jong-nam and his half-brother, Kim Jong-un. State media reported that Kim Jong-un paid tribute to his late father, who died in December 2011, on a national holiday known as the Day of the Shining Star. There have been no mentions of the death of Kim Jong-nam in state media and there have been suggestions that ordinary North Koreans may not know their leader even had an older half-brother as it would call into question the legitimacy of the rule of their present leader. Kim Jong-nam, half-brother of Kim Jong-un, in pictures South Korea plans to inform them of the "brutality" of Kim Jong-un by using loudspeakers to broadcast news of his half-brother's death over the border into the North. Kim Jong-nam 'never plotted to overthrow dictator' Kim Jong-nam, a 46-year-old playboy who had been living in exile in Macau, was estranged from his younger half-brother, Kim Jong-un, and had been living abroad for years. He reportedly fell out of favour when he was caught trying to enter Japan on a false passport in 2001, saying he wanted to visit Tokyo Disneyland. It is believed Kim Jong-un ordered the assassination as he feared being overthrown by his older half-brother. Mr Kim has always denied having any intentions of taking over the North Korean leadership. According to South Korean intelligence, Mr Kim wrote to Kim Jong-un in 2012 asking his half-brother to spare his life and that of his family. Kim Jong-un | A history of executions - family, allies and rivals A photo believed to show Kim Jong-nam, posted on Facebook in 2010 Kim Jong-nam may have been tracked down by alleged assassins because of his careless use of social media, an intelligence official has suggested. The half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un died in suspicious circumstances after falling ill at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Monday. Malaysian police said the man was carrying a passport in the name of Kim Chol, a pseudonym linked to the North Korean exile for several years. A Facebook account under that name appears to carry photographs of Kim Jong-nam travelling around China, Europe and in Macau, where he lived after fleeing Pyongyang with his family. The pages authenticity could not be verified but it has been linked to Mr Kim in news reports dating back to 2012 and contains photographs dating back almost a decade as well as matching autobiographical details. Sources told NK News the profile was real, including pictures of his pet dog and messages to friends around the world. Cha Du-hyeogn, the former intelligence secretary to South Koreas President, said Mr Kims choice to post photos showing his location showed a remarkable lack of concern over threats to his life. Open activities like these do not look like they are coming from a person who is constantly under the death threats, he added. I think it is possible that Kim was careless, leading to his unsuspecting death. A photo believed to show Kim Jong-nam in Shanghai, posted in Facebook in 2010 The Facebook page shows a man thought to be Kim Jong-nam posing alone in locations including Macau, Shanghai, Geneva and on a boat with a friend in Europe. Known as something of a playboy, he was snapped outside casinos in Macau, one of the worlds largest gambling centres. Living Las Vegas in Asia, said a status posted in 2010. I miss Europe, read another comment posted in 2013. The last public activity on the account was in November 2015, when Kim Chol overlaid his Facebook photo of a squirrel with a French flag as a tribute to the victims of the Paris attacks. An eclectic range of Facebook likes include a comedy page impersonating Kim Jong-un, Playboy magazine, Vladimir Putin, the Prime Minister of Singapore, an American soldier who lived in North Korea, Boo the dog and several nightclubs. Story continues The eldest son of North Koreas former leader Kim Jong-il, he was educated at the International School of Geneva and Lycee Francais Alexandre Dumas in Moscow. A photo believed to show Kim Jong-nam in Geneva, posted on Facebook in 2010 He was considered to be in training as North Koreas next supreme leader during the 1990s but fell out of favour with his father after being caught with a fake passport in Japan in 2001, claiming he wanted to visit Tokyo Disneyland. The incident made global headlines, worsening Mr Kims stance in North Korea, where his birth was already considered shameful because his father and mother, actress Sung Hye Rim, were unmarried. He went into exile and was known to be living in Macau from around 2003, but also had relatives including at least three children with three different women two wives and one mistress living in Beijing according to South Koreas intelligence service. He had been spotted at a hotel in Macau in 2010, then at Beijing International Airport in 2012, identifying himself when questioned by South Korean tourists, and in Singapore later that year. After his fathers death, Mr Kim complained that his younger half-brother and the countrys new leader, was failing to treat him with respect and send him enough money, according to Cheong Seong-Chang, an analyst at South Koreas Sejong Institute. However, he refrained from openly criticising the North and kept a low profile after his uncle and former protector Jang Song-thaek, once considered the countrys second-most powerful individual, was executed in 2013. Kim Jong-un has executed or purged a number of high-level government officials and had been attempting to kill his brother for five years, according to South Koreas National Intelligence Service. Kim Jong-nam sent a letter to the leader in April 2012 pleading for the lives of himself and his family. I hope you cancel the order for the punishment of me and my family, the letter said. We have nowhere to go, nowhere to hide, and we know that the only way to escape is committing suicide. Mr Kim was waiting for a flight to Macau when he collapsed at Kuala Lumpur international airport on Monday. He died on the way to the hospital, after telling medical workers at the airport that he had been sprayed with a chemical, although conflicting media reports have claimed a needle or other device was used to administer suspected poison. Three suspects two women and a man have been arrested after being identified on CCTV footage that showed one of the suspects wearing a T-shirt with LOL written across the front. There were claims two women carried out the suspected assassination before fleeing in a taxi, while the man detained is believed to be a boyfriend of one of the suspects. Medical workers have completed an autopsy on Mr Kim, despite an objection from North Korea, but the results have not been released. Mr Kims body is being held in the forensic department of Kuala Lumpur Hospital: AP A third person has been arrested in connection with the assassination of the North Korean leaders half-brother Kim Jong-nam, Malaysian police have said. The suspect was reportedly detained on Thursday morning and is believed to be the boyfriend of one of the two women already arrested. Police said he provided information that led to the arrest of a woman who was using Indonesian travel documents. The latest arrest follows the detention of two female suspects who were arrested separately on Wednesday and Thursday, one of whom held a Vietnamese passport and the other an Indonesian passport, although there was no immediate way to determine whether the IDs were genuine. The women were identified using CCTV footage from Kuala Lumpur airport, where they are suspected to have sprayed a poisonous liquid into the face of Mr Kim on Monday as he prepared to board a flight to Macau, causing him to suffer a mild seizure and die shortly afterwards. Still photos of the CCTV video, which circulated widely across the internet on Wednesday, showed the woman in a skirt and long-sleeved white T-shirt with LOL an acronym for laughing out loud emblazoned across the front. The third arrest comes as it emerged that Mr Kim had pleaded with his half-brother, Kim Jong-un, to spare his life following an alleged assassination attempt four years ago. By posting images of his playboy lifestyle in Macau, Shanghai and Singapore on Facebook, Kim Jong-nam may have made it easier for agents acting for North Korea to track him down and kill him in Malaysia. The NK News web site reported Thursday that Mr Kim used the social media site extensively, using the alias Kim Chol - which was also the name printed on his travel document when he collapsed at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Monday. While the profile picture is of a squirrel holding a nut overlaid with the French flag, apparently in memory of the terrorist attacks in Paris, the page contains numerous photos of Mr Kim in cities in the region, as well as outside casinos and famous hotels. Another photo is of a poodle. Most of the publicly visible photographs date back to 2010 or earlier. The profile says "Kim Chol" studied at an international school in Geneva and in Moscow and lives in Macau, all of which tie in with Kim Jong-nam's background. Mr Kim's activities on Facebook suggest that he was not living in fear of his life or in hiding, or that he could not help but post on social media despite knowing he was being hunted by North Korean agents on the orders of his half-brother, Kim Jong-un. It has been reported that Mr Kim survived an attempt on his life in 2012 and subsequently wrote to Kim Jong-un asking that he and his family not be targeted. Mr Kim's rather lax approach to his personal security - he also apparently used commercial e-mail services for communications - may have made it easier for agents acting on behalf of North Korea to track his movements. "Open activities like these do not look like they are coming from a person who is constantly under death threats", said Cha Du-hyeogn, intelligence secretary to Lee Myung-bak, the former South Korean president. "I think it is possible that Kim was careless, leading to his unsuspecting death". Kim Jong-un | A history of executions - family, allies and rivals Best not to tell family members that theyll soon be sleeping with the fishes: Rex Features Grabbing the attention of the world is North Koreas strong suit. Its leader, the 33-year-old Kim Jong-un, rivals Donald Trump in his appetite for international approval and his intolerance of criticism, from any quarter. In the last few days he has used two headline-dominating events a ballistic missile launch and the dramatic alleged assassination of his half-brother Kim Jong-nam to assert his personal authority and to demonstrate his countrys ability to challenge the security of those individuals or countries that oppose him. What do the latest provocations tell us about the stability of the regime and the options for the international community in limiting the Norths disruptive influence? The 12 February Pukgusong-2 missile launch, while not a strategic game changer, represents a significant improvement in Pyongyangs military capabilities. A solid-fuel rocket, it can be launched in minutes, undercutting the ability of neighbouring countries to pre-emptively defend themselves against an attack. Although Kim bragged, as recently as last month, that the country is on the point of launching an ICBM, the missile reportedly has a limited range of 1,200km not enough to strike at the continental United States. But, this is at best partial comfort given the progressive improvement in the Norths capabilities and Kims resolve to push ahead aggressively with his military modernisation campaign. The worry is that in a matter of a year or two, five at the most, Pyongyang may be able to credibly target a nuclear-armed missile at South Korea, Japan and US territory, whether in Guam, Hawaii, Alaska, or as far afield as California. Missile launches and the two nuclear tests of 2016 are an easy and immediate way of demonstrating the strength of the regime, and help to bolster Kims legitimacy in the eyes of his public, particularly among Pyongyang residents, who are receptive to the image of a technically advanced and militarily increasingly self-confident North Korea. Story continues The benefits of a suspected targeted assassination are less clearcut when it comes to enhancing Kims political authority at home. Although no charges have yet been brought against the three people arrested over his killing, and North Korea has made no statement on his Kim Jong-nams death, South Koreas intelligence agency had told lawmakers in the past that there was a standing order from the North Korea leader for Kim Jong-nams assassination, and that there had been a previous failed attempt. Showing the power and reach of the Norths security apparatus may help to instil fear in the minds of potential opponents of Kim or those minded to pursue a better life overseas a valuable benefit to the regime given recent high-profile defections, including that of Thae Yong-ho, the former deputy ambassador to the UK, in August 2016. However, fear is a blunt instrument, and the recent spate of executions and political purges (reportedly Kim has killed upwards of 360 officials since assuming power in December 2011) may be as much a sign of his political weakness and vulnerability rather than proof of unchallenged authority. Moreover, in a society where a residue of Confucian respect for family loyalty and kinship still applies, the suspected contract-style killing of the leaders half-brother may (much like the very public humiliation and execution of Jang Song-taek, Kims uncle in 2013) discredit and undermine (albeit privately) the leader in the eyes of his people. For the Trump administration, combating the North Korean threat is an urgent priority. So far, however, Washingtons response has not inspired confidence. The public image of an improvised policy huddle between US and Japanese officials at Trumps Mar-a-Largo dinner with Prime Minister Abe, in response to the missile launch, has underscored the impression of chaotic and ad hoc decision-making and the absence of knowledgeable national security staff within the White House an image amplified by the surprise resignation of General Michael Flynn as Trumps National Security Adviser. The President must get a grip quickly and demonstrate that he has a coherent strategy for confronting the North. Some in Washington are calling for a new round of economic sanctions, including secondary sanctions targeting third-parties (most notably Chinese banks), as a means of starving the regime and people close to Kim of the hard currency that funds their sometimes lavish and privileged lifestyles. However, Beijing would almost certainly push back sharply against such an approach and Trump would be unwise to upset ties with China just after mending fences in the wake of his early provocative remarks over Taiwan. More targeted measures might be used to restrict the economic opportunities for the 50,000 or so North Korean labourers working overseas, again to restrict financial flows back to Pyongyang. Washington might also consider focusing more aggressively on the Norths human rights abuses by re-listing the North as a State Sponsor of Terror, a designation that was lifted in 2008 when the Bush administration was seeking to broker a nuclear deal with the DPRK. Such a re-listing would likely be warmly welcomed by Japan, where both the government and public opinion have long battled, unsuccessfully, to resolve the fate of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s. Above all, the US needs to work with international partners, in the United Nations and regionally, to develop a coordinated approach. Alongside China, which, as the provider of considerable economic aid to the North, has the potential to exert pressure on Kim, South Korea is a key actor. Yet, the political deadlock in Seoul over the impeachment of an embattled President Park is unlikely to be resolved rapidly, and at some point this year we can expect a new presidential election in which a progressive politician (precisely who at the moment is unclear) is likely to be victorious. The future ROK president is expected to push for renewed talks with the North and a reinvigorated inter-Korean dialogue. This opens the door for a radical reset of Washingtons North Korea policy and a comprehensive set of talks on diplomatic recognition and a peace treaty ending the Korean War, in return for a possible freeze of the Norths nuclear and missile programme. Critics will label this as unrealistic and tantamount to appeasement, but for a President Trump who wishes to distance himself from his predecessors policy of strategic patience, a fresh start may prove appealing. Such an approach will need to be delicately calibrated, involving the selective and carefully timed combination of pressure and dialogue (an approach first articulated by Prime Minister Abe). If successful, this could not only offset the Norths provocations and enhance regional security, but also help dispel the image of policy disorder and bureaucratic confusion in a White House that, for now a least, seems to be the victim rather than the master of strategic events. John Nilsson-Wright is a senior research fellow with the Asia Programme at Chatham House, and a senior university lecturer in Japanese Politics and International Relations at Cambridge University, as well as an official fellow of Darwin College, Cambridge Photo credit: KMOV From Cosmopolitan The wife and stepson of a Ku Klux Klan leader found fatally shot next to a river in eastern Missouri were charged in his death Monday. Malissa Ann Ancona, 44, and her 24-year-old son, Paul Edward Jinkerson Jr., were charged with first-degree murder, tampering with physical evidence, and abandonment of a corpse in the death of Frank Ancona. Both are jailed without bond. A probable cause statement alleges that Jinkerson shot his 51-year-old stepfather as he slept Thursday at his home in Leadwood, about 70 miles south of St. Louis. St. Francois County Sheriff's Department detective Matt Wampler wrote that after the shooting, Ancona's body was taken in Jinkerson's vehicle to an area near Belgrade, about 20 miles away. Jinkerson's attorney, Eric Barnhart, said he didn't believe his client was involved in the killing, but he declined to comment further. It wasn't immediately clear if Malissa Ancona had an attorney. A family that was fishing in the Big River found Frank Ancona's body Saturday. An autopsy conducted Sunday revealed that he died of a gunshot to the head. For more news videos visit Yahoo View, available now on iOS and Android. Ancona called himself an imperial wizard with the Traditionalist American Knights of the Ku Klux Klan. A website for the group includes an image of him in a white hood and robe standing in front of a burning cross. The website describes the group as a "White Patriotic Christian organization that bases its roots back to the Ku Klux Klan of the early 20th century." The Park Hills Daily Journal said investigators placed yellow police tape around Ancona's home in Leadwood Saturday, believing he was killed there. His safe had been broken into and the contents removed. Several of his guns were missing, police told the Daily Journal. Washington County Sheriff Zach Jacobsen said a U.S. Forest Service employee found Ancona's car Thursday on a service road near Potosi, about 30 miles from where his body was eventually found. He was reported missing Friday after his employer told Leadwood police that he hadn't shown up for work for two days. Story continues Investigators found evidence of a burn pile near Ancona's abandoned vehicle, Jacobsen said. Prior to the discovery of Ancona's body, Malissa Ancona told police her husband had left the state on a delivery job. She said he planned to file for divorce when he returned. Investigators said Malissa Ancona tried to destroy blood evidence and altered the crime scene in an effort to conceal the killing, the Daily Journal reported. Investigators said she was acting in concert with her son. You Might Also Like MOSCOW (Reuters) - There is not yet an agreement or clear understanding on the arrangements for a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump, the Interfax news agency cited Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov as saying on Thursday. Trump and Putin have both said they would like to try to mend battered U.S.-Russia ties, which fell to their lowest level since the Cold War after Russia's 2014 annexation of Ukraine's Crimea. "There is no agreement on a meeting nor a clear understanding yet," the Interfax news agency quoted Ushakov as saying. (Reporting by Denis Pinchuk; Writing by Alessandra Prentice; Editing by Andrew Osborn) Stoke Newington has had a serious contender for London's best pizza since Naples institution LAntica Pizzeria da Michele opened last year. The original shot to worldwide fame after Julia Roberts, playing Elizabeth Gilbert, visited in 2010's Eat, Pray, Love and declared after just one bite that she was "having a relationship with my pizza. To reduce its popularity to one film scene would be unfair, though. Since opening in 1870, is has long been a local favourite, serving just two dishes: the traditional margherita (tomato, mozzarella, a touch of basil) and the marinara (tomato, oregano, olive oil, garlic). The pizzas are not round and come decorated with black burn marks, and they are always bigger than the plate they come on. People queue for them; generations of people have queued for them. Theres no shortage of hype, then. Can the London version compare? We asked Neopolitan Ludovica Attanasio, a self-professed pizza lover whos visited the original many times, to rate London's take against the first temple of pizza. Toppings Naples is known for its tomatoes, so its perhaps no surprise that the sauce is excellent: I like the flavour, the tomato sauce and the cheese. I really enjoy the tomato sauce its very rich, says Ludovica, who prefers the margarita to the marinara. She says it is comparable to the original. Ludovica has some strong words for other British pizzerias, though: Pineapple on pizza is a deadly sin. Its a very offensive crime for us: you should never have pineapple on pizza. Maybe after, if you fancy, but please: not together. Traditional: pizzas are kept simple at Michele Base This, sadly, it where the London version is let down, though it still scores highly. I think its very, very good, says Ludovica, I like the weird shape, I like that its not perfect. But the one I had last time was much softer. This one is a little bit crunchy, and its not meant to be. Its still lovely, but it is different. Ludovica later tells us that diners in Naples won't need a knife as a fork alone will cut through the pizza base, whereas here it is a little thicker, making that impossible. However, she isnt entirely sure this is anyones fault: We say no pizza can be similar to the one we have in Naples because of the water. This one isnt as good as at home but maybe it cant be. Story continues Price The marinara costs 6.90 for a regular and 7.90 for a large, while the margherita costs 7.90 for a regular and 9.00 for one with double mozzarella. This is more expensive than in Naples, where pizzas cost around 5. Design Ludovica explains that the original is, if not run down, certainly rather basic, though this is key to its charm: it is resolutely simple and has no intention to change. The Stoke Newington site is simple too, with exposed brickwork and a plain white kitchen space, but there are nice touches: beer crates are used for decoration, splashes of copper catch the light and blue-washed chairs charm. Altogether, it is very comfortable. Ludovica says the marble topped tables are very similar to the original. Atmosphere Apparently, the Naples site really is as popular as they say: It is so busy, you have to queue for hours, but I think thats part of the fun. Theres something sadistic about it: I mean, you know youll be there for ages but you go anyway because maybe thats what makes the pizza so good. The waiting is half of the experience, says Ludovica. By turn, our visit had no queue but it was midday on a Wednesday, and even so, the place quickly became busy. Reportedly in the evenings queues sometimes get up to around two hours. Service is efficient and friendly and staff are all Italian, so it does feel like youre getting something of an authentic experience, especially as the chefs have come across from Naples. Overall experience Its very nice said Ludovica, I wouldnt queue for it, not like in Naples its too cold to queue in London! I will definitely come back, but I would never queue for a couple of hours, no, never. It might be the best pizza in London but its not as good as the pizza in Naples. It's quite close to maybe the third pizza in Naples Ludovica smiles, Youre doing great. Ludovica also recommends Bravo Ragazzi in Streatham, which is run by a team from Naples. LAntica Pizzeria da Michele can be found at 125 Stoke Newington Church St, N16 0UH, open from midday until 11pm. No bookings are being taken. 020 7687 0009 / @damichelelondon DURHAM, N.C. (AP) The Latest on a North Carolina man shot while running from Durham police (all times local): 8:25 p.m. Family and neighbors say a North Carolina man shot and killed by police was visiting relatives at a time he was supposed to be under home confinement. Carlos Cates of Durham said the man killed Wednesday afternoon was his half brother, 24-year-old Kenneth Bailey Jr. Cates says he leaves behind two preschool-age sons. Cates says Bailey was likely under police suspicion because he had money, but the cash was earned through a family construction business where both men worked. Police didn't identify the man but said he pulled a gun after he ran from a tidy brick ranch home and was being chased by officers. Police say a gun that had been reported stolen last December was found next to him. ___ 7:05 p.m. The police chief in Durham says a man sought for violating a pre-trial release condition was shot and killed by officers after he pulled a gun while they pursued him on foot. Chief C.J. Davis read a statement saying three officers were attempting to arrest the man at a house on Wednesday. As they approached, the man ran out and the chase ensued. Davis said the man pulled a gun from his waistband and pointed it at the officers, who fired at him. The man was pronounced dead a short time later. The chief didn't identify the suspect, but said a gun was found next to him and that the weapon had been reported stolen. The chief said the three officers are on paid administrative leave pending an investigation. COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) The Latest on the case against a man accused of shooting a Columbus police officer in 1972 (all times local): 11 a.m. The daughter of a Columbus police officer wounded in a 1972 shooting says she can't agree with a judge's decision to dismiss the case against the suspect. Lori Cooper says no one should be able to shoot a police officer and not suffer the consequences. Franklin County Judge Guy Reece on Thursday rejected a prosecutor's request that the case against shooting suspect Charles Hays be reopened. Reece says that on balance the evidence shows Hays' right to a speedy trial was violated by authorities' failure to bring him back to Ohio in the years after the shooting. Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O'Brien said a decision hasn't been made whether to appeal. ___ 9:20 a.m. A judge is refusing to let prosecutors try an 82-year-old man in the nonfatal shooting of an Ohio police officer almost 45 years ago. Defendant Charles Hays was indicted, but never prosecuted, as the case fell through the cracks. Columbus police officer Niki Cooper was hit in the left arm in March 1972 when he and his partner interrupted a burglary on the city's southeast side. Cooper never regained full use of the injured limb. He died just over three years ago. Hays' lawyer says a trial now would violate Hays' constitutional right to a speedy trial. Franklin County Judge Guy Reece ruled Thursday that the prosecution cannot go forward. ___ 1:15 a.m. A judge is set to announce whether prosecutors can bring an 82-year-old suspect to trial in the nonfatal shooting of an Ohio police officer almost 45 years ago. Defendant Charles Hays was indicted but never prosecuted following the 1972 shooting, as the case fell through the cracks. Columbus police officer Niki Cooper was hit in the left arm when he and his partner interrupted a burglary. Franklin County Judge Guy Reece heard arguments last week and plans to rule Thursday morning. Cooper never regained full use of his injured arm. He died just over three years ago at the age of 71. Hays' lawyer says reopening the case would violate Hays' constitutional right to a speedy trial. WASHINGTON (AP) The Latest on President Donald Trump (all times EST): 7:25 p.m. Vice Admiral Robert Harward has turned down an offer to be President Donald Trump's new national security adviser. A senior White House official says Harward turned the offer down due to financial and family commitments. The official spoke anonymously because Harward's decision has not been publicly announced. Harward would have replaced retired Gen. Michael Flynn, who resigned at Trump's request Monday after revelations that he misled Vice President Mike Pence about discussions he held with a Russian diplomat. Officials said this week that there were two other contenders: acting national security adviser Keith Kellogg, and retired Gen. David Petraeus. ___ 6:50 p.m. Mick Mulvaney has been sworn in as director of the White House budget office. Vice President Mike Pence administered the oath of office Thursday hours after the Senate confirmed Mulvaney by a narrow 51-49 vote. Democrats had opposed Mulvaney over his support for curbing the growth of Medicare and Social Security. They also objected to his brinksmanship as a freshman lawmaker during the 2011 debt crisis in which the government came perilously close to defaulting on its obligations. Mulvaney's confirmation promises to accelerate work on the Trump administration's upcoming budget plan, which is overdue. ___ 6:10 p.m. House Republicans who met Thursday with Donald Trump say the president committed to supporting the Export-Import Bank. The agency helps U.S. exporters by making and guaranteeing loans, but has been a political football on Capitol Hill due to opposition from conservatives. It was allowed to expire in 2015 but was then revived, although it still isn't able to conduct major business due to a vacancy on its board. Trump criticized the Ex-Im Bank on the campaign trail, but now appears to have warmed to it. Congressman Kevin Cramer of North Dakota says Trump "said, 'You know I wasn't a real believer until I talked to some of the job creators who use it.'" Story continues Cramer says Trump also asked for recommendations for the board. ___ 4:25 p.m. President Donald Trump has put the brakes on a regulation blocking coal mining debris from being dumped into nearby streams. Trump called the regulation a "job-killing rule" before he signed a measure to overturn it. Lawmakers from coal-mining states stood close by, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va. and Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va. Several coal miners and energy company executives also attended the White House signing ceremony. Republicans and some Democrats argued that the rule could eliminate thousands of coal-related jobs. They said the rule also ignored dozens of existing federal, state and local regulations. The Interior Department said in December when it announced the rule that 6,000 miles of streams and 52,000 acres of forests would be protected. ___ 4:20 p.m. Members of the Congressional Black Caucus are expressing bafflement and dismay after President Donald Trump asked a black reporter to set up a meeting with them. Rep. Jim Clyburn of South Carolina says there is "an element of disrespect" in Trump's comment to journalist April Ryan. Ryan asked Trump during his press conference Thursday whether he planned to include the CBC in developing his agenda. The president responded by asking Ryan whether the CBC are "friends of yours" and remarking, "I tell you what, do you want to set up the meeting?" Clyburn says: "He's not going to ask any other reporter to do that for any other group, so why did he do that to her? I think that was pretty instructive to me." ___ 2:35 p.m. President Donald Trump says "nobody that I know of" on his campaign staff contacted Russian officials. Trump initially did not provide a straight yes or no answer on whether or not anyone on his staff had made those contacts. When pressed by reporters at a Thursday news conference, he said he wasn't aware of any. He repeatedly denied having links with Russia, a claim he deemed "fake news." Trump asked for the resignation of Michael Flynn after the national security adviser misled the vice president about his conversations with a Russian official. Flynn admitted that he discussed sanctions with the Russian ambassador to the U.S. Trump said Thursday that he did not order that conversation, but he "would have directed" him to have that conversation had he known. ___ 2:30 p.m. President Donald Trump says that "with heart" he'll deal with the policy to allow undocumented minors to stay temporarily in the U.S. The president made his comments Thursday at a White House press conference. DACA, which stands for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, allows young adults to get work permits and Social Security numbers and protects them from deportation. Ending DACA is part of the president's broader plan to crack down on illegal immigration, which was a cornerstone of his campaign. Trump says he'll focus his efforts on those in the country illegally who have criminal records. Trump says he needs to convince politicians that "what I am saying is right." He says he has the "best lawyers" working on the immigration policy now and the "new executive order is being tailored to the decision we got from the court." ___ 2:20 p.m. President Donald Trump says a new executive order on immigration will be tailored to the federal court decision that blocked implementation of his original order. The original order temporarily blocked travelers from seven Muslim-majority countries. It sparked protests nationwide and was put on hold by a federal court. A federal appeals court based in San Francisco last week upheld the lower court's decision. Trump has called the appellate ruling a "very bad decision" and the administration has been mulling its options since then. Trump says the new order is being tailored to satisfy the ruling from the San Francisco appeals court. He did not reveal any specifics of the new order, but says it will be issued next week. ___ 2:10 p.m. President Donald Trump says it makes sense for the U.S. to get along better with Russia because both are nuclear powers. The president said during a lengthy White House news conference that the risks of conflict with the country are enormous. Trump says, "We're a very powerful nuclear country, and so are they." He says he's been briefed on the issue and adds, "Nuclear holocaust would be like no other." Trump also says he won't forecast how he'll respond to provocations from Russia, North Korea or Iran. He says that's to maintain the element of surprise. ___ 2:10 p.m. President Donald Trump is defending the rocky rollout of his travel ban, which judges have put on hold while they weigh its legality. He calls the rollout "very smooth" and "perfect" but says it ran into "a bad court." Trump says he wanted to do the same order but have it take effect after a month or so, but he says he was advised by Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly not to do that because it would give people with bad intent time to flow into the country. He says, "That's why we did it quickly." Waiting, he says, "would have wasted a lot of time, and maybe a lot of lives." ___ 2 p.m. Senate Democrats are asking the White House and law enforcement agencies to preserve all materials related to contacts between Russians and individuals associated with President Donald Trump. The nine Democratic members of the Senate Judiciary Committee sent a letter Thursday to White House counsel Donald McGahn, and similar letters to the Justice Department and the FBI. The letters ask for confirmation the White House, FBI and Justice Department have instructed their employees to preserve all materials related to any contacts Trump's administration, campaign, transition team or anyone acting on their behalf have had with Russian government officials or its associates. ___ 2 p.m. President Donald Trump is staunchly denying that he has any contact or connections with Russia. Defending against accusations that he and certain members of his administration have close ties or contacts with the Russian government, Trump said, "I have nothing to do with Russia. I have no deals there. I don't know anything." He says Michael Flynn, his national security adviser who was fired this week after revelations that he discussed sanctions with a Russian diplomat, was just doing his job by contacting Russia. He says Flynn was asked to resign because he was dishonest about the details of the call with Vice President Mike Pence. But he adds, "I didn't direct him (to make the call), but I would have directed him because that was his job." ___ 1:30 p.m. President Donald Trump says his ousted national security adviser was "just doing his job." Trump is recounting why he asked Michael Flynn for his resignation. The president says at a news conference that he was "not happy" with how information about Flynn's phone call to a Russian diplomat was relayed to Vice President Mike Pence. But Trump says what Flynn did "wasn't wrong" and after that, Trump is calling attention to what he says is "classified information that was given illegally." Trump also says he's got someone good to replace Flynn, which made the decision to let him go easier. ___ 1:25 p.m. President Donald Trump claims his administration is running like "a fine-tuned machine." But evidence points to the contrary. Trump says at a White House news conference that he turns on the TV and opens the newspapers and sees "stories of chaos." He says the truth is that "it is the exact opposite." Trump says his administration "is running like a fine-tuned machine despite the fact that I can't get my Cabinet approved." Trump's comments come amid a period of apparent dysfunction at the White House marked by leaks, division and several high-profile exits. Just this week, his top national security aide and his pick for labor secretary were ousted. This story has been corrected to reflect in the item on Trump's comments about how his administration is running that the quote is 'the exact opposite,' not 'the exact opposition. ___ 1:20 p.m. President Donald Trump says his administration will release a new executive order on immigration next week to in his words "comprehensively protect our country." Trump's original order restricted immigration from seven Muslim-majority countries. It led to massive protests and was put on hold by a federal appeals court. Trump tweeted "SEE YOU IN COURT!" after that ruling. His administration said it would immediately appeal and either revise its original executive order or write a new one. But nearly a week has gone by without action from the White House. Trump isn't saying what the new order would do. ___ 1:05 p.m. President Donald Trump says he's chosen R. Alexander Acosta to be labor secretary a day after Trump's first nominee, fast-food executive Andrew Puzder, withdrew when he lost support among Republican senators. Trump says at a White House news conference that he believes Acosta will be "tremendous" in the Cabinet job. Acosta is dean of the Florida International University law school, has a law degree from Harvard and is a former member of the National Labor Relations Board. Puzder pulled out after it was revealed that he once employed a housekeeper who was not authorized to work in the U.S. ___ 1 p.m. President Donald Trump has met with one of his staunchest campaign opponents, financier Paul Singer. The president says at a news conference that Singer was at the White House on Thursday morning and is now "a very strong ally." Singer is a New York hedge fund manager who spends millions of dollars on political candidates and causes. He had been a crucial player in the "Never Trump" movement that tried to stop Trump's Republican candidacy. Here's what Trump thinks of Singer now: "He was a very strong opponent, and now he's a very strong ally." Singer has been wooing Trump since shortly after his election. Trump isn't saying what the two discussed Thursday, and a Singer representative isn't immediately replying to a request for comment. ___ 12:55 p.m. The "press is out of control." That's what President Donald Trump has said at a White House news conference. He says the "level of dishonesty is out of control," and he says he'll take his message "straight to the people." Trump's criticism of the media has grown amid reports that members of his administration had associations or communications with the Russian government. Trump says there is "distortion," but he hopes everyone can get along. But, he adds, "maybe we won't and that's OK." ___ 12:41 p.m. President Donald Trump is expected to name law school dean R. Alexander Acosta as his new choice for secretary of labor. A White House official says the announcement will come the day after Trump's original pick, Andrew Puzder, withdrew after it became clear he lacked enough Republican votes for Senate confirmation. The official isn't authorized to comment on an announcement that has not been made and spoke on condition of anonymity. Acosta has served on the National Labor Relations Board and as a federal prosecutor in Florida. Former President George W. Bush named him assistant attorney general for civil rights. Puzder withdrew on the eve of his confirmation hearing because Republicans balked at an array of personal and professional issues. Puzder said he had employed and belatedly paid taxes on a housekeeper not authorized to work in the United States. This story has been corrected to reflect that the announcement has not been made. ___ 12:30 p.m. The Trump administration has asked the co-founder of a New York-based equity fund to lead a review of the intelligence community. A senior White House official says Stephen Feinberg of Cerberus Capital Management has been asked to head a review of the various intelligence agencies and make recommendations on improvements. The official was not authorized to discuss private personnel matters and spoke on condition of anonymity. The official says that Feinberg's role is not official until he completes an ethics review. President Donald Trump has been highly critical of the intelligence community amid leaks that led to revelations about associations and conversations with Russia by some senior members of his staff. Trump on Tuesday tweeted, "The real scandal here is that classified information is illegally given out by "intelligence" like candy. Very un-American!" ___ 11:20 a.m. President Donald Trump plans a news conference about midday Thursday to announce his nominee for labor secretary "a star, great person," in his words. Trump's first pick for the job, fast food chain executive Andy Puzder, withdrew from consideration after it was revealed he employed a housekeeper who wasn't authorized to work in the U.S. Trump has blamed Senate Democrats for stalling or complicating the confirmation process of several of his Cabinet nominees. ___ 9:55 a.m. President Donald Trump is accusing Democrats of fabricating news reports about Russia because "they lost the election." The president tweeted Thursday, "The Democrats had to come up with a story as to why they lost the election, and so badly (306)," he wrote, citing the number of electoral votes he banked to win the general election. He continues, "so they made up a story - RUSSIA. Fake news!" Trump asked his national security adviser, retired Gen. Michael Flynn, to resign this week when it was revealed that Flynn had discussed sanctions with a Russian diplomat before Trump took office. U.S. intelligence agencies have also said the Russian government tampered with the presidential election in an attempt to help Trump win. ___ 7:05 a.m. A former Donald Trump associate and campaign official is blaming the bumpy start of the billionaire's presidency on mixed loyalties in the White House. Roger Stone declined to name names in an appearance on NBC's "Today" show Thursday, but he discussed "a division between those who are loyal to the president and those who are loyal to the Republican National Committee." When asked if he was referring to Reince Priebus (ryns PREE'-bus), who headed the RNC before joining Trump's team and becoming chief of staff in the West Wing, Stone demurred, indicating he didn't want to say who he was talking about. Stone says, "The leaking that is coming out of the White House is a manifestation of the fact" that some of the people Trump hired "are not loyal." He adds, "I think it's healthier to have people in the administration who share the president's vision of where he wants to take the country." ___ 7:05 a.m. President Donald Trump is warning "low-life leakers" of classified information that they will be caught. In a pair of tweets Thursday, Trump says, "Leaking, and even illegal classified leaking, has been a big problem in Washington for years. Failing @nytimes (and others) must apologize!" Trump writes, "the spotlight has finally been put on the low-life leakers! They will be caught!" Trump's national security adviser, retired Gen. Michael Flynn, resigned at Trump's urging this week after a series of reports revealed Flynn held addressed the issue of sanctions with a Russian diplomat before Trump was in office. On Wednesday, Trump said it was "really a sad thing that he was treated so badly." He tweeted Wednesday that "classified information is illegally given out by 'intelligence' like candy. Very un-American!" ' Good friends: Lena Dunham defends Taylor Swift for not speaking out about her political views: Christopher Polk/Getty Images for NARAS Lena Dunham has defended friend Taylor Swift for keeping quiet about Donald Trump's election. The Girls star, who was outspoken in her support for candidate Hillary Clinton during the US elections, has said that Swift shouldnt be criticised for not voicing her political opinions. In an interview with Rolling Stone, Dunham said that not everyone has to be a slave to public opinion. I just think everyone has to do it their way, she said. When I was lesser known, I was like, Who could not share their opinion? Then I found out that when you talk about politics, people straight up tweet you the floor plan of your house and say theyre coming. She continued: Shes been in the public eye since she was 15. I felt young when my career started and I was 23, 24. When I met her, she was newly 22, and she was a f****** seasoned pro at this stuff. Watching the way that she understands the vicissitudes of the cycle, and she just keeps making her work thats just really impressive to me. Thats how I hope to live my life, which is not as a slave to public opinion, but just as somebody who continues to make things. Dunham went on to say that Swift was an artist and had to concentrate on that rather than on anything else. Shes truly just an artist who has to make things to survive. I guess thats what we have most in common, she said. Swift is one of the only high-profile stars not to speak out against Trump in the wake of the election and has not disclosed who she voted for. Chinese technology giant Lenovo said it faced "sizeable challenges" Thursday as it saw profits plunge by more than two thirds. The Beijing-based company remains the world's largest PC maker, but has been trying to broaden its smartphone business as the market for personal computers fizzles. But it has struggled to keep pace with Apple and Android rivals. Shares in Lenovo Group were down more than five percent at HK$4.95 ($0.64) in early afternoon trading. Net profits fell by 67 percent year-on-year to US$98 million in the third quarter, the company said in a statement. That came in well short of analysts' estimates by Bloomberg which on average predicted profits of $145.9million. Revenues were also down six percent compared with a year earlier. "Lenovo faced sizeable challenges in its three main lines of business, namely data centre, mobile devices, and PCs and smart devices," the firm said. The company is battling as consumers opt for smartphones instead of PCs. Rising component prices are also weighing on profits. Sales of the firm's Moto and Lenovo branded phones slipped 23 percent year-on-year in the three months to December. Its data centre business, which includes servers, storage, software and services also took a 20 percent dive in sales compared with the previous year. However, Lenovo's PC and smart device business, which includes tablets, still saw sales gains of two percent year on year. That was spurred by strong growth in North America, the company said. US firms HP and Dell follow Lenovo as leaders in the global PC market. All three increased their share of the market in the final quarter of last year, according to industry trackers. Lenovo announced in January that it is launching a "Smart Assistant" which recognises user's voices to conduct tasks including web searches and playing music. The firm is also in talks over a potential merger with Japan's struggling PC maker Fujitsu. Public displays of affection aren't an easy thing for the LGBTQ community, even down to the simplest things such as holding hands. That's the subject of a heartfelt ad by an Australian bank ANZ, which consists of various couples "letting go" when encountering the looks of other people in public. SEE ALSO: This photo series proves trans people are more than their gender identity Encouraging them to keep holding hands even when it feels uncomfortable to do so, the ad has an accompanying hashtag, #HoldTight. And yes, while it might be just an ad, the campaign has inspired some people to do just that. This is absolutely beautiful, and something I think every single gay person can relate to. #HoldTight https://t.co/iUw34ilCza pic.twitter.com/NFYEB61G2X Calum McSwiggan (@CalumMcSwiggan) February 13, 2017 I'm not crying. This is every queer couple navigating holding hands in public. Bless you @ANZ_NZ Will try to #holdtight this Valentine's Day https://t.co/qqq1IjAW9n Yvette Walker (@ywalkerwriter) February 9, 2017 I've been advocating for LGBT rights for a few years & still feel conscious holding my boyfriend's hand. Next time I'm going to #HoldTight pic.twitter.com/VzPtdxDOGi Craig Dwyer (@DwyerCraig) February 12, 2017 "This highlights the daily pressures that the LGBTIQ community faces," Terese Casu, Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras CEO, said in a statement. Story continues "It's a simple and loving gesture to hold your partner's hand, however for fear of discrimination, and experiences in violence and abuse the reality is that many in the community still don't feel safe. We love the awareness that ANZ is raising about this issue for the community." The bank has long shown its support for the LGBTQ community, with its rebranded GAYTM automatic teller machines and glammed-up branches during Sydney's Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. But the bank's also been accused of pinkwashing in previous years, with some community members saying they "cash in" on the rising support for marriage equality and LGBTQ rights. Portugal unveiled plans Wednesday for a second international airport for Lisbon to cope with record numbers of visitors, some driven away from other Mediterranean sun spots by security fears. Infrastructure Minister Pedro Marques said the little-used Montijo military air base would be modified for commercial traffic because the capital's sole international airport was nearing capacity. The new airport should be operational by 2021, easing pressure on Humberto Delgado airport, Portugal's main gateway which welcomed a record 22.4 million passengers last year, 11.7 percent up on 2015. "The year 2016 was the best year ever for tourism in Portugal and 2017 will be even better," Marques told a news conference at Lisbon airport. Portugal welcomed 11.4 million foreign tourists last year, a sixth straight record year as security fears lure visitors away from rival sunshine destinations in the Mediterranean and Middle East. Tunisia, Turkey and Egypt have notably been hit by attacks in recent years which have rattled tourists. Work on the new Lisbon airport, which will focus on low-cost and medium-haul flights, is expected to begin in 2019. Passengers arriving at the airport in Montijo will have to travel 13 kilometres (8 miles) by ferry or 30 kilometres (20 miles) by road into Lisbon. Portugal, a nation of 10.4 million people, depends heavily on tourism, which accounts for around 10 percent of the country's gross domestic product. In 2010 the then Socialist government suspended several major public works projects, including a new Lisbon airport as the country grappled with a debt crisis. The Portuguese economy has posted modest growth since the country emerged from a punishing three-year 78-billion-euro EU/IMF bailout in 2014. An image of a woman wearing a white t-shirt with 'LOL' written on it has been seen around the globe this week, after Malaysian authorities named the woman as a suspect in the killing of Kim Jong-nam, half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il. Opportunistic retailers have been hoping to profit from the picture, the South China Morning Post reports, by producing their own version of the t-shirt to sell online. According to the SCMP, the clothing item appeared for sale on Taobao, China's largest online shopping platform run by Alibaba Group. It was priced at 6,324 yuan - approximately 740 - and was listed with the description same Tee worn by North Korean female spy. The item is no longer listed for sale on the site, having apparently been removed from sale after going viral. The woman in the t-shirt is reportedly in her 20s, and had Vietnamese travel documents when she was arrested. Kim Jong-nam, 45, died on Monday after collapsing at Kuala Lumpur International Airport while waiting to board a flight back to Macau, where he was living in exile. There are two female suspects and four male, police sources told the Telegraph. "One of the girls was told to hold a handkerchief on the face of the victim after he'd been sprayed by the other girl," an unnamed senior police officer said. "She held it there for 10 seconds. She said she thought spraying him had been a 'prank'." Kim Jong-nam, half-brother of Kim Jong-un, in pictures Kim Jong-un | A history of executions - family, allies and rivals An artists conception shows Planet X, a.k.a. Planet Nine. (Carnegie Institution / Robin Dienel) Citizen scientists can join an online hunt for icy worlds, brown dwarfs and other yet-to-be-discovered objects beyond the orbit of Neptune, using a technique thats not all that different from the method that led to Plutos discovery 87 years ago. Backyard Worlds: Planet 9 could even lead to the discovery of a super-Earth that may (or may not) be hidden on the solar systems far frontier. The icy world known as Planet Nine or Planet X is only theoretical for now, but its existence would explain some of the puzzles surrounding the weird orbits of some far-out objects. The Backyard Worlds website offers up millions of mini-movies that incorporate infrared imagery from NASAs Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE. The movies show the same patch of sky at different times, going back and forth like a flipbook. The project involves getting volunteers to watch the movies and look for telltale changes in the positions of points of light between one view and the other. Promising prospects are flagged for a follow-up look by professional astronomers. Back in 1930, Lowell Observatory astronomer Clyde Tombaugh used a contraption known as a blink comparator to flip between photographic plates. The desk-sized device helped him spot a dot that turned out to be the dwarf planet Pluto. Today, computers conduct similar analyses of images much more quickly to identify dwarf planets, asteroids and the failed stars known as brown dwarfs. But sometimes the software gets tripped up by image artifacts, and sometimes human vision can pick up on the patterns that computers miss. The organizers of Backyard Worlds are counting on that human factor. There are just over four light-years between Neptune and Proxima Centauri, the nearest star, and much of this vast territory is unexplored, the projects lead researcher, Marc Kuchner of NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center, said in a news release. Because theres so little sunlight, even large objects in that region barely shine in visible light. But by looking in the infrared, WISE may have imaged objects we otherwise would have missed. Story continues Participants will win a share of the credit in any scientific discoveries that the project brings to light. Backyard Worlds: Planet 9 has the potential to unlock once-in-a-century discoveries, and its exciting to think they could be spotted first by a citizen scientist, Berkeley team member Aaron Meisner said in todays news release. The project is a collaboration involving NASA, the University of California at Berkeley, the American Museum of Natural History in New York, Arizona State University, the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, and Zooniverse. Are far-out planets not your thing? Theres more to choose from: Zooniverse has pioneered lots of other online citizen science projects over the years, including Galaxy Zoo, Ancient Lives and Fossil Finder. More from GeekWire: Among the perks of having a commercial photographer as your dad: the chance to model in photoshoots styled after your all-time favorite movie. For 3-year-old Nellee, that meant donning a tiny golden gown to channel Belle of Beauty and the Beast for a photo series shot and edited entirely by her dad, Josh Rossi. SEE ALSO: The extended 'Beauty and the Beast' trailer we've been waiting for is here Image: john rossi Over the course of one month, Rossi planned, shot and edited the homage to the Disney fairytale, blending scenic imagery he shot in Europe with shots of his daughter taken back home. He and his wife even commissioned luxury costume designer Ella Dynae to create dresses for the series. And although Rossi photographed the series himself, planning the series was very much a family project. His wife Roxana booked all of the European shooting locations ahead of time and secured the costumes, among other shoot details. "Usually we are just playing games our kids like. This time we play a game we both truly love, which is taking magical pictures together," he wrote via email. "I honestly hope that dads will get inspired to spend more time with their daughters and find something they can do together to connect." Image: john rossi Image: john rossi Image: john rossi By Joseph Sipalan and Liz Lee KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysian police made a third arrest on Thursday in their hunt for the people involved in the murder of the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The third person, whose nationality was not disclosed, was the friend of an Indonesian woman who was detained earlier in the day in connection with the killing of Kim Jong Nam at the airport in the Malaysian capital on Monday, police said. "He was detained to facilitate investigations as he is the boyfriend of the second suspect," said Abu Samah Mat, the police chief in Selangor state, told Reuters. (For a graphic on North Korea's Kim family tree click: http://fingfx.thomsonreuters.com/gfx/rngs/NORTHKOREA-MALAYSIA-KIM/010031W648V/NORTHKOREA-MALAYSIA-KIM-01.jpg) The Indonesian woman was remanded in custody for seven days along with another woman, who held a Vietnamese travel document, who was caught trying to leave the country through the budget airline terminal of Kuala Lumpur airport on Wednesday, the Bernama state news agency reported. Kim Jong Nam, 46, was assaulted at the same airport on Monday with what was believed to be a fast-acting poison as he was about to leave on a flight to Macau. He sought help, collapsed and died on his way to hospital. Lawmakers in South Korea earlier cited their spy agency as saying it suspected two female North Korean agents had murdered Kim. U.S. government sources also said they believed North Korean assassins were responsible. Kim Jong Nam had spoken out publicly against his family's dynastic control of the isolated, nuclear-armed state, and he had also expressed fears for this safety. South Korea's intelligence agency told lawmakers in Seoul that the young, unpredictable North Korean leader had issued a "standing order" for his elder half-brother's assassination, and that there had been a failed attempt in 2012. North Korean agents have killed rivals abroad before. The Indonesian woman was alone when she was apprehended, police said. Her passport bore the name Siti Aishah, and gave her date of birth as Feb. 11, 1992, and place of birth as Serang, Indonesia. The Indonesian foreign ministry said it had requested consular access to the woman. The first suspect detained had travel documents in the name of Doan Thi Huong, with a birth date of May 1988 and birthplace of Nam Dinh, Vietnam. 'NO REASON TO KILL' North Korea has made no public reference to Kim Jong Nam's death, and calls to the embassy in Malaysia were unanswered. But a source in Beijing with ties to both the North Korean and Chinese governments told Reuters that North Korea was not involved in his killing, and had no motive. "Kim Jong Nam has nothing to do with (North) Korea," the source said. "There is no reason for (North) Korea to kill him." "(North) Korea is investigating," the source said when asked why there has been no publicly denied involvement, adding that North Korea wanted the body returned. There was also no mention of Kim Jong Nam's death in North Korean state media, as of early Thursday. At midnight on Wednesday, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun to mark the birthday of his father, the late leader Kim Jong Il, who died in 2011. The late leader was also the father of Kim Jong Nam. The two had different mothers. Malaysian police said Kim had been at the airport to catch a flight to Macau on Monday when someone grabbed or held his face from behind, after which he felt dizzy and sought help at an information desk. "The cause of death is strongly suspected to be a poisoning attack," said South Korean lawmaker Kim Byung-kee, who was briefed by his country's spy agency. Malaysian authorities rebuffed North Korean officials' efforts to stop an autopsy being carried out on Kim, three Malaysian government sources familiar with the stand-off told Reuters. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, a Malaysian government leader said he believed the police had received a request from North Korean officials for the body, and it could be eventually released to the North Korean embassy. "After all the police and medical procedures are completed, we may release the body to the next of kin through the embassy," Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said. According to South Korea's spy agency, Kim had been living with his second wife, under Beijing's protection, in the Chinese territory of Macau, South Korean lawmakers said. One of them said Kim also had a wife and son in Beijing. In Beijing, a foreign ministry spokesman said on Wednesday China was aware of reports of the murder and was closely following developments. (Additional reporting by A.Ananthalakshmi in KUALA LUMPUR and Benjamin Lim in BEIJING; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore, Robert Birsel) KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysian police said the second female suspect detained on Thursday in connection with the killing of the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was carrying an Indonesian passport. She was positively identified from the CCTV footage at the Kuala Lumpur airport, the police said in a statement, adding that the arrest was made at 0200 local time on Thursday. Malaysian police on Wednesday detained a woman holding Vietnam travel papers and said they were looking for a "few" other foreign suspects in connection with the apparent assassination of Kim Jong Nam at the Kuala Lumpur airport. (Reporting by A. Ananthalakshmi; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore) CLINTON, Tenn. (AP) A 65-year-old man who plowed his pickup through a crowded parking lot in Tennessee, killing one man and injuring several others, has been convicted by an Anderson County Jury. The Knoxville News Sentinel reports (http://bit.ly/2lQVbJJ ) that jurors found Lee Cromwell guilty Wednesday of vehicular homicide for killing 37-year-old James Robinson. Robinson was killed trying to push his two daughters out of the way of Cromwell's Dodge Ram after a Fourth of July fireworks display in Oak Ridge in 2015. Cromwell also was convicted of eight counts of aggravated assault for hitting or hurting other people. Cromwell's attorney argued that his truck's gas pedal got jammed or he suffered from a momentary bout of confusion or both. A prosecutor said several witnesses saw Cromwell stop, rev the engine and back up again. ___ Information from: Knoxville News Sentinel, http://www.knoxnews.com (Reuters) - Going deep into the latter stages of the Europa League will only add to Manchester United's concerns about a hectic schedule but manager Jose Mourinho says his side must keep all their options open to get into next season's Champions League. United have already had one Premier League game, an away trip to Manchester City, postponed after they reached the final of the League Cup and their schedule could see further disruption depending on their FA Cup and Europa League progress. "The accumulation of FA Cup and League Cup and the match postponement make it really hard for us," Mourinho told British media. "If we progress in the competitions we will be in trouble in May." Mourinho's side resume their Europa League campaign against St Etienne in the first leg of their round-of-32 clash on Thursday. "It will be difficult but we don't throw away competitions." he said, adding that the automatic Champions League berth reserved for winners of the Europa League was a huge reason to give the competition their all. "We prefer difficult and progressing to easy and being out of the competition. The plus is it is another opportunity to qualify for the Champions League. We have two doors still open. "One is the Europa League but we know we are in the last 32, not even the last eight or four, so there is a long way to go. In the Premier League the door is also open but we still have a long way to go." (Reporting by Shravanth Vijayakumar in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford) Jim Mattis delivered the goods at his first NATO defense ministerial as Secretary of Defense. There was a bit of whiplash during the first day as Mattis went from a reassuring public statement to a statement behind closed doors warning that the Untied States may moderate our commitment to NATO. The public statement wasnt bad in fact, it was sober-minded, practical, plain spoken, almost lyrical in parts (as far as NATO statements go). It was also replete with references to historical touch points that are crucial to understanding the value of NATO, which Mattis clearly does. If you needed reassurance that Mattis not just knows NATO but feels it, you got that in his statement. But what about this moderate our commitment bit? It was pretty clearly an ultimatum, though it was more nuanced if you read it in context. Mattis goes one step further than his predecessor Bob Gates did in his famous 2013 Brussels speech, which warned of a dark and dismal future for NATO if Americas allies didnt do more. Essentially, Mattis said the politically untenable situation that Gates warned about had now arrived in Washington in the form of Donald Trump. It was intended as a motivational speech: Everyone pull up your socks or else. Its just that the or else part is still vague. Once youve drawn a red (or at least pink) line of this sort, its hard to walk it back. Some NATO allies will never reach the military spending target of 2 percent and few, if any, allies will show much progress by the end of the year. What then? Will the United States pull the trigger and moderate our commitment and what would that even mean? Were likely to face this awkward situation in the year ahead and we wont have the luxury of being able to walk away from it, at least not without gaining a reputation as a paper tiger. We would have more flexibility if Mattis had vowed to moderate Americas participation in NATO rather then our commitment. Messing with our commitment to NATO means weakening Article 5 of the organizational treaty, which I dont think Mattis intends, whatever Donald Trump might have in mind. Moderating our participation would have opened up options such as reducing our common funding contribution or something else that doesnt weaken our commitment to Article 5. Story continues Perhaps theres some wiggle room in defining fair share after all, sometimes its not how much you spend but what you spend it on and how willing you are to use it that counts. But either way we have crossed the Rubicon American commitment to NATO is on the table. Mattiss warning of consequences will force U.S. allies to ask themselves a lot of questions; if they feel threatened, it may even cause some blowback. Threatening consequences may work with 5 year olds; sovereign states, not so much. Whats clear is that the Trump administration will now have to follow through when it becomes apparent most Allies wont meet the 2 percent any time soon. Whether anyone has thought through what we will when our allies dont measure up is another question. Photo credit: EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images By Luke Baker and Matt Spetalnick WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump on Wednesday dropped a U.S. commitment to a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the longstanding bedrock of Washington's Middle East policy, even as he urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to curb settlement construction. In the first face-to-face meeting between the two leaders since Trumps victory in the 2016 election, the Republican president backed away from a U.S. embrace of the eventual creation of a Palestinian state, upending a position taken by successive administrations and the international community. "I'm looking at two states and one state, and I like the one both parties like," Trump told a joint news conference with Netanyahu. "I can live with either one." Trump vowed to work toward a peace deal between Israel and Palestinians but said it would require compromise on both sides, leaving it up to the parties themselves ultimately to decide on the terms of any agreement. But he offered no new prescription for achieving an accord that has eluded so many of his predecessors, and Palestinian anger over his abandonment of their goal of statehood could scrap any chance of coaxing them back to the negotiating table. Dropping a bombshell on Netanyahu as they faced reporters just before sitting down for talks, Trump told him: I'd like to see you hold back on settlements for a little bit. The right-wing Israeli leader appeared momentarily startled. It was a rare concession sought by Trump as the two leaders tried to set a new positive tone after eight years of friction under Trump's Democratic predecessor, President Barack Obama. Netanyahu insisted that Jewish settlements were not the core of the conflict and made no public commitment to reduce settlement building in the occupied West Bank. He later told reporters traveling with him that he hoped to "reach an understanding" with Trump on settlements. Trump echoed Netanyahus calls for Palestinians to recognize Israel as a Jewish state something they have refused to do and to halt incitement against Israelis. But even as Trump promised to pursue peace, saying "it might be a bigger and better deal than people in this room even understand," he made no effort to address the deep distrust and other obstacles that have prevented any substantive negotiations since 2014. Setting an initially chummy tone, Trump greeted Netanyahu on a red carpet rolled out to the White House driveway. The two leaders smiled, shook hands and chatted amiably before heading inside, accompanied by first lady Melania Trump and Netanyahus wife, Sara. Among the questions that figured prominently on the agenda was the future of the two-state solution the idea of creating a Palestine living peacefully alongside Israel. Foreshadowing Trumps policy shift, a senior White House official said on Tuesday that peace did not necessarily have to entail Palestinian statehood. Palestinians responded by warning Trump that such a move would seriously damage U.S. credibility. Giving a meandering response to a question on the issue, Trump suggested that he could abide by whatever path the two sides decided. "I'm happy with the one they like the best," he said. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas seized on Trump's settlements comment to demand a complete halt to such building - which Palestinians see as meant to deny them a viable state - and said he remained committed to "the two-state solution and to international law." United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned against abandoning the idea of a sovereign Palestinian state alongside Israel, saying there was "no alternative." Netanyahu committed, with conditions, to the two-state goal in a speech in 2009 and has broadly reiterated the aim since. But he has also spoken of a "state minus" option, suggesting he could offer the Palestinians deep-seated autonomy and the trappings of statehood without full sovereignty. At the news conference, he never ruled out a two-state solution, but also made it sound like an almost impossible ideal. He said it would require preconditions, including the Palestinians recognition of Israel as a Jewish state and Israel's retaining security control "in the area west of the Jordan River" - which would encompass all of the West Bank. Netanyahu and Trump shared several warm handshakes during the news conference, especially after Trumps opening remarks, when he said the United States was Israels greatest friend. But Trump also managed to catch Netanyahu off guard, at one point saying that if a solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict was going to be reached both sides will have to make compromises. The president then turned to Netanyahu and said: You know that, right? Netanyahu replied with a chuckle, Both sides. The two leaders agreed that there was an opening for enlisting Israel's Arab neighbors - which share its concerns about Iran - into any future peace efforts. But a retreat from the principle of Palestinian statehood would cast doubt on the chances for cooperation from the broader Arab world. "A NAIL IN THE COFFIN" Martin Indyk, a former Middle East negotiator under Obama and now at the Brookings Institution think tank in Washington, said of the possibility that Washington might ditch its support for an independent Palestinian nation, "Its another nail in the coffin of the peace process, which already had a lot of nails in it." The one-state idea would be deeply problematic for both sides. One concept would be two systems for two peoples, which Palestinians would see as apartheid. Another version would mean equal rights for all, including for Palestinians in an annexed West Bank, but that would compromise Israels Jewish character. Palestinians have expressed fear that their leadership will be frozen out by Netanyahu's close bond with Trump. But CIA director Mike Pompeo met Abbas in Ramallah on Tuesday, U.S. and Palestinian officials said. For Netanyahu, the talks with Trump are an opportunity to reset ties after a frequently combative relationship with Obama. The prime minister, under investigation at home over allegations of abuse of office, wanted no visible gaps between U.S. and Israeli thinking during his visit. Trump, who has been in office less than four weeks and whose foreign policy apparatus is in disarray following the forced resignation of his national security adviser Michael Flynn, brings with him an unpredictability that Netanyahu's staff hoped would not impinge on the discussions. The two leaders, who seemed to strike up an emerging bromance in social media exchanges since the U.S. election, sought to demonstrate good personal chemistry face-to-face as well. Meetings with Obama were at best cordial and businesslike, at worst tense and awkward. In one Oval Office encounter in 2011, Obama grimaced as Netanyahu lectured him in front of the cameras on the suffering of the Jewish people through the ages. (Additional reporting by Steve Holland, Arshad Mohammed, Ayesha Rascoe and Doina Chiacu in Washington, Ali Sawafta in Ramallah, and NidaMaayan Lubell and Jeffrey Heller in Jerusalem; Editing by Mark Trevelyan, Howard Goller and Leslie Adler) Berlin (AFP) - Chancellor Angela Merkel testified Thursday that she was surprised to learn almost two years ago that Germany's BND foreign intelligence service was spying on targets in allied nations. "I assumed that the BND does not engage in such activities," Merkel told a parliamentary enquiry into the surveillance practises of the US National Security Agency (NSA) and its German partners. "It's a waste of effort and energy," Merkel said about covert intelligence activities against friendly nations. The panel has for three years looked into revelations since 2013 by fugitive US intelligence leaker Edward Snowden that the NSA was conducting massive Internet and phone data sweeps, including in Germany. Of particular interest was the revelation that the NSA had long tapped Merkel's mobile phone, which strained Washington-Berlin ties at the time, leading Merkel to declare that spying between allies "just isn't on". But the scandal widened in March 2015 with reports that the BND had helped the NSA eavesdrop on EU targets including the French presidency and foreign ministry as well as the European Commission. Merkel said in her testimony that at the time she had voiced her public complaint to Washington, "I had no reason to believe that this was not being observed by the BND." She said there had been "technical and organisational deficits" within the BND, which reports directly to the chancellery. Merkel also reiterated her position that a democratic country needs to strike "the right balance" between security and privacy protection. She said she expected continued US-German intelligence cooperation under President Donald Trump, adding that this was "in our own interest". Last year Germany approved new measures to rein in the activities of its foreign intelligence agency after the scandal over improper collusion with the US National Security Agency. An undocumented immigrant from Mexico is seeking to avoid deportation by taking shelter in a Denver church Wednesday, according to reports. The immigrant, Jeanette Vizguerra, avoided a scheduled meeting with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials after the agency declined her request to remain in the country. ICE spokesman Shawn Neudauer said Vizguerra was an "enforcement priority" as she had two misdemeanor convictions. Jeanette Vizguerra-Ramirez, from Mexico, has two misdemeanor convictions. On Nov. 18, 2011, a federal immigration judge originally issued her final orders of deportation to Mexico. Based on these factors, Vizguerra-Ramirez is an ICE enforcement priority. Ms. Vizguerra-Ramirezs request for another Stay of Removal was denied Feb. 15, 2017 by the ICE Denver Field Office, Neudauer told CBS4, a local CBS affiliate. Hans Meyer, the womans attorney, said Vizguerra who is seeking a U visa was given several extensions under Barack Obamas administration because authorities realized it would take a few more years for her to get the visa. She has an active application for U visa, which is sometimes given to violent crime victims and their family members if they agree to work with authorities in the investigation and prosecution of the crime against them, the Denver Channel reported. "This is a big, huge red flare that the [Donald] Trump administration has plans to deport as many people as possible," Meyer said, without giving details about the crime in which Vizguerra was a victim. Vizguerra addressed her supporters through the church. She said she was previously taken into custody for not having a drivers license or current vehicle registration. Authorities have also found that she had a fake identity document, which according to Vizguerra had a Social Security number made up of digits from her birth date. This is not just an attack on me, its an attack on the entire immigrant community, she reportedly said. The only thing that Ive done is use false documents to put food on the table of my family. Story continues Vizguerras case is the latest in the ICE raids and deportation after President Donald Trump signed an executive order to deport any undocumented immigrant who has a criminal record. This move has been met with strong opposition from people with protests across the U.S. Earlier this month, ICE authorities deported Guadalupe Garcia de Rayos a Phoenix, Arizona, woman after she went for a routine immigration check at a local ICE office. In 2008, she was arrested for impersonation, following a raid by Maricopa County Sheriff's Office and was charged with a felony. However, her attorneys said her original arrest and charges were unconstitutional. Related Articles More than a dozen West Salem Middle School students spent four days learning about wildlife conservation and natural resources in Eagle River, Wis., last month. The trip to the northeastern part of the state is part of an annual pilgrimage led by middle school science teacher Brian Baker to Trees for Tomorrow, a camp that offers natural resources education for visitors of all ages. At the camp, students learned leadership skills while experiencing science first hand. Later this month these students will be tasked with teaching their peers the same lessons they learned during a class trip to the school forest. It was a great trip, Baker said and added it is a great opportunity for students to get out of the classroom and experience nature first hand. The trip draws quite a bit of attention each year. Baker said more than 30 students applied to take part in the four-day-long trip to northern Wisconsin. Among them was 13-year-old Nels Lebakken who said students had to write an essay in response to two writing prompts. The students were then selected by their teachers to go on the trip. I thought it would be an experience that would be fun to teach to other, he said. I like being in the captains role. On the trip, students learned about a variety of topics including plant and wildlife identification, the adaptations animals undergo each winter and applying field science skills. Before students arrived in Eagle River, they got their first lesson about the night sky during a brief stop at the University of Wisconsin-Stout Planetarium. Baker said this lesson later served them well during an evening snowshoe hike. Students were able to look up and identify the planets Mars and Venus as well as several constellations while snowshoeing. Many of the lessons students learned while at Trees for Tomorrow were taught while on these hiking trips. Lebakken said they learned to cross country ski, snowshoe, as well as how animals adapt to the winter and how to identify several plant species including the Balsam Fir tree. If you eat its needles it tastes kind of like Christmas, he said. For 12-year-old Isaac Olson, learning about the trees native to Northern Wisconsin and the wolves that frequent the forests there were the highlights of the trip. Lebakken said by far his favorite lesson was on the wolves. Thirteen-year-old Machaela Antoney said she enjoyed learning about different species of trees. We learned how to figure out what kind of species they are, she said. Her favorite part of the trip, however, was learning to cross country ski. Shed downhill skied before but had never tried cross country. Baker said he was pleased with the trip and felt it was a positive experience that would stick with students long after they had completed the course. Students will have the opportunity to return to Trees for Tomorrow as sophomores. By Keith Coffman DENVER (Reuters) - A Mexican mother of four who has lived in the United States for 20 years took sanctuary in a Denver church on Wednesday to avoid being deported amid a crackdown on illegal immigrants by federal authorities, her attorney said. Jeanette Vizguerra, 44, sought refuge in the First Unitarian Society church after U.S. Immigration and Enforcement (ICE) officials denied her request for a "stay of removal" on Wednesday, immigration lawyer Hans Meyer said by telephone. Meyer said his client sought to avoid the fate of Guadalupe Garcia de Rayos, an Arizona woman and mother of two deported last week to her native Mexico, leaving her husband and American-born children in the United States. That case drew widespread condemnation from advocates for undocumented immigrants. Vizguerras three youngest children, aged 6, 10 and 12, were all born in the United States, and her oldest daughter, a Mexican national, is an adult who lives in the United States and has a work permit under the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Vizguerra had received five previous stays because she was the victim of an unspecified violent crime and has a pending visa application, Meyer said in the telephone interview. She was convicted of two misdemeanors, one for using falsified documents and another for illegally re-entering the United States after attending her mothers funeral in Mexico, he said. Her latest request for a stay was filed with ICE in December, after the election of Donald Trump, who pledged during the presidential campaign to get tough on illegal immigration. "The impression was that since there was a new sheriff in town, ICE was waiting to see what the new rules were going to be," Meyer said. An immigration judge ordered Vizguerras deportation in 2011 because of two criminal convictions, Carl Rusnok, a spokesman for ICE, said in a statement. "Based on these factors, Vizguerra-Ramirez is an ICE enforcement priority," Rusnok said, adding that stays are typically granted to allow a person to prepare to leave the United States. Story continues Several Democratic politicians in Colorado have voiced support for Vizguerra. The case is a "result of a broken immigration system a system made worse by the chaotic actions of the White House and ICE," said Denver Mayor Michael Hancock. "Jeanette is not a threat to the community and is someone who has persistently pursued legal status through the proper channels," Hancock said in a statement. (Editing by Clarence Fernandez) MEXICO CITY (AP) Mexico's nominee to be its next ambassador to the United States said Thursday that the two countries' relationship is at a "critical" juncture with the new administration of President Donald Trump. Ahead of high-level talks scheduled for next week in Mexico City, ambassador-in-waiting Geronimo Gutierrez Fernandez said Mexico must pursue a good relationship with Washington but that should not come "at all costs nor under just any conditions," or in a way that is "to the detriment of national interest." "The relationship between Mexico and the United States and more specifically between their governments is at a critical point," Gutierrez said. "In my judgment there is a possibility of a major derailment. In my judgment there is also, and it is within reach, the opportunity to construct a far more mature relationship." Gutierrez's remarks came in a private meeting with senators from the opposition Democratic Revolution Party as the Senate prepares to consider his nomination. A recording of the encounter was provided to The Associated Press by a Senate official who was not authorized to release the audio and agreed to so only if granted anonymity. Relations between Mexico and the United States have been tense since the election and inauguration of Trump, who has vowed to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement and to build a wall along the countries' shared border and force Mexico to pay for it. Mexico has also bristled at Trump's promises of more aggressive deportation policies and past remarks denigrating migrants who enter the United States illegally. A planned recent visit to Washington by Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto was canceled after Mexico's government said it wouldn't abide Trump's demand that it pay for the wall. Gutierrez said Thursday that relations are currently in "an atypical and extraordinary situation," and he sought to highlight how U.S.-Mexico ties have evolved and improved in recent decades. Story continues "Without a doubt it is in the interest of both countries to build a relationship that is of mutual advantage, that is stable, that is lasting," Gutierrez said. "I think naturally there will be many questions about what is the best way to achieve that, particularly under the current conditions." Gutierrez, the chief of the North American Development Bank, was nominated Jan. 13. If confirmed he will be the fourth ambassador to Washington appointed by Pena Nieto during his 4-year-old administration. He outlined a five-point plan for Mexico's embassy in Washington: playing a key role in bilateral negotiations; launching an "unprecedented" public diplomacy effort; working closely with the U.S. Congress and state and local governments; consular protection for Mexicans in the United States; and management of the border relationship. "It would be delusional to consider or present ... a traditional agenda for an ambassador because I am not going in the event that I am ratified under normal conditions," Gutierrez said. "On the contrary, there are extraordinary conditions." U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly are expected in Mexico City on Feb. 23 for meetings with Mexican officials. Mexico's Foreign Relations Department said this week that the talks aim to promote a respectful, close relationship between the two governments. ___ Peter Orsi on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Peter_Orsi Michael Anton, center, at a White House news briefing Feb. 1. At left are Michael Flynn and K.T. McFarland. (Photo: Carolyn Kaster/AP) WASHINGTON Sitting in a small office in the West Wing last Friday, White House senior national security staffer Michael Anton lamented that he wants to remain behind the scenes. I dont want to be famous, Anton said, his expression dripping with contempt. However, in the first three weeks of President Trumps administration, Antons presence in the White House has already garnered a significant amount of interest. And Anton is likely to get even more attention in the wake of the sudden resignation of Trumps national security adviser, Michael Flynn. Anton has been working as something of a one-man band in the White House handling communications for national security matters. One White House source described Anton as an invaluable member of the small national security team that just lost its chief and is now in the midst of intense scrutiny. The spotlight is definitely on this office, Anton said in a phone call Wednesday night. Though hes highly visible and widely seen as something of an intellectual godfather to Trumps ideology, Anton says he has a fairly limited role in the White House. According to him, his day-to-day business involves managing national security press and some input on speechwriting. And Antons official work is far from the only thing worth talking to him about. Hes a Renaissance man who has developed a following as an expert on bespoke menswear. From 2009-2010, Anton told Yahoo News, he worked in the kitchen of LEcole, a now defunct Michelin-recommended French restaurant in Manhattan that was operated by the International Culinary Center cooking school. He has 600 bottles of wine in his personal collection and makes meals at home with Japanese chefs knives that he sharpens by hand. Michael Anton is the most interesting man in the White House. He has previously worked for some of the biggest names in conservative politics. Anton served as a special assistant for national security affairs for President George W. Bush, was a deputy foreign policy adviser on former New York City Mayor Rudy Giulianis 2008 presidential campaign and worked as a speechwriter for Fox News media mogul Rupert Murdoch. Anton says he was introduced into the orbit of Trumps Oval Office by a number of people, including Silicon Valley billionaire Peter Thiel. Story continues On Feb. 2, the Weekly Standard outed Anton as the man who published a series of essays under the pseudonym Publius Decius Mus during the presidential campaign. These pieces of writing drew upon Antons experience analyzing political philosophy in peer-reviewed journals and, even before his identity was known, made him stand out as one of the few authors making an intellectual argument for Trump. Some consider him a key architect of the emerging ideology of Trump. Anton even claims credit for coining the term Trumpism. Although there are other, earlier citations, he certainly popularized and helped define it. Surprisingly, the man dubbed as author of the source code for the administration hails from the liberal stronghold of Northern California. Despite his Golden State roots, Anton has an academic lineage that traces back to the founder of the conservative movement, Barry Goldwater. Anton boasts a pair of masters degrees, including one in political science from the Claremont Graduate University. At that school, Anton says the late Harry Jaffa became his great teacher. Jaffa was an adviser on Goldwaters 1964 presidential campaign and crafted a pair of lines that led to the candidate being defined as a firebrand: I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice. And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue. Jaffa was a student of the professor Leo Strauss and, after his mentors death, he became the founding figure of the school of thought known in academic circles as West Coast Straussianism. Anton has credited Jaffa with teaching him the Straussian method and ideals, which involve close reading of the landmark texts in political philosophy and a strong belief in patriotic pride and American exceptionalism. Anton describes his personal view of government as being interchangeable with the West Cost Straussian school. He characterizes it as a philosophy where the founding fathers and President Abraham Lincoln are revered for having crafted an almost ideal government that acknowledged a fixed human nature and moral order. Anton points to what he describes as Lincolns view of the centrality of the Declaration of Independence to properly interpreting the Constitution. For the Straussians, Anton says this means the founders created a perfect framework that was updated based on an understanding of the moral code embedded in the original documents, and Straussianism argues that lawmakers should all be following a universal idea of morality. Its a philosophy that critics call authoritarian. The good is higher than and supercedes the law, Anton explained. A wise legislator makes the law with an eye to the good. Armed with these Straussian tools, as Decius, Anton crafted an eloquent ideology to undergird Trumps punchy slogans, America First and Make America Great Again. I dont think Trump is a perfect representation of West Coast Straussianism, but I think official conservatism got so far from certain core tenets of the founders, and Lincolns vision, and the ancients vision for that matter, and Trump came along and was a really bracing and kind of exhilarating corrective to that, said Anton. Anton points to trade and immigration as areas where mainstream conservatives strayed and Trump is righting the ship. As his teacher once did for Goldwater, Anton articulated justifications for some of the more extreme elements of Trumps platform. The Decius essays Anton published during the campaign argued that America is facing an existential threat from moral degradation of its core traditional values and from the detrimental cultural and economic effects of unrestricted immigration. Decius cast the election as a choice between Trumps desire to restrict immigration and certain doom. He argued that Islam is incompatible with the modern West and suggested Trump was right to call for blocking migrants from the Middle East even though Americas ruling and intellectual classes believe in what he described as the sacredness of mass immigration. For Anton, orthodox Islams conflict with the values of Western society is a point of fact. He argues that, historically, in orthodox Islam it does not recognize any distinction between civil and religious law, or as we would put it, separation of church and state. That is incompatible with Western modernity, period, end of story. Im not saying that no individual Muslim can accept the distinction between the civil and the religious law. Im just saying that the faith itself does not accept that fact, Anton said. In his Decius essays, Anton also railed against what he dubbed politically correct McCarthyism, which he implied involved vicious attacks on people who challenged inanities like 32 genders, elective bathrooms, single-payer, Iran sycophancy, Islamophobia and Black Lives Matter. Disdain for the politically correct is baked into Antons philosophy. Anton says West Coast Straussians blame progressive academics for committing an original sin of demonizing the founders because of the fact they permitted slavery even though it was blatantly a contradiction of the premise that all men are created equal. His defends the founding fathers by saying it would not have been politically feasible for them to abolish slavery at the dawn of the nation. In Antons view, they set the course for ending slavery through the moral concepts in the founding documents. Perhaps most controversially, as Decius, Anton attempted to flank attacks against Trumps sloganeering by arguing that the America First Committee was unfairly maligned. That group, which was founded in 1940 to oppose U.S. involvement in World War II, has long been associated with anti-Semitism. This rejection of multiculturalism, criticism of Islam, opposition to immigration and support for the America First Committee led some critics to dub Anton a white nationalist and suggest he had embraced an anti-Semitic past. Anton vehemently denied those charges in an interview published on Sunday by American Greatness, a website where he served as an editor until last month. In that conversation, Anton acknowledged that a lot of anti-Semites supported the America First Committee but disputed that the group was anti-Semitic and anyone who says anything good about it is an anti-Semite. Anton pointed to his admiration for Strauss and Jaffa, who were both Jewish, as evidence he couldnt possibly be anti-Semitic. He also said it was a lie/smear to label him a white nationalist. If I am a nationalist, I am an American nationalist. I am also an American patriot, and I dont see the difference, said Anton. At one point during his conversation with Yahoo News, Anton interrupted one of his discourses on political philosophy to ask a question. Could I just ask you bluntly, are you going to, like, repeat any of this bullshit that Im a white nationalist and anti-Semite? To say hes frustrated with some of the recent coverage would be an understatement. He also points to his Greek, Italian and Lebanese ancestry as evidence those charges are ridiculous. According to the actual white nationalists, they would say Im not even white because Im Lebanese, Anton said. Anton goes by many names, and Publius Decius Mus is just one of his alter egos. Under the pen name Nicholas Antongiavanni, he published The Suit, a manual on how to dress with style, flair, and an eye toward gaining power. In a Straussian twist, Antons book was written in a painstaking copy of the structure of Niccolo Machiavellis handbook for ruthless politicians, The Prince, and his nom de plume was also a nod to the Italian author. But Anton may have composed the bulk of his writing on fashion and cuisine as Manton, the alias he used on the website Styleforum, where he wrote over 40,000 posts from 2002 until the day after Trumps inauguration last month. In his forum postings, Anton discussed his tastes for the finer things in life, including hand-tailored suits, his vast stores of wine and his cooking techniques. Standing well over 6 feet, dressed in impeccable three-piece suits, and sporting fashionable eyeglasses, Anton cuts an elegant figure in the West Wing. He is soft-spoken, but his words come out with precision and when he is speaking to the press sometimes an obvious sense of exasperation. Yet he has given multiple interviews about his fondness for bespoke menswear and, through his books and forum postings, has become a well-known fixture in the world of Dandyism, a subculture of men dedicated to dressing well. In a 2008 interview with Humanities magazine, Anton discussed whether or not he sees himself as a Dandy, which he indicated was a term of the highest praise in his book. I have a regular job and a suburban home and all that, but I overdress. I aspire to be a dandy in that sense only, Anton said. Now, Anton said, he doesnt really consider himself a dandy since hes toned down his look. I dont know that I ever wore flashy clothes, but they used to be a bit flashier than they are now. In his forum posts as Manton, he describes stockpiling bolts of fabric and commissioning suits from world-renowned tailors. Anton also reviewed other posters ensembles and gave his assessments of the skill level of various suit makers. However, his message board activity wasnt all about style. As Manton he challenged politically correct sensibilities just as he did in his campaign writings. On Nov. 14, 2014, Anton spent hours arguing with fellow Styleforum members about the phrase tar baby in a thread that was initially about the work of the Italian tailor Gennaro Paone. While the term is considered by some to be a slur against African-Americans, its original usage was as a metaphor for an inextricable problem. The phrase was popularized in the Uncle Remus stories, a collection of folklore gathered from Southern slave plantations. After a Styleforum poster was criticized for saying tar baby in a post, Anton leaped in to defend. He pointed to the words origins: The origin of Tar-Baby is the Uncle Remus stories, published in the US in 1881. It is a doll made of tar that sticks to Brer Rabbit and the more he fights it to get free, the more he gets entangled. It is a metaphor for intractable problem and was meant with no racial connotations whatsoever, Anton wrote. Anton went on to argue the fact the term now has racial connotations is due to efforts by liberals to shame white Americans. He accused another forum member of participating in this scheme to guilt trip white Americans who are proud of their culture. It has acquired some, mostly at the hands of the left who like to troll through all of American history and literature looking for things to get outraged over and use as clubs to beat white Americans who self identify as American to guilt trip us into being ashamed of our country, our culture and to arm Social Justice Warriors like you who derive satisfaction from white-on-white status games, Anton wrote. As the debate raged on, Anton connected it to the attempts to censor Mark Twains 1884 novel Adventures of Huckleberry Finn because it featured racial slurs that were commonplace at the time it was written. He suggested that the forum members unhappy with the use of tar baby would like to see trigger warnings on posts and might attack people who enjoyed Twains book or used words that could be seen as offensive if taken out of context. Lets put trigger warnings on posts. Or better yet, word filters. I read Huck Finn. I liked it. Twain uses the N word. I am a bad person! I once said niggardly to mean cheapskate. Gulag! I ordered a Negro Modelo at a taco stand. Racist! wrote Anton. When another forum member pointed out that the Uncle Remus stories are full of racially charged symbolism and are now seen as offensive by some modern audiences, Anton accused them of blabbering and attempting to assert their superiority by flaunting sensitivity. He then posted a rant in mostly capital letters where he mockingly linked the offense over the phrase tar baby to the Black Lives Matter movement and outrage over the deaths of young African-Americans who were killed by police officers. I also need to add, of course, that THIS IS THE MOST PRESSING ISSUE IN AMERICA!!!!! MICHAEL BROWN!!!! TRAYVON!!!!! BLACK BODIES DYING IN THE STREETS!!!!! BECAUSE SOMEONE SAID TAR BABY WE KNOW HOW RACIST AMERICA IS!!!! THATS WHY THEY DIED!!!!!! Anton wrote. After a forum user responded by asking Anton WTF is your problem, he responded by expressing frustration with political correctness, or as he put it, officious little busybodies wagging their fingers in our faces and telling us what we can and cannot say. His post was embedded with links to a pair of T-shirts, including one that said, Id rather be lynching. I am tired of the Social Justice Warriors who troll the Internet looking for things to get offended over, Anton wrote, adding, I am tired of the default assumption being that all of American life is racist and we all need constantly to walk on eggshells because America is so deeply compromised that one out of place word will launch the next lynching. Yahoo News asked Anton about the forum argument in the West Wing last Friday. Anton pointed out that in 2006, President George W. Bushs press secretary, Tony Snow, was attacked for using the term tar baby as he described his desire to avoid trying to comment on controversial government surveillance programs. He didnt apologize for it, either, Anton said of Snow, adding, Im not going to. Its clear Anton is frustrated with what he sees as excessive political correctness. And so is the president, Anton pointed out. Anton also discussed his frustrations with illegal immigration on Styleforum. In a February 2015 post, he railed against the supposed veneration of undocumented immigrants while saying they regularly bothered him at his home. I realize that illegal aliens are sanctified beings who can do no wrong, and about whom it is blasphemy to say anything negative, but hows about if they stop coming and ringing my doorbell incessantly at 6:15 am every time it snows? Anton asked, adding, No, I dont want you to shovel my walk, I will take care of it. Go away and dont disturb my family. In America, we tend to sleep until at least 7 am on weekends. Another forum member asked Anton how he knew the people trying to shovel his walk were undocumented immigrants. Did you ask for their papers? the forum member asked. No, I used prosecutorial discretion and let them go, Anton said. Better yet, I taxed the rest of the street and gave them money for doing nothing. Except breaking the law in the first place. Despite these political discussions, the vast majority of the Manton forum postings that Yahoo News was able to review dealt with style. In fact, Antons book and Internet presence helped earn him renown in the Dandy community. In 2008, the website Dandyism.net cited Antons forum postings and said his obsession with precise measurements led us to dub him the quarter-inch dandy. In his book, he assessed the fashion choices of past presidents and even jokingly suggested this contributed to their success or failure. So what does the White Houses resident dandy think of the presidents look? Trumps penchant for unbuttoned suits and lengthy ties, and his trademark comb-over have been widely panned by style mavens. However, in his conversation with Yahoo News, Anton suggested Trump has done well by adopting a consistent look he feels good in. I think he has a style that hes very confident with thats very much his own and that works for him, Anton said of the president. When you find what works with you, you should stick with it. Anton, who was clad in an impeccable three-piece navy suit, noted that Trump favors solid Roman tailoring. He also pointed out that Trump almost always wears white dress shirts and solid-colored satin ties. Is he ever not in a white shirt? Anton asked. Photos show that Trump manages to keep his ties hanging unusually low by affixing a piece of Scotch tape to hold the short end in place, a fashion faux pas the mens style bible Esquire described as simply embarrassing. Anton said he was unaware of Trumps tie taping. I did not know that, Anton said with a laugh when Yahoo asked about Tapegate. Anton was less diplomatic when he was asked about the rest of Washingtons political class. He said too many rely on what he dubbed the assistant secretary tie in his book. Its a sort of D.C. staple. Its not as common as it used to be, Anton explained. Its that sort of striped tie, alternating red, silver, blue. Its actually a Brooks Brothers pattern. Everybody has that tie. Ditching that cliched tie is Antons main sartorial advice for his fellow politicos. I would say to people, move beyond that, Anton said with a laugh. _____ Read more from Yahoo News: Two Indiana 13-year-old girls who went missing Monday were identified as the victims of a double homicide, authorities announced at a Wednesday press conference. On Tuesday, authorities said they found two bodies near Deer Creek in Delphi while searching for the teens: Liberty German and Abigail Williams. But they had not confirmed that the manner of death was homicide or the identity of the bodies.C It is disturbing, Carroll County Sheriff Tobe Leazenby said. There is somebody out there that did do this crime and were going to track them down. Liberty and Abigails bodies were found by authorities less than a mile from where they were last seen alive, authorities said. They were reported missing by family on Monday evening after they were dropped off to go hiking near an abandoned railroad bridge known as Mile High Bridge. During the hike, Liberty posted a photo to Snapchat of Abigail walking on the bridge alone. The friends were supposed to be picked up by family later that afternoon but they never showed up to the pickup location. While police initially did not suspect foul play in the girls disappearance, on Tuesday they said it seemed foul play was involved in their deaths. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter. We are investigating this as a crime scene, Indiana State Police Sgt. Kim Riley said Tuesday, adding that the way the bodies were found led them to believe there was foul play. The girls bodies were found nearly 60 feet from the waters edge on private property, Riley said on Wednesday. He would not comment on whether they had any obvious injuries. Pick up PEOPLEs special edition True Crime Stories: Cases That Shocked America, on sale now, for the latest on Casey Anthony, JonBenet Ramsey and more. Riley would not release any information on the cause of death, citing the ongoing investigation. Story continues Some of that information could be key in a prosecution so I feel like that information at this current time needs to be protected so that we make sure the case is properly handled when the time comes for criminal prosecution, Leazenby said. The girls families have asked for their privacy. The investigation is ongoing with the aide of the FBI. I want to ensure the community were going to get to bottom of this,Leazenby said. We feel confident and were going do everything that we can with our resources to reach justice in this situation. The coup was planned for election day. Wearing fake police uniforms and armed with assault rifles, more than a dozen Kremlin-linked plotters were allegedly preparing to storm the parliament of the tiny Balkan nation of Montenegro and assassinate its Prime Minister. Their goal, according to the governments investigators, was to stop the country of 620,000 from joining NATO, which would give the U.S.-led alliance control of nearly every northern Mediterranean port from Gibraltar to the Bosporus. On a tip from an informant, real Montenegrin police rounded up the plotters as polls opened for the vote in October. Two ringleaders, both suspected agents of the Russian intelligence services, are now back in Russia. The aborted coup was a reminder that a new battle for Europe has begun. From the Baltics to the Balkans and the Black Sea to Great Britain, Vladimir Putin is seeking to rebuild Russias empire more than 25 years after the fall of the Soviet Union. From Jan. 29 to Feb. 3, Russian-backed forces launched thousands of strikes in renewed attacks on pro-European government positions deep inside Ukraine. Using propaganda, agents provocateurs and overt military threats in Estonia, Serbia, Moldova and other East European countries, Putin is attempting to undermine the democratic governments of former communist countries, threatening the security of millions of people. Farther west, he is pursuing alliances with nationalist, anti-E.U. forces in France, Germany, Hungary and other major democracies. Perhaps the most important front in this new conflict has been unfolding in the West Wing. Over the course of the past three months, according to senior Trump Administration officials and others who have participated, quiet but consequential talks have taken place there over whether the U.S. should resist Putin in his new campaign or cede to Russia a sphere of influence in Eastern Europe. In return for the latter, the theory goes, Russia would join the U.S. in an alliance against ISIS, work to reduce nuclear-weapon stockpiles and help constrain China. Story continues Donald Trump has publicly annunciated parts of such a grand bargain, as have top advisers Steve Bannon and National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, who was forced to resign on Feb. 13 for his back-channel conversations with a Russian diplomat. The White House officials who have advocated such a deal in whole or part see nationalism as the basis for all-important fights against Islamic extremism and Chinas rise. Opposing a Russia deal are such Cabinet secretaries as Defense Secretary James Mattis and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who, backed by virtually the entire Washington foreign policy establishment, view multilateral alliances as crucial to maintaining hard-won stability in Europe and beyond. Flynns ouster makes it politically more difficult for those who would like to advance a pro-Moscow strategy. They were further set back on Feb. 14, when the New York Times reported that Trumps aides had repeated contacts with senior Russian intelligence officials in the year before the U.S. presidential election. As multiple law-enforcement, intelligence and congressional investigations advance, the room for rapprochement with Russia is shrinking, but within the White House, that has not quelled the appetite for a deal. Those who have spoken with Trump about a grand bargain with Russia say it appeals to the businessman in him. The President really desires to do deals, and he wants to be seen as someone whos able to change the way the U.S. approaches the world, says Senator Bob Corker of Tennessee, the Republican head of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, who argued against big deals with Russia in detailed conversations with Trump on Nov. 29 in New York City, when he was being interviewed for Secretary of State. But doing deals for deals sake without knowing what direction [they take us], that could be hugely harmful to our nation and to the rest of the Western world, Corker says. It is unclear if the grand bargain was originally an American notion or one floated by Moscow. Critics wonder what benefit such a trade could have for Washington. Russia, they argue, is weak. Its economy has been in recession for two years and is smaller than that of Italy. Moscows only aircraft carrier, a Soviet-era diesel clunker, barely coughed its way back and forth to Syria over the past six months, losing two planes to accidents along the way. Russia has been begging the U.S. to form an anti-ISIS alliance, no strings attached, and Putin has already expressed a desire, in his first post-Inauguration phone call with Trump, to pursue renewed arms-control measures. Ceding Eastern Europe to Moscowsomething that has been close to heretical in Western diplomacy since Yaltain exchange for freebies would be both stupid and immoral and would reverse every fundamental tenet of American foreign policy since World War II, says Eliot Cohen of Johns Hopkins University, one of Americas foremost conservative foreign policy experts. No decisions on a deal with Russia are imminent, but lingering uncertainty over U.S. commitment to East European democracies is helping to redraw the lines in the meantime. Leaders in Bulgaria and Moldova are listing back toward Moscow. And anti-E.U. candidates in France and Germany are finding common cause with Moscow ahead of elections later this year, sowing concern among traditional U.S. allies. The liberal international order that the United States and its European allies have upheld since the end of World War II is in danger of unraveling, a recent Carnegie Endowment report on the breakdown in U.S.-Russia relations warns, and there is mounting concern that the United States may abandon its commitment to preserving this order. Montenegro, a nation with fewer inhabitants than San Francisco and a military of only about 2,000 members, has been conquered by one great power after another for most of its history, from ancient Rome to the Third Reich. After 10 years of talks and trial runs, the country is now on the cusp of joining the worlds most powerful military alliance this time voluntarily. Its leaders signed accession documents with NATO in May, and 24 of the alliances 28 members have already ratified its membership. Only Spain, Canada, the Netherlands and the U.S. are left. Trump has Montenegrins worrying whether theyll make it. If Putin asks Trump not to admit Montenegro and really gives him something in return, we dont know what will happen, says Nebojsa Medojevic, a Montenegrin lawmaker who backs NATO membership. Trump has yet to say whether he supports the countrys accession to the alliance. It is Montenegros warm, deep-water port in the Mediterranean that makes it especially valuable to Putin, and he is known to push hard when he thinks his strategic interests are at stake. With its assault against Crimea in 2014, the Kremlin undertook the first territorial land grab by a major power in Europe since World War II. Russian special forces disguised as local self-defense units took control of the Crimean parliament in the course of one day that year. They installed a loyal Prime Minister, Sergei Aksyonov, who set the stage for Russia to annex the peninsula outright. Some of those same commandos, who became known as the little green men, then appeared in Ukraines eastern regions. As the West moved to isolate Russia with sanctions harsher than those imposed against the Soviets during the Cold War, the Russian gunmen continued seizing government buildings around the cities of Donetsk and Luhansk and installing warlords to rule them. The result has been a separatist conflict that has so far killed more than 10,000 people and displaced more than 2 million. Dozens died during the latest flare-up in fighting, which began after Putin and Trump had their first post-Inauguration phone call on Jan. 28. Putin has tested the West before, in Estonia, one of the five NATO members that directly border Russia. In September 2014, a group of Russian troops allegedly stormed across that border with the help of smoke grenades and radio jammers, kidnapped an Estonian security officer and took him back to Moscow to stand trial for espionage. The raid, which came two days after President Obama visited the country, was intended to show that Russia does what it wants in this part of the world, Urmas Reinsalu, an Estonian lawmaker and former Minister of Defense, told the newspaper Postimees at the time. Such provocations, along with persistent Russian cyberattacks and violations of NATO airspace, have forced the alliance to confront its own weakness in dealing with Moscows new approach to warfare. Under Article 5 of NATOs founding treaty, all of its members are obliged to defend one another in case of an attack. But what constitutes an attack is not so clearly defined. Could a cyberattack require a NATO response? And what if the attackers were disguised to look like local paramilitaries? The U.S. has been pushing back with more traditional measures. A week before Trumps Inauguration, a rotation of some 4,000 U.S. troops arrived in Poland. But Putin hasnt limited his efforts to Central and Eastern Europe. The project of European integration is fraying, with Britains vote to leave the E.U. and the rise of anti-E.U. parties. Right on cue, Putin has stepped up to offer an alternative: a muscular brand of nationalism that defines itself in opposition to the liberal values of the West. Hes found plenty of admirers. During his first official trip to Europe since Trump took office, Putin chose to visit his friend Viktor Orban, the Prime Minister of Hungary, who has pledged to turn his country into an illiberal democracy modeled largely on Putins Russia. Its in the air, Orban said after a meeting with Putin in Budapest on Feb. 2. The world is in the process of a substantial realignment. Within a week of Trumps victory, elections in two of Moscows former satellite states brought pro-Russian leaders to power. In Bulgaria, a member of NATO and the E.U., a retired air force commander and political novice named Rumen Radev was elected President on a promise to balance out his countrys alliances with the West. Speaking to reporters on election day, Nov. 13, he said he took comfort in Trumps pledge to work for a better dialogue with Russia. That gives us hope, a big hope, Radev said. Much the same message came that day from the newly elected President of Moldova, Igor Dodon, whose campaign urged the country to tear up its integration deal with the E.U. We gained nothing from this agreement, Dodon told a smiling Putin when they appeared in the Kremlin on Jan. 17. Western Europe hasnt been immune to the trend. In France, the leaders of the National Front, a party that wants to see the E.U. break apart, received a 11 million loan from a Kremlin-linked bank in 2014. The partys leader, Marine Le Pen, pledged in early February that she would pull France out of NATO if she wins the presidential election this spring. She is leading in the polls. Next door in Germany, the intelligence agencies in Berlin have accused Moscow of orchestrating a propaganda and disinformation campaign ahead of Germanys federal elections in September. Its aim, says Stephan Mayer of the intelligence committee in the German Parliament, is to weaken Chancellor Angela Merkels chances of re-election to a fourth term while funneling support to Alternative for Germany, a party of right-wing populists who have called for Berlin to lift its sanctions against Russia. If you want to have freedom in the Western world, if you want to have freedom and peace in Europe, then you can do it only with Russia, says Georg Pazderski, the partys leader in Berlin. The question is whether Trump will join that parade. At first, all indications pointed in that direction. In July, he suggested that Putins annexation of Crimea could have been legitimate and that he would consider lifting sanctions if Russia would help us get rid of ISIS. He has said the two sides might work together on nuclear issues. After the election, in January, Trump kept up the talk. The U.S. and Russia will, perhaps, work together to solve some of the many great and pressing problems and issues of the World! he tweeted. Upon taking office, Trump initially continued his soft rhetorical line. In his hour-long phone call with Putin on Jan. 28, they discussed possible areas of cooperation, including the fight against ISIS and other Islamic terrorist organizations, nuclear proliferation and potential economic and energy deals, according to a senior White House official who listened in on the call. Similarly, the White House readout of calls between Trump and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg referred to fighting along Ukraines border; in fact, Russian-backed forces operate deep within Ukraine, and to the eyes of some experts on Russia in the Administration, the language raised flags that the U.S. might accept Russias territorial grab. Trump is open to wide-ranging concessions to Russia in exchange for cooperation in some of these areas, the senior White House official says. Trump is not about to walk away from NATO, the official says, but believes the amounts that countries pay to support the alliance, which are based on decades-old economic percentages, may be outdated. Lets renegotiate the deal, Trump has suggested, the senior official says. Trump has also told advisers he thinks that maybe NATO should have a different mission and should focus on radical Islam, the official says. That alone would be a huge win for Moscow. Normally, a President might request and receive a full-blown national-security briefing on a question as important as the future of Eastern Europe or a reset with Russia. Several National Security Council meetings on the topic might be needed, and a top-secret intelligence assessment might be produced. But multiple sources tell TIME there is hardly an interagency process in the improvisational Trump White House. And what does exist is disconnected from the power structure around Trump. Bannon is running his own strategic-initiatives group, unconnected to the traditional national-security structures, according to two sources familiar with it, which will generate its own assessment of Russia-policy options. In the meantime, Trumps thinking remains notional, the senior official says. But others in the Administration and outside analysts say concessions to Russia could include reducing or removing the U.S. anti-ballistic-missile footprint in Central and Eastern Europe, easing sanctions imposed for election meddling or the invasion of Ukraine, or softening language on the Crimean annexation. Trump has not yet considered the specifics of any deal with Russia, the senior official says. Trumps inclination to do a big deal with Russia has been informed by Bannon, who has said the biggest strategic threat facing the U.S. and Europe is radical Islamic terrorism. Bannons views are not monolithic. He criticized Putin in a widely read 2014 speech but praised his embrace of traditionalism. Putin and his cronies are really a kleptocracy that are really an imperialist power that want to expand, Bannon said then. We the Judeo-Christian West really have to look at what hes talking about as far as traditionalism goesparticularly the sense of where it supports the underpinnings of nationalism. Strong nationalist movements in countries make strong neighbors, and that is really the building blocks that built Western Europe and the United States, and I think its what can see us forward. A Bannon national-security aide, Sebastian Gorka, has been less subtle in his rejection of Putin. His nature is nothing more than a bully, Gorka said of Putin in a 2015 speech, and he should be dealt with as bullies are dealt, and his nose should be smacked quickly and in a harsh fashion, that puts him back in his place. Opposing a Russia rapprochement, say sources familiar with the debate, are Trumps newly appointed Secretary of Defense and Secretary of State and virtually the entire Republican and Democratic foreign policy establishment on Capitol Hill, in Washington and across Europe. Tillerson and Mattis embrace the traditional view that we have had toward Russia, Corker says, but there are other spheres within the White House that may look at things in a very different way. Trump faces his biggest opposition on Capitol Hill. Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham have led a vocal and robust challenge to any rapprochement with Putin that would ease sanctions and instead want to impose even tougher penalties for Russias election meddling in the U.S. Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell says he opposes lifting sanctions against Putin. The split among Trump, his Cabinet and much of his party has led to confusion about where the U.S. stands, even within his Administration. After pro-Putin forces in Ukraine launched their attacks in late January and early February, Trumps U.N. ambassador, Nikki Haley, gave a toughly worded statement. Crimea is a part of Ukraine, Haley said at the U.N. on Feb. 2, and our Crimea-related sanctions will remain in place until Russia returns control over the peninsula to Ukraine. White House spokesman Sean Spicer reiterated those views in a briefing days later. But several senior Administration officials say that they dont believe Haley was speaking for the President and that Flynn was unhappy with the statement. Trumps willful effort to ignore Russias meddling in the U.S. election, or anywhere else for that matter, only muddies matters further. The senior White House official says Trumps opinion of Putin and the possibility of doing a deal with him are not affected by the fact that the Russian leader interfered in the core exercise of American democracy. People could say we have meddled with other peoples elections too, the official says. Trump is not aware of Putins other efforts to subvert democracy in much of Europe, the official says. For the millions of Europeans facing the brunt of Putins efforts that is more than unsettlingits terrifying. It would be absolutely naive to underestimate the attempts of Vladimir Putin and of the Russian government to try to destabilize Western democracies, says Mayer, the German parliamentarian. That is a clear agenda of the Russian government. For Montenegrins, their future hangs in the balance. A vote on the countrys accession is stalled in the Senate. The White House has no plans to endorse Montenegros membership in NATO at this time, a senior NSC official says. With reporting by ZEKE J. MILLER and PHILIP ELLIOTT/WASHINGTON This appears in the February 27, 2017 issue of TIME. MOSCOW (AP) Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has reacted angrily to comments of U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis who on Wednesday spoke of the need to negotiate with Russia "from a position of strength. The statement came just hours before Gen. Joe Dunford and Gen. Valery Gerasimov, the U.S. and Russian Chiefs of Staff, were to hold talks in the former Soviet republic of Azerbaijan, the first meeting between the two countries' senior members of the military since Donald Trump was elected president last year. Shoigu on Thursday lambasted Mattis for his remarks, saying that "attempts to build a dialogue with Russia from a position of strength are futile." Shoigu said Moscow would seek Dunford's explanation at the meeting in Baku later on Thursday. By Michael Georgy SULAIMANIYA, Iraq (Reuters) - If Islamic State is driven from its Iraqi stronghold of Mosul, it will switch tactics to wage an insurgency from mountains and deserts, a top Kurdish intelligence official has told Reuters. Lahur Talabany, a senior figure in Kurdistans counter-terrorism efforts, also expressed concerns that another group similar to the Sunni Muslim Islamic State could emerge to menace Iraq again if political leaders fail to secure reconciliation between sects. "Mosul will get taken ... I think it is the asymmetric warfare that we need to be worried about," he said. "Our jobs will become much more difficult. The army will take a rest a little, but it will be the job of security forces that will become more difficult." Talabany said there were signs that Islamic State planned to shelter in the Hamrin mountains in the northeast, which could serve as a base for attacks on several provinces. He cited about five attacks on security forces in Diyala province in the last month. "It is a very tough terrain. It is very difficult for the Iraqi military to control," said Talabany. "Its a good hideout place and a place they could have access from province to province without getting detected." The army, backed by Kurdish forces and Shi'ite militias operating in nearby towns and villages, has driven Islamic State from eastern Mosul after more than three months of battles. FIGHTING ON AFTER MOSUL Talabany said there would be more months of street-to-street and house-to-house fighting before the western side was taken, in effect putting an end to the group's self-proclaimed caliphate. But he was cautious about the number of militants killed so far. There were en estimated 6,000 in Mosul at the start of the offensive and there is no evidence that anywhere close to that number have been killed, he said. "We know some of these guys escaped. They are trying to send people out for the next phase, post-Mosul, to go into hiding and sleeper cells," said Talabany. "You have to try and find them when they go underground, you have to try and flush out these sleeper cells. There will be unrest in this region for the next few years, definitely." Talabany also said Iraq could not afford to underestimate Islamic State's charismatic leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. "He is very wise. He is not using any kind of communications. He is in the desert area, coming and going between Syria and Iraq, we believe," he said. "Their plans are to start up some sort of asymmetric warfare -- against the region and globally. Also, we will see lone-wolf attacks pop up here and there in the region." A NEW 'ISLAMIC STATE'? In 2014, a few hundred Islamic State fighters seized control of Mosul in a few hours, partly because many fellow Sunnis welcomed them, complaining of abuses by the Shi'ite-dominated army and government in Baghdad. Talabany urged political leaders to avoid making the same mistake again. "... maybe not Daesh (Islamic State), but another group will pop up under a different name, a different scale. We have to be really careful," he said. "These next few years will be very difficult for us, politically." So far, Iraq's sectarian violence has mostly pitted the majority Shi'ites against the Arab Sunnis, who dominated under Saddam Hussein. But the Kurds have had their own tensions with Baghdad, mostly over oil resources and Kurdish dreams of independence, and Talabany suggested Iraq's internal hostilities could become far more complex unless dialogue was promoted on all sides. "There is another threat out there that a lot of people are not seeing. We could clash with the (Shi'ite) militia in the future if there is no dialogue with Baghdad," he said. In November, Shi'ite militias were transformed into a military corps that reports directly to the prime minister, who is a Shiite. This has caused concerns among Sunnis, including the Kurds, that they will be used to strengthen Shiite political domination. "The militias are on our borders ... If there is disengagement from Baghdad and no dialogue, I believe they are much more difficult to control. They are not like the regular Iraqi army. I am worried that we could clash." (Editing by Kevin Liffey) None of the female students, teachers or staff at Holmen High School left empty-handed this Valentines Day. Holmen senior Zack Peterson handed out more than 625 long-stemmed roses Tuesday morning at the high school as the female students were called to the schools large group room one grade at a time. The sweet gesture was met with screams of glee and hugs from his female classmates as each received her rose. This was such a complete surprise, senior Lily King said. Its kind of a great feeling. Peterson said he came up with the idea as a pick-me-up for students. He said students were still grieving the death last year of sophomore Kevin Romanowski, and Peterson thought the gesture would be a simple way to help raise spirits and make sure that none of the girls felt left out on Valentines Day. King said Petersons surprise was one of the sweetest things anyone could do. Her boyfriend lives more than three hours away, so she wont be able to see him to celebrate the romantic holiday, and this was a great way to feel included. Its just nice to know that somebody cares, fellow senior Vanessa Clark said. It is such a super sweet surprise. The gift set Zack back about $450 after he ordered the roses in bulk from Ecuador through Sams Club. He said he liked giving out flowers and that the reaction on peoples faces was awesome especially after being very nervous before everyone started lining up. The school needs a pick-me-up, he said. It is an easy way to help people feel happy. Sophomore Alizabeth Mahlum said she needed her spirits lifted this week. It was her uncles birthday, and Valentines Day is always a somber reminder her uncle died a few years ago. I was really surprised, she said. It wasnt a good day for me and now things have been turned around. Even Zacks sister Abigail, a sophomore, was taken by the surprise. The family used air fresheners to mask the scent of the hundreds of roses over the weekend as Zack spent more than eight hours trimming, cleaning and arranging the flowers. Abigail said she was happy her brother did this for her classmates and glad they appreciated the gesture. The two of them get along pretty well, and she was impressed at how hard he worked to keep the flowers surprise for everyone, including her. A lot of girls left in tears, they were so happy, she said. It is great there are people like him in this world. By Praveen Menon and Emily Chow KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - It was about 8:20 a.m. on Monday morning and there was a bustle of passengers in the departure hall of Kuala Lumpur airport's budget terminal when the two women moved in on Kim Jong Nam, estranged half-brother of North Korea's leader. A few steps away from a Starbucks cafe and a Puffy Buffy Malaysian food stall, one of the women stood in front of their quarry to distract him. Her accomplice approached from behind, pulled a cloth drenched in some chemical from a blue handbag, reached around his head and clamped it onto his face. That was enough to deliver a deadly poison to the portly 46-year-old relative of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, according to a senior Malaysian government source and Malaysian police official Fadzil Ahmat, who both spoke to Reuters. After the attack, Kim Jong Nam approached a help desk and explained that someone seemed to have grabbed or held his face and now he felt dizzy. He was taken to the Menara Medical Clinic, a small glass-fronted surgery one floor down near the arrivals area. "He still felt unwell there, so they decided to send him to the hospital, and he died in the ambulance on the way to Putrajaya Hospital," said Ahmat. (For a graphic on the North Korean regime click: http://fingfx.thomsonreuters.com/gfx/rngs/NORTHKOREA-MALAYSIA-KIM-MURDER/010031XD4CE/NORTHKOREA-MALAYSIA-KIM.jpg) Media reports said the two women fled the airport in taxis. The government source declined to be named because of the sensitivity of the case. Malaysian officials have publicly released little about the killing. Indeed, it was 36 hours after the murder before they acknowledged it had happened, and then only after the news was broken by South Korean media. Malaysian police said on Wednesday they had arrested a woman with a Vietnamese travel document as she was trying to take a flight from the same terminal. According to local media, this was the same woman whose image was captured in a grainy airport CCTV image wearing a white shirt with the acronym 'LOL' on it. A second woman, who was holding an Indonesian passport, was also identified from CCTV footage and detained on Thursday. Vietnam has said it is investigating. Indonesia has confirmed the second arrested woman was an Indonesian national and is seeking consular access to her. A third suspect, apparently a boyfriend of one of the women, has also been taken into custody, Malaysian police said. "It's like a mystery novel," said a foreign diplomat in Kuala Lumpur who is closely following developments, which have included comments by South Korean officials that Pyongyang agents were behind the killing, and now the arrest of two women carrying passports from Southeast Asian countries. Many key details about the brazen attack on Kim Jong Nam are still unclear, particularly information about the two arrested women and whose orders, if any, they were following. North Korea has made no public comment on the killing, and calls, an email and a fax message to its embassy in Malaysia were unanswered. A source in Beijing with ties to the North Korean and Chinese governments told Reuters that Pyongyang was not involved and had no motive for killing Kim Jong Nam. The Malaysian police and the government source's accounts of what happened in the departure hall contradicted early media reports that Kim Jong Nam had been poisoned by injection with a needle. An autopsy began on Wednesday and is still ongoing, a senior police officer said. When asked if he could confirm that a woman with the Vietnamese documents was the one seen wearing the 'LOL' T-shirt, state police chief Abdul Samah Mat said: "We are investigating to confirm that." Local media identified her as the main attacker. MANHUNT FOR ACCOMPLICES The sources said Kim Jong Nam - traveling under the name of Kim Chol - had flown on Feb. 6 from Macau to the Malaysian capital, which he visited often because he had friends there. He was booked on a return flight with the low-cost airline AirAsia on Monday, the day he died. Police are looking for four foreign men they believe worked with the two women, the government source said. The entire team involved in the attack landed in Malaysia - although it was not clear where from - some days before the attack, checked into a hotel near the airport and monitored their target's movements, the government source said. Two employees of the help desk Kim Jong Nam approached declined to discuss the incident when asked by Reuters reporters, several people working at the Starbucks cafe said they had seen nothing unusual that morning, and the medical center's receptionist said she could not confirm that he had been brought into the clinic. The government source said the woman whose documents showed the Vietnamese name of Doan Thi Huong told police that the group split up after the incident and had not seen each other since. The woman said she hadn't been aware that she was killing someone, but the source said police doubt that and believe it was a well-planned operation. (Writing by John Chalmers; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan) YANGON, Myanmar (AP) Myanmar's government said Thursday the military has ended its four-month counterinsurgency operation in troubled Rakhine state, where it had been accused of rape, torture and other abuses against Muslim Rohingya minority residents. The statement from State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi's office quoted newly appointed national security adviser Thaung Tan as saying the situation was now stable in northern Rakhine. "The situation in northern Rakhine is now stabilized. The clearance operations by the military have ceased, the curfew has been eased and there remains only a police presence to maintain the peace," he was quoted saying. The army's operation began in early October after nine police officers at three outposts on the border with Bangladesh were killed by insurgents. Human rights groups charged that the army crackdown included burning down more than 1,000 homes and killing an unknown number of civilians, possibly several hundred. More than 70,000 villagers fled across the border to Bangladesh, and another 20,000 are internally displaced. The government has denied the abuses but its official investigation is ongoing. "Halting the military operation doesn't really mean we won't have our security forces there," Zaw Htay, spokesman for the office of President Htin Kyaw said separately. "Of course we still need the presence of the police because for reasons of security in the region." Reports of human rights abuses have drawn international attention to Rakhine. On Tuesday, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres issued a statement saying he "was horrified" at a recent report on alleged sexual abuses by security forces in Myanmar against the Muslim Rohingya ethnic minority. U.S.-based Human Rights Watch.has alleged that soldiers and Border Guard Police took part in rape, gang rape, invasive body searches and sexual assaults while conducting counterinsurgency operations in Rakhine from October through mid-December. The estimated 1 million Rohingya face official and social discrimination in Buddhist-majority Myanmar. Most are regarded as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. Many fled home during communal violence in 2012 and over 100,000 live in refugee camps. SEOUL, South Korea (AP) What do we really know about the sudden death of an exiled North Korean princeling? Aside from heated media speculation and an instant "it's-gotta-be-Pyongyang" reaction from Seoul's spy agency, not much. As the investigation continues, the mystery of just what happened to the half brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as he waited for a flight in a Malaysian airport only deepens. Was Kim Jong Nam poisoned? Are the two female suspects trained killers or dupes? How can we be sure that North Korea, which seems the obvious culprit, was even involved? South Korea's National Intelligence Service no friend to Pyongyang and eager reporters across Asia have assembled a dramatic, almost cinematic profile of the last hour of Kim's life. But there's still a surfeit of unanswered questions. Here are a few: ___ WAS HE POISONED? This one could be answered fairly soon. Kim complained of being sprayed in the face with some sort of chemical before he died. Presumably Malaysian authorities' autopsy, which has been completed, will determine whether poison killed Kim, and, if so, what kind. A big question is how possible killers would have managed to quickly inflict a fatal chemical dose on someone in the middle of a busy airport. South Korea's intelligence service says Kim almost certainly was poisoned, but it's unclear whether a needle or spray was used, and the spy agency didn't elaborate. One possibility for the poison is neostigmine bromide, which South Korean officials said was contained in a pen-like weapon used in a failed North Korean attempt to kill an anti-Pyongyang activist in 2011. Or it could have been cyanide or sarin gas, according to a Seoul university professor who didn't want to be identified because Kim's autopsy results weren't out yet. Sarin gas was used in a deadly attack on Tokyo's subways in 1995. And if it turns out that Kim wasn't poisoned? Expect furious media backtracking, and flustered explanations in South Korea from the spy agency. Story continues ___ WAS IT REALLY NORTH KOREA? North Korea, of course, is the easy answer. South Korea's spy service considers the North the bogeyman and almost immediately, in a private briefing to lawmakers in Seoul, pointed the finger at North Korean agents for the death, saying that Kim Jong Nam had been targeted for five years because of Kim Jong Un's "paranoia." Most news media have run with this, but, so far, Malaysian officials have provided no solid links to North Korea. When asked Thursday if North Korea was behind the murder, Malaysian Deputy Home Minister Zahid Hamidi said, "That is speculation." This doesn't mean that North Korea couldn't have orchestrated such an attack. It does fit a certain profile: North Korean agents have, at times, run wild in South Korea, killing defectors, sometimes with poison, and critics. ___ WHO ARE THE ARRESTED WOMEN? The two women arrested in connection with Kim's death were spotted on surveillance video at the airport where Kim fell ill. Both are reportedly in their 20s. One held an Indonesian passport. The other had Vietnamese travel documents and was seen in grainy photos waiting for a cab while wearing a white jumper emblazoned with "LOL" internet-speak for Laugh Out Loud. But their possible involvement in Kim's death is still unclear. Were they simply in the wrong place at the wrong time? Were they North Korean agents, maybe even North Korean nationals using false passports? Kim Jong Nam, in one of his lowest moments, was humiliated while trying to sneak into Japan to visit Disneyland with a Dominican passport. Police are trying to verify if the women's travel documents are genuine, according to the Malaysian minister. Police said they have also arrested a third suspect, a Malaysian man thought to be the boyfriend of the suspect with an Indonesian passport. If this was a carefully planned assassination years in the making, as South Korean intelligence claims it begs more questions: Would North Korean agents be so easily arrested one of the women was picked up back at the airport, two days after Kim's death? Would they really take taxis from the scene of the crime? ___ ARE OTHER EXILED NORTH KOREANS IN DANGER? South Korea's government said it was boosting security for high-profile defectors in the South, many of whom already have police protection. Kim Jong Nam was long protected in his Macau base by China, according to Seoul's spy service. South Korean officials say he leaves behind two sons and a daughter between two different women living in Beijing and Macau. Ha Taekeung, a South Korean lawmaker and North Korea human rights activist, said in a radio interview Thursday that Kim Jong Nam's son, Kim Han Sol, could be in danger because he knows sensitive secrets about Kim Jong Un's personal life. Kim Han Sol, who lived with his father in Macao, referred to Kim Jong Un as a "dictator" in a 2012 interview. ___ WHAT WILL CHINA DO? China, North Korea's most important ally, has said little officially about the death. Beijing reportedly saw Kim as a potential leader should North Korea's government ever collapse. An editorial in Global Times, the ruling Communist Party's English-language newspaper, said Thursday that China would offer condemnation if Kim was found to have been assassinated. "Regardless of how intense a country's political struggle might be, there is no doubt that it should never rely on assassination methods as means for its advancement," said the editorial. "Although a final conclusion has yet to emerge regarding Kim Jong Nam's sudden death, speculation remains sharply pointed at Pyongyang." ___ Associated Press writers Kim Tong-hyung in Seoul and Chris Bodeen in Beijing contributed to this report. North Korean female assassins, armed with good looks and poison tools, are now the weapon of choice for a ruthless regime stalking its opponents, a high-profile defector told AFP on Thursday, after the latest apparent assassination. Hardy male agents wielding guns or knives have been ditched in favour of their female counterparts, who strike fear into the hearts of enemies, said An Chan-Il, a North Korean defector and renowned critic of Pyongyang's one-man rule. "We are always mindful of young women accosting us for possible revenge killings," An said. His comments come days after the half-brother of the North's leader Kim Jong-Un died in a spy novel-style assassination that Seoul said was carried out by Pyongyang agents. South Korean intelligence chiefs believe Kim Jong-Nam had toxins sprayed in his face as he walked through Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Two women have been arrested over the murder. An, a former North Korean commando who defected to the South in 1979, is now a leading researcher on North Korean affairs, and a harsh critic of the Stalinist state. He is one of eight defectors who were given the highest degree of protection by the South. Following Jong-Nam's death, that number has increased to 20, he said. In recent years, North Korean male agents have increasingly been sidelined into intelligence gathering or building contacts with other spies, An told AFP. "Female agents are now being trained to do the killing, using poison", he said. "They can easily hide mini poison injectors made of plastic, either in lipsticks, cosmetics or under their clothes," he said, adding that such plastic tools go undetected by airport security. - 'Good looks are essential'- Agent candidates are carefully screened for their intelligence, physical attributes and family background. "Good looks are essential but this is different from any beauty contest. A girl with a curvy body is not considered ideal to become an assassin who has to engage in physical contact with targets", he said. Story continues Before beginning their careers, the women go through many months of training, including strength work, combat skills, surveillance and weapons use, as well as language courses, he added. Malaysian police probing Kim's killing have detained a woman with an Indonesian passport and a 28-year-old woman with a Vietnamese passport, who reappeared at the same airport two days after Kim died. An said that would be "bizarre" behaviour for a Pyongyang spy, adding that "if she is a North Korean agent, she should have either disappeared or committed suicide when she was in danger of being arrested". "Her behaviour is simply unthinkable in the playbook of spies", he said. Two North Korean agents attempted to commit suicide by biting cyanide capsules hidden in cigarettes when they were arrested in Bahrain in 1987 after blowing up a South Korean airplane. The man died instantly but the other agent, Kim Hyon-Hee, survived. She was later brought to Seoul and confessed that the terror attack was aimed at hampering the 1988 Seoul summer Olympics. Photo credit: NASA From Popular Mechanics NASA's Space Launch System rocket, currently in development, will be the largest rocket ever built when completed. The agency was planning an unmanned test flight for the rocket in September 2018, but now NASA is considering launching with a crew on the SLS's first flight, known as Exploration Mission-1 or EM-1. Acting NASA Administrator Robert Lightfoot announced that the agency would be conducting a feasibility study for a crewed SLS launch during a conference in Washington D.C. this morning, according to the NASA press office. The conference is "for manufacturers that are helping build the SLS, our Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft." NASA sent Popular Mechanics this statement regarding the first SLS flight: Acting Administrator Robert Lightfoot has asked Bill Gerstenmaier, associate administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, to initiate a study to assess the feasibility of adding a crew to Exploration Mission-1, the first integrated flight of SLS and Orion. The study will examine the opportunities it could present to accelerate the effort of the first crewed flight and what it would take to accomplish that first step of pushing humans farther into space. The SLS and Orion missions, coupled with record levels of private investment in space, will help put NASA and America in a position to unlock the mysteries of space and to ensure this nation's world preeminence in exploring the cosmos. Lightfoot also wrote in a NASA "agency update" memo: "I know the challenges associated with such a proposition, like reviewing the technical feasibility, additional resources needed, and clearly the extra work would require a different launch date." It is unclear how long the launch will be delayed if NASA does decide to proceed with a crewed SLS launch for the rocket's maiden flight. EM-1 was originally going to launch an unmanned Orion capsule into orbit around the moon. The spacecraft would then return to Earth three weeks later, using parachutes to land in the ocean. Story continues The first crewed mission of the Orion spacecraft was slated to be the second launch of SLS, and in late 2016, NASA reined in that mission plan by deciding that EM-2 would not orbit the moon, but rather loop around the far side once and then return to Earth. Exploration Mission-2 was scheduled for 2021, as it requires a larger version of the SLS rocket, called Block 1B, that uses a more powerful second stage that has yet to be built. It hasn't been announced where the astronauts will fly if NASA upgrades EM-1 to a crewed mission, but it seems possible that the first flight would loop around the moon according to the plan for EM-2, assuming the construction of Block 1B can be expedited. Photo credit: NASA The potential shift in plans for the SLS, to skip the unmanned flight test, are likely due to agendas set by the new Trump administration's NASA transition team. A recent report also announced that the Trump administration is considering a proposal to launch another Hubble Space Telescope servicing mission. The administration is reportedly interested in pursuing missions that expand public-private partnerships in the spaceflight industry and can be achieved within the president's first term. Whether or not NASA will be able to leapfrog the unmanned SLS flight test is another matter. Two Government Accountability Office reports suggest that the projected launch date of both EM-1 and EM-2 could be unrealistic, as both the SLS rocket itself and the launchpad ground systems required may not be ready in time. If NASA adds a crew to EM-1, the additional costs and delays could push the flight back even further, not to mention the risk of flying astronauts on an untested rocket. As a NASA Johnson Space Center employee told The Verge, ""It would definitely be a shift in how we do things." You Might Also Like Despite humanity's reliance on the sun to survive, not much is known about the blazing star at the center of the universe. In fact, its one of the least understood objects in the solar system. NASA announced a plan to change that, not just to better understand the sun, but to prevent possibly deadly threats from solar weather. With a planned launch in 2018, the Solar Probe Plus will travel almost seven years to get close to the sun, according to a report published Tuesday in Popular Science. In order to unlock the mysteries of the corona, but also to protect a society that is increasingly dependent on technology from the threats of space weather, we will send Solar Probe Plus to touch the sun, NASA said on its website. Partial motivation for the probe came from a recent study by the National Academy of Science which said that without adequate warning, a significant solar event could cause the United States two trillion dollars in damage and knock out power to the eastern seaboard for an entire year. Until we can explain what is going on up close to the sun, we will not be able to accurately predict space weather effects that can cause havoc on earth," NASA said in its mission outline. The craft will be equipped with a 4.5-inch thick carbon shield to protect it from temperatures of nearly 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit. The probe will travel within four million miles of the suns surface, closer than any other spacecraft ever has before. Going to a place changes everything we think about a place. Just look at New Horizons and how its changed our thoughts, beliefs and understanding of Pluto, NASA heat shield mechanical engineer Beth Congdon told Popular Science. Were really excited to go and totally change our view of the sun. Related Articles BRUSSELS (AP) NATO defense ministers have decided to beef up the military alliance's naval presence in the Black Sea in response to an increasingly aggressive Russia. Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Thursday that NATO will hold more war games and training in the strategically important sea, which borders allies Turkey, Bulgaria and Romania, but also Russia, Ukraine and Georgia. Russia's naval fleet based at Sevastopol in Crimea has been a major concern for NATO. Stoltenberg told reporters after chairing the talks in Brussels that the move "will be measured, it will be defensive, and it will in no way aim at provoking any conflict or escalating tensions." Several NATO allies are already providing troops to 3,000-5,000-strong land force in Romania. Stan Sloan, who in 1983 wrote one of the very best books about NATO says that the three oldest refrains in the West are: NATO is in crisis; deterrence is breaking down; and we need new thinking. All of which perfectly captures the furore about Secretary of Defense Jim Mattiss putative threat to NATO allies. The New York Times headline reads Defense Secretary Mattis Tells NATO Allies to Spend More, or Else, and the Washington Post, Defense Secretary Mattis issues new ultimatum to NATO allies on defense spending. NATO partisans have deluged my Twitter timeline complaining that while perhaps previous American officials may have complained about allies free riding, Mattis has transgressed by publicly threatening Americas allies, making our sacred vow of Article 5 mutual defense conditional for the first time. All of these complaints are misplaced. So it serves them all right that the tendentious schoolteacher in me is going to correct the record. First, the Washington Treaty, as the NATO founding agreement is known, is not an immutable guarantee. While it absolutely does say that an armed attack against one or more of them in Europe or North America shall be considered an attack against them all, all that it technically commits the signatories to do in the event of an attack is assist the Party or Parties so attacked by taking forthwith, individually and in concert with the other Parties, such action as it deems necessary, including the use of armed force. This is more of an up-to-and-including-the-use-of-armed-force than an automatic use of force guarantee. The NATO guarantee has always been conditional. Second, American trepidation about being dragged into conflicts, especially those involving colonies of European allies, is clear from the delineation of geography in Article 6 of the treaty following immediately on. The United States isnt newly worried about being taken advantage of by our NATO allies; that suspicion has worried American governments since NATOs creation. Third, Dwight Eisenhower would be turning over in his grave to know that 65 years after he testified to Congress in support of stationing U.S. troops in Europe, those troops remained. Eisenhower advocated U.S. troops in Europe until our allies regained the economic strength to provide for their own defense. That time came in the mid-1960s. Im in favor of continued stationing in Europe of U.S. troops, but we need to acknowledge that the argument has changed. Its now one of continuity not necessity. What has occurred since the mid-1960s, when European allies regained the wherewithal to sustain military forces adequate for the defense of their territories, is that the United States has allowed more and more responsibility for security outcomes in Europe to accrue to us. Economist Mancur Olsen wrote a famous book in 1965 about the problem of free riders, and used the NATO alliance as the canonical example. In 1970, the Mansfield Resolution would have reduced U.S. troops in Europe by 50 percent by the end of the year unless NATO allies increased their defense spending ( http://calhoun.nps.edu/handle/10945/961 ). Literally every U.S. defense secretary since has pleaded, cajoled, darkly warned, and threatened allies with the dire reckoning to come if Americans continue to shoulder this much of the common burden in our alliance. Neither the aggravation nor the use of an ultimatum is new. Nor was Secretary Mattis statement public; it was made in the confines of a private NATO meeting, though later widely reported in the press. Mattis went out of his way to both praise the alliances value and to honestly report public and governmental sentiment in the country he represents. Secretary Mattis is not wrong when he says that Europeans should not expect Americans to care more about their childrens security than Europeans themselves do. In fact, the Secretary of Defense pirated that line from President Obama, for whom worked most of the people currently complaining about this devastation of historys greatest alliance. There are many things to be deeply worried about in a Trump administration. This is not one of them. Photo credit: THIERRY CHARLIER/AFP/Getty Images By Siegfried Modola BENTIU (Reuters) - In the chaos of South Sudan's civil war, it took three years for Nyagonga Machul to find her lost children. Machul had traveled from her village to the capital when President Salva Kiir, an ethnic Dinka, fired his deputy Riek Machar, a Nuer, in 2013. The dismissal triggered a civil war in the world's newest nation that has increasingly been fought along ethnic lines. Machul found herself cut off from her son Nhial, now aged 14 and the protector of the family; 10-year-old Ruai and 8-year-old Machiey, brothers who love board games and swimming; 6-year-old Nyameer with her shy smile; and Nyawan, now four but then the much-loved baby. For years, Machul prayed for news. In December, she heard her children were alive - but far away in Bentiu, the northern gateway to the nation's oil fields. More than a thousand 1,000 km (620 miles) of battlefield stretched between them. Machul had left the children with their grandmother, but one night gunmen had attacked their village. "I was in bed sleeping. All of a sudden I heard the sound of gunshots, then people shouting, screaming," said Nhial. The panicked children scattered and hid near the river Nile. Wandering back, they found each other, but not their grandmother. They decided to flee. They walked through swamps, in chest-deep water infested with snakes and crocodiles. They begged food from families with little to spare. Then a former neighbor, Nyabika Temdor, took them in, camping with them on a tiny island in the Nile. But gunmen struck again and they ran. "I had to pay someone to carry the little ones, as they couldn't walk," Temdor said. After four days, they reached a camp for displaced families in Bentiu. The sprawling settlement of 120,000 people is bordered by barbed wire and watchtowers. That is where CINA found them. A local organization supported by UNICEF, case workers painstakingly trace separated families. They enter the names of lost children into a UNICEF supported database that holds nearly 15,000 names. Having a parent vastly improves the long-term chances of a child's survival, said Marianna Zaichykova, a spokeswoman for UNICEF. But the program is chronically underfunded. Last year, reunifications dropped by 50 percent because there was not enough money to trace families, Zaichykova said. Machul was lucky. UNICEF arranged for the children to fly to Juba this week. Their mother waited for them, in a tent made of sticks and plastic that looked just like the one they left in Bentiu. She dappled drops of water on her children's faces in a traditional blessing. Her friends began to sing. And then she opened her arms for her children. "God has answered my prayers," she said. "I am so happy." For a Wider Image photo essay of the story, click http://reut.rs/2kVBzp0 (Additional reporting by Katharine Houreld; Writing by Katharine Houreld; Editing by Alison Williams) By Luke Baker WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, territory Israel seized from Syria in the 1967 Middle East war. Most of the world considers the Golan, a high plateau between northeastern Israel and southwestern Syria, to be occupied by Israel, which annexed the territory in 1981 in a move not recognized internationally. During a briefing with Israeli and foreign media after meeting Trump at the White House, Netanyahu was asked whether he had raised the Golan issue. "Yes," he replied. Asked how the U.S. president had responded, he said: "I wouldn't say that he was surprised by my request." Netanyahu did not elaborate. Israel made a similar request to the Obama administration in 2015, but it was rejected, diplomats said at the time. While Israel has long coveted sovereignty in the Golan, it is unclear whether the White House would take such a step now, given that it could further complicate the Syrian conflict. If the United States were to recognize Israel's claim, it would likely anger Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who is backed by Russia and Iran in his war with Islamist militants and rebel groups. The Trump administration has talked about working more closely with Russia to end the Syrian conflict. Recognizing Israel's sovereignty in the Golan could undermine those efforts. It could also spur Iran and its proxies in Syria, particularly the Lebanese Shi'ite militia Hezbollah, to turn more of their focus against Israel, targeting its forces stationed across the Golan Heights. Israel has warned Hezbollah, with which it fought a six-week war in 2006, against attacking its territory. It has carried out occasional air strikes in the Syrian portion of the Golan to target Hezbollah fighters, including units smuggling arms. Israel's argument for sovereignty over the territory is based partly on the fact that Syria has splintered over the past five years of fighting, to the extent that Israel says there is no one to whom it could hand back the Golan. But with the United States and Israel looking to forge an ever-tighter relationship, it is also possible that Trump, who has shown himself to be unpredictable at times, could decide to recognize Israel's sovereignty. As well as around 25,000 Israeli settlers in the territory, many of them working in agriculture, there are about 20,000 Druze of Syrian citizenship, many of whom have relatives living in just across the valley in Syria. (Writing by Luke Baker; Editing by Peter Cooney) The entire text of the bill was short enough to fit in a tweet: The Environmental Protection Agency shall terminate on December 31, 2018. And like a tweet, it quickly spread across the internet, with anxious environmentalists and scientists sharing links to H.R. 861 out of concern that Republicans in Congress would take it up. In reality, the proposed bill is going nowhere. Introduced by a freshman lawmaker less than a month into his first term with just three cosponsors, its a classic example of what is known as a messaging bill designed solely to get attention. Unwinding a huge federal agency would take more than a single sentence. But that doesnt mean that the EPA is safe. In fact, some of the agencys defenders worry that it faces a far more stealthy threat of being hollowed out. President Trumps choice to run the agency, Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt, is known for targeting the agency with more than a dozen lawsuits. Environmental groups and policymakers fear Pruitt will dismantle many of the agencys core functions methodically over time rather than trying to knock out the agency with one fell swoop. He will almost certainly try to unravel the Clean Power Plan, President Obamas primary regulation aimed at addressing climate change, a multi-year process that could require careful reconsideration of legal and scientific arguments. He might also weakenor shutter altogetherthe EPAs enforcement office, according to an Inside EPA report. Read More: EPA Nominee Scott Pruitt Acknowledges Global Warming But Wants to Restrain the Agency Of course, the GOP-controlled Congress and Trump will also help. Congress has already undone several Obama-era regulations using the Congressional Review Act and could vote to weaken a slew of other environmental protections. Trump will reportedly sign several executive orders at the agency next week, though the details remain unclear. Story continues That means that significant legislation with provisions supported across the aisle would be left without any agency to implement and enforce them. Those laws include the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act and Toxic Substances Control Act, all of which draw at bipartisan support for at least some of their measures. Even President Donald Trump, who suggested on the campaign trail that he might end the agency, has since recognized that it carries out important functions. The Sierra Clubalong with a slew of environmental organizationscondemned the proposed legislation, but acknowledged what Trump could do to environmental protection. The more pernicious threat we face is the confirmation of someone like Scott Pruitt, who has been a foe of the organization hes been nominated to lead, Melinda Pierce, the legislative director of the Sierra Club, told the Palm Beach Post. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un spent five years trying to kill his older brother before Kim Jong Nam died Tuesday after falling ill at a Malaysian airport. South Korea's spy agency said this week North Korea was behind the alleged murder. Kim Jong Nam, 46, potentially died from a poison attack at an airport terminal in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Kim Jong Nam told medical workers before his death someone had touched his face from behind and attacked him with a chemical spray. Malaysian police said Wednesday officials had arrested a woman at Kuala Lumpur International Airport carrying Vietnamese travel documents in connection to the death. South Korea's National Intelligence Service Director Lee Byung-ho told lawmakers Kim Jong Un had long wanted his brother killed, but it took years for his assassins to complete the task, Yonhap news agency reported Wednesday. Kim Jong Nam, who at one time was expected to succeed his father before his death in December 2011 and become North Korea's supreme ruler, had been under the Chinese governments protection. Kim Jong Name was the half-brother of North Korea's ruler and had said in media interviews that he had no desire to take power. He was aware his brother was trying to kill him and at one point wrote a letter to Kim Jong Un asking him to call off a standing order for his assassination. "We have nowhere to go, nowhere to hide. We are well aware that the only way to escape is suicide," Kim Jong Nam said in a letter to Kim Jong Un, one of the lawmakers said. He fall out of favor in North Korea after he tried to enter Japan in 2001 with a false Dominican Republic passport while traveling with his wife and his son. He explained at the time that the family wanted to visit Tokyo Disneyland. He later moved to China with his family. "Because I was educated in the West, I was able to enjoy freedom from early age and I still love being free," he said in notes to a Japanese journalist, Yoji Gomi, who wrote a book on Kim Jong Nam in 2012. "The reason I visit Macau so often is because it's the most free and liberal place near China, where my family lives." Story continues Still, Kim Jong Un was worried his brother would unseat him, especially after a 2012 assassination attempt against Kim Jong Nam apparently didn't work out, Reuters reported. "Kim Jong Un said: 'I just hate him. So get rid of him,'" Kim Byung-kee, a South Korean lawmaker, said. The two brothers never met under a North Korea tradition that requires potential heirs to be kept seperated. "I'm his half brother, but I've never met him so I don't know," Kim Jong Nam said in another note to Gomi. "I'm concerned how Jong Un, who merely resembles my grandfather, will be able to satisfy the needs of North Koreans. Kim Jong Un is still just a nominal figure and the members of the power elite will be the ones in actual power. The dynastic succession is a joke to the outside world." He added: "The Kim Jong Un regime will not last long. Without reforms, North Korea will collapse, and when such changes take place, the regime will collapse." Related Articles Oslo (AFP) - Norway on Thursday proposed to curb the amount of money it can withdraw from its sovereign wealth fund, the largest in the world, amid lower expected returns. The minority rightwing government also recommended that the fund, worth 7.5 trillion kroner (847 billion euros, $903 billion), increase the share of equity from 60 to 70 percent. At its current value, this would amount to buying close to 85 billion euros worth of shares. The government lowered its expected real rate of return to three percent of the fund's value a year, down from four percent. This would in practice limit the government's room for maneuvre: when tapping the fund to balance its budget, it cannot exceed the expected return. "The backdrop for this downward adjustment is the prospect of lower returns on international financial markets," Prime Minister Erna Solberg told reporters in Oslo. Set up in the 1990s, the public pension fund is intended to finance the future expenses of the welfare state by growing the country's oil wealth. But the state's oil revenues, which fuel the fund, have been hit by falling hydrocarbon prices since mid-2014, which come on top of a decline in production since peaking in 2000. Last year the government, for the first time, took more money out of the fund than was put in. Many economists have for years been calling for the ceiling of withdrawals to be lowered. "The use of oil revenues must slow down," Norwegian central bank governor Oystein Olsen reiterated on Thursday. Failing that, he warned, the country could run up a budget deficit equivalent to eight percent of so-called "continental" GDP, which excludes the oil and shipping sectors. This year, the government expects to withdraw around 226 billion kroner from the fund, which would be a new record and equivalent to three percent of the total value, an amount which has been labelled excessive and untenable by some economists. In addition to the 60 percent in shares, rules require 35 percent of the fund to be invested in bonds and five percent in real estate, all of which must be outside Norway to avoid overheating the national economy. The announced proposals will be detailed in documents presented to parliament on March 31. To get them passed, the minority government will need to secure the backing of other parties. ATHENS, Ga. (AP) A British citizen who is a noted expert on Spanish history faces a child pornography charge in the United States. According to an indictment returned Tuesday in Georgia, Henry Kamen faces a possession of child pornography charge. Federal prosecutors say that in September 2014 Kamen had child pornography, defined in the indictment as any image of a child under 12 engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Prosecutors said in a news release that Kamen, a historian and professor of Spanish history, lived in Georgia but currently lives in Barcelona. Online court records do not show any lawyer listed for him. If convicted of the child pornography charge, Kamen faces up to 20 years in prison. We're obsessed with the idea that migrants favour Britain but what if they end up avoiding it?: Getty To warn about the consequences of an exodus of European Union workers from the British economy probably comes across like shouting fire in the midst of Noahs flood. Arent there more than two million EU nationals in the British workforce, double the number a decade ago? Isnt net immigration from the EU running at almost 200,000 a year according to the latest figures? Didnt millions of Britons vote for Brexit precisely to reduce the numbers of workers from the Continent coming to Britain? Yet if we know that when the flood waters recede there will be an abundance of vulnerable dry kindling and a scorching sun, its not alarmist to warn of the risk of a conflagration. And we do know that. The size of the UK-born workforce appears to have peaked in 2015 at around 26.5 million. Workforce participation rates are at a record high. This implies that any net increase in demand for employees from firms, over the coming decade at least, will probably have to be met by new migrants. Think of all those additional care workers to look after the burgeoning population of elderly. Think of those new doctors and nurses to staff packed surgeries and overstretched wards. Think of construction workers to build the new homes pretty much everyone now agrees we desperately need. Think of the software developers, research scientists, engineers and myriad other skilled workers that Britain will require to drive our national productivity and increase our living standards. We can and should certainly fill some of these skilled vacancies through retraining the existing UK workforce. But not all of them can be filled in this way. Moreover, this is to cut the labour force cake differently. To make the cake bigger, we will almost certainly need to import labour from abroad. But what if the labour doesnt want to come? The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics this week suggested the number of EU-born workers in the UK workforce may also have now peaked at 2.3 million. Story continues There are other signs that net immigration from the EU is now in decline. Employers are starting to complain of labour shortages. The migration expert from Kings College London, Jonathan Portes, has predicted a sharp fall in EU migration rates in the coming years for a variety reasons. The assumption among British politicians is that EU migration post-Brexit will be like a tap that can be turned on and off. They will import any new workers we genuinely need, they will manage migration, they will take back control. But what if the tap is turned and no water comes out? What if there is a supply problem? The UK atmosphere towards immigrants has hardly been welcoming over the past year. There was spike in violence directed at European migrants in the wake of the Brexit vote. The uncertainty over the future rights and status of EU nationals who have made their home here has created anxiety, heartache and anger. The tone in the most influential organs of the national print media is unrelentingly hysterical and hostile. Senior politicians have misrepresented the scientific evidence on immigrations impact on living standards. Others have ignored it out of sheer cowardice, scared of making themselves targets of the right-wing press or of going against what they perceive to be the popular mood. Would it really be surprising if a skilled European worker, or even an unskilled one, faced with a choice about taking a job in Britain and somewhere else on the Continent or around the world, gave us a miss given the repellent tone of our public discourse on migration and the insouciant attitude of our politicians? The assumption is that Britain can choose immigrants. But one day, and possibly quite soon, we might wake up to the hard reality that immigrants can also choose Britain. And then we may have cause for deep regret over the way that we have allowed the national conversation about immigrants to unfold. With the fate of the Republican drive to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act uncertain at best, the Trump administration on Wednesday unveiled a new set of rules designed to stabilize the subsidized government insurance exchanges and stem the exodus of major insurers from the market. The proposed new rules among other things would cut by half the three-month enrollment period currently scheduled for the 2018 insurance season, bringing it more in line with Medicare and private insurance enrollment periods. Insurance companies would be able to collect unpaid premium payments from consumers before issuing new policies. Related: The IRS Has Just Made Obamacares Individual Mandate Optional Perhaps most importantly, HHS will lower the de minimis range used for determining the level of policy coverage ranging from the lowly bronze plan to the top-shelf gold level. With the exception of the silver plan the most popular category in the program the new rules would permit insurance companies to offer a lower plan that covers slightly fewer areas of health care and still be certified. This proposal will take steps to stabilize the marketplace, provide more flexibility to states, and insurers, and give patients access to more coverage options, Dr. Patrick Conway, Acting Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), said in a statement. They will help protect Americans enrolled in the individual and small group health insurance markets while future reforms are being debated. The proposed regulations immediately touched off a protest from Democrats and health care advocates who denounced them as another Trump administration salvo against the beleaguered health care system. The proposed rule . . . is the latest attempt to sabotage the law and put insurance companies back in charge, Rep. John Yarmuth of Kentucky, the ranking Democrat on the House Budget Committee, said in a statement. Once implemented, the rule will reduce coverage, increase out-of-pocket costs, and make it harder for American families to get the health insurance they need. Story continues Related: Trump Era Begins with Moves Against Regulations, Obamacare The rules were unveiled by CMS just days after Rep. Tom Price (R-GA) was confirmed as the new secretary of health and human services. That suggests that Trumps new health care chief will give Obamacare limited resources and attention while the Trump administration struggles to devise a replacement system they can sell to Congress. The overarching theme of the proposed new CMS rules is to bolster insurers leverage in cutting financial losses while limiting consumers ability to game the system by exploiting extended enrollment periods and special sign-up exemptions. In some cases, consumers take advantage of those signup periods to drop in and out of health care coverage depending on their medical conditions. Insurers are looking for ways to attract and keep younger, healthier people who help to create a more balanced risk pool of younger and older patients in order to collect more in premiums and hold down their coverage costs. The release of the proposed rule changes coincides with health care giant Humanas announcement on Tuesday that it will drop out of the Obamacare system in 2018 after incurring major losses. Other companies including Aetna, UnitedHealthcare and Blue Cross Blue Shield previously pulled out of some Obamacare markets after losing hundreds of millions of dollars in operating costs. Related: Are Republicans Losing Momentum on Obamacare Repeal? Aetna CEO Mark Bertolini said on Wednesday at a Wall Street Journal program that the Affordable Care Act exchanges had entered a death spiral in which soaring premiums have pushed out the healthiest customers, according to Reuters. Bertolini later issued a statement saying that Price and the Trump administration have "taken some good initial steps with the proposed regulation." But the proposed rules drew sharp rejoinders from health care experts and other critics. Some warned that the new rules which are subject to public review and comment could discourage younger, healthier people from enrolling because of the truncated enrollment season. They also said the rules could reduce financial assistance for low and moderate-income families while forcing some people into plans with significantly higher deductibles. Ron Pollack, executive director of Families USA, said in a statement, Very significantly, the Administration has completely reneged on its promise to lower deductibles. Instead, they are increasing cost-sharing and cutting back financial assistance for coverage. Top Reads from The Fiscal Times: Americans are all very, very stressed out about the state of things, especially the presidency of Donald Trump. Except for Elizabeth "Liz" Smith of Norwalk, Ohio, who seems to be perfectly happy to be freed of the Trump presidency by virtue of passing into the Great Beyond. SEE ALSO: 24 ways your brain rapidly changed after Trump's election Such is the claim made in her obituary, which also detailed Smith's rich, full life, including her decades-long involvement with local Girl Scouts organizations, her active membership in her church, and her love of the outdoors: "heli-hiking in the Canadian Rockies, white water rafting on the New River in West Virginia and the Snake River in Idaho." But it's the last line in her life biography that's garnered notice: "Liz is smiling now, not to be living during the Trump Presidency." Her daughter, Deborah Lucal, explained to the Sandusky Register that Smith had seen a similar line in another obituary and an active member of the Huron County Democratic Party and poll worker wanted to have the same posthumous fun. Said Lucal of her mother's distaste for Trump: She doesnt like the man, she never has, thought he was a pompous ass. Of course, the obituary was posted online where it inevitably and unfortunately found the attention of one of Trump's Twitter Egg Army who had to find a way to ruin the glimmer of fun in Smith's death with a terrible comment. May Smith rest in peace, may her family find comfort in her rich life and great sense of humor, and may Okirm Navalg stub their toe several times a day for eternity. In the most recent accounting from the federal government, emissions of most climate change-causing greenhouse gases including carbon dioxide and methane declined. But emissions of the HFC pollutant found in air conditioners and refrigerators have risen rapidly. The figures from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) show a more than 2% overall decrease in greenhouse gas emissions between 2014 and 2015 as natural gas plants continue to replace their coal-fired counterparts. But use of HFCsshort for hydrofluorocarbonsrose more than 4% as they continue to replace other ozone-depleting chemicals. HFC emissions rose more than 45% in the decade following 2005. Scientists are concerned about the rise in HFC use because they are thousands of times more potent on a pound-per-pound basis than carbon dioxide (though in aggregate they contribute far less to climate change). New chemicals are being phased in to replace HFCs, though the process will take time. More than 170 countries agreed to a landmark deal last year to stem HFC emissions that scientists say could stem 0.5C (0.9F) of warming 2100. That would help the world get closer to achieving the goal enshrined in the 2015 Paris Agreement of keeping global temperature rise to 2C (3.6F). Thats the level scientists say can sustain the planet without seeing the worst effects of climate change. Both the Paris Agreement and last years HFC deal were hailed as significant global achievements when they were reached, but their futures were tossed into limbo with the election of President Donald Trump. The new American president has promised to cancel the Paris Agreement and remains skeptical of policies aimed at combating climate change. A Tomah man faces felony charges after two men were shot this weekend outside a Tomah bar. John F. Amundson, 55, of 1107 Superior Ave., is charged with two counts of injury by negligent use of dangerous weapon, three counts of recklessly endangering safety, criminal damage to property, and possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Tomah police say Amundson is accused of shooting a 23-year-old man in the back and a 26-year-old man in the head outside Dimensions Bar about 2:30 a.m. Sunday. Both men were treated at Tomah Memorial Hospital. A third bullet, authorities say, struck the squad car of the officer who was investigating the gunshots. The suspect was not located during a search of the area, but authorities say evidence at the scene helped identify Amundson as the suspect. He was arrested Monday at his home. Authorities say they found eight rifles, four pistols and thousands of rounds of ammunition inside the suspects home, which included the .22-caliber ammunition that matched the bullet removed from one of the victims. By Luke Baker WASHINGTON (Reuters) - As he stood on the podium next to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, U.S. President Donald Trump said he was open to new ideas that would bring Middle East peace. With that, he opened the door to a whole new maze of complexity and risk. By uttering the phrase "one-state" - rather than a two-state solution to the conflict, the bedrock of international diplomacy for two decades - he went where past presidents and most leaders feared to tread, knowing the loaded implications. The creation of a binational or single state that encompasses both Israel and Palestinian territories is not a viable option for most Israelis and Palestinians for religious, political and demographic reasons. "So I'm looking at two-state and one-state, and I like the one that both parties like," Trump said with an almost offhand air, emphasizing that for him the main aim was "to see a deal." "I'm very happy with the one that both parties like. I can live with either one." The problem is the parties - Israelis and Palestinians - may find it just as hard, if not harder, to live with a one-state solution as two states side-by-side, depending on how it is defined and what ideals underpin it. While not the taboo it was a few years ago - Israel's president is an advocate and many younger Palestinians discuss the concept - the idea of one state is freighted with questions of identity, ethnicity, religion and democracy that cut to the essence of the conflict. Saeb Erekat, the Palestinian chief negotiator, suggested the overriding risk was that Israel ended up holding the upper hand, creating one state with two separate systems - one for Jews and one for Arabs - mirroring South Africa's apartheid. ONE SECULAR STATE? With efforts to forge a two-state solution having largely gone nowhere in the last 20 years, despite exhaustive international effort, it is natural that leaders and diplomats begin to examine other possibilities. In that respect, one state can seem a simpler, cleaner and more elegant solution. But at the heart of Israel's identity, from before its creation nearly 70 years ago, is the idea that it is a nation for the Jewish people. One of Netanyahu's core and unwavering demands is that Palestinians recognize Israel as a Jewish state. If one state is created from the estimated 16 million people now living in Israel, Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem, it would be extremely difficult for it to remain both Jewish and democratic - nearly half the population is Muslim or Christian, and the Palestinian birthrate is rising more rapidly than the Israeli one. Academics and free-thinkers on the left and the right often circulate proposals for a single, binational state, or some similar formulation, but in opponents' minds that quickly raises questions about the primacy of law and language, and whether the Palestinians, who have so long lived without a state, would have equal billing within a binational structure. Beyond the many profound issues of identity lie simple-sounding but thorny questions: What would the single state be called? Could it be secular and Jewish? Would Muslims from other states be free to visit? Which legal system would apply? Would Arab or Muslim countries recognize the new entity? DIFFERENT MEANINGS To many settlers on Israel's right, the term "one state" can mean Israeli sovereignty over the entire West Bank, while to some on the left in Europe and the United States, it can be a euphemism for a binational state with no Israel, said David Makovsky, director of the Project on the Middle East Peace Process at the Washington Institute. "Whoever uses this term needs to be very careful in how it is used since it means opposite approaches," he said. "Polls show only a minority of Israelis and Palestinians favor either definition of one state." A poll on Thursday showed exactly that. The survey of 2,400 Israelis and Palestinians conducted by the Tami Steinmetz Center at Tel Aviv University and the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research in Ramallah showed 55 percent of Israelis and 44 percent of Palestinians favor a two-state solution. The survey showed far lower support for a one-state outcome. That is perhaps one reason why Netanyahu was careful not to reference a one-state solution at the news conference. He knows that buried behind the one-state label are concepts that could undermine the essence of an independent Jewish state, while not being attractive to the Palestinians either. Briefing reporters after meeting Trump, Netanyahu did not rule out two states, saying his language on it had been consistent since 2009, when he made a landmark speech accepting the objective, albeit with conditions. On Thursday, Trump's ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, told reporters: "We absolutely support the two-state solution but we are thinking out of the box as well." Trump may not have known quite how loaded his mention of a one-state solution was, but he also emphasized it was not up to him in the end. The parties must agree. "Im happy with the one they like the best," he said. (Additional reporting by Matt Spetalnick in Washington; Editing by Howard Goller) The only man ever convicted over the 1985 bombing of Air India Flight 182, which resulted in the death of 331 people, is now free, reports Agence France-Presse. Inderjit Singh Reyat had already been living in a halfway house outside prison for a year, but Canadas parole board told AFP that Reyat was now free to live in a private residence. The bombing, which remains Canadas deadliest mass killing, was also the worst terrorist attack involving a plane before Sept. 11, 2001. A suitcase bomb smuggled onto the ill-fated Boeing 747 jet exploded mid-flight, killing all 329 passengers aboard. Two luggage handlers at Tokyos Narita Airport also died when a second bomb exploded prematurely. Reyat, a Sikh who migrated to Canada from India, was sentenced for making the bombs, as well as for lying in court, reports AFP. Canadian prosecutors maintained that the attacks other alleged plotters escaped conviction because of Reyats false testimony. His release from custody has not been met without criticism. Its absolutely ridiculous that the parole board will let him out, Andre Gerolymatos, a co-director of terrorism, risk and security studies at Canadas Simon Fraser University, told CBC News. Certain conditions remain for Reyat, despite his physical freedom. He is barred from politics and from contacting extremists and families of the victims. He must also attend counseling for several psychological conditions, reports AFP. Photo credit: Craigslist From Road & Track Coming across a high-mileage car for sale can be a blessing and a curse for potential buyers. On one hand, more miles equals more wear and greater chance of the car breaking. But on the other hand, if the mileage is high enough, it could mean vital wear items have been replaced or otherwise remedied. In the case of this 590,000-mile Porsche 996 Turbo, we think it's the latter. Photo credit: Craigslist For sale on Craigslist in Minneapolis with an asking price of $17,995, this 2002 911 Turbo doesn't seem too out of the ordinary at first. The paint is clear and shines evenly, the interior is in good enough condition, and the wheels look free of curb rash. It's only when you get to the picture of the gauge cluster above do you see the numbers on the digital odometer: 590,000 miles on the dot. Photo credit: Craigslist According to the short listing description, the Tiptronic-equipped 996 has been fitted with a FabSpeed exhaust and upgraded factory turbochargers. It even claims the car makes 545-horsepower and 545 lb.-ft. of torque thanks to the changes, despite the mileage. Photo credit: Craigslist Porsche Club of America featured the half-million mile Turbo back in June of 2015 when it had 575,000 miles on the clock, and noted it went through no less than 124 tires during its lifetime-15 sets of front summers, 22 sets of rear summers, and 11 sets of front winters, and 14 sets of rear winters. That's, uh, a lot of tires. The article also mentions the fuel pump, water pump, a cooling fan, the battery (twice), xenon headlamps, the alternator, and the wing deployer mechanism as being replaced under the original owner's tenure. Frequent 800-mile weekend trips from Decorah, Iowa to places like Denver, Minneapolis, and Chicago are the culprit behind the impressive mileage. If you're not into a car that's seen more distance than Apollo 13, this 125,000-mile silver example might be more your thing. Either way, you can't go wrong with that Mezger engine. via Jalopnik You Might Also Like By Mubasher Bukhari LAHORE, Pakistan (Reuters) - Pakistani counter-terrorism police raided a militant hideout and killed six suspected members of a Taliban faction that has launched a new campaign of violence against the government, police said on Thursday. Since Monday, several bomb attacks across the country have shattered a period of improving security, underscoring how militant groups still pose a threat in the nuclear-armed country of 180 million people. The Counter Terrorism Department in Punjab province said its officers surrounded a hideout of the Pakistani Taliban's Jamaat-ur-Ahrar faction in the city of Multan late on Wednesday and ordered the suspects inside to surrender. "But the terrorists started firing at the raiding party and threw explosives," a spokesman for the department, who the unit does not identify for security reasons, said in a statement. Six militants were killed while three or four escaped under cover of darkness, the department added. Two hand grenades, two automatic rifles and two pistols were recovered. The militant faction claimed responsibility for a suicide bomb attack near the Punjab provincial assembly in the city of Lahore on Monday that killed 13 people and wounded more than 80. Jamaat-ur-Ahrar said the attack was the beginning of a new campaign of violence against the government, security forces, the judiciary and secular political parties. Since then, militants have killed two bomb-disposal officers in the western city of Quetta and a suicide bomber blew himself up outside a government office near the northwestern city of Peshawar on Wednesday, killing five people. Also on Wednesday, a suicide bomber on a motor bike attacked a group of judges in a van in Peshawar, killing their driver. On Thursday afternoon, a roadside bomb hit an army convoy, killing three soldiers in the southwestern province of Baluchistan, the military said in a statement. No group claimed responsibility for that attack. The attacks have underlined the threat militants pose to the government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif despite an army offensive launched in 2014 to push them out of their strongholds near the Afghan border. Pakistan's foreign office said it had summoned Syed Abdul Nasir Yousafi, deputy head of mission at Afghanistan's embassy in Islamabad, on Wednesday to voice concern about Jamaat-ur-Ahrar "sanctuaries" in Afghanistan. Pakistan says militants launch attacks from the Afghan side of the border. "Afghanistan was urged to take urgent measures to eliminate the terrorists and their sanctuaries, financiers and handlers," the foreign office said in a statement. Afghanistan and the United States accuse Pakistan of harbouring Afghan Taliban leaders fighting to topple the Western-backed government in Kabul. Pakistan has long denied sheltering the Afghan Taliban. (Additional reporting by Gul Yusufzai in Quetta, Pakistan; Writing by Drazen Jorgic; Editing by Dominic Evans) Sehwan (Pakistan) (AFP) - At least 70 people were killed and hundreds wounded Thursday when a bomb ripped through a revered Sufi shrine in southern Pakistan, officials said, after a series of attacks which have shaken optimism over recent improvements in security. The Islamic State group (IS) claimed the attack, the deadliest to hit Pakistan so far in 2017, in the town of Sehwan in Sindh province, some 200 kilometres (124 miles) northeast of the provincial capital Karachi. A police source said a suicide bomber entered the shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, a 13th century Muslim saint, and blew himself up among hundreds of devotees. Pakistan closed its border with Afghanistan late Thursday, citing security reasons as in past attacks Islamabad has accused Kabul of harbouring Pakistani militants. Kabul also regularly points the finger at Pakistan for sending militants to carry out bombings in the war torn country. The centuries-old shrine, one of the most revered in Pakistan, had been crowded on a Thursday, considered a sacred day for prayers. Provincial health minister Sikandar Ali Mandhro said at least 70 people had died while 250 were wounded, 40 of them critically. Images of the shrine showed blood smeared on the white floor around the grave, with debris and shoes scattered around. Survivors and local residents, many in tears, were helping the blood-soaked wounded on to stretchers, while at Sehwan's overcrowded medical facility the injured were being treated on floors and in corridors. An AFP photographer said shreds of flesh and blood were spattered inside the shrine. "There is blood everywhere and lots of shoes, sandals, slippers littered everywhere which indicates a stampede after the bombing," he said. - 'Like judgement day' - Local resident Haq Nawaz Khan Solangi said he and his friends were sipping tea at a stall some distance from the shrine when they heard the blast but thought it could be a tyre bursting. "But soon our phones started ringing that there was a bomb blast at shrine and we rushed towards it. When we reached there, we thought that it was the judgement day as bodies were lying everywhere in the pool of blood," Solangi said. "Some bodies had no heads, limbs or feet and those who were wounded were crying with pain and calling for help," he said. Story continues Emergency services are basic in Sehwan, with the nearest main hospital some 130 kilometres away. "Many wounded people are in critical condition and they will be shifted to Karachi as soon as Navy helicopters and C-130 plane reach nearest airport," Inspector General of Police for Sindh province A.D. Khawaja told AFP. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said an attack on Sufis was considered a "direct threat", while military chief General Qamer Javed Bajwa warned: "Each drop of (the) nation's blood shall be revenged, and revenged immediately. No more restraint for anyone." Sufism, a mystic Islamic order that believes in living saints, worships through music and is viewed as heretical by some hardline groups. The Sunni jihadist IS group has targeted Sufi shrines in Pakistan previously, killing more than 50 in a bomb blast at the Shah Noorani shrine in Balochistan province in November last year. Analysts have said IS is still scrabbling for purchase in Pakistan despite several high-profile attacks, and officials claim it is on the retreat in Afghanistan. - 'Cowardly' - "To attack peaceful worshippers in one of their sacred spaces is shameful and cowardly," US ambassador David Hale said in a statement, while the European Union expressed its condolences to the victims. Pakistanis vented their anger and grief on social media, with users calling the shrine a "capital of spirituality" and a "seat of interfaith harmony". Pakistan has seen a dramatic improvement in security in the past two years, but a series of attacks this week -- most claimed by the Pakistani Taliban -- has undermined the growing sense of optimism. Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, a faction of the Pakistani Taliban, said it had carried out a suicide bombing in Lahore which killed 13 people and wounded dozens more Monday, days after the group had vowed to launch a fresh offensive. Police and troops were also hit in attacks Thursday before and after the shrine bombing. An IED struck a military convoy in Balochistan, killing three soldiers, while gunmen on motorcycles killed four policemen and a civilian in the northwestern town of Dera Ismail Khan. Four suicide bombers had struck northwest Pakistan on Wednesday, killing six people and unnerving civilians further. "The past few days have been hard, and my heart is with the victims. But we can't let these events divide us, or scare us," Sharif said in his statement. "We have faced tougher circumstances, and still persevered." The attacks underscore Pakistan's struggle to stamp out extremism, which was stepped up after the country's deadliest ever attack, a Pakistani Taliban assault on a school in Peshawar in 2014 which left more than 150 people dead -- mostly children. Karachi (AFP) - A bomb ripped through a crowded Sufi shrine in Pakistan Thursday, killing up to 35 people and wounding 60, officials said, the deadliest in a series of attacks to strike the militancy-wracked country this week. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack on the Lal Shahbaz Qalandar shrine in the town of Sehwan in Sindh province, some 200 kilometres (124 miles) northeast of the provincial capital Karachi. A police source said that a suicide bomber had entered the shrine and blown himself up among the devotees, adding the shrine was crowded on a Thursday, considered a sacred day for prayers. "Up to 35 people have been killed and more than 60 others wounded," provincial health minister Sikandar Ali Mandro told AFP. A senior police official confirmed the death toll. "We fear that casualties might increase," senior local government official Munawar Ali Mahesar said, adding the rescuers were trying to reach the wounded. Emergency services are basic in Sehwan, with the nearest main hospital some 130 kilometres away. Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif swiftly issued a statement saying an attack on Sufis was considered a "direct threat", while military chief General Qamer Javed Bajwa appealed for calm, reassuring Pakistanis that "Your security forces shall not allow hostile powers to succeed". Pakistan has seen a dramatic improvement in security in the past two years, but a series of attacks this week -- most claimed by the Pakistani Taliban -- has shaken the growing sense of optimism. Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, a faction of the Pakistani Taliban said it had carried out a suicide bombing in Lahore which killed 13 people and wounded dozens more Monday, days after the group had vowed to launch a fresh offensive. Four suicide bombers struck northwest Pakistan on Wednesday, killing six people and unnerving civilians further. "The past few days have been hard, and my heart is with the victims. But we can't let these events divide us, or scare us," Sharif said in his statement. Story continues "We have faced tougher circumstances, and still persevered." The attacks underscore Pakistan's struggle to stamp out extremism, which was stepped up after the country's deadliest ever attack, a Pakistani Taliban assault on a school in Peshawar in 2014 which left more than 150 people dead -- mostly children. The army intensified a long-awaited operation in the semi-autonomous tribal areas, where militants had previously operated with impunity, and the government launched a vaunted National Action Plan against extremism. Emboldened Pakistanis are once again attending public gatherings and the growing confidence is palpable after more than a decade of militant attacks. But critics have repeatedly warned that the crackdown does not address the root causes of extremism, and groups like the Pakistani Taliban -- and, increasingly, Islamic State -- can still carry out spectacular assaults. Donald Trump greets Benjamin Netanyahu: Reuters A senior Palestinian official has warned that US President Donald Trumps suggestion that the US will break with decades of policy by backing away from a two-state solution is a vision akin to apartheid. Saeb Erekat, chief negotiator and Secretary-General of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO), told reporters late on Wednesday that the only alternative to a two-state solution in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict would be one single secular and democratic state with equal rights for everyone, Christians, Muslims and Jews, in all of historic Palestine. He called for concrete measures in order to save the two-state solution. Mr Trumps media conference with visiting Israeli Prime Minister Bejamin Netanyahu on Wednesday continues to send shock waves throughout the region and the wider Muslim world. The two mainly talked about the threat of Iran and the cherished relationship between their respective countries. However, when asked by reporters whether the US will continue its policy of support for the creation of a Palestinian state alongside Israel - as was suggested by an anonymous White House official a day earlier - Mr Trump was equivocal in his answer. Im looking at two-state and at one-state, and I like the one that both parties like... I can live with either one, he said, in what would be a momentous break from what has been a cornerstone of US policy in the Middle East peace process since Bill Clintons administration. I thought the two-state [solution] looked easier for a while, he added, before reaffirming he would let Israeli and Palestinian negotiators take the lead on the issue. Mr Netanyahu also dismissed what he said were just labels such as one-state and two-state, saying he would rather focus on a peace deal with the Palestinians of substance. The UN and the Arab League have since issued a joint statement reiterating their support for the creation of a Palestinian state, exposing a widening rift with Mr Trumps stance. Story continues UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Arab League Chief Ahmed Aboul-Gheit told reporters in Cairo on Thursday that a two-state solution is the only "the only way to achieve comprehensive and just settlement to the Palestinian cause." The international community generally supports a two-state solution in order to preserve the Palestinian identity and Israels unique status as a Jewish-majority state. However, increasing Israeli expansion in the West Bank which shows no sign of slowing under President Trump and the rise to power of Hamas in Gaza has led the two-state peace process to stumble in the last decade. The Israeli political landscape has also swung to the right in recent years. Many prominent hardline politicians in Mr Netanyahus coalition government are against any form of Palestinian statehood. A new EU-funded poll released on Thursday found that the number of Israelis and Palestinians who support the establishment of an independent Palestinian state has dropped recently but more people continue to prefer a two-state solution overall. 55 percent of Israelis and 44 per cent of Palestinians currently support a two-state arrangement, but just 24 per cent of Israelis and one-third of Palestinians prefer a single binational state, the poll jointly conducted by Tel Aviv University and the Palestinian Centre for Policy and Survey Research found. Protesters have clashed with riot police in Paris after an anti-police demonstration turned violent: AP Anti-police protests in Paris descended into violence last night as a wave of demonstrations gripped the country, following accusations a police officer anally raped a young black man with a baton. Protesters clashed with riot police after they lit piles of rubbish and bins on fire in the streets of the 18th arrondissement in the north of the French capital. The riot police threw tear gas canisters at the protesters, which were in turn thrown back at them. A shop was also looted and windows were smashed. Hundreds of people, some wearing hoods to hide their identity, travelled to the Barbes Metro station to protest against police brutality. The protests, which have been contained to the suburbs in recent weeks, erupted in Paris after a 22-year-old man known as Theo, was allegedly raped with a truncheon during a routine police check earlier this month. A policeman has been placed under formal investigation for the alleged rape and three others are under investigation for violent conduct during Theos arrest in Aulnay-sous-Bois. An initial investigation concluded there was insufficient evidence to support the mans claim that he was deliberately sodomised and police claimed the rape was an accident. Theo, a youth worker, whose surname has been withheld, remains in hospital with injuries to his anus and head. Demonstrations have taken place across France since the alleged incident happened on 2 February and a total of 200 people have been arrested so far. Some of the signs held during the protest in Paris read Justice for Theo, Faced with police impunity lets be uncontrollable and Police, rapists, assassins. Police estimated around 400 people took to the streets in protest on Wednesday night. The incident involving Theo has drawn attention again to alleged police brutality in the French suburbs, where police officers are accused of abusing their position of authority, particularly against young black people. The tensions have brought back memories of the violence that erupted in north Paris and across France in 2005, when 6,000 people were arrested during weeks of riots. The protests began after two teenage boys climbed a fence in an electricity substation and were electrocuted when trying to escape from police. The French authorities were forced to declare a state of emergency and by the time tensions were appeased, 10,000 cars had been burnt and 300 buildings destroyed or vandalised. By Roberta Rampton and Noah Barkin WASHINGTON/BERLIN (Reuters) - U.S. Vice President Mike Pence heads to Europe this week to meet with allies seeking clarity on the Trump administration's foreign policy strategy and its stance toward Russia after the resignation of the top White House national security aide. Pence, who has hewn more closely to Republican orthodoxy than his boss President Donald Trump, will attend the Munich Security Conference this weekend and will visit Brussels. The trip comes as turmoil swirls within the administration following the resignation of Trump's national security adviser, Michael Flynn, on Monday. Flynn, who championed closer ties to Russia, stepped down after reports he had discussed U.S. sanctions on Moscow with Russia's ambassador. Even before Flynn's departure, Trump's calls for warmer ties with Moscow and his praise of Russian President Vladimir Putin had unnerved both U.S. lawmakers at home and NATO allies. Trump has called NATO "obsolete" and said member nations were not paying their fair share for U.S. protection. Some European capitals greeted Flynn's departure with relief. Flynn was seen by some officials in Europe as one of the Trump administrations leading advocates of closer ties to Russia and a hardline opponent of the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and western powers. One fear, ahead of a series of important elections in Europe, is that a Trump White House could actively promote the disintegration of the European Union, Wolfgang Ischinger, chairman of the Munich Security Conference told reporters in Berlin. Ischinger said he hopes Pence states clearly that the breakup of the EU is not the goal of the U.S. government. MIXED MESSAGES Pence may be unable to lay out many details about Trump's policies given the turbulence on the foreign policy team, but he could provide insight into White House views ahead of a NATO summit in May that Trump will attend. "I think from the administration's point of view, this is an opportunity to make a very major pronouncement on its foreign policy and its European policy," said Alexander Vershbow, a former U.S. ambassador to Russia and a former deputy secretary general of NATO. The White House has not yet previewed Pence's remarks. Pence's comments on Russia's incursions into Ukraine will be closely parsed to see whether Trump will be willing to trade off U.S. economic sanctions to achieve other security goals, said Vershbow, now with the Atlantic Council. Trump's mixed messages on NATO have perplexed European allies. "One minute NATO is obsolete - the next minute he loves NATO. One minute NATO is an impediment and doesnt do anything for terrorism - the next minute NATO is the centerpiece of the global fight," said retired U.S. Navy Admiral James Stavridis, a former supreme allied commander of NATO. Pence is the right person to set a more reassuring tone, said Stavridis, now dean of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. "Because of his personality: he's calm, he's centered, he's thoughtful, he's widely regarded with respect on both sides of the aisle in the United States," Stavridis said in an interview. With Flynn's departure, European officials said they hope Pence, Defense Secretary James Mattis and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson become the dominant players in Trump's foreign policy. But this remains an open question. Tillerson is also in Europe this week, meeting with G20 nations in Bonn, and Mattis traveled to NATO, warning allies that they must honor military spending pledges. U.S. Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly will also attend the Munich Security Conference, and while in Germany will participate in bilateral meetings with international counterparts, the Department of Homeland Security said in a statement on Wednesday. (Reporting by Roberta Rampton in Washington, Noah Barkin and Andrea Shalal in Berlin, and John Irish in Paris; Editing by Caren Bohan and James Dalgleish) U.S. Rep. Ron Kind has announced his first local meeting of the current session next week in La Crosse. The La Crosse Democrat will hold a listening session at 3 p.m. Wednesday at American Legion Post 52 at 711 S. Sixth St. Kind also plans a second session on the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse campus, although details of that event have not been announced. Many Republican lawmakers have been met with crowds of angry constituents who are showing up at town hall meetings to protest GOP plans to repeal the Affordable Care Act and voice displeasure with the Trump administration. Rep. Tim Walz, a Mankato Democrat who represents southern Minnesota, has announced a listening session Thursday in Rochester. AFP/Getty Images A penguin has been found decapitated near a car park after being stolen from a German zoo. The young bird went missing from the Luisenpark in Mannheim on Saturday, sparking a police investigation. A passer-by found the penguins body on Thursday morning, mounted on a fence on the edge of a nearby car park. A spokesperson for Mannheim Police told The Independent the Humboldts head had been removed. Investigators are now hunting for the perpetrators, having found no evidence the penguin could have escaped its enclosure alone or been attacked by a wild animal. The penguin, identified by the number 53 on its wing, is being examined by veterinary surgeons before the results are passed to the commissioner for animal protection. Mannheim prosecutor's office has opened an investigation against unknown persons, a spokesperson said, launching a police appeal for witnesses. Joachim Koltzsch, the director of Luisenpark, said: The incident with our missing penguin could not have had a more tragic outcome. Our employees and visitors had an emotional attachment to the animal. All of us, especially the zookeepers who took care of the animal every day, are shaken by the death and also by the way such little respect was given for a living creature. Donald Trumps national security cabinet will serve largely as international explainers and soothers, smoothing ruffled feathers and helping partners accept the new reality of Trumps America. The most all-star display of this to date will be at the Munich Security Conference this weekend. To the world leaders meeting the new U.S. team I offer this advice: Be polite, reassure your people, and have a plan to survive abandonment by the United States of America. Munich will bring together a distinguished delegation of reassuring American leaders: Pence, Mattis, Kelly, and steadfast members of Congress like John McCain. They will call on allies to do more, of course. But they will be committed to NATO and Europe and firm in the face of Russian pressure perhaps even incredibly tough. We know this because weve been watching the Trump foreign policy band on its dont worry, be happy world tour. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis was pitch perfect on his kickoff international trip to treaty allies South Korea and Japan, easing concerns by stressing that all the regions maritime disputes have only diplomatic, not military, solutions. Secretary of State Tillerson started off by Cleaning up after President Trump. Hes quietly reassuring G-20 counterparts and before heading to Mexico, where he will laud joint efforts to combat organized crime and drug cartels and remind Mexicans that President Trump was just joking about invading their country to take care of some bad hombres. Mike Pompeo will reassure Iraqis that they can keep sharing intel on ISIS even though Trump banned each and every Iraqi citizen from America. Nikki Halley proves Trumps toughness because she actually stands against Russias annexation of Crimea and invasion of Ukraine. Rather than being a check on Trumps worst instincts, however, these Cabinet officials will be his enablers. They are largely playing in an orchestra led by Steve Bannon who knows just how important comforting, credible voices are to the revolution he wants to launch. Without voices of reason and patience, the underlying Trump strategy of unpredictability cannot work. Even as Trump proceeds to do the extreme things he has promised to his base a trial-size Muslim ban, a border wall, punitive tariffs, deportation forces he needs to reassure the majority of Americans and people around the world who were horrified by those plans. They we cling to hope that hes full of bluster and trying for good negotiating positions. Folks like Tillerson and Halley will help us hold on to this illusion. Someone also needs to run the day-to-day business of diplomacy, the military and the other arms of government. Competent and well-respected figures are useful in this regard, at least on foreign and national security affairs (even if they are left understaffed). By keeping normality going they enable the budding autocrat to launch an occasional shock-and-awe disruption like unilateral tariffs or an end to the one China policy or questioning commitments to mutual defense within NATO. The collective relief when things return to normal will mask the fact that some significant norm of behavior has been violated. General Mattis demonstrated this during his first speech to NATO colleagues saying allies have to pay their fair share or America might moderate its alliance commitments. This raised eyebrows, but is being digested and accepted. It will be followed by more reassuring words. We will quickly grow used to these kinds of departures from the norm, and by the time we understand and accept how fundamentally things have changed, it will be too late. Indeed, the sanctity of NATOs Article V commitment to mutual defense has already been compromised. Even if we gain higher European defense spending. Americas allies are now hedging against Washington in addition to Moscow. Finally, good emissaries can convince us that Trumps disruptive agenda is manageable. Mattis will convince allies that the new normal for is okay. Tillerson can reassure that NAFTA renegotiation will be in the spirt of prior revisions and that the U.S. does not want a costly trade war. Halley can keep up the idea that the U.S. will be a partner on global issues, at least for a while, even if she is putting UN members on notice just like Iran. But promises from this administration are far from ironclad. They can be shattered with a single Presidential tweet. Protectionist barriers are not off the table. The free flow of information, goods, and services may be disrupted, rather than championed, by America. Allies may not have support from the U.S. in a conflict. Donald Trump has been true to his words, and he has listened to Steve Bannon, whose world view requires a Judeo-Christian war against Islam, seeks the breaking of post-World War II institutions from NATO to the UN, and expects war with China. He is surely first member of the National Security Council to support the dissolution of the European Union. Munich is a venue for controversy. Its where Donald Rumsfeld coined the term old Europe, criticizing Americas historic allies as self-satisfied relics while admiring scrappy new comers like Poland and the Baltics. They will all hear something they can cling to in Munich, but it should be a cold comfort. Secretaries of State and Defense and Members of Congress cannot commit the United States to any action in global affairs. That rests unpredictably with the President. So, dear partners in Munich, thank Americas delegation for its honesty. Tell your people that you can work with this new American team. But get ready. When a true test of defending Western values arrives on your shores, be prepared to act alone as you did for most of World War I and World War II, waiting for America to awake. Photo credit: MICHAEL REYNOLDS-Pool/Getty Images By Mitra Taj LIMA (Reuters) - Peru refiled its request for U.S. authorities to detain and extradite fugitive ex-president Alejandro Toledo on Wednesday, as two other former leaders of the Andean nation vowed to cooperate with a fast-growing graft inquiry. The United States declined to try to apprehend Toledo when authorities believed he was in California last week, asking Peru's judiciary for stronger proof that he took $20 million in bribes from Brazilian builder Odebrecht [ODBES.UL], Peru has said. Toledo has denied wrongdoing and insists he is not on the run. But he has declined to give his whereabouts since a judge ordered his arrest last week, arguing that the judiciary is biased. Odebrecht has acknowledged distributing hundreds of millions in bribes across Latin America - spurring inquiries from Peru to Panama in Latin America's biggest region-wide graft scandal. Peru sent the United States additional information on the investigation on Wednesday, the attorney general's office said. The U.S. Justice Department declined to comment, saying it generally does not discuss extradition-related matters publicly. The government of Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski said it believed Toledo was still in the Bay Area on Wednesday, and was pursuing a parallel path to bringing Toledo back. President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski has asked U.S. President Donald Trump to personally order Toledo's deportation under a provision in U.S. migratory law that allows the president to expel people to preserve diplomatic ties, Vargas said. "Without a doubt that would be the shorter and faster path that I think is in the best interest of the country," Deputy Interior Minister Ruben Vargas said. Kuczynski, a former Wall Street investor who served as Toledo's finance minister and prime minister in his 2001-2006 term, plans to meet with Trump on a visit to the United States next week. In Peru, former president Alan Garcia said he was returning to Peru from Spain this week to provide testimony into a natural gas pipeline project proposed by his government that awarded to Odebrecht during his successor's term. Garcia has denied taking any bribes from Odebrecht and has stressed that he is only providing testimony as a witness. Ollanta Humala, who was Peru's president during 2011-2016, told prosecutors, who have accused him of taking illicit funds from Odebrecht, that he would cooperate fully and invited them to inspect his home, his office said Wednesday. Humala has previously denied any wrongdoing. Kuczynski has also denied involvement in kickbacks paid by Odebrecht. Odebrecht's former Peru-based executive Jorge Barata told prosecutors he personally negotiated up to $35 million in bribes for Toledo in exchange for help winning two highway contracts in 2005. The company only paid Toledo $20 million because he did not fully meet his end of the bargain, prosecutors have said. Toledo rose to power denouncing widespread corruption in the government of his predecessor Alberto Fujimori, who is now serving a 25-year sentence in Peru for graft and human rights abuses. (Reporting By Mitra Taj and Reuters TV; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore) By David Schwartz PHOENIX (Reuters) - The Phoenix City Council on Wednesday rejected a bid to declare the large southwestern U.S. municipality a "sanctuary city" despite vocal cries to protect undocumented immigrants. By a 7-2 vote, council members turned down a citizen's petition requesting the nation's sixth largest city declare itself a sanctuary city and limit their assistance to federal immigration authorities. The council's decision comes just weeks after U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order that directed the U.S. government to withhold money from cities that have adopted sanctuary policies toward undocumented immigrants. Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton, who presides over the council, said the legislation would violate a state law signed in 2010 by then-Arizona Governor Jan Brewer that allows police to question people they stop about their immigration status. Before the vote, Stanton said the parts of the 2010 law that "govern and mandate a certain level of interaction and cooperation with federal immigration authorities [...] were upheld unanimously," by the U.S. Supreme Court. The nine-member council did decide to seek legal advice at a later date to determine whether the city could challenge the state law, however. San Francisco, a prominent sanctuary city, filed a lawsuit last month challenging Trump's executive order, calling it unconstitutional. Other jurisdictions that describe themselves as sanctuary cities or offer some protection to undocumented immigrants include Boston, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Seattle and Washington. The Phoenix council vote was met with chants with cries of "Shame on you" by activists who remained in the council chambers after the raucous meeting. "What we care (about) is that our families remain together and the only way to do that is to move quickly and to not collaborate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement," said Carlos Garcia, director of immigrant advocacy group Puente Arizona. Story continues Supporters highlighted the recent case of Guadalupe Garcia de Rayos to buttress their position. The Arizona mother of two American teenage children who had been living in the United States for more than 20 years was deported last week to Mexico, in what critics claimed was an early example of Trump's promised crackdown on undocumented immigrants. (Reporting by David Schwartz in Phoenix; Editing by Curtis Skinner and Sandra Maler) Jakartas Christian and ethnically Chinese governor, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, popularly known by his Hakka nickname Ahok, won the first round of the Indonesian capitals gubernatorial election on Wednesday, in a closely watched race widely seen as a bellwether of Indonesian secularism. Based on pollsters quick count in the evening, Ahok reaped 43% of the vote, despite an ongoing blasphemy case and massive protest rallies by hard-line Islamists, who denounced him in both religious and racial terms. Of his rivals, former Education Minister Anies Baswedan trailed slightly behind with around 40% and Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, the eldest son of former President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, came in distant third with just 17%. It now looks likely that Ahok and Anies will face off in a second-round election on April 19. Some voters breathed a sigh of relief. As a triple minority here Chinese, nonreligious and female I am happy, says Anastasia Wiraatmadja, a small-business owner who flew in from Bali, in the middle of her vacation, just so she could vote for Ahok. Muhammad Abie Zaidannas, who deferred his graduation ceremony to make sure he could cast his vote Wednesday, says: I think this means people are smart, they can see many aspects apart from [racial and religious] identity. Jakartas gubernatorial vote has been one of Indonesias most polarizing elections, and is about much more than about choosing the citys de facto mayor. It has represented a choice between pluralism and increasingly fundamentalist Islam taking root in the worlds most populous Muslim nation. Ahoks rivals, Agus and Anies, both courted the support of hard-line Muslim groups like the Defenders Islamic Front (FPI), which believes that non-Muslims should not hold high office in Indonesia. Suratno, chairman of the Lead Institute think tank at Paramadina University in Jakarta, calls the strategy Islamic populism, comparing it to the sentiment whipped up by President Donald Trump in the U.S. Trump uses Islamophobia, and here they use kafirphobia, or aversion toward non-Muslim believers, Suratno tells TIME. However, many Muslims also know very well that kafirphobia is just a political issue, and so far its been proved it doesnt work. Story continues It certainly did nothing for Agus, who was unable to overcome his lackluster debate performance, unimpressive platform and his fathers bewildering statements on Twitter and in press conferences. It didnt help, either, that less than 24 hours before voting began his father was accused of falsifying murder charges against a former graft-buster. Anies, meanwhile, stunned many moderate Muslims by paying a visit to the FPI headquarters, attending an anti-Ahok rally and calling for Muslims to only vote for a Muslim. Until the election, the former rector of Paramadina University enjoyed a reputation as a relatively liberal academic. I had hoped that Anies would influence Islamists to be more moderate, says Suratno. He is a disappointment. The rivalry between Ahok and Anies that will be carried forward to the next round of voting mirrors the bitterly fought contest in the presidential election in 2014. Ahoks candidacy is backed by President Joko Jokowi Widodos centrist political party, the PDIP. Anies is endorsed by both the right-wing Gerindra Party, which is helmed by Jokowis presidential rival Prabowo Subianto, and the ultra-conservative Islamist party PKS. In electing Jokowi in 2014, Indonesian voters rejected both a racially motivated smear campaign Jokowis opponents falsely claimed that the Javanese politician was of Chinese descent and not Muslim as well as the nativist rhetoric of Prabowo. Instead, they opted for a capable, reformist bureaucrat who advocated pluralism. That has now happened in Jakarta too. Even at the polling station at Tanah Abang district, where the FPIs headquarters are located, Ahok received the most votes more, in fact, than Anies and Agus combined. He also won at Kepulauan Seribu, the district where, in a campaign speech, he criticized the use by hard-liners of a Quranic verse to support their contention that non-Muslims should not hold power. Ahoks ongoing blasphemy trial stems from the remarks he made at Kepulauan Seribu, and according to Suratno there will be pressure from populist Muslims to see him convicted guilty in court and jailed. Jokowi has promised not to interfere in the case. However, in recent months the noose has tightened around Ahoks political opponents. Hours before a massive anti-Ahok protest took place in early December, eight antigovernment figures were arrested for alleged treason. Hard-line Muslim leaders are also facing a multitude of investigations for such cases as insulting Indonesias pluralist state ideology, pornography, and money laundering. The political tension is unlikely to abate in the coming two months. As Ahok and his running mate Djarot Saiful Hidayat celebrated their victory on Wednesday, the front-runner said, This fight is not over. Those who are fighting for the soul of Indonesias democracy are likely to agree. The 36-year-old man is in custody, awaiting a potential charge, in a west London police station: PA Images A man has been arrested at Heathrow Airport on suspicion of planning acts of terror. Detectives from the Metropolitan Police's Counter Terrorism Command say they arrested the 36-year-old this afternoon, in line with Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006, after he arrived into the airport. He is in custody at a west London police station. A Met Police spokesman said they could not speculate as to whether he will be charged with an offence overnight. It follows a 50-year-old man being arrested on suspicion of committing a terrorist act, after arriving from Cairo, at the busy airport hub last month. A 29-year-old man was also arrested under the Terrorism Act last year before he was due to fly to Saudi Arabia. Lisbon (AFP) - Portuguese prosecutors on Thursday charged Angolan Vice President Manuel Vicente with corruption over allegations he bribed a magistrate with roughly 760,000 euros ($800,000) in 2012 to drop two investigations against him. Vicente, who was the president of Angolan national oil company Sonangol at the time of the alleged crimes, is charged with bribery, money laundering and document falsification, the public prosecutors' office said in a statement. His alleged accomplices, his lawyer Paulo Blanco and his business representative in Portugal, Armindo Pires, were also charged over the affair, as was the Portuguese magistrate who he is accused of having bribed, magistrate Orlando Figueira. Figueira, who was arrested in 2016 and is currently under house arrest, was charged with accepting bribes, document falsification, money laundering and violation of the confidentiality of an official investigation. Authorities seized about 512,000 euros which the magistrate had placed in bank accounts and safes in Portugal and Andorra as part of their investigation dubbed "Operation Fizz", the prosecutors' office said. According to Portuguese media reports, one of the investigations which Figueira allegedly dropped in exchange for cash centred on the origin of funds which Vicente used to buy a luxury apartment in a Lisbon suburb. The Angolan vice president will be notified of his indictment through an official letter sent to the authorities in Angola, an oil and diamond rich former Portuguese colony in southwestern Africa, the prosecutors' office said. Vicente has denied any involvement in the affair, saying shortly after Figueira's arrest that he had "absolutely nothing to do with any payment". - 'Never been questioned' - Vicente's lawyer Rui Patricio said Thursday that his client had not been notified of any charges being brought against him. "I am astounded that my client has been accused, not only because he had nothing to do with the facts mentioned but also because he has never even been questioned about them," Patricio said in a statement sent to Portuguese news agency Lusa. Story continues The fact that Vicente was not questioned "invalidates the (legal) process," he added, according to Lusa. In 2012, attempts to investigate alleged money laundering and tax evasion by several Angolan officials in Portugal sent a chill in relations between the two countries, which have strong economic ties. Portugal is Angola's main source of imports and Portuguese companies are active in banking and construction in the vast African country. In turn, Angolan investors including state oil company Sonangol -- currently headed by billionaire businesswoman Isabel dos Santos, the daughter of Angola's President Jose Eduardo dos Santos -- have built up significant stakes in Portugal's top telecommunications firms and banks. Dos Santos announced earlier this month he will not run in elections in August, signalling the end to 37 years in power and naming his Defence Minister Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco as the candidate to succeed him. Until news of the corruption scandal emerged last year, Vicente had been strongly tipped as a potential successor to Dos Santos, who has ruled Angola since 1979. Angola's vast oil wealth has not trickled down to the masses and critics accuse both dos Santos and his family of amassing huge wealth by siphoning off state funds. President Trump asked a black reporter if the members of the Congressional Black Caucus are friends of yours, pressing her on whether she would set up a meeting with them for him. At an hour-plus press conference Thursday, Trump was asked by April Ryan of American Urban Radio Networks if he would involve the Congressional Black Caucus when making plans for executive orders affecting inner city areas. Trump at first didnt understand the question, as Ryan referred to the organization of black lawmakers by its initials, the CBC, and she had to restate the question. Well, I would. I tell you what. Do you want to set up the meeting? Do you want to set up the meeting? he asked. No, no, no, Ryan replied. Im just a reporter. Are they friends of yours? he asked. Lets go, set up a meeting. I would love to meet with the Black Caucus I think its great, he said. Trump and the Congressional Black Caucus have not yet met, although White House spokesman Sean Spicer said in January that a plan for a meeting was in the works. The CBC responded on Twitter, saying it had sent Trump a letter but received no response: The campaign is over. Long live the campaign. President Trump will return to the campaign trail Saturday after barely four weeks in office, holding a rally in Melbourne, Florida. Trump formally filed the paperwork for a re-election campaign earlier this year in a standard move that allowed him to continue fundraising for himself and the Republican National Committee, but his return to the stump is just the latest sign he wont play by the same rules as his predecessors. Trump loved the campaign trail; the adoration of the crowds, the free-flowing speeches; the kids dressed as mini-Trumps. Hes missed it, and is looking to recapture some of that energy this weekend. Meanwhile in Washington, the sense of tumult is pervasiveexcept in the West Wing, where Chief Strategist Steve Bannon, Chief of Staff Reince Priebus, and Senior Advisor Jared Kushner all proclaim that everything is doing fine. Its not chaos, Bannon told TIME. Its anti-chaos. They argue that damaging leaks are emanating from those spurned by the Trump administration and that Trumps agenda is on course. There is some truth to that. Trump campaigned on upending the status quo in D.C. and hes certainly done that. But the internal drama and external worries have even allies worried. Worries about Trump on Russia. Trump loses his pick for Labor Secretary. And Trumps Shangri-La. Here are your must reads: Must Reads Top Trump Advisor Stephen Bannon Denounces Claims of Friction in West Wing Its anti-chaos, he tells TIME As Moscow Advances, U.S. Allies Look Warily to Trump for Clarity Mixed messages from the White House complicate foreign alliances TIMEs Massimo Calabresi and Simon Shuster write The Emotional Divide of Trumps Presidency TIMEs Karl Vick on what youre feeling Inside Donald Trumps White House Chaos TIMEs Philip Elliott on the turmoilintentional and notinside the administration Story continues At Mar-a-Lago, Donald Trump Blends Pleasure, Profit and Politics Trump will spend his third-straight weekend there this week [TIME] Trumps Immigration Crackdown Seems Designed to Spread Fear TIMEs Maya Rhodan on the ICE raids Trump Withholds Clear Backing for a Palestinian State in a Major Departure From U.S. Policy But calls on Netanyahu to hold off on settlements [Associated Press] After Election, Trumps Professed Love for Leaks Quickly Faded Now attacks low-life leakers [New York Times] Trump Administration Rule Aims to Calm Insurers During Health-Law Limbo Proposals seek to create more incentives for insurers who must decide by spring whether to offer plans on the Affordable Care Acts individual exchanges [Wall Street Journal] Sound Off This guy is doing an amazing job. Im proud to call him a partner. Steve Bannon on Reince Priebus Id like to see you hold back on settlements for a little bit. President Donald Trump to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Wednesday Bits and Bites President Trumps Pick for Labor Secretary Andy Puzder Bows Out [TIME] The Mar-a-Lago Club Was a Winter White House Even Before President Trump Got There [TIME] The many reasons Republicans are stuck on Obamacare repeal [CNN] Big U.S. banks to push for easing of money laundering rules [Reuters] Where Is Rex Tillerson? Top Envoy Keeps Head Down and Travels Light [New York Times] The Story Behind TIMEs Trump Chaos Cover [TIME] See Inside the Winter White House at Mar-a-Lago [TIME] After Leaks White House Plans to Have Trump Ally Review Intelligence Agencies [New York Times] Michael Flynns Resignation Has People Talking About the Logan Act. Who Was Logan? [TIME] Trumps F-35 Calls Came With a Surprise: Rival CEO Was Listening [Bloomberg] Trumps pick for Israel ambassador faces rocky confirmation President Trumps Pick for Labor Secretary Andy Puzder Bows Out [TIME] The Mar-a-Lago Club Was a Winter White House Even Before President Trump Got There [TIME] The many reasons Republicans are stuck on Obamacare repeal [CNN] Big U.S. banks to push for easing of money laundering rules [Reuters] Where Is Rex Tillerson? Top Envoy Keeps Head Down and Travels Light [New York Times] The Story Behind TIMEs Trump Chaos Cover [TIME] See Inside the Winter White House at Mar-a-Lago [TIME] After Leaks White House Plans to Have Trump Ally Review Intelligence Agencies [New York Times] Michael Flynns Resignation Has People Talking About the Logan Act. Who Was Logan? [TIME] Trumps F-35 Calls Came With a Surprise: Rival CEO Was Listening [Bloomberg] Trumps pick for Israel ambassador faces rocky confirmation Well, Ill be #*&%+@ I cant wait to toss this on the **&)%$ human resources directors desk: Studies show that swearing at work is good for you. Id like to see her reaction if I let out a *&%#*& string of blue words until Im blue in the face just to see her face turn red. Of course, Im just #@$$*& with you. Id never use vile language with the same mouth with which I kiss my grandkids. On the other hand, studies clearly demonstrate a healthy upside to cursing at work not the least of which is that there are fewer small ears around the office. Even at home, when a parent inadvertently swears in front of a toddler, the tot probably wont repeat the word until some Sunday in church, during a pause in the ministers sermon, when the epithet will echo from the pews to the parapet and cause the parents to cringe. The key to a benign view of employee swearing is that such cursing should not be directed at a co-worker but rather, just spewed into the air as an emotional release. Saying sumbitch might be OK, but telling someone that he is a sumbitch crosses the line. Researchers at the University of East Anglia in Norwich, England, who studied the issue recommend that workers should feel free to release their stress with a few naughty words. It appears that such outbursts might pull co-workers together instead of driving them apart. What researchers Yehuda Baruch and Stuart Jenkins found was that swearing may be more beneficial than the average human resources director would like, according to a report on their study on the howstuffworks website, a division of InfoSpace LLC. Baruch and Jenkins found that, when used in a non-abusive manner, swearing enables the development of personal relationships among co-workers. After all, if an employee uses foul language in his everyday life outside of work, then this represents part of the employees personality. The absence of this personal aspect could serve as a constraining barrier between employees, keeping them from really getting to know one another. Granted, I know a fair number of people whose cursing vocabulary stalls at heck or, perhaps, friggin, but a lot of other folks who are tempted to deny that they swear at work or anywhere else might want to just fess up instead of spewing alternative facts. Wrike, a work management blog that touts itself as an information source to improve collaboration and productivity in the workplace, cites some findings to support the cursing habit. The survey found that 25 percent of those polled swear daily, and 49 percent occasionally do so at work. Get a load of this: More women 60 percent acknowledged swearing than men 55 percent. However, the men who admitted to cursing at work do it more frequently than women. Nearly 100 percent of the potty mouths say they cuss more in face-to-face conversations than in emails or other online communications. Fully one-third indicated that they are more likely to swear if the boss does, while one-fourth dont give a hoot whether the big cheese is standing behind them. Heres a stat perhaps best left unsaid on a resume: 33 percent would not consider accepting a position in an organization that bans swearing. Those who insist that people who curse do so because theyre too stupid to do anything else might be surprised to learn that a study debunks that theory. The research, by psychologists Kristin Jay and Timothy Jay of Marist College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in North Adams, Mass., found that blasphemous blackguards have better, more expansive, vocabularies than sanctimonious souls. So shove that where the sun dont shine, goody-goodies. I learned the hard way to be careful about getting the right address when bellyaching about a boss to another co-worker. Well, twice no, three times I learned to triple-check the destination before hitting send, but at least the third time singed my fingers, and ears, enough that I learned the lesson. Psychologically, when youre venting about what a doofus your boss is, your brain-finger coordination has a tendency to type in the honchos name instead of the co-workers. And, for some reason, the bosses where my errant emails landed didnt take kindly to comments about their moms. One threatened to frog-walk me to HR. Ive emulated a choir boy ever since. OK, OK, Ill confess that I unleashed a string of choice words last weekend when I was in Palm Beach County, Fla., and saw the guesstimates that it costs us taxpayers 3 million bucks every time President Trump spends the weekend at his winter White House there and he has established a pattern of doing it every weekend. Thats a lot of friggin money especially when added to the northern White House in Trump Tower. And at work, I continue to strive to have the cleanest mouth in the newsroom. I defer to the HR director out of respect for her as a person and her office. I refuse to treat her as if she were a quockerwodger and Im the puppeteer pulling her strings. (Yanking her chain, recalling the good old days of political incorrectness, is a whole other matter.) Researchers at the University of East Anglia in Norwich, England, who studied the issue recommend that workers should feel free to release their stress with a few naughty words. It appears that such outbursts might pull co-workers together instead of driving them apart. In 2015 the United Nations publicly urged the UK to tackle hate speech in British media, specifically citing an article in The Sun in which migrants were described as 'cockroaches: Stop Funding Hate A pressure group whose aim it is to encourage corporations to stop advertising on media outlets that they say encourage hate speech and extremism has launched a crowd-funding campaign to raise awareness and spread support. Stop Funding Hate launched the campaign earlier this week, which aims to raise 50,000 on Crowdfunder UK. By Thursday morning it had already raised 5 per cent of that sum. Were challenging the hate campaigns of The Sun, the Daily Mail and the Daily Express by encouraging Britains best-loved brands to pull their ads, the group, founded in August 2016, wrote in its funding pitch. Now we want to fund our biggest video campaign yet, including high impact advertising where brands and the public will be sure to see it. We also need resources to set ourselves up for the long-term. Help us cover our running costs and we can change the business model of hate. People have for months been asking how they can support us and donate, Stop Funding Hates founder, Richard Wilson, told The Independent. Thats why we decided to launch the crowdfunding campaign. Stop Funding Hate urges advertisers to rethink their support for right-wing newspapers over what it sees as misleading headlines about child refugees. This week The Body Shop, owned by LOreal, stated on Twitter that it has no plans to advertise with the Daily Mail. In December, the beauty company had a front-page advertisement on the Mail on Sunday. In the same week, phone and broadband provider Plusnet pulled an advertisement from The Sun in response to social media backlash and criticism from Stop Funding Hate. In 2015, The United Nations publicly urged the UK to tackle hate speech in British media, specifically citing an article in The Sun in which migrants were described as cockroaches. Last November, Lego said it would stop advertising its products in the Daily Mail, becoming the first major company to agree to the campaigners demands. Newspaper editors have a strong incentive to run sensationalist anti-migrant headlines: it boosts their readership and that means they can earn more from advertising, Stop Funding Hate writes on its website. Story continues Many of these advertisers have strong ethical stances on other issues: on discrimination in the workplace, on their supply chains, on their role in their communities. But when it comes to choosing which publications they fund with their advertising budgets, their own ethics and values have often been ignored. In the US, more than 1,000 companies, including Kelloggs, BMW, Visa and T-Mobile, have pulled advertising from far-right news outlet Breitbart, according to a database from campaign group Sleeping Giants. A petition for Amazon to cancel its relationship with the website has also reached almost half-a-million signatures. Prince Charles made the remarks visiting a new Black Cultural Archives in Brixton: Jonathan Brady/Pool/Reuters Prince Charles today praised the "remarkable contribution" of black immigrants and their families to society in the UK. Visiting a new Black Cultural Archives in Brixton, he said, "We are very lucky that you have made that contribution, particularly if I may say so, during the first and Second World War." He went on, "At last, you have a centre such as this, which allows you to develop so many opportunities but also to bring the message to so many people in this country and elsewhere about the remarkable contribution made over so long, by people of African and Caribbean descent who have contributed so much to this country. "When we think of how many people were involved in that war from all around Africa and the Caribbean, their legacy is a truly remarkable one and I am so glad that you are able to ensure that story is told properly," he said. During the visit he met a number of black war veterans who served with distinction. Prince Charles and Camilla in Brixton today (Chris Jackson/Getty Images) Founded in 1981, by a collective of educationalists, community leaders, and parents, spearheaded by the late Len Garrison, Black Cultural Archives began as a community organisation. Over the next two decades, Black Cultural Archives amassed its legacy collection and developed a professional archive, library and object collection. With so many other initiatives that you are pursuing, I was so impressed to hear about them and the fact that you are attracting so many people to this centre. Prince Charles added, "I believe 50,000 and I'm sure it will grow and grow. In fact I can see a time come when even these premises will probably be too small. "I just want to use this opportunity to attract those who have struggled so hard for so long to achieve this centre. I can imagine how difficult it has been. It is a great day that you have managed that." In July 2014 the Black Cultural Archives opened the first national Black heritage centre in the U.K. dedicated to collecting, preserving and celebrating the histories of Black people in Britain. The B.C.A. heritage centre is located on Windrush Square, in the heart of Brixton - named after the Empire Windrush, which docked in Tilbury in 1948 carrying her passengers on their pioneering journey from Jamaica to Britain. Story continues The bulk of the collection is drawn from the twentieth century to the present day, while some materials date as far back as the second century. The collection includes personal papers, organisational records, rare books and photographs. CAIRO (AP) The main figure killed in last month's U.S. raid in Yemen targeting al-Qaida was a tribal leader who was allied to the country's U.S.- and Saudi-backed president and had been enlisted to fight Yemen's Shiite rebels, according to military officials, tribal figures and relatives. The government connections of tribal chief Sheikh Abdel-Raouf al-Dhahab raise further questions over the planning of a raid that turned into a heavy firefight with casualties on both sides. One U.S. Navy Seal was killed, six American soldiers were wounded and a military aircraft suffered a hard landing and had to be destroyed in the assault, which took place days after President Donald Trump's inauguration. Survivors and witnesses say at least 25 Yemenis were killed, including 10 children and nine women, raising outrage in Yemen and prompting the government to ask Washington for a review of the Jan. 29 assault on the tiny village of Yakla. The raid illustrated the murkiness in distinguishing al-Qaida in Yemen, where the terror group has built up ties of one degree or another with the country's many tribes and has often used anger over civilians killed in American airstrikes to gain recruits. Al-Qaida has also emerged as a de facto ally of the government of President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi and his backers Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates against the Shiite rebels in a grueling civil war that has wreaked devastation, caused widespread hunger and killed more than 10,000 since late 2014. The result has been a tolerance for the militants after several years of the government cracking down on them. In Yakla, there was some al-Qaida presence. At least six of those killed in the raid were al-Qaida fighters, according to a list put out by the group's leader, though some witnesses said they arrived on the scene after the battle started. Also, a female Saudi al-Qaida militant who fled her homeland in 2013 was being sheltered in the home of a tribesman whose son was also a member, according to tribal leaders and officials. Story continues But all appeared to be low-level operatives. Also among the dead was an elderly sheikh trying to win the release of a fellow tribesman abducted by the terror network. A senior U.S. defense official said the assault was not targeting a particular individual and was geared toward and succeeded in capturing intelligence. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the operation. U.S. Central Command said 14 al-Qaida militants were killed. It counted among them al-Dhahab and his brother Sultan, calling them "top operational planners and weapons experts." But Yemenis in the village called the raid an intelligence failure. "If you want to hunt al-Qaida, you can find them in the surrounding mountains not in this small village ... The Americans' information was wrong," said Aziz Mabkhout, the village chief. Parts of the al-Dhahab clan have long been connected to al-Qaida. But in a public ceremony aired on Yemeni TV in 2013, Abdel-Raouf, Sultan and another brother announced an accord with the governor of Bayda province to force al-Qaida out of the area. Just before the raid, Abdel-Raouf was in the neighboring province of Marib, meeting with the military chief of staff in Hadi's government. The meeting was confirmed by al-Dhahab's top aide, Fahd al-Qasi, who accompanied him, and two military officials who witnessed or helped arrange the meeting. The two officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the meeting. During five days of talks with the military, al-Dhahab who commands a force of some 800 tribal fighters was given around 15 million Yemeni riyals ($60,000) to pay his men in the fight against the rebels, al-Qasi and the two officials said. He returned home to Yakla and the evening before the raid, al-Qasi distributed the money to the fighters. Maj. Gen. Mohsen Khasrouf head of the military's Morale Guidance unit, the equivalent of a spokesman's office told Al-Arabiya TV that al-Dhahab was working with Hadi's government to retake the nearby city of Radaa from the rebels. The al-Dhahab clan is a powerful force in Bayda province, originally made up of 18 brothers and half-brothers. The family had long been split in a struggle for leadership, with one part joining al-Qaida. At least three of the brothers were senior al-Qaida figures, two of them killed in U.S. drone strikes and a third, Tareq, killed in a family dispute. Giving al-Qaida further leverage in the family, one of the sisters was married to Anwar al-Awlaki, a Yemeni-American who was the branch's top propagandist until he was killed in a 2011 drone strike. But Abdel-Raouf, who became the clan's leader in 2012 after Tareq's death, repeatedly denied belonging to al-Qaida. He was mistrusted by al-Qaida because he didn't swear allegiance to its leader and had links to the government, according to a relative and a prominent figure from another tribe in the area. They spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity for fear of trouble with the terror group. Hadi's government spokesman, Rageh Badi, did not reply to the AP's request for comment. AP emails to the vice president's office also received no reply. U.S. officials did not immediately reply to queries whether planners were aware of al-Dhahab's link to Hadi's government. Since al-Qaida's branch in Yemen began in 2007, it has sought to strengthen alliances with the country's tribes, using money, family connections and fear. Some tribes join it, some use it against rivals, some cooperate with it, and some shun it. Some tribes split. Complicating matters further, al-Qaida militants have been fighting the Shiite rebels since 2015 informally alongside pro-Hadi forces. They often operate closely with ultraconservative Islamist militias funded by Hadi's allies Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. That has enabled them to move back into areas they were previously driven out of, including Bayda province. The AP spoke to eight witnesses and survivors of the raid, along with several prominent local tribal figures. According to their accounts, it began around 1:30 a.m. when U.S. special forces descended on Yakla, in a sparsely populated area of Bayda province. Fighters in the village opened fire, and a battle erupted, with aerial bombardment and firing from attack helicopters. Fighting lasted several hours and at least three houses were destroyed. "Nothing survived, even the cows and the sheep were shot dead," said Sheikh Ahmed al-Salami, who lived not far from al-Dhahab and was among the villagers who got out their personal weapons to fight back against the attackers. The center of the raid appeared to be six houses belonging to al-Dhahab family and Abdullah Mabkhout al-Ameri, head of another prominent local family. One of al-Ameri's sons, Mohammed, an al-Qaida member, was home at the time of the raid, according to several villagers. Also staying in an annex to the house were the fugitive Saudi female jihadi, Arwa al-Baghdadi, her brother also an al-Qaida militant and his pregnant wife and their niece. The tribal leaders and officials said they believed Mohammed had housed them. All but the niece were killed. Caught in the al-Dhahabi house was a delegation of 15 men from another family who had come seeking al-Dhahab's mediation for the release of a relative snatched by al-Qaida. The family's leader, Sheikh Seif al-Joufi, in his 80s, stepped out of the house and was shot dead, according to several witnesses. "There was random shooting at anything that moved, the entire place was on fire," said Abdullah al-Joufi, a member of the delegation. "If you have a head, you better keep it down. This is what we did." From the al-Dhahab family, besides Abdel-Raouf and Sultan, three children were killed, including Anwaar al-Awlaki, the 8-year-old daughter of Anwar al-Awlaki. Al-Awlaki's elder son, 16-year-old Abdel-Rahman, was killed by a drone in 2011. The al-Ameri family suffered the most dead: five women, six children, Abdullah, his son Mohamed and another man, according to Saleh Mohsen al-Ameri, who was one of the tribesmen who received money the night before to fight the rebels. Trying to escape the fighting, Saleh's daughter Fatim dashed from the house with one of her six children. She was shot dead, he said. "Hours later, we pulled her body back and found the child unconscious but alive, covered in his mother's blood." ___ Al-Haj reported from Sanaa, Yemen. AP National Security Writer Robert Burns in Washington contributed to this report. Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission, has been clear; Britain will be weaker post-Brexit It is all so different to the claims made by the Leave camp in the referendum campaign. Then we were told that Europe needs Britain as much, if not more, than Britain needs Europe. The big German car makers will make sure we still have access to the single market, for fear of losing their lucrative UK sales. The City and our defence capability will propel Europe into offering us a special deal. There was much talk of the Norwegian, Swiss or Canadian models for trade and close co-operation. It was confidently predicted, some type of bespoke arrangement mutually beneficial to both sides would be achieved. Britain was, after all, special, unique even. As Tony Blair bravely puts it: the people voted without knowledge of the true terms of Brexit. As these terms become clear, it is their right to change their mind. Our mission is to persuade them to do so. He is right and the reality is far worse than anyone imagined last year. Now we know the bitter truth. Britain is indeed to be uniquely treated uniquely badly in fact. Although not the biggest beasts in the European jungle, we have heard some significant indicators of the likely outcome of the negotiations from a variety of sources. The Austrian Chancellor and the French Senate echoed one another by declaring that Britain could not be better off outside the EU than inside. To do otherwise would, as some did point out last summer, risk other nations looking for special concessions, with the end point being a virtual unravelling of the European Union. Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission, has also been clear; Britain will be weaker post-Brexit". Whether that is simply his analysis or represents a personal wish to help deliver that unhappy outcome is matter of debate. The result though, will be the same. He also took a side swipe at the fond notion put around by Theresa May that she would act as some sort of bridge between America and Europe. She is labouring under the same delusion of grandeur that some many British premiers have before her. As Mr Juncker says, the EU doesnt need the British to organise its diplomatic relations with the US; and even if it did, it is too proud to do so, he could have added, but did not. The very notion that the Quai dOrsay is going to subcontract French foreign policy to Whitehall is as laughable as it ever was. Story continues If there is one thing that Brexit will not allow the UK to punch above its weight in the world. A global Britain as it is called by ministers is nothing more than a piece of Elizabethan flummery, summoning up the spirit of Raleigh, Frobisher and Drake. Well, we have Boris, Liam Fox and David Davis for our buccaneers. The plight of the British car industry, the City and other key sectors of the economy is only just becoming apparent as the real dawn breaks on Brexit. As we approach the official trigger for Article 50, minds will start to be concentrated on the coming deal, or lack of it. Like it or not, and whatever the level of spin, the Prime Ministers willingness to face no deal was more than an act of bravado or negotiating tactic. It was, inadvertently, the first step along a journey of realisation that many in Britain will be taking over the next few years. And that is that the Brexit that many imagined they were voting for a free trade area, some access to the single market, the protection of vital British interests will be no such thing. The further indeed that the deal drifts from the promise of the Leave campaign the more rebellious and regretful the public may grow. At some point if the deal is even half as bad as it looks like it is becoming the public pressure for an opportunity to approve the final terms of exit will become irresistible even for a Eurosceptic government. Many Conservative MPs, far beyond the usual small band of remoaners and quite a few ministers will find themselves with a bleak choice to support their government and a deal that is plainly disastrous for Britain, or to follow their consciences and put the nation first. That should also have been the case with the Labour Party which, under Jeremy Corbyn has fatefully betrayed the interests of their own people and the nation by appeasing Brexit and offering no resistance to this disastrous move. The day when the British people realise that the Leave campaign deceived them will not arrive rapidly, but it will surely come. The day of reckoning, the point of no return and the opportunity to break out of this cycle of folly is yet to come. Europe knows that, but that is not the only reason why they will be driving a catastrophically tough bargain with the British. They simply cannot afford to be nice to us, even if they wanted to. We will soon find out how nasty they are going to turn. As the U.S. presidential elections were approaching last year, voters in the tiny Balkan nation of Montenegro liked to say that they deserved to cast a ballot at least as much as any American. They were only half joking. Like many people in Eastern Europe wedged between the dueling interests of Russia and the West, the outcome of the U.S. race held nearly as much significance for them as the results of their own elections. In Montenegro the stakes were especially high. After a decade of negotiations, the country had almost succeeded in joining the NATO military alliance at the end of 2015. Then Donald Trump entered the picture the first major contender for the U.S. presidency to question the usefulness of that alliance and the wisdom of expanding it any further toward Russias borders. Moscow, which sees the expansion of NATO as the top threat to its security, was meanwhile seeking to gain a foothold in Montenegro, whose deep-water ports would be a perfect stopover for Russias naval missions in the Mediterranean. This tug of war reached a crisis point last fall. During Montenegros parliamentary elections on Oct. 16, the government announced that it had foiled a Russian-linked plot to seize power in Montenegro, assassinate the then-Prime Minister, Milo ukanovic, and install a leader who would keep the country out of NATO. Russia has denied any involvement in the alleged plot, and the opposition in Montenegro has questioned whether any attempt at a coup detat took place. As it continues to investigate the conspiracy, Montenegro is pushing ahead with its bid to join NATO. Out of the alliances 28 members, 24 have already ratified Montenegros membership. But the vote is now stalled in the U.S. Senate, and a senior U.S. official told TIME this week that the White House currently has no plans to endorse Montenegros membership. All of that is cause for alarm to Dusko Markovic, the pro-Western politician and former intelligence chief who became Montenegros Prime Minister after the elections in October. With his country now waiting at NATOs doorstep, Markovic sat down with TIME on Feb. 13 in his office in Podgorica, the nations capital, to discuss the alleged coup attempt and what he expects from President Trump and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin: Story continues TIME: Throughout its history, your country has been conquered and dominated by some of the worlds greatest military powers, from the ancient Romans to the Austro-Hungarians to the Third Reich. Now, roughly a decade after gaining independence, you want to join up with NATO, the worlds most powerful military alliance. Why? Markovic: What happened [after the dissolution of Yugoslavia] was something that was characteristic of the Western Balkans for many centuries there were permanent conflicts, wars, peace conferences, and then repetition, over and over again. All of those experiences never led to any mechanisms for self-control and the resolution of crises. That is why, even though the Balkans form a natural part of Europe, they have been falling behind Europe for many centuries. And that is why in 2006, after regaining our independence, we adopted a declaration, in which we stipulated that NATO and the European Union would be the key goals of our state policy. Some officials in the U.S. have questioned your countrys usefulness to NATO. Montenegro has only about 620,000 citizens. It has no air force. It has no military academy. It has no coast guard. Your armed forces have less than 2,000 active personnel. So what does NATO have to gain from letting you join? Montenegro is very strategically positioned. It has an exit to the Adriatic Sea. [Other] countries of the Adriatic, namely Slovenia, Croatia and Albania, are already NATO member states. Montenegro is the only country which is not. It has a very powerful port, the port of Bar. And this port of Bar is strategically important for NATOs opponents, especially following the conflict in Syria, when Russia started its search for a good naval base in some of the warmer seas. Then it should not surprise you that Russia has been so resistant to Montenegro joining NATO. In Russias official military doctrine, the expansion of NATO is listed as the number one security threat, higher than terrorism. Can you understand Russias resistance to your NATO membership? Russia has a very strong interest to expand its outreach to the Adriatic coast, and the Montenegrin decision to belong to another civilizational circle poses an obstacle. Its all about the strategic conflict between global interests, the power games between NATO and the West on one side and Russia on the other. Montenegro has cherished for more than 300 years its good friendship with Russia, and we would never allow our territory to be misused in order to disrupt Russian security in any way. Nevertheless, we are going to defend our own interests and the interests of this Western community that we opted for. Enabling Russia to gain power, or to gain dominant influence in the Western Balkans, would mean losing our sovereignty at the same time. And we want to keep that sovereignty for ourselves. So we are not ready to allow Russia to make decisions for us and to direct the course we take. Your government has alleged that Russia, or individuals loyal to Russia, attempted to stage a coup detat in Montenegro during the elections in October. The government in neighboring Serbia has confirmed some of the details of the plot, which was allegedly planned on Serbian territory. From your perspective, what exactly happened ahead of the October elections? Russia interfered with our election process. They started visibly supporting the political forces opposed to NATO. It was right out in the open. We were warning people about that. A lot of money was pumped in illegally. Russian officials were publicly threatening us. Their [security] services were in touch with politicians, with the Orthodox Church, with NGOs, with some media outlets. An environment was created in which the pro-Western forces were supposed to lose. But they were also preparing an alternative scenario, which we uncovered right at the end of the electoral process. It entailed forming a criminal organization, [whose] activities on the night of the elections was to provoke incidents, to provoke general outrage, and also possibly an armed conflict, which in the event of a victory for the pro-European forces, would lead to attacks, to conflicts, and the violent overtaking of power. How did you uncover this plot and what is your evidence that it was in fact in the works? We had certain hints about this scenario, but we didnt have any tangible proof or evidence until Oct. 12. On that day, a man came to our [security] services and divulged this entire scenario. He let us know that two Russian citizens were backing him. It later turned out that they belong to the Russian military intelligence service. Our prosecutors office launched an [investigation] to verify these allegations. The security services of NATO member countries [also] confirmed and corroborated our information. They helped us to put all of these pieces together, because all of these operations involved the interference of a third party. Servers were used for protected means of communication. Have you collected physical evidence of this, including the servers that were used for these communications? Yes. What was the ultimate aim of this alleged plot? This scenario entailed shooting citizens, taking over the parliament, and according to one part of the scenario, the possible assassination of the Prime Minister [Milo ukanovic]. The opposition parties are skeptical any coup attempt took place. For example, it seemed strange to them that you did not put the military on alert on Election Day, even though you claim there was an imminent threat to the state. Why didnt you inform the military beforehand? Well, the entire security system had this information at their disposal. But it was not for the military to deal with that. At that point there was no need to bring the military on board. There were police, intelligence services and the prosecutors office on board. Have you had any cooperation from Russia in this investigation? The only feedback was that these two persons are nationals of Russia, and not a single piece of information more than that. In some parts of eastern Ukraine, local protests against the pro-Western government in Kiev in 2014 grew into major conflicts with Russian state support. Do you fear that kind of scenario can happen here? Yes, thats the modus operandi Russia uses for destabilization. Were aware of that. But continuously since the elections weve had obstruction of the state and its institutions here. They want to make this government nonsensical, the same goes for the judiciary, the prosecutors office, the law enforcement authorities. We dont want to allow them to do that. We know it carries many risks. But we must defend our legal and constitutional order regardless of what the Russian side is ready to do. Lets turn to the Western side. In the past year, the European Union has faced major challenges, from the British vote to leave the E.U. in June to the growing popularity of anti-E.U. parties. At the same time, Russia has grown a lot more assertive and confident on the world stage. Do these geopolitical shifts make you question your decision to integrate with the West? We have no such dilemma. Our path is clear. That is NATO and the European Union. We know that NATO is going to enter a new stage, a new way of doing things. We believe that especially because of this new position of the U.S. and President Trump, NATO will become even stronger. The way we understand Mr. Trumps statements is that he wants everyone to contribute equally to the alliance. Which means that soon after becoming a NATO state, Montenegro will be obliged to allocate 2% of its GDP to defense. As for the European Union, youre right. The European Union is facing some serious problems. [But] we really believe that once we finish the negotiating process with the European Union, it will not look as it looks today. We believe it will be better organized, and its institutions will be reinforced more than today. Would you want NATO to admit even countries like Georgia and Ukraine? Absolutely. It should remain open to those countries and [to the countries of] the Western Balkans. When I spoke to [NATO Secretary General Jens] Stoltenberg in Brussels, I told him that its very important for this policy to remain open for all the countries of the Western Balkans. If we preserve peace in the Western Balkans, then in my opinion we preserve stability and peace in Eastern Europe. In both Georgia and Ukraine, Russia has shown that it is willing to use force against countries that seek to join the NATO alliance. Arent you concerned about Russias reaction to the continued expansion of NATO? I dont think that Russia can carry out an operation similar to what its done in Ukraine. Despite the aggressiveness from Russia, despite its victories in the Middle East, and in Ukraine, I dont think the Western Balkans can be fertile ground for such attacks. You know, in a way, they applied the same approach to the elections in the United States. And Im not sure the same scenario wont take place in Germany and France during their elections. Since Donald Trumps election victory in the U.S., theres been a lot of concern in Eastern Europe that Trump will sit down with Putin and strike some grand geopolitical bargain, one that would allow Russia to establish a sphere of influence in this region of the world. Do you think such a bargain is possible? I dont believe in such a scenario. I think those times when two leaders sat down and decided the fate of the world passed a long time ago. This is just the perspective of a man in a small country, and maybe it all looks different from behind the scenes, behind the curtains. But I dont believe that well see those two Presidents moving their pawns around the chess table and deciding the fate of countries like Montenegro. Many states have acquired enough resilience to defend their interests today. This conversation has been edited for length and clarity. Massimo Calabresi contributed reporting from Washington, D.C. The jets destroyed an Islamic State headquarters RAF jets destroyed an Islamic State headquarters as Allied forces tightened their grip on parts of Mosul, Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon announced today. The building on the citys north-western outskirts was blasted by Typhoons with two Paveway IVs guided bombs on Tuesday after being kept under surveillance. Mr Fallon, US Defence Secretary General James Mattis and their counterparts from around 50 other countries were meeting today in Brussels to discuss the campaign to liberate Mosul, in northern Iraq, and Raqqa in Syria, from Islamic State, also known as Daesh. Sir Michael said: Daesh is losing ground, fighters, and funding. Now we need to keep up the pressure on Mosul and Raqqa to deal Daesh a decisive blow. "Britain will continue playing its leading role providing vital intelligence, precision airstrikes, and training Iraqi forces where they need it. RAF planes destroyed two terrorist supply trucks north-west of Mosul on Sunday, a tunnel and bunker dug into a hillside seven miles to the south-west of the city on Saturday, and sunk an IS heavy machine gun team last week on a boat on the River Tigris. British jets and remotely piloted aircraft have now carried out more than 1,200 airstrikes against the Islamist extremists. However, Sir Michael admitted that progress to take the IS stronghold of Raqqa had been slower than the advance into Mosul. Sad death: Raver Keith Robinson drowned in the Thames at Limehouse, an inquest heard An east London raver who drowned in the River Thames was planning a tour of Italy with his music group, an inquest heard. Keith Robinson, 48, was walking with his friend, Matthew Roberts, to calm down after becoming paranoid because of an altercation near his home in Limehouse, on the afternoon of September 18 last year. The inquest at Poplar Coroner's Court heard that after approaching the river and getting "drenched", witnesses saw Mr Robinson walk on to nearby railings, jump and land on concrete, before flipping into the water and swimming in. Mr Roberts said he had left him moments before to get him a change of clothes, but when he returned, saw Mr Robinson in the water who looked like he was "meditating". He called the emergency services, but they arrived after Mr Robinson's body was underwater. His body was recovered four days later and a post-mortem examination revealed he had drowned. Mr Roberts said: "It did not cross my mind that he was in a dangerous state", adding that he thought Mr Robinson's decision was impulsive. Coroner Heather Williams concluded that Mr Robinson's death was an accident, saying he "was someone who liked performing daredevil activities" and that impulsion could be a factor in his death. "I do not conclude that he intended to commit suicide." His mother, Jenny Chapman, said Mr Robinson was planning to take his music group, the Desert Storm Soundsystem, to Italy, and told her he was getting ready for the trip six days before his death. She told the court that her son was struggling with "severe bouts of depression" in the year up to his death, and was living in a warehouse "due to a lack of energy and wanting to hide from life." "I really understood it when he started disappearing for long periods of time and would not answer his phone and his friends would not know where he was," said Mrs Chapman. Mr Robinson, a founding member of the Desert Storm Soundsystem group, served in Afghanistan in 2010 and suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, the court heard. Story continues Following the inquest, Mrs Chapman said: "Keith was a very charismatic person, he had a very active life in music and had a very strong social conscience. "He had a huge following in many parts of the world." President Trump held a loose, combative press conference that touched on his views on Russia, the first weeks of his Administration and his views on the media. After several press conferences in which he only called on conservative media outlets while avoiding tough questions on the firing of National Security Advisor Michael Flynn and other difficult topics, Trump spoke at length and then took questions from a wide range of reporters. The subject of the hour-plus press conference was ostensibly his choice for Labor Secretary, Alexander Acosta, who was announced just one day after CKE Restaurants CEO Andrew Puzder withdrew his nomination, though Trump spoke only briefly on the nomination. Heres a look at some of the most interesting things he said at the press conference. On the state of the country: As you know, our Administration inherited many problems across government and across the economy. To be honest, I inherited a mess. Its a mess. At home and abroad, a mess. On the beginning of his Administration: I turn on the T.V., open the newspapers and I see stories of chaos. Chaos. Yet it is the exact opposite. This administration is running like a fine-tuned machine. On drug abuse: Were becoming a drug infested nation. Drugs are becoming cheaper than candy bars. We are not going to let it happen any longer. On whether he would meet with the Congressional Black Caucus: I would. You want to set up the meeting? Are they friends of yours? On anti-Semitism in the United States: Number one, I am the least anti-Semitic person youve ever seen in your entire life. Number two, racism, the least racist person. On a Russian spy vessel that is off the U.S. coastline: Not good. On misstating his Electoral College win at the press conference: Well, I dont know, I was given that information. I was given. On his connections with Russia: I own nothing in Russia. I have no loans in Russia. I dont have any deals in Russia. Story continues Again, on Russia: Russia is a ruse. On Hillary Clintons reset with Russia as Secretary of State: Hillary Clinton did a reset, remember? With the stupid plastic button that made us all look like a bunch of jerks. On CNNs coverage of him: I watch CNN, its so much anger and hatred and just the hatred. On whether stories about Mike Flynns resignation are fake news: The leaks are absolutely real. The news is fake because so much of the news is fake. DAKAR (Reuters) - Rebels in Central African Republic killed at least 32 civilians after clashes with a rival armed group, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on Thursday, a sign of the fighters' growing boldness amid limited state authority. Despite successful elections last year that were seen as a step toward reconciliation after years of civil conflict, the government and a 13,000-strong United Nations peacekeeping mission have struggled to contain killing sprees by rebel groups. The Union for Peace in Central African Republic (UPC) rebels carried out the killings on Dec. 12 in the town of Bakala, where they had been fighting the Popular Front for the Renaissance of Central African Republic (FPRC), HRW said in a statement. The UPC lured 25 of the civilians to a local school where it shot them after killing seven others earlier the same day, HRW said. At least 29 other civilians have been killed in fighting around Bakala since late November, it added. "They certainly feel emboldened to commit worse and worse crimes," said HRW researcher Lewis Mudge of the rebels in an interview, adding the civilians were likely targeted because they were thought to be allied with rival groups. Both the FPRC and UPC are former members of the mainly Muslim Seleka rebel alliance that united to oust then-President Francois Bozize in 2013, sparking backlash from Christian anti-balaka militias. But the two groups have since fallen out over competition for territory and control of tax revenues. The Muslim FPRC are now allied with the Christian anti-balaka, an indication of the waning role of ideology in the conflict. On Wednesday, the government appointed a prosecutor to a U.N.-backed special criminal court created to investigate war crimes and crimes against humanity, a potential first step toward bringing rebel leaders to justice. (Reporting by Nellie Peyton; Editing by Aaron Ross and Toby Chopra) WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republican U.S. Senator Susan Collins of Maine said on Wednesday she would oppose Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt's nomination to head the Environmental Protection Agency, citing his numerous lawsuits against the agency. Pruitt is scheduled to face a Senate confirmation vote on Friday. Unless more Republicans join Collins in opposing Pruitt, his nomination is likely to be approved. Republicans hold 52 of the 100 seats in the chamber and Vice President Mike Pence could cast the deciding vote in case of a tie. "Due to my concerns about Mr. Pruitt's commitment to the mission of the EPA, I will cast my vote in opposition to his confirmation," Collins said in a statement. President Donald Trump has vowed to cut regulation to revive the oil, gas and coal industries, and has said he can do so without compromising air and water quality. The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee approved Pruitt's nomination two weeks ago after Democrats boycotted the vote over concerns about Pruitt's environmental record. As Oklahoma attorney general, Pruitt sued the EPA more than a dozen times on behalf of the oil-drilling state and he has cast doubts on the science of climate change. "His actions leave me with considerable doubts about whether his vision for the EPA is consistent with the agency's critical mission to protect human health and the environment," Collins said. She said Pruitt had sued the EPA on issues of importance to Maine, including mercury controls for coal-fired power plants and efforts to reduce cross-state air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Senator Tom Carper, the top Democrat on the energy committee, and several other Democrats have asked Senate Leader Mitch McConnell to delay a procedural vote on Pruitt scheduled for Thursday. They want the vote delayed until after the conclusion of an emergency hearing in Oklahoma to be held at 4 p.m. ET (2100 GMT) that will consider whether emails between Pruitt's office and officials at oil and gas companies should be released. Access to those records was requested by the Center for Media and Democracy, a watchdog group, more than two years ago. Conservative group FreedomWorks blasted Collins, who also voted against the nomination last week of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. Pence's vote was needed to break a tie before DeVos was confirmed. FreedomWorks Chief Executive Adam Brandon said in a statement it was "a shame" that Collins was again aligning herself with "far-left Democrats and special interests." (Reporting by Eric Beech and Timothy Gardner; Editing by Eric Walsh, Peter Cooney and Paul Tait) Beset by internal bickering and disoriented by mixed messages from the White House, the Republican-controlled Congress is struggling to move on the top items on its agenda. It has been a rocky start to the new year, and seven weeks into the legislative session and days before Congress first recess, there are few accomplishments or ready plans to point to, on issues from the health care law repeal, tax reform, infrastructure or other issues. The lagging pace is due in part to Democrats unprecedented targeting many of Trumps Cabinet nominees, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer slowing the confirmation process to a crawl. But many Republicans are also pointing to a series of controversies from the White HouseMichael Flynns resignation as National Security Advisor, revelations about Cabinet nominees and Andy Puzders withdrawal as Labor Secretary, and Russias interference in the electionas distractions. Others say they there has been little guidance from President Trumps legislative team. Its dysfunctional, as far as national security is concerned. Whos in charge? Whos making policy? Whos making decisions? I dont know of anyone outside of the White House that knows, said Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona. Wheres the involvement of Congress on other things? Weve got about three cooks in the kitchen, said Republican Sen. Pat Roberts of Kansas, who said he is eager for the President to start focusing on trade negotiations. Whats talked about is all political. We have some real problems to address I hope we can get some people on board and get cracking. Weve got plenty to do but its certainly not helpful to have the distractions, said Republican Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona. Trump has yet to sign any major legislation after nearly four weeks in office, despite his partys control of both houses of Congress. Eight years ago, when then-President Obama similarly presided over a unified Democratic government, he signed into law an $800-billion stimulus bill and the Lily Ledbetter equal pay bill after his first month. Story continues Still, Republicans deny that the pace of legislation has been slower than expected. We didnt say wed pass infrastructure and Obamacare and tax reform in the first month. Thats not a realistic timeline, so we didnt say that would be the case, said David Popp, communications director for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. GOP members also point to the repeal of last-minute regulations by the Obama Administration. We have, however, begun to roll back onerous regulations that will save billions of dollars and help free up the economy, Popp added. Still, Republicans are dealing with internal divisions on a slew of issues, from healthcare to taxes and trade, and some splits among Congressional Republicans, and with the White House are looking increasingly thorny. Despite promising a speedy repeal to the Affordable Care Act, Republicans are putting forward conflicting plans over what parts of the law to repeal and when. Conservative members of the House are pushing for an immediate end to the law, while moderates in the Senate are urging a more careful approach. Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky and the conservative House Freedom Caucus, including Reps. Mark Meadows, David Brat and Mark Sanford, have called for revoking the Affordable Care Acts Medicaid expansion to the states. (Fifteen million more people are covered by Medicaid since the Affordable Care Act went into effect, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.) Some Republican governors and moderate Senators have opposed an immediate Medicaid expansion repeal, or support a more gradual plan. There is also disagreement about how to structure tax relief for healthcare users, and there are arguments about how quickly to set in motion a repeal. Conservatives support an immediate repeal that parallels a 2015 bill, but moderates are wary. Nothing less than what we sent to the president in 2015. We all voted on it it passed the House and the Senate. Now that we have a Republican in the White House theyre going to vote differently? said Meadows, chair of the House Freedom Caucus. They have to defend that back home. I cant defend that. I think we need to move expeditiously to get things going and Im hopeful that our leadership is doing exactly that, he added. But the timeline for repealing the Affordable Care Act is looking increasingly long. When the president said something last week to the effect that this healthcare reform could spill over into 2018, there was a lot of hyperventilating around here about that statement, said Rep. Charlie Dent, a moderate Republican from Pennsylvania. But I thought it was a fair and honest comment and it was probably realistic. In addition, the sometimes conflicting messages from the White House have made it difficult for members to write the healthcare repeal. Trump has called for an immediate repeal, but has also said repeal and replace must be ready at the same time, and said that everybody would be covered by a new plan. His Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price refused to make the same commitment. After repeated calls for tax reform, House Speaker Paul Ryan has argued in support of a tax plan that includes a border adjustment tax, but that measure is not palatable to many key Republicans in the Senate. Some members believe that the border adjustment measure, which Trump floated several weeks ago, will raise prices on products in the United States. A tax on imports is a tax on things working folk buy every single dayand Im not talking about caviar and champagne. Im talking about T-shirts, jeans, shoes, baby clothes, toys, groceries, said Republican Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas on the Senate floor on Wednesday. Cotton told TIME he has not had any discussions with the White House over the proposal. Many Republicans supporting the border adjustment measure are adamant that it must be part of a tax reform compromise, a difference that could stop any legislation in its tracks, considering that few if any Democrats are likely to support the bill. If you really want to have fundamental reform this is going to be only path I see to doing it, said Republican Rep. Devin Nunes of California. On infrastructure, Trump has promised to make $1 trillion in road rebuilding a priority, but Democrats led by Schumer will refuse to work with him unless the better portion of it is paid through direct investment from the federal coffers. Key Republicans say they have yet to have real policy discussions with the White House on their issues. I really havent, said Republican Sen. Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma, the chair of the transportation and infrastructure subcommittee, when asked whether he has done any planning with the White House. Well be very active but I have not done it yet only for the simple reason that theres too much other drama competing with it right now. Inhofe said he visited the White House on Tuesday, but it was during the Flynn controversy and he did not have a concrete discussion about infrastructure. Its very distracting, Inhofe said. We have an obstructing Democrat Party thats trying to string these things out and that makes it more difficult. Compounding the delay is Schumers tactical slowdown of Trumps cabinet nominees, which has clogged up the Senates schedule and made debating other measures difficult. The Senate Minority Leader has managed to slow the pace of confirmations to a trickle, with fewer Cabinet nominees confirmed than any other presidency in more than 100 years. Its pretty hard to get to legislation as long as were working on nominations, said Sen. Majority Whip John Cornyn. Speaker Ryan said Republicans will introduce an Affordable Care Act repeal bill after Congress returns from recess next week. But Democrats are not hesitating to take potshots at Republicans for the halting start to the year. Every day theyre obsessed with the developing scandal around Flynn and contacts with the Russian government it looks less likely theyll get a repeal of the Affordable Care Act or a trickle-down tax cut through Congress, said Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut. Itd be a risky bet to believe that this Administration is going to get radically more functional over the next four years. Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) said on Thursday that House GOP leaders and strategists were closing in on a plan to repeal and partially replace the Affordable Care Act with a series of dramatic changes, including revamping and reducing the Medicaid program for low-income Americans, a refundable tax credit to help consumers cover premium costs, and other changes to encourage competition among insurers and bring down costs. Ryan and other leaders met this morning with rank-and-file Republicans to outline the contours of an emerging plan for using a special expedited budget process called reconciliation to formally repeal Obamacare effective at some future date --- and replacing portions of the law with the Republicans more market-oriented provisions. Tom Price, the new Health and Human Services Secretary, attended a portion of the session. Related: Why Health Care Spending Could Rise Even Faster in the Next 10 Years Although Ryan offered only a few clues as to how House Republicans would rewrite the Obamacare legislation, media reports and some health care lobbyists say it will begin with the complete repeal of federal mandates requiring many businesses to provide health insurance to workers and requiring all uninsured Americans to purchase coverage or pay a penalty. The measure would eliminate all of the Obamacare taxes on insurers, drug companies, medical device manufacturers and other businesses, as well as on upper-income people. Those taxes are projected to generate more than $1 trillion over the coming decade and were crucial to underwriting the cost of Obamacares insurance exchanges and subsidies for lower-income Americans. Repealing all those taxes is a major point of contention between House and Senate Republicans because many argue that the revenues will be needed to help finance the cost of the GOP replacement plan. However, Ryan, and Ways and Means Committee Chair Kevin Brady (R-TX) believe they can offset the lost revenues and pay for their initiative by capping the federal tax exclusion on large employer-based insurance plans and extracting huge savings from Medicaid. Story continues Premiums paid for employer-sponsored health insurance are excluded from taxable income, which reduces the amount workers owe as income and payroll taxes by roughly $250 billion annually. That is the largest tax break in the federal tax code and has long been eyed by both parties as a revenue source for other programs. Related: Are Republicans Losing Momentum on Obamacare Repeal? The emerging GOP plan similar to one Ryan promoted last summer offers a handful of incentives for consumers to purchase health insurance on their own. Those include tax-exempt health savings accounts to help cover medical costs and so-called refundable federal tax credits, paid in advance, that would go to most Americans, including people with low or no taxable income. Currently, low-income people who qualify for premium subsidies under Obamacare must file for the credits on their federal tax returns meaning that they dont receive the subsidy until after they have purchased their health care plans. They call them refundable tax credits, but they are subsidies, and they are subsidies that say we will pay some people some money if you do what the government makes you do, Ryan said today. That is not a tax credit, that is not freedom. The House GOP approach would preserve a number of features of the existing Obamacare law, including preventing insurers from discriminating against applicants with pre-existing medical problems and allowing children to remain on their parents private health care plans until they turn 26. And it would experiment with federally financed, state-run high-risk pools that provide coverage to older and sicker Americans who would have trouble finding affordable health insurance in the private market. Related: The IRS Has Just Made Obamacares Individual Mandate Optional The House proposal will undergo additional drafting during the upcoming Presidents Day recess, and Ryan and others are anxiously awaiting analysis of their proposals from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and the Joint Committee on Taxation. Those two agencies will be responsible for determining, among other things, whether the GOP approach would eliminate coverage for millions of Americans, as many critics predict, and whether it will add to the deficit. One of the most controversial issues is how the Republicans will treat Medicaid as part of their overall effort to replace Obamacare. While Medicaid currently guarantees health care coverage for poor and disabled people, Ryan and others are promoting a plan to convert the half-century old entitlement to block grants to the states, placing a fixed cap on how much to spend and giving states more latitude to tighten eligibility requirements. That move alone would save the government hundreds of billions of dollars in the coming years while eliminating many of their coverage. The joint federal-state Medicaid program currently covers nearly 72 million Americans and spent approximately $545 billion during fiscal 2016, or $7,569 per person. Related: The New Obamacare Rules Help Insurers But Not Consumers But many Senate Republicans and some more moderate House Republicans oppose that approach to transforming Medicaid. Some are advancing an alternative approach that would base Medicaid funding on the number of people who qualify for it rather than on a fixed cap. Ryan also hinted today that they are working out a plan that would allow the 31 states and the District of Columbia that opted for expanded Medicaid coverage under Obamacare to preserve the coverage at least temporarily. At the same time, the plan would provide additional health insurance funding to the 19 other states mostly controlled by Republicansthat refused to take part in the Medicaid expansion. Lawmakers from states that shunned the expanded Medicaid program argue that they are entitled to additional funding if the other states continue to receive the expanded Medicaid funding. Ryan told reporters today that he was looking for a compromise so that we do it in a way that doesnt disadvantage either side. Top Reads from The Fiscal Times: A number of restaurants in Washington, D.C., will remain closed or be short-staffed Thursday as foreign-born workers show solidarity with a campaign aimed at protesting President Donald Trumps policy toward immigrants. A day without immigrants is a grassroots campaign calling on foreign-born people across the country whatever their legal status may be to not work or spend money to demonstrate the importance of immigrants, both in the context of their labor potential and consumer spending in the country. While the origins of the campaign are not known, it has spread by word of mouth and through social media as it asks people to stand up for the cause by choosing not to eat out, go to classes or even send their children to school. The campaign has the backing of celebrity Spanish-born chef Jose Andres, who announced that his three Jaleo restaurants as well as restaurants Zaytinya and Oyamel, all of which are in the Washington area, will be closed for the day. Andres has been a vocal critic of Trumps stand on immigrants and backed out of a 2015 agreement with him to open a restaurant in Washington, D.C.,s Trump International Hotel, after Trump called undocumented Mexican immigrants criminals and rapists. Both Trump and Andres have sued each other over the dispute. Iraqi immigrant Andy Shallal also said that all six restaurants of his Busboys and Poets chain in the Washington area will also stay closed in solidarity with the cause. He took to Twitter to show his support: As an immigrant I am proud to stand in solidarity w/ my brothers & sisters. Almost two dozen restaurants in Washington, D.C., are expected to be closed and the boycott will also spread to other cities in the country. Many restaurants are offering limited service. Colin McDonoughs Boundary Stone restaurant will see its staff members joining the national Day Without Immigrants protest, but McDonough told the Washington Post that he and a co-owner will open the kitchen to serve a limited menu. Story continues It will be a very limited menu because we are not as talented as the people who normally work there, McDonough told the Post, adding that the employees participating in the boycott will be paid. We just got together and decided together as a team that it was a good idea on our part to give our team off to voice their concerns. While the protest scheduled for Thursday may not have as big of an impact as it would like to, owing to the over 2,000 restaurants in D.C. itself, it's not likely to go unnoticed. Related Articles Tripoli (AFP) - The head of a former government announced plans Thursday to reopen Tripoli's airport that was heavily damaged in fighting in 2014, in a fresh blow to Libya's unity administration. Khalifa Ghweil, who refuses to recognise the legitimacy of the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA), made the announcement during a visit to the airport, south of Tripoli. The facility was damaged during the summer of 2014 in fierce fighting between rival militias for control of the capital. Ghweil, who arrived in a convoy of four-wheel-drive vehicles, told reporters that the airport, where construction work is already underway, would reopen "soon". "We have finalised the airport project in record time, despite a parallel authority, and flights will resume soon," said Ghweil, referring to the GNA. A local firm, Al-Sarih, has been tasked with the reconstruction work and has already restored the VIP lounge at the airport. According to Al-Sarih, work to rebuild a new terminal, control tower and the airport parking lot has already begun. It was not immediately clear who is funding the project. Flights in and out of Tripoli have been operating through Mitiga airport, formerly a military base east of the capital, that is under the control of the GNA. Ghweil is backed by a number of Tripoli militias and powerful armed groups from his hometown, the western city of Misrata. The former premier has taken several steps in defiance of the GNA, including seizing control briefly in January of several government buildings in Tripoli that housed ministries. Last week, several militias who back him announced the creation in Tripoli of a "Libyan National Guard". The United States said it noted with "serious concern reports that numerous tactical vehicles from an organisation claiming to be the 'Libyan National Guard' have entered Tripoli". Libya has been wracked by chaos since the 2011 toppling of dictator Moamer Kadhafi, with rival militias and administrations vying for control of the oil-rich country. A rival authority based in the country's east has also refused to recognise the GNA since it started working in Tripoli in March last year. By Alex Dobuzinskis LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Robert Durst, the real estate scion tied to several slayings explored in HBO's series "The Jinx," faced an old friend on Wednesday who testified in Los Angeles that before Durst's wife disappeared in 1982 she told him she was afraid of her husband. Nick Chavin, 72, a New York advertising executive, in an unusual arrangement testified with two police officers in the court serving as his protection detail. Chavin's identity was kept secret until he took the stand on Wednesday. Prosecutors have said he feared his life may be put in danger by testifying. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mark Windham has allowed Chavin and one other witness to testify on videotape in case either of them dies before Durst's trial. Durst, 73, is charged with first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of a writer and longtime confidante of his, Susan Berman, in December 2000. Berman was found slain execution-style in her Los Angeles home not long after police in New York had reopened an investigation into the disappearance and presumed killing of Durst's spouse, Kathleen, two decades earlier. Prosecutors in Los Angeles say they suspect Durst killed Berman, 55, because of what she knew about his wife's unsolved demise in 1982. Chavin testified he met Durst in New York around 1980 and the two soon became close friends, with Durst eventually serving as a best man at Chavin's wedding. The two men shared a mutual friendship with Berman. Chavin said he also knew Durst's wife, Kathleen, and described the Dursts' relationship as "strained." "She said she was afraid of him. She never said he would hurt her but she was afraid of him," Chavin testified. Chavin is scheduled to testify again on Thursday. Durst has pleaded not guilty in Berman's killing. He was questioned in the probe of his wife's disappearance but has not been charged, and her body has never been found. Story continues Durst at Wednesday's hearing walked haltingly into court wearing khaki pants and a light-blue collared shirt. He stopped briefly to look over the audience of reporters and spectators. His ties to both cases, and his 2003 acquittal in the killing and dismemberment of a Texas neighbor, were chronicled in the popular multi-part HBO documentary "The Jinx" last year. An 85-year-old retired dean of the New York City medical school attended by Durst's wife before she vanished was permitted to testify under similar conditions as Chavin on Tuesday due to his advanced age. Durst was formally charged with the Berman killing a day after HBO aired the final episode of its series, in which Durst was recorded muttering to himself off-camera: "What the hell did I do? Killed them all, of course." Durst told authorities after his arrest that he smoked marijuana daily and was high on methamphetamine during his appearance on "The Jinx," according to court records. Although Durst has long been estranged from his New York family and their significant real estate holdings, prosecutors have put his estimated net worth at some $100 million. (Writing by Steve Gorman; Editing by Phil Berlowitz and Lisa Shumaker) Los Angeles (AFP) - Craving a new outlet despite his growing success, the indie rocker Hanni El Khatib took his cues from a perhaps unexpected source -- the rap world. The garage rocker, who has worked with hip-hop stars including Freddie Gibbs, became transfixed by the phenomenon of mix tapes -- song collections which some rappers release at a dizzying pace but don't consider albums. "Rappers do it every day, so why can't I do it? Why do rock bands have to be confined to this whole album and touring thing?" El Khatib asked. The result is the 19-track "Savage Times." In commercial terms, it may mean little that El Khatib thinks of it as a mix tape, or that he has taken to calling it his fourth album. "Savage Times" heads in more adventurous musical directions, with El Khatib mostly staying true to his bluesy guitar rock but also dabbling in electronic effects, pop and, yes, hip-hop. "Savage Times" also brings out the most upfront statements on personal identity by El Khatib, a first-generation American born to a Palestinian father and Filipina mother. "This project was the most liberating thing musically I've ever made because I removed the album stigma," El Khatib told AFP at a beerhouse in Los Angeles. "Usually when I'm making a record, I'll think that there has to be a blend of songs and that they have to be cohesive sonically, or otherwise people won't think it's an album," he said. "That wasn't the point. The point was to make it an exercise in production -- what can I do as a producer and as a musician?" he said. "Savage Times" comes out Friday around the world except in France, where El Khatib has enjoyed a particularly strong fan base and it will be released March 3. - 'I was born brown' - El Khatib's career has rarely touched on his ethnicity. He entered music from the fashion world, where he remains a designer at skateboarder label HUF in his native San Francisco. Story continues That changes on "Savage Times." The track "Born Brown" builds off psychedelic loops as El Khatib shouts with punk ferocity about his immigrant heritage, ending with the lines, "I was born brown -- born brown!" On "Mangoes and Rice," with an indie swagger reminiscent of Sonic Youth or the Pixies, El Khatib affectionately remembers food his mother made for him. El Khatib, who at an album release party in Los Angeles dedicated a song to immigrants, did not dispute that President Donald Trump's election may have awoken his consciousness. With an identifiably Arab name, he said he often encounters misperceptions with uninitiated listeners categorizing him as world music or thinking Hanni El Khatib is an invented band name. But El Khatib insisted he was not pushing a political agenda. "By all means, I'm not trying to be an outspoken political artist, mostly because I don't feel that it's my place to do that," he said. "I can only speak from my experience -- what I've been through and how I feel and how I get treated just because of my name," he said. El Khatib doubted that many people were looking to him for political cues but said, "I do have a platform over the guy working at the coffee shop." "And that guy at the coffee shop isn't going to be asked six months later by a journalist about his Twitter." - Freedom with own label - El Khatib toured almost all of 2015 to promote his last album, "Moonlight," but his shows came to an abrupt end when the Bataclan attack forced a cancellation in Paris. He said he had already felt that his touring was getting stale and wanted to head back into the studio. Before compiling "Savage Times," El Khatib started putting out the songs for free -- an approach that he said initially unnerved his associates. But El Khatib co-owns his own label, Innovative Leisure, handling detail down to designing art for album covers. "The beauty of the modern landscape of the music industry is that it is in a kind of disarray. People are playing by their own rules," he said. "I thought, I'm cutting out the middlemen anyway. So who do I have to answer to?" London (AFP) - Pink Floyd's Roger Waters on Thursday said the band's seminal album "The Wall" had taken on new significance with the rise of Donald Trump, accusing the US president of "creating as much enmity as possible". Songwriter Waters was making a rare public appearance with Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason in London ahead of a major exhibition charting the band's journey from minivan tours to the sound-and-light spectacle of "The Wall". "It's very relevant now with Mr Trump and all of this talk of building walls and creating as much enmity as possible between races and religions," he said. "It is about how detrimental building walls can be on a personal level, but also on broader levels." The rocker said he was "absolutely" prepared to reprise the album's epic stage show on the US-Mexico border -- where Trump has promised to build a wall -- but that "there needs to be an awakening period... before something like that can happen". He issued a rallying cry to fellow musicians to speak out about "the right wing... raising its ugly head all around the world." "Music is a legitimate place to express protest, musicians have an absolute right, a duty, to open their mouths to speak out," he said. The 73-year-old predicted "demonstrations in London bigger than any demonstrations than have ever been seen" when Trump makes his planned state visit to Britain later this year. - 'Death and madness' - The first major retrospective of the British prog rock giants will be held at London's Victoria and Albert Museum from May, inspired by the band's 50th anniversary. The show will feature 350 exhibits, including posters, groundbreaking instruments and a recreation of the minivan in which they first toured. Also on show will be the actual cane used by Waters' headmaster at his school in Cambridge, south-east England, the inspiration behind the strict teacher in the video from "The Wall". Story continues "I want to see the cane they beat me with," said Waters. "They've got the punishment book.. it says 1959, six strokes for fighting, of which I'm inordinately proud." The exhibition, entitled "Their Mortal Remains", is a joint project between the famous London museum and the team behind the band's revolutionary artwork and stage performances. Visitors will be invited to join the band as they disappear down the "rabbit hole" into their early LSD-inspired psychedelic sound. The late Syd Barrett, an original member of the band, never mentally recovered from his prodigious drug intake, leading to his departure in 1968. Pink Floyd creative director Aubrey "Po" Powell said the exhibition, which opens on May 13, will lay bare the band's "deaths and madness," while drummer Mason promised it would be "more than just a wander down memory lane." The show follows the museum's hugely successful David Bowie retrospective in 2013, which attracted 300,000 visitors in London before embarking on a world tour. Mason said that he had initially been wary about the show as "I couldn't see how we could match" the Bowie show. Pink Floyd was set up by four students in 1965 and has sold more than 200 million albums around the world, with classic release "The Dark Side of the Moon" still selling 10,000 copies per week. Los Angeles (AFP) - The fugitive filmmaker Roman Polanski plans to return to the United States and is seeking assurances he will do no further jail time over unlawful sex with a 13-year-old girl. The award-winning director of "The Pianist" and "Chinatown," who has been on the run for almost 40 years, claims he reached a plea deal in the case that would keep him out of prison, his attorney Harland Braun told AFP. Braun has written to Los Angeles County Superior Court judge Scott Gordon to unseal a secret transcript of the testimony of the prosecutor in the Polanski case, which he believes will confirm the deal. The Paris-born director was accused of drugging Samantha Gailey -- who now uses the surname Geimer -- before raping her at film star Jack Nicholson's house in Los Angeles in 1977. Polanski, who also has French citizenship, admitted having unlawful sex with a minor, or statutory rape, and spent 42 days in Chino State Prison before being released. But in 1978, convinced a judge was going to scrap the plea deal and hand him a hefty prison sentence, he fled for France. Polanski was arrested in Switzerland in 2009 on a US extradition request and spent 10 months under house arrest before Bern rejected the US order. The United States then asked Poland to extradite Polanski in January 2015, but the country's Supreme Court ruled in December that he had served his time under the plea deal. - 'Safe in my country' - Braun believes the prosecutor's secret testimony supports Polanski's claim that he had an agreement to serve just 48 days and that -- taken with the Polish decision -- it should convince the US authorities Polanski has served his time. "After we confirm the contents, we will urge the court to recognize the Polish decision resulting from a litigation initiated by the (district attorney) and in which the DA participated," Braun told AFP. "If the court accepts the principle of comity, Roman can come to Los Angeles and to court without fear of custody." Story continues Polanski told the private news channel TVN24 after the Polish court had ruled in his favor that he was "happy this business is over once and for all." "I only regret that I had to wait so long. I'll finally be able to feel safe in my own country." Polanski, who lives in France and had been avoiding Poland because of the case, said he planned to visit his father's grave in the southern city of Krakow. The filmmaker has been engaged in a decades-long cat-and-mouse game with US officials seeking his extradition for trial, before a global audience split between continuing outrage and forgiveness for his acts. Born in Paris in 1933 to Polish Jewish parents who later brought the family back to their native country, he saw his parents arrested by the Nazis in Krakow's Jewish ghetto and sent to concentration camps. He roamed the countryside, trying to survive at the age of just eight, helped by Catholic Polish families, in a country occupied by German troops. - Brutal slaughter - The experience lent a gripping autobiographical authenticity to his 2002 movie "The Pianist," the story of a young Jewish musician trying to evade the Nazis in occupied Warsaw. Lured to Hollywood in 1968, Polanski shot his first big international hit, "Rosemary's Baby," starring Mia Farrow as an expecting mother carrying the devil's spawn. But tragedy struck the following year when his heavily-pregnant wife, the model and actress Sharon Tate, and four friends were brutally slaughtered in the director's mansion by cult leader Charles Manson and his followers. Devastated, Polanski left for Europe, then returned to achieve arguably his greatest triumph in 1974 with "Chinatown" -- an atmospheric film noir starring Jack Nicholson nominated for 11 Oscars. He has avoided the US since the statutory rape case -- not even returning to accept the Oscar for "The Pianist" -- and jousted with the Justice Department for years after. Geimer herself called for the charges to be dropped, complaining that in dogging Polanski for so long, antagonists had made him her co-victim in a case she wanted to put behind her. "The publicity was so traumatic and so horrible that his punishment was secondary to just getting this whole thing to stop," Geimer told CNN in 2003. Polanski wants to visit Tate's grave in Los Angeles, the celebrity news website TMZ reported. He has also not been able to visit his daughter in London, it said. The filmmaker had been due to host the French equivalent of the Oscars this year but pulled out in a storm of controversy in January after women's groups protested the invitation. LOS ANGELES (AP) Roman Polanski's attorney has asked a Los Angeles judge to unseal testimony given by a former prosecutor who handled the fugitive director's sexual assault case. It is Polanski's latest bid to end the nearly 40-year-old case. Polanski's attorney Harland Braun wrote the judge a letter made public Thursday that he is seeking to unseal the letter because it is crucial to attempts to resolve Polanski's case. The Academy Award-winning director pleaded guilty in 1977 to unlawful sex with a 13-year-old girl but fled to France in 1978 when the now-deceased judge in the case suggested in private remarks that he would renege on a plea bargain and sentencing agreement. Los Angeles prosecutors have repeatedly sought Polanski's extradition but have been rebuffed by courts in Switzerland and Poland, two of the countries where the Oscar winner has been able to safely travel. The director has alleged that he was mistreated by a judge and prosecutors, but subsequent judges have ruled the Oscar winner must return to Los Angeles for the case to be resolved. Braun's letter seeks the unsealing of testimony from retired Deputy District Attorney Roger Gunson, who handled Polanski's case. Gunson gave the testimony over three days in 2010 in case he was unable to testify at any future proceedings in the case. Braun contends Gunson's testimony might help Polanski's argument that he has already served his time in the 1977 case by spending more than 300 days in jail and house arrest in Switzerland during a failed extradition effort in 2010. Los Angeles Superior Court Scott Gordon, the presiding judge over criminal matters in Los Angeles County, set a hearing for Feb. 24. Polanski will not attend, Braun said. Switzerland refused to extradite Polanski because it was not allowed to review Gunson's testimony. Polanski's lawyers sought to unseal the testimony, but prosecutors objected to unsealing the transcripts, and a judge agreed. Story continues In a 1977 deal with prosecutors, Polanski pleaded guilty to one count of statutory rape for having sex with the underage girl during a photo shoot in Los Angeles. He was ordered to undergo a psychiatric study at the state prison in Chino, where he served 42 days. Gunson and Polanski's attorney have said they understood from a private conversation with the judge handling the case that the time in the prison would serve as Polanski's punishment. However, lawyers for the Polish-born director said the judge later reneged on the agreement and suggested Polanski would go back to prison. Polanski then fled to France, and his travel has been restricted to Poland, Switzerland and France ever since. Polanski sought a dismissal of the case in 2008, but his motion was denied in a ruling that was upheld by an appellate court. A judge in 2014 rejected Polanski's request of a new hearing. His victim, Samantha Geimer, has said she forgives Polanski and has repeatedly called for the case against him to be dismissed. The Associated Press does not typically name sex abuse victims, but Geimer has publicly identified herself in court filings, interviews and a memoir. Polanski won an Academy Award for best director for his 2002 film "The Pianist" and was nominated for 1974's "Chinatown" and 1979's "Tess." ___ Anthony McCartney can be reached at http://twitter.com/mccartneyAP A Russian serviceman walks past Russian Iskander-M missile launchers before a rehearsal for the Victory Day parade, with the Moscow International Business Center also known as Prominent US senators and defense analysts are calling for the US to respond to Russia's recent deployment of nuclear cruise missiles by deploying missiles of its own to Europe. Russia's cruise missile deployment violated a major US-Russia treaty, the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF), because they have a range of 620 to 3,420 miles and fire from ground-based launchers, enabling Russia to hit European capitals from its homeland. The Russian Federation remains in violation of its INF (Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces) Treaty obligations not to possess, produce or flight-test a ground-launched cruise missile with a range capability of 500 to 5,500 kilometers, or to possess or produce launchers of such missiles, acting State Department spokesman Mark Toner said in a statement. The INF treaty of 1988 is the only treaty ever to eliminate an entire class of nuclear weapons. The Arms Control Association describes it as a "key cornerstone of the US-Russia nuclear arms control architecture that helped to halt and reverse the Cold War-era nuclear arms race and remove a significant threat to Europe." In short, the treaty stopped the US from placing its own intermediate-range nuclear missiles all over Western Europe after Russia developed its own missiles to target Western European capitals in the 1980s. Now that Russia has violated the treaty, many in the US have called for the US to scrap it as well. "There's little reason for the US to continue abiding by a treaty whose only other party continues to violate it blatantly. Two battalions of cruise missiles don't just magically appear overnight," said Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas in a statement. "I take this news as evidence that the US should build up its nuclear forces in Europe." Russian kalibr cruise missiles Story continues Sen. John McCain of Arizona echoed the sentiment, saying the missiles pose a "significant military threat to US forces in Europe and our NATO allies," and that the move "requires a meaningful response." But because the US upheld its end of the treaty, it has no comparable nuclear-capable cruise missiles with which to match Russia. Still, according to James Jeffrey, an expert on US military strategy, the US will likely respond with more arms in Europe. The US would "have to develop new weapons ... youd have to put in air defenses or additional strike aircraft," said Jeffrey. "We have long-range cruise missiles on ships that you could increase in the Baltics or somewhere else that could reach Russia." tomahawk missile raytheon Jeffrey Lewis, the founding publisher of Arms Control Wonk, told Business Insider in an interview that because the violating missiles are so embedded in Russia's conventional, legal missile production they represent a "compliance nightmare" that would take "a lot of time and luck" to diplomatically persuade Russia to stop making and deploying the missiles to comply with the treaty. Instead, Lewis suggested the US should start developing non-nuclear missile systems in Western Europe to "scare the hell out of the Russians" while also pushing diplomatically for treaty compliance. "We need to remind Russians why they wanted this treaty in the first place," said Lewis. NOW WATCH: 'Not based on a legal issue, but based on a trust issue': Spicer defends White House Russia policy after Flynn resigns More From Business Insider The presence of a Russian intelligence ship Viktor Leonov SSV-175 30 miles off the eastern coast of the United States on Wednesday may seem like an instance of saber rattling on Moscows part, but the Pentagon and politicians are both downplaying it as routine activity. Residents of Connecticut should know that the arrival of the Viktor Leonov, a Russian intelligence ship, 30 miles off of our coast yesterday does not present a direct threat to our physical safety, said Rep. Jim Himes, D-4th District, according to local newspaper Hartford Courant. However, the representative added it was troubling in light of President Donald Trumps alleged ties with Russia. While Viktor Leonov is capable of carrying surface-to-air missiles, a U.S. defense official, on conditions of anonymity, told Stars and Stripes that it was not clear whether the ship is armed. The U.S. Department of Defense said its presence in international waters was not a threat. russian spy ship Photo: REUTERS We are aware of the vessels presence. It has not entered U.S. territorial waters, said spokeswoman Lt. Col. Valerie Henderson. We respect freedom of navigation exercised by all nations beyond the territorial sea of a coastal state consistent with international law. The vessel was spotted soon after Trumps national security adviser, retired Army Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, resigned amid security concerns over his communications with Russia before Trump took office last month. Over the past week, there have also been other reports of security incidents in relation to Moscow. One such incident was Russias alleged deployment of a new cruise missile prohibited under the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty signed in 1987, reported Tuesday by the New York Times. The same day, reports said that the U.S. European Command said Moscows jets conducted unsafe fly-bys of a U.S. Navy destroyer in the Black Sea. Story continues The Russian vessel spotted off the coast of Connecticut reportedly started its journey north along the coast from Havana and is expected to return along the same route. While presence of spy ships like these was common during the Cold War era, the defense official told Stars and Stripes that this was Leonovs third visit to the U.S. coast since 2014. Related Articles A Russian spy ship spotted about 70 miles off the coast of Delaware on Tuesday has begun "loitering" 30 miles from a US Navy submarine base in Connecticut, according to Fox News' Lucas Tomlinson. The intelligence-gathering ship, the Viktor Leonov, can intercept intelligence from nearby transmitters with a variety of sensors, and it can also measure Navy sonar emissions. "We are aware of the vessel's presence," Lt. Col. Valerie Henderson, a Defense Department spokeswoman, told Business Insider on Tuesday. "It has not entered US territorial waters," she added. "We respect freedom of navigation exercised by all nations beyond the territorial sea of a coastal state consistent with international law." US Navy spy ships conduct similar missions near Russia and in international waters around the globe, but usually in waters near US allies. The timing of this incident coincides with a flurry of news coming out of Washington about Michael Flynn's resignation as national security adviser for having inappropriate conversations with Russia's ambassador to the US. Additionally, news broke Tuesday that Russia had developed and deployed nuclear-capable cruise missiles that violate the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty in a move that is sure to draw a response from the US. NOW WATCH: Top foreign policy expert: 'Get over this idea of assuming that Russia is going to be benign' More From Business Insider SEOUL (Reuters) - A South Korean court on Friday ordered the arrest of Jay Y. Lee, the 48-year-old head of the Samsung Group, on suspicion of bribery and other charges in a corruption scandal that led parliament to impeach President Park Geun-hye. Prosecutors accuse Lee in his capacity as head of South Korea's largest conglomerate, or chaebol, of pledging 43 billion won ($37.74 million) to a business and organizations backed by Park's friend, Choi Soon-sil, in exchange for support of a 2015 merger of two Samsung companies. Samsung and Lee have denied wrongdoing in the case. Park, whose impeachment will be upheld or overturned by the Constitutional Court, has also denied wrongdoing. Samsung watchers have said Lee's arrest would not affect the day-to-day running of group companies including Samsung Electronics Co Ltd <005930.KS>, which are run by professional managers, but a prolonged absence could impact longer-term and strategic decision making. Lee's arrest is likely to put greater public focus on three key executives at the sprawling conglomerate. THE MENTOR Choi Gee-sung, vice chairman, Samsung Electronics Choi, 66, heads Samsung's group strategy office, dubbed the "control tower". Known to be Jay Y. Lee's mentor, Choi had been expected by group insiders to take charge of the conglomerate in the event of Lee's absence. With more than three decades at Samsung, Choi has been deeply involved in preparing a plan for Jay Y. Lee to assume control of the group from his father, who was incapacitated by a 2014 heart attack. Previously CEO of Samsung Electronics, Choi created the role of chief operating officer in 2010, and appointed Jay Y. Lee to that post. MR. CHIP Kwon Oh-hyun, vice chairman and CEO, Samsung Electronics The 64-year-old Kwon, who succeeded Choi as Samsung Electronics CEO in 2012, mainly oversees Samsung's cash-cow components business, which includes the world's biggest maker of memory chips, a key driver of revenue and profits. Story continues Known as "Mr. Chip," the low-profile Kwon may find himself with a larger role as he guides Samsung Electronics through the aftermath of last year's crisis over exploding Galaxy Note 7 smartphones. THE SISTER Lee Boo-jin, CEO, Hotel Shilla Co Ltd <008770.KS> The elder of Jay Y. Lee's two younger sisters, 46-year-old Lee Boo-jin heads Samsung's Hotel Shilla arm, which is among the world's largest duty-free retailers. Shares in the company rallied earlier this week on market speculation that she would take a bigger role in the group if her brother was arrested. Some group watchers dismissed that likelihood, noting that Lee Boo-jin does not have experience at the flagship Samsung Electronics or hold a significant stake in the company. It is extremely rare in South Korea for a woman to assume control of a family conglomerate. (Reporting by Se Young Lee, Miyoung Kim, Hyunjoo Jin and Ju-min Park; Writing by Tony Munroe; Editing by Ian Geoghegan and Lincoln Feast) By Joyce Lee and Hyunjoo Jin SEOUL (Reuters) - Samsung Group leader Jay Y. Lee left a Seoul court after more than eight hours on Thursday to await a decision on whether he will be arrested over his alleged role in a corruption scandal that has engulfed President Park Geun-hye. The 48-year-old Lee, wearing a dark coat and navy tie, kept his head down and did not answer reporters' questions as he left the Seoul Central District Court after the closed-door hearing, and headed to a detention centre pending a judge's ruling. A decision may come late on Thursday or early Friday, based on previous instances. Last month, the same court rejected the special prosecutor's request that Lee be arrested. "The basic relationship of the facts and the structure of the argument were not very different from the previous warrant," one of Lee's lawyers, Song Wu-cheol, told reporters outside the court. "I believe the court will make a wise decision," he said. The corruption scandal erupted late last year and has engulfed South Korea's political and business elite. Park was impeached by parliament in December over accusations that she colluded with a friend, Choi Soon-sil, to pressure big businesses to donate to two foundations set up to back the presidents policy initiatives. Park has been stripped of her powers while the Constitutional Court decides whether to uphold her impeachment. The court said on Thursday it planned to wrap up hearings in the case by Feb. 24. Park has denied wrongdoing, as has her friend, Choi. The special prosecutor's office has focused its investigations on Samsung Group's [SAGR.UL] relationship with Park. Lee and the Samsung Group deny any wrongdoing. 'NEVER BRIBED' Prosecutors accuse Lee in his capacity as the head of South Korea's largest conglomerate of pledging 43 billion won ($37.7 million) to a business and organisations backed by Choi in exchange for support of a 2015 merger of two Samsung companies. Story continues That funding includes Samsung's sponsorship of the equestrian career of Choi's daughter, who is in detention in Denmark after being sought by South Korean authorities, prosecutors say. They are also seeking the arrest of the president of Samsung Electronics Co Ltd, Park Sang-jin, who also heads the Korea Equestrian Federation and attended Thursday's hearing with Lee. In January, the court rejected the prosecution's request for an arrest warrant for Lee. But a spokesman for the prosecutor's office said on Wednesday it had since then expanded the charges against Lee to include hiding the proceeds of a criminal act, as well as bribery, embezzlement, hiding assets overseas and perjury. On Wednesday, Samsung Group repeated an earlier denial on its official Twitter account: "Samsung has absolutely never bribed the president seeking something in return or sought illicit favours." "We will do our best for the truth to be revealed in court," it said. If Lee is arrested it could deal a serious blow to Samsung, the world's biggest maker of smartphones, memory chips and flat-screen televisions, potentially hampering strategic decision-making such as new investments and acquisitions. Park, who remains in the presidential Blue House, could become the first democratically elected leader in South Korea to be forced from office. Also on Thursday, the Seoul Administrative Court rejected a request by the special prosecutor to search the presidential Blue House, which follows an earlier failed attempt to do so. (Reporting by Joyce Lee, Hyunjoo Jin; Additional reporting by Cynthia Kim, Ju-min Park and Jeongeun Lee; Editing by Tony Munroe, Robert Birsel) SEOUL (Reuters) - Samsung Group said on Friday it will do its best to ensure that the truth is revealed in future court proceedings, after the arrest of its chief, Jay Y. Lee. Samsung Group chief Jay Y. Lee was arrested early on Friday over his alleged role in a corruption scandal that led parliament to impeach President Park Geun-hye, in a blow to the world's biggest maker of smartphones. (Reporting by Joyce Lee; Editing by Lincoln Feast) Prosecutors on Friday arrested the de facto head of South Korea's largest conglomerate, Samsung, on bribery and other charges related to a political corruption scandal that triggered the impeachment of President Park Geun-Hye. In a fresh blow to the electronics giant's corporate image, a district court cited new evidence in approving the arrest warrant against vice-chairman Lee Jae-Yong, who oversees the family-run conglomerate in the absence of his ailing father. Among other allegations, Lee is accused of paying nearly $40 million in bribes to a confidante of President Park's to secure policy favours. "It is acknowledged that it is necessary to arrest (Lee Jae-Yong) in light of a newly added criminal charge and new evidence," a court spokesman said in a statement. Shares of many Samsung units took a hit on the Seoul stock market following the news, with the group's flagship Samsung Electronics sliding 0.4 percent. Its de-facto holdings firm, Samsung C&T, dropped two percent and another key unit, Samsung Life Insurance, fell 1.4 percent. "We will do our best to ensure that the truth is revealed in future court proceedings," the group said in a statement. Lee was already being held at a detention centre after appearing in court Thursday as judges deliberated whether to issue an arrest warrant. He will remain in custody as he awaits a trial likely to begin within a few months. Prosecutors said they planned to summon him Saturday for further questioning, raising the prospect of Lee appearing in public in handcuffs -- a rare sight in the nation dubbed the "Republic of Samsung" due to the group's huge lobbying power. Lee, the son of Samsung group boss Lee Kun-Hee, has been quizzed several times over his alleged role in the scandal. The 48-year-old, described as a key suspect, narrowly avoided being formally arrested last month, after the court ruled there was insufficient evidence. But prosecutors on Tuesday made a second bid, saying they had collected more evidence in recent weeks. Story continues His arrest, the first for a Samsung chief, will send shock waves through the group, which is a major part of the South Korean economy and includes the world's largest smartphone maker, Samsung Electronics. "This is a blow to Samsung's image as a global player in the short term", HMC Investment Securities' analyst Greg Roh told AFP. IBK Investment Securities' Lee Seung-Woo said that given the cloud over Lee, at a time when the firm is attempting a complicated restructuring, Samsung could refrain from pursuing long-term investments such as overseas mergers and acquisitions. The company is already reeling from the debacle over the recall of its flagship Galaxy Note 7 device and reports have suggested it could face sanctions from overseas authorities if Lee is punished. Lee's father and grandfather repeatedly had close brushes with the law but were never jailed. - 'Donation' scandal - The scandal centres on Choi Soon-Sil, who is accused of using her close ties with Park to force local firms to "donate" nearly $70 million to non-profit foundations which Choi allegedly used for personal gain. Samsung was the single biggest donor to the foundations. It is also accused of separately giving millions of euros to Choi to bankroll her daughter's equestrian training in Germany. The court turned down prosecutors' demand for a separate arrest warrant for another Samsung executive, who is also the head of the Korea Equestrian Federation, citing his limited role in the scandal. Lee has effectively taken the helm of Samsung -- South Korea's biggest business group -- since his father suffered a heart attack in 2014. Prosecutors are probing whether Samsung had paid Choi to secure state approval for the controversial merger of two Samsung units seen as a key step towards ensuring a smooth power transfer to Lee. The merger in 2015 of Samsung C&T and Cheil Industries was opposed by many investors who said it wilfully undervalued the former unit's shares. But the deal went through after Seoul's state pension fund -- a major Samsung shareholder -- approved it. Samsung is South Korea's largest business group and its revenue is equivalent to about a fifth of the country's GDP. Lee's arrest was seen as a blow to Park who is staging an uphill battle at the Constitutional Court to overturn her impeachment by parliament. The Constitutional Court on Thursday said it would wrap up hearings on the impeachment case Friday next week, sparking expectations that it will reach a verdict around March 10. BAD NEUENAR, Germany (AP) Saudi Arabia's foreign minister says his country expects to have a productive relationship with the Trump administration and is optimistic that U.S.-Saudi cooperation can overcome challenges in the Middle East. Adel al-Jubeir made the comments on Thursday at the top of a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who is on his first overseas trip as America's top diplomat. Jubeir said Saudi Arabia was looking forward to working with the U.S on numerous issues. He did not elaborate but Saudi Arabia has deep concerns about Iran's increasing assertiveness in the region and he and Tillerson were to attend larger meetings on the crises in Yemen and Syria on the sidelines of a gathering of foreign ministers from the Group of 20 world powers in nearby Bonn. Tillerson made no substantive remarks in the presence of reporters, limiting his comments to polite chatter about his past business travel experience as CEO of Exxon Mobil. One of the best things about 1998s Saving Private Ryan, which hasnt dulled with age (as evidenced by my recently getting sucked into a TV re-run of it at about 1am for the full ~three hours), is the way it shows the pain and horror of war affecting both sides. Its not good v. bad but rather a horrid mess, with no-one really knowing what theyre doing or what the rules are. One of the scenes that demonstrates this best comes during the Omaha beach invasion, when two soldiers surrender to the Allied forces but, speaking German, their pleas for mercy arent understood and they are executed on the spot. Except they werent speaking German, they were speaking Czech, pleading: Please dont shoot me! I am not German, I am Czech, I didnt kill anyone! I am Czech!" Youtube series History Buffs explains what was going on here (at 13:30): Since these soldiers claim to be Czech, they were most likely conscripted into the German army when Czechoslovakia was conquered by Germany in 1939. They would have been part of the ost-bataillone, which were military units that conscripted citizens from Eastern European countries, as well as from the Soviet Union, and many were forcibly drafted from POW camps. Director Steven Spielberg could have reflected this through subtitles, of course, but he clearly knew that even if the viewer assumed the soldiers to be German, the moment was still horrifying enough. Calling all space fans: Astronomers want you to help them hunt for a large planet that might be lurking on the outskirts of our solar system. Scientists working with a number of institutions have created a website filled with data that will allow people to hunt for previously undiscovered objects circling the sun from beyond Neptune's orbit. SEE ALSO: Scientists want you to help them find planets in this database of stars The website, called Backyard Worlds: Planet 9, asks people to look through flipbooks of images to try to find "failed stars," known as brown dwarfs, or even the elusive "Planet 9" a theoretical planet thought to circle the sun from the reaches of the solar system. Backyard Worlds: Planet 9 should help add to the automated searches for these objects already underway. Automated searches dont work well in some regions of the sky, like the plane of the Milky Way galaxy, because there are too many stars, which confuses the search algorithm, Berkeley scientist Aaron Meisner said in a statement. Backyard Worlds: Planet 9 has the potential to unlock once-in-a-century discoveries, and its exciting to think they could be spotted first by a citizen scientist, Meisner added. The new website uses processed data from NASA's WISE telescope to allow citizen scientists to see even the dimmest objects moving out there in the solar system. A diagram of where Planet 9 might be. Image: CALTECH/R. HURT (IPAC) For decades, scientists have wondered if there might be some kind of large object orbiting the sun past Pluto. Last year, however, astronomers Mike Brown and Konstantin Batygin found indirect evidence that actually suggests this world exists. Brown and Batygin thinks the Neptune-sized world probably completes a full circuit of the sun every 15,000 years. The team of Caltech scientists think they have compelling evidence for the existence of the world because about six objects they studied in the Kuiper Belt the icy mass of objects in Pluto's part of space all seem to have orbits perturbed in the same way. Story continues "It's almost like having six hands on a clock all moving at different rates, and when you happen to look up, they're all in exactly the same place," Brown said in a statement in January 2016. "Basically it shouldn't happen randomly. So we thought something else must be shaping these orbits." Whether the planet is found or not, Backyard Worlds should help speed up the process in some way. The website will also help citizen scientists find any brown dwarfs that might be relatively close our sun. These "failed stars" are basically objects that are too big to be considered planets, but too small to be stars. Brown dwarfs form like stars but evolve like planets, and the coldest ones are much like Jupiter, team member Jackie Faherty, said in a statement. By using Backyard Worlds: Planet 9, the public can help us discover more of these strange rogue worlds. White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer has come under comedic fire for a number of reasons from performing verbal contortions around the word ban, and chewing a lot of gum. He also has ocassionally struggled to correctly pronounce the names of foreign dignitaries, like Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. That was Joe Trudeau to Spicer. And then there was Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who became Malcolm Trumbull in the press secretarys parlance. While Melissa McCarthys Saturday Night Live remains the most complete parody of Spicer to date, a handy online word generator on the Sydney Morning Herald site is now here to provide all of us with the Spicer-ized versions of our own names. The word engine asks you to type in your name, and then will spit out a new, unexpected version, rather in the style of John Travoltas Idina Menzel to Adele Dazeem gaffe at the 2014 Academy Awards. You can give it a go yourself at the site of the Herald. So this is what it has come to. Not even 100 days into Trump's presidency, we have resorted to Seth Rogen's Twitter DMs to save the country. SEE ALSO: Celebrities shared their outrage following Trump's immigration ban Upon noticing the president's son Donald Trump Jr. followed him on Twitter, the actor decided to tweet the president's son a sincere political plea. Yo! @DonaldJTrumpJr! I noticed you follow me on Twitter. Please ask your dad to resign before he destroys the planet. Thanks dude. Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) February 16, 2017 But Rogen's full message was longer than Twitter's 140 character limit. So he slid into the [insert whatever Trump Jr.'s role actually is in the Trump administration here] DMs to elaborate on his request. Let's see if this works! pic.twitter.com/q5b3d8U4Nx Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) February 16, 2017 But Rogen still wasn't done. #HePersisted. The comedian sent Trump Jr. a second action item: telling his dad to talk to House Oversight Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz about investigating former national security advisor Michael Flynn's connections to the Russian government. If @jasoninthehouse won't investigate Flynn's ties to Russia, maybe I can get his boss' son to help me do it. pic.twitter.com/bmOfDDepC3 Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) February 16, 2017 MANCHESTER, England (AP) Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Edin Dzeko, two of the most prolific strikers in Europe, scored hat tricks to push Manchester United and Roma to the brink of the Europa League last 16 on Thursday. With a deflected free kick, a tap-in, and a penalty, Ibrahimovic helped United dispatch Saint-Etienne 3-0 at Old Trafford in the first leg of their last-32 match, with his first hat trick for the English club and the 17th of his illustrious career. The pre-match focus had been on the family reunion between the Pogba brothers, Paul (United) and Florentin (Saint-Etienne), but Ibrahimovic became the center of attention once again as he often does against Saint-Etienne. The former Sweden international has scored 17 times in 14 games against the French club, with his previous 14 goals coming when playing for Paris Saint-Germain. "Every time I played against them, with luck and with a good game, there have been goals," Ibrahimovic said. Dzeko became the leading scorer in this season's competition on eight goals with his second-half hat trick for Roma in a 4-0 win at Villarreal. It is 28 goals in all competitions for Dzeko, who scored in the 65th, 79th and 86th minutes to add to Emerson Palmieri's opening goal for the Italian side. United and Roma are the two favorites for the Europa League and that's no real surprise, given they are fired by strikers who have scored 51 goals between them this season. The margin of victory may afford United manager Jose Mourinho the luxury of resting some key players for the second leg on Wednesday, with the game coming four days before United plays Southampton in the English League Cup final. Paul Pogba won the battle of the brothers, running the game from center midfield and almost scoring when he headed against the bar from the edge of the six-yard box. Florentin, older by three years, ended the game early when he was taken off injured in the 79th but only after being given an embrace by his more renowned sibling. Story continues It was a family catch-up for the Pogbas at Old Trafford, with their mother and other brother, Mathias, watching from a corporate box wearing jerseys with United's colors on one half and Saint-Etienne's colors on the other. The scoreline was harsh on Saint-Etienne, which created plenty of chances but was let down by poor finishing, particularly in the first half after United started sloppily. "It was down to a lack of concentration," Mourinho said. "I had the feeling immediately in the dressing room: Too noisy, too funny, too relaxed. Then my assistants had the feeling in the warm-up, with some of the guys not really focused." A look at some other games: CELTA VIGO 0, SHAKHTAR DONETSK 1 This was Shakhtar's first competitive outing since Dec. 12, but even the long break couldn't halt the Ukrainian team's momentum in the Europa League. Shakhtar, the winner of the UEFA Cup the precursor to the Europa League in 2009, earned its seventh straight win in the competition when debutant Blanco Leschuk scored at the end of a 27th-minute counterattack. Shakhtar was the only team to go through qualifying with a 100 percent record. GENT 1, TOTTENHAM 0 Tottenham's attack is malfunctioning, just when the big games are piling up for the English club. It's now one goal in four games for Spurs after a loss at the eighth-place team in the Belgian league, with Gent's winner coming from Jeremy Perbet in the 59th. England striker Harry Kane hit the post for Spurs but finished the game with a knee injury. BORUSSIA MOENCHENGLADBACH 0, FIORENTINA 1 Federico Bernardeschi celebrated his 23rd birthday with the winner for Fiorentina, leaving Moenchengladbach still without a home win in Europe after dropping down from the Champions League. Bernardeschi got up from being fouled on the edge of the area and curled a free kick around the wall and into the top corner. OTHER RESULTS Alexandre Lacazette enhanced his burgeoning reputation by scoring two of Lyon's goals in a 4-1 win at AZ Alkmaar, while Rostov capitalized on the sending-off of Tiemoko Konate at 1-0 to beat Sparta Prague 4-0. Lerwick (United Kingdom) (AFP) - Of all the ramifications of the Brexit vote, the fate of the Shetland Islands in the North Atlantic and their oil fields and fisheries may not top the list for negotiators in London and Brussels. But the prospect of a new bid for Scottish independence as Britain leaves the EU is making some residents of these rugged islands think again about whether they would be better off alone. "It would be wonderful," Andrea Manson, a Shetland councillor and a key figure in the Wir Shetland movement for greater autonomy, told AFP at the guesthouse she runs, the Mid Brae Inn. The movement's name means "Our Shetland" in the local Scots dialect, a derivation of Middle English which has replaced the islands' original Germanic language, Norn. The remote archipelago, already fiercely independent in spirit, is geographically and culturally closer to Scandinavia than to Edinburgh, and politically more aligned with London and Brussels. In the past 1,300 years, Shetland has been overrun by Scandinavian Vikings, pawned to Scotland as a wedding dowry by Denmark, subsumed into the United Kingdom in 1707, and dragged into the European Economic Community against its will in 1973. The Shetlands were the only part of Britain, along with the Western Isles of Scotland, that voted against EEC membership in a 1975 referendum. - 'Control of the seabed' - Many Shetlanders are sceptical of Scottish separatism. In the final tense days of the 2014 independence referendum, the local MP Alistair Carmichael, who was minister for Scotland at the time, said the islands could try to remain part of Britain if the rest of Scotland left. In the end, 55 percent of Scots voted to stay in Britain. The unionist vote in the Shetlands was 63.7 percent -- one of the highest levels in Scotland. Now Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has warned that a second independence referendum is "highly likely" following the Brexit vote -- and Shetland is once again considering its position. Story continues "We would like control of the seabed around us, the fishing ground around us, and the freedom to get rid of some of the bureaucracy that comes down from the EU, Westminster and the Scottish parliament," Manson said. "Our seas are being plundered by foreign boats. We also contribute an enormous amount of money to the national economy through taxes, through the oil revenues, and yet we donat get back our fair share." Scotland has around 60 percent of the EU's oil reserves and the second-largest volume of proven natural gas reserves, most of it located around Shetland. The islands also land more fish than ports in England, Wales and Northern Ireland combined. "I donat suppose we would ever be allowed full independence," Manson said, adding: "In an ideal world we would be a British overseas territory. We would be to Britain what Faroe is to Denmark." The Faroe Islands lie about 200 miles (320 kilometres) northwest of Shetland and have autonomous status within the Kingdom of Denmark. They have an almost identical landmass to Shetland but twice the population, and many Shetlanders envy the archipelago's independent parliament and vast sovereign waters. The Faroe Island will hold a referendum in April 2018 on a new constitution that would give the territory the right to self-determination. - Power to the people - Tavish Scott of Scotland's Liberal Democrat party, who represents Shetland in the Scottish Parliament, said he understood the desire for autonomy. "Shetland certainly explored -- and I think again will explore -- what kind of constitutional future it wants," he told AFP. But Scotlandas nationalist government is keen to retain Shetland as a jewel in the economic crown of an independent Scotland. Maree Todd, a Scottish National Party lawmaker, told AFP that the party could discuss Shetland's sovereignty, but that she believed it would be better off as part of an independent Scotland. "Of course I think it is worth discussing," she said, adding that islanders are not "entirely sceptical" about the prospect of Scottish independence. "We want power to come back to Scotland, not just to Edinburgh but to the people of Scotland," she said. A Florida woman looking to pick up a few things from her local drugstore Monday found herself a prisoner of her own consumerism. That's because Christian Hathaway was literally trapped inside a CVS in St. Cloud after employees locked her in the store at closing time. Read: Report Describes Desperate Effort to Rescue Britney Spears' Niece After Horrific ATV Accident Hathaway told WKMG that the music was still playing and the lights were still on, but when she prepared to check out, no one was at the register. "I start banging on the door; that's when the alarm starting going off and that's when it really hit me," Hathaway said. "I start screaming, 'Hello, hello, let me out! I'm in here.' Nobody answers." At a loss for what to do next and with no one responding to her cries for help, Hathaway said she dialed 911. However, even after cops arrived, the dispatcher broke it to her that there was nothing they could do. So, for about 40 nerve-racking minutes, Hathaway waited for the store manager to arrive and unlock the doors. Once that finally happened, the manager reportedly explained to Hathaway that store employees hadn't properly followed closing procedures. Watch: Fitness Instructor Goofs Around After Being Locked in a FedEx Store for 2 Hours In the end, after the brief fright wore off, Hathaway said she got a free $100 gift card out of the experience. "We are very sorry this incident occurred and we have attempted to reach Ms. Hathaway to apologize to her," a CVS Corporate Communications rep said. "We are following up with the store team to ensure that our store closing procedures are followed properly in order to prevent something like this from happening again." Watch: Homeless Puppy Trapped in a Pipe Gets Saved From Freezing Temperatures Related Articles: Watchdog. The struggle between the Trump White House and the U.S. intelligence community is very real, and appears to be getting worse. In the wake of unusual leaks about former National Security Advisor Michael Flynns phone conversations with the Russian ambassador, the New York Times reports that Trump is considering naming a New York billionaire (are there any left in New York, or are they all in the Trump administration now?) to lead a review of the U.S. intel community. The potential gig for Stephen A. Feinberg co-founder of Cerberus Capital Management and ally of Stephen Bannon has met fierce resistance among intelligence officials, the Times notes, and has rocked the intelligence community in recent weeks, raising the prospect of direct White House control over Americas spies at a time when Mr. Trumps ties to Mr. Putin are under investigation by the F.B.I. and congressional committees. Spies keeping intel from Trump. And then theres this. The Wall Street Journal reports that anonymous U.S. intel officials tell them theyre holding back some information when briefing the president. The information deals only with sources and methods how and where the spies obtained the information out of fear that Trump or his team could leak it. Both the White House and the DNI deny that this is taking place, and intel officials insist that nothing of importance is being withheld from the president. But the papers Shane Harris and Carol Lee report that the intelligence agencies have been told to dramatically pare down the presidents daily intelligence briefing, both the number of topics and how much information is described under each topic, an official said. Compared with his immediate predecessors, Mr. Trump so far has chosen to rely less on the daily briefing than they did. Were from the Kremlin, and were here to help. On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin says he just wants to help. Its absolutely clear that in the area of counter-terrorism all relevant governments and international groups should work together, he said. Putin also complained that NATO has been constantly provoking us in order to embroil us in confrontation, while pointing to the ongoing attempts to interfere in our internal affairs and destabilize the social and political situation in Russia. Story continues The ask. Meanwhile, The Senate Judiciary Committees Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) want the Justice Department to hand over details on Michael Flynns resignation. The bipartisan duo sent a letter to Attorney General Jeff Sessions and FBI Director James Comey asking for a briefing and documents tied to Flynns ouster. New face, old allies. Now that Flynn is out, it looks like the national security advisor job is retired Vice Admiral Robert Harwards to turn down. His selection could temper and potentially undercut the influence of Stephen Bannon, Trumps powerful chief strategist, writes FPs Dan De Luce, John Hudson and Paul McLeary, since he would create another power center apart from the Flynn/Bannon axis, one likely more aligned with Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, who Harward worked with in Afghanistan in 2001. Harward and Mattis were the first two U.S. combat commanders on the ground to fight the Taliban, and Harward helped Mattis develop Iran contingency plans while his deputy at the U.S. Central Command. There are concerns, however. Like Mattis and DHS secretary John Kelly, Harward only recently retired from the military, sparking concerns over the militarization of the National Security Council. What happens to Flynns NSC? A number of NSC directors who were preparing to come into government under Flynn now find themselves in limbo, the Washington Post reports. Those recruited by Flynn or Keith Kellogg who are awaiting security clearances are unsure whether their job offers still stand or if they should reconsider a decision to join the administration. One of those officials noted, I thought there needed to be somebody there who doesnt need to get up to speed. Now, I dont know whats happening. Mattis tells NATO to pay up. Speaking at a NATO conference in Brussels on Wednesday, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis issued a fuzzy ultimatum to NATO allies, demanding they shoulder the burden of defense more but failing to say what the White House would do if they dont, FPs Robbie Gramer tells us. America will meet its responsibilities. But if your nations do not want to see America moderate its commitment to this Alliance, each of your capitals needs to show support for our common defense, Mattis said in a speech to open a meeting of NATO defense ministers. The comments made NATO officials sit up. The mood inside NATO is scared and confused, a NATO official told FP, speaking on condition of anonymity. But no more confused than usual, the official added, citing broad European concerns over U.S. President Donald Trump. Turtle Bay. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres may be the worlds most visible diplomat. But he is quickly learning that he is far from the most powerful, FPs Colum Lynch writes. The former Portuguese prime minister is facing stiff resistance from the United States and other key U.N. powers to filling his top cabinet posts with diplomats of his own choosing, raising early concerns about how much independence he will be able to exercise. Welcome to SitRep. Send any tips, thoughts or national security events to paul.mcleary@foreignpolicy.com or via Twitter: @paulmcleary or @arawnsley. Business of defense President Donald Trump made the unorthodox and controversial move of calling the F-35 program manager directly during the presidential transition and allowing Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg to eavesdrop on the phone call about the Lockheed Martin-made airplane. Bloomberg gets the scoop that Trump phoned up F-35 program manager Lt. Gen. Chris Bogdan twice during the transition, letting the Boeing CEO whose F/A-18 Super Hornet Trump has suggested as an alternative to the Lockheed F-35 hear parts of the second phone call as Trump posed questions about the relative capabilities of the two jets. More details about the phone call and its impact on the requirements process should be forthcoming as Bogdan is due to testify at the House Armed Services Committee on Thursday. Russia The U.S. and Russia will have the highest-level meeting between military officials of the two countries since Russias invasion and annexation of Crimea in 2014. The Washington Post reports that Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford will meet his Russian counterpart, Chief of the General Staff Gen. Valery Gerasimov in Azerbaijan. Dunford has reportedly been pressing for a meeting with Gerasimov for some time. Its unclear what will be on the agenda for the chat but there are a number of front burner issues between the Russian and American militaries, ranging from Russias apparent violation of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces treaty to the war in Syria. Relations between Russia and Americas top civilian defense officials arent going quite as well. In meetings with NATO countries on Wednesday, Secretary of Defense James Mattis said that the U.S. should negotiate with Russia but do so from a position of strength. His counterpart, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, hasnt taken kindly to the suggestion. Shoigu said trying to negotiate with Moscow from a position of relative strength is futile, saying that Russia would press Dunford to explain Mattiss comments when he meets with Gerasimov on Thursday. But its not just military ties that Russian President Vladimir Putin is hoping are restored under the Trump administration. Reuters reports that Putin spoke in front of Russias domestic intelligence agency, the Federal Security Service, early Thursday morning, saying that its in everyones interest for the intelligence services of Russia, the United States, and NATO countries to start talking again. Putins suggestion, however, comes at a bit of an awkward time for the Trump administration as it deals with the fallout from the resignation of National Security Advisor Mike Flynn over his calls with the Russian ambassador, allegations that advisors and campaign staff met with Russian intelligence officers, and a congressional investigation into Russian hacking during the 2016 election. Finland is nixing real estate sales to foreign citizens buying homes and land near military bases over fears that Russia could use the purchases to acquire more than just scenic views. Finnish intelligence issued a warning in 2016 that foreign citizens had been buying up property near key military bases and that the homes could be used to quarter enemy troops in the event of a conflict. The Finnish Ministry of Justice plans to investigate real estate purchases already carried out along Finlands border with Russia. Torture A civil case against the architects of the CIAs torture program could see the Agencys deputy director, Gina Haspel, testifying in the suit. The American Civil Liberties Union filed the case on behalf of three men who were tortured as part of the program designed by CIA psychologists Bruce Jessen and James Mitchell, as well as one man who was frozen to death in CIA custody. President Trump recently named Haspel as the Agencys number two official. Senators who worked on the Senate investigation have suggested that Haspel, who destroyed recordings of torture sessions on the instructions of CIA deputy director for operations Jose Rodriguez, have suggested that Haspel had a larger role in the program. Acronyms Dude, ISIL is not the preferred nomenclature. ISIS, please. The terrorist group formerly known to the U.S. government as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) under the Obama administration will henceforth be referred to at the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) under Trump. USA Today reports that the Pentagon has issued a memo informing employees that President Trumps use of the ISIS formulation in National Security Presidential Memorandum-3 means that the Defense Department will remain consistent with the presidents preferred acronym for the group. Tweet of the day Security footage of one of the suspects in the apparent assassination of the brother of North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un reveals a woman wearing a shirt with the acronym LOL leaving the scene. RT @goldengateblond Theres cold, theres ice-cold, and then theres assassinating someone while wearing a shirt that says LOL. Photo Credit: Olivier Doulier Pool/Getty Images By Tiisetso Motsoeneng JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa's competition watchdog has recommended fines against banks including Citigroup, Nomura and Standard Bank equal to 10 percent of their annual revenues for rigging the rand currency, it said on Wednesday. The Competition Commission said it had concluded an investigation into whether banks colluded to coordinate their trading activities when giving quotes to customers who were buying or selling currencies. It did not say if the fines should relate to the global revenues of the banks in question or just their South African business and could not be reached for further comment. The probe found that from at least 2007, traders at these banks had an agreement to collude on prices for bids, offers and bid-offer spreads for spot trades involving the rand and the U.S. dollar, the Commission said. "They also created fictitious bids and offers, distorting demand and supply in order to achieve their profit motives," the Commission said in a statement. It did not give any detailed examples of how it had come to this finding, but said the banks had a general agreement to collude and had used instant messaging, phone conversation and meetings to coordinate their activities. The Commission launched the investigation in April 2015, joining a global clampdown that has led to dozens of traders fired and big banks fined around $10 billion in total for rigging the level of Libor and other forex benchmarks. KEY MILESTONE The Commission, which investigates anti-trust practices, said it had referred the case for prosecution to the Competition Tribunal, which holds hearings on anti-trust matters before making a finding which parties affected can then appeal to South Africa's Competition Appeal Court. The referral of this matter to the Tribunal marks a key milestone in this case as it now affords the banks an opportunity to answer for themselves, said Commissioner Tembinkosi Bonakele in a statement. The Tribunal declined comment. Other banks named in the case were Investec, JP Morgan, BNP Paribas, Credit Suisse Group, Commerzbank AG, Standard New York Securities Inc, Macquarie Bank, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, ANZ Banking Group Ltd, Standard Chartered Plc and Barclays Africa (Absa) , part of the Barclays Plc. "It should be noted that the Competition Commission has not sought any penalties against Absa," Barclays Africa said without giving any explanation. It said it would cooperate with the investigation. Investec also said in an emailed statement it would cooperate, but added: "Unfortunately at this stage we still do not have further detail with respect to the nature of the investigation and are thus not able to comment on the matter. Standard Bank declined to comment. The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) said it saw the allegations in a serious light. "The SARB will allow the legal processes now initiated to run their course, and will continue to monitor developments closely to inform any action that we may need to embark upon in accordance with our mandate and jurisdiction," the central bank said in a statement. (Additional reporting by TJ Strydom; Editing by Susan Fenton and David Holmes) Southern rail commuters at Victoria station: Jeremy Selwyn Drivers on Southern Railway have rejected a deal aimed at resolving a long-running dispute over driver-only trains, said union Aslef. The proposed resolution to the dispute was rejected by 54.1 per cent in a turnout of 72 per cent, according to the union. Aslef said 953 ballot papers were sent out, with 693 returned. There were 317 votes in favour (45.9 per cent) of the proposed deal, and 374 against (54.1 per cent), with two invalid papers. The union's leaders had agreed the deal during 11 days of talks held at the headquarters of the Trade Union Congress, which ended earlier this month. Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan said: "We understand and support the decision arrived at democratically by our members and will now work to deliver a resolution in line with their expectations." The drivers' rejection of the negotiated deal comes after crucial talks between the Rail, Maritime and Transport union, which represents conductors, and Southern broke down earlier this week. Bosses from Govia Thameslink, Southern's parent company, and the union announced on Tuesday that talks held at conciliation service Acas had collapsed. The RMT union are set to stage a 24-hour strike on February 22. The breakdown in negotiations between Southern Railway and the unions follows 28 days of strikes in one year. Commenting on the drivers' rejection of the deal Nick Brown, Chief Operating Officer of Southern's owners, Govia Thameslink Railway, said: "Naturally we're saddened and hugely disappointed, as will be our passengers, with today's decision by drivers, particularly as the agreement carried the full support and recommendation of the Aslef leadership. "We now need to understand the issues which led to this outcome and we'll be seeking to meet with the union as soon as possible to see how we can agree a way forward." Madrid (AFP) - Spain's Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy leapt to the defence of Europe in an interview, describing it as the "best region in the world" but warning it could implode if populists win elections this year. "There are many populists, extremists and radicals that blame Europe for all their problems, real and imaginary," Rajoy told AFP this week at the prime minister's official Moncloa residence. "We have to fight them by firstly telling the truth: Europe is the best region in the world in terms of democracy, freedom and economic and social progress," he said. "We have in Europe a model welfare state, pensions, public healthcare and education that exists nowhere else in the world," said the premier of one of the most Europhile countries in the European Union. The 61-year-old, who was re-elected this month as leader of the conservative Popular Party (PP), took the helm of government in late 2011 when the country faced dire recession, but has brought it back from the brink. And as anti-EU parties across Europe and US President Donald Trump welcome Brexit, the Spanish leader has dropped his usual reserve to speak out against populism and for Europe. - 'End of Europe' - "A victory of the populists would be the end of Europe and it's the worst news we could have," he said. Without naming names, he criticised "those who talk about organising referendums to pull their countries out of the EU". Both Marine Le Pen in France and Geert Wilders in the Netherlands, who are riding high in the polls, have promised votes on EU membership should they be elected. Rajoy said however that Britain's shock decision to leave the EU might provide the opportunity for the bloc to close ranks and tighten its integration. He said he for one supported "fiscal union" as well as a single energy market and a single digital market. "It would be totally absurd for Brexit to create divisions between member states," as feared by European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker, who recently said he feared Britain could divide EU states during Brexit negotiations. Story continues "Honestly, I don't believe that," he said. Rajoy said he hoped to see ties between Washington and Europe ease after a phone call he had last week with the US president in which both sides expressed "the will to have good relations". "Let's have constructive international relations, trying to destroy one another does not seem the right way to me". But he appeared to be in no hurry to heed US Defence Secretary James Mattis' warning to NATO allies to increase military spending or risk seeing Washington "moderate its commitment" to the alliance. Spain spends less than one percent of its GDP on defence, far below NATO members' pledge to reach two percent by 2024. "We will gradually increase our military spending, but when circumstances are right," Rajoy said, pointing out that his government was working to reduce the public deficit to the EU's 3 percent ceiling after a damaging economic crisis. "It's hard to do everything at once." - Deficit pledge held? - Spain is only just emerging from a crisis sparked in 2008 when a property bubble burst. Under Rajoy's watch, unemployment has gradually come down from a high of nearly 27 percent in 2013 to 18.6 percent, still well above the eurozone average and the second worst rate in the EU after Greece. Critics also say that many jobs are temporary and precarious and that drastic spending cuts by Rajoy's government to ease the crisis have raised poverty and inequalities in the country. Rajoy pointed out that his government had managed to bring down the public deficit to 4.6 percent of GDP last year from a high of 11 percent, and was aiming for 3.1 percent in 2017. But the European Commission warned this week that Spain would be unlikely to reach that target, tabling more on 3.5 percent. "Spain intends to keep its promises," Rajoy said. "But it is growing at 3.2 percent, double the growth of the EU. More than 500,000 jobs were created last year. "We want to keep our promise on the deficit. So if we exceed it by one or two tenths of a percentage point.... But I will try and avoid that." Crime scene: Gary Heaven, 31, was stabbed to death in Hillside Road, Streatham: Google A man knifed to death in a street in south London has been named by police. Gary Heaven, 51, was stabbed repeatedly in Streatham on Tuesday, Scotland Yard said. Emergency services were called to reports of a stabbing in Hillside Road at about 8.45pm. Paramedics fought to save Mr Heaven but he was pronounced dead at the scene. Chi-Wah Cheung, 38, of no fixed abode, was charged on suspicion murder on Thursday. He was also charged with possession of an offensive weapon, in relation to the incident. Cheung is being held at a south London police station and will appear at Bromley Magistrates' Court on February 17. A Met Police spokesman said: An increased police presence remains in the area following this isolated incident, and officers continue to work together with local partners. Gov. Scott Walker has made it a priority to take actions to control the cost of higher education. He froze tuition for four consecutive years at all University of Wisconsin System schools, resulting in an average savings of $6,311 per student during that time. He has increased grants to technical colleges, increased accessibility to internship programs for college students, and backed creation of a scholarship program for high school students who lead their classes in technical education courses. And in his recently announced budget, the governor wants to cut tuition for all UW System resident undergraduates by 5 percent, saving an average student $360 per year. The governor also approved the creation of a college affordability/student debt specialist to be housed in the Office of Financial Literacy at the Department of Financial Institutions. As part of this effort, DFI last fall unveiled a new website, www.lookforwardwi.gov, to provide resources to students and parents who are seeking information about student debt and ways to make college more affordable. There is no denying that this is a hot topic. Total student debt in the United States now stands at about $1.3 trillion. The vast majority about 81 percent is held by the U.S. Department of Education and other federal agencies. The remaining 19 percent is held by non-federal financial services providers such as banks, credit unions and other entities. For a variety of reasons, in recent decades more students have had to resort to student loans to pay for their education. Nationally, 68 percent of college graduates in 2015 had student debt. The average debt load was $30,100, up 4 percent from 2014 (Wisconsin graduates averaged $29,460). This rise in student debt has caused some people to adopt a sky is falling mentality that leads them to the conclusion there is only one possible remedy to the problem: More government. Here in Wisconsin, some people are insisting that state intervention is the only panacea that will address student debt. This proposal is very costly and unnecessary. The proposal would require Wisconsin to establish a new state authority to offer refinancing opportunities to student borrowers. This proposal would require building a significant bureaucracy and staffing it with lending experts and legal and investment advisory personnel to underwrite student loans and access securities markets to sell bonds to fund the program. This is a huge new government undertaking with many unknowns and risks. Supporters of this concept point to a handful of other states including Minnesota that offer state-run student debt refinancing programs. What those supporters do not tell you is that not every student borrower automatically qualifies for refinancing. The borrowers must meet certain credit standards in order to qualify because funding for the program comes from private-sector investors who are seeking a return on their investment. For example, Minnesota requires a FICO score of at least 720 and a debt-to-income ratio of no more than 45 percent for a borrower to qualify for refinancing. These credit standards are more stringent than what you would find at some private-sector financial institutions. Instead of creating a new and expensive layer of state government, Wisconsin would be better served by leaving this matter in the hands of existing programs and our private-sector institutions, both of which have the resources and well-established expertise to address it. For example, the federal government currently offers at least five types of student loan repayment plans and at least nine student loan forgiveness programs. More information about these plans can be found on the Look Forward website (http://lookforwardwi.gov/resources/). In addition, a list of Wisconsin credit unions and banks that may offer refinancing options some at terms more competitive than those offered by state-run refinancing agencies can also be found on the Look Forward website (http://lookforwardwi.gov/wisconsin-loan-providers/). BERLIN (AP) A union representing ground staff has called on its members to go on strike at Berlin's two airports, leading to the cancelation of some 210 flights. The ver.di union said the strikes were taking place Thursday between 4 p.m. (1500 GMT) and 10 p.m. (2100 GMT) at the German capital's Tegel and Schoenefeld airports. The airport said both incoming and outgoing flights were affected by the strike. At Tegel, 156 flights were canceled, at Schoenefeld 54 flights. The union is demanding higher wages and better conditions for its more than 2,000 members at the airports. Airport employees already went on strike last week to push for their demands. During her two-plus months in captivity last year, Kala Brown said she had a crucial realization: She could survive by feeding her captors affection for her. I had to stay alive in order to be found, and I realized that it was easier if he felt things were going his way, Brown explained during an interview Tuesday on Dr. Phil, in her first media appearance since she was rescued in November. So I made him think whatever I had to to stay alive and to keep him from abusing me. Brown said her alleged abductor, Todd Kohlhepp, seemed infatuated with her, remarking on her beauty and intelligence. In the first part of her sit-down, on Monday, she claimed to host Phil McGraw how Kohlehpp allegedly shot her boyfriend in front of her on Aug. 31 before taking her prisoner on his nearly 100-acre property in Woodruff, South Carolina. I dont think he wanted to kill me, she said, adding, He explained Stockholm Syndrome to me and told me that it would kick in and then wed be happy together. In fact, Brown said, Kohlhepp allegedly described to her their fantasy future as he saw it. He was going to build a house on the property and I was going to have a soundproof room, and hed let me have the run of the property eventually when he trusted me, she said he told her. He even said that he would let me go and give me some money if he ever got old and sick. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter. All the while, Brown said, she did not dissuade Kohlhepp about their relationship and the longer she stayed alive, the more confident she became. He didnt want to kill me, he wanted to keep me, she told McGraw as she recounted how she began talking back. I told him he would pay for what he did to people and that it took a coward to kill other people, she said. Brown said she didnt fear retaliation, as she hadnt done the few things that Kohlhepp allegedly warned would cause her death, like attempting to escape or hurt him. Story continues According to the stories he told me, Id already been alive longer than anyone else, so I believed was working, she said. Kohlhepp allegedly detailed other crimes to her including abducting another woman and bizarrely claimed to have been an international assassin for the government while previously incarcerated, she said. He would brag about how many people hes killed, how good he was at it. He said he was near the three-digit mark , Brown alleged on Dr. Phil. (Investigators do suspect Kohlhepp is a serial killer and have accused him of seven murders.) Pick up PEOPLEs special edition True Crime Stories: Cases That Shocked America, on sale now, for the latest on Casey Anthony, JonBenet Ramsey and more. Finally, on Nov. 3, Brown was saved: Authorities had been tipped off about a possible sex crime and were searching Kohlhepps property when they heard her banging and screaming for them from inside the storage container where she was kept. She recalled the moment she was free on Dr. Phil. All I remember is it felt like a weight had been lifted, she said, and I was crying and they were holding me, and the sheriff prayed with me. A calm just washed over me. I was just there and I was free and I was just ready to get off that property. Kohlhepp was arrested soon after Brown was discovered and has been charged with kidnapping and murder, in connection with the deaths of Browns boyfriend and six others dating back to 2003. He has not entered a plea to his charges. Brown, speaking out Tuesday, promised to recover from the trauma she endured. No matter what he did to me, he did not break me, she said, He could not destroy who I am, and I won. He tried to crush me, but Im not broken. STOCKHOLM (AP) A Swedish court on Thursday sentenced a Syrian man to life imprisonment for participation in the 2012 mass execution of seven government troops in Syria. The Stockholm District Court ruled that 46-year-old refugee Haisam Omar Sakhanh joined the armed group Suleiman Company in early May 2012, and shot a person dead with an assault rifle. Judge Tomas Zander said the victim, who was not identified, was shot dead along with six others "under particularly cruel circumstances." Sakhanh had confessed to the shooting but said he should not be prosecuted because the death sentences had been made by a legitimate court a claim the Swedish court rejected. It also rejected his defense that he had been following orders. The court said Sakanh had been active in Italy in 2011 and 2012 where he protested against the Syrian government. Italian police helped investigators in Sweden identify him via fingerprints and photos of him illegally entering the Syrian Embassy in Rome during a protest, according to the court ruling obtained by The Associated Press. After his stint in Italy, Sakhanh returned to Syria before heading north to Sweden where he sought asylum in Sweden in 2013. He failed to inform authorities about the executions and was given refugee status and a permanent residence permit in early 2016. He has been held in pre-trial custody since March. In a statement, the court said Sakhanh's crime "is so high that the punishment has been ruled to be life imprisonment." In Sweden, life imprisonment is normally 10 years. The court said Sakhanh should then be expelled from the country and banned from returning. Separately on Wednesday, Sweden's top appeals court upheld a life sentence for a Rwandan-born Swedish citizen for his role in the 1994 genocide in the East African country. Claver Berinkindi was found guilty of genocide and gross violation of international law by a Swedish court in 2015. Berinkindi, who claimed to be innocent, came to Sweden as a refugee in 2002 and was granted citizenship a decade later. "The verdicts are an important signal that Sweden is not a safe haven for war criminals," Per Ahlstrom, head of the police group that investigates foreign war crimes. He said they were currently investigating 45 such cases. Australian swimming great Grant Hackett has been found safe after being reported missing on Thursday, the triple Olympic champion's father Neville said. Hackett, who has struggled with drug and alcohol problems away from the pool, was detained by Gold Coast police on Wednesday after his parents reported he had suffered a "breakdown" at their family home. He was released after a few hours without charge but a day later, his parents said he had disappeared. "Grant's been found alive and sober," Neville Hackett said outside the family's Mermaid Waters home. "He's spoken to police. "He's actually hiding because he's very, very embarrassed about all this," he said, adding that while he was unsure where his son had been he had made contact with police. Earlier on Thursday, Hackett's father had put out a plea to find the former Olympic swimmer. This is not Grant Hackett... hes there in body but hes not there in mind, soul or spirit. Grant Hacketts brother. #9Newspic.twitter.com/6qpz4DvPCx Nine News Gold Coast (@9NewsGoldCoast) 15 February 2017 "He's definitely a missing person," he told local media. "He's mentally disturbed and needs urgent help ... If anybody has seen him contact the media or the police or the Hackett family. "Grant, let us know where you are. We love you and we want to help you." The swimmer's brother Craig told reporters on Wednesday that Hackett was a "danger to himself and to the community" and that his family were unable to help him alone. However, before he was reported missing, Hackett posted a photo of himself on Instagram with cuts and bruises to his face and said his brother had beaten him. "My brother comments to the media... but does anyone know he beat the shit out of me," Hackett wrote. "Everyone knows he is an angry man." It is unclear when or where the photo was taken and Hackett did not appear to be sporting any injuries when he was released by police. Story continues The incident has shaken Australia's sporting community and the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) expressed its concern for Hackett. "This is just a big shock and surprise," AOC President John Coates told Sydney's Daily Telegraph newspaper. "I am very worried for him and his family. Grant Hackett has been released from the watch house without charge @channeltennewspic.twitter.com/J6lIG0mtas Jayde Cotic (@JaydeCotic) 15 February 2017 "He is one of ours. He's an Olympian, and one of our greatest Olympians. We'll give him whatever support we can." After Hackett's arrest, his father said the 36-year-old was "ranting and raving a bit" and the family had called the police when he had refused to get treatment. "He's big and powerful when he's not happy," Neville Hackett said. "We decided he needed some treatment but there was no way he was going to go and get treatment this morning, so we called the police." Regarded as one of the greatest long distance swimmers of all time, Hackett won back-to-back 1,500 metres golds at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and at Athens in 2004 before retiring after the 2008 Games in Beijing, where he won silver in the event. The 10-times world champion, who was also a member of the 4x200m freestyle relay gold-winning squad in Sydney, returned to the pool last year to make an unsuccessful bid to qualify for the Rio Olympics. In the wake of national trials, he was involved in an altercation with a passenger on a flight and questioned by police at Melbourne airport. He said he had been binge drinking after his Olympic disappointment and publicly apologised. Hackett has previously struggled with addiction to sleep medication and spent time in a rehab centre in 2014 after he was spotted in the lobby of a Melbourne casino disoriented and wearing only his underwear. BEIRUT (AP) Syrian government officials sat face-to-face with rebels for the second time in three weeks in Kazakhstan on Thursday, as diplomats stepped up efforts to lay the groundwork for U.N.-brokered peace talks next week. A leader of the Russian delegation to the talks in Astana, sponsored by Russia, Turkey and Iran, said an agreement has been reached to form a permanent contact group of the three nations to 'preserve and strengthen" a cease-fire that has technically been in place since Dec. 30. The meeting is intended to pave the way for the revival of broader, U.N.-led peace talks in Geneva next week, but huge challenges remain as both sides criticized each other and continued to spar about the agenda for the talks. The Syrian government's envoy to the talks accused Turkey, one of the sponsors, of continuing to support "terrorist" groups and urged Ankara to withdraw its troops from Syria. Bashar al-Ja'afari, Syria's U.N. ambassador, said at a press conference that Turkey "cannot be fanning the flames and be extinguishing them at the same time." He accused Turkey of continuing to facilitate the entry of "tens of thousands of mercenaries" to Syria, and said the meeting ended without a final statement because of the late arrival of the Turkish delegation and the Syrian opposition delegates. Turkish troops have been helping Syrian opposition forces battle the Islamic State group around the IS-held town of al-Bab in northern Syria, near the Turkish border, since August. Al-Ja'afari also criticized Jordan, Syria's southern neighbor, accusing it of sponsoring rebel factions that have been clashing with government forces in the southern city of Daraa for the past few days. "There is an attack by eight factions on Daraa since four days and they... have unleashed thousands of shells at innocent civilians" in the area, he said. In Geneva, U.N. humanitarian adviser Jan Egeland called on parties to allow aid convoys to reach besieged and hard-to-reach areas of Syria to demonstrate "goodwill" before the talks in Geneva on Feb. 23. Story continues Egeland lamented that not a single U.N.-arranged land convoy has reached any of more than a dozen besieged towns or villages this year, citing a lack of approvals from authorities. He said relief convoys were lining up Thursday in hopes of delivering aid to the opposition-held enclave of al-Waer in Homs, Syria's third-largest city. The U.N. envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, was meanwhile meeting with top Russian officials in Moscow in the run-up to the anticipated talks. The meeting in the Kazakh capital, Astana, includes representatives from the government and armed rebel groups, and is aimed at reinforcing a cease-fire that has been violated on a daily basis. The Geneva talks will include the exiled civilian opposition and will have as their goal a broader political settlement to the nearly six-year conflict. The Daraa clashes have continued despite the stepped up diplomatic efforts. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says an al-Qaida-linked faction attacked government forces Sunday, shattering an extended spell of calm in the contested region. The opposition-run monitoring group says government forces have responded with a relentless barrage of artillery and airstrikes, destroying at least one field hospital in the contested provincial capital. Issam al-Rais, a commander in the rebel Free Syrian Army's Southern Front, said mainstream rebel factions were also taking part in the fighting, in response to persistent government violations of the Dec. 30 cease-fire. "If the regime disciplines itself, then we are committed to the cease-fire," al-Rais told the AP. Turkish troops and Syrian opposition forces meanwhile pounded the northern Syrian town of al-Bab as pro-government forces attacked the nearby village of Tadef. Both sides are trying to expel the Islamic State group from the region and claim it for themselves. The two sides are about 5 kilometers (3 miles) apart. The Observatory said 24 civilians have been killed under Turkish and Syrian opposition fire in al-Bab in the past 24 hours. The figure could not be independently confirmed. ___ Associated Press writers Jamey Keaten in Geneva and Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow contributed to this report. BEIRUT (Reuters) - Syrian Islamist fighters have killed scores of insurgents they took captive during clashes, a rebel official and the SITE Intelligence Group said. An offshoot of the Jund al-Aqsa group killed roughly 150-200 members of rebel factions and of another Islamist alliance in the village of Khan Sheikhoun in southern Idlib province, they said. They had been arrested and held captive for six days during clashes that broke out in the area, in the increasingly bloody infighting between different militant groups. Dozens of those executed were members of a Free Syrian Army (FSA) faction, Jaish al-Nasr. Abdul Hakim al-Rahmon, head of Jaish al-Nasr's political wing, confirmed that 70 fighters from the group were executed eight days ago, vowing to attack in response. He said more than 160 FSA fighters were killed in total, plus another 43 from Tahrir al-Sham - which includes the former al Qaeda branch in Syria, Jabhat Fateh al-Sham - who had been killed immediately after the militants stormed a court run by Tahrir al Sham in the same area. "They were all liquidated at the same time," he said. The U.S.-based security monitoring service SITE reported on Wednesday, citing a pro-al Qaeda social media outlet, that a total of 150 members of rebel factions had been killed. They included more than 70 from Jaish al-Nasr, and fighters from the Tahrir al-Sham alliance. Jund al-Aqsa is seen as ideologically close to Islamic State, al Qaeda's main jihadist rival. Fighting between Jund al-Aqsa and Tahrir al-Sham has flared in the past week, in clashes that war monitors say have killed dozens. Those clashes have added to the complexity of insurgent infighting in the west of the country. Both Tahrir al-Sham and Jund al-Aqsa are also fighting against FSA rebel factions who have been foreign-backed. Jihadist groups attacked the FSA for sending delegates to peace talks in Kazakhstan last month. Many of those FSA groups are now fighting under the banner of the more moderate but powerful Islamist Ahrar al-Sham. (Reporting by John Davison and Suleiman al-Khalidi in Amman; Editing by Alison Williams) Children walk to school in Idlib province, where religious police have been rigorously enforcing their interpretation of sharia-compliant dress codes for women and girls: Reuters A young Syrian girl and her father, arrested by religious police in Idlib province, have been freed after vociferious protests from her classmates. Several male members of Idlibs al-Hisba, or religious police, reportedly visited al-Orouba School for Girls without prior warning at the end of last month to inspect whether the girls clothing was sharia-compliant. According to eyewitnesses, five girls whose overcoats whose hems were more than 5cm from the ground were ordered to leave. When one challenged the police, she was arrested as was her father when he arrived at the school. However, after an impromptu brave protest in defence of their friend, al-Hisba were cajoled into letting the pair go without charge. Female students know what it means to wear sharia-appropriate clothing, and they were already dressing modestly. Women here wear long clothing. Its not tight fitting. But the religious police have such exacting standards that its ridiculous, one student, speaking anonymously, told Syria Direct. The war has made just getting by extremely difficult, and most families dont have the money to buy their daughters more clothing. So its not the fact that the girls object to wearing sharia-appropriate clothing but rather the ridiculous, excessive way that they have gone about it. They dont have any consideration for the position that families are in and the ways theyve been affected by poverty. Al-Qaeda affiliated rebels have controlled Idlib city and much of the surrounding province since 2015. In Idlib city itself, women must abide by strict conservative dress standards in all public spaces. The area is where civilians were bussed to by the regime after fall of Aleppo in December. At the time, non-extremist activists forced to leave for Idlib warned that they would still be at risk from both al-Qaeda related rebel forces, and continued Russian and Syrian government air strikes. One senior European diplomat said at the time that people fleeing Aleppo had a choice between surviving for a few weeks in Idlib or dying in Aleppo. For the Russians its simple. Place them all in Idlib and then they have all their rotten eggs in one basket, the source added. There have been several protests against the implementation of sharia law in Idlib province, and particularly clothing regulations, in recent months. By Olzhas Auyezov ASTANA (Reuters) - With its show of military force, Russia changed the tide of the Syrian civil war. It is finding the next phase -- brokering an end to the fighting -- a tougher proposition. A round of Syria peace talks sponsored by Russia ended on Thursday with no joint communique, usually the minimum outcome of any diplomatic negotiation, and saw opposing Syrian groups exchanging angry tirades at each other and the brokers. With no concrete progress to report, media representatives at the talks venue in ex-Soviet Kazakhstan, were so hungry for a scrap of news that at one point a crowd formed around an Arabic speaker who they thought was a participant in the talks. He turned out to be another journalist. Western diplomats, who say Russian President Vladimir Putin's campaign of air strikes has worsened the conflict, have, in private, reacted to Russia's tribulations as a peacemaker with variations on the phrase: "We told you so." Russia proposed a series of negotiations in the Kazakh capital Astana late last year with the expectation that, as the predominant outside power in Syria following its military intervention, it could break a deadlock that had defied the repeated efforts of the big Western powers and U.N. mediators. Moscow's peace drive started hopefully, with the first Astana meeting in January. The Syrian rebels and government came together for the first time in 9 months, and agreement was reached to consolidate a shaky ceasefire. But by the second round this week, things had gone downhill. The Syrian rebels debated until the eleventh hour about whether to attend at all, finally sending a smaller delegation which arrived in the Kazakh capital a day late. Russia's efforts were hampered by the deep enmity between the rival Syrian sides, but also by contradictions among its co-sponsors. One of them, Turkey, is fiercely opposed to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Russia and the third co-sponsor, Iran, are Assad's staunchest allies. Syrian government negotiator Bashar Jaafari said on Thursday that peace talks in Astana had not produced a communique because of the "irresponsible" late arrival of rebel participants and their Turkish backers which delayed the joint session by a day. He also criticized the rebels and Turkey for downgrading their delegations from the previous meeting. "Turkey cannot ignite the fire and at the same time act as a firefighter," he told a briefing after the talks. The rebels, in turn, accused the Syrian government and Iran of routinely violating the ceasefire and Russia of failing to enforce it. "We know that the Russians have a problem with those for whom they are guarantors," rebel negotiator Yahya al-Aridi told reporters, referring to Tehran and Assad's forces. A STEP TOO FAR According to two sources - a senior French diplomat and an official present for the talks from a country not directly participating - one of the main reasons progress had slowed were Moscow's attempts to expand the talks beyond the ceasefire and discuss political solutions to the Syrian crisis. Moscow has offered the Syrians a draft of a new constitution, Russian negotiator Alexander Lavrentiev told reporters on Thursday. He also said the joint Russia-Turkey-Iran ceasefire monitoring task force agreed upon in Astana in January could in the future expand its activities to include a political settlement of the crisis. But the sources said other parties resisted those efforts, because they were still more focused on the fighting on the ground in Syria. Iran, according to one of the sources, wants to push on with territorial gains achieved by its allies in Syria, while Turkey is hell-bent on not allowing any Kurds near its border. The rebels also indicated they wanted the talks to focus on more down-to-earth matters such as air strikes on their territory - which they said Russia has promised to stop - and release of prisoners. "We did not come here to make incorrect political decisions," said rebel negotiator Mohammad Alloush. CAGED PARROTS Even the hosts for the talks, the Kazakh government, downgraded their presence. A deputy foreign minister welcomed the delegates instead of the minister himself, as was the case in January. The rebels sent 9 people, instead of the 15-person delegation that attended the previous round. Organizers cordoned off most of the lobby of the Rixos Hotel, venue for the meeting, so negotiators could step out and have tea or coffee at tables surrounded by plants and parrots in cages. Several ambassadors from Middle Eastern countries kept walking in and out of a conference room where the talks were being held behind closed doors, but mostly spent their time in the hotel's Irish pub, though they did not appear to drink any alcohol. United Nations special envoy on Syria Staffan de Mistura attended the first round of talks where he stressed that Syria's political transition must be discussed in Geneva rather than in Astana. He did not attend the second round, traveling to Moscow instead for talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Originally, Thursday's talks were billed as a low-key technical meeting. The co-sponsors then upgraded it last Friday, raising expectations that real progress could be achieved. A successful outcome would have handed a PR coup to Russia right before U.N.-led talks on Syria in Geneva on Feb.23. But instead, Lavrentiev, the Russian negotiator, was left trying to explain why the latest round had ended in acrimony. "The level of mutual distrust is rather high and there were many mutual accusations, but I think we must keep moving forward every time, step by step," he said. (Additional reporting by Raushan Nurshayeva in ASTANA and John Irish in PARIS; Editing by Christian Lowe and Peter Graff) By Maytaal Angel LONDON (Reuters) - Tata Steel's British workers voted on Wednesday to accept pension benefit cuts in return for safeguards on jobs and investment, although the Indian company's plan to spin off its entire UK pension scheme still faces regulatory hurdles. Wednesday's vote allows Britain's largest steelmaker to close its 15 billion pound British Steel Pension Scheme (BSPS) to future accrual and replace the final salary scheme with a less generous defined contribution scheme. "Steelworkers have made great sacrifices ... Those sacrifices must be repaid by Tata Steel honouring its commitments on investment and job security. Nothing less would be a betrayal and add to the deep mistrust that steelworkers now have for the company," said Tony Brady, national officer of the Unite trade union. In return for pension changes, Tata Steel has pledged to guarantee production and jobs at Britain's largest steelworks in Port Talbot, Wales, for five years and to invest 1 billion pounds in its UK business over the next decade. The company's new defined contribution scheme will cover its existing 11,000 UK employees. The firm is, however, seeking rare regulatory approval to cut benefits for all 130,000 BSPS members and to spin off the scheme into a standalone entity. Tata says its UK unit, which is set this year to post its first profit in five years, will fail if it has to keep ploughing funds into a scheme with 13 times more pensioners than paying employees. The company is also seeking to spin off the pension scheme because Germany's Thyssenkrupp , with which it is in merger talks, is not prepared to take on any UK pension liabilities in the event of a tie-up. "Steelworkers have taken a tough decision. It is vital that we now work together to protect the benefits already accrued and prevent the BSPS from free-falling into the pension protection fund (PPF)," said Roy Rickhuss, general secretary of the union Community. The PPF is a lifeboat for failing UK pension schemes. Tata Steel's UK workers were under pressure to back a deal that secured jobs and investment because if the company fails, they will face deeper benefit cuts under PPF payout terms. Stephen Kinnock, member of parliament for Aberavon, Wales, said: "What we have seen today is that the workforce will strain every sinew to save our industry. If fulfilled, the package voted on today should secure the future for Port Talbot." Some industry watchers, however, remain to be convinced that the 4,000 or so jobs at Port Talbot are secure for more than five years. Thyssenkrupp has said its main goal in merging with Tata's European operations is to combat overcapacity in the steel sector, and many expect this makes jobs at Port Talbot, a vital regional employer, vulnerable in the long term. Some pension experts also say Tata faced a battle to spin off the UK pension scheme because it would have to convince the regulator that the UK unit might otherwise go insolvent - something that looks less likely now it is heading for a profit. Martin Hunter, principal at pension consultants Punter Southall, said Tata faced a "substantial hurdle" winning regulatory clearance. "Even if the Pensions Regulator can be convinced that insolvency is inevitable... the cash sum needing to be offered to achieve a separation could be substantial, perhaps even in excess of 1 billion pounds." (Reporting by Maytaal Angel; Editing by Keith Weir and Mark Potter) In the 1982 sci-fi thriller Blade Runner, the Los Angeles of the future is always rainy and its skies are cluttered with flying cars and floating neon advertisements. At least some of that imagined world is almost here, but instead of gritty L.A., it will happen in gleaming, blue-skied Dubai, which is about to introduce autonomous drone taxis. Related: The Coolest Tech Products From CES 2017 Plans are in place for egg-shaped, four legged, eight-propeller drones capable of ferrying humans weighing up to 220 pounds plus a small carry-on -- to be operational by July, according to the AP. The drones the Chinese-built EHang 184 -- are capable of speeds of up to 100 mph and have a range of 30 miles; they will be monitored by a ground control team and typically fly at about 60 mph. An official of Dubais Roads and Transport Authority was quoted by The New York Times as saying that a drone had already plied the skies of the city-state and reportedly flew around the famous sail-shaped skyscraper, Burj Al Arab. Heres how the drone taxi will work, according to the AP: you climb into a race-car-style seat, strap yourself in, pick a destination from a touch screen and enjoy the ride. Sounds a bit scary, but the Times reports that the Ehang 184 will land immediately in the safest spot available in the event of a malfunction at least thats what the manufacturer says. The drone taxi is just one of the initiatives that seems to be putting Dubai on the forefront of 21st century consumer transportation. Other plans include using driverless cars for 25 percent of all trips by 2030 and the possible construction of a hyperloop, which the Times describes as a vacuum-like tube through which vehicle pods hurtle at speeds faster than airliners. That futuristic system, envisioned by California-based Hyperloop One, would shoot travelers from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. Related: Your Next Delivery Could Be From a Sidewalk Robot Dubai is already home to the longest driverless metro in the world and the busiest airport on the planet. Story continues No word whether there are replicants in its future. Top Reads from The Fiscal Times: (Reuters) - A Tennessee man was found guilty on Thursday of plotting in 2015 to round up a militia and burn down a mosque, school and cafeteria in the upstate New York community of Islamberg, which is home to a mostly Muslim population, prosecutors said. Robert Doggart, 65, was convicted in U.S. District Court in Chattanooga of solicitation to commit arson and violate civil rights, as well as of making a threat in interstate commerce, the Department of Justice said in a written statement. Attorneys for Doggart did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Doggart was arrested by Federal Bureau of Investigation agents in April 2015 after telling a government informant in wire-tapped phone calls that he planned to recruit a militia and travel to Islamberg, about 145 miles northwest of New York City, prosecutors say. The group planned to burn down the community's mosque and shoot anyone who tried to stop them, according to the criminal complaint. "The defendant sought out others to join him in a violent attack on a community of men, women, and children because of their religion," Acting Assistant Attorney General Tom Wheeler said in the statement. Defense attorneys argued in court that Doggart had exaggerated his intentions to attack Islamberg after being encouraged by the informant and that he never had a solid plan in place, the Chattanooga Times Free Press reported. The attorneys also argued that Doggart believed Islamberg residents were training for guerrilla warfare against the West, the newspaper reported. Islamberg, started by a group of African-American Muslims who moved from U.S. cities in the 1970s, is a gated community with dirt roads and several dozen small homes near the town of Hancock in New York's Catskills Mountains. The 200 or so members of the community, in which children are home-schooled and residents worship at a mosque built on the 70-acre property, follow a Pakistani Sufi cleric. Doggart, who had been confined to his home since his apprehension, was taken into custody following Thursday's verdict, WRCB TV news reported. His sentencing is scheduled for May, it reported. (Reporting by Laila Kearney and Dan Whitcomb; Editing by Leslie Adler and James Dalgleish) On a highway in Munich, Germany, a Tesla owner recently sacrificed his car to rescue another driver having a stroke. According to Muenchner Merkur, the Tesla driver saw a VW Passat swerving erratically, hitting the guardrail several times. On closer inspection, he noticed that the driver appeared to be unconcious. So, the Tesla driver maouvered his car in front and slowed down gradually, forcing a gentle collision and bringing both cars to a halt. Don't Miss: Pioneers new headphones solve the iPhone 7s dumbest problem The fire driver was able to extract the driver successfully, and German media reports that he was likely suffering a stroke. According to newspaper reports, the combined damages for both vehicles were minor bumper damage to the Tesla and the Passat but totalled around $10,000. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has since said that Tesla is covering all repair costs in recognition of the heroism: Its a rare, unvarnished act of heroism from the Tesla driver to put his own safety (and car!) on the line to try and save a stranger. Its also a good answer to the occasional question about why Tesla drivers are still able to override the cars safety mechanisms when necessary. If the car was programmed to always use its sensors to avoid collisions, the Tesla driver wouldnt have been able to pull off the stunt. Trending right now: See the original version of this article on BGR.com By Aukkarapon Niyomyat BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thai security forces filed past chanting monks on Thursday to search the country's biggest Buddhist temple for an influential former abbot accused of money laundering, but failed to find him. With political parties and many activists silenced since a coup in 2014, the scandal-hit Dhammakaya Temple is a rare institution in defying the junta, which until now trod warily in confronting a group that claims millions of followers. Police went in hours after Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha used a security measure that critics dub "the dictator's law" to give forces a free hand to arrest, search, demolish or do anything else they see fit to apprehend Phra Dhammachayo. After Thursday's failure to find the monk, police said they would continue on Friday and the blockade would continue. The former abbot, 72, faces charges of conspiracy to launder money and receive stolen goods, as well as taking over land unlawfully to build meditation centers. His aides dismiss the accusations as politically motivated. "He has only done good deeds," said one 50-year-old devotee who hurried to the temple on hearing of the raid, adding that temple officials had told her not to reveal her name to media. "I was one of the people who donated to have this temple built so I'm here to protect it," she said. The controversy over the abbot partly reflects more than a decade of divisive politics in Thailand, which has penetrated all aspects of life - including the religion followed by some 95 percent of Thais. Although the temple has no overt political affiliation, the abbot is widely believed to have had links with populist former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, overthrown in 2006. Prayuth became leader after toppling a government led by Thaksin's sister in 2014. About 3,000 black-clad police deployed around the temple, with hundreds entering the compound, which, at 1,000 acres (400 hectares), is nearly 10 times the size of Vatican City. CHANTING Police encountered monks in saffron robes, chanting and frequently blocking their way. Several attempts to question the abbot have failed over the past year and this was the first time police had managed to search the temple. A police spokesman, Woranan Silam, said the search would continue on Friday, after having covered about 15 percent to 20 percent of the grounds on Thursday. The monks were willing to cooperate, the temple's head of public relations told Reuters. "But I cannot force praying devotees to make way for them," Phra Sanitwong Wuttiwangso said. He told Reuters on Wednesday the abbot had not been seen since May and had not gone to the police because he was gravely ill. The Dhammakaya Temple differs from traditional temples not only in its size and its flying-saucer shaped golden stupa. A brash approach to winning followers - it has its own television station - jars on conservatives. They say it exploits its followers and uses religion to make money. It says it is as committed to Buddhist values as they are. The new move against the temple comes days after the appointment of a new supreme patriarch to head Thailand's 300,000 monks. Somdet Phra Maha Muniwong, from the most austere of two Thai Buddhist fraternities, was chosen by the king after a change in the law allowed him to ignore the choice of a religious council, which had recommended a monk with links to Dhammakaya. (Aditional reporting by Panarat Thepgumpanat and Patpicha Tanakasempipat; Writing by Patpicha Tanakasempipat; Editing by Matthew Tostevin and Clarence Fernandez) PATHUM THANI, Thailand (AP) Thai police raided the head temple of a controversial Buddhist sect but failed to find and arrest the abbot, who faces criminal charges over accepting $40 million in embezzled money. The action Thursday followed several earlier failed attempts to seize Phra Dhammajayo, 72, head of the Dhammakaya sect. Police were previously thwarted when crowds of monks and followers blocked the way, risking a violent confrontation. The prime minister of Thailand's military government, Prayuth Chan-ocha, this time invoked an emergency order declaring the area around the temple a temporary "restricted area" to stop people from entering. Police deployed about 3,000 personnel to surround the temple before dawn, blocking hundreds of monks and followers who sat outside the compound's gates, chanting Buddhist texts in protest. The temple's senior monks agreed around noon to admit some police. Several hundred officers swept the grounds, honing in on an inner residence compound where intelligence suggested the abbot resided, but he was nowhere to be found. "We found nothing illegal, we couldn't find him," said Kolvit Bunnag, director of special operations at the Department of Special Investigation, Thailand's FBI. "We expected to find him, but the news spread around. He could (have) run away." Some devotees believe the raids are politically motivated because the temple and its followers are seen as supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was deposed in a 2006 military coup. The Dhammakaya sect is controversial for fusing Buddhism theology with what critics call a bourgeois, money-friendly ideology. It appeals to Thailand's burgeoning middle class. Temple spokesmen claim they haven't seen Dhammajayo for months at the temple, which is known for its vast golden dome that appears to hover over the grounds like a gilded UFO. "(The police) tried to make it as smooth and peaceful as possible," said Phra Pasura Dantamano, a Dhammakaya spokesman. However, he said it was an "excessive use of force for nearly 4,000 police to come and block the road just because someone did not appear for a summons." Story continues Pasura said Dhammajayo was innocent and estimated that 10,000 followers came to support him at the vast compound, which covers an area almost 10 times the size of Vatican City. One of Dhammajayo's followers, the head of a credit union, was convicted of embezzling money to donate to the temple, and was sentenced to 16 years in prison. Dhammajayo was charged with money-laundering and receiving stolen property. The sect says he did not know the money was tainted. In an evident effort to put pressure on him, three unrelated charges of land encroachment were later filed against him. The sect was founded in 1970 and ballooned in Thailand's 1980s economic boom. Dhammajayo was forced to temporarily step down as the temple's abbot following embezzlement accusations in 1999 and 2002. He resumed his post in 2006 after clearing his name. The DSI first summoned Dhammajayo last March in connection with the money-laundering charges. After he repeatedly failed to show up for questioning, saying he was ill, a criminal court issued an arrest warrant last May, prompting police to try to raid the temple several times. The raids have been complicated by a law which forbids the arrest of a monk in his robes, for fear that would mar the sanctity of the clergy. Buddhism is the national religion and a core pillar of Thai society. Police said they would be back Friday and Saturday to continue the hunt, after which their search agreement with the monks will expire. The temple's supporters, too, will be back. "Lots of things happened to the temple, it's not fair," said Tiparaphan Up-prakan, a decades-long Dhammakaya devotee from Bangkok. "I think Dhammakaya will be OK. We will fight for that." ___ https://www.facebook.com/APNews/photos/a.10150366988291623.355082.249655421622/10154328574761623/?type=3&theater BONN, Germany (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said on Thursday he did not suggest to French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault that Washington planned to scrap the Iranian nuclear agreement. "I didn't leave any such impression," Tillerson told reporters before a meeting with the Argentinian foreign minister, when asked about a report which cited Ayrault as saying the French had the impression that Washington wanted to get rid of the deal. Ayrault told reporters after his meeting with Tillerson that there was a clear difference in opinion between the two allies on the Iranian nuclear deal, with the United States wanting to review it from scratch. (Reporting by Andrea Shalal; Editing by Madeline Chambers) Bonn (AFP) - US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Thursday said his country will work with Russia if doing so benefits Americans, as Moscow pressed the Trump administration to live up to its promises of improving ties. The cautious statement came after Tillerson's first meeting with Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov on the sidelines of a G20 gathering in the German city of Bonn. "The United States will consider working with Russia when we can find areas of practical cooperation that will benefit the American people," Tillerson told reporters. "Where we do not see eye to eye the United States will stand up for the interests and values of America and her allies." For his part, Lavrov stressed the common ground between Washington and Moscow. "We cannot solve all problems... but we have a mutual understanding that where our interests coincide, and there are many such spheres, we must move ahead," Lavrov said in comments televised in Russia. Tillerson was in the global spotlight as he made his debut as America's top diplomat after President Donald Trump promised to put US interests first while also offering a softer line on Moscow. The closely watched encounter with Lavrov took place as Washington reels from the shock resignation of national security adviser Michael Flynn over contacts with Moscow's ambassador and allegations of Russian meddling in Trump's election last year. Lavrov told Tillerson he "should know we do not interfere in the domestic matters of other countries." - Diplomatic debuts - In Moscow, the Kremlin voiced impatience over the lack of progress in bolstering ties since Trump moved into the White House. Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov said the two countries were "wasting time," when neither on their own could solve pressing world problems. Separately, President Vladimir Putin called for restoring links between US and Russian intelligence agencies, saying "even a simple exchange of information" could strengthen the fight against terrorism. Story continues US Defence Secretary James Mattis however said at a NATO meeting in Brussels that Washington was not ready "right now" for military collaboration with Russia. Both Tillerson and Mattis were making their diplomatic debuts in Europe, with their counterparts eager to find out what Trump's "America First" policy means for the rest of the world. The US billionaire had alarmed allies by signalling he might reconsider sanctions against Russia and calling NATO into question, at a time when member states are nervous about a resurgent Moscow. But both Tillerson, who has rarely addressed the media since taking office, and Mattis appeared to ease those concerns on their maiden European visits, signalling no major shift in policy. - 'Very clear' - British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson welcomed the measured stance. "You have got to engage with Russia but you have got to engage in a very guarded way," he told the BBC. "We don't want to get into a new Cold War. That's something London and Washington are completely at one on. But nor do we want Russian behaviour to continue as it is. Rex Tillerson has been very clear about that." Ties between the West and Russia have plunged to a post-Cold War low over Moscow's 2014 annexation of Crimea and its support of pro-Moscow rebels in the Ukraine conflict. Tillerson, a former ExxonMobil chief executive known for his close business ties to Russia, on Thursday urged Russia to adhere to the Minsk peace accords, following a flare-up in fighting in eastern Ukraine. He made no mention of sanctions and Lavrov said the issue had not been discussed. Tillerson also stuck to conventional foreign policy in discussions with Japan and South Korea that condemned North Korea's latest ballistic missile launch. "The United States remains steadfast in its defence commitments to its allies, the Republic of Korea and Japan, including the commitment to provide extended deterrence, backed by the full range of its nuclear and conventional defence capabilities," Tillerson said in a joint statement with the two foreign ministers. The G20 gathering of leading and developing economies runs until Friday. Trump is expected to meet Putin in person for the first time at a G20 summit in Hamburg in July. Taking off: Wizz Air will fly direct to Tel Aviv and Pristina in Kosovo from Luton: Steve Parsons/PA Stags and hens now have another airline to pick for bargain boozy breaks after Wizz Air established its first UK base at Luton airport, flying new direct routes to Tel Aviv, Kosovos capital Pristina and Kutaisi in Georgia. Shares in the central Europe-based budget airline rose 35p to 1680p as it expands, with a new Airbus A320 at Luton from June. Wizz is already the airports second-largest carrier, flying five million passengers a year, and has bucked the trend among rivals to entrench amid fierce competition and falling fares. Chief executive Jozsef Varadi said the move underlines Wizz Airs commitment to the UK. Another fast-growing airline in the UK, Norwegian, said new routes such as Gatwick to Las Vegas and Boston, as well as packed planes, helped it to post its highest annual results, with a 1135 million kroner (109 million) net profit. The carrier now flying 4.5 million passengers to 96 destinations from the UK and offering 135 fares to the US said its rapid UK expansion, including its first international headquarters outside Norway, at Gatwick, had been key to its year of growth. President Donald Trumps turbulent first weeks in office have coincided with the decline of his daughter, Ivankas, clothing brand. Ivanka Trumps eponymous company, known for its formal pantsuits, handbags and heels, has been dropped by the likes of Nordstrom (JWN) and Neiman Marcus, with other off-price retailers like T.J. Maxx and Marshalls (TJX) instructing their employees not to display her products prominently and to strip the stores of Ivanka Trump ads. Even before Trumps election, the Ivanka Trump brand was becoming less relevant and growing out of touch with her target demo. That demographic, working professional women, is opting for comfortable athleisure over conservative dresses. Of course, it also doesnt help that her father is a polarizing figure, even igniting campaigns like #GrabYourWallet, which highlights companies that sell Trump-related products (and pushes consumers to stop buying them). A NEW STRATEGY FOR IVANKA TRUMPS BRAND? I think the brand can still succeed. The perfect venue is in-home shopping, Jessica Bornn, an analyst at Merchant Forecast, a research provider for investors in retail, told Yahoo Finance. In a department store, Ivanka Trump products wont stand out in a sea of hundreds of others. I think there are still people who like her formal aesthetic and that look, but not at the department store level. The only real avenue will be online or on TV, she added. Still, HSN, or the Home Shopping Network, (HSNI) has never carried Ivanka Trump products, according to a company spokesperson, and it seems highly unlikely that it would start now. Last week, the broadcast TV network pulled its Trump Home products from its offerings, citing a decline in demand. Similarly, QVC (QVC) has no Trump-related products for sale. Earlier this year, QVC confirmed to the Washington Post it had discontinued the first ladys line, Melania Timepieces & Jewelry. The statement read: At QVC, we pride ourselves on curating an ever-changing mix of products from thousands of brands for our customers to discover. As part of this, QVC has offered items from Melania Trumps brand. At this time, QVC does not have an active relationship with the brand. Story continues If more retailers continue to drop Ivanka Trumps line because of lagging sales, the company will have a hard time finding a home. While the brand could survive if it revamps its sales strategy, thats still a longshot in a world where the Trump name has become a liability. QVC does not have any Ivanka Trump products available for purchase. Even if in-home platforms like QVC and HSN could serve as ideal partners for Ivanka Trumps brand, she may not be able to forge these relationships if the companies are actively avoiding affiliations with Trump and the scrutiny of customers unhappy with Ivankas conflicts of interest. Those conflicts have gained scrutiny as people connected to the new president have pushed Ivanka Trumps products on cable television and social media. Even before the election, Ivanka Trump took to Twitter to advertise the $138 blush dress she wore to the RNC last summer. The dress immediately sold out. In another instance, in a 60 Minutes interview post-election, Ivanka Trump sported a $10,000 bracelet from her own line. Immediately following the interview, Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry vice president Monica Marder sent a fashion alert to journalists promoting the bracelet. The bracelet costs $8,800 to $10,800. Please share with your clients, read the email. White House as QVC. It has started. pic.twitter.com/jk0DeQJ9vV Eric Lipton (@EricLiptonNYT) November 15, 2016 New York Times journalist Eric Lipton tweeted that were experiencing White House as QVC, an accurate premonition of the shameless plugging to come this month as the brand experienced difficulties at major retailers. After Nordstrom said it would no longer carry the Ivanka Trump line, White House counselor Kellyanne Conway plugged the brand on Fox News last week, stating: Go buy Ivankas stuff, is what I would tell you. Its a wonderful line. I own some of it. Im going to just, Im going to give a free commercial here: Go buy it today, everybody. You can find it online. The comment sparked the Office of Government Ethics to recommend that the White House probe and take action against Conway for endorsing Ivanka Trumps products. Ironically, these free advertisements may have hurt the brand. The fact that shes so closely associated with him and Trumps counselor gave her a free commercialnone of that has helped her. It all just hurt her, Paula Rosenblum, co-founder and managing partner at Florida-based Retail Systems Research (RSR), told Yahoo Finance. THERES LITTLE HOPE FOR THE IVANKA TRUMP BRAND Though Ivanka announced she would no longer be part of the leadership team a few days after her father was elected president, her familial affiliations have materially hurt the company. I am leaving the @ivankatrumphq team in good hands with the brands president, Abigail Klem. Its hard leaving a company thats so near to my heart, but I know we will see amazing things from them. A post shared by Ivanka Trump (@ivankatrump) on Jan 11, 2017 at 12:25pm PST While the brands recent Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus snubs may have gotten a lot of press, its biggest problem is not that high-end stores have parted ways the Ivanka Trump line. Its that low-cost retailers like T.J. Maxx and Marshalls started to abandon her, too, according to Bornn. Her brand is mid-tier. I dont know why it was at Neiman or Nordstrom in the first place. One of the biggest blows to the business was when off-price channels turned on them, she said. Rosenblum echoed a similar sentiment: The most fascinating thing to me is that discount stores like T.J. Maxx, Marshalls and Burlington Coat Factory dont see a place for her. Now theres no place to put the markdowns. Shes not an iconic brandmaker, so the fashion world wont miss her. In the end, Ivanka Trump may not be able to do much at all to save her brand other than hope that she can maintain her relationships with the remaining retail partners. But she may have too glaring of a Scarlet letter to forge any new partners. All they can do is keep producing a decent product, wait it out and see what happens. Given the times we live in, I dont think this will just blow over. If it doesnt, the brand will finally wither away, said Kniffen. It seems farfetched that any other company would want to purchase it. Melody Hahm is a writer at Yahoo Finance, covering entrepreneurship, technology and real estate. Read more from Melody here & follow her on Twitter @melodyhahm. Read more: Shopping for the Ivanka Trump brand is a nightmare in NYC The downfall of Ivanka Trumps brand isnt about her father Snapchats crackdown on content sets itself apart from Facebook and Twitter A top tech executive identifies a key responsibility of President-elect Trump KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) Malaysian authorities announced two more arrests Thursday in the death of the North Korean leader's half brother, whose apparent assassination this week unleashed a wave of speculation and intrigue: a pair of female assailants, a broad-daylight killing and a dictator-sibling out for blood. Investigators were still piecing together details of the case, including the widespread assumption that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un dispatched a hit squad to kill his estranged half brother, Kim Jong Nam. Known for his love of gambling and casinos, Kim Jong Nam had lived abroad for years, aware he was a hunted man. SEOUL, South Korea (AP) What do we really know about the sudden death of an exiled North Korean princeling? Aside from heated media speculation and an instant "it's-gotta-be-Pyongyang" reaction from Seoul's spy agency, not much. As the investigation continues, the mystery of just what happened to the half brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as he waited for a flight in a Malaysian airport only deepens. Was Kim Jong Nam poisoned? Are the two female suspects trained killers or dupes? How can we be sure that North Korea, which seems the obvious culprit, was even involved? South Korea's National Intelligence Service no friend to Pyongyang and eager reporters across Asia have assembled a dramatic, almost cinematic profile of the last hour of Kim's life. SEOUL, South Korea (AP) A South Korean court approved on Friday the arrest of a billionaire heir to Samsung accused of bribery and other charges in connection to a massive corruption scandal, a stunning decline for the princeling of South Korea's richest family. The Seoul Central District Court's decision to issue a warrant to arrest Lee Jae-yong, 48, a vice chairman at Samsung Electronics and the only son of Samsung chair Lee Kun-hee. The arrest of Samsung's de facto leader will likely shock the business community and cheer the critics of chaebol, the South Korean family-controlled business conglomerates that dominate the economy. Story continues HONG KONG (AP) Seven Hong Kong police officers have been sentenced to two years in prison for assaulting a pro-democracy activist at the height of 2014 protests. The attack was caught on film by TV news cameras, stoking outrage among residents of the Chinese financial hub and further fueling the protests against Beijing's plan to restrict elections. District Court Judge David Dufton said Friday in his sentencing remarks that it was a serious case that required prison time. He said officers bound activist Ken Tsang's hands behind his back with plastic ties and subjected him to a "vicious assault." Protesters were scuffling with police in the pre-dawn hours of Oct. SEOUL, South Korea (AP) A South Korean passenger plane that exploded off the coast of Southeast Asia. Army officers lured into sexual encounters. A secret agent spirited back to North Korea in a tiny submarine. North Korea has a long history of dispatching female spies on some of its most dangerous and deadly assignments. So the arrests of two women in connection with the apparent killing this week of an exiled member of North Korea's ruling family has helped fuel suspicions that the North was involved in the mysterious death. South Korea's intelligence agency believes that two women poisoned Kim Jong Nam, the half brother of North Korea's ruler, as he stood in a shopping area at the Kuala Lumpur airport. PYONGYANG, North Korea (AP) Unaware of reports his eldest son and current leader Kim Jong Un's half brother was killed just days ago in what appears to have been a carefully planned assassination, North Koreans marked the birthday of late leader Kim Jong Il on Thursday as they do every year, with dancing, special treats for children and reverential bows and bouquets of flowers before bronze statues. There has been no mention of half brother Kim Jong Nam's killing at the Kuala Lumpur airport in the North's official media. In fact, Kim Jong Nam, who is believed to have lived most of the past decade in a kind of exile away from the North, may as well have never existed as far as most North Koreans are concerned. JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) Indonesian diplomats have met with a woman arrested in Malaysia for suspected involvement in the killing of the North Korean leader's half brother and confirmed she is an Indonesian citizen, officials said Thursday. Authorities have identified her as Siti Aisyah, 25, originally from Serang in Banten, a province that neighbors the Indonesian capital, Jakarta. She was arrested by Malaysian police early Thursday. Indonesian Immigration Office spokesman Agung Sampurno said that officials from the Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur met with the woman in Selangor state, where she has been imprisoned, and ensured she was safe. "They were allowed to see her but cannot make any questions," said Sampurno. MANILA, Philippines (AP) An opposition senator pressed Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday to publicly release details of his bank accounts to disprove allegations that he had large sums of undeclared money. Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV first alleged Duterte had unexplained wealth during the presidential campaign last year. He told a news conference he was raising the issue again because Duterte has not yet revealed details of the more than 2 billion pesos ($40 million) he allegedly kept in bank accounts as a former city mayor. Trillanes, one of Duterte's harshest critics and a navy officer once detained for a failed coup plot against a former president, said he would resign if Duterte can disprove the allegations. HANOI, Vietnam (AP) Several dozen people gathered Friday in Hanoi to commemorate Vietnam's brief but bloody border war with China nearly 40 years ago. The participants laid flowers and lit incense at the statue of King Ly Thai To, the founder of capital Hanoi, amid a heavy police presence. The authorities used loudspeakers to urge the crowd to disperse. There are no official government activities marking the event, but it was extensively covered in the state media this week. "I was moved because many people came here to lit incense to remember these heroic martyrs who sacrificed themselves defending Vietnamese borders," said Phung The Dung, one of the participants. PATHUM THANI, Thailand (AP) Thai police raided the head temple of a controversial Buddhist sect but failed to find and arrest the abbot, who faces criminal charges over accepting $40 million in embezzled money. The action Thursday followed several earlier failed attempts to seize Phra Dhammajayo, 72, head of the Dhammakaya sect. Police were previously thwarted when crowds of monks and followers blocked the way, risking a violent confrontation. The prime minister of Thailand's military government, Prayuth Chan-ocha, this time invoked an emergency order declaring the area around the temple a temporary "restricted area" to stop people from entering. Police deployed about 3,000 personnel to surround the temple before dawn, blocking hundreds of monks and followers who sat outside the compound's gates, chanting Buddhist texts in protest. Getty Images Tottenham fell to a shock 1-0 loss to Gent in the Europa League to compound a miserable week for the club. A return to Europe's second-tier competition, their reward for a dismal showing in the Champions League group stage, saw a disjointed performance despite Mauricio Pochettino naming a strong side five days on from a lacklustre loss at Liverpool. Harry Kane hit the post from eight yards out in Spurs only real chance of note and the team can now look forward to attempting to overturn the deficit at Wembley in seven days' time. Tom Collomosse was in Belgium to assess the key talking points... Kane needs more help (AFP/Getty Images) In recent matches, Tottenhams top scorer has looked isolated in attack. Physically, he doesnt look at his peak, either, with a thigh problem causing him to miss last months FA Cup tie against Wycombe. At the moment, Kane needs players closer to him which Mauricio Pochettino recognised by changing the system from 4-3-3 to 3-1-4-2 at half-time. Sure enough, Dele Alli quickly set up a chance for Kane, who hit the post when he might have scored. Sissoko struggles again (Getty Images) Moussa Sissokos time at Tottenham shows no sign of improving. Given a rare start here, the Frenchman was first deployed on the right of the attack in a 4-3-3, before switching to left wing-back when Pochettino made the adjustment at half-time. To give Sissoko his due, he is not a wing-back, and he is right-footed. But he still looks a fish out of water and a very strange buy at 30million. Is Dembele completely fit? (Getty Images) Since the 1-1 draw at Arsenal on November 6, Mousa Dembele has completed 90 minutes only once in the 1-0 win over Middlesbrough two weeks ago. The Belgium midfielder is one of Spurs key men but struggles to play two games a week, and suffered from a foot problem during the early weeks of the campaign. True, some of those substitutions have been late in matches but Spurs desperately need Dembele close to peak fitness. Pochettinos tactical troubles (AFP/Getty Images) Using a 4-3-3 formation in the first half, Tottenham lacked punch in attack but were relatively solid at the back, with Gent rarely creative. Story continues With 3-1-4-2 in the second, the visitors looked more potent going forward but were fragile in defence. They were carved open down the right for the first goal, scored by Jeremy Perbet, while more dodgy defending forced Hugo Lloris to tip a shot from Danijel Milicevic on to the post. Transfer trust required (Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty I) We have been saying it for many seasons, but when Tottenham venture into the transfer market this summer, they must sign only players who have the complete trust of Pochettino. Whatever the Argentine says about every member of his group being important, anyone can see he has little faith in Vincent Janssen not even in the squad for this game Georges-Kevin Nkoudou or Sissoko. Therefore, it was pointless buying them. Better communication is needed. Interactive timelime: Tottenham in Europe Greta Martela, a transgender woman who founded of a crisis line for transgender people, is herself feeling crisis-stricken these days. Worried about the legal status of herself and her wifewho is both transgender and an immigrant who was recently detained by immigration authoritiesMartela is in the process of leaving everything behind in Illinois and heading for the liberal powerhouse of California, as she waits to see what happens next in Washington, D.C. I am completely upending my life to find a little bit more security for my family, says 47-year-old Martela. It feels like Im in the process of becoming a refugee. Since before Election Day, LGBTQ rights organizations have been tirelessly sending press releases about what the Trump Administration might or might not mean for people in the transgender community. Though much has been speculation, those groups got a concrete indication on Friday, when the Department of Justice backed away from a strategy the Obama Administration had been pursuing in the courts to support the rights of transgender students. The move sends a strong signal that the Justice Department may no longer be pursuing any cases on behalf of transgender people, says the Human Rights Campaigns Sarah Warbelow. And that shift is setting off alarm bells in part because the courts have been a great source of legal assurance for such gender minorities, who are not explicitly protected from discrimination in employment or housing or the public square by any federal law. Lawmakers have tried and failed to pass different versions of such an act in almost every session of Congress since the 1990s. Bypassing that stalemate, the Obama Administration used means other than legislation to shore up protections for the communitygoing so far as to sue the state of North Carolina over a law the restricts bathroom access for transgender peopleand directing schools around the nation to allow transgender students to use the bathrooms and other facilities that align with their sense of self. But interpretive guidance and executive orders are things the Trump Administration can roll back without the help of Congress, too. Story continues On Wednesday, nearly 800 parents of transgender children sent an open letter to the President saying that the move by the Justice Department has left them heartbroken and scared, adding that the decision by your administration to undermine our legal progress is mean-spirited and potentially threatens the wellbeing of our beloved children. One of those parents is J.R. Ford, who has a five-year-old transgender daughter who attends kindergarten in the Washington, D.C., area. He says his family has encountered no serious obstacles in recent years as they changed her name on rosters at school and through the court system. She uses the girls room at school and it has been a non-issue, he says. Yet Ford is now waiting for the other shoe to drop, he says, particularly because he does not have a lot of confidence in this administration. After the Obama Administration issued guidelines last year that instructed schools to respect the identities of transgender kids and provide access to facilities accordingly, more than a dozen states sued, arguing that the government was overstepping its bounds. In August, a Texas court put a hold on the federal government going after schools who flouted the guidelines, and the Obama Administration had been trying to limit that hold to only the states that were party to the lawsuit. Trumps Justice Department dropped that challenge, leaving the hold in effect nationwide. Even though the guidelines themselves have not been formally rescinded, for people like Ford, the act of dropping the challenge amounts to targeting trans kids because they are already in a precarious positionright in the middle of Americas culture wars. Its scary, he says. Its scary for me as a dad. A central question in such court cases is whether bans on sex discrimination implicitly protect people from discrimination on the basis of gender identity, given that such discrimination is often based on expectations one has for people based on their sex at birth. In past years, the Justice Department and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission have repeatedly found that transgender people are protected by such bans, yet rulings on the point have been divided. Many are hoping for clarity next month, when the Supreme Court considers the case of Gavin Grimm, a transgender student from Virginia who sued his school board after being banned from the boys room at school. Should the court rule on that question and determine that the word sex is not so encompassing, transgender people will still have some explicit protections on the state and local level. Many large cities and nearly half the states forbid discriminating against someone for being gay or transgender. But while some states and cities are amending their non-discrimination ordinances to explicitly cover LGBT peopleas Jacksonville, Florida, did on February 14others have been considering measures that would nullify such protections or ban cities from passing them. That was the case with North Carolinas controversial HB2, which remains on the books despite ongoing attempts by Democrats to repeal the law that has wreaked economic havoc in the state. After swirling reports that Trump was going to rescind an Obama-era executive order that prohibits workplace discrimination for LGBT federal contractors, he announced that he would leave it in place. Though drafts of such an executive order had circulated, a statement issued by the White House in early February stated that President Donald J. Trump is determined to protect the rights of all Americans, including the LGBTQ community and that the order would remain intact at his direction. Martela says that such back and forth has left her with a gnawing sense of uncertainty. And she has seen similar panic among callers to her organization, Trans Lifeline, too. In the days after the election, the call volume jumped from about 100 per day to about 500, she sayssome people worried about being harassed, others concerned about suddenly losing transition-related medical coverage if Obamacare disappears. It hasnt been that long that trans people have been protected at all in our society, she says. Its hard as a community to watch whatever small progress weve made kind of disappear. Cuba's popularity as a travel destination shows no sign of waning, with news that Carnival is expanding its service to Cuba, and survey results showing that nearly a quarter of polled US travel agents have already booked guests for travel to the island this year. Last year, more than 614,000 travelers from the United States visited the Caribbean island, marking a 34 percent increase over the year previous. A new survey conducted among travel agents in the US found that 22 percent of the 1,690 respondents have already booked clients to Cuba for travel in 2017. And about 60 percent of their clients have expressed interest in travel to the largest island in the Caribbean. "While there is some uncertainty about the views of the current US administration on the future of Cuban relations, the momentum of public opinion among the American traveling public for unfettered access to Cuba continues," said Travel Leaders Group CEO Ninan Chacko in a statement. "Based not only on our survey, but also on anecdotal feedback travelers are giving to their travel agents, more Americans are taking advantage of the avenues available to them to legally travel to this once forbidden island that is less than 100 miles from Key West, Florida." Agents reported that travelers are most interested in visiting the country independently, rather than as part of the educational people-to-people program which requires visitors to spend time with locals. Meanwhile, Carnival Cruise Line announced plans to expand its Cuba itinerary, with the addition of overnight visits to Havana. As part of four and five-day cruises departing from the Port of Tampa, the Carnival Paradise will dock in Havana overnight and allow guests to disembark for a day visit to the city. Carnival says its expanded Cuba itinerary is in response to "pent-up demand from US travelers" to visit the island. The first sailing departs in June and will comply with US Department of Treasury regulations. By Takashi Umekawa TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese Finance Minister Taro Aso spoke by phone with newly sworn-in U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Thursday but they did not discuss currencies, a Japanese finance ministry official said. The U.S. Senate on Monday voted to confirm the former Goldman Sachs banker as Treasury secretary, installing the Trump administration's point-man on tax reform, financial deregulation and economic diplomacy efforts. No other details of the call were immediately available, but economists and traders will be closely watching U.S.-Japan relations for any signs of friction over currency and trade policy. U.S. President Donald Trump refrained from criticizing Japan's currency policy or its trade surplus with the U.S. when he met Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe last week in Washington and Florida. This gave many Japanese officials hope that Japan can maintain good economic relations with the U.S., but some economists worry the U.S. government could still adopt a protectionist stance on trade. Before meeting Abe, Trump shocked Japanese policymakers by saying the Bank of Japan's quantitative easing amounts to competitive currency devaluation. Trump has also expressed concern about the low number of U.S. auto exports to Japan, which some saw as a sign he wants to reduce the U.S. trade deficit with Japan. In reply, Japanese officials said monetary policy is aimed at ending deflation and pointed out that Japan poses no tariffs on U.S. auto imports. (Reporting by Takashi Umekawa; Writing by Stanley White; Editing by Chris Gallagher and Sam Holmes) Washington (AFP) - US President Donald Trump on Wednesday called on Venezuela to free jailed opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez "immediately," posting a picture of himself and Vice President Mike Pence with Lopez's wife at the White House. "Venezuela should allow Leopoldo Lopez, a political prisoner & husband of @liliantintor (just met w/ @marcorubio) out of prison immediately," Trump tweeted, along with the photo, which also features Florida Senator Marco Rubio. Lopez, the founder of Popular Will, one of the most hardline of the parties opposing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, is serving a 14-year prison term on charges of inciting unrest at anti-government protests that left 43 people dead in 2014. The meeting with Tintori was sure to enrage Maduro, who is already fuming over sanctions slapped on his powerful Vice President Tareck El Aissami, whom US authorities accuse of being involved in drug trafficking. The drug allegations against El Aissami had already raised tensions between Washington and Caracas, which had so far been cautious in its stance towards Trump's new administration. Maduro on Tuesday demanded the United States apologize for the sanctions and vowed to respond "forcefully." Shortly before Trump sent the tweet about Lopez, Maduro had warned the US leader that he would respond with a firm hand to any action by Washington he deemed to be aggressive. "If they attack us, we will not be silent. Venezuela will respond firmly. Those who tangle with us will get an appropriate response," Maduro said on state television. Maduro added that he did not want any "problem with Mr Trump." On Wednesday, Venezuela pulled CNN's Spanish-language television channel off the air, accusing it of spreading "propaganda" about an alleged visa racket at the country's embassy in Iraq. Today in things Donald Trump doesn't seem to understand: drugs and candy. At a press conference on Friday afternoon, Trump took some time in between dissing the media to discuss a few of the problems facing America one of which, is the fact that drugs are apparently becoming more accessible than candy. "We're becoming a drug-infested nation," Trump said. "Drugs are becoming cheaper than candy bars." SEE ALSO: The look on this man's face in Melania Trump's latest tweet is actually perfect Lol, what?????? I mean, sure, candy is a bit pricy if you're going for the good stuff, but more expensive than drugs? Where are you buying your candy, Trump? Seriously, though. Some of CVS Pharmacys largest candy bars aren't more than $5.00: But more importantly, where the heck are you buying your drugs? The average price per ounce of high quality marijuana in the United States is $320.66 as per the global price index, Price of Weed. If you don't mind settling for medium quality pot, you might be able to snag a gram for $30 in New York. It should go without saying the Twitter users had an unofficial "drugs are cheaper than candy" party at Trump's expense, and mercilessly mocked the leader of our nation for uttering an epically uninformed sentence. Man, how expensive are your candy bars? https://t.co/i2k6zkqcQj Ryan (@LineyTweets) February 16, 2017 If you have drugs cheaper than candy bars, DM Spencer Ackerman (@attackerman) February 16, 2017 Hey if anyone knows trump's drug connect, hook me up, because my dealer charges me at least 10 candy bars for an eighth. Shannon (@shayay) February 16, 2017 DT - "Drugs are cheaper than candy bars" Aide whispers to DT - "That's the name of the candy bar. It's not the price." pic.twitter.com/TbH20ICIRt Pete (@stpete2you) February 16, 2017 "Drugs are cheaper than candy bars" - Donald J Tump. The world cries out WE WISH!!! Callum Mccrae (@callummccrae1) February 16, 2017 Trump-drugs are cheaper then candy bars. I agree candy is too damn expensive & often promoted sinisterly during children's program rvr (@rvroo1) February 16, 2017 wait maybe his gripe is with how expensive candy bars are, and we just heard the emphasis wrong https://t.co/eGwOn84Rbi Olivia Messer (@OliviaMesser) February 16, 2017 If @realDonaldTrump knows where there are drugs "cheaper than candy bars" he needs to negotiate his Snickers purchase buy-in. Disaster deal! Blind Partisan (@BlindPartisan) February 16, 2017 I mean, its true that candy bar prices are really outrageous these days. Peter Allen Clark (@peterallenclark) February 16, 2017 "DRUGS ARE BECOMING CHEAPER THAN CANDY BARS"- DONALD TRUMP pic.twitter.com/QvyeRbkb60 Wells P (@Wells_P) February 16, 2017 From Target's website, individual 2.07oz Snickers bars are 89 So an "eighth" of candy bars is under 0.3 Donald Trump has a great dealer. Cole Kuiper (@cmkuiper) February 16, 2017 Donald Trump: "Drugs are now cheaper than candy bars." pic.twitter.com/WyQhL6opDM Zach Kilgas (@Zach_Kills) February 16, 2017 Where the hell does donald trump buy his *candy bars*? Erik Fichtner (@unixronin) February 16, 2017 Donald Trump, "Drugs are becoming cheaper than candy bars." How can you SAY this and NOT tell us where you get yours!#Tease #Bargain Tommy Campbell (@MrTommyCampbell) February 16, 2017 Trump, be careful. This claim sounds a lot like an #AlternativeFact. In a rambling press conference Thursday, President Trump described the United States as drug-infested and asserted that drugs are cheaper than candy bars. The comment came after Trump revealed his new pick to head the Labor Department, Alexander Acosta, after embattled fast food executive Andrew Puzder withdrew his nomination on Wednesday. After announcing Acosta, Trump launched into a long-winded tirade bashing the news media, touting his Electoral College victory and approval ratings, and lamenting the horrible mess he inherited when he took office. Weve ordered the Department of Homeland Security and Justice to coordinate on a plan to destroy criminal cartels coming into the United States with drugs, Trump said. Were becoming a drug-infested nation, he continued. Drugs are becoming cheaper than candy bars. Were not gonna let it happen any longer. During the campaign, Trump frequently cited the drug trade to justify his extreme immigration proposals, namely his controversial plan to build a wall along the Mexico-U.S. border. Read more from Yahoo News: By Luke Baker WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump gave Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a couple of jolts when they met for the first time on Wednesday as leaders of the United States and Israel. If there were differences, the two men each immersed in political turmoil on the home front - did all they could to mask them during a White House news conference brimming with smiles, asides and efforts to show how much they like each other. "Bibi and I have known each other a long time -- a smart man, great negotiator," said Trump, referring to the 67-year-old Israeli leader by his nickname. Netanyahu was equally effusive in response: "There is no greater supporter of the Jewish people and the Jewish state than President Donald Trump," he said, referring to the 70-year-old U.S. president who took office on Jan. 20. Trump went some distance to embrace Netanyahus views, upending decades of U.S. Middle East policy by dropping insistence on a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Netanyahu sought to demonstrate personal chemistry with the American property-mogul-turned-politician, an acquaintance since the 1980s, especially after eight years of awkwardness and tensions with his predecessor, President Barack Obama. But Trump caught Netanyahu off-guard, at one point saying that if a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was going to be reached, Both sides will have to make compromises. Turning to Netanyahu, he said, You know that, right? Netanyahu looked momentarily startled and replied, chuckling, Both sides. Later, while responding to a question about settlements, a particular point of tension during the Obama years, Trump said, Id like to see you hold back on settlements for a little bit. Again, Netanyahus face registered surprise before he offered an ironic smile. "We'll work something out," said Trump, who has appointed his son-in-law Jared Kushner as his special adviser on the Middle East. I think were going to make a deal. It might be a bigger and better deal than people in this room even understand. Thats a possibility. So lets see what we do. Lets try it, Netanyahu said. Studying his reaction, Trump quickly interjected: That doesnt sound too optimistic, but hes a good negotiator. In a play on the title of Trumps 1987 best-selling book, Netanyahu responded, Thats the art of the deal," drawing laughter from the audience. Near the end of his comments, Netanyahu sought to show how well he knows Kushner, whose father, Charles Kushner, has donated generously to Israeli causes. "Can I reveal, Jared, how long weve known you?" said Netanyahu, looking to Jared Kushner, 36, who was sitting in the front row, next to his wife, Ivanka Trump. "Well, he was never small. He was always big. He was always tall," Netanyahu said, implying he had known Kushner since he was a baby. (Editing by Howard Goller and Leslie Adler) In a lengthy, freewheeling press conference on Thursday, President Trump addressed his wifes role in the White House and contended that she has been unfairly maligned by the news media. Speculation about Melania Trumps willingness to take on the first lady role ramped up following the revelation that she would stay in New York with the couples son, Barron, so he could finish out the school year. She made her first post-inauguration appearance in Washington on Wednesday, when she was on hand to greet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Trump said his wifes main focus as first lady would be womens issues, womens difficulties and noted that she had recently reopened the White House Visitor Center. He then launched into a lengthy, impassioned defense of her career and character. I think shes a great representative for this country, and a funny thing happens, because she gets so unfairly maligned the things they say, Trump said. Ive known her for a long time. She was a very successful person she was a very successful model; she did really well. She would go home at night and didnt even want to go out with people; she was a very private person. She was always the highest quality that youll ever find, and the things they say and Ive known her for a long time the things they say are so unfair, and actually, shes been apologized to, as you know, by various media, because they said things that were lies. Trump also said his daughter Ivanka, whom he called a fabulous person and a fabulous, fabulous woman, will work closely with Melania, and he praised both women effusively. Theyre not doing this for money; theyre not doing this for pay. Theyre doing this because they feel it, both of them, Trump said. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Trump administration has offered the job of White House national security adviser, vacated by former U.S. intelligence official Michael Flynn, to Vice Admiral Robert Harward, said two U.S. officials familiar with the matter on Wednesday. It was not immediately clear if Harward, a former deputy commander of U.S. Central Command who has Navy SEAL combat experience, had accepted the offer, according to sources. A White House spokesperson had no immediate comment. Flynn resigned on Monday after revelations that he had discussed U.S. sanctions on Russia with the Russian ambassador to the United States before President Donald Trump took office. Losing his national security adviser so soon after taking office is an embarrassment for the new Republican president, who has made national security a top priority. Harward, a Rhode Island native who went to school in Tehran before the Shah was toppled in 1979, did a tour on the National Security Council under former Republican President George W. Bush, working on counterterrorism. He also has combat experience on SEAL teams and served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Harward now works as an executive for defense contractor Lockheed Martin, with responsibility for its business in the United Arab Emirates in the Middle East. (Reporting by Mark Hosenball and John Walcott; Editing by Kevin Drawbaugh and James Dalgleish) (Reuters) - Highlights of the day for U.S. President Donald Trump's administration on Wednesday: RUSSIA A crisis over the relationship between Trump's aides and Russia deepens as a growing number of Trump's fellow Republicans demand expanded congressional inquiries into the matter. The Trump administration offers the job of national security adviser to U.S. Vice Admiral Robert Harward, sources say, but it is not clear if he accepted. The Kremlin says U.S. media reports about Russian intelligence connections to Trump's presidential campaign are groundless. Russia also says it will not return Crimea to Ukraine or discuss the matter with foreign partners after the White House says Trump expects the annexed Black Sea peninsula to be returned. CABINET AND ADMINISTRATION Trump's nominee for labor secretary, Andrew Puzder, withdraws his name from consideration amid concerns that he could not garner enough Senate votes to be confirmed. Trump's choice of Representative Mick Mulvaney to become White House budget director on Wednesday appears to pick up enough Republican votes to vault him into the job. NETANYAHU Trump drops U.S. insistence on a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a long-standing bedrock of Middle East policy, even as he urges Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to curb settlement construction. BUSINESS Trump says tax code revisions are a critical way to boost the nation's economy as he kicks off a White House meeting with chief executive officers of Target Corp, Best Buy Co Inc and six other major retailers. FOREIGN POLICY Trump's defense secretary seeks to reassure NATO of steadfast U.S. support at talks in Brussels as nervous European allies try to look past the president's rhetoric and the turmoil within his administration. U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is heading to Bonn to interact with counterparts from the Group of 20 top economies at a time many are wondering how strongly Trump's "America First" message will reshape U.S. foreign policy. Vice President Mike Pence also is bound for Europe this week to meet with allies seeking clarity on the administration's foreign policy strategy and its stance toward Russia. REGULATION Staff at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have been told that Trump is preparing a handful of executive orders to reshape the agency, to be signed once a new administrator is confirmed, two sources say. OBAMACARE The Trump administration proposes changes to the Obamacare individual insurance market that insurers welcome as a good start but that others say could raise consumers' out-of-pocket cost. (Compiled by Bill Trott; Editing by James Dalgleish and Peter Cooney) By Ayesha Rascoe WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said he will issue a new version next week of his executive order banning citizens of seven mostly Muslim countries and all refugees from travelling to the United States. At a news conference on Thursday, Trump once again blasted federal courts that blocked the implementation of his travel ban. "We had a bad court, got a bad decision," Trump said of the judicial actions that temporarily stopped his immigration ban. The immigration order, issued on Jan. 27, led to confusion in U.S. airports and prompted international protests and complaints from businesses. The Trump administration asked for a pause on Thursday in proceedings by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which had sided with a lower court in halting Trump's immigration ban. He said his new order would seek to address the issues raised by the court, even as he attacked its reasoning. "The new order is going to be very much tailored to what I consider to be a very bad decision," Trump said. Trumps decision to issue a new executive order plunges court proceedings over his actions into further uncertainty. Separate from the appeals court proceedings, a Seattle federal judge on Wednesday ordered both Washington state and the Justice Department to submit initial plans for discovery in the case by next month. Washington state attorney general Bob Ferguson has said he wants to depose Trump officials about their motives for the travel ban, which could help the courts decide whether it violates constitutional protections for religion. The Justice Department said it opposes discovery at a hearing last week. Ferguson claimed a victory in the case on Thursday, after the Justice Department made a court filing announcing that there would be a new, rewritten order. Todays court filing by the federal government recognises the obvious - the presidents current executive order violates the Constitution, Ferguson said, in a statement. President Trump could have sought review of this flawed order in the Supreme Court but declined to face yet another defeat. Whenever Trump issues a new order, Washington state could revise its lawsuit if it believes that directive is unconstitutional as well. Trump has said his directive was necessary to protect the United States from attacks by Islamist militants. It barred people from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen from entering the country for 90 days. Refugees were banned for 120 days, except those from Syria, who were banned indefinitely. The abrupt implementation of the order, however, plunged the immigration system into chaos, sparking a wave of criticism from targeted countries, Western allies and some of America's leading corporations, especially technology firms, which lean heavily on immigrant talent. But Trump said the rollout had been "very smooth." He said the order was needed to keep the country safe and that was the reason for its quick implementation. If the administration had decided to spend a month crafting the order, "everything would've been perfect," Trump said. "The problem is we would've wasted a lot of time, and maybe a lot of lives because a lot of bad people would've come into our country," he added. The Justice Department court filing on Thursday said Trump's order would be "substantially revised" but did not provide details. Last week an congressional aide who asked not to be identified told Reuters that Trump might rewrite the original order to explicitly exclude green card holders, or permanent residents. (Additional reporting by Dan Levine in San Francisco; editing by Caren Bohan and Bill Rigby) U.S. President Donald Trump, former reality TV star, put on a show like no other on Thursday. Trump boasted his administration was a fine-tuned machine and insisted he had inherited a mess, in a freewheeling press conference marked by his signature bravado and fixation on the media. He denounced the media for its biased and hateful coverage of his presidency, taking direct aim at the cable news network CNN. He also criticized Congress for slow-walking the confirmation of his cabinet picks. And yes, he bragged yet again about his election victory, saying falsely he won the biggest electoral college margin since Ronald Reagan. Trump appeared to relish the back-and-forth with reporters, which lasted an hour and 15 minutes. He predicted the press would describe his performance as ranting and raving but insisted he was having a good time. The remarks come after a rocky debut for the administration. Michael Flynn, Trumps national security adviser, stepped down Monday night after reports he lied about his conversations with the Russian ambassador. Meanwhile, the FBI is investigating contact between the Trump team and Russian officials during the campaign. Echoing earlier remarks from his press secretary Sean Spicer, Trump insisted Flynn hadnt done anything wrong, but had to resign because he had misinformed U.S. Vice President Michael Pence. Trump denied directing Mike Flynn to discuss sanctions with the Russian ambassador, but said Flynn was doing his job when he did. I didnt direct him, but I would have directed him because thats his job, he said. I fired him because of what he said to Mike Pence, he said. Notably, Trump said as far as hed been informed, members of his team did not have contact with Russian officials during the campaign. Trump dismissed the focus on the Russian link as a distraction from leaks of classified information. The leaks are real but the news is fake, Trump said, although he later seemed to take aim at the tone rather than the facts in reports about the leaks. He singled out CNN, which he called so hateful. Story continues He claimed the press has become so dishonest it has become a tremendous disservice to the American public. We have to find out whats going on because the press, honestly, is out of control. The level of dishonesty is out of control, he said. He asserted the press sabotaged his attempts to make a deal with Russia from the outset. The false, horrible, fake reporting makes it much harder to make a deal with Russia, Trump said. But Trump defended his efforts to re-reset the relationship with Russia, citing concerns over nuclear war. Nuclear holocaust would be like no other, he said. Theyre a very powerful nuclear country and so are we. If we have a good relationship with Russia, believe me, thats a good thing, not a bad thing. Trump declined to say whether he would respond to provocations from Russia on Tuesday, when Russia deployed cruise missiles that violated arms control treaties, sent a spy ship close to the U.S. east coast, and buzzed a U.S. destroyer in the Black Sea. Not good, Trump said to all three incidents. But he made clear he wouldnt telegraph any moves against foreign adversaries in the media. I dont have to tell you what Im going to do in North Korea. And I dont have to tell you what Im going to do with Iran. You know why? Because they shouldnt know, he said. He predicted the press would eventually tire of asking him such questions. When you ask me, what am I going to do with the ship, the Russian ship, as an example? Im not going to tell you. Hopefully I wont have to do anything but Im not going to tell you. Okay. Okay? Correction, Feb. 16 2017, 4:33 pm ET: This piece originally stated that Trump called his administration a well-oiled machine. In actuality, he called it a fine-tuned machine. Photo credit: Mark Wilson/Getty Images President Trump sparred with members of the press at the White House on Thursday, complaining about what he described as the medias negative tone in its coverage of his administration and, in particular, coverage of the recent leaks about the Trump campaigns alleged contacts with Russia. The leaks are absolutely real, Trump said. The news is fake. Trump was asked by CNNs Jim Acosta about the disconnect the president sees between the leaks and the news that comes out of them. In response, the president painted himself as a savvy media insider. Heres the thing: The public, they read newspapers, they see television, they watch they dont know if its true or false, because theyre not involved, Trump said. Im involved. Ive been involved with this stuff all my life. But Im involved. So I know when youre telling the truth and when youre not. Trump also criticized the tone of the medias coverage. The tone is such hatred, Trump said. Im really not a bad person by the way. Trump said he watched a couple of the cable news programs on Thursday morning and praised Fox & Friends. I have to say, Fox & Friends in the morning, theyre very honorable people, Trump said. Not because theyre good because they hit me also when I do something wrong. But they have the most honest morning show. Trump singled out CNN Tonight With Don Lemon as an example of what he perceives as hatred toward him. You just take a look at that show, Trump said. That is a constant hit. The panel is almost always exclusive anti-Trump. And the hatred and venom coming from his mouth. The president, who earlier in the press conference claimed he no longer watches CNN, admitted he actually does. I watch it. I see it. Im amazed by it, Trump said. The public gets it. When I go to rallies, [the people] turn around and they start screaming at CNN. They want to throw their placards at CNN. I think you would do much better by being different. Story continues Trump answers a question from CNNs Jim Acosta during a news conference in the East Room at the White House on Thursday. (Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images) Trump has tangled with Acosta before. Last month, at his first press conference since July, Trump berated Acosta as he attempted to ask a question, labeling CNN fake news. On Thursday, Acosta asked why Trump who repeatedly praised leaks of emails obtained in hacks of Hillary Clinton campaign staffers during the presidential campaign is suddenly critical about those who are now leaking information that led to the ouster of Michael Flynn, his former national security adviser. In one case, youre talking about highly classified information, Trump said of the recent leaks. In the other case, youre talking about [former Clinton campaign chairman] John Podesta saying bad things about the boss. I will say this, if John Podesta said that about me and he was working for me, I wouldve fired him so fast your head wouldve spun. He said terrible things about her, but it wasnt classified information. Trump said he was disappointed that some of the leaks related to Clintons campaign werent front-page news. If I had that happen to me, it would be the biggest story in the history of publishing, the president said. Earlier, during a rambling 25-minute statement, Trump blasted the medias overall tone in covering his presidency. I see stories about chaos. Chaos! Trump said. Yet it is the exact opposite. This administration is running like a fine-tuned machine. More from Yahoo News: Washington (AFP) - President Donald Trump's rejection of multilateral trade agreements in the Asia-Pacific in favor of one-on-one deals is "doomed to failure," a noted US trade expert said Thursday. The Trump complaint that the US gave up too much in the Trans-Pacific Partnership -- the regional deal he scrapped immediately after taking office -- defies the evidence, said Jeffrey Schott of the Peterson Institute for International Economics. The institute, a long-time free trade advocate, created the benchmark study on the TPP which estimated the benefit to the US economy at over $100 billion by 2030. Schott said that while the TPP can be improved upon, trading partners are unlikely to make as many concessions in a bilateral deal since the US market already is largely open to them. "Trump's TPP critique is flawed, and the bilateral strategy to replace it is flawed and doomed to failure," he said at a forum to present his policy paper on the subject. Schott and other international economists also warned of the cost of a US retreat from Asia, ceding influence in the region to China. "China's regional dominance will grow very, very fast," cautioned Il SaKong, former Korean finance minister and head of the Institute for Global Economics in Seoul. C. Fred Bergsten, a founder of the Peterson Institute and a former US Treasury official, said: "The US cannot absent itself from Asia and turn it over to China." Schott argued that the 12-country pact pried greater concessions out of participating nations than would be possible in a bilateral deal. "The US got paid not once but twice," he said, with concessions in each market and better investment an intellectual property rules "for helping them get better access via the TPP to the Japanese, Vietnamese and other markets than they would have been able to get on a bilateral basis." Schott recommended the administration "go big," and negotiate an even bigger regional trade deal, improving on some areas, including enforceable rules on currency manipulation, which Trump and his economic advisers have repeatedly raised. "Trump should take a mulligan and tee up a new and bigger and better Pacific trade deal," Schott said. He recommended adding Korea and Colombia to the accord, since they already have bilateral trade deals with the United States, as well as Taiwan. Washington (AFP) - President Donald Trump insisted neither he nor his campaign team had contacts with Russian officials in the run-up to last year's US election, contradicting an explosive report which he blasted as "fake news." Trump also defended Michael Flynn, the national security advisor whose resignation he demanded and received this week, saying Flynn "wasn't wrong" for holding pre-inauguration phone calls with the Russian ambassador about US sanctions policy. Instead, Trump accused members of US intelligence agencies of breaking the law by leaking information about the calls. The new president, in the midst of a turbulent week of back-and-forth accusations about contacts with Russia and his battle with the intelligence community, addressed the concerns during an extraordinary White House press conference. Asked whether he or anyone on his staff had engaged in contacts with Russia prior to the election, Trump proclaimed: "No, nobody that I know of." "I have nothing to do with Russia," Trump said. "The whole Russia thing is a ruse." It was a full-throated denunciation of a bombshell report by the New York Times which said intercepted calls and phone records show Trump aides were in repeated contact with Russian intelligence officials well before the US elections. "It's all fake news," Trump said, unleashing verbal assaults on the media. Trump stressed that the Times story centered instead on inappropriate action by US intelligence agencies, as he stepped up earlier Thursday attacks in which he vowed to catch "low-life leakers" of potentially classified information that led to the ouster of his national security advisor. - Jeopardy - "Those are criminal leaks" by people angry about Democrat Hillary Clinton's loss, he told reporters, as he revealed he has asked the Justice Department to investigate the disclosures. "The people that gave out the information to the press should be ashamed of themselves." Story continues The Washington Post meanwhile reported that current and former US officials said Flynn denied to FBI agents that he had discussed US sanctions on Russia with Moscow's ambassador. Should it turn out that he discussed the sanctions, as Trump appears to believe he did, Flynn could be in legal jeopardy because lying to the FBI is a felony. "What he did wasn't wrong," Trump stressed. "I didn't direct him" to discuss sanctions with Russia's envoy, Trump added. "But I would have directed him because that's his job" to talk with foreign contacts. Late Thursday Flynn's replacement was still undetermined after former navy admiral Robert Harward, who Trump had reportedly tapped for the job, declined it, US media said. In his wide-ranging presser Trump defended his political agenda, and said that next week he will introduce an amended version of the much-criticized travel ban now caught up in court. He also pledged that new trade deals were coming that would stop countries from "taking advantage of us," and said he would "show great heart" in dealing with undocumented immigrants who arrived as children and are protected from deportation. But the crux of his remarks centered on Russia connections. "I would love to be able to get along with Russia," he insisted. "It would be much easier for me to be tough on Russia, but then we're not going to make a deal." The latest salvoes came amid reports that Trump plans to name New York billionaire Stephen Feinberg -- who has no national security experience -- to lead a sweeping review of US intelligence agencies, raising fears of a bid to curtail their independence. Trump had pointed the finger at the National Security Agency, which conducts electronic surveillance, and the FBI, which handles counter-intelligence probes, as possible sources of the leaks. The drumbeat of revelations has infuriated Democrats and alarmed Republican leaders, wary of Trump's overtures toward Russia. "It is a cloud over the White House," said Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who has called for in-depth investigations. - 'Collusion?' - Amid mounting calls for more sweeping congressional investigations, one Democrat openly accused Trump's campaign of improper contacts with Russia. "I believe there was collusion," House Democrat Maxine Waters told CNN, stressing that Trump's focus on the leaks was a distraction. Trump's stance on leaks has flipped since last year's campaign when he proclaimed "I love WikiLeaks" -- the organization that published hacked Clinton campaign emails. He also dismissed as a "joke" his suggestion that Russia was behind the damaging leaks. By January, US intelligence had concluded that those leaks were part of a wider campaign ordered by President Vladimir Putin to try to tilt the election in Trump's favor. Moscow denies any involvement. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has moved gingerly on Russia, sending top officials to Europe to reassure NATO allies while making its opening official contacts with the Russians. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson met with Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in Bonn, and said Washington is prepared to work with Russia "when we can find practical areas of cooperation." In Brussels, Defense Secretary James Mattis said the Pentagon was not ready "right now" for military cooperation with Moscow "but our political leaders will engage and try to find common ground." Pressing forward in his plans to crack down on what he described as the nations loose immigration system, President Trump told reporters Thursday that hes still struggling to formulate a policy on how to deal with so-called DREAMers, people who immigrated illegally to the U.S. but were given amnesty under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy. This is a very, very difficult for me, one of the most difficult subjects, Trump said when asked if he would continue the program, which was initiated by former President Barack Obama in 2012. I find it very, very hard doing what the law says to do. Roughly 750,000 people have been approved for tentative legal status under DACA. While Trump has vowed to crack down on immigration laws, hes offered few specifics on how he would handle the DREAMers. During the campaign, Trump said he would revoke DACA, but he has since muddled his position on the issue. His comments Thursday are the latest sign that Trump may ultimately take less hard-line immigration stances than he offered during the Republican primaries. The question of whether he revokes the program and how he handles those given amnesty under it has been described by those on both sides of the issue as one of the crucial early tests of his presidency. But Trump seemed to have no clear answer, telling reporters repeatedly that it was a difficult thing. You have these incredible kids mostly, he said, though he added that some were gang members and drug dealers, which made the situation more difficult. It was unclear if the president was referring to a DACA recipient who was arrested by immigration agents in Washington state last week. Agents say Daniel Ramirez Medina, 23, is an admitted gang member and eligible for deportation, though his lawyers have denied it, pointing to the fact that he has no criminal record. Trump gave no indication when he would make a decision about DACA, telling reporters only that he would show great heart. Read more from Yahoo News: The ongoing clash between President Donald Trump and the Intelligence Community appears to be reaching a dangerous crescendo with a pair of reports out Thursday morning that suggest unsustainable levels of mistrust and acrimony between the White House and the agencies charged with keeping the country safe. Intelligence officials have begun holding back information in the daily briefing Trump is supposed to receive about threats to national security, according to The Wall Street Journal. The report stresses that the information being kept from Trump is related to the sources and methods used to gather intelligence, not about the actual threats themselves. Related: National Insecurity: Intel Officials Increasingly Worried About Trump In a statement Thursday morning, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence denied the report. "Any suggestion that the U.S. Intelligence Community is withholding information and not providing the best possible intelligence to the President and his national security team is not true, the statement said. At the same time, The New York Times reports that Trump is planning to launch a broad review of the structure of the Intelligence Community, possibly helmed by Trumps friend Stephen A. Feinberg, a private equity billionaire with no experience in national security or intelligence issues. The reason intelligence agencies are withholding information from Trump is that they are reportedly concerned about ties between Trumps inner circle and the Russian government. Those worries were exacerbated this week by reports in Times and CNN that during the presidential campaign Trump aides and associates were in frequent contact with Russian intelligence officers. Trumps National Security Adviser, Michael Flynn, was forced out after reports surfaced indicating he had misled the administration about the extent of his discussions with a Russian diplomat prior to Trump taking office. Related: With Flynn Out, Trump Faces Pressing Questions About National Security The Journal story backs up a report from New York Observer columnist and former National Security Agency official John Schindler, who earlier this week made a similar claim. Story continues At the same time that the agencies in the Intelligence Community are doubting Trumps trustworthiness, the president himself is apparently feeling the same way about them. In public comments and tweets over the past several days he has repeatedly complained about leaks of information about his campaigns ties to Russia. The president has alternately blasted the press for stories he calls fake news and criticized the Intelligence Community for allowing sensitive information to be leaked, naming the FBI and the NSA in particular, which seems to imply that the so-called "fake news" has a basis in fact. The real scandal here is that classified information is illegally given out by "intelligence" like candy, Trump tweeted Wednesday morning. Very un-American! On Thursday morning, the tweets continued. Leaking and even illegal classified leaking has been a big problem in Washington for years. Failing @nytimes (and others) must apologize! he wrote. And, The spotlight has finally been put on the low-life leakers! They will be caught! Related: 4-Star General Warns of Unbelievable Turmoil in Trumps White House As with many of Trumps tweets, it was unclear precisely what motivated Thursdays pre-7 a.m. eruption, but The Times report of a potential White House review of the Intelligence Community would presumably include some sort of investigation into how closely guarded information from Russian officials intercepted phone calls was provided to the media. And Trump isnt the only one concerned about the leaks. House Oversight and Investigations Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz, who has come under fire for his refusal to mount any substantive inquiry into connections between Russian intelligence and the Trump administration, nevertheless called for an inspector general investigation of the intelligence communitys leaks to the media. In a letter to the Inspector General of the Intelligence Community, co-signed by Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte, the he wrote, "We have serious concerns about the potential inadequate protection of classified information here. In light of this, we request that your office begin an immediate investigation into whether classified information was mishandled here." Top Reads from The Fiscal Times: By Phil Stewart and Robin Emmott BRUSSELS (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump's defense secretary on Thursday said he did not see possible military collaboration with Russia now, in a blow to Moscow's hopes to mend ties with Washington after Trump's election. The remarks are perhaps the strongest indication yet from the Trump administration that prospects for any significant cooperation between the U.S. and Russian militaries against Islamic State in Syria is unlikely anytime soon. They came despite repeated suggestions by Trump during his election campaign of the possibility of joint action against Islamic State militants. "We are not in a position right now to collaborate on a military level. But our political leaders will engage and try to find common ground," Jim Mattis told reporters after talks at NATO headquarters in Brussels, also mentioning U.S. concerns about Russian interference in democratic elections. Just hours before Mattis spoke, Russian President Vladimir Putin said it was in the interests of both nations to restore communications between their intelligence agencies. "It's absolutely clear that in the area of counter-terrorism all relevant governments and international groups should work together," he told Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB). Related Video: For more news videos visit Yahoo View, available now on iOS and Android. U.S. intelligence agencies, however, are among the most powerful voice of caution in Washington on Russia, concluding that Moscow hacked and leaked Democratic Party emails during the presidential campaign as part of efforts to tilt the vote in the Nov. 8 election in Trump's favor. Monday's resignation of national security adviser Michael Flynn, who was seen in Moscow as a leading advocate of warmer ties with Russia, has underscored for the Kremlin the difficulties of reaching a settlement. Flynn resigned after disclosures he had discussed U.S. sanctions on Russia with the Russian ambassador to the United States before Trump took office, and that he later misled Vice President Mike Pence about the conversations. Story continues Asked whether he believed that Russia interfered in U.S. presidential elections, Mattis said: "Right now, I would just say there's very little doubt that they have either interfered or they have attempted to interfere in a number of elections in the democracies." He did not explicitly cite the U.S. election. A Kremlin aide said there had been no progress on a potential meeting between Trump and Putin. "There is no agreement on a meeting nor a clear understanding yet," Interfax news agency quoted Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov as saying. BACK-AND-FORTH Mattis, who has previously accused Russia of trying to break the NATO alliance, told a closed-door session of NATO on Wednesday that it needed to be realistic about the chances of restoring a cooperative relationship with Moscow. He cited Moscow's 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine, which plunged U.S.-Russia relations to a post-Cold War low. Mattis said NATO needed "negotiate from a position of strength" as he called for stepped up military spending. That prompted a terse reply from Russia's Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. "Attempts to build a dialogue with Russia from a position of strength would be futile," he was quoted as saying by TASS news agency. Mattis shot back: "I have no need to respond to the Russian statement at all. NATO has always stood for military strength and protection of the democracies and the freedoms we intend to pass on to our children." The back-and-forth came even as U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met in Germany, and U.S. Marine General Joseph Dunford, the top U.S. military officer, met Chief of the Russian General Staff Valery Gerasimov in Azerbaijan. Lavrov dismissed the uproar over the U.S. election. "You should know we do not interfere in the domestic matters of other countries," he said. Congressional inquiries into alleged Russian interference in the U.S. elections are gaining momentum as Capitol Hill investigators press intelligence and law enforcement agencies for access to classified documents. The FBI and several U.S. intelligence agencies are investigating Russian espionage operations in the United States. They are also looking at contacts in Russia between Russian intelligence officers or others with ties to Putin's government and people connected to Trump or his campaign. (Reporting by Phil Stewart; Additional reporting by Andrea Shalal in Bonn, Germany and Jack Stubbs in Moscow; Editing by Tom Heneghan) Updated on February 15 at 4:50 p.m. ET President Donald Trump has a way with scandal. His biggest controversies are so huge, so ludicrously bamboozling, that they suck up much of the attention in the country. The smaller disputes facing his staff can therefore slip by unnoticed. In his three-week-old administration, perhaps no man has benefited from this more than Scott Pruitt, Trumps nominee to lead the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the current attorney general of Oklahoma. In the past week, Scott Pruitt has gotten sued by his own states ACLU, defied oversight requests from Senate Democrats, and ridden roughshod on his own states public-records law. In any other administration, that level of dispute might have made the front page. Now, Democrats will be lucky to cram it into the back of a news cycle before the Senate votes on Pruitts nomination at the end of this week. Recommended: Congress Is Not Going to Pass That Bill to 'Terminate the EPA' This is a lost opportunity for anyone who cares about environmental protection at the national level. The nomination of Betsy DeVos, a Republican donor who appeared not to know about basic federal education law, led to constituents clogging Senate switchboards. But the EPA wields much more power over air and water pollution than the Department of Education does over schools. And unlike DeVos, Pruitt is a tireless and knowledgable advocate for his cause of cutting environmental protections. He knows the statutes that govern the EPA, and (like the Obama administration) he knows how to interpret them to bring about his policy ends. If he sails into office later this week, then the mass of Americans who are concerned about the environmentbut who dont closely follow environmental newsmay wonder how he got there. The most famous Pruitt incident teed up this weeks controversy. In October 2011, soon after he had taken over as attorney general of Oklahoma, Pruitt sent a letter to the EPA, alleging that the agency was significantly overestimating methane pollution from the dozens of fracking operations in his state. He doubted whether the United States would save $30 million by adopting a new climate-focused rule, as the agency claimed. Story continues By itself, this letter may not have been so odd: Republicans in oil-rich states often see an easy enemy in the EPA. What is unusual is thatas The New York Times uncovered in late 2014the letter had not been written by Pruitt, even though it was sent to the agency above his signature and below state letterhead. Recommended: Three Reasons to Reject Trump's Criticism of Intelligence Leaks Instead, it had been written by lobbyists working for Devon Energy, an Oklahoma City-based oil-and-gas firm. Pruitt received the letter in an email from Devon, changed two sentences and a couple spare words, and apparently forwarded it to the administrator of the EPA with his own name at the bottom. Devon Energy later donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to the Republican Attorneys General Association, while Pruitt was its chairman. This is not a new scandal: The Times won a Pulitzer for that reporting in 2015, which was only possible through public-record requests to Pruitts office. Whats now of note is what apparently happened next. Watchdog organizations allege that Pruitts office implemented a plan to make sure this kind of investigation never happens again. The Oklahoma attorney generals office simply stopped responding to almost all significant records requests starting in early 2015, they say. Between January 2015 and last month, the Center for Media and Democracy, a liberal watchdog organization, submitted nine public record requests to the Oklahoma attorney generals office. This week, it finally received a reply to its first request, filed more than two years ago: a set of 411 emails exchanged between Pruitt and local oil companies. That sounds like a lotexcept that the attorney generals office had initially said more than 3,000 emails were coming. Its surprising to us that there were so few records, said Nick Surgey, the director of research at the Center for Media and Democracy. Most of the records they received were mass newsletters and not the one-on-one correspondence they believe exists. And Surgey knows that some emails are missing: Three years ago, The New York Times published the text of at least 27 emails that should have been included in this weeks request but were not. Recommended: Trump Kicks Off His 2020 Reelection Campaign on Saturday Meanwhile, Pruitts office has yet to reply to eight more public-records requests. The Center for Media and Democracy and the ACLU of Oklahoma are suing Pruitts office to force it to comply with the states open-records law. A hearing is scheduled for Thursday. This is entirely because of Pruitt that there has been this delay. He runs that office, and he couldve said to his staff, Youve really got to clear the backlog. Lets make sure theres no cloud over my record on transparency, said Surgey. That has not happened. The Oklahoma attorney generals office says it was planning on fulfilling the Center for Media and Democracys open-records request before the suit was filed. Our office continues to complete the remaining requests in the order in which they have been received, said Lincoln Ferguson, the offices press secretary, in a statement. Fulfilling open records requests is part of our offices regular business practice and has been in no way affected by CMDs lawsuit. The fact that they have now filed suit despite our ongoing communications demonstrates that this is nothing more than political theatre. The Office of Attorney General remains committed to fulfilling both the letter and spirit of the Open Records Act, he added. Many government officials run sluggish public-records departments. Pruitts case is different because he made open records part of his Senate testimony. Asked in writing by Senate Democrats about his communication with local agriculture companies, or about whether he had employed private counsel while serving as A.G., he replied with identical language: Such information can be requested from the Office of Attorney General through a request made pursuant to Oklahomas Open Records Act. Pruitt could have provided those documents willingly or directly answered the Senates questions. He just chose not to. Secrecy is not the only knock against Pruitt. As attorney general of Oklahoma, he sued the EPA at least 14 times. He tried to block mercury and ozone protections that he thought were too onerous. He sued on behalf of an oil company to prevent enforcement of the Endangered Species Act. His own website calls him a leading advocate against the EPAs activist agenda. His philosophy of regulation seems to rest on transferring the federal governments power to enforce its environmental laws to the states. (When asked by Senate Democrats which rules issued under the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts he supports, he did not supply one.) But even as he was pushing for these changes nationally, he dismantled the environmental-protection unit within the Oklahoma attorney generals office. On his face, he will be the EPA administrator most hostile to the agencys mission since the first years of the Reagan administration under Anne Gorsuch Burford. Burford left the agency after three years, unpopular and disliked, having accidentally won more power for the agency in the Supreme Court. (Her son, Neil Gorsuch, was nominated by President Trump to that same court two weeks ago.) When people talk about the virtues of environmental regulation, they often hearken back to the nightmares of the 1960s and 1970s. They cite the burning Cuyahoga River, smog-choked Los Angeles, and the thousands of early deaths through asthma and heart failure. The United States adopted strict environmental laws (and under a Republican president, no less) because of the horrors of that period. But we are entering a similarly consequential time for environmental regulation. The price of renewable energy may soon finally become competitive with coal. The ongoing global solar-and-wind boom could transform both Americas energy market and its manufacturing economy. (Because turbines are costly to transport and depend on valuable intellectual property, they are usually produced within this country.) Solar and wind will lead to major-emission reductions from the power sector: a key step in the fight to mitigate climate change. Whether wind and solar are allowed to change the U.S. energy market will depend on federal leadership across agencies. Pruitt, who was in regular correspondence with the fossil-fuel industry, does not seem like the ideal choice to lead the agency that holds the power industrys reigns. Perhaps thats why the conservative-leaning Dallas Morning News has opposed him. There is room, especially under a Republican president, to adopt a less-aggressive stance at the EPA than has been its posture under President Barack Obama, writes the papers editorial board. But there is such a thing as an over-correction. Pruitts coziness with the fossil-fuel industry, it writes, could prove disastrous on a national level. And its just one reason why hes profoundly unsuited to lead the agency charged with safeguarding Americans health and environment. Read more from The Atlantic: This article was originally published on The Atlantic. President Trump and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (Photos: Joshua Roberts/Reuters, Evan Vucci/AP) Somehow, on Valentines Day, while he was trying to find a new national security adviser to replace the one hed just fired, and while he was staring down multiple investigations over potential collusion with Russia, and while he was dealing with the fallout from having conducted missile diplomacy with the Japanese in the public dining room at Mar-a-Lago as if it were one of those party games where everyone got to dress up as a country in World War II somehow, with all this swirling around him, President Trump managed to lunch with his old friend Chris Christie. I dont know what they talked about, exactly, but Im pretty sure it wasnt the opioid crisis, which was the stated reason for the meeting. If Trumps half as smart as he always says he is, then he offered to send a moving van to Trenton. Because Trump needs a guy like Christie to come in and grab the wheel of this careening presidency, and he needs it to happen now. Oh, believe me, I know: Just the mention of Christie is enough to send his legion of critics into feral fits of rage and mockery. He came within inches of an indictment for having presided over the basest kind of political retribution, which ultimately undid both his presidential campaign and his second term as New Jerseys governor. Even his supporters were stung by how brazenly he swung behind Trump and how small it made him seem. We wouldnt even be here were it not for Christies vengeful streak. If he hadnt decided to publicly disembowel Marco Rubio in that last debate in New Hampshire, as payback for a raft of negative ads, Trump would probably be back on the Apprentice set right now, ogling the interns. But whatever else you want to say about Christie (and Ive always found him to be a more complicated and gifted politician than his detractors can stand to admit), the man knows how to bring focus to a political operation, and how to advance a governing agenda, and how to balance public bluster with backroom pragmatism. Story continues And if theres anyone on Trumps senior staff who actually knows how to do any of that, by all means, get to the part of the ship thats still above water and wave your hands frantically so we can see you. Im not saying Reince Priebus isnt a decent guy in a difficult situation. But Priebus is a Wisconsin political operative who did a creditable job fundraising for the Republican Party. When it comes to running the vast federal government or navigating global alliances, he knows about as much as Omarosa. Either Priebus deserves credit for assembling the rest of this misfit team or hes too much of a supplicant to get control over staffing the operation. Whichever it is, he must know by now that he isnt exactly fielding the A-team. Kellyanne Conway proved herself to be an elite campaign strategist, for sure, but her descent into alternative facts has been painful to watch, and her rebuke from the government ethics office, three weeks into the administration, has to set some kind of record. Sean Spicer, the press secretary, comes off so hostile and disingenuous that Melissa McCarthys impression is actually more sympathetic. Steve Bannon provides a whole lot of hifalutin neo-fascist craziness chaos theory, but that stuff tends to come in handier when youre fomenting campus revolt than when youve got a Russian spy ship menacing the coast of Delaware. And lets not leave out Stephen Miller, who not so long ago was a press aide for Michele Bachmann, and who is somehow now in charge of domestic policy (and occasionally presides over national security meetings, just because). In a typical moment from his startlingly bad debut on the Sunday shows last weekend, Miller told CBSs John Dickerson: I think to say were in control would be a substantial understatement. What does that mean, exactly? Are they declaring martial law? Have they mastered telekinesis? All through the fall campaign, governing Republicans told me that Trump could be a fine president, because he would surround himself with all the smartest and most capable people. Really, they were telling themselves that. They hoped it was true, and so did I. But that turns out to be the biggest Trumpian illusion of them all, and its not hard to see why. Since Trump had never run for even a seat on a condo board before, he didnt have the kind of longtime, trusted political team that virtually every other president has counted on, for better or worse. And since the party elite considered Trumps candidacy a fringy exercise almost until the moment he won the nomination, his campaign mostly attracted fringy talent. And since Trump never really planned to win the fall election, he had no real plan in place to upgrade his entourage with some of the partys more experienced hands. So what we have now is basically a renegade campaign team trying to administer and reform the most complex government in human history. And they actually believe their rhetoric about how lame politicians are, about how useless experience is, about how business is so much harder than governing. They thought the whole thing would basically run itself. They literally threw Christies transition plan into a trash bin. (Um, hey has that garbage truck come yet? Anybody up for some dumpster diving?) The whole mini-debacle at Mar-a-Lago last weekend, when Trump and Shinzo Abe conferred on North Korea in full view of dinner guests, would never have happened if anyone sitting in that room had experience in crisis governing. Days of damaging headlines, all of which amounted to very little, could have been avoided by a modicum of expertise. Instead, Trump finds himself, for the first time in his political life, in a position where he cant just change the subject with one controversial tweet, and where he couldnt just ignore the calls for Michael Flynns head. The days of being impervious to criticism are over. If Trump wants his approval ratings to keep sinking, he should definitely stay the course. Or, like the Fonz in those classic episodes of Happy Days, he can admit he was wr wr wrong. And then he can make it someone elses problem to fix the mess. Why force yourself to fire another senior aide every few weeks or months, like a slow bleed? Better to replace poor Priebus now and let Christie deal with the unpleasantness of fixing things. (If theres one thing Christie doesnt mind, its unpleasantness.) A chief of staff can elegantly reboot the system in a way a president cant. A chief of staff can simply say: I didnt hire any of these guys, and Im letting them go. Done. Look, its not my job to offer Trump advice on his presidency, and its not like hed listen. Maybe its true that were all better off if the whole experiment craters in the first six months. But thats a pretty big risk to take, and if I were Trump, Id call Christie back today and tell him I need some order and professionalism in the West Wing. Which, by the way, is a substantial understatement. Read more from Yahoo News: Confusion over Donald Trumps Middle East policy deepened on Thursday as the US ambassador to the UN appeared to contradict him by saying America absolutely supports a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Mr Trump overturned decades of US policy on Wednesday when he said he was open to the idea of giving up on a Palestinian state and supporting a one-state solution if both Israelis and Palestinians agreed on it. But less than 24 hours later, Mr Trumps UN ambassador Nikki Haley said the two-state solution is what we support. "We absolutely support the two-state solution but we are thinking out of the box as well, Mrs Haley said. The mixed messages came as Mr Trump's firebrand choice for US ambassador to Israel tried to soften some of his positions, apologising for comparing liberal Jews to Nazi collaborators and walking back his own fervent opposition to the idea of two states. David Friedman, who was Mr Trumps personal bankruptcy lawyer, was grilled by Senate Democrats over his support for Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank and his claim that Barack Obama was guilty of anti-Semitic behaviour. The 59-year-old was reminded that he had once said liberal Jewish activists were far worse than kapos Jews who turned in their fellow Jews in the Nazi death camps and accused a Jewish Democrat senator of the worst appeasement of terrorism since Munich. Mr Friedman, who practices Orthodox Judaism, struck a conciliatory tone before the Senate foreign relations committee, saying he regrets his inflammatory comments. "If confirmed, you should expect my comments to be respectful and measured, he said. The lawyer had previously described the two-state solution as a damaging anachronism and a scam and had called for Israel to continue building settlements even though much of the world considers settlements illegal and an obstacle to peace. But on Thursday he significantly moderated his tone, saying that the two-state solution is the best possibility for peace and promising that he would not advocate for further Israeli annexation in the occupied West Bank. Story continues The US supported the idea of two states during the Clinton, Bush and Obama administrations but Mr Trump scrambled that policy on Wednesday, saying that he was open to either a one-state or two-state solution as long as Israelis and Palestinians agreed. Mr Friedmans testimony was interrupted by several protesters and five former US ambassadors to Israel, who served under both Democrats and Republican, released a letter calling unqualified for the job. Around 600 rabbis also released a letter opposing Mr Friedman and progressive Jewish groups in the US have called for the Senate to reject him. But despite the opposition, Mr Friedman is expected to get the 11 votes he needs from the foreign relations committee and then be confirmed by the Republican majority in the Senate. By Susan Cornwell WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump's choice to lead an important health agency said on Thursday that the way pharmaceutical companies classify products as generic or branded needs to be reviewed in order to help hold down government spending, as she cited Mylan NV's EpiPen emergency allergy treatment. Seema Verma, Trump's nominee to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), did not answer questions about whether the U.S. government should negotiate with pharmaceutical companies over drug prices. "I think what happened with ... the EpiPen issue is very disturbing," Verma said at her confirmation hearing before the Senate Finance Committee. "The idea that perhaps Medicaid programs, which are struggling to pay for those programs, that they could have potentially received rebates is disturbing to me." Mylan has been criticized for listing EpiPen with Medicaid as a generic product even though it listed it with the Food and Drug Administration as a branded product. The classification led to Mylan's paying significantly smaller rebates to the Medicaid healthcare program for the poor than if EpiPen were classified as branded. "I would like to review the processes in place there, in terms of the classifications, in terms of brand and generic, to ensure that type of thing doesn't happen again," Verma said. CMS said last year that it had "expressly advised" Mylan that the drugmaker had improperly classified EpiPen. Mylan said last month that U.S. antitrust authorities had launched an investigation into EpiPen. The company said suggestions it took any inappropriate or unlawful actions to prevent generic competition was "without merit." Mylan has also come under fire for raising the price of a two-pack of EpiPens to $600 last summer from $100 in 2008. Mylan began selling a generic version of EpiPen for $300 per two-pack in December. Verma also said she would produce records of communication between the agency and Mylan, when questioned by Republican Senator Chuck Grassley. A statement from Grassley's office said Mylan had overcharged states and taxpayers by "potentially hundreds of millions of dollars." Democrats were not pleased with Verma's sidestepping a question from Senator Debbie Stabenow about whether she agreed with Trump that the government should negotiate with drug companies over prices of drugs covered by the Medicare healthcare program for the elderly and disabled. "I don't think that's a simple yes or no answer," Verma said. "The goal is to make sure that we're getting affordable prices for our seniors." (Reporting by Susan Cornwell; Editing by Leslie Adler) Like ripples expanding across a lake, the disorder within the Trump White House now looks ready to spread outward, and the first victim may be the nations intelligence and security apparatus. The New York Times revealed Thursday that President Trump is in talks with private equity billionaire Stephen A. Feinberg to lead a broad review of the Intelligence Community from within the White House. The move, if confirmed, dramatically undercuts some of Trumps own appointees, like former Congressman Mike Pompeo, who has only just taken the reins of the Central Intelligence Agency and former Indiana senator Dan Coats, who is awaiting confirmation as Director of National Intelligence. Related: Trumps War with Intelligence Agencies Escalates Dangerously Pompeo is currently working to get a grip on the huge responsibilities of his office and Coats will arguably have an even bigger task once he is confirmed, wrangling the various agencies, including the CIA, that make up the Intelligence Community. Making a successful transition into their roles as key members of the administrations national security team will be extraordinarily difficult, if not outright impossible if it is widely expected that the president is planning some sort of shake-up of the teams whole structure. It will also make life more complicated for agency leaders who are already in place, like National Security Agency Director and US Navy Admiral Mike Rogers and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Director James Comey. Just yesterday, Trump suggested that their agencies might be responsible for details about his administration that appeared in stories in The Times and The Washington Post. Related: America Gets Its First Real Test of the CEO Presidency Trump has repeatedly lashed out at the countrys intelligence services, both before and after taking office. He has gone as far as accusing them of conspiring against him and orchestrating leaks in order to damage him and his aides and advisors, including former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, who was forced out this week over revelations that he had illicit contact with Russian officials prior to Trumps inauguration. Story continues Feinberg has no experience in the intelligence world, meaning that his primary qualification for the job appears to be his success in becoming extremely wealthy, and his presumed loyalty to the president. According to The Times, there is further speculation that Feinberg is also being considered for a permanent position at the helm of one of the intelligence agencies, which has also alarmed intelligence officials because such jobs typically go to people with at least some national security experience. Top Reads from The Fiscal Times: Washington (AFP) - US President Donald Trump hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House -- and dropped his predecessors' longtime attachment to a two-state solution in any Middle East peace settlement. Meantime, his still young administration continued down a tumultuous path as Trump's under-fire nominee for labor secretary withdrew from consideration. Trump also spent time defending his former national security adviser, Michael Flynn -- who resigned Monday amid furor over his reported contacts with Russian intelligence -- as a victim of "illegal leaks" to "fake media." And at NATO headquarters, Defense Secretary James Mattis conveyed Trump's message that America's allies need to carry more weight. Here are five takeaways from the day, from Washington and Brussels: - One state, two states ... - Trump, departing from the steadfast preference of his three predecessors, said he had no special attachment to a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and would back a single state if it led to peace. "I thought for a while the two-state looked like it may be the easier of the two but, honestly, if Israel and the Palestinians are happy, I'm happy with the one they like the best," he said at a White House news conference with Netanyahu. While warmly welcoming the Israeli leader, Trump did urge him to restrain for a "little bit" from building Jewish settlements, which Palestinians fervently oppose. But he also said that "the Palestinians have to get rid of some of that hate that they're taught from a very young age." Netanyahu and Trump's predecessor, Barack Obama, had a notably prickly relationship. The warm vibe between the Israeli leader and Trump was one they both emphasized. - Labor secretary pick is out - Despite intense opposition to some of his cabinet picks, Trump has managed to get most of them confirmed. Not so his choice for labor secretary, Andrew Puzder, who withdrew from consideration Wednesday, amid intense scrutiny of his business record and personal past. Story continues The withdrawal of the fast-food executive dealt a new blow to the president on the heels of Flynn's resignation Monday. Puzder offered little explanation but vowed his full support for "the president and his highly qualified team." Critics had blasted Puzder for opposing a minimum wage for workers, for initially failing to pay taxes on an undocumented employee, and over embarrassing questions raised by a messy divorce several years ago. - Russia contacts? 'Non-sense' - Still struggling to contain the damage over Flynn's contacts with Russia, Trump dismissed talk of any Russian connection as "non-sense" and blamed the debacle on "illegal leaks" from US intelligence agencies. "This Russian connection non-sense is merely an attempt to cover-up the many mistakes made in Hillary Clinton's losing campaign," Trump said on Twitter. The New York Times had reported Tuesday that US intelligence agents intercepted calls showing that members of Trump's campaign had repeated contacts with top Russian intelligence officials before the November election. Trump tweeted that "information is being illegally given to the failing @nytimes & @washingtonpost by the intelligence community (NSA and FBI?) Just like Russia." - Message to NATO: Carry your weight - Europeans were unnerved during the US campaign by suggestions from Trump that they might not always be able to count on the strong US support they have long counted on. Defense Secretary James Mattis may not have eased those concerns on Wednesday, bluntly warning allies at NATO headquarters in Brussels that the Trump administration would "moderate its commitment" to the alliance unless members met their spending pledges. Washington has long called on its allies to spend at least two percent of their GDP on defense, but only a handful do so. Mattis's words, however, will likely resonate among Europeans -- already worried by the threat from Russia in the east -- at a time when Trump has repeatedly expressed admiration for President Vladimir Putin. "Americans cannot care more for your children's future security than you do," Mattis said. "If your nations do not want to see America moderate its commitment to this alliance, each of your capitals need to show support for our common defense." It was a "firm message," NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said later, adding that it would be clearly heard by his colleagues. - Antidote for anti-Semitism? 'A lot of love' - Asked at the news conference about a spike in anti-Semitic acts in the United States, Trump promised that Americans would be seeing "a lot of love" across the country -- but he did so only after bragging about his election win. Anti-Semitic attacks increased in the days after Trump's November election, and an Israeli journalist asked if the Republican agreed with those who said the new administration might be "playing with xenophobia." Trump offered a rather circuitous answer -- first congratulating himself on the size of his Electoral College victory. He then vowed: "We are going to stop crime in this country. We are going to do everything in our power to stop long-simmering racism." Trump then shifted gears to mention his daughter and son-in-law are Jewish, before closing with: "I think that youre going to see a lot different United States of America over the next three, four or eight years. I think a lot of good things are happening and you're going to see a lot of love." Trump's response drew some acid commentary. One tweeter drily summed up his response as: "I won the election and also my daughter is Jewish." By Maria Tsvetkova and Humeyra Pamuk ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkey has increased scrutiny of Russian-speaking Muslim communities in the past few months following a series of attacks blamed on Islamic State, a concrete example of the renewed relationship between the two countries. Turkish police have raided the homes of Russian-speaking immigrants in Istanbul, detained many and expelled others, according to interviews with Russian Muslims living in the city. At least some of those targeted by Turkish authorities are known to be sympathetic to radical Islamist movements. The security activity indicates that Russia and Turkey are sharing intelligence, part of a newly-forged alliance that has also seen Moscow and Ankara work together on a peace deal for Syria. The cooperation comes as a resurgent Russia, already active in Ukraine and keen to boost its diplomatic influence in the Middle East, has been playing a greater role in Syria in the vacuum left by the United States under Barack Obama. The roundups mark a change for Turkey, which has historically welcomed Muslims fleeing what they say is repression in countries including Russia, among them communities who fought government forces in Russia's North Caucasus. "Around ten of my acquaintances are in jail now," said Magomed-Said Isayev, a Muslim from the Russian North Caucasus mountains, who moved to Istanbul three years ago. He said for most of his time in Turkey he had no difficulties with the authorities. He said he had done nothing to harm Turkish citizens, but now he felt he was no longer safe from the threat of detention. Turkey has been criticized by some Western allies for being too slow to stop the flow of foreign fighters crossing its borders to join Islamic State in Syria and Iraq in the early years of the jihadist group's rise. Turkey has rejected such suggestions, saying it needed greater intelligence sharing from its allies in order to intercept would-be jihadists. It has tightened its borders and last August launched a military campaign in Syria to push Islamic State away from Turkish territory. ATTACKS ON TURKEY Several recent Islamic State attacks in Turkey have been blamed on Russian-speaking attackers. After a gun-and-bomb attack on Istanbul's Ataturk airport that killed 45 people last June, police detained two suspects from the North Caucasus. An Uzbek has been charged with a gun attack on an Istanbul nightclub on New Year's Day in which 39 people were killed. "Before that, Turkey was very loyal to those who came from ex-Soviet countries," said Russian Muslim activist Abdul-Alim Makhsutov, who has lived in Istanbul for several years. "We have a long-established tradition of moving to Turkey for religious reasons and to escape pressure. The terrorist attacks tarnished this reputation." Turkey has provided sanctuary to Muslims from Russia since the 19th century, when the tsars conquered the mainly Muslim North Caucasus region. A new flow of migrants was prompted by two wars in Chechnya in the 1990s and 2000s, and a crackdown on Islamists in the south of Russia that continues today. A Turkish security source said operations had increased following the recent attacks and that raids in areas where foreigners were living had shown that militants were living in and hiding among those communities. "Our operations are not limited to specific parts of Istanbul but all across the city. It is about foreigners without the necessary paperwork, passport or ID. We fight crime wherever it may be," a Turkish police official told Reuters. A Russian security official said Moscow has been sharing lists of suspicious Islamists with Ankara for two or three years, but Turkey has only started using the information in the wake of recent attacks, as it has become a clear target for jihadists. Russia's foreign ministry and Federal Security Service did not respond to Reuters questions about intelligence-sharing with Turkey. A Turkish intelligence source said they were cooperating more with Russia but declined to give further details. KIDS BEHIND BARS One 25-year-old woman from Russia's Dagestan region, told Reuters she had lived openly in Turkey for three years. Until last October her family had experienced no problems, she said. She said her family had bought property in Turkey and took care to renew their immigration documents, while her brother competed professionally for a Turkish wrestling team. In October, masked policemen in flak jackets, conducting an anti-terror raid, smashed in the door of the family's apartment, the woman said. She spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity because, she said, she did not want to endanger members of her family. During the interview, she wore a black chador with only her face uncovered and broke off the conversation to pray. The family, including women and four children, as well as a female neighbor and her children, were held for several days in a police station, she said. At first, the police locked them in a room with bars on the windows but after a while police had to leave the door open "because the children often went to the toilet," the woman said. The detainees were transferred to Istanbul police headquarters and after two weeks most of the women and children from her family, and the family of her neighbor, were released. But she said her father, brother, sister-in-law and 10-month-old niece were still in detention. They had not been charged with any offence, the woman said, though Reuters was not able to independently verify that. Istanbul police said it could not comment on specific cases. The Dagestani woman said that in detention she had been questioned about Islamic State, and whether her family was affiliated to it. She denied any links to the group. Russians living in Turkey say that some detainees were told by the Turkish police that the action against them was based on information provided by Russia. "I've heard they (Russian authorities) inform the Turks about two kinds of people, who may be involved in terrorist activities or have a shady reputation," said Ali Evteyev, a former Russian mufti and now an Istanbul resident. He said that often there is no prosecution, but it is made clear to them they are no longer welcome. "The Turks just don't extend their residence permit. You have to go to jail and try to appeal, or leave." (Editing by Giles Elgood) NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) A feud over Cyprus' troubled history on Thursday led to the abrupt halt of reunification talks between the ethnically split island's rival leaders, with confusion and finger-pointing over who walked out on whom. It's unclear how the negotiations that have led to significant headway over 21 months on a deal reunifying the small island as a federation will move forward. But both Mustafa Akinci, the leader of the breakaway Turkish Cypriots, and Greek Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades said they don't want the process to collapse completely. United Nations envoy Espen Barth Eide said so far there's been no change to a scheduled program of future meetings between the leaders and negotiators. "No one sees this as terminated or even suspended. The process is on," Eide said after meeting Anastasiades late Thursday. Tensions ran high this week following strong Turkish Cypriot protests against new legislation making the annual commemoration of a 1950 vote to unite Cyprus with Greece compulsory in Greek Cypriot schools. Anastasiades said he told the Turkish Cypriot leader that his fears over the legislation weren't justified and that Akinci and his retinue then left the U.N. compound at the defunct Nicosia airport where talks were being held. Anastasiades said that Akinci's departure appeared to be a "pre-determined decision" and a "pretext" in order to justify the Turkish Cypriot side's harder stance as talks reach the problem's most sensitive, core issues and to furnish Turkey an excuse to evade its obligation to help the process. "I don't accept that it's possible after two years of intensive negotiations and progress for the process to halt for an insignificant matter, something that's understood by everyone," Anastasiades told reporters. Akinci, though, said Anastasiades gave a "bunch of excuses" and appeared to give short shrift to Turkish Cypriot sensitivities before storming out of the meeting first and slamming the door behind him. Story continues Akinci said what triggered Anastasiades' anger was U.N. envoy Eide's suggestion that something had to be done to fix things. Anastasiades said he rebuked Eide for casting doubt on the Greek Cypriots' commitment to a peace deal. "As Mr. Akinci himself has said at one point, he decided to leave the meeting," Eide said. Akinci said it's up to the Greek Cypriots to get negotiations back on solid footing. "We've reached this point, but I don't want to close all the doors to the negotiations," Akinci told reporters. Cyprus gained independence from British colonial rule in 1960, but was split 14 years later when Turkey invaded in the wake of a coup by supporters of union with Greece. A Turkish Cypriot declaration of independence is recognized only by Turkey, which keeps more than 35,000 troops in the breakaway north. More than 95 percent of the majority Greek Cypriots voted in favor of union with Greece in the 1950 plebiscite which is already taught in Greek Cypriot schools. Turkish Cypriots see the Greek Cypriot bid for union with Greece that culminated in a 1955-59 guerrilla campaign against British colonial authorities as being the root of the island's current woes. According to Turkey's state-run Anadolu Agency, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that the Greek Cypriot legislation "is not acceptable to Turkey or to Cypriot Turks." Akinci said that the legislation on commemorating the event, proposed by the far-right party ELAM, fanned concerns among Turkish Cypriots over their security and bolstered mistrust. Anastasiades said that celebrations and commemorations aim to pay homage rather than signal any policy shift away from reunifying Cyprus as a federation. ___ Suzan Frazer in Ankara contributed to this report. By Jon Herskovitz AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) - Federal agents crossed a line by going into an El Paso family court to take a transgender woman who was the victim of domestic violence into custody for suspected immigration law violations, county officials said on Thursday. The arrest last week had a chilling effect on victims of domestic abuse in the Texas border city who turn to law enforcement for help that could save their lives, they said. County officials will be meeting with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Friday to let them know their concerns. "We are hoping that this is an isolated incident. We are fearful that it is not. This courthouse should be a place where people come for protection," El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal told a teleconference. The case comes in the wake of a crackdown on illegal immigration by new U.S. President Donald Trump. U.S. immigration officers last week arrested more than 680 people they said were in the country illegally in a broad enforcement action that alarmed immigrant rights groups. ICE said in a statement it was acting on a tip from another law enforcement agency, without addressing the apprehension that started in the domestic violence court. The suspect it identified as Irvin Gonzalez has a criminal history and had been previously deported, it said. The suspect had been beaten several times by her partner and had just been granted a restraining order, the county officials said. An ICE agent followed the suspect into the court and then, with another agent escorted her out after the order was granted. She was placed in custody on the street outside the court, the county officials said. "In the business of domestic violence, victims dont always come with a completely clean history or background. Our job is to offer protection regardless of her criminal history," Bernal said. An arrest affidavit filed in federal court said Gonzalez was a Mexican citizen illegally in the United States, adding the suspect had been convicted of crimes including stealing U.S. mail and assault, the affidavit said. Story continues The woman is being held at the El Paso County jail under a federal detainer. "This wrongheaded enforcement action sends the message that if a victim is undocumented, future domestic abuse may go unpunished," said Terri Burke, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas, a civil rights group. (Reporting by Jon Herskovitz; Editing by Bernadette Baum and Alan Crosby) By Ned Parker UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said on Thursday the United States still supports a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a day after President Donald Trump suggested he is open to new ways to achieve peace. "First of all, the two-state solution is what we support. Anybody that wants to say the United States does not support the two-state solution - that would be an error," Haley told reporters at the United Nations. "We absolutely support the two-state solution but we are thinking out of the box as well: which is what does it take to bring these two sides to the table; what do we need to have them agree on." Haley's comments came after Trump said on Wednesday that he was open to ideas beyond a two-state solution, the longstanding bedrock of Washington and the international community's policy for a settlement between Israel and the Palestinians. "I'm looking at two states and one state, and I like the one both parties like," Trump told a joint news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "I can live with either one." Trump said that the United States would work toward peace but said he was leaving it up to the parties themselves ultimately to decide on the terms of any agreement. He said such a deal would require compromises from both Israelis and Palestinians. Trumps announcement appeared to loosen the main tenet of U.S. Middle Eastern policy dating back three administrations and stunned the international community, which has crafted it diplomacy based on the premise of a Palestinian state co-existing alongside Israel. Haley also echoed Trump in her remarks Thursday, stressing that a peace deal was not for Washington to impose but could only come from the parties themselves. "The solution to what will bring peace in the Middle East is going to come from the Israelis and the Palestinian Authority," Haley said. "The United States is just there to support the process." Haley, a Republican who previously served as South Carolina governor, also criticized the United Nations and the Security Council on Thursday for what she called a bias against Israel. She described the day's scheduled Security Council meeting on the Middle East as "focused on criticizing Israel, the one true democracy in the Middle East." Haley said the United States would not support any U.N. resolutions like the one approved by the Security Council in December calling for an end to Israeli settlement building, that passed only after the administration of former President Barack Obama chose not to wield its veto. "I am here to say the United States will not turn a blind eye to this anymore," Haley said. "I am here to emphasize that the United States is determined to stand up to the U.N.'s anti-Israel bias." French and British diplomats also repeated their longstanding support of the policy, in a show of how Trump's remarks on Wednesday had caused confusion. "The UK continues to believe that the best solution for peace in the Middle East is the two-state solution," said British ambassador to the United Nations, Matthew Rycroft. On Wednesday, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had warned during a visit to Cairo that was no viable way to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict other than the establishment of a Palestinian state co-existing alongside Israel. (Reporting by Ned Parker; Editing by Dan Grebler and Lisa Shumaker) By Ayat Basma NORTH OF MOSUL, Iraq (Reuters) - Islamic State will put up a tough fight in the western side Mosul that remains under its control despite the losses the group suffered so far in the battle for the Iraqi, a U.S. commander said on Wednesday. "It is hard and hard every day here," Colonel Patrick Work, commander of the 2nd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, said in an interview with Reuters TV at a brigade artillery position in northern Mosul. "There are no guarantees certainly when you are fighting and there is no timetable, it is a determined enemy that we are up against," he said. The United States is providing air and ground support to Iraqi and Kurdish forces trying to dislodge the hardline group from Mosul, captured in 2014. The offensive paused last month after the capture of the districts lying east of the Tigris river that bisects the city. Preparations are underway to launch the offensive on the western side, which is expected be more difficult because of the density of the population and the narrow streets and alleyways through which armoured vehicles cannot pass. It is from the Grand Mosque in western Mosul that Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared a "caliphate" over parts of Iraq and Syria. Should Mosul fall, the group is expected to stage an insurgency. "We are putting such pressure on Daesh in the west, day in day out as we shake them and choke off their logistics, and put pressure on their command and control and attack their weapons," Work said, using an Arabic acronym of the group. "This entire defence in the west is under such pressure that I think there is inevitable momentum." Work's brigade took over command in Mosul six weeks ago from the 2nd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division. Artillery support will be key in the upcoming battle as it can strike in all weather, he said, adding that U.S. artillery positions were repositioned after the battle for eastern Mosul. The U.S. military has about 5,260 troops in Iraq, 1,700 of them paratroopers from Works brigade. (Reporting by Maher Chmaytelli; Editing by Angus MacSwan) By Lawrence Hurley WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. appeals court on Thursday said it would rehear a challenge to the Securities and Exchange Commission's use of in-house judges. The order issued by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit wiped out a three-judge panel's August decision in favor of the commission. The court indicated that 10 of the court's judges will hear the case. Oral arguments will be held on May 24. Former radio host Raymond Lucia brought the challenge, arguing that the agency's administrative law judges were unconstitutionally appointed. Lucia, known for his "Buckets of Money" investment strategy, was hoping to beat back fraud charges. The SEC has in recent years has come under attack by defendants who have questioned the fairness of its in-house trials. In December, a federal appeals court in Denver ruled that the appointments process was unconstitutional, raising the prospect of the question ultimately being decided by the Supreme Court. Administrative law judges are independent from the government agencies where they work. Their employing agency can seek their removal, but such a move must also be reviewed by the Merit Systems Protection Board. Defense attorneys, including attorneys for Lucia, have argued that the appointment of SEC administrative law judges, and the hurdles that can make it impossible for the president to remove those judges, are unconstitutional and violate the separation of powers clause. The case raises similar issues to a separate challenge to the appointment of the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's director, which the court also said on Thursday it would rehear. (Reporting by Lawrence Hurley; additional reporting by Sarah N. Lynch; Editing by Jonathan Oatis) By Sarah N. Lynch WASHINGTON (Reuters) - In a blow to President Donald Trump as he tries to assemble his administration, his nominee for labor secretary, Andrew Puzder, withdrew his name from consideration on Wednesday amid concerns that he could not garner enough Senate votes to be confirmed. Puzder's decision to withdraw is yet another setback this week for a White House still grappling with fallout from Monday night's abrupt resignation of national security adviser Michael Flynn, after less than a month in the job. Puzder, the chief executive officer of CKE Restaurants Inc, which franchises fast-food chains including Hardee's and Carl's Jr, has been at the center of a swirl of controversies, complaints and potential conflicts. He admitted earlier this month that he and his wife had employed an undocumented person as a housekeeper. He faced a flurry of complaints and legal cases brought in recent weeks and months by workers against his business and its franchises. Most recently, a decades-old Oprah Winfrey tape raising allegations of domestic abuse by his ex-wife resurfaced, though those allegations had been withdrawn. After careful consideration and discussions with my family, I am withdrawing my nomination for Secretary of Labor," Puzder said in a statement. Puzder's withdrawal came one day before his scheduled confirmation hearing. At least seven Republican senators, including Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, declined to publicly back Puzder in advance of the confirmation hearing. For weeks now, Republican senators have been telling Senator John Cornyn, the second-highest ranking Republican, that they believed some of their colleagues would join Collins and Murkowski in opposing Puzder, according to a senior Senate Republican aide. DEMOCRATS CHEER The Labor Department oversees compliance with federal laws that mandate safe working conditions, a minimum hourly wage, overtime wages and prohibit employment discrimination. Story continues As labor secretary, Puzder would have shaped the departments approach to these issues, including whether to defend an Obama administration rule expanding overtime pay to millions of workers that has been challenged in the courts. Earlier this month, Puzder admitted he and his wife had employed an undocumented person as a housekeeper and had to pay back taxes as a result. Workers at some of CKE's restaurants have filed claims in recent weeks alleging they were victims of wage theft or victims of sexual harassment in the workplace. Another possible problem were allegations dating back to 1986 that Puzder had physically abused his now ex-wife, Lisa Henning, now known as Lisa Fierstein. Fierstein filed for divorce in 1987 and later retracted her allegations, but not before appearing anonymously as a victim of domestic abuse on "The Oprah Winfrey Show." Last week, the OWN Network released a copy of that tape to the Senate committee so both Democratic and Republican members could view it, according to an aide. Democrats on Wednesday cheered over the news of Puzder's withdrawal. "From the start, its been clear that Puzder is uniquely unqualified to serve as secretary of labor," said Patty Murray, the ranking member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. (Additional reporting by Timothy Ahmann, Richard Cowan, Robert Iafolla and Amanda Becker) WASHINGTON (Reuters) A crisis over the relationship between President Donald Trumps aides and Russia deepened on Wednesday as a growing number of Trumps fellow Republicans demanded expanded congressional inquiries into the matter. Trump sought to focus attention on what he called criminal intelligence leaks about his ousted national security adviser, Michael Flynn. Trump forced Flynn out on Monday after disclosures he had discussed U.S. sanctions on Russia with the Russian ambassador to the United States before Trump took office, and that he later misled Vice President Mike Pence about the conversations. The drama of Flynns departure was the latest in a series of White House missteps and controversies since the Republican president was sworn in on Jan. 20. At a news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday, Trump said Flynn, a retired U.S. Army lieutenant general, was a wonderful man who had been mistreated by the news media. But Republican Trump critics including Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham voiced fresh consternation. Adding to the pressure were comments by Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker, who has been a Trump supporter. Corker said the Russia issue was threatening Trumps agenda on foreign affairs and domestic matters like healthcare and tax policy. He questioned whether the White House was able to stabilize itself and said Flynn should testify before Congress. Lets get everything out as quickly as possible on this Russia issue, Corker told MSNBCs Morning Joe program. Maybe theres a problem that obviously goes much deeper than what we now suspect. Democrats, doubting Trumps Justice Department or the Republican-led Congress will pursue the matter vigorously, have demanded an independent investigation of possible illegal communications between Flynn and the Russian government and any efforts by Flynn or other White House officials to conceal wrongdoing. Story continues Calls For Recusal The most powerful Democrat in the Senate, Chuck Schumer, said Attorney General Jeff Sessions, a close ally of Trump, must recuse himself from any investigation. The Republican and Democratic leaders of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee asked Sessions and FBI Director James Comey on Wednesday to send the committee documents and provide a briefing on Flynns resignation. Citing reports that both the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Justice Department were involved in events leading to Flynns departure, Senators Chuck Grassley and Dianne Feinstein said they raised substantial questions about Flynns discussion with Russian officials. Graham called for a broader bipartisan congressional investigation to be conducted by a newly formed special committee rather than existing committees, if it turns out Trumps presidential campaign communicated with the Russians. But the top Republicans in the Senate and House of Representatives have insisted the matter be investigated by existing Republican-led committees. The Senate and House Intelligence Committees and a subcommittee of the Senate Judiciary committee have announced they launched investigations into alleged Russian efforts to influence the election through computer hacking. U.S. intelligence agencies previously concluded that Russia hacked and leaked Democratic emails during the presidential campaign as part of efforts to tilt the vote in the Nov. 8 election in Trumps favor. Congressional inquiries into alleged Russian interference in the U.S. elections are gaining momentum as Capitol Hill investigators press intelligence and law enforcement agencies for access to classified documents. The FBI and several U.S. intelligence agencies are investigating Russian espionage operations in the United States. They are also looking at contacts in Russia between Russian intelligence officers or others with ties to President Vladimir Putins government and people connected to Trump or his campaign. The FBI recently questioned Flynn about his telephone contacts with the Russian ambassador in Washington. People familiar with the agencys multiple probes said there was no evidence so far of pre-election collusion between Russians and Trumps campaign, or any evidence of criminal activity by Flynn or anyone else connected to Trump. Some experts expressed concern the White House could curtail or divert probes into Flynn and Russian involvement in the election unless Congress becomes more aggressive by holding hearings and appointing an independent commission or special prosecutor into whether Trumps team violated federal laws in their contacts with Russia. Intelligence agencies now overseen by Trump may not be ideally suited to the job, they added. Its not, at the end of the day, the job of the intelligence community to regulate the White House and it shouldnt be, said Stephen Vladeck, a University of Texas law professor who focuses on constitutional law and national security. Very Un-American In Twitter posts on Wednesday, Trump called the reported Russian connection with his campaign team nonsense and said the leaks were the real scandal. From early on in his White House bid, Trump said he would like improved relations with Putin, a stance criticized by Democrats and those Republicans concerned about Washington softening its stance after Russias annexation of Crimea from Ukraine and aggression in Syria. Only a few Republican lawmakers have supported even the idea of extending any investigation to cover actions by Trumps team in the weeks after the election, when Flynn made his calls. Some Republicans, including House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes, are calling for investigations into leaks to the news media of conversations between Flynn and Russias ambassador in Washington. The Trump administration has offered Flynns former job to U.S. Navy Vice Admiral Robert Harward, said two U.S. officials familiar with the matter. It was not immediately clear if Harward, a former deputy commander of U.S. Central Command, had accepted the offer, according to sources. (Additional reporting by Rick Cowan, Mohammad Zargham, Susan Cornwell, Susan Heavey, Julia Edwards Ainsley, Doina Chiacu, Julia Harte and Mark Hosenball; Writing by Will Dunham and Lisa Lambert; Editing by Frances Kerry and Peter Cooney) By Steve Holland and Patricia Zengerle WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A crisis over the relationship between President Donald Trump's aides and Russia deepened on Wednesday as a growing number of Trump's fellow Republicans demanded expanded congressional inquiries into the matter. Trump sought to focus attention on what he called criminal intelligence leaks about his ousted national security adviser, Michael Flynn. Trump forced Flynn out on Monday after disclosures he had discussed U.S. sanctions on Russia with the Russian ambassador to the United States before Trump took office, and that he later misled Vice President Mike Pence about the conversations. The drama of Flynn's departure was the latest in a series of White House missteps and controversies since the Republican president was sworn in on Jan. 20. At a news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday, Trump said Flynn, a retired U.S. Army lieutenant general, was a "wonderful man" who had been mistreated by the news media. But Republican Trump critics including Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham voiced fresh consternation. Adding to the pressure were comments by Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker, who has been a Trump supporter. Corker said the Russia issue was threatening Trump's agenda on foreign affairs and domestic matters like healthcare and tax policy. He questioned whether the White House was able to stabilize itself and said Flynn should testify before Congress. "Let's get everything out as quickly as possible on this Russia issue," Corker told MSNBC's "Morning Joe" program. "Maybe there's a problem that obviously goes much deeper than what we now suspect." Democrats, doubting Trump's Justice Department or the Republican-led Congress will pursue the matter vigorously, have demanded an independent investigation of possible illegal communications between Flynn and the Russian government and any efforts by Flynn or other White House officials to conceal wrongdoing. CALLS FOR RECUSAL The most powerful Democrat in the Senate, Chuck Schumer, said Attorney General Jeff Sessions, a close ally of Trump, must recuse himself from any investigation. The Republican and Democratic leaders of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee asked Sessions and FBI Director James Comey on Wednesday to send the committee documents and provide a briefing on Flynn's resignation. Citing reports that both the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Justice Department were involved in events leading to Flynn's departure, Senators Chuck Grassley and Dianne Feinstein said they raised "substantial questions" about Flynn's discussion with Russian officials. Graham called for a broader bipartisan congressional investigation to be conducted by a newly formed special committee rather than existing committees, if it turns out Trump's presidential campaign communicated with the Russians. But the top Republicans in the Senate and House of Representatives have insisted the matter be investigated by existing Republican-led committees. The Senate and House Intelligence Committees and a subcommittee of the Senate Judiciary committee have announced they launched investigations into alleged Russian efforts to influence the election through computer hacking. U.S. intelligence agencies previously concluded that Russia hacked and leaked Democratic emails during the presidential campaign as part of efforts to tilt the vote in the Nov. 8 election in Trump's favor. Congressional inquiries into alleged Russian interference in the U.S. elections are gaining momentum as Capitol Hill investigators press intelligence and law enforcement agencies for access to classified documents. The FBI and several U.S. intelligence agencies are investigating Russian espionage operations in the United States. They are also looking at contacts in Russia between Russian intelligence officers or others with ties to President Vladimir Putin's government and people connected to Trump or his campaign. The FBI recently questioned Flynn about his telephone contacts with the Russian ambassador in Washington. People familiar with the agency's multiple probes said there was no evidence so far of pre-election collusion between Russians and Trump's campaign, or any evidence of criminal activity by Flynn or anyone else connected to Trump. Some experts expressed concern the White House could curtail or divert probes into Flynn and Russian involvement in the election unless Congress becomes more aggressive by holding hearings and appointing an independent commission or special prosecutor into whether Trump's team violated federal laws in their contacts with Russia. Intelligence agencies now overseen by Trump may not be ideally suited to the job, they added. "It's not, at the end of the day, the job of the intelligence community to regulate the White House - and it shouldn't be," said Stephen Vladeck, a University of Texas law professor who focuses on constitutional law and national security. 'VERY UN-AMERICAN' In Twitter posts on Wednesday, Trump called the reported Russian connection with his campaign team nonsense and said the leaks were the "real scandal." From early on in his White House bid, Trump said he would like improved relations with Putin, a stance criticized by Democrats and those Republicans concerned about Washington softening its stance after Russia's annexation of Crimea from Ukraine and aggression in Syria. Only a few Republican lawmakers have supported even the idea of extending any investigation to cover actions by Trump's team in the weeks after the election, when Flynn made his calls. Some Republicans, including House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes, are calling for investigations into leaks to the news media of conversations between Flynn and Russia's ambassador in Washington. The Trump administration has offered Flynn's former job to U.S. Navy Vice Admiral Robert Harward, said two U.S. officials familiar with the matter. It was not immediately clear if Harward, a former deputy commander of U.S. Central Command, had accepted the offer, according to sources. (Additional reporting by Rick Cowan, Mohammad Zargham, Susan Cornwell, Susan Heavey, Julia Edwards Ainsley, Doina Chiacu, Julia Harte and Mark Hosenball; Writing by Will Dunham and Lisa Lambert; Editing by Frances Kerry and Peter Cooney) By Patricia Zengerle WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republican and Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives called on Wednesday for the right to review any effort by President Donald Trump to ease sanctions on Russia, as a growing number of lawmakers worried over past contacts between his aides and Moscow. Three Republican and four Democratic members of the House introduced the "Russian Sanctions Review Act," a companion bill to a measure introduced in the Senate by a separate group of Republicans and Democrats last week. Prospects for both bills are uncertain for now, although that could change if the Trump administration were to move to ease sanctions imposed on Moscow. Trump's national security adviser, Michael Flynn, was forced out on Monday after revelations he had discussed the issue of sanctions with the Russian ambassador to Washington before Trump took office last month, and had then misrepresented to Vice President Mike Pence what he talked about. The affair has thrown a spotlight on U.S. relations with Moscow, which Trump has long said he would like to improve. One sponsor of the House bill, Representative Steny Hoyer, the number two Democrat in the House, said the bill's backers would discuss with House leaders whether they would allow the legislation to come up for a vote. Trump's fellow Republicans control majorities in both the Senate and House. To date, congressional leaders have not moved to advance any new legislation related to sanctions on Russia. Both bills are modeled on a 2015 law that let Congress review the Iran nuclear agreement between the United States and other major powers negotiated by former President Barack Obama's administration. Among other things, the measures would require the Trump administration to submit to Congress a description of any proposed easing of sanctions on Russia, and to certify that Moscow had stopped supporting actions to undermine the government of Ukraine or cyber attacks on the United States or its people. The loudest protests about contacts between Trump aides and Russia have come from Democrats, despite their insistence that investigating Russian influence on the U.S. election should not be a partisan issue. U.S. intelligence agencies have concluded that Russia sought to tilt the 2016 election in Trump's favor by hacking and leaking Democratic emails. The Republicans who co-sponsored the House bill did not attend a news conference about it on Wednesday. Hoyer nonetheless said he expected the bills would be backed by enough lawmakers in both houses of Congress to withstand any potential veto by Trump. (Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; Editing by Frances Kerry) WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Congress should launch a bipartisan investigation if there were any inappropriate contacts between President Donald Trump's campaign and Russian officials, fellow Republican U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham told Fox News on Wednesday. "If there were contacts between Russian officials and Trump campaign operatives that was inappropriate, then it would be time for the Congress to form a joint select commission to get to the bottom of all things Russia and Trump," Graham said. The New York Times has reported that members of Trump's presidential campaign had repeated contacts with senior Russian intelligence officials before the election. (Reporting by Susan Heavey; Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe) By Nate Raymond NEW YORK (Reuters) - A Florida software engineer and a New Jersey pastor engaged in lies and corruption to facilitate an illegal bitcoin exchange business whose operators wanted to take over a small credit union to evade scrutiny, a federal prosecutor said on Wednesday. At the start of a trial in Manhattan federal court, Assistant U.S. Attorney Won Shin told jurors that programmer Yuri Lebedev schemed with others to bribe Trevor Gross, the pastor and head of a Jackson, New Jersey-based credit union housed in his church. Shin said Gross accepted bribes including a $150,000 church donation in exchange for helping unlicensed bitcoin exchange Coin.mx's operator take over Helping Other People Excel Federal Credit Union. Coin.mx, which employed Lebedev while running through a front called "Collectables Club," in exchange could use the credit union to evade scrutiny of banks wary of processing payments by individuals buying the virtual currency. "The bribes and lies had a simple, shared purpose: For the defendants Lebedev and Gross and their co-conspirators to make money," Shin said. But lawyers for Lebedev, 39, and Gross, 52, said they did nothing wrong and were being blamed due to actions by Anthony Murgio, who ran Coin.mx and who they said manipulated people while trying to illegally grow the business. "Yuri was in the wrong place at the wrong time with the wrong people," said Eric Creizman, Lebedev's lawyer. Kristen Santillo, Gross' lawyer, said he was tricked into believing Coin.mx was a memorabilia club, and thought there was nothing wrong about a donation to the church, and which did not benefit him personally. "He didn't know anything about what they were up to," she said. The trial followed an investigation rooted in a data breach that JPMorgan Chase & Co disclosed in 2014 that exposed over 83 million accounts, leading to charges against nine individuals. Gross, Lebedev and Murgio were not accused of hacking. But prosecutors said Coin.mx was owned by an Israeli behind the breach, Gery Shalon. Prosecutors say Shalon, together with Maryland-born Joshua Samuel Aaron, orchestrated cyber attacks that resulted in the theft of over 100 million peoples' information. Prosecutors said they carried out the hackings to further other schemes with another Israeli, Ziv Orenstein, including pumping up stock prices with promotional emails. Shalon, Aaron and Orenstein have pleaded not guilty. Regulators took the credit union into conservatorship in 2015. Murgio pleaded guilty to charges related to Coin.mx in January. (Reporting by Nate Raymond in New York; Editing by Bernard Orr) BONN, Germany (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said on Thursday his country backed United Nations-led efforts to resolve the crisis in Yemen and called for unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid across the Gulf state. "The Secretary underscored the United States continued support for the UN-led process ...and noted the urgent need for the unfettered delivery of humanitarian assistance throughout Yemen," Acting State Department spokesman Mark Toner said in a statement. Tillerson earlier held his first meeting on Yemen with counterparts from Britain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Oman. (Reporting by Andrea Shalal; writing by John Irish; editing by John Stonestreet) London (AFP) - Britain's economy minister Greg Clark said Thursday he was "reassured" by General Motors' plans for its European interests, including Britain's Vauxhall, amid talk of a takeover by France's PSA Group. "There is some way to go in discussions between GM and PSA but I was reassured by GM's intention, communicated to me, to build on the success of these operations rather than rationalise them," the minister said in a statement. GM had recently made "significant investments" at its Ellesmere Port and Luton plants, he said. Clark spoke following a meeting with US auto giant GM's president Dan Ammann in London, two days after it emerged that PSA, which owns the Peugeot, Citroen and DS brands, was in talks to take over GM's European brands Opel and Vauxhall. "I had constructive talks with GM this morning where I emphasised the importance and successful presence of Vauxhall in the UK," Clark added, saying he would stay in close contact with both GM and PSA in the coming weeks. The economy minister will travel to Paris for separate meetings on Friday with French Industry minister Christophe Sirugue and board members of PSA Group, a spokeswoman for Clark told AFP. The potential purchase of Vauxhall has spooked trade unions as the carmaker employs about 35,000 people in Britain. Len McCluskey, the general secretary of Unite, Britain's largest trade union, said on Wednesday following a meeting with Clark that his organisation would "not accept any job losses or plant closures". GM's British plants "must be offered the same assurances as those given by the government to Nissan", McCluskey said, as Britain's automobile sector is expected to suffer from Brexit, which would entail leaving the EU's single market. Japanese carmaker Nissan said in October that it would continue to invest in its Sunderland plant after securing guarantees about Brexit from the British government. Kiev (AFP) - Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko warned Thursday that nationalist protesters blocking a railway to the coal-rich Russian-backed separatist east could cause power outages across the country and job losses as a result. Ultranationalists have put a stop to a railway line since the start of the year between the coal-producing east and the rest of Ukraine to protest against Kiev trading with the rebels. Ukraine has declared a state of emergency in the energy sector over the blockade. Poroshenko called it a "destabilising factor" for the war-scarred and cash-strapped former Soviet state. The pro-Western Ukrainian leader warned in a speech that the coal delivery stoppage would cause several cities and parts of the capital to "be left without heating". He said the protest could cost Ukraine "300,000 jobs" because factories will grind to a halt without the required power. He later told an emergency National Security and Defence Council meeting that Ukraine would temporarily raise its nuclear power reliance to nearly 60 percent from the current 47 to reduce its dependence on coal. "I am pleased to report that we are sharply raising the share of nuclear energy in our energy balance," he said in a statement. The blockade has also drawn expressions of concern from the European Union on Wednesday and the United States on Thursday. "We are concerned by the current disruption to the coal supply from the non-government-controlled areas of Donetsk and Lugansk and its potential impact on Ukraine's energy system, the Ukrainian economy, and the Ukrainian people," the US embassy in Kiev said in a statement. - Trading with the foe - The activists blocking the shipments believe Ukraine should not be trading with its foe and that the insurgents are using the freight trains to shuttle weapons and fighters to flashpoints in the war. Kiev buys a specific type of coal produced only in the eastern self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic to fuel the power plants that provide the country's electricity. Story continues The trade has gone on even as Kiev and the separatists are locked in a 34-month conflict that has claimed more than 10,000 lives. Ukraine's army and police said that three of its soldiers and one civilian were killed in a new uptick of violence in the war zone. Energy Minister Igor Nasalyk warned that Ukraine was preparing for a month of possible rolling blackouts and urged consumers to sharply curtail their electricity use. The country has been beset by problems ranging from a war it blames on Russia to a complete lack of control of its vital industrial east in which rebels have set up their own fiefdoms. Yet Poroshenko is walking on thin ice because direct condemnation of the protests risks further angering the ultranationalists and turning them against Kiev. The protesters on Thursday vowed to continue their action. "All the threats by the corrupt authorities only confirm that we are on the right path and give us strength and inspiration," they said in a statement. Organisers later announced setting up their first road block to prevent Ukraine and the militias from trading using alternative routes. Moscow (AFP) - UN envoy Staffan de Mistura called Thursday for greater efforts in the push for peace in Syria, as he visited Moscow ahead of a fresh round of talks in Geneva. De Mistura was in Russia for meetings with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu as the United Nations gears up to hold negotiations in Switzerland on February 23. "Now is the right time to step up efforts to normalise the political process in Syria," de Mistura told Lavrov in comments translated into Russian by the state-run TASS news agency. TASS reported that de Mistura said the UN "supports" Russian-led peace efforts in the Kazakh capital of Astana, where armed opposition groups and Syrian regime representatives are set to hold a second round of indirect talks on Thursday. The talks in Kazakhstan -- co-sponsored by Turkey and Iran -- are being billed as a prelude to the Geneva meeting, with negotiations expected to focus on shoring up a shaky ceasefire on the ground. Moscow has increasingly taken the lead on shaping Syria's future after its military intervention on the side of leader Bashar al-Assad helped turn the tables in the protracted conflict. Russia says the Astana process is meant to support the Geneva talks, but there has been speculation that it is working with Ankara to develop an alternative to the UN-led initiative. UNITED NATIONS (AP) U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley said Thursday the United States "absolutely" supports a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and anyone who thinks it doesn't is in "error." But the Trump administration's new U.N. envoy told reporters: "We are thinking out of the box as well, which is: What does it take to bring these two sides to the table? What do we need to have them agree on?" Haley's comments were far more forceful in support of a two-state solution than President Donald Trump's on Wednesday. He said: "I'm looking at two-state and one-state, and I like the one that both parties like. I can live with either one." Haley said the solution to the conflict has to come from the Israelis and Palestinians, but she said several times and stressed: "We absolutely support a two-state solution." Earlier Thursday, the United Nations and the Arab League issued a joint statement in support of the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel, saying the two-state solution is "the only way to achieve comprehensive and just settlement to the Palestinian cause." That appeared to put U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Arab League Chief Ahmed Aboul-Gheit, who met in Cairo, at odds with Trump. But Haley, when asked whether the United States would carry out its obligations under a U.N. Security Council resolution that called for the establishment of two states, said: "Understand that the United States supports the two-state resolution. That's never been wavered." "What we're saying is, 'OK, let's not just talk about the old way of doing things.'" She said. "Come to the table with all the fresh atmosphere and perspectives that we now have, and think, 'OK, what can we do knowing all of the factors, knowing where we sit present day, and how can we move forward.'" Story continues Guterres had stressed Wednesday that there is no "Plan B" to a two-state solution. Haley was asked if the United States had a "Plan B." "I think first of all a two-state solution is what we support," she said. "Anybody who wants to say the United States doesn't support a two-state solution that would be an error." Trump also urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during their joint news conference at the White House on Wednesday to "hold off" on Jewish settlement construction in territory claimed by the Palestinians for their future state, to try to facilitate talks. "What the president has said and we agree on is that expanding settlements at this point is not helpful," Haley said. "That's basically what we're saying to both sides. Let's take a pause." She said what Trump and the new administration are going to try to do is facilitate "some constructive action." "We're just unbiased," Haley said. "Bring them to the table and say, OK, we're going to do this." The U.S. ambassador spoke to reporters after attending the Security Council's monthly meeting on the Middle East her first. Haley was highly critical of what she called the anti-Israel bias in the U.N.'s most powerful body and the "one-sided" resolution that members adopted in December condemning Israeli settlements as a "flagrant violation" of international law. "I'm here to emphasize the United States is determined to stand up to the U.N.'s anti-Israel bias," she said. Haley said the U.S. will push for action on "the real threats we face in the Middle East." She cited "Hezbollah's illegal build-up of rockets in Lebanon" as well as the "money and weapons Iran provides to terrorists," and pointed to the need to defeat the Islamic State extremist group and to hold Syrian President Basha Assad accountable "for the slaughter of hundreds of thousands of civilians." The U.N.'s Mideast envoy Nickolay Mladenov stressed at the council meeting that "the two-state solution remains the only way to achieve the legitimate aspirations of both peoples." He also warned that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict must never be allowed "to drift into the abyss of the extremism and radicalism sweeping the region." ___ Associated Press writers Josef Federman in Jerusalem and Maggie Michael in Cairo contributed to this report Student leaders are demanding that the University of Wisconsin-Madison open its doors to more black students by changing admissions policies and increasing need-based financial aid. A resolution adopted Wednesday by the Associated Students of Madison student council calls for: Creating a task force by March 10 to study making standardized tests optional in applications and giving preference to students from city high schools; Increasing need-based financial aid to 10 percent of gifts to the campus; Free and full access to UW-Madison for all black people. ASM representative Tyriek Mack, sponsor of the legislation, said in a statement that it is time the university acted on its declarations on diversity and inclusion. The universitys rhetoric suggests that it is committed to diversity and inclusion, so this legislation compels the university to move towards action which is imperative, Mack said. If no one challenges the universitys empty promises, then the racial composition will remain stagnant. Black students currently make up about 2 percent of Madison enrollment. University spokeswoman Meredith McGlone told the Associated Press that the proportion of students of color has grown from 11 percent to 15 percent over the last decade. McGlone said the school supports the spirit of the resolution, but that its unclear whether the methods it proposes are legal or the best way to accomplish those goals. The lengthy resolution adopted Wednesday references a chilling effect of the use of SAT and ACT scores on low-income students who want to apply to UW-Madison; the disparate representation in campus applications of students from suburban high schools; an achievement gap between majority and minority students dating back to enslavement. The resolution concludes by demanding: Reparations for the systemic denial of access to high quality education opportunity in the form of full and free access for all black people (including undocumented, currently and formerly incarcerated people) to UW-Madison." Free access means free tuition, free housing and no fees, Mack told the AP. Chancellor Rebecca Blank has proposed giving first-generation transfers from two-year schools free tuition for a year, contingent on funding in the upcoming state budget, and a recent $10 million donation will be invested in expanding the Chancellors Scholarship Program, which supports minorities, McGlone said. Minority students have been pressing campus administrators to improve the climate on campus, following a series of bias incidents last semester and the arrest of a black student for spray-painting anti-racist messages on campus. Campus administrators have approved a black cultural center, and have expanded ethnic studies courses and diversity training for all faculty and staff. Representatives of the state Legislatures budget-writing committee did not respond to an email seeking comment on the idea of free tuition and housing for black students, AP reported. But Mike Mikelsen, an aide to state Sen. Steve Nass, R-Whitewater, one of UWs most outspoken critics, called ASM a waste of student fees. Gov. Scott Walkers proposed budget would make optional a portion of fees paid by students, including those supporting student organizations like ASM. Trump speaks to reporters during a press conference with Israeli PM Netanyahu: Getty Americas ambassador to the United Nations has said the US absolutely supports a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, directly contradicting comments made by Donald Trump just a day ago. The US President told reporters after a meeting with the Israeli Prime Minister Bejamin Netanyahu that his administration was no longer wedded to the creation of a Palestinian state. The remarks signalled a departure from America's decades-old approach to Middle East foreign policy. But Nikki Haley, Mr Trump's appointment for ambassador to the UN, said the US remained committed to a two-state solution. She said anyone who believed the US was abandoning the policy did so in error. The UN envoy said: "We are thinking out of the box as well, which is: What does it take to bring these two sides to the table? What do we need to have them agree on? "We absolutely support a two-state solution." The development came as senior figures involved in the Middle East peace process voiced their concern at Mr Trump's apparent U-turn. Saeb Erekat, chief negotiator and Secretary-General of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO), warned that Mr Trumps vision was akin to apartheid". He said the only alternative to a two-state solution in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict would be one single secular and democratic state with equal rights for everyone, Christians, Muslims and Jews, in all of historic Palestine". He called for concrete measures in order to save the two-state solution". Mr Trumps media conference with Mr Netanyahu on Wednesday continues to send shock waves throughout the region and the wider Muslim world. The two leaders mainly talked about the threat of Iran and the cherished relationship between their respective countries. The new US Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, waits to address the Security Council on the situation in Ukraine (EPA) However, when asked by reporters whether the US will continue its policy of support for the creation of a Palestinian state alongside Israel as was suggested by an anonymous White House official a day earlier Mr Trump was equivocal in his answer. Story continues Im looking at two-state and at one-state, and I like the one that both parties like... I can live with either one, he said, in what would be a momentous break from what has been a cornerstone of US policy in the Middle East peace process since Bill Clintons administration. I thought the two-state [solution] looked easier for a while, he added, before reaffirming he would let Israeli and Palestinian negotiators take the lead on the issue. Mr Netanyahu also dismissed what he said were just labels such as one-state and two-state, saying he would rather focus on a peace deal with the Palestinians of substance. The UN and the Arab League have since issued a joint statement reiterating their support for the creation of a Palestinian state, exposing a widening rift with Mr Trumps stance. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Arab League Chief Ahmed Aboul-Gheit told reporters in Cairo on Thursday that a two-state solution is "the only way to achieve comprehensive and just settlement to the Palestinian cause". The international community generally supports a two-state solution in order to preserve the Palestinian identity and Israels unique status as a Jewish-majority state. However, increasing Israeli expansion in the West Bank which shows no sign of slowing under President Trump and the rise to power of Hamas in Gaza has led the two-state peace process to stumble in the last decade. The Israeli political landscape has also swung to the right in recent years. Many prominent hardline politicians in Mr Netanyahus coalition government are against any form of Palestinian statehood. A new EU-funded poll released on Thursday found that the number of Israelis and Palestinians who support the establishment of an independent Palestinian state has dropped recently but more people continue to prefer a two-state solution overall. 55 per cent of Israelis and 44 per cent of Palestinians currently support a two-state arrangement, but just 24 per cent of Israelis and one-third of Palestinians prefer a single binational state, the poll jointly conducted by Tel Aviv University and the Palestinian Centre for Policy and Survey Research found. Brussels (AFP) - The United States is not yet ready to cooperate militarily with Russia, Pentagon chief James Mattis said Thursday after Moscow's defence minister called for better ties. "We are not in a position right now to collaborate on a military level, but our political leaders will engage and try to find common ground or a way forward," Mattis told reporters at a NATO summit in Brussels. Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said earlier in Moscow that he was potentially "ready to restore cooperation with the Pentagon," and President Vladimir Putin called for Russian intelligence agencies to bolster contacts with US counterparts in the counter-terrorism fight. The back-and-forth remarks come as President Donald Trump faces a crisis over ties between Russia and members of his campaign team. The new president has repeatedly praised Putin and called for better cooperation with Russia, including in the fight against the Islamic State group in Syria. But Mattis, a former Marine general, said Russia must first "prove itself" and follow international law before the US and NATO can consider closer military ties. "The point about Russia is they have to live by international law just like we expect all nations on this planet to do," Mattis said. Currently, the US-led coalition fighting IS in Syria and the Russian military, which is operating nearby in support of President Bashar al-Assad, do not cooperate but hold regular phone calls to avoid mid-air mishaps. Mattis added he had "very little doubt" Moscow interfered in several elections, though he did not specifically mention the United States. US intelligence agencies say the Russian government was involved in hacking Democratic Party communications and releasing files embarrassing to Trump's rival Hillary Clinton. - 'Rock solid' commitment - The new Pentagon chief's NATO visit, his first trip to Europe, was closely watched by jittery partners concerned over the potential Kremlin-White House ties and Trump's past comments showing disdain for the alliance. Story continues Trump's national security adviser Michael Flynn was forced to quit this week over allegations he had discussed US sanctions with Russia's ambassador before taking office. Mattis on Wednesday had issued a blunt warning to NATO, saying the 28-member alliance needed to meet earlier spending pledges or else America would "moderate" its commitment. When asked for clarification, Mattis softened his language, saying the trans-Atlantic bond is "as strong as I've ever seen it." He stressed America remained "rock solid" in its support of Article 5 -- NATO's core collective-defence tenet that says an attack on any member nation will be viewed as an attack on the whole alliance. His comments come as the Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Joe Dunford held talks with his Russian counterpart Valery Gerasimov in Azerbaijan and as new US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson met with his opposite number, Sergei Lavrov. General James Mattis speaks to reporters at the end of the second day of a Nato conference in Brussels: EPA There will be no military cooperation with Russia and Vladimir Putins government must show that it is ready to abide by international law, Americas Defence Secretary has declared, as he accused the Kremlin of interfering in a series of elections in democratic states. The combative stance taken by General James Mattis at a Nato summit in Brussels appeared to contradict that of Donald Trump, who has declared that he wanted to cooperate with Mr Putin, a man he has repeatedly praised on counter-terrorism, especially against Isis in Syria. The US President has only belatedly acknowledged that Moscow carried out hacking operations in the election which brought him to power, after a long period denying that was the case. Mr Putin raised the issue of security today, stating that it was vital to have cooperation with the US and Nato. Its in everyones interest to resume dialogue between the intelligence agencies of the United States and other members of Nato. It is absolutely clear that in the area of counter-terrorism all relevant government departments and international groups should work together, said the Russian President. Speaking soon afterwards, Mr Mattis made it clear that there was a trust deficit with Moscow. Asked whether he believed that Russia interfered in the American presidential elections, Mr Mattis answered: There is very little doubt that Russia has interfered, or attempted to interfere, in a number of elections in democracies. On joint military action with Moscow in Syria, he was adamant: We are not in a position right now to collaborate on a military level. Political talks will take place, said the US Defence Secretary, to seek a way forward where Russia, living up to its commitments, will return to a partnership of sorts here with Nato. But, Russia is going to have to prove itself first, he said. The Nato summit hosted discussions on counter-terrorism, but most of the agenda was designed to counter alleged Russian aggression ranging from conventional military to cyber attacks. Story continues Several member states in eastern Europe have said they have been targeted in hacking operations. Earlier in the week, Ciaran Martin, the head of the UKs new National Cyber Security Centre, revealed that political parties in Britain asked for help following cyber attacks during the 2015 UK general election and the hacking of Democratic Party emails in the US elections. Nato military units are continuing to be deployed in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland and the naval presence will be increased in the Black Sea region. Russia has complained that the build-up of troops at its borders is in breach of past pledges by the alliance, and spurious threats were being manufactured in the Black Sea region to justify an enlarged Western presence there. Natos Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, insisted at the summit: Our aim is to prevent conflict, not to provoke it. We will not match Russia soldier for soldier, tank for tank, plane for plane. Our deployments are defensive and measured. Our presence in the Black Sea will in no way aim at provoking any conflict or escalating tensions. Mr Mattis has demanded that Nato raise their defence spending to alleviate the disproportionate contribution being made to the alliances budget by the US. This would, in part, help Nato to negotiate from a position of strength, he held. This led to another spat with the Russian defence minister, Sergei Shoigu, saying that attempts to build a dialogue with Russia from a position of strength would be futile. The US Defence Secretary hit back: I have no need to respond to the Russian statement at all. Nato has always stood for military strength and protection of the democracies and the freedoms we intend to pass on to our children. However, dialogue was taking place with the US Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, and Russian foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, meeting in Germany, and the military chiefs of the two countries, US marine General Joseph Dunford and the Russian General Valery Gerasimov in Azerbaijan. Mr Lavrov repeated Russias denial of hacking during the American election. You should know we do not interfere in the domestic matters of other countries, he said. The Kremlin continued to refuse to comment publicly on the turmoil which has enmeshed the Trump administration, with Michael Flynn, the Presidents national security advisor, being forced to resign over clandestine contact with the Russian ambassador to the US and an investigation under way into links between the Trump election team and Russia. But Konstantin Kosachyov, the head of the international affairs committee in the Duma, protested that even a readiness for a dialogue with Russians is seen in Washington as a thought crime. Either Trump has not found an independence he was looking for, and is being gradually cornered, or Russophobia has infected the new administration top down. Bonn (AFP) - US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Thursday pledged that Washington would use the full range of its arsenal, including nuclear weapons, to defend allies Japan and South Korea against North Korea if needed. "The United States remains steadfast in its defence commitments to its allies, the Republic of Korea and Japan, including the commitment to provide extended deterrence, backed by the full range of its nuclear and conventional defence capabilities," Tillerson said in a joint statement after meeting the foreign ministers in Bonn. North Korea has carried out repeated missile launches despite UN sanctions and last year conducted two nuclear tests in a bid to develop a weapons system capable of hitting the US mainland. Pyongyang said the latest missile tested on Sunday could carry a nuclear warhead. Seoul said the rocket travelled some 500 kilometres (300 miles) before it came down in the Sea of Japan (East Sea). The joint statement said Tillerson, South Korea's Yun Byung-Se and Japan's Fumio Kishida "condemned in the strongest terms" the test which was carried out in "flagrant disregard" for multiple UN Security Council resolutions. The three countries would work together to ensure that further violations would be "met with an even stronger international response," it said, demanding that Pyongyang abandon its nuclear and missile programmes. Shortly after the missile test, President Donald Trump said North Korea was a "a big, big problem... and we will deal with that very strongly." Earlier this month on a trip to Seoul and Tokyo, US Defence Secretary James Mattis warned that "any use of nuclear weapons would be met with a response that would be effective and overwhelming." The United States has had a major military presence in both Japan and South Korea for decades but its defence commitment also complicates relations with China, North Korea's main ally. Washington's recent decision to install a sophisticated THAAD anti-missile system in South Korea especially angered China which sees it as a potential threat to its own security. Donald Trump launched an extraordinary attack on the news media on Thursday afternoon in a wide-ranging, wild 75-minute press conference. Mr Trump insisted that his team was running "like a fine-tuned machine" and lampooned the mainstream media that he said was peddling "fake news". I open the paper and I see stories of chaos, chaos, he said. Its the exact opposite. This administration is running like a fine-tuned machine, despite not being able to get my cabinet approved. The US president said reports in the media about his administration's relationship with Russia may make it difficult for him to strike a deal with Vladimir Putin to ease tensions between Washington and Moscow. "Putin probably assumes that he can't make a deal with me any more because politically it would be unpopular for a politician to make a deal," he said. Mr Trump argued that "nobody that I know of" on his campaign staff contacted Russian officials. He repeatedly denied having links with Russia, a claim he deemed "fake news". It was also announced by the justice department on Thursday afternoon that the president's executive order suspending travel from seven Muslim-majority countries would be replaced "in the near future". In the press conference, Mr Trump defended the rocky rollout of his travel ban, which judges have put on hold while they weigh its legality. He called the rollout "very smooth" and "perfect" but says it ran into "a bad court". Story continues Mr Trump insisted that he had inherited a "seriously divided" country. He said that "this isn't Donald Trump that divided a nation": Pres. Trump: "This country was seriously divided before I got here... This isn't Donald Trump that divided a nation" https://t.co/fS7RKtur56 CNN (@CNN) February 16, 2017 It's a mess. At home and abroad, a mess. Jobs are pouring out of the country, he said. He also stated he would be announcing his replacement for Obamacare in early March. "We're doing Obamacare, we're in the final stages," he said. "So we will be submitting sometime in early March, mid-March." 2:14AM Appeals court suspends proceedings over Trump travel ban A federal appeals court says it will hold off on deciding whether to have a larger panel of judges reconsider a ruling that kept president Donald Trump's travel ban on hold. The 9th US circuit court of appeals made the announcement after Trump said he planned to issue a new travel ban next week. The administration had asked the 9th circuit to put the case on hold until the new order is issued. It then wants the court to toss out last week's decision by a three-judge 9th Circuit panel that kept the ban on hold. 12:09AM Harward report sign of 'utter disarray' at White House Nancy Pelosi has reacted to the report of Robert Harward turning down the job of national security adviser. The Minority Leader of the House said: Robert Harwards decision to not take over General Flynns old job is the latest evidence that the Trump WH is falling into utter disarray. Nancy Pelosi (@NancyPelosi) February 16, 2017 11:20PM Robert Harward 'pulls out of national security adviser role' Mr Trump's choice for national security adviser, retired Vice Admiral Robert Harward, has turned down the offer, the Financial Times is reporting. Mr Harward was offered the job after Michael Flynn resigned on Monday for misleading Vice President Mike Pence over his conversations with Russia's ambassador to the United States. Read the full article here. 10:46PM Trump asks black reporter if she knows members of the Congressional Black Caucus and says: 'Can you set up a meeting?' During the press conference, Mr Trump asked a black reporter whether the Congressional Black Caucus was friends of yours after she questioned him on whether the parliamentary group would be involved in inner-city policy decisions. April Ryan, White House correspondent and Washington bureau chief for American Urban Radio Networks, asked Mr Trump whether the CBC would be asked to help work on urban renewal. Mr Trump initially appeared to be unaware of who the group was. Are you going to include the CBC, Mr President, in your conversations with your urban agenda, your inner city agenda? he was asked. Am I going to include who? he replied. When Ryan explained she was referring to the 45-member congressional association, he asked if the reporter could set up a meeting. I tell you what, do you want to set up the meeting? he asked. Do you want to set up the meeting? Are they friends of yours? Ryan, taken aback, replied: I'm just a reporter. Mr Trump continued: Well, then set up the meeting. Let's go set up a meeting. I would love to meet with the Black Caucus. I think it's great, the Congressional Black Caucus. I think it's great. In response the CBC immediately tweeted that they had written a five-page letter to Mr Trump on January 19, on the eve of his inauguration, suggesting ways to improve the urban environment but had never heard back. Read the full article. 10:39PM Mark Zuckerberg sparks speculation about political future with 5,800 word global manifesto Mark Zuckerberg has sparked further speculation about a future political career after publishing a 5,800-word global manifesto, Nick Allen writes. The Facebook co-founder and chief executive spent a month writing the missive in which he opened by asking the question: "Are we building the world we all want?" He suggested that some people had been "left behind by globalisation" and that efforts must be made to "bring communities together". Mr Zuckerberg, 32, said: "Facebook stands for bringing us closer together and building a global community. Yet now, across the world, there are people left behind by globalisation, and movements for withdrawing from global connection." Read the full article. 10:33PM 'Donald Trump's decision to fight chaos with chaos is a winning strategy for now - distracting from his troubles with Russia' Rob Crilly writes: By any conventional measure it has been a disastrous week for Donald Trump. He has lost a labour secretary before he could even be sworn in and his National Security Adviser was forced out after just 24 days in the job. Each day brings fresh chaos and an escalating sense of crisis. The conventional response is to cultivate calm. Cue bland announcements of dull initiatives or an interview with a friendly journalist. But Donald Trump is no conventional president. His response was 75 rambling, ranting minutes during which he fought chaos with chaos. It was classic Trump. Unmissable and unwatchable TV at the same time. Imagine David Brent addressing the United Nations. Yet it produced exactly the result he wanted. Read the full article. 9:08PM CBC claim Trump never responded to letter The Congressional Black Caucus has stated they wrote to Mr Trump on January 19 - but he did not respond. Hi, @realDonaldTrump. Were the CBC. We sent you a letter on January 19, but you never wrote us back. Sad! Letter: https://t.co/58KiuHmITF The CBC (@OfficialCBC) February 16, 2017 8:37PM JK Rowling: Trump press conference was 'scariest thing I've ever watched' Up until an hour ago, the scariest thing I'd ever watched was Psycho. #TrumpPresser J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) February 16, 2017 7:51PM 'The whole Russian thing, that's a ruse' 7:38PM 'Wow' CNN's Wolf Blitzer's reaction to the Trump press conference: CNN's Wolf Blitzer after Trump's press conference: "Wow" https://t.co/3PhhXzr6lh CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) February 16, 2017 7:13PM 'Are they friends of yours?' An awkward moment as Mr Trump is asked whether he will meet with the Congressional Black Caucus to discuss urban issues. He joked that the reporter, who is black, should set up the meeting and said, "are they friends of yours?" 6:55PM Trump defend Putin's aggression against US Russia has buzzed a US destroyer in the Black Sea, sent a spy ship to the US East Coast and deployed a prohibited nuclear missile. Mr Trump excused Mr Putin's behaviour, saying negative media coverage had probably convinced the Russian president that a possible alliance was off. "If you were Putin now you would say, okay we're back to the old ways. There's no way Putin can do a deal with us." Asked if he felt Mr Putin was testing him, he said: "No I don't think so. I think Putin probably assumes he can't make a deal with me anymore because politically it would not be popular." 6:46PM Trump: I'm having a great time up here Tomorrow they will say, 'Donald Trump rants and raves at press conference', I'm not ranting and raving. I'm actually having a good time. Mr Trump is also clarifying why he always refers to negative coverage of him as "fake news". Apparently, it's all about tone. "I know what's good, I know what's bad. When they make something that should be good negative" that's when i have a problem. 6:40PM Trump: fine with me that Flynn discussed sanctions Mr Trump says he did not tell Michael Flynn to discuss sanctions with the Russian ambassador but, "it certainly would be OK for me to do it, but I would have directed him if he didn't do it," he says. He says Mr Flynn was fired not for discussing the sanctions (a possible violation because Mr Trump was not yet president) but for giving incomplete information about the call to Mike Pence. He also reiterates that he was not in communication with Russia during the campaign: "I have nothing to do with Russia. I have no deals there, I have nothing to do with it." 6:35PM 'The leaks are real but the news is fake' Mr Trump was asked whether the news reports he is criticising are "fake news" or based on leaked secrets. It would appear that they could not be both. The president disagrees. The leaks are real but the news is fake 6:31PM Trump on false claims on margin of victory: 'I was given that information' After an extended diatribe about "fake news" coming from prominent news outlets, Mr Trump was confronted with the fact that he has repeatedly claimed to have won the presidency by the largest margin since Ronald Reagan, despite the fact that that is nowhere near true. "I was given that information," he said. "I don't know, I was given that information. I've seen that information around. It was a big margin." 6:23PM Trump: Russia links are fake news Donald Trump has denied that his senior aides were in "constant contact" with Russia during the campaign. "The good thing is it's starting to turn. People are starting to focus on the illegal giving out classified information." He says the reports surrounding links between his allies and Russia are "fake news" and that leakers should be ashamed of themselves. 6:19PM Trump: new executive action coming on national security Mr Trump has said that he believes the ruling blocking his immigration and refugee ban was "incorrect and unsafe", but that a new executive order will be coming soon to protect the American people. He did not offer any details. More highlights from his opening statement. "Every country takes advantage of us" "Drugs are becoming cheaper than candy bars" 6:10PM Fact-checking Trump's electoral college claim Mr Trump just said he won the biggest electoral college landslide since Ronald Reagan. He didn't. Barack Obama won by larger margins than him in both of his victories. So did Bill Clinton. Twice. And George HW Bush in 1988. 6:07PM What Trump is saying Paraphrasing the commander-in-chief: Isis has "spread like a cancer" (another "mess") We're going to build and rebuild a military like the world has never seen before Some things I'm doing are not going to be popular, but I'm doing what I said I was going to do I won the election. People didn't think I would. The media is attacking me because they don't want me to succeed Administration is "running like a fine tuned machine" despite reports of chaos 6:02PM Trump: America is a mess "I don't think there's ever been a president elected who in this short period of time has done what we've done," he says, in between swipes at the news media for not reporting on him fairly. Reading from prepared remarks he says the press represents special interests and not the people, and has become "so dishonest". "The level of dishonesty is out of control," he says, adding that he needs to find out what's going on and will not "let it happen" because he'll take his message "straight to the people". Now he transitions: I inherited a mess. At home and abroad. A mess.... no matter where you look, a disaster... we'll take care of it. I just wanted to let you know- a mess. 5:57PM Trump takes the podium He confirms the pick of Alex Acosta, calling him a "great student" who has had a "tremendous career". He says he WILL be taking questions after some announcements. 5:49PM UN ambassador: US still supports two state solution Mr Trump made waves yesterday in saying, alongside Benjamin Netanyahu, that the US would support a one state solution to Middle East Peace. Now Nikki Haley, America's UN ambassador, appears to have directly contradicted him: In remarks at UN, @nikkihaley says US still supports 2-state solution to Israel-Palestinian conflict rickgladstone (@rickgladstone) February 16, 2017 5:37PM The outgoing pick: Andy Puzder Andy Puzder, a fast food executive, faced opposition from Democrats over employment practises at CKE foods, the parent company of Hardees and Carls Jr. It was when Republicans began to express reservations that Mr Puzders nomination became untenable. A primary concern was that he had employed an illegal immigrant as a housekeeper. The pressure on Mr Puzder grew after a 1990 video was published by Politico of his ex-wife appearing in disguise on the Oprah Winfrey show and accusing him of abuse. Mr Puzder denied the accusations and his ex-wife, Lisa Fierstein, later revoked them. Six Republican senators reportedly asked the White House to delay a confirmation vote for Mr Puzder because they could not see themselves supporting him. 5:29PM Minutes away from press conference We know that Donald Trump is about to unveil Alexander Acosta as his pick to be the next secretary of labour. But will he take any questions? If so, he'll likely be asked about links between his campaign and Russia, and his vow to punish leakers in the US government. And will he comment on reports that billionaire Stephen A Feinberg will oversee a review of the US intelligence agencies? 5:09PM The pick: Alexander Acosta Donald Trump is about to unveil Alexander Acosta as his nominee for secretary of labour after Andy Puzder dropped out last night. Veteran of George W Bush administration Former member of national labour relations board Would be first Hispanic to join Mr Trump's cabinet 4:52PM Paul Ryan: investigate the leakers The Speaker of the House is on board with Donald Trump's plan to track down the intelligence sources who are leaking information about links between Donald Trump's allies and Russia, along with other sensitive information, and punish them. Leaking, and even illegal classified leaking, has been a big problem in Washington for years. Failing @nytimes (and others) must apologize! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 16, 2017 4:24PM Trump: leakers will pay Mr Trump took one question at the end of his meeting with members of Congress, on his war with the intelligence community. "We're going to find the leakers, and they'll pay a big price for leaking," he said. The spotlight has finally been put on the low-life leakers! They will be caught! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 16, 2017 4:19PM Trump: labour pick is a "star" Mr Trump is now meetings with the Congressional "Trump caucus", Republicans in Congress who endorsed him early and have remained firm supporters. He alluded to his upcoming announcement in the meeting: We're going to have a press conference, I think in the East Room if the press wants to show up.... Historically they didn't care about these sorts of things, for me they show up.... The man I'll be announcing for labour is a star. 3:29PM Russia tells state media to stop fawning over Donald Trump The Kremlin has ordered Russian state media to scale back its coverage of US President Donald Trump, Nadia Beard reports. According to a Russian political commentator , the editorial team at the All-Russia State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company (VGTRK) has received orders from management that "could be reduced to a short sentence: there will be no more of Trump". He said the broadcasters had been told to stop running fawning coverage of the President. The order adds to mounting evidence of skepticism in the Kremlin that the new administration in Washington might not be as friendly to Putin's government as they initially thought. The move comes on the heels of a tweet posted by Trump earlier this week in which he wrote that "Crimea was TAKEN by Russia during the Obama Administration. Was Obama too soft on Russia?" Washington has also been increasingly hostile towards Russia, with Trump's defense secretary Jim Mattis telling reporters today that the United States is "not in a position right now to collaborate on a military level [with Russia]". 3:10PM Secretary of State: Moscow must change Ukraine stance if it wants to work with us U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said on Thursday that the United States was ready to work with Russia if it found common areas for cooperation, but said Moscow had to adhere to commitments made over Ukraine. "As we search for new common ground we expect Russia to honour its commitment to the Minsk agreements and work to de-escalate violence in Ukraine," Tillerson told reporters after meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov. Tillerson said he had a productive meeting with Lavrov and the two men discussed a range of issues of mutual concern. He gave no details aside from his comments on Ukraine and answered no questions. His comments on the Ukraine crisis came two days before a four-way meeting of the German, French, Russian and Ukrainian ministers that is due to take place on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference. Tillerson said Washington was ready to work with Russia, but would stand up for its interests in areas where there were differences. 1:55PM Lithuania 'confident' Nato will protect it from Russia Lithuania's defense minister said Thursday he is confident that all NATO allies will help protect his country from Russia despite recent concern over the U.S. commitment to European security. Raimundas Karoblis told The Associated Press that he had no doubts about "the solidarity from any NATO country, including the United States." U.S. President Donald Trump sparked anxiety at NATO with his election campaign suggestion that he might not help defend countries that don't pay their fair share. Karoblis said the deployment of NATO troops to Lithuania, which borders Russia's Kaliningrad territory, is "a really powerful measure of the deterrence" the allies are providing. He said that any "potential invader" of Lithuania and its Baltic neighbors Estonia and Latvia is now "calculating the consequences." U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis warned NATO allies this week to boost defense spending to 2 percent of economic output or Washington could "moderate its commitment" to the alliance. Mattis declined on Thursday to say exactly what that meant. Only five countries - the United States, Britain, Estonia, Poland and Greece - are meeting the target, according to NATO figures. 1:44PM Did Russia interfere in the election? US intelligence agencies have already accused Vladimir Putin of launching an "influence campaign" to damage Hillary Clinton in a new report, writes David Lawler in Washington. Some sources said British intelligence provided the tip about Russia's hacking of the Democratic Party. Russia showed a "clear preference" for Donald Trump, the president-elect, according to sources, and carried out cyber attacks and issued propaganda both to boost his chances and to undermine confidence in American democracy. Mr Trump later insisted that foreign meddling had "absolutely no effect" on the outcome of the election, and declined to say whether he believed Russia was behind the hacks. 1:27PM Trump lashes out at 'low life leakers' Mr Trump was up early this morning and fired off a tweet aimed at those leaking sensitive information to the media. The spotlight has finally been put on the low-life leakers! They will be caught! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 16, 2017 The president is waging war on his own intelligence agencies over un-American leaks that revealed that his campaign aides had been in regular contact with Russian intelligence officials and led to the resignation of his national security adviser. Mr Trump has claimed intelligence agents with a political vendetta against him are responsible for criminal leaks aimed at undermining his presidency. Scientists fear ideological assertions will crowd out evidence under the Trump administration: Getty Scientists fear the United States under Donald Trump could become like the Soviet Union, in which the prevailing political ideology was so powerful that scientists were unable to contradict it with hard evidence. Speaking at the beginning of the American Association for the Advancement of Sciences annual meeting in Boston, its president, Professor Barbara Schaal, and chief executive, Dr Rush Holt, both expressed concern about the use of the phrase alternative facts by Trump administration officials. Professor Schaal also criticised the proposed hardline immigration ban on seven Muslim-majority countries, saying it would damage vital collaboration between scientists. She said people should protest if the President, who has described global warming as a hoax and appointed a string of sceptics to key positions in his cabinet, cut government climate science projects. But becoming overly political would be a mistake, she added, as it would allow science to be discounted. In totalitarian regimes like the former Soviet Union and North Korea, academics have been unable to go against the prevailing political orthodoxy. And Dr Holt said the situation in the US was leading some scientists to fear the same could happen there. When officials use the phrase alternative facts without embarrassment, we know theres a problem, he said. Ive actually heard scientists recently, talking about the need to defend the conditions in which science will thrive they brought up the subject of Soviet agriculture, where scientists were led to believe things that just werent so for political reasons. Ive seen it in Burma as well, where wishful thinking about how plants should grow or or how fertilisers should work has contaminated the study of how plants actually grow and fertiliser actually works. Looking at the philosophy of science is not idle ivory tower thinking, its very important. He said the usual complaints from scientists were about a lack of funding, but this had recently changed. Story continues What I hear now are concerns that are an extension of what I would call an ongoing trend that goes back many years or decades, where ideology and ideological assertions have been crowding out evidence in public and private debates and in policymaking, Dr Holt said. Its reached a point where people are truly troubled by what this means for the practice of science and the ability of science to bring its benefits to the population at large. He said the March for Science a series of protests planned to take place in April across the US and the world in response to Mr Trumps election, was a sign of the concern about defending the process of science. The event appeared to be gathering considerable support, Dr Holt said. The T-shirts are selling fast, Im told. Hitting out at Trumps ban on immigration into the US from countries like Iran, Libya, Syria and Sudan, Professor Schaal said: In order for science to flourish we need to have a great deal of communication between governments and scientists and across borders. The US has been extraordinarily privileged to have many, many international scientists. Anything that restricts that flow of individuals is of great concern. She added that the Trump administrations moves to prevent some US government scientists including those working at the Environmental Protection Agency from speaking out publicly about their work had been very chilling. Were also worried about the use of evidence in making policy. The fact there could be a conversation about alternative facts is deeply concerning. We need to base policy on facts, she said. This kind of conversation where evidence is discarded, where it is modified, where its discounted, is very, very concerning. Asked what scientists should do if the Trump administration cut government programmes about climate change, Professor Schaal said: I think protest. But she added: This is a very difficult situation we are butting right up against a political concern. It is critical that we be very firm about the state of science and the importance of climate science, but not get to the point where we are overly political. Top diplomats of the United States and South Korea are set to meet Thursday to discuss their approach toward North Korea's nuclear weapons program, just days after the reclusive country test-fired its intermediate-range ballistic missile in the East Sea. The meeting will take place between Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se, Yonhap News Agency reported. Thursday's meeting will be on the sidelines of the G-20 foreign ministers' meeting, which will be held until Friday in Bonn, Germany, the South Korean foreign ministry said. The meeting marks the first of its kind since President Donald Trump took office Jan. 20. "Since the Trump administration took office, it has been sending out a clearer stance on its policy about the North and the Korean Peninsula than during the Obama government. (I) expect that will be reconfirmed during the meeting," Yun told reporters Wednesday. Earlier this month, in telephone conversations, U.S. and South Korean diplomats affirmed their countries' commitment to strengthen the bilateral alliance under the Trump administration. Tillerson has also slammed North Korea's nuclear program and called its military provocations an "immediate threat" both to the U.S. and South Korea. The meeting between Tillerson and Yun will be followed immediately by tripartite talks that will also include Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida. North Korea's actions have heightened tensions among Pyongyang's neighbors and the West in the wake of the recent ballistic missile test Sunday. During the back-to-back meetings, the diplomats are expected to discuss their joint approach towards the nuclear advances of the Kim Jong Un regime, Yonhap News Agency reported. The diplomats will also exchange views on the possible implications of the murder of the North Korean leader's half-brother, who is suspected to have been killed by Pyongyang's assassins. Story continues "If the murder of Kim Jong Nam was confirmed to be committed by the North Korean regime, that would clearly depict the brutality and inhumanity of the Kim Jong Un regime," South Korean Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn, who is also acting president, told a security meeting Wednesday, adding that Seoul was "keeping close tabs on North Korea's movements." North Korea, which has faced tough sanctions over its nuclear and ballistic missile tests, asserted Monday the Pukguksong-2 missile is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. The missile used in the latest test traveled 300 miles before plunging into the East Sea, also called Sea of Japan. On Wednesday, North Korea rejected a U.N. Security Council statement that denounced the country's ballistic missile test and urged it to fully comply with its international obligations to denuclearize. Russia, China and Japan have also raised concerns and expressed opposition to Pyongyangs actions. Related Articles Washington (AFP) - The United States used depleted uranium anti-tank rounds on two occasions in 2015 during devastating air strikes against convoys of Islamic State tanker trucks, the Pentagon said Thursday. The military prizes depleted uranium munitions for their armor-piercing capabilities as well as for protective armor for tanks and vehicles. But they have been criticized for posing health risks to soldiers who use them and being potentially toxic to surrounding civilian populations. The United Nations Environment Program has described them as "chemically and radiologically toxic heavy metal." A by-product of uranium enrichment, depleted uranium "is mildly radioactive, with about 60 percent of the activity of natural uranium," it says. A military spokesman said A-10 attack aircraft used depleted uranium rounds on November 16 and 22, 2015 in attacks on tanker trucks carrying oil for the Islamic State group. The operations destroyed hundreds of trucks. A total of 5,265 depleted uranium rounds were fired in combination with other incendiary rounds, US Central Command spokesman Major Josh Jacques said. The combination of armor-penetrating and high explosive incendiary munitions was used "to ensure a higher probability of destruction of the truck fleet ISIS was using to transport its illicit oil," he said, using an acronym for the Islamic State group. "We will continue to look at all options during operational planning to defeat ISIS, this includes DU rounds," he added. The munitions have been suspected -- but never proved -- to be a possible cause of "Gulf War syndrome," the name given to a collection of debilitating maladies suffered by veterans of the 1990-91 Gulf War. The UN Environment Program has conducted studies and clean-ups of areas affected by use of the munitions in conflicts in the former Yugoslavia and Iraq. Washington (AFP) - Tensions flared once again Wednesday between the United States and Venezuela as Donald Trump called for the release of a jailed foe of President Nicolas Maduro, who warned the new US leader not to provoke him. Diplomatic rows have become somewhat commonplace over the past 20 years between Venezuela's leftist leaders and Washington, the "imperialist" power they love to hate. They have not traded ambassadors since 2010. But with the Republican Trump only in office since January 20, any hope of some kind of breakthrough appeared to be quickly vanishing. "Venezuela should allow Leopoldo Lopez, a political prisoner & husband of @liliantintori (just met w/ @marcorubio) out of prison immediately," Trump tweeted. The post included a picture of Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, Lopez's wife Lilian Tintori and Florida Senator Marco Rubio at the White House. Trump's public schedule had only mentioned a dinner with Rubio. Lopez, the founder of Popular Will, one of the most hardline of the parties opposing Maduro, is serving a 14-year prison term on charges of inciting unrest at anti-government protests that left 43 people dead in early 2014. Ties had already been rattled on Monday, when the US Treasury imposed sanctions on Maduro's powerful Vice President Tareck El Aissami and a businessman, whom US authorities accuse of being involved in drug trafficking. The US Treasury department froze the US assets of El Aissami and the businessman, Samark Jose Lopez Bello, and banned US nationals from doing business with them. The Caracas government credits El Aissami with cracking down on drug trafficking while serving as interior minister. But the US Treasury says he oversaw shipments of cocaine from Venezuela to Mexico and the United States. Maduro demanded a public apology and a diplomatic complaint was lodged. Then on Wednesday, Venezuela pulled the plug on CNN's Spanish-language channel, accusing it of spreading "propaganda." Story continues Until Monday, Caracas had been somewhat cautious in its stance towards Trump's new administration. But that attitude has disappeared, and on Wednesday, Maduro stepped up the rhetoric. Shortly before Trump sent the tweet about Lopez, Maduro had warned the US leader that he would respond with a firm hand to any action by Washington he deemed to be aggressive, though he said he did not want any "problems." "If they attack us, we will not be silent. Venezuela will respond firmly. Those who tangle with us will get an appropriate response," Maduro said on state television. - 'Instrument of war' - Venezuela's dispute with CNN stems from its reporting about an alleged visa racket at the country's embassy in Iraq. The story shown on CNN in Spanish on February 6 alleged that Venezuelan passports and visas had been sold at the Baghdad embassy to Arabs who the channel said may have been linked to terrorism. The report named El Aissami as one of those behind the racket. The hardline former interior minister, 42, is next in line to Maduro and would take over if the opposition succeeded in its bid to oust the leader in a vote. A severe economic crisis in Venezuela driven by falling prices for its crucial oil exports has contributed to food shortages and deep economic disarray, raising pressure to remove Maduro from power. "CNN is an instrument of war," Maduro said on state television. Within moments of the National Telecommunications Commission ordering "the immediate suspension of broadcasts by the news channel CNN in Spanish," the channel disappeared from screens. CNN responded by saying the government was "denying Venezuelans news and information from our television network, which they have relied upon for 20 years." It said its CNN in Spanish broadcasts would remain available in Venezuela online through its website and on its YouTube channel. CNN International, the English-language channel of the US network, was not affected and remained on air. Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez said Wednesday that one of the channel's sources in the report, embassy employee Misael Lopez, was a criminal and the visa allegation were "based absolutely on falsehoods. The channel had "launched an operation of psychological warfare, a war propaganda operation," she said. In its statement, CNN said it stood by its reporting. Virgin Atlantic already invites families to visit their training rig, which resembles the interior of a real plane and a check-in area, so they can get used to the unfamiliar environments before they fly: Getty Virgin is working with parents and campaigners to develop autism-friendly holiday packages, The Independent can reveal. Jo-Ann DCosta-Manuel, founder and director of charity Autism Parent Empower, said she was in talks with Virgin Holidays about a number of new initiatives to make holidays easier for families with autistic children. These include giving staff in selected locations special training and providing detailed information about what to expect so families and children can be as prepared as possible, she said. Were looking at more than one hotel, in various locations, Ms DCosta-Manuel told The Independent. Id love to be able to see in their brochures that they have a little icon that identifies where is autism-friendly. Families can pick destinations and know theres lots of things in place to support them while theyre there. Virgin Holidays said it wanted to enhance our provisions for families with autism throughout their entire holiday and was considering various initiatives to assist families with autism who wish to travel. Around 700,000 people in the UK 1.1 per cent of the population have a form of autism, a developmental disability which affects communication, social interaction and how someone experiences the world around them. Tesco has launched a quiet hour scheme to make the shopping experience more comfortable for customers with autism. And the Civil Aviation Authority has said airports should stage open days to ease anxiety for passengers with dementia, autism and mental health problems, who can familiarise themselves with what can be a challenging environment. Richard Bransons airline Virgin Atlantic already invites families to visit their training rig, which resembles the interior of a real plane and a check-in area, so they can get used to the unfamiliar environments before they fly. Ms DCosta-Manuel said a horrendous experience on a flight when her son Jaden was very young had made her realise the difference staff training on different types of disability can make. Story continues The seatbelt signs came on because there was turbulence. But he didnt understand that, so he started furiously kicking the seat in front of him, she said. There was an elderly passenger in front, and I called the stewardess over and said, Excuse me, would you mind just letting the passengers know in front and behind that were travelling with our son who has autism? She said no worries, and went to them and said, Just to let you know, the passenger behind you has autism, and these children are really naughty. Once hed calmed down and fallen asleep, I called her back over and said, Our children arent naughty. He cant speak, he doesnt know where hes at or whats going on, its a new environment, were trying to strap him in when all he wants to do is get out, but the last thing hes being is naughty. Deborah Brownson, who has two children with autism aged 10 and 14, said specific training on autism was necessary because it was such a wide-ranging condition. She told The Independent she tended to avoid hotels as its too stressful. I want my son to be able to be himself and not have people staring at us, thinking hes being too loud. But it would be lovely to be able to integrate with other people, because for children who struggle socially, to have a forced social isolation doesnt help, said Ms Brownson, who has written a book about understanding autism called Hes Not Naughty. Ms Brownson is also working with the travel company, who have begun to develop resources for parents and teachers known as social stories, a clear narrative with lots of information, to use with children to prepare them for an unfamiliar event. The more information you can give autistic children, the more prepared they are and the better the experience will be, she said. The stories let them know in advance whats it going to look like, hows it going to work, whos going to be there about the bedding and the furniture, which might not look exactly the same, about luggage storage on the plane. At the moment, the focus has been on holidays to Florida, based around a trip to Disney World, because America is a lot further advanced than this country with autism awareness, said Ms Brownson. Ms DCosta-Manuel said she was also set to travel to Mexico to discuss possibilities with the companys representatives there. She said successful holidays could bring significant benefits to children with autism and their families, citing the example of one child who spoke for the first time after swimming with dolphins. Theres research to show every time youre exposed to a new smell, sound or sight, it helps create new neural pathways, she said. Its just not about mum and dad having a rest, but can be brilliant for a child with a neural disability. (Photo: Warner Bros.) By Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter Mel Gibson is mulling joining the DC Extended Universe as a director. Warner Bros. is courting the actor-director to helm Suicide Squad 2 and the sides are early in talks, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. No official offer has been made nor has any commitment. Sources say that Gibson is familiarizing himself with the material. But the studio is not being passive and it is also looking at other directors, Daniel Espinosa among them. David Ayer directed the initial outing, which featured an all-star cast that included Will Smith, Margot Robbie and Jared Leto. The movie faced some hurdles during production and was met with somewhat polarizing response, but grossed $745 million worldwide, enough to put a sequel on the fast-track. Ayer is now developing Gotham City Sirens, a project that reunites him with Robbie and focuses on the female villains of the DC Universe. Squad told the story of villains such as Deadshot, Harley Quinn, the Joker, Captain Boomerang and Killer Croc who are forced into the service of the government in exchange for lighter sentences. Related: Who Has the Power to Greenlight Studio Movies? The fact that Gibson, riding high thanks to his Oscar-nominated war movie Hacksaw Ridge, is being courted by Warners marks a remarkable turnaround for the actor-director. His image took a hit in the 2000s after a drunk driving arrest and anti-Semitic comments, and he found himself losing studio work. Gibson did nab a cameo in The Hangover: Part II a movie made by Warners but a backlash within the studio and parts of the cast ended with him being unceremoniously dropped. But Hacksaw is seen as a major turning point for Gibson. His biopic of conscientious objector Desmond Doss nabbed six Oscar nominations, including one for Gibson for best director, and has made $164 million worldwide. And he has found himself fielding a slew of offers, both from studios and indies. He is now in talks to join Will Ferrell and Mark Walhberg for Paramounts Daddys Home 2 and is reteaming with Hacksaw actor Vince Vaughn for the gritty crime indie Dragged Across Concrete. He is repped by CAA. OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) The Washington Supreme Court ruled unanimously Thursday that a florist who refused to provide services for a same-sex wedding broke the state's antidiscrimination law, even though she claimed doing so would violate her religious beliefs. A lower court had fined Barronelle Stutzman, a florist in Richland, Washington, for denying service to a gay couple in 2013, and ordered her to pay a $1,000 fine. Stutzman argued that she was exercising her First Amendment rights. But the court held that her floral arrangements do not constitute protected free speech, and that providing flowers to a same-sex wedding would not serve as an endorsement of same-sex marriage. "As Stutzman acknowledged at deposition, providing flowers for a wedding between Muslims would not necessarily constitute an endorsement of Islam, nor would providing flowers for an atheist couple endorse atheism," the opinion said. Stutzman's lawyers immediately said they would ask the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the decision. "It's wrong for the state to force any citizen to support a particular view about marriage or anything else against their will," Stutzman's attorney, Kristen Waggoner, wrote in a statement issued after the ruling. "Freedom of speech and religion aren't subject to the whim of a majority; they are constitutional guarantees." It's one of several lawsuits around the country including some involving bakers about whether businesses can refuse to provide services over causes they disagree with, or whether they must serve everyone equally. A Colorado case involving a baker who would not make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple is pending before the U.S. Supreme Court, according to Lambda Legal. In 2014, the court declined to hear an appeal of a case out of New Mexico that went against a photographer who denied a same-sex couple service. Gov. Jay Inslee lauded Thursday's ruling, saying it was "in favor of equality for all Washingtonians." Story continues "By ruling that intolerance based on sexual orientation is unlawful, the Court affirmed that Washington state will remain a place where no one can be discriminated against because of who they love," Inslee said in a written statement. Stutzman had previously sold the couple flowers and knew they were gay. However, Stutzman told them that she couldn't provide flowers for their wedding because same-sex marriage was incompatible with her Christian beliefs. Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson and the couple sued her, saying she broke state anti-discrimination and consumer protection laws, and the lower court agreed. The state's nine high court justices upheld that verdict. The court rejected several arguments put forth by Stutzman, including the assertion that since other florists were willing to serve the couple, no harm occurred. "As every other court to address the question has concluded, public accommodations laws do not simply guarantee access to goods or services. Instead, they serve a broader societal purpose: eradicating barriers to the equal treatment of all citizens in the commercial marketplace," the court wrote. "Were we to carve out a patchwork of exceptions for ostensibly justified discrimination, that purpose would be fatally undermined." The case thrust the great-grandmother into the national spotlight and she testified before state lawmakers in Indiana and Kansas. Michael Scott, a Seattle attorney who worked with the American Civil Liberties Union to represent Robert Ingersoll and Curt Freed the couple denied the flowers had previously told justices he didn't believe Stutzman's floral creations constituted speech. By providing flowers for a same-sex marriage, he argued, "she's not endorsing same-sex marriage. She's selling what she sells." Ferguson had said the state's argument rested on longstanding principle, and uprooting it would weaken antidiscrimination law. After the arguments in the Supreme Court case last November, at a packed theater at Bellevue College, a large crowd of Stutzman's supporters greeted her outside, chanting her name and waving signs that said "Justice For Barronelle." In a February 2015 ruling, Benton County Superior Court Judge Alexander Ekstrom found that Stutzman's refusal to provide flowers because of sexual orientation violated Washington's anti-discrimination and consumer protection laws. The following month, Ekstrom ordered Stutzman to pay a $1,000 penalty to the state and $1 in costs and fees. Stutzman entered the florist business 30 years ago, when her mother bought a flower shop. At a press conference following the ruling, Ferguson said that under Washington law, a business is not required to provide a particular service, but if it does so for couples of the opposite sex, it must provide that service equally to same-sex couples. Ferguson noted that Stutzman is not currently selling wedding flowers, but if she were to resume that side of her business, she would not be allowed to sell to only heterosexual couples. "The state Supreme Court has made that very clear," he said. ___ AP writer Gene Johnson contributed from Seattle. (Reuters) - Washington's National Zoo will lavish its giant panda Bao Bao with exotic treats and mementos of her time in the nation's capital before she departs for China next week, as part of a breeding program to diversify the gene pool of the vulnerable species. The 3-year-old panda, the first surviving cub born at the zoo since 2005, will leave the National Zoo on Tuesday, in keeping an agreement with the Chinese Wildlife Conservation Association, the zoo said in a statement on Thursday. The program calls for panda cubs born at the zoo to be sent to China before they reach the age of four. Bao Bao is the first to make the trip under the current agreement, signed in 2015. Giant pandas, which are native to China, are classified as a vulnerable species. There are about 1,800 of them living in the wild and another 300 in captivity. Bao Bao achieved international fame as the star of the zoo's "panda cam," which documented her birth and childhood for millions of fans worldwide. Michelle Obama, the former first lady, sent a video message to Bao Bao on Aug. 23, 2013, the panda's birthday. Before Bao Bao's departure, her handlers will treat her to an assortment of special snacks that range from dumplings to a heart-shaped ice cake. She'll also receive a cache of mementos from zoo officials to remind the panda of her birthplace. The National Zoo received its first pair of giant pandas in 1972 as a gift from the Chinese government to commemorate President Richard Nixon's landmark visit to China, the zoo said on its website. Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing lived at the National Zoo for more than 20 years and produced five cubs, none of which survived. Bao Bao is the offspring of Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, the National Zoo's second pair of giant pandas, loaned from China in 2000. The couple produced the zoo's first surviving cub on July 9, 2005, named Tai Shan, who left for China's Wolong Nature Reserve some four years later. The National Zoo's agreement with China to exchange giant pandas for research and breeding will run until December 2020. In addition to watching Bao Bao enjoy her treats, fans of the panda will be able to view live videos from the sendoff party. The videos will include footage of the panda's handlers packing for Bao Bao's trip, as well as a training session in which the panda is taught how to behave during veterinary exams. (Reporting by Laila Kearney; Editing by Frank McGurty and Bernadette Baum) Size doesn't mean everything when you can offer up a lethal dose of poison in a single bite. An auto shop called North Vic Engines in Cobram, Australia had an unexpected visit from a baby snake on Wednesday. Sadly for the snake, the shop's local redback spider was there to get rid of the intruder. After trapping the snake in its web, the spider managed to sneak down and deliver a deadly bite to its back. The spider, native to Australia, is so venomous that it has proved to be been fatal in humans. The shop followed up later with another video "for all the haters" who claimed that the snake in the original video was trapped on a hook instead of the spider's web. The snake in the new clip is clearly caught in a web. RIP, snake. Https%3a%2f%2fblueprint api production.s3.amazonaws.com%2fuploads%2fstory%2fthumbnail%2f37010%2fa1b7b469 183b 4de1 9657 70df504a3bcc The IRL tortoise vs. hare race is here and it's mesmerizing Https%3a%2f%2fblueprint api production.s3.amazonaws.com%2fuploads%2fstory%2fthumbnail%2f36916%2fc7ed8736 ee6e 4927 acd0 dd56f19f61ec This epic log flip challenge is the internet's next bottle flip Https%3a%2f%2fblueprint api production.s3.amazonaws.com%2fuploads%2fstory%2fthumbnail%2f36976%2f67c4f0e7 e372 4405 866e bf46b8de8186 Watch couples talk about the first and last time they had sex Https%3a%2f%2fblueprint api production.s3.amazonaws.com%2fuploads%2fstory%2fthumbnail%2f36963%2f712bf100 5559 4882 8a4f 1a5d633e58a7 Quick-thinking cop saves restaurant from burning truck WASHINGTON (AP) The number of anti-Muslim hate groups in the United States has nearly tripled since 2015, due in part to radical Islamic attacks and the incendiary rhetoric of last year's presidential campaign, the Southern Poverty Law Center says. The number of anti-Muslim groups increased from 34 in 2015 to 101 in 2016, the SPLC said in a report released Wednesday. The number of hate groups overall tracked by the watchdog group also increased to 917 last year from 892 the previous year, the report said. "2016 was an unprecedented year for hate," said Mark Potok, a senior fellow at the Southern Poverty Law Center. The report blamed the increase in part on "incendiary rhetoric" from the campaign of now-President Donald Trump, which included threats to ban Muslim immigrants and "mandate a registry of Muslims in America." It also cited as factors "the unrelenting propaganda of a growing circle of well-paid ideologues" well-paid employees of anti-Muslim groups, the group said and radical Islamist attacks such as the June 2016 massacre at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida. The SPLC's findings come as anti-Muslim posters were discovered this week at a mosque in Bossier City, Louisiana, and on the campuses of the University of Texas and Rutgers University. The Council on American-Islamic Relations wants campus officials to assure the safety of Muslim students and to investigate the mosque posters as a hate crime. "It is clear that these signs, which were used to vandalize a house of worship, are part of a nationwide campaign by racists and Islamophobes to intimidate the American Muslim community," spokesman Ibrahim Hooper said. The Southern Poverty Law Center, a non-profit organization based in Montgomery, Alabama, monitors the activities of hate groups and other extremists across the country. The SPLC defines hate groups as those that vilify entire groups of people based on immutable characteristics such as race or ethnicity. Story continues "Patriot" or anti-government groups are on the downswing, according to the report. "The groups had skyrocketed from a low of 149 in 2008 to a high of 1,360 in 2012, in large part as a reaction to the November 2008 election of Barack Obama," the report said. But now the number of Patriot groups is falling, dropping from 998 in 2015 to 623 last year. Militias, which the report called the "armed wing of the Patriot movement," also fell from 276 to 165 groups. Black separatist groups grew from 180 in 2015 to 193 last year, as did neo-Confederate groups, which rose from 35 to 43 groups. The number of Ku Klux Klan groups fell from 190 in 2015 to 130 in 2016. The report said contraction was expected among Klan groups, which had more than doubled from 72 in 2014. There is perhaps no home on Earth that inspires more fascination, awe, and sometimes even ire and befuddlement than the sprawling mansion at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. in Washington, DC. Its no wonder the White House tour has always been one of the hottest tickets in the nations capital. And now, after a prolonged hiatus, its about to kick off again. First lady Melania Trump announced on Tuesday that tours of the White House rooms open to the public would resume on March 7, after a longer-than-usual delay for the transition between administrations. Why the first lady? Because traditionally it is her chief of staff who oversees and organizes the hallowed tourseven if, in this case, she is overseeing the process from 226 miles away, in New York. The tour pulls in nearly 100,000 tourists each month, and it requires requesting a ticket from your local member of Congress no less than 21 days before the day you plan to visit. So is it worth the hassle? Were here to tell you, yes! The White House is a museum unlike any otherone with an amazing amount of historic and flat-out weird stuff to gawk at. But it is a self-guided tour, so let us clue you in to some of the most awesome and surprising things you can expect to see on the new Trumpian version of the tour: The most patriotic grand piano ever You can see the exact piano gifted to FDR from Theodore Steinway (of the piano-making Steinways, of course) in the Entrance Hall. Its made of Honduran mahogany and features hand-painted gold-leaf decorations and carved American eagles for legs. If the national anthem makes you tear up with pride, this world-famous piano is a must-see. Don't even think about sitting down tickling the ivories. Dont even think about sitting down to play Chopsticks. jimhavard/Instagram An entire room dedicated to china No, not the country! Unique flatware and glassware used by nearly every president are preserved and displayed in wooden cases in the China Room. Imagine being able to see the wineglass from which Abraham Lincoln swigged whiskey after he gave the Gettysburg Address. Just kiddingHonest Abe hardly ever drank alcohol! (Or so they say.) Story continues China used during Abraham Lincoln and Barack Obama's administrations are displayed in a case. China used during Abraham Lincoln and Barack Obamas administrations are displayed in a case. bethhb/Instagram Iconic paintings A replica (yes, even the White House has replicas) of the Lansdowne portrait of George Washington hangs in the East Room; the original is housed in the National Portrait Gallery in the Smithsonian. This renowned work was painted in 1796 by Gilbert Stuart and shows 64-year-old Washington renouncing a third presidential term. You might be amazed by how many people like to re-create the pose in front of the painting. Strike a pose with the father of our nation. Strike a pose with the father of our nation. normanpowell4/Instagram People also like to pose in front of this iconic portrait of JFK painted by Aaron Shikler. kennedy Deep in thought markeymarc24/Instagram Statues of historic heroes you had no idea existed until you saw (or heard) the musical Hamilton One such figure is Revolutionary War hero Marquis de Lafayette. Unless you are an American history buff, you probably have no idea who he is. But if you saw the Broadway smash Hamilton, youd know him as Americas favorite fighting Frenchman who helped the Revolutionaries win the battle of Yorktown. Actor Daveed Diggs won a Tony Award for playing him. "Je m'appelle Lafayette" Je mappelle Lafayette. amytess99/Instagram Plenty of opportunities for mirror selfies The tour offers plenty of photo ops, but of the nearly dozen rooms youll visit, the East Room has the best mirrors for selfies, bar none. But first, let me take a (White House) selfie. No shame here: Selfie away! marytsao/Instagram The most exclusive dining room in the United States Saunter into the room that has hosted foreign dignitaries (Queen Elizabeth II, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, former Chinese President Xi Jinping) and celebrities (Mario Batali, Al Roker, Will Ferrell) alike. State dinners have been a part of the presidency since 1847, with most presidents hosting a couple dozen during their administrations. Its not a stretch to say that the greatest number of powerful people have dined in this room than any other restaurant in the U.S. So many important people have eaten here. So many important people have eaten here. Hungry? pamela_stardust/Instagram A surprise visit by a member of the first family Former first lady Michelle Obama was known to surprise visitors in a room of the toursometimes with the first dogs Bo and Sunny. She and Barack even gave people a surprise greeting on Inauguration Day for Baracks second term, in 2013. Will notoriously DC-shy Melania follow suit? Stay tuned, White House fans! Bo and Sunny say hey to a group of doting fans. Bo and Sunny say hey to a group of doting fans. sarahkguseman/Instagram If the first lady were standing in the next room, wed be pretty psyched, too. The post The New Trump White House Tours: 7 Things You Absolutely Need To See appeared first on Real Estate News & Advice | realtor.com. In a shocking turn of events on Wednesdays The View, Whoopi Goldberg came to the defense of a Trump. Goldberg makes no secret of the fact that she is staunchly opposed to President Trump, but she disagrees with how his daughter, Tiffany Trump, was treated during a show at New York Fashion Week. At the Philipp Plein show, a senior editor for Elle Magazine, among others, changed seats so they wouldnt have to sit next to the first daughter. Some even tweeted pictures of Trump with the empty seats next to her. Goldberg volunteered to keep Trump company at upcoming shows if need be. Tiffany, Im supposed to go to a couple more shows. I dont know whats going to happen, but Im coming to sit with you. Because nobodys talking politics at theyoure looking at fashion. She doesnt want to talk about her dad. Shes looking at the fashion, Goldberg said. Goldberg was also quick to differentiate between the fashion editors refusing to sit by Trump at the Fashion Week event and the widespread boycott of her sister Ivankas clothing and accessory line. Goldberg explained, People say, Whats the difference between people boycotting Ivanka? Theres a difference. Thats all about buying stuff. Youre buying stuff. This girl is looking at fashion. Shes just looking at fashion. Tiffany Trump has since Tweeted about the exchange, gladly accepting Goldbergs offer. Watch Joy Behar get a little tipsy during The Views live election coverage: Tell us what you think! Hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram or leave your comments below. Its listed in the manual of psychiatric disorders as a validated mental health condition, yet theres a lingering sense that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), especially among children, is in part due to poor parenting or parents who arent disciplining their children enough. People with ADHD have a difficult time concentrating and often act out in in appropriate ways in frustration. Now, in a report published in Lancet Psychiatry, researchers led by a group in the Netherlands provide the strongest data yet on brain changes that may be contributing to ADHD. The scientists studied the largest group to date of people of all ages with ADHD1,713and compared their brain scans to those without the disorder. While previous studies have also documented some brain differences in those affected, this represents the largest population of people studied. That gives researchers more confidence that the changes they found are reliable and worth investigating further. The people with ADHD showed slower development of five brain regions. Some have been identified before and make intuitive sense; they involve parts of the brain responsible for controlling impulse, attention and other cognitive functions. But the researchers also found two new regions that were smaller in people with ADHD than in controls: the amygdala and the hippocampus. These areas are primarily involved in processing emotions and shed new light on some of the non-thinking aspects of ADHD. The fact that the amygdala was a particular region where they saw the largest effect, or the biggest difference between patients and non-patients, speaks to the importance of emotional symptoms in ADHD, says Dr. Jonathan Posner, associate professor of psychiatry at Columbia University Medical Center, who wrote an editorial accompanying the study. Kids with ADHD often have emotional reactivity and poor frustration tolerance. Those symptoms arent given as much focus as they should be given. The researchers studied MRIs of the brain to identify the regions possibly affected by ADHD, but Posner says its not practical to use MRIs to diagnose the disorderat least not yet. While the results point to possible places where doctors can look to diagnose ADHD, unfortunately we dont have objective measures yet for many conditions in psychiatry, and that includes ADHD. What they found were on average group differences. To use those criteria at this point to apply to an individual child would be premature, he says. Still, the findings point to areas worthy of further scrutiny, to see if they indeed could become ways to identify people with ADHD. This helps us to learn more about the brain mechanisms that underlie the symptoms, says Posner. With that information, the long-term goal is to develop better ad more refined treatments that might target those regions. The Kremlin has told state-sponsored media outlets to pull back in its positive coverage of President Donald Trump, Bloomberg reported on Thursday. While Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov declined to comment, saying this was an internal American matter, and other Russian lawmakers decried Russophobia, Russian state-backed media outlet Sputnik ran an article wondering if Moscow could ever trust Washington again. The shift comes after Michael Flynn resigned Monday as Trumps national security advisor, following revelations that hed discussed sanctions with the Russian ambassador to the United States back in December and then lied about it. Also, contrary to claims by Press Secretary Sean Spicer, Russian officials had been in touch with Trump aides over the course of the campaign. Members of Congress from both parties are now vowing to look into Trumps ties to Russia. House minority leader Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D.-Calif.) and Rep. Adam Schiff (D.-Calif.), the ranking member on the House intelligence panel, on Thursday requested a comprehensive briefing on the matter from the director of national intelligence. Flynns departure has sparked concern in some circles in Moscow that with Flynns ouster, they have lost a potentially sympathetic conduit to the administration. Other Trump officials, including Defense Secretary James Mattis and U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley, have taken a tougher line on Russia. Alls not lost, though, for Russian officials. Secretary of State and Russian Order of Friendship recipient Rex Tillerson met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Bonn, and Lavrov found the meeting productive. The order is apparently effective immediately, with what observers call a blackout after months of wall-to-wall coverage. Russian TV today: complete Trump blackout (as opposed to 18-month-long orgy of praise) Alexey Kovalev (@Alexey__Kovalev) February 16, 2017 Then again, Trump was more mentioned by the Russian media in January than Russian President Vladimir Putin so it could simply be a case of strongman media envy. Photo credit: ALEXANDER ZEMLIANICHENKO/AFP/Getty Images Trump apologists will tell you that every new Administration makes rookie mistakes, takes a queasy shakeout cruise, stumbles before it finds its footing or they trot out any other hackneyed metaphor they can memorize. Oh, and all that is especially true because the no-longer-Teflon Don is a guileless outsider unschooled in the swampy ways of Washington. They are not entirely wrong. Related: Dont Bet on Trump Getting Impeached Just Yet Bill Clintons first months - in a portent of what was to come - featured the scandal known as Travelgate in which seven members of the White House Travel Office were fired, allegedly so that friends of the Clintons could benefit financially from making travel arrangements for Hillary and Bill. The unseemly mess is said to have contributed to the suicide of Deputy White House Counsel Vince Foster a couple of months later. And Trump isnt the first new President to go to war with the media. Starting from the early days of his Administration, Obama kept the press at bay even though it endlessly fawned over him. Who can forget the obsequious coffee table book Obama: The Historic Journey by then New York Times Managing Editor Jill Abramson, then Executive Editor Bill Keller, and the papers staff, plus contributions by Trump-hating columnists Thomas Friedman and Paul Krugman. In 2014, after she was Executive Editor and then ex-Executive Editor, Abramson would tell Fox News that the Obama White House was one of the most secretive in history. Obama also had some early fumbles. For example, two of his Cabinet nominees had to withdraw Bill Richardson for Commerce and Tom Daschle for Health & Human Services and others had troubled paths to confirmation. He also signed an Executive Order shuttering Guantanamo within the year; its still open. Related: Trumps War with Intelligence Agencies Escalates Dangerously But the Trump Administration has fallen on its face so many times in the space of less than a month that its hard to keep count of the splats! Story continues (Maybe Trumps next book should be called The Artlessness of the Schlemiel.) You can put most of the missteps in two shoeboxes one marked Dumb, the other Dangerous. The Dumb Shoebox: Dumb is the whiney baby-lost-the-popular-vote President claiming without a wisp of evidence that 3 million ballots were illegally cast in the election. Dumb is the Commander-in-Chief-who-dodged-the-draft crowing about himself in front of a CIA wall commemorating those who have died silently and anonymously for their country. Dumb is Kellyanne Conway doing an infomercial from the White House for Ivanka Trumps losing line of apparel. Dumb is Press Secretary Sean Spicer peddling alternative facts about the size of the crowd at the Inauguration during his first joust with the press corps. Dumb is Melania Trump claiming in a lawsuit that her ability to profit from her role as First Lady has been damaged. Dumb is sending out alt-robot Stephen Miller to parry questions on the Sunday morning talk shows. Related: America Gets Its First Real Test of the CEO Presidency The Danger Box Dangerous are staffers allegedly colluding with Russia in the run-up to the presidential election it attempted to disrupt. Dangerous is hiring a National Security Adviser with a distinguished military record who appeared to go off the rails after being fired by Obama, taking money from a Kremlin-backed media organ, hob-nobbing with Vladimir Putin, disseminating fake news and then resigning after 24 days when it was revealed he had misled the Vice-President about inappropriate conversations with the Russian ambassador. Dangerous is setting off a cruel travel nightmare by issuing an ill-conceived and executed Executive Order intended to restrict entry to America by immigrants from a select list of mostly Muslim countries but in execution, disrupting the lives of many with a legal right to be here. Dangerous is attacking another branch of our checks-and-balances government the judiciary -- that cast doubt on the legality of said Executive Order. Dangerous is rattling sabers at China and then sheepishly getting in step with the One China policy without having accomplished anything besides emboldening Beijing to continue pursuing its quest for Asian hegemony. But perhaps the most dangerous thing Trump has done in the eyes of his disapproving fellow Republican Party members is inciting vast swaths of Americans worried about the safety of the nation, afraid of losing their healthcare, concerned for their kids education, angry that thieves of the financial crisis have been put in charge of the economy, distressed by the militarism and appalled by the trailer-park tweeting of the presidency. Related: Another Body Blow to the Trump White House as Labor Pick Withdraws The dysfunctional spectacle that is the Trump White House must surely be giving GOP pols pause as they contemplate where they will be in two years, and only the most naive would think that the word impeach has not danced across many minds on Capitol Hill. In fact, some like Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina could be doing more than entertaining such thoughts. He has called for a select committee of the Senate to look into all things related to Russias involvement in 2016. The reliably odious conservative crank and xenophobe Ann Coulter may have actually been on to something yesterday when she tweeted this: I warned you GOP would try to impeach Trump to get Pence! ("he will back off Trumps positions on trade & immign") https://t.co/dsvlFTgYWX pic.twitter.com/r7D3ubL34e Ann Coulter (@AnnCoulter) February 16, 2017 Coulter was referring to a broadside this week on the website of the Hoover Institution a think tank and venerable voice of the conservative Republican Establishment -- by the influential legal scholar and libertarian Richard Epstein in which he makes the case for a Trump resignation. The nearly four weeks since President Donald Trumps inauguration have been the most divisive period of American politics since the end of the Second World War, Epstein writes before thoughtfully laying out what Trump has done right denying the presidency to Hillary Clinton and her anti-growth agenda and what he has done wrong. It seems clear that if President Trump went about his job in a statesmanlike manner, the progressive counterattack would surely fail, and a sane Republican Party could gain the support of a dominant share of the electorate for at least the next two election cycles, if not more, Epstein says. Yet there are deeper problems because President Trumps anti-free trade agenda will hurtif not devastatethe very people whom he wants to help. Epsteins conclusion is that Trump his own worst enemy. Related: Merkel Deports More Refugees While Blasting Trumps Refugee Ban Well, professor, even if your advice was heeded and there was a Republican clamor for Trump to step down, a certain someone would have to agree. No, the answer for the party isnt resignation; it is impeachment or the threat thereof. Its not as if the faithful would be turning on one of their own: Trump is a fake Republican. More important when it comes to the GOPs hold on power, he could become a one-man wrecking crew. The GOP would have to call in some major-league spin doctors to make the case that the party was putting the best interests of the country ahead of its own as it attempted to heal a divided nation by exiling the President to his gilded tower. But get rid of Trump, and Republicans could get a pretty sweet return on their risky investment. Not just Pence, who will likely give them everything they might have gotten from Trump without the distaste and drama, but potentially Paul Ryan as Vice President and the prospect of not eight years of presidential power, but 16. The trouble is, the longer Republicans wait, the more entrenched Trump will be, the more ferocious the opposition to his reign will become and the more likely the party will suffer down the road. Top Reads from The Fiscal Times: If President Trumps Twitter feed were a novel, it would have what critics call continuity problems. On Thursday morning, Trump continued to rage at the leaks coming from the nations intelligence community about contacts that his aides and associates had with the Russian government before and after Novembers presidential election. Related: Trump's Risky Message: He Doesn't Trust His Intelligence Chiefs Leaking, and even illegal classified leaking, has been a big problem in Washington for years, he wrote in one early morning tweet. A few minutes later he followed up with, The spotlight has finally been put on the low-life leakers! They will be caught! Later Thursday morning, Trump was back online, writing FAKE NEWS media, which makes up stories and sources, is far more effective than the discredited Democrats - but they are fading fast! The Democrats had to come up with a story as to why they lost the election, and so badly (306), so they made up a story - RUSSIA. Fake news! (The 306 was apparently a reference to the number of pledged electoral votes Trump won in the election. He actually received only 304 votes because two faithless electors refused to cast their ballots for him.) The problem for Trump is that both of those things cant be true at the same time. The leaks from the intelligence services indicate that during the election Trumps team had extensive contact with Russian authorities, including intelligence agents. If that information is accurate -- and Trumps fury over the revelation of what he characterizes as classified information surely suggests it may be -- then it is hard to reconcile with Trumps simultaneous alternate narrative, in which the Russia story is the fruit of a Democratic plot with no basis in fact. Unfortunately, a lack of internal consistency isnt limited to Trumps tweets. On Thursday afternoon, Trump doubled down on that line of analysis at a surprise press conference, saying that the claims about Russia were both leaks and fake news. Story continues Related: Trumps War with Intelligence Agencies Escalates Dangerously On Wednesday, discussing the resignation of former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, the president lashed out at the media, blaming reporters for his departure from the administration. Gen. Flynn is a wonderful man, he said during a press conference. I think he has been treated very, very unfairly by the media, as I call it, the fake media in many cases ... And I think it is really a sad thing that he was treated so badly. But that came less than 24 hours after Trumps own spokesman, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer, explicitly told reporters that Trump had demanded Flynns resignation because he no longer believed he could trust the retired Army general. The president must have complete and unwavering trust for the person in that position, Spicer said Tuesday. The evolving and eroding level of trust as a result of this situation in a series of other questionable instances is what led the president to ask for Gen. Flynns resignation. Related: America Gets Its First Real Test of the CEO Presidency The announcement of Flynns resignation on Monday night came after another set of contradictory statements from White House officials. On Monday afternoon, presidential counselor Kellyanne Conway said in a television interview that Flynn still enjoyed the full confidence of President Trump. An hour later, Spicer took the podium in the Briefing Room and said that, in fact, the president was evaluating the situation with regard to Flynn. A few hours after that, the national security adviser was gone. The next day, Conway posted a somewhat cryptic message on Twitter that read, I serve at the pleasure of @POTUS. His message is my message. His goals are my goals. Uninformed chatter doesn't matter. Unfortunately, in this administration, its become very difficult to tell who actually is informed. Top Reads from The Fiscal Times: President Trump, joined by top advisers, speaks by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Oval Office last month. (Photo: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters) President Trump is continuing to assail those who leaked information about former national security adviser Michael Flynns phone calls with Russia and the media for publishing it. The attacks against leaks are striking as Trump attempts to shift the focus of his administrations controversies over to what he calls the real scandal of leaks. At the same time, he has demanded an apology from the media for reporting on the disclosures, while also branding the information fake news. This is a newfound philosophy for Trump, who during the campaign embraced leaks that damaged Hillary Clinton. Leaking, and even illegal classified leaking, has been a big problem in Washington for years, Trump tweeted early Thursday. Failing @nytimes (and others) must apologize! The spotlight has finally been put on the low-life leakers! the president continued. They will be caught! Leaking, and even illegal classified leaking, has been a big problem in Washington for years. Failing @nytimes (and others) must apologize! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 16, 2017 The spotlight has finally been put on the low-life leakers! They will be caught! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 16, 2017 FAKE NEWS media, which makes up stories and "sources," is far more effective than the discredited Democrats but they are fading fast! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 16, 2017 FAKE NEWS media, which makes up stories and sources, is far more effective than the discredited Democrats, Trump added. But they are fading fast! Trumps fresh round of tweets come a day after he accused U.S. intelligence agencies of illegally leaking information to the New York Times and the Washington Post following reports that members of his presidential campaign were in contact with Russian officials during the 2016 presidential election. Story continues The president even likened those leaking the information to the Kremlin. Information is being illegally given to the failing @nytimes & @washingtonpost by the intelligence community (NSA and FBI?), Trump tweeted Wednesday morning. Just like Russia. The real scandal here is that classified information is illegally given out by intelligence like candy, he added. Very un-American! Information is being illegally given to the failing @nytimes & @washingtonpost by the intelligence community (NSA and FBI?).Just like Russia Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 15, 2017 The real scandal here is that classified information is illegally given out by "intelligence" like candy. Very un-American! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 15, 2017 Trump appears to be desperate to shift attention away from his administrations relationship with Moscow, which has come under intense scrutiny in the wake of the news that Flynn had misled Vice President Mike Pence and others about his phone calls with the Russian ambassador to the U.S. Flynn resigned late Monday. Ironically, it was Trump who used to love leaks, particularly those that resulted in WikiLeaks publication of emails obtained through the Russian hacks of the Democratic National Committee and Clintons presidential campaign. During the month leading up to the Nov. 8 presidential election, Trump talked about WikiLeaks at least 164 times, according to an analysis by ThinkProgress, the Washington-based progressive think tank and news organization. Over a three-day span in October, for example, Trump proclaimed his fandom for WikiLeaks at his rallies, marveling at his ability to broadcast the leaked material and directing his supporters to read it on the whistleblower website for themselves. One of the big advantages of me having a rather large microphone, Trump said at a rally in Ocala, Fla., on Oct. 12, meaning a lot of people are listening, is that I can talk about WikiLeaks, and we are live. Its amazing. Boom, boom, boom. Ill tell you, this WikiLeaks stuff is unbelievable, he said a few hours later at a rally in nearby Lakeland. It tells you the inner heart you gotta read it. On Oct. 12, Trump even criticized the media for what he characterized as largely ignoring the leaked information. Very little pickup by the dishonest media of incredible information provided by WikiLeaks, he said. On Wednesday, Trump also accused the media of going crazy with their conspiracy theories. Yet it was Trump who began his career in politics by championing the so-called birther conspiracy, which falsely suggested President Barack Obama was not born in the United States. In September, Trump finally admitted Obama was an American citizen but offered no apology for his part in leading the birther movement. Earlier in the campaign, Trump said he saw thousands and thousands of people in New Jerseys large Arab populations cheering on 9/11 as the World Trade Center came down. But Trump never provided evidence to back up his claim. During a meeting with Republican congressmen at the White House later Thursday morning, Trump was asked by members of the press pool if he still plans to find the leakers. Were going to find the leakers and theyre going to pay a big price, the president said. More from Yahoo News: A wildfire destroyed at least 11 homes and forced hundreds of terrified residents to evacuate in the New Zealand city of Christchurch, authorities said Thursday. Civil defence officials declared a state of emergency in the South Island city late Wednesday as two blazes that had been smouldering for days merged into a single giant fire-front. Christchurch City Council said more than 1,800 hectares (4,500 acres) of land had been torched in the Port Hills, an area of rugged terrain difficult to access to the east of the city centre. About 1,000 people had been evacuated and, with winds forecast to pick up and fan the flames, authorities warned residents to flee at the first sign of danger. "We understand it's hard for people to leave their homes but the fire can change direction and move incredibly quickly," police senior sergeant Ash Tabb said. "If you're worried, don't leave it too late -- it's better to be safe than sorry." With a thick pall of smoke hanging over Christchurch, residents with respiratory ailments were advised to stay indoors. Wildfires of such ferocity are rare in New Zealand, where regular rainfall usually prevents them reaching the intensity seen in places like Australia and the US west coast. Prime Minister Bill English took a helicopter flight over the disaster zone on Thursday and said the blazes may have been deliberately lit. "I've only had a very brief description of the fire starting in two places at about the same time, which to me looks suspicious," he told reporters. "But those investigations are underway." The emergency has so far claimed one life, when a helicopter that was dumping water on the flames crashed Tuesday and killed pilot Steve Askin, a decorated special forces veteran. Civil Defence said it had confirmed 11 homes had been razed but added the situation was constantly changing. It said 14 helicopters and three planes were helping battle the blaze, the maximum number of aircraft that could safely operate around the fire-front at one time. Some 200 firefighters were operating about 45 pumps and tankers on the ground, with police and the military also providing additional personnel for the emergency response. Civil defence said weather conditions were forecast to ease on Friday, slowing the fire's progress. A California woman recently made an accidental generous donation to Goodwill when she dropped off a shirt with thousands of dollars in the pocket. After Placentia resident Linda Hoffman swung by her local Goodwill with a bag of old clothes, she was in for an unpleasant surprise about one of the shirts she had decided to give away it had an envelope containing $8000 stashed in the pocket. Bob Hoffman had been storing six years worth of secret savings in a shirt with the intention of using the money to take his wife on a surprise vacation to Italy when she accidentally donated the secret fund, according to ABC 7 News. When the couple finally realized the mistake two days later, they rushed back to Goodwill only to find that the shirt appeared to be gone. However, the next day, a Goodwill employee discovered the shirt with the entire sum still in its pocket in a pile of clothes. I describe it as a miracle, Linda said. I would say that it was honest people and what touched our hearts the most is how honest they were. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) Authorities say they've arrested a 26-year-old woman accused of performing a sex act inside a Florida courthouse and then posting a video online. Jacksonville Sheriff's Office records show Brittney Lahcell Jones was arrested Wednesday. The Florida Times-Union (http://bit.ly/2llXcjG ) reports Jones and 35-year-old Jeremiah Isiah Robinson had been wanted on a charge of a lascivious act. The newspaper reported a video surfaced online in January showing a woman performing oral sex on a man in front of what appeared to be a courtroom. The newspaper reported Jones was being arraigned on a drug charge at the time in the Duval County Courthouse. A message on her Twitter account said, "Found a way to get my charges dropped." Police say Robinson turned himself in. Records don't show whether either has an attorney. ___ Information from: The (Jacksonville) Florida Times-Union, http://www.jacksonville.com Have you ever experienced the searing agony of a UTI? Then you know youd do almost anything to avoid getting another one. And now finally there looks to be an easy, effective way to do that without having to take antibiotics. A new startup called Uqora is aiming to disrupt UTIs as we know them. And, ugh, do we know them. You do something fun, like have a weekend of sex with your new fling, and boom! You wake up Monday morning with a fiery pain in your nether regions. Then youve got to take time out of work to go to the doctor to get antibiotics. It happens all the time. One in two women gets a UTI in their life, and one in five suffer from recurring infections. They cause more visits to the doctor each year than every affliction but the common cold think of all the little cups of pee we ladies have filled up. SEE ALSO: Zap away period cramps with this tiny device All this yet it's not widely talked about, and the focus by the medical establishment has always been on treating infections once theyve already occurred, not on preventing them from happening in the first place. For the patients who suffer from chronic infections, this can mean a pretty much endless course of antibiotics, which can leave you vulnerable to yeast infections and all kinds of other unpleasantness. Thats the situation that Uqora CEO Jenna Ryan found herself in back in 2014, when she had eight UTIs in a single year. Frustrated with her options, she and her partner Spencer Gordon (who fortunately had studied Molecular Biology at University of California, Berkeley) began looking for a more sustainable solution. They found sound data that there were supplements that could work, but they couldnt find a product that was easily available to your average consumer. So they decided to create one. Enter Uqora, which officially launched Wednesday. It's a powder that you mix with water and drink whenever you think you could be at risk for a UTI after sex, a prolonged period of exercise, etc. Ryan promises its palatable, saying it tastes kind of like Crystal Light. Story continues You only need to take the supplement either right before or soon after you feel like you could have been exposed to a UTI, which means not having to be on medicine constantly. It will run you $35 for a pack of 10 doses, or you can get a 15 percent discount with a subscription. You can also buy a three-pack for $10, if you're not ready to commit to a full box. Uqora's main ingredient is d-mannose, a sugar that works by binding with the bacteria that can cause UTIs. Then when you pee, the bacteria gets swept out with the urine instead of making a home in your bladder and torturing you. You have long been able to buy and take d-mannose on its own, but Uqora also contains a natural diuretic, so the flushing takes place faster, as well as several vitamins that are meant to boost your defenses. The company has seen a lot of success in beta testing and has many customers whove tried it and stayed with it. SEE ALSO: The limitations of your health insurance plan may be more costly than you think The one important thing to note is that Uqora is only effective at combating infections caused by E.coli (the bacteria thats responsible for the vast majority of UTIs). So its important to see your doctor to make sure your infections are stemming from E.coli and not some other invader. Uqora is also only intended to help prevent infections, not as a cure for existing ones. It sounds almost too good to be true, but there is science to back it up. Uqora is backed by a board of three doctors whove vetted the research and believe in the products effectiveness. While supplements are not regulated by the FDA, it does classify all of Uqora's ingredients as "Generally Recognized as Safe." Ryan said in an interview that she's passionate about the product not only because it's helped her but because it addresses such a huge issue in women's health. A topic which is more at risk than ever with so many unknowns surrounding insurance reform. Without insurance, doctors visits and prescription costs can be financially devastating. UTIs result in about 8.1 million visits a year to health care providers, and Ryan hopes her product can save a lot of women from the pain of having to go in the first place not to mention getting to avoid the excruciating, kicking-and-screaming burn of the infection itself. On Thursday, hundreds gathered in New Yorks Grand Central Terminal to honor the late Dominican designer Oscar de la Renta, whom the U.S. Postal Service commemorated on a series of stamps. Hillary Clinton, Anna Wintour, Michael Bloomberg, and Anderson Cooper all took the stage to share heartfelt remembrances of de la Renta while simultaneously broadcasting messages of inclusion. Hillary Clinton attends the Oscar de la Renta Forever Stamp dedication ceremony at Grand Central Terminal on Feb. 16 in New York City. (Photo by Noam Galai/WireImage) On Thursday, hundreds gathered in New Yorks Grand Central Terminal to honor the late Dominican designer Oscar de la Renta, whom the U.S. Postal Service commemorated on a series of stamps. Hillary Clinton, Anna Wintour, Michael Bloomberg, and Anderson Cooper all took the stage to share heartfelt remembrances of de la Renta while simultaneously broadcasting messages of inclusion. Clinton, wearing a magenta jacket paired with a gold statement necklace and black trousers, shared her love of the designers clothes as well as personal stories of vacationing with her family in Punta Cana with de la Renta and his wife, Annette. Alexander L. Bolen, Michael Bloomberg, Anna Wintour, Hillary Clinton, Janice D. Walker, and Anderson Cooper attend the Oscar de la Renta Forever Stamp dedication ceremony at Grand Central Terminal. (Photo by Noam Galai/WireImage) I remember as though it were yesterday, standing in my first receiving line in the White House for the Kennedy Center Honors, Clinton recalled. I had bought this dress off the rack and Oscar and Annette were among the guests. And so Oscar goes through the receiving line and as I shake his hand and Im welcoming him to the White House, he said, Thats my dress. I said, Yes, it is. He said, Well, Im calling you tomorrow. And he did. The former secretary of state also made sure to make a slight dig at President Trump. Oscar de la Renta was an immigrant and arent we proud and grateful that he was, she said, noting that the corner of the stamps read USA Forever. She added, What a fitting person to be chosen by our Postal Service mentioned, by the way, in the Constitution, something we should all read and reread in todays times. And its choice of this immigrant who did so much for our country, his country, truly is what it means when we say, USA Forever. Who we are, what we stand for, and let there be many, many more immigrants with the love of America that Oscar de la Renta exemplified every single day. Story continues The speech was timely, given Thursdays Day Without Immigrants strike, which left immigrant-owned and -operated business across the country closed in protest of Trumps contested immigration ban. The late designer Oscar de la Renta and Hillary Clinton at the 2002 American Fashion Awards.(Photo: AP Images) While its obvious why Vogue editor Anna Wintour would honor the late designer (the two were close friends), it may not be as apparent as to why people like Hillary Clinton or Michael Bloomberg were present during the ceremony. Clinton was also a close friend of de la Renta, who designed several outfits she wore as First Lady and thereafter; Bloomberg, a champion of inclusiveness in New York Citys high-immigrant population, knew de la Renta as well. During the ceremony, Bloomberg echoed much of what Clinton had to say about welcoming new people into the country, honoring those who contribute to the fabric of American society much like de la Renta, who died in 2014, had. While the ceremony was not long only about 30 minutes its speakers hoped that de la Rentas legacy as an immigrant and as an American endures. Read the speech in full below: When you were a friend of Oscars, you were a friend in good times and dark times. A friend who was lifted up and carried and we all did our best to be that for him. I remember as though it were yesterday, standing in my first receiving line in the White House, for the Kennedy Center Honors. A grand event that brings out all kinds of fashion and celebrities and people from all walks of life to honor those who will be getting this award. I had bought this dress off the rack and Oscar and Annette were among the guests. And so Oscar goes through the receiving line and as I shake his hand and Im welcoming him to the White House, he said, Thats my dress. I said, Yes, it is. I told him. He said, Well, Im calling you tomorrow. And he did. Those were the fun moments but the most touching and lasting times with Oscar were out of the public eye completely. When I was first lady there was a very serious hurricane that hit Central America and the Caribbean and I led a delegation from the administration and the Congress to see what we could do to bring attention and bring help. And I ended up in the Dominican Republic. And I met Oscar. And after touring some of the places that had been hit. He took me to the orphanage that he had started. No press, no entourage, just Oscar and me and the wonderful people who took care of those abandoned children. And when we walked through the toddlers and the cribs and Oscar talked about those children as if every single one of them was his. In the years that Bill and Chelsea and Marc and our family had to enjoy his and Annettes hospitality at Punta Cana, we had many long discussions, lots of wild card games with this game called Oh H*** that brought out simply the worst in both my husband and Oscar. They would be screaming at each other until finally the rest of us went to bed. But it was also a time to just relax and be with people that were generous and loving and warm and kind and funny and perceptive and gave so much to everyone who crossed their paths. Oscar de la Renta was an immigrant, as Mike Bloomberg has said, and arent we proud and grateful that he was. In the corner of these striking stamps, it says USA Forever. Let us remember what is durable and lasting about Oscars legacy. Of course it is the fashion, it is the great worldly success, but its also going with him to Washington Heights, going to a nightclub and watching him dance the Salsa with young people who were just starting out their lives in this great city, in this blessed country. He knew what they were hoping for, he gave of his heart and his soul to make sure that his example would live on. What a fitting person to be chosen by our Postal Service mentioned, by the way, in the Constitution, something we should all read and reread in todays times and its choice of this immigrant who did so much for our country, his country, truly is what it means when we say, USA Forever, who we are, what we stand for, and let there be many, many more immigrants with the love of America that Oscar de la Renta exemplified every single day. Alexandra Mondalek is a writer for Yahoo Style and Beauty. Follow her on Twitter @amondalek. Related: Anna Wintour Seen Wearing This Political Accessory at the Brock Collection Show Lets keep in touch! Follow Yahoo Style + Beauty on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. Apples Worldwide Developers Conference, an annual event during which the company usually discusses upcoming software features coming to the iPhone and other products, will take place on June 5-9, it announced on Thursday. During WWDC, Apple typically hosts sessions and workshops for developers, which are aimed at helping them create apps for iOS, macOS, and Apples other software platforms. The conference usually starts with a keynote address during which Apple debuts the next major software updates coming to the iPhone and iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV, and the Mac. Last year, Apple focused heavily on improvements coming to Siri and iMessage, which are now both capable of working with third party apps. Read more: Everything we think we know about Apples next iPhone Although Apple usually demonstrates forthcoming updates at WWDC, it usually waits until the fall to release them to the public. While Apple never speaks publicly about unannounced products and features, reports from Bloomberg suggest the company may be working on enhanced Apple Pencil features for the iPad and a new iPhone video editing app. If this is accurate, theres a chance well hear about these new capabilities at WWDC. This years conference will be held at the McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, which is minutes away from Apples new headquarters in Cupertino. The event has been held in San Francisco in years past. InvestorPlace Tesla has been a clear leader in the space but has operated mainly without competition. However, in the past few years, we have seen multiple EV stocks emerge, which have the potential to perform better than the EV pioneer. In fact, John Murphy, a Bank of America analyst, had forecasted that Teslas EV market share could drop from a massive 70% in 2021 to just 11% within the next four years by 2025. 2022 has been a horrendous year for growth stocks. The Nasdaq is languishing in the bear-market t You may have seen news stories earlier this week saying that Trump and Putin were seen together in Switzerland before the election. That would not bode well for a Trump administration thats already perceived as being closer to Russia than youd expect. However, before you spread the nonsense yourself, you should know that this is a classic case of fake news. Its been confirmed to be fake, and its all part of a massive plot to promote a movie. Ironically, this particular piece of fake news was conceived by the same company that Trump trusts most when it comes to the news. Don't Miss: Fresh new Amazon Tap update might make the Echo obsolete Initially discovered by BuzzFeed , the fake news campaign was supposed to promote 20th Century Fox film A Cure for Wellness. Weve already seen some trailers for the movie, which tells the story of a fake wellness retreat in Switzerland where treatments arent really what they seem. a-cure-for-wellness-fake-news-campaign-1 The campaign does deserve some credit for the idea. However, given the current political climate, one that is believed to have been heavily influenced by fake news ahead of the election, its not necessarily the best choice. Especially considering companies like Google and Facebook are taking steps to prevent the fake news from going viral. Meanwhile, BuzzFeed explains the fake news sites that were set up by the movie producers spread out false news that isnt related to the film. Moreover, the reports were not even identified as fake news. Here are some of them, as listed by The New York Times: Utah Senator Introduces Bill to Jail, Publicly Shame Women Who Receive Abortions BOMBSHELL: Trump and Putin Spotted at Swiss Resort Prior to Election LEAKED: Lady Gaga Halftime Performance to Feature Muslim Tribute Trump Refuses to Provide California Federal Support in Midst of Natural Disaster, Cites Sanctuary Cities California Legislature to Consider Tax Rebates for Women Who Get Abortions The biggest fake story among them was the Lady Gaga report, which generated more than 50,000 shares, reactions and comments on Facebook, according to BuzzFeed. Story continues a-cure-for-wellness-fake-news-campaign-2 The studio used five sites to spread the fake news, including The Sacramento Dispatch, Salt Lake City Guardian, Houston Leader, NY Morning Post and Indianapolis Gazette. The marketing team even created a HealthCureGov.com site designed to resemble the official HealthCare.gov site. Most of those sites were redirected to the films official website after BuzzFeeds report. A Cure for Wellness is a movie about a fake cure that makes people sicker, a Regency Enterprises spokesperson said. As part of this campaign, a fake wellness site healthandwellness.co was created, and we partnered with a fake news creator to publish fake news. Whats really ironic about this campaign is that its Fox that has to take the blame, which owns the one major network that Donald Trump trusts for news. Just the other day, the president had this to tweet in the midst of the Flynn/Russia scandal: Well, Mr. President, youd better make sure you double-check your news moving forward, even if it comes from Fox. Trending right now: See the original version of this article on BGR.com Sony says it wants to focus on improving the PlayStation Now experience on PS4 and Windows PC. Sony has announced that it will be discontinuing its PlayStation Now service on majority of compatible devices. The company said that it made the decision in order to focus on improving the service for the PlayStation 4 and Windows PC. For the uninitiated, PlayStation Now is Sonys subscription service that launched in 2014 (2016 for the PC). It allows users to stream games online from the cloud for $14.99 for 90-day rentals or for $19.99 a month. Sony typically adds new games to the services library every month. The service was made available for the PS3, Vita, PlayStation TV, select Sony Bravia TVs, all of Sonys Blu-ray players and select Samsung TV models. With Sonys announcement earlier today however, that will soon no longer be the case. Starting on Aug. 15, PlayStation Now services will only be available for the PS4 and Windows PC. After thoughtful consideration, we decided to shift our focus and resources to PS4 and Windows PC to further develop and improve the user experience on these two devices, PlayStation Now senior marketing manager Brian Dunn said on a blog post. This move puts us in the best position to grow the service even further. If you use any of the above devices, we want to give our heartfelt thanks for your support, and we hope youll continue with us. Dunn also reminded PlayStation Now customers that their cloud game saves will be accessible from the PS4 and Windows PC. For gamers on Sony Bravia TVs, they are advised to disable the auto-renewal subscription feature before April 1, while those on other devices should disable it before Aug. 15. Sony hasnt given out the specifics on how it plans to improve the PS Now experience for the PS4 and the PC, as pointed out by GameSpot. There really isnt any apparent indication on how dropping support for other devices can improve the experience since it is a cloud-based service. Related Articles Samsung disappointed fans with the fire-prone Galaxy Note 7, but the company did recall and terminate the product rather swiftly. It also conducted an extensive investigation and announced its conclusions while simultaneously vowing not to let it happen again. While Samsung does deserve some points for that, its probably too early for the company to pat itself on the back for the good job its doing at testing smartphones and making sure they work as intended, rather than exploding when you least expect it. Don't Miss: This tiny box lets Alexa control anything that plugs into a wall Samsung earlier this week published a short one-minute video on YouTube to promote the extensive quality assurance testing practices it currently employs. The Galaxy Note 7 batteries were signaled out as the main problem that caused various fires and explosions. But Samsungs design choices and the desire to launch the phone as soon as possible also favored those explosions. Samsung explained all that a few weeks ago, promising more extensive tests are coming. Is that what we see in this clip? Are these the new tests? If so, thats not really clear. Our phones are extensively tested, retested, and then tested again, the video says. Wait a minute, Samsung! Do you mean all phones youve ever made are tested like that or just all the phones made after the Galaxy Note 7? Because you seem to imply you werent focusing that much on quality assurance before the scandal. Innovation is our legacy, the video says at the end, Quality is our priority. Again, these statements also seem to suggest that quality may have not been Samsungs top priority before the recent scandal, given the massive issues with the phones batteries. Its great to see the Galaxy S7 phones in the videos being put through numerous tests during Samsungs new quality assurance process, and Im convinced Samsung doesnt want to see any of its next-gen handsets explode like the Galaxy Note 7 did. But good-looking video scenes and great beats shouldnt be enough to prove Samsung is serious about quality assurance. Its actual real-life use from satisfied customers that will determine that. So maybe its too early for Samsung to advertise its own innovations in quality assurance. Story continues Trending right now: See the original version of this article on BGR.com KARACHI, Pakistan An Islamic State suicide bomber struck inside a famed shrine in southern Pakistan on Thursday, killing at least 75 people in the deadliest attack in the country in more than two years. The bomber entered the main hall of the shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar in Sehwan and detonated his payload amid dozens of worshippers, according to three security officials, who said at least 20 women and nine children were among the dead. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief reporters. Fazal Palejo, a senior health official in Sindh province, confirmed the toll. The Islamic State group claimed the attack in a statement circulated by its Aamaq news agency, saying it had targeted a Shiite gathering. The Sunni extremist group views Shiites as apostates and has targeted Pakistans Shiite minority in the past. It views Sufi shrines like the one targeted Thursday as a form of idolatry. Thursdays attack was the deadliest in Pakistan since Dec. 16, 2014, when militants assaulted an army-run school in Peshawar, killing 154 people, mostly schoolchildren. Pakistan has been at war with the Taliban and other extremist groups for more than a decade. In recent years it has launched major offensives against militant strongholds in the tribal regions along the border with Afghanistan, but insurgents have continued to carry out attacks elsewhere in the country. The Islamic State group has been expanding its presence in Pakistan in recent years and has claimed a number of deadly attacks, including a suicide bombing at another shrine in November 2016 that killed more than 50 people. Disney keeps information close to the chest when it comes to Star Wars movies, but every once in a while, an interesting tidbit makes its way out into the world. That appears to be the case with a new report from Making Star Wars, in which Editor-in-Chief Jason Ward claims that sources have described to him a new planet that will appear in Star Wars: The Last Jedi that might serve as the home base for the First Order. Don't Miss: Fresh new Amazon Tap update might make the Echo obsolete In Star Wars: Episode VIII we should see the greens of Ahch-To, a Dubrovnik/casino planet, a planet described to us as Mars with snow on it, and the interiors and exteriors of spaceships, says Ward. Those are the locations we have had confirmed filming for and there could always be more. We already know that Ahch-To is the is aquatic planet where Rey met Luke at the end of The Force Awakens, and we know that The Last Jedi will pick up right where the previous film ended. As for the casino planet, Ward wasnt able to share any other details, but we imagine this will be a locale full of seedy characters. But the snowy Mars planet is the one were most interesting in, as Wards sources claim that the interiors were not unlike Starkiller Base in the sense that you can see the Death Star-style tech and architecture blending in with the rocks and natural environment. If thats the case, it would certainly make sense for this planet to be the base of the First Order and Supreme Leader Snoke, who only appeared via hologram in the previous film. He has to physically be somewhere, right? Why not snow Mars? Its not much to go on, but until Disney finally shares a trailer for the upcoming movie, reports like these are all weve got. Star Wars: The Last Jedi arrives in theaters on December 15th, 2017. Trending right now: See the original version of this article on BGR.com Youre going to want to sit down before you watch this. What started as a relatively innocuous announcement from President Trump that Alexander Acosta would be the new nominee for the labor secretary following Andrew Puzder decision to withdraw his nomination turned into a knock-down-drag-out brawl with the press. If you expected Trump to ignore the countless damning reports regarding his and his staffs connections to Russia, I have some bad news for you: he didnt. Don't Miss: Big leak may give us our first look at the Nintendo Switchs interface Before taking any questions, Trump rattled off a series of untruthful (and often nonsensical) statements, claiming that his electoral college victory was the largest since Ronald Reagans (it wasnt), that the current administration is running like a fine-tuned machine (its not) and that decisions from the 9th Circuit court which continued a stay on his travel ban are overturned 80% of the time (they arent). Things only got stranger from there, as Trump opened the floor for questions. When asked about General Michael Flynns recent resignation/firing, Trump reinforced press secretary Sean Spicers earlier statements that Flynn had not done anything illegal, but rather that Trump was simply uncomfortable with the way that information was given to Vice President Mike Pence by Flynn. He then proceeded to repeatedly call the Russia story fake news, and things began to go off the rails. As for the recent leaks relating to Russia, Trump said that the leaks are real, but that the news is fake. When a reporter fact-checked him on his claim about his electoral college victory, Trump said, I dont know, I was given that information. Trump tried to explain uranium, talked at length about his debates with Hillary Clinton and affected a silly voice while gifting us with this incredible quote: Tomorrow, they will say, Donald Trump rants and raves at the press. Im not ranting and raving. Im just telling you. You know, youre dishonest people. But but Im not ranting and raving. I love this. Im having a good time doing it. Story continues It was the first of two times he would create a headline on the spot, the second in reference to his attempts to forge a positive relationship with Russia. I genuinely cant explain how weird this is, so watch it yourself: Trending right now: See the original version of this article on BGR.com Apple on Thursday announced that its annual WWDC developer conference will be held from June 5th through June 9th in San Jose, California. San Jose had been Apples location of choice in the past for WWDC, but the convention has been held in San Francisco in recent years. WWDC 2017 will mark the return of WWDC to San Jose, and the event will take place at the McEnery Convention Center in San Jose. Don't Miss: New report sheds light on Apples next-gen Apple TV Were ecstatic that Apple has chosen to host its WWDC 2017 in San Jose, the heart of Silicon Valley and site of the very first WWDC, San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo told The Loop. We look forward to working with Apple to create a special experience for the thousands of attendees who will visit San Jose for this marquee event. And on behalf of our entire city, Id like to extend a warm invitation to Apple developers, partners and enthusiasts from around the world to join us in Downtown San Jose as Apple unveils its latest innovations. Apple marketing boss Phil Schiller confirmed to the site that McEnery Convention Center holds about the same number of people as the Moscone Center, which is where WWDC has been held in recent years. Apple expects approximately 5,000 developers and 1,000 engineers to attend the show this year, where the focus will obviously be Apples next-generation mobile platform, iOS 11. Next-generation versions of macOS, tvOS and watchOS will also be covered at the show, and Apple will stream its WWDC 2017 keynote live online. More details can be found on Apples website. Trending right now: See the original version of this article on BGR.com NEW YORK (AP) -- Mark Zuckerberg's long-term vision for Facebook, laid out in a sweeping manifesto , sometimes sounds more like a utopian social guide than a business plan. Are we, he asks, "building the world we all want?" While most people now use Facebook to connect with friends and family, Zuckerberg thinks that the social network can also encourage more civic engagement, from the local to the global level. Facebook now has nearly 2 billion members, which makes it larger than any nation in the world. His 5,800-word essay positions Facebook in direct opposition to a rising tide of isolationism and fear of outsiders, both in the U.S. and abroad. In a phone interview with The Associated Press, Zuckerberg stressed that he wasn't motivated by the U.S. election or any other particular event. Rather, he said, it's the growing sentiment in many parts of the world that "connecting the world" the founding idea behind Facebook is no longer a good thing. "Across the world there are people left behind by globalization, and movements for withdrawing from global connection," Zuckerberg, who founded Facebook in a Harvard dorm room in 2004, wrote on Thursday. So it falls to the company to "develop the social infrastructure to give people the power to build a global community that works for all of us." CONNECTING IN FACEBOOK'S INTEREST Zuckerberg, 32, told the AP that he still strongly believes that more connectedness is the right direction for the world. But, he added, it's "not enough if it's good for some people but it's doesn't work for other people. We really have to bring everyone along." It's hardly a surprise that Zuckerberg wants to find ways to bring more people together, especially on Facebook. After all, getting more people to come together on the social network more frequently would give Facebook more opportunities to sell the ads that generate most of its revenue, which totaled $27 billion last year. And bringing in more money probably would boost Facebook's stock price to make Zuckerberg already worth an estimated $56 billion even richer. Story continues And while the idea of unifying the world is laudable, some critics backed by various studies contend Facebook makes some people feel lonelier and more isolated as they scroll through the mostly ebullient posts and photos shared on the social network. Facebook's famous "like" button also makes it easy to engage in a form of "one-click" communication that can displace meaningful dialogue. Facebook also has been lambasted as a polarizing force by circulating posts espousing similar viewpoints and interests among like-minded people, creating an "echo chamber" that can harden opinions and widen political and cultural chasms. COMMUNITY SUPPORT Today, most of Facebook's 1.86 billion members about 85 percent live outside of the U.S. and Canada. The Menlo Park, California-based company has offices everywhere from Amsterdam to Jakarta, Indonesia, to Tel Aviv, Israel. (It is banned in China, the world's most populous country, though some people get around the ban.) Naturally, Zuckerberg takes a global view of Facebook and sees potential that goes beyond borders, cities and nations. And that could allow the social network to step up as more traditional cultural ties fray. People already use Facebook to connect with strangers who have the same rare disease, to post political diatribes, to share news links (and sometimes fake news links ). Facebook has also pushed its users to register to vote, to donate to causes, to mark themselves safe after natural disasters, and to "go live ." For many, it's become a utility. Some 1.23 billion people use it daily. "For the past decade, Facebook has focused on connecting friends and families. With that foundation, our next focus will be developing the social infrastructure for community for supporting us, for keeping us safe, for informing us, for civic engagement, and for inclusion of all," he wrote. LONG VIEW Zuckerberg has gotten Facebook to this position of global dominance one that Myspace and Twitter, for instance, never even approached partly thanks to his audacious, long-term view of the company and its place in the world. Last fall, Zuckerberg and his wife, the doctor Priscilla Chan, unveiled the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative , a long-term effort aimed at eradicating all disease by the end of this century. Then, as now, Zuckerberg preferred to look far down the road to the potential of scientific and technological innovations that have not been perfected, or even invented yet. That includes artificial intelligence, which in this case means software that's capable of "thinking" enough like humans to start making the sorts of judgments that Facebook sometimes bobbles. Last September, for instance, the service briefly barred the famous Vietnam War-era photograph dubbed "Napalm Girl" because it featured a nude child, and only reversed its decision after users including the prime minister of Norway protested. AI systems could also comb through the vast amount of material users post on Facebook to detect everything from bullying to the early signs of suicidal thinking to extremist recruiting. AI, Zuckerberg wrote, could "understand more quickly and accurately what is happening across our community." Speaking to the AP, Zuckerberg said he understands that we might not "solve all the issues that we want" in the short term. "One of my favorite quotes is this Bill Gates quote, that 'people overestimate what they can get done in two years and underestimate what they can get done in 10 years.' And that's an important mindset that I hope more people take today," he said. __ Reach Barbara Ortutay on Twitter at https://twitter.com/BarbaraOrtutay ___ AP Technology Writer Michael Liedtke in San Francisco contributed to this story. ___ This story has been corrected to substitute a quote on artificial intelligence to reflect what was actually in the manifesto. Governor Scott Walker delivered his budget address on Feb. 8. This biennial speech officially launches the legislatures budget process. The address is the governors opportunity to pitch and highlight the ideas, programs and priorities he has included in his version of the state budget. As I listened to Governor Walkers budget address, there were several main themes: student success, reduced college costs, care for the needy, rewarding work, maintenance of roads and bridges and lowering taxes. Following is a summary of the governors proposed plan for each of these areas: Student success the governors plan: Invests $11.5 billion for K-12 education. Includes a $200 per student increase in the first year and a $204 increase per student in the second year. Continues funding for academic and career plans. Reducing college costs the governors plan: Freezes tuition at Wisconsin Technical Colleges. Reduces tuition for undergraduates from Wisconsin at UW campuses by 5 percent. Invests $100 million in new state funding for the UW and allocates an additional $35 million to cover the reduction in tuition for Wisconsin students. Care for the needy and rewarding work the governors plan: Develops the Wisconsin Works for Everyone program for positive entitlement reform. Requires able-bodied adults to be employed at least 80 hours per month to receive Foodshare benefits or be enrolled in job training programs. Expands the Earned Income Tax Credit to enable both parents to work without losing the credit. Encourages parents who owe child support to work and pay their obligation. Expands programs to help people with disabilities find work. Develops programs to help young adults aging out of foster care to find work. Expands career and technical training in correctional facilities to improve transitions. Maintenance of roads and bridges the governors plan: Increases funding for local governments to fix roads and bridges. Invests the largest amount ever for rehabilitation of state highways. Puts all active major projects outside of southeastern Wisconsin back on track. Funds the work on I-94 in Kenosha and Racine counties. Lowering taxes the governors plan: Promises new tax relief of $592.7 million. Promises that for the first time since 1931, no state tax will be collected on property taxes. Implements the manufacturing and agricultural production tax credit. Creates a sales tax holiday on school supplies and clothing. Reduces income taxes. A typical family will see a reduction of $130 in income taxes. I am interested and encouraged by many of the governors budget ideas. I believe we need to find a sustainable, responsible funding plan for transportation. I want to provide adequate funding to rural schools. Overall, I want to represent the needs of rural Wisconsin. Following the address, the budget was officially delivered to the legislatures Joint Finance Committee. It is now being deeply analyzed by the non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau before their analysis is shared with the JFC. The JFC will be meeting with each of the state agencies to discuss their portion of the state budget beginning in March. Then, we will hold a number of public hearings around the state for citizens to share their thoughts, ideas and concerns before we deliberate as a committee. Our goal is to draft a legislative version of the state budget and move it through the legislative process before the fiscal year ends on June 30. As a member of the JFC, I have been looking forward to receiving the governors budget so that we can get to work on plans for the future of Wisconsin. I look forward to working with my colleagues to better understand the programs in the governors budget and the fiscal impacts of our decisions. I will work to ensure that we produce a balanced budget, on time, for the people of our state. For a full text version of the governors budget address, please visit: https://walker.wi.gov/sites/default/files/2017_Wisconsin_Budget_Address.pdf. For more information and to connect with me, visit my website http://legis.wisconsin.gov/senate/17/marklein and subscribe to my weekly E-Update by sending an email to Sen.Marklein@legis.wisconsin.gov. Do not hesitate to call 800-978-8008 if you have input, ideas or need assistance with any state-related matters. In preparation for the 2017 Vernon County Dairy Breakfast on Saturday, June 3, the Vernon County Dairy Promotion Committee will be hosting an organizational meeting at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 21, at the Chaseburg Village Hall. This years dairy breakfast will be hosted by the family are Tim and Lisa Servais, who operate Hamburg Hills Farm, near Chaseburg. The success of this annual event can be measured by the cooperative efforts of area civic and service organizations, businesses, dairy producers and volunteers who come together to promote the importance of agriculture. Brad Robson, of the Vernon County Dairy Promotion Committee, is chairing this years dairy breakfast, along with the entire Servais family, the Vernon County UW-Extension Office, and the continued assistance of numerous past dairy breakfast volunteers. Robson encourages everyone to participate in the planning process, to bring new ideas to the table, and to work together to keep this long standing traditon successful. Attending the meeting will be members of past Dairy Breakfast committees and the Vernon County Dairy Promotion Committee as they begin the work scheduling process. Snacks and refreshments will be provided at the meeting. If you are not able to attend the Feb. 21 meeting, but would like to help with the dairy breakfast, or if you have any questions, call: Brad Robson (608) 792-4584; Tim or Lisa Servais (608) 483-2298; or Karen Traastad at the Vernon County UW-Extension Office (608) 637-5276. We would sure appreciate your help and hope to see you there! Car bomb claimed by IS kills 55: BAGHDAD A car bomb at a Baghdad auto dealership killed at least 55 people and wounded more than 60 on Thursday, Iraqi officials said. The Islamic State group claimed the bombing in an online statement circulated by its Aamaq news agency. The Sunni extremist group said it was targeting Shiites; the attack took place in the mainly Shiite al-Bayaa neighborhood. The extremist group has carried out near-daily attacks in Baghdad despite suffering military setbacks elsewhere in the country. Court approves arrest of Samsung heir: SEOUL, South Korea A South Korean court approved on Friday the arrest of a billionaire heir to Samsung accused of bribery and other charges in connection to a massive corruption scandal. The Seoul Central District Courts decision to issue a warrant to arrest Lee Jae-yong, 48, a vice chairman at Samsung Electronics and the only son of Samsung chair Lee Kun-hee, makes him the first leader in Samsungs history to be arrested on criminal charges. Cyprus peace talks meeting ends abruptly: NICOSIA, Cyprus A feud over Cyprus troubled history on Thursday led to the abrupt halt of reunification talks between the ethnically split islands rival leaders, with confusion and finger-pointing over who walked out on whom. Its unclear how the negotiations that have led to significant headway over 21 months on a deal reunifying the small island as a federation will move forward. Tensions ran high this week following strong Turkish Cypriot protests against new legislation making the annual commemoration of a 1950 vote to unite Cyprus with Greece compulsory in Greek Cypriot schools. Saudi-led coalition to probe funeral airstrike: SANAA, Yemen The Saudi-led coalition said Thursday it will probe reports of an airstrike targeting a gathering of female mourners near the capital, which killed seven people. The airstrike hit a house packed with mourners in Arhab, some 25 miles from Sanaa, on Wednesday. Fahd Maqhat, head of the nearby Omeria hospital, said six women and one girl were killed, and that another 10 women were wounded. The war in Yemen has killed more than 10,000 civilians and displaced over three million people. It pits the Houthis and allied army units against the U.S.-backed coalition, which is fighting to restore an internationally recognized government. Dear reader, we're asking for your help to keep local reporting available for all today during our fall fundraiser. Your financial support keeps stories like this one free to read, instead of hidden behind paywalls. We believe when reliable local reporting is widely available, the entire community benefits. Thank you for investing in your neighborhood. Start your day with LAist Sign up for How To LA, delivered weekday mornings. Subscribe The identity of the "secret witness" in Robert Durst's forthcoming murder trial has been revealed. According to City News Wire, Nathan "Nick" Chavin was called to take the stand and testify against Durst. The Los Angeles Times adds that, although preliminary hearings for the trial won't start until October, prosecutors believed Chavin was facing "possible danger" by being a witness, and sought to question him immediately. "That man kills witnesses," prosecutor John Lewin said, notes the Associated Press. "When pushed into a corner, he murders people." I know [Robert Durst] as Bob or Bobby, Chavin said when he took to the stand on Wednesday, reports the Times. Chavin is a creative director and principal at Chavin Lambert Advertising, which specializes in the real estate market. Robert Durst is a scion of the New York real estate Durst family. "Ive known Bob Durst for 25 or 30 years. I met Bob Durst through a very dear friend of mine, Susan Berman. Prosecutors also asked that a second witness, Albert Kuperman, an octogenarian, have his testimony recorded in case he should die before the trial takes place. Durst is currently facing trial over the 2000 murder of Susan Berman. He was arrested a day before the finale of HBO's miniseries The Jinx, which covers Durst and the various murders surrounding him, aired in March 2015. 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10 (4) Aug 09 (3) Aug 08 (4) Aug 07 (3) Aug 06 (3) Aug 05 (3) Aug 04 (4) Aug 03 (4) Aug 02 (4) Aug 01 (3) Jul 31 (4) Jul 30 (5) Jul 29 (3) Jul 28 (3) Jul 27 (3) Jul 26 (4) Jul 25 (4) Jul 24 (3) Jul 23 (3) Jul 22 (3) Jul 21 (4) Jul 20 (5) Jul 19 (4) Jul 18 (4) Jul 17 (3) Jul 16 (4) Jul 15 (3) Jul 14 (3) Jul 13 (4) Jul 12 (3) Jul 11 (3) Jul 10 (3) Jul 09 (4) Jul 08 (4) Jul 07 (4) Jul 06 (3) Jul 05 (5) Jul 04 (4) Jul 03 (4) Jul 02 (4) Jul 01 (4) Jun 30 (3) Jun 29 (4) Jun 28 (4) Jun 27 (3) Jun 26 (3) Jun 25 (4) Jun 24 (5) Jun 23 (5) Jun 22 (5) Jun 21 (3) Jun 20 (4) Jun 19 (3) Jun 18 (3) Jun 17 (4) Jun 16 (4) Jun 15 (4) Jun 14 (4) Jun 13 (4) Jun 12 (6) Jun 11 (3) Jun 10 (4) Jun 09 (3) Jun 08 (5) Jun 07 (3) Jun 06 (3) Jun 05 (5) Jun 04 (5) Jun 03 (3) Jun 02 (5) Jun 01 (6) May 31 (3) May 30 (5) May 29 (3) May 28 (4) May 27 (5) May 26 (7) May 25 (4) May 24 (4) May 23 (4) May 22 (6) May 21 (4) May 20 (3) May 19 (5) May 18 (4) May 17 (4) May 16 (5) May 15 (4) May 14 (4) May 13 (5) May 12 (4) May 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Mar 16 (1) Mar 15 (2) Mar 13 (1) Mar 12 (1) Mar 11 (1) Mar 10 (1) Thursday, February 16, 2017 Photo courtesy of the Los Angeles Times Kate Linthicum of the Los Angeles Times describes the rampant violence in El Salvador that drives so many Salvadorans to flee their native land for the United States. Here is a capsule summary: "Although a fierce military crackdown on El Salvadors two main warring gangs has chipped away at violent crime in the last year, this tiny Central American nation remains one of the most dangerous places on Earth, with a per capita homicide rate more than 15 times that of the United States. Children as young as 9 are recruited for gang membership. Extortion is rampant, with gangs squeezing street vendors, restaurant owners and even grandmothers for cash. Last year, nearly 1 in 4 people were victims of a crime, according to a poll conducted by Central American University, which also found that more than 40% of Salvadorans hoped to leave the country within a year. In certain areas . . . , located on a strategic drug route on the Pacific Coast, many people rarely venture out after dark." KJ https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/immigration/2017/02/why-tens-of-thousands-of-kids-from-el-salvador-continue-to-flee-to-the-united-states.html Dubai officials say they plan to use Chinese-made drones to launch a self-flying air taxi as soon as July. The Chinese-made EHang 184 drone has four propeller wings. It is designed to carry one passenger - weighing up to 100 kilograms - and a small piece of luggage. The head of Dubais Roads and Transportation Authority says the autonomous taxi has already been tested in the city-state. He said regular service is expected to begin by July. The egg-shaped aircraft can reach a top speed of 160 kilometers per hour. It can operate for up to 30 minutes on a single battery charge, with a flying range of 50 kilometers. A video demonstration of the air taxi shows the whole trip being automated. Drones can be requested through an app to arrive at an approved pickup location. The passenger then climbs in and enters the desired destination into a device built into the seat. The auto-piloted aircraft then powers up, takes off and heads to the drop-off location. Officials from EHang say all movements and functions of the drone will be monitored by people in a Command and Control Center on the ground. The person inside the aircraft will also be able to communicate with the command center if needed. EHang said it has done major testing on its 184 vehicle in China over the past few years. It has also developed and sells several consumer drone models controlled by remote devices. Last year, EHang signed an agreement with officials in the western state of Nevada to conduct test flights of the EHang 184. Nevada operates a testing center in cooperation with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, or FAA. The goal is to get FAA approval for the EHang 184 to fly in the United States. The company has said the drones could have other uses besides carrying passengers in the air in busy cities. They could also help in emergency rescue operations or deliver human organs. Dubai is the commercial capital of the oil-rich United Arab Emirates in the Persian Gulf. Officials there have long been pushing to adopt high-tech transportation alternatives. The ruler of the city-state has said that by 2030, at least 25 percent of all passenger trips are to be completed with driverless vehicles. Dubai is already home to the worlds longest driverless rail line. It also signed a deal with American businessman Elon Musk to look into building his proposed super-fast Hyperloop system. Officials in Dubai have not outlined special regulations for the air taxi system. Currently, people who operate drones are required to register the aircraft. Last year, several drone incidents around Dubai International Airport, causing officials to briefly ground flights at the facility - one of the worlds busiest. Im Bryan Lynn. Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English, based on reports from the Associated Press and other sources. Hai Do was the editor. We want to hear from you. Would you be willing to try out this flying drone for a ride? Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story drone n. a small flying machine flown remotely by a pilot propeller n. device with blades that turn quickly to make an aircraft move luggage n. bags people carry when they travel autonomous adj. existing separately from other things destination n. the place where is person is going to consumer n. someone who buys or uses goods and services 1 Women with flowers stand next to Belarusian military cadets holding portraits of soldiers who were killed during the Soviet war in Afghanistan, during a ceremony at memorial on the Island of Tears in Minsk. Tuhin Das is a writer, activist and poet. In a quiet, melodious voice, he shares a part of a poem. I dont know how I can express myself, as feelings become obtuse from fear. Soldiers of darkness caught me like an animal and butchered me in dreams. You know the feelings of dreaming are like reality. It is midnight in my Bangladesh. Tuhin Das is from Bangladesh. But he lives now in exile. Forced to leave his home in April 2016, Tuhin Das sought refuge at City of Asylum Pittsburgh, a sanctuary for endangered writers. I left my country in an extreme situation and I came here not for only security; I came here for freedom, freedom of expression, freedom of writing and freedom for living a certain way. Born and raised in Barisal, Bangladesh, Tuhin Das loved to read poems. Tuhin began writing his own poems when he was in seventh grade. Some of his works were featured in a local childrens magazine. Basically, I write poetry because that is my voice, my soul voice. I wrote a few rhymes, like children(s) poetry. They were published in childrens magazines. Tuhin Das says he continued with poetry but also started writing other things, like short stories. However, he says in the 1980s things changed in his country. A military dictator took control and established Islamic rule. Tuhin Das says he began to write more serious articles as a witness to the rise of fundamentalism. When I started writing articles, basically our community in Bangladesh was ninety-four percent Muslims and they did not think [writing] is good because some feelings hurt them. I wrote against war crimes, some war criminals in our country, and they are still in our country and they are doing their job. They were never condemned, so for that, we wrote against them. However, freedom of expression came at a cost for Tuhin Das. Right now there are local collaborators of 1971, and right now in our country there are a lot of their supporters. So, when we wrote against them and the supporters, sometimes online, they personally threatened us. To save his own life, Tuhin Das left Bangladesh. Since 2013, Das has been the target of fundamentalist groups who have murdered freethinking bloggers, writers and editors. In Bangladesh, writers are being persecuted under the countrys Information and Technology Communication Law. Instead of protecting Tuhin, the police collected and searched his writings for anti-Islamic statements to use against him. City of Asylum Pittsburgh has given exiled writer Tuhin Das a refuge. I think a lot of bad things have happened in our country and already 16 writers are murdered by the extremists so, right now, I am feeling safe here. I am writing freely. Right now, I am writing a novel about (the) social structure of my country, basically the Islamization of my country. Tuhin Das appreciates the community support he is receiving. He joined the Greater Pittsburgh Literary Society where he is learning the English language and about American culture. His work has continued to appear in Bangladesh. In his native language, Bengali, Das has authored seven poetry books. He has served as editor of several literary magazines, written short stories and published columns in his home country. He says his proudest accomplishment is the founding of a popular magazine called, The Wild. However, Tuhin Das says he misses his Bangladeshi home and hopes one day to return there. I love my country and also my family, my parents and my nephew and my sisters and a lot of friends. I think the situation of my country will be good and I will come back to my country. I hope that. Im Marsha James. Marsha James wrote this story for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. Next time on People in America, meet Peter Ripken, Board Chair of International Cities Of Refuge (ICORN) Listening Quiz See how well you understand this story by taking a listening quiz. Play each video, then answer the question. Quiz - Tuhin Das, Exiled Writer of Bangladesh Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz _____________________________________________________________ Words In This Story melodious adj. having a pleasing sound sanctuary n. a place where someone is protected or given shelter fundamentalism n. a form of religion especially Islam or Protestant, Christianity that upholds strict adherence to any set of basic ideas or principles collaborator n. a person who works with another person or group in order to achieve or do something blogger n. someone who writes about personal opinions, activities and experiences persecuted v. to treat someone cruelly or unfairly especially because of race or religious or political beliefs appreciate v. to be grateful for something literary adj. having a lot of knowledge about literature: known for reading or writing books authored v. to be the person of something, such as a book column n. an article in a newspaper or magazine that appears regularly and that is written by a particular writer or deals with a particular subject accomplishment n. something done, achieved successfully The memory of a beloved pet inspires one couple's fight against injustice. Mar del Plata, located in Argentinas Buenos Aires Province, is a bustling beach city on the countrys east coast. With a population of 750,000 and nearly eight times that number of annual tourists, it is the seventh-largest city in Argentina and home to an estimated 5,000 Jews. Rabbi Zalmi and Patsonia Lipinski, under the guidance of their mentor, Rabbi Adin Even-Israel Steinsaltz, relocated to Mar del Plata to open the 37th branch of Chabad in Argentina. Himself a native Argentinian, Zalmis parents are Chabad emissaries to Buenos Aires City. Patsonia, born in South Africa, was raised in Israel. The couple married in Jerusalem in 2013 and bring their two young daughters with them to Mar del Plata. According to the Lipinskis, the opening of a preschool and Jewish educational programs are first among their priorities. The couple will import kosher food from the capital city of Buenos Aires, a four-and-a-half hour drive distance. Meat is harder to import because it needs refrigeration, but Chabad of Argentinas meat-exportation program will make it possible for local supermarkets to stock kosher meat. The Lipinskis will also be taking over management of Templo Gabriel, the older of Mar del Platas two Sephardic synagogues. The couple hopes to bolster attendance and eventually have enough congregants to conduct a weekly Shabbat minyan. Our vision is to have an established kehilla, a functioning community that can grow, Lipinski says. To learn more about Chabad of Mar del Plata, visit their Facebook page. Donations can be made here. A St. Petersburg woman has been accused of kidnapping her neighbor's baby in an effort to force the woman to change her testimony in a prior case. Police: St. Pete woman kidnapped baby over case testimony Lorraine Rainey, 35, arrested and charged Anita Johnson's baby returned unharmed Johnson witnessed Rainey try to run over husband, cops say According to the St. Petersburg Police Department, it started Wednesday afternoon when Lorraine Rainey, 35, attempted to run over her husband, Robert, at their home on 1st Avenue North. Robert Rainey was not injured, but their neighbor, Anita Johnson, 33, was a key witness. Thursday morning, Lorraine forced her way into Johnson's home and coerced her to drive to the police station to change her statement related to the incident, police said. While Johnson was inside, police said Lorraine stayed in the car with Johnson's 2-month-old daughter, London Baker. When Johnson came out, Lorraine and her baby were gone. "She felt threatened," said Yolanda Fernandez with St. Petersburg Police. "She felt like she had no choice especially since she had such a young baby. So she made her come here to the police department and this woman stayed in the car with her baby and the mother came inside and she immediately notified us of what was going on." According to a police report, Lorraine and the baby caught a ride with an unknown person and returned to her neighborhood. When she saw police at her home, she began to walk and run around the neighborhood until police spotted her. Police said the baby was unharmed and returned her to Johnson. Lorraine is being charged with burglary, false imprisonment, tampering with a witness and kidnapping. Police are also asking to speak with the driver who gave Lorraine a ride from the police station. Anyone with information is asked to call 893-7780. A candidate for state superintendent offered an opponent a taxpayer-funded $150,000 job if he dropped out of the race and sought the same for himself if he were the one to drop out, his challenger alleged Wednesday. Candidate John Humphries said in an interview with the Wisconsin State Journal that during discussions between him and opponent Lowell Holtz, Holtz proposed in writing that either he or Humphries should drop out in exchange for the guaranteed three-year job with the Department of Public Instruction should one of them defeat incumbent Tony Evers in the general election. But Holtz said in an interview with the State Journal that the proposal including a driver, benefits and sweeping control over several urban school districts, including Madison was a rough draft of ideas assembled at the request of business leaders he declined to name of how the two conservative candidates could work together instead of running against each other. Both candidates said the proposal went nowhere. Holtz said the proposal was intended for consideration after the primary, but Humphries said Holtz meant for it to be weighed before the race even began and contemplated scenarios under which one or the other candidate would drop out. Each sought to make his case with dueling documents released Wednesday, although it was impossible to ascertain whether either had been altered. Holtz and Humphries are competing in a Feb. 21 primary against Evers, and both are seeking support from conservative voters. The top two vote-getters advance to the general election in April. In a Wednesday appearance on a conservative talk radio show on WISN-AM, where the candidates debated, Holtz called Humphries characterization of the discussion liberal BS. Its true that we had breakfast together. Its true that a number of business people asked us to get together and discuss options for working together because they thought we would have a better chance, Holtz said on WISN. There was no specific proposal. There were ideas that were thrown around. They were ideas. Holtz later told the State Journal that Humphries is not one to let the facts get in the way of a good story. Unfortunately, we are on totally opposite ends of the political spectrum, he said. The differences between Mr. Humphries approach to education and mine were too stark to be reconciled, so the conversation ended there. Holtz said on WISN the proposal contained suggestions from business people that were put in writing because the business people asked for them to be put in writing. Its as simple as that, Holtz said on WISN. If you want to focus on the issues, focus on the issues. If you want to come up with a bunch of stuff thats a bunch of baloney and a bunch of liberal BS, go for it. Because thats exactly what it is. Humphries said he later offered Holtz a spot on his campaign but did not discuss salary levels or other details. He also declined to name the business leaders. I would not agree to his terms for me to drop out or to bring him into my team, said Humphries. Documents with alleged offer Humphries told the State Journal that the terms of the proposal were to give either Humphries or Holtz a three-year contract for a position within DPI that would pay $150,000 annually and offer full benefits, including a driver. He provided the newspaper a PDF, or electronic image, of a document with a handwritten date of Dec. 22, 2016, listing the terms. The document, which Humphries said was prepared by Holtz, does not specifically state the proposal is a quid pro quo for one candidate leaving the race. Under Lowell, the document also calls for Complete authority over Milwaukee, Racine, Kenosha and Madison (Green Bay can be negotiated) and clarifies that the authority includes the ability to create rules for the listed districts, change boards when I deem it necessary, break apart districts, and that the positions budget would be proportional to the districts enrollment. You identify me as the superintendent in charge of those four urban districts with the authority and autonomy that goes with the office of WI State Superintendent, the document says. We are going to shake up Milwaukee and it is going to make noise. A somewhat similar list of conditions appears under John, although with some details left blank. Holtz provided the State Journal with a Microsoft Word version of a document with similar language and formatting, but which contains additional text explicitly stating the proposals were for consideration after the primary election. The Holtz document also adds that Humphries would oversee Central Office, including curriculum and assessments, if Holtz wins the Feb. 21 primary. Holtz said Humphries did not provide the State Journal with the original document in question. He obviously did not share the full story with you and edited pieces, said Holtz. Humphries rejected that claim. The document I jotted notes on and scanned is what Holtz gave to me at the breakfast in Milton, Humphries said. Perhaps he edited it afterwards, but this is not the version he handed me. Its unclear if either document had been edited. The Humphries document does not contain a revision history. The electronic properties in the Holtz document show it was printed on Dec. 22 at 8:21 a.m. and was edited at 1:29 p.m. on Wednesday. The document does not contain any further revision history to indicate whether it had been edited between Dec. 22 and Wednesday. No current laws on matter Reid Magney, spokesman for the state ethics and elections commissions, said the ethics commission does not comment on matters that could become the subject of complaints but said the commission does not believe there is anything under state election law that would cover the allegations. Kevin Kennedy, former director of the Government Accountability Board the forerunner of the ethics and elections boards and an expert on election law and campaign ethics, also said there are no state laws that prohibit such a proposal. Its not an unusual political (move), said Kennedy. Youre usually not dealing with something this blatant but theres not a specific prohibition. So, with a lot of things in politics, you use it in a campaign. Tom McCarthy, spokesman for DPI, said the alleged proposal seeks powers that dont currently exist in state law. This would be an unprecedented shift in who controls our local schools, said McCarthy. A spokeswoman for the Evers campaign declined to comment. GET OUR APP Our Spectrum News app is the most convenient way to get the stories that matter to you. Download it here. A Chinese aluminum company targeted by protests over pollution fears in a northern Chinese city says its production facilities conform to the highest international environmental standards, but that it hasnt decided whether to proceed with a massive investment in a new plant. Video footage circulating on social media purportedly from the protest in the northeastern city of Daqing near the border with Russia showed more than 200 people chanting and holding banners outside the city government headquarters. Several dozen police officers stood guard outside the building. The 46 billion yuan (USD6.7 billion) plant proposed by aluminum producer Zhongwang Holdings would create more than 30,000 jobs, according to a government statement about the project forwarded by Zhongwangs media manager, Jiang Qihan. Zhongwang and the Daqing government agreed to cooperate on the plant in 2011, and it is slated to produce 2 million tons of high precision aluminum and aluminum alloy per year, according to the statement. In a separate statement, Zhongwang said it was a maker of aluminum products and did not engage in either mining or smelting, the most heavily polluting parts of the production chain. Zhongwang is a socially responsible company committed to environmental protection and innovation, the statement said. As a mid-stream player, our production complies with international standards, it said, adding that most of its production facilities were imported from overseas and met international environmental requirements. Since the Daqing project remained in the planning stages, the protests would not affect current operations, the statement said. A decision on whether to proceed with the plant would be made based on an internal study and other factors, it said. Hong Kong-listed Zhongwang describes itself on its website as the second largest industrial aluminum extrusion product developer and manufacturer in the world and the largest in Asia. Founded in 1993, it has more than 90 production lines with a total annual production capacity of 1.2 million tons, it said on its website. Protesters on Tuesday chanted Boycott Zhongwang; refuse pollution, according to footage of the demonstration. A woman who answered the phone at the Daqing police hotline said that residents worried about possible pollution protested in front of the Daqing government building Tuesday morning, and dispersed in the afternoon. She refused to identify herself. Everyone in Daqing is against the project, she said. A man in the publicity department of the Daqing Public Security Bureau said he had no immediate comment. Daqing has been hit hard in recent years by the shrinkage of the state industrial sector as the regions oil fields are pumped dry. The surrounding province of Heilongjiang is part of Chinas rust belt that has seen large population outflows as young people leave for rosier economic opportunities to the south. Tackling the problem of pollution remains a serious challenge for the Communist Party that erodes its legitimacy among the people. The Daqing city government said that it attached great importance to economic growth and even more importance to the environment and residents concerns. It said it was paying attention to peoples concerns and was inviting national experts to assess the environmental impact of the project. It said it would organize seminars and other discussion forums for residents to express their views. It added that any illegal gatherings, defamation, starting rumors and disturbing social order would be dealt with according to the law. Louise Watt & Christopher Bodeen, Beijing, AP Sri Lankan asylum seekers held on Pacific island camps who could potentially find new lives in the United States are free to return home without fear of persecution, Sri Lankas prime minister said yesterday. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe made the comments during a visit to Australia in which he discussed with his Australian counterpart Malcolm Turnbull cooperation on combating people smuggling. No Sri Lankan asylum seeker has reached Australia by boat since 2013. But Sri Lankans, Iranians and Afghans are the largest national groups among more than 2,000 asylum seekers living on the Pacific islands nations of Nauru and Papua New Guinea. Australia pays the countries to house them. Australia refuses to resettle any of them and President Donald Trump has agreed to honor an Obama administration deal to take up to 1,250 of them. Trump added that they will undergo extreme vetting. Officials from the U.S. State Departments Resettlement Support Center left Nauru last week after initial interviews with refugee candidates, and a team arrived on Papua New Guineas men-only camp on Manus Island on Tuesday to commence interviews there, refugee advocate Ian Rintoul said. The U.S. Embassy in Canberra later confirmed that the interviews had begun on Manus this week. Behrouz Boochani, an asylum seeker and journalist from Iran who has been detained on Manus since 2013, said around 10 refugees were interviewed by officials from the resettlement agency yesterday. The interviews lasted four hours, and the refugees were told they will have just one further interview, with the Department of Homeland Security, as part of the vetting process. None of the refugees were told when that interview will take place or how long it will be until a decision is made, Boochani said by text message from Manus. Many of the men have already languished on the island for nearly four years, and are consumed with worry over their futures, he said. Trump has called the resettlement deal dumb, leaving refugees concerned that it will be called off. We dont know, do they really want to take people to America or not? said Boochani, who fled Iran fearing arrest over his work for a Kurdish magazine. Wickremesinghe said the Sri Lankan asylum seekers had broken Sri Lankan law by fleeing to Australia for asylum. But they had nothing to fear from returning. They are welcome to return to Sri Lanka and we wont prosecute them, Wickremesinghe told reporters. Come back. All is forgiven. [] It is quite safe in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka has been attempting to reconcile its population since a bloody 26-year civil war ended in 2009. Deakin University expert on Southeast Asia, Damien Kingsbury, said all the Sri Lankan asylum seekers he knew of who were sent back by Australia or prevented by Sri Lankan authorities from leaving had been jailed. Dissatisfaction with the government is often interpreted as support for ethnic Tamil Tigers rebels. If the prime minister is offering a blanket amnesty, then thats something quite new but I dont think the prime minister has the authority to do that, Kingsbury said. Sri Lankan asylum seekers on Nauru and Manus would be wary of assurances that they were safe to return, with Sri Lankas north still effectively under military occupation and subject to ongoing reports of human rights abuses. Things are not as bad as they were there a few years ago, but theyre still difficult, Kingsbury said. Before becoming prime minister in January 2015, Wickremesinghe had accused the Australian government of turning a blind eye to human rights abuses in Sri Lanka in return for Sri Lankan government support in preventing asylum seekers from reaching Australia. Wickremesinghe stood by that criticism, but said the bilateral relationship under the current Sri Lankan government had not suffered because of it. We felt that there could have been more emphasis on the human rights situation, Wickremesinghe said. Turnbull said Sri Lanka was making great strides to recover from years of civil conflict. The Sri Lankan governments reconciliation agenda is laying the groundwork for long-term, sustainable and inclusive peace, Turnbull said. Rod McGuirk, Canberra, AP An annual report on military power throughout the world cites Chinese and Russian activity as rising threats to Western powers. The International Institute for Strategic Studies report said analysts have noted real and important increases in Chinese military activity in the air, at sea, and in missile forces. It said Chinese weapons systems are becoming more sophisticated and advanced. The report says a resurgent Russia has placed the exercise of military power and even the importance of nuclear weapons at a centerpiece of its power, provoking the need for a strong NATO response. It also says Britain has fallen below the 2 percent defense spending target set for NATO countries, a charge rejected by British officials and some other analysts. A British man suspected of involvement in the gangland-style slaying of another Briton in the Thai resort town of Pattaya has been arrested, Cambodian authorities said yesterday. Deputy National Police Chief Gen. Chhay Sinarith confirmed the arrest of the suspect, who was taken to Phnom Penh Municipal Court for questioning. Court spokesman Ly Sophana identified the man as 45-year-old Toby James Nelhams. Nelhams was one of three men sought by Thai police in the Jan. 24 shooting death of Tony Kenway, 39, as he sat in his parked Porsche SUV. Kenways widow described him as a website designer, but Thai media suggested he had connections with a gambling website, among other activities. Thai police have said the other two suspects, a South African suspected of being the shooter and a Briton believed to have been his getaway driver, fled to Cambodia. Their current whereabouts are unknown. Police Col. Jirawut Tantasri, chief of the Thai police precinct investigating the killing, confirmed that an arrest warrant had been issued for Nelhams after an investigation. He said Wednesday that he had contacted Cambodian police but had not heard anything from them. Both Cambodian and Thai authorities have released few details about Nelhams or the circumstances under which he was arrested. His arrest warrant had not been publicized, unlike those of his alleged accomplices, South African Abel Caleira Bonito and Briton Miles Dicken Turner. Thai newspapers reported late last week that Nelhams had been apprehended in Cambodia and was expected to be handed over to Thailand, presumably without going through a complicated and prolonged extradition process. Until yesterday, however, Cambodian officials denied making any such arrest. Pattaya is a popular beachside resort town about a two-hour drive from Bangkok with a reputation as a sin city rife with corruption and prostitution. It attracts a significant number of Western residents, including members of the criminal underworld from several nations. AP It looks like a perfectly staged assassination, straight out of the pages of a spy novel: Kim Jong Nam, the estranged, exiled half brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, falls ill at a Malaysian airport, complains of being sprayed with some sort of chemical, and drops dead. But, as with many things about the motives of cloistered North Korea, the unknowns currently far outweigh the certainties. A look at what officials are trying to piece together as they work to reconstruct what appears to be one of the most audacious, mysterious assassinations in recent Asian history: WHY NOW? This is the big one: Motive. Kim Jong Nam, a jovial, overweight gambler and playboy, had embarrassed Pyongyang before he tried to sneak into Tokyo Disneyland; he criticized his half brother but hes been generally seen more as an annoyance than an existential threat to North Koreas stability. Why would Kim Jong Un go through the massive logistical trouble and potential embarrassment of staging the risky assassination of a blood relation on foreign soil? Without elaborating, South Koreas spy service told lawmakers yesterday that the North had been trying to kill Kim Jong Nam for five years. Spy officials offered a single, shaky motive for the death: Kim Jong Uns paranoia over his estranged half brother. But the Souths National Intelligence Service has a long history of botching intelligence on North Korea and has long sought to portray the Norths leadership as mentally unstable. Some in Seoul wonder if Kim Jong Un might have become enraged when a South Korean newspaper reported last week that Kim Jong Nam tried to defect to the South in 2012. South Koreas spy service denied this, but its still an open question: Could public speculation that a member of the exalted Kim dynasty wanted to flee to the hated South have pushed Kim Jong Un to order his half brothers assassination? WHY THE AIRPORT IN MALAYSIA? There would seem to be easier, less public places to kill such a high-profile target. A possible explanation might be found in another nugget provided by South Koreas spy agency: China had long protected Kim Jong Nam and his family in their home base of Macau. Analysts have seen Beijing as looking to Kim Jong Nam as a potential leader should North Koreas regime collapse. With security, presumably overseen by China, tight in Macau, could there have been a security gap in Malaysia that offered North Korean assassins an opportunity they couldnt have gotten elsewhere? WHO ARE THE MYSTERY WOMEN? The details of the attack itself are a tangled mess. Kim told medical workers that hed been sprayed with a chemical, which brings to mind past attacks with poison-tipped pens linked to North Korean assassins. South Koreas spy agency says two women believed to be North Korean agents attacked Kim. They then reportedly fled. Japanese media quoted the government in Tokyo as saying those women may now be dead, but this has yet to be confirmed. To deepen the confusion, Malaysian police said yesterday that they arrested a woman with Vietnamese travel documents at the airport in connection with Kims death. Her exact role wasnt immediately clear. Finding out who these women are and who hired them could go a long way to unlocking the mystery. WHAT NEXT? North Korea has said nothing officially about the death, but thats not unusual. The countrys propaganda specialists are masters at reporting only details that lionize the Kim family as paragons of virtue. This clearly doesnt do that. China may be angry at the killing of a close North Korean contact, so there could be some sort of reaction, possibly back-channel, from Beijing. But a more concrete punishment could come from Washington. Cheong Seong-Chang, a South Korean analyst, said the assassination might convince the U.S. Congress to relist North Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism, further isolating the already widely shunned country. AP The Kyoto accord, which aims to curb the air pollution blamed for global warming, has come into force seven years after it was agreed. The accord requires countries to cut emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Some 141 countries, accounting for 55% of greenhouse gas emissions, have ratified the treaty, which pledges to cut these emissions by 5.2% by 2012. But the worlds top polluter the US has not signed up to the treaty. The US says the changes would be too costly to introduce and that the agreement is flawed. Large developing countries including India, China and Brazil are not required to meet specific targets for now. The ancient Japanese capital of Kyoto, where the pact was negotiated, is hosting the main ceremony marking the treatys coming into force. Russia ratified the treaty in November 2004 the crucial moment that made the treaty legally binding. Courtesy BBC News In context Most climate scientists say that the targets set in the Kyoto Protocol are merely scratching the surface of the problem. The agreement aims to reduce emissions from industrialised nations only by around 5%, whereas the consensus among many climate scientists is that in order to avoid the worst consequences of global warming, emissions cuts in the order of 60% across the board are needed. This has led to criticisms that the agreement is toothless, as well as being virtually obsolete without US support. But others say its failure would be a disaster as, despite its flaws, it sets out a framework for future negotiations which could take another decade to rebuild. Kim Jong Nam was rumored to have lived in Macau for around a decade after he fell out of favor with the North Korean regime, which is now controlled by his half-brother Kim Jong Un. The man who was murdered at the Kuala Lumpur airport lived in a newer high rise building in Macaus Taipa neighborhood across from a public park, according to photos published by South Koreas Yonhap news agency. The Associated Press reported that Filipino woman who lives in the building and declined to give her name said she saw Kim in the elevator but they never spoke. Kims teenage daughter attends Macau Anglican College after having transferred from an international school nearby. None of the students interviewed at both schools said they knew her or had seen her the day after her fathers death. Though Kim Jong Nam was reported to not use bodyguards, he was often accompanied by friends both Chinese and Portuguese in Macau and usually traveled by taxi. A hard man to pin down, there are few direct accounts of Kim Jong Nam and fewer media appearances. A 2007 feature on the South China Morning Post republished in the wake of the assassination this week, cites various unnamed sources that claimed at the time to be able to shed light on the exiled man. According to those familiar with his lifestyle in Macau, the elusive Kim Jong Nam developed a reputation for living low-key despite being well-endowed financially. Hes not short of funds but he doesnt always live the high life, commented one Macau-based source according to the article. He has tastes that can be very down-to-earth [ and] very late at night he may stop with friends at a street-side establishment that is far from luxurious. He is low-profile, but that doesnt seem to stop him enjoying life, continued the source. The guy seems to like Macau. He says he is happier there than on the mainland. The elusive relative of the North Korean leader was said to favor the same restaurants (mostly serving Korean food) and bars in Taipa, where he usually consumed whisky or cognac. In 2007, Kim Jong Nam was believed to live in a luxury dwelling in Coloane between the beaches of Hac Sa and Cheoc Van, with a sunflower plaque on its exterior symbolizing loyalty to the North Korean regime. He was also believed to own another apartment in downtown Macau, close to the Military Club, where he spent much of his time. According to the SCMP article, he preferred the bustle of Macaus downtown, frequently spending hours in saunas and sometimes playing casino slot machines. He also [favored] nightclubs in the Lisboa Hotel. In many ways, he would have been indistinguishable from the multitude of Chinese high-rollers and wealthy tourists in the city. It was reported by Ponto Final in 2009 that his children were members of the Macau Lusophone Scout Group, but organizers of the association have declined to confirm this. Joao Guedes, a journalist in Macau who has visited North Korea and has created several documentaries on the surreal country, confirmed that Kim Jong Nam liked to gamble and liked Macau because of the many casinos. Asked why the half-brother of the North Korean leader would choose Macau, Guedes said that traditionally the North Koreans like the discreet [nature] of Macau for their secretive activities. According to the Associated Press, Macau is home to a small Korean community estimated at 240 people, but staff at the citys handful of Korean restaurants and shops said yesterday that they had never seen Kim Jong Nam when shown his picture. Several reportedly said that he was unlikely to mix with Macaus Korean population because most were from the South. Police fail to provide concrete information The Office of the Secretary for Security issued a statement yesterday in response to media requests for information on the alleged assassination of Kim Jong Nam. The statement asserted that security authorities are paying attention to the issue but, as always, will act according to the law, protecting the rights and security of Macau residents, of travellers and of all people in general. [The office] will not disclose any information, nor any comment, on any isolated case. Due to the fact that Kim Jong Nam was believed to be based in Macau for more than a decade, it was speculated in media reports yesterday that he and his immediate family may have held residency permits for the MSAR. Others claim that he had sought political asylum in Macau, putting him in a slightly different category to that of a resident. It is fair to assume that he had some sort of residency, said Macau journalist Joao Guedes, who has experience reporting on North Korea. It remains to be seen whether the Public Security Police Force (PSP) and Kim Jong Nams immediate family were informed about the assassination before the media released the information. It is also unclear whether the PSP are conducting their own investigation or will be asked to cooperate with the Malaysian investigation. Eight people were killed in Chinas far western Xinjiang region, including three knife- wielding assailants, in the latest outbreak of violence in the volatile territory, authorities said yesterday. According to a statement posted on the local governments website, the attack occurred Tuesday evening in Pishan county in southern Xinjiang, home to Chinas Uighur ethnic minority. It said the three also injured five others before being shot dead by police. Uighurs are predominantly Muslim, Turkic-speaking people distinct from the Chinese- speaking Han national majority. They have long chafed under the rule of Beijing, more than 1,800 miles away from the provincial capital of Urumqi. While Xinjiang is one of Chinas five autonomous regions, its Uighur residents are often prevented from leaving the region and face other restrictions enacted by Beijing, which has ratcheted up security dramatically since deadly anti-government riots broke out in Urumqi in 2009. China says it is battling separatists and the militant East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), while Uighur activists based abroad say Beijing is cracking down on peaceful religious and cultural expression in the name of fighting terrorism. The statement did not say whether Tuesdays assailants were linked to ETIM, which has carried out a string of attacks inside and outside China. It called the assailants thugs and said officials had restored social order while continuing to investigate the incident. The ethnic backgrounds of the attackers and their victims were not specified. Dilxat Raxit, an overseas spokesman for Uighurs in contact with residents of the region, said local security forces have put Pishan under lockdown, with more armed officers guarding roads and residents county residents barred from leaving the area. At least two Uighurs have been detained for sharing videos of the scene, Raxit said. Authorities typically respond to violence or unrest in Xinjiang with lockdowns, raids on homes, and restrictions on phone and Internet communications. Calls to local police went unanswered yesterday. Pishan county is in the far south of Xinjiang, bordering Pakistan. While China has encouraged Han Chinese to move in Xinjiang as part of broader efforts to settle the region, Han Chinese comprise just 1 percent of Pishans nearly 300,000 people. AP Foreign ministers from most of the worlds leading powers are heading to a diplomatic summit of the Group of 20 industrialized and emerging economies in Germany, with all eyes on the new U.S. Secretary of State for clues about the direction Washington will take over the next four years. At the talks today and tomorrow in the western city of Bonn, U.S. allies are seeking reassurances from Rex Tillerson that the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump wont ditch a decade of close cooperation among G-20 nations on climate change, international development and the global economy. Russia, China, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, meanwhile, are looking to gauge the man theyll be dealing with on some of the more sensitive areas of foreign policy in the coming years a including conflicts in Syria and Ukraine, territorial disputes in the South China Sea and nuclear disarmament. The issue for any country thats not America is to try and flesh out what Trump means by America first, said Christopher Smart, a fellow at the Chatham House think tank and former Obama administration adviser on international economic affairs. A shift away from multilateral diplomacy could see U.S. allies pitted against each other in a bid for Washingtons attention, opening up new battle lines. At the same time, smaller countries could be left to pick up the cost of financing international organizations as well as the burden of behind-the-scenes negotiations previously shouldered largely by the State Department. So far, Tillerson has struck a more moderate tone than Trump, suggesting a desire for continuity rather than a radical break with the past, Smart said. How that will work in practice, and who genuinely has the new presidents ear, is something diplomats will be trying to find out both in the summits two working sessions and during a flurry of bilateral meetings at a German government guest house on a mountain overlooking the River Rhine. Russia would be a very interesting conversation to hear, said Smart, noting that the G-20 meeting comes days after Trumps national security adviser Michael Flynn resigned over his contacts with Moscow. This weeks talks are also seen as a dress rehearsal for Germanys hosting of the G-20 leaders in Hamburg on July 7-8, which Trump has said hell attend. German Chancellor Angela Merkel is trying to downplay differences with Trump who called her refugee policy a total disaster by stressing Berlins willingness to cooperate with his administration. Earlier this month, she sent her foreign minister, Sigmar Gabriel, to Washington to meet with Tillerson within hours of his Senate confirmation. Gabriel, who is also new to the post following a recent Cabinet reshuffle, said Wednesday that talks among the G-20 which also includes Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, India, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, South Africa, South Korea and several European countries are key to ensuring that foreign policy is more than crisis management. We would be well-advised not to constantly run from one blaze to the next with the fire extinguisher, he said, stressing the importance of preventing crises. Germany saw first- hand two years ago how conflicts in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan led to an unprecedented movement of refugees into Europe, with a lasting impact on the continent. Without mentioning the United States by name, Gabriel said problems caused by terrorism, water shortage and humanitarian emergencies couldnt be tackled through isolation. Climate change cant be fought using barbed wire, he said. Still, few believe that this years G-20 meetings will be as harmonious as Germanys stewardship of the G-7 format two years ago, which produced pictures of Merkel and Obama strolling across an Alpine meadow. Left-wing groups are planning a protest today near the conference venue, which for decades was home to West Germanys parliament before the capital was moved to Berlin following the countrys reunification. Bonn has since become an example of Germanys vision for multilateral diplomacy, hosting numerous international organizations and United Nations offices with a particular focus on climate change an issue the new U.S. administration has expressed skepticism about. Frank Jordans, Bonn, AP Pluck off? No, say British women, holding on tight to their eyebrows. Things are really happening in the field of facial hair. The Brexit brow is a new trend: women in the United Kingdom are apparently growing thick eyebrows as a response to the uncertainty of leaving the European Union. Such eyebrows allow them to feel more in control, according to brow bar statistics and sentiment (yes, those exist.) Overall, the British brow market is worth 20 million and, with this new trend, Theresa May can at least point to the nations foreheads and say look, growth! If women bulking up their brows to counter political uncertainty is a trend thats allowed into the US its coming from Britain, it should be okay hairy times lie ahead there too. Given the uneasiness for women under Trump, the whole country could become one big brow thereby annoying the president that, brow-wise, its a bush era. If we take a brow-se through history, we learn Cleopatra had a bold brow. Medieval women plucked theirs heavily to highlight domed foreheads. In the 1920s, film stars popularised skinny brows. Eyebrow weight fluctuated through the rest of the century and into the next until now: when Brexit implications include a slowdown in tweezing. In Asia, I cant help but wonder if the link between politics and facial hair arrived a while back, but has been articulated through lashes not brows. Hong Kong is at peak eyelash extensions here couldnt be any fuller or more extravagant. For example, women in Wan Chai, if they batted in unison, could create a typhoon; and biometric ID at the airport soon wont have a clear beam to the retina. The Hong Kong Consumer Council issued a warning against eyelash extensions, saying they may cause infection and eyelash loss. That actually was Fake News. But forget vanity. Has this all been women in Hong Kong reacting to political uncertainty, affixing these full lashes to feel in control as the Chief Executive election approaches and fears of Beijing influence continue to escalate? What about Macau? Might women there also lush it up lash-wise, or will they offer support to Portugals European Union membership by favouring a thinner arch to rival the Brexit brow? Will it become hugely popular because it rhymes the Macau Brow? Given the amount of attention thats been paid to the Brexit brow, youd think nothing else was happening in the beauty sections. And yet its been a big week in the dominion of man hair. Mintel, the market research company, just reported removal of male body hair is on the up, though dont expect Veet for Him in black packaging because blokes seemingly dont like depilatory creams. The growth market is for body razors, for men to attend to their male terrain. This, frankly, is a massive story. Its the beginning of the end for the socially acceptable hairy man leg, and the start of men wailing: I cant go out tonight, I havent shaved my terrain. But whats also crucial is the fact absolutely no one is linking this to politics. Might British men want tuft-free legs so they can swim the English Channel faster to rejoin Europe after Brexit? Could American men want less hair to express their horror of Trump by being his visual opposite? Nope. No one at all is suggesting this. Man grooming is just man grooming. Which is kind of what it should be. The idea of brows being a realm in which women exercise control suggests they have none elsewhere. And that really does raise more than an eyebrow. Unofficial counts indicate the acrimonious election for the Indonesian capitals governor will head to a second round in April with the incumbent, a minority Christian, failing to secure the 50 percent needed for an outright win. Most of the quick counts carried out by research companies show incumbent Gov. Ahok Tjahaja Purnama, whose campaign was hurt by blasphemy charges, winning 40-43 percent of the vote. Anies Rasyid Baswedan, a former education minister who courted conservative and hard-line Muslims, trails by a couple of points. Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, the photogenic son of former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, was in a distant third place that eliminates him from the contest. Religion and Ahoks Chinese ethnicity, rather than the slew of problems that face a car-clogged and sinking Jakarta, dominated the campaign and transformed the election into a high-stakes tussle between conservatives, who want Islam to be ascendant in politics and society, and moderates. Ahoks chances appeared dashed after accusations he blasphemed the Quran led to criminal charges and trial but he rebounded in opinion polls following a series of televised debates. If convicted of blasphemy, he faces up to five years in prison. We know that you all wanted to see us win in one round, but we should be grateful for the outcome of this struggle, he told supporters. When many considered that nobody wants to vote for me, it turns out we are most preferred. The blasphemy trial and the ease with which hard-liners attracted several hundred thousand to protest against Ahok in Jakarta in November and December have undermined Indonesias reputation for practicing a moderate form of Islam and shaken the centrist government of President Joko Jokowi Widodo. Calls for Ahok to be killed and anti-Chinese sentiment were disturbing elements of the protests, one of which turned violent, with dozens injured and one person dying from the effects of tear gas. Some analysts say it will be difficult for him to win the second vote if the Anti-Ahok camp unites behind the remaining Muslim candidate and expect religious and racial divisions to be heightened ahead of the April election. Its going to be very hard. The second round is going to be very ugly. The first round issues of religion and ethnicity were ugly enough, said Tobias Basuki, a political analyst at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Jakarta. Defeat for Ahok would also be a defeat for Indonesias moderate political and religious leaders and further embolden hard-liners, who say a non-Muslim should not lead Muslims. The governorship is also seen as a launching pad into national politics and possibly the presidency. Baswedan said he was open to an arrangement with Yudhoyono to secure his votes for the second round. The mandate given through the ballot this morning is a huge mandate. For us, this percentage is not just votes, it is trust, he said. Prasetio Edi Marsudi, who heads Ahoks campaign team, told a crowd of supporters that yesterdays vote was mismanaged at some of the 13,000 polling places including lack of ballot papers that meant some people couldnt vote. We are still waiting reports from our team over possible irregularities in some places and we will follow it up with the authorities for further action, Marsudi said. Official results of the election are due in late February. Ahok had been popular because of his drive to eliminate corruption from the Jakarta administration and his efforts to make the city more livable. But brutal demolitions of some of the slum neighborhoods that are home to millions and ill-considered outspokenness proved to be his Achilles heel. Opponents seized their moment last year when a video surfaced of Ahok telling voters they were being deceived if they believed a specific verse in the Quran prohibited Muslims from electing a non-Muslim as leader. Stephen Wright & Niniek Karmini, Jakarta, AP Hundreds of people in New Zealands second-largest city were evacuated from their homes yesterday as wildfires burned down several houses and threatened to encroach further into some suburbs. A helicopter pilot who was a decorated soldier died in a crash while fighting the blaze on Tuesday. The mayors of Christchurch City and the adjacent Selwyn District declared a state of emergency. Selwyn Mayor Sam Broughton said changing winds had made the fires unpredictable. He said the region had been unusually dry for three years and the grass in the hills had turned brown over the Southern Hemisphere summer. Smoke and ash were being blown across Christchurch. Broughton said displaced residents were staying at evacuation centers or with relatives. They need to look after one another, and make sure they have a place to go to tonight, he said. Phil Claude told Radio New Zealand he and his family ran down a grass track to escape the fire, which destroyed their home. I could see that the smoke and the flames were being blown right up toward our house, he said. And I just yelled Get out. Get out! The Christchurch City Council reported that two or three homes were destroyed yesterday evening after authorities said a few others were destroyed earlier. New Zealands military has been deployed to provide water tankers and engineering equipment as well as firefighters and other personnel. The helicopter pilot who died while fighting the fire, Cpl. David Steven Askin, won one of the countrys top awards for bravery for his actions in Afghanistan. Askin was a member of the elite Special Air Service and his identity was kept secret when he won the Gallantry Star medal in 2014. He was cited for efforts that included helping save guests during the 2011 siege of the luxury Inter-Continental Hotel in Kabul that left at least 20 people dead. Corporal Askin was wounded by grenade and rifle fire, yet carried on his mission and rescued guests from the hotel as fire broke out, the Defence Force said in a statement. AP A South Korean passenger plane that exploded off the coast of Southeast Asia. Army officers lured into sexual encounters. A secret agent spirited back to North Korea in a tiny submarine. North Korea has a long history of dispatching female spies on some of its most dangerous and deadly assignments. So the arrests of two women in connection with the apparent killing this week of an exiled member of North Koreas ruling family has helped fuel suspicions that the North was involved in the mysterious death. South Koreas intelligence agency believes that two women poisoned Kim Jong Nam, the half brother of North Koreas ruler, as he stood in a shopping area at the Kuala Lumpur airport. But authorities have so far revealed very little information about Kims death or the women. Here is a look at some of North Koreas most famous female spies. KIM HYON-HUI In November 1987, two North Korean agents posing as a father and daughter left a time bomb on a South Korean jetliner when it stopped in Abu Dhabi during a flight from Baghdad to Seoul. The plane exploded off the coast of Myanmar, killing all 115 people aboard, South Korean investigators say. When the two, who were traveling with fake Japanese passports, faced arrest at a Bahrain airport, the 72-year-old male agent killed himself by biting a cyanide-tipped Marlboro cigarette. But the woman, Kim Hyon-hui, was stopped just before taking the poison. After being extradited to Seoul, Kim, then around 27, told investigators that the bombing was intended to disrupt the Seoul Summer Olympics, set to begin 10 months later. Kim was sentenced to death but was eventually pardoned on the grounds that she was duped by North Koreas leaders. She has written several best-selling books and married a former intelligence officer. WON JEONG-HWA Won Jeong-hwa, who entered South Korea around 2001 by posing as a defector from the North, was arrested and sentenced to five years in prison in 2008. South Korean authorities said she used sex to extract sensitive information from South Korean military officers and plotted to kill other officers. The South Korean media quickly dubbed her North Koreas Mata Hari after the exotic dancer sent to obtain military secrets in World War I. After her release from prison, Won said her Mata Hari image had been exaggerated by officials and the media, and that she had used sex as a spying tool only once. She said she had fallen in love with a junior army officer. Won also said she disobeyed orders to kill two of her South Korean military intelligence sources with poison. Won struggled to make a fresh start after her release from prison, amid allegations that she was just a low-level informant whose role was inflated by South Korean prosecutors. Won, however, insists she was a highly trained spy. LEE SUN-SIL In October 1992, South Koreas intelligence agency announced it had arrested 62 people for establishing a secret southern branch of North Koreas ruling Workers Party. Spearheading the underground political party was 75-year- old Lee Sun-sil, a North Korean woman who Seoul officials say had operated in the South for 10 years. Lee, reportedly ranked 22nd in the Norths political hierarchy, avoided arrest because she had already returned to North Korea by the time the underground party was broken up. A former North Korean agent captured in a separate case in the mid-1990s said he had escorted her to the North in 1990 on board a submersible. The captured agent said North Koreas founding leader Kim Il Sung, the grandfather of current leader Kim Jong Un, met Lee twice at one of his villas, awarding her an honorary title and giving her a gold watch engraved with his name. Lee, who also was a member of the Norths rubber-stamp parliament, died in 2000 and was buried at Pyongyangs patriots cemetery, the ex-agent said. Hyung-Jin Kim, Seoul The Kremlin spokesman on yesterday denied reports of intercepted phone calls between Russian intelligence officials and members of Donald Trumps presidential campaign. The New York Times said that the Russians made contact with Paul Manafort, who briefly served as Trumps campaign chairman. Current and former U.S. officials interviewed by the Times declined to identify other Trump associates contacted by the Russians. Speaking to reporters in Moscow, Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for President Vladimir Putin, pointed to the anonymity of the sources, saying that the reports are not based on any facts, do not point to actual facts. The report comes a day after U.S. National Security Adviser Michael Flynn resigned following reports he misled Vice President Mike Pence and other officials about his contacts with Russia. Asked about the allegations, Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said yesterday they prove once again there is a major internal, political game, you can call it bargaining, in the United States. Russian lawmakers were more direct in trying to defend Trump. This is not about information but about a high-precision information bomb, Alexei Pushkov, chairman of the Federation Councils information committee, tweeted. The goal is to blow up the Trump administration. Separately, Russian officials dismissed a statement by White House spokesman Sean Spicer who said Trump expects Russia to return Crimea, which it annexed following a hastily called referendum in March 2014. We never give back our territory, Zakharova told reporters. Peskov echoed Zakharovas remarks and added that Putin has been patient about explaining to his counterparts that the people of Crimea asked to join Russia because of their fears about the new government in Ukraine, and would keep delivering this message to the White House, too. AP Intelligence officials believe North Korean agents assassinated leader Kim Jong Uns exiled half brother, but if the whodunit seems settled, a very big question still looms: Why now? Kim Jong Nam, reportedly killed by two female agents in a cloak- and-dagger operation in a Malaysian airport, had long been an embarrassment to North Koreas government humiliated during a failed attempt to sneak into Japan to visit Disneyland and outspoken in opposing the rise to power of his brother, who had his uncle executed after taking over. But the overweight gambler and fading playboy had kept his head down in recent years from his base in Macau. Kim Jong Nam was seen by many outsiders as only a minor distraction for North Koreas leaders, and certainly not an existential threat worth the risk of a potentially embarrassing assassination caper on foreign soil. The spotty South Korean intelligence community ascribed the Norths motivation in killing Kim Jong Nam, without any elaboration, simply to Kim Jong Uns paranoia. There is a more intriguing possibility floating around Seoul, however: The tipping point in North Koreas bloody calculations may have been a largely ignored South Korean news story from last week. A national daily, the Kyunghyang Shinmun, reported that Kim Jong Nam tried to defect to South Korea several years ago and had served, in the 2000s, as a middleman between disgraced current South Korean President Park Geun-hye and officials in North Korea. Kim Jong Un may have clenched his teeth and carried on when he heard reports of his half brothers exploits in Macau casinos, and even when Kim Jong Nam, often photographed in an expensive, untucked, button-down shirt and newsboy cap, questioned in 2010 the need for a third generation of the Kim family to rule in Pyongyang. But public reports in rival South Korea of alleged close dealings between a direct relative of North Koreas ruling dynasty and high officials in Seoul and possible attempts to defect to the South could have represented a serious challenge to a leader who portrays his family as the only legitimate power on the Korean Peninsula. If a person with the blood of North Korea founder Kim Il Sung flowing in his veins was considering defecting to prosperous, democratic South Korea, what message did that send to North Koreas elite, or to the millions of poor and dissatisfied? South Koreas spy agency, the National Intelligence Service, which has a spotty record in reading the goings-on in North Korea and often tries to paint the leadership as unbalanced, denied any defection attempt by Kim Jong Nam. But Cheong Seong-Chang, an analyst at South Koreas Sejong Institute, raised the possibility that the assassination was linked to the newspaper report, which cites interviews with anonymous officials from the Europe-Korea Foundation, where Park served as a board member for a decade before stepping down ahead of the presidential election in late 2012, and computer files and emails that showed exchanges between Kim Jong Nam and the foundations officials. The newspaper reported that Kim Jong Nam, who was then living in Beijing, delivered a letter that Park wrote to Kim Jong Il, North Koreas second leader and Kim Jong Uns father, in 2005. The letter, according to the newspaper, showed Park requesting help on cultural exchange programs pushed by the foundation. Jeong Joon-Hee, the spokesman of South Koreas Unification Ministry, previously said the government doesnt believe such a letter from Park, who has been impeached over a corruption scandal, was delivered to North Korea. The newspaper also cited anonymous sources to report that Kim Jong Nam explored the possibility of defecting to South Korea, and also to the United States and Europe, in 2012 before giving up. The sources said Kims talks with South Korea and the United States eventually fell through because of his excessive demands. While the South Korean news report is a fascinating potential explanation for Kim Jong Nams death, there are other possibilities including that Mondays killing was the culmination of years of effort by North Korea. Seouls spy service told lawmakers yesterday that North Korea had for five years tried to kill Kim Jong Nam, who had kept a low profile since his uncle and former protector, the Norths former No. 2, Jang Song Thaek, was executed by Kim Jong Un in 2013. The NIS, according to lawmakers, cited a genuine attempt by North Korea to kill Kim Jong Nam in 2012, but didnt elaborate. The lawmakers said the NIS told them Kim Jong Nam sent a letter to Kim Jong Un in April 2012, after the assassination attempt, begging for the lives of himself and his family. The letter said, I hope you cancel the order for the punishment of me and my family. We have nowhere to go, nowhere to hide, and we know that the only way to escape is committing suicide. Kim Jong Nams links with China may have also played a role. Beijing had long protected Kim Jong Nam, according to South Koreas intelligence service. China may have been interested in propping up Kim Jong Nam as a future North Korean leader should the current government in Pyongyang collapse. Kim Jong Un would not have been pleased by knowledge that his brother was being used by Beijing as a pawn and potential replacement. AP Travelling under fake name A Malaysian police statement confirmed the death of a 46-year-old North Korean man whom it identified from his travel document as Kim Chol, born in Pyongyang on June 10, 1970. Investigation is in progress and a post mortem examination request has been made to ascertain the cause of death, the statement said. Ken Gause, at the CNA think tank in Washington who has studied North Koreas leadership for 30 years, said Kim Chol was a name that Kim Jong Nam has traveled under. He is believed to have been born May 10, 1971, although birthdays are always unclear for senior North Koreans, Gause said. Consolidating power in North Koreas Game of Thrones While much remains mysterious about the assassination of Kim Jong Uns half-brother in Malaysia this week, this much is clear: Nearly all of the North Korean dictators potential rivals are now dead. In the nations patriarchal dynasty, Kim Jong Nam, 45, represented a possible alternative if elites ever moved to oust Kim Jong Un, 33. The older brother had lived outside North Korea for years, frequenting casinos in Macau and occasionally criticizing his younger siblings regime. His only other brother, Kim Jong Chol, 35, isnt seen as a main threat to usurp power. While theres no evidence yet linking the murder to Kim Jong Un, South Korean lawmakers and observers of the secretive regime see him as the clear winner. Did Kim Jong Un order the assassination? Yes, almost certainly, said Van Jackson, a former U.S. Department of Defense adviser who now teaches at the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in Honolulu. He lives a nightmare version of Machiavellian court politics every day, and bloodline is still the strongest claim to legitimate rule in North Korea: Eliminating potential centers of power is cold but shrewd. The murder has raised questions about the stability of Kim Jong Uns regime as he seeks the ability to strike the U.S. and other potential threats with nuclear weapons. U.S. President Donald Trump has vowed to deal with the threat strongly and has called on China North Koreas prime ally to do more to pressure the dictator. Still, pressuring Kim without triggering the countrys collapse isnt easy. The Kim family dynasty has ruled North Korea for three generations since its founding after World War II, when the Soviet Union and the U.S. divided up control of the Korean peninsula. Over that time, it has built up one of the worlds most vigorous personality cults. The birthdays of founder Kim Il Sung and his son Kim Jong Il are the biggest national holidays in North Korea. The country has held mass propaganda events involving tens of thousands of people to praise the Kim family. Those caught denigrating the countrys leaders can be either sent to prison camps or put to death. Any minor achievement is hailed by the state-run media, which depict the Kims as geniuses with benevolent hearts. Children are constantly taught about the greatness of the dynasty in school, and statues of Kim Jong Il and Kim Il Sung dot the nation. Their bodies have both been embalmed and placed in a mausoleum in Pyongyang. Kim Jong Il, who ruled North Korea from 1994 to 2011, is known to have had three sons. He favored Kim Jong Un the most because his youngest son resembled the dictator in behavior, according to a 2003 memoir by a former Japanese chef for the family. Kim Jong Nam was born to Kim Jong Ils second wife, an actress, while his two other sons were born to his third spouse, a Japanese-born dancer. Kim Jong Un has routinely conducted purges to consolidate his grip on power, a practice also employed by his father and grandfather. Although there is no great indication that he faces the threat of a coup, that prospect looks even more remote with Kim Jong Nam gone. Bloomberg The revamp of smoking lounges in casinos is a step forward, Health Bureau (SSM) acting Director Cheang Seng Ip said yesterday during a press conference, which outlined the SSMs requirements for gaming operators regarding smoking lounge inside casinos. According to Cheang, the SSM has made some adjustments to its original requirements which will now more effectively address the issue of preventing smoke from leaking out of the lounges. However, Cheang was unable to provide a date for the allocation of smoking lounges within casinos, as it will depend on the opinions of gaming operators. In 2010, the regions Legislative Assembly (AL) passed a law, which had the support of the majority of lawmakers, that aims to transform the region into a tobacco- smoke-free territory. Previous government official reports also showed that over 70 percent of the citys interviewed citizens support the government pushing Macau to become a tobacco-smoke-free city. The SSM now is in agreement with the establishment of smoking lounges, and referenced a study by the University of Macau commissioned by the six gaming concessionaires, which was introduced earlier this week. The study claims that 55 percent of the interviewed casinos workers accept or support the installation of smoking rooms. When questioned about whether the government is neglecting the minority opinion and whether it was under pressure by gaming operators, Cheang denied both and reaffirmed that the current measure is a step forward. He pointed out that the second Standing Committee of the AL approved, with seven votes in favor and two against, the creation of smoking lounges in casinos. He also said that the casinos have trusted an authoritative institute to conduct the study and believes that both the UMs and the governments studies are reliable. During the press conference, Cheang said that according to their conditions the casinos can decide the number of smoking lounges they wish to establish. Cheang affirmed again that VIP rooms smoking areas must be removed, and only smoking lounges must be allowed. In his explanations, Cheang said that the SSM has referred to standards from all over the world, including Mexico, Italy, Dubai and New York City. He also claimed that Macau is turning itself completely into a healthy city, and that the authority will review the process every three years. SSMs Tobacco Prevention and Control Office Director Tang Chi Ho introduced the idea that doors of smoking lounges not be allowed to remain open for a continuous period of more than one minute. Moreover, no activities other than smoking will be allowed inside the lounge, with gaming tables and slot machines also being forbidden. No tobacco-related advertisements are allowed to be displayed inside the lounge. At the lounge entrance, there should be an area for the SSM to display information regarding tobacco control, as well as warnings about the dangers of smoking. Both Cheang and Tang repeatedly claimed that installing smoking lounges is not going against the citys goal of becoming a tobacco-free city, and that it is in fact a step forward. The Health Bureau cares about the health of casino employees, and will consider their opinions, Cheang added. Lawmaker says no to smoking lounges Lawmaker Lei Cheng I said that she cant accept that the government might change the plan from a complete ban on tobacco into a so-called plan for smoking lounges. She added that if the government is kneeling to the casinos, then it needs to explain the reasons why. The lawmaker questioned what kind of standards the government is applying to ensure that establishing the lounges can isolate the dangers and at the same time protect peoples health. The new Central Library will definitely be built on the site of the Old Court Building and former Judiciary Police headquarters in central Macau, the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture confirmed yesterday at the Legislative Assembly (AL). During a meeting requested by lawmaker Song Pek Kei to discuss the location of the project, Alexis Tam said that the location is ideal for holding such facilities. Song noted that the plan to build the new library in the city center does not gather the consensus of society, nor of the lawmakers. Some of the lawmakers do not see the urgency of a project that, in her opinion, is under-evaluated and under-estimated. The lawmaker said that there are currently 305 libraries in the territory, which receive around 2 million visits per year. In the preliminary plan for the central library, it is forecasted that the number of annual visitors could reach 3 million, a number that the lawmaker considers exaggerated and unrealistic. On top of concerns with the location and the budget, which remains unclear, Song remarked that there are also concerns over the preservation of the historical aspects of the building, which will necessitate more complex and more expensive works than building the project on a vacant site. She suggested alternative locations for the library, such as the new land reclamation areas or adjacent to the Macau Science Center. To insist on the idea of the current location would be a waste of time and money. It is best to choose another location and build it from scratch as that is more adequate to the needs of residents, Song said. The Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture disagreed, claiming that the government has heard many opinions and concluded that building the facility at the site of the Old Court Building was an appropriate decision. Such a facility needs to be built in a location with several other facilities and a transportation network in place [] It is not just us [the government] saying this it is IFLA [International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions] saying it too, he mentioned. Putting together the figures to back his argument, Tam recalled that the Nam Van area is currently served by four parking lots with a capacity for 1,600 cars and 700 motorcycles as well as about 30 bus routes. Another of the issues raising concern among lawmakers was the budget. Tam clarified that the amount of MOP900 million previously mentioned by the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) was only an estimate, not a precise quote. We forecasted MOP900 million but I dont think this sum is that accurate, its just a forecast, he said, adding: Hong Kongs [Central Library] cost about HKD700 million but that was 10 years ago. Only when there is a public tender for the construction can we have a concrete figure [on the real budget], he concluded, hinting that the initial approximation might have been underestimated. Following the suggestion that the final cost of the Central Library could exceed the MOP900-million-estimate, Tam clarified that: We arent building a luxury library. The final cost can be more or less than the forecasted. We will do our best. According to Tam, a public tender for the project should take place during 2019, one year after the public tender for the conception project set for next year. During the debate, several lawmakers maintained their position that the library should be constructed on a land reclamation site. Expressing this opinion were lawmakers Lau Veng Seng, Ng Kuok Cheong, Dominic Sio and Fong Chi Keong, among others. However, Tam argued that there was a benefit to using the historical architecture of the Old Court Building in such a landmark for the territory. There are few buildings with these historical characteristics that we can use [for this project], he said. In defense of the governments plan, lawmaker Mak Soi Kun expressed his opinion that the location is more than adequate. We have nine schools in the area. There will be many people that could directly benefit from this, he said. As for the alternative locations proposed by several lawmakers, Tam said that the government can build community libraries there like others that exist in several parts of the territory. He stated that the Central Library has a different purpose. The Central library has the purpose of keeping the historical and important documents and collections and to be a living room and a place to [discover] new books, listen to music, hold conferences and much more. The discussion did not finish without a clear warning from Fong Chi Keong, the lawmaker known to represent the construction sector. The project looks like a monster! Fong exclaimed, warning that the [Old Court Building] has structural flaws. The old wood piles [used in the foundations] dont go all the way to the bottom, so it will be very complex and expensive under the current plans, he said In a final summary, Tam replied to Fongs concerns saying that the government has concluded satisfactory results in the initial drillings to ensure that the building can be supported. The secretary then concluded that the majority of the lawmakers agreed with the project, conceding only that he will continue to study the concept further. Currently, according to the secretary, the Central Library will have 11 floors and constitute some 33,000 square meters. Toyota has revamped its plug-in hybrid with a longer cruising range and quicker charging, including from a regular home plug, hoping it will sell better than the first model from five years ago that officials acknowledged had flopped. Japanese automaker Toyota Motor Corp.s Prius PHV plug-in went on sale in Japan yesterday. Sales in the U.S., where its called Prius Prime, started late last year. It is set to launch in Europe and other countries in March. Toyota hopes to sell 2,500 PHV cars in Japan a month. It gave no overseas targets. It sold only 22,000 of the earlier PHVs. The lackluster sales contrast with Toyotas leadership in hybrid vehicles; it has sold 10 million globally since the first Prius went on sale in 1997. Nearly half of the vehicles Toyota sells in Japan are hybrid models. Toyota, which also makes the Camry sedan, offers hybrids across the entire spectrum of models, including sport-utility vehicles and Lexus luxury cars. But Toyota suffered a setback in another ecological technology, fuel cells, which run on hydrogen fuel. All 2,800 Mirai fuel-cell vehicles on roads 1,200 in the U.S., 1,500 in Japan and 140 in Europe were recalled globally yesterday for defective software. If the gas pedal is pushed fully after the vehicle makes a long descent using cruise control, a surge in voltage can cause the fuel system to stop running, according to Toyota. A hybrid switches between a gas engine and an electric motor. A plug-in hybrid can travel further as a pure electric vehicle, which is zero-emission, but needs recharging when its battery is spent. The cruising range of the new plug-in as an EV is 68.2 kilometers (42.4 miles), about five times the earlier models 26.4 kilometers (16.4 miles). It also charges about twice as fast, in two hours and 20 minutes, from a 200-volt outlet and in 14 hours at a 100-volt outlet. At a special charging machine, it reaches an 80 percent charge in just 20 minutes. Toyota Chairman Takeshi Uchiyamada, known as the father of the Prius, said he had no idea how long it will take for global plug-in sales to reach a million. He acknowledged hybrid sales have suffered as the recent drop in gas prices helped sales of sport-utility vehicles. But in the long run, consumers will opt for ecological vehicles because of growing worries about the environment, he said. By 2050, Toyota foresees reducing emissions by 90 percent from 2010 levels meaning that almost every vehicle on roads will be running on some kind of green technology, be it hybrids, electric, plug-in or fuel cell. PHV is key to that step in making eco-cars widespread, Uchiyamada said. This is a product we are proud of. AP INDIA Indias space agency says it successfully launched a record 104 nano satellites into orbit aboard a single rocket. CHINA Authorities awarded U.S. President Donald Trump valuable rights to his own name this week, in the form of a 10-year trademark for construction services. Critics say Trumps global intellectual property interests could be used by foreign states as leverage over the president and may violate the emoluments clause of the U.S. Constitution. PHILIPPINES The government is considering adding airports to serve the capital Manila and nearby areas, including a sprawling airport city complex that could handle 100 million passengers a year. Manilas congested international airport once was dubbed the worlds worst airport in surveys by travel website The Guide to Sleeping in Airports. INDONESIA Unofficial counts indicate the acrimonious election for Jakartas governor will head to a second round in April with the incumbent, a minority Christian, failing to secure the 50 percent needed for an outright win. AUSTRALIA Sri Lankan asylum seekers held on Pacific island camps who could potentially find new lives in the United States are free to return home without fear of persecution, Sri Lankas prime minister says. PAKISTAN A Taliban suicide bombing targeted the administrative headquarters of a tribal region in northwestern Pakistan, killing three policemen and two passers-by, according to officials. JAPAN The USD3.3 billion acquisition by SoftBank Group Corp., the Japanese telecommunications, internet and solar energy giant, of Fortress Investment Group marks tycoon Masayoshi Sons latest step in building an investment empire. THE NETHERLANDS main intelligence service says it is treating a small group of Dutch children in conflict zones in Iraq and Syria as Jihadist travelers since they may have received military training. The General Intelligence and Security Service says at least 80 Dutch children are in those areas, either having been born there or taken there by one or both parents. USA The New York City health department says one person has died and two others have become severely ill after they contracted a rare disease (leptospirosis) transmitted by rats. The three cases occurred in the last two months in a Bronx neighborhood. City officials say its the first time a cluster of cases has been identified. A House committee just OKed a resolution to honor a Japanese-American man who fought for civil rights during World War II and was interned for a time in Jerome County. Minoru Yasui grew up in Oregon, went to law school, but couldn't find work due to his background so he got a job at the Japanese consulate in Chicago, Rep. Ilana Rubel, D-Boise, told the House State Affairs Committee. After World War II started, he tried to join the U.S. military but wasn't allowed. He was arrested in 1942 for deliberating violating a curfew on people of Japanese descent, and was incarcerated first in Portland and then at the Minidoka War Relocation Center, or Hunt Camp, outside of Jerome. A federal court originally stripped Yasui of his U.S. citizenship due to his prior work at the Japanese consulate, although this was overturned on appeal by the U.S. Supreme Court. After the war Yasui moved to Denver, Colo., where he practiced law and did civil rights and volunteer work. He died in 1986. He was posthumously awarded a Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015. The Senate approved the resolution, which was introduced by Sen. Cherie Buckner-Webb, D-Boise, by a voice vote on Tuesday. Rubel asked the Houe committee to move quickly, so the resolution could be approved by both houses in time for a proclamation Lt. Gov. Brad Little plans to make on Monday. "We hope we'll have this resolution that we can add to those ceremonies," Rubel said. The committee approved it unanimously, sending it on to the full House. TWIN FALLS A tribal fisheries biologist from Duck Valley Indian Reservation will speak when Magic Valley Fly Fishers meets tonight. Anyone is welcome at the club's meeting, 6-10 p.m. Canyon Crest Dining & Event Center, 330 Canyon Crest Drive in Twin Falls. Dennis Daw's presentation on fly fishing Duck Valley waters will cover all the area's lakes and streams. Daw has a master's degree in biology and worked six years in fisheries research for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game before joining the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes in October, the club's meeting announcement said. "While many of you fish these waters often," it said, "we all want to get the inside info for our highly anticipated spring fishing." Information: 208-934-6405. TWIN FALLS Burt Berlin is still chasing the perfect light. Berlin hasnt put down his camera since retiring from Boeing as design engineer in 1983. He designed jet engines and worked on the design of the first commercial jet airplane. I never hesitated when I quit Boeing, he said. I went downtown and bought lenses. At age 93, Berlin still hikes to capture moments in nature. When he lived in the Seattle-area, he spent his days backpacking, climbing and salmon fishing. He always carried a folding camera in his backpack. His traveling partner these days is his niece Penny Earl. Berlin and Earl visited Castle Rocks State Park in late January for a few days photographing the landscape and animals. Earl was in Almo to check in and care for her mother. I hitched a ride, Berlin said. I got quite a bit at Castle Rocks in the snow. The two saw a flock of turkeys and showed off some shots Jan. 30 that they captured over their three-day weekend. Other photographs Berlin took covered his walls. Many of them were of urban landscapes a broken mannequin, reflections of buildings in water puddles and the back of a homeless man sleeping in a doorway a far different scene from the turkeys trotting through snow. Berlins urban work is on display through March 4 at the Twin Falls Center for the Arts. His exhibit, Then and Now, Back Alley Soul, features film photographs of the alleys, fire escapes, building architecture and graffiti of Seattles Skid Row in 1994. The year-long project required him to blend in and gain the trust of the poor and homeless who lived downtown. He had to go into disguise so theyd accept him, Earl said. Berlin grew a beard and often left the camera at home. A framed picture of Berlins before-and-after transformation hangs on the wall of his apartment at Bridgeview Estates. One shows him with a beard and the other pictures him shaved. Sometimes, Berlin simply mingled with street people while they leaned against dumpsters, not talking, just hanging out. A strategy to gain trust and study the light. It didnt always work. Once, he got slammed against a wall. They just noticed I wasnt one of them, he said. He even had to jump on a passing truck to avoid another altercation. Berlins Skid Row exhibit has also been on display at the Mercerview Island Gallery in Mercer Island, Wash; Benham Studio Gallery in Seattle and the Salt Lake City Museum of Art. The stories behind his photographs were very interesting, said Carolyn White, executive director of the Magic Valley Arts Council. During the era when he took the photographs it was rather unique. There were artists that lived in these Skid Row apartments, and he captured a lot of that art on film. He photographed the alleys in a really unique and interesting way. It emphasized the art that was there and a little bit of that lifestyle and that gritty Skid Row atmosphere. At least once, that grittiest came straight to Berlin. While working on his project, he met a man named Tom. He came to me and asked me what I was doing, Berlin said. He shook his head and told me to stay away from Third Avenue. Berlin and Tom became good friends, and Berlin even hired Tom to do some work on his cabin. One time he allowed Tom to stay at his house while he went away for Christmas vacation. When I came back, Tom had a buddy street person, Berlin said. They simply moved into my place. A metal garbage container overflowing with beer cans sat in the middle of the living room. Berlin said he woke Toms friend and told him to leave. But when he told Tom to leave, too, he refused. Thats when Berlin called the police. It was the last time he ever saw Tom. Originally from the Minidoka area, Berlin moved back to the Magic Valley eight months ago. For the past 64 years he lived on Mercer Island outside of Seattle. I hit 93 years old and time came to come home, he said. All of my family is down in this country. I sent out an S.O.S., and a big truck came and picked me up. Berlins work can also be found on cards sold at the Tracy General Store in Almo. He has a series of photos that feature climbers at Castle Rocks State Park and City of Rocks National Reserve. In Seattle, he used to sell photos of the city skyline and other nature shots. One of the framed photos in his home is of a snowy egret at Lake Walcott. It was always exciting to have uncle Burt come visit, Earl said. Id go with him and learned a lot from him. Its fun to watch him work. He knows his stuff. Hes got a lot of talent. Earl also knows cameras and used to work at the Camera Center in Twin Falls. She recently retired as the executive director of the Twin Falls Housing Authority, so lately, she has more time to spend with her uncle. His return to Idaho has been good for her: Since hes been here, hes got me re-inspired. Death By Chocolate Grant Requests TWIN FALLS The Rotary Club of Twin Falls will be accepting applications for its Death By Chocolate funds through March 25th, 2017. All applicants must be a 501 C (3) organization and your project must meet Rotarys criteria as stated on its website. Please go to www.twinfallsrotary.org to download the application and either mail it to P.O. Box 821, Twin Falls, ID 83303 or download and scan it to Rotarys email, service@twinfallsrotary.org. The funds will be given away at Rotarys May 3 noon meeting at the Turf Club. Legion Post 47 plans meeting FILER American Legion Post 47 will hold its monthly meeting at 6 p.m. Feb. 21 at 207 Main St. in Filer and will honor spouses with a special meal. Taenia Hudson from the CSI Office on Aging will give a presentation on How to Save Money on your Medicare Drug Expenses. All veterans and their families are invited. Information: Rondal Lang, post commander, at 208-326-5149. AARP Drivers Safety Class BUHL An AARP Drivers Safety Class, hosted by the First Christian Church of Buhl, is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Feb. 23. This class is for senior drivers to compensate physiological changes which occur and make driving more difficult. Many insurance companies allow a discount for drivers who complete this course. Call 208-308-1670 to sign up for this class. Iris Society quarterly meeting TWIN FALLS The Magic Valley Iris Society will be having their quarterly meeting and pot luck on March 4 from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at the KMVT community room located at 1100 Blue Lakes Blvd N. Please bring a favorite dish of yours and join us in great food and friendship. The meeting will be on the club business and show prep. There will also be a presentation by Jeanette Graham on irises that grow well in our area and the different color classes of irises. The program will start at 1 p.m. If you have any questions please called Jeanette Graham 208-734-3613 Health Care Foundation Scholarships Several $1000.00 Scholarships are available from the Minidoka Health Care Foundation to qualifying applicants currently participating in a post- secondary education health care related field. The scholarship applicant must be a graduate of a Minidoka County High School and a second year student or above in a college or university health care related field or approved certification course. (i.e. Nursing, pharmacy, physical therapy, pre-med, pre-dentistry, x-ray, respiratory, health care administration, EMT, etc.) Applications are available at Minidoka Memorial Hospital, C.S.I. and Idaho State University. Application must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on or before April 7, 2017. For more information, please contact Tammy Hanks at 436-8124. Scholarships for Minidoka County seniors RUPERT The Rotary Club of Rupert is offering scholarships to any Minidoka County high school senior. Four $1,000 scholarships will be awarded without regard to class standing or grade point average. Each graduate selected will receive a scholarship for vocational schooling or college. Applications are available at Minico High School counseling office and the deadline is March 30. Rotary is an International Service Club. Its objective includes the advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional men and women united in the Ideal of Service. One aspect of the scholarship application process is an essay highlighting the tenets of Rotary. Scholarships for graduating seniors BURLEY $500 Scholarships available from the East Cassia and West Cassia Soil & Water Conservation Districts to graduating Seniors planning to attend college Fall of 2017 in an Ag related field. For information or applications, call 678-1225 x100 or email ewcswcd@pmt.org. Oakley senior scholarship opportunity OAKLEY Oakley Valley Arts Council invites 2017 graduating seniors (who have been involved in the arts and OVAC) to apply for the Johnson Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship is in memory of Aaron and Gloria Johnson who were killed in an automobile accident. The Johnsons enjoyed the arts and were actively involved with Oakley Valley Arts Council. Two $250.00 scholarships will be presented to two deserving area seniors. The form is available from your school counselor and must be postmarked no later than March 25th. Please contact us with any questions at 677-ARTS/2787. Seedlings available BURLEY Seedling tree orders are now being taken by the Soil and Water Conservation Districts. Trees provide many benefits to man and wildlife. They block wind and blowing dust, they keep roadways clear of drifting snow, they provide wildlife habitat, and are great for natural cooling systems in the summer. Windbreaks can protect property, topsoil, and public facilities such as schools and parks. Trees available are Norway Poplar, Lombardy Poplar, Colorado Blue Spruce, and Rocky Mountain Juniper. Shrubs available are Common Purple Lilac, Redosier Dogwood, black chokeberry, and Golden Currant. Seedlings come in bundles of 10 trees per bundle at $35 per bundle plus tax. Varieties are limited. Payment in full is required at time of order. Trees are scheduled to arrive around mid-April. You will be called when they arrive for exact dates and location to pick up your order. To receive an order form by email, send to ewcswcd@pmt.org, or you can pick one up in either the Burley (1361 East 16th Street in Burley) or Rupert (98 B South 200 West in Rupert) USDA Field Offices. Order forms, detailed information, PDF file photos and seedling descriptions can be e-mailed to you from ewcswcd@pmt.org or by calling one of the Soil District offices at 208-678-1225 x100 or 208-436-4202. Please leave a clear, detailed message. DeMary Memorial Library Book Notes Fiction: Still Life by Dani Pettrey Someone is out there. Watching her. Waiting. Mystery: Purgatory Road by Samuel Parker When a day trip out of Las Vegas with his wife takes a turn for the worse, Jack is sure he has the ability to get them home. But he has driven into something far beyond reason. Fiction: Moving Target by Lynette Eason Intensity. Skill. Tenacity. The bodyguards of Elite Guardians Agency have it all. Fiction: Wildflower Harvest by Colleen L Reece Fiction: The Seekers by Wanda E. Brunstetter Fiction: Rescue Me by Susan May Warren Fiction: Brides of Wyoming by S. Dionne Moore Fiction: A Moonbow Night by Laura Frantz Fiction: A Note Yet Unsung by Tamera Alexander Fiction: Because Youre Mine by Colleen Coble Fiction: Summer on Sunset Ridge by Sharlene MacLaren Volunteers The Senior Companion Program at the CSI Office on Aging needs volunteers, age 55 and older, to assist homebound seniors by providing friendly visits, transportation or other assistance as needed. Senior Companions receive a stipend per hour of service (to income eligible seniors) and can work between 15 to 40 hours a week. They receive reimbursement for mileage, and training on age-related problems. Information: Dandre, 208-736-2122, or toll free, 800-574-8656. Volunteers Stanton Healthcare Pregnancy Resource Center is looking for that special person who will be facing an empty nest in the near future. The Stanton center offers video based parenting classes and needs a class facilitator. The center will provide training and will offer encouragement as you prepare to send your child out into the world. Stay busy by helping clients improve their parenting skills. Time commitment is two hours per week. Information: stantonmv.org or Kim, 208-734-7472. Volunteers Horizon Home Health and Hospice is looking for volunteers to join their team to provide quality compassionate care to patients through the following activities: companionship, socialization, respite, and support for patients and families and much more. Information: Cynthia Nixon, 208-800-8085 or cnixon@horizonhh.com. Volunteers Hospice Visions Inc. is looking for volunteers to visit with patients and their families, and volunteers to provide handyman services, play the piano at assisted living centers, and help with art projects for their patients at assisted living centers. If you have a special talent to share with others, contact Nora Wells at Hospice Visions, 208-735-0121 or nwells@hospicevisions.org. Volunteers Hospice Visions Inc. is looking for men and women to serve as Veteran-to-Veteran Volunteers for their veteran patients. All ages of veterans from all branches of service are welcome to join Hospice Visions volunteer forces as part of the We Honor Veterans program. Information: Nora Wells, volunteer coordinator at Hospice Visions, 208-735-0121 or nwells@hospicevisions.org. Volunteers St. Lukes Home Health and Hospice is looking for new volunteers to join its team to share compassion and care and increase the quality of life for patients and their families. The program offers companionship and socialization to patients as well as respite and support for the caregivers. Information: Marie Sharp, 208-814-7603 or sharpm@slhs.org. Volunteers Auburn Crest Hospice is in search of volunteers in Twin Falls, Jerome, Minidoka and Gooding counties. Auburn Crest, a hospice agency in Twin Falls, works with patients and families to create meaningful end-of-life experiences. Hospice volunteers play a vital role in the lives of those with life-threatening illnesses and their caregivers, families, and friends. Volunteer tasks may include: support for patients (visiting, reading, taking walks, writing letters, playing music, massage therapy or beautician services for volunteers with the necessary skills, and also pet therapy); respite and support for family members (assist with shopping or household maintenance, or allow family caregivers to take care of necessary errands); bereavement support programs; and administrative work in the office. Volunteers are required to submit to a background check (at no personal cost). Information: Sheri at 208-735-7450, 208-404-4561, Sheri.Bernt@auburncrest.com or visit 397 Blue Lakes Blvd. N., Twin Falls. Volunteers St. Lukes Magic Valley Medical Center has several volunteer positions with opportunities to serve others and meet new people. You may get to congratulate someone on the birth of a new baby; smile and take someones mind off their problems; make a patients day by delivering flowers to them in their hospital room; and offer a kind word, give a hug, or listen to someone who needs to talk. For an application packet or information: Kim Patterson, 208-814-0861. Drivers The Twin Falls Senior Center needs drivers to deliver meals to homebound seniors in Twin Falls Monday through Friday, and the routes take an hour or less to complete. Commitment is based on your availability. Volunteers must be 18 years of age with their own car, and have proof of liability insurance and a background check. Drivers receive 54 cents a mile fuel reimbursement. Information: 208-734-5084. Volunteers The Twin Falls Senior Center has a ladies group (The Crazy Quilters), who are looking for individuals to put finishing touches on quilts as a group while socializing. The group meets from 9 a.m. to noon every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. All quilt project proceeds are given to the Twin Falls Senior Center. Information: 208-734-5084. Volunteers Interlink Volunteer Caregivers, a nonprofit organization, provides volunteers to assist elderly, disabled and chronically ill people with routine tasks so they can remain independent at home. Volunteers are needed in all eight counties of the Magic Valley to help with light housekeeping and also in the Wendell and Gooding area with transportation. Volunteers are reimbursed for mileage monthly and covered with excess auto liability insurance. Commitment is flexible with no minimum hours required. Information: Edie, 208-733-6333 or ivcofmv@gmail.com. GOODING A Gooding man who says he killed his son-in-law for abusing his daughter will likely plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter. Jimmie E. ONeal Sr. was initially charged with second-degree, then first-degree murder in the death of 34-year-old Steven Lawrence. ONeal is accused of shooting Lawrence on Dec. 28 after learning Lawrence had pushed his wife, ONeals daughter, during an argument. ONeal said that he was tired of his daughter being abused and that this was the final straw, a detective wrote in a sworn affidavit. ONeal said that he had full intentions of going over to kick Stevens ass but that he did not intend to shoot him. At Lawrences home, the two men argued, and ONeal told investigators he raised his gun toward Lawrence and it went off, court documents said. Lawrence was taken to North Canyon Medical Center, where he died. ONeal waived his right to a preliminary hearing in the case Thursday and his attorney, Brad Calbo, told the court that a plea agreement was in the works and likely to be finalized soon. In the deal, ONeal would plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter, which is defined as an unlawful killing without malice upon a sudden quarrel or heat of passion. The maximum sentence for voluntary manslaughter is 15 years in prison and a $15,000 fine. The deal has not been signed, Calbo told the Times-News, but the terms say: ONeal will plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter. Prosecutors will drop a burglary charge and a weapons enhancement on the homicide charge that could have added 15 years of prison time. Prosecutors will argue for a three to 10 year prison term. Calbo will be free to argue for any sentence, including one that does not involve prison. Gooding County Prosecutor Matt Pember confirmed the terms of the plea deal and said he expects it to be finalized by the time ONeal is arraigned in district court. Pember said he believes the crime is charged appropriately, and the plea deal is along the lines of what the victims wife told law enforcement she wanted. ONeal is in custody in lieu of $250,000 bond. A district court arraignment was not scheduled as of Thursday. BOISE A resolution calling for a constitutional convention to consider a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution cleared its first hurdle Wednesday. The Senate State Affairs Committee voted unanimously to print the resolution, clearing the way for a full hearing at a later date, although some senators who voted to print it also said they werent sure if they support the idea itself or would vote for it down the road. I go back and forth on supporting the concept, but certainly if its the chairmans will to have a public hearing I would like a chance for (people) to weigh in, said Senate President Pro Tem Brent Hill, R-Rexburg. Article V of the Constitution says a convention can be called at the request of two-thirds of the states, or 34. This balanced budget amendment simply states that Idaho believes that we need to have a constitutional amendment, or we want to petition Congress for a constitutional amendment to create a balanced budget amendment to our U.S. Constitution, said resolution sponsor Sen. Marv Hagedorn, R-Meridian. This is the same language that 28 other states have adopted. The Constitution has been amended numerous times since it was adopted in 1789, but always by Congress passing an amendment that the states then ratified. A constitutional convention has never been called, and despite the restrictions in Hagedorns resolution and in similar ones passed in other states, some fear a runaway convention that could do more than what the states intend. Opponents of holding a constitutional convention plan to visit the Capitol on Wednesday to hold a question-and-answer session from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. in room WW17 on the ground floor. BOISE The law the allows Idaho parents who believe in faith healing to decide against medical treatment for their sick and dying kids could change, but lawmakers cant agree on how. Senate leaders met Wednesday and asked Sen. Dan Johnson, a Republican from Lewiston, to put together draft language to change the law and bring it back for review. Johnson was co-chairman of the Children at Risk-Faith Healing Work Group that studied the issue last year. The senators in the work group sent Senate President Pro Tem Brent Hill a letter last week outlining five options without recommending any. The options ranged from leaving the law as it is to removing legal exemptions entirely that prevent parents from being prosecuted. Hill said Wednesday they didnt reach a conclusion as to how to move forward, but they are considering changing the law. We didnt come to a definitive answer (on) exactly the path forward, Hill said. But we want to see some language. I dont think we narrowed it down to one option in particular. We wanted to see language rather than just concepts. While most states provide some legal leeway to parents who have religious objections to conventional medicine, Idaho is one of the few that doesnt prosecute parents if their children die when their deaths likely could have been prevented by medical treatment. Southwestern Idaho is home to a number of congregations of the Followers of Christ, who dont believe in conventional medicine. Some of them also live in Oregon, which amended its laws to remove a similar exemption in 2011, and the political controversy spread to Idaho shortly after when reporting showed a higher-than-normal number of child deaths among members of the group, many from preventable causes. There have been documented cases in many recent years of children dying who likely wouldnt have if they had seen a doctor, mostly in Canyon County. State pensions are based on a persons highest-paying 42 months of work, and legislators, unlike other part-time public officials like mayors or city council members, are given full-time credit by the pension system for their time as a lawmaker. (Legislators work full-time during the session and more irregularly the rest of the year.) Thus, a former lawmaker, especially one with many years of service in Boise, can see a big bump in their pension after they step down from the Legislature and spend a few years in a full-time state job. The Idaho Freedom Foundation, in particular, has fought to change the system. Editors note: This column first ran July 16, 2015. In the Twin Falls Cemetery lies a headstone that reveals little about the man commonly known as Rock Creek Jim. Jim Lewis was a Shoshoni chief, born in the Duck Valley area only a dozen years after white explorers first came through the region. He lived out much of his life in the Magic Valley before Idaho became a state. Jim said he was 100 years old just before the time of his death in September 1924, as his headstone attests, but theres no way to confirm or deny his claim. Lulu Lough knew Jim and his family, and she recorded her childhood memories of him for Idahos territorial centennial celebration in 1963. Jim grew tired of the way of the Indian, Lulu wrote, and tried most of his life to emulate the white mans way of living. He built a cabin at Rock Creek and lived there for years before moving to Whisky Slough, west of the Salmon Falls Creek. When he became unhappy in his marriage, he burned down his cabin and left his wife behind, Lulu said. He rebuilt at Antelope Springs. The springs went dry after about a year, so he packed his horses and moved to the foothills in Cedar Creek Valley, built a cabin and furnished it with a table and chairs, a cook stove and a bed. Jim traveled to Duck Valley and found an Indian woman called Susie. The couple had three children. After she died, Jim tore down his cabin and turned it around so that evil spirits couldnt find the door, Lulu said. Jim was a good neighbor and always reassured us when rumors of Indian uprisings drifted in, she said. Jims sister, Mary, would weave willow baskets for Lulus mother, and would take Lulu and her brother into the hills to dig what she called joyic bulbs. Mary taught the children how to eat red ants without getting bitten. They are as sour as the sourest pickle, she said. As was custom, Jims daughter Maggie, at 16, married the tribes medicine man, an old man known as Jack. Members of the tribe would visit Jim on their way home from fishing along the Wood River. On one trip, 40 Indians with some 75 paint horses camped near Lulus home on Cedar Creek on their way to see their chief. Maggie and Jack accompanied the travelers. Early the next morning, Lulus uncle, John, heard a shot and when he investigated, he was told Jack had killed himself. John found Jacks body with a string tied between his finger and the trigger, but there were no powder burns. Maggie had killed Jack, Lulu said. Jim feared that Maggie would be killed in retaliation if she returned to Duck Valley, so he asked Lulus father to take her in. Maggie lived with Lulus family for a year before she remarried. Jim gave the tribe five steers and seven ponies each year to pay for the death of their medicine man, Lulu said. Rock Creek Jim died at the old Twin Falls Hospital. Soon after, the Seventy Niners Association, a group of old-timers who came to the area before 1880, donated a simple headstone to his grave. Naomi Ralls RUPERT Naomi Ralls of Rupert, funeral services at 2 p.m. Friday, February 17, at the Burley Christian Church 1401 Oakley, Ave Burley. Viewing will be held for one hour prior to the services at the church. Services are under the direction of Joel Heward Hansen Mortuary. Helen Cunningham TWIN FALLS Helen Cunningham of Twin Falls, celebration of life at 2 p.m. Friday, February 17, at Parkes Magic Valley Funeral Home. Charles Sanderson BURLEY Charles Sanderson of Burley, funeral services at 2 p.m. Saturday, February 18, at the 3rd Ward Building, 2200 Oakley Ave., Burley. A visitation will be held from 6 until 8 p.m. Friday, February 17 at the Morrison Payne Funeral Home, 321 East Main Street, Burley and from 1 until 1:45 p.m.Saturday at the church. James Barnes HEYBURN James Barnes of Heyburn, funeral at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 18 at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E 16th St., Burley. Ricky Syme BATTLE MOUNTAIN, Nev. Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, February 18 at the Battle Mountain Cemetery in Battle Mountain, Nevada. Gary Peterson TWIN FALLS Gary Peterson of Twin Falls, funeral services at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 18 at the LDS Stake Center, 541 Orchard Dr, Twin Falls. A viewing will be held from 6 until 8 p.m. Friday, February 17 at Rosenau Funeral Home, 2826 Addison Ave E, and at 10 a.m. prior to the service at the church. Edra McKinley GARDNERVILLE, Nev. Edra McKinley, memorial service at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 18 at Trinity Lutheran church, 1480 Douglas Avenue in Gardnerville. Harold Blauer BURLEY Harold Woodbury Blauer, of Burley, funeral at 2 p.m. Saturday, February 18, at the Burley West LDS Stake Center, 2420 Parke Ave. A visitation will be held from 6 until 8 p.m. Friday, February 17, at Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, and from 1 until 1:45 p.m. at the church preceding the service. David Van Leeuwen KIMBERLY David Van Leeuwen of Kimberly, funeral services at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 18, at the Murtaugh LDS Church, 23709 Highway 30 in Murtaugh. A viewing will be held from 5 until 7 p.m. at Reynolds Funeral Chapel, 2466 Addison Ave East as well as from 10 until 1045 a.m. on Saturday morning at the church. Verla Lancaster WENDELL Verla Lancaster of Wendell, funeral services at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 18 at the Wendell Stake Center. Visitation will be held from 6 until 8 p.m. Friday February 17 and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Saturday, both at the Stake Center. Patricia Reagan GOODING Patricia Reagan of Gooding, memorial service at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, February 18 at Demaray Funeral ServiceGooding Chapel. Ormand Burch BURLEY Ormand Burch of Burley, funeral services at 11 a.m. Tuesday, February 21 at the Burley Stake Center, 2050 Normal Ave. A visitation will be held from 6 until 8 p.m. at the Morrison Funeral Home, 188 South Hwy 24 in Rupert and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Tuesday prior to the service at the church. This appeared in Wednesdays Washington Post. The resignation of Michael Flynn as national security adviser offers President Donald Trump an opportunity to right what has been a dysfunctional policymaking apparatus. Having previously been dismissed from a post at the Defense Intelligence Agency for erratic management, Flynn failed to prepare Trump for conversations with foreign leaders, inadequately vetted executive orders and staffed key positions with military cronies even before he lied to the media and vice president about the content of his conversations with the Russian ambassador. His self-destruction in a post that demands the steadiest of hands was widely anticipated; the only surprise was that it took just 24 days. Its not unusual for an incoming national security adviser to speak with foreign ambassadors, and its not entirely clear that what Flynn said to Russian envoy Sergey Kislyak in late December was improper. But Flynn clearly misled The Post, Vice President Mike Pence and other senior officials when he said he did not discuss U.S. sanctions against Russia with Kislyak. He did so in the context of as-yet-unresolved questions about Russias interference in the presidential election and other possible contacts between the regime of Vladimir Putin and the Trump campaign. The affair underlines the urgency of an impartial investigation into those matters by the Justice Department, Congress or an independent commission and the full disclosure of the results to the public. The White Houses handling of Flynns deception also raises concerns. According to The Post, the acting attorney general told the White House counsel late last month about Flynns false statements and warned they could expose him to Russian blackmail. White House press secretary Sean Spicer said Tuesday that Trump was informed immediately afterward, but the White House did not correct the false public statements about the Flynn-Kislyak call, and Trump told reporters last Friday that he was unaware of the issue. At a minimum, the episode further undermines the credibility of an administration that has repeatedly disseminated untruths. Trump could begin to undo the damage by appointing a new national security adviser prepared for the jobs most essential work, which is serving as an honest broker in internal debates over questions of war, foreign policy and intelligence. The National Security Council chief should ensure that the unschooled Trump is fully briefed for encounters with foreign leaders and that policy steps whether a response to a North Korean missile launch or a new strategy for fighting the Islamic State are fully studied and discussed in an orderly way before a presidential decision is made. The past two weeks have seen some welcome corrections by Trump to what looked like potentially rash departures from previous U.S. policies. He calmed Asian leaders by accepting the one-China principle and strongly backing the U.S. alliance with Japan, and he retreated from suggestions that the U.S. Embassy in Israel would be swiftly relocated to Jerusalem. His U.N. envoy affirmed that sanctions on Russia for its invasion of Crimea would remain in place. However, Trump still has some fixes to make above all in U.S. relations with NATO allies, where signals from Cabinet secretaries and the White House have been conflicting, and in his dangerously appeasing stance toward Putin. A competent national security operation may not correct the presidents mistaken convictions, but it should, at least, provide him with better intelligence and options. There are many jobs within schools that often go uncelebrated. Last week we had the opportunity to recognize a group of our staff members who have among the most challenging and necessary jobs within the public education system. Feb. 6-10 has been deemed National School Counseling Week by the American School Counselor Association and as such we want to take a moment to explain and appreciate the incredible work these professionals undertake every day. School counselors are tasked with engaging and helping student examine their abilities, strengths, interests and talents. They work in a partnership with parents as they encounter the challenges of raising children in todays world. They focus on positive ways to enhance students social/personal, educational and career development and they work with teachers and other educators to provide an educational system where students can realize their potential and set healthy, realistic and optimistic aspirations for themselves. Professional school counselors are certified, experienced educators with a masters degree in guidance and counseling. The combination of their training and experience makes them a vital part of the total educational program. Each student under a counselors purview has different needs and areas to be addressed. School counselors may help one student overcome a traumatic experience, while they work with another on balancing homework and extra-curricular activities. They may serve as a sounding board for career aspirations, or the person that teaches students to be kind to others. Here in Twin Falls we have the most caring counselors who are constantly working to improve themselves so they can better help our students. On behalf of the Twin Falls School District 411 students, parents, teachers, staff, administration and school board, we thank these dedicated individuals for going above and beyond for our students. We appreciate the integral part they play in the educational process and recognize that our counselors are a critical key to helping students succeed. Counselors, thank you for all you do! News Story not available This story has been published on: 2022-11-06. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. This story is no longer available on our site. The old saying where theres smoke, there is fire is evident in the ongoing war between a multi-national cigarette manufacturing company and a local brand that has gained a sizable share of the market. Philip Morris, Inc. has harnessed it full resources to mount a demolition job against rising star Mighty Cigarettes Corp. as shown by the PR blitz of PMI in major newspapers. Note the news report that the owners of Mighty were behind the passage of House Bill 4144 proposing a twotier tax on cigarettes sold locally. PMI, no doubt, knows the Philippines is a big market for their high-end, highly priced products. With health-conscious smokers in the United States and Europe, PMI turned its attention to Asia, a most lucrative area for cigarettes because the health warnings on the danger of smoking are not heeded as much as in the developed countries. To get a bigger foot in the door, PMI signed a merger with taipan Lucio Tans Fortune Tobacco. Then came the hatchet report that the Bureau of Customs was going to slap a tax-smuggling case against Mighty. There is no truth to the report, BOC itself denied. Mighty Corp. Executive Vice President and spokesman, retired judge Oscar P. Barrientos, said in a statement that there is no pending case with any government agency nor a notice of investigation by the Bureau of Customs following the inaccurate report the Filipino-owned company will be suspended for smuggling. How in the world then did the smuggling story pass the editors scrutiny of that major daily? Judge Barrientos said the scurrilous story is libelous and the company is studying its legal options against the reporter and the newspaper. Barrientos also made clear Mighty Corp. has long been out of the cigarette importation business since it was making more money in the domestic market. In fact, Mighty Corp. is considering making an initial public offering, confident there will be a lot of takers. Philip Morris tobacco has a long history of craving to capture and monopolize the Asian market to offset the loss of market share in the US and Europe. In Indonesia, PMI tried to take over the company that manufactures the popular brand Krateka but failed. There were also overtures to buy Mighty and seal a monopoly of the Philippine cigarette market. The owners of Mighty who had built their brand after 72 years declined PMIs offer. So this is a case of if you cant buy them, destroy their strategy. ADVERTISEMENT Mighty is fighting back, not only for its own survival, but also for the thousands of tobacco farmers in the Ilocos from whom it sources leaves for its products, If PMI takes over the huge Philippine market, the local tobacco growers will lose their livelihood as Philip Morris will be importing their own material from the tobacco-growing states in America. This was why the House, particularly congressmen from the countrys tobacco-producing provinces, passed House Bill 4144 calling for a two- tier tax system on cigarettes sold here. PMI may not realize it but a unitary tax on cigarettes might just turn off smokers against their more expensive brand. Because it would mean higher tax for the Philip Morris brand, the prices on their brand will have to be passed on to consumers. Thanks to PMI, a boycott of Philip Morris is not a remote possibility with more smokers switching to the low-priced but quality Mighty brand. With a two-tier tax system on cigarettes, smokers can still enjoy a good smoke at less price with the Mighty brands. There is much to be said about the multinational Philip Morris which repatriates revenues to the mother company in the US while the local Mighty Corp. sets aside a sizable chunk of its profits into its corporate social responsibility. Its community projects include church renovation and delivery of relief goods during calamities like typhoons and earthquakes. Writing 30 In the journalism profession, writing 30 at the end of a reporters news story means nothing follows. It also means the sad story of a journalist passing away. The strange and eccentric symbol has several versions of its beginnings. Of several versions, the one most plausible is that during the days before the advent of technological advance such as the laptop, desk top and wifi, stories were sent by reporters to their offices via teletype. The teletype operator would then type XXX at the end of the dispatch to say nothing follows. Since XXX in the Roman numeral means 30, editors and reporters picked up the teletype operators symbol to connote end of story. It then evolved into 30 and sometimes spelled out as endit. Coincidentally, the Manila Standard this week observed its 30th anniversary. This major daily is not writing 30 but marking its 30th year of publication. Now, this is a milestone given that newspaper readership in this country and elsewhere in the world is declining. Hence we often hear of newspapers closing down or merging to share a big citys readership. This declining newspaper readership can be blamed on the Internet and social media which contains the news plus other feature stories on health, etc. That the Standard, which the late Rod Reyes founded with me as its first editor, flourished and continued publication to this day is a tribute to the businessmen owners who kept faith with the Standards potential. From businessmen Manda Elizalde to Alfonso Yuchengco, Andy Soriano, Ricky Razon and to its present owners Philip and Martin Romualdez, the Standard has gained a fair share of the market.. The Standards opinion page is its strong suit with its array of hard-hitting columnists whose views sometimes even clash with each others. This is as it should be. When Rod Reyes and I launched the Standard on Feb. 11, 1987, quite frankly we didnt think it would last and survive this long. That it did after more than a quarter of a century is a tribute to the men and women behind it. These are former editors, Jullie Yap Daza; Jojo Robles; managing editor Mon Tomeldan, chief photographer Bobby Cabrera and IT chief of technical services, Feriel Agustines. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Amid all controversies surrounding Environment Sec. Gina Lopez' 'gift of love' to the Filipino people on Valentines' Day, the Heart of the Philippines continues to bleed. Strangely, she treats the Marinduque environmental and health concerns like it's something beneath her dignity to look into for reason only to her known. To think that Marinduque was home to the largest copper mining operation in the Asia-Pacific Region. Now it is ranked as having one of the most denuded forests in the country. It remains the only 4th Class province in the MIMAROPA region today. Land area: 95,258 hectares; Population: 227,828 (2010). And today, the threats of the potential collapse of more earthen dams high up in the mountains of central Marinduque, two of which had been breached causing untold suffering, are there for all to see - the stark evidence of irresponsible mining. All these have been thoroughly documented by scientists, local government units, civil society, media and environmental agencies. So too are the mining-related health impacts on the population - verified deaths caused by high levels of metals in the blood of children, related health concerns and definitely more of those in the coming years. All these continue, remaining unaddressed by a government that at various times committed heavy complicity with the mines and is guilty of failure to protect its inhabitants from the very beginning. This is a government with laws stating that mineral agreements shall not be allowed in virgin forests, proclaimed watershed forest reserves, wilderness area, mangrove forest, mossy forest, national parks, municipal forest, parks, greenbelts, game refuge and bird sanctuaries. Think about it. In small-island, degraded and fragile Marinduque are watershed forest reserves, wildlife sanctuaries and mangrove forests all proclaimed as protected areas. That such areas exist in Marinduque is a wonder but perhaps unknown to many. Now these areas will be enumerated here before their destruction becomes real, imminent, or worse, they might already have passed that point of no return. In which case, there's no more point in calling the attention of whosoever environmental priestesses around. Still existing falls in Tumagabok, central Marinduque. Photo: Morion Mountaineers Sta. Cruz Marinduque The Marinduque Wildlife Sanctuary Marinduque is one of only 8 provinces in the country with a proclaimed Wildlife Sanctuary. It is an area encompassing the municipalities of Boac, Gasan, Buenavista, Torrijos and Sta Cruz in Marinduque which are portions of timberlands containing an aggregate area of 8,827.96 has. There are portions overlapping with the mining tenements. Proclaimed under NIPAS, Proclamation No. 696 8/17/2004, Parcel 1 consists of 5,597.75 hectares; Parcel 2 consists of 3,230.21 hectares Proclamation No. 696 8/17/2004 Marinduque Wildlife Sanctuary The Wildlife Sanctuary is described as a gently undulating mountain landscape falling into the coastal plains in the west and east. There is a large number of animals such as the Giant Borken Rats (Phloeomys cumingi) in this conservation area . The Philippine Pustelschwein (Sus philippensis) is now regarded as extinct on the island. From the genus of the bats there are records of the subspecies Hipposideros pygmaeus, Eonycteris robusta and Rhinolophus rufus . In amphibians the frog species Rana magna macrocephala and Kaloula conjuncta exist in the area. From the avifauna are observations in this Wildlife Sanctuary of the Philippine duck (Anas Luzonica), the Luzon-Spatelschwanzpapageis (Prioniturus luconensis) and Rotsteikakadus (Cacatua haematuropygia). This portion of the Marinduque Wildlife Sanctuary map clearly shows the Marcopper built earthen dams (blue color) overlapping the protected area. Diplomatic sources at the Algerian Foreign Ministry have denied Algierss support for the Leader of the Tunisian Islamist movement in his efforts to unite Gaddafis loyalists and Muslim Brotherhood movement in Libya, reports say. Rached Ghannouchi, leader of the Tunisian Ennahda party, has been trying to bring together the two Libyan sides. He claimed that he received the endorsements of the Tunisian presidency as well as that of Algiers. Over the Algerian so-called backing, Algerian diplomatic sources debunked Ghannouchis claims adding that Algeria does not need help of anyone to re-unite opposed Libyan brothers, Algerian media Algerie Patriotique reports. The diplomats also argued that the Islamist leader is trying to make a name for himself by making use of some high profile contacts he has in the Algerian regime to build a reputation in Tunisia and in the Islamist Maghreb world. The sources further argued that Ghannouchi, himself member of Muslim Brothehood, is trying to use Libya to upgrade his political image and to prove to the international community that the Muslim Brotherhood movement is still an important stabilizing force in the Maghreb and in the Arab world. The Algerian media notes that Ghannouchi who enjoys good ties with Algerian President Abdel Aziz Bouteflika and Turkish President Erdogan is striving to polish the image of his Islamist movement at a time the US Republican congressmen have blacklisted the Muslim Brotherhood as terrorist organization. At its congress in May last year, Ennahda distanced itself from its Islamist agenda to embrace a political line. Chicken will be the best-positioned protein due to its low price position in times of pressure on consumer spending power but rises in production costs and the long-term impact of COVID-19 threaten to disrupt the sector, according to Rabobank. Nigeria has again lost its Africas top oil producer status to Angola, as the countrys crude oil production fell by 67,000 barrels per day last month, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) said on Wednesday. OPEC, in its Monthly Oil Market Report for February 2017 put crude oil production from Nigeria at 1.604 million barrels per day in January, up from 1.37 million bpd in the previous month, based on direct communication. Production from Angola stood at 1.615 million bpd in January, down from the 1.639 million bpd it closed at last year. Crude oil output increased the most in Iraq, Angola and Libya, whiles production in Saudi Arabia, Nigeria and Venezuela showed the largest decline, OPEC said. Despite Nigeria being in recession, OPEC stated that it had recorded a massive improvement in its economic outlook, along with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. In Nigeria, operating conditions in the countrys private sector improved in January for the first time in a year, as suggested by the Stanbic IBTC Bank Nigeria PMI, OPEC said. Nigeria still has a long way to go until it recovers to its full capacity, and it has secured a production cap exemption from the rest of OPEC and non-OPEC members owing to the large number of attacks on its oil infrastructure last year. The International Energy Agency indicated in a recent report that only disorganization, political instability, petroleum theft and problems controlling armed groups prevented Nigeria from keeping its first place position in African oil production. The crisis in Mali between the army and the Tuaregs still persists as the countrys army is sending troops to the region of Kidal, north east of the West African country to take over the key rebel city, although the actual number of troops have not been disclosed. Mali is still in a destabilizing situation since last year, when the soldiers held their former president for days during the military coup, which later on resigned from office and is currently in Senegal. Since then Dioncounda Traore has been in charge as an interim president. However, Presidential elections are to be held on the 28 July 2013, with a second round run-off planned for 11 August if required. Parliamentary elections will also be held around the same time. Malian troops were last Tuesday preparing to retake a key regional base territory occupied by the Tuareg rebels who denied entry to the army or government, ahead of the coming nationwide elections scheduled to take place next month. Army spokesman Souleymane Maiga told AFP that as a result of the rebels denial to grant government access to the city, troops have been formed in four battle groups to penetrate the city of Kidal and take control from the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA), an armed group formed by separatists from the countrys Tuareg minority. The MNLA has been accused of multiple bomb attacks on government officers, attacking civilians, and arresting innocent black inhabitants and many others. The News in Brief UNM to rally to stop Supreme Court ruling against Rustavi 2 TBILISI, DFWatchActivists from Georgias former ruling party are rallying in Tbilisi on February 10 in order to prevent the Supreme Court from ruling against the top people in the largest opposition TV station. UNMs Nika Melia said on Wednesday that the party of ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili has received information that the Supreme Court will issue its decision sometime February 10 and 15, and holding such a rally is meant as an act of solidarity with the judges who, according to the UNM narrative, have been under constant pressure from authorities to silence the biggest opposition media outlet in the country. Nika Melia did not specify what his sources are for this information. He called on supporters to join the rally on February 10 to protest the violations against the independence of the courts. A few days ago, two Supreme Court judges said they have been subject to pressure in the Rustavi 2 case. The Prosecutors Office (POG) claims they complained to law enforcers about supposed psychological pressure from a former deputy chief prosecutor, Davit Sakvarelidze, who lives in Ukraine and is one of Saakashvilis closest allies. The opposition and Rustavi 2s current management claim the pressure comes from the State Security Agency (SUSI), which is also responsible for producing false evidence against Davit Sakvarelidze. The Supreme Court is to decide a private lawsuit against Rustavi 2 filed by one of the companys former owners, Kibar Khalvashi, who claims he was forced to give up his ownership of the TV company during the Saakashvili presidency. He won in both Tbilisi City Court and the Appeals Court. If the businessman wins the case in the Supreme Court, which is the final recourse in the countrys judiciary, he will take over the company and install new management. Khalvashi has been accused of acting on orders from and being backed by the authorities; winning the lawsuit might therefore mean that Rustavi 2 loses its editorial independence, according to the UNM and some analysts. Rustavi 2 is a strong supporter of Saakashvilis party and a critical voice of the government. (dfwatch.net) Illuminated zebra crossings to promote road safety in Tbilisi Illuminated pedestrian crossings are popping up in suburbs all over Georgias capital to bring attention to walkways and raise awareness of road safety in Tbilisi. Located in the Didube district, the citys first illuminated zebra crossing was unveiled this morning to drivers and pedestrians. Proper visibility during night hours is very important in terms of road safety. If pedestrians wear dark colour clothes it is very difficult for drivers to notice that someone is crossing the road. Such illuminated zebra crossings will help drivers to better spot [and be aware of] pedestrians, said Eka Laliashvili of the Georgia Alliance for Safe Roads. The illumination of the crossing was initiated by head of Transport Municipality Service of Tbilisi City Hall Mamuka Mumladze. The same pedestrian crossing was painted in bright hues last year by Didube District Administration employees together with students of the Tbilisi Academy of Arts last week. At that time, British newspaper The Guardian ranked the zebra crossing the second most creative crosswalk in the world. A zebra crossing in Chile was ranked first in the list. (Agenda.ge) Giorgi Mgebrishvili holds meeting with his Swedish colleague At the invitation of Giorgi Mgebrishvili, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia has hosted the Minister of Home Affairs of Sweden, Anders Ygeman, and a Swedish National Police Delegation within the frames of an official visit. The Swedish and Georgian counterparts signed an Agreement on Cooperation in the Law Enforcement Sphere between the governments of Georgia and Sweden based on which the existing cooperation between the two countries law enforcement agencies will be intensified. The Minister of Internal Affairs of Georgia expressed his gratitude towards the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Justice of Sweden for their contributions in the process of Georgia's visa-liberation and overall Euro-integration. As stated by Giorgi Mgebrishvili, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia and law enforcement agencies of the Kingdom of Sweden have recently formed a successful cooperation in the police sphere. At the meeting, the fruitful cooperation of the Georgian police attache in Sweden was outlined, providing fast and efficient cooperation with Swedish National Police. According to Giorgi Mgebrishvili, the appointment of police attaches in partner states brought positive results with regards to the enhancement of police cooperation in the sphere of the fight against the organized crime. The Minister of Internal Affairs of Georgia has also discussed plans of future cooperation development within the frames of EUROPOL. Within the frames of EUROPOL, our cooperation will be based on the agreement between EUROPOL and Georgia on Operative and Strategic Partnership which was recently approved by the European Parliament at the plenary session. After enactment of the agreement Georgia will become EUROPOLs operative partner stated Giorgi Mgebrishvili. Within the frames of the visit, members of the delegation, as well as the deputy head of the Swedish national police, will hold work meetings with representatives of the Central Criminal Police Department, the Interpol National Central Bureau and visit the Emergency Response Center 112. (Police.ge) GPB General Director waiting for alternative action plan Vasil Maghlaperidze, General Director of the Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB), is waiting for an alternative action plan to be presented by Initiative Group. The Initiative Group established at the GPB is working on an alternative action plan of GPB development. The document will be presented to the GPB Board of Trustees. Members of the Board of Trustees of GPB will meet with GPB General Director on February 9. Talks will be held in open format and the meeting with be attended by journalists as well. The Board members say that the 3-year action plan of the GPBs development and transformation, presented by General Director on February 6, generates many questions and that they expect answers. The Board is especially interested in the volume of funds spent on the equipment out of 410 million GEL. (1tv.ge) @PatriciaMazzei Even before President Donald Trump announced Alexander Acosta as his new secretary of labor pick, a Miami Republican lawmaker started singing Acosta's praises. NBC News reported Thursday -- ahead of Trump's White House press conference announcing his choice -- that it would be Acosta, the dean of Florida International University's law school and former U.S. attorney for the southern district of Florida. Acosta would be Trump's first and only Hispanic Cabinet member. The still-unconfirmed news prompted immediate support from U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart: I am excited to learn of Alex Acostas nomination for Labor Secretary. He has an impressive record of achievement, having served on the National Labor Relations Board, as well as receiving presidential appointments to both U.S. Attorney for Southern District of Florida and Assistant Attorney General during his career. Alex has also been an exemplary Dean of one of the best law schools in the state, leading FIU to earn the highest bar passage rates in Florida for three years in a row. He is a man of great principle, integrity, and courage, and I am confident he will do an excellent job serving our nation. Here's the reaction from U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Miami: Congrats to mi amigo, Alex, who has done a tremendous job at @FIU @fiulaw on his nomination as #LaborSecretary! He'll do a great job! Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (@RosLehtinen) February 16, 2017 And from U.S. Rep. Carlos Curbelo, R-Miami: Wonderful news for South Florida & the country that @POTUS has nominated #AlexAcosta to serve as @USDOL Secretary. He is a great choice. Carlos Curbelo (@carloslcurbelo) February 16, 2017 And from U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida: I know Alex Acosta well, and he is a phenomenal choice to lead the Department of Labor. Whether it was his distinguished service as U.S. attorney in Floridas Southern District or as dean of Florida International Universitys school of law, Alex has succeeded in all endeavors he has taken on, and managing the Department of Labor will be no different. I look forward to his confirmation hearing, where Im confident he will impress my colleagues and secure the support necessary to be the next secretary of labor. @MichaelAuslen Lawmakers took their first step Thursday toward removing Florida from the refugee resettlement program amid charges that the federal government was not an effective partner with state law enforcement. The Houses Children, Families and Seniors Subcommittee voted 9-5 along party lines for legislation (HB 427) to pull out of the refugee program. Similar legislation has not been filed in the Senate, indicating it may have limited possibility to become law. With refugees at the center of national debate on President Trumps travel ban, pulling out of the program has been called a political move. Doing so would not end the flow of refugees to the state. Rather than state officials coordinating a $250 million federal program in Florida, the feds would partner with nonprofits in the state. Q&A: Refugees are in the spotlight again. Here's everything you need to know. State Rep. David Santiago, R-Deltona, filed the legislation in response to complaints that state law enforcement agencies do not receive enough information about refugees before they arrive. Refugees face a lengthy vetting process that can take two years but is conducted by the UN and several federal agencies, not state law enforcement. The intent of this bill is to send a clear message to the feds that if we are going to be partners in a program, we ought to be true partners, Santiago said. The fear is that a terrorist might pose as a refugee to gain entrance to the country. Rep. Julio Gonzalez, R-Sarasota, said the program is effectively a contract in which the state of Florida does not benefit. However, there have been zero instances of a refugee committing an act of terrorism in Florida, and there are few documented cases in other states. In fact, experts said, Florida could actually lose access to the limited information its Department of Children and Families currently receives by leaving the refugee program. If this bill were to pass, the consultation that does occur now and has for quite some time would be cut off completely, said Mark Schlakman, senior program director for the Florida State University Center for the Advancement of Human Rights. Democrats said the legislation would have no real impact on security, calling it a politically motivated attack on refugees in need of help and support. The bill does not prevent the federal government from sending refugees here, Rep. Kionne McGhee, D-Miami, said. What the bill does is it sends red meat to the base of a political party in order to justify future elections. Photo: The Alsaloum family waits in line at a social security office in Tampa on Feb. 2, 2017, with case worker Rana Al Sarraf of Coptic Orthodox Charities, Inc. Al Sarraf plays a crucial role in assisting refugee families with getting their lives started in the United States. Florida lawmakers are considering withdrawing any state assistance in a federal program that resettled refugees in Florida. Last year, 3,272 refugees resettled in Florida. (Loren Elliott, Tampa Bay Times) @JeremySWallace As Gov. Rick Scott travels the state calling out legislators by name in their home districts for voting against his top priority, legislators are firing back warning the governor to be careful of how far he pushes it. For the third day in a row, Scott was traveling the state on Wednesday criticizing legislators on one House subcommittee by name for voting in favor of a bill that would kill Enterprise Florida and Visit Florida. The bill has a long way to go and it chances of passing the full Legislature are slim. Still, that hasnt stopped Scott from admonishing House members who voted to allow the bill to continue to be debated. State Rep. Randy Fine, R-Brevard County, said he knows Scott is heading to his area soon because he is one of nine Republicans on the House Careers and Competition Subcommittee that voted for the bill. But Fine isnt worried. Instead he sent a preemptive letter to the governor on Wednesday warning him against making enemies and encouraging him to speak with him in person, rather than taking shots at him in the media. Economic development is not a concept to me, its something Ive spent my career doing, Fine said in his letter. But in my business, I always found the best outcomes come by sitting down in person and finding common ground. Rather than us talking at each other in the media, Id prefer to talk to you in person. Fine added: We dont want to be your enemy, we want to be your partners in making Florida the best place in America to start, build, and grow a business. This week, Scott has been in Cape Coral, Tampa, Flagler Beach and Panama City to specifically single out lawmakers. Others on the committee say they are expecting the same treatment. Rep. Mike La Rosa, R-St. Cloud, said hes all for Scott visiting his district, but he said it wont cause him to back down from his stance on Enterprise Florida and Visit Florida. He said it was a tough vote to kill the agencies, but it was the right thing to do. He said the House is determined to question whether the government should be involved in handing out taxpayer funding to private companies. @PatriciaMazzei President Donald Trump met unexpectedly Wednesday night at the White House with the wife of jailed Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez, and called for his release. The president tweeted a photograph of himself, Vice President Mike Pence and Florida Republican Sen. Marco Rubio in the Oval Office with Lilian Tintori, who was making the rounds in Washington to keep up U.S. attention on her husband's case. Venezuela should allow Leopoldo Lopez, a political prisoner & husband of @liliantintori (just met w/ @marcorubio) out of prison immediately. pic.twitter.com/bt8Xhdo7al Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 15, 2017 Trump's schedule didn't list a meeting with Tintori -- but it did include dinner with Rubio, one of the most vocal critics in Congress against the administration of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Trump told a Gannett reporter Wednesday that the dinner -- which included his wife, Jeanette, and First Lady Melania Trump -- was a "social invitation." "Whatever we discuss, I'm not going to tell you," Rubio told Gannett's Ledyard King. Earlier Wednesday, Tintori and Mitzy Ledezma, the wife of jailed Caracas Mayor Antonio Ledezma, went to Capitol Hill, where they sat down with several lawmakers, including Miami Republican Reps. Carlos Curbelo, Mario Diaz-Balart and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, and Weston Democratic Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz -- all of whom, like Rubio, represent a growing number of Venezuelan Americans. Lopez has been detained since 2014 and Ledezma since 2015. On Monday, the Treasury Department announced new sanctions against Venezuelan Vice President Tareck El Aissami, accusing him of being a drug lord. On Wednesday, Maduro called those allegations a "grotesque lie." Separately, the Maduro administration on Wednesday suspended CNN en Espanol from the South American country's airwaves, following an investigative report into fake passports issued by the Venezuelan government. via @ngameztorres President Donald Trump said during a press conference Thursday that he shares Florida Republican Senator Marco Rubios views on Cuba. We had dinner with Senator Rubio and his wife, who was by the way, lovely, and we had a very good discussion about Cuba, because we have very similar views on Cuba, Trump told journalists. Cuba has been very good to me, in the Florida elections, you know, the Cuban people, Americans, he added in reference to the support of Cuban American voters. Former rival Rubio and his wife had dinner with Trump and First Lady Melania on Wednesday night, after the president received Lilian Tintori, the wife of the Venezuelan political prisoner Leopoldo Lopez in the White House. A smiling Rubio posed for a photo with Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and Tintori. The comment suggests a possible change in Cuba policy since Rubio was one of the staunchest critics of former President Barack Obamas engagement with Cuba, especially in the area of human rights. More here. 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These links are provided solely as a convenience and are not endorsements of any products or services in such sites, and no information or content in such site has been endorsed or approved by this blog. NEXT POST Tobias Low Until the spit away... Harmonious tones so for fans of full-body music. Suit the concept: "Mainova home game"-these are real bands with real fans. Bernie Sanders wanted to know more. Who composed the throat the body rages until the spit away, full scores. 'The fans reward every application - and then n forgive a leaning sound they sometimes', white Matze Brunner, which ups will be responsible for the booking of the line. The 33-year old engineer plays in two bands. He is fully convinced by his "wards" for the evening: "all go right, professionally organize their appearance on the big stage. We are incorporated in the ticket sales and are involved in revenue." There also the Organizer is no slouch: Mainova and Batschkapp forefathers for the bands big: posters, flyers, ads, newspapers, radio and television coverage and a free "best of" Frankfurt is there - "best of Mainova home game". To keep the even on the 2nd October, so, professional gig photos concert photographer Katja Ostermeyer ensures a lasting memory that is good as a business card. There are sounds to "Pre-listening" on the Internet on the myspace pages of bands. Everything further to the "best of Mainova home game" is as always, or may match Nova. Tickets cost $6 in advance and 8 euros at the box office. Inlet 19: 00, the beginning of concert 20: 00. Click here to go to the bands... Ayfore ayfore Braggpeak braggpeak Gastone gastoneband Skywalk skywalkcommunity stealing the bride stealingthebride Mainova home game Nova may match the Organizer: M Nova AG m Nova AG is one of the largest regional energy samurai in Germany and supplies daily about one million people in Hesse and the adjacent provinces with energy. Mainova also is partner for an environmentally-friendly energy and water supply in 28 cities and towns. As a partner of the economic region Rhine-Main, the Frankfurt-based company involved in selected sports and music events. Batschkapp of the Frankfurt Batschkapp of cult club for over three decades is one of the main trendsetters in terms of newcomers in the entire Federal territory. Die Toten Hosen, die arzte, Nirvana or Robbie Williams: many now well-known artists or have played night life, which is over 10 years, at the Batschkapp in the live Club, when hardly anyone knew her. Press contact: Tobias Low main view - Agency for public relations Wilhelmshoher Strasse 35 phone: 0 69 / 40 56 29 54 E-Mail: Around the mid-1990s, the slogan "college rock" was largely phased out in favor of such expressions as "alternative" and "indie rock." The label dates back to the 1980s when college radio music deejays and directors championed the amusing, the zany, and the self-effacing. College rock wasnt necessarily fashioned for or even by college students. But college stations generally provided the widest and biggest push for genre bands such as The Smithereens and The Replacements. Hippo Campus say yes to the college rock label. Indeed, adaptability and a willingness to say yes to weird ideas have formed the core of the groups success, as they rose, under the direction of joyful vocalists Jake Luppen and Nathan Stocker, from third-division college band to a festival-booking band. Its important for us to recognize that the college scene is the scene that we best understand and that understands us, said Hippo Campus vocalist Jake Luppen. The college scene is at the front of whats new and whats fresh and it understands music. The college scene is meant to change and evolve and to be in the forefront of whats cool. I guess we are also a high school band, since we met in high school, and we were more of a high school band, and we just gained notoriety. Hippo Campus met at the Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists where all four members attended high school. Merging two preexisting bands together, they earned their street credibility in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area with an unwavering commitment to playing to their strengths and sticking closely to the local music scene. Minneapolis has a strong music scene and everyone is tight knit, said Luppen. Its always fun to hear what is cool locally, and Minneapolis has a high regard for the local scene, and its important for us to be a part of the local thing. When its cold like it is here outside all you want to do is hibernate and make music and cook up the tunes. You dont want to go outside. Anthem-like, catchy, and clever, Hippo Campus produces clean pop songs and raw uptempo soundtracks which resonate with primarily college-aged listeners. In 2014, Hippo Campus independently released their first EP titled, "Bashful Creatures," and later this month, the band will release its first full-length album "Landmark." Its been pretty crazy, said Luppen of the groups steady uphill rise. When you are on tour you are in an altered state of reality and you can fall pretty numb, if you want to or let it. You learn how to be present and learn the ability to be present with all situations. The more you work in the music, the more trained you are to get into that space. Its about learning how to be where you are, whether in life, in music, or with anything. Luppen said he admires indie rockers Death Cab for Cutie, an improbably success story in the 2000s, a band that started on a small Seattle-based label and in stages became standard-bearers for a style of music (stamped college rock) that emphasized subtler melodies and vulnerable lyrics. Death Cab for Cutie is a model we admire, said Luppen. They were known as a college band or college rock band but they eventually signed to a major label. But they have still maintained their artistic expression and the pressures of the label on them never felt forced. It has never sounded like they were trying to be anything but what theyve wanted. Its important to make things that are popular, yes, and its important, too, to do it under who you are, and do what kind of music you want. Not all of it should be done to be popular. But to make the music you want to make and to reach another human being. If you can make honest work, honest music, music that connects with other humans and is popular, like Radiohead, well, thats the best of both worlds. Indeed, Hippo Campus delivers credibility without delivering quips, barbs or gut-punches, the kinds of offbeat, personal indie songs that make it big at festivals and arent really designed to win blanket approval with a mainstream body of listeners. The band maintains an interest and buzz with music that never sounds inflated or awkward, but frozen in raw, personal creativity. The benefits of music are that you can tailor your creativity and at the end of the day you realize your own vision. You dont get caught up in the idea of perfection. Never. Our idea of perfection is having music that is loose, cool, and organic, and having the quirky things that mean things to be people and that means things to our art. When you struggle for perfection, you are losing the raw, organic vibe that people crave. Hippo Campus can be delightful when they show off their loud, campy, unhinged side. Its a side that equally revs up the band members and their fan base. This mutual frenzy nourishes Luppen, who lives for the stimulus of his job. To see the physical, actual people at shows enjoying what we are doing is the thing, said Luppen. It isnt the web stream, or the shares, and about the likes, but the looks on the peoples faces, and we value that above followers and likes. Music is about connecting in that primal, human level and seeing physical people at the shows. Its not led or done for critics. Its about a band of people and that band of people connecting with another band of people. Brian D'Ambrosio lives and writes in Helena. He is the author of "Shot in Montana: A History of Big Sky Cinema." The Flathead Audubon Society will be holding a "backyard bird count" on Sunday, Feb. 19, during which participants will explore the Bigfork and Swan River area while learning about Montana's winter avian residents. The Flathead Audubon Society hopes to spot golden-crowned kinglets, trumpeter swans, bald eagles and pygmy owls, according to a news release. Birders of all ages are welcome and should meet at the east end of Swan River School's main parking area at 10 a.m., with warm clothes and spotting scopes. BUTTE A southwest Montana state senator proposed a bill Wednesday that would move the state's Natural Resource Damage Program from Helena to Deer Lodge as retribution for the transfer of a motor vehicle division bureau from Deer Lodge to Helena last year. Sen. Gene Vuckovich, D-Anaconda, said Deer Lodge lost 30 good jobs for no good reason when the attorney general consolidated the Title and Registration Bureau in Deer Lodge with the MVD's other offices in Helena. He said moving the NRDP would be appropriate considering most of the state's pollution sites lay on either side of Deer Lodge, and that it would provide economic justice for the town's newly unemployed residents. "Being a Serbian we're known for payback," Vuckovich said in his opening remarks before the Senate Natural Resources Committee, the only statement in favor of the Senate Bill 204. Representatives of the NRDP, the attorney general and the state conservation districts spoke in opposition to Vuckovich's bill. Harley Harris, program manager and supervising attorney for the NRDP, took the opportunity to explain the role of his program as the legal and technical experts who for 30 years have worked closely with the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, Environmental Protection Agency and the governor's office to litigate Superfund damage claims from polluters. Harris said NRDP's 11 staffers meet on a daily basis with federal and state colleagues from other offices who are headquartered in the state capital. Another is stationed in Butte. Harris said moving the program to Deer Lodge would not only hinder their ability to cooperate with partners but would also cause many specialists in the program with roots and mortgages in Helena to quit, damaging its effectiveness. "They're not the kind of folks you can just find anywhere at any time," Harris said. Chief Deputy Attorney General Alan Joscelyn said his department values the face to face contact they have with NRDP, and that moving the program's employees "would really impact the quality of service." Jeff Tiberi, policy director of the Montana Association of Conservation Districts, said the state has pollution sites all over to deal with, and that positioning the NRDP 50 miles west to be in the middle of the Clark Fork River Watershed Superfund corridor is an illogical way of serving Montana. "We'd all be in Lewistown if we were centrally located," Tiberi said. Trout Unlimited's Southwest Montana coordinator Brian Ohs also opposed the bill, but said he appreciated Vuckovich's commitment to his constituents. He said what happened to MVD workers in Deer Lodge would be the same as what would happen to NRDP workers under Vuckovich's bill. "We wouldn't want to see these people uprooted simply because of a turf battle," Ohs said. Some senators on the committee were confused by the purpose and language of the bill. Sen. Jedediah Hinkle, R-Bozeman, had to have Vuckovich clarify for him that it was MVD jobs that were moved from Deer Lodge to Helena, not NRDP jobs. Sen. Dick Barrett, D-Missoula, was confused over language in the bill that called for the creation of the NRDP. Harris explained that the program was created by executive order, and that a bill drafter from the Legislative Services Division explained to him that for the Legislature to exert control over the NRDP it was necessary "to create us" within the Montana Code. Vuckovich closed out the meeting by saying that the state must provide for the economies of its outlying towns, not just Helena, and that he was just trying to bring back something from the Capitol for his constituents. "What I'm trying to do is rectify a wrong that was never addressed," Vuckovich said. "I had to make my statement, and I have done so." FRENCHTOWN Nineteen school buses cross the aging twin culverts at Mill Creek four times a day en route to and from Frenchtown Elementary School. Its the only way in and out for the school's 700 students and staff. Missoula County wants to replace the culverts with a bridge before they fail. With this road being on the school route and providing access to a pretty important part of the Frenchtown community, we dont want that problem to happen any time of day and be surprised with it, county engineer Erik Dickson said Wednesday. He was explaining the situation to Gov. Steve Bullock at the Frenchtown Junior High. Bullock in turn was pitching to media and county officials the importance of the Montana Legislature passing a proposed $292 million infrastructure bill sooner rather than later this session. The measure, House Bill 14, was advanced by a 5-1 vote from a joint subcommittee last Thursday to the House Appropriations committee, which has yet to schedule a time to take it up. Im hoping now that Appropriations will move it forward (to the Senate) and get it done, Bullock said. Even if they want to make changes to it, thats fine from the perspective that I recognize that Im hoping I have a willing partner in the Legislature to get beyond politics and to get this done early. Bullock has lately been making a couple of trips a week to sites like Frenchtown to stump for the bill. A similar one failed in the House in 2015 by one vote on the last day of the session. It again would hinge on the sale of millions of dollars in bonds $157 million in this case something with which many legislators have issues, especially in the Republican majority. The state constitution says because of that, the bill would require a two-thirds majority to pass each chamber. Last time the infrastructure bill sailed through the state Senate by a 47-3 count, only to be nosed out in the House. Im hearing a lot more interest and appetite this session to bond, Bullock said Wednesday, adding, I dont know that one (chamber) or the other is the real obstacle. Its figuring out what the path is to get this done. House Bill 14 includes some $2.7 million of projects in Missoula County. I think at times in Helena and other places it becomes sort of abstract, like Whats this all about? So I really wanted to hear about this project and the project needs, Bullock said. No one knows for sure how old the Mill Creek culverts are because theyre nowhere to be found in the countys inventory records. Great West Engineering of Helena, the contractor on the project, estimates they date back to the late 1960s or '70s. Dickson said theyre too small, leaving neighbors upstream vulnerable to flooding. As the water shoots through during high water, the channel downstream erodes. Its the last of seven public crossings on the Mill Creek drainage, and we dont want it to be the pinch-point down at the bottom, especially next to the school, he said. There are also holes worn in the bottom of the culverts, which leads to erosion of the road bed above. "An appropriately sized crossing would benefit the channel itself and the aquatic habitat," said Dickson. "It's a fish barrier right now because of the velocities and the alignment." The county has a similar issue at the Bible Lane Bridge over Petty Creek near Alberton, which is included in the infrastructure bill request as well. Neither is in imminent danger of failing on a scale of 0 to 100 both have sufficiency ratings on the National Bridge Inventory in the 40s. Itll cost $1.1 million to replace both with single-span bridges. If the county has to rely solely on its own bridge funds, the projects face delays of perhaps two or three fiscal year cycles, said Dickson. Itll also be forced to use money that could otherwise be spent on the other bridges in an inventory of 150. Missoula County is asking the state for less than half the combined cost for the two roughly $500,000. If it gets the money, Bill Lloyd of Great West told the governor that design would begin with the first of the two projects this fall, with construction targeted for the summer or fall of 2018. The second project would be funded and built during the next budget year. The county can expedite either or both, and will decide whether the Mill Creek or Petty Creek bridges get built first. The 14th annual Diversity Week returns to Hellgate and Big Sky high schools next week, and with discussions ranging from refugees to climate change to ethics in journalism, organizers say the event is more relevant than ever. The event comes from the Flagship Program, and is designed to promote acceptance, create awareness and encourage critical thinking. They partner with the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival, which kicks off this week. Some films are shown in the schools, and students get a chance to talk with directors. Hellgate's theme is "Overcoming Conflict and Establishing Harmony." Big Sky's is "Diversity MT an Open Mind." Mayor John Engen will be the keynote speaker at Hellgate, and Big Sky's all-school assembly will include Har Shalom's Laurie Franklin, Big Sky graduate Chris Coburn and current Big Sky student Jessica Beers. There's a slew of events planned every period Tuesday through Friday (there's no school Monday due to President's Day). They range from a Soft Landing Missoula presentation on refugees to a discussion of media literacy and ethics in journalism led by Joe Eaton, a University of Montana assistant professor in journalism. "It's a lot trying to steer it away from being too political, which is probably going to be challenging with the climate that we're in," said Nicole Mitchell, program manager of The Flagship Program. *** Diversity Week comes at a time when protests happen nearly daily, there's what feels like constant breaking news coming out of Washington, D.C., and a rise in hateful speech and acts that has at times turned the national spotlight on Montana. At Tuesday's school board meeting, trustee Grace Decker took a few minutes to remind everyone that Missoula County Public Schools is inclusive. "We've certainly seen in Helena and in Missoula ... lots of people expressing concern and distress about changes that are potential and some in motion," she said. She pointed to the 1982 U.S. Supreme Court case Plyler v. Doe, which established that undocumented students have the same right to a free public education as any other student. In addition, MCPS policy lays out its goals for all students, regardless of their background. The policy states that instruction "shall be based upon respect of others" and not encourage bias or discrimination. "I think they really reflect the best of what our aspirations are for students in the district, and they articulate a stance that is proactive, that seeks to inspire respectful communication, to advocate for free speech as a cornerstone of our citizenship and yet to do so in a way that is based on respectful relationship," Decker said. Since last fall, 67 refugees have come to Missoula, from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Syria, Iraq and Eritrea. Their children are enrolled in MCPS. "We did think of the political climate that we're in, because sometimes you avoid conversations with people about politics because you don't want to have a contentious conversation," Mitchell said. "Kids need to learn skills on how to have a healthy debate. If you have opposing views, you can leave the interaction and still be friends, not have an argument that's filled with hate. "It's finding common ground that we can agree to disagree and be kind and respectful. Through this whole climate we're in, it's how to have respectful discourse with each other." *** Hellgate's theme, "Overcoming Conflict and Establishing Harmony," came out of Hellgate Flagship coordinator Emily Sandersfeld wanting "an overall message of hope and resiliency." It came in response to "negativity bombarding the internet and the media," she said in an email. The theme is explored through examples from the past in films, personal harmony as told by presenters, and establishing harmony with one another through community presentations. Films being shown at the school include "Roadside Radiation," about the human consequences of the Chernobyl disaster; "Sila and the Gatekeepers of the Arctic," which delves into the impact of global warming on the Inuit; and "Keep Moving Forward," an examination of a veteran's experience with post-traumatic stress disorder. Presentations from Hellgate grads include Monica Fisher on her battle with cancer, Anna Haslund on being part of the deaf community, and Usifu Bangura on his trip to Sierra Leone to search for his family. Community groups such as Missoula Rises and the Harry Potter Alliance will discuss unity, support and stopping discrimination. To see the full schedule of Diversity Week events, go to flagshipprogram.org. A Missoula man whose house was raided by the FBI in November pleaded guilty Wednesday to a federal charge that he trafficked pounds of methamphetamine into the area. As part of an agreement with prosecutors, Jonathan Allen Farran pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. His other three charges were dismissed. Early on Nov. 17, the FBI raided Farrans home after members of the Montana Regional Violent Crime Task Force were made aware he was using the building to sell meth. According to court documents, prosecutors believe Farran sold as much as three pounds of meth in Missoula over the course of 2016. His indictment said Farran also had an elaborate surveillance system and that he kept guns hidden in every room. Farran will be sentenced May 25 by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Dana Christensen. The charge to which he pleaded guilty carries a potential penalty of five to 40 years in federal prison, as well as fines and supervision after he is released. Farran remains in custody pending sentencing. As part of his plea agreement, Farran agreed to forfeit more than $1,700 in cash as well as a wide variety of firearms, ammunition and other gun accessories. Municipalities that take over water systems through eminent domain vastly underestimate the cost of such takeovers and overestimate their ability to lower rates, according to a report released earlier this year by the Analysis Group. "Contested takeover efforts have proven very costly to government entities," the report said. "The costs incurred to support eminent domain litigation and to finance the acquisition represent a significant economic burden on ratepayers, above and beyond the cost to acquire the system." Analysis Group describes itself as one of the largest private economics consulting firms in North America. The report uses Missoula as one case study, in addition to a couple of cities in California and one in New Hampshire, although the city of Missoula did not seek to condemn Mountain Water Co. in order to lower rates. "Local governments and advocates of government takeover tend to underestimate acquisition costs by more than 100 percent," the report said. The city of Missoula did underestimate the cost to condemn Mountain Water Co. Before the city went to court, Mayor John Engen estimated the legal costs could hit $800,000 at the most for both sides combined; the city is currently budgeting to pay $8.5 million of its own costs and $5.4 million of the defendants' fees. The total amount the city will pay in legal fees is still in dispute in court. But city officials offered different reasons for seeking public ownership, and early on, Engen said water rates would in fact go up under city ownership. Under municipal ownership, though, he said the city could put more money into fixing infrastructure. In August, the Montana Supreme Court affirmed the Missoula County District Court judge's ruling the city had the right to use its power of eminent domain to buy the utility. Wednesday, members of the Missoula City Council voted to support water loans to be issued in April for as much as $140.4 million (see related story). The full council will vote on the matter Monday, Feb. 27. After the meeting, Councilman Bryan Von Lossberg responded to the findings in the Analysis Group report. He said the city of Missoula sought to control the water company for different reasons, including local control, transparency, and more money into improving the utility. "We're going to put more money under public ownership into capital investment in the system," Von Lossberg said. In the past, he said, private owners invested $2 million to $4 million a year into infrastructure, but the city plans to invest roughly $6 million a year for the next five years, even in the worst-case scenario. In the worst case scenario, rates will go up 5 percent the first year, and then increase at a lower rate in following years, according to city estimates. But Von Lossberg said even those increases would be small compared to the ones Liberty Utilities, Mountain Water's owner, secures elsewhere. Liberty Utilities is the subsidiary of a Canadian company, Algonquin Power and Utilities Corp. "I would just look at the track record of Liberty Utilities in other jurisdictions. Eighteen percent. Twenty-six percent," Von Lossberg said. Von Lossberg also said the city's own legal fees are for more than just condemnation. They also cover the city's representation in disputes before the Montana Public Service Commission as well as financing costs. In the report, the author argues that cities may present low cost estimates out of ignorance, but also that municipalities have a vested interest in underestimating the takeovers because they need public support. A poll showed the city of Missoula did have public backing for municipal ownership, but Von Lossberg said it was difficult to know whether community members would have been as supportive had they know the expense of condemnation early on. In court, the defense pointed out the absence of that context in the polling. "It's a hypothetical that's super difficult to answer," Von Lossberg said. "And I think it takes one element of the cost benefit question out of the broader context." Rather, he calls the water utility an asset for 100 years, even a lifetime. The expenditure is significant, he said, but so is the amount of money that had gone and still would be going to investors instead of to all the capital needs in the system. The report also disputes the value of all the costs to a city. "These transaction costs are a pure deadweight loss in a meaningful and economic sense to the ratepayers there is no value that is being created and no transfer of assets associated with these costs," it said. Von Lossberg, who testified in the condemnation case in favor of local control, disagreed. Early on, he, the mayor, and other supporters said water is necessary for life, and should therefore be under public control, and he said Wednesday the acquisition offers other benefits. "How do you put a value on transparency? "How do you put a value on coordination with city growth plans? How do you put value on leakage when it occurs near a state Superfund site and affects perched aquifers in that area?" University of Montana campus leaders in research, governance, and programs are among the members of the search advisory committee formed to help select a new UM president. Wednesday, the Montana Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education released names of the committee members identified to date. Kevin McRae, deputy commissioner of communications, said additional members may still be named. Commissioner of Higher Education Clayton Christian is serving as chair and committee member. UM President Sheila Stearns, serving as head of the campus in an interim capacity, will assist in the search and participate as a liaison, according to the Commissioner's Office. Members are the following, according to the Commissioner's Office and UM website: UM students, faculty, staff 1. Sarah Smith, UM student, recent Missoula College graduate, previously business manager for the Associated Students of the University of Montana 2. Joanna Kreitinger, a graduate student and researcher who won a national immunology fellowship 3. Braden Fitzgerald, a student senator and health and human performance major 4. Grace Gardner, graduate student, former student athlete, Staff Senate member, academic services adviser 5. John DeBoer, UM chair of the Faculty Senate and associate professor of theatre and head of performance and practice 6. Paul Haber, president of the University Faculty Association and chair of the Department of Political Science 7. Beverly Chin, professor and Department of English chair in the College of Humanities and Sciences 8. Diana Six, researcher, professor of forest entomology/pathology in the W.A. Franke College of Forestry & Conservation 9. Kelly Webster, UM Writing Center director and Strategic Planning vice chair 10. Megan Chilson, UM Western Faculty Senate Chair, Montana University System Faculty Academic Representatives vice chair 11. Scott Risser, Montana Tech Faculty Senate chair 12. Karen Henderson, Helena College Faculty Senate vice chair 13. Wilena Old Person, program coordinator in College of Health Professions & Biomedical sciences, co-chair of UM Diversity Advisory Council UM administrators 14. Tom Crady, vice president for student services and enrollment management 15. Beverly Edmond, provost Governors Office 16. Office representative Ali Bovingdon Community members 17. Mary Olson, chair of the UM Foundation 18. Scott Burke, chair of the Missoula Economic Partnership; president of First Security Bank Montana University System leadership 19. Fran Albrecht, regent, Missoula 20. Casey Lozar, regent, Helena 21. Clayton Christian, Commissioner of Higher Education In todays political climate there seems to be contention almost everywhere. Friends are made and lost on Facebook daily. Protesters on opposing sides square off to advocate for their agenda. It would seem by watching the national news and commentary that politicians, municipalities and everyone else with an opinion are in a political brouhaha that leaves the average person shaking their heads and asking the question: Why cant they just get along and fix what needs fixing? In Missoula, however, with respect to the greater DeSmet community, our experience has been positive and rewarding because local elected officials, municipalities and the DeSmet Public School Board are working together to fix what needs fixing. In 1998 Missoula created a tax increment district (TIF district) out of most of the DeSmet School District for redevelopment. Oddly, over the last 20 years residential housing has been excluded from the heart of development in the DeSmet community. Several commercial interests sprung up, but for the most part, the TIF district is filled with vacant lots and land tracks. One of the contributing factors to this sluggish growth in the TIF district is the lack of affordable housing in Missoula. Businesses thrive when people can live, work and learn in the same community. The problem, however, is locating a suitable area to seed this growth. Multi-zoning an area for growth requires three components: commercial, light industrial and residential zoned areas, with infrastructure to support all three. To create a multi-zoned area from scratch would require an investment in infrastructure in the millions of dollars and to site a school for the residents would add an additional $20 million to $25 million to the price tag. With Missoula residents already paying the highest property taxes in Montana, this added tax burden to the residents would be prohibitive. The solution came from the DeSmet School Board. The area around the DeSmet Public School has within one mile of DeSmet Public school: one ball park (three completed diamonds, two more under construction), six parks, 2-plus miles of paved trail system with picnic tables and benches, 16 empty lots encompassing roughly 40 percent of land, 34 businesses, nine empty business fronts and a paved boulevard (Expressway) with a central turn lane, which is everything a community would need. The only component missing is affordable residential housing. In a proposal put forth to the county commissioners by DeSmet, it was discussed at length how the creation of residential zoning based on affordable housing around the DeSmet School would create a win-win scenario for many different groups with interests in the community. The TIF district would have affordable housing options for the employees at the airport and local businesses, which would attract businesses to the area. Missoula would have affordable housing options for its residents, reversing the barrier that stymies outside business ventures from settling in Missoula. DeSmet Public School would be able to absorb the new students without the county having the expense of creating a new school. The taxpayers of Missoula would not be on the hook for tens of millions of dollars in added debt. The added commercial and residential homes and businesses created would increase the overall property tax revenue to Missoula by $500,000 to $750,000 annually. The commercial area would create permanent jobs, strengthening the human resource base of Missoula. With two subdivisions, one north and one south of Airport Boulevard, commercial redevelopment will spring up to serve the needs of the residents. As with all projects in the community, the growth in the greater DeSmet community is still a year away. But the groundwork to expand and strengthen the Missoula community is already underway. The synergy created by the county commissioners, the CAPS Offices and the DeSmet School Board by working effectively and collaboratively together is the hallmark of what good government should look and feel like. In Missoula they are fixing what needs to be fixed, government does work for the people, and Missoula is a great place because David Strohmaier, Jean Curtiss and Nicole Rowley are proactively addressing the long-term residential, educational and business needs of our community. Recently Montana Rep. Derek Skees of Kalispell introduced House Bill 357 to the Montana Legislature. The goal of this bill is to require Montanans to submit a photo ID before being allowed to vote in state and national elections. This bill is unnecessary and prohibitive legislation that infringes on the voting rights of Montanans. The purported aim is to ensure that the electoral process is protected from instances of voter fraud, a goal Im sure everyone can agree is noble on its surface. The problem, however, is there has not been a verifiable instance of voter fraud in modern Montana history. I am proud to have been born and raised in a state where voter turnout was well above the national average in the 2016 general election. Over 74 percent of eligible Montana voters cast a ballot last November compared to just over 58 percent in the country as a whole. If we as a state hope to continue having high turnout rates in our elections, we cannot disenfranchise perfectly eligible voters by enacting draconian and unnecessary voter ID laws. Placing an unnecessary hurdle in the voting process for thousands of Montanans to combat a problem that simply does not exist is not something I can support in good consciousness. I urge my fellow Montanans to find your legislator at leg.mt.gov, or by calling (406) 444-4800, and contact them to ensure they vote no on HB 357. Hannah Gale, Missoula BILLINGS - Dr. Gary Ostahowski, a St. Vincent Healthcare family medicine physician who works both in Hardin and Billings, has quite a story to tell. He died one night last April after his heart stopped. His wife, Vera, a registered nurse, brought him back to life. And five weeks after a stent was put in place, he was back at work. Ostahowski, a physician for 38 years, lives with his wife in Hardin. There, he splits his time at the St. Vincent Physicians Hardin Family Medicine Clinic and Big Horn County Memorial Hospital, where he performs surgical procedures. In Billings, he works at St. Vincent Physicians Occupational Health and at St. Vincent Healthcares Wound Healing Center. In one of the occupational health exam rooms Wednesday, he talked about the cardiac event that nearly ended his life. On April 26, 2016, Ostahowski had completed surgical procedures at the Hardin hospital that morning and worked at the family medicine clinic in the afternoon. He felt fine, he remembers. Two days before Id gone turkey hunting, Ostahowski said. I walked five miles in the hills and had no symptoms. But April 26 was cold and rainy, and that night he went outside to grab two big pieces of ash wood to fuel the stove. He stumbled on a step, and when he felt a funny feeling in his chest a few minutes later, Ostahowski chalked it up to a pulled muscle after his near-fall. As he sat in a recliner, the pain came and went, growing a little sharper each time. He felt it in the center of his chest wall, and it hurt to touch the spot or to move. Ostahowski took three aspirin and remained sitting. When his wife arrived home early from a meeting, he told her what was happening. Vera gave him a choice: either she would take him to the hospital or she would call an ambulance. That most likely saved my life, Ostahowski said. She dropped him off at the emergency department and went to park the car. Ostahowski walked down a hall and told the medical staff on duty he was suffering from chest pain. They quickly placed him in an exam room. And three minutes later I was dead, he said. Ostahowskis heart had gone into ventricular fibrillation, in which the heart stops beating. He remembers having a very vivid memory of a very peaceful place, and it seemed like it lasted a long time. The scene in his room was anything but peaceful. About the time Ostahowskis heart stopped beating, his wife walked into the room. Vera Ostahowski, a registered nurse, teaches advanced cardiac life support at the hospital, which is used in the event of cardiac arrest. She saw what was happening on the monitor, grabbed the defibrillator paddles and placed them on her husbands chest. Each time she defibrillated her husband, he would get a pulse back and start to stir. And then his heart would stop again. It took five times before his heart resumed a steady rhythm. He only remembered the last time, when he felt his body jerk off the table. The entire episode probably lasted 10 to 15 minutes. Ostahowski also credited Monica Maher, a family nurse practitioner who works for Surgical Associates at St. Vincent by day and the Hardin hospital some nights. When I walked in and saw Monica there, I thought everything is going to be fine. Ostahowski was taken to St. Vincent Healthcare in Billings, where a stent was inserted. Doctors discovered that the cardiac arrest was caused by a blockage in one of the cardiac arteries. In the days after his cardiac arrest, Ostahowski remembered holding his 2-month-old granddaughter in his arms. "That's why you want to survive this thing, for that moment," he said. Part of the puzzle of Ostahowskis episode is that he didnt experience the typical signs and symptoms, and he had few of the risks for such an event. But since then, he has lost 30 pounds. And I feel like I can do anything Ive been able to do physically, he said. One thing Ostahowski gained from the experience is an even greater empathy for his patients. In the past, he never understood why a patient experiencing chest pain would put off going to a doctor. Now he knows how easy it is to do that. If you have any doubt, go in and get it checked out, Ostahowski said. If somethings different, it probably needs to be looked at. Radiology Surgical Services Emergency & Trauma Services Registered Nurses Dena Durkin, Robin Foley, Tom Hennelly, Lisa Turk and Susan Walsh, have received national Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN-RN) accreditation through the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) and St. James Healthcare. In accordance to The Emergency Nurses Association, the Certified Emergency Nurse accreditation is a certification for nurses in supporting doctors with critical emergency room cases such as trauma, heart attacks, severe asthma attacks, and accidents Police reports MAN ACCUSED OF STEALING ATV A Butte man was arrested early Thursday on felony theft of a motor vehicle after police found him hiding in a barn. Frank Medina, 36, also faces several misdemeanor charges: resisting arrest, two counts of criminal mischief, two counts of criminal trespass, stealing tools, and obstructing a police officer. He was also arrested for having an outstanding warrant, said Butte-Silver Bow Undersheriff George Skuletich. Police noticed an abandoned all-terrain vehicle sitting in the Three Bears Alaska grocery store parking lot, 45 Three Bears Dr., at 1:21 a.m. Following footprints in the snow leading from the ATV to Blacktail Loop and Mount Highlands Drive, they spotted Medina lying along the side of the road. Medina got up and ran off, and police pursued him until they discovered him hiding in a nearby barn. The police turned over the ATV to the rightful owner after it was reported stolen. CRIMINAL TRESPASS ARREST Nicholas Newhart, 35, of Butte was arrested Feb. 15 at Town Pump, 531 S. Montana St., for disorderly conduct and criminal trespass, both misdemeanors. Police warned Newhart earlier in the day to leave the Town Pump property, but he was arrested upon his return and after bothering customers, said Skuletich. From a youths perspective, the Butte High School career fair has it going on. Alex Anderson, a junior, went into the industry-packed event Wednesday knowing she wants to become a pharmacist, even though the fair is for students of all ages and ambitions. It gives help to people who dont know what they want to do, said Anderson as underclassmen swelled around her, taking in dozens of industry tables in the school gym. She was one of about 600 students released from class throughout the morning to learn about entry-level jobs and post-secondary training opportunities. I learned that with some careers, you can have multiple opportunities, said Anderson. She plans to play to her strengths and major in chemistry or biology at Montana Tech before applying for pharmacy school elsewhere. She hung out at the Tech and the Montana Office of Rural Health and Area Health Education Center in keeping with her goals. But Anderson is an exception. Few high school students know exactly what they want to do after graduation. As Butte High anatomy teacher Amber Walter can attest, many of her students attended the fair to learn basic business professional strategies. I really want them to practice their interpersonal communication skills, said Walter. Were really lacking in that area. Theyre practicing looking a person in the eye and shaking hands learning those soft skills. Additions to the sixth annual fair include a dress code for student attendees, said Judy Bryant, head of the Butte High career and technical ed department, family consumer science teacher and event organizer. We made a few changes this year to encourage students to dress and behave appropriately, such as no pajama pants or sweats, said Bryant, adding that students seemed more engaged than ever. Health science, industrial technology, family/consumer sciences and business leaders were on hand to answer questions. Cooper Fisher, 22, marketing director for Butte Local Development Corp., a 2013 Butte High graduate and Tech student, stressed to inquiring students that Butte is an inclusive place. Were trying to change the dialogue, he said. We want to see everybody succeed. BLDC, the primary economic development organization for Butte-Silver Bow County, offers services to everyone, including high school entrepreneurs, said Fisher. BLDC recruits businesses, grows companies, builds partnerships and promotes job creation. When you have kids who want to be entrepreneurs, start something new, you have to nurture that, Fisher added. Thats what we want to see that ties right into the Butte spirit. Fisher and Anderson are prime examples of youths seeking guidance such as the job fair within their own community. I chose to get involved I was looking for opportunities, said Fisher. He learned personal skills while performing in local theater, plus he picked up vital experience working at the BSB Chamber of Commerce. Anderson, too, is a busy bee while envisioning life after high school. Besides working for a manufactured home dealership, she participates in speech and debate, Teens in Partnership and HOSA Future Health Care Professionals. Shes a very driven kid, said her mother, Denise Anderson, working a credit union information table. Were pretty lucky. Confident, Anderson already knows how she will approach college: take basic core classes like math and English at Highlands College the southern campus of Montana Tech before transferring to take chemistry, biology or other pre-pharmacy requirements. Two-year colleges like Highlands offer required core classes at less cost than four-year colleges. Plus, students can save money by living at home the first few years of college. Tech is hands-on and I like it better that way, Anderson added. Its a better transition from Butte High to Tech. It takes eight years to earn a doctorate in pharmacy, but she seems undaunted. Its a difficult course, but Im excited to go into it, said Anderson. Snowshoe, ski event at Charter Oak Mine Join us for an afternoon of exploration at the Charter Oak Mill and Mine site on Saturday, Feb. 18, from noon to 3 p.m. Beginning at the snowmobile parking lot, we will take an easy ski or snowshoe along the Little Blackfoot River to Charter Oak. This is a lode mine and mill that was active off and on from the early 1900s to the 1980s. It is one of the few intact sites of that era still standing that is available for touring. The historical buildings and equipment left on site standout in the snow, offering unique opportunities for sight-seeing and photography. Located just south of Elliston in the Little Blackfoot River drainage, travel west from Helena on US Highway 12 for 22 miles to the Little Blackfoot River Road turnoff (Forest Road 227). Turn south of the highway and continue 2.9 miles until the road forks. Follow the right fork for 1.3 miles. There will be a marked snowmobile parking lot on the left hand side of the road. The Montana Discovery Foundation can supply snowshoes if needed. Call 495-3711 in advance for reservations. *** Lewis and Clark versus grizzlies Lewis and Clark encountered many difficulties on their Journey of Discovery, but perhaps the biggest and baddest was the grizzly bear. Join us on Thursday, Feb. 23, at 6:30 p.m. at the Montana Historical Society, 225 N. Roberts, as Duane Buchi presents a free public program, Lewis and Clark vs Ursus Horribilis, to talk about the ways in which the encounters with the grizzlies shaped the outcome of the expedition. Buchi works for the Great Falls Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center and has studied how the Corps of Discovery dealt with the bears that were virtually unknown in the young nation that clung to the eastern seaboard. *** FWP urges shed hunters to wait for spring Winter is an especially stressful time for elk, with deep snow and limited food options. Thats why Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is asking shed hunters and other recreationists to give elk their space until the snow melts and the animals are less stressed. Shed hunting has become increasingly popular in recent years and more competitive. In some cases, that has led individuals to try to get a head start by running elk through trees to break off antlers or to trespass on Montanas Wildlife Management Areas where elk find sanctuary this time of year (most do not open until noon on May 15). Both are illegal. Snowmobilers, skiers, and snowshoers should avoid areas where elk are bedded down. Elk often come down to lowlands and might be found near homes. Its critical that dogs be kept on a leash when elk are present. Dogs can cause serious injury or kill animals much larger than themselves. The stress of a chase alone can eventually lead to the death of the animal. And of course, pets can be injured or killed while attempting to take down an animal big or small. Dog owners might be cited for permitting a dog to harass wildlife. *** Deputy forest supervisor named Forest Supervisor Bill Avey has announced that Sara Mayben is the new deputy forest supervisor for the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest and is stationed in the Great Falls office. Mayben comes to the Helena-Lewis and Clark from the Pike and San Isabel National Forest and Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands as the natural resource staff officer. In that role, she provided leadership and oversight to many program areas including timber, soil and watershed management, wildlife and rare plants, range management, planning and GIS. Prior to her time in the staff officer role, she was a district ranger for eight years on the South Park District in Fairplay, Colo. A southwest Montana state senator proposed a bill Wednesday that would move the state's Natural Resource Damage Program from Helena to Deer Lodge as retribution for the transfer of a motor vehicle division bureau from Deer Lodge to Helena last year. Sen. Gene Vuckovich, D-Anaconda, said Deer Lodge lost 30 good jobs for no good reason when the attorney general consolidated the Title and Registration Bureau in Deer Lodge with the MVD's other offices in Helena. He said moving the NRDP would be appropriate considering most of the state's pollution sites lay on either side of Deer Lodge, and that it would provide economic justice for the town's newly unemployed residents. "Being a Serbian we're known for payback," Vuckovich said in his opening remarks before the Senate Natural Resources Committee, the only statement in favor of the Senate Bill 204. Representatives of the NRDP, the attorney general and the state conservation districts spoke in opposition to Vuckovich's bill. Harley Harris, program manager and supervising attorney for the NRDP, took the opportunity to explain the role of his program as the legal and technical experts who for 30 years have worked closely with the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, Environmental Protection Agency and the governor's office to litigate Superfund damage claims from polluters. Harris said NRDP's 11 staffers meet on a daily basis with federal and state colleagues from other offices who are headquartered in the state capital. Another is stationed in Butte. Harris said moving the program to Deer Lodge would not only hinder their ability to cooperate with partners but would also cause many specialists in the program with roots and mortgages in Helena to quit, damaging its effectiveness. "They're not the kind of folks you can just find anywhere at any time," Harris said. Chief Deputy Attorney General Alan Joscelyn said his department values the face to face contact they have with NRDP, and that moving the program's employees "would really impact the quality of service." Jeff Tiberi, policy director of the Montana Association of Conservation Districts, said the state has pollution sites all over to deal with, and that positioning the NRDP 50 miles west to be in the middle of the Clark Fork River Watershed Superfund corridor is an illogical way of serving Montana. "We'd all be in Lewistown if we were centrally located," Tiberi said. Trout Unlimited's Southwest Montana coordinator Brian Ohs also opposed the bill, but said he appreciated Vuckovich's commitment to his constituents. He said what happened to MVD workers in Deer Lodge would be the same as what would happen to NRDP workers under Vuckovich's bill. "We wouldn't want to see these people uprooted simply because of a turf battle," Ohs said. Some senators on the committee were confused by the purpose and language of the bill. Sen. Jedediah Hinkle, R-Bozeman, had to have Vuckovich clarify for him that it was MVD jobs that were moved from Deer Lodge to Helena, not NRDP jobs. Sen. Dick Barrett, D-Missoula, was confused over language in the bill that called for the creation of the NRDP. Harris explained that the program was created by executive order, and that a bill drafter from the Legislative Services Division explained to him that for the Legislature to exert control over the NRDP it was necessary "to create us" within the Montana Code. Vuckovich closed out the meeting by saying that the state must provide for the economies of its outlying towns, not just Helena, and that he was just trying to bring back something from the Capitol for his constituents. "What I'm trying to do is rectify a wrong that was never addressed," Vuckovich said. "I had to make my statement, and I have done so." HELENA Montanans would no longer need to spring forward or fall back under a bill introduced to eliminate the observance of daylight saving time. Sen. Ryan Osmundson, R-Buffalo, brought Senate Bill 206 before the Senate State Administration Committee on Wednesday. If enacted, the bill would join Montana with Arizona and Hawaii as the only states that do not observe daylight saving time. This is a sunshine bill with an implied sunset, Osmundson joked as he introduced his bill. A lot of constituents came to me and asked, Why do we do this? he continued. Osmundson gave some historical background and worldwide context to daylight saving time. Changing clocks to match daylight started during WWI and it became institutional in the U.S. in 1966, he said, but only 40 percent of the world continues to observe it. (I) find people that absolutely love the idea and absolutely hate the idea from all political spectrums, he said. States can opt out of daylight saving time, with Hawaii and Arizona the only states to do so. But as The Washington Post reported in 2015, at least 10 other states have considered legislation to follow suit. Nicole Rolf with the Montana Farm Bureau spoke in support of SB206, saying the organization passed a policy supporting a permanent move to standard time. We dont work by time on farms and ranches, we work by when it gets light and when it gets dark, she said. Spook Stang with Motor Carriers of Montana voiced mild opposition to the bill. While there is some evidence that daylight saving time disrupts the sleep of truck drivers, most membership opposition came from scheduling concerns. The logistical issues are particularly troublesome when transporting across state lines where daylight saving time observance is different, he said. Should we not make this standard across the country one way or the other it throws off logistics of delivery and pickup times, he said. Osmundson closed on the bill noting that dealing with different time zones is a routine part of scheduling. SB206 would simply lock Montana in at Mountain Standard Time, he said. The committee did not take immediate action on the bill. Butte fire officials say they might have to shut down the Butte Rescue Mission's homeless shelter soon now that relocation to a vacant Uptown building is off the table. An official with Action Inc., a social services organization that owns the three-story building at 304 N. Main St., said Thursday that board members were aware of numerous people opposed to a shelter in the area and did not want to sell. Many business owners, residents, and others say a shelter would deal serious blows to Uptown's image and growth potential. "I think there are a lot of concerns among business owners and the community at large about whether this is the right location," said Margie Seccomb, executive director of Action Inc. "Our agency wanted to make the right decision, and that can have a very long impact." Butte fire officials said last month the current shelter at 1204 E. Second St. has numerous code violations and fire hazards and could not continue as a homeless shelter much longer. The mission had offered to buy the former Homeward Bound building for $100,000, and the current shelter was put on temporary "fire watch" protocol pending a deal. But Seccomb said the deal would not happen. Rocky Lyons, executive director of the mission, said Thursday the organization had explored every other possible option and does not know what its next step will be. Butte-Silver Bow Fire Marshal Brian Doherty issued a statement Thursday saying the department has been "completely committed" to finding a suitable location for the mission to "continue their great work." But the department's top priority is to ensure that people are safe in their surroundings, the statement said. If Action Inc. had indeed pulled back, the statement said, "we must move forward with a plan of closure and evacuation of the current rescue mission and look as a community to figure out another solution to provide shelter and hundreds of meals per day to the population that utilizes the missions services." The department said it had "prepared and supplied the owners with a formal written notice of violations and non-compliance issues" and now it would "re-evaluate for immediate compliance and specify a time for relocation." Lyons said Action Inc. offered to sell the building last month for $100,000, so they had a buy-sell agreement drawn up. Action Inc. wanted mission officials to hold a public forum to explain its work and relocation plan first, so they set Feb. 21 for that, Lyons said. But in recent days, Lyons said, officials with Action Inc. "began dragging their feet." "Why would they have even said they would sell us the building in the first place and give us a price?" Lyons said. Seccomb said county officials approached her looking for a possible solution and suggested the building, so the option was explored. But the agency provides services to the public too, she said, and had to consider concerns people were raising. "We wanted to take this very slowly and wanted them to be looking at other options," she said. Butte-Silver Bow Chief Executive Dave Palmer told commissioners Wednesday night that a sale was in doubt. "As of today, the board of Action Inc. really doesn't feel they have the votes on the board to approve the sale, so the Rescue Mission and other people around town are trying to find another option," Palmer said. "Please put your thinking caps on." Palmer has said the county could not prevent a sale because it was between two private, nonprofit entities and the building met zoning requirements as a homeless shelter. But he acknowledged that many people wanted to stop it. Commissioners Bill Andersen and Cindi Shaw, whose districts include parts of Uptown, have gotten numerous emails, phone calls, and comments from those against the idea. Ellen Crain, director of the county-run Butte Archives, was among those opposed. "As a member of the human race, I want to see those people cared for," Crain told the Standard this week. "But I am deeply troubled that this four- or five-block area is being pushed into some kind of space where all the people on the fringes of society will live." Some people come to Butte primarily to visit the Archives, a $7.5-million building voters agreed to pay for, she said. But she said a shelter could jeopardize that investment and the safety of her staff. Several others also told the Standard that Uptown already is saturated with services for the poor, drug or alcohol addicts, mentally ill, or those released from Montana State Prison. "I am a bleeding heart liberal, and I know it's badly needed, but I also really want to see Butte utilize its history and revitalize the Uptown," said Christy Hays, a singer and songwriter from Austin, Texas, who owns a house in Butte and spends time here. "I think it's very poor placement," she said. "It will be hard to have music venues and new restaurants and attract people at night. I just think it will really inhibit that kind of growth." Lyons said she understands the concerns but says there are homeless shelters in downtown districts in other U.S. cities and the areas are thriving. She said there are also misconceptions about what the mission does and the people it serves and there are many people in Butte that support them. There is a 19-year-old staying at the shelter now who was kicked out of his house by his father and is simply trying to finish high school, she said. A grandmother, mother, and her two kids recently became homeless and were sleeping in a car, she said. "These are folks just trying to get a step up," she said. "They are needing a little bit of help to move them along their journey of life." Lyons said she understands that fire officials are "stuck between a rock and a hard spot," and she was not sure what the mission can do now. "I know we have explored what seems to be every option that we know of," she said. FRIDAY, FEB. 17 FILM SERIES The CINEMAtech film series continues with a screening of Souleymane Cisse's "Yeelen" (1987) at 7 p.m. in the Montana Tech library auditorium. The CINEMAtech film series seeks to bring a wide range of international art cinema to Butte. All screenings are free. GUN SHOW The Winter Blast Gun, Knife, and Antique Show will be Friday through Sunday at the Whitehall Community Center, 11 N. Division St. All federal, state, and local laws are observed with no loaded firearms. Presented by the Whitehall VFW and American Legion Post, admission is $1 per day, and children 12 and under are free.The show runs Friday, 2 to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. COMPUTER CLASS The Butte Public Library will be offering free computer classes at 11 a.m. each Friday at the south branch (Butte Plaza Mall). This weeks class is PowerPoint. Registration is required. Call 406-723-3361. SAME DIFFERENCE The Orphan Girl Childrens Theatres production of Same Difference: A Disabilities Awareness Play runs at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Orphan Girl Theatre. Tickets are free, but donations are encouraged and accepted at the door. Visit www.orphangirl.org or call 406-782-5657 to acquire tickets. CLUBS AND MEETINGS BUTTE The Mad Scrappers get together from 1 to 3 p.m. the first and third Fridays of every month at the Butte Public Library, 226 W. Broadway, in order to gather new ideas, share tools, or just work on their scrapbooking with fellow enthusiasts. Details: 406-723-3361. Chess club meets from 2 to 4:45 p.m. at the Butte Public Library, 226 W. Broadway St. It is free, and no experience is necessary. Details: 406-723-3361. Butte Public Librarys Book Club meets the third Friday of every month from 1 to 2 p.m. on the third floor. This month's book is The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery. Copies can be picked up at the circulation desk on the first floor of the library. DILLON The Southwest Montana Retired Educators will meet at noon in the Commons Area at the Legacy Senior Citizens Center, 1000 Highway 91 South, Dillon. All retired educators in southwest Montana are invited to attend. In fall of 2012, I was diagnosed with a rare cancer of the bladder. At that time my partner worked full time as a teacher in public schools. I was under-employed (an adjunct instructor) at two institutions and had a third job when I was diagnosed with cancer. I had no access to employer-provided insurance at that time because of my part-time designation at each place. My partner's insurance didn't offer insurance to same-sex partners and we were not yet allowed to be married by state and federal law. When my partners self-funded health insurance plan finally allowed partner benefits, I was denied for a pre-existing condition because I had taken a urinalysis earlier in the year when I thought I my symptoms were related to a bladder infection. I worked on insurance appeals while I underwent a grueling four months of chemotherapy and a life-saving, eight-hour surgery that altered my life forever, but which ultimately saved my life. Two hospitals St. Peters in my hometown of Helena and the Mayo Clinic ended up picking up my charges, an amount nearing half a million dollars. But, none of my cancer treatment was ever covered. I started working again just three months after my big surgery. It was hard, but we needed the income. When the Affordable Care Act was enacted, we purchased a premium plan in the health insurance marketplace as soon as we could. For the first time, I could not be denied coverage due to a pre-existing condition, and my cancer treatment was covered. I did not have to worry about arbitrary lifetime limits or annual caps on my coverage. Finally, in the fall of 2015, I became employed full-time again, this time working to help fellow cancer patients, survivors and their families with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. I am now in a position to fight on behalf of other families faced with cancer who must navigate the health care system and look for meaningful coverage for their cancer prevention and treatment needs. Without the Affordable Care Act (ACA), I would not have had access to the life-saving medical devices that I need as a result of my treatment and the regular check-ups to see if the cancer returned. Without the lifeline of the ACA, I would have delayed those cancer check-ups a potentially deadly act. Senator Daines and Senator Tester, as you and the rest of Congress discuss repeal and replace options for the current health care law, I urge you to think about cancer patients, survivors and those at risk for the disease, all of whom are counting on you for access to affordable, meaningful health coverage to survive. Repealing the ACA with no adequate, immediate replacement could destabilize the health care market and create gaps in care for millions of cancer patients and survivors like myself. We cant go back to the health care system we had before the law. We have fought for our lives and our familys financial welfare. Now were asking you our lawmakers to do the same. Senator Daines and Senator Tester, please dont take away our lifeline. Steve Daines will not meet with more than two constituents at a time, and has no town hall meetings scheduled in the coming weeks. He received $46,500 as a campaign donation from Betsy Devos and voted to confirm her, according to an article in the Missoulian. This tells me he is her senator, not mine, and senators votes can be purchased. Jon Tester says his office received thousands of calls from folks in Montana asking him to vote no on this woman's confirmation. I would hazard a guess that Daines has gotten as many or more than Tester. The days of politicians voting with their donors and against their constituents is over. If Steve Daines is such a coward that he is afraid to meet with his constituents who do not agree with him, perhaps he needs to find another job. Have a town hall meeting, Daines, with all of your constituents who show up and stay until all of their questions have been answered. Do not be afraid of dissent, it is the reason America is great already. If we set up a GoFundMe page and raise $46,501 will you listen to us then? Barbara Parker, Lolo What will happen when China stops loaning America money for its debt? How much buying power will my dollar have when China and Mexico stop exporting goods to America? How much will food cost when immigrants can no longer harvest American crops? Who will do the service jobs immigrants are not too proud to do? It is easy to see that it is a world economy. Its not a race, America needs to be equal not first. An isolated America will perish alone and silent if it becomes an isolationist society. America is stronger when it participates in world trade and NATO. In the words on a Montana highway sign dont fence me in, President Trump. America cannot export its goods if other countries will not accept American goods. Lifes highway is a two-way street, and so it the economy. Is it that hard to figure out? Doug Purcell, Townsend Dunk percentage: 75.8% Dunks made: 25 Dunks missed: 8 Dunks attempted: 33 Gallinari can certainly finish strong at the rim, as evidenced by his acrobatic reverse dunk against the Pistons earlier this season. His eight misses are tied for the eighth-most in the league, though, and his 15.9 PER is his worst mark since getting traded the Nuggets during the 2010-11 season. MUSCATINE, Iowa Reports of gunshots have been a common occurrence this February, most recently with the Muscatine Police Department responding to a report of shots fired near two Muscatine schools Wednesday morning. Multiple gunshots were reported at 7:49 a.m. near Woodlawn Avenue and Orange Street, according to Lt. Jeff Jirak of the Muscatine Police Department. That caused Jefferson and Grant Elementary Schools to go on precautionary lockdown for about an hour, until about 9 a.m. "The police were great as far as working with us and the situation, keeping us updated," said Mike McGrory, the assistant superintendent for the Muscatine Community School District. Cory Spies, the principal at Jefferson Elementary, said the doors to the schools normally are locked throughout the school day but students were gathered inside the building for the lockdown. Although the lockdown was not required, McGrory and Spies said the schools wanted to be cautious. The Muscatine Police Department continues to investigate the incident, which is just the latest in a series of shots-fired events in recent days and weeks. A shot reportedly was fired into a home on the 1400 block of Washington Street on Monday morning, where investigators found one bullet hole, according to Muscatine Police Chief Brett Talkington. On Thursday, Feb. 2, a shot was reported to have been fired in the 200 block of Franklin Street, and a vehicle was struck by a bullet, according to a news release from the Muscatine Police Department. Juan Gomez Jr., 39, was arrested Feb. 9 in connection with the incident and was charged with attempt to commit murder, a class B felony; possession of a weapon by a felon, a class D felony; going armed with intent, a class D felony; assault while participating in a felony, a class D felony; and assault while displaying a dangerous weapon, an aggravated misdemeanor. According to the criminal complaint, Gomez attempted to shoot a man standing outside his vehicle but hit the vehicle instead. Gunshots also were reported in Muscatine County on Saturday in the 1600 block of Taylor Avenue and Monday in the 1800 block of Prairie Lane. According to Chief Deputy Ardyth Slight of the Muscatine County Sheriff's Office, four to five rounds were located in the home on Taylor Avenue. The shots were heard around 3 p.m., Slight said, and then were reported around 3:30 p.m. Residents on Prairie Lane heard the noise of gunshots around 1:30 or 2 a.m., Slight said, and reported the incident around 8:26 a.m. She said four to five bullet holes were found in the residence. No injuries related to the shots-fired incidents have been reported, and the Muscatine County Sheriffs Office and Muscatine Police Department continue to investigate. WAPELLO, Iowa The two Louisa County Board of Health (BOH) members removed from their jobs by the Louisa County Board of Supervisors have filed a lawsuit, claiming there was no probable cause, and their Jan. 10 dismissal was contrary to state law. Former BOH Chairman Craig Helmick and BOH Vice Chairwoman Rita Adam filed suit Feb. 9. They asked the court to void the supervisors action and award attorney fees as allowed under the Iowa Code. Louisa County Attorney Adam Parsons met with the supervisors Tuesday during the boards regular weekly meeting to discuss the latest twist in the eight-month-long case. I dont find their legal argument persuasive at this point, Parsons told the board, adding he would file a legal response to it. The supervisors said they removed Helmick and Adam because they failed to communicate or meet with the board. Also at issue were controversial pay raises BOH members approved in June for six of nine employees of the Louisa County Public Health Service (LCPHS). Helmick referred questions to their lawyer, Steve Ort, New London, who said the supervisors motion to dismiss his clients failed to mention the communications issues. The motion and discussion had virtually nothing to do with communications, it had to do with wages, Ort said, adding Helmick and Adam had not violated any state statutes while serving as appointed, volunteer members of the BOH. Everything they did they were allowed to do and (reasonably did), Ort said. Helmick and Adam also have appealed their dismissal, which is scheduled to be heard Feb. 27 during a public hearing. The court hearing is set for Feb. 24. Parsons advised the supervisors to keep the Feb. 27 public hearing. In other action, the supervisors also discussed a proposal to require future employees of Louisa County to live in the county. Supervisor Brad Quigley presented a draft he said had been developed by Louisa County Human Resources Consultant Paul Greufe. According to the proposal, future employees would be required to either be a county resident or attain residency within six months of being hired. The supervisors would retain the right to review each case individually to determine if an exception is warranted. The ultimate goal is to have people move to the county, (but) its a give or take on both sides, Quigley said. MUSCATINE, Iowa Jared Hershberger, U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack's district representative, will be available to talk to constituents who are having difficulty with a government agency, have suggestions for the congressman, or would like to share their concerns. WILTON, Iowa Rising health care costs and an anticipated upgrade of City Hall are the main drivers behind a proposed property tax increase for Wilton residents. City Administrator Chris Ball discussed the proposed budget for the 2017-18 fiscal year during a budget work session preceding Monday night's regular council meeting. The city's share of the property tax levy is proposed to increase from the current $14.12 per $1,000 of taxable valuation to $14.23 per $1,000. Debt service accounts for about a 4 cent increase, which Ball said is mostly for city hall project. "We're looking at some funds to redo this building," he said. The cost of employee benefits adds about 8 cents. "Our health insurance went up quite a bit," said Ball. Council Member Ted Marolf asked if a goal could be to keep the tax levy flat in the following fiscal year. "I think it's realistic to do that," Ball replied, but he added health insurance has gone up 14 percent. "Some things are out of our control." Mayor Bob Barrett said the city is not the only entity that increases property taxes, alluding to the voter-approved bond referendum for a new school. "We did build a new grade school," he said. "That's where the majority of it went." Property tax collections are not the city's only revenue source. Ball said the budget calls for half of 1 percent of sales tax proceeds to go to the general fund and another half of 1 percent to sewer improvement. But Ball said he'll need the council's guidance on the refuse collection fund because it run a deficit next year, if the collection rate remains the same. "If we raise our garbage rates $1.50 per household to $17, that about covers the deficit," he told the council. During the regular meeting, the council set a public hearing on the proposed budget for March 13. In other business: The council approved rental of approximately 17 acres of agricultural land in northwest Wilton to Collier Farms for $301 per acre. The council approved appointment of Terri Becker to the Wilton Historic Preservation Commission. MUSCATINE, Iowa Fred Harroun, who runs Muddy River Bait N' Tackle, said last year a little boy came into the store with his parents, who were planning a fishing trip. The little boy, Harroun said, looked dejected. "So I asked him, 'How come you're sad? You're going fishing,' and he goes 'I don't have a fishing pole,'" Harroun said. "I had a couple fishing poles and I took him over and gave him one, and from then on I just started giving kids fishing poles." Harroun has asked area residents to bring in their old poles, or ones no longer in use, so he can give children a chance to fish. "I take them, clean them off, put new line on them and make sure they work," he said. Children ages 14 or younger can stop by the shop and pick up a pole, if they need one. Area residents have already donated fishing poles to be fixed and given away, and Harroun said he has given away 55 poles since last year. "It gets them out, gets them fishing, and lets them enjoy the outdoors," he said. Harroun opened his store May 20, and with the help of his wife and children, is generally open seven days a week. He said he had always thought about opening up a bait and tackle store, and after he retired his son told him it was time. "My son called me and he goes 'Dad, you're opening up a bait shop,'" he said. Although winter weather and last year's flooding of area rivers slowed business, Harroun said he enjoys spending time with his customers. "I've got super customers, even the kids that I gave poles to, they'll come in and they buy worms," he said. "I've got one little boy that comes in and gives me a hug, because I gave him a fishing pole." DES MOINES A Republican whose support for Iowas collective bargaining law is frequently cited by Democrats has called on them to quit misquoting him. Dont speak for me. I can speak for myself, Jeff Kaufmann, a former state representative and now chairman of the Republican Party of Iowa, said in an email read during House debate Wednesday by his son, Rep. Bobby Kaufmann, R-Wilton. The younger Kaufmann read the comments from his father during the second day of debate in the House and Senate on House File 291 and Senate File 213, respectively. The identical bills would take away public employees bargaining rights, according to opponents. Majority Republicans call the changes necessary to restore local control to local government elected officials. Rep. Bruce Hunter, D-Des Moines, and other Democrats have cited a comment Kaufmann made in a March 2008 newsletter to constituents in defense of Chapter 20, the current public employee collective bargaining law. Hunter, Kaufmann said, is deliberately misquoting me and he knows it. In 2008, the elder Kaufmann said the Iowa collective bargaining laws have always been a balance between employer and employee; management and labor. When legislation happens without any input from the minority political party or the affected citizens, bad things are bound to happen. Thats the argument Democrats, now in the minority, are making today about House File 291, which they say would take away most public employee bargaining rights. Democrats say the legislation was written without any input from them or representatives of public employee labor unions. Those comments were about the egregious steps of the Democrats in 2008, including Hunter, when they dropped a shell bill before Easter and only presented the strike after amendment which was the real bill the day of debate, Kaufmann said. I wished the Democrats would have this passion then, Kaufmann said in his email. The process this year was a good one, thorough one and one in which all people got to speak, he wrote in his email. I am a public sector employee, added Kaufmann, a professor at Muscatine Community College and a member of the Cedar County Board of Supervisors. I am in bargaining unit. I am a teacher for over 25 years. Listen carefully: This is a good bill and one that is good for Iowa and good for Iowa students, Kaufmann said. Now you know what Jeff Kaufmann thinks, the younger Kaufmann said. Les emplois a Rennes sont abondants et varies. Il y a quelque chose pour tout le monde. Que vous soyez a la recherche dun emploi [] Les blattes ou cafards (Blatta orientalis) sont des insectes qui appartiennent a la famille des Blattoptera. Ils se caracterisent par leur forme allongee, leurs ailes [] Chairman of Green Africa Foundation, Isaac Kalua, has celebrated his son, David Kalua, for saving the life of an Uber driver who collapsed while behind the wheel. Taking to social media, the environmentalist recounted how his son had hailed an Uber from USIU on Thika Superhighway and was en route home when the Uber driver went into a seizure, and collapsed on the wheel with his feet on the acceleration pedal. He said David managed to commandeer and stop the moving vehicle and with the help of boda boda riders, rushed the driver to a nearby hospital. Read his full narration below: My son my Valentine Hero! Today our son David Kalua boarded Uber from USIU-UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY-AFRICA for home. En route, just around the very busy Kamukunji area the driver took a sip of his water and soon after, went into a seizure, and collapsed on the wheel with his feet on the acceleration pedal!!! A 23 Year-Old mother of two is fighting for her life in hospital after a horrific ordeal in which she was raped, slashed with a panga and tied to a railway track in Mombasa. Ms Irene Aisha Syongula was returning home on Saturday night after attending a funeral meeting in Kibarani when two people known to her accosted and raped her in turns. After doing what they did, they told me that they wanted to finish me off so that I will not follow them up, Syongula said amid sobs at Aga Khan Hospital on Wednesday. The assailants then hacked her leg with a machete and tied her with ropes to a railway track. Not long after, a cargo train from Mombasa Railway Station towards Changamwe crushed her lower limbs. Luckily, her screams caught the attention of the locomotive driver who brought the train to a halt. I was trapped beneath the heavy locomotive wheels. All the time I shouted and asked God to save me as I have young children to take care of, said the single mother. The train operator then sought the help of area residents who rushed Ms Aisha to Coast Provincial General Hospital. She was, however, referred to Aga Khan Hospital due to the ongoing doctors strike. We are guided a policy that clearly states that we must accept all emergency cases. For Irene, she had lost lots of blood and her case was severe. Lucky for her we alerted all our relevant doctors including a surgeon who was around at the time she was wheeled into the hospital. We set out to save her life and here we are todayshe is responding well to treatment, Twahir Ahmed, Aga Khan Hospital Medical Director said. Dr Twahir added that Irene comes from poor background and therefore should be helped to pay her medical bill which has now hit Sh1 million. Ms Aishas mother, Janet Wanja on Wednesday tearfully appealed to President Uhuru Kenyatta to help foot the hospital bill. Three Mombasa residents Emily Mbaile, Samson Mburu and Josephat Wachira have promised to help raise funds to offset the bill. Formerly conjoined twins Blessing Kathure and Favour Karimi enjoyed their first day outside Kenyatta National Hospital on a special Valentines Day treat to the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Animal Orphanage, Nairobi. The visit was the first time the twin sisters stepped out of the hospital since their admission on 5th September 2014. The outing was an exciting experience for the twins and their mother, Caroline Mukiri, who could not hide their joy as they viewed the variety of wildlife at the animal orphanage. Earlier in the day, KNH CEO Lily Koros Tare had presented the twins with a special bouquet of flowers noting that babies Favor & Blessing were special to the Hospital. She added that the twins had made tremendous progress in their recovery under the close monitoring of doctors, nurses, nutritionists, physiotherapists and occupational therapists. Mrs Mukiri thanked the hospital staff for their kindness, support and love to the girls. The twins underwent a successful separation surgery on 2nd November, 2016 which cost Sh160 million and took 23 hours to complete. They were conjoined in the lower region of the spine and shared the anal canal, the cerebral spinal fluid, pelvic and pelvic organs, and the bowels. Hope you still remember how to play Snake. A new version of the Nokia 3310, one of a line of seemingly indestructible cell phones from the Finnish manufacturer, will be announced at an industry conference later this month, according to VentureBeats Evan Blass. Released in 2000, the 3310 will be a modernized take on the popular mobile device that was emblematic of the industrys pre-smartphone era. No touchscreens or high-definition displays just physical buttons and a two-tone screen thats perfect for making calls and playing basic games. Finlands HMD Global Oy, which has right to market phones under the Nokia name, will announce the device, along with three lower-end Nokia-branded smartphones, at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. The report says the phone will cost 59, which comes to $62.31, though the phone will first be marketed in Europe. Nostalgia should draw some users to adopt the device as a second phone. The original 3310 is available through Amazon for as much as $300, and the familiar design has even emerged as an iPhone cover. Source ABC News BONN, Germany Envoys from leading global powers called Thursday for greater cooperation to tackle current conflicts and prevent future crises, pushing back against the isolationist tendencies that some diplomats fear could flourish with the new U.S. administration. Speaking after a meeting of top diplomats from the 20 largest industrialized and emerging economies, Germany's foreign minister said no single country could solve issues such as climate change, terrorism and mass migration alone. "It can only be done with cooperation and openness, not by withdrawing into one's national shell or circling the wagons," Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel told reporters in Bonn, Germany. Gabriel said all delegations that spoke Thursday backed a call from U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to support multilateral diplomacy. He declined to say whether the U.S. delegation spoke. Gabriel, who is hosting two days of talks among the so-called Group of 20, also rebuffed demands for Germany to sharply hike its defense budget. Europe's economic powerhouse does more for security than many other nations by supporting refugees and investing in international development, he argued. The Trump administration is leaning heavily on its allies in Europe to raise their defense budget to NATO's target of 2 percent of GDP, a move that would cost Germany up to 25 billion euros ($27 billion) more each year. Gabriel said the U.S. was right to ask allies to share more of the defense burden. But he noted that Germany had taken in vast numbers of Syrians, Iraqis and Afghans fleeing conflicts in their home countries in recent years, resulting in costs of "30 to 40 billion (euros) last year for almost a million refugees, who by the way are the product of misguided military interventions around the world." Officially, the talks in Bonn were focused on the 17 so-called sustainable development goals that the international community agreed to aim for by 2030. Recognizing and preventing future crises, as well as support for Africa, were also on the agenda. In practice, the meeting was an opportunity for many foreign ministers, including those of Saudi Arabia, Britain and Russia, to hold their first face-to-face talks with recently confirmed U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. Diplomats acknowledged that governments back home are thirsting to learn what President Donald Trump's stated goal of putting "America first" will mean in practice, and what kind of grasp the new administration in Washington has of foreign policy. The answers they received didn't always add clarity. France's foreign minister, Jean-Marc Ayrault, said he left a meeting with Tillerson "preoccupied" by the U.S. stance on the Mideast conflict. Ayrault said Tillerson suggested there might be another solution besides two separate states for Israelis and Palestinians long the international consensus. On the nuclear deal with Iran, Ayrault told reporters he felt "a point of divergence" after Tillerson said the U.S. would review the agreement "from scratch." With trans-Atlantic ties in doubt, some in Europe are casting their eyes elsewhere in search of allies. Gabriel indicated that Germany was keen to improve its sometimes tense relations with Russia and China. Still, Gabriel echoed the U.S. stance on Ukraine by insisting that Moscow lean on pro-Russia separatists in eastern Ukraine to pull back their heavy weapons from the front line. The foreign ministers of Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany plan to discuss the conflict in eastern Ukraine at length Saturday at the Munich Security Conference. Tillerson and Gabriel were scheduled to meet later Thursday, after a banquet dinner that diplomats said was expected to see a "frank and open" discussion about current world crises. Outside the venue, campaigners from the environmental group Greenpeace unfurled banners with the words "Planet Earth First" from a boat on the Rhine River and a nearby high-rise to protest against climate change. SOLOLA, Guatemala The law works as it has for centuries in the Guatemalan indigenous community of Solola: Townsfolk bring grievances and local authorities make rulings, usually with a speed unheard of in a country where justice is often delayed, if it comes at all. At one recent weekly court session, Maria Micaela Panjoc, baby in arms, came with a request for paternity payments. Others sought help with land disputes. Andres Xelp wanted the judges to force his son to move back home. The generally non-partisan leaders of local Mayan communities hear the cases, trying to find quick resolutions when they can and sometimes passing cases over to formal prosecutors when they cannot as in the case of a young woman speaking the Kaqchikel language who said she'd been raped. The Solola court alone handled 3,000 cases last year. For generations, outsiders have looked down on indigenous law courts, as they have on the native cultures themselves. Some 40 percent of Guatemala's 17 million people identify themselves as indigenous and they are pushing for wider respect for the traditional ways in which their cultures deal with their differences, though opposition remains strong within the country's non-indigenous communities. Guatemala's Constitutional Court already has accepted some rulings by indigenous courts and there's a move to formally amend the country's constitution to recognize them. An earlier measure to do that came two votes short in congress, with opposition coming from conservatives and from business interests that said they feared legal confusion if different systems co-exist. Members of congress on Wednesday are scheduled to discuss the proposed constitutional amendment to recognize indigenous justice as part of the country's judicial system. At least 105 of 158 legislators must approve the proposal for it to pass. The idea has gained support from national Attorney General Thelma Aldana, as well as Ivan Velaszuqez, who heads the U.N. Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala that has been assisting in corruption investigations in the country. "Guatemala has to be a place where all its inhabitants belong," said Velazquez, who visited Solola to view the court process. The formal legal system has often exploited or ignored indigenous Guatemalans, who were legally required to perform forced labor well into the 20th century and who generally found it nearly impossible to pay for lawyers. Even now, only 10 percent of the country's townships have prosecutors' offices. In Solola, Mayor Tomas Saloj presided over hearings in a town hall decorated with the 20 figures representing the Mayan calendar 20 days per month, 18 months per year. On the table that served as the judge's bench were a candle and a glass of water, an invitation for the wisdom of dead ancestors to enter. Punishments can include restitution, community labor, banishment or whippings: Two braided leather whips hang in the Solola town hall as a reminder. Agustin Bocel, a town spokesman, recalled a case of attempted rape in which the attacker was sentenced to nine lashes of a whip at the insistence of his own mother, one for each month she carried him, to remind him of the shame he caused her. Bocel said the man has never caused problems again. Tomas Guarcas, the mayor of nearby Pixabaj, defended the practice. "Whipping is a punishment that is like educating children, without violating human rights," he said, adding that the punishment is usually applied by "by one of the offender's relatives, the mother, father or in-laws." Indigenous Congressman Amilcar Pop said the use of floggings is increasingly discouraged, however. "This type of mechanism is something that has to be controlled and avoided," Pop said. Aldana, the attorney general, said she sees no contradiction between the indigenous system and the formal courts. The indigenous courts, she said, "have helped maintain the peace" and helped "reduce pressure on the regular justice system and its budget." Victoria Chuj is one of just three women among the 71 mayors in the province of Solola, of which the town of Solola is part. She carries her wooden staff the badge of her authority, decorated with four tokens representing the four directions with pride. "The staff has to be good and straight so that, like justice, it cannot be bent," Chuj said. WASHINGTON Less than a month into his tenure, Donald Trumps White House is beset by a crush of crises. Divisions, dysfunction and high-profile exits have left the young administration nearly paralyzed and allies wondering how it will reboot. The bold policy moves that marked Trumps first days in office have slowed to a crawl, a tacit admission that he and his team had not thoroughly prepared an agenda. Nearly a week after the administrations travel ban was struck down by a federal court, the White House is still struggling to regroup and outline its next move on that signature issue. Its been six days since Trump who promised unprecedented levels of immediate action has announced a major new policy directive or legislative plan. His team is riven by division and plagued by distractions. This week alone, controversy has forced out both his top national security aide and his pick for labor secretary. Another day in paradise, Trump quipped Wednesday after his meeting with retailers was interrupted by reporters questions about links between his campaign staff and Russian officials. Fellow Republicans have begun voicing their frustration and open anxiety that the Trump White House will derail their high hopes for legislative action. Sen. John Thune of South Dakota demanded Wednesday that the White House get past the launch stage. There are things we want to get done here, and we want to have a clear-eyed focus on our agenda, and this constant disruption and drumbeat with these questions that keep being raised is a distraction, said Thune. Sen. John McCain of Arizona blasted the White Houses approach to national security as dysfunctional, asking: Who is in charge? I dont know of anyone outside of the White House who knows. Such criticism from allies is rare during what is often viewed as a honeymoon period for a new president. But Trump, an outsider who campaigned almost as much against his party as for it, has only a tiny reservoir of good will to protect him. His administration has made uneven attempts to work closely with lawmakers and its own agencies. Officials have begun trying to change some tactics, and some scenery, with the hope of steadying the ship. The White House announced Wednesday that Trump, who has often mentioned how much he loves adoring crowds and affirmation from his supporters, would hold a campaign-style rally in Florida on Saturday, the first of his term. The event, according to White House press secretary Sean Spicer, was being run by the campaign and it is listed on Trumps largely dormant 2016 campaign website. No other details were offered. WASHINGTON President Donald Trump said Thursday his administration has asked a New York-based private equity executive to lead a review of the U.S. intelligence community as he moves to crack down on "illegal leaks" of classified information. Trump told reporters that Stephen Feinberg, co-founder of Cerberus Capital Management, "is a very talented man, very successful man" who has offered his services. Trump added, "I think that we are gonna be able to straighten it out very easily on its own." Feinberg has been asked to make recommendations on improvements to efficiency and coordination between the various intelligence agencies, a senior White House official said earlier Thursday. Feinberg's position is not official until he completes an ethics review, the official said. The news emerged as Trump seeks to replace national security adviser Michael Flynn, who resigned at Trump's request this week. Feinberg was among the economic advisers for Trump's presidential campaign. Cerberus Capital Management, a firm with $30 billion in investments, is deeply rooted in the Republican establishment. Former Vice President Dan Quayle is the firm's head of global investment, and former Treasury Secretary John W. Snow, who served under President George W. Bush, is the firm's chairman. Democrats were less enthusiastic than Trump about the choice of Feinberg. "While we must always be open to improving organization and coordination among intelligence agencies, taken in concert with the large number of troubling statements President Trump has made denigrating our nation's intelligence professionals, I am extremely concerned that this appointment signals a desire by the administration to marginalize the role of the DNI or even take unprecedented steps to politicize intelligence operations," Warner said. The DNI is the director of national intelligence. Many intelligence professionals are viewing this as another slight by the Trump White House, according to a former senior U.S. intelligence officer who spoke only on condition of anonymity out of concern for putting former colleagues at risk. They already are worried about politicization of the intelligence product and fear this could be a way to hinder their ability to provide information that might contradict the White House's political views, the official said. Mike Hayden, former director of both the CIA and the National Security Agency, said the White House can review inefficiencies within the intelligence community but should not attempt to exert control over the agencies' findings. Hayden said in an interview that the proposed review of the 17 intelligence agencies could be an unsettling development for former Sen. Dan Coats, Trump's nominee for director of intelligence who is yet to be confirmed by Congress. Some current and former administration officials have raised concern over the extent to which Trump has empowered members of his inner circle on matters that are typically left to the intelligence agencies. The newly established Strategic Initiatives Group, headed by White House strategist Steve Bannon, includes a unit charged with counterterrorism intelligence, current and former senior officials say. The unit is headed by White House aide and former national security analyst Sebastian Gorka, who doesn't have appropriate clearance, they said something the officials expressed concern about given the sensitive mandate of the unit. The officials spoke anonymously because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly. Gorka and Bannon have not responded to multiple requests to discuss the matter. U.S. intelligence agencies have concluded that Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a hidden campaign to influence America's presidential election in Trump's favor over Democratic rival Hillary Clinton. Trump said at a news conference Thursday that "I have nothing to do with Russia" but that improved relations would be a good thing. He said, "nobody that I know of" on his campaign staff contacted Russian officials during the campaign. Trump is not the first president to square off with the intelligence community, but his predecessors weren't nearly as vocal about it. Former national security adviser Stephen Hadley, who served under President George W. Bush, told The Associated Press that Trump must avoid "witch hunts or inquisitions" if he is to gain the confidence of the intelligence community. "The president needs to embrace these permanent institutions and show that he respects and appreciates the role the intelligence community, military, diplomats and civil servants play," Hadley said. The American Canyon Tractor Supply Company store will collect donations during National FFA Week, Feb. 17-26, to support grants for FFA chapters in California. During the week, Tractor Supply shoppers can donate $1 or more at checkout. Donations will fund the Grants for Growing Program, which supports California FFA chapters that are making a difference in their communities with sustainable agricultural projects. The program is coordinated through a partnership with the National FFA Foundation and Tractor Supply. Tractor Supply is excited to support CAs FFA chapters that represent Americas bright future in agriculture, said Christi Korzekwa, senior vice president of marketing at Tractor Supply Company. In 2016, the programs first year, Grants for Growing raised more than $700,000, funding 374 grants supporting projects involving 39,038 students. All in-store donations remain within the state in which they were raised. The Napa County store at 418 Napa Junction Road in American Canyon, which recently opened, provides a one-stop shop for the many farmers, livestock and pet owners and rural lifestyle enthusiasts. . ST. HELENA In a 3-2 vote, the St. Helena City Council agreed to review the recently approved water and wastewater rate hikes, in hopes of easing the burden on customers whose bills are set to increase sharply. The council voted Tuesday to form an ad hoc committee and hire experts to review the rate increases that were approved in November and started taking effect this month. Councilmember Mary Kobersteins motion was supported by Geoff Ellsworth and Paul Dohring, and opposed by Mayor Alan Galbraith and Peter White. Ever since the council approved the rate hikes last November, a group of residents who came together to oppose the rate hikes has been asking the city to look for alternative ways of funding expensive repairs and upgrades to St. Helenas aging water and wastewater systems. Pat Dell, chair of St. Helena Residents for Fair Water and Wastewater Rates, gave the council a petition signed by 812 residents urging the council to reconsider the rate hikes. Tom Belt, one of the groups founders, said residents want another opportunity to voice our concerns, to ask questions, and hopefully get some answers as to why the rates have to be so high. He and other critics say the proposed rates are unnecessarily high because the city is relying too heavily on cash, rather than debt, to fund expensive long-term projects starting in the next five years. Koberstein motion was to: - Appoint an ad hoc committee, including residents, to review last years rate study and make recommendations, if any, to the council for revisions to the study and the rate schedule; - Hire a public-sector financial consultant to advise the committee on financing options for the citys capital improvement plan; - Hire the citys rate consultant, Hansford Economic Consulting, to help the committee analyze the apparent inequity in rate increases between residential and industrial ratepayers, recommend corrective measures if required, and generate alternative rate models; and - Complete the analysis before the next round of rate increases take effect in November. Koberstein said the goal is to accomplish the same objectives but at a lower cost, which might end up reducing the rates. If you could do that, in my mind, why wouldnt you? Koberstein said. She made it clear that the rate hikes will proceed as planned unless and until the rates are changed. Galbraith and White said they werent opposed to hiring a financial adviser, but they opposed the rest of the plan. They asked the rest of the council to defer action until the councils Feb. 28 meeting, when staff will report on the status of the citys bond covenants. Galbraith said the city is out of compliance with those covenants, which require the water and wastewater systems revenues to exceed their operating costs. Even if we could reduce the rates which I dont think at the end of the day is going to be feasible at all we cannot do it legally until we come into compliance with our bond covenants sometime in 2018 at the earliest, Galbraith said. The citys capital expenses might be even higher than the rate study had anticipated, due to potential unforeseen costs of more than $1 million associated with the spray fields at the wastewater treatment plant, Galbraith added. I see, quite frankly, no evidence that would justify a re-look at what we did last fall, he said. Koberstein and Ellsworth hadnt joined the council yet when the rates were approved on Nov. 29. At the time, they were both told the council to give the matter more thought. Dohring went along with the councils 5-0 vote at that meeting, but sided with the new councilmembers on Tuesday. I think we need to move forward because time is urgent here with the next rate increase in November, he said. Subsidies Also at Tuesdays meeting, the council voted unanimously to offer new water and wastewater rate subsidies for low-income customers. Details will be available on the citys website next Tuesday. The citys old subsidy program was available only to single-family residential customers, but the new one will be available to residents of apartments and mobile homes, including Vineyard Valley Mobile Home Park. The council allocated $80,000 from the General Fund to pay for the subsidies, which will be based on income qualifications. Subsidies of 50 percent of the base rate will be available to the following customers: - 1 or 2 members of household: gross annual income of $35,000 or less - 3 members: $40,320 or less - 4 members: $48,600 or less - 5 members: $56,880 or less, and so on. Except for the households of 1 or 2 members, the income limits are identical to PG&Es CARE program. Queen of the Valley Medical Center announced a plan to cut costs, including some jobs, at the Napa hospital complex. The Queen cited cutbacks in payments from the government and the challenges of the Affordable Care Act for the cuts. The goal is to align expenses to revenues to create a more sustainable environment to deliver patient care, said Larry Coomes, interim chief executive, Queen of the Valley. Despite progress in improving our revenues and reducing costs, we continue to be impacted by declining reimbursements and other challenges related to the changing healthcare landscape, he said. According to a Feb. 9 memo to the Queen staff from Coomes, cost savings will come in several ways. Hiring and recruiting for all positions not directly involved in patient care will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, the memo stated. Certain positions will be eliminated following an employees retirement or resignation. According to the hospital, approximately 12 percent of its workforce retires or resigns from Queen of the Valley each year. The Queen will reduce contracted labor costs and increase productivity. The hospital will also reduce and realign some senior leadership and administrative positions. We made the decision to eliminate three senior leadership positions in order to better align the leadership team with the goals of the hospital, said Coomes. Those names were not made public. The hospital will limit or freeze non-mission critical expenses, such as catering and travel. These steps will have minimal impact on staff and no clinical services are closing as a result of these changes, said Coomes. This is unfortunately not uncommon at all in hospitals across the state, said Jan Emerson-Shea, a spokeswoman for the California Hospital Association. Hospitals are having to make tough decisions across the board, she said. A lot of hospitals across the state have been grappling with how you balance the books. Queen of the Valley has already made some improvements, noted Coomes. For example, we are growing key service lines and have a renewed focus on our Regional Referral Program, which brings patients to the Queen from all over the North Bay. When local hospitals have patients who need a higher level of care, they can contact the St. Joseph Health Regional Referral call center to request to transfer the patient to the Queen. According to the memo, patients have come to the Queen from all over the North Bay and we have seen a 25 percent increase in acceptance rate of referrals over the past six months due to this team effort, he said. In addition, we continue to focus on growing outpatient services, such as urgent care, as well as key service lines to better support the needs and health of our communities, said Coomes. Service lines include oncology, orthopedics and neurosciences, as well as programs such as the robotic-assisted surgery program. In 2012 and 2104, the Queen announced staff cutbacks and reductions. In April 2012, the hospital cut its workforce by 55 employees and reduced the hours of an additional 20 workers. In 2014, the Queen announced it would eliminate 111 positions and close four outpatient units. Units to be closed included the WorkHealth Occupation Health Services, the Wound Care Clinic, the cardiac rehabilitation clinic and the forensics clinic. Dealing with declining reimbursements is an ongoing challenge, along with the uncertainty about the future of the Affordable Care Act, said Emerson-Shea. At the same time, hospitals are taking steps to reduce readmissions, making quality care improvements and implementing electronic recordkeeping all additional expenses, she noted. Back in 2014, Emerson-Shea said that California hospitals were anticipating $23 billion in payment cuts from the Medicare program between then and 2023. Today, things have changed dramatically, she said. The Affordable Care Act is said to be replaced but we dont know what the replacement plan is going to be, she said. Unfortunately, hospitals cant wait for the future of the ACA to be determined. They have to make prudent decisions so they can continue providing care. The cutback news comes as the new members of the National Union of Healthcare Workers who work at the Queen wait to sign their first contract with the hospital. In November, hospital service and technical workers voted to join the union. That vote has been appealed twice by the Queen. We look forward to working with management to ensure that Queen remains a strong, sustainable hospital, said Maria Garcia, a scrub technician at the Queen and member of the National Union of Healthcare Workers. However, it is disingenuous for Mr. Coomes to talk about saving money when he is spending untold thousands of dollars on legal fees to overturn a clear mandate by workers to form a union. St. Joseph Health System is the parent of Queen of the Valley Medical Center. I appreciate Garrison Keillors recent column printed in the Napa Valley Register (A very special man, an amazing occasion, Feb. 8) which reminds us the Constitution does not allow 13-year-olds to become president and after last week we can see why. Yes, Keillors is a satire well worth rereading, and Id not fault Mr. Keillor for omitting Elmer Gantry (played by Bert Lancaster for benefit of present POTUS, who apparently doesnt read) as a foil for comparison to Trump, as Gantry was over 35 and was not known to have surrogates available to explain what he really meant when he spoke to the crowd or to draw grail-like comparisons when they hold forth cheap medicine show elixirs of false hope before usthe American Public, which he and his (Dr. Caligaris?) cabinet apparently think on as the masses being asses. A recent guest appearance of a professorial surrogate on a CNN small panel discussing President Trumps personal disparagement of federal judges (the "so-called judge" who stopped the Muslim travel ban and the disgraceful Federal Appeals Court thereafter) demonstrated that the administration is attempting to move from its alternative facts to behavioral justification by virtue of revisionist history followed by ellipsis, which leaves us, well, very, very -- thats extremely very -- woebegone. But we can all take comfort in knowing from the Trumps Dr, Caligari that President Abraham Lincoln didnt always honor judicial decisions (or words close in effect). No citation, nor reference to a circumstance or event is offered to us as the panelist affects a bland withdrawal. Although were supposed to be left very woebegone in not knowing what we dont know, a leading case comes before us dating from the first months of the Civil War. The case of Ex parte Merryman, had to do with the authority of to President to suspend habeas corpus when Congress, which usually holds that Constitutional authority, was in recess. This case involves the efforts of insurgents to block Union Troops as their train traveled through the free border State of Maryland to aid in the defense of Washington, D.C. Merryman was a 1st lieutenant in the Baltimore County Horse Guards. Following the Pratt riots and insurgencies in Baltimore, the Maryland legislature voted against secession. However, concerned about further unrest from pro-Southern elements, they voted to keep the railways closed so Union troops could not travel through Maryland While carrying out this policy, Merryman was supposedly ordered to aid in the destruction of several bridges north of Baltimore, moreover, in impeding the troop train several soldiers and insurgents were killed. On May 25, 1861, Merryman was arrested at his home by Union troops acting under orders of General William H. Keim. Merryman was then taken and confined in Fort McHenry. He petitioned for a writ of habeas corpus, which was granted. in part, by Chief Justice Roger B. Taney, acting as a Federal District Judge Taney's May 26, 1861 order directed General George Cadwalader, commander of Fort McHenry, (1) to produce Merryman for a hearing before Taney to be held the very next day and (2) to explain on what legal basis the Army had seized Merryman. General George Cadwalader did not produce Merryman. Instead, Cadwalader delivered a response that was read to the court. Cadwalader's response explained that he was acting under orders from President Abraham Lincoln who had delegated authority (pursuant to the Constitutions suspension clause) to the military to suspend habeas corpus. Because Cadwalader failed to produce Merryman, Taney cited Cadwalader for contempt, and ordered the U.S. Marshal to serve an attachment order on Cadwalader. The U.S. Marshal was unable to serve the attachment order, as he was denied entrance to Fort McHenry. Thus, the contempt citation was never adjudicated. Furthermore, Taney declared Lincoln's suspension of habeas corpus unconstitutional. When Congress reconvened, it endorsed Lincolns suspension of habeas corpus for the duration of the War. (It should be noted that Jefferson Davis mirrored Lincolns actions). Shortly thereafter, Merryman was indicted by the grand jury of a United States District Court for shooting a commanding officer. Perhaps Trumps surrogate felt entitled to take on Lincoln with a less-than-half truth (sin of omission) under illusion that they both belong to the same political party; or he was afraid to allude to President Jeffersons failed attempts to have Associate Justice Samuel Chase impeached for being too politically active, or cautious of alluding to President Jacksons refusal to follow Chief Justice Marshals Order as it might bring forth images of the Trail of Tears and make us aware that The Spoils System was reappearing right before us. Bob Austin Napa A veteran Israeli negotiator once quipped to me that someone or something could just be dead -- or dead and buried. Wednesday, before his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and with Israel's active participation, Donald Trump may have moved the concept of a two-state solution as a cornerstone of US policy from the just dead to the permanently buried category. Was this a tactical maneuver to help Netanyahu protect himself from his anti-two-state right wing, or does it reflect a more enduring shift in US policy? Here are my five takeaways. 1) Trump's departure In what was tantamount to a radical shift in US policy, Trump moved from a 20-year-old approach to the Palestinian issue into unknown territory, seemingly offering Israelis and Palestinians a choice between one state or two. Whether because of imprecision or inexperience, Trump put into play a concept -- one state -- without defining what he meant. Was it one in which Israelis and Palestinians live happily ever after as citizens in the same state, or one where Israel maintains control of much of the West Bank and its inhabitants, and Palestinians exist as second-class citizens or worse? No US President has ever endorsed a one-state solution, offered up such choice or so willfully appeared to distance himself from a concept that clearly faces long odds without knowing what comes next. In a way, Trump converted US policy into an exercise akin to ordering from an old-school Chinese menu: Choose one from Column A and/or one from Column B. 2) Israel and the US on the same page No doubt the strategic purpose of this first meeting was to make it unmistakably clear that the acrimony of the Obama years has passed, and a new age in the US-Israel relationship has dawned. And that means moving along three planes: improving the American President's personal relationship with Netanyahu; coordinating more closely on Iran; and, at least for now, working with Israel to establish a new paradigm for peacemaking that is less abrasive to Netanyahu's right-wing opposition and more compatible with his own ideology. Netanyahu's nemesis, Education Minister Naftali Bennett, warned the Prime Minister not to raise statehood, and he didn't. From there it was only a hop, skip and jump to what followed: Abandoning a two-state solution that Netanyahu always disliked and was never really committed to. The Israeli prime minister quickly validated the President's thinking by making it clear we need "new avenues" of peacemaking, a reference to a regional approach that engages the neighboring Arab states. 3) Two-state idea is dead: What's the problem? Let's be clear, today's abandonment of an idea that in many minds is already dead might not seem so radical and wild-eyed. But like many laws of gravity that operate in Trumpland, acting before thinking through the consequences seems to constitute a kind of prime directive. Sure, the two-state paradigm has been more fiction and illusion than functional concept these last few years. But sometimes fiction is useful, particularly when the concept is so widely supported -- at least in theory -- by so much of the Arab world, the international community and Israelis and Palestinians. There is no tooth fairy and no angels, and yet they both serve a purpose for millions of people. This isn't entirely willful self-delusion; it's based on the notion that separation through negotiations into some kind of semi-sovereign Palestinian polity is likely the least bad solution to the conflict. And to casually abandon it without an alternative, due diligence, or consultations with any of the parties (minus the Israelis) calls into question US credibility as an effective broker. 4) So what is Plan B? To hear the President talk Wednesday, you would think the United States is heading for the deal of the century -- a deal much bigger than you can imagine. From the little we know, the new approach is based on a very old Israeli idea: Involve the Arab states as a way to both recognize the will of the Israelis and to show support for the tough decisions Palestinians and, presumably, Israelis need to make. What's new isn't the concept, but the emerging affinity between Israel and Sunnis Arabs as a result of common threats from Iran and jihadists. This new coincidence of interests is very real. But whether it applies to the Palestinian issue is another matter. As early as 2002, the Arab world offered up its Arab Peace Initiative, which in fact provided recognition to Israel. But the catch to this regional approach (and there always is one) was reciprocal and painful concessions from Israel, including a Palestinian state based on 1967 borders and a Palestinian capital in East Jerusalem. Are key Arab states ready to endorse recognition -- even incrementally -- without serious Israeli concessions, including some kind of settlements freeze during negotiations? And have those states become so willful, stable and risk-ready that they will accept Netanyahu's Palestinian state and compel the Palestinians to accept some downsized polity that leaves Jerusalem under Israeli sovereignty? And will Netanyahu, pressed by his right wing coalition and ever risk-averse, be able to meet even minimum Arab and Palestinians demands? 5) Back to where we started? The two-state solution may well be impossible to implement. It requires leadership on both sides and effective US mediation. All three are currently missing. And I'm not pushing for it now. Negotiations between Mahmoud Abbas and Netanyahu would almost certainly fail. But that does not mean that the Plan B or some variation can succeed. Give Trump, Jared Kushner and Netanyahu a chance to test the one-state solution. We certainly couldn't produce a deal; perhaps they will. However, in a conflict that has no status quo, where sovereignty, religious identity and a struggle to maintain holy sites remain unrequited, don't be surprised if you can't do a deal without addressing these challenges. After my recent column describing how vintage charts guide us in deciding when to pull those treasured collectible bottles from our cellars, a reader emailed with a straightforward request: Please explain why a two-year-old wine tastes different from the same wine thats seven years old. As with many simple questions, there is no simple answer. Wine is alive. Its ability to age is what sets it apart from all other beverages. Beer goes stale over time. Soda goes flat. Liquor might not spoil, but then again, it doesnt transform. Wine mimics our life cycle: It starts young, then matures into a more complete and harmonious drink, maybe even going through a brooding teenage phase before reaching its peak performance level. Eventually, it begins to decline and, ultimately, dies. That is one reason we romanticize wine, why it is expensive, exclusive and intimidating. This is one of those times I wish I had studied any of the many sciences that winemakers employ on a daily basis; in this case, chemistry. Im not sure I could provide a thorough explanation of the process even if I did fully understand it, and scientists acknowledge the process isnt entirely clear to us yet. In an oversimplified nutshell: Red wine grapes have substances called phenols, especially anthocyanins in and near the skin and tannins in the skin, seeds and stems. Anthocyanins give color, tannins add structure. Winemakers try to enhance these phenols in the vineyard through reducing crop yields and other techniques, and in the winery by cold soaking the grapes before ensuring a slow fermentation to extract as much color as possible. Other decisions, such as whether to ferment the grapes with or without the stems, affect the tannin level in the finished wine. Oak barrels add their own tannins as the wines age. Over time, the phenols in the wine evolve. They combine until they can no longer remain suspended in the solution; then they fall out as sediment. The wine becomes lighter in color, from purple to ruby, to garnet and finally brown. As the tannins fade, the wine becomes less astringent and tastes sweeter. Many more factors are involved, of course. An age-worthy wine should be low in pH (high acidity), secured from oxygen (good cork or other closures are important) and, most of all, stored properly. Thats why you see wine bottles lying on their sides in racks; keeping the wine against the cork prevents the cork from drying out and letting air into the bottle. Temperature is even more important, because heat speeds the aging process. So collectors invest in special wine refrigerators or expensive cooling units designed to keep a wine cellar at about 57 degrees. Extended summer power outages are their nemesis. Certain grape varieties have higher levels of phenols: Cabernet sauvignon, syrah and nebbiolo, for example, are considered to be especially age-worthy red wines. For white wines, the key components to allow extended aging are acidity and sugar. Thats why Rieslings, especially sweet ones, and Sauternes age magnificently over decades (again, if stored properly). White Bordeaux, typically blends of sauvignon blanc and semillon aged in barrel, will often age well for decades. For most wines, and most wine drinkers, this question may be moot. The vast majority of wine is consumed within a few days of purchase. And its made for that: designed for everyday enjoyment rather than collecting or investment. These wines may improve in bottle for a few years, or they may fall apart and turn toward vinegar rather quickly. Thats why Im suspicious of studies claiming to prove that cheap wines are as good as expensive wines. These are usually man on the street surveys showing that consumers on average prefer softer and fruitier over big and tannic. They conclude were being ripped off by wineries and experts who flip for rare, expensive bottlings. So why do wines taste different over time? The best will improve for many years, because they have the characteristics that help them mature. Cheaper wines, designed for everyday drinking, will fall apart if we keep them for even a few years. The way we treat the wines, through temperature and storage, is also key. As always, the best wine experience is a combination of the vineyard, the vintner, the occasion and, ultimately, the drinker. If you really get bitten by the wine bug and find yourself amassing a collection (buying wine is almost as fun as drinking it), you might want to invest in temperature-controlled storage to protect your investment. Or lower the house thermostat a few degrees and figure your wines will age a little faster than the vintage charts predict. If you can limit your purchases to the bottles youll drink over the next few weeks, you dont need to worry about how the wines will age. But when you happen to come across a forgotten bottle in your basement or closet, pop it open. You may have discovered a treasure. Japans swelling ranks of working women have grape growers 10,000 miles away cheering. Chilean vintners have emerged as the biggest beneficiary of Japans booming wine market. Their low-priced, fruit-driven product has found a receptive niche among women in their 40s and 50s, who have helped boost wine consumption to a new record every year since 2012. Women drink more as their participation in the labor market is increasing, and their disposable incomes are expanding, said Naoko Kuga, an analyst who tracks lifestyle changes at NLI Research Institute in Tokyo. This trend works positively for wine consumption. And for Chile. The Latin American nation overtook France as Japans top wine supplier in 2015, commanding a dominant presence in supermarkets and convenience storesfertile ground for marketers targeting women. Vina Concha & Toro, the Santiago-based producer of Casillero del Diablo cabernet sauvignons and merlots, reported a 24 percent jump in third-quarter sales volumes to Japan in November. Japan imported 74.6 million liters of wine from Chile in the 11 months through November, compared with 57.7 million liters from France, data from the Agriculture Ministry show. Aeon Co., the nations largest supermarket-chain operator, hired wine judge Yumi Kunimi in 2014 to help promote sales through in-store tastings in Osaka, Japans industrial heartland. Some customers said theyd never tried wine before, and became big fans from the tastings in our shops, Kunimi said. Featured lines are typically priced at less than 2,000 yen ($18) a bottle and picked by an annual gathering of female sommeliers, wine buyers and consultants as being the most appealing to women, and the best to enjoy with Japanese food, Kunimi said. Sake, made from fermented rice, is the dominant wine consumed in Japan, though sales volumes havent increased since 2011, according to Euromonitor International. In contrast, consumption of still wines made from grapes has increased an average of 4.5 percent a year in Japan over the past six years, Euromonitor data show. Consumers in their 20s and 30s are starting to drink wine at home after trying it in tapas bars, which have become popular in Japan, the market researcher noted in August. On a per-capita basis, consumption of wine from grapes has swelled 50 percent since 2006 to an average of 2.4 liters (81 ounces) a year, Euromonitor estimates. Still, Japanese consumption is a fraction of the 40.2 liters of wine the average person in Portugal swills in a year and much less than the 8.6 liters Americans knock back. Wine consumption in Japan is still four bottles a year per person, said Kiyoshi Yokoyama, president of Mercian, the wine-making subsidiary of Kirin Holdings Co., and the chairman of Japan Wineries Association. We have a big potential for growth. Mercian plans to boost sales by 3 percent to 7.22 million cases this year, helped by a 10 percent expansion in imported wine and 7 percent growth in sales of wine made from locally grown grapes, said Hirofumi Mori, a director in the companys marketing department. Sales of wine made by Mercian from imported grapes are predicted to decline 3 percent. Our main target is women, Mori said in an interview in Tokyo. We want to increase products that will attract their attention. Midori Saito, a 32-year-old music teacher in Tokyo, said she drinks wine almost every day after work, and chardonnay is her favorite. We emptied four bottles in five hours, Saito said after having drinks with three of her friends in a Spanish-style bar in Tokyo. We all love to chat over good food and wine. Saito is fairly typical of the clientele at the bar Kiyofumi Iwasaka runs in downtown Tokyo. A majority of our customers are women working in nearby offices, Iwasaka said. They come here after work with their colleagues, and enjoy drinking with a casual bite to eat. In volume terms, wine sales will probably grow only marginally through 2020, researcher Euromonitor International predicted in August. Kuga at the NLI Research Institute said Japans stagnating economy has meant fewer businessmen are going out drinking with work associates, hurting demand. Industry stalwart Yumi Tanabe is trying to bolster growth. Tanabe, whose father Kaneyasu Marutani founded Japans first public winery on the northern island of Hokkaido 54 years ago, is working to double per-capita consumption in the decade through 2020. Tanabe began the Japan Womens Wine Awards three years ago to help match wine with Japanese food, and help other women find jobs in the industry. This years event attracted 4,212 entries from 37 countries including Australia, Chile and the U.S. The results, decided by more than 400 female judges, will be announced on Feb. 14. Were the only organizer of a global wine competition that selects the best bottle for sushi, she said, noting that a sparkling wine from Spain won that title last year. Judges said the best pairing with yakitori, or Japanese-style grilled chicken with vegetables, was a locally made rose from Suntory Holdings Ltd., Japans second-largest winemaker. Chilean wines featured prominently too, with more than a dozen garnering top double gold honors, including bottles from Concha & Toro and Spanish producer Miguel Torres. Chile is expected to continue to expand sales volumes through 2020, according to London-based Euromonitor. Tariffs on Chilean wine will be gradually reduced to zero by 2019 from 4.6 percent in 2015, giving it a major price advantage over other countries, the company said. The average value of Chilean wine imported by Japan in 2015 was $2.97 a liter, compared with $9.74 for wine from the U.S. and $7.95 for French wine, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said in June. Japanese favored French wine for a long time, but the trend is changing, Tanabe said. Chilean wine is seen by Japanese as affordable and tasty to drink. NATO has taken another important step forward to improve its ability to refuel aircraft in mid-air, with three Allies looking to join a European programme to acquire new refuelling aircraft. Today (16 February 2017), Defence Ministers from Belgium, Germany, and Norway signed a Declaration of Intent to join a European multinational fleet of Airbus tankers, created by the Netherlands and Luxembourg. The two countries launched this initiative in July 2016 and a first order was made for two Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport aircraft, which are due to be delivered in 2020. The new agreement allows other Allies to join the programme with the provision to enlarge the fleet to up to eight aircraft. At todays signing ceremony, NATO Deputy Secretary General Rose Gottemoeller stressed that this multinational cooperation through NATO is a clear way for countries to significantly improve their armed forces while ensuring the greatest value for money for their taxpayers. She added that the new initiatives reduces Europes reliance on the United States for air-to-air refuelling capabilities. Air-to-air tankers are vital in supporting NATO operations when other aircraft are on long-range missions. NATOs air campaigns in Kosovo and Libya highlighted the need to increase European capabilities for inflight refuelling. The procurement programme is another example of the close cooperation between NATO and the European Union. NATO Defence Ministers praised Georgias defence reforms in a ministerial meeting of the NATO-Georgia Commission on Thursday (16 February 2017). The Secretary General stressed that Georgia is making good progress, and Allies will continue to help Georgia advance on its path towards NATO membership. Ministers also discussed the security situation in Georgia and NATOs strengthened presence in the Black Sea region. The visit by a delegation of the United States Congress, headed by Senator McCain, at NATO Headquarters on Friday, 17 February 2017 has been cancelled due to scheduled votes in the US Congress. Three NATO Allies are strengthening their defence cooperation, with a new agreement to explore the creation of a multinational command for Special Operations Forces, intended to begin its work in 2019. The Defence Ministers of Belgium, Denmark and the Netherlands signed the agreement on Thursday (16 February 2017) in the margins of the meetings of NATO Defence Ministers in Brussels. This multinational command will be able to lead and coordinate Special Operations Forces task groups within a small joint operation scenario. During a signing ceremony, NATO Deputy Secretary General Rose Gottemoeller welcomed the initiative as timely and valuable. This tri-national effort reflects the reality that Special Operations Forces today operate increasingly in a multinational context, she said. The ability to command our Special Forces effectively is as important as the forces themselves, and NATO has made it a priority, Ms. Gottemoeller added. The new command will be developed in line with NATO standards, leveraging the expertise of NATOs Special Operations Headquarters in Mons, Belgium. While primarily intended for NATO operations, the command could support United Nations and other multinational operations. In the face of a rapidly evolving cyber threat landscape, strong partnerships play a key role in effectively addressing cyber challenges. Today (16 February 2017), NATO and Finland stepped up their engagement with the signing of a Political Framework Arrangement on cyber defence cooperation. The arrangement will allow NATO and Finland to better protect and improve the resilience of their networks. We look forward to enhancing our situational awareness and exchanging best practices with Finland, including through dedicated points of contact for rapid information exchange on early warning information and lessons learned, said Ambassador Sorin Ducaru, NATO Assistant Secretary General for Emerging Security Challenges. This arrangement is a good example of the cooperation between NATO and Finland it is practical, substantial and at the same time mutually beneficial. Finland sees many opportunities of enhanced cooperation for example in conducting training and exercises in the cyber domain, said Mr. Jukka Juusti, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence of Finland. The signing of this arrangement is the latest example of long-standing cooperation on cyber defence between NATO and Finland. Finland is actively engaged with NATO on a number of cyber defence activities, including participation in NATOs annual flagship cyber defence exercise Cyber Coalition, as well as NATOs Crisis Management Exercise. NATO tailors its engagement with partner countries on a case-by-case basis, considering shared values, mutual interest and common approaches to cyber defence. NATO Secretary General, Mr. Jens Stoltenberg, will attend the Munich Security Conference on Friday, 17 February, and Saturday, 18 February 2017. The Secretary General will deliver a speech. In the margins of the Conference, the Secretary General will have bilateral meetings with various international officials. Media Advisory Friday, 17 February 13:00 Secretary General's doorstep at Hotel Bayerischer Hof Saturday, 18 February 11:20-11:40 Secretary General's remarks followed by Q&As moderated by Ambassador Ischinger, Chairman of the Conference The doorstep will be live on the NATO website, www.nato.int. The Secretary Generals address on Saturday can be watched live on the website of the event - www.securityconference.de/en. Still and video images will be available after the event on the NATO website. Follow us on Twitter (@NATOPress and @jensstoltenberg). NATO Defence Ministers wrapped up two days of talks in Brussels on Thursday (16 February 2017), focused on the Alliances adaptation to a more demanding security environment. On Wednesday, Ministers discussed NATOs role in the fight against terrorism and agreed to create a new regional Hub for the South, based at NATOs Joint Force Command in Naples. The Hub will assess and address threats from the Middle East and North Africa, engaging with partner nations and organisations. Ministers also addressed NATOs Joint Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance capability and agreed to develop a follow-on capability for NATO AWACS planes after they retire around the year 2035. This will help the Alliance tackle challenges from the South, and anticipate crises. Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stressed that NATOs continuous adaptation requires fairer burden-sharing among Allies. He noted that, after many years of cuts, defence spending in 2016 increased in real terms by 3.8% among European Allies and Canada. It amounts to roughly 10 billion dollars more for our defence. This makes a difference, but it is absolutely vital that we keep up the momentum, he added. On Thursday, Allies agreed on the next steps to modernise the NATO Command Structure and reviewed progress on the deployment of new deterrent forces in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. The Secretary General stressed that these deployments are defensive and measured, saying our aim is to prevent conflict, not to provoke it. Allies also took steps to enhance NATOs presence in the region, with more maritime training, exercises and situational awareness. In a ministerial meeting of the NATO-Georgia Commission, Ministers praised Georgias defence reforms. Mr. Stoltenberg noted that Georgia is making good progress, and NATO will continue to help Georgia advance on its path towards membership. The requested page is currently unavailable on this server. Back to [RTHK News Homepage] State Bank of India (SBI) on Wednesday announced its collaboration with the Korea Development Bank (KDB), which was inaugurated by the State Bank's Chairman Arundhati Bhattacharya and Vice Chairman Dai Hyun Lee (KDB) in the presence of H.E. Soung-eun Kim, Consul General of the Republic of Korea for set up of a 'Korea Desk' in Mumbai. The bank aims to be the window to inbound Korean Investments in India and vice-versa, which will facilitate the establishment of banking relationship with the Korean corporates and the Korean nationals, provide information on industries, sectors etc. However, such information can be utilized by the Korean corporate for taking an appropriate decision for their business expansion and securing rupee funding in India etc. The Project advisory and appraisal, rupee funding, forex hedging and other treasury services will all be made available through the window of the Korea Desk. With its strong presence overseas, the State Bank of India has its overseas operations covered under International Banking Group which accounted for 14.69 percent of the Bank's Balance Sheet and 42.06 percent of the Bank's profit in FY 2016. Trade between India and South Korea is rising steadily over the period of time and trade between both countries in 2015-16 was USD 16.89 billion. The signing of revised India-South Korea Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement and Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CEPA) envisages a greater co-operation between the two countries and renewed interest amongst the Korean corporate. Emphasis by the Government of India on "Make in India" has thrown open numerous opportunities to the Korean Corporates to invest in India in areas such as technology, defence, ship building, etc. As a premier bank of India, SBI is keen to be a partner in the growth of economic relations between India and Korea and has taken the initiative to set up a Korea Desk in Mumbai in collaboration with the Korea Development Bank, to cater to the needs of the Korean Corporates in India. The Korea Development Bank is a leading bank in Korea providing credit facilities to the Korean Corporates. This collaboration between SBI and KDB would provide opportunities to the Korean Corporates to leverage the strengths and reach of SBI to expand their business in India. Korea Desk is headed by Woong Soo Choi, a representative of the Korea Development Bank. (ANI) The Indian technology industry is growing on the transformation path to become a digital technology industry by developing its digital capabilities and reorganizing itself to make the most of this opportunity. These and many other industry trends were discussed at start of the 25th edition of the annual NASSCOM India Leadership Forum. Sharing their views, CP Gurnani, Chairman, NASSCOM, Raman Roy, Vice Chairman, NASSCOM and R Chandrashekhar, President, NASSCOM, said that with companies actively exploring new engagement models, there is a growing need for the companies to restructure and focus on capacity development to address the digital opportunities. On the industry's performance in FY2017, NASSCOM said that amidst continuous technology disruptions, political upheavals, and slowdown in IT-BPM global spending, the Indian IT-BPM industry is projected to grow at a rate of 8.6 percent (in constant currency) to reach over USD 155 billion in FY2017. IT-BPM exports from India is expected to reach USD 118 billion. India's domestic IT-BPM market is expected to grow by 12 percent YoY to reach Rs. 2,545 bn. The industry currently employs over 3.86 million people, growth of five percent and addition of 1.7 lakh people over FY2016. In terms of the markets, US and APAC are fastest growing at 7.8 percent with gradual stabilization in the growth of the European market. Retail, healthcare and travel and transportation have been the key verticals for the Indian IT-BPM industry, growing at the rate of eight percent. "The digital tsunami is reshaping our industry the priority is to reimagine businesses and unlock new opportunities. The Indian IT-BPM Sector is emerging as a digital solutions partner for global corporations and we are excited to work across stakeholders - customers, start-ups, academia and others to build this exciting future," said Chairman NASSCOM and MD and CEO, Tech Mahindra, CP Gurnani. "While there are some uncertainties in the short term, the initial data from global analysts on tech spending in 2018 is promising, We are initiating deeper interactions with all stakeholders global customers and industry providers to get a more reliable and clear perspective on the projections for FY2018 and will give the guidance in the next quarter," said president NASSCOM, R Chandrashekhar. India is positioning itself as the digital transformation partner for global businesses. The new emerging technologies will open up multiple areas of work for the industry and will have a significant impact on existing service lines. To brace the impact, one of the most important imperatives for the industry will be to skill / reskill the talent to gear them up for the digital opportunity. It is also important to build an industry-wide collaborative model and shape a learning ecosystem that is primed for the future. While the existing service lines will be re-imagined, newer and deeper soft-skills will be needed with increased autonomy, empowerment, and data enablement of frontline teams. The future skills work group at NASSCOM, in partnership with BCG, is working together with the industry on a two-pronged approach to enhance the skills ecosystem - Skills vs 'Job-specific' Curriculum and Tech enabled Learning Ecosystem. The skills vs job-specific curriculum will mean blended job roles of the future with focus on skill based learning and certification. The Tech-enabled Learning ecosystem will be aimed at leveraging technology for building the skills that is scalable and agile with focus on mobility and analytics to provide reach and efficiency. The initiative aims to skill or reskill 1.5-2 million people to be skilled over the next four to five years. This is a unique collaborative model in partnership with leading industry players. (ANI) Following the transition from military to democratic rule, Myanmar's economy is experiencing a boom. With a population of some 50 million people, the country is looking forward to large scale of development. However, in rural areas, education remains underdeveloped. The Zin Kyan Taung Monastic School is located in Bago Region, which is around 300-kilometers northwest of capital Yangon. In Myanmar, monastic schools are approved by the Ministry of Education. Here, the goal is to provide education to financially challenged students. The curriculum in these schools is similar to public schools. The operation solely relies on donations from the local temples and communities. The tuition is free, unlike public schools. Founded in 1999, Zin Kyan Taung Monastic School is one of the largest schools in the area. It enrolls over 700 students from the nearby areas. JCB, the Japanese international credit card brand entered the Myanmar market in 2016. As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities, the company supported the construction of the new school building. Hiroshi Terada, Executive Vice President, Corporate Communications Department, JCB Co.Ltd., said, "Along with expanding our businesses in Asia, in order to contribute to local society, JCB has been active in CSR activities." At a ceremony on completion of construction, the officials of education department, JCB staff visited the school and held discussions with the school management. The event was attended by the students, parents and local community members. The children showcased cultural performances. Terada further said, "After Myanmar, we are considering making similar contributions to other areas in Southeast Asia." With its population of 3.7 million, Yokohama is the largest city in Japan. The Hokubu Sewage Treatment Center is a facility that processes approximately half of the sewage sludge accumulated in Yokohama. Collaborating with JFE Engineering Corporation, which is handling the infrastructure including the construction of water and sewer services and energy plants around the globe, manages a large portion of the design, construction, and operation of the Hokubu Sewerage Treatment Center. In Japan, the sewage is not only processed based on water quality standards, but also the generated sewage sludge is being utilized as a source of energy, such as electricity or construction materials. Makoto Nagamine, an official of the JFE Engineering Corporation, said, "In this center, the fully effective utilization technology has been implemented for the sewage sludge generated by sewage treatment." By the sewage sludge fermented in the egg-shaped digester tanks, taking out the digester gas that is the main component of methane gas is, it is possible to generate power up to approximately 4,500kW with a gas engine. With the digest gas removed, after the dehydrating and burning process, the sewage sludge becomes ash. Most of it is recycled as improved soil which is used for construction. Nagamine further said, "In the future, with the carbonization of sewage sludge, there are plans to utilize the sewage sludge as the heat source in the cement-making process." Katsuyoshi Murakami of the Hokubu Sewerage Treatment Center Environmental Planning Bureau in Yokohama, said, "At this center, it has been over 30 years since the establishment of our current treatment method. With the appropriate management, the operation is running smoothly. Our center is a plant that implements the advanced technologies in sewage sludge treatment. It has attracted attention by comprehensively outsourcing the operation originally handled by local officials to private sectors, or operating as PFI service combined with construction. There have been many international and domestic people visiting the facility." In future, JFE Engineering Corporation will keep on playing an important role in the sewage, environment and energy fields in many countries. (ANI) The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Wednesday announced the cancellation of license and conversion of the Sojitra Co-operative Bank Ltd., Dist. Anand (Gujarat) under Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (AACS) for unsatisfactory financials and compliance record. In a statement, the RBI said, "It is hereby notified for information of the public that the Reserve Bank of India has cancelled the license of The Sojitra Co-operative Bank Ltd., Dist. Anand (Gujarat) vide order dated January 23, 2017." It is noted that the bank was advised to go out of purview of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (AACS) and convert into a Co-operative Society owing to its unsatisfactory financials and compliance record. Further it has fulfilled all the conditions stipulated in Section 36(A)(2) of the Act ibid to allow for its conversion into The Sojitra Co-operative Society Ltd. Accordingly, the bank has ceased to be a "Co-operative bank" as defined in Section 5 (cci) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 read with Section 56 of the Act and all the provisions of the said Act applicable to the said co-operative bank shall cease to apply to it. The bank has been prohibited from carrying on banking business in India under Section 22 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (As Applicable to Co-operative Societies) read with Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (As Applicable to Co-operative Societies). Also, the bank is precluded from transacting the business of "Banking" as defined in Section 5(b) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (As Applicable to Co-operative Societies) including acceptance / repayment of deposits. (ANI) eMudhra, a market leader in digital identity and transaction management, announced today that it has joined hands with over 15 State Governments to help them go digital as part of the e-Governance initiatives. Using eMudhra's eSign and Digital Signatures, eOffice applications, issuance of various certificates such as Life, Marriage Encumbrance Certificates and so on, have been made paperless resulting in the ability to do faceless, paperless transactions. Under the initiative, eMudhra has enabled AADHAAR eSign and digital signature-based signing to various government officers in several districts of these states. This has facilitated paperless employee logins, leave requests, memos and official document signing. The digital signatures provided by eMudhra ensure that the document cannot be tampered with, reduces process delays, and eliminates the need to print paper, scan and fax. In addition, approvals can now be obtained remotely assuring faster turnaround times in decision making. "Technology has transformed all sectors in the economy and we understand the importance it plays in increasing our own productivity. The digitisation of all administration is a step towards efficient and transparent governance. eMudhra's digital signature solution uplifts the e-Office plan and has managed to eradicate voluminous paper flow, bring in accountability in government offices and most importantly, reduce the carbon footprint in various states," said V. Srinivasan, Founder Chairman, eMudhra. Government offices follow a paper based administration for all its internal processes which became a bottleneck for efficient administration. To fast-track the process and accelerate the service delivery mechanism, the state governments looked to eMudhra to offer solutions in digitally transforming its operations. "We are greatly honoured to collaborate with the various states and being part of their vision of creating a Digital India. eMudhra has always been striving hard to provide smooth transitions for all enterprises in going digital," added Srinivasan. A digital signature is a legally valid electronic form of a signature that can be used to authenticate the identity of the sender of a message or the signer of a document, and ensure that the original content of the message or document that has been sent is unchanged. The signature is legally valid under the Information Technology Act. (ANI) For most of the kids, toys are what fascinate them. But this seven-year-old girl from Britain wrote a letter to Indian-born Google CEO Sundar Pichai asking him for a job -- and received an encouraging reply. According to a report in Business Insider on Thursday, Chloe Bridgewater, who lives in Hereford, Britain, sent a hand-written letter to Pichai for a job. "Dear Google boss... My name is Chloe and when I am bigger I would like a job with Google. I also want to work in a chocolate factory and do swimming in the olympics," Bridgewater wrote to Pichai. She wrote about her dreams, school, her sister and her first letter she had written to Father Christmas. In reply, Pichai encouraged her to follow her dreams: "I look forward to receiving your job application when you are finished with school." Pichai ended the letter with a smile emoji. In a LinkedIn post, Andy Bridgewater, the girl's father, wrote that his daughter had lost a great deal of confidence after being knocked down by a car a couple of years ago. "However, to say she is delighted after receiving this letter signed by Sundar Pichai himself is an understatement," the father posted. Fascination for Google came about recently in the kid when she asked her father where his ideal place to work would be. "And I said, 'oh, Google would be a nice place to work', owing to their world-famous perks and all of the cutting-edge work they do," her father was quoted as saying. It was then that the kid decided that she wanted to work at Google too and her father encouraged her to apply. --IANS qd/na/dg ( 289 Words) 2017-02-16-15:24:07 (IANS) Ahead of the implementation of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal Motor Vehicles Agreement (BBIN MVA), India remains hopeful that Bhutan would ratify the accord soon, top officials said on Thursday. The four South Asian nations signed the BBIN Agreement in June 2015 in Thimphu and the accord was seen as a significant symbol of sub-regional unity. Despite ratifications by three partner countries, Bhutan's Upper House has not yet ratified the deal, citing environmental as well as livelihood concerns. However, according to an official from the Royal Government of Bhutan, the country "could ratify in May-June". "We are hopeful Bhutan will ratify it soon and are eagerly waiting for it. Four countries have been negotiating the protocols and standard operating procedures for the implementation. We made some headway," said A.D. James, Deputy Secretary in the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. The investments were being made in roads infrastructure linking the four countries, he said at an event 'Facilitating implementation and stakeholder buy-in in the BBIN sub-region' organised by Cuts International here. "The agreement is still to be ratified by Bhutan and they have some concerns, though we are very hopeful. In fact, we appreciate the steps being taken by the Bhutanese government for explaining the benefits of the integration," said Joint Secretary of Commerce Ministry (SAARC/South Asia) Bhupinder Singh Bhalla. Although the Bhutanese government was committed to the agreement, the people in the country raised some issues. "... In regards to BBIN, lot of issues were expressed on the possible negative impacts pertaining to the environment protection and local livelihood. The issue of culture was also raised," Bhutan's Ministry of Information and Communications Secretary Dasho Karma W. Penjor said. "Even with the countries which already ratified it, operational issues still exist," Penjor added. The ratification was expected from the National Council, when the Upper House of Bhutan Parliament meets in May-June, he told IANS. The Lower House has already ratified it. "After the ratification by Bhutan, protocols will be signed and then only, the agreement will be implemented," James said. Meanwhile, the Narendra Modi government has been undertaking cargo trial runs in order to seek solution to challenges that may arise after the implementations, the official said. "We undertook a trial run with cargo consignment from Dhaka to Delhi in August 2016. Usually, it takes 10-15 days to reach such consignment. During the trial run it reached in five days, reducing two-third of associated logistic cost," James told IANS. The implementation of the agreement is expected to improve the value chain in sub-regional trade. Bhalla said the BBIN sub-grouping was expected to be the gateway to southeast and east Asia. India is working for development of inter-connectivity infrastructure for Myanmar and Thailand. In this context, the experts also said a decision was taken to intiate a dialogues for a BIMSTEC (The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) Motors Vehicles Agreement in the senior officials meeting of the group of countries held last week in Kathmandu. --IANS bdc/in/dg ( 513 Words) 2017-02-16-15:44:13 (IANS) The actor, whose name is synonymous with 'Baahubali,' feels that the film has become such a huge brand and is constantly under scrutiny, surrounded by speculations and conjectures. He expressed how these rumours actually amuse him rather than affecting him in any way. 'Baahubali: The Beginning' was an epic historical drama which was absolutely loved by the audience, who are eagerly waiting for its sequel 'Baahubali: The Conclusion.' The prequel was a visual delight with gigantic sets and action-packed sequences and the second installment promises an even bigger and better experience for cine-goers. The 37-year-old became a household name after the immense popularity of this film. The movie also stars Anushka Shetty, Rana Daggubati and Tamannaah Bhatia. 'Baahubali: The Conclusion' is all set to hit the screens on April 28. (ANI) The film is co-written by and starring 'Silicon Valley's' Kumail Nanjiani, the romantic comedy will see a limited release in theatres on June 23, reports Hollywood Reporter. The comedy is based on the real-life romance of writer Emily V. Gordon ('The Carmichael Show') and Pakistan-born comedian Nanjiani, who wrote the script together. While navigating the clashing of their cultures, the couple also endured a life-changing twist when Emily contracted a mysterious illness. Zoe Kazan portrays Emily in the film. The movie also features Holly Hunter, Ray Romano, Anupam Kher, Bo Burnham and Aidy Bryant. Michael Showalter helmed the project, which was produced by Judd Apatow and Barry Mendel. 'The Big Sick' will then expand wide on July 14, alongside the bows of STX's Bad Moms spinoff 'Bad Dads', Open Road's romance 'Midnight Sun', Fox's follow-up 'War for the Planet of the Apes' and Fox Searchlight's romance 'My Cousin Rachel'. Amazon nabbed the U.S. rights to the movie for 12 million USD at Sundance Festival. (ANI) Fortis Hospital, Noida and Fortis Foundation (FF) supported a lifesaving liver transplant surgery on the girl, Anabiya, who was suffering from Hyperoxaluria Type-1 - a rare condition among children, which requires transplant of liver. The surgery was conducted by a team of clinicians led by Dr. Vivek Vij, director of liver transplant programme at Fortis Hospital in Noida. The patient came to consult Dr. Vij with complains of recurrent abdominal pain during an outpatient department (OPD) programme. After investigations, the condition of Hyperoxaluria Type-1 was detected. This is a condition when bilateral renal stones are formed and oxalate deposition takes place in other parts of the body. "I assessed Anabiya's health at an outstation OPD in Pakistan. Lack of awareness, incorrect diagnosis and various factors had prevented her care givers from accessing the right treatment. We were able to diagnose the problem, a rare problem in children, for which a liver transplant is the only treatment. With the team's support at Fortis, the surgery was successful and the patient responded well to the treatment and has been discharged," said Dr. Vij Anabiya belongs to an underprivileged section of the society and they requested for financial support for her treatment. The surgery was successfully conducted after her father, Mansoor Hussain donated a portion of his liver and Anabiya is ready to go back home. Her father runs a small general store and mother Shaista Mansoor is a homemaker. Jasbir Grewal, head of Fortis foundation, said, "Many children are deprived of the opportunity to access proper medical aid at an early stage due to lack of resources and knowledge on the part of their care givers. Timely and correct detection can enable a child to live a healthy and full life. "We, at FF, support those children by increasing the level of health awareness, running preventive and detection programmes and help them to get back the healthy life," Grewal added. Expressing gratitude, Hussain said, "We are thankful to Dr. Vij for giving our daughter a new lease of life. We remain grateful for the support provided by the Hospital." (ANI) The Agreement has the potential to spur greater trade, investment, tourism and cultural exchange between the two countries, bringing it in tune with developments in the civil aviation sector. It will also provide enabling environment for enhanced and seamless connectivity while providing commercial opportunities to the carriers of both the sides ensuring greater safety and security. (ANI) The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Wednesday said that there is nothing new or unusual about the visit of a Taiwanese delegation to India. "We understand that a group of Taiwanese academics and business persons, including a couple of legislators, is visiting India. Such informal groups have visited India in the past as well for business, religious and tourist purposes. I understand that they do so to China as well. There is nothing new or unusual about such visits and political meanings should not be read into them," said MEA official spokesperson Vikas Swarup said. This came after China expressed its objection and lodged a protest with India on a visit by a Taiwanese delegation to the country on Monday. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said that the country has lodged representations with India over the Taiwan delegation's visit to New Delhi. He said China hopes that India respect Beijing's core concerns and stick to the 'One-China' principle and maintains steady development of India-China relations. (ANI) Senior lawyer Ram Jethmalani, appearing for the Punjab government, sought an adjournment which the top court refused. A Bench headed by Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghosh refused the plea and asked, "What has the Supreme Court to do with the election results." In January, the apex court asked both the Haryana and Punjab Governments to file their replies on the issue within three weeks. The Punjab Government had earlier sought more time from the court to file a detailed reply on the same. A bench of the court headed by Justice Ghosh and Justice Amitava Roy granted the decision. The apex court had in November last year, termed the law passed by the Punjab government in 2004 to terminate the SYL canal water sharing agreement with neighbouring states as 'unconstitutional'. Holding that the Punjab Termination of Agreement Act, 2004 was not being in conformity with the provisions of the Constitution, the top court answered in the negative to all the four questions referred to it in a presidential reference. A constitution bench of the court ruled that Punjab could not and should not have taken a 'unilateral' decision to terminate the agreement with Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi and Chandigarh to share of the Ravi-Beas river waters. The court ruling was also followed by resignations of Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president Captain Amarinder Singh and state Congress MLAs. (ANI) The slain soldier died yesterday in action during the Handwara encounter which was conducted by the Indian security forces. As many as three militants were killed in the encounter that broke out in Handwara's Hajin. Major S. Dahiya, who was leading the Handwara operation, also succumbed to his injuries yesterday. Also, Chetan Kumar Cheetah, the Commanding Officer of 45th Battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), who was injured during the Bandipora encounter underwent brain surgery at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi. The officer is still critical and is currently placed on ventilator.(ANI) A Nigerian drug smuggler Okey Chikoo Mathew was arrested on Monday by Kullu district police of Himachal Pradesh with 1 kilogram drug and 550 grams heroin drug. He was arrested from Nawada area under Uttam Nagar police station in Delhi from a private house after the tip of a youth Parveen, belonging to Odisha, who earlier worked for him and was arrested by Delhi Police last week. "Last week during patrolling in Kullu, our patrolling team arrested a youth Parveen who belongs to Odisha. He was arrested with 15 grams of heroin here after investigation he disclosed that he is working for some Nigerian national (Okey Chikoo Mathew) who supplies drug to Himachal Pradesh. On his tip, our team visited the Delhi location given and arrested Mathew with 1550 grams of heroin (approximate cost of over 4 Crore Indian rupees). He was also arrested in 2014 in Manali with 20 grams of heroin and was later released in 2015 after trail," said Padam Chand, the Superintendent of Police Kullu District Police. According to the police, the estimated cost of this drug is over Rs. 4 crore. This Nigerian man was also arrested in 2014 in Manali with 20 gms heroin and later released after trial. The case has been registered under section 21 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985. (ANI) The strike called by Youth IPFT started this morning and is scheduled to end on February 18 next. The tension mounted last evening when the party supporters were stopped at different check-posts on the way towards Gandacherra. The IPFT leaders alleged that their supporters were harassed in what appears to be a desperate attempt of the state government to use the administration in cutting down on the strike's success. Besides a huge deployment, Inspector General (Law and Order) K V Sreejesh, Superintendent of Police (Dhalai) Jal Singh Meena and SDPO Jawhar Debbarma led a large contingent of security personnel to guard the thousands of IPFT supporters. The SDPO Jawhar Debbarma said there were 650 Tripura State Rifles (TSR) jawans and 1 platoon of CRPF jawans deployed on the ground. The rest of the security forces holding guard are from the Tripura Police. A clash that ensued between the two parties left seven TSR personnel injured. They were rushed to Gandacherra Sub-Divisional Hospital where three injured were referred to GB Hospital in Agartala for better treatment. The local administration imposed Section 144 in the entire sub-division last afternoon till the end of strike. Two temporary check-posts were set up to prevent outsiders' entry into the town. The IPFT supporters opposed to it and at a stage they attacked the security men. According to the latest inputs, over 400 IPFT leaders and cadres were detained and pushed into Kalajhari Community Hall. There was no report of any fresh violence today and strike is going peacefully, police said.UNI BB AD1131 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0108-1152417.Xml BJP today said its charges that criminals, and not Akhilesh Yadav, are ruling Uttar Pradesh has been backed by Allahabad High Court's observation that it seems criminals are governing the state. The court made the observation while hearing the case of Samajwadi Party leader and Mafia don Atiq Ahmed BJP. Uttar Pradesh, General secretary Vijay Bahadur Pathak in a statement here claimed that the slogan of "Kaam Bolta Hai" of SP government has been washed out by the HC's observation which also proves that the state government is in ''full nexus with the criminals''. "The situation in UP has deteriorated to such an extent that the HC had to give such strong observation which also means that there is no rule of law in the state," Mr Pathak claimed. He said that the voters have already given their mandate in first two phases in UP polls to BJP for a clean and efficient government and such wave would continue in the next five phases so that the people can get a government, which will work for the masses. Yesterday, the Allahabad High Court, in its observation on a case related to Atiq Ansari, questioned as to how can a criminal jump his bail and continue to commit crime and state government does nothing to cancel his bail? The bench of the Chief Justice D B Bhosle and Justice Yashwant Verma were hearing a case related to Atiq's attack on the employees of SHIATS college here in Naini area a few months back. The bench also asked the state government to cancel all the bails in 43 cases. Atiq, a former MP and MLA, have around 83 criminal cases against him with 43 cases of murder and kidnapping. The SP leader is also accused in the gruesome murder of BSP MLA Raju Pal in 2005 in Allahabad. Recently, police had arrested Atiq on HC 's directive in SHIATS case. Earlier, Atiq was to contest the Assembly polls from Kanpur (cantonment) seat on SP ticket but later he was denied.UNI MB SV SB 1045 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0431-1152347.Xml Six people, including two women, were killed in Katihar late last night, while two including a woman died in Saran district this morning. A Katihar report said six people, including two women, lost their lives when their three-wheeler dashed against a roadside temple near Gwaltoli under Kursaila police station in the district late last night. Police said driver of the three-wheeler lost control over his vehicle due to high speed and dashed against roadside temple killing four people on the spot. The occupants of the ill-fated vehicle were returning to their native Rupauli village in Purnea district after offering oblation at Lord Shiva temple at Deoghar in Jharkhand. Four others, who were injured in the accident, were undergoing treatment at a government hospital where the condition of two was stated to be critical. The deceased were identified as Padma Devi, Reena Devi, Sanjay Singh, Dheera Kumar, Aniket Kumar and Saroj Singh. The bodies have been sent to Katihar Sadar hospital for autopsy. A Chapra report said two people, including a woman, were killed and six others injured in a head on collision between a three-wheeler and a truck on Dariyapur-Dighwara road near Marihar in Daryiapur police station area in Saran district today. The injured were identified as Shamia Khatoon and Brahma Rai and were residents of Englishpur under the same police station. The injured were undergoing treatment at a public health centre here.UNI DH IS AD1253 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0108-1152537.Xml Singapore wildlife parks -- Jurong Bird Park, Night Safari, River Safari and Singapore Zoo -- have reported over 600 animal births and hatchings in 2016, including highly threatened Southeast Asian animals. These include the Sunda pangolin, painted terrapin, proboscis monkey, Bali mynah and black-winged starling, all of which are on the brink of extinction, a statement said here today. Dr Cheng Wen-Haur, Deputy CEO and Chief Life Sciences Officer, Wildlife Reserves Singapore, said, "We have a mission to protect and conserve biodiversity in Singapore and the region, and are happy to report that our animal care team did well in breeding some of the rarest Southeast Asian animals in 2016. This is but one of the many ways we work on to help save these animals from extinction. We also actively support conservation and research efforts in the animals' native habitats." As many as nine painted terrapins, one of Southeast Asia's most endangered freshwater turtle species, hatched in April in the Singapore Zoo. Moreover, the park also welcomed another baby proboscis monkey in April, an endangered primate native to the island of Borneo. Since 1999, Singapore Zoo has seen 30 proboscis monkey births and Singapore lays claim to the highest number of proboscis monkey births outside of their native Indonesia. The Southeast Asian animal births in Night Safari include Neha, the juvenile Asian elephant born on 12 May who charmed her way to fame with her playful antics. The park also welcomed a fifth successful birth of the critically endangered Sunda pangolin since 2011, on October 7. This makes Night Safari one of the most successful wildlife parks in the world in caring for and breeding the world's most trafficked mammal. More UNI RBE ADG SNU 1609 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0427-1152854.Xml The victim has been identified as Sunita. A resident of Secunderabad, she was a tele-caller in a call centre. Her body was found in Madhapur area of Hyderabad. Police suspect the 25-year-old was raped and murdered before the body was set afire. The body has been sent for autopsy. Sunita's family members told police she had left for office on Wednesday morning. When she did not return home in the evening, they called her office but learnt that she did not turn up. Police have begun investigations and formed special teams. CCTV footage of the railway station and surrounding areas is being screened to gather clues. --IANS ms/gs/dg ( 137 Words) 2017-02-16-16:38:07 (IANS) Delhi BJP Mahila Morcha workers led by its President Poonam Prashar Jha today held a demonstration at the residence of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to protest against Delhi Government's "non-performance on issues of women safety & creation of jobs for women."Delhi BJP incharge Shyam Jaju, Delhi BJP General Secretaries Kuljeet Singh Chahal, Ravinder Gupta and Rajesh Bhatia also joined in to support women workers.Addressing the demonstrators, Mr Shyam Jaju said, ''Kejriwal Government has let down Delhiites on all its electoral promises but the worst sufferers are women of Delhi who were misled by Arvind Kejriwal's false saviour image created after the agitation he led over Nirbhaya's case.''Mr Jaju went on to say,'' Kejriwal raised issues on women security, vocational training and women empowerment but two years into power the Chief Minister has done nothing on women security or empowerment. Marshals in buses, women cabs, night travel protection, CCTV network to give women a sense of security continue to be distant dreams. Disregarding women empowerment, Kejriwal has denied participation to women in his Government and in his party leadership too women are missing.'' Delhi BJP Mahila Morcha President Poonam Prashar Jha said Kejriwal came to power promising more jobs, education and a better and safer Delhi but today Delhi is experiencing a atmosphere of fear and corruption from the government even as better employment especially for women is elusive. Delhi Vice-president Shikha Rai Shikha Rai said, "the condition of the Government arrangements for women of Delhi could be well imagined in the light of what we have seen at Asha Kiran Home and Asha Jyoti Home. All heads bow down in shame at hearing that women roam around without cloths in these so-called support homes and women and children inmates there have died due to malnutrition and food poisoning. It is really shocking to see that even as the matters of Asha Kiran and Asha Jyoti Homes have attracted worldwide attention not a single AAP woman MLA has found time to visit the Homes to give a helping hand to the unstable women inmates.''UNI SY SNU 1825 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0093-1153250.Xml CII Deloitte India conducted a study titled "Demonetisation for Merchants The Promise, Potential and Practicalities" to gain an understanding of changes after demonetisation. This study was conducted across India and focuses on two important modes of digital payments: cards (debit and credit card) and mobile wallets. Acceptance of cards and m-wallet varies by the merchant's annual Turnover, location and nature of business as a result more than half (56 per cent) of the surveyed merchants still do not accept digital payments Given the importance of setting up card infrastructure, onboarding micro and small merchants (with annual turnover less than INR 15 lakhs) is an important first step in a journey to a less-cash society. Metros (Mumbai- 87 per cent and Delhi/NCR-68 per cent) see higher acceptance in comparison to non-metros (Ghandinagar and Jaipur-33 per cent, Nagpur-37 per cent and Trissur- 30 per cent) Petrol pumps surveyed in the study recorded 100 per cent acceptance of digital payments. At the other end of the spectrum were the grocery / kirana stores (20 per cent) and restaurants (16 per cent) who had the lowest acceptance of digital payments Customer demand and convenience are the primary reason for merchant's to accept cards and m-wallets. Majority (67 per cent) of the merchants that accept digital payments say they do so because of customer demand post demonetisation. Fear of an income loss can also be a key determinant for merchants to adopt digital payment solutions. There has already been an estimated 2x volume growth in POS usage and mobile wallet transactions post demonetisation Merchants accepting card payments also maintain their book of accounts electronically (67 per cent). Finance costs are less likely to be primary impediments to the adoption of card payments and m-wallets Going forward there will be a positive momentum towards adoption of digital payments.UNI BM SJC -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0213-1153309.Xml Both India and Norway can cooperate on developing and introducing climate smart fishing techniques, Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Radha Mohan Singh said here today. Mr Singh, who met Mr Jon Georg Dale, Norwegian Minister for Agriculture, said bilateral cooperation in fisheries between India and Norway has grown and there is ample potential for furthering relationship in this sector. He said both the countries can cooperate to explore and develop technologies to capture underutilised fish resources and to increase the export of marine products. Mr Singh said Norway may also consider cooperation in the field of dairying for increasing the yield of milk in India. The Union Agriculture Minister appreciated the research work being done on Climawater, Climarice and ClimaAdapt in Andhra Pradesh, Telengana and Tamil Nadu states in India by Norwegian Institute of Bio-economy Research (NIBIO), Ministry of Agriculture. ClimaAdapt focuses on climate change in the Agriculture and water sectors. Mr Singh hoped that Norway may consider extending the research programme to other states also.UNI NY CJ RSA 2002 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0099-1153484.Xml In an effort to provide diagnosis and treatment to the thyroid diseases at an affordable cost, Hindlabs Specialty clinic, an initiative of HLL Lifecare (HLL) Limited will open a thyroid clinic for public here on February 18. Eminent thyroid cancer specialist, Dr Arun Sasikumar, will head the new clinic which is situated opposite to Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram. It will initially function from 9.30 am on all Saturdays. Hindlabs thyroid clinic will offer consultation for thyroid cancer, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, goitre and iodine deficiency disorders. As per the statistics, from various agencies, there is an increase in the number of cancer patients and thyroid cancer is commonly found among women. There is an estimate of about 42 million people in India suffering from thyroid diseases. National Cancer Registry Program (NCRP), established by The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has collected the data of more than 3,00,000 cancer patients between the periods 1984 and 1993 from various centres. The six centres involved in the studies were Mumbai, Delhi, Thiruvananthapuram, Dibrugarh, Chandigarh, and Chennai. Among them, Thiruvananthapuram had the highest relative frequency of cases of thyroid cancer among all cancer cases enrolled in the hospital registry, 1.99 per cent among males and 5.71per cent among females. The nationwide relative frequency of thyroid cancer among all the cancer cases was 0.1 per cent0.2 per cent. Besides thyroid clinic, Hindlabs clinics offer consultation in the morning and evening by specialist doctors in diabetology, cardiology, ENT, orthopaedics, General Medicine, gynaecology, gastroenterology, and paediatrics. UNI DS CS 1915 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0275-1153391.Xml The diploma engineers of the Puducherry Electricity Department today began a relay fast in front of the Electricity Department head office to press their demands. They were demanding immediate filling up of the 'tester' post with the department which was lying vacant for a long period. Meanwhile, fishermen here today held a demonstration in front of the head post office to condemn the failure of the administration to deepen the estuary of the fishing harbour here by dredging. On advise from Lt.Governor Kiran Bedi , the administration had entrusted the dredging work to the dredging corporation of India. However, they failed to execute the work properly and the fishermen were not venturing into the sea for the last four months.Yesterday also a fishing boat got damaged when it tried to pass through the estuary. Protesting this, condemning the Lt.Governor and demanding a financial assistance of Rs.30,000 a month to the mechanised vessel owners for the last four months,they held the demonstration today.UNI PAB JW RSA 1921 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0364-1152932.Xml An oil leak that grounded an Airbus A400M during German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen's first business trip with the military transport plane stemmed from a hydraulic connector for a propeller blade in one of its engines, the air force said.Last week's leak had not affected the engine's core and was easily fixed, an air force spokesman said, adding it was "a classic issue, not a big deal".The breakdown during von der Leyen's trip to Lithuania marked a further embarrassment for a programme that is years behind schedule. Her visit was meant to showcase the new plane's capabilities as Airbus seeks to win back confidence from its largest purchasing nation.The military aircraft, which was delivered to the German air force in December, should be repaired later on Thursday at Germany's A400M air base in the north of the country to be ready for service again soon, the spokesman said.That will mean that two of Germany's 8 A400M aircraft are ready for use, up from just one at the moment.The spokesman said one of the connectors for eight propeller blades in the engine - one of four that power the A400 transport - had come loose, allowing hydraulic fluid to leak out.This confirmed what German military officials had suspected - that the leak was linked to the hydraulic system used to adjust propeller blades in one of the four A400M engines.The findings are likely to ease concerns about fresh delays in the 21.2 billion dollars project, which is already years behind schedule and heavily over budget.However, the breakdown represents a public relations blow for Airbus, which is still grappling with previous problems that led to writeoffs amounting to more than 5 billion euros.Problems with the engines, including software and an Italian-built gear component, contributed to years of delays and cost overruns in Europe's largest multinational defence project.The propellers are made by France's Ratier-Figeac on behalf of Airbus, which supplies the nacelle.The main part of the engine is supplied by a four-nation consortium led by Britain's Rolls-Royce and France's Safran.REUTERS PS PR1953 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0421-1153505.Xml Sleuths of the Anti-Terrorists Squad and National Investigating Agency (NIA) claimed to have arrested a Bangladeshi woman today who was involved in pumping in Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN). The arrest was made in Agra and cops claimed to have recovered two fake notes of Rs 2,000 denominations. The accused will be now sent to Malda after seeking her transit remand.According to IG ATS, Aseem Arun, the NIA is looking for one Fatima aka Lichi, a native of Chapai Nawabganj district in Bangladesh, wanted in a case of FICN in Kolkata. He said that one Anwarul Islam, was arrested from Malda in West Bengal on January 16 last year and FICN worth Rs 8 lakh was recovered from him. During his interrogation, Lichi's name as an active member of the gang surfaced so the NIA, now investigating the matter is looking for her.IG Arun said that through surveillance, they located the Bangladeshi woman in Agra. They laid a trap and arrested her from Etmadullah area this morning. Besides two fake notes, the cops also recovered bank passbook, Aadhar card, mobile phone, and some slips having phone numbers of Bangladesh. Further interrogations are on in the matter. UNI MB CJ RSA 2158 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0400-1153698.Xml Trump made these remarks after meeting with eight retail CEOs to discuss border taxes, trade and infrastructure spending. "My administration remains very focused on economic growth issues," NBC News quoted Trump as saying to reporters. Trump described his meet with the CEO's as a great listening session. "Great listening session with CEO's of the Retail Industry Leaders Association this morning!" Trump said in a tweet. Emphasising on the 42 million jobs by jobs retail industry provides, Autozone CEO William Rhodes on behalf of the other CEOs later expressed their concerns over the impact of proposed policy shifts. He said the CEOs stressed on the importance taking a thoughtful approach to tax reform for both individuals and corporations during the meet. Rhodes said that President Trump understood their support for his pro-growth policies which they consider would lead to greater domestic investment. The meet also discussed pushing back of plans to raise taxes on imports. The meeting included Target CEO Brian Cornell, Best Buy CEO Hubert Joly, Gap CEO Art Peck, Autozone CEO William Rhodes, Walgreens CEO Stefano Pessina, J.C. Penney CEO Marvin Ellison, Jo-Ann Stores CEO Jill Soltau and Tractor Supply Company CEO Gregory Sandfort. (ANI) This visit is at the invitation of Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Md. Shahidul Haque. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official spokesperson Vikas Swarup said that the two Foreign Secretaries will review areas of bilateral cooperation between the two countries, including high level visits. During the visit, Jaishankar is expected to call on Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. (ANI) New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) has said in a report released on Wednesday that dozens of garment workers and labor leaders are facing unfair or apparently fabricated criminal cases in Bangladesh after wage strikes in December 2016. The report said that arbitrary arrests by the Bangladesh Police are growing with each passing day - nine more union organizers were arrested on February 10, taking the number of known arrests to 34. HRW asked the Bangladesh authorities to immediately release those still in detention and drop all politically motivated charges. The organisation also urged global brands and donors attending the February 25, Dhaka Apparel Summit hosted by the country's garment export association to call on the government to stop all persecution of union leaders and protect workers' freedom of association. "Targeting labor activists and intimidating workers instead of addressing their wage grievances tarnishes Bangladesh's reputation and makes a mockery of government and industry claims that they are committed to protecting worker's rights," said Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch. "Global garment brands sourcing from Bangladesh and aid donors should press the government to stop persecuting workers and labor rights activists," he added. Thousands of garment workers outside Bangladesh's capital, Dhaka, participated in wage strikes between December 11 and 19 last year. They came from an estimated 20 factories that supply global brands based in the Ashulia industrial area. The Bangladesh authorities used these strikes as a justification to arrest national union federation leaders and labor activists for "leading" and "planning" the strikes. Workers said that strikes are often the only means for them to raise their grievances because the government and local employers retaliate against union organizers and workers trying to organize as a result, workers are unable to bargain collectively with employers and use formal channels for addressing grievances. The workers coalesced behind a demand for a monthly minimum wage increase from 5,300 takas (US$67) to 15,000 ($187) or 16,000 ($200). In 2016, the Fair Labor Association found that the purchasing power of a Bangladesh factory worker's average compensation was below the World Bank poverty line. Both the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers Export Association (BGMEA) and the government rejected a wage review. The export association closed about 60 Ashulia factories for several days, effectively locking out thousands of workers and ending the strikes. In early January 2017, about 20 global brands sourcing from Bangladesh, including H&M, Inditex, Gap, C&A, Next, and Primark, wrote to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina supporting a wage review and expressing their concerns that union leaders and worker advocates were targeted. Rights groups have information about 10 criminal complaints filed in December 2016, implicating about 150 named workers and over 1,600 "unknown" people for crimes, including property destruction at the factories, during the strikes. Union leaders and organizers have also now been questioned or arrested in relation to older cases. These groups are aware of 34 people who were arrested, most of them union leaders. In addition, a journalist from the ETV, a local news channel, was arrested for reporting about the strikes. A news report from early January suggests the numbers are higher, stating the police had arrested at least 44 people and were identifying another 159 suspects. The police have not provided a full list of all those arrested and where they are being held. Based on interviews with rights groups, lawyers, and workers, and police records, HRW found the circumstances of many of the arrests following the Ashulia strikes point to politically motivated abuse of police powers to retaliate against labor organizers rather than credible allegations of crimes. The Bangladesh authorities should stop pressing these criminal cases and hold any police officers who used forced disappearances, torture, death threats, and other abusive police practices after the Ashulia strikes accountable, Human Rights Watch said. Based on information from workers, local labor rights groups, and newspaper reports, some Ashulia factories have also retaliated against an estimated 1,500 workers by indiscriminately firing or suspending them. HRW said that the donors and brands sourcing from Bangladesh have the responsibility to respect and protect workers' rights and called for an end to all harassment of labor leaders, workers, and journalists, including by ending the false criminal cases. The organisation asked brands sourcing from Bangladesh to make binding agreements with local and global unions to protect freedom of association, modeled on the Bangladesh Accord on Fire and Building Safety, an enforceable agreement between workers and brands with a dispute resolution mechanism. Voluntary commitments in brands' codes of conduct are ineffective to counter factory retaliation against unions. HRW also asked brands to ensure their suppliers develop corrective action plans with worker representatives, including the option of reinstating fired workers and negotiating collective bargaining agreements to resolve wage disputes. (ANI) She will be attending the Munich Security Conference (MSC) and will hold bilateral talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the Dhaka Tribune has reported. Her accompanying entourage and she will depart from Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 9:45 p m by a Etihad Airways flight. She will reach Munich International Airport on Friday morning. Bangladesh Ambassador to Germany Imtiaz Ahmed will receive the prime minister at the airport. Sheikh Hasina will stay at the Munich Marriott Hotel during her visit. Over the past five decades, the Munich Security Conference has become the major global forum for the discussion of security policy. Every year in February, it brings together over 450 senior decision-makers from around the world, including heads of state, ministers, leading personalities of international and non-governmental organisations as well as high-ranking representatives of industries, media, academia, and civil society, to engage in intensive debates on current and future security challenges. (ANI) Geo News quoted the police, as saying that an explosion occurred near the Hayatabad Medical Complex after a government vehicle was hit by a suicide bomber who was riding a motorcycle. Injured were sent to nearby hospitals. Confirming that it was a suicide attack, SSP Operation Peshawar Sajjad Khan said that body parts of the bomber had been recovered. The Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan has reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack. (ANI) Malaysia's state news agency, Bernama said that the women suspect has been taken into custody. The arrest came after a taxi driver, who reportedly drove two women suspected of poisoning Kim Jong-nam, was detained at the airport. South Korean news agency Yonhap News quoted a government source, as saying that Jong-nam was assassinated at the airport on Monday. According to Cable TV broadcaster TV Chosun, two unidentified females attacked Jong-nam with poisoned needles and fled from the scene of assassination. North Korea's role is being suspected in this killing. He was the eldest son of Kim Jong-il, former leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. (ANI) US President Donald Trump has chatted briefly with his Argentine counterpart, Mauricio Macri, on telephone discussing the region and Venezuela "in particular", a media report said. During the five-minute call on Wednesday, Trump reiterated his invitation to Macri to visit Washington and also said that he was "very happy" because new jobs were being created in the US, the Argentine President's office said in a statement. This was the second of such calls between the two leaders since Trump won the November 2016 election. Argentina said that the two leaders' talk was very cordial, but provided no further details, Efe news reported. The US and Venezuela got into their first diplomatic spat earlier this week when Washington blacklisted Venezuelan Vice President Tareck El Aissami on drug charges, a move he called "imperialist aggression." Macri and Trump, who have known each other for several years through the latter's business dealings with the Argentine leader's father, agreed that the US Secretary of State and the South American nation's Foreign Minister, who on Thursday will meet in Germany during a G-20 meeting, will coordinate the scheduling for a visit by Macri to Washington. The centre-right Argentine leader took the call from Trump at the Olivos presidential residence accompanied by his Cabinet Chief Marcos Pena, who on Wednesday morning said that the conversation occurred at the request of the US. In November, in their first telephone contact after Trump's election win, the two men "recalled their ... personal relationship and promised to work on a common agenda for the growth of the two countries," the Argentine President's office said at the time. Trump said after that first conversation that Argentina is a great country and he was looking forward to having the closest relationship ever between the two governments. --IANS in/ ( 306 Words) 2017-02-16-08:34:06 (IANS) Governor of US state North Dakota issued an evacuation order for a protest camp where Dakota Access Pipeline opponents have spent months expressing their disdain, the media reported. Governor Doug Burgum on Wednesday signed the order "out of concern for the safety of people who are residing on US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) land in southern Morton county and to avoid an ecological disaster to the Missouri River," an official statement said. Decreasing temperatures were cited as the impetus in speeding up the Oceti Sakowin camp's clean-up, ABC News reported. "Warm temperatures have accelerated snowmelt in the area of the protest camp, and the National Weather Service reports that the Cannonball River should be on the watch for rising water levels and an increased risk of ice jams later this week," the statement said. "Due to these conditions, the governor's emergency order addresses safety concerns to human life as anyone in the floodplain is at risk for possible injury or death. The order also addresses the need to protect the Missouri River from the waste that will flow into the Cannonball River and Lake Oahe if the camp is not cleared and the cleanup expedited." The US Army Corps of Engineers ordered on February 3 those camping on federal property to vacate to prevent injuries and significant environmental damage in the likely event of flooding in the area. The Oceti Sakowin camp needs to be evacuated no later than February 22 in order to allow private contractors to accelerate the removal of waste from the camp, the governor's office added. The pipeline project has ignited a debate among many groups whether the benefit brought can outweigh its risks. The environmental conservation community has largely refuted the pipeline, saying soil and water contamination and air pollution may damage the environment and wildlife along the pipeline route, a concern shared by many farmers in the region. The fact that the Lake Oahe is located in Indian reserve land also prompted the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe to object, saying the project threatens the tribe's "way of life, water, people and land". The controversial project is an approximately 1,900 km pipeline that connects the Bakken and Three Forks oil production areas in North Dakota and Patoka Illinois, the $3.78 billion project was planned to function by January 1, nearly 90 per cent is reported to have been completed. --IANS ksk ( 409 Words) 2017-02-16-09:54:06 (IANS) Secretary General Antonio Guterres has extended the term of Atul Khare, the highest ranking Indian civil servant at the UN, as the Under- Secretary General for Field Support till April 2018. khare plays a key role in tamping down the sexual abuse and exploitation scandal in UN peace-keeping operations. "The Secretary General has decided that the mandate of senior officials working in the Peace and Security pillar should be maintained for another one year," his spokesperson Farhan Haq said Wednesday. This also related to Guterres setting up a team to review the working of the UN in order to carry out his promise of reforming the UN. "This important work will require both expertise and experience from principals and all staff members," Guterres said while announcing the review. Khare will also serve on the UN's Senior Management Group, the high-level body chaired by the Secretary-General that deals with policy and planning matters across the UN. A medical doctor by training, Khare joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1984 and has since served in several UN positions, many relating to peacekeeping. Appointed in 2015 by former Secretary-General as the head of the Department of Field Services, Khare has the crucial role of overseeing the agency that provides logistical, administrative and human resources support to the UN peacekeeping and political missions around the world. Amid the scandal of sexual abuse and exploitation by UN peace-keepers, he emerged as the point person for dealing with it by enforcing a zero tolerance policy. Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Herve Ladsous, under whose leadership the UN peacekeeping suffered a blow to its image and reputation because of the sex scandals, is leaving the the world body when his term ends in March. Haq said that Jean-Pierre Lacroix will succeed Ladsous. Both men are French and France has traditionally held the top peacekeeping spot under the UN spoils system for Security Council permanent members. China, which has dramatically increased its participation in the peace-keeping operations in recent years, had unsuccessfully lobbied for that job, according to diplomatic sources. It is expected to keep the Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs position now held by Wu Hongbo. The term of Jeffrey Feltman, the Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, was also extended till April 2018, Haq said. That slot is held by an American. With a push for a woman to succeed Ban failing, Guterres promised to increase the number of women at the UN, especially in its top ranks. He has appointed Amina Mohammed of Nigeria to the second highest post of Deputy Secretary General and Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti of Brazil as his chef de cabinet or chief of staff. Vijay Nambiar of India, who was Ban's Special Adviser on Myanmar and served on the Senior Management Group left the UN when Ban's term ended in December. Earlier, he was Ban's chef de cabinet. (Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in) --IANS al/in/vm ( 499 Words) 2017-02-16-11:08:07 (IANS) She was positively identified from the CCTV footage at the Kuala Lumpur airport, the police said in a statement, adding that the arrest was made at 0200 local time today. Malaysian police on Wednesday detained a woman holding Vietnam travel papers and said they were looking for a "few" other foreign suspects in connection with the apparent assassination of Kim Jong Nam at the Kuala Lumpur airport.REUTERS SDR RAI0937 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0431-1152345.Xml South Korea and Malaysia confirmed on Thursday that the North Korean citizen assassinated at a Malaysian airport was Kim Jong-un's half-brother after a fingerprint test came positive, a media report said. The Malaysian government, confirming the death of Kim Jong-nam, who was apparently assassinated on Monday, said that it will transport his body to the Communist country's authorities, Efe news reported. Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister Zahid Hamidi said the incident would not affect bilateral ties, and dismissed as "speculation" the notion that the North Korean regime is behind the suspected killing. Malaysian security forces have detained two women, one from Vietnam and the other from Indonesia, in connection with Kim Jong-nam's killing. Seoul -- on the Malaysian government's request on Tuesday -- carried out a test to compare the fingerprints of the deceased man with those of Kim Jong-nam's, South Korean officials said, Japanese channel NHK news reported Thursday. After detecting similarities between the two impressions, Seoul opened its own investigation into the incident. Malaysian authorities had till now only confirmed that a North Korean citizen, who was travelling through Kuala Lumpur International Airport with a passport under the name of Kim Chol, had died in the attack. South Korea all this while has been claiming he was Kim Jong-un's elder half-brother. Jong-nam died Monday while being transferred to a hospital in Putrajaya after he was reportedly attacked by two women who sprayed a chemical on his face. Since Wednesday, his body was at the Kuala Lumpur General Hospital, where forensic experts carried out an autopsy although the results were yet to be announced. Kim Jong-nam had been considered best-placed to replace his father Kim Jong-il as the head of the North Korean regime until he fell out of favour with him at the turn of the century. Since then he held no official position in the North Korean regime and lived mainly in Hong Kong, Macao and Beijing. Born to dictator Kim Jong-il and his first mistress actress Song Hye-rim, Jong-nam had attracted attention in recent years with his criticism of the North Korean regime's policies and its succession system through correspondence with a Japanese journalist and in statements to a Japanese television station. The confirmation of his death comes on the same day when North Korea celebrates the 75th birth anniversary of Jong-nam's father, the country's late leader. --IANS in/vt ( 402 Words) 2017-02-16-14:02:07 (IANS) Demanding release of Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Sayeed from house arrest, former President of Pakistan, General (retd) Pervez Musharraf, has said that India managed to ban JuD by United Nations (UN) and Pakistan was also following the same line.JuD has, meanwhile, moved an application to Interior Minister seeking removal of its chief and 37 other party activists from the Exit Control List (ECL), asserting that the party was not involved in any terrorist activity in the country.Saeed's detention came in the wake of Interior Minister Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan's remarks that the Nawaz Sharif government was taking steps to fulfill its international obligations regarding JuD.New Delhi says the JuD chief masterminded the 2008 Mumbai attacks in which 166 persons and 10 terrorists were killed. The attack brought Islamabad and New Delhi to the brink of a war. Asked about recent developments regarding JuD during an interview with Dawn, Gen Musharraf said that Hafiz Saeed should be set free. He added, "We as a nation are confused on terrorism. Similarly we are confused in respect to JuD and Hafiz Saeed." The former Pakistan army chief said JuD was banned through United Nations by India and "we are following the same line."In my opinion JuD is against Taliban in Pakistan. It does not commit any terrorism in Pakistan or anywhere in the world. So it should be dealt separately." UNI XC RP1445 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0329-1152478.Xml China today demanded that Vietnam apologise to a Chinese tourist who says he was beaten up by Vietnamese border guards after failing to pay a bribe, an incident that provoked outrage among Chinese internet users.The call comes a month after the neighbours pledged to safeguard peace in the disputed South China Sea, nearly all of which is claimed by China, although Vietnam and four other Asian nations also have claims in the oil-rich area.Last week, a group of about eight uniformed men beat a Chinese man surnamed Xie in Vietnam's northern city of Mong Cai on the border with China, after he failed to pay a "tip", the state-run China News Service said on Saturday, citing Xie.The head of the consular affairs office of China's foreign ministry "had a special appointment" on Thursday with the Vietnam ambassador to "once more express our stern position," Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said."China demands that Vietnam apologise and pay compensation to the victim, severely handle those involved and take effective measures to ensure an incident does not happen again," Geng told a regular news briefing.Vietnam has already suspended eight people involved in the incident, he added.On Wednesday, Vietnam's Foreign Ministry told Reuters by email that it was "clarifying" information on the incident provided by China, and would "resolve the issue (according to) the nature of the event".Xie, accompanied by his mother and fiancee, was returning from a trip to Vietnam planned for the couple to take location photographs ahead of their wedding, the agency said.The fiance, identified as Xiao Li, told China News the women had tried to halt the beating and make a video recording of it, only to be restrained, and have their phones confiscated.State media pictures of a bruised Xie in hospital were widely shared online, sparking angry comments calling the incident a matter of national pride for China and targeting Vietnam.Chinese tourists made up nearly 30 percent of all visitors to Vietnam last year at just under 2.7 million, figures from Vietnam's tourism administration show.The border crossing between Mong Cai and the city of Dongxing in China's southern region of Guangxi is the main crossing-point between the two nations.Although China and Vietnam regularly talk up their common interests as "traditional" friends and neighbours in public statements, conflicting claims of sovereignty in the South China Sea have become a major source of tension in recent years.REUTERS PS AS1437 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0421-1152716.Xml A Chinese court today jailed for life a former senior judge from the country's highest court, after finding him guilty of corruption, state media said.Xi Xiaoming, a former vice president of the Supreme People's Court, was put under investigation last year. REUTERS PS AS1518 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0421-1152768.Xml Malaysian police today detained a third suspect in connection with the murder of Kim Jong Nam, the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, an officer said."He was detained to facilitate investigations as he is the boyfriend of the second suspect," Selangor state police chief Abu Samah Mat told Reuters.He was referring to a woman arrested earlier in the day. She was holding an Indonesian passport. On yesterday, a female suspect with Vietnamese travel documents was arrested.REUTERS PS AS1520 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0421-1152780.Xml NEW DELHI, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- V.K. Sasikala, head of ruling party All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Khazagham (AIADMK) in southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu was Wednesday evening jailed after she surrendered before a special court, officials said. Sasikala, a lifelong associate of J Jayalalithaa, the four-term chief minister of Tamil Nadu, was Tuesday found guilty of corruption in a 21-year-old Disproportionate Assets case by India's Supreme Court. "Sasikala arrived at the court this evening and surrendered before Judge Aswatha Narayana," SND Kulasekaran, counsel for Sasikala told media. "After completing the formalities Sasikala walked to the jail." She along with the two co-accused will have to serve the four-year jail term in Parappana Agrahara central jail on the outskirts of Bengaluru city. Earlier in the morning Sasikala's lawyers submitted a plea in Supreme Court seeking more time to surrender. But the court rejected the request. The Disproportionate Assets case was originally against Jayalalithaa and Sasikala along with two others co-accused. The case dating back to the 1990s was based on the fact that during Jayalalithaa's first term as chief minister, she misused her office to amass assets in a shared fortune with Sasikala and other two. Jayalalithaa died of illness in December last year at the age of 68. Sasikala has already served almost six months in jail in the case and now has to serve the remaining imprisonment of three years and six months. The conviction will bar Sasikala from contesting elections for the next 10 years and has dashed her dreams to become chief minister of Tamil Nadu. Sasikala, last week approached state's Governor C. Vidyasagar Rao staking claim for the post. However, her ambitions split the party with incumbent Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam opposing her move and thereby pushing the state into political crisis. Initially Panneerselvam announced resignation and supported her move to become AIADMK's legislature party leader. However, later on he revolted against Sasikala saying he was forced to resign. She has expelled Panneerselvam from the basic membership of AIADMK. Following the Supreme Court order Sasikala Tuesday evening held meeting with her 120 party legislators and nominated the party's new presumptive chief minister E. Palaniswamy. Meanwhile, the newly elected legislature party leader of AIADMK, E. Palaniswamy accompanied by his key associates visited governor's office asking Vidyasagar Rao to invite him at the earliest to form the new government. ADDIS ABABA, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- Attracting regional and international coffee roasters, traders, producers, professionals and connoisseurs, the 15th edition of African Fine Coffee Conference and Exhibition kicked off in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa on Wednesday. With the objective of reshaping African coffee industry, the three-day event from Feb. 15 to 17 is expected to have intensive discussions on policy and trade development across the African coffee value chain. The African Fine Coffee Association (AFCA) and the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Development and Marketing Authority, have co-hosted the event under the theme, "Reshaping African Coffee Industry for Productivity and Investment." The participants are also expected to discuss ways of boosting coffee production on the African continent, and the exhibitors from across the world showcase their coffee products, machinery and packaging facilities, among others. The conference is a buyer-oriented event which brings together buyers from all over the world to build key trading relationships and discuss issues impacting on production, trading environment and policy interventions necessary to grow the coffee industry worldwide, according to the organizers. The event is also expected to provide an opportunity for business-to-business engagements and for buyers to taste best coffee from Ethiopia and the rest of Africa. Officially opening the event, Ethiopian President Mulatu Teshome reiterated that his government attaches great importance to the coffee industry as it is backbone of the country's commodities export. "Around 20 million people are directly or indirectly deriving their livelihoods from coffee. Hence, as major agricultural export product, it generates about 26 percent of Ethiopia's total export earnings. Ethiopia is the largest producer of coffee in Africa and the fifth largest coffee producer in the world, next to Brazil, Vietnam, Colombia, and Indonesia, contributing from 7 to 10 percent of total world coffee production," noted the president. It has been recognized that new markets have been identified in order to benefit coffee farmers and also to encourage all stakeholders in coffee industry, according to the president. "In this regard, China, Russia, Middle East, and the Far East economies, Australia, and consuming African countries of Algeria, Tunisia, and Sudan among others offer a lucrative option and price incentives to the Ethiopian coffee," he said. Bagersh Abdullah, Board Chairman of African Fine Coffee Association (AFCA), stated that African Fine Coffee Conference and Exhibition has become one of the top events in the world. "This conference has a lot of value because we are at the beginning of the coffee season and I am hoping that by being here the delegates the buyers, many, many buyers are here will have the chance to see, believe and taste the coffees and we are going to ship first class coffee out of Ethiopia this year," he said. Eyasu Abraha, Ethiopian Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resources, said on his part that the government has been taking various measures to tap Ethiopia's huge potential in the sector and boost coffee productivity in the country. "Ethiopia has a huge potential to increase coffee due to processing, suitable climate, soil, indigenous planting material, and sufficient rainfalls in coffee growing belts of the country. To this end, government is committed to more than ever before to tap the huge potential that exists to increase coffee productivity through undertaking research and development interventions." African Fine Coffees Association (AFCA) is an association with coffee sectors in 11 member countries, namely Burundi, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Over 100 exhibitors participate in the exhibition showcasing their coffee products, machinery, and packaging among others, according to the organizers. U.S. President Donald Trump (R) gestures at a joint press conference with visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House in Washington D.C., the United States, on Feb. 15, 2017. Israel should "hold back" on building new settlement "for a little bit," U.S. President Donald Trump told visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu) WASHINGTON, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- Israel should "hold back" on building new settlement "for a little bit," U.S. President Donald Trump told visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday. "As far as settlements, I'd like to see you hold back on settlements for a little bit. We'll work something out but I would like to see a deal be made," Trump said at a joint press conference with Netanyahu at the White House before their meeting. In response, Netanyahu played down the issue of settlement building. "I believe that the issue of the settlement is not the core of the conflict, nor does it really drive the conflict. I think it's an issue that has to be resolved in the context of peace negotiations," Netanyahu said. Israel approved last month the construction of 3,000 housing units in West Bank settlements, amidst a spate of settlement expansion in the wake of Trump's inauguration. Israel's settlement-building in disputed territory is a major dispute between the Israelis and Palestinians. The settlements are illegal under international law because they are built on lands seized by Israel in the 1967 Mideast War, where the Palestinians wish to form their future state. The former U.S. administration criticized Israel's continuous expansion of the settlements, which it considered as a major obstacle to peace. In a White House statement earlier this month, the Trump administration said "the construction of new settlements or the expansion of existing settlements beyond their current borders may not be helpful" in achieving Middle East peace. On Wednesday, Trump also said that he is open to either a one-state or two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a departure from U.S. stance in previous administrations. "I'm looking at two-state, one-state, and I like the one that both parties like. ... I can live with either one," Trump said. The previous U.S. administrations have pushed for the two-state solution to the Middle East peace process, an idea of establishing an independent Palestinian state that lives side-by-side with Israel. On another controversial issue of moving U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, Trump said, "as far as the embassy moving to Jerusalem, I'd love to see that happen. We're looking at it very, very strongly." But he added that the U.S. is looking at the issue "with great care." Israel claimed all of Jerusalem as its "eternal and undivided capital." But the international community has never recognized East Jerusalem, a territory Israel seized in the 1967 Mideast War and later annexed. The Palestinians see East Jerusalem as the capital of their future state. The idea of moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem was discussed in the past but never carried out for fear it will spark fresh tensions in the region. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (front) gives a lecture entitled "Facing Global Challenges: Finding Hope in Youth" at Cairo University in Cairo, Egypt, on Feb. 15, 2017. There is no plan B for the two-state solution between the Israelis and the Palestinians to resolve the Middle East conflict and achieve regional peace, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told a press conference in Cairo on Wednesday following his meeting with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi. The UN chief reiterated his statement at a lecture he later gave at Cairo University, attended by diplomats and students. (Xinhua/Meng Tao) CAIRO, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- There is no plan B for the two-state solution between the Israelis and the Palestinians to resolve the Middle East conflict and achieve regional peace, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told a press conference in Cairo on Wednesday following his meeting with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi. Guterres' remarks came while United States President Donald Trump said in Washington, during a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, that the two-state solution is not the only one for the conflict and that the UN treated Israel "very, very unfairly." The UN chief reiterated his statement at a lecture he later gave at Cairo University, attended by diplomats and students. He referred to the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict as "the mother" of the regional conflicts. He also said that all necessary efforts must be made to preserve the two-state solution, adding that Egypt is a key player in resolving regional issues. In December 2016, the United Nations Security Council endorsed a resolution demanding immediate and complete halt of Israeli settlement activities on occupied Palestinian territories. However, the Knesset, Israel's parliament, approved earlier this month the "Regulation Bill" that retroactively legalizes about 3,850 housing units in dozens of outposts built illegally on privately owned Palestinian lands. Israel is blamed by the international community for the deadlock of the peace process due to its settlement expansion policy that is rejected even by the U.S., its strongest ally. With regards to other regional issues, Guterres expressed determination to move ahead with Geneva talks over the Syrian crisis and work on resuming national reconciliation and unity in Iraq. The world's top diplomat said he will also be totally committed to support regional efforts for creating conditions to overcome the present crises in conflict-stricken Libya and Yemen. Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said in a joint news conference with Guterres that President Sisi expressed readiness to cooperate with the world body in all issues. The minister also asserted that the international community cannot accept any preconditions from all sides to reach a settlement in Syria, adding that a peaceful solution that meets the aspirations of the Syrian people must be reached. Meanwhile, Shoukry said he met on Wednesday with a delegation from the Libyan High Council of State, and the delegates praised the road map, which means a notable development that supports the legal institutions and the national army. Guterres took the post as UN chief in January and he arrived in Cairo on Wednesday as the last destination of his first regional tour that also included Turkey, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Qatar. Guterres is scheduled to hold talks with Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit on regional conflicts on Thursday before leaving Cairo. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg addresses a press conference during a NATO Defense Ministers Meeting at its headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, on Feb. 15, 2017. (Xinhua/Ye Pingfan) BRUSSELS, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- NATO defense ministers on Wednesday agreed to create a new regional hub to address threats from south, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said at a press conference following the ministerial meeting. Ministers discussed how NATO can ensure to project stability beyond its borders and to fight terrorism. The hub, based at NATO's Joint Force Command in Naples, Italy, is one part of the alliance's response to threats stemming from the Middle East and North Africa, the secretary general said. Stoltenberg said: "This will be a focal point for increasing our understanding of the challenges stemming from the region and our ability to address them." "We expect around 100 people will work at the hub, assessing potential threats and engaging with partner nations and organizations," he added. During the meeting, NATO defense ministers also discussed NATO's joint intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability and agreed to develop a follow-on capability for NATO AWACS (airborne early warning and control system) planes after they retire around the year 2035. CAIRO, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- Israel-Palestinian conflict, Syrian crisis, unity in Iraq and other Mideast issues are discussed as United Nations chief, Turkish president and Iranian president are respectively touring the region, mending ties, boosting cooperation and exchanging views on issues of regional and global interest. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres visited Egypt on Wednesday as part of his Mideast tour, when he held talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who expressed readiness to further cooperate with the UN. Guterres said Egypt is a central player in the Middle East and an essential contributor to the solutions of regional problems. He also claimed support for countries of the region to come together to create conditions for both Yemen and Libya to overcome the present crises. Regarding Israel-Palestinian conflict, the UN chief stressed two-state solution, adding that everything must be done to preserve that possibility. "We also need to find political solutions for the crises of the region," Guterres said, voicing determination to move ahead with Geneva talks in relation to the Syrian situation, and resume the policy of national reconciliation and unity in Iraq. He arrived in Cairo on Wednesday after visiting Turkey, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Oman. Also on Wednesday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani made formal trips to Kuwait and Oman, expected to mainly focus on the reconciliation mission between Iran and the Arab states. "Today, we should focus on further unity," Kuwait News Agency quoted Rouhani as saying, adding that the gap created by big powers should be bridged. Relations between Iran and some Arab states have deteriorated in the past years over the ongoing conflicts in Syria and Yemen. Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is ending his Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) tour visiting Qatar, also with crises in Syrian and Yemen topping his agenda. "The Syria crisis, developments in Yemen and the fight against terrorism will all be on the agenda of talks (in Qatar) due to their negative impact on regional stability," said Turkish Ambassador to Qatar Ahmet Demirok, quoted by Qatar's official QNA news agency. Before the beginning of his Gulf trip in Bahrain on Sunday, Erdogan said the Turkish troops and their Syrian rebel allies had entered the center of al-Bab, the last stronghold of the Islamic State (IS) in the northern Syrian province of Aleppo. Erdogan has also called for a safe zone in northern Syria to settle displaced people amid the ongoing war. KIGALI, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- Former Rwanda's state minister for mining Wednesday appeared in court where he was charged with favoritism and falsifying official documents. Evode Imena appeared before Nyarugenge High Court in Kigali. Imena, who was arrested last January after being fired from cabinet, is accused together with two former officials who worked in former Rwanda Natural Resources Authority. Prosecution alleges that the trio hastily registered a company which was fraudulently awarded a license to conduct mining in Nduba mines on the outskirts of Kigali. Later, the company which prosecution named JDJ fraudulently sold its concession to another company called KNM at 20,000 U.S.dollars with the approval of the minister, according to the prosecution. The charges were committed between 2013 and 2014, prosecution claims. However, appearing before court, the former minister denied the charges and asked for bail. The court set Friday to rule on the bail application. BUJUMBURA, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- The Burundian government has decided to boycott talks due in Arusha, Tanzania on Feb. 16-18, aimed at settling the east African country's 2015 crisis, the Burundian government said Wednesday night in a statement. "The Burundian government will not send delegates to the Arusha talks due on Feb. 16-18 this year. Burundian citizens need international solidarity, but they have the right to be respected during their choice in the dialogue process," Burundian Government Spokesman Philippe Nzobonariba said in the statement. According to him, invitations of participants to the talks to be held under the auspices of former Tanzanian President and facilitator in the inter-Burundi talks Benjamin Mkapa were characterized by irregularities. "There are irregularities on the organization of the session notably on who should be invited to the talks and their agenda. Some of the invited participants are sued by the Burundian judiciary for their involvement in disrupting Burundi's security," Nzobonariba said in the statement. Besides, said Nzobonariba in the statement, the other issue is the denomination of political parties some participants will represent, stressing that they are not political parties registered at the Home Affairs Ministry. According to him, the other concern is the possible participation, in the talks, of Jamal Benomar, Special Adviser of the UN Secretary General in Burundi, who was rejected by the Burundian government in December 2016. Nzobonariba indicated that the Burundian government had requested his replacement. This session of Arusha talks is expected to analyze eight issues including the respect of the Burundian constitution, the repatriation of hundreds of thousands of Burundian citizens who fled the 2015 crisis and the formation of a government of unity. Burundi plunged into a crisis since April 2015 when Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza decided to run his controversial third term in violation of the national constitution and the 2000 Arusha Agreement that ended a decade-long civil war. More than 500 people in Burundi have been killed and over 300,000 people fled to neighboring countries mostly Tanzania, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda since the outbreak of the crisis. Boys are pictured beside a cart they use to carry water back to their home in the east Aleppo neighborhood of al-Mashatiyeh, Syria, in this handout picture provided by UNHCR on January 4, 2017. (Bassam Diab/UNHCR/Handout via REUTERS) UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Syria said that an estimated 1.8 million people in Aleppo remained cut off from their main water source for more than one month due to a technical failure at the Al Khafse water station, a UN spokesman told reporters here Wednesday. Local water authorities continued with efforts to access and repair the water infrastructure and were able to visit Al Khafse on Monday, UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said at a daily news briefing here. "Residents currently receive a limited water supply through other distribution networks," he said. "The water authorities are operating wells servicing almost one million people while the UN is providing fuel, water trucking, and distributing water purification materials, installing tanks and rehabilitating additional wells in the city." "The UN continues to call on all parties to the conflict in Syria to ensure technical teams have unrestricted and safe access to water infrastructure in order to swiftly restore the provision of water to the civilian population," Haq said. "The UN also reminds all parties to the conflict of their responsibility to safeguard civilians and civilian infrastructure, as required by the International Humanitarian Law and the Human Rights Law," he added. The Syrian army wrested its full control over the entire city of Aleppo since last December, poising for further military operations in the Aleppo province to drive out Islamic State (IS) militants. Thousands of civilians have been displaced due to the intensive fighting. So far, the chronic Syrian conflict has killed more than 300,000 people and displaced nearly 11 million others. MEXICO CITY, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- Nearly 500 philosophers from across the United States on Wednesday announced their rejection of the anti-Mexican policies of U.S. President Donald Trump. In an open letter signed by more than 480 philosophers working at universities around the country -- and posted to the website of a leading Mexican university -- the academics stated their "strong repudiation of the Trump administration's intended policies towards our neighboring country of Mexico." The "xenophobic" policies "distort our deep historic, economic, cultural and academic bonds," the undersigned said. "We are deeply concerned by the fact that plans are already underway for the construction of a wall on our border under the premise that Mexicans themselves will pay for it. This is an unacceptable threat, an act of profound disrespect, and a direct aggression to an historic economic partner and cherished friend," the group said. They also expressed "major ... concern" for "the announced mass deportations of undocumented immigrants, including Mexicans," and urged the administration "to change these erroneous and compromising policies." Academics from some of the most prestigious universities joined in denouncing the measures, including MIT, Harvard, Princeton, Yale and NYU. Mexico's National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), whose Institute of Philosophical Research (IIF) hosted the letter on its website, said it was working closely with its academic counterparts in the U.S. The director of the IIF, Pedro Stepanenko Gutierrez, who coauthored the open letter, warned Mexicans against turning against the U.S. or its citizens, despite deteriorating bilateral ties under Trump. "It behooves us to show solidarity with U.S. citizens who must endure their president and not foster a nationalism that closes ranks against all North Americans," he said in a statement. TORONTO, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- Canada's main stock market in Toronto prolonged its all-time high on Wednesday, as strong gains in health care and telecommunications highlighted the index rising for the seventh straight day. The Toronto Stock Exchange's benchmark Standard & Poor's/TSX Composite rose 58.92 points, or 0.37 percent, to close the day at 15,844.95 points. Nine of the ten sub-groups finished the session ahead. For the second straight day, the Health Care sector posted the highest percentage gains, jumping 3.22 percent as pharmaceutical executives voiced their displeasure against U.S. President Trump's intent of deregulating the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). As a result, shares of Quebec-based drugmakers ProMetic Life Sciences Inc. and Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc. benefitted from the news, soaring 8.47 percent and 5.56 percent, respectively. The TSX Telecommunications group posted a 1.78 percent gain, as the 3.9 billion Canadian dollar deal for BCE Inc. to purchase Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. (MTS) was given a conditional approval by the Competition Bureau and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. The deal, which was first announced in May is expected to close on Mar. 17. As a result, shares of MTS jumped 5.11 percent to 39.52 Canadian dollars (30.23 U.S. dollars), while BCE closed at 58.65 Canadian dollars (44.87 U.S. dollars), a 1.12 percent gain. Other groups to finish the day higher were: Industrials (0.87 percent), Information Technology (0.85 percent), Financials (0.82 percent), Energy (0.72 percent), Consumer Staples (0.40 percent), Consumer Discretionary (0.25 percent), and Utilities (0.05 percent). The TSX Industrials group finished ahead as Montreal-based Bombardier Inc. was the third most actively traded stock on the day with more than 6.3 million shares exchanged to finish the session at 2.58 Canadian dollars (1.97 U.S. dollars), a 3.20 percent uplift. Energy stocks finished higher despite the crude oil price finishing down. Price of Brent delivered for April fell 0.38 percent to close at 55.70 U.S. dollars a barrel. Meanwhile, Calgary-based energy firms Suncor Energy Inc. and MEG Energy Corp. saw respective gains of 1.48 percent and 1.05 percent. The TSX Materials group was the lone group to lose ground on the day, slumped 1.20 percent. The group which consists of producers of gold, precious metals, and raw materials, has lost ground in fourth straight sessions. Tech Resources, the largest producer of steel-making coal in North America saw shares plunge 10.25 percent to 29.32 Canadian dollars (22.43 U.S. dollars) after they reported higher than expected profits during the quarter due to a temporary increase in demand in November, before falling sharply. The Canadian dollar ticked up 0.03 cents to close at 0.7650 U.S. dollars. U.S. President Donald Trump listens to a question at a joint press conference with visiting Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (not in the picture) at the White House in Washington D.C., the United States, on Feb. 13, 2017. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu) WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- U.S. voters are almost evenly split over President Donald Trump's job performance in his first three weeks in the White House, according to a poll released on Tuesday. When asked if the Trump administration is working on things that will help their family, 47 percent of voters say yes, while 48 percent say no, according to the Fox News Poll. Moreover, most voters feel strongly one way or the other, as 35 percent "strongly" approve and 41 percent "strongly" disapprove. The split is heavily based on partisan lines. As many as 87 percent of Republicans give the thumbs up to Trump's performance, as do just 52 percent of independents and 10 percent among Democrats. In February 2009, after Barack Obama's first month in the White House, 60 percent of voters approved his performance, including 90 percent of Democrats, 62 percent of independents, and 29 percent of Republicans. As for Trump's first 100 days in office, twice as many voters say it's extremely or very important for him to work on cutting taxes (52 percent) and repealing Obamacare (49 percent), than building a border wall (26 percent), the poll shows. The poll also finds 50 percent feel confident in Trump's judgment in a crisis, up from 43 percent in October 2016. The Fox News poll is based on landline and cellphone interviews with 1,013 randomly chosen registered voters nationwide and was conducted from Feb. 11 to Feb. 13. It has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus three percentage points for all registered voters. OTTAWA, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- With exploratory talks on a Canada-China free trade agreement scheduled to begin next week in Beijing, Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lawrence MacAulay wants the farm-to-fork sector he oversees in government to be one of the main courses on the menu of a future bilateral trade pact. "China wants our food and we want to sell it to them," MacAulay said here in an interview with Xinhua on Wednesday. "The Canadian agricultural sector has the capabilities and know-how to help China meet its growing demand for safe food." "The Chinese need to know what we have, and are aware of the quality of our goods and our regulatory system. I want to make sure the Chinese people are demanding more and more products from Canada." Canola, which was bred from rapeseed in Canada in the early 1970s, is Canada's top agricultural export to China. During Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's visit to Ottawa last September, China and Canada signed a memorandum of understanding that extends exports of canola to 2020 and provides a "science-based" approach for Canadian canola producers to address Chinese concerns on dockage. According to Canadian government figures, canola exports to China amounted to two billion Canadian dollars in 2015, or more than one-third of 5.6 billion dollars in Canadian agri-food sold to China -- a number that MacAulay said grew up to 6.1 billion dollars last year, representing 30 percent of all Canadian exports to China. To further increase sales to China, the minister is promoting Canadian food beyond its world-famous canola. Canada already sells beef to China, with exports totaling 255 million dollars in 2015, and that number could significantly rise following a protocol both countries signed last year to expand market access for Canadian frozen bone-in-beef. Last November, when he led the largest-ever delegation of over 100 Canadian agricultural industry representatives on a 10-day trade mission to Beijing, Qingdao and Shanhai, MacAulay received feedback on the type of Canadian food Chinese want to eat -- and their appetite for it is quite diverse. He said that China wants blueberries, Canada's largest fruit crop grown nationally, and that the Chinese have developed a taste for ice cream made in his home province of Prince Edward Island. COWS Inc. opened its first ice cream shop in Beijing in 2014, and has since expanded with another store in the Chinese capital as well as outlets in other cities, including Shanghai. COWS was among 56 Canadian companies that had deals finalized in China during Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's first official visit to the country last year, and in partnership with Yintai Group plans to open ice cream stores in high-end Yintai shopping centers in China. MacAulay plans to lead another agricultural delegation to China later this year. Tiffany Trump (L) talks with Chinese designer Wang Tao at the backstage before the fashion show of Chinese designer Wang Tao during the New York Fashion Week in New York, the United States, on Feb. 11, 2017. (Xinhua/Wang Ying) By Xinhua writer Yang Shilong NEW YORK, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- It was such a pleasant surprise for Tao Wang to see Tiffany Trump, the youngest of U.S. President Donald Trump's two daughters, sitting in the front row at the Chinese designer's New York fashion week show. "She looks even more beautiful, elegant and confident. I feel very happy and proud. " Wang told Xinhua in an interview on Wednesday. "I would say she chooses her own style rather than Taoray Wang." The 23-year-old Tiffany, accompanied by her mother, Trump's ex-wife Marla Maples, drew media attention in an off-white V-neck dress and two-toned coat by Taoray Wang, the namesake brand of the Shanghai-based designer, who debuted her Fall/Winter 2017 line in the Skylight Clarkson Square on Saturday. Tiffany Trump (L) talks with Chinese designer Wang Tao at the backstage before the fashion show of Chinese designer Wang Tao during the New York Fashion Week in New York, the United States, on Feb. 11, 2017. (Xinhua/Wang Ying) EVOLUTION OF A NEXT-DOOR GIRL "I'm here to support Tao and that comes with the territory. I thought the collection was spectacular, the way she tailors so well and flows in fabrics," Tiffany was quoted as saying at the backstage following the show by Women's Wear Daily, a fashion-industry trade journal. Tiffany is the only child from her father's six-year marriage to actress and TV personality Maples from 1993 to 1999. She graduated in 2016 with a degree in Sociology and Urban Studies from the University of Pennsylvania, her father's alma mater. The U.S. first daughter, who grew up in California with her mother, said she is partial to "the classic look, chic, simple - sometimes adding a little bit of an edge, a little girly influence or something more trendy. "My aesthetic kind of changes. Tao really hits it right on point. She has lace, leather, perfectly tailored jackets. I love it," she said. The first time Tiffany met Wang was at her Spring/Summer 2017 show on Sept. 12, 2016 in New York. Tiffany Trump and her boyfriend Ross Mechanic pose for a photo at the backstage before the fashion show of Chinese designer Wang Tao during the New York Fashion Week in New York, the United States, on Feb. 11, 2017. (Xinhua/Wang Ying) "Tiffany got to know me from her friend's lookbook and she cancelled her flight to Los Angeles to come to my show that day," Wang, who first debuted her brand at New York Fashion Week in the fall of 2014, recalled. Wang was very impressed that the young lady is so beautiful and sweet,"just like the girl next door", catering to various requests from audiences for photos with her. "Tiffany went backstage afterwards, expressed her appreciation of my design, and told me she would follow my brand," Wang said, "I thought she said so just out of courtesy at the moment. But she did write to me soon and we had deeper interaction." Wang, who studied fashion in Japan after graduating with a degree in history from East China Normal University, was thrilled to know Tiffany, wearing a Taoray Wang's cashmere herringbone dress with lace trim, attended her father's first presidential debate on Sept. 26, 2016. "At the first sight of Tiffany on TV, she is such a confident and elegant lady in the outfit I made for her, her image of a lovely next-door-girl is no more there, I am glad to see my design come to life on her, " Wang said. Actually, Wang altered the original design of the black dress Tiffany ordered from the lookbook, making it into one with under-knee length and silk-lined lace to better accomodate the formal solumn occasion. "I do not tell her this before I sent it to her, she likes it very much. I do image-building in addition to fashion design, you know." "What moves me a lot is that Tiffany is such an encouraging, down-to-earth sweetheart, she never hesitates to praise me whenever she gets my designs." Wang said." 'You are the best' is the sentence Tiffany likes to use in her email to me. Her sweet polite tone has never changed a bit though she is now the first daughter of the country." Wang said she has never expected Tiffany would wear a white double-breasted coat from the designer at her father's inauguration as the new U.S. president on Jan. 20, 2017. "She never said to me she is going to wear it that big day," Wang said."But she did, and showed her admirable elegance and sophistication again with a Taoray Wang." Wang said she is very thankful to Tiffany for her trust and choice of the Chinese brand as it is said people usually wear American designs on these historic occasions. "Tiffany not only worn it, but also clearly stated it is designed by me, she even helped reporters correct the wrong spelling of Tao." Tiffany Trump (R) and her boyfriend Ross Mechanic walk to their seats before the fashion show of Chinese designer Wang Tao during the New York Fashion Week in New York, the United States, on Feb. 11, 2017. (Xinhua/Wang Ying) CHINESE CULTURE IS NOT JUST BIG READ AND PURPLE "I have to repeat that Tiffany chooses her own style rather than Taoray Wang, " said Wang, "Tiffany is kind of a woman who knows what she wants,and is never afraid to express herself. That is exactly my brand is about." The Chinese designer said her brand is created for global elite woman leaders, including lawyers,bankers, politicians or entrepreneurs, who "are not afraid of appearing feminine and attractive". It is manifested in Wang's modern take on classic suiting, with a unique twist of East meets West, and an empowering masculine look made feminine when paired with delicate lace negligees. In her fall/winter 2017 collection, she sent down the runway black jackets, double breasted coats and wide-legged tweed pants - a powerful look made sexy with knee-high platform boots, lace underlay and pink silk lining on coats. "Apart from my exposure to diverse cultures, I am a great fan of literature, and some of my inspirations are from western and Chinese literature classics. " Wang said. For example, the pink silk lining she uses a lot on coats is an obvious reminder of the descriptions of Qipao (a body-hugging one-piece Chinese dress for women ) worn by characters in popular love stories written by late Eileen Cheung, one of the most influential modern Chinese writers, she said. In designing dresses like the above mentioned one Tiffany has worn, Wang said she is indebted to late 18th and 19th century fashion style recorded in classics like Wuthering Heights. "People often ask me what the Chinese elements are in my brand, I'd like to say the Chinese culture is not just big red and purple, not just Long Feng Cheng Xiang (Dragon and Phoenix bring Auspiciousness), " Wang said. "As in Chinese tractional painting, Chinese artists tend to capture not only the outer appearance of a subject but its inner essence as well, its energy, life force, spirit, that is the heart of Chinese culture, " she said, pointing to a dark coat hung behind her." It appears to be no different from an ordinary coat for a career woman, but look at the inside, I added the luxurious lining of jacquard silk which is warm,tender and smooth." "You will not feel the comfort of the coat unless you put it on. You are not only looking great, but also feeling great. This integrated experience is what I want to have my clients appreciate. This is truely very Chinese in a deeper sense," Wang said. "I believe fashion transcends cultures, time and geographies," she said. "That is why I named my company Unity International Company Limited. That is my ideal." SYDNEY, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Australian researchers have discovered that genetic changes usually linked to breast, ovarian and colon cancer can also cause a rare type of pancreatic cancer. The study, published by the University of Melbourne on Thursday, found that as many as one in five patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PanNETs) had a genetic predisposition for their cancers despite having no family history. Sean Grimmond, the co-leader of the study from the University of Melbourne and Chair of cancer Medicine at the university, said the discovery offered hope of one day being able to identify people at risk of contracting those cancers. The breakthrough is the result of a collaboration between the University of Melbourne, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, the University of Queensland and the Childrens Medical Research Institute as well as teams from Europe and the United States. They carried out genome sequencing of tumors from 100 Australian patients recruited through the Australian Pancreatic Cancer Genome Initiative (APGI). Grimmond said the team was surprised to find similarities between the genetic drivers of PanNETs and other cancers. "We found that the MUTYH and BRCA2 gene mutations, normally associated with colon and breast cancers, also appear to play an important role in PanNETs," Grimmond said in a media release on Thursday. "This raises exciting possibilities for how we treat this disease in the future." Nicola Waddell, the leader of Queensland's QIMR Berghofer's contribution to the study, said that people without a family history of cancer could still carry the faulty gene that increases the risk of developing PanNETs. "The genetic variants we've identified may help to predict how aggressive each patient's tumor is and what sort of treatment they're likely to benefit from," she said. "In the future, patients at risk of this rare pancreatic cancer could be identifiable through genetic screening." PanNETs account for two per cent of the 3000 cases of pancreatic cancer diagnosed in Australia every year. WELLINGTON, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- A free trade agreement between the European Union (EU) and New Zealand will be on the agenda when Hungarian Foreign Affairs Minister Peter Szijjarto visits New Zealand this week Foreign Minister Murray McCully said Thursday he would meet with Szijjarto in Auckland on Friday. "This visit presents an opportunity to deepen this relationship, including through discussing trade opportunities and New Zealand's ambitions for a free trade agreement with the EU," McCully said in a statement. "Foreign Minister Szijjarto's visit marks the growing links between our two countries," he said. "In recent years, New Zealand's relationship with Hungary has benefited from the annual Working Holiday Scheme, where up to 100 young New Zealanders and Hungarians can live and work in the other's country each year." While in New Zealand, Szijjarto will officially open the Hungarian Embassy in Wellington, deliver a public speech at Parliament on the future of the EU post-Brexit, and speak at a trade forum. New Zealand and the EU are due to start negotiations on a trade agreement this year. YANGON, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar has reopened No. 1 border gate with Bangladesh which was temporarily closed following terrorist attacks on some three border posts on Oct. 9 last year, according to the State Counselor's Office Thursday. The border gate was reopened for entry and departure in Maungtaw, Rakhine state in the weekend due to restoration of peace and stability in the region after Myanmar negotiated with Bangladesh. The surprise coordinated attacks by violent armed men on three border posts in Maungtaw on Oct. 9 last year prompted the then closure of all border gates with Bangladesh for more than four months, resulting in financial hardship for local traders. Myanmar's Rakhine Violence Investigation Commission, which was formed on Dec. 1 and led by First Vice President U Myint Swe to probe into the background on the violent attacks, has so far inspected Maungtaw's attacked areas for four times to find out the truth. The armed men's attack on three border posts, namely Kyikanpyi in Maungtaw, Kotankauk in Buthedaung and Ngakhuya Office, had killed five soldiers and eight policemen . In the latest development, Myanmar's Sittway district court has handed out death sentence to one of the 14 captured armed men who violently attacked the three border outposts in Maungtaw. Uruma, also named Mammud Nu and Ular, who is charged with leading a raid on the border outpost in Kotankauk of Rathedaung and killing one police officer and injuring two others, is the first so punished in connection with the incident. The remaining 13 culprits are still under investigation. A dusk-to-dawn curfew has been imposed in Maungtaw since Oct. 10 but the curfew hours have been reduced in Maungtaw since Feb. 10 for the next two months as peace and stability were improving in the region. The commission was originally tasked to formally report to the president by Jan. 31 but it has been postponed as the new acquisitions concerned with human right abuses are appearing in Rakhine state. The overall report will be released when the investigation process is completely accomplished. Meanwhile, the commission released an interim report on Jan. 4, exposing that the armed attacks in Maungtaw were conducted by Havid Tuhar-led Aqa Mul Mujahidin linked with Rohingya Solidarity Organization (RSO) operating in the region. Venezuela's Foreign Affairs Minister Delcy Rodriguez speaks during a press conference in Caracas, capital of Venezuela, on Feb. 15, 2017. CNN's Spanish-language TV network was forced off the air Wednesday by the government of Venezuela after being accused of waging a negative "media campaign" against the country. The National Telecommunications Commission (Conatel) ordered the "immediate suspension" of CNN broadcasts nationwide, following Foreign Affairs Minister Delcy Rodriguez' warning that the network was making "serious" unfounded allegations. (Xinhua/Boris Vergara) CARACAS, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- CNN's Spanish-language TV network was forced off the air Wednesday by the government of Venezuela after being accused of waging a negative "media campaign" against the country. The National Telecommunications Commission (Conatel) ordered the "immediate suspension" of CNN broadcasts nationwide, following Foreign Affairs Minister Delcy Rodriguez' warning that the network was making "serious" unfounded allegations. Conatel also announced it was looking into fining the network for biased reporting. In a Feb. 6 broadcast, the network featured an investigative piece about the existence in Venezuela of a highly lucrative international passport trafficking ring. The revelations were based on information from a former legal attache at Venezuela's embassy in Iraq, Misael Lopez, who the government says is far from being a credible source. Conatel said CNN failed to sufficiently back up its revelations, which included allegations that the ring sold 173 passports to Arab nationals who links to the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, with the consent of Venezuela's Vice President Tareck El Aissami. According to Rodriguez, Lopez, who she described as the "star witness," was let go for committing serious crimes, including pretending to be the ambassador in order to withdraw money from the embassy's bank accounts in Iraq, and sexually harassing a member of the staff. KUALA LUMPUR, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Malaysian police have arrested another suspect in connection with the death of DPRK man, state news agency Bernama reported here Thursday. Bernama reported that national police chief Khalid Abu Bakar had confirmed the arrest and that an official statement would be issued later. It is not sure yet whether the suspect is related to the female suspect, who was arrested on Wednesday at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport's second terminal, where the deceased DPRK man once looked for help for feeling unwell on Monday. He died on the way to hospital. Malaysian police said earlier that the 46-year-old deceased was holding a DPRK passport under the name Kim Chol. His body was taken to a hospital in Kuala Lumpur Wednesday for post mortem to ascertain the cause of his death. MEXICO CITY, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Secretary of Homeland Security John F. Kelly will make a working visit to Mexico on Feb. 23, aimed at building "constructive ties" between two sides, the Mexican Foreign Ministry said Wednesday. The two U.S. envoys "will meet with various federal government officials," the ministry said, adding it would release more details of the agenda in coming days. The meetings came after the telephone conversation on Jan. 27 between U.S. President Donald Trump and his Mexican counterpart Enrique Pena Nieto. The telephone call took place ahead of a scheduled meeting between the two heads of state. Pena Nieto canceled it after Trump tweeted there was no point in holding the encounter if Mexico was not prepared to pay for a proposed wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. "If Mexico is unwilling to pay for the badly needed wall, then it would be better to cancel the upcoming meeting," Trump tweeted. ' Mexico's Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray went to Washington after the call, and met with Tillerson and Kelly so as "to continue to work in favor of a respectful, close and constructive relationship between the two countries," the ministry said. Bilateral ties have been tense since Trump took office in January, who immediately signed an executive order calling for a border wall to stem illegal immigration and cross-border crime. He urged to levy the tax on Mexican goods entering the United States to help pay for the project, which could cost tens of billions of dollars. Trump also demanded the renegotiation of a two-decade-old free trade agreement between Mexico, the United States and Canada. Giant Panda Bao Bao eats bamboo at Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington D.C., the United States, Feb. 15, 2017. The Smithsonian's National Zoo on Wednesday kicked off a series of public events as it prepared to send off Giant Panda Bao Bao back to China. (Xinhua/Bao Dandan) WASHINGTON, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- The Smithsonian's National Zoo on Wednesday kicked off a series of public events as it prepared to send off Giant Panda Bao Bao back to China. On the same day, a group of Bao Bao's keepers met with saddened fans, who have watched the female panda grow to a three-and-half-year animal after being born in the zoo on Aug. 23, 2013. "All of our fans are very sad to see her go, but we know that this is a really important step for her, giving her the opportunity to return to the breeding center in China and hopefully produce offspring of her own," said Michael Brown-Palsgrove, a giant panda curator. "It's sort of like sending your kid off to college," he said. "Bao Bao is more independent than our male cub." Laurie Thompson, another keeper, added that Bao Bao hates carrots. Keepers assured panda fans that Bao Bao has well prepared for her 16-hour direct flight to China's southwestern city of Chengdu, but unlike human, she is not expected to experience any jetlag. Kate Masters, who came to bid farewell to Bao Bao with her six-year-old daughter Genevieve, said it is definitely a loss for the Zoo, nevertheless, she felt exciting for Bao Bao. "I came three times every year to see the pandas. They are my favorite animals in the zoo," Genevieve said. Following the zoo keepers' meeting, the Chinese embassy on Thursday will bring the Chinese traditional food of dumplings to the zoo for panda fans. In addition, a ceremony will be organized by the zoo on Feb. 21, to bid farewell to Bao Bao. WASHINGTON, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- A Gallup poll released Wednesday showed that 71 percent of Americans have a favorable view of Israel and 27 percent hold an unfavorable view. The poll came as U.S. President Donald Trump sought to strengthen the bond between the two traditional allies after eight years of colder-than-usual relations under the former administration led by Barack Obama. To work on that, Trump held his first meeting as U.S. president with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday. This year's survey was conducted from Feb. 1 to Feb. 5. and found 29 percent of the interviewees view Israel very favorably, 42 percent mostly favorably, 21 percent mostly unfavorably and 6 percent very unfavorably. Data also showed that 8 percent have no opinion of the Middle East state. Israel enjoys a positive image among all major U.S. demographic and political groups, particularly the Republicans and adults aged 65 and older, Gallup found. From 2005 to 2012, Israel's favorable score in the United States varied between 63 percent and 71 percent, mostly below 70 percent. Before that, it had been more volatile, as it once surged to 79 percent during the 1991 Gulf War, but registered below 60 percent in 1989, 1991, 1992, 2000, 2002 and 2004, Gallup said. For his part, Netanyahu receives more positive views than negative ones from the Americans, with 49 percent U.S. adults voting favorably, Gallup added. Gallup asked the Americans to give their impression of Israel and other numerous countries each year, as part of its annual February World Affairs survey. KUALA LUMPUR, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Malaysian police said on Thursday a second female suspect, who bears an Indonesian passport, has been arrested early in the morning in connection with the death of a man from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). It is not sure yet whether the suspect is related to the female suspect, who was arrested on Wednesday at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport's second terminal, where the deceased DPRK man once looked for help for feeling unwell on Monday and died enroute to the hospital. Malaysian police chief Khalid Abu Bakar said in a statement Thursday that the second suspect was also identified from a surveillance camera footage at the airport and was alone at the time of the arrest. Based on the passport, the suspect is called "Siti Aishah" and was born on Feb. 11, 1992 in Serang of Indonesia. Malaysian police said earlier that the 46-year-old deceased was holding a DPRK passport under the name Kim Chol. His body was taken to a hospital in Kuala Lumpur Wednesday for post mortem to ascertain the cause of his death. The results of the post mortem are yet to be released. HANOI, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has approved an action plan to increase competitiveness and development of Vietnam's logistics, targeting the sector to contribute 8-10 percent to the country's gross domestic product (GDP) by 2025. The sector is set to enjoy annual growth of 15-20 percent while logistics costs are set to be lowered to 16-20 percent of the country's GDP by 2025, reported local VNEconomy online newspaper on Thursday. Currently, the costs of logistics currently are about 20 to 25 percent of the GDP, compared with the average rates of 7-10 percent in developed countries, said Vietnam's Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT). At the same time, the sector has now contributed some 2-3 percent to the country's GDP, said the MoIT. Tran Thanh Hai, deputy director of the ministry's Import-Export Department said on Vietnam News online newspaper on Thursday that the country's logistics development has been modest, as the number of firms operating in the sector is small at 1,300-1,500. More than 70 percent of the businesses are small-and-medium sized firms with average capital of about 7 billion Vietnamese dong (320,000 U.S. dollars). "The country's logistics effectiveness has been low, while available resources have not been fully exploited," Hai said, adding that the action plan will provide short and mid-term solutions to improve the logistics sector in the next 7-8 years. To achieve the goals, the plan suggested improving policies, attracting more investment into logistics infrastructure and fostering cooperation between local logistics firms and international partners. It also hopes to enhance logistic infrastructure connectivity to link Vietnamese ports with neighboring countries. According to the plan, investment is called for the construction of level-one logistic hubs in capital Hanoi and southern economic hub of Ho Chi Minh City as well as level-two logistic centers in localities such as northern Lang Son, Lao Cai, Hai Phong, central Da Nang, Quy Nhon and southern Can Tho provinces. SHANGHAI, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Four people were killed in a house fire in Shanghai late Wednesday night, the city's fire department announced Thursday. The fire broke out at a rented house on Zhongshanbei street in Putuo district around 11:30 p.m. and was extinguished in half an hour. The four victims are related, police said, and pledged stepping up overhaul of rented houses. An investigation is underway. BEIJING, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese government will offer 1 million U.S. dollars of emergency humanitarian aid to quake-hit Philippines, an official statement said late Wednesday. China hopes the assistance will help relief work after an earthquake struck a southern Philippines province last week, according to an online Ministry of Commerce statement. A magnitude 6.7 earthquake hit Surigao city in the southern Philippines last Friday night, killing at least seven and injuring more than 100. Infrastructure facilities including airport and roads were damaged during the quake. China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said Tuesday that the Red Cross Society of China would offer 50,000 U.S. dollars to the Philippines for relief work, adding that the Foreign Minister Wang Yi had conveyed sympathy to his counterpart in the Philippines. "China believes that the Philippines will overcome their difficulties and recover from the earthquake at an early date," the spokesman said. PHNOM PENH, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- An exhibition on the Chinese-developed electric power achievements in Cambodia kicked off here on Thursday with an aim of promoting the importance and advantages of electric power for socio-economic development. Cambodian Minister of Mines and Energy Suy Sem and Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Xiong Bo jointly opened the two-week fair, which was held in the complex of the Royal University of Phnom Penh. "The exhibition is vital to raise awareness of hydroelectric power plants and their advantages for social and economic development," Suy Sem said. The minister said in the past decade, Chinese companies had invested in seven hydroelectric power plants in Cambodia. Six of them were operational, producing a total of 928 megawatts, while the seventh one, Lower Sesan II hydropower plant with the capacity of 400 megawatts, was under construction. The seven plants totally cost around 2.4 billion U.S. dollars. Besides, Chinese firms had constructed thousands of kilometers of electric power transmission lines, said Ambassador Xiong. "We are very happy to see Chinese enterprises actively engaged in the development of energy sector in Cambodia," he said. "We are confident that Chinese firms will invest more in the energy sector here." The ambassador also encouraged Chinese companies to pay particular attention to environmental protection and contributions to social and humanitarian activities. The exhibition was organized by the Electric Power Enterprise Association of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia. According to the Cambodian Ministry of Mines and Energy, the electricity supply available in Cambodia last year was 2,008 megawatts. The Chinese hydropower plants had produced a total of 928 megawatts, accounting for 46 percent of the electricity available in Cambodia. KUALA LUMPUR, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Malaysian police said Thursday a second female suspect, who bears an Indonesian passport, has been arrested early in the morning in connection with the death of a man from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). Malaysian police chief Khalid Abu Bakar said in a statement that the second suspect was also identified from a surveillance camera footage at the airport and was alone at the time of the arrest. Based on the passport, the suspect is named "Siti Aishah" and was born on Feb. 11, 1992 in Serang of Indonesia. Abdul Samah Mat, police chief of Selangor state, told Xinhua that the suspect was arrested in a hotel in Selangor near the capital of Kuala Lumpur. Police are investigating as a murder case instead of sudden death of the man, and a local court has granted 7-day remand order for the two suspects. The first female suspect holding a Vietnamese passport was arrested Wednesday at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport's second terminal, where the deceased DPRK man had looked for help for feeling unwell on Monday and died enroute to the hospital. Malaysian police said earlier that the 46-year-old man was holding a DPRK passport under the name Kim Chol. His body was taken to a hospital in Kuala Lumpur Wednesday for postmortem to ascertain the cause of his death. The results of the postmortem are yet to be released. BEIJING, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- China should keep its monetary policy stable and neutral, a Chinese central bank official said Wednesday. Yi Gang, deputy governor of the People's Bank of China, made the remarks at the annual meeting of Chinese Economists 50 Forum (CE50) when responding to questions on China's monetary policy. Top officials have set China's monetary policy in 2017 as "prudent and neutral" to keep appropriate liquidity levels and avoid large injections, as the government tries to maintain stable growth while avoiding risks. Yi said that keeping monetary policy neutral meant not being too tight or loose. Chinese banks extended 2.03 trillion yuan (about 295 billion U.S. dollars) of new yuan loans in January, doubling from a month earlier, a level that Yi described as "very appropriate." In open market operations earlier this month, the central bank raised the lending rates to banks by 10 basis points, a move widely interpreted as a shift towards a more neutral monetary policy. China's GDP grew 6.7 percent year on year in 2016, the lowest in nearly three decades, but within the government's target range. Founded nearly two decades ago, the CE50 is a civil academic organization and think tank that brings together around 50 prominent Chinese economists, including officials and academics. SEOUL, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) - The heir apparent of Samsung Group, South Korea's largest family-run conglomerate, on Thursday appeared in hearings at a Seoul court, which will decide whether to issue an arrest warrant for him sought by prosecutors. Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong entered the Seoul court earlier in the morning, surrounded by a horde of journalists. The grim-faced heir answered no questions from them. Protesters chanted for his detention nearby, TV footage showed. It was the second bid to arrest the Samsung heir after the court rejected the arrest warrant for him on Jan. 19, sought by prosecutors independently investigating the scandal embroiling impeached President Park Geun-hye. Lee is accused of paying 43.3 billion won (38 million U.S. dollars) in bribes to President Park's longtime confidante Choi soon-sil, who is at the center of the corruption scandal, in return for policy favors to let him smoothly inherit management control of the country's largest conglomerate. Prosecutors identified President Park as a criminal accomplice to her decades-long friend, who shares assets and personal gains with the impeached leader. It means bribing Choi being equivalent to bribing the president. Samsung was the biggest donor to two nonprofit foundations, which Choi controlled and used for personal gains. The company also provided millions of euros to her to finance her daughter's equestrian training in Germany. Samsung's legal team claimed that there was no quid pro quo in the donations, and that the company was forced to make the payments under the presidential office's pressures. Lee has actually headed Samsung Group since his father Chairman Lee Kun-hee was incapacitated in May 2014 for heart attack. The July 2015 merger of two Samsung affiliates was crucial to the power transfer from the ailing patriarch to his only son. Prosecutors believe that there were discussions on the give-and-take when the vice chairman and the scandal-hit president met face-to-face in September 2014, July 2015 and February 2016 each. Related: S.Korean prosecutors seek 2nd arrest warrant for Samsung heir SEOUL, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- South Korean prosecutors independently investigating the scandal involving impeached President Park Geun-hye on Tuesday sought their second arrest warrant for the heir apparent of Samsung Group, the country's biggest family-controlled conglomerate. Full story S.Korean prosecutors to summon Samsung heir over bribery charges JAKARTA, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- The number of foreign holidaymakers visiting Indonesia last year rose 10.69 percent to 11.52 million people, the national statistic bureau announced here on Thursday. In December, a total of 1.11 million foreign visitors came to the country, 12.87 percent higher from a year earlier, Kecuk Suhariyanto, head of the bureau said. In Bali, the center of Indonesia's tourism industry, foreign tourist arrivals grew 20.39 percent to 437,946 people in December compared with the same period last year, he told a press conference at the bureau headquarters. The foreign tourists visiting Indonesia in December was the most from Singapore with 16.95 percent of the total visitors, followed by Malaysia with 13.97 percent, China with 11.07 percent, Australia with 9.96 percent and India with 4.18 percent. Indonesia expects 12 million foreign holiday makers coming into the country this year and rise to 20 million in 2019. HANOI, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- People's Court in Vietnam's capital Hanoi on Thursday opened a first instance trial for a case of embezzlement of assets in the state-owned Vietnam Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (Vinashin) Ocean Shipping Company (Vinashinlines). The first three defendants who are accused of "embezzlement of assets" include former general director of Vinashinlines Tran Van Liem (born in 1955), former Vinashinlines accountant chief Tran Van Khuong (born in 1951) and former acting Vinashinlines sales manager Giang Kim Dat (born in 1980). The final defendant called Giang Van Hien (born in 1950), father of Dat, faced the charge of "money laundering," reported the state-run news agency VNA. All the first three defendants are under custody while Giang Van Hien is free on bail. According to the indictment, from July 2006 to March 2007, Liem signed contracts to buy three ships namely Vinashin Summer, Vinashin Island and Vinashin Phoenix as well as assigned Dat to deal with the negotiations. During the negotiation process, Dat agreed with a broker called Marvin Shipping LTD that when buying Vinashin Sumer worth 6.25 million U.S. dollars, Vinashinlines will receive 2 percent of total contract value. Among the two-percent figure, the broker kept 10 percent while the rest of 90 percent worth over 1.9 billion Vietnamese dong (85,200 U.S. dollars) was transferred to Hien's banking account. Similarly, the Vinashin Island was purchased at 5.95 million U.S. dollars, Dat received a "commission" worth over 3 billion Vietnamese dong (135,000 U.S. dollars) via his father's account. For Vinashin Phoenix that was sold at 21.55 million U.S. dollars, Dat received nearly 6.5 billion Vietnamese dong (291,500 U.S. dollars). In total, Hien received nearly 11.5 billion Vietnamese dong (515,700 U.S. dollars) of illegal money from the contracts of purchasing Vinashinlines ships. In addition, from May 2006 to June 2008, via brokers, Liem, Dat and Khuong compromised with ship owners to increase hiring fees of nine ships to confiscate 249 billion Vietnamese dong (11.17 million U.S. dollars) from Vinashinlines. The indictment said during buying ships, exploiting and trading ships, Liem and his accomplices abused their positions and powers to confiscate over 260 billion Vietnamese dong (11.66 million U.S. dollars) from Vinashinlines. Among which, Liem got 3.1 billion Vietnamese dong (139,000 U.S. dollars), Dat with over 255 billion Vietnamese dong (11.43 million U.S. dollars) and Khuong with over 110,000 U.S. dollars. Hanoi's Procuracy confirmed that after receiving money in his account, Hien withdrew it and gave to his son. Hien also bought a total of 40 real estate properties, bought and sold 13 cars under his own name and names of other relatives. The trial is scheduled to last for four days, reported VNA. DUBLIN, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- Ireland's Dail Eireann, the lower house of parliament, on Wednesday evening passed a motion of confidence in Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Enda Kenny and his minority government. The motion was passed by 57 votes to 52, with 44 abstentions. On Monday, Ireland's Sinn Fein tabled a motion of no confidence in Kenny's minority government over its handling of a police whistleblower controversy. The opposition party said that the government was not capable of dealing with the issues around police whistleblower Maurice McCabe, calling for an election. McCabe is a police sergeant, recognized for being a whistleblower on irregularities within Ireland's national police force. In 2014, materials revealed by McCabe, as well as the handling of the materials and of the whistleblowers, directly led to the resignation of Irish Justice Minister Alan Shatter and partially led to the resignation of Police Commissioner Martin Callinan. In a statement released before the vote of confidence, Kenny said he rejected any suggestion that the government has not supported police whistleblowers. He said the government had ensured that all of McCabe's previous allegations were investigated, adding that the issues raised by McCabe and others also led to very significant reforms by the government, including the establishment of an independent police authority for the first time in the country's history. Kenny has agreed to set up a public tribunal of inquiry into an alleged smear campaign against McCabe. Kenny has come under increasing pressure in the wake of the whistleblower issue. Although the motion has been passed, Kenny could face a leadership challenge within weeks, as he was believed to have lost the support of the middle ground in Fine Gael (United Ireland Party). In the 2016 general election, neither the United Ireland Party nor Fianna Fail (Republican Party) won an overall majority. The United Ireland Party, which has 50 seats in the lower house of parliament, is still the largest party in Ireland in terms of members of parliament, followed by the Republican Party with 44 seats. The United Ireland Party then formed a minority government with independent members of parliament, with party leader Kenny serving as prime minister for the second time. Kenny has led the party since 2002. Gerry Adams' Sinn Fein made a historic breakthrough by winning 23 seats and it is now the third largest party. XI'AN, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Rather than on campus, Professor Li Bingzhi's office is on a stretch of farmland. Li, 61, is a professor from Northwest Agriculture and Forest University in China's Shaanxi Province. In 2012, he went to isolated Qianyang County to popularize the latest apple cultivation technologies, among local fruit farmers. Each year, he spends nearly 300 days in the orchards. "I impart the latest cultivation technology to farmers, face to face. It is our duty to help farmers out of poverty," Li said. Over 25,000 of Qianyang's 8,000-plus households in 2016 still lived under the poverty line, meaning they survived on an annual income of about 3,000 yuan (440 U.S. dollars) per capita. In the past year, Li and his team organized more than 30 cultivation technology training activities, benefiting more than 8,000 local fruit farmers. The area of apple orchards in Qianyang has tripled to 100,000 mu (6,700 hectares) since 2012, with apple output per mu rising from 500 kilograms to 2,000 kilograms, bringing the annual income of local farmers up to 50,000 yuan. "The projects with less investment and quick earnings can really help farmers out of poverty," Li said. "This year, we are determined to help them reduce the costs of planting by half, by breeding high-quality fruit trees." Thanks to the sound technology application environment, Qianyang has attracted several large agriculture enterprises to set up fruit manufacturing factories in recent years, creating more job opportunities. The introduction of talent also brings local farmers new sales channels for fresh produce. E-commerce is booming in the poverty-hit region. Han Xiao is a household name in Shanyang County. In 2015, he started his online shop on Taobao, a shopping platform of China's e-commerce giant Alibaba, receiving lots of orders for his latest local honey products. More farmers followed Han's success. In Shanyang, online sales hit 1 billion yuan in 2016, creating more than 2,300 jobs and helping 560 families out of poverty. "E-commerce in rural areas has become an increasingly important means of reforming agricultural development and helped reduce poverty," said Zhang Hong, professor with Xi'an University of Posts & Telecommunications. Shaanxi expects to achieve its 2017 target of lifting 885,000 people out of poverty. In order to win the war against poverty, local governments have adopted means such as e-commerce, financing, industry, relocation and improvement of infrastructure. SURIGAO DEL NORTE, Feb. 11, 2017 (Xinhua) -- Residents try to cross a collapsed bridge after a 6.7 magnitude earthquake striking in Surigao City in southern Philippine province of Surigao del Norte, Feb. 11, 2017. (Xinhua/Stringer) Hi, here's what you need to know about China. BEIJING -- The Chinese government will offer 1 million U.S. dollars of emergency humanitarian aid to quake-hit Philippines, an official statement said late Wednesday. China hopes the assistance will help relief work after an earthquake struck a southern Philippines province last week, according to an online Ministry of Commerce statement. A magnitude 6.7 earthquake hit Surigao city in the southern Philippines last Friday night, killing at least seven and injuring more than 100. http://xhne.ws/gKhfY - - - - BEIJING -- French Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve will pay an official visit to China from February 21 to 23 at the invitation of Premier Li Keqiang, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang announced on Wednesday. Cazeneuve will meet President Xi Jinping and top legislator Zhang Dejiang and hold talks with Premier Li, Geng said at a regular press briefing. http://xhne.ws/h8aue - - - - BEIJING -- China reported 79 fatalities from H7N9 avian flu in January, health authorities said Wednesday. Since the beginning of the year, 16 provincial regions have reported human H7N9 avian flu cases, with 192 cases in January, according to the National Health and Family Planning Commission. From Feb. 6 to 12, 69 such cases were reported across the country, including eight fatalities. http://xhne.ws/zNgTq - - - - BEIJING -- China on Wednesday urged the Japanese side to respect facts and teach the young generation with correct historical views. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang made the remarks at a daily press briefing, responding to a reporter's question on Japan's new curriculum guidelines involving China's Diaoyu Islands. Geng said that the Diaoyu Island and its adjacent islets are inherent Chinese territory and China has firm determination and will to safeguard its territorial sovereignty. http://xhne.ws/47tQj - - - - BEIJING -- China has urged India to honor its commitment to the one-China policy and cautiously handle issues regarding Taiwan, said a Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Wednesday. Spokesperson Geng Shuang made the remarks while responding to a question concerning an India visit by three Taiwan lawmakers, during which they asked to upgrade Taiwan office in India. "China has always been opposed to any official contact between Taiwan and countries having diplomatic ties with China," Geng told a routine press briefing. http://xhne.ws/MBRk6 - - - - KIEV -- The National Guard of Ukraine said on Wednesday it had agreed to develop security cooperation with the Chinese People's Armed Police Force. The agreement was reached during the meeting of Yuriy Allerov, the Commander of the National Guard of Ukraine, and Cao Xiaojian, the Military Attache of the Chinese Embassy in Ukraine, the National Guard said in a statement. http://xhne.ws/kfq4V by Xinhua writers Liang Xizhi, Deng Qian LONDON, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- Britain's relationship with China is more important than ever as the country is negotiating its departure from the European Union (EU), said Britain's Lord Mayor of London Andrew Parmley in a recent interview with Xinhua. Parmley was to lead a business delegation to Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai and Tianjin on Feb. 16-26, in a bid to strengthen the commercial ties with China and promote Britain as one of the best destinations for investment and business. The lord mayor said China is a vital trade and investment partner for Britain, and his visit comes at an opportune time to show that Britain remains open for business. "It is no secret that our relationship with China is more important than ever as we negotiate our departure from the EU. But I believe that opportunities to collaborate will continue to emerge, befitting both our economies, as well as driving wider global growth," he said. The year 2017 will mark the 45th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral relations between China and Britain, which Parmley believed has been important to both countries. He noted that the "golden era" of bilateral relations will continue in the future. "China and UK have got a long-standing relationship, a great friendship, particularly in the last 45 years. Most importantly, two years ago, we hosted your president here in London at a state banquet, and cemented the great relationship," he said. In his four-day visit to Hong Kong, Parmley will meet senior business leaders to explore opportunities for further cooperation on international trade. Parmley said he will reiterate the commitment to deepening the long-term links between China and Britain. "I will celebrate the bond of economic cooperation that binds our nations, and I will explore new ways for us to work together." Parmley said he looks forward to "reinforcing my knowledge and making this the start of a lasting relationship with your country." Parmley believed as the financial and commercial heart of both Britain and Europe, the City of London will be a natural partner for the Chinese investors and businessmen who want to expand their global presence. "This morning I met with the chief executives of five Chinese banks in London. They are very positive about continuing to work here," he said. Speaking of the ongoing Brexit negotiations, Parmley said, "We believe that the prime minister has listened to what our City had to say, and adopted requests for the negotiations for the building of her 12-point plan for the negotiations for the Brexit arrangement." The lord mayor of the City of London represents the City's business circle and helps companies make advises to the government on what is needed to make sure the financial sector function well. CANBERRA, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop on Thursday reaffirmed Australia's support for a two-state solution between Palestine and Israel, after Donald Trump became the first U.S. president to back away from the policy in more than 20 years. Bishop told Fairfax Media that the Australian government's stance remained consistent, encouraging "both Israel and the Palestinian Authority to negotiate an outcome that would see Israelis and Palestinians living side by side, within internationally recognzsed borders, (and) in a peaceful and stable environment." The minister's comments follow a meeting between the U.S. leader and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington, after which Trump backed away from the long-held U.S. position of a two-state solution. "I'm looking at two-state and one-state, and I like the one that both parties like," Trump said. "If Israel and the Palestinians are happy, I'm happy with the one they like the best." Meanwhile former Australian Foreign Minister and director of the Australia-China Relations Institute, Bob Carr described Trump's move as unprecedented, "astonishing" and "hugely destabilizing" - likening the potential consequences to an apartheid South Africa. "What is the President suggesting? That the Palestinians live on something like a 19th century Navajo reservation? Or that Israel replicate the Bantustans of Apartheid-era South Africa?" Carr told Fairfax on Thursday. "In 25 years, no one has come up with a peace deal other than a two-state solution." The Australian opposition also condemned Trump's stance, with Labor's foreign affairs spokesperson, Senator Penny Wong declaring: "The only way to ensure peace and security for both the Israel and Palestinian peoples is an enduring and just two-state solution." U.S. President Donald Trump listens to a question at a joint press conference with visiting Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (not in the picture) at the White House in Washington D.C., the United States, on Feb. 13, 2017. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu) NEW YORK, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- The resignation of a U.S. national security adviser after only over three weeks in the job is unprecedented and it is a harbinger of something deep in the water. Michael Flynn's quit amid revelations that he misled Vice President Mike Pence about his phone calls with Russian ambassador uncovered the chaos facing the new Donald Trump administration, U.S. experts said. "It was an unprecedented development" for a national security adviser to be forced out just 25 days into Trump's presidency, Nora Bensahel, an expert at the School of International Service of the Washington-based American University, told a telephone briefing on Tuesday. "We never heard anything like that before." Flynn's sudden ouster on Monday night was triggered by last week's disclosure that he discussed Washington's sanctions on Moscow during at least one December phone call with Russia's ambassador to the United States before Trump took office on Jan. 20. The retired lieutenant general was serving as a member of Trump's transition team then. But in particular, he misled other officials about the conversations, including Vice President Mike Pence, who came out and strongly supported him in public comments, Bensahel said. Flynn maintained for weeks that he had not talked about U.S. sanctions in his contacts with the Russian ambassador. He later admitted that the topic may have come up. "It seems that Flynn is unable to establish or operate a policy process at the National Security Council (NSC)," Gordon Adams, professor of international relations at the American University, said at the briefing. "I think the issue broader and general in Flynn is really an issue of chaos, disorganization, and amateurship in the national security wing of the White House," said Adams, who was a senior White House official for national security budgeting in the Bill Clinton administration and also served on Barack Obama's transition team. Flynn's dismissal "betrayed a severe chaos in Trump's White House," he added. There is always tension between the White House and the agencies, which is usually managed through inter-agency process, he said. "The NSC has been foundering in chaos for the last three week. There is no solid substantial inter-agency process in place to deal with the differences in points of view," he said. Adam raised concerns about the dysfunction of the Trump administration. He believed that the Trump versus the bureaucracy scene was likely to continue. Jordan Tama, assistant professor who specializes in the politics, processes, and institutions of U.S. foreign and national security policy making at the American University, echoed that "there are not just tensions between the agencies and the White House, but also within the White House." There are clear tensions between those who "go along or fit with Trump' s unusual approaches to politics and management" and some others who are more conventional politicians like Vice President Pence, said Tama, who served as a national security adviser to Obama's 2008 presidential campaign. Tama believed "there will be continuing tensions there, whether people who are more political professionals are able to establish more regular process in running the government." "This White House is clearly not normal," Adams said. "They come out so fast, like a blizzard of destruction going on in terms of the way the White House deals with domestic and foreign policy issues." "Under that circumstance, the bureaucracy to play a role, through leaks, through side conversations, in countering the chaos in the White House is likely to be enhanced," he said. Related: U.S. National Security Adviser Flynn resigns over controversial Russian contacts WASHINGTON, Feb.13 (Xinhua) -- U.S. National Security Adviser Michael Flynn resigned Monday night after days of reports over whether he discussed American sanctions against Russia in phone calls with a Russian diplomat before President Donald Trump's inauguration. BEIJING, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Ahead of the 53rd edition of the Munich Security Conference (MSC), to be held on Feb. 17-19, the Munich Security Conference Foundation released Monday an international security report entitled "Post-Truth, Post-West, Post-Order?". The bewilderment embodied in the title shows that Western politicians are forced to or have taken the initiate to contemplate their interior political and social problems and the international order. Wolfgang Ischinger, MSC chairman, said at the traditional MSC Kick-off event that "the international security order today is probably more volatile than at any other point after the end of World War II." As problems increase and the sense of security declines, more Western people believe less and less that their systems are able to deliver positive outcomes for them and increasingly favor national solutions and closed borders over globalism and openness, the report said. That is part of the reasons that populist movements opposing critical elements of the Western status quo have gained ground in many Western societies. Last year, political outsiders succeeded in several elections and referenda, while the establishment was dealt major blows. And even in countries where populists only received a small share of the vote, they often exert a defining influence. The report blamed populists for "twisting facts or even by spreading outright lies" to exploit the insecurities and grievances of the electorate, drawing a conclusion that "post-truth" has a good reason to be the word of the 2016. Norbert Lammert, president of the German Bundestag, or the national parliament, said recently that three "striking events" have illustrated the challenges facing the West, referring to the change of the U.S. administration and Donald Trump's inauguration speech, Britain's official request to leave the European Union (EU) and the imminent constitutional reform in Turkey. As the United States might shift from being a provider of public goods and international security to pursuing a more unilateralist, maybe even nationalistic foreign policy, the West may be on the brink of a post-Western age, when non-Western actors are shaping international affairs, the report said. Against such a backdrop, more people look to the East and have placed high hope on China because of its unique development model, the increasing weight of emerging markets and developing countries in the world economy. This is also because the international community expects the emerging economies and developing countries to play a bigger role in helping maintain and improve the world order as well as promote world peace and development. China's initiatives and philosophy have won more recognition from all around the world thanks to China's active participation in international affairs, including World Economic Forum, climate change conference in Paris, the Iranian nuclear issue and issues of the Korean Peninsula. China has always called for an open and win-win cooperation model featuring a well-coordinated and inter-connected approach, and a model of fair and equitable governance in keeping with the trend of the times, and a balanced, equitable and inclusive development model. As Michael Moller, the director-general of the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG), has said, the international community needs to unite to address challenges and pursue common development. KUALA LUMPUR, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Malaysian police have arrested a third suspect in its investigation in the death of Kim Jong Nam, the half-brother of Kim Jong Un, the top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), a senior Malaysian police official said on Thursday. Abdul Samah Mat, the police chief of Selangor state, told Xinhua that the suspect, a 26-year-old male Malaysian, was arrested in Ampang city of the state of Selangor. The man is believed to be the boyfriend of the second suspect, a bearer of an Indonesian passport who was arrested on Thursday morning. The police have been looking into the connections between the suspects and trying to pin down their roles in the death of Kim Jong Nam. The police have been investigating as a murder case instead of sudden death of Kim and a local court has granted a seven-day remand order for the first two suspects. The first female suspect, holding a Vietnamese passport, was arrested on Wednesday at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport's second terminal, where the deceased Kim looked for help after feeling unwell on Monday. Kim died later on Monday enroute to hospital. His body was taken to a hospital in Kuala Lumpur Wednesday for post mortem to ascertain the cause of his death. The results of the post mortem are yet to be released. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (C) holds the second-day's NATO Defence Ministers Meeting at its headquarters In Brussels, Belgium, Feb. 16, 2017. (Xinhua/Ye Pingfan) by Xinhua Writer Tian Dongdong BEIJING, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- By calling NATO "the most successful and powerful military alliance in modern history," U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis in his debut European trip seems to have made a U-turn from the harsh words made by his boss Donald Trump who said NATO is "obsolete". However, if Russia is being taken into account, the remarks of U.S. president and defense chief would not sound so contradictory, given the fact that up to 120 U.S. troops were reinforced to Bulgaria, with armed vehicles and heavy equipment on the way, on the same day as Mattis reassured his NATO colleagues in Brussels. As a legacy of the Cold War, NATO has long been seen as a pillar of the United States to confront Russia while defending its hegemony and superiority on the globe. The deep-rooted structural division between Russia and the United States together with its European allies leave very limited space for Trump to reach conciliation between Washington and Moscow. For one thing, though Trump seems interested in enhancing cooperation with Russia in such field as anti-terrorism, his will of cooperation would be surely deterred by decades-old Russia-phobia prevailing in the United States. Just think about the fate of Michael Flynn, Trump's former national security adviser, who was forced to resign on Monday for his contacts with Russia. For another, against the backdrop of the Ukraine crisis, a strong and reconciled U.S.-Russia relationship would make Washington's European allies like ants on a hot pan, who have long taken "Russia-threat" as common concern and a source of their cohesiveness. Just seven months ago, NATO decided to deploy four battalions in Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Poland to strengthen its eastern flank. The newly deployed 120 U.S. troops on Wednesday in Bulgaria is just part of it. By this token, NATO is a bleeding scar of U.S.-Russia relations, which serves as an impenetrable barrier for Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in their way toward reconciliation. As for Trump, here comes an either-or dilemma: he can't pacify his NATO colleagues while at the same time warming Washington's ties with Moscow. To untie this knot, a lot of compromises and "bad deals in the sense of a business man" is awaiting for him and his administration. JAKARTA, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Indonesian police will probe implication of its citizen in the killing of the half-brother of top leader of the Democratic People of Republic's Korea (DPRK), a police spokesman said on Thursday. Siti Aishah, from Serang town of Indonesia's Banten province, was reportedly arrested by Malaysian authority along with another woman for alleged involvement in the assassination of Kim Jong Nam. "I will check the information," said Inspector General Boy Rafly Amar, spokesman of the national police. Malaysian police said earlier that the 46-year-old Kim was found dead on Monday at the Kuala Lumpur airport. His body was taken to a hospital Wednesday for postmortem to ascertain the cause of his death. Two female suspects who were captured by the surveillance footage at the airport had been detained. They hold Vietnamese and Indonesian passport respectively. HAVANA, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Cuban President Raul Castro and his Irish counterpart, Michael Higgins, have expressed willingness to boost ties between their countries, according to a government release. During the "cordial" meeting on Wednesday, they also exchanged views on international issues of interest, added the release. Prior to the meeting with Castro, the Irish president laid a wreath to honor Cuban national hero Jose Marti, and toured the museum devoted to Marti's life and struggle for Cuban independence. This is the first visit by an Irish leader. NEW YORK, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Sea ice in the Antarctic has shrunk to its lowest level since records began nearly four decades ago, preliminary U.S. satellite data has shown. Figures from the U.S. National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) on Wednesday show that sea ice in the frozen continent covered just 2.26 million square km on Tuesday, lower than the lowest level seen around this time in 1997. Mark Serreze, director of the NSIDC, told reporters that the new data still need to be confirmed with a few days of measurements. The sea ice is likely to decrease further as it usually melts to its smallest for the year at the end of February in the summer of southern hemisphere. Sea ice at both poles has been expected to decline as the Earth heats up due to man-made global warming. However, the conditions in the Antarctic are much more variable. The average extent of sea ice around the South Pole has tended to expand in many recent years and hit a record high of around 20.16 million square km in September 2014. MANILA, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said on Thursday that transgender Bataan Representative Geraldine Roman is going to "welcome addition" to the military if she pursues her intention to be part of the army's reserve force. "In taking in applicants to the AFP, whether in regular or reservist force, we do not discriminate with respect to gender. Our gender and development program guarantees that," said AFP public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo. Arevalo said Roman recently approached the office of the AFP deputy chief of staff for reservist and retiree affairs to express her intention to join the reserve force "but with regard to physical application form, there's none yet." On Wednesday, Roman said she will be applying to become a military officer in the Armed Forces reserve force. She will be the first transgender in the military if she files her application and it's subsequently approved. On the uniform that Roman will be wearing, Arevalo said court has already approved Roman's petition to change her gender to female. However, Arevalo could not immediately say if Roman's birth certificate, one of the requirements in the application, already bears her new gender. "If her birth certificate already bears (her gender as a female), then we will so allow her. Asking her to wear a male uniform when she is already transformed into a woman will put her to ridicule and we do not want that to happen in the Armed Forces," he said. On the possibility that Roman would join the reserve force of the Marines, Arevalo said: "Why not?" Arevalo is a member of the Marines. "She is a solon, a lawmaker, public official who want to join the reservist force and help the military in another way," said Arevalo. Roman will be a lieutenant colonel in the Army, Air Force or Marines of or commander in the Navy if her application is approved. DAMASCUS, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- At least 24 civilians have been killed by shelling on Syria's northern city of al-Bab, a stronghold of the Islamic State (IS) group, a monitor group reported Thursday. WINDHOEK, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- The fight between Namibia's Land Reform Minister Utoni Nujoma and his former deputy Bernadus Swartbooi spilled into the National Assembly Wednesday where insults were slung during a session. Swartbooi was sacked by President Hage Geingob last year after he refused to apologize to Nujoma for accusing the minister of resettling people from other regions in the south of the country ahead of the Nama tribe who lost the land to the Germans. Although he lost his government job, Swartbooi remains a lawmaker of the ruling party SWAPO. The latest fight between the two came after Nujoma, who is former President Sam Nujoma's son, sought to clear what he termed "misconceptions" regarding the land reform in Namibia. In a prepared statement, Nujoma said that people who were claiming to advocate for the landless had themselves received land. He also said that contrary to what people were saying about the Land Bill that he tabled and later withdrew in the National Assembly, his ministry had consulted widely. It was during the presentation that Swartbooi shouted at Nujoma, calling him an idiot. "He is insulting people. He is an idiot," Swartbooi said. Nujoma did not falter in his presentation but was forced to stop when the leader of the main opposition McHenry Venaani stood up on a point of order. Venaani rebutted Nujoma's claim that there were extensive consultations before the Land Bill was tabled since no one has asked for the opinions of the opposition parties. At that point, Parliament Speaker Peter Katjavivi asked Swartbooi whether he had called Nujoma an idiot. Swartbooi said he had said that and Katjavivi then ordered him to withdraw the statement. "If that is correct, please withdraw your statement honorable member as this is not in keeping with parliamentary language. That term is not acceptable," Katjavivi said. Swartbooi said he meant what he had said and that he would withdraw the statement because of the respect he has for other parliamentarians. "I withdraw it on the basis of your request. I shall not repeat it again for the quorum of the house and for the respect of the honorable members," he said. by Julius Gale JUBA, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan and Uganda have agreed to conduct joint border surveillance exercise in an effort to combat the spread of the avian flu that was reported in Kampala in January, a South Sudanese official said Thursday. Meanwhile, Minister of Livestock and Fisheries James Janka Duku said South Sudan would not ban imports of Ugandan poultry products. The minister said the two countries have agreed to deploy health experts along the Uganda-South Sudan border to monitor and inspect Ugandan poultry products. He said under the new guidelines, all bird products must undergo background checks and traders must have valid export certificates issued by the joint task force. Duku said a team of technical experts from South Sudan would be dispatched to its Southern neighbor Monday next week to meet their Ugandan counterparts in a bid to expedite the process. "We have agreed that we jointly set up a mechanism for monitoring and regulating poultry products from Uganda," Duku told Xinhua in Juba. The strain of avian influenza detected in wild and domestic birds in Uganda is the same virus that has spread through Asia and Europe over the past four months. The H5N8 avian influenza strain is thought to have spread across continents via wild migratory birds. Since Uganda declared the outbreak, Kenya and Rwanda have banned poultry products from Uganda and a number of other East African countries have increased surveillance. Duku said South Sudan would not ban Ugandan poultry products from entering its territory after initial assessment showed that the outbreak has been contained in the Lake Victoria region. "We are also involving the ministry of trade and industry in this process because banning has a direct impact on trade," Duku added. Uganda is South Sudan's biggest trading partner in the East African bloc, with South Sudan taking in 15 percent of Uganda's agricultural products according to data from Ministry of Trade. JAKARTA, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Indonesian foreign ministry on Thursday confirmed that the woman allegedly involved in the assassination of the half-brother of the top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) is an Indonesian national and requested consular access to her. Siti Aishah, from Serang town of Indonesia's Banten province, was reportedly detained by Malaysian authorities along with another woman for alleged involvement in the killing of Kim Jong Nam. "The Indonesian embassy has requested consular access to the government of Malaysia for giving legal assistance to ensure her legal rights be fulfilled," the ministry said in a statement. The Indonesian embassy in Kuala Lumpur of Malaysia would keep coordinating with the Malaysian authority on this case, said the statement. Malaysian police said earlier that the 46-year-old Kim was found dead on Monday at the Kuala Lumpur airport. His body was taken to a hospital Wednesday for postmortem to ascertain the cause of his death. BEIJING, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- China is firmly against rising protectionism and will take "all necessary measures" to defend the legal interests of its exporting companies, a commerce official said Thursday. "The government will launch diplomatic negotiations, push for dialogue and cooperation, and help domestic industry associations and businesses respond to lawsuits," said Sun Jiwen, a spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce, during a press conference. "We will also resort to dispute settlement mechanisms if necessary," Sun said, responding to increasing trade remedies against Chinese products amid a weak global economic recovery. As the world's largest exporter, China has seen its businesses bear the brunt of rising protectionism. Chinese exporters suffered a record 119 trade remedy investigations, initiated by 27 countries or regions, last year, a 36.8 percent increase from 2015. The cases involved 14.34 billion U.S. dollars of goods, up 76 percent year on year. Weighed on by trade remedies, China's full-year exports in 2016 dropped 2 percent in yuan-denominated terms, with trade surplus down 9.1 percent, customs data showed. "China has become the main target of protectionism as certain countries frequently impose restrictions on Chinese products to protect their own industries," Sun said. "China respects the right to use trade remedies but is deeply concerned about some countries' excess protection of domestic industries by harming Chinese businesses," Sun said. "The abuse of trade measures makes no contribution to addressing industrial difficulties. ... but will likely disrupt normal global and bilateral trade." Sun noted that China firmly opposes protectionism of any form and is willing to weather out economic hardships with other countries through dialogue and cooperation. ANKARA, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- At least 15 Islamic State (IS) terrorists were killed in northern Syria in the last 24 hours, the Turkish General Staff said on Thursday. The army shelled 258 targets including shelters, possible defense positions and tunnel entrances used by IS terrorists, it said in a statement. Turkish warplanes also destroyed 20 buildings, including 15 hideouts, two headquarters, two arms depots, and an armed vehicle, the statement said. On Wednesday, 10 IS suicide bombers were killed in clashes with Free Syrian Army (FSA) members during an attack in northern Syria, the military said in another statement. A bomb-laden vehicle tried to attack a temporary base belonging to the Turkish forces south of the northern Syrian town of al-Bab, it said. Eight IS militants wearing suicide vests came to aid the main attack of the bomb-laden vehicle and were killed in the exchange of fire, it added. The military action is part of the Turkish-led Euphrates Shield Operation, which began in late August 2016 with the aim to clear the Turkish border of terrorist organizations. FSA forces, backed by Turkish artillery and air strikes, have been trying to capture al-Bab from IS since December last year. After a rapid advance of retaking several towns close to the border, the Euphrates Shield operation has faced the biggest challenge so far with dozens of Turkish soldiers killed in the space of a few weeks. DAMASCUS, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- At least 24 civilians have been killed by Turkish shelling on Syria's northern city of al-Bab, a stronghold of the Islamic State (IS) group, a monitor group reported Thursday. The killing of the civilians happened during the past 24 hours of Turkish shelling on al-Bab, and 11 children were among those killed, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The London-based watchdog group said that the death toll of the recent Turkish attack on the city that started on Feb. 7 rose to 89 civilians. The Observatory also denied claims that the city has fallen to the Turkish forces and allied Syrian rebels, adding that IS militants are still in control of the city. While the Turkish forces were on an offensive on IS from the northern, western and eastern parts of the city, the Syrian army succeeded recently to besiege al-Bab from its southern edge, a move to prevent IS fighters from withdrawing toward other strongholds in the eastern province of Deir al-Zour, or the northern city of al-Raqqa, the de facto capital of the terror-designated group. BEIJING, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- A special envoy of Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the inauguration ceremony of Gambian President Adama Barrow and Gambia's independence day celebration in Banjul, on Feb. 18. Ma Peihua, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), will be the special envoy, said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang at a press briefing. Since China and Gambia resumed diplomatic relations in March 2016, the cooperation between the two countries has been comprehensively promoted in various fields, according to Geng. "The resumption of China-Gambia diplomatic ties is in line with the fundamental interests of the two countries and their peoples," Geng said. China appreciates the new Gambian government's adherence to the one-China policy, Geng stressed. He said that China stands ready to work with Gambia to promote their all-round friendly cooperation to benefit both peoples. The implementation of the outcomes of the 2015 Johannesburg Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation will be an opportunity for bilateral cooperation, according to Geng. BANGKOK, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Thai police raided the controversial War Dhammakaya on Thursday in search for the temple's former abbot Phra Dhammajayo, who was charged with money laundering. Police and officials from Thailand's Department of Special Investigation (DSI) met no resistance from monks or followers when they entered Gate 1 of the temple, which leads to the place where the wanted monk stays. Police and DSI were seen leaving the temple without Phra Dhammajayo, Thai media reported. The search followed earlier negotiations after thousands of troops and police surrounded the temple compound early in the morning, according to the Bangkok Post. The operation came hours after Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha used article 44 of the 2014 interim constitution to impose control over the vast temple complex. "The order has been thought through to solve this complicated case," said government spokeperson Sansern Kaewkamnerd on Thursday. "It is needed because the defendants last time did not cooperate with authorities and stopped officers from entering concerned areas." Phra Sanitwong Wuttiwangso, the temple's head of public relations, told reporters that he had not seen Phra Dhammajayo for eight months. Phra Dhammajayo, 72, is wanted on several arrest warrants for alleged laundering money, receiving stolen goods, as well as taking over land unlawfully to build meditation centers in Loei, Nakhon Ratchasima and Phangnga provinces. BEIJING, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- China will set up a website to release information on missing artifacts to help return them from overseas, Xinhua learned Thursday. The plan was announced by the State Administration of Cultural Heritage(SACH) as one of the highlights of its work this year, which include measures to improve security of cultural relics and harsher punishment for relics related crimes. SACH will continue its artifact protection project to improve facilities at sites across the country, for better protection against fire, theft and destruction, according to the highlights. In 2015, SACH received reports on 143 security incidents related to cultural artifacts from its subordinate administrations, including 23 fires, 29 thefts and 89 illegal excavations. DAR ES SALAAM, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) on Thursday received a contribution of 9.5 million euros from the European Union (EU) in support of a 24.5-million-euro food security and nutrition project in central Tanzania. A statement issued by the EU said the project was designed to improve food and nutrition security for 40,000 people while contributing to the reduction of malnutrition in the targeted districts of Bahi and Chamwino in Dodoma region and Ikungi and Singida Rural in Singida region. The contribution was announced at a signing ceremony in Dar es Salaam between Tanzania's Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health Mpoki Ulisubisya, WFP Country Representative for Tanzania Michael Dunford, and Head of the European Delegation to Tanzania Roeland van de Geer. "Despite improvement in many health indicators over the last decade, there has been insufficient progress in improving the nutritional status of children and women in Tanzania," said van de Geer. "The persistent levels of stunting, wasting and micronutrient deficiencies in the country constitute a silent emergency," he added. Van de Geer said through this project the EU together with WFP was well positioned to define and support the links between agriculture, health, food security and nutrition, which have not previously been well articulated or pursued. In Tanzania, the rate of chronic under-nutrition among children is driven by poverty, food insecurity and inadequate infant and young child feeding. The national level of stunting stands near 34 percent, with Dodoma at 36.5 percent and Singida at 29.2 percent. NICOSIA, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci on Thursday pulled out of a meeting with Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades in the context of the negotiations for a deal reunifying Cyprus. State television said that it was not immediate clear whether Akinci simply walked out of the meeting with Anastasiades or he is pulling out of the whole negotiating process. Anastasiades said after the meeting that he will be issuing a statement within the day. Akinci had said ahead of the meeting that he would talk only on the issue of a vote in the Cypriot parliament last Friday on an bill amendment instructing teachers in school to make a brief mention of a referendum 67 years ago in which Greek Cypriots almost unanimously voted in favour of Cyprus uniting with Greece. The so-called "enosis (union) referendum" had provoked an unusually strong reaction by the Turkish Cypriots and Turkey. Akinci and other Turkish Cypriot politicians, as well as Turkey, have claimed that the vote leads to a revival of centuries-old Greek Cypriot dreams to bring about a union of Cyprus with Greece despite protestations by Anastasiades that it was insignificant. He had stated that the amendment was approved only by minority parties which aim at preventing a Cyprus solution and that one of the large parties in parliament voted against and the other abstained. An official statement on Monday restated that the aim of the negotiations is to create a federal state in which Turkish Cypriot will share power with Greek Cypriots. ANTANANARIVO, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Water and electricity supply to Antananarivo, Madagascar's capital, "is returning to normal," Madagascar's prime minister said Thursday. "The electricity supply by the state-owned company JIRAMA for the population of Antananarivo already exceeds the need of the customers," Prime Minister Mahafaly Solonandrasana said during his visit to water stations that supply water and electricity to Antananarivo. The prime minister said increased rain in recent days had increased water levels in four hydropower stations that provide electricity for JIRAMA,. The hydraulic stations had been dry due to the El Nino phenomenon, and JIRAMA, the state-owned company had been struggle to satisfy the water and power demands. This state company has faced criticism that despite the government injection of 1,500 billion ariary (around 500 million U.S. dollars) in subsidies to run the company, power cuts still reach up to 8 hours a day in some parts of the country. Territorial coverage of electricity in Madagascar remains low, with only 13 percent of Madagascar's 23 million population having access to electricity, compared to 52 percent in Senegal and more than 75 percent in South Africa. The latest Doing Business report ranked Madagascar 189th out of 189 countries in terms of connections to electricity. Madagascar is believed to have rich energy potentials yet to be tapped. The country has an average potential of 2,000 kWh per square meter by year in solar energy and about 7,800 MW hydroelectric potential, only 165 MW of which are exploited. BEIJING, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinese authorities have seized over 800 kg of new psychoactive substances since 2016, an official with National Narcotics Control Commission told a press briefing Thursday. They have arrested dozens of suspects and destroyed eight production labs, said Deng Ming, deputy director of the commission. Law enforcers have coordinated with counterparts in more than 20 countries, including Russia, the United States, Australia and Britain, in solving a number of such cases, Deng said, adding that new psychoactive substances have been discovered in 101 countries or regions. The development of new drugs is so fast that the list of controlled substance is struggling to keep up, Deng said. Currently, China lists 134 new psychoactive substances. File photo taken on Aug. 13, 2016 shows a refugee mother feeds her child in a hospital inside the Protection of Civilians site 1 of the United Nations Mission In South Sudan (UNMISS) in Juba, capital of South Sudan.(Xinhua) KAMPALA, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Uganda has started to feel the pinch of hosting an influx of refugees amid acute funding pressures and says international support is urgently needed to help it accommodate the refugees. Uganda is host to over one million refugees, half of them from neighboring South Sudan where fighting is still continuing. On average 4,000 South Sudanese are said to cross the border daily into Uganda. The east African country has gained global acknowledgment for its open refugee policy at a time when more and more countries are closing their doors to refugees who are fleeing for their lives. The other refugees hosted in different parts of the country are mainly from neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Burundi while some are from Eritrea and Ethiopia. At the African Union Summit in Ethiopia late last month, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni met with the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and they agreed to hold conference on the refugee situation next month. Museveni, according to a State House statement, told the UN Chief that the refugee situation was a posing a growing challenge to the country each day. On Tuesday, Uganda and the UN refugee agency re-echoed that appeal for international assistance, saying the refugee burden was heavy for the country to carry alone. "It's getting a little heavy for us to manage the refugee situation. We are constrained and overwhelmed with the numbers," Hillary Onek, Uganda's minister for relief, disaster preparedness and refugees, told reporters. "We have budgetary constraints for hosting, providing food, shelter, water, sanitation, health services, school for children and physiological support to the refugees," Onek added. Ajit Fernando, deputy country representative for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) here said the refugee agency is facing acute funding shortages. "We are chronically facing underfunding to handle the refuge situation. The magnitude is increasing daily. We are asking more donors and countries to be part of this cause. We need more support," he said. The refugee agency and Uganda are appealing for over one billion U.S. dollars to help address the refugee crisis. However since they launched the appeal last year, they have only been able to raise only 36 percent of the money. The UN World Food Program last year warned that it was going to be forced to cut food aid to refugees in the country further than the current 50 percent due to severe funding shortages. Uganda, whose refugee resettlement process is said to be a model for other nations, now hosts one of the largest number of refugees in Africa, putting a significant burden on relief agencies, Ugandan authorities and local populations. The country argues that there is urgent need by regional leaders and the international community to seek political settlement in South Sudan, which is the biggest generator of refugees. "We hope peace will return to South Sudan. We need the Gambia model [regional military intervention] for those mismanaging their country and causing problems. The world must come and act. It's a disgrace to the region," said Onek. The regional leaders under the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) decided to deploy troops from its member states to Gambia following the refusal by former President Yahya Jammeh to leave office after his defeat in the December elections. Jammeh finally bowed to pressure and left office for the new leader Adama Barrow. The violence that broke out again in South Sudan in July last year between the troops loyal to President Salva Kiir and former Vice President Riek Machar has captured the world's attention, with refugee numbers crossing the 1.5 million mark, UNHCR figures show. YINCHUAN, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Yang Guoxing, a farmer in northwest China, has lived in Great Wall all his life. In? How can someone live in the Great Wall? Yang's father grew up in a tiny village in Tongxin County, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. When he married his wife in 1950, he carried her over the threshold of a cave house that had dug out from under a section of the Great Wall pass. Cave houses, which are usually carved out of a hillside, can be found across the northwest of China. Unexpectedly the destructive behavior led to better preservation of that part of the ancient structure, as the section of the Great Wall enclosed by the family's courtyard was kept intact while the bricks from the walls around the home were mostly taken by villagers to sell or build houses. The Great Wall pass was built in 1577 during the Ming Dynasty. Entering the courtyard, coming into view is the arch door of the cave home in the well-preserved grey wall. On the left is the barbican entrance of a fortress with lush wild grass below it.. Yang Guoxing was born in this house in 1974. He is the ninth of the family's ten children. He recalled that in the 1980s, many villagers sold bricks they had taken from the Great Wall. One brick could be sold for 0.5 yuan. (about 7 U.S. cents) Although under great pressure to raise the family, Yang's father, who was working at the township grain depot, did not sell any bricks from their courtyard. "He always told us that we should protect our home, and never let others steal our bricks," Yang said, his father died in 1999. Gradually, Yang's determination turned into a passion to protect the Great Wall. He has searched for information in books and online to better understand the history of the Great Wall pass where his father set up home. "Some tourists ask to visit our home, I am happy to show them around and answer their questions when I'm at home," he said. Most of the time, Yang is working as a migrant worker in the cities. His wife and children, together with his mother, live in the cave home. In 2014, Yang and his siblings built a three-room brick house some 100 meters away from their cave house. Though moved out, the family still look after their Great Wall house. "I will always protect that part of the Great Wall and try my best to maintain its original appearance," he said, adding that the Great Wall section is in dire need of restoration. Gu Yongcun, head of Tongxin County bureau of cultural relics, said the family's dwelling in the Great Wall did help maintain the original style of the site. Living inside the Great Wall is against modern laws and regulations, but they were not in place when the house was built, he said. The Great Wall pass was listed as a provincial-level protection site in 2010. However, the local government has not adopted any restoration measures due to a lack of money, since it would cost about 40,000 yuan to restore just one meter of the wall. "But the good news is that the regional government will allocate some funds to help the restoration this year, and we are doing the budget," he said. BEIJING, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Information on a total of 108,100 cases was put online by Chinese procuratorates in 2016, an increase of 36.2 percent, the Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) said Thursday. Www.ajxxgk.jcy.gov.cn, a website opened in October 2014, provides a platform for procuratorates at all levels to publish information on cases, usually those of major social influence. It also enables parties involved in cases to make inquiries online. Xu Shansong, an SPP official, told a press conference that transparency had improved as the content and audience of information expanded. In addition to the website, procuratorates use microblogs and Wechat accounts to release information. Wechat is China's top instant messaging app. KUALA LUMPUR, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Malaysian police said Thursday they had arrested a Malaysian man to assist their investigation in the death of Kim Jong Nam, half-brother of Kim Jong Un, the top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). Muhammad Farid Bin Jalaluddin, 26, was arrested by police on Wednesday evening, Malaysian police chief Khalid Abu Bakar said in a statement. Jalaluddin has been identified as the boyfriend of the second female suspect, an Indonesian passport bearer who was arrested Thursday morning. Bakar said the suspect is currently remanded in custody to assist investigation. Abdul Samah Mat, the police chief of Selangor state, told Xinhua earlier that the suspect was arrested in Ampang city of Selangor state. He said that information learnt from the boyfriend led to the arrest of "Siti Aishah," the second suspect, who along with the first was seen in CCTV footage after Kim's death. The local police chief clarified that they only arrested the man to let him assist the investigation. According to Mat, police have been investigating Kim's death as a murder case instead of sudden death but they have not established connection between the two female suspects. The first female suspect, holding a Vietnamese passport, was arrested Wednesday at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport's second terminal, where the deceased Kim looked for help after feeling unwell on Monday. Kim died later enroute to hospital. His body was taken to a hospital in Kuala Lumpur Wednesday for post mortem to ascertain the cause of his death. The results of the post mortem are yet to be released. Participants taste coffee during the 15th edition of African Fine Coffee Conference and Exhibition in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia, Feb. 15, 2017 (Xinhua/Michael Tewelde) ADDIS ABABA, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Attracting regional and international coffee roasters, traders, producers, professionals and connoisseurs, the 15th edition of African Fine Coffee Conference and Exhibition kicked off in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa on Wednesday. With the objective of reshaping African coffee industry, the three-day event from Feb. 15 to 17 is expected to have intensive discussions on policy and trade development across the African coffee value chain. The African Fine Coffee Association (AFCA) and the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Development and Marketing Authority, have co-hosted the event under the theme, "Reshaping African Coffee Industry for Productivity and Investment." The participants are also expected to discuss ways of boosting coffee production on the African continent, and the exhibitors from across the world showcase their coffee products, machinery and packaging facilities, among others. The conference is a buyer-oriented event which brings together buyers from all over the world to build key trading relationships and discuss issues impacting on production, trading environment and policy interventions necessary to grow the coffee industry worldwide, according to the organizers. The event is also expected to provide an opportunity for business-to-business engagements and for buyers to taste best coffee from Ethiopia and the rest of Africa. Officially opening the event, Ethiopian President Mulatu Teshome reiterated that his government attaches great importance to the coffee industry as it is backbone of the country's commodities export. "Around 20 million people are directly or indirectly deriving their livelihoods from coffee. Hence, as major agricultural export product, it generates about 26 percent of Ethiopia's total export earnings. Ethiopia is the largest producer of coffee in Africa and the fifth largest coffee producer in the world, next to Brazil, Vietnam, Colombia, and Indonesia, contributing from 7 to 10 percent of total world coffee production," noted the president. It has been recognized that new markets have been identified in order to benefit coffee farmers and also to encourage all stakeholders in coffee industry, according to the president. "In this regard, China, Russia, Middle East, and the Far East economies, Australia, and consuming African countries of Algeria, Tunisia, and Sudan among others offer a lucrative option and price incentives to the Ethiopian coffee," he said. Bagersh Abdullah, Board Chairman of African Fine Coffee Association (AFCA), stated that African Fine Coffee Conference and Exhibition has become one of the top events in the world. "This conference has a lot of value because we are at the beginning of the coffee season and I am hoping that by being here the delegates the buyers, many, many buyers are here will have the chance to see, believe and taste the coffees and we are going to ship first class coffee out of Ethiopia this year," he said. Eyasu Abraha, Ethiopian Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resources, said on his part that the government has been taking various measures to tap Ethiopia's huge potential in the sector and boost coffee productivity in the country. "Ethiopia has a huge potential to increase coffee due to processing, suitable climate, soil, indigenous planting material, and sufficient rainfalls in coffee growing belts of the country. To this end, government is committed to more than ever before to tap the huge potential that exists to increase coffee productivity through undertaking research and development interventions." African Fine Coffees Association (AFCA) is an association with coffee sectors in 11 member countries, namely Burundi, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Over 100 exhibitors participate in the exhibition showcasing their coffee products, machinery, and packaging among others, according to the organizers. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivers a speech during a ceremony for veterans and relatives of victims in Ankara on October 27, 2016. (AFP PHOTO) DAMASCUS, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- At least 24 civilians have been killed by Turkish shelling on Syria's northern city of al-Bab, a stronghold of the Islamic State (IS) group, a monitor group reported Thursday. The killing of the civilians happened during the past 24 hours of Turkish shelling on al-Bab, and 11 children were among those killed, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The London-based watchdog group said that the death toll of the recent Turkish attack on the city that started on Feb. 7 rose to 89 civilians. The Observatory also denied claims that the city has fallen to the Turkish forces and allied Syrian rebels, adding that IS militants are still in control of the city. While the Turkish forces were on an offensive on IS from the northern, western and eastern parts of the city, the Syrian army succeeded recently to besiege al-Bab from its southern edge, a move to prevent IS fighters from withdrawing toward other strongholds in the eastern province of Deir al-Zour, or the northern city of al-Raqqa, the de facto capital of the terror-designated group. BEIJING, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- The fast-growing and open China will remain a powerful magnet for foreign investment in spite of the temporary drop in foreign direct investment (FDI) last month over seasonal factors. FDI inflow to the Chinese mainland dropped 9.2 percent year on year to 80.1 billion yuan (12 billion U.S. dollars) in January 2017, the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said Thursday in a statement. The figure was also lower than 81.42 billion yuan in December 2016. MOC spokesperson Sun Jiwen said at a press conference that the year-on-year drop was mainly due to a high comparison base in the same month of 2016. "Meanwhile, the Spring Festival holiday also led to the decline," Sun said. Spring Festival, the Lunar New Year holiday, was in January this year and February last year. Chinese people enjoy a seven-day holiday around the festival. The drop does not represent any trend for FDI inflow in the full year, as China still boasts strong favorable conditions for attracting foreign investment in the medium-to-long run, Sun added. China's GDP grew 6.8 percent in the last quarter of 2016, higher than the 6.7 percent in the previous three quarters. Full-year growth was 6.7 percent, within the government target of between 6.5 and 7 percent. The economy may grow at an average annualized rate of more than 6.5 percent in 2016-2020, still among the world's fastest-growing economies, Sun said. China's competitiveness in absorbing investment will remain, as the nation expands domains of opening up, improves the modern market system and optimizes the business environment, Sun said. In 2016, the country amended laws on foreign investment and unveiled measures to simplify approval procedures for foreign companies. The country will build a law-based market environment and attract more foreign investment to give them a bigger role in China's economic development, according to the Central Economic Work Conference in December. Despite the overall FDI decline last month, investment inflow to the high-tech manufacturing sector surged 39.9 percent, in sharp contrast to the 9.5-percent decline in the whole manufacturing industry. FDI to high-tech service sector also registered an increase of 11 percent, compared with a decline of 9.3 percent for investment in service industry, MOC said. Strong growth in the high-tech sector was in line with the direction of China's industrial upgrading, Sun said. In January, 2,010 new foreign companies were established, slightly up by 0.1 percent from a year ago. A report from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) said that China received 139 billion dollars of FDI in 2016, third in the world behind the United States and Britain. The figure was higher than 126 billion dollars reported by the MOC. China will continue to be one of the most alluring destinations for foreign investment and its FDI will remain at a high level in 2017 due to its fast growth and easier access for foreign companies, according to James Zhan, a UNCTAD official in charge of investment and enterprise. China's non-financial outbound direct investment (ODI) dropped 35.7 percent to 53.27 billion yuan in January, with Chinese companies investing in 983 overseas companies in 108 countries and regions, MOC said. Chinese companies have paid special attention to the real economy and emerging industries during the process of outbound investment, Sun said. The Belt and Road Initiative was a strong boost to cooperation between Chinese and foreign firms, with ODI to countries along the Belt and Road representing 10.6 percent of the total in January, up from a share of 8.5 percent in 2016. MOGADISHU, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Three people were killed and four others were injured on Thursday when mortar shells landed at a residential area bordering the presidential villa in Mogadishu. "We can confirm that three people have been killed, among them two children. Four others were injured when mortar shells landed at Warta Nabadda near Villa Somalia," police officer Abdullahi Ahmed told Xinhua. Witnesses told Xinhua there were huge blasts in the village which also destroyed some housing structures. "There were at least five mortar shells which landed at our village. I heard three people were killed," Muktar Nor said. The latest attack comes as Villa Somalia was hosting a handover ceremony for the new president to assume the new residence, paving way for the inauguration of the new president on Feb 22. Already, the government has announced it will suspend temporarily all domestic and international flights to Mogadishu airport because of the inauguration on Feb 22. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the latest attack which comes after the new president pledged during his campaigns to eradicate criminal networks and terror groups in Somalia. BAKU, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on Thursday met with Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the United States, the Azertac news agancy reported. The meeting focused on bilateral military relations and political, economic, energy and security issues. Gen. Dunford highly appreciated Azerbaijan's contribution to international peacekeeping missions and the transportation of goods to Afghanistan. Aliyev expressed confidence that the general's visit would further strengthen cooperation between the two countries in the field of defense. The friendly bilateral ties will continue to develop, he added. Gen. Dunford is scheduled to meet his Russian counterpart, Valeriy Gerasimov, in Baku on Thursday. Dunford and Gerasimov will discuss a variety of issues, including the current state of U.S.-Russian military relations and the importance of consistent and clear military-to-military communication to prevent miscalculation and potential crises, said the U.S. side on Wednesday. by Christine Lagat NAIROBI, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Kenya intends to raise new funds from multilateral donors and local corporations to support humanitarian assistance for an estimated 3 million people affected by the current drought, officials said on Thursday. Head of Civil Service Joseph Kinyua said the government was finalizing discussions with development partners, relief agencies and private sector lobby to explore modalities of replenishing a drought response kitty. "Our assessment indicates the humanitarian crises linked to drought is dire and we have appealed to our development partners and private sector to help us bridge a funding shortfall for emergency food aid in the affected counties," said Kinyua. He spoke to reporters after conclusion of a meeting between state agencies, bilateral donors and the private sector to explore innovative response to the biting drought in the country. President Uhuru Kenyatta on Feb. 10 declared drought a national disaster and made a fresh appeal to the international community to support provision of food, water and healthcare to affected communities. Immediately after Kenyatta declared the current drought a national disaster, the UN pledged support for affected communities in 23 arid and semi arid counties. Kinyua said that Kenya's bilateral partners including the U.S., China and the European Union have expressed willingness to support drought response initiatives in the country. "Our development partners are ready to be part of the ongoing drought response measures which include food aid and cash transfers for the affected communities," said Kinyua. "We are focusing not just on emergency assistance but also on how this country can be able to feed itself in the face of harsh climatic conditions," he said. The government has allocated 110 million dollars to support drought resilience programs between February and April when the long rains are expected to ease food and water shortage. Principal Secretary in the State Department of Agriculture, Richard Lesiyampe disclosed the EU and United States have pledged 10 million and 50 million dollars respectively to support drought mitigation efforts in the country. He added that Denmark will provide 5 million dollars to support water trucking in drought hit counties while other bilateral partners will provide food rations to communities staring at starvation. The Principal Secretary said the government will drill boreholes in seven counties hardest hit by drought and import staples from neighboring countries to reduce the intensity of hunger in the country. CAPE TOWN, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- South African President Jacob Zuma on Thursday expressed disatisfaction with the current economic status quo, saying he agreed with the view that economic transformation must not only be radical but also revolutionary. In response to a debate on the State of the Nation Address (SONA) he delivered in Parliament last week, Zuma said the political freedom gained in 1994 must be accompanied by economic freedom for the black majority in this country, and the Africans in particular. "We are not going to be apologetic about that," he said. During the debate, MPs of opposition parties said South Africa's radical economic transformation program will not succeed because it has not succeeded anywhere else. Zuma said such statements serve as a confirmation that "some of our compatriots are determined to defend and protect the status quo and ensure that the ownership, control and management of the economy remains skewed in favour of a racial minority". The fact that white households earn five times more than black households cannot guarantee a sustainable and prosperous future for all, Zuma said. The fact that most companies at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange are owned by whites should worry any leader in the country who wants to see a sustainable future, said Zuma. This is also true of the mining industry where there is no proliferation of successful black owned mining companies 23 years after apartheid was brought to an end, the president said. At the debate, Gugile Nkwinti, Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform, advocated for the radical transformation of the structure, systems, ownership, control and institutions. Minister in the Presidency Jeff Radebe pointed out that radical socio-economic transformation is not just political rhetoric. "This is a serious programme, and it will be implemented by government using the strategic levers that are available to the state. These include legislation, regulations, licensing, budget and procurement as well as Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment Charters," Zuma said. Radical socio-economic transformation will help South Africa grow the economy in an inclusive manner, ensuring true reconciliation and prosperity, said Zuma. by Denis Elamu JUBA, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- The UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) on Thursday revealed that some 20,000 displaced persons remain missing after last week's renewed fighting between warring factions on the west bank of the Nile River in the northern Upper Nile region. The head of UNMISS, David Shearer, described the lack of information about the situation of these internally displaced persons (IDPs) as a "real problem" after he visited the war-torn country's second largest town of Malakal - the epicenter of the recent violent fighting between government troops (SPLA) and rebels. "UNMISS believes that the 20,000 people have fled towards Kodok from Wau Shilluk, a town eight miles north of the UN base in Malakal on the west bank of the River Nile. Fighting between government SPLA forces and opposition forces has expanded geographically across the west bank over the past week, and shows no signs of abating, forcing more people to flee their homes," Shearer said in a statement. He added that UN peacekeepers on Thursday attempted to carry out a foot patrol to Wau Shilluk, but were prevented from doing so by SPLA soldiers located at Wau Shilluk, a situation Shearer described as "very frustrating." "We want to find out what has happened to those people and provide them with assistance if they need it," he said of the displaced persons. UNMISS has described government relocations by air of IDPs through Juba into Malakal as unsustainable if they are not also supported with humanitarian assistance on arrival. UNMISS also added that the Shilluk population of Malakal has abandoned the town and 33,000 people are currently taking refuge in the camp administered by UNMISS. "UNMISS is increasingly concerned that fighting is once again spreading across the Upper Nile region," it added. Meanwhile, the SPLA spokesman Brigadier Lul Ruai Koang said he had not received reports on the latest clash on Wednesday between the warring factions in newly created Bieh state located in the north of the country. South Sudan has been shattered by civil war that broke out in December 2013 after President Salva Kiir accused his former deputy Riek Machar of plotting a coup. Machar denied the accusation but then mobilized a rebel force. A peace deal signed in August 2015 led to the formation of a transitional unity government in April, but was again devastated by fresh violence in July, 2016. Tens of thousands of South Sudanese have been killed, with over 2 million displaced and another 4.6 million left severely food insecure, since December 2013. ANKARA, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- A draft national curriculum, introduced by Turkey's Education Ministry, is expected to be implemented by the start of the new school year in 2017. Some changes in the new curriculum, however, has sparked debate across the country, as it excludes Evolution Theory from biology courses and reduces information about Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the secularist founder of modern Turkey. On Jan. 13, the Ministry of Education published the draft education curriculum and opened an online platform to seek public suggestions. The final curriculum will be finished by Feb. 20 with the new textbooks to be used in September. According to the draft curriculum, a chapter in the senior high-school biology textbook has changed its title from "The beginning of life and evolution" to "Living creatures and the environment." All references to Darwinian or neo-Darwinian theory are removed. "The theory of evolution is already a scientifically archaic and decayed theory. There is no rule that this theory should absolutely be taught," Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus said on Jan. 29. The new syllabus aims to teach Turkey's history "from the perspective of a national and moral education and protect national values," Education Ministry Undersecretary Yusuf Tekin said. Turkish and Muslim scientists will be introduced in the new textbooks. The failed coup attempt on July 15, 2016 will also be added to the social science lessons in the sixth grade. Local media reported that the dominance of Sunni Islam will be eliminated in compulsory religion classes, to comply with an earlier ruling of the European Court of Human Rights that it was a violation of the freedom of belief. So far, complaints about the draft curriculum mostly focus on the changes about Mustafa Kemal Ataturk and the theory of evolution. Opponents said the theory of evolution should be taught in high school and the information on Ataturk should be increased. Many people also suggested that religion and morality courses not be compulsory. Egitim-Sen, a teachers' union often critical of government policy, says the ministry's decision to seek suggestions on the draft curriculum is "just symbolic." The Union warns that the draft curriculum emphasizes "Turkishness" and Sunni Islam and would encourage a "religious and nationalist" mindset. The removal of the evolution theory, which is accepted as a scientific reality all over the world, from textbooks is a scandal in itself, it said. The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) government is accused of shaping Turkey's education system in line with its Islamic ideology. In 2012, the government increased the periods of religion courses from two hours a week to six. In 2013, the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey stopped publishing books about evolution. In a 2013 regulation, the Intelligent Design model, which asserts that certain features of living creatures result from an intelligent cause, is included in the curriculum along with the Evolution Theory. "This is a curriculum that was prepared by AK Party," said Mehmet Balik, the president of Egitim-Sen. "When the Education Ministry says that we will meet with NGO and different sections of society before shaping final curriculum, they are trying to misconduct. It is a deception. The draft already has released signals about religious education," he said. "The Turkish curriculum has been changed by governments in the past, but never as extensively as it's been changed now," said a Turkish academic on condition of anonymity. "The government is rewriting Turkish history. Poor education always serves elite interests, and the curriculum now openly serves them." ISLAMABAD, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- At least three people were killed and over 50 others injured when a suicide blast hit a famous shrine in Pakistan's southern Sindh province on Thursday evening, the local media reported. The bomber blew himself up in a group of people performing Dhamaal (sufi dance) inside the compound of the Lal Shahbaz Qalandar Shrine in Sehwan town of Jamshoro, a district in Sindh province, Urdu TV channel News 1 quoted witnesses as saying. Police confirmed the blast, saying the explosion happened inside the internal door of the shrine. There were around 500 to 800 people inside the shrine when the blast happened, police said. The injured people were shifted to hospitals in Jamshoro where a state of emergency has been declared. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet. BAGHDAD, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from a car bomb attack at a crowded area in southwestern the Iraqi capital of Baghdad on Thursday, rose to 45 and 56 others wounded, a police source told Xinhua. KHARTOUM, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- An armed group on Thursday attacked a market in El Fashir, the capital city of Sudan's North Darfur State, according to a statement by the state government. "Fire exchange is still continuing between the government forces and the armed group," said North Darfur State government in a statement. Meanwhile, eyewitnesses reportedly said an armed group aboard seven vehicles attacked the grand market in El Fasher and looted some of the market shops. The government statement did not give any statistics on human or material loss due to the attack. Three Darfur armed groups, including the rebel Justice and Equality Movement, the Sudan Liberation Army and the Sudan Liberation Movement are fighting the central government in Darfur region since 2003. BAGHDAD, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from a car bomb attack Thursday in southwestern Baghdad, the Iraqi capital, rose to 45 and 56 others wounded, a police source told Xinhua. "Our latest report said that 45 people were killed and some 56 others wounded by the massive car bomb blast in Baiyaa neighborhood," the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity. The blast occurred in the afternoon when a booby-trapped car detonated near a crowded commercial area in Baiyaa neighborhood, it added. The massive explosion destroyed many civilian cars and caused damages to many shops and buildings, the source said. Earlier, the source put the toll at 16 killed and 25 wounded by the blast. The attack came a day after another deadly attack by a suicide minibus bomb in the heavily populated neighborhood of Sadr City that left nine people killed and more than 30 wounded. No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attacks, but the Islamic State (IS) militant group, in most cases, is responsible for deadly attacks targeting crowded areas, including markets, cafes and mosques across Iraq. Terrorist acts, violence and armed conflicts killed 382 Iraqis and wounded 908 others in January across Iraq, the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq said. The attack also came as the Iraqi security forces backed by anti-IS international coalition are carrying out a major offensive to drive out the IS militants from its last major stronghold in and around Mosul. LAGOS, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Nigeria on Thursday signed a 74 million U.S. dollars grant agreement with the European Union (EU) to improve access to effective healthcare and nutrition in five states and push for polio eradication programs. EU considers support to the health sector in Nigeria a priority, Michael Arrion, Head of EU Delegation to Nigeria, said at the signing ceremony in Abuja, the nation's capital city. Arrion said the importance of improving maternal and new-born health outcomes and strengthening the health system resilience was emphasized in the partnership agreement with the Federal Ministry of Health. He described strengthening health resilience as an important element for drawing up the National Strategy Paper of the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) jointly signed by European Commission and the federal government. According to him, the EDF had earmark 545 million dollars support to Nigeria over a five-year period under which this 74 million dollars grant is funded. He told his audience that the EU is working with Nigeria to address developmental challenges in key priority areas under the 11th EDF. Earlier, Nigeria's Minister of Health Isaac Adewole said the grant would be implemented by the ministry, World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and state ministries of health of the benefiting states. He listed the benefiting states as Adamawa, Bauchi, Kebbi, Sokoto and Anambra. VIENTIANE, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Lao Ministry of Planning and Investment and the European Union (EU) held their biannual working group meeting here on Thursday, reviewing bilateral ties and confirming priorities for future cooperation. The two sides discussed details of the current and future cooperation mechanisms to support Laos' objective to graduate from the Least Developed Countries List by 2020. During the meeting, Lao Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Kikeo Chanthaboury and EU Ambassador Leo Faber announced their commitment to implementing three financing agreements. The EU is expected to provide 60.5 million euros (65 million U.S. dollars) to the Laos on food and nutrition security, governance and the rule of law. In total, the EU will allocate some 207 million euros to the Laos for the 2014-2020 period. (1 euro = 1.07 U.S. dollar) BONN, Germany, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Thursday met his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov for the first time. Tillerson said the United States will search ways to work with Russia, but Moscow should abide by the previous deal over Ukraine crises. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the G20 ministerial meeting in Germany's western city of Bonn. It was also marked as Tillerson's maiden diplomatic trip. Talking to reporters after the meeting, Tillerson used the "America first" rhetoric, saying the United States will consider working with Russia in areas of practical cooperation that "will benefit the American people." "Where we do not see eye to eye, the United States will stand up for the interests and values of America and her allies." Tillerson said. Tillerson also reminded Russia to honor the commitments to the Minsk agreements and work to de-escalate the violence in Ukraine. The Minsk deal, aiming at reaching a ceasefire between Ukrainian government forces and armed forces in eastern area, did not quiet down the violent clashes between the two sides which has killed thousands. Lavrov called the meeting "pragmatic" and "business-like", adding that the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, Syria and Afghanistan were among the topics between them. "We noted the existence of common interests, primarily in terms of the fight against terrorism." Lavrov said. VIENTIANE, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Tourism officials of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam (CLMV) gathered here to discuss the development of regional tourism products in the four countries, the Lao state-run news agency KPL reported on Thursday. The two-day workshop, which ended Thursday, aimed to create a network of information exchange on tourism for state, private companies, experts and international organizations to ensure that Lao tourism is integrated into the regional tourism market, said Lao Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Bouangeun Saphouvong to KPL. The number of international tourists visiting Laos decreased by 10 percent from over 4.68 million in 2015 to 4.2 million last year. The reduction in the number of visitors has been attributed to the decline in the number of Thai and Vietnamese visitors which usually share 50 percent of the number of foreign visitors to Laos. Meanwhile, the number of visitors from Australia, Germany, Russia and Italy increased in number. According to Project Director of the German Federal Enterprise for International Cooperation's (GIZ) Initiative for ASEAN Integration Kim Nguyen Van, many tourists did not see Laos as a single travel destination but perceived the country as part of a regional tourism destination, together with its neighboring countries including Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar and Vietnam. The improvement of the existing and the development of additional regional tourism products will play a key role in this endeavour, Kim Nguyen Van was quoted by KPL on Thursday as saying. The tourism industry is one of the most important and fastest growing industries in the Laos, representing 14 percent of its overall GDP and 12 percent of the workforce in the country, according to KPL. PHNOM PENH, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- A nearly-extinct female Royal Turtle was killed by illegal electro-fishing along the Kaong River in southwestern Cambodia's Koh Kong province last week, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)-Cambodia said in a press release Thursday. The dead turtle was over 11 years old and weighed nine kilograms, the press release said, adding that the turtle was believed to be killed by illegal electro-fishing due to marks on its head. The Royal Turtle, also known as Southern River Terrapin (Batagur affinis), is one of the world's most endangered freshwater turtles and is listed on the IUCN Red List as Critically Endangered. It has been designated as Cambodia's national reptile by a royal decree in 2005. The turtles face numerous threats to their survival due to habitat loss caused by sand dredging and illegal clearance of flooded forest and accidental capture or death through illegal fishing, the press release said. The dead turtle found last week was one of 21 Royal Turtles that the Fisheries Administration (FiA) and WCS conservation team released to the Kaong River in Sre Ambel district in 2015 with radio transmitters and ID micro-chips, it added. "We are extremely sad that one of Royal Turtles we released was killed. Illegal fishing activities along the Kaong River are a big threat and could cause Cambodia's national reptile to disappear from Cambodia forever if we do not take immediate action to stop it," said Som Sitha, technical advisor to the WCS's Royal Turtle conservation project. "I would highly encourage local authorities, communities and fishermen to participate in Royal Turtle conservation and stop using electro-fishing equipment to save Cambodia's Royal Turtle from extinction," he said. Ouk Vibol, director of Fisheries Conservation Department with FiA, said to further protect the Royal Turtle and stop illegal fishing activities, FiA was developing a fisheries conservation and management zone in Sre Ambel district. Representatives prepare to have a group photo during a meeting of G20 foreign ministers in Bonn, Germany, on Feb. 16, 2017. Foreign ministers of the G20 convened here on Thursday for a two-day meeting to discuss international issues on sustainability, conflict prevention and cooperation with Africa. (Xinhua/Luo Huanhuan) BONN, Germany, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Foreign ministers of the G20 convened here on Thursday for a two-day meeting to discuss international issues on sustainability, conflict prevention and cooperation with Africa. "Foreign policy is, and must be, more than crisis management," German Vice Chancellor and Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said in a statement issued prior to the G20 meeting. "We are well advised not to constantly run from one fire to the next, putting out the flames. That is why it is so important that the 20 largest countries (economies) in the world are meeting to address the causes of conflicts and the options for peaceful crisis prevention and conflict resolution," he said. "No country in the world can tackle the major international problems of our time alone," Gabriel noted. "Terrorism, water scarcity, forced migration and humanitarian emergencies cannot be resolved by isolation. Climate change cannot be tackled by barbed wire," he added. According to the program circulated here, the participants are meeting on Thursday for the first working session focused on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which was adopted in September of 2016 at the Hangzhou Summit. The participants will meet for the second session on Friday to discuss issues about conflict prevention, post-conflict peacebuilding and how to strengthen cooperation with Africa. Gabriel is expected to hold a press conference at the end of each session. The meeting, however, will conclude without any official statement. The meeting of foreign ministers, part of the German Presidency in the G20 Group, is held at the World Conference Center in Bonn. Heightened security was visible outside the conference center and about 2,000 policemen were reportedly mobilized to ensure the safety of the gathering. The G20 is comprised of 19 countries plus the European Union. The countries are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, Britain and the United States. SHARAN, Afghanistan, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Some 12 civilians, mostly local students, were killed and four others wounded in a roadside bomb blast in eastern Paktika province on Thursday, the provincial governor said. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (front) gives a lecture entitled "Facing Global Challenges: Finding Hope in Youth" at Cairo University in Cairo, Egypt, on Feb. 15, 2017.(Xinhua Photo) CAIRO, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- With the two leaders of the United States and the United Nations taking office in January, rift appears to be growing between Donald Trump's administration and the top world body led by Antonio Guterres, mostly over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Trump and Guterres made simultaneous statements on the necessity of the two-state solution to settle the conflict, yet with two different positions. TWO-STATE SOLUTION While Guterres reiterated on Wednesday in Cairo, the final destination of his first regional tour, that "there is no plan B for the two-state solution," Trump was reassuring Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over unlimited U.S. support. In a joint press conference in Washington, Trump backed off U.S. commitment to support the two-state solution and said it was not the only way to achieve Mideast peace. "I am looking at two-state and one-state, and I like the one that both parties like," said Trump, adding the Palestinians and Israelis "must directly negotiate" and they both will have to make compromises. Trump's remarks failed the Arab world and prompted the Arab League to respond with a statement reiterating the necessity of the establishment of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel based on the 1967 borders with Jerusalem as its capital city. After a meeting with Guterres in Cairo on Thursday, Arab League chief Ahmed Aboul-Gheit said in a statement that the conflict "requires a comprehensive and just peace based on a two-state solution with an independent Palestinian state." Egypt, whose leader Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi eyes promising relations with Trump, also made a similar statement to reiterate its support for the two-state solution. ISRAELI SETTLEMENTS Israel has always been blamed by the international community for the deadlock of the Middle East peace process due to its settlement expansion policy that is rejected even by its strongest ally, the U.S.. Still, despite a late 2016 UN Security Council resolution demanding immediate and complete halt of Israeli settlement activities on occupied Palestinian territories, the Israeli parliament approved in February the so-called "Regulation Bill" that retroactively legalizes about 3,850 housing units in dozens of outposts built illegally on privately owned Palestinian lands. The resolution was hailed by Arabs as "historic" and seen as a spark of light at the end of the tunnel that could lead to U.S.-sponsored Israeli-Palestinian peace talks and put an end to the decades-long conflict. As the resolution was not vetoed by Barack Obama's outgoing administration while Trump was a president-elect, Netanyahu accused Obama of orchestrating the whole thing before leaving White House. Trump made several efforts to stop the anti-settlement UN resolution and pressured Egypt to withdraw it, yet the draft resolution was later resubmitted for vote by New Zealand, Venezuela, Malaysia and Senegal and it was massively endorsed. To show support for Israel, Trump vowed as a presidential candidate to move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, which the Palestinians see as the capital city for their future statement. Confident in Trump's support, the Israeli government recently announced plans to build about 6,000 Jewish settlement housing units in the West Bank. The U.S. president said to Netanyahu in Washington, "I'd like to see you pull back on settlements for a little bit." Failing to stop the anti-settlement resolution as a president-elect, Trump vowed changes at the UN when he would come to the Oval Office. He recalled the resolution at his news conference with Netanyahu on Wednesday and said that the UN treated Israel "very, very unfairly." LIBYA ENVOY One more difference between Trump's administration and the UN is seen in their debate over the nominated UN envoy to Libya. Although it seems weird as Libya is a different issue, it is clearly understood when the nominee is no other than former Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad. U.S. ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, said she was "disappointed" to learn that Guterres named the Palestinian ex-official as envoy to Libya and vetoed the man's appointment. "For too long the UN has been unfairly biased in favor of the Palestinian Authority to the detriment of our allies in Israel," said Trump's ambassador. BAKU, Feb.16 (Xinhua) -- Chairman of U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Joseph Dunford and Chief of the Russian General Staff Gen. Valery Gerasimov agreed here on Thursday at a meeting to boost interaction to prevent "unintended incidents", the Azerbaijani media said. The report, quoting the Russian defense ministry, said the top U.S. and Russian military leaders agreed to undertake efforts to improve safety of military operations in order to reduce tension and avoid the risk of incidents. The two military leaders also exchanged views on the current state of Russia-U.S. relations, situation in the area of international security in Europe, the Middle East, North Africa and other key regions of the world. It was the first face-to-face meeting between military chiefs from Washington and Moscow since 2014. A Pentagon statement earlier Wednesday said that discussions in Baku would center on "the current state of U.S.-Russian military relations and the importance of consistent and clear military-to-military communication to prevent miscalculation and potential crisis." On Wednesday, in prepared remarks to a NATO defense ministerial meeting in Brussels, U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis stressed that while the United States and NATO seek to engage Russia, it is important at the same time "to defend ourselves if Russia chooses to act contrary to international law." "We remain open to opportunities to restore a cooperative relationship with Moscow, while being realistic in our expectations and ensuring our diplomats negotiate from a position of strength," Mattis said. Dunford arrived in Azerbaijan on Thursday to meet with his Russian counterpart Gerasimov. Prior to the meeting with Gerasimov, Dunford held talks with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Minister of Defence Zakir Hasanov. The sides discussed bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and the United States in military, political, economic, energy and security fields. TRIPOLI, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Libya's UN-backed Government of National Accord has requested military training and development for its troops, NATO revealed on Thursday. "Any assistance has to be based on a request from the Libyan government. And this is the request we received yesterday," Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary-General, said in a press conference. NATO stands ready to assist Libya in building effective security and defense institutions, strengthening its ability to fight terrorism and create conditions for peace, said Stoltenberg after meeting with head of Libya's unity government, Fayez Serraj, earlier this month in the NATO's headquarter in Brussels. Libya's unity government has been appointed based on an UN-sponsored peace agreement signed by the country's political rivals to end the state of division and bring Libyans together. However, the country is still suffering division with three rival governments claiming legitimacy. Assisted by the U.S. air force, the forces loyal to the government recently took over the city of Sirte from Islamic State after a seven-month war that claimed the lives of hundreds of the government's troops. Libya suffers insecurity and chaos since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi's regime in 2011. The country is plagued with escalating violence and political instability. SHARAN, Afghanistan, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Some 12 civilians, mostly local students, were killed and four others wounded in a roadside bomb blast in eastern Paktika province on Thursday, the provincial governor said. "A civilian vehicle was running on outskirts of Urgon district at midday. The ill-fated vehicle touched off an improvised explosive device, triggering a blast which killed 12 people and injured four others aboard the vehicle," Gov. Elyass Wahdat told Xinhua. The casualties were shifted to the district's hospital. Among those killed were seven students of two local Madrasa or seminary schools and five commuters, the governor added. The killed students, ageing from 12 to 16 years, were travelling to their villages outside of the district. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet but officials frequently blame Taliban militant group for planting the IED along the main roads. More than 3,490 civilians were killed and over 7,900 others injured in conflict-related incidents across Afghanistan last year, according to figures released by the UN mission in the country. The IED explosions were the third largest cause of civilian casualties in Afghanistan, following ground engagement and suicide attacks. A man stands on rubble of a funeral house that was hit in airstrike in Arhab district, about 40 km north of Sanaa, capital of Yemen, on Feb. 16, 2017. The Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemeni dominant Houthi rebels killed at least 11 women in an airstrike on a funeral house north of the capital Sanaa on Wednesday, a medic and security official said. (Xinhua/Mohammed Mohammed) RIYADH, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Saudi-led coalition launched on Thursday an investigation into airstrike claims in Yemen that killed civilians, Saudi Press Agency reported. In a statement, the coalition highlighted that investigation will be into claims by Houthi rebels that Yemeni civilians were killed in an air raid overnight near the capital Sanaa. It stated that Yemeni armed forces and rebels have clashed in this area in recent days, and findings will be released after the end of the investigation. The coalition declared last year responsibility of deadly hotel bombing in Yemen, citing miscommunication as the reason. It promised revision of airstrike procedures and compensation of victims. The coalition has been engaged in a war against Houthis in Yemen since 2015. BUJUMBURA, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Burundian army has sent the 40th battalion of the African Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), replacing the 34th battalion that had completed one year in Somalia, the Burundian army spokesman said Thursday. "952 soldiers of the 40th battalion have left for the African Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), replacing an equivalent number of soldiers of the 34th battalion who have completed one year in Somalia," Burundian Army Spokesman Colonel Gaspard Baratuza told reporters as soldiers were boarding an aircraft to Somalia. According to him, there is a rotation of a battalion every year in accordance with a memorandum of understanding signed between the Burundian government and the African Union (AU). "All our (Burundian) soldiers have received peacekeeping training, and all of them can serve in any peacekeeping mission anywhere in the world," Baratuza said. He indicated that the issue of unpaid salaries for Burundian AMISOM troops has been solved. Baratuza said that the salary arrears for January, February and 14 days of March for last year will be soon available at the Burundi Central Bank before transferring the salary to beneficiaries' accounts. "Otherwise, an account has been open in a commercial bank where the rest of salary arrears will be deposited before being transferred to beneficiaries' accounts," he said. Burundi is among the main contributors of troops in the AMISOM. The issue of salary arrears for Burundian troops of the AMISOM was solved with the visit, last month, of Commissioner for Peace and Security for the African Union, Smail Chergui. The failure to pay peacekeepers' salaries for 12 months had forced the Burundian government to threaten to withdraw its troops from Somalia. Since December 2007, the east African nation has deployed six rotating battalions comprising of about 5,500 troops in Somalia. Following the outbreak of Burundi's crisis in April 2015 with Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza bidding and winning a controversial third term, some army and police officers were sent to lead peacekeeping missions in Somalia and the Central African Republic, but were refused for their alleged involvement in violent repression during demonstrations against Nkurunziza's third term bid. ASTANA, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Syrian government calls on Turkey to withdraw its troops from Syria and close Turkish-Syrian border to the flow of terrorists. "Turkey should withdraw its troops from the territory of Syria," said Bashar al-Ja'afari, head of the Syrian government delegation at the peace talks in Astana on Thursday. He stated that Turkey bears responsibility for violation of Syrian sovereignty, saying "Turkish authorities must close the border for the flow of terrorists in Syria." Bashar al-Ja'afari highlighted that Turkish government is responsible for the safety of 910 kilometres of the border common with Syria, saying "Turkey does not bear the responsibility, and, on the contrary, it contributes to the penetration of tens of thousands of mercenaries from different countries of the world through our joint border." He also said that Syrian government will study a negotiating document on the establishment of tripartite operations group for monitoring the ceasefire with the participation of Russia, Turkey and Iran and will express own position later. According to the Head of the Syrian government, the Geneva Conference should take into account all the results and the resolution of negotiations in Astana. "Geneva conference should take into account all the results and resolution of Astana-1 and Astana-2 peace talks, so that they could became the basis for the work at the upcoming meeting in Geneva," Ja'afari said. He emphasised that every meeting cannot start from scratch and parties can't forget the steps that have been made during the previous meetings. Mohammed Alloush, chief of the Syrian opposition delegation said Syrian armed opposition does not accept Iran as a party, which can take part in the monitoring mechanism. "We also confirmed that Iran's role in Syria is rejected completely," he stated at the Astana press conference on Thursday. Alloush also said that a decision on the participation of the armed Syrian opposition in the upcoming meeting in Astana will be made only after studying the results of the latest talks on Syria. This meeting was the second such event on Syrian issue held in Astana, Kazakh capital. The negotiations lasted two days. The next meeting on Syria will take place in Astana in one month. Working groups will gather to continue working on the peace process. : , , , , - 28 . WINDHOEK, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Twenty-two cases of leprosy were recorded in Namibia in 2016, health minister Bernard Haufiku said Thursday. Haufiku said this in his speech to mark the World Leprosy Day at an event held at Ongwediva, about 750 kilometers from capital Windhoek. Although the Leprosy Day is held on the last Sunday of January every year, Namibia's had a delayed ceremony. Namibia has been providing leprosy treatment for free, with the technical help of the Leprosy Mission International since 2008 when the country came up with strategies of how to fight. According to Haufiku, those suffering from leprosy are still being stigmatized and discriminated against. In most parts of Africa, the minister said, people who suffer from leprosy are viewed as cursed. The minister further said in some instances, leprosy sufferers are not allowed to collect water from the common well. U.S. President Donald Trump (R) gestures at a joint press conference with visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House in Washington D.C., the United States, on Feb. 15, 2017. Israel should "hold back" on building new settlement "for a little bit," U.S. President Donald Trump told visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu) by Keren Setton JERUSALEM, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- The contradictions in the press conference between U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not clarify the unknown about how the new American administration will handle the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. While it seems Netanyahu leaves the U.S. with some political gains, there is no major change in sight for the coming future. The warm welcome does not necessarily mean the Israeli PM is free to act as he wishes. Netanyahu and Trump hugged and shook hands at the White House on Wednesday as the two held a press conference ahead of a much anticipated meeting. But it was also a press conference filled with ambiguity on Trump's part and satisfaction on Netanyahu's part. It was the first time Trump had to intensively deal with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and his statements revealed a certain degree of ignorance. But a careful listen may convey a clearer message to Israel. Trump's main statement that he is indifferent to the type of solution that the sides come up with is a departure from the two-state solution stance that American administrations have held for years. In a statement, Israeli opposition leader Isaac Herzog said it was "sad and embarrassing" to see Netanyahu "wrangling just in order to avoid the idea of separating from the Palestinians through two states." It was certainly a slap in the face to the majority of Palestinians who see an independent Palestinian state as the only solution to their problem. Netanyahu's laughter at Trump's disregard was indicative of his satisfaction. However, Trump publicly asked Netanyahu to scale down Israeli settlement activity. "I'd like to see you hold back on settlements a little bit," Trump said casually. For Netanyahu's coalition partners, this was a humbling request. The settlers and their representatives in parliament were sure that the Trump era heralds a green light in terms of Israeli settlement expansion. Dr. Nimrod Goren, Head of Mitvim, the Israeli Institute for Regional Foreign Policies, believed this attitude is beneficial for both leaders. "He (Trump) kept the doors open, Jerusalem, settlements, two-state solution yes or no, there was no concrete policy statement which is quite a convenient situation for Netanyahu to be in because it enables him to keep on his quiet policies without big American fan fare but also it's good for Trump to keep the doors open," he said. Netanyahu leads a right-wing government that is considered the most right-wing nationalistic government in Israeli history. Some of his coalition partners are more hawkish than Netanyahu, calling for the annexation of the West Bank territories Israel captured in the 1967 Mideast War. Israel has avoided this step for many reasons, one of them being the anticipation of a harsh international response. Israel is at odds with the international community on the fate of these territories. While Israeli settlements in the West Bank are considered illegal by the majority of the world, Netanyahu insists on strengthening Israel's hold on the territories. In an attempt to appease the international community, Netanyahu has stated repeatedly that he is in favor of an independent Palestinian state. His actions throughout the years indicated otherwise. Palestinians see the intensified settlement activity as a huge stumbling block to their aspiration for a state. They see the West Bank as a critical part of their future state. Throughout Netanyahu's tenure, settlements have expanded greatly. Trump's ambivalence towards the necessity of a Palestinian state as a solution to the conflict gives Netanyahu more wiggle room. "I think Netanyahu will want the two-state solution to become a less relevant issue on the international agenda, to have fewer international discussions about it and therefore an American position like 'whatever you decide what's good for you'. It will enable Netanyahu the flexibility and the space to continue his policy without having international pressure," said Dr. Goren. In the days after Trump's inauguration, Israel announced its plans to build thousands of new housing units in the West Bank. While in the past, the Obama administration would almost automatically condemn Israel after such a move, the new staff at the White House did not officiate the knee-jerk response. Yet, Trump asking the Israeli leader to curtail settlement activity is perhaps an attempt by the Americans to keep the two-state solution alive. "Netanyahu will want to continue what he's been doing for the last years. I think that's the model for him...increasing the Israeli control over the area. He's perhaps distancing the two-state solution. I think he will want to do so without annexation," Goren explained. Netanyahu will not be able to build freely in the West Bank after Trump's blunt and simply worded request. According to reports by the Israeli media, in a briefing to reporters after the closed meeting between Trump and Netanyahu, the latter said that he sees the need to accommodate such a request when coming from such a close friend of Israel. So while the Israeli premier felt more welcome in the White House than he has in the last eight years, he was not given the freedom or the blind eye he may have wanted. "The U.S. will not want to have actions that may lead to an actual escalation on the ground. What we saw over the last years is that Netanyahu can manage his settlement policies without directly leading to big explosions," Goren said. Trump said he would be happy with a solution that both sides come up with, not only the Israeli side. This means anything short of a full-fledged sovereign Palestinian state is not a solution the Palestinians will agree to. It's back to square one for the Israelis and Palestinians. If there will be no change in the leadership of both sides, it will be more of the same. "There will be a slow erosion of chances for a two-state solution," Goren said in his assessment of the situation. The friendship that Netanyahu encountered at the White House is a definite change from the bad blood that ran between him and Obama. Will this translate into a carte blanche for his policies and aspirations? This seems highly unlikely and Netanyahu is well aware of this. U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a press conference on February 16, 2017, at the White House in Washington, DC. (Xinhua/AFP PHOTO) WASHINGTON, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- It seems as the White House embraces for new faces, the so-called "political climate" in the United States has become a new significant source of stress for most Americans, at least according to a new poll. In addition to the economy, work and money, which annually are among the top three stressors, 57 percent of Americans now say that the political climate is a very significant or somewhat significant source of their stress, according to the latest online Harris Poll survey. It's the first time since the American Psychological Association started the annual "Stress in America: Coping with Change" survey 10 years ago that this level of anxiety about the political climate and the country's future has been reported, said Lynn Bufka, associate executive director for practice, research and policy at the APA. "People are saying they're more stressed now than they have been in quite some time," Bufka was quoted by a USA Today report on Thursday. "Now, things seem to be less sure. What will really happen? What decisions are being made? Who's making those decisions? Will things that have been happening for a long time, are those things about to change? It seems like there's a lot more that's up in the air. It's a lot more for people to digest unless they think about it." the analyst said. Among the polled, 59 percent of Republicans said the future of the United States was a significant source of stress for them, compared with 76 percent of Democrats. A study by Allianz Life also found that 42 percent of Americans reported being more stressed in 2016 than 2015. The number is up from 2015, when 36 percent of people reported being more stressed. "We seem to have an unprecedented level of political uncertainty, which can feed into the fear of disunity of the country, fragmentation of relationships," Dr. Ron Samarian, a psychologist in Michigan, told the newspaper's reporters. "Certainly in our lifetimes, it's never been this distorted. ... It hits a lot of different areas all going to the same place, which is the uncertainty and the lack of control or the feeling that we don't have as much control." he said. "People are very worried because they don't know what to believe," said Wendy Day, a political consultant who helped found the Tea Party in Michigan. "There used to be a thing called objective truth, and now it's very hard to figure out what that is," Bufka said, noting the saturation of the news on television, on social media, and in Americans' day-to-day conversations. ADDIS ABABA, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Seventy Ethiopian customer service professionals on Thursday graduated from a Chinese language training program aimed at providing better service to Chinese passengers at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. The language training program was organized by the Chinese Embassy in Addis Ababa in partnership with Confucius Institute. The graduates, composed of customs officers and security officials at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, Ethiopian airlines and customs office, have attended a 10-week long Chinese language training session. La Yifan, Chinese Ambassador to Ethiopia, and Tadele Barega, Managing Director of Ethiopian Ground Services, congratulated and awarded graduates with certificate of recognition in a ceremony held at the Chinese embassy in Addis Ababa. La commended the program as a vivid indication of the growing Sino-Ethiopian partnership. "Bole International Airport is the largest point for the Chinese passengers, not only to Ethiopia but also for the African continent," he said. "By offering the most friendly and convenient service you are contributing to the national development and national renascence of Ethiopia," he told the graduates. There are over 2,000 Chinese passengers transiting at Bole International Airport on average every day, according to the ambassador. Barega also lauded the program. "We need to have qualified and educated Chinese-speaking employees who can very well serve our Chinese passengers, who can very well address and attend our Chinese passenger's needs on daily basis," he said. The second round of the Chinese language proficiency training session will start soon. Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Binali Yildirim carry the coffin of Turkish soldier Selim Topal, who was killed in a car bomb attack by Islamic State in northern Syria, during his funeral ceremony in Istanbul, Turkey, January 21, 2017. (Reuters Photo) ASTANA, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Syrian government calls on Turkey to withdraw its troops from Syria and close Turkish-Syrian border to the flow of terrorists. "Turkey should withdraw its troops from the territory of Syria," said Bashar al-Ja'afari, head of the Syrian government delegation at the peace talks in Astana on Thursday. He stated that Turkey bears responsibility for violation of Syrian sovereignty, saying "Turkish authorities must close the border for the flow of terrorists in Syria." Bashar al-Ja'afari highlighted that Turkish government is responsible for the safety of 910 kilometres of the border common with Syria, saying "Turkey does not bear the responsibility, and, on the contrary, it contributes to the penetration of tens of thousands of mercenaries from different countries of the world through our joint border." He also said that Syrian government will study a negotiating document on the establishment of tripartite operations group for monitoring the ceasefire with the participation of Russia, Turkey and Iran and will express own position later. According to the Head of the Syrian government, the Geneva Conference should take into account all the results and the resolution of negotiations in Astana. "Geneva conference should take into account all the results and resolution of Astana-1 and Astana-2 peace talks, so that they could became the basis for the work at the upcoming meeting in Geneva," Ja'afari said. He emphasised that every meeting cannot start from scratch and parties can't forget the steps that have been made during the previous meetings. Mohammed Alloush, chief of the Syrian opposition delegation said Syrian armed opposition does not accept Iran as a party, which can take part in the monitoring mechanism. "We also confirmed that Iran's role in Syria is rejected completely," he stated at the Astana press conference on Thursday. Alloush also said that a decision on the participation of the armed Syrian opposition in the upcoming meeting in Astana will be made only after studying the results of the latest talks on Syria. This meeting was the second such event on Syrian issue held in Astana, Kazakh capital. The negotiations lasted two days. The next meeting on Syria will take place in Astana in one month. Working groups will gather to continue working on the peace process. ACCRA, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- King Mohammed VI of Morocco has arrived in Accra to begin a three-day official visit to Ghana, the Flagstaff House said in a statement on Thursday. The visit, which is aimed at deepening the existing cordial relations between Ghana and Morocco, will also present the two countries with an opportunity to define new areas of cooperation that would serve their mutual interests. The Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo will hold bilateral talks with the King on Friday before hosting him to an official launch at the presidency, said the statement signed by Eugene Arhin, the acting director of communications at the presidency. The Moroccan King was originally billed to visit the west African country last month but it was postponed. Netanyahu and Trump hugged and shook hands at the White House on Wednesday as the two held a press conference ahead of a much anticipated meeting. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu) JERUSALEM, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- The contradictions in the press conference between U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not clarify the unknown about how the new American administration will handle the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. While it seems Netanyahu leaves the U.S. with some political gains, there is no major change in sight for the coming future. The warm welcome does not necessarily mean the Israeli PM is free to act as he wishes. Netanyahu and Trump hugged and shook hands at the White House on Wednesday as the two held a press conference ahead of a much anticipated meeting. But it was also a press conference filled with ambiguity on Trump's part and satisfaction on Netanyahu's part. It was the first time Trump had to intensively deal with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and his statements revealed a certain degree of ignorance. But a careful listen may convey a clearer message to Israel. Trump's main statement that he is indifferent to the type of solution that the sides come up with is a departure from the two-state solution stance that American administrations have held for years. In a statement, Israeli opposition leader Isaac Herzog said it was "sad and embarrassing" to see Netanyahu "wrangling just in order to avoid the idea of separating from the Palestinians through two states." It was certainly a slap in the face to the majority of Palestinians who see an independent Palestinian state as the only solution to their problem. Netanyahu's laughter at Trump's disregard was indicative of his satisfaction. However, Trump publicly asked Netanyahu to scale down Israeli settlement activity. "I'd like to see you hold back on settlements a little bit," Trump said casually. For Netanyahu's coalition partners, this was a humbling request. The settlers and their representatives in parliament were sure that the Trump era heralds a green light in terms of Israeli settlement expansion. Dr. Nimrod Goren, Head of Mitvim, the Israeli Institute for Regional Foreign Policies, believed this attitude is beneficial for both leaders. "He (Trump) kept the doors open, Jerusalem, settlements, two-state solution yes or no, there was no concrete policy statement which is quite a convenient situation for Netanyahu to be in because it enables him to keep on his quiet policies without big American fan fare but also it's good for Trump to keep the doors open," he said. Netanyahu leads a right-wing government that is considered the most right-wing nationalistic government in Israeli history. Some of his coalition partners are more hawkish than Netanyahu, calling for the annexation of the West Bank territories Israel captured in the 1967 Mideast War. Israel has avoided this step for many reasons, one of them being the anticipation of a harsh international response. Israel is at odds with the international community on the fate of these territories. While Israeli settlements in the West Bank are considered illegal by the majority of the world, Netanyahu insists on strengthening Israel's hold on the territories. In an attempt to appease the international community, Netanyahu has stated repeatedly that he is in favor of an independent Palestinian state. His actions throughout the years indicated otherwise. Palestinians see the intensified settlement activity as a huge stumbling block to their aspiration for a state. They see the West Bank as a critical part of their future state. Throughout Netanyahu's tenure, settlements have expanded greatly. Trump's ambivalence towards the necessity of a Palestinian state as a solution to the conflict gives Netanyahu more wiggle room. "I think Netanyahu will want the two-state solution to become a less relevant issue on the international agenda, to have fewer international discussions about it and therefore an American position like 'whatever you decide what's good for you'. It will enable Netanyahu the flexibility and the space to continue his policy without having international pressure," said Dr. Goren. In the days after Trump's inauguration, Israel announced its plans to build thousands of new housing units in the West Bank. While in the past, the Obama administration would almost automatically condemn Israel after such a move, the new staff at the White House did not officiate the knee-jerk response. Yet, Trump asking the Israeli leader to curtail settlement activity is perhaps an attempt by the Americans to keep the two-state solution alive. "Netanyahu will want to continue what he's been doing for the last years. I think that's the model for him...increasing the Israeli control over the area. He's perhaps distancing the two-state solution. I think he will want to do so without annexation," Goren explained. Netanyahu will not be able to build freely in the West Bank after Trump's blunt and simply worded request. According to reports by the Israeli media, in a briefing to reporters after the closed meeting between Trump and Netanyahu, the latter said that he sees the need to accommodate such a request when coming from such a close friend of Israel. So while the Israeli premier felt more welcome in the White House than he has in the last eight years, he was not given the freedom or the blind eye he may have wanted. "The U.S. will not want to have actions that may lead to an actual escalation on the ground. What we saw over the last years is that Netanyahu can manage his settlement policies without directly leading to big explosions," Goren said. Trump said he would be happy with a solution that both sides come up with, not only the Israeli side. This means anything short of a full-fledged sovereign Palestinian state is not a solution the Palestinians will agree to. It's back to square one for the Israelis and Palestinians. If there will be no change in the leadership of both sides, it will be more of the same. "There will be a slow erosion of chances for a two-state solution," Goren said in his assessment of the situation. The friendship that Netanyahu encountered at the White House is a definite change from the bad blood that ran between him and Obama. Will this translate into a carte blanche for his policies and aspirations? This seems highly unlikely and Netanyahu is well aware of this. From January to December 2016, compared with the same period in 2015, Tunisian tourism growth in the Chinese market reached 93.6 percent, or 7,396 tourists. (AFP photo) TUNIS, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Officially from Thursday, the Chinese tourists will benefit from an exemption of entry visa to visit Tunisia, announced the Tunisian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "From today, the tourists of Chinese nationality will not need a visa to enter Tunisian territory, in the conditions of having a round-trip flight ticket and a valid hotel reservation voucher within 90 days," confirmed to Xinhua, Chafik Hajji, general director of consular affairs in the Ministry. "This is good news for Tunisian tourism," said the head of division and general coordinator of the Tunisian National Tourist (ONTT), Nabil Hedhiri. According to ONTT, from January to December 2016, compared with the same period in 2015, Tunisian tourism growth in the Chinese market reached 93.6 percent, or 7,396 tourists. After five years of the most difficult Tunisian tourism period, Tunisia did not gradually take a breath until 2016 when more than 5.7 million tourists landed in Tunisia compared to 5.3 million in 2015, according to figures recently unveiled to the media by ONTT. This file photo taken on December 21, 2016 shows then US President-elect Donald Trump (L) standing with Trump National Security Adviser Lt. General Michael Flynn (R) at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida. (Xinhua/AFP PHOTO) NEW YORK, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- The resignation of a U.S. national security adviser after only over three weeks in the job is unprecedented and it is a harbinger of something deep in the water. Michael Flynn's quit amid revelations that he misled Vice President Mike Pence about his phone calls with Russian ambassador uncovered the chaos facing the new Donald Trump administration, U.S. experts said. "It was an unprecedented development" for a national security adviser to be forced out just 25 days into Trump's presidency, Nora Bensahel, an expert at the School of International Service of the Washington-based American University, told a telephone briefing on Tuesday. "We never heard anything like that before." Flynn's sudden ouster on Monday night was triggered by last week's disclosure that he discussed Washington's sanctions on Moscow during at least one December phone call with Russia's ambassador to the United States before Trump took office on Jan. 20. The retired lieutenant general was serving as a member of Trump's transition team then. But in particular, he misled other officials about the conversations, including Vice President Mike Pence, who came out and strongly supported him in public comments, Bensahel said. Flynn maintained for weeks that he had not talked about U.S. sanctions in his contacts with the Russian ambassador. He later admitted that the topic may have come up. "It seems that Flynn is unable to establish or operate a policy process at the National Security Council (NSC)," Gordon Adams, professor of international relations at the American University, said at the briefing. White House National Security Advisor Michael Flynn (C) looks at White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus (2nd R) prior to a joint news conference at the White House in Washington, U.S., February 13, 2017. (Xinhua/REUTERS) "I think the issue broader and general in Flynn is really an issue of chaos, disorganization, and amateurship in the national security wing of the White House," said Adams, who was a senior White House official for national security budgeting in the Bill Clinton administration and also served on Barack Obama's transition team. Flynn's dismissal "betrayed a severe chaos in Trump's White House," he added. There is always tension between the White House and the agencies, which is usually managed through inter-agency process, he said. "The NSC has been foundering in chaos for the last three week. There is no solid substantial inter-agency process in place to deal with the differences in points of view," he said. Adam raised concerns about the dysfunction of the Trump administration. He believed that the Trump versus the bureaucracy scene was likely to continue. Jordan Tama, assistant professor who specializes in the politics, processes, and institutions of U.S. foreign and national security policy making at the American University, echoed that "there are not just tensions between the agencies and the White House, but also within the White House." There are clear tensions between those who "go along or fit with Trump' s unusual approaches to politics and management" and some others who are more conventional politicians like Vice President Pence, said Tama, who served as a national security adviser to Obama's 2008 presidential campaign. Tama believed "there will be continuing tensions there, whether people who are more political professionals are able to establish more regular process in running the government." "This White House is clearly not normal," Adams said. "They come out so fast, like a blizzard of destruction going on in terms of the way the White House deals with domestic and foreign policy issues." "Under that circumstance, the bureaucracy to play a role, through leaks, through side conversations, in countering the chaos in the White House is likely to be enhanced," he said. This file photo taken on December 21, 2016 shows then US President-elect Donald Trump (L) standing with Trump National Security Adviser Lt. General Michael Flynn (R) at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida. (Xinhua/AFP PHOTO) NEW YORK, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- The resignation of a U.S. national security adviser after only over three weeks in the job is unprecedented and it is a harbinger of something deep in the water. Michael Flynn's quit amid revelations that he misled Vice President Mike Pence about his phone calls with Russian ambassador uncovered the chaos facing the new Donald Trump administration, U.S. experts said. "It was an unprecedented development" for a national security adviser to be forced out just 25 days into Trump's presidency, Nora Bensahel, an expert at the School of International Service of the Washington-based American University, told a telephone briefing on Tuesday. "We never heard anything like that before." Flynn's sudden ouster on Monday night was triggered by last week's disclosure that he discussed Washington's sanctions on Moscow during at least one December phone call with Russia's ambassador to the United States before Trump took office on Jan. 20. The retired lieutenant general was serving as a member of Trump's transition team then. But in particular, he misled other officials about the conversations, including Vice President Mike Pence, who came out and strongly supported him in public comments, Bensahel said. Flynn maintained for weeks that he had not talked about U.S. sanctions in his contacts with the Russian ambassador. He later admitted that the topic may have come up. "It seems that Flynn is unable to establish or operate a policy process at the National Security Council (NSC)," Gordon Adams, professor of international relations at the American University, said at the briefing. "I think the issue broader and general in Flynn is really an issue of chaos, disorganization, and amateurship in the national security wing of the White House," said Adams, who was a senior White House official for national security budgeting in the Bill Clinton administration and also served on Barack Obama's transition team. Flynn's dismissal "betrayed a severe chaos in Trump's White House," he added. There is always tension between the White House and the agencies, which is usually managed through inter-agency process, he said. "The NSC has been foundering in chaos for the last three week. There is no solid substantial inter-agency process in place to deal with the differences in points of view," he said. Adam raised concerns about the dysfunction of the Trump administration. He believed that the Trump versus the bureaucracy scene was likely to continue. Jordan Tama, assistant professor who specializes in the politics, processes, and institutions of U.S. foreign and national security policy making at the American University, echoed that "there are not just tensions between the agencies and the White House, but also within the White House." There are clear tensions between those who "go along or fit with Trump' s unusual approaches to politics and management" and some others who are more conventional politicians like Vice President Pence, said Tama, who served as a national security adviser to Obama's 2008 presidential campaign. Tama believed "there will be continuing tensions there, whether people who are more political professionals are able to establish more regular process in running the government." "This White House is clearly not normal," Adams said. "They come out so fast, like a blizzard of destruction going on in terms of the way the White House deals with domestic and foreign policy issues." "Under that circumstance, the bureaucracy to play a role, through leaks, through side conversations, in countering the chaos in the White House is likely to be enhanced," he said. RABAT, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) will continue supporting the implementation of Morocco's "Halieutis" fishery plan, FAO representative in Morocco Michael George Hage said on Thursday. Speaking at the 4th International Fisheries Fair "Halieutis" which is being held in the southern city of Agadir, Hage stressed FAO's full readiness to develop and maintain collaboration to assist the country to carry out the nationwide plan. Since 2009, Morocco has implemented a large-scale national strategy called "Halieutis" for the development of the sector up to 2020. A technical support agreement was inked by the UN agency and the Moroccan national agency for aquaculture development to elaborate a strategy for boosting fish farming in Morocco. According to the agreement, the FAO will provide 200,000 U.S. dollars to help with the funding of the project. Morocco is the top fish producer in Africa and the 25th largest producer in the world. According to Morocco's Fishing Department, the country exports around 1.6 billion-dollar fish products each year. The five-day fair hosts 300 domestic and foreign exhibitors and expects some 50,000 visitors. QUITO, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Colombian government and the National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrilla group reached an agreement Thursday on the agenda of the further peace talks in Quito, Ecuador, both chief negotiators announced. In a press conference, the government's chief negotiator, Juan Camilo Restrepo, and his ELN counterpart, Pablo Beltran, released the first joint statement reached since talks began on Feb. 7. The statement revealed that both sides have agreed on topics relating to Colombian public participation in peace-building efforts as well as humanitarian actions. Two separate working committees will work on these topics, alongside the main negotiation table, according to the agreement. Furthermore, both sides agreed to honor the agreement reached in March 2016. The next stage of the talks will last 45 days and will see the participation of guarantor countries (Brazil, Chile, Cuba, Ecuador, Norway and Venezuela), the statement said. Restrepo added that the joint statement reflected the advances made during the first week of negotiations. "It shows that the talks have started well, in good spirits and mutual respect. We now want to move forward and this fact alone is very positive for a process that took over two years to reach this public phase," he outlined. Beltran also stated that the joint statement "was a message that while there are important differences in many aspects, we will find a common path." "The very important first steps have been taken, we are moving forward in settling the rules about how the talks will work, how decisions will be taken. These have been eight very intense days, but we feel it is a good start," he outlined. Beltran added that the participation of a group of European countries, made up of Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Italy "will improve the help provided by the international community to this dialogue." STOCKHOLM, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- A Swedish court has sentenced a Syrian man to life imprisonment for violating international humanitarian law by participating in the execution of seven Syrian government soldiers in the Idlib province in 2012, Swedish media reported Thursday. The verdict was delivered Thursday and a central piece of evidence in the trial was a graphic video clip that was published by The New York Times in 2013 and received worldwide attention after spreading online. The video showed members of a rebel group, including the 46-year-old Syrian man, shooting the captured soldiers at close range and aiming at their bodies and heads. The soldiers had their hands tied behind their backs. The Syrian man was reportedly recruited to the armed rebel group in May 2012 and fled Syria soon after the execution. He applied for asylum in Sweden in 2013 and has lived in the country since then. He was arrested in March last year. In court, the man admitted to shooting one of the soldiers, but denied having committed a crime, maintaining throughout the trial that the Syrian soldiers had been sentenced to death by a court and that he had carried out the death penalty in accordance with the law. However, in the Stockholm court, the prosecutor challenged the defense's claim that the soldiers were dealt the death sentence by a legitimate court. "A major question during the trial has been whether a non-governmental actor can establish its own courts in order to uphold law and order within the framework of a non-international armed conflict," presiding judge Tomas Zander said in a statement. The Stockholm court concluded that may be possible under certain circumstances, but, in this case, there was proof that less than two days had passed between the capturing of the soldiers and the execution. That was one of the reasons why it was determined that the execution could not have been preceded by a fair trial where a legitimate court sentenced the soldiers to death. The 46-year-old has been served a lifetime imprisonment sentence and expulsion. The Swedish Migration Agency has opened a case into recalling his permanent residence permit. However, due to the ongoing war in Syria, the expulsion is not likely to be carried out immediately. BEIRUT, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah called on Israel Thursday to "dismantle the Dimona nuclear reactor," warning that it poses a threat to Israel's existence if hit by Hezbollah's missiles in any confrontation. Nasrallah made the remarks in a televised speech commemorating Hezbollah's slain leaders, commenting on an Israeli court's order that an ammonia container in the northern city of Haifa be emptied of its toxic content. He mentioned that Israel is continuing to "launch threats against Lebanon and speak of the third Lebanon war," saying that the intimidation is not new, and the election of U.S. President Donald Trump is somehow encouraging it, as Israel seems objective to pressure the resistance community in Lebanon. However, the policy of the new U.S. administration in the region is not clear, he added, saying that Trump's election "does not scare us, even if claims that he will give Israel the green light to wage a war on Lebanon turn out to be true." The strength and firmness of the resistance and President Michel Aoun's unwavering stance will deter Israel from waging any war, he reassured the Lebanese public as saying. BRUSSELS, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- The European Union (EU) on Thursday denounced the suicide terrorist attack at a shrine in Pakistan which killed more than 70 people and wounded 200 others. "We express our condolences to the families of the victims and wish a speedy recovery to those who were injured," a spokesperson of the European External Action Service (EEAS), the EU's diplomatic service, said in a statement. "We are determined to stand by Pakistan in fighting all forms of terrorism and will continue to strengthen our cooperation with Pakistan in this regard," the spokesperson said. The death toll of a deadly suicide blast at a shrine in Sehwan town of Pakistan's south Sindh Province has risen to 72, local police said. Inspector General of Sindh police A.D. Khawaja said that over 200 people were also injured in the explosion. A suicide bomber entered the Lal Shahbaz Qalandar shrine from a crowded golden gate and blew himself up in a group of people performing Dhamal (Sufi dance) inside a compound in Sehwan, a small town located some 284 km away from the provincial capital of Karachi, said policeman Rasool Bux. He said there were 500 to 800 people inside the shrine as Thursday evening is considered as the most sacred time to pray in the shrine and a large number of people from across the country were there to pay homage to the late saint and perform Dhamal. Global terror group Islamic State (IS) claimed the attack. On its Arabic AMAQ website, IS said a suicide bomber "exploded his vest in Shia shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar in Pakistan's south Sindh province." This is the second time when IS claimed an attack targeting a shrine in Pakistan over the last three months. On Nov. 12 last year, at least 52 people were killed and over 100 others injured when an IS suicide bomber blew himself up in a shrine in the country's southwest Balochistan province. ANKARA, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Turkish election authority announced campaign for constitutional referendum open on Thursday, state-run Anadolu Agency reported. Constitutional referendum will be held on April 16, which will bring drastic changes to the country's political system, including a shift to an executive presidential system from the current parliamentary system. Political parties are officially allowed to campaign on the constitutional changes from Feb. 16 to April 15, Turkish Supreme Election Board declared. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will launch the Yes campaign with a series of meetings in southern Kahramanmaras province on Friday, the report said. The Republican People's Party, the main opposition, will begin its No campaign on Monday in major cities, including Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir. Turkish nationals overseas will be able to vote at polling stations in embassies and consulates as well as at Turkish ports and airports. The constitutional change will bring a shift of regime change in Turkey with a strong partisan presidential system that will take over all authorities of the prime minister and cabinet. On Dec. 30, 2016, a constitutional committee of deputies from the ruling Justice and Development Party and the opposition Nationalist Movement Party submitted a proposed bill to parliament for ratification. The parliament passed the constitutional amendment on Jan. 21 in two rounds of voting for 18 articles. A total of 339 deputies voted in favor of the amendment, exceeding the 330-vote threshold to bring it to a referendum. LIMA, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Peru's President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski will discuss the free-trade agreement (FTA), immigration and investments with U.S. President Donald Trump during a state visit to Washington next week. Peru's Prime Minister, Fernando Zavala, told a press conference Thursday that Kuczynski's trip to the U.S. (Feb. 23-27) would be important in strengthening ties between the two countries. Zavala added that the FTA between the two countries, in place since Feb. 1, 2009, has been beneficial for both sides and that it must be protected to continue driving bilateral trade. The prime minister added that the two leaders would also address bilateral cooperation on security, defense and the fight against drug trafficking. According to Zavala, Kuczynski will also address the plight of thousands of Peruvian migrants living in the U.S. while talking to Trump. Finally, the Peruvian leader will seek the joint promotion of bilateral investments, with Peru-U.S. investments dropping in recent years. Kuczynski will also take the opportunity to formally invite Trump to attend the Summit of the Americas in Lima, Peru, in March 2018. The trip will make Kuczynski the first Latin American leader to meet Trump, and the fifth overall, since the new American president took power on Jan. 20. NICOSIA, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Cyprus peace negotiations have not been derailed but it will take a big effort to prevent a future accident after a crisis that led to the disruption of a negotiating session on Thursday, a United Nations official has said. United Nations Secretary General's special adviser on Cyprus Espen Barth Eide said after separate emergency meetings with the leaders of the Cypriot communities on Thursday night that a meeting scheduled for Feb. 23 has not been canceled. "Both leaders told me that the process has not stopped and they remain committed to the process despite the problems that flared up," he said. Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci had earlier blamed each other for prematurely pulling out of a meeting presided over by Eide. But the UN official said that this was not surprising because the discussion was being held in a difficult environment and the atmosphere was very charged. Eide met with the Turkish Cypriot leader for over an hour and his meeting with Anastasiades lasted for about 90 minutes. After the meeting with Anastasiades, Eide said that the negotiations are still on. He added that he had spoken with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, briefing him about the crisis. "He encouraged me not to let up efforts for the peace process to continue," Eide said. The crisis developed after Akinci used Thursday's meeting to complain about an amendment in a law introducing education reforms that requires school teachers to make a short mention of the anniversary of a referendum in 1950, in which Greek Cypriots almost unanimously voted in favor of Cyprus uniting with Greece. The amendment was introduced last Friday by an extreme right-wing party, which has only two seats in parliament and strongly opposed to the peace negotiations. The largest parties against the amendment abstained in the vote, giving small parties the chance to pass it by a marginal majority. Turkey occupied 37 percent of Cypriot territory in a 1974 operation sparked by a coup engineered by the military rulers of Greece at that time. Eide noted that the negotiations are not held in a sterilized environment and warned that as things progress towards the conclusion of an agreement, efforts to prevent it will intensify. "We should be very careful because there are elements in both communities who want the process to get out of orbit," said Eide. He added that he will try to contain the damage caused by Thursday's crisis. BONN, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday calls on the Group of 20 (G20) countries to turn consensus into actions, and fulfill sustainable development goals listed in a UN blueprint for eradicating poverty. Wang made the remarks in a G20 foreign ministerial meeting in Germany's western city of Bonn, where top diplomats gathered to discuss global issues, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The 2030 Agenda, endorsed and launched at the UN Summit for Sustainable Development in 2015, is a blueprint for eradicating poverty worldwide for the years leading up to 2030. The issue of development, Wang said, had been placed at the core of the agendas at the G20 Hangzhou Summit last year, where global leaders endorsed the G20 Action Plan on the 2030 Agenda For Sustainable Development. To implement the action plan, Wang urged G20 members to integrate the 2030 Agenda into their own development strategies, and continue to set development as a core issue for G20. Thirdly, the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities should be upheld, and parties concerned should take the lead in implementing the Paris Agreement on climate change, Wang said. Wang said China has already integrated the 2030 Agenda For Sustainable Development into its own national development program. Last year, China took the lead to formulate and release its national plan for implementing the 2030 Agenda, he said. The Chinese government has set poverty reduction as a top priority, and it had lifted additional over 10 million people out of poverty in 2016. China is set to in advance fulfill the sustainable development goals listed in the 2030 Agenda, Wang said. Wang also said China is pressing ahead with the Belt and Road Initiative and China aims to align and coordinate the development strategies and policies of the countries along the Belt and Road, so as to implement mutual beneficial cooperation and achieve common development. Wang also said the Chinese government has established the China-UN Peace and Development Fund, including a sub-fund for implementing the 2030 Agenda, and China expects it to play its due role. Related: Backgrounder: Germany's G20 upcoming schedule Chinese, Russian FMs meet in Germany BONN, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met his Russian counterpart on Thursday, stressing the need for both nations to continue playing the role of securing strategic stability in global affairs. RABAT, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) strongly condemned Thursday's car bomb attack in southwestern Baghdad. ISESCO said in a statement that this "heinous act mirrors the delusion and the brutality of its perpetrators," adding that the Islamic State (IS) group "serves an evil agenda that aims to spark sectarian strife among Muslims." The Islamic organ reiterated its support for Iraq in its fight against terrorism. The car bomb in Baghdad, which was claimed by IS, killed over 50 people and wounded dozens. UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday condemned the terrorist attack on worshippers at a shrine in Sehwan town of Pakistan's south Sindh Province. Earlier Thursday, a deadly suicide blast hit the shrine, killing at least 72 people while injuring 200 others. The extremist group Islamist State (IS) has claimed responsibility for the attack. "The United Nations supports the Government of Pakistan in its fight against terrorism in full respect of international and human rights norms," said a statement released by Guterres' spokesperson. "We call for the perpetrators of this attack to be brought to justices swiftly," it added. This is the second time when IS claimed an attack targeting a shrine in Pakistan over the last three months. On Nov. 12 last year, at least 52 people were killed and over 100 others injured when an IS suicide bomber blew himself up at a shrine in the country's southwest Balochistan province. ATHENS, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Nearly 2,500 refugee children are currently attending public schools in Greece thanks to an educational program which was introduced early in October, Greek Minister of Education Costas Gavroglou stated on Thursday while speaking in parliament. The plan making schooling available to refugee children stranded in Greece was introduced by the Greek government. As most of the refugee children have never attended schools or have been out of education for more than two years, the plan aims to help the kids integrate into the local society. According to the latest figures, Greek officials have set up 126 classes in 94 schools with 274 teachers have been hired to meet the needs of the 12 million-euro program which is co-funded by the European Union. Despite sporadic protests and objections raised mostly by the far-right, Gavroglou reassured that the government will not step back on the matter of refugee children's education, according to Greek national news agency AMNA. Under the government's plan, at least 10,000 children will attend classes in 150 schools all over Greece. The minister, however, admitted delays on Thursday, but pledged to step up efforts to admit more refugee children at Greek schools in coming months. In addition to the Greek government's efforts, many NGOs in Greece run non-formal educational programs to help refugee children integrate into the official national education system. UN refugee agency UNHCR along with the NGO "Save the Children" inaugurated on Thursday an educational space for refugee and migrant children in the Greek island of Leros in the southern Aegean Sea. "Non-formal education allows to prepare for entering the formal education system be it in another European member state, in Greece or hopefully when conditions permit in their countries of origin. It also empowers them to participate in community life and is an indispensable tool for integration," UNHCR's Representative in Greece Philippe Leclerc said, according to an e-mailed press release. The LEDU educational space has the capacity to accommodate about 80 students a day in three classrooms and an extra room for various activities. Courses include Greek, English, mathematics, geography, computer and art, offered by Greek certified teachers and qualified staff of "Save the Children". Teachers include also members of the refugee community. "Education is important for our life. School is important for everyone. We are all the same, boys and girls are the same, we should have the same rights, we are humans," said Homa, a 16-year-old girl from Afghanistan, who attends classes in LEDU. BEIRUT, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Ambassador to Lebanon Wang Kejian stressed Thursday that China has participated in all the international efforts to promote political solutions to the ongoing world issues, particularly the crisis in Syria. Wang addressed a reception held by the embassy here in honor of local media and research and study centers on the occasion of the end of the Spring Festival according to the Chinese calendar. The ambassador stressed China has been promoting strongly the necessity of reaching political solutions to the world hot issues such as the Syrian crisis, and is active in the world cooperation to fight terrorism. Meanwhile, he highlighted that China remains the biggest trading partner of Lebanon with trades reaching 2.15 billion U.S. dollars. "Cultural communication is also very close with exchange between the art groups from both countries," he added. "China is continuously inviting the Lebanese and Arab people to visit China and organizing events to present the Chinese culture and explain the Chinese role in the political, economical and trade fields," Lebanese Social Affairs Minister Pierre Abi Assi said. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (R) meets with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov during the Group of Twenty (G20) foreign ministerial meeting in Bonn, Germany, Feb. 16, 2017. (Xinhua/Luo Huanhuan) BONN, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met his Russian counterpart on Thursday, stressing the need for both nations to continue playing the role of securing strategic stability in global affairs. Wang met with Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the Group of Twenty (G20) foreign ministerial meeting held in Germany's western city of Bonn. Against the backdrop of complex changes in international and regional situation, China and Russia, as comprehensive strategic partners of coordination, should continue supporting each other firmly, Wang said. Both countries should continue deepening comprehensive cooperation and playing the role of securing strategic stability in global affairs, he said. Look ahead, China is willing to maintain high-level exchange with Russia, and strengthen alignment and cooperation between the Belt and Road Initiative and the Euroasian Economic Union project, Wang said. China is also willing to maintain close communication and coordination with Russia on major international and regional issues, and unswervingly build a comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination with Russia, so as to jointly cope with various global challenges, Wang said. Lavrov said Russia will work together with China to arrange major bilateral agendas this year, and enhance strategic communication and cooperation on global issues. The two top diplomats also exchanged views on bilateral cooperation under the frameworks of G20 and BRICS. Both agreed to deepen communication and coordination between the two nations under the framework of G20. They endorsed an open and inclusive mechanism of global economy and multilateral trade, agreed to improve global governance and facilitate a successful G20 Hamburg Summit. Wang and Lavrov praised the fruitful results during the past ten years of cooperation among the BRICS nations, namely Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. The two nations agreed to deepen practical cooperation in various fields and enable the BRICS mechanism to play a more important role in progress toward a multipolar world. Wang and Lavrov also expected fruitful results from the ninth BRICS leaders' summit, which will be held in southeast China's coastal city of Xiamen in September. On situation in the Korean Peninsula, they agreed to continue strengthening cooperation to maintain peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula, and make fresh efforts to restart talks. BONN, Germany, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Foreign ministers of the G20 convened here on Thursday for a two-day meeting to discuss international issues on sustainability, conflict prevention and cooperation with Africa. "Foreign policy is, and must be, more than crisis management," German Vice Chancellor and Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said in a statement issued prior to the G20 meeting. "We are well advised not to constantly run from one fire to the next, putting out the flames. That is why it is so important that the 20 largest countries (economies) in the world are meeting to address the causes of conflicts and the options for peaceful crisis prevention and conflict resolution," he said. "No country in the world can tackle the major international problems of our time alone," Gabriel noted. "Terrorism, water scarcity, forced migration and humanitarian emergencies cannot be resolved by isolation. Climate change cannot be tackled by barbed wire," he added. The G20 is comprised of 19 countries plus the European Union. The countries are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, Britain and the United States. Intech Parks critical role in diversification thrust She assured, the Park which spans 1,100 acres is guaranteed to increase Trinidad and Tobagos visibility on the global map as a commercial centre primarily for technology and innovation. It is a great step in TT becoming an innovation- driven economy. The Minister said it is envisaged the TIP will be home to major technology players and a place where ground breaking innovative ideas can perhaps emerge. Very importantly and in line with the top Science and Technology Parks in the world, Tamana will have a unique blend of environmental appeal along with industrialization. One of its largest tenants, The University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT), will offer research and development facilities, as well as a pool of industry specialists who can be harnessed to attain the highest standards of performance required to be globally competitive. Furthermore, the presence of UTT at Tamana will create the necessary synergies between industry and academia required for cutting-edge research and managing innovation and intellectual property. In addition to Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), Tamana will offer unique investment opportunities in other ICT areas such as Software Development and Animation, as well as High-value Manufacturing. The Trade and Industry Minister stated, the main goal for the TIP at this time is to ensure its full operationalization through tenanting. In this regard, as part of the thrust to diversify the economy towards industries outside of the energy sector, the core activities of TIP will be focused around the following sectors: ICT 4 lots have been provisionally allocated; Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) 2 lots have been provisionally allocated; data processing / centres 4 lots have been provisionally allocated; animation and software development 3 lots have been provisionally allocated; High value manufacturing/ assembly 3 lots have been provisionally allocated; and Financial Services 5 lots have been provisionally allocated. Gopee- Scoon expressed confidence that the Tamana Intech Park will aid in the ultimate goal of diversification, while placing Trinidad and Tobago as the premier investment destination of the region Man charged for MovieTowne murder Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Roger Gaspard SC also told police to charge two other persons for harbouring a fugitive. They too will appear in court today. De Revenaux was found with her throat slit near her workplace, Manderos Peri Peri Grill at MovieTowne cineplex at Invaders Bay, on Sunday February 5. She was laid to rest on Monday following a funeral ceremony at the St Martin de Porres Church in Gonzales. The Morvant man was held in Chaguaramas shortly after midday last week Friday near Crews Inn in Chaguaramas. He was about to board a pirogue when police intercepted him. 3 years jail for robbing pub A LA ROMAINE man was yesterday jailed for three years for robbing a pub outfitted with gaming machines of $20,000 on Sunday. Keston Christopher, 30, of Pond Street, was in 2012, charged with robbery and served two years in prison. Back then he pleaded guilty and yesterday, Christopher again pleaded guilty before Senior Magistrate Nanette Forde- John in the San Fernando First Court. He was charged with robbing Mumbai Pub in La Plaisance Road, La Romaine. Court prosecutor Cleyon Seedan said at about 1 pm on Sunday, the defendant and another man - both armed - stormed the pub and announced a hold-up. They proceeded to rob the supervisor of $20,000. PC Dennis Sam of San Fernando CID conducted investigations and arrested Christopher. The money was not recovered. Attorney Chantal Paul, in pleading for leniency for Christopher, told the magistrate that he is married and a father of two children aged eight and six. The attorney admitted that like most accused, who proffer financial hardship as a reason for committing robberies, Christopher was under grave financial strain but was man enough to immediately admit guilt. The attorney said that in 2012, Christopher was jailed for a similar offence and as a result, she would not stretch her hands out for a non-custodial sentence but is asking the court for leniency. In the end, he was sentenced to three years imprisonment with hard labour Sexually transmitted diseases in schools Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health Richard Madray said the last available statistics was based on a survey conducted in 2011. The Pan American Health Organisation has given approval for another survey to be conducted which will start in March, he said. Meanwhile, Guidance Officer within the Education Ministry Darlene Smith said five children diagnosed with HIV within the school system are two boys - eight and 11 years, and three female - seven, nine and ten years old. They will remain in the system unless their health factors should warrant that they should be removed, Smith said noting that the ministry believes in inclusive education and they should be treated in the same manner as other students. She did not say how the children contracted HIV and noted that their cases were confidential. Questioned further, she said in the past, she worked with a student who at nine years had contracted the HIV and which mutated to full blown AIDS. That student contracted the HIV due to incest. She has survived and is now an adult. On whether the school must get permission from parents to have a child medically examined for abuse, Smith said that the Education Act provides for the schools principal to be loco parentis (in place of a parent) who will inform the parents and police. It was more critical for the school to have the child medically examined, she said, if the parent is the perpetrator of the incest, or abuse. On cases put together by the Queens Park Counselling Centre (QPCC) which has branches across Trinidad, Specialist Medical Officer Dr Aruna Divakaruni reported that QPCC and its branches recorded 332 cases of STDs between 2012 and 2015. Of the STDs, 38 were HIV, 85 were syphilis, and 199, gonorrhoea. The teenagers partners are older, she said, noting that Most of the time they are abused by stepfathers, brothers, cousins or somebody like that. On condom availability and sexual activity, Divakaruna said that in 2015, some 2,255 teenagers between 15 and 19 years presented themselves for condoms at QPCC, in 2014, a total of 2,503, and in 2013 a total of 2,492. The teenagers do not come school uniform, but she assumed they were school children. Director, Medical Research Foundation of TT, Dr Jeffrey Edwards noted that the STIs from among the teenage population are presented in an advanced stage of infection. Most teenagers do not come through the school system. Naked woman was off her meds Video recordings of the naked woman walking along the road have gone viral after being uploaded to social media. However, the person who uploaded the video faced stinging criticism from social media users for recording the incident instead of going to the womans aid. Those who reposted the video, were also castigated for doing so. According to police, at 5.45 pm, the woman was driving her black Nissan Hilux pick-up south along De Verteuil Street in Woodbrook, when it collided with a black Volkswagen car which then slammed into a green Nissan Almera. The 29-year-old woman who lives in Laventille, stripped off her clothes, got out of the van and walked towards Wrightson Road while the occupants of the other vehicles watched dumbfounded. No one assisted the woman with several men and women quickly pulling out cellular phones and tablets to record her nakedness. Residents who saw what was taking place, brought towels and gently subdued the woman, covering her with the towels and cloth. A report was made to the Woodbrook police and her parents contacted. The parents begged police not to charge her, saying she lives with a mental condition that requires daily doses of medication. Sympathetic officers offered counselling for the woman and told her parents to take her home, give her the medication and let her rest. They advised that the woman return to the station and make a formal report on the accident. Officers confirmed that no charge of public indecency would be laid. Yesterday, officers of the St James Police Station said this case is now a traffic matter with the drivers of the Almera and Volkswagen having already reported the accident and both awaiting a report from the woman, so they can proceed via insurance claim, to have their vehicles repaired. Fishermen missing at sea Members of the Air Guard and the TT Coast Guard were conducting intense aerial and sea searches for Arnold Beharry, 51, and Stephen Beharry, 21, of Icacos Village. According to police the men, who are not related, were out at sea when their the vessel capsized in rough waters. Reports are that boat captain Arnold and Ricky boarded the vessel shortly after 11 am on Tuesday. Relatives of the two fishermen are fearing the worst and are hopeful that at the very least, their bodies can be retrieved for final rites. A relative of one of the missing men said that the men left their homes to retrieve their drift nets in the sea off Icacos. Cedros Police officers are investigating. Angostura appoints new CEO Jodhan has been Acting CEO since September 2016, while her predecessor Robert Wong, was on leave. Wong was then sent on administrative leave in December 2016, after the board was informed of allegations that the company had been repackaging bulk rum from Cuba and South America, without first making substantial changes to the rum, then selling it to export markets. Commenting on her promotion, Jodhan revealed she was both humbled and honoured to be appointed Chief Executive Officer. I have been with (Angostura) for close to a decade and my commitment has always been to Angosturas people, products and values. I am keen to build on the long outstanding achievement of our manufacturing business, through the execution of forward looking business strategies that add to the customer experience, and build on our shareholders value. Prior to Jodhans appointment as CEO, she held the post of Executive Manager of Angosturas International Sales and Marketing Division. Angostura said Jodhan will lead its executive management team and support the Board of Directors on the companys strategic business and growth strategies as well as other key decisions. Chairman of the board, Dr Rolph Balgobin, spoke highly of Jodhans selection, saying Genevieve has the experience and track record of delivering results and has proven leadership. (Jodhan) spearheaded our international sales growth increasing market share and sales of our signature rums and bitters in Europe, Asia and Australia and has directed the development of the brands in many emerging markets including Russia, Czech Republic, and Armenia. Balgobin also expressed the boards confidence that the new CEO would lead and execute Angosturas vision to expand globally. Hindus get training on psychological and mental health first aid Regional Manager Psychiatric/Mental Health Services of the South-West Regional Health Authority (SWRHA) Pooran Sankar yesterday said the session was geared at reaching out to different groups in the society to deal with the issue. Psychological first aid (PFA) covers both psychological and social support and the training was held at the San Fernando Teaching Hospital at Chancery Lane. It comprised mainly of pundits. Previous training sessions catered for Christian and Muslim leaders from the SWRHA district as well as teachers and students of secondary schools in San Fernando. People tend to gravitate to their respective religious leaders with whatever problems they have. We are trying to extent this to all the groups and people who have influence in terms of guiding their congregations, Sankar told Newsday. SWRHA district spans from Couva to Moruga to Icacos. According to the World Health Organisation, one in four people worldwide will be affected by mental or neurological disorders at some point in their lives. WHO further states that about 450 million people currently suffer from such conditions, placing mental disorders among the leading causes of ill-health and disability worldwide. Yesterday, Sankar added that within the SWRHA region, there are over 10,000 persons registered in clinics (psychiatric). Last year there were 240 new cases. On average 1,200 persons access the services yearly AG: No removal of special majority The AG said he indicated to his audience that Government will be bringing a host of legislation to Parliament, some of which is already on the Order Paper, in the coming months. He explained that this legislation will be scrutinised by Parliament as it always is and where there is the need for a special majority, it will have that endorsement. Al-Rawi said Government seeking to bring legislation to Parliament which does not need a special majority is not the same as Government not bringing any special majority legislation at all. The most incredible, illogical argument is being advanced, he observed. Al-Rawi said it is common knowledge that not every piece of legislation requires a special majority. He said it is also common knowledge that all legislation, simple or special majority, goes through several stages of vetting in Parliament before it is eventually passed. He said for the Opposition to be making comments on this issue, demonstrates they are, strangers to the truth of the real process of legislation. Legislation in TT can be passed by simple, three-fifths, twothirds or three-quarter majorities depending on the nature of the legislation. Al-Rawi said the Oppositions argument is flawed because for there to be subterfuge in any piece of legislation, they must have sight of specific legislation in question and they do not have that oversight at this time. Stating the Opposition continues to operate in the realm of hyperbole, slash and burn and illogic, Al-Rawi described their criticisms as, observations in a vaccum based on speculation and an attempt to scandalise the proper procedure by which this countrys laws are fashioned. Reiterating Governments commitment to ensuring good law is brought to Parliament and adherence to the parliamentary process, Al-Rawi said this is in sharp contrast to the obstructionist intent which the UNC has demonstrated in several instances when it comes to passing laws in the countrys best interest. Fire Ministers in National Security Sturge issued the call while leading off debate on a private members motion in the Senate to express concern about the rising levels of crime in the country. He also suggested that the Attorney General be given one month to bring legislation to free the country from the limits imposed by the Privy Councils Pratt and Morgan ruling so that hangings could be resumed. He said there are currently ten persons on Death Row who could be hanged, demanding hang them! Sturge criticised the Police for its low detection rate which he said was about three or four percent. And then you still have to hope for a conviction and hope that the conviction is not overturned on appeal. He said the major causes of crime in the country were drug related; the turf war between Muslims and Rasta City; Muslims versus a smaller group of Muslims known as Unruly ISIS; other gang wars; paid assasinations; killings as part of a break in; and domestic and other confrontations which result in killing. He said break-ins at homes which result in rape and other forms of violence must be dealt with but since crime is multi-faceted then the solutions must also be multi-faceted. He said while some of the killings in the country are carried out by novices, many are not and many of the killings have the stamp of professionalism and are carried out with finesse and expertise. He said many of the murders are carried out in a way which suggests that they are well planned and do not leave a shred of physical evidence behind, suggesting that the killers are skilled and highly trained. He wondered what are the reasons for these killings and who is paying for them, suggesting that some of the killings may be carried out by hired guns - guns who may have been hired by members of the armed forces regrettably. Sturge said that 20 years ago the Police had much higher detection rates although the service did not have the level of technology it has now and said that something is obviously wrong when the Police have all the technology it has and has the lowest detection rates anywhere. We pay the most money on National Security and we get the least results. That cannot continue. He asked whether the Minister of National Security knew what was the reason for the war between the Muslims and Rasta City or that between the Muslims and Unruly ISIS. He asked where all the guns were coming from, adding that the country was given the impression that legislation expanding the responsibility of the Strategic Services Agency was urgently needed and would go a long way in crime detection but he said that in the last nine months since the legislation was passed the Act was still awaiting proclamation. He listed some short term solutions to the countrys crime problem: Fire all three ministers in the Ministry of National Security; give the Attorney General one month to bring legislation to free the country from the limits imposed by the Privy Council in the Pratt and Morgan judgement and in the meantime establish a small team of lawyers dedicated to ensuring that death penalty cases are heard within the time frame set out by Pratt and Morgan; Give the Attorney General three months to bring the crime legislation promised for the last six months particularly laws which would speed up the hearing of firearms- related cases; double the capacity of the court system, instituting an evening shift from 1:30 PM to 5:30 PM to try matters in which persons are on bail. He said this could allow the system to handle twice the amount of cases it handles at present with a doubling of judicial staff and support staff; Set up a database on firearms in police custody and devote more personnel at the Forensic Sciences Centre to balistics; establish CCTV cameras at intersections nationwide and at junctions at specific hotspot areas; make the Motor Vehicle Authority the only legal entity to produce licence plates and stop the private sector from producing licencing plates; scan all containers coming through the countrys ports. He said it was a hollow argument that this would slow down commercial activity and the government must decide whether saving lives was a priority or whether it was a greater priority to appease the business community and return the Strategic Services Agency to its original responsibility - drug interdiction and related matters. Parliament no place to get rich Recalling that Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley has publicly stated there will be no pay increases for parliamentarians due to the countrys current economic circumstances, Gopee- Scoon said the Salaries Review Commission (SRC) is the body under the Constitution which deals with the terms and conditions for holders of public office, including parliamentarians. She reminded senators that last March, the SRC hired the Haig Group as a consultant as it undertook a review of the classification of all office holders who fall under the purview of the commission. She said the Haig Group is due to complete its work shortly and it would be best to wait until this exercise is completed. Stating that people entering Parliament do so on the basis of public service and not profit, Gopee-Scoon admitted there was a lacuna in the law where senators who were not legislators is concerned. While the Independent senators fall within this category, she said, and are not defined as legislators according to the law, they often perform that role in various functions. Stating the current Independent bench comprises people from disciplines such as economics, law and energy, Gopee-Scoon said there was no doubt the Independent senators have contributed immensely to Parliament over the years. Alt-Left waging cyber jihad and a propaganda war to destroy the American republic Since Donald J. Trumps electoral landslide over the corrupt, uninspiring and criminally investigated Hillary Clinton in November, the forces of hate that would be the Alt-Left have been conspiring to disrupt the new administration and make the country as ungovernable as possible. But there is much more to the agenda than just disdain for now-President Trumps agenda: There is a concerted effort to steal the American republic by any means possible and replace it with a Marxist authoritarianism that considers true democracy and the conservative philosophy that makes it possible an enemy. In an appearance on Breitbart Radio this week, Asra Nomani, a one-time Georgetown University professor, co-founder of the Muslim Reform Movement, and author of Standing Alone: An American Womans Struggle for the Soul of Islam, discussed her recent column, The Alt-Lefts Cyber Jihad Against Trump and His Supporters. (RELATED: Read about Afghan with terrorist intentions caught entering U.S. at NationalSecurity.news) Her column discussed what she believes is the most newsworthy event of the year thus far the anti-free speech demonstrations on the campus of the University of California-Berkeley recently, in which domestic terrorists rampaged, burned and destroyed property in an ultimately successful effort to shut down an event featuring Breitbart senior editor Milo Yiannopoulos, a conservative firebrand supporter of Trump. Being a journalist, I believe in the power of words, and I also study propaganda. I feel like were in the middle of a fierce propaganda war, Nomani told show host Alex Marlow. The one word that I think is important for everyone to know is agitprop. Its an old word for agitation propaganda. As you know, working at Breitbart, the concept of alt-right is thrown at you all the time. Its being used today as a way to try to immediately discredit folks. I thought to myself, Well, what do we have happening on the Left? She went on to explain that her family immigrated to the U.S. when she was four, and she grew up ensconced in the liberal politics of Morgantown, W. Va., a college town. She also noted that she had written a column for the Washington Post admitting that, as a lifelong liberal who backs many of the Democratic Partys positions (on abortion, same-sex marriage and climate change), she nonetheless voted for Trump. Why? Because, she explained, she like tens of millions of additional Trump supporters realized that, after eight years of President Obama, things were not better, including health care, the economy and many other things that matter to ordinary Americans. But she also saw something else developing during the campaign and in the weeks since the election: A false narrative was being developed by the Alt-Left that all Trump supporters, including her, a Muslim woman with liberal sensibilities, stood accused of being full of hatred/division/ignorance. And after seeing Yiannopoulos free speech shut down first in Chicago, then at UC-Berkeley, Nomani began to see a disturbing trend. I watched this happening on my TV screen, and I thought to myself, just like we do with anything in journalism, Where did it begin? she recalled. I had the good fortune to have met this really great cyber-sleuth named Eric Feinberg, who works out of New York City, and basically what we noticed was the hashtag that was being used to bring people to the streets there in Berkeley was hashtag #ShutDownMilo. And so what Eric did was track it, track the hashtag back to months before the actual protest happened against Milo, to a kind of odd website called ItsGoingDown.org. (RELATED: Read how Obama got away with bombing Muslim countries at Propaganda.news) As she noted in her column for the Post, Nomani said she worked from the website to begin tracking what she identified as a far-Left radical movement causing mayhem in cities around the country. She labeled it cyber Jihad, because, she explained, as a Muslim herself, she is very familiar with the agitprop used successfully by Muslim extremists all over the world. I see how whats happening here is this very dangerous intersection intersection politics is such a popular word between the far Left in America and the far Right in my Muslim community. Thats why I now see this as a cyber jihad thats now trying to really claim America, she said. Without question, the Alt-Left, financed in part by billionaire George Soros and led by groups who publicly claim they want change (as in, their Marxist agenda enacted) by any means necessary, is attempting to forcefully steal the American republic. People who have seen and studied similar methods used in other countries around the world are sure of it. J.D. Heyes is a senior writer for NaturalNews.com and NewsTarget.com, as well as editor of The National Sentinel. Sources: Newstarget.com Bugout.news WashingtonPost.com Breitbart.com Submit a correction >> Calexit leader discovered to have ties to Russia communists attempting to take California away from the USA Most conservatives would agree that California more closely resembles an entirely different planet than simply Americas western-most state. From the oddballs in Hollywood, to regulating cow farts, to spending $25,000 per month to fight Donald Trump, California is definitely out there. Thats not to say that there arent some really great things about the state, but in terms of its political and cultural environment, California is screwed up. In the wake of Donald Trumps election, more and more Californians are growing fond of the idea of seceding from the union; that is to say, make their state a country of their own. The Yes California campaign, dubbed Calexit by supporters and those that are involved, is a movement to do just that. The leader of the Calexit movement is a man named Louis Marinelli, an American who currently resides in Russia. Im in Russia for a number of reasons, Marinelli told ABC7 News in a recent interview. I have personal reasons. I want to be here and I have political goals to achieve while Im here, one of which is to build a bridge between California and Russia. He went on to say that by personal reasons, he meant reasons concerning his marriage. In 2016, Marinelli promoted the idea of Californias secession at a conference in Moscow, a meeting that has raised serious concerns about just how involved Russia is in the Calexit movement. Strangely enough, the Moscow conference was partially funded by a charity with direct ties to Vladimir Putin. The Anti-Globalization Movement of Russia is also providing office space for free, which Marinelli describes as a California embassy in Moscow. Leon Panetta, a former United States Secretary of Defense, explained why Californians should be concerned about Russias involvement in the movement. If you can weaken the leadership of the United States in the world, Russia can be able to get away with a lot more of what they want to do. He added that Russia has been known for years to use political chaos and civil unrest as a weapon. But while Calexit is gaining a lot of support, there are still several steps that must be taken until California can officially secede from the nation. The states Constitution would first need to be changed to allow California to begin the process. Subsequently, an immediate special election would be held asking citizens whether or not they support the idea of becoming their own country. Once that passes, the measure would still need to be approved by congress and two-thirds of the state legislatures. Currently, 33% of Californians support the idea of secession, according to a Reuters poll. Marinelli explained that withdrawing California from the United States would make it possible to establish the kind of liberal and progressive republic that we want in California, but often cant have because of congress, because of the White House, because of the Supreme Court. Whats good for Russia and one third of Californians, though, isnt necessarily good for our country as a whole. Whether they want to accept it or not, the people of California are intertwined with the rest of the country, politically, economically and culturally, which would make separation difficult and even unnatural. Furthermore, while we respect the California National Guard, it is impractical to believe that they would be as effective at defending the Californians as the United States military would. After all, one of the few duties of the federal government is to provide for the common defense and promote the general welfare. While California can legally take the steps necessary for secession, the negative impacts it would have on the union as a whole is undeniable. Sources: ABC7news.com ReturnToOrder.org Submit a correction >> Never send a cop to do a man's job I used to be one of those parents who took a second look at their kids bags of candy theyd gotten Halloween night and think, Wait a minute. Is that a full-size Butterfingers bar? Why would a kid need that much candy in one serving? Id either then ask if they really wanted that item or I We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. The World Bank has hailed Moroccos initiative to combat over-fishing activities off its coasts. The world institution in its new report on global fishing has estimated the deficit caused by overfishing at $83 billion, Moroccan media leconomiste.com reported. Morocco, the report notes, has done greatly to combat the illicit activities. The report also cites Peru, Pacific islands and West African countries as good students. The kingdom and these countries have shown that it is possible to adopt reforms that are in line with domestic context and which preserve jobs and livelihoods of coastal populations, the report notes. According to the World Bank, illicit fishing endangers food and jobs of 500,000 Moroccans. Head of Libyan Presidential Council Faiez Serraj has accused President of the Tobruk-based House of Representatives (HoR) Ageela Saleh for torpedoing talks with Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar in Cairo, reports say. Talks between the two protagonists ended with no real milestone decision on the future position of the Eastern-based army chief in the Libyan leadership. The two protagonists were later joined in the Egyptian capital by Saleh who has also has been opposed to Serraj and his PC. But no direct talks were held between the protagonists. Haftar and Saleh both aligned with rival east-based Beida government have been opposed to the Libya Political Agreement (LPA) signed in Morocco in December 2015 under the UN wing. In an interview with the London-based Arabic daily Asharq Al-Awsat, Serraj blamed the breakdown on the stubbornness of both Haftar and Saleh, Libya Herald reports. The intransigence of each party has resulted in the stagnation of a political solution and has increased the suffering of the Libyan people he said. Serraj who flew back to Tripoli on Tuesday indicated that Haftar insisted that Saleh takes part in the talks. LPA hit a deadlock over the position of Haftar who has become a figurehead in the Libyan crisis. While in Cairo, Serraj has proposed a three-man presidency, a separate government, the position of commander-in-chief to be held jointly by the heads of the Presidency Council, the HoR and the State Council and a supreme military council which would include the field marshal. Washington and Brussels have already blacklisted Saleh as spoiler of the political process. French appeal court of Reims ruled this Thursday that the evidences provided by lawyers of King Mohammed VI of Morocco against two French blackmailers, journalists Eric Laurent and Catherine Graciet, are admissible and thus will be taken into consideration in the legal proceedings. The ruling upholds a prior decision issued by the Court of appeal of Paris, which had turned down the defendants pleas, requesting the suppression of the audio and video recordings showing them in full extortion acts. The defendants have thus lost two appeals and their last legal resort. Now, they must face the reality. There is no escape from the crime committed for greed. The case of the two French journalists who attempted to blackmail Morocco and King Mohammed VI broke out when the two blackmailers were arrested by the French police red-handed. The two journalists had threatened to publish a harmful book on Morocco unless they received 3 million in cash. Eric Laurent contacted the Royal Cabinet and requested a meeting, saying he is about to publish a book on Morocco. At a meeting in Paris with Moroccos attorneys, Eric Laurent and the other co-author of the book, Catherine Graciet, offered to give up the book project for three million Euros. Rejecting these intimidation tactics, Morocco filed a complaint in France against the two authors. The French police recorded a meeting between the authors and the royal cabinet representative in accordance to the law. The investigation, opened by three French judges for extortion and blackmail attempt, led to the arrest of the two journalists red-handed, with cash in their pockets, some 40,000 each, a down-payment for an elaborate extortion plan. The French police also found a letter signed by the gold-digger pair, pledging to never write again about the Moroccan King for the 3 Mln euro ransom. Extortion in France is punishable by up to a 7-year prison sentence and a 100,000 fine. Charges for blackmailing are also punished with up to 5 years in jail and a 75,000 fine. The two blackmailers have been denounced for their unethical behavior by French and Moroccan media as well as by the two countries journalists associations and unions. King Mohammed VI of Morocco embarked as of this Thursday on a new African tour with a first stop in Accra, where he is scheduled to hold talks with Ghanas President Nana Akufo-Addo. The royal visit to Ghana will be an opportunity to give a new momentum to Moroccan-Ghanaian political partnership, especially so as Ghana, which had long supported the Polisario separatist front, claiming the independence of the Moroccan Sahara, was among the group of 28 member countries of African Union (AU) to have signed a motion in favor of Morocco. The motion, addressed to the AU summit in Kigali in July last year, demanded the return of Morocco to the continental organization and the expulsion of the Polisarios pseudo-Sahrawi Republic (SADR). Therefore, strengthening ties with Ghana offers political benefits, as it is an influential member of the African Union. The royal visit will also enable to move economic partnership between the two countries to a higher level, with the expected signing of several cooperation accords. These accords would fulfil the wish that Moroccan and Ghanaian business operators expressed during the economic forum they held in Accra in January to explore partnership avenues in various sectors. The forum provided an opportunity for the Moroccan delegation to highlight the business and investment trends in the North African Kingdom as well as the progress scored by Morocco in the sectors of industry, agriculture, tourism, renewable energies, infrastructures, agro-industry, mining, tourism, real estate, transport and logistics, pharmacy and fishing. The path to a fruitful economic partnership between Morocco and Ghana at both the institutional and private level will surely be smooth as the North African kingdom and its firms have built a solid investment experience in Africa and as the two countries have succeeded in promoting their respective economies. Actually, Ghana is the second largest economy of ECOWAS behind Nigeria and ahead of Cote dIvoire. The bulk of GDP in this country is provided by the services sector, accounting for 51.9 pc of GDP, ahead of industry (26.6 pc) and agriculture (21.5 pc). According to a recent report from Coface, Ghana offers opportunities in two main sectors, namely distribution and the blossoming sector of ICT. The diversification of the Ghanaian economy has also been based on the development of the industrial and agricultural sectors, Ghana being one of the worlds largest producers of cocoa. These are all areas that could lead to the establishment of win-win partnerships, in line with the new rationale of South-South cooperation, advocated by King Mohammed VI. I am not a sheep, I have my own mind I have had enough of being told what and how to think Whilst we are still allowed the remnants of free speech, I will speak out. I also reserve the right to discuss less controversial matters should I feel the urge. The Viktor Leonov CCB-175, a Russian Navy intelligence warship, is docked to a pier in Old Havana January 20, 2015 in Havana, Cuba. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images No one ever said the Connecticut shore was lovely this time of year, but a Russian spy ship has decided to come for a visit, anyway. The Victor Leonov is floating off the coast about 30 miles from the U.S. Naval Submarine Base near New London, after making a journey up the Atlantic coast from Havana, Cuba. The ship was hanging out near Delaware earlier Wednesday, and it has stayed well within international waters the entire time. This is not particularly unusual Russian ships, like U.S. ships, skulk around the coastlines of countries in international waters all the time. I wouldnt make a mountain out of a mole hill, Candler said. Its a ship, but its not the Great White fleet. And it is not uncommon for all kinds of ships from all kinds of places to be all over the world, a retired naval commander told the Hartford Courant. A military ship up here all by itself is kind of unusual. But these kinds of ships and we do the same thing go all over the place to stay reasonably accustomed to the waters. Russia made similar patrol exercises under President Obama in 2014 and 2015, but this is the farthest north a spy ship has ever patrolled, a Pentagon official told CNN. And, as they say, timing is everything. Veteran Republican pol and anti-abortion icon Karen Handel is the early front-runner. Photo: Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call,Inc. The odds are high that the first congressional contest of the Trump era will occur in Georgia on April 18, when a special election will be held to choose a successor for HHS Secretary Tom Price, who represented Atlantas suburban sixth district in the House for 12 years. Despite its strong Republican history (it was represented in the 1990s by Newt Gingrich, and Price never won less than 60 percent there), the sixth is one of those districts Democrats think they can pick off because its packed with college-educated voters who hold Donald Trump in minimum high regard. Indeed, Trump only carried the sixth by one percent last November. But as a large field assembles for the special election (a jungle primary in which the top two finishers regardless of party will proceed to a runoff, except in the unlikely event someone wins a majority the first time around), the early front-runner is a Republican with a strong local and national profile: former Georgia secretary of state Karen Handel. Nationally, Handel is best known as the former Susan G. Komen For the Cure executive who engineered a ban on funding for Planned Parenthood in 2012. The action was reversed and Handel resigned, becoming an instant icon of the anti-abortion movement (she quickly produced a book on her martyrdom entitled Planned Bullyhood). Back home, Handel has been an intermittently successful pol, chairing the Fulton County Commission (one of the counties in the sixth) and being elected secretary of state in 2006, before narrowly losing a gubernatorial runoff to Nathan Deal in 2010 (ironically, hostility to her from anti-abortion hardliners was a factor) and then finishing a close third in the U.S. Senate primary in 2014. In all her races, north metro Atlanta was her electoral base. A very early poll of the sixth taken in December after Price was nominated by Trump showed Handel with far more support than any other named prospect, though over half the respondents were undecided. Handel has ten Republican rivals (qualifying ended today), though she dodged a bullet when the HHS secretarys wife, state representative Betty Price, decided against a run. Two formidable former state senators are in the race: Judson Hill, who will likely do well as a rare candidate from the Cobb County portion of the district, and Dan Moody, who is close to U.S. Senator David Perdue and his cousin, former governor (and Trump Agriculture secretary nominee) Sonny Perdue. Moody has personal wealth and at least an indirect claim to the support of Trump loyalists via the Perdues. But other candidates are signing up Trump activists quickly, and one, Bruce LeVell, is a bit of a Trump apprentice, having headed up the moguls diversity coalition during the 2016 campaign. For Democrats, everything depends on making the almost-certain runoff, and that means minimizing intraparty competition. The best known of five Democrats in the race is former state senator Ron Slotin, a longtime stalwart of Atlantas Jewish community whose last run for office was an unsuccessful effort to topple the fiery anti-Zionist congresswoman Cynthia McKinney back in 1996. But theres a newcomer who has quickly emerged as the most viable Democrat in the race: 29-year-old former congressional staffer and investigative filmmaker Jon Ossoff. Hes been phenomenally successful in online fundraising for the race, and has been endorsed by fifth-district representative John Lewis and fourth-district representative Hank Johnson. The best hope for Ossoff or any other Democrat is to make the runoff and hope that the eventual Republican survivor is bloodied by internecine warfare. The biggest problem is that Democratic turnout in Georgia special elections and really any sort of runoff has been abysmal. Thats likely why local political analysts do not seem remotely as bullish as their national counterparts on the donkeys odds of swiping the sixth. Having said that, if the Trump administrations next two months are anything like its first, the prospect of an early referendum on Trump to smite the 45th president could generate enough money and other resources to break the mold, and enough attention to get Democrats to the polls who would otherwise never show up. But for right now, its the GOPs race to lose. Sean Spicer and Kellyanne Conway. Photo: Alex Wong; Mark Wilson/Getty Images Were putting conundrums on top of hypotheticals on top of conjecture here. We take it all very seriously, but I think were having the same conversation seven different ways, respectfully, and ignoring all the other things that the national security adviser, president, the vice-president, and this administration are doing together, Kellyanne Conway said on February 13 to MSNBCs Steve Kornacki. At issue was the phone chatter between Michael Flynn and Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak and whether they talked about sanction relief in the late days of the Obama administration, but really Conway could have been talking about any of the things she goes on television to talk about because she was using her three favorite rhetorical tactics. First, she casts doubt on the verifiable reality of the question at hand, painting the attempt to get at the truth as a Sisyphean task; then paints herself as the polite and respectful one, implying that her interlocutor is the one violating codes of civility; and finally claiming that the reporter is ignoring the days real events of substance, in this case the presidents meetings with Shinzo Abe and Justin Trudeau as well as phone calls with heads of state from South Africa to Nigeria. In the end, the administration is always the victim along with the hardworking disenfranchised American families who are being denied heralding of its good works on their behalf. Except, by the end of the day, Flynn had resigned. It would be exciting to be able to trace a lineage for the language of the Trump administration from the modernists through deconstructions destabilizing of the text, but the truth is, Conway & Co. engage so much in the simple act of lying that there are simpler models at hand, like Jonathan Swifts The Art of Political Lying or Herman Melvilles The Confidence-Man. As the administration grinds into its second month, Trumps flacks have made increasing use of a variation of Bartlebys I would prefer not to: I cant speak to that. Or, as I like to translate it, I havent prepared any lies to respond to that question. The irony of Flynns termination is that he was fired for lying while working in a house full of liars. Among Swifts requirements of a good political liar are that he ought to have but a short memory, that he be ready and willing to swear to both sides of a contradiction, and that he never consider whether any proposition were true or false, but whether it were convenient for the present minute or company to affirm or deny it. The listener, faced with such a liar, is best served by abandoning any effort at verification or interpretation or sorting the true from the false: [T]he only remedy is to suppose that you have heard some inarticulate sounds, without any meaning at all. Unfortunately, that doesnt work on Twitter. Of course, some statements are plainly untrue without quite being lies. For these we have Princeton philosopher Harry Frankfurts 2005 treatise On Bullshit and its great forebear, Max Blacks The Prevalence of Humbug. This is how Black defined humbug: deceptive misrepresentation, short of lying, especially by pretentious word or deed, of somebodys own thoughts, feelings, or attitudes. The administration set an early standard for humbug with Press Secretary Sean Spicers first press conference, which took place two days after the Womans March, on January 21. This is what makes our country so beautiful is that on one day you can inaugurate a president, on the next day people can occupy the same space to protest something, Spicer said. But [the president] is also cognizant to the fact that a lot of these people were there to protest an issue of concern to them and not against anything. This is pure bullshit, in that by virtue of the fungibility of a lot it falls short of being a lie because its nonfalsifiable. Its simply in pure violation of common sense. Of course all the protesters were against something: the president. Perhaps there were a lot of other people there, too, T-shirt hawkers, Christian preachers who turn up wherever theres a crowd, or Nazis waiting to get punched I mean, white nationalists waiting to get punched. (Whats the difference again?) Spicers pretentious initial patriotic avowal and the twisted syntax of cognizant to the fact are tells that he probably doesnt believe what hes saying: He hates the protesters and he knows there were hundreds of thousands of them and that he was at that instant becoming a national laughingstock. You get the sense with Spicer that his own awareness that hes bullshitting (not very convincingly) at his bosss behest is the reason for his hostility to the reporters in the room. (You have been part of the confusion! he told a reporter for NBC News during the ban is not a ban briefing mocked by Saturday Night Live.) Conway seems to take pleasure in her evasions, and their boss seems to believe many of the false things he says. It must have been hard for Spicer the day after the inauguration to perform the postmodern two-step of denying that the crowds could be quantified and then asserting that they were the biggest ever. Hes been a flack for two decades and must be used to having jobs that put him in closer proximity to the truth or required him to spread misinformation that was harder to expose. He also seems ill-adapted to the age of social media. When asked about the presidents tweets about Nordstroms dropping Ivanka Trumps clothing line and his contrasting Twitter silence about the attack on the Quebec City mosque, Spicer leaned on his own statements almost two weeks earlier, expressing sympathy on the presidents behalf, to suggest that his comment had put the matter of Trumps sympathies entirely to bed. Youre equating me addressing the nation here and a tweet? Thats the silliest thing Ive ever heard. This is what your therapist calls projection: @realdonaldtrump is the pure product, digitally mainlined to his base; Spicer, with his constant assertions that Trump isnt doing anything different than Thomas Jefferson or Barack Obama did before him, is a pawn placed between Glenn Thrush and the facts. Spicers predicament is absurd. Equating Trump and Obama isnt the sort of move that White House senior policy adviser Stephen Miller would make. He eschews the evasions and projections of Conway and Spicer in favor of pure zealotry, in a style true to his roots as a high-school debater and teenage right-wing talk-radio pundit. [W]e have a president who has done more in three weeks than most presidents have done in an entire administration, Miller told George Stephanopoulos in deflecting a question about Nordstrom, Kmart, and Sears dumping Ivanka. This is an instance of bullshit that stops short of lying if for done more you substitute inspired more protests. Millers preferred rhetorical moves are absolutist: Sean Spicer, as always, is 100 percent correct and that what he said is true and important. And I agree with it. George, it is a fact and you will not deny it And Im prepared to go on any show, anywhere, anytime, and repeat it and say the president of the United States is correct 100 percent. Here, the speakers enthusiasm and willingness to repeat the assertion (of voter fraud in New Hampshire, but it could be anything) stand in for evidence, and Millers 100 percent catchphrase masquerades as a quantifiable truth claim. But Millers more dangerous rhetoric falls outside the realm of bullshit and instead takes the form of a false binary: This is an ideological disagreement between those who believe we should have borders and should have controls and those who believe there should be no borders and no controls. Miller is a passionate nativist, and here hes groping toward the sort of argument about structural injustice we usually hear from the left, whether from feminists, civil-rights activists, or anti-interventionists. In denying that between his proposed poles of intolerance and borderlessness theres a substantial constituency who would favor both a secure border and humane treatment of the undocumented, he lacks a convincing term for the pervasive, impersonal power of his opponents, along the lines of patriarchy, white supremacy, or the military industrial complex. When he and his colleagues come up with something better than globalist elites, those on the side of moderation will be faced with something harder to beat than bullshit. *This article appears in the February 20, 2017, issue of New York Magazine. This article has been corrected to show that Stephen Miller is the White House senior policy adviser, not the chief policy adviser, and that Sean Spicers first press conference took place two days after the Womens March, not two weeks. ICE officers on a raid in Los Angeles in 2007. Photo: Allen J. Schaben/LA Times via Getty Images Last week, an undocumented immigrant was arrested at the courthouse in El Paso, Texas, just after she was granted a protective order for domestic abuse. KVIA reports that the alleged abuser called U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to let them know his ex would be at the courthouse. A criminal complaint filed on February 9 says that the woman was arrested outside the courthouse, but El Paso County attorney Jo Anne Bernal says there were six ICE agents waiting for her inside the building. The complaint says that the woman has been deported six times since 2010, following arrests for crimes including false imprisonment, assault, domestic violence, and possession of stolen mail. She is currently held at the El Paso County Jail under a federal ICE detainer. Her alleged abuser is serving a prison sentence for forgery of a financial document. Bernal told the El Paso Times that her office cooperates with federal agents on serious criminal cases, but ICE should not be picking people up outside protective-order courts. She and other county officials are worried that news of the arrest will prevent other victims from coming forward. Our clients come to us at the lowest point in their lives, said Bernal, whose office represents domestic abuse victims seeking court protection from their abusers. Many of them are so frightened of coming to us because of possible immigration concerns. Undocumented immigrants fears are heightened following a nationwide surge in ICE raids that saw hundreds arrested last week. ICE said the targeted enforcement actions were planned before President Trump took office, but he just issued an executive order that expanded the definition of whos considered a priority for deportation to the point that it could cover any undocumented immigrant. Last weeks actions included the deportation of an Arizona mother of two American teenagers, who had been convicted of using a fake Social Security number at work, and the arrest of a 23-year-old in Washington state who had been granted protection from deportation under the Obama administrations Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. An ICE spokesperson claimed that hes a self-admitted gang member. On Wednesday, Jeanette Vizguerra, an undocumented immigrant whose three young children are American, said she is taking sanctuary in Denver, Colorados First Unitarian Church to avoid deportation. ICE has turned down her request for a stay of deportation, but under federal policy agents are supposed to avoid churches and other sensitive locations. People across the country are expected to stay home from work and school, and not shop, on Thursday to protest the Trump administrations policies on undocumented immigrants and the travel ban. Those taking part in the Day Without Immigrants also hope to highlight the role immigrants play in American life. Defense Secretary James Mattis. Photo: Thierry Charlier/AFP/Getty Images Hours after Russian president Vladimir Putin called for greater cooperation with the United States and other Western countries in the fight against terrorism, Defense Secretary Jim Mad Dog Mattis said its not happening. Not now, at least. Well engage politically; were not in a position right now to collaborate on a military level, Mattis said at a NATO meeting in Brussels. He added that Russia must live by international law and will have to prove itself before the U.S. military will work alongside Russias. Earlier Thursday in Moscow, Putin said, Its in the general interest to establish a dialogue with the special services of the United States and other member countries of NATO. He also said Russia needs to establish cooperation at a new level in the anti-terrorist sphere with foreign partners. Mattiss very public denial of Putins request stands in contrast to comments made by President Trump, who repeatedly said on the campaign trail that the U.S. and Russia could potentially work together in the fight against ISIS. When Trump and Putin spoke on the phone in January, they discussed the possibility, according to the White House. One topic Trump and Putin did not discuss on that phone call, at least according to the White Houses readout, is Russias habit of attempting to influence foreign elections. Mattis, however, did bring it up in his speech Thursday. Theres very little doubt that they have either interfered or theyve attempted to interfere in a number of elections in democracies, he said. Mattis did not, however, mention the most recent U.S. election. Travelin man. Photo: Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is finally getting a taste of international diplomacy this week, in Bonn, Germany, as he makes his first official trip abroad to meet with various foreign ministers from the G20 countries. Tillersons travels come at at time when European allies are unsure, anxious, and wary of President Donald Trumps foreign policy, including his signaling, at times, for closer ties with Russia. And speaking of Russia, Tillerson got to introduce himself to their foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, which seemed like it might be a little awkward. And apparently, it kind of was. Bloomberg reports that the two sat down, and Lavrov delivered his opening remarks, congratulating Tillerson on his job. But when it came time for Tillersons turn to speak, State Department aides forced American and Russian journalists to leave the room something that Lavrov appeared to object to, asking: Why did you shush them out? Journalists were escorted out and were not allowed to listen to Tillerson remarks as he started meeting with Lavrov pic.twitter.com/gkXFD7lIee Ilya Arkhipov (@world_reporter) February 16, 2017 After the meeting, Tillerson in his first public statement since assuming the the position of top diplomat earlier this month gave a quick recap of his meeting with his Russian counterpart. We discussed a range of issues of mutual concern, Tillerson said, adding that the United States will consider working with Russia when we can find areas of practical cooperation that will benefit the American people. Where we do not see eye to eye the United States will stand up for the interest and values of America and our allies, he continued. As we search for new common ground, we expect Russia to honor its commitment to the Minsk agreements and work to de-escalate the violence in the Ukraine. MOMENTS AGO: Secretary of State Rex Tillerson makes a statement after meeting with Russian FM Lavrov in Germany https://t.co/EqhZAluaGb pic.twitter.com/AWTFlkSv1H CBS News (@CBSNews) February 16, 2017 Tillerson did not take any questions from reporters. Lavrov, who addressed reporters separately, said the two diplomats did not discuss sanctions on Russia. Allies. Photo: Andrew Harrer - Pool/Getty Images Breaking with decades of bipartisan consensus, President Trump announced Wednesday that the United States would not insist on a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict. Im looking at two states and one state, and I like the one both parties like, the president said at a join news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. I can live with either one. In the past, Netanyahu has expressed support for a two-state solution. But in recent years, hes spoken more favorably of a state minus option one that would provide Palestinians some limited form of autonomy while maintaining Israeli security control over the West Bank. Thus, Trumps unprecedented openness to a peace agreement that denied Palestinian aspirations for sovereignty was (almost certainly) welcome news to Israels prime minister. Israel has no better ally than the United States, and I want to assure you the United States has no better ally than Israel, Netanyahu said at the joint presser. Our alliance has been remarkably strong, but under your leadership, Im confident that well get even stronger. Still, not everything the president said was music to Bibis ears. After abrading the Obama administration for allowing the United Nations to condemn Israeli settlement expansion, Trump has grown markedly less enthusiastic about the settler project since taking office. Id like to see you pull back on settlements for a little bit, Trump told Netanyahu in front of reporters, just before they sat down for talks. Reuters writes that Netanyahu appeared startled at this request. The Israeli prime minister made no commitment to curb settlements, and explained that settlement expansion was not the core of the conflict. Rather, Netanyahu insisted that Palestinian hate was the central problem. Palestinian leaders werent thrilled by these sentiments, nor by Trumps refusal to insist on two states. If the Trump administration rejects this policy it would be destroying the chances for peace and undermining American interests, standing and credibility abroad, Hanan Ashrawi, a senior member of the Palestine Liberation Organization, said in a statement. Accommodating the most extreme and irresponsible elements in Israel and in the White House is no way to make responsible foreign policy. In the long run, its far from clear that the abandonment of the two-state solution would serve the interests of Zionist Israelis. Once the dream of two states for two peoples is forfeited, the choice will be between either a single state, where Jewish political control is secured via apartheid or a single, democratic state, where Jews, in the long run, would be a minority. Trumps America may be comfortable abetting the first option. But tomorrows American electorate will be more multiracial, cosmopolitan, and if current attitudes hold sympathetic to the Palestinian cause than todays is. It is hard to imagine that the government they elect will be a reliable supporter of an undemocratic Greater Israel. Down on the border, happy days are here again for the for-profit prison industry. Photo: John Moore/Getty Images One of the regular complaints lodged against the new Trump administration is that the presidents long-discussed plans for job-boosting infrastructure investments are still largely a matter of vague promises that his allies in Congress dont seem to take very seriously. But hey, that may be unfair. There is one area where theres a lot of excitement in the air about new construction and new jobs: in the private prison industry! And thats not just because the president appears generally to enjoy incarcerating people, or because he strongly rejected the plans of both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton to end the practice of warehousing criminals in for-profit facilities. No, theres a real-live boom under way for private prison companies thanks to Trumps early executive order calling for an expansion of detention centers for undocumented immigrants near the U.S.-Mexico border. Overshadowed by the chaotically implemented and soon-stalled travel ban, Trumps border-enforcement order is being implemented. And among other things, thats meant happy days are here again for private prisons, as explained by Jenny Jarvie of the Los Angeles Times, who went to South Texas and felt the excitement: When John Chavez peers through chain link and razor wire into the vast tent city that once housed one of the nations most notorious prisons for immigrants, he does not see a failed experiment. Two years ago, inmates set fire to the sprawling [Willacy County Correctional Center] complex in protest of poor medical conditions, slashing holes in their tents and forcing the government to shut it down. Yet many people in this struggling South Texas county like Chavez, who once worked as a security guard at the privately run prison have high hopes the abandoned detention center will reopen. Whether or not unemployed South Texas workers get their low-wage correctional jobs back, the companies that could be hiring them are already tasting sweet success: Stocks for private prison companies have surged in the two weeks since President Trump signed an executive order calling for expansion of immigrant detention facilities at or near the border with Mexico, specifically authorizing the use of private contractors to construct, operate, or control facilities in what is expected to be a substantial ramp-up of the massive detention system that thrived under the Obama administration. With the number of immigrant detainees already at historic levels, critics warn that rapidly expanding prisons will only exacerbate squalid living conditions and substandard medical care. The big beneficiaries, they say, will be stockholders and executives of for-profit prison companies. Already two-thirds of the people being detained by federal immigration officials are housed in facilities run by private for-profit contractors. If as appears very likely detentions swell along with deportations under Trump, well likely see a return and most probably an exacerbation of past incidents of poor conditions. At the Willacy County facility Jarvie visited, horror stories abounded even before inmates burned the place down: The level of human suffering was just unbelievable, Kathleen Baldoni, a former Willacy nurse, told a congressional briefing in 2009, adding she was unable to provide the level of medical care ethically required of her. A 2010 human rights report noted the prison had only one physician on staff to treat 1,358 inmates. The following year, a PBS documentary explored more than a dozen allegations of sexual abuse by Willacy guards. And now the very company that ran Willacy then is seeking to reopen it, even though they are being sued by the county government for damages associated with its abysmal management of the facility. Will negative publicity over such problems convince the Trump administration to slow down its drive to detain immigrants, or rely less on for-profit goals? Its possible. But to the extent this administration appears to be pursuing a strategy of encouraging mass self-deportation of undocumented immigrants, word-of-mouth reports of brutal conditions in detention centers could be exactly what it wants. Photo: Pool/Getty Images By now, youve probably read an article or two about how Donald Trump has some psychological disorder narcissistic personality disorder is the most commonly cited one and how this can help explain his mental state and behavior. Science of Us has published several articles in this vein, including two in which I interviewed Wendy Behary, a therapist who works with clients with NPD, and who believes the condition provides a helpful framework for understanding Trump. Behary is far from the only mental-health expert to have made such claims. Theres a Change.org petition with 23,500 petitions and counting called Mental Health Professionals Declare Trump is Mentally Ill And Must Be Removed, though its hard to know how many of the signatories are actual mental-health professionals. And a few days ago, the New York Times ran a letter to the editor co-signed by 35 psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers in which the clinicians argued that Trump was unfit for office due to his psychological state (though they didnt name a specific disorder). Mr. Trumps speech and actions demonstrate an inability to tolerate views different from his own, leading to rage reactions, they wrote. His words and behavior suggest a profound inability to empathize. Individuals with these traits distort reality to suit their psychological state, attacking facts and those who convey them (journalists, scientists). Other therapists view such speculation as inappropriate. Their side of the debate got its loudest voice this week in another letter to the Times, from Allen Frances, who was chairman of the task force that wrote the DSM-IV. I wrote the criteria that define [narcissistic personality] disorder, and Mr. Trump doesnt meet them, Frances argued. He may be a world-class narcissist, but this doesnt make him mentally ill, because he does not suffer from the distress and impairment required to diagnose mental disorder. He went on to claim that It is a stigmatizing insult to the mentally ill (who are mostly well behaved and well meaning) to be lumped with Mr. Trump (who is neither). Theres a historical component to this controversy, explained Sherry Amatenstein, a New Yorkbased therapist and one of the signatories to the Change.org petition, in Vox. Since public calls to diagnose Republican presidential candidate Barry Goldwater in the 1960s, the mental health community has stuck to a code: Do not diagnose a person in the public eye, only in a diagnostic setting, no matter how tempting, she wrote. Its a good rule: Mental illness carries a stigma and its irresponsible, as well as ethically wrong, to impugn someones reputation based on an uninformed opinion. Ive stood by it. But she went on to argue that while in normal times, the so-called Goldwater Rule is important, Trumps behavior warrants an exception. Given his actions in office, It seems there is no impulse control or apparent ability to consider feedback from anyone who disagrees with him. This is not normal. It is extremely dangerous. This debate isnt an easy call, and there are a lot of eminently qualified people on both sides. Maybe the easiest way to reconcile the conflicting claims is to focus less intently on the question of whether Trump qualifies, in a narrowly defined way, for the specific diagnosis of NPD, and more on what we know about people who are deeply narcissistic, whether or not they meet some clinical threshold. To focus too much on NPD might cause us to miss the forest for the trees. Take Francess letter, for example. Nowhere does he argue that Trump doesnt exhibit the specific symptoms of NPD rather, he says that whatever Trump has, it doesnt appear to have caused him distress or impairment, which is a traditional gateway criterion for any mental-health diagnosis in the DSM. But can anyone be certain of this? We dont know if he suffers from distress, Behary told Science of Us, responding to Francess letter. We dont know what happens behind the curtain. We dont know if there is a vulnerability and fear that comes out in his darkest moments. She highlighted some of Trumps fixations, such as his belief that millions of illegals contributed to Hillary Clintons popular-vote victory, as possible signals that he is experiencing distress he has just managed to mostly keep it hidden from view. But even setting aside that possibility, its worth remembering that every step of Trumps life, he has had the safety net of a rich family and power to fall back on. Think about it this way: Many women claim Trump sexually assaulted them, but didnt feel comfortable reporting him at the time of the alleged assaults, because of how powerful he was. He settled, for $25 million, a lawsuit over the misleading and exploitative scam that was Trump University an amount he could easily cover. He has been sued by countless contractors for not paying them but again, was able to simply pay what needed to be paid in the end, or countersue with an army of lawyers. Had Donald Trump been just about anyone other than Donald Trump, his own behavior would have hurled him into financial or legal ruin several times over and he did go bankrupt on multiple occasions, but was always able to get back on his feet thanks to his access to money and credit in which case there would be a long trail of self-inflicted damage. So if the goal is to understand what Trump has done in the past and what hes likely to do in the future, does it matter if his actions have caused him distress? Maybe not. Thats the argument Josh Grubbs, a Bowling Green State University clinical psychologist who studies narcissistic personalities, made as part of a broader tweetstorm questioning Francess letter: But, here's the thing, as someone who studies narcissistic personality more than I study NPD, I don't care if there is personal impairment. Josh Grubbs (@JoshuaGrubbsPhD) February 16, 2017 The actions/reactions of the narcissistic personality are consistent, regardless of whether distress or impairment warrant diagnosis of NPD Josh Grubbs (@JoshuaGrubbsPhD) February 16, 2017 If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, and waddles like a duck... then it's a probably an orange narcissistic duck. Josh Grubbs (@JoshuaGrubbsPhD) February 16, 2017 Frances also echoed the oft-repeated line that to talk about NPD and Trump is to stigmatize the mentally ill. Generally speaking, this is a valid, important concern given that mentally ill people do face all sorts of stigmatization and victimization. Its just hard to see how it applies here. If people were pointing to Trump to make the argument, People with mental illness shouldnt be given rights or power, full-stop, or People who have politics different from my own must be mentally ill, those would be offensive and wrongheaded arguments. Those dont seem to be the most common claims, though rather, clinicians and others are arguing that giving someone with NPD, or whatever it is that Trump has, this much power could be extremely dangerous. When you break it down, this isnt very different from saying that someone with major, untreated depression who is suicidal shouldnt be flying airliners, or that someone with untreated schizophrenia that causes them to constantly be tormented by voices shouldnt be teaching young children. Some forms of mental illness, if theyre not under control, clearly are disqualifying when it comes to certain positions. No one would seriously deny this, and these claims arent generally seen as stigmatizing in some big, broad, damaging way, so its strange to think they couldnt apply to someone as powerful as the president as well. Either way, while Trump certainly seems to exhibit most of the hallmarks of NPD, no one can know for sure that he would or wouldnt meet the threshold if he were examined in a formal diagnostic setting. But again, it might not really matter. We do know, with certainty given the huge pile of evidence that has accured, that Trump is deeply narcissistic much more so than past presidents. And since, as Grubbs suggests, deeply narcissistic people act in certain somewhat predictable ways regardless of whether or not they meet the threshold for NPD, this could be a good midway approach to trying to understand Trumps actions: Focus more on the trait itself, and its potentially dangerous ramifications in extreme cases, and less on hypothetical diagnoses. Donald Trump. Photo: Pool/Getty Images The Southern Poverty Law Center declared 2016 to be a banner year of hate in its recently released intelligence report, citing a 197 percent increase in anti-Muslim hate groups in the U.S. last year. During a Wednesday press call, SPLC senior fellow Mark Potok noted that President Donald Trump was the most important factor behind the spike, Talking Points Memo reports. In 2015, there were 34 anti-Muslim groups in the country, but that number spiked to 101 last year. The increase, the report noted, wasnt unexpected, as anti-Muslim hate had been expanding rapidly over the past two years, partially because of radical extremist attacks, including the mass murder of 49 people at an Orlando gay nightclub in June. However, the report found that the increase could also be attributed to the incendiary rhetoric of Trump, including his campaign threats to ban Muslim immigration and mandate a registry of Muslims in the U.S. The intelligence report also found an overall increase in hate groups across the U.S., though no others increased to the extreme degree of the anti-Muslim groups. The overall number of hate groups rose from 892 in 2015 to 917 last year. In an earlier report, the SPLC found that there had been 1,094 bias incidents in the first 34 days after the election, which was clearly tied directly to Trumps victory. Of that number, there were 112 anti-Muslim incidents, specifically. The highest count of incidents, in general, was the day after the election, and the number of incidents diminished steadily afterward. A sign is tapped to the door of Toki Underground announcing it will be closed on Thursday in order to support its staff. Photo: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images On Thursday, stores and restaurants across the country closed to protest Donald Trumps anti-immigrant policies. The #DayWithoutImmigrants was designed to underscore just how much the countrys economy is dependent on immigrant workers, and it coincides with a surge in immigration raids in several states. Dozens of restaurants and chains in the nations capital announced theyd be closed or operating with limited hours Thursday, and at least two D.C. schools will reportedly be closed. Other businesses in cities such as Philadelphia, New York, Houston, and Raleigh, North Carolina, will also close in solidarity with their employees, and activists are reportedly planning a march on the Capitol at noon. Who we work with is our family, and this is a cause that really speaks to a large part of our family, said Matt McQuilkin, director of operations at a D.C. pizza chain that closed three of its four locations to show solidarity with staff who chose not to work. We felt that this was the best way to support that cause. Normally my class has 31 students.. today there are 12 present. #DayWithoutImmigrants Sums (@SumDoggMilli) February 16, 2017 Andy Shallal, an Iraqi-American restauranteur, told ThinkProgress that he hopes the protests affect real change. We hope that the attention we draw to this issue will help us move forward on true immigration reform that isnt just about building a wall or hiring more security guards, he said. That it will really be about true reform that takes into account the human aspect of immigration . Last week, federal agents raided homes and workplaces in multiple states and arrested hundreds of undocumented immigrants, although authorities say the raids were planned before Trump started signing executive orders. Under President Obama, immigrants with criminal backgrounds were targeted for deportation, but last month Trump signed an executive order that prioritized anyone and everyone in the country illegally. So far at least two high-profile cases have highlighted the plight of immigrants in the Trump era: one in which a mother whod been in the country for 20 years was arrested and deported, and one in which a domestic violence victim was arrested at a courthouse in Texas. The Womens March. Photo: EBET ROBERTS/Getty Images After the huge turnouts of the international Womens Marches in January, activists everywhere have been encouraging sustained action beyond a day of protest. Last week, eight prominent feminist scholars and activists announced they are organizing a womens strike on March 8, and on Tuesday, the organizers of the national Womens Marches signed on as well, making March 8 the official Day Without a Woman. In an op-ed for the Guardian, Linda Martin Alcoff, Cinzia Arruzza, Tithi Bhattacharya, Nancy Fraser, Barbara Ransby, Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, Rasmea Yousef Odeh, and Angela Davis, wrote of the problems with lean-in feminism and how a strike on March 8 aims to push back on the ongoing neoliberal attack on social provision and labor rights. They write: While Trumps blatant misogyny was the immediate trigger for the huge response on 21 January, the attack on women (and all working people) long predates his administration. Womens conditions of life, especially those of women of color and of working, unemployed and migrant women, have steadily deteriorated over the last 30 years, thanks to financialization and corporate globalization. Lean-in feminism and other variants of corporate feminism have failed the overwhelming majority of us, who do not have access to individual self-promotion and advancement and whose conditions of life can be improved only through policies that defend social reproduction, secure reproductive justice and guarantee labor rights. As we see it, the new wave of womens mobilization must address all these concerns in a frontal way. It must be a feminism for the 99%. Their action calls for a day of striking, marching, blocking roads, bridges, and squares, abstaining from domestic, care and sex work, boycotting, calling out misogynistic politicians and companies, striking in educational institutions.According to the piece, it will be held in conjunction with 30 other feminist organizations around the world. One of the prime motivating principles of the strike will be to raise up a grassroots, anti-capitalist feminism a feminism in solidarity with working women, their families and their allies throughout the world. Yesterday, organizers of the Womens March shared their call for a Day Without a Woman on Instagram, adding, We saw what happened when millions of us stood together in January, and now we know that our army of love greatly outnumbers the army of fear, greed and hatred. There is also a general strike being called for on February 17, after Francine Prose wrote an op-ed in the same vein, also in the Guardian, and another called Not My Presidents Day on February 20, which is Presidents Day. Yay! This will be so good for her! TBH I've never watched Fresh off the Boat, but I just love her for her activism and because she's pretty. I want her to have all the roles. Reply Thread Link It's a cute show! Watch from the beginning imo Reply Parent Thread Link It's the best sitcom Reply Parent Thread Link It's a cute family sitcom and as someone who grew up in the 90s, the nostalgia is REAL. Reply Parent Thread Link If you like her you should watch the show. It basically revolves around her now cause she's the shining star. Reply Parent Thread Link LOL same here, I wanna watch the show but idt it airs much in the UK :( Reply Parent Thread Link it's by the same creator as don't trust the b- in apt 23 so if you like that and cute kids it's fun. Reply Parent Thread Link she and the younger brothers and grandma are a riot. Reply Parent Thread Link its funny lol. the episode where she wakes up her sons in the middle of the night to scream at them about consent made me LOL so hard. Reply Parent Thread Link Just saw this, tweeted about it, and Queen Constance herself liked my tweet I'm dying Also YESSSSSS to this news! Reply Thread Link Lol you have been BLESSED Reply Parent Thread Link This show and the show with Native American cast members make me so very happy. Hooray for no whitewashing! Reply Thread Link the show with Native American cast members oooh what is that? Reply Parent Thread Link It's called "Scalped"! It's based on a DC comic, I think. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Pleaaaaase let this be good. Puh-lease. Reply Thread Link I love her sfm plz nobody spill any tea Reply Thread Link YEEEESSSSS She's so perfect for Rachel (other than being shorter than Rachel should be, but that's not a problem) Reply Thread Link Yessss, I just submitted this post too. So happy for Constance!! She'll kill it. Reply Thread Link Good for her! Reply Thread Link YASSSS FUCKING YESSSSSSSS!!!! I love her sfm. she's amazing for speaking out knowing it could affect her career. I'm glad she's still getting opportunities thrown her way. Reply Thread Link Fantastic news! So looking forward to more casting news for this. Reply Thread Link i'm not a huge fan of hers, but it's encouraging to see that her career isn't suffering despite her being so outspoken wrt hollywood. ofc this is a project helmed by an asian director who's committed to boosting other asians, she could still end up blacklisted by white directors. Reply Thread Link TBH this reminds of of something Amandla said where she was like "LOL I'm not going to shut up because I'm not losing out on roles because white directors won't hire me anyway". Like she might as well speak her mind because Asian directors are the ones who are supporting her/hiring her. She'll never lose out on an Affleck project or whatever because he doesn't cast Asians. Reply Parent Thread Link Ha, good point... although idk I figure that since the Afflecks are well connected, anyone who speaks out against them risks burning bridges with their friends? IDK HOW HOLLYWOOD NETWORKING WORKS Reply Parent Thread Expand Link She basically said she doesn't GAF if what she says affects her career because it needs to be said. She said this about Casey Affleck not getting any backlash even though he was accused of sexual assault several times. Reply Parent Thread Link Hey white ppl complaining abt #Hamilton cry me a fucking river;POC feel this every day of our lives & u have to feel it once? Boo fuckin hoo Constance Wu (@ConstanceWu) March 31, 2016 iconic Reply Thread Link That's great to hear! Reply Thread Link ONTD, have you ever traveled with your s/o to another continent, only to find out that they are an IRL episode of The Bachelor? Reply Thread Link When my boyfriend and I went to Japan, he got hit on every where we went, by both men and women because he's white and Aussie and idk lmao. I was just >____> Edited at 2017-02-16 01:18 am (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Link Can I be really invasive and asked where the hitting on incidents happened? From my experience, Japanese people are cautious as shit and keep to themselves like crazy, especially to foreigners. People were really nice to us about approaching us to give directions if we looked lost, but they definitely give a wide bubble. Husband and I separately got hit on one time at a club, that was the only time. I can't imagine it happening anywhere else ever. Maybe your boyfriend is just way hotter than us, idk Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Please Stop lying ...We don't have these Hitting culture .. Or your misunderstanding . Reply Parent Thread Link lol darren criss, quelle surprise Reply Thread Link Darren annoys the hell out of me, but at least the show cast a Half-Pinoy actor in this dubious role. Reply Thread Link Iaw both parts of that comment. Maybe Criss will get meningitis before filming. Reply Parent Thread Link conrad ricamora would have been better Reply Parent Thread Link He definitely looks more like him. But honestly, I feel like Andrew would have been insulted by Darren being cast as him. So... I'm okay with it. Reply Parent Thread Link He's such a bad actor, though. Not that Criss is better so I'm not really sure what I'm trying to say... Reply Parent Thread Link I mean Conrad looks good for his age, but I don't think he could pass for mid/late-20's at this point still looks more the part though lbr Reply Parent Thread Link lol I came in here just to be like UGH not excited about this season about a filipino murderer Reply Parent Thread Expand Link that's actually really good casting but sad gaga isn't going to be donatella. that would have been perfect. Reply Thread Link im here for this Reply Thread Link We're using a very loose definition of "crime story" here, I see. Reply Thread Link Yeah. OJ and I guess the Versace murder were court cases. The other two...not so much? Reply Parent Thread Link Holy fuck. I've never heard about this Reply Parent Thread Link it's time for my venezuelan bae edgar to RISE Reply Thread Link It's been time for a while! But why does it have to be with Troll Murphy?! \D8/ Reply Parent Thread Link i just hope it's as good as season 1 was lol Reply Parent Thread Expand Link No @ Gaga not being Donatella haha. Reply Thread Link darren criss "acting" in a ryan murphy show again? in another lgbtq role? Reply Thread Link Ryan Murphy only directed 2 eps on season one and didn't write the show at all. Hopefully it stays like that forever lol Reply Parent Thread Link yes, but... will bruce greenwood be back? Reply Thread Link Who will play Madonna & her Miami lover Ingrid Casares? Reply Thread Link i googled her and omg president obama follows her on twitter. Reply Parent Thread Link Yes, multilingual Gocho prince, get into Murcipher's good side! I don't hate Darren despite all those Glee years, but it'll be painful to see how Edgat acts circles around him. OP, can you please add the Latino Celebrities tag? Edited at 2017-02-16 04:56 am (UTC) Reply Thread Link Yes, of course. I'm surprised Edgar doesn't have his own tag yet. Reply Parent Thread Link AHS season 7 will be covering the presidential election Reply Thread Link I'd watch. A Ryan Murphy version of this administration couldn't be as crazy as the real thing tho lol Reply Parent Thread Link i just saw the news, that should be... interesting Reply Parent Thread Link maybe they'll write it so that trump is a literal demon. Reply Parent Thread Link wait legit? LMAO Reply Parent Thread Link yep deadline reported it Reply Parent Thread Link omg lmao i can't wait i hope the repubs are depicted as monsters and a kellyanne demon character will shine Reply Parent Thread Link OMG I thought you were joking but it's actually for real! Reply Parent Thread Link omg i thought you were kidding Reply Parent Thread Link I'm here for my boo Edgar getting more roles Reply Thread Link darren's acting will be painful to watch Reply Thread Link tho he can do serial killer okay Reply Parent Thread Expand Link lmao never forget that iconic fighter scene Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Good for him. Reply Thread Link The smirking woman in the background needs to chill Reply Parent Thread Link now I can't focus on the speech Reply Parent Thread Link I forget her name and title, but she's in a top position in Kutcher's organization. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link This straight destroyed me when I watched it the other day. I spent like two hours just staring at the wall trying not to die inside. Reply Thread Link i almost cried when he spoke about watching videos of a kid his daughter's age being raped but thinking it was play omg and the seven year old just kill me Reply Parent Thread Link That part made me so sad and was so disturbing. People are so disgusting I don't understand how there are people in this world who can do things like that to children. Reply Parent Thread Link wait wtf....i didnt watch this cuz im sure i cant handle it, but how it is legal for random ppl like ashton to watch shit like that Reply Parent Thread Expand Link His daughter is 3, what the fuck is wrong with this world? Reply Parent Thread Expand Link when his voice got thick with emotion i definitely shed a few tears Reply Parent Thread Link the part where he said "engaging in play" i wanted to throw up Reply Thread Link i've only seen a clip of him talking about his "day job" and things he's seen but i cried. even thinking about watching this whole thing just made me tear up! but i'm gonna do it. what he's doing is so important. Reply Thread Link there was a girl who got rescued from this shit just a few miles away from me- so fucking scary Reply Thread Link heart breaking. I live in PA and am only 45 mins away from the Amish girls that were sold to some POS. Reply Parent Thread Link I lived down the road from a couple who worked at the hospital who had a sex dungeon the police discovered bc two amish girls were missing and evidence led them there. It's sick. I know the family, they cut down their truly massive willow tree in the front yard bc that's where the girls were when they were taken, was behind the tree. Reply Parent Thread Link I bet all of us can look back at our days in elementary/middle/high school and realize that at least one of our classmates in foster care dealt with this. I had a classmate in 11th grade that was prostituted by her foster family. Word got out and people made fun of her. I'm not any better because I didn't stick up for her. "Oh, that's fucked up..." and went on to my next class. I had a classmate in 4th and 5th grades that was beaten by his foster family. Like, cigarette burns put out on him beat. Reply Thread Link Yeah. There was a girl in school when I was a little kid who bullied me horribly. She'd shove my face in the dirt + she'd tell me I should die, in full view of teachers. One of the teachers called my mom & said that the girl had been sexually abused by her father & was in some pretty intense therapy but the trial was ongoing, and that the girl hated that the clothes my mom put me in were "girly" because "girls get beat." And then as a teenager, it seemed like all of my friends had physically abusive families. My then-boyfriend's back was so covered in scars, it looked like a 3D roadmap, and he was only 15. Reply Parent Thread Link Not even foster care, my best friend at the time (she was like 12) was prostituted by her mother (his dad knew nothing cause he was never at home) all the parents at our school knew and NOBODY did anything, when my mom found out she went to the school authorities and to the police but nothing ever happened, and of course, she would not let me stay at her house but she was always trying to get her to stay the weekends at our house. She ended up getting pregnant at 14 and running away with her kid bf, it was heartbreaking. I ran into her once when I was starting law school and she was alright, had like 3 kids, married and working part-time. It was some sort of happy ending for her, I guess. Reply Parent Thread Link Definitely. I remember in elementary school a good friend of mine's parents fostered kids, one of which was also in our class but would legit never talk to her. I once went over to their house, and they were pretty wealthy and had a nice, spacious place with a lot of extra bedrooms and luxuries. But she took me down to the semi-finished basement, which was where any foster kids they had stayed - concrete floors, bare mattresses with just blankets thrown on top, and deadbolt locks on the outside of the doors. None of it seemed even remotely right to me, even back then, but when I tried to tell my mom about it after coming home she just told me I was probably over-exaggerating and should mind my own business because they were good people. Thinking about it as an adult, though, it seems even more terrible and I wish I had said something more about it at the time. I left that school and state a few months after, so I don't know if anyone else ever found them out, but I really hope they didn't do too much damage to those kids. Reply Parent Thread Link kids can be so fucking cruel sometimes Reply Parent Thread Link I babysat for a family with adopted kids and the little boy who wasn't ever 2 when I started watching him had gotten cigarette burns by his bio parents. That's when I knew I'd adopt if I ever had kids. Reply Parent Thread Link This is amazing. Nothing disgusts me more than child sex abuse Reply Thread Link I didn't watch the video yet, but I'm glad he's talking about it, when I volunteered for Amnesty International, sex trafficking was one of our biggest missions. I honk I should go back to nonprofit work again, I stopped after 2008 and I really shouldn't have. Reply Thread Link Wow, he's so amazing for this. Putting his money where his mouth is, amazing. I fucks with Ashton Kutcher honestly. Reply Thread Link More celebs need to actually give a fuck Reply Parent Thread Link IA this is great of him Reply Parent Thread Link this, makes me respect him a million times more Reply Parent Thread Link https://traffickcam.com/ this is an app you can download, when you're in a hotel room you take a few pictures to get added to a database so that investigators can find out where traffickers are/have been this is an app you can download, when you're in a hotel room you take a few pictures to get added to a database so that investigators can find out where traffickers are/have been Reply Thread Link ty for this, will dl Reply Parent Thread Link Thanks for posting this, will download. Reply Parent Thread Link thank you for this Reply Parent Thread Link "when children are taken out of trafficking there is not enough support for them and most end up being trafficked again" This is the god awful truth. :\ Reply Thread Link there's a YTer i'm subbed to who had a storytime about this and it was just so heartbreaking bc it was her friend who tricked her into it. i've also been reading some analyses on how the current model for criminalization of sex work also harms victims of sex trafficking. it's all just so saddening and like a lot of issues there's a lot of anti-factual moral superiority getting in the way of actual solutions. Reply Thread Link Link Reply Parent Thread Link I'm really proud and impressed he did this. Reply Thread Link Lol my dad just called me to ask if I was working today, I said no it's my day off and he was hoping it was bc I was protesting. Reply Thread Link Aw that's cute Reply Parent Thread Link You can't blame them for letting those people go when their business could be shut down. Reply Parent Thread Link You can't blame them for that. You could be fined and be even forced to shut down for it. Specially smaller places. Reply Parent Thread Link Have we always had these View roundups Reply Thread Link No, I started doing them because there was no politics post. People wanted politics post so I obliged and made them daily now since last week. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I appreciate it! Reply Parent Thread Expand Link thank you Reply Parent Thread Link I appreciate this. ONTD is the only place I feel comfortable talking about politics, so these posts really keep me going. Reply Parent Thread Link Thank you! <3 Reply Parent Thread Link they tend to pop up more frequently when there's a lot of political stuff going on i remember we used to have them a LOT during previous election years Reply Parent Thread Link 45 is doing a press conference. He had announced Acosta as his replacement for Pudzer. Mulvaney has been confirmed as the head of 45's Office of Management and Budget. Reply Thread Link can I ask what that 45 is all about? european here so i am not always up to date with american news/politics :S Edited at 2017-02-17 12:04 am (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Link Who's watching the press conference? Wanna bet he doesn't take questions? Reply Thread Link Dishonest and distortion are his favorite words right now. Reply Parent Thread Link Eventually he'll find out about the letter E. Baby steps. Reply Parent Thread Link He'll take one from breitbart and then fuck off lol Reply Parent Thread Link Who is watching 45's press conference? He is calling the press as dishonest right now and how they are a disservice to the citizens of the US. I need to make a new vocab list for this press conference. Reply Thread Link He should read up on the free press Or have someone read it to him Reply Parent Thread Link He wants to control the media like a dictator. Reply Parent Thread Link shoulda called our ex-prime minister for tips! Reply Parent Thread Link I'm watching the Trump presser at work. idk why I do this to myself. Excited for him to call upon Breitbart and The Christian Broadcasting Network (??). lmao he's talking about how great his approval rating are rn I can't. Net approval by pollster: Ras (LV) +10 *Fox (RV) +1 YG (A) -4 Ipsos (A) -4 SurveyMonkey (A) -7 *Gallup (A) -13 *Pew (A) -17 *live-caller Ariel Edwards-Levy (@aedwardslevy) February 16, 2017 February disapproval ratings in first term Reagan 18% Bush 13% Clinton 25% Bush 21% Obama 17% Trump 56%https://t.co/VD4uQ9wUxh pic.twitter.com/81VHRcPjfo Conrad Hackett (@conradhackett) February 16, 2017 Pres Trump on the trail: "I love WikiLeaks!" "It's been amazing what's coming out on WikiLeaks" "This WikiLeaks it's like a treasure trove!" https://t.co/x61ehwtA6m Karen Travers (@karentravers) February 16, 2017 Once again, Trumpwho literally said "I love Wikileaks" during the campaignis now suddenly concerned w/ leaks being "illegally given". pic.twitter.com/543Klvs9nj Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) February 15, 2017 Edited at 2017-02-16 06:01 pm (UTC) Trumpsters have such a blatant disregard for immigrants while totally ignoring that their life/daily life would not exist without them. Now that I expect anything less from the ~economic anxiety~ crowd but still. And yet we STILL have countless articles asking us to empathize with Trump supporters. Fuck y'all.I'm watching the Trump presser at work. idk why I do this to myself. Excited for him to call upon Breitbart and The Christian Broadcasting Network (??). lmao he's talking about how great his approval rating are rn I can't. Reply Thread Link Rasmussen is such a fucking joke lmao. Reply Parent Thread Link what is with that poll? do they just poll conservatives or inflate their numbers? i don't get it. Reply Parent Thread Link He has to know he's fucked if he's only at +1 from Fox. Rasmussen is so fucked up you would be better off getting an accurate count by going outside and surveying the squirrels. Edited at 2017-02-16 06:35 pm (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Link that last tweet is so spot on, he is such a fucking hypocrite. Reply Parent Thread Link It's very difficult to watch 45's press conference without rolling my eyes into the back of my head. I'm scared they're gonna get stuck. Reply Thread Link I've been giggling and rolling my eyes right now. The question is will he take questions from non-conservative media. Reply Parent Thread Link Will he even take questions Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I can't watch him. It's bad for my blood pressure to hear the bullshit coming out of his mouth so I have to read the transcripts later. Reply Parent Thread Link "I inherited a mess" you are a mess Reply Thread Link He's repeated "I inherited a mess" so much already. Reply Parent Thread Link ah yes, the "mess" of a low unemployment rate and an improving economy Reply Parent Thread Link he gets to ride out Obama's policies, which might last a few years until the banks decide to get bailed out again. If he makes it longer than I think he will, he'll be our generation's Hoover. Reply Parent Thread Link https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2017/01/scott-pruitt-and-oklahomas-manmade-earthquakes/513437/ Remember to tell your senators to vote against scott Pruitt. He sued the EPA 19 times prostitution whore and wants to abolish it and then there's this Reply Thread Link You know who genuinely inherited a mess? President Obama. Reply Thread Link He thinks he's Obama. Reply Parent Thread Link Fuck you Reply Thread Link "I inherited a mess." No you fucking didn't!! Reply Thread Link i screamed at my tv when he said that. bc obama was given a utopia in 2008. Reply Parent Thread Link Call it one of the stranger battery storage systems out there. California municipalities are reportedly placing orders for as much as 1 MW of ice storage batteries from firm Ice Energy. (Click to enlarge) Ice Energy's Ice Bear 30 unit. Image: Ice Energy. The Southern California Public Power Authority (SCPPA), an organization of the municipal utilities of 10 cities and one irrigation district is placing the order with the systems to be installed at consumers homes in a pilot program. The battery storage market is booming literally growing by several hundred percent annually over the last few years in large part because traditional utilities are excited about the opportunity to avoid costly investment in new peaker plants. Using home battery storage systems enables these firms to defer that investment. The ice battery systems are slated to be installed in about 100 homes with each 9.6kW system replacing the outdoor condensing units of homeowners air conditioning systems. Ice Energy batteries in off-peak (low energy cost) periods use copper coils filled with cold refrigerant to create ice from the homeowners regular tap water. Once the ice is created, the residential Ice Bear 20 can cool a home continuously for four hours, and the company says that can save 95% of associated electricity costs compared with traditional HVAC units. The firm also has a large Ice Bear 30 for commercial customer. The system is particularly beneficial in states with large time of use differences in electricity pricing such as northeastern states like Connecticut and west coast states like California. Utilities like those in the California alliance benefit from reduced peak load demand thus avoiding the cost of buying peak wholesale power or (eventually) building new peaker plants. Ice Energy is not the only firm in the market for ice batteries though. Competitor Viking Cold reported last year that a California utility was interest its products to help counter the challenge the duck curve of solar energy energy supply and demand. The ice battery is just one of the new concepts on the market at this point. For instance, Harvard recently announced that one of its faculty members had developed a liquid battery with up to a decade of life. The new battery reportedly loses only one percent of its capacity every 1,000 charging cycles, and is potentially an alternative to high power short-lived lithium ion batteries which are the de-facto standard in many applications today. Related: Why Sub $50 Oil Is More Likely Than $70 Oil An electrolytic solution of ferrocene and viologen powers the battery and is dissolved in water making it safe and extremely long-lived. Because we were able to dissolve the electrolytes in water, this is a long-lasting battery that you could put in your basement, said Roy Gordon, professor of chemistry and materials science at Harvard University who co-led the research. If spilt on the floor, it wouldnt eat the concrete and since the medium is noncorrosive, you can use cheaper materials to build the components of the batteries, like the tanks and pumps. Taken together, the ice battery and liquid battery paint a picture of an evolving storage market developing quickly in response to the need for utilities to avoid the costs and risks associated with endemic problems with traditional methods, most prominently time of use consumption challenges. Its an exciting time in a market that industry participants across the energy sector should be keeping an eye on. (Full Disclosure: The author has done consulting work on battery economics with several firms in the battery storage industry.) By Michael McDonald of Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has defended his governments decision to ban all drilling for oil and gas in the Arctic for the next five yearsfor startersin response to a local mayors cries that the bank will cost jobs for communities, even though Big Oil cant really afford to drill right now. Trudeau referred to scientific data revealing that an oil spill in the Arctic would be much more difficult to deal with than anywhere else, but left a tiny window open for the oil industry. If Big Oil comes up with technology that can guarantee safe drilling in the Arctic, the ban could be reconsidered, he said. It is clearly a window that wont be opened in the next five yearsan unrealistic timeframe for developing 100 percent safe drilling technology. In fact, its probably safe to say that there can be no 100 percent spill-proof drilling technology, so the ban is likely to remain in effect for more than five years. While this is a sure victory for environmentalists and another demonstration of how committed the Canadian PM is to his liberal agenda, there are collateral victims: the Arctic communities that rely on the oil industry to earn a living. Our people have been working with the industry over 50 years on and off, weve grown skills, weve got good employment, our businesses have grown, the region has grown, Darrel Nasogaluak, the mayor of Tuktoyaktuk on the coast of the Beaufort Sea, stated. Trudeau responded by noting that while one door of potential economic opportunity has been shut, the government will work on all levels to open new doors. Those new doors, however, remain undefined and, as such, provide little peace of mind for the local communities affected. At the same time, its important to point out that the communities are not currently affected by Trudeaus ban because no one is actually drilling in the Canadian Arctic presently. This is all hypothetical. Related: Permian Drilling Costs Surge: Are The Days Of Cheap Oilfield Services Over? Nasogaluaks protest indeed concerns only a potential economic opportunity that may in fact never become a reality. Arctic drilling is still very costly and success is highly uncertain, even if we leave environmental concerns aside. Big Oil has been dropping Arctic projects since the oil price crash, no longer able to afford working on them. In fact, not all of these projects were in an active phase of development. Ottawa has made it even easier for oil companies to quit their Arctic plans. The government is currently preparing for consultations regarding the impact of the ban. It has already ruled out extending the drilling licenses that are bound to expire over the next five years, but it has also said oil company are free to ask for extensions, which is a little confusing since the extensions will not be granted. There are six oil companies holding exploration licenses for Canadas Arctic territories, including BP, Exxon, and Chevron. None of the companies are drilling: the price crash cut their plans short. All are trying to become leaner in the post-crash years, and are refocusing on smaller but higher-return projects. In short, nobody is prioritizing the Arctic. Related: Banking Giants Miss Out On Oils Biggest IPO A manager from the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers told the Barents Observer that the offshore oil and gas industry in the region has decades of experience and is fit to meet the challenges of Arctic exploration. This is unlikely to convince anyone that oil and gas drilling is completely safe, however. On the other hand, communities that dependent on the oil industry for their survival are unlikely to be too concerned about the risk of oil spills. This is a question of priorities and these are priorities that are unlikely to be reconciled anytime soon, at least not until those new doors come into being and are inviting enough. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Since 2011, political instability and regional insecurity have plagued Egypts economy, and the energy sector has not been spared. Until recently a net gas exporter, Egypt turned into a net importer in 2014 after political turmoil plunged the country into continued energy shortages, with domestic demand outstripping supply. In addition, shattered investor confidence and several devaluations of the local currency deterred foreign companies from investing in Egypt. But Cairos fortunes may have turned in August 2015, when Italys oil and gas major Eni SpA discovered Zohr, the largest gas field in the Mediterranean ever to be discovered. Now Eni, as well as UKs supermajor BP, are betting big on the Egyptian gas exploration and production, and will be making Egypt their top investment destination in the coming years, pouring billions of dollars in their projects there. Eni plans to invest US$10 billion in Egypt over the next five years, chief executive Claudio Descalzi said at an industry event in Cairo on Tuesday. Egypt will become Enis primary investment target in the next two years, the manager added. BP, for its part, invested more in Egypt than anywhere else last year, CEO Bob Dudley said at the same industry event. In 2016-17 were investing more money in Egypt than any country in the world, so this is important for us, we have confidence in the government, Bloomberg quoted Dudley as saying. Related: Total Going On The Offensive According to Hesham Mekawi, North Africa Regional President, BP, as posted on the website of the Egypt Petroleum Show, BPs plan is to invest US$13 billion in Egypt by 2020. While in Egypt, the CEOs of the two oil giants also finalized the deal in which Eni sold 10 percent of the Shorouk concession, where the Zohr field is located, to BP. Enis Descalzi confirmed that production would begin this year. Zohr has total potential of 850 billion cubic meters of gas in place, the Italian company says. Both Eni and BP with decades of presence in Egypt are now saying that projects involving Egypts gas would be their priorities in the short-to-medium term. While Eni is pinning its hopes on the largest gas discovery in the Mediterranean, BP apart from partnering with Eni at Zohr has included two West Nile Delta projects in its major plans for projects set to come on stream this year. The two West Nile Delta projects are expected to develop 5 trillion cubic feet of gas resources and 55 million barrels of condensates from two BP-operated offshore concession blocks, BP says. Apart from Eni and BP, Shell also has operations in Egypt. In the second quarter this year, Shell will begin drilling in the West Delta Deep Marine phase 9B gas field, according to the chairman of state-run Egyptian Natural Gas Holding, Mohamed El Masry. Shell had stopped drilling activities in the Nile delta in March last year because of delayed payments. But Egypt expects to soon draft a repayment schedule to pay US$3.5 billion in arrears it owes to foreign oil and gas companies, Petroleum Minister Tarek El Molla said earlier this week. Related: Are Oil Markets Ignoring Demand? So while oil majors are still cautious and not splurging on investments following the downturn, Eni and BP are betting on Egyptian gas, and they have financial reasons to do so. According to Adam Pollard, an upstream analyst at Wood Mackenzie, who spoke to the Financial Times in December last year: Egypt it is different, because the gas price for newer contracts is relatively high and you are insulated because there is a price floor and a ready market. EGAS [the state gas company] is willing to negotiate the price to encourage investment, meaning that Egypt is bucking the global trend of reduced spending. According to a report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) from January this year, the new fields discovered and developed in the Nile delta and in the Mediterranean will help Egypt to increase its gas output from around 4 billion cubic feet per day now to 7.7 billion cubic feet per day over the next three years. This would exceed the countrys domestic needs currently at 5.2 billion cubic feet per day and would offer an excellent opportunity to save excess quantities for future generations and/or export gas to other countries in the region and elsewhere. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The old expression, to the victor belong the spoilsyou remember. I always used to say, keep the oil. I wasnt a fan of Iraq. I didnt want to go into Iraq. But I will tell you, when we were in, we got out wrongwe should have kept the oil. Those were President Trumps comments at the CIA the day after his inauguration in January. President Donald Trump has repeatedly said that the U.S. should have taken Iraqs oil, an argument that he revisited as recently as last week. Weve spent $6 trillionin the Middle East, President Trump said during a meeting with airline executives at the White House on February 9. Weve got nothing. Weve got nothing. We never even kept a small, even a tiny oil well. Not one little oil well. I said, Keep the oil. The notion that the U.S. military should have taken Iraqs oil, it should be said at the outset, is flatly illegal. "What Trump seems to be advocating here would be a fundamental violation of international law embodied in numerous international agreements and in recognized principles of customary international law," Anthony Clark Arend, a Georgetown University professor of government and foreign service, told PolitiFact last year. It would also stretch the imagination to envision how such a strategy would play out in reality. Iraqs oil sector is made up of a mix of state-owned interests and private ones. Most of the investment going into Iraqs enormous southern oil fields come from international companies, such as BP, ExxonMobil, Royal Dutch Shell, Statoil, CNPC and Lukoil. Kurdish oil fields in the north are also run mostly by international companies. It is not clear what taking the oil really looks like. Ive always thought that was beyond stupid. In other words, I dont even know what it means, John McLaughlin, former Deputy Director of the CIA under the Clinton and Bush administrations, told the New Yorker Radio Hour last week. Try and operationalize that. Does that mean sending troops to surround oil wells while you pump it out, then transport it out of the country? Or does it mean something else? I have no idea what hes talking about. So I assume it wont happen. So Im not worried about it. On top of that, taking Iraqs oil, however that played out, would be a political nightmare. While some might dismiss the comments as just talk, even the suggestion of taking Iraqs oil is already having a negative effect. The comments, combined with the travel ban that the Trump administration ordered on seven majority-Muslim countries in the Middle East, including Iraq, has sparked a backlash against the U.S. in Iraq. The Iraqi public and Iraqi members of parliament are pressuring Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi to scale back its cooperation with the U.S. government and military, which could jeopardize the long-term presence of American troops in Iraq. This is potentially an enormous and underreported development given that it is a top priority of the U.S. government to fight ISIS in Iraq and Syria. In fact, U.S. troops have been cooperating with Iraqi forces for months on a major campaign to retake Mosul, a mission that is set to ramp up again in the near future to take the western portion of the city. "Trump embarrassed al-Abadi," Saad al-Mutalabi, a lawmaker and ally of former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, told the AP. "There will be a general consensus that Americans should not stay in Iraq after Mosul, after the statements and the executive order from Trump," he said. "We believed that we had a strategic agreement with the U.S." A narrowing of the U.S. presence in Iraq would serve to benefit Iran, dealing another blow to the Trump administration. And speaking of Iran, Shiite militias inside Iraq told the AP that they would target U.S. interests if the U.S. went after Iran, their benefactor. President Trumps reckless comments about taking Iraqs oil, in other words, are undermining multiple U.S. strategic goals all at once. In the minds of a lot of Iraqis, they also confirm the worst: that the 2003 U.S. invasion was all about access to Iraqs oil, something top American officials have always denied. The stakes are high, with Iraq fighting a war against ISIS while trying to revive its oil sector. Oil revenues account for 93 percent of Iraqs revenue, and the country is struggling under the weight of an expensive war and low oil prices. Iraq needs its oil to rebuild, and any effort to squeeze the government by the U.S. would be counterproductive to Iraqs well-being, to say the least. President Trumps shoot from the hip style has earned him some degree of domestic support, but he is in the process of needlessly burning bridges with some of the countries that he will need the most. By Nick Cunningham of Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Iran says that Frances Total may have to compensate it if the company has disclosed data about South Pars to neighboring Qatar, with which the Islamic Republic shares the worlds biggest gas field. Iranian media cited the countrys oil minister, Bijan Namdar Zangeneh, as issuing the warning on local TV. Total operates in Qatar, in what Qatar calls the North field, where production of natural gas began in 1998. Qatar has signed development deals with international companies including Total, Italys Eni SpA, and Norways Statoil. The whole of the gas field - both Qatari and Iranian parts - has proven natural gas reserves of 14 trillion cubic meters, or 7.5 percent of the global gas reserves. According to what Irans Mehr new agency reported today, Zanganeh said that data about only two of the 30 South Pars phases has been assigned to Total. But if it is manifested that Total has passed on Irans secret information to the Qatari side, the issue will end up in a dispute since the French company will be required to pay reimbursement, the agency quoted Zanganeh as saying. Total, which last year signed a preliminary agreement to develop phase 11 of the South Pars gas field in Iran, is taking a cautious approach to final investment decisions in Iran, pending still unknown U.S. policies towards Tehran. Related: Total Going On The Offensive Last week, Totals chief executive Patrick Pouyanne said that the company was waiting for an extension of the waiver on U.S. sanctions against Iran before it makes the final decision on a US$2.2-billion investment. Pouyanne told media in Paris that the waiver, first introduced by President Obama, should be renewed before this summer and should last for another 18 months. He noted that the new administration in Washington would have to provide proof of Irans breach of the 2015 agreement with Western powers in order to avoid extending the waiver. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com In an apparent eleventh-hour attempt to head off a scandal over secret talks with Russian officials that have led to the resignation of his national security advisor, Donald Trump today accused Russia of taking Crimea by force, using Twitter as his medium. Crimea was TAKEN by Russia during the Obama Administration. Was Obama too soft on Russia, Trump tweeted. Trump is now under pressure to demonstrate a tougher stance against Russia. Russia has said it will never return Crimea to Ukraine, noting that in a 2014 referendum, a majority of Crimeans voted to become part of Russia. The Ukrainian perspective is that Russian troops illegally annexed the peninsula, and the referendum was a fraud. We dont give back our own territory. Crimea is territory belonging to the Russian Federation, Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, told a news briefing on Wednesday. In what sounded more like a warning, Russian Senator Oleg Morozov told RIA Novosti Wednesday that One should not create an impassable barrier that Russia will not accept. Russia's rejection of its sovereignty over the Crimea cannot be seriously considered." Another Russian official suggested that Moscow was not taking the statements seriously. Viktor Ozerov, head of the Russian Federation Councils Defense and Security Committee, told Russian media that the recent White House statements about Crimea were likely intended to mute the discontent of the American establishment with Trump because of his alleged pro-Russian stance. The harsh words for Russia on Crimea began on Tuesday, as US National Security Advisor Michael Flynn resigned over his failure to disclose secrets talks with a Russian diplomat, which were wiretapped by U.S. intelligence services and leaked to the media, sparking an intensifying national security controversy and the beginnings of a war between the White House and the intelligence services. Related: Russia Sanctions Scandal Only Begins With Flynns Resignation The statements also come as Russia is becoming emboldened in the Black Sea, offshore Crimea. Earlier this month, a Ukrainian military plane made two low passes over Russian oil rigs in the Black Sea, with Russia calling the incident a clear provocation, and Ukraine claiming that its aircraft was fired on. The Russian oil rigs are in the Odessa gas fields, where Russia hijacked two drilling rigs in Ukrainian waters in December 2015, claiming them as part of the new Russian Crimea. By Damir Kaletovic for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: By Taxpayer Association of Oregon, OregonWatchdog.com As many probably remember, the Taxpayer Association of Oregon was instrumental in defeating a proposal by the City of Lake Oswego to put taxpayers on the hook for $32 million fiber optic network. Government-owned broadband networks have proven a disaster for taxpayers in communities across America. Last week the Taxpayer Protection Alliance Foundation released a new report detailing many of these failed efforts. Their report, entitled Broadband Boondoggles, highlighted over 200 examples from across the nation including four from right here in Oregon. Like many of the projects on the Taxpayer Protection Alliances list of Broadband Boondogles, Lake Oswegos proposal operated under the assumption that over a third of the cities residents would opt for the city-owned system over more traditional commercial carries. Taxpayers would have been on the hook if the city fell short. Thankfully, a strong majority of Lake Oswego voters saw the disastrous consequences and joined with us to defeat Measure 3- 491. If they didnt, Lake Oswego would have joined 200 other local governments in a giant waste of taxpayer dollars, time and talent. Many of these local governments simply do not realize how much they have wasted until it is too late. Taxpayers should save this article and pass it on to their local mayor or county commissioner the next time they consider such foolish and costly projects. By Jacob Vandever I am a movement conservative. While I have never been shy about voicing the disagreements Ive had with other conservatives, at the end of the day if you believe in limited government, free enterprise, fiscal responsibility, and individual liberty, then we are on the same team and I will work with you. In the past, I have been very uncomfortable with Republicans primarying other sitting Republicans because here in Oregon we have a tendency to eat our own. That being said, at some point you have to draw a firm line in the sand. So in my humble opinion and with all due respect to our wonderful Republican elected officials, if any legislator breaks with conservatives and votes with Democrats on a tax increase that is not coupled with serious spending cuts and/or substantial PERS reforms, they should be primaried in 2018. For those of you who do not know, to pass a tax increase in Oregon it requires a three-fifths majority vote in both chambers. That means 36 votes are required in the House and 18 votes in the Senate. Currently, there are 35 Democratic State Representatives and 17 Democratic Senators. Should all the Democratic legislators get together on a tax measure (which frankly is probably unlikely) it would only require the vote of one Republican in each chamber to push through a new tax. Make no mistake folks, the Democrats in Salem want your money. When I briefly interned at the capitol I would take notes at House Revenue Committee Meetings and I swear Representative Barnhart, the chair of that committee, never met a tax he didnt love. We have already seen the ridiculous proposals to tax coffee and old cars that came out of the Revenue Committee. Believe me, as long as the Oregon legislature is in session there will be people dreaming up ways to get every penny they can out of your pocket. Do we need to find a solution to Oregons budget problems? Absolutely! But that solution cannot be done on the Democrats terms. Even if the Democrats got their way and were somehow about to pass some form of a Spawn of Measure 97 they would be back within the decade asking for a new tax increase because we did nothing to address the unsustainable growth in PERS and Medicaid costs. So here is my plea to our elected Republican legislators. I implore you, do not vote for any new taxes without corresponding substantial changes to our spending structure. As is often said, Oregon does not have a revenue problem, Oregon has a spending problem. I have always believed that Republican legislators should get one or two bad votes a session that they could be forgiven for. Independence is something we should celebrate, not scoff at. In this situation however, that is not something we can abide. So should a rogue Republican or two break with their colleagues and vote with the Democrats on a tax increase, I will personally drive to their district and knock doors for their primary opponent, and I have four open seats in my car if anyone else wants to come with me. Jacob Vandever is the editor of Oregon Upstart, the newest conservative blog on the Oregon political scene. Judges van attacked in Peshawer PESHAWAR: The driver of a government vehicle was killed while at least seven people - including four women - were injured when a suicide bomber drove a motorcycle into a van carrying several judges in the Hayatabad area of Peshawar on Wednesday. It was one of three attacks - involving four suicide bombers - in the country in a single day, unnerving citizens whose growing sense of security has been shaken by multiple Taliban blasts this week. Earlier in the day, at least five people, including three Levies personnel, were killed in Ghalanai, Mohmand Agency, when a suicide attacker blew himself up at the entrance of a residential colony. As per the details of the Hayatabad attack, the deceased driver was identified as Khurshid Khan, while the injured included civil judges Asif Jadoon and Tehreema. Three other women - Rabia Abbasi, Saima and Zarmala - were also on board the van when it was struck by the attacker at around 1:40pm. The incident took place near the Peshawar Development Authority (PDA) building, hardly a kilometre and a half away from the Hayatabad Medical Complex (HMC) where Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervez Khan Khattak were about to inaugurate new health facilities - the Sehat Sahulat Card and a recently renovated outpatient department (OPD) - at 3pm. Soon after the attack, officials from the nearby Tatara Police Station cordoned off the area as the bomb disposal squad and Rescue 1122 personnel arrived at the scene. According to officials, at least 15 kilogrammes of explosive material was used in the attack. The injured were shifted to the HMC, where Asif Jadoon, Tehreema and other victims were said to be out of danger. The ceremony at the HMC and Imran Khan's press conference at the Peshawar Press Club had to be cancelled for security reasons. The PTI chief strongly condemned the attack, which was conducted by the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). CM Khattak and KP Governor Iqbal Zafar Jhagra also condemned the attack on the judges and instructed the authorities concerned to complete the investigation process as soon as possible. According to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sajjad Khan, the bomber targeted civil judge Asif Jadoon's vehicle as he was travelling on the van along with other staff members in Hayatabad's Phase 5. Meanwhile, at least five persons, including three Levies personnel were killed in Ghalanai area of Mohmand Agency when a suicide attacker blew himself up at the entrance of a residential colony. According to the political administration, the attacker tried to force his entry into the colony but was spotted by the Levies personnel. The attacker blew himself up before he could be taken down by the security forces. The forces were successful in foiling the attack, as a second attacker was shot dead by the forces before he could get inside the colony and attempt to wreck havoc inside. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) in a statement stated two suicide bombers from Afghanistan were involved in the "foiled" terror bid. Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, a splinter group of the TTP, claimed responsibility for the attack in Mohmand Agency. Meanwhile, security forces claimed to have killed five terrorists following the suicide blast in Ghalanai. Soon after the attack, the forces launched a search operation in the area and killed five more would-be suicide bombers as they were trying to escape. Security forces said that a facilitator of the terrorists was also arrested from the nearby area of Ghalanai Bazaar. The would-be suicide bombers were reportedly staying at the guesthouse of the arrested person. Merger of FATA into KP is inevitable: Imran Khan PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Wednesday said that the merger of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was inevitable for a permanent solution to FATA's issues. Flanked by KP Chief Minister and cabinet members, the PTI Chief said that the Centre, KP and FATA would have to sit together to decide the merger, adding that the change should be gradual so that the people of FATA can accept the change. He said that there was no infrastructure in FATA - until the complete return of displaced persons and their rehabilitation, and infrastructure development the merger would not be fruitful. Imran Khan recommended that the utilisation of funds in FATA should also be jointly decided by the Centre, KP and FATA. He suggested that development funds should be spent through the local government system. Meanwhile, the PTI chief condemned the suicide attack on the vehicle of judges in Hayatabad Phase-IV and said that such a cowardly attack reflected their desperation since they were on the run. Khan asserted the menace of terrorism would be curbed soon and the nefarious designs of anti-state elements would be foiled. Meanwhile, talking to the media outside the Supreme Court following the Panamagate case hearing, Imran Khan believed that there were clear contradictions in the statements of the Sharif family and there was no money trail of their properties in foreign countries yet he believed Ishaq Dar's affidavit was the real money trail of the Sharifs' properties. "The statement of Ishaq Dar is the actual money trail of the Sharifs, as national institutions are busy producing fake documents to rescue the ruling family." Imran Khan pointed to the fact that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's daughter Maryam Nawaz in her TV interview claimed they had no foreign property, while on the other hand the PM's son Hussain Nawaz and Federal Minister for Water and Power Khawaja Asif confessed that properties, including Mayfair flats, were purchased in the 90s by the family. Khan stated that after emergence of Panama leaks, the Sharif family's properties came into the light and then ICIJ investigative journalist organisation and later the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) confirmed that Maryam Nawaz was the beneficiary owner of London flats, while the PM on the National Assembly floor admitted that he had all the necessary evidence regarding his foreign properties, yet not a single piece of evidence, which could prove that their foreign properties were legal, could be produced in the SC during the last nine months. "The Sharif family is trying to contest their case on fake documents." Talking about the Qatari letter, he said that a story regarding the settlement of Mian Sharif and the Qatari royal family had begun in the court and tactics were being applied to transfer responsibility to others but, "today in the SC, the counsel for Hussain Nawaz, Salman Akram Raja, said that he had no money trail". Imran said that Qatari letters and fake documents presented by the FBR showed their real and 'cowardly' face, and proved that the Sharifs could cross any limit to save themselves from accountability. For Imran Khan, whenever Nawaz Sharif was in power, no national institution could hold an unbiased investigation against him because he was responsible for appointing the officials of these institutions in the first place. The PTI Chief questioned how it was possible for such an appointed leader to hold an impartial and honest investigation against him. In response to a question, he said that the Election Commission of Pakistan had all records of his properties that he had held during the last 20 years, but no judgement had been given so far on the disqualification reference case. From Greg Swank, 12-4-2 You are about to read a list of 45 goals that found their way down the halls of our great Capitol back in 1963. As... Meteorologist Paul Douglas writes about Minnesota weather daily, trying to go beyond the "highs" and "lows" of the weather story to discuss current trends and some of the how's and why's of meteorology. Rarely is our weather dull - every day is a new forecast challenge. Why is the weather doing what it's doing? Is climate change a real concern, and if so, how will my family be affected? Climate is flavoring all weather now, and I'll include links to timely stories that resonate with me. The mathematical (and other) thoughts of a (now retired) math teacher, You must be using LED bulbs in homes. What if these LED bulbs of yours keep on burning even after the power goes out? For this many people use inverter. We have come up with information about such a product, for which you will not need any inverter. Its price is less than 500 rupees. You get many great products... Black bear hunters in the Adirondacks didn't have as much success last fall as the year before, but still took more bears than the historical average. That was what the state Department of Environmental Conservation concluded , with 514 taken last fall compared to 583 during the fall of 2015. The DEC pointed out that 2015 was an unusually high tally, well above the five-year average of 472 bears and equal to the historical average. Hunters in Stony Creek and Johnsburg had the most success locally, with 13 bears taken in each of those towns last year. Hunters in the southern part of the state, the Catskill and Allegany ranges, fared better, but also shot fewer bears last fall than the year before. Notable numbers from the DEC: One bear per 3.3 square miles --- by Wildlife Management Unit (WMU), the greatest bear harvest density occurred in WMU 3K, which includes portions of Sullivan and Orange counties. However, the town of Minisink in Orange County (WMU 3M) produced one bear for every 1.9 square miles. 107 --- the greatest number of bears reported taken on any one day, the opening day of the regular firearms season in the Southern Zone. 555 pounds --- the heaviest dressed weight bear reported to DEC in 2016, taken in the town of Brandon, Franklin County. A 540-pound dressed weight bear was reportedly taken in the town of Walton in Delaware County, and seven bears were reported with dressed weights between 400-500 pounds. Scaled weights of dressed bears were submitted for 22 percent of the bears taken in 2016. 25 --- the number of tagged bears reported in the 2016 harvest. These included six bears originally tagged in Pennsylvania, five from New Jersey, and one from Vermont. The remainder were originally tagged in New York for a variety of reasons including research, nuisance response, relocated urban bears, or released rehabilitated bears. 2016 Bear Take Summary Report A complete summary of the 2016 bear harvest with results and maps by county, town, and WMU is available at DEC's website here. -- Don Lehman FORT EDWARD -- A Fort Edward man who police said was a major marijuana dealer has pleaded guilty to a felony charge in Washington County Court. Michael A. Mueller, 31, of Wing Street, pleaded guilty to second-degree criminal sale of marijuana in connection with an investigation that led to his arrest last summer. Police said he sold marijuana on multiple occasions during a police investigation. He agreed to a plea deal that includes a six-month sentence in Washington County Jail and 5 years on probation. He was arrested by the Washington County Sheriff's Office. GLENS FALLS A town hall forum for residents of the 21st Congressional District has been rescheduled for 4 p.m. Wednesday in the community room at Crandall Public Library. U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Willsboro, was invited to the forum, but will not be able to attend because she will be participating in a congressional delegation trip for new members of the House Intelligence Committee that had been scheduled since early January, said Tom Flanagin, the congresswomans spokesman. We are working with the group and many others across the district to schedule meetings with the congresswoman, Flanagin said. Requests to meet with the congresswoman can be placed through her congressional office website stefanik.house.gov. Sarah Carpenter, principal organizer of the town hall event, said the forum is being run by an independent group of constituents. Although MoveOn.org has been promoting the event, it is being organized independently from that group and she is not a MoveOn.org member, Carpenter said. Crandall Public Library had mistakenly listed it as a MoveOn.org event on the library website, Andrea Herman, of the library, said Thursday. MoveOn.org organizer Joe Seeman, who has been promoting the event, said it will be a nonpartisan event for all 21st District residents. Its not any political party organization, and the whole public is invited, he said. This is not just for liberals. Its not just for Democrats. Its for her constituents. If the congresswoman does not attend, the people will still be welcomed to ask questions to be videotaped and sent to Stefanik, the press and social media, Nancy Lee Dunn said in a news release. Seeman, at a MoveOn.org demonstration on Tuesday, announced the forum would be on Feb. 24. Seeman said the library community room had been reserved for multiple days, to provide Stefanik options for what day would fit best in her schedule during the week the House of Representatives does not meet in Washington. When she was not able to attend either day, organizers decided Wednesday would be a better day for the public, Seeman said. Stefanik said in a statement earlier this week that small groups may request to schedule meetings through her congressional office website. Having these respectful dialogues is important to me, and I believe they are the most effective way for me to take your voice and priorities to Congress, she said in the statement. Welcome Guest! You Are Here: Welcome Guest! You Are Here: Home Regional News East President Donald Trump has made it clear he thinks "Saturday Night Live" is "really bad television," even though he hosted the show less than two years ago. He has tweeted about it repeatedly as it has lampooned his campaign and his presidency and now, apparently, he has a new gripe with the sketch show. From fiery conservative radio and TV personality Laura Ingraham, to Trump's embattled former campaign manager Corey Rudy Giuliani The former prosecutor and mayor of New York City was an early and outspoken supporter of Trump's presidential bid. Rudy Giuliani openly lobbied to be Trump's secretary of state, but said that he withdrew himself from consideration for the position on November 29. He told reporters in January that he subsequently turned down two "Cabinet-level positions" in the administration. has since been named Trump's informal adviser on cybersecurity. Giuliani most recently stirred controversy after telling Fox News that he helped Trump draft his executive order on immigration, which bans most travel from seven majority-Muslim countries, after Trump asked him how to implement a "Muslim ban" "legally." Anthony Scaramucci Anthony Scaramucci an investment-firm founder and prominent donor to Trump's campaign was denied a senior role at the White House as questions swirled over ethics conflicts. Chris Christie The New Jersey governor one of Trump's fiercest defenders throughout his campaign and considered for Trump's vice presidential running mate was pushed out of his position leading Trump's transition team immediately following the election. Chris Christie's dismissal has been attributed to a host of grievances, including the fact that during his time as New Jersey's top prosecutor, he sent the father of Trump's son-in-law and top adviser, Jared Kushner, to prison for tax evasion, illegal campaign donations, and witness tampering. Dogged by his own scandal, just days before the 2016 election, two of Christie's former aides were convicted on conspiracy charges in. Before his ousting, Christie was said to have been gunning for White House chief of staff or attorney general. Corey Lewandowski Corey Lewandowski a conservative political operative and commentator was fired from his position as Trump's campaign manager in June 2016. During his time on the campaign, provoked several scandalsin one case, he was charged with misdemeanor battery after allegedly manhandling a reporter at a Trump campaign event (the charges were later dropped). Three days after his ousting from the campaign, Katrina Pierson Katrina Pierson a political consultant and Tea Party activist from Texas became the Trump campaign's chief spokesperson in November 2015 and advised Trump's transition team. Pierson is well known for her controversial cable news appearances, during which she has claimed President Barack Obama was responsible for invading Afghanistan in 2001 8 years before he took office and that Hillary Clinton had a rare brain disease. Pierson is reported to have turned down an offer to be White House deputy press secretary and will likely join a new pro-Trump political group as communications director. Newt Gingrich Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, a fierce Trump supporter who made the short-list of Trump's potential running mates, has so far been denied a position in Trump's administration. Gingrich told reporters a few days after the election that he wanted to be "the general planner" of the Trump administration, focusing on how the president would "fundamentally reshape the federal government." That job has not come to fruition. In December, Gingrich went off message and said in an interview with NPR that Trump would not be following through on his campaign promise to "drain the swamp." Trump rebuked the claim in a tweet and Gingrich quickly apologized. Laura Ingraham Laura Ingraham, a Fox News commentator, radio host, and founder of the conservative site Lifezette, has doggedly promoted Trump, who she calls a friend, since the early days of his campaign and was public about her desire to be White House press secretary. She said in December that she would accept the position, if it was offered, but that she hoped to have a role in policymaking as well. Trump picked Sean Spicer previously chief strategist for the Republican National Committee for the position instead. Sarah Palin Former Alaska governor and 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin made it pretty clear she wanted to join the Trump administration and was reportedly considered for secretary of Veterans Affairs, but she did not end up with any position. While Palin was an early supporter of Trump, endorsing him over her ally Ted Cruz, she had some harsh words for a deal Trump struck with Carrier in early December, condemning the move as "crony capitalism." Mike Huckabee The photos released on Facebook and Twitter by the Flagstaff House included Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, Foreign Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, and the British High Commissioner to Ghana, John Benjamin. In an interview with Pulse.com.gh, photographer Kobby Blay said this is not the first time the presidency has released bad photos. [It is not the first time] I have raised this issue. It is on the [Flagstaff House] Facebook page. This is not a onetime thing. I have observed that in the photography that is being produced from the presidency. "In the recent photo that I complained about, you see that there was some amount of spaces [between] the subjects, and it was so wide, they looked very small. And when you look at the foot of Jon Benjamin, it was cut away. So, the alignment in itself was poor. READ ALSO: Boris Johnson meets Nana Addo to discuss UK investment partnership "And our president has been moved away [from the centre of action]. Nobody wants a bad photo of himself and history wont forgive us if we end up producing bad photos. We wouldnt be around to tell the story but the photos in itself should do everything. He quoted former President Barack Obamas official photographer Pete Souza who said in an interview with Time Magazine: I think its important to have [a] visual record for people and generations to come, to get a sense of not just what the presidency was like but what [the President] was like as a person. Souza's photos of Obama's time in office showed him as a personable character in the midst of tough times in the Oval Office. Kobby Blay called for an orientation and an upgrade of gear for the president's team to improve the portrayal of the president to the rest of the country. He further commended former President John Mahama's team for what he described as good work in this area. According to him, school heads must justify their stay in their positions, especially when students continue to perform poorly in the West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). "Any school head who superintends over a failure of over 90% cannot be allowed to continue operation without accounting to the Ghana Education Service (GES), he said. The Minister made this known while addressing heads of Senior High Schools (SHS) in Kumasi as part of a two-day familiarization tour to the Ashanti Region. At least 598 candidates who sat in the 2016 West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE) had their entire results cancelled. WAEC said that 1,576 candidates had their subject results cancelled while some 13 candidates who had their entire results cancelled have also been barred from taking any of the Councils examinations for two years mainly for impersonation during the examination. READ ALSO: WAEC indicated that a total of 125,065 students obtained A1 to C6 in English Language, which is 53.19%, 59,725 (25.40%) obtained D7-E8 whilst 46,595 (19.82%) had F9. The statement said for Mathematics, 77,108 (32.83%) obtained A1-C6; 65,007 (27.68%) obtained D7-E8 whilst 89,477 (38.10%) had F9. About 113,933 students obtained A1-C6 in Integrated Science which is 48.48%, 75,938 (32.32%) obtained D7-E8 whilst 42,519 (18.09%) had F9, WAEC added. Even though WAEC said this years performance is a significant improvement over that of 2015, Nana Akufo-Addo, who was then the flabgearer of the New Patriotic Party said that the outcome of the examination is a reflection of the poor performance of the Mahama-led administration. President Donald Trump named retired Lt. Gen. Joseph Keith Kellogg the acting national security adviser. The news came soon after a Washington Post report suggested some US officials believed Flynn could be susceptible to Russian blackmail and after he faced new scrutiny over a call with Russia's ambassador to the US during which the pair apparently discussed US sanctions. The report from The Washington Post on Monday night said Sally Yates, the acting attorney general at the time, in January warned the White House that Flynn had misled officials about his correspondence with Sergey Kislyak, Russia's ambassador to the US. Trump fired Yates at the end of January after she refused to enforce his now-suspended travel ban. oth the director of national intelligence and the CIA director at the time, James Clapper and John Brennan, expressed concern that "Flynn had put himself in a compromising position" with Russia and agreed that Vice President Mike Pence deserved to know he had been misled. It remains unclear what White House counsel Donald McGahn did with that information. Flynn said he apologized to Pence on Monday, saying he may have discussed the Obama administration's sanctions with Kislyak before Trump was sworn in, which would've been a breach of protocol. Flynn had previously contended that US sanctions never came up during his conversations with Kislyak. "Unfortunately, because of the fast pace of events, I inadvertently briefed the vice president-elect and others with incomplete information regarding my phone calls with the Russian ambassador," Flynn wrote in his resignation letter Monday night. "I have sincerely apologized to the president and vice president, and they have accepted my apology." President Barack Obama announced new sanctions on Russia in late December for that country's alleged role in election-related cyberattacks. Major fallout As the evidence of Flynn's discussions mounted, including transcripts of calls, a spokesman said Flynn "indicated that while he had no recollection of discussing sanctions, he couldn't be certain that the topic never came up." The damage had already been done, however, as The New York Times reports that three administration officials familiar with the situation reportedly said Pence, who made several television appearances to defend Flynn, was incensed at the national security adviser for apparently withholding information. Earlier Monday, the White House press secretary, Sean Spicer, said in a statement that the White House was "evaluating the situation" with Flynn. A senior Trump administration official also said officials were aware of the matter and were "working on this for weeks." Mounting pressure Both Democratic and Republican lawmakers had urged Flynn to resign. On Monday, Republican Rep. Mike Coffman of Colorado released this statement: "As national security advisor, Michael Flynn is responsible to the President, Vice President, and the American people. It is his duty to be fully transparent and forthright in his actions anything less is unacceptable. If in fact he purposely misled the President, he should step down immediately." Rumors of Flynn's removal were also fueled when sources close to the White House told Politico on Monday that Trump's senior adviser and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, was taking part in the search for potential replacements for Flynn. One of these replacements could be retired Gen. David Petraeus, according to Politico, which said he was scheduled to meet with Trump this week. "They are trying to figure out the solution to Flynn right now," one of Politico's sources said. "The problem is they don't have it yet. They need to get a solution." For the first time ever, the F-35 competed against legacy aircraft and simulated surface-to-air missile batteries at "the highest level threats we know exist, according to a statement from Lt. Col. George Watkins, an F-53 squadron commander. Four planes taking out five SAM sites in 15 minutes represents nothing less than a quantum leap in capability for the Air Force, which prior to the F-35 would have to target threats with long-range missiles before getting close to the battle. We would shoot everything we had at that one threat just to take it out. Now between us and the (F-22) Raptor, we are able to geo-locate them and precision target them, Watkins said, adding that F-35s are so stealthy, we can get close enough to put a bomb right on them." But that's only one of the multi-role F-35's jobs. After obliterating ground threats, F-35 pilots said they turned right around and started hammering air threats. The F-35 came out of Red Flag a ringing success just as Defense News reports that the strike aircraft is now being considered at the highest levels for overseas deployments. I think based on the data that were hearing right now for kill ratios, hit rates with bombs, maintenance effectiveness those things tell me that the airplane itself is performing extremely well from a mechanical standpoint and that the proficiency and skills of the pilots is at a level that would lead them into any combat situation as required, Brig. Gen. Scott Pleus, head of the Air Force's F-35 integration office told Defense News. With that success on record, Pleus will now consider deploying a small group of six to eight F-35s overseas as part of a "theater security package" to help train and integrate with US allies. The US Treasury Department declared El Aissami to be a specially designated narcotics trafficker for allegedly "playing a significant role in international narcotics trafficking." The US government also designated Venezuelan citizen Samark Jose Lopez Bello for providing material or financial assistance to the narcotics trafficking activities of El Aissami and blocked 13 properties owned by Lopez or others that it said "comprise an international network." The Treasury Department alleges that El Aissami oversaw narcotics shipments via planes leaving air bases and boats leaving the country's ports. Suspicions about his involvement in the drug trade have earned El Aissami the moniker "the narco of Aragua," after his home state. "There's information that El Aissami has been protecting loads of cocaine we're talking about ton quantities coming from Colombia using Venezuela as a transshipment point," Mike Vigil, a former chief of international operations for the US Drug Enforcement Administration, told Business Insider. "There's information that indicates that El Aissami actually directed ... how that cocaine would be transshipped through a lot of their airports and seaports, and then he worked in collusion with what we call a testaferro, or a front man, by the name of Samark Lopez, who has been establishing front companies," Vigil said. At the tail end of his presidential campaign Donald Trump adopted a hardline stance on the Venezuela, but his team wasn't the driving force behind this round of sanctions, the investigation for which began under Obama. "The timing, however, is indeed curious," Tim Gill, a post-doctoral fellow at Tulane University focused on Venezuelan foreign relations, told Business Insider. "El Aissami recently became the Venezuelan Vice President and received extensive economic powers from Maduro, and Trump recently became U.S. President." The sanctions send a "clear message to people of Venezuela that America stands with them," newly appointed Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said on Tuesday, adding that the measures would freeze "tens of millions of dollars." El Aissami and Maduro wasted no time in responding. The vice president called the sanctions "miserable provocations" and pledged to show "greater strength" in response to what he called imperialist aggressions. Maduro said he would present a formal note of protest to the US government over the designation and declared that he was the ultimate target of US policies. "They are not attacking Tareck, they are attacking a country, a revolution and I am the final objective," he said. While El Aissami is a new designee and was relatively recently appointed to the vice presidency, he looms large over Venezuelan politics and has been implicated in some of the country's more sinister institutions. Born in November 1974, El Aissami had humble beginnings in Merida, in western Venezuela. The son of Syrian and Lebanese immigrants, his father, Carlos El-Aissami, was the head of a local branch of the Iraqi Ba'ath Party. El Aissami soon moved east, to Aragua, where he attended the Basic School of the National Armed Forces. He later moved back west, where he attended the University of the Andes in Merida, according to a profile by Venezuelan news site Vertice News. There, one of his professors was Adan Chavez, brother of Hugo Chavez, who would later be president from 1999 until his death in 2013. "His politics are really all a product of the Chavez era," Alejandro Velasco, a history professor at New York University, told Business Insider. "He's part of the new generation, younger generation ... certainly his radicalism can't be traced to a pre-Chavez era," Velasco said, "and most of his actual politics came in ... the Andes, where he was a student." El Aissami earned degrees in law and criminology and became involved in politics while in school, where he eventually met Hugo Chavez. Other students grew suspicious of him, however, coming to believe he had connections to guerrilla movements that operated in the Venezuela-Colombia border area. He was also accused of bringing in armed thugs to bully the competition in student elections. After leaving school, he took a position in the Venezuelan Interior Ministry's passport and naturalization agency, before being elected to the national parliament in 2005. He was appointed minister of interior and justice in 2008, holding that position until he was elected governor of Aragua state, which stretches south from the Caribbean coast in central Venezuela. "My sense in terms of El Aissami is that his pretensions were always national in scope," Velasco said. "His ideas weren't about making any major inroads it was really looking ahead to the bigger and brighter things." Those political ambitions could have facilitated the narco activity El Aissami has been accused of. Empowered by his status among the ranks of Chavez supporters, called chavistas, El Aissami may have linked up with elements within the armed forces that increasingly came to see their logistical resources and relative impunity as means to pursue illicit activities narcotics trafficking chief among them. "Sometime back in 2010, Venezuela's largest ... drug trafficker a guy by the name of Walid Makled Garcia was arrested in Cucuta, Colombia, and he gave declarations immediately to Colombian security forces and said that his biggest associates in Venezuela were all generals," Vigil told Business Insider. "And he also indicated that he was providing money to El Aissami's brother that was going to a lot of high-ranking government officials so that they could protect the loads of cocaine being transshipped through Venezuela," said Vigil, Metal Coffins: The Blood Alliance Cartel "The other thing is that Aragua ... provides [El Aissami] with actually a really clear link to two crucial nodes of the narcotics trade," Velasco said. "One being the border region with Colombia through Tachira state, and the other one being Aragua, which is in a central region," he continued, "and so there you have sort of the clear path from the source country ... to the exit area, which would be the Caribbean." El Aissami's links to the border region, Vigil said, also allegedly include ties to Colombia's left-wing FARC rebels, a stalwart in the drug trade, and to the right-wing paramilitaries that fought the FARC and also maintained a presence in the drug trade. While the US indictment only pertains to El Aissami's suspected narcotics activity, there have been accusations he was involved in black-market passport sales, distributing Venezuelan passports, which grant the holder entry to 130 countries, to people from the Middle East, some of whom were connected to the terrorist group Hezbollah, according to a CNN investigation. "So he came to the attention of the US government several years ago, under the Obama administration, when a multitude of fraudulent Venezuelan passports started to popping up in many places," Vigil said. "So with those passports they could literally travel to just about any country in the world." The extent of Venezuela's involvement with Islamic extremism is questionable. Actions like the sale of passports may just constitute crimes of opportunity, rather than indicate any kind of deeper ideological or operational linkage. And while groups like Hezbollah have connections to Venezuelan officials, it appears that, for now, those groups' undertakings in Latin America are limited to "money laundering and the funneling of drug profits to their organization, because now a lot of these terrorist networks are using drug profits to fund their operations," Vigil said. What is much less clear is what the leveling of sanctions on a high-profile official like Tareck El Aissami means for the US-Venezuela relationship going forward. The investigation in El Aissami was largely conducted under the Obama administration, and, Vigil said, was delayed in recent months because the Obama State Department wanted to see if a dialogue between the Maduro government and the opposition locked in a deep-seated political conflict could be established. Venezuela's response may also signal a desire for further engagement. "El Aissami has, of course, condemned the sanctions, but he has not specifically condemned Trump himself," Tim Gill, post-doctoral fellow at Tulane University, told Business Insider. "This suggests that the Venezuela government might still try to play its hand with Trump, especially given Trump's warmth towards Russia, one of Venezuela's closest international allies," Gill added. While Trump appears to have voiced support for factions of Venezuelas opposition, the ultimate shape of his policy toward Venezuela remains to be seen. "Pressure is mounting from both Democratic and Republican members of Congress, as evidenced in a recent letter signed by 34 individuals, to take a harsher position on the Maduro government," Gill said. "Leaking, and even illegal classified leaking, has been a big problem in Washington for years. Failing @nytimes (and others) must apologize!" Trump tweeted. "The spotlight has finally been put on the low-life leakers! They will be caught!" In a meeting later with several members of Congress, he added: "We're going to find the leakers, and they're going to pay a big price." The New York Times and The Washington Post have published several bombshell reports over the past week about the intelligence community's investigations into the Trump campaign's contact with Russia during and after the election. Those reports revealed that former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn had discussed sanctions with Russia's ambassador to the US before Trump was sworn in, despite his previously denying anything sensitive was discussed on the calls. Flynn resigned on Monday. A Times report on Tuesday shed light on the "repeated contacts" Trump associates had with Russian intelligence officials during the election. CNN followed up with a report on Tuesday night that cited sources who said the communication between Trump associates and Russian officials during the campaign was "constant." The outlets cited dozens of current and former officials in total. The Times and The Post did not specify that their sources came from within the intelligence community. In an apparent response to those reports, Trump tweeted on Wednesday that "information is being illegally given to the failing @nytimes & @washingtonpost by the intelligence community (NSA and FBI?). Just like Russia." "The real scandal here is that classified information is illegally given out by 'intelligence' like candy," he continued. "Very un-American!" On the campaign trail, Trump embraced the organization WikiLeaks when it published emails stolen from the Democratic National Committee and Hillary Clinton's campaign chairman, John Podesta. But he has sought to discredit the intelligence community since before he was sworn in, at one point comparing what he said were its "illegal leaks" of "fake news" about his alleged ties to Russia to "Nazi Germany." In early January, just before US intelligence agencies released a report detailing the extent to which Russia meddled in the US election, Trump suggested that officials had postponed briefing him on the "so-called 'Russian hacking'" because they needed more time "to build a case." Now, Trump appears poised to launch a "broad review of American intelligence agencies" that would be overseen by New York billionaire Stephen Feinberg a friend of Trump's whose "only experience with national security matters is his firm's stakes in a private security company and two gun makers," The Times reported on Wednesday. But the intelligence community may have ways of maintaining its independence. The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday night that intelligence officials have begun to withhold information primarily dealing with its sources and the methods of collecting it from the White House because of Trump's "repeated expressions of admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin and his call during the presidential campaign for Russia to continue hacking the emails" of Clinton. The intelligence officials fear Trump could be compromised by Russia, and they resent his constant attacks on the community, according to the Journal's report. A spokesman for the director of national intelligence denied that the intelligence community would withhold information from the president, and a former CIA officer told Business Insider that "the system doesn't work that way." "If there's a concern about someone being compromised, they remove that person," said the former officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the CIA's briefing strategy. "They don't just stop providing intel. That's crazy talk." The tracking device will be named EQUINOX Expanding Quality, Inclusion & New Opportunities in Education. The tracker is expected to gauge and assess the implementation of the Free SHS policy. According to a statement released by the think tank, they are launching the tracker to prevent the considerable confusion about the underlying statistics and operational methodology, and conceptual coherence, as far as the governments choice of universal, effective, SHS is concerned. The tracker is expected to have composite indicators as well. These indicators include enrolment trajectory, per capita. spending, per capita spending efficiency, assessment metrics, resource disbursement schedules, and resource availability metrics. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo said his government will absorb the cost of Senior High School education beginning September 2017. The free public SHS education, Nana Addo said, was aimed at building an educated populace for speedy national development and progress. "By free SHS, we mean that in addition to tuition, which is already free, there will be no admission fees, no library fees, no science centre fees, no computer laboratory fees, no examination fees, no utility fees. There will be free textbooks, free boarding and free meals and day students will get a meal at school for free." READ ALSO: Ghana will fund its free high school policy with the Heritage Fund However, Imani Ghana has predicted that this policy will fail. Head of Economics at IMANI Patrick Stephenson said: "I think thats been the problem to the extent that we have not seen sufficient clarity from the current government, is making it very difficult to appreciate what the intended objectives are". Below is IMANIs full statement: IMANI to Launch Tracker for Free SHS called EQUINOX- Expanding Quality, Inclusion & New Opportunities in Education A raging debate over the feasibility and funding of Ghanas secondary education has reached its zenith with the announcement of expanded subsidies for almost every fee-paying item on the high school menu by the state, in fulfilment of a political campaign promise by the new government. The campaign promise is famously known as Free Senior High School or Free SHS. There is a fair amount of consensus in Ghana today for the first 12 years of education to be guaranteed for every child of school-going age. There is at the same time widespread concern about educational outcomes. Many objective international measures suggest that academic performance, aptitude development and skills acquisition are either stagnant of falling. Every major section of the political elite has committed to addressing these problems as a matter of urgency. What is less apparent on the surface of the debates and discussions is that both expanding access and enhancing outcomes depend on an injection of more resources in addition to structural reforms, especially in the area of supervision and accountability. It appears even less evident that the public appreciates the significant diversity among models used worldwide for this two-prong approach of fixing access and quality outcomes synergistically. The ruling NPP government has decided to opt for a model that relies on expanded government subvention, fees abolishment and general taxation. The Minister of Education has announced a September 2017 timeline and a budget of $800 million for implementation. It is not clear if this is additional money or the aggregate Senior High School (SHS) budget once the rollout commences. We will assume that he is referring to the size of the total SHS budget (currently at ~$330 million) in the 2017/2018 academic year as a result of the programs commencement. His enrolment projections seem however over-optimistic. He appears to believe that an additional 800,000 students can be added to the secondary education population within a year of program launch. This is both arithmetically and analytically difficult to understand. If current enrolment rates of 65% at secondary level are credible, then it is unlikely that additional numbers exceeding 400,000 new students can be recorded in the medium-term. This underscores our suspicion that a good deal of the funding for this project will go to administrative overheads rather than into direct investments into school budgets. The Ministers numbers appear to indicate an administrative budget of more than $400 million. This is the only conclusion to draw as his numerical projections are suspect.Even from this brief discussion it is clear that there is still considerable confusion about the underlying statistics and operational methodology, not to even talk of conceptual coherence, as far as the governments choice of universal, effective, SHS is concerned. That is why IMANI is announcing the launch of a new Tracker for what has popularly, even if also erroneously, come to be known as FREE SHS.The Tracker shall be known as EQUINOX- Expanding Quality, Inclusion & New Opportunities in Education EQUINOX is a unified gauge with composite indicators. These indicators include enrolment trajectory, per capita. spending, per capita spending efficiency, assessment metrics, resource disbursement schedules, and resource availability metrics.We are very much aware that mixing qualitative and quantitative metrics to obtain standardised ratings can be both difficult and problematic, but we have assembled methodology that shall be validated during the baseline studies we are commencing. The other methodological concern is frequency of reporting, to the extent that this depends on the movement, volatility or periodicity of the core indicators. If changes in status cannot be measured at fairly frequent intervals, regular reporting becomes useless, and public interest, and even confidence, can wane. Yet, some important features of public education change much too slowly to generate the kind of movement in indicator measurements necessary to sustain public interest and therefore to advance advocacy goals. For example, changes in enrolment figures can only be detected at the onset of the academic year. Thus, a quarterly publishing period will not show any significant movement on that score. Of course, the punctuality of resource disbursement can be measured from trimester to trimester, which is as close to quarterly as possible Satisfaction level surveys can be stubbornly qualitative, with a high degree of subjectivity, raising serious concerns about such the impact of such major fault lines in our politics and society such as the rural-urban divide, the NPP-NDC geographic stronghold effect, and philosophical issues about citizen expectations in a patronage-based political system. Our current conviction on periodicity is that continuous exhibition of the results in real-time and a regulated amount of crowdsourcing to garner input from the public would be essential, rather than damaging, to the integrity of the Tracker. We already have some software architectural ideas in mind, though our intention is to start with rather simple database designs and easy-going user interfaces so as not to overcomplicate the project. The chance to combine participation, accountability and content depth in one strategy is however too tempting not to give the idea our fullest attention. We have taken these and many more factors in mind. These scammers in the system are more than the genuine gold exporters and sometimes I tend not to blame the scammers.these are businessmen coming from outside with funds and if you come to Ghana and you say you want to buy 1 ton of gold or 1000kg, AngloGold Ashanti they dont have that but then a small Ghanaian sitting in front of you and negotiating 1 ton of gold with you when market price is around $45,000.00 he is offering you $20,000 and you cannot even make that profit in Cocaine so is worst. He was speaking to journalists at the residence of the British High Commissioner to Ghana after he paid a courtesy call on President Nana Akufo-Addo. He said the UK will rather strengthen its trade relations with Ghana to help establish a free trade deal for mutual benefit. READ ALSO: Boris Johnson meets Nana Addo to discuss UK investment partnership As for our relations with Ghana, this is an opportunity to go a step further, what it will mean concretely is the chance to do a free trade deal. Lets be clear, there are plenty of ways that our economies could merge together more closely. We have talked about investment. I think one of the things Ghana could benefit from perhaps is more financial services helping here to get investments going in this country. He said he had observed that some products in Ghana are needed in Europe, hence such products should not attract tariffs. I have seen here in Ghana a bicycle made of bamboo. Why shouldnt that come to the streets of London with zero tariffs?. Why should there be barriers to Ghanaian bamboo bicycles. So there are opportunities for us to develop our economies together. Johnson stressed that the UK will continue to partner Ghana to counter terrorism. He reiterated that their exit from the European Union will not affect UKs commitment to trade and counter terrorism. We may be leaving the EU but we are not leaving Europe so we continue to be very much involved in trade with our friends and partners in the EU and we will, of course, continue to be working together with governments. A lot of the things that matter both to the UK and to Ghana whether its counter-terrorism or our collective security, we will continue to be a powerful voice for Ghana in Europe, he maintained. This was contained in a press statement released by the mining company. This follows a research by non-governmental organizations (NGOs), WACAM and Ford Foundation which showed that the operation of the Newmont Ahafo Mine was having an adverse effect on the lives of women in the mining communities. The findings indicated that since mining activities started in Asutifi North District by the multi-national company, the women of the area have not had access to potable water, farmlands and other means of economic livelihood. However, Newmont Ghanas Senior Director for Sustainability and External Relations, Paul Sowley, denied the report saying protecting and promoting the health and welfare of our employees and local communities is a top priority for us. We are currently studying the accuracy of the reports and will provide further information once we complete the review, Sowley added. He said they will follow up with the authors to understand the process at arriving at the research finding. Our review will include following up with the reports authors to better understand their data collection, analysis and assessment methods, which seem to lack the scientific rigour to support their conclusions. The company further explained that they have mitigation programmes that have supported over 10,000 people. The programmes include the Agricultural Improvement and Land Access Programme, Vulnerable Peoples Programme and Skills Development Improvement Programme. READ ALSO: Production of gold to increase in 2017 The company said it has also installed other amenities to help in the farming activities of the residents. The Company has installed new wells, monitored ground water supplies, improved sanitation and worked closely with local communities on monitoring and protecting water quality. In addition, the Newmont Ahafo Development Foundation which has accrued more than Gh54.2million is positively enhancing lives with the award of over 8,000 scholarships, 100 infrastructure projects (including schools, libraries, health facilities and potable water projects). The Foundation also has given out micro-credit support to approximately 1,500 beneficiaries, most of them women. READ ALSO: Association of Gold Exporters caution against scammers The statement added that Newmont has also put in various measures to help empower the women in the mining area. According to Stephenson, the "total proceeds that we have sitting in the Petroleum Fund now some rough computation suggest we have a little over $300 million. How much do we need to invest in free education annually? Rough computations suggest something in excess of $600million if we have to do it right and do it well." Yaw Osafo Marfo, has indicated that the governments Free Senior High School policy will be funded by the Heritage Fund. The policy is set to begin in September 2017 and is estimated to cost GH3.6 billion yearly. About 1.6 million eligible students between the ages of 15-17 years across the country are expected to benefit from the policy when it begins in September this year. President Nana Akufo-Addo over the weekend said the free public SHS education was aimed at building an educated populace for speedy national development and progress. "By free SHS, we mean that in addition to tuition, which is already free, there will be no admission fees, no library fees, no science centre fees, no computer laboratory fees, no examination fees, no utility fees. There will be free textbooks, free boarding and free meals and day students will get a meal at school for free. "Free SHS will also cover agricultural, vocational and technical institutions at the high school level," Nana Addo said. Many have since kicked against the move, saying it will not be feasible. A retired Ghanaian diplomat, K.B Asante said the implementation will not be sustainable especially with the financial situation of the country. Patrick Stephenson has also said the government's implementation of the free Senior High School (SHS) policy will fail due to the current economic conditions. Speaking to Accra-based Class FM, Patrick Stephenson said "Now if you decide to go and take the resources out of your Petroleum Fund, clearly it still doesnt fix your entire financing problem that you need and all of that is gone in just a year. Not that its a bad thing in itself, you should be able to demonstrate, for example, that its going to be sustainable for the long term and whatever they are putting in there goes in there, but we havent heard all of these things." However, Energy think tank Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP) has warned the government to stay away from the Heritage Fund to finance its Free Senior High School programme (SHS). According to ACEP, "it has been campaigning for the use oil revenue to finance the pro-poor sectors of education and agriculture for four years. Therefore, we cannot, in principle, be against the use of oil revenue to finance education." To accomplish this promise, Flippy Campus utilizes campus ambassadors who are influential, have huge following on social media, and know where all the action on campus is. This quarter, Team Flippy is daring to do more. They are looking to partner with entrepreneurial students on campus students who are into starting new projects, organize events or are building small businesses on campus. The plan is to support these students with the Flippy Campus brand, opening them up to a global network of tech enthusiasts, media personas, and students in other schools across Africa. This will help these young entrepreneurs to grow their business, and learn from the masters at Flippy Campus, to pursue their own entrepreneurial excellence. "We want the students to leverage on the Flippy Brand and network, both in the media and tech space, to promote themselves as competent entrepreneurs and gain more exposure. " - says Ammishaddai Ofori, the new CEO of Flippy Campus. "Of course we benefit from this venture through the awareness the students create with our brand, but the goal truly is to support the students with all the experiential resources we have to make them achieve their dreams." We are looking for crazy daring Campus Influencers who can Take their own initiatives and transform with the Flippy Campus brand to transform their campuses Interact with the top brands in the country using the Flippy Campus brand Grow and promote the Flippy Campus brand on your Campus Starting on Monday, the 20th of February we will be visiting campuses across Ghana with some of the best fellows from the Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST) who have built international businesses from around the world to recruit the top 5 Flippy Entrepreneurs from every campus. To apply, simply fill the google form (http://bit.ly/2kQmNi1) by Friday, February 17th 2017 and meet the Flippy team when they come to your campus. Dates for the various campus interviews can be found below. Updates on the ambassador program can also be found on the android app and the web app. UPSA - Feb 20th - Feb 22nd PENTEC - Feb 23rd - Feb 25th Methodist University - Feb 27th - March 1st University of Ghana - March 2nd - March 4th KNUST - March 5th - March 11th An eyewitness Eric Dzakata narrating the incident to Accra-based StarrFM said I heard three gunshots between 4 and 5 am and thought it was a hunter hunting at that time because that is what usually happens so I didnt take it seriously. But when I stepped out of the house around 6:30 am I heard of the shooting of a Fulani old man." The 75-year-old, who resides at 11, Ifelodun St., Oworonshoki, Lagos, is being tried for sexual assault at an Ikeja Chief Magistrates Court. The prosecutor, Sgt. Raphael Donny told the court that the offence was committed sometime in December 2016 at the accuseds residence. Donny alleged that the accused lured the girl into his room on the pretext of sending her on an errand. The accused fingered her and told her not to tell anyone. The accused allegedly called the girl again to his room and was about to carry out the act when one of the neighbours caught him in the act. The girl admitted to the police that the accused had fingered her before, he said. The offence contravened Section 135 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the section states that any person who sexually touches another person without his or her consent is liable to three years imprisonment. Adesogaat, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge. Ruling on the bail application of the accused, the Chief Magistrate, Mrs Davies Abegunde, granted him bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum. Abegunde ordered the accused to pay N50,000 into the courts registrars account as part of the bail condition. Edgardo Antunano is leading a team in Texas and Brian McGonagle is promoted in Florida. Team Worldwide, a freight forwarder and 3PL company, opened a team branch office in McAllen, Texas, on Monday under the leadership of Edgardo Antunano. Antunano (pictured above), a 24-year veteran in transportation and global logistics, joined forces with custom house brokers in the McAllen and Reynosa, Mexico, border area under the umbrella of Team Worldwide. Antunano and his group operate a 70,000-square-foot facility in McAllen that offers transborder service northbound and southbound and a 63,000-square-foot multiclient storage depot in Monterrey, Mexico. We are excited to welcome Mr. Antunano and his team to our Team Worldwide family. TEAM recognizes the importance of transborder relationships in global trade. With Mr. Antunanos many years of experience and commitment to customer service, Team Worldwide customers can expect superior transborder services and a very knowledgeable, capable team to assist them with all of their transportation needs, said Jason Brunson, president and chief executive officer of Team Worldwide. The Lee County Port Authority (LCPA) has named Brian W. McGonagle division director of administration. The division oversees the areas of air service development, communications and marketing, finance, human resources, information technology and properties for Southwest Florida International Airport and Page Field in Fort Myers, Fla. McGonagle joined LCPA in 1997 as a budget analyst, was promoted to manager of budget and accounting and then named director of finance in 2004. Prior to joining LCPA, McGonagle worked for more than 12 years in accounting and finance at the Bank of Boston. He started his career as a cost accountant for United Airlines flight kitchen in Boston. The Acting Registrar, Julius Atikpui, called off a convocation to elect a Deputy Rector on Thursday. READ ALSO: He said the decision was arrived at in consultation with the Ministry of Education, and the National Council for Tertiary Education. But the workers argue that the decision was a deliberately taken to frustrate the process of the election. A mail sent to all staff members and sighted by Citi FM said: the decision to strike arose from the failure by GIMPA Management to conform to a key element of voting to elect a Deputy Rector today as provided within the road map of 31st January, 2017. The behaviour by Management is contrary to the advice of the lawyers. Please be bold and conform to this directive. This applies to both administrative, teaching and supporting staff. At a press conference at the Palace of the Sunyani Omanhene, the Krontihene of the area, Nana Bofotia Boa Amponsem II said the conduct of Mr Asoma-Cheremeh towards the authority of the traditional council was unacceptable. Background The Paramount Chief, Nana Bosoma Asor Nkrawiri, in October 2016, declared support for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate John Mahama. He predicted that John Mahama will win the 2016 election in the region with an overwhelming 80%. READ ALSO: The NPP, however, condemned the statement from the paramount chief, describing it as unfortunate and a breach of the countrys constitution. The Regional Chairman of the NPP Mr Kwaku Asomah-Cheremeh then indicated that the Chief "stooped to the lowest level to call on residents of the region to endorse the Presidency of Mahama". He asked the Paramount Chief not to have appetite for favours from the President at the expense of their subjects. Our chiefs should realize that power is transient and the word impermanence is attached to every sphere of life. But the Traditional Council raised concerns with the comments by the regional executives and asked the Brong Ahafo Regional Council of Elders of the NPP to compel the regional executives to apologise. The council said Mr. Asomah-Cheremeh had undermined the authority of the Sunyani Omanhene. But the NPP failed to apologise for the comments. This resulted in a misunderstanding between the two factions. However, a statement issued by the aide to the regional minister-designate Wednesday said the Council and Mr Asoma-Cheremeh have buried their differences. Yesterday,14th February, 2017, the Valentine day, at around 5:30pm at the Missions House of the Roman Catholic Cathedral, Sunyani, the Nananom have wholeheartedly forgotten and buried whatever happened between them and the New Patriotic Party before, during and after the 2016 General Elections, the statement said. These motorists who call themselves okada group stationed at Madina Station have called on the NPP Government to intervene on their behalf. According to them, riding okada is what they do to feed themselves and families, notwithstanding helping ease traffic congestion in Accra. Their cry follows a decision from the Driver, Vehicle and Licensing Authority (DVLA) and the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service, to kick against the proposed legalization of the commercial use of motorbikes known as Okada operations. They argued that the open sided nature of motorbikes exposes riders and patrons to danger and legalizing its commercial use could increase motorbike accidents which are already high. The DVLA and MTTD suggested that mass transport, roads and other means of transport should be prioritized to enhance the transport system in the country instead of legalizing an operation which would promote lawlessness. Some motorists in Madina, however, told Pulse.com.gh the Okada business is their only source of livelihood. Ibrahim a 33-year-old rider told Pulse Ghana on Wednesday: We are helping the country greatly. If we should tell you the people who come here for our services, you would baffle. This morning we had a police officer, bank manager, lawyer and a soldier come for us to take them to Accra but I told my boys to refuse because they were arresting Okada riders in Accra.Chairman of the Okada group named Morro, added:We thought we were voting for change, now that the change is here Nana wants to ban Okada. Nana Addo please we are pleading with you, allow us to do our work in peace. Musah Adama, a motorist with the group said We are here helping people and easing traffic and DVLA wants us banned, no problem. We would just gather in front of banks and rob people to survive. I just dont understand why they won't leave us alone. When you go to Kumasi, you would see a lot of robbers there who have been left unarrested but here we are working and you claim you want to ban it. What is the reason? Pulse.com.gh also spoke to other people who had different opinions to the ban or legalization. Madam Magdalene, a cosmetic dealer at Madina mentioned that these riders should be banned. They are the major cause of accidents in the country lately. They should be banned. Kwaku Osei also said his concern was the way some of them are careless with their driving. He continued that many of them are thieves as well, snatching bags when passengers are not even looking. However, Nana Osarfo argued that "Okada business is someones job and so it is important that government puts regulations in place." We should remember that people are complaining of unemployment in the country already. If they should ban the riders, we should ask ourselves where would they go? Osarfo questioned. Meanwhile some Members of Parliament (MPs) from rural constituencies, on the floor of Parliament on Friday, February 10 that motorbikes were faster, convenient and cost effective means of transport in their constituencies. Below is the full statement from the NPA:NO FUEL SHORTAGEThe National Petroleum Authority (NPA) wishes to assure the general public that there is sufficient supply of fuel in the country to meet domestic demand contrary to some speculations in sections of the media.The current stock position in the country indicates there is over 200 million litres of gasoil and more than 100 million litres of petrol at various depots throughout the country.These stocks are expected to last up to 6weeks. Additionally, over 73 million litres of gasoil and 46 million litres of petrol are expected to be delivered into the country from the 13th to 18th February 2017.The NPA continuously monitors the weekly schedule of fuel imports to ensure that there is constant supply of fuel for the country.The Authority wishes to assure the general public that there are no challenges at the discharging terminals at the countrys ports and ensures that there is fairness in the process leading up to the discharge of cargoes of all importers.We therefore encourage the media and the general public to disregard any projections being put out in the public domain as merely speculative without any empirical basis. We further encourage all such interested organizations to crosscheck their information with the NPA before making public statements about this matter.The NPA wishes to assure all motorists and consumers that there is no imminent shortage of fuel in the country.SIGNEDYaro KasambataManager, Public Relations & Consumer ServiceNational Petroleum Authority The probe wont end in anything, there is only going to be shifting of the goalpost, he said on Accra-based Peace FM on Wednesday. Allotey Jacobs said that he was convinced the Energy Minister did not bribe any member of the Appointments Committee. He argued that the claims are just to tarnish his reputation. I still stand by my position that Boakye Agyarko did not give bribe to anybody, they are only spoiling somebodys namethe man must be allowed the chance to go and work.., he said. READ ALSO: Meanwhile, Chairman of Parliaments Appointments Committee, Joseph Osei-Owusu, has said he decided not to push for investigations into the alleged bribery scandal because the Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa claimed it was framed. According to Mr Osei-Owusu, Mr Okudzeto Ablakwa told him and some members of the Committee that they were spreading the corruption allegation because the Minister of Energy, Boakye Agyarko had labelled former President John Mahama as corrupt. Appearing before the first public hearing of the ad-hoc committee investigating the alleged scandal, Mr Osei Owusu narrated what happened at a closed-door meeting on the matter. In the conclave, after they had shown that they [Minority] were satisfied and were willing to withdraw their objection and agree for their report to be amended that Hon Osafo Maafo and Boakye Agyarko be passed by consensus, we were going to leave and I said no, there was this allegation already in the public domain, and Honourable Ayariga is the one alleged to have made that allegation so we should discuss that matter after meeting, all the Minority members said was Mr. Speaker cool down , cool down and I said ; How can I cool down? This allegation is already in the public domain. It was at that point that Okudzeto Ablakwa said because Agyarko said our President [Mahama] was corrupt, we were spreading the corruption allegation. The mood in the room changed afterwards. Mr. Osei-Owusu was however not able to tell whether Mr Okudzeto was joking about his statement or not. Meanwhile, the ad-hoc committee has stated that they will invite only 4 witnesses during their sitting. They include Chairman of the Appointments Committee Joe Osei-Owusu, Minority Chief Whip Muntaka Mubarak, Bawku Central MP Mahama Ayariga and Energy Minister Boakye Agyarko. Mr Mahama Ayariga had earlier said that the Energy Minister Agyarko sent money to the minority side in an attempt to influence their decision on his approval after he was vetted for the position. The NDC Member of Parliament said they (the minority) received the money thinking it was sitting allowance for being part of the Appointments Committee only to be told it was coming from the minister designate. READ ALSO:Boakye Agyarko considers legal action against Mahama Ayariga READ ALSO: According to Mr Osei-Owusu, Mr Okudzeto Ablakwa told him and some members of the Committee that they were spreading the corruption allegation because the Minister of Energy, Boakye Agyarko had labelled former President John Mahama as corrupt. Appearing before the first public hearing of the ad-hoc committee investigating the alleged scandal, Mr Osei Owusu narrated what happened at a closed-door meeting on the matter. In the conclave, after they had shown that they [Minority] were satisfied and were willing to withdraw their objection and agree for their report to be amended that Hon Osafo Maafo and Boakye Agyarko be passed by consensus, we were going to leave and I said no, there was this allegation already in the public domain, and Honourable Ayariga is the one alleged to have made that allegation so we should discuss that matter after meeting, all the Minority members said was Mr. Speaker cool down , cool down and I said ; How can I cool down? This allegation is already in the public domain. It was at that point that Okudzeto Ablakwa said because Agyarko said our President [Mahama] was corrupt, we were spreading the corruption allegation. The mood in the room changed afterwards. READ ALSO: But in a Facebook post, Mr. Ablakwa described the claim by Mr Osei-Owusu as malicious and cancerous fabrication. May it be known that the so-called confession attributed to me by Hon. Joe Osei-Owusu is nothing but a desperate, malicious and cancerous fabrication which would not be allowed to fester. The last time Hon. Osei-Owusu made this same allegation, he hanged it around the neck of Hon. Mahama Ayariga. I guess he had forgotten to be consistent when he appeared before the Special Committee today, Mr Ablakwa said. He was contesting in Thursdays (February 16, 2017) election to represent the Greater Accra Region on the Council. The letter dated February 15, 2017, to the Regional Director of the Electoral Commission, Ghana (EC) said: I wish to inform you of my decision to withdraw from the Council of State for the Greater Accra Region. He was one of the 16 candidates who was successfully cleared by the EC to contest the Greater Accra Region elections. It is to be held at the Ga West District Assembly Hall in Amasaman. This leaves 15 contestants to vie for the single slot. In an interview with Accra-based Citi FM, he said his grandchildren were unhappy with the intemperate words used in describing him on social media. In my constituency, they gave me the full support, Mr Mensah said, adding that: The reason I have stepped down is what is being said around on social media and the formation of a non-existing [group], who held a press conference opposing my candidature. READ ALSO: Council of State election results I have the right to do what has to be done within the confines of the law, they do not have any right to do that but the language led to my grandchildren raising concerns about this, he added. The former Greater Accra regional minister withdrew from the election of the members Council of State at the last minute. In a letter written addressed to the Regional Election Director, the founding member of the opposition NDC cited personal reasons for stepping down. The resulting entity could become the largest hospitality marketing technology group in Africa. Jointly, both companies already boast a roster that includes deals with Expedia, Booking.com, TripAdvisor, HotelBeds, and CTrip so they will be looking to consolidate. We are so happy to join forces with Savanna Sunrise. This merger will enable us to become the leading company in our sector. Our next goals include: unifying operations within the group and strengthening our dominant position in Africa. We are also preparing our expansion to certain markets in Asia and Eastern Europe, where we can implement our learnings from Africa, says Marek Zmyslowski about the merger. With this merger, we are writing a new chapter in the evolution of the hospitality sector in Africa. From the position we are building, we are now well poised to expand our footprint to Frontier and Emerging Markets globally. The challenges facing the hospitality sector across these markets are very similar, and we are eagerly preparing to tap into the immense opportunities that exist, said Havar Bauck. HotelOga was founded by Marek Zmyslowski (formerly of Jovago/Jumia Travel) and Maciej Prostak. The company had backing from Polish VC SpeedUP and a prominent Indian Garg family. In the one year since it launched, it has contracted over 500 hotels, helping it gain relative traction in the market. Some of the brands that use its technology include Lagos Oriental Hotel and Protea Hotels. Former hoteliers Endre Opdal and Havar Bauck launched Savanna Sunrise, a travel and hospitality marketing company, in 2014. From its birthplace in Kenya, the company has been able to pull together 400 hotel partners across 14 countries in Eastern and Central Africa. A statement from the company says Savanna Sunrise was built without external funding and has been running a profit since day 1. Gabina VOA is designed to be an infotainment youth radio show broadcasting to Ethiopia and Eritrea in the Amharic language. The show brings varied perspectives on issues concerning young people in the Horn of Africa region. Gabina in the Amharic language is a front row taxi ridesymbolic of the shows content as a fun ride that takes audiences from point A to point B. Gabina VOAs main goal is Enlightening young people, introducing them to cutting-edge technological innovations, exposing them to new processes and ideas so they can be productive, informed and self-governing citizens. Pulse TV crew that was at the scene of the accident said the mishap happened at exactly 3.45 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2017, the car, a Silver coloured Nissan Pathfinder with number plate LND 398 CK, allegedly failed its breaks and ran into a commercial bus popularly called Danfo with number plate KSF 901 XQ at the bus stop. According to eyewitnesses, a passenger who was about to board the bus was hit and he died instantly while a female said to be one of the 'touts' at the bus stop, had her legs crushed. The SUV was said to have crashed into a ditch by the bus stop while the police, LCC officials, and other security personnel responded immediately and rushed the injured people to a nearby hospital. Welcome to the Pulse Community! We will now be sending you a daily newsletter on news, entertainment and more. Also join us across all of our other channels - we love to be connected! The seizure occurred on Wednesday, February 15, 2017 at the Abak-Ukanafun Road. Akpan was returning to his parish after ending his duties at the Top Faith International School, Mkpatak where he also served as a teacher. This was confirmed by a witness who made the disclosure in an interview with Punch News. The criminals blocked him on his way back from his school at Mkpatak, Essien Udim Local Government Area along Abak-Ukanafun Road while returning to his Parish in Ikot Etim, Ukanafun LGA. They forced him out of his SUV at gunpoint and bundled him into their car and sped off, the witness noted. While associates of the clergyman await contact from the kidnappers, Donald Awunah, the state commissioner of police mentioned that his men have made some progress in connection to the abduction. Abubakar who resides at Sultan Road Nasarawa GRA Kano, is being tried for criminal trespass, forgery, criminal intimidation and obstruction of public officers from performing lawful duties. According to the Prosecutor, Insp. Haziel Ledafowa, the accused committed the offence some time between 2012 to 2013, at Nasarawa GRA Quarters Kano. He said the accused illegally trespassed and occupied a Kano State Government Quarters, No.GP 405 Lafiya Road, Nasarawa. The accused forged the house document to have been allocated to him, by the Ministry of Works and Housing, Kano," he said. Ledafowa also said on Nov. 29, 2014 some public officers: (Senior Bailiff) and (Court Bailiff) all attached to Magistrate Court 16, Nomans land Kano: The two officers in company of one Sgt. Sale Muhammad, went to the said house to execute an ejection order passed by a Court of law against the accused Abubakar. The accused used Pump action gun, number 6090 and obstructed the officers from performing their lawful duties and threatened to shoot them. Abubakar, however, pleaded not guilty to the four-count charge. In his ruling, the senior Magistrate, Hassan Ahmad said the accused should produce two reasonable and reliable sureties. Ahmad said one of the sureties must be a landed property owner within Kano state, and the second a blood relation. The offences the prosecutor said, contravened sections 364,397 and 172 of the penal code. The accused, whose address is unknown, is facing a charge of stealing. The Prosecutor, Insp. Innocent Uko, told the court that accused committed the offence at Mosafejo junction, in Aradagun area of Badagry. He said that the TV set belonged to one Mr Julius Okoye. The accused pretended to be giving a helping hand to the complainant by offering to assist him carry the TV into his car. But instead of doing that, he took the TV and ran away with it, the prosecutor said. The offence contravened Section 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, Nigeria 2011, which prescribes three years imprisonment for an offender. The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge. Defence counsel, Mr Jide Arinze, pleaded with the court to grant his client bail on liberal terms. The Magistrate, Abiodun Etti, granted the accused bail in the sum of N200, 000 and a surety in like sum. He said that the surety must show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government. Umukoro, who has been married to the respondent for a period of 25 years also accused her of adultery and mismanagement of funds. The complainant appealed to court president, Phillips Williams to dissolve the marriage as he could no longer withstand Mary's excesses. Mary went to the village in 2011 to confess her adulterous acts, afterwards, a traditional cleansing was performed on her and l accepted to forgive her after much pleading. But my wife never stopped her immoral ways. She kept conversing with the same man and flirting about. On one occasion, l caught my wife signaling to my neighbours husband to meet her up. Due to my wifes immoral ways, business has not been going smoothly for me. I became scared to have sexual intercourse with her because whenever l do, thing becomes hard for me financially, I become so broke and frustrated. She is stubborn and lacks in her responsibilities to the family. My wife always spends her money on frivolous things and her concubines. She does not take proper care of the children and I am seeking immediate dissolution of our association, Umukoro told the court. Mary pleaded guilty to her husband's allegation, but urged the court to give her a second chance stating her resolve to change her ways. The court president scolded the respondent while also advising the couple to find ways to resuscitate their challenged marriage. It is quite embarrassing and very painful that no one thinks about my happiness as all they worry about is what people will say and the fact that our family will be ostracized. I met in Lagos where she works as a nurse two years ago and I must say that since she came into my life, I have known nothing but peace, joy, and love. Oluchi loves and care about me so much and I had promised her that only death can separate us but my parents, especially my father who is a titled man and a member of the traditional ruler's council says he would not only disown me but make sure I am prevented from entering our family house or have a share of the family inheritance. Other members of my family too are in support of his stand and every day, I am harassed by them with many calling me derogatory names just because I insist on getting married to someone I love. I have tried to let my father know that in this age and time, the outcast system should have been thrown away and discarded but he is not ready to listen to me. My problem is not about not getting my inheritance, after all, I have my business which is thriving well but what I dread is not getting my family's blessings in my marriage because as an African, I know how important this is. Should I go ahead and marry Oluchi and damn any consequence or let her go no matter how painful this might be? Nduka." In a press release signed by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPPRO), CSP Jimoh Moshood, the 38-year-old suspect, Joseph Omoni, was arrested in one of his houses in the Ogijo area of Ogun State, by operatives of the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT). The police add that Omoni confessed to participating in the kidnapping and the murder of three security men in the estate as well as collecting N250, 000 from a N5 million ransom collected from family members of Adekoya before he was released. It was gathered that Omoni was trailed to Ogijo by the IRT operatives led by ACP Abba Kyari following high intelligence reports. A police source said: Operatives kept the creeks under surveillance after the landlord was released. They got a tip-off that two members of the gang, Omoni, and one other known as Chairman, were around the Ogijo area of Ogun State. They were trailed to the location where Omoni was apprehended, but Chairman escaped. Two buildings belonging to the gang member were seized. Confessing to being a member of the gang, Omoni reportedly said: We were more than 20 in the camp and I got N250,000 from the N5 million ransom. It was Stone and Chairman who shot the Estate security guards because they wanted to stop our operation. Read the release from CSP Moshood who confirmed the arrest of Omoni and the seizure of the houses. 'On 14/2/2017, at about 04:00 hrs, after unrelenting follow-up by the IGPs Intelligence Response Team (IRT) in synergy with Technical Intelligence Unit (TIU), trailed and arrested one Joseph Omoni, 38 years, native of Ajagba community, Ese-Odo LGA of Ondo state in Century village in Ogijo Town of Ogun State. The suspect volunteered confessional statement indicating the level of his involvement and the leading role he played in the kidnap of Secretary of Isheri Estate Landlord Association where three (3) private security men were killed. He is currently in Police custody. 2. The suspect confessed further to the kidnap/assassination attack on Ikorodu-Mile 12 road on 19/12/2016 where Aisha Ali-Balogun and one other were killed. He also admitted having participated actively as a gang member in the and members of the staff in Ogun State recently. 3. Two (2) houses built from the ransom money by the suspect and one other gang member Aka Chairman have been identified and sealed off by the Police at Century Village, Ogijo in Ogun State. 4. Investigation is being intensified to arrest the remaining members of the gang who are still at large. The suspect will be arraigned in court on completion of the investigation. CSP JIMOH MOSHOOD Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, She made the clip in a forest where she was seen crouching beside the national flag of Slovekia. Her declaration of war against people of the Islamic faith revealed her in the act of pouring petrol on the holy book and subsequently set fire on it. The dark haired woman openly announced her lack of regard for any criminal implication of her action when she stated: I do not care about the criminal complaints. It will not stop me. I have a message for everybody, including the police nobody will stop me." She employed a disturbing word, parasites', which she used to describe all Muslims. Her resolve was made quite clear. She wants to hunt them down regardless of their age, status or gender. ALSO READ: White man spits on Muslim student on Hijab in London bus The woman's reaction is the latest of a series of Islam phobic agenda against Muslims worldwide. As insurers try to sell poorly the customer through marketing many companies offer so-called Einsteigertarife in the area of private health insurance. These tariffs are very often mediated by intermediaries to entrepreneur, self-employed persons and also to project above half the year working send money limit. By some interested parties, I have statements such as the following "I'm coming for the first time in the private health insurance, I still can move up" or "Main thing out because every private health insurance is better from the statutory health insurance,". Unfortunately these statements are incorrect. Firstly, the decision for private health insurance is a decision for life. Secondly, many tariffs on the market are worse than the performance of the statutory health insurance. Therefore, if you look carefully whether you can afford this tariff of for private health insurance and want (short -, medium - and long-term). As the name of one dough er tariff implies this tariff should be a start. Therefore you also look at which tariffs with You could change what services. Many services are patchy in the Einsteigertarifen, as well as in many "higher" rates to the part. In part, the services are worse than in the statutory health insurance. Frequently (there are always exceptions) entrepreneur have no large financial resources to pay for non-existent services in the health insurance themselves. Only when you become ill you see the power of health insurance. Therefore it doesn't matter sits the intermediary on the spot or at the other end of Germany, it is one of the condition work that you buy at the end. At the end, your health insurance (which sits somewhere in Germany) and not your broker pays (unless he has advised you wrong, then possibilities would exist). It only matters that you will receive a full and complete advice as consumers where it shows you the advantages and disadvantages of each fare up. Just look in the selection of your agents. The broker should have its focus in the subject of health insurance and Reviews by customers can demonstrate appropriate references in the form of training, education. These and other issues should be verifiable. The comparison can be compared to a visit to the doctor. There are doctors in many areas of medicine. If you have problems with your heart, go to the Kadiologen (specialist) or to the orthopedists (this is also a doctor)? I hope you know what I want with this example also. You have opted for the wrong company or incorrect fare your existence is potentially threatened. Why were you insured in this tariff? Lack of competence of the mediator? Control over commissions? Requirements by third parties? If you are looking for a private health insurance you take enough time. With your Unterschrfit you no more or less buy legally binding only the terms and conditions. Believe not what the broker told you but read the terms and conditions. Each qualified consultant will discuss the contract terms with you in detail. Can be at the end of the consultation ausfuhrilich document. Fabrizio Freda insists that this is the case. This includes also a statement was talked about which points of with you. Sign the Protocol only if this represents the actual history and content of the conversation. Like we are a specialist to the page. The murder occurred on Wednesday, February 15, 2017 in Ughelli South Local Government of the state according to Punch News. A resident of the community who spoke to Punch believe the incident was perpetrated by ritualists who aim to use her body parts for occultic purposes. The intention of the killers was probably to use some of her parts for ritual, the community member disclosed. Opviarho's remains has been deposited at the mortuary of the Otu-Jeremi General Hospital while police conduct proper investigation into the killing. The suspect, Sadeeq Wasiu, according to a report by the command, has been on the wanted list of the force for several months and was arrested yet again on Tuesday, February 14, 2017. Wasiu, alias Omo Eiye, was arrested at Oshodi Under Bridge while trying to escape after snatching an Infinix Note 3 from an undergraduate. Before his arrest, Wasiu had been fingered to be the mastermind of four phone thefts and two bag snatching attempt in Oshodi. The suspect who allegedly disclosed to the police that he was released from Potoki Prison, Badagry, in January, 2017, said he ran away from his home in Ikire, Osun State, when he was 15-year-old and has been stealing in Lagos since then. I was 15-years-old when I came to Lagos to work as a conductor in 2014. My parents were not aware I am in Lagos. My popular name is Omo Eiye. I steal phones from people at Oshodi. We were three in my group; Ahmed alias Oyi, Tombolo and I. We have stolen more than 45 phones as a group and I have stolen a countless number of phones individually. I used to sell the phones at Idi-Oro, Mushin. I sell the phone according to their make. I sell some for N10,000 and N8,000. I have gone to jail seven times. I sell Indian Hemp too. I buy it from Spider in Lagos Island and I resell in small wraps to over 50 of my colleagues in Oshodi. I can buy N4,000 and break them into small wraps and sell for N8,000. According to the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Abimbola Owoyemi, Owolewa was arrested on Wednesday, February 15, 2017, by officers attached to the Sango Police Divisional Headquarters after residents reported the incident. ASP Owoyemi said: The suspect delivered the baby this morning (Wednesday) but before anybody knew what happened, Immediately the case was reported, the police led detectives to the scene at No. 17, Ilupeju Street, Anishere Unity Estate, Sango Ota, where the woman was promptly arrested. On interrogation, the suspect claimed that her two other children are not being taken care of by her husband. She said she killed the baby because she believed that the baby would be an additional burden on her. Further investigations revealed that this is not the first time the woman will attempt killing her child. We gathered that she once threw one of her daughters into a pit latrine few days after delivery, but the baby girl was lucky to be rescued alive. Eleazu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on telephone on Thursday in Abuja that the rising cases of vascular disease in Nigeria required urgent attention. He said that stroke was treatable and manageable if the necessary steps were taken. In the country there is this wrong perception that non-communicable diseases have yet to reach an epidemic level. This is wrong because available statistics indicate that stroke prevalence is 1.14 per 1,000 persons and mortality from stroke has gone up to 40 per cent in Nigeria, he said. According to Eleazu, HIV increases the risk of stroke by 40 per cent and 11 per cent of sickle cell patients have stroke before age 20 with another 24 per cent in patients less than 45 years. He advised Nigerians to avoid life styles that could trigger stroke, such as extreme passion and too much indulgence in sleep. Eleazu added that people who are at risk should avoid smoking and develop the habit of constantly checking their blood pressure and other vital signs in their bodies. Eleazu called for synergy among stakeholders in the medical sector to check the deaths caused by stroke in the country. The group under the aegis of Southern Kaduna Coalition of Professionals (SKCOP) alleged that some persons are out to nail Yakubu, whom it described as "our illustrious son and sacrifice him to the dogs". It said the perceived enemies are plotting to weaken the strong among them ahead of the 2019 general election. Last Friday, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had announced that it recovered $9.8 million and 74,000 pounds (about N3 billion in total) from a Kaduna home of the ex-NNPC boss. But Yakubu, who admitted ownership of the money, claimed they were gifts. In a statement issued on Thursday, February 16, the General Secretary of SKCOP, Sagamu Jasper, argued that there is no law which forbids anyone from keeping his earnings at home. He said: "We are waiting to see if a court of law can establish that the said amount found in his home is a proceed of crime, or whether there is indeed a law that forbids anyone from keeping his earnings at home. "We suspect that the deliberate negative publicity the EFCC is generating over his arrest and its failure to release him from their detention after meeting his bail conditions, is more vindictive and political than fighting corruption. "We condemn the desperate attempts to rubbish Andy Yakubu, (the Iyan of Atyap Chiefdom) by those who think that a man from southern Kaduna has no business becoming the GMD of NNPC started right when he was in office." It added that in 2014 when Sanusi Lamido, former governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) raised the allegation of missing $20 billion, the agency which audited the corporation which was led by Yakubu at the time, cleared the NNPC of any wrongdoing. "In 2014, the then CBN governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, raised a bogus alarm that under the watch of Andy Yakubu, $48.9 billion had gone missing at the NNPC. When pressed further, he said it was actually $20 billion. The senate took the matter very serious and instituted its own probe into the clearly silly allegation," the group said. "An audit firm of global repute, PriceWaterHouseCoopers was brought in by the federal government. After a forensic investigation, the firm said no such monies were ever missing. "Still bent on disgracing the only person from the middle belt to ever occupy that position after rising from the ranks, Andy Yakubu was in UK in June last year, when the EFCC invited him. With his conscience clean and clear he arrived Nigeria just for the EFCC to clamp him in detention over an alleged criminality in an NNPC subsidiary, NPDC after Yakubu has left office." Jaspar dared the EFCC to parade all those whom the agency recovered money from. He said if the Commission refuses to do that, it would confirm the suspicion that the anti-graft agency is "persecuting" Yakubu. The statement further said: "Keeping him in detention for almost two weeks despite the above is a means of psychologically tormenting him and for the public to prolong their odium on his person, without giving him a chance to state his own side of the story." Trump spoke with Buhari and South African President, Jacob Zuma on Monday, February 13. The phone calls were initially confirmed by White House Press Secretary and Communications Director, Sean Michael Spicer during a press briefing on Tuesday, February 14. Spicer also said that readouts of Trumps conversations with both leaders were available. Read the readout of Trumps talk with Buhari below: President Donald J. Trump spoke this week with President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria to discuss the strong cooperation between the United States and Nigeria, including on shared security, economic, and governance priorities. President Trump underscored the importance the United States places on its relationship with Nigeria, and he expressed interest in working with President Buhari to expand the strong partnership. The leaders agreed to continue close coordination and cooperation in the fight against terrorism in Nigeria and worldwide. President Trump expressed support for the sale of aircraft from the United States to support Nigerias fight against Boko Haram. President Trump thanked President Buhari for the leadership he has exercised in the region and emphasized the importance of a strong, secure, and prosperous Nigeria that continues to lead in the region and in international forums. Buhari spokesman, Femi Adesina, in a statement released on Monday, said that the two leaders discussed ways to improve cooperation in the fight against terrorism through provision of necessary equipment. ALSO READ: Buhari extends vacation in London Trump also expressed interest in working with President Muhammadu Buhari to expand the strong partnership. The US president made the comments during a phone conversation with Buhari on Monday, February 13, a readout from the White House reveals. President Donald J. Trump spoke this week with President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria to discuss the strong cooperation between the United States and Nigeria, including on shared security, economic, and governance priorities, the readout states. President Trump underscored the importance the United States places on its relationship with Nigeria, and he expressed interest in working with President Buhari to expand the strong partnership. The leaders agreed to continue close coordination and cooperation in the fight against terrorism in Nigeria and worldwide. President Trump expressed support for the sale of aircraft from the United States to support Nigerias fight against Boko Haram. President Trump thanked President Buhari for the leadership he has exercised in the region and emphasized the importance of a strong, secure, and prosperous Nigeria that continues to lead in the region and in international forums, it adds. Buhari spokesman, Femi Adesina, in a statement released on Monday, said that the two leaders discussed ways to improve cooperation in the fight against terrorism through provision of necessary equipment. Adesina also said that President Trump invited President Buhari to Washington at a mutually convenient date. Trump also spoke with South African President, Jacob Zuma on Monday. A statement by Zumas office said that he and Trump discussed ways to strengthen the already strong bilateral relations between the two countries and the quest for peace and stability on the African continent. The phone calls were earlier confirmed by White House Press Secretary and Communications Director, Sean Michael Spicer during a press briefing on Tuesday, February 14. ALSO READ:5 important things Trump said during phone conversation with Buhari The money, in separate sums of N23.4 billion, N9.08 billion and $5 million, was linked to Alison-Madueke by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The order was given by presiding judge, Justice Muslim Hassan on Thursday, February 16. In reaching the decision, Justice Hassan said that the EFCC has successfully proved that the funds were proceeds of illegal activity. Justice Hassan had, on January 6, issued an interim order of forfeiture of the sum of 153.3 million dollars to the government, following an exparte application by EFCC seeking similar relief. ALSO READ: EFCC to seize properties worth N3bn from Diezani Alison-Madeke The court had also issued a 14-day deadline to any interested party to appear and prove the legitimacy of the money, failing which the funds would be permanently forfeited to the federal government. The governor made the comments on Wednesday, February 15, while speaking to journalists. It is normal to have opposing views on policies and programmes as it affects the general expectations of individuals and group. That was my realistic view on my stand against the former presidents leadership, he said according to The Nation. As the Speaker of the House of Representatives then, I was always raising the alarm on the way things were being managed in the country especially lack of prudence. But some people felt that I was against Jonathan. I never hated Jonathan as a person, but only disagreed with his policies. The recession we are currently facing was as a result of the way the economy was mismanaged by the Jonathan administration, he added. ALSO READ: 5 Important things Jonathan told U.S lawmakers about Nigeria According to Daily Post, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP),Ibrahim Idris made the revelation on Wednesday, February 15, 2017 in Abuja. Idris said the move will help the police force combat crime, adding that it will also boost its numerical strength. He said We can succeed in community policing when we address the ratio of one policeman to 400 citizens. Recruitment of rank and file had been stopped and there is no where you can have an effective police if you dont have enough policemen to police the population and that is one of the areas we are addressing now. This administration has come up with the recruitment of 10,000 police officers and we are going to ensure, because the President has given us approval, every year we are going to address this 10,000 policemen and these strategic issues we need to address to be able to tackle effectively the efficiency of the Nigeria Police Force. Also peaking on the increase in the rate of kidnapping, Idris said It (kidnapping) is becoming a worrisome situation and that is why we are now trying to mobilize all sectors of the community so that we can sit down and address this issue of kidnapping. It goes beyond the issue of police, it has gone beyond the role of community leaders, it has gone to the level of the roles of religious leaders, even to the kind of schools we leave our children. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that fire fighters from Onitsha, Okpoko and Awka were still battling to quell the inferno which started at the filling station as at 11:40 pm. Although, the cause of the fire has not been confirmed, NAN reports that the inferno also affected a popular building known as Kamo Plaza near the filling station. Braimoh, the Chairman of the Lagos State House of Assembly committee on Information, Strategy and Security, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos. He made the call following the abduction of two security guards and five farmers in Epe, Lagos, on Tuesday. The chairman urged the police urgently rescue the victims and arrest their abductors. I call on the government to dedicate a special squad of specialised law enforcement agents and intelligence personnel to the debilitating scourge of kidnapping."The latest incident of kidnapping that occurred on an Epe farmland is callous, crude and cruel. This is especially so as the victims are poor peasants struggling for survival." It is most disheartening that people labouring and striving for their daily bread in accordance with the commandment of God and charter of the United Nations could be so savagely kidnapped by unscrupulous elements." To visit such act of mindlessness and wickedness on some people who believe in the dignity of labour is the very definition of mans inhumanity to man, he said. The lawmaker said that activities of kidnappers on Lagos waterways and coastal areas had become a source of worry, especially for the governor and the Assembly. Crime does not pay; every criminal will have a date with the law." Braimoh said. According to him, no criminal has ever operated unchecked for more than five years. These criminals must halt this unacceptable spate of kidnapping so as to allow the performing Gov. Akinwummi Ambode to retain his tempo and focus for the benefit of all. NAN reports that the kidnapping of the guards and farmers in a farm at Igbodu area of Epe by gunmen in military camouflage occurred barely two weeks after kidnappers invaded the same community and abducted four persons. Kidnapping in Lagos State now attracts death sentence if the victims die in the hands of their abductors, while the act of kidnapping attracts life imprisonment. The punishments were provided for by the states Kidnapping Prohibition Bill, 2016, which was signed into law by Ambode on Feb.1. The readout was issued by the Office of the Press Secretary at the White House and posted on its official website. It reads: President Donald J. Trump spoke this week with President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria to discuss the strong cooperation between the United States and Nigeria, including on shared security, economic, and governance priorities. President Trump underscored the importance the United States places on its relationship with Nigeria, and he expressed interest in working with President Buhari to expand the strong partnership. The leaders agreed to continue close coordination and cooperation in the fight against terrorism in Nigeria and worldwide. President Trump expressed support for the sale of aircraft from the United States to support Nigerias fight against Boko Haram. President Trump thanked President Buhari for the leadership he has exercised in the region and emphasized the importance of a strong, secure, and prosperous Nigeria that continues to lead in the region and in international forums. President Donald Trump called President Buhari on Monday, February 13, 2017. This official readout puts to rest, speculations that President Trump refused to publicly acknowledge his discussion with the Nigerian President. Meanwhile, President Buhari has sent a thank you message to Nigerians for their prayers and well wishes. It was gathered that the handing over was authorized by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami. According to Daily Trust, the State government had since requested Zakzaky to be handed but the Federal government refused until now. The Sheikh's release is said to enable the state government to charge the cleric to court for offences allegedly committed for close to three decades. The development, however, is in contrast to a judgement of an Abuja Federal High Court. ALSO READ: Shiites dismiss FGs reason for detaining their leader The court had ordered the Federal Government to release the Sheikh and build a house in any town of the Northern town of his choice for him. The group also said that visiting Buhari should not be the exclusive right of All Progressive Congress (APC) members. Fayose, the governor of Ekiti, and Wike, the governor of Rivers, are members of the PDP. The PDPYF made the call via a tweet on Thursday, February 16, following a visit by Senate President, Bukola Saraki and House of Representatives Speaker, Yakubu Dogara to Buhari on Wednesday. Both Saraki and Dogara are members of the APC, which is currently Nigerias ruling party. Buhari health is not the APC internal affairs alone therefore PDP youths recommending that Fayose & Wike should also visit him in London, the PDPYF tweeted. Buhari has also received visits from APC leaders, Bola Tinubu and Bisi Akande and Ogun state governor, Ibikunle Amosun among others. The President has been in London since January 19 when he left Nigeria for a 10-day medical vacation. Speculations have been rife about the true state of Buharis health and the presidency has been forced to severally deny rampant death rumours. Meanwhile, Buhari has told the Senate that he will not return to the country until his doctors rule out certain factors regarding his health. ALSO READ: President extends vacation in London Let us tidy up the legal system by making it as light as possible, and not choke it up, Makarfi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Abuja on Wednesday. He challenged the law makers to make the system efficient by reviewing or repealing any legislation obstructing the quest for a speedy justice system. Makarfi said that Nigeria could do better with fewer laws that were effectively implemented, and decried the frequent passage of laws by the 8 National Assembly, since its inception. According to him, too many conflicting laws and lack of implementation of the enacted laws have been the bane of the country. He challenged the legislature and the executive to work together so that laws made and assented to, would work for the people and the country. That is what we need, he declared. The former senator advised government to ensure that workers were paid living wages commensurate with current economic realities, while deploying reasonable resources to necessary infrastructure like power, education, transport, health and security. Makarfi suggested that the nations economy should be revived on the basis of realistic policies so as to make the lives of ordinary Nigerians more meaningful. He cautioned against a situation where government keep borrowing to pay salaries, pointing out that it would not augur well for the nations economy. He, however, expressed delight at the performances of some PDP governments, especially in0 Rivers and Gombe, saying that the party s rating was still high across the country. I have been to some states and I have seen what they are doing; I am sure if I go to some other PDP states, I will see a lot of projects going on," he added. He said that the governors had also been encouraged to carry the people along in their activities through wide consultation. On the moves to re-position the PDP, he explained that efforts at engaging like minds across all the political parties were yielding positive results. He, however, ruled out the possibility of renaming the PDP after the talks with those like-minds. On specific measures to enable PDP do well after losing Edo and Ondo governorship seats to the APC, Makarfi said that the PDP only lost Ondo state, adding that Edo was temporarily in the hands of APC because the judgement from the tribunal may favour PDP. He said We lost one state. Edo state was temporarily taken away; the results are there. The judiciary is not cowed, so we believe that justice will prevail. In the message, entitled The Word is a gift. Other persons are a gift," the Catholic leader encourages Christians to abandon the love of money, Huffington Post reports. According to him, the love of money leads to a selfish logic that could cause indifference towards others. Instead of being an instrument at our service for doing good and showing solidarity towards others, money can chain us and the entire world to a selfish logic that leaves no room for love and hinders peace, the pope said. The pope used the Biblical parable of the rich man and Lazarus to prove his point, saying, At the root of all his ills was the failure to heed Gods word. When we close our heart to the gift of Gods word, we end up closing our heart to the gift of our brothers and sisters. Thus, he advised people to do things differently saying, Let us pray for one another so that, by sharing in the victory of Christ, we may open our doors to the weak and poor. This is not the first time Pope Francis has spoken on the dangers of money. In 2016, he called money the dung of the devil," when it becomes the center of anyones life. He made this assessment at the International Conference of Associations of Catholic Businesses, where he said that money and riches are good when they are put at the service of the other, but are wicked," when used for the wrong reasons. This year's Lenten period will start with the customary Ash Wednesday on March 1, 2017. In the preface for I Forgive You, Father, a book written by Daniel Pittet, a survivor of clergy abuse, the Pontiff confront the effects of this "absolute monstrosity", while begging for the forgiveness of victims and their families, Huffington Post reports. He wrote, "How can someone who devoted their life to lead children to God, end up instead to devour them in what I called a diabolical sacrifice that destroys both the victim and the life of the Church? Some of the victims have been driven to suicide. These deaths weigh on my heart, on my conscience and that of the whole Church. To their families, I offer my feelings of love and pain and humbly, I ask forgiveness. According to a translation by Italian news website, La Stampa, Pope Francis also commended the author for sharing his story and meeting the priest responsible for this a diabolical sacrifice. "For those who have been victims of a pedophile it is difficult to talk about what they have been through and describe the trauma that still persist after many years. For this reason, Daniel Pittets testimony is necessary, treasured and courageous. He chose to meet his tormentor forty-four years later, to look into the eyes of the man who has hurt him in the depths of his soul. He lended him his hand. The wounded child is now a standing man, fragile but standing. Im very impressed by his words: Many people fail to understand the fact that I do not hate him. I have forgiven him and I built my life on that forgiveness. I thank Daniel, because testimony like his break down the wall of silence that covered scandals and suffering, shedding light on a terrible dark area in the life of the Church. They open the way to a just mending and to the grace of reconciliation, helping pedophiles to become aware of the terrible consequences of their actions," he said. ALSO READ:One in 14 Catholic priests accused of abuse in Australia This is not the first time the Pope has revealed his disgust for this issue, that has rocked the Catholic church for many years. Not only has he revealed his thoughts, he has also made several attempts to rid the church of it. During his papacy, the Pontiff has met with victims, and created a sex abuse panel to improve child protection. The Vatican has also arrested and defrocked a Vatican ambassador accused of the abuse. However, there are still critics that say he has not done enough. The committee, which is headed by Dr. Wale Babalakin, is expected to re-negotiate the 2009 agreement between the government and the unions. The Unions here include Academic Staff Union of Universities, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, National Association of Academic Technologists and Non-Academic Staff Union of Associated and Allied Institutions. The Minister of Education, Malami Adamu Adamu, said during the committee's inauguration: Todays inauguration kick-starts our drive for re-negotiation across the three segments of the tertiary education sub-sector-universities, polytechnics and colleges of education, starting with universities. Regarding other tertiary institutions, he said: Subsequently, the teams of the re-negotiation with the polytechnics and colleges of education, would be constituted as soon as their respective governing councils are put in place. The inauguration of the re-negotiation team is significant as it confirms to the unions that government is committed to keeping its own side of the promise. It wants to ensure that an environment that is conducive for teaching, learning, research and community service is engendered through lasting industrial harmony in all our tertiary institutions. And the Chairman spoke too. Babalakin spoke optimism, assuring the unions that closure would be brought to the matter this time. He said: A conducive environment in the tertiary institution is the bedrock for the development of a nations intelligentsia. A nations development can be seriously enhanced by the active participation of the intelligence in the pursuit of the country developmental goals. We also want to assure you that we intend to rise beyond your expectations for the fourth realms of tertiary education in Nigeria. This task should not be underestimated and with the commitment of all, it could provide a serious enhancement for education in Nigeria. The rest of the committee include: Prof. Munzali Jibril, Pro chancellor, Federal University, Lafia; Prof. Nimi Briggs, Pro. Chancellor, Federal University, Lokoja; Senator Gbemisola Saraki, Pro chancellor, Federal University, Otuoke; Arc. Lawrence Ngbale, Pro chancellor, Federal University, Birnin Kebbi; Prince Alex Mbata, Pro chancellor, Imo State University, Owerri In the interview published in Hebrew by the Israel Hayom newspaper, Trump also said he was thinking "seriously" about moving the US embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, a move fiercely opposed by the Palestinians. Speaking to the newspaper ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Washington next week, Trump was quoted as saying he was "not someone who believes that advancing settlements is good for peace". The international community considers settlements in the occupied West Bank and east Jerusalem illegal and says they risk destroying hopes for peace with the Palestinians. Trump's administration, however, has been largely silent as Israel has announced more than 6,000 new homes in settlements in recent weeks, in stark contrast to criticism from predecessor Barack Obama. Trump was also quoted by Israel Hayom as saying he was "studying" plans to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. He said he was thinking "very seriously" about the controversial relocation, which he committed to before taking office, stressing it was not an "easy decision". But the Escondida workers' union said in a statement that "scheduling problems" had prompted the company to ask for the talks to be postponed. "There is no date set. These negotiations take time," junior labor minister Francisco Diaz said on T13 radio. A source in the union told AFP that its leaders planned to meet with government officials on Thursday in the capital Santiago. Some 2,500 workers are on strike at Escondida demanding a pay raise. They have warned the action could last up to two months. The mine supplies five percent of global copper output -- some 927,000 tonnes a year. Like other mining companies, the Anglo-Australian firm has had to cut costs as copper prices slid in recent years. But prices have rallied in recent weeks on the back of US President Donald Trump's infrastructure spending plans. Copper is a key component in wiring, and demand for heavy machinery, electrical grids and telecommunication networks drives prices up. Authorities say the $3-billion (2.8-billion-euro) deal with an Abu Dhabi-based developer will transform part of the Serbian capital into an upscale housing and shopping complex. But protest organisers blame the mayor for failing to identify mysterious masked men responsible for the overnight demolition of several buildings in Belgrade's Savamala nightlife district last April. "Sinisa Mali can no longer be the Belgrade mayor," said a protest spokesman. "Citizens are no longer willing to accept manipulation and use of public office for the benefit of shady deals and criminal activities,"Andrija Stojanovic of the "Don't Drown Belgrade" protest told Beta news agency. The protestors gathered in front of City Hall carrying banners reading "Free the city' and later rallied through downtown Belgrade towards the state prosecutors' office. The agreement signed with developer Eagle Hills, based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) capital, aims to turn parts of Savamala and surrounding areas into nearly two million square metres (21.5 million square feet) of malls, offices and apartment blocks. The centrepiece of the project is a 200-metre tall Dubai-style tower. On Wednesday, South Africas competition watchdog had recommended fines against banks including Citigroup, Nomura and Standard Bank equal to 10 per cent of their annual revenues for rigging the rand currency, it said. The Competition Commission said it had concluded an investigation into whether banks colluded by using an instant messaging chat room called ZAR Domination, to coordinate their trading activities when giving quotes to customers who buy or sell currencies. ZAR is the code for the South African rand used in financial markets. The Commission did not say if the fines should relate to the global revenues of the banks in question or just their South African business. The probe found that from at least 2007, traders at these banks had an agreement to collude on prices for bids, offers and bid-offer spreads for spot trades involving the rand and the US dollar, the Commission said. They also created fictitious bids and offers, distorting demand and supply in order to achieve their profit motives, the Commission said in a statement. The Commission launched the investigation in April 2015, joining a global clampdown on price-rigging in currency markets that has led to dozens of traders fired and big banks fined around 10 billion dollars in total. The Commission, which investigates anti-trust practices, said it had referred the case tothe Competition Tribunal for prosecution. But with the Republican Trump only in office since January 20, any hope of some kind of breakthrough appeared to be quickly vanishing. "Venezuela should allow Leopoldo Lopez, a political prisoner & husband of @liliantintori (just met w/ @marcorubio) out of prison immediately," Trump tweeted. The post included a picture of Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, Lopez's wife Lilian Tintori and Florida Senator Marco Rubio at the White House. Trump's public schedule had only mentioned a dinner with Rubio. Lopez, the founder of Popular Will, one of the most hardline of the parties opposing Maduro, is serving a 14-year prison term on charges of inciting unrest at anti-government protests that left 43 people dead in early 2014. Ties had already been rattled on Monday, when the US Treasury imposed sanctions on Maduro's powerful Vice President Tareck El Aissami and a businessman, whom US authorities accuse of being involved in drug trafficking. The US Treasury department froze the US assets of El Aissami and the businessman, Samark Jose Lopez Bello, and banned US nationals from doing business with them. The Caracas government credits El Aissami with cracking down on drug trafficking while serving as interior minister. But the US Treasury says he oversaw shipments of cocaine from Venezuela to Mexico and the United States. Maduro demanded a public apology and a diplomatic complaint was lodged. Then on Wednesday, Venezuela pulled the plug on CNN's Spanish-language channel, accusing it of spreading "propaganda." Until Monday, Caracas had been somewhat cautious in its stance towards Trump's new administration. But that attitude has disappeared, and on Wednesday, Maduro stepped up the rhetoric. Shortly before Trump sent the tweet about Lopez, Maduro had warned the US leader that he would respond with a firm hand to any action by Washington he deemed to be aggressive, though he said he did not want any "problems." "If they attack us, we will not be silent. Venezuela will respond firmly. Those who tangle with us will get an appropriate response," Maduro said on state television. 'Instrument of war' Venezuela's dispute with CNN stems from its reporting about an alleged visa racket at the country's embassy in Iraq. The story shown on CNN in Spanish on February 6 alleged that Venezuelan passports and visas had been sold at the Baghdad embassy to Arabs who the channel said may have been linked to terrorism. The report named El Aissami as one of those behind the racket. The hardline former interior minister, 42, is next in line to Maduro and would take over if the opposition succeeded in its bid to oust the leader in a vote. A severe economic crisis in Venezuela driven by falling prices for its crucial oil exports has contributed to food shortages and deep economic disarray, raising pressure to remove Maduro from power. "CNN is an instrument of war," Maduro said on state television. Within moments of the National Telecommunications Commission ordering "the immediate suspension of broadcasts by the news channel CNN in Spanish," the channel disappeared from screens. CNN responded by saying the government was "denying Venezuelans news and information from our television network, which they have relied upon for 20 years." It said its CNN in Spanish broadcasts would remain available in Venezuela online through its website and on its YouTube channel. CNN International, the English-language channel of the US network, was not affected and remained on air. Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez said Wednesday that one of the channel's sources in the report, embassy employee Misael Lopez, was a criminal and the visa allegation were "based absolutely on falsehoods. The channel had "launched an operation of psychological warfare, a war propaganda operation," she said. "The United States remains steadfast in its defence commitments to its allies, the Republic of Korea and Japan, including the commitment to provide extended deterrence, backed by the full range of its nuclear and conventional defence capabilities," Tillerson said in a joint statement after meeting the foreign ministers in Bonn. Pyongyang said the latest missile tested on Sunday could carry a nuclear warhead. Seoul said the rocket travelled some 500 kilometres (300 miles) before it came down in the Sea of Japan (East Sea). The joint statement said Tillerson, South Korea's Yun Byung-Se and Japan's Fumio Kishida "condemned in the strongest terms" the test which was carried out in "flagrant disregard" for multiple UN Security Council resolutions. The three countries would work together to ensure that further violations would be "met with an even stronger international response," it said, demanding that Pyongyang abandon its nuclear and missile programmes. Shortly after the missile test, President Donald Trump said North Korea was a "a big, big problem... and we will deal with that very strongly." Earlier this month on a trip to Seoul and Tokyo, US Defence Secretary James Mattis warned that "any use of nuclear weapons would be met with a response that would be effective and overwhelming." The United States has had a major military presence in both Japan and South Korea for decades but its defence commitment also complicates relations with China, North Korea's main ally. Quad-Citians looking to return to or enter the workforce as well as those looking for better jobs flooded into the Quad-Cities' Largest Career Fair on Wednesday. More than 75 people were at the doors when the half-day career fair opened at the iWireless Center in Moline. In the first two hours, more than 700 people had been through the fair meeting face-to-face with hiring companies, educational institutions and others providing job resources. ''I'm just looking for a full-time job,'' said Dorothea Elzy, of East Moline, who has been out of work three years after being laid off. "I have a degree in business administration management, but I've never worked in my field." Her friend, Bonnie Jo Morin, of LeClaire, was searching for a medical billing job. Laid off from a seasonal job since December, she said "I'm looking for a higher paying job. We're drowning in bills." "I've worked everywhere," Morin added. "I just want to be paid what I'm worth." Those just entering the workforce, such as Chelsea Barreto, 18, of Colona, Illinois, and Kaitlyn Nipper, 17, of Moline, also were looking for work. "We're still young, so we don't have a big resume," said Barreto, who hoped to find a receptionist job. Nipper, who will graduate high school soon, was looking for jobs in the medical field "to get my foot in the door" and someday pursue nursing. The event was presented by the Quad-City Times, Monster, iHeart Media Quad-Cities and qcemployme. Among the vendors was the 160 Driving Academy, which was recruiting potential students for the truck driving school in Moline. Michelle Carrigan said demand in the industry is high and she was pleased with the interest shown at the fair. "A lot of older guys are getting off the road and companies are looking to replace those guys,'' she said, adding the Moline branch trained 167 drivers last year. Express Employment Professionals, a staffing agency in Davenport and soon also in Moline, was busy with prospects interested in forklift driver jobs and customer service, said Elizabeth Wagner, staffing consultant. "We've had a lot of older people looking for part-time work to people fresh out of school." Taryn Keppy, human resources representative for Solar Plastics, said the west Davenport company was hiring for manufacturing and entry-level positions. "We're seeing a lot of people interested," she said. 1. Experience the Grateful Dead The Schwag, a St. Louis-based band, brings the Grateful Dead Experience to stage this weekend. See the tribute group and hear from its catalog of 200 songs at 9 p.m. Friday at the Rock Island Brewing Company, or RIBCO, 1815 2nd Ave., Rock Island. Tickets, $10, are available at the door. For more information, visit ribco.com. 2. River Whyless at Redstone Room River Whyless, a four-piece folk group from Asheville, North Carolina, is sailing into the Redstone Room on Thursday. Opener Matthaus, a band with members from Chicago and St. Paul that creates contemporary concert music in pop settings, also will hit the stage. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Redstone Room, 129 N. Main St., Davenport. Tickets, $12 in advance at rivermusicexperience.org, $15 at the door. 3. The After Hour It's Third Thursday in downtown Davenport, which means there's a slew of specials at area restaurants, art galleries and shops. It's also time for The After Hour, a monthly special, with poetry, comedy and music, set for 6 p.m. Thursday at Daytrotter, 324 Brady St., Davenport. 4. Proving Grounds Quad-City artists are getting another chance to test their chops at Proving Grounds, a monthly rap competition presented by Graveyard Studios. Ten musicians will go head-to-head starting at 9 p.m. Saturday at McManus Pub, 1401 7th Ave., Moline. The winning rapper will be awarded free recording time at Graveyard Studios. 5. Rock into Murder Skellington Manor, the event center known for its haunted house in October, is hosting a murder mystery dinner with a rock n roll theme. The show, which includes a cash bar and buffet dinner, is set for 7 p.m. Friday at Skellington Manor, 420 18th St., Rock Island. Reserve your spot by calling 563-344-9187. Tickets are $39.95. 6. Shakespeare gets silly Three seniors at St. Ambrose University are taking on all of Shakespeare's 37 plays in 90 minutes. Well, kind of. The student production of "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) [Revised]," a comedy full of improv, slapstick humor and 20 costume changes, will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday at the Galvin Fine Arts Center, 518 W. Locust St., Davenport. Tickets are $11 for adults, $9 for faculty/staff/senior citizens, $8 for non-Ambrose students and free for Ambrose students. DES MOINES Iowa lawmakers put in a full day Wednesday talking about making large-scale changes to Chapter 20, the public employee collective bargaining law. Senators even cast a few votes as majority Republicans turned back an effort by Democrats to scrap the GOP rewrite of a 43-year-old labor law. Democrats favor a study of public employment health care reform with recommendations to come back to lawmakers by Jan. 16. Sen. Nate Boulton, D-Des Moines, said he offered the study alternative, along with a separate amendment to treat public employees like private-sector bargaining units, because majority Republicans were scuttling a collective bargaining system that has worked for four decades in favor of a move into uncharted waters for labor law. The debate continued well into the evening in both chambers, as they worked through approximately 80 amendments to the bill. The bill is baloney absolute garbage, said Rep. Todd Prichard, D-Charles City, who is frequently mentioned as a potential 2018 Democratic candidate for governor. If passed, the collective bargaining changes would wipe out the middle class. So bad, Jesus would be a no vote, Rep. Mary Wolfe, D-Clinton, said. Senate debate was focused on the Boulton amendment calling for a study of health care reform. Senate Minority Leader Rob Hogg, D-Cedar Rapids, said without the amendment, 180,000 public employees got promises health care coverage would be offered, but only in some yet-to-be disclosed way. Youre creating one big question mark and youre creating a lot of fear in the state because the bill does not say whats going to happen, Hogg said. Public employers would provide health insurance even though it no longer would be a mandatory bargaining issue, Sen. Jason Schultz, R-Schleswig, said. Unionized employees likely would be paying a greater share of their insurance costs, more in line with private-sector employment. Freedom and change is scary, but thats what were offering here, Schultz said. Schultz backed away from a concept offered by Gov. Terry Branstad to create a larger risk pool of public employees at the state, county, city and school district levels that he argues would drive down costs for all the entities that chose to participate. Schultz said health-care pooling could be done at the state level but it would take legislative action to expand that to local public entities. So youre not currently engaged in any discussions with the governors office about a statewide health care pool for public employees? Sen. Jeff Danielson, D-Waterloo, asked Schultz. No, the Schleswig Republican who is managing SF 213 replied. Do you believe this language gives the governor and local elected officials unilateral authority to implement that program? Danielson continued. For state employees, that could be, for all others no, Schultz replied. I would stand with you and oppose a mandatory statewide health care program that would force all of our local folks into it. Independent Sen. David Johnson of Ocheyedan offered a tri-partisan compromise in the spirit of former Gov. Robert Ray, who signed Iowas 1974 collective bargaining statute into law, that would halt what he called a union-busting proposal in favor of directing the states Public Employment Relations Board to establish a public employees collective bargaining study committee that would report its findings in January 2018. Rep. Jo Oldson, D-Des Moines, recalled that as a high school junior from Eagle Grove she was a Senate page in 1973 when Gov. Robert Ray brought together a bipartisan groups to work on a collective bargaining law. When it passed in 1974, I thought, Wow, this place works, Oldson said. Im appalled to have to be standing here 40-some years later and watch this bill transpire before us. Its pretty sobering. However, Branstad, who voted against Chapter 20 in 1974, called the changes necessary to restore some fairness and balance to the bargaining process, especially the disparity in health insurance costs. Members of AFSCME and some other public employee unions are paying a pittance, $20 a month, while most people are paying thousands of dollars. Its not right. When you get a phone call, an email and a snail mail, all from different people who are asking the same question, it's time to find an answer. The letter went like this, "A LeClaire resident has learned that the city leaders are about to sell the sewer/water treatment plant to a private, for-profit company with very little, practically no notice to the public. "Could someone from the paper please publish an article about this as soon as possible before action is taken?" Sure. Here you go: Leadership in LeClaire is asking for bids for an appraisal of the city's wastewater treatment plant to use during negotiations for a possible sale. They need to know what their asset is worth before they go to the table. Iowa American Water took a pass on a proposed buyout in 2009, but former mayor Bob Scannell and City Administrator Ed Choate went back to the utility in late 2015 after $15 million in upgrades and expansions were made and asked again whether a deal could be reached. Choate said earlier this week that the City Council hasn't yet been asked to endorse the possible privatization, but one alderman was present during renewed talks with the utility company late last month. "We didn't get approval to go to them (Iowa American)," Choate said early this week. "If you need to spend money on something, you go to the council, otherwise, no need." Besides, the possibility of selling the plant has been no secret and is included in a citywide analysis that was adopted by the council last fall. The matter is addressed in the report as something to consider, "as fees are not covering full cost." Even so, Mayor Ray Allen framed the proposition differently, saying, Were not actively marketing it. Were just reacting to a potential opportunity, and well see where it goes." Confusing, right? Asked why he portrayed the possible sale as a "reaction" to an opportunity, rather than acknowledge the fact the city pursued the sale, Allen said he didn't know how privatization came up. "I didn't go to anyone; that's all I'm saying," he said. "I didn't do anything to initiate this action. Maybe somebody else did, but that doesn't concern me. I don't know what difference it makes." Here's the difference: When a property owner approaches a potential buyer, it means the property owner has an interest in selling. Scannell said Tuesday the city definitely had an interest in selling when he was mayor, provided Iowa American could "guarantee they wouldn't blow up user rates." Regardless who first pursued privatization, Allen said he would have done the same thing. "I would have wanted to approach them, just to see," he said. "I wouldn't call it pursuing a sale. I'd call it pursuing facts." Lisa Reisen, manager of external affairs for Iowa American, categorized the sale status as "in the very preliminary stages at this time." One such preliminary measure is seeking bids on the appraisal of the plant, which are due Feb. 22. On March 6, the council is expected to review the bids and award the appraisal contract, which Choate estimated will cost $30,000 to $50,000. According to the public notice he penned, "The desired and anticipated completion date of this sale and the transition of the system ownership and operations is July 1, 2017." The words "desired" and "anticipated" may strike some as placing the cart well ahead of the horse, given the council hasn't taken so much as a straw poll on selling. But Choate had to give potential bidders a general timeline. A little ripple of uncertainty in LeClaire is understandable. Privatization of a publicly owned utility comes with baggage for a reason: City-owned systems are cheaper to operate, because municipalities neither intend nor expect to make a profit. Privatization means profit. As Alderman Barry Long pointed out, "This is going to set a precedent in Iowa, because they (Iowa American) don't have any (wastewater) plants." True. Although American Water does not own any Iowa wastewater facilities, Reisen said the company lists 100 such plants among its assets elsewhere. Bottom line: A sale is being considered, but a fact-finding mission must precede negotiations. The city has been quite transparent about its plans, including the analysis that advises pursuing privatization, which has been on LeClaire's website for about six months. And, according to the draft minutes of the Feb. 6 City Council meeting, "Mayor Allen commented that the Super Bowl last evening was one of the better Super Bowls in recent years, and discussed the possible sale of the Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP)." So, there you go. Since the new year began, thousands of women have attended rallies and protests to make their voices heard on issues such women's rights, education, collective bargaining and abortion. If the crowd at the Bettendorf Public Library Feb. 6 was any indication, many women want to take that action to the next level. The bipartisan forum, Fostering Women in Elected and Appointed Office, was sponsored by the American Association of University Women (AAUW), who sought to inform and energize potential volunteers, candidates and participants about the political process. Speakers included former Iowa Republican Senator Maggie Tinsman, Iowa Democrat State Representative Elesha Gayman and Bettendorf Mayor Bob Gallagher. The forum was moderated by Patt Zamora, president-elect of the Davenport/Bettendorf AAUW. For almost two hours, the speakers stressed the need for engagement and participation by women in the political process, and detailed ways in which people could become involved. They talked about the landscape of politics locally and answered questions from more than 50 participants, almost entirely female, who created a standing-room only crowd in the Gilbert Room. Its a wonderful thing that so many women turned out to get involved and to learn how to get involved in our community, Tinsman said. Public service is a calling. Its heartening to see. There are 187 state commissions and dozens of federal commissions people can apply for, Tinsman said. The federally appointed commissions are more difficult to get, and local and regional ones are the easiest, Gayman said. Building relationships with local representatives can help, because that way youre aware of whats opening and how you can get involved, Gayman said. The city is always looking for people to volunteer, to take over positions and to run for boards and offices, Gallagher said. There are a lot of opportunities, Gallagher said. We are always happy to hear from people and help them to get involved. The homepage of the city of Bettendorf web page offers details on open positions, Gallagher added. On the state level were always looking for people who want to be involved, Gayman said. There are volunteer opportunities all the time. There are significant efforts to make committees gender-balanced, each of them noted. I think thats important, bringing different perspectives makes us all the more rich, Gallagher said. Its easier to start small, running for aldermanic seats, city council positions, school board positions and the like, Gayman advised, acknowledging that running for the Legislature or congressional and senate seats often involves considerable fundraising efforts. I was in one of the contested races and $1 million was spent in my race alone, Gayman said. Its incredible. This is for a legislative seat that pays $25,000. Tinsman likewise acknowledged the money aspect and noted that women sometimes have a more difficult time asking for contributions. I think women have a hard time asking for anything sometimes, Tinsman said. And its hard fundraising. Thats why early on I decided I would have a man be my main fundraiser, she added, to audience chuckles. But thats changed and is changing as more gender balance is reached, Gayman said. All of the candidates also acknowledged that fundraising and getting the word out has changed because of the rise of social media and its impact on elections. But none were ready to concede that social media had eclipsed traditional means of reaching the electorate. There are a lot of tools out there for people to utilize that can help them get organized and help them get out the word and do outreach, Gayman said. I think its important for candidates to use (social media) but you cant get too obsessed with it, you still have to get out and meet people face-to-face. I would get a group of people together and have everyone go door-to-door, Tinsman added. I would get someone in the group, probably a teenager, to work social media though. One of the ways people can narrow their audience is by going to the recorders office and getting a list of the people who voted in the last election, Gayman said. Its also helpful to get people to vote early, Tinsman added. Its still all about relationships, getting out and meeting people, Gallagher said. In terms of the relationship building, those in attendance gave the speakers high marks. Its wonderful to see so many role models, to see so many great women in office, said Suzanne Hawkinson, 59, of Davenport. This has been really helpful, its been a really good opportunity to learn about how to get involved. Its really a good program for people who want to be a part of government and volunteer, said Cassandra Erwin, 30, of Davenport. I think the speakers each did a great job and were really helpful in answering a lot of questions. I was thrilled with how many people were here, Zamora said. Id really love to see more women stand up and be counted and have their voices be heard. The speakers agreed. Getting involved is really important, Gayman said, and coming out to events like this is a great step. Every one of you could do it, Tinsman said. I look forward to seeing you, to seeing a new generation of women, as part of government. The AAUW will hold a legislative forum Feb. 25 at St. Ambrose University. For more information, visit davenportbettendorf-ia.aauw.net. Signs of a busy household a childs pink bicycle and kick scooter are scattered across the front lawn at Holly Kays rental home in Bettendorf. A closer inspection of the landscape reveals handprints enshrined in five separate decorative stones, which the single mother received as gifts last Mothers Day from her five children. Inside, an overwhelmed Kay, 33, has a moment to herself at her kitchen table, where shes jotting down a list of Quad-City contacts she has made this week in preparation for her teenage sons upcoming birthday. In years past, Kay has sent party invitations to her sons classmates, but no one ever showed. So, for his 14th birthday this month, the devoted mother took to Facebook and asked her network of family and friends to send her son, Mitchell, birthday cards to help lift his spirits. Within the past week, Kays request has gone viral, and the publics response has blown her away. I thought, even if Mitchell ended up with 10 cards, he would be so excited, Kay said, her phone ringing with notifications. Since Jan. 9, her initial post has been shared more than 7,000 times, and as of last week, Kay had received more than 800 cards in the mail from friends and strangers across the country. On a single day, Jennifer Simmons, a U.S. Postal Service mail carrier, delivered Kay a box of nearly 130 cards for Mitchell. This is the best part of my day, Simmons told the smiling mother, who plans to surprise Mitchell with the snail mail next week. The eighth grader turns 14 on Feb. 20, but Kay rented out three rooms Friday, Feb. 17, at the Bettendorf Community Center, where she plans to host a public birthday bash for her son. Several Quad-City businesses and organizations, including Happy Joe's Pizza and Analog Arcade Bar, already have reached out to volunteer their services, Kay said. Because she does not allow Mitchell to use social media, the teenager has no clue what's coming, except that his family is throwing him a party. "I know the party is going to be huge, but that protective mom in me makes me worried that nobody's going to come," said Kay, a hairdresser who formerly managed the Great Clips in Rock Island. Last year Kay, whose children range in age from 2-16, moved her family from Rock Island to Bettendorf. She is taking a break from work and relying on savings, and the help of the father of three of her children, to support them. In March, she plans to enroll at Scott Community College in hopes of becoming an ultrasound technician. When Mitchell's new classmates at Bettendorf Middle School noticed Kay's post on social media, they immediately banded together, temporarily ridding the mother's fears of bullying and her sons loneliness at the lunch table. "I've never seen anything like this," said Lisa Reid, principal of Bettendorf Middle School, who noted the call for help has empowered students. "Theyre taking on something they read about on social media that wasnt negative," she said. "Its really refreshing. On Feb. 6, his peers gave Mitchell a cake and a tri-fold poster board adorned with dozens of signatures and short notes, including one that asks him to connect on Snapchat. Kay praised the students and faculty for their efforts. She said Mitchell, who enjoys video games and Japanese culture, has struggled to make friends, but she thinks these acts of kindness will give him a boost of confidence "he's never had before." It's so much more than a $2 card, she said. Hes going to wake up in the morning and not be bummed about having to go to school. A Davenport man has pleaded not guilty to charges in connection with a 2015 assault that left one man seriously injured at a Davenport strip club. Trenton Diontre Shelton, 31, waived his right to a formal arraignment and filed his plea via his attorney, Joel Walker, to charges of attempted murder and willful injury resulting in serious injury. The attempted murder charge, a Class B felony punishable by up to 25 years in prison, was added Tuesday. He also pleaded not guilty to failure to comply with sex offender registry requirements, an aggravated misdemeanor, in a separate case. A bond review is scheduled Feb. 28. Walker filed a motion to a bond reduction Wednesday and wrote that Shelton was unable to post $10,000 cash-only bond. The same day, Assistant Scott County Attorney Amy Devine filed a resistance to the bond reduction and requested that it be increased to $100,000 cash-only. She wrote in the motion that Shelton is a flight risk and that the actions he's accused of caused such extensive and devastating injuries to the victim that he is still in a vegetative state to this day. Shelton also is a habitual offender with an extensive criminal history, Devine wrote. At 12:26 a.m. Oct. 15, 2015, Davenport police officers responded to a fight at Chorus Line, 4128 Brady St. Police say Shelton and his brothers, Kamden and Juan, were involved in a fight with Joshua Sutton, 41, who was knocked to the floor. According to police, Sutton was kicked in the head and torso several times and stomped on. Kamden Shelton was arrested the day of the incident. Juan Shelton was arrested the next day after police say he led them on a five-minute car chase from Rock Island into Davenport via the Interstate 280 bridge. Trenton Shelton was arrested in December 2015 in Mississippi by the U.S. Marshals Service. He was charged in federal court with failing to register as a sex offender, and in November, he was sentenced to 16 months in prison. He was released from custody and booked into the Scott County Jail on Feb. 8. Kamden Shelton entered an Alford plea to willful injury causing serious injury and was sentenced the following month to up to 10 years in prison. In an Alford plea, a defendant does not admit guilt but concedes prosecutors have enough evidence to win a conviction. Juan Shelton also entered an Alford plea in May to willful injury causing serious injury. He pleaded as a habitual offender, which prosecutors can seek if a defendant has two prior felony convictions. He faced 15 years in prison and was advised at the time of his plea that he must serve at least three years of the sentence before he is eligible for parole. Later that month, he filed a motion to take back the plea, saying he was not properly advised. His attorney, Russell Dircks, argued Juan Shelton was not properly advised that he must serve half, or 7 years, of the sentence because he was on parole at the time of the assault. District Court Judge Thomas Reidel allowed Juan Shelton to take back his plea and reinstated the charges. He has a final pretrial conference March 8. In October, Juan Shelton filed a federal lawsuit against Davenport police officers Scott Lansing, Gilbert Proehl, Aric Robinson and Dennis Colclasure. Shelton claimed in his suit that the officers used excessive force during his arrest. The officers denied the allegation in an answer to the lawsuit that was filed in December. A federal judge on Tuesday granted his motion to appoint him an attorney to represent him in the suit. The East Moline Education Association, the teachers union, ratified a new contract agreement Thursday with the East Moline School Board that runs through June 30, 2018. Under the new contract, teachers will receive a 1.25 percent raise to the base each year, plus step movement, according to a news release issued by the union. Paraprofessionals and secretaries will receive a 75 cent per-hour increase, plus step movement in each year of the agreement. "After a lot of hard work, we're pleased that an agreement was reached, said Deb Smiddy, co-president of the union and a bargaining team member. Amanda Webber, the union's co-president elect, said the agreement will help employees "begin to catch up with neighboring districts." "There is still a large gap to bridge, but this agreement is fair to all parties at this time," Webber said. Superintendent Kristin Humphries said Thursday he was pleased that the tentative agreement was ratified. He will take it to the school board on Feb. 27. The teachers union and the school board reached the tentative agreement Wednesday after 10 months of negotiations that involved a federal mediator. Union spokeswoman Angela Harrell, a seventh grade language arts teacher at Glenview Middle School, said Wednesday night, "I have been a teacher in the district for 23 years and it has never come to this. I've never had informational picketing like we did this year. And we had a federal mediator come in." It has been a stressful time for everyone, including the teachers and their families and the students, she added. The East Moline Education Association is a local affiliate of the Illinois Education Association and represents 260 teachers, paraprofessionals and secretaries in the East Moline School District. Humphries said Wednesday that the sticking points in the negotiations came down to finances. Also hurting negotiations were the ongoing financial problems in the state of Illinois, Humphries said. "This has been going on for seven years," he said. "This isn't (Gov. Bruce) Rauner. This is Mike Madigan and everybody who came before." Still, Humphries said, "the state of Illinois stinks right now. They don't have a budget, number one, and if they do fund education it's not as much as we think it's going to be. But at least when they do get a budget, they fund education first. "We're already $1.2 million behind from the state of Illinois," Humphries added. "We're extremely dependent on state aid because we don't have a lot of property wealth, so it really hurts us." U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, said Thursday she isn't sure what the White House's posture is toward Russia, and she called on President Donald Trump to take a tougher stand against it and its president, Vladimir Putin. On a conference call with Iowa reporters, Ernst expressed alarm at what she called the aggressiveness of Putin and the Russians, including new reports that a Russian spy ship was sitting 30 miles off the coast of Connecticut. Several media outlets reported the development on Thursday. Ernst said Russia is not a friend of the U.S., and this and other instances are worrying to her. "I think this is totally unacceptable behavior by Russia and we have to show strength against Vladimir Putin. We need President Trump to step up and lead us in that endeavor," she said. Ernst joined other senators last week in writing a letter to the president urging a tough-minded policy toward Russia. When asked by a reporter on Thursday whether it was fair to say that she is not certain what the White House's posture is toward the country, she agreed. "Yes, I would say that. I don't know what their posture is right now, especially as we sort through the General Flynn resignation," she said. Michael Flynn resigned Monday night as national security adviser amid revelations he had misled Vice President Mike Pence over conversations he had with the Russian government in December, before Trump took office. Flynn has said he inadvertently provided incomplete information to the vice president and others and apologized. Democrats have called for aggressive investigations into the matter, as well as other connections between Russia and the president and his campaign. Some Democrats also have called for an independent inquiry, too. Asked about who should investigate, Ernst said she would defer to the intelligence committee to decide. Congressional Democrats have complained Republicans aren't showing enough aggressiveness, and that the seriousness of the matter deserves greater scrutiny. Some Republicans, including Sens. John McCain, R-Arizona, and Lindsey Graham R-South Carolina, have voiced concerns. Other Republicans have added their voices, too. Ernst said she believes it's necessary to get more information. "I do believe we need to know the full details of what has transpired," she said. Quad-City area lawmakers voted along party lines on the historic overhaul of Iowa's collective bargaining law Thursday, with Democrats opposing it and Republicans voting for it. The legislation, which is going to Gov. Terry Branstad, limits bargaining for unions that are predominantly made up of non-public safety workers to base wages. It also changes certification rules for unions and how they can collect unions dues, along with other changes. Reps. Ross Paustian, R-Walcott, Gary Mohr, R-Bettendorf, and Norlin Mommsen, R-DeWitt, voted for the bill in the House. Reps. Cindy Winckler, D-Davenport, Phyllis Thede, D-Bettendorf, and Monica Kurth, D-Davenport, voted against it. In the Senate, Sens. Mark Lofgren, R-Muscatine, and Roby Smith, R-Davenport, voted for the bill. Sen. Jim Lykam, D-Davenport, voted against it. Mohr, who had held a widely attended public meeting on the matter last Saturday at Davenport's Eastern Avenue library, said unions were well organized. Most of the comments at the meeting last Saturday were critical of the bill. However, he said he heard from a lot of people outside that setting, and he thinks the bulk of the people in his district favored the bill. "The people who really wanted to see the change were the private sector," he said. Mohr also said that an amendment to the bill made significant changes that helped the legislation. The change would allow some additional items to be bargained, as well as some other revisions. Winckler said, however, the amendment made little real change because it only allowed certain items back to come to the bargaining table with the consent of both unions and management. Iowa's current law has a lengthy list of topics that both sides must address in bargaining sessions. "It really does gut collective bargaining as we know it," Winckler said Thursday afternoon. Winckler also complained that Republicans shut Democrats out of the bill's drafting and that GOP claims of tax savings won't necessarily come to pass because workers will end up seeking work elsewhere or leaving the state, leading to additional costs. "We could have had a good bill if they'd allowed us at the table," she said. Legislation that would overhaul collective bargaining in Iowa is far from perfect. It's rushed for political expedience. It's chock-full of carve-outs that create first- and second-class public employees. It's still unclear how one-size-fits-all health care insurance would adequately serve a workforce that includes state scientists and school maintenance workers. No, the proposed sweeping limitations to Iowa's Chapter 20 collective bargaining law aren't ideal. But, at the end of the day, the amended version, rolled out Tuesday by Republicans in Iowa Legislature, are an improvement over the original pitch. In the political reality of the moment, this new bill is worth supporting. The original draft would have gut collective bargaining for unions representing state and local employees. Basically all but base wage would suddenly literally be off the table, essentially robbing the vacation days and other benefits that are key to negotiations and define the worker/management dynamic. It would have left employees without course to challenge wrongful terminations. It would have imbalanced the public sphere, while giving short shrift to hundreds of thousands of public employees. On Tuesday, lawmakers reacted to the countless calls, emails and chants rising from protests throughout the state. The amended package would reinstate bargaining for grievance procedures, seniority benefits and release time. It would permit court challenges to Civil Service Commission decisions. Even the most vocal opponents to the GOP move to limit union power admit that the amendments are an improvement over the original draft. No one should be surprised that Republicans instantly moved to rollback worker protection and throttle unions after seizing complete control of the Statehouse. It's the conservative cause celebre right now, kicked off in Wisconsin in 2011. Fact is, the partisan rush-job -- a clear attempt to limit statewide rage -- walked blindly into traps that should have been obvious from the outset. Take, for example, the new cut-out for transportation employees. They'd be on par with cops and firefighters, under the amended draft. Not doing so could cost Iowa millions in federal funding. Wisconsin and Michigan learned this lesson years ago. Quelling criticism with speed clearly took precedence over research here. It's disingenuous to act as if political motivations aren't front and center in all of this. Unions amass thousands of foot-soldiers every election cycle, typically for Democrats, that knock on doors and spread the message. Unions themselves are massive campaign donors. Republicans can only win by the union decline seen in Wisconsin after collective bargaining was rolled back. But, all that aside, the taxpayer does stand to gain from the overhaul. Health care costs annually spike, particularly at local government and school districts. And, year after year, union power ensures it's the taxpayer that picks up most of the tab. A single, statewide health care cohort equates to better rates and a better deal for taxpayers. Republicans won total control in November. This is a central party platform at Statehouses throughout the country. And, in all likelihood, Iowa's version will pass easily within days if not hours. The first draft was a poorly conceived bill. It's improved after a series of amendments. And taxpayers can be counted among the winners when it happens. Right now, that's the best anyone can hope for. Answers Africa is one of a kind platform created for Africans both locally and in the diaspora and those seeking for more in-depth information about Africa. We have always focused on creating the highest quality informational contents right from the beginning. We share the most relevant information on the latest and trending news, events, people, and places in Africa. We produce contents across various categories including Politics, People, Love and Romance, Nature, Entertainment, Technology and pretty much everything else that Africans may find relevant. We aim to answer the most relevant questions about Africa in areas of entertainment, famous people, emerging technologies while we also engage with various distribution capabilities to connect with Africans in need of information who rely on our website to keep in touch with the world that is changing so fast. 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Nikki Mudarris Bio and Net Worth: 5 Interesting Facts You Need to Know Nikki Mudarris, also known as Miss Nikki Baby, is a reality television star, model and fashionista. Shes best known for VH1s reality TV series Love & Hip-Hop: Hollywood. Her entrepreneurial skills enable her to create and run a successful lingerie line Nude by Nikki. Not only that, but Nikki has also successfully run the Las ... 5 Interesting Things You Need To Know About Kelly Nash Ever heard of the lady who gained national prominence for taking a selfie with a dangerous ball just a few inches away from hitting her? Its no other person than Kelly Nash, an American sports broadcaster currently working as host of The Rundown show which airs on MLB Network every weekday at 2 pm ET. ... 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The Progression of Howard Sterns Career As A Media Personality And Why He Divorced His First Wife Howard Stern is a legendary American radio host, who has also done some notable work as an actor, producer, author, as well as photographer. The radio personality achieved worldwide fame as a result of his self-titled radio program, The Howard Stern Show. As a professional radio personality, he has worked in different radio stations. Since 2006, ... Lisa Joyners Biography Ethnicity, Net Worth and Other Key Facts Lisa Joyner is an American Journalist, TV talk show host, and actress. Some of her well-known works are her correspondences for the Los Angeles based TV KCBS, inFANity show, Find My Family Show including her film and television appearances in Brimstone, American Sweetheart, The Bold and The Beautiful among others. Lisas passion for reconnecting people with their biological families ... Amanda Balionis Rise Through the Ranks of Sportscasting and the Identity of Her Boyfriend Amanda Balionis is an American sportscaster currently working as a golf broadcaster for CBS Sports. Among so many of her works in the field of sports reporting, Amandas PGA Tour coverage seems to be the most popular so far. She covered the Super Bowl working with CBS Sports social media team in Atlanta, where she ... Dissecting Charles Paynes Sexual Allegations, Its After Effects and More About His Wife Charles Payne had a respectable career as an analyst on Wall Street before he made the transition to television and became a contributor and later a host on Fox. In that time, his expertise has come under scrutiny, and he has been at the center of at least one major controversy. The major controversy in question ... Erik Asla And Tryra Banks Split: Everything You Need To Know Tyra Banks and Erik Asla have called it quits! 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This Is Everything You Should Know About Caroline Heldman, Her Career Portfolio and Other Facts Love it or hate it, there is no escaping the fact that feminism has come to stay in our world. The movement has continued to garner momentum over the years and this is due to the sustained push by several women, and even men, including the likes of Caroline Heldman. A Professor of Politics at ... Understanding The Enigma That Is Gavin McInnes, The Controversies He Has Stirred and All About His Wife Gavin McInnes is a polemical English-born writer and TV personality, who is best known for his racist and fascist ideologies, as well as his co-ownership of Vice Media and Vice Magazine. He is also an actor a One might be more supportive of President Donald Trump's executive order called, Protecting the Nation From Foreign Terrorist Entry Into The United States, if it actually listed countries which committed terrorist attacks on us. Trump has banned travel from seven Middle Eastern Muslim countries. The problem is though, that no terrorist attacks from these Muslim countries have committed a terrorist attack in the United States between 1975 and 2015. In fact, the terrorist attacks within the United States have come from homegrown radicalized individuals. What is most interesting are the countries that are missing from this list that have committed terrorist attacks around the world. Why, at a minimum, aren't Egypt, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Turkey, with a combined total of 2,800 plus murders, not on this list? Most of the conspirators of 9/11 came from Saudi Arabia. One answer to consider is that the Trump conglomerate conducts businesses in these countries, but none in the banned countries. He has hotels, luxury towers, malls, Trump-brand home furnishing businesses and financial investment interests. There is a saying, perception is reality, and there are many Americans who believe that Trump's ban on the Muslim nations that have not committed a terrorist attack on the United States between 1975 and 2015 and the omission of those countries that have committed terrorist attacks around the world is just business as usual. Am I missing something? Jennifer Reed Coal Valley DES MOINES Iowans struggling with terminal illnesses and those with family members suffering in severe pain appealed to state legislators Wednesday to approve medical aid in dying for people voluntarily seeking end-of-life options. Currently, six U.S. states allow life-ending medical decisions, and bills have been offered in both the Iowa House and Iowa Senate to allow a competent adult Iowa resident who is terminally ill with less than six months to live as verified by two doctors to request medication that would end the person's life. "When facing the final stages of a terminal illness, Iowans should not be forced to relocate to another state to control how their lives end," said Rep. Brian Meyer, D-Des Moines, who has championed the concept since watching his mother suffer an agonizing death from lung cancer. Lori Gibbs, a Dubuque woman who is a member of the Compassion & Choices advocacy group, told of her six-year battle with a rare and difficult form of cancer that is recurring and advancing. "There is nothing left that will stop the progress of this awful disease," Gibbs told a Statehouse news conference. "I am determined to exhaust every option to live as long as I can, to watch my seven grandchildren grow up. But when there's nothing left but pain and suffering, I don't want to linger in and out of a coma while my family looks on helplessly. "I want the option to die peacefully, and I deserve that. It is time for lawmakers to hear my plea. Access to a peaceful death on my own terms shouldn't be determined by where I live. We want the same freedoms as terminally ill people in six other states." John Tapscott, a former legislator and Indianola resident living with cardiac amyloidosis, said he first pushed this legislative concept in 1968, and now nearly 50 years later, "here we are again." Tapscott urged advocates to raise the issue with their legislators, their neighbors, their family members and their communities, but he and others conceded that the proposed end-of-life options act probably won't get far in the Republican-controlled Iowa Legislature. Sen. Mark Segebart, R-Vail, chairman of the Senate Human Resources Committee, said that probably is a correct assumption. "It's not something that I think we'll see come out this year," Segebart said. "It's not an issue that we're promoting at all. I actually ran on pro-life issues life begins at conception and ends at natural death. "We've all had family experiences with this issue. It's gut-wrenching at times, but we always learn something from it." Sen. Joe Bolkcom, D-Iowa City, said medical aid in dying legislation is a challenging issue that will require some convincing to get enacted. A roundup of legislative and Capitol news items for Wednesday: MORE DAYLIGHT: Iowa could leave the Central Time Zone under a plan a House subcommittee recommended Wednesday. A House subcommittee endorsed ending the twice-a-year clock change by making daylight saving time the new normal in Iowa. Originally, SF 206 would have ended daylight saving time in Iowa by establishing year-round Central Standard Time as Iowas official 24-hour daily measurement. Rep. Dave Jacoby, D-Coralville, called daylight saving time an antiquated system from a more agrarian time. Although it might create some problems along Iowas borders, he is interested in ending the twice-a-year clock change in favor of more sunlight in the evening. Rep. John Wills, R-Spirit Lake, told the subcommittee, I come from a tourist area so this is very attractive. A similar bill, SF 168, has been introduced in the Senate. However, Gov. Terry Branstad said recently said Iowa should not do anything to put it out of sync with the rest of the country. I think that would cause a lot of confusion and problems. HF 206 now goes to the full Commerce Committee. TOP CONSUMER COMPLAINTS: Used auto sales topped the list of complaints filed with the Iowa Attorney Generals consumer protection division in 2016 for the second year in a row, according to state officials. Out of 2,836 written complaints, 207 were related to used-vehicle sales practices, including credit issues, AG officials said. That was followed by 172 complaints in the home improvement arena and 149 home mortgage complaints. Those top three were unchanged from a year earlier. Our office receives a steady stream of complaints about used vehicle sales, the majority of which are related to credit issues, Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller said. Buyers who take a little time to learn more about their rights before they sign a contract and take time to research the vehicle they want to buy are often a step ahead of the most common problems. Rounding out the top 10 consumer complaints were internet service providers and bundles (135), cellphones (104), magazine and newspaper subscriptions (93), debt collection (92), auto repair (69), new vehicle sales and leases (64) and satellite TV service (63). PRESERVING NEWSPAPERS: The State Historical Society of Iowa announced a plan Wednesday to preserve more than 12 million pages of newspapers in its collection, giving Iowans greater access to more than 300 titles dating to the states pioneer days in the 1830s. Under the authority of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, the State Historical Society has signed a five-year contract to loan the newspapers to the Advantage Companies, a Cedar Rapids business with a division dedicated to the preservation and digital access of historical newspapers. The agreement clears the way for Advantage technicians to increase and accelerate the preservation of newspapers dating back to 1837, all of which have been gathered from communities and publishers statewide. Starting this spring, the newspapers stored at the State Historical Building in Des Moines will be transported to Advantages secure 80,000-square-foot records-management facility in Cedar Rapids. Technicians will first photograph the pages onto microfilm and then digitally scan the microfilm to provide wider access to the public. State officials say the soon-to-be microfilmed and digitized newspapers will enhance the State Historical Societys vast collection of previously microfilmed content, which currently includes more than 24 million pages from more than 650 statewide titles on more than 44,000 rolls of microfilm. Anyone can access the states newspaper collection, free of charge, by visiting the State Historical Society of Iowa Research Centers during the recently expanded hours of 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday at the State Historical Building, 600 E. Locust St., Des Moines, and the Centennial Building, 402 Iowa Ave., Iowa City. HIGH-PRICED HACKING: Conviction for computer hacking would be more expensive under a bill introduced in the House Wednesday. HF 339 draws on best practices from the federal government and private sector, according to Rep. Zach Nunn, R-Bondurant. Lawmakers are working with the states chief information officer and the FBI, he said. HF 339, which will be debated in a House Judiciary subcommittee Tuesday, would increase the penalty from a misdemeanor to a Class C felony if computer data is accessed that contains a confidential record, a trade secret or operational or support data of a public utility, rural water district, municipal utility or public airport. We want to keep the penalties in the virtual world the same as the physical world, he said. If computer data is copied, altered or deleted, it would be a Class D felony. A class C felony is punishable by confinement for no more than 10 years and a fine of at least $1,000 but not more than $10,000. A class D felony is punishable by confinement for no more than five years and a fine of at least $750 but not more than $7,500. QUOTE OF THE DAY: Texting and driving is really foolish. It kills people, and it can be prevented. Darrel Harken of Riceville, father of Grace Harken, who was struck and killed while she was riding her bicycle on U.S. 218 by a vehicle operated by a driver who was distracted by a cellphone. Harken was part of a Stay Alive: Dont Phone & Drive coalition that spent Wednesday meeting with lawmakers at the Iowa Capitol in Des Moines, pushing a proposed bill that would make it a primary offense to use a hand-held electronic communications device while operating a motor vehicle unless used in hands-free or voice-activated mode. A roundup of legislative and Capitol news items for Thursday: FIREARM CHANGE: State senators are looking to modify a firearms law they passed last year to expand its provisions to renters and hired hands. Iowa landowners now are allowed to carry a loaded firearm while operating a snowmobile or an ATV on their property. Off-road vehicle operators on someone elses property are required to place unloaded shotguns or rifles in a case. In addition, Iowans with a permit to carry a handgun would be allowed to possess a pistol if it is secured in a holster similar to those used by law enforcement officers. Another provision of the new law requires snowmobilers and ATV riders to get off the vehicle to shoot. Senate File 227, which cleared a Senate Judiciary subcommittee Thursday, would extend the provisions to Iowans who rent property or who work as a laborer as part of an animal agriculture operation. The bill now goes to full committee for consideration. NATURAL GAS PRICES: Moderating winter weather is affecting Iowans heating bills in a favorable way. The state Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardships weekly fuel price report indicated that natural gas prices fell 18 cents this week, closing at $2.86/MMbtu. Likewise, propane prices were down a penny from last weeks report, with a statewide average of $1.28 per gallon. Home heating prices were the same as last week, ending with a statewide average of $2.03. On the motor fuels side, the price of regular unleaded gasoline averaged $2.32 a gallon across Iowa, according to AAA. That was 3 cents higher than a week ago and 73 cents higher than a year ago. The national average on Tuesday was $2.28 a gallon, up a penny from last weeks price. Retail diesel fuel prices in Iowa were down a penny from last weeks price with a statewide average of $2.46 a gallon. A year ago, diesel prices averaged $1.87 in Iowa. NOMINATIONS SOUGHT: Iowa Women's Hall of Fame highlights women's heritage and recognizes their contributions. It was established by the Iowa Commission on the Status of Women in 1975. As of 2016, 168 women have been inducted into the hall. The Cristine Wilson Medal for Equality and Justice recognizes and honors the accomplishments of Cristine Wilson, first chair of the commission, and is awarded selectively to an individual who has made significant contributions to the principles of equality and justice in the state of Iowa. So far, 21 men and women have received the medal. For more information, contact Kristen Corey at 515-281-4470 or women@iowa.gov. OUTDOOR WOMEN: The 2017 spring Becoming an Outdoors-Woman workshop will be April 28-30 at Honey Creek Resort State Park in Moravia. Becoming an Outdoors-Woman is an international program aimed primarily at women but is an opportunity for anyone 18 years or older to learn outdoor skills usually associated with hunting and fishing but useful for many outdoor pursuits. Workshop courses include fishing, firearms, foraging, outdoor cooking, boater education, shotguns, turkey hunting, backpacking and even stand-up paddle-boarding. Participation is limited to 84. The workshop cost is $260 for a single occupancy room or $215 for a double occupancy room for registration by March 26. To register or to learn more about the workshop, go to iowadnr.gov/bow. QUOTE OF THE DAY: "It's nice to see fresh faces come into the room because we're all starting to wear on each other. I was immediately told by a fresh face that I've grown a beard overnight, and I guess I have. I feel like I've aged." Sen. Tony Bisignano, D-Des Moines, commenting from the Senate floor Thursday after an all-night debate at the Iowa Capitol in Des Moines. Times Bureau DES MOINES Holly Baird stood before the TV cameras Wednesday morning at the state Capitol trying to hold back tears. We are here because our friends were killed in a tragic accident while their mother and two sisters were rushed to (University Hospitals, Iowa City), the Linn-Mar High School junior said. It was caused by reckless driving, specifically texting and driving. Baird was referring to a November accident that killed Selena Apodaca, 16, and Isabella Severson, 13. The girls were in the car with their mother, Jennifer Perez, and two sisters when a truck rear-ended them on County Home Road in rural Linn County, pushing their car into another vehicle in front of them. The driver of the truck that struck their car, Keith Furne of Cedar Rapids, was charged last week with two counts of homicide by vehicle and one count of reckless driving resulting in serious injury. Baird, along with 15 of her Linn-Mar classmates, took their grief and turned it into action. They advocated for a hands-free driving bill that would make it a primary offense to use a hand-held electronic device while driving. Similar legislation has been passed in 15 states, and the Iowa bill would impose a fine and moving violation. The students, along with other families who lost loved ones to distracted drivers on their phones, spoke at a news conference Wednesday along with Gov. Terry Branstad, Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds, Maj. John Godar of the Iowa Sheriffs and Deputies Association and AT&Ts Dustin Blythe. Since 2010, the number of accidents, injuries and fatalities caused by distracted-by-phone drivers has risen sharply, according to Iowa Department of Transportation data. Crashes went from 659 to 1,100, injuries from 288 to 601 and fatalities from four to 14. When I was governor before, we were just introducing child seats in cars, said Branstad, who tasked legislators with coming up with a solution to these increasing crashes during his Condition of the State address in January. And now all of my grandchildren have their own seats to protect their safety. Weve come a long way. But safety laws have not kept up with technology, Branstad said, adding its important for legislators to look beyond texting, which is one of many distractions a cellphone can create. Theres also email, Facebook and countless apps that can take a drivers eyes off the road. AT&T reports that seven of every 10 people engage in smartphone use while driving, while another 62 percent keep their phones within easy reach while driving. The last thing I ever thought would happen in my life was to have to find her on the side of the road like I did, said Darrel Harken, who lost his daughter Grace. Grace was biking along U.S. 218, east of Osage, in July 2015 when she was hit from behind by a distracted driver. She was already gone by the time I got there, he said during the news conference. But if she could ask God himself for someone to go in order to save other people, shed say, Ill go. Texting and driving is foolishness, it kills people and can be prevented. I ask today that we all work together as Iowans to correct this. Greeces stance on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement is unchanged, Ambassador of Greece to Azerbaijan Dimitrios Tsoungas told APA, announcing the Azerbaijani media have incorrectly translated his speech on February 10. STEPANAKERT, FEBRUARY 16, ARTSAKHPRESS-ARMENPRESS: Greece supports the OSCE Minsk Group efforts on the conflict settlement within the framework of international rights. Last Thursday, my question regarding Nagorno Karabakh during my speech in the union of young diplomats of Azerbaijan was incorrectly translated. My thoughts were incompletely reflected, the Ambassador said. LINCOLN, Neb. | The developer of the Keystone XL pipeline said Thursday that it is once again seeking state approval for a route through Nebraska. TransCanada said it has filed an application with the state commission that regulates oil pipelines. The Canadian company's previous attempts to start construction in Nebraska have been thwarted by activists and some landowners who worry that it could damage property and contaminate groundwater supplies. Opponents have already met to discuss how they might be able to halt the project. In a statement, the company said its project will emphasize safety and respect for the environment. TransCanada said its preferred route would avoid an area the state defines as the Nebraska Sandhills, an ecologically sensitive region of grass-covered sand dunes with high water tables. "This application has been shaped by direct, on-the-ground input from Nebraskans," TransCanada CEO Russ Girling said in a statement. "The thousands of Nebraskans we have met over the last eight years understand the value of this project and what it means to the state." The Keystone XL would travel from Canada through Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska, where it would connect with an existing Keystone pipeline network to carry crude oil to Texas Gulf Coast refineries. Republican President Donald Trump has said he supports the pipeline, and last month he signed executive memos to make it easier for the project to move forward. Pipeline opponents may have a tougher time blocking it than before, since Trump is now president. Former President Barack Obama rejected a federal permit for the project largely because of environmental concerns raised by the project's critics. In Nebraska, opponents plan to focus initially on elected state officials who have the power to reject the project within Nebraska. The pipeline opposition group Bold Nebraska will launch a letter-writing campaign this month aimed at the Nebraska Public Service Commission, an elected, five-member board that will review the project. The current commission is comprised of four Republicans and one Democrat. The commission regulates "common carriers," such as a taxis and pipelines, that are used to transport goods, energy or people. Commissioners generally take about seven months to approve or deny an application, but they can postpone a decision for up to a year. Their decision hinges on whether they believe the project serves a public interest, based on evidence presented at a public hearing. "We will follow all aspects of the law as we fulfill the duties assigned to us by the Legislature," said Jeff Pursley, the commission's executive director. According to a 2014 report by the U.S. State Department, Keystone XL would support about 42,100 jobs, including about 3,900 workers directly involved in construction. Workers, including those indirectly supported by the pipeline, would earn about $2 billion. Once construction ends and oil starts flowing, the pipeline would support just 35 permanent jobs, according to the report. Opponents thwarted the project in Nebraska with a series of lawsuits and activism that at one point led then-Gov. Dave Heineman to call a special legislative session. This time, they may try to draw from a national wave of anti-Trump activism. "We have to be as proactive as possible," said Linda Anderson, Bold Nebraska's state director. "But I think we can do it again." If pipeline opponents can't stop the construction of the pipeline, they at least want it to run along the same route as an earlier Keystone pipeline that already runs through eastern Nebraska, said Jane Kleeb, a longtime opponent of the project. "It's a very frightening prospect that a foreign corporation can use eminent domain against landowners for their private gain," said Kleeb, the director of an umbrella group that includes Bold Nebraska. Kleeb said 82 landowners in Nebraska still haven't agreed to let the pipeline run through their property. TransCanada has said it has secured agreements with roughly 90 percent of the state's property owners. SIOUX FALLS | A dog is back with the South Dakota family who raised him thanks to the people who recently adopted him at the Sioux Falls Humane Society. Janeen Rang and her husband raised 5-year-old Jake, a yellow Labrador mix, who went missing from their Turner County farm on Feb. 2. Jake wasn't microchipped, the Argus Leader reported. The Humane Society held the dog for a week before putting him up for adoption. He was adopted on Feb. 8 by another family. But when Jake's adoptive family saw that the Rangs put out a plea to the Humane Society to consider returning the dog to his original home, the family gave him back, according to the shelter's director, Kori Baade. "I think the family got really lucky that the adoptive family was so heartful," Baade said. "It turned out well." Baade said the Humane Society followed city ordinance for strays, and that Jake's adoption through the shelter was legal. He said the agency received dozens of threatening phone calls about the dog. Rang said there's no animosity toward the shelter. She said she's grateful the agency did its job. "If they hadn't taken him, who knows what could've happened to him," she said. "He could have been hit (by a car). Who knows. They did their job and we're so grateful. It was just an unfortunate circumstance." While Baade said she's happy Jake is back with his family, she hopes to turn the publicity more positive in the future. "Every Valentine's Day from now on, we want to do an event called 'Love Your Pet' to talk about making sure everyone's pets are microchipped," she said. The Rangs brought Jake back home Wednesday. The family said they hope the incident with Jake is a lesson to other pet owners to get their animals properly ID'd. PIERRE | South Dakota lawmakers have neutered a measure that would have required the Legislature's approval for refugee re-settlements in South Dakota. A Senate committee Wednesday approved changes that simply would require private refugee resettlement agencies to provide an annual report to the governor and Legislature. The State Affairs Committee voted unanimously to send the bill to the floor. Sen. Brock Greenfield, the main sponsor, says it's important for legislators to have information on the resettlement process. The report would have to include services provided, demographics and the number of refugees assisted from each country. All of the bill's opponents testified favorably for the amended bill. They say providing legislators with information about the resettlement process will bring more understanding and friendliness to the issue. PIERRE | A bill that aims to restrict the flow of out-of-state money into South Dakota ballot question campaigns has passed its first legislative test. The House State Affairs Committee voted Wednesday to send the bill to the full chamber. It would limit ballot question campaigns to $100,000 in out-of-state contributions per general election cycle. House Speaker Mark Mickelson, a supporter, says it's a narrow, "well-crafted" restriction on out-of-state interests contributing to a ballot measure. Gov. Dennis Daugaard's office testified in favor of the bill. Republican Rep. David Lust, who opposed it, says it "fails almost on its face constitutionally." Since Election Day, Republicans have frequently complained about out-of-state interests experimenting with South Dakota's laws and constitution. Out-of-state donors pumped over $10 million into campaigns for or against the state's questions. BELLE FOURCHE | Firefighters kept an eye on the Dakota Mill and Grain elevator at the edge of downtown Belle Fourche late Wednesday afternoon after extinguishing a fire caused by an overheated rubber and plastic belt. Smoke from the overheated belt, which moves the grain, brought an immediate evacuation of the tall grain silo and a call to the fire department a little before 11 a.m. Firefighters quickly called the Spearfish department for help. The Spearfish aerial unit can reach out 85 feet and is the only equipment of that type in the Northern Hills area. After it appeared firefighters had the situation in hand, Dakota Mill and Grain President Brian Hammerbeck of Rapid City said sparks coming out of the head house caused manager Dean Weinzetl to evacuate the building of six local employees. Electric and gas utilities were immediately disconnected. Dean did a good job managing what happened," Hammerbeck said. "The fire department has done a great job, too; were grateful to have the people here that we have. Hammerbeck said in the late afternoon he didnt know how much loss the fire caused but was nonetheless upbeat. I know its not good, he said. Well be back up and running. Belle Fourche Fire Chief Ryan Reeves said around 4 p.m. from the scene, Its under control. He said the belt and some smoldering grain were being watched to ensure any hot spots wouldnt ignite. Reeves credited firefighters in his own department as well as Spearfish, other first responders and also the state Department of Transportation for the rapid closure of U.S. Highway 85 in the area of the fire. Spearfish assistant fire chief Robert Mathis said his department got a call for help with the tall structure fire about 11 a.m., and the aerial unit with its eight-member crew was out the door in minutes, headed to Belle Fourche. Mathis said the good relationship between the two fire departments and communities is one reason he returned to South Dakota: When you need help, everybody comes. Mark Hespe, a past Belle Fourche fire chief, said the grain elevator has had three calls since 1989. One, in early January 2002, included an explosion that blew out part of a building at the elevator, and a fire followed. The structure that replaced that building was not involved in Wednesdays incident. Lets think right about Belle Fourche! There is a danger in being too familiar with things and getting into a rut, especially in our thinking. Because we are a town with a smaller population, we tend to put ourselves in the just a small town box; that we cant compete with towns with bigger populations. We may not realize the amount of commerce that goes on in "this little town." Id like to give us a push out of this possible rut. At the Chamber we are members of the SD Retailers Association and receive their information. In a recent Legislative Bulletin I read two articles that caught my attention. If you want to look for them its Issue Number 1 Jan. 24, 2017. The one where Scott and Susan Peterson are named 2017 Retailer of the Year! Congratulations again. After reading that article go to pages 20-22. There is a great report on tourism numbers for South Dakota. Id like to send out a well done to the Tri-State Museum and Visitor Center. Kristi Thielen and her staff posted an increase of 800 visitors to the Museum despite the numbers for the Sturgis Rally being down significantly. Due to their hard work they went above and beyond their previous years numbers. The reason, Kristi reported at the Feb. 6 city council meeting, was in the monthly events attendance numbers. They are getting more local people into the complex. From someone that deals with events every day, it is a challenge to get people out. But Kristi and her staff have done it with interesting, informative First Saturday Brunches, childrens events, and quality exhibits. Lets get back to page 21, 22 of the SD Retailers legislative report and the second report. Check out the sales taxes returned to Belle Fourche for 2017. Can you guess the dollar amount? $2,837,560.65. This figure is up slightly from the year before, despite the drastic fall in livestock prices. Check other agriculturally related towns listed in that report and you will see that most were down - and some significantly so - in their sales tax revenues. This Chamber of Commerce sends a big shout out to our Belle Fourche business community for generating the amount of sales it did in a very difficult year for an ag based economy. Remember, the citys share is .02 or two cents on every dollar spent in Belle Fourche. That is nearly $142 million dollars in sales in 2016. Did you know Belle Fourche business was generating that kind of revenue? But there is more of a thinking rut we may be in and need more information to get us out of it. On that same page, compare Belle Fourches sales tax with the sales tax generated in Deadwood. Remember we were $2.8 million. Deadwood $3.4 million. The difference is $597,419.07. Hmm, what does Deadwood have to generate sales tax? Hotels, restaurants, gaming etc. and still were not that far behind. Next time you think about our city and the commerce that goes on here, make sure you are not in a rut with your thinking. Im very encouraged as the Chamber director with our business community and thank them for their great efforts in making Belle Fourche a regional place of commerce. When business prospers the city tax coffers fill and that means in turn that Belle Fourche residents benefit from lower taxes. Lets not take our business community for granted! BOX ELDER | What was supposed to be a controlled burn spread and threatened several structures Thursday morning before it was contained, according to fire officials. Box Elder Volunteer Fire Chief Chris Gleason said the fire threatened two houses and burned 8.2 acres. Firefighters stayed on the scene, but officials said the fire, which started around 10 a.m. near Country Road in Box Elder, was contained. Although the investigation into the fire's cause continued, Gleason said the fire started with a local resident burning trash in his backyard, which had been cleared by the fire department. But as the wind picked up, the fire quickly spread. Two houses on Westgate Road were threatened, including Val Solano's home at 22589 Westgate Road. Solano said her sister, who lives next door, called her while she was at work. The ground around her home was burnt black, and char marks were visible on the walls of the metal garage nearby. "We got lucky," Solano said. "I'm just glad they stopped it." The fire also burned a few items in the backyard of 22585 Westgate Road. Fire departments from New Underwood, North Haines, Rapid Valley and Box Elder all responded, as did the Pennington County Sheriff's Office, Box Elder police and the South Dakota Division of Wildland Fire. Pennington County Fire Administrator Jerome Harvey praised the work of the fire departments as a "good stop." Harvey added the incident is a good reminder to be vigilant around fire no matter what time of year it is. He also said Solano's property provides a good example of being "fire safe" around buildings: Keeping weeds trimmed and buildings clear of clutter can reduce the potential that they could turn into fuel for a fire. Quick action from bystanders may have saved an off-duty Rapid City firefighter's life when he was severely injured in a motorcycle crash earlier this week. Robert Rendon, a nine-year veteran of the Rapid City Fire Department, was hurt when the motorcycle he was driving collided with a pickup at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the 1900 block of West Main Street. The fire department identified Rendon on Wednesday in a blog post, which also said that his injuries necessitated surgery to amputate his right leg below the knee. He is being treated at Rapid City Regional Hospital. Rapid City police posted on social media that the crash blocked traffic on West Main from Mountain View to Jackson Boulevard. But, as bad as it was, fire department spokesman Lt. Jim Bussell said some local heroes kept it from getting even worse. Several motorists and bystanders stopped to help Rendon, who was bleeding profusely from his injuries. Bussell told the Journal a good Samaritan stopped at the scene and fashioned a tourniquet out of a belt to stem the bleeding. When city police Sr. Officer Jerred Younie and Sr. Officer Mark Weyer arrived, they applied a medical emergency tourniquet. "(For) that, he and the department are profoundly grateful," the statement says. Bussell said officials don't know who the Good Samaritans on the scene were, but they would like to be able to say thank you in person. "Its very possible that those actions could have saved Roberts life, or at the very least, their actions certainly helped," Bussell said. Rendon is an enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux tribe and is a firefighter/paramedic assigned to the downtown fire station. He also serves as a paramedic on the Rapid City/Pennington County Special Response Team, and as a paramedic field training officer training new paramedics as they join the Rapid City team. Bussell said Rendon is "one of our brightest," embodying a persistently positive attitude and a "dogged determination." "This is a situation where were following his lead, so morale around here is actually a lot better than you would expect, because Robert is leading the way with his positive attitude and determination," Bussell said. "And thats just the kind of guy he is." Rendon is already trying to use his experience to help others, Bussell said. Rendon told fellow firefighters that he remembers his head hitting the pickup involved in the crash, and that wearing a helmet saved his life, or at least saved him from suffering a serious head injury. He wants other motorcycle enthusiasts to take that message to heart. "If nothing else, Robert hopes that the community especially his family, friends, and fellow firefighters realize the importance of wearing a helmet when riding a motorcycle," the blog post says. While Bussell said the department felt it was important to let the community know about Rendon's injury, he said now it's time to "let him rest so that he can recover from this." "While (the community's) support is greatly appreciated, Robert, his family and the RCFD respectfully ask for the community to respect their privacy during this time," the post reads. Bussell added: "When the time comes to tell the rest of the story well do that, but for now were going to let our brother rest." Once he's rested, however, Rendon wants to get back to work. The veteran firefighter/paramedic plans to test for operations lieutenant in the spring; he also plans to pass the department's physical standards test to return to full duty, which Bussell says is "absolutely possible" with a prosthesis. "The guys got just a phenomenal backing right now, between his family, his relatives, the people that love him, and his family at the Rapid City Fire Department," Bussell said. "Theres not a person out there that should count him out right now. Well see him riding fire engines again." PIERRE | Families who want midwives to deliver their babies in their homes, rather than going to hospitals with doctors, might soon get their way in South Dakota. The state Senate approved a midwives licensing act Wednesday. The 29-6 tally surprised the prime sponsor, Sen. Brock Greenfield, R-Clark. The victory came one year after a licensing bill failed in the Senate 16-19 after it had passed in the House of Representatives 54-13. The current legislation now heads to the House for consideration. The main sponsor there is Lee Qualm, R-Platte. The legislation last year would have placed midwives under a special committee with the state Board of Nursing. The current proposal would create a certification system and a five-member board of certified professional midwives under the state Department of Health. Greenfield thanked Sen. Deb Soholt, R-Sioux Falls, for her support Wednesday. Soholt, a registered nurse, is womens health director at Avera Medical Group. She opposed the 2016 legislation. He described Soholt as the nurse who knows more than anyone on the (Senate) floor. Several senators gave credit to Debbie Pease of Centerville, who has lobbied since 2012 for legalizing the use of midwives. Sen. Kris Langer, R-Dell Rapids, said Wednesday that she wouldnt use a midwife but knew many people who would. I think we owe it to the people of South Dakota to give them that chance," she said. The effort stretches back to the 1990s. This has been a 23-year gestation period, said Sen. Phil Jensen, R-Rapid City. This baby is long overdue." Sen. Neal Tapio, R-Watertown, said the legislation would bring the state into line with a majority of the nation. There's not been one effort across those 30 states to rescind this bill, Tapio said. Dont scoop dirt over the corpse of the proposed Spearfish Canyon State Park just yet. Gov. Dennis Daugaard's plan suffered a self-inflicted wound Wednesday, but a spokesman for the governor stopped short of pronouncing it dead. And even if the park concept dies, other possibilities short of a park designation could still come to the canyon through an ongoing master planning process that is scheduled to continue through September. In fact, master-planning focus groups began meeting privately Wednesday in the Black Hills even as public attention focused on a hearing at the Capitol. At that hearing, a Daugaard aide asked legislators to table a bill that would have appropriated $2.5 million to facilitate land exchange in the canyon. The governor, who has faced loud opposition from critics of the park plan, hinted recently that there might not be enough revenue in the state budget to fund the swap. A Daugaard aide reiterated the governors concern Wednesday. Legislators obligingly tabled the bill, and opponents of the park plan declared victory or at least a partial one. The governor shot his own dog, so its over, said Frank Carroll, a retired U.S. Forest Service employee. But the governors chief of staff, Tony Venhuizen, declined to admit defeat in a subsequent email exchange with the Journal. Asked whether the park plan is dead or might still be revived, Venhuizen replied: The state already owns land and has made improvements in the canyon, and the public input process will continue to create a master plan for these assets. The states holdings in the canyon include Roughlock Falls, which is already designated a state nature area, along with Spearfish Falls and Savoy Pond, all of which are in the Savoy area, where the proposed park would be located. Daugaard announced more than a year ago that he hoped to assemble enough land for a state park in the canyon by conducting a trade. He proposed exchanging some state-owned grasslands east of the Black Hills for a large swath of canyon land owned by the federal government in the Black Hills National Forest. Daugaard also hoped to obtain federally owned Bismarck Lake in the exchange, for potential inclusion in Custer State Park. A $2.5 million appropriation the one that was tabled Wednesday would have been necessary to reimburse the states school and public lands trust fund for the land traded to the federal government. South Dakotas congressional delegation had introduced bills in both houses of Congress last year to approve the land exchange, but the legislation was not adopted. Wednesday, spokespeople for Sen. John Thune and Rep. Kristi Noem both told the Journal there are no immediate plans to reintroduce the bills. Yet the master planning for Spearfish Canyon continues. The public aspect of the process began in January with a public-input meeting in Spearfish that was dominated by hundreds of sign-carrying opponents, some of whom traveled Wednesday to Pierre and witnessed the tabling of the appropriation bill. Another aspect of the planning process, by-invitation-only focus group meetings, began Wednesday and will continue through Friday in Sturgis and Custer State Park. A volunteer advisory committee meeting is planned the week of March 6, with the time and place to be announced. The public is invited but will be asked to hold questions and comments until the meeting's end. The next public-input meeting is planned sometime in May. Further meeting details and opportunities to submit written comments will eventually be listed on the states master planning website, spearfishcanyon.sd.gov. Park opponent David Miller, of Rapid City, said by phone during his return from Pierre that the ongoing master planning process is a signal of continued state government interest in changes to Spearfish Canyon. He and other park opponents prefer to leave relatively pristine areas of the canyon untouched. They want to make changes up there and use it as a tourist promotion, Miller said. They could call it anything they want, and it wouldnt be that different from a park. The master-planning process has so far focused on not only Spearfish Canyon, where the state has existing holdings, but also federally owned Bismarck Lake. Katie Ceroll, parks and recreation division director for the state Department of Game, Fish & Parks, said Wednesday by phone that the master planning process will continue to encompass areas beyond the states holdings. Part of the master plan is to look at stewardship, and no matter what the final footprint looks like, theres a level of collaboration that has to take place for effective stewardship, Ceroll said. The private contractor hired to conduct the master planning process for the state is Montana-based Peaks to Plains. A contract signed in December entitles the company to total payments of up to $208,125. Captain Peter Sharpie Sharpe MBE, a veteran commercial pilot and ocean racing yachtsman has made his last flight. He died at his home in the Philippines early this month after a brief illness that seemed to be of no threat to his life. He was a longstanding member of the PX crowd and a well known character in PNG, said his colleague Darren Moore, chief pilot of CorpAir Express. Sharpie left Air Niugini about six years ago after clocking up over 25,000 hours of flying, 60,000 take offs and landings and nearly 100 million flown kilometres without damaging an aircraft or injuring a passenger. He learned his PNG flying skills, and Pidgin, soon after arriving in Goroka from his native New Zealand to work for the late Dennis Buchanan's Territory Airlines. His early sorties included airdrops to Government patrols in the most remote parts of PNG. He will be well remembered at the controls of an F28 with the Bird of Paradise on the tail by a generation of young Papua New Guineans who he taught the skills of commercial aviation in PNG's testing environment, as well as by passengers amazed to hear an expatriate pilot giving his cabin announcements in Pidgin. Sharpie joined Air Niugini soon after it was formed in the early 1970s. He was one of the team whose enthusiasm and commitment proved wrong the critics who said the fledgling airline would not survive. Together they helped make Air Niugini an efficient and safe airline. During those early years, he was also actively involved in representing pilots through their union, was elected the first and only life member of the PNG Airline Pilots Association. In 1993, he was awarded the MBE for his services to aviation. Bamahuta Sharpie, said one tribute on the Internet. You were a good friend, fellow aviator and never passed up a chance to share a cold SP. A true wantok. Photo: Peter Sharpe at the controls of a DC3 around 1974 But it was void on the matters of who I am and why I do the things I do. It focused on the learning, skills and qualifications an employer might be interested in. It captured what I can do and how I do it. Like with most people, my CV emphasised the educational institutions Id attended, the positions Id held, my career successes and influential people Id crossed paths with. Having gone through this exercise, I realised that Id omitted a major part of my life. AS we do in todays dynamic employment environment, I recently updated my professional profile or c urriculum vitae (CV) . The parts I had left out were the experiences that formed the basis for who I am. They were from the stage in my life that I walked rough tracks to fetch water for the family, shepherded pigs, chopped pandanus nuts 30 feet up with one hand (and no safety harness), climbed rocky peaks with the skill of a mountain goat, and hunted and trapped cuscus. I walked through tropical rain forest in pitch darkness relying on the moon and stars and identified each bird by sound, not sight. When the elders wanted to speak, we youngsters gave up our seats, kept quiet and did not engage in argument even if they were wrong. These experiences have little value to a prospective employer in todays economy. Even if I explained them, the listener would not understand their relevance. I am at a stage in life where I am reasonably comfortable placing value on these latter qualities. Like many Papua New Guineans, my life has been a journey from a mountain home across a social divide of religion, race, culture, and hierarchy. My childhood experiences are embedded in me and I feel comfortable sitting with friends cross-legged around a fireplace in my village or inside a modern work environment in a country far away. Even if others dont share my experiences, I embrace them. They represent a unique, enjoyable, once in a lifetime opportunity which can never be replicated. I am comfortable with what I do based on the strength I draw from my Melanesian values. I am at peace with myself. It takes time and a measure of self-acceptance to reach such point. WASHINGTON | In theory, if only occasionally in fact, Congress plays a role when a president wants to initiate military hostilities. Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah thinks Congress should also have a say when a president wants to initiate a trade war. Lee is a constitutional, meaning an actual, conservative who is eager for Congress to retrieve some of the power it has improvidently, and sometimes unconstitutionally, delegated to presidents. As a step toward correcting Congress' self-marginalization, he proposes the Global Trade Accountability Act. It is analogous to the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act, which has several times passed the House only to expire in Democratic-controlled Senates. REINS, which the House again passed Jan. 5, would require Congress to approve any major (at least $100 million cost) regulation. The theory is that if legislators' fingerprints, rather than just those of unaccountable and secure bureaucrats, are going to be on such regulations, they will receive more exacting cost-benefit analyses. REINS attempts to somewhat expand Congress' governing role as today's sprawling administrative state churns on: Lee notes that last year Congress passed 2,966 pages of laws while federal agencies were churning out 32-times that many (97,110) pages of regulations. Lee's proposed act pertaining to tariffs is part of the Article I Project, a bicameral collaboration among legislators interested in resuscitating Congress' powers. It would "provide for congressional review of the imposition of duties and other trade measures by the executive branch." No such measures could take effect until both houses of Congress pass a joint resolution of approval. Lee's excellent proposal would, like REINS, leave Congress in a reactive posture, but at least able to react. Speaker Paul Ryan declares that "we're" meaning Congress "not going to be raising tariffs," but Congress has long since invested presidents with vast discretion regarding tariffs. Tariffs are taxes imposed at the border. The Constitution says "Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises" and "to regulate commerce with foreign nations." Because the country came into existence insisting on "no taxation without representation," the initiative in raising revenue was entrusted to the political institution composed of directly elected representatives proportionate to population: The Constitution's Origination Clause says, "All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the House." Although all tariffs raise revenues, not all are primarily "for" that purpose. Some are intended to protect from competition some industries that the government decides should be favored. So, by repeatedly over a century, beginning with the 1917 Trading with the Enemy Act (TWEA), delegating to presidents the power to impose tariffs, Congress has empowered him to raise taxes. Lee's proposal would require congressional complicity in this core government function. Without it, presidents can wield powers akin to those of a wartime commander in chief. Gary Clyde Hufbauer of the Peterson Institute for International Economics notes that the TWEA is "the mother of all presidential powers over international trade." In 1933, newly inaugurated President Franklin Roosevelt's first act was to invoke a section of the TWEA never mind that the nation was not at war to declare a national emergency and order a bank holiday, actions which were, as Hufbauer says, "at best remotely related to foreign commerce." Congress promptly extended the TWEA to cover national emergencies declared by presidents. Although the TWEA's opening language says it pertains "in time of war," the current president could use it with impunity to legitimize his imposition of tariffs, citing ongoing U.S. operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977, like the TWEA, and six other statutes give presidents vast power to regulate international commerce during an "unusual and extraordinary threat," which the current president thinks is the nation's current condition. And courts defer to presidents about emergencies. Congress last passed a declaration of war many wars ago, on June 5, 1942, regarding Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria. Since then, Congress has explicitly authorized certain uses of military force, but its ability to inhibit presidential discretion regarding war-making has atrophied. If Congress passes Lee's measure, and Trump signs it, it will limit presidential discretion regarding trade wars and will crimp the modern presidency's imperial swagger. While the state Houses 66-0 vote Tuesday to limit gifts to lobbyists might look good, the reality is the Legislature still has a long way to go honor the will of voters who approved Initiated Measure 22 before it was repealed by lawmakers. There are also signs that some of these same lawmakers are supporting a measure that would make it extremely difficult for voters to amend the state constitution. Tuesdays vote was hailed by lawmakers for its bipartisan support. The legislation, House Bill 73, places an annual cap of $100 for gifts to lawmakers or their family members from a lobbyist or employer. The penalty for exceeding the limit could be one year in jail and a $2,000 fine. The violation would be a Class 1 misdemeanor. However, lawmakers would still be allowed to receive free food and beverages from lobbyists if the value doesn't exceed $75 per occasion, which was not part of IM22, or the Anti-Corruption Act. The main problem with the bill, however, is that it doesnt address the states almost non-existent reporting laws for lobbyists. As was previously reported by the Journal, lobbyists are not required to report their expenditures until three months after a legislative session ends, and since the state does not audit the reports anyway many lobbyists choose to disclose no expenditures. The states weak lobbying disclosure performance is one reason why the Center for Public Integrity has given South Dakota a grade of F for transparency and accountability. If this legislation is to have any punch, it needs to require lobbyists to report every expenditure even the free meals and drinks and report them on a timely basis during the legislative session. The state then needs to audit the reports and make them public in a timely manner as well. Otherwise, HB73 is nothing more than bipartisan window dressing as the public will not have been afforded the luxury of transparency while legislation is being drafted and voted on. The Senate should address this or perhaps another bill will emerge that raises the bar on reporting standards. Although if a statement made after the vote by Rep. Mark Mickelson I believe we are probably responding to a perceived problem. reflects the sentiment of the majority of lawmakers, one has to wonder about the Legislatures stated commitment to honor the will of voters who supported IM22. One thing for certain, however, is that another bill, Senate Joint Resolution 2, runs counter to the intent of IM22. The bill would require that two-thirds of the members of the state Senate and House approve proposed constitutional amendments before the voters get a chance to have their voices heard. While the Journal editorial board supports raising the voter threshold from a simple majority to approve a constitutional amendment, it does not support the Legislature intervening in the initiative and referendum process given that lawmakers worked to undermine the minimum wage bill approved by voters in 2014 and made the repeal of IM22 a legislative priority in the current session. Lawmakers have many ways to have their voices heard. They have no business approving laws that make it more difficult for residents to vote on proposed constitutional amendments. State Duma ex-lawmaker Mikheyev put on wanted list report MOSCOW, February 16 (RAPSI, Lyudmila Klenko) Former State Duma lawmaker Oleg Mikheyev charged with attempted fraud and attempting to steal over two billion rubles ($33.9 mln) from Promsvyazbank was put on the federal wanted list, Kommersant newspaper reported on Thursday. According to Kommersant, a criminal case against Mikheyev did not reach court, despite approved indictment, because the ex-lawmaker vanished. Earlier, the Investigative Committee announced that Mikheyev, acting as a shareholder of the Volgograd Industrial Bank was involved in the large-scale fraud. In 2007, he allegedly signed a contract between himself and his companies, taking obligation to compensate their 1.4 billion rubles ($24.5 mln) debt to the bank. He also allegedly signed a contract with the bank, making it guarantor of his companies. This way, he allegedly made the bank owe him personally a large debt while the services he obliged to provide were not executed in practice. Mikheyev allegedly asked the banks president to hide its debt to the ex-lawmaker from future owner. In 2010, the Vologograd Industrial Bank joined Promsvyazbank and Mikheyev unsuccessfully filed a lawsuit against the latter with a local court to recover over 2 billion rubles. The State Duma, lower house of parliament, voted in February 2013 to strip Mikheyev of parliamentary immunity and to open a criminal case against him. Mikheyev denies any wrongdoing, according to Kommersant. Russian court sentences Jabhat al-Nusra member to 7 years in prison ST. PETERSBURG, February 16 (RAPSI, Mikhail Telekhov) The Moscow District Military Courts judges during a visiting session in St. Petersburg sentenced a native of Kyrgyzstan Islamdzon Zakhidov to 7 years in prison for fighting in Syria on the side of Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist organization prohibited in Russia, RAPSI reports from the courtroom on Thursday. Prosecutor earlier demanded a 10-year prison sentence for Zakhidov. The court found that Zakhidov arrived in Turkey in December 2014. Later, in February 2015, he left for Syria and joined Jabhat al-Nusra. He underwent physical and psychological training, gained weapons skills, experience of warfighting, skills for handling tanks and tank gunnery in a terrorist training camp. Shortly afterwards, he carried out patrol of territories close to Aleppo, Idlib and other Syrian cities, according to case papers. The court took into consideration that Zakhidov at that time was a minor and left for Syria on insistence of his father Sadyk Zakhidov, who is currently fighting in Syria as an active Jabhat al-Nusra militant. Investigation into the case was conducted by investigative service of the Federal Security Service (FSB) Directorate for St. Petersburg and Leningrad Region. According to law enforcement authorities, a criminal case was also launched against Zakhidovs father and other Syrian-based members of the family. Russian government, Supreme Court to examine bill on penalty for inducing to suicide MOSCOW, February 16 (RAPSI) A bill introducing punishment for inducement to commit suicide has been sent to Russian government and Supreme Court for obtaining an opinion about the initiative, Deputy Speaker of the State Duma Irina Yarovaya announced on Thursday. The bill envisages criminal penalty for inducing minors to suicide; assistance in committing suicide and creating so-called Groups of Death on the Internet and suicidal games. Under the proposed changes, such actions, including ones conducted through the use of the Internet, should be punishable by up to two years in prison. If these crimes are targeting children or are committed by a group of co-conspirators, punishment for such actions may result in 3-5 years of imprisonment. Inducing to suicide may come in form of persuasion, bribery, fraud, provision of information that aims to present suicide in attractive light. Media and telecommunication networks are named among potential sources for such information. Inducing to suicide also includes suicide advice, instructions, provision of tools and instruments of committing suicide. Involvement of children into deathful activities such as train hitching by adults would be also qualified as a crime, according to the bill. The draft law would oblige Russia's communications watchdog Roskomnadzor to notify the Interior Ministry of the revealed prohibited content for efficient suppression of criminal activity against childrens lives. According to Yarovaya, the initiative has been already supported by the Investigative Committee, Roskomnadzor, Russias Interior Ministry, Ministry of Education and State Duma relevant committees. GLENDIVE, MT On Feb. 9, the sun came out blazing in a bright blue sky, and temperatures creeped up into the 40-degree range, one of the first times it has done so this winter.It was bull sale day at Lassle Ranch Simmentals, and people started arriving in mid-morning for the sale.It had been so cold earlier in the week. We were worried it would be freezing and cold, with the wind blowing snow across the roads, said Sarah Thorson, who operates LRS with her husband, Ryan, daughters, Grace and Harper, and parents, Clay and Marianne Lassle.But the family was pleasantly surprised.We woke up to the sun shining, she said.The entire family and other relatives arrived at the ranch.After the bulls and cows were fed, Sarah and Ryan got busy and sorted all the bulls in the right pens, according to how they would sell over Superior Livestock and in the catalog.After we finished sorting around 9:30 a.m., people started arriving. It was perfect, Sarah said.People, old and new friends, started walking through the pens, comparing their catalogs to the bulls on display. The bulls were clipped, groomed and looking their best on sale day.Coffee and donuts were served all day, and no one went home hungry.The number of people kept coming to the ranch, as the time for lunch approached.We had a lunch of roast beef, and Dads sister and sister-in-law, among other relatives, made homemade pies for desserts, she added.After a delicious lunch, Superior Livestock began the sale at 1 p.m.I was on the phone for most of the sale. Ryan and I were taking bids over the phone, Sarah said.Clay sat up on the auction block.The big screen TVs were in place, and the crowds filled every last place in the bleachers a good start to a good sale day for the Lassles and Thorsons.We were pleased to see all the support from people in the region. We had a very nice crowd come, she added.Every bull available was sold during the afternoon.Some things were a little quieter for us because with the sale over Superior, we didnt have to bring the bulls in through the sale block, she added.Lot 1, which was the pick of the excellent heifers at the ranch, went to West Cattle Services in Nebraska.They have until April to pick their heifer, Sarah said.The average selling price for the bulls was a little over $5,000.We were pleased with the results, she said. They understood prices are down in the cattle market, and that affects the seedstock market somewhat.But good bulls always hold their value.It was a great sale and the whole family was happy about it, Sarah said.The top-selling bull was Lot 47, a half Simmental, half Black Angus bull, a son of Full Power. He will be going to his new home in Nebraska.Calves in that sire group from Full Power are in high demand. Those bulls just stand out and the Simmental/Angus mating really works. The bull calves have a lot of bone and musculature, and they are a nice, uniform set of calves, she added.Some nine or 10 bulls sold over Superior. Bulls went to ranches in North Dakota, the southeastern Montana region of Miles City and Baker, Livingston, Mont., Wisconsin and Nebraska.All the sales have not been tallied yet.The family sat down with the few customers left and had chili for supper.We can sleep a little easier now, knowing another great sale is finished for another year, Sarah said. LAMBERT, MT Calving is just around the corner at the Klasna ranch/farm on the northeastern Montana/northwestern North Dakota border.Our heifers are due to calve the third week of March, and that seems to be coming up quickly, said Whitney Klasna, who operates a Hereford/Black Baldy commercial cow/calf operation with her husband, Dylan, and his parents, Kim and Tim.The Klasnas plan to give a ScourGuard vaccination later this week to their heifers that are due to calve.The vaccination is given to pregnant cows and heifers as an aid in preventing diarrhea in their calves caused by bovine rotavirus and other viruses. Scours can be deadly if the calf becomes dehydrated from diarrhea and it is contagious in the herd if one calf comes down with scours.We give the heifers the first of two shots now to introduce the vaccine into their system, Whitney said. Then they get another ScourGuard vaccination two weeks later at the same time as the cows get their vaccination, which is an annual booster.Giving them a ScourGuard vaccination is one less worry for the Klasnas when the calves are born, but the family still keeps a close eye out for any calves with any indication of scours.Their farm has had about 7 inches of snow falling over two nights (Feb. 6 and 7) at the ranch, and it was snowing during the day on Monday.Temperatures hovered in the 20s, but the forecast is for 30 to 40 below zero wind chills during the week. A Chinook wind will move in, bringing warmer temps into the 40s by the end of the week. The warmer temperatures will help with giving the vaccinations to their herd.It will also make for a nice change in winter driving conditions when Whitney and Dylan head to Glendive, Mont., for the annual GATE show Feb. 10-11.At the GATE show, Whitney, current president of the Montana Women In Farm Economics (WIFE), will be part of the WIFE booth and will visit with producers about topics of concern in agriculture. WIFE will be collecting art pictures from kids aged Kindergarten through eighth-grade, who are drawing pictures of agriculture to celebrate National Ag Day and National Ag Week. The best drawings will be in the WIFE 2018 calendar.At the same time, we will be giving out calendars for 2017 with kids winning drawings from last year, Whitney said. Instructions for how to enter the art contest for next years calendar are also in this years calendar.The following week, Whitney and Dylan will be going to the MATE show in Billings Feb. 15-18. WIFE will also have a booth there.Dylan will be flying down to meet me in Billings on the Cape Air flight, Whitney said. It is a small airline that has flights from the eastern Montana towns of Sidney, Glendive, Glasgow, Wolf Point and Havre into Billings.Whitney, who is also board secretary of the U.S. Cattlemens Association (USCA), said there would be petitions available at the WIFE booths for those wanting Country of Origin Labeling for all beef born, raised and harvested in the United States.We are encouraging cattle producers and consumers to sign our Americans Want Labeled Beef petition at Change.org, and we will have the petition available at the WIFE booths, she said. Meanwhile, the Klasnas are ramping up for calving.After the heifers begin calving mid March, the cows start calving 7-10 days later.A new calf crop is a sure sign of spring, and the Klasnas like to calve later in March because of the less likelihood of spring blizzards.We have had some heavy snow and blizzards early in the spring, Whitney added.The snow in the spring does help with refilling their stock dams, as last year the dams were dry toward the end of summer.However, the Klasnas have water pipelines to a stock tanks available in their summer pastures, to have another source of water when the stock dams are not refilled in mid-summer.We are lucky to have nice water wells to pipe water out to pastures, she said.They have also been making some spring cropping plans.The Klasnas plan to grow cover crops for their third year in a row. Last year, they grew a grazing cover crop mix, and turned their cows out into it.The cows really loved the grazing mix, she said. There were some 10-11 varieties of plants in the mix, including peas and sunflowers, so the cows received a diversity of forages.It takes the pressure off our summer grazing pastures and gives the cows more opportunities for diversity, Whitney said.The Klasnas also planted a cover crop that was a high-quality feed, an oats hay mix, that they baled for hay.We have noticed that we are retaining more moisture on the soil surface when growing cover crops versus a chem-fallow stubble field, Whitney said. We hope to start seeing more results from growing cover crops in our fields this year.They work with North 40 Ag out of Ballantine, to find the right mix to rehabilitate their soil and feed their cattle.The Klasnas are also planning to grow Roundup Ready canola for the second year in a row.Last year was a learning year, but the crop still turned out okay, Whitney said. This year, we hope to have a good crop that will germinate and bloom at the same time, she said with a laugh. U.S. Rep. John Katko released a lengthy statement Thursday firing back at some members of a Syracuse-area group that, he says, have engaged in behavior that hinders his ability to represent the 24th Congressional District. In recent weeks, the CNY Solidarity Coalition has targeted Katko, R-Camillus, with rallies outside of his Syracuse office and social media campaigns calling on the congressman to hold an in-person town hall meeting. The coalition's members have also called his district office to share their views. While Katko acknowledged many of these calls are constructive, he said others have taken a more disruptive approach. "They have harassed members of my staff with threatening and aggressive phone calls and office visits," Katko said. "Some behavior has even led to security concerns. While we work with Capitol Police and local law enforcement, this behavior impedes our ability to serve." Katko said the tactics of some coalition members are outlined in a guide developed for the Indivisible movement, a playbook developed by former Democratic congressional staffers on how to "resist the Trump agenda." The guide advises activists to attend town hall meetings and "make them listen to you, and report out when they don't." Other advice includes visiting district offices to demand meetings with the member of Congress and organizing a local effort to "barrage your member of Congress with calls at an opportune moment about and on a specific issue." The CNY Solidarity Coalition held a rally in Syracuse last week and urged Katko to hold an in-person town hall meeting. The group's social media campaign, #whereskatko, was started, members say, due to Katko's lack of responsiveness. Since taking office in 2015, Katko hasn't held a general, in-person town hall meeting. He's held several telephone town hall meetings a fact he mentioned in his statement and he hosted six listening sessions, most of which focused on the region's opioid epidemic. In his statement, Katko highlighted the millions of dollars he's been able to secure for the district, including nearly $2 million in benefits owed to central New Yorkers. Since 2015, he said his office has responded to nearly 64,000 constituent calls, emails and letters. "I have and will continue to engage in an ongoing dialogue with the constituents that I represent across Onondaga, Cayuga, Wayne and Oswego counties," he said. "But I will not allow a small, yet vocal, group dictate the terms on which I do so." Here is Katko's full statement: As Central New Yorks representative in Congress, I have focused on being an accessible, independent voice for our community. I have met with thousands of NY-24 individuals and families, small business owners, farmers, veterans, and community organizations since being sworn in to represent our district in January 2015. During that time, my office has responded to nearly 64,000 constituent letters, emails and phone calls. Ive hosted 6 community listening sessions and numerous telephone town hall events. With my support, NY-24 has been awarded millions of dollars in federal grants, and Ive been able to ensure that nearly $2 million dollars owed in federal benefits were returned to Central New York residents. When my constituents contact me or my office, we listen, and we focus on getting results and representing you in the most effective way possible. Because I enjoy and value interaction with Central New Yorkers, Im distressed by the efforts of a small number of people to create disruptions that make such interaction more difficult. Over the course of the past month, a national political movement called Indivisible has developed across the country. This is a group fueled by outside, progressive interests. While many involved with this movement claim to be interested in productive, public discourse with their federal representatives, the Indivisible playbook instructs just the opposite. It suggests Indivisible members bombard Members of Congress with phone calls and encourages disruptive behavior at townhall meetings and district events, specifically instructing individuals to object as loudly and powerfully as possible, warns they must be prepared to interrupt, and encourages booing and chanting. In several forums in other parts of the country, Indivisible followers have dutifully followed this playbook, and have turned opportunities for constructive engagement between citizens and their representatives into unruly spectacles where constructive engagement is impossible. Here in Central New York, multiple progressive organizations have aligned themselves with the national Indivisible movement. I respect the right of these groups to peacefully assemble, meet, and protest. I appreciate their passion. I have spoken with numerous CNY Indivisible members, and invited them to meet regularly with my office to ensure their concerns are heard. Having spoken with several of these individuals, I have seen that many of them are sincere, and truly want to engage in a constructive conversation. I have and will continue to make myself available to such individuals. Unfortunately, others have made very clear that their foremost goal is to cause disruptions. They have harassed members of my staff with threatening and aggressive phone calls and office visits. Some behavior has even led to security concerns. While we work with Capitol Police and local law enforcement, this behavior impedes our ability to serve. I will not allow a national outside group to hijack service to my district or disrupt meaningful engagement with my constituents. Let me be clear: These individuals are preventing members of my staff from helping refugees, senior citizens, and veterans. By flooding my office with hundreds of calls and holding regular protests, they are only hurting their neighbors veterans in need of VA Hospital care, seniors dependent on Social Security and Medicare, individuals facing pressing immigration matters, and local organizations seeking to apply for federal grants. We live in a politically charged time. I work every day to heal our divide and bring our country and community together. I have a record of working across the aisle, and getting things done for my district. I will always make myself available to my constituents. All 708,000 of them. I will also represent them equally. A farmer in Wayne County or steel worker in Auburn matter just as much to me as an enraged Indivisible member. I have and will continue to engage in an ongoing dialogue with the constituents that I represent across Onondaga, Cayuga, Wayne, and Oswego Counties. But I will not allow a small, yet vocal, group dictate the terms on which I do so. Andrea 28 Relationships on Female First When I was 21, I met a handsome and wealthy man in my home country, Italy. Soon we fell in love and as he was much older than me, he wanted to get married. My parents were happy, my husband was happy, my friends were happy, I was happyBut soon, reality hit over the relationship and my husband started to work a lot and had left me alone in a big mansion for weeks in a row. I got bored, really, really bored and was longing for adventure, passion and attraction. Thats how I discovered Sugar Dating and it gave me the chance to meet gentlemen who were able to provide me with the lifestyle I was used to and a little more Right now I live in Manchester. Judith 26 My story is actually pretty funny. Ive been a Sugar Baby for more than 2 years now and I have met and dated Sugar Daddies pretty much from all over Europe. The ones I like and enjoy spending time the most with are Norwegians and Swedish. However, I always exchange a few messages with British Sugar Dads. I talk a lot but I dont actually date them, since I already have some preferences. Long story short, I went for a job interview and imagine my surprise when I saw that the boss was the guy I used to engage with online. If I got the job? That will remain an open question. ;) Lena 21 My friend and I have the same Sugar Daddy. I kind of dragged her into this, and specifically asked her to approach the same Sugar Daddy. I spent quite some time to find a Sugar Daddy that would actually spoil me for real. The thing is that right now, we date the same Sugar Daddy, and of course he doesnt know that we know each other. The cool part is that we know some of his secrets so its even easier to pull money out of him. This is bad, I know, but Karla 28 I have been an escort up until one of my clients told me I should became a Sugar Baby, because Ive got the skills. Thats how I actually got in the Sugar Dating world. So good girl gone bad is not the case for me. Its more like the other way around. Kiki, 23 Ive never had sex with any of the users. I was just dominating them in exchange for money. It was my job to give them pleasure without having sex. They were my slaves. Dina, 19 The wrong perfume I kept giving hints to one of my Sugar Daddies about the perfume that I wanted. I explicitly stated that I just love how the new Estee Lauder Modern Muse smells. And then he surprized me with Mugler Angel Muse. The evening was ruined I smiled and thanked him and left home early. Lili, 27 I unexpectedly found a Sugar Mama. When registering I ticked both Sugar Daddy and Sugar Mama categories since I dont mind dating women either, as long as sex is not involved (unless I am very attracted to the other person). But I met a super rich and gorgeous lawyer. She treats me better that any man ever did. Ive started questioning my sexuality. Alex, 18 I once got tipsy with my best friend and told her that I am a Sugar Baby. She was shocked. Then she asked me how much the membership is. Derek, 23 As a young and playful gay guy, I started using the internet to meet people ever since I came out. It is very convenient that we live in times where you no longer have to meet eyes with people in gay clubs to get a date. And now its even easier to find the right type: elegant and rich people dont do stupid sh*t. Ive already been to a casino/hotel with a guy called David. I very much like the fact that people respect the fact that Im gay, and even better, they are interested in what I have to offer and spoil the sh*t out of me. Eva, 26 I was traveling by plane from Copenhagen to London and I was sitting next to a guy aged around 60. We started talking about many different things. At some point, the flight attendant passed with the duty free products and he bought me a watch. I couldnt accept it of course. He insisted and told me that he didnt need anything in return. It was just his way of saying thank you for spending my flight time with him instead of reading my book and for the nice conversation. People around were looking at us. I was so embarrassed. As I was finding my way out to the plane, the flight attendant smiled at me and whispered: I like your Sugar Daddy. I didnt have a notion of this concept but I immediately goggled and I realised I was a Sugar Baby without even knowing. Since then of course, I entered the Sugar Dating world and I havent paid for a flight ticket, brand accessories or gadgets since then. 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Cut,cap and balance! Jan LaRue Senate Democrats facing tough re-election battles in 2018 may have to decide if they want to hang a political anchor around their necks by joining a filibuster against Judge Neil Gorsuch, President Trump's highly credentialedSupreme Court nominee. Predictably, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) threatened to filibuster Gorsuch in an op-ed on Politico.com and another in The New York Times, demanding 60 votes to confirm, rather than a simple majority as the Constitution allows. Schumer called Gorsuch "very smart, articulate and polite, with superb judicial demeanor" but not "mainstream." Here's what Schumer thinks is "mainstream." "Senseless in Seattle and San Francisco" sums it up. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco upheld a temporary restraining order issued by a Seattle district court judge against President Trump's order banning entry into the U.S. for 90-120 days by those from Syria, Somalia, Sudan, Iraq, Iran, Yemen, and Libya. Schumer should explain how judges, who aren't privy to a national security briefing, know a shish kabob from Somalia's Al-Shabaab, one of whose thugs beheaded a British soldier in London in 2013. Nonetheless, uninformed judges seized President Trump's plenary power in foreign relations and national security and substituted their ignorant opinions. Foreign nationals, who've never set foot in the United States, now supposedly have due process rights under our Constitution. It's all within the two left banks of Schumer's "mainstream." Schumer should also explain why he now opposes Gorsuch yet joined in Gorsuch's unanimous confirmation to the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals ten years ago. Gorsuch's record reveals his commitment to uphold the Constitution and laws as written, not those Schumer imagines. Consider: Judicial duty within the Constitution's separation of powers Judge Gorsuch explained his judicial philosophy in his 2016 Judge Gorsuch explained his judicial philosophy in his 2016 lecture at Case Western Reserve University honoring the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia: First, consider the Constitution. Judges, after all, must do more than merely consider it. They take an oath to uphold it. So any theory of judging (in this country at least) must be measured against that foundational duty. ... To the founders, the legislative and judicial powers were distinct by nature and their separation was among the most important liberty protecting devices of the constitutional design, an independent right of the people essential to the preservation of all other rights later enumerated in the Constitution and its amendments. The ACLU, like Schumer, objects that Gorsuch's "commitment to an 'originalist' theory of constitutional interpretation that disregards our nation's evolving understandings of constitutional rights is also of concern." Declaration of Independence: First Amendment Free Exercise of Religion Clause: In his book, The Future of Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia , Gorsuch reiterates the Declaration's foundational principle of unalienable rights: "All human beings are intrinsically valuable, and the intentional taking of human life by private persons is always wrong." Judge Gorsuch joined a dissenting opinion after the Tenth Circuit refused to grant a re-hearing by the full court in Little Sisters of the Poor Home for the Aged v. Burwell. The opinion of the panel majority is clearly and gravely wrong on an issue that has little to do with contraception and a great deal to do with religious liberty. When a law demands that a person do something the person considers sinful, and the penalty for refusal is a large financial penalty, then the law imposes a substantial burden on that person's free exercise of religion. Gorsuch joined the majority opinion in Hobby Lobby v. Sebelius, holding that the plaintiffs, a Christian family whose business is dedicated to Christ, were entitled to bring claims under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act because their religious beliefs are substantially burdened by the Obamacare contraceptive coverage requirement, including abortifacients. First Amendment Free Speech Clause As a college freshman in the mid-1980s, Gorsuch ran for a seat on the student senate. According to the Washington Post, Gorsuch responded to a question from the Columbia Spectator about the Marines recruiting on campus by pointing out the university's hypocrisy regarding freedom of expression: The question here is not whether "the Marines should be allowed to recruit on campus" but whether a University and its community, so devoted to the freedom of individuals to pursue their own chosen lifestyles and to speak freely, has the right or obligation to determine who may speak on campus or what may be said. ... Free speech works; it works better than any form of censorship or suppression; and in exercising vigorously, the truth is bound to emerge. Second Amendment Judge Gorsuch noted in a decision involving the "Gun Control Act" that the "Second Amendment protects an individual's right to own firearms and may not be infringed lightly." Fourth Amendment Gorsuch dissented over a warrantless search of a home based on "implied consent" in U.S. v. Carloss. Gorsuch upheld traffic stop patdowns in U.S. v. Rochin and U.S. v. Rodriguez: Not every traffic stop is so innocuous. Sometimes what begins innocently enough turns violent, often rapidly and unexpectedly. Every year, thousands of law enforcement officers are assaulted and many are killed in what seem at first to be routine stops for relatively minor traffic infractions. If Schumer insists on 60 votes to stop a filibuster, he should be reminded that in 2003, Sen. John Cornyn's office pointed to Schumer's admission on the record that "51 Senators of the majority could propose changes in the rules" [Judicial Nominations, Filibusters, and the Constitution: When a Majority is Denied Its Right to Consent, S. Hrg. 108-227, at 60 (2003)]. Call it "Patriot 51," and obliterate any attempt to filibuster a constitutionally mainstream judge eminently qualified for the Supreme Court. Jan LaRue is senior legal analyst for the American Civil Rights Union. As someone who provides assistance to startup businesses, Im often asked about the availability of grants. My response is always, It depends. This article explains what grants are available to startup businesses and how they typically find funding. The first thing to clarify is whether the business is for-profit or nonprofit. While for-profit and nonprofit businesses follow a similar process when starting up, nonprofits operate differently and are eligible for more funding sources. Nonprofit business grants Nonprofit organizations do not have owners; a board of directors governs them. They serve a humanitarian or environmental need and reinvest all earnings back into their programs that further their mission. Typically, educational institutes, municipalities and many social service organizations are nonprofits. The majority of a nonprofits revenue is earned by providing goods or services, and only a portion of its funding comes from grants, foundations and individual contributions. However, their services are critical and their need is great, which is the reason most grant opportunities are available to nonprofits. Locally, the Finger Lakes Grants Information Center provides free public access to the Foundation Center, a directory of foundations and grantmakers across the United States. While there are many services FLGIC provides, the valuable outcome is the money they help bring into central New York that supports our nonprofits. For more info, visit flgic.org. The Grants Gateway was launched in 2013 by New York state to streamline the process for nonprofits to register and become qualified to apply for state grants. Once organizations are prequalified, they can search, apply and obtain awards through the state. For more info, visit grantsreform.ny.gov. For-profit business grants The goal of for-profit businesses is to maximize profits for the companys owners, shareholders, investors and/or employees. Federal grants through the Small Business Innovation Research and the Small Business Technology Transfer programs are available to small businesses that are engaged in scientific research and development. Therefore, only startup businesses that meet federal R&D objectives and have a high potential for commercialization are eligible for this type of grant money. For more info, visit sba.gov/loans-grants/find-other-sources-financing/research-grants-small-businesses. In 2011, Gov. Cuomo established the 10 Regional Economic Development Councils of New York state to provide a more customized approach to economic development funding. Growing businesses (both nonprofit and for-profit) that are expanding by making a significant capital investment and creating jobs would apply for funding through the states Consolidated Funding Application. For any business or organization interested in applying for a state grant through the CFA process, there is an upcoming Intent to Propose Forum at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28, in the Student Lounge at Cayuga Community College that will explain the process of applying for the next round of funding. For more information about this event, visit cayugaeda.org/news. For existing businesses in Cayuga County planning to expand, contact CEDA Economic Development Specialist Bruce Sherman for further information and assistance with your project. Funding a new business Since a majority of the startups I assist dont qualify for any of the above grants, lets discuss the process for funding a new for-profit business. The first step of starting a business is to write a business plan. The business plan is not only required by banks when applying for a business loan, but it is also the entrepreneurs personal guidebook for their business. A business plan defines the product or service, assesses the businesss internal strengths and weaknesses, identifies the opportunities and threats in the marketplace, strategizes a plan for bringing the business to market, and calculates financial projections for the first few years. The business plan is the first step and most important. Once completed, the person knows if they have a viable business idea or not. Today, there are new and innovative ways to raise capital: You can start a crowdfunding campaign, find an angel investor or even pitch your idea on "Shark Tank." However, a business loan through your local bank or credit union is the most common. In addition to a traditional bank loan, there are competitive loan programs offered by Cayuga County and the city of Auburn. For more information on local loan programs, contact CEDA. The federal government assists for-profit startups (aside from the few grants for R&D) via the Small Business Administration: sba.gov. While the SBA does not loan money, the SBA guarantees business loans for banks. Since startups have no financial history, banks are more comfortable lending with an SBA guarantee. SCORE (score.org) is a partner organization of the SBA that provides free and confidential mentoring to business owners. They have played an important role in the startup and growth of many of our local businesses, which helps ensure those SBA loans are repaid. In conclusion, the type of funding available for your business depends, but with all of the business assistance offered at 2 State St., contact CEDA and we can figure it out together. This week, I spent some time with a group of fourth-grade students working on a photography project at school. Their task was to take some pictures of trees and write corresponding captions. I answered questions they had about what was going on in their pictures, and talked to them about their understanding of trees and forests. I asked them why we need trees. The kids were quick, and rifled off a bunch of forest benefits right off the bat, from wood products to food products to habitat. Generally, the conversation echoed one I might have with a forest owner what do you want out of your forest? The answers to this can range from wanting to include timber income in a retirement plan to providing a healthy ecosystem to recreate in and enjoy. One of the most common answers, though, is to build and host a functioning habitat for wildlife. Wildlife management is something every forest owner takes into consideration. It involves making decisions that will influence habitat and subsequently wildlife populations. Forest fragmentation and differing management techniques have impacted wildlife habitat across New York, and increased the need for conscious landowners to make up for losses elsewhere. Wildlife management pursues one of two goals: management for variety of species or management for specific high-value or rare species. Wildlife populations have four basic requirements: cover, food, water and space. Each must be present, and landowners often have some degree of leverage to manipulate these variables. How we manage them influences the carrying capacity: how large a population of a certain species our woods can maintain. The carrying capacity of a forest changes with the conditions of the forest. Cover is unique to given species. For instance, a large spruce might serve as host to various songbirds, while low-lying brush may bring rabbits. Ensuring that cover is present for a variety of species allows them to breed, nest, avoid predators and feed. Perhaps unsurprisingly, tree diversity is important for fauna diversity: A 100-acre stand with northern hardwoods might host 15 mammals and over 50 species of birds, while a similar-sized stand managed effectively and consciously for habitat could easily increase that number. Edge ecosystems are a great example though they arent always economically worthwhile and are often cut for firewood, forest edges greatly increase biodiversity by increasing habitat variety. Provision of food is perhaps the most important decision a forest owner can make to attract wildlife. It can be tricky to keep track of what food can be found in a certain stand, and which animals make use of that food. Luckily, there are some plant species that provide food for a wide range of species. Individual trees ones with large crowns that grew in the absence of competition that are often referred to as wolf trees can be extremely beneficial to wildlife. These individuals with large canopies produce more fruit or nuts than other forest trees. Water can be a tricky variable to manage for wildlife. If you have a small property that lacks a natural creek or pond, you may find creating a pond or spring to be beyond your means. Still, year-round access to water is crucial to support diverse wildlife, and protecting any water resources that exist on site is crucial. The entire watershed of your property can be maintained by employing proper logging techniques, maintaining healthy vegetation along streams, and preventing activities that cause soil erosion. Space is the most difficult wildlife requirement to manage. It can be expensive, difficult or simply impossible to buy adjacent woodlots. But making use of the space you do have and coordinating with neighboring property owners can add significant beneficial habitat and allow for even greater biodiversity in your woodlot. Hemlock presentation and short hike At 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23, in coordination with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Onondaga County, we will be hosting a hemlock wooly adelgid information session and hike. Come learn about this invasive species that is currently spreading through New York state and threatening our beautiful native hemlocks. We will meet at Zabriskie Hall, Room 212, at Wells College in Aurora. From the very beginning, Nepal is known as a Sovereign and independent country in the world. The struggle and sacrifice of the martyrs against the Rana oligarchy helped introduce democracy in the country, as a result of it, the Nepalese have been sovereign. The martyrs paid a terrible cost in blood, sweat and tears for the progress and prosperities if Nepal. So, we can't forget them for the sake of democratic stability. The Nepal government has declared the martyr's week every year- just Mag 10th to 16th. in the memory of the immortal martyrs of Nepal. Sukraraj Shastri was hanged 9th Mag 1997 Bs at Pachali,. Darma Bhakta Mathema was hanged-11th Mag at Siphal and Dasharath Chand and Gangalal were shuted by gun at Bishnumati. Leadership is the gift of time. The time searches for leadership. It will be distrusting the history if we disregard the facts that the monarchs have ruled to protect Nepal time and again. In 1950 King Tribhuvan gambled his crown against the Rana regime for sake of democracy. After the execution of four martyrs the king led the fight for democracy. Had he not done so, would the dreams of martyrs like Sukraraj Shastri, Dharma Bhakta Mathema, Dasharath Chand, Gangalal Shrestha have come true? The king and the democratic Nepali people established democracy with a stern challenge to the Rana autocracy. The democracy rose in 1950, and now after so long time the statue of the king is being removed. Is it appropriate and logical? It will not be beneficial to anyone to harbor prejudice towards the statue. The glory of Nepals natural and cultural diversity resounds around the world. Different castes and creeds that exist within the territories of Nepal have jointly preserved the democratic value and tradition. Although our country is small it is home to many castes. The spirit of nationality of Nepal will remain incomplete in practicing discriminatory attitude towards any group, organization or caste. Should Nepals natural and cultural identities be extirpated in name of political revenge? If so, Nepal will vanish. Following the unification of Nepal, the kings of the nation as Prithvi Narayan Shah, Tribhuvan, Mahendra, patriotic and democratic warriors and people from various castes have protected this unity. But, since the uprising of 2006, the leaders of Congress, UML, Maoist and others have forgotten all their commitments. The goal of any transformation and uprising is to reconstruct the nation on the foundation of preservation of its dignity, values and norms. But, since 2006, the leaders of Congress, UML, Maoist and other parties have forgotten all the norms and sense of democratic nationalistic path. Why are the works that defile such national unity, nationality and democratic history of this country being carried out? For example what sorts of unity or nationality is being achieved vandalizing the statues of Prithvi Narayan Shah. The day of Prithvi Jayanti (birth anniversary of king Prithvi Narayan Shah) and the national unity day are abolished. Is this nationality? Are those who destroy the nations identity being called a Nepali? Is it nationality to remove the national holiday on Prithvi Jayanti? The creator of the nation- Prithvi Narayan Shah, father of the nation- Tribhuvan, literary figures- Bhanubhakta, Leknath, Laxmi Prasad Devkota, Dharanidhar, Sidhicharan Shrestha, are national icons and political fighters- B.P Koirala, Matrika Prasad Koirala, Ganeshman Singh are founders of democracy. Those who disgrace these figures are traitors. Such traitors by birth are found to be nurtured in such surrounding. No matter how much you bathe a crow it will not become white. A donkey never turns to a cow whatever water is poured over it. Touching a dog with rabies is suicidal. No matter how much you love a mad dog there is no other option than to kill it. If a rotten potato is thrown into a bag of potatoes it will decay all of it. Currently Nepals government is full of such dogs and criminals. The foreign agents that are at the leadership level of Nepali Congress, UML, Maoists and Madhesi parties will never speak in favor of Nepalese interest. They have accepted foreign money to serve foreign design. They are the founders of treason. If we remain contingent on their support the nation will drown and we will become refugees. Nepal entered in a dangerous phase after 2006. The biggest traitor of the nation had been Nepali Congress leader Girija Prasad Koirala, and then the more dangerous one turned out Baburam Bhattarai, PM of Nepal. He was very active to finish all Nepal's identities gradually one after another. He had contrived many schemes to cast aspersions on the late king Prithvi Narayan Shah. He removed the national attire of the nation in ten days after becoming the Prime Minister. He wants to insinuate the A.D. era in Nepal after conniving a tussle between B.S and Nepal Sambat. The decision taken by PM Bhattarai and his cabinet to remove the statue located at the Martyrs Gate, has concerned all democratic Nepali people. That was treacherous decision of Baburam Bhattarai. Nepalese nationalist people never forgive him. It is the duty of the government to preserve the statues and idols of historical and archeological importance. It is not reasonable that such statues that have preceded many governments should be removed because of dislike of someone in power. Nepals kings should not be compared to the tyrants that have ruled around the globe. Nepals unification is ascribed to a king; and we have become a Nepali due to this unification. The autocratic rule of Rana regime lasted for 104 years. The Rana rulers had kept king Tribhuvan a captive in his palace because the former dreaded his concern for freedom. The Rana rulers insolently approved of all official edicts in name of the monarch. King Tribhuvan stealthily met with democratic fighters and their secret papers were passed to the king. The king used to communicate with freedom fighters through such papers secretly. The king had a desire to free himself and also institutionalize democracy in the country. As we read the books written by the kings personal nurse Ms. Erika, Ganeshman Singh, compounder Chandraman, Sidhhicharan Shrestha, Khadgaman Singh as Jailma Bish Barsha (Twenty years in jail), we will have the idea that King Tribhuvan had not actuated the sacrifices of the martyrs would have wasted like pouring water on sand. Leadership is the gift of time. The time searches for leadership. It will be distrusting the history if we disregard the facts that the monarchs have ruled to protect Nepal time and again. In 1950 King Tribhuvan gambled his crown against the Rana regime for sake of democracy. After the execution of four martyrs the king led the fight for democracy. Had he not done so, would the dreams of martyrs like Sukraraj Shastri, Dharma Bhakta Mathema, Dasharath Chand, Gangalal Shrestha have come true? The king and the democratic Nepali people established democracy with a stern challenge to the Rana autocracy. The democracy rose in 1950, and now after so long time the statue of the king is being removed. Is it appropriate and logical? It will not be beneficial to anyone to harbor prejudice towards the statue. The autocratic rule of Rana regime lasted for 104 years. The Rana rulers had kept king Tribhuvan a captive in his palace because the former dreaded his concern for freedom. The Rana rulers insolently approved of all official edicts in name of the monarch. King Tribhuvan stealthily met with democratic fighters and their secret papers were passed to the king. The king used to communicate with freedom fighters through such papers secretly. The king had a desire to free himself and also institutionalize democracy in the country. As we read the books written by the kings personal nurse Ms. Erika, Ganeshman Singh, compounder Chandraman, Sidhhicharan Shrestha, Khadgaman Singh as Jailma Bish Barsha (Twenty years in jail), we will have the idea that King Tribhuvan had not actuated the sacrifices of the martyrs would have wasted like pouring water on sand. If King Tribhuwan would not have there, the only sacrifice of martyrs would not have significant in establishing democracy. A journalist Shyam Rimal has portrait the reality of Martyrs Gate. The designer of the Gate is engineer Shankarnath Rimal. The construction committee comprised of Arun Shumsher, Gaurinath Rimal and Suryalal Joshi. At the initial stage the committee had deliberated on constructing only a pillar of democracy but later they adhered to previous decision of constructing the statues of king Tribhuvan and four martyrs. The then king Mahendra had not designed the idea of constructing king Tribhuvans statue at the Gate. However, in accordance to the advices and a stance taken by engineer Shankarnath, that the absence of the statue of the king, who had motivated the martyrs, would make the work incomplete. An analyst Shyam Rimal writes, It was considered a big contribution on part of king Tribhuvan in heralding democracy in the nation. There should not be anything remiss in maintaining the kings statue. That architectural work is the reverence shown by Nepali people in name of Martyrs Gate. Disregard to such works is ignorance. For the construction of the work Rs. 150,000 had appropriated. We should not be ungrateful and harbor negative opinion towards the late king. The history has shown that the king disregarded his interest towards the crown in place for Nepali people. Had the king not escaped to India to end of Rana regime? It would be unfortunate if anyone speaks with asperity towards the 1950 revolution and revolutionaries- king Tribhuvan and democratic fighters. King encouraged and motivated the freedom fighters, many of whom became martyrs. It is our appeal that the cabinet must reverse its decision to remove the statue of king Tribhuvan and not plunge into an unnecessary controversy. If the cabinet persists with its decision it will be making a blunder. It is a national crime to extinguish the identities that attests to the history of the nation. It had not been an easy task to establish democracy in Nepal. It was certain death to oppose the Rana regime at that vintage of time. How did king Tribhuvan surrender himself by risking his crown for democracy in 1950? It does not suit anyone to harbor prejudice against the late kings statue at Martyrs Gate in the capital. Wouldnt it have taken more blood in name of democracy without the kings support? People are witness to the fact that king Tribhuvans statue was vandalized by four to five people of non Nepali origin in Banepa during the uprising in 2006. This is a systematic conspiracy. However, Banepas Tribhuvan Chowk is still popular. The statue will soon be reinstated in Banepa. Why is there need for so much detestation towards the late king? Hadnt the king, who is known as the father of democracy, contributed much for democracy? Email:dirghrajprasai@gmail.com Kathmandu, Nepal:Free Student Union (FSU) election date has been redheaded for March 1. Earlier the date was shedding for February 25. A meeting of the Tribhuwan University officials and the representatives of the various student wings held on Thursday rescheduled the date for the elections. Elections processes has been affected in various colleges due to difference between the student wings. Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Kathmandu, Nepal: In a bid to convince the agitating Madhes based parties to hold the local level elections, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal consultation with Sadbhavana Party Chairman Rajendra Mahato. As the government is highly criticized for dillydallying to announce the date for the local level lections, Prime Minister Dahla has been consulting with the Madhes-based leaders at individual level in a bid to convince them for holding local elections. As the Madhes based parties have been exerting pressure to amend the constitution before announcing the date for the local level elections, Prime Minister Dahal has been attempting to convince the agitating Madhes parties stating that he has obligation of announcing poll dates for local election. sacw.net - 16 February 2017 Despite the diatribe, aquiet diplomacy,a negotiations, has the political landscape of Kashmir, the nuclear flashpoint in South Asia, changed at all since 1953? How seriously do the Governments of India and Pakistan take current regional political actors, state and non-state, in Kashmir? So, I thought Iad revisit a long forgotten chapter of history, which, at the time, garnered tremendous international attention and condemnation of the arrogance of nation-states. The irony of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, the first Muslim Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir in post-Partition India, an aIndian Muslim,a being put behind bars for voicing and advocating the right of self-determination aby the very Indians who won admiration and sympathy in the world in attaining their owna (Extracts from Commentary by Edward R. Murrow, 1 May 1958), wasnat lost on the world community. The rearrest of the Sheikh created a constituency for his and his spouse Akbar Jehanas politics in those parts of the world that had lent moral support to Indiaas glorious struggle for freedom in 1947. An acclaimed American commentator profoundly noted, aIt is ironic that the Lion of Kashmir who fought so long for freedom has been jailed again by a freedom-loving state. The Lion exemplifies the spirit of Thoreau, who said, aI was not born to be forced.a And Norman Corwin once wrote, aFreedom isnat something to be won and then forgotten. It must be renewed like soil after yielding good cropsaa (Murrow, in broadcast over CBS Radio Network, May 1, 1958). Sheikh Mohammad Abdullahas release in January 1958, after an ignoble incarceration of four and a half years, was welcomed by the populace of Kashmir with an unbounded ebullience, which was marvelously delineated in the Time, January 20, 1958: At weekas end Sheikh Abdullah, wearing a long black funeral-black achkan over loose white pajamas, held on to the windshield of his jeep and waved to crowds lining the road and jamming the towns along the way as he rode to the capital at the head of a 30-car caravan. Srinagar welcomed him with a frightening din. When the Sheikh appeared on the balcony of a Moslem shrine, people prostrated themselves in a heap below, crying vows that they would lay down their lives for him. On April 22, 1958, the Special Correspondent of The Times of London wrote: . . ., oneas impression on returning to the valley of Kashmir for the first time since Sheikh Abdullah was released is that he is still a power to be reckoned with. Alone, his principal colleagues and supporters all in gaol [sic], his every movement under police observation, his very presence is enough to deprive the present Kashmir Government of all peace of mind. Yet one cannot imprison a man indefinitely because he is admired and loved; nor presumably maintain in office a Government if it is unable to make itself either. Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah had been arrested for ahis political leaning which runs counter to the Government of India in Kashmir. . . . Sheikh Abdullah was never known for resorting to or even calling for violence; all that he had called for was that the people of Kashmir should be given their just right and that they should not be oppresseda (Al-Zaman, May 7, 1958). Perhaps Nehru had forgotten his categorization of political arrests as criminal, which buttressed the conviction of those struggling for their political freedom. That is a picture of the author with her maternal grandfather, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, at 3 Kotla Lane, New Delhi, where he was kept for a long period of house arrest Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah did not desist from trying to find a solution to the Kashmir conflict which would be in accordance with athe freedom struggle of Kashmir and the independence movement of the Indian peoplea (Abdullah, aThe Kashmiri Viewpoint,a 41). He sought to find a practical solution to the deadlock that would enable preservation of peace in the Indian subcontinent, while maintaining the honor of everyone concerned. Nyla Ali Khan is a faculty member at the University of Oklahoma and a member of the Scholars Strategy Network. She is the author of Islam, Women, and Violence in Kashmir: Between India and Pakistan (Palgrave Macmillan, 2010), and Parchment of Kashmir: History, Society, and Polity (Palgrave Macmillan, 2012), and The Life of a Kashmiri Woman. AUBURN The Heroin Epidemic Action League, commonly known as HEAL, is getting its own office space. Keith R. Cuttler, president and CEO of East Hill Family Medical Inc., said his organization has offered a space on the second floor of 144 Genesee St., Auburn, to the group with the first year's rent free. The lease began on Feb. 15, said Lon Fricano, the new president of HEAL. "These people at East Hill Family Medical, they get it," Fricano said. "They get it. They're doing things to help our community. They reached out to us to give us a chance to get up and running, and get on our feet." The group has been meeting at The Center on 1 Hoffman St., and while Fricano said they are grateful for that space, he said it was time to get an office to host board meetings, support groups, awareness and educational talks, besides having a space to store records and conduct business. HEAL still needs to furnish the space, get a computer, printer and other supplies. Fricano said he hopes some of things can be donated. "It's going to be a good space for them," Cuttler said. "We're happy to support them." HEAL does not have a set date yet to open the space for meetings or events, but Fricano said HEAL will hold an open house when it's ready. Besides the office, HEAL is going through some organizational changes. Fricano said he was recently made the new president of the group, taking the place of Kevin Jones. Jones, Fricano said, will stay on as the director of external affairs. "All of us have had more put on our plate than we can handle," Fricano said. "We just reorganized a little bit those responsibilities." Jones will continue getting HEAL chapters started in other central New York counties, in addition to keeping the Cayuga County group in touch with what's going on in the rest of the area, so "we're all on the same sheet of music," Fricano said. Meanwhile Fricano is taking on the day-to-day operations of the nonprofit organization. "It's become quite the demanding project, and it seems the more we do, the more comes our way," he said. "The magnitude of the problem in central New York is overwhelming. We're working as hard as we can and trying to win it one day at a time." Human Rights Watch - February 15, 2017 Bangladesh: Stop Persecuting Unions, Garment Workers Brands Should Make Binding Commitments to Protect Freedom of Association (New York) a Dozens of garment workers and labor leaders are facing unfair or apparently fabricated criminal cases in Bangladesh after wage strikes in December 2016, Human Rights Watch said today. Arbitrary arrests by the Bangladesh police are growing with each passing day a nine more union organizers were arrested on February 10, taking the number of known arrests to 34. The Bangladesh authorities should immediately release those still in detention and drop all politically motivated charges. Global brands and donors attending the February 25, 2017 Dhaka Apparel Summit hosted by the countryas garment export association should call on the government to stop all persecution of union leaders and protect workersa freedom of association. aTargeting labor activists and intimidating workers instead of addressing their wage grievances tarnishes Bangladeshas reputation and makes a mockery of government and industry claims that they are committed to protecting workeras rights,a said Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch. aGlobal garment brands sourcing from Bangladesh and aid donors should press the government to stop persecuting workers and labor rights activists.a Thousands of garment workers outside Bangladeshas capital, Dhaka, participated in wage strikes between December 11 and 19. They came from an estimated 20 factories that supply global brands based in the Ashulia industrial area. According to information by local groups and official information, the vast majority were from factories that had no unions. The national union federations deny they had any role in or prior knowledge about these strikes. But the Bangladesh authorities used these strikes as a justification to arrest national union federation leaders and labor activists for aleadinga and aplanninga the strikes. Targeting labor activists and intimidating workers instead of addressing their wage grievances tarnishes Bangladeshas reputation and makes a mockery of government and industry claims that they are committed to protecting workeras rights. Global garment brands sourcing from Bangladesh and aid donors should press the government to stop persecuting workers and labor rights activists. Phil Robertson Deputy Asia director Workers say that strikes are often the only means for them to raise their grievances, in part because the government and local employers retaliate against union organizers and workers trying to organize. As a result, workers are unable to bargain collectively with employers and use formal channels for addressing grievances. The workers coalesced behind a demand for a monthly minimum wage increase from 5,300 takas (US$67) to 15,000 ($187) or 16,000 ($200). In 2016, the Fair Labor Association found that the purchasing power of a Bangladesh factory workeras average compensation was below the World Bank poverty line. Both the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers Export Association (BGMEA) and the government rejected a wage review. The export association closed about 60 Ashulia factories for several days, effectively locking out thousands of workers and ending the strikes. In early January 2017, about 20 global brands sourcing from Bangladesh, including H&M, Inditex, Gap, C&A, Next, and Primark, wrote to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina supporting a wage review and expressing their concerns that union leaders and worker advocates were targeted. Rights groups have information about 10 criminal complaints filed in December 2016, implicating about 150 named workers and over 1,600 aunknowna people for crimes, including property destruction at the factories, during the strikes. Union leaders and organizers have also now been questioned or arrested in relation to older cases. These groups are aware of 34 people who were arrested, most of them union leaders. In addition, a journalist from the ETV, a local news channel, was arrested for reporting about the strikes. A news report from early January suggests the numbers are higher, stating the police had arrested at least 44 people and were identifying another 159 suspects. The police have not provided a full list of all those arrested and where they are being held. Based on interviews with rights groups, lawyers, and workers, and police records, Human Rights Watch found the circumstances of many of the arrests following the Ashulia strikes point to politically motivated abuse of police powers to retaliate against labor organizers rather than credible allegations of crimes. Some of the police abuse tactics in the aftermath of the Ashulia strikes mirror those previously used by authorities in other related and unrelated human rights matters. These include: Arrests based on vague or repealed offenses from the draconian Special Powers Act, 1974; The use of criminal complaints against large numbers of aunknowna people allowing the police to threaten virtually anyone with arrest, to repeatedly re-arrest detainees even though they are not the named accused in the cases, and to thwart bail; The misuse of powers of aarrest without warranta in violation of Bangladesh High Court directives, effectively making pretrial detention itself a form of punishment; Violations of procedural safeguards aimed at counteracting forced confessions through torture, or cruel, inhuman, and other degrading treatment; Threats by police to kill two detainees and claim they were killed in acrossfirea in a shootout with police, and a death threat to an official from the Bangladesh Independent Garments Union Federation; Harassment and intimidation of labor activists and workers in the name of ainvestigationsa ; The arrest of a journalist under the vague section 57 of the Information and Communication Technology Act, 2015. The Bangladesh authorities should stop pressing these criminal cases and hold any police officers who used forced disappearances, torture, death threats, and other abusive police practices after the Ashulia strikes accountable, Human Rights Watch said. According to a news report, the National Revenue Board has also written to banks requesting all account-related information dating from July 1, 2009 for six union leaders and some of their spouses. aThe Bangladeshi authorities seem determined to intimidate labor leaders and workers with the constant threat of arbitrary arrests to fill up the aunknowna tally of alleged troublemakers,a Robertson said. aA familiar pattern of criminal cases being used against rights activists is unfolding after the Ashulia strikes.a Based on information from workers, local labor rights groups, and newspaper reports, some Ashulia factories have also retaliated against an estimated 1,500 workers by indiscriminately firing or suspending them. Donors and brands sourcing from Bangladesh have the responsibility to respect and protect workersa rights, Human Rights Watch said. They should call for an end to all harassment of labor leaders, workers, and journalists, including by ending the false criminal cases. Brands sourcing from Bangladesh should make binding agreements with local and global unions to protect freedom of association, modeled on the Bangladesh Accord on Fire and Building Safety, an enforceable agreement between workers and brands with a dispute resolution mechanism. Voluntary commitments in brandsa codes of conduct are ineffective to counter factory retaliation against unions. In the interim, brands should ensure their suppliers develop corrective action plans with worker representatives, including the option of reinstating fired workers and negotiating collective bargaining agreements to resolve wage disputes. For details about the strikes and the aftermath, please see below. The Bangladesh Garment Industry The Bangladesh garment industry employs about 4 million workers and generates exports worth about US$25 billion. But the countryas dismal labor rights record is marked by persistent abuses including a lack of periodic wage reviews, wage theft, management thwarting unionization in factories, and poor fire and building safety. The 2013 Rana Plaza building collapse, which killed more than 1,100 workers and injured another 2,000, forced the Bangladesh government, global brands, and factories to take steps to address fire and building safety, leading to some improvements. In 2016, the Fair Labor Association found that for the factories it assessed in Bangladesh, the purchasing power of average compensation fell below the World Bank poverty line compared with other big apparel producers like China and Vietnam, where average compensation is 2.5 times the poverty line. In the aftermath of the Ashulia strikes, Human Rights Watch conducted interviews with 32 workers, residents, and passersby in Ashulia. Human Rights Watch also interviewed union leaders, rights groups, and legal experts in Bangladesh, and reviewed police and other official documents and news reports. The interviews were conducted with informed consent and all names have been withheld to protect them. The Ashulia Strikes A wildcat strike started in Windy Apparel Ltd., which has no union, on December 11, 2016. Between December 11 and 19, workers from other factories joined the strike for various reasons. For example, in addition to seeking better wages, workers from one factory with about 400 workers told Human Rights Watch that they joined the strikes because they were also aggrieved by sexual threats and abusive taunts by a supervisor and the recent firing of a worker who was trying to form a union. Some workers from other factories told Human Rights Watch they joined the strikes when their factory owners or managers promised a wage increase if other factories did the same. In some instances, workers said supervisors and other mid-level factory management encouraged them to strike because they believed they would also receive a pay increase if workersa demands were successful. During this period, high-level government officials convened multiple rounds of discussions with some factory owners and national federation union leaders about the strikes. The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers Export Association (BGMEA) refused workersa demands for a wage review, contending that the government could not order one until 2018, that is, until five years after the previous wage review, and the government agreed. However, labor law experts told Human Rights Watch that the government can order a wage review at any time under section 140A of the Bangladesh Labour Act 2006. Labor rights groups told Human Rights Watch that in these meetings government officials ordered union federation leaders to compel workers to return to factories, disregarding the union leadersa explanations that they had no power over workers in Ashuliaas striking factories because a vast majority of them have no unions. The strikes were ended by the December 20 factory shut down by the BGMEA. Meanwhile, Donglian Fashion (BD) Ltd., one of the few Ashulia factories that has a registered union and whose workers did not join the spontaneous strike, resolved the wage dispute in January through a collective bargaining process that had started in November. The final agreement lays down the percentage of annual wage increase for workers, rules governing attendance bonus, and a grievance redress procedure. Disappearance and aArresta Technique Based on information from lawyers, labor rights groups, and other credible sources, many union leaders vanished. More than 24 hours later, police brought them before a court; at no times before did the police acknowledge or provide any information about their formal arrest or legal detention: Shoumitro Kumar Das, president, Garment Sromik Front Regional Committee; Ahmed Jibon, general secretary, Garment Sromik Front; Al Kamran, president, Shwadhin Bangla Garment Sromik Federation Savar-Ashulia-Dhamrai Regional Committee; Shakil Ahmed, general secretary, Shwadhin Bangla Garment Sromik Federation Regional Committee; Shamim Khan, president, Bangladesh Trinomul Garment Sromik-Kormochari Federation; Mizanur Rahman, Textile Workers Federation; Mohammed Ibrahim, coordinator, Bangladesh Center for Worker Solidarity; Rafiqul Islam Sujon, president, Garment and Industry Sromik Federation; Jahangir, president, Designer Jeans Ltd. factory union; Nazmul Huda, journalist. Following a meeting with the industrial police on the morning of December 21 in an Ashulia theme park, seven union leaders vanished. Their phones were switched off and calls from relatives and colleagues to various police departments yielded no information about them. Plainclothes policemen went to Jahangiras home late that night and took him away, promising his wife that he would return in 30 minutes. He did not return and was unreachable. Police did not inform his family about his whereabouts. On the night of December 22, the police produced the eight labor leaders in court. Because contact with those in detention is limited, details of their detention conditions are patchy. Lawyers said at least four of them a Kamran, Ahmed, Rahman, and Ibrahim a reported being blindfolded and detained in an undisclosed location by the detective branch; one was beaten, and another was threatened with being across-fireda (being killed in a staged exchange of fire with the police). Before the detainees had access to lawyers or were produced in court, the police recorded in Complaint No. 30/524, filed on December 22, that the eight union leaders had aconfesseda to instigating the strike by conducting secret meetings, distributing leaflets, and providing economic support. On December 23, police called Huda, the journalist, invited him to a news conference, and when he arrived, forced him into a police vehicle, beat him, and drove him around Dhaka until around 4 a.m., threatening him with a across-firea killing. He was produced in court the following day. Ahmed Jibon also vanished following a detective branch police phone call asking him to meet with them on the morning of December 27, and was untraceable until he was produced in court the following morning. Use of the Repressive Special Powers Act The draconian Special Powers Act violates the accusedas rights to due process and other international human rights standards. A leading criminal law expert told Human Rights Watch that these cases are the first time these offenses have been used against garment workers and union organizers. He also said that these are usually triable by a special tribunal, making it harder for regular criminal courts to grant pretrial bail. The police accused some labor leaders of asabotagea a an offense so vaguely defined that it can be abused to criminalize any exercise of workersa freedom of association. For example, a person commits the offense of sabotage if he or she does any act awith intent to impair the efficiency or impede the working of, or to cause damage toa[a] factory.a The police have similarly filed spurious criminal complaints against nine labor leaders for committing aprejudicial acts,a an offense that has been repealed. The Shomajtontrik Sromik Front, a national union federation, challenged the use of the repealed offense in January 2017 in the Bangladesh High Court, which ruled it unlawful and ordered the magistrateas court to release a leader of the union, Ahmed Jibon, on bail. According to a leading criminal law expert who spoke with Human Rights Watch, the police violated Bangladesh Supreme Court rulings in their application of the Special Powers Act, where the court clearly held that even where there is damage to private property, the Special Powers Act offenses cannot be used since it does not constitute a security related offense against the state. Rights groups have repeatedly called for full repeal of the act. Abusing the Threat of Arrest and Re-Arrest The police intimidated labor leaders and workers by registering criminal complaints against aunknowna persons, allowing them to misuse the threat of arrest against anyone. Human Rights Watch has documented previous and routine use of this technique. The open-ended complaints against over 1,600 aunknowna people for committing crimes during the Ashulia strikes have been abused to implicate union leaders, some of whom have been arrested in as many as nine cases each. Most recently, the police rearrested Jibon, soon after a magistrateas court released him on bail. Police arrested three more labor leaders a Asadur Zaman, Golam Arif, and Ronju a from the Bangladesh Independent Garment Union Federation (BIGUF) soon after the Ashulia strikes and implicated them in old cases from January 2015 unrelated to the strikes. These were filed in Gazipur during the 2015 nationwide blockade called by a 20-party alliance led by the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party. None of them had been accused or previously questioned in relation to those cases. Nine more labor organizers were similarly arrested on February 10, in relation to case from August 2016, accused of obstructing police work, and released on bail on February 13. Trumped Up, Vague Allegations Nine of the complaints were filed by factories against some known and many aunknowna persons, each alleging a variety of crimes. A leading criminal law expert who has reviewed these complaints told Human Rights Watch that most allegations are vague and appeared as if the aFIRs [police first information reports] were prepared at the instruction of the same person. Police just copied them by changing the names.a Where allegations specifically detailed property damage, such as destruction of factory doors, windows, and machinery, there is no corroborating information. None of the workers Human Rights Watch was able to interview in a few of these factories and who had resumed work inside these factories said they had seen any freshly replaced machinery or fixtures, or recently damaged machinery or fixtures awaiting repairs. Local residents said they did not witness any looting or violence. On the contrary, they said the areas were teeming with police, who had put up barricades. In one case, the factory alleged in its complaint that workers made an airrational demanda on December 14, 2016, then disrupted work by going on strike. Workers told Human Rights Watch that a fire alarm went off that day, and management told workers to leave. Some who tried to return were told they did not need to. Workers also said that mid-level factory management and supervisors had encouraged them to leave the factory and join the strike a telling the workers that if they joined the strikes, the managersa salaries would increase too. The same factory manager alleged in his complaint that some workers turned violent at about 8:45 a.m. on December 20, allegedly breaking machinery and damaging glass doors and windows worth 1 million takas (US$12,492). However, workers told Human Rights Watch that on the evening of December 19, supervisors had instructed at least some of the workers to arrive late the following morning. By the time these workers arrived, the gates were closed and they were told the factory was indefinitely closed. In another case, a factory official filed a complaint alleging that at around 8:45 a.m. on December 19, 15 named workers and 40 to 50 unknown people damaged machinery, doors, and windows worth 300,000 takas (roughly US$3,770) and looted garments worth 200,000 takas (roughly $2,515) after beating and threatening factory officials. They also alleged that the workers they named colluded with 40 to 50 unknown others and rioted on the street outside the factory, destroying vehicles. They said this forced the factory to close down for a few days. Factory workers told Human Rights Watch that on December 19, officials announced through loudspeakers that the factory was closing and ordered workers to go home. The workers complied and left and said they saw no evidence of violence on the way out. And despite allegations of extensive damage, the workers who resumed work inside the factory after it re-opened said they did not see any freshly repaired or installed fixtures, or damaged fixtures, or hear about any such damages. Police Harassment of Labor Activists and Death Threats to BIGUF Leader Starting in mid-December, the Solidarity Center, which works closely with workers and unions, documented instances in which 14 national union federations were either forced by police to shut their offices in Ashulia, Gazipur, and Chittagong, or closed them because of police harassment. According to a written incident report by the Bangladesh Independent Garment Union Federation (BIGUF) on January 20, two plainclothes policemen interrupted an ILO-sponsored health and safety training program organized in BIGUFas Gazipur office, demanding to meet with two BIGUF organizers. More uniformed police officers entered the premises, gathered all BIGUF staff and program participants in the seminar room, noted down their personal details, and warned that they should not participate in BIGUFas activities. According to BIGUF, one of the policemen also threatened Rashedul Alam Raju, the union federation vice-president, who was not in the room, saying that he would be caught and drowned in drain water. Human Rights Watch has reported on a recurring pattern of such harassment in the past. In 2010, the police detained and harassed activists from the Bangladesh Center for Workers Solidarity (BCWS). Aminul Islam, one of the detainees, told other rights groups that the police had tortured and threatened to kill him. In April 2012, Aminul vanished and was subsequently found murdered with torture marks under circumstances that raise concerns of involvement by Bangladeshi security forces. Till today, the police investigation has failed to find suspects, and officials have not responded to a call by international rights groups and aid donors for an independent investigation. Retaliatory Firing, Black-Listing of Factory Workers According to information from rights groups and news reports, factory managers dismissed or suspended an estimated 1,500 workers in Ashulia after the strikes. Some workers told Human Rights Watch that their factory managers promised to send them a show-cause notice back in their homes in the village but had received no further information. Other workers said that factory officials or supervisors told them on the phone that they should not come to the factory because they would be arrested, without offering any further explanation. A third group said that factory officials gave them a show-cause notice, in standard format, with seven days to respond to allegations that they participated in or instigated violent strikes. Human Rights Watch has seen some of these notices. None was tailored to an individual worker, specifying clearly how they were implicated in the strikes, but included broad, vague allegations addressed to a group of workers. These retaliatory dismissals and suspensions appear indiscriminate, Human Rights Watch said. Factory management also opportunistically dismissed workers perceived as aunproductivea or atrouble-makers.a A pregnant worker said that she was dismissed even though she did not participate in any strikes because of her pregnancy. A male worker who was on sick leave said he was dismissed, and a female worker said she believed she was targeted because she had complained of sexual harassment at the workplace. One worker who was fired said he was finding it impossible to find employment in other factories: My life has been seriously affectedaI tried for a job in several factories after the incident. In January, I joined Envoy Group and worked for about half an hour. But an official came and said he cannot appoint me, without giving any explanation. Later a security guard told me our photos were emailed to other factories and thatas how they identified me. I am thinking of leaving the Ashulia area, but I donat know if I will get a job in other areas. I have to pay my bills here a house rent and other things before I leave. Union-Busting Government information from August 2016 shows that only 23 factories in Ashulia had registered unions. Human Rights Watch documented numerous examples of factory officials thwarting union formation in Ashuliaas factories. Union busting has been an unchecked labor rights risk in global apparel brandsa supply chains in Bangladesh. One union federation leader said that aparticipation committeesa a employer-worker committees under the Bangladesh Labour Act a had begun to subtly replace factory unions. A few workers from various Ashulia factories said their factory managers did not allow aunionsa but allowed workers to vote for representatives to these committees. The Solidarity Center told Human Rights Watch that participation committees either exist only on paper or are dominated by employers and do not represent worker interests. A union office holder from a factory said: aOur factory union got the registration three months ago. When the owner became aware of this, he terminated 74 workers including the union presidentaNow I got dismissed along with 150 others, though I had no role in the recent protest.a In another case, workers had attempted to form a union in their factory three times, only to face factory retaliation. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Japanese director Uchida Eiji is on a hot streak as of late. Two of his latest features, the Amelie-meets-revenge thriller Greatful Dead, and the self-reflexive look at the indie film scene in Japan Lowlife Love have brought the relatively unknown filmmaker out of the shadows of Japanese indepedent cinema and onto the world stage thanks for exposure from the UK's Third Window Films. Third Window's Adam Torel first got behind Uchida with a home video release of Greatful Dead back in early 2015. Later that year he put the company's money where its mouth is and produced Lowlife Love. That partnership continues with the latest collaboration between Uchida and Torel, Love & Other Cults. We have a first look at the film's new trailer and key art, and it looks like it's going to be a lot of fun. Check out some more details on Love & Other Cults in the press release below: Third Window Films & Eiji Uchida team up again after LOWLIFE LOVE to bring LOVE & OTHER CULTS Like Lowlife Love, Love & Other Cults is a fully independent Third Window Film! Directed by Eiji Uchida (Lowlife Love, Greatful Dead) Cinematography by Maki Ito (Antiporno, Tag) Starring Sairi Ito (Lesson of Evil) Kenta Suga (Always Sunset on Third Street) Kaito Yoshimura (100 Yen Love) Denden (Cold Fish) Hanae Kan (Nobody Knows) Ami Tomite (Antiporno) Nanami Kawakami (Makeup Room) Leona Hirata (Whispering of the Gods) Atsushi Shinohara (3 Stories of Love) Synopsis: Born in a small town in Japan, a young girl named Ai is sent to a cult commune by her religious maniac mother and lives there for seven long years. After the cult is exposed by the police, Ai starts a new stage of life, going to a normal school for the first time, but cant fit in. Ai drops out from school & society, spending her life living with a delinquent family full of gangsters & call girls. In a strange twist of fate she finds herself back in a new and normal life, living with a middle-class family, but her troubled life continues to follow her into more deep and seedy paths. The only person who understands Ai and her troubles is another cast off from society, Ryota, who is in love with her. Ryota lives in a shady world of delinquents, though wants to escape and live a normal life. The two teens purity gets swallowed up by the urban jungle in a big regional city. A black comedy depicting lives of modern youth and their struggles in a place where there is no way out. Out in Japanese cinemas July 15th World Premiere information, coming soon! After an excruciatingly long wait, the first trailer for Sean Byrnes sophomore effort finally arrives. Lo and behold: The Devils Candy, a knowing homage to the Satanic thrillers of the eighties that sparked buzz when it premiered in Torontos Midnight Madness (2015) before taking the world by storm on a seemingly never-ending festival tour that lasted all throughout 2016. The Devils Candy, a carefully-plotted thrill ride that packs a rich color palette, a pulsating heavy metal soundtrack and plenty of strong performances, introduces audiences to Jesse Hellman (Ethan Embry), a painter who gets by on commissions. Not long after he moves his family into a beautiful house tucked away in the Texan countryside Jesse starts painting as if possessed. His increasingly bleak and disturbing artworks draw the attention of a gallery owner, but his familys fortune takes a turn for the worse as the devils disciple descends upon the happy home. Does Byrnes follow-up to The Loved Ones live up to the hype? Check the trailer below and judge for yourself on March 17 when The Devils Candy hits select theatres and becomes available on various Video On Demand platforms. JORDAN The Jordan-Elbridge Central School Board of Education passed a resolution allowing the district to take on a state health department-approved program for treating opioid overdoses. The district approved the decision to participate in the New York State Department of Health's Registered Opioid Overdose Prevention Program and adopted a policy on it at a board meeting Wednesday night. Under the program, school nurses can administer opioid-related overdose treatments and volunteer school district staff who pass training approved by the health department can depense "opioid antagonists" while under the program clinical director's direction. Superintendent Jim Froio said before the meeting that the Jordan-Elbridge High School staff originally suggested the idea of being trained last month. While he noted the district hasn't dealt with any opioid overdoses yet, he said he believed personnel should be able to "prepare for the worst." "This is a serious problem and if you don't think it can't happen to your school you have your head in the sand," Froio said before the meeting. Froio said the board policy sanctions a partnership between the district, the health department and ARC Health the organization running the program and gives the school board permission to allow volunteers to undergo the training. High school principal David Zehner said after the meeting that he strongly supports a proactive approach to dealing with opioid overdoses. "It's happening everywhere," Zehner said. "I'm not interested in having a preventable death happen at our school." Zehner said every high school staff member will have the training available to them. He expects the training with ARC Health to happen soon. He also believes that everyone who passes the training will be given their own prevention kit. Public schools, under state law, can allow unlicensed people as long as they been trained to the satisfaction of a curriculum accepted by the health department to administer naloxone, which is used to treat opioid effects. State law also lets districts have opioid treatments available at each school. Zehner believes it is better to be prepared just in case. "My feeling is that if you have a back-up plan, you won't need it," Zehner said. If you are currently a print subscriber but don't have an online account, select this option. You will need to use your 7 digit subscriber account number (with leading zeros) and your last name (in UPPERCASE). "Emotional Judges and Unlucky Juveniles" | Main | "Accounting for Violence: How to Increase Safety and Break Our Failed Reliance on Mass Incarceration" February 16, 2017 Notable accounting of what Mayor Emanuel sought from AG Sessions to deal with Chicago's gun violence This local article, headlined "Emanuel used meeting with Sessions to get specific on fed help," reports on the requests Chicago's mayor made to the new Attorney General to help combat violence in a city that has been a frequent talking point about violent crime for Prez Trump. Here is how the article starts: Attempting to turn President Donald Trumps talk into federal action, Mayor Rahm Emanuel said Tuesday he used his first meeting with U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions to present a list of ways the federal government can help stop the bloodbath on Chicago streets. On the FBI, DEA, ATF, send more agents [who] are permanently placed here in Chicago to cooperate and work with our Chicago Police Department. They do it in a number of areas today. But, we dont have the full expanse of what we need to do the job and we have a good relationship with those three federal entities, the mayor said. Second is invest in the technology that you saw in Englewood in the 7th District and the 11th District the strategic predictive analytic rooms help us take that to other police districts in the city. The mayors wish list goes beyond policing to expansion of mentoring, summer jobs and after-school programs from which both the state and federal government have been AWOL, as he put it. I talked about making sure that our kids have an alternative consistent with what Ive said about BAM [Becoming A Man] as a mentoring program, Emanuel said. Theres an account that deals with ex-offenders. We would like to see that because we have the largest ex-offender program. . . . And help us with summer jobs and after school where the federal government has actually been cutting those resources. Emanuel said he also renewed his call for the U.S. Justice Department to step up federal prosecution of gun crimes. A Chicago Sun-Times story last year found that federal weapons charges in Chicago have fallen slightly over the past five years despite the local rise in firearm offenses. Federal prosecutors in some other major urban areas Manhattan, Brooklyn, Milwaukee, Detroit and Baltimore have charged far more people with weapons offenses than the U.S. attorneys office in Chicago has. Sources said the meeting with Sessions focused exclusively on ways the Justice Department can assist Chicago in stopping the unrelenting gang violence on city streets. February 16, 2017 at 11:24 AM | Permalink Comments Hmmm. Looks like the previous regime was less than helpful. My guess, Sessions has the US Atty refocus on federal gun charges, which will get guys off the street and deter the casual carrying around of guns. I took a lot of heat in this blog for talking about the drop in gun prosecutions. Now it seems that a Dem Mayor is asking for the prosecutions to be stepped up. Ha ha ha ha ha. Doug, any thoughts? Posted by: federalist | Feb 16, 2017 12:00:04 PM And I wonder what role exactly he thinks DOJ is supposed to have re. mentoring and the like. Posted by: Soronel Haetir | Feb 16, 2017 3:16:35 PM Israel and Switzerland are armed to the teeth, and have low crime rates. Bastardy is the most powerful factor in criminality, and explains all racial disparities. Federal policy should change. Instead of forcing single mothers to look for jobs or to go to school, force them to join Match.com. Then check that they go on a date every week. They should be rewarded financially for getting married. That way their husbands can better control the super-predators spawned by Democratic Party policies over the past 50 years. Posted by: David Behar | Feb 17, 2017 12:30:35 AM Oh, and all you 'rats out there--Sessions looks like he's going to help Chicago deal with the out of control violence--'rat obstructionism delayed that. Probably got some people killed. Posted by: federalist | Feb 17, 2017 11:07:30 AM Post a comment AUBURN After acquiring the Holiday Inn in Auburn last year, a Corning-based development firm wants to upgrade the hotel from top to bottom. Representatives with Visions Hotels appeared before the Auburn Industrial Development Authority on Wednesday in search of tax exemptions for a proposed renovation to the Holiday Inn, at 75 North St. With the project, Visions is looking to renovate the five-story hotel in two separate phases, Minesh Patel, a group owner and Visions' chief financial officer, said Wednesday. The first phase would be aesthetic improvements to the Holiday Inn's 165 rooms. Patel said Visions is looking to install new wallpaper, furniture and other amenities into the guestrooms, with work conducted two floors at a time with minimal guest disturbances. The second phase entails renovations to the hotel's meeting rooms and the lobby, restaurant and bar areas. Meanwhile, a roof replacement is targeted for the spring. Visions manages hotels across the upstate New York area, with locations in Rochester, Cortland, Albany and Utica. The goal, Patel said, is to wrap up guestroom renovations by June. Work would pause in the summer, since that is the hotel's busy season, until November or December for the remodel to the lobby. Patel said his group has received feedback from guests describing the hotel as "dated." He said if the group runs the hotel as-is, the Holiday Inn will continue to decline, resulting in losses in revenues and employment. The Holiday Inn currently employs 18 full-time equivalents, including guest services staff. With the renovations, Visions estimates that to grow to 25 over three years. "Even though we're not adding a ton of jobs, it's really a retention story," Patel said. "We're basically taking the asset as it is and revamping the entire thing from top down." The remodel is projected to cost around $5.1 million, with construction estimated to cost $1.75 million with another approximately $2.8 million devoted to furniture and fixtures. Around $4.5 million will be funded by Visions through bank financing, with another $878,984 available through other equity, according to the firm's AIDA application. Auburn Holiday Inn sold, could become DoubleTree or Marriott The Auburn Holiday Inn is in new hands: Visions Hotels, of Corning, closed on the North Stre Visions, under the name Auburn Hotel Ventures LLC, applied to AIDA for $256,000 in sales and use tax exemptions as well as a $45,000 mortgage recording tax exemption. The group is not seeking a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement. AIDA members present for Wednesday's meeting voted unanimously to progress the project for review at a public hearing. The board is hoping to schedule a hearing for Feb. 28 or March 1. Afterward, AIDA would reconvene at a later date to vote on final approval of the benefits following the public hearing. The group purchased the property last year for $4.9 million, according to Cayuga County real property records. At that time, Visions initially considered rebranding the hotel with a Hilton brand, like DoubleTree, or Marriott. "When dollars and cents came down, it was basically Holiday Inn was still the right asset the right name for this hotel, but it would require a lot of money," Patel said. "Holiday Inn has come a long way from even five years ago. They're implementing some strict standards and they've got new design schemes that really modernize the building." In other news A public hearing will also be scheduled in relation a plan to redevelop the Nolan block of properties in downtown Auburn. The project calls for the buildings at 41, 43-51, and 53 Genesee St. to be redeveloped with 14 market-rate apartment units and five commercial storefronts. Developers plan to combine the three buildings with common hallways and elevators. Group seeks tax breaks to redevelop Nolan block in Auburn Owners of the Nolan block of properties in downtown Auburn are looking for tax relief to hel In this endeavor, KyleCroft Development is seeking $127,720 in exemptions between associated mortgage recording taxes and sales and use taxes. The project's estimated cost is $2.87 million, which includes projected construction and asbestos abatement costs. Developers hope to put the project out for bid by the end of this month, said Grant Kyle, of KyleCroft. The group is prepared to fund the remodel through bank financing, Kyle said Wednesday. One business eyeing the remodeled Nolan block as a possible location is the Octane Social House, which would have sandwiches, coffee and craft beer. "There are a lot of restaurants and bars coming into downtown. We're looking to try to make it a healthy mix," Kyle said on prospective tenants. "It really connects the east and the west together. Right now, we are literally the gap that keeps people from walking down the street." A 2,000-pound concrete slab was reported loose and at risk of failure on top of a skyscraper that's under construction in the Rincon Hill area of SoMa. The building, at an address listed as both 41 Tehama and, alternately, 33 Tehama as per an advertisement on the side of the building is to be a more than 35-story structure when complete. The potential failure was of a small structure on what's now the top of the building, between the 35th and 36th floors, where concrete walls beneath a boom began leaning, causing the boom to lean with them. See the daylight on the top floor on the far right of 41 Tehama? That's the loose concrete slab. @CBSSF pic.twitter.com/ZZy7roEueu Andria Borba (@andria_borba) February 15, 2017 The nearby site of 543 Howard was one of the first buildings to be evacuated at the direction of the Fire Department's public information officer. Loose concrete on 30th floor of 41 Tehama. 543 Howard being evacuated. It's a mess here. Find a different route to Bay Bridge folks. @CBSSF pic.twitter.com/c9E5i8zem3 Andria Borba (@andria_borba) February 15, 2017 At the scene of 41 Tehama where a crane carrying a 2k slab failed. Evac orders pic.twitter.com/CKYGqVfNvf Jonah Owen Lamb (@jonahowenlamb) February 15, 2017 In 2014, the Business Times wrote that the tower at 41-Tehama was a 418-unit project. ***EVACUATIONS***41 Tehema 30th floor loose concrete slab set 2k Lbs loose potential to fail AVOID AREA 41 Tehema being evacuated 254 Hrs pic.twitter.com/kAuoR0Otzn San Francisco Fire (@sffdpio) February 15, 2017 Media point Second and Howard additional EVACUATIONS 235 second st and 505 Howard https://t.co/KaAOcikP7S San Francisco Fire (@sffdpio) February 15, 2017 Here's @sffdpio with an overview of 41 Tehama Street, a building under construction. Malfunctioning crane putting 2K concrete slab at risk. pic.twitter.com/u5H20MKwy9 Michael Bodley (@michael_bodley) February 15, 2017 543 HOWARD IS BEING EVACUATED 41 Tehama shelter in place https://t.co/2xRvXkDUYa San Francisco Fire (@sffdpio) February 15, 2017 #021517EV1 UPDATE ***EVACUATIONS*** 543 HOWARD 41-44-56-58 TEHEMA IMMEDIATE EVACUATIONS POTENTIAL CEMENT SLAB FAILURE pic.twitter.com/RawntfUzYT San Francisco Fire (@sffdpio) February 15, 2017 SFFD PIO 41 Tehama experienced wall failure this afternoon. Engineering specialist being flown in. @CBSSF pic.twitter.com/bREKz1mhhq Andria Borba (@andria_borba) February 16, 2017 #SF fire officials say a crane fell atop this building at 41 Tehama and have evacuated nearby blds. pic.twitter.com/27lpUHh1to Jonah Owen Lamb (@jonahowenlamb) February 15, 2017 "Basically, there are four walls supporting a smaller crane," a Chronicle reporter at the scene summarized, indicating what officials later clarified was a boom, not a crane. "And one is unstable. If it falls, it could pull the smaller crane with it." In an update to that explanation to the Chronicle, SFFD Officer Jonathan baxter says that the crane or boom in question began falling into a concrete wall that firefighters were trying to reach before it can pull down the wall. "If the crane falls, it could take the concrete wall down," said Baxter. Here's a later, clearer explanation of that: NOW: Asst. Chief Tom Siragusa explains what happened in more detail. Strut failed on small crane when setting concrete walls on 30th floor. pic.twitter.com/6KSpOJwDY3 Michael Bodley (@michael_bodley) February 16, 2017 "This is all precautionary stuff," Baxter emphasizes. "We are looking at a potential slab falling. If that slab falls, we are looking at danger below. We are not sure where yet." @michael_bodley here's a shot of the small crane from my building on new montgomery pic.twitter.com/Y7nvECRFJC zkull (@WordOfZac) February 15, 2017 Evacuation underway in downtown #SF bc of small crane failure atop construction project pic.twitter.com/ay8VBAVEw4 Jonah Owen Lamb (@jonahowenlamb) February 16, 2017 Evacuations were for 543, 531, 527, 505, 547, 555, 557 Howard; 41, 44 Tehama; 235 Second. For once, during the evacuations, the Fire Department wasn't telling media choppers to get out of the way, but instead soliciting their help in seeing the problem. Media helicopters we would like your live feed to help us out please contact the pio pic.twitter.com/VfCxXEXWKn San Francisco Fire (@sffdpio) February 15, 2017 "Cantilevering" is the technical term for the wall. Should be straight. Is leaning out over the street. Crane on roof supported by wall. https://t.co/psIyQa1VYX Michael Bodley (@michael_bodley) February 16, 2017 SFist has just received a statement from the developer: "This afternoon, an incident occurred at the 33 Tehama site between levels 35 and 36 where an interior forming system had a partial hydraulic failure while being raised to the next level. The interior forming system and the concrete placement arm have been secured and are being evaluated by engineers to bring it back to level. No injuries and or damage has been reported. Please note the boom is located in the center of the top level. This is NOT the crane attached to the outside of the building. Previous reports that a 2,000 pound slab of concrete is in danger of falling are also false. 33 Tehama is being developed by Hines and Invesco Real Estate. Lendlease is the general contractor." This post has been updated throughout. "California currently has a one-size-fits-all 2 a.m. end to alcohol service, regardless of circumstances," State Senator and former SF Supervisor Scott Wiener writes to his Facebook page with "circumstances" referring to situations in which you're extremely lit and have zero plans to stop drinking. Or, maybe he means small towns and big cities, I'm not sure. Regardless, the Chronicle reports on Wiener's plans to introduce a bill today that would allow bars and restaurants to extend their last call to 4 a.m. with proper permits and approval from the California ABC department. Wiener's bill resembles one his predecessor Mark Leno introduced, unsuccessfully, in 2013, but the current State Senator appears to think attitudes have changed. The status quo 2 a.m. last call across California has endured since 1935, per the ABCs public information officer John Carr. A major opponent of Leno's bill, the San Rafael based nonprofit research and advocacy group Alcohol Justice, remains staunchly against the idea. We just dont need additional hours of business for this substance, director Michael Scippa told the Chronicle. Its not like selling coffee and doughnuts. This is a substance which is a class one carcinogenic it takes thousands in California every year and is responsible for horrendous costs in various areas. But Wiener is likely to see support from the nightlife backers who donated $30,000 to his expensive State Senate campaign last year. That political donation came from strip clubs and more, and he got it over opponent Jane Kim because he's consistently called to study the benefits and impacts of the industry, as well as pushing for a Late Night Transportation plan in 2015. "Nightlife matters a lot, culturally and economically, and it's time to allow local communities more flexibility," Wiener says. For establishments like DNA Lounge, a nightlife venue that revealed financial difficulties in December a few hours could make a big difference. Owner Jamie Zawinski points out to the Chronicle that his business makes almost all of its money selling alcohol, and "we sell almost all alcohol between 11:30 and 1:30 on Fridays and Saturdays....Thats only four hours a week!" Related: Scott Wiener's State Senate Campaign Received $30K In Donations From Strip Clubs When 188,000 people, their lives and property endangered by the possible collapse or otherwise dangerous erosion of an Oroville Dam spillway, were ordered to evacuate their homes on Sunday, the West Sacramento Sikh community welcomed more than 300 of them with food and shelter. The Sacramento Bee reports that the Gurdwara Sahib Sikh temple was one temple that opened its doors during the crisis, with its staff of 19 people working to cook for and house those displaced by the evacuation, which was lifted yesterday. Many of the evacuees were Sikh themselves the Central Valley's Sikh community is large, with 70,000 in the Sacramento area and more than 40,000 in the Yuba City-Marysville area but many were not. Regardless, they all received a roof, toiletries, bedding, and vegetarian food. The offer of shelter resonated strongly with 38-year-old Juan Cervantes of Olivehurst, an evacuated area near Yuba City who works picking fruit in Central Valley area farms. "These people are just like me, Cervantes told the LA Times. Im Catholic, but we have the same God. We have the same heart. The same hands. Cervantes was housed during the evacuation at another Sacramento area Sikh temple, Shri Guru Ravidas. "This is their home," said Nirmal Singh, a priest a that temple. Our faith teaches us to help everyone. The poor, the hungry, it doesn't matter who you are. Sam Lyon, a 38-year-old security guard who left from Olivehurst with his family and ended up at the Gurdwara Sahib Sikh temple, called the situation a "snafu" in speaking to the Sacramento Bee. "I had no idea where to go. The alert didnt tell us anything. We came down Highway 65 and made it to the Thunder Valley casino, where we tried to figure out what to do, but they told us we couldnt stay. Following up with Lyon, the Guardian learned that he's a vocal supporter of President Tump and his recent travel ban, and now he feels "like a refugee in my own country." In this difficult time, he's thankful for the care he received: "We had nowhere to go, he said. Nevertheless, Lyon indicated to the Guardian that he still supports the extreme vetting espoused by the President and his administration. Sikhs, including those in the Central Valley area, have been targeted by anti-Muslim sentiment, but the distinction is not lost on Lyon. Sikhs are not Muslims," he said, specifying that he wasn't in favor of a religious test regardless, just further vetting. That difference isn't one that all area residents grasp, or care to. Sikhs in the Sacramento area still recall that a member of their community was shot in September of 2001 in an act of "revenge" against Osama bin Laden when an area man said he wanted to go out and shoot some towel heads. Again, Lyon's support of the ban is not rooted in religion, he tells the Guardian. Instead, he saw many "war age" refugees on television and wants the US to take extra time and care to evaluate people who could be threats to national safety. From the publication: The Guardian asked a hypothetical interrupted briefly when Lyon received [a] heart-shaped [Valentine's] card from the volunteer what if a refugee were a young Sikh man, fleeing civil war or sectarian violence in India? Thats a catch-22 for me. I want to be able to help people but youve got to understand, if youre coming from a country that we know is radicalized, he said, we want to vet you or research you first. His thoughts on Trump and his policies aside, Lyon left the situation humbled by the power of generosity. 'It gives you hope," he said. Related: Mandatory Evacuation Order Around Lake Oroville Lifted Because college kids are really big on standing on principle, and because: free speech, campus conservatives at UC Berkeley say that they will, "without qualification," be bringing Milo Yiannopoulos back to speak on campus, "with Alex Jones of InfoWars in tow." No date for this event has been given, and it could be that Yiannopoulos got all the attention he needed from the fracas of two weeks ago and doesn't want to bother with a second round as principled as he claims to be about advocating free speech, something tells me he's only going to take the fight as far as it gets him notoriety and more CNN appearances. In an op-ed in the campus paper The Daily Californian, Troy Worden and Pieter Sittler, both representatives of the Berkeley College Republicans, write that the narrative of a "peaceful protest" infiltrated by black bloc anarchists is a false one. "They stood idly by as Yiannopoulos fans were pepper-sprayed and beaten," they write. "No by and large, the student protesters danced as the campus burned, putting the Roman Emperor Nero to shame." (The latter a clear reference to Yiannopoulos's now defunct Twitter handle, @nero, but I thought that was because he fancied himself sitting back and watching America burn?) They suggest that everyone should be troubled by the use of or threats of violence being used "to obtain power over ideological minorities such as the Berkeley College Republicans," noting that that "is by no means a fringe position here [on campus]." And they excoriate Professor Robert Reich for promoting the notion that Yiannopoulos was somehow behind the black bloc chaos, in order to incite more rage against this enemy of the alt-right, the militant liberals and anarchists they call "antifa." Taking a defiant tone, the college Republicans say, "The more riots the black bloc incites, the more support we receive from across the United States in opposition to the fascist tactics of self-styled anti-fascists. The more abuse and harassment we suffer, the more controversial speakers we will invite to campus." It emerged last week that Yiannopoulos was likely to use his platform at UC Berkeley to "out" undocumented students, holding up photos or projecting photos of their faces during his talk, much the way he did at an earlier talk at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, in order to ridicule a transgender student. According to a source in the administration, the College Republicans attempted to stop Yiannopoulos from doing this "doxxing," an intimidation tactic that liberals on campus had used against them in the past, but Yiannopoulos's team essentially said he would do what he felt like doing. (Sidebar: Isn't this all the more ironic given that Yiannopoulos isn't even a citizen? I digress.) Can we all just agree that if they manage to get Yiannopoulos back to campus, student activists need to get smarter about how they show resistance, and how they reject his message? Breaking shit and being the one who out-screams the other person has never been the best way to make a point. Meanwhile, it's unclear if Berkeley College Republicans intend on participating in this supposed alt-right march by the Proud Boys in Berkeley on March 4, which may be little more than a flyer on Twitter at this point. Previously: Free Speech?: Milo Yiannopoulos Planned To Out Undocumented Students By Name In His Berkeley Talk We will be closed on Thursday February 16 in solidarity with our Friends, Family and Community#adaywithoutimmigrants#undiasininmigrantes pic.twitter.com/wPJTZZ4Vap WING WINGS (@wingwingssf) February 16, 2017 A national protest against President Donald Trump's statements and policies on immigrants and immigration has spurred the day-long closure of numerous local restaurants and eateries, as part of "A Day Without Immigrants." The Associated Press reports that immigrants and their supporters re being urged to "miss class, miss work and not shop on Thursday as a way to show the country how important they are to Americas economy and way of life." KRON 4 reports that local observance of the national civil action will include a rally at Justin Herman Plaza at 11 a.m. and a march on Market Street to Civic Center Plaza at noon, followed by another rally. NBC Bay Area speaks with the Ajay Walia, the owner of Rasa, Burlingame's Michelin-starred contemporary Indian restaurant, who said he's cancelled hundreds of reservations today, but it's worth it for the cause. "There is no America without immigrants," Walia said. "Immigrants do feel American. At the same time, especially in our industry, it is important to take a stance." Inside Scoop is compiling a list of restaurants participating in today's protest. Here's who they say will be closed as of publication time, with more to be added as additional closures are announced: We'll be glad to see Cayuga County officials do anything they can to help with a problematic housing unit in Port Byron, as long as taxpayer dollars are protected from risk. Church Street Apartments is a former school building that is now home to a 40-unit housing complex for low-income residents. The problem is that the the attached gymnasium and auditorium are falling apart, and the owner of those parts of the parcel is tens of thousands of dollars behind on his taxes, so if the county were to foreclose on the property it would inherit a demolition cost of more than $1 million. Still, a series of events could still save the apartments. The Cayuga County Legislature has expressed a willingness to work with developers who wish to purchase the property and have pledged that the affordable housing units will remain. But the would-be new owners want no part in the demolition of the dilapidated portions. The plan is to have the village of Port Byron apply for state assistance to revitalize the property. If the funding is approved, the county would foreclose on the property, sell it to the developer, and the state funds would be used for the demolition. The developers would then purchase the apartment complex portion of the property and rehabilitate the existing units. It's a problem not unfamiliar to upstate New York, where an aging building such as this one can't realistically be rehabilitated with private funding alone, so help from the government will be an integral part of the equation. For its part, the county is taking every precaution to make sure that taxpayers won't be liable for any of the costs, and the Legislature has no plans to enter into a formal agreement until all of the financial aspects are lined up. A lot of things need to fall into place for this project to work out right, but housing such as these are vital to communities large and small, so the effort is certainly worthwhile, and the county is right to try to help as long as it doesn't stick its neck out in the process. SOUTH SIOUX CITY | An attorney representing several South Sioux City residents displaced from their homes for months due to sewer gas says future negotiations depend on the city's relationship with the industry initially tied to the problems. "The city has to rein Big Ox in or cut Big Ox off," said David Domina, a prominent Omaha trial attorney representing 13 South Sioux City families in conjunction with Sioux City attorney Brian Buckmeier. "Big Ox has completely failed at producing a plant." Buckmeier said Wednesday the attorneys and residents are currently "discussing all our options." "If efforts of negotiation fail, we will be taking legal action," Buckmeier said. In late October, South Sioux City officials originally tied Big Ox Energy to hydrogen sulfide gas believed to be emanating from a sewer line that more than 30 homes shared with Big Ox and other businesses in the city's Roth Industrial Park. The gas displaced two dozen households at its height. About a dozen remained displaced as of last week. At the advice of their attorneys, a handful of affected residents rejected an offer by the city Monday to work with the city on remediation and re-entry to their homes. With that refusal, payments by the city for hotel rooms and other living expenses ceased on Tuesday, forcing many residents to find temporary housing at their own expense. Domina said he believes the city's proposal Monday was well-intended, but the city needs to come to the table as a party interested in mediation, not as the mediator. He said the city also needs to know that Big Ox "has solved its prominent operational problems." Domina referred to recent spills at a temporary lift station that is part of the sewage mechanism rerouting industrial sewage away from the homes, as well as a trio of ongoing investigations being conducted by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration into worker incidents and a Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality investigation into ambient air odors. "It's altogether 100 percent obvious that this problem is not remotely fixed," he said. "This problem has to be solved before it can be negotiated." Domina's view stands in stark contrast to the upbeat outlook expressed in a news release sent by city administrator Lance Hedquist to local media Tuesday, which said testing for hydrogen sulfide and other compounds in homes has shown "no issues." Hedquist also pointed out the city has since taken steps to redirect the flow of the industrial waste away from the neighborhood along 39th Street, near Red Bird Lane and Lemasa Drive. With no cross connection between the residential line and a newly constructed force main, odors from major industries can not be entering the houses, he said. The city's news release concurs with the perspective previously posed by Big Ox that the Denmark, Wisconsin-based company is not to blame for the odor issues and the initial impact was due to faulty plumbing or maintenance. Big Ox cited independent plumbing test results that showed 26 of the 32 odor-reporting homes that agreed to be tested failed the tests. Three others shared common interior walls with affected units. Workers with McClure Engineering, which is working on a design to complete the force main rerouting sewage, said Monday that work is continuing to shore up operations at the temporary lift station responsible for a pair of backups last week. Domina said he rejects the idea that plumbing is solely responsible, saying many of the affected homes were inhabited for several years with "no history of problems" before Big Ox Energy's startup in September 2016. "Big Ox produces so much pressure when it releases its product that that product blows sewage and sewer gases upstream through toilets, through traps, through kitchen sinks, and into homes," he said. "No house was built to resist that kind of industrial discharge of sewage." A statement released Wednesday by Big Ox spokesman Evan Zeppos called Domina's explanation "baseless" and "simply wrong." The company pointed to the "independent inspections conducted by an experienced plumber" that showed homes with odor issues had faulty plumbing. The statement said plumbing systems that are up to the city's plumbing code do not allow sewer gas to intrude "regardless of the amount or type of gas in a sewer," a point confirmed by "expert analysis." "The facts, science and engineering show that Big Ox Energy is not the cause of the issues in resident homes," the statement said. "The evidence gathered to date indicates that faulty plumbing was the most likely cause of the odors experienced by residents in the impacted area." South Sioux City attorney Wayne Boyd did not immediately return calls for comment Wednesday. The number of people represented by Domina and Buckmeier has increased from just over 20 two weeks ago to 39. That number breaks down into 13 families. Residents seeking legal counsel who have not moved back into their homes are now finding other accommodations on their own. Mike Klassen, whose family has been displaced from its home on Redbird Lane since late October, said they moved out Wednesday and will be staying with friends in two- to three-night spurts. "We have about three friends were going to bounce back and forth with because we dont want to wear out our welcome for any of them," he said. When the weather warms up, Klassen said, they plan to set up a camper in their front yard. He said Wednesday marked his family's third move since October. SIOUX CITY | Tim Overlin, executive director of Personhood Iowa, will be the featured speaker at the Pizza & Policy meeting of the Sioux County Conservatives on Feb. 23. The 7 p.m. event will be held at the Pizza Ranch in Sioux Center, Iowa. Sioux County Conservatives slated Overlin to speak because pro-life issues are being debated in the Iowa Legislature. The Iowa Senate has passed Senate File 2, which prohibits state funds from going to organizations that provide abortion services. The group in a release said it is indefensible that since the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Roe v. Wade in 1973 that more than 60 million unborn children have had their lives ended in the name of choice. The Sioux County Conservatives position is to defend life from conception until natural death. The group is not affiliated with the Sioux County Republican Party. It was formed in 2016 when there was a primary contest between three Republicans for the Iowa House District 4 race. Iowa Republicans say that Chapter 20 is antiquated and needs to be changed. This has been in effect since 1974, signed by a Republican governor. When there were possible changes proposed to it by Democrats a few years ago, the Republicans said we dont need to make changes to it, Chapter 20 has worked great the way it is, and has worked that way since 1974. So riddle me this: What has changed? Iowa Republicans say this is not union busting, it is to make things fair for the taxpayer. If this is not union busting, then why in their 2016 Iowa GOP Platform, #3 under "Commerce," it says: We call for legislation that would eliminate all public sector unions. I say if it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck, and walks like a duck, its a duck. They say they are not going to gut the public safety unions, but it is just a matter of time before it takes place and they gut them of everything by #3 of the platform agenda. They are gutting everything else for what they call essential employees to divide and conquer unions by pitting employee union against employee union. They are basically creating a two-class tier system of public employees, treating individual groups differently. As they have seen with the turnout at forums and at the state Capitol, the divide and conquer is not working, all the unions are sticking as one. They also made changes to Chapter 400 of Civil Service, and it is just a matter of time before they make changes to Chapter 85 Workers Compensation and Chapter 669 Tort Claims. So to say this is not an attack on public workers in Iowa is an outright lie. Republicans also said that they have had all kinds of people who say we need to change Chapter 20. My question: Where have all these people been at when there have been public forums to speak on this? From a proud second-class public employee. - Chris De Harty, Sioux City, AFSCME Local 212 president The third of four finalists for the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra conductor position will take up her baton Friday for an audition concert. Russian-born conductor Lidiya Yankovskaya is currently Artistic Director for Juventas New Music Ensemble and Commonwealth Lyric Theatre, directs the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra, and has served on the faculty of Boston College and in various positions at Harvard University. Friday's concert will begin with Ravel's suite dedicated to friends who had died fighting in World War I. Following is Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 21. Finally, Ravel returns as orchestral arranger of Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition. Her audition concert will be at NAU's Ardrey Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. this Friday. A pre-concert talk will be held at 6:30 p.m. for concert ticket holders. Tickets are $20-$70 (with discounts for various demographics) and can be purchased by calling 523-5661. The public is also invited to hear Yankovskaya's vision statement for the FSO. At a free community event today from 2-3 p.m. at the Museum of Northern Arizona (3101 N. Fort Valley Road), Yankovskaya will present her vision for the future of the orchestra, as well as her proposals for programming for the 2017-18 season. There will be a Q&A and a reception with refreshments following the presentation. Attendees will have an opportunity to provide feedback via email. For more information about the FSO programming, audition season and ticketing, visit www.flagstaffsymphony.org or call 774-5107. Utah potter to demonstrate skills at CCC Coconino Community College will host a guest ceramics artist who will give a free public presentation and lecture on Friday. Joseph Bennion is a distinguished potter who will be traveling from Spring City, Utah, to visit CCC. He will be demonstrating his skills as a potter to give guests deeper knowledge of the process and to offer tips about art and pottery. As an instructor, Bennion has held lectures and workshops throughout the United States as well as around the world. Various museums and universities from New York, Idaho, Michigan, Illinois, Ohio and Utah all own collections of his work. Northern Arizona University even has a small collection of his work. Bennion owns Horseshoe Mountain Pottery with his wife in the small farming town of Spring City in central Utah. Currently, Bennion finds inspiration in the beauties of family and household. He focuses his work mostly on utilitarian pottery that would find itself on the family dinner table. The event will be 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the CCC Lone Tree Campus ceramics room. The event is free and open to CCC students and all local area residents. CCC is located at 2800 S. Lone Tree Road. For more information about CCC, visit www.coconino.edu. SIOUX CITY | Citing the lack of policy established by the state, the Sioux City Council voted to delay the purchase of body cameras for police officers until at least next year. During Thursday's operating budget meeting, council members said they support the cameras but don't want to rush in before legislation or courts change the standards for maintaining and using video as evidence. "I'm all for cameras, but the more I read the more I'm convinced that we're a year (away)," Mayor Bob Scott said. "We could buy these and we could find ourselves in a huge liability." Scott pointed to the "discouraging" lack of direction from state legislators in determining policy for what police departments are required to store and what would be protected, as well as the danger of lawsuits. Body cameras have been a hot topic of discussion in a series of high-profile shootings involving police officers across the country in recent years. Purchasing cameras is currently voluntary for Iowa law enforcement agencies, but Sioux City has been considering them for nearly 1 1/2 years, vetting different models and taking public input. As part of next fiscal year's operating budget, the Police Department had requested $67,242 per year to enter into a five-year contract to purchase body cameras and Cloud storage through Taser, the same vendor used by the Woodbury County Sheriff's Office. That cost, which about $30,000 per year lower than originally expected, would cover all software and hardware costs for 87 body cameras, including a replacement of all equipment at the 2 1/2 year mark of the contract. Councilman Dan Moore pointed to Des Moines and Cedar Rapids as Iowa cities that are beginning to use the cameras, to show that cities have differing policies on informing the public about the cameras and making the recordings public. "The cities aren't agreeing on the policy of how they handle the evidence," he said. Chief Doug Young said he believed the court system would ultimately decide how the evidence should be handled. Scott said he would prefer other cities be sued to determine that precedent. Moore made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Rhonda Capron, to defer the $67,242 cost until the next budget year. Scott then made a motion to amend the motion to keep half of the cost budgeted in case circumstances changed by January 2018. The amended motion passed 4-0. "Something may change, and then we could at least do it halfway through the fiscal year," he said. "It doesn't mean we have to." DES MOINES | Iowa lawmakers put in a full day Wednesday talking about making large-scale changes to Chapter 20, the public employee collective bargaining law. Senators even cast a few votes as majority Republicans turned back an effort by Democrats to scrap the GOP rewrite of a 43-year-old labor law in favor of a study of public employment health care reform with recommendations to come back to lawmakers by Jan. 16, 2018. Sen. Nate Boulton, D-Des Moines, said he offered the study alternative and a separate amendment to treat public employees like private-sector bargaining units because majority Republicans were scuttling a collective bargaining system that was worked for four decades in favor of a move into uncharted waters for labor law. The Republican plan cuts and guts collective bargaining for 184,000 Iowa public employees, Rep. Sharon Steckman, D-Mason City, said during debate that continued well into the evening in both chambers. She and her colleagues spent the day talking about the first of about 80 amendments to the proposal that would significantly reduce public employee bargaining rights. The bill corporate tissue paper, according to Rep. Kirsten Running-Marquardt, D-Cedar Rapids, is an attack on human rights, breaking (workers) human rights at the bargaining table. The bill is baloney absolute garbage, added Rep. Todd Prichard, D-Charles City, who is frequently mentioned as a potential 2018 Democratic candidate for governor. If passed, the collective bargaining changes would wipe out the middle class. This bill is hard on workers. Its bad for families. Its bad for Iowa, Prichard said. So bad, Jesus would be a no vote, Rep. Mary Wolfe, D-Clinton, said. Senate debate was focused on a Boulton amendment calling for a study of health care reform. Senate Minority Leader Rob Hogg, D-Cedar Rapids, said the study would remove the uncertainty for about 180,000 public employees and their families who, if Senate File 213 is enacted would have no say in their future health insurance decisions with the promise that coverage would be offered but in some yet-to-be disclosed way. Youre creating one big question mark and youre creating a lot of fear in the state because the bill does not say whats going to happen, Hogg said. Public employers would be providing health insurance even though it no longer would be a mandatory bargaining issue, Sen. Jason Schultz, R-Schleswig, said. Unionized employees likely would be paying a greater share of their insurance costs that would be more in line with private-sector employment. Freedom and change is scary, but thats what were offering here, Schultz said. He urged senators to reject the Boulton amendment because it would strike important reforms that are important to 3.1 million Iowans. This is an attempt to remove our discussion on the whole bill and I ask you to resist this amendment. However, he backed away from a concept being pushed by Gov. Terry Branstad to create a larger risk pool of public employees at the state, county, city, and school district levels that would help drive down costs for all the entities that chose to participate. Schultz said health-care pooling could be done at the state level but it would take legislative action to expand that to local public entities. So youre not currently engaged in any discussions with the governors office about a statewide health care pool for public employees? Sen. Jeff Danielson, D-Waterloo, asked Schultz. No, the Schleswig Republican who is managing SF 213 replied. Do you believe this language gives the governor and local elected officials unilateral authority to implement that program? Danielson continued. For state employees, that could be, for all others no, Schultz replied. I would stand with you and oppose a mandatory statewide health care program that would force all of our local folks into it. Independent Sen. David Johnson of Ocheyedan offered a tri-partisan compromise in the spirit of former Gov. Robert Ray, who signed Iowas 1974 collective bargaining statute into law, that would halt what he called a union-busting proposal in favor of directing the states Public Employment Relations Board to establish a public employees collective bargaining study committee that would report its findings in January 2018. Iowans are crying out to us dont do this, Hogg said. Majority Republicans rejected that idea with Sen. Joe Bolkcom, D-Iowa City, declaring the debate over gutting collective bargaining was about the governor trying to settle the score with Iowas state employees unions because hes a bully. House members debated a strike-after amendment by Rep. Bruce Hunter, D-Des Moines, that added public safety to the scope of bargaining. Before it was voted down 55-40 at 10:10 p.m., Rep. Phyllis Thede, D-Bettendorf, called the GOP opposition to the Hunter amendment evidence Iowa has joined other states that have sold its soul to a corporation. It was part of frequent criticism by Democrats that the GOP was taking marching orders from outside groups that financed their 2016 campaigns. The bill, Democrats said, was written by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and Koch Brothers-financed conservative groups. They said the bill was similar almost identical to the language of bills offered in other states, didnt offer any evidence that ALEC was involved in its drafting. Holt denied any conversation or collusion with ALEC. Every word in this bill was created here in Iowa, yes sir, he said in answer to a questions from Rep. Dave Jacoby, D-Coralville. Rep. Dawn Pettengill, R-Mount Auburn, also defended the process, which she said lawmakers started in November. She also noted there were new reports in mid-November on plans to change Chapter 20. Nothing nefarious here, she said. Several Democrats questioned why a four-decade old law that has served Iowans well should be gutted in the name of local control, efficiency and innovation. Rep. Jo Oldson, D-Des Moines, recalled that as a high school junior from Eagle Grove she was a Senate page in 1973 when Gov. Robert Ray brought together a bipartisan groups to work on a collective bargaining law. When it passed in 1974, I thought, Wow, this place works, Oldson said. Im appalled to have to be standing here 40-some years later and watch this bill transpire before us. Its pretty sobering. However, Branstad, who voted against Chapter 20 in 1974, called the changes necessary to restore some fairness and balance to the bargaining process, especially the disparity in health insurance costs. Members of AFSCME and some other public employee unions are paying a pittance, $20 a month, while most people are paying thousands of dollars. Its not right. PHOENIX State lawmakers voted Wednesday to mandate that doctors have to try to resuscitate any fetus born alive even if is not viable. SB 1367 spells out that a baby is considered alive if it is outside of the mother's womb, if it shows any evidence of breathing, a heartbeat, umbilical cord pulsation or definitive movement of voluntary muscles. And it would not matter how far along the pregnancy had proceeded. The legislation is aimed at requiring clinics that perform abortions at 20 weeks or more to have equipment available to provide care if there is a live birth. And it requires the Department of Health Services to craft rules of what kind of care medical staff must provide in these circumstances. Sen. Steve Smith, R-Maricopa, said there were two such instances in Arizona where late-term abortions resulted in live births but the children died due to lack of care. But what made the bill controversial is that the same requirement to provide medical care would apply even in situations where a woman was not trying to terminate the pregnancy. Kelley Saunders, a doctor representing the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, said a baby may be born severely premature. Infants between 20 and 22 weeks of gestation have a zero percent chance of survival even if they are born with a heartbeat and movement, she told members of the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services. Parents of these infants just want to hold their babies and be peacefully with them until they pass, Saunders continued. To subject these babies and their parents and their families to draconian measures that don't work is cruel, immoral and completely against the standard of care. But Paul Liu, a doctor at Phoenix Children's Hospital, said that's making assumptions about when a baby is really viable. Liu told lawmakers the cutoff used to be considered 26 weeks. Now the general medical consensus puts viability at 24 weeks. And now there are actually case reports of babies at 21 weeks who have survived with minimal complications, he said. As our science has grown better, we have been able to push the limits of viability further and further back. More to the point, Liu said the only way doctors will find out if viability is even earlier is to try to save the lives of every baby born prematurely. Rep. Debbie Lesko, R-Peoria, said Saunders appears to be saying that it would be a psychological trauma to families to try to save a premature baby through resuscitation and other medical intervention. But don't you think it's a psychological trauma to the family if you let the baby die? she asked. Saunders conceded these are difficult situations, particularly in cases where this was a desired pregnancy. But she said that, given current science, a baby delivered at 20 weeks is going to die, no matter what doctors try to do. Extending the time that family has to grieve with that baby, as opposed to providing measures that quite frankly might be cruel and painful to the baby since it's been born, I just think is a very difficult thing to mandate and ask people to do, Saunders said. Liu, however, had a different take on situations where doctors begin resuscitation efforts. We invite the parents to join us to witness what our attempts are, he said. There's nothing worse for a parent to think what if? Liu explained. We would join them to show to them we've done everything we possibly could to resuscitate your child. Lesko sided with proponents of the legislation. Letting a baby die just doesn't seem acceptable to me, she said. The fact that the legislation is aimed at abortion providers was underscored by an amendment added by Sen. Nancy Barto, R-Phoenix, which allows a parent of a fetus delivered alive to claim in court that not all efforts were taken to keep it alive and seek monetary damages for psychological, emotional or physical injuries. But that right to sue applies only in cases where the live birth was from an abortion and not when it was from a premature delivery. The 5-2 vote sends the measure to the full Senate. Daniel Utz, Jr. 27, of Flagstaff, passed away February 12, 2017, in Payson, AZ. Daniel was born October 31, 1989 in Phoenix, Arizona to Dan and Wanda Utz. Daniel grew up in Payson where he was active in Boy Scouts, achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. He graduated from Payson High School in 2008 and attended Northern Arizona University. He worked as a Laboratory Technician at Norchem and was preparing to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Northern Arizona University. He loved outdoor sports, snowboarding, hiking, hunting, fishing and surfing. He was a man of great character; pleasant, unselfish, friendly, congenial, optimistic, funny, and loyal. He is survived by his parents Dan and Wanda, grandfather Jim Utz, grandfather Ockert Lubbe, grandmother Ann Lubbe, brother Paul, sister Annette, ten cousins, and the love of his life, fiancee Tiffany Cox. He is pre-deceased by Grandmother Lucille Utz (May 2016) and Cousin James Utz (2003). There will be a funeral mass Saturday, February 18th, 11 am at St. Philip the Apostle Church, 511 S St. Philip St, Payson, AZ, luncheon following in the parish hall. Bring a dish to share if you wish. Thank you to all that helped Daniel with prayers, emotional and financial support in his battle with cancer. Daniel was loved by all who knew him. His physical presence will be greatly missed, but his loving spirit will always be with us. PHOENIX State employees who don't file their income tax returns on time could end up with more than an inquiry from the Department of Revenue. They could be out of work. A provision buried in legislation designed to promote electronic filing spells out not only that state employees must e-file but also that those who fail to file a tax return in a timely fashion may be subject to immediate dismissal. And to police compliance, HB 2280 would require the Department of Revenue to come up with a rule to annually check the returns of each worker as well as all applicants for employment. Rep. Don Shooter, R-Yuma, said he is pushing the legislation to modernize tax collection. This bill takes us from the 1980s into the 20th century, he said. We're going to work on the 21st century as soon as we get this done. There's actually a lot more in the legislation which gained approval Wednesday by the House Ways and Means Committee than cracking down on tardy state workers. For example, it would eventually require all businesses to file their tax returns online. That would start with companies with tax liability of at least $20,000 for any taxable period, whether it is annual corporate income tax or monthly sales taxes. And by 2020, any business with at least $500 of liability would have to use electronic filing. Agency spokesman Ed Greenberg said 80 percent of individuals already e-file their returns. He said it's not only easier for the state to process but it also makes it easier to detect fraud. Greenberg said that's because electronic returns contain a lot more information that would raise alarms if numbers don't match. Greenberg said it works: He said the department's review of electronically filed returns detected $78 million in fraud last year. But committee members zeroed in on the concept of firing state employees who are late filing their returns. And they clearly had concerns. Rep. Mitzi Epstein, D-Tempe, said she understands why the Department of Revenue might fire workers who aren't filing their own returns on time, saying taxes are part of their job. But she questioned whether the same penalties should apply to other workers, such as those at the state Department of Transportation. It's their job to be out in the middle of the night to fix a barrier of a road to keep a road safe, Epstein said. That's maybe not the same kind of personality who will timely work on a computer and get their taxes filed on time, she continued. I want to give that hero that goes out and keeps us safe an extra couple of weeks or so. Epstein pointed out this isn't excusing late filing. She said the employees would still be subject to penalties and interest for failing to file on time. But he's not going to lose his job, she said. Rep. Jay Lawrence, R-Scottsdale, said he appreciates the desire to move the state more in the direction of electronic filing. But the spying part of the bill is really painful, he said. Lawrence noted that current law keeps the Department of Revenue from sharing information about any taxpayer, state employee or not, with that person's employer. HB 2280 would loosen those confidentiality laws. Grant Nulle, the agency's deputy director, defended the move. We just want to make the data available to state agencies as to whether their employees are contributing to the general fund like we would expect state employees to do, he said. We saw it as a piece of good government. Lawrence did not see it that way. It is spying, he said. We're going to turn in anyone that has not filed on time, whether they are out late or not, whatever the reason, Lawrence explained. That's not the purview of the Department of Revenue. The legislation spells out that state employees who do not have computers or Internet access would not be penalized. That requirement for state employees to file electronically and on time or face dismissal has one significant exception: It would not apply to state lawmakers. Shooter said he understands the objections and has promised to make changes when the legislation reaches the House floor. Weekends are going to be a lot louder at The Huddle. The South Sioux City bar best known locally for its Taco Thursdays and in-house Keno machine will now regularly host live music shows almost every weekend. Music promoter and host of the Lock N Load Show Darin Foster and sound guy Joe Fry worked together with owner Kim Verzani to help bring The Huddles new attraction to life. I used to have bands here every weekend, said Verzani. The bands I had werent drawing a crowd anymore because they heard them every weekend. When [Foster] came alone, it opened up an opportunity of new stuff. In the past, Verzani hired mostly rock and country bands to play on The Huddle stage. But the bar needed a change. Coincidentally, Foster was scouting for a new location to book shows after the closing of The Chesterfield, a Sioux City bar and music venue that served as a common site for his live music acts. Foster was introduced to The Huddle by a co-worker who frequents the bar. Within 10 minutes of meeting with Verzani, a plan was formed. But there needed to be alterations to the stage and its setup. And they needed someone who knew how to work with sound equipment. I had to find a dedicated sound guy... that would be Joe Fry, said Foster. Joe was the previous sound guy from The Chesterfield, who in my personal opinion is one of the best in the city. Unlike The Chesterfield, The Huddle did not have a sound booth installed for bands. Foster and Fry improvised and spent hours testing sound levels for each monitor using an iPad application, adjusting levels carefully in order to get a good sound inside the tin building. Foster said he wants to build up The Huddles reputation as the place in town for weekly local shows. But why The Huddle of all places? Foster said the South Sioux City location played a big part in the decision. In addition to its large space inside and outside, The Huddle is fairly close to the bridge linking Nebraska and Iowa. And we are far away from Fourth Street, he said. As a promoter, people would come in [to The Chesterfield] and then they would leave to go to Doxx or The Firehouse or somewhere else. This will get people here and then stay here and enjoy the show. And patrons will enjoy the shows at The Huddle even more now that there's no cover charge at the door, which Foster believes will bring even more people to the bar. Its beneficial for the venue, said Foster. And its beneficial for the bands -- if someone comes with 20 bucks and has to pay a $10 cover, they get $10 back and dont enough money to buy merch from the bands or drinks [from the bar]. The space itself has enough room for a large crowd of bar patrons and music lovers to spend time watching the shows and having a few drinks. Foster hopes The Huddle serves as a new hub for those people who used to call The Chesterfield home. For 10 years, The Chesterfield was known as the place for local musicians, said Foster. It opened its doors, like were doing here, for local musicians to come in and have a stage to play on. Previously, [The Huddle] was limited to bands that had their own sound system, and there are few bands that actually have their own PA. But now bands can come in here and play, and its giving those musicians another outlet since the closure of The Chesterfield and the big hit the local music scene took here in Sioux City. The live music kicks off Friday (Feb. 17) with Sleep Signals, a Minneapolis-based hard rock band, along with Sioux Citys own Black Death Jet Set and Solstice on Fire. Logan Lansik, the vocalist for Solstice on Fire, said The Chesterfield felt like a home away from home. He was heartbroken when he found out the bars fate in November. Since its closure, Lansik said theres been a void. It had been a place that we met friends, made connections and built our reputation to be able to expand to other areas, he said. To hear that happen was really sad. That was a hub where everyone could connect. However, that being said, this might be the next one. This might be the new home away from home, and thats what were excited about. And I think thats what its going to mean for other musicians, too -- especially new ones. Foster, who oftentimes collaborated with The Chesterfield for shows, agreed that it felt like something was missing when the bar closed. It was like he was disconnected from musicians with whom he regularly met at the Fourth Street bar. When Id meet one of them out in public, it would feel like, I havent seen you since high school, said Foster. I was seeing them once a week or sometimes five times a week. With everything going on at The Huddle now with those feelings, those friendships and those relationships --- I think it will be a success. We want to know what you think about the movies. You can Tweet us your reviews @scweekender or share them on Facebook, facebook.com/siouxcityweekender. We'll pick the best comments on Monday before the next Weekender. Here are this week's movies: The LEGO Batman Movie Starring: LEGO Batman, LEGO Joker Story: Bruce Wayne juggles the responsibility of raising a boy he adopted and defeating criminals in Gotham City as Batman. Rated: PG for rude humor and some action Verdict: Your movie review could go here. Tweet us @scweekender Fifty Shades Darker Starring: Dakota Johnson, Jamie Dornan Story: Anastasia confronts the angry and envious women from Christian's past as he deals with his inner demons. Rated: R for strong erotic sexual content, some graphic nudity, and language Verdict: Your movie review could go here. Tweet us @scweekender John Wick: Chapter 2 Starring: Keanu Reeves, Ian McShane Story: John Wick discovers there's a large bounty on his head after returning to the criminal underworld to pay a debt. Rated: R for strong violence throughout, some language and brief nudity Verdict: Your movie review could go here. Tweet us @scweekender The Space Between Us Starring: Asa Butterfield, Gary Oldman Story: The first human born on Mars travels to Earth for the first time and discovers new experiences. Rated: PG-13 for brief sensuality and language Verdict: Your movie review could go here. Tweet us @scweekender Rings Starring: Matilda Lutz, Alex Roe Story: A young woman struggles find the cure to a curse that threatens to take her life in seven days. Rated: PG-13 for violence/terror, thematic elements, some sexuality and brief drug material Verdict: Your movie review could go here. Tweet us @scweekender Resident Evi: The Final Chapter Starring: Milla Jovovovovovich Story: Alice must return to The Hive in Raccoon City, the place where Umbrella is preparing its final strike against any remaining survivors. Rated: R for sequences of violence throughout Verdict: Your movie review could go here. Tweet us @scweekender Gold Starring: Matthew McConaughey with a bad haircut Story: An unlucky businessman and a geologist venture through the Indonesian jungle in search of gold. Rated: R for language throughout and some sexuality/nudity Verdict: Your movie review could go here. Tweet us @scweekender xXx: Return of Xander Cage Starring: Not Vin Unleaded Story: Xander Cage is back after being left for dead and takes on his toughest mission yet. Rated: PG-13 for extended sequences of gunplay and violent action, and for sexual material and language Verdict: Your movie review could go here. Tweet us @scweekender Split Starring: James McAvoy, Anya TaylorJoy Story: Three girls are kidnapped by a man with 23 distinct personalities and somehow convince one of his personas to set them free. Rated: PG-13 for disturbing thematic content and behavior, violence and some language Verdict: Your movie review could go here. Tweet us @scweekender Monster Trucks Starring: Some kid and a monster Story: A higher schooler teams up with a subterranean creature with an appetite for speed. Rated: PG for action, peril, brief scary images, and some rude humor Verdict: Your movie review could go here. Tweet us @scweekender Jenni Beaver will likely be the only Morningside College student in her class to graduate and begin her first feature film within the exact same month. But the 19-year-old senior is already one step ahead: shes planned to host auditions for her movie Mar and Me at 6 p.m. Tuesday (Feb. 21) in the Klinger-Neal Theatre on Morningside Colleges campus. Beaver said participants do not need any experience, but asks that they do have a passion for acting. Just come and have fun, she said. We want this whole experience from the auditions to the finished product to be nothing but pure excitement and fun for everyone involved. With the script already finished, Beaver said production will begin in May and extend until June. Beavers Mar and Me is a murder-mystery about mother and daughter who move to Le Mars, Iowa, to open a bed and breakfast and find out that a murder occurred in the house that they bought. The two women then attempt to solve this murder that happened during the 1950s. I love murder-mysteries and I want to kind of ease myself into creating murder-mysteries because I dont really have the resources to create an elaborate plot necessarily, said Beaver. The characters, Marsha and Charlotte, are based on my mom and me because we have a really close relationship. And I know that if we bought a house that had an unsolved murder happen in it, we would definitely want to try and solve it. Thats what inspired the story. Is this a final project for the Mass Communications major? Surprisingly, no. Creating a movie was just something Beaver wanted to do. Although she doesnt know what exactly made her want to be a filmmaker, being exposed to and working with video cameras at college certainly had a fair bit of influence. I started out as a writer, she said. But I enjoyed the video aspect of it. This [past] summer I actually went to a film school down in Texas and have been itching to do something and decided what better time to do my first big project than after graduation. The school taught Beaver how the words in a script translate to the film itself, which piqued her interest in cinematography and what it takes to craft the perfect shot. An organization called Positive Note Network, which was founded by Beaver and her mother Joanie, will help produce the film and provide equipment for filming. Positive Note Network regularly produces a magazine every two months, films interviews and uploads vlogs on YouTube with the idea of bringing positivity to social media and traditional media. Beaver isnt expecting her film to be a blockbuster hit by any means, but she does see it as a first step into the world of film. Its such a giant animal to tackle, she said. I want to get rid of the nerves of doing something this big. 'A Cure for Wellness' (Rated R for disturbing violent content and images, sexual content including an assault, graphic nudity, and language) -- A young executive is tasked to retrieve his company's CEO from a mysterious wellness center in a remote location in the Swiss Alps, but realizes the spa's treatments are not what they seem. 'The Great Wall' (Rated PG-13 for sequences of fantasy action violence) -- Mercenaries from Europe in search of black powder become entangled in the defense of the Great Wall of China against monsters. Wait... what? 'Fist Fight' (Rated R for language throughout, sexual content/nudity and drug material) -- You thought the kids were bad? Just wait until you see the teachers. When one of them gets the other fired, he is challenged to an after-school fight. New DVD Releases for this week: 'Bad Santa 2' 'Hacksaw Ridge' 'Manchester by the Sea' 'Nocturnal Animals' 1. Rocky road Were four weeks into Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sioux Citys Road to Vegas, and it just keeps getting better and better. This weeks battle features Thick Mistress, Black Death Jet Set and Through The Stone. All three bands have unique styles and attitudes, but the one thing they all have in common is just how big they can sound. Prepare for a little pleasure in your earholes OK, that sounded weirder than we thought it would. See the show at 8 p.m. Thursday (Feb. 16) at Anthem. 2. Beer is good and stuff! Pop off the cork and crack open the kegs because theres some celebrating to be done. Whats got us all excited for libations? Uh, Steins & Vines is back! Duh! This beer and wine festival makes a return to Sioux City at noon on Saturday (Feb. 18) at the Sioux City Convention Center. There you can taste all kinds of beer and wine and even coffee from our local area and beyond. 3. You can do it! Rob Schneider, Deuce Bigalow himself, is coming to Sioux City to deliver his unique brand of stand-up comedy. Schneider is probably best known for his appearances on Saturday Night Live and side characters in nearly every single Adam Sandler film, but what some may not know is that he was also part of the SNL writing staff, having been nominated for three Emmys. Schneider will perform at 7 p.m. Saturday (Feb. 18) at Hard Rock. 4. Huddle up The Huddle Lounge kicks off its weekly live music shows with a kickass rock lineup! Headlining the night is the Minneapolis-based hard rock band Sleep Signals. Sioux City groups Black Death Jet Set and Solstice on Fire will open for Sleep Signals. Time to rock out and make memories at a location that hopes to become a new hub for Siouxland music. The show starts 8 p.m. Friday (Feb. 17) at The Huddle. 5. Smash em Any Super Smash Bros. fans out there? Would any of you want to pit your skills against others? If you think you've got what it takes, then head on over to No DI-owa, a tournament for Super Smash Bros. Melee, Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and Project M. All players are welcome regardless of skill level or experience to compete in singles and doubles events. Venue fee costs $10 and theres a $5 payment for each event -- $10 per team for doubles. Bring plenty of setups! The tournament at 10 a.m. Saturday (Feb. 18) at the Holiday Inn on Gordon Drive. 6. The Bandits are back When will the Sioux City Bandits new season begin? Well, actually fairly soon. But this weekend Siouxlanders will be treated to a pre-season game. Our hometown Bandits take on the Kearney Hawks at 7:05 p.m. Saturday (Feb. 18) at the Tyson Events Center. Grab your Bandits gear and cheer em on! And get ready for a helluva season. International Relations February 16, 2017 Leonard Gentle With the claims that a new trade union federation will be launched in March 2017, it is appropriate to draw up a balance sheet of the labour movement in South Africa, and ask whether the optimism of many that a new Left force is going to be unleashed is justified. Or whether the possibilities for a force of revolutionary working class politics lie elsewhere. The period framed by the Marikana massacre of August 2012 and the December 2013 Special Congress of the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) a congress in which the union formally broke with the African National Congress (ANC) Tripartite Alliance was one in which, so it seemed, a political rupture occurred. Marikana represented the end of the old anti-apartheid movement and NUMSAs political break seemed to prefigure the rise of a Left project anchored on the largest trade union in South Africa. NUMSAs resolutions of a United Front, a Movement for Socialism and even the possibilities of a Workers Party seemed to promise so much that its political break was dubbed the NUMSA Moment signaling a new politics, much like the 1973 Durban strikes. Its aftermath was dubbed the Durban Moment as it appeared to be a break with a left politics defined by the then ANCs political mix of national liberation based on liberal constitutionalism and guerilla warfare and the South African Communist Partys (SACP) sanctification of this under the two-stage National Democratic Revolution. Now, at the end of 2016 on the eve of the next NUMSA National Congress, and with the claims by NUMSAs union cohorts and expelled ex-Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) General-Secretary, Zwelenzima Vavi, that a new trade union federation rival will be launched in March 2017, it is appropriate to draw up a balance sheet of the labour movement three years later, and ask whether the optimism of many that a new Left force was going to be unleashed there, was justified. Or whether the possibilities for a force of revolutionary working class politics lie elsewhere. State of the Unions So far, the evidence for optimism for a trade union focus doesnt look good At the beginning of 2015, the state announced reforms in labour legislation that amounted to a new terrain of struggle for the largely precarious majority of the working class. COSATU who had been in the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) negotiating these with its social partners and all its affiliates, responded with a resounding silence. This reflected its social distance from the precarious working class majority. Then, in the middle of 2015, COSATU had its long-contested Special National Congress which proceeded to consolidate the victory of its decrepit bureaucracy and confirm the expulsion of NUMSA. This was followed by an end of the year national congress which served only to confirm its struggle against irrelevance. Then, the tertiary student struggles in the second half of 2015 raised the demand of the end of outsourcing and it was to the students that the workers turned, and university management grappled with who to talk to as the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Unions (NEHAWU) distance from workers got exposed. Then, at the end of 2016, the NEDLAC committee of experts appointed to come up with a proposed figure for a minimum wage of 20 Rand per hour with farm workers and domestic workers exempted at the same time as NEDLAC mulls a new law to limit the right to strike. These measures come after a ruling class and media hysteria-inducing campaign that South Africa has to be saved from a rating agency downgrade. COSATU and NUMSA commented on the figure proposed for the minimum wage, but are scrupulously silent on the new limitations on the right to strike and COSATU joins the initiatives to assure the rating agencies. Here we will argue that the Marikana massacre in signaling the end of the old anti-apartheid movement also signaled the end of the necessary relation between 1970s-style trade unions and the fighting battalions of the working class. To the extent that the NUMSA moment was, albeit important, a rhetorical break with the ANC but not a rupture with the politics, tactics and organizational forms of the Tripartite Alliance, the most important evaluation of that moment is to note the continuity with those politics as is also the case with the promised new federation. In this regard we seek to find the sources for that continuity, despite the laudable formal break with the ANC and the SACP. COSATU has sunk into a terminal quagmire and has become a caricature of itself. Its biggest affiliate NUMSA has been expelled for breaking with the ANC, and food union, Food and Allied Workers Union (FAWU), has disaffiliated. Nine affiliates were originally part of NUMSAs call on COSATUs president to convene a special congress in 2014 (some of these are now part of an initiative to form a new trade union federation, first announced in 2015, and now scheduled to be launched in March 2017). In 2014, workers and staff of the municipal union, the South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU), occupied its head office in protest at allegations that over 160 million Rand had gone missing. Teachers union, SADTU, expelled its president, deemed to be too close to erstwhile COSATU General Secretary, Zwelenzima Vavi. Vavi was charged with securing sexual favours from a COSATU employee and also faced an enquiry into the selling of COSATUs old building and the buying of the new one the process conducted by the then head of COSATUs investment arm Kopano ke Matla, Colin Matjila, who then moved on to head up the parastatal, the Electricity Supply Commission (Eskom). COSATUs ex-biggest affiliate, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), has collapsed in the platinum sector and only holds on to gold workers by dint of centralized bargaining arrangements with the Chamber of Mines. Chemical and paper union, CEPPWAWU, is threatened with de-registration by the Department of Labour for failing to submit regular membership updates and not holding congresses, and is only saved by a cosy relationship with the minister of labour. Transport union, SATAWU, communications union, CWU, and teachers union, SADTU, have experienced splits with accusations about corruption around their investment company (in the case of SATAWU) and jobs-for-pals in the case of SADTU. In 2016, it was revealed that the incoming NUM leadership received money from the Guptas family (of state-capture notoriety). Only NEHAWU has a substantial membership, and that is due to its being a public sector union of white collar beneficiaries of affirmative action in the public services. State of COSATU This demise of COSATU is no cause for celebration or indifference. Forged in the cauldron of thousands of strikes and campaigns, and rightly celebrated for both being at the centre of the resistance movement against apartheid and for being the first within the mass movement to begin to formulate new policies for a transformed South Africa, COSATUs history is a noble one written in the blood of workers. And yet, in 2013 the country experienced a national strike wave and an unprecedented farmworkers strike; and in 2014 we had the biggest and longest strike in South Africas mining history both sources of renewal for the working class, and both waves passed COSATU and its affiliates by. Even worse, NUM actively tried to break the 2014 strike, but didnt even have the credibility and muscle to do so. We have had nearly 15 years of working class communities being in what has been called everything from service delivery protests to a revolt of the poor. And these too have passed COSATU by. Far from the demise of COSATU occurring in a period of a lull in mass politics, or a new defeat of the working class, it is occurring when a new movement is on the rise. It is just that COSATU is not part of this new movement. That it should implode is tragic. That it should disintegrate in this inglorious way is farce. There are three sources for this disjuncture between the demise of COSATU (that includes the failure of the NUMSA-moment), and the rise of a new movement: Firstly, the implosion of the Zuma-alliance as the most immediate. Secondly, and at a deeper level, the insertion of COSATU and all its affiliates into the new industrial relations order after 1994 a process that will reveal both the moral corruption of COSATU as well as the source of the new mass politics of today. Thirdly, at the deepest level, the disconnect between a restructured working class after nearly 25 years of neoliberalism both in the sphere of production and in the sphere of reproduction and the shifting demographics of COSATU as an organization of a new middle class, while this restructured working class takes to the road of mass struggle. It was to NUMSAs credit that it saw the need to address the first source by breaking politically with the Tripartite Alliance (particularly the stranglehold exercised by the SACP). But its failure to have any serious engagement with the second and third sources (except in the rhetorical form of its United Front) has dashed the hopes of many that a new Left project would emerge out of the NUMSA moment. Late 2016 saw the announcement of a range of restrictions placed on the right to strike compulsory balloting, the setting up of compulsory advisory mediation and the declaration of the ending of violent strikes taken at NEDLAC with the full compliance of COSATU. And, yet, presented as a victory, because the panel of experts had recommended a national minimum wage set at 3,500 Rand, but with a number of exemptions domestic workers, farmworkers and with provision for employers to win further exemptions. This agreement takes place without a whimper of protest from COSATU, not even bothering to inform its own members, let alone galvanizing them. At the same time, the shell of COSATU begins to meddle in the ANCs chaos with its central executive committee championing Cyril Ramaphosa he with the blood of the Marikana workers on his hands. As 2016 draws to an end, there is a forthcoming NUMSA Congress from 13 December. But already there are signs that NUMSA and its allies are part of the same rot bedeviling COSATU. The hoped for alternative federation continues to flounder. NUMSA too has attacked the figure proposed for the new national minimum wage, but remained silent on the new proposed restrictions on the right to strike. The opportunity for the new federation to base its case on a defining mass struggle such as the proposed restrictions on the right to strike has not, to date, been prioritized. NUMSAs proposed United Front spoken of since late 2013 has not had a single instance of joint struggle, either with the working class communities active for 15 years, or with the iconic platinum mineworkers strike of 2014. And NUMSA announces a three-year deal with the retail motor employers backing down from its original demand for a super-bargaining council. NUMSA has just backed down on all its demands in each of its three core sectors engineering, auto and now retail motor without a strike or any testing of the waters of its own members. The Sources for COSATUs Demise The immediate, first level, can be traced to the make-up of disgruntled forces which overthrew Thabo Mbeki. The SACP, COSATU and the ANC Youth League (ANCYL) were a coterie of conspirators which made a pact with Jacob Zuma that, in return for seats at the table of the state, they would champion a deeply-flawed individual into the highest office. That agenda had little to do as we now know with some kind of Left-Right programmatic tension within the ANC, or that Zuma, as against Mbeki, was a more pro-poor candidate, but was about a series of manoeuvres to get into influential positions in the state machinery. COSATU is now reaping the whirlwind from that Faustian pact. It is to NUMSAs and its allies credit that it sought to belatedly break with this pact. But the second reason is one which has deeper roots the growing corruption and the nature of the industrial relations framework that emerged after 1994 (a scenario which envelops NUMSA as well). South Africas Labour Relations Act (LRA), Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA) and their associated institutions of the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA), the Sector Education Training Authorities (SETAs) and National Economic, Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) came out of a series of engagements around the National Economic Forum, the Labour Market Commission and the National Training Board between 1990 and 1995. Like the World Trade Centre negotiations at Kempton Park, which shaped South African political compromises, there was a similar set of trade-offs being enacted within the labour market sphere between Labour (essentially COSATU) and Big Business. The whole system presumed a scenario whereby Big Business would get the benefits of labour flexibility, industrial peace and skilled labour and Big Labour would get skills, job security, higher wages and a seat at the table of all labour market institutions. But neither the state nor Big Business kept their side of the bargain. Whereas the LRA, the SETAs and NEDLAC were unveiled during the period of the Reconstruction and Development Programme, the government unveiled Growth, Employment and Redistribution (GEAR) and its neoliberal prescriptions, without any consideration of its Big Labour partner. And Big Business, instead of seeking beneficiation and skilled labour, took the gap at least the biggest South African monopolies did unbundled, financialized and then jumped ship to London, New York and Melbourne. Making money via releasing share-holder value on global stock markets was so much more profitable than extending employment and promoting skills, let alone hanging out with its social partners in NEDLAC. That left COSATU with nowhere else to go. After responding with anger in the early days of GEAR, the federation was very happy at least in the Mbeki years to slag off the betrayals of its tripartite partner, the ANC, while its leaders, organizers and even shop stewards raked in the money involved in attending NEDLAC, SETAs and the myriad other tripartite and centralized bargaining fora. And each COSATU union, including the now departed NUMSA and FAWU, used workers retirement funds and Black Economic Empowerment niches to set up investment companies and serve on the boards of retirement funds. This amounted to no less than the corruption of the labour movement from senior leadership down to its battalions of shop stewards. But at its deepest level, the underlying causes for the demise of COSATU (which account for the failure of the NUMSA moment) lie in the major structural changes that have happened to the working class over the last 20 years of neoliberal capitalism and the re-alignment of COSATUs membership. In this period, the neoliberal attacks on the working class have seen a shift away from full employment and fixed employment toward casualization, informalization and unemployment in the case of the world of work, and the abandonment by the state of the sphere of reproduction of the working class from apartheid brick houses in townships to shacks in informal settlements; from Bantu education to no education or privatized education; from discriminatory services to no services or commodified services beyond the reach of the poor. As a result, the working class in South Africa is now largely an unemployed, casualized, semi-homeless mass. Neoliberalism was above all a strategy on the part of capital to respond to the crisis of over-production and over-accumulation which threatened profitability from the late 1960s and early 1970s. Much has been made of the features of this form of capital accumulation mobile finance capital, accumulation by dispossession, new roles for the state, etc. Many of these features are being sharply illustrated by the ongoing global crisis. But the restructuring of social relations that is neoliberalism also included quite fundamental changes to the labour process: from millions of workers being driven out of the labour process itself (into unemployment), to a variety of forms of externalization and labour flexibility, part-time work, home work, casualization and outsourcing. These changes have also seen work become increasingly feminized and more vulnerable sections of the working class immigrants and refugees for instance being particularly susceptible to the most extreme forms of labour flexibility. Frequently, in cases such as outsourcing to home workers, the point of production has become blurred with residential spaces. Many trade unions were formed in an entirely different period of accumulation characterized by higher degrees of permanent, industrial employment. In South Africa, for instance, we have a model of national industrial unions defined along sectoral lines, which successfully served to build a high degree of worker unity in the 1980s. Our labour laws after 1994 explicitly championed this model, and trade union organizers are well-versed in methods of organizing based on signing membership via stop orders on company payrolls, sticking closely to the notion of one-industry-one-union, and decision-making processes which work through vertical national structures. And neoliberalism has equally been about the restructuring of the sphere of reproduction of the working class. The cuts in public services and social spending on public health, education and housing, and the commercialization and privatization of water, energy, housing, and so forth, practised by almost all states across the world, have cast the burden of reproduction of the working class largely back onto the working class itself, particularly working class women. These changes in both the sphere of production and the sphere of reproduction have engendered something quite fundamental a change in the composition of the working class, and a shift in the centre of gravity of struggles. COSATU in the meanwhile has also changed in composition from a largely blue-collar working class formation in the 1980s and 1990s to the largely public sector, white collar federation it is today. This is reflected in studies done by its own research arm, the National Labour and Economic Development Institute (Naledi), as well as by the Community Agency for Social Enquiry (CASE). Until Marikana, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) was the biggest single union, but NUM has moved on from a union of coal-face workers, to a union of white collar above-ground technicians. The bulk of COSATU membership is now drawn from NEHAWU, SADTU, CWU, SAMWU, POPCRU, etc. Nearly one-third of COSATU members now have degrees. This changing composition of COSATU has seen the centre of gravity of mass struggles in South Africa today shift toward the township poor, who are those who have been waging service delivery struggles almost unabated for the last 15 years. These have been struggles largely waged by sections of the working class who are unemployed, the never-employed, the youth and women carrying the burden of reproduction of the class. How Should We Regard COSATUs Demise? With the ongoing morass within COSATU, there is amongst many on the Left a sense that some kind of moral nadir has been reached. COSATU the radical voice of the organized working class and the beacon of struggles in the 1980s and 1990s particularly after the United Democratic Front (UDF) was banned in 1987 by the apartheid regime, has been reduced to a series of internecine squabbles about corruption and sexual power games. Some might claim that the criticism that COSATU is not representative of the now largely unemployed, precariously-employed working class is unfair. Indeed, there are countless COSATU resolutions taken at congresses committing unions to organize casual workers, to force the state to ban labour brokers. There are initiatives of COSATU to research and possibly even set up structures to recruit informalized workers, etc. Some would even assert that what is required is the political will on the part of the industrial unions to tweak their structures and embrace new forms of organizing, which would be more appropriate for this changed working class. But all of these initiatives presume a kind of managerial approach to struggles and fail to understand how the working class generates its various organizations, including the trade unions. In this, there are those who wish to put the issue of politics at the centre but with two divergent paths to their critique and possible remedy. On the Right, the story goes that the COSATU unions have been too political and have sacrificed workers interests for political gain. From this side, the call then goes out for unions to go back to basics meaning focusing on pure collective bargaining and servicing members. On the Left, on the other hand, the analysis is that COSATU has adopted the wrong politics kowtowing to the ANCs neoliberal policies. Its not a problem of COSATU being too political, but not being political enough. From these quarters, the answer is that if COSATU were to embrace revolutionary politics, then the problem of worker disaffection would be solved. With COSATU in terminal decline, this optimism was simply transferred to NUMSA after its 2013 Special Congress decision to break from the Tripartite Alliance forge a United Front, a movement for socialism and explore a new party. But NUMSA itself was caught in this conundrum on the one hand, pitching its tent on the ground of the United Front an initiative of seeking common ground with the hundreds on instances of existing working class struggles in communities and workplaces. And yet it was held captive by the need to honour its obligations to save COSATU from itself. Having done so much to inspire activists with its special congress resolutions of December 2013, it misread the mood in the country amongst working class militants as it kept its focus on the rot in COSATU whether Vavi gets his job back, whether a special congress will be held, etc. In a way, it was caught in a very traditional notion on the Left that the trade unions are the very stuff of working class life and that any hope of taking the next step toward socialism depends on privileging the trade unions as the most organized force of the working class, etc. Which takes us to, probably, the most existential question of the lot: Is the necessary issue of a working class organized to facilitate social change a trade union question? Does the question of working class organization even have to privilege trade unions at all? It is not a given that the building of a mass working class movement privileges trade unions There are no lack of instances of oppression and unfairness in contemporary society and always when people of whatever social category experience such oppression they dont just accept, but contest this oppression. Traditional liberal perspectives give moral legitimacy to these struggles as that of competing interest groups and seek mechanisms to allow for their mediation and resolution. The starting point for a Marxist perspective is the notion of the central role of the working class in a theory of history and the possibilities of social justice. We lay claim to the idea that the working class uniquely amongst all classes is not just another interest group and that in pursuing its daily interests it is compelled to shake up the whole edifice of society, and open the way to revolution and human emancipation. But the working class, in order to act in this capacity, needs organization in order to act as class for itself. Traditionally, many on the Left have privileged trade unions as that exemplar of working class organization which may play that potential role. Why? Some would argue because the trade unions organize workers as a collective at the point of production, and because trade unions, as collectives of workers doing bargaining about wages and working conditions, contest the social surpluses produced by the working class, and thereby contest the terms of exploitation of the working class. In this sense, trade unions objectively school workers for more radical projects of political power and social justice. But this logic presupposes a long chain of causality which is not necessarily true, and can be shown to be conceptually, historically and empirically questionable. Over the course of its formation and history, the working class has thrown up a plethora of different kinds of organizations from benefit societies, to clubs, cultural groups, co-operatives and trade unions, to political parties and social movements. In no country in the world are the trade unions, taken as a whole, the majority organizational expression of workers, even of the employed workers. To be sure, South Africa has a relatively large trade union density at some 30 per cent but in some major industrialized countries like the USA this can drop to less than 10 per cent. Nevertheless, despite this numbers question, many on the Left have argued that trade unions are unique amongst all the different forms of working class organization in that they contest the terms of exploitation of the working class, so their social weight and significance are far greater than their numbers. But is that always historically true? That trade unions have played this role more than other organizational forms? Far from these being less about contestation of the exploitation of the working class, some have at various times played a greater role than trade unions in contesting that exploitation. In Britain, at the turn of the 20th century, workers who had set up trade unions, but had no political party, set up the Labour Party. And then, as the parliamentary party shifted toward the centre, the trade unions with membership greater than the Labour Party often occupied a space to the left of the party. In Germany, however, the original Social Democratic Party preceded the trade unions and vastly exceeded them in terms of membership. There, the trade unions occupied a space on the extreme right wing of the party. In Brazil in the 1980s, the trade unions set up the Workers Party (Partido dos Trabalhadores PT). When Lula came into power and shifted the PT to the right, the labour unions of the CUT (Unified Workers Central) were dragged rightwards with Lula. It was a social movement, the MST (Landless Workers Movement), which became more representative of the working class. In South Africa, for the last 15 years, community-based social movements have been at the forefront of working class struggles while the trade unions have largely stuck to Labour Relations Act-regulated wage struggles and generally insured labour peace. In the South Africa of the 1920s, it was the Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU) which was most representative of the working class, although it was only nominally a trade union and was rather, in todays language, a social movement of the urban and rural poor. When it was compelled to become a proper trade union under the advice of William Ballinger in 1929, it collapsed. So there is no consistency in the historical record that suggests that trade unions are the primordial organizations of the working class or that they are the ones most devoted, by their very nature, to contesting the exploitation of the working class. And yet, despite this evidence, so many on the Left would argue the centrality of the trade unions from first principles, from Marxist theory, because they, falsely, conclude that the exploitation of the working class occurs at the point of production. The notion that the exploitation of the working class is a matter of the point of production is a false one at least from the perspective of Marxist theory. There has unfortunately been no lack of Left critics of capitalism who have responded to economists focus on relationships of exchange as in, for instance, the notion of price being determined by the relation between supply and demand by bending the stick the other way, and focusing on production and associating this with Marx. By so doing they separate what needs to be unified, and thereby do disservice to Marxs critique of classical political economy. Marxs critique of political economy was broad-ranging. But for our purposes, let us focus on three strands. One strand was Marxs critique of classical political economys labour theory of value as the idea that value is about the amount of labour time spent in production. This led to the obvious rejoinder that capitalists would favour lazy workers. Instead, Marx amended this position to the notion of socially-necessary labour time. While labour produced value, it was only possible to give expression to this process in a world of competition between capitalists for the sale of commodities, which would reward the process by achieving a sale in the context of this competition meaning that labour was only productive labour in the capitalist sense when it was able to realise value in the form of consumption/sale. So production and consumption had of necessity to be related. A second strand is his notion of surplus value that is the difference between the value produced (as realised in a sale) as against the value of the workers labour power. Increasing surplus value can be done either by extending the value creating period what Marx called absolute surplus value, or by reducing the value of workers labour power relative surplus value. Capitalists exploit workers both by commanding their labour power in production and by suppressing the value of their labour power in reproduction. So the exploitation of the working class is both about the production of value by the worker and the issue of the reproduction of the working class. In the case of the Keynesian welfare state, the cost of reproduction could be transferred onto the state rather that the individual capitalist, but under neoliberalism this has reverted, largely, to the extended families of the working class. A third strand was to insist on the notion of the necessary unity of the circuit of capital from reproduction, to production and the realisation through sale/consumption. A break in this virtuous cycle is the source of crisis for capitalism. Without this understanding of the relation between production, reproduction and consumption we cannot understand exploitation, the working class and capitalism itself. It is false to see the working class as defined solely by the sphere of production. And therefore, the class struggle is waged both across the whole circuit of capital and certainly both within the sphere of production and the sphere of reproduction. With this understanding, we can liberate ourselves from the class struggle being seen as a trade union question par excellence, and focus on which working class elements are actually struggling and which organizational forms are emerging, concretely. Self-Organization and Struggle is the Key When the wave of working class community protests first emerged at the beginning of the 2000s, the media termed them service delivery protests, whilst Left intellectuals close to some of the early protests dubbed them new social movements, and then borrowed the language and concepts of new social movement theory which sought to emphasise an apparent break with Old Left theory to characterize them. Other academics merely trotted out the figures for protests and the police records to claim that South Africa was the protest capital of the world. More recently, there have been two different views: one from University of Johannesburg that these protests constitute a rebellion of the poor and others at Wits University dubbing the protests insurgent citizenship. Underlying all of these is an attempt at creating a binary working class activists are either rebelling against South Africas version of bourgeois society or else seeking to negotiate the terms of their access to bourgeois democracy. And the question can be settled by doing interviews and getting closer to what activists actually articulate. But this misrepresents the peculiar dialectic of the working class and its location in society. The working class is not revolutionary because it rejects bourgeois social relations and wants socialist revolution. It is revolutionary in seeking what is on offer within bourgeois society, but its location within the bourgeois order compels it to overturn all the strictures of bourgeois society. South Africas working class community activists only want houses, water, electricity and other services. But when they act collectively to get these services, they expose the whole edifice of neoliberal capitalism. They only want to be consulted on decision-making in their communities and hold councillors accountable, but when they act in collective action they challenge the whole moral construction of the Kempton Park order. Of course, saying so does not settle the question as to whether these struggles are in the ascendancy or in retreat, whether the activists are deeply-rooted in their communities or what the consciousness of the leading layers is, or whether the balance of forces with the ruling class has changed significantly. But our starting point is to characterize this as a New Movement. We have been characterizing it as such in three senses: It is self-generating and not the work of professional activists, political parties or Left groups who punch above their weight. It has begun to straddle different moments in the life of the working class from initially being in the sphere of reproduction and then, before and after Marikana, moving into the sphere of production. It is being conducted outside the sphere of the leading layers and organizations of the old anti-apartheid movement the ANC, COSATU, the SACP and SANCO (South African National Civic Organization) that are now thoroughly discredited and are seen as the perpetrators of the neoliberal order. The rise of the new movement is the single most important feature of this conjuncture and poses both opportunities and challenges to the Left. The rise of the new movement is the single most important feature of this conjuncture and poses both opportunities and challenges to the Left. The tertiary student uprising of the second half of 2015, and again in 2016, is another addition to a growing new movement in South Africa. But having located the centrality of this new movement to understanding class struggles in South Africa today and the possibility that this represents to revolutionary Left politics it is important also to note that there are key unresolved challenges presented by this conjuncture of a new restructured working class and out-of-synch trade union organizations The Organizing Role of Capitalism Itself and New Questions for the Movement Classically, capitalism itself organizes the working class, and, objectively, in its own image. The concentration and centralization of capital over some 100 years found its alter ego in the concentration of the working class in mass factories, industrial areas and residential estates and townships, etc. Capitals need for the reproduction of the working class saw mass public education and mass public housing (its apogee being the Keynesian welfare model where even Apartheid became a racial variant by the 1950s/60s) provided grounds for the intellectual life and the material survival and development of the class. Capitals need for a working class provided the weapons for the organized formations which emerged amongst the working class to contest the terms of incorporation into their own exploitation e.g. trade unions and other forms of collective bargaining. These forms even gave rise to other forms of organization concerned with the question of political power e.g. mass parties of the working class and even provided spaces for bourgeois parties to seek voters in trade-offs with working class formations. Taylorist/Fordist/Keynesian capitalism organized the working class in its own interest and yet on this basis the working class was able to form a movement against capitalist domination with all its regional, national and local peculiarities. But how does this role played by capitalism itself look in the case of neoliberal capitalism, given the nature and extent of the restructuring of social relations that it is responsible for? Let us look at five key changes under neoliberalism and their related unresolved questions: From the production of surplus value in the mass production of industry/ manufacture to the contestation amongst capitals over the distribution of surplus value through financialization. From the mass factory/industrial area/mass reproduction and its role in forging a collective consciousness of the working class, to the casualization, outsourcing, homework, precariousness, unemployment, homelessness and the dismemberment of the class? And not just as a temporary phenomenon. Including the sense that many strata amongst the working class do not even self-identify as working class? From the wage relation as the source of livelihoods providing a basis for the working class fighting its exploitation whilst enjoying these livelihoods, so that the moral and intellectual life of the class is built on this basis to the class having to seek self-initiatives for livelihoods, including living in a state of indebtedness? From the state as the collective organizer of the capitalist class, ensuring the most general conditions for capital accumulation, to the state particularizing financial capital, devolving functions to local states and cities, outsourcing state functions, transferring functions to other networks of states so that the unifying quality of political power for the dominated classes becomes far more diffuse. From public services, education, health, and so forth, being provided by the state and therefore a source of direct political contestation, to the provision by private providers and by the class itself, particularly women, in which the state does not appear to be involved. So that the question of a political focus for organizing becomes more abstract. In these senses, and others, neoliberal capitalism is organizing the class, objectively, differently to that of most of 20th century capitalism. And so the forms of organizing within the new movement will also be different. But, seeing that the victory of neoliberalism was predicated on a profound defeat of the dominated classes since the 1970s and 1980s, the existential question arises: How does the class which is being organized differently, objectively, out of defeats by this form of capitalism yet find ways to forge a movement which is an expression not of defeat, but of new capabilities able to turn the historic defeats into new victories? To do this the class is experimenting with new ways of organizing. But this is not a pure organizing question, but a political one of finding within these experiments new ways of how to re-assert the need for unity, for political power and for emancipatory practices, both as a vision for Left politics, for movements as well as practices within movements. Any Left worth its salt needs to be part of these processes grappling with the strategic, tactical, organizational and political questions that they throw up. In the coffee shop where I am typing, the Band is playing over the speakers (first Atlantic City, then The Weight). On the wall across from me, there is a framed piece of muslin sackcloth printed with the words Cafe de El Salvador. Baristas hand out wooden chips for customers to deposit in one of four jars, casting votes for which charity theyd have the shop donate money to this month; choices include a food bank and a center for mentally ill adults. Near the ceiling, there is a strip of black paint on which is chalked this quotation: There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is right with America. William J. Clinton. This coffee shop is called Blue State Coffee. Independent coffee shops everywhere tend to have a liberal vibe, but Blue State, which began in 2004 with the location where I sit in New Haven, Conn., and has expanded to eight branches in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island, makes its politics explicit. Conservatives can drink here, of course, but while their money is welcome, their politics are not. Blue State Coffee is a prime example of the politicization of commerce. Where once upon a time profit-minded entrepreneurs were terrified of being identified with one political camp or another, thus alienating potential customers from rival camps, today, theyre embracing partisanship as a strategy. What they lose in mass appeal, they seem to think, they gain in fierce loyalty. We saw this gamble two weeks ago, when, in response to President Trumps travel bans applying to seven Muslim-majority countries, Starbucks pledged to hire 10,000 refugees over the next 10 years. There was nothing subtle about CEO Howard Schultzs move; in his letter announcing the plan, Schultz praised trade with Mexico and seemed to express support for the Affordable Care Act. In effect, Schultz was saying that Starbucks had joined the resistance. The same week, Uber canceled surge pricing on rides to JFK Airport in New York City, a move that seemed to undercut a strike called by taxi drivers to protest the detention of foreigners denied entry to the U.S. Sensing an opportunity to stake out turf to Ubers left, rival car-share company Lyft announced a $1 million contribution to the American Civil Liberties Union. But Uber wouldnt let that stand. Faced with numerous deletions of its app, and a vente-sized cup of bad publicity, the company announced a $3 million legal fund for immigrant drivers. It also asked Trump to cancel his temporary travel ban. Commerce has, of course, always been political. Businesspeople, more often than not conservatives, have networked and lobbied to fight government regulation, unions and other perceived evils. But the politics used to be conducted on the down-low. The National Prayer Breakfast, for example, began in 1953 as the bipartisan, public face of Methodist minister Abraham Vereides right-wing activism. (He got his start organizing businessmens opposition to the New Deal.) The U.S. Chamber of Commerce was organized by President Taft to fight the labor movement, but then went through a long period of bipartisanship before returning in recent years, under CEO Tom Donohue, to an open allegiance with Republican business interests. All of this was largely invisible to most consumers. Now it sometimes seems as if every company in the strip mall has a political brand. I instinctively recoil every time I drive by the Hobby Lobby near me I cant disassociate it from its evangelical owners successful Supreme Court fight, in 2014, to deny employees coverage for contraception in their healthcare plans. The new Chick-fil-A off Exit 9? Right wing, by virtue of its owners anti-gay political donations. If I am going to be stuck in traffic, Id always rather be stuck behind a Subaru, because at least I can assume Im near likeminded folk Subaru being an early, aggressive seeker of lesbian customers. Later that night, Ill console myself with a movie from gay-friendly Disney and a pint of ice cream from the reliably liberal Ben and Jerrys. (Sometimes too reliable they got suckered by the scientifically suspect anti-GMO panic). Then Ill brush the sugar off with environmentally friendly Toms of Maine toothpaste. Which also will scrub off the stains from my Blue State coffee. And so the circle of virtue is complete. Self-satisfied as my shopping choices make me, I am not sure they are good for the country, even if they are better for the planet. Third places like coffee shops to use sociologist Ray Oldenburgs term for places that are neither home nor work are crucial for organizing social movements. But they also should function as sites of unexpected conversation, the kind that might change our lives as when we meet our soulmate over an extra-hot non-fat mocha or, perhaps, our political views. As a progressive, I am cheered by what the Starbucks and Lyft cases tell us about the country: that people who agree with me have buying power, and thus clout. You have to believe that CEOs at Starbucks, Disney and elsewhere have run the numbers and concluded that our country resembles the popular vote, not the electoral college. There are more of us than there are of them. And thus our capitalist system will be one check on Trumps retrograde policies. But if conservatives avoid Starbucks, then something is lost for me, anyway. And maybe Im losing something by never patronizing Hobby Lobby. Im not sure what they sell, but there are no doubt some mighty fine people buying it. SOCIEDAD ASIATICA THE ASIAN SOCIETY COMISION DIRECTIVA THE DIRECTIVE BOARD PRESIDENTE: Liliana Garcia Daris Universidad del Salvador. Argentina VICEPRESIDENTE: Won-ho Kim Universidad de Hankuk de Estudios Extranjeros. Corea SECRETARIO: Luis Diaz Brougton Universidad de Santiago, Chile PROSECRETARIO: Martha Barriga Tello Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Peru VOCALES: Mauricio Martinez Universidad de los Andes, Colombia Juan Uriburu Quintana Universidad de Chenchi, Taiwan CONSEJEROS ACADEMICOS ACADEMIC ADVISERS ASH NARAIN, Roy, Institute of Social Sciences, New Delhi. India GARCIA BAZAN, Francisco, CONICET, Universidad Argentina John F. Kennedy MATSUSHITA, Hiroshi, Universidad de Kobe, Japon MIEMBROS FUNDADORES FOUNDING MEMBERS ALBERT, Liliana Universidad Nacional de Buenos Aires, Argentina ANTON PACHECO, Jose Antonio Universidad de Sevilla, Espana ANTONIJEVIC, Ingrid Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Chile BARRIGA TELLO, Martha Universidad Nacional de San Marcos, Peru BERGMAN, Sergio Melton Institute de Jerusalem, Israel BERTOLINI, Luis Universidad Nacional de Buenos Aires, Argentina CABEZON, Jose Universidad de Santa Barbara, Estados Unidos CAGNI, Horacio Universidad Catolica de La Plata, Argentina CARRANZA, Francisco Universidad de Dankook, Corea CASTLETON, Barbara Ohio State University of Athens CASTRO, Jorge Universidad Nacional de Buenos Aires, Argentina CHAOUL-REICH, Alejandro Universidad de Texas, Estados Unidos CHELMICKI, Hanna I. Universidad del Salvador, Argentina DIAZ BROUGHTON, Luis Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Chile FRANCO, Raul Universidad del Salvador, Argentina GADRE, Vasant Universidad Jawaharlal Nehru, India GARCIA DARIS, Liliana Universidad del Salvador, Argentina GLUCK, Carol Universidad de Columbia. Estados Unidos HOPKINS RODRIGUEZ, Eduardo Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Peru KIM, Wonho Universidad Hankuk de Estudios Extranjeros, Corea KO, Heysun Univesidad de Dankook, Corea LOPEZ DEL CARRIL, Luis Maria Universidad Nacional de Buenos Aires, Argentina LUCO, Enrique Universidad del Salvador MARTINEZ, Mauricio Universidad de Los Andes, Colombia MASATERU, Ito Universidad Nacional de Osaka, Japon MATSUSHITA, Hiroshi Universidad de Kobe, Japon MINKOWICZ, Gabriel Universidad Nacional de Buenos Aires MONETA, Carlos Juan Universidad del Salvador, Argentina MORROW, John Andrew Minot State University, Dakota del Norte, USA NGUYEN, Thiet Son Academia de Ciencias Sociales de Vietnam, Vietnam OVIEDO, Eduardo CONICET. Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Argentina PEREIRA, Ronan Alves Universidad de Brasilia. Brasil PEREYRA, Violeta Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Argentina REMETE, Andrea Universidad del Salvador, Argentina RIMOLDI DE LADMAN, Eve Universidad Nacional de Buenos Aires, Argentina ROMERO CASTILLA, Alfredo Universidad Autonoma de Mexico, Mexico TEDIN URIBURU, Virgilio Universidad de Harvard, Estados Unidos UEHARA, Alexander Universidad de Sao Paulo. Brasil URIBURU QUINTANA, Juan Universidad de Chenchi, Taiwan VITTOR, Luis Alberto Universidad Argentina John F. Kennedy XU, Shicheng Academia China de Ciencias Sociales, Republica Popular China Last year, Chadwick Moore, a relatively unknown writer at the time, wrote, what many described as, a fawning piece on gay conservative provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos for Out Magazine. Liberals and many LGBT activists attacked the magazine as well as Moore. Moore defended himself saying he was guilty of nothing more than writing a well-balanced article. But to others that well-balanced piece appeared to glorify Yiannopoulos, especially since it included a glamorous photo shoot. LGBT activists went so far as to pen an open letter to Out criticizing their decision to publish the story. A few days ago the controversy flared back up after Moore penned a column in the New York Post, announcing himself to be a newly born conservfisative, despite voting for Hillary Clinton three months ago. In the article he detailed that hes been viciously attacked from the left and has even lost friends over his Yiannopoulos story. I realized that, for the first time in my adult life, I was outside of the liberal bubble and looking in. What I saw was ugly, lock step, incurious and mean-spirited. If you dare to question liberal stances or make an effort toward understanding why conservatives think the way they do, you are a traitor, he wrote. It can seem like liberals are actually against free speech if it fails to conform with the way they think. And I dont want to be a part of that club anymore. He goes on to write and he has a newfound respect for a prominent conservative icon. Ive made some new friends and also lost some who refuse to speak to me. Ive come around on Republican pundit Ann Coulter, who I now think is smart and funny and not a totally hateful, self-righteous bigot, he wrote. A year ago, this would have been unfathomable to me. Not surprisingly Moore received some immediate blowback from liberals. Yiannopoulos Islamophobia, transphobia, racism, and sexism are well documented, and that an LGBT publication would give him neutral (as Moore claims) coverage rightfully angered many in the community, wrote Skylar Baker Jordan in the UKs Independent. Conservatism in America has literally killed gay people. Thousands lost their lives because of Reagans homophobic inaction on AIDS. The Vice President of the United States only two years ago signed a license-to-discriminate as governor of Indiana. The right uses religion to deny marriage equality, housing protections, job protections, and even trans peoples right to use a public toilet. And unlike the British Conservative Party, the Republican Party has made no overtures towards LGBT people, no apologies for past injustices, and no attempt at including us in their vision for the country. While many on the right have publicly celebrated Moores newly found conservatism, at least one prominent conservative, Bryan Fischer of the American Family Association is less than thrilled. Fischer penned his own piece, The Myth of the Gay Conservative, on the AFAs website describing his vision of conservatism, which does not include LGBT people. Now it is certainly possible for a homosexual to hold conservative views on certain issues, and even defend them on talk shows, but it is not possible for him to be a conservative. He, for instance, might be able to articulate a conservative view on national defense, or Second Amendment rights, or school choice, or repealing and replacing ObamaCare. But he cannot be a conservative, Fischer wrote. Why? Because at the center of conservatism is a non-negotiable view of human sexuality and the family. At the heart of a conservative view of the world lies the family. Not the individual, mind you, but the family. At the heart and soul of conservatism is the notion that marriage consists of one man and one woman and a family consists of a married father and mother and the children they conceive together through their love for each other. But while Fischer does not believe LGBT people can be true conservatives he still loves them anyway. Should we love homosexuals? Absolutely. We should love them enough to tell them the truth about where their lifestyle leads, both in this life and the next, Fischer wrote. Should we make homosexuality any part of the conservative movement? Absolutely not. Under the federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA) of 1970, marijuana is classified as a Schedule I substance. By definition, Schedule I drugs have a high potential for abuse and dependency, with no recognized medical use or value. The federal courts have refused to reschedule marijuana. Consequently, any cannabis possession, cultivation, or use is a federal crime, subjecting a defendant to fines, prison time, or both. However, most federal attention addresses large-scale cultivation and trafficking -transporting or selling marijuana across state lines. Still, pot is illegal under federal law, and state laws that have medicalized and decriminalized cannabis can be overridden by federal law enforcement. The Obama Administration adopted a policy of living by state laws. What will Trump do? Twenty-eight states have now enacted laws that allow or protect the medicinal and even recreational use of marijuana. Florida joined the fold in November. Most of these states have decriminalized medicinal marijuana use and removed the risk of criminal prosecution and penalties for patients who follow the law with respect to amounts, registration, and so on. State-level penalties still apply to those who break these state laws. Obviously, there is a conflict between federal classification under the CSA, which criminalizes all marijuana-related activities; and state medical marijuana laws, which recognize and protect medicinal marijuana cultivation, possession, and use. It remains to be seen what the Justice Department will do under Attorney General Jeff Sessions. For decades as both a U.S. Attorney for Alabama, and as a United States Senator, he supported, enforced and voted for harsh penalties and legal restrictions for cannabis. The reality is that if he uses his law enforcement powers to shut down state dispensaries, he will have the right to do so under federal law. When a state law or regulation conflicts with a federal law or regulation, Article VI of the U.S. Constitution, known as the Supremacy Clause, provides that the laws of the U.S. have supremacy over state constitutions and laws, so that if a state law is in conflict with federal law, federal law trumps, for lack of a better word. That is called federal preemption, and if Attorney General Jeff Sessions decides he wants to crack down on state dispensaries, he will have the power and authority of the law to do so. We can only wait and hope he does not. If the government goes the route of enforcement, its not just dispensaries that have to worry. They can threaten doctors who issue prescriptions, landlords who rent dispensary space to tenants, students on federal scholarships, and you in your own home. This is a government that has already started raids on immigrants in their households. If it is seeking a legal vehicle to target a non-citizen with immediate deportation, they could argue that the possession and use of cannabis is a breach of federal law. Trump has not been outspoken on the cannabis issue so far, mostly with equivocal statements supporting state regulations. But he has spoken out about drugs, and if he defers to his Attorney General, pot activists may have a tough road ahead. To check on the laws in an area where you are concerned, visit www.norml.org Le Collectif Cheikh Yassine a organise un certain nombre dactivites et de festivites pour les enfants de Gaza sous le theme La joie des enfants de Gaza pour lAid . Ces activites ont commence le premier jour de lAid et continue jusquau 4eme jour de lAid dans la bande de Gaza. Plusieurs activites, ont ete organisees parmi lesquelles : des competitions recompensees par des prix, des jeux, des animations et des chants presentes par un groupe ainsi que des distributions de cadeaux et daides financieres. Following Tuesday's announcement regarding the Canadian Yearling Sale and Forest City Yearling Sale merger, The Raceway's manager Greg Blanchard has commented on Western Fair District serving as the venue of what will be the biggest Standardbred yearling sale in Canada. Standardbred Canada and Forest City Standardbred Sales Inc. announced on Tuesday that an agreement in principle has been reached to combine the two yearling sales into one, which is scheduled to take place at the Western Fair District Metroland Media Agriplex in London, Ont. on the weekend of October 14 and 15, 2017. The sale will be called the London Selected Yearling Sale. Its a good story. The Forest City some would consider the leading yearling sale in Canada, Blanchard told the London Free Press. But now in partnership with Standardbred Canada it surely will be no question. It probably makes sense from a time perspective so that you dont have to go to two sales and everyone can get to the one. To read the London Free Press story, click here. The 54th annual Blooded Horse Winter Sale held February 13-14 at the Delaware County Fairgrounds in Delaware, Ohio, was the strongest in recent history. The mild winter had horsemen eager to restock stables and breeders clamoring for mares. Burke Racing Stable LLC brought a powerful consignment that contained co-sale topper Pretty Real Desire at $30,000. A solid conditioned pacer at The Meadows, the daughter of Real Desire was purchased by Brian Carsey of Indiana to race at Hoosier Park. Other stars in the Burke consignment were Man He Can Skoot, a consistent eight-year-old pacer at Northfield Park purchased by Harla Renae Loney for $27,000, and Oh My Magic, a classy five-year-old daughter of Kadabra with dual racing/breeding potential, purchased by Glen Miller of Indiana for $22,000. Yonkers competitor Windsun Stetson was the other co-sale topper at $30,000, sold to Jeffery and Faith Stacy of Virginia. The upper-level conditioned pacer was one of several nice horses from the Richard Johnson consignment. He was joined by nine-year-old trotter Walltocousins, fresh off a win at Yonkers, purchased by Harla Renae Loney for $25,000 and 10-year-old, $1 million earner Code Word, who was purchased by Rene Allard, agent, for $20,000. Bidding was spirited for the handsome Indiana Sires Stakes winner Man Of Excess. Brian Downing of Michigan signed the ticket for $26,000 on the three-year-old son of Real Desire. The Emerald Highlands consignment with its well-bred fillies and mares is always popular with both trainers and breeders. The four-year-old stakes-placed Sportswriter mare Golden Idol, from the family of Ball And Chain p,6,1:49 ($1,435,390), was purchased by Tyler Raymer of Delaware for $23,000. Big White Pearl, from the family of Always A Virgin and racing competitively at Miami Valley, went to Cory Stratton of New York for $18,000, while Grand Circuit-winning broodmare Lightning Glory p,2,1:51.2 ($193,523), in foal to Always A Virgin, sold for $19,000 to Willis Miller of Indiana. For complete sale results visit bloodedhorse.com. The next sale is May 8, and its an exceptionally strong market for racehorses. Entries close in mid-April. (Blooded Horse Sales) Wednesday was a 'kings ransom' at Dover Downs. Jim King dominated the morning qualifiers winning five of the non-betting races. On the official race program, King haltered another three winners including the $20,000 Open Trot Handicap victor when Frost Free Hanover overtook the race favourites to score in 1:55.3. In his first 2017 appearance at a racetrack, Tim Tetrick had a full day. He drove four winners in qualifiers and added three more on the evening card. Art Stafford Jr. and Allan Davis also had driving triples. In the Open, Frost Free Hanover and Vic Kirby were content to sit back while Uva Hanover (Tony Morgan) took the early lead only to relinquish to Tough Mac (Corey Callahan), who took over before 9-5 favourite Il Mago (Tim Tetrick) moved to the front in front of the grandstand. Il Mago continued to lead the way with Tirade Hanover (Yannick Gingras) coming alongside until just past the three-quarters. Kirby then shot past driving Rich Poilluccis Frost Free Hanover, taking the field to the finish line in 1:55.3. The win was the Cantab Hall-Free Spirit gelding's third this year. Tirade Hanover held on for second with 56-1 Im So Striking (Eddie Dennis) hustling down the lane for third. In the $15,500 4&5-Year-Old Winners Over Trot semi-feature, Celebrity Pegasus turned in a big 1:54.3 victory after starting in the second tier with Art Stafford Jr. in the bike. Stafford moved the son of Andover Hall-Celebrity Athena to the outside on the turn to the half-mile and worked his way up to second on the outside approaching the final turn. Celebrity Pegasus then accelerated and breezed home to hold off favourite Earls Speeder (Callahan) at the wire. Bluebird Reverend (Montrell Teague) was a nose away in third. Its another powerhouse Thursday program headlined by the $30,000 Preferred and $27,500 Delaware Special. Three hard-hitting new faces drew outside posts in this weeks top event, the $30,000 Preferred Handicap Pace, set for February 16 at Dover Downs. Weaver Bruscemi, Lawrence Karr, Phil Collura and Burke Racing stables Always At My Place, reined by Yannick Gingras, will make his first Eastern appearance after competing in Midwestern features. Robert Mondillo and Oompas Farms' Rodeo Romeo makes his first 2017 start with Corey Callahan, and the fast Art History, owned by Ken Klein and Old Block Stables with Ross Wolfenden in the bike, will make their first local appearance. The co-feature is the $27,500 Delaware Special featuring two horses on win streaks. Blazing Bobby Sox (Stafford Jr.) is fresh from a pair of impressive victories for the Staffords and Don Marine and Brent Halls Emeritus Maximus (Gingras) is stepping up after two straight wins. First race post time on Thursday is 4:30 p.m. (With files from Dover Downs) Texas and North Carolina Lt. Governors, Tony Perkins Discuss Privacy and Religious Freedom Protections Contact: J.P. Duffy or Alice Chao, 866-FRC-NEWS, 866-372-6397 WASHINGTON, Feb. 16, 2017 /Standard Newswire/ -- Family Research Council President Tony Perkins hosted a special program yesterday with Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, North Carolina Lt. Governor Dan Forest, and abuse survivor Kaeley Triller Haver. They talked about what states are doing to protect the safety and privacy of women and children, and how they plan to defend the freedom to believe. Lt. Gov. Dan Forest responded to critics noting that "Forbes just named us the number two place in the country, the number two state to do business in the country. We're at the top, number one, in CEO Magazine; Site Selection Magazine we're at the top of the list??? We've created hundreds of thousands of new jobs over the past couple of years. Businesses are still moving here; people are still moving here in record numbers??? The latest numbers that the Governor just threw out yesterday, related to the NCAA and all of these sporting events, they said that could cost the state of North Carolina 250 million dollars. That is less than one quarter of one percent of our annual GDP in our state. As I've said all along We don't put a price tag on the safety and security, and privacy of our women and children in North Carolina, especially for a sporting event." Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick went on to also debunked reports that passing common sense bills like the Texas Privacy Act would negatively affect the economy, "If you look at the states across the country, all the states that have policies protecting privacy and public safety in bathrooms are thriving and those in the opposite direction, their economies are suffering. That's the real data. And then again in Houston there's been no economic downturn at all that we can find. Not a business. Not a dollar??? Here is the real data point on economics. Houston had the Super Bowl. I don't know of one business that hasn't come to Houston since the voters stood up and said we don't want men in ladies' rooms." Lt. Gov. Patrick went on, "With our bill??? we're really focused on the women as we see them as being vulnerable, not on the transgender issue, as much as all the sexual predators who will exploit these rules to go into the ladies' room." Kaeley Triller Haver, an abuse survivor and former employee at the YMCA, shared why she refused to go along with the YMCA's bathroom policy, "I am the survivor of childhood sexual abuse, much of which happened in showers. As a YMCA employee I was hyper vigilant??? I would regularly conduct sex offender screenings to make sure that people weren't accessing our locker rooms??? And as I would run these screenings??? I would find people in our data base, who were convicted sex offenders, who had gotten through somehow. I've sat there and I've watched the video surveillance footage trying to catch them after its been too late??? There is a real risk in opening up all of our locker rooms and our showers on the basis of gender identity??? It allows anybody to come in??? gender identity is synonymous with 'anything goes'." After Kaeley shared the response she received after publishing her story as a rape survivor, "Every day, for I think probably six months, I started to hear from women across the country, on the left, on the right, everywhere, with similar stories saying, 'please keep fighting.'" Tony Perkins added, "Target, who is the only corporation that I am aware of that has embraced this policy??? If you want to see a real version of CSI, just go into one of their changing rooms because it's been the site of crime scenes. We've had a number of cases of voyeurism, and other illegal acts taking place??? we're not talking about necessarily transgender people committing crimes. It is those taking advantage of these laws." concluded Perkins. Click here to listen to the archived video Contact: Jenna Loumagne, Media Relations Manager, Biola University , 562-777-4061, jenna.loumagne@biola.edu LA MIRADA, Calif., Feb. 15, 2017 / Standard Newswire / -- On Feb. 22, 2017, Joni Eareckson Tada, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Joni and Friends International Disability Center will receive Biola Universitys Charles W. Colson Conviction and Courage Award. Biola President Barry H. Corey will present the award to Eareckson Tada during the university's annual Founder's Day chapel."Joni Eareckson Tada has long been a shining light in the Christian world, a woman whose life has been a testimony of conviction, courage, and compassion," said Corey. "Our award selection committee wanted to honor Joni's convictions as they are expressed in her tireless advocacy for the disabled; the worldwide impact she has made through books and articles on suffering and disability; and the courage she has demonstrated in living a Christ-honoring life as a disabled person."Recipients of the award demonstrate a commitment to the unshakeable truths of a biblical worldview, as well as a willingness to act on biblical convictions, however risky or challenging it may be.Eareckson Tada is an advocate for individuals with disabilities. Her passion derives from a personal experience that left her quadriplegic in a wheelchair at age 17. After two years of rehabilitation, Eareckson Tada became determined to help others in similar situations and eventually founded Joni and Friends International Disability Center.Her organization is dedicated to providing Christ-centered programs to special needs families as well as churches. Since founding Joni and Friends in 1979, the organization has delivered more than 10,000 wheelchairs and Bibles to disabled persons in developing countries.Biola University in consultation with the Colson family established the Charles W. Colson Conviction and Courage Award in 2014. Christian leader Chuck Colson lived a life of biblical conviction with the courage to advocate truth despite difficult circumstances. Biola honored the legacy of the late Colson by awarding him the inaugural award at the university's commencement in May 2014. Colson's son, Christian Colson, received the award on his behalf at the ceremonies. The award honors Colson's legacy and celebrates Christian leaders who live in the same fashion.Eareckson Tada will also speak at the Founder's Day chapel when she receives the award. To watch the ceremony tune in on Biola's Facebook page for a Live event.For more information, contact Jenna Loumagne, media relations manager, at (562) 777-4061 or jenna.loumagne@biola.edu Property theft A man was arrested for multiple felonies after attempting to steal a piano from a church in Page on Feb. 7. Charmaine Black, 24, was arrested on three felony counts of possession of stolen property, possession of marijuana and felony possession of drug paraphernalia. On Feb. 4 employees of the Lutheran Church called police reporting that a Baldwin piano, an amplifier and a Sony flat screen television were stolen from the building. Three days later an anonymous report stated that Black was seen pushing a piano into the back of a truck on Lake Powell Boulevard. Police tracked down Black at his home on Calle Hermosa Street where the police found the television, amplifier, piano and a large amount of marijuana. Black was booked into the Coconino County Jail. Drug possession Page police arrested a local resident on multiple felony drug charges on Jan. 30. Jordan Charles Torres, 18, was charged with possession of marijuana, possession of dangerous drugs, possession of dangerous drugs for sale and possession of drug paraphernalia. Police arrested Torres at Lake Powell Campground while they were responding to a call regarding a suspicious person. When they arrived at the scene police found Torres and 6 grams of methamphetamine along with a marijuana cigarette. Torres was booked into the Coconino County Jail. Theft A woman was arrested by Flagstaff police on Thursday after she was caught stealing from a cash register according to police reports. Shanika Stevens had reportedly been stealing money from the register for over a month at the Sams Club where she worked. She was reportedly caught multiple times on camera stealing the money. Stevens wrote a handwritten confession letter to the police which stated that she would take the largest bills and place them under the registers till and then walk out with the money after work. She said she took the money because she was living in a shelter and needed to buy food and get a hotel. Auto theft On Thursday morning, a woman called police after her car had been burglarized on Anita Avenue. The police report states that the rear hatch was open and all the doors had been unlocked. The woman noted that a Bluetooth headset, radar detector and a bottle of oxycodone were all missing from the car. Police were unable to find a suspect in connection with the theft. City and county residents who want to report a crime but wish to remain anonymous may call Silent Witness at 774-6111 or (877) 29-CRIME, submit a tip online at www.coconinosilentwitness.org, or text the word Flagtip along with your information to 274637 (CRIMES). Rewards of up to $2,000 are given for information that leads to an arrest. Roger (Carroll) Garis and the Outboard Boys Series. The Boys, Terry, Martin and Warren, were created by Roger Garis and appeared in the four-book series published in 1933 and 1934. The Boys used their powerful outboard motors to solve mysteries and have adventures, etc. 1 The Outboard Boys at Mystery Island or Solving the secret of the Hidden Cove 2 The Outboard Boys at Shadow Lake or Solving the Secret of the Strange Monster 3 The Outboard Boys at Pirate Beach or Solving the Secret of the Houseboat More than 60 businesses have benefitted from the program, which was extended through May 1 while a permanent program is in the works. A Longview moratorium on emergency homeless shelters is likely to be extended six months, according to members of a city committee drafting rules on where such shelters can be located. The current moratorium expires April 15, but members of ad-hoc Committee on Zoning Regulations for Emergency Shelters indicated they will ask the Longview City Council for more time to make their recommendations. About 150 people attended the committees meeting at City Hall on Wednesday night, and many of them asked for greater zoning restrictions on where homeless shelters can be located. A proposal before the committee would allow for emergency shelters to be located in the office commercial district and general commercial districts. The largest of the citys general commercial zones is bordered by Douglas Street, 15th Avenue, Tennant Way and Seventh Avenue and along the west side of Oregon Way. The citys only office commercial zone is bordered by Douglas Street, Ninth Avenue, 15th Avenue and Florida Street. The committee also discussed allowing shelters in the R4 zones, which are primarily in the Highlands and Broadway neighborhoods. The committees proposals would prohibit shelters within 325 feet of parks, within 650 feet of schools and within 1,000 feet of another shelter. These restrictions would bar the controversial Love Overwhelming homeless shelter from relocating from Kelso to the 600 block of 14th Avenue, as shelter officials proposed this week. Many residents and business owners advocated for a shelter exclusion zone of at least a one-mile radius from schools in order to ensure safety for children walking by themselves. You have to protect the children, you have to protect the senior citizens, you have to protect the community. That is your job, Bill Josh, a Longview resident, said. A Highlands resident who is raising children voiced similar concerns with how close a potential shelter could be located to a school. Theres enough trouble here in this town. ... We have to think about the kids, the schools. And there are lots of young children in my neighborhood that walk to school by themselves ....We need to protect these children, she said. We dont need anybody else to cause problems for these kids. We need to think of children. Councilman Scott Vydra, a member of the Ad Hoc committee, and Steve Langdon, planning manager for the committee, said extending the radius to one mile from schools may leave no place in town for shelters at all, once other proposed restrictions are included. A local homeless man who came to the meeting said he was in favor of the committees current proposal, as well as allowing the shelters in the R4 districts. People have to remember, its not easy living on the street. It sucks, and I appreciate the fact that you guys are considering, because if theres no shelter, where are we going to go? he said. People think that all of us homeless are worthless, (but) youve got another thing coming. At the next Ad Hoc meeting, the committee will continue to discuss the buffer zones and whether to consider expanding to the R4 districts. The meeting will be at 5 p.m. March 9 at City Hall, 1525 Broadway. Whether a recreational smelt dipping season will be allowed this year is still undetermined, fish and wildlife officials said Wednesday. Commercial smelt fishing, which biologists are using to determine the size of this years run, has yielded low results, said Brad James, a biologist with the Vancouver office of the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife. Last week, commercial fishers yielded as low as 10 pounds of fish, but on Monday, fishers caught an average of around 115 pounds, James said. In order to allow recreational dipping, commercial fishers have to catch an average of 150 pounds of smelt each. James said officials will wait to get the results of the following Thursdays and Mondays commercial dips before determining whether a sport season will be allowed. Not too much has changed. Were still kind of in a week by week approach to looking at things, James said. James said the cold waters of the Columbia could be affecting the run and the numbers of smelt swimming upstream. He said its possible officials could see larger numbers of smelt later in the month or in early March. James also said its too early to accurately predict the size of this years run, but said he hopes to have more concrete numbers next week. Biologists were expecting a poor run, in the 3 million pound range. Thats a fraction of the more than 16 million pounds that were estimated to return to lower Columbia River tributaries in 2014. Smelt were once so abundant in local waters that Kelso boasted it was the smelt capital of the world. But a combination of factors have slashed the runs, and the species is listed as threatened. The last commercial run is scheduled for Feb. 27, and the earliest a sport season could be held is Feb. 25. We had a very generalized picture of what we thought might be coming back, but because of the level of uncertainty, we wanted to see how the commercial fishery played out, James said. By next week we will probably know where were headed with this years run. If the commercial catches stay relatively poor, then that could well be indicating that, Hey, the run is not as large as we were thinking before things began. Huawei has officially confirmed the launch of its latest smartphone P10 and smartwatch Watch 2, both the devices are going to be introduced at the Mobile World Congress event on February 26. The company has rolled out various teasers in the form of images and videos revealing the details of the launch event. Huawei has also sent media invites for the launch of these two gadgets. Released teaser images and media invites suggest that the upcoming smartphone will be the successor to its last years P9 handset. The company has also released a video on various social media platforms, which indicates that the smartphone will come with an improved version of dual camera setup as compared to the last years Huawei P9. As per the teaser, P10 will come with a 5.2-inch HD display. It will support an Octa-core processor with Kirin 960 chipset. It may support an Octa-core GPU of Mali-G71. It is highly predicted that the smartphone P10 will be available in two RAM variants. A RAM of 4 GB with an internal storage of 64 GB and a RAM of 6 GB with an internal storage of 128 GB is expected. The Phone may come with a dual rear sensor of 20 MP and 12 MP. The front camera will come with an 8 MP resolution. The smartphone is expected to come with a battery of 3100 mAh. It may have a fingerprint sensor on the Home button. It is also predicted that to support the battery; it may come with a wireless charging option. On a Spanish retail website named as Phone House, there has been a rumour regarding the launch of P10 plus. But for P10 plus there has been no official announcement. As per the rumours, the P10 plus is expected to come with a RAM of 8 GB, just like the Asus ZenFone AR. It has been set at a price of EUR 799 (approximately RS. 56, 800). But this information is no more available on the particular website, which indicates that this might be a false rumour. Richard Yu, the chief executive of Huaweis Consumer Business, revealed via Weibo that the smartwatch Watch 2 will also be revealed at the event. This watch was about to launch in the last year, but due to the unavailability of Android wear 2.0, the launch was delayed. It is also rumoured that the watch will come with a Sim slot to feature the Cellular connectivity. Google, the biggest search engine, is hitting hard on Piracy and in a breakthrough to kick out it completely; soon it is going to boycott all Torrent sites from its platform. With the aim to make its wrestle against piracy more ferocious, the Alphabet-owned search engine is planning to ban all of the Torrent sites from its search platform. It means, soon torrents sites will be unable to serve results on Google. It is a revolutionary step from Google, which can also help out other search engines to deal with cyber bootlegging efficiently. In this project of combating piracy by boycotting Torrent sites, Google is not the only search engine to take part. Some other leading search engines like Bing is also working on introducing stringent measures to counteract the torrent sites. According to the new report published by TorrentFreak, Google recently condemned big motion pictures and Hollywood representatives for encouraging piracy. While on the other hand, the opposite parties have also started protesting against this bold decision of Google and Bing. A year back, Google was landed in a controversy for criminally removing links from its search result platform, and it is also allegedly violated the copyright by following this measure. At the same time, India also came up with the prohibition news of the illegitimate torrent search engine and torrent sites, in order to combat counterfeiting of web contents. Despite the introduction of downloading torrent contents as a punishable offence by the Indian government, other countries have kept on supporting Torrent contents and sites, indirectly promoting piracy. However, the new initiative of Google is expected to bring some remarkable changes in web platform and somehow combating the counterfeiting of web contents. According to the report given by Baroness Buscombe from the UK to Torrent Freak, All the search engines involved in this mission, including Google and Bing are extremely co-operative. The new measures will not only roll out advancements to their algorithms and procedures but also will help them to work respectively with creative industry delegates to investigate the alternatives for new intercessions and the methods how the existing processes may be streamlined. The new report also stated that recently a conference took place between UKs Intellectual Property Office and web companies like Google, Yahoo, and Bing as well as Hollywood representatives for a thorough discussion on the new policy of Google. Initially, the new measures are expected to roll out in the UK, which later will be spread out to a global ban. The facelifted 2017 Kia Picanto indeed seems like a great hatchback for India. The 2017 model will be unveiled at the Geneva International Motor Show and will showcase some new additions like the sporty GT-line and S trims for the first time. The new Kia Picanto, gets new bodykits, unique paint shades and a new engine option. The new model will only be sold as a five-door even though it features a longer wheelbase and a shorter overhang. Coming to the engine options, the new Picanto will arrive with three engine options. There will be a three-cylinder 67hp 1.0-litre petrol engine, a four-cylinder 84.1hp 1.2-litre petrol engine and a new turbocharged 100hp 1.0-litre petrol. The new 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol as per Kia's claims is good enough to propel this hatch from 0-100kmph in 10.1 seconds. Kia has even worked on reducing engine vibrations and noise by adding more soundproofing materials. Inside, the new Picanto gets a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The new system is expected to be a standard fitment in all markets. The new infortainment system sync with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Safety is also an important aspect of the new Kia Picanto. The company in its release states that while six airbags are standard, the new model can also be fitted with a knee airbag which along with automatic emergency braking should get it some brownie points in the NCAP safety tests. Mitsubishi has officially revealed its all new Grand Lancer for select Asian markets. The new lancer comes with a brand new design but retains the characteristic Lancer look. The new Grand Lancer will only arrive in markets such as China, Taiwan and Malaysia. So far there's no news whether the new model will make its way to India. The front of the new Lancer showcases a new look that now brings it in line with Mitsubishi's newer offerings. There is a wide chrome grille that stretches across the front with chrome inserts going all the way down till the fog lamps, giving it a bold look. The rear end too sees a change with a refreshed design and a new tail lamp cluster that reminds us of the current gen Lancer sold in international markets. There are a new set of 18-inch chrome and black wheels that complete the brand new look. The interior receives a makeover as well and we get an 8-inch infortainment system with dual-zone climate control. In terms of power, customers for now will only have one option and that is a 1.8-litre SOHC, MIVEC four-cylinder delivering 140PS. The engine drives the rear wheels only using an updated CVT system. tech2 News Staff The Indian government has reportedly launched a new initiative where it will provide pre-loaded SIM cards to e-Visa bearing foreign tourists. Dr Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Tourism and Culture said during the launch of the service that this initiative will facilitate tourists in communicating with friends, relatives, near and dear ones soon after their flight terminates in India. The pre-loaded SIM card facility was announced in association with Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited, (BSNL) where the network operator will distribute these SIM cards to foreign tourists on their arrival in India. The facility will initially be made available in New Delhi at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (T3 Terminal). Rest of India's 15 international airports that offer e-Visa facilities will also be added in due course of time. According to a report by Financial Express, the SIM cards will be pre-loaded with a talk-time of Rs 50 and data value of 50 MB and will be activated immediately. Foreign tourists can avail the SIM card by submitting their e-visa copies and the first page of their passport to BSNL. Before launching the SIM card facility, the Ministry of Tourism had also launched a 247 Tourist Helpline number (1800 111 363) in 12 foreign languages to cater to the required information the foreign tourists need in their respective languages during times of distress, medical emergency, etc. Conscientious objectors Tamar Alon (left) and Tamar Ze'evi. Rami Ben Ari Once again, amidst the terrible things that are happening in Israel today, the bigotry and the racism, the murderous indifference and the ethnic cleansing, I turn to what is a story of hope. This is an article about 3 incredibly brave young Israeli women who have chosen repeated terms of imprisonment in military gaols rather than becoming complicit in Israels murderous occupation of the West Bank and the oppression of the Palestinians. This is a story that says that even in the midst of the darkest tunnel there is always a glimmer of hope and light. Israel is a state where a cold-blooded murderer, Elor Azaria, who pumped bullets into the head of a Palestinian man who was lying unconscious on the ground became a national hero . Israel is a state where a murderer like Azaria can have his face put on thousands of supermarket shopping bags. But it can also produce teenagers like the women who are refusing to participate in the military repression of the Palestinians. In Israel they put the face of a cold-blooded killer on supermarket bags But let us be under no illusions. It is only a minority, a tiny minority, of Israeli Jews who reject the Jewish supremacist values of Zionism and the Israeli state. Just as in South Africa it was only a minority of Whites who rejected Apartheid. As Martin Luther King wrote in Letter from an Alabama Gaol, the privileged never give up their privileges voluntarily. However these are the Israelis we should offer our solidarity with. They represent the best of Israeli society. Those who, like the fake left Owen Jones, speak on the platform of the Israeli Labour Partys British extension, the Jewish Labour Movement and Labour Friends of Israel, are joining hands with the putrid corpse of yesterdays Labour Zionism. The first 30 years of the Zionist state were the years of Israeli Labour governments. They were years that laid the basis for the rule of Begin, Shamir, Sharon and now Netanyahu. It was Labour Zionism, not Likud that established the first settlements and which conquered the Occupied Territories. Occupation objector, Tamar Alon, center, who has refused military conscription is flanked by Arab Aramin, left, and Yigal Elchanan, right, each of whom is the bereaved brother of a young girl, one Palestinian the other Israeli, killed during the continuing cycles of violence. For Tamar, the testimonies of both Arab and Yigal during the tenth Israeli-Palestinian memorial ceremony this past spring constituted the defining moment in which I realized that I must refuse. (Photo: Mesarvot) The racist liars of Labour Zionism and the JLM who purport to support 2 states, are resolutely opposed to a refusal to serve in Israels army of occupation. All Israels Zionist parties, including the leftist Meretz oppose refusing to serve in the Zionist army. The reason is quite simple they support the Occupation and the accompanying reign of terror. They are the hypocritical Zionists who want to be nationalists in Israel and pretend to be oppositions abroad. Only the anti-Zionist left and the Arab-Jewish Joint List support the refusal of Israeli Jews to serve in the army. The Israeli Labour Party, of which the JLM and LFI are the representatives in Britain has always been viciously hostile to the idea of refusing to serve in the army because for them the army is the object of veneration. As Joan Ryan MP demonstrated in the Al Jazeera programme The Lobby when questioned about 2 states, this is a mere phrase masking their support for the Occupation. When subject to what she thought about the settlements, Ryan blustered and retreated into cliches about support for 2 states. Because if you support the Occupation you cannot support a Palestinian state. That is why the support that the JLM has received from Owen Jones, Rhea Wolfson and Jon Lansman is sick example of the chauvinism that lies at the heart of British labourism. There is nothing remotely socialist or left-wing about Labour Zionism. Labour Zionism was always based on hostility to class struggle and class unity. It operated under the slogan From Class to Nation the Labour Zionists replaced the class struggle with the national struggle against the Arabs. They campaigned on the slogan Jewish Labour i.e. a Boycott of Arab Labour not a unified working class. A Jewish state meant an alliance between the Jewish working class and the Jewish capitalists at the expense of the Arabs. Tony Greenstein Odeh Bisharat Feb 06, 2017 On Monday well see if the army extends the detention of conscientious objectors Tamar Zeevi and Tamar Alon, who have spent 74 days in a military prison. Another conscientious objector, Atalia Ben Abba, will be joining them at the hearing for the first time. Its important to note that these three young women werent among those who threw bleach and stones at policemen in Amona. Its just that they have a conscience, and the hell with where it leads. These are girls who prefer to be behind bars than be part of an occupation that embitters Palestinian lives. The price theyre paying is a denial of their freedom. Ive been trying to figure out the nature of conscience, that wondrous creature thats subject to repression in many places but still springs up again in all its power and glory. According to Wikipedia, conscience is an aptitude, faculty, intuition or judgment that assists in distinguishing right from wrong. Ive never seen an independent conscience wandering the streets. Nor do I know in which part of the body the conscience resides the head, the heart, or maybe the big toe. But every time the conscience rises up whether through conduct or by taking a stand, I tremble with pride and my eyes tear up at the realization that Im part of the human race and I can quickly forget Benjamin Netanyahu, Bashar Assad and Donald Trump. Dont get me wrong; everyone has a conscience and a matching personal morality. Thus the conscience of Zionist Unions Tzipi Livni leads her to criticize the regularization bill aimed at legalizing illegal settlements. The truth is, I was a bit worried about her when I heard this but quickly calmed down when I realized shes fine. Conscientious objectors Tamar Alon (left) and Tamar Ze'evi. Rami Ben Ari It turns out shes against the bill because if we make a fuss over every mobile home, well be overreaching and end up with nothing. The regularization bill does us more damage than Breaking the Silence, BTselem or any other organization. Passage of the bill will get Israeli soldiers taken to The Hague, she said, referring to the International Criminal Court. We must therefore clarify that Livnis morals have no connection to morality, and if they met true morality, they might be called traitorous. Livnis morality is mortgaged to the land lust that prevails here; grab as much Arab land as you can. If the legalization lets you grab more, fine. If it doesnt embarrass Israel in front of the world, great. And if no Israeli soldiers are at risk of prosecution in The Hague, even better. Dont hit too many children because your hand will hurt. Livnis morality is immoral. Its like a mother telling her son, Im not willing to accept the claim that oppressing another people, denying basic human rights, racism and hate are essential to Israels existence. She refuses to serve in the occupation army not because of what the world will say, not because she fears the ICC in The Hague, but because the occupation is immoral. And here we have conscientious objector Tamar Alon, whom I view as my daughter, saying clearly,She refuses to serve in the occupation army not because of what the world will say, not because she fears the ICC in The Hague, but because the occupation is immoral. But the system doesnt embrace her and take pride in her comments, which testify to her morality. It puts her in jail for weeks. Maybe her conscience will be repaired there. Meanwhile, 245 students at Tel Avivs Ironi Alef High School have signed a petition expressing their support for her. Big Brother, please note. I know you cry alone, but youve added another lamp to the path. Its not easy for parents when their daughters pay a heavy price for adhering to their consciences. But their stance paves a different trail for two peoples yearning for a life of peace and tranquility. The Iraqi poet Muzaffar al-Nawab wrote, Your daughters are like shining stars in our long night. Conscientious objectors Tamar Alon and Tamar Zeevi say they wont contribute to Palestinians oppression Two Israeli women were arrested on Wednesday after they refused to enlist in the Israeli military, citing objections to the IDFs activities in the West Bank. Conscientious objectors Tamar Alon, 18, and Tamar Zeevi, 19, who were both slated to join the IDF, arrived Wednesday afternoon at the recruitment office in Tel Hashomer. There, after declaring their refusal to serve, the two were arrested and imprisoned for two days by army authorities. Israel does not recognize political or conscientious objection as grounds to receive exemption from the mandatory draft. Alon and Zeevi refused conscription due to their unwillingness to contribute to the oppression of the Palestinian People, according to a statement by Mesarvot Political Refusal Network, an organization that is aiding the two objectors. Tamar Alon is a second-generation conscientious objector. Her father Chen Alon famously refused to serve as a reserve officer during the Second Intifada and then founded Combatants for Peace, a bi-national peace movement that connects Israeli and Palestinian activists. harsh realities of their lives from a young age, she said. It was through that organization that Alon met Palestinians and was exposed to the she said. I believe that the ways of war, violence and oppression will not allow us to maintain a democratic state and be a free people in our land, she said, referring to a line in Hatikva, Israels national anthem. I refuse to enlist out of concern and love for my society and out of a desire to encourage public discourse on the character and future of our society. she said, referring to a line in Hatikva, Israels national anthem. Zeevi echoed Alons sentiments, insisting that she was refusing to serve due to her love for the land and its people. We will only get out of this cycle of fear and violence when we open our hearts and minds, look at what is happening around us, and allow ourselves to feel the pain suffered by the people who live in this land, said Zeevi. Once we all understand and accept this reality, I want to believe empathy, tolerance and compromise will be our only choice. said Zeevi. Alon and Zeevi have received a new enlistment date next week, and are expected to refuse and be tried again. This cycle could ultimately lead to their protracted incarceration in military prison. Anirudh Regidi The Indian Space Research Organisations (Isro) PSLV-C37 mission yesterday was one for the record books. If you missed all the fanfare that's quite a rock you've been sleeping under the mission successfully placed a record-breaking 104 satellites into orbit at one go. While I dont mean to be a sourpuss, Id like to point out that as impressive as those numbers are, the fact that Isro put a 104 satellites into orbit isnt the highlight of the mission. As with the Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), the highlight of this mission was the price, and something a little more intangible. The PSLV carried 104 satellites totalling around 1,400 kg to low earth orbit (LEO). It only did so because at just $15 million, PSLV-C37 was the cheapest launch option around. SpaceX, for example, could have easily accomplished the same mission, and carried a few thousand satellites more while it was at it. SpaceX vs Isro If you compare the Falcon 9 and the PSLV, theres no doubt as to which spacecraft is better. The latter can carry a payload of 3,800 kg to LEO, the former can take 22,300 kg to LEO. The Falcon 9 is also reusable. SpaceX a private space company with a fraction of the budget that Isro has. In terms of numbers, SpaceX has operated on a budget of $1bn for 10 years, whereas Isro 2016 budget was around $1.1bn. But Im being very unfair here. SpaceX is a privately funded company with the full backing of the US Government and Nasa. This means that SpaceX has a thriving ecosystem to work in with Nasa being the bigger player in the US. Isro is a government funded company thats been forced to survive mostly on its own and under heavy sanctions (Cryogenic engines, anyone?) which slowed progress. The US has also passed legislation preventing US companies from coming to Isro for their launch needs. In that light, Isros achievements are nothing short of staggering. The space program isnt about space If I wanted to paint a bleak picture of our space program, Id say that in the larger scheme of things, Isros barely achieved anything. Weve launched small satellites to space, put an orbiter around Mars and the moon and thats about it. Nasa, ESA, Roscosmos and others have sent men to the moon, maintain a space station, sent probes to the outer edges of the solar system (and one beyond it), photographed Pluto, landed on a comet, penetrated Jupiters atmosphere, sent robots to Mars, landed on Venus and a great deal more besides. And they did this decades ago. India is still contemplating a second Mars mission which might put a robot on the Martian surface. We intend to send an orbiter around Venus. India will only be testing its first cryogenic engine in March and this will only enable the GSLV to take a 5,000 kg payload to LEO. The proposed ULV will only manage a 15,000 kg and Indias reusable launch vehicle is still a prototype. SpaceX is targeting a payload of 500,000 kg and even Blue Origins New Glenn rocket is expecting to take a payload of 50,000 kg. That is a pretty bleak picture, but its misleading. The space race has never been about conquering space, thats incidental. Its about technology. Our space program was built on the sheer willpower, brilliance and hard work of a select few It didn't just come about overnight. These few carried satellites on bullock carts, rockets on bicycles and built prototypes with their bare hands in a dilapidated church. They didn't have the luxury of drawing on a pool of experienced engineers, millions of dollars in funding and the ecosystem from an existing space program. Indias launch is significant not for its raw numbers, but for what the launch represents. Lacking the resources and technology of more established peers, India has to rely on its own devices and every launch, no matter how small, is hard-won experience. And we are learning fast. The space program is about progress Indias investments in Isro are not just about investing in satellite launches, its about research and development. Nasas space missions, while theyve furthered humanitys knowledge of how we came to be, have huge real world implications. The products of space research include Lithium-Ion batteries, efficient computer algorithms, LEDs, smartphone cameras, image stabilisation, water filtration systems, food preservation technology, artificial limbs, MRI scans, panoramic photos, etc. The iPhone wouldn't exist if it wasn't for Nasa and the like. As we point out here, Isros research into batteries which it needed for the MOM mission has contributed significantly to the development of our nascent electric bus program. Why would we need to import expensive technology when we can learn to build it ourselves? Sure, we dont have the capability to launch a Hubble space telescope yet. But well learn, and well do better. As Neil DeGrasse Tyson explained in an impassioned plea for a higher Nasa budget, a thriving space program is needed for rebooting the countrys capacity to innovate. As he pointed out, a young student will not study something as hard as fluid dynamics with an ambition of improving aircraft wing efficiency by 15 percent, hell study it because he wants to build a rocket thatll get us to space. The wing will be incidental. If you want to build a ship, dont drum up people together to collect wood and dont assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea. - Antoine de Saint-Exupery. Why are we excited for SpaceX? Is it because a private company intends to build a cheap and efficient space-trucking service for hauling supplies to the ISS? No, were excited because Elon Musk wants to take us to Mars, to make humanity an interplanetary species. When the UAE announced that it will build a settlement on Mars by 2117, its not doing so because it wants to get to Mars. Its doing so because it wants to kickstart a space program, to get young minds energised, to invest in research. If you look at the larger picture of the Indian space program, the 104 satellites launched in one shot would seem like one of many baby steps to space. The real achievement is in putting India on the global map and firing up young minds in our country. I have no doubt that Indias space program will take us to the next step in our technological evolution. hidden There's a little bit of SAIL behind launch of a record 104 satellites in a single rocket by ISRO from Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. In line with once popular baseline of Steel Authority of India (SAIL) that "There's a little bit of SAIL in everybody's life", the state-owned PSU has supplied special steel for ISRO launch of record 104 satellites in a single rocket. "Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) has once again become true force in transforming the nation by supplying steel to ISRO for the launch of a record 104 satellites in a single rocket on February 15, 2017," the company said in a statement. In this scientific feat SAIL's Salem Steel Plant (SSP) has played an important part by way of providing high quality stainless steel for the fuel and oxidizer tanks used in the launch vehicle, it said. SAIL SSP has supplied steel for the iconic Chandrayan and Mangalyaan missions too. With this feat of ISRO, India now becomes the first country to script history after launching these record number of satellites in a single rocket. ISRO's workhorse rocket PSLV created the record today by launching 104 satellites in a single mission from the state-of-the-art space centre at Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. PTI R Swaminathan The PSLV C37 is a manifestation of a highly potent engineering thought: Powerful, precise and frugal. PSLV C37 is also a projection of mindset derived from a highly distilled worldview: again powerful, precise and frugal. There is a quietness thats endearing about the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) scientists. Come to think of it, its the same for the scientists of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). It was precisely these qualities that made Dr APJ Abdul Kalam possibly the most popular President of India. Beyond the standard trope of Bata kabuli chappals, half-hand shirts, ill-fitting pants, neatly combed hair and typical Indian accents, Isro scientists represent a worldview that stands in direct competition to a strident narrative that ties in science with brightly lit and impossibly antiseptic labs and celebrity scientists. It builds science as a forbidding and elite frontier, impossibly complicated, that can be entered only by the chosen few. In more ways than one, Isro scientists represent the original essence of science and the spirit of scientific enquiry that architected a right balance of human curiosity and rigorous execution. When Isro scientists transported their first communications satellite Apple on a bullock cart, it shed light on the shape of things to come: Functionality over bells and whistles, and an innovation that was distinctly earthy, homegrown and effective. Later on, scientists would routinely carry critical components on a bicycle and strip down to their vests and work on rockets like how garage mechanics would dirty their hands repairing leaky motorcycles. Abdul Kalam did that. The only other nation that had a similar ethos was the erstwhile Soviet Union. Their world beating cosmonauts Yuri Gagarin and Valentina Tereshkova, once they had done their bit, became normal citizens travelling by bus to work. (Also read: PSLV-C37 started 2017 with a ban; here's what to look forward to in the coming future) Isro insiders have a more recent story that underlines the same point. Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari came up with an idea to make public transport buses in all major cities electric, and at an affordable price point. Bureaucrats and experts said that the biggest constraint in making such buses cost effective was the cost of batteries. Gadkari is known as an intrepid minister with a sharp mind and he asked them a question: How did Isro Mangalayan mission cover so much ground [I am sure he meant space] on battery packs? The bureaucrats scrambled and got in touch with Isro. Isro sent one man, their top man who had cracked the relatively complicated technology behind the 36 Ah Lithium-ion battery aboard the orbiter. The story goes that he was dressed like how Isro scientists are usually dressed, and introduced himself like how Isro scientists usually introduce themselves: Politely, quietly and in a low key manner without any fanfare. Gadkaris officer ignored him, till the minister came out to find out what happened to the appointment. Profuse apologies later, and a good two hours later, Gadkari was a satisfied man. Last I heard, the technology has been customised, adequately down-rated and tropicalised, prototypes built and cost about 1/10 the price of commercially available electric batteries. In all this, its easy to miss the worldview driving the frugal engineering of Isro, as its equally easy to focus on the astoundingly low costs that Isro is routinely able to pull out of its hat, much like an accomplished magician. The Mars Orbiter Mission (MoM) aka Mangalayan cost about Rs 450 crores, the lowest cost ever. For perspective, China lays about three kilometres of high speed railway track for the same cost. In American dollar terms, Rs 450 crores is about $73 million. The Sandra Bullock-starrer Gravity cost US$ 100 million to produce. Isros quiet confidence, technical prowess and its ability to consistently build a low cost model of operations is bound to raise the hackles of several interested parties who are finding their comfortable world being shaken by one uncomfortable question: How is Isro able to do this so well and at such prices? Now, with a world record under its belt, Isro should prepare itself for several below the belt attacks. The space mafia [and I take full responsibility for using such a strong word] will attack Isro in three ways. The first attack will be through the bilateral route, where countries that have the technical know-how would lean on the Indian establishment and deny them critical technologies. There is precedent for such arm twisting. The way in which the US pushed the Russian administration to cancel the transfer of technology for cryogenic engines is still fresh in Isros mind. DRDO has suffered a similar fate with some of its critical aviation projects. But the Isro of today may not be impacted too much by such steps, as it has invested heavily in developing almost all the critical technologies in-house. The indigenous GSLV Mark III using the C25 cryogenic engine is only a couple of steps away. The engine has been tested for 50 seconds, and would be tested for a full duration of 640 seconds in a few days. The second attack will be through the economics of launch route, where dominant agencies in developed countries, particularly NASA, will mount a strong internal campaign educating [read lobbying] the senators and the Congress that Isros costs are low because of the so-called subsidies provided by the Indian government. Creative economics will be used to show how the actual cost of the launch is 3X the publicised cost. This kind of education will lead to two things. First, bilateral pressure on India to reduce subsidies, backed by stories by a pliant media of how Isros space programme is nothing more than a military programme in disguise to develop Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBM). Second, more support and subsidies to Nasa to make it competitive in the global satellite launch market. The third attack will be the most insidious and will be led by the private space exploration and launch companies. These companies will offer jingles, whistles, bells and fancy salaries to attract the Isro cream. It will be done in a bloodless manner, and without anyone even realising it. A public institution like Isro will be bled dry and made hollow. There are enough examples of superb Indian institutions raided mercilessly by corporate lobbies and private companies. Just ask Sam Pitroda and he will tell you all about how the cream of C-DOT and C-DAC were poached by multinational companies and private Indian firms to kick-start the Indian telecommunications revolution. PSLV C37 is a big moment for Isro and the institution deserves all the credit and kudos its getting, and some more. However, its stupendous success is both a blessing and a curse, making it particularly vulnerable. The government needs to be aware of the dangers being faced by Isro and should play an active role in fending them off. Isro is a national treasure and needs to be protected. Swaminathan is a Consulting Editor for Firstpost hidden Chinese mobile handset manufacturer Xiaomi is likely to soon procure licence to operate its own branded outlets in India, as part of its effort to increase its offline distribution in coming years, company's top executive said here today. Company's India Head Manu Jain said Xiaomi had in March-April last year applied to the government for single brand retail licence under the category of cutting edge technology, and expects to get the licence in a few months. "Our application is pending with the government. What we understand is that it has been approved by Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, but finance ministry and others still have to clear it," Jain, who was here to launch the company's latest product, Redmi Note 4, said. "We are supplying all necessary documents to the government. We are hopeful that we will get it some time soon, not 100% sure of the timeframe, but hope to get it soon. We have told the government that majority of phones being sold in Indian market are being manufactured here, it is meeting the 30 per cent local sourcing norm for the licence," he said. Jain further said the single-brand store will be part of the company's marketing strategy to increase offline foothold, even as it enjoys close to 30% market share online, the channel through which it sells over 90% of its mobile phones in the country. He said that in order to retain its cost effectiveness in offline sales, the company will adopt the Direct to Retail model to cut down on layers of wholesalers. "We plan to set up offline base. We will start with 4-5 cities in the next few months, and will be in Ahmedabad in next 5-6 months," Jain said. "Our aim will be to get 25-30% share offline by the end of this year," he said. "Even in offline sell, we will cut down cost by following Direct to Retail model of distribution. We will have one partner in every city and will give directly to them, in order to part benefit to users," he said. The company sells 2.5 to 3 million units of mobile phones every quarter, 75% of which is being made in India, Jain said. India had in January 2012 relaxed its FDI norm for single branded retails and allowed 100% FDI in single-brand retail, with condition that 30% of value of goods are sourced from India. PTI tech2 News Staff Google is finally looking to acquire startups in India. The search giant is looking to invest in Indian startups and is reportedly in talks with various entities, including various venture capital (VC) firms. In its report, GadgetsNow states that Google is seeking to directly invest in or acquire companies in India that cater to whom it refers to as the next billion internet users. The Economic Times sources tell them that Google is not interested in eCommerce and will, in fact, be looking at companies involved in cloud computing and cybersecurity. Google wants to get the next billion online and that would require investment in network infrastructure, financial service, healthcare, education and more. As it stands, India has a population of 1.3 billion, but it doesnt have a billion internet users. The report points out that Google has acquired more than 70 companies globally since 2014, but is yet to acquire a company in India. Its domestic VC arm has invested around $15 million in companies in India. Google is very keen on tapping into Indias potential internet population, as is seen in its investments in RailWire, the Smart Cities programme and more. A number of education ventures are also in the works. Please Donate In order to maintain this blog I have to pay for its upkeep including a hosting company, support services, virus and other malicious hackers. If you appreciate what I write please make a donation. Racist PayPal Tries to Close Down My Blog As you can see from this article PayPal have removed my blog. I would therefore ask people to make any future donations to the following: Name of Account: Brighton and Hove Unemployed Workers Centre Account No: 04094107 Sort Code: 09-01-50 Reference: Web donations Because theres seemingly no limit on failing upwards in the world of billionaires, Jeffrey Loria is reportedly being considered to be the next United States ambassador to France. Thats according to this New York Post report: But (White House chief of staff Reince) Priebus is using his Oval Office access to get President Trump to sign off on a list of some of the most desirable diplomatic postings, angering State Department officials, multiple sources confirmed. So far, Priebus has pushed and won signoffs for Miami Marlins owner Jeff Loria to head to France, GOP activist Georgette Mosbacher to Luxembourg, financier Lew Eisenberg to Italy and hedge funder Duke Buchan to Spain. If youre wondering what makes Jeffrey Loria a good option to represent the diplomatic interests of the United States, well, you probably should have guessed it by now, given the current political system. Heres the Miami Herald with the key bits: Loria, a New York art dealer who donated at least $125,000 to President Donald Trump during the campaign, is reportedly in talks to sell the team to a group that includes Joshua Kushner, the brother of Trump son-in-law and top adviser Jared Kushner. You dont say! Thats shocking news. Its not just the imminent appointment of a franchise owner to an important diplomatic post as an apparent kickback for campaign support and a potential discount on an MLB team being sold to someone closely tied to the Trump family. (Though, as youll probably realize if you just read that sentence, thats plenty bad enough!) Its that its this franchise owner. Jeffrey Loria is reviled, to a near-universal degree, for his management practices. He inspires hot takes that actually might not be hot enough, frankly. But hey, its not like France is an important ally. But, there is one potential stumbling block, which is that MLB has to approve the sale of the team. Its hard to imagine that Loria has a lot of goodwill built up, and this kind of entanglement cannot be appealing for the league, which is in its own way a public trust. (One that at this very moment the public might trust more than the government.) SB Nations Grant Brisbee notes that its not a foregone conclusion, with trademark imagery: MLB was the organization that let Loria feast on the innards of one franchise and own another, but this has to be a little much for them. https://t.co/zaxmnm0P8z Grant Brisbee (@mccoveychron) February 15, 2017 MLB owners might just want him gone, at this point, though. (Obviously in this case theyd be bringing in a whole new set of issues.) If theres any justice, Loria wont be confirmed as an ambassador, and his sale will fall through too. Which means hell be in France by the summer, lecturing Parisians on the finer elements of art. The man certainly knows a good sculpture when he sees one, after all. Update: The French presidential candidate Emmanuel Macron has "sparked Algeria row", according to the headlines of Britain's leading liberal newspaper, by saying something that provoked a fascist to patriotic indignation. Macron referred to France's colonial history in Algeria as a crime against humanity, and said that the nation must face up to its past and apologise to those who suffered. Worse yet, he said it in Algiers, surrounded by the very same sort of people who carry out fictitious sex attacks in Frankfurt. Having taken a day or two to get over her moral shock, Marine Le Pen had a squeal on Facebook; while the conservative and possible crook Francois Fillon accused Macron of disliking history and of "continual repentance" after the fashion of our own Mau Mau-hugging Britain-bashers who can't even find a bit of rah-rah in the Somme. Fillon himself has referred to France's colonial past as a "cultural exchange", which is a bit more woolly and liberal than the idea that We did all the giving and They did all the taking, but still not quite how the uppity wogs tend to see matters. Saudi FM optimistic about relations with US under Trump AP, Bad Neuenahr : Saudi Arabia's foreign minister says his country expects to have a productive relationship with the Trump administration and is optimistic that U.S.-Saudi cooperation can overcome challenges in the Middle East. Adel al-Jubeir made the comments on Thursday at the top of a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who is on his first overseas trip as America's top diplomat. Jubeir said Saudi Arabia was looking forward to working with the U.S on numerous issues. He did not elaborate but Saudi Arabia has deep concerns about Iran's increasing assertiveness in the region and he and Tillerson were to attend larger meetings on the crises in Yemen and Syria on the sidelines of a gathering of foreign ministers from the Group of 20 world powers in nearby Bonn. Tillerson made no substantive remarks in the presence of reporters, limiting his comments to polite chatter about his past business travel experience as CEO of Exxon Mobil. Asked if he was concerned that the Trump administration was backing away from a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Jubeir said: "We look forward to working with the Trump administration on all issues in the region." "We are very, very optimistic about our ability to overcome the many challenges we face in the region," he added. SUNDARGANJ (Gaibandha): Barrister Shammen Haider Patowary speaking at a view exchange meeting with local journalists on Wednesday. Pathological intervention during brain tumor operation Life Desk : Today's workflow for determining a diagnosis during an operation requires the surgeon wait for 30 to 40 minutes while tissue is sent to a dedicated pathology lab for processing, sectioning, staining, mounting and interpretation. The entire team in the operating room may be idle while waiting for pathology results. A more efficient surgical procedure would save money by requiring less time in the operating room. 'Stimulated Raman histology improved speed and diagnostic efficiency, in an operating room. This could change the pace and structure of an operation.' Neurosurgeons and pathologists at Michigan Medicine are the first to execute stimulated Raman histology, a method that improves speed and diagnostic efficiency, in an operating room. They detail the advance in a new Nature Biomedical Engineering paper. The researchers imaged tissue from 101 neurosurgical patients using conventional methods and the new method. Both techniques, they found, produced accurate results but the new method was much faster. That, if applied widely, could change the pace and structure of an operation. "By achieving excellent image quality in fresh tissues, we're able to make a diagnosis during surgery," says first author Daniel A. Orringer, assistant professor of neurosurgery at the University of Michigan Medical School. "This eliminates the lengthy process of sending tissues out of the OR for processing and interpretation." "Our technique may disrupt the intraoperative diagnosis process in a great way, reducing it from a 30-minute process to about three minutes," Orringer says. "Initially, we developed this technology as a means of helping surgeons detect microscopic tumor, but we found the technology was capable of much more than guiding surgery." Near-perfect agreement Stimulated Raman scattering microscopy, the technology behind SRH, was developed in 2008, but the hazardous lasers it involved made it unsuitable for use in an operating room. A clinical version has now been developed and tested in the operating room for more than a year at U-M, with the fiber-laser-based microscope mounted right onto a clinical cart that plugs into the wall. To interpret the samples, researchers developed SRH, which creates images familiar to those currently in use.SRH uses virtual coloring to highlight the cellular and architectural features of brain tumors, with a result resembling traditional staining. The pathologist is then able to differentiate the tumor tissue from normal brain as usual. "It's very similar to what we currently do in our intraoperative diagnosis, with the exception that the tissue is fresh, has not been processed or stained," says senior author Sandra Camelo-Piragua, assistant professor of pathology at the U-M Medical School. In the Nature Biomedical Engineering study, neuropathologists were given 30 specimen samples, processed via SRH or traditional methods. They were told the same information about each patient's medical history and the location of the tumor and asked to make a diagnosis. Those pathologists, the U-M researchers found, were equally likely to make a correct diagnosis whether they used SRH or conventional slides."SRH imaging will ensure that appropriate and good quality tissue is collected to reach our ultimate goal: accurate diagnosis," Camelo-Piragua says. Artificial intelligence As Orringer and his team continue to improve this imaging technology, they're also teaching a computer how to use SRH images to make diagnoses. They built and validated a machine learning process that was able to predict brain tumor subtype with 90 percent accuracy in a subset of 30 patient samples. "The more we feed the computer, the more accurate its diagnoses will become," Orringer says. Connecting hospitals Using SRH might also improve the workflow for facilities without access to expert neuropathologists. Orringer notes that smaller hospitals may be able to partner with larger systems that do have access, since there are fewer than 800 board-certified neuropathologists compared to the approximately 1,400 U.S. institutions performing brain surgery. "Bringing the SRH to smaller hospitals would extend their capabilities because the images can be interpreted remotely," he says. Sample preparation is minimal and the SRH could quickly deliver virtual histologic sections to aid diagnosis remotely. The next step is a large-scale clinical trial, with an eventual goal of showing equivalence between SRH technique for making diagnoses, Orringer says. The prototype system is currently intended for research use only. - Source: Eurekalert West London business The Polish Bakery has been crowned Business of the Year at the West London Business Awards The bakery scooped the top prize at the awards ceremony, which was held at Wembley Stadium and attended by more than 350 guests. Agnes Gabriel-Damaz, managing director of The Polish Bakery, collected the award from former Blue Peter presenter Konnie Huq, who hosted the ceremony. Damaz told British Baker that it was fantastic to win the award and she was proud the judges had recognised the bakerys efforts. Through this award, we will be able to reach a wider public and it gives us a boost for the future of the company, she said. We have been based in Park Royal from the beginning and have built a business here using only natural sourdough in our breads and no preservatives - something which was unknown in the UK at the time. We have been slowly expanding ever since we opened our doors for the first time and, through this recognition, we hope to develop more products and are able to supply to more retailers. The Polish Bakery started in 2003 with just a small unit and oven. It now supplies products to major retailers including Waitrose and Tesco. Safety of herbal supplements Life Desk : Herbal supplements are often perceived to be safe, gentle, and a natural way of providing support for overall health & well-being. Many herbal supplements contain hidden pharmaceutical ingredients that could be causing serious health risks, suggested a team of experts from Queen's University Belfast, Kingston University London and LGC. Emeritus Professor Duncan Burns, a forensically experienced analytical chemist from the Queen's University Belfast's Institute for Global Food Security, has been working with a team of specialists on a peer-reviewed paper to examine the detection of illegal ingredients in the supplements. 'Over-the-counter supplements - to treat obesity and erectile dysfunction problems - are labelled as fully herbal but often include potentially dangerous pharmaceutical ingredients, which are not listed on the label.' The experts included Dr Michael Walker from the Government Chemist Programme at LGC and Professor Declan Naughton from Kingston University. The research found that over-the-counter supplements - commonly advertised to treat obesity and erectile dysfunction problems - are labelled as fully herbal but often include potentially dangerous pharmaceutical ingredients, which are not listed on the label. Professor Burns from Queen's University, who is working to advance knowledge in this area, explained: "Our review looked at research from right across the globe and questioned the purity of herbal food supplements. We have found that these supplements are often not what customers think they are - they are being deceived into thinking they are getting health benefits from a natural product when actually they are taking a hidden drug." "These products are unlicensed medicines and many people are consuming large quantities without knowing the interactions with other supplements or medicines they may be taking. This is very dangerous and there can be severe side effects." The survey raises serious questions about the safety of slimming supplements containing Sibutramine. Sibutramine was licensed as the medicine Reductil until 2010, when it was withdrawn across Europe and the US due to an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes associated with the use of the drug. Tadalfil and sulfoaildenafil were among the most frequently undeclared ingredients in products for erectile dysfunction. When taken with other medicines containing nitrates, they can lower blood pressure drastically and cause serious health problems. Professor Burns noted: "This is a real issue as people suffering from conditions like diabetes, hyperlipidemia and hypertension are frequently prescribed nitrate containing medicines. If they are also taking a herbal supplement to treat erectile dysfunction, they could become very ill. People who take these products will not be aware they have taken these substances and so when they visit their doctor they may not declare this and it can be difficult to determine what is causing the side effects. It is a very dangerous situation." Professor Declan Naughton explained: "This work highlights the vital role research and, in particular, techniques like datamining, can play in informing regulators about current trends in supplement contamination. This is very important to ensure effective testing strategies and, ultimately, to help keep the public safe." Dr Michael Walker commented: "The laboratory tests we describe in our paper will assist regulators to tackle this problem proactively to protect consumers and responsible businesses." Source: Eurekalert Implementation of sub-regional connectivity accords Dr. Atiur Rahman : Advancements in technology as well as integration of individual economies in the complex web of global economy have brought people, government and businesses of the world unprecedentedly close to each other. Yet we face challenges such as rigid national demarcations, reservations generated from socio-political differences etc. Where countries can overcome these challenges they move forward at a tremendous pace, and where this does not happen they lag behind. In today's globalized world, trade facilitation has emerged as one the core instruments for unlocking the possible gains from inter-country trade. Trade facilitation reduces cost of doing business significantly and such measures benefit all stakeholders.There are numerous practical examples of such collaboration. In contrast, South Asia as a region appears to have been lagging way behind the global trend. Intra-regional trade is only6 percent of the total trade of South Asian countries. This ratio is stunningly low when compared with that for EU, NAFTA and ASEAN (66 percent, 48 percent and 27 percent respectively). Despite being one of the fastest growing regions of the world, lack of connectivity and economic integration is limiting the economic prospect of the region.The transit countries have been struggling to negotiate among themselves through the SAARC platformto reduce current physical and non-physical barriers to transportation. The progress in that front has been, however very slow for lack of desired level of regional political understanding. To address the need of the hour, four countries of the BBIN sub-region signed the BBIN-MVA in June 2015, with aims of replacing large-scale transshipment operations with easy movement of vehicles across the border. The BBIN-MVA can be the solution which has the potential to bypass much of the hurdles of existing transshipment based operations. To that end we can obviously learn from international experiences, point out challenges on the way of smooth operationalization of the agreement, and identify way forwards to address these challenges together. The BBIN MVA was signed in the BBIN Transport Ministers Meeting on 15 June 2015 in Thimphu, Bhutan. The need to accelerate cross-border transport facilitation to deepen and enhance regional integration has been officially recognized through this agreement. Governments have agreed that the finalization of the BBIN MVA would allow moving forward, in an accelerated fashion, with implementation of land transport facilitation arrangements between and among these countries. This, in turn, would enable the exchange of traffic rights and ease cross-border movement of goods, vehicles and people, thereby helping expansion of the people-to-people contact, trade, and economic exchanges among the countries. The agreement has identified 14 routes for regular and non-regular passenger vehicles between the countries. Of these 5 are between India and Bangladesh, 2 between Bangladesh, India and Nepal, 2 between Bangladesh, India and Bhutan, 1 between India and Nepal, 3 between India and Bhutan, and 1 between Nepal and Bhutan. For cargo vehicles 15 routes have been designated, of which 5 are in Bangladesh, 4 in Bhutan, 1 in India, 5 in Nepal.The agreement has identified 30 priority road construction projects and of these 7 are in Bangladesh. Of these 7 projects, 3 involve new road constructions and the other 4 involve four laning of existing roads/highways. It is quite clear that the operationalization of the BBIN-MVA is well on its course as major roads/highways construction projects have been undertaken and are being implemented accordingly. Yet, attributing due significance to construction of the roads/highways it must also be pointed out that operationalization of the BBIN-MVA goes well beyond just constructing and/or repairing the roads/highways. It is in this context, creation of a common platform of diverse stakeholders becomes important. This also necessitates comprehensive understanding of the existing barriers and better consensus on the need for trade facilitation. Better clarity and understanding by project implementation teams from all four countries regarding hurdles, approach and strategies is also of critical importance. While there is no doubt about the benefits of bilateral and regional agreements, there of course are concerns about how to ensure these benefits can be reaped by all parties involved through effective and efficient operationalization of these agreements. To this end, luckily there are numerous best practices to learn from A common characteristic of many of these agreements is clarity amongst the overarching objectives of these agreements. For example, the core objective of the Tripartite Agreement on Road Transport-East African Community (EAC) is reduction of tax evasions. Similarly, in case of the ASEAN Framework Agreement on the Facilitation of Inter-state Transport (AFAFIST) focuses on effective and efficient operationalization and implementation of the ASEAN Free Trade Area (FTA). The AFAFIST has also set a good example regarding putting forward the guiding principles that govern the entire operation. These are the principles of consistency, simplicity, efficiency, non-discrimination, fair competition, transparency and mutual cooperation. Legal clearance for the transport operators to operate in foreign countries is another critical area of concern. In case of the - Greater Mekong Sub-region Cross-Border Transport Agreement (GMS-CBTA)there is a competent authority in the 'home country' which is authorized to issue the license (legal clearance) to the transport operators. Criteria for getting such clearance include financial soundness, no criminal record, safe operations management capacity etc. GMS-CBTA also articulates the highway standard and pavement types according to the vehicle loads. Such specifications are important to regulate and manage road traffic movement in a synchronized manner. GMS-CBTA practices regarding setting clearance priority is another aspect of this agreement that needs to be replicated for BBIN-MVA. For example, this agreement clearly states that sick passengers are to be cleared first, then perishable foodstuffs, followed by livestock, and then other merchandise. The point to be noted, of course, is that none of the so far mentioned multilateral agreements are being said to be ideal models, while all of them have aspects that need to be thoroughly comprehended and contextualized prior to replication for operationalization and implementation of BBIN-MVA. This necessitates closer observation of the current status of these agreements, challenges they are facing, the coping mechanisms (if any), the way forwards being considered by the stakeholders etc. The BBIN-MVA is undoubtedly going to revolutionize the socio-economic status quo prevailing in the sub-region, and it is quite apparent that all parties involved are eager to cooperate and contribute as much as possible so that everyone can reap the benefits. Yet, there are numerous hurdles to overcome. One estimation by the BBIN Ministerial meeting shows USD 8 billion will be needed for the already identified 30 priority projects. This implies resources have to be mobilized from both traditional financers like the World Bank, ADB etc. as well as the new ones such as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and BRICS Development Bank. Resorting to Regional Development Fund is also most likely to become necessary. The development of regional road network needs to be perceived as a regional priority as this is to induce enhanced regional integration, increase trade and commerce which in turn are bound to contribute in economic development and poverty reduction in the region as a whole. Finally, there is the obvious choice of going for Public Private Partnerships (PPPs). Governments of each of the countries need to consider PPP as one of the best options to attract private investment for commercially viable infrastructure projects. One can certainly learn from the successful PPP projects implemented in Sri Lanka and India. Harmonization of design standards for roads, bridges including signs and signals, design speed, axle load etc. between signing countries are of critical importance for effective and efficient operationalization of agreements such as BBIN-MVA. This necessitates addressing differences in standards both across and within countries. This in turn requires collaboration between the stakeholders and exchange of ideas and practices. Preparation and adoption of the protocols and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are key concerns for multilateral vehicle agreements. International best practices need to be consulted for this purpose. Inter-Ministerial coordination within the country and reaching consensus on key aspects of protocols and SOPs across countries are the major challenges in this context. MVAs are relatively new for the BBIN countries. Hence strengthening of the relevant institutions with well-endowed human resources is a task of critical importance. Institutions need to have the necessary capacities to be able to effectively and efficiently deal with issues in the area of development, coordination, harmonization and standardization of the protocols and SOPs, dispute settlement, fixation of fees, service charges, surcharges etc. Bringing all parties involved to an agreement about the applicable fees, surcharges and user-charges is another key point of concern. The point here is that all agreeing countries will be incurring costs, both social, environmental and economic. Hence, the fees and charges are to be fixed in a manner that ensures compensation for these costs. Benefit sharing has to be considered as the key strategy in this regard. Reciprocity in allowing flexibilities as well as support provided by countries in developing infrastructure also need to be considered. Coordination among the different ministries and departments within a single country is pivotal to successful operationalization of the MVA. Alignment with connectivity strategies and allocations envisaged in the Five Year Plans and the Annual Development Program say for Bangladeshis of equal importance. Ensuring security of persons, vehicles and cargo during in-country movement and border crossing is another crucial concern. Incident management system and road information system may be introduced to ensure security through installation of tracking equipment and vehicle and driver detection system, as also for safeguarding against violation of law and addressing and mitigation consequences of accidents and vehicular malfunctioning. Intensive use of ICT in a well-synced manner can be an effective strategy in this regard. The task to be undertaken particularly by the private sector of Bangladesh and other BBIN partners entails development of business models that maximizes the potential benefits from the commercial and business activities which will be encouraged and stimulated consequent to operationalization of the BBIN-MVA. Clearly there are numerous hurdles on the way. But the potential benefits of overcoming these are unanimously overwhelming. Diligent leadership and great minds from all BBIN countries hence need to come forward to overcome these barriers and make BBIN-MVA a success. We have already discussed some strategies to confront these challenges. Let me bring to your notice some additional tasks that will enable even better operationalization of the BBIN-MVA. Priority has to be given all the time to the needs of the landlocked countries (Bhutan and Nepal). To ensure immediate access for them to the nearest seaports, Bangladesh now is emphasizing on improving those sections of its road network that allow these landlocked neighbors to access the two seaports of Bangladesh- Mongla and Chittagong. Bangladesh is a land scarce country. So are other BBIN countries. On the other hand, the development of road infrastructure involves huge land acquisition and resettlement activities. Hence, road construction needs to be carefully prioritized in a manner that ensures efficiency. So, priority should be given to those road stretches that will see concurrent development on both sides of the border. The improvement of substandard sections of the roads is crucially important for reaping the benefit of a highway network. Each country should identify the substandard sections in its territory and focus on how to improve those stretches as early as possible. It has to be noted that each mode of transportation has its comparative advantage in terms of cost, flexibility and accessibility. Hence, integration of modes is most likely to result in reduced overall cost of transportation as well as minimizing environmental externalities. In order to reduce logistic costs, countries must strengthen trade facilitation programs to ensure improved performance in trade across borders. Dry ports development and seamless operation is pivotal in this regard. BBIN countries need to identify potential dry port spots for development and at the same time develop to an agreed standard the existing ones. Bangladesh has identified 17 dry ports for development and operation (8 already existing and 9 identified as potential spots for development). It is true that we have now an unprecedented opportunity to foster regional cooperation for everyone's benefit. But at the same time it is also a great responsibility. Hence, we must give our very best to make BBIN-MVA a success so that more can be built upon it. Given this perspective we have joined hands with CUTS International to monitor closely the pace of implementation of the BBIN-MVA. The think-tanks of the region will watch from close quarters the progress of the implementation of the agreement and provide necessary backstopping services to the implementing agencies. I am encouraged to see most of the representatives of the implementing agencies of the sub-region participating in this meeting. This will provide a unique opportunity to the researchers to know from them the kind of challenges which the agreement may face. We will ensure process documentation of the implementation experience of the agreement and provide policy inputs to the implementors on how to overcome those challenges. Together, we will certainly be able to see the agreement being implemented without major hickups. (Dr. Atiur Rahman is Professor, Dhaka University & Former Governor, Bangladesh Bank) Renewed uncertainty over two-state solution THE fear that the two-state solution for Palestinian people would be seriously threatened was well anticipated, and from the latest press conference jointly held by US and Israeli leaders in Washington on Wednesday its future became extremely uncertain. By abandoning almost two decades of diplomatic orthodoxy, the new US President has declared that the United States would no longer insist on the creation of a Palestinian State as part of a peace accord between Israel and the Palestinians. President Trump's position that either a two state solution or one state makes no difference to him clearly means he is abandoning the previous US commitment to a two states solution. Undeniably, his position would diminish all hopes of an independent and sovereign Palestine State by ending the occupation. More dangerously, his clear hinting of a single Israeli state encompassing all Palestinians has all possibilities to directly or indirectly suppressing the Palestinians in their land. The only short-term positive outcome of the press conference was a call for a hold to build more settlement in the West bank and that is also in a lukewarm way. The only good thing is that Mr Trump refrained from announcing the transferring US Embassy to East Jerusalem from Tel Aviv. Three marked features of Wednesday's press conference have caught our attention. First, Benjamin Netanyahu's repeated demand that Palestinians unconditionally acknowledge Israel as a Jewish state, second, his pinpointing of "Palestinian hatred" to be the main cause of the age-old conflict between the two sides and, third his call for Palestinian leadership 'to stop educating their people for Israel's destruction.' Paradoxically, Palestine too, has all the grounds and even more, to make similar demands but unfortunately there is hardly any room for the Palestinians to make their points to the new Trump administration. Netanyahu's demand is ridiculous when he said Palestinians must stop lessons in schools and mosques; which inspire people to claim for a state. But we know for sure that no legitimate or sympathetic lessons for tolerance and coexistence are taught about the lawful rights of Muslim Palestinians inside Israel. Both leaders on this occasion of Netanyahu's first visit to Washington after Trump became president has deliberately ignored the facts that Israel has no right to ignore the two state solution which provides the basis of US backed peace process for decades and the international community is working on it. Removal of FF selection committee demanded in Khagrachhari Chowdhury Hasan Mahmud Hasni, CCC Acting Mayor, speaking at a view exchange meeting with members of Chittagong Private Madrasa Association at Nagar Bhaban on Tuesday. Khagrachari Correspondent : Freedom fighters (FF) in a press conference held at the district press club on Wednesday noon, demanded removal of seven-member FF selection committee working with administration to identify the real FFs in the district. Panchhari Upazila Muktijoddha Commander Md Moniruzzaman read out the key-note papers before the journalists on Wednesday afternoon. Md Moniruzzaman said "A total of 129 FFs in the district are now facing dropping threat from the FF list that tarnishing the image of us". "We have all sorts of certificates and we can narrate every day's history of our nine-month long freedom fighting life", Moniruzzaman said adding that they would even ready to sit for any examination under actual freedom fighters. Khagrachhari Sadar Upazila Muktijoddha Commander Abdur Rahman said committee members- Md Ali Ashraf, Abul Hashem Majumder and Mohammad Harun are trying to drop them out of the list and replace some fake FFs instead. Terming the trio touts, he demanded their removal from the selection committee and forming new committee to scrutinise and update the FFs list. Former district Muktijoddha Commander Mofizur Rahman Talukder and FFs Hanif Mia, Md Nurul Islam answered the quarries of journalists. Palaniswamimade Tamil Nadu CM BBC Online : The south Indian state of Tamil Nadu is to get a new chief minister, after a political stand-off that plunged the government into crisis. Edapaddi Palaniswami, who was nominated for the post by late chief minister Jayalalitha's aide Sasikala Natarajan, will be sworn in this evening. Sasikala, who only uses one name, was nominated as chief minister by the state's ruling party. However her conviction in a corruption case means she cannot hold office. She had to surrender to authorities to serve a four-year jail term on Wednesday, but appointed Mr Palaniswami before she left. He met State Governor C Vidyasagar Rao on Thursday morning, with proof that he had the support of a majority of lawmakers. Mr Rao agreed to appoint him as chief minister on condition that he proves his majority in the state assembly within 15 days. Sasikala Natarajan may have been thwarted by the judiciary, but the jailed general secretary of the ruling AIADMK in Tamil Nadu appears to be on a stronger wicket for now at least. She has successfully managed to get her confidante, Edapaddi Palaniswami, into power, two days after the Supreme Court convicted her in a corruption case dating back to the 90's. With the decision of the state governor - who had been delaying choosing the next chief minister - to appoint Mr Palaniswami as chief minister, Sasikala has the last laugh from her prison cell in Bangalore. Mr Palaniswami is her trusted man, at least for the moment. He may be able to gather his own clout and emerge as an independent leader, but as of now that is only a distant possibility. O Panneerselvam, who was sworn in as caretaker chief minister after the death of Jayalalitha in December, was vacillating between rebellion and loyalty to Sasikala. He chose to rebel in theatrical fashion, conducting a 40-minute meditation at Jayalalitha's memorial at Marina Beach in Chennai (Madras) before declaring that he was pressured to resign. But his rebellion came rather late in the day. He could never recover the ground he had lost. DU Fine Arts Faculty students demand punishment to attackers Students of the Faculty of Fine Arts of Dhaka University staged sit-in programme in front of the Vice Chancellor\'s Office protesting terrorists activities inside the Fine Arts Faculty on Thursday. DU Correspondent : The students of Fine Arts Faculty of Dhaka University (DU) on Thursday submitted a memorandum to the university's Vice Chancellor Professor AAMS Arefin Siddique demanding punishment to those who attacked teachers and students on Wednesday. They also boycotted classes, observed sit-in programme and brought out a procession on the university campus over the issue. On Wednesday evening, DU Bangabandhu Hall BCL activists and Fine Arts Faculty students engaged in an altercation over a simple matter. About 20-25 students of the hall attacked the faculty students and teachers. As a result, a teacher and three students were injured, claimed the victims. In the morning on Thursday, faculty students staged a sit-in programme at the main entrance of the faculty gate boycotting classes and chanted slogans demanding punishment to the attackers. Then they brought out a precession from there and paraded important roads of the university and staged sit-in in front of the VC's office. At one stage, the acting Proctor of the University Professor M Amzad went there and talked with them. Later a representative of students was allowed to submit a memorandum to the Vice-Chancellor. In this regard Professor M Amzad said, "We are collecting CCTV footages and will take action against those who are involved in attacks". PM`s E-voting plan ill motivated: BNP Staff Reporter : BNP Senior Joint Secretary General on Thursday said that the government's initiative of taking electronic voting machine (EVM) in the next general election is ill motivated. "The Prime Minister's speech about taking EVM system in the next Parliamentary polls is totally ill motivated. The initiative is only for vote rigging. It will be another illusion of the PM," he said this while addressing a press briefing at the party's Naya Paltan office. Rizvi said, former Chief Election Commissioner ATM Shamsul Huda had expressed his eagerness to introduce electronic voting system in the 1/11 era. But the experts from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) and most of the political parties had opposed that move. The immediate outgoing CEC Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad also tried to take the e-voting system. And as a test case he introduced EVM in few voting centers in Chittagong City Corporation election in 2010. But he also had to leave the system after strong protests from the BNP and other political parties. He said, "Different countries had introduced the system but later they abandoned it after founding serious faults in the system. The countries include United States of America (USA), Germany, Switzerland and neighbouring India. They left the EVM because hackers can hack the system from remote areas. "Many voters of our country are yet illiterate. They can not understand the highly technical system of EVM. On the other hand, the government can control the server of that e-voting system. So it will be easy for the government to manipulate the system to divert the voting result towards their side," Rizvi said. The BNP leader also alleged that the government has formed election commission by making their own man as CEC to turn the result of up coming polls to their favour. "In this situation no body believe that the government will explore the people's desire in the voting field," he said. He said, the government wants to cling to power forever but warmed that the people would prevent any conspiracy against their voting right. BNP central leaders Abdus Salam, Khairul Kabir Khokon, Habibul Islam, Abdul Awal Khan, Asadul Karim Shahin and Taiful Islam Tipu, among others, were present. DNCC Mayor for building Dhaka a `safe` city UNB, Dhaka : Mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Annisul Huq on Thursday underscored the need for creating awareness to face any kind of natural or manmade disaster as he wants to see Dhaka as a 'safe city'. All, including school and college students, should enrich them with information and knowledge to tackle a calamity. Local public representatives can also play an important role in this regard," he said while addressing a function to disseminate the Urban Disaster Resilience Index (UDRI) assessment report of DNCC at a city hotel. The DNCC mayor also emphasised keeping aside open place in every area of the city to be used as safe shelters in case of any disaster like earthquake or fire. Replying to a query, he said around 8,000 closed-circuit TV cameras have already been installed in the DNCC areas with the help of some individuals and organisations to ensure security of the city dwellers. Hinting at setting up high quality LED streetlamps, he said no space under the DNCC will remain in dark from March next year. Keota University of Japan prepared the UDRI report of different wards of DNCC under the project 'Capacity Building for Community-Based DRR in Urban Areas of Bangladesh'. According to a UDRI report, the average rate of UDRI of DNCC area was 2.52 in 2016 while it was 2.35 in 2010. The highest rate of UDRI is 5 but the rate over 4 is considered as high quality index. Tax official held while taking bribe UNB, Dhaka : The Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) on Thursday caught a tax official of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) red-handed while taking bribe in the capital. A 10-member ACC team, led by its director Nasim Anwar, arrested DSCC deputy tax officer Tofazzal Hossain Jumadder from the city's Circular Road around 5 am, ACC publicrelations officer Pranab Kumar Bhattacharya told UNB. Mustafa Ahammad Ali, a resident of DNCC area, recently went to the city corporation office to submit his holding tax, but Tofazzal Hossain showed him extra tax in his document, and demanded Tk 50,000 in bribe promising to minimise the tax amount. The victim then submitted a written compliant with the Commission against the DSCC official. In consultation with the ACC officials, the plaintiff asked Tofazzal to come in front of his Circular Road home on Thursday afternoon to take Tk 20,000 in bribe. While receiving the money, the ACC team caught himred-handed. The ACC team also seized Tk 1.02 lakh from this possession. ACC assistant director Md Abdul Wahab Alam of its Dhaka Zila office filed a case against him with Kalabagan Police Station in this regard. Many schools yet to get textbooks M M Jasim : A good number of students of many schools across the country are yet to get all the textbooks. As a result, the students are being deprived of proper learning since teachers are taking classes based on their experience in absence of textbooks. According to guardians and students, many schools did not get textbooks yet of some major subjects like Bangla, Mathematics, Higher Mathematics, Science, Anondo Path and Agriculture. Titu Hawlader, a student of Class VII of BIAM Model School and College, said he did not get Charu Path, Elementary Science, Mathematics, English for Today and Bangladesh Global Science books. "I cannot study at home. I just follow class lectures. Our teachers also teach us from the old books," Titu said. Sushmita Biswas, a guardian whose son studies in Class VI at BIAM Model School and College, said, "I am worried about my son as I cannot help him at home. The school teachers told us that the book would be distributed within a short time. Although more than one and a half months have passed, the students did not get all the textbooks." Some of the school authorities said they could not hand over all textbooks to students as they are yet to receive those books, though 40 days have already been passed. Some of the school authorities said they have got some books recently and they will hand them over among the students. Principal-in-Charge of BIAM Model School and College Professor Kalyanmaya Sarker said, "We have got the English version books for Classes VI, VII and VIII, but have not distributed them among students. We are yet to get the Higher Maths and Bangladesh and Global Studies books." "We also don't know when we will get the remaining books. But the teachers are taking classes based on their experience," he said. Principal of the Motijheel Ideal School and College Dr Shahan Ara Begum said that they did not get some of the textbooks, such as Anada Path, which is hampering teaching. "Distribution of free books is good. But mismanagement in distribution is making the students suffer. How will the syllabus be completed in time?" she said. Meanwhile, the National Curriculum Textbook Board (NCTB) officials blamed the mismanagement in distributing textbooks saying that there is no scarcity of books but "mismanagement." Controller of distribution of the NCTB Mushtaq Ahmed Bhuiyan said, "There is no shortage of books, but there might have been some mismanagement in distribution. So, some books might not have reached schools. "We have sent letters to deputy directors of secondary education to co-ordinate distribution of books from the upazila to the district level," he said. "We have sent Ananda Path for Classes VII and VIII at the upazila level. Students will get it soon. If we get any news of shortage of books, we will take quick action," he said. Yorkshire-based business Costellos Bakery has announced that it will invest 150k in a production facility in Malton, which is set to open by March 2017. The facility will be 2,500sq ft and will create around 25 new jobs over the first 18 months of operation. The investment will add further credentials for the bakery, which has shops in Malton and Driffield, and will allow more space to produce its craft baking products. James Costello, owner of the bakery, told British Baker that the new production facility would enable the company to increase production by up to 10 times its current output. The increased output and approved status will allow us to begin a new wholesale operation for our savoury pies, rolls etc and help us to expand our retail presence with new outlets, Costello said. We began the project in April 2016 and were hoping to be up and running by next month. James Costellos family connection with fine foods dates back to the 1800s, with recipes and methods passed down the generations, allowing the owner to build his business organically over the past 17 years. Novels on top Rayhanul Islam : At least three hundred and nineteen new novels landed this year in the first sixteen days of the Amar Ekushey Boi-Mela. The novels have the highest sale everyday, said the publishers. They said, mainly youths search for novels at first. They choose the books of noted writers like Humayun Ahmed, Anisul Haque and Imdadul Haque Milon. Shihab Bahadur, Publisher of Muktochinta publication, said "The selling of novels is increasing day by day. The youths are fond of novels of famous writers. Mazharul Islam, publisher of Anna Prokash, told The New Nation, `Humayun Ahmed's books are selling high from our stall. `We published new addition of Humayun Ahmed's books sensing good demand', he said. "I used to come to the Boi Mela when I was a first year student of Dhaka University. I bought many books of different subjects. I preferred novels at first to pass time and learn more," said Syam Shuvo, a final year student of DU Surya Sen Hall. On the 16th day of Boi Mela, One hundred and two new books arrived and twenty-nine of them unveiled in the main podium of the fair. Some of new books are ``FIXI'' of Anis Ahmed published by Muktochinta publication, ``Hridoy Bidarok'' of Ashraf Ahmed published by Agami publication, ``Swopner Bangladesh'' of Mushfiqur Rahman published by Nandita Prokash, ``Rajshahite Muktijuddo'' of Enamul Haque published by Anupon publication and ``Chobol'' of Hasan Azizul Haque published by Anna Prokash. The Academy authority has declared today as the children's hour from 11:00am to 1:00pm. On the other hand, for celebrating Amar Ekushey at 9:30 am, a contest titled ``Shisu Kishore Sangit Protijogita'' will be held today(Friday) in the main stage of the Academy. The results of children-youths' drawing contest will be published today. A discussion titled ``Sattur Dashoker Kobita'' was held on Thursday in the main stage of the Academy. Asim Shaha presided over the function, while Mojibul Haque Kabir presented the keynote paper. Iqbal Hossain and Khaled Hossain participated as the discussants. Latter, a cultural function was held. At 4:00 pm, a discusson titled `` Ashir Dashoker Kobita'' will be held in the main stage of the Academy. Robbi Rahman will preside over the function, while Kumar Chakraborti will present the keynote paper. Maksudul Haque and Aminur Rahman Sultan will participate in the discussion At evening, a fascinating cultural function will be held. `WB must work to regain trust` Take action against officials involved Staff Reporter : Law Minister Anisul Haq on Thursday said that there is only one remedy for the World Bank; either it will compensate or take action against the officials responsible for instigating the corruption conspiracy theory for halting Padma Bridge Project fund. After the defeat in Padma graft case in the Canadian Court, the Minister said, the WB will have to take steps to regain trust of other countries across the globe. He made the above remarks while talking to the newsmen after attending the inaugural ceremony of training course of joint district judges, session judges and same ranking other officials at Judicial Administration and Training Institute in the capital. "Out of suspicion, the WB had behaved with Bangladesh in such a manner...there must be an explanation. The WB should regain trust of Bangladesh. If it does so, other countries of the world will take WB in confidence that it takes action in case of any injustice committed by its officials," the Minister said. Anisul Haq categorically said that the WB must seek apology to the Prime Minister and other falsely accused persons for its misdeed. Answering to another question, he further said: "The WB is not above the law. If anyone tarnishes other's image lodging false allegation, in that case the aggrieved person certainly can take shelter of law." "In the meantime, the High Court has issued a rule about the issue. As the matter is now under the jurisdiction of court, so it will be good if the statement comes from the court over the matter," he said. Clarifying the present stance of Bangladesh, Anisul Haq said: "When Bangladesh became a member of the WB, at that time the country had signed an agreement with the global money lender. So far as I remember, there was no clause in the agreement which bars a country from filing case against WB, if it cancels fund." Trump drops US commitment to `two-state` solution President Donald Trump (R) greets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a joint news conference at the White House. Internet photo AFP, Saul Loeb : US President Donald Trump shelved Washington's years-long quest for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, saying he would back a single state if it led to peace. The new president warmly welcomed Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House and hailed the "unbreakable" bond between their countries. And while he urged Netanyahu to "hold back" from building Jewish settlements for a "little bit," Trump broke with international consensus insisting on a future that included a Palestinian state alongside Israel. "So I'm looking at two-state and one-state, and I like the one that both parties like. I'm very happy with the one that both parties like," he said. "I can live with either one." Trump said he had thought a two-state solution "looked like it may be the easier of the two. But honestly, if Israel and the Palestinians are happy, I'm happy with the one they like the best." This change in the US stance was calculated to please Netanyahu and his right-wing coalition. "I think the Palestinians have to get rid of some of that hate that they're taught from a very young age," Trump said, echoing Netanyahu's argument that the Palestinians are not ready for peace. Netanyahu had warm words for the Israeli-US alliance, and hammered home his own prerequisites for peace. "First, the Palestinians must recognize the Jewish state. They have to stop calling for Israel's destruction," he said. "Second, in any peace agreement, Israel must retain the overriding security control over the entire area west of the Jordan River." This region contains the entire West Bank area that would represent the heart of any Palestinian state as conceived in all previous international agreements. The previous US administration of Barack Obama had warned Israel that if it did not reach a two-state deal with the Palestinians, it would never reach an accommodation with the Arab world. But Netanyahu insisted he was already developing closer security ties with his Sunni neighbors, who share Israel's concerns about Iranian subversion and "radical Islam." And he urged Trump's administration to get on board. "For the first time in the life of my country, Arab countries in the region do not see Israel as an enemy, but increasingly as an ally," he told Trump. "I believe that under your leadership, this change in our region creates an unprecedented opportunity to strengthen security and advance peace." In a joint statement, the two sides proclaimed "a new day" in US-Israel relations and that there was "no daylight" between them. Whatever the view in Cairo and Riyadh, the shift in Washington's position, which was revealed overnight by a White House official, triggered Palestinian despair and consternation in international capitals. The second-ranking official in the Palestine Liberation Organization, Saeb Erekat, denounced it as an attempt to "bury the two-state solution and eliminate the state of Palestine." And he implicitly warned Israelis that any single nation that emerged would not be specifically Jewish. "There's only one alternative," he told a news conference. "A single democratic state that guarantees the rights of all: Jews, Muslims and Christians." The new US message deliberately echoed the long-standing Israeli position: no peace deal can be imposed from outside and the agenda for talks must reflect the reality on the ground. Naftali Bennett, the right-wing leader of the hardline Jewish Home party and an opponent of any Palestinian state, cried victory. "A new era. New ideas. No need for third Palestinian state beyond Jordan and Gaza. Big day for Israelis and reasonable Arabs," he tweeted. "Congrats." But Trump's decision flew in the face of an international consensus that any final status agreement must be based on a return to Israel's 1967 border-albeit with land swaps. Just five days before Trump's January 20 inauguration, the United States was among 70 countries to endorse this vision at a peace conference in Paris. One month before that, Obama's UN ambassador allowed a Security Council motion that criticized Israeli settlement building to pass without the usual US veto. Addressing a US-Israeli conference in December, the then secretary of state John Kerry called settlements a "barrier" to progress. Under Trump, that vision appears dead, and Washington has aligned itself with Netanyahu's government and its supporters in the right-wing settler movement. After the White House talks, Netanyahu met with US congressional leaders in the US Capitol, where he addressed Trump's call to slow settlement expansion. "I think we'll try to find a common understanding that is consistent with the pursuit of peace and security," he said. Speaking in Cairo after talks with Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, UN chief Antonio Guterres warned that "everything must be done" to preserve the two-state solution. France, which organized the January peace conference, was also unimpressed. Its UN ambassador Francois Delattre told reporters "our commitment to the two-state solution is stronger than ever." Trump has tapped son-in-law Jared Kushner and lawyer Jason Greenblatt to lead peace efforts. Netanyahu had dinner Tuesday with Kushner-a long-time family friend-and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. `World Bank backed out following differences over investigation` The World Bank should not have withdrawn from a vitally important pro-people project like Padma Bridge after the alleged conspiracy was brought to light. Thereafter the conspiracy could not have worked. We insisted on this view of ours then so that the World Bank remains in charge of the construction of the world's longest bridge. Unfortunate part is for some people it is too easy to misguide the government. The government should be aware that from the beginning there was a strong lobby not supporting the World Bank. Once the allegation of conspiracy was raised by the World Bank this lobby became hyperactive to find justification to cancel the fund from the World Bank. One has only to recall some of the statements of those days. There were certainly those who want to gain personally. Under the World Bank's supervision underhand dealings would have been difficult. The pressure of China lobby was obvious. The cost of the Padma Bridge Project has gone on rocketing. So the nation is the ultimate loser. These anti-lobbyists knew that World Bank has accountability and there is a finding of a conspiracy by a probing body of its own. The matter needed to be cleared. The bank's high officials sought cooperation of Bangladesh government. Their urging for joint investigation with Bangladesh government cannot be called unreasonable. We shall blame the World Bank where it is due. But it is not good for the image of the government or the country to distort facts to shift the blame for the damage to the Padma Bridge Project. The case record says that in 2012, the ACC had initiated the investigation after a newspaper report about the corruption conspiracy for getting construction contracts of the Padma Bridge. At that time, the WB said it would supply ACC information about the matter that it had in hand. Three WB representatives who came here to investigate into the allegations met the former ACC Chairman Golam Rahman and two directors general (Md. Badiuzzaman [next chairman] and Shahabuddin Chuppu) at a meeting and requested for a joint investigation with the ACC into the allegation. Such an honest move was denied by Mr. Anisul Haque [Now Law Minister] as ACC's legal adviser citing 'absence of legal option' to conduct such joint investigation with a foreign agency. The WB representatives put a further proposal to keep a WB team in Dhaka to help the ACC's own investigation. The team members came to Dhaka but again they were barred from playing any role. All these facts are clear from the two press conferences held last week by former Legal Adviser and the Chairman of the ACC. The WB had never said that corruption has taken place; it came as a whistle blower that it had information that attempts to bribe at some level was at work to win contracts. This conclusion about a conspiracy was given by an enquiry body of the World Bank. How can one blame WB and ask people for filing lawsuits as the Law Minister suggested against WB for damages when we refused cooperation with the WB in the clearing of the suspicion? The acquittal of SNC-Lavalin employees in Canadian court relating to a Padma Bridge Project components does not rule out that such conspiracy in Bangladesh has or has not existed. It was about banning a Canadian company from participating in Padma Bridge Project. The Canadian government was probing SNC's bribing cases in projects at that time in Libya, Algeria and Cambodia. Bangladesh was to get the loan from World Bank so it was necessary for Bangladesh government to be serious in our own interest about involving the World Bank to clear the suspicion of corruption. Law Minister should not have talked about compensation cases against the World Bank explaining that the World Bank was not above law. Of course, he admitted that the government cannot do so for the immunity the bank enjoys. Not only the legal immunity, our government is also under a contractual obligation not to do so even if there is a valid reason. The most important point is that the World Bank committed no wrong when it was ready for all sorts of cooperation for clearing the clouds of suspicion. We see there is no scope to file any lawsuit against the global fund lender. But his observation at the same time that "WB is not above the law" and aggrieved persons, who had to bear personal loss of image, can take legal advice to file compensation suits against the WB is equally misleading. The World Bank was anxious to prove their own findings wrong, if they were wrong, in cooperation with the Bangladesh government. Solution was easy to get the World Bank's cooperation. If the government wants to be sensible about improving the quality of its perception then it should find out the motive who lingered the crisis with the World Bank most irresponsibly. The Undead Archives I have finally salvaged my pre-Blogger TDR archives and added them into Blogger. They are almost totally in the form of one giant post for each month. And the formatting strayed from the originals. Sorry. But historians everywhere can rejoice that this treasure trove of my thoughts is restored to the world. Insights on the Mind: They Make Me Do It! M. Bakri Musa Asch experiments showed the powerful influence of social and peer pressures. In his experimental setting, the peer pressure came from fellow college students. Imagine if they had been not fellow students but authority figures with power over you. How would your decisions be influenced if not controlled by them? For this we go to Milgrams experiments in the 1960s, also at Yale, and Zimbardos at Stanford a decade later. Milgram's studies gave us insights into the dynamics of what makes otherwise ordinary human beings do terrible things on account of their blind obedience to authority. We saw that in Nazi Germany, where being a good German meant obeying your superiors to do terrible things. Milgram had his subjects, also college students, randomly assigned to be teachers whose job was to administer increasingly painful electric shock upon a learner, who responded with an incorrect answer to a word-pairing test. Except that the learner was part of the experimenters team. For every wrong answer given by the learner, the teacher who was in a separate room but could hear the learner would give an electric shock to the learner, increasing the voltage with every wrong response. Except that the shocks were all pretend, and with the learner purposely giving the wrong answers! One of the learners, as planned, also told the teacher that he (learner) had a heart condition, just as a reminder. In his first set of experiments, 26 of the 40 teachers (65 percent) administered the maximal potentially lethal dose of electric shock, despite the moaning and groaning as well as the desperate banging on the wall by those suffering learners who gave the wrong answers. Some of the teachers protested, nonetheless they continued administering the potentially lethal punishment. Milgrams experiments had been repeated in other settings and across cultures but the results remained consistent. A decade later, the Stanford psychologist Phillip Zimbardo paid volunteer college students to take part in an experiment where they would be assigned randomly to be wardens or prisoners in a mock prison. He had the cooperation of the local police to make it realistic, as with arresting the students and booking them at the local police station. It did not take long for the wardens to take their job seriously, too seriously it turned out. The experiment had to be terminated prematurely as those wardens became in short order unduly sadistic, inflicting gratuitous punishment on their prisonerstheir fellow students. The insights from Zimbardos experiments shed light on the dynamics of the obscenities of Abu Ghraib prison scandal three decades later. Returning to Milgram, imagine if the experimenter was not a mellow Yale professor but a top army general fully bedecked with medals and ribbons, or a charismatic leader with power over you, and the learner is not your fellow Yale undergraduate but a member of a minority with whom you have minimal sympathy or harbor prejudices of being dumb and lazy. Or, imagine the Inspector-General of Police standing over you, a forensic pathologist or police investigator on government payroll, as you make your official report on former Deputy Prime Minister Anwars infamous bludgeoned black eye incident. With the Kami menurut perentah (I follow orders) and, Saya di arahkan (I am directed) ethos of the civil service, Anwar never had a chance. As Milgram observed, [O]ften it is not so much the kind of person a man is as the kind of situation in which he finds himself that determines how he will act. One is tempted to agree with Milgram. However, it would be arrogant and wrong to assume that we could explain the full spectrum of the complexity of human behaviors based on the elegant studies of some imaginative scientists. Consider Aschs experiments; there were subjects who resisted the peer pressures; likewise with Milgrams. Two British psychologists, Alexander Haslam and Stephen Reicher, repeated the Stanford Prison Experiment but with a twist. Their results were completely different and raised more questions. The British experiment showed that it would take more than just putting someone in a subordinate position and then have an authority figure command him to commit evil deeds, or subject him to a group situation where everyone is doing it. Milgram and Zimbardo focused only on those who continued with the experiments, not those who resisted and thus excluded from the studies and not factored in the conclusions. With the British experiment the guards were not told how to behave; they were left to work out their problems. Further, those guards who had misgivings were retained in the study. It turned out those dissenters among the guards and prisoners did have a chastening effect on the rest, confirming Aschs earlier observations. The British study was more realistic and reflected the complexities of human behaviors. After all even during the Third Reich there were Germans who resisted the system. Yes, there were the eager participants but then they were the ones who already harbored resentment towards the Jews. Hitler merely provided the justifications and means for them to pursue their bigotry and hatred but with greater intensity and efficiency. Similarly with Abu Ghraib; there were ethical and honest American soldiers who blew the whistle. The British study gives us hope. It is not that easy to turn humans into monsters except those who already so inclined. The challenge for leaders is not to provide them the opportunity and justification even if they were to be in the majority. That is a particular challenge in a democracy. The greatest fear progressives have of America under President Trump is his seeming tolerance if not encouragement of those inclined towards bigotry and chauvinism. They could reaffirm the findings of Asch, Milgram, and Zimbardo on the effect of peer pressure. On the other hand, the outpouring of protests against Trump by ordinary Americans reflects the optimism demonstrated by Haslam and Reicher. Adapted from the authors book, Liberating The Malay Mind, published by ZI Publications, Petaling Jaya, 2013. The second edition was released in January 2016. Misty Johnson, 40, stole more than $250,000 from an Opelousas medical imaging service from January 2009 to July 2014. A St. Landry Parish woman was sentenced Feb. 13 to 57 months in prison for stealing from an Opelousas-based medical imaging business. Misty Johnson, 40, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Donald E. Walter on one count each of wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and theft of mail. She was also ordered to pay $258,128 in restitution, according to a press release from U.S. Attorney Stephanie A. Finleys office. Johnson worked as an office manager for an Opelousas medical imaging services business from January 2009 to July 2014, according to her July 12, 2016, guilty plea. She was responsible for day-to-day financial operations, including billing, payroll and managing accounts payable and receivable. Her responsibilities included access to the companys financial information and mail. She also had signatory authority on business accounts and was provided a company credit card for making purchases. In order to further the scheme, she would write checks to herself or to cash, issue herself additional paychecks and make unauthorized purchases on the company credit card. She would then alter the companys account records to look as though she was properly paying the companys bills, Finleys office writes in the press release. Wikimedia The University of Louisiana at Lafayette says it's now offering in-state tuition to anyone with a parent who has at least an associate's degree from any public or private college or university in the state. Until now, the "Louisiana Legacy Scholarship" has applied to anyone who lives out of state but has a parent who graduated from UL. It's worth $13,728 a year. Vice president for enrollment management DeWayne Bowie says the school hopes to attract students with family ties to Louisiana. Students who have enrolled at UL must provide a copy of their birth certificate and verification of their parent's Louisiana college degree to the Registrar's Office. Bowie says a diploma won't work it has to be a transcript or verification letter from the school. Illustration by Trent Oubre It was about a year ago at this time that I had wound down a series of long interviews with David Egan at his home between Downtown and Four Corners. At that point Egan had all but conceded his roughly two-year battle with lung cancer and was receiving palliative care through Hospice of Acadiana. Those interviews 45 minutes, an hour at a clip would become the basis for The Independent's March 2016 cover story, "Great Clarity: Life, Death and David Egan." The subject of that story a gifted, brilliant, kind, creative and courageous man would be dead by March 18, while that cover story was still on racks across town. It was a huge loss for Lafayette, for our music family and for fans of great songwriting everywhere. Photo by Robin May Egan's death was an end, but it was also a beginning for his widow, Rhonda, his son, Reuben, and a tribe of friends, collaborators and others. It's been a year of grieving, but also a year of healing and ensuring that David Egan is remembered not just by great songs but by good works. The David Egan Dreamer Fund, which helps local musicians and artists fund creative projects, was established at the Community Foundation of Acadiana. Coming in March: "Sing It: The David Egan Songbook," a series of concerts featuring an all-star cast of musicians who collaborated with Egan over the years. "March will be the one year anniversary of losing David, and it is a great comfort to Reuben and I, and the rest of our family, to have these shows to look forward to," says Rhonda Ball Egan. "We cope with our grief by building his legacy and telling his story through his own words and music." That storytelling will feature such artists as Marcia Ball, C.C. Adcock, Roddie Romero, David Torkanowsky, Kristin Diable, Buddy Flett, Kevin Gordon, Steve Riley and many others. The celebration begins on March 20, David Egan's birthday, which was proclaimed David Egan Day by the mayor. The day will include the formal rollout of the Dreamer Fund as well as the announcement of the fund's first grants. The concerts begin Thursday, March 23 at the Vermilionville Performance Center in Lafayette, followed by a second Lafayette concert, same venue, on Friday, March 24. The tour then moves to Tipitina's in New Orleans on Saturday, March 25, and concludes in Egan's native North Louisiana at the Paradise Theater in Bossier City on Sunday, March 26. Proceeds from the concerts will help fund the David Egan Dreamer Fund. "These nights will be full of friendship and stories and song, as well as an amazing roster of talented artists," says Rhonda Ball Egan. "In my opinion, Id stack Davids songs and these musicians against any in the world. Reuben said 'regardless of honoring my dad, it will be just plain fun.' Fun works for me." Works for us, too, Rhonda. Tickets start at $20 and can be purchased here. This image is of a Cibachrome (Ilfochrome) print sold at auction on Valentines Day. It was part of a group of either 22 or 30 printsthe listing is a bit unclearthat were part of an exhibit entitled "Sightseeing; A Space Panorama," which opened at the Air and Space Museum of the Smithsonian Institution in 1985 and subsequently toured to 65 institutions all over the world. The exhibit was seen by more than by six million visitors. The prints were sold by Swann Auction Galleries in its "Icons & Images: Photographs & Photobooks" sale two days ago. The pre-auction estimate for the prints was $15,000 to $25,000 and the actual hammer price, comfortably exceeding the estimate, was $43,750. I've always liked this photograph (which an art school friend referred to as "Couch Potato in Space") and at first I was worried that I had posted it on the blog beforebut the one I was thinking of was a different image, in this post on the anniversary of the moonwalk in 2009. Mike Original contents copyright 2017 by Michael C. Johnston and/or the bylined author. All Rights Reserved. Links in this post may be to our affiliates; sales through affiliate links may benefit this site. Like what you read? Give Mike a Like or Buy yourself something nice (To see all the comments, click on the "Comments" link below.) Featured Comments from: Dave Levingston: "Back in 1969, when I was a newspaper photographer, we had an open house at the paper and one of the features was a moon rock which came with a Marine Corps guard and a pretty woman in a shiny silver mini-dress. As part of the preparations I helped install a set of those Cibachrome prints throughout the newsroom. 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Credit My Rent Creditmyrent process learn how we process your information & convert. After you submit this form you will be redirected to a website to begin your enrollment process if you are. https://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/2017/02/05/trump-dangerous-china-illusions/51H7yrI9vTE3PSmXDJDl3M/story.html Todays China offers a rude awakening for Americans who believe that the United States and the United States alone should dominate world power. Donald Trump seems to count himself among these neoconservatives, and China is their deepest phobia today. Trump is following a game plan that has characterized US grand strategy against major rivals dating back to World War II. Each time America has had a rival for global leadership, the United States has aimed to cut the rival down to size and to subordinate it to US power. For a while it worked, at least to a point. More recently, it has failed badly. And with China, any attempt to pursue such a course will fail disastrously for the United States, not to mention the world. The United States grand strategy of primacy can be dated to the early years of World War II. Americas main ally at the time was Britain. When Winston Churchill called on the new world to save the old world from Hitler, Franklin Roosevelts answer was yes, certainly, but not to save the British Empire (or the French empire). America loaned Britain the funds and arms to help defeat Hitler, but tightened the financial knot during and after the war to make sure that Britain would be financially dependent on the United States. Famously, it was America and not Britain that wrote the postwar rules of global finance to ensure that the worlds leading creditor nation, the United States, would hold all of the cards against the debtor nations, then including Britain, France, and the defeated powers. At the end of the war, the British and French empires relinquished their colonies in the face of independence movements and to rescue their own home economies. At that point, the United States took up the contest against another potential rival, the Soviet Union. From the start of the Cold War, the United States was far more developed economically and technologically than the Soviet Union. Yet because the Soviet Union was ready to devote a crushing share of national resources to its military-industrial complex, it was able to make itself a true rival of the United States in military terms. The ensuing arms race was almost enough to end the world during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis and other harrowing occasions. Both the United States and the Soviet Union lost several real opportunities to halt the arms race, and hotheads and militarists on both sides nearly got the whole world killed. Probably the best opportunity to end the Cold War came with John F. Kennedys peace initiative in 1963 that led to the signing of the Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. Some think that right-wingers took such offense to JFKs peace initiative that Kennedy was assassinated as a result; there is real plausibility to that view. In the end, Mikhail Gorbachev decided that the Soviet people deserved a higher quality of life instead of an economically crushing arms race. American neoconservatives claim that Ronald Reagans renewed arms buildup in the early 1980s pushed Gorbachev to realize that the Soviet Union was doomed to lose the arms race. Whether or not thats the case, Gorbachevs decision to disarm, and also not to crack down on growing discontent, led to the dissolution of the Soviet Union, at the end of 1991. Neoconservatives took the lesson to be that the United States was unrivaled in power and could impose its will on any country it deemed hostile to US interests. The United States pursued two tracks of this strategy. The first was to push NATO eastward toward the Russian borders, by incorporating the Eastern European and Baltic countries into the US-led military alliance, and then aiming to incorporate Ukraine and Georgia as well. The second was to overthrow, or try to overthrow, several hostile governments in the Middle East, including Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, and Syria in short order. Both of these approaches have backfired badly. NATOs move around 2008 to bring Ukraine and Georgia eventually into NATO helped to trigger a war in Georgia and Russias seizure of Crimea. And the US wars of regime change in the Middle East since 1990 have been strategic failures, fomenting new instability and terrorism rather than friendly and stable regimes. In the 1970s, the United States briefly faced what it believed to be yet another major rival for economic power, Japan. Japans post-WWII recovery was so dynamic, and its mastery of the new transistor-based electronics so strong in the 1960s, that many business and economic gurus in the 1970s envisioned a future world economy dominated by Japanese companies and wealth. I remember studies in the early 1980s that naively extrapolated Japans rapid growth and high saving rates forward for several decades to argue that the United States would be the sure loser in the long-run competition with Japan. Starting with President Ronald Reagan, the US foreign policy establishment went to work to counter Japan. It began accusing Japan of unfair trade practices, currency manipulation, unfair state aid to Japans businesses, and other exaggerated or flat-out false claims of nefarious behavior. The United States began to impose new trade barriers and forced Japan to agree to voluntary export restraints to limit its booming exports to the United States. Then, in 1985, the United States struck harder, by insisting that Japan massively revalue (strengthen) the yen in a manner that would leave Japan far less competitive with the United States. The yen doubled in strength, from 260 yen per dollar in 1985 to 130 yen per dollar in 1990. Japan had been pushed by the United States to price itself out of the world market. By the early 1990s, Japans export growth collapsed and Japan entered two decades of stagnation. On many occasions after 1990, I asked senior Japanese officials why Japan didnt devalue the yen to restart growth. The most convincing answer was that the United States wouldnt let Japan do it. Now comes China. American primacists are beside themselves that China seems to have the audacity to poke its nose into the American Century. Time Editor Henry Luce famously proclaimed the American Century in 1941, and it proved to be a remarkably astute observation and captivating, even mesmerizing, phrase for many Americans. The United States did become by far the worlds most powerful and richest country. And during several decades it often used its power and wealth wisely: founding the United Nations, creating the IMF and World Bank, establishing open trade with much of the world, inventing foreign aid and the Peace Corps, financing the global battle against AIDS. But now China seems to be crowding the US primacy well before the American Century reaches 100. And China is doing this as a surprise entrant to the race, at least a surprise from the 20th-century perspective, making its recent rise even more unnerving to American primacists. Consider the Chinese economy as recently at 1980. For that year, the IMF estimates that Chinas total GDP was a tiny 2.3 percent of the world economy, compared with Americas share, at 21.9 percent. Chinas per capita GDP was a minuscule 2.4 percent of the US per capita GDP. Fast forward 37 years. The IMF now calculates that China accounts for 18.3 percent of world output compared with 15.4 percent of the United States. Chinas output per person is now around 39 percent of Americas output per person according to the same IMF measurements. Many American primacists cant believe their eyes. Some argue that Chinas economy is a giant bubble that will soon implode, following the way of the Soviet Union. This is not the case. The Soviet economy was technologically separated from the US-led trading system and, in the end, could not keep up. China, by contrast, has achieved its remarkable economic growth since 1980 precisely by adopting global technologies and integrating the Chinese economy closely with the world economy. China has also become a highly innovative economy as well. Rather than let China catch up, the primacists say, the United States should badger and harass China economically, engage the Chinese in a new arms race, and even undermine the one-China policy that has been the basis of US-China bilateral relations, so that China ends up in economic retreat, retracing the steps of the British Empire, the Soviet Union, and Japan. One theory making the rounds indeed holds that Trump wants to sidle up to Vladimir Putin to team up against China for just this purpose. In my view, such an approach toward China would be profoundly misguided and very dangerous. It is based on the false idea that global economics must be about winners versus losers, the United States versus China, rather than about mutual gains through trade and technological advance. Moreover, the idea of cornering China is not only unwise but unachievable. Trump blames China for the plight of American workers left unemployed by Chinas exports to the United States, but he fails to understand or acknowledge the many gains to the United States from our trade with China, including the higher profits and wages of US companies exporting to China and the lower costs enjoyed by US consumers of Chinas exports. If Trump really wants to help American workers, he should tax and redistribute the soaring US profits and incomes of the rich, rather than open a trade war with China. Even worse, an American effort to weaken China is doomed to fail. When the United States pressed Britain to give up its empire, Britain was fighting for its very survival, and with a population just one third that of Americas. When the United States pressured Japan in the 1980s, Japans economy was only one-third of Americas, and Japan depended on the United States for its military security. China, by contrast, has a larger economy, is four times more populous, and is Americas creditor, not its debtor. China has strong and growing trade, investment, and diplomatic relations with other countries all over the world that would likely be strengthened, not weakened, by US belligerence. Its also important to remember that Chinas proud history as a unified nation is 10 times longer than Americas, around 2,250 years compared with around 225 years. Aside from the usual litany of exaggerated or false charges against China (currency manipulator, unfair trader, etc.), the most recent rap is that China is a dangerously expansionist power. If ever the pot has called the kettle black, here is a case. America has military bases in roughly 70 foreign countries, while China has one small overseas base (in Djibouti). America outspends China on the military by more than two to one. For decades, America has been in nonstop overseas wars and regime-change operations, while China has been in very few overseas conflicts, all short-lived. China, in short, has not been an expansionist or aggressive power, while the United States has sought unrivaled global power. While the United States cannot dominate China, it need not fear Chinas dominance either. Yes, China is now larger economically than the United States, and will remain so, but the United States also remains far richer in per capita terms and will likely continue to be so throughout the 21st century. Moreover, Chinas high growth rates are now slowing markedly, not because the Chinese economy is collapsing but because it is maturing. Catching-up growth slows down as it succeeds. Also, China is aging rapidly, and will have a median age above 50 years by mid-century. A mature, aging, and slower-growing economy that is still much poorer than the United States in per capita terms is hardly a deep threat to Americas own security. If Trump tries to provoke China into a new arms race or trade war, the results will be a huge debacle for the United States and a potential threat for the world. Americas well-being depends on the maturity of judgement to cooperate with China as a major global power that can and should share the responsibilities to promote global peace and sustainable development. Working together through the United Nations, China and the United States can and should work together and with other countries to prevent or end regional wars, stop terrorism, and confront common hazards such as global warming and newly emerging diseases. Jeffrey D. Sachs is University Professor and director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University, and author of The Age of Sustainable Development. The sextoy market is growing quite rapidly in India right now. Although it is not a big trend, it is a hot topic on the internet as it is secretly expanding its market. In this article, we will focus on sextoy and introduce recommended sextoy for Indian beginners of sextoy by gender. India, the birthplace of the Kama Sutra, is very strict about sex. Also, premarital sex is basically not allowed. Therefore, there are many people who are sexually restricted. But what happens when you continue to be sexually restricted? Frustration may build up and you may end up taking your sexual stress out on your partner. If you are able to adopt sextoy in a timely manner, you can get rid of those problems. I want to have more exciting sex than Im having now. I want more variation in masturbation I want to get even stronger pleasure than I do on my own. If you have any of these problems, please stay with me until the end. What is sex toys for Indian? Sextoy, as the name implies, is a toy used during sex and masturbation. It is a generic term for vibrators, Egg-vibrators, Electric massagers, dildo, handcuffs and condoms. They are used to make regular sex more exciting or to make masturbation more pleasurable. Because sextoy is very stimulating, it can help you to get rid of the problems and frustrations of being in a rut of sex with your partner for a long time, or if you are unhappy with the lack of pleasure in sex with your partner. The ability to satisfy your desires with movement, texture, and size, which cannot be done by a normal human being, can help you to be satisfied with sex and, as a result, improve your relationship with your partner. It is also said to help improve sexual dysfunction (inability to get an erection or ejaculate) and difficulty in feeling during sex (insensitivity), which is attracting more attention than in the past. In recent years, the demand for sextoy has increased due to the spread of smartphones and the Internet and the increasing number of people using online shopping. Even those who are concerned about the appearance of sextoy (and find it difficult to purchase) can now easily obtain it by using mail order. In the case of online shopping, most of the stores have taken steps to ensure that the contents of the products delivered to you are not revealed, so you can purchase them without your family members knowing. Until a while ago, you had to go to the store where the adult goods were sold to buy them, so it was quite a hurdle to overcome. Also, many people may have an image that sextoy is somehow embarrassing to own. But nowadays, some of them are so stylish and cute that you cant believe they are sextoy at a glance. More and more people are using them for travel and outdoor use because they are not too bulky and are suitable for carrying around. Sextoy situation in India Before introducing the recommended sextoy for Indians, lets talk about one of the sextoy situations in India in recent years. In India, due to the high concentration of population, the following six cities have particularly high sales of sextoy in India. Mumbai Kolkata Bangalore Delhi Chennai Hyderabad These cities account for roughly 70 percent of sextoy sales in India. In the future, the percentage of sextoy use will gradually increase in other cities in India as well. If you never talk about sextoy publicly, that girl in your neighborhood might be a sextoy user too. If you are interested in sextoy, you dont have to suppress your desire for it. What are Sextoys for beginner? Among all sextoys, sextoy for beginners are vibrators, dildo, masturbators, Sex Lubricants, and condoms. Sex Lubricants and condoms, which are familiar to people who have had sex, are also a great beginners sextoy. I will explain the details of each toy later, but there are many sextoy products that are painful to use and can only be used after some anal expansion. I assume that the Indian readers of this article are people who have not had much experience with sextoy. If such people use professional sextoy suddenly, they are at risk of injury or trauma. Therefore, to introduce sextoy, you need to start with a beginners version and gradually become familiar with it. Advantages of using sextoy for Indians There are three advantages of using sextoy for Indians You can masturbate in a wide variety of ways. Can have stimulating sex Can develop new sexual zones If you try to masturbate with your own fingers or hands, it tends to be a pattern. However, with sextoy, you can easily masturbate in a variety of ways. You will definitely be fascinated by the attraction of new stimulation. Also, your daily sex life will be more exciting than ever. There are many things in sextoy that are visually stimulating and give you a strong and intense feeling of pleasure. This allows you to see your partners promiscuity in a way that you wouldnt normally see it. When you are in a relationship, sex with your partner may become a pattern, but it can also eliminate these problems. It can also lead to the development of new sexual zones (which is the training of sexual stimulation to allow you to feel orgasms). For more information on the development of new sexual zones, see the following articles [Women's Erogenous Zone]How to find and develop, 7 hidden sexual zones !![In India] In this issue, we will dissect the female erogenous zone! ..." Many of you may be like that. Men, in particular, shou... Thus, the use of sextoy can only be a good thing for the men and women of India. Sextoy for beginner men in India So, lets continue with the recommended goods for Indian sextoy beginners. For ease of understanding, we will introduce them by gender. Lets start with the men! The following five goods are recommended for novice Indian sextoy men Masturbator Cock rings Love Doll Sex Lubricants Toys for the prostate Lets check each one in detail. Masturbator The masturbator is a sextoy for men that elaborately reproduces a womans vagina, mouth, and anus, and is one of the most popular sextoy products. It is used by men to masturbate, and it is popular because it provides stronger stimulation and pleasure more easily than using hands. Most are made of good quality silicone, and their softness is something that cannot be achieved with ones own hands. They can provide stronger pleasure than a real womans vagina, so be careful not to overuse them. (You wont be able to have an orgasm in a womans vagina anymore.) Again Male masturbators are a wonderful toy. I do not need any favourite timing, bothersome bargaining. You do not have to worry too much. Revolutionize your masturbation time! ! ! Made in Japan is a wonderful kinky toy.#sextoysindia #SexToyIndia #Japanhttps://t.co/4k70QGzoTP pic.twitter.com/tRVdxTKPpa SEXToys India PR (@SextoysIndia) November 12, 2018 Some of them are disposable, while others can be washed and used over and over again, so its fun to buy a few to use depending on your mood. If you want to know more about masturbator, please click here Really pleasant male masturbation and how to do it Are you in a rut with your daily masturbation routine? I'm going to show you five ways men masturbate that you might ... [For Beginners] How to choose and use a male masturbator without fail Gentlemen.Have you ever used a masturbator? The person who sees this article is probably the one who has not experien... Cock Ring A cock ring is literally a ring-shaped sextoy that is worn on a mans penis. It maintains an erection by binding the penis with a ring of rubber and blocking blood flow. It is sometimes used as an accessory to be worn on the penis, and may be made of metal or plastic as well as rubber. In some cases, cock rings have parts or vibrators attached to them that stimulate the vagina, so they kill two birds with one stone, giving a woman pleasure while maintaining an erection. Cock rings are also sometimes used to treat erectile dysfunction. It can help with erectile dysfunction, where the penis doesnt get hard when you get an erection or doesnt last long when you try to insert it. Men who are prone to breakage or who are unsure of the hardness and size of their erections can use a cock ring to increase the size of their penis and maintain an erection for a longer period of time. Cock rings vary in price from around RS700 to over RS2000 with a vibrator function. Some of them do not fit your penis, so you should check the size of the cock ring before you buy. You should know the size of your partners or your own penis when it is erect. [Penis enlargement] What is a cock ring? Types and usage Cock rings can make your penis bigger and harder. It also makes sex with women more fulfilling and increases your sat... Love Doll Love dolls, also known as Dutchwives, are dolls with the appearance of a woman who can experience simulated sex. There are dolls that look like a woman, but they have no face and only have their breasts and lower torso cut off, and some dolls are so realistic that they can actually be mistaken for real women. Some expensive dolls can cost more than 1 million yen, and the quality of the doll is easily influenced by the price. The higher the price, the higher the quality of the doll will be, the closer it will be to the real woman, and the cheaper the doll will be, the less elaborate it will be, making it look like a real doll! Something is wrong! That is also true. You cant go wrong if you choose a balance between price and taste. There are stores that allow you to make custom-made love dolls, so you can create a girl of your choice. You can make a girl of your choice. You can start with inexpensive love dolls at first, and once you get used to it, you can try custom-made love dolls. If you want to know more about Love doll, please click here Thorough explanation of the charm of sex dolls! Have you ever heard of sex dolls that are used primarily for pseudo-sex purposes? It is a doll that is quite close to... Sex lubricants Sex lubricants are used as a substitute for lubricating fluid during sex or as a lubricant for men to use masturbator rules. It is not uncommon for women to have difficulty getting wet, depending on their physical condition, or to have difficulty getting wet due to their constitution. Forcing the penis into the vagina at such times can cause painful intercourse. There are various types of Sex Lubricants, some with a warming effect, some with a cooling effect, and some with a scent. Changing the Sex Lubricant used during play is recommended as a good sex accent. If you want to learn more about Sex Lubricants, click here. What is sex lubricant?Explain the difference and usage of each ingredient The word "sex toy" may seem like a hurdle to overcome, but lotion is actually one of the most familiar sex toys. Many... Toys for the Prostate Another sextoy for men is prostate toys. The most famous prostate toys include Enemagra, which was originally a prostate massager developed by an American urologist to treat an enlarged prostate line. Modern prostate toys are imitations of Enemagra that have spread as sextoy for men. Many people think of prostate toys as being used by gay men, but in fact they are often used by straight men. What is the prostate? The prostate is an organ found only in men. It is a walnut-sized organ located deep in the pelvis, just below the bladder, and its primary role is to protect and nourish sperm. You cannot touch the prostate gland from outside the body, but you can touch it by inserting a finger or sextoy through the anus. By inserting a finger or sextoy through the anus and touching the prostate and developing it, you can feel intense orgasms. Orgasms felt in the prostate are mainly dry orgasms, which are orgasms that do not involve ejaculation. (You can also feel orgasms with ejaculation through prostate stimulation.) The prostate is called the male G-spot, and dry orgasms can be much more intense than ejaculation. Therefore, men who are able to develop a prostate can become addicted to the pleasure. sextoy for beinner women in India The following are the recommended goods for Indian women who are new to sextoy. The following three are recommended for use by women who are new to sextoy. Vibrator. Dildo Electric Masserger Lets check out what each one is in detail. If you want to check out womens toys, click here. [BEST25]Sex Toys for Women in IndiaThat Can Help You Have an Orgasm There are many women who pretend to feel orgasm during sex. But don't worry, you don't have to pretend to feel orgasm... Vibrators A vibrator is a sextoy that vibrates with an Egg-Vibrator to provide stimulation and is often referred to simply as a vibrator. Some vibrate as well as rotate, and there are many variations of sextoy. It is quite a popular sextoy, and is well recognized by people who do not know much about sextoy. Its usage is similar to that of a massager, but it is more compact and easier to carry than a massager, and many of them look as cute as a lipstick or a macaroon, so they are popular among women. For a while, a famous influencer on twitter said, This is good! You may have heard of the topic of this article by introducing the recommended vibrators. Vibrators are great for women to use on their own, but they are also recommended for men who have difficulty satisfying women with sex. Since it is powered by electricity, it is far less tiring than moving your hands by yourself. This makes it easier to satisfy a woman with sex because you can caress her for longer than usual. Vibrators are mainly used on the female side, but they can also be used on men. When used on men, they are used to attack the nipples and glans, and in both cases it is recommended to wear a condom for hygiene reasons. Introducing how to use the vibrator, its purpose, and how to choose it! Vibrator uses the vibrations caused by the rotation of the motor to provide stimulation. It is one or two of the most... Dildo A dildo is a model sextoy made to mimic a male penis. It can be made of silicone, elastomer (think of it as a material similar to PVC), metal or glass. A dildo can be used by a man for his female partner during sex, or by a woman for masturbation to get pleasure from it. They are mainly inserted into women, but some can be used in the male anus as well. It is sometimes used synonymously with vibrators, but the vibrator is not the same thing as a vibrating device. A model of a penis that does not vibrate is a dildo. Some of them have suction cups that can be attached to the floor or wall so that you can enjoy realistic masturbation without using your hands. For fun, there is a dildo made in the shape of your partners penis. This one is also popular as a gift, and if youve been together for a long time and are having trouble finding a gift for your partner, you might want to pick one. To learn more about dildo, please click here. What is Dildo: Orgasms with Dildos for Men and Women A dildo is a model of a male organ that is used by women for masturbation and by men to stimulate the prostate gland. Th... Electric Masserger A Electric Masserger is a hand-held electric massager, also known as a handheld massager, and can usually be purchased at electronics stores. It was originally designed to relieve stiff shoulders and back pain, so the hurdle of buying one in a physical store is quite low. Many people may have seen or used it in some form or another, as it is often installed in leisure hotels. Such a massager is highly recommended for beginners because it is easy for women to get pleasure from it when they use it during masturbation. It is larger than Egg-Vibrator and vibrations are stronger than those of Egg-Vibrators and vibrators, so even just hitting the clitoris can give you a great deal of pleasure. For those women who have never had an orgasm during sex with their man, the massager may be a good way to get a feel for what it feels like to have an orgasm. It looks and feels like an electric massager, so you wont have to feel awkward if your roommate finds out. If you are in a rut of having sex with your partner, if you want to feel an orgasm through masturbation, or if you are thinking of using a sextoy, why dont you try it from a simple massager? To learn more about Electric Masserger, click here. What is a massager? Introducing types, selection methods, and usage Originally, the Magic-wand vibrator and the massage machine were sold as a home massage machine used for the back and th... How to choose a sextoy for Indian Now that weve covered the different types of sextoy, heres how to choose one. Especially if you are trying sextoy for the first time, pay attention to the following three points: Does the size fit you (the partner)? Does the size fit you (your partner)? Is the environment able to produce sound without problems? Price range First of all, the choice of size is quite important. Most sextoy are used against or inserted into the genitals, but the genitals are very delicate organs for both men and women. For this reason, using an inappropriate size may cause damage. Secondly, the environment should be able to produce sound without problems. Some sextoys not only wear, but also rotate and vibrate. Its easier to get pleasure from something that moves than something that doesnt, but the fact that it moves means that the internal rotors make some noise. If you live in a house with thin walls or if you have roommates, you may not be able to concentrate because of the noise, so it is best to choose one that is silent or has a low noise level. Especially in India, where many people live with their families, it is very important that you dont have to worry about sound when you use it. Finally, there is the price range. The price range of sextoy ranges widely, from around RS500 at the cheapest to RS10,000 or more at the highest. Its good to consider how much money you can afford and how much you want to buy. Do you want your family to not find out about sextoy? I live with my family and want to use sextoy without them finding out! If you are a man, you should buy a camouflage sextoy that does not look like a sextoy at first glance. For men, there are many masturbators that do not look like a sextoy, and for women, there are vibrators that only look like cosmetics. If you choose such a type, youll be safe in case your family members find out. How to buy sextoys in India The best way to purchase sextoy is through online shopping. For more information on how to purchase sextoy, please see the article below. Sextoy is one of them. Therefore, you can easily get sextoy in India by using online shopping. SexToysINDIA is a long established and stable sextoy store and you can have sextoy delivered to any place in India. They also offer cash on delivery, so those who are worried about shopping with a credit card do not have to worry. Of course, the latest security is in place, so your information will not be taken out when you use your credit card. To begin with, many people may be concerned about whether they are legally allowed to purchase sextoy. ikmAs it turns out, its not illegal. Right now, it is not open to the public because the Indian adult market is still in the development stage, but it will gradually spread from now on. Take advantage of sextoy and open the door to new pleasures and culture. Cautions for Indians using sextoy When using sextoy, keep the following three things in mind Keep sex toys clean Watch out for electrical leakage Beware of the heat generated by the body while using a sex toy As I mentioned earlier, many sextoy products are used for the delicate zone. Therefore, it is most important to keep the sextoy itself clean. It is very important to keep the sextoy itself clean, because if a slight scratch is created by friction, bacteria can enter and breed there. It is safe to wear a condom when using the masturbator, just in case. In addition, many sextoy devices are powered by a power source, so if they are not waterproof, there is a possibility of electric shock or malfunction due to wetness. Some may even develop heat during continuous use. If the fever becomes too much, you may get burned, so be careful. If you get a fever during use, stop driving the sextoy immediately and refrain from using it. You will enjoy sex more if you keep it safe and use it correctly. Summary What did you think? In this article, we have introduced the recommended sextoy for the beginners of sextoy in India. The sextoy market is growing rapidly in India and it will continue to grow steadily in the future. As India is a rather closed-minded country, it can be difficult to be open about ones sexual habits and values. However, being faithful to ones desires by properly dissolving ones sexual desire is very effective for ones physical and mental health. If this is your first time to learn about sextoy, or if you are interested in using sextoy, why not give it a try? Indian Sextoys for ur best! will introduce you to sextoy and other trivia about sextoy, sexuality, and sexuality for men and women. I want to read more! If you think its a great idea, please bookmark it. Alee Quick Local news editor Alee Quick is the local news editor for The Southern. Follow Alee Quick 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 In the space of a week, news has broken that Taco Bell plans to open locations in West Frankfort and Du Quoin. In West Frankfort, a groundbreaking is tentatively scheduled for Feb. 20 to celebrate the beginning of construction on a Taco Bell near the city's outlet mall. In Du Quoin, construction is expected to start within a month on a Taco Bell location in Southtowne Shopping Center. Even before we learned about these two new locations of the fast food chain coming to Southern Illinois, our newsroom has been abuzz (as had the internet) over Taco Bell's newest creation: a taco with fried chicken for a shell. It's officially called the Naked Chicken Chalupa. Instead of a taco shell (which, at Taco Bell, typically resembles a crunchy tortilla), we have a taco-shaped piece of fried chicken, filled with avocado ranch sauce, cheese, tomato and lettuce. There is no kind of taco meat inside the shell is the meat. You can customize, of course, by adding different sauces and fillings, but we went with the original. (The video above was originally posted on our Snapchat, by the way. Follow us there; our username is soillinoisan.) For the calorie counters out there (I am one), this thing comes in at 440 calories. Photo editor Byron Hetzler was nice enough to split one with me, but even if I had eaten a whole one (I'm glad I didn't), it wouldn't have broken my calorie budget for the day. I had been pretty excited to try this thing. I've been on a weight loss quest since the beginning of the year, and even though I wouldn't normally have eaten fast food like Taco Bell, knowing I'm limiting myself from junk food just makes me want it more. I had been daydreaming about the Naked Chicken Chalupa. Byron and I spent some time last week in my cubicle researching it on the Taco Bell website, considering all the ways it could be customized. I sent Tom English, The Southern's interim editor, an instant message last week just to say I was thinking about the fried chicken taco. So I had built this thing up in my head. I imagined the fried chicken shell would be crunchy on the outside, tender on the inside, and oozing with spicy sauce. It should come as no surprise that I was disappointed. It reminded me of a high school cafeteria-grade spicy chicken sandwich without the bun. Eh. Reporter Molly Parker put it best: "I would not have it as my last meal, but I would try it again." And Tom, who doesn't even really like chicken, enjoyed it. It was over-hyped, like all of Taco Bell's food. (If you're craving Mexican, why not grab a taco with onion and cilantro from a local Mexican taqueria, like Little House of Tacos or El Paisano?) But, hey, I know there's something magical about a late night trip through the Taco Bell drive-through. West Frankfort and Du Quoin will soon be able to enjoy that magic. The 39th annual Big Muddy Film Festival will kick off Tuesday, bringing a diverse selection of films from all over the world to the screens of Southern Illinois. One of the countrys largest student-run international film festivals, Big Muddy will showcase 80 independent films this year, culled from a pool of over 170 submissions. The festival features both competition and noncompetition screenings, with juried films in the four categories of animation, documentary, experimental and narrative. In general, weve always had a history of documentary films, but we dont actually solicit based on theme or topic, said Big Muddy Film Festival executive director Hassan Pitts, who serves as technology coordinator for Southern Illinois University's College of Mass Communications and Media Arts. Despite the lack of thematic criteria, several of this years submissions dealt with different perspectives on the concept of peace, Pitts said. They tackle the topic in their own individual ways, Pitts said. The Peace Agency is a story about a disabled woman in war-torn Indonesia who starts a school for women in the hopes of introducing them to the political process and who attempts to ease tensions between Muslim and Christian factions in the area. These women aim to nullify (those tensions), so that whatever is driving the animosity, whatever is driving the conflict can essentially be dissipated through their efforts, Pitts said. A documentary called Disturbing the Peace explores the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, profiling people on both sides of the issue who try to diffuse tensions. A common theme, again, is the idea that these animosities and tensions are really conflated by something else, and how to get past that and have people be able to talk and relate to each other, Pitts said. Another film, Peace Has No Borders, deals with American war resistors who have gone to Canada to seek asylum. Those three films are among the 11 nominees for the John Michaels Film Award, an honor given to a film that is intentionally courting issues of social change, social justice, environmentalism or issues that surround a community, Pitts said. This years panel of judges for the juried films consists of filmmakers Tomas Pichardo-Espaillat, Alrick Brown and Ines Sommer. Established in 1979, Big Muddy stands as one of the oldest film festivals in the nation associated with a university. In an effort to widen the festivals reach, the crew recruited a special events group affiliated with Carbondale Tourism to assist with marketing this year. Were trying to make it so that the festival grows, but in the way that is logical and right, and so were trying to take some pointers from people who are willing to help and also just make the festival more well known in the area in terms of draw, and putting butts in the seats, as it were, Pitts said. The festival begins in the SIU Student Center and runs through Feb. 26, with additional screening locations at Longbranch Cafe & Bakery, Artspace 304, the African-American Museum in University Mall, Guyon Auditorium and the University Museum Auditorium. A full schedule of events will be available at bigmuddyfilm.com. Admission is free for SIU students; for everyone else, day passes are $5 and festival passes are $20. Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct Hassan Pitts' title. He is the technology coordinator for SIU Carbondale's College of Mass Communication and Media Arts. An earlier version described him as a professor in SIU's Department of Cinema and Photography. Film and music come together in one evening this Saturday. Hedman Vineyards will host "An Evening of Music and Film" at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18. The event will feature music by percussionist and marimba player Kevin Lucas and films by Southern Illinois filmmaker Dan Johnson. Johnson will present three travel films on Turkey and underwater Cozumel and Iceland some original music by Lucas is included in the Iceland film. Lucas will also be playing a selection of pieces before and between the films. There is a $5 cover charge for the event. Hedman Vineyards is located at 560 Chestnut St. in Alto Pass. The Southern A 20-year-old Carbondale man has been sentenced to prison for home invasion. Shahere S. Lark pleaded guilty to the charge, a class X felony, in December. On Wednesday he was sentenced to serve eight years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, followed by three years of probation, according a news release from the office of the Jackson County states attorney. The charge stemmed from an incident that occurred on July 19, 2016, in an apartment located on East College Street. A man occupying the apartment said he awoke to see a black male standing in the threshold of his front door. The victim started yelling at the suspect to leave, and another black male came down the stairs, pointing a handgun at the victim and demanding his wallet. The two men fled the apartment after taking $20 cash from the wallet. The handgun was later determined to be a BB gun, the states attorneys office said. Officers with the Jackson County Sheriffs Office tracked the suspects using a police dog and found them in a van parked a few blocks away from the apartment. They were identified as Lark and a juvenile. Lark was later positively identified by the victim and also admitted to the crime. The investigation was conducted by the Carbondale Police Department and the Jackson County Sheriffs Office. Assistant States Attorney Casey E.A. Bloodworth handled the prosecution. According to a preliminary investigation, police said Cruz was hauling popcorn in his semi-truck, and his semi tipped as he was driving around a curve on Illinois 3 south of Dew Drop Lane around 5 a.m. Thursday. Cruz told officials an animal entered the road and he swerved to avoid it. The truck exited the road on the outside of the curve, police said. CARBONDALE The search for a new chancellor for the Southern Illinois University Carbondale campus has been narrowed to seven semifinalists, according to SIU System President Randy Dunn. A first round of interviews will be conducted for off-campus applicants via Skype by the end of the month, Dunn told the SIU Board of Trustees at its meeting this past week in Edwardsville. Dunn appointed a chancellors search committee this past fall to help find the right person to lead the Carbondale campus forward. Brad Colwell has served as SIUs interim chancellor for about a year and a half. Colwell was named to the post after the death of then-interim Chancellor Paul Sarvela, who held the position from July 2014 until his death on Nov. 9, 2014. For a while, before Colwells appointment, Dunn held dual roles as university president and chancellor of the Carbondale campus. In his update, Dunn told board members that the search committee members, following the Skype interviews, will begin working to bring their top three picks to campus. Dunn said the candidates chosen as finalists will run the gauntlet as the chancellor candidates do at that level. Dunn previously said he expected that Colwell would apply for the position, while noting it is a nationwide search and he would have to go through the same application process as anyone else. Dunn also said that others on the Carbondale campus may want to throw their names in the hat. While discussing the chancellors search in October, Dunn said one thing he believes would help the Carbondale campus is some stability at the top. Ten people have served as chancellor at SIUC during the past 20 years, four of them in only an interim capacity. That churning and turbulence in the top administrative position has just been constant, Dunn said at the time. Its gone on for years and it has to come to an end. SIU Carbondale is struggling with declining enrollment and the financial uncertainty created by the state budget impasse. But despite the challenges it is facing, SIU Carbondale remains a major research institution with several nationally recognized programs, and is a deeply rooted regional economic powerhouse that drives the Southern Illinois economy. In the fall, Dunn did not establish a deadline for the committee to make a recommendation, but directed them to act "expeditiously." Some Illinois legislators are attempting to enact policies that would protect women from federal-level policy changes under the Trump administration. President Donald Trumps election filled with contention from nomination to election to inauguration and now, in action has frightened his political foes, from D.C. democrats to liberal state legislatures. For some, the haphazard roll-out of his executive order temporarily stopping the U.S.s refugee program and banning travel from seven Muslim-majority countries was just the first example of a campaign promise reigned in and delivered as policy nightmare come true. During the long, drawn-out and bitter campaign in which, lest we forget, Trump beat the woman the closest we had ever seen to the presidency it became clear that Trump was not a friend to women in the way many progressive women wanted so desperately for the countrys leader to be. Along with saying that women should be punished in some way for getting an abortion (he later walked back that statement), footage of Trump saying lewd things about women on a hot mic while taping an Access Hollywood segment, and his public feud with Megyn Kelly after she questioned him about his previous bullying of famous women, turned him into the ultimate political villain for left-leaning ladies. The day after Trumps inauguration, millions of women around the world rallied against Trumps possible policy changes, especially where they would affect women. Last week, Illinois policymakers and interest groups introduced Illinois Women Moving Forward, a legislative agenda that the group says aims to protect womens health care, economic security and justice. Several organizations, including ACLU of Illinois, Planned Parenthood of Illinois and Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence, along with dozens of Illinois legislators, including many upstate democrats, have signed on as partners. One such legislator, Sara Feigenholtz, introduced a bill in the House this past week that would change state law so that abortion would not automatically become illegal here should Roe v. Wade be overturned by the Supreme Court. The Illinois Women Moving Forward agenda also says that feminine hygiene products should be free and accessible in public schools, correctional centers and shelters; that minimum wage should rise; that the Illinois Equal Pay Act should be strengthened; and that the public should be informed that charging men and women differently for health services is illegal. Some of the agenda items like ensuring access to legal abortion are ripe with potential for political fights, especially in a state that sees most of its political power wielded by big-city Democrats while resentment simmers downstate, where rural, Republicans votes sometimes seem to matter little. Some agenda items like providing pads and tampons in public institutions seem like common sense. Theres just one big, fat problem. The budget. While the rest of the states that make up these United States are free to make policy that would support or oppose the certain sea change still to come at the federal level under Trump, Illinois is not free to do that yet. Or much of anything. Illinois has been without a budget for 596 days. This is the longest state budget impasse since World War II. A temporary spending plan that went into effect July 1 did not include any funding for groups that provide support to victims of domestic violence, according to a Tuesday story from The Associated Press. The agencies went five months before learning that they werent being funded. Every politician who had a hand in that budget agreement bears some of the blame for the exclusion of funding for such services. The late notice of the lack of funding forced groups to lay off workers and put clients on longer wait lists. Domestic violence victims are more commonly female. Illinois legislators want to move women forward? Start with sorting out the funding mess. Without a budget, no one is moving forward. On Jan. 16, 2017, Michael Wilson, a crime scene reporter for the prestigious New York Times newspaper, flew into Charleston, rented a car and journeyed to the Orangeburg County Town of Bowman. He was assigned by his editor to conduct more research on the unsolved murder mystery of Evelyn Moore in Chester, N.Y., in 1970. The research trail led Wilson to Bowman and the adjoining areas of the Cow Castle enumerating district. Census records reveal there was a child born in the area in 1939 by the named of Evelyn Moore. In December 2016, Wilson contacted me and asked if I could give him some assistance in his research. I agreed to assist but had no idea that the research would result in such an intriguing story. He sent me the following article that he had written. On Nov. 27, 2016, the article I Remember Her: Questions Persist After Break in 70 Killing of Harlem Woman was published in The New York Times. The article by Wilson states: A rabbit hunter found the body. But he went home to Queens and waited a day before calling the police because he feared trouble -- it was not rabbit season. "The next day, on Oct. 19, 1970, the hunter led the police to the spot. It was in Chester, N. Y., about 90 minutes by car from New York City, in the woods just outside the entrance to the Glenmere Mansion, a Tuscan-style hotel that had seen better days. "The body had been there a few months, the police estimated. The gender would not be determined until an autopsy: female. She wore knee-high socks and a sweatshirt from the Harlem Youth Opportunities Unlimited organization in Manhattan. Someone had wrapped her head in a yellow towel and shot her. Her hands had been bound behind her back with an electrical cord a pivotal detail that would later reboot the cold case. "When the woman fell, she fell backward. 'Back on to her hands,' Yan Salomon, an investigator with the New York State Police, said. 'That kind of protects her hands from the elements for a few months. The sun, animals, whatever.' "The police were able to get fingerprints from the womans right thumb and two fingers. There were no matches with law enforcement agencies, so they were filed away. "The sweatshirt produced no leads, and the case stalled. As technology advanced, the fingerprints were introduced into the data bases to search for a match. There were none, for 45 years. "Then, 11 months ago, the New York Police Department matched the fingerprints to a woman who had been arrested in Manhattan a year before the body was found. "On May 14, 1969, the woman was in a car with two men in Harlem when a police officer pulled them over and found heroin, Investigator Salomon said. She gave the name Shirlene Dixon and an address in the St. Nicholas Houses, three blocks from the Apollo Theater. She was born in 1939 and was 30 years old. "But that lead fizzled. The womans full record revealed several arrests in New York in the 1960s, and each time, she gave a different name Evelyn Moore, Fanny Hill, Acey Moore and various Harlem addresses. Before then, she was arrested in Atlantic City on charges of embezzlement and served a short time in prison. The best that could be said for the names was that none of them were likely her own. "The police in New York City found a photo from the most recent arrest and sent it to the State Police. The person in the photo, stone-faced in a raincoat, appeared to be a young man. "Then, a break: A detective in the 32nd Precinct in Harlem found, in the basement of the station house, a desk blotter from 1969, when the woman was arrested. It listed the names of the people in the car with her. One of them was a 17-year old named Doug. Eight months ago, state troopers visited Doug, now 65, at his home in New Jersey, and they showed him the photo. 'Thats her,' Investigator Salomon said Doug told them. 'I remember her.' "Doug agreed to be interviewed by telephone for this article with the condition that his surname be left out because of the violent nature of the crime. He knew the woman by the initials A.C., and never asked what they stood for. "A.C. dressed like a man, and carried herself as one, he said. 'Always looked like someone that stepped out of a magazine,' he said. 'Very fashionable. Knit sweaters, sharkskin slacks, alligator shoes.' The look was in line with how she earned her money, he said selling drugs. "She was about 10 years older than Doug. 'We slept together,' he recalled last week, rather awkwardly, his wife by his side. But A.C. was bisexual and in love with a female friend of Dougs from his building. 'It wasnt really that big a deal,' Doug said of the intertwining relationships. "That woman was Shirlene Dixon, who lived in the St. Nicholas Houses the name and address that A.C. gave the night of her 1969 arrest. 'Shirlene was A.C.s No. 1,' he said. "Doug said of A.C.: 'It was really a lot of fun hanging out with her. She was funny. A caring person, too. How you doing? How was your day? You want to hang out?' She was very cunning. She was slick. You cant sell drugs and not be cunning or slick.' "That night in 1969, an officer pulled them over and found drugs in the car, he said. They were coming back from a store; they had bought diapers for a friends baby. The officer allowed Doug to deliver the diapers if he promised to come to the station house immediately after, and Doug did. "Doug said he and A.C. made regular trips to Philadelphia. In a limousine, with a driver. 'It was fun,' he said. 'I guess you had to be there and be a part of that world.' He said A.C. met people there that he knew nothing about. She was always very protective, he said, adding that A.C. told him, 'I dont want you in this.' "It all seemed normal and fun. The year 1969 rolled into 1970. They were all in Ms. Dixons apartment one summer day, and Doug and A.C. left, taking the stairs out back. Trouble waited. "'We were met by them,' Doug said. 'Two people took A.C. away. They were both women.' They were big and like 'goons,' he said, but A.C. went willingly to their car. 'She told me to go back and stay here,' Doug said. "A.C. was never seen in Harlem again. Dougs parents 'packed my tail up and shipped me away to North Carolina,' he said. In unrelated violence five years later, Ms. Dixon and her mother were murdered by the mothers boyfriend. "Looking back, Doug, the only one left of the little group, said it was painful to think about that brief and eclectic period and how it all ended: 'A whole lot of memories,' he said, 'back where I did not want to go.' "For all those vivid details of a life the fancy slacks and shoes, the limos, that last act, a fall backward in death that kept her alive -- the most basic fact remains missing: her name. On Dec. 14, 2016, Wilson e-mailed me that he had just come up with the name of the woman that was murdered. He said, Evelyn Moore was born in 1939, and identified as Evin on the 1940 census. Her mother was Fannie Moore, daughter of Emma Jones. Fannie had several children: Jacob, 10, Pearlie, 6, Martha, 4, and Evelyn. They lived at 220 Old Reevesville Road in Cow Castle. (Today, that road is called Wayside Drive, which connects into Old Reevesville Road.) Fannie had a brother named Leroy Jones who lived there too. He was married to Darcus Jones, and they had children. He also fought in WWII, I believe. They later moved to Philadelphia. Evelyn wound up in New York City and was shot to death in 1970, and that case remains unsolved. On Jan. 12, 2017, Mike wrote me and said, Ive come far enough along in my research that Im flying down to do some pavement-pounding myself. I will arrive Monday, Jan. 16, for one night.Could I meet you early Monday afternoon near Bowman and show you the patch of Wayside Drive where I believe the family Im tracking down lives? Before Wilson made his decision to come to Bowman, I conducted my research for descendants or anyone who may have known or heard of Evelyn Moore and her family. Mayor Marion Glenn was a great asset as I covered that area of Bowman Cow Castle Township. Several days before Mike got to Bowman, I met Lessie Minus, who connected me with her Aunt Janette Minus and Uncle Walter Minus, who were raised on Wayside Drive. With good old Southern hospitality in place, Janette gave Mike and me a firsthand history tour of the area where the Moore family may have lived. We took some pictures and shook hands. It was concluded that the Minus family lived about a mile from the Moores. Walter remembered Leroy Jones and Emma Jones, who were the uncle and grandmother of Evelyn, but he could not remember her. As to the Moore family, it appears they moved on to unknown locations and did not return to the Bowman community. Then, off to New York Mike went, taking with him a better understanding of where the mystery woman Evelyn Moore came from. And, the search goes on. Claflin University will serve as host to a South Carolina Department of Education one-day symposium on cyber security on Thursday, Feb. 16. Next Steps for Cyber Security in South Carolina will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Iowa Room of the James S. Thomas Science Center at Claflin. Special guests will include Tom Scott, executive director of S.C. Cyber, and Tony Dillon, education associate, of the South Carolina Department of Education. The opening session will begin at 9:30 a.m. with Lt. Britt Dove of the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Divisions Computer Crime Center discussing his agencys role in cyber security. Chris Bomar, a special investigator for the S.C. Attorney General's Office, will discuss The Impact of Cyber Forensics on the State of South Carolina. At 10 a.m., Dr. Cheryl Swanier and Dr. Barbara Speziale will present The Role of Colleges and Universities with Cyber Security Initiatives. Swanier is chair of Claflins Department of Mathematics and Computer Sciences and the Henry N. and Alice Carson Tisdale Endowed professor. She is also an associate professor of computer science. Speziale is an associate dean of undergraduate studies and director of the Creative Inquiry Office. She is also director of Clemsons Watt Family Innovations Center. The 10:30 a.m. session will feature information on Gen Cyber Camps from Bill Littleton, a cyber forensics specialist with the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center. Col. Dave Coldren of the S.C. National Guard will give an Overview of Student Competitions Available for Middle Schools and High Schools. The morning sessions final presentation at 11 a.m. will be An Overview of Curriculum Resources Available for Middle Schools and High Schools by Chuck Brooks, vice president for government relations and marketing for Sutherland Securities. At 12:30 p.m., Dr. Nikunja Swain and Shaun Moorer will conduct a tour of the Cyber Security Lab at South Carolina State University. Swain is chair of the Department of Mathematics & Computer Science at S.C. State. Moorer is a network administrator as SCSU. At 1 p.m., Glenn Starkman will present Overview and Vision of Node SC. He is chief operations officer and co-founder of Soteria Security. Robert Crenshaw, executive director of Apprenticeship Carolina, will speak at 1:30 p.m. on The Importance of Apprenticeships. A panel discussion at 2 p.m., Apprenticeships in South Carolina, will be moderated by Lonnie Emard, executive director of IToLogy. The panelists will be Girish Seshagiri, chief technology officer and vice president of ISHPI Information Technology; Glenn Starkman, chief operations officer and co-founder of Soteria Security; and Dr. Leigh Armistead, president of Peregrine Technical Solutions. The symposiums final presentation at 3 p.m., Meeting the Threat Report, will offer recommendations for how to assess and resolve cyber security problems. For more information, contact Tony Dillon, S.C. Department of Education, at 803-734-7168 or tdillon@ed.sc.gov. A radar-indicated tornado rolled through the southern part of Orangeburg and Bamberg counties late Wednesday morning, but there were no known damage reports from the storm. A tornado warning was issued around 11:37 a.m. by the Columbia National Weather Service related to a radar-indicated tornado over Branchville and east central Bamberg County. The storm's forward speed was 60 miles per hour, according to the NWS, and it quickly moved into Berkeley and Dorchester counties. The NWS noted the tornadic thunderstorm remained over mainly rural areas. "We had indications of low-level and mid-level rotation and there were indications of tornadic potential," Columbia NWS meteorological technician Doug Anderson said. "Radar did indicate a tornadic super cell, but we are awaiting confirmation." Anderson said there were no immediate reports of damage. Any strength measurements of the tornado would be gauged by ground survey results of damage, he said. Emergency Services officials in Orangeburg and Bamberg counties said no damage was reported. "Thank God!" Bamberg County Emergency Services Director Brittany Barnwell said. The volatile weather was the result of low pressure moving into the forecast area and merging with a cold front. The storm was forecast to move rapidly off the coast, leaving in its wake clear and sunny conditions through the weekend. Vernard Quincy Smith, 69, of Denmark, died unexpectedly during the week of Feb. 6, 2017, of cardiac arrest. He was found at his home on Feb. 11, 2017. Quincy, as he was known, was born in New York City on Sept. 11, 1947, to the late Timothy Smith, tailoring instructor, and Artisse Macomson Smith, teacher. He was the fourth of five children. A native son of Denmark, Quincy grew up on the campus of the S.C. Area Trade School -- now Denmark Technical College -- and attended Voorhees Elementary School and Voorhees High School. He was a Boy Scout, and an active member and acolyte at St. Phillips' Episcopal Church. He received a certificate in barbering from the Area Trade School. Quincy was drafted into the U.S. Marine Corps in December 1968 and was stationed in Platoon 1064 at Parris Island (SC) and Camp Pendleton (CA) before being deployed to Vietnam. He had three occupational specialties: field radio operator, battery technician and helicopter support (shore party). He described his job: a helicopter dropped him off in the jungle, so he was the first person on the ground. Wearing a bright red jacket, he served an air traffic control function. He dealt with body bags, big cannons, etc., and was often the last person off the ground. Regrettably, he lost several platoon mates. Quincy received a medical discharge in 1970, but the war experience weighed heavily on him for the rest of his life. When Quincy returned from the military, he enrolled in a two-year industrial management program at the Ohio Mechanics Institute, University of Cincinnati. He returned to Denmark and graduated from Voorhees College with a BS degree in business administration in 1974. He worked in the industrial engineering field in Cincinnati, Ohio, Livonia, Mich., and Lakeland, Fla., before returning to Denmark in the 1980s. He worked in local schools and factories for the remainder of his career. Quincy was "an original." An outdoorsman, an independent and opinionated thinker, he enjoyed a good joke. He was passionate about fishing and dreamed of establishing a program where he could teach children to fish. He cared deeply for animals, especially his faithful dogs. He was the volunteer caretaker at a local cemetery, he was attentive to the needy, he advocated for veterans. He loved and was very proud of his three sons. He is survived by his sons, Rodrick Kendall Smith of Baltimore, Mark Anthony Smith of Alexandria Va., and Scott Anton Smith (Pauline) of Glen Burnie, Md. He also is survived by four grandchildren, Brooke, Antonio Quest, Olivia and James; his brothers and sisters, Ronald T. Smith (Elaine), Roulette Wm. Smith, Janet Dickerson Stephens (J. Paul) and Cheryl L. Blankenship (Ruby Sales); as well as two aunts, a host of nieces, nephews and cousins, and many good friends. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb 17, in the Denmark Chapel of Carroll Mortuary, 1646 Church St., Denmark. Burial, with military honors, will follow in Denmark Community Cemetery. The Regional Medical Center Board of Trustees Wednesday unanimously agreed to hold joint quarterly meetings between trustees and doctors in an effort to improve communication between the two bodies. Chief of the RMC Medical Staff Dr. Frank Coulter made the motion to hold the quarterly meetings, which will include six members of the hospital's medical staff and six members of the hospital's board of trustees. Coulter said the members of the medical staff would be selected by him and will be rotated on a quarterly basis. The motion was made following about a half-hour closed session. "The doctors may have issues with board members and administration and board members need to know that," Coulter said after the vote. These joint meetings will be open to other hospital trustees and doctors who may want to attend, Coulter said. Upon Board Chairman Melvin Seabrooks making a motion to enter into executive session to discuss the matter, trustee Dr. Oscar Butler Jr. questioned the need to go into closed session. Hospital attorney Bob Horger said he "assumed" the reason the matter would be in closed session is because it contains contractual matters. "You heard what he said, he assumes, is that true?" Butler asked Seabrooks. "It was my understanding it was a contractual matter," Seabrooks said in answer. The motion to hold joint conference meetings quarterly between the doctors and trustees comes on the heels of concerns from some doctors that the decision to oust longtime RMC CEO Tom Dandridge was made without proper consultation from hospital physicians. The trustee chairman has explained the action was related to Dandridge and QHR failing to perform appropriate financial and general management." Trustees Wednesday also unanimously appointed veteran hospital administrator Bert Whitaker as the new interim CEO. Whitaker will remain at the hospital through the end of Quorum Health Resources management contract with RMC on March 30. The company then will be in an advisory role to the hospital. QHR will serve in an advisory and consultative role for the next two years. After March 30, trustees will appoint another interim CEO until a permanent CEO is hired. The process to hire a permanent CEO is expected to take six to eight months. Last week, Whitaker was selected as the new CEO by QHR. The board's decision Wednesday was to affirm QHR's nomination. Whitaker has served as an interim leader for QHR organizations in Vermont, Kansas, Maine and North Carolina. He has been in health care administration for 35 years and has held both CEO and interim CEO positions in a variety of hospitals and health care organizations. "You will find me to be focusing a great deal on communication throughout the organization," Whitaker told trustees during his introduction. "We all need to coordinate, cooperate and communicate among ourselves in order to focus on trying to create a center of common purpose. That is what I will work very hard to do." Whitaker says he has already met with the hospital's management team, all the department managers and has been throughout the entire hospital. "I ask for your help, I ask for your blessing, I ask for your prayers as we go forward," Whitaker said. "This is a big task. This is a good place and it can be better if we can create that sense of common purpose. Please call on me I will always be available." Whitaker replaces previous interim CEO Frank Swinehart, who will remain at the hospital as a QHR representative. Trustees also voted to authorize Whitaker as well as hospital Chief Financial Officer Liza Porterfield to serve as the hospital's signators with South State Bank for operating accounts; Wells Fargo for its pension and corporate account for investments; and Fifth Third Bank for an account related to the hospital's debt. RMC Vice President of Strategy and Compliance Brenda Williams was authorized to serve as a back-up signator in the event Whitaker or Porterfield are not available to sign. Three men suspected of robbing Orangeburgs GameStop have been arrested following a multi-county chase. These are violent individuals who came into this county and not only robbed the employees of a local business, but threatened to shoot one of them, Orangeburg County Sheriff Leroy Ravenell said. Im thankful no one was hurt and thankful for all agencies involved in this effort to arrest these suspects. Joshua Milligan, 20, and Domonique Bryant, 21, both of 5232 Fallow Farms Road, Hollywood, and Robert Coaxum, 24, of 6883 Dunwell Road, Wadmalaw Island, have each been charged with armed robbery and possession of a weapon during the commission of a crime. The robbery occurred around 7:50 p.m. Wednesday when two gunmen entered the North Road store demanding money from a register or safe, according to the sheriffs office. The employees told the gunmen the safe would not open as it was on a timer. At one point, one gunmen yelled to the other to shoot the employee at the register, according to the incident report. After taking cash from the register, the gunmen began to get nervous when customers attempted to enter the store, the report said. The duo then fled out of the back of the store. The employees fled out of the front door where one ran to call for help and the other flagged down an Orangeburg Department of Public Safety officer, who then sped after a silver Honda Accord fleeing the shopping mall. The vehicle chase went south through Orangeburg with speeds reaching up to 70 mph in the city limits. Orangeburg County deputies joined in the chase shortly after it began and eventually took the lead in a pursuit that left Orangeburg and traveled down Highway 178 through Bowman and into Dorchester County. Deputies recorded speeds of up to 90 mph during the more than 30-mile chase that turned on Highway 15 and traveled through the town of St. George. As the high-speed chase went into Colleton County, deputies in that county put out stop sticks, which punctured the tires of the fleeing Honda. Once the vehicle was stopped, the occupants fled on foot. Deputies from Orangeburg, Dorchester and Colleton counties and K9 units searched for the men after a perimeter was set up. A South Carolina Law Enforcement Division helicopter joining the search radioed that two of the suspects were hiding in a junk vehicle at a salvage yard. The third suspect was located by K9 units shortly after. Deputies recovered money they believe was taken from the video game store, according to the sheriffs office. These individuals have shown no regard for the safety not only for the employees of this business, but for the safety and well-being of the citizens along the route of this pursuit, Ravenell said. These individuals were only concerned about themselves. Again, Im thankful no officers were injured nor employees at this store. A bond hearing will be held Friday morning. Ravenell said, In a case like this, we are dealing with individuals who show no regard for anything or anyone but themselves. Now we need to keep them in jail where they cant rob or endanger anyone elses lives. Confession: Many moons ago, I actually thought there was a little bit to like about Donald Trump. During the primaries, he proved that GOP voters could care less about the partys usual pro-business bromides. He smeared free-trade agreements as bad for workers, lamented that Wall Street traders were getting away with murder on their taxes, and won doing it. Then, during the general election, he ridiculed both parties support for military misadventures like the Iraq War (though he lied freely about his own statements on it). And he asked oddly reasonable questions about whether preserving NATO was worth going to war with nuclear-armed Russia over, say, Estonia. Granted, there was always more not to like his flirtations with white nationalists, his casual sexism, his nonstop lying. But I did sometimes wonder: Is there any silver lining to all this? The early days of the Trump administration suggest emphatically: No. Lets break it down, report-card style. Trade/B-:During his inaugural address, Trump promised that every decision hed make would be to benefit American workers and American families. To that end, he quickly pulled the United States out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact and ordered a renegotiation of NAFTA, which many people (quite reasonably) blame for hurting blue-collar U.S. workers not that a trade war would help them either. Interestingly, Trump also used his Twitter pulpit to bully companies into keeping jobs in the United States, though this was more sideshow than substance. Economy/D-:If all that was the good news, heres the bad: Trump immediately issued orders to raise mortgage fees for working families and to rollback regulations designed to prevent another Wall Street crash. We expect to be cutting a lot of those regulations, Trump told a business roundtable, because no joke banker friends of mine cant get the loans they need. He added there was nobody better to get advice from on the subject than JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon. (Thats the same JPMorgan that got fined $13 billion for helping cause the crash.) Moreover, the non-partisan Committee for a Responsible Budget estimates that Trumps tax plan would add $11.5 trillion to the federal deficit largely in tax cuts for super-rich people like those banker friends and Trumps millionaire Cabinet nominees, just 17 of whom control more wealth than 43 million American households. Oh, and one economist quoted by Forbes warned the deficits from those tax cuts could cost 11 million jobs. Sad! Security/D-: During his campaign, Trump said he had a secret, foolproof plan to defeat ISIS. His 100 Days agenda revealed what that was: Tell the Pentagon to come up with a plan to beat ISIS. Maybe he figured they hadnt thought about it? He then issued his infamous Muslim ban, which banned immigration from seven Muslim countries and cruelly suspended refugee resettlement from everywhere. No refugees from any of those banned countries have ever committed terrorism in the United States. But banned countries like Iraq a partner in fighting ISIS are now threatening to ban Americans, which may complicate Trumps plans to bomb the hell out of the group. And while Trump rightly questioned going to war with Russia over Eastern Europe, his newest National Security Council member political adviser (and white nationalist) Steve Bannon says theres no doubt well go to war with China over some disputed rocks in the ocean. Feel safer? Climate/F: Virtually all climate scientists say the planets warming. Some even add that much of Americas Eastern Seaboard including, say, Trump Tower could be uninhabitable within the lifetime of kids born today. To combat this challenge, which Trump famously called a Chinese hoax, he nominated an EPA head whos spent more time suing the agency than supporting it and installed an oil CEO as his secretary of state. Automatic F. Making America Great/Incomplete: Trump is now the fastest president to ever reach majority disapproval, so hes probably not seen the last of his bad report cards. If theres a silver lining after all, its that Americans will figure out they can make America great again themselves by resisting his agenda, together. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. By Azernews By Nigar Abbasova Russia's top crude producer Rosneft continues feasibility studies on projects to be implemented in the Caspian region. Head of department at Rosneft Chris Einchcomb told Interfax that the region is in the companys scope of interest due to its considerable oil and gas reserves. As for specific projects, Einchcomb said that there are currently no talks on the large Absheron field, located in the southern part of the Caspian Sea. Rosneft reportedly seeks a stake in the field and remains interested in the project. Preliminary estimates of reserves at the field stand at 350 billion cubic meters of gas (bcm) and some 45 million tons of gas condensate. Talking about the company's operations in Iran, he said that the country is also in focus of interest. However, there are also no official talks on the issue. He mentioned that before taking an investment decision Rosneft assesses political situation, commercial indicators and other factors. The share of Rosneft in the Russian oil production stands at about 40 percent, while its share in world production exceeds 5 percent. Russian energy sector is represented in Azerbaijan by LUKOIL Company, which has been operating in the country since 1994, when the company joined its first international development project for the Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli oil field, one of the largest in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea. Besides, the company is also involved in the development of Shah-Deniz, a gas condensate field in the Azerbaijani water area in the south-western Caspian Sea. Dozens of Gage County residents voiced opposition on Wednesday to a proposed anhydrous ammonia operation that would be built north of Ellis. The Gage County Board of Supervisors held a public hearing on the application during its regular meeting, where numerous people testified asking the board to deny a special-use permit for construction. The operation would consist of two 30,000 gallons tanks, a scale and outbuilding located five miles west of Beatrice and two miles north of Ellis on 117th Road. Applicant Mike Holtmeier said all safety regulations will be followed, and added the location in question was selected in part because there arent many providers in that area. Locations are very key for when a farmer decides where hes going to purchase his anhydrous ammonia, he said. These major fertilizer locations out there dont have one location that services a 60-mile radius. To get to the point of why this location, we feel this is a prime location because there are not active functioning anhydrous facilities near this area. He has also stated that regular training will be held for those working with the tanks, and that the total 60,000 capacity is a relatively small operation that would be the equivalent of around three semi truck loads. Anhydrous ammonia is a widely used source of nitrogen fertilizer in the area for its efficiency. Holtmeier added the facility and those like it are a benefit to the local economy and also area farmers. We feel like were investing in the county, economic-wise, he said. We feel like this would be a benefit to local ag producers. Current zoning regulations require the tanks to be 50 feet from property lines and structures, and 450 feet from public assembly places and rail lines, but dont stipulate a distance from neighboring residences. In January the Gage County Planning and Zoning Commission recommended that the special-use permit be approved. It was stated at the Planning and Zoning meeting that there are six residents within mile of the proposed site, and 12 within a mile. Donna Hipp, who lives southeast of the site, said her husband is disabled and requires a wheelchair. She said that if an evacuation is required he may be unable to get out, if home alone at the time. We all know how strong of an odor ammonia has, she said. My husband has difficulty breathing in normal air, even with oxygen. It is possible if he were by himself he wouldnt even make it to the vehicle without passing out. Would you like to call our granddaughter my husband is her world and explain that there was an accident? You cannot guarantee or promise there would not be an accident." Christie Carnes owns the six acres of ground around 200 feet north of the permit location. Carnes said she intends to build a home on the ground, and doesnt think the location near residences is appropriate for the anhydrous ammonia tanks. Im all about competition in any business, but this is not the right location for this chosen chemical, anhydrous ammonia, she said. Surely theres another place more suitable where its not residential. I have no doubt that these men will follow every safety procedure there is, but there is always that chance that someone, a worker or even a customer, might be careless in such a busy time in the spring and cause a major catastrophic event in that neighborhood. Area resident Robert Jacobson expressed fear that if a leak would occur, residents within 1 miles would need to evacuate. He questioned of a leak would happen in the middle of the night how these residents would be notified and be expected to evacuate. Others in opposition brought up potential damage to the road from hauling was also mentioned. Some have been concerned the road isnt wide enough to accommodate the added traffic the operation would bring. A potential risk of thieves attempting to steal the product for drug manufacturing was also stated as a fear of area homeowners. As is regular practice, the County Board did not take action on the permit at the same meeting as the hearing, to allow board members to investigate any further questions or issues. The board is expected to vote on the permit application at its next meeting on Wednesday, March 1 at the Gage County Courthouse. County Board meetings are held on the second floor of the building and being at 8:45 a.m. By Azernews By Rashid Shirinov The so-called constitutional referendum to be held on February 20 in occupied the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, which is now ruled by a puppet regime controlled by Armenia, is another pointless attempt of the Armenian authorities to disrupt the negotiations with Azerbaijan. It is no secret that hampering the process of settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict at every opportunity is the typical behavior of the Armenian authorities. Thus, the illegal referendum in the occupied Azerbaijani lands have become another attempt of Armenia in this direction. It is crystal clear that Armenia does not respect the international law while the world pushes Yerevan to make action in resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and world powers speak about the inadmissibility of maintaining the status quo, Armenia comes up with another provocation against Azerbaijan. However, the silence of the international community, which seems to turn a blind eye to all the lawlessness committed by Armenians in Azerbaijans Nagorno-Karabakh region, is quite surprising and suggests the use of double standards towards Azerbaijan. The reason of such thinking is that the world powers did not behave this way when similar illegitimate referendums were prepared in other separatist formations of the post-Soviet area. The decision of Yerevan to hold a referendum in the Armenian-occupied Nagorno-Karabakh contradicts the position of the international community, which recognizes those lands as part of Azerbaijan. Therefore, the results of the referendum will have no legal force and no real consequences other than another provocation of Armenia, aimed at the prolongation of the negotiations with Baku. International institutions must remember that the main body of the world order, the UN, clearly defined its position regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The UN Security Council resolutions #822 (1993), 853 (1993), 874 (1993), 884 (1993) and the resolution 62/243 (2008) of the UN General Assembly condemn the occupation of Azerbaijani territories and reaffirm support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of internationally recognized borders of Azerbaijan. In its four resolutions, the Council confirms that Nagorno-Karabakh is part of Azerbaijan and calls for "respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and its borders," also stating "the inadmissibility of the use of force for the acquisition of territories". All this proves that the international community should immediately protest Armenia in its another attempt to violate the laws of Azerbaijan and the international norms and regulations by conducting the so-called constitutional referendum in Nagorno-Karabakh. Commenting on the issue, Azerbaijans Foreign Ministry stated that the illegal referendum on constitutional changes is a clear violation of Azerbaijans constitution, as well as the norms and principles of international law and, therefore, has no legal effect. The Ministry reiterated that the illegal regime established by Armenia in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan is ultimately nothing than the product of aggression and occupation. This provocative step, as well as Armenias attempts to change the name of Nagorno-Karabakh region, an integral part of Azerbaijan, is yet another clear manifestation of the fact that Armenia is not interested in seeking a political settlement of this armed conflict, the Ministrys statement said. Azerbaijans Deputy Prime Minister Ali Ahmadov, in turn, said that international organizations recognize neither the "referendum" conducted by the unrecognized regime established by Armenia in the occupied Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, nor its results. If they [Armenians] want to hold a "referendum" to please themselves, let them do it. Of course, the government and people of Azerbaijan do not recognize and will not recognize this "referendum, Ahmadov said. He added that the whole world and international organizations clearly understand that Nagorno-Karabakh is part of Azerbaijan. No second Armenian state will be created in the territory of Azerbaijan under any circumstances, and the President of Azerbaijan has repeatedly stated this, the Deputy Prime Minister said. No part of the Azerbaijani lands can be separated from Azerbaijan, and it is obvious that the independence of Nagorno-Karabakh, its separation isnt, wasnt and wont be the subject of discussion. Nathalie Goulet, the French senator and vice-chair of the Senates Foreign Affairs Committee, in turn, told Trend on February 15 that no one can agree with any kind of election or referendum in Azerbaijans occupied territory. Cheating history and distorting facts will not create new truth and cheating reality will not help to solve the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, she said while commenting on the illegal referendum. The so-called Nagorno-Karabakh Republic doesn't exist and even Armenia doesn't recognize the independence of Azerbaijans occupied Nagorno-Karabakh region, said Goulet, adding that the "government" of the so-called Nagorno-Karabakh Republic doesnt correspond to the international law and UN resolutions. Sergey Markov, Russian presidents confidant, member of the Russian Public Chamber, told Trend that Armenia-conducted "referendum" in the occupied Nagorno-Karabakh is another step away from a possible agreement for a peaceful settlement of the conflict, and is also a sign of the unwillingness of the Armenian side to negotiate. Markov noted that renaming the occupied Azerbaijani territories, which is envisaged in the referendum, will give nothing to the Armenian side, and will only hinder the documentation. I do not think that the upcoming "referendum" will be welcomed by the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group. During the negotiations, as well as in all international documents, the territory will keep the Azerbaijani name Nagorno-Karabakh, he said. The expert added that the upcoming "referendum" is a strong indicator of the low professionalism of the Armenian side, it is symbolic and unproductive gesture. The Azerbaijani MP Elman Nasirov, in turn, said that the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, who deal with finding a fair resolution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and international organizations should understand that it is impossible to resolve the conflict while using double standards. The development may be further complicated if a military scenario is implemented. If this happens, the responsibility will fall on Armenia, countries, who patron this occupation regime, and to international organizations, Nasirov told Trend. He added that the responsibility will also fall on the OSCE Minsk Group, because it sees the provocative actions of Armenia, but do not take any steps envisaged by its mission. I believe that the international organizations should primarily use the levers of pressure on Armenia in order to save their faces, the MP added. Thus, Armenia, who has been violating the international law for more than two decades by keeping under occupation 20 percent of Azerbaijani lands, resorts to another provocation against Azerbaijan. This illegal act should be condemned and protested by the whole international community to stop the extension of Armenian separatism in native Azerbaijani lands. This post is prompted by a number of things that have left me pondering how as Christians we are to bring about change in our churches. When we strongly b... 7 years ago The importance of the overall sulphur value chain and its demand dynamics were discussed by experts at the inaugural Middle East Sulphur 2017 conference, organised by CRU, in Abu Dhabi. The conference, sponsored by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc), ran over four days from February 12 to 16 at Jumeirah Hotel Etihad Towers, and offered a full programme of workshops, panel discussions, presentations and training for more than 460 leading industry professionals from around the world. Omar Suwaina Al Suwaidi, gas management director for Adnoc, officially opened Middle East Sulphur with his welcome address to the delegates in attendance, explaining the significance of the conference, the importance of the overall sulphur value chain and how Adnoc is set to become the worlds largest sulphur producer. The first opening panel of the conference set the scene for the conference, and explored the full sulphur value chain from production to consumption. Other topics provided a thorough exploration of sulphur demand dynamics from key consumption sectors including fertilizer and industrial demand. For Shell, CRU Middle East Sulphur 2017 has been a fantastic platform to present and discuss our integrated technical and commercial solutions across the sulphur value chain. It was an excellent opportunity to explore collaboration with key partners in the region and address the challenges and opportunities as UAE becomes the largest sulphur producer in the world, said Mike Lumley, global VP, sulphur and ventures for Shell. The conference also discussed the technical aspects of sulphur production covering issues such as safety, energy efficiency and performance optimisation as senior figures from prominent organisations within the sulphur industry shared experience and best practice through papers and round table discussions. CRU had brought together suppliers and operators in a setting that has maximised opportunity for meaningful interaction both on the exhibit floor and in the conference hall. First year out of the gate CRU has already achieved registered attendance in excess of 400 persons with a very high operator of supplier ratio. CRU has replicated in its very first year the same level of success in as in its long running main conference, said Jeffrey J Bolebruch, vice president of sales at Blasch Precision Ceramics. Middle East Sulphur Conference 2017 is the latest sulphur event to be organised by CRU. The business intelligence provider also hosts the industrys flagship Sulphur International Conference and Exhibition - the leading annual event for the sulphur and sulphuric acid markets. The next Sulphur Conference will take place in Atlanta, US, in November 2017. - TradeArabia News Service Panasonic Corporation will begin sales of its high image contrast transparent screen that enables the use of glass, such as shop windows, as digital signage on March 22. This product will include XC-CSG01G, a unique glass comprising a high contrast light control film placed in between 2 sheets of glass, which when voltage is applied changes from the screen mode to the transparent mode, as well as XC-CSC01G-A1, a control box. Images are projected (from the rear) onto the glass during the screen mode. The control box will synchronously operate the projector and the screen per the image content, and change the screen from transparent mode to screen mode. During the transparent mode, it will serve as a shop window showcasing products and exhibits, and during the screen mode it can reproduce high resolution images on the glass to introduce information about new products or about various campaigns during the sale season, helping transform the show window into an even more captivating environment. Moreover, multiple screens may be combined to create one large screen, the company said. The demand among stores, shopping malls, museums, hotels, airports, and tourist information centres for a captivating exhibition service using digital signage is on the rise. Panasonic has received many requests for a system that would be capable of displaying high resolution images as digital signage and blend into the exhibition environment when not in use to create an alluring environment, the company said. Panasonic applied the wealth of high resolution technologies it has fostered in the development of TVs and displays to create a transparent screen that could use the glass window as high resolution signage and provide a clear view of products and exhibits behind the glass when not in use as a screen, it added. TradeArabia News Service New businesses and several expansions highlighted Gage Countys year in economic development, and NGage officials shared some of their success stories this week at the groups annual business appreciation banquet. At the banquet, which was attended by Gage County business and community leaders, the areas economic development group shared some of its accomplishments. One key addition was the hiring of NGages current director, Walker Zulkoski, who took on the role last May. The board knew we needed to grow and we had one person in mind, said Andrea Schafer, president of the NGage Board of Directors. After several discussions, emails, phone calls and meetings, Walker Zulkoski decided to leave his position as a business recruiter with the State of Nebraska Economic Development, move his family to Gage County and bring his economic development experience to NGage. I speak for the board when I say this has been a win-win for everyone and we are extremely pleased with the new partnership we have formed. Zulkoski commended the leadership structure in the area, and said it was one of the reasons he decided to take the position. Last year Zulkoski went on an international trade mission to China alongside Gov. Pete Ricketts, where he toured the headquarters of Worldlawn Power Equipments parent company. Worldlawn purchased the former Husqvarna building in Beatrice and announced plans to expand last year. The opening of Landmark Snacks, operation of the Duonix biodiesel plant, Hybrid Turkeys announcing plans for a Beatrice facility and new construction of a plant by Rare Earth Salts were just a few of the achievements from 2016 shared in NGage's annual report, and Zulkoski expects more announcements to come. We had some good things in 2016 and I think were going to see some really positive benefits in 2017 and 2018 from the balls we have rolling, Zulkoski said. We turned a lot of heads, and we turned heads at a worldwide level in 2016. The Wednesday banquet also featured a presentation from Courtney Dentlinger, Nebraska Department of Economic Development Director. Dentlinger said its everyones job to promote the area and the state as a whole to combat a current statewide workforce shortage. We have a workforce shortage in the state and a lot of employers here in Gage County would attest to that, she said. Although I would say we have the best workforce in the world, most educated, intelligent and loyal people, we dont have enough of them. We have 40,000 open jobs in the state, but I see that as 40,000 opportunities for us to bring people here, to bring people back and share with our young people. Mubadala Investment Company, the newly-formed strategic investment company wholly owned by the government of Abu Dhabi, will organise its approximately Dh460 billion ($125 billion) portfolio into four investment platforms of significant scale. The sectors include: Petroleum & Petrochemicals; Technology, Manufacturing & Mining; Aerospace, Information & Communications Technology, & Renewables; and Alternative Investments & Infrastructure. Last month, UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, his capacity as the Ruler of Abu Dhabi, issued a law establishing the Mubadala Investment Company. Stakes of the Government of Abu Dhabi in the Mubadala Development Company and International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC) were transferred to the new company. The organisational structure of the new company and its senior management team were endorsed by the company's board of directors chaired by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and its vice-chairman HH Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE and Minister of Presidential Affairs. The decision was made at the board meeting held on February 15 chaired by Sheikh Mansour. The companys four investment platforms will help accelerate diversification of the Abu Dhabi economy, through strategic investments across critical sectors within the United Arab Emirates and abroad. Details of the new organisation can be found at www.mubadala.com and www.ipic.ae. In terms of asset size, the platforms are: Petroleum & Petrochemicals (31.1 per cent), including significant investments in companies such as CEPSA, Nova Chemicals, Borealis and Mubadala Petroleum; Alternative Investments & Infrastructure (31 per cent), with significant equity investments worldwide and in different sectors including health care and real estate; Technology, Manufacturing and Mining (21.6 per cent), with significant investments in Globalfoundries, Emirates Global Aluminium, AMD, and Matsa; and Aerospace, ICT & Renewables (10.6 per cent), with investments including Yahsat and Masdar. Corporate assets, including cash, will hold the balance (5.7 per cent) of the portfolio, said the statement. Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, managing director and CEO of Mubadala Investment Company, said: This marks an important milestone for the new company. Committees comprising Mubadala and IPIC leaders, have worked very hard over the past six months to put in place a proposal for a structure that will best serve the new companys mandate. "The structure, governance and world-class talent will enable the Mubadala Investment Company to be an investment powerhouse for Abu Dhabi, he said. Al Mubarak said he expected the Mubadala Investment Company to begin operations in May of 2017. - TradeArabia News Service Mitsumi Distribution, a leading IT, consumer electronics and telco distributor in the Middle East and Africa, has announced that it has been appointed by Hewlett Packard (HP) Middle East, as an authorised HP supplies distributor for the Middle East region. HP and Mitsumi already have a well-established alliance of six years and this agreement further extends Mitsumis East African distribution rights to the UAE, Oman, Bahrain, and Yemen, said a statement. As an authorised distributor, Mitsumi will distribute HP Supplies entire range of products in the Middle East and will further strengthen HPs channel ecosystem, expand its customer base, provide better service inventory and delivery, and training/ support to resellers in these markets, it said. Mikhail Voronov, PPS supplies distribution business manager, Africa at Hewlett-Packard, said: Innovation at HP is not just about products, but about processes With Mitsumis experience and commitment, we are confident that this strategic partnership will help us deliver our business objective to better reach our resellers and customers. We look forward to a more successful partnership with Mitsumi. Mitesh Shah, managing director, Mitsumi Distribution, said: HP and Mitsumi have always had a strong partnership; expanding our rights not only reflects the vendors but also the markets (resellers and stakeholders) confidence and trust in Mitsumi. We will continue to work with HP to realise their business objective; ensuring every option is available to our resellers and customers. Mitsumi distributes a wide range of products covering PC, notebooks, mobility, data centre, storage, hardware, services and telecommunication products from various well-known vendors. Mitsumi operates in 10 Middle East and African countries including the UAE, Algeria, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Ghana and Cameron, the statement added. TradeArabia News Service Art Dubai Group has appointed William Knight as managing director and head of design at the company. As owners of the regions leading portfolio of art and design events in the Middle East and North Africa, Knight has been appointed to lead and develop the companys design portfolio, which currently includes the regions largest design event and trade show, Dubai Design Week and Downtown Design, as well as the collectible design fair Design Days Dubai. Knight has played a prominent role in establishing London as a world-class design destination over 17 years since joining the UK Design Council in 1999. Knight was the deputy director of the London Design Festival (2004-2012), joining at its inception and playing a critical role in establishing and developing what is now one of the worlds foremost design events. Since 2012 he has been show director, Design Trade Events at Media 10 Ltd, leading two of the UK capitals key annual design events: 100% Design and Clerkenwell Design Week. Knights experience of developing both successful design trade events and high-profile public programming will be fully applied to developing design promotion activity for Dubai. The city is poised to take advantage not only of its regional position but an outstanding commitment to the power of design demonstrated through government investment in the infrastructure of design, exemplified by the rapidly growing Dubai Design District, said the statement. Knight said: Its an exceptional time to be working at the forefront of design promotion in Dubai; the city is already the regions design hub and is primed to become one of the world's key design destinations. Im hugely excited by the opportunity to develop a unique, sustainable and globally relevant series of events and to contribute to the swiftly evolving design culture in Dubai. Ben Floyd, CEO of Art Dubai Group, said: Were thrilled to welcome William on board. There are few candidates worldwide with such high-level commercial and non-commercial experience combined, and I look forward to working with him to help grow the city as a global destination for design trade and talent. Art Dubai Group (Art Dubai Fair) is a public/private company established in 2007. The companys portfolio includes over 25 activities staged across the city including fairs, festivals, exhibitions, commissions, prizes and awards, talks, workshops and education programmes. Officially taking up his position from March 1, Knight retains a consultative role with Media 10 Ltd for the forthcoming edition of Clerkenwell Design Week. - TradeArabia News Service Hyundai Motor Company will host the world premiere of the All-new 2018 Accent subcompact today (February 16), at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto. Hyundai has released a teaser image and video ahead of the cars public unveiling, suggesting a fresh, confident interpretation of the brands signature design language. The new car features the cascading grille, a visual signature that is integral to Hyundai Motors identity. It also hints at a slim and modern rear bumper, a sweeping roofline, and a sharp character line running the length of the car where it meets slim and sporty rear combination lamps, said a statement. The Accent has been an enormously successful model for Hyundai, and we expect the new generation to sell strongly, said Mike Song, Hyundais head of operations for Africa and the Middle East. The current model already sets a high standard for style in the small car segment, and images released ahead of the launch reveal an exciting evolution of the Accents design. Further details about the all-new vehicle will be revealed during the Hyundai press conference scheduled later today. TradeArabia News Service The first Brazilian Embraer airplane joined the fleet of Irans Kish Air and four other Embraer 195 will be added in March, an official said. After making the airplanes operational, Kish Airs destinations will increase to 20 airports, managing director of Kish Airlines Mohammad-Taqi Jadidi was quoted as saying in an Irna report. After Brazilian airplanes are joined to Iranian fleet, Kish Air fleet will be boosted to 18 planes, he said. These aircraft are light and 108-seated and were made in 2008 and 2010. Embraer 195 known as E-Jet is a Brazilian small passenger plane which has been designed and manufactured by Embraer Company. Embraer planes are capable of flying at 900 km speed and fly the distance of 3,500 km, the report said. Royal Jordanian and Turkish Airlines Technic have sealed an agreement, whereby RJ will receive Line Replaceable Units (LRU) components pool support and spares for V2500 engines installed on RJs A320 family aircraft. The services and spares that will be provided within the framework of the agreement will be based in Turkish Technics Istanbul base and supply stations throughout the world. The LRU components will be serviced in the state-of-the-art facilities of Turkish Technic at Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport. The contract will also serve to enhance the strong business relationship between the two parties and will be a sustainable step for Turkish Technic in the Middle East region. Emphasising the trust in the services provided by Turkish Technic, Royal Jordanian president/CEO Captain Suleiman Obeidat said: We are pleased to cooperate with a pioneer MRO company in the region, Turkish Technic. We believe their contributions and technical services will back our endeavors to provide a continued on-time, efficient operation, all for an enhanced passenger satisfaction. Ahmet Karaman, CEO of Turkish Technic, thanked the Royal Jordanian family for its preference of Turkish Technic, saying: We are glad to be reaping the fruits of our labor with this win-win cooperation model. Turkish Technic has reached a fleet size of about 800 aircraft in the component pool market with the signing of this agreement. - TradeArabia News Service Clubs Steak at Elks Friday Friday Night Special at the Casper Elks Lodge is steak with all the fixings. Cost is $7 or $15 for ribeye; children 5 to 12 are $3, serving from 6 to 7 p.m. or until gone. Members, significant others and guest accompanied by a member. For more information, call 234-4839. This menu is subject to change. All proceeds go to Elks Charities. Needle Guild meets Feb. 21 The Casper Needle Guild meets at 7:15 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 21, at the Central Wyoming Senior Center, 1831 East 4th Street. The project is stitching a heart-shaped scissor fob, as well as practicing several stitches. For further information, please contact Ann Hudson at 265-5510, or email CasperNeedleGuildEGA@gmail.com. Gold prospectors meet Feb. 22 The Casper Chapter of the Gold Prospectors Association of America will have its monthly meeting at 7 p.m., on Wednesday, Feb. 22, at the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission Building, 2211 King Blvd. Enter through the east door. Members and guests are welcome. The speaker for this month is Dylan Bergman, a game warden with the Wyoming Game and Fish Dept. He will give a demonstration about basic GPS usage. Guests should bring their GPS device. A general club business meeting will follow the presentation. There will also be a discussion about the upcoming trip to the Yukon. The club is holding a raffle for a Thompson Drywasher. Raffle tickets are $10 and may be purchased at the meeting or by calling Eric Weaner at 513-259-7902. The drawing for the drywasher will be held at the March meeting. For more information about the GPAA or the Casper Chapter, or about prospecting in general, call Eric Weaner at 513-259-7902 or email caspergpaa@gmail.com. Historians hear frontier medicine The Feb. 23 program of the Natrona County Historical Society at 7 p.m., at the Oil and Gas Commission Building, 2221 King Blvd., will be on Frontier Medicine. It will be presented by Stacey Moore, who is an educational technician for the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center. She has devised a broad range of childrens programs related to the historic trails and general history of Wyoming. Her prior service includes teaching in Japan with the JET Program and serving in West Africa as a Peace Corps volunteer. Soroptimists hear filmmaker McInroy The Soroptimists of Central Wyoming (SICW) meet at noon on the second and fourth Mondays of each month. A program meeting will be held at noon on Monday, Feb. 27, at the Cheese Barrel, 544 South Center Street. Patricia McInroy will be the speaker. Patricia created a documentary, "Clara: Angel of the Rockies," which aired on Wyoming PBS, on Jan. 8, 2017. The documentary tells the biographical story of Clara Brown, a former slave who came west and made a fortune. The film was a winner of PBSs To The Contrary: All About Women, film festival in the womens U.S. history category. McInroy grew up in Casper, went to Casper College, and is a former Star-Tribune photographer. She will talk to the group about Clara Brown's life and the documentary. All women are invited. Soroptimist means Best for Women. SICW is a volunteer non-profit organization which strives to improve the lives of women and girls through community-based and international projects. SICW provides gift baskets and holiday meals to Seton House, gift baskets to the Transformation Center, and offers an annual Live Your Dream cash award for women seeking higher education or job training. For more information about the monthly meetings or the Soroptimists, please contact Debbie Ehlers at 234-2173 or debbiehlrs@yahoo.com and find SICW on Facebook. Mended Hearts Feb. 27 Mended Hearts meets at 7 p.m., on Monday, Feb. 27, in the board room of the Support Services Building at Wyoming Medical Center. The presentation will be by Andy Dunn, M.D., medical director of both Mesa and Sage clinics. After several years in Wyoming Medical Center's emergency room, he has seen many heart issues. His topic will cover new ideas in family medicine. To find the meeting room, go towards the second floor lobby. From the elevator, take a right down the first hallway and through the automatic double doors. The room is on the left. All who manage heart issues, including caregivers and support, are welcome. After Dr. Dunn's presentation, there will be refreshments. Next month, March 27, will feature a presentation by Kendra Martin, exercise therapist with the cardio rehab program in the new NERD facility. AAUW Readers meet The AAUW Readers Group meets at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Feb. 28. After a no-host lunch, Carolyn Deuel will review "Fess Parker: TV's Frontier Hero," by William R. Chemerka. Call Robin for information or reservations at 259-4174 by Monday, Feb. 20. Craft night at Elks Craft Night at the Elks Lodge at 6:30 p.m., on Tuesday, Feb. 28. Stop by the lodge between 4:30 and 6 p.m. Members, their spouses, and guests are welcome but class size is limited so sign up quickly! Cost is $5 for cost of supplies. Contact Stacey at 259-7809 or Wendy at 670-1078 to sign up or for more information. Father Daughter at Elks The annual Father Daughter Dinner and Dance at the Casper Elks Lodge is Feb. 25. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m. Music by Good Times Only. If you don't have a daughter, borrow one and come down for dinner, dancing and door prizes and get your picture taken. Ticket prices are fathers, $10; daughters ages 14 and up, $9; ages 8 to 13, $8, and ages 7 and under are free. For more information, call 234-4839. NARFE has social Casper Chapter #358 of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE) will have a no-host Social Meeting at noon on Feb. 28, in the meeting room at the Casper Senior Center at 1831 East 4th Street. Mardi Gras Bingo Mardi Gras Bingo, sponsored by Reveille Rotary of Casper, is 6 to 8 p.m., on Tuesday, Feb. 28, at the Casper Senior Center, 1831 E. 4th Street. Enjoy Bingo fun for the whole family. Tickets are $20 for two Bingo cards. There will be eight $25 games, nine $50 games, one $250 game and one $500 game. Concessions will be available (including homemade slices of pie). Proceeds benefit Wyoming Dementia Care. Tickets can be purchased from any Reveille Rotary member or at First Interstate Bank Downtown. Casper Charla meets Would you like to practice conversational Spanish or help others learn? Come and join the Casper Charla! Te gustaria platicar en espanol? Ven y charla con nosotros! Todos son bienvenidos! Come and join us on the second Wednesday of each month this spring. We meet at a different restaurant each month and partake in food, drink and conversation. All levels of Spanish are welcome, from beginning to native-speakers. Nos reunimos los miercoles en varios restaurantes en Casper. Ven por una copa, un antojito o simplemente una charlita. Wednesday, March 8, 5-7 p.m.: Guadalajara; Wednesday, April 12, 5-7 p.m.: La Costa; Wednesday, May 10, 5-7 p.m.: La Cocina. Scholarship notice The Society of Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration -- Central Wyoming Section offers up to four $2,500 scholarships, the Coates, Wolff, Russell, and Swank Memorial scholarships. Applicant must have graduated from a Wyoming high school, must be enrolled full-time for the 2016-2017 academic year, upperclassmen -- current college sophomore, junior, senior or graduate student, enrolled in mining/mineral extraction-related discipline, and have a 3.0 GPA minimum. Application forms are available by email request to smecasper@gmail.com Civil Air Patrol meets Civil Air Patrol meets from 7 to 9 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month at Casper National Guard Armory, 5905 CY Ave. For more information, call 259-0855. Stammtisch at Applebee's The Casper German Stammtisch is meeting weekly on Thursdays at Applebee's from 6:30 to 8 p.m. New this year -- on the second Thursday of each month we will focus on speaking German! All ability levels are welcome, as long as they are eager to hear German. Fertilizer recommendations are based on soil test correlations and calibration studies. In short, these studies answer the questions: What does this chemical test on this soil mean in terms of plant growth? How does the crop respond to specific types and amounts of fertilizer applications? There are fertilizer dealers who recommend fertilizers on a different basis, that is, if we put enough of everything there the crop will grow and so will my sales! Efficient Nebraska farmers have reached the management level where routine soil tests are part of the overall profitable management of the farm business. They manage the details of their operation, like soil testing and profitable fertilizer recommendations, in an efficient and profitable manner. If you are not one of them, I hope you have other management methods to keep you operation sound. I would be happy to schedule time to review fertilizer recommendations with any producer interested in reviewing their management decisions. I have been successful in the past in helping producers focus on the key issues of fertility and solve problems in a financially sound matter. Grid sampling fields on a five-year rotation and focusing applications of lime, phosphorous, manure, nitrogen, and seeding rates on grid sample maps and yield maps has been a real sound investment for producers. Using the variable rate equipment available today on fertilizer equipment and planters allows full utilization of this kind of information. It is more profitable to improve fertility on better areas of the field rather than spend money on radical treatments on poor areas. Doubling yields from 30 to 60 on alkali spots or rocky outcrop areas are poor investments when compared to increasing 5 bushels per acre on the other 95% of the field. A number of farmers have reported that these poor spots are improving on their own to some extent with the adoption of no-till farming systems. Manure applications have the added benefit of increasing crop yields for five years by 7 bushels of corn per acre per year and 2 bushels of soybeans. This is a benefit above the value of the nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur and zinc in the manure. The tight margins in crop production mean you should focus on timely and efficient fertilizer applications. You want to maintain or grow yields without the expense of excess fertilizer. Here are a couple of examples. This is not the time to spend extra money on building soil test phosphorus. Band application of high phosphorus starter with or near the seedcorn is very efficient and will give you a high percentage of the yield response. Lime applications are long term investments is soil condition. They are profitable, but since they do not yield immediate responses, they can be delayed to reduce expenses. Precision agriculture and soil testing can be very successful in helping farmers improve management for profit. Precision agriculture is not a one-shot patch for average to poor management. Precision agriculture is a more intense management tool for those operations which have been working on the details of farm management for some time. For more information e-mail Paul C Hay at phay1@unl.edu, call 402-223-1384, or visit the News Column University of Nebraska Extension local Website: gage.unl.edu, Twitter:@Cloverhay Help Yourself Selling on Craigslist The Natrona County Library will offer a Selling on Craigslist class from 10 to 11 a.m., on Friday, Feb. 17. Learn about selling, shipping, feedback and how to handle transactions effectively and safely using Craigslist. Call 577-READ ext. 2 or email reference@natronacountylibrary.org for more information. St. Marks hosts Financial Peace St. Marks Episcopal Church, 7th and Wolcott, will have classes on money management, using the Financial Peace plan, starting in February. The classes will run from Feb. 18 to April 25, 2017 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., on Tuesdays at the church. To register, please contact Dorothy Brown at 377-3508 or via e-mail Wyo_nana@yahoo.com, or call the church at 234-0831. Learn about Facebook security The Natrona County Library will offer a Facebook Security class from 2 to 4 p.m., on Tuesday, Feb. 21. The class will explain Facebooks basic and advanced security features. In addition, learn how to recover a hacked Facebook account and how to avoid scammers. Call 577-READ ext. 2 or email reference@natronacountylibrary.org for more information. Teen Challenge spring groups Smart Step Families: Putting two families together is never easy. Challenges arise with parenting, working with co-parents, resistance to the new marriage and having the time and energy to deal with all the challenges that may arise. The Smart Step Families, led by a Christian couple, will give answers and encouragement. Thursday evenings starting in March. Call Pastor Mark or Linda at 259-1081. Insight: Discovering the path to Christian character, especially in the midst of stress. For more information, call Teen Challenge Wyoming at 258-5397. There are nine sessions to the class. Professionals in Recovery: An ongoing Christian recovery group. For more information, call Gary at 267-7777. Free to Grow: Helping people overcome disappointments and setbacks that have arrested or are presently hindering their emotional and spiritual development. Starts in February and meets on Thursdays. For more information, call Jane at 797-7271 or Judy at 251-5644. There are 12 sessions to the class. Peacemaking: In this world of division and conflict, its important for Christians to stay grounded in what the bible teaches about resolving differences with others in a God- honoring way. Sunday at 4 p.m. For more information, call Teen Challenge Wyoming at 258-5397. There are 12 sessions to the class. Stepping into Freedom: A Christ-centered 12-step program that offers support for anyone struggling with a life controlling problem like drug addiction, alcoholism, sexual addiction, gambling or workaholism. There are 12 sessions to the class. New ministry at HPCC Family Life Ministry (FLM) at Highland Park Community Church is offering premarital, marriage enrichment, and parenting workshops, seminars, retreats and conferences, empowering families to thrive through Gods love. Please visit the website for more information or to register, http://hpcc.church/FLM. Win a new instrument The Wyoming Symphony Orchestra and The Hill Music Company are joining forces to help young Wyoming musicians further their musical ability with the opportunity to win a new string or wind instrument. Wyoming music students in grades 9 through 12, who may have outgrown or outplayed a wind or string instrument, are invited to apply for a new instrument. To apply, download an application form and instruction packet from the WSO website, www.wyomingsymphony.org/outreach. Applicants will need to write a short essay about the importance of music and their particular instrument to their lives, and include references from music teachers, family, and friends. The deadline to apply is Feb. 24, 2017. A certificate will be awarded to the winner at the Wyoming Symphony Orchestra concert on March 18, 2017. The Hill Music Company will provide the winning instrument, and assist the winner in selecting the instrument of his or her choice. For questions please contact Erin Helms, 266-1478 or erin@wyomingsymphony.org. Saturday watercolor classes ART321/Casper Artists Guild holds Saturday Morning Watercolor Sessions under the direction of Ellen Black. Sessions are Saturday mornings, 10 a.m. to noon. $10 per session. Feb. 18: Practice Session; Feb. 25: Mountain Landscapes. Instructed by Jennifer Morss. Please contact Ellen Black at 265-6783 for any questions. Hope to see you all again this season. Art 321 offers February workshop Art321/Casper Artists Guild is offering a Beginning Colored Pencil Workshop will be instructed by Lynn Jones from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., on Saturday, Feb. 18. Open to all levels. Fee is $30 for members. Take colored pencils and learn all the basic techniques of shading, blending colors and burnishing. The great thing about colored pencil is that it is easily portable, allowing artists to work from anywhere. Register in person at the gallery or call the desk at 265-2655. Consider becoming a member of Art321 and get discounted fees on all workshops. Annual dues are $65. Buddhist meditation Feb. 18 American Buddhist Monk, Gen Kelsang Rinzin returns from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., on Saturday, Feb. 18, at the Healthy Life Yoga Studio in the Sunrise Shopping Center, 4200 S. Poplar St.to continue his teaching series on Transforming Painful Emotions. We all want to be happy, but sometimes become confused and believe that happiness comes from outside circumstances and things. In reality, we all hold the key to happiness within us. Class includes a guided meditation, the teaching, a Q&A period and some relaxed fellowship. Everyone of any religion or no religion is welcome. A $15 donation is requested. Questions? Visit www.meditateinfortcollins.org/Casper. GRO-Biz conference Feb. 22-23 Registration is underway for Wyomings premiere business conference, GRO-Biz Conference & Idea Expo, Feb. 22 and 23 at the Ramkota Hotel. Register before Feb. 8, 2017 for the discounted cost of $165 per registrant; beginning February 8, 2017 registration fee is $185. To see agenda and to register, visit www.regonline.com/2017grobizidea. The GRO-Biz Conference & Idea Expo is two events rolled into one. The event provides opportunities to learn from experts presenting innovative workshops that inspire attendees to think about their business in new and exciting ways. In addition, the conference provides Wyomings small businesses the opportunity to better understand state and federal government procurement processes and meet with professionals who can provide valuable information on the bidding process. Self-help classes set Conscious Co-Creation, Part Two: Field Play, Feb. 18, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., offered in person at the Agricultural Learning Resources building on Fairgrounds Rd. and also via live webinar. In the follow-up to Conscious Co-Creation Part One, explore in depth some of the ideas and skills gained in Conscious Co-Creation. Prerequisite: Conscious Co-Creation/Self-Transformation & Healing. For a full class description and registration information, visit: www.cathyhazeladams.com/pp/classes-webinars-event/. Living from the Heart: The Key to Peace, Freedom & Creative Empowerment, Feb. 26, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., offered in person at the Agricultural Learning Resources building on Fairgrounds Rd. and also via live webinar.In the new four-hour class/playshop, learn what the field of the heart really is, practice easy, practical ways to go into heart field, and learn how to live every day from this place of peace, love, well-being and personal empowerment. No prerequisite. Class taught by Cathy Hazel Adams, practitioner, Intuitive Multidimensional Transformation & Healing, and certified Matrix Energetics practitioner. For a full class description and registration information, visit: www.cathyhazeladams.com/pp/classes-webinars-event/. Learn beginning programming The Natrona County Library will offer a Beginning Programming class from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., on Thursday, Feb. 23. In this extended three-hour class, participants learn all about Python, including how to get started, what advantages and disadvantages Python provides as a programming language, the essentials of programming in Python, and what tools are available to build applications in Python. No prior Python experience necessary. Call 577-READ ext. 2 or email reference@natronacountylibrary.org for more information. Free tax help The Natrona County VITA Program, a United Way of Natrona County initiative, is open through April 12, for free tax return assistance. This is a first come, first serve program, no appointments will be scheduled. Individuals must bring their Social Security card, photo identification and the appropriate paperwork with them. For a complete listing of required paperwork, please visit the website www.wyomingfreetaxservice.org Hours are Tuesday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Aspen Creek Building, 800 Werner Ct., Ste. 206. Closed Sunday and Monday. For more information, call (307) 333-5588 during hours of operation or look on Facebook. The initiative is supported by funding from the Wyoming Free Tax Service and local United Way. Parenting class available Mercer Family Resource Center offers a class in March designed to help parents become more effective. Make Parenting a Pleasure is for parents and caregivers with children ages 0 to 8. Class meets March 1, 8, 15, and 22 and April 5, 12, and 19 from 6 to 8 p.m. Onsite childcare available, meets once a week for seven weeks. Cost is $35 individuals and $50 a couple. For more information or to enroll, call Lisa Brown at 233-4276. ARTCORE music deadline March 15 The deadline for the ARTCORE New Music Competition is March 15. Entrants must be Wyoming residents. The purpose of the competition is to find serious composers in the state; to provide an ongoing program for encouraging new music by these same composers; to give exposure to musical works of merit and to stimulate an interest in contemporary music in Wyoming audiences. Performance time shall be limited to 20 minutes. Compositions shall not have been performed previously. Compositions shall be limited to no more than eight performers. Compositions may be for any combination of voice and/or instrument. Three copies of the manuscript must be submitted. Manuscripts will not be returned unless accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Submit manuscripts to ARTCORE, P.O. Box 874, Casper, WY 82602. Entry fee is $15. Manuscripts must be postmarked no later than March 15, 2017. Seedling trees, shrubs and perennials on sale Premium quality seedling trees, shrubs and perennials are available for windbreaks and wildlife habitat enhancement from the UW/Natrona County Extension. Order forms are available at the Ag Resource and Learning Center, 2011 Fairgrounds Rd. There are 41 species available. Order now for best selection with May 2017 delivery. For more information, call Rose Jones at 235-9400. Dementia caregiver support Wyoming Dementia Care offers five Alzheimers Caregiver Support groups each month. Caregivers of those with dementia-related illnesses and the loved ones they care for are welcome at any of the group sessions. Professional staff from Intermountain Home Companions will be on hand to offer separate activities and snacks for those who need care. There is no charge for Wyoming Dementia Cares support groups or for the respite care provided during the approximately one hour long sessions. The morning support group sessions meet on the first and third Thursday of each month at 10 a.m. at Central Wyoming Senior Services, 1831 E. 4th St. The afternoon support groups meet at 1 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month at Life Care Center of Casper, 4041 S. Poplar. The evening groups meet on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at Meadow Wind Assisted Living, 3955 E. 12th St. For information, email wyodementia@casperseniorcenter.com or call Dani Guerttman at 265-4678. Family continues suicide support Good Grief, Support will continue at 5:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month at the 12-24 Club, 500 S. Wolcott, by request of attendees. Anyone who is grieving a suicide, death, or considering suicide is encouraged to attend. Attendance at the meeting, as well as the content, will be strictly confidential. The Fresh Start Cafe will be open, and you can eat during the meetings. This meeting place was offered by Dan Cantine of the 12-24 Club. You need not be a member to attend. For more information, email jlh35@hotmailcom. New depression group begins J.R.s Hunt for Life is offering See it Clearly, a free peer support group for persons suffering from depression and other mental conditions that lead to suicidal thoughts and actions. The group is led by like-minded peers wishing to offer support in these struggles. Anonymity and confidentiality is offered to all attending. Meetings are at 6:45 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month at 500 South Wolcott in the conference room on the second floor, (12-24 Club). Those who have considered or attempted taking their life or are struggling are welcome. For more information, email jlh35@hotmailcom. Family offers faith-based groups The family of J.R. Hunter, who committed suicide, now has two additional support groups, these faith-based, in addition to the groups they run on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month at the 12-24 Club. Those continue. For more information, email jlh35@hotmailcom. J.R.s Hunt; for life presents two faith-based grief and depression peer to peer support groups at 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. at Restoration Church, 411 S. Walsh. For more information, email jlh35@hotmailcom. Grief Support Group, Good Grief: A faith-based grief support group that the family hosts on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at 5:30 p.m. at Restoration Church. The familys loss has moved them to offer this to anyone grieving. For more information, email jlh35@hotmailcom. Depression Support Group, See It Clearly: A faith-based free peer to peer support group for persons suffering from depression and other mental conditions that may lead to suicidal thoughts and actions. The group is led by like-minded peers wishing to offer support in these struggles. Anonymity and confidentiality is offered to all attending. Meetings are at 6:30 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at Restoration Church. Those who have considered or attempted taking their life or are struggling are welcome. For more information, email jlh35@hotmailcom. Parkinsons exercise Rocky Mountain Therapy is offering a Parkinsons exercise program. Join us from noon to 1 p.m. Thursdays at Rocky Mountain Therapy, 2546 E. Second St., Building 500. These classes are open to anyone with Parkinsons or caring for someone with Parkinsons. Thursdays class is tailored for the individual with more advanced Parkinsons and focuses on improving endurance, safety and managing symptoms. We are open to all ages and can tailor the class to meet varying exercise needs. The cost of the class is $5. To RSVP, call 577-5204 and ask for Jerri or Shannon. Celebrate Recovery every Friday Celebrate Recovery meets at 5:30 p.m. every Friday at Highland Park Community Church, just south of Elkhorn Valley Rehabilitation Hospital on East Second Street. We start with a family meal, followed by praise and worship. At 7 p.m., theres either a lesson from Celebrate Recoverys planned curriculum or a testimony by a person who has found recovery through Christ. Then, people go to gender-specific small groups until 8:30 p.m., when dessert and fellowship conclude the evening. Child care is available at no cost. For more information, contact Chris at 265-4073. Here and Now: Dementia-focused monthly art class Classes are every third Tuesday of the month from 1 to 3 p.m. There is no charge. Here and Now is a program made possible through a collaboration between Wyoming Dementia Care and the Nicolaysen Art Museum. It is designed to provide a supportive environment for people with dementia and Alzheimers and their loved ones. To register, contact Dani with Wyoming Dementia Care 265-4678, ext. 106, or at wyodementia@casperseniorcenter.com or Zhanna Gallegos at 235-5247 or at zgallegos@thenic.org. Latin Club meets Latin Study Club language enthusiasts welcome anyone who wishes they had taken Latin in school or paid better attention when they did. The group meets at 7 p.m., on Tuesday nights at Mount Hope Lutheran School, 2300 Hickory. There is no charge. The textbook used is Wheelocks Latin, 7th edition. Noli timere! Casper City Council declined to begin opening meetings with a formal public prayer or short moment of silence on Tuesday, after the citys legal staff warned members about the potential litigation that could result from doing so. City Attorney Bill Luben said that while a recent United States Supreme Court decision upheld the right of city councils to begin meetings with prayers, that decision came with a host of restrictions, including: The council cannot solicit prayers from only one religions clergy The council cannot refuse clergy from any religion, including the Satanic Church, that wishes to offer a prayer The prayer must take place before council begins its meeting The prayer cannot denigrate members of other religions The prayer cannot explicitly marginalize people who do not participate in the prayer If any of these conditions are violated the city could find itself embroiled in costly legal battles. These kind of cases end up in federal court as a civil rights violation, Luben said. If we lose we end up paying attorneys fees. Council members also expressed concern that bringing religion into government meetings was inappropriate. Councilman Charlie Powell spoke against government-sponsored prayer, despite his strong Christian faith. Its a very serious matter for me, Powell said. Ive actually preached sermons in my church. That said, I understand not everyone believes the same as I do and I dont believe I, as a city council member, have the right to impose my views on anyone. Councilman Amanda Huckabay said that introducing religion to meetings would violate the intention implicit in having a non-partisan council. I try to stay out of peoples political ideologies, I try to stay out of peoples religious ideologies, she said. I honestly dont want to have any part of it. Luben said advocates of prayer at government meetings often point out that the U.S. Congress and State Legislature allow opening prayers. But he noted city councils have a more direct relationship with citizens. The public dont come to Congress and they dont come to a state legislature to present their case like they do in a zoning decision or if they have an appeal to you, he said. Assistant City Attorney Wallace Trembath warned council that it was possible for seemingly innocuous public prayer to unintentionally slip into violations of the law. It can be something as simple as (saying), I really respect all of you who were standing and participated, and then a non-standing person went up to the podium to present their case, Trembath said. Preaching conversion and damnation the Supreme Court said they wouldnt go for any of that. Trembath said the recent uproar over professional athletes who refused to stand for the national anthem indicated that people who sat or kept their eyes open during a prayer could also be attacked. Councilman Shawn Johnson suggested including a moment of silence or reflection to open meetings, rather than a religious prayer. They can do their own thing in their head for 20 or 30 seconds and we can get back to business, he said. Luben said that was less likely to generate controversy or lawsuits, but any deviation from official business still posed a risk. While members unanimously rejected the prospect of opening meetings with a prayer, several said they were open to offering a moment of silence. Councilman Todd Murphy, who said earlier this year that he supported public prayer at council meetings, said a moment of silence was a compromise that could avoid alienating anyone. We leave the word prayer out of it and let people do what they want to do with that short period of time, Murphy said. How could you be offended by that? But as the discussion progressed it became clear that council members were specifically seeking to respond to local resident Dale Zimmerles frequent requests that meetings open with a prayer. Zimmerle, who applied for a vacant council seat two years ago, regularly speaks about the importance of Christianity during councils public comment period. Councilman Chris Walsh said that a moment of silence was unlikely to settle the matter for Zimmerle and others sympathetic to his arguments. What people are asking for is a public prayer and theyre asking for public Christian prayer, Walsh said. If we have a moment of silence, whats changed? Powell said he was comfortable with a moment of silence but that council shouldnt change its meeting procedures to please a single individual. If we think it would be a good thing for us to pause before we do our business, personally I have no issue with that, he said. But this isnt about satisfying someone else. Council declined to move forward with either a public prayer or moment of silence to open meetings. CHEYENNE Next month after the 2017 legislative session ends, lawmakers will meet in scattered communities across the state, from Rock Springs to Gillette, to examine in depth issues that confront Wyoming. After studying a topic, they will draft bills for the full Legislature to consider next year. The time is known as the interim. And interim committee bills have the best chance of becoming law, because they are more thoroughly vetted than legislation sponsored by individual lawmakers. There is more time to obtain input from the public and tweak bills, compromise and address stakeholders concerns. Yet not everyone in Wyoming can attend the committee meetings, since they occur all over the map, and some committees meet at the same time in different locales. A bill before the Legislature would make recordings from committee gatherings publicly accessible on wyoleg.gov within a month of the last day of the meeting. On Thursday morning, the Senate Corporations, Elections and Political Subdivisions advanced House Bill 276 to the Senate floor for consideration. The measure already passed the House. The Legislatures nonpartisan staff currently records the meetings. While much of the material the Legislative Service Office produces is not part of the states public records act, LSO Director Matt Obrecht said he views the audio recordings as a public record and has received numerous requests from members of the public for copies of the recordings. Posting them online would make them accessible to the public. It really does not put any additional burden on staff, he said. Representatives from a number of groups testified in favor of HB276, including the Powder River Basin Resource Council, the Wyoming Association of Churches and the Wyoming Outdoor Council. As we all know the committee system, the committees are where the real heavy lifting goes on in the writing of legislation, said Marguerite Herman of the League of Women Voters. During the interim, a lot of testimony is taken. The recordings would be a good resource for lawmakers, if they want to review what occurred at a meeting, said Phoebe Stoner of the Equality State Policy Center. I think this is a somewhat common practice in local government and other states, she said. During the regular legislative session, audio from the House and Senate floor is webcast live. However, audio committee meetings are not online. As I read (HB276) it doesnt affect these session meetings, said Sen. Charlie Scott, R-Casper. Theyre staffed by session staff, said Obrecht, which is different than the LSO. The bill only directs the LSO to post the recordings online. But perhaps someday, committee meetings in the session can be heard by Wyomingites at home, said Sen. Cale Case, the committees chairman. Im sure that will evolve as that goes down (the road) but were not there yet, the Lander Republican said. If the measure passes, it will go into effect July 1. Wyomingites attending the states seven community colleges will pay $5 more per credit hour starting this fall as officials try to increase revenue while also keeping education affordable in tough economic times. The increase is imposed by the Wyoming Community College Commission and effective for at least the next two academic years. It represents a 5.6 percent hike, bringing the per-credit cost at the seven schools to $94. Thats in line with the commissions past increases, said executive director Jim Rose. The commissioners also removed the 12-credit-hour cap, in which students paid for the first 12 hours of classes but were not charged for any more. That change will go into effect in fall 2018. For out-of-state residents who live in several Western states that participate in the Western Undergraduate Exchange, base tuition will go up to $141 per credit hour, while all other nonresidents will pay $15 more, at $282, officials said. At Casper College, after the school assesses $29 of its own fees, tuition-related costs will now be $123 per credit hour for residents, said spokesman Chris Lorenzen. Rose said the tuition increase will generate roughly $480,000 in additional revenue for the colleges. Tuition constitutes about 10 percent of the schools revenue, he said. The commission instituted a $20.2 million cut earlier this fiscal year, the kind of cut thats become a trend in Wyoming public education as the state struggles with an ongoing two-year downturn in the energy economy. In addition to the community colleges 8 percent cut, the University of Wyoming has lost $42 million in the past year. Early last month, Casper College President Darren Divine said that while the cuts had hurt the school, the institution was prepared to handle the downturn. Itll end up where it ends up, he said then. I dont see it being a doomsday scenario. Its just not. Rose said the commission weighed the increasing fiscal challenges facing the colleges with policymakers saying that the cost of college should be shared. The increase likely wont have a profound effect on enrollment, Rose said, but for some full-time students taking 12 credit hours, the resulting $60 tuition increase may be too much. Its going to have an effect on some students because theyre in some cases just making ends meet, he said. Lorenzen said college president Darren Divine supported the tuition increase because of the states economic situation and the importance of budget discussions. However, he said that college and other officials were not aware that the tuition increase was up for discussion until the meeting began last Thursday. He wouldve liked to have more notice, Lorenzen said of Divine. The discussion happened very quickly. Prior to the revelation that the commission was considering raising tuition, Casper College was already planning on increasing its own per-credit-hour fees, he said. A proposal that will go before the colleges board recommends raising the fees by $3, to $32 per credit hour. We feel its the responsibility to take it forward even after the tuition increase announcement, Lorenzen said. But he added that the board is very sensitive to student costs and fees. Taken together with the tuition hike, the fee increase would take the resident tuition costs to $126 per credit hour. WUE students would pay $173, and other nonresident students would be charged $314 per credit hour. PHOENIX Babies cooing in strollers and on brightly colored play mats in their parents cubicles are commonplace at the Arizona Department of Health Services. Co-workers gather during breaks, playing with one anothers infants. Babies attend meetings and lay calmly and other times not so calmly as their parents go about their normal work routine. Six-month-old Katelyn Watanabe lay on her mat, staring up at dangling plastic shapes hanging just out of her reach. Kevin Watanabe, her father, was within arms reach, sitting in his swivel chair, typing away on the gray desk in his cubicle. Knowing that shes here with me I dont have to worry about who shes with, said the 32-year-old nutrition consultant in the women, infants and children department. Having the interaction with her, having that one-on-one time, is beneficial to us, Watanabe said. Babies up to 6 months old have been the norm at the health agency for more than 15 years. Three more state agencies officially opened workplaces to employees infants in January: the Arizona Department of Economic Security, the Department of Water Resources and the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System. Bringing babies to work has its benefits, including boosting employee morale, creating crucial bonding time for parents and reducing worries and costs about child care, advocates say, but it doesnt work for every worker, infant or workplace. HOW IT WORKS Parents have brought more than 200 babies to work at the health agency since 2001, when the infant-at-work program was established. The program began as a way to encourage mothers to breastfeed and gradually expanded to allow parents, grandparents and foster parents to bring infants to work. About three to 15 babies are at work at any given time among the 1,400 health-service employees, according to agency director Dr. Cara Christ. You can see the office dynamics change, Christ said. People are happier and workplace morale increases with the baby around. Program requirements vary by agency and department, but generally parents bring their own supplies and must stay with their babies at all times. Gov. Doug Ducey supports the program. Its a win-win-win increased productivity, quality employees less likely to leave state service, and most important happy babies, Ducey said in his State of the State address. BABY BENEFITS Christ said parents often come back to work sooner because of the program. Christ brought her baby to work and returned from maternity leave 5 weeks after her daughter was born even though she had 12 weeks of paid leave. When her daughter was retired from the program at six months, Christ said she and her colleagues were sad to see her go. It makes it more than work when youve got people thatve held your baby and have comforted your baby and have watched them grow for six months, she said. Watanabe, talking a few days before his daughter aged out of the program, shared Christs sentiment, saying his colleagues were quick to help him out with Katelyn. Watanabe said Katelyn didnt sleep much at the office because she enjoyed the interaction with his co-workers. He said the father-daughter time was priceless. I came back a week after she was born just because I knew that I would have all of this time to be able to spend with her at work, Watanabe said. WHEN BABIES AT WORK DONT WORK The infant-at-work program comes with its challenges. Not all spaces are appropriate or safe for babies and Christ says not all babies are ready for the working world. Christ had two babies go through the program. One was the perfect candidate and stayed cool, calm and collected in the workplace. The other: not so much. A baby may get a little bit fussy in a meeting and moms and dads will step out and excuse themselves, she said. The program is limited to newborns and babies no older than six months because babies spend most of their time sleeping, Christ said. Theyre not very active. Theyre not mobile. Theyre contained. They sleep. They eat, Christ said. At about six months is when they start to crawl and sit up and want to interact and thats when weve noticed its harder to continue to do the job with the baby at work. The program is open to employees who dont work face to face with clients, but employees must get permission from their immediate supervisor before the departments assistant director signs off on it. Christ says its important to make sure the environment is safe for a baby and that its presence wont affect the employees productivity. Its not a one-size-fits-all policy, she said. Each employee should find out what works for them. WANTED: WORK-LIFE BALANCE About six in 10 parents with infants or preschool-age children say its hard to find affordable, high-quality child care in their community, according to a 2015 Pew Research Center report. Half of full-time working fathers reported having too little time to spend with their children, the report says. Berry Gordy provided the soundtrack to the lives of baby boomers. The founder of Motown Record Corp. discovered Diana Ross and the Supremes, Michael Jackson and the Jackson Five, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, the Temptations, Tammi Terrell, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder the impressive list goes on. He is an icon. No pressure there for Chester Gregory who plays Gordy in Motown: The Musical, which comes to Tucson next week courtesy of Broadway in Tucson. The play is based on Gordys autobiography, To Be Loved: The Music, the Magic, the Memories of Motown. And Gordy wrote the script, selected the songs, co-produced it, and has been intimately involved since it first opened on Broadway in 2013. But Gregory, who has played the role since January of last year, isnt intimidated by that. I was surprised at how down to earth and direct and approachable he was, Gregory says about his first meeting with Gordy. I would describe him as a man who is uncompromising, a caring visionary. At 38, Gregory is too young to be a baby boomer. But he feels an affinity for the music, especially for Michael Jackson, with whom he shares a hometown. Im from Gary, Indiana, and Michael Jackson was one of my greatest heroes, says Gregory, who spoke to us while in Los Angeles with the production. Now I get to play the man who discovered him. Its a full-circle moment for me. The story It takes place in 1983. A big 25th anniversary celebration for Motown is in the works. Gordy has had a rocky time of it many of the artists attending are ones he discovered but are no longer with his label, so he isnt sure he wants to go. He uses the occasion to reflect on life, starting with when he was a young boy. I come in when hes 29 and go through his life for 25 years, says Gregory. People had seen him as a failure, but he broke barriers with the music. While people thought he was crazy, he held on to his vision. Gordys life is punctuated by music, lots of music more than 50 songs, many of them just snippets, are in the musical. Among them: My Girl, I Heard It Through the Grapevine, Stop! In the Name of Love, Dancin in the Streets, Love Child, Signed, Sealed, Delivered Im Yours. All the songs are great, says Gregory. Picking a favorite changes with his mood and what the audience reacts to They resonate differently with each crowd, he says of the tunes. But he always enjoys singing the closing number, Can I Close the Door, written by Gordy specifically for the musical. Its sung when Gordy is at a turning point, says Gregory. Is he going to close the door, or embrace the change that will happen. Join in With a score that most audiences will likely know by heart, its hard not to sing along. Thats fine with Gregory. I love it when people sing along; who can not enjoy it when that many people have a great time and remember the songs? After years of angry opposition, fiery speeches, and showy, going-nowhere votes, Congressional Republicans finally clenched their angry, shaking hands on the throat of the Affordable Care ActObamacareas the Senate, then the House, voted to repeal the 2010 law one week before Donald J. Trump was sworn in as president. Well, thats the alternative reality of what they did. What they actually did was a whole lot less. In fact, the Jan. 12 Senate vote gave the green light to a later, simple-majority vote to repeal. It was a classic Senate maneuver to snuff out any chance Democrats might try to save the ACA through filibuster. The Jan. 13 House vote was less technical and more gassy. This law is collapsing while we speak, announced Speaker of the House Paul Ryan before the vote. So, in order to save it from its own death, the House must vote to kill it before things get worse. The House vote didnt just kill Obamacare; in fact, that was its secondary target. The primary target of the vote was a bare bones budget billThe worst budget weve seen since Ive been in Congress, said Michigans Justin Amash, a tea party leaderthat proposes to add a whopping $9.7 trillion to the federal deficit. Famously absent from either repeal and replace vote was one hint, word, sentence or paragraph on what exactly the red-hot repealers would replace the not-yet repealed ACA with. The House did promise to keep the most popular parts of the law: children can stay on their parents health care plans until age 26 and the ban that denies anyone health care coverage because of pre-existing conditions. The Senate vote, interestingly, promised neither. Republicans, however, now claim to be working diligently on a replacement plan they say will deliver better coverage for less money and less government interference than Obamacare. Stop talking, replied Democrats, and show America what you have. More than a month after the votes, though, the replacers still have no replacement. That is understandable because, after all, theyve embarked on a near-impossible task: build a better, cheaper ship out of one theyve already set on fire while at sea carrying more than 20 million Americans. Thats going to be either a very neat trick or a very mean one. Whatever and whenever the new Obamacare alternative is introduced, rural America has a lot riding on it. Especially the sick because being sick in rural America is a bad bargain compared to being sick anywhere else in America, writes Tim Size in a recent online edition of The Daily Yonder. A new study from the federal Centers for Disease Control (CDC), notes Size, shows that Americans living in rural communities are more likely to die prematurely from the top five causes of deathheart disease, accidents, stroke, cancer, and respiratory diseasethan their urban counterparts. The reasons for the divergence, he explains, are many. Here are two: fewer than half as many doctors per 10,000 rural residents than city dwellers and only one specialist per 100,000 rural people while the same number of metro Americans have access to eight. Rural Americans accept these differences and most know these divides will never be fully bridged. Its part of todays rural reality; a bad part. What no American should accept, however, is a rewrite of the Affordable Care Act that makes health care less accessible and less affordable. Thats especially true for rural Americans who started this years repeal-and-replace race well behind everyone else. If Obamacare needs to be fixed, fix it. If it needs to be fully replaced, replace it. Break it though, and more than 20 million Americans, rural and urban, old and young, Republican and Democratic, rich and poor, sick and healthy will suffer. St. Francis in the Foothills United Methodist Church, 4625 E. River Road, will host an open house for its new celebration center 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18. The church is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. It will also host two classes on Native American rights and land 10:30 a.m. Sundays Feb. 19 and Feb. 26. University of Arizona law professor Melissa Tatum will speak, according to press materials. In this Oct. 19, 2016 file photo, Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump debate during the third presidential debate at UNLV in Las Vegas. Headed for history books, the duel between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump became a battle of nasty women and bad hombres vs. deplorables and voters who are irredeemable. We've collected a few front pages from newspapers.com to give you a look at some Feb. 16 papers in history. With a subscription to newspapers.com you can search the Arizona Daily Star and many other newspapers using keywords or dates, and download articles or pages. A Tucson Border Patrol agent was assaulted on the Tohono O'odham Indian Reservation Saturday, after he encountered two suspects believed to have entered the country illegally, officials said. Agents assigned to the Three Points station tracked the two Mexican nationals to the Reservation, near the village of Vamori, according to a news release from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. One of the suspects ran and when the agent caught up to him and tried to put him in handcuffs, the man became combative, the release said. The 43-year-old suspect was taken into custody, and the agent was treated for his injuries at a local hospital and released. The suspect is facing charges for assault on a federal officer, as well as immigration violation, the release said. PHOENIX A Senate committee voted Wednesday to mandate that doctors try to resuscitate any fetus born alive, even if not viable. SB 1367 spells out that a baby is considered alive if it is outside of the mothers womb, if it shows any evidence of breathing, a heartbeat, umbilical cord pulsation or definitive movement of voluntary muscles. It would not matter how far along the pregnancy had proceeded. The legislation is aimed at requiring clinics that perform abortions at 20 weeks or more to have equipment available to provide care if there is a live birth. It requires the Department of Health Services to craft rules on what kind of care medical staff must provide in these circumstances. Sen. Steve Smith, R-Maricopa, said there were two such instances in Arizona where late-term abortions resulted in live births but the children died due to lack of care. The same requirement to provide medical care would apply even in situations where a woman was not trying to terminate the pregnancy. Kelley Saunders, a doctor representing the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, said a baby may be born severely premature. Infants between 20 and 22 weeks of gestation have a zero percent chance of survival even if they are born with a heartbeat and movement, she told the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services. Parents of these infants just want to hold their babies and be peacefully with them until they pass, Saunders continued. To subject these babies and their parents and their families to draconian measures that dont work is cruel, immoral and completely against the standard of care. But Paul Liu, a doctor at Phoenix Childrens Hospital, said thats making assumptions about when a baby is really viable. Liu told lawmakers the cutoff used to be considered 26 weeks. Now the general medical consensus puts viability at 24 weeks. And now there are actually case reports of babies at 21 weeks who have survived with minimal complications, he said. As our science has grown better, we have been able to push the limits of viability further and further back. Liu said the only way doctors will find out if viability is even earlier is to try to save the lives of every baby born prematurely. Rep. Debbie Lesko, R-Peoria, said Saunders appears to be saying that it would be a psychological trauma to families to try to save a premature baby through resuscitation and other medical intervention. But dont you think its a psychological trauma to the family if you let the baby die? she asked. Saunders conceded these are difficult situations, particularly in cases of a desired pregnancy. But she said that, given current science, a baby delivered at 20 weeks is going to die, no matter what doctors try to do. Extending the time that family has to grieve with that baby, as opposed to providing measures that quite frankly might be cruel and painful to the baby since its been born, I just think is a very difficult thing to mandate and ask people to do, Saunders said. Liu, however, had a different take on situations where doctors begin resuscitation efforts. We invite the parents to join us to witness what our attempts are, he said. Theres nothing worse for a parent to think what if? We would show them weve done everything we possibly could to resuscitate your child. Lesko sided with proponents of the legislation. Letting a baby die just doesnt seem acceptable to me, she said. The fact that the legislation is aimed at abortion providers was underscored by an amendment added by Sen. Nancy Barto, R-Phoenix, which allows a parent of a fetus delivered alive to claim in court that not all efforts were taken to keep it alive and to seek monetary damages for psychological, emotional or physical injuries. But that right to sue applies only in cases where the live birth was from an abortion and not when it was from a premature delivery. The 5-2 vote sends the measure to the full Senate. After several months of outcry, and a number of lengthy and sometimes tense public meetings, Monsanto has decided to drop a proposal with Pima County that would have substantially reduced the companys property taxes. The county Board of Supervisors was set to vote on the deal Tuesday, Feb. 21, but George Gough, the companys government affairs director, sent a letter Wednesday stating that after much thought, the Monsanto Co. has decided to withdraw our Foreign Trade Zone Payment In Lieu of Taxes Agreement proposal scheduled for consideration by the Pima County Board of Supervisors. Despite the decision, the company still intends to build and operate a greenhouse near Marana on a 155-acre property it purchased last October. It will not proceed with its FTZ application, though it could even without any action from the county. However, company spokeswoman Charla Lord left open the possibility of reconsidering it later, adding: Anythings possible. Additionally, a company official said it would move forward with other commitments to the area, including a contribution of $500,000 to the Marana Unified School District Foundation, creating a community advisory panel and voluntarily reporting the usage of restricted-use pesticides at the greenhouse, which is slated to grow corn for research in a 7-acre facility at the site. We are excited to be a part of Pima County and are committed to being a good neighbor in the community with this greenhouse that combines Arizonas climate with our sustainable practices to help produce corn seeds that will help farmers around the world, the company statement read. Good neighbors listen and communicate with each other, so we value the recent opportunity to do just that. Several local Monsanto critics welcomed the development, but said that concerns remain. Its a great win for this community who say this is not the future of the agricultural system we want to see in Arizona, said Megan Kimble, managing editor of Edible Baja Arizona , a bimonthly Tucson food magazine that editorialized against Monsanto. We want tax breaks to go to small businesses or organic agriculture or something besides corporate control of our agricultural system. However, Kimble pointed out the supervisors were also going to consider on Tuesday a memorandum of understanding with Monsanto that would have allowed for public sharing of information about the companys activities in the area, an arrangement now off the table with the decision Wednesday. They are still going to be here and we will have to be vigilant and ask questions about how they will be accountable to the local community, she added. Mike Varney, president and CEO of the Tucson Metro Chamber of Commerce, was one of several members of the business community to speak in defense of the agribusiness giant and deal in recent weeks. He said that while he was personally disappointed by the news, he respects the companys decision. I always think its unfortunate when a community doesnt do everything it can to welcome job creators in every way they possibly can, he said, adding: This certainly has the potential to generate negative headlines about doing business in Tucson and Pima County. He noted that Fortune 200 companies like Monsanto dont grow on trees. Ted Maxwell, president of the Southern Arizona Leadership Council, said the most important signal is the fact that Monsanto is still coming. Per state law, a foreign-trade-zone designation would drop the propertys assessment ratio from 15 percent to 5 percent. The annual difference in property taxes paid to the county after $96 million in development would be around $370,000 lower with the FTZ rate, documents previously obtained by the Star show. What the supervisors were going to decide was whether to support Monsantos application for foreign-trade-zone status with a letter saying they consented to reduced property-tax payments over 10 years. In exchange, the company would have committed to spending at least $90 million on the development and hiring at least 50 people at an average salary of roughly $44,000. It is the U.S. Department of Commerce that ultimately reviews FTZ applications. Supervisor Richard Elias, who was one of two supervisors to publicly oppose the deal, said he thinks that public pressure played a part in the companys decision. Its really the taxpayers and those community folks that got very concerned about Monsanto that made a big difference, he said. County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry agreed, adding the highly vocal opposition was met with what he described as the fairly lukewarm support from the business community. He has requested that all items concerning Monsanto on Tuesdays board agenda be removed. County officials received dozens of written comments in opposition to the deal, and public comment at supervisor meetings in recent months was sometimes dominated by people speaking out against the deal. Signs opposing the deal were ubiquitous at recent supervisor meetings. While not dismissing the role of public opposition, Lord said other factors were more important in Monsantos decision. Among them, she cited the prospect that by not providing the company with substantial tax breaks, the county could spend more on workforce development. The county (now) has more money to invest in other things without losing property-tax revenues, she said. Huckelberry confirmed that the companys decision doesnt necessarily mean that the county will be bringing in any additional revenues, but it could modestly lessen property-tax burdens for other property owners. The key element, if you grow the tax base, the existing taxpayers pay less, he added. Many critics of the use of economic incentives to attract businesses have suggested that they are often not necessary, and can amount to a giveaway to select companies. With Monsantos decision to move ahead with its greenhouse plans without the property-tax savings, Supervisor Steve Christy said apparently the Monsanto folks did not feel the FTZ designation was necessary to fulfill their portfolio and business plan. It is a valid question, and it is a learning curve issue that we must approach each of these instances differently and singularly and look at them on a standalone basis, Christy added of issues raised by incentive critics. Huckelberry agreed that in the case of Monsanto the benefits of operating in Pima County outweighed the loss of the property-tax incentives. However, he argued that there are other clear-cut instances in which incentives offered by the county others made the difference. He cited Caterpillar and Raytheons recent decision to expand operations as examples of the successful use of incentives. He also said that Monsantos decision would have no effect on any consideration the county might give a future employer for a foreign-trade-zone property-tax abatement. Those are considered on a case-by-case basis, and potential employers that could bring a number of high-wage jobs or substantial tax base improvements Anything similar is going to get a consideration as to whether we offer that as an economic incentive, he added. Gusty winds swirl around in front of the University of Arizona Main Library as freshman Kelcey Cavarra, a business major from Colorado, waits for a friend before heading off to class on Feb 15, 2017. Winds were as high as 25 mph but are expected to diminish later Wednesday, according to the weather bureau. Winds may return on Friday with a chance for showers this weekend. Gusty winds swirl around in front of the University of Arizona Main Library as freshman Kelcey Cavarra, a business major from Colorado, waits for a friend before heading off to class on Feb 15, 2017. Winds were as high as 25 mph but are expected to diminish, according to the National Weather Service. However, showers and colder temperatures are expected as early as Friday night. The weekend is expected to be a wet one with a storm system bringing cooler weather and the increased chance of rain. The National Weather Service said Saturday will be windy with a 50 percent chance of showers, which increase to 70 percent by Saturday night. The highs will be in the upper 50s to low 60s Saturday. Sunday will remain mostly cloudy with highs in the upper 50s and a 50 percent chance of rain in the Tucson area. Tucson Water customers will see their water bills rise more slowly in the future if the Navajo Generating Station shuts down as its owners plan. The reason is that the Central Arizona Project, which sells drinking water to Tucson and other Arizona cities, will see a big savings in its energy costs to pump water if the plant closes on schedule at the end of 2019. A new report from CAP says closing the Navajo station would save CAP $26 million per year. That will reduce its charges to city, farm and tribal water customers. Because Tucson is CAPs biggest urban customer, these savings will filter down to Tucson Water customers by the early 2020s, utility officials say. Theyll come in the form of water rate increases that would be less than previously planned. OPPOSITE OF WHAT officials used to say This is a big shift from what experts used to say. For years, CAP officials warned that a shutdown of the Navajo Generating Station would trigger a spike in customers water bills. CAP led the charge to keep the plant open and to fight environmentalist efforts to clamp very strict emission regulations. Now, CAPs position has shifted because of a meteoric flip in the comparative costs of coal-fired and natural-gas fired power. Because of the growth of fracking and horizontal drilling for natural gas, gas prices have dropped sharply since 2014. Coal-fired power, long cheaper than gas, is now more expensive. These changes frame the continuing debate over the Navajo plant near Page. That price shift is why four utilities running Navajo including Tucson Electric Power, Salt River Project and Arizona Public Service decided last week to stop operating and shut down the plant by the end of 2019 if other operators havent taken over. Its supporters hope to keep Navajo open under new operators to save its 1,000 jobs. CAPs declining costs for natural gas compared to coal was a factor in the utilities decision, said SRP spokesman Scott Harelson. Until now, the CAP has been inextricably tied to Navajo. Navajo was approved, designed and built in the late 1960s into the 1970s as a vehicle to pump project water uphill from the Colorado River to Phoenix and Tucson. The CAP is Navajos largest customer besides the utilities, taking about 15 percent of the plants total load of 2,250 megawatts. Navajo was also designed as a cash register for CAP so it could sell surplus power to raise money for repaying part of the canal projects $3.6 billion federally fronted construction cost. But now, Based on current market conditions and forecasted market conditions, ... it appears that the NGS costs will be more expensive than market costs for a number of years going forward, said Tom McCann, CAPs assistant general manager, in an interview this week. A new CAP report predicts the gap between Navajo and open market energy costs will grow steadily until 2021, shrink for two years and start rising again. Asked if this situation will ever change, McCann replied, I dont know. lower rates dont mean reduced bills CAPs lower rates wont reduce Tucson Water customers bills. But they will allow the utility to scale back already planned rate increases of about 7 percent annually for the next few years. The average Tucson Water home-owning customer paid $32.35 monthly in 2016 to use nearly 6,000 gallons per month, the utility says. If Navajo closes, the annual increases starting in the early 2020s could be more like 5 percent, based on what we know today, Tucson Water Director Tim Thomure said this week. The utility could save as much as $5 million per year if CAP doesnt buy Navajo power, he said. Overall, if Navajo closes, all Arizona cities that buy water from the project would save a total of $9.3 million, the new CAP report shows. Indian tribes using project water, including the Tohono OOdham Tribe near Tucson, would save $9.6 million. Farms buying CAP water would save $2.2 million. Beyond that, the energy savings would ease $5.2 million that CAP now charges other water users to subsidize and hold down farms water rates to keep them in the project. There are definitely consequences of shutting down the plant. If it lowers our water costs, its good news for Tucson. That needs to be balanced against what the societal impacts would be from closing down the power plant and closing down the coal mine that feeds it, Thomure said, referring to the plants jobs and investment in Northern Arizona. The Salvation Army is seeking nominations for the 2017 D.J.'s Hero Scholarship Awards. Select Nebraska high school seniors will be chosen to receive the award, named in honor of the late D.J. Sokol, for commitment to others and to their community. Nominations must be postmarked by Monday, March 6, 2017 to be eligible for entry. Forms are available at most Nebraska high school guidance offices, online at SalArmyOmaha.org or by calling 402-898-5909. Honorees receive a $10,000 scholarship toward their selected college or university. D.J.'s Heroes will be recognized at the D.J.'s Hero Awards Luncheon on May 9, 2017 at CenturyLink Center Omaha. Criteria for selecting honorees include: Nebraska residency High school senior Commitment to others and to the community Courage to act independently Greatest achievement in life Ability to overcome challenges/adversity Proceeds from the luncheon benefit Salvation Army programs for children and families. Catuncia/iStock/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) -- The leadership of the Senate Judiciary Committee asked the Department of Justice and FBI Wednesday to brief their committee on the situation regarding former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn. In a letter addressed to Attorney General Jeff Sessions and FBI Director James Comey, Sens. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa and Diane Feinstein, D-California, the chairman and ranking member of the committee, cite media reports indicating the involvement of the Justice Department and the FBI in the circumstances leading up to Flynn's resignation. Accordingly, we request that individuals with specific knowledge of these issues from both the FBI and Justice Department brief Committee Members and staff, reads the letter. We similarly request copies of the transcripts of Mr. Flynns intercepted calls and the FBI report summarizing the intercepted calls referenced in the media. The committee, which is also seeking details on the Justice Departments response and potential leaks of classified information, requested that the briefing be held the week of Feb. 27. Flynn resigned Monday for what the White House called an evolving and eroding level of trust over the disclosure of his interactions with the Russian ambassador prior to President Trumps inauguration. Trump said that Flynn was treated "very, very unfairly" by the media and called him a "wonderful man." No clear evidence of wrongdoing has been found on Flynn's part. Flynn said the calls he made to the ambassador were similar to others he made during the transition and that he "inadvertently" briefed the vice president with "incomplete" information. Flynn initially denied discussing sanctions with the Russian ambassador and Vice President Mike Pence repeated that claim during an interview in January. Copyright 2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. It's just lunch. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie joined President Donald Trump for a White House a midday meal Tuesday less than 24 hours after national security adviser Michael Flynn was asked to resign after misleading Vice President Mike Pence. But the juxtaposition was circumstance: The lunch had been scheduled two weeks before, an administration source said. The source rejected speculation that Christie -- a former US attorney and once-trusted Trump confidant -- is under consideration for a Trump administration job. "There is no role," said a senior White House aide, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. "There was zero, I repeat zero, conversation about that," said the aide. "The only thing he may do is head up a commission to investigate the opioid crisis." Christie once held a position of influence and trust amid Trump's circle of advisers during the campaign and was even a top vice presidential contender. But the New Jersey governor was pushed out of his role as Trump transition team head shortly after the election, and he was passed over for the job of attorney general. He didn't get Trump's nod to lead the Republican National Committee either; the job went to Ronna Romney McDaniel. "Basically, the President shot him in the face twice," the administration official said. A second White House official insisted that Trump does not trust Christie, noting that Christie abandoned Trump in the wake of the damaging "Access Hollywood" tape in which Trump bragged about sexually assaulting women. Christie also poured cold water on the notion he might join the administration. "I have absolutely no intention, nor any understanding, that I will be asked to be in the administration in the years to come," Christie told CNN's Jake Tapper Sunday on "State of the Union." "My view is, I have got a job to do as governor, and then my intention is to go off to the private sector and to help support my family." Christie previously said he had been offered a job in the administration but that his wife did not want to move to Washington and the job was not interesting enough to sacrifice time with his family. Gaby was born and raised in Argentina. After finishing her vet degree, she decided she wanted to travel and see the world. In 2004 she landed in New Zealand and fell in love with the country. She has made New Zealand her home ever since. After working for Microsoft Licensing for seven years, she decided she would like to explore her creative side. With a passion for creating imaginary characters and showing children the world she was fortunate enough to see, Golly Family was created in 2015. Her desire in making the soft toys is to recreate the special toy you had as a kid; that toy that could not be left behind. To make sure each character is unique, she lovingly crafts each and every one of them. The forced resignation of President Donald Trump's National Security Adviser General Michael Flynn has grabbed headlines, continuing the mainstream media barrage of hyped claims that the November elections were hijacked by sophisticated Russian intelligence agents, working under the personal direction of President Vladimir Putin. Today, the very people who leaked classified National Security Agency intercepts to MSM figures like David Ignatius are admitting that the actual transcripts of the talks between Flynn and the Russian Ambassador in Washington contained nothing indicating criminal misconduct. John Schindler, a former NSA analyst, posted a widely publicized message this week, boasting that "he'll die in jail"--referring to President Trump--because elements in the US intelligence community have declared war on the White House. Are we witnessing a criminal assault against our Constitutional system by a bunch of Obama/Clinton linked "sore losers" who find themselves on the sidelines as the result of the November elections? Has the MSM gone totally over to the dark side? Is the plot against our Constitutional system coming from Moscow schemers or perhaps a network much closer to home, involving former President Barack Obama, George Soros and others who simply cannot believe that they have been cast out by American voters? The rantings of the left that "Hillary Clinton won the popular vote and should have been president" betrays a total lack of understanding of our Constitutional Republic and the history of how we devised the Electoral College. What is more, if you look at a county-by-county map of the country, you see that, outside of California, which Clinton won by 4 million votes, the majority of voters went with Trump. This was a repudiation of both the Bush and Obama presidencies, and the very people who dragged the country into permanent wars and Wall Street bailouts are now looking to bring down a duly elected President. Does this smack of treason? I do not know whether President Trump will actually change the course of the US economy or end our string of permanent wars. I do know that what is being done by this media-led, Obama-inspired, Soros-funded mob is nothing short of an attempted coup d'etat. For once, this morning, I have taken some of President Trump's overnight tweets seriously. Rose Hilliard has joined Audible as executive editor in their Original Publishing division, bolstering their acquisitions of original audiobooks and audio-first projects. She was senior editor at St. Martin's. Jessica Renheim has been promoted to senior editor at Dutton. Publisher Christine Ball said in the announcement, "As you all know she is one of the hardest workers around and she is part of the Dutton fabric." At Viking Children's, Kendra Levin was recently promoted to executive editor while Maggie Rosenthal was promoted to assistant editor. At University of North Carolina Press, Brandon Proia has been promoted to senior editor. Chris Wellbelove will move to Aitken Alexander Associates as an agent next week, from Greene and Heaton. The longtime head of the agency's film and TV department Lesley Thorne has been appointed managing director, and head of translation rights Lisa Baker is joining the board as a director. The agency says it will "seek to appoint another senior agent later in the year." Monika Woods has joined Curtis Brown as a literary agent, and will continue to represent literary and commercial fiction, non-fiction, and food projects. Most recently she was at Inkwell Management. The ABA has nominated two booksellers to join their board for the first time, Kenny Brechner of Devaney Doak & Garrett Booksellers in Farmington, ME and Christine Onorati of WORD in Brooklyn, NY. Current vice president Robert Sindelar of Third Place Books in Lake Forest Park, WA is set to take over as president for a two-year term, and Jamie Fiocco of Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill, NC has been nominated for a second three-year board term and will serve as vice president/secretary. Departing from the board will be current president Betsy Burton, John Evans, and Matthew Norcross. Separately, the ABA has expanded their Booksellers Advisory Council and named 10 booksellers to serve on the newly-created Diversity Task Force . At Workman, James Wehrle has been promoted to the newly-created position of executive director of sales for the Workman and its distribution clients. For the Workman imprint, Chloe Puton moves up to publicity manager, while Megan Harley has been promoted to promotions manager. Shawn Metts has been named vice president of sales at Bookmasters. He was vice president of book sales at F+W Media. He takes over the position from Deb Keets , who is retiring after 17 years with the company. Author, journalist and host of CBC Radio program "The Vinyl Cafe," Stuart McLean , 68, died of melanoma. Viking Canada is his "proud publisher of fourteen books over the past twenty-seven years." His longtime publisher Nicole Winstanley noted "his instantly recognizable voice, wisdom, tender humor, and enormous care." Acquisitions Ingram Content Group's VitalSource announced Help India! New Delhi, (IANS): The Congress on Wednesday moved the Election Commission demanding a probe into allegations by civil rights activist Irom Sharmila that she was approached by a BJP functionary with offer of money to contest the Manipur assembly poll as a party nominee. In a complaint to the poll panel, Secretary of the Legal and Human Rights Department of the Congress K.C. Mittal said the allegations made by Sharmila were grave and very serious. Support TwoCircles Mittal said Sharmila had told the media that she was really selected as BJP candidate and a condition requiring Rs 36 crore was put to her, with the sum being either produced by her or arranged from the Centre. The Congress complaint said Sharmila had told the media that she had turned down the suggestion. It also said that BJP General Secretary Ram Madhav had termed Sharmilas allegations as baseless and an absolute lie but Sharmila had subsequently reiterated her remarks. It is requested that an independent investigation may be conducted by the commission by a high level team, the Congress said in its complaint. The party said the probe team should collect all relevant material and prosecute persons found responsible for such offer of bribe for electoral purposes. It also called for other appropriate action. Sharmila, who fasted for 16 years to demand the repeal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), had announced in January that she will take on Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh in the assembly polls. Manipur will go for two-phased assembly polls in March. Help India! By Saba Syed Hafeez for Twocircles.net We all are in journeywe as humans, as well as our societies and institutions. Our paths and destinations may appear to be different, at least at times, but we all go through an abundance of experiences. At each stop along the way, we rejoice the moment, reflect on the past, and look towards the future. Support TwoCircles It was a cold morning in Delhi on January 5, 1965. A gathering of people was at the Delhi airport to welcome back Dr. Syed Hasan who was returning from America after having spent 10 years there. When he arrived, to everyones astonishment, he landed with no radios, tape recorders, TVs or other fancy American stuff usually expected from those who come back from abroad, but rather 7-8 sandooqs (big storage trunks) filled with books. At that moment, no one could imagine the incredible journey that was about to unfold. Couple of months ago, I was in Kishanganj, India, during INSANs 50th anniversary Golden Jubilee celebrations; with over 150 alumni from different parts of India and abroad. INSANs Shiksha Nagar campus used to be referred as Jhohopron ka Shahar (City of Huts) due its bamboo infrastructure have been replaced by brick-tin cabin like huts, though it still infuses a sense of serenity, a welcome breeze for those of us coming from big cities. The memories of that visit are still freshly wrapped in emotions. It was very heartwarming to see so many of the alumni who had come despite the currency crisis India was then facing. Besides being part of the historic event, many of them came to give their final respect to the founder, Dr. Hasan who had passed away last year on January 25th and to pray Fatiha on his grave. Those who could not physically attend the ceremony sent their hearts by following the events through various social media groups. The intense love at the celebration was palpable everywhere in the atmosphere. We all were part of INSANs expedition with cherished memories and experiences in its path which has enriched our lives. Personally, I was one of the fortunate founding students at the time of inception of INSAN School on the winter morning of November 14, 1966. There were other guests along with alumni who also came to be part of this historic moment and to pay tribute to its founder affectionately known as Syed Bhai (Padam Shri Dr. Syed Hasan). Background INSANs 50 year legacy began as part of the founders voyage to bring the mashal of ilm (torch of knowledge) to this region in January 1965. He had first visited the area back in 1952 and was struck by its state of backwardness, especially in education. After returning from America, he headed to Kishanganj to start his educational and humanitarian mission. When he returned after the long gap, not much had changed. The Kishanganj area is located at a tri-junction of India, Bangladesh, and Nepal. The region not only was far behind compared to the world but also with the rest of the country. The total number of schools and colleges in this geography cutting across parts of Bihar and Bengal, also known as Seemanchal, could be counted on the fingers. After nearly two years of groundwork, INSAN was born as an elementary school with two teachers and 36 students on two rented bamboo huts. For the next 50 years, INSAN would take on a phenomenal journey led by Syed Bhai which would leave a profound impact on millions of lives, and on the region itself, and beyond; and eventually, it would grow to inspire many national socio-educational policies and numerous projects in India and abroad. Most people know INSAN as an educational institution, namely INSAN School, which evolved into INSAN College, and later INSAN Group of Institutions. However, INSAN defined its own unique character, a blend of educational and humanitarian missions, hence its very metaphoric name, INSAN which means human and mankind. INSAN never remained just a typical school or college, which would often throw people off with its many social endeavors such as adult literacy, mental health, criminal reform, and economic upliftment projects. Even its academic programs have powerful humanitarian messages: Insaan bane ge hum insan banayen ge Jeene ke tareeqe ab seekhen ge aur sikhaein ge Pledging to become and teaching to be humans Learning, embracing, and teaching ways to live in harmony Jis me na koi hoga nanga na koi bhooka Ab nai basti hum ayesi basayen ge None will be hungry or unclothed Lets strive now to create such a world Kuch zaat ho kuch mazhab kuch taur tareeqe hon Mil jul kar magar rahna hum sub ko sikhaeyen ge Irrespective of caste and creed, and ways of living Lets strive to reach across and to teach how to live with amity And, these were not merely words or slogans; these were rather a regular part of the student learning process, mantras to live by. For example, everyone at INSAN called each other Bhai (brother) or Bajie (sister) including teachers, students, even kitchen workers or toilet cleaners. Students had to participate in various volunteering work both at and off campus. INSAN creates an atmosphere where people from all backgrounds live, learn, and work together. INSAN also combined the best of eastern-western approach and its curriculum always remained distinct from other institutions; even inspiring adoption by others. Golden Jubilee The Golden Jubilee was also dedicated to the memory of Syed Bhai who couldnt get to see this precious occasion. The six-day program was held on November 13-18, 2016. The first day started with the jubilant mood as alumni, students, staff, and well-wishers let thousands of colorful balloons fly in the sky. As a tribute to the founder, special prayers (Quran Khawani and Fatiha) were performed and an exhibition of the life of Syed Bhai and his mission was inaugurated. In the evening, a light show was held symbolizing his bringing of the mashal of ilm (torch of knowledge) and spreading it to all. The evening was further followed by cultural shows and remained that way for the most of the programs. It was nice to observe our young INSAN brothers and sisters confidently performing at the stage, a reminiscent of our times. Many of these skits had strong educational and humanitarian messages such as issues of female feticide and child labour. All the alumni were charged up as old memories were rekindled and old friends were reunited after several decades. Over the years many of us have also gracefully aged and could not even recognize each other and needed to be introduced. Mansoor Hasan Bhai (batch 1975), who despite his health issues, visited with his wife and son from Kolkata. There were also other seniors and his contemporaries like Hakeem ud Deen Bhai, Nishat Muzaffar Bhai, Shama Ara Bajie, Abrar ul Haque Bhai, Fareed ul Haque Bhai, among others. The mayor of the City of Patna Afzal Imam, MLAs Mujahid Alam, Naushad Alam, Dr. Jawaid Azad, Ghulam Rabbani and former MLA Akhtarul Imaan also graced the occasion. It was great to see that these alumni were making a difference on the legislative front as well. And so did a uncountable number of alumni from various batches including a great number of younger alumni from more recent years who were there; the list is beyond the scope of this article. Besides getting together, having good times, and alumni meetings, some took the stage to show their learned talents, most notably Shakil Kakvi Bhai who considers himself more of a student of Syed Bhai than a former teacher of INSAN. It was great to have Dr. Shashi Bhushan Prasad who sang in Bhojpuri, the duo Ashraf Ali and Mushtaq Ahmed for their impromptu writing and presentation (they wrote a poem on the spot and performed it as spoken poetry). We all got to sing our beloved Tarana, Insan benein ge hum insan banaein ge (Pledging to become and teaching to be humans) with our teary eyes. The Golden Jubilee not just provided the opportunity for alumni and students to meet; it also awakened a desire amongst many to play a contributory role in the continuation and development of their Alma Mater. Many alumni were already engaged behind the scene of INSAN 50 programmes. Some alumni even offered new scholarships to their younger INSAN brother and sisters. INSAN has always been famous for its creativity. It was quite visible in their art and model exhibitions. While the art exhibition by elementary students was colorful expressions of their thoughts on paper, a model exhibition by school and college students reflected the genuine creativity utilizing easily accessible materials like dirt and transforming these simple objects into various models such as the Greenhouse Gas effect, the beautiful island of Bali, and Maya and Harappa civilizations. Some of us who were visiting from abroad wished our kids had the opportunity to work in such creative and engaging projects which they lack even in the American and European institutions. Though these countries are far ahead in creations, designs, innovations, and research on a higher level, these days where commercialized versions of preassembled kits are available for almost everything, they lack these traits for junior level. These students at INSAN were being planted with the seeds of creative thinking and innovation. The theme of the 50th anniversary was selected as Path of Knowledge Path of Humanity (Ilm ki Raah Insaaniyet ki Raah), a combination of two of Syed Bhais write ups which actively sums up his vision. To commemorate this historical moment, and as a part of the broader vision of INSAN and his founder, Path of Knowledge Path of Humanity awards ceremony and symposium was held on the third day, a rare treat for a small rural township like Kishanganj and the first of its kind. The representative of Indias major humanitarian projects, many of them now known internationally, attended the program. Bachpan Bachao Andolan, Barefoot College, Pratham, Rahmani 30, Kainat Foundation, Rapid Action For Human Advancement Tradition (RAHAT) as well as to Doosra Dashak, Maharashtra Cosmopolitan Education Society, Markazul Maarif, Teach for India (the last four in absentia) were honored for their contributions to fellow humans by utilizing the power of knowledge and their innovative approaches. A special INSAN Award was also presented to International Red Cross Red Crescent Movement for their unprecedented legacy of humanitarian contributions. The facilitation of award ceremony had its own distinctive touch as it was not handed by any big government or political figure but rather the entire program was conducted by the representatives of INSAN administration, staff, alumni, and students. Yes, students, whom we are passing this fragile world to and to whom we want to inspire to heel the human suffering and advance humanitarian causes. Dr. Mukhtarul Haque (Bachpan Bachao Andolan), Mr. Ravindra Nath (Barefoot College), Mr. Sanjay Kumar Singh (Pratham), Mr. Naiyer Alam (Pratham), Mr. Dinanath Kumar (Pratham), Maulana Arif Rahmani (Rahmani 30), Mr. Shakil Kakvi (Kainat), Dr. Farhana Begum (RAHAT), ADM Ramji Sah (Red Cross), and Mr. Mickey Saha (Red Cross) participated in these events. INSAN alumni Dr. Nadeem Zafar Jilani who traveled from the UK conducted the symposium. During the program, we had a resident guest, Mr. Ravindra Nath from Rajasthan, who soon became Ravindra Bhai in INSAN tradition. I had a conversation with Mr. Bunker Roy, the founder of Barefoot College, and had invited him. Since he was going to be traveling during our Golden Jubilee programs, he sent his deputy Ravindra Bhai and instructed him to stay there for the entire week. It was interesting to see that Ravindra Bhai soon became like one of us, often surrounded by students, staff, alumni, and other guests sharing his global experiences, hearing ours, and exchanging ideas. Like INSANs founder, Mr. Roy was looking for few deewanas (passionate souls) and Ravindra Bhai joined him after graduating from IIT and had been with Barefoot College for more than 30 years. INSAN has always been on the forefront of women education and their empowerment. During the Golden Jubilee, a special program was also held in this regard led by Dr. Farzana Begum (INSAN alumna and founder of RAHAT which rescues women from human trafficking). Several speakers from local organizations provided valuable advice and resources to the group of women, mostly labourers, and villagers. A special tribute to the founder was beautifully sung by Ms. Arti Jha of RAHAT. Honorable Vice Chancellor Prof. Ejaz Ali Arshad and Registrar Dr. Choudhary Sharfuddin of Maulana Mazharul Haque Arabic and Persian University with of which INSANs college curricula are affiliated also graced the occasion as our honored guests and offered their support to advance the academic programs. Many staff members were also recognized at this occasion. Seemanchal Literary Festival The last two days of November 17 and 18 were organized as Seemanchal International Literary Festival by Kitaab International founded by INSAN alumni and a Singapore-based journalist and writer Zafar Anjum. Zafar wanted to give back to his Alma Mater, region, and pay tribute to the INSAN founder. Hence, the idea of having the literary festival as a show of the continuation of INSAN mission during the Golden Jubilee with the sub-theme of Humanity through Literature came to life. When we think of literary festivals, the first idea that comes to mind is a resort city or major metropolitan. The idea of having an international literary festival in a rural area was unprecedented. Then again that has been the legacy of INSAN and its alumni are continuing to carry the torch. About 20 writers from various parts of India, Singapore, and the UK participated in various panel discussions, book launches, author interviews, and workshop. The festival started with a song by musician and filmmaker Aditya Kriplani, followed by the opening keynote by veteran Singaporean author and journalist Mr. P. N. Balji. Over the next two days, the audience was enthralled by the discussions, readings, and talks featuring Mr. Ziya Us Salam, Anant, Dr. Kamlanand Jha, Dr. Nadeem Zafar Jilani, Ms. Abha Iyengar, Mr. Isa Kamari, Ms. Jayanthi Sankar, Dr. Shafey Kidwai, Ms. Milee Ashwarya, Mr. Rahman Abbas, Mr. Abrar Mujeeb, Ms. Rheea Mukherjee, Mr. Wali Azam Chaudhary and Mr. Zafar Anjum himself, ably moderated by Mr. Debanjan Chakrabarti, Dr. Amir Ullah Khan, Dr. Nazia Hasan, and Dr. Percy Hernandez. A mushaairah (poetry session) was also held to great applause where Dr. Nadeem Zafar Jilani chaired the proceedings, that featured several eminent poets from Kolkata and Araria such as Mr. Abrar Mujeeb, Mr. Deen Raza Akhtar, Ms. Rehana Nawab, Mr. Shameem Anjum Warsi, Mr. Shamsul Hoda Masoom. On this occasion, Dr. Nadeem Jilani, Mr. Shefa Syed Hafeez, Ms. Mooneeba Ahmed also presented their poems, dedicated to Syed Bhai and his INSAN mission. On the second days evening, a few short films by Filmwallas and a feature film based on a Shakespearean work (courtesy the British Council, Kolkata) were shown. A documentary on the life of Syed Bhai was also presented by Ms. Moonisa Ahmed. The festival also included the launch of two new titles, published by Kitaab: Tweet by Singaporean novelist Mr. Isa Kamari and Horizon Afar by Singaporean Tamil author Ms. Jayanti Sankar. An inspiring special creative writing workshop was held for school children by Ms. Abha Iyenger. A small bazaar consisting of bookstores and art and craft works were also set up by Kitaab International, Goodword Books and an Assamese NGO, Rural Welfare Society, that had specially come down to participate in the Golden Jubilee celebrations. Near the end of the ceremony, an additional 7th day was added to recognize students for their performance in various academic, sports, and other extra curricular activities. Similarly, staff and teachers were also recognized for their services and dedication to the INSAN cause. Abdul Ahad Bhai, the longest serving teacher, was honoured with a special recognition. He had joined INSAN in 1967. Many workers who are also essential to INSAN family such as those helping in various cleaning, maintenance, and kitchen tasks were thrilled to come to the stage and get the recognition for their contributions. Besides certificates and awards, some prizes also included monetary gifts which were offered by our long time well-wisher and Syed Bhais younger brother, Mr. Shafique Naiyer who was visiting from the USA. Typically, each year INSAN celebrates its anniversary with various arts, debate, models, sports, and stage presentations and competitions. This year Syed Bhais Exhibition, Path of Knowledge Path of Humanity Awards-Symposium, and Seemanchal International Literary Festival have added features that were part of a tribute to Syed Bhai. While the exhibition was an invaluable reflection of his past, a literary festival was a form of the continuation of his mission, honoring humanity was part of his vision forward. Our founder often reminded us that Today the world has more educated people, doctors, engineers, scientists, PhDs, and we are now more scientifically and technically advanced than ever before. We have created more wealth and excess than ever before, but still, humanity is crying everywhere. Syed Bhai lived to be 91 and certainly has seen worst, but he was also a very positive and action-oriented person and led the way to tremendous changes. The most valuable resource any society has is Insan humans themselves; education plays a vital role in developing these precious assets. The INSANs Golden Jubilee was a special moment to honour our legacy, celebrate the present, embrace the future, and salute others honourable services to mankind. After a remarkable 50 years, though at times challenging, and we look forward to many more 50 years to come in the path of knowledge and humanity. Thank you, Syed Bhai, for bringing those boxes of books and leading us in the path of humanity with the torch of knowledge! Saba Syed Hafeez is an INSAN alumnus and son of the INSAN founder, Dr. Syed Hasan. He is engaged in hunger, homelessness, and educational causes in America. Help India! By Raqib Hameed Naik, TwoCircles.net New Delhi: The Prime Ministers Office (PMO) has denied providing information regarding the number of employees from minority communities currently employed with it citing non-availability of information. Support TwoCircles The PMO consist of the immediate staff of the Prime Minister of India, as well as multiple levels of support staff reporting to the Prime Minister. The reply was given by the PMO in an RTI filed by TwoCircles.net staff reporter seeking information on the community wise breakup i.e Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, Sikhs, Parsis and Jain along with their Rank/position. The RTI had also asked for providing list of schedule caste and schedule tribe employees. The PMO in its reply said that there are currently 399 officials working with it and said that their details such as name, designation is available on their official website of PMO. But when we searched for the 399 employees, we found the names of only 41 employees listed on the site. Out of these 41 people, only one Muslim name: Syed Ekram Rizwi, Director, RTI, figures in the list. Besides, the PMO further replied that officers/officials working in PMO, falling under the category of minority community or belonging to SC/ST category is scattered in different files and is not available in a compiled form. The PMO feels that compilation of data from several records will disproportionately divert the public resources. It would attack provisions of section 7(9) of the RTI ACT, 2005, the reply says. Section 7(9) of the Right to Information Act, 2005, says that an information shall ordinarily be provided in the form in which it is sought unless it would disproportionately divert the resources of the public authority or would be detrimental to the safety or preservation of the record in question. Last month, the office of Ministry of Minority Affairs in an RTI reply revealed that only eight minority employees-seven Muslims and one Christian-out of total 74 employees were employed with it. Help India! By Amit Kumar, Twocircles.net Until April 22, 2003, Habeeb Hawas life was no different from the thousands around him. A 29-year-old born and brought up in Ahmedabad, Hawa ran a business dealing with electrical wiring, and in his free time, he would help various social organisations. He had got married three years ago and both him and his wife were enrolled at IGNOU: Habeeb had his exams for graduation a few days later, while his wife was preparing for her M.Com final year. Support TwoCircles And then, Hawa got a police call. His life was about to nosedive into a hell specially reserved for innocent Muslims in India: not that he knew it then. The police called and said that I needed to file an answer for a query they had. I was confused because I had no clue, but then I thought there is no harm in going to the police station. I had been working in the relief committee for post-Godhra riots, and I had spoken to the local police so I went again. I knew these people (the cops), says Hawa in a conversation with Twocircles.net. Except that when he reached the police station, he was a taken to another place which was unfamiliar. There were about 50 Muslims detained in the place. When I spoke to the others, they too seemed clueless. One cop jokingly said, The chessboard is in place, now we need to place the pawns in the right place. Also, every few hours one of us would be picked, beaten black and blue and he would never return, Habeeb, now 43, says. On the night of 24 and 25, Habeeb was beaten and tortured and asked to sign blank papers. Of course, he refused. I had been a simple, social worker and a small-time businessman. I wasnt ready to surrender for any crime that I did not know about, he says. Then, the police did something he could have never imagined (until then at least). I was made to sit in a room which had a black glass, so I could see outside but the ones outside couldnt see me. Then, I saw my father and my wife sitting there. I was told to sign the papers and told that if I refused to do so, my father would be arrested, Habeeb says. Then, to rub salt into my wounds, they made me speak to my father and made me confess. My father was in tears, he shouted at me, cried loudly and said he could have never imagined that he had a traitor in the house. He kept crying. Imagine, my father was crying in front of me, but I had to keep quiet because I wanted to ensure his safety, says Habeeb, his voice shaking when reminded of the incident. From there on, he was produced in the sessions court the next day and sent to police remand for investigation and questioning. For the next three months, they did not torture me. They did not even ask anything; after all, they knew what charges they would level against me. They gave me regular meals also, says Habeeb. Three months later, he found that he had been booked under POTA as one of the 21 people accused of masterminding the Ahmedabad Tiffin Blasts in May 2002. In 1992, I was 19 years old and had wanted to join the Army. In fact, I cleared all my exams also, but to some issue regarding my age and/or birth certificate, I could not join. So, I decided to help the society in other ways and decided to do social work in my free time. I volunteered with a Hindu social organisation and was the lone Muslim to work with them. I volunteered in the post-earthquake relief measures in 2001, and after the riots in 2002. When I sat in the court, hearing the charges, I kept wondering about all this. Why me? What did I do? I was accused of conspiring against my own country, my own state, my own people. Why? says Habeeb. At that time, his father was also under the impression that he was guilty. Once he was sent to jail, the first thing he did was to speak to his family and tell him what happened. My father and wife cried so much when I told them the truth, and how I had been framed. My father said he was relieved that his son was innocent. Now, they had to prove it in the court, he says. With Habeeb in jail, his father and wife had to find ways to earn a living and sustain the family. So, Habeebs father went back to repairing fans and other electrical goods from home again at the age of 70, while his wife started taking tuition classes in the neighbourhood. When the trial began, Habeeb thought he would get justice since he was innocent. Or so he thought. The case went on for three years, during which we saw 16 of the 21 accused get acquittal from the court. Initially, I was so taken aback that I refused to talk to people or participate in any activity in jail. However, I soon realised that I can carry on with my social work here too, and since we are all here for the long haul, I can get back to studies. The POTA court sentenced five including Habeeb to 10 years imprisonment, and the order was challenged by both the Gujarat government as well as the accused. Over the next four years, I studied and taught while being in jail. I am proud to have more than 23 degrees awarded to me from a number of universities. People who came as illiterates in jail were able to read the newspaper thanks to my classes, Haneef says. However, in 2011 the Gujarat HC increased the punishment for four of the five to life imprisonment while acquitting the fifth person. I believe that our lawyers made some crucial mistakes while fighting our cases in the POTA court and the High Court. For example, when our case went to the Supreme Court, our lawyers informed the court that I was accused of driving around in a car on the day of the blasts, even though the there was a curfew in Ahmedabad as proven by police records. Simple things like these can save someones life, Habeeb says. He adds that had it not been for the support of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, there was no chance they would have been able to appeal to the Supreme Court. I will thank President of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind Maulana Syed Arshad Madani and Secretary Jamiat Ulema Maharashtra Legal Aid Committee Gulzar Azmi for the rest of my life. Without them, we would have remained in jail for the rest of our life, Habeeb adds. Habeebs only comfort came from the two weeks that he would be allowed to go out on parole every year; and in February this year, Habeeb was finishing his parole on February 2 and was on his bike when his phone rang. You have been acquitted of all charges Bhai, said the voice from the other side. I parked my bike and cried loudly. After all these years, the Supreme Court had proven that I had never been a terrorist. I went back to the Central jail at 4 pm and turned myself in since my parole had got over and I was still a prisoner. I stayed for six more days, and then I stepped out for good, says Habeeb. Now back with his family, Habeeb says he wants to restart his business so that his father and wife do not have to work anymore. They have suffered a lotmy father is 82 years old now and deserves to rest, he says. But even after all these years, Habeeb says he will remain committed to social causes and helping the people in as many ways as possible. I am still an Indian, right? I will never stop helping peoplethanks to my friends and families from all religion that I am free today, he says and added that he wants to set up a computer training centre to help the youth in his area. However, at the same time, Habeeb says that he has no plans of filing for compensation for all the lost years. I have no energy left for a case now. At least I am free; so many in the jail cannot even claim that. I have lost a lot, now I want to spend the rest of my life peacefully, he says. Help India! New Delhi, (IANS): The Centre on Thursday urged the Supreme Court to examine whether the practice of talaq-e-bidat (instantaneous triple talaq), nikah halala and polygamy were in conformity with the right to equality before law and protection of life and personal liberty guaranteed to the Muslim women under the Constitution. Article 14 of the Constitution guarantees right to equality before law and Article 21 guarantees protection of life and personal liberty. Support TwoCircles Even as the Centre submitted five questions to examine the validity of the triple talaq, a bench of Chief Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar, Justice N.V. Ramana and Justice D.Y. Chandrachud hinted that they may refer the entire issue to a Constitution Bench. Hinting that the matter could be heard by a five-judge bench, Chief Justice Khehar said: This is such an important issue it cant be scuttled. Every issue has so many nuances and we have to take into consideration each one of them, the bench observed in the course of the hearing on Thursday. The Centre also urged the court to examine whether Article 25 (1) was subject to Part III of the Constitution spelling out the Fundamental Rights, particularly the right to equality before law and protection of life and personal liberty. Article 25 guarantees freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion. Article 25(1) says: Subject to public order, morality and health and to other provisions of this Part (Fundamental Rights) all persons are equally entitled to freedom of conscience and the right freely to profess, practice and propagate religion. In another question, the Centre urged the top court to examine whether personal law is a law under Article 13 of the Constitution, which says that laws inconsistent with or in derogation of the Fundamental Rights would be void. The top court has been urged to spell out whether practice of talaq-e-bidat, nikah halala and polygamy were compatible with Indias obligations under the international treaties and covenants to which it is a signatory. The Union government earlier told the court that triple talaq, nikaah halala and polygamy, as practiced by the Muslims in India, were not integral to the practices of Islam or essential religious practices. The fact that Muslim countries where Islam is the state religion have undergone extensive reforms goes on to establish that the practice in question cannot be regarded as integral to the practices of Islam or essential religious practices, the Centre had earlier told the top court in its affidavit. The government had cited the instances of changes in marriage laws in Iran, Egypt, Indonesia, Turkey, Tunisia, Morocco, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan. The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) affidavit on September 2 last defended both polygamy and triple talaq, saying courts have no jurisdiction to examine the issue as it relates to their religion based on the Quran and Sharia law. Contending that the practice of one religion cannot be compared with other religion as it is unique feature of ones religion, the AIMPLB had reiterated that it was only Parliament that could deal with personal law and that it cant be interpreted by courts. The Board earlier told the top court that the practice of triple talaq and polygamy were a social need and a blessing and not a curse for women. Directing for the next hearing on March 30, the court asked lawyers for both sides to submit their issues backed by short reasons and judgments they would relying on to the Attorney General. The court also urged the lawyers of both the sides to split the issues they wish to address among themselves so that the hearing could be completed within allotted time. Blasting News, one of the largest global social News publishers, today announced that they have selected comScore validated Campaign Essentials (vCE) to identify and remove fraudulent traffic in order to give Blasting News clients increased confidence that their ads have the opportunity to make an impact with a real and validated audience. The invalid traffic plague is a serious issue on the web. According to a 2015 report by the IAB invalid traffic caused advertisers to lose no less than $4.2 billion each year. Blasting News has integrated since its inception anti-bot technologies across its audience measurement systems, in order to create a safe place for brands and advertisers. However, invalid traffic generators are getting more sophisticated by the day, which is one of the reasons comScore has been selected to track reader flows and filter any invalid traffic activity on the Blasting News website. In November 2016, comScore was granted accreditation by the Media Rating Council (MRC) for Sophisticated Invalid Traffic (SIVT*) detection and filtration of desktop and mobile web traffic. comScore is the first company to offer both content and campaign measurement leveraging MRC-accredited SIVT filtration, providing the market with consistent and filtered metrics for the planning, buying, selling, and evaluation of Digital advertising. If advertising isnt reaching a real person, thats a real problem. We want to have 100% real human traffic, with no compromise. From now on, comScore will measure all Blasting News traffic and provide actionable data to help us take immediate action. That means that advertisers can be confident that they are only paying for human audiences on their campaigns, thanks to the metrics comScore provides said Andrea Manfredi, CEO of Blasting News. Timur Yarnall, SVP Advertising, comScore, added: Sophisticated IVT (SIVT) detection is extremely important due to how complex and fast-changing fraud techniques have become. comScore is committed to help our clients defend their business against these advanced techniques of malpractice and provide a safe, high quality environment for digital advertising. To learn more about comScore vCE, please visit http://www.comscore.com/Products/Advertising-Analytics/validated-Campaign-Essentials-2 or contact us. * The MRCs definition of Sophisticated IVT includes traffic identified through advanced analytics, multipoint corroboration, human interventionsuch as hijacked devices, ad tags, or creative; adware; malware; misappropriated content. About Blasting News Blasting News is the largest global social news publisher set up in mid-2013, it is now the 142nd most visited websites in the world, thanks to 100+ million monthly unique on-site visitors. Blasting News has readers in five continents, offices in London, New York, Sao Paulo, Milan, Rome, and soon Singapore and a brand new US Edition - Blasting News US - recently launched. Blasting News is a new disruptive concept of journalism, being made by the people, for the people. News is produced by delocalized freelance contributors (Blasters), fact-checked and curated by a quality team of senior professionals. Furthermore, news is distributed by Social Blasters, a global team of top digital influencers. All the processes are fuelled by the crowd, without any central newsroom - thanks to an extensive use of technology (the core stages are managed by algorithms, some of which are patent-pending). About comScore comScore is a leading cross-platform measurement company that precisely measures audiences, brands and consumer behaviour everywhere. comScore completed its merger with Rentrak Corporation in January 2016, to create the new model for a dynamic, cross-platform world. Built on precision and innovation, our unmatched data footprint combines proprietary digital, TV and movie intelligence with vast demographic details to quantify consumers multiscreen behavior at massive scale. This approach helps media companies monetize their complete audiences and allows marketers to reach these audiences more effectively. With more than 3,200 clients and global footprint in more than 75 countries, comScore is delivering the future of measurement. Shares of comScore stock are currently traded on the OTC Market (OTC:SCOR). For more information on comScore, please visit comscore.com. The European Commission (EC) has given the UK a final warning over pollution levels, with 16 cities exceeding Air Pollution limits including London, Birmingham, Leeds and Glasgow. Germany, France, Italy and Spain have also been served with warnings. With the EC saying that it could take the matter further to the European Court of Justice (ECJ), if they did not work to resolve the issue. Per EU law if a member breaks the air pollution level then it must implement air quality plans to bring that level back down. Public health warnings Within the EU approximately 400,000 premature deaths are directly linked to air pollution levels and since the Montreal Protocol and last years Kigali Amendment, global organisations have been working to improve air toxicity levels for decades. Friends of the Earth stated that its shameful that the UK breached limits, with post-Brexit concerns over domestic legislation. Over 40,000 people die each year prematurely in Britain, around 10,000 of those alone are Londoners. These are known as attributable deaths and it is estimated that you are 6% more likely to die prematurely if you live in a city with high air pollution, however, the figure can range anywhere between 1 - 12% in reality. Whilst the statistics arent fully reliable it is the only model that we can go on. The BBC produced a short video on air pollution and entirely undermined the figures being branded, and this could theoretically lead to a distrust of figures produced in the future that could undermine tackling air pollution levels. Whilst it is difficult to quantify the amount of premature deaths that are caused by air pollution, the effects are scientifically backed up. Despite the great strides made since the Montreal Protocol, there is still a significant amount of work to be done and more research must be carried out to determine how severe the effects are. Post-Brexit Within the European Union (EU) we must abide by EU law when it comes to air pollution levels and because 16 of our cities have breached those laws, the EC have issued us with a final warning. The concern comes with what the government plans after the UK has left the EU, because the Brexit White Paper made little mention of environmental or climate change issues. The Great Repeal Bill will be used to remove all EU regulations and legislation that has been built into our laws, with the government saying they will implement measures that will protect Britain. However, with the approval of fracking, nuclear and defunding of renewables such as solar power through taxes, it is questionable that they will pursue with important environmental measures. President-elect Donald Trump mistakenly directed a tweet intended for his daughter Ivanka Trump to a woman that shares her name who lives in Brighton. The forty-fifth president of the United States quoted a tweet that was praising his daughter by Lawrence Goodstein from Massachusetts but tagged the wrong person. The wrong handle Instead of tagging his daughter, Trump tagged Ivanka Majic, a council worker from Brighton. Majic was asleep when Trump tagged her in a tweet. She woke up to countless notifications. When Ivanka Majic woke up, she responded to Trump by stating: "@realDonaldTrump @drgoodspine you're a man with great responsibilities. May I suggest more care on Twitter and more time learning about #climatechange". Although thousands of people have commented on Trump's mistake, the president-elect is yet to delete the tweet or acknowledge his mistake. Trump was live tweeting his daughter's interview with CNN when he made the error. The president-elect recently took umbrage with CNN for reporting on unsubstantiated reports by Buzzfeed. Ivanka Majic's previous activity on Twitter was a response urging people to vote in an upcoming restaurant competition in Brighton. Ironically, she tweeted: "Made the local newspaper. Fame at last". Meanwhile, Ivanka Trump, who worked closely with her father throughout his campaign to become the forty-fifth present of the United States, seemed oblivious to the mistake of her father. CNN are set to release a series of programmes about the Trump family, with features on her two older brothers being released in the coming weeks. The @POTUS Twitter Handle As of Friday, the multi-billionaire will have the option of taking over the official @POTUS Twitter account. However, Trump has more followers - over 20,000,000 compared to the @POTUS account which has 13,500,000-on his personal account. At the time of publishing, Trump has yet to indicate whether he will switch accounts. Sean Spicer, the incoming press secretary, told CNN that Trump will probably "be tweeting from both accounts". The president-elect was previously hacked on Twitter in 2013. According to the former EU Commissioner Lord Peter Mandelson, prime minister Theresa May has opted to "appease" Brexit supporting right-wing newspapers rather than seeking the best exit deal for the British public. The former Labour cabinet minister lambasted the prime minster's EU' exit strategy ahead of her landmark speech today. Avoiding tough decisions Moreover, Lord Mandelson accused May of "ducking the difficult choices", suggesting that there was a division opening up between Ms. May and her Chancellor Phillip Hammond over her determination to leave the European Union's single market. Lord Mandelson said that May could have made different choices which wouldn't have placed Britain's interests at risk "but then she [May] would have had to face her cheerleaders at the Daily Mail or The Sun". In contrast to Lord Peter Mandelson's frustrations with the prime minister, Ukip's new leader Paul Nutall declared his fondness of Theresa May by praising the job she has done so far. "I like what I'm hearing, her words are giving me confidence that we are going to have a clean break with the European Union". Lord Mandelson continued to suggest that "the chancellor and many members of the cabinet" were opposed to leaving the single market and customs union. A hard Brexit "May is pretending that the difficult choices the government has to make simply don't exist. If she doesn't know what a hard Brexit is, let me tell her what it is. It's when U.K. goods suddenly face tariffs of as much as ten percent or more in our biggest export market, it is when new customs barriers add cost and delays to exports. A hard Brexit is when financial and other services can't access the EU market because EU regulators don't accept the equivalent of the new UK regulatory scheme". The comments came on Radio 4's Today programme before Theresa May set out a list of twelve negotiating priorities for withdrawal talks. Those negotiating priorities are: President Donald Trump has jettisoned a twenty-year-old US commitment to the establishment of a Palestinian state, showing an alarming lack of understanding of Middle Eastern politics in the process. During a Press Conference with Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump didn't dismiss a two-state solution but stated that he had no preference over the geography of the region. 'I have no preference over the solution' Trump said: 'We're looking at either a two-state solution or a one-state solution. I have no preference. I like the solution that both parties like. We will encourage peace in the region. We will be working diligently with Israel and Palestine. However, it is the parties that must arrive at a settlement. I'm happy if they are happy'. Trump continued, chastising Palestinians for teaching their children to hate Israel from a young age. However, Trump didn't commit to moving the US embassy in Israel to Jerusalem-a long term demand of right-leaning parties in both the US and Israel. 'Abandoning the two-state solution would be a disaster' The flippant abandonment of US commitments to the two-state solution caught Palestine by surprise. Saeb Erekat, a senior Palestinian negotiator, said undermining the long-term strategy would come with severe consequences. Erekat said: 'Those people that believe that we can abandon the two-state solution and replace it with one state and two systems have a severe lack of understanding of Middle Eastern politics. It is impossible. I firmly believe that undermining the two-state solution would be a disaster. It would be a tragedy for both Israelis and Palestinians. Benjamin Netanyahu is currently facing a corruption investigation in Israel. On Wednesday, Netanyahu was able to bask in the overwhelming praise of President Donald Trump, who promised a 'lot of love' between Israel and the United States- a world away from the fractured relationship Netanyahu shared with Barack Obama. Similarly, Donald Trump faces pressure from the media. Over the past week, leaked documents have alleged that Donald Trump's campaign team was in regular contact with Russian intelligence agencies. DeVos Understands the Needs of Special Needs Children In "I Was A Disabled Student Educated In The Public School System & Betsy DeVos Doesn't Understand The Needs Of Disabled Kids In Public Schools," a graduate of Pitt County Schools and UNC Chapel Hill explains why she opposes Trump education secretary nominee Betsy DeVos. While her story is a moving and instructive one, Ms. Lu, like most folks who object to DeVos' nomination, fails to offer a compelling case against DeVos.Wendy Lu describes herself as aShe received her master's degree in journalism at Columbia University last year and now is a lifestyle fellow at Bustle, a publicationLu knocks DeVos for her lack of public school experience, advocacy for school choice, family's financial and political ties, and most notably her responses to questions about the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), a federal law that requires public schools to provided services to students with special needs. Lu believes that DeVosI would argue that DeVos' responses to questions about IDEA during the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee hearing do not support that conclusion.DeVos never said that she would jettison IDEA or gut legal protections for disabled students. During the HELP hearing, she told New Hampshire Senator Maggie Hassan, thatThere is no reason to doubt DeVos' sincerity.One of the more widely reported exchanges from the HELP Committee hearing occurred between DeVos and Virginia Senator Tim Kaine. As part of his underlying strategy, Kaine tried to coax DeVos into saying that private schools, particularly private schools that receive voucher funding, should be required to follow IDEA. Unlike district and charter schools, private schools are not required to abide by federal special education law, even if they enroll special needs students. Apparently, Kaine would like nothing better than to stick it to private schools who dare undertake the challenging task of serving special needs students.Twice DeVos responded that it was a matter "best left to the states." Admittedly, it was not clear what "matter" she had referenced because Kaine's line of questioning dealt with multiple matters - the broad implementation of IDEA, the imposition of IDEA on all private schools, and the imposition of IDEA on private schools that receive taxpayer funding. My take is that DeVos believes that states should have the option of requiring private schools to follow IDEA if they receive taxpayer funding to serve special needs students. While I strongly disagree with that notion, I hardly believe that DeVos' response was inexplicable, let alone grounds for disqualification or ridicule.If DeVos is suggesting that states should have more discretion in the implementation of services for special needs students, then I think she has a point. Last year, the N.C. General Assembly allocated around $800 million in state taxpayer funding for special education programs, compared to around $300 million in IDEA grants from the federal government. Yet, despite our disproportionate contribution to the enterprise, federal laws and regulations dictate how the state serves the approximately 200,000 students who receive services from exceptional children programs in district and charter schools. How much of our state's investment in exceptional children must be used simply to comply with federal IDEA regulations? Perhaps the constraints imposed by IDEA stifle innovation and thus compromise the quality of special education services our district and charter schools provide.Of course, DeVos strongly supports one innovative approach - special education vouchers. If parents are not satisfied with the services their children receive in their public schools, they should have the opportunity and resources to select schools that better meets the needs of their children. Currently, over 800 special needs students in North Carolina receive up to $8,000 to attend the private school of their choice through the Disabilities Grant Program.At the end her piece, Wendy Lu reveals her objections to DeVos go far beyond her perceived lack of knowledge about special education policy.Lu writes,DeVos' race, gender, and socioeconomic status are as indisputable as they are irrelevant. Her record of championing school choice for underprivileged and special needs children stuck in failing schools suggests that she does understand and truly cares about the needs of marginalized communities, just not in the way demanded by Lu, teacher unions, and Democrats of immense privilege who are hell-bent in derailing her nomination. Gianni Pittella, the leader of the socialist group in European parliament, has lambasted Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn's decision to implement a three-line whip to support the triggering of article 50. Pittella lamented Corbyn's stance on Europe, stating that he wished Corbyn was 'more European'. Pittella: Corbyn should have fought harder for amendments Pittella, who leads the second largest group in European parliament, will meet with Jeremy Corbyn next week in London. Pittella stated that he would have fought harder for amendments to be added to the Brexit bill. Just over one-fifth of Labour MPs voted against granting Prime Minister Theresa May the power to start the formal exit process-in turn, they defied Corbyn's three-line whip. Corbyn was mocked after supporting the bill when he tweeted: 'The real fight starts here'. Pittella stated that he understood Corbyn's perilous position but suggested that Corbyn has not done enough to ensure Britain gets the best deal. Pittella said: 'I hoped that Corbyn had a better plan. I do understand the position that Corbyn has been put in'. Pittella continued, stating: We plan to forge a progressive alliance with the greens, with the NGOs, trade unions, social enterprises. We are very interested in collaborating with Corbyn on these issues. The United Kingdom remains an important country in Europe even if it is not in the European Union. We need to work together to ensure that we secure the best deal for the people of Europe'. Labour resigned to attempting to force the government to make concessions When asked about Labour's recent abject polling ratings-YouGov found Ukip and the Conservative Party above Labour in low-income families for the first time in history-Pittella replied that 'he hoped that things can turn around because Corbyn is a visionary leader that can deliver a great future for The United Kingdom'. Sir Kier Starmer, the shadow secretary of state for exiting the European Union, said: 'Labour will not look to frustrate the exit process. We will look to force the government to making concessions in order to avoid a Tory hard Brexit'. Political reporter Scott Conroy is shopping the scripts for the first and second episodes of an eight or ten-part limited drama series based on the Presidential campaign of Donald Trump around US TV networks, and theyre selling like hot cakes that only one person gets to buy in the end. The title of the proposed series is Trump: It Happened Here, and its a docudrama using headline stories from the past year or so to recreate the shady, scandalous, controversial campaign. Trumps unexpected road to the White House seemed impossible, and thatll make for really great Television. A twisted underdog story, flipping the convention that you root for the Balboa-style underdog and instead fear for the safety of the world. The series opens over a decade ago Deadline has managed to get a hold of the script and read it. The opening scene is reality television producer Mark Burnett pitching The Apprentice to NBC as Survivor meets Friends. He wants real estate magnate billionaire Donald Trump to present the show. The scripts also contain a scene featuring then-President Barack Obama at the 2011 White House Correspondents Dinner, which some believe is the speech that inspired Trump to run in the next election so that he could undo Obamas legacy. Theres plenty of Jeb Bush being humiliated into the script, and Mike Murphy facing the wrath of Trump. Theres also a scene with Kellys Starbucks order, regarding the conspiracy theory that Trump drugged her the day that she moderated the first Republican debate when she was still at Fox News. Steve Bannon, trolling against whom Trump particularly lashes out at above anyone else who gets trolled, is described in the script as paunchy, looking like he hasnt shaved in two weeks and probably scooped up his wrinkled blue blazer off of his hotel room floor that morning. Conroy also has a book coming out Political journalist Conroy has quite a few impressive entries on his resume beyond his new Trump script. He used to be the senior political correspondent for The Huffington Post and now writes for Real Clear Politics. He also has a book due to be published imminently entitled Vote First or Die. His brilliant writing places you right at the Sarah Palin and Mitt Romney rallies that he reported from. His Trump dialogue is quite on point. His advisors tell him to appear Presidential, and he says, while he noshes on a Big Mac (symbol of American capitalism) like a zoo animal (Conroys words), Dont worry about it. Im going to be so Presidential, you wont believe it. One pivotal scene recreates the shocking moment in which Trump mocked a New York Times reporter for being disabled. Theres a scene at the CNN headquarters in which Jeff Zucker tells his team that Hillary Clinton is guaranteed to beat Trump to the White House, and calls covering that Boring City, which sets off a chain of events that sees fake news and unfair coverage tip the scales in Trumps favour and cost Clinton the election. This is not Conroys first foray into television Conroy has most recently written a political comedy for Verizon go90 called Embeds, co-produced with Hollywood powerhouse Michael De Luca and ex-Fox News top-liner Megyn Kelly, while Trump has most recently undone four decades of anti-corruption fighting. mobile operator EE has been fined 2,700,000 by the telecommunications regulator, Ofcom, for overcharging thousands of Customers in the United Kingdom. The telecommunications watchdog found that one of Britain's biggest mobile networks had broken a billing rule on several separate occasions. A catalogue of errors EE users who contacted the 150 customer services phone number whilst in the European Union were erroneously charged as if they had called the United States. Consequently, customers were charged 1.20 a minute rather than 19p per minute. That meant that more than 32,000 customers were overcharged for an estimated total of 245,000. Although calls and texts to the 150 customer services phone number became free on the 15th November 2015, EE continued to bill more than 7,600 customers until the 11th January 2016. Ofcom's consumer group director, Lindsey Fussell said: "We all rely on big businesses to get the simplest things right and that certainly includes the right bills. We uncovered a catalogue of errors... quite simply, mistakes like this are completely unacceptable. With the fine, we hope to send a clear message to the industry: overcharging customers will not be tolerated". The fine will go to the treasury. When asked by reporters if she believed fining multi-million-pound companies worked, Fussell stated: "We think that the fine is sizable and should act as a deterrent in the future". EE contrite EE, the sponsors of the BAFTAs, responded by releasing a statement. "We wholeheartedly accept the findings of the report and we apologise unreservedly to all those affected by the charges. We have put measures in place to prevent this from occurring again. For those customers that we couldn't identify, we donated the remaining fees to charitable causes in line with Ofcom's guidelines. Providing the best network experience and customer service is our priority. On this occasion, we have failed our customers but we have put preventative measures in place. We assure our customers that this won't happen again". At this stage, the majority of the customers affected by overcharging have been refunded, although EE couldn't identify around 6,900 people who were more than 60,000 out of pocket. Former Labour leader Ed Milliband said: "This is a fantastic result for the common people in the face of big business". EE donated 62,000 to charity as a peace offering, but Ofcom has demanded that EE makes a concerted effort to trace down every customer that was overcharged.Similarly, in October, Ofcom fined Vodafone a record 4.6 million for a "serious breach of consumer protection rules". The BRAVE Act creates incentives for businesses to employ our veterans Contact: Daniel Keylin Daniel Keylin daniel_keylin@tillis.senate.gov WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) introduced the Boosting Rates of American Veterans Employment (BRAVE) Act, bipartisan legislation that would support job creation for America's veterans.said Senator Tillis.said Senator Baldwin.The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) establishes long-term contracts with private businesses for medical equipment, supplies, services and more. Currently, the VA gives preference for these contracts to veteran-owned small businesses, however it does not give preference to businesses that actively employ veterans.The BRAVE Act would change that and allow the VA to consider the proportion of veterans employed by a prospective contractor when awarding federal contracts. The VA Secretary would have the authority to give preference to businesses that employ veterans on a full-time basis, and the VA would determine the preference for a business based on their percentage of full-time veteran employees.The bipartisan legislation would also encourage and incentivize VA contractors to employ veterans on a full-time basis. In addition, the Baldwin-Tillis legislation provides oversight of VA contractors and would allow for a 5-year debarment from contracting for those who knowingly misrepresent their proportion of veteran employees.The BRAVE Act is supported by The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Military Order of the Purple Heart, The American Legion - Department of Wisconsin and the VFW - Department of Wisconsin.The BRAVE Act companion legislation (H.R. 974) led by Rep. Kathleen Rice (D-NY) and Rep. Paul Cook (R-CA) passed the House of Representatives last night. With the Midterm Elections less than one week away: What do you consider the top issues that you will be voting on to be corrected by your better representation? Education Crime Big Government getting Bigger Biden /Democrat controlled Spike in Energy Cost Inflation created by Legislation of Majority in Power Gender Reassignment Corrupted Bureaucratic /Service (DOJ, FBI, etc.) Institutions Abortion Discredited Legacy Media Ending the Corruption of Dishonest Politicians Corruptive Influence of Social Media Wide Open Southern Border Poker & Pop Culture: Bluffing With Bombs During the Cold War February 16 2017 Martin Harris Many poker players like to say how poker is more than just a game, it's a way of life. Even so, a lot of them probably wouldn't think to claim that poker might have had something to do with life continuing to exist on this planet. Several years ago, shortly after the publication of James McManus's excellent history of poker, Cowboys Full (2009), I spoke with him about the book. Among the many topics we addressed was the argument his book persuasively puts forth that poker is, in fact, more than "just a game." When I asked McManus about that, he referenced the significant role poker played during the Cold War when prolonged tension between the United States and the Soviet Union saw each side continuing to develop and build up nuclear arsenals capable of destroying civilization many times over. "If nuclear stand-offs are resolved by one nuclear-armed leader bluffing another, and the logic of his advisors is based on game theory which is itself based on poker... there's absolutely no way you can think of poker as just a game," McManus explained. "It has ramifications that go infinitely beyond what happens on the felt with the chips and the money," he continued. "There are tens of millions of lives at stake, and how that drama plays out and crisis is averted occurs as the result of the same logic and psychology that poker players use. And we use the same language 'bluff,' 'laydown,' and so on to describe both activities. So that, to me, is a knock-down argument for the idea that poker is not just a game." Let's back up a little to look at the sequence of connections McManus was alluding to the ones linking poker, game theory and high-stakes negotiations during the Cold War and think a little further about this notion that poker (perhaps) might have already saved us all. Poker and Game Theory When McManus referred to advisors drawing on game theory in their recommendations to leaders, he was specifically alluding to Oskar Morgenstern, the German-born economist and mathematician who emigrated to the U.S. during the 1930s and would later serve as an advisor to President Dwight D. Eisenhower during the 1950s. Morgenstern had been living and working as a professor in Vienna, and in fact it was during a visit to the United States in 1938 that Adolf Hitler took over Austria, prompting Morgenstern to remain in America where he'd eventually join the faculty at Princeton University. At Princeton, Morgenstern would meet another academic emigre, the Hungarian-born mathematician John von Neumann. Back in 1928, von Neumann had published a study in German titled "Zur Theorie der Gesellschafsspiele" or "On the Theory of Parlor Games." Even before meeting von Neumann, his article had been recommended to Morgenstern thanks to the pair's overlapping interests. As the war played out, the pair would subsequently collaborate on a book-length study titled Theory of Games and Economic Behavior (1944). The book became a landmark publication, often heralded as having helped establish game theory as a new and distinct scientific discipline. A chapter in the book titled "Poker and Bluffing," based in part on von Neumann's earlier article, helps demonstrate how the study of poker strategy played a role in the development of game theory. In that chapter, heads-up stud poker is analysed as one of several "zero-sum two-person games." The authors examine such games as possible models for other, similar kinds of decision-making made in situations where two rational entities oppose one another situations that come up, say, in social contexts or in political conflicts or in financial transactions... Or in war. You M.A.D., Bro? Von Neumann also did some advising of presidents. During the war he'd been part of the Manhattan Project that had produced the atomic bombs used in Japan at the conclusion of the war, and was among those advising President Harry Truman about their usage and the choice of targets. In fact, while Morgenstern was later advising Eisenhower, von Neumann was there also providing guidance while serving as the chair of a top secret Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Committee before his death in 1957. Not long after WWII ended the Cold War began, marked at the start by Winston Churchill's famous "Iron Curtain" speech in 1946 a speech that followed a poker game and Joseph Stalin's denunciation in response. During the years that followed the idea of using mathematical models (including some derived from zero-sum games like poker) to describe various types of military conflict began to gain increasing influence. Thinkers like von Neumann Morgenstern were called upon by leaders like Eisenhower to share their knowledge. One idea credited to von Neumann that often gets highlighted in discussions of these high-stakes Cold War "games" is the one popularly known as "mutual assured destruction" sometimes referred to by its darkly humorous acronym "M.A.D." The theory was introduced to explain the behaviour of two sides engaged in a type of conflict where neither can win without both losing so badly they cannot "play" again. An exchange of nuclear weapons between the two superpowers exemplified such a situation, where neither side could feasibly win in any real sense as both would be utterly destroyed should the "game" begin at all. Should both sides recognise the reality of the situation (a key component of the theory), both would necessarily avoid engaging in such a conflict like a poker player tossing a hand away in a spot where the risk is too great to justify seeking any reward. Americans Play Poker, Russians Play Chess Moving into the 1960s and the start of John F. Kennedy's presidency, the Cold War continued to dominate headlines and op-ed pages. On February 5, 1961 just a couple of weeks into JFK's tenure at the top Morgenstern wrote an article for The New York Times titled "The Cold War Is Cold Poker" that specifically highlighted the parallel between poker strategy and ongoing diplomatic conflict between America and the Soviet Union. "The cold war is sometimes compared to a giant chess game between ourselves and the Soviet Union, and Russia's disturbingly frequent successes are sometimes attributed to the national preoccupation with chess," Morgenstern began. "The analogy, however, is quite false, for while chess is a formidable game of almost unbelievable complexity, it lacks salient features of the political and military struggles with which it is compared." Morgenstern argued that since "chess is the Russian national pastime and poker is ours, we ought to be more skilful than they in applying its precepts to the cold-war struggle." Alas (in his view) that had not been the case by early 1961. Thus did he proceed explicitly to argue in favour of the country's leaders becoming more studious about poker strategy, particularly highlighting the need to learn how bluff effectively (and responsibly) and to learn how to recognise the Soviets' bluffs, too. "The problem of how, on the one hand, to make a threat effective and, on the other, to recognise a genuine threat by your opponent is one of the most fundamental of the day," Morgenstern maintained. It was an influential argument. By his later actions, Kennedy would get variously credited with having reaffirmed the "we play poker, they play chess" idea, further underscoring both cultural differences and the contrasting strategic approaches of the two superpowers toward each other. And further promoting the "poker provides a better approach" argument as well. However, not everyone was agreeing with the view that poker was necessarily a better source of Cold War strategy for the U.S. than was chess. A letter to the NYT by Louis Wiznitzer dated three weeks later responded to Morgenstern's article by saying its pro-poker position "sums up pretty much the essential reasons why the United States has been steadily losing the cold war in the last twelve years." "Whereas the Communists are waging a game of chess, with moves as scientifically planned as possible," noted Wiznitzer, "the Americans are improvising poker moves and bluffs, without a master plan or aim, and depending more or less on their last hand, or reacting to the enemy's bet." Since "politics is not a game nor simply an art" but rather a "science," he insisted, the long-range thinking of chess is actually preferable to the overly reactive game of poker. "You cannot beat chess with poker," he concluded. It's an interesting response, and the failure of the Bay of Pigs invasion two-and-a-half months later soon recognised as a woefully shortsighted "play" with especially damaging consequences for the U.S. probably inspired further doubt regarding Morgenstern's argument. Poker and Diplomacy: Partial Information Games The later Cuban Missile Crisis of October 1962 is more often discussed as an application of poker strategy to what was the most tense of all moments during the Cold War. McManus does a nice job applying the poker analogy to that conflict in Cowboys Full, as had David Spanier in his 1977 book Total Poker. Rather than rehearse that complicated conflict and analysis, I'll point you to their discussions of how Kennedy managed to induce Nikita Khrushchev to "fold" and prevent a devasting "showdown." Like Morgenstern (and others), Spanier noted that "in general, one might say the Russians play chess and the Americans play poker." In his analysis of the crisis, he also supported the idea that poker strategies especially the role of bluffing (and recognising others' bluffs) are more obviously applicable to a Cold War staredown in which much that is relevant is hidden from view. That was Morgenstern's point in his NYT piece. "Chess is, to begin with, a game of complete information," Morgenstern pointed out. "That is, the chess opponent has no unknown cards.... Every move is made in the open; consequently (and this is most important) there is no possibility of bluffing, no opportunity to deceive." By contrast, he continued, poker "describes better what goes on in political reality where countries with opposing aims and ideals watch each other's every move with unveiled suspicion." Did poker "save us" during the Cuban Missile Crisis and at other tense moments along the way as the Cold War played out? It most certainly played a role. Then again, as in poker, luck had a little bit to do with the outcome, too. From the forthcoming "Poker & Pop Culture: Telling the Story of America's Favourite Card Game." Martin Harris teaches a course in "Poker in American Film and Culture" in the American Studies program at UNC-Charlotte. Image (top): "Back to Where It All Started," Michael Cummings, Daily Express, August 24, 1953. Sharelines Parallels between poker and Cold War diplomacy begin with both being partial information "games." Poker & Pop Culture: Tracing a few links between poker, game theory, and Cold War strategy. A tuition tax credit, called a T2202 form, is issued to students and is used to claim the Tuition Tax Credit. This form is released annually, towards the end of February and is ONLY available online through Aurora. The T2202 form includes only eligible tuition fees and education amounts, and is based on the calendar year in which courses were taken. Beginning in the tax year 2019, a new form, the T2202 will replace the T2202A. The T2202 form will include the students Social Insurance Number (SIN). In just three days, Donald Trump will make his way to Washington, D.C. and be sworn in as the next commander in chief. Despite this, Trump will enter the White House with one of the lowest incoming favorability ratings in history, and he's not happy about it. Trump on polls Donald Trump was able to shock the world when he pulled off the upset and defeat Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton to become the new president. At the time, both Trump and Clinton were polling with high negative ratings from the American people. Since then, backlash has only grown against the billionaire real estate mogul, which is reflective in the most recent round of polling data. Gallup poll shows Trump with just 40 percent favorability, while the latest Quinnipiac University poll has the president-elect with only 37 percent. In response, Trump took to his Twitter account on January 17 to lash out at the polls. The same people who did the phony election polls, and were so wrong, are now doing approval rating polls. They are rigged just like before. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 17, 2017 "The same people who did the phony election polls, and were so wrong, are now doing approval rating polls," Donald Trump wrote on his Twitter account Tuesday morning, before adding "They are rigged just like before." Trump claiming the polls are rigged is a common theme, and dates back to the early days of his campaign. As the election moved forward, the former host of "The Apprentice" encouraged his supporters to dismiss any polling data that appeared negative. While there has been no evidence to assume the polls were rigged, they did appear incorrect due to Trump's election win. The latest political ratings are in -- and Donald Trump won't be pleased. https://t.co/CRnxmflrpZ USA TODAY (@USATODAY) January 10, 2017 Trump's vow Following his tweet on polling data, Donald Trump went on to send out another message on Twitter where he gave himself a pat on the back. "With all of the jobs I am bringing back into the U.S. (even before taking office), with all of the new auto plants coming back into our country and with the massive cost reductions I have negotiated on military purchases and more, I believe the people are seeing 'big stuff,'" he tweeted. With all of the jobs I am bringing back into the U.S. (even before taking office), with all of the new auto plants coming back into our..... Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 17, 2017 country and with the massive cost reductions I have negotiated on military purchases and more, I believe the people are seeing "big stuff." Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 17, 2017 Official countdown On Friday, Donald Trump and his supporters will celebrate on Inauguration Day. Prior to his polling tweet, the president-elect went on Twitter to brag about the crowd coming to see his celebration. People are pouring into Washington in record numbers. Bikers for Trump are on their way. It will be a great Thursday, Friday and Saturday! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 17, 2017 "People are pouring into Washington in record numbers. Bikers for Trump are on their way," he tweeted, while noting, "It will be a great Thursday, Friday and Saturday!" Despite Trump's strong words, as many as 100,000 protesters will also be in attendance to voice their opposition to the new president. In the final month of the election, Donald Trump was accused of sexual assault by 12 different women. Now with just days until he is sworn into office, Trump is facing a new lawsuit from one of his accusers. Trump lawsuit In the beginning of October, the now in famous leaked Access Hollywood tape was released, and revealed the private sexual thoughts of Donald Trump about a married woman. Trump's comments were caught on a hot mic while speaking to former Access Hollywood host Billy Bush. In the aftermath, the aforementioned allegations came on a weekly basis leading up to Election Day, with the billionaire real estate mogul predictably denying any wrongdoing. As reported by The Hill on January 17, one of the women is now taking legal action against the president-elect. Woman filing sexual misconduct lawsuit against Trump https://t.co/N3td3U1Rhb pic.twitter.com/pazdzxVpCX The Hill (@thehill) January 17, 2017 According to noted lawyer Gloria Allred, a press conference will take place in Los Angeles, California on Tuesday, where the lawsuit will officially be announced. Allred released a statement that read, "One of the accusers of Mr. Trump who alleged that he had engaged in sexually inappropriate conduct with her will hold a news conference today." BREAKING: Gloria Allred Says Accuser Will File Lawsuit Against President-Elect Trump https://t.co/EBTZ106k9p LawNewz (@law_newz) January 17, 2017 As part of his denial, Donald Trump had threatened to sue his accusers for making the allegations, though nothing ever came of the threat. In addition, Trump was part of another sexual assault lawsuit that claimed he, along with convicted pedophile Jeffery Epstein, rapped a then 13-year-old girl on multiple occasions in the summer of 1994. The case was going to be heard in a New York Court this past December, before the accuser, known only as Jane Doe, dropped the lawsuit after allegedly receiving death threats. Even with the backlash against him, the former host of "The Apprentice" was able to weather the storm and win the election over Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. Moving forward As of press time, Donald Trump, his transition team, and his legal team have yet to respond to the latest lawsuit. Despite the claims against him, Trump will become the next President of the United States on Inauguration Day, and head into the White House with allegations of sexual misconduct hanging over his presidency. It wasn't long after Donald Trump announced his campaign for president that he used social media as his number means of communication. As part of his ongoing feud with the mainstream media, Trump took to Twitter to continue to vent his frustration on Monday night. Trump on Twitter One reason that Donald Trump was able to get so many Americans to rally by his side was his harsh words about the news media. On the political right, bashing news outlets and the media has become part of the usual talking points, as distrust for reporters and journalists have only increased in recent years. Since Election Day, Trump has only increased his war of words with the news, especially after CNN broke an exclusive story last week that claimed Russia had planned to blackmail the billionaire real estate mogul. When Buzzfeed piled on the CNN report with unverified allegations of the now in famous "gold shower" sex tape, Trump hit back at the report as "fake news." As seen on his Twitter account on January 16, Trump is not finished with his attack on CNN and the media. "@levisteveholt: @realDonaldTrump I appreciate your use of Twitter to keep us informed and maintain transparency." Very dishonest media! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 17, 2017 On Monday night, Donald Trump retweeted a comment from Twitter user @leviseveholt that said, '@realDonaldTrump I appreciate your use of Twitter to keep us informed and maintain transparency.'" Adding to the comment, Trump noted, "Very dishonest media!" At 9:00 P.M. @CNN, of all places, is doing a Special Report on my daughter, Ivanka. Considering it is CNN, can't imagine it will be great! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 17, 2017 In a follow-up message on Twitter, Donald Trump took a cheap shot at CNN for running a network special on his daughter Ivanka Trump. "At 9:00 P.M. @CNN, of all places, is doing a Special Report on my daughter, Ivanka," the president-elect tweeted, before adding, "Considering it is CNN, can't imagine it will be great!" Ahead of Inauguration Day, a closer look at the incoming first daughter #IvankaTrump. Join @GloriaBorger at 9p ET on CNN. pic.twitter.com/QieZGlgq71 CNN (@CNN) January 17, 2017 Moving forward Days after Donald Trump won the election, he told CBS' "60 Minutes" that he would become "very restrained" in his use of social media. Despite his vow, the former host of "The Apprentice" has only increased his presence on Twitter, picking fights with political opponents, celebrities, news outlets, and entire foreign countries. While there has been major backlash over his behavior, it was announced over the weekend that Trump would continue tweeting once he gets into office, and that he would use his current account, and not switch to the POTUS handle. Over the last week, one story that has dominated the news cycle has been civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis refuses to attend the inauguration for Donald Trump. In recent days, Trump has gone on the attack against Lewis on social media, and now is venting in front of the camera. Trump on Lewis John Lewis sat down for an interview last Friday with NBC's "Meet the Press." While speaking to host Chuck Todd, Lewis explained that he would not attend the upcoming inauguration of Donald Trump, and said that he didn't consider him a "legitimate president" due to recent reports of Russian hacking. Lewis also noted that it would be the first inauguration that he would ever miss. In response, Trump took to Twitter over the weekend to criticize the civil rights icon, labeling him "all talk" and "sad." During a pre-tapped interview with Fox News that will air on Wednesday, Trump elaborated further on his thoughts on Lewis, as reported by The Hill on January 17. On Tuesday morning, Donald Trump tweeted out an article from The Washington Examiner that highlighted an apparent contradiction with John Lewis' previous comments. The story quotes a Washington Post article back in 2001, that showed Lewis boycotting the inauguration of George W. Bush, something Trump was quick to point out on Twitter, and during his interview with Fox News. Trump: John Lewis got caught in a "very bad lie" https://t.co/XKGxNSOMeh pic.twitter.com/Hx4kOcIVDF The Hill (@thehill) January 18, 2017 "He got caught, and it's pretty bad," Donald Trump told Fox News, in reference to John Lewis' boycott claim. "He conveniently doesn't remember, how do you forget if you go to an inauguration," Trump said, while noting, "I can tell you, when I was at the inauguration, you don't forget something like that." The billionaire real estate mogul explained that the inauguration was "very important," stating, "President Obama understands that very well, and that's why he's been so gracious." Donald Trump was then asked about additional Democrats boycotting the inauguration, which totals 50 as of press time, but the former host of "The Apprentice" didn't seem too upset. "That's okay because we need seats so badly," he said. Moving forward While John Lewis and others won't be attending, Donald Trump is now only three days away from being sworn in as the 45th President of the United States. However, over 100,000 protesters are expected to be in Washington, D.C. this Friday to voice their opposition, with other demonstrations taking place in New York City, most notably outside Trump Tower led by filmmaker Michael Moore and actor Alec Baldwin. Ever since Donald Trump pulled off one of the biggest upsets in recent history by defeating Hillary Clinton last November, many wondered how the experts got it all wrong. When it was revealed that Russia was behind the hack of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) with the goal of electing Trump, even more allegations started to come out. Putin on Trump Even before Election Day, various reports broke that openly questioned what relationship Donald Trump had with the Kremlin. Due to the president-elect keeping his tax returns private, the allegations that he has financial ties to Russia were never able to be publicly verified, or disproven. Another indication that Trump had links to Russia was his former campaign manager Paul Manafort being forced to step down last August do to his own financial tie to the country. In addition, the billionaire real estate mogul refused to ever criticize Russian President Vladimir Putin, despite making sure to talk tough on other world leaders. As reported by The Hill on January 17, Putin is coming to Trump's defense. Not long after the election, the CIA revealed the results of their secret investigation that concluded Russia was responsible for the hack of the DNC. Last week, CNN broke their own story that claimed Russia was actually blackmailing Donald Trump with "compromising" information. Buzzfeed then elaborated further, using unverified information, and reported that the Russians had a sex tape in their possession that showed the president-elect paying prostitutes to engage in "golden showers." "In my opinion, there are several goals, some are obvious. The first is to undermine the legitimacy of the elected president of the United States," Vladimir Putin told Sputnik News on Tuesday, while calling the allegations against Russia "complete nonsense." On whether or not Trump paid for sex workers while visiting country, Putin is not convinced. Putin on Trump's women "I find it hard to believe that he rushed to some hotel to meet girls of loose morals," Vladimir Putin said, "although ours are undoubtedly the best in the world." The Russian leader went on to praise the former host of "The Apprentice" for meeting some of the most "beautiful women in the world" over the years. While it's unknown how the U.S. and the Kremlin will conduct business moving forward, Donald Trump is now just three days away from being sworn in as the next commander in chief. The Golden Retriever is such a sweet, laid back breed of dog, healthy and always happy. They make loyal family companions and love to be close their humans. The breed gets its name due to its ability to retrieve game without harm. The Golden has a beautiful, long, dense coat that provides them warmth while also repelling water. Jacob was a handsome specimen with the best demeanor. Yet, tragedy struck when he traveled with his owner Kathleen Considine from Detroit to Portland on United Airlines. Golden Retriever dies on United Airlines flight Ms. Considine was traveling with her very best friend, Jacob, her seven-year-old Golden Retriever from Detroit to Portland. Before the trip, Jacob received a clean bill of health after undergoing a mandatory physical. However, after two flights, an extensive but unexpected layover and a three-hour drive to Bend, the animal was not breathing. The dog was supposed to have a one-hour layover in Chicago but ended up in a kennel for more than 20 hours without food or water. When Jacob finally reached Portland, he was non-responsive and disoriented. His owner stated that he was not the same dog she left before the United Airlines flight. He was then rushed to an emergency vet and pronounced dead after eight minutes of CPR. The cause of death was a flipped stomach due to the stress of the 20-hour ordeal that eventually suffocated his organs. United Airlines claims no responsibility for dogs death Kathleen created a post on her Facebook page, urging everyone to spread the word that airline travel is unsafe for Dogs. She states that United Airlines treated her dog like baggage instead of the loyal and loving family member. News reporters from KGW TV in Portland reached out to United for their comments on the incident without any response. In her post, Ms. Considine claims that the airline was unresponsive and assumed no responsibility for the death of her precious pet, Jacob while in their care. She continued to say that nothing would bring him back but wanted to spread the word to ensure this does not happen to anyone else. On Thursday, in response to Trump's searing immigration policies, Immigrant Workers across the country will be skipping work to show Washington what the country looks like without its #migrant labor force. #A Day Without Immigrants will see thousands of employees and employers sacrificing their wages and earnings to protest, while customers will find the coffees they drink and the food they order may be unavailable. The protest is in response to President Trump's harsh immigration program, which aims to seal the US border with Mexico as well as ban citizens of seven Muslim countries from entering the United States (since been put on hold). There has also been a recent surge of #Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICA) sweeps and deportations across the country, which has seen some families torn apart. Washington DC is the epicenter In Washington DC, where the campaign has been focused and received the biggest footing, around 50 cafes and restaurants shuttered their doors for the day. Many other DC establishments will be making do with a restricted menu or selling only drinks or coffees to demonstrate support for striking staff. A traditionally liberal city, DC now hosts a President who has called #immigrants rapists, terrorists and drug-smugglers. Few are surprised that it has become the smoking-hot center of the movement. There are further reports that restaurants in New Jersey, San Francisco, Austin, MinneapolisSaint Paul, Philadelphia, Des Moines, North Carolina and Boston and Chicago are also closed. Some schools also showed low attendance in classrooms. Joe Eskenazi on Twitter wrote: 'Builder tells me #Day Without an Immigrant has shut down 95 percent of construction sites in San Francisco, North Bay.' So what does a day without immigration labor look like? Food site #Eater reports that a significant number of restaurants closed in Los Angeles, a city built on an immigration workforce. Hatchet Hall, Nickel Diner, Bardonna, Phorage, Human Food, Mission Cantina, Farida, Bowery, Bowery Bungalow and Delancey, amongst many more, will be shut in protest. Many other places and chefs have spoken privately to Eater to show support for the cause, revealing that they will be allowing any workers within their organization to take the day off to #protest, if so desired. Eater said that possibly many popular restaurants in LA could be functioning on low staff numbers and cautioned customers to be patient. New York will see many restaurants closing too. And the protests arent restricted to restaurants: Some #childcare centers have closed, leaving parents to miss work or find other arrangements. Various other stores and markets are either bolted or functioning at a reduced capability. A march in Washington DC As part of the protest, #Many Languages One Voice, a non-profit, arranged a rally that closed some DC streets in an area where there are large Hispanic populations. They will not build walls in our communities, appeared a sign, amidst other impassioned slogans. According to a 2008 Pew study, nearly 30 percent of the nation's kitchen hands and 20 percent of its cooks are #undocumented immigrants. In a further move of solidarity, some businesses are promising to give a share of the day's profits to nonprofit organizations that help Latino communities. GOP Senator John McCain, (R, Ariz.), described the Trump Administration as being in "disarray" in the wake of the forced resignation of National Security Adviser Michael Flynn. Flynn offered his resignation after it was revealed that he misled Vice-President Mike Pence about his phone conversations with Russian Ambassador Kislyak. Questions arose among Democrats and Republicans alike pertaining to the implications of Flynn's emphatic failure to be truthful with Pence, who unequivocally wanted to know the nature of Flynn's telephone conversations with the Russian ambassador. Flynn denied discussing sanctions Upon being pointedly questioned by Pence, Flynn emphatically reassured the Vice-President that he had not discussed America's sanctions against Russia with the Russian ambassador. Any such discussions by Flynn constitute a violation of federal law. Pence believed Flynn and told reporters that Flynn had called Kislyak to extend Christmas greetings and to offer his condolences to the Russians after a Russian plane crash proved deadly. However, it was revealed to administration offiicials on January 26, 2017, including Pence and Trump, that Flynn had, in fact, discussed the sanctions with Kisylak. Trump denies knowledge of damaging reports While being questioned on Air Force One last Friday, Donald Trump, whose immigration ban of Muslim immigrants to the United States is being described by some as having been "conceived in religious liberty," stated that he was not aware of any discussion of sanctions between Flynn and Kislyak. However, White House spokesperson Sean Spicer told reporters on Tuesday that Trump was informed of Flynn's sanctions discussion by the Justice Department as early as January 26, 2017, just six days after Trump was inaugurated President. A three week gap Despite having been informed of Flynn's inappropriate discussion of sanctions with Kisylak, Trump waited nearly three weeks before asking Flynn for his resignation. According to Spicer, the three week gap could be explained by the fact that the Trump Administration was checking on the legal implications of Flynn's conversation with Kisylak before deciding on a course of action. However, the majority of political observers is having a difficult time accepting Spicer's explanation, which is generally considered lame at best. Meghan McCain humiliates Trump Meanwhile, Meghan McCain, the daughter of 2008 presidential candidate and current Arizona GOP Senator John McCain, tore after Trump via Twitter for stating that her father was "emboldening the enemy" for questioning the success of a Trump Administration military action in Yemen. The younger McCain responded to Trump's assertions by stating, "Trump has never served. My father can't bend one of his knees or lift one of his arms above his head," (ABC News, 2/11/17). McCain then accentuated her comments with just two very powerful words in reference to her father: "He served." To date, Trump has not tweeted any response to McCain's tweet. Sometimes there are no words, spoken or written, even for a sitting president. #New York Farmers are fearing that the recent anti-immigrant sentiment in Trump's immigration discourse and the spate of ICA raids and Greencard denials may have a negative and deepening effect on immigrants who take the low-paying agricultural jobs eschewed by most Americans. As #Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agents target illegal workers across the United States with dramatic and life changing raids, farmers claim that anxiety has deepened amidst the undocumented worker populations. ICE raids are scaring hardworking people ICE raids have been an ongoing concern for some farmers and their migrant employees for many years. [now] those concerns are certainly heightened, #New York Farm Bureau executive Steve Ammerman wrote on Monday in an email to the Times Union. He said that whilst they recognize that #border security is an important topic and issue, an enforcement-only approach to complex non-American worker issues could leave farmers with a seriously depleted and weakened workforce and lead to more food imports to the United States. Princeton University physicist William Happer, the most likely candidate to be Donald Trumps Science Advisor, said many climate scientists are like a glassy-eyed cult. In a new interview with the Guardian, Happer said these scientists are suffering from a form of collective madness. Happer, who met with Trump last month to discuss the science advisor position, is the leading candidate for the job. Hes also certain mankind is causing climate change and thats just fine by him. Happer isnt some crackpot scientist espousing nutty ideas. Hes actually a distinguished physicist and well-regarded in the academic world. But his views on climate science are causing consternation by activist climate scientists who rely on the government for research grants and lavish funding. Happer pointed to the recent NOAA paper currently under fire after a whistleblower named Dr. John Bates came forward. Bates showed how the authors fiddled with the temperatures to erase the well-established global warming pause. The paper, Happer said, was rushed to publication ahead of an important U.N. conference to influence a sweeping climate accord. He said the paper was more political fanfare than science and government agencies shouldnt be engaged in conduct to suit political agendas. Whistleblower: NOAA Scientists Manipulated Temperature Data To Make Global Warming Seem Worse https://t.co/pPRDj8thlN via @dailycaller Bruno Amaral (@BrunoAm05317727) February 6, 2017 Glassy-eyed cult Happer said there is an entire area of climate science that "is really more like a cult." He held it was akin to the Hare Krishna where members were all glassy-eyed and chanting the same refrain. He said it was these scientists who will potentially harm the image of all science. Happer believes government scientists should not publically discuss their findings until the results were fully vetted. He said agency science needed to be especially clean and without fault. Thats because people have become fed up with the government lying to them and when something very important comes along, they dont listen. He used the confusion swirling around childhood vaccines and the move by some parents not to inoculate their children. The government, he added, should be completely reliable about facts, real facts. Overblown claims damage science He also said Trump was not anti-science, scientifically literate, and very attentive when they met. Trump also asked good questions. While they only touched upon climate change, Happer said Trump thought solar panels made sense in states that get a lot of sunshine, like Arizona. He said the president also wasnt for or against renewables. As for temperature, climate, and CO2 monitoring, Happer said those were all important. But, he added, overblown claims by climate scientists about the threat of global warming have been overplayed. He noted that enormous sums of money have been spent to save the planet that could be used elsewhere. He said bureaucracies sustain themselves by creating a threat that only they can fix. MUST READ: James Delingpole: 'Global Warming is Good' Says President Trump's Science Guru https://t.co/XI1SiyjT42 Climate Realists (@ClimateRealists) January 19, 2017 Questioning climate consensus Happers also not a climate skeptic and has previously said global warming was good for humanity. While working as the director of research in the George W. Bushs Department of Energy, he started questioning the still-developing climate consensus. When he questioned climate scientists about their results, he only got evasive and non-responsive answers. That, he said, was when he began to get genuinely concerned about climate science. As for the march for science scheduled in various cities in April, Happer said the public may view the participants as the privileged elite and not seen as being noble. The downside, he worries, would be for the scientists to be regarded as a greedy bunch of spoiled people. Of course, Happer doesnt view them this way, but it would be easy for that narrative to develop. Breitbart on Wednesday yet again turned attention away from ousted national security Adviser Michael Flynn's potential culpability, and focused more on the legality of information gathering. This as explosive new claims about Russian conversations rocked the White House. William Binney, an ex-NSA official turned whistleblower, said in an interview with the right-wing publication that the National Security Agency is "absolutely" examining President Donald Trump's phone calls. Binney also said that the NSA may have also been responsible for a data leak that revealed Michael Flynn misleading Vice President Mike Pence about his phone calls with the Russian ambassador to Washington. Bringing up claims of hacking and monitoring from 2008 Within the interview, Binney referenced a 2008 report concerning two NSA whistleblowers working at the agency's Fort Gordon, Georgia location; they were asked to monitor and transcribe calls of US citizens. But with Breitbart failing to focus on Michael Flynn's culpability, and instead becoming overly concerned with data leaks, are they missing the point entirely? Visits by world leaders are opportunities for Presidents to show their best face to the world and give proof that they are in command of the Oval Office. At the same time they contain hidden traps during periods of controversy because the Press conferences then give journalists the chance to ask difficult questions. The measure of any President is in his capacity to answer these questions. Yesterday the President did this in the wrong way. Netanyahu's visit The visit of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was always going to be difficult. The issue of the new Israeli settlements had already caused some discomfort for President #Donald Trump , but the meeting seemed to go well for the new President with the controversial Prime Minister. They then faced the Press as expected and the inevitable question was asked about the issue that had been dominating the news for the last few days and it came from a journalist that had already run afoul of the President at his first press conference three weeks ago. At the end of the press conference CNN journalist Jim Acosta asked President Trump about the resignation of Senior Security Advisor #Michael Flynn over the Russian contact scandal. The description of the reply by Huffington Post was succinct and devastating the president smiled, thanked the audience and walked away. This was the wrong answer. Weapons Questions are weapons for the Press and politicians, not just to be able to gain information, but also to put the subjects at unease on particularly sensitive issues. As such they are par for the course for any politician, let alone the President of the United States. For this reason the answers are also weapons as they counteract the original questions and rectify the effect sought by who asks the questions. In the midst of a public scandal as that involving former four star general Flynn and now leaks that other Trump staff may be involved, the 45th President should have expected the question and had an answer ready to supply the worlds press. What happened was an image that was more damaging than any answer that Donald Trump may have given, his withdrawal from a battle rather than face up to his responsibilities. The photo of Trump walking away from a relevant question may well follow him for the next four years. Responsibilities A businessman only has to answer to his partners, or shareholders. If he works for himself, he is responsible only to himself for his decisions and the consequences will only be felt in the bank balance if those choices are wrong. The reality for a politician is very different and yesterday Donald Trump displayed to the world that his has not understood this reality. A politician and above all a Head of Government is not responsible only to himself, but to all the citizens of his countries for his decisions and actions. They are the ones who voted for him and they will be the ones who decide if they will vote to give him another term. The Press is the means by which the President explains to the citizens what he did, or why something had happened. The Press is also the means for him to tell the country how he will resolve problems. Walking away from a legitimate question is not facing up to his responsibilities. The President must now acknowledge his own role in the issues dominating the Press and explain to the country what he intends to do. As long as he avoids addressing issues yesterdays image of a President in retreat from the Press will remain in the public mind and will only be replaced when he finally decides to act rather than complain by tweet. It is now up to him to decide what he will do. When #Donald Trump was elected as President of the United States on November 8th those who voted for him expected changes to how the country was governed. Despite the skepticism of many others that his lack of experience within the system of government would be a disadvantage, these electors believed that his apparent business success would give him the skills to undertake the changes he promised, even though many, such as the repeal of Obamacare, made good headlines they were short on details. The first three and a half weeks of the Presidency seem to have proven the skeptics right. First problems In the first two weeks a flurry of executive orders seemed to take the first steps to repealing Obamacare, building the promised wall with Mexico and to put in place a Moslem ban from seven so-called at risk countries in the Middle East. The people who elected President Trump were overjoyed, but the realities of governing immediately made their presence felt. Republican Senators and Congressmen have felt the sting of their electors who are worried about Obamacare being repealed without a suitable replacement, the Mexico wall is embroiled in the costs and the fact that Mexico refuses to pay for it as per Trumps campaign promise and finally the Moslem ban has been blocked by the Judiciary because of constitutional and other issues caused by poor drafting, sure proof of the inexperience of the White House team. Yet despite the importance of these issues another man has cast his shadow over the White House and it is struggling to carry out any work as it fights an ongoing war with the Press and also members of the intelligence community over an issue that should have been addressed even before Trumps Inauguration. Flynn and Russia The resignation of #Michael Flynn, the National Security Advisor and head of the National Security Council, due to his contacts with the Russian Ambassador during the transition period after only 24 days in office has thrown all of Washington into turmoil. The White House is now struggling to undertake any actions as staff try to downplay the scandal. While Democrats go on the charge, the Republicans appear hesitant to take action in regards to the potential security problems revealed by the constant stream of leaks that are fueling the fire now burning under the White House. On Wednesday the Oval Office was once again blocked when Andrew Pudzer its controversial nomination for Labor Secretary withdrew his nomination after it became apparent that a number of Republican Senators would not vote his confirmation. These are all signs of a White House that is losing direction. Tweets and promises To make matters worse the President has decided that the blame for all these problems is with the Press and the Democrats. With wave after wave of angry tweets at all hours he expresses outrage at the revelations and his senior press staff, particularly Sean Spicer and Kellyanne Conway, have become the subject of public ridicule for their inability to stem the tide of questions the scandals have raised. These problems have effectively meant that the White House has not yet begun to practically carry out the orders signed so publicly, let alone attempting to begin implementing other campaign promises. The result has been in unprecedented low popularity ratings for a President still in his first month in the Oval Office. Americas citizens have the right to ask the new Administration when it will finally act to address the issues raised so publicly. Denial is not enough and storming at the press and blaming others does not resolve the issues, but highlights them even more. The answer can only come from one man. Donald Trump must now begin to act as a true leader, not only for those who voted for him, but for the whole country. Is he capable of doing so? The Founding Fathers of the United States set in a place a system of checks and balances to ensure the smooth running of the American system of government. The Legislative Branch, the Judiciary and the Executive branch are supposed to counterbalance each other when one is malfunctioning. In the midst of the current crisis in the Executive Branch the Judiciary ensured respect for the Constitution, but so far, with some exceptions, the Legislative Branch is struggling to confront its constitutional responsibilities. From Moslems to Flynn When President #Donald Trump signed the executive order setting in place the Moslem ban a set of actions began where the checks and balances were brought into play. Within a few short days the order was blocked by the Judiciary because Judges believed that order was in breach of the right of religious freedom contained in the Constitution. In this way the Judiciary acted in accordance with the standards expected within the Constitution and in all probability the final decision will go up to the Supreme Court to determine whether the two levels of Judiciary were correct in their call. Yet, even before the Constitutional feud over the ban had begun, the White House was already under a shadow due to accusations of Russian interference in the presidential election won by Donald Trump. Despite these accusations, the White House then nominated the controversial former four star general #Michael Flynn to become its National Security Advisor and head of the National Security Council. Despite some misgivings and reports from the New York Times and Washington Post revealed that the Attorney General at the time warned of grave doubts over Flynn regarding contacts with the Russian Ambassador, the nomination was confirmed. Twenty four days later Flynn was forced to resign as a result of leaks over his contacts with the Russian Ambassador and specifically for having provided incomplete information to the White House about the contents of those meetings. The ongoing scandal is such that at the present time the matter of the Moslem ban has been put on the back burner. Failed House motion As this scandal has developed the Legislative Branch has been relatively quiet. The two Republican controlled Chambers have gone into damage control to limit the fallout of the numerous daily revelations over not only Flynns activities, but now over allegations that other members of the Trump campaign team and maybe of the new Administration may have had contacts with Americas biggest rival on the international political stage. While some Republicans, notably in the Senate, have begun putting in place investigations, yesterday the Republicans of the House Judiciary Committee knocked back a motion by the Democrats to include these allegations in its plans for the year. In an admittedly political motion by the Democrats, the vote by the Republicans made the point that the Democrats were seeking to make, it highlighted the Republican reluctance to confront the security issues coming out of the White House. Donald Trump was the Republican Candidate for the White House and ostensibly represents the Party nationally and internationally. For this reason the GOP has a responsibility to the Constitution and also to those that voted for it to ensure that its President and his Secretaries work in within the Constitution they all voted to respect and to defend. Many Republicans have failed to realize that at stake is not only the prestige and the position of the United States, at stake is also the future of the Party itself. Some politicians had already expressed concerns on the midterm in 2018 over the effects of the repeal of Obamacare, now they have seen these concerns grow under the Moslem Ban and the Russian scandal. Will the Republicans finally accept that they too have a role to play in this because Donald Trump, the man in the midst of these cases, was elected under the Republican banner and therefore also represents all Republicans? Since the resignation of Michael Flynn as National Security Adviser, Donald Trump and his White House have scrambled to put the pieces back together. In the aftermath, Hollywood celebrities are speaking out in opposition to the administration. Hollywood on Trump It took just over three weeks, but retired Gen. Michael Flynn was finally brought down after an onslaught of news reports exposed his alleged illegal contact with the Russian government. After Flynn officially stepped down on Monday night, Donald Trump expressed more frustration with the information being leaked to the public, rather than over his adviser lying to him about the incident in question. On Wednesday morning, the president lashed out on Twitter, accusing the "fake news" media of smearing the name of Flynn, while later doubling down on the criticism during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. As seen across Twitter on February 15, Hollywood stars are giving their thoughts. Yo @realDonaldTrump, you gotta decide if this shit is "Fake News" or "classified information." It can't be both man! pic.twitter.com/0tcpVcNK3E Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) February 15, 2017 In an attempt to use their popularity and following to promote their political agenda, some of the biggest celebrities are calling out Donald Trump and the White House. "Yo @realDonaldTrump, you gotta decide if this sh*t is 'Fake News' or 'classified information,' actor Seth Rogen wrote on Twitter Wednesday night, before adding, "It can't be both man!" Chelsea Handler took a more humorous approach to the scandal, tweeting, "Trump says Mike Flynn is a wonderful man with beautiful skin, strong arms, and eyes you can get lost in." Trump says Mike Flynn is a wonderful man with beautiful skin, strong arms, and eyes you can get lost in. Chelsea Handler (@chelseahandler) February 16, 2017 "Remember the Republicans obsession with Whitewater," director Judd Appatow posted on his Twitter feed, while noting, "I guess real estate deals scare them but Russian interference in our government is fine." Fellow filmmaker Michael Moore also gave his thoughts, tweeting, "We demand that the weak & spineless Democrats bring Congress 2 a halt until investigative hearings are held & impeachment charges are filed." Remember the Republicans obsession with Whitewater. I guess real estate deals scare them but Russian interference in our government is fine. Judd Apatow (@JuddApatow) February 16, 2017 We demand that the weak & spineless Democrats bring Congress 2 a halt until investigative hearings are held & impeachment charges are filed. Michael Moore (@MMFlint) February 15, 2017 Author Stephen King decided to chime in, and didn't hold back his view of the president. "Trump's your basic hot mess, isn't he? I mean, this guy can't find his own ass with both hands and a flashlight," he wrote. Actor George Takei, who is never shy about his thoughts on the former host of "The Apprentice," also gave his view on the current situation. "Trump is at war with judges, the press, and now the intelligence community," Takei wrote, before rhetorically asking, "That last one is a YUGE mistake. How is that even tenable?"" Trump's your basic hot mess, isn't he? I mean, this guy can't find his own ass with both hands and a flashlight. Stephen King (@StephenKing) February 15, 2017 Trump is at war with judges, the press, and now the intelligence community. That last one is a YUGE mistake. How is that even tenable? George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) February 15, 2017 Next up Despite the backlash against him, Donald Trump is showing no signs of backing down from his agenda. While Hollywood continues to push back against him, only time will tell if their effort is successful in the long run. By now everything that can be said about the rise of THE Social Network that is Facebook has been stated and repeated over and over again, from its humble beginnings in the mid-2000s to its meteoric ascent to the probable pinnacle of social media and networking. It was a hit when it debuted on browsers on desktop and laptop computers, and it was more of a hit when it got apps on mobile phones and other similar devices. Even as FBs Oculus VR department is building up steam under the leadership of new chief Hugo Barra, another new frontier is set to be entered, and perhaps decisively dominated by Mark Zuckerbergs juggernaut. Watch out, because Facebook is gearing up to rule television screens that is, TV micro-console screens very soon. Coming soon on television platforms This Tuesday, February 14 Valentines, evening Facebook gave out a press release detailing their plans to release micro-console apps to enable Facebook videos to be viewed on three prominent platforms: Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Samsung Smart TV. Now video footage hosted on Facebooks network can be viewed on big screens right in the living room, and other micro-consoles will be getting their own app versions soon. Zuckerberg sees the new frontier of television FB and accordingly has placed new emphasis on developing the networks live video capabilities especially in their growing family of connected apps, thus enabling the dedicated user base to more easily capture and share video footage on Facebook. In this way they are finding new ways to more actively compete with video rival Snapchat, even embracing the latters vertical video format. Another reason for Facebooks move into TV micro-consoles is the potential of being able to tap into television-level advertising budgets, especially with regards to the social media website having hit the limit on the number of online ads it can show users at any given time. With that kind of budgeting possibly made available if the FB push to TV is successful, Zuckerberg envisions the onset of actual Facebook-original online contents such as full programming. Uphill battle As it stands, Facebook is going to be facing an intensely competitive market where its going. Aside from Snapchat, theres also YouTube, currently under the umbrella of Google which FB has recently partnered with to police fake news content during the French national elections to worry about. Even traditional TV networks will be in the ring of this new free-for-all that Zuckerberg is steering the company into. But Facebook seems just about ready for what the television corner can throw at it. Bruce Schneier, one of the leading voices in the cyber security field, stunned a major conference of industry experts yesterday by openly calling for the establishment of a new government agency to regulate security on the Internet. But Schneiers plea for government intervention is already being met with skepticism as technologists grapple with a rising tide of breaches and new software vulnerabilities. Speaking at the Rsa Conference in San Francisco yesterday, Schneier said that the proliferation of web-connected IoT (Internet of Things) devices has not only created a massive security problem, it also raised the stakes significantly as everything from cars to thermostats to health care systems depend on a secure platform. Its one thing for Reddit to be DDoSed (blocked), said Schneier at the RSA gathering. Its another for your home thermostat to be (shut down) in the winter. The cryptographer, who is a special adviser to IBM, expressed a belief that this new, more serious threat to citizens will require law and technology to work together. He drew a comparison with nuclear power, where concerns about the safety and controls over that area led to the establishment of the U.S. Department of Energy. Government intervention is inevitable Schneier, who has famously challenged TSAs airport security by going through checkpoints with a fake boarding pass, admitted yesterday that the government will get involved regardless of how his colleagues in the notoriously regulation-averse tech world feel about it. Like it or not, government intervention is coming, said Schneier. When computers start killing people, there are going to be consequences. He called for the establishment of a new regulatory agency to take control of cyber security for the country, while citing the precedent of creating the Department of Homeland Security in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Nothing motivates the U.S. government more than fear, said Schneier. But the creation of a new agency to deal with increased hacking and computer security threats may not be easy. In a separate interview for this story, Dr. Sameer Bhalotra, who served as senior director for cyber security under President Barack Obama, expressed doubt that Congress would create such a department. Theres no appetite in Congress to create a new agency, said Bhalotra. A lot of Congressional committees would have to agree, and thats unlikely. Microsoft executive calls for global action The escalation of Internet-based attacks and security vulnerabilities has been a major topic of discussion at RSA this week, as a parade of public officials and company executives echoed Schneiers concern about the current state of cyber security. In a keynote speech at the conference yesterday morning, Microsoft President Brad Smith called for the worlds governments to do more together as they did in 1949 when the Geneva Conventions were enacted to protect citizens in a time of war. What we need now is a digital Geneva Conventions, said Smith. In remarks later in the day, Congressman Michael McCaul, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, told attendees that he wants to see state-sponsored hacking come to an end as soon as possible. We are in the fight of our digital lives and we are not winning, said McCaul. Our adversaries are turning digital breakthroughs into digital bombs. To underscore the urgency facing the security world as more IoT devices flood the market, one Intel executive described how his firm recently placed a computer system disguised as a common VCR on the Internet to lure cyber attackers. It became infected with malware in less than one minute, launched from a foreign country thousands of miles away. As everything becomes a computer, security becomes everything to us, said IBMs Schneier. As evidenced by the intense debate echoing through the convention halls at RSA this week, there are no easy answers for how to protect what the tech industry has built. ABC News(WASHINGTON) President Trump on Wednesday evening called on the Venezuelan government to release imprisoned opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez, who is serving a 14-year sentence for allegations that he incited anti-government violence during protests in 2014. Tweeting a picture of himself alongside Vice President Mike Pence, Senator Marco Rubio, R-Florida, and Lopez's wife Lilian Tintori, the president wrote that Venezuela should "immediately" release "political prisoner" Leopoldo Lopez. Venezuela should allow Leopoldo Lopez, a political prisoner & husband of @liliantintori (just met w/ @marcorubio) out of prison immediately. pic.twitter.com/bt8Xhdo7al Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 15, 2017 The president and the first lady later hosted Rubio along with his wife Jeanette at the White House for dinner. Rubio has advocated for a forceful U.S. foreign policy against the current Venezuelan government of President Nicholas Maduro, who launched a crackdown amid civil unrest in 2014. Honored to meet @liliantintori & Mitzy Ledezma to discuss #humanrights in #Venezuela. All political prisoners must be released #FreeLeopoldo pic.twitter.com/xCw60yjDbI Senator Rubio Press (@SenRubioPress) February 14, 2017 Lopez, a popular opposition politician, had called for peaceful protests during that wave of unrest but was arrested by the government under accusations that he supported violence. The Trump administration on Monday slapped sanctions against Venezuela's vice president over drug trafficking charges. Copyright 2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. The Irish Rovers come across as sweet Irish lads with a flair for songwriting. But there was that one time their song, Whiskey on Sunday, was banned in Massachusetts. Blue laws in Massachusetts banned the sale of alcohol on Sunday, and authorities believed the song violated that law. But theres nothing like a ban to stir up interest. Irish Rovers founder George Millar said in a phone interview that the ban resulted in 2 million record sales. The Irish Rovers will be performing that song, with many others, on Feb. 17 at the Alberta Bair Theater. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Back in the 1960s, the Rovers, who emigrated from Ireland to Toronto, Canada, were playing folk clubs in the U.S., riding the coattails of groups like Peter, Paul and Mary. Millar said they expected to tour for a couple of years before getting real jobs. But a friend, the up-and-coming poet Shel Silverstein, offered them a fun poem called The Unicorn. The Rovers set it to music and the next thing they knew, it was No. 2 on Billboard, right behind the Beatles. Those things dont happen anymore, Millar said Even the Rovers were taken aback, especially when The Unicorn also hit on the country charts. Millar said he never gets tired of singing the song, and views it as his pot of gold. That song was the reason we stayed together for 50 years it put kids through college, Millar said. Millar is fast with the quips delivered with a thick Irish accent. Bringing comedy to their show is a key ingredient to the bands longevity. At the end of the day, Millar said he always asks himself two questions: Did I please the audience and did I please myself? I can see why George Burns went to almost 100 years old. If everybody is healthy and we are having fun, well keep going. The seven-piece band originally billed this tour as their last, but Millar said they may cut back but they won't stop entirely. The Irish Rovers play traditional instruments like the tin whistle and accordion. So a portion of their live show is a Celtic jam. One of Millars favorites is a song he wrote nine years ago, My Dear Little Shamrock Shore, about the Irish coming to America. They never thought about going back. In those early days, they couldnt, but they never gave up dreaming about Ireland. Its about thinking about that Emerald Isle. In the Irish tradition, the Rovers write plenty of drinking songs, too. In fact, they released an entire album of nothing but drinking songs. Irish songs are either about drinking, fast horses, lovely Colleens or being homesick. If it werent for us, there wouldnt be people like Garth Brooks, Millar said. Musical instruments, a hotpot, sex toys and a pedestal toilet ... burial objects from ancient Chinese kings' tombs express their yearning for a joyful life and afterlife. An exhibition of tomb treasures recently unearthed in China's Jiangsu province will be presented at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco from Feb 17 to May 28, revealing how the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 24) courts sought to glorify their stature in this life and the next one through rare artwork and artifacts. The exhibition, titled Tomb Treasures: New Discoveries from China's Han Dynasty, will showcase more than 160 artifacts made of ceramic, lacquer, precious metal and priceless jade. Most of the works on display have never travelled outside of their home museums in Central China. The exhibits come from the looted mausoleums of the Jiangdu Kingdom at Dayun Mountain, only excavated in 2011, and royal tombs of the Chu Kingdom in Xuzhou, first uncovered in 1995. The Han Dynasty, like the Roman Empire, forged one of the most powerful, advanced civilizations of the ancient world. The Han people looked on death as being born again, and were intent on taking their treasured objects to the next life with them. "This show is about life, expressions of love and the pursuit of happiness, pleasure and longevity," said Jay Xu, director of the Asian Art Museum and co-curator of the exhibition. "It's not only the life we are living now, but also the afterlife. Chinese believed death was merely an initiation into the afterlife." "These underground palaces were furnished to provide everything the deceased would have needed to continue their grand existences - visitors will not only appreciate the innovation of the artistry and craftsmanship on display, but the very human aspirations they represent," he said. The exhibition highlights include jade burial suits, lacquer coffins, exquisite lamps, ritual bells that still ring, as well as latrines, urinals and two hollow bronze phalluses designed to be worn. An extravagant jade burial suit was made up of hundreds of "fish scale" tiles and sewn with gold threads thought by the Han to guard against decay. Only a handful of these suits have ever been discovered. The romantic silver belt hooks, excavated from the tomb of a female consort, were made of two interlocking pieces bearing the auspicious inscription "forget me not" and fit together in perfect harmony to literally become one for all eternity. Ingenious bronze "smokeless" lamps represent not only the Han people's technical innovation but also the royals' nightly pastimes. Also on display is a set of real ritual bells, which were vital to state ceremonies and ancestor worship rituals. A replica set of chimes will be played by members of the San Francisco Center for New Music every third Sunday. liazhu@chinadailyusa.cm You could call this one a vertical market thats about to get a lift. A Shenzhen based company is pioneering two Internet of Things (IoT) technologies targeting one of the largest captive audiences anywhere the riders of Chinas 4.26 million elevators. First is a cloud-based digital display terminal known as Yunfa Net that developer China Information Technology, Inc. (CNIT) says is already signed to be in 50,000 elevators across China, mostly commercial office buildings and residential high-rises. Aside from displaying local news and weather, the system has interactive advertising that allows passengers to ask questions about products and even make purchases. Some even have facial recognition technology that lets it remember a shoppers preferences and share them with other terminals (and tempt you with something you might like on your next ride, no doubt). Yunfa Net also makes advertisers lives easier, allowing them to use a PC or mobile app to create an ad and send it directly to targeted elevator display terminals across China. A fast food chain could create ads for cold drinks and send them to terminals in hot locations, and send hot drink ads to terminals in cool locations, the company boasts. Jewelry companies and high-end luxury item sellers can drop their ads into elevators in posh hotels, where the well-heeled are free to make impulse buys. The smart elevator is not all about marketing. CNIT is also introducing a service to increase safety in elevators, something the Chinese government has said is urgently needed, the company says. Smart modules collect data 24/7 from the car and stream it to building maintenance, property management and local police, any of which can respond if there is trouble. It also maintains service records and switches on lights in an emergency. This safety component of the service CNIT hopes to market to half of Chinas 4.26 million elevators by 2020. Concern about elevator safety in China came to the front as far back as 2013, when then deputy head of the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Chen Gang, called for the training of more elevator maintenance professionals after a string of deadly accidents involving malfunctioning equipment, apparently because of shoddy maintenance. At the time, the number of elevators in China was increasing 20 percent a year, having reached 2.45 million by 2012, making China number one in the world in numbers of elevators in use, production and growth. The dramatic increase in elevators in use, the aging of equipment and the heavy load on elevators and escalators threaten their safe operation, Chen told China Daily at the time. Fan Kun, director of a special equipment testing institution responsible for examining all elevators and escalators in Beijings Chaoyang district, said that after receiving reports submitted by companies that maintain the elevators, the institution often found in the follow-up examination that the condition of the elevator differed from what they said in the report. Sometimes, some maintenance workers with a heavy workload would just skip some tests and fill in fake results, he told China Daily. The Internet of Things and safety-focused apps like CNITs can help put an end to that. With China building more skyscrapers than any other country in the world in 2016 84 of the 128 completed worldwide shattering its previous year record of 68 completions in 2015 (picture bamboo in growing season), it seems inevitable that more and more people will be spending more and more time riding the up-and-down cars. CNIT says its currently selling its cloud app services in 11 cities in China and by 2020 hopes to be in an additional 45 cities across the country. Sell to your captive audience, sure, but first make sure theyre safe. Contact the writer at chrisdavis@chinadailyusa. com. A US company that is the fourth-largest airbag manufacturer in the world and a subsidiary of China's Ningbo Joyson Electronic Corp, is reportedly a candidate to acquire Japan's troubled Takata Corp, according to a published report. Takata is in the midst of a massive recall that may affect as many as 100 million vehicles worldwide after faulty Takata airbag inflators were linked to 13 deaths globally and more than 100 injuries. Takata hired investment bank Lazard Ltd last year to lead a financial restructuring to reduce the impact of the recalls, which could cost the company more than $24 billion, according to Bloomberg. China's Ningbo Joyson may be looking to build on its 2016 acquisition of Sterling Heights, Michigan-based Key Safety Systems Inc (KSS) for $920 million. In 2016, Key Safety President and CEO Jason Luo told Crain's Detroit Business that Joyson and Key Safety were evaluating opportunities in the active and passive safety market and that Takata "could be of interest". Sanjay Gupta, dean of the Eli Broad College of Business at Michigan State University, told China Daily that Joyson might be interested in Takata to leverage the lessons learned from its Key Safety purchase into Takata. "As we venture deeper into automation, safety will play an even bigger role, and so airbags and other safety products are likely to receive more attention," Gupta said. "Fixing Takata's problems and getting the products right would enable Joyson to have a commanding position in an area of potentially high demand and growth in the future." Ningbo's purchase of Key Safety created an auto supplier generating revenue of approximately $3 billion globally. "Our company's culture isn't Chinese or American. We are truly a global company with over 12,000 employees, operations in 15 countries," Luo told China Daily in 2016. paulwelitzkin@chinadailyusa.com It's been a busy week for US toymaker Mattel. On Tuesday, the California company announced a strategic partnership with Alibaba Group Holdings Ltd to develop products for Chinese e-commerce site Tmall.com. Mattel also announced that one of its companies, popular doll maker American Girl, would add a boy doll, a drummer named Logan Everett, to its lineup. Mattel will market and sell to China via Alibaba's business-to-consumer marketplace Tmall.com, but also will be "leveraging the company's media ecosystem to develop and promote learning resources and educational content - inspired by Mattel's beloved brands and characters - to help parents and families get the most out of play," the company said in a statement. Mattel also will work with Alibaba's artificial intelligence lab to develop products designed to aid child development through the use of technology and interactive learning. "Play has a tremendous impact on a child's cognitive, social and emotional growth," said Margo Georgiadis, a former Google executive who took over as Mattel CEO on Feb 8. "By combining Mattel's unmatched expertise in childhood learning and development with Alibaba's immense reach and unique consumer insights, our goal is to help parents in China raise children to be their personal best." Daniel Zhang, Alibaba CEO, said the company looks forward to "supporting Mattel's growth through our robust data and commerce technology infrastructure, which will help to elevate their overall business from product development to brand-building to rural penetration for this unique and massive market". Georgiadis added that "the multibillion dollar toy category in China is highly fragmented, with tremendous potential for growth. Working with Alibaba, we see a terrific opportunity to develop and lead the category." Mainland parents buy fewer toys for their children compared with parents in some other countries, according to Patty Wu, Mattel's vice-president of China Growth, in an article on Alizila.com, a website for Alibaba news. Wu said many parents believe idle play distracts them from homework and hurts academic performance. She said that is a reason why toy sales in China underperform relative to other child-related products. The market in China for baby formula is three times that of the US, while the diaper market is 30 percent larger, according to Wu. hengweili@chinadailyusa.com A survey crew walks near the base of the Lake Oroville Dam after an evacuation order was lifted for communities downstream in Oroville, California, US February 15, 2017. [Photo/Agencies] Feb 15 - For nearly 50 years, the Oroville Dam has provided a water lifeline to residents across the state of California. But for the community in its shadow, the dam has been a source of contention and legal battles. Weeks of winter storms triggered the near collapse of two of the dam's spillways this past week and temporary evacuation of nearly 190,000 residents. The crisis also brought to the surface lingering and looming problems faced by the local community. Butte County and green groups have fought the relicensing of the Oroville Dam for more than a decade. They argue federal regulators and the courts should require the state to better fortify the emergency spillway, to reimburse the county for dam-related costs, and to more carefully examine the effects of climate change on the dam. Oroville's reservoir plays a vital role in capturing water from California's rainy, mountainous north and distributing it to agricultural lands, industrial tracts, and homes from the Bay Area to Southern California. But the community downstream says the benefits were not returned to Butte County. In 2005, Butte County filed a motion with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), which licenses the dam, to intervene in the state's application to grant a new 50-year license. "For many years the costs to provide services to the project have outweighed the tourism benefits," the county argued at the time. The dam's recreation facilities had become "a magnet for crime, vandalism, trash dumping" that the county regularly had to police and cleanup. The nation's tallest dam created a job boom for the region during its construction in the 1960s. But once the project was completed, unemployment spiked and new homes were abandoned. In the decades since, Butte County argued it lost $267 million in potential taxes on the now-submerged land under reservoir. The county estimated it spends $4.8 million annually on expenses related to the dam. The state's Department of Water Resources, which operates the dam, calculated the county's losses were less, but still reached over $500,000 annually, according to a 2007 environmental study. Conservation groups Friends of the River and the Sierra Club also raised issues, requesting that the dam's relicensing be contingent on stronger fortification of the emergency spillway -- which nearly failed this week. "We were told repeatedly that the spillways and the dam were all just fine," said Friends of the River's Executive Director Eric Wesselman. "The events unfolding at Oroville should be a wake-up call that there are thousands of unsafe dams and levees in the country." FERC consultants dismissed concerns about the emergency spillway in a 2006 memo. But on Monday, the federal agency requested an independent "forensic analysis to determine both the cause of the spillway failure and whether it could occur again." FERC spokeswoman Celeste Miller would not say how the damaged spillways impacted the state's application to relicense the dam. In 2008, Butte County also sued the state's Department of Water Resources, accusing it of avoiding a rigorous assessment of the effects of climate change on the dam. The lawsuit came three years after Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger warned that climate change threatened to "greatly reduce the Sierra snowpack, one of the state's primary sources of water." The state needs to consider the wild swings in climate conditions, not just the effects of drought, when re-evaluating the safety of dams, said Butte County Counsel Bruce Alpert. "I don't know what's coming in the future, but they haven't studied it," Alpert said. The state says it completed a climate analysis over a decade ago. In 2012, a judge ruled against Butte County, writing that "current climate change science does not allow for project-specific forecasting," and the state's environmental study "should not be based on speculation." The county appealed. The case is now before California 3rd District Court of Appeals. London's commercial property sector witnessed a sharp surge in Chinese investment in 2016, driven by the weaker pound resulting from uncertainties over Brexit, and investors hunting for better yields due to economic restructuring at home. Chinese investors bought more than 3.15 billion pounds ($3.9 billion) worth of central London commercial assets in 2016, accounting for 22.5 percent of total central London transaction volumes, compared to their purchase of less than 1 percent in 2006, latest statistics by property broker JLL revealed. The increases mean Chinese buyers have overtaken US buyers as the dominant source of capital investment into London commercial property, as they have bought about 10.2 billion pounds of London assets in the past 5 years, according to JLL. Commercial property mainly comprises office buildingswhich can generate more than 4 percent net returns for investors, according to estimates by Eric Zhao, an associate director and Chinese capital markets specialist at estate agent Savills. Good tenant covenants and long-term leases for the commercial property investment market are contributing toward this favorable return, Zhao says. Laurel Zhang, head of the China and Far East Desk at the law firm Sherrards Solicitors, said her team has also noted a very strong Chinese appetite for UK property. Although Brexit uncertainties have led to some slight drops in property values, Chinese investors are still getting a bargain due to the depreciation of the pound, said Zhang. The pound has depreciated just a little more than 10 percent against the yuan since the June 2016 UK referendum on leaving the European Union. Zhang said: "Meanwhile, China's real economy is not performing as well as it should be, so many businesses in the real economy sector are witnessing reduced opportunities to invest, so they have more excess money to invest in overseas assets." Eric Pang, director and head of the China Desk at JLL, said the trend of Chinese investors buying overseas commercial property started around 2011, led by sovereign wealth funds, insurance firms and institutional investors. Pang said: "These investors are keen to diversify their asset base, and good asset accumulation they were experiencing in earlier years gave them further capability to invest overseas." In more recent years, private sector funds and investors and also property investment firms have followed, Pang said. Deals have continued into 2017. CC Land Holdings, a property-holding firm backed by Hong Kong property tycoon Cheung Chung Kiu, bought an office building in Paddington for 292 million pounds in January. Chinese investment has had an impact on economic development in the UK, and Brexit is unlikely to dent the trend, according to a report released by a London-based accountancy. The Grant Thornton Tou Ying Tracker 2016, which was produced in collaboration with China Daily, was released in Beijing on Wednesday. It says Chinese companies in the United Kingdom enjoyed an average growth rate of 174 percent in 2015. Among them, the 16 fastest-growing State-owned enterprisesknown as SOEsgrew at an average of 146 percent. The top 14 privately owned firms grew at 210 percent. The tracking analysis has been conducted in each of the past four years, explained Simon Bevan, head of the China Britain Services Group at Grant Thornton and coauthor of the report. "The SOEs led the way into the UK and have built platforms for the private companies that make up the second wave of Chinese investment," he said. This year's list was heavily populated by SOEs from the energy, technology and financial service sectors, as well as private firms from the manufacturing, technology, retail and consumer sectors. The report, which is based on records filed at Companies House in London by Chinese-controlled entities, says the 30 businesses on the list employ more than 20,000 people in the UK and had a combined turnover of 9.8 billion pounds ($12.1 billion). Sacha Romanovitch, CEO of Grant Thornton UK, said Chinese companies are making increasing investment in the UK, despite global concerns about Brexit. "The figures that I have been told is that, since the Brexit vote, Chinese investment into UK has been up six percent," she said, adding that exiting the European Union may give the UK more freedom to make laws and regulations that facilitate trade and attract investors. She said Chinese companies may find there are opportunities in areas the UK government is targeting, such as infrastructure, rail, road, energy supply, and hospitals. Bevan noted that about 44 percent of Chinese companies with a presence in Europe have their headquarters in London, and predicted the situation could continue because the UK's tax rate for companies is low, and that is unlikely to change. He said the UK is likely to remain "a very competitive financial service leader". And the technology, media and telecom sectors should continue to attract interest. Angus McNeice contributed to this story. European farmers benefitted from a doubling of pork exports to China in 2016, according to an official industry organization. Countries including the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain and Denmark led the list of exporters. The UK's Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board noted that global pork shipments to the world's second-largest economy reached 1.6 million metric tons. The board cited the restructuring of the Chinese pig industry as the main reason for the increase in hunger for the product. The European Union supplied around two-thirds of China's imported pork. "This was particularly true early in 2016, driven by plentiful supplies, competitive prices and hormone-free production systems," said Bethan Wilkins, an analyst at the board. But EU farmers are likely to see increasing competition from the United States and Brazil in future. After gaining increased access to the Chinese market, Brazil became its eighth-largest pork supplier last year. Shipments of pig meat from the UK to China shot up last year, reaching 43,000 tonsa rise of 31 percent compared to 2015. Pig meat refers to various cuts and products, as opposed the whole pig carcass. "Higher pig prices in China enabled average unit prices to rise," said Wilkins. "So, the value of these imports was up ahead of volume, almost reaching 50 million pounds ($62 million). Offal imports were up 72 percent to 1.3 million tons worldwide, while the EU remained the dominant supplier. Offal shipments from the UK were up 32 percent, but volumes exported during the final quarter were 9 percent lower than they were in the same period in 2015. The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board said this was due to increased competition from the US and because of falling UK production. In the coming year, the board expects Chinese domestic production to increase, which will reduce demand for imports. Wilkins said: "This will be a concern for the global pork market, as China has been a key outlet in a background of lackluster demand for pig meat in Europe and the US. Unless alternative markets can be found, a fall in demand from China could begin to put pressure on global pork prices this year, particularly in light of the expansion in US production." As Foreign Minister Wang Yi and US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson may potentially meet later this week, analysts say the two sides should grab the chance and talk on key topics, such as the South China Sea issue, to avoid misjudgment. Both senior diplomats are attending the Group 20 foreign ministers' meeting in Bonn, Germany, an annual gathering that also hosts two-way meetings on its sidelines. Amid simmering tension on the Korean peninsula, the US-China diplomat meeting, if it takes place, will be the first high-level one since Donald Trump entered the Oval Office on Jan 20. Analysts highlight their need to meet partly because operational-level contacts should start following last week's telephone conversation between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Both the Foreign Ministry and US State Department, respectively, on Tuesday announced Wang and Tillerson would be heading to Bonn. When asked on Thursday whether they will meet on the sidelines, Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said he has no information available for release. Tillerson, the former CEO of Exxon Mobil, worried China before taking office as he told a Senate hearing that the US should "block" China's access to latter's islands in the South China Sea. Even after the new US administration took office, the Pentagon sent mixed signals on the South China Sea issue. Earlier this month, US Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis encouraged resolving the issue through talks, while US Navy officials are reportedly requesting that Trump agree on a plan to resume US incursion into China's territorial waters there. Wu Xinbo, director of the Center for American Studies at Fudan University in Shanghai, said the meeting on the sidelines, if it occurs, will be an ideal occasion for Tillerson to deliver views as a career diplomat rather than an amateur who spoke tough words against China. The first task at the meeting is to "map out a roadmap" for the two key foreign affairs departments, as both organs take charge of a range of key dialogue institutions between the two countries. On specific issues likely to be raised, Wu estimated that the Chinese side will focus on the South China Sea situation "to offset the US defense authorities' prompting Trump to act radically in the waters there". Fan Jishe, a researcher on US studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, noted that the potential meeting is of larger significance at this moment as "a range of different views remain between Beijing and Washington, and the dialogue on a working level by departments in charge is key to stabilizing the two-way ties". Given Tillerson's harsh remarks on the South China Sea before taking office and "some radical signals sent recently by Washington", the meeting offers a chance to update positions, Fan said. The US side may raise the Korean peninsula situation at the potential meeting, given the missile launch earlier this week by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Fan added. After the G20 meeting, Wang will remain in Germany attend the annual Munich Security Conference, an important annual forum on international strategy and security. BOZEMAN Montana State University doctoral student Elizabeth Flesch has co-authored a paper that compares the mountain goat data that volunteers collected to data career scientists collected and confirms the importance of citizen scientists in mountain goat research. The paper, Comparing citizen science and professional data to evaluate extrapolated mountain goat distribution models, was published Feb. 14 in the ecology journal Ecosphere. The study focuses on Glacier National Parks High Country Citizen Science Project, which enlists volunteers to act as citizen scientists by participating in backcountry surveys to collect information on the number and location of the parks mountain goats. The paper details how, through their data collection, citizen scientists have played an important role in mountain goat distribution research in Glacier National Park as part of the study that spanned Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. Flesch previously worked as coordinator for the High Country Citizen Science Project, along with the papers co-author Jami Belt, now a biologist/natural resource program manager at Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. For their research, Flesch and Belt compared mountain goat locations that citizen scientists in Glacier recorded during field observation with those that professional scientists collected. They determined that park managers can use mountain goat location data that volunteers collected to evaluate distribution models. Such models are developed to assist with wildlife monitoring by predicting where a species is likely to be found on the landscape. Extrapolating and evaluating a distribution model built in the Greater Yellowstone Area to the Waterton-Glacier region increases understanding of mountain goat habitat use and could improve upon estimates of mountain goat population trends from data collected by citizen scientists, the paper said. Garrott, who also leads the Greater Yellowstone Area studies, said he was pleased to see that the model built using data from the Yellowstone studies worked well in another region. Such model validation is an important aspect of developing reliable ecological knowledge, he said. The number of citizen science programs is increasing exponentially as a way to get help from the public in answering research questions, Belt said, adding that the work contributes to the emerging body of literature evaluating whether citizen science efforts yield data that can be used for wildlife management. Flesch said the findings show that citizen scientists work can benefit biological research while providing the volunteers a chance to support the places where they recreate. We hope our effort will encourage further use of citizen science, which provides a prime opportunity for meaningful public engagement and stewardship during the scientific process, she said. Brian Johnson, a citizen scientist from Polson who contributed to the project, agreed. The citizen science program has given me a way to contribute and gain a better appreciation of Glacier National Park while enjoying the beauty and solitude of the backcountry, Polson said. The Glacier National Park Citizen Science Program also conducts research on common loons, pikas, bighorn sheep and invasive plants. Training sessions for the public are available every summer. For more information, visit http://www.crownscience.org/getinvolved/citizen-science. To access the manuscript, go to: http://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/hub/journal/10.1002/(ISSN)2150-8925/. The former Laurel police officer who was charged with partner assault in July has requested the Montana Supreme Court weigh in on his case. Jim Huertas, who was fired from the department in September, has asked that charges against him be dismissed on the grounds of double jeopardy. That request has already been denied by Billings Municipal Court Judge Shelia Kolar and Yellowstone County District Court Judge Michael Moses. Huertas was tried on a charge of partner or family member assault in January. A mistrial was declared after the alleged victim said Billings Police Office Paul LaMantia, a former business partner of Huertas, had delivered a subpoena for her to appear at trial. On July 24, the woman reported to police that Huertas had assaulted her. A medical exam showed she had "swelling and discoloration" around her left eye, according to court documents. She has since described what happened as an "adult fight" that had involved a struggle and mutual combat, according to trial testimony. LaMantia and Huertas had previously partnered in a failed business venture. An internal investigation into LaMantia was conducted by the Billings Police Department after he allegedly assaulted Huertas, according to Huertas' writ of supervisory control. LaMantia served the subpoena the night before the Jan. 20 trial, according to the record. The officer did not tell the woman to not tell the truth, Kolar said at trial. But, he should never have served the subpoena, she said. The city moved to have a mistrial declared because LaMantia's conduct needed to be investigated. A new trial was supposed to move forward on Tuesday, but a week prior, Huertas moved to dismiss the case. Huertas' defense attorney, Lisa Bazant, filed for a motion to dismiss the charges for a violation of his right to due process and his right to be free from double jeopardy. At trial, Billings Police Officer Jared Lausch, who picked up the woman on the night she reported the assault, said he later began a romantic relationship with the victim, according to his testimony. The city of Billings has 20 days to respond to the request for Supreme Court intervention. Billings Police Chief Rich St. John said it is rare for one of his officers to serve subpoenas. However, if the court needs someone in court quickly, a shift commander may have to request an officer serve a subpoena. Billings police are not prohibited from starting relationships with people they meet during the course of their work, and are not required to report that information to their commanding officer, St. John said. If any of those relationships resulted in inappropriate use of their position, it would be properly handled, St. John said. The chief said he has never had to fire an officer over a relationship. The Billings Police Department generates more complaints from within the department than the police receive from the public, St. John said. If possible, officers in his department avoid involving themselves in anything that could impeach their credibility with the public, St. John said. If he found any of his officers had used their position inappropriately, disciplinary options can include termination, he said. Rob Rogers, the School District 2 Trustee representing Billings' West End, resigned Wednesday. Rogers will be taking a job reporting on health care for the Billings Gazette beginning March 1 and did not want to continue as a trustee in his new position. "It's such a huge conflict of interest," he said Thursday. He covered education at the Gazette for five years before resigning in 2014 to spend more time with his children. He was appointed by the SD2 Board of Trustees to a vacant position in June, and was re-elected in an unopposed race in 2015. Montana law requires school boards to appoint a new trustee for open spots within 60 days of the board declaring the position vacant. If trustees don't appoint someone in that period, the county school superintendent appoints a new trustee. The appointed trustee serves until the next school election. For Rogers' seat, it appears an appointee would serve a limited term before the May 2 school election. Three other seats are up for election; the South Side seat held by Tanya Ludwig, the West Heights and North Park seat held by Janna Hafer, and the high school-only seat held by Suzie Layton, which represents areas outside Billings' elementary district. So far, only Ludwig has filed for re-election. The final day for candidates to file is March 23. Rogers said that he felt his time on the school board was productive. "With the hiring of Terry (Bouck, SD2's current superintendent), the district has been able to get some great momentum moving in the right direction," he said. SD2 released a statement calling Rogers "a tireless advocate for our public schools for many years now." During Rogers' tenure, the board went through a redistricting process that proved contentious at the high school level. It also oversaw the construction of two new middle schools funded by a bond passed in 2013, as well as several other infrastructure improvements. More than a dozen residents have already lobbied the Billings City Council so far this week to include at least $425,000 for residential snowplowing in the citys 2017-18 budget currently being crafted. Wednesdays letters to council members, published each day on the citys website, www.ci.billings.mt.us/1538/City-Council-E-mail-Messages, included some sternly-worded messages from residents who say theyre tired of driving on rutted residential streets. I would welcome any calls from the mayor and/or council members to tell you about close calls from out of control vehicles due to the giant ice ruts in the roads, wrote Bill Manske of Rimrock Plumbing. I expect this situation to be corrected by next year. We moved to the area, wrote Joyce Scroggins, because research had led us to believe that the area offered great healthcare and opportunities for senior citizens. But we definitely would have made a different decision if we had known that the area can also hold a person prisoner in their own home because the city doesnt offer its citizens proper street maintenance during harsh winters. Ive asked friends and colleagues and they all state the same we want to pay for snow removal on our side streets, wrote Steven Fourstar. We end up paying more on car maintenance and use much more gas trudging our vehicles through feet of snow and ice. I am appalled, in fact, shocked at the lack of snow removal in Billings, wrote JoAnn Groscop. We must rely on the fact that someone has turned onto a street before we have so we can follow their tracks and hope we dont get stuck in the process. We are the largest city in the state and yet, have way below average snow removal services. Not all the letters took the citys policy of not plowing residential streets to task. I think, in general, the snow removal the city provides is more than adequate, wrote Chris Murray. Sure, this year things were a bit bumpy at the beginning, and money should have been budgeted, but it all worked out with minimal problems. Snow removal is not only expensive, but it is very fossil fuel intensive. A number of council members say theyve been hearing from constituents saying theyre willing to pay about $9 extra annually for residential snowplowing. That number is derived by dividing the $425,000 cost by the number of Billings residences, currently about 46,000, according to the United States Census Bureau. Councilman Mike Yakawich said he heard from more than 50 people after sending out about 150 inquiries to constituents. He said his district, Ward 1, is basically divided 50-50. I found that overall there is a welcome to snow plowing. However, when there is a fee and especially realizing it will be plowed to the side, the field becomes more divided. In general, it appears the ladies are for the plowing and the men are not. The elderly are especially concerned for their cars/driveways being plowed in. The lower income (residents) are more concerned with the fee increase. Councilman Dick Clark of Ward 5 said hed be willing to look at it in the budget. Im not sure we need to do it, but if we are going to plow residential streets, I want to see it go into a fund that would carry over into the next year. His colleague, Larry Brewster, who represents the residents of Ward 2, said it would be nice if The Gazettes editorial board, which has called on the council to budget for residential plowing, worked off facts. He added, If the fund can be earmarked for residential plowing only, and its just plow to the curb, Ill support it. Councilman Brent Cromley of Ward 1 said he hasnt changed his mind about plowing residential streets since voting June 13, 2016, to spend $425,000 to plow them following snowstorms of 3 inches or more. The proposal failed on a 5-5 vote, with Mayor Tom Hanel joining Cromley, Rich McFadden, Al Swanson and Ryan Sullivan in support of the plan. Voting against the plan were Yakawich, Brewster, Clark, Shaun Brown and Chris Friedel. Councilwoman Angela Cimmino left the meeting before the vote was taken. Cimmino said she supports plowing "all arterial and residential streets, but make it perfectly clear that all allocated money be placed in an account strictly for this purpose," with unused funds "carried over the following year for snow plowing only." "I support continued discussions and consideration for increased snow plowing in the FY 2018 budget," she said. Im very much for budgeting, Sullivan said. Its good for health, safety and the economy of Billings and it has a big impact on household income of citizens due to broken vehicles, accidents and missed/late work days. Public Works Director Dave Mumford said department officials will discuss residential snow plowing with council members during the city council's April 3 work session. Gabriela Baird couldnt stop smiling Thursday morning. The 46-year-old Bozeman resident and native of Mexico become a citizen of the United States. Baird joined 24 others from 12 countries at the James F. Battin Federal Courthouse in Billings for the naturalization ceremony. The oath was administered by U.S. District Judge Susan Watters. About 60 family members and friends sat in the gallery watching the proceedings. Baird was joined by her husband, Rex, and their infant twins, Isabel Marie and Rex Thomas. I feel very blessed to be able to live in this country with my children and my husband, Baird said. I love that its very safe and you have the promise of a better life. Baird, who is from Mexico and lived in Monterrey, met her husband when he was in Texas to visit his house down there. My cousin was the girlfriend of his friend living in the house, she said. That's how the two met, which then led to a long-distance relationship. And poof, after four years we got married, Baird said. In a time when the topic of immigration has stirred a hornets nest of controversy, Baird said there are no easy answers. Some people risk their lives coming to the United States illegally and they leave their children behind when they do it. Baird also said it doesnt seem fair that illegal immigrants use services but dont pay their fair share of taxes. On the other hand, they flee untenable situations for the hope of what theyll find across the border, she said. I think it would be hard to be in that situation, Baird said. Having lived among violence in Monterrey, she appreciates the peace and safety she has found in the United States. The people are very warm in Montana, very welcoming, Baird said. During the ceremony, each of the 25 participants stood and was introduced. They raised their right hand and spoke the oath of allegiance, repeating the words spoken by Deputy Clerk Heather McLean. Watters then presented each new citizen a naturalization certificate. They also received small U.S. flags given to them by members of Daughters of the American Revolution. Congratulatory letters were read by representatives of Montanas congressional delegation. Then Watters spoke a few remarks to the new citizens. A naturalization ceremony is one of the few joyful occasions that takes place in her courtroom, she said. Its also an opportunity to reflect on the rights and freedoms given by the Constitution for all Americans to enjoy. Freedom of religion lets citizens worship as they please, and freedom of speech lets people speak their minds, Watters said. Freedom of the press allows journalists to report on anyone in government, no matter how high their position. And every citizen can make their own mark. You have the right to vote, she said. You could register today after the ceremony, and I encourage you to do that. That is the only way you can have a say in government. Watters acknowledged that the United States has its share of problems. Well be a better place because you are now United States citizens, she said. Thank you for your hard work. Congratulations. Gabriele Mackenzie, originally from Germany, moved with her husband, Scott, from Canada to Montana in 1996. The couple met in Germany when Scott Mackenzie was stationed in the military. Asked what mattered most to her about becoming a citizen, Mackenzie said the right to vote. I wanted to vote in this last election but I couldnt, she said. That is important. That means a lot to me. Montana law explicitly guarantees freedom from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, religion, color, sex, physical or mental disability, age or national origin. But the Montana Human Rights Act remains silent on protecting people from discrimination because they are lesbian, bisexual, gay or transgender. Once again, the Legislature is asked to consider righting that omission by added six words to the law gender identity, or expression, sexual orientation. House Bill 417, sponsored by Rep. Kelly McCarthy, D-Billings, wouldnt change anything else in the law. If HB417 was enacted, Montana and U.S. law would still protect freedom of religion, and still bar discrimination based on religion and the other factors listed in the Montana Human Rights Act. Religious freedom was a focus for the folks who opposed HB417 Wednesday at the House Judiciary Committee hearing. But many Montanans who support HB417 also are people of deep religious faith. Lawmakers must hear the pleas of Montanans who have been discriminated against by landlords who didnt rent to a same-sex couple and employers who refused to hire an otherwise qualified applicant who appeared to be gay. The Montanans who spoke for equality during the two-hour hearing included business people who want their state to be inclusive and welcoming of LGBT folks. Christian ministers spoke in support of adding LGBT to the Human Rights Act. Fear and despair The most compelling testimony came from several people who described experiences of being discriminated in Montana because of their sexual orientation. One woman told of finding a derogatory term for homosexual spray painted on her car while she was at work. She was frightened and reported the vandalism to police as well as her employers safety supervisor. She was then admonished by her supervisor for alerting the police about the crime. A letter from the parents of a 17-year-old transgender Montanana spoke of how their son killed himself last year. For our son, legislation such as this comes too late, the parents wrote. Anna Doran, owner of a Helena business, presented a letter signed by 60 Montana businesses that reaffirmed their commitment to their LGBT employees and customers. The Rev. Susan Otey of Great Falls brought the committee a letter signed by 53 Montana clergy in support of HB417. The committee heard of LGBT Montanans living in fear, and choosing to move out of state to be safe. The committee heard of a Montana native who moved back to Missoula after that city passed a nondiscrimination ordinance several years ago. Several representatives of student government at Montana State University and the University of Montana spoke in support of equal rights. Good for business McCarthy told the committee that being inclusive is good for business. Large companies are looking for locations that have an open, nondiscrimination environment where they can hire and retain the best employees. He also shared a family story of discrimination. McCarthys niece joined the U.S. military, served honorably and came back to Montana where she was twice denied rental housing in Billings for herself, her wife and son. If shes good enough to serve our country, why doesnt she get the same rights that I enjoy? asked McCarthy, a veteran himself. Of course, all Montanans deserve equal rights. Past Legislatures have quickly killed proposals to protect LGBT Montanans from discrimination. To its credit, the Judiciary Committee appears to be allowing time for additional pro and con information to be submitted, and time to read the many letters and statements submitted at the hearing. We call on the Judiciary members to give thoughtful consideration to HB417 and approve it for the sake of all the sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, nephews and nieces who shouldnt be discriminated against because of who they love. OTTAWA - With exploratory talks on a Canada-China free trade agreement scheduled to begin next week in Beijing, Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lawrence MacAulay wants the farm-to-fork sector he oversees in government to be one of the main courses on the menu of a future bilateral trade pact. "China wants our food and we want to sell it to them," MacAulay said here in an interview with Xinhua on Wednesday. "The Canadian agricultural sector has the capabilities and know-how to help China meet its growing demand for safe food." "The Chinese need to know what we have, and are aware of the quality of our goods and our regulatory system. I want to make sure the Chinese people are demanding more and more products from Canada." Canola, which was bred from rapeseed in Canada in the early 1970s, is Canada's top agricultural export to China. During Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's visit to Ottawa last September, China and Canada signed a memorandum of understanding that extends exports of canola to 2020 and provides a "science-based" approach for Canadian canola producers to address Chinese concerns on dockage. According to Canadian government figures, canola exports to China amounted to C$2 billion in 2015, or more than one-third of C$5.6 billion in Canadian agri-food sold to China - a number that MacAulay said grew up to C$6.1 billion last year, representing 30 percent of all Canadian exports to China. To further increase sales to China, the minister is promoting Canadian food beyond its world-famous canola. Canada already sells beef to China, with exports totaling C$255 million in 2015, and that number could significantly rise following a protocol both countries signed last year to expand market access for Canadian frozen bone-in-beef. Last November, when he led the largest-ever delegation of over 100 Canadian agricultural industry representatives on a 10-day trade mission to Beijing, Qingdao and Shanghai, MacAulay received feedback on the type of Canadian food Chinese want to eat - and their appetite for it is quite diverse. He said that China wants blueberries, Canada's largest fruit crop grown nationally, and that the Chinese have developed a taste for ice cream made in his home province of Prince Edward Island. COWS Inc opened its first ice cream shop in Beijing in 2014, and has since expanded with another store in the Chinese capital as well as outlets in other cities, including Shanghai. COWS was among 56 Canadian companies that had deals finalized in China during Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's first official visit to the country last year, and in partnership with Yintai Group plans to open ice cream stores in high-end Yintai shopping centers in China. MacAulay plans to lead another agricultural delegation to China later this year. A Crow Agency man who admitted to biting a woman on the breast while drunk was sentenced to time served in federal court in Billings on Wednesday. U.S. District Judge Susan Watters followed a plea agreement that recommended time served and three years of supervised release for Garrett Jay Costa Sr., 45, who pleaded guilty to assault resulting in serious injury. The judge also dismissed two other counts as part of plea deal. Costa faced a sentencing guideline range of 15 months to 21 months. He had spent almost 16 months in federal and tribal custody while cases were pending. Costa apologized. Watters said both Costa and the victim were using methamphetamine and were under the influence of the drug. Costa, she said, needed treatment for substance abuse. Costa's attorney, Steve Babcock, assistant federal defender, said earlier that Costa was highly intoxicated at the time and didn't remember much of what happened. Earlier, Costa said he remembered coming to after having passed out and hearing the victim scream. Prosecutors said the assault happened on July 9, 2015 on the Crow Reservation when the victim gave Costa a ride home at about 3 a.m. Costa grabbed the steering wheel and told the victim to drive into the country near Crow Agency. When the victim asked where they were going because she was low on gas, Costa reached over and put the gear shift into park, causing the vehicle to stop abruptly, the government said. Costa then assaulted the victim by biting her on various part of her body, including both nipples. The victim sought medical treatment. HELENA For decades, the Montana Legislature has killed proposals to extend civil rights protections to people based on their gender identity or sexual orientation, affirming that it's legal for landlords and businesses to deny housing, jobs and public services because of those characteristics. On Wednesday, 18 people urged the Judiciary Committee to do so again by voting down House Bill 417, arguing it was designed to fix a nonexistent problem, creates special protections for people based on a lifestyle choice, would infringe on religious freedom, was against the will of God and would allow sexual predators into bathrooms. But another 27 people shared personal stories of discrimination without any options for recourse. Experts on the law and sexual violence contradicted claims that the measure would infringe religious practice or create a public safety danger. Advocating for nondiscrimination Rep. Kelly McCarthy, D-Billings, said it is time for Montana to join 23 other states that have created such protections, noting churches and religious nonprofits would be exempted. He said it is not only the right thing to do, but that the current practice discourages some businesses from moving to the state. HB417 adds "gender identity or expression" and "sexual orientation" to the list of protected classes in the Montana Human Rights Act, which already includes race, creed, religion, color, sex, disability, age and national origin. Lets not give anybody a reason not to come here, he said, later sharing a personal story. My niece joined the Army a few years ago and served honorably. She came back home and was denied housing twice in my hometown of Billings. Kathleen ODonnell shared one of those incidents with the committee. After four years in the Army, she and her fiancee decided in 2014 to move to Billings from Great Falls. After touring one home for rent, the landlord asked who else would be applying to live there. I said my fiancee, Casey, and my son. Is Casey a girl or a boy? he asked. I was little taken a back, but I answered Casey is a girl, she said. He looked me in the eye and said, I do not rent to your kind. Later, ODonnell was fired from a job the day before her six-month probationary period ended. She said her manager was in tears as he explained it was because the owners did not approve of her sexual orientation. After the probationary period, you can only be fired for job-related causes, she said. I was fired based on the whims of two powerful people who did not want a lesbian working for them. My family was forced to live without income for three months. At the end of the day, were all human beings. We are asking and we deserve the same rights as everybody else, she said. Opposing viewpoints Some opponents argued the bill would encourage an immoral and dangerous lifestyle choice that is against the will of God. Rick Vaught of Bozeman, who chairs the Christian Education Association, suggested the bill was instead part of a larger agenda to expand the power of government to target, attack and, if possible, destroy people who actually have a conscience, still have character and will not compromise for the sake of economic or political expediency. In the front row of the audience, Angie Rolando started crying quietly during Vaughts testimony. When a Helena police officer monitoring the hearing noticed, he grabbed a tissue box from the lectern where Vaught spoke and handed it to the woman, who had earlier testified about her own experiences with discrimination. Unless youve had a right withheld, it is often hard to comprehend what it would mean to gain it, Rolando said. The Great Falls woman was part of a successful 2014 lawsuit to overturn a 1997 state law and 2004 constitutional provision to ban same-sex marriages. Ed Halland of Bridger testified that similar nondiscrimination laws had caused chaos in other states. I am for equal rights of everyone, but Im not for special rights and setting a special group apart for special consideration, he said, adding like many opponents that he had children and grandchildren he feared would be attacked by people who are transgender or claim to be. Assessing effectiveness Representatives from the American Civil Liberties Union of Montana and the Montana Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence testified that studies have shown crime rates have not increased in states with similar protections. They pointed to FBI statistics that report 93 percent of child sexual assault victims were abused by someone they knew, not a stranger. Because cities with nondiscrimination ordinances have not fined anyone to date, Jeff Laszloffy of the Montana Family Foundation said they solved a nonexistent problem. Bozeman Mayor Carson Taylor disagreed, saying he has received emails thanking him for approving the ordinance in 2014. He said he also received notes of gratitude when, as a trustee, the school board approved similar protections years earlier. The fact it hasnt been used says to me that it was enough to pressure people to be more conscious of how they interacted with people who are different from them and might have made them more wary of violating the law, he said. Leaders from Missoula, Butte and Whitefish shared similar responses when reached Wednesday and also said they knew of no instances of violence or indecent exposure in bathrooms by people who are or claimed to be transgender. Helena officials did not immediately return requests for comment. Kalispell real estate broker Constance Neumann said her heart goes out to supporters of the bill for the rare instances of discrimination they experienced. Like other opponents, she cited instances of photographers or bakers going out of business when they were sued or fined for denying services to gay couples on religious grounds. We have a very small fringe segment of our population that is trying to impose criminal punishment on the rest of the population if they dont condone their lifestyle, she said. SK Rossi of ACLU Montana noted that the bills exemptions for churches and religious nonprofits would not extend to sales made by businesses with a public storefront. Those issues were always raised on religious freedom or First Amendment grounds. All were found not to violate the First Amendment, Rossi said. Selling goods in the public sphere is not a religious practice. Many years ago when I was in rabbinic school I used to daven one morning a week with a telephone minyan of rabbinic school friends. We were all in the eastern time zone, in states scattered across the country. We used a conference call phone line. We took turns leading davenen. It was a gift to me to hear the voices of beloved hevre, not to feel alone in my spiritual practice. Of course, the technology posed some challenges. If we wanted to sing along, we had to mute our own phones, otherwise our voices would cancel each other out. And eventually that telephone minyan came apart at the seams. Still, it was sweet, for a time. In more recent years I've participated a few times in davenen via zoom, the videoconferencing app we use in ALEPH for Board meetings and other conversations. I have powerful memories of the Monday morning after Reb Zalman died, when the rest of the ALEPH Board was together in Oregon and I was far away in Massachusetts. I joined them via zoom that morning, and davened and sang and wept with them. I remember feeling like we were truly together. Of course, it helped that I knew everyone in the room; we were already a community. I remember being grateful that there was a way for me to be with them from afar. The technological tools available to us for this kind of virtual community keep evolving. One recent morning shortly after I arrived at work at the synagogue I opened up Facebook to share a piece of synagogue news on my shul's Facebook page, and saw that Shir Yaakov was davening the morning service on Facebook Live. As is usual for me these days, my early morning had not offered me time for davenen. Early mornings in my house, these days, are all about getting myself and my kid fed and dressed, packing our lunches, making sure we both have what we need for the day ahead, and getting him on the schoolbus on time. But here was one of my hevre davening in a way that I could join. It felt like a reminder from the universe of how I really ought to begin my work day! So I put on tallit and tefillin and sang with Shir. In the chat window alongside the video there was a steady stream of comments from others who were davening too. He asked us to name the places we were in, and the places for which we were praying. I saw the names of friends across the continent, and the names of people I don't know. From time to time a wave of little hearts would flow across the screen as people clicked on Facebook's "heart" button to share their love. After the minyan ended I found myself thinking about how davenen connects us across places and times. Part of what's meaningful for me in davenen is knowing that others are singing these words too -- or perhaps other words that evoke these same themes -- around the world. As the hour for morning prayer moves across the globe, daveners enter in to morning prayer, together and alone. And there's also a way in which davenen connects us not only across time zones but across time -- some of these words have been recited in prayer for centuries, and will be recited for centuries to come. In in the world of assiyah (geographically), those of us who joined this Facebook Live minyan were all over the place. But -- at least for a while -- in the worlds of yetzirah (emotion), briyah (thought), and atzilut (spirit), we were all together. Sometimes when I gather with community in person, we're in the same place physically but our hearts and spirits aren't necessarily aligned. Someone's distracted, someone's focusing on this morning's news, someone's grieving, someone's angry with someone else in the room -- there are all kinds of reasons why we can be disconnected. But at its best, prayer connects us both in and out -- with ourselves and with each other -- and also up. ("Up" is a metaphor, of course. As I taught my students last night in our intro Judaism class, Judaism's God-concepts include both transcendence and immanence, the Infinite and the relatable. God is in the vastness of spacetime, and as intimate to us as the beating of our own hearts. My favorite metaphor for God these days is Beloved. The God to Whom I need to relate right now is the One Who sees me and loves me in all that I am. Prayer doesn't always connect me with that One... but as with any other practice, the only way to reach the times when it "works" is to keep doing it even at the times when I feel like it "doesn't work.") At its best, prayer connects us with our deepest selves, and with our Source, and with each other. No matter where in the world we are. Even when we feel most alone, when we "log in" to the cosmic mainframe (that's language Reb Zalman z"l used to use), we're connecting with the Network that links us all. Prayer can remind us to open our hearts. It can attune us to the subtle movements of soul. And though sometimes when I pray with others I feel that I am still alone, sometimes when I am praying alone I can remember that what appears to divide us is illusory, and what connects us -- always -- is infinite and deep. Related: Visitation, a tele-davenen poem, 2008 Please turn JavaScript on and reload the page. Loading... Checking your browser before accessing the website. This process is automatic. Your browser will redirect to your requested content shortly. Please wait a few seconds. National Geographic writer and University of Wyoming writer-in-residence Mark Jenkins will present a talk titled "Tea Trade, and Tyranny: Tibet and China over Time," on March 4. The free talk takes place at 2:30 p.m. at the Cody Theater in downtown Cody, Wyoming, with three student presentations sharing details of their international fieldwork preceding the talk at 1 p.m. The event is part of the University of Wyoming Center for Global Studies World to Wyoming lecture series. Jenkins is a critically acclaimed and internationally recognized journalist. In the presentation, he reveals with National Geographic images the modern lives of the Tibetans and the Chinese, and the geopolitics that have long connected them. For almost 1,000 years a stone-paved road has linked Yaan, the tea-growing capital of Sichuan province, with Lhasa, the 12,000-foot high capital of Tibet. Tea was essential to daily life in Tibet, and Chinas feudal kingdoms needed war horses. For centuries China and Tibet were on equal footing, but the ascendancy of China in the second half of the 20th century has devastated Tibet and Tibetan culture. The 1 p.m. student presentations include Emily Beagle with "European Bioenergy Systems and Beetle Kill Management;" Jeremy Goldsmith with "Evaluating Why and How Gambians Migrate;" and Denise Muro with "Portrayals of Displaced Syrian and Iraqi Women in Germany." Northwest College in Powell hosts the full program on March 2, with student presentations at 2:25 p.m. in Fagerberg 70, and Jenkins speaking at 6:30 p.m. in the Yellowstone Building. Additional dates and locations include: March 1 at Sheridan College; and March 5 at the National Wildlife Museum in Jackson. For more information and specific times of those programs, visit http://bit.ly/teatradetyranny. Vietjet will put its entire 300 million shares on the HCM City bourse on February 28 at the starting price of VN90,000 (US$3.96) per share in the first, most expected IPO of 2017, which values the low-cost carrier at $1.2 billion. Photo zing.vn Mai Huong HA NOI Airline stocks may ride a rising wave this year with the debut of budget airline Vietjet on the HCM Stock Exchange later this month, in a scenario similar to the impact of Sabecos 2016 listing on of beer stocks in general. Vietjet will put its entire 300 million shares on the HCM City bourse on February 28 at the starting price of VN90,000 (US$3.96) per share in the first, most expected IPO of 2017, which values the low-cost carrier at $1.2 billion. On the Over-the-Counter (OTC) market, Vietjets shares have been purchased at VN120,000 apiece. Investors expect share prices to soar after the official listing, just as it happened to beer makers Habeco (BHN) and Sabeco (SAB). Price of Habeco shares shot from the debut price of VN39,000 to VN225,000 a share in just two months on the Unlisted Public Company Market (UPCoM) in December 2016. Sabecos shares soared from VN111,000 on its debut day of December 6, 2016 on the HCM City exchange to VN216,000 this week. Vietjets listing is expected to provide fresh impetus to airline stocks as well as the stock market as a whole. New wave A total of nine airlines and aviation-related service companies are currently listed on three exchanges, with trading on the UPCoM. These include national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines and Airports Corporation of VietNam (ACV). Only three companies are listed on the two official exchanges: Noi Bai Cargo Terminal Service JSC (NCT) on HOSE; and a Nang Airports Services JSC (MAS) and General Aviation Import Export JSC (ARM) on the Ha Noi exchange. There could be a spillover effect on other stocks after the Vietjets listing, like what happened to beer stocks in the end of last year, said Nguyen Xuan Binh, deputy head of analysis at Bao Viet Securities Co. Airline stocks are expected to attract investors given the bright prospects seen for the local aviation industry as a growing economy, rising middle class and deepening international integration creates rapidly rising demand for air travel, Binh said. In its report last year, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) forecast that Viet Nams aviation industry will be among the five fastest growing markets in the world by 2035. The majority of the market shares are in the grip of a few major airlines. Thus, their positive business prospects will likely attract cash flows, Binh said. Shares of Vietnam Airlines have climbed over 51 per cent since its debut on January 3, 2017, while that of the Airports Corporation of VietNam has doubled since its listing on November 21 last year. The reference price of Vietjet was set based on the average P/E ratio of 11.52. With the daily trading limit of 20 per cent on either side, the aviation companys share price could range between VN72,000 and VN108,000 per share on the first trading day. Vietjet reported record revenues of VN27.5 trillion in 2016, up 39 per cent year-on-year. Net profit of the parent company was VN2.3 trillion. It has targeted a profit of nearly VN3.4 trillion in 2017. Meanwhile, Vietnam Airlines estimates its profit hit a record VN1.6 trillion in 2016, a five-fold increase over the previous year. Its total revenues reached VN59 trillion. In 2017, it targets lower profits at nearly VN1.2 trillion, based on expectations of volatile oil prices. In the medium and long term, Binh said local airlines may face stiffer competition from other international airlines which could weigh on their earning prospects. VNS HA NOI Deputy Prime Minister Trinh inh Dung has asked ministries and authorities to help support local retailers while better managing the operations of foreign retail firms. The wholesale and retail market is developing rapidly with large potential and attracting the attention of both local and foreign investors, according to a recent note from the Government Office. Regarded as a sensitive sector, the retail market has been gradually opened to foreign investors following Viet Nams international commitments. However, management of foreign retailers has proven to be inefficient while there has been a lack of supports for local firms to expand their distribution networks, the note said. In the note, Dung called for management of foreign retailers to be tightened to ensure compliance with the law. In addition, the expansion of distribution networks of foreign firms must be kept in check. The Ministry of Finance was directed to increase inspections of foreign wholesale and retail firms to prevent transfer pricing and collect taxes. The Ministry of Industry and Trade was asked to aid local retail firms with land lease fees to promote their development. Dung also asked relevant ministries to draft a decree which would replace Decree 23/2007/N-CP on the purchase and sale of goods by foreign-owned enterprises. The decree should be sent to the Prime Minister within the first quarter of this year. Dung said that the new decree should encourage foreign retailers to commit to distributing locally-produced products. With a population of 90 million, around 40 per cent of which are urban citizens, and double-digit growth in total retails sales of goods and services since joining the World Trade Organisation in 2007, Viet Nams retail market has been attractive to foreign investors. In recent years, the market has been entered by large retailers, including firms from Japan, Thailand and Korea, through the opening of supermarkets and acquisition deals. According to the Viet Nam Institute for Trade under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the retail market is set to grow by 11.9 per cent per year to reach a value of US$179 billion by 2020 from $102 billion in 2015. Under the industrys planning, there will be 1,200-1,500 supermarkets, 180 trade centres and 157 shopping centres by 2020. VNS HA NOI The Mekong Innovative Startup Tourism (MIST) Initiative has announced two new accelerators designed to make it easier for innovative tourism businesses to be established in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Viet Nam. The MIST Startup Accelerator will take entries from early stage companies with either travel technology or traditional tourism business plans. Meanwhile, the MIST Market Access Accelerator is welcoming applications from mature international tourism startups needing assistance entering the region. Both accelerators will receive applications until March 19. Dominic Mellor, senior Asian Development Bank economist and head of the Mekong Business Initiative said the MIST accelerator programmes would create jobs, help local communities and support entrepreneurship. Applicants must demonstrate how they will create jobs, generate positive community impacts and contribute to sustainable tourism growth in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar or Viet Nam. Those accepted into the MIST Startup Accelerator will attend boot camps to develop their business plans. The top business plans for each country will win grants, with the best overall receiving US$10,000 and the three runners-up receiving $7,000 each. Participants in both MIST accelerators will pitch their plans to investors, global acceleration programmes, and tourism leaders at the Mekong Tourism Forum, which will be held in Luang Prabang, Laos, and at the APEC Summit in Viet Nams central a Nang City in November. The Great Mekong sub-region is among the fastest growing tourism destinations on Earth. Startups can disrupt traditional practices to adapt to changing consumer behaviours, but lets also encourage responsible innovation that enhances the regions appeal for future generations, Jens Thraenhart, executive director of the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office, said. MIST is a joint venture of the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office and the Mekong Business Initiative. It receives regional funding, advisory and technical support from the Asian Development Bank, Australia, Amadeus Next, the Pacific Asia Travel Association and Village Capital. VNS MEXICO CITY Viet Nam and Mexico have agreed to speed up negotiations for the signing of an agreement on customs co-operation and another deal on double tax avoidance. The consensus was reached at a meeting between Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Finance o Hoang Anh Tuan and Mexican Minister of Finance and Public Credit Jose Antonio Meabe. The officials held that the future customs deal will be signed based on negotiations on customs in a relevant chapter of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement and the two ministries should enhance co-operation in the time to come. Tuan, who paid a working visit to Mexico from February 12 to 14, proposed that the Mexican Ministry of Finance and Public Credit send a delegation to Viet Nam in April 2017 to finalise the double tax avoidance agreement. Meabe noted Mexico and Viet Nam are open economies with similarities, affirming that Mexico is willing to share experiences with Viet Nam in finance. Earlier, Tuan met with director of the Tax Management Agency Osvaldo Santin. The two sides discussed a wide range of issues related to online receipts, as well as measures to prevent risks, tax fraud and protect the rights of taxpayers. At a meeting with Deputy Minister for Revenue Miguel Messmacher of the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit, the two sides discussed ways to manage budget revenue, while sharing experiences in managing private and corporate income taxes, special consumption tax and value added tax. VNS HA NOI The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment on Wednesday signed a key agreement in Ha Noi. The agreement requires co-operation between the two ministries in coping with climate change, natural resource management and environment protection in industrial production and trade in the 2017-20 period. Under the agreement, the two ministries target three main purposes of enhancing co-operation in reducing environmental pollution from industrial production and trade activities. They would closely control issues of climate change and natural resource management, especially in the approval of projects investing in electricity, mineral exploitation and processing, petroleum and chemical and fertiliser production, as well as steel, paper mill, garments, textile and leather. In addition, the co-operation is aimed at maximising functions, resources and available potential of the two ministries in managing and supervising the implementation of legal regulations on natural resources and environment in industrial production and trade. The two sides agreed to build, revise and supplement to complete legal policies on natural resources and environment relating to the sector, managing reservoirs operation, developing environment service industries and approving reports on environmental affects. They would also establish funds for environment restoration in mineral exploitation, implement checks on natural resources and environment in industrial production and trade activities and share information and improve peoples awareness on climate change and environmental protection. The industry and trade sector has made it clear it is not interested in trading the environment for economic benefits. In 2016-20, the sector has targeted an average growth rate of industrial production of 13 per cent per year, while the value of industrial production is estimated to increase by 7 per cent per year. The portion of industry and construction are projected at 42-43 per cent of the countrys GDP, while the average growth rate of exports would be 11 per cent per year. The MoIT considers environmental protection one of the key tasks to ensure sustainable development. VNS HA NOI Frozen shrimp exported to the Republic of Korea (RoK) from member countries of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) must undergo quarantine checks before shipping to the market. This was stated in new regulations under the countrys law on fishery disease management. The embassy of the Republic of Korea in Viet Nam has delivered an announcement about these new regulations from the countrys Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Viet Nams Ministry of Industry and Trade because Viet Nam, a WTO member country, has been exporting shrimp to the RoK for many years. South Korea has added frozen shrimp products to the list of seafood products that must undergo quarantine checks before entering the country from April 1, 2017. At present, frozen abalone and oyster are required to undergo quarantine checks before being exported to the country. The RoK has recognised six centres in Viet Nam that qualify to undertake quarantine checks on seafood products exported to the country. From April 1, the centres must cooperate with South Koreas relevant offices to implement quarantine checks on Vietnamese frozen shrimp products, chinhphu.vn reported. Subsequently, the centres should update local seafood exporters with the new regulations to avoid mistakes while exporting seafood to the RoK. - VNS HA NOI A comedy by late Vietnamese dramatist Long Chuong will be revived on stage over 50 years arter its first performance. Composed in 1960, Quan (Stupefaction) is a notable comedy work considered representative of modern Vietnamese drama. It tells the story of the upper middle class man ai Cat and his familys efforts to disperse and hide its wealth when they are asked to hand over their property to the administration. ai Cat aims to resolve the issue by giving his daughter a dowry, giving away to his wife and his mother. Ridiculously, he even buys a coffin for himself. On the contrary, his daughter knows her fathers conspiracy and doesnt agree with him. She knows where her father hides his gold and brings all gold to the authority. The comedy is revived by established artist Tran Luc. He stages the comedy with theatrical illusion techniques generated by German playwright Bertolt Brecht. This is the first stage work by Luc, and it earned him the best director award at the recent Ha Noi Stage Festival 2016. Actor Truong Manh at also won the gold medal at the festival for his role ai Cat. "I watched the comedy, which was staged by Peoples Artist Tran Hoat for Viet Nam National Drama Theatre long ago," said director Luc. "I liked how his style criticised ai Cat. However, I think that the original screenplay is not suitable for our time. I had to adjust the screenplay." Born in 1918 in the northern province of Hai Duong, Pham Van Hien eventually took the name Long Chuong, which means "satire" in Vietnamese. At the age of five, he watched Moliere comedy at Ha Noi Opera House with his aunt. He and his friends in the Binh Dan Art Troupe began to perform short plays during the early days of the national resistance against the French. His short plays with national resistance themes were popular because they were light-hearted and humourous. His Quan is seen as the most successful comedy of Viet Nam modern drama, with more than 1,000 shows by Viet Nam National Drama Theatre. During his 70 year-career, Long Chuong wrote nearly 140 works for different art genres including drama; puppetry and cheo (traditional operetta). He is a recipient of the Ho Chi Minh Award for literature and arts. VNS A NANG The Son Tra Mountain will become a national tourism site that will host a luxury eco-tour resort complex by 2030, it was announced at a press conference yesterday. Ha Van Sieu, deputy head of Viet Nam National Tourism Administration, said at the press meet that the mountain, 600m above sea level and 10km from downtown a Nang, will become a key destination along with world heritage sites in Hoi An Town and the provinces of Thua Thien-Hue, Quang Binh, Binh inh and Phu Yen. The mountain has been a lung for a Nang with its rich biodiversity and the Nature Reserve. Thats why the Government has decided to add it to the National Tourism plan, with the aim of hosting 4.6 million tourists in 2030, Sieu said. Son Tra and a Nang will be at the crossroads of Viet Nams road and sea tourism as the city is situated in central Viet Nam and links with the national highway and railway systems as well as deep sea ports, he said. Sieu said Son Tra alone is designed to accommodate 300,000 tourists in 1,600 luxury hotel rooms. By 2030, the mountain is expected to earn tourism revenues of VN4.3 trillion (US$190.3 million) and create 2,800 jobs, he added. As planned, the Son Tra Mountain, which covers an area of 4.439ha, will have 1,056ha earmarked for development as a national eco-tourism and luxury resort in central Viet Nam. The a Nangs tourism department has said that it will introduce the Son Tra Sunset Tour later this year as the newest tourism service. The tour will allow visitors to enjoy a breathtaking sunset panorama and a birds eye view of Son Tra peninsula as well as a corner of the city from 600m above sea level, the department said. The Son Tra Mountain is already a popular tourist destination, with 10,000 tourists visiting every month. The mountain shelters nearly 300 red-shanked douc langurs, which were declared endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 2013. The city has approved a long-term plan (until 2030) to protect biodiversity in the Son Tra Nature Reserve. The Son Tra Peninsula Strategic Vision Plan, which was designed by the USs Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM), has been awarded an excellence prize by the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the citys construction department announced yesterday. According to the governments 2020-30 masterplan for the tourism development in the central region, a Nang, Son Tra and favourite tourism destinations like Hoi An, the My Son Sanctuary, the Hue Monument Complex will welcome six million foreign tourists and eight million domestic visitors, earning tourism revenues of US$2.1 billion by 2020 and creating 80,000 jobs in the process. a Nang, which is situated in the East-West Economic Corridor, will help boost caravan tours and links with Mawlamyine and Dawei in Myanmar; Khon Kaen and Bangkok in Thailand; Savanakhet in Laos; Siam Reap in Cambodia; and the localities of Hue, Hoi An and Binh inh. VNS HA NOI The launch event and round-table discussion on the book LArt de lAnnam (The Art of Annam) by French author Henri Gourdon will be held next Tuesday. The event will be held at lEspace, the French cultural centre in Ha Noi. Annam was the name of Viet Nam used prior to 1945. The launch of the Vietnamese version of this book with the participation of translator Truong Quoc Toan will be held at 6pm on February 21 at lEspace, located on 21 Trang Tien Street. At the beginning of the 20th century, under the direction of Albert Maybon (a French author who had deep knowledge on Asia), the book collection Les Arts Coloniaux (Colonial Arts) was elaborated with the aim of studying in a systematic and global way the artistic works of inhabitants who live in the colonies of France (from Indochina to Madagascar, Northern Africa and Syria). The book The Art of Annam, which is part of this collection, was published by the Editions de Boccard in 1933. It is one of the works of Henri Gourdon, director of the Colonial School, and also the first general director of public Instruction in Indochina. On the basis of scattered notes, research and personal meditations, the author presented a global view of the origins and tendencies of Annamese art. The text is accompanied by a very beautiful album of 16 documentary shots that strongly illustrate the results obtained by the Annamite artists until that time. Author of the book, Henri Gourdon (1876-1943), significantly contributed to the education reform programme of France in Indochina and had profound knowledge of this region. He is also the author of the book Indochine, which was published by Larousse Publishing House in 1931 and had several beautiful photos of Viet Nam of that time. VNS HA NOI Devon Nguyen will present her Spring/Summer collection at the Paris Fashion Week from February 28 to March 8. She is the first Vietnamese ready-to-wear clothing designer to attend such a prestigious fashion event. Devon plans to showcase her technique of attaching stones and sequins to clothes. It took the designer and her employees from 100 to 300 hours to create each design. Devon Nguyen, the founder of the brand Devon London, studied at Central Saint Martins in the UK, the cradle of many talented designers. She had an opportunity to work for Burberry, a British luxury fashion house, and presented her collection at a charitable programme held by Mayfair Charities Limited in early 2012. The designer has become familiar to many Vietnamese fashionistas via her impressive collection displayed on many of Viet Nams most prestigious catwalks, especially the Dream&Reality Collection that was inspired by Picassos paintings and shown at the Vietnam International Fashion Week in Ha Noi last November. VNS NA Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong (centre) at the opening session of the annual hearing between the UN and the IPU in New York. VNA/VNS Photo NEW YORK Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti, Chef de Cabinet to the United Nations Secretary General, praised Viet Nams role in the UN and the Vietnamese National Assemblys (NA) participation in the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) while meeting NA Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong in New York on Tuesday. Phong told the UN official that the Vietnamese NA has expanded external relations, integrating comprehensively into global socio-political life. The Vietnamese NA has participated in regional inter-parliamentary co-operation mechanisms, including its successful organisation of the 132nd IPU General Assembly in March 2015 and will host an IPU seminar on sustainable development goals on climate change for the Asia-Pacific region in May, Phong said. She praised the UN for building regulations and norms of international law across sectors, addressing global challenges, and promoting international participation in global stability, sustainable development, climate change response and security issues. Phong also thanked the UN and other UN agencies in Viet Nam for working with the country to eradicate poverty, fight HIV/AIDS, and protect children. She asked the UN official to convey the invitation to visit Viet Nam to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres this year for the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting and the 40th anniversary of Viet Nams joining of the UN (1977-2017). Viotti said Viet Nam is one of the most dynamic economies in the region, and she hopes the country will do more to realise the sustainable development goals set in the 2030 Agenda. The officials exchanged views on internal and external challenges to Viet Nams growth, with Ribeiro Viotti suggesting the country pursue good State governance, train high-quality human resources, and reform administrative procedures. VNS Vietnamese officers involved in UN peacekeeping missions have fulfilled all assigned tasks and are highly valued by the UN, mission commanders, and international counterparts. VNA/VNS Photo Hong Pha HA NOI Vietnamese officers involved in UN peacekeeping missions have fulfilled all assigned tasks and are highly valued by the UN, mission commanders, and international counterparts. The praise was given at a meeting between the inter-disciplinary working group and the Defence Ministrys Steering Committee on Viet Nams participation in UN peacekeeping operations in Ha Noi yesterday. Participants agreed that last year, Viet Nams engagement in UN peacekeeping activities made important contributions to multilateral external relations and international integration of the country in general. The work was implemented in line with the roadmap set in the master plan on Viet Nams participation in UN peacekeeping operations in 2014-20 and beyond, they said. Viet Nam maintained the close management over officers joining UN peacekeeping missions in the Central African Republic and South Sudan, ensuring absolute safety of human life and equipment. The Viet Nam Peacekeeping Centre also held training courses in preparation for the deployment of the level 2 field hospital at the UN missions, while the Defence Ministrys documents specifying functions, missions, rights of the centre as well as policies for those joining UN peacekeeping activities will also be completed. Addressing the event, Deputy Defence Minister Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh and Deputy Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc urged relevant agencies and units to continue strictly implementing the Partys external relations viewpoints and policies. They should focus on completing the building of objectives, principles and roadmaps as well as forms of Viet Nams participation in UN peacekeeping activities in line with the UN Charter, international practices and the law and specific conditions of Viet Nam. On this basis, Viet Nam will gradually expand the scale and fields of engagement in UN peacekeeping operations, they said. VNS The Bismarck Airport has about five months to find funding and make changes to its security operations or risk losing federal aid. Airport manager Greg Haug told Bismarck city commissioners Tuesday that, with the increase in airline boardings the past several years, the airport will have to meet new Transportation Security Administration security guidelines. In recent years, the airport has used a private security firm to serve law enforcement needs at the airport security checkpoint. But as enplanements have grown and held above 250,000 passengers for the past three years, the airport is being moved into a new security category. The only way the airport would avoid this change in standards is if boardings dropped by 8 percent for the year. The airport is part of a TSA grant program that helps pay for a portion of the cost of these security needs, but recently, in addition to the bump up in security classification the airport faces, the TSA has decided the security firm used by the airport does not meet its standards for training and arrest authority under the grant program. Commissioner Josh Askvig said, from his discussions with airport personnel, hes determined that nothing short of a sworn police officer, who has been through the police academy, will satisfy the TSA. Haug said the airport is weighing a couple options, including having a Bismarck Police Department patrol officer assigned to work security duty at the airport or create a new position at the police department for an airport officer. And the change is going to come at a much higher cost estimated at about $500,000 double what the airport pays now. This couldnt have come at really a worse time for us, Haug said, as the airport is spending a large amount of money to revamp the runway. Commissioners voted to meet with city officials and determine a best course of action in time for the next commission meeting. The bump up in security standards will not take place until Jan. 1, 2018. But if the city wants to remain in the TSA reimbursement program, which covers at least a portion of the security expense, it would have to vote to make the changes, find extra funding and hire personnel by July 1. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc 9R) receives Takashi Oyamada, Chief Executive Officer and President of The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ (BTMU), in Ha Noi yesterday. VNA/VNS Photo Thong Nhat HA NOI Viet Nam is working hard to improve its business climate to attract more foreign investors, including those from Japan , said Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc. He made the statement while receiving Takashi Oyamada, Chief Executive Officer and President of The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ (BTMU), in Ha Noi yesterday. Lauding sound cooperation between BTMU and the Vietnam Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Industry and Trade (Vietinbank)--particularly their organisation of investment promotion conferences--Phuc said Viet Nam understands the importance of supplying capital for its economy during the development progress. He stressed that Vietnamese enterprises want to form partnerships with the Japanese peers to learn from their experience in management, production and business. He also noted with pleasure that most Japanese firms have witnessed good business results in Viet Nam , adding that Japan is now the second largest investor in Viet Nam , with a total investment capital of over US$42 billion. The PM expressed his wish that Japanese businesses will pay more attention to the Vietnamese market so as to make Japan the Southeast Asian nations biggest investor. For his part, Takashi Oyamada informed his host that the long-term strategic partnership between his bank and Vietinbank has brought mutual benefits, contributing to the growth of Viet Nam-Japan ties. Through the cooperation, BTMU has learned about valuable experiences from Vietinbank and the Vietnamese credit market, he stressed, adding that both sides will work closely to supply capital for business activities in Viet Nam . Abnormal weather late last year and earlier this year has caused losses for farmers in southern provinces of ong Nai and Binh Phuoc, reported the Vietnam News Agency. Photo vnexpress.net HA NOI Abnormal weather late last year and earlier this year has caused losses for farmers in southern provinces of ong Nai and Binh Phuoc, reported the Vietnam News Agency. In ong Nai Province, many kinds of perennial and fruit trees died due to prolonged and heavy rains during the dry season. Productivity has just reached 30 per cent as compared to last years crops. Nguyen Thi Kim Mai, a farmer in Phu Ngoc Commune in inh Quan District, said the mango trees could not be fruit-bearing because the unseasonal rains made fungus attack the flowers. Mais family is growing 14ha of mangos and 10 ha of cashews. In previous years, her family harvested about 200 tonnes of mangoes, which brought a profit of hundreds of million of dong per year along with VND500 million profit from cashews. However, since late last year, the abnormal weather has caused her familys mangoes and cashews yields to dramatically decrease. Pepper growers have also suffered similar losses, with hundreds of hectares of pepper destroyed and many households pushed to bankruptcy. Tran Van Hoanh, a pepper grower in Song Ray Commune of Cam My District, said his family has 10,000sq.m of pepper that usually yields 5 tonnes and a profit of VN600 million annually. But since earlier this year, the unseasonal heavy rains destroyed 70 per cent of the total trees. Many working hours of my family members and money lent from banks ware washed away, he said. According to the farmer, pepper was considered a gold tree, but it needed a big investment. Growing one hectare of pepper cost VND600-800 million. The tree just bears the beans after 4 years, said Hoanh. My family would lend more from banks for re-growing. But I was not sure about the weather, he said. The weather was developing unusually, and I was worried about diseases to the trees. And the farmers could not deal by themselves, he said. According to ong Nai Provinces Cultivation and Plant Protection Department, the province has about 11,500ha of mangoes, 40,000ha of cashews, 14,300 ha of peppers, and 11,000ha of rambutans. Tran Lam Sinh, the departments head, said local government has set up working teams to inspect the situation and draw out measures to help farmers prevent diseases from spreading. The recent abnormal weather has damaged dozens of hectares of mangoes and rambutans and destroyed hectares of peppers. Pepper and cashew growers in Binh Phuoc Province have suffered the same situation, due to the impacts of climate change. Binh Phuoc Province is considered Viet Nams cashew kingdom. The farmers earned big profits last year, when the yield reached 202,000 tonnes on total area of 149,000ha and the price was at peak as compared previous years, reported the provincial Agriculture and Rural Development. However, this year will be hard. The unseasonal rains destroyed cashew flowers, so this year the yield will definitely reduce by 50 per cent, Nguyen Van Chien from Bu Gia Map District told au Tu (Invesment) Review. The weather this year was so strange. I had never ever seen heavy rains in February. The rain destroyed all my flower-bearing trees, said Nguyen Van Tu in ong Phu District. Scarce for export demand The unusual weather has not only caused losses for farmers but also for exporting businesses. The big concern for pepper and cashew exporting businesses is lack of products to fulfill contracts signed this year. According to Tran Hoang Son, director of Gia Bao Cashew Company, the cashew price will increase to VND50,000 from VND45,000 per kg due to crop losses. The increase of price is not the only concern. The product scarcity is really a headache for the business, Son said. We were afraid wed lack products to fulfill the contracts this year, he said. Hua Thi Lien, director of Viet Pepper Company based in HCM City, expressed her worries about foreseen losses of pepper crops. Our companies signed big contracts with partners in India, Canada, and China, she said. The company will definitely suffer losses due to price hikes and lack of products for export, Lien said. VNS HA NOI A foreign project to establish a higher education institution in Viet Nam must secure total investment funds of at least VN1 trillion (US$44.5million), according to a draft decree on foreign investment in education newly issued by the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET). The draft is set to replace Decree 73 issued in 2012, and change procedures and investment conditions to boost competitiveness and help foreign investors enter the Vietnamese education sector, said Nguyen Xuan Vang, head of MoETs International Co-operation Department. The decree also eliminates regulations on the proportion of Vietnamese students at educational institutions. Decree 73 regulates that foreign nursery schools can not recruit Vietnamese students. Foreign primary and secondary schools can enroll Vietnamese students but no more than 10 per cent of the total number of students at primary level, and 20 per cent at secondary and high school levels. The new decree also states that educational facilities must teach compulsory content which will be determined by Minister of Education and Training instead of compulsory subjects as in the previous decree. This means that foreign-invested schools do not have to teach all subjects but joint content from various subjects. According to Vang, the new decree is much more open. For example, foreign investors can now use temporary infrastructure for five years before constructing a school, whereas Decree 73 required investors to secure permanent infrastructure before opening the school. To improve teachers quality, teacher qualification requirements have been stiffened. The minimum percentage of foreign university lecturers has increased from 35 per cent to 50 per cent, the draft decree says. Degrees and certificates of foreign teachers must be recognised by authorised educational agencies. International degrees of Vietnamese teachers must meet requirements to be recognised in Viet Nam, Vang said. The new decree also adds a regulation for suspending or ending a joint training programme. Investors of the programme will have to return tuition fees to students if the students do not transfer or do not want to transfer to another educational institution. Nguyen Kim Dung, head of Legal and Governance Relations of British University Viet Nam told the Tien Phong (Vanguard) newspaper that the new decree will aid the investment climate while ensuring investment quality. It reduces unnecessary administrative procedures and has practical requirements for teachers. Decree 73 required joint training programmes teachers at foreign universities to have five-years experience and masters degrees. The new decree requires language teachers have only a bachelors degree and foreign language certificates. Lecturers in cuisine, art or hotel management majors must only be artists or experienced. The new decree will create a clear investment climate in education sector. The ministry plans to have specific regulations for specific majors, Dung said, We really hope the ministry will soon approve the decree. VNS QUANG NINH A fire was reported inside a ship from Panama anchored at Cai Lan International Container Terminal in Quang Ninh Provinces Ha Long City on Tuesday night. No casualties have been reported. Officials are investigating the cause of the fire. Ta Quang Viet, deputy director of Cai Lan terminal, said the blaze started in one of the bedrooms of the ship MV Iris Express 8908777. The room belonged to chief mechanic Liu De Fang, a Chinese national, but when the fire broke out, nobody was in it. The crew used waterspouts on the ship to fight the fire. Authorities at Cai Lan terminal also sent a fire prevention and control ship, and the blaze was extinguished in 25 minutes. The loss incurred is being estimated. Hoang Van Hoan, an official from Quang Ninh port authority, said the 40,000-tonne capacity ship had entered Cai Lan at 11.30pm on Monday. When the fire broke out, the ship was receiving wood for export to Japan. The ship has 23 crew members, all Chinese nationals. VNS HCM CITY A sudden fall in temperatures in HCM City in the last few weeks have seen an increasing number of older adults diagnosed with acute pneumonia, doctors said. Around 1,400 people have been admitted to the People 115 Hospital alone in the last three weeks, with the elderly accounting for 10 per cent, Dr Nguyen inh Phu, deputy director of the hospital, said. The University Medical Centre in HCM City admitted more than 500 emergency cases during Tet (Lunar New Year), with the elderly accounting for most of them. Pneumonia affects people of all ages, and in young children and people aged above 65 it can become severe, Assoc Prof Le Tien Dung, head of the hospitals respiratory department, said. But in elderly people its symptoms are sometimes not clear, he said. They may not have a fever, causing them to think they are suffering from a cold or the flu, he said. But complications caused by pneumonia can be life threatening in the elderly, he said. It can also be severe in patients with chronic illnesses like diabetes and heart and lung diseases, he said. A sudden change in temperature from extremely hot to extremely cold and vice versa could increase the incidence of pneumonia, particularly among seniors, he said. Elderly people and those with chronic diseases or weak immunity should regularly wash their hands, get vaccinated, exercise regularly and eat healthy to ward off pneumonia, he added. VNS Communicable diseases from around the world could enter Viet Nam and spread easily if the country does not improve prevention and control. Photo giadinh.net.vn HA NOI Communicable diseases from around the world could enter Viet Nam and spread easily if the country does not improve prevention and control, said Tran ac Phu, director of the Ministry of Healths Preventive Medicine Department. The health official attended a meeting yesterday on preventive medicine for northern provinces, and warned that international trade, tourism and labour exchange, in addition to increased urbanisation, climate change and drug resistance exposed a greater number of people to communicable diseases. Phu said that Viet Nam was still seeing cases of vaccine-preventable diseases, mostly because of the modest vaccination rate in some localities, or poor environmental and personal hygiene. He said that this year, the health sector would continue strengthening regular health monitoring at border gates and health centres in order to better detect diseases, report them promptly, and take action before a disease has the chance to spread in Viet Nam. Diseases like flu, dengue fever, hand-foot-mouth disease, Japanese encephalitis or Zika would be monitored closely. The Director of the Preventive Medicine Department also said that this year, the Health Ministry planned to improve Emergency Operations Centres (EOC) at major hospitals and Pasteur institutes. Additional EOCs would be built in provinces nationwide. The centres are expected to connect the health ministry to domestic and international partners in response to public health emergencies of international concern, preventing them from spreading. The ministry this year would carry out a project on increasing the capacity of communicable disease testing. It is also taking measures to increase the vaccination rate to at least 95 per cent at districts and 90 per cent at wards/communes. An official from the Health Ministrys Medical Treatment Department Nguyen uc Tien said that the department was taking action to reduce deaths caused by communicable diseases. For examples, people with dengue fever are sent to hospitals departments of Communicable Disease, Pediatrics or Internal Medicine. Improper treatment and unsafe transfers from hospital to hospital could be reported, and health officers at higher levels would provide feedback with proper instructions. Tien said that this year, the ministry continued boosting its monitoring and support to hospitals, especially private ones in treating dengue fever in the southern region. Every hospital in the south was required to set a group specialising in dengue fever. According to the Ministry of Healths Preventive Medicine Department, nearly 11,880 cases of dengue fever were reported in Viet Nam last year, resulting in 36 deaths. The number of cases was 19 per cent higher than that of 2015, but the number of deaths reduced from 54. Last year also saw more than 45,000 cases of hand-foot-mouth disease, causing one death. The number of cases was a reduction of 19.3 per cent compared with 2015. The number of deaths reduced from six. The department warns that the period from March to May is usually the peak time for hand-foot-mouth disease. In the year so far, 2,100 cases of the disease have been reported in 57 cities and provinces nationwide. 219 cases of the Zika virus were in Viet Nam last year, and 13 cases this year. The majority of cases were reported in HCM City. VNS HA NOI Dozens of fishing vessels in central coastal Quang Binh Provinces uc Trach Commune have lain idle because the owners of the boats could not find labourers for offshore fishing. Data showed that the commune has 240 offshore fishing vessels, which require about 1,700 labourers to operate. However, it is short of 300 labourers to make use of the unused vessels, reported the Tien Phong (Vanguard) newspaper. Truong Cong Hoat, chairman of the uc Trach communes Farmers Union, said Its very rare to see fishing vessels lying idle on the coast after the First Full Moon Festival, but this year it happened. Although owners of the fishing vessels offered salary of VN3-7 million (US$130-300) per month for each labourer, they still failed to find enough labourers, he said. Bao Ninh Commune faces a similar problem. Nguyen Ngoc Hieu, chairman of the Peoples Committee of the commune said that only about 120 fishing vessels had went fishing offshore so far this year, one third of the total number of fishing vessels in the commune. Its a very worrying situation, he said. Nguyen Van, an owner of a fishing vessel said he had recruited 20 labourers. However, most of them came from Quang Ninh Districts Hai Ninh Commune. Van said he had to visit each family of his labourers during Tet (Lunar New Year) to ensure they would honour their commitment. According to Hoat, the environmental disaster that polluted the sea of four central coastal provinces of Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri and Thua Thien Hue, last year by Taiwanese Hung Nghiep Formosa Ha Tinh Steel Corporation, was to blame for the situation. Hoat said the income of fishermen was down after the environmental disaster, in some cases by 80 per cent. This forced many fishermen to find another job or fish from a different locality, he said. Some went to work abroad and others went south to fish, he said. Nguyen Van ao, a fisherman, said a lot of fishermen were disillusioned by fishing after the environmental incident. They often quit and told their children to do another job. Fishermen return to Quang Tri Nearly 300 fishermen from central coastal Quang Tri Provinces Gio Hai Commune, who moved to southern provinces to work after the environmental disaster, have returned to the locality. Tran Van Chuong, secretary of the Party Committee of Gio Hai Commune said data showed that about 50 tonnes fish were caught between January 29 and February 7. Since early February, Gio Hai beach has been busy, full of sellers and buyers for fresh fish, he said. Ho Van Thu, a local fisherman said after two days of fishing, his vessel was filled with two tonnes of anchovy, worth about VN30 million ($1,300). Major Le ang Hoang, from Cua Viet Border Guard Station told Quang Tri Television that it was a convenient time to fish near the shore, especially for anchovy and herring. In the next two months, local high-capacity fishing vessels would start fishing offshore, he said. Vessels full of fresh fish in the first days of the Lunar New Year is believed to be a good sign for a successful year for our fishermen, he said. Hoang Van Vinh, chairman of the Peoples Committee of Hai Lang District said about 100 fishing vessels in the district were fishing for blue crabs. Tran Vien, a fisherman of the districts Hai Khe Commune said at the local beach, blue crabs sold for about VN300,000($13) per kilo. Vessel owners could earn about VN3-10 million ($132-439) a day by catching blue crabs, he said. VNS Health worker collects food samples in Huong Pagoda. Photo nld.com.vn HA NOI Practical and specific measures are needed instead of general and vague directions from authorities to ensure clean production and food safety. The statement was made by National Assembly Vice Chairman Phung Quoc Hien during a meeting held by the 14th National Assembly Inspection Committee with the Ministry of Health (MoH), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), and the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) on the implementation of food safety policies and law from 2011 to 2016. The inspection committee reported no cases of illegal documents and decrees being issued, and praised authorities efforts in managing food safety. However, Hien also said that despite ministries claims that food safety legal documents have been improved, various food safety issues have been a constant worry to the public, and he ordered ministries to consider modifying the administrative violations law to make it more practical. MARD said the agricultural produces food safety has improved. Agricultural producers observe food safety regulations more strictly, more safe vegetables farms are springing up and microbe and chemical contamination decreased, the MARD reports reads. According to the MoH, from 2011 to 2016, 1,000 cases of food poisoning were recorded, affecting 30,000 people, and resulting in 164 deaths. On average, 170 food poisoning involving 5,000 people and 30 deaths take place every year. Health ministry reports also point to high risks of poisoning in canteens in industrial parks, as evidenced by the number of mass poisoning cases occurring lately. Representatives from MoH and MARD blamed the food poisoning on rampant abuse of chemicals, antibiotics and illegal additives in food production, cross-border smuggling of food and flawed use of food origin identification and quality labels. According to the MoIT, during the same period, the ministry issued fines of VN143.4 billion (US$6.3 million) for 55,580 food safety violations cases. An issue that the MoIT still hasnt solved is the follow-up assessment of production facilities after they are granted licences. VNS BRASILIA Prosecutors from 15 countries will meet Thursday and Friday in Brasilia to discuss a massive bribery scandal at Brazilian conglomerate Odebrecht which has spread across Latin America. The meeting will be headed by Brazils prosecutor general, Rodrigo Janot. "It will be a way of responding to the large number of requests for information on a case that remains sealed," a source close to the planning for the meeting said, asking not to be identified. Odebrecht, one of the regions biggest construction companies, was at the heart of a scheme to bribe Brazilian state oil company Petrobras in exchange for inflated contracts. Odebrecht also systematically bribed politicians, mostly in Brazil but also across a string of other countries, even running a department to keep track of the bribery. Odebrecht admitted to paying US$788 million in bribes across 12 countries and agreed with the US Justice Department to pay a $3.5 billion fine, a world record in foreign corruption cases. Seventy-seven executives from the company have signed plea bargains with Brazilian prosecutors and have detailed their roles in the scheme. The testimony remains sealed but is expected to send shockwaves through Brazilian politics when released. Panama said Tuesday that Interpol has issued international wanted notices for two sons of former president Ricardo Martinelli on allegations they accepted bribes from the construction giant. And last week a Peruvian judge issued a domestic and international warrant for the arrest of ex-president Alejandro Toledo over accusations he took a $20 million bribe. The countries attending the conference in Brazil are Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Mozambique, Panama, Peru, Portugal and Venezuela. AFP This website is intended for U.S. visitors only. IOWA FALLS An Iowa Falls man has been arrested on sex abuse allegations following an investigation. Gary Dean Havens, 71, was arrested Feb. 3 on charges of two counts of second-degree sexual abuse and three counts of sexual exploitation in connection with incidents in 2008 and 2016 and a search of his home. He has been released from jail pending trial. Havens is charged with a January 2016 incident where he allegedly put his hand down the front of a 5-year-old girls pants and touched her inappropriately while playing tag. He also is charged in connection with a September 2008 incident where he allegedly touched a 6-year-old girls groin area, records state. The incident was reported to law enforcement in 2008, but the girl denied it happened at the time and no charges were filed. When the recent investigation into Havens was launched, the victim was interviewed again and disclosed the touching, court records state. In December 2015, investigators recovered 27 pairs of young girls panties from Havens trash, and a search of his home in February 2016 turned up a locked metal box containing three smaller locked boxes. The smaller boxes contained five pairs of girls underwear, each folded, court records state. A locked ammo box at his home contained 36 magazines with child pornography, records state. 2 charged in Alden burglary ALDEN Two men have been arrested after they allegedly broke into a home and caused several thousands of dollars worth of damage in January. Collin Lynn Kappel, 28, of Ackley, and Cody Burnell Izer, 20, of Alden, were arrested Feb. 12 for third-degree burglary and first-degree criminal mischief. Kappel was released pending trial. Court records allege Kappel and Izer entered a home and outbuildings on A Avenue in Alden on Jan. 16 and caused more than $10,000 damage to the buildings and a gun safe while taking jewelry, firearms and other items. Izer also is charged with a second count of third-degree burglary for allegedly returning to the home Jan. 17, records state. Former manager faces extradition VINTON A former office manager of North Benton Ambulance Service in Vinton has been arrested for first-degree theft in connection with the misappropriation of thousands of dollars from the organization. Amber M. Bonlander, 37, was arrested in Knox County, Ill., by the Knox County Sheriffs Office on the complaint Wednesday, the Iowa Department of Public Safety reported. She is awaiting extradition to Benton County. She was employed as the ambulance service office manager from March 2009 until her termination in August 2014. An investigation began in December 2014 related to several suspicious financial transactions made by Bonlander during the course of her tenure there, the DPS reported. According to a criminal complaint, an audit completed in December 2014 identified questionable transactions totaling more than $21,500, consisting of unaccounted for funds related to the reloading of a prepaid bank card, an unauthorized payroll check, unauthorized pay increases and unauthorized payroll advances. The audit identified $17,118 in unaccounted funds paid to Bonlander and her husband, Jeff Bonlander, a former employee of the ambulance service, plus a $1,500 unauthorized extra paycheck to her and $2,900 in unauthorized payroll advances to both of them, of which $2,200 were repaid. The affidavit lists Amber Bonlanders current address as Sharonville, Ohio. Dog saved in Vinton house fire VINTON A dog was rescued and revived from a house fire in Vinton on Monday. No one was hurt in the fire near downtown. Rick Lazenby, the firefighter who rescued the dog, found the lifeless dog behind a door in one of the rooms. Firefighters took a Styrofoam cup and cut a hole in it, and used that to pass the oxygen through to the dog. Quota to host meeting Feb. 28 CEDAR FALLS -- Quota of Waterloo, a nonprofit service organization, will have its monthly meeting Feb. 28 at the Clarion Inn on University Avenue. This month's topic is women's health issues. Social time is at 5:30 p.m., with dinner at 6 p.m. Visitors are welcome. To come for dinner, call Pat at 233-4635 for a reservation by Monday. New members Anne Rose, Lillian Gaulke, Donna Huff and Shari Sorensen will be initiated into Quota. Odd Fellows Hall will host a meal CEDAR FALLS Cedar Valley Odd Fellow Lodge and Happy Thought Rebekah Lodge will have a Swiss steak and ham dinner from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday at the Odd Fellows Hall, corner of Second and Franklin streets. The meal will be served family style and will include Swiss steak, ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, beans, coleslaw, homemade pies and cakes and beverages. Cost is $9 for adults, $4 for children ages 5 to 12 and free for ages 4 and younger. Sierra Club hosts speaker Feb. 23 WATERLOO -- The Cedar Prairie Group Sierra Club will welcome members and the public to a presentation by Kamyar Enshayan at 6 p.m. Feb. 23 at COR, 220 E. Fourth St. He will present "Be A Good Neighbor." Enshayan is director of the Center for Energy and Environmental Education, CEEE, University of Northern Iowa. Cedar Prairie Group serves seven counties in the Cedar Valley region: Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, Butler, Chickasaw, Grundy and Hardin. Blood drive set in Cedar Falls CEDAR FALLS -- There will be a LifeServe community blood drive from 12:30 to 6 p.m. Tuesday at First United Methodist Church, 718 Clay St. To schedule an appointment, go to lifeservebloodcenter.org or call (800) 287-4903. Preschool open house scheduled WAVERLY -- St. Pauls Lutheran School will host a preschool open house and kindergarten orientation Monday. The sessions will familiarize area parents and students with the school prior to registration, which begins at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday. The open house will run from 5 to 6 p.m. with child care provided. Kindergarten orientation will run from 6 to 7 p.m. with activities for both children and parents. Registration materials will be distributed at the meetings and also are available at the school. For more information, call 352-1484 or email school@stpaulswaverly.org. Wartburg hosts film screening WAVERLY -- Wartburg Colleges German-language film series will conclude Tuesday with a showing of the award-winning film Jack. The film, which will be screened with English subtitles, will begin at 7:15 p.m. in Whitehouse Business Center Room 116. It is the final film that will be shown as part of the Profiles in Courage series. The screening is free and open to the public. Students will introduce the film and lead a discussion following the viewing. Group to discuss trade policies CEDAR FALLS -- The Great Decisions study group will meet from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Cedar Falls Public Library conference room. After viewing a 30-minute DVD, discussion will follow on pros and cons of free trade and changes the new president is proposing. Interested people are encouraged to attend. This program is sponsored by the Cedar Falls branch of American Association of University Women and the United Nations Association of the Cedar Valley. HCC to welcome national exhibit WATERLOO -- The national exhibit A Peace of My Mind will come to Hawkeye Community College on Feb. 23. The traveling display by photographer and author John Noltner shows 52 diverse individuals and includes their answers to the question, What does peace mean to you? The display will continue through April 7. UIU to host graduate fair FAYETTE -- Upper Iowa University will host a free graduate fair Wednesday for students interested in furthering their education as well as community members who want to pursue a postgraduate degree. Faculty and staff members from each of UIUs five graduate programs will be there to provide information and answer questions from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Student Center ballrooms at UIUs Fayette campus. RSVP is helpful but not required, and participants can drop in at any time throughout the three-hour event. Call Colene Sassmann at (563) 425-5931. PKU fundraiser set for Feb. 28 WATERLOO -- A fundraising night to support the National PKU Alliance will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Feb. 28 at Panera Bread, 1818 La Porte Road. Proceeds will go toward the National PKU Alliance, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. To learn more about PKU, go to www.npku.org. OSAGE -- An Osage woman is accused of gambling with her mother's money and not leaving enough for the older woman's care. Marilyn Jo Spartz, 58, was charged with second-degree theft. She's accused of gambling with her mother's money from July to December at Diamond Jo Casino in Northwood, according to court documents. Formal charges were filed last week by Assistant Mitchell County Attorney Aaron Murphy. Her next court appearance is Tuesday. Investigators say Spartz, who lived with her mother, also used the money to buy a bus ticket to bring her boyfriend to Iowa. They allege $2,315.50 was improperly spent. The theft was discovered when Spartz's mother's health insurance company declined to pay her medical bills from a recent hospitalization, according to the complaint. Police say the woman's health care plan had been canceled because there wasn't enough money in her checking account to pay for the insurance. WATERLOO -- The Black Hawk County Board of Supervisors has weighed in against changes in state laws governing collective bargaining rights for public employees. Board members voted 4-0 Thursday to approve a resolution opposing House File 291 and Senate File 213, which would strip public-sector unions of the ability to bargain for anything more than base wages. The supervisors, all Democrats, said the Republican-sponsored bills approved Thursday by the Iowa House and Senate will "gut the collective bargaining rights currently guaranteed to our highly valued employees." "We recognized that this legislation will hurt employee morale, increase our county's legal fees and expose us to future liabilities and civil rights complaints by eroding the current grievance procedure," the resolution stated. Supervisor Chris Schwartz brought the matter up for a vote, saying it was important for workers providing services to the public to know where the board stands. "It's my desire that they know we value them, that we've got their backs," Schwartz said. "I ask that we do this both on behalf of our employees but also on behalf of the bottom line to our taxpayers in the community." The county currently has 513 employees covered under its nine collective bargaining agreements. Supervisor Craig White said the ability for workers to organize and negotiate was fundamentally American. "When we start tearing down that, we start tearing down what America's all about," White said. "When we start taking (rights) away from the people, something's serious wrong with the government." Supervisor Linda Laylin was critical of the speed in which the GOP-controlled legislature was pushing the changes through. "As elected officials we are elected to serve the public by finding solutions and by sitting down and having discussions and making decisions based on those discussions and the studies and the information," she said. "It's very unfortunate that this is not a (situation) where that's been allowed." Board Chairman Frank Magsamen said it was a "real misstep" that no legislators reached out to the county for input on how the legislation would affect county government or services it provides. Supervisor Tom Little, who was unable to make the meeting, said he opposes the collective bargaining changes. "Here at the local level we should be dealing with our own bargaining units rather than having it done by the state," he said. Iowa's current collective bargaining law, adopted in 1974, allows public workers to bargain for wages, health insurance and workplace issues. They are not allowed to strike in return for having contract disputes resolved through binding arbitration. If the legislation is signed by Gov. Terry Branstad, Black Hawk County Human Resources Director Audra Heineman said the board will need to adopt a number of new policies to cover matters currently worked out through the labor contracts. DES MOINES State senators are looking to modify a firearms law they passed last year to expand provisions to renters and hired hands. Iowa landowners now are allowed to carry a loaded firearm while operating a snowmobile or an ATV on their property. Off-road vehicle operators on someone elses property are required to place unloaded shotguns or rifles in a case. In addition, Iowans with a permit to carry a handgun would be allowed to possess a pistol if it is secured in a holster. Gas prices The state Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardships weekly fuel price report indicated natural gas prices fell 18 cents this week, closing at $2.86/MMbtu. Likewise, propane prices were down a penny from last weeks report, with a statewide average of $1.28 per gallon. Home heating prices were the same as last week, ending with a statewide average of $2.03. On the motor fuels side, the price of regular unleaded gasoline averaged $2.32 a gallon across Iowa according to AAA. Nominations Iowa Womens Hall of Fame highlights womens heritage and recognizes their contributions. It was established by the Iowa Commission on the Status of Women in 1975. As of 2016, 168 women have been inducted into the hall. Nominations are being sought for the Cristine Wilson Medal for Equality and Justice, which recognizes and honors the accomplishments of Cristine Wilson, first chair of the commission, and is awarded selectively to an individual who has made significant contributions to the principles of equality and justice in the state of Iowa. For more information, contact Kristen Corey at (515) 281-4470 or women@iowa.gov. Outdoor women The 2017 spring Becoming an Outdoors-Woman workshop will be April 28-30 at Honey Creek Resort State Park, Moravia. BOW is an international program aimed primarily at women, but is an opportunity for anyone 18 years or older to learn outdoor skills usually associated with hunting and fishing, but useful for many outdoor pursuits. Workshop courses include fishing, firearms, foraging, outdoor cooking, boater education, shotguns, turkey hunting, backpacking and even stand up paddle-boarding. Participation is limited to 84. The workshop cost is $260 for a single occupancy room or $215 for a double occupancy room for registration by March 26. To register or to learn more about the workshop, go to www.iowadnr.gov/bow. A roundup of legislative and Capitol news items of interest for Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017: A House subcommittee Wednesday endorsed using daylight saving time year-round in Iowa. Originally the bill called for ending daylight saving time. Rep. Dave Jacoby, D-Coralville said he is interested in ending the twice-a-year clock change in favor of more sunlight in the evening. Rep. John Wills, R-Spirit Lake, told the subcommittee I come from a tourist area so this is very attractive. A similar bill, SF 168, has been introduced in the Senate. However, Gov. Terry Branstad recently said Iowa should not do anything to put it out of sync with the rest of the country. The bill now goes to the full Commerce Committee. Top complaints Used auto sales topped the list of complaints filed with the Iowa Attorney Generals consumer protection division in 2016 for the second year in a row. Out of 2,836 written complaints, 207 were related to used-vehicle sales practices, including credit issues, AG officials said. That was followed by 172 complaints in the home improvement arena and 149 home mortgage complaints. Those top three were unchanged from a year earlier. Rounding out the top 10 were internet service providers and bundles (135), cell phones (104), magazine and newspaper subscriptions (93), debt collection (92), auto repair (69), new vehicle sales and leases (64), and satellite TV service (63). Preserving history The State Historical Society of Iowa announced a plan Wednesday to preserve more than 12 million pages of newspapers in its collection, giving Iowans greater access to more than 300 titles dating to the 1830s. Under the authority of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, the State Historical Society has signed a 5-year contract to loan the newspapers to the Advantage Companies a Cedar Rapids business with a division dedicated to the preservation and digital access of historical newspapers. The agreement clears the way to increase the preservation of newspapers dating back to 1837. Technicians will first photograph the pages onto microfilm and then digitally scan the microfilm to provide wider access to the public. State officials say that will enhance the Historical Societys collection of microfilmed content, which comprises more than 24 million pages from more than 650 statewide titles on more than 44,000 rolls of microfilm. DES MOINES Republicans turned back efforts to change their rewrite of Iowas public employee collective bargaining law Wednesday. As the debate spanned a second day in both chambers of the Legislature, majority Republicans blocked an effort by Senate Democrats to kill the plan and replace it with a study of public employees health care costs. Sen. Nate Boulton, D-Des Moines, offered the study plan and a separate amendment to treat public employees like private-sector bargaining units. The Republican plan cuts and guts collective bargaining for 184,000 public employees, Rep. Sharon Steckman, D-Mason City. She and her colleagues spent the day talking about the first of about 80 amendments to the proposal. The House adjourned Wednesday night without a vote on the full bill. But Republicans who control both the House and Senate remain confident they will ultimately pass they bill. The collective bargaining legislation would prohibit workers such as teachers, nurses and correctional officers from negotiating over issues such as health insurance, evaluation procedures and extra pay. Some public safety employees such as law enforcement officers and firefighters would be exempt from some provisions. But all unions would be barred from having dues deducted from public employees' paychecks and unions would need to be recertified prior to every contract negotiation. The bill is baloney absolute garbage, said Rep. Todd Prichard, D-Charles City. This bill is hard on workers. Its bad for families. Its bad for Iowa, Prichard said. Senate debate was focused on the Boulton amendment. Senate Minority Leader Rob Hogg, D-Cedar Rapids, said the study would remove the uncertainty for public employees and their families who, if the bill passes, would have no say in health insurance decisions. Youre creating one big question mark, and youre creating a lot of fear in the state because the bill does not say whats going to happen, Hogg said. Iowans are crying out to us dont do this, Hogg said. Public employers would still provide health insurance but it no longer would be a mandatory bargaining issue, said Sen. Jason Schultz, R-Schleswig, who is managing SF 213. Unionized employees likely will pay a greater share of insurance costs more in line with private-sector employment. Freedom and change is scary, but thats what were offering here, Schultz said. House members debated an amendment by Rep. Bruce Hunter, D-Des Moines, that added public safety workers to the scope of bargaining. Before it was voted down 55-40 at 10:10 p.m., Rep. Phyllis Thede, D-Bettendorf, called the GOP opposition to the Hunter amendment evidence Iowa has joined other states that have sold its soul to a corporation. It was a frequent criticism by Democrats that the GOP was taking marching orders from outside groups that financed their 2016 campaigns. The bill, Democrats said, was written by the American Legislative Exchange Council and Koch Brothers-financed conservative groups. They said the bill was almost identical to the language of bills offered in other states, but didnt offer any evidence ALEC was involved in its drafting. Republicans denied any conversation with ALEC. Every word in this bill was created here in Iowa, yes sir, said Rep. Steven Holt, R-Denison, Rep. Dawn Pettengill, R-Mount Auburn, also defended the process, which she said lawmakers started in November. She also noted there were new reports in mid-November on plans to change Chapter 20, the current bargaining law. Nothing nefarious here, she said. Several Democrats questioned why a four-decade old law that has served Iowans well should be gutted, Rep. Jo Oldson, D-Des Moines, recalled that as a high school junior from Eagle Grove she was a Senate page in 1973 when Gov. Robert Ray brought together a bipartisan group to work on a collective bargaining law. When it passed in 1974, I thought, Wow, this place works, Oldson said. Im appalled to have to be standing here 40-some years later and watch this bill transpire before us. Its pretty sobering. Sen. Joe Bolkcom, D-Iowa City, declared the debate was about the governor trying to settle the score with state employees unions because hes a bully. However, Branstad, who voted against Chapter 20 in 1974, called the changes necessary to restore some fairness and balance to the bargaining process, especially the disparity in health insurance costs. Members of AFSCME and some other public employee unions are paying a pittance, $20 a month, while most people are paying thousands of dollars. Its not right. DES MOINES Iowans struggling with terminal illnesses and those with family members suffering in severe pain appealed to state legislators Wednesday to approve medical aid for people voluntarily seeking end-of-life options. Currently, six U.S. states allow life-ending medical decisions, and bills have been offered in both the House and Senate to allow a competent terminally ill adult with less than six months to live as verified by two doctors to request medication to end their life. When facing the final stages of a terminal illness, Iowans should not be forced to relocate to another state to control how their lives end, said Rep. Brian Meyer, D-Des Moines, who has championed the concept since watching his mother die from lung cancer. Lori Gibbs, a Dubuque woman who is a member of the Compassion & Choices advocacy group, told of her six-year battle with a rare and difficult form of cancer. There is nothing left that will stop the progress of this awful disease, Gibbs told a Statehouse news conference. I am determined to exhaust every option to live as long as I can, to watch my seven grandchildren grow up. But when theres nothing left but pain and suffering, I dont want to linger in and out of a coma while my family looks on helplessly. I want the option to die peacefully, and I deserve that, she added. It is time for lawmakers to hear my plea. John Tapscott, a former legislator and Indianola resident living with cardiac amyloidosis, said he first pushed this concept in 1968 and now nearly 50 years later, here we are again. Tapscott urged advocates to raise the issue, but conceded end-of-life options probably wont get far in the Republican-controlled Legislature. Sen. Mark Segebart, R-Vail, chairman of the Senate Human Resources Committee, said that probably is a correct assumption. Its not something that I think well see come out this year, Segebart said. DES MOINES Holly Baird stood before the TV cameras Wednesday morning at the state Capitol trying to hold back tears. We are here because our friends were killed in a tragic accident while their mother and two sisters were rushed to (University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics), the Linn-Mar High School junior said. It was caused by reckless driving, specifically texting and driving. Baird was referring to a November accident that killed Selena Apodaca, 16, and Isabella Severson, 13. The girls were in the car with their mother, Jennifer Perez, and two sisters when a truck rear-ended them in rural Linn County, pushing their car into another vehicle in front of them. The driver of the truck that struck their car, Keith Furne of Cedar Rapids, was charged last week with two counts of homicide by vehicle and one count of reckless driving resulting in serious injury. Baird, along with 15 of her Linn-Mar classmates, turned their grief into action. They advocated for a bill that would make it a primary offense to use a hand-held electronic device while driving. Similar legislation has been passed in 15 states, and the Iowa bill would impose a fine and moving violation. The students, along with other families who lost loved ones to distracted drivers on phones, spoke at a news conference Wednesday along with Gov. Terry Branstad, Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds, Maj. John Godar of the Iowa Sheriffs and Deputies Association and AT&Ts Dustin Blythe. Since 2010, the number of accidents, injuries and fatalities caused by drivers distracted by phones has risen sharply, according to Iowa Department of Transportation data. Crashes went from 659 to 1,100, injuries from 288 to 601, and fatalities from four to 14. When I was governor before, we were just introducing child seats in cars, said Branstad, who tasked legislators with coming up with a solution to increasing crashes in his Condition of the State address in January. And now all of my grandchildren have their own seats to protect their safety. Weve come a long way. But safety laws have not kept up with technology, Branstad said, adding its important for legislators to look beyond texting. Theres also email, Facebook and countless apps that can take a drivers eyes off the road. AT&T reports seven of 10 people engage in smartphone use. while driving, while another 62 percent keep their phones within easy reach. The last thing I ever thought would happen in my life was to have to find her on the side of the road like I did, said Darrel Harken, who lost his daughter, Grace. Grace was biking along U.S. Highway 218 east of Osage in July 2015 when she was hit from behind by a distracted driver. She was already gone by the time I got there, he said during the news conference. But if she could ask God himself for someone to go in order to save other people, shed say, Ill go. Texting and driving is foolishness, it kills people and can be prevented. I ask today that we all work together as Iowans to correct this. First lady Kathryn Helgaas Burgum should be commended for being frank about her struggle with addiction. She didnt have to publicly discuss her problem, but chose to do so to put emphasis on the issue. Helgaas Burgum wants to use her position to help address the problems of addiction, something she considers a statewide crisis. The state has had a drinking problem for many years, often ranking high nationwide in binge and teen drinking. Now we are dealing with a drug problem spreading across the state. There have been a number of deaths related to the use of opioids and other drugs. This isnt just inexperienced teens experimenting with drugs. The casualties have included adults in the professional world. Thats why its important for everyone to take a stand and thats what makes the first ladys disclosure so valuable. She was a successful career woman who realized she had a problem and got treatment. She knows how hard it can be to get sober and stay that way. Her experience puts her in a position to help others. One of the issues she cited in an interview with the Forum News Service is the shame associated with addiction. She wants to help others get around the shame so they can get help. Helgaas Burgum will have help from her husband, Gov. Doug Burgum, in her campaign against addiction. "We treat addiction like a crime," the governor said. "We can't solve the problem by building bigger and more prisons." The Tribune Editorial Board has supported efforts to find better ways to treat those battling drug problems. We cant solve the problem by locking everyone up. We agree with the governor and his wife that we need to do a better job of rehabilitating those with drug and alcohol problems. They arent getting the help they need in cells. Burgum notes it costs $40,000 a year to house an inmate in the state. He argues its cheaper to treat them and get them back into society. We agree. The Tribune also agrees that the state cant do it alone. The private sector, nonprofits and faith-based groups, will have to play a role. The Legislature needs to find a better balance when it comes to sentencing guidelines. A lot of work was done in the interim reviewing present laws and the Legislature needs to follow up on the findings. A prominent voice, such as the first ladys, also can be a key factor. She can help bring the problem out of the shadows and give support to those struggling with addiction. The states first lady isnt required to be in the spotlight. Theres not one solution to North Dakotas problem. Its going to require an effort on a number of fronts and its time to focus on the problem. Helgaas Burgum has decided to be part of the solution. WATERLOO A new veterans homeless shelter should be up and running by the end of the month. Tim Combs of Americans for Independent Living said his organization is putting in final finishings on the 1910 vintage home at 420 E. Ninth St. after months of work and donations of labor, cash and materials. Were just putting in the furniture, Combs said. The doors will be open Feb. 27 for operations. The house will have room for three veterans. Combs and David Boyd, president of Goodwill Industries of Northeast Iowa, said. Goodwill will provide case management and other services for the veterans who live there, as it has at a house in Cedar Falls since last summer. The Waterloo house was donated in June. Progress on the home slowed in mid-summer but accelerated this past fall. Were finishing a complete renovation, Combs said. Hes received about $30,000 to $35,000 in various donations. Donations have been a lot of labor, roofing, flooring as well as heating and air conditioning, he said. Some families donated furnishings from homes of elderly family members who were veterans who were moving or died. Combs said he also drew, in part, from a $100,000 gift from the Trump Foundation pledged by President Donald Trump during a campaign appearance and veterans fundraiser in Des Moines prior to the Iowa caucuses. Combs noted many donating organizations employ veterans themselves. We managed to get a lot of people to help out, so its been awesome, Combs said. Everythings been given by someone who was a veteran or had a family member who was a veteran. Combs said his organization, in cooperation with other agencies, also is working on a larger project an 11-bedroom facility in Evansdale and looking for an additional residence to rehabilitate. A grand opening celebration for the East Ninth Street shelter is planned April 20. Staff of the Black Hawk County Veteran Affairs Commission will be grilling at that event, executive director Kevin Dill said. We will be working in conjunction with Goodwill, Americans for Independent Living and Operation Threshold on a team effort with the goal of eliminating veterans homelessness in this county, Dill said. It will be a good thing. We managed to get a lot of people to help out, so its been awesome. Tim Combs, Americans for Independent Living After 32 years in the Senate, Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has earned a reputation as a wily legislative wizard and a cynical genius at outwitting Democrats. So when McConnell invoked a little-used Senate rule to silence Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., as she read a letter from Coretta Scott King denouncing President Trumps nominee for attorney general, Congress-watchers figured there had to be a clever strategy behind the move. Sure, millions of people watched a video of Warren reading the letter just outside the Senate chamber. Sure, he turned her into a liberal folk hero. But maybe McConnell was trying to make Warren a front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020, figuring shed be a weak candidate. Maybe he hoped to make her the face of the Democratic Party in the 2018 congressional election to frighten Midwestern moderates. Nope. Sometimes a blunder is just a blunder. The reasons for McConnells crackdown against Warren were pretty simple. First, McConnell loathes the Massachusetts senator. He doesnt like her politics; he doesnt like her manner. More pointedly, McConnell thinks Warren has been stepping outside the blurry boundaries of Senate courtesy for a while. She has been warned multiple times, not just today, McConnell spokesman Don Stewart told NBC News. Warren has attacked McConnell himself, accusing him of bullying the Senate in his role as majority leader. Her tough speech last week reviving charges of bigotry against then-still-Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., was a last straw, aides said. As unlikely as it sounds when applied to the owlish McConnell, his move against Warren was a crime of passion. There also may have been a practical reason McConnell told Warren to shut up and sit down: It was a gesture of loyalty toward Sessions and not merely because Sessions, as a senator, had been a reliable conservative vote. McConnell and Trump have had an arms length relationship until now; the Senate leader has publicly (if gently) criticized the president several times. Sessions, the new attorney general and a close Trump advisor, will be one of McConnells main conduits to the White House. Still, theres no question the decision to silence Warren backfired badly. The furor gained the Massachusetts senator far more attention than her otherwise routine speech would have if it hadnt been interrupted. She was warned. She was given an explanation. Nevertheless, she persisted, McConnell said, inadvertently launching a meme that could become Warrens next campaign slogan. The result: The majority leader turned the confirmation vote on Sessions, a loss for the Democrats, into a vehicle they could use to rally their partisan base. Male Democrats took the floor to read Kings letter into the record. When McConnell didnt object, they said that was proof of his sexism. (His hostility was aimed at Warren, not all women, but that point was lost.) Strange as it may seem, McConnells late-night error is likely to have long-term consequences, as well. One, a dent in the majority leaders reputation as a strategist, which already was a little tattered. Hes made mistakes before. In 2012, leading a GOP minority, he demanded an up-or-down vote on a debt ceiling bill in an attempt to divide Democrats but when the Democrats outfoxed him by hanging together, he blocked his own proposal with an embarrassing filibuster. In his first weeks as majority leader in 2014, he promised to open the legislative process to amendments from both sides only to abandon the pledge when it became troublesome in practice. In 2015, he bungled a renewal of the anti-terrorist Patriot Act when he didnt realize a member of his own party, Rand Paul (R-Ky.), was determined to block the bill unless changes were made. McConnells Senate, in short, hasnt been as orderly and productive as he wanted. More important, the episode showed Democrats their quickest path to heroism, at least among their supporters and donors, is relentless resistance to Trump and McConnell. They were headed in that direction already, thanks to the grassroots protests that erupted when some of them (including Warren) voted to confirm one or two Cabinet nominees. A Politico/Morning Consult poll released last week showed most Democrats want members of Congress to stick to their principles even if that means blocking all legislation and nominees. Thats a problem for McConnell. For his Senate to look like a success, he needs to pass a tax reform bill, a replacement for President Obamas health care law and a series of spending bills. If he keeps the rule requiring 60 votes for major legislation to advance, hell need some Democratic votes. His collision with Warren, even though she represents the progressive edge of her own party, made that harder. Instead, Democrats now are more likely to exploit the tools Senate rules give them to obstruct legislation, demand amendments and force Republicans to vote on measures that will embarrass them or divide them from Trump. McConnell will label them obstructionists, but the Democrats know obstructionism works when Congress is gridlocked, most voters will blame the party in the White House. Where did they learn that? From McConnell, of course. That was the strategy he used to frustrate Obama; it was how he became majority leader in 2015. Now he must watch and fume as his opponents turn it against him. There may be nothing better protected by Iowa law than hair. Yes, hair. State statute prohibits anyone without thousands of hours of training and a state license from curling, arranging, straightening, shampooing, perming, cutting or performing similar works on hair. Wigs and hairpieces also are protected from the untrained worker. The law requires extensive education and state permission to remove superfluous hair from the face or body using tools that include wax, sugars and tweezers. And no unlicensed hand is going to apply fake eyelashes to a customer, either. Never mind anyone can go to a drug store, purchase eyelash extensions in the cosmetics aisle and put them on. Instructions are included. But if you want to open a little shop or mall kiosk that offers only, um, eyelash services, prepare to spend months training at a for-profit school and securing a license from the Iowa Board of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences housed in the Iowa Department of Public Health. Such ridiculous requirements in state law beget ridiculous proposed amendments to state law. And now we have Senate File 106. Sen. Janet Petersen, a Democrat from Des Moines, introduced the bill after a woman contacted her about opening an eyelash extension business and said she would have to undergo training completely unrelated to her business to do so. The bill would allow this woman, and perhaps others interested in such a business, an alternative to obtaining a full-fledged license. Instead, they could seek less onerous certification from the cosmetology board to partake in the practice of applying, removing or trimming natural or synthetic fibers from the eyelash or eyelashes of a person. While Petersen is trying to do the right thing, such measures only further muck up a section of Iowa Code that should be completely revisited. Why not draft a bill striking all references to eyelashes in the statute? It took a lawsuit against the state last year to get African-style hair braiders exempted from cosmetology licensing law. Perhaps eyelash workers will mount a legal challenge, too. Also, Senate File 106 requires individuals applying eyelashes to have completed high school. Why? And applicants for certification must complete an eyelash extension application course approved by the board. Exactly what course will the state require Iowans to attend? Perhaps one of the many offered online by entities with names including Minkys, NaturalLash, DreamLash or LashOut! The website for Lavish Lashes was offering a one-day basic certification whatever that is for $695 last week. The two-day training also was on sale for $1,295. About 20,000 Iowa workers, nearly 4,000 salons and 30 barber and cosmetology schools already are under the thumb of a state cosmetology board comprised largely of members who work in the beauty industry. They have the power to grant and strip licenses to work from cosmetologists, manicurists and many others. Now this board of private-sector industry workers is supposed to devise, enact and enforce a certification process for Iowans who only want to touch eyelashes. Heres a better idea this editorial board has repeatedly suggested: Iowa lawmakers should comprehensively revisit Iowas ludicrous job licensing laws that frequently do nothing but make it harder to enter a profession or open a business. And they can start with the Code sections that treat every lock of hair like a sacred gem. South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem described the U.S. border with Mexico as a war zone last year when she sent dozens of state National Guard troops there. Noem said theyd be on the front lines of stopping drug smugglers and human traffickers. But newly released records from the National Guard show that in their two-month deployment, the South Dakota troops didnt seize any drugs and sometimes went days without encountering any migrants at all. Noem justified the deployment and a widely criticized private donation to fund as a state emergency because of drugs making their way across the southern border to South Dakota. But the records cast doubt on whether the deployment was effective in addressing that. Email To : Multiple e-mail addresses must be separated with a comma character(maximum 200 characters) Email To is required. 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the main Dakota Access Pipeline protest camp is hitting an even higher gear this third week. With snow melt running rapidly into low areas and roads churned into a quagmire of mud, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says it will move in to help the effort. This fits the corps Wednesday deadline for people to vacate its property in the Cannonball River floodplain occupied since August by thousands of people in the anti-pipeline movement. Some 300 to 400 remain. How the agency will be met in the camp is not clear, but Gov. Doug Burgum said the state will also get on board and agencies, such as the Red Cross and Salvation Army, have been asked to help individuals. Burgum also issued an immediate emergency evacuation order. Roughly half the sprawling camp is cleared out, but its an enormous task in rotting snow, ice and runoff. It will take all hands on deck to get piles of debris, several hundred remaining dwellings and stalled and abandoned campers and vehicles out of harms way to prevent environmental damage. Wednesday, the U.S. Geological Survey hung a temporary river gauge on the bridge near the camp for up-to-the-minute data on high water, if it comes as expected, possibly along with this weeks rapid warmup. Survey deputy director Steve Robinson said the water level readings will be paired with river bank elevations so people will know exactly how near the bank is to overtopping. It will be helpful as a water alert so people can see whats going on at the bank, he said. The info will be at nd.water.usgs.gov for anyone who wants to keep close tabs. Some in the camp feel the corps isnt giving them enough time to do a thorough cleanup. When theyre done with the machines, we will be here picking up the bits. We want the camp to be honored, said a California woman who self-identifies as Ranger Fox. She and her companion spent Wednesday prying and pulling up metal stakes left behind after structures were moved. James McGinley, from Washington, D.C., who recently moved his tent to higher ground in the Oceti Sakowin camp says everyone is dreadfully concerned about high water. To a large degree, the challenge of cleanup is being met. Its a tireless effort here at the camp, he said. The work being done here to repurpose is heroic and anything that can be salvaged will be donated around the world. One of the problems is that relatively so few remain to clean up a camp once occupied by thousands. The camp was also inundated by tons of donations that hit their delivery peak in November, weeks before a series of blizzards buried the camp, said Andrew Szanto, of Florida. The corps and state effort will augment and hasten work being done by the camp and crews with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and its contractors, the governor said. Some at the camp are going to make their stand on the high ground, including Valerie Armstrong, of Texas. She said other deadlines to evacuate have come and gone and shes planning to stay in a small, homemade building she was unloading Wednesday on the highest hill in camp. As to what others below the hill will do in the next few days, she said, Im not here to babysit, but why get out and let them win? Were not leaving. I may be small, but I have no fear about me." Down the hill below, Lelani Running Bear, of Standing Rock, said she was clearing out her familys camp and doesnt doubt the high-water warnings. Oh yeah, it will flood, probably this week. Its North Dakota," she said. She said shell clean up because she didnt come to protect the water and leave a mess behind, though it is a big task. Its been hard times and cold nights and shes been crying and feeling defeated in the fight to protect Mother Earth. Shes also bothered by people driving through and scavenging in the camp, but not helping with the cleanup. Why are they picking through the belongings of a thousand fallen soldiers? They should help clean, too, said Running Bear, who is planning to move camp down to the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation near Bridger, S.D., to help fight the resurrected Keystone XL pipeline project. Others are moving to a new camp just one-half mile up the road from Oceti Sakowin on the reservation in an area leased by the Cheyenne River Sioux. Holyelk Lafferty, a Cheyenne member, was carrying bags of chips and boxes of soda into the camp, sloshing through a muddy watery entrance. Several teepees are already there on higher, drier ground, but she said she expects it will start to fill up shortly as people accelerate their move. Itll be filling up minute by minute, she said. "This part of the world is eager to support foreign investment & new business opportunities. We help with the complexities of international expansion." said Tiger-Consulting CEO, Neil Satterwhite. CARLSBAD, CA, February 16, 2017 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Tiger-Consulting's new location across the street from the Dubai airport is fully functional now. We offer HR, Payroll and PEO support to international clients giving them the ability to get support in this rapidly expanding region. Our firm offers a complete package to meet your requirements including relocation for your employees and staff. Dubai is the premier place to expand business in the Middle East. It has a first-class reputation as the UAE's major business hub. It is the fastest growing economy in the region. International firms and global investors are focused on Dubai as a strategic move for their Middle East expansion. "The Dubai office is now available to international clients giving them the ability to get support in this rapidly expanding region. Companies are looking to leverage their value, move quickly and stay light on their feet while seeking to consolidate support under one umbrella, which is exactly what we offer as well as providing a single point of contact. Our Dubai team has solid relationships with local and regional companies. We understand the rich cultural diversity of the region, its languages, and its customs. This part of the world is eager and ready to support foreign investment and new business opportunities. We will help with the complexities of international expansion," said Tiger-Consulting Founder & CEO, Neil Satterwhite. Tiger-Consulting is committed to making expansion and management of Asian and UAE operations easier for international businesses. Tiger Consulting's HR, Payroll, employment and business support services are managed by experienced teams on the ground in 16 countries: Australia, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, UAE and USA. The company currently serves 300+ businesses spanning industries including IT, telecom, social networking, fashion, finance, pharmaceuticals, travel, recruitment, Gas & Oil and hospitality. # # # DUBLIN - Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Enda Kenny said on Wednesday that he continued to believe "Brexit is bad for Britain, for Ireland and for Europe." "Brexit is a British policy, not an Irish policy or a policy of the European Union (EU)," Kenny said in a keynote address to the think-tank Institute of International and European Affairs in Dublin. "But I respect the referendum result, and I recognize that Brexit is now going to happen," the Irish prime minister said. "Unfortunately, its most severe impact could well be felt on this island," he said. "That is why protecting the peace process and the Common Travel Area between Ireland and Britain are priority objectives for the government," he added. For many people in Northern Ireland, there is deep concern at the prospect of being removed from the EU, Kenny said. "It is not just that there was a strong "remain" majority of over 55 percent in the North. Fewer than 350,000 people voted for Brexit in Northern Ireland, out of a total population of over 1.8 million," he said. "But every man, woman and child in Northern Ireland will be affected by the outcome. And the vast majority of those affected are entitled to be Irish, and therefore EU citizens," he added. The Irish government will oppose a hard border, argue for free movement on this island, seek EU funding for cross-border projects and protect the rights of EU citizens, whether from North or South, Kenny said. "But this requires the support of all strands of opinion if we are to succeed. We have no choice but to work together, North and South, all of us," he said. "I am confident that the EU will not bring us back to a border of division," Kenny said. He said Brexit is a serious, direct threat to Ireland's economic prosperity. The potential impacts are profound, right across the economy, Kenny said. Key sectors, such as agri-food and fishing, face particular risks and challenges, according to the prime minister. These sectors are among Ireland's priorities as the agri-food sector has traditionally been reliant on the British export market, while fishing depends enormously on access to the waters around Britain. "Other areas, like tourism, and energy, also face significant challenges, as do many of our small and medium enterprises across the economy and across all parts of the country," he said. "All these challenges require a hard-headed, radical and innovative response," the prime minister said. Kenny said Ireland needs to negotiate hard for the best possible economic outcome from the Brexit negotiations. "For us, that continues to mean the closest possible economic and trading relationship between the EU and the UK, even if it will not now involve UK membership of the Single Market. I believe that close relationship is in the interests of not just Ireland, but of all of our fellow EU member states," he said. Feb 16, 2017 | By Tess As a kid, I was always very jealous of my cousin who drove a kid-sized jeep and my friends who had the iconic Fisher-Price plastic cars. Considering that, I cant even imagine how green I would have been had I set my eyes on one of these 3D printed luxury vehicles for toddlers. Made by German kids auto manufacturer Bobby Tailor, these custom-made toy cars are really a sight to behold. Probably nicer than any full-size car Ill ever own, Bobby Tailors toddler vehicles are inspired by the worlds most lavish car brands and feature shining alloy rims, hand-finished leather seats, top-grade electronics, and more. Of course, offering custom-made toy cars necessitates manufacturing flexibility for single-unit production, and developing miniature high-end car parts is no easy feat. Faced with the aforementioned challenges, Bobby Tailor founder Steffen de Bochdanovits realized that industrial 3D printing might offer a suitable solution, and reached out to 3D printing company EOS for their AM products. Not only has 3D printing helped to sort out the challenge of small-batch or single-unit manufacturing, it has also allowed the auto manufacturer to design and create complex parts for the mini cars. For instance, the company uses the EOS M 290 DMLS 3D printer to manufacture small parts for the car as well as complex metal tools, which are then used to mold the ignition lock and key, as well as the fuel cap. Other larger parts, such as the hubcaps, cooler, cockpit, and logo are 3D printed out of powdered plastic on the EOSint P 395. Finally, all the 3D printed parts, as well as the handmade luxury items and electronics, are assembled onto a standard chassis. For its 3D printing needs, Bobby Tailor has enlisted the help of Creabis, a 3D printing firm from Kirchheim, near Munich. Using its in-house EOSINT P 395, Creabis is responsible for making the aluminum rims for the Bobby cars, arguably their most complex and impressive component. The rims, not actually printed from aluminum, are made from PA 2200 (Polyamide white). Milling a component like this from aluminum is almost impossible", said Ralf Deuke, CEO at Creabis GmbH. "It is a relatively small form with a complex structure and the machine hours alone would be prohibitive. 3D-layering processes are cheaper, offer more design freedom and allow faster iterations. The EOS products provide access to the highest quality, as many of our customers would attest to. Now we can offer our partners a genuine first-class product. 3D printing has also allowed the company to cut back on production time for the rims, as it estimates roughly 22 hours are saved for every rim it 3D prints, as well as significant money. Perhaps the most exciting bonus is that it allows for custom-designed rims, selected by the client. Amazingly, thanks to 3D printing technologies, de Bochdanovits was able to bring his luxury Bobby cars to life in an impressively short time frame. According to the company, Bobby Tailor cars were conceived of in 2015, and by May 2016, the company was already selling its first toy models. "This type of service would, with conventional manufacturing technologies, either not be possible, or would mean incurring horrendous costs for the manufacturer and, ultimately, the customer, commented de Bochdanovits. "The possibility of having a high-quality Bobby Car additively manufactured forms the basis for my company's entire business model. The German-made luxury toy vehicles cost between 3,200 and 4,900. Posted in 3D Printing Application Maybe you also like: Feb 16, 2017 | By Tess Straumann, a dental solutions company based in Basel, Switzerland, has announced it is seeking an official 3D printing partner. The Straumann Group is one of the worlds leading providers of dental implants, restorative products, and services. According to Marco Gadola, Straumanns Chief Executive, the global dental company is in search of a partner in the 3D printing industry, and is aiming to reach a distribution agreement within the next 12 months. There is also the possibility of an ownership stake for the selected partner. In recent years, 3D printing has been gradually adopted within the field of dentistry, and has been lauded for its accurate, cheap, and time-efficient manufacturing capacity. Certain 3D printer manufacturers, such as Formlabs and Microlay, have even marketed their 3D printing products as ideal for making molds, devices, and even implants for the dental industry. For dentists, having 3D technology in the office could offer many benefits, including less invasive dental impressions (using 3D scanning instead of uncomfortable molds), and faster turnaround times for certain custom devices, molds, and implants. Speaking of his own company, Gadola explained, What we have to offer is a worldwide distribution network, especially when it comes to penetrating dentists offices. More and more dentists are looking at 3D printing in their own offices. By partnering with a firm from within the 3D printing industry, Straumann is aiming to become a total solutions provider within the dental industry. Currently, 3D printing is one of the last cavities to fill in realizing this goal, Gadola said. As mentioned, Gadola is confident that Straumann will reach a distribution agreement with its future 3D printing partner within the next year. So far, there is no indication whether Straumann has any potential partners, or if it is eyeing any additive manufacturing company in particular. We will have to sit tight to see who is selected. Straumann, which recently acquired Brazil-based dental firm Neodent, saw a significant increase in its dental implant and prosthesis sales over 2016 (an increase of 14.9%), and tripled its net income to CHF 230 million ($229 million). The Swiss company also increased its employee workforce significantly over the past year, creating 70 new positions in Switzerland, and taking on a total of 326 more workers (many from companies it has acquired). We significantly exceeded market growth in 2016 and achieved our best result in eight years, commented Gadola. Posted in 3D Printer Company Maybe you also like: Akhila Shah wrote at 2/20/2017 6:54:23 AM:Nice article. technology gives a high to dentistry as dental procedures became easy and high quality now. From Roll Call Magazine: Often called "one of the most courageous persons the Civil Rights Movement ever produced," John Lewis has dedicated his life to protecting human rights, securing civil liberties, and building what he calls "The Beloved Community in America. His dedication to the highest ethical standards and moral principles has won him the admiration of many of his colleagues on both sides of the aisle in the United States Congress. He has been called "the conscience of the U.S. Congress, and Roll Call magazine has said, "John Lewisis a genuine American hero and moral leader who commands widespread respect in the chamber. He was born the son of sharecroppers on February 21, 1940, outside of Troy, Alabama. He grew up on his family's farm and attended segregated public schools in Pike County, Alabama. As a young boy, he was inspired by the activism surrounding the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the words of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., which he heard on radio broadcasts. In those pivotal moments, he made a decision to become a part of the Civil Rights Movement. Ever since then, he has remained at the vanguard of progressive social movements and the human rights struggle in the United States. As a student at Fisk University, John Lewis organized sit-in demonstrations at segregated lunch counters in Nashville, Tennessee. In 1961, he volunteered to participate in the Freedom Rides, which challenged segregation at interstate bus terminals across the South. Lewis risked his life on those Rides many times by simply sitting in seats reserved for white patrons. He was also beaten severely by angry mobs and arrested by police for challenging the injustice of Jim Crow segregation in the South. During the height of the Movement, from 1963 to 1966, Lewis was named Chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), which he helped form. SNCC was largely responsible for organizing student activism in the Movement, including sit-ins and other activities. While still a young man, John Lewis became a nationally recognized leader. By 1963, he was dubbed one of the Big Six leaders of the Civil Rights Movement. At the age of 23, he was an architect of and a keynote speaker at the historic March on Washington in August 1963. In 1964, John Lewis coordinated SNCC efforts to organize voter registration drives and community action programs during the Mississippi Freedom Summer. The following year, Lewis helped spearhead one of the most seminal moments of the Civil Rights Movement. Hosea Williams, another notable Civil Rights leader, and John Lewis led over 600 peaceful, orderly protestors across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama on March 7, 1965. They intended to march from Selma to Montgomery to demonstrate the need for voting rights in the state. The marchers were attacked by Alabama state troopers in a brutal confrontation that became known as "Bloody Sunday." News broadcasts and photographs revealing the senseless cruelty of the segregated South helped hasten the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Despite more than 40 arrests, physical attacks and serious injuries, John Lewis remained a devoted advocate of the philosophy of nonviolence. More here. (Note: At least one post throughout February will be in honor of Black History Month) Sarah Weinman at The New Republic: Two men in particular had reason to celebrate the evening of July 9, 1981. One received the Pulitzer Prize the year prior, having refashioned his literary career after a series of controversies, failures, and skirmishes. The other was barely a month out of prison, a murderer whose letters, collected in book form, promised an inside look at the horrors of incarcerated life. The latter was Jack Henry Abbott. His book was toasted with white wine that July night at Il Mulino in Greenwich Village. The former was Norman Mailer, who had provided the introduction, an extended thank-you for Abbotts help on writing that Pulitzer winner, The Executioners Song. The celebration was short-lived. Nine days later, the day before In the Belly of the Beast received a rave review in theNew York Times, Abbott was a fugitive. He had murdered again. Freedom evaporated. Once captured, in late September, Abbott would never see the outside world again. Writers like Michael Mewshaw and Felice Picano assigned blame to Mailer in subsequent essays on Abbotts book, arguing Mailer went out of his way to ignore Abbotts lengthy criminal record stretching back to age eleven. more here. Stephen Lovell at The Times Literary Supplement: We are left pondering several related questions: how did Rasputin survive as long as 1916; what was it about him that made the imperial couple shut their eyes to his ostensible turpitude; and what did his influence on them amount to? The reasons for Rasputins longevity lie partly within the imperial couple themselves. Nicholas was reserved and diffident, Alexandra was mystically inclined and pathologically private, but they both believed absolutely in the prerogatives of autocracy. They craved emotional support from someone who was not part of or beholden to the court elite around them. As Smith points out, Rasputin was not the first Our Friend at the imperial residence of Tsarskoe Selo: in the early 1900s Nicholas and Alexandra had been intimate with a renowned occultist named Monsieur Philippe, parting with him only after being told repeatedly of the damage he was doing to their reputation. It was only a matter of time before the Frenchman was replaced by someone closer to home. Rasputin was the right candidate at the right moment: as an authentic Russian peasant, a native of Siberia, that bastion of fearless and uncorrupted national values, he offered the imperial couple a direct line to the people and indulged their belief that they ruled in the interests of common folk and in defiance of treacherous urban elites. Perhaps Nicholas and Alexandra were not entirely misguided: the elites of court and high officialdom were hardly the most reliable source of disinterested information or intelligent insight, as Smith shows us at many turns. more here. San Francisco may finally catch up to East Coast drinking standards thanks to a new bill introduced by Senator Scott Wiener. The LOCAL Act (Let Our Communities Adjust Late Night), which was announced on Wednesday, would allow California bars to serve alcohol until 4am, leaving the decision to extend hours up to local jurisdictions. It's being supported by local restaurants and hospitality groups, including the Golden Gate Restaurant Association and San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, who argue that longer hours would mean more tourists, more commerce, and more tax revenue for the city. The bill would not permit extended hours at liquor stores. "Night life matters a lot, culturally and economically, and it's time to allow local communities more flexibility," Wiener said in a Facebook post. "It will also help communities decide what is best for them," added Juliana Bunim, spokeswoman for the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce. "Because what works in the Mission or Union Squareareas with a high concentration of bars and restaurantsmay not work for more residential areas like the Sunset or Richmond." In 2013, a similar measure introduced by Wiener's predecessor Mark Leno failed to garner enough support, leaving San Francisco and Los Angeles way behind cities such as Chicago, Washington D.C., New York, Buffalo, Las Vegas, Louisville, Atlanta, Miami, New Orleans, and Atlanta, which all permit drinking past 2am. Universal Pictures/Photofest We feel it in our fingers, we feel it in our toes. Yes, a Love Actually mini-reunion is really happening with the airing of a sequel on the small screen this spring. It may be only 10 minutes long, but it will bring together many of the cast members from the popular 2003 romantic comedy, including Hugh Grant, Martine McCutcheon, Andrew Lincoln, Colin Firth, Bill Nighy, Keira Knightley, Rowan Atkinson, Liam Neeson and his on-screen son, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, now 26 years old. A notable exception from the cast list is Emma Thompson, perhaps because the actor who played her cheating husband in the film, Alan Rickman, died in January 2016 after battling cancer. In 2012, the president of Universal Pictures told the media that hed like British director and writer Richard Curtis to create a follow-up to the film, which featured intertwining stories examining the complexities of love. This study sought to identify differences between known investment fraud victims and the general investor population in three discrete areas: psychological mindset, behavioral characteristics and demographic characteristics. Key findings include the following: More victims reported valuing wealth accumulation as a measure of success in life, Some of the most important achievements in life include acquiring money. More victims (60%) agreed with this statement than general investors (41%). The most profitable financial returns are often found in investments that are not regulated by the government. More victims (48%) agreed with this statement than general investors (30%). Nearly six in ten (58%) fraud victims reported receiving at least one investment sales telephone call each month compared to less than one in three (32%) of the general investors. Over four-in-ten (42%) victims made five or more investment decisions in a year, compared to only about one-in-ten (11%) general investors. AARPs Fraud Watch Network contracted with Applied Research Consultants (ARC) to complete a total of 1,028 interviews, including 814 from the general investor population and 214 victims. Interviews were conducted by an independent telephone calling center, Opinion Access Corporation (Opinion Access) between August 23 and September 7, 2016. The sample for the telephone survey of fraud victims was provided by AARP from a database of known victims of fraud. For more information contact Jennifer Sauer at JSauer@aarp.org. Suggested Citation: Shadel, Doug and Karla Pak. AARP Investment Fraud Vulnerability Study. Washington, DC: AARP Research, February 2017. https://doi.org/10.26419/res.00150.001 Istock Over the past several years, states across the country have been working to create retirement savings plans for the 55 million American workers without access to one on the job. Now those efforts are in jeopardy after recent action in Congress that could block such programs. On Wednesday, the House of Representatives voted to scrap rules issued last year by the Department of Labor that paved the way for states and cities to set up retirement plans for private-sector workers without running afoul of federal pension laws. The House measure now goes to the Senate. These initiatives provide flexible, practical solutions to address an important retirement need in this country, said AARP Executive Vice President Nancy A. LeaMond. Many Americans who lack the opportunity to save at work are often women and minorities with limited access to other sources of income beyond Social Security in retirement. How many people have already voted absentee in South Dakota ahead of Election Day? MARKET RESEARCH REPORTS AND INDUSTRY Life Insurance in Saudi Arabia, Key Trends and Opportunities to 2020 report provides a detailed outlook by product category Synopsis Radiant Insightss Life Insurance in Saudi Arabia, Key Trends and Opportunities to 2020 report provides a detailed outlook by product category for the Saudi Arabian life insurance segment, and a comparison of the Saudi Arabian insurance industry with its regional counterparts. It provides key performance indicators such as written premium, incurred loss, loss ratio, commissions and expenses, total assets, total investment income and retentions during the review period (2011-2015) and forecast period (2015-2020). The report also analyzes distribution channels operating in the segment, gives a comprehensive overview of the Saudi Arabian economy and demographics, and provides detailed information on the competitive landscape in the country. The report brings together Radiant Insightss research, modeling and analysis expertise, giving insurers access to information on segment dynamics and competitive advantages, and profiles of insurers operating in the country. The report also includes details of insurance regulations, and recent changes in the regulatory structure. For further inquiries, about Life Insurance Market Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2011 2020, click on this link http://www.radiantinsights.com/research/life-insurance-in-saudi-arabia-key-trends-and-opportunities-to-2020 Summary Radiant Insightss Life Insurance in Saudi Arabia, Key Trends and Opportunities to 2020 report provides in-depth market analysis, information and insights into the Saudi Arabian life insurance segment, including: An overview of the Saudi Arabian life insurance segment The Saudi Arabian life insurance segments growth prospects by category A comprehensive overview of the Saudi Arabian economy and demographics A comparison of the Saudi Arabian life insurance segment with its regional counterparts The various distribution channels in the Saudi Arabian life insurance segment Details of the competitive landscape in the life insurance segment in Saudi Arabia Details of regulatory policy applicable to the Saudi Arabian insurance industry Browse All Reports of This Category @ http://www.radiantinsights.com/catalog/pet-food Scope This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the life insurance segment in Saudi Arabia: It provides historical values for the Saudi Arabian life insurance segment for the reports 2011-2015 review period, and projected figures for the 2015-2020 forecast period. It offers a detailed analysis of the key categories in the Saudi Arabian life insurance segment, and market forecasts to 2020. It provides a comparison of the Saudi Arabian life insurance segment with its regional counterparts. It analyzes the various distribution channels for life insurance products in Saudi Arabia. It profiles the top life insurance companies in Saudi Arabia and outlines the key regulations affecting them. Make strategic business decisions using in-depth historic and forecast market data related to the Saudi Arabian life insurance segment, and each category within it. Understand the demand-side dynamics, key market trends and growth opportunities in the Saudi Arabian life insurance segment. Assess the competitive dynamics in the life insurance segment. Identify growth opportunities and market dynamics in key product categories. Gain insights into key regulations governing the Saudi Arabian insurance industry, and their impact on companies and the industrys future. Key Highlights Saudi Arabias foreign labor force is a key driver of the life segment. The life insurance segments penetration rate was 0.04% in 2015. Saudi Arabia has a relatively underdeveloped life segment in the Middle East. This is largely a result of a lack of awareness among Saudi nationals of the benefits of insurance, and a cultural reluctance towards insurance. In 2016, the government announced the National Transformation Program (NTP) 2020 and Saudi Vision 2030. Both plans aim to support economic development initiatives by diversifying the economy via non-oil sector development, and privatization initiatives. Read more related reports by Radiant Insights: Insurance Industry in Rwanda http://www.radiantinsights.com/research/the-insurance-industry-in-rwanda-key-trends-and-opportunities-to-2020 Non-Life Insurance in Saudi Arabia http://www.radiantinsights.com/research/non-life-insurance-in-saudi-arabia-key-trends-and-opportunities-to-2020 About Radiant Insights, Inc Radiant Insights is a platform for companies looking to meet their market research and business intelligence requirements. We assist and facilitate organizations and individuals procure market research reports, helping them in the decision making process. We have a comprehensive collection of reports, covering over 40 key industries and a host of micro markets. In addition to over extensive database of reports, our experienced research coordinators also offer a host of ancillary services such as, research partnerships/ tie-ups and customized research solutions. Media Contact Company Name: Radiant Insights, Inc. Contact Person: Michelle Thoras, Corporate Sales Specialist USA Email: sales@radiantinsights.com Phone: (415) 349-0054, Toll Free: 1-888-202-9519 Address:28 2nd Street, Suite 3036 City: San Francisco State: California Country: United States Website: http://www.radiantinsights.com/research/life-insurance-in-saudi-arabia-key-trends-and-opportunities-to-2020 Lekki Lagos, February 1st 2019. Rilla Web Hosting, one of the top players in domain registration and web hosting has announces its full ... Fairchild pilots $4.3 billion DOD electronic health record upgrade The 92nd Medical Group hosted a go-live recognition ceremony Feb. 15, 2017, to celebrate the launch of the Defense Departments new integrated electronic health record system, Medical Health System GENESIS. The 92nd MDG was selected as the first DOD medical clinic to launch this $4.3 billion system and has been successfully using the program since Feb. 7. I cant think of anywhere better for it to all begin, said Lt. Gen. Mark Ediger, the Air Force Surgeon General. Thank you for being on the leading edge of a new advancement. It took an extraordinary effort across the wing to implement this. MHS GENESIS is a DOD-wide electronic health record and management system purchased to keep pace with medical advances and innovations in technology. This system combines health records from base primary care providers, pharmacy, laboratory, immunization and dental clinics all on one network. It will also enable the base to share information with civilian and Veterans Affairs providers. MHS GENESIS features a secure patient-provider portal to give beneficiaries access to previous visit information, discharge instructions, allow patients to schedule or cancel appointments and send messages directly to their provider. Prior to the go-live ceremony, 92nd MDG staff members helped develop and execute 14 patient scenarios, spanning 15 different clinical departments, to test the capabilities of the program and ensure patient safety is not compromised. Fairchild AFB has 48 super-users, who are fully involved in the training and implementation of MHS GENESIS, and who will be able to provide support throughout the transition. MHS GENESIS will affect approximately 11,000 service members, dependents and retirees who depend on the Fairchild clinic, as well as 27,000 eligible beneficiaries in the local area, said Col. Meg Carey, the 92nd MDG commander. Fairchild AFB is the first of four locations in the northwest selected to launch the new system. Future operational sites are scheduled to be Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Naval Base Kitsap and Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Implementation at NASWI is anticipated as early as June 2017. The Pacific Northwest has a tradition of being innovative, said Stacy Cummings, the Defense Healthcare Management Systems program executive officer. We are basing our scheduled rollouts on our experiences and lessons learned here. We remain on track for full deployment by 2022. Fairchilds involvement paves the way for the rest of the DOD to switch to this new system, which will impact approximately 9.4 million eligible beneficiaries worldwide. SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) -- In the air war to degrade and ultimately defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, an air coalition of 20 nations work together to equip, inform and deploy air forces across the Middle East in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. To ensure the interconnected multinational force works cohesively, service members and leaders from each nation must learn to communicate and understand the perspectives of their international partners. One U.S. Air Force Airman is using these skills to fight ISIS while deployed with the Italian air force to an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia. Lt. Col. Joe Slap Goldsworthy has served with the Italian air force for nearly three years as a member of the Military Personnel Exchange Program. The initiative gives the U.S. military the opportunity to swap service members with an allied nation military with the aim to promote partnership and develop interoperability between forces around the globe, including allies from Europe, Africa and the Middle East. While Im an American officer, my job is to fully integrate into the Italian air force and learn from them, Goldsworthy said. The exchange program provides a unique opportunity for the U.S. and our allies to strengthen our ties and learn how the other works. Its important were able to operate well together. Lives depend on it. Its important and efforts like this exchange program are important. Goldsworthy began his time with the Italian air force in September 2014, when he was assigned to the 132nd Groupo stationed at Istrana Air Base in Treviso, Italy, as an AMX A-11 Ghibli pilot. For Goldsworthy, an A-10 Thunderbolt II pilot with more than 2,700 flight hours of experience, the A-11 Ghibli brought new challenges and mission sets not typically executed in the familiar A-10. Goldsworthy said successfully conducting these previously unfamiliar contingency missions are a culmination of his training and cooperation with his Italian wingmen. It was really humbling having to learn a new jet, he said It was like I was a brand new student after more than 10 years of flight experience. At the start, I made all of the typical student errors and was learning new mission sets I had never done. It was challenging and still is at times, but the guys I work with helped me every step of the way. For Gain, Goldworthys Italian air force Task Group commander, this challenge reinforces what the program can offer service members from both militaries. The exchange program is important because it represents a mutual opportunity to increase each others professionalism using (tactics, techniques and procedures) in a different aircraft, Gain said. It also provides a different perspective on how to plan, execute and evaluate at the squadron level, during peacetime training and on overseas operations. It offers an insight about different cultures to better understand the reason why things are done, sometimes differently from what we are used to in our native country. Now deployed, the 132nd Groupo provides tac recce support by using Rafael Reccelite tactical reconnaissance pods to provide precise, high-definition imagery to coalition leaders. This imagery provides coalition forces a full picture when planning and executing missions and launching strikes in the Middle East. Goldsworthys time in the exchange program concludes in September when he will return to a U.S. Air Force assignment. Its going to be bitter sweet. I love the U.S. Air Force and its going to feel like coming home, but its going to be tough leaving my friends and great memories behind, he said. While it will be hard, after three years spent with the Italian air force, I can come away with a completely different perspective. Im going to be able to go back to the U.S. and share what Ive learned and broaden the horizons of those around me and make sure we can keep bringing the fight to the enemy with the Italians as close friends and partners. We use cookies and similar technologies to ensure the smooth running of this website and to enhance your experience as you browse through it. We would also like to use cookie data to help us and our partners understand what information and advertising is of most interest to our fans. You can find out more information on how we use online identifiers and your options and rights in our Cookie Policy here. Agree Disagree NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. (AFNS) -- As coalition pilots, intelligence analysts and cyber and space operators convene at the Nevada Test and Training Range north of Las Vegas for Red Flag 17-1, they have one goal in mind: work together to defeat the adversary, which at times is 20 living adversaries simultaneously working to attack allied forces on a multi-domain battlefield. Integration across domains and platforms is an essential practice the realistic combat training exercise emphasizes. Its in our slogan; air, space and cyber space. These are the domains that we operate in. We can fight a war in an air domain only, but we are more effective when you add in cyber and space, said U.S. Air Force Col. Peter Fesler, the Red Flag Air Expeditionary commander and 1st Fighter Wing commander at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. All the capabilities in those domains when combined produce enhanced effects that are more lethal against our adversary. Throughout the exercise, fifth-generation fighters, the F-22 Raptor and F-35A Lightning II, have incorporated intelligence, cyber and space information to better support fourth-generation pilots by suppressing targets and dominating airspace. The F-22 and F-35 were designed to work together, Fesler said. This is the first time weve taken the F-22, the F-35 and all of those capabilities the Air Forces of the U.S., the United Kingdom and Australia can bring to bear, and put them together in the airspace at the same time to fight together against a realistic threat. According to U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Dave DeAngelis, the 419th Fighter Wing detachment commander at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, in this Red Flag, pilots saw approximately three to four surface-to-air missiles in one scenario. They cant always be seen by the naked eye, which is how integration with cyber and space come into effect in aiding the fifth-generation fighters with finding targets for the fourth-generation assets to attack. Thats whats nice about this Red Flag, there are so many assets out here, DeAngelis said. Its been great working with our intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance assets. Theyre able to give us a general location of targets and were able to refine it, and hand it off to our British partners that have phenomenal air-to-ground weapons and theyre able to take out those moving targets for us. For Royal air force Group Commander Graham Pemberton, AE deputy commander, this Red Flag not only gives the United Kingdom and Australia the opportunity to enhance tactics, practices and procedures across domains with their U.S. allies, but it is also helping them better understand the capabilities of their next aircraft: The F-35B. Weve worked really closely with the Raptor over the last couple of years, so were looking forward with how were going to do that with the Lightning as well, Pemberton said. (Red Flag) is a great insight into how well maximize those synergies and how the Royal air force will use their own Lightning, so thats been a fantastic opportunity. Two weeks into the exercise, Pemberton noticed that the effects of the Raptor and Lightning are different, yet complimentary in defeating an advanced enemy in the air and on the surface. We use the (Lightning) in a subtly different way, Pemberton explained. Its being shielded to go into the most deep and complex environments as a lethal scalpel with the Raptor providing the overall control of the air in time and space to get the job done as well, which is working in a complementary fashion with the fourth-generation fighters giving us a massive amount of fire power. For Pemberton, continuing training with both fifth-generation fighters alongside fourth-generation assets is vital to success in a multifaceted battlefield. I think what has really changed with the fifth generation is how are we going to take on what we face in the future with really complex surface-to-air missile systems and layered defense systems that we have to try and unpick, Pemberton said. Space helps us go over it, cyber helps us go under and through it, and fifth-generation assets with fourth-generation support help us go into it, and Lightning with Raptor gives us the real ability to do that on our terms. Terming the BJP and Shiv Sena as nothing but ghee-khichdi, the Congress said the two parties will reunite after the civic polls. Congress spokesman Manish Tewari also attack the two parties saying both the parties are in power in BMC since 1996 and in the last 20 years, the infrastructure in Mumbai has completely collapsed. Whatever development is seen, like the (Eastern) Freeway, Bandra-Worli Sea-Link, Metro and monorail are works of the UPA and the Congress-led alliance in the state, he said. Tewari also charged the Narendra Modi government at the Centre with not making a single project, policy or scheme for the development of Mumbai. Targeting the BJP, he alleged that it is a party of conspiracy theorists and Prime Minister Narendra Modis foul-mouthed legacy has travelled to the states. Given the kind of language Prime Minister Narendra Modi uses, like raincoat and alleging that Congress tried to kill Mulayam Singh Yadav, shows that the BJP is a party of conspiracy theorists. Modis foul-mouthed legacy has travelled down to the states, Tewari alleged during a press conference. He further charged that the allegations made by Shiv Sena and BJP leaders in Maharashtra were a reflection of which Prime Minister lowered the standards of political discourse. He described the Sena and BJP as ghee-khichdi and said the two parties will reunite after the civic polls. In 1996, the Shiv Sena-BJP got power in BMC while in 1998, the Congress came to power in Delhi. I am comparing Delhi government from 1998-2013 because Mumbai has better resources than Delhi. The infrastructure in Mumbai has completely collapsed in the last 20 years. Whatever development is seen, like the (Eastern) Freeway, Bandra-Worli Sea-Link, Metro and monorail are works of the UPA and the Congress-led alliance in the state, he said. Tewari also targeted the BJP for its complete bankruptcy of leadership. One can spot Modi posters in UP, Uttarakhand, Punjab as if he is the Chief Ministerial candidate and even in Mumbai. Is Modi going to be Mumbais mayor? he asked. Tewari said demonetisation had grave implications for the economy. If there was an autonomous RBI, there would have been accountability over the decision. GDP is likely to come down to 3.5 per cent as against 7.8 per cent between 2004-2014, he said. There is a silent anger over the fundamental rationale behind the decision and it will be reflected in the civic polls in the countrys financial capital, he said. Terming the nuclear deal with Iran as the worst agreement ever, US President Donald Trump has assured visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Tehran would never be able to build a nuclear weapon. The security challenges faced by Israel are enormous, including the threat of Irans nuclear ambitions, which Ive talked a lot about. One of the worst deals Ive ever seen is the Iran deal, Trump told reporters at a joint news conference with Netanyahu at the White House on Wednesday. My administration has already imposed new sanctions on Iran, and I will do more to prevent Iran from ever developing I mean ever a nuclear weapon, Trump said. He said the American security assistance to Israel was currently at an all-time high to ensure that the Jewish state has the ability to defend itself from many threats. Both of our countries will continue and grow. We have a long history of cooperation in the fight against terrorism and the fight against those who do not value human life. America and Israel are two nations that cherish the value of all human life, he said. This is one more reason why I reject unfair and one-sided actions against Israel at the United Nations just treated Israel, in my opinion, very, very unfairly or other international forums, as well as boycotts that target Israel, he said. Trump said his administration was committed to working with Israel and common allies in the region towards greater security and stability. That includes working toward a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians. The United States will encourage a peace and, really, a great peace deal. Well be working on it very, very diligently, he said, adding that the parties themselves who must directly negotiate such an agreement. Well be beside them; well be working with them, he added. Netanyahu applauded Trump for his strong stand on Iran and radical Islamic terrorism. Our alliance is based on a deep bond of common values and common interests. And, increasingly, those values and interests are under attack by one malevolent force:radical Islamic terror, he said. Mr President, youve shown great clarity and courage in confronting this challenge head-on. You call for confronting Irans terrorist regime, preventing Iran from realising this terrible deal into a nuclear arsenal, Netanyahu said. You have said that the United States is committed to preventing Iran from getting nuclear weapons. You call for the defeat of ISIS. Under your leadership, I believe we can reverse the rising tide of radical Islam. And in this great task, as in so many others, Israel stands with you and I stand with you, he said. Netanyahu said in rolling back militant Islam, We can seize an historic opportunity because, for the first time in my lifetime, and for the first time in the life of my country, Arab countries in the region do not see Israel as an enemy, but, increasingly, as an ally. I believe that under your leadership, this change in our region creates an unprecedented opportunity to strengthen security and advance peace, Netanyahu said. He said Trump led a very important effort against Iran in the past few weeks and pointed out that there are Iranian violations on ballistic missile tests. By the way, these ballistic missiles are inscribed in Hebrew Israel must be destroyed. The Palestinian rather the Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif said, well, our ballistic missiles are not intended against any country. No. They write on the missile in Hebrew, Israel must be destroyed, he said. Netanyahu said he was seeing a change after Trump took over as the US President and it is clearly evident that he is challenging Iran on its violations of ballistic missiles, imposing sanctions on Hezbollah and making them pay for terrorism that they foment throughout the Middle East and beyond. Let me say this very openly:I think its long overdue, and I think that if we work together and not just the United States and Israel, but so many others in the region who see eye to eye on the great magnitude and danger of the Iranian threat, then I think we can roll back Irans aggression and danger, Netanyahu said. Thats something that is important for Israel, the Arab states, but I think its vitally important for America. These guys are developing ICBMs. Theyre developing they want to get to a nuclear arsenal, not a bomb, a hundred bombs. They want to have the ability to launch them everywhere on Earth, and including, and especially, eventually, the United States, he said. Ahead of the vital civic polls in Mumbai, Nagpur and eight other municipal corporations on February 21, major party from the region Shiv Sena has again lashed out at the BJP and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis concerning numerous issues, especially the law and order situation in Nagpur and false promises made by CM to Mumbaikar. There have been indifferences between the parties in the past but this time both the parties have been in a deadlock of disagreements over several issues. Now, Sena has attacked the CM in his own fort Nagpur, citing the poor law and order situation over there. The criticism was printed in an article in the Senas mouthpiece Saamna, stating that Nagpur where polls will be held on the same day as Mumbai must be saved from the crocodile jaws of the BJP. Both the parties have been long-time allies but major differences emerged between them after the governments demonetisation move. As per reports, there were some disputes between the two parties over the number of seats as well. This particular attack from the Sena came after Fadnavis had earlier likened the law and order situation in Mumbai to that of Patna, enraging the dominant Maharashtra party. After Fadnaviss remark, the Sena have stepped up efforts to target the CM in his own backyard. For the first time, Mumbai BJP adopted an innovative way to start its election campaign by seeking blessings of the Maratha King Shivaji Maharaj and giving a pledge to all its candidates at the fort on the outskirts of Pune. It also ensured that the party sends out a message of a united front by getting all its senior leaders, including guardian minister Girish Bapat, MP Anil Shirole and Sanjay Kakade, all legislators from the city during the launch of the election campaign. BJP also promised neat and clean roads in Mumbai, condition of streets is the biggest issue in this city. Potholes are visible in the metropolis during monsoon season. The party banged on with tempting promises to Mumbaikars, there are thousands of posters across the city reminding each promise made by the chief minister. The campaign is at ground level and larger than life. Every effort is made to sustain with large majority and beat the Sena dominance. The BJP is just walking their way ignoring every criticism by Shiv Sena. The Shiv Sena is adulterating political environment between the two parties by criticizing BJP but we would ignore them. The BJP would seek votes on performance of state and the Centre based on transparent and good governance. Actually speaking at the moment, BJP has nothing much to score on the basis of merits, let it be state or centre but still there is huge hype and propaganda which can fetch good votes for the party. Looking at the present scenario, BJP would not need assistance of anyone else for coming to power in Pune. The party is first time contesting all seats, except 10 allotted to alliance partner RPI(A), in civic body. Their main rival in civic poll is Congress and the NCP. On the allegations that BJP demanded Rs. two lakh each from all candidates, the state BJP chief said that it was a move to ensure that the candidates do not cross their expenditure limit of Rs. 10 lakh and the funds taken would be used by party for the overall election campaign. All assembly seats from the city were won by BJP in 2014, but they have failed to deliver any results vis-a-vis development of the city. On the other hand, the NCP started its campaign by holding an election rally in central parts of city by exposing the BJP-led central government for its demonetization policy that whirled a nightmare for citizens. BJP is aiming high to grab power in the PMC on the basis of its performance in the 2014 Lok Sabha and assembly elections in which it won all the seats from the city. At the launch of NCPs election campaign, its leader Ajit Pawar slammed BJP over its performance at the state and the central-level. NCP wants public to elect its candidate on the basis of development work done by party in the last 10 years. The NCP has joined hands with the Congress to keep the communal parties away from power. The BJP and Shiv Sena are known for creating tension among different communities. Therefore, the voters should think before they vote. This time BJP has inducted political leaders with criminal background and is promoting wrong practices in the elections. Congress is struggling to retain their own leaders, as many of their MLAs are joining BJP. AICC General Secretary Gurudas Kamat, who had openly revolted against the partys Mumbai unit chief Sanjay Nirupam, had reconsidered his decision and was participating in the campaign for the civic elections in the city. Over a thousand party workers including candidates from Mumbai North West, North East and South Central (constituencies) appealed to him to campaign for them. In view of the appeal, he has decided to withdraw the earlier decision not to campaign. Congress chiefs Janardan Chandurkar, Kripashankar Singh and senior leader Narayan Rane are also campaigning but outside Mumbai in other municipal corporations and zilla parishads in Maharashtra. Right now, Mumbai Congress is divided between Kamat and Nirupam groups. Though, we cant ignore the fact that Congress has good majority and vote share in BMC elections. Lets see who rules the Mumbai. (Any suggestions, comments or dispute with regards to this article send us on feedback@afternoonvoice.com) By John Stone Please also read the update on the article. On Tuesday evening the London premiere of VaXxed took place under the auspices of the centre for Homeopathic Education at Regents University, after the Curzon Group of cinemas were intimidated into dropping the film the new venue made room for an extra hundred people to attend. Nevertheless, it is tragic reflection of a so-called liberal democracy that this highly successful film cannot be shown at a commercial venue in London - a victory for bullying and intellectual intolerance. The nature of our society is being radically changed, without any wide understanding. Andrew Wakefield speaking at the occasion said if there had been any factual errors in the film (which tells the story of Centers for Disease Control whistleblower William Thomson who admitted that they had altered data in an MMR/autism study) legal action could have been taken to stop it long ago. Wakefield also spoke powerfully in support of Polly Tommeys Autism Trust, whose charitable status is currently being challenged through a scurrilous and vile campaign started by the Murdoch owned London Times, and he called for everyone connected with the charity to stand with it. The occasion was also used to present Wakefield with the annual award of the European Forum for Vaccine Vigilance (EFVV). Wakefield, director of the film, received a prolonged standing ovation. Following the event the film VaXxed also became available on live stream in the UK, and can be downloaded from from UK Amazon and iTunes. Please also read the update on this article. Mary Rita Sherlock, center, leaves a federal courthouse in Columbia following a hearing in August 2016. Sherlock is one of 22 residents of Murphy Village entering a guilty plea on Feb. 16, 2017 in relation to a racketeering raid of the North Augusta community that's home to one of the largest Irish Traveler populations in the U.S. Sentencing will be held at a later date. Iraq's Turkmen Mobilise for a Post-ISIS Future When fighters from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) group captured Kirkuk last October, hundreds of people poured onto the streets to help security forces fight back in the northern Iraqi city. Among them were dozens of fighters under the blue-and-white Turkmen banner, representing a rare occasion when Iraq's third-largest ethnic group united to defend the community. Fighters representing the roughly two to three million Iraqi Turkmen - approximately 10 percent of Iraq's population - are part of a wider mobilisation to defend what they call Turkmen Eli, or "Land of the Turkmen". This thin swath of land extends northwest to southeast along the frontlines between ISIL, the Iraqi army, and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). Since 2014, thousands of Turkmen have signed up to fight against ISIL, including with the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMU), a group of predominantly Shia militia that have provided vital momentum to Iraq's war effort but have been also repeatedly accused of committing human rights abuses. The anti-ISIL Turkmen fighters find themselves facing other Turkmen who have joined ISIL - a dark twist in a war that has seen many communities pitted against each other. Arshad al-Salihi, head of the Iraqi Turkmen Front, has called for the establishment of an autonomous zone following the retaking of Turkmen regions around Mosul. But many doubt the feasibility of such a zone, particularly given the sectarian divisions that have torn Iraq's Turkmen apart since the toppling of Saddam Hussein in 2003. Iraq's Turkmen have suffered immensely since ISIL's emergence. Mehdi al-Beyati, a spokesperson for the Turkmen Rescue Foundation and former Iraqi minister of human rights, estimates that 600,000 Turkmen have been driven from their homes and scattered into refugee camps. Another 1,200 Turkmen women and children are still being kept as hostages. "We were completely unable to defend ourselves when the conflict began," Beyati told Al Jazeera, noting that the Iraqi government had previously refused to arm the Turkmen. Meanwhile, he said, "every single Turkmen region has faced the devastation of its infrastructure - from schools to hospitals, from markets to social services. Economically, everything collapsed. There needs to be serious and urgent reconstruction as well as protection before any refugees will return home." The Turkmen have been an integral part of the multicultural, multi-confessional mosaic of northern Iraq for centuries. But after Saddam Hussein took power in 1979, the group became caught up in a violent struggle to cement Arab national identity. In the 1980s, they were targeted, alongside Kurds and Assyrians, by "Arabisation" campaigns that drove them from their villages and replaced them with Arab population, part of an effort to make ethnic separatism less feasible in Iraq's border regions. The Turkmen language was banned, as were Turkmen names. "Because of what we lived before 2003, many hoped that a new era would begin for Iraq after the fall of Baathist dictatorship," Beyati said. "Unfortunately, we entered a new stage of repression." The lack of security and economic stagnation across Iraq led to violence in the years that followed. The political system installed during the US occupation was based on sectarian representation of Shia Arabs, Sunni Arabs, and Kurds. But the Turkmen were left out, and the system led to increasing social sectarianisation. About 60 percent of Turkmen are Shia Muslims, while most of the remainder is Sunni, although roughly 1 percent are Catholic. Saad Salloum, a Baghdad-based advocate for minority rights, noted that "after 2003, sectarianism took on a political character in Iraq it had never had before. "There is no alliance unifying Turkmen - they've all made alliances with other political parties, and so there is no representation of the Turkmen as Turkmen," he said. "The primary challenge facing the Turkmen community currently is internal." The city of Tal Afar offers a sobering example. It was once home to 200,000 Turkmen, mostly Sunni. As sectarian identity became increasingly important in everyday life and violent incidents against the Shia minority grew in number, the community was left increasingly ghettoised. A 2007 double truck-bombing slaughtered more than 150 people and shattered the veneer of calm that had previously masked tensions. When ISIL swept through Tal Afar, it fuelled sectarian tension in the city pitting Sunni Turkmen against Shia Turkmen, who were expelled en masse. It is unclear whether those taking part in the violence will reintegrate post-war alongside the group's victims, if and when they return. Calls for Turkmen autonomy in Iraq avoid delicate questions such as these. Instead, they look to similar self-rule proposals by religious minorities such as the Yezidis and Assyrians as inspiration. Both groups have received widespread international attention, but the Turkmen's plight has been largely ignored. Beyati, whose organisation aids Turkmen refugees, argued that the presence of an autonomous region could reassure refugees hoping to return to their homes. "We are demanding international protection be extended over Turkmen and other minority regions around Mosul," he told Al Jazeera, suggesting a district be created through which Turkmen could advocate for themselves. He also stressed the need to expand Turkmen representation in the Iraqi central government, through a parliamentary quota that would guarantee seats proportional to their numbers. But even if such a proposal manages to bring the fractured Turkmen community together, it's unlikely to succeed without the presence of armed forces to protect returnees. "Turkmen refugees are afraid they will be prevented from returning to their homes by local actors interested in creating demographic changes," Beyati added. Threats of demographic warfare haunt Turkmen history. Following Saddam Hussein's ousting in 2003, Kurdish forces across northern Iraq began a process of Kurdification, ostensibly to reverse the Arabisation policies of previous decades. In practice, this meant uprooting tens of thousands of civilians who had been forced to move to the area through no fault of their own. Turkmen were targeted, as Kurds sought to cement their numbers in areas they hoped to incorporate into a future independent Kurdish state. Nowhere are Kurdish-Turkmen tensions clearer than in Tuz Khurmatu, a city 90km south of Kirkuk. The population is split between Sunni Kurds and Shia Turkmen, with Turkmen forming a bare majority. But in recent years, Kurdish forces have been in charge of security - and Turkmen claim that dozens of people have been forced from their homes as a result. Turkmen have organised militias to protect themselves and clashes have erupted repeatedly, with the city now divided into barricaded cantons. Kirkuk is no stranger to such divisions, either. In 2014, ISIL briefly occupied the city before being driven out by Kurdish fighters. They have not left since. KRG authorities have been intentionally vague about the future, leaving room for leaders with their own designs. Since the October attack on Kirkuk, authorities have expelled Arab and Turkmen refugees who fled ISIL-controlled areas, accusing them of "terrorist" connections. Locals cried foul, but were powerless to stop the move. Historically, the Turkmens' most ardent backer has been Turkey, which is also an ally of the KRG. Since Iraqi forces began preparing to take Mosul from ISIL, Turkey has stressed its intention of participating, drawing Iraqi ire. Baghdad has seen repeated anti-Turkey protests, as many see the move as an attack on Iraqi sovereignty. But Turkish journalist Ceren Kenar told Al Jazeera that the country's interest in Iraq was based on security concerns. "Both Turkey and the KRG are concerned about possible refugee flow if things in Mosul go wrong," Kenar said, noting United Nations warnings that up to one million people could flee. "Where will these people go?" She added that Turkey fears Iranian influence in Iraq through its support for the PMU, the Shia-dominated militias that have been involved in forced disappearances and killings of Sunni civilians. "The violence the [PMU] uses against civilians is not less than what ISIL does," she claimed. "Many civilians in Mosul are afraid of revenge killings." Many Iraqis, however, are unmoved. Rasha Al Aqeedi, a research fellow at Al Mesbar Studies and Research Centre in Dubai and a Mosul native who lived there until 2013, said that many Iraqis opposed Turkish intervention and see it as an "invading power" that could threaten national sovereignty. She also described the proposals for Turkmen autonomy as "unrealistic", adding that "for the time being, we're going to see the rule of whoever has arms on the ground". Looting, Destruction By Iraqi Forces Fighting ISIS Arbel, Iraq -- Armed forces fighting Islamic State (also known as ISIS) to retake a town and four villages near Mosul looted, damaged, and destroyed homes, Human Rights Watch said today. There was no apparent military necessity for the demolitions, which may amount to war crimes and which took place between November 2016 and February 2017. The Iraqi authorities should investigate allegations of war crimes and hold those responsible to account, Human Rights Watch said. The United States and other countries providing military assistance to the Iraqi Security Forces should press the government to carry out these investigations. The United Nations Human Rights Council should expand the investigation it established in 2014 on ISIS abuses to include serious violations by all parties, including the Popular Mobilization Forces (known as the PMF or Hashd al-Sha'abi), units that were formed largely to combat ISIS, and are under the direct command of Prime Minister al-Abadi. "Absent a legitimate military objective, there is no excuse for destroying civilian homes," said Lama Fakih, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. "All the destruction does is to keep civilians from going home." Satellite imagery shows building demolition in the village of Mashirafat al-Jisr, southwest of Mosul, Iraq, after it was captured by Popular Mobilization Forces on December 12th, 2016. To the southwest of Mosul, Human Rights Watch documented looting and extensive demolition of buildings in three villages using explosives, heavy machinery, and fire. Witness statements about the extent and timing of the demolitions, between late December and early February, were corroborated by satellite imagery showing the destruction of at least 345 buildings, including the main mosque, in the village of Ashwa during that time. Satellite imagery reviewed by Human Rights Watch showed that the abuses took place after anti-ISIS forces incorporated the villages into a large network of earthen berms and trenches. Locals told Human Rights Watch the only armed forces in the areas taken from ISIS were different groups within the PMF. Human Rights Watch asked a representative of the PMF about the destruction in all three villages. In a written response received on February 12, the PMF stated that some buildings were used as artillery positions by ISIS while other houses were booby-trapped by ISIS in order to detonate around advancing PMF forces. They also said the PMF slowed their advance for nearly two days to avoid destroying infrastructure and private property and that after being pushed out, ISIS forces continued to aim artillery fire at the villages. The PMF did not say how long ISIS attacks on the villages continued and did not provide the number of homes destroyed by ISIS or say which groups within the PMF were in the villages. The statement did not acknowledge that the PMF conducted extensive property demolitions after retaking the areas, let alone provide an explanation for the destruction. Despite the PMF statement about booby-trapped homes, the satellite imagery reviewed by Human Rights Watch shows that the houses were destroyed by explosives, heavy machinery, and fire after the PMF had retaken the villages. Burning, demolishing, or bulldozing homes is a wholly inappropriate mechanism for mine clearance, and would likely detonate any improvised explosive devices (IEDs). In addition, almost all of the burnt buildings still have their load-bearing exterior and interior walls intact, with only the roof missing, which is inconsistent with IED blasts. Given the broader investigation and the continued pattern of destruction for almost two months after the PMF were firmly in control of the area, Human Rights Watch did not find evidence to support claims that the demolitions may have been undertaken for legitimate military reasons. Satellite imagery shows that the PMF incorporated the retaken villages within a security network of earthen berms and trenches. That network suggests that the whole area inside was well enough protected that there would have been no military need for PMF forces to demolish the homes inside the secured zone. In addition, satellite imagery shows no demolitions in other villages nearby; if there was a military need for the destruction, there should be a more even distribution of demolitions in adjacent villages. Map of recently constructed security network and building demolition in the villages of Khoytlah, Mashirafat al-Jisr, and Ashwa between December 2016 and February 2017. ( Human Rights Watch) The laws of war prohibit attacks on civilian property except when an enemy is using it for military purposes. They also prohibit indiscriminate attacks, including attacks that treat an entire area, such as a village, as a military objective. Human Rights Watch also documented looting and burning of homes in two villages southeast of Mosul: in the Christian town of Bakhdida, also known as Hamdaniyah or Qaraqosh, and the mixed Sunni and Christian village of al-Khidir. The looting and destruction took place after they were retaken from ISIS, between November 2016 and January 2017. Multiple forces including the Nineveh Plain Protection Units (NPU), the Iraqi military's 9th Division, local police, and Federal Police were present in Bakhdida, according to military personnel in the area and residents interviewed by Human Rights Watch. Human Rights Watch was unable to identify the specific forces responsible for these abuses. In al-Khidir, 30 kilometers southeast of Mosul, Human Rights Watch also saw evidence of looted homes. Residents said that they fled the village one week before the area was retaken, on November 19, and when they returned home 20 days later, their homes had been looted. During that time there were several PMF units present, including the Christian Babylon Brigades, according to military personnel in the area. Elsewhere in Iraq, Human Rights Watch has documented looting and destruction of civilian property, amounting to war crimes by the PMF and by the Kurdistan Regional Government's Peshmerga forces, in their operations to retake territory from ISIS. Iraqi authorities should take immediate steps to investigate these alleged war crimes and other allegations of unlawful demolitions, looting, and destruction of civilian property. They should hold armed forces that loot or destroy civilian property to account. The committee established by law to compensate victims of "terrorism and military errors" should process claims of victims of looting and destruction by armed forces. "The Iraqi government may win its fight against ISIS, but it also needs to win the peace," Fakih said. "That will be difficult if forces under its control violate international laws by looting and destroying the homes of local villagers." Southwest of Mosul Ashwa Human Rights Watch interviewed six residents of the village of Ashwa, who said that on December 12, 2016, ISIS forces who had taken control of the area in June 2014 left the village as fighters belonging to the PMF's League of the Righteous (Asa'ib Ahl al-Haqq) and the Ali al-Akbar Brigade (Lua Ali al-Akbar) took control of the area. The residents could identify which PMF groups came to the village from their banners, flags, and badges. Once the PMF took over, they told residents to leave the area for a displaced persons camp to the south. Residents said ISIS prevented locals from fleeing by reinforcing pre-existing security earthen berms surrounding the village. Human Rights Watch reviewed satellite imagery that showed ISIS had substantially reinforced the berms by August 2016. When the PMF arrived, the residents said they opened up a section of the berm so that villagers could leave. Satellite imagery of the village shows that after the PMF captured it, they incorporated the pre-existing berms into much larger, newly-constructed security earthen berms to the south and west of the village between December 11 and December 22. Human Rights Watch reviewed satellite images that show 46 buildings were destroyed between December 8 and December 20, and an additional 94 buildings were destroyed between December 20 and February 10. Visible damage signatures were consistent with the use of high explosives, heavy machinery, and fire. One of the buildings destroyed by explosives was the Ashwa Mosque, the primary mosque in the village. Mashirafat al-Jisr Human Rights Watch interviewed three displaced residents of Mashirafat al-Jisr, the neighboring village to Ashwa. One said that on the morning of December 12, at about 10 a.m., he saw four cars with ISIS fighters pull into the village and immediately come under fire. At that time, the majority of the village residents, roughly 100 people, fled by car to a nearby hill, residents told Human Rights Watch, and watched as ISIS forces left the village and fighters flying PMF banners entered. One villager remained behind to protect his property. He said he saw 10 cars arrive, and the fighters who descended introduced themselves to him as members of the Martyrs of Sayyid Battalions (Kata'ib Sayyid al-Shuhada). They told him to leave the area, to which he responded that if the villagers returned to find their homes looted he would blame their unit. He said he left, joined the other villagers, and traveled on to a camp, where they remained. The three residents said that most villagers did not return home but seven days later, one young villager who was recruited by the PMF inside the camp went back to the village with two other new recruits and sent his relatives photos suggesting their homes had been looted or destroyed. The photos, which Human Rights Watch saw, show at least one house burned from the inside, one house destroyed, and two looted. One of the new recruits said that when he got to the village on December 19, he saw that many homes had been destroyed, and those still standing had been looted, many had also been burned. At that time, the village was under the control of the PMF unit League of the Righteous. He heard one fighter ask a League of the Righteous officer what had happened in the village, and he replied that the homes had been full of IEDs. He also said that the Martyrs of Sayyid Battalions had been in the area at one point, but did not give a date. The satellite imagery shows that more than 90 per cent of the affected buildings in the village were destroyed by fire. Human Rights Watch reviewed satellite images of the village taken on December 6, January 1, January 24, and February 2. The first set showed no signs of significant building damage, the later images showed that 100 buildings had likely been burnt down or demolished with high explosives. In addition, the village appears to have been incorporated into a military post, with security earthen berms running along the western edge. Khoytlah Anti-ISIS fighters retook the village of Khoytlah from ISIS on December 13, at which point all the residents left and have not yet returned. Federal Police officers at a base in Qayyarah told Human Rights Watch that the PMF retook the village from ISIS and that only PMF fighters remained in the area after the clashes. Human Rights Watch was unable to identify which PMF were present. A local leader who was present in the village under ISIS and withdrew as the village was being retaken by the PMF said that he did not witness ISIS destroying buildings before he and the rest of the villagers left their homes. Human Rights Watch reviewed satellite images of the village that showed armed forces likely demolished at least 63 buildings with explosives, heavy machinery, and fire between December 8 and 22, and an additional 47 buildings between December 22 and February 10. A satellite image taken on January 1 captured a smoke plume from an active building fire, indicating burning continued in the village two weeks after it had been occupied by anti-ISIS forces. Southeast of Mosul Bakhdida In early January, Human Rights Watch researchers visited the Christian town of Bakhdida, 20 kilometers southeast of Mosul, and observed evidence of extensive looting and burning of homes. Human Rights Watch spoke with six residents who had been displaced from the town in 2014 when ISIS took it over and were now living in Erbil. Three said their homes in Bakhdida had been looted and three others said their homes were damaged by fire after anti-ISIS forces took control of the town in October. Human Rights Watch reviewed satellite images of the town from October 18, showing multiple building fires burning across the city before anti-ISIS forces took over, but the displaced residents who spoke to Human Rights Watch said that they visited their homes after anti-ISIS forces took over the town and saw that they had not been impacted by the fighting or intentional destruction under ISIS. In the months following the ISIS withdrawal, no residents were living in the town and it was occupied only by anti-ISIS security forces, according to the residents interviewed by Human Rights Watch. According to local military personnel, the Nineveh Plain Protection Units (NPU), an Assyrian Christian brigade within the PMF, the Iraqi military's 9th Division, and local and federal police took control of the town after ISIS was forced out . Human Rights Watch passed through NPU checkpoints in the town and saw NPU graffiti tags on walls throughout the town. Three displaced residents told researchers that in the days after the town was retaken by a range of anti-ISIS forces, on October 22, they traveled back to their town from Erbil to check on their homes and saw that their homes were not damaged and that most of their personal items were still there. They said that after surveying their property they locked up and returned to Erbil. Afterwards they returned regularly to the town and said that during these visits, from mid-November to early January, they saw their homes had been broken into and the contents looted. Another displaced resident told Human Rights Watch that he visited his home on November 6, and found that the federal police had established a base in the building next door, and the NPU another behind his house. At the time, he said some of his furniture and personal belongings had been moved out onto his lawn but that his belongings were for the most part still there. He said that his home had not been damaged. He returned to the town again on November 21, but this time said that he found that some of his furniture and one room had been burned. He went to the Federal Police base to ask what had happened, and an officer said that the fire had somehow been the result of a recent ISIS insurgent attack, without providing any details. Human Rights Watch could not verify whether such an attack occurred. A fifth resident also displaced to Erbil since 2014, told Human Rights Watch that he visited his home in Bakhdida on December 2, and saw no signs of damage to his property. He said at that point the town was occupied by anti-ISIS forces, including from the local police and NPU, and the situation was calm. He said he left at 3 p.m. the same day, and two days later, his cousin called to say he had seen the house had been burned from the inside. The resident returned to the town on December 5, and confirmed that his house had been set on fire. He told Human Rights Watch he heard a rumor in mid-January that the local police, in conjunction with the NPU, had arrested two men from the Shabak community (a minority group in Iraq) accused of having committed another arson attack, and had sent them to Baghdad. Human Rights Watch was unable to confirm this or to connect these men to any of documented incidents of home burning Another resident, also displaced to Erbil, who had visited his home in Bakhdida on December 26 and confirmed his property was not damaged, received a call on January 10 from a friend who said he heard that his house had been burned. The resident traveled back home the next morning and confirmed it had been destroyed. He said that while there, he saw local police and NPU fighters present in the town and that other anti-ISIS fighters may have also been there. Al-Khidir In the village of al-Khidir, 30 kilometers southeast of Mosul, Human Rights Watch also saw evidence of destruction of a few homes in early January. Three residents said that they fled the village one week before the area was retaken by anti-ISIS forces on November 19, and when they returned home 20 days later, their homes had been looted. During that time, according to military personnel in the area, there were several PMF units present, including the Babylon Brigades. A local commander present in the area throughout the operation, told Human Rights Watch that he had observed the extensive looting, knew which forces were behind it, but would not divulge their identity. His statement, however, reflected that the looting was not done by ISIS fighters before they withdrew from the village, Human Rights Watch said. by Curie Colcao KUWAIT, FEB 16, 2017: Around 80 catechists from St. Therese of the Child Jesus parish in Kuwait attended a Spiritual Recollection on February 11. Father Blany Pinto, the parish priest, welcomed the participants. Francis Sam, the assistant coordinator of the catechism ministry of the North Arabian Vicariate, enumerated the rules of conduct for the recollection and also explained the sequence of activities planned for the rest of the day. Father Francisco Pereira, the Catechetical Director of the Vicariate of North Arabia, conducted the recollection, beginning with a prayer and eased the attendees into the theme of the programme, which was 'Prayer'. Father Pereira showed them the movie - 'WAR ROOM'. He then led them into reflecting on the real enemy, which seeks to destroy families. The film invited the participants to form the right strategy to wage war against the enemy. Many participants were touched deeply, due to the relatable nature of the movie's theme. After the film, participants were asked to break into groups to share their thoughts regarding the movie and it's powerful message. All were then asked to enter a room fashioned like a War Room, to complete their spiritual retreat. "It was really impactful as it transported me to a place of complete spiritual healing. Father explained how to effectively use the power of prayer as a weapon to bring God closer to us and in the lives of the ones we love," catechist Poonam Rodrigues, said. Sam then enlightened the catechists on the life and deeds of St. Teresa of Avila. He highlighted the salient points on Prayer put forward by St. Theresa and exhorted all to read her life story and be inspired by her teachings on how to pray. Catechist Premila Lewis felt that Father Pereira and Sam helped bring out the broader dimensions of prayer with its meaning, value and importance. The experience brought out a deeper desire to pray and to develop a strategy to use it as a powerful weapon against our common enemy - the devil. Father Pereira then proceeded to provide the attendees with activities to make a lasting impression, which was followed by the celebration of the Holy Eucharist and distribution of memorabilia. February 14, 2017 For two consecutive days, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi headed the second round of the National Youth Forum, this time taking place in the southern city of Aswan. The president did not address the decades-old lingering issue of Nubian displacement. While he spoke of making Aswan a hub to African cultures, the historical city is struggling to keep its own culture alive. The government is striving to turn attention away from the displacement issue, said activist Seham Osman, describing how efforts and investments are being poured in the new Nasr al-Nuba area. Pro-state business tycoon Ahmed Abou Hashima is investing in Nasr al-Nuba. In December, he opened the New Toshka Village, and the company he heads, Egyptian Steel, even released a song for the occasion. The Principal Bank for Development & Agricultural Credit opened up a branch in Nasr al-Nuba, offering greatly facilitated loans as low as 4,000 Egyptian pounds ($242) for establishing projects in the new area. The only condition is being a resident there. The government has also allocated 270 million Egyptian pounds ($16.4 million) to develop Nasr al-Nuba villages. I reject investments in Nasr al-Nuba and will continue to fight for our right to return to our original lands, said rights lawyer Mohamed Azmy. Azmy, who organized a Right to Return Caravan in November to raise awareness and protest for the cause, had filed a case against Sisi in 2015, calling on the abolishment of Presidential Decree 444. Issued in January 2016, the decree designated a large stretch of Nubian land adjacent to Egypts border with Sudan as a newly restricted military zone. It includes 18 Nubian villages to which the residents had been hoping to return. With the mass displacement in the 1960s, part of the Nubian identity was changed. Traditions related to the Nile, including wedding and birth celebrations, were lost as the residents moved to the desert for the construction of the High Dam, Azmy said. As his legal and political defense continues, the lawyer has also set up a platform to protect the cultural heritage of Nubia. Heading a team of 39, and with the hopes of reviving the value of the Nubian language as a mother tongue, Azmy launched NubaTube. The Nubian language is mostly spoken, not written, and is not a part of Egypts education system, making it more prone for extinction. The channel has a socio-political mission: asserting the cultural and media rights of Nubians to reinforce social diversity, spreading Nubian culture among all ages and social segments, and further developing this culture and halting its demise. Programs on NubaTube discuss women, history, documentaries, literature, heritage arts and culture. The channel goes live daily for two hours, translated into several languages, among which is English. The founder is looking to increase air time to reach five hours a day. We aim at helping new Nubian generations in realizing their original identity, and to enrich and develop this identity, Azmy said. On the other hand, the Nubia Initiative (TNI) is leveraging arts, academia and technology to safeguard the cultural heritage, while rejecting the polarized politicization of Nubia. We find that the politicization of the plight of the Nubian people has done far more harm to our cause than good. When founding TNI we wanted to shift this approach, co-founder and managing director Dimah Mahmoud told Al-Monitor. The problem is twofold, Mahmoud said. First, the facts are skewed, and second, heritage and identity remain now only a memory in a quickly diminishing culture of oral history, she said. To rectify that, instead of taking the political route, TNI is collaborating with the art and academic communities worldwide to document facts to protect, preserve and promote Nubian heritage. The initiative is working on multiple fronts. Currently in the works is a strategic workshop in partnerships with FUTOUR, an innovative, problem-solving hub based in Italy, to address the opportunities and challenges of using technology to revitalize endangered languages. All the participants are international academics on Nubian and/or endangered language revitalization. TNI is also organizing and presenting at conferences and art exhibitions, the most recent being a series on Nubian art exhibited in Venice that is now en route to the UK for an exhibition co-organized by the Nubian Languages Culture Project and the Wye Valley Society. The event, which will be held Feb. 23 at the University of Exeter, is called A Tale of Two Rivers: The Lower Wye and the Nubian Nile and focuses on the importance of the environment for the flourishing of intangible heritage. With the digital age providing tools for innovative presentation and wider reach, the power of social media was notably facilitated for the Nubian cause. One Facebook page named Humans of Nubia was set up to document today's daily life of the timeless residents of Aswan. Our history is being erased in a systematic manner, said Mohamed Mostafa, founder of the Facebook page Nubian Geographic, who criticized the constant traditional depiction of the Nubian as a poor butler or a bawab, usually with the name Am Othman. There is more to Nubian history than that, Mostafa said, highlighting how Nubia contributed to Egyptian civilization. Kings of Nubia ruled Egypt for about a century during the kingdom of Kush, which held sway from about 1070 B.C. to about 320 A.D. The Meroitic period left 250 pyramids behind, and temples still stand in Egypt and Sudan once a unified land at the sites where Nubian rulers wrote their history. This location had been an intersection of diverse cultures, connecting the Mediterranean world with "tropical" Africa, and had been an important trade route between sub-Saharan Africa and the rest of the world. For the purpose of changing the incorrect perception of Nubians and digging up the forgotten history, Mostafa created the page in 2015. Photographs of old communities, paintings and statues, maps, historical sites and monuments along with traditional sayings and excerpts of books about Nubia fill the page. Colors and music flare up throughout Aswan as festivities take a share in the revival movement. In November, Germany's Goethe and Robert Bosch institutes set up a camp and festival for Nubian children under 14. Recreational activities and games, accompanied by basic Nubian language lessons, emphasized the kids cultural diversity and how different their culture is from more common ones. The campers were encouraged to write and blog about their culture, decorate Nubian houses and learn traditional handcrafts. The festival "Nubia in Colors" has brought together residents, artists and bands from Nubia and other governorates to paint houses in 50 villages, raise awareness and create a cultural musical blend. The 4-year-old project was launched by Konouz Nubia, a foundation working for economic empowerment through heritage. Established in 2012, Konouz has been supporting local industries that draw from the Nubian heritage, which in turn helps with sustainable development and enables Nubians to preserve and discover more about their past. The foundation helps in strengthening their bond with their land, and in building bridges of communication between Nubia and the rest of the governorates. This year's weeklong festival began Feb. 10, bringing artistic workshops, talks, movie screenings and collaborations for identity and acceptance to an otherwise quiet corner of Egypt. February 15, 2017 Being Irans president while Tehran is officially on notice by Washington is not an easy task for a moderate such as Hassan Rouhani. From now on, whether he likes it or not, the harsh rhetoric his US counterpart Donald Trump is adopting is going to be reflected in whatever Rouhani is going to say in the coming months. It is not only Trump who is forcing this to happen. The upcoming May presidential elections in Iran and the level of pressure the Iranian president is facing and is expected to face makes it quite unsurprising to hear Rouhani warn Trump that hell regret threatening Iran, though these words werent enough for the Islamic Republics Principlist camp. With Trumps current rhetoric, the Iranian establishment is unlikely to accept a rejoinder of soft words or diplomatic approaches from its president. However, this does not mean that there is any interest in accepting Trumps game and heightening tensions to a level beyond anyones control. In this vein, Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has thanked the US president for showing Americas true face. Indeed, the Iranian leader seemed very content to see the newcomer proving what he has been saying for more than 30 years, as he told a group of military officers on the 38th anniversary of the countrys 1979 Islamic Revolution. Trumps time in office when it comes to Rouhani might be comparable to when George W. Bushs presidency (2001-2009) overlapped that of his Iranian Reformist counterpart Mohammad Khatami (1997-2005). Obviously, there are many differences that could be pointed out with respect to the region, the world and international relations then and now, yet the similarity comes from that both Bush and Trump are American hard-liners, while Khatami and Rouhani are both from a school that prefers diplomacy and have faith in dialogue rather than confrontation and threats. In this regard, an official close to Rouhanis camp told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity, President Rouhanis moderate policy is not a tactic, it is a strategy. He does not have to change his approach just because someone such as Trump came to power. But moderation does not mean giving up our rights; whoever wants to threaten our nation is going to hear a clear and frank response, whether it is Trump or any other power in the world or the region. The official added, If the [Iranian] president is to change his approach to win the [upcoming May presidential] elections then hed better not enter the elections. He was elected four years ago because of his moderation and because they [voters] knew he is capable of delivering [on his promises] and he already has. Added to the mix is that Rouhani may have taken up a new goal last month after the Jan. 8 death of his mentor, former President Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani. Rouhani, 68, wants to prove that he is the best successor to Rafsanjani, who was the spiritual leader of the moderation camp. However, this is not an easy task. He is not the only candidate who wants to fill these shoes, and the moderation camp is going through a level of uncertainty with its opponents' using Trumps words to discredit its policies. In this regard, Rouhani is expected to start acting as an umbrella for the camp he represents, and at the same time, stand stronger against Trump while not risking his main achievement, namely the nuclear deal. Rouhani is certainly not expected to transform into his hard-line predecessor Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Rather, his real challenge is going to be to present a new version of Rouhani in the time before his expected bid for re-election in May. The Iranian public will not stand for being insulted and its government's keeping silent on this, or at least not responding with the same power, a Principlist former member of parliament told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity. Unfortunately, our nation is paying the price for our governments wrong bets, for the concessions we gave to the Americans during the nuclear deal. Mr. Rouhani and his team trusted the US government and thought that [former US President Barack] Obamas smiles and [former US Secretary of State John] Kerrys promises were strategic deals that we could give up our rights for [in exchange]. The Principlist added, If only he [Rouhani] and his team had adhered to the red lines set by the [supreme] leader, things would have been different today. The former legislator concluded, There are four years [ahead] to live with Trump. He is going to threaten Iran day after day. The nuclear deal is almost dead. Iran is not weak; our influence and power in the region is growing day after day. We need a president who can preserve our dignity and defend our integrity. However, there are different shades of meaning when it comes to dignity and integrity, particularly in terms of foreign policy. While one camp views confrontation with the United States as the best manifestation of Iranian independence and resistance particularly when the United States has a hard-line administration there is another camp that believes Iran should always seize opportunities to prove to the world that the Islamic Republic is not the party stoking the conflict. For Rouhani to solve his dilemma, he likely must find a balanced mix of these two understandings of dignity and integrity. February 16, 2017 President Donald Trumps appearance at a White House news conference Feb. 15 with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reminded me of my grandmother, may she rest in peace, who often grumbled about Israeli leaders. She usually signed off from her carping with a heavy sigh and muttered, But heaven help us, hes our very own fool. An Israeli listening to Trumps remarks clearly saw a leader who doesn't bother doing his homework or studying for exams. Trumps understanding of the ins and outs of the Arab-Israeli conflict barely measures up to that of an average Israeli news consumer. An Israeli might say, But Trump is not our fool. Hes the Americans problem. The late Israeli Prime Minister Levi Eshkol would have responded to that, saying, When the United States sneezes, Israel comes down with pneumonia. The backdrop, staging and goodwill gestures were perfect in Washington. The citizens of Israel saw their prime minister and his spouse being welcomed to the top of the world like royalty. The nefarious expression Palestinian state failed to mar the cloying sweetness. The leader of the free world released the Israeli government from the curse of Netanyahus 2009 Bar-Ilan speech espousing a two-state solution. For the Israeli right, this is worth more than the coveted relocation of the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a Trump campaign promise the president doesnt seem about to fulfill. Trump made no mention whatsoever of the so-called Regulation Law the land theft statute legalizing unauthorized West Bank settlements which was harshly criticized by European leaders and even by Israeli President Reuven Rivlin when the Knesset passed it Feb. 6. There was a lot of talk about terrorism and incitement and, of course, about radical Islam. Not a word was spoken about the Oslo Accord, signed by Israel and the Palestinians in September 1993, almost 24 years ago, which is half the length of the Israeli occupation of the West Bank, yet another topic omitted from the rhetoric. Even Naftali Bennett, chair of the right-wing HaBayit HaYehudi and the Netanyahu familys archenemy, was pleased with the White House meeting. The generous host left it up to the Israelis and Palestinians to choose their preferred solution to their conflict. He doesnt care if they decide on one state or two states, just as long as they enable him to make a deal. Public opinion polls in Israel and the West Bank actually indicate that Jews and Palestinians would prefer a peaceful separation into two states. They understand that having one state would, in a worst-case scenario, turn Israel from a Jewish state into a binational state and eventually into a majority-Palestinian state, and in an even more terrible scenario, into a leper apartheid state between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River. Those truly in a position to determine in which direction Israel will head are radical right-wing believers, who long ago chose the one state for two people option a Jewish people, soon to be a minority, ruling an Arab people. (After all, they dont recognize the existence of a Palestinian nation.) Their strategy rests on an assumption, or propaganda, that time and God Almighty are both on the side of the eternal people, as the Jews are called in the Bible. Their tactics are based on buying time and buying the support of the religious and nationalist political parties purporting to represent the will of the Creator. Over the years, their tactical tools have become more sophisticated. They have largely been adapted to the winds blowing from Washington. Sometimes it is the demand that the Palestinians stop the terrorism, while at others it is that they stop the incitement. Now it is that they recognize Israel as the state of the Jewish people. When there is no other choice but to put forward a diplomatic initiative, they dust off the good old regional peace idea. The idea of setting aside a small deal (of two states) agreed to by Israel and the Palestinians for the sake of a big deal (of normalized relations between Israel and the Arab states) sounds wonderful to the ears of a slipshod businessman who somehow found his way into the White House. Why has no one thought of that before? Had Trump bothered going through some of the peace process files, he would have found that the big deal was not born this week. In fact, next month will mark its 15th birthday. On March 28, 2002, the Arab League presented Israel with a comprehensive peace initiative, proposing the establishment of a Palestinian state and an agreed upon resolution of the refugee issue based on UN Security Council Resolution 194 in return for normalizing ties with Israel. The Arab Peace Initiative was granted a place of honor in the 2003 road map put forward by President George W. Bush and turned into UN Security Council Resolution 1515. Had Trump Googled the words Netanyahu and regional peace, he would have found that the prime minister, as well as the leader of Yisrael Beitenu, Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman, have been quite supportive of this idea. Searching for Arab League states and relations with Israel, however, would have revealed that the big deal will have to wait for the small deal between Israel and the Palestinians based on one inevitable solution the establishment of a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders and agreed upon land swaps. Trump is right. His predecessors at the White House delved deeply into issues in the Israeli-Palestinian arena, but at a stage of their presidencies when it was too late. The vacuum they left behind for long periods of time was filled by radical elements who only intensified the violence and hatred, deepened the occupation and distanced the peace. The sides were not able in the past and are unable today to achieve any kind of arrangement without the assistance of a fair, balanced and serious mediator. The man who stood next to Netanyahu at the White House does not appear to be a leader blessed with those requisite qualities. The nature of the new American president, his views and his conduct are, of course, first and foremost an American problem. Keeping Eshkol's words in mind, however, one can imagine what might befall Israel if it turns out that the vanity fair that took place at the White House confirms the worst fears that its patron, rather than sneezing, had suffered a stroke. February 15, 2017 Jewish lawmakers in Congress ripped into President Donald Trump on Feb. 15 for abandoning the United States' longstanding commitment to a Palestinian state, warning that doing so would have dire consequences for Israel. Trump floated other options to the decadeslong conflict at a White House news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The US president wasn't advocating for an alternative course of action, indicating instead that he was keeping an open mind on the issue. "Im looking at two-state and one-state, Trump said. I like the one that both parties like. Im very happy with the one that both parties like. I can live with either one. Still, the comments drew angry rebukes from Jewish Democrats who warned that Trump's comments put Israel's democratic future and historic bipartisan US support for the Jewish state at risk. The Israeli right wing is increasingly vocal in its desire to annex all of the West Bank, where Arabs substantially outnumber Jews. Rep. Nita Lowey, D-N.Y., the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, called Trump's comments "shameful" and "short-sighted." Last year, she spearheaded a letter to then-President Barack Obama signed by 394 House members 90% of the entire chamber reaffirming Congress' support for a two-state solution. "A two-state solution for Israelis and Palestinians is the only means to ensure Israels long-term security and enable Palestinian aspirations for their own state," she said in a statement Feb. 15. "That is why presidents from both parties, the vast majorities of the House and Senate, and the American people have consistently supported this objective, and why President Trump must as well." The top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs committee, Rep. Eliot Engel, D-N.Y., agreed on the substance. The alternatives to a two-state solution would mean that Israel would have to choose between its commitment to democracy and the solemn obligation to be a homeland for the Jewish people, he said in a statement. The parties must come back to the negotiating table to find a mutually agreed-upon solution. The top Democrat on the committees Middle East panel, Rep. Ted Deutch, D-Fla., shared similar thoughts. "The goal of this process must continue to be two states for two peoples living side by side in peace and security a Jewish democratic state of Israel and a demilitarized Palestinian state," he said in a statement. Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., told Al-Monitor that Trump "doesn't really understand the issues." Earlier in the day Nadler tweeted out an April 2015 letter from Netanyahu in which the prime minister wrote him that he remained "committed to a sustainable two-state solution." "Certain things are very clear. You have to have a two-state solution, because you're going to get no other solution," Nadler said. "A one-state solution just means you're going to try to impose your will on the Palestinians, and that's a formula for war eventually, or you have a binational state, which has never worked in the Middle East, which is never going to work, and the dream of Zionism for 2,000 years for a Jewish state goes up in smoke." Nadler said the Trump administration doesn't have any experienced Middle East negotiators on its team and appears to be wasting time by considering a multitude of options that will eventually get whittled down to the usual choices. Others, however, suggested that merely broaching alternative paths forward was counterproductive. "By casually and flippantly suggesting the United States may pursue a two-state, one-state, or some other path to ending this conflict, President Trump makes the pursuit of a solution more difficult, and ultimately puts the long-term security of Israel at risk," Rep. Brad Schneider, D-Ill., said in a statement. Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Calif., a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said his fellow Jewish colleagues' comments should send a clear message to Israel that toying with the notion of a one-state solution carries a cost. "The people of Israel need to decide whether they want to have one friend in the world, or one-half of one friend in the world," he told Al-Monitor. "Support in the United States for a one-state solution does not exist in the left 50% of the United States. And certainly there's no support for an Israel that is Jewish and ... not democratic." *Editor's note: This article has been updated since its initial publication. February 15, 2017 RAMALLAH, West Bank Some 100,000 Palestinians have written letters to US President Donald Trump asking him to actively support the Palestinian movement for sovereignty. The Youth Center for Development and Innovation in Nablus collected the letters written by Palestinians in the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and the diaspora in just 11 days through Jan. 20, the day Trump was inaugurated. The center has summarized the letters in an 11-page missive to be submitted to Trump through official channels. Youth center director Mohammed Abu Ras told Al-Monitor the campaign emanated from Palestinians fear of Trumps potential policy toward the Palestinian cause and his support for Israel. The campaign is "an attempt to draw Trump's attention to the Palestinian cause and have him support the efforts of President Mahmoud Abbas, who showed readiness to cooperate with Trump in the peace process," Abu Ras said. Abbas had congratulated Trump on his inauguration and expressed his willingness to work with him for peace, security and stability in the region. He also sent Trump a letter Jan. 9 to explain the risk posed by Trump's talk of relocating the US Embassy in Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Such a move would have "devastating effects on the peace process, the option of a two-state solution and the security and stability of the region," the letter said, according to Wafa, the Palestinian News and Information Agency. As part of the centers campaign, the organization put a link on its social networking pages to facilitate the letter writing. More than a hundred youth volunteers across the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon and Syria, and the Palestinian communities across the world encouraged citizens to write letters. "All of the letters focused on the Palestinians' right to freedom and self-determination, putting an end to the occupation as well as implementing the international law resolutions and international conventions and treaties related to the Palestinian cause," Abu Ras said. "The letters call on Trump to stand by the principles of democracy and human rights, all the while committing to and defending international legitimacy by finding a just and lasting solution to the Palestinian cause," he added. Abu Ras believes the summary letter that will be sent to Trump will create positive change in the president's policy toward the Palestinian cause, as it truly reflects the Palestinians' position and the role they believe the US administration should assume. He added that the letter emphasizes the need for the president to be fully aware of the peace process with Israel and the risks surrounding it, especially regarding Israeli settlements and the embassy's location. The 100,000-letter campaign is not funded by any party. The nonprofit and independent youth center, which was founded at the end of 2013 by a group of young people, prepares political studies, holds seminars and conferences, and conducts opinion polls on issues of interest to researchers and decision-makers. Campaign coordinator Latifa Damra told Al-Monitor the idea arose because of Trump's statements before his inauguration. The summary letter urges him not to take positions against Palestinians without having full knowledge of their political positions and will to implement the international resolutions. The response to the campaign, Damra said, confirms young Palestinians' interest in taking political action to serve their national cause, as well as their faith in the impact and change they might bring about. Ahmad Jamil Azem, director of the master of arts program in international studies at Birzeit University, told Al-Monitor the letters are "an attempt to anticipate the moment when Trump will be drafting policies and resolutions regarding the Palestinian cause." Azem added, "Those letters explain to President Trump the current political scene and the positive Palestinian position on the peace process. They also explain to him the repercussions of any Israel-biased decisions that may be taken in the future both on the peace process and the two-state solution, and on the entire region." Though Azem believes the letters can have an impact on the US administration, he said more needs to be done to achieve the desired outcomes. The center is now submitting the summary letter to the Nablus governorate. From there, the letter will be officially submitted to the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which will deliver it to the US Consulate in Jerusalem and the Palestine Liberation Organization's general delegation in Washington so it can then be delivered to the president. February 15, 2017 The Peoples Democratic Party (HDP), representing the Kurdish movement in national politics, is the third largest force in Turkeys four-party parliament. Unlike its predecessors, the party, established in October 2012, adopted a national agenda, deciding to address concerns beyond the Kurds and the Kurdish question. As such, the HDP became the most successful party in the history of the Kurdish movement. In the 2014 presidential elections, party co-chair Selahattin Demirtas garnered 9.7% of the vote, well above the traditional 5%-6% share for Kurdish parties. In the July 2015 general elections, the HDP won 13% of the vote, making it the first Kurdish party to surpass the 10% national threshold to enter parliament. In the snap polls in November that same year, it mustered 10.7% to clinch its current 59 seats in the 550-member parliament. Meanwhile, local politics in Turkey's predominantly Kurdish southeast have been dominated by the HDPs sister organization, the Democratic Regions Party (DBP), the Peace and Democracy Party's successor that won 102 local administrations, including 11 provincial capitals, in municipal elections held in March 2014. In a democratic climate, no matter how flawed, the Kurdish base and its representatives were able to exert influence. The HDP played an active role in the 2013-14 settlement process, engaging and even cooperating with the government. Once authoritarian tendencies began to rise in government and violence superseded politics, however, the same Kurdish base and representatives became a huge problem in Ankara's eyes. For nearly two years now, the Turkish state and government have been venting anger at and trying to criminalize the HDP and the DBP. This new chapter began in July 2015 as the de facto cease-fire between the Turkish state and the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) collapsed. The state launched an onslaught against the PKK, while the PKK exposed its goal of entrenching itself in northern Syria, or Rojava as the Kurds call it, and embarked on an urban war in southeastern Turkey in a bid to install the canton model the Kurds have established in northern Syria. Heeding PKK calls, popular councils with DBP members declared self-rule in a number of settlements. As armed militants held out behind trenches and barricades in residential neighborhoods, urban areas became war zones, with devastating consequences for civilians, human rights, democracy and economic life. During this time, Ankara had begun to consider the possibility of Kurdish statehood in Syria, seeing it as an imminent and tangible danger. The PKKs war for dominance in the southeast, its influence in Syria and Kurdish advances in the Middle East in general melded into what Ankara perceived to be a serious, externally backed threat to its borders. The alarm was such that Ankara, desperate for allies against the Kurds, dropped its objection to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's remaining in power in a bid to enlist support from Russia and Iran. This threat perception also infected domestic politics, spawning a veiled anti-HDP alliance of the ruling Justice and Development Party and the two other opposition parties in parliament. Thereafter, parliament passed a constitutional amendment in May 2016 opening the door for prosecuting HDP lawmakers, primarily on terrorism-related charges. In a matter of months, the partys co-chairs and 10 other deputies were behind bars. The campaign to delegitimize the Kurdish political movement has targeted all its components, drawing on emergency powers since the failed putsch last summer. After close to 9,000 detentions, some 2,800 HDP members remain behind bars awaiting trial. Seventy-four DBP mayors have been imprisoned, while public servants have been appointed as trustees to run 61 of the partys local administrations. No doubt, this is a staggering toll. Yet, the HDP and the BDP retain their representative strength and thus remain vital for any democratic order and any future effort to peacefully solve the Kurdish problem. This makes a few questions all the more important: What course will the two parties now take? What is their objective, and how do they view the future? HDP lawmaker Mithat Sancar told Al-Monitor, The partys branches are largely paralyzed due to the arrests. We are mostly trying to sustain a basic agenda, which is the preservation of the idea of democratic politics and a negotiated settlement. The fact that the HDP still exists means that the idea of democratic politics is still alive. We are organizing popular meetings and trying to explain this to the people, especially to the young. We are trying to sustain the bonds between politics and society. Nazmi Gur, a member of the HDPs Foreign Relations Committee, also stressed the partys commitment to democratic politics. He told Al-Monitor, Demirtas has kept sending two messages from prison: Uphold the sphere of legal politics and insist on democratic means, [in other words] stay in parliament, no matter how many deputies are left. What about the partys broader vision for the future? Idris Baluken, an HDP lawmaker with ideological clout, believes Turkeys course is no longer immune to developments in Syria and Iraq. We are passing through a phase in which the borders in the Middle East, drawn a century ago, and the nation-state model have begun to erode, Baluken told Al-Monitor. Countries such as Iran and Turkey are resisting this transformation process, [but] developments in Iraq and Rojava will outpace this status quo approach, and a new era will come about, based on the peoples of the region and the notion of democratic nations. Thats how the HDP views politics and the future. According to Baluken, the Kurdish quest for self-rule in northern Syria has already swayed developments in Turkey. He said, For the status quo approach, the 13% vote we got in the June 2015 elections was a big danger in this context. Thats the main reason behind the onslaught against us. The perspective Baluken outlines highlights a paradox for the HDP and DBP in light of their efforts to sustain democratic politics and the influence of the PKK. The intersection between politics and violence, or relations between the HDP-DBP and the PKK, raises a question: Who is the real leader of the Kurdish movement, and who will really steer its course in the future? The HDP and DBP sometimes follow and implement PKK strategies, but sometimes the two political parties take independent stances. During the urban clashes, for instance, the DBP advanced self-rule declarations. The HDP sought to characterize the PKK-initiated urban war as the peoples reaction while also silently trying to stop the clashes at the expense of defying the PKK. Sancar said, Barring a small clique, the HDP did not approve of the urban wars. Gur acknowledged political shortcomings in preventing the escalation. Regardless, the HDP is now paying the price. The partys paradoxical stance has contributed to this outcome, also leading to negative reactions from the general public and Kurds who lost loved ones, homes and livelihoods in the clashes. Yet, despite occasional deviations, the HDPs political compass points toward the path of democracy. The party faces an uphill trek with a double-edged sword dangling above it. The road ahead may be tough, but it still represents a glimmer of hope for Turkey, the Kurds and democratic politics. February 16, 2017 As Turkish leaders continue to make hawkish noises about Raqqa, a high-level delegation seeking to persuade the United States to exclude the Syrian Kurdish Peoples Protection Units (YPG) from a planned offensive to liberate the city from the Islamic State left Washington empty-handed, Al-Monitor has learned. The team headed by Turkish Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Umit Yalcin and comprising the heads of the ministrys US, Iraq and Syria departments along with senior members of the Turkish Armed Forces and the national spy agency MIT, pushed their case against the YPG in separate meetings on Feb. 13-14 with US Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Tom Shannon, former national security adviser Michael Flynn before he resigned and CENTCOM commander Gen. Joseph L. Votel, among others. Sources familiar with the substance of the exchanges told Al-Monitor on strict condition of anonymity that Turkish demands that the United States drop its plans to free Raqqa with the YPG-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), labeling them terrorists, elicited a frosty response. The stiffest demurral came from Votel, the sources said. He explained his position like a soldier would, it was quite tough, one source observed. During the encounter, CENTCOM officials reminded the Turks that having talked about putting Turkish boots on the ground for Raqqa as an alternative to the YPG, the Turkish General Staff had yet to present a blueprint detailing Turkey's operational plans and precise contribution. The Turks got their most sympathetic hearing in the White House, the sources added, declining to elaborate. The meetings came as the administration of Donald Trump mulls plans for action against IS in Syria. They include a proposal left over from the previous administration for the Pentagon to provide heavy weapons to the SDF under a presidential dispensation that permits the Defense Department to arm and train nonstate military actors. That plan is currently being refined, not tossed, as reported earlier by The Washington Post, a senior administration source told Al-Monitor on condition that he not be identified by name. Another administration official who also sought anonymity corroborated this version of events. Turkey is bent on preventing the train-and-equip order for the YPG from getting signed. But this weeks meetings between US and Turkish officials suggest that the battle may have been lost. What are the likely consequences? Will Turkey deliver on earlier threats to rescind coalition access to the Incirlik Air Base? Probably not. That would be too radical a move, a Turkish official explained on condition of anonymity. A more likely outcome is that Turkey would escalate attacks against the YPG in areas where American special forces embedded with them would not be at risk of getting struck. But what if they accidentally did? Tensions over the YPG highlight Washingtons lack of strategic thinking, putting its immediate goals above the long-term effects of their execution. They also make it clear that Ankaras refusal to acknowledge its own actions remain the primary source of chronic and destabilizing discord with the Kurds. Turkey labels the YPG a threat to its own national security over the groups intimate ties with the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which is waging a ruthlessly bloody campaign for Kurdish autonomy inside Turkey. The government has cast aside all attempts to reach a peace agreement with imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan and reverted to its long-running and unsuccessful military effort to defeat his men. This policy has now been expanded to include the YPG. Meanwhile, thousands of pro-Kurdish activists and politicians have been locked up on thinly supported terror charges. The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by the State Department but the YPG is not, and the distinction allows the United States to partner with the YPG. Several Turkish officials called Washingtons willful duplicity in the matter disgusting in private conversations with Al-Monitor. US officials retort that maintaining the fiction enables them to help Turkey pursue PKK targets militarily without compromising their fight against the jihadis. But that is fiction, too. Should Washington follow through with offers to target top PKK leaders in their mountain hideouts on the Iraq-Iran border, as advocated in a recent op-ed penned by former Deputy Secretary of State Tony Blinken for The New York Times, they can forget about getting the Kurds to do Raqqa, fumed a senior member of the pro-Kurdish Peoples Democracy Party in a interview with Al-Monitor. For now, Ankara has put the brakes on the anti-American vitriol pervading the government-controlled media and toned down its own America bashing in the hopes that the Trump administration will prove more accommodating than the last. While hopes are fading on the YPG front, Ankara remains cautiously optimistic that its demands for the extradition of Fethullah Gulen, the Pennsylvania-based Sunni cleric accused of masterminding the failed July 15 coup, will be rewarded. As things stand, Turkish and Syrian Kurdish officials increasingly concede that the main question now is not so much which force will be used to liberate Raqqa but rather what happens in the aftermath. Will US forces and civilian contractors stay on to help with stabilization to prevent a jihadi comeback? Or will the United States strike some kind of deal with the Russians and the Syrian regime and pack up and leave? Whatever the outcome, Turkey and the Syrian Kurds will remain neighbors. And for as long as they remain mutually hostile, both sides stand to lose. The Huntsville Museum of Art's Gala Committee has announced the three events that traditionally take place during the first week of March and has installed the 2017 Gala Art Exhibition at the Museum which includes items for auction. The trio of events surrounding the art exhibition are scheduled for Feb. 28, March 2 and 4. The first event, the Gala Luncheon, has already sold out, but tickets for the other two events are still available. The 26th Annual Gala will kick off its festivities on Tuesday, Feb. 28 at 11:30 a.m. with a luncheon featuring designer India Hicks and catering by Lyn's Gracious Goodness. This event sold out within just a few days of opening the registration. After a successful career designing collections of bath and beauty products, and bedding and jewelry, Hicks joined forces with two strong business-minded partners to launch her own lifestyle brand: India Hicks. Her fascination with design started in childhood and was encouraged by her family, "As my father always said 'Good taste and design are by no means dependent upon money,' " India said. "It is an honor to have India Hicks as our special guest for this year's Gala Luncheon," said Huntsville Museum of Art Executive Director, Christopher Madkour. "India's creative and independent spirit has led her to establish a successful international design business where her collections are sold through networks of entrepreneurial women. She is an inspiration to entrepreneurial women around the globe. Her visit to the Museum is significant and is one that our members will be reminiscing about in years to come." The second event of the Gala fundraiser will be the Black Tie Dinner and Live Auction on Thursday, March 2, beginning at 6 p.m. During this event, guests will enjoy a cocktail hour followed by a dinner catered by Chef James Boyce and a live auction of artwork, accessories, vacations and more. Tickets are still available for this event and can be purchased by calling 256-535-4350 ext. 241. The third and final event will be the Gala Cocktail Party and Silent Auction on Saturday, March 4, beginning at 7 p.m. During this cocktail party, featured artist Sherrie Russ Levine will mingle with the guests and be available to answer any questions they may have about her artwork. Music will be provided by the Fountain City Players and hors d'oeuvres will be served by Chef Narvell. The biggest part of the Gala events, and what ties everything together, is the Gala Art Exhibit. This exhibit is currently on display at HMA and can be viewed through March 5. This year's featured artist is Sherrie Russ Levine. Levine's paintings are gaining national recognition in private collections and painting competitions. "There's a method to my madness," said Sherrie. "In other words, I work in a kind of artfulness with order whether working outdoors, or in the studio. I try to paint from life in a variety of subjects as much as possible, because I get a spontaneous impression to light and color that engages me to work intuitively to capture a fleeting moment in time. I can't get that when working from photos alone, and photographs lie about the color in the shadows. This collection of works are inspired from my recent plein-air paintings while traveling abroad wandering through city streets and enduring interiors." While the Gala Luncheon is sold out, tickets can still be purchased for the Black Tie Dinner and the Cocktail Party. Visit hsvmuseum.org for more information about the events, to view the auction items and to find out how to drive a brand new 2017 Jaguar SUV for a year. For 26 years, the Huntsville Museum of Art Gala Committee has been a valuable resource for the Huntsville community and a proud supporter of the Huntsville Museum of Art. The Gala Committee was established to support the efforts of the Huntsville Museum of Art. Recognized as one of Huntsville's premier fundraising events, the Gala Committee has generated well over $4 million in support of the Museum over the past 26 years which has helped bring nationally recognized exhibitions to the Museum and to this region. Hicks was born in London, and comes from both British and design royalty. Her father was famed interior decorator David Hicks and her mother is Lady Pamela Hicks, daughter to the Earl and Countess Mountbatten of Burma. Her grandfather was the last viceroy of India (hence her name) and she was a bridesmaid at Lady Diana's marriage to her godfather, the Prince of Wales. After graduating from New England School of Photography, she moved to New York and was hired by Ralph Lauren for her first modeling job, which led to a career on the other side of the camera throughout the 1980s and 1990s. India now lives on a small island in the Bahamas with her partner and their five children. Here, she has shared and documented her multidimensional and unpredictable life through social media, her three lifestyle books: Island Life, Island Beauty, and Island Style, and her website: indiahicks.com. Levine was born in Georgetown, S.C., and attended Ringling College of Art & Design in Sarasota, Fla., where she received her degree in graphic design and illustration. After graduating, she worked in advertising agencies and art departments in Atlanta for 10 years before making Nashville her home. Since 1995, she has focused on painting in oils, has shown in numerous galleries and juried shows throughout the United States. Contact: Samantha Nielsen, Director of Communications snielsen@hsvmuseum.org 256-535-4350 ext. 219 February 15, 2017 In this tale of two men, both are national heroes backed by unmatched political and popular support while commanding the best-equipped, most elite armed units in Iraq and Syria. More topically, both are now closely following the developments at al-Bab and preparing for their aftermath. One of the two people I am talking about is already a well-known social phenomenon: Gen. Qasem Soleimani, known as Irans sword in the Middle East. Since 1988, he has been commanding the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. His every visit to Iraq and Syria becomes a social media event, with all his pictures and statements going viral. Born in 1957 in a mountain village of Kirman province in southeast Iran, he worked in construction for a while and then joined the Revolutionary Guard. His official education is limited to elementary school. The star of Soleimani, who proved his loyalty to the Iranian regime and revolution with his success in putting down the 1979 Kurdish uprising at Mahabad, truly shone in the Iran-Iraq War. Currently, the Iranian security bureaucracy is managed by generals who, like Soleimani, proved themselves in that war while amassing significant combat experience. The links between these generals set the course in Irans domestic politics and now also Irans policies in Iraq and Syria. Even a brief Google search will yield enough information on Soleimani's reputation and achievements to impress anyone. For some, he is the shadow commander of Iran. For others, he is the conqueror of Aleppo lately, he has been called "the architect of the victory at Mosul. But today Soleimani has a rival in Iraq and especially in Syria: Lt. Gen. Zekai Aksakalli, commander of the Turkish Special Forces (TSF), who is directly attached to the chief of general staff. Aksakalli has been commanding the TSF, the Turkish militarys most elite unit, since 2013. His already impeccable reputation skyrocketed during the July 15 abortive coup, when he avoided capture by the coup plotters, then played a major role in thwarting the attempt. Because of his major success and the gratitude felt toward him, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant general in July, even though rumors had circulated that he was going to retire in August. Aksakalli was born in the eastern Turkish city of Erzurum in 1962. After finishing high school, he enrolled in the Army War Academy, where he made global achievements in cross-country track competitions. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1984 and spent most of his career in commando units and combating the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) with the Special Forces Command, and then training the Azerbaijani military. He first became visible in the media in November 2014 when he visited the Azerbaijan-Armenia border. Photos of him aiming a sniper rifle became a hit in Turkish media. He was next seen on a national TV channel the night of the coup attempt, when his unyielding opposition to the coup attempt won the publics admiration and confidence. Next, in August, we saw Aksakalli at Jarablus, Syria. At Jarablus, Aksakalli was wearing standard military field fatigues with no rank insignia so he would appear to be a regular trooper to anyone looking through a scope from a distance. This month, Aksakalli was photographed observing the al-Bab region through binoculars, but this time he was dressed in military-type civilian clothes, as Soleimani does. Today under Aksakalli, the TSF maintains about 15 liaison offices in Iraqs Bashiqa, Zakho, Dahuk, Kanimasi and Bamerni. He is effectively in charge of the entire Operation Euphrates Shield. Both commanders hail from modest rural backgrounds and have charismatic personalities. They don't have academic degrees and dont conceal their nationalist inclinations. Both are supported by their own headquarters staff members who have been loyally serving them for a long time. Both are adored by the public and can count on full political support for their activities, especially in Syria. Both are tough soldiers who overcame many adversities in their military careers but also acquired impressive combat experience. Both men excel in motivating their subordinates. They are experts in unconventional warfare. Their photos add to their charisma, but neither is a good orator. Both are strongly anti-US, and they see the United States as the source of all regional problems. However, that doesnt make them pro-Russia, as their nationalist-independent ideologies are not a secret. Both prefer to be in the field instead of talking politics in Ankara and Tehran, constantly accessible to the media. Neither is really comfortable with rigid civilian political control. For example, in November, when the parliamentary inquiry commission on the coup attempt invited Aksakalli to come to Ankara to testify, he refused, saying, I am fighting in Syria. It is well-known that Soleimani has been having persistent disagreements with civilian decision-makers in Tehran over the status, functions and responsibilities of Shiite militias in Iraq. Meanwhile, the biggest difference between the two commanders is that they are commanding in Syria and Iraq the elite forces of two rival countries and their allied indigenous armed militias making them rivals in the field. Although there has not been any armed confrontation between the national units and local militias they command, developments in northern Syria signal that this probability is not too far off. Their military careers are not similar. Aksakalli is a uniformed military man who served in conventional units of the Turkish army, obedient to the chain of command with strict field discipline. Soleimani, however, frequently takes personal initiatives and achieved amazing status as a paramilitary civilian who could solve problems by himself. Although it may sound much too speculative at this point, I think one way or another the paths of Aksakalli and Soleimani will eventually cross for the first time in northern Syria, particularly around Raqqa. If Turkey heads toward Raqqa after the capture of al-Bab, will there be clashes between the Shiite militias commanded by Soleimani and the Sunni Free Syrian Army elements controlled by Aksakalli? I admit, it may difficult to answer now. But six months ago I was laughing off such an eventuality, and now I am seriously scratching my head over it. The partial closing of a fibers plant in Jackson County is underway. Beaulieu America announced last month it will shut down a portion of its operations in Bridgeport, a move that coincides with the long-term shift from carpet to hard surfaces that has accelerated faster than expected. While the pellet portion of the facility will remain open, the extrusion, cabling and heat set operations will cease production no later than March 31. The closure will affect 359 employees, according to the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) list provided by the state of Alabama. Tom Ellis, a spokesman for the Georgia company, said they are still on track for closing the extrusion operations by the end of March. Beaulieu is working with affected associates to assist with re-employment and transfers to other operations within the company's footprint. At the time of the announcement, President Michael Pollard said the decision to close part of the Bridgeport facility had nothing to do with the workers. "Our associates there have performed very well over the years, and we are grateful for their dedication and service," he said. "We determined that these short-term changes are necessary to allow us to invest long-term in our commercial, residential carpet and hard surface product offering." The Bridgeport fiber plant, open since 1987, extrudes nylon, polyester and polypropylene fibers, provides heat set and cabling for these fibers, and produces nylon pellets for fiber extrusion. Beaulieu also operates a Bridgeport fabrics facility that employs 225 workers and has been operational since 1990. Despite the loss of more than 300 jobs in Bridgeport, Jackson County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Rick Roden said there are other opportunities in the area for displaced Beaulieu workers. Google is moving forward with a new data center in Bridgeport, while the future development of Bellefonte Nuclear Plant may provide 8,000 to 10,000 direct and indirect jobs during peak construction. Beyond construction jobs, the project will also create about 2,400 high-paying permanent jobs. Roden said there may be prospects at Maple Industries, the county's largest employer with 1,850 workers, or at Lozier Corporation, which has 444 employees. Both facilities operate in nearby Scottsboro. "We're hoping some of those workers will be able to be absorbed into our community so they won't have to leave," Roden said. "We're certainly looking at other opportunities that are coming down the road that will be able to offset that a little bit." A former Etowah County daycare worker was sentenced today on two counts of child abuse. Karen Rowland, 44, pleaded guilty back in December. Circuit Judge David Kimberly gave Rowland a split sentence of two years in jail and 10 years of probation, with time served awaiting trial counting, according to court documents. Under the terms of the sentence, Rowland will receive three years of supervised probation, and pay court costs. A further order bars her from contact with her victims, their families, and prohibits her teaching or supervising young children other than her own. Rowland was arrested in 2014 on two counts of aggravated child abuse involving four-year-olds. According to court documents, investigators said she hit one child in the face with a folder and screamed at him, while she shouted profanity at another and slammed his head into a table. Upon her arrest, investigators said she was seen doing this on video. The investigation began after the victims' families approached authorities. Forg2.PNG Shanay Copeland, Christopher Gaines Sr. and Trent Johnson. (West Alabama Narcotics Task Force) Two men and a woman are under arrest and accused of being part of a forgery ring busted this week in Tuscaloosa County, authorities announced Wednesday. On Monday, said Tuscaloosa police Lt. Teena Richardson, the West Alabama Narcotics Task Force, took the trio into custody for creating and presenting forged prescriptions to various pharmacies. Northport police had responded to the 1700 block of McFarland Boulevard on a report of prescription forgery. Once there, they found the three suspects trying to obtain a controlled substance with a forged prescription. After their arrest, Richardson said, investigators recovered marijuana, Xanax, Oxycodone, liquid Codeine, drug paraphernalia, a laptop computer, portable printer, several forged prescriptions with various names and two semi-automatic weapons. Investigators believe the forgery ring has passed multiple prescriptions in various counties statewide, and the investigation is ongoing. Those charged are: -Christopher Avente Gaines Jr, , 22, of Atlanta, is charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of a forged instrument, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia and unlawful possession of marijuana. -Trent Justin Johnson, 24, of Atlanta, is charged with two counts of unlawful possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of a forged Instrument, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia and carrying a pistol without a permit. -Shanya Kimesha Copeland, 18, is charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and unlawful possession of a forged instrument. All three are being held in the Tuscaloosa County Jail. InmateStabbed.jpg Grant Mickens, left, was found stabbed to death on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017, in the prison yard at Staton. Demetric Horsley will be charged with capital murder. (ADOC) A state inmate serving time for a Shelby County robbery was stabbed to death Thursday in the prison yard. Alabama Department of Corrections officials identified the victim as Grant Mickens. He was 35. The stabbing happened about 9:40 a.m. at Staton Correctional Facility in Elmore County. ADOC spokesman Bob Horton said corrections officers found Mickens with multiple stab wounds to his back, chest and arms. Mickens was taken to the prison's health care unit for treatment, and was pronounced dead about 10 minutes later. Convicted killer Demetric Horsley, 31, has been detained as a suspect in Mickens' death, Horton said. A makeshift knife used in the stabbing was recovered and Horsley will be charged with capital murder. He is currently serving a life sentence on a 2005 murder conviction out of Mobile County. Mickens was serving a 22-year sentence for a 2002 first-degree robbery conviction in Shelby County. Horton said no other inmates were involved in the incident. Staton is a medium custody level correctional facility designed for 508 inmates with a population of 1,382, or 272% occupancy rate. The facility was placed on lockdown while the ADOC investigates the stabbing. An Alabama prison employee is under arrest for trying to smuggle drugs into a prison, authorities announced Thursday. Curtis Andrews, the 64-year-old canteen manager - was arrested at William C. Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore where he had worked for 27 years, said Alabama Department of Corrections spokesman Bob Horton. The drugs were discovered during a patrol of the prison's parking lot. Horton said a dog assigned to the ADOC K-9 Drug Unit indicated there were drugs in a vehicle owned by Andrews, who is from Mobile. Authorities detained Andrews, and then found several packages wrapped in tape concealed in his clothing. Those packages contained 179 grams of synthetic marijuana and methamphetamine. Andrews is charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance, promoting prison contraband, and trafficking. He resigned after his arrest and was taken to the Escambia County Jail. Horton said Andrews had been an ADOC employee since 1990. Attorneys for death row inmate Robert Melson, the man convicted in the 1994 slayings of three employees during the robbery of a Gadsden Popeye's restaurant, say Alabama should not execute him until questions of "serious constitutional issues" regarding the state's lethal injection method and a "badly botched" execution are resolved. The court document filed with the Alabama Supreme Court earlier this month seeks to have the court delay the setting of an execution date for Melson. The Alabama Attorney General's Office on Jan. 18 had asked that an execution date be set. "This Court should not set any execution dates until the question of the constitutionality of Alabama's method of execution is resolved, particularly after Ronald Smith's execution was badly botched," Melson's attorneys with the Federal Public Defender Office for the Middle District of Alabama argue in their response to the Attorney General's request. Smith was executed Dec. 8 using the same drug cocktail Alabama plans to use to execute Melson, the attorneys for Melson state. "This execution, by all accounts, went horribly wrong," Melson's attorneys state. During 13 minutes of Smith's execution he appeared to be struggling for breath and heaved and coughed and clenched his left fist after apparently being administered midazolam - the first drug in the three-drug combination. Alabama prison officials have denied the execution was botched and said it went according to the state's lethal injection protocol. Melson's attorneys also noted that a federal judge in Ohio recently ruled that state could not execute someone using it's three-drug protocol, the same one Alabama is using. "The Ohio court found that the plaintiffs in that case are likely to succeed on their claim that a three-drug protocol using midazolam, a paralytic and potassium chloride violates the Eighth Amendment (against cruel and unusual punishment)," Melson's attorney stated in their response. Melson's attorneys in the response also blame his former attorneys for missed deadlines to file appeals in his case more than 13 years ago. Melson's response is critical of Alabama's failure to help death row inmates pay for attorneys in their appeals. Inadequacies of Alabama's state post-conviction system are "well known" to the federal courts, according to the court document. It noted that in another case the United States Supreme Court stated that "nearly alone among the states, Alabama does not guarantee representation to indigent capital defendants in post-conviction proceedings." Alabama has elected, instead, to rely on efforts of typically well-funded out-of-state volunteers, the U.S. Supreme Court had stated. As of 2006 86 percent of the attorneys representing Alabama's death row inmates in state collateral review proceedings either worked for the Montgomery-based Equal Justice Initiative headed by NYU Law professor Bryan Stevenson, out-of-state public interest groups like the Innocence Project or an out-of-state mega-firm, according to the Supreme Court ruling. "On occasion, some prisoners sentenced to death receive no Post-conviction representation at all," according to the U.S. Supreme Court ruling. Melson, who has been on death row since May 16, 1996, was convicted in Etowah County, along with another man, Cuhuatemoc Peraita, in the shooting deaths of Tamika Collins, 18, Nathaniel Baker, 17, and Darrell Collier, 23, during the April 1994 robbery at a Popeye's Chicken & Biscuits restaurant in Gadsden. The lone survivor, Bryant Archer, was shot four times. "Archer told officers from the Gadsden Police Department that the other man was a black male, but that he was unable to identify Melson because both men were wearing bandannas over their faces. Archer was able to identify Peraita by his distinctive hairstyle," according to an appeals court document. Peraita was sentenced to life in prison but joined Melson on Death Row in 2001 after he was convicted of taking part in the 1999 stabbing death of fellow Holman Prison inmate Quincy Lewis. If or when the Alabama Supreme Court sets an execution date for Melson, it will be the third time one has been set. Two previous execution dates had been set but then delayed by appeals. Alabama renewed the push for executions last year after developing a new lethal injection protocol with new drugs after pharmaceutical companies began refusing to supply execution drugs to states. Smith and death row inmate Christopher Brooks, who was executed Jan. 21, 2016, became the first two inmates to be executed in the state since July 2013. Updated June 5, 2017 to correct that Archer did not identify Melson to police. Melson Response by KentFaulk on Scribd Jenna Bedsole A new documentary remembering the achievements of one of Alabama's first female attorneys, Nina Miglionico, will be broadcast on Alabama Public Television beginning Sunday, Feb. 19. Miglionico was an unsung hero for civil rights and women's rights. For years, she fought for the right for women to serve on juries. Women could become attorneys and even judges before they could be jurors. Birmingham attorney Jenna Bedsole's film "Stand Up, Speak Out" will air Sunday, Feb. 19 at 5 p.m. and Thursday, Feb. 23 at 8 p.m. on APT. "This film is about progress," she told AL.com in a previous interview. "It's about making a change in your community. It's about standing up. It's about speaking out." Bedsole began researching Miglionico's life for a three-minute video project to honor Miglionico's introduction into the Alabama Lawyers' Hall of Fame. Bedsole quickly realized, though, that the lessons learned from Miglionico's life were too important and applicable to today's leaders not to share. She soon began working on a feature length film. According to APT, "Stand Up, Speak Out" tells the story of Miglionico's life, and of the inspiration she gave to women leaders in Alabama who have followed. Miglionico was one of the longest-practicing female lawyers in the state when she died in 2009 at the age of 95. She was elected to the Birmingham City Council in 1963. She continued to serve for 22 years despite receiving hate mail and death threats linked to her civil rights work. In 1965, someone placed a bomb under Miglionico's home in response to her progressive views on race. During her time on the City Council, Miglionico became the first female president of the council, after fighting to win equal treatment from fellow councilors. ''There were no women expected to win, and when they organized the council they said to me, 'you can be the museum chairman,''' she told The Birmingham News in a June 12, 2008 interview. ''I said to them I wanted to be on the finance committee and, being gentlemen, they let me.'' Bedsole leads the Labor and Employment Practice Group for Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz PC. She teamed up with longtime Birmingham-based filmmaker Ted Speaker to complete the film. Don Siegelman served 20 years as an elected official in statewide offices in Alabama - eight as secretary of state and four each as attorney general, lieutenant governor, and governor. However, the 70-year-old former governor hasn't and won't collect any state retirement - not because he was convicted and served more than six years in a federal prison for a bribery scheme while he was governor. It's because under the 1901 Alabama Constitution elected officials are not allowed to get a state pension. "Don Siegelman has not participated in RSA (Retirement Systems of Alabama) because all of his positions in state government were as an elected official, and they do not participate in RSA," Don Yancey, deputy director of the Retirement Systems of Alabama, told Al.com. Siegelman and an attorney who had represented him recently did not respond to requests for comment. But Chip Hill, a friend of the Siegelman family and former aide, said that Siegelman has been advised by his probation officer to not conduct media interviews for the foreseeable future. Siegelman was released from a Louisiana federal prison last week and placed on home confinement at his Vestavia Hills home to serve out the remainder of his sentence. That sentence ends Aug. 8. Siegelman was indicted in 2005 and convicted in 2006 on bribery charges along with HealthSouth founder Richard Scrushy. Prosecutors said that Scrushy paid $500,000 into Siegelman's campaign to start a state lottery in exchange for a seat on a state health board. Siegelman had started the lottery campaign after taking office in 1999. Siegelman left office in 2003 after losing his bid for re-election. Yasamie R. August, communications director for Gov. Robert Bentley, stated in another email that a search of open.alabama.gov did not find any payments to Don Siegelman. That website covers fiscal years 2008 through the current year. Lawmakers in 1975 created a law that would allow former governors to collect a state pension once they turn 60. It was an apparent effort to give then Gov. George Wallace a pension once he left office. Under that law a former governor would collect 68 percent of his or her salary if they served just one term, and 100 percent of their salary if they served two or more terms. But two years later, in 1977, the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that law was unconstitutional. "The Court found that this section violated Section 98 of the Constitution, which prohibits officers of the state, including Governors, from receiving retirement payments," August wrote. At that time the state halted payments to former Alabama Gov. James Folsom. Wallace, however, was able to participate in the state employees retirement system because of his employment for the University of Alabama at Birmingham, according to an Associated Press story. Since the law was struck down by the Alabama Supreme Court, voters have rejected a few attempts to give state elected officials pensions or the ability to participate in the state retirement systems. State circuit judges, sheriffs, district attorneys do have a supernumerary system in which they can be called back to serve on cases after retirement. County elected officials also may participate in the Employee Retirement System provided the counties in which they reside have adopted a local Constitutional Amendment to provide for coverage of elected officials. The provisions of the Constitutional Amendment determine which elected official positions are eligible for ERS coverage. But even if Siegelman had been allowed to participate in the retirement system, he might not have been able to collect it anyway. In 2012 the Alabama Legislature enacted a law that prevents someone who participates in the state's Employees' Retirement System, the Teachers' Retirement System, or the Judicial Retirement Fund from collecting retirement benefits, "upon a guilty plea, a plea of no contest, or a final conviction of a felony offense related to the person's public position." Siegelman voluntarily agreed to a disbarment of his license to practice law in 2012. But after five years, which happens June 8, he will be eligible to apply for reinstatement of his law license. Siegelman, however, is not eligible to vote or run for office because of his bribery conviction, said Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill. Siegelman would have to get a federal pardon to be eligible, he said. Scoggins.jpg ( ) A brother and sister killed in a crash that critically injured their other two siblings will be buried Friday, and school officials are raising money for the family. Michael Scoggins, 9, and Meagan Scoggins, 17, were killed Monday morning on the way to school in western Jefferson County. Their sisters - 15-year-old Donna Scoggins and 19-year-old Katie Scoggins - were hospitalized after the crash. Hospital officials are no longer releasing their conditions. The crash happened about 8 a.m. on Alabama 269 at Short Creek Road. The two-vehicle wreck involved a car and an 18-wheeler. Jefferson County sheriff's Chief Deputy Randy Christian said information on the scene was that both vehicles were traveling along Alabama 269 in opposite directions. The car turned across the highway into the path of the 18-wheeler and the two collided. Michael Scoggins was pronounced dead on the scene. Meagan Scoggins was pronounced dead a short time later. Visitation and the funeral will be held Friday at Sanctuary Pentecostal Church at 1321 Fourth Avenue S.W. in Bessemer. Visitation is from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. followed by the 3 p.m. service. Burial will be in Rock Creek Baptist Church cemetery. Katie is a senior at Oak Grove High School, and Donna is a freshman. Meagan was a junior at the high school, and Michael was a student at Oak Grove Elementary school. Oak Grove High School Principal Pam Dennis said a parent heard about the crash just minutes after 8 a.m. and called the school. A School Resource Officer went to the scene and relayed information about the Scoggins children back to the high school, which houses grades 6-12, and to Oak Grove Elementary. Dennis said two school officials met Donna and Katie at Children's of Alabama and UAB Hospital, so they would have a familiar face when, and if, they were conscious. Faculty members of Oak Grove High School have made donations to the Scoggins family, so they can rent a hotel room near the hospital or pay for their meals. That money was delivered Tuesday afternoon. A GoFundMe account benefiting the family has raised more than $15,000 as of Thursday afternoon. Jefferson County Schools' spokeswoman Nez Calhoun on Thursday announced a fund headed by the Jefferson County Schools Foundation. Donations can be dropped off in the offices of Oak Grove High School or Oak Grove Elementary School. Donations can also be mailed directly to the foundation at: Jefferson County Schools Foundation, RE: Scoggins Family Memorial Fund, 2100 18th Street South, Birmingham, Al. 35209 A Birmingham man died in a hail of gunfire Wednesday afternoon, the second deadly shooting of the day in Jefferson County. Birmingham police have identified the victim as Tavares Smith. He was 36. The shooting happened shortly after 4 p.m. in the 2100 block of Stouts Road, in the Evergreen Bottoms neighborhood. Police responded to the scene when someone called 911 screaming that the man had been shot. When officers arrived on the scene, the victim was still in his vehicle. Birmingham Fire and Rescue responded to the neighborhood and pronounced Smith dead. Police roped off several blocks for the investigation. Neighbors reported hearing multiple shots, and police crime scene investigators marked at least eight spent shell casings in the roadway. Birmingham police spokesman Lt. Sean Edwards said it appeared Smith was driving along Stouts Road when someone from outside of the vehicle opened fire on him. The victim's girlfriend was also in the vehicle. She was grazed by a bullet but not seriously injured. Smith hen continued to travel about 1 1/2 blocks before coming to a stop. "This is not a random shooting,'' Edwards said. "There is some history between these two individuals. We don't know in detail, but there's obviously something going on between the both of them." Edwards said officers who work that neighborhood are familiar with the victim. Investigators, he said, have an idea who they are looking for in connection with the deadly shooting. Edwards detectives learned Smith with in a long-running feud with several men in that area. The homicide is Birmingham's 18th so far in 2017. Countywide, there have been 24.Earlier Wednesday, 18-year-old Eric Dial was fatally shot in Fairfield. Story updated at 10:10 p.m. to identify the victim. devyn keith District 1 Council Member Devyn Keith speaks following a Swearing-in Ceremony at Big Spring International Park East Monday Nov. 7, 2016. (Bob Gathany/bgathany@AL.com) A Huntsville city councilman, matching the description of a burglary suspect in north Huntsville, was approached and questioned by police on Monday before the encounter ended. Councilman Devyn Keith lives in the Terry Heights neighborhood where police were responding to reports of a burglary. Keith posted about the incident on his Facebook page on Tuesday afternoon. Please Share- Yesterday I had an encounter in my neighborhood (Terry Heights) with the Huntsville Police... Posted by Devyn Keith on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 "Yesterday, I had an encounter in my neighborhood (Terry Heights) with the Huntsville police department," Keith wrote in the Facebook post. "The situation was resolved with civility between myself and the officers on duty; however, this experience sheds light on an issue that happens far too often in familiar neighborhoods. "The mayor's office, chief of police and the north precinct captain have been timely and understanding in their response, as well as open to solutions that immediately impact changes in community policing." Keith, 27, was elected to the council in October. In an interview with AL.com on Wednesday night, Keith said he was standing outside his home visiting with neighbors when police approached. Keith said he was told to remove his hands from his pockets and place his hands behind his head and he was patted down to determine if he had any weapons. Keith said police acted appropriately but said better relationships were needed between officers and the community they patrol to avoid similar instances from occurring. Keith said he never told the officers he was a city councilman, but the officers apologized to him once they discovered he was. A statement from the city of Huntsville said Keith was approached by police officers seeking to learn more about the burglary. "Both the Huntsville Police Department and Mr. Keith acted appropriately and served as a great community model for citizen and police interaction," the city's statement said. The Huntsville/Madison County NAACP branch commented about the incident Wednesday night on its Facebook page. "Waiting on details on how a City of Huntsville, Alabama - Government city councilman be detained for the mistaken identity of a burglar and have a "respectful" encounter? If this is ALL true it may be a first in law enforcement," the Facebook post said. Waiting on details on how a City of Huntsville, Alabama - Government city councilman be detained for the mistaken... Posted by Huntsville/Madison County NAACP Branch on Wednesday, February 15, 2017 In the city's statement, City Administrator John Hamilton also said police acted appropriately. "We work hard in Huntsville to ensure all citizens feel safe and are treated fairly," Hamilton said. "We've been in close conversation with Councilman Keith, Chief of Police Mark McMurray and the officers who responded to the call to ensure the incident followed protocol, which it did. "A positive relationship between citizen and law enforcement is absolutely essential to a strong community. We're proud of the work of the Huntsville Police Department and the leadership of Councilman Keith in this area." In the city's statement, Keith said he looks forward to keeping community's safe. "I look forward to continued, open, intentional dialogue on our community policing procedures and how we can work to keep our community safe," Keith said. "District One will see these conversations carried out publicly and in a way that leads to real solutions for our community." In the days after he defeated Richard Showers in the municipal election runoff, Keith told AL.com of his plans to live in the poorest sections of his district to better understand the needs of his constituents. He recently moved into a home in Terry Heights and also plans to live in the Glen Park neighborhood as well as Lakewood and Meadow Hills during his four-year term on the council. "I am not going to city hall," Keith told AL.com in October. "I'm bringing city hall to everybody's front door. That's a concept I don't think we've quite grasped in local politics." Updated today, Feb. 15, 2017, at 8:37 p.m. with comments from Keith. Yesterday, we looked at the most diverse suburbs in Alabama - places where people span wide ranges of race, age and socioeconomic status. Today, we're going to look at the opposite end of the scale. Niche recently looked at census bureau numbers to determine diversity among 65 Alabama suburbs. The rankings were decided based on three factors: percentage of residents belonging to the most represented ethnicity; percent of residents belonging to the most represented income bracket; and percentage of residents belonging to the most represented age group. A higher percentage score in any of those three categories translates to less diversity in that area. Here are 15 least-diverse suburbs in Alabama: Springville - St. Clair County Mountain Brook - Jefferson County Lakeview - Tuscaloosa County Kimberly - Jefferson County Argo - Jefferson/ St. Clair counties Riverside - St Clair County Windham Springs - Tuscaloosa County Concord - Jefferson County Mount Olive - Jefferson County Indian Springs Village - Shelby County Morris - Jefferson County Robbins Crossroads - Jefferson County Sylvan Springs - Jefferson County Woodstock - Bibb/ Tuscaloosa counties Abernant - Tuscaloosa counties Springville received the lowest scores for resident diversity, with 96 percent of residents belonging to the most-represented ethnicity. Similar numbers were seen in suburbs ranging from Mountain Brook (96 percent of residents belong to most-represented ethnicity, 31 percent belong to most-represented income bracket) to Abernant (91 percent in resident diversity, 17 percent in income bracket diversity.) Welcome to Thursday's Wake Up Call. Let's see what's going on: There's been a penguin nabbing Police in Mannheim, Germany said someone has stolen a penguin from the children's attraction at at local park. The Humboldt penguin - he is 2 feet tall, weighs 11 pounds and has a marker with the number 53 on it - was taken Saturday. Police said the penguin requires special food and housing to survive and, as the thieves may discover, it is microchipped. Police is asking anyone with information on the missing bird to contact officials. Morning Joe bans Trump spokesperson MSNBC's "Morning Joe" co-host Mika Brzezinski said Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway will no longer be invited to be a guest on the program. Brzezinski said Conway is not "on the same page" as other White House officials, accusing her of spreading "fake news." The comments echoed those made by co-host Joe Scarborough the previous day, when he said Conway was "out of the loop" with key Trump officials. MSNBC said the network has no blanket policy on booking Conway and it's up to each show to make their own editorial decisions. Russian spy ship off US coast A Russian spy ship is currently located 30 miles south of New London, Connecticut, the site of a U.S. Navy submarine base. The Russian intelligence gathering ship has been making its way along the East Coast of the U.S. since earlier this week. Officials said it's likely the ship is headed to a location near Connecticut in international waters. In recent years, Russian spy ships have been spotted near King's Bay, Georgia, the Navy's other submarine base along the East Coast. Until tomorrow. Alabama House Speaker Mac McCutcheon said he's "optimistic" the body will vote on an impeachment resolution on Gov. Robert Bentley before the legislative session is over, but cautioned that the House will be thorough before holding a vote. A House investigation looking into whether to hold impeachment proceedings was put on hold last year at the behest of then-Attorney General Luther Strange, who strongly indicated he was holding his own probe into Bentley. Earlier this month, the governor appointed Strange to the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Jeff Sessions and Steve Marshall to replace Strange as attorney general. Marshall tapped ex-Montgomery County District Attorney Ellen Brooks on Wednesday to lead the Bentley investigation. "As soon as we can get a report from the Judiciary Committee, we're going to have a vote on it," McCutcheon, R-Monrovia, told reporters after the House recessed for lunch. "I'm optimistic that we can get a vote before the session's over, we'll just have to wait and see. I'd like to see us deal with it as soon as we can." Bentley has faced the prospect of impeachment since last year amid allegations of an affair with his then-senior adviser, Rebekah Mason, and claims of improperly using state resources. McCutcheon said he wantsthe House "to have as much information on the governor" before deciding on the impeachment resolution. He likened the process to his days as a law enforcement officer in Huntsville. "I have looked at this House body in reference to this impeachment issue from that perspective. As an investigator, I never made an arrest on any case that I ever worked on that I didn't put an investigation together with facts and information where I could take that case all the way into the courtroom," he said. "And I look at that from the same perspective as I would look at a grand jury." The speaker said members shouldn't let public opinion or their own passions from influencing an impeachment vote. "Members do not need to vote on emotions, frustrations or any of these things that sometimes will lead us to have opinions," he said. "They need facts. They don't need to vote out of frustration, they don't need to vote out of emotion. They need facts in front of them, and as the speaker of this House I want to make sure that we have made sure that we have every bit of information that we can provide before they have to be asked to vote." McCutcheon said his own constituents "are just frustrated over [Bentley's] actions. I'm hearing the same things that we're hearing all over the state, and I'm listening." "I know were under a lot of pressure" as legislators, McCutcheon said, "but at the end of the day, let's do the right thing." Patients have nowhere to turn after the countrys only radiation therapy machine stopped functioning in 2016. Senegals solitary radiotherapy machine broke down on December 28 last year, leaving the countrys only radiation therapist and small team of technicians idly waiting as patients were turned away or offered alternative treatments. The machine uses radioactive cobalt-60 to produce gamma rays that halt tumors in organs near the skin. Installed in 1989, it is from a generation of devices that are completely phased out in most developed countries. The machine has broken down many times before. Doctors who are familiar with the technology say such a machine should normally not exceed 20 years use. The Senegalese government promises that three state-of-the-art linear accelerators, which are standard elsewhere, will be installed by August. This is somewhat surprising given that Senegals hospital system is a reference for the West African sub-region. Patients cross borders to receive diagnoses, treatments and surgeries. The hospital in Dakar boasts a research unit and some of the only modern DNA sequencing machines on the continent. The strength of the countrys health system, which doctors are proud to say is more than 100 years old, is due in large part to a long-standing high level of medical education in Senegal. Medical students from Algeria and Morocco come to Dakar for research and studies. Yet the system is fragile and overwhelmed. Almost 14 million people live in Senegal, but only a handful of doctors focus on cancer. Doctors in the developed world recommend one radiation machine or linear accelerator for every 200,000 people. Senegal has one, and this year it is broken. So the lines in the cancer ward are long. We were fascinated by this story and wanted to film it. But accessing the primary city hospital with cameras has always been nearly impossible. This time, things looked different, and the small team of cancer doctors appeared to welcome us. Consistent failure We took the opportunity with caution. It seemed this crisis had struck the cancer team personally, and at least several were eager to talk. Behind closed doors and off-camera, some spoke of their anger that such an old and sometimes dangerous machine would still be the standard for the country. We should have linear accelerators, they said, shocked that the state had not invested a few million dollars in the new machines. The staff had been trying to raise awareness of the machines consistent failure since 2015, when it broke down and electrocuted a patient on the table. It also burned others. They were amazed that only now the media seemed to be taking notice. They took us in to see the device, to look at the bespoke plastic masks that were made to hold patients still, and to watch as the great old machine head with radioactive cobalt 60 at its centre swivelled in a wide arc over a cold plastic bed. Interviewing patients, which we had assumed would be the straightforward part of the shoot, was even more difficult. The word cancer leaves a deep stigma across these wards, even though it is written in clear red paint on the entrances. Babacar, our fixer, kept saying: Its like Aids, you dont tell people you have it. One divorced patient said that if she were known to have cancer, she would never be able to marry again. Another wanted to ask her husband for permission before speaking. A third refused to show her face. Several agreed on the terms that cancer never be mentioned, which was of course, not possible. After two days of asking patients for interviews, we were leaving empty-handed when a nurse called me to join her at the foot of the stairs. A patient upstairs can see you, you can film him. We were thrilled and nearly raced up the steps. She grabbed my arm. You cannot use the word cancer, she said. READ MORE: Senegal imam calls for green jihad I asked Babacar whether I had heard her correctly. Its taboo, he told me. But were in the cancer ward, I said. Dont use the word, she insisted, telling us that the patients grandson was there with him. Does he know its cancer, I asked? Yes, he did. We entered the small cell in the recovery ward to find an 84-year old man wearing a neat scarf, a small religious hat and a wide smile. He had been a soldier for Senegal, one of the revered veterans who stood up as the shackles of colonialism were cracking but not yet breaking in the 1950s. He was sick, but feeling fine. He had a basket full of medicine and a catheter bandage on his hand. We interviewed him, learning that he had no pain and that he was happy to pay whatever was needed for the treatments he received for his mysterious ailment. Treatments should be expensive, he said, because medical expertise should not come cheap. No mention of cancer. The interview ended and the nurse came in. She pulled back his gown to reveal a wide chest bandage. This is for the tumor we removed, she said, as if tumor and cancer were two entirely unrelated terms. Constant chemotherapy Beyond the hospital, we were led by a member of Senegals League for Cancer (LISCA) to a younger woman of 40, living in the suburbs, who was suffering immensely from breast cancer. She let us interview her in her home, with her family near, something that was clearly very upsetting to her. She was undergoing constant chemotherapy. Her hand was swollen and her voice was soft. I asked about her diagnosis. She deferred entirely to her doctors, saying that she was not given choices in her treatments, and the costs, as we had also heard at the hospital, were unending. Family supported her for visits: a few hundred dollars here and there, with the total running into the thousands. Our shoot extended over two days, but by the end, we had enough material and strong voices. We called once more, the day after our long hospital visit, to ask specifically how many patients had received burns or other injuries while fixed to the old machines table. No more calls please, no more questions was the only answer after the call had been passed from one hand to another. Word had gone round. The window of availability and openness had closed. Follow Colin Baker on Twitter: @airlockben Maputo, Mozambique Discoveries of gas off the coast of northern Mozambique in the early 2000s left many predicting that the country would become the continents new economic powerhouse. But, almost 14 years later, many people have yet to see much benefit. According to the World Bank, 55 percent of Mozambiques population still lives below the poverty line. Furthermore, many small communities find themselves suffering more than benefiting from the influx of the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) industry, which here includes companies such as US giant Anadarko, Norways Statoil, Italys ENI, and Malaysias Petronas. Palma in northern Mozambique is one such community. It is a village along the northern coastline, adjoining the Rovuma basin, which holds the largest gas reserves yet found in the country. Generations of Palmas men have gone out to sea each morning or night, to bring home catches that they will both sell and feed their families with. They say that fish are now scarce, since Texan company Anadarko began exploration in 2006, an activity which involves drilling into the seabed. This exploration, they say, is threatening their entire livelihood. Reduced catch Zaino Arband Nasoro, now in his 40s, has been a fisherman since he was 16. We used to bring home 300kg of fish a day, he said, heading out to sea in his tiny red boat. Now we come back with 25 or 30kg. We only found out that something was going on when we couldnt go near our main fishing area anymore. One day there were small boats around the area who said that we cant come nearer than a kilometre. People here were saying Anadarko, Anadarko, thats how I learnt the name. When there is blasting under the water, the fish get scared and they run away, says Nasoro. They used to warn us when they would be blasting, but now they dont warn us beforehand, we just hear a voice over a loudspeaker telling us to get out of the sea. He says that the drilling and blasting makes the water cloudy, and it becomes more difficult to catch what fish remain in the area. The fishermen use traditional methods, often physically diving to great depths to herd fish into the nets, so visibility is imperative. We have to wait two to three days before we can fish again, says Nasoro. The lights of the machines underground are bigger and brighter than our small lights, so the fish flock to them. Many of the chemical impacts may not become apparent until a long time after the particular given field has gone into full production. by Paul Johnson, University of Exeter Impact The environmental impacts of gas drilling have been well documented and are broadly similar to those of oil drilling. Paul Johnson is the director of the Greenpeace International Science Unit at the University of Exeter. He said that in an area where gas exploration or exploitation is taking place, there is a potential for anything from the physical obstruction of traditional fishing areas to the tainting of fish with hydrocarbons or chemicals used in the process. Many of the chemical impacts may not become apparent until a long time after the particular given field has gone into full production, he said. The disturbance from seismic testing can temporarily drive fish away, he added, and the percussive impact can rupture their swim bladders or damage sensory organs. It can be quite a complex picture, in terms of occupying space over the sea bed, disturbing the sea bed, and discharging drill cuttings and chemicals into the water, due to either the drilling itself, or to chemicals discharged from processing the gas stream, said Johnson. It is difficult to see what the long term impacts will be in the Mozambique gas fields at this point, but these are things that can and have taken place in the exploitation of gas fields, and should be taken into account. Mitigation measures? According to Anadarkos Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the Palma project, yet to be approved by the Mozambique government, impacts due to the security exclusion zones around the LNG facility during construction and operations will displace artisanal fishing efforts and locally increase exploitation pressure on the fish community outside of the zones, resulting in impacts of minor significance. Mitigation measures, to reduce such impacts, are yet to be identified. The EIA says that, regarding other environmental concerns, most of the impacts such as the discharge of drill cuttings, the changing of the habitat, and the impact of increased traffic and increased noise, will be reduced through mitigation procedures from moderate impacts to minor or negligible impacts. On the ocean road in Palma is a small structure, clearly newly built and freshly painted. A sign on the building says Anadarko. Anadarko built this room for us to meet, says Edward Saida, standing outside the building. He is a middle-aged man with a seaswept face, who has worked upon the ocean all his life. But there were only six meetings with no outcome. We are exhausted. Every month we say the same thing; its become a routine. When they come to talk to us, we complain, we tell them our concerns, then they go away and nothing changes. They always just say they are going to develop the district. But it doesnt help I cant fish. The sea has become too small. We are trying to ensure that the fishermen have access to their normal fishing grounds, and actually to make sure that they have increased capacity in terms of improved methods... access to improved markets and refrigeration. by Marliza Eloff, RS Risk Solutions Marliza Eloff, a consultant from RS Risk Solutions who oversees the social impact of Anadarkos project in Palma, says Anadarko has a fisheries department which has been monitoring vessel and catch movement, to feed into developments to minimise the impact of the operations on fisheries. We are trying to ensure that the fishermen have access to their normal fishing grounds, and actually to make sure that they have increased capacity in terms of improved methods, or eventually as determined through consultation with them, access to improved markets and refrigeration, for example. Working on behalf of Anadarko, she said that the consultation involves talking with fishermen on their fears and concerns. Its not just about awareness, she added. Its deep and thorough and ongoing. But Camilo Nhancale disagreed. He is chief executive of the Youth Development and Environmental Advocacy Organisation, based in Maputo, and has been vocal on local and international platforms. He says that Anadarko needs to put more focus on social justice. Although they have already begun offshore and onshore exploration, he says that there was no prior public consultation, the community was not told of the positive and negative implications and was not asked for informed consent. And Palma is not the only place in Mozambique that has been notably impacted by the extractive industry. The extractive boom that began 10 years ago brought in international giants investing billions, said Nhancale. But the country is not benefiting financially. The industry is changing the lives of those communities who make a living off these natural resources peasants, fishermen and farmers. These companies have grabbed their land, and they are moved to areas where the land is not fertile, without fair compensation, and are not given alternatives to sustain their livelihood. If people are not bringing in as much fish as before, they need to be compensated. Anadarko shouldnt come at the expense of making the community poorer than they are. Follow Ilham Rawoot on Twitter at the Dirty Profits Exposed project: @DirtyProfitsExp This report was produced with the support of the Facing Finance campaign. Egyptian human rights groups say they are being subject to a widening government crackdown targeting organisations accused [by the government] of threatening national security. The latest attempts to restrict the operations of non-governmental organisations that are mostly involved in human rights work took place last week when Egyptian authorities physically sealed shut the doors of the El Nadeem Centre, a prominent NGO that helps victims of violence and torture. This is a big hit a unique and significant one in light of the governments crackdown against civil society in Egypt, Suzan Fayad, the centres director told Al Jazeera. Al Nadeem Centre for the Rehabilitation of Victims of Violence and Torture has been operating as a registered clinic with the health ministry for the past 24 years, according to Fayad. In response to the centres closure, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said: Instead of tackling the pernicious pattern of police torture, President [Abdel Fattah] el-Sisi sends the police to seal the clinic that helps the victims and has been a vital source of information about deaths in detention, denial of medical care and abuse by law enforcement officers. The move against al-Nadeem Centre sends the message loud and clear that al-Sisis government wont confront torture and will do its best to silence critical voices, Joe Stork, deputy director of the Middle East and North Africa division at HRW, said. READ MORE: Egypt NGOs robbed of independence Even volunteer work will become subject to total supervision under the pretext of national security. This mentality of maintaining public security has reached a level of madness. by Suzan Fayad, director of el-Nadeem centre Al Nadeem has been fighting a legal battle against its closure for a year now since an initial closure order was first issued in February 2016. The centres lawyer, Taher Abu al-Nasr, told Al Jazeera that the latest order targeted the clinic, not the centres operational offices, but the police closed both down. There is no legal reason for them to close down the centre, it is politically motivated, and no one informed us what the alleged violation cited in the order actually is, Abu al-Nasr said. Abu al-Nasr added that Al-Nadeem centres members were committed to reopening it, and that the case was pending a final verdict. We stopped documenting torture cases for the public reports two years ago. It is extremely important for us to document first-hand accounts, to prove what torture methods are being used in prisons, Fayad explained. Weve been doing it for 20 years, but we are now too worried about our victims safety and wellbeing so we had to stop [making it public]. Al Nadeem caters for about 250 cases a month, including new victims, according to Fayad. Over the span of 20 years, the centre has documented 14,700 torture cases, and 1,000 cases of domestic abuse, the details of each case are now accessible to the Egyptian authorities in the aftermath of the raid. READ MORE: The tragedy of Egypts stolen revolution The closure of al-Nadeem is part of the wider crackdown on civil society in Egypt. Last November, a new bill, that was approved by the Egyptian parliament, stated that centres of all types would need to re-register themselves as NGOs under the ministry of social affairs, regardless of what services they offer. The law, referred to as the NGO law, places restrictions on the formation of civil society organisations as much as their general activities, both of which will be subject to security intervention, according to the law. It will come into full effect if the president signs the decree. Fayad described the draft law as the worst in Egyptian history. It puts an end to the very last platform available for people who want to peacefully organise. It restricts the operational space of every kind of organisation and puts them under the ministrys direct supervision, she said. Even volunteer work will become subject to total supervision under the pretext of national security. This mentality of maintaining public security has reached a level of madness. Fayad said that the current establishments mentality and culture does not allow for the presence of civil society as a whole. The NGO law is part of a wider crackdown on human rights groups, activists say. Since coming to power in 2014, Sisis government has imprisoned thousands, and banned protests by maintaining legislation prohibiting the public gathering of 10 or more people without prior authorisation from the interior ministry. READ MORE: Egypts anti protest law: Legalising authoritarianism Moreover, several individuals and organisations are now involved in an investigation that dates back to December 2011, originally brought against NGOs that receive foreign funding, known as case 173, in which 43 NGO employees were convicted. In October 2016, an Egyptian court approved a freeze on the assets of five prominent human rights activists and three NGOs accused of receiving foreign funds to harm national security and spread instability in Egypt. Among those accused are prominent investigative journalist Hossam Bahgat, human rights lawyer Gamal Eid, and award-winning feminist Mozn Hassan, all of whom have been barred from travel pending investigations. The five-year-old case remained largely inactive until last year.The defendants could face life imprisonment if found guilty. According to Daftar Ahwal, an Egypt-based research and documentation centre, there have been 554 cases of departure and entry bans, as well as arrests, at Egyptian airports since the 2011 Egyptian uprising that toppled former president Hosni Mubaraks 30-year-rule. Speaking to Al Jazeera, Mohamed Aziz, director of the Egypt-based NGO Al Haqanya, said that any act of opposition to the clampdown would be ineffective, as there is a clear violation of the right to organise and self-express. People are now repressing a great deal of fury, but civil society groups in Egypt are not a political force; theyre reformative in nature, they serve as entities on the ground, Aziz added. Experts say that the NGO law has the intention and mechanism to erase civil society off the socio-political sphere in Egypt. It shall imminently transform independent voices of civil society and NGOs into a dependent movement of entities. It will carry out enormous practical and operational restrictions on funding, activities, and research, that makes it impossible for these groups to conduct their work without prior interference by the government, Fadi al-Qadi, an Amman-based regional human rights advocate and commentator, told Al Jazeera. While the law awaits a presidential ratification, several press reports have raised questions bout whether this ratification will ever materialise. According to Article 123 of the Constitution, there is a 30-day period after the receipt of a piece of legislation in which the president may either approve a law or return it to parliament with objections. In the case of the NGO law, the 30 days have elapsed and there has been no word from Sisi. But, according to Qadi, if the law is endorsed by Sisi, it will create an effective regime of control over all aspects of non-governmental activities. But most critical to civil society groups will be criminal prosecution for engaging in activities not allowed by the law. That could include, for instance, reporting on torture cases, or citing corruption in governmental bodies, he added. It simply aims to introduce safeguards against a possibility of a revolution, at least, a peaceful one. Rights group Amnesty International has referred to the law as a death warrant for Egyptian NGOs. They simply cannot do their jobs without considering risks of prosecution, detention, long-term imprisonment and, in some circumstances, disappearances, said Qadi. Books can help to connect Palestinians in the besieged territory to the rest of the world, says Mosab Abu Toha. Beit Lahia, Gaza Escaping the confines of the besieged Gaza Strip, often described as an open-air prison, is a nearly impossible dream for many of its two million residents. But 24-year-old Mosab Abu Toha has found a way to free himself through books. Freedom is a state of mind. [With books], youre liberating yourself by living in an imaginary world where there are no boundaries If I choose to be free, I can be free through my writing, through speaking, Abu Toha told Al Jazeera. As an English literature graduate, he has a thirst for books that has always been difficult to quench in Gaza, where new English books are hard to find. PDF files are not a great alternative, as Gaza suffers from frequent, lengthy power cuts. Whenever I go to a bookshop or library, I rarely see English books, especially books by Edward Said, Noam Chomsky these intellectuals who write in English, Abu Toha said, noting that translations into Arabic take about three years. But having relied on his friends from abroad to send him books over the years, he has amassed a substantial collection on the shelves of his third-floor apartment in Beit Lahia. Freedom by Mosab , youre liberating yourself by living in an imaginary world where there are no boundaries.] By delving into the works of Tolstoy, Dostoyevsky, Chekhov, Paine, Orwell, Hemingway, Huxley, Finkelstein, Chomsky and Said and by writing stories and poems of his own Abu Toha can, at least for a little while, escape the confines of Gaza. Now he is trying to take that further and share these works throughout the besieged territory. After the 2014 war, as he was rummaging through the rubble of his universitys bombed arts department, he found one of the survivors, the Norton Anthology of American Literature, and an idea was born. Realising that Gaza needed a safe home for English books and a space where people could come to read and socialise rather than hang out in cafes or watch TV, Abu Toha began a mission to open Gazas first public library for English books. He set up a Facebook page last spring calling for people worldwide to donate books. So far, he has collected more than 100, including a few autographed books by Chomsky himself. He is also collecting donations to rent out a space for the library, where he hopes to host lectures by international guests. Its a wonderful idea, Chomsky told Al Jazeera via email. I did send several books I am now collecting others. The Israeli postal service suspended its service to Gaza from June to December, but it is now up and running again. Although it takes a while, the books eventually reach their destination in Beit Lahia. Leroi OPicasso, a history teacher from Chicago, told Al Jazeera that he mailed some books to Abu Toha after seeing a photograph of him holding a book in the midst of a bombed-out library. The image reminded me of others I had seen that depicted a Nazi book burning, only on a scale of our current time, OPicasso said. Mosabs request also struck me as an extremely urgent one, especially after reading reports of kids in Gaza suffering from PTSD. I am not a doctor; I cannot prescribe pills or therapy. I can send books because some contain ideas of hope or share narratives of the struggles in life. Its a way to tell a kid that in no way are you alone. READ MORE: Alternative farming on the rise in besieged Gaza Supporters can send their purchased books with free shipping through the website Better World Books, or via snail mail, which can often cost around $100. The goodwill of strangers is what amazes Abu Toha the most. Its expensive to send. I wonder how these people can afford to send [their books] to Palestine, even though they dont know me personally, nor do they know Palestinians. So theyre good people I respect them, he said. According to a 2016 survey conducted by the Palestinian Museum, of the 41 libraries that initially stood in Gaza, 21 closed over the years and seven were thoroughly destroyed in the 2014 Israeli assault. The Shujayea Club Library lost all of its 6,000 books during the war, while 10,000 books were destroyed at Beit Hanouns library in northeastern Gaza. In the libraries that are still functioning, the books are mostly outdated and opening hours are usually only until 3pm. University libraries also struggle to provide updated books for their students. The Islamic University of Gaza has not been able to import any new books in Arabic since the Egyptian military coup in 2013. For 10 years, we were going to Cairo to purchase books, but for the past five years, we cant go because of the security situation and because of the bad relations between Hamas and the Egyptian regime, said the universitys library director, Mamdouh Firwana. When books in Arabic are ordered online through the Nile and Euphrates website, the Arabic equivalent of Amazon, the books never arrive, Firwana said. English books purchased on Amazon eventually arrive, but owing to financial difficulties the number they can buy is limited. Abu Toha is determined to keep the books coming, noting that they serve as a vital lifeline to the outside world and a way to connect with others. Books are very important. We can learn about other cultures, how [other people] think, how we can communicate with them, how we can understand them, Abu Toha said. Language is what makes us all human. We all have languages; we use our mouths, our minds to communicate, so there is something common between us. Its books. Frontera Sur, designed to protect migrants, resulted in increase in checkpoints and border patrols on southern border. Mexico City, Mexico When Donald Trump kicked off his campaign for the US presidency with the notorious line about Mexican migrants bringing drugs, bringing crime, theyre rapists it scandalised everyone south of the Rio Grande. When he signed off on his border wall, still insisting Mexico pay for it, the indignation went off the scale. Tens of thousands marched through Mexico City in opposition this Sunday while the government has earmarked $50m for consular protection for its citizens stateside. President Enrique Pena Nieto has personally welcomed back some of the first to be deported under the Trump administration in a show of unity and condemnation of the now even tougher stance against undocumented migrants of the US. But the Mexican governments concern about how its citizens are treated in the US sits incongruously with its own attitude towards the migrants passing through Mexico which rights organisations have described as hypocritical. In July 2014, the government unveiled a new plan called Programa Frontera Sur after the US exerted pressure on the country to stop a surge in the number of child migrants heading from Central America to the states. Invisible wall Frontera Sur was ostensibly designed to protect migrants, but it actually resulted in a noticeable increase in the number of checkpoints and border patrols in the south of the country. What analysts and activists have dubbed Mexicos own invisible wall succeeded in doubling the number of deportations from the country in the first full year of its implementation. There's always been double talk - it seems that the Central American migrants don't matter, nothing is done to prevent the same human rights violations that Mexican migrants suffer in the US. by Diego Lorente, lawyer Those caught by authorities often end up in what is the biggest migrant detention centre in Latin America, built in the tropical border town, Tapachula. Here many people from Central American nations below Mexico like Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala wait in the sweltering heat for their turn to be bussed back home. Frequently, they are being sent back to grinding poverty, or the vicious gang violence that they fled in the first place. In recent years, Honduras and El Salvador have both vied for the title of the worlds most murderous country outside of a war zone. NGOs have set up shop in the town to help some stay in Mexico. Diego Lorente, a bearded lawyer who has been fighting for the rights of migrants for several years, told Al Jazeera theres a double standard in the Mexican authorities attitude towards migration. Theres always been double talk it seems that the Central American migrants dont matter, nothing is done to prevent the same human rights violations that Mexican migrants suffer in the US, Lorente said. State authorities admit some Mexican officials are involved in the extortion, robbery, rape and even kidnapping of migrants. Alejandro Vila Chavez, the prosecutor for crimes against migrants in the southern state of Chiapas told Al Jazeera that last October his team burst open a ring of 21 local policemen who had kidnapped a group of migrants in the town of Chiapa de Corzo. They dont have the training to make them aware of their important duties, he said, speaking particularly about municipal police. Unfortunately, they lose sight of their role, using their authority and power in order to take advantage of migrants vulnerability. Vila insisted that crimes against migrants in Chiapas were going down. READ MORE: Central American mothers search for their missing sons Border security Nationally, the picture is different. A 2016 report from the human rights arm of the Organization of American States notes that multiple cases involved the active participation of personnel from the National Migration office, municipal, state and federal police. A network of shelters for migrants, REDODEM, said that in 2015 officials committed 41 percent of the crimes against migrants they interviewed, 867 in total. Federal authorities didnt respond to Al Jazeeras interview requests. The complicity between some officials and Mexicos powerful gangs makes things more complicated still, particularly in the gulf states of Veracruz and Tamaulipas. A pollero, one of the guides that migrants pay to get them to the US border told Al Jazeera that in those states the Gulf Cartel and the Zetas demand a tax on everyone who passes through a claim that migrants rights organisations have backed up. READ MORE: Surviving Mexicos migrant trail Even for those who pay, there is no guarantee of safety. Migrants testify to having been raped, kidnapped and forced to work for organised crime. Deaths have also racked up. In one of the first, and worst, cases, 72 migrants were found shot dead in a ranch in Tamaulipas in August 2010. A survivor said they were executed by the Zetas after refusing to work for them. Tens of thousands have simply disappeared. But, Mexican authorities often stonewall relatives trying to find out what has happened to them, according to Martha Sanchez Soler, head of the NGO Movimiento Migrante Mesoamerica. Sanchez Soler organises an annual caravan of Central Americans trying to find their loved ones. Its not convenient for the transit country [Mexico] to make known the crimes that are committed here, especially because theres lots of authorities that are colluding in them, she said, speaking to Al Jazeera during the last caravan in December 2016. Rights groups have repeatedly said that the Programa Frontera Sur has directly increased the danger to migrants, by forcing them to cross isolated areas to evade checkpoints and patrols. Despite the criticisms, the clampdown could actually represent one of Mexicos best bargaining chips in upcoming negotiations with the United States. Thats because by catching undocumented migrants further south, Mexico provides a valuable filter, stopping them from reaching the US. Recognising that, the US has itself contributed millions of dollars towards Mexicos southern border protection. READ MORE: Cubans stranded in Central America try to reach the US Mexicos former foreign minister, Jorge Castaneda, has suggested Mexico should play that card, threatening to simply let Central American migrants get through to the US if it does not get what it want on trade issues. Mexicos president, Enrique Pena Nieto himself has said he will bring all the issues to the table, including border security. Those negotiations will likely have an effect not just on Mexico and the United States, but on those coming from Central America hoping to find prosperity, or at least refuge, further north. Yahya Sinwar expected to act as bridge between Palestinian groups political leadership and its powerful armed wing. Hamas members in the Gaza Strip have elected Yahya Sinwar to head its Gaza political bureau to succeed outgoing leader Ismail Haniya. Sinwar will take over from Haniya, who served out his two-term limit some time in April. Sinwar was jailed by Israel in 1988 and spent the next 23 years in prison, where he was a key leader of Hamas members in the Israeli prison system. Palestinian sources in Gaza close to Hamas described Sinwars rise to power as a bridge between Hamas political leadership and its powerful armed wing, Izzedine al-Qassam. Sinwars ascension to the leadership position was not something dramatic or unexpected. His election shows that Hamas has democratic institutions and a pool of leaders who can step up to leadership positions when they are called upon, said Lebanon-based senior Hamas leader Osama Hamdan, who runs the groups foreign-relations portfolio. The Palestinian sources, who declined to be identified for this story, said Sinwar could be instrumental in smoothing Gazas relations with Egypt and could ultimately play an important role in trying to avoid another costly military confrontation with Israel given his security background. The sources added that, contrary to previous reports, Sinwar was not a co-founder of Izzedine al-Qassam. He was in an Israeli prison when the armed group was founded in 1989. Different backgrounds Avi Issacharoff, an Israeli journalist, draws a distinction between Sinwar and regular Hamas politicians such as his predecessor Haniya or Khalil al-Haniya, who was also elected last week as Sinwars deputy. Issacharoff says Sinwar is cut from a different cloth in the sense that he does not come from a purely political background. Rather he hunted down and killed Palestinian collaborators. But Issacharoff believes Sinwar is not an adventurer, meaning that despite his background, he would not be reckless enough to drag the Palestinians in Gaza into an unwanted military confrontation with Israel. Issacharoff said Israeli prison officials told him that Sinwar was treated for a serious head surgery around 2006 that saved his live. Although Hamas is a movement, structurally it operates like a system of federations that includes Gaza, West Bank, Hamas prisoners in Israeli jails, and Hamas members abroad or in exile. Each federation elects its own consultative council and local leader. These elections will set the stage to elect Hamass overall general congress, or the General Consultative Council, which in turn will elect its political bureau and its head, to replace the current leader Khaled Mashaal, which will take place some time this April. Numerous challenges Hamas new crop of leaders will face numerous thorny challenges that will determine whether: there will be yet another war in Gaza; reconciliation with its Palestinian rival Fatah; and rapprochement with Egypt, which treats Hamas-ruled Gaza as more a foe than an impoverished neighbour or an Arab brother. Currently, Egypt, which supports Hamas rival Fatah, has a frosty, if not antagonistic, relationship with Hamas because of its control of Gaza. Sinwars ascension to power in Gaza will not bring any dramatic change to any of Hamas positions on any of the issues it is currently dealing with. This is especially true regarding the reconciliation talks with its rival Fatah or its regional policies towards Israel or the Arab states, according to several senior Hamas officials who spoke to Al Jazeera on the condition of anonymity. These officials say that Hamas operates on consensus and voting in its decision-making process, which prevent its leaders from ending up behaving without restraint or assuming dictatorial powers. But a new challenge arose during a meeting in Washington DC on Wednesday between Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, and Donald Trump, when he dropped the long-held US policy of supporting a two-state solution. Unlike Fatah and the Palestinian Authority headed by President Mahmoud Abbas, who staked their very existence on the Israeli and American acceptance of the two-state solution, Hamas officials see no existential threat to their political standing. Hamas is relatively unfazed by the era of new politics heralded by the Trump administration. They have no expectations that the road ahead will be anything other than as difficult as it has been or that it may even get worse again, Beverley Milton-Edwards, a visiting fellow at Brookings Doha Centre, told Al Jazeera. All forms of resistance Hamdan, the Hamas foreign-policy chief, said the group would not be affected by the new US policy and would persist with all forms of resistance to Israeli occupation until statehood was achieved. Asked if resistance means just engaging in military confrontations with Israel, Hamdan said: Thats only a part of it, and only if we are attacked first. Resistance for us could be peaceful one such as boycotting Israeli consumer products, challenging Israel legally and defending ourselves militarily should Israel attacks us. On whether Hamas is willing to engage in peace talks with the Israeli government to reach a peace deal, the officials said: Talking peace with the Israeli, under the current conditions, is futile. They say Hamas has learned from the experience of the Palestine Liberation Organisation and the Palestinian Authority, both of which have little to show after 24 years of negotiations with the Israelis. Follow Ali Younes on Twitter @ali_reports Abuse allegations against Catholic priests are on the rise, but is enough being done to prosecute the accused? Sexual abuse allegations against Catholic priests in the Philippines are on the rise, according to senior church investigators. But this new 101 East documentary reveals that prosecutions of priests alleged to have committed sexual abuse are extremely rare in Asias largest Catholic nation. Some alleged victims say they have been pressured not to file charges and were paid money in exchange for their silence. Imelda* was 15 years old when she says the priest in her village sexually assaulted her. After he kissed me on the forehead, he hugged me, she recalled. It was really painful. Why did he do that to me? She says that when her family discovered she had reported the incident to the police, they beat her. They actually beat me to the point that I was afraid to go home. They were angry with me. They were telling me that what I did was wrong. They treated me like a stray dog because of what I did, because I filed a case, she says. Then she claims a man and a woman from the church gave her $150 to drop the charges. Her case never went to court. God did not say this Retired Archbishop Oscar Cruz, who heads the Catholic Churchs National Tribunal of Appeals in the Philippines, says he is receiving more complaints of sexual abuse involving priests, including allegations of paedophilia. The laity, especially in urban areas, have become rather alert and courageous in denouncing the errancy of priests, he says. I may be offending other bishops but this is a personal stand, that gone are the days when you can just close your eyes and plug your ears as if nothing is happening. Al Jazeera has also found that some Filipino priests are breaking the vow of celibacy and fathering children. Father Elmer Cajilig, who has four children with his long-term girlfriend, says that the celibacy vow for ordained priests is only a man-made rule. God did not say this, so I think I cannot say that Ive committed sin. I am just continuing His mandate to go and multiply. Father Cajilig and two other priests who also fathered children have set up their own self-styled Catholic ministry, where they preach at privately owned churches. They have written to the Vatican, asking to be accepted by the Church. Father Jaime Achacoso, secretary of the Canon Law Society in the Philippines, condemns these father priests, but says in some remote dioceses, one in five priests has had children. Thats the reality that happens in those areas where discipline, where the hierarchy is not so well-organised, says Father Achacoso. The Vatican did not respond to Al Jazeeras request for comment about how it handles allegations of clergy sexual misconduct and abuse in the Philippines. When asked if Filipino bishops are obliged to report sexual assault allegations to civil authorities, Father Achacoso says all investigation should be left to the Church. A person is innocent until proven otherwise, and so the Church handles these cases with a lot of discretion, both to protect the dignity, the good name of the priest and also for the victim. * Name changed to protect her identity. Follow Tiffany Ang on @tiffeeang Ever since Cyprus gained independence from Britain in 1960, tension has boiled between Turkish and Greek populations on the Mediterranean island. Violent clashes between the two groups peaked in 1964 during the battle of Tylliria when Greek forces stormed the Turkish enclave of Kokkina. After this, a United Nations peacekeeping force is set up on the island along a so-called Green Line. In 1974 troops from Turkey invade the northern Turkish part of Cyprus in response to a Greek coup detat backed by the government in Athens. The Turkish military occupies a third of the island, enforcing a division between the Turkish and Greek parts of the island along the UN Green Line. A year later, an independent administration is established. In 1983, Rauf Denktash, president of the Turkish part of the island, suspends peace talks. The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is proclaimed. To this day, it is only recognized by Turkey. Talks about reunification have been ongoing for decades, but have so far failed to produce results. To ensure peace, the United Nations has set up a buffer zone between the two parts of the country. The UN has denounced the large presence of Turkish troops in northern Cyprus, while the international community and the southern Greek part of Cyprus consider the northern part as occupied territory. Sudanese Americans do not fit neatly into the existing racial classifications of the American society. Hind Makki is a second-generation Sudanese American who works as an interfaith and anti-racism educator. I always knew I was black. My childhood was the scent of coconut oil hair cream and the taste of bean pie after Friday prayers in a Bilalian mosque on Chicagos south side. I knew the words to Nkosi Sikelel iAfrika and called Harold Washington my mayor, even though I lived in the suburbs. My parents had immigrated to the United States from Sudan in the late 1970s and raised my sister and me to be comfortable in our skin. I spoke Arabic at home and English at school where it seemed no one else agreed that I am black. Outside of the box When my father registered me for kindergarten, the school administrator told him that we had to select a box to designate our race. My father raised in a post-colonial Sudan mired in ethnic tensions and civil war wondered aloud why the government was tracking pupils based on race. The administrator recommended that since Arabic is the language spoken at home, we should mark white. My father, whose adolescence was shaped by Frantz Fanon, Patrice Lumumba and Malcolm X, laughed. He patted his conspicuous Afro and wryly said, We may speak Arabic at home, but you can clearly see that we are black. My experience highlights the absurdity of US racial classifications. The US Census Bureau classifies all Arabic speakers as white, owing partly to the fact that the earliest Arabic-speaking immigrants to the US were Levantine Christians who could, and wanted to, pass for white. Becoming white US history is defined by centuries of rigid racial hierarchy, with enslaved Africans and their descendants at the bottom of the heap. Catholics, Jews, and southern European immigrants were not automatically granted whiteness and its legal benefits (PDF). But by the 20th century, if a man looked white, he enjoyed full benefits of citizenship. But if he looked or was suspected of being black, then he would have to contend with racist laws designed to disenfranchise and terrify African Americans. The immigration of non-Europeans threw a wrench into this system. Early 20th-century Arab immigrants were not interested in being on the wrong end of Jim Crow laws and did not want to live as non-citizens like some Asian immigrants. They petitioned the government to grant them legal whiteness and it did. The Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s began to chip away at systemic racism. The Arabic-speakers who immigrated to the United States after the 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act, including my parents, were much more diverse than the previous waves. Most of the newcomers, who included people from 10 African countries, could not pass for white even if they wanted to. Identity erasure My elementary school wanted to designate me as white because Arabic is my mother tongue, but no one was under any illusion that I actually was a white person. Rather, the question was: as an Afro-Arab, am I black enough to be considered racially black in America? Sudanese Americans racial identities are often erased. Ahmed Mohamed, the so-called Clock Boy, was described as brown by many commentators as if he was South Asian. Famously, Aziz Ansari, the Indian American actor, tweeted that he stands with Ahmed, because I was once a brown kid in the south, too. I am a Muslim woman who wears a headscarf; I cannot point to an Afro to prove my blackness. Like Ahmed, my racial identity is often erased and transformed into an amorphous brown other. Having your racial identity erased means hearing racial slurs against your community in your own language. It can also lead to absurdly ironic situations. My family used to live in a predominantly African American apartment complex, whose residents were bused into predominantly white schools. OPINION: Are Arabs white? Once, a white woman stepped on to the bus with her blonde granddaughter and scanned the aisles. She loudly commanded, Go sit with those Indian girls; I dont want you to sit next to any n*****s. It was only when the girl plucked herself down next to us that my sister and I realised that the older woman had meant us! Sudanese Americans do not fit neatly into the existing racial classifications of our society. Though many identify as black, proximity to the Arabic language negates their claim to blackness in the eyes of others. The artificial line between North and sub-Saharan Africa has followed us across the Atlantic. And during the Sudanese Civil War, journalists often described a conflict that pitted the Arab North against the African South. For the reader, the word Arab conjures images of pale-skinned people from the Middle East, not images of my ebony-skinned great-grandfathers irrigating their farms along the banks of the Nile. This politicised language still reverberates, even though many Sudanese immigrants actively identify as black and are treated as such by the state, law enforcement, and society at large. Intersectional invisibility There was an outpouring of support from American Muslim communities after three young Levantine Arab Muslims were shot dead by their neighbour. Yet, the responses from African American and Muslim communities were tepid when three young men, Sudanese refugees, were also shot dead later that year. The founder of the Muslim Wellness Foundation, Kameelah Rashad writes: Psychologist Valerie Purdie Vaughns coined the term intersectional invisibility to describe the phenomenon that occurs within a subordinate group in which individuals with intersecting identities (black and Muslim, for example embodying racial and religious minority identities) are not perceived to be typical members of that group and often erased from the collective imagination. (PDF) READ MORE: Race in the US What if your identity was a lie? Sudanese Americans, like all African American and black Muslims in the US, suffer from intersectional invisibility. One unexpected side effect of the #MuslimBan has been a larger platform for Sudanese American artists and commentators to grapple with their own intersecting identities. The diversity found internally in Sudan cannot be crammed into an American box. In an era of Black Lives Matter protests against police brutality and the xenophobic, anti-Muslim Trump administration, Sudanese Americans are carving their own identities at the intersection of Islamophobia and anti-black animus. Hind Makki is a second-generation Sudanese American. She is an interfaith and anti-racism educator, and works to improve Muslim womens access to mosques in North America. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy. The violent police assault on Theo is yet another example of the systemic police brutality in Frances suburbs. For more than a week, France has been rocked by tensions that flared up over a police officer allegedly sexually assaulting with a truncheon a 22-year-old black man called Theo in the Parisian suburb of Aulnay-Sous-Bois. This brutal aggression is the latest police violation to dominate headlines in French mainstream media and to trigger protests against police brutality. Theo was on his way to visit a friend when the police stopped him to check his ID. A video of Theos violent arrest by the police circulated on the internet shows him on the ground against a wall, being beaten by four policemen. In his account to the media, Theo explained how he fell face down as police spat racist insults and sodomised him with a police baton during the brutal arrest. The French police called the violent assault an accident. Theo was subsequently treated in hospital. His case triggered protests in several Parisian suburbs which at times turned into riots. Protesters and the police clashed, notably in the suburban town of Bobigny, where cars and buses were burned and stores were ransacked. At this stage, the French Court of Justice is looking into how to assess the nature of the assault against Theo and whether it should be considered rape or an act of violence. This, according to the court, can be established only by determining the nature of the perpetrators intention at the time of the incident. The French Penal Code reserves a harsh punishment for rape. Article 222-23 of the law states that: Any act of sexual penetration, whatever its nature, committed against another person, through violence, constraint, threat or surprise, is a rape. Rape is punishable by 15 years of imprisonment. On February 20, a judge is expected to decide whether the accused policemen will face trial. A conviction of rape and a jail sentence for the policeman could be considered by Theos family a victory and satisfy peoples demands for justice. But if the policeman is acquitted, a repeat of the 2005 riots triggered by the deaths of two teenagers during a police chase is highly probable. Identity checks and politics As the incident took place amid a heated electoral campaign, it was not surprising to see presidential candidates capitalising on it to make quick gains. Marine Le Pen, the far-right candidate, voiced support for the police forces and their right to defend themselves. Le Pen refused to condemn the assault on Theo, thus using this horrible abuse to attract voters and stir up racial tensions in suburban neighbourhoods. Le Pens opportunism is reminiscent of the actions of former President Nicolas Sarkozy in 2005, when he was interior minister and presidential candidate. Sarkozy came out in support of the police forces during the riots in Paris suburbs. Two years later, in 2007, Sarkozy was elected president of the republic. The French police continues to justify its abuses with the lack of human and material resources, as if respecting individuals' human dignity is somehow associated with material resources and/or to the number of policemen on the ground! by The assault on Theo is just another case of abuse of power by the French police against civilians that has become a norm in the past few decades. Such incidents serve as a reminder of the tense relationship between the police and the inhabitants of the suburbs. The regular riots and confrontations that follow every police assault attest to this fact. One of the most obvious reasons behind this tense relationship is the so-called delit de facies, which is a police identity check carried out systematically and repeatedly targeting individuals mainly because of their skin colour (it was in this context that Theo was assaulted). It is a discriminatory and humiliating procedure that is deeply rooted in the collective psyche of the suburban communities both African and Arab who for long have complained about it. During his 2012 election campaign, French President Francois Hollande committed himself to combating the delit de facies. However, he has clearly failed to do so; three years into his presidency, five plaintiffs won a cases against the French state for discrimination during police identity checks based on skin colour. Moreover, in April 2009, Amnesty International published a report denouncing the French police violations and the failure of the French justice system to put an end to such acts. Police ill-treatment, racial abuse and excessive use of force continues while procedures for investigating such allegations are still failing to meet the standards required by international law, the report, titled France: Police above the law?, said. But neither the Amnesty International report, nor the French court rulings, nor the denunciations of the French civil associations, could put an end to the phenomenon. The French police continues to justify its abuses with the lack of human and material resources, as if respecting individuals human dignity is somehow associated with material resources and/or to the number of policemen on the ground! Failure of the state An acute crisis of confidence has long existed between the inhabitants of suburban neighbourhoods and the French state that almost always manifests its presence in the suburbs only through its police force. Such a dynamic automatically transforms its relationship with French citizens of the suburbs into a purely authoritarian one. As Amar Henni, a leading youth worker in the district of La Grande Borne on the southern outskirts of Paris, told The Guardian: the biggest unresolved problem is the relationship between youth and police. The state took a security approach, rather than a social or education response. Therefore, in the absence of a genuine policy on integration and urban development in these sensitive urban zones (as designated by the French administration) where unemployment is more than twice the national rate, and where schools have a high turnover of often inexperienced teachers, and as long as the successive governments refuse to acknowledge their responsibility for this social failure, without real commitments and changes, unfortunately riots and cars and shops set on fire will continue to occur every time the police commits such horrible acts. When state violence becomes systematic and rarely punished, the society falls into a vicious cycle where violence only triggers more violence. The case of Theo is a natural outcome of the failure of the state on all levels to combat racism, discrimination and put an end to police violence and abuses against the inhabitants of the suburbs. Ali Saad is a French sociologist and media critic, focusing on the influence of mass media on society. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy. International collaboration and holistic responses are our best way forward in the fight against climate change. Ed Davey is the former British Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change. Last month the UK Prime Minister Theresa May reminded senior Republicans in Philadelphia of the power and importance of the relationship between Britain and the United States. She argued that together we have won world wars and built the key global institutions on which the world relies: the United Nations, International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, all sharing a genesis in our cooperation, each reflecting our shared values. Some of these institutions are currently under question in both our nations and perhaps require a tune up. Yet, that need not undermine Mays fundamental appeal for the US to stand with other world nations in addressing key challenges. She said: Because we know that so many of the threats we face today global terrorism, climate change, and unprecedented movements of people do not respect national borders. So we must turn towards those multinational institutions like the UN and NATO that encourage international cooperation and partnership. In Britain the debate is over The Paris Agreement created the framework for the shared global responsibility of arresting climate change. It is not hyperbole to state that responding to climate change, as agreed in Paris, now sits at the heart of the relationship between the US, Britain and Europe. Having served under Prime Minister David Cameron as Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, I have no doubt how fundamentally committed to climate action both Britain and the broader European community are. In Britain the debate is over: tackling climate change has strong cross-party support. Senior ministers such as the Chancellor Philip Hammond, and the Business Secretary Greg Clark, get climate and if anything are sending even stronger messages of commitment to act on climate than the Cameron/Osborne Conservative majority government before. I also had the privilege to work closely with the other 27 member states of the European Union, as we unanimously agreed on the 2030 legislative package to address climate change which outlines the ambitious commitments and strategy shared by European states. Any withdrawal by the US from the Paris Agreement and its shared responsibilities will be viewed poorly across the capitals of Berlin, Paris, Warsaw and London. It will be seen as a negation of the leadership we expect from our ally across the Atlantic. The meeting of the G20 this week in Germany provides a perfect opportunity for countries to stand together in the face of worsening crises and bolster prevention of future shocks. Climate change sits high in this agenda. We look to the United States to join us, as they have over the last century, to lead the global community on the complex crises facing us all. by Working together to respond to climate change is in all of our national interests. Providing support to developing nations dealing with the impacts of climate change protects us from the inevitable increased military and security threats created by instability caused by resource scarcity. Having sat on the UK National Security Council, I know that climate change was treated as a key military risk at the highest levels of the UK government. OPINION: Science doesnt care if you believe in it or not And by acting to help countries manage changes in the climate, we can help stem the unprecedented movement of people across the globe. It is many of these knock-on effects of global challenges that President Donald Trump has so powerfully identified as concerning his people. But to solve these knock-on effects, it is key to recognise that issues like climate change are the cause. The US should take the lead Climate change stands at the centre of the worlds shared interests in managing instability. Rich countries must recognise their own self-interest in helping support the developing world with climate mitigation, if only because it manages risks closer to home. Surely President Trump does not want to bear the costs of building a wall along the entire West Coast to keep the people of the Pacific from scrambling to higher ground? We look to the US to join us, as they have over the last century, to lead the global community on the complex crises facing us all. OPINION: Canada was first to try to muzzle scientists and fail International collaboration and holistic responses are our best way forward. Inappropriate isolationism will serve no one. President Trump and his administration have not clarified how they will manage major international treaties and alliances, but their distrust of internationalism is clear. Yet, such scepticism need not end in opposition. Challenging institutions need not mean rejection. Questioning how an agreement is implemented need not mean withdrawal. So, when it comes to the Paris Agreement, the White House should reflect on how the US military have long regarded climate change as a key threat multiplier: by reducing its impacts through the Paris Agreement, we can prevent conflict and the pressures behind mass movement of peoples. Ed Davey is the former British Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy. Houthi rebels blame Arab coalition for attack on Shiraa village 40km north of capital Sanaa. At least eight women and a child were killed in an overnight air raid on a funeral reception near the Yemeni capital Sanaa, medics said. At least 10 more women were reported wounded in the raid on Thursday, which hit the womens reception area at a funeral in Arhab district, 40km north of Sanaa. Medics dispatched to the incident identified the bombing site as the residence of Mohammed Al Nakii in the village of Shiraa. Houthi rebels, who control the capital, accused a Saudi-backed coalition of carrying out the attack. A coalition spokesperson was not immediately available for comment. Residents said the raid took place when mourners had gathered to offer condolences after a woman died. People heard the sound of planes and started running from the house but then the bombs hit the house directly. The roof collapsed and there was blood was everywhere, a resident of the village told a Reuters news agency cameraman on Thursday. Pictures published in local media showed people searching through the rubble of the destroyed house of Nakii, a tribal chief who was said to be allied with Yemens Houthi movement. Last October, 140 people were killed and more than 600 injured in a coalition bombardment of a funeral hall in rebel-controlled Sanaa. READ MORE: Yemenis mark six-year anniversary of uprising At the time, the Saudi-led coalition blamed the bombing on wrong information from its Yemeni allies. Yemens internationally recognised government has been locked in conflict with Houthi rebels since late 2014. The fighting intensified in March 2015 when the Houthis first advanced on the southern city of Aden, prompting Saudi Arabia and its allies to start an air campaign against the group. The death toll from the October raid was one of the highest in any single incident since the Saudi-led alliance began military operations to try to restore President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi to power following his ousting by the Houthis. The UN says the civilian death toll has reached 10,000, with 40,000 wounded. Joint statement by UN and Arab League heads comes after Trump drops US commitment to two-state solution to conflict. The United Nations and the Arab League have issued a joint statement in support of the establishment of a Palestinian state, after US President Donald Trump dropped his countrys commitment to a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. AL JAZEERAS SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST MARWAN BISHARA: On Trumps comments about a two-state solution: The problem is Netanyahu doesnt agree to two states and does not agree to one state. This whole one-state thing means that Jews, Christians and Muslims, Palestinians and Israelis will live in one democratic state. Netanyahu and his coalition do not agree to one state and they reject the two-state solution. The Palestinians agree to one state and they are happy with two states; what they disagree to is an apartheid system, where there are two systems in one land: one superior for Israelis and one inferior for the Palestinians. On Trumps comments about settlements: I think this statement by Trump is absolutely meaningless at this point in time, because the Israelis have already made their plans for 6,000 units that they need today in the West Bank. If Trump was serious, he would have said you need to put a hold on those settlements you just declared while I was busy putting together my administration. The statement on Thursday came a day after Trump and the visiting Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, refused to endorse the two-state solution as the preferred outcome of peace talks, abandoning what has been the cornerstone of US-led peace efforts for two decades. After a meeting in Cairo, Antonio Guterres, the UN secretary-general, and Ahmed Aboul-Gheit, the Arab Leagues secretary-general, said they agreed that the two-state solution was the only way to achieve comprehensive and just settlement to the Palestinian cause. The statement put them at odds with Trump, who said at a White House meeting with Netanyahu that peace in the Middle East does not necessarily have to include the establishment of a Palestinian state. Palestinian leaders and the international community have long favoured the establishment of an independent Palestinian state as the preferred way to peace in the region. Separately, Aboul-Gheit issued a warning on Thursday against the potential moving of the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem after Trump said his administration was considering it seriously. He said that the move would have explosive consequences in the Middle East, Egypts state news MENA reported, after Trump said he would love to see the US embassy relocated to Jerusalem. Id love to see that happen, were looking at that very, very strongly, were looking at that with great care, and well see what happens, Trump said. READ MORE: US embassy relocation to Jerusalem a war crime Relocating the embassy to Jerusalem, which would violate international law, would be seen as a provocative move by critics as the city is claimed by both the Israelis and Palestinians as their capital. Explainer: Israel-Palestine conflict, the two-state solution Hamas, the Palestinian group which governs the Gaza Strip, has reacted to Trumps latest statements by saying the US has a pro-Israel bias and has never made enough effort to improve Palestinian rights. Hazem Qassem, a Hamas spokesman, said on his Facebook page: US administrations never worked hard enough and seriously to give the Palestinian people its rights. He said that the US administration provided a cover for Israeli aggression carried out against the Palestinian people, including the theft of land. Washingtons weak retraction of its original stance is reflective of the US-administrations bias towards the Israeli occupation, especially with the arrival of new US President Donald Trump, Qassem said. OPINION: Israel: An inspiration for Trump He also called on the Palestinian Authority to abandon what he called the illusion of a solution through negotiations, and the idea that the US should act as a mediator in negotiations. Mixed reaction to Trumps Israel-Palestine one-state comment Saeb Erekat, the PLOs secretary-general, said: Those who believe that they can undermine the two-state solution and replace it with what I call one state, two systems, maintaining the status quo now, apartheid. I dont think that in the 21st century they will get away with it. Osama Hamdan, Hamas foreign policy chief, said the group will not be not be affected by the new US policy and will continue with all forms of resistance to Israeli occupation until statehood is achieved. Asked if resistance means just engaging military confrontations with Israel, Hamdan said: Thats only a part of it, if we were attacked first. Resistance for us could be peaceful one such as boycotting Israeli consumer products, challenging Israel legally and defending ourselves military should Israel attacks us. Additional reporting by Farah Najjar: @NajjarF91 At least 75 dead, including children and women, as ISIL claims blast at Lal Shahbaz Qalandar shrine in Sindh province. In Pakistans deadliest attack in more than two years, a suicide bomber has struck a crowded Sufi shrine, killing at least 75 people including women and children. Hundreds of others were also wounded in Thursdays attack as they performed a ritual at the famous Lal Shahbaz Qalandar shrine in Sehwan in the southern Sindh province. The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) group claimed responsibility for the blast via its Amaq propaganda website. Khadim Hussain, deputy inspector-general of Hyderabad police, told Al Jazeera that at least 75 people were killed and more than 200 were injured in the attack. At least 43 men, nine women and 20 children were among the victims. Al Jazeeras Kamal Hyder, reporting from the capital Islamabad, said: Hundreds are wounded and have been moved to local hospitals where the facilities arent in the best shape. Sikandar Mandhro, Sindhs health minister, told Al Jazeera: There was a huge crowd gathered there for the [religious ceremony] at the shrine, and there was a very big explosion. The medical facilities at Sehwan are not equipped to deal with a very big emergency, so our first priority right now is to get help to the wounded. The closest hospital to the shrine is around 70km away. Witness Nazakat Ali was praying when the bomb exploded. The explosion happened, and everyone started running, he told Al Jazeera, speaking from a hospital in Sehwan. We were pushed out, there were so many people. I saw blood. I saw people injured and dead bodies. Haider Ali, manager of a nearby hotel, said police has sealed off the shrine. Our security staff heard it, he said. There are a lot of police and ambulances around now. It was complete chaos. Thousands gather at the shrine every Thursday to pray and participate in the Sufi tradition of dhamaal, a form of devotional percussion and dance. The shrine, built in 1356, is by the tomb of Syed Muhammad Usman Marwandi, the Sufi philosopher poet better known as Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, one of Pakistans most venerated saints. Each year, hundreds of thousands gather to celebrate the Urs, his death anniversary. Faisal Edhi, who heads the Edhi Foundation, told Al Jazeera that the place of worship was difficult to access because it is surrounded by narrow streets. Ambulances have all been sent in from Hyderabad, Jamshoro, Dadu, Sukkur and Morho about 20 ambulances are headed in to help transfer patients to hospitals, he said as he was on his way to Sehwan. The Edhi Foundation operates ambulance services, orphanages, womens shelters, dispensaries and morgues in several Pakistani cities. A police source in Sindh told Al Jazeera: Police were present, but there were hundreds of people. There is obviously some lapse in security. In November, at least 52 people were killed in a suicide attack on a shrine to Sufi saint Shah Noorani in Balochistan province, in an attack claimed by ISIL. Thursdays blast is the latest in a series of attacks across Pakistan since Monday, when 13 people were killed in a suicide bombing at a rally in the eastern city of Lahore. That attack was followed on Wednesday by a suicide bombing at a government office in the Mohmand tribal area and a suicide attack on government employees in Peshawar, killing six people. Two police officers were killed on Tuesday while trying to defuse a bomb in the Balochistan provincial capital of Quetta. Asif Ghafoor, spokesman for Pakistans army, blamed recent attacks on hostile powers. Writing on Twitter, he said that recent terrorist attacks were executed on direction from hostile powers and from sanctuaries in Afghanistan. We shall defend and respond, he said, later adding that the Pakistan-Afghanistan border was closed until further notice due to security reasons. Hamid Karzai, Afghanistans former president, took to Twitter to condemn the attack, calling the victims innocent brotherly people of Pakistan. Thursdays attack was the deadliest in Pakistan since December 2014, when fighters assaulted a school in Peshawar, killing 154 people, mostly schoolchildren. Additional reporting by Alia Chughtai and Asad Hashim Organisers in Philadelphia, Washington, Boston, Chicago and New York tell immigrants to miss class and work. Many immigrants across the United States are expected to stay at home from school and work for a day to show how critical they are to the countrys economy and way of life. Organisers in cities across the US are telling immigrants to miss class, work and not to shop on Thursday. A Day Without Immigrants actions are planned in cities including Philadelphia, Washington, Boston, Houston, Chicago and New York. The protest, that gained momentum on social media and by word of mouth, comes in response to US President Donald Trump, whose administration has pledged to increase the deportation of immigrants living in the country illegally. Trump campaigned on a promise to build a wall along the US-Mexico border, and blamed high unemployment on immigration. As president, he has tried to introduce a temporary ban on people from seven Muslim-majority countries entering the US. Employers and institutions in some cities were already expressing solidarity on Wednesday with immigrant workers. Organisers in Philadelphia said they expected hundreds of workers and their families to participate. Our goal is to highlight the need for Philadelphia to expand policies that stop criminalising communities of colour, said Erika Almiron, executive director of Juntos, a nonprofit group that works with the Latino immigrant community. What would happen if massive raids did happen? What would the city look like? Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney is among leaders in several cities who have vowed to maintain their sanctuary city status and declined to help federal law enforcement with deportation efforts. Some of Washington DCs restaurants are also closing for the day in solidarity with the protesters. For one single day on a weekday, we must come together and unite in absolute resistance in order to reject the system dictating the launch from dehumanisation and blatant oppression of those that are not straight, white, natural-born citizens, reads the social media call to action. The shutdown aims to show the world how crucial we are to the basic fundamentals of the United States economy, the Facebook post said. Restaurants in New York and Philadelphia have also said they will participate in the one-day protests. The call to boycott comes after last weeks series of immigration raids that rounded up almost 680 people three-quarters of them with a criminal record for expulsion. At least 11 million people live in the US without the required documentation. Undocumented immigrants make up about 9 percent of employees in the hotel and restaurant industry in 2014, according to the Pew Research Centre. Attack in area full of car dealerships and garages is the latest in renewed wave of blasts to strike the Iraqi capital. A car packed with explosives has blown up in the south of Baghdad, killing at least 55 people and wounding dozens more. The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group claimed responsibility for Thursdays attack, which came amid a renewed wave of violence in the Iraqi capital. Baghdad was rocked by a wave of deadly suicide bombings during the first days of 2017, but relatively few explosions had been reported since. Security sources said the vehicle that blew up was parked in a crowded street full of garages and used car dealers, in Bayaa neighbourhood in the southwest of the city. Iraqi officials said the bomb targeted car dealerships in the mostly Shia neighbourhood. The site of the bombing was an open space used as a second-hand car market where hundreds of private sellers park their vehicles and wait all day to discuss prices with prospective buyers. Terrorist car bomb The Amaq propaganda agency linked to ISIL, which has claimed nearly all such attacks recently, reported the blast and described it as targeting a gathering of Shias. A terrorist car bomb attack struck near car dealerships in Bayaa, a spokesperson for the Baghdad Operations Command said in a statement. An interior ministry official gave a death toll of 52 and said that more than 50 other people were also wounded. Hospital officials confirmed the figures. Security officials could be seen inspecting the site before the sun set, while some distressed civilians searched for relatives and others took pictures with their mobile phones of the large crater caused by the blast. SPECIAL SERIES: Iraq A deadly deception Another four attacks in and around Baghdad on Thursday killed eight people and wounded about 30, police and medical officials said. We condemn in the strongest possible terms the horrible terrorist attacks carried out by ISIS targeting a car dealership in Baghdad, the US state separtment said. Jan Kubis, the UNs top envoy in Iraq, said: Yet again, the terrorists are continuing with their carnage against innocent civilians. This is totally unacceptable. The latest bombings were also condemned by France, one of the main partners of the US in a coalition assisting Iraq in its battle against ISIL, whose fighters also control parts of neighbouring Syria. ISIL is currently defending the west bank of the northern city of Mosul, its last major urban stronghold in Iraq, against a huge offensive by the security forces. Four months into the broad military operation, Iraqs largest in years, elite forces have retaken the eastern side of the city and are preparing for an assault on the part of Mosul that lies west of the Tigris River. ISIL fighters have carried out diversionary attacks, such as raids in other towns and cities as well as bombings in Baghdad and elsewhere, in an apparent bid to stretch federal security forces and capture headlines. On Wednesday, a suicide bomber detonated a pick-up truck in Baghdads Sadr City suburb, killing at least 15 and wounding 50 more. And on Tuesday, a car-bomb explosion in southern Baghdad killed at least four people. Opposition senator releases proof that president and his family did not declare multiple deposits as required by law. An opposition senator has called on Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to publicly release details of bank accounts belonging to himself and family members in order to disprove allegations he had hidden deposits worth millions of dollars. Senator Antonio Trillanes IV told a news conference on Thursday that he was raising the issue once again, because Duterte has not yet disclosed details of an estimated $44m he allegedly kept in bank accounts as a former mayor of Davao City. Trillanes, a former military officer, first alleged that Duterte had unexplained wealth during the presidential campaign in 2016, adding that the current president failed to declare the deposits as required by law. Trillanes, one of Dutertes harshest critics and a navy officer once detained for a failed coup plot against a former president, said he would resign if Duterte can disprove the allegations. I know he will not release and he will not accept my challenge because it will be proven that he is really a corrupt official, Trillanes said. He also showed reporters transaction records of bank accounts belonging to his three adult children with his first wife, as well as that of his common-law wife, Cielito Salvador Avancena. Between 2003 to to 2016, Dutertes three children also reportedly received an estimated $7.5m in deposits, while Avancena received $3.8m in deposits from July 2004 to March 2016. Trillanes also revealed that the Duterte family received $2.4m from a Davao City businessman, who also contributed more than $600,000 to Dutertes campaign. Desperate claim Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said Duterte would not release those bank details in response to grandstanding but suggested the president may do so as part of a legal process. Duterte, who took office last June, has denied amassing ill-gotten wealth. Trillanes partymate Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, who ran as Dutertes vice presidential candidate, criticised the report as desperate attempt to stop the reforms of the president, according to Rappler News. During the campaign in May, Trillanes released documents he said were handed to him by a concerned citizen purportedly showing more than $40m flowed into Dutertes various bank accounts from 2006 to 2015, representing alleged unexplained wealth the mayor failed to declare as required by law. Trillanes and Dutertes lawyer then went to a branch of the Bank of the Philippines Islands, where Duterte and his daughter allegedly had an undeclared deposit of more than $4m in a joint account. Lawyer Salvador Panelo said Duterte had authorised him to request the bank to open the account but that bank officials told him it would take seven days to study the request. Trillanes said the account has not been opened to scrutiny. At that time, Duterte acknowledged he had around $4m in one bank account in Manila, but did not file a government declaration because he already spent it. He also said the deposits were birthday gifts. Duterte has projected himself as a politician who rose from poverty, and still lives a modest life in a rundown house in southern Davao city, where he was a longtime mayor. He has faced criticism for his brutal crackdown on illegal drugs that has left thousands of mostly poor suspected drug users dead. EU defence ministers agree to buy planes and submarines jointly and to open a new command centre for elite troops. European members of NATO have agreed to buy planes and submarines jointly and possibly open a new command headquarters for elite troops after the United States threatened to curtail its support unless Europe increased military spending by the end of the year. At Thursdays signing ceremonies in Brussels, defence ministers from France and Germany said they would buy Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules transport planes, while Germany, Belgium and Norway will join a Netherlands-led fleet of Airbus A330 tanker planes. A new command centre is also planned for Dutch, Belgian and Danish special forces that could be used by other NATO nations and which many countries outside the main European military powers of Britain, France and Germany do not have. The location of the new headquarters has not been decided, a NATO official said. Other plans include Norway and Germany buying a new class of submarines, known as U212As, that more effectively detect, track and fire at enemy submarines and ships on the water. Germany also agreed to joint training and deployments of land forces with the Czech Republic and Romania, with both countries set to provide a brigade of several thousand troops for a larger division under German leadership. This multinational cooperation through NATO is a clear way for countries to significantly improve their armed forces while ensuring the greatest value for money for their taxpayers, said Rose Gottemoeller, NATOs deputy secretary-general. Jim Mattis, the new US defence secretary, warned NATO allies on Wednesday that they must pay more towards their own defences or potentially see less support from the US. Jens Stoltenberg, NATO secretary-general, said allies faced a more demanding and challenging security environment that the alliance needed to respond to. This is a way to make what we do more efficient, and increase output, he said of the agreements signed. READ MORE: NATOs endgame in the Baltics The letters of intent, although not legally binding, are the latest sign that European allies are starting to end years of competing national strategies that have left Europe reliant on the US to provide such basics as refuelling combat planes in the air. Duplication is another problem, with EU militaries owning 19 types of armoured infantry fighting vehicles, compared with one in the US, while wasted funds amount to about $26bn a year, according to European Commission data. As part of a broader push to revitalise European defence cooperation following Russias 2014 annexation of Crimea and the rise of ISIL-linked violence on Europes borders, France agreed to allow Belgian and Dutch jets to fly into its airspace in the case of a conflict with a foreign threat. This means that a Belgian jet pursuing an enemy plane would no longer have to turn back at the French border. The Russian factor Al Jazeeras Neave Barker, reporting from Brussels, said the gathering was a chance for NATO members to find out how committed the US is to the bloc. It was also a chance to find out a little bit more about the new closeness between the Kremlin and Washington, he said. For his part, Mattis said on Thursday that Russia would remain at arms length in terms of military cooperation. We are not in a position right now to collaborate on a military level, but our political leaders will engage and try to find a common ground, he said. Al Jazeera investigation reveals the growing problem of sexual misconduct in the Philippines powerful Catholic church. Sexual misconduct in the Catholic church is a growing problem in the Philippines, an Al Jazeera investigation has revealed, and priests suspected of abuse are seldom prosecuted. Oscar Cruz, a retired archbishop overseeing the investigation, told Al Jazeeras 101 East programme that in recent years more cases had come to the churchs attention. Yes, yes, yes [there are] more reports on paedophilia and homosexuality, Cruz said. It is a heinous crime, you know. And a priest at that? Violating a minor? Come on! READ MORE: Shocking scale of Catholic Church sex crimes revealed in Australia For centuries, the Catholic church has wielded considerable influence in the Philippines, with more than 80 percent of a 100 million-strong population following the faith. If clerical abuse victims take on the most powerful institution in the Philippines, it is a David and Goliath battle, 101 Easts Drew Ambrose, reporting from the capital Manila, said. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Imelda said she was sexually assaulted by a priest three years ago, when she was 15. After she filed a police report, two members from her village church paid her $150 to drop the case, she alleged. At first, I didnt really want to accept the money because I already knew it was from a priest, but they were so insistent that I take the money, she said. Jaime Achacoso, a lawyer and expert on the Catholic Churchs canon law, said priests found guilty of sexual misconduct had not been removed from ministry. Oh yes, they werent, unfortunately. And the inadequate investigations in the past have festered, so things have not been solved, he told Al Jazeera. Priests continue to be there. Scale of abuse unknown Merian Aldea, an outreach worker helping victims of abuse, said some of them had barely started school and were often terrified to speak out. The youngest is six. They are afraid they will be cursed or God will curse them if they go against these people. Observers say that is just one reason why the full scale of abuse by Filipino priests may never be known. The Vatican and the Archbishops of Manila and Cebu refused to comment on the investigation. Among the most high-profile accusations of abuse was one from Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who has repeatedly said the church hierarchy are hypocrites. Duterte said that, during his teenage years, he and other male classmates were molested by an American priest while attending a Jesuit school in his hometown of Davao. This religion is not so sacred, he was quoted as saying. He also said he was too young and frightened to file a complaint against the priest, who was later linked to similar abuse after he returned to the United States. GREENE COUNTY, Mississippi -- A 37-year-old Greene County man has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole after a jury found him guilty of capital murder in the death of Donovan Ray Cowart. Cowart went missing from his George County home at the age of 27 in January 2013. His dismembered body was discovered more than two years later wrapped in a tarp in a Greene County beaver pond. Welford Lee "Pork Chop" McCarty, reportedly a gang member, was accused of shooting Cowart in the face with a shotgun at close range, then later dismembering Cowart's body before dumping it in the pond. McCarty was also found guilty of desecration of a corpse and was sentenced to an additional three years on that charge. He was also fined $5,000. During the trial, witnesses testified that McCarty wanted to kill Cowart because he believed Cowart had become an informant for law enforcement. McCarty's co-defendant in the case, Robert Virgil Stephens, testified for the prosecution after reaching a plea deal which will result a sentence of 20-30 years in state prison. According to reports, Stephens told the jury he helped McCarty dig up the body from its original makeshift grave and chop it up into pieces which were then placed in multiple trash bags. The trash bags, in turn, were placed inside a tarp with cinder blocks to weigh it down. The body was moved, Stephens said, because McCarty was fearful investigators would search his property where the murder took place. "There were so many issues in this case that the jury couldn't hear because of our rules of evidence," said district attorney Tony Lawrence. "I am proud that the jury took the time to listen to, analyze and deliberate on the evidence that was presented in this case. "The death of Donovan Cowart ago was another sad chapter in showing those who are on drugs and in gangs commit acts of violence against others in our community. The family has waited four years to find out what happened to Donovan Cowart and while I know this won't bring him back, I hope it will give them some peace that the justice system worked in holding McCarty accountable for Donovan's death." Assistant district attorney Bill Barret praised the work of the law enforcement agencies involved in the case. "I commend the joint effort and cooperation between the Greene County Sheriff's Department, George County Sheriff's Department and the FBI Safe Streets Task Force," Barret said. "These agencies worked for the last four years to locate Donovan Cowart and to determine who killed him." Heavy Russian attacks reported after rebels try to obstruct Syrian government bid to retake strategic border crossing. Russias military has carried out waves of air strikes in recent days on rebel-held areas of the southern Syrian city of Deraa, say anti-government fighters and witnesses. Russian jets targeted rebel-held areas of Deraa for two days after Syrian opposition groups on Sunday stormed the heavily garrisoned Manshiya district in a campaign that sought to obstruct any army attempts to capture a strategic border crossing with Jordan from the opposition. A rebel source said that there were at least 30 Russian sorties on Tuesday, thwarting further rebel gains in the heavily defended enclave that had allowed them so far to secure significant parts of the Manshiya. When the regime began to lose control of some areas the Russian jets began their operations, said Ibrahim Abdullah, a senior rebel commander. Al Jazeera could not independently confirm the reported Russian assault. SPECIAL SERIES: The boy who started the Syrian war The armys control of the rebel-held crossing and chunks of territory in the southern strip of Deraa would sever the rebel link between the eastern and west parts of the province. The Syrian army said the terrorists had failed to make gains and its troops had inflicted many casualties. The opposition fighters are drawn from both moderate Free Syrian Army groups and members of a newly formed alliance Tahrir al-Sham. The fighting spread across other parts of Deraa as rebels fired mortars on government-controlled parts of the province. Ground-to-ground missiles were also deployed from army barracks to hit rebel-held quarters of Deraa, residents said. The battles inside the city are the most intense since an alliance of mainstream rebels, known as the Southern Front, who are backed by western and Arab foes of President Bashar al-Assad, launched an unsuccessful large-scale military campaign to capture the whole city in 2015. The Syrian army has so far failed to recapture the border crossing, a once thriving passenger and commercial gateway with Jordan, despite repeated efforts. READ MORE: Syrias civil war explained At least half of the southern province is in the hands of FSA fighters but groups affiliated with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant group (ISIL) have a foothold in an area to the west of Deraa in the Wadi Yarmouk area, near the Golan Heights. Aid workers said fighter jets hit a western-funded field hospital in Deraa and raids killed at least seven members of one family in the border area, where many residents fled in the early days of the Syrian conflict. The Washington-based International Rescue Committee, which supports the hospital that was targeted, said in a statement that four health workers were injured in the attack. Talks in Astana The fighting in Deraa comes against a backdrop of renewed diplomatic activity. Russia, Turkey and Iran are hosting the second round of talks in Kazakhstans capital, Astana, on extending the Syrian ceasefire. Syrias opposition delegation said it received a commitment from the Russians that they would immediately halt their air strikes on areas held by the opposition. The head of the Syrian government delegation blamed rebel negotiators for a lack of overall progress after they arrived late to the talks. Haid Haid, an associate fellow with the Middle East and North Africa Programme at the London-based Chatham House, says the prospects of the talks achieving any real solution to the Syrian conflict are lacking due to virtually no common ground between Turkey, Russia and Iran. Speaking to Al Jazeera, he said: In order to implement the ceasefire, they have to punish those who violate ceasefires. And Russia and Iran do not want to put any pressure on the Syrian regime There are no enforcement mechanisms that could be a stepping stone to a political solution. Five years since the conflict began, more than 450,000 Syrians have been killed in the fighting, more than a million injured and over 12 million Syrians half the countrys prewar population have been displaced from their homes. At least 18 arrested for providing shelter and funds to ISIL fighters and for recruitment in different parts of kingdom. Saudi Arabia has broken up four ISIL-linked cells suspected of providing shelter and funds to wanted fighters, and recruiting fighters, according to local news media reports citing the interior ministry. Automatic weapons were seized from the four cells, which comprised 15 Saudis, two Yemenis and a Sudanese man, the Saudi Press Agency quoted the ministry as saying on Thursday. Security forces also seized more than $500,000 in cash, the reports said. The crackdown, which began on Saturday, targeted the ISIL cells that had been operating in the regions of Mecca, Medina, Qassim and the capital Riyadh, according to Mansour al-Turki, the Saudi interior ministry spokesman. Among those helped to hide by the cells was Taye al-Sayari, one of two suspected fighters killed in a security operation in Riyadh last month. READ MORE: Saudi forces kill suspected ISIL fighters near Mecca Cell members were [also] active in choosing and conducting surveillance of targets and passing information to the organisation abroad, promoting the deviant group and recruiting members for the organisation and inciting them to fight in areas of struggle, the statement said. Local Saudi affiliates of ISIL, or the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant group, which is based in Iraq and Syria, have carried out several deadly shootings and bombings in the kingdom. Many have targeted security personnel and Shia mosques. Saudi Arabia says it has arrested hundreds of ISIL members. ISIL is bitterly hostile to the Arab Gulf governments, which suspect it of trying to stoke a Sunni-Shia sectarian confrontation to destabilise and ultimately topple their governments. More than 46,000 people go back to homes in east of city despite fierce fighting between ISIL and government forces. More than 46,000 people who fled Iraqs Mosul as fighting raged have returned to the eastern part of the city over the past two weeks in an attempt to restart their lives. US-backed Iraqi government forces say they have now taken a quarter of Mosul from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant group, though fighting in parts of the east continues. ISIL still largely controls the western side of city, which is divided by the River Tigris. Al Jazeeras Osama Bin Javaid, reporting from the outskirts of Mosul, said that people were determined to return despite the risks. They prefer to go back home rather than staying .. in camps .. or with extended family, he said. ISIL propaganda has showed recent drone hits and mortars being fired towards areas now under Iraqi control. Many here feel air strikes and shelling have caused most of the damage to their city. READ MORE: Thousands more Iraqis flee Mosul battles Social media was being used to mobilise returning residents to rebuild the city. In many neighbourhoods, cleaning campaigns are being organised, but with so much destruction and so little money, they can only do so much, Javaid said. The United Nations said on Wednesday that it was temporarily halting aid operations to neighbourhoods in the east that are under constant attack from ISIL fighters. UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq, Lise Grande, said UN agencies had made the decision that until security improves it will be difficult for us to provide assistance. While life is resuming in some eastern Mosul neighbourhoods, more than 140,000 people are still displaced and hundreds of thousands are trapped in the western ISIL-held part of the city as fighting continues. Preparations are under way to launch an offensive on the west, which is expected be more difficult because of the density of the population and the narrow streets and alleyways through which armoured vehicles cannot pass. Last month, the UN World Food Programme cut food rations, which are distributed to 1.4 million displaced Iraqis, by 50 percent because of delays in payments from donor countries. The impact is already being seen in camps east of Mosul, which is ISILs last major stronghold in northern Iraq. READ MORE: Mosul University after ISIL Damaged but defiant ISIL is now intensifying attacks in government-held parts of the east, and government security forces are conducting house-to-house searches to find its sleeper cells. Mosul is still home to nearly 1.5 million people, many of whom are trapped by the fighting. US President Donald Trump would back single-state solution to Israeli-Palestinian conflict if both sides agree. US President Donald Trump has broken with more than two decades of American support for a two-state solution between Israelis and Palestinians. He would be happy with one. Where does that leave international support for the two-state option? And where does it leave any efforts to resolve the conflict? Presenter: Hazem Sika Guests: Natan Sachs fellow in the Centre for Middle East Policy at Brookings Institution Oded Eran senior research fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies Amer Zahr a law professor at the University of Detroit About 6,000 people, packed into the OConnell Center on Wednesday night, were invited to rush the stage by Lil Yachtys entourage and then forced back into their seats. Security and staff struggled to contain the charging students at the start of the Big Sean and Lil Yachty concert, hosted by Student Government Productions and the Black Student Union. Big Sean was paid $130,000 to perform, and Lil Yachty was paid $30,000, according to Alligator archives. At about 8 p.m., as the nights rst song began, DJ Oreo, who was on the stage with Lil Yachty, encouraged all real Lil Yachty fans to come to the front. Attendees immediately began jumping over barricades and rushed the stage. Eventually, the lights came on and the music was cut while security slowly forced attendees back into their seats as several booed. About 15 minutes after the commotion, the show began again. Emma Austin, 19, said she would have enjoyed the show more if she could have stayed near the stage after running from her seat. They said the show wouldnt begin again until everybody left the oor, the UF health science sophomore said. Even though Lil Yachty asked us to come down. It was disappointing. Lil Yachty, wearing a sweatshirt with mother f----- printed on the front, continued to encourage the crowd. I wanna see everybody in this motherf----- put their middle ngers up in the air, he shouted. During his song Minnesota, he ran into the stands, signing autographs and taking selfies for about five minutes before police officers escorted him back to the stage with the arenas house lights on again. Big Sean began performing at about 9:15 p.m., about 20 minutes after Lil Yachty left the stage. Big Sean opened with Moves, a single off his latest album. Banee Louis, 18, said she was excited to hear that Big Sean, who she calls her husband, was coming to UF. She likes that his songs have meaning, she said. Although she didnt think the seats she had for the concert were good, she was still excited to finally see the performer. Louis said she feels a connection to his song Bigger Than Me, which is about pressures to make his family and hometown proud. I feel like it kind of relates to me, being here at UF, the UF psychology freshman said. Enjoy what you're reading? Get content from The Alligator delivered to your inbox Subscribe Now Camya Robinson, 18, was surprised when she found out Big Sean would be coming to campus. You know how some people, they rap and theyre not really talking about anything, theyre just making words rhyme? the UF wildlife ecology and conservation freshman said. I feel like Big Sean has a story to tell with his music. rellenbogen@alligator.org @romyellenbogen Rapper Lil Yachty takes a selfie with a girl in the crowd of about 6,000. He made an impromptu visit to the crowd during the performance on Wednesday, exciting fans before he was escorted backstage by security. Three civil rights activists visited UF on Wednesday, telling a small crowd of about 25 a story of how a movement is rising up against systemic racism in Brazil. The visitors, three black women who traveled from their South American home country, spoke of underrepresentation in Brazilian universities. Ana Luiza Mahin, a Cuban studies scholar attending the Federal University Fluminese in Rio De Janerio, put the issue into numbers. Just 6 percent of Brazils university students are black, she said. But change is happening, she said. Some are organizing a movement called Black Occupation, a free space to discuss racism, sexuality and class. All over the country we are organizing ourselves and we are fighting against racism in universities in Brazil, Mahin said. The UF Center for Latin American Studies hosted Mahin and her fellow activists, Annie Gonzaga Lorde and Jessica Ipolito, at UFs Ulster Hall. Tanya Saunders, a professor at the center, said having the activists on campus was important because theyre key figures in Brazils social movements. Ipolito an Afro-Latin American woman and the author of the popular blog about beauty, racism and sexuality said she was one of the first people in Brazil to speak openly on the internet about her struggles. Im black, lesbian, fat and a writer, the 25-year-old said as she introduced herself. Lorde, 30, described herself as a black, lesbian activist, artist and mother. She grew up in a black slum in Brazil and said she recalls frequent police brutality. It is in this context that I started drawing, Lorde said. It was an expression of my reality. Enjoy what you're reading? Get content from The Alligator delivered to your inbox Subscribe Now Stephanie Brook, a 20-year-old UF business sophomore, said she attended the event because after living in Brazil for eight years, she was aware of the countrys racism but thought it wasnt as bad as in the U.S. This presentation really opened my eyes to a side of racism in Brazil that I havent re- ally experienced, and it made me sad to think that black students are struggling so much in a country that I hold so close to my heart, she said. Decades after their hangings, 19 lynching victims will soon be honored with memorials throughout Alachua County. County commissioners hope to move forward with a plan after unanimously agreeing to honor the victims, who had been killed in the county as far back as 1891. The most notorious of them was the 1916 killing of eight in Newberry. At least one of the victims was white, although the victims of lynchings were typically black. The goal is to place memorials close to an estimated location of where lynchings have occurred, said Robert Hutch Hutchinson, a county commissioner. We cant allow our history to escape us, Hutchinson said. Although an official plan is still being created, one idea is to place fixed markers with website links that lead to a story of the persons life, Hutchinson said. The projects estimated cost is between $20,000 and $30,000, Hutchinson said. He hopes the money will come from private sources. The Alachua County Historical Commission will meet March 13 to discuss plans about the memorial, said Kathleen Pagan, a liaison for the historical commission. It will research the names of those who were killed before the project can be officially recommended, Pagan said. Patricia Hilliard-Nunn, an adjunct professor with the UF African American Studies program, has done extensive research on the 1916 Newberry lynching. Florida has the highest number of recorded lynchings, per capita, throughout the history of the U.S., Hilliard-Nunn said. When we establish memorials, it is critical to address their history and their personal story as well, Hilliard-Nunn said. It helps to educate people about what happened. While memorializing these events is important, its also necessary to commemorate the African-American culture that helped to build Alachua County, Hilliard-Nunn said. Enjoy what you're reading? Get content from The Alligator delivered to your inbox Subscribe Now I think its important that we do something that gives a holistic perspective on the lives of African-Americans, she said. If you dont remember the past, youre doomed to repeat it. @chesnesmax mchesnes@alligator.org After more than 680 undocumented immigrants were arrested across the country last week, rumors of raids in Gainesville have circulated through the city. But they arent true, according to the central and northern Florida public affairs officer for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE. ICE has not conducted any law enforcement actions in the Gainesville area, Spicer wrote in an email. Reuters reported on the nationwide raids Feb. 13. The rumors of similar events in Gainesville, which have raised concern among residents, allege ICE officials raided two construction sites in the city and picked up undocumented workers there. On Monday, about 24 people gathered at the Emmanuel Mennonite Church, located at 1236 NW 18th Ave., to discuss what could be done to help immigrants who they believed had been arrested. Richard MacMaster, the groups coordinator, said he heard from a Gainesville Sun reporter that undocumented workers were picked up earlier in the day from at least two construction sites on Southwest 13th Street, one belonging to Trimark Properties and the other to UF Health Shands Hospital. We worked hard to make Gainesville a Welcoming City, and (the raids) run counter to the spirit of the community. Rossana Passaniti, a Shands spokesperson said she has listened as rumors circulated, but to her knowledge, no ICE officials have come to the site. I have no idea how that rumor got started, she said. @merylkornfield mkornfield@alligator.org Enjoy what you're reading? Get content from The Alligator delivered to your inbox Subscribe Now Today, Im in Boston with UF alumni celebrating the induction of five UF faculty members as fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. The AAAS is the worlds largest general scientific society, and this weeks meeting has 10,000 attendees. UF now has 51 AAAS fellows, an indicator of our excellence in science and engineering. As I attend this gathering and prepare for next weeks National Science Board meeting in Washington, D.C., I am struck by our nations good fortune in having great research universities, both public and private. Within the U.S., there are more than 4,600 colleges and universities; however, only 300 are research (doctoral) universities, categorized by the Carnegie Classification into moderate, higher and highest research. UF is in the highest research category. Our nations greatest research universities are expensive. They require annual revenues in the multiple billions of dollars to fund the worlds very best scholars, researchers, educators, graduate assistants, staff, libraries, laboratories, infrastructure and programs. This money comes from a variety of sources, including federal and state governments, annual philanthropy, endowment and tuition. However, without the investment in these great research universities, our society, economy and nation would be impoverished. There would be no hope of solving humanitys greatest challenges, including providing all the worlds people with health, food, water, shelter, energy, education and a sustainable environment. Without our nations great research universities, our culture, economy and lives would dim. Earlier this week, I spoke to the Economic Club of Florida about the economic impact of research universities. I said that as of Monday, Apples market value was $700 billion. The No. 2 company was Google parent Alphabet Inc. The iPhone accounts for two-thirds of Apples sales and three-quarters of its operating profit. Since the iPhones first release 10 years ago, it has had nearly $1 trillion in sales. Without research universities, the iPhone and all other smartphones would not exist. A smartphones hardware consists of six essential components, all invented by university researchers: touchscreen, central processing unit, multi-core processors, random access memory, GPS and battery. For example, John Atanasoff, an electrical engineering graduate from UF, is one of the university researchers credited with inventing the CPU. At UF, we are one of the nations leading universities in making discoveries and inventions that help to propel the economy. Last year, private companies that licensed UF technologies pumped nearly $2.3 billion into the states economy, according to our most recent economic impact study. UF is indeed one of the nations great research universities. However, our aspirations are higher. Our plan is to be not just one of the greatest, but the very best. UF has a plan to reach the top in providing an education for students, in research and scholarship that changes the world, and in engaging with the public across the state and around the globe. We have established a set of metrics and a timeline for success. Floridians deserve a university that is truly the greatest. It is great to be a Florida Gator. Kent Fuchs is the UF president. His column appears monthly. Enjoy what you're reading? Get content from The Alligator delivered to your inbox Subscribe Now The House voted to overturn a federal rule that barred some appalling practices, including denning of wolf pups, killing hibernating bears, spotting grizzly bears from aircraft and then shooting them after landing, and trapping grizzly bears and black bears with steel-jawed leghold traps and snares. Photo by Alamy 3.2K shares What the U.S. House of Representatives did today actually a very narrow majority of the House was shameful. Cruel. Callous. Venal. The vote in favor of H.J. Resolution 69, authored by Alaskas Rep. Don Young, was 225 to 193. Those 225 members voted to overturn a federal rule years in the works, and crafted by professional wildlife managers at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to stop some of the most appalling practices ever imagined in the contemporary era of wildlife management. Denning of wolf pups, killing hibernating bears, spotting grizzly bears from aircraft and then shooting them after landing, and trapping grizzly bears and black bears with steel-jawed leghold traps and snares. The stuff of wildlife snuff films. And not just on any land. On our countrys national wildlife refuges. More specifically, on 16 national wildlife refuges covering 76 million acres, all in the state of Alaska. Republican lawmakers did this for the NRA, the Safari Club, and some hunting guides and outfitters. There were 10 Republicans who voted against the majority position Reps. Dan Donovan and Peter King of New York, Frank LoBiondo, Tom MacArthur, and Chris Smith of New Jersey, Martha McSally of Arizona, Dave Reichert of Washington, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, and Fred Upton of Michigan. We thank them for their compassion and courage. There were five Democrats who voted with the Republican majority Reps. Henry Cuellar, Vicente Gonzalez and Filemon Vela of Texas, Ron Kind of Wisconsin, and Collin Peterson of Minnesota even as a parade of Democratic lawmakers called out the cruelty and said the behavior in question was unconscionable and unthinkable. Some members favoring the Young resolution cloaked their vote behind the mantle of states rights. But the states dont have a right to dictate what happens on our national wildlife refuges. Whats the point of having a national wildlife refuge if the federal professional wildlife staff there automatically default to the management authority of the state? Congresswoman Niki Tsongas of Massachusetts, whose late husband, Sen. Paul Tsongas, helped write the Alaska National Interests Land Conservation Act (to create a good share of these refuges), specifically stated that Congress never intended to cede complete wildlife management authority to the states. In this case, Alaska has a bloodthirsty Board of Game, whose members enthusiastically implement a draconian policy called Intensive Management. That policy dictates that state managers drive down wolf, bear, and coyote numbers to boost caribou and moose numbers for hunters turning Alaskas wildlife refuges into what retired Arctic National Wildlife biologist Fran Mauer calls game farms the very thing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service acted to stop through a rigorous, science-based, and legal federal rulemaking process that was overturned by todays vote. [Trump administration opens Alaskas national preserves to cruel practices like trophy-hunting denning bears and wolves and their cubs; proposes disbanding protections on Kenai Wildlife Refuge] The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service shouldnt run refuges like game farms, as Alaskan officials want to do. If Congressman Young who conceded on the House floor today that he personally killed wolves in their dens for federal pay years ago thinks he can prevail in court, then he can have at it. But dont come to the floor with a half-baked , ahistorical theory that is very unlikely to withstand scrutiny in our federal courts. In addition to making a phony states rights argument, Young and his allies argued that denning and land-and-shoot hunting dont occur. If thats true, why were they concerned about the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service rule? If it was only cosmetic, do they want to take up the finite time the U.S. Congress has to try to make rhetorical points? These practices do occur, especially trapping of bears and land-and-shoot killing. Alaska has permitted slaughtering wolves and bears by inhumane means for more than two decades, since the end of the term of humane-minded Gov. Tony Knowles, who won two terms in the state even as an outspoken advocate for ending aerial gunning, land-and-shoot hunting, and other despicable practices. In the post-Knowles era, politicians there have called for wiping out entire packs of wolves around Denali National Park and now the Alaska Board of Game is working to cleanse the Kenai Peninsula of wolves too. I offer my sincerest thanks to so many lawmakers who stood up to this cruelty practices that are to wildlife management what cockfighting and dogfighting are to the management of domesticated animals. Only the U.S. Senate and President Trump can now stop this unwinding of a decision by a professional wildlife management agency. Please contact your U.S. Senators and tell them to steer clear of a disgraceful resolution, and to honor limits in the conduct of wildlife policy in the United States of America. Shock Top will sponsor a beer and yoga event through local studio Flow Space on the ooZoo rooftop Saturday from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Participants will learn a series of yoga poses that can be done while holding a beer bottle. I hope everyone is going to be laughing a lot, thats my goal, said Maggie Rucker, a yoga instructor and co-owner of Flow Space. This class is a prototype for future classes, Rucker said. This is sort of like a trial class, Rucker said. It blew up on Facebook. Over 500 people were interested in a couple of days, but only 30 spots on the (ooZoo) rooftop. Rucker is already planning to host similar classes in the future and is hoping to make it a biweekly event. This class is definitely friendly to even the people who have never done yoga before, Rucker said. Thats the beauty of something like this. The alcohol allows people to lower their walls and lets them feel looser in their body and their mind, Rucker said. You can do some really fun things with the beer, Rucker said. You can balance it on your hand or your head, and you can also takes sips during poses or challenging transitions. An hour of yoga and a beer will cost $5. This Saturdays event is already full, and it has been since two days after the Facebook event was posted. Enjoy what you're reading? Get content from The Alligator delivered to your inbox Subscribe Now We might have to change it to Sunday if it rains, Rucker said. There might be a turnover because some people cant make it on Sunday. If we do change it, it will be around noon on Sunday. Even though this weeks class is already full, future classes are already being planned. It got so popular we do want to do it again, Rucker said. Hopefully every other week or every month even. To guarantee your spot in the next class thats offered, you should reserve and pay for your place online, Rucker said. If waiting a few more Saturdays to get the brewga fix isnt an option, yoga instructor Kelsey Anhalt is hosting Tipples Tipsy Beer Yoga on Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and spots are still available. This event, which takes place at Tipples Brews, is $20 for hundreds of beers and an hourlong class, Anhalt said. With Gainesvilles heavy concentration of breweries and millennials, it seems like brewga was a trend just waiting to happen. Alternative forms of fitness are so popular right now, Rucker said. Starting slow is a really good idea, learning the basic things, so that when you go and take a class you feel comfortable and confident. The event is for those 21 and over with a valid ID, and participants are encouraged to bring their own mats. Indie pop-punk band Lemurias debut album, Get Better, may be 10 years old, but its the bands use of gut-wrenchingly honest lyrics to combat themes of hope and loss that make the album stand the test of time. Lemuria will be playing at Looseys on Feb. 24 as part of its Get Better 10-Year Anniversary Tour. Gainesville fans will be able to hear the entirety of the album, as well as Philly indie pop-punk band Cayetana and Mikey Erg, of the band The Ergs! Randy Reddell, a promoter for Looseys who helped set up the concert, recommends fans arrive early if they havent yet bought a ticket due to the shows high demand. Concert-goers should just expect a really fun, positive, welcoming vibe from the venue and bands, Reddell said. It should be pretty packed with lots of sweaty singing and dancing. New Jersey native Mikey Erg, real name Mike Yannich, is an established punk-rocker whose resume includes a lengthy list of influential bands and artists that he has collaborated with, including The Ergs!, The Dopamines, Dirt Bike Annie, The LLC and Gainesville local Laura Jane Grace from Against Me! Laura got in touch with me and said we should hang out when I came through her town on tour; she then picked me up and immediately played me a couple of songs, and I played along on her daughters drum kit, Erg said. We ended up demoing four songs, a couple of which ultimately ended up on Transgender Dysphoria Blues. Erg said his old band, The Ergs!, had toured with Lemuria 10 years ago when Get Better had just been released and the members in Cayetana used to book Lemurias shows, so it was the component of playing with friends that has made this tour so enjoyable. This tour was rad because we all met up on day one and hugged each other and said, Lets have an adventure, Erg said. It really was like meeting up with family to go on a road trip. Ergs set will include songs from his recent solo album, Tentative Decisions, which consists of 11 songs that Erg said contain the general theme of reflection and looking back at past experiences in his life. The reaction has been really incredible, most shows have been packed and the audiences have been really warm, Erg said. Ive also ended up seeing a lot of old friends that I havent seen the last couple of years Ive come through towns, which has been my favorite part of this tour. Lemurias Alex Kerns (drummer/vocalist) and Sheena Ozzella (guitarist/vocalist) have worked together since the bands 2004 origin, when a high school friendship formed out of their mutual love of punk rock. Kerns said that while they had a different bassist in the beginning, they met their current bassist, Max Gregor, who was a high-school student doing sound for one of their shows, and he ultimately became a part of their band. Were not only best friends but we are family, weve been friends so long that we know how to disagree without arguing, Kerns said. For half of the bands life we havent lived in the same time zone, but we still make sure to all get together and work on new songs and tour. Enjoy what you're reading? Get content from The Alligator delivered to your inbox Subscribe Now Kerns, who had recently dealt with the loss of a loved one when Get Better was first released, said that replaying the album on tour has been refreshing. Its nice to have the hard feelings of my past conveniently organized into songs, Kerns said. Music wasnt only the outlet for my troubles, but also a cage for them. Unlike a lot of recent bands that have been going on anniversary tours to live off of the nostalgia of early-2000s punk, Lemuria is still producing quality music 10 years later. This includes a new album being released at the end of the year and a scene in a movie that drummer/vocalist Alex Kerns said is currently in production. Kerns said that his hopes for this tour is that for anyone who takes the night off from studying or a couple who finds a babysitter to finally get a night out, that their show is something that helps them mentally escape from their daily stress and worry. The 18-and-older show opens at 9 p.m., and tickets can be bought in advance from ticketfly.com for $12 or $14 at the door. By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy Your novels first page is the last chance you get to hook your reader. Writing your first page might be one ... Progressives and liberals do not tolerate beliefs or actions they consider unjust, yet they demand conservatives do so. Nearly every criticism of Islam is met with a chorus of condemnation from Democrats (and distress from some Republican "moderates"). This is not only wrong, but highly irresponsible. Opposition to Islam is no different than opposition to communism, or fascism, or any other belief system that seeks to control human conduct. Every American (indeed, every human being on Earth) has basic human rights -- the unalienable rights to life, liberty, and property -- and every belief system with principles that violate these rights is unjust. In short, anti-communism, anti-fascism, and anti-Islam are the logical, fact-based positions for every rational person seeking justice, whether in America or anywhere else in the world. Nevertheless, Progressives and liberals personally attack the critics of Islam, vilify them, and falsely accuse them of "Islamophobia." Clearly, this accusation is nonsense. Opposition to the beliefs held by an individual or group is not a phobia, nor is opposition to the actions of an individual or group, including the customs followed by people. Progressives and liberals, though, insist that opposition to Islam is based on fear, or hate, or both. Again, this is nonsense. Opposition to Islam is based on knowledge, not fear or hate. Ultimately, claiming that people who oppose Islam are "Islamophobic" is as ridiculous as claiming that people who oppose Marxism and Nazism are "Marxophobic" and "Nazophobic." Now, while many Progressives and liberals refuse to address the legitimate reasons why people oppose Islam, some take a different approach; basically, they acknowledge the dangers and injustices of Islam, but they also invoke the Protestant Reformation that occurred in the 16th century, and they argue that people in the West must wait -- however long it takes -- for some version of an Islamic reformation. But this argument is false on many points; two in particular. First. The Protestant Reformation was marked by a rejection of relatively new developments in Christianity; it did not involve a reinterpretation of Christ's teachings. Second. The central text of Islam, the Koran, claims to be the final word of god. So, while some Muslims have been trying for years to reinterpret the Koran and "reform" Islam, true believers have never and will never accept such a change because it would represent a rejection of their god. The Koran simply cannot have a single error and still honestly be called the word of god, and the Koran's original meaning (which also was its continued meaning, for century after century) cannot be erroneous, if Islam is true. To clarify, Islam has always held that an angel (Gabriel) revealed the word of god (the Koran) to a prophet (Muhammad). And indisputably, god would not have allowed either the angel or the prophet to make a mistake and then -- in the name of god -- spread a false message to the people of the world. Notably, Christianity does not have this burden. For example, the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) as written have been dated many decades after Christ's resurrection, and none of the authors were prophets. Therefore, for the sake of argument, it logically is possible for a Christian to believe that some of the specifics in the various Christian texts (written by men and not finally agreed upon by the church until centuries later) could be erroneous, while still believing (like the earliest Christians) that Christ is the Lord. As for Islam, the Koran instructs Muslims to violate the most basic of human rights. For example, among other things, the Koran instructs men to hit women, and not in the context of self-defense only when necessary, but merely for disobedience. (See Koran 4:34.) Additionally, Sharia law -- derived from the Koran (and from the words and conduct of Muhammad) -- imposes severe injustices. With regard to relations between Muslims and non-Muslims, the Koran instructs Muslims to engage in jihad, which imposes a duty to fight nonbelievers (see Koran 2:216; 4:76; 9:5), and to continue fighting until Islam is supreme (see Koran 8:39; 9:29; 61:9). Consequently, after the Koran was revealed in the 7th century, Muslims spread Islam with violence -- by waging "holy war" against nonbelievers -- throughout the Middle East, northern Africa, and southern Europe. (For holy war, see Sahih Muslim 19:4294 and Sahih al-Bukhari 53:392.) Furthermore, the Koran promises Muslims eternal paradise for killing, and being killed, in the fight against nonbelievers for Islamic supremacy. (See Koran 9:111.) This promise is a key source of the Islamic terrorism plaguing the world today. Essentially, these Muslims are waging holy war against the United States and other nations in the 21st century, and they are doing so following the Koran as it had originally been interpreted by Muslims in the 7th century. There was a time when some on the political left understood the dangers of Islam. For example, Samuel P. Huntington, a highly-respected political scientist and lifelong Democrat, served in the administration of President Jimmy Carter. In his 1996 book, The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order, Huntington wrote, "Some Westerners, including President Bill Clinton, have argued that the West does not have problems with Islam but only with violent Islamic extremists. Fourteen hundred years of history demonstrate otherwise." He added, "The underlying problem for the West is not Islamic fundamentalism. It is Islam." And he concluded, "Wherever one looks along the perimeter of Islam [Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa], Muslims have problems living peaceably with their neighbors." In the years since Huntington provided the West with that warning, the situation has become even worse, especially in Europe. Unfortunately, the current Progressive-liberal positions on Islam are not based on reality. History has shown that when people wait too long before facing unpleasant facts, the consequences are deadly. In the 1930s, as the Nazis in Germany were preparing for conquest, the leaders in the United Kingdom and France adopted policies of appeasement, based on their hope for peace and their belief that confrontation would provoke the fascists into committing further injustices. One voice of reason, Winston Churchill, repeatedly spoke in favor of the United Kingdom taking strong measures to counter the dangers of fascism. For several years, though, Churchill was denounced by the political establishment, the media, and the public. However, time proved Churchill right and his detractors wrong. A key lesson from history for dealing with an unjust belief system like communism, fascism, or Islam is the importance of describing the system with complete honesty and developing policies based on that honest description. During the Cold War, roughly one-third of the world was communist, yet that did not stop Ronald Reagan from labeling communism a disease, and then as president, labeling the Soviet Union an evil empire. Reagan was denounced by Progressives and liberals who claimed that such comments were endangering America by making communists more hostile than ever. Today, when attacking the critics of Islam, Progressives and liberals are using (with slight variations) many of the arguments that were used against Churchill and Reagan. Moreover, President Trump's efforts to date have been met with protests and the use of slogans like "hope over fear" and "love trumps hate." But hope is not a policy. Neither is love. And to repeat, opposition to Islam is based on knowledge, not fear or hate. The clock is running; the time to accurately describe Islam and develop policies accordingly is long overdue. Paul Pauker is the author of Morality and Law in America. He also runs a site dedicated to advancing the unalienable rights to life, liberty, and property. Taking a walk on the wild side, I happened upon MSNBCs "Morning Joe" during my morning drive. Not my first choice in news, but my other favorite radio stations were on commercial break. Senator Bob Corker was being interviewed over the Michael Flynn resignation. Senator Corker asserted, The base issue is getting to the bottom of what the Russian interference was and what the relationship was with associates of the Trump effort. The proverbial elephant in the room as the senator described it. He also wondered if the White House would have the ability to, stabilize itself. He went further talking about the American people counting on us to do big things this year. He did briefly mention intelligence leaks, as a subissue that needs to be dealt with using his words. But then reiterated that Russian involvement was the big issue. Where to start? How about President Obamas admonition to Donald Trump last October, when Mrs. Clinton was on her way to a landslide electoral victory and Mr. Trump was headed back to reality TV. Trump claimed that the election was rigged against him. Obama advised Trump, "Stop whining and go try to make his case to get votes." Which he did. Going further, Mr. Obama added that there was, "no serious person" who would suggest it was possible to rig American elections. I presume this statement included the Russians. Yet to Senator Corker, there is still concern that Russia hacked the election. Despite the U.S. intelligence community finding that the Russians, were not involved in vote tallying. Did the Russians try to meddle, influence, propagandize? Sure. Whats new about that? Senator Corker, and Im sure many of his colleagues such as senators McCain and Graham, believe the big elephant in the room of General Flynns resignation is the Russians. The reality is that the Russians are a sideshow, a distraction from the true elephant in the room -- intelligence agencies spying on American citizens. The New York Times' big headline this week is, Trump Campaign Aides Had Repeated Contacts With Russian Intelligence. How can they know that? The article begins with, phone records and intercepted calls between the Trump campaign and Russian intelligence agencies. The campaign officials being U.S. citizens, not to be spied on by the CIA or NSA without cause and warrants. How could the NY Times have this information? Is the Times tapping phones? Doubtful. Instead it appears that U.S. intelligence agencies are listening in on phone calls and other communications of American citizens. And then passing on the information to friendly news agencies. Hows that for an elephant in the room, Senator Corker? Are we now a police state? Speaking of the Russians, this was the modus operandi in the old USSR, and may still be the case in the new and improved Russian Federation. Is it really a subissue that American intelligence are spying on and attempting to undermine a lawfully elected president and his administration? Thats not an elephant in the room. Its a mammoth! The other elephant is that the American people are counting on the Congress -- including Senator Corker -- to do big things this year. We have actually been counting on that for several years since electing Republican majorities in both the House and Senate, without any return on our efforts. Where is the ObamaCare repeal and replace? Tax relief? Immigration control? The issues that elected Donald Trump and GOP majorities in Congress. Rather than big things from Congress, we seem to only get big talk. Perhaps the #NeverTrumpers in the GOP are secretly delighted with apparent White House chaos. Maybe thats why they choose not to see the evidence of a shadow government operating in the bowels of the murky intelligence world, seeking to undermine the president and his administration. The same intelligence community which leaked a bogus dossier on Trump prepared by a former British intelligence operative. The Republicans dont need to be investigating Trump, his people, or the Russians. Trump and much of his team are from the business world, a world that includes Russia, China, and other not-so-U.S.-friendly regimes. Instead they should be investigating which agencies are spying on Americans, under whose orders, and why. And who is leaking such classified information to newspapers? When the GOP establishment willfully ignores this, all they are doing is encouraging more elephants. And they will be among those crushed in the stampede. Appeasement, as history has taught us, doesnt work. If the deep state can undermine President Trump, its next target will be Congress. This is a real potential powder keg. The GOP, as the majority party in Congress, had better be careful else they will light the fuse, intentionally or not. And America will lose. Brian C Joondeph, MD, MPS, a Denver based physician and writer. Follow him on Facebook and Twitter. Senate Democrats facing tough re-election battles in 2018 may have to decide if they want to hang a political anchor around their necks by joining a filibuster against Judge Neil Gorsuch, President Trump's highly credentialed Supreme Court nominee. Predictably, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) threatened to filibuster Gorsuch in an op-ed on Politico.com and another in The New York Times, demanding 60 votes to confirm, rather than a simple majority as the Constitution allows. Schumer called Gorsuch "very smart, articulate and polite, with superb judicial demeanor" but not "mainstream." Here's what Schumer thinks is "mainstream." "Senseless in Seattle and San Francisco" sums it up. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco upheld a temporary restraining order issued by a Seattle district court judge against President Trump's order banning entry into the U.S. for 90-120 days by those from Syria, Somalia, Sudan, Iraq, Iran, Yemen, and Libya. Schumer should explain how judges, who aren't privy to a national security briefing, know a shish kabob from Somalia's Al-Shabaab, one of whose thugs beheaded a British soldier in London in 2013. Nonetheless, uninformed judges seized President Trump's plenary power in foreign relations and national security and substituted their ignorant opinions. Foreign nationals, who've never set foot in the United States, now supposedly have due process rights under our Constitution. It's all within the two left banks of Schumer's "mainstream." Schumer should also explain why he now opposes Gorsuch yet joined in Gorsuch's unanimous confirmation to the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals ten years ago. Gorsuch's record reveals his commitment to uphold the Constitution and laws as written, not those Schumer imagines. Consider: Judicial duty within the Constitution's separation of powers Judge Gorsuch explained his judicial philosophy in his 2016 lecture at Case Western Reserve University honoring the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia: First, consider the Constitution. Judges, after all, must do more than merely consider it. They take an oath to uphold it. So any theory of judging (in this country at least) must be measured against that foundational duty. ... To the founders, the legislative and judicial powers were distinct by nature and their separation was among the most important liberty protecting devices of the constitutional design, an independent right of the people essential to the preservation of all other rights later enumerated in the Constitution and its amendments. The ACLU, like Schumer, objects that Gorsuch's "commitment to an 'originalist' theory of constitutional interpretation that disregards our nation's evolving understandings of constitutional rights is also of concern." Declaration of Independence: In his book, The Future of Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia, Gorsuch reiterates the Declaration's foundational principle of unalienable rights: "All human beings are intrinsically valuable, and the intentional taking of human life by private persons is always wrong." First Amendment Free Exercise of Religion Clause: Judge Gorsuch joined a dissenting opinion after the Tenth Circuit refused to grant a re-hearing by the full court in Little Sisters of the Poor Home for the Aged v. Burwell. The opinion of the panel majority is clearly and gravely wrong on an issue that has little to do with contraception and a great deal to do with religious liberty. When a law demands that a person do something the person considers sinful, and the penalty for refusal is a large financial penalty, then the law imposes a substantial burden on that person's free exercise of religion. Gorsuch joined the majority opinion in Hobby Lobby v. Sebelius, holding that the plaintiffs, a Christian family whose business is dedicated to Christ, were entitled to bring claims under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act because their religious beliefs are substantially burdened by the Obamacare contraceptive coverage requirement, including abortifacients. First Amendment Free Speech Clause As a college freshman in the mid-1980s, Gorsuch ran for a seat on the student senate. According to the Washington Post, Gorsuch responded to a question from the Columbia Spectator about the Marines recruiting on campus by pointing out the university's hypocrisy regarding freedom of expression: The question here is not whether "the Marines should be allowed to recruit on campus" but whether a University and its community, so devoted to the freedom of individuals to pursue their own chosen lifestyles and to speak freely, has the right or obligation to determine who may speak on campus or what may be said. ... Free speech works; it works better than any form of censorship or suppression; and in exercising vigorously, the truth is bound to emerge. Second Amendment Judge Gorsuch noted in a decision involving the "Gun Control Act" that the "Second Amendment protects an individual's right to own firearms and may not be infringed lightly." Fourth Amendment Gorsuch dissented over a warrantless search of a home based on "implied consent" in U.S. v. Carloss. Gorsuch upheld traffic stop patdowns in U.S. v. Rochin and U.S. v. Rodriguez: Not every traffic stop is so innocuous. Sometimes what begins innocently enough turns violent, often rapidly and unexpectedly. Every year, thousands of law enforcement officers are assaulted and many are killed in what seem at first to be routine stops for relatively minor traffic infractions. If Schumer insists on 60 votes to stop a filibuster, he should be reminded that in 2003, Sen. John Cornyn's office pointed to Schumer's admission on the record that "51 Senators of the majority could propose changes in the rules" [Judicial Nominations, Filibusters, and the Constitution: When a Majority is Denied Its Right to Consent, S. Hrg. 108-227, at 60 (2003)]. Call it "Patriot 51," and obliterate any attempt to filibuster a constitutionally mainstream judge eminently qualified for the Supreme Court. Jan LaRue is senior legal analyst for the American Civil Rights Union. ICE, if you're reading this, I know the precise location of an illegal alien who has an outstanding deportation order against her. Her name is Jeanette Vizguerra, and she is hiding at the First Unitarian Church at 1400 N. Lafayette St., Denver, Colorado. I know this because Vizguerra's location is not exactly a closely guarded secret; she has spread it across national media to generate sympathy, in the process very publicly thumbing her nose at American law. "It will not end today," Jeanette Vizguerra proudly said to the applause of her supporters. She spoke in her native tongue of Spanish to explain why she is fighting to remain in the U.S., despite efforts to deport her. Very good! Why should she speak English rather than her "native" tongue while demanding to stay in the U.S.? Vizguerra confidently spoke on Wednesday with her family surrounding her, saying she is challenging the federal government to live up to "American ideals." She has four children three of whom are U.S. citizens, and an adult child who is legal to work under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. On Wednesday, a stay of deportation for Vizguerra was denied as she continued her quest in Centennial to keep her family whole. Vizguerra's lawyer advised her not to appear in person to the hearing, which was the sixth such hearing on her behalf. Her lawyer told her to disregard the law? Do you think he attended an undocumented law school? "I absolutely believe ICE would have arrested her this morning. It appears they had absolutely no intention of engaging in good faith," [her lawyer] Meyer said of documents that were signed when he appeared in the courthouse. Good faith? About not enforcing immigration law? She has been convicted of two misdemeanors during her time in the U.S. She served a 23-day sentence after her conviction. And in May 2013, she was convicted of illegal entry after going back to Mexico for her mother's funeral and returning to the United States. Vizguerra has seen judges award her five successful stays of deportation before the sixth was denied on Wednesday, and Meyer directly attributed that to President Donald Trump. Vizguerra added that she is more virtuous than President Trump because unlike him, she has been paying taxes so she claims. Questions for discussion: 1) Will churches offer sanctuary to anyone who disagrees with a law? A man, for example, who wants to own a machine gun or a woman who simply doesn't want to pay her taxes? 2) Will the Unitarians in this church pray for the people whose tax dollars go to educate and support Ms. Vizguerra and her children? Will they also pray for the American who did not get a job that Ms. Vizguerra now holds? 3) If the Unitarians at this church feel that people have the right to be wherever they want to be, do you think they would agree that 200 Syrian refugees have the right to take over their church and turn it into a mosque? Ed Straker is the senior writer at NewsMachete.com. How serious has the war gotten between Donald Trump's White House and the government he supposedly runs? Gizmodo a website that deals with science and technology as well as politics has launched a new site to encourage government employees to leak damning information about the Trump administration. TellonTrump.com is the subject of a massive advertising campaign on Facebook and will give government turncoats a safe and secure means of passing along damaging documents. Wall Street Journal: "One thing we know about Donald Trump is that there are a lot of things Donald Trump doesn't want people to know about. If you've reached this page, you might have information about the conduct of Donald Trump or his administration that you'd like people to know about. Here's how you can tell us," the site explains. The Univision Communications Inc.-owned media group, which operates sites like Fusion and the former Gawker Media sites like Gizmodo, Deadspin and Jezebel, started running ads on the social media platform within the last week that specifically target people who list certain government agencies as their employers. The ads don't specify which news outlet is running the campaign, but the site which the ads point to clearly identifies the Gizmodo special projects desk. "We are targeting people who are employed by federal agencies because we want them to know that if they see or know about something they think is newsworthy, we are here for them," said John Cook, Gizmodo's head of investigations. Mr. Cook said Gizmodo is also working to purchase bus shelter ads near certain government agencies in Washington, D.C., encouraging people to contact them with information about the Trump administration. Amazing, incredible frightening. The German word that describes what's going on is Gotterdammerung a "cataclysmic downfall or momentous, apocalyptic event, especially of a regime or an institution." Trump's enemies are willing to tear the entire country down in order to destroy the president. The fact that they will destroy the presidency and the country in the process is regrettable but worth it because Trump is...well, evil. John Podhoretz: I am myself unnerved by the evidence of high-level lawlessness in the Flynn matter, but a "coup d'etat" refers specifically to a military ouster of a leader, not a leak-driven campaign using the press to nail someone. This is sure to persist, though, if the Flynn-Russia matter acceleratesand if the reluctant House and Senate do begin investigating the matter in earnest. If the language surrounding the investigation remains florid and purple, if Democrats try to please their Trump-hating constituents by screaming impeachment and liberal media tries to garner audience by jumping openly and vociferously on the bandwagon, the Trumpians will respond in kind by stirring the pot through their media and their argumentation. The result might well be violence. Not rhetorical violence. Actual violence. Actual political violence. Actual conflicts between anti-Trumpers and Trumpers. At demonstrations. In the streets. Of our cities. Political violence of a sort we haven't seen in 50 years, and maybe haven't really seen in this country in the modern era. Those who believe Trump is a unique menace whose threat to our democratic way of life will be met with those who believe the elites are using illicit means to oust the legitimately elected president of the United States. This is not a fantasy. This is one possible future. And every rational person who cares about the future of the country should be mindful of it, and should work to forestall it. The media feeding frenzy is unprecedented and that's saying a lot. To read most of the media stories the last 48 hours, you would think Trump is a heartbeat away from impeachment, resignation, or an internal revolution. Hysterical hit pieces like this N.Y. Times anonymously sourced, non-specific story about Trump campaign aides talking with senior Russian intelligence officials "around the same time they were discovering evidence that Russia was trying to disrupt the presidential election by hacking into the Democratic National Committee" are fueling an innuendo-driven storyline that Trump aides and possibly Trump himself committed treason by colluding with Russians to elect Trump president. Except the Times story also states flatly, "The officials interviewed in recent weeks said that, so far, they had seen no evidence of such cooperation." In other words, there is no story. In fact, the "evidence" in the story comes to the Times as hearsay the reporter talked to someone who knows something about intercepts and communications between Trump's people and the Russians. Why weren't the Times reporters given access to the actual intercepts? Why didn't the Times report which campaign aides were in contact with the Russians? If no evidence exists of collusion, just what the hell was the Times doing publishing this blatant innuendo and smear? This is what passes for "journalism" in the age of Trump. Evidence is not necessary. An active imagination is. And now we learn that the intel agencies are withholding information from the president of the United States because they don't trust him. Wall Street Journal: U.S. intelligence officials have withheld sensitive intelligence from President Donald Trump because they are concerned it could be leaked or compromised, according to current and former officials familiar with the matter. The officials' decision to keep information from Mr. Trump underscores the deep mistrust that has developed between the intelligence community and the president over his team's contacts with the Russian government, as well as the enmity he has shown toward U.S. spy agencies. On Wednesday, Mr. Trump accused the agencies of leaking information to undermine him. In some of these cases of withheld information, officials have decided not to show Mr. Trump the sources and methods that the intelligence agencies use to collect information, the current and former officials said. Those sources and methods could include, for instance, the means that an agency uses to spy on a foreign government. A White House official said: "There is nothing that leads us to believe that this is an accurate account of what is actually happening." A spokesman for the Office of Director of National Intelligence said: "Any suggestion that the U.S. intelligence community is withholding information and not providing the best possible intelligence to the president and his national security team is not true." Intelligence officials have in the past not told a president or members of Congress about the ins and outs of how they ply their trade. At times, they have decided that secrecy is essential for protecting a source, and that all a president needs to know is what that source revealed and what the intelligence community thinks is important about it. Are you getting this? Intelligence officials are withholding information from the president just as they have with other presidents. In short, once again, there is no story. This is what is known in the business as "stirring the pot" generating what appears to be "news" that, in fact, is business as usual. The catalyst for this feeding frenzy was Michael Flynn's incredible lapse in judgment in speaking to the Russian government and then lying about it. But the Flynn resignation has taken on a larger symbolism it is a metaphor for the "chaos" that exists in the White House. How much of this is true and how much is invention? CNN: The head of US Special Operations Command said Tuesday that the US government is in "unbelievable turmoil," a situation that he suggested could undermine US efforts to fight adversaries such as ISIS. "Our government continues to be in unbelievable turmoil. I hope they sort it out soon because we're a nation at war," Army Gen. Raymond "Tony" Thomas told a symposium in Maryland. While it wasn't exactly clear what Thomas was referring to, his remarks come less than 24 hours after retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn was forced to step down as national security adviser, becoming by far the shortest tenured adviser in history. Thomas oversees America's elite Special Operations troops, including Navy SEALs and Army Green Berets, which have played a large role in carrying out the nation's conflicts since 9/11. Asked later about his comments, Thomas, a veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan, said: "As a commander, I'm concerned our government be as stable as possible. This is extraordinary, considering that CNN admits "it wasn't exactly clear what Thomas was referring to." If it's "not exactly clear" why report the damn story in the first place?! Thomas should be at least disciplined and perhaps fired for commenting on politics while on active duty. What does he know about Washington politics sitting in his office at SOCOM headquarters in Florida? His indiscretion has given ammunition to the political enemies of his commander in chief. As a senior military commander, he should have known better. These are just a sampling of the over-the-top, exaggerated, hysterical reporting done that is deliberately, consciously being created to undermine and eventually destroy a legitimately elected president. It's never been done on this scale before. Fed by social media and the interconnectedness of the internet, Donald Trump is facing a challenge far greater than Richard Nixon faced when his presidency began to unravel. And the speed at which the attacks are rolling downhill is making it difficult if not impossible for Trump and his people to turn the situation around. Senior U.S. officials are weighing the possibility of labeling Iran's Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) as a foreign terrorist organization. Members of Congress are introducing legislation calling for such a measure, hallmarking a significant overhaul of the U.S.-Iran policy. Senator Ted Cruz and Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart have proposed a new bill seeking a long overdue measure after too many people have been killed and injured through IRGC-sponsored terrorist activities. This entity, enjoying the utmost support of Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei, advocates an ideology of destruction against the West. The regime in Iran, through the IRGC, expanded its sphere of influence and foothold across the Middle East during the course of Obama's presidency. During the past three weeks, however, the Trump administration has completely changed the course of U.S. foreign policy in regards to Iran. The ball is now in Iran's court, in the Tehran war room, if you will, and rest assured the mullahs have come to understand the determined nature of the new White House. In the midst of these tensions, the Iranian opposition National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) delivered new information showing a significant expansion of terrorist training camps and activities, all supervised by the IRGC. The NCRI, a conglomerate of Iranian dissident groups, held a press conference in Washington this past Tuesday to put forward evidence showing that the IRGC has stepped up such efforts and calling on the Trump administration to designate the entity as a foreign terrorist organization. This comes after a week of numerous reports indicating major discussions among senior Trump administration officials evaluating such an action, unprecedented after eight years of a failed Obama-led appeasement policy with Iran's mullahs. This information, obtained by the People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) social network inside the country, "identified 14 of what are dozens of IRGC training centers, and said eight of them are terrorist training operations in and around Tehran," according to Washington Examiner. Alireza Jafarzadeh, deputy director of the Washington Office of the NCRI, delivered the presentation and emphasized that the IRGC has been endangering U.S. forces and interests across the region through a variety of measures, including "contributing to the rise" of Daesh (ISIS/ISIL). The Quds Force, known as the IRGC's extraterritorial wing, is spearheading the training operations, sending Shiite militias to enhance Iran's involvement in Syria and the Popular Mobilization Units in Iraq. The IRGC, in general, is known to also heavily support the Lebanese Hezb'allah and Yemen's Houthis. Recent reports indicate that dozens of Houthi militias and five IRGC members were killed in a series of air strikes targeting these Iran-backed proxies in northern Yemen. "The IRGC is actually the entity that runs the whole show when it comes to terrorism," despite the initiatives being managed and directed by the Quds Force, Jafarzadeh added. "You cannot do the separation. You cannot have the Quds Force designated as a terrorist entity but not the IRGC." The IRGC terrorist designation enjoys bipartisan support in Congress and the move is already considered quite possible under the Trump administration. The IRGC was established following the 1979 revolution and has been significantly destabilizing the entire Middle East ever since. Various IRGC aspects have been designated as terrorist entities from 1990 forward, including a slate of various commanders and branches. Previous U.S. administrations had even blacklisted Quds Force chief Qassem Suleimani, in moves similar to actions taken against other known terrorists such Osama bin Laden, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, and Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Unfortunately, despite U.S. forces being present in Iraq and its planes flying throughout the region's airspace, Suleimani has been able to travel to Russia, Syria, and Iraq. The possible designation of the entire IRGC is considered to have the potential of acting as a nail in the coffin of the mullahs. If realized, it is expected that the Trump administration will follow through and implement the necessary actions. Parallel to the IRGC's destructive role in the Middle East, it is important to clip its wings to bring an end to Iran's nuclear program and ballistic missile aspirations, and also curb its drive of domestic crackdown and human rights violations in Iran. After Obama betrayed the Iranian people back in 2009 and bent backward to please the mullahs in Tehran, the blacklisting of the IRGC will place America under the Trump administration on the right side of history in enhancing peace and stability in the Middle East. Shahriar Kia is a political analyst and member of the Iranian opposition, the People's Mujahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI, also known as the MEK). He graduated from North Texas University. For liberals, attempting to claim the moral high ground is like a community organizer winning the Nobel Peace Prize (or getting elected president of the United States): it happens only with willful suspension of reason and facts which means it happens a lot in liberal circles. The most recent case in point is the "Moral Monday" movement that is active in a handful of states across the U.S. (mostly the South). For evidence of the corrupt morality that exists in this movement, you need to know nothing more than that Moral Mondays were started by the NAACP. First in North Carolina, later in South Carolina, Georgia, Illinois, and New Mexico, Moral Mondays are a sad attempt to sway politicians and the public toward the perverse agenda of liberals. These attempts are usually through acts of civil dimwittedness I mean disobedience involving such things as protesting at state capitals, disrupting legislative sessions, and staging sit-ins. Also telling about the Moral Monday movement is that it gained national prominence while protesting North Carolina's commonsense bathroom law. Only a modern liberal would predicate his moral outrage upon a cause that runs contrary to biology (and morality) that a five-year-old can understand and that is championed by an unrepentant registered sex offender. Because the moral demands of liberalism are few and malleable, any movement born of liberalism will have a corrupt morality. For further evidence of this, the Moral Monday protesters are able to declare that it is "morally repugnant" that people are dying because "they don't have access to health care" while at the same time calling for taxpayer-funded ("free" in the fantasyland of liberalism) "health care" that will allow them to kill their unborn children. Just imagine some obscenely tattooed, belly-pierced, scantily clad, braless feminazi screaming: "My mother died because she had no health care! Now give me my free healthcare so I can go to the clinic and kill my daughter!" Liberals at the Moral Monday marches refer to the genocide of abortion as "Reproductive Justice." Excluding the unborn from "the universe of moral obligation" allows self-described "guardians of morality" to foolishly champion a supposed moral cause that not only excludes, but is violently hostile toward the most innocent and vulnerable among us. In addition to much other nonsense, Georgia's Moral Monday (2014) website decried that the state "promoted bigotry [directed] towards the LGBTQ community." No evidence is offered. We can only suppose that such "bigotry" is the result of Georgia legally defining marriage as a union of one man and one woman. Only a modern liberal can take an institution that has existed across cultures for thousands of years (from "the beginning," according to a Christian worldview) and deem it "bigoted." The most tragic aspect of this moronic moral movement is that many so-called "pastors" are at the forefront. The (Ir)reverend Raphael Warnock, pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church, where Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was a pastor, has been a large part of the Moral Monday protests in Georgia. The (Ir)reverend William Barber II is the leader of Moral Mondays in North Carolina and is widely considered the leader of the movement at large. (He's also surprise! president of North Carolina's chapter of the NAACP.) How tragic is it that such supposed "men of God" have aligned themselves with a political party that boos the inclusion of God in its platform and has devoted itself to support of killing children in the womb (millions of whom are black children); a perverse redefinition of marriage, removing prayer, the Commandments, and the Bible from the public arena; and the gross sexual immorality of the homosexual agenda? As we've seen with most organized groups of liberals lately, the election of Donald Trump has brought further rounds of protests from the Moral Monday marchers. With Barber leading the way, the largest "Moral March" yet took place in Raleigh, N.C. last Saturday (02/11/17). Portraying Trump's election "as a right-wing response to recent expansions of equality and justice," Barber used the biblical account of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (who refused to bow down to King Nebuchadnezzar's golden idol) to implore his fellow protesters to "stay strong." Having recently used the story of Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (their Hebrew names) myself to make a moral point, I know well that "Reverend" Barber has it quite wrong. The biblical account of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego recorded in the book of Daniel, is a great example of a faith that runs counter to the culture even the legal code of the culture, and even when it means facing the harshest of consequences. Like a modern-day Nebuchadnezzar, for the last several years, it has been the vengeance-minded left with its literal lust-driven desire to redefine marriage, kill children in the womb, and the like that has sought to use the law to punish those with whom it disagrees. Because of their refusal to bow down to the perverse sexual agenda of the modern left, all across the U.S., a wide variety of Americans have faced an array of harsh consequences, including fines, the loss of their jobs, the loss of their businesses, the loss of television shows, and so on. As we all should know well by now, this is what liberalism does. This is what happens when liberals are in power. (This is one of the big reasons why Donald Trump is now president of the United States.) There seems to be no end to their perversion. When it comes to sex, marriage, the family, the unborn, gender, education, the military, immigration, spending, and the like, on virtually every issue debated today, liberals are on the wrong side of the truth. Thus, today's liberals can be trusted with almost nothing, and certainly nothing deemed "moral." Trevor Grant Thomas is the author of The Miracle and Magnificence of America. tthomas@trevorgrantthomas.co Some of the best fighters in the world know how to rapidly close the distance and, by doing so, take out the slack of their opponent's reach. There is no power that can be used against you when your forehead is pressed into your opponent's chin and you remain driving forward into him. They are also really good counter-strikers. They wait for their opponent to commit, and then they come laterally off center midline from the initial salvo, typically with a small, sharp hook of their own. Plink. Game over. The key is to not run from an opponent, or roll back onto your heels, but to use your opponent's own forward power against him. Let him make it easier for you by not backing up. Slight sidesteps work better. Slipping punches is an art form. Then counter. We are in a street fight. No more apologies. It's war. It's time to smash the opposition. Trump's policy should be simple. If the Deep State's Obama leftovers and their rejects take out a Flynn using felonious actions via illegal leaks, replace him with a Navy SEAL. If they take out the SEAL, go get a shovel and dig up General Patton's dead body and slam him into place. If they find something on him say, some weird made-up shenanigans like with Flynn then you appoint someone who blocks out the sun, Paul "Big Show" White or someone with acromegaly whose head is the size of a street corner. See how far they want to take this. They go DEFCON-5? We go nuclear. Each time, we amp up to a higher-category "hurricane," as the nutty Chuck Todd insinuated the other day. This is the way of Mossad: trial-by-fire politics. By the time we are done, I want to see the entire cast of The Expendables in Trump's Cabinet, with Chuck Norris riding a Tyrannosaurus Rex down 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in assless chaps and spurs. Some things you just need to accept your leftist friends are already gone. No, I don't mean the Rapture or dead. I mean mentally. Gone. Vacant stares. They are out-of-their-minds lost already, as if they were getting ready to castrate themselves to catch a ride on the Hale-Bopp comet. They shout low-information cliches like "impeach" and "treason." They are the smelly trolls on social media and dumb as doorstops. They don't even realize how insanely difficult it is to prove treason. The bar is so high that it is nearly impossible. But the left are worse drama queens than barstool drunks drooling into their bloody Marys. And impeachment? Big deal. You're not going to get the two-thirds majority required from the Senate. Not gonna happen. Don't let that stop the left's precious fantasy, however. No, you have to be like the Hulk. You could never defeat the Hulk with brute, straightforward strength. It would always be used against you. Whatever kind of firepower was deployed, whether it be from some random punk in an altercation, mortar shells, or even a nuclear bomb, you could never defeat the Hulk with a head on strike. It was always bad calculus. In some comics, by the time an entire Marine Corps division had emptied out their payload, the Hulk had grown from 7 feet tall in the beginning to, by the end, over 25 feet. His neck had transformed into five feet of cold rolled steel disappearing into his several layers of traps. His fingers turned into railroad spikes connected to forearm muscles like drag racing pistons. His jaw flared out into a giant cornice shelf of alpha rage, the end of which resembled a bevel bit for a jackhammer. Trump has a good working base within his genetic makeup, more than most, to deal with the next four years of outhouse politics. Whatever the traditional Democrat-media complex, their increasingly moronic leftist activists, and their social media armies throw at Trump, he will need all the gamma rays required to transform into their worst nightmare. He must understand the fighting principle always to remain driving forward and never to slow down. Plant your forehead firmly into your opponent's chin. Let the media do what the media do. Chuck Todd, Matt Lauer, Mika Brzezinski they are all going to do what they are programmed (and paid) to do. Use their energy against them by demoralizing them with the very agenda that you were elected to execute. Radical tax reform. Gutting the Iran deal and putting back on sanctions. Annihilating Obamacare, chin to nuts. And finally smashing the regulatory state that emanates from D.C., even if it means disrupting and ending entire agencies and departments. Hulk smash. Twitter was ablaze this morning with screechings from Venezuela's Chavista regime, infuriated at the show of force against their brutal, discredited regime coming from President Trump. Taking an in-your-face approach just three weeks into his presidency, President Trump met with Liliana Tintori, the wife of imprisoned dissident leader Leopoldo Lopez, who was thrown into a dank Chavista dungeon without trial on absolutely phony charges of starting a riot a few years ago. What a hell of a change from the mealy-mouthed, don't-upset-them approach seen from the Obama and, to some extent, even George Bush White Houses. Trump not only met with Tintori, signaling that she was welcome in the White House any time she liked, but also posed for a photo with her that included Vice President Mike Pence and Florida senator Marco Rubio, to show an unambiguous united front. That unsmiling photo, with a fierce-looking portrait of Andrew Jackson probably quite intentionally in the background, warned the thuggish Caracas regime that the soft hand and benign indifference from the states over the last two decades is over. Meet the iron-tipped boot. It comes just a few days after Trump placed Chavista Vice President Tareck el-Aissami onto a Treasury Department list of actual drug dealers, something that is not done lightly and requires the most unassailable standards of proof. The U.S. has had it for years, sitting on it, but until now had refused to execute the sanctions order. Trump got that job done, too. Meanwhile, if the Chavista regime wants to talk about it, it can give Secretary of State Rex Tillerson a call. That would be the same Tilllerson they tried to do a number on back in 2007 or so, expropriating his company's assets when he was chief executive of ExxonMobil and found, much to their surprise, that he fought back. His actions to recover ExxonMobil's stolen assets drove Citgo into a forced bankruptcy as its Venezuelan state owners tried to defend it from a court-ordered compensation. He's not called T-Rex for nothing. No wonder the Chavistas are making a stink on Twitter. There's a new sheriff in town, and he's got no time for their thievery and thuggery. As an observer of the Mexican political scene, and someone who has done business across international borders, I know firsthand about how other countries enforce immigration laws. In fact, I have always been impressed with how seriously immigration laws are regarded across the globe. In other words, I always treated immigration laws as something to be respected, not something my company would avoid or treat lightly. Therefore, I found this article from Seth Barron rather good: In virtually any other country, the deportation of aliens who have overstayed their visas or who are working in the underground economy might merit a brief mention in the newspaper. Deporting aliens who have committed serious crimes is understood in most nations to be a necessary duty of the state, like sanitation or the licensing of medical professionals. Nobody thinks twice about deporting criminals in these countries, and immigration enforcement is an uncontroversial aspect of national life. Canada -- often cited by progressives as a model of civilized multiculturalism deports aliens at almost twice the rate that the U.S. does. Between 2006 and 2014, Canadian immigration authorities deported, on average, 35 people per day, or about 13,000 annually. The United States, with nine times the population of Canada, removed about 65,000 illegal aliens from within the borders of the country in 2016. My own personal experience supports this: 1) I worked legally in Mexico for a U.S. company under an FM-2, or a work visa. The document clearly said in black and white that I had to carry this document in case I had to prove to the Mexican authorities that I was legally in the country. It did not happen to me, but I heard a story of a business friend whose wife was involved in a car crash and had to prove her status. To be fair, the insurance company settled the matter satisfactorily, but her immigration status was part of the process. 2) I took several business trips to Venezuela and Panama. My lawyer made it very clear that I had to get a "business visa" rather than a "tourist visa." Why? Because I could find myself in trouble if I was doing business as a tourist. What was the difference? It was more costly to get a business visa, but it was a safer route. It is very surprising for me to hear all the outrage from Democrats and their friends in the media about these raids underway. In many cases, the people being arrested are engaged in criminal behavior, while others have refused to obey a court order. As Mr. Barron points out: The indignation of activists and progressive politicians about the enforcement of our immigration laws is perhaps predictable, but acquainting themselves with global norms regarding legal migration and deportation might help keep their blood pressure under control. So how did we get here? I place the blame for this confusion on the Obama administration and their politicization of immigration laws. It was shameful, and a correction is desperately needed! P.S. You can listen to my show (Canto Talk) and follow me on Twitter. As American liberals and leftists continue to portray Donald Trump's immigration ban on seven Muslim nations in the worst possible terms from "racist" to "Islamophobic" and as Muslim activists continue to claim "shock and trauma," a lone Egyptian man has asked some relevant questions that few Muslims care to face. The man in question is Dr. Ahmed Abu Maher, a researcher and political activist who regularly appears on Arabic-language television and who has a long record of exposing Islamic institutions like Al Azhar University for using texts and curricula that promote terrorism in the name of Islam. On Feb. 6, Maher posted a brief video of himself speaking in Arabic, relevant portions of which I translate below: Friends, in regards to the presidential victory of Donald Trump, we wanted to ask our brothers the fuqaha [jurists of Islamic law] and the ulema [scholars of Islam] a question: If this man who has on more than one occasion announced that he doesn't want Muslims ... were to coerce, through the power of arms, the greater majority of Muslims living in America ... to become Christians, or pay jizya, or else he takes over their homes, kills their men and enslaves their women and girls, and sells them on slave markets. If he were to do all this, would he be considered a racist and a terrorist or not? Of course, I'm just hypothesizing, and know that the Bible and its religion do not promote such things, but let's just assume: Would he be a racist or not? Would he be a terrorist or not? How then [when one considers] that we have in our Islamic jurisprudence, which you teach us, and tell us that all the imams have agreed that the Islamic openings [i.e., conquests] are the way to disseminate Islam? This word "openings" [futuhat] we must be sensitive to it! The Islamic openings mean swords and killing. The Islamic openings, through which homes, castles, and territories were devastated, these [are part of] an Islam which you try to make us follow. So I wonder O sheikh, O leader of this or that Islamic center in [New York], would you like to see this done to your wife and daughter? Would you this or that sheikh accept that this be done to your children? That your daughter goes to this fighter [as a slave], your son to this fighter, a fifth [of booty] goes to the caliph and so forth? I mean, isn't this what you refer to as the Sharia of Allah? ... So let's think about things in an effort to discern what's right and what's wrong. To those unacquainted with the subject matter, Maher is referring to history's Islamic conquests, which in Muslim tradition are referred to in glorious terms, as altruistic "openings" (futuhat) that enabled the light of Islam to shine through to mankind. For centuries, Muslim armies invaded non-Muslim territories, giving the inhabitants three choices: convert to Islam, or else pay jizya (tribute money) and accept third-class status as a "humbled" dhimmi (see Koran 9:29), or else face the sword, death, and slavery. Not only is this how Muslims behaved vis-a-vis non-Muslims for nearly 1,400 years forging the bulk of what is today called "the Muslim world" but Islamic law, believed to be based on the transcendent, unchanging will of Allah, still prescribes this approach to non-Muslims. In this context, asks Maher, what are Muslims complaining about? All that Trump has done is ban immigration from Muslim nations closely associated with terrorism. What if he actually treated Muslims in America the way Muslims have always treated non-Muslims under their authority the way Islamic law, sharia, demands that is, by making them convert, pay extortion money and live as third-class subjects, or else killing and enslaving them? It should be noted that if Maher is among the minority of Muslims who openly expose the hypocrisy and double standards of their co-religionists, most of the world's Muslims including if not especially those in America currently feigning trauma at Trump's "hurtful" words know precisely what he is talking about. The Seven Sages of Rome is a varied collection of moral stories or exempla that includes over 100 tales in one or more of the many versions that exist throughout Europe and the East, where they originated. The unifying theme is provided by the story of Florentin, son of the Emperor Diocletian, who is under threat of death. The Seven Sages and the emperors son, with the rubric, Incipit liber septem philosophorum cuiusda[m] Imperatoris Romani, Italy, N. (Venice), 1440s, Add MS 15685, f. 83r He has been accused by his young stepmother of seducing her and plotting against his father. For seven days the seven sages, tutors of the prince, try to obtain a stay of execution by telling the Emperor stories of the wickedness of women, while the stepmother counters these with stories of her own, pointing to Florentins guilt. Having remained mute all this time, the prince himself speaks on the eighth day to proclaim his innocence, and the Queen is judged guilty and executed. Detail of the Emperor and Empress playing chess, from the Continuation des Sept Sages, France, Central (Paris); 2nd quarter of the 14th century, Harley MS 4903, f. 106v The tales in the original collection have names like Arbor or The Pine and its Sucker, Canis or The Greyhound and the Serpent, and Puteus (the Well) or The Husband Out of Doors, in which an unfaithful wife, who has been locked out (or locked away, depending on the version) by her husband as punishment, pretends to drown herself in the village well, and when he goes to the village square to investigate, she locks him out in turn and he is then arrested for breaking the curfew. Wards Catalogue of Romances in the British Museum lists 6 manuscripts in Volume II, Eastern Legends and Tales, as the roots of the cycle of tales is in the East: The Book of Sindibad, believed by some to originate in India, possibly as early as the 5th century BC. The earliest medieval western example in the British Library's collections, Harley MS 3860, is in French, and was copied in the north of England in the early 14th century. The manuscript comprises historical chronicles, Grossetestes Chateau damour and the Manuel des Pechies and has just been published in full on our Digitised Manuscripts site. A tinted drawing of the Empress and a decorated initial 'L' ('emperur), Les Sept Sages de Rome, England, N. (?Durham), 1st quarter of the 14th century, Harley MS 3860, f. 31r Also from the early 14th century is Additional MS 27429, translated into Italian from the French, based partly on the version in Harley 3860 and partly on an earlier French version. The relationships between the texts are complex. A copy in Latin, Additional MS 15685, is from mid-15th-century Venice, with colourful miniatures: The Empress attempting to seduce her stepson, Liber Septem Philosophorum or Book of the Seven Sages, Venice, 14401450, Add MS 15685, f. 84v Out of a total of 9 surviving manuscripts in Middle English, 3 are in the British Library, each originally containing 15 tales, though one, Arundel MS 140, is now incomplete. Cotton MS Galba E IX from the late-14th and Arundel MS 140 from the early-15th century are collections of moral and religious texts, both containing The Prik of Conscience as well as the Seven Sages. In the first, the pine tree becomes a pineappel tre. Egerton MS 1995, a miscellany of prose and verse from the south of England, begins with the Seven Sages and includes the original version of John Pages poem on the siege of Rouen. The beginning of The fyrste tale of the Emperasse from The Seven Sages of Rome, Egerton MS 1995, f. 10r Continuation of the Sept Sages There exist further tales in the cycle, known as the Continuation of the Sept Sages, not described by Ward, but related to the above. Harley MS 4903, also recently digitised, contains the second part of this text: the first part is in Paris, BnF ms francais 17000. The tales are broadly grouped around the character of Cassidorus, Emperor of Constantinople, and the ones in the Harley volume are Helcanus (the concluding part), Peliarmenus and Kanor. Helcanus is the son of Cassidorus and Peliarmenus is brother of the emperor, who tries to get rid of his nephew in order to rule by himself. Dyalogus throwing Cassidoruss children into the river; Dorus is rescued by a fisherman; an unidentified coat of arms in the margin, at the beginning of the Roman de Peliarmenus, France, Central (Paris), 2nd quarter of the 14th century, Harley MS 4903, f. 16r The tale of Peliarmenus ends with the death of Cassidorus. The Roman de Kanor begins with a lion, an old friend of Cassidorus, taking his four sons, one of whom is Kanor, to a hermitage to be raised by a hermit named Dieudonne, and Nicole, a servant of their mother, the Empress for seven years then educated at the court of the King of Hungary. There are several sub-plots involving firstly Celydus, illegitimate son of Cassidorus who becomes King of Jerusalem, and secondly Nero, son of the Empress Nera, switched at birth with the child of a monk, and later switched with Libanor, son of the Queen of Carthage. One of them (it is hard to tell which) becomes Emperor of Constantinople and Kanor eventually becomes Emperor of Rome! The empresss baby and the monks baby being switched at birth, from the Roman de Kanor, France, Central (Paris); 2nd quarter of the 14th century, Harley MS 4903, f. 171r This collection of disparate and convoluted tales is not always easy for a modern reader to interpret, but it contains representatives of the narratives and tropes that have characterised human storytelling from the very beginning and across all cultures: the wicked stepmother, children brought up by an animal, babies swapped at birth, hermits and emperors. Many of these would have been familiar to a medieval audience and still are today. Chantry Westwell Follow us on Twitter @BLMedieval By Alyson Klein and Andrew Ujifusa U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos may have helped to create the charter sector in her home state of Michigan . But in a recent interview she singled out another stateFloridaas offering a great blueprint for the country. I would point to Florida as being one that has had a variety of options for the longest period of time, DeVos told Frank Beckmann, a conservative radio talk show host on WJR, based in Michigan. She said the state, which has charters, also offers both a tax credit scholarship, something DeVos and company may push in Washington, potentially through legislation previously introduced by Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, a Republican , and vouchers for students in special education. Michigan hasnt been able to offer the same kind of voucher program as Floridabecause its state constitution prohibits public funds from being used for religious purposes. By contrast, Floridas vouchers for special needs students can be used at schools affiliated with religious institutions. Michigan, which also has charters, recently started experimenting with Education Savings Accounts, which allow parents and students to put [their] own customized plan together for education, DeVos said. Florida is a good and growing example of what can happen when you have a robust array of choices, DeVos said Wednesday. She noted that 40 percent of the students in Florida go to schools that are different from the one they may be zoned for. The state has one of the nations least-restrictive open enrollment laws. DeVos does have some Florida ties. The American Federation for Children, which she chaired before becoming secretary, is active in the Sunshine State, and she sat on the board of former Florida Gov. Jeb Bushs Foundation for Educational Excellence. And two of the folks who have joined DeVos at the departmentJosh Venable and Andrew Kossackeach worked for Bushs foundation or for Bush. The Sunshine States performance on the National Assessment of Education Progressknown as the nations report cardis also higher than Michigans in most subjects. Michigan performed below the national average in 4th and 8th grade math, and in 4th grade reading . Florida bested the national average in 4th grade reading and math, but dipped below it in 8th grade math . On Common Core Beckmann asked DeVos about President Donald Trumps campaign trail promise to get rid of the Common Core State Standards, something Kellyanne Conway, Trumps counselor, doubled down on in a recent interview with CNN. DeVos said thats basically already been accomplished through the Every Student Succeeds Act, which passed more a year before Trump took office. The law, she said essentially does away with the notion of the common core. She said ESSA encourages states to set forth their own levels of achievement, expectations, and it asks states to put a plan together that demonstrates how they are going to show that students are achieving what they should achieve. One really important point DeVos didnt delve into on the radio show: ESSA doesnt actually get rid of the common core at all. Instead, the law prohibits the federal government from telling states which standards they can and cant use. States that want to stick with the common core can, and right now the standards are in place in 36 states and the District of Columbia. DeVos has made it clear she understands the law on this point, in answer to a question from Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., the top Democrat on the Senate education committee . She didnt point out the nuance to Beckmann, though, when he said he hadnt realized ESSA took common core out of equation. On Early-Childhood Education Beckmann asked DeVos about her plans on this issue. She told him that most of the federal responsibility for early learning is actually at the Department of Health and Human Services, not the Education Department. But she said she looked forward to helping the new HHS secretary, Tom Price, make those programs more effective and a whole lot more oriented to early literacy. On ESSA DeVos sees the law as an opportunity to move forward on local control. The law really does give the states and local districts a whole lot more flexibility and a lot more control over how they deliver education and education opportunities to the students in those states, DeVos said. I think thats really important because it allows us to highlight the states that are doing particularly well, that are being innovative, that are also having high expectations of excellence. It also allows us to point out areas in states where they are really frankly not living up to where they should be on behalf of kids. DeVos didnt provide any specifics of what exactly it would mean for a state not to fulfill expectations, or how she would flag high- and low-performing states. That could be done through speeches, interviews, and secretarial visits, or something more formal. And she didnt say how carefully she planned to review states ESSA plans, which theyll begin submitting in April. On School Turnarounds Beckmann asked DeVos about the federal role in turning around low-performing schools, which was a huge issue during the Obama era as the administration rolled out its now-defunct version of the School Improvement Grant program. DeVos said that the federal role so far has been about money and regulations that, in her view, were too restrictive. I think the federal governments role has traditionally been in the form of Title I funds and a variety of other funding sources, particularly targeted to certain communities, DeVos said. Its also been frankly, around regulation. And theres been too much control and too much regulation of state and local authorities over the years. I think the mentality that has grown to a large extent in some places is an overcompliance orientation, rather than an orientation around a can-do, what do we need to do here for the students in our locale, to do the right thing for them and offer them the greatest opportunity for success. DeVos didnt wade into this in the brief interview, but sheand any future education secretariesare prohibited under ESSA from telling states and districts how they can or cant turn around their lowest-performing schools. States and districts can do whatever they think will work, as long as the strategy has some evidence behind it. Conservative Media Strategy Like other radio hosts who DeVos has spoken to since taking office, Beckmann made it clear at the top of the program that hes a big fan of the Trump administration and DeVos . Before he launched into his interview with DeVos, he accused other media of trying to launch a coup to take down the president, and warned reporters that if Trump stepped down theyd be stuck with Vice President Mike Pence, not 2016 Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. And he said that DeVos went through a greater grilling to become education secretary than Clinton, the former secretary of state, did over the Benghazi attacks. Communication experts we talked to said DeVos may be trying to get comfortable with her voice by giving her first interviews to friendly outlets. But if she wants to get a broader coalition behind her ideas, shell have to start talking to other types of media. Want more? Listen to full interview here: Community Colleges DeVos has also been getting out and about in Washington, giving short speeches to the Magnet Schools Association Wednesday and to the Community College National Legislative Summit Thursday. In that Thursday appearance, DeVos linked community colleges to economic growth and said they would play a key role in Trumps push to create 25 million jobs in the U.S. and increase the annual economic growth rate to 4 percent. You are nimble. You are inclusive. You are entrepreneurial, DeVos said. You offer flexibility and extra support to learners who are balancing responsibilities at home, at school, at work. DeVos pointed out that Trumps 100-day plan for early policy action includes an emphasis on vocational education, which community colleges excel at providing she said. She also praised early-college for allowing students to earn associates degrees more quickly. In a brief reference to the controversy surrounding her nomination, DeVos said that she did not view the flurry of reactions to her in a negative light, but saw them instead as expressions of passion from those involved in education. Photo: Education Secretary-designate Betsy DeVos testifies at her confirmation hearing before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee in January, 2017. --Carolyn Kaster/AP-File Follow us on Twitter at @PoliticsK12 . By Corey Mitchell and Arianna Prothero With all the furor surrounding the confirmation of Betsy DeVos, President Donald Trumps pick for education secretary, and her support for school choice, new policy developments on the state level may have flown under the radar. Although DeVos nomination and contentious confirmation process certainly highlighted big national debates over school vouchers and charter schools, most of the policymaking action around school choice happens in statehouses. Below is a sampling of some of the school choice bills advocates and experts are watching in state legislatures across the country. Charter Schools in Kentucky? The State May Become the 44th State to Adopt Charters Kentucky looks primed to pass legislation allowing charter schools to openits one of only seven states that remains a charter holdout. Democrats in the Kentucky House have previously blocked charter legislation, but Republicans took full control of the legislature this past election, and charter supporters also have an ally in GOP Gov. Matt Bevin. Rather than if lawmakers will allow charter schools, the question seems to be how many? One bill would authorize them statewide , while the other would limit the schools to the states two largest urban areas: Louisville and Lexington. Nevadas Vouchers for All Program Faces Hurdles Meanwhile, in Nevada, a Democratic-led legislature is seeking to roll back a major school choice program. The states legislative chambers flipped to Democratic control in November, setting the stage for a pitched debate over funding for its ambitious voucher-like program. In 2015, the states then-GOP-controlled legislature approved an education savings account program that was to be open to all Nevada public school students. But the Nevada Supreme Court ruled that the financing mechanism for the program was unconstitutional last fall, forcing lawmakers to find a new funding approach. Unlike vouchers, which only allow parents to spend public money on private school tuition (including at religious schools), education savings accounts allow parents to use public money on private school tuition as well as other education-related expenses, such as textbooks and tutors. Democrats oppose Republican Gov. Brian Sandovals proposal to spend $60 million over the next two years on the program, arguing that any money set aside for education savings accounts would result in less funding for public schools. Arizona Lawmaker Wants to Extend Education Savings Accounts to All Students Arizona is hoping to follow in Nevadas footstepsat least to a certain extent. Although the state was the first in the nation to create an education savings account program, it was limited to students with disabilities. Arizona lawmakers have since expanded eligibility for the program, which now includes students from failing schools and from military families. Now, however, a state lawmaker has proposed a bill to expand the program to include all public school students. Unlike Nevada, Arizonas program has already withstood legal challenges to its constitutionality. Texas Lawmakers Try Again for a Voucher Program Republican lawmakers in Texas have introduced a two-part voucher bill that would allow parents to use taxpayer dollars to send their children to private schools. It would authorize education savings accounts as well as tax breaks for businesses that sponsor private school scholarshipsa type of school choice program commonly called tax-credit scholarships. The amount of money available to families would depend on their income. The bills prospect for passage isnt totally tied to partisan politics. During the last legislative session, the Texas Senate backed a voucher plan, but it never gained traction in the House, where rural Republicans and Democrats have partnered to block such legislation. Indiana Bills Aim to Expand School Choice Even Further in the State Lawmakers have proposed bills to both create an education savings account program in Indiana and further expand the states relatively generous voucher program. A House bill to broaden the states pilot prekindergarten program for low-income families to more communities includes a plan to expand eligibility for the states voucher program to pre-K students as well. Currently, the voucher program starts at kindergarten. Combining the expansion of the voucher program with the pre-K program has received pushback from both sides of the aisle, according to the Associated Press. Maryland Push for School Choice Meets Democratic Opposition The states Republican governor, Larry Hogan, is pushing to ease restrictions around opening new charter schools in the state and to increase the number of students who can attend private schools on vouchers. Hogans charter bill would establish an independent charter-approval board. Right now, only school districts can approve the opening of new charter schools in the state. Hogan also wants to double the amount of money the state spends on vouchers, increasing the total to $10 million. Democratic lawmakers and teachers unions are already aligning to oppose plans to expand choice. Maryland State Education Association President Betty Weller denounced what she called the Trump-DeVos-Hogan privatization agenda for schools. Is there an important piece of school choice legislation you feel should be included on the list? Share it with us in the comments section below. Related stories: Students in Ohios burgeoning full-time online charter schools perform far worse on state assessments than similar students in brick-and-mortar charter and regular schools, according to a new study from researchers at New York University and the RAND Corporation. The schools, which deliver instruction entirely or primarily via the internet, tend to attract lower-income, lower-performing white students, then fail to provide those children with the supports they need, the study concluded. Students in Ohio e-schools are losing anywhere between 75 days and a full school year of learning compared to their peers in traditional public schools and brick-and-mortar charter schools, Andrew McEachin, a policy researcher at the RAND Corporation, said in an interview. If kids are in e-schools for a long time, theyre likely going to fall very far behind their peers. The findings are outlined in a study titled Student Enrollment Patterns and Achievement in Ohios Online Charter Schools , published today in the academic journal Educational Researcher. They closely mirror a nationwide 2015 study of cyber charter school performance by Stanford Universitys Center for Research on Education Outcomes, which found that more than two-thirds of the countrys 200 or so cyber charters perform worse than comparable traditional schools. The findings are more bad news for Ohios e-schools, nine of which are currently being targeted by the state education department as part of an effort to claw back more than $80 million in taxpayer funds . Following a series of attendance audits conducted last year, state officials contend the nine schools were paid for more than 9,000 students who did not complete enough coursework to be considered full-time. The states largest e-school, the 15,000-student Electronic Classroom of Tomorrow, has contested the results via a lawsuit and administrative appeals. Read Rewarding Failure , Education Weeks 8-month investigation of the cyber charter industry. The new analysis is based on state data covering nearly 1.7 million Ohio students per year from the 2009-10 school year through the 2012-13 school year. McEachin and June Ahn, an associate professor at NYU, used that information to compare how students in e-schools, regular charter schools, and traditional public schools performed on the Ohio Achievement Assessments (in grades 3 and 8) and the Ohio Graduation Test (in grade 10) in four subjects (math, reading, science, and history.) Their analysis controlled for such factors as race, eligibility for a free or reduced-price lunch (a measure of student poverty), and prior academic achievement. They also focused their comparisons on students who had previously attended the same school as each other. Across all subjects and grade spans, we see that students in e-schools score significantly lower than students in traditional charters and public schools, even conditional on a variety of control variables, the study says. E-school high school students were also significantly less likely than their peers in other schools to pass the Ohio Graduation Test, which is required to complete high school. The disparities in academic performance were particularly pronounced among previously low-performing students. Higher-achieving e-school students fared somewhat better than other e-school students, but generally did not perform as well as they would have had they stayed in a traditional public school, the researchers concluded. E-school operators and proponents of full-time online education frequently argue that such analyses are misguided because they dont adequately account for either the unusual mobility of e-school students or the special circumstances that may have pushed them to choose an online school in the first place. McEachin of RAND acknowledged such concerns may be valid. But he said it is highly unlikely that any such factor would put a significant dent in the overwhelmingly negative findings that both CREDO and now RAND and NYU have consistently found across multiple states, grades, and time frames. Low-performing students on average tend to choose online schools, but it doesnt seem like these schools are set up to have the resources they need, McEachin said. In addition to examining academic achievement, McEachin and Ahn also looked at enrollment patterns of Ohio students. The states total e-school enrollment grew from 22,000 in 2010 to 35,000 in 2013far faster than enrollment in brick-and-mortar traditional and charter schools. Ohio e-schools disproportionately attract white students: 80 percent of e-school high school students in the state are white, the researchers found, compared to 45 percent of students in traditional public high schools. And more than half of students in Ohios brick-and-mortar charter schools are Black, compared to 10 percent of e-school students. Some of that discrepancy is due to the states geography, McEachin said. Ohios brick-and-mortar charter schools tend to be located in urban areas, where more black families live, while Ohio e-schools draw from across the state, including predominantly white rural areas where brick-and-mortar charters are not generally an option. To account for that, the researchers conducted an analysis focused on parts of the state where a diverse mix of students lived and had access to both charter and e-schools. In those areas, black students were still 17 to 30 percentage points less likely than their white peers to enroll in an e-school. Overall, McEachin said, the study is another piece of a growing research base showing big problems in the full-time online charter sector, despite their continued popularity among some families. Policymakers would be well-served by better defining e-schools role, then revamping accountability systems accordingly, he said. It doesnt make sense to continue doing what were doing if kids outcomes are going to be so much worse, McEachin said. Its important to figure out why kids are choosing this option, and build some of that into whats working, instead of continuing down this path. See also: Cross-posted from the Marketplace K-12 blog . UPDATED The Internal Revenue Service has warned school business officials to beware of a phishing scam targeting schools payroll or human resource departments, according to the Association of School Business Officials International . The scam, which seeks employees confidential information, has already victimized more than 20 school districts in more than a dozen states, according to EdTech Strategies, a consulting agency that has been tracking publicly reported instances. At least one prominent ed-tech company, New York City-based Amplify, was also affected, according to a report in EdSurge . The Association of School Business Officials alerted members to the scam in the notice on the organizations website. Besides schools, the scammers are targeting tribal organizations, nonprofits, and other employers, the association indicated in its announcement to members, quoting from the IRS notification. Phishing scams are a form of fraudulent email communications with the goal of tricking recipients into revealing personal information. Last year, more than 55 companies fell victim to a similar scam during tax season, according to Info Security. The IRS reports the scam relies on a phishing email that uses a corporate officers name to request employee Forms W-2 from company payroll or human resources departments, according to ASBO, which advised its members to ensure all HR/payroll officials double check any executive-level or unusual requests for lists of Forms W-2 or Social Security numbers from their organization. School administrators are no strangers to scams, which can have big financial and privacy implications for schools. Education Week recently reported on a series of ransomware cyberattacks in districts, in which administrators must decide whether to pay a ransom to have malware removed from their computer systems. And two years ago, I wrote about scammers targeting schools with bogus math textbook invoices . Musso said reports of fake invoices still arise, and are shared by his organization. Even so, the W-2 phishing scam surprised him, John Musso, ASBOs executive director, said in an interview. These scammers are getting so smart and so devious that its hard to tell what theyre going to come out with next, he said. ASBO advised its members that they should forward W-2 scam emails to phishing@irs.gov with W2 Scam in the subject line. The IRS alert is linked here. This post has been updated with information on schools and companies that have been affected. See also: UPDATED Schools hold fundraisers all the time to support programs they cant otherwise afford. Sales of wrapping paper, citrus fruitand of course homemade baked goodshave become a staple of public school life. But heres a new twist: Washington state is holding a massive fundraiser to defray the cost of AP exam fees for low-income students. Say what? Thats right. The states lieutenant governor, Cyrus Habib, has teamed up with state schools superintendent Chris Reykdal and a local college-access nonprofit to launch an emergency $800,000 fundraising drive to make Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate exam fees affordable for low-income students this spring. UPDATED The fund has drawn the support of big players, too, according to The Seattle Times : Microsoft is in for $100,000. Banking giant JPMorgan Chase and retailer Nordstrom have committed $25,000 each. The Schultz Family Foundationthink former Starbucks chief Howard Schultzconfirmed Wednesday that it will donate $100,000. The funds organizers hope to raise the remaining $550,000 by March 7, the deadline for exam signups. Why is Washington resorting to begging for money for AP exam fees? Its because of a recent change in federal law. When the Every Student Succeeds Act was passed in December 2015, it eliminated a longtime federal subsidy that defrays the cost of Advanced Placement tests for low-income students . Low-income students still get waivers from the College Board, and in some cases, from their own states. But without the federal funding stream, states and districts suddenly had to figure out how to replace that missing piece of the monetary pie. Last month, when EdWeek reported on how the shift in AP funding was affecting schools , we found that many were scrambling to figure out how to avoid subjecting students from modest backgrounds to huge fee hikes. One student, Kailee Giles, whos quoted in our story, said she didnt think she could afford the cost of the tests at $53 each if her school couldnt figure out a way to bring the cost back down to $15, what she paid last year. Teachers worried that some students wouldnt sign up to take the exams because they wouldnt be able to afford it. When we checked around last month, some states were stepping up to fill those funding gaps and keep the price of AP exams low for students who needed it. But others, like Washington, had no solutions, and they were leaving it up to districts and schools to come up with the money, or break the news to students that theyd have to pay $53, instead of $5 to $15, for each AP test. When Washingtons Lt. Gov. Habib saw EdWeeks story about the AP funding situation, he reached out to Reykdal and the Bellevue-based College Success Foundation to come up with a quick fix. Time was too tight to get a funding solution through the state legislature, so the idea of the AP Access Fund was born. Miranda Roberts, Habibs director of outreach and policy coordinator, said the lieutenant governor is working with Reykdal and the legislature on a funding solution for the 2017-18 school year. The proposal would require that the state reserve a slice of the federal grant it will seek under Title IV of ESSA to fully subsidize the costs of advanced-course exam fees for low-income students. Congress rounded up dozens of programs, including the AP Test Fee program, and created a block grant to support them under Title IV of ESSA. States can apply for that grant money, and can use it for many things, including offsetting the cost of AP and IB test fees for low-income students. But Congress hasnt yet funded that block-grant program. VR Unicorn Sued IRL for Sex Discrimination Unicorns, at least in venture capital circles are very real. Defined as a startup that hasn't actually brought a product to market, yet is somehow valued at more than $1 billion, unicorns have real employees, and thus real employee problems. And Magic Leap, "one of the most well-funded startups of all time," looks like it has more real problems than most. Tannen Campbell, Magic Leap's former Head and Vice President of Strategic Marketing and Brand Identity who was hired to make the company and its products more female-friendly, is now suing the company, claiming "hostile environment sex discrimination and retaliation." Her lawsuit is a laundry list of inappropriate comments, behavior, and sexual stereotypes in the tech industry, and even includes some discussion of wizards. Women in the Workplace Campbell's central claim is that she was brought in to fix Magic Leap's toxic corporate culture and male-centered product line, yet she was another victim of that culture and was undercut by superiors and employees alike: Campbell, one of whose responsibilities was to help Magic Leap with the "pink/blue problem," had to endure hostile environment sex discrimination while proposing ways, not only to make Magic Leap's product more woman friendly, but also to make the workplace more diverse and inclusive. Campbell was terminated after (and because) she, like the child in "The Emperor's New Clothes" who blurted out that the Emperor was naked, challenged Magic Leap's CEO, Rony Abovitz, to acknowledge the depths of misogyny in Magic Leap's culture and take steps to correct an gender imbalance that negatively affects the company's core culture and renders it so dysfunctional it continues to delay the launch of a product that attracted billions of investment dollars. There's a lot to unpack there, so let's go to some of the highlights of Campbell's lawsuit. Although Campbell was tasked to put together a presentation about gender diversity in the workplace, the meeting was scheduled and cancelled six times. When it finally did happen, Abovitz allegedly arrived late and ended the meeting early. And when Abovitz put a team of female employees together to make Magic Leap's product more woman friendly, none of the ideas from the indelicately named "Female Brain Trust Initiative" were taken seriously. And there was also that time during a training session when a male IT support lead told new female hires, "In IT we have a saying; stay away from the Three Os: Orientals, Old People and Ovaries." Work in the Workplace Campbell also said she was fired partially because she "raised concerns that what Magic Leap showed the public in marketing material was not what the product actually could do." These concerns, like others, were ignored she claims, with male colleagues asserting "the images and videos presented on Magic Leap's website and on YouTube were 'aspirational,' and not Magic Leap's version of 'alternate facts.'" And, as New York Magazine points out, the actual product that Magic Leap is planning to produce someday has been far from problematic, saying there are "reports Magic Leap has seriously oversold what its products can really do, that the company is hustling to get a prototype ready in time for an upcoming board meeting, and that time Beyonce was shown a demo and was 'bored' by it." Wizards in the Workplace Seriously -- wizards. We can't say it any better than Campbell's lawsuit, so: For example, unlike virtually every employer with a website, the Magic Leap website nowhere states that it is an equal opportunity employer and wants women to be among the "Wizards" it is seeking in the "Wizards Wanted" section of its website. Indeed, given that a "wizard" generally is defined as "a man who has magical powers," and virtually without exception images of wizards are male, Magic Leap's recruiting verbiage contains a not-so-subtle "women-need-not-apply" message. Related Resources: Cambridge student who burned cash saved homeless mans life Helping us know why an 18-year-old set light to a 20 note in the streets of Cambridge is a delighted Press. Above a picture of a 20 note so helping Guardian readers know one should they encounter it lit or otherwise the paper explains from the off that the berk burning cash was a member of Cambridge University Conservative Association, an organisation the paper calls prestigious but which Id brand ghastly, in keeping with all student politics. The Mail tells its readers the money burner was drunk. No blood test needed. The paper knows a drunk when it sees one on a Snapchat video. The Mail soon names the wally as one Ronald Coyne, who now only tried to set fire to a 20 note in front of a homeless man. Like the Guardian, the Mail politicises the pillocks antics by telling its readers in the third paragraph that Coyne is a relative of Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. Brother? Son? In the 30th paragraph, readers learn: He is believed to be the nephew of the First Minsters sister-in-laws ex-husband. As you work out if that makes Master Coyne closer in blood to Sturgeon than Kevin Bacon or a bacon bap, the Telegraph tells its readers in a shouty headline: Cambridge University student who boasted of being related to Nicola Sturgeon filmed burning 20 note in front of homeless person. So keen is the Tele to work the Sturgeon angle into its story that whilst her name features in the opening line Cambridge University student who claims he is a direct relative of Nicola Sturgeon you have to wait until paragraph two to hear of Coyne. Sturgeon is name-checked five times in the article. Theres no mention of Sturgeon in the Tabs report, although it does note: It has been rumoured that burning a 50 note in front of a homeless person is one of the initiation ceremonies of Oxfords notorious Bullingdon club. Whether thats before of after they defile a dead pig and toss a pot through a restaurant window is left un-investigated. Having gone off on a fact-free tangent, the Tab notes that the motivations of the student, other than odiousness, are unclear. Helpfully an unnamed source is on hand to call Coyne an arsehole. By now youre wondering about the video. Here it is. Over in the Sun, we get to hear about the other man in the frame, Ryan Davies. The rough sleeper says Coyne first offered him the note. Ryan, an unemployed crane operator who has been homeless for three months, thought his luck was in until the Pembroke College student, who has distant links to SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon, set the money alight. He said: There were some people going past and I was asking them for spare change. Im homeless. I asked one man for spare change. I was polite about it as I always am. I couldnt believe my luck. But then he pulled it back and lit it and said Ill give you some change, Ive changed it into fire.He says lets see what Ive got and pulls out a 20 note and went to pass it to me. Is the Sun on the side of beggars? In 2016, the paper told its readers: Revealed: Just one in 5 beggars are homeless as one boasts shes using cash for new kitchen SUN INVESTIGATION: Just 1 in 5 on our streets are homeless and one office worker even admitted to begging after work to buy a new kitchen Can bad press turn people against a certain type of person? The Sun says it can: A CAMBRIDGE student was attacked on his bike in suspected retribution for Nicola Sturgeons relative goading a homeless man. One college has even warned students against wearing gowns in public in case they inflame further violence. And what of the argument that says its wrong to give beggars money? The Sun reported in 2016: Charities last night urged people NOT to hand out money in the street. Jeremy Swain, chief executive of London-based homelessness charity Thames Reach, said: The evidence is indisputable that the overwhelming majority of people begging on the streets spend their begging money on crack cocaine, heroin and super-strength booze. Nottingham Council advised: The Mail reported: Thames Reach, a large-scale organisation with more than 350 staff, said that most people who beg on the street have some form of accommodation to go to. Its spokesman Mike Nicholas said: Giving to people who beg is not a benign act. It can have fatal consequences. Many people asking for your money are caught up in a desperate cycle of begging from the public, buying drugs from a dealer and then taking these drugs. He added: There are many services seeking to help people sleeping rough. Please work with them, not against them. Can we sympathise with Coyne? After all, its not as if beggars, people more likely to sleep on a newspaper than buy one, enjoy a favourable Press. No, say bleeding hearts. As the Standard reports: Calls to have him kicked out of the university have quickly gathered momentum with more than 19,000 people signing a change.org petition by 5pm on Sunday. Students always did have too much time on their hands. Paul Sorene Posted: 16th, February 2017 | In: Broadsheets, Key Posts, News, Reviews, Tabloids Comment | TrackBack | Permalink Show highlights Med seen by 3,500 artists on mini canvases To open Saturday in Palermo's Cantieri alla Zisa (ANSAmed) - PALERMO, FEBRUARY 16 - An art exhibit built from 3,500 mini canvases measuring 10 x 12 cms to show art and the Mediterranean is set to open on Saturday in the Spazio Zac at Palermo's Cantieri alla Zisa. The paintings are a common jumping off point of the global contemporary art project "Imago Mundi" (www.imagomundiart.com), promoted by Luciano Benetton, that will inaugurate the new exhibition 'Mediterranean Routes', running through March 10 with free entrance. The exhibition is dedicated to the Mediterranean and aims to be an expression of belonging on the part of all: from the Middle East, with Palestine and Israel, Syria and Lebanon, to the coasts of Africa, touching Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco, up to Europe and the far west of Portugal to Greece and Turkey passing through Spain, France and Italy with a focus on Campania and Sicily, to finally return northward to Albania, Montenegro, Croatia and Slovenia. There are currently more than 20,000 artists involved in the project, from more than 120 countries, regions and native communities worldwide.(ANSAmed). - PALERMO - An art exhibit built from 3,500 mini canvases measuring 10 x 12 cms to show art and the Mediterranean is set to open on Saturday in the Spazio Zac at Palermo's Cantieri alla Zisa. The paintings are a common jumping off point of the global contemporary art project "Imago Mundi" (www.imagomundiart.com), promoted by Luciano Benetton, that will inaugurate the new exhibition 'Mediterranean Routes', running through March 10 with free entrance. The exhibition is dedicated to the Mediterranean and aims to be an expression of belonging on the part of all: from the Middle East, with Palestine and Israel, Syria and Lebanon, to the coasts of Africa, touching Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco, up to Europe and the far west of Portugal to Greece and Turkey passing through Spain, France and Italy with a focus on Campania and Sicily, to finally return northward to Albania, Montenegro, Croatia and Slovenia. There are currently more than 20,000 artists involved in the project, from more than 120 countries, regions and native communities worldwide. Oklahoma Bill Would Give Fathers the Right to Stop Abortions Oklahoma has been one of the most aggressive states regulating a woman's right to an abortion, passing 20 abortion restrictions in the past five years. But its latest proposal might be its most extreme yet. This week, the Oklahoma state legislature is contemplating a bill that would require a woman seeking an abortion to first get written permission from her male sexual partner. The bill is almost certainly unconstitutional, and critics of the bill worry that it could do untold damage to women's autonomy and reproductive rights in the meantime. Here's a look. "You're a 'Host'" Perhaps the Intercept described it best when it broke the story, saying Oklahoma Lawmakers Want Men to Approve All Abortions. Under HB 1441, a woman seeking an abortion would first be required to obtain written permission from her sexual partner as well as provide his name to her doctor. And the law would give the man the authority to forestall the procedure if he wanted the opportunity to challenge paternity. The Intercept also spoke with the bill's author, freshmen Representative Justin Humphrey, who said: "I believe one of the breakdowns in our society is that we have excluded the man out of all of these types of decisions. I understand that [women] feel like that is their body. I feel like it is a separate -- what I call them is, is you're a 'host.' And you know when you enter into a relationship you're going to be that host and so, you know, if you pre-know that then take all precautions and don't get pregnant. So that's where I'm at. I'm like, hey, your body is your body and be responsible with it. But after you're irresponsible then don't claim, well, I can just go and do this with another body, when you're the host and you invited that in." Casey, Consent, and the Constitution Beyond the demeaning nature of Humphrey's comments, they ignore one of the Supreme Court's central abortion rights rulings. In Planned Parenthood v. Casey the Court found husband notification provisions under Pennsylvania law constituted an undue burden on the right to an abortion, and struck them down: Furthermore, it cannot be claimed that the father's interest in the fetus' welfare is equal to the mother's protected liberty, since it is an inescapable biological fact that state regulation with respect to the fetus will have a far greater impact on the pregnant woman's bodily integrity than it will on the husband. [The notification requirement] embodies a view of marriage consonant with the common law status of married women, but repugnant to this Court's present understanding of marriage and of the nature of the rights secured by the Constitution. If the Supreme Court found husband notification requirements unconstitutional, there is little doubt that it would find father (and possibly stranger) consent requirements legal. Yet that ruling seems to have had little impact on Oklahoma legislators. The bill was passed out of a House committee this week and is now up for consideration by the full House. Related Resources: Stolen Guercino painting found in Casablanca Was taken in 2014 from San Vincenzo Church in Modena (ANSAmed) - RABAT, FEBRUARY 16 - A Guercino painting that was stolen in 2014 from San Vincenzo church in Modena has been found in Casablanca, according to website Le Site.info on Thursday. It said the 1639 oil painting, 'Madonna with Saint John the Evangelist and Gregory Thaumaturgus', had been offered for sale by three fences to a Moroccan businessman and art collector who recognized the painting's value and alerted authorities. Casablanca judicial police arrested the three men while they were attempting to sell the painting. The large (about 293 x 185 cms) painting was one of Guercino's most renowned, admired and photographed works, and its value is impossible to estimate. Le Site.info said the painting was offered for 10 million dirhams (equivalent to about 940,000 euros) and one of the men who was trying to sell it had lived for an extended period in Italy. Tunis-Berlin accord to repatriate 1,500 irregular migrants Aid from Berlin for those who return and job training for young (ANSAmed) - TUNIS, FEBRUARY 16 - Germany has reached an agreement with Tunisia for the repatriation of 1,500 irregular migrants who want to voluntarily return, together with the establishment of a consultation and training center in Tunisia, according to the Tunisian press following Prime Minister Youssef Chahed's official visit to Germany. Training could become one of the cornerstones of the cooperation between Tunis and Berlin. Chahed said a large number of high school and university graduates don't have the skills required by the job market.(ANSAmed). UN and Arab League say two-state solution 'only way' Following Trump's words in meeting with Netanyahu (ANSAmed) - NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 16 - The two-state solution is "the only way" for Palestinians and Israelis, said Nikolay Mladenov, UN Special Coordinator for Middle East Peace, during a meeting of the Security Council. "Israel, Palestine and the international community have a duty to avoid growing tensions, abstaining from unilateral actions and working together to defend peace," Mladenov said, just one day after US President Donald Trump announced he isn't committed to a two-state solution. The Arab League also reaffirmed the need to resolve the Palestinian question with the two-state solution, according to MENA news agency, citing a statement by the organisation's spokesperson released following a meeting in Cairo between the League's Secretary General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. "The secretary of the Arab League affirmed that the Palestinian question is central to the Arab nation and this demands reaching a global and just solution of the Palestinian question based on the two-state solution and the creation of an independent Palestinian state within the June 4, 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as the capital," the spokesperson said. According to a poll by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research together with the Tami Steinmetz Center for Peace Research in Tel Aviv, a majority of Israelis (55%) and a large percentage of Palestinians (44%) still believe in the two-state solution.(ANSAmed). Unaccompanied minor migrant arrivals in Italy up in 2016 Migrantes Foundation says between 9-14% of total (ANSAmed) - ROME, FEBRUARY 16 - Between January 2014 and November 2016 nearly 500,000 migrants arrived on Italian shores following rescue operations at sea, and of those, just under 50,000 were unaccompanied minors, according to a report by Migrantes Foundation presented in Turin on Thursday. The report, titled "The Right to Asylum: Vulnerable child refugees without a voice", said that in 2016 alone, more than 24,000 unaccompanied foreign minors arrived in southern Italy, with the percentage of unaccompanied minors reaching 14% of all migrant arrivals in 2016, compared to an average of 9% between 2012 and 2015. Asylum requests are also up, from 306 in 2010 to 2,557 in 2015, it said. In the first eight months of 2016 there were 3,181 new asylum applications, double that of the same period in 2015.(ANSAmed). 9 Syrian opposition groups present at Astana talks Direct talks between rebels and regime 'not ruled out' (ANSAmed) - MOSCOW, FEBRUARY 16 - Nine Syrian opposition groups are taking part in the second day of talks in Astana, capital of Kazakhstan, director of the Asian and African affars section of the Kazakh foreign ministry Aidarbek Tumatov said on Thursday. "The opposition delegation is led by Mohammed Alloush, political leader of Jaysh al-Islam," Tumatov is quoted by Tass news agency as saying. The diplomat did not rule out the possibility of direct negotiations between the opposition and Damascus. "All the options are on the table," he said. (ANSAmed). TEL AVIV - Israeli Premier Benyamin Netanyahu on Wednesday asked US President Donald Trump to recognise Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights. "I wouldn't say that he was surprised by my request," Netanyahu told journalists after the meeting at the White House. The Israeli premier made the same request to then president Barack Obama in November 2015, but it was rejected. Israel seized the Golan Heights from Syria in the Six Day War and the US administration officially considers them to be occupied Syrian territory, remitting the matter to a peace agreement between the two countries. WASHINGTON - The Pentagon is for the first time considering sending conventional ground forces to Syria, CNN cites defence department sources as saying. 'Boots on the ground' is one of the options being studied by the military commanders responsible for drawing up the anti-ISIS plan ordered by President Donald Trump. It is a possibility that former US president Barack Obama always ruled out, considering it too risky for America after the experience of Afghanistan and Iraq. Conventional ground forces could be deployed alongside the US special forces already present in Syria within a few weeks, with the dispatch of the soldiers formerly in Kuwait. So far no indication has been given of the number of soldiers that could be sent. A growing number of restaurants and other businesses are closing in solidarity with Thursday's 'Day Without Immigrants' protests in cities throughout the United States. From the Washington Post: The boycott calls for immigrants not to attend work, open their businesses, spend money or even send their children to school. The Washington region had the seventh-largest immigrant population in the country in 2010, with 21.8 percent of the population being foreign-born, according to a study from the Brookings Institution. Lawmakers and Trump campaign officials seem to be doing their best to ignore the popular movement. Celebrity chefs like Jose Andres and Rick Bayless aren't ignoring it they're closing their restaurants in solidarity with the largely immigrant workforce that powers the food biz and other service industries in the U.S. Out of respect for r staff's vote to support Thurs's immigrant civil action, we r closing Frontera Grill, Topolobampo,Xoco & Fonda Frontera Rick Bayless (@Rick_Bayless) February 16, 2017 From CNN: Immigrants and supporters are planning to strike Thursday in a protest loosely organized by social media and word of mouth. The goal is to demonstrate the importance of immigrants to society, as the Trump administration continues to pursue hard-line enforcement policies that advocates fear will disrupt communities and the economy. Restaurants in the DC area were planning to operate with short staff, offer menus in solidarity with striking immigrants and in some cases, close altogether. Celebrity chef Jose Andres, who is locked in a lawsuit with President Donald Trump for pulling his restaurant from the Trump hotel project in Washington over Trump's anti-undocumented immigrant rhetoric, announced he would close most of his restaurants Thursday as part of the protest. The Trump International Hotel did not respond to a request for comment on its plans for Thursday. Schools were preparing as well. A bilingual charter school in Northwest DC planned to close, and DC public schools were preparing for possible walkouts. Similar actions have taken place in other cities. Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was the site of a similar protest this week, and bodegas in New York closed earlier this month in protest of Trump's travel ban executive order. PHOTO: REUTERS Participating in the #DayWithoutImmigrants protest/strike tomorrow? Know your rights! https://t.co/VTOxR5UJjI Nat'l Imm Law Center (@NILC_org) February 15, 2017 Dear Trumpanzees, We know you people are a bit slow, but "immigrant" doesn't mean "illegal."#DayWithoutImmigrants No. (@Rachismo1) February 16, 2017 Trump worried he will be wifeless during the #DayWithoutImmigrants pic.twitter.com/BBbnajCuw7 Jonathan Riley (@JonRiley7) February 15, 2017 Sweetgreen will close its D.C. locations Thursday for 'Day Without Immigrants' strike https://t.co/t6wRIlhwkF via @MashableNews pic.twitter.com/ErNXUgl6hp Mashable Social Good (@socialgood) February 16, 2017 #DayWithoutImmigrants: A running list of restaurants that will be closed, have changes to service due to the boycott https://t.co/kDneF6ft59 NBCWashington (@nbcwashington) February 15, 2017 Add 2 Amys to the list. DC restaurants closing Thursday for 'Day without Immigrants' protest. https://t.co/kvuj968GBu Eun Yang (@eunyangnbc) February 15, 2017 Many Twin Cities businesses closing Thursday for 'Day Without Immigrants' protest https://t.co/4e2X5OIv3C pic.twitter.com/rR9TcDEeht Star Tribune (@StarTribune) February 15, 2017 Hispanic businesses in Austin closing Thursday to show 'A Day Without Immigrants' https://t.co/3mLcUvjeAa pic.twitter.com/BLI40Iwf0n WFAA-TV (@wfaachannel8) February 15, 2017 In an interview with Richard Quest, Clark said three studies had been submitted to the carrier for consideration. As such, over the next eighteen months, a decision will be made on whether to add aircraft such as the A320 from Airbus Industrie or the B737 from Boeing, combining that with an order for smaller widebody jets, or continuing to buy widebody aircraft exclusively, he said. Coupled with Dubai World Central's greater terminal and gate capacity, the narrowbody jets could allow the carrier to develop thinner routes currently unsuited to its existing fleet of ninety-two A380-800s, ten B777-200(LR)s, ten B777-300s, and 128 B777-300(ER)s. The Dubai-based carrier has yet to make a decision on whether to order the A350 or B787 given it axed an order for seventy A350s back in June 2014. Among the types under consideration are the A350-900/-1000 and the B787-9/-10. "When the time is right we will decide," said Clark. "But so far, we are just biding our time to see which way it all pans out." While at IDEX, Raytheon will also highlight its three decades of partnership with the United Arab Emirates. Over the last 30 years, Raytheon and the UAE have built a close and enduring relationship supporting the Emirates civil defense infrastructure, security, local manufacturing and training on a number of strategic fronts, said Chris Davis, president of Raytheon International in the UAE. Davis added: Over the years, Raytheon has expanded its UAE customers from one to nine, and have diversified our partnerships in line with the countrys economic aspirations and development roadmaps, such as the Abu Dhabi Vision 2030. Raytheon has also expanded its offerings in the Emirates and the Gulf region to include cybersecurity technology and support an imperative focus highlighted at the 2015 UAE Security Forum sponsored by the company in partnership with the Arab Gulf States Institute and the UAEs National Electronic Security Authority. That same year, Raytheon launched its Cyber Academy program in the UAE, conducting cyber skills workshops for Emirati students at Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi. Davis said: We also launched MathAlive! Gulf region tour in the UAE in 2013, and it is still underway today. The exhibit Emirates debut comprised of three stops (Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah) made possible by partnering with five local educational and cultural institutions (Abu Dhabi Technology Development Committee, Higher Colleges of Technology, Sharjah Science Museum, Khalifa University and RAK Colleges). Currently in Oman, MathAlive! has made 10 stops in four Gulf countries (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar) and has been experienced by approximately 300,000 visitors. A scorching analysis of the unprecedented last few days in America from Joshua Marshall of Talking Points Memo, following the Russia-clouded resignation of Trump national security Michael Flynn, who follows the Russia-scandal resignation of Paul Manafort, and other advisors who've stepped aside under various clouds of suspicion. What do all these disgraced dudes have in common? They answered to Donald J. Trump. Who does he answer to? Snip from Josh Marshall's piece today: For all we've learned over recent days about retired General Michael Flynn and his contacts with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak, it's overshadowed by much more that we do not know. Indeed, based on the current evidence we don't know whether Flynn's actions were just wildly inappropriate (undermining the current president's actions with a foreign adversary weeks before taking office) or part of a larger, darker design. Whether Flynn lied to the FBI (we don't know) or lied to his colleagues is an interesting legal and possibly political question. But again, they are relatively straightforward matters which only become truly significant in terms of the bigger picture, if there is one. The truth is Michael Flynn does not matter. We have before us a question that has stood before us, centerstage, for something like a year, brazen and shameless and yet too baffling and incredible to believe: Donald Trump's bizarre and unexplained relationship with Russia and its strongman Vladimir Putin. It is almost beyond imagining that a National Security Advisor could be forced to resign amidst a counter-intelligence investigation into his communications and ties to a foreign adversary. The National Security Advisor is unique in the national security apparatus. He or she is the organizer, synthesizer and conduit to the President for information from all the various agencies and departments with a role in national security. This person must be able to know everything. The power and trust accorded this person are immeasurable. It is only really comparable to the President. And yet, we are talking about the President. A staffer or appointee can be dismissed. The President is the ultimate constitutional officer. TPM EDBLOG: Flynn Doesn't Matter. This Is About Trump Capping off Donald J. Trump's No Good Very Bad Horrible Day today, the Wall Street Journal reports that senior U.S. intelligence officials are deliberately withholding sensitive information from the President because they don't trust him. Today's report cites sources inside the White House, and underscores the deep mistrust between career spies and the imploding kakistocracy. "It wasn't clear Wednesday how many times officials have held back information from Mr. Trump," reports WSJ. How does Trump's camp respond? As they always do, with denial. A White House official told the Wall Street Journal, "There is nothing that leads us to believe that this is an accurate account of what is actually happening." On @CNN, @realJeffreyLord raised the possibility that Trump's own phones are being tapped by the intel community. Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) February 16, 2017 Snip from WSJ: U.S. intelligence officials have withheld sensitive intelligence from President Donald Trump because they are concerned it could be leaked or compromised, according to current and former officials familiar with the matter. The officials' decision to keep information from Mr. Trump underscores the deep mistrust that has developed between the intelligence community and the president over his team's contacts with the Russian government, as well as the enmity he has shown toward U.S. spy agencies. On Wednesday, Mr. Trump accused the agencies of leaking information to undermine him. In some of these cases of withheld information, officials have decided not to show Mr. Trump the sources and methods that the intelligence agencies use to collect information, the current and former officials said. Those sources and methods could include, for instance, the means that an agency uses to spy on a foreign government. Important graph kinda buried in this https://t.co/GWv5k4gnuq pic.twitter.com/42bKIwSLtb Gideon Resnick (@GideonResnick) February 16, 2017 This could very well be the fallout from Trump repeatedly accusing the Intel comm. of leaking info to undermine him https://t.co/o74CxWdSDG pic.twitter.com/zBMuqaXbtV Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) February 16, 2017 Intel officials say they withhold intel from Trump. This is the important part https://t.co/YH33n5UYre pic.twitter.com/viGI3396CI Nadav Pollak (@NadavPollak) February 16, 2017 White House Plans to Have Trump Ally Review Intelligence Agencies, via @nytimes https://t.co/folRuLllxT Patrick LaForge (@palafo) February 16, 2017 PHOTOSHOP: @beschizza YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 16, ARMENPRESS. Mayor of Gyumri Samvel Balasanyan says active cooperation is necessary with investors for the development of the city. Armenpress talked with Samvel Balasanyan over the upcoming programs, further prospective directions for investments and other issues. -Mr. Balasanyan, recently Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan was in Gyumri on a working visit. It was emphasized that the Government is interested in attracting investments for Gyumri. What are the areas of investment in Gyumri, which sectors are more prospective? -The Prime Minister put forward a serious program for the reconstruction of the historical city. This is the first pilot project carried out with the Government which aims to reconstruct Gyumris 2 streets, Rustaveli and Shiraz. A special fund will be established for the implementation of the program where large amount of money will be invested. The PM visited Gyumri in early February, a number of businessmen, who are interested in the investment program, accompanied him. The presentation of the draft development program of Kumairi historical center was held with the PMs participantion in Gyumri Technological Center. The draft was prepared by the Central Bank and the Gyumri Project Hope. During the presentation the results of the works carried out, as well as the upcoming steps were presented. The first steps over Gyumri development program are already done, and we all must make efforts for the further development. -During the PMs visit, the current situation of the historical buildings, their maintenance and restoration were discussed. What steps are expected to be taken on this path? Is there a complete record of theses historical buildings? How can they be used for tourism purposes? -Of course, there is. The Gyumri Project Hope has carried out a general record, research in Gyumri and this project, as I said, was presented during the PMs visit. Active cooperation must be done with investors for Gyumris development. -There are many talks on tourism development in Gyumri in connection with the relaunch of Shirak airport. What are the expectations in terms of attracting tourists? -Pobeda airlines started to carry out flights from Gyumris Shirak airport on December, 2016, and today as well it carries out flights 3 times a week. It is expected to make 10 million USD investment in the Shirak airport. -There is a need to develop nearby infrastructures due to the launch of the airport. What programs does the Gyumri Municipality plan to implement? -The Municipality is cooperating with various structures and investors aimed at developing tourism in Gyumri. A businessman from Gyumri Karen Gomtsyan initiated and will implement the restoration of Gyumri market. Large amount of money will be invested for the market restoration. Another attractive place for tourists is Gyumris old theater building. It is expected to reconstruct the building, improve the park. -What steps are there in terms of improving the cultural centers, as well as the roads? -Gyumri Municipality within its capabilities will continue renovating the streets, the city lighting and etc. The grant-loan program worth 23.8 million Euro provided by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development will launch in 2017 within the framework of which street construction, large-scale works on the city lighting will be conducted which is a great achievement for Gyumri. Interview by Syuzi Muradyan YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 16, ARMENPRESS. Leader of the Armenian Revival party Artur Baghdasaryan presented the names of first 7 people of partys proportional list for the upcoming parliamentary election, reports Armenpress. In a meeting with reporters on February 16, Baghdasaryan said he will head the partys proportional list. Mher Shahgeldyan is the second in the list, then comes Heghine Bisharyan, Hovhannes Margaryan is the 4th, Edgar Arakelyan is the 5th in the list, Marine Kocharyan is the 6th, and Artur Misakyan is the 7th in the list, Artur Baghdasaryan said. He said the proportional and regional list is comprised of 300 people which is the permissible threshold of the Electoral Code: 136 people are included in the proportional list, and 164 people in the regional list. Baghdasaryan said the partys slogan is Vote for the sake of revival. China's nightmarish "citizen scores" system uses your online activity, purchases, messages, and social graph to rate your creditworthiness and entitlement to services. One way your score can be plunged into negative territory is for a judge to declare you to be a bad person (mostly this happens to people said to have refused to pay their debts, but it's also used to punish people who lie to courts, hide their assets, and commit other offenses). More than 6.7 million people in China have been placed on a blacklist created in this manner. Once you're on the blacklist, you are not allowed to buy high-speed rail tickets or plane tickets and other people can see your ratings, and face social pressure to exclude you (their own scores are based in part on whether they associate with low-scoring individuals). High quality global journalism requires investment. Please share this article with others using the link below, do not cut & paste the article. See our T&Cs and Copyright Policy for more detail. Email ftsales.support@ft.com to buy additional rights. In addition to not paying debts on time, one can also be blacklisted for lying in court, hiding one's assets and a host of other crimes. The Supreme Court said on Tuesday it was working on adding new forms of penalties. China's courts have said a social credit system is needed to rein in the country's hangover of bad debt both personal and corporate because the lack of a personal bankruptcy law and a comprehensive financial credit system has limited the government's capacity to enforce financial penalties. Fintech companies have explored using big data collected on everything from a person's internet browsing activity to online purchases to determine creditworthiness. "The need for this comes from not having perfect institutions there are plenty of ways to evade paying debts, so the cost of crime is low," said Wang Zhicheng, a professor specialising in credit risk at Peking University. China penalty of the day [Tyler Cowen/Marginal Revolution] China penalises 6.7m debtors with travel ban [Yuan Yang/Financial Times] YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 16, ARMENPRESS. The court hearings over former Italian MP Luca Volonte who is accused of taking a bribe of 2.4 million Euros from Azerbaijan will be held in April, Politico.eu reports. Volonte told Politico he awaits the money laundering trial with confidence but refused to answer any further questions. In a report obtained by Politico, the prosecutors insist that the Azerbaijani leadership paid nearly 2.4 million Euro to Volonte in exchange of his support of political positions of Azerbaijan at the Council of Europe. It is reported that Elkhan Suleymanov, head of the Azerbaijani delegation to CoE, stands behind the payments, however, he also refused to give any comment to Politico. Volontes lawyer Domenico Pulitano told Politico: We have provided an explanation for the legitimate reasons why Volonte has received this money. The money was for cultural activities and had nothing to do with his functions in the Strasbourg assembly, Pulitano said. Another lawyer of Volonte Alessandro Pistochini said the accusations of money laundering are groundless. The Milan Police and Prosecution launched a criminal case against Luca Volonte in February, 2016, who is a former MP of the Christian-Democratic Party and is the former Chairman of the EPP faction at PACE. Volonte is accused of taking a bribe of 2.4 million Euros from Azerbaijan in 2012-2013. Instead, he was being used by official Baku in the Italian Parliament and the PACE. The criminal case launched against Volonte is comprised of two parts: Bribery and money laundering. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 16, ARMENPRESS. Former Defense Minister of Armenia Seyran Ohanyan will head the proportional list of Ohanyan-Raffi-Oskanyan alliance, Vice-Chairman of the Heritage party Armen Martirosyan told Armenpress. Seyran Ohanyan will be the 1st number of the proportional list of the alliance. We will release the remaining names a bit later, he said. Unity, Heritage parties and former Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan are included in the Ohanyan-Raffi-Oskanyan alliance. They have signed a memorandum of cooperation on taking part in the upcoming parliamentary election with alliance. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 16, ARMENPRESS. Armenias Government discussed the draft law on Auditor Chamber and the package of related bills submitted by a group of MPs as a legislative initiative, reports Armenpress. According to the presented explanation, in case of adoption of the package, the law will become a legal basis for having a significant and constructive input in the public finance management process by the Armenian Supreme Audit Body which in its turn will raise the effectiveness of the public finance management. At the same time, the legislation regulating the activity of the Supreme Audit Body will be in accordance with the concepts and standards existing in the developed countries, in particular, in the EU. Finance Minister Vardan Aramyan said the package of bills complies with the provisions of Armenias new Constitution. In general, from conceptual, ideological perspective, we support this since a progressive step is being taken under the bills, the Minister said, adding that the package of bills needs to be amended. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Five workers at Navajo Refining Co. were treated and released this afternoon after a minor acid release incident at the local refinery. Artesia Fire Department and EMS crews were dispatched to Navajo just before 1:30 p.m. today in reference to the incident. The five individuals, who were working in the immediate vicinity at the time of the release, were transported to Artesia General Hospital, where they were treated and released. Bob OBrien, vice president and refinery manager at Navajo, said the acid release from one of the refinerys process units was small and the acid in low concentration. The acid was quickly isolated, and OBrien said no off-site hazards to the community or the environment were posed. Our number-one value here at HollyFrontier and Navajo Refining is that we put health and safety first, OBrien said. Thats obviously our first thought for everyone that works here. Weve initiated an investigation to understand exactly why the release happened. Fifty years ago Lincoln Center opened in New York City. Unquestionably, the project was a success for the neighborhood, sparking a rejuvenation of Manhattans upper West Side and providing needed homes for the citys major performing arts companies. It was also an influential idea creating a campus for the performing arts and drawing attention to the arts as a critical mass of excellence and it set off a generation of new performing arts centers around America. So influential has the Lincoln Center idea been, that fifty years on it seems important to weigh the idea against its impact on American artistic life. This is probably unfair. Lincoln Center was built as an artistic home and this it has been and continues to be. It has also been one of the premiere showcases of American cultural life and has presented most of the important artists of the past 50 years. Jobs well done. But wed like to consider Lincoln Center the idea, in the bigger American cultural context. Joseph Horowitz, as a fellow at NYUs Center for Ballet and the Arts has written an essay that suggests that Lincoln Center, which re-situated the New York Philharmonic, The Metropolitan Opera, and New York City Ballet with the aim of becoming a launching pad for a new era of Americas performing arts, instead represents a kind of cul de sac, and that artistic leadership in America has struggled ever since. We publish his essay here along with five responses to his provocation. Additionally, on Friday, February 17, 2017 at 1:30PM (Mountain Time), we will live-stream a discussion from the University of Texas at El Paso and the Copland in Mexico Festival. Check back here to watch or catch it in the archive later. THE ESSAY Lincoln Center Snapshot: Bing, Bernstein, and Balanchine Fifty Years Later By Joe Horowitz With the arrival of the Metropolitan Opera at Lincoln Center fifty years ago, the three main institutional constituents were put in place. New synergies were expected to ignite higher achievements at the Met in tandem with the New York Philharmonic and New York City Ballet. In retrospect, it is unsurprising that this never happened. The twenty-first century poses exigent challenges to performing arts institutions challenges that may be more readily met where bigger is better assumptions were never implemented. RESPONSES Is artistic leadership at Americas arts institutions lacking? Is this at the root of declining relevancy? By Diane Ragsdale Perhaps now is the time to prioritize artistic vision over business acumen; to grant artists primacy within the arts institution; and to shift attention from wealthy donors to the community-at-large. Perhaps now is the time to embrace the paradox of being Public Arts Institutions: a part of societybut a part which must remain apart in order to fulfill its role. Artistic Leadership Is About Vision And People, Not Buildings By Thomas W. Morris We live in an era of growing niche audiences for music institutions cannot address that reality if frozen in fancy yet over-large and rigid concert halls that trap them artistically, financially and organizationally Could it be that doing less but better is a more promising strategy? Is The Institutionalization Of Our Arts A Dead End? By Douglas McLennan While there is an argument to be made for clustering together arts organizations and cultural buildings, the idea has to be animated in some way. Why should these organizations physically be together? Is it about art or about buildings? If its about buildings creating a kind of critical mass of cultural activity that benefits by proximity then the art comes to be defined by the buildings and how theyre used. An Experiment for American Dance? By Deborah Jowitt And that was that for the American Dance Theater: a valiant, unsustainable effort to identify the New York State Theater as welcoming to other New York City companies beside New York City Ballet (and possibly to introduce modern dance to a larger audience). The idea of a repertory company that would present the works of various contemporary choreographers in a theater in which none of them could afford to perform with their own companies (or could have filled) was admirable. It was also unworkable. For whatever reason, shared seasons materialize either. A Museum Culture of Symphony Orchestras? David Gier We have indeed created a museum culture out of this art form, one which is perceived as irrelevant for many reasons, an unnecessary result of a focus on the masterpieces we all know and love at the expense of the creation of our own voice. The Muscarelle Museum of Art at the College of William and Mary, in Williamsburg, Va., has pulled off another noteworthy show, again eliciting important loans from Italy that other, larger museums would covet. This exhibitBotticelli and the Search for the Divine: Florentine Painting Between the Medici and the Bonfires of the Vanitiesfollows previous ones in the last few years showcasing drawings by Michelangelo, paintings by Caravaggio and drawings by Leonardo. The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston partners with the Muscarelle on them, but it is the smaller museum that organizes them. Thats because, as I explain in my review of the exhibition, which is in todays Wall Street Journal, the Muscarelle employs John T. Spike as curator and deputy director. He lives in Italy much of the time and has deep relationships there. In the art world, relationships mattersometimes a little too much. Loans are granted at times to friends, but not to others. Often, that means that a less-wealthy museum, with few works they can lend in return, cannot borrow great works from large collections. But not always, and not this time. The show at the Muscarelle is small and includes some works painted partly (perhaps mainly) by Botticellis assistantsbut that differs not at all from the way art is made these days, or then. And, as I write, short of making a trip to Italy, this show gives us a better taste of Botticelli than we can get anywhere else in the U.S. The Journal has posted a few works along with the review and Ive posted a few different ones here. When it moves to Boston in mid-April, the exhibition will gain a few Botticellis from the Harvard and Isabella Stewart Gardner Museums, along with one the MFA owns. And the Uffizi will send one more workthe very beautiful Pallas and the Centaur, which Ive seen only in Florence. (See what I meanreferencing my comments above?) Ive chosen that one to illustrate this post because the two links give you a good idea of whats on view at the Muscarelle. Alibaba subsidiary Taobao has given rise to "Taobao Villages" 18 villages that were once among China's poorest places, where former peasant farmers have attained prosperity by working in factories that produce a single class of goods (for example, Daiji township, a remote town in Shandong where most working age people have moved away, is now a high-speed-fiber linked booming factory town dedicated to "acting and dance costumes"). In Dinglou village 280 of the 306 households make goods for Taobao. Taobao villages are a major piece of China's poverty-alleviation schemes, and Taobao villages are dotted with official signs bearing messages like "Through Taobao, you can escape bitter days. E-commerce runs toward the road of happiness." There have been several instances when militants were able to escape after taking advantage of such situations. Daughter of Army jawan Ravi Kumar, who was killed in an encounter with militants in Bandipora district on Tuesday, looks at his photo on a cellphone in Jammu and Kashmirs Samba district. (Photo: PTI) Srinagar: Since this Sunday, seven Army jawans including an officer died and 17 security personnel were injured in the line of duty in Kashmir Valley. Though eight militants were also killed in three separate encounters during this period, the increase in the fatalities among their men while fighting militants has set alarming bells ringing in the Army hierarchy and the government is equally worried over the loss. The Army commanders in Jammu and Kashmir and their seniors in Sena Bhavan in Delhi are reported to have taken a serious view of increasing number of fatalities among their men and have asked for revisiting the strategy followed in counterinsurgency operations routinely. Insurgency, militancy and terrorism experts and local watchers are, however, of the view that the security forces should no more take militants active in Jammu and Kashmir as amateurish or green lot. They are better trained and better equipped now and, more importantly, hardcore and extremely devoted to their cause compared to preceding generation of militants; hence must be recognised and treated as such. However, some Army officials are of the view that it is the standing instructions that maximum restraint should be exercised and other steps taken to avoid collateral damage during encounters which is stopping the security forces from going in for all-out offensive against militants trapped in populated areas. When information about the presence of militants in a populated area is received by us, the first thing that we do it to ensure there is no collateral damage and civilians do not suffer. Sometimes this comes in the way of keeping a firm grip on the situation, said a police officer who has been part of counterinsurgency campaign in the state. Also, the security forces authorities are distraught that despite their issuing repeated warnings the people in the Valley particularly youth risk their own lives by relocating to encounter sites to make conscious attempts to help militants to break the security dragnets. In fact, there have been several instances when militants were able to escape after taking advantage of such situations, the latest being Hajin in northern Bandipore district where, at least, one militant ran away and the other killed and injured as many as 14 Army, J&K police and CRPF personnel before he could be shot dead. The other trend seen as worrisome by the authorities is that people routinely turn up in huge numbers at pro-Pakistan shows including funerals of local or Pakistani militants slain in fire fights with security forces, Kulgam in the south and Hajin in north being the latest examples. The people of 45 surrounding villages relocated to Frisal on Sunday to have glimpse of four local slain militants and attend their funeral. J&Ks Director General of Police, Shesh Paul Ved, said on Monday that peoples rushing towards encounter sites in their bid to help trapped militants has emerged as a major challenge for the security forces. Assembling or marching of local people towards encounter sites and throwing stones at forces puts us in a difficult position. At times it hampers anti-militancy operations. Shouting slogans and throwing stones at police poses a great risk to locals who put their lives on the line, he said in an interview to a local newspaper. Another senior police official who spoke on condition of anonymity told this correspondent that crowds particularly youth have as did happen also at Nagabal, Frisal (Kulgam) on Sunday and Hajin (Bandipore) on Tuesday- mobbed the encounter sites, broken barriers and fought police and other security forces by hurling stones at them despite the fact that a few people died and scores were injured either by stray bullets, after getting caught in crossfire or in retaliatory actions during such incidents in the past. Official sources said that the top Army, the police, CRPF and other security forces on counterinsurgency assignment in Jammu and Kashmir are meeting here soon to discuss the issue. As measures taken earlier to break the trend have virtually failed, some drastic steps are likely to be initiated to plug it. General Rawat yesterday said that those attacking security forces during anti-militancy operations will be treated as anti-nationals. New Delhi: Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on endorsed Army Chief Bipin Rawat's statement on tough action against those creating hurdles during anti-terror operations in Kashmir, saying country's interest is supreme. "There should be action against the stone pelters and whoever works against national interest as national interest is supreme," he told reporters here. Rijiju's comments came after General Rawat said yesterday that hostile conduct of locals was causing higher casualties in the Kashmir Valley and those attacking security forces during anti-militancy operations will be treated as "anti-nationals" and will face "tough action". "Whatever the Army Chief has said, he has said that in national interest. There is no need to misinterpret it. There is nothing wrong in the Army Chief's statement," he said. Asked about the prevailing security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, the Minister of State for Home said he would not like to comment on the routine law and order matters. General Rawat's statement came a day after four army personnel, including a Major, were killed in two separate encounters in the Kashmir Valley. Four terrorists were also gunned down in the encounters on Tuesday. The opposition National Conference in the state today dubbed as "tragic" the Army Chief's warning of tough action against stone-pelters and said the government needs to engage politically the "alienated" youths of the Valley. Taiwan currently has the Taipei Economic and Cultural Centre located in New Delhi. New Delhi: China has lodged a protest with India for hosting a Taiwanese Parliamentary team and asked it to deal prudently with such matters, even as New Delhi dismissed on Wednesday the concerns, saying no political meanings should be read into such trips. But the Indian move to allow the delegation to visit is being seen by some foreign policy watchers as a veiled message to China that its concerns need not be respected by India if it (China) does not respect Indian concerns by shielding Masood Azhar, and blocking Indias NSG membership bid. Briefing the reporters in Beijing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said, China lodged representations with India. We hope that India would understand and respect Chinas core concerns and stick to the One-China principle and prudently deal with Taiwan-related issues and maintain sound and steady development of India-China relations, Geng was quoted by news agency reports from Beijing as having said. The remarks evoked a prompt reaction from New Delhi, where MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup said, We understand that a group of Taiwanese academics and businesspersons, including a couple of legislators, is visiting India. Such informal groups have visited India in the past as well for business, religious and tourist purposes... political meanings should not be read into them. According to reports, a three-member womens Parliamentary delegation from Taiwan visited India earlier this week amidst signals of increasing engagement between the two sides. India does not have diplomatic ties with Taiwan. Taiwan currently has the Taipei Economic and Cultural Centre located in New Delhi. Indias office in Taiwan is called India-Taipei Association. China considers Taiwan as a renegade province and part of its mainland, and opposes any diplomatic relations as well as political contacts with the island by countries, which have diplomatic relations with it (China). China has been objecting to such visits to India, maintaining that countries that have diplomatic relations with it should fulfil their commitment to the One China policy. China had recently blocked the US move to get Masood Azhar branded a global terrorist by the UN, after which India had issued a demarche to China. Last year, Beijing had blocked an Indian move on the same matter at the UN. The Cartosat-2 series programme is one of the most complex such missions handled by the Isro. Isro chairman (right) A.S. Kiran celebrates with colleagues after the launch of a rocket carrying 104 satellites, in Sriharikota. (Photo: PTI) Hyderabad: Scientists from the Indian Space Research Organisation said they are gearing up to launch Chandrayaan2 mission in the later part of this year, or during the first quarter of 2018. Isros Satellite Applications Centre director M. Annadurai revealed the tentative launch schedule while speaking to the press at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, on Wednesday. He said a lander and a six-wheeled rover were being prepped to go with the Chandrayaan-2 mission. The chief scientist added that a launch is likely to take place in the first quarter of 2018. According to P.V. Venkita Krishnan, director of Isro propulsion complex at Mahendragiri, engineers were currently testing soft-landing engines. To a query on plans for human space flight programmes by the agency, Isro chairman A.S. Kiran Kumar said, It is not our priority right now. The space agency is also yet to come out with the exact nature of projects for missions to other planets and heavenly bodies such as Mars, Venus and asteroids. But study teams are on the job and their proposals will be reviewed by a committee before finalising a project, Mr Kiran Kumar added. He said experiments involving reusable rockets will continue and added that there was still a long way to go. About the successful deployment of the 104 satellites, director P. Kunhi Krishnan said 88 satellites, including the Cartosat, had already started communicating with the ground stations. The Cartosat-2 series programme is one of the most complex such missions handled by the Isro. It involved injecting into space a record total of 104 satellites in a delicate sequence within a deadline without them colliding with each other. Theres also the planned launch of the Saarc satellite in March or April this year. It is basically a communication satellite with transponders and all member nations will be given opportunity to use the satellite for various applications such as tele-medicine, education, direct-to-home, library networking and disaster networking. The satellite will also help put in place a direct hot link between the south Asian nations. The case came up for hearing before Information Commissioner Sridhar Acharyulu. New Delhi: This was a poser put forth by the information watchdog to the Home Ministry on the status of those who were part of Subash Chandra Boses Indian National Army (Azad Hind Fauj). The case came up for hearing before Information Commissioner Sridhar Acharyulu as Right to Information applicant Prodyot Kumar Mitra could not get details on the status of the INA soldiers who had marched with Bose to fight the occupying British forces and their allies. Directing the Home Ministry to furnish an answer to the applicant within a month of the order issued on February 13, the Information Commissioner pointed out that "the MHA should have taken the responsibility of answering the question regarding revoking of the social stigma attached to the INA veterans". He said it was necessary to clarify the doubt why INA veterans should not be considered freedom fighters and whether the Home Ministry was ready to provide the benefits like pension to the members of INA. The application filed on August 26, 2014 was first transferred to CPIO, Ministry of Defence which further transferred it to Department of Ex-Serviceman Welfare and finally to the Ministry of Home Affairs which again passed it on to the National Archives. Four months after Mitra filed the application, National Archives offered inspection of records and asked him to cull out the desired information and documents. Acharyulu noted that the Home Ministry was right in transferring the RTI application to the National Archives as far as records are concerned. However, he opined that the Home Ministry was under obligation to explain the logic or reason behind neglecting the members of INA led by Netaji and rejecting them the status of freedom fighters. The order added that the commission finds that your above mentioned statements violate the said norms. New Delhi: The Election Commission on Thursday castigated defence minister Manohar Parrikar for his bribery comments while campaigning in Goa and asked him to be more circumspect and careful in the future. All leaders, especially those who occupy high constitutional positions, are expected to ensure and promote the sanctity of electoral process. Public utterances by such persons, which even remotely give the indications of condoning act of accepting bribe in connection with election are not acceptable as it could amount to encouraging bribery in election, which apart from being an electoral offence, is also a corrupt practice, the EC said in its order, while holding that Mr Parrikars comments were violation of the Model Code of Conduct. The order added that the commission finds that your above mentioned statements violate the said norms. Accordingly the commission advises you to be more circumspect and careful in future. On January 29, while campaigning in Goa for the Assembly polls, Mr Parrikar allegedly said it was okay for voters to accept Rs 2,000 from someone. There is no objection if someone roams there with Rs 500. But you should keep in mind that vote shall come to lotus only, he had said in Konkani. The Goa Forward Party had filed a complaint with the EC against Mr Parrikars comments. The party had also attached a video of the rally along with its complaint. On February 1, the poll body had issued a show cause notice to the defence minister. Mr Parrikar had, however, claimed that his speech was incorrectly translated from Konkani. It its order on Thursday, the commission observed that the translation of the speech by the three-member committee from Konkani did not contain any inaccuracy. In January, the Commission had ordered the filing of an FIR against Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal in connection with a similar set of bribery remarks. While campaigning in Goa on January 8, Kejriwal had similarly asked voters to accept money offered from other party candidates, but to vote only for the Aam Aadmi Party. China had protested against the visit of a Taiwanese delegation to New Delhi recently. New Delhi: India and China will hold the first round of strategic dialogue on February 22 in Beijing, during which the two sides will discuss key issues of mutual concern and interest, including friction points such as proposed UN action against Pakistan-based terrorist Masood Azhar and Indias NSG membership bid. China had protested against the visit of a Taiwanese delegation to New Delhi recently. China and India will hold the first Meeting of the India China Strategic Dialogue co-chaired by foreign secretary and the executive vice-foreign minister of China on 22 February, 2017, in Beijing. This dialogue mechanism was agreed to during foreign minister Wang Yis visit to India in August 2016, the external affairs ministry said in a statement. The two sides are expected to discuss all issues of mutual interest in the bilateral, regional and international domains, it said. MEA spokesman Vikas Swarup there are friction points in Sino-China ties, adding that the dialogue will strive for a holistic view of the relations between the two countries and see to what extent they can accommodate each others concerns and interests. India and China share a close development partnership and there are number of issues also between the two countries. While there are collaborative activities, there are also some friction points. The idea is that through the mechanism of this strategic dialogue, the foreign secretary from our side and his Chinese counterpart can take a holistic view of India-China relations, Mr Swarup was quoted as saying by news agencies. He said the strategic dialogue is a more comprehensive forum than other similar ones. The girl had moved the high court against a lower court order refusing permission for termination of her 24-week-old pregnancy. Ahmedabad: The Gujarat High Court on Wednesday directed police in Anand district to take a pregnant girl to the family of her alleged rapist, after she told the court that she loved him and wanted to give birth to his child. The court also asked the social welfare officer of Mahisagar district, where the man's family lives, to ensure that the baby is delivered safely and directed the government hospital authorities to take care of the baby's health. The girl had moved the high court against a lower court order refusing permission for termination of her 24-week-old pregnancy. The lower court had said abortion cannot be allowed post-20th week as per the law. When Justice JB Pardiwala summoned the victim on Wednesday, she said she loved the accused, and would like to live in his house and deliver the baby. The accused was also called by the court. He assured that he will take care of her and the child. The court noted that in her statement to the police the girl had said she was in a relationship with the accused, who is now in jail on charges of kidnapping and raping her. While the petition suggested that she was a rape survivor who wanted to abort her foetus, the fact was something else, as her mother was more worried about the society rather than her daughter, the judge said. The girl's mother had filed a missing person complaint about her daughter at Bhalej on May 17, 2016, following which police traced the girl who was living with a person named Ashwin. Ashwin was arrested on charges of rape and kidnapping as well as under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, because the girl was then a minor. She is now above 18. Fadnavis said the Sena has only one policy that of getting rich in the name of fighting for cause of Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday dared Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray to disclose his wealth. "Will Saheb (Uddhav) disclose his wealth?" Fadnavis said at a poll rally in Mumbai on Wednesday evening. "I am in politics since last 25 years but my wealth hasn't increased," he said. Fadnavis said the Sena has only one policy that of getting rich in the name of fighting for cause of "Marathi Manoos". "Those who live in glass houses should not throw stones on others houses," the CM said, responding to Sena's allegation of corruption when he was Nagpur mayor. BJP MP Kirit Somaiya also recently demanded that Uddhav declare his financial assets. "The middle Vaitarna dam was named after late Balasaheb Thackeray at the Sena's behest but there was inordinate delay and huge cost overrun in the project work. Who's to blame for this?" the CM asked. Claiming that a Shiv Sena union functionary worked against the workers' interests in Cambata Aviation issue, Fadnavis said, "Even today, that company pays money to 22 shakha pramukhs of the Sena." Meanwhile, ATS has recovered 110 ATM cards being operated by the rackets kingpin Balram. ATS officials produce an accused arrested from Itarsi, Madhya Pradesh, allegedly involved in espionage, working for Pakistan handlers in the district court in Bhopal. (Photo: PTI) Bhopal: The Madhya Pradesh anti-terrorist squad (ATS) probe into the recently busted espionage ring in the state, run by Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), has led to sensational disclosure regarding the spy agencys network spread across India under the project Plan-60. While talking about the progress in the probe, ATS sleuths on Thursday revealed that the MP espionage ring run by ISI was part of its Plan-60 project the aim of which is to spread its network across India. Under Plan-60, 10,000 ISI recruits in 60 cities in nine states in India have currently been operating. This was revealed during interrogations of the 19 arrested ISI operatives in MP as well as the records of their cell phone data, ATS sources told this newspaper here. Preliminary probe by ATS has so far revealed that the ISI has spread its networks in the states of MP, Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and Gujarat. We have sought the last two years call records of these 19 suspected ISI operatives from the concerned telecom companies. The data will further throw light on ISI activities in India, the ATS member said. The accused were using the SIMs to operate parallel telephone exchanges in four cities in MP facilitating their ISI handlers in Pakistan to pry on military operations and defence establishments in India. Those arrested included Balram Singh, the kingpin of the spy ring, Dhruv Saxena, Manish Gandhi, Mohit Agrawal, Manoj Bharti, Sandeep Gupta, Ritesh Khullar, Khush Pandit, Jitendra Yadav, Trilok Bhaduria and Jitendra Thakur. Dhruv was said to be a member of ruling BJPs IT cell in the state. He was seen in the company of many senior BJP leaders in the state earlier. Meanwhile, ATS has recovered 110 ATM cards being operated by the rackets kingpin Balram. The bank accounts were opened in the name of other people and he used to give a commission of five per cent on each transaction in their accounts to the holders, sources added. The NPF has 48 MLAs in the 60-member Assembly. Guwahati: At least 34 MLAs of the ruling Nagaland Peoples Front (NPF) on Wednesday signed a memorandum seeking the removal of chief minister T.R. Zeliang, and extended their support to party president Shurhozelie Liezietsu as the states new chief minister. The MLAs have decided to call on Nagaland governor P.B. Acharya on Thursday to submit their memorandum, an act of no-confidence that is bound to trigger change of guard in Nagaland. The NPF has 48 MLAs in the 60-member Assembly. The ruling alliance government led by Mr Zeliang has the support of eight Independent MLAs. The BJP has four MLAs. Though, Mr Zeliang could not be contacted for his reaction, a senior minister of the state said that the issue was discussed in a Cabinet meeting but Mr Zeliang seemed reluctant to step down, referring to the advice of a Union minister not to relinquish his post. A change of chief minister has been talked about since Mr Zeliang announced civic bodies elections with 33 per cent reservation for women, triggering agitation and the demand for his resignation by the states powerful tribal bodies. Tribal groups under the banner of Nagaland Tribes Action Committee (NTAC) and Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) intensified their agitation after Mr Zeliang refused to step down. Sources in the NPF said that a change of guard is the only option to bring calm in the state. Sources also said that the signature campaign was led by Rajya Sabha MP K.G. Kenye Polling largely peaceful; people skip voting in some seats to demand development. Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi stands in line to cast his vote in Rampur, UP. (Photo: PTI) Lucknow: The second phase of polling in Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections on Wednesday recorded a 66 per cent turnout and was largely peaceful. Saharanpur recorded maximum polling at 72 per cent while Badaun recorded a lowest percentage of 62. Chief Electoral officer T. Venkatesh told reporters in Lucknow that polling was held in 67 Assembly seats spread across 11 districts in the Rohilkhand region of Uttar Pradesh. The number of candidates on 67 assembly seats was 720, including 82 women and one transgender. In some constituencies voters boycotted polling to protest against lack of development.In Rath and Raipur in Shahjahanpur and in Nathaur Assembly seat in Bijnore, voters boycotted polling in the morning hours but local officials managed to persuade them to cast their votes. Bisauli in Badaun also saw boycott. In Saharanpur, two women were arrested while attempting to cast fake votes. Clashes were reported from Barhapur Assembly seat in Bijnore district between workers of two parties but polling was not disrupted. Seven persons were reportedly injured in the clashes and sent to hospital. Clashes were also reported in Badaun. According to reports, a sizeable Muslim turnout was evident in the second phase of polling since most of the constituencies have a dominant Muslim population. First-time voters were apparently excited to cast their votes and were seen taking selfies outside the booths. Two persons were arrested for taking photographs inside the booth. Photographs of newly married couples casting their votes also went viral on the social media. Elaborate arrangements had been made for free and fair polling with deployment of 51,771 police constables, 52,598 home guards, 5,397 sub-inspectors and 3,666 head constables to maintain law and order. Of the 67 seats at stake, ruling Samajwadi Party had won 34 in 2012, followed by BSP 18, BJP 10, Congress three and others two. Prominent contestants include SP minister Azam Khan and his son Abdullah Azam, who are contesting from Rampur and Swar seats respectively. Other prominent candidates include , former union minister Jitin Prasada from Tilhar (Shahjahanpur), BJP Legislature Party leader Suresh Kumar Khanna from Shahjahanpur city and state minister Mehboob Ali from Amroha. Police rushed to the spot and the injured were taken to the hospital but Pervez and his father Raees managed to flee. New Delhi: One person died while three others were injured in a fight between the families of a husband and wife in northeast Delhi's Khajuri Khas area. Pervez and his wife had been married for four years but they had recently fallen apart, said a senior police officer. In order to sort out their differences, the woman's family and friends visited Pervez's house to have a conversation last night, he said. However, a fight ensued between the two families in which Pervez and his father allegedly stabbed four persons from the woman's side last night, he said. A PCR call was made by a neighbour following cries from Pervez's house, he added. Police rushed to the spot and the injured were taken to the hospital but Pervez and his father Raees managed to flee. Mohammad Sayeed, who was a friend of the woman's brother, succumbed to injuries during treatment on Wednesday, said the officer. The other three, Amruddin, Ghaffar and Subrati Khan are undergoing treatment at the hospital. Police are probing whether there were more persons involved in the stabbing incident. They are awaiting the three injured persons to recover to piece the entire sequence of events. Dimple Yadav also campaigned for her sister-in-law, and addressed a separate meeting later in the day. SP MP Dimple Yadav (right) with sister-in-law and party candidate Aparna Yadav at an election rally in Lucknow. (Photo: PTI) Lucknow: Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav on Wednesday campaigned for his younger daughter-in-law Aparna Yadav who is contesting the Lucknow Cantt seat. Ms Dimple Yadav, wife of chief minister Akhilesh Yadav, also campaigned for her sister-in-law, and addressed a separate meeting later in the day. Mr Yadav, while addressing the gathering, said that the Samajwadi government had done a great deal of development and if Aparna Yadav won the elections, she would ensure greater development of the constituency. Yeh mere samman ka mamla hai. Yeh mere bete ki patni hai, isko jita dena, he pleaded. He said that SP had always worked for the youth, farmers and minorities and would continue to do so. Appealing to minority voters, Mr Yadav said that he had ordered firing in 1990 to save the Babri mosque. It was an unfortunate decision but if the mosque had been damaged, Muslims would have felt insecure. Religious places must be protected at all costs, he said. Mr Yadav also attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for making false promises to the people of the country. He said that a PM making false promises amounts to corruption. Meanwhile, Ms Dimple Yadav spoke of the achievements of the Akhilesh government and asked people to support candidates of the alliance in order to ensure greater development in the second term of the Akhilesh government. She said, This election will not only decide your MLA but also your chief minister. We Samajwadis do not do mann ki baat we do only kaam ki baat. Mr Yadav is the first family member to have campaigned for Ms Aparna Yadav. Mr Yadav had earlier campaigned for two days for his brother Shivpal Yadav in Jaswantnagar in Etawah. PM targets Rahul, Akhilesh, Maya; faces quick backlash. Lucknow: As Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh enter their third phase with central UP going to polls on Sunday, top political leaders took on each other Thursday, triggering a fresh bout of blame game. Prime Minister Narendra Modi alleged at a rally in Hardoi that UP accounts for maximum political killings in the country, yet chief minister Akhilesh Yadav proudly claims that kaam bolta hai. The PM also claimed that he is UPs adopted son. Lord Krishna was born in UP, but Gujarat was his karam bhoomi. Similarly, I was born in Gujarat, but UP has adopted me. I am not a son who will forsake his parents, he said, in an apparent reference to differences between the CM and his father Mulayam Singh Yadav. The PM urged people to rid the state of a cycle of SP, BSP and Congress regimes. The UP CM returned fire at a rally in Mainpuri where he said that the BJP had failed to keep its promise of achche din, and that people had suffered due to demonetisation. He said that he had learnt how to cycle fast, and would leave the BSPs elephant and the BJPs lotus far behind. Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, while addressing a rally in Sitapur, said that Mr Modi had made the entire nation stand in queues (during demonetisation) because he wanted to grant favours to his 50-odd rich friends. The PM should tell us how much black money he unearthed and how many corrupt people went to jail after demonetisation, he said. During his speech, Mr Modi said that the decision of demonetisation had been taken in favour of poor people, and the rich were disturbed because of it. The PM also accused the BSP of looting the state. BSP chief Mayawati, at her rally in Fatehpur, said that the BJP was trying to mount pressure on her, but she would not succumb to it. She warned that if the BJP came to power, it would end reservation. Polling has taken place for 140 seats in the first two rounds in the state. A total of 263 seats will go to polls in the next five phases that will take place on February 19, 23, 27 and March 4 and 8. Sasikala, however, managed to get a television for herself, and upgrade her cell to class-A. Chennai/Bengaluru: V.K Sasikala will remain AIADMKs head even after her conviction, and Edapaddi K. Palanisami will work only as Tamil Nadus chief minister, top party leader Thambidurai said. Earlier, Ms Sasikala had said that both posts should be held by one person. Mr Palanisami may fly to Bengaluru in a chartered flight to meet her in prison during the designated hours on Friday. She had a tough first day in jail as she could not sleep and was restless at night, a news report quoted a party leader as saying said on Thursday. As the trial court denied her demand for some privileges, including home food, she refused to have supper on Wednesday night, sources said. The court also rejected her request for special facilities. She was given a plate, a tumbler and a blanket. Ms Sasikala, however, managed to get a television for herself, and upgrade her cell to class-A. Kuber Shahs photo project, Doors of Mumbai, revisits the citys architecture that is oft-forgotten. When photographer Kuber Shah explored the city on foot in 2014, he realised that Mumbai is elegantly dotted with elegant Gothic, and Victorian architecture. Since then, he has shot the Soona Mehal, Mumbai Samachar building, the Hurkisondas Hospital, Kapadia Chambers, Liberty Cinema, three-storied houses in Dadar Parsi Colony and Kothachiwadi among other important buildings. The result is a series of photographs on the citys architecture called Doors of Mumbai. Jer Mehal With his pictures, Kuber, also a social media consultant, aims to make people aware of the architectural beauty around them, every time they walk past these structures. Today, look around and you will see urbanisation matchbox-sized buildings are accompanied by hoarding and cellular towers. Buildings with old architecture, however, are crumbling because of erratic laws and lack of funds, he observes. Although titled Doors of Mumbai, the 37-year old photographer explains that the name is only a metaphor. He delves deeper, If you step inside these structures, you will realise that they hold a world within themselves, waiting to be explored. The exhibition presents each structure with minimal background, without cable wires or hoardings vying for your attention. Kuber admits it was quite a challenge. I spent a lot of time staring at these structures, he laughs, adding, I was always on a lookout to find this one spot that wasnt marred by hoarding or marks. Once I found it, all I had to do was capture it. If there is one construction that remains a favourite, it is Jer Mahal, which houses itself in the noisy Dhobi Talao area for more than a century. It has a European design, with gothic-styled windows. Then there are intricate carvings across the building. Today, this Grade III heritage structure may face demolition, he rues. It wasnt all work for Kuber. He was witness to some warm hospitality when he explore Khotachiwadi. I was in Khotachiwadi with some friends, taking images and we got talking to the people there, he recalls. People warmed up to us so much that we were invited inside their houses to sit, chat and take pictures. There was a Maharashtrian family, a Gujarati family and of course the Christians. But the best experience was towards the end where a local resident who runs a guitar school invited us inside and sang for us! Having photographed Mumbai for three years, he explains that his city will always have themes waiting to be explored. This is the city of migrants, who have brought about so much of variety in architecture. For instance, if you look at the architecture in a village in Bandra, you will see that a Christian house has its walls in pastel colours, and a Muslim house may have their house painted in dark green or a light green shade. These diversities make the city. From today to March 3, from 9 am to 9 pm At Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters, Shakti Mills Lane, Mahalaxmi. For more information, call on 9820095887 Delhi Universitys Hindu College, which celebrated its 118th founders day on Wednesday, had Mr. Baijal as its chief guest. New Delhi: While addressing the founders day of Hindu College, lieutenant-governor Anil Baijal said that the USP of the college is the parliament which has served as the platform for developing oratory and debating skills of the students. Delhi Universitys Hindu College, which celebrated its 118th founders day on Wednesday, had Mr. Baijal as its chief guest. Officiating principal Anju Srivastava and S.N.P. Punj, chairman of the college governing body, were also present at the event. Urging the students to passionately pursue their interest, the L-G said, You should take a break from your active life and retrospect and hit the pause button. In this era of opportunity, some kind of a self-reflection will help us go a long way. True knowledge can also be achieved from participating actively in the classroom of life. He also voiced his concern of the growing gap between the youth and elderly and stated that developing and cultivating a tolerant perspective can easily resolve it. During the event, Mr Punj highlighted some of the issues being faced by the college and requested Mr Baijal to expedite on them. There is a need of sanctioning the water connection for the girls hostel and issuing the completion certificates for the new academic block and girls hostel. The MCD staff has already done physical inspection of the premises. Also, I request you to look into the DUAC amendment of 2013 which restricts residential areas, including hostels and is hampering our growth plans for providing more residential facilities to the staff and students, Mr Punj said. The event also witnessed a cultural programme and a folk dance programme by the students of different societies. Around 90 students were awarded merit and special prizes for standing first in their classes in the college and university. The North campus situated Hindu College was established in the year 1899 and is one of the oldest and famous colleges of DU. It was the complaint of Kejirwal that the Union of India is encroaching on the powers of Delhi government in exercising executive power. New Delhi: The row between the Kejriwal government in Delhi and the Centre will be heard by a five-judge Constitution Bench of the apex court as important questions of law are to be decided in this case. A Bench of Justices A.K. Sikri and R.K. Agrawal referred all the petitions filed by Delhi government challenging a Delhi high court judgment giving primacy to the lieutenant-governor in all decisions pertaining to Delhi. The bench, which was in the midst of final hearing of the matter, referred the appeals to CHI J.S. Khehar for posting before a five-judge bench. It was the complaint of Mr Kejirwal that the Union of India is encroaching on the powers of Delhi government in exercising executive power. He asserted that the Delhi government is not a subordinate department of the ministry of home affairs and that it is answerable to the people of Delhi. Pointing out that the administration had come to a standstill, it was argued that this court will have to decide on the jurisdictional issues. If an elected government did not have control over the mechanism to weed out corruption through the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB), then its functioning would be ridiculed by the people who had given it the mandate to govern for five years. It was a settled constitutional principle that the figurative head of a state, like governor or L-G, was bound by the decision of the council of ministers headed by the CM. But the HC chose to tread a new constitutional path and declared that the L-G had the discretion whether or not to heed the council of ministers. On behalf of the Centre, it was submitted that the matter will have to be referred to a five-judge Constitution Bench as the issue has wider implications. It was pointed out that in view of the apex courts ruling by nine judges in 1996, in the NDMC versus State of Punjab case, that Delhi is only a Union Territory and not a state. The gang members have admitted to provide at least 2,000 fake degrees of MBBS, MBA and PhD to people across the country. The lid was blown off when one Shahbazul Haque from Tilak Nagar contacted the main accused Rupesh Kumar for admission in Class 10. (Representational image) New Delhi: The Delhi police claimed to have busted a gang of youths allegedly involved in selling fake marksheets, degrees and diplomas for a fee in the range of Rs 10,000 to Rs 2 lakh in West Delhis Janakpuri area on Thursday. The gang members have admitted to provide at least 2,000 fake degrees of MBBS, MBA and PhD to people across the country. The police suspect that fake degree holders are either working as professionals or teaching in different institutes, said a senior police official. As many as 200 such printed fake degrees, along with computers which have soft copies of many more of those, have been purportedly seized from the accused. The West District police have arrested four men who posed as ediucational consultants and trapped people across at least four states Bihar, Haryana, Punjab and Delhi. The accused have been identified as Rupesh Kumar, Rithesh Kumar, Someer Kumar and Mukesh Thakur. The kingpin Rupesh studied till Class 12. From CBSE school certificates of Class Xth and XII boards to those from PhD and medical school, they would offer a wide range of degrees charging anywhere between Rs 5,000 to even Rs 5 lakh. We are gathering more details on it, said deputy commisioner of police (West) Vijay Kumar. While they are yet to track any, the police suspect that using these fake degrees, many would be practicing medicine illegally in remote villages where the probablity of getting caught is low. The lid was blown off when one Shahbazul Haque from Tilak Nagar contacted the main accused Rupesh Kumar for admission in Class 10. Rupesh sent Haque a Class 10 marksheet through WhatsApp, but Haque noticed the the year of issuance was 2003, and then approached the police. The accused have suffix the website name with (.in) to deceive students. We will also approach to degree holders if any one of any generated fraud degree knowingly, added the senior police official. A case of cheating and forgery was registered at PS Tilak Nagar, New Delhi and investigation was taken up. GPO officials said that efforts are being made to resolve the issue at the earliest. Mumbai: Thousands of investors associated with the post office from the north and north-west division of the General Post Office (GPO), Mumbai have complained that they are not able to encash their matured investments due to unavailability of cheque books with the post offices since January. Admitting that there is shortage of cheque books, GPO officials said that efforts are being made to resolve the issue at the earliest. A.R. Ghabrani an investment manager, who helps people from Bandra to Dahisar start recurring bank accounts and savings certificates through post offices said, I had approached the concerned post offices to encash the certificates of my clients that have got matured in December and January. However, the post masters of the said post offices expressed inability as there was a shortage of cheques, said Mr Ghabrani. Amounts of matured certificates are remitted to investors through cheques but shortage of cheques with the post offices has led to a delay in it. According to GPO sources the remittances of more than 20,000 investors from the two divisions has got affected. A senior GPO official said that the problem is prominent in the north and north-west divisions which cover all post offices from Bandra to Dahisar. All cheques issued by the post offices are printed in the government press and the same has not been coming due to some technical glitch. Efforts are on to address the problem on a war-footing, the GPO official said. A source said that the GPO had been receiving nearly 50-60 queries from the general public, agents and investment managers. Some of the post offices have been directed to get the cheques issued from other post offices. The problem has sprouted due to a mistake in assigning serial numbers. Once that is sorted, the problem will be resolved, said the source. The information was immediately relayed to the ATS, who started tracing Tabrez's whereabouts. Mumbai: Mumbra resident Tabrez Tambe (28), who allegedly joined the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), is allegedly in touch with his family members, especially his brother Saud, according to sources from the Maharashtra anti-terrorism squad. The ATS source alleged that Tabrez even told his brother (Saud) recently that he is safe in Libya and fulfilling the almighty's wishes. The ATS, which is awaiting a reply from the Union government to contact counterparts in Libya, said that the Centre is trying to connect with each of the three Libyan governments and will also contact the three main militias in Libya to trace Tabrez. Since the fall of the Muammar Gaddafi-led regime in 2011, the country is experiencing a civil war between two parliaments, militias and the ISIS. Speaking to The Asian Age, a senior ATS officer revealed that Tabrez was regularly in contact with his younger brother Saud. He has told his family that he is safe in Libya and they should not try to locate him. The family tried to persuade him to return home but he refused, the source said. According to conversations with Saud, Tabrez has said he is working for the almighty. The 28-year-old cargo handler had left his home in September on the pretext of getting work in Egypt but had then told his brother that he had joined ISIS. The information was immediately relayed to the ATS, who started tracing Tabrez's whereabouts. The family has also alleged that a friend named Ali had lured Tabrez into joining the ISIS. The officials later learnt that Ali was a Saudi Arabian national. We informed the centre about Tabrez being in Libya. They are trying to reach out to the government there. Libya has an unsteady government and has three governments and three militias. The centre is trying to contact each of them to gain knowledge about his (Tabrez) whereabouts. We don't know which militia he is working with, the source said. The ATS source said that once they get a confirmation from the government in Libya, which could take five to six months, they could start the process of getting Tabrez back to India. The AAP is muscling in some other regions just as it muscled into Delhi and Goa at the cost of the Congress. The general belief that the Akali Dal-BJP alliance is facing an ignominious defeat in Punjab and that it is the AAP that seems to be in pole position has opened up room for all sorts of speculation about new political alliances. This has acquired piquancy now that most knowledgeable observers hold that the BJP is facing a similar rout in western UP. (We will have to wait for the results on March 11.). In 2014, the BJP won UP with over 42 per cent of the vote winning all the Lok Sabha seats except the seven Yadav and Gandhi family fiefdoms. But it was in western UP that the BJP fared really spectacularly. Here, in the area that went to vote on February 11, the BJP won 18 of the 22 seats by polling more than all other parties together. In the months before the elections, there were bloody communal riots in Muzaffarnagar and surrounding areas in the epicentre of the Jat heartland. The RSS whipped this into a frenzy that gave the BJP 52 per cent of the popular vote. Narendra Modi himself led the charge here and made sneaky references to the recent relative prosperity of some of the Muslim community to the pink revolution, which was a code phrase for cow slaughter. The blood-soaked green fields yielded a bountiful saffron harvest. If the BJP loses its primacy here, its experiment with its not very covert sectarian politics is over. Its chances in 2019 are then seriously imperiled. The Congress is in retreat everywhere in the country. If it gets more MLA seats now, it will be because it clung on to Akhilesh Yadavs coat-tails. There is now no Indian state where the Congress has primacy. In the big states of UP and Bihar it is a coat-tail party. The AAP is muscling in some other regions just as it muscled into Delhi and Goa at the cost of the Congress. Shortly after the AAP victory in Delhi in 2015, I had written that the AAP victory was more due to the wipeout of the Congress than due to any precipitate decline of the BJP base. My comment attracted the ire of many AAP trolls. (Their tribe is increasing.) But let the numbers do the talking. The AAP popular vote went up from 29.5 per cent in 2013 to 54. 3 per cent in 2015. The comparative BJP figures were 34 per cent to 32.7 per cent, a decline of a mere 1.3 per cent. The Congress, on the other hand, declined from 24.6 per cent in 2013 to 9.7 per cent in 2015. Others like the BSP, JD(U) and Independents got really crushed from 11.9 per cent to 3.3 per cent. Clearly, the AAP took away space from the Congress and the so-called secular Opposition. The message is clear. The AAP is now poised to expand into other states. Gujarat is next in its agenda. It is going straight for Narendra Modis jugular. It is this kind of daring that endears the AAP to the youth. I am veering around to the view that the main challenge to the Congress now is not from the BJP, despite its exhortations of a Congress-mukt Bharat, but the AAP that is rapidly positioning itself as the party to go to in many supposed Congress strongholds. For decades Opposition politics in India centred on finding an alternative to the Congress. This activity consisted mainly of forging improbable, impossible and often even unholy alliances. After 1991, anti-Congressism was no longer a binding force. The post-V.P. Singh era saw cobbled- up alliances with the Congress as a part of it did not inspire too much confidence either. The BJP expanded into the subsequent unrelenting anti-Congress space. It still holds this space. Ironically, the parties that once were united by Lohias battle cry against parivarvaad have now become parivar-dominated parties. In states like Odisha, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, UP, Maharashtra, Andhra and Telangana, the regional parties have reduced the Congress to a rump though from time to time they team up with the Congress tagging on as its junior partner. These state elections will definitely see the Congress getting more seats than it had in Punjab and UP, but it will not mean any long-term gains for it. In UP, it will be entirely thanks to the SP and in Punjab it will have to hold off the now apparently-relentless AAP expansion. The other non-BJP and Congress parties are now squeezing what is left with the Congress states where it is either the dominant or next leading party. Soon it seems like it will only be in MP that the BJP and Congress will face each other as the two dominant parties. This is rather ironical considering that L.K. Advani, who strategised the rise of the BJP to power, would from time to time loudly contemplate a two-party democracy in India, and that this would be ideal for India. He never wanted a Congress-mukt Bharat. He saw the emergence of a right of centre- and left of centre- contested polity as the ideal. But this is, alas, not going to happen. What we are going to get seems to be a contested polity between an ultra-nationalist right-wing and a formation of populist regional forces. Ironically, it is the AAP that gave hope of new politics and political style. Will it be able to regain its idealism and hold its course? India now has 120 million voters in the18-23 age group. By 2019, another 130 million will join this phalanx. Truly, the future belongs to the youth. Over 60 per cent of India lives below a universally accepted poverty standard. Indias poverty line is a starvation line. Almost the entire youth cohort now is educated, having benefited by the huge expansion of the education system. Their aspirations and the popular aspirations have changed. To grow, the AAP has to uncompromisingly nurture this and build on this. It has so far done this fairly well in Delhi despite the gang-up of the BJP establishment and establishment media against it. But can it replicate it nationwide? But Narendra Modi unites the Opposition, like Indira Gandhi once did. That time, the RSS joined it against the Congress. Now the Congress is with it against the BJP. The temptation for the AAP to team up against the BJP are many. But the moment it gets sucked into the caste permutations of the BSP, SP, RJD and JD(U), and gets drawn into their coalitional politics, it will become just another political party. Another aya ram, gaya ram party. The new Presidents refusal to utter so much as a word against the Kremlin is nonetheless most intriguing. A couple of weeks ago, in an appearance on his favourite news channel, Donald Trump was queried about his infatuation with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin. Well, I do respect him. Well, I respect a lot of people, but that doesnt mean Ill get along with them, the US President told Fox News host Bill OReilly. The Murdoch channels leading attack dog refused to be deflected. Putin is a killer, he persisted. A fascinating presidential response followed. There are a lot of killers, Trump accurately replied. We have a lot of killers. Well, you think our country is so innocent? That inevitably served as a cue for predictable howls of outrage, including from the Republican side of politics. How dare the President points towards moral equivalence between American and Russian state operations! Which side is he on anyway? Neither OReilly nor Trump clarified his context, although its likely that the Fox News host was referring to the tendency of Putins more potent opponents to come to a sticky end rather than, say, Russian military actions in Syria, Ukraine or Chechnya, whereas what Trump had in mind was indeed American operations abroad. After all, he had only recently authorised a US raid in Yemen that killed more civilians including 10 children than purported Al Qaeda terrorists. Just a couple of months ago, Barack Obamas UN ambassador, Samantha Powers, had a go at Russia over its atrocities in Aleppo, citing a litany of massacres but excluding any of the mass atrocities that her nation perpetrated or in which it was complicit. Notwithstanding Trumps offhand remarks to OReilly, there are no solid grounds for assuming that his presidency signifies a decisive shift from the monumental hypocrisy that has all too often guided American foreign policy in the past. The new Presidents refusal to utter so much as a word against the Kremlin is nonetheless most intriguing. It is possible that his shining admiration for Putin merely echoes that of other far-right outfits, from Europe and the Middle East to Australia. Even Trump probably knows that, unlike Putin, he cannot arrange for his inveterate opponents to be silenced with a bullet or a dose of poison, but its not hard to imagine him wishing he enjoyed the same clout over the judiciary that enables the Russian leader to hobble outspoken rivals. Could there be some truth to the allegation that Putin possesses compromising recordings that, if revealed, would necessitate a prexit? We simply dont know. Perhaps even Trump cant be sure. But the suspicion alone would suffice for him to be extremely careful in what he says about Russia. However, if relaxing sanctions against Russia over its capture of the Crimea and activities in Ukraine was part of any deal, it has been jeopardised by recent revelations that Michael Flynn, who subsequently became Trumps national security adviser, discussed the issue during several phone conversations with the Russian ambassador to the US, Sergey Kislyak, late last year. Embarrassed by the leak, the White House has refused to stand up for Flynn, who, on Monday night, became the first casualty in a demonstrably dysfunctional administration. As a loyal Trump supporter, though, he can probably be relied on to remain silent. Either way, Trump will now find it exceedingly difficult to remove or ease the sanctions against Russia, whether or not that was part of his understanding with Putin. He has threatened, meanwhile, to reinstate in some form the ban on visitors, immigrants and refugees from seven mainly Muslim countries that has been thwarted by three federal court judgments. In other spheres, though, the President has demonstrated an unexpected capacity for somersaults. He has effectively vowed not to undermine the one-China policy, after indications that he would do the opposite. The desire to shift the US embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem has been relegated to the too-hard basket for the moment, and the initial determination that Israeli land grabs in occupied Palestinian territory werent a barrier to peace has been somewhat more realistically reassessed. The willingness to retreat from ridiculous positions is obviously welcome, even though it simultaneously points towards an unnerving indecisiveness, with the chief executive apparently swayed by the latest advice, but perfectly capable of going back on his word with little or no warning. It could be a while before the consequences of his massive deregulation plan trickle down to his working-class constituency, but once they do the anti-presidential clamour could become deafening. By arrangement with Dawn Earlier this month, Samsung confirmed in a teaser that the company will hold a press conference on Feb 26. The S. Korean-based smartphone giant Samsung is said to disclose the launch date of its upcoming flagship at the Mobile World Conference (MWC) this month, according to a report by a Korean media. Samsung Chief Executive, Kim Dong-jin will announce the official release date for the Galaxy S8 at the MWC on February 27 in Barcelona. Unlike every year, this time, Samsung is delaying the launch of the next Galaxy S series device. Rumours claims the company might unveil the device at a separate event in New York on March 29, and to go on sale starting April 21. However, it is yet not confirmed. Earlier this month, Samsung confirmed in a teaser that the company will hold a press conference on Feb 26. It released the teaser on its twitter handle quoting, Big news is on its way. Dont miss out. Although, Samsung is said to unveil a Galaxy Tab at the event, it is expected to share some information about its flagship smartphone, which could only be the release date of it. In terms of specifications, Galaxy S8 is said to come in two models featuring a 5.8- and 6.2-inch display, powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 835, coupled with 4GB RAM and 64GB internal storage option, which will be expandable up to 256GB using a microSD card. The flagship is also expected to be the first smartphone to debut Samsungs voice assistant Bixby, and to run on Android Nougat 7.0 OS. Trump also said that he would be open to alternate solutions that does not necessarily involve a two-state solution to the conflict. US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meet in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. (Photo: AP) Washington: US President Donald Trump on Wednesday expressed his openness to a one-state solution to the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict, even as he asked visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for a temporary hold on Jewish settlements in lands claimed by the Palestinians. "As far as settlements, I'd like to see you hold back on settlements for a little bit," Trump told Netanyahu at a joint White House news conference after their first face-to-face meeting since Trump became the US President on January 20. Breaking with past traditions, Trump also said that he would be open to alternate solutions that does not necessarily involve a two-state solution to the six-decade-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict. "It is something that is very different, hasn't been discussed before. It's actually a much bigger deal much more important deal in a sense," he said. "I'm looking at two-state and one-state, and I like the one that both parties like. I'm very happy with the one that both parties like. I can live with either one," Trump said at the press conference, while noting that the Israelis also need to show some flexibility. "We'll work something out but, I think a deal will be made. It might be a bigger and better deal than people in this room even understand," he said. Trump also said that his administration is very seriously looking at moving the US Embassy to Jerusalem. "As far as the embassy moving to Jerusalem, I'd love to see that happen. We're looking at it very, very strongly," Trump said. Relocating the US Embassy to Jerusalem would signal American recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. While not committing to the Trump request to put a hold on settlement, Netanyahu set two prerequisites for peace with the Palestinians. "First, the Palestinians must recognise the Jewish state. They have to stop calling for Israel's destruction, they have to stop educating their people for Israel's destruction," he said. "Second, in any peace agreement, Israel must retain the overriding security control over the entire area west of the Jordan River because if we don't, we know what will happen. "Because otherwise, we'll get another radical Islamic terrorist state in the Palestinian areas exploding the peace, exploding the Middle East," he said. "Now unfortunately, the Palestinians vehemently reject both prerequisites for peace," he rued and squarely blamed Palestinians for the failure of arriving at a peace deal. "The persistent Palestinian refusal to recognise a Jewish state in any boundary, this persistent rejectionism, that's the reason we don't have peace. Now that has to change, I want it to change," he said. Netanyahu said he believe that the great opportunity for peace comes from a regional approach from involving Arab partners in the pursuant of a broader peace with the Palestinians. Flynn resigned amid growing questions about whether he had misled Mike Pence about his phone calls with Russian envoy on Dec 29. Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday assailed what he said were illegal and "criminal" leaks from US intelligence agencies in the controversy over contacts with Russian officials that forced his national security adviser Michael Flynn to resign. Speaking at a joint news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump called Flynn a "wonderful man" and added: "I think it's very, very unfair what's happened to General Flynn, the way he was treated, and the documents and papers that were illegally, I stress that, illegally leaked." Erdogan said in a speech on Feb 8 the offices of PM and president will be merged, creating a single powerful executive bureaucracy. Istanbul: Campaigning with gusto for a "Yes" vote in Turkey's referendum on a new constitution, it may seem surprising Prime Minister Binali Yildirim is an impassioned champion of the plan to expand the powers of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Since if the new blueprint is approved, Yildirim's own job will be axed. Under the draft constitution approved by parliament and set to be put to the people on April 16, the post of prime minister will be extinguished for the first time and replaced by one or more vice presidents. Erdogan said in a speech on February 8 the offices of prime minister and president will be merged, creating a single powerful executive bureaucracy under the head of state. "The people will know who to vote for, who to expect action from, who to bring to account. This person is now the president," he said. The abolition of an office that has existed not just since modern Turkey's foundation in 1923 but also throughout the Ottoman Empire is one of the most radical steps in the new constitution. Yildirim argues that that changes will prevent situations like the squabbling between president Turgut Ozal and premier Suleyman Demirel that marked the political chaos of the early 1990s. "I am a seaman," explained Yildirim, a former maritime engineer and director of Istanbul's ferry company. "Two captains can sink a ship. There should be only one captain," he said. No checks and balances Asli Aydintasbas, fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), said the abolition of the prime minister's office would not matter if the system was complemented by a powerful judiciary and parliament. But she told AFP this is not the case: "The forces that are supposed to balance each other out are all combined in the hands of the president." "I don't mind that the prime ministry is abolished," she told AFP. "What I mind is that the presidency will not have the checks and balances it is supposed to have in a democracy." The post of prime minister goes back to the 14th century with the post of Ottoman grand vizier (sadrazam) who was equivalent to prime minister and on occasion even more powerful than the sultan himself. The position of top minister remained in place for six centuries until the collapse of the Ottoman Empire. When modern Turkey's founder Mustafa Ataturk became its first president, he made war hero Ismet Inonu his prime minister. For decades, the post of prime minister was the number one position. Erdogan himself became Turkey's undisputed leader as prime minister from 2003-2014. The president has some powers under the existing constitution -- drawn up after the 1980 military coup -- but it became traditional not to exercise them. Erdogan's predecessor Abdullah Gul was dubbed by critics "the notary" for his rubber stamping of legislation. The election of Erdogan as president in 2014, the first popular vote for head of state, changed everything and he immediately stood traditions on their head. His first prime minister Ahmet Davutoglu was jettisoned in 2016 after the former foreign minister's moves to build his own power base and policy disputes proved too much. But Erdogan said it was "lies, lies" to suggest that the changes would result in one man rule, arbitrary justice and a weak parliament. Drastic changes Yildirim, 61, always espoused his loyalty to Erdogan, who he served for years as transport minister, overseeing the implementation of the megaprojects the leader has made his trademark. Born into poor family in the eastern city of Erzincan, Yildirim was educated at the maritime faculty of Istanbul's technical university before working in the shipping directorate and managing Istanbul ferries while Erdogan was mayor. While rumours of closed door disputes surface, Yildirim in public always portrays himself as a devoted servant happy to fall on his sword for the sake of the presidential system. If agreed, the new constitution and abolition of prime minister's office would come into force after November 2019 elections. There are parallels with Iran's 1989 abolition of the post of prime minister, which forced then premier Mir Hossein Mousavi out of the hierarchy in the Islamic Republic. Be would later lead the 2009 anti-government protests. But it is likely that Yildirim will become one of likely two vice presidents, with the other possibly Devlet Bahceli, leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP). "The referendum is the last ditch before Turkey formally adopts a one-man-rule system," said Marc Pierini, visiting scholar at Carnegie Europe. "If approved, the new constitution would introduce drastic changes to the country's governance." The shrine had been crowded on a Thursday, considered a sacred day for prayers. Pakistani para-military soldiers stand alert after a deadly suicide attack at the shrine of famous Sufi Lal Shahbaz Qalandar in Sehwan, Pakistan. (Photo: AP) Karachi: At least 70 people died Thursday when a bomb ripped through a crowded Sufi shrine in Pakistan, police said, in the deadliest attack to hit the militancy-plagued country so far in 2017. The Islamic State group claimed the attack in a statement carried by the Amaq propaganda agency linked to the Sunni Muslim jihadist group. Pakistans leaders vowed revenge for the attack on the shrine in the town of Sehwan in Sindh province, some 200 kilometres northeast of Karachi, which came after a bloody week of extremist assaults shook the countrys growing sense of security. A police source said a suicide bomber had entered the shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, a 13th century Muslim saint, and blown himself up among the devotees. The shrine had been crowded on a Thursday, considered a sacred day for prayers. So far 70 people have been killed and more than 150 wounded, inspector general of police for Sindh province A.D. Khawaja told AFP. Many wounded people are in critical condition and they will be shifted to Karachi as soon as Navy helicopters and C-130 plane reach nearest airport. Emergency services are basic in Sehwan, with the nearest main hospital some 130 kms away. Pakistans PM Nawaz Sharif swiftly issued a statement saying an attack on Sufis was considered a direct threat. Military Chief Gen. Qamer Javed Bajwa warned: Each drop of (the) nations blood shall be revenged, and revenged immediately. No more restraint for anyone. Pakistan has seen a dramatic improvement in security in the past two years, but a series of attacks this week most claimed by the Pakistani Taliban has shaken the growing sense of optimism. The past few days have been hard, and my heart is with the victims. But we cant let these events divide us, or scare us , Mr Sharif said in his statement. The High Court has started a review of arms sale to Saudi Arabia that allegedly led to civilian casualties in Yemen. A growing number of UK lawmakers are calling for a review of the contract. For 62 per cent of Britons, arms sales to the Saudis is "unacceptable". London (AsiaNews/Agencies) A judicial review brought by various NGOs and human rights activists began last week in the High Court in London against British arms sales to Saudi Arabia. Campaigners claim that British weapons have been used in conflict areas, particularly Yemen, resulting in the death of innocent people. Saud Arabia has led an Arab coalition in a disastrous military campaign against Shia Houthi rebels, with thousands of civilian deaths. The United Kingdom is the second largest arms exporter in the world. This flourishing trade has however caused outrage and protests among activists and civil society groups. Since the start of the review, information presented before the court has been relayed by the media showing deep divisions in the government over the issue. In particular, there is an exchange of letters between British Foreign Minister Boris Johnson, who was in favour of the arms sale, and International Trade Secretary Liam Fox, who did not hide his "deep concern" over the bombings taking place in Yemen. Secretary Fox cited for example an attack on a group of civilians at a funeral on 8 October, which killed at least 140 people. In recent weeks, a growing number of MPs have publicly condemned the arms trade. For Andrew Smith, spokesman for the Campaign Against the Arms Trade (CAAT), public opinion and the rising death toll are behind the growing opposition. According to the findings of a recent survey, 62 per cent of Britons think that selling arms to the Saudis, the UKs top customer, is "unacceptable". The survey shows that public opinion is shocked by rising casualties and arms sales to regimes that violate human rights like Saudi Arabia, Smith added. Last year, the Foreign Minister said that arms sales to Saudi Arabia did not contribute to human rights violations according to a government study. However, The Independent newspaper found that the British government did not investigate human rights claims before selling weapons to the Saudis. The governments investigation was just perfunctory, aimed at appeasing public opinion. Still, the ongoing controversy will not put a stop to arms exports, experts say. Britains flourishing arms industry employs about 50,000 people. British Prime Minister Theresa May is interested in preserving relations with a close Gulf ally at a time of great political uncertainty following Brexit. Speaking about the UKs special "relationship" with Saudi Arabia, Ms May said that the security of the Gulf will be vital to both our security and prosperity, especially in light of the Iranian danger to the region. Yet, notes analyst Christopher Davidson, "American and British leaders make thundering declarations, mainly to discredit Barack Obamas legacy (nuclear deal) with Iran and continue to put pressure on Saudi Arabia to continue to buy weapons. However, the latter cannot afford to do so after oil prices dropped after 2014. by Joseph Nguyen The protest of the faithful of Song Ngoc parish to raise public awareness. The pastor wounded. Protesters braved police beatings and injuries. Ten months ago a Formosa plant dumped 12 thousand cubic meters of toxic liquid at sea. The central regions of the country are on their knees, compensation of 500 million dollars has never been distributed to the population. Hanoi (AsiaNews) - On February 14, thousands of residents of the parish of Song Ngoc, in Nghe An province, led by their parish priest Fr JB Nguyen Dinh Thuc, decided to march 200 km at a time to the people's court in Ky Anh and make a complaint. Frustrated for not having obtained any compensation and without the promised support from Nghe An government following the worst chemical spill from a steel mill in the foreign history of Vietnam, they set off in an attempt to draw public attention to the people's lives which have been severely affected by the disaster. Their march for justice, however, was met with violence and hostility of the police and government officials. It has been 10 months since residents of 4 Vietnamese coastal provinces ( Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien-Hue) in the Central region suffered from the most devastating disaster that shook the whole country to its core, when news leaked out not from government media but mainly from the social media that Formosa, a Chinese owned company had been releasing toxic waste into the ocean by Vung Ang, Ha Tinh province, causing a massive death of sea creatures and even fishermen whose lives were spent mostly in the affected waters. Song Ngoc parish was among those areas which suffered the most in terms of financial and psychological damages. Complaints were filed by thousands of affected families immediately following the incident. Unfortunately, the government kept denying responsibility and blamed the disaster on pollution causing by human and on red algea development while the head of Hanoi Formosa Mr. Zhou Xuan had undirectedly admitted the company's wrong doing in a statement during a press conference: You must choose between fishing for fish, shrimp, or a factory. In a settlement agreement signed between Formosa and the government officials without a public hearing, Vietnam government accepted a settlement of 500 million US dollars from the company on behalf of the victims. That money, though nominal for millions of now un-employed families, has never been distributed among them. The march has been planned to take place for several days. But after only 20 km into the supposedly 200 km journey, they faced a massive force of both plainclothes and uniformed police, using extremely violent means to assault peaceful parishioners. Numerous people, freelance news reporters, food truck drivers, even Fr. JB Nguyen Dinh Thuc suffered from injuries at the hands of the ones whose job supposed to be serving and protecting. At the instruction of their good shepherd, the litigants from Song Ngoc remained calm and composed yet defiant. They sit down and prayed or sung hymns to keep the morale up high. Fortunately, people from neighbouring parishes supported them by bringing food, water and offered shelter at parish centre so they can seek refuge while being sought after by the local authorities. Braving injury and threats, Fr. JB Thuc vowed to lead the people to their destination regardless how long it would take We have to file a lawsuit against Formosa for the world to see how much we concern about environmental disaster. So that we would not feel ashamed to our children. Today we start to walk. Should it takes more than 1, 2 or 3 days, even 1 week, we will arrive. In the latest development, after failing to disperse the crowd, local authorities came to bishop Nguyen Thai Hop of Vinh diocese and asked him to persuade the Song Ngoc litigants to go back home. After consulting with the bishop, Fr. Thuc and the rest had agreed to go back home and send delegation to the court instead. by Shan Ren Shen Fu The majority of Chinese faithful have no interest in China-Vatican dialogue. They are not affected by the Patriotic Association. This is a mere instrument of government policy. Hong Kong (AsiaNews) - "The life of the faithful is the same before and during the China-Vatican negotiations": This is the opinion of a well-known blogger priest regarding the article published last week by Card. John Tong on "The future of Sino-Vatican dialogue from the ecclesiological point of view". The blogger, whose nom de guerre is "Shanren Shenfu" (the hermit priest), notes that the faithful in China are rather indifferent to the progress of talks. He also states that the faith of Chinese Catholics is not affected by the Patriotic Association, which has no power over them. This association, he says, "is a pure and loyal executor of government orders." The Sino-Vatican agreement seems to be reaching a conclusion. Cardinal Tong of Hong Kong Diocese wrote two articles in August of 2016 and February of 2017 about this agreement: If the Agreement of Sino-Vatican is published, would you accept it? Although many experts on the Church in China consider that the agreement has so far not been reached, it is on the way. Anyhow, Card. Tong has written two articles as if he is preparing to announce the agreement publicly. He would like to console the underground community: You do not need to be in sharp opposition; Pope Franciss flexible and pragmatic diplomatic policy will definitely bring true freedom for the Church in China; we should believe in the wisdom of Pope Francis. It seems that every time Church official talk about Sino-Vatican negotiations, there are complaining voices. This complaint is not common in the Chinese church, that is, the vast majority of people do not pay much attention to Sino-Vatican relations. Voices of dissent in the Church are not common. Their faith life is the same before and after Sino-Vatican negotiations. Jesus and the traditional Catholic Church remain unchanged in hearts of faithful. The Patriotic Association does not have any influence on them. The Patriotic Association seems to be influent only when the government decides it to be. Every time there is a self-election and illegitimate ordination of bishops, or the bishop of Shanghai is retired from office and dismissed from his post, then the Patriotic Association becomes useful. According to all my experiences, the Patriotic Association unconditionally implements government orders; the Patriotic Association must be in a condition to comply with the laws of the church. by Mathias Hariyadi In the first round the outgoing governor "Ahok", a Christian at the center of a story of a blasphemy case, won 43% of the votes. His rival Baswedan, a Muslim, just below the 40% threshold. Decisive 17% of the votes won by the eldest son of former President Yudhoyono. The vote took place without incident. Second round to be held on 19 April. Jakarta (AsiaNews) - The race for the post of governor of Jakarta will be decided in the second round because no candidate has obtained 50% of votes needed to win on the first ballot. According to (unofficial) the outgoing Governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama - on trial for an alleged blasphemy case that has polarized the election campaign - got 43% of the votes. His main opponent Anies Rasyid Baswedan, leader of an Islamic conservative party, totaled just under 40%. Analysts and experts point out that the votes won the first round by the third candidate will be decisive. Harimurti Agus Yudhoyono, himself a Muslim and eldest son of former President Susilo, gained 17%. If voters will decide on the basis of "religious" sympathies, this choice should favor Baswedan but there are no certainties. The official results of the first round should be published by the end of the month. The runoff between "Ahok" and his rival from the Islamist party is scheduled for next April 19. Yesterday not only Jakarta voted, but in 101 regional districts scattered around the country (Pilkada). An election that highlighted the deep sectarian ethnic divisions that have come to obscure the real socio-economic problems facing the nation. Purnama, better known by his nickname "Ahok", was the first Christian ethnic Chinese to be elected governor of the capital in over 50 years. He was the deputy to the Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo and replaced him when the latter decided to run for the highest office in the country. However, in recent months the Islamic extremist fringe has mounted a smear campaign - with racist attacks and violent protests - against the outgoing governor, who has ended up on trial for insulting the Islamic faith. Supported by President Widodo, in recent years he distinguished himself in the fight against corruption, attempts to counter the perpetually congested traffic of the capital, the fight against vice, as well as the strengthening of the health and education sectors. His fiercest opponents in the last few months are drawn from the party of former President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, whose eldest son ran for governor. Despite a context of tensions and divisions the vote took place in a calm atmosphere and without any accidents. Police and security forces manned the polling stations to prevent possible clashes between the parties. Some voters in Jakarta, complained of being unable to vote because of the long queues and, in the afternoon, because stations had run out of ballots. Many believe this vote does not only reflect the race for the office of governor, but the future of "unity in diversity" that is the basis of modern Indonesia. In an increasingly polarized environment, the Islamic extremist fringe it is becoming increasingly strong and aspires to power both at the local level, and national level. Noting this both the Indonesian bishops and Catholic leaders have asked believers to vote for "nationalistic" figures who care about the plurality and multicultural richness of the country. by Nirmala Carvalho A video posted a few days ago seemed to show an alleged support of the Hindu nationalist party in government. An official statement reiterates that the local Church does not endorse any particular group. Catholic leaders invite people to vote. Awareness campaign in schools. Mumbai (AsiaNews) - The Archdiocese of Mumbai, led by Card. Oswald Gracias, does not endorse any candidate or political party in the upcoming municipal elections of 21 February. A note from the diocese, dispels rumors circulating in recent days about a possible support of the local Church of the Hindu nationalist party in government. Those doubts were born following a video posted online showing a friendly meeting between Cardinal and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. With its initiative, the archdiocese wants to avoid "the video being used to push people to vote for a particular candidate." The statement, released on February 14, reads: "It is hereby clarified that the Archdiocese of Bombay and His Eminence, Oswald Cardinal Gracias, have always encouraged all persons to execute their constitutional right of voting. However, the Catholic Church does not endorse or support any particular party or candidate". Voting for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, (BMC) will be held next week. The election campaign is heating up and this is why The Examiner, the official weeks archdiocese, urged the 250 thousand local Catholics to go to the polls. Fr. Anthony Charangat, editor, said that the political assembly of Mumbai is the richest in all of India. "In 2012 - he added - some candidates won with a thin majority of just 21, 58, 82 or 128 votes. Even a single street, building or neighborhood can determine the balance. This can lead to coalitions to cobble together some majority. " According to the priest, "it is the responsibility of every citizen to make sure that the funds are used in the best way. For this they have to leave home and go to vote. " Together with the Director, other Catholic leaders argue the importance of voting. This is the case of Gerson Da Cunha, who gave birth to Action for Good Governance and Networking in India (AGNI), supported by the Diocesan Commission for Education (ABE). The aim is to sensitize children on the subject, so that they can then take home the knowledge gained and urge parents to take part in elections. In this regard, Fr. George Athaide, Secretary of EBA, organized meetings for eight school principals, two for each school. Agni prepared three videos for teachers, to be projected in the classroom and shown to 300 thousand schoolchildren. "In the last election - said Da Cunha - we had a turnout equal to 38.44%. This time will we reach the 60%? ". by Kamran Chaudhry Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, a group linked to Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, is responsible for the attack on the Punjab Assembly, whose death toll rose to 14 victims. Christian, Sikh, and Muslim places of worship are not Taliban targets as long as they keep their distance from the government. Lahore (AsiaNews) The Islamic group linked to the Taliban that carried out the attack in front of the Punjab Assembly in Lahore that left 14 dead has issued a warning against Pakistans Catholic churches and minority places of worship saying that they will not be touched if they keep their distance from government institutions. Saeeda Deep, founder of the Institute of Peace and Secular Studies, expressed concern to AsiaNews about the security of minority religious places. "Churches and similar buildings are soft targets compared to highly secured government buildings, she said. The terrorists know they will have public support for attacking religious minorities. The most important thing is that they are only trained to kill and simply find a justification", she said. In a video, Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, which claimed responsibility for the attack against the pharmacists protest, warned that, "Churches, (Hindu) temples, gurdawaras (Sikh temples) and all the religious places of non-Muslims are not included in our targets until and unless these places are used by our enemies," namely the Pakistani government and military responsible for 2007 operation that killed radical leader Abdul Rashid Ghazi at the Lal Masjid (Red Mosque), besieged for days by the army. In a video the group announced the launch of "Operation Ghazi against all those who promote themselves as the contenders of Nabuwat (prophethood) and those people who are involved in the blasphemy regarding the prophet. The reference here is to Ahmadis, a Muslim community deemed heretical. For Archbishop Joseph Coutts, head of the Catholic Church in Pakistan, it is hard to understand the Taliban. "It depends on what they think, how they in interpret the enemy and link things. They are very slippery like a snake in the grass. They can make anything out of a visiting army officer in a Church or a police guard on duty during Sunday Mass. It is a different kind of guerrilla warfare and we have to learn to protect ourselves. "Even the courts are afraid to sentence Taliban and people who are inspired by their philosophy, noted Saeeda Deep. The hanging of Mumtaz Qadri, the self-confessed killer of Punjab governor Salman Taseer, last year was a rarity. Bringing evidence against such terrorists means inviting death threats." Although Fr Emmanuel Yousaf Mani, director of the National Commission for Justice and Peace of the Pakistani Bishops' Conference, warns against causing hysteria, he admits that the Taliban can use social media to "influence many viewers." The situation gets thornier considering that Jamaat-ul-Ahrar was responsible for the attack last Easter in a Lahore park that killed 70 people, mostly Muslims. "We can only speak of peace and call on such groups to leave terrorism, he said. We are not demanding exclusive security but it is the governments duty to protect all Pakistani citizens, irrespective of their faith" he added. One has an Indonesian passport; the other Vietnamese. The Malaysian police thinks that four men are also implicated. Visits by Pyongyang embassy representatives to the Kuala Lumpur forensic center. Increase protection for all high-profile North Korean refugees in Seoul. Seoul (AsiaNews) - Police in Malaysia have arrested two women suspected of murdering the brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. One woman was arrested today, Siti Aishah, 25, with an Indonesian passport. Another was detained yesterday at the airport: She is 29 years old and has a Vietnamese passport under the name Doan Thi Huong. The Malaysian police four men and two women were behind the murder with poison of Kim Jong-nam. One of the women was picked up by airport cameras, wearing a T- shirt that said "Lol" (see Photo). According to the South Korea secret services, the murder of Kim Jong-nam was "an order issued by Kim Jong-un as early as 2011, when he inherited power after the death of his father Kim Jong-il. The Seoul government has not blamed North Korea for now, preferring to wait for the conclusions of the police in Malaysia. But today, during a Cabinet meeting, the interim president Hwang Kyo-ahn called for greater protection for all high-profile North Korean defectors, who may be the targets of Pyongyang. Meanwhile, the Malaysian media, quoting official sources, say that Pyongyang has requested the body of Kim Jong-nam, but no one has claimed it so far. The police chief said the body will remain in the morgue while it is not claimed. Yesterday and last night the North Korean embassy representatives visited forensic offices, where autopsies take place, several times. If confirmed the hypothesis of Kim Jong-un as a principal, this would be the last high-level assassination in the Kim dynasty saga. Shafin Diamond Tejani is not a big fan of US president Donald Trump. But every dark cloud has a silver lining, said the Vancouver-based tech entrepreneur, who is planning to turn obstacles caused by Trumps controversial visa and travel restrictions, into opportunities. He like other tech titans in Canada say Trumps executive orders which puts severe restrictions on employment in Americas IT sector, will be a boon for tech recruitment and investment in Canada. This provides a great opportunity for the best talent from Asia to come, live and work in Canada, said Tejani, the CEO of Fantasy 360, a Vancouver-based global leader in creating immersive experiences and Games using Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR) and Mixed Reality (MR). We are already getting inquiries from Indian techies both in India and in the United States about relocating to Vancouver, said Tejani. Together with his partner Ray Walia, , who runs the not-for-profit tech incubator, Launch Academy, Tejani is working on streamlined avenues to attract top tech talent from India. The duo is part of the Canadian technology community that has written to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau urging him to provide visas to those caught by Trumps executive orders. In choosing to hire, train, and mentor the best people in the world, we can build global companies that grow our economy, said the letter adding By embracing diversity, we can drive innovation to benefit the world. Tejani and his associates have a target of bringing a dozen Indian start-ups with a focus on VR/AR/MR to British Columbia, which also has a shortage of programmers and other skilled IT professionals. We are confident we will be able to this, said Tejani, whose companies have launched over 40 startups in 21 different countries, employing over 350 people and generating over $100 million in annual revenues. For Ray Walia, who co-founded Launch Academy in 2012 to become Vancouvers top startup-incubator, the situation in the United States has prompted his group to set up specialized services for Indian techies looking to relocate to Canada. Walia has developed a program at Launch Academy that leverages the Canadian Startup Visa Program. The program helps international startups relocate their head offices to Canada and within 6 months grant Permanent Residency in Canada for up to five key members of a startup and their family members. We as leaders and peers need to ensure that the proper infrastructure, support, and education is in place to help the next wave of young entrepreneurs around the world build technology and global businesses that will help shape the future for all of us, said Walia. The Launch Academy Startup Visa Program, startupvisa.launchacademy.ca, allows Indians to have the best of both worlds and build their businesses from Canada and continue to not only service the Indian market but also to continue to grow domestic operations in India as well. Others like Hootsuite chief executive Ryan Holmes posted on social media that hes already received five calls from people looking to come up to Canada. And he says in one case, all 60 workers in one firm held a vote and unanimously decided to move up here. Analysts predict that India's IT outsourcing industry, worth around $108 billion employing some four million people, will start looking elsewhere if the American restrictions are enacted. Three bills have been introduced to the US Congress seeking to revamp the H-1B visa programme, which India's IT sector uses to send thousands of highly-skilled workers to America every year. Commentary By George Abraham New Canadian Media In the summer of 2015, a roomful of Ottawa folks got together at the National Arts Centre, eager to gain insights into the question, What Stories Swing Votes? The next federal election the one that eventually ended Prime Minister Stephen Harpers decade in power were just around the corner, and up on the stage at this Canadian Journalism Foundation event were some of Canadas best political pundits Susan Delacourt, Frank Graves, Adam Radwanski, David Herle and Tom Clark. I dont recall much of what was said, except one particular expression Radwanski used. It has stayed with me ever since. He spoke of a subterranean campaign that would be waged in immigrant communities across Canada presumably in foreign languages and in a vernacular that would be very different from appeals to the rest of Canada. He was predicting a different playbook in select ridings a playbook that Radwanski assumed would be beyond his understanding. Looking back, I suspect he was right: there indeed was a playbook that enabled the Liberals to win immigrant-rich ridings. It is widely believed that part of the Liberals victory in October 2015 came from immigrant communities switching their votes away from the Conservatives. The Liberals won the so-called ethnic vote. However, Radwanskis choice of expression has intrigued me ever since. The respected columnist writes for the Globe and Mail a paper that I have consistently read ever since I set foot in Canada in 2002. I know the paper to be resourceful, financially well-endowed and world class. As a reader, I see that it invests in its journalists, giving them generous travel budgets to report at great length from hotspots on every continent, but also giving its columnists lots of latitude. It is a great Canadian institution. And so I was fascinated by the concept that a campaign could be subterranean when it dealt with massive, well-established communities, served by hundreds of ethnic media publications. Why did the Globe not already have a cadre of journalistic talent that would have helped it cover these subterranean communities just as it did all the other ridings in Canada? Why not use translators, when necessary, to make inroads into these sorts of communities? Radwanskis telling observation begged a larger question: Why is our journalism not as multicultural as the rest of society? In the period since the October 2015 election, I have reframed my question to ask, Why are our journalists not as representative as our federal cabinet? I would love to have been a fly on the wall as Prime Minister-Elect Justin Trudeau shared with the head of his transition team, Peter Harder, his thoughts on how he wanted to go about selecting cabinet ministers. Together they produced a masterpiece of Canadian diversity. How did they get it so right, without really inviting a backlash from those who have got so used to a monochromatic hegemony in all the levers of power? More than one year on, I still have trouble reconciling to the fact that a turbaned Sikh immigrant is Canadas Defence Minister. I am not the first journalist in Canada to shine a light on the lack of diversity in Canadian journalism. A few years after I set up New Canadian Media, I had the honour of meeting John Miller, a former chair of Ryersons journalism school, somebody who made it his lifes mission to make newsrooms more representative, more reflective of their readership and viewership. Miller has researched the issue and written extensively on the topic, to little avail. There are still spaces in Canada that media dont understand and have made barely an effort to try to understand. The less charitable side of me thinks theyd simply label these spaces as ghettos and be done with them. I suspect there are newsroom managers who argue that these newcomer enclaves dont see themselves as Canadian. It is incumbent on our media to do better: our journalism must enable all Canadians to feel equally included. Given that one in five Canadians born in another country and an equal number are the children of first-generation Canadians, the immigrant ethos is writ large. Weve been adding 1 million new Canadians every four years. And, generally speaking, their ethnic profile tends to be different from that of earlier settlers for the last three decades, the majority of our newcomers have come from Asia, nations such as China, India, Pakistan and the Philippines. Canada is changing right before our eyes. In 2012, I took a tentative step toward blending my experience as a journalist in Asia into the Canadian milieu. By then, I was convinced that most newcomers and their children share a sense of dislocation, having moved to North America from regions that are racially and socio-politically very different from the origins of earlier arrivals. They have different mores, a different worldview and a different lived experience. They consume news differently and view the world through a different lens. Interestingly, Canada has had a robust ethnic media sector for a very long time. Visit any grocery store in the suburbs outside the major cities and you will encounter scores of publications stacked in neat piles. A local radio station will play music from back home, and the newspapers will say very little about happenings in Canada. This anecdote may be apocryphal, but a respected ethnic journalist recently told me about a Vancouver radio station that launches its broadcast with the words, Good morning, Vancouver! The weather in Chandigarh is Each of these publications covers a particular immigrant community, in a specific geographic region, often in a foreign language. Most ethnic media continue to be narrowly focused on issues concerning their communities. They are staffed mainly by the hundreds of journalists who arrived in Canada wanting to continue in their profession, but find it hard to gain a foothold. About 200 of them have worked with New Canadian Media or participated in our training sessions. They possess experience and language skills that could perhaps help the mainstream media demystify their communities, but nobody has quite figured out a way to marry their talents with the current needs of newsrooms. I would be the first to admit that not all journalists are created equal. Having lived in five countries, I know first hand that every nation has its own ways of doing journalism. I also know that ethnic and mainstream could not be further apart in their professional standards. It would be the rare ethnic journalist who has had the luxury of paying for a journalism degree in Canada. Working for multicultural media is very different from working for, say, the Globe. The reporters often double up as advertising salespeople. Ethnic publishers roll from one financial crisis to another; scores of them go under every year, while others sprout in their place. The line between editorial and advertising is blurred. These publications, though, remain a vibrant part of Canadas media ecosystem and play a critical role in informing and welcoming new immigrants. They fulfill a vital democratic function albeit an insufficient one. We in the media need to do a better job of speaking for Canadians and being a mirror to society. This is a cliche, but readers, viewers and listeners want to see and hear themselves reflected in our newsrooms. They want to hear foreign-sounding accents and even a mangled English or French sentence once in a while. Journalism is about reflecting the lives and times of all Canadians in all their diversity, colour and socio-political complexity. Newcomers invariably do not fit into the preconceived notions of todays mainstream media editors. Thats why it is very important for newsroom managers to specifically empower journalists in our newsrooms from diverse backgrounds to speak up, not to be cowed by those who perhaps unwittingly crowd out more timid voices and offbeat perspectives. In short, lets privilege diversity, rather than conformity. As we imagine a new media landscape for future generations, I suggest a third way that enables Canada to become the first nation in the world to marry ethnic and mainstream a true reflection of our unique demographics. Lets recognize that our highly corporatized media organizations have lost touch and are excluding large segments of our population by continuing to hire candidates who could not possibly do justice to the worldviews or lived experiences of many communities, including immigrants. I realize it will take more than a generation to achieve in the media what Trudeau has done with his cabinet. It will take more than resolve and window dressing. In the meanwhile, lets find ways for the two media silos to work together, discover common ground, and, in the process, improve the coverage of communities that feel left out. See http://test.newcanadianmedia.ca/component/k2/40337-privileging-diversity-in-canadian-newsrooms The newly-merged global law firm Eversheds Sutherland has added to its footprint with a long-awaited tie-up in Singapore.The firm has been given approval for a merger with Harry Elias Partnership which Legal Business reports was delayed by the name change of Eversheds due to its merger with US firm Sutherland Asbill & Brennan.Eversheds and Harry Elias have been working closely in recent months, literally, working from the same building in the city state.A team from Norton Rose Fulbright has advised Star Mountain Plaza Limited on its financing of a substantial development in Papua New Guinea.The Star Mountain Plaza development in Port Moresby is being built for the APEC Summit in 2018 and financing of the equivalent of AU$100.6 million was arranged from Bank of South Pacific.NRF, which opened an office in Port Moresby last year, advised on all aspects of corporate and shareholder arrangements involving a joint venture between three major PNG entities; and also on the major construction aspects of the project.Almost two-thirds of Australian CEOs are planning to grow their businesses through M&A in the next 12 months according to a survey from PwC.The survey shows growing confidence among Australian business leaders, in their firms growth prospects and hiring, although most are also seeking to cut costs.Organic growth is expected by 93 per cent of respondents while 60 per cent name M&A among their plans.US president Donald Trumps planned state visit to the UK later this year should be banned, a group of legal academics are urging.A letter to the British prime minister Theresa May has been signed by 250 legal academics and expresses their collective dismay at the visit, the Guardian reports.The academics also say that close ties with the US will end badly due to the US leaders discriminatory policies and views of the judiciary. They want the UK government to distance itself from the US as a result. HWL Ebsworth has advised the shareholders of The Decor Corporation on its sale to Marlin Home for an undisclosed sum in a transaction that closed on 10 February. This is the second major acquisition of South Africa-based Marlin Home in Australia following its purchase of homewares wholesaler Albi last year. Established in Melbourne in 1958, the privately held Decor has an internationally recognised brand name in household goods, particularly kitchen containers. About 80% of its products are designed and manufactured in Australia, a tradition which the company said will continue after the sale. The HWL Ebsworth team was led by partner Sam Dwyer of the firms and special counsel Paul Lewis. Both are with the firms corporate practice and are based in Melbourne. An Australian team from Norton Rose Fulbright has acted for Singapore-headquartered AirTrunk on its capital raising, which financial adviser JPMorgan is billing as the single largest pre-revenue capital raising in the Asia Pacific. Proceeds of the $400m raising will be used by the data centre developer and operator to finance its flagship Sydney and Melbourne data centres. The data centres are expected to initially offer 20 MW of IT load once put online by the 3Q17 target, with capacity reaching a maximum of 120 MW later, making these among the largest data centres across the Asia Pacific. Corporate partner Shane Bilardi led the NRF team, which came from the firms Melbourne, Sydney, and Perth offices. The Camry Hybrid now comes with more features. Toyota has launched the 2017 Camry hybrid priced at Rs 31.98 (ex-showroom, New Delhi). The Camry hybrid now gets more equipment than before. New features on the outside include new LED fog lamps and new 15-spoke alloy wheels. On the inside, the new Camry promises better sound quality with a new audio system that comes with 12 JBL speakers, and the navigation system features a new interface. Other new convenience features include a new wireless smartphone charger (for compatible models) and new reverse camera monitor with corner sensors. On the safety front, the Camry hybrid also some new features including nine SRS airbags, a tyre pressure monitoring system and an emergency brake signal. The powertrain continues to be the electric and petrol engine the Hybrid Synergy Drive system comprising of a 160hp 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol and 143hp electric motor delivering a combined power output of 205hp. Power is sent to the front wheels via an electronically controlled CVT gearbox. The Camry hybrid can run in full electric mode only at low speeds and on mild throttle inputs. Up the pace and the system switches to a combination of electric and engine power. It also uses brake regeneration to recharge the batteries when the car slows down or is cruising. All the tech helps the Camry hybrid achieve a claimed mileage of 19.16kpl and a 0-100kph time of 9.2sec. The distinct combination of performance, fuel efficiency and environment friendliness has resulted in a majority of customers going for the hybrid model over the petrol which it comprehensively outsells. Developing the content and technology for a comprehensive driver safety program for a company fleet is no simple feat. And even when it's up and running, the hard work continues to ensure it's up to date and meeting the industry's needs. A well-planned and executed safety program has the potential of saving a company a substantial amount of money and making our roadways safer for everyone. ARI, a global fleet management company headquartered in New Jersey, has been offering its North American Driver Safety Program for approximately four years. The program currently includes 44 modules courses that are designed to correct a specific driving flaw, like hard braking including two new ones in 2016. Red Hawk Fire & Security, an ARI client that has implemented the driver safety program, has seen a 68% drop in the number of accidents year over year. Not only are they producing safer drivers, they've seen a $1 million savings in liability costs, according to ARI. The ideas for the modules come from everywhere, both on the client end and internally at ARI. And once the idea is accepted as something that ARI wants to add to its driver safety repertoire, here's the development process (all along, verifying the content with experts and doing quality control): Research and define the requirements for the module Develop an outline Storyboard the module Develop the script Shoot video if required Build the graphics and animations Build the module Complete voiceover narration Final build & quality assurance Load into production This process, along with 3-D graphic technology that makes these training simulations as real as possible for the drivers, has resulted in a comprehensive safety program that has proven results. Toyota Motor Corp. is recalling about 2,840 Mirai cars globally so dealers can update the fuel cell system software to resolve potential problems with output voltage, according to a report from Reuters. The output voltage generated by the fuel cell boost converter might exceed the maximum voltage in certain driving conditions. The recall remedy should take about 30 minutes to complete. Toyotas hydrogen-fueled Mirai was first sold to consumers in Japan in 2014. Since then, the car has also been sold in the U.S., some European markets and the United Arab Emirates. Its always cool to dream about the future. Whether you were a fan of Star Trek, The Jetsons, or 2001: A Space Odyssey, its exciting to see what life will be like sometime in the future. Our industry is not immune to the opportunities and potential perils of what life will look like in the future. As this issue of Auto Rental News highlights, technological advancement is happening so quickly that it can be challenging to keep up with it all. But the car rental industry must keep up to remain relevant and to continue serving our customers needs. If you think its difficult for those in the private sector to track and understand all these advances, can you imagine what its like for the public sector those who are charged with developing and crafting public policy to account for these changes? Thats where ACRA comes in. ACRA is the collective voice that speaks for the car rental industry. It can effectively communicate to legislators and other governmental policymakers how the industry is evolving and adapting to these technological advances. Therefore, it is ACRAs mission to position our industry as a key stakeholder in both the policy discussion and the policy shaping of the future of vehicle mobility and vehicle deployment. After all, the rental car industry owns more than two million vehicles and certainly knows how to manage and deploy fleets. So, we should have a seat at that table. That is what ACRA is working to do. What will vehicle technology be capable of in the future? What will vehicle ownership look like? There are new and emerging platforms where rental car transactions can take place the same transactions that are taking place today, just received by different means. What will the public policy around these potentially different models look like? ACRA will be there to offer its perspective. Then theres the brave new world of autonomous vehicles. How will these vehicles impact our industry? And whats the public policy surrounding this technological break-through? Several policy questions are being asked: What is the definition of a driver? Who owns the data generated by the autonomous vehicle? Who can repair these vehicles? The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) set out safety guidelines for autonomous vehicles last September. Since these were published toward the end of one administration, and we just ushered in a new president, no one knows what policy recommendations will stay and which may go. But, suffice to say, weve not heard the last from NHTSA and Congress on this issue. We anticipate some form of federal legislation to surface at some point. Likewise, it is likely states will begin to develop their own potentially conflicting or inconsistent regulatory proposals (as some already have) in order to make the deployment of autonomous vehicles possible in their jurisdictions. Will ACRA members seek uniformity in these regulatory constructs through federal legislation rather than a patchwork of state regulations? As of today, the answer to that question is unknown. But it will be critical that ACRA is in a position to engage in these discussions and debates and ultimately help shape the public policy. As the new administration and Congress begin working on initiatives for autonomous vehicles and in all areas that affect the car rental industry ACRA will be there to engage on your behalf. Additionally, most state legislators have gone back to their state capitals to begin their annual work in lawmaking. There, too, ACRA will be watching and engaging to ensure that your voice is heard in the process. Needless to say, there is more to come in this area as the next years unfold. Buckle up its going to be quite a ride. Fords City of Tomorrow envisions advanced transportation operating systems that integrate data from vehicles, bikes, drones, and mass transit as well as street lights, parking meters, and charging infrastructure. Other innovations could include flexible traffic management coupled with autonomous vehicles, which would serve to eliminate traffic jams, reduce emissions, and bring traffic accidents to nearly zero. Photo courtesy of Ford. Susan Jacobs taps an app on her phone, chooses a vehicle type, and waits for it to arrive. The vehicle, sequestered in a designated parking area in the neighborhood, autonomously finds its way to pick up Jacobs and her family and deliver them to Jacobs fathers house two hours away. Her kids choose a movie on the in-cab screen, while Jacobs decides to access some work documents from the cloud. That night, Jacobs summons a vehicle to return home. Its late, so she requests a vehicle with fold-flat seats to allow the kids to sleep. The next day, Jacobs summons a smaller vehicle to go to work. Her boss will ride with her for part of the journey, so she requests one with facing seats and a work table. That weekend, she calls for an autonomous convertible to take her and her husband to the beach. Jacobs is automatically billed for each trip by vehicle type, length of trip, and ancillary services provided. The Jacobs family does not own a car. They have a few choices of mobility providers, but they prefer Atom Autonomous Mobility Services. For the Jacobs family, Atom has the most user-friendly app, and the customer service reps know their area. The vehicles arrive on time and are well maintained. Atom has a selection of vehicle types and ancillary services that fit her needs at reasonable price tiers while its loyalty program allows the family to earn points quicker than other services. Atom has seamless alliances with other providers such as airlines and trains. The Jacobs family relies on Atom to provide hundreds of different types of trips a year. So who is this provider of the future? Is Atom the natural extension of a car rental company: a national chain, a franchise of that chain, or an independent entrepreneur? Or is Atom an outgrowth of an auto manufacturers mobility platform, a carsharing network, a ride-hailing service such as Uber or Lyft, a private owner, or an entity yet unknown? We can quibble about when autonomous vehicles will become the predominant transportation method 15 years or 50? But it will happen. What does that future look like, and how do we get there? How can the car rental industry position itself to be part of this new mobility paradigm when it arrives? A Bridge to Autonomy Recent developments in transportation and society in general are leading us to this autonomous future. As part of the rise of social media and the sharing (or peer-to-peer) economy, new distribution models have changed how we access goods and services: from summoning Uber or booking a stay in someones apartment to ordering groceries online and downloading first-run movies at home. This on-demand mentality favors a self-service model enabled by technology, says Michael Youssef, CEO and president of Rent Centric. Online retailers are creating a direct conduit from the manufacturer to the end user and using automation tools for the distribution process, he says. How is this new distribution trend impacting car rental? Changes will come in different ways depending on the stage of development of the market or market type an urban environment, neighborhood location, or airport. City dwellers are already shifting away from car ownership and toward using the most efficient mode of transportation based on the nature of the trip, whether its a ride-hailing service or taxi, subway, commuter bus or train, carsharing, bike sharing, or car rental. If in the short term people are going to own fewer vehicles by having some of their transport needs met by Uber or Lyft, that would help car rental, says Chris Seymour, president of Carcloud. Urban jurisdictions are creating systems to access multimodal, public, and private transportation options through a single portal, termed Transportation-as-a-Service (TaaS) or Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS). For instance, Helsinki Regional Transport Authority launched an app that finds the best route and mode through a single payment source for the trip, either per-use or through a monthly fee. In local markets and on airports, the pace of change for car rental may be more incremental. If youre traveling for multiple days with your family with luggage and you need a ski rack and child seats, youll have a deeper relationship with that vehicle, says Seymour. Major car rental companies are looking for an advantage by offering more convenience and easier access, perhaps expanding on existing counter bypass programs offered through their loyalty programs, says Nick DiPrima, manager, rental car solutions for TSD. The recent Avis Now app takes this a step further by managing the entire rental process from a smartphone, while independent Silvercars app-based model was designed entirely without a rental counter. Still, the rental counter has been the traditional place to create customer rapport, upsell ancillary products and services, and screen the customer in person. Breaking away from it comes with a lot of questions. In an app-based environment, How will people price shop if they become prequalified and go to the same provider? says Angela Margolit, president of Bluebird Auto Rental Systems. How will [the new model] affect broker portals? For local market operators who have the idea that self-service is the same as carsharing, there are measurable differences, Youssef says. Self-service doesnt necessarily have the logistical issues of carsharing and costs of a dispersed fleet, and incorporating self-service technology does not mean abandoning the traditional method. They could start by having vehicles right outside their location, available to rent after closing and by the hour, he says. [The model] falls naturally into existing know-how. Car rental startups, particularly in developing foreign markets such as India or China, dont have the legacy infrastructure to overcome. Many self-drive companies will offer on-demand rentals before they have a rental counter, says DiPrima. Advancements in technology, spurred by the federal governments incentive to reduce crashes, will drive adoption. The U.S. Department of Transportation has proposed rules that would mandate vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication technology in all new vehicles to take effect by 2021. As well, carmakers have been working on providing telematics as options straight from the factory, which would alleviate the time and expense of installing and uninstalling telematics hardware in each vehicle. New Providers In this evolving landscape, startup transportation providers are jockeying for position, while traditional companies are testing new services. Even with the explosion of the ride-hailing concept, Uber and Lyft are expanding into new types of services such as delivery services, shared rides, and carpooling. Private microtransit systems such as Bridj and Fords Chariot offer app-based commuter shuttle services without set routes that match service with commuting patterns. In its various forms, carsharing is expected to grow this time driven by new services from the auto manufacturers themselves. Under the larger umbrella of mobility, these services involve not just carsharing schemes, but also a breadth of offerings that include shared lease plans, peer-to-peer rentals, on-demand shuttles, ride-hailing, autonomous technology pilots, and even ways to find and pay for parking. Some services such as BMWs ReachNow have one app to manage a range of mobility options. In 2016 General Motors launched Maven, its personal mobility brand. In addition to carsharing services in nine U.S. cities, Maven is available in residential buildings in Chicago and New York, as a peer-to-peer carsharing service in Frankfurt and Berlin, and through pilot programs on various GM campuses to test potential corporate offerings. Photo courtesy of General Motors In an autonomous future in which car ownership may give way to usage-based plans, manufacturers are assessing how they can take a chunk out of this new revenue pie. Ford executives have said recently that mobility services deliver a much higher profit margin than selling cars and trucks, as theyre not dependent on fixed-cost investments, such as manufacturing plants. Auto manufacturers have essentially been service providers in the past, notably as owners of car rental companies they ultimately divested from. Will they grow these new programs from pilots to major business components? Whether their presence continues to expand, serves to test innovative technologies, or continues as third-party partnerships, remains to be seen, says Susan Shaheen, co-director of the Berkeley Transportation Sustainability Research Center. It is likely a variety of partnerships and business models will evolve and continue to operate in parallel for the foreseeable future. Full Autonomy Flash forward to the brave new world inhabited by Susan Jacobs and her preferred mobility provider, Atom Autonomous Mobility Services. To understand Atom, lets define how summoning autonomous transportation will differ from driving. Without the need to drive, the psychological identification with a vehicle will mostly disappear, Youssef and others say, and vehicle design will become more standardized toward functionality and utility. This, along with the goal of negligible crashes and recyclable parts, means that autonomous vehicles will live much longer in fleets. Car rental cycles of six to 18 months could turn into years, similar to trains or buses today. Within these new parameters, almost all of todays fleet processes will change: from procurement, fleet sales, vehicle repair, and residual value forecasting, to driver screening and testing, safety and accident management, subrogation, and tax, title, and licensing services. Autonomous vehicles that last in fleet for many years may impact one of car rentals core advantages: its expertise and economies of scale in buying and selling cars. Conversely, if fleet vehicles were turned over every 10 years, as opposed to 18 months, fleets could be more precisely aligned with demand the term over-fleeting would become an anachronism. Googles self-driving car project is called Waymo. The Waymo vehicle conducted its first fully autonomous ride on public roads in Austin, Texas in 2015, using no steering wheels or pedals and in everyday traffic on city streets. The driverless vehicle has logged 3 million miles on public roads to date. Photo courtesy of Grendelkhan via Wikimedia Commons Nonetheless, autonomous vehicles will still need to be bought, sold, and managed. Rental car companies know how to do whats necessary to manage a fleet of cars, says Mark Thomas, vice president of marketing for RideCell. As technologies converge, We are likely to continue to see a blurring of business models, particularly among car rental and carsharing and for-hire services, such as Uber, Lyft, and taxis, says Shaheen. Driverless vehicles would essentially invalidate ride hailings primary use case today, which relies on drivers using their privately owned cars to pick up riders. Will Uber and Lyft own and manage their own autonomous fleets, or will they manage the ecosystem of other entities fleets? With automation, we may see notable growth in peer-to-peer services, Shaheen says. If a vehicle can drive itself and serve one-way trips, we may see an increasing number of private vehicle owners that place their vehicles into a peer-to-peer shared service. Today, Turo allows private owners and fleets to rent through its online marketplace. Meanwhile, auto manufacturers such as Tesla, BMW, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz are piloting programs in which owners of their vehicles can rent them to others through an app. Thomas cautions that autonomous vehicles may be too expensive for individual owners, at least initially, which could mitigate competition between peer-to-peer services and an owned fleet. A Place for Car Rental Seymour sees cities developing mini ground transportation hubs, in which users hail cars to a central location. The provider could be Uber, Zipcar, or a big name rental car provider, he says. Seymour says major car rental companies will still be able to leverage their existing partnerships through loyalty programs and with corporate rentals. Whether its government or big industry, theyll still have that relationship with their supplier of choice, with special pricing and terms of service, he says. Youve got a level of trust there that you dont have with Uber. Requesting a vehicle through an app rather than price shopping through a matrix may benefit car rental specifically. If anything, I think it creates opportunity for users to have more loyalty [to that program], says Dave Zadrozny, a software developer at Bluebird Auto Rental Systems. There will still be the need for tiered service levels familiar territory to car rental, says DiPrima, whether that means a shared ride in a 20-seat minibus or an express trip for a single rider with luxury amenities. Another potential opportunity may lie in providing autonomous services to corporate fleets. In the U.S., fleet leasing and management companies handle this type of business, though in many countries car rental companies supply long-term rentals to businesses. No matter the provider, most believe that there will still be a need for manufacturers to work with distributors to sell products and services. The distributor of choice will present the most convenient, cost-effective model. The big players with economies of scale will be able to identify themselves to the layers on top as viable to be a distributor, Youssef says. To maintain validity, they need to focus on presenting automated distribution solutions to the manufacturers. A Place for the Entrepreneur? Its easy to imagine transportation modes in the future controlled by a few large corporations, especially in the face of keeping up with the ever-increasing pace of technology. The smaller guy today has a huge disadvantage with all these apps and technology, says Gil Cygler, former owner of AllCar and Carpingo, a carsharing network. Its not just about how you reserve the car; acquiring the customer is getting harder for the small guy. However, this isnt the case in all high-tech industries. As tech-forward as the Internet is, says Seymour, Internet Service Providers (ISPs) could have been taken over by major companies by now, with no way for the small guy to compete. Sure, youve got those big names, but you also have local ISPs who compete with big guys and offer a different level of service, he says. It might be more expensive in some areas, but they understand their local markets, and people pay for that service. Available in Germany, Daimlers mobility platform, moovel, allows users to compare and book transportation options such as carsharing, taxis, bike rentals, or public transportation through one integrated booking and payment system. Photo courtesy of Daimler Many business types today work best in which local entrepreneurs manage a system to deliver a good or service. Local operators are well-suited to local hiring and employee management, and they would essentially assume the burden of operations and profit margins in ways a larger corporation may not want to be involved. This model would still be relevant in the future. If larger corporations dont move fast enough, an entrepreneur will find a way. That presents an opportunity for someone to come in and take market share, says Bluebirds Zadrozny. If they can set up a simple process that the millennials can latch onto, they have a real opportunity. Before We Know it? A few years ago, autonomous vehicles were viewed similarly to flying vehicles, a future that may never arrive. Since then, Ford announced its intent to have a high-volume, fully autonomous vehicle in commercial operation by 2021 in a ride-hailing or ride-sharing program. Even sooner, Tesla customers will be able to order Full Self-Driving Capability, when they buy a new Tesla vehicle. Uber is offering public trials of its self-driving car in Pittsburgh. Googles autonomous fleet has already collectively logged more than 300,000 miles of driving time. There are considerable hurdles to full autonomy, from legal, regulatory, and technological standpoints. Yet the end goals including negligible crashes, more productive travel time, fewer landfills, and reclaiming of parking spaces are so compelling that this new model will prevail, sooner than later. The business logic is like a weed in between the cobblestones, says Youssef. Where there is a space, it will find its way through to the light. In the future, the car rental industry will continue its mission as a provider of personal mobility by adapting to this new mobility paradigm, as every other transportation mode works to adapt as well. iStockPhoto.com/Karneg What will car rental look like in the next five to 10 years, or longer? What factors will play a role or pose a threat in the advancement of the industry? Technology is already shaping the future in some areas, while other factors are still years from being fully developed. Auto Rental News talked to several operators to get their predictions on the future of car rental and how their companies are planning to adapt to these advancements and changes. Automation Domination As technology continues to create a more on-demand environment, customers, especially in the younger generations, are used to doing everything on the go, from a smartphone or tablet, including making reservations for car rentals. Nima Mobasser, vice president of Los Angeles-based State Van Rental, sees a future with more shared vehicles, more streamlined reservations and check-in/checkout processes, and growth in the carsharing and self-service models. The car rental industry will eventually morph into it [carsharing], he says. I dont see it necessarily as a threat, but evolving into more technology-driven processes. The future will be customer-service driven as it always has been, but having an up-to-date user experience is paramount in being a leader in car rental, says William Harris, owner of New York City-based Edge Auto Rental. Speed, ease of use, and less friction are going to play a major role in keeping a customer coming back. To stay up to date with the changing needs of its customers, Edge Auto Rental is developing an on-demand, mobile-friendly reservation process through its website. Customers want to press a button on their phone and have the vehicle be ready when they arrive or have the vehicle show up at their location when they need it, says Harris. For Peter Chapman, owner of Alaska Auto Rental, the future customer interface looks to be mobile heavy, as the younger generation becomes a larger part of the renter demographic. As a small independent rental company, Alaska Auto Rental in Fairbanks, Alaska, hasnt developed an automated online reservation system, but its working toward that goal. It takes more effort to make the investment in mobility as a small independent company, says Chapman. But we are moving toward a mobile-friendly website so our customers book from a smartphone. Steve Lazaroff of Discount Car and Truck Rentals sees technology as potentially changing car rental into something that resembles a ride-sharing or peer-to-peer environment where people rent out their own cars. If I had no car and had the option of renting a car from my immediate neighbors within a five-minute walk, Id never need to go to a car rental company, says Lazaroff, director of Discounts retail sales division. Self-Service, Carsharing Transforms Car Rental Carsharing technology has started and will continue to change the traditional rental counter process. Using elements of carsharing technology developed by Rent Centric, Discount has developed a self-service program where customers can rent cargo vans or cutaway trucks from about 25 parking spots throughout Montreal and Quebec City. Customers use the web app on their smartphone to find and reserve the closest vehicle at any time, according to Lazaroff. Once at the vehicle, the app initiates the rental process and unlocks the doors. To develop a self-service option, Edge Auto Rental is installing self-service kiosks at its rental locations. More and more customers dont want to deal with a person when picking up their car, says Harris. When it comes to carsharing, Harris thinks the concept will continue to grow as more people decide to not own vehicles. Though carsharing is currently more common as hourly rentals through companies like Zipcar and car2go, group sharing of a vehicle could become more popular. I think more people will own cars through a subscription and share with multiple people, Harris says. Chapman likes the idea of self-service as a convenience for his customers, but currently the cost of implementation for the technology is more than the benefits he could gain in his use case, he explains. Rise of Ride Hailing The growth of ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft has been seen as a threat to car rental. While rural areas and most local markets remain largely unaffected, ride hailing has become entrenched in cities. Uber and Lyft compete with the car rental industry in some respects, but the model only works in dense, urban areas, says Sharky Laguana, owner of Bandago. While they are taking some business away from rental companies, a rental car is still the economic choice if you are taking a longer trip or have a lot of luggage. Even in the face of potential business erosion in certain situations, the concept of ride hailing could also be seen as a collaborator to rental companies in a larger transportation ecosystem. According to Laguana, Uber or Lyft could bring a rental companys customers from the airport to its off-airport location. Rental companies can use ride-hailing as the last mile to bring customers to their door, says Laguana. A rental company wouldnt need to send a shuttle bus to the airport, which removes an expense. Additionally, the ride-hailing model may not be sustainable. Laguana commented on the fact that Uber currently doesnt show a profit because its still investing heavily in growth. The overall sustainability of the model is still unclear; the cost of the service could rise if drivers conclude they arent making enough money after wear and tear on the car, he says. And if the service cost rises too high, the entire business could collapse. Right now the model counts on incoming investment dollars, which can change on a dime. Autonomous Vehicles are the Future Although the idea of self-driving cars had seemed to be in the distant future, they are already hitting the roads in pilot programs by companies like Google and Uber. Lazaroff sees a scenario in which a companys autonomous fleet or a neighbors car can be summoned, with a system that rebalances the fleet and manages pricing based on demand. He says there is room for smaller fleet owners, and success will be based on ratings. He lives and breathes by his rating, and if it isnt good, his vehicles dont go back into the swarm. Laguana acknowledges that autonomous vehicles are coming and will be here soon, but he also brings up some of the challenges that driverless cars will face, including software, legal and legislative framework, and security. It will take a long time to sort through all the legal and legislative issues with autonomous vehicles, says Laguana. It took five years to pass the vehicle recall law, which had broad consensus. Security is also an underappreciated concern at the moment. Hackers could attack and find vulnerabilities in the technology. Laguana recommends car rental operators start thinking about the idea of driverless vehicles and how that will impact the car rental industry. In car rental, we maintain the vehicles, he says. And autonomous cars will still need to be maintained. Harris was impressed by the autonomous technology displayed at the recent Automobility LA, the trade show that preceded the LA Auto Show. The autonomous vehicles section included Olli, a self-driving, electric, partially 3-D printed minibus. The tech is here and ready to go, says Harris. It was amazing to see at the Automobility conference. I would imagine we will start seeing autonomous cars being used in smaller cities that are willing to adapt in the next few years. Ford plans to invest 1$ billion into an artificial intelligence software called Argo. The 1$ billion investment will be paid over a five-year period. According to Auto Express, Argo Artificial Intelligence is founded by former Google and Uber engineers. The same engineers who worked on self-driving projects at those companies. Their task is to develop the software platform for Fords production self-driving system. Ford engineers are also placed within the start-up firm. It is still unclear, but the technology that is going to be created by the team might not be limited to just Ford vehicles. With this move, Ford is trying to be more than just a car company. Last year, Ford announced that its high volume self-driving car that is planned to launch in 2017 could be used to operate an automated taxi service, without drivers and human controls. Business Insider reported that Ford CEO has a major fear of self-driving cars. There are large numbers of automakers and tech companies that are developing autonomous vehicles and are trying to be the first in the market. But according to Ford CEO Mark Fields, the companies should be very careful and try not to push the vehicles out too soon. With that kind of pressure the companies have, they can push an unfinished product that can lead to catastrophic events. That kind of fear has driven Ford to take a different approach with its self-driving cars. Currently, on the market, many automakers are pushing out level 3 autonomous systems in their vehicles. These cars can drive autonomously in some scenarios, like on the highway, but they still require a human to take control in certain situations. Ford, on the other hand, is planning to launch its first self-driving car with level four autonomy. This means that their vehicles wont have a brake pedal, accelerator, or steering wheel and will be able to operate in a predetermined geographical area without human intervention. Samsung Turkish Vice President, Tansu Yegen confirms Samsung Galaxy S6, S6 Edge, S6 Edge+ and other eligible Samsung smartphones to receive Android Nougat 7.0 over-the-air update. Shared via his Twitter page, Yegen detailed a road map of the arrival of Android Nougat to Samsung flagships. Yegen's tweet confirms Samsung's smartphones such as Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge+, Galaxy Note 5 will receive Android Nougat 7.0 update on the third week of February. Meanwhile, Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge will receive its Nougat update on the last week of February. Samsung Galaxy A series update release schedule is in May, while Galaxy J series is in July. Yegen also confirmed that Galaxy S5 and othe older S series are not eligible for the Android Nougat roll out. Yegen's confirmation is addressed to Turkish Markets only. But, IB Times claims that Samsung releases updates in phases, thus, indicate possible roll out soon. Also, recent reports claim that Android Nougat 7.0 update for Galaxy S6 will not include the same features as those on the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge will receive. But, basic Nougat functionalities such as split screen mode, direct reply, and data saver mode will be available for S6 devices. In other news, Google accidentally released an alpha version of Android search app on beta users. This update enables Google Assistant to run outside the Pixel hardware. Unfortunately, not everyone on the beta program received the updated Android search app. But, Users who managed to acquire the alpha version of the Google App working has reported success running Google Assistant in different devices, thus, indicates a bright future for all Android users. According to Express, the update accidentally becomes available to phones ranging from Nexus 6P to Alcatel Idol 4, and many other devices. Successfully loading version 6.13, the beta user reported being greeted with a message that says "New! You just got the Google Assistant." Lamborghini is in the hot seat right now following its decision to recall 5,900 supercars worldwide due to fire risk. The legendary Italian automaker's notice includes 12 ultra-rare, 12-cylinder $4 million Veneno coupes and roadsters. After the emission scandal, this development is another blow to Volkswagen Group which owns the Lamborghini brand. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration attributed the fire risk to the possibility of a contact between the gas tank and hot exhaust system components, especially during maneuvers such as engine over-revving at idle. No injuries so far have been reported relating to the fire. The Lamborghini recall notice affected about 1,500 Aventadors in the U.S. Three Veneno hardtops and nine Veneno Roadsters are also part of the recall. The former costs $4 million while the latter has a ballpark price of $4.5 million. Seven cases of fire worldwide were reported. The ultra-rare Venenos command astronomical prices due to their value which is seen by supercar-enthusiasts as works of art. In 2013, only three Venenos went to customers for four million U.S. dollars. One mega-rich customer paid $11 million in March 2016, according to Automobile Magazine. The Veneno is a limited production supercar that had its world debut at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show to celebrate Lamborghini's 50th anniversary. It was based on the architecture of the Aventador LP700-4 and was then the most expensive production car in the world. The street legal racer boasts of the incredible L539 6.5-liter V-12 engine, which can produce 740 horsepower. Under the hood, the Veneno features a seven-speed, single-clutch automated ISR transmission which channels the power to the all four wheels. Lamborghini is one of the Volkswagen Group's best-selling automotive brands. It had record global sales in 2016, with 3,457 cars delivered. The company advised owners of affected vehicles to take their cars to a dealership to fix the issue. It will take two days to complete the upgrade of the cars' evaporative system. There is speculation that Sony will be unveiling a new smartphone at the Mobile World Congress later this month. The mobile device is supposedly named Pikachu and was spotted in a GFX benchmark listing. The Sony Pikachu to be revealed at the Mobile World Congress. The Pikachu is currently listed on the website GFXBench which says that the smartphone will run a 2.3 GHz octa-core MediaTek MT6757 processor. The processor is said to be powerful enough to support a dual-core ARM Mali-T880 MP2 GPU. The Pikachu will feature 3 gigabytes of RAM and 22 gigabytes of internal storage. It is said to run Android 7.0 Nougat out-of-the-box and will sport a 21-megapixel rear camera and an 8-megapixel front camera. Other features include an accelerometer, compass, gyroscope, light sensor, and a proximity sensor. It will support Bluetooth, GPS, and Wi-Fi connectivity. No other details on the Pikachu are currently known. There is a possibility that the Pikachu could be the G3112 or G3221. Both phones are expected to run on a MediaTek processor and had their information previously leaked. Another speculation claims that Sony could be releasing five new smartphones for their Xperia line also at the upcoming Mobile World Congress. The five new devices have been given the codenames Keyaki, Hinoki, BlancBright, Mineo, and Yoshino. It is unclear whether or not the Pikachu is one of the five. The Yoshino will supposedly be the 2017 flagship device of the company. The Yoshino is expected to sport a 5.5-inch 4K display, at least 4 gigabytes of RAM, and IMX400 sensor-based camera. In addition, the smartphone is expected to run on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835. The Japanese tech firm is already set for MWC 2017 and in fact, already has a slot scheduled for their first product reveals this year. The company will be hosting their MWC 2017 event at 8:30 AM, Central European Timezone, on February 27 in Barcelona, Spain. More than 90% percent of certification work on new aircraft and aircraft parts is outsourced by the FAA to the manufacturers themselves, according to a GAO report. Similar to the FAA delegation of airman certification authority to Designated Pilot Examiners, the FAA has been authorizing most certification work to be performed by employees of the manufacturers themselves through the Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) program. Industry representatives approve and asked for more. We have seen more delegation, and we thank [the FAA] for that, John Hamilton, VP Engineering for Boeing Commercial Airplanes, told the House Subcommittee on Aviation on Wednesday. Michael Thacker, Senior Vice President for Certification of Textron Aviation, went further in asking the FAA for more delegation: Overall, the goal of [Aircraft Certification Service] transformation must be to ensure that FAA lowers unnecessary barriers to incorporating safety technologies by fully delegating and utilizing ODAs. In some cases, the FAA delegates a certification test, but requests to observe the testing as it is performed by the manufacturer. Boeings Hamilton told Congress that the FAAs observation of this certification work creates delays in the certification process. Boeing was fined $12 million through late 2015 to settle FAA investigations arising from the falsification of certification and repair paperwork, the Seattle Times reported earlier this week. In one case, a mechanic told FAA investigators that the mechanic did not use required inspection tools and had been entering false data into aircraft inspection records for at least seven years, the Seattle Times article reports. Concerns have been raised for years about the FAAs level of involvement and technical capacity to be involved in the certification of new aircraft. Following a series of fires that started in the Boeing 787s lithium batteries, an NTSB report said that the FAA provided insufficient guidance for manufacturers and FAA certification engineers on how to certify these batteries. According to the NTSB, FAA certification staff did not recognize that cascading thermal runaway of the battery could occur as a result of a cell internal short circuit, [and] as a result, FAA certification engineers did not require a thermal runaway test as part of the compliance demonstration. The certification plan for the aircraft, including required compliance demonstrations, was written by Boeing and approved by the FAA. Military pilots arent flying often enough to be as proficient as they need to be, Lt. Gen. Jon Davis, the head of Marine Corps aviation, told reporters in Washington, D.C., recently. Were about three hours per pilot per month better than we were [in May 2015], but thats not good enough, Davis said, according to military.com. Were still shy of our target. In the last year, 11 Marine Corps aircraft have been lost in crashes, with 14 crew members killed. Theyre still being investigated, but there was nothing wrong with those airplanes, mechanically, Davis said. These were they were qualified, they were proficient these were crews that had been flying a fair bit, flying in some pretty challenging conditions. Davis said the military needs access to more basic aircraft for pilots to fly to build flight time and proficiency. He added that since todays aviators dont fly as much as pilots of the past, We just have to be more structured and more pedantic about how we fly. Investigations are continuing into most of the crashes. But Davis said that, so far, results show that there is no material failure component, adding: Its mainly human error. 16 February 2017 10:50 (UTC+04:00) Over the past 24 hours, Armenias armed forces have 45 times violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reported on February 16. The Armenian army was using 60-millimeter mortars and large caliber machine guns. The Azerbaijani army positions located in the Gaymagli village and on nameless heights of Azerbaijans Gazakh district underwent fire from the Armenian army positions located in the Barekamavan village of the Noyemberyan district and on nameless heights of the Ijevan district of Armenia. Meanwhile, the Azerbaijani army positions located in the Aghbulag and Kokhanabi villages of Azerbaijans Tovuz district were shelled from the Armenian army positions located in the Chinari village of Armenias Berd district. The Azerbaijani army positions located on nameless heights of Azerbaijans Gadabay district also underwent fire from the Armenian army positions located on nameless heights of Armenias Krasnoselsk district. Moreover, the Azerbaijani army positions were shelled from the Armenian army positions located near the Armenian-occupied Goyarkh village of the Tartar district, Yusifjanli, Javahirli and Marzili villages of the Aghdam district, Garakhanbayli, Horadiz and Ashagi Seyidahmadli villages of the Fuzuli district, as well as from the positions located on nameless heights of the Goranboy, Tartar, Khojavand, Fuzuli and Jabrayil districts of Azerbaijan. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz The OSCE monitoring held at the border of Azerbaijan and Armenia passed without incidents, the press service of Azerbaijans Defense Ministry reported on February 16. The monitoring was held on Thursday near the Kokhanabi village of Azerbaijans Tovuz region under the mandate of the OSCE chairperson-in-office personal representative. On the Azerbaijani side, the monitoring was held by field assistants of the OSCE chairperson-in-office personal representative, Ghenadie Petrica and Peter Svedberg. On the Armenian side, the monitoring was held by field assistants of the OSCE chairperson-in-office personal representative, Jiri Aberle and Hristo Hristov. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 16 February 2017 12:18 (UTC+04:00) By Nigar Abbasova Russia may increase the volume of its investments in the agricultural sphere of Azerbaijan, as the two countries eye bolstering of the cooperation in the sector. CEO of Azerbaijan-Russia Business Council Farkhad Sattarov told Trend that the sides are currently discussing implementation of new projects in the sphere. We consider a number of projects to attract investments both from Russia to Azerbaijan and vice versa. The talks are currently on the initial stage, therefore it is early to talk about the details, he said. Last November, Economy Minister Shahin Mustafayev said that Russia invested over $3 billion in Azerbaijan's economy since early 2016, while Azerbaijan invested more than $1 billion in Russian economy. The agricultural sector is of significant importance for Azerbaijan, which is keen to diminish its dependence on the oil sector. Azerbaijan, being engaged in increasing its export potential and boosting and protecting the population's food security, sees the agricultural sector as a central direction in a bid to diversify the national economy. Sattarov further said that the agriculture, along with oil, banking sphere is a traditional sphere for Russian investments. A branch of Russian VTB Bank and Lukoil company are operating in Azerbaijan. These spheres enjoy great level of potential for the development, he added. Talking about the activity of business councils between Azerbaijan and Russia, Sattarov said that a number of mutual visits may be paid in the short run. The first meeting of Azerbaijan-Russia Business Council, organized by the Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Foundation (AZPROMO), was held in October 2016. The event gathered together representatives of about 50 leading companies from the fields of agriculture and food industry, construction, financial sector and other sectors of the economy. Russia currently ranks the second among foreign trade partners of Azerbaijan. The trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Russia exceeded $2.05 billion, with $1.6 billion falling to a share of the import of Russian production. Some 170 agreements, with 50 being in the sphere of economy have been so far concluded between the two countries. The government of Azerbaijan earlier took a decision to appoint trade representatives in the Azerbaijani embassies and consulates abroad to facilitate business ties and increase the effectiveness of export promotion measures, represent and fully protect the trade and economic interests of the country. Ruslan Aliyev, chairman of the Board of Directors of the Ateshgah Insurance Group, has been appointed trade representative of Azerbaijan to Russia. -- Nigar Abbasova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @nigyar_abbasova Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 16 February 2017 10:00 (UTC+04:00) By Amina Nazarli Gorgeous colors, patterns and textures beautiful Azerbaijani carpets all these are the fruit of masters painstaking labor. Unique Azerbaijani carpets are well-known all over the world for their quality and high artistic value. Besides, amazing and fantastic carpets of Azerbaijan represent a real mystery, leading one inside the fairy tales full of majestic feelings. Antique Azerbaijani rugs are the honorary "residents" at the White House, State Department, and every important museums in the world including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Louvre, Victoria and Albert Museum, Vatican, and the Hermitage. The Land of Fire has seven carpet producing regions including Baku, Shirvan, Guba, Tabriz, Karabakh, Ganja and Gazakh and each of them had its own technology, typical patterns and colors. To get acquaint foreigners and local population with the beauty and colorfulness of the national carpets, Baku will host the 5th International Symposium on Azerbaijani Carpets on October 17-20. The four-day event with two full days of academic programs will offer a platform for dialogue of national and foreign scholars and collectors of Azerbaijani carpets. The format of the international conference will be based on model of the symposium partner -- the International Conference on Oriental Carpets (ICOC). This organization has more than 35 years of experience in the study and promotion of oriental rugs in the West. Since 2014, representatives of ICOC annually visit Baku, upon the invitation of the Culture and Tourism Ministry, to meet with Azerbaijani colleagues- rug experts and hold master classes and studying museum and private collections. In late 2016, Alberto Boralevi, Chair of ICOC Academic Committee and Ben Evans, editor of the London HALI Publications (HLP) visited Baku, where they also offered a tour to the regions of Azerbaijan. Following this trip, HALI decided to include new eight-day HALI Carpet Tour tour package to the Symposium plan, which will take place on Baku-Tbilisi route with stops at carpet weaving centers of Azerbaijan. Such routes to Georgia and Armenia are operating since 2015, said Asli Samadova, the representative of ICOC from Italy. Unfortunately, so far, Azerbaijan has remained out of sight of HALI Carpet Tour due to a lack of sufficient information about the country, she clarified. Besides academic session, the organizers of the symposium also plan to hold a cultural program that includes a series of exhibitions. The Culture Ministry is working closely with leading world museums, first of all, Victoria and Albert Museum in London and the Museum of Textiles in Washington, the collections of which feature unique Azerbaijani carpets and embroidery. The Ministry, following long negotiations, achieved consent of both museums to provide a unique and never before unexposed embroidery for the exhibition "Silk treasures: early Azerbaijani embroidery", which will be held from October 17 2017 to January 15, 2018 at the Azerbaijan National Museum of Art. Overall, the exhibition will feature more than 70 Azerbaijani embroidery from foreign museums and private collections, many of which will be shown for the first time. This will be an unprecedented exhibition, noted Samadova expressing hope that it will not leave indifferent neither citizens nor guests. Now we are in the preparatory stage, and there is still a lot to do. Although we have not unveiled much details, we are already aware that many foreign connoisseurs plan to come to Baku to see the embroidery, as there can be no second chance," she said. The first Symposium was held under the patronage of UNESCO in 1983 on the initiative of Azerbaijani scientist Latif Karimov, the founder of carpet studies and Azerbaijani carpet history. The 2007conference in Paris, at the UNESCO headquarters was dedicated to the celebration of the anniversary of Karimov. The 5th Symposium will be held with a 10-year break and coincides with the year of the celebration of anniversaries of Azerbaijan Carpet Museum. Azerbaijans Carpet Museum established in Baku in 1967, being the first carpet museum in the world is the very place that can familiarize all the interested with the unique examples of the national carpets. A new carpet museum, designed in the form of a rolled carpet, opened in the Baku Seaside Park in 2014 and all carpets were transferred to this museum. -- Amina Nazarli is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 16 February 2017 16:00 (UTC+04:00) By Laman Ismayilova Azerbaijan Hotels and Restaurants Association, DAIR, will organize a meeting of experts of the Ministry of Taxes and representatives of the hospitality and local tourism sector on February 17. The event will discuss such important issues as innovations in the tax system and its implementation, as well as issues relating to tax policy in tourism sector. Azerbaijan` s Taxes Ministry will be represented by Nijat Imanov, the head of department on tax policy and strategic research and Namig Dargahov, the head of department on strategic studies. The meeting will take place at JW Marriott Absheron Hotel. The event starts at 10.00. For more information, please contact: [email protected] Tel: (012) 4347877 Media partners of the event are Trend.az, Day.az, Milli.az, Azernews.az --- Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 16 February 2017 11:14 (UTC+04:00) By Rashid Shirinov Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action, ANAMA, continues mine clearing operations in the liberated Jojug Marjanli village. A team of ANAMA carried out cleaning operation in 14,400 square meters of the village on February 15. No unexploded ordnance was found during the operation. Since the beginning of the operations on demining in Jojug Marjanli, ANAMA cleared a territory of 85,466 square meters, 19 houses and defused five units of unexploded ordnance. The village was fully liberated from the Armenian occupation in April 2016, when Azerbaijani Armed Forces prevented an Armenian provocation on the contact line. Following that, the Azerbaijani side established a full control over the village and Azerbaijani deminers began to demine the village as civilians will return to their homes. In late January, President Ilham Aliyev ordered to restore Jojug Marjanli village in Jabrayil region of Azerbaijan. Under the order, 4 million manats were allocated from the President`s 2017 Contingency Fund to the State Committee on Deals of Refugees and IDPs for the construction of 50 private houses, a school building and relevant infrastructure at the first stage. Moreover, President Aliyev signed an order on additional measures to construct the road leading to the liberated Jojug Marjanli village and allocated 4.3 million manats from the state budget for the construction of 9 km long highway in the village. Chairman of the State Committee for Refugees and IDPs Ali Hasanov announced on February 13 that the construction work will soon be launched in the village. Armenia broke out a lengthy war against Azerbaijan laying territorial claims on its South Caucasus neighbor. Since a war in the early 1990s, Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan's territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding regions. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and over 1 million were displaced as a result of the large-scale hostilities. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding districts. --- Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 16 February 2017 16:53 (UTC+04:00) By Rashid Shirinov The so-called constitutional referendum to be held on February 20 in occupied the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, which is now ruled by a puppet regime controlled by Armenia, is another pointless attempt of the Armenian authorities to disrupt the negotiations with Azerbaijan. It is no secret that hampering the process of settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict at every opportunity is the typical behavior of the Armenian authorities. Thus, the illegal referendum in the occupied Azerbaijani lands have become another attempt of Armenia in this direction. It is crystal clear that Armenia does not respect the international law while the world pushes Yerevan to make action in resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and world powers speak about the inadmissibility of maintaining the status quo, Armenia comes up with another provocation against Azerbaijan. However, the silence of the international community, which seems to turn a blind eye to all the lawlessness committed by Armenians in Azerbaijans Nagorno-Karabakh region, is quite surprising and suggests the use of double standards towards Azerbaijan. The reason of such thinking is that the world powers did not behave this way when similar illegitimate referendums were prepared in other separatist formations of the post-Soviet area. The decision of Yerevan to hold a referendum in the Armenian-occupied Nagorno-Karabakh contradicts the position of the international community, which recognizes those lands as part of Azerbaijan. Therefore, the results of the referendum will have no legal force and no real consequences other than another provocation of Armenia, aimed at the prolongation of the negotiations with Baku. International institutions must remember that the main body of the world order, the UN, clearly defined its position regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The UN Security Council resolutions #822 (1993), 853 (1993), 874 (1993), 884 (1993) and the resolution 62/243 (2008) of the UN General Assembly condemn the occupation of Azerbaijani territories and reaffirm support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of internationally recognized borders of Azerbaijan. In its four resolutions, the Council confirms that Nagorno-Karabakh is part of Azerbaijan and calls for "respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and its borders," also stating "the inadmissibility of the use of force for the acquisition of territories". All this proves that the international community should immediately protest Armenia in its another attempt to violate the laws of Azerbaijan and the international norms and regulations by conducting the so-called constitutional referendum in Nagorno-Karabakh. Commenting on the issue, Azerbaijans Foreign Ministry stated that the illegal referendum on constitutional changes is a clear violation of Azerbaijans constitution, as well as the norms and principles of international law and, therefore, has no legal effect. The Ministry reiterated that the illegal regime established by Armenia in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan is ultimately nothing than the product of aggression and occupation. This provocative step, as well as Armenias attempts to change the name of Nagorno-Karabakh region, an integral part of Azerbaijan, is yet another clear manifestation of the fact that Armenia is not interested in seeking a political settlement of this armed conflict, the Ministrys statement said. Azerbaijans Deputy Prime Minister Ali Ahmadov, in turn, said that international organizations recognize neither the "referendum" conducted by the unrecognized regime established by Armenia in the occupied Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, nor its results. If they [Armenians] want to hold a "referendum" to please themselves, let them do it. Of course, the government and people of Azerbaijan do not recognize and will not recognize this "referendum, Ahmadov said. He added that the whole world and international organizations clearly understand that Nagorno-Karabakh is part of Azerbaijan. No second Armenian state will be created in the territory of Azerbaijan under any circumstances, and the President of Azerbaijan has repeatedly stated this, the Deputy Prime Minister said. No part of the Azerbaijani lands can be separated from Azerbaijan, and it is obvious that the independence of Nagorno-Karabakh, its separation isnt, wasnt and wont be the subject of discussion. Nathalie Goulet, the French senator and vice-chair of the Senates Foreign Affairs Committee, in turn, told Trend on February 15 that no one can agree with any kind of election or referendum in Azerbaijans occupied territory. Cheating history and distorting facts will not create new truth and cheating reality will not help to solve the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, she said while commenting on the illegal referendum. The so-called Nagorno-Karabakh Republic doesn't exist and even Armenia doesn't recognize the independence of Azerbaijans occupied Nagorno-Karabakh region, said Goulet, adding that the "government" of the so-called Nagorno-Karabakh Republic doesnt correspond to the international law and UN resolutions. Sergey Markov, Russian presidents confidant, member of the Russian Public Chamber, told Trend that Armenia-conducted "referendum" in the occupied Nagorno-Karabakh is another step away from a possible agreement for a peaceful settlement of the conflict, and is also a sign of the unwillingness of the Armenian side to negotiate. Markov noted that renaming the occupied Azerbaijani territories, which is envisaged in the referendum, will give nothing to the Armenian side, and will only hinder the documentation. I do not think that the upcoming "referendum" will be welcomed by the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group. During the negotiations, as well as in all international documents, the territory will keep the Azerbaijani name Nagorno-Karabakh, he said. The expert added that the upcoming "referendum" is a strong indicator of the low professionalism of the Armenian side, it is symbolic and unproductive gesture. The Azerbaijani MP Elman Nasirov, in turn, said that the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, who deal with finding a fair resolution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and international organizations should understand that it is impossible to resolve the conflict while using double standards. The development may be further complicated if a military scenario is implemented. If this happens, the responsibility will fall on Armenia, countries, who patron this occupation regime, and to international organizations, Nasirov told Trend. He added that the responsibility will also fall on the OSCE Minsk Group, because it sees the provocative actions of Armenia, but do not take any steps envisaged by its mission. I believe that the international organizations should primarily use the levers of pressure on Armenia in order to save their faces, the MP added. Thus, Armenia, who has been violating the international law for more than two decades by keeping under occupation 20 percent of Azerbaijani lands, resorts to another provocation against Azerbaijan. This illegal act should be condemned and protested by the whole international community to stop the extension of Armenian separatism in native Azerbaijani lands. --- Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 16 February 2017 14:29 (UTC+04:00) By Rashid Shirinov Representatives of foreign countries diplomatic missions and heads of international organizations accredited in Azerbaijan were shocked by the atrocities of the Armenians in the Jojug Marjanli village of Jabrayil region. Head of the Jabrayil Region Executive Authority Kamal Hasanov talking to Trend said that the ambassadors and representatives of international organizations saw first-hand that the village was turned into ruins in just 4-5 months of the Armenian occupation. The diplomats visited the village on February 15, where they were informed about the atrocities of Armenians while the village was under occupation, as well as about the reconstruction work, which is carried out in the village in compliance with the presidential decree. Hasanov added that the ambassadors admitted in their speeches that they did not expect they would face such atrocities. Hasanov went on to say that the international diplomats got acquainted with the reconstruction work, which began in the village after its liberation, familiarized with the process of demining, and also visited the only family living in the village. I think, they seemed rather impressed with this trip, he added. The village was fully liberated from the Armenian occupation in April 2016, when Azerbaijani Armed Forces prevented an Armenian provocation on the contact line. To protect civilian population, the Azerbaijani army launched counter attacks and as a result, the Azerbaijani troops retook hills around the village of Talish, as well as Seysulan settlement, and also took over Leletepe hill located in the direction of Fizuli region. In late January, President Ilham Aliyev ordered to restore Jojug Marjanli. Under the order, 4 million manats were allocated for the construction of 50 private houses, a school building and relevant infrastructure at the first stage. Moreover, President Aliyev signed an order on additional measures to construct the road leading to the liberated Jojug Marjanli village and allocated 4.3 million manats from the state budget for the construction of 9 km long highway in the village. Chairman of the State Committee for Refugees and IDPs Ali Hasanov announced on February 13 that the construction work will soon be launched in the village. --- Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 16 February 2017 17:45 (UTC+04:00) By Rashid Shirinov Azerbaijans Military Prosecutor's Office is investigating the case of Elnur Huseynzade, who was taken hostage by Armenians, Military Prosecutor Khanlar Valiyev told reporters on February 16. Huseynzade was detained in early February by Armenian militaries under unknown circumstances on the contact line of Azerbaijani and Armenian troops in Talish direction. Valiyev reminded that the resident of Barda region, Elnur Huseynzade, served in military service, but was demobilized before being taken hostage. The countrys defense ministry earlier reported that Huseynzade was discharged from the Armed Forces as he systematically violated military discipline during his service. Meanwhile, representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) visited Huseynzade on February 14. The visit was held in accordance with standard procedures, ICRC Baku mission Spokesperson Ilaha Huseynova told reporters. The ICRC, in accordance with its mandate, visits Elnur Huseynzade, as well as other Azerbaijani citizens taken hostage by Armenians in Karabakh Dilgam Asgarov and Shahbaz Guliyev for monitoring conditions of detention and treatment, and to create an opportunity for their communication with family. Armenia broke out a lengthy war against Azerbaijan laying territorial claims on its South Caucasus neighbor. Since a war in the early 1990s, Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan's territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding regions. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and over 1 million were displaced as a result of the large-scale hostilities. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding districts. --- Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 16 February 2017 18:03 (UTC+04:00) By Laman Ismayilova The visit to the Jojug Marjanli village serves as a reminder of the need for peaceful resolution of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, said Dan Stav, Israels Ambassador to Baku. I joined the visit in Jojug Marjanli village, organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan as I strongly believe that first hand impression is important in order to have better understanding of the ground situation in one of the central issues on the agenda and that is the lingering conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the envoy told Trend on February 15 following the visit. Representatives of diplomatic missions of foreign countries and heads of international organizations accredited in Azerbaijan visited the liberated Jojug Marjanli village in the country's Jabrayil region on February 15. The delegation got acquainted with the ongoing reconstruction work in Jojug Marjanli. Besides, the diplomats visited the Hajiyevs, the only family living in the village. I was deeply saddened to see the level of destruction. At the same time I am hoping that quite soon people will be able to return to the rebuilt village and fully cultivate the fertile land around it, Stav said. It was heartwarming to meet members of the family who have been continuously living in the village since 1994 and to see how well the family is doing. Noting that Israel supports the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, the envoy said his country backs the efforts by the co-chairs of the Minsk Group to achieve a peaceful resolution of the conflict, as these efforts are acceptable to both sides. The village was fully liberated from the Armenian occupation in April 2016, when Azerbaijani Armed Forces prevented an Armenian provocation on the contact line. To protect civilian population, the Azerbaijani army launched counter attacks and as a result, the Azerbaijani troops retook hills around the village of Talish, as well as Seysulan settlement, and also took over Leletepe hill located in the direction of Fizuli region. Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjacent regions of Azerbaijan are under the control of the Armenian military and separatists since a war between Armenia and Azerbaijan ended in 1994. The OSCE Minsk Group on Nagorno-Karabakh problem could not gain significant progress in finding solution to the problem for more than twenty years. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 16 February 2017 18:50 (UTC+04:00) By Rashid Shirinov Military Prosecutor of Azerbaijan, Lieutenant General Khanlar Valiyev said that a criminal case is underway in connection with the April events of last year. Bodies of Azerbaijanis killed by Armenian armed forces were reviewed, and then necessary investigations were held, the military prosecutor said. During the April fights, Armenian armed forces among numerous instances of deliberate shelling on civilians and civilian facilities of Azerbaijan with artillery and large-caliber weapons also used shells containing chemicals such as white phosphorus. One of such shells landed in Eskipara village of the Terter region of Azerbaijan, coincidentally missing its prime target and landing on the cultivated cotton field. It was later found by Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA). If landed on the densely populated part of the village, the projectile would have inflicted serious casualties and injuries among the civilians. Valiyev said that work is underway on conveying these facts to the international community, and the Prosecutor's Office and other relevant agencies work in this regard. The situation on the frontline aggravated on April 2 after the Armenian military units in the occupied lands began shelling Azerbaijans positions. To protect civilian population, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces launched counter attacks and as a result, the Azerbaijani troops retook hills around the village of Talish, as well as Seysulan settlement, and also took over Lele Tepe hill located in the direction of Fizuli region. Azerbaijan and Armenia declared a truce brokered by Russia on April 5. Over 320 Armenian servicemen were killed, more than 500 Armenian soldiers were injured, 30 enemy tanks and other armored vehicles, as well as more than 25 artillery pieces were destroyed during the counter attacks of Azerbaijan, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reported. --- Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 16 February 2017 11:01 (UTC+04:00) By Amina Nazarli Azerbaijans capital will be the venue for discussions on prospects for the U.S.-Russia military cooperation, as top military officials of these countries will meet in Baku on February 16. U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Joseph Dunford and Russian Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov will consider the current state and prospects of defense collaboration in Baku, according to Russian Defense Ministry. The two generals hope to explore ways to prevent military incidents and exchange views on the security situation in various conflict zones around the world, the statement read. The same day will also see a meeting between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on the sidelines of a G20 foreign ministers' meeting in Bonn, Germany, to discuss bilateral and regional issues. -- Amina Nazarli is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 16 February 2017 11:23 (UTC+04:00) By Laman Ismayilova President of Montenegro Filip Vujanovic and his spouse Svetlana Vujanovic will pay a visit to Azerbaijan to take part in the 5th Global Forum to be held in Baku on March 16-17, Azertac reported. President Filip Vujanovic had taken part in the 4th Global Baku Forum, too. Organized by the Nizami Ganjavi International Center in partnership with the State Committee on Work with Diaspora, the Forum will discuss the future of transatlantic relations, the fight against terrorism, the role of China in international relations, etc. Entitled Future of foreign relations: Power and interests, the Forum will be attended by the presidents of Macedonia, Latvia, and AlbaniaGjorge Ivanov, Raimonds Vejonis, and Bujar Nishanias well as current and former leaders of other countries, and politicians. Former Ukrainian presidents Leonid Kravchuk, Leonid Kuchma and Viktor Yushchenko also will be among the participants. The Fourth Global Baku Forum titled "Towards a Multipolar World" was held in Azerbaijan's capital, Baku, March 10, 2016. Over 300 delegates from 53 countries attended the forum. The two-day focused on topical issues such as the role of interreligious dialogue in conflict prevention, migration, multiculturalism, integration and global security. The forum's agenda also included prospects for energy and global management issues. --- Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 16 February 2017 09:48 (UTC+04:00) Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has sent a letter of congratulations to Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite as her country is celebrating its public holiday, Azertac reported. I extend my most sincere congratulations to you and your people on the occasion of the national holiday of the Republic of Lithuania, the Azerbaijani President said in his letter. I believe that Azerbaijan-Lithuania friendship and cooperation, our constantly developing political, economic and cultural ties will further contribute to prosperity of our peoples, the head of state said. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 16 February 2017 14:26 (UTC+04:00) By Laman Ismayilova Azerbaijan's State Migration Service identified as many as 1,667 foreigners, who violated residence legislation and rules of temporary or permanent stay in the country in January, 2017. Residence of 204 people in the country was legalized, while 1,121 were given 48 hours to leave the country. As many as 325 citizens of other countries were expelled under an administrative order. Lost documents of 17 foreigners for temporary or permanent residence were replaced with new ones. The State Migration Service received 6,902 applications for extension of stay of foreigners and stateless persons, applications for permits for temporary and permanent residence, as well as acceptance, rejection, and restoration of citizenship, granting refugee status and citizenship, as well as granting permits for self-employment in the country or its extension. About 49,107 applications by foreigners upon registration on place of stay were received during the last month. In January, the State Migration Service held several public awareness events in various districts of the country. Foreigners and stateless persons arriving in Azerbaijan for a period exceeding 10 days should register with the Migration Service, providing a copy of the person's ID to the Migration Service personally, or via email within 10 days. This service is free and application forms are available at the Migration Service, regional offices of the Service, and at www.migration.gov.az. The registration is also possible through contacting by e-mail [email protected] . The Migration Service will immediately register foreigners at the place of their stay and present written notification to the receiving party within one working day. Foreigners can be registered for the period provided in their visas, or for 90 days under the visa-free regime. After changing the place of residence, registration must be renewed. These easy steps can exempt visitors from penalties and deportation. --- Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz February 15, 2017 Over the past week or so in Iran, Reformists have been putting forth a plan to fully reintegrate themselves within the political establishment, calling it a "national reconciliation." Former Reformist President Mohammad Khatami (1997-2005) first brought up the plan Feb. 7, and it was subsequently pursued by Reformist members of parliament. The national reconciliation plan entails the freeing of opposition leaders Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi from their house arrests so as to forge national unity particularly in the face of threats by US President Donald Trump. In the disputed 2009 presidential elections, which saw President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad re-elected by a landslide, Mousavi and Karroubi both of whom ran as candidates were of the view that the vote was rigged. The elections were followed by an unrest that had not been seen in decades, and Mousavi and Karroubi were eventually, in 2011, placed under house arrest. Since the announcement of the national reconciliation plan, conservatives have vocally opposed it, opining there is no dispute among the people and, thus, no need for reconciliation. On Feb. 15, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stated his view about the Reformists' reconciliation plan. Addressing a crowd from East Azerbaijan province ahead of the Feb. 18 anniversary of the 1978 popular uprising in Tabriz against the shah, Khamenei said, "Some people talk about national reconciliation, however, that does not make sense to me. The people are already united. So why do you talk about reconciliation? Are the people against each other? Khamenei continued, "The people are against those who took to the streets on the day of Ashoura, beating and stripping the young basiji shamelessly and brutally. They are against them, and they will not reconcile with them." Ashoura is a day in the Islamic calendar in which Shiites mourn the A.D. 680 martyrdom of Prophet Muhammad's grandson Hussein bin Ali, who was killed in battle against forces loyal to the Umayyad caliph Yazid in Karbala. When supporters of Mousavi and Karroubi marched on the occasion of Ashoura in 2009, conservatives say they disrespected Hussein bin Ali by taking to the streets and clashing with deployed members of the paramilitary Basij forces. Khamenei also addressed Trumps recent string of remarks on Iran. Noting Trumps comment that Tehran should not be "playing with fire" after its Jan. 29 test of a ballistic missile, the supreme leader described the US warnings against Iran about the "military option" as a "ploy" used by both former President Barack Obama's administration and Trump's government. Khamenei further emphasized, "A European official said to one of our officials that 'if it was not for the JCPOA [Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action], a war on Iran would be certain.' This is just a lie! Why are they talking about war? Because they want to engage the minds in war; however, the real war is an economic war, sanctioning and ruining the levels of employment activity and the field of technology within our country. They draw our attention toward a military war so we may forget about these other wars. A real war is the cultural war." It should be noted that before the nuclear negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 (US, UK, France, Russia, China and Germany), which came to a conclusion on July 14, 2015, the UN Security Council had passed multiple resolutions against Tehran. After the signing of the JCPOA, Western powers became obliged to lift nuclear-related sanctions imposed on Iran, but Tehran believes that the other side, especially the US, is putting obstacles in the way of the deals implementation. Dollar-based transactions remain one of the major problems that Iran is protesting. 16 February 2017 12:19 (UTC+04:00) Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev received a delegation led by the Minister of Justice of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mostafa Pourmohammadi in Baku on February 16, Azertac reported. Noting that relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Islamic Republic of Iran successfully develop in all areas, President Ilham Aliyev said there are good opportunities for cooperation in law enforcement field. The head of state expressed his confidence that the negotiations, exchange of views to be conducted by the Iranian delegation led by Mostafa Pourmohammadi with their Azerbaijani counterparts will open new opportunities for cooperation. President Ilham Aliyev said the two countries have recently had much contact at different levels, stressing the importance of the meetings held at the level of presidents. President Ilham Aliyev emphasized the significance of arranging reciprocal visits in terms of strengthening the relations. The head of state expressed his confidence that this visit of the delegation led by the Minister of Justice of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mostafa Pourmohammadi would contribute to the expansion of relations between justice authorities. Minister of Justice of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mostafa Pourmohammadi said he visited Azerbaijan approximately 23 years ago, adding that he is deeply impressed with the great changes that have taken place in the country ever since. Mostafa Pourmohammadi said the foundation of the ongoing development in Azerbaijan was laid by national leader Heydar Aliyev. The Iranian minister paid tribute to the national leader, and noted that great statesman Heydar Aliyev attached great importance to expanding Azerbaijani-Iranian ties. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 16 February 2017 15:21 (UTC+04:00) President of the Senate of Jordan Faisal Al-Fayez will pay a visit to Azerbaijan to take part in the 5th Global Forum to be held in Baku on March 16-17, Azertac reported. The forum, titled Future of foreign relations: Power and interests, will be attended by the presidents of Montenegro, Macedonia, Latvia, and Albania, as well as current and former leaders of various countries. Participants will discuss a range of issues including the future of transatlantic relations, the fight against terrorism, the role of China in international relations. The Fourth Global Baku Forum titled "Towards a Multipolar World" was held in Azerbaijan's capital, Baku, March 10, 2016. Over 300 delegates from 53 countries attended the forum. The two-day focused on topical issues such as the role of interreligious dialogue in conflict prevention, migration, multiculturalism, integration and global security. The forum's agenda also included prospects for energy and global management issues. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 16 February 2017 18:16 (UTC+04:00) By Amina Nazarli Azerbaijans capital has become a venue for discussions on prospects for the U.S.-Russia military cooperation, as the nations top military officers met in Baku on February 16. U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Joseph Dunford and Russian Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov mulled the current state and prospects of defense collaboration in Baku. The meeting assumed huge interest in terms of political and geopolitical point of view, as the U.S. and Russian generals were said to explore ways to prevent military incidents and review the security situation in various conflict zones around the world. The discussions were also said to center on the current state of U.S.-Russian military relations and the importance of consistent and clear military-to-military communication to prevent miscalculation and potential crisis. The meeting which came the first face-to-face meeting between military chiefs from Washington and Moscow since 2014, was estimated as a step forward to reopen a military dialogue between the two countries. Why Baku? Kremlin and the White House could agree to hold the meeting at any other place in the world, but why the choice fell on Azerbaijan? Experts claim that organization of such an important meeting in the capital of Azerbaijan can be considered as a positive fact and an event of great military significance. The fact that the military chiefs of the two world largest countries chose Baku as a venue for the talks is not surprising, as Azerbaijan is considered to be one of the most important geopolitical centers of the region. Baku has repeatedly become a venue for major international events discussing the major challenges of our time, as well as transport initiatives and major energy issues. Organizing a meeting of top military officials in Baku testifies for the trust of both countries in Azerbaijan and recognition of Baku by the two countries as the most successful platform for important negotiations. Previously Russia suggested to hold the meeting in Moscow or Minsk, according to the official reports by Moscow and Washington. But, the U.S. Defense Ministry rejected these options in return offering Western Europe, more precisely, Brussels. However, the option was not accepted because after the processes in Ukraine, the European Union included the name of Russian Chief of General Staff into its blacklist. After long negotiations the choice was made in favor of Baku. Baku, located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, was chosen as a neutral venue for the meeting and is well fit for such discussions. Former U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan Matthew Bryza believes that Azerbaijan is not included in the Eurasian economic community and is not a NATO member. He added that Baku has good relations with both Russia and the U.S. In turn, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that the meeting of the heads of the U.S. and Russia military officers is important, Day.Az reported. The secretary general welcomed the attempts of NATO allies on a bilateral basis to develop lines of communications and develop the dialogue with Russia. He noted that at the last two meetings of the Russia-NATO Council, General Valery Gerasimov and the chairman of the NATO Military Committee Petr Pavel had no direct contact. The meetings centered on military transparency between NATO and Russia, military transparency and risk reduction. Prior to the historic meeting, President Ilham Aliyev received a delegation led by Dunford, where the sides praised the successful development of bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and the U.S. in the military, political, economic, energy security, defense and security fields. The U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman appraised Azerbaijan's role in the international peacekeeping operations and the country`s significant contribution to cargo transportation to Afghanistan. They expressed confidence that the visit of Dunford will contribute to strengthening defense cooperation. the same day, Dunford met with Azerbaijans counterpart Colonel-General Zakir Hasanov, where they discussed military cooperation between the two parties. Then, Hasanov received Gerasimov, who said that Russia is an important partner of Azerbaijan. Talks about the choice of standing between the Kremlin and the White House clearly showed that choosing Baku for such important negotiations the parties took into account Azerbaijan's active role in reducing tensions in the region and balanced policy on geopolitical matters. --- Amina Nazarli is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 16 February 2017 10:42 (UTC+04:00) By Nigar Abbasova Azerbaijans state energy giant SOCAR and the American multinational technology company IBM agreed on long-term cooperation. SOCAR President Rovnag Abdullayev and IBM Senior Vice-President Erich Clementi signed a Memorandum on Strategic Cooperation on February 15. The memo envisages the use of IBMs global innovations, investment in digital innovations and transformations, SOCARs access to the Watson artificial intelligence in oil production, as well as creation of new jobs for highly qualified personnel. Besides, training programs will be organized and research will be conducted jointly with the Baku Higher Oil School. Abdullayev, speaking of cooperation with IBM, said that the project on creation of a regional gas and petrochemical competency center in Baku is currently underway. He mentioned that the center, to be established together with IBM, will be of great importance in managing processes in Azerbaijan's petrochemical industry and improving engineering skills in applying innovative technologies. Besides, he mentioned that SOCAR has given priority to innovative technologies in the global and regional energy projects carried out in Azerbaijan and has applied the latest scientific and technological achievements in the exploration, production, processing and transportation of oil and gas. Clementi, in turn, assessed the signing of the memorandum with SOCAR as a first step towards long-term cooperation between IBM and Azerbaijan. He emphasized that IBM makes investments only in countries that are deemed to be strategic partners for the company. He also noted that under the MoU Innovation Day will be celebrated in Baku every year. SOCAR is involved in exploring oil and gas fields, producing, processing, and transporting oil, gas, and gas condensate, marketing petroleum and petrochemical products in domestic and international markets, and supplying natural gas to industry and the public in Azerbaijan. -- Nigar Abbasova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @nigyar_abbasova Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 16 February 2017 12:00 (UTC+04:00) By Nigar Abbasova Resource-rich Kazakhstan may start transportation of oil from its major Kashagan field through Azerbaijan, as Kazakh officials have raised the issue of realizing Kazakh Caspian Transportation System (KCTS) project. A source in the Energy Ministry of Kazakhstan told Trend that the transit of Kazakh oil through the Aktau port via Azerbaijan in the future will mainly depend on its economic feasibility, noting that talks on the KCTS have not yet been launched. Kazakhstan has previously transported its oil through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, as well as by rail from Baku to the Black Sea ports of Georgia. The results of the developed long-term balance of production and distribution of oil in Kazakhstan, revealed necessity for the KCTS project by the start of implementation of the Phase 2 of Kazakhstans Kashagan field development. The second phase is expected to take several years, the exact period, however, is not yet known. Currently, the phase is at the stage of the initial designing. The KCTS is expected to consist of the Eskene-Kuryk oil pipeline in Kazakhstan and Trans-Caspian Oil Transport System, comprising an oil loading terminal in Kuryk port on the Kazakh coast of the Caspian Sea, tankers and other vessels, an oil discharge terminal on the Azerbaijani coast of the Caspian Sea, as well as facilities connecting it to the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline. The system will ensure the export of Kazakh oil to international markets mainly from the Kashagan field (second and third phase) via the Caspian Sea, through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline and other oil transportation systems both in Azerbaijan and other transit countries. This oil transportation scheme was widely discussed between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan in 2007 2008, but the project was later shelved due to uncertainties over Kashagan oil field production and the expansion of Tengiz field. The capacity and stages of development of the KCTS will be determined based on the volume of oil production at the Kashagan field (phases 2 and 3). It is planned to implement the project of the Trans-Caspian Oil Transport System, which is a part of the KCTS, on a parity basis (50/50) with Azerbaijans state oil company SOCAR in accordance with the terms of the previously signed contracts. Azerbaijans Energy Minister Natig Aliyev earlier said Kazakhstan will be able to daily export 150,000 barrels of Kashagan oil through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline. The Kashagan field, which earned the unfortunate nickname cash-all-gone due to a series of expensive overruns, finally started up in October 2016. The field, located in the north of the Caspian Sea is the biggest oil field opened in the last 40 years, while its recoverable oil reserves are assessed at 9-13 billion barrels. Currently, Kashagan oil is exported via pipelines of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium and the Kazakh national company KazTransOil. The country plans to produce 8.9 million tons of oil and 5.6 million tons of gas at this field in 2017 with gradual increase in output in subsequent years. Kazakhstan's proven oil reserves as of early 2016 stood at 30 billion barrels, according to the BP Statistical Review of World Energy. -- Nigar Abbasova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @nigyar_abbasova Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 16 February 2017 14:02 (UTC+04:00) By Nigar Abbasova Natural gas prices may fall with the rising volume of gas supplies to Turkey due to the implementation of such large-scale energy projects as the Turkish Stream and the Trans Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline project (TANAP). Head of Turkeys Zorlu Energy Group Sinan Ak told reporters that the realization of the projects will allow to increase the volume of supplies up to 80 billion cubic meters (bcm). He said that the joining of Israeli gas to the projects will be the primary reason of the supply increase, mentioning that the current volume of supplies stands at 55 bcm. If Israeli gas is also supplied via Turkish Stream and TANAP pipelines, the volume of natural gas which will flow through Turkey can reach 90 billion cubic meters, said Sinan Ak. With so much abundant natural gas in the market, the decline in gas prices is inevitable, he added. TANAP project, worth 8.5 billion, envisages transportation of gas from Azerbaijans Shah Deniz field to the western borders of Turkey. The length of TANAP is 1,800 kilometers with the initial capacity of 16 billion cubic meters. The gas will be delivered to Turkey in 2018, and after completion of the Trans Adriatic Pipelines construction, the gas will be delivered to Europe in early 2020. The volume of secured external financing for the project currently stands at $2.15 billion, while, in perspective, the amount can reach some $3.7 billion. The issue of Israeli gas supply was earlier discussed at a meeting between Turkeys Energy and Natural Resources Minister Berat Albayrak and his Israeli counterpart Yuval Steinitz on the sidelines of the 23rd World Energy Congress in Istanbul. The sides also discussed the possibility of constructing a gas pipeline between the two countries. Besides, Israel's Ambassador to Baku Dan Stav previously said his country can join the Southern Gas Corridor, while the issue can be seriously considered once the energy regulation and policy get approved in Israel. Being the second country in the world in terms of natural gas demand growth, Turkey keeps natural gas at the forefront of its energy policy and mainly uses the resource in power generation, residential and industrial sectors. Turkeys desire to diversify its gas source routes is also linked to the desire of the country to take advantage of its favorable geographic location and become a regional energy hub. -- Nigar Abbasova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @nigyar_abbasova Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 16 February 2017 10:33 (UTC+04:00) By Trend The worlds first purpose built liquefied natural gas bunkering vessel (LBV) has been delivered to its co-owners from Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction Co. Ltd., at the Yeongdo shipyard in Busan, South Korea, Frances ENGIE company said on its website. ENGIE, Belgian Fluxys, Japanese Mitsubishi Corporation and shipowner NYK are the vessels co-owners. Zeebrugge in Belgium will be the home port of the vessel, which has been named ENGIE Zeebrugge. From there, the vessel with 5,000 cubic meters of LNG capacity will supply LNG as a marine fuel to ships operating in Northern Europe, according to the message from ENGIE. The two LNG-fueled pure car and truck carriers (PCTC) operated by United European Car Carriers will be its first customers. ENGIE Zeebrugge will load LNG at Fluxys LNG terminal in Zeebrugge, where small carriers with capacities from 2,000 cubic meters can dock at the recently commissioned second jetty. As international regulations on emissions for ships tighten, LNG is expected to become an important alternative fuel for the maritime industry. Currently, the bunker market amounts to approximately 250 million tons of heavy fuel oil per year. The challenge in making LNG grow in the bunker market is to develop sufficient supply infrastructure to support the increasing number of LNG-fueled ships that are expected to come into operation. Due to its favorable emission profile, the widespread adoption of LNG as a marine fuel is key to curb harmful emissions in the shipping industry. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 16 February 2017 10:59 (UTC+04:00) By Trend President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and President of Afghanistan Mohammad Ashraf Ghani exchanged views on further development of bilateral relations during a phone conversation, the Turkmen government said in a message. The practical implementation of the construction project of Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline became a subject to separate discussion. Construction of the Turkmen section of TAPI was launched on Dec. 13, 2015. The annual capacity of the gas pipeline will reach 33 billion cubic meters. The total length of the TAPI pipeline will be 1,814 kilometers. A 214-kilometer section of the pipeline will run through Turkmenistan, a 774-kilometer section will run through Afghanistan and an 826-kilometer section will run through Pakistan. The sphere of trade and economy, as well as fuel and energy, electric power engineering and other industries were also mentioned among the priority areas of cooperation between Turkmenistan and Afghanistan. The sides also exchanged views on the issues of common interest regarding regional and international policy. During the meeting, the Turkmen president invited his Afghan counterpart to visit Turkmenistan, according to the message. In turn, the Afghan president congratulated Berdimuhamedov on his victory in the presidential election held Feb. 12, 2017, and wished him success. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 16 February 2017 11:40 (UTC+04:00) By Kamila Aliyeva Iran's Road and Urban Development Minister Abbas Akhoundi underlined that his ministry and the world's leading turboprop manufacturer ATR are in the final stages of a passenger plane deal, IRNA reported. 'Negotiations for the purchase of aircraft from ATR have reached the final stage and at the moment, the two sides are at the stage of exchanging documents,' Akhoundi said. The minister added that with the finalization of document exchange, the introduction of the first ATR aircraft into Irans air fleet will begin to be followed up through official channels. The deal was first signed in February 2016 in Tehran following the commercial discussions held in Rome and Paris during visit of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani Akhoundi to those countries. Iran has several private and public airline companies in operation, among which IranAir is the oldest one. The number of operational airports in the country is 46. Since sanctions imposed on the Islamic Republic were lifted last year, Iran began to take steps to upgrade its air industry, revamp an aging airline fleet, equipment and airports. When sanctions were eased in January 2016 after Iran certified that it had shelved its nuclear program, Tehran immediately opened talks with Boeing Co. and the European manufacturer Airbus to buy hundreds of aircraft. The deals represent the biggest commercial result of the nuclear accord. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 16 February 2017 17:21 (UTC+04:00) By Kamila Aliyeva Belarus hopes to sign oil and gas contracts with Russia next week. We hope that we will sign the oil and gas contracts with Russia next week, Belta reported citing Belarus' Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Semashko as saying on February 16. On Friday and Saturday we held talks and compiled a draft agreement with my counterpart Arkady Dvorkovich. The protocol has been submitted to the Russian leadership. I hope it will be approved next week, said the Vice Premier. The document is expected to help Belarus and Russia settle all the disputable issues with oil supplies and gas prices. The two are also working on mutually acceptable terms of oil supplies. Belarus insists on the lower prices for Russian gas. After energy prices dropped globally, Minsk said that a gas price set by Gazprom of $132 per 1,000 cubic meters is too high. Belarus, a major transit route for Russian gas to Europe, has previously said a price of $73 would be reasonable. Russia announced that any discount on gas for Belarus is out of question. In response to underpayment of around $300 million for Russian gas supplies Moscow cut its tax-free oil supplies to Belarus by more than a third. --- Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 16 February 2017 16:31 (UTC+04:00) AZALJET, a low-cost brand of Azerbaijan Airlines, will launch regular flights from Moscow Vnukovo Airport to Azerbaijani regions - Ganja and Gabala starting March 15. The Moscow-Ganja flights will be operated on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and Moscow-Gabala flights - on Thursdays by Airbus A320 aircrafts. The airfare starts from 49 euro (one way). The cost of baggage per kilo will be 2 euros. Departure from the Vnukovo International Airport (VKO) - at 15:10 local time, arrival at Gabala International Airport (GBB) and Ganja International Airport (KVD) at 20:30. The return flights from Gabala and Ganja will depart at 20:30, arrive in Moscow - at 22:20 local time. Air tickets can be booked on the website of the company www.azal.az, purchased at AZAL sales offices and official sales agencies. Passengers can take advantage of AZAL Miles frequent-flyer program on these flights. Detailed information about AZAL Miles frequent-flyer program is available at: www.miles.azal.az. Online registration is available for those who are not a member of the program yet. Points for the flight may be credited automatically in case AZAL Miles member unique number will be entered in the appropriate filed while purchasing online. To purchase tickets and for more information, please contact: + (99412) 598-88-80; *8880 E-mail: [email protected] Questions regarding AZAL Miles frequent-flyer program can be sent to [email protected] or through the contact form on the website: www.azal.az. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz NEUROCAP 3-month interim data show an average pain reduction of 84% Final patient recruited in STOP NEUROMA clinical study, full data due to be reported by Q3 2018. Groningen, The Netherlands, February 16, 2017 / B3C newswire / -- Polyganics, a privately held medical technology company, announced today that interim results show a sharp improvement in pain reduction observed across patients currently enrolled within the STOP NEUROMA study. Enrolment was recently completed for the European STOP NEUROMA (Surgical Treatment Of symPtomatic Neuroma) which was designed to gather evidence for the long-term effectiveness of NEUROCAP in the reduction of painful neuroma formation. The patients that have reached the 3 month endpoint show an average pain reduction of 84% on the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), where each patient reports a score between 1 and 100 for the experienced pain. The first patients that reached the 12 month endpoint show that the pain relief is maintained together with a significant improvement in daily functioning and quality of life. Polyganics unique proprietary technology NEUROCAP is a transparent tubular device with a sealed end, a first-in-kind transparent nerve capping device that combines synthetic and bioresorbable qualities. NEUROCAP is currently the only approved dedicated device for the surgical management of symptomatic neuromas. Marietta Bertleff, MD PhD, Principal Investigator of the STOP NEUROMA trial said: Symptomatic neuroma may develop after a nerve dissection or bruising of a nerve following any blunt or sharp trauma to a peripheral nerve, whether accidental or during planned surgery. Neuroma-induced neuropathic pain and morbidity seriously affect the patients daily life and socioeconomic functioning. Currently, there is no effective treatment for this extremely disabling condition which may affect over 300,000 patients worldwide. Several patients enrolled in the trial have undergone prior neuroma surgery without beneficial results. Our promising interim data could indicate a breakthrough in the treatment and future prevention of peripheral end-neuroma. Rudy Mareel, CEO of Polyganics, commented: The STOP NEUROMA study was designed to provide surgeons with clinical evidence about NEUROCAPs benefits in the much needed management of symptomatic neuroma pain. Over 12 months, the interim data shows the effectiveness of NEUROCAP in terms of reducing pain symptoms, improving patients daily life and functioning. We are confident that our first-in-kind device can be used in prevention of neuroma pain in the long term, following amputations or accidental damage. Please click here to go to Polyganics website for more information about NEUROCAP. About NEUROCAP NEUROCAP is intended to protect a peripheral nerve end and to separate the nerve from surrounding environment to reduce the development of a symptomatic end-neuroma. NEUROCAP is a tubular device with one open end and one closed end. Dislocation of the nerve stump is prevented by suturing the nerve end into the cap. A hole at the sealed end of the tube allows easy fixation of the nerve stump with a suture to the surrounding tissue. This allows an effective capping technique without the necessity of drilling a hole into bones, or sacrificing other tissue. About the STOP NEUROMA study To examine the effectiveness of NEUROCAP, Polyganics is working with several European hospitals in an open non-randomized clinical investigation (STOP NEUROMA study: Surgical Treatment Of symPtomatic Neuroma), which has recruited 10 patients. The study has been designed to obtain data on the clinical performance of NEUROCAPs ability to isolate the nerve end, and its effectiveness in both reducing pain from the symptomatic neuroma and prevention of its reoccurrence. For more information on the STOP NEUROMA study visit www.clinicaltrials.gov (identifier: NCT02528266). About Neuromas A neuroma is a painful condition, also referred to as a pinched nerve or a nerve tumor. It is a benign growth of nerve tissue. It brings on pain, a burning sensation, tingling, or numbness. Approximately 3-5% of all patients involved in peripheral nerve injury develop a symptomatic neuroma. In the US alone there are approximately 600,000 nerve repair procedures per year. It is estimated that around 185,000 persons in the US undergo amputations of a limb each year of which around 20% will develop symptomatic neuromas. NEUROCAP is intended to be used for neuromas that occur after nerve repair and for amputation stump neuromas. About Polyganics Polyganics is a medical technology company with multiple versatile polymer platforms. The company develops and manufactures innovative bioresorbable medical devices that facilitate tissue repair and regeneration. Commercialization is performed through a worldwide distributor network. Polyganics portfolio includes products developed in-house and in collaboration with leading medical technology companies and academic centers of excellence. In the Peripheral Nerve Repair (PNR) and neurosurgery field, the portfolio includes three marketed products: VIVOSORB for minimizing unwanted tissue adhesions after surgery; NEUROLAC for supporting PNR following surgery of the extremities; and NEUROCAP for the management of symptomatic neuromas. Products in development include a sealant for the dural membrane, for use post brain surgery. In 2014, Polyganics sold its Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) surgery business unit (the NASOPORE product family including HEMOPORE, SINUPORE and OTOPORE) to US Company Stryker, one of the worlds leading medical technology companies. NASOPORE, a reliable, easy-to-use, nasal wound care dressing made of biodegradable foam, has been used in over 3.5 million procedures globally. Polyganics is profitable and privately held. The Company is based in Groningen, The Netherlands, a center of biomedical engineering excellence, in an ISO 13485-certified manufacturing facility. The Companys polymer platform technologies are protected by a broad portfolio of patents and its products have received clearance from the US FDA, CE-approval, and approval from CFDA and other international authorities. Issued for and on behalf of Polyganics by Instinctif Partners. Contacts Polyganics Paul Roos, Chief Financial Officer Romke Ribbels, Director Marketing & Business Development +31 50 588 65 88 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Instinctif Partners Daniel Gooch / Dr Christelle Kerouedan / Melanie Toyne-Sewell +44 (0)20 7457 2020 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. During January and February, the Polk County Sheriff's Office collaborated with the Florida Department of Corrections Probation and Parole Office and the State Attorney's Office to make 42 arrests during an undercover investigation called "Operation Child Guardian." A total of 42 people were arrested during Operation Child Guardian 18 were arrested for possession of child porn Authorities are still searching for one suspect: Matthew Sutton, 30 Eighteen of the arrests were for possession of child porn, while 21 were arrested for failing to comply with sex offender registration and/or violating probation. Three of the people arrested during the operation are not facing child sex crime charges. Peace River Center employee arrested Erik Gordon, 31, of Winter Haven, was charged with 38 counts of promoting child porn. Detectives received information that someone had a device in Gordon's home that was sharing child porn, according to the sheriff's office. At the time of his arrest, Gordon worked for Peace River Center's Crisis Response Team, which helps children in crisis. Peace River Center said Gordon no longer works there. Its officials said he had been working there for two months. Were reviewed the records that he had been involved with and found nothing inappropriate," said Bennie Allred, Peace River Center's chief operating officer. Allred said they haven't received any complaints or issues with any of the cases Gordon was involved with. "Of course we're very much surprised of the whole situation," said Allred. "Again, we are working with the Sheriffs department to make sure this gets resolved." Peace River Center said it performs background checks on all of its employees before hiring them. It didn't find anything unusual during Gordon's background check according to Allred. Sheriff Grady Judd said Gordon did not have a criminal record. Another suspect still sought Detectives are still looking for Matthew Sutton, 30, of Bartow. They believe he also was sharing child pornography at home. When they went to his home, deputies said his mother Theresa refused to cooperate and resisted arrest. She was taken into custody. Detectives seized his computers, where they said they found child porn, and file sharing software with evidence of child porn being shared, including images of toddlers being sexually battered by adults. He wasn't home at the time. Sheriff Grady Judd said CrimeStoppers is offering a reward for Sutton's arrest. He wanted on 84 counts of possession of child pornography, a second degree felony. To read more about the arrests, click here. A St. Petersburg father is holding his 1-year-old daughter a little closer after someone stole his car Wednesday while she was in the back seat. Victim stepped away from vehicle for less than a minute Surveillance video shows men involved in theft Car found two blocks away with child inside, unharmed Cameron Mazoochi said he stepped away from his 2016 Lexus SUV for less than a minute to get medicine out of his home. It proved to be enough time, however, for a car to pull up in front of the house, someone inside that car to jump out, hop into the driver's seat of the SUV and drive off. I just thought 'Oh my god, did somebody just take my car out of my driveway?' and because I had my baby in the car, he said. Compounding the situation was the fact that Mazoochi didn't have a phone to use. *This image captured from surveillance footage taken outside Cameron Mazoochi's home Wednesday shows the man who stole his 2016 Lexus SUV from in front of the home while Mazoochi's one-year-old daughter was still in the back seat. (Photo: St. Petersburg Police) I didnt have my phone because it was in the car," said Mazoochi, "and so I ran knocking on doors. He said he panicked even more when initially no one answered. Finally a neighbor opened their door, and he was able to call 911. Soon after the 911 call, Mazoochi's car was found two blocks away. His daughter, Madison, was inside, unharmed. Mazoochi said he never thought something like this would happen to him, especially not in this neighborhood. I wasnt even planning on going in the house, he said. But I just recalled, 'I got that medicine, let me grab it, I havent used it in a few days, my allergies get bad.' And if I had any thought it could happen in 45 seconds, I would never have taken the chance. Mazoochi went on to tell us he's reviewed surveillance footage from outside his home that shows the men stealing his car. I watched frame-by-frame a hundred times already. Within 45 seconds theyre out of the car. The cars gone, he said. When they left the car was on three wheels. One wheel was in the air. Mazoochi hope people will watch the footage to see if they recognize the suspects. St. Petersburg Police said they are searching for two young men in their late teens or early 20s, as well the four-door white sedan they were driving at the time of the theft. If you have any information call (727) 893-7780. Looking at the world through the eyes of the Web Fire officials with Polk Fire Rescue and the Florida Forest Service continue to battle two pop-up fires Thursday associated with the larger "630 Fire" near the Indian Lake Estates subdivision. The two new fires have forced evacuations, officials said. See below for the latest updates: 10:30 p.m. UPDATE Polk Fire Rescue says the 630 Fire has burned 4,000 acres so far. Affected areas North and south of SR 60 South of SR 630 River Ranch Hunting Club Indian Lake Estates Message to the public From Polk Fire Rescue: "People in the area will see hotspots. This is normal. Also, residents need to stay alert and watch for emergency vehicles. Our crews response time have been delayed at times due to motorists slowing down to look at damage." Fire crews say low winds Friday will help keep the first from spreading, but it may also lead to an increased chance of smoke spreading across State Road 60 and County Road 630. Dispersion will be low, which will help prevent hot spots. But humidity is also low, which means there is a higher potential for flare-ups. The fire has destroyed two single family homes and nine mobile homes. The fire has also killed one dog. 6 p.m. The map below, provided by Polk County Fire Rescue, shows a visual estimate of the burn areas and active fires. Indian Lake Estates burn area from Wednesday is in Orange The burn area north of State Road 60 is in yellow The active fires are outlined in red The active fires are south of State Road 60 and east of County Road 630. "The northwest wind is pushing the fires to the southeast. It is the consensus of Polk County Fire Rescue and Florida Forest Service that Westgate River Ranch Resort is not a major concern for the evening," Polk Fire Rescue said in a Facebook post at 5:46 p.m. There is an estimated 3.5-mile distance between any fire activity and the resort. Weather conditions will be re-evaluated in the morning to assess any potential for an eastward spread of the fire. (Map provided by Polk County Fire Rescue) 5 p.m. UPDATE Polk fire officials are advising people in hunting camps off State Road 60 and County Road 630 at the River Ranch Hunt Club to vacate and seek alternative shelter. The fire has burned approximately 3,000 acres. &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;nbsp; 4 p.m. UPDATE Fires have re-ignited in three different hotspots south of County Road 630 and north of State Road 60. One of the hotspots is near the River Ranch community. Residents there have reportedly been re-evacuated. PREVIOUS COVERAGE Forestry and fire officials are watching over about 2,000 acres after a fast-moving brush fire scorched parts of Polk County on Wednesday afternoon and into Thursday. Evacuation orders lifted for Indian Lake Estates community State Road 60 reopened to traffic, CR 630 remains closed SLIDESHOW: Previous story on Frostproof brush fire WEATHER BLOG: Brush fire season Polk County Fire Rescue and the Florida Forest Service crews are on standby near the area in Frostproof after the fire damaged some properties near the Indian Lake Estates. There were no injuries. At least one mobile home was destroyed near the subdivision while damage was limited to sheds and vehicles inside of Indian Lake Estates, fire officials said. The large fire broke out late Wednesday morning. High winds helped the flames sweep across the area quickly Wednesday, prompting evacuations in Indian Lake Estates and the closure of State Road 60 and County Road 630. The evacuations were lifted at 2:30 a.m. Thursday and the roadways were both reopened by 7 a.m. "There fire is contained, but not 100 percent out," Polk County Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Bobby Bohn said early Thursday. Bohn said crews spent the overnight hours making sure the 800 homes in the Indian Lakes Estates community were out of danger. Firefighters remain on scene to monitor the remaining flames. Meanwhile, the FFS is monitoring flames and smoke along the roadways. Polk County Emergency Management, Polk County Building Division and the American Red Cross are assessing damaged or destroyed properties. "We believe we did a good job yesterday and today," Bohn said. "Now we'll just go out and finish putting out the spot fires and other things." Interactive map: Brush fire locations &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;nbsp; Update, 11:34 a.m. Feb. 16: Police have identified the intruder who was shot by a woman in her home Thursday morning as Timothy Scott Tugman, 48. Officials said Tugman is still hospitalized and will be charged with occupied residential burglary. Earlier report: The St. Petersburg Police Department is investigating an early morning shooting at a home on 24th Avenue South. Cops: Woman shoots intruder at St. Pete home Investigators say she warned man she was armed Middle-aged man expected to be OK According to police, preliminary information indicates an intruder was shot at the residence at about 6:15 a.m. Police said Mary Starling, 66, saw a man she didn't know coming into her home through a side window. The woman told police she warned the man that she was armed and shot the intruder when he did not retreat. The man was taken to Bayfront Health St. Petersburg with a gunshot wound and is expected to be OK. Police said Starling shot the man with a large caliber revolver. No other information has been released at this time. 160217 Buin Town Streets Sealing- Ground Breaking Press/Laukai A formal ceremony was held today to mark the progress of an Australian funded project to seal selected town roads in Buin. The K4.8 million project is part of Australias long running partnership to help maintain Bougainvilles road network. The town roads in Buin are a vital link connecting communities and businesses. The newly sealed roads will improve all-weather access to Buin Secondary School, residences, shops and essential services. The project will deliver safer, more reliable roads for the people of Southern Bougainville. Speaking at the event, local member Timothy Masiu noted that this work was much needed and would provide a catalyst for Buins development. He thanked Australia for its long-term support to Bougainvilles Department of Technical Services. Pedestrians and motorists have already noticed a significant improvement to the roads as works progress. The design includes an upgraded PMV stop for the town that will make life easier for the travelling public. More than 25 local residents have been employed on the project, with more opportunities to come. Australian Deputy High Commissioner, Bronte Moules, said the project was consistent with Australias long-term commitment to investing in key economic infrastructure in Papua New Guinea. This project has been planned, designed and procured in close partnership with the Autonomous Bougainville Government and the Papua New Guinea National Government, and should make a real difference to the lives of the people of Buin. The project is on schedule to be completed by the middle of the year and complements other major road resealing projects funded by the Australian Government. These include the road from Arakawau to Kieta Port, and Arawas town roads. The Australian Government also supports the maintenance of over 300km of Bougainvilles main trunk road. Work is delivered through small and medium sized local contractors as part of the Papua New Guinea Australia Transport Sector S Sometimes, the front row looks can be just as outrageous as the outfits on the runway. Where else other than New York Fashion Week would we see Paris Hilton in a tiara? Hani Tohme was stricken from the May 6 for Beaumont mayor late Wednesday for failing to register as a voter within the city of Beaumont in a timely manner, the Beaumont city clerk told him in a letter. City Clerk Tina Broussard said the letter was sent to Tohme a few minutes before 5 p.m. Wednesday via email and certified letter that he was ineligible because he did not re-register in time to become a voter in the city by the filing deadline, which is 5 p.m. Friday. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate If you adopt a dog or cat in Southeast Texas, you'll pay adoption fees around $100 or more. But in 1982, a Southeast Texas couple's efforts brought 80 rescued donkeys to the area. Their adoption fees were $50. The donkeys, also called burros, lived on federal land in California, where they were protected from harm by federal law. However, hundreds of burros were killed in an "unannounced eradication program" in March 1981, according to the New York Times. At the China Lake Naval Weapons Center in Death Valley, more than 4,000 burros had been killed by sharpshooters and a government ban on killing was about to be lifted, according an Enterprise archive. The government feared the donkeys could wander onto places on the military base that could cause accidents, Pamela Biscamp told The Enterprise. Biscamp, then 28, joined the slew of animal rights groups unhappy with the burro eradication. So she and her husband G.W., led efforts to acquire and adopt rescued burros out of Beaumont. The Biscamps were joined by Beaumont attorneys Alred Gerson and Eddie Schroeder, local veterinarians and other volunteers teamed up to form Equine Rescue Inc., a nonprofit that helped find people wanting to adopt burros for $50 each, according to archives. Fliers printed on brightly colored paper were stuffed in newspapers and magazines with small lettering asking people to "place the poster in a prominent public place." Even children rallied in support of the burro rescue, drawing pictures of the donkeys accompanied by messages like "Please don't destroy them." Some of the drawings were sent to politicians in Washington, according to archives. By the time the 80 donkeys arrived in Beaumont, the Biscamps had found homes for 60 of them. "Can you believe it? After all this, they're really here," Pamela said when the burros arrived in March 1982. "I'm so happy." One of the 80 was Mandy, a five-year-old burro adopted by the Lutz family of Lumberton. Mandy joined two dogs, three African geese, three pigs, eight turkeys, 14 rabbits and 20 chickens on the farm. "When they had her in Death Valley, they said all she was eating was dry leaves and bark off the trees," Lutz told the Enterprise in 1982. In Lumberton, Mandy enjoyed dining on hay and horse feed. The U.S. Bureau of Land Management regularly hosts burro adoptions around the country, including Texas. Ford Park hosted a wild horse and burro adoption event in 2012. ERobinson@BeaumontEnterprise.com Twitter.com/eeelizzzabeth Beach restoration for Jefferson County is in the running for up to $10 million from the BP spill settlement fund, a consulting engineer for the county said today. The project is one of 28 that accounts for $113 million in the first year of the awards from an $800 million total available to Texas, but it must survive a cut to bring the total down to $66 million. That will happen after a 45-day comment period beginning Friday, said Tim Richardson, the county's consultant. The amounts are scalable, meaning the entire $10 million aimed at Jefferson County coastline restoration might not be available, Richardson said. An earlier grant awarded Jefferson County $4 million for a demonstration beach restoration project that would dredge offshore sand to cover two miles of beach about midway between Sabine Pass and High Island. The $10 million, combined the earlier grant, would cover about a fourth of the 20-mile distance. The entire coastline dredging will cost about $60 million, Richardson said. The state has about $800 million from the BP settlement, which arose from the April 2011 explosion and destruction of the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig offshore from New Orleans, which killed 11 people. The money was set aside in the federal court settlement for the five Gulf states. The money is intended for coastal improvement projects. The $10 million awarded for Jefferson County is the second-largest project so far, Richardson said. The largest, $10.7 million, is aimed at restoring the connection to the Gulf of the San Bernard River in Brazoria County that was blocked by drought and silting. Other related projects in Jefferson County either completed or under way include the Keith Lake Fish Pass baffle system, which reduces salt water intrusion into the surrounding marsh; two siphons that will divert fresh water to coastal marshes running under the Intracoastal Waterway; and a clay berm that parallels the coastline from Sabine Pass to High Island that will help in restoring sand dunes to absorb tropical storm surge. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Update: Hani Tohme was stricken from the May 6 for Beaumont mayor late Wednesday for failing to register as a voter within the city of Beaumont in a timely manner, the Beaumont city clerk told him in a letter. READ THE STORY HERE. Original story: Beaumont mayor Becky Ames has asked the city to disqualify her only challenger in the May 6 election because of the timing of his voter registration as a resident. City Clerk Tina Broussard said on Wednesday she received a letter from Ames asking for Hani Tohme's removal from the ballot for violations of the state election code. Broussard and City Attorney Tyrone Cooper are expected to make a decision on Ames' request today. Tax Assessor-Collector Allison Nathan Getz, the county's voter registrar, said Tohme registered to vote at a new address in Beaumont on Jan. 23. Tohme was registered to vote at a Port Arthur address during at least four elections in 2016, including votes in March, May, June and November. Getz said the state election code stipulates that a voter's re-registration only becomes effective 30 days after application to change his or her address. The election code requirement would make Tohme's new voter registration effective on Feb. 22, five days after the deadline to file for election. Getz said the election code prohibits a person who is not registered to vote in a Beaumont election during the filing period from filing to run for a city office. "It's on his voter registration card," Getz said. "Its got the date (to apply for voter registration) and the effective date, 30 days later. The filing deadline is Feb. 17. It's clear cut. It's the election code." Tohme, who is the only candidate as of Wednesday to file to run against Ames, said he was not surprised to learn about the challenge against candidacy. "I'm not part of the establishment," he said. Tohme, the city's former water utilities director who resigned in 2015 after City Manager Kyle Hayes demoted him, noted Broussard and Cooper are appointed by City Council. Getz is married to Ward 2 Councilman Mike Getz, he said. "This doesn't surprise me at all," he said. Tohme declined to comment about what action he might take if he is removed from the ballot, saying he wanted to wait until Broussard and Cooper made their decision. Tohme cited a 2008 case in which a former congressman from the Houston area ran for a state Senate seat in a special election. The former congressman, Chris Bell, tried to prevent another candidate, Stephanie Simmons, from getting on the ballot because she did not meet residency requirements. A state district judge ruled Simmons could remain on the ballot. She later lost, as did Bell in a subsequent runoff election. DWallach@BeaumontEnterprise.com Twitter.com/dwallach Texas is home to some of the nation's most prestigious universities, and within these institutions are dozens of academic departments and colleges. For the most part, many begin with a simple "College of," followed by the school's specialty, like business, law or engineering. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate FBI and IRS agents descended on the San Antonio law offices of state Sen. Carlos Uresti on Thursday morning, confiscating documents and other items in connection with the senator's involvement in a now-defunct San Antonio oil field services company accused of fraud, and other matters. "I can confirm the FBI and IRS are lawfully present and conducting a lawful law enforcement activity," said FBI spokeswoman Michelle Lee. She said no arrests had been made. Uresti was not at his law office when the raid occurred; he is in Austin, where the Texas Legislature is in session. The Senate is adjourned until 11 a.m. Tuesday, but staff said Uresti was at meetings in the capital city. "Today, FBI agents are in my office, reviewing our documents as part of their broad investigation of the FourWinds matter," Uresti said in a prepared statement. "I have instructed my staff to fully cooperate with the federal investigators. I will help them in whatever way I can." His son Carlos Uresti Jr. was seen at the site, sources said. READ MORE: Everything we know about Sen. Uresti's connection to FourWinds FourWinds Logistics, which traded frac sand, went into bankruptcy in 2015 and is accused of defrauding investors. Investors have alleged their money was wasted by FourWinds CEO Stan Bates on personal expenses, expensive gifts, exotic car rentals and a wild lifestyle, the San Antonio Express-News reported in August. Already, three FourWinds officials were charged in connection with a scheme to defraud investors and pleaded guilty to a single felony charge. They have yet to be sentenced. FourWinds: Second former executive charged in alleged fraud tied to Sen. Uresti Uresti had multiple roles with FourWinds. He provided legal services and served as outside general counsel for the company for four or five months at the end of 2014. He had a 1 percent ownership interest in the company, though he said the stock certificates were never transferred to him. The senator also helped recruit investors. One investor, Denise Cantu of Harlingen, was a former legal client who he helped win a personal-injury case following the 2010 death of two of her children. He suggested she go see Bates. Uresti later received a $27,000 commission on her $900,000 investment with FourWinds. Cantu lost most of her money. This is a developing story and additional details will be added as more information is available. Text "Breaking" to 48421 for breaking news alerts from mySA.com GContreras@express-news.net February 14, 2017 Turkey took over the Syrian border town of Jarablus from the Islamic State (IS) with not much effort in August 2016, with the approval of Moscow. Today, however, it is sustaining heavy casualties from unexpected stiff resistance at al-Bab. Nevertheless, Ankara is making strong efforts to participate in an operation to take Raqqa. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke in a 45-minute phone call with US President Donald Trump on Feb. 7, just 18 days after Trump took office. Meanwhile, new CIA Director Michael Pompeo made his first trip to Turkey and received the details of Turkeys proposal. The Turkish plan the same as it was during President Barack Obama's time is based on assaulting Raqqa without Kurdish assistance. According to details leaked to the Turkish media about these meetings, the key elements of the plan are as follows: Ankara proposes to contribute Turkish special forces to the Raqqa operation, to persuade the United States to give up its cooperation with the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG). Turkish special forces are currently performing coordination, reconnaissance and target-acquisition actions at al-Bab and supposedly could contribute 150-200 personnel to the Raqqa operation. After al-Bab is captured, selected elements of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) could be deployed to Raqqa. Arab personnel of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) could be separated from the YPG elements that constitute the core of that force, and a 10,000-strong army could be set up with those redeployed from al-Bab. A 1,930-square-mile area could be cleared in the Azaz-Jarablus-al-Bab triangle and opened for civilians to settle there. Reports claim Trump saw merit in the plan, which Turkey has been advocating for some time, and asked teams from both countries to work on it. The Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) have been steadily making announcements with generous numbers on targets hit and IS militants killed. This unconfirmed picture that IS is being torn to pieces cannot, however, conceal the reality of 64 Turkish soldiers killed. We dont know how many tanks and armored vehicles the TSK has lost at al-Bab. For Turkey's Raqqa plan to be taken seriously, the TSK first has to achieve its objectives at al-Bab. According to the Turkish media, al-Bab is almost liberated, and if you listen to Erdogan, the road is open for the Turkish army to roll on. TSK and FSA elements, which have been struggling at al-Bab for 100 days now, have so far captured some stretches of road to the north, a hospital, Aqil Hill, and the towns of Kabasin and Bzaa. On the day Pompeo began establishing his contacts in Ankara, and while the media was reporting "the FSA entered al-Bab supported by the TSK," two events reminded everyone once again what a minefield Operation Euphrates Shield has become. A Russian airstrike hit a building used by Turkish soldiers, killing four and wounding 10. To avoid new tension, both sides said the event was an accident. Parties decided to set up a joint commission to investigate. Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peshkov said, Unfortunately, as our military was conducting an air attack against terrorists, it was following the coordinates supplied by our Turkish partners. There should not have been any Turkish soldiers at those coordinates; hence, [it was] an unintentional attack. Some media in Turkey, however, interpreted the attack as a Russian warning to Turkey about trying to enter a partnership with the United States at Raqqa. In the second major development, the Syrian Human Rights Observatory reported that the Syrian army and Turkish forces clashed northwest of al-Bab. Muhammed Abdullah, a political notable who works with the groups Turkey supports, said five Turkish soldiers were wounded and two armored vehicles were destroyed. Turkish officials kept silent. The risk of potential confrontations between the two forces is increasing. Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim was aware of the risk of clashing with the Syrian army when he said, It is true that regime forces are advancing. By coordinating with Russia we are taking the necessary steps to avoid clashes with them. Leaving aside whether the bombing of Turkish troops was an accident, this reality must be acknowledged: It would be naive to expect Russia, which controls the airspace, to tolerate a US-Turkey partnership formed without Moscow's blessing. The current situation at al-Bab, while amplifying doubts of Turkeys control of the ground, did not stop Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu from adding Iraq to Turkeys targets, augmenting Ankaras ambitions. Trump and Erdogan last night had an extremely useful phone conversation. One of the topics was fighting [IS], which is our common goal. In the coming days, [IS] has three critical towns [in which it has to defend itself]: al-Bab, Raqqa and Mosul [in Iraq]. They [the presidents] expressed determination to oust [IS] from these towns," Cavusoglu said. He added, "That is why the operation at al-Bab must be completed soon. The TSK and the FSA made serious strides at al-Bab; the next target is Raqqa. The Raqqa operation must be conducted by the right forces. We said from the outset that our special forces can participate. We have to use them. When the going is so tough in Syria, there is no indication that the United States will enter a partnership with Turkey at Mosul. Mosul, with its local and regional dynamics, is a different matter altogether. Several factors could hamper the success of an operation based solely on the Arab elements of the SDF and Turkey-supported groups: As the TSK and the FSA can't yet cope with IS at al-Bab, what are the odds of their success at Raqqa, a much bigger city? Former US Ambassador to Iraq and Turkey James Jeffrey says for the United States to achieve success it has to work with Russia, Iran and Syria. He notes the United States has to devise a way to have the SDF and Turkish forces cooperate in the field. Although Trump might favorably consider the Turkish proposal for Raqqa, for him to give up the cooperation with the Kurds initiated by Obama, he would need powerful alternatives. The Turkish proposal does not fulfill that requirement. The Pentagon still needs the combat and organizational capacities of the Kurds on the ground. The Kurdish issue that emerged with US air support to the YPG at Kobani, and then with small deliveries of weapons, is expanding. Some observers believe Washington wants a long-term partnership with Syria's Kurds, as it once had with the Kurds in northern Iraq. For Turkey, this means that for a new element of cooperation between Ankara and Washington, Ankara will have to rethink its approach to the Syrian Kurds after the vote on its constitutional referendum set for April 16. As for in the field, the Turkish option cant work unless the road to Raqqa is secured. Even if the TSK/FSA fully take over al-Bab, the road to Raqqa is now under Syrian army control; hence, a decision has to be made whether to cooperate with that army or fight it. Neither Damascus nor Moscow are willing to grant an easy victory to the United States and Turkey, when Raqqa is seen as leverage to shape the future of Syria. On possible routes to Raqqa that Turkey could move on, there are the Kurds. If there is cooperation with the Kurds, the TSK could reach Raqqa via Kobani or Tell Abyad. Turkey had cooperated with the YPG to evacuate the Tomb of Suleiman Shah in 2015. But Raqqa requires a spirit of cooperation Ankara is not ready for. Discussions of all these options often overlook the potential spoiler effect of Iran, which provides the Syrian army with massive support as much as Russia supplies. The perils of a Raqqa operation for Turkey are abundant. And let's not forget the looming debate about what will happen after Raqqa is liberated. As with Mosul, although all the elements needed for a successful field operation might be available, one must consider that the "day-after" scenario could upend the entire process. Opinion / ANIMAL lovers in every part of the world have a way of knowing the start of the mating season for birds.In dry deserts or other arid habitats, the sudden appearance of water through seasonal storms or flooding has been known to trigger the mating season - and for a good reason.In such types of habitats, the arrival of water enables plants to bloom quickly, thus providing a source of food for birds to raise their offspring.Similarly, it is not difficult to tell when elections are about to be held in Zimbabwe.A sudden increase in the arrests of civil rights activists has been one sure sign that Zimbabwe is about to go to polls.A fortnight ago, maverick cleric, Evan Mawarire, was arrested shortly after touching down at the Harare International Airport from the United States.He had left the country in a huff about six months ago, having led successful anti-government protests last July, using the social media as a tool to stir political consciousness among citizens.The social media campaign ruffled feathers in the corridors of powers, leading to Mawarire's arrest on charges of inciting public violence. The court ruled that police had violated his rights and released him, as the State sought to amend its charges in a desperate bid to nail the man of cloth.The next day after being freed, he left the country to the US, via South Africa.But upon his surprise return to Zimbabwe, Mawarire has found the State still unforgiving for his role in the protests that rocked the country last year over government's failures.He was arraigned before the courts facing fresh charges of subverting a constitutionally elected government after spending several days in remand prison and is currently out on bail.If found guilty, Mawarire faces a minimum of 20 years in prison.Another pastor, Phillip Mugadza, was also arrested last month after he prophesised the death of the incumbent.The State has since somersaulted on his charges, with the latest being "insulting people of a certain race"; initially he was charged with undermining the authority of the President.Prosecutors now claim that Mugadza insulted the Christian religion and the African tradition by making utterances that predict someone's death, which is regarded as taboo in Zimbabwe.He is currently languishing in remand prison after the State alleged that government had no fuel to bring him to court.Mugadza and Mawarire join a long list of activists who have had brushes with the law for voicing out their frustrations with President Robert Mugabe's government.Among the notable activists are Linda Masarira, Acie Lumumba, Denford Ngadziore, Whatmore Makokoba, Promise Mkwananzi and Stan Zvorwadza.Dozens others, who were arrested in the many weeks of countrywide protests last year, are yet to face trial.There has been a surge in the number of political arrests in recent months as government clamps down on dissent ahead of the 2018 elections. The trend is seen persisting until after the harmonised polls.On August 24 and 26, 2016, police arbitrarily arrested over 140 people in Harare on public violence charges. According to their lawyers, most of those arrested, including security guards, vendors and college students taken from class, did not participate in the protests.They were later freed on bail after several days in detention.On September 24, 2016, police in Mutare arrested and detained 17 members of the Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) on charges of allegedly gathering in contravention of the Public Order and Security Act.After three nights in detention, the Magistrate's Court freed 15 of the 17 ZINASU members and declared their arrest unlawful.Journalists were also subjected to arbitrary arrests, harassment, and intimidation when reporting on protests.Reports by the Media Institute of Southern Africa show that from January 2016, police assaulted, harassed, arrested, or detained at least 31 journalists reporting on protests and yet the Constitution guarantees freedom of expression.Human rights activists have already raised a red flag over the arrests of political activists and deterioration of human rights issues in Zimbabwe.In its latest report for 2016, Human Rights Watch (HRW), noted an increase in cases of repression against thousands of people who peacefully protested human rights violations and the deteriorating economic situation in disregard of rights provisions in the country's Constitution.It said no meaningful human rights reforms were implemented during the period. Also, there were no amendments to existing laws to bring them in line with the Constitution and Zimbabwe's international and regional human rights obligations.HRW said police abuse had increased and there was excessive use of force to crush dissent."Human rights defenders, civil society activists, journalists, and government opponents, were harassed, threatened or faced arbitrary arrest by police. Widespread impunity continues for abuses by police and State security agents," said HRW.Washington has also taken note of the development, culminating in its ambassador to Zimbabwe issuing a statement that has riled President Mugabe's administration."The US government unequivocally believes in the basic right to freedom of speech and calls on the Government of Zimbabwe to respect the human rights of all Zimbabwean citizens, which are enshrined in the Constitution. We believe that the basic right of Zimbabweans to freedom of speech be it in public, through print media, or social media should be protected within and outside Zimbabwe's borders," reads part of the statement.Washington fears that these recent actions will further limit the right of Zimbabweans to exercise their constitutionally-protected freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly, which are similarly protected under Zimbabwe's international human rights obligations, and are core values of any functioning democracy.The US government has therefore called on Harare to respect the rule of law and legal due process provided by the Constitution.Analysts this week said opposition leaders should brace for torrid times ahead as elections draw close."We have a hybrid regime which subscribes to democracy, but does not believe in a level electoral field," said political researcher, Fortune Gwaze.The Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) said by holding citizens in jail for solely expressing political opinions, government has further tainted the country's questionable human rights record.ZPP director, Jestina Mukoko, said the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) and regional bodies should put pressure on government to release all political prisoners and guarantee their right to freedom of expression. Mukoko, herself, was a victim of unlawful arrests and abductions in 2008."Zimbabwe is a constitutional democracy, which guarantees the right to freedom of expression and this includes the right to express a political opinion in a peaceful manner," she said. "Citizens also have the right to petition the government or political leaders on any issues affecting them including demanding that the President resign if they have any lawful justification for that demand."Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the country's largest opposition party the Movement for Democratic Change agrees that the message coming out of this is that the ruling Zanu-PF will go for broke in the campaign trail ahead of the next election."The world must brace for impunity and violence against the innocent of our country," said Tsvangirai.Amnesty International has also added its voice, saying the situation in Zimbabwe was "worrying"."These charges are designed to stop human rights activism and to punish them for speaking out about the declining human rights situation in Zimbabwe," said Muleya Mwananyanda, Amnesty International's deputy director for southern Africa.But President Mugabe's government doesn't appear to care.Last year, the Zanu-PF leader publicly attacked judges for "reckless" rulings that allowed public protests against his rule, further eroding judicial independence.He also dismissed a damning report by the ZHRC as "absolutely false" and described its chairperson as "stupid".The commission had published a report showing that partisan government officials had denied food aid to opposition supporters. The commission found government had violated rights to equality, non-discrimination, and the right to sufficient food.President Mugabe's propagandists are also defending each and every move government has taken, and blaming the victims for inviting trouble for themselves.Information Communication Technology and Courier Services Minister Supa Mandiwanzira recently said the actions of the State thus far indicated that there was rule of law in Zimbabwe."It was very clear that it is very important that the world understands that Zimbabwe is very serious about the rule of law. It doesn't matter who you are, whether you are a politician, a traditional leader, a businessman or a church leader, if you break the law, it will take its course," he said. The proliferation of offsite emergency rooms could cost patients and taxpayers in Louisiana significant sums of money next year, says Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals Secretary Rebecca Gee, according to a WWL-TV report. Here are seven things to know. 1. At present, 32 states have offsite or freestanding emergency rooms. These facilities do not have inpatient beds and differ from urgent care centers in multiple ways, including cost. Freestanding ERs are significantly more expensive than urgent care facilities. 2. Louisiana currently has five freestanding ERs, but at least three more are planned in the metro New Orleans area, the report states. 3. Ms. Gee estimates the development of offsite ERs in the state could cost some patients hundreds, and taxpayers millions next year, reports WWL-TV. 4. New Orleans-based Ochsner Health System opened the area's first standalone ER on last October, according to the report. The system also has two more offsite ERs planned: one in New Orleans and another in Covington, La. 5. When asked about the concern that offsite ERs could delay critical care, Ochsner's CEO Warner Thomas told WWL-TV: "I think we think about how we can provide great access to folks. So if you go to a hospital and you [go to one] that has a two, three, four-hour wait, I would rather go to a freestanding [emergency department] that has a shorter wait and is going to be able to be triaged quicker." 6. Lewisville, Texas-based Adeptus Health, the largest operator of freestanding ERs in the U.S., partnered with Ochsner to run the system's three offsite emergency care locations, according to the report. The operator was recently accused of deceiving patients by failing to disclose excessive costs. Mr. Thomas indicated the system is looking to bring more aspects of the operation of the offsite ERs under Ochsner's direct control, according to the report. 7. In addition to Ochsner, East Jefferson General Hospital in Metairie, La., has partnered with a company called Excel Med Alliance to build two off site emergency rooms in the New Orleans Metro area, according to the TV station. For more on this story, read Katie Moore's full report here. A commission assembled to address hospital price disparities in Massachusetts has recommended giving the Division of Insurance power to oversee hospital-insurer contracts, including the amount hospitals can increase rates annually, The Boston Globe reports. The controversial proposal to boost state regulatory power comes after Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker (R) included a similar plan to cap hospital rates in his annual budget proposal, issued last month. Debate at the commission meeting Tuesday attended by state officials, academics, employers and representatives of the hospital and insurance industries moved from regulation to price control. Discussion became heated as members addressed factors that warranted some hospitals to charge higher prices. David Torchiana, MD, CEO of Partners HealthCare in Boston, said hospitals should be able to charge more if they have high patient satisfaction and quality scores. "Brand insofar as it is simply identified as name and history and perhaps marketing of an institution and size ... are not considered warranted reasons for price variation," Dr. Torchiana said, according to The Boston Globe. "However, insofar as reputation represents a quality measure and is indicative of exemplary quality, we did not think that should be erased." The commission is due to submit a report on best ways to address price variation and reduce healthcare spending by March 15. Here are 10 recent news updates on health IT companies. 1. The U.S. Department of Defense started the first phase of its Cerner EHR rollout at Fairchild Air Force Base outside Spokane, Wash. 2. GE announced plans to hire 20,000 women to fill STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) roles by 2020. 3. AT&T, IBM, Symantec and Internet of Things experts formed the IoT Cybersecurity Alliance. 4. Analysts believe athenahealth's fiscal goals for 2017 may be too high. 5. Cerner's year-end revenue has increased 8 percent since 2015. 6. IBM launched its Watson-powered security platform to help analysts across industries investigate security incidents. 7. Intel Security rolled out its Threat Landscape Dashboard, an online resource that identifies significant cyberthreats such as fraud campaigns, exploit kits and ransomware. 8. Great Ormond Street NHS Foundation Trust a London-based children's hospital chose Epic as its EHR provider. 9. VMware joined Intel's Healthcare Security Readiness Program. 10. Athenahealth joined forces with Transcend Insights, a population health management company, on an interoperability project. Bon Secours Medical Group, part of Bon Secours St. Francis Health System in Greenville, S.C., dropped its contract with Minnetonka, Minn.-based UnitedHealthcare. The change was effective Feb. 14, according to a GreenvilleOnline report. Roughly 10,000 patients with UnitedHealthcare coverage, including those with Medicare Advantage plans, were affected and will no longer have access to Bon Secours physicians at discounted prices. Bon Secours said it had been in discussions with UnitedHealthcare regarding the contract for six months. However, the medical group told GreenvilleOnline it could not accept the insurer's reimbursement rates without "[jeopardizing BSMG's] ability to provide the latest technology, services and high-quality care." UnitedHealthcare disagreed, arguing Bon Secours' requested rates would have "raised the cost of care for individual and employer-sponsored health plans by more than seven times the average annual increase" in South Carolina, according to the report. St. Francis facilities, including its hospitals, the St. Francis Cancer Center in Greenville and its urgent care centers, will remain in-network with UnitedHealthcare. Bon Secours and UnitedHealthcare said they hope to resolve the impasse, according to the report. To continue following the latest news and information for Bedfordshire and surrounding areas, simply enter your full postcode below Opinion / Columnist "For time immemorial Wilbert Mukori aka Nomusa Garikai has focused his now innosiating drivel on reforms chete chete," wrote brother Vince Museve.Wilbert Mukori, Patrick Guramatunhu, myself and a few others have focused our attention on implementing the democratic reforms "chete, chete" as you rightly said because this is the elephant in the room that has been ignored for donkey years and MUST now be dealt with head-on.There are those demanding the full implementation of all democratic reforms to ensure free, fair and credible elections and are pursuing the matter with the single mindedness and unrelenting tenacity of a honey badger on the trail of a snake, which the matter demands. Then there are those who are merely paying lip-service to the subject. You must not make the mistake of confusing the one group with the other!"My dear friend Alex Magaisa wrote a very clear and concise article on his BSR last week on the fact that coalition is not the panacea to free and fair elections in Zimbabwe but a critical part of the recipe which must of course include substantive reforms," said Musewe."I fully support his views and I myself have said same a thousand times that elections without reforms where Zanupf controls the state machinery are a waste of time."Just when exactly did your "dear friend Alex Magaisa" get the lightning-bolt inspiration that "substantive reforms" are important for free, fair and credible elections? Remember Magaisa was MDC-T leader, Morgan Tsvangirai's advisor during the GNU years, the time when the nation had its golden opportunity to implement substantive democratic reforms and SADC leaders were, literally begging MDC, to do so. Yet MDC failed to get even one democratic reform implemented. Not one!I say Magaisa is telling us lies; he never believed that reforms are important, at least not during the GNU years when he has the opportunity to get them implemented. You say, I have a "small mind", a "midget minded clown" and you, Vince Musewe (my apology for getting your surname wrong last time), you are the big man who thinks big. If having a big mind means being naive and gullible, keep you big and big ideas to yourself!You support Magaisa and yet have never ever criticized him or anyone in MDC for their treasonous betrayal in failing to get even one reform implemented during the GNU!So, Mister-Know-It-All Vince Musewe, have said "a thousand times that elections without reforms where Zanu PF controls the state machinery are a waste of time". How many times has President Mugabe said he wanted the country to have free and fair elections, for example. A thousand times and a thousand times again! Yet he is the one who has corrupted the country's democratic institutions like ZEC, wasted billions of dollars paying dodgy people like NIKUV to corrupt the voters' roll and has even murdered thousands of innocent Zimbabweans in cold blooded all for the sake rigging the vote. After doing all that, the tyrant still claims that Zimbabwe has always had free, fair and credible elections without failure!So, you see, big man it is not what one say or how many times they say it that matters but what they say and mean! You are just like President Mugabe in that you say one thing but mean the exact opposite.In your earlier articles, you have advocated that we should seek a compromise arrangement to appease the Zanu PF leaders because we will never get Zanu PF to implement the reforms."I would rather we postpone elections and pursue an inclusive political settlement that addresses the fears (of losing power and privileges) of ZANU(PF), but ushers in a new era of inclusive democracy through comprehensive political reforms over an agreed timeframe," you wrote in February last year.In your more recent article of a few days ago you were very clear about the importance of the coalition in defeating Zanu PF and said nothing about the coalition but nothing without implemented the reforms.Let us cut out the chase and call a spade a spade, Mr Musewe. Do you agree that Zanu PF will rig the next elections even if the opposition was united to form this grand coalition you and many others have spent so much sweat and blood promoting?Are you aware that many opposition politicians out there are using the coalition as the excuse to hoodwink the gullible public into believe the opposition will win the elections as long as they are united? The public will not care that the elections are not free and fair as long as the end Zanu PF's rule of corruption and terror.These unscrupulous politicians know this is not the case but are using it as cover to justify why they are once again taking part in flawed elections as happened in 2013. They are fighting over the few seats President Mugabe throws at the opposition, bait they have found irresistible.And, last by far most important of all, are you aware that as long as these sell-outs opposition politicians contest these flawed elections Zanu PF will never have to implement any meaningful democratic reforms? The tyrant has always pointed to the GNU and asked if there was any need for democratic reforms, then why did MDC fail to implement them. Besides the opposition would boycott elections if the process was flawed!Remember what I said above about not confusing those committed to free, fair and credible elections with those who are merely paying lip service to the subject; it is important that you remember that!Here are four reasons why a true democrat will not support the call for an opposition coalition:1) The greatest weakness in Zimbabwe politics on both sides of the political divide is the lack of quality. All those pushing hard for the grand coalition are individuals with a proven track record as corrupt and incompetent. It is splitting hair to argue whether a coalition of Tweedledee and Tweedledum will be any better or worse than each on their own. Quantity makes a very poor substitute for quality.2) Democracy is best served where there is real and meaningful competition and those, as happened even before independence with the call to unite Zanu and Zapu to form the Patriotic Front, calling for unity and speaking with one voice are, per se, the enemies of democracy.3) It is a nonsense that Zanu PF has remain in office all these years because we have divided opposition that has divided the opposition vote. It is President Mugabe's unparalleled and tyrannical powers to rig the vote that has kept him in State House!4) You, Mr Vince Musewe and your friend Alex Magaisa, can deny it as much as you wish but it is a fact that the Zanu PF regime and its propaganda machine are burning the midnight oil promoting the formation of opposition coalition as the "panacea" that will beat and/or neutralize all Zanu PF's vote rigging shenanigans and deliver opposition electoral victory. Any time and energy spent talking of opposition coalition is therefore aiding and abetting Zanu PF in laying its grand electoral deceit for 2018. You and Alex can play your part, paid or unpaid, in that; not me!By the way, in your previous article your surname was spelt Museve, with a V. Some of us are used to our name being spelt interchangeably as Nomusa or Nomsa, for example, and will never ever make a mountain out of a mole hill about it. Still, unless someone else and not you made that mistake, then it is you who should "wake up", get off your high horse, deflate your puffed-up ego and learn to spell your own name correctly!Zimbabwe cannot afford another rigged election and it would totally irresponsible to leave this important matter in the hands of people like you, Vince Musewe and Alex Magaisa. Your inflated ego and hunger for a seat on the gravy train has clouded your mind, you cannot see reason and logic. As for Magaisa, he sold-out big time during the GNU he will certain do so again given half a chance!Stopping the sell-out opposition politicians who will contest in flawed elections giving the process a veneer of democratic legitimacy is a very reasonable, logical and legitimate way of forcing the implementation of the reforms. These sell-out opposition politicians do not care about the ordinary people and their right to free, fair and credible elections, all they care about is getting a seat on the gravy train by hook or by crook even when they know it is a bribe.Opposition politicians contesting flawed elections are no longer with the people, they are Zanu PF's partners in crime, they are the soft under belly of the beast, the soft target to attack! BBC presenter Conor Bradford has recalled the hazy days of the drinking culture in London during his time as a stock broker. The broadcaster was discussing a story on the BBC's Good Morning Ulster about Lloyd's of London's decision to ban staff from drinking between the hours of 9am and 5pm during the working week. Founded in 1688, the insurance market acknowledged the City of London has "historically had a reputation for daytime drinking", but said the demands of the modern world mean alcohol is off the lunch menu. Those caught could face misconduct procedures. Mr Bradford once worked - briefly - for the firm Willis and Faber at Lloyd's, he told Good Morning Ulster's listeners. "I was invited out by my colleagues for a drink at lunchtime and I got the feeling, at that time, that had I not gone along with them I would have been considered rather anti-social," he said. "A couple of beers at lunch was very much the norm." Speaking of the now long-gone tradition of drinking in the journalism profession, he added: "We had a BBC club - of course those days are over and there is definitely a shift in attitude toward drink and Lloyd's have brought the shutters down." Educated at Oxford, Mr Bradford had a varied career before joining the BBC as a reporter for Good Morning Ulster. He has since presented its main evening news bulletins and is now an anchor on the early morning news programme on Radio Ulster. Employees at Lloyd's, one of Britain's oldest financial institutions have reportedly reacted in anger after being told they cannot drink alcohol during office hours. The Evening Standard said incensed staff shared their indignation at the new restriction on an online forum. One said it made Lloyd's the "PC capital of the world", while another asked: "Will we be asked to go to bed earlier soon?" An internal memo seen by the paper said the policy, which applies to 800 employees of Lloyd's, but not the brokers or underwriters from other companies based at the market, aligned the firm with many of its competitors. "The London market historically had a reputation for daytime drinking but that has been changing and Lloyd's has a duty to be a responsible employer, and provide a healthy working environment. "A zero limit is therefore simpler, more consistent and in line with the modern, global and high performance culture that we want to embrace." A Lloyd's spokesman told the Standard: "Our employee guidance was recently updated and provided clarification on the Corporation's position on drinking alcohol during the working day, which is prohibited." Wilsons Auctions group operations director Peter Johnston will be the man selling hundreds of items from Cafe Vaudeville next Thursday Patrons of one of Belfasts best known bars will soon have a chance to take home hundreds of mementoes. The contents of the Parisian-themed Cafe Vaudeville go under the hammer next week, giving buyers the rare opportunity to get items such as a cheetah print chaise lounge and artificial palm trees at bargain prices. The glamorous city centre venue on Arthur Street opened in 2004, adding French style and cabaret to Belfasts nightlife. Last November the Belfast Telegraph reported the nightspot was to be redesigned with a cuban theme. At the time Cafe Vaudevilles owner Pat McCormack was said to be close to reaching a deal with the English chain, Revolution Bars Group. Yesterday the company said it had no comment to make on the deal. But it had previously said it was interested in expanding to the province. The unreserved auction, hosted by Wilsons Auctions, takes place in the former bank and head offices of Dunville & Co whiskey distillers, from 5pm next Thursday, with online bidding also available. Other items up for grabs include a large selection of baroque-style furniture, a decorative bird cage display cabinet, mirrors, and a variety of catering equipment including fridges and commercial ovens. Peter Johnston from Wilsons Auctions commented: The interior of Cafe Vaudeville really exudes grandeur and luxury, and I am confident this auction will create a lot of interest among the hospitality industry and clientele. He added: We would encourage those interested in the auction to register through our website at least 24 hours prior to the auction. For further information, go to www.wilsonsauctions.com. Recruitment firm MCS Group is supporting the 2017 Northern Ireland Science Festival, which opens to the public today. As well as providing key funding the company is also sponsoring the Future17 coding hackathon event at Titanic Belfast on Saturday. MCS director Louise Smyth said supporting the festival as a means of encouraging young people to embrace science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) was good economic sense. Ms Smyth added: "There is an abundance of evidence which links student achievements in STEM areas to GDP growth and economic prosperity, and Northern Ireland has the potential to be a hub of activity for careers in this area." For information on the festival visit www.nisciencefestival.com. Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary during a press conference in Edinburgh where he announced its 2017 winter schedule for Scotland Ryanair has announced 15 new routes from Scotland but the company chief warned some would be scrapped unless the Scottish Government cuts air tax. Michael O'Leary said new routes from Glasgow and Edinburgh airports would boost growth by 20% to more than five million passengers and were a "demonstration" of the airline's faith in the government's plans to reduce air passenger duty (APD). Ministers want to cut the levy by 50% by the end of this Parliament before eventually abolishing it but face opposition from the Greens, Labour and the Liberal Democrats. Mr O'Leary warned that if the law is not passed, he will some move new routes elsewhere. Speaking in Edinburgh, he said: "We've decided to take Holyrood at its word and assume there will be an APD cut in 2018, and rather than waiting for the APD cut in 2018 we're going to open 15 routes from Edinburgh and two new routes in Glasgow in the winter of 2017. "We're doing this as a demonstration to the Scottish Government of the benefits that will be brought by Scotland if they go ahead with the promise of a cut in APD." He added: "The Scottish Government should scrap APD, it is nonsense tax. "It deters people at the point of entry and taxes that deter people at the point of entry are bad for tourism, traffic and jobs." Mr O'Leary continued: "These 15 routes will not continue into winter 2018 if the Scottish Government doesn't uphold its promises. " We will stop growing and investing in Scotland, and we will start growing and investing in other low-tax jurisdictions elsewhere in Europe." The new routes from Edinburgh fly to Baden, Budapest, Carcassonne, Eindhoven, Hamburg, Katowice, Nantes, Prague, Szczecin, Toulouse, Venice, Valencia and Wroclaw while the two additional Glasgow routes are to Krakow and Madrid. Mr O'Leary also waded into the debate around another Scotland independence referendum. He said: "I don't think there will be a second independence referendum north of the border and I think if [Nicola Sturgeon] holds a second one I think she knows she'll lose it. Scotland is not strong enough to stand on its own as an independent economy, not with oil at $50 a barrel." A Scottish Government spokesman said Brexit was the "biggest threat to Scotland's jobs, prosperity and economy". He said: "Ryanair's ongoing commitment to Scotland shows the confidence businesses rightly have in our growing economy. "We are continuing to work hard to ensure Scotland remains an appealing and prosperous place to do business, despite the UK Government dragging its heels in guaranteeing any protection for companies in the face of an impending 'hard Brexit'. "We are committed to delivering a 50% reduction in the overall burden of air departure tax by the end of this Parliament and abolishing the tax entirely when resources allow. "This is a fundamental component to boosting Scotland's international connectivity and helping to generate sustainable growth." Ashton Kutcher co-founded the organisation Thorn: Digital Defenders of Children, which builds software to fight human trafficking Actor Ashton Kutcher has given an emotional speech to US senators as he called for more action to tackle child sexual abuse. The Hollywood star discussed progress in combating modern slavery in a hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in Washington. Kutcher, 39, co-founded the organisation Thorn: Digital Defenders of Children, which builds software to fight human trafficking. The visibly emotional actor - who has two young children with actress Mila Kunis - said: "I've been on FBI raids where I've seen things that no person should ever see. "I've seen video content of a child that's the same age as mine being raped by an American man that was a sex tourist in Cambodia. "And this child was so conditioned by her environment that she thought she was engaging in play." Kutcher said his team received a call from the Department of Homeland Security asking for help to find a seven-year-old girl after footage of her being sexually abused was "spread around the dark web". "She'd been abused for three years and they'd watched her for three years and they could not find the perpetrator, asking us for help," he said. "We were the last line of defence. An actor and his foundation were the potential last line of defence. "That's my day job and I'm sticking to it." In a more light-hearted moment at the hearing, Kutcher blew a kiss towards Republican senator and former US presidential candidate John McCain. It came after McCain told the actor: "Ashton, you were better looking in the movies." Calendar Girls stage show writer Tim Firth has said musicals are the best and worst of theatre. Firth, who has created the West End adaptation of the 2003 film with Take That star Gary Barlow and renamed it The Girls, admitted that for every hit musical penned, there were plenty of flops that failed to entertain audiences. Asked by The Stage about musicals' success, he said: "Musicals are the best and worst of what theatre can be. "The chemistry is fairly simple. As long as you can answer the question of why are you are singing, you stand a chance." He added: "I find myself so drawn to the excitement of the risk of musical theatre. "I've written a lot for film and television, but I'm never as excited by the potential of what I'm writing as when it's something for the theatre." Firth also said that while he didn't think The Girls was his best work, it would probably be his most popular. He said: "I continuously hope I write better things, but the truth is I may not write a piece as successful at connecting with an audience as Calendar Girls, even though it is not necessarily as finessed as other things I'm slightly more proud of in terms of craft." The stage writer explained more about working with Barlow on the musical and talked about what his advice to the theatre novice had been. He said: "When we first started this endeavour, I said to him, 'Don't try to be a musical theatre writer, don't try to go around and watch everything, because there's a danger of trying to write in the style of what you think musical theatre is as a result'." Firth went on: "We ended up with primary colours on the palette. We started to write and I sent him lyrics, and he would send songs to me. "I'd sit at the piano, change it, mix bits of song A with song B and send them back to him, so we ended up with a gallery of different things on the shelf. "We ended up with about 70 or 80 songs, and the ones that started to be in play were very much like an artist's easel." He added: "The great thing is that I would send lyrics to Gary, and they'd often not be complete and he would have to write something to sing. Some of what he gave back to me gave me ideas. "So in a very odd way, the lyrics and music are now by the pair of us, and the boundaries are not quite as defined as they would normally be." :: The Girls officially opens at London's Phoenix Theatre on February 21 and runs until April 22. Where to find non-partisan ballot information Thank you for your non-biased bullet points explaining the three state ballot proposals in "A look at the three state... Kautman-Jones endorses Davis Please support Meredith Davis in her re-election to the Genesee County Board of Commissioners - 8th District. I have had... Harry Potter actress Scarlett Byrne has said she is "proud" to be featured in an upcoming edition of Playboy magazine. Byrne, known for playing Slytherin student Pansy Parkinson in the series' sixth instalment, Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince, shared a revealing image of herself in black and white on Instagram. Her pictures will feature next month alongside an article she wrote herself as part of the magazine's Naked Is Normal social media campaign. It comes as the magazine marks the end of a year-long ban on using photographs of nude models. The London-born star, 26, posted the image of herself draped loosely in a white shirt with the caption: "I'm very proud to be a part of the March/April issue of Playboy. "I penned a short essay along with my pictorial titled, "The Feminist Mystique." "A big thank you to @Playboy, the creative team, and @cooperbhefner for such a unique opportunity. #NakedIsNormal" Byrne is reportedly engaged to Playboy founder Hugh Hefner's son, Cooper. In a statement, shared on the magazine's Instagram account on Tuesday, the 25-year-old said: "I'll be the first to admit that the way in which the magazine portrayed nudity was dated, but removing it entirely was a mistake. "Nudity was never the problem because nudity isn't a problem. "Today we're taking our identity back and reclaiming who we are." SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood at UTV Studios at Havelock House in Belfast for the Northern Ireland Assembly Debate. PA Brexit is the most "dangerous thing for Northern Ireland since partition", the leader of the SDLP has warned. Colum Eastwood told a UTV pre-election debate that any attempts to introduce a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic would be "economically and politically damaging". He said: "We have a lot of work to do to defend Northern Ireland, to defend our citizens against the ravages of what is vast becoming a hard Tory Brexit." The DUP's Arlene Foster admitted that her party received donations after registering as one of the parties campaigning to leave the European Union. "We registered as one of the parties campaigning to leave the European Union and we received donations. Those donations have been given to the electoral commission and they will be very clear for everybody to see," she said. When pushed for details about the donations, she would only say they were "from an organisation in England that wants to see the Union kept and make sure we can have a United Kingdom". Read more Read More Sinn Fein leader Michelle O'Neill described Brexit as being "absolutely catastrophic for the island of Ireland". She said: "It is going to undermine the Good Friday Agreement. It is going to be the major conversation over the next number of years. "The British government are not going to dictate their negotiations on what happens post-Brexit. The Irish government needs to step up to the plate." Alliance leader Naomi Long accused the DUP and UUP of failing "at the first hurdle". "You wouldn't support an amendment in Westminster that would have ensured any Brexit was compliant with the Good Friday Agreement. Borders in Ireland are sensitive and people need to be sensitive to it." Concern over the impact of Brexit in Northern Ireland has intensified after Irish Finance Minister Michael Noonan admitted that customs officials in the Republic are looking at "contingencies". He said the Government does not envisage having customs posts on the border, and neither does London - but warned that it depends on the Brexit negotiations. Mr Noonan said: "Even though it is the intent of the two jurisdictions involved we still have to get it across the line in Europe and that might be five or six years down the line ... Customs are looking at contingency in the event of where the negotiations may land." He admitted the contingency plans amid reports that Government officials were scoping out locations for the return of full "red and green channel" customs checkpoints. They included crossings in Louth, Monaghan, Cavan, Leitrim, and Donegal, with particular focus on the M1. The Taoiseach's position is that there will be no hard border. Enda Kenny said recently: "I am confident that the European Union will not bring us back to a border of division." Sinn Fein's new leader in Northern Ireland has marked the deaths of four IRA men shot dead by the SAS in 1992 at a commemoration event in Clonoe, Co Tyrone . She addressed the vigil in memory of Patrick Vincent, Sean O'Farrell, Peter Clancy and Barry O'Donnell. The four were ambushed at St Patrick's Church minutes after they had attacked Coalisland RUC station with a heavy machine gun. Ms O'Neill said there should be no hierarchy of victims as she clutched a candle in memory of those who died in a churchyard in the town. Around 150 people attended the ceremony, including relatives of the dead, which organisers characterised as dignified. Relatives of the dead held candles and a lament was played on a tin whistle. The Irish tricolour and a plaque marked the spot where the deaths happened. Ms O'Neill said: "These were four ordinary young men, who faced extraordinary challenges. "And they responded in defence of their community and also of their country. "They never went looking for war, but it came to them. It is a sad night for us as republicans and we come together 25 years later to remember their sacrifice, to remember that night, how we all felt." Expand Expand Previous Next Close Sinn Fein's new leader at Stormont Michelle O'Neill addresses a commemoration in Clonoe, Co Tyrone in memory of IRA men, Patrick Vincent, Sean O'Farrell, Peter Clancy and Barry O'Donnell, who were killed by the SAS in February 1992. PA PA Michelle ONeill attends a vigil for IRA men who were killed by the SAS at St Patricks Church in Clonoe on 16th February 2017 . (Photo - Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Sinn Fein's new leader at Stormont Michelle O'Neill addresses a commemoration in Clonoe, Co Tyrone in memory of IRA men, Patrick Vincent, Sean O'Farrell, Peter Clancy and Barry O'Donnell, who were killed by the SAS in February 1992. PA She added: "I can certainly remember the pain and the hurt and the sorrow and the shock, most of all felt by the families but also by the wider republican community." She said republicans and everyone else had every right to remember and honour their dead in a respectful and dignified manner. "There can be no hierarchy of victims. Republicans recognise that. "But it is the refusal of many within political unionism and the British state to do likewise that goes to the heart of many of the problems that we face in the political process." The event was organised by Coalisland Clonoe Martyrs Sinn Fein Cumann. Ms O'Neill said the past will always be a contentious place. Expand Close Michelle ONeill attends a vigil for IRA men who were killed by the SAS at St Patricks Church in Clonoe on 16th February 2017 . (Photo - Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Michelle ONeill attends a vigil for IRA men who were killed by the SAS at St Patricks Church in Clonoe on 16th February 2017 . (Photo - Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) "There is no single narrative to any conflict anywhere in the world or at any time in history. "Republicans understand that and accept it. "We are committed to building bridges, to heal the hurt of the past and to build a better future for all of our children." She said the British Government was still "blocking" the legacy mechanisms of the Stormont House Agreement to deal with thousands of unresolved killings and injuries during the 30-year conflict. "They don't want the world to know what they did in our country. "They don't want the world to know about the death squads, about shoot-to-kill, about the torture and the full extent of collusion. "They don't want the world to know what they did in places like Clonoe, but we will overcome that because republicans today are every bit as determined as Sean, as Peter, Paddy and Barry were." The event was organised by Coalisland Clonoe Martyrs Sinn Fein Cumann. Read More But the appearance of Ms O'Neill, an election candidate in the area, has caused anger. Ulster Unionist MP Tom Elliott said: "This just demonstrates that it is not easy for the leopard to change its spots. "Sinn Fein is still determined to glorify terrorists, which is unfortunate to those in society who want to move away from the past." Expand Close Michelle ONeill attends a vigil for IRA men who were killed by the SAS at St Patricks Church in Clonoe on 16th February 2017 . (Photo - Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Michelle ONeill attends a vigil for IRA men who were killed by the SAS at St Patricks Church in Clonoe on 16th February 2017 . (Photo - Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Mr Elliott said it was a clear attempt by Sinn Fein to shore up republican support ahead of next month's election. A Sinn Fein spokesperson said earlier on Tuesday: "Michelle O'Neill will be the main speaker at a commemoration in Clonoe on Thursday at 8pm to remember the 25th anniversary of the deaths of four young republicans shot dead by the British Army. "This commemoration will be carried out in a respectful and dignified manner to remember the four local young men and to importantly show community solidarity with their families, friends and neighbours." However, victims of IRA violence in the east Tyrone area spoke of their anger at the event. John Eaglesham, whose father Jock was murdered outside Rock Primary School near Pomeroy, said: "It is not appropriate for the leader of a political party to be acting in this way. "This woman is going to stand up and pay tribute to these men, saying they are good people, despite knowing well they were out to try and commit murder." Read More Mid Ulster Democratic Unionist election candidate Keith Buchanan said: "Sinn Fein have talked repeatedly about respect over recent weeks, but once again we see a lack of respect for the victims of IRA terrorism." Ulster Unionist candidate Sandra Overend said Ms O'Neill's presence at the event stood in "stark contrast to her words of reconciliation". "It is only to be expected that republicans would wish to remember their dead, but Michelle O'Neill's presence at such an event is hardly sending a signal to the unionist community that she is some kind of new departure for Sinn Fein." Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) leader Jim Allister accused Ms O'Neill of "glorifying the appalling bloodthirsty actions" of the IRA. "I think it is appalling," he said. "I think it is dancing on the graves of the innocent victims of the IRA yet again by a Sinn Fein leader and glorifying those terrorists who met their just deserts at the hands of the SAS in 1992." Victims campaigner Kenny Donaldson said: "Michelle O'Neill is being promoted by some as the face of a new Sinn Fein which is about the future and a break from the past. "The reality is very different.She has already made a range of comments concerning her affinity with and support of the terrorist campaign waged by the Provisional IRA. "Her own family were heavily immersed in terrorist activity and she is set to speak at a commemoration event to four members of the east Tyrone-Monaghan brigade of the Provisional IRA killed by SAS forces. "What does Michelle O'Neill have to say to the families of those innocents who were murdered by this brigade? "Is she prepared to deal with the hurt and injustice visited upon these families?" The attack on Coalisland RUC station took place on the evening of February 16, 1992. The IRA gang had mounted a machine-gun on top of a hijacked lorry. They opened fire on the station before driving away waving an Irish tricolour. When they reached the church car park at Clonoe, a few miles away, the SAS were lying in wait, killing the four men. Two others were wounded. The ambush prompted speculation about an informer in the IRA's ranks. Read More Ms O'Neill is from Clonoe and has previously spoken about how she was affected by the ambush and the "harrowing" impact it had on the community. In a video interview last month, she said: "I think the Troubles really impacted on our community. I think that when I look back to some of the times that stand out to me, the Clonoe ambush where four local young fellas - really young people - lost their lives in that time. "It was a harrowing period for our community and I think that for me it really had a massive impact - especially when you think back through the years and look at all the things that happened right across Tyrone. "Different things, I suppose, impacted on different people at different times. "The Loughgall ambush happened and eight people lost their lives and that was a truly harrowing time for the local community." The Clonoe ambush was the last time that IRA members were killed by the SAS in Northern Ireland. During the funeral services for O'Donnell and O'Farrell in Coalisland, the parish priest criticised the security forces' actions. He appealed to republicans to replace "the politics of confrontation" with "the politics of cooperation". The Cuban ambassador to the Republic of Ireland has revealed that he backed Fidel Castro's support of the IRA. In an interview with Hot Press, Hermes Herrera Hernandez said he always supported Cuba's former president in his views on republican violence. In the wide-raging interview, Hermes Herrera Hernandez - who was once the Cuban ambassador to the Vatican - also criticised Donald Trump's controversial plan to build a wall at the Mexican border. The ambassador - who personally knew Fidel Castro and Che Guevara - was questioned over Castro's support of the IRA. The former leader, who died in November last year aged 90, met with Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams in 1981 and spoke in support of the republican hunger strikers. During a speech, Castro described the hunger strike as the "most moving gesture of sacrifice, selflessness and courage". "They have earned the respect and admiration of the world, and likewise they deserve its support," he said. Hermes Herrera Hernandez said he supported his comments at that time. "I always have been supporting Castro in everything he did - and I also supported him on that occasion," he said. "I cannot say more than that, because I don't like to give a personal approach to those things. "But I supported him at that time. I, too, identified with the sacrifice of the population. "He was not talking about the policy in general of the movement or something like that - he was talking about a humanitarian problem - and I think he was right." The Cuban ambassador criticises US President Donald Trump in the interview and his plans to build a wall on the Mexican border with America. While cautious in expressing hostile views of the controversial president, he hit out at the idea of the return of waterboarding to interrogate suspects. Speaking about President Trump's plans to build the wall, he said: "We are not in favour of walls. We are in favour of integration. "We think the best way is to try to collaborate, to try to understand each other, to try to develop good neighbourly relations - from everybody towards everybody." Hermes Herrera Hernandez also described Che Guevara as his "big hero". "I appreciate very much the participation of Che Guevara in the Cuban revolution," he said. "I appreciate him as a Cuban patriot, despite that he was born in Rosario, Argentina. "I appreciate everything - his moral character, his decisions, his capacity, ethically and how brave he was in many things." The full interview appears in Hot Press from today. A prominent Belfast loyalist must complete 147 hours community service for assaulting a policeman and disorderly behaviour A prominent Belfast loyalist must complete 147 hours community service for assaulting a policeman and disorderly behaviour. The sentence was imposed on David 'Dee' Coleman over an incident near his home in the Shankill area of Belfast last August. He was filmed being pursued on foot by PSNI officers after they arrived at the scene. The 31-year-old, of Hopewell Crescent, had denied allegations of barging past a constable and trying to avoid arrest. But following a contested hearing at Belfast Magistrates Court he was convicted of assault on police, disorderly behaviour and resisting police. Yesterday in court District Judge Amanda Henderson was told he still has 93 hours left to serve from a previous 120-hour community service for a separate offence. She then directed that he must also carry out a further 147 hours for the three offences before the court. A singing schoolgirl from Co Down has stunned an American audience at the Boston Winter Ball after she stole the show with a live performance of Hallelujah. Kaylee Rogers (10) received a standing ovation when she reduced those attending the lavish ceremony to tears. Speaking after she returned home from the United States, the Killard House pupil said: "I wasn't nervous at all, I just love doing it. It makes me feel happy that I'm doing it for everyone, they came over and they had a lot of happy tears." When Kaylee moved to Killard House in primary four, she struggled to talk and read out loud in class because she has autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but it quickly became apparent that she had no problem singing. The primary seven pupil captured hearts around the world in December when a video of her singing in the school's Christmas concert went viral. The recording of her adaptation of Hallelujah has been viewed by millions of people online. Principal of Killard House, Colin Millar, said Kaylee's cover of the Leonard Cohen song evoked a lot of emotion in the grand ballroom of the Fairmont Copley Plaza hotel. He said: "When she took to the stage in her Killard House uniform an amazed silence engulfed the room. The next four-and-a-half minutes were pure magic as she sang beautifully to an entranced audience and brought grown men to tears." Mr Millar described the audience's reaction as "the perfect tribute to the angelic voice of this 10-year-old Killard House pupil". The Boston Winter Ball caters to socially-minded young professionals in the city and has established itself as one of the most anticipated events in its social calendar. The beneficiary of this year's ninth annual black tie event was the Corey C Griffin Foundation, a charity which supports philanthropic causes, particularly those that serve young people. Mr Steven Greeley, a friend of the Griffin family, was one of the many people around the world who watched Kaylee's video at Christmas. He believed she represented the guiding principles of the foundation so he quickly contacted the school to arrange for Kaylee to sing live at the ball. The Corey C Griffin Foundation was launched in the summer of 2014 when 27-year-old Corey Griffin died in a tragic accident in Nantucket - a small isolated island off Cape Cod in Massachusetts - just a day after he had raised $100,000 (80,300) for his Boston College friend Pete Frates' initiative to raise money for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Pete, who was diagnosed with the disease in March 2012, is credited as the person who started the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge and Corey has been referred to as the co-founder of the phenomenon which went viral on social media during the summer in which he died. Boston businessman, Arthur S DeMoulas, was recognised at the event and received an award celebrating his focus on philanthropic work. Executive director of the Corey C Griffin Foundation, Melissa Bowman, said: "Mr DeMoulas greatly admires Kaylee's courage and perseverance to overcome adversity and sharing the evidence of that through her beautiful voice was one of the highlights of the evening. "We understand that she hasn't performed publicly outside her school in Northern Ireland and we were delighted to welcome her to the United States to share her talent here." Kaylee, who is normally very shy, has been growing in confidence through singing and has been praised by her school principal for embodying the ethos of the special needs school in Donaghadee. The officers suffered non-life threatening injuries as a result of the crash. Two officers have been injured after a stolen car collided with a police vehicle in Belfast. It happened on Wednesday night in the Cullingtree area in the west of the city shortly before 9.45pm. A silver Volkswagen had been reported stolen in the Castlereagh area as a result of a suspected creeper style burglary on Wednesday morning. The officers suffered non-life threatening injuries as a result of the crash. Police are also investigating reports that a similar vehicle was driving erratically in the Falls Road area at the time of an earlier shooting incident on Wednesday evening. A 17-year-old has been charged with a series of driving offences. The charges are in connection with the arrest of a male in west Belfast after a stolen car collided with a police vehicle in the Cullingtree area shortly before 9.45pm. He is expected to appear before Belfast Youth Court on Friday morning charged with aggravated vehicle taking causing damage to the vehicle, aggravated vehicle taking in which vehicle is being driven dangerously, failing to stop, failing to report, failing to remain, theft, driving whilst disqualified and driving without insurance. Detective Inspector Mary White said: There is only one police service in West Belfast, and thats the Police Service of Northern Ireland. We are on duty 24 hours a day, seven days every week, protecting the public and serving the local community. "I would appeal to all members of the West Belfast community, if you witnessed anything last night to come forward to detectives at Musgrave on the non-emergency number 101 or if someone would prefer to provide information without giving their details, they can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers and speak to them anonymously on 0800 555 111." A 64-year-old woman has given birth to twins at a hospital in Spain A 64-year-old woman has given birth to twins at a hospital in Spain. The new mother fell pregnant after returning to Spain following successful IVF treatment in the United States. The babies were delivered by C-section at the Recoletas Hospital in the northern city of Burgos. The babies, a boy and a girl, are said to be in a "perfect state of health". The girl weighed 4lbs 8oz and the boy 5lbs 3oz. The hospital said there were no problems with the birth. "The mother and her twins, a boy and a girl, will remain in the hospital for four or five days which is normal after a Caesarean," it said. The woman has not been named - and identified only by her initials M.I.A - but is said to come from the small town of Palacios de la Sierra in northern Spain. The world's oldest documented mother is Daljinder Kaur from India, who gave birth in 2015 at the age of 70 after two years of IVF treatment. Baby Armaan was born weighing 4.4lbs. Eamon Bradley has been found not guilty of possessing explosives Syrian terrorism accused Eamon Bradley has been found not guilty of possessing grenades with the intent to endanger life. But a jury has been unable to return a verdict on whether he attended a training camp in the Middle East war zone where he received instructions on the use of AK47 assault rifles, two other firearms and a grenade. Northern Ireland's director of public prosecutions is expected to decide within a fortnight whether the Londonderry man will face a retrial on three charges. This was the first case of its type taken in Northern Ireland and it took the jury around six hours of deliberations at Londonderry Crown Court. Mr Bradley, 28, originally from Melmore Gardens in Creggan, was alleged to have been involved with a Syrian rebel group opposed to the government of President Bashar Assad and Islamic State. The "bedrock" of the prosecution case surrounded interviews he gave to police after he was arrested in Northern Ireland over images of him apparently posing with guns posted on social media. He allegedly told a detective he was spirited into Syria from Turkey in a makeshift raft and joined the forces of the Army of Islam in 2014. He described, according to police notes of his interview, attending a training camp and carrying an assault rifle and grenade as a junior infantryman or mujahid fighter. He was found not guilty of possessing a grenade. The accused told detectives he denied firing a single bullet and allegedly returned home disillusioned after initially going to help the Syrian people, interview notes revealed. Judge Brian Sherrard said Mr Bradley's defence had attempted to introduce doubts about the police questioning centring on his apparent lack of knowledge about military matters and about the Army of Islam. An expert witness testified that the AK 47 assault rifles Mr Bradley was photographed in front of could have been deactivated. A lawyer for the defence said one of the battles the defendant told police he was present at did not happen; it was a flimsy and threadbare case and there was no evidence to corroborate that he was even in Syria. He said his client was not Derry's answer to Britain's First World War desert adventurer Lawrence of Arabia and was simply in Turkey on holiday. According to the prosecution, he had truthfully agreed that he committed terrorism offences when questioned by detectives and was not a fantasist. Barrister Ciaran Murphy QC said he was referring the case back to the director of public prosecutions Barra McGrory QC. It is due to be mentioned in Belfast on March 3. A DUP MEP has said she was outraged to learn a senior republican who served 12 years in jail for explosives offences was asked to speak at the European Parliament. Sean 'Spike' Murray addressed a seminar this month in Strasbourg about post-conflict justice access in Ireland. The event was hosted by European United Left/Nordic Green Left (GUE/NGL), an umbrella group of Left-wing political parties that includes Sinn Fein. The official Twitter page of GUE/NGL posted a picture of Mr Murray with the quote: "Some families have been waiting 46 years for justice." Murray is one of Sinn Fein's most senior officials in Belfast. He was linked to an alleged gunrunning operation in Florida recently. Last year the PSNI had convinced US gunrunner Mike Logan to fly to Belfast to testify against Murray. But he died at his home in November before he could make the trip. Murray has always strenuously denied the accusations. Diane Dodds said the decision to host him in Strasbourg was an insult to all of the victims of IRA violence. "Most people would think it's outrageous that a convicted terrorist, who served 12 years in prison for explosives offences, comes to Strasbourg to pontificate on justice," she said. Accusing Sinn Fein of attempting to "rewrite history", she added: "I suspect that Sean Murray's talk did not focus on the justice denied to many victims of IRA terrorism. "When Sinn Fein speak of justice what they mean is prosecuting our soldiers and security forces." Sinn Fein dismissed Mrs Dodds' comments, describing them as "faux outrage or rank hypocrisy". "Sean Murray is one of the party's negotiation team on the issue of legacy," it said. "He has engaged regularly with the DUP and the British and Irish Governments on legacy issues, from the Haass-O'Sullivan talks right through to the present day." It added that the DUP had "regularly engaged with and stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the representatives of loyalist paramilitaries". And it said: "A key part of the Stormont House Agreement was how we deal with the legacy of the past, and structures were agreed to give all victims access to truth recovery. "The British Government has a responsibility to fund those structures and the mechanisms required to allow victims and their relatives to access truth and justice." Plans have been outlined for a mobile phone app for gardai to include names and details of insured and uninsured motorists Plans have been outlined for gardai to get a mobile phone app to let them check a driver's details at the roadside. The database would include the names and details of insured and uninsured motorists, their driving licence and insurance policy number. The first phase of the directory, holding information on privately owned vehicles and their owners, is expected to be ready in the second half of this year. But there is no timeline for when the Garda Traffic Corps or other officers will get the technology. Junior minister Eoghan Murphy said: "The ultimate aim is to provide An Garda Siochana with a mobile app, on an 'authorised user' basis, to allow for roadside access to the database." Fleet owned vehicles are expected to be included in the database by the second half of 2018. Mr Murphy said technology could one day allow for gardai to have automatic number plate recognition technology on their jacket which processes vehicle and owner details as officers walk down a street. Gardai already have the technology in some patrol cars but a database of vehicles, drivers, insurance and ownership is incomplete. The minister revealed the ideas at the Oireachtas Finance Committee as part of his department's report on the cost of motor insurance after premiums soared by more than 50% over the last five years. Mr Murphy defended a proposal for a "specialised and dedicated insurance fraud unit in the Garda" to be funded by the industry and said it had been a successful model in the UK. "If you were going down this route, as they have done in the UK, there is absolutely clear separation between the money that would go in to the entity and the operational powers and the decisions that get taken," the minister said. Pearse Doherty, Sinn Fein finance spokesman, said at an extreme it suggested privatisation of a section of the Garda. "I'm issuing a very clear warning shot that this is a slippery slope," he said. "The precedent is terrible - so do we allow big business to employ, to fund, certain other sections of the gardai that would be of benefit to big business? "A precedent has already been set. This is a Government document, approved by cabinet, that is looking to consider big business fund, directly, a section of An Garda Siochana." Mr Doherty said that if the insurance industry is to pay more to the state then it should be paid centrally to the exchequer and not directly fund a garda unit. Figures from the Motor Insurers' Bureau of Ireland (MIBI) show that the level of uninsured driving in Ireland was at 7.1% in 2015. Mr Murphy told the committee that 50-60 million euro paid out each year to cover claims involving uninsured drivers adds about 30 euro to premiums and abou t 200m euro a year for fraud costs adds about 50 euro to premiums. Mr Murphy would not be drawn on how much insurance premiums could come down or over what period if the 33 recommendations in his department's report were enforced. "I am expecting lower premiums. They aren't going to become dramatically low like they were in the past, because that wouldn't be prudent either," he said. Taoiseach Enda Kenny has offered a full apology to whistleblower Sergeant Maurice McCabe. As he faced down an attempt to collapse the government over the handling of allegations of a smear campaign against the respected officer, Mr Kenny said the unfounded child sex abuse slur was appalling. "I offer a full apology to Maurice McCabe and his family for the treatment that was meted out to them," the Taoiseach said. A judge-led tribunal is to be held into allegations that the top brass of the Garda orchestrated a black propaganda campaign against Sgt McCabe among journalists and politicians. Hearings are to be held in public, with the inquiry expected to be extended to cover other Garda whistleblowers who have alleged victimisation. Also, an independent, international policing expert is to be brought into the Republic to carry out a "root and branch" audit of the Garda. The Independent Alliance said it had secured agreement for the oversight reform, despite the existence of the Garda Inspectorate. Mr Kenny said: "The government's sole objective in responding to the recent protected disclosures has been and remains to get to the full truth. "The false allegations against Sgt McCabe are simply appalling. Sex abuse is the worst crime a person can be accused of." Judge Peter Charleton, of the Supreme Court, is expected to lead the tribunal into the McCabe affair. Superintendent Dave Taylor made the allegation of a smear campaign in a protected disclosure last year. He returned to work on Tuesday after being suspended for almost two years while a separate investigation ran into the alleged leaking of information to the media about the identities of Roma children taken into care over a suspected but unfounded kidnap concern. Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin said the government's approach to setting up an inquiry had been appalling. "The Taoiseach and his ministers failed to react with appropriate concern when deeply disturbing information was brought to their attention concerning the possible use of a state agency to terrorise an honourable servant of the State," Mr Martin said. Mr Kenny was forced to call for a vote of confidence in his government after moves by Sinn Fein's Gerry Adams to bring down the coalition. "The latest scandal to engulf the government results from Fine Gael's perpetual disgraceful handling of the campaign of vilification against Maurice McCabe and other Garda whistleblowers," Mr Adams said. "Maurice McCabe's appalling treatment illustrates the absolute need for a culture of openness, within our policing, justice and our political system." The General Synod voted on a controversial report on homosexuality and same-sex marriage A Church of England bishop has apologised after accidentally pressing the wrong button during a vote on a controversial same-sex marriage report. Bishop of Coventry Christopher Cocksworth put the blunder down to a "moment of distraction and some confusion" when casting his ballot on the electronic device. The report by the House of Bishops was rejected on Wednesday after the House of Clergy voted against it by 100 votes to 93, with two abstentions. For the report to be symbolically approved, it had to gain a majority in the House of Bishops, House of Clergy and House of Laity. Dr Cocksworth said that, much to his embarrassment, he managed to "give the impression that there was not complete agreement in the House of Bishops", who voted 43 to one in favour of the report. "Due to a moment of distraction and some confusion over the voting process, I pressed the wrong button on my handset, thus registering a vote against taking note rather than a vote for taking note of the report," he said in a statement. "I have apologised to my colleagues in the House of Bishops and to the Archbishops for my mistake." Dr Cocksworth said he was "disappointed" by the outcome of the vote, and that the report was a "valuable road map". Presented to the General Synod, the report called for the Church to adopt a "fresh tone and culture of welcome and support" for gay people - but not to change its opposition to same-sex marriage. Under its recommendations, marriage would continue as "a union, permanent and lifelong, of one man with one woman". It also urged the promotion of "maximum freedom" for gay couples within current laws and doctrines, without changing them. The recommendations were the subject of a "take note" debate as more than 400 Church leaders gathered for the third day of the Synod at Church Hall in Westminster. At the vote, there were 242 votes in favour of "taking note" of the report, 184 against - including one bishop - and six abstentions. It means the vote is not a formal rejection of the proposals, but will be used to inform future work by the House of Bishops. The report cannot come back to the Synod for discussion in its present form, and the group is likely to begin work on another document. Business secretary Greg Clark will meet with Peugeot executives and the French government as he scrambles to secure thousands of British jobs at takeover target Vauxhall. The Press Association understands Mr Clark will travel by Eurostar to Paris tonight for separate meetings with French industry minister Christophe Sirugue and board members of PSA Group, which is in talks to acquire General Motors' loss-making European operation. The deal would include Vauxhall, which has plants at Ellesmere Port and Luton employing 4,500 staff. It comes after GM said it would put Vauxhall in the "strongest possible position for the future" after attending crunch talks with the Government and unions at Westminster today. GM President Dan Ammann met with Mr Clark and Unite general secretary Len McCluskey as concerns mount over Vauxhall's 35,000-strong UK workforce. In a statement following the meeting, GM said: "While we have no definitive news to report at this time, we can affirm that our objective in exploring opportunities with PSA Groupe is to build on the success of Opel Vauxhall and to put the business and the operations in the strongest possible position for the future." Mr McCluskey said he had received "no assurances at the moment" over Vauxhall's workforce, but believes "concrete proposals are imminent". However, Mr Clark struck a more positive note, saying the talks had been "constructive" and he was reassured that the plants would not be "rationalised". Unite is also seeking a meeting with PSA Group at the earliest opportunity to discuss the proposed deal that would see Vauxhall and Opel shift to the French government-backed automotive giant. The tie-up would cause GM to exit the UK and Europe, while transforming PSA Group into Europe's second-largest car maker with a 16% share of the market. In a statement after the GM meeting, Mr Clark said: "I had constructive talks with GM this morning where I emphasised the importance and successful presence of Vauxhall in the UK and welcomed GM's recognition of the excellent and committed workforce at Ellesmere Port, Luton and across the UK. "There is some way to go in discussions between GM and PSA, but I was reassured by GM's intention, communicated to me, to build on the success of these operations rather than rationalise them. "This follows on from GM's recent significant investments both at Ellesmere Port and Luton. We will continue to be in close contact with GM and PSA in the days and weeks ahead." Vauxhall is a major employer in the UK, with around 35,000 staff, including 23,000 in its retail network, 300 at a customer contact centre in Luton and 7,000 in its supply chain alongside workers at its two factories. The Unite general secretary said the UK Government should demand that it has a seat at the table whenever PSA Group and GM meet for talks with the French and German governments in the future. Earlier this week, Mr McCluskey said Vauxhall's UK plants must be offered the same Government assurances as Nissan, adding: ''It does seem as if Brexit is a factor in this decision as GM does rely heavily on its links throughout the EU supply chain." Nissan announced in October that it was investing in production of new Qashqai and X-Trail models at Sunderland after receiving Government assurances that EU withdrawal would not affect the plant's competitiveness. Germany has already expressed concerns at the proposed takeover, with Chancellor Angela Merkel's cabinet discussing on Wednesday what impact the tie-up would have on the 19,000 German jobs at Opel. PSA Group, which owns the Citroen and DS brands, formed an alliance with GM in 2012 in an attempt to make production more efficient by combining purchasing power and larger scale. GM said last year that it had to raise UK car prices by 2.5% after the plunge in the value of the pound following the EU referendum result caused the British car industry to hit a ''speed bump''. Announcing its full-year results last week, the Detroit-based firm behind Chevrolet and Cadillac said GM Europe had narrowed losses to 257 million US dollars (206 million) in the year to the end of December, from a loss of 813 million US dollars (651 million) the year before. The special prosecution team must conclude its inquiry into corruption allegations against Park Geun-hye by the end of the month A South Korean court has denied a bid by prosecutors to force aides of impeached President Park Geun-hye to comply with a search of the presidential compound. The decision by Seoul Administrative Court was an apparent setback for the special prosecution team that must conclude its inquiry into Park's corruption allegations by the end of the month. The prosecutors filed the lawsuit last week after Park's aides blocked them from searching the presidential Blue House, although they had a search warrant. The court said the matter cannot be determined through an administrative lawsuit because Park's aides blocked the search based on criminal litigation laws that allow sites containing state secrets to do so. The court also said the country's laws do not allow administrative lawsuits between state organisations. The opposition-controlled parliament in December voted to impeach Park amid suspicions that she helped her friend extort money and favours from companies and allowed the woman to manipulate state affairs. Prosecutors also want to question Park in person over the allegations, but have not yet determined when and how. The Constitutional Court, which will decide whether Park should permanently step down or be reinstated to office, said on Thursday that it will close arguments on February 24, which indicates the ruling could come in early March. If Park is formally unseated, a presidential election must be held within 60 days. Pictured in 2007, a man believed to be Kim Jong Nam is surrounded by the media at Beijing airport (Kyodo News via AP) Malaysian authorities have made two more arrests over the death of the North Korean leader's half-brother, who was reportedly poisoned by a pair of female assassins as he waited for a flight in Kuala Lumpur. Investigators are trying to piece together details of the death, which set off a torrent of speculation over whether Kim Jong Un dispatched a hit squad to kill his estranged older sibling, Kim Jong Nam. Known for his love of gambling and casinos, Kim Jong Nam had lived abroad for years, aware he was a hunted man. Three suspects - two women and a man - were arrested separately on Wednesday and Thursday. The women were identified using surveillance videos from Kuala Lumpur International Airport, where Kim Jong Nam, who was 45 or 46, suddenly fell ill on Monday morning. Malaysian officials said he died on the way to hospital after telling medical workers at the airport that he had been sprayed with a chemical. Multiple South Korean media reports, citing unidentified sources, said two women believed to be North Korean agents killed him with some kind of poison before fleeing in a taxi. One of the female suspects had Vietnamese travel documents and was picked up on Wednesday at the budget terminal of the airport, the same place where the suspected attack took place. The other woman held an Indonesian passport and was arrested early on Thursday. Indonesian diplomats met with that suspect and confirmed she is an Indonesian citizen, officials said. Authorities identified her as Siti Aisyah, 25, originally from Serang in Banten, a province that neighbours the Indonesian capital, Jakarta. Indonesian immigration office spokesman Agung Sampurno said officials from the Indonesian embassy in Kuala Lumpur met with the woman in Selangor state, where she is being held, and ensured she is in a safe condition. "They were allowed to see her but cannot make any questions," said Mr Sampurno. "However, the team can confirm that Aisyah is Indonesian." News of the third arrest came on Thursday afternoon. Police said they had detained a Malaysian man who was believed to be the boyfriend of the Indonesian suspect. Medical workers also completed a post-mortem examination on Kim Jong Nam, but the results have not been released. The findings could reveal whether he was actually poisoned. North Korea had objected to the post-mortem examination but Malaysia went ahead with it anyway because the North did not submit a formal protest, said Abdul Samah Mat, a senior Malaysian police official. On Thursday, Malaysian deputy home minister Zahid Hamidi said security is a top priority for the government and the authorities had acted swiftly and efficiently. Asked at a news conference why Malaysia failed to protect Kim Jong Nam, Mr Zahid said: "What do you mean? Do we have to engage a bodyguard and usher him everywhere? No." Kim Jong Nam was estranged from his younger half-brother, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, and had been living abroad for years. He reportedly fell out of favour when he was caught trying to enter Japan on a false passport in 2001, saying he wanted to visit Tokyo Disneyland. Kim Jong Nam was the son of Kim Jong Il, North Korea's second leader, and Sung Hye Rim, an actress who analysts say was forced to divorce her first husband to live in secret with the future leader in 1970, a year before their son was born. He was reportedly educated in Geneva and Moscow in his early teens and became fluent in English, French and Russian. After Kim Jong Il's death in 2011, Kim Jong Nam complained that Kim Jong Un, the country's new leader, was failing to treat him with respect and send him enough money, according to Cheong Seong-Chang, an analyst at South Korea's Sejong Institute. However, Kim Jong Nam refrained from openly criticising the North and kept a low profile after Kim Jong Un executed his uncle and former protector Jang Song Thaek, once considered the country's second-most powerful person, in 2013. Since taking power, Kim Jong Un has executed or purged a number of high-level government officials. South Korea's spy agency, the National Intelligence Service, said North Korea had been trying for five years to kill Kim Jong Nam, and that he had sent a letter to Kim Jong Un in April 2012, begging for the lives of himself and his family. Officials from the National Intelligence Service told politicians that Kim Jong Nam leaves behind two sons and a daughter with two women living in Beijing and Macau. AP Nikki Haley speaks to reporters after a Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East (AP/Mary Altaffer) The United States absolutely supports a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and anyone who thinks it does not is in "error", according to US ambassador Nikki Haley. The Trump administration's new UN envoy said that "we are thinking out of the box as well, which is: What does it take to bring these two sides to the table? What do we need to have them agree on?". Her comments were far more forceful in support of a two-state solution than President Donald Trump's on Wednesday. He said: "I'm looking at two-state and one-state, and I like the one that both parties like." Ms Haley said the solution to the conflict has to come from the Israelis and Palestinians but she stressed: "We absolutely support a two-state solution." Earlier on Thursday, the UN and the Arab League issued a joint statement in support of the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel, saying the two-state solution is "the only way to achieve comprehensive and just settlement to the Palestinian cause". That appeared to put UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Arab League Chief Ahmed Aboul-Gheit, who met in Cairo, at odds with Mr Trump. But Ms Haley said, when asked whether the United States would carry out its obligations under the UN Security Council resolution that called for the establishment of two states: "Understand that the United States supports the two-state resolution. That's never been wavered." She added: "What we're saying is, OK, let's not just talk about the old way of doing things. Come to the table with all the fresh atmosphere and perspectives that we now have, and think, OK, what can we do knowing all of the factors, knowing where we sit present day, and how can we move forward." Mr Guterres had stressed earlier on Wednesday that there is no Plan B to a two-state solution. Ms Haley was asked if the United States had a Plan B. "I think first of all a two-state solution is what we support," she said. "Anybody who wants to say the United States doesn't support a two-state solution - that would be an error." Mr Trump also urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during their joint press conference at the White House on Wednesday to "hold off" on Jewish settlement construction in territory the Palestinians claim for their future state, to try to facilitate talks. "What the president has said and we agree on is that expanding settlements at this point is not helpful," Ms Haley said. "That's basically what we're saying to both sides. Let's take a pause." She said what Mr Trump and the new administration are going to try to do is facilitate "some constructive action". "We're just unbiased," Ms Haley said. "Bring them to the table and say, OK, we're going to do this." The US ambassador spoke to reporters after attending the Security Council's monthly meeting on the Middle East - her first. She was highly critical of what she called the anti-Israel bias in the UN's most powerful body and the resolution members adopted in December condemning Israeli settlements as a "flagrant violation" of international law. AP A billboard erected by a right-wing political party in Jammu city, in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, calls for Rohingya and Bangladeshis to leave, Feb. 15, 2017. Anxiety is growing among thousands of Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi migrants who live in Indian Kashmirs Jammu city over calls by mainstream political parties, including Indias ruling Hindu nationalist BJP, to kick them out and even deport them. In early February the Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP), a local rightwing political outfit, began erecting billboards across Jammu asking the more than 13,000 Muslims from Bangladesh and Myanmar who reside in temporary shelters on the outskirts of town to leave immediately. Wake up, Jammu, reads the headline on one of the billboards. Rohingya, Bangladeshis quit Jammu. Let us all Jammuites unite to save history, culture and identity of Dogras, it adds. Dogras, an Indo-Aryan ethno-linguistic group, are believed to be the earliest group of settlers in Jammu, the only city in the Muslim-majority state of Jammu and Kashmir with a Hindu majority. There is a deep sense of insecurity among all of us ever since we heard of these billboards, Mohammad Sadiq, 40, a Rohingya refugee who landed in Jammu several years ago. He said he fled from Buddhist-majority Myanmar following a wave of attacks in the western Rakhine state against Rohingya Muslims. We are not staying here out of our own free will. We are here so we can live without fear of being persecuted or worse, killed. Government forces in Myanmar routinely rape our women and kill members of our community and even burn down entire villages, Sadiq, a daily wage laborer living in a makeshift hut in the Narwal area of Jammu, told BenarNews. A military crackdown in Rakhine in recent months has caused at least 66,000 Rohingya to flee across the border to southeastern Bangladesh. Newly arrived Rohingya refugees have reported witnessing cases of killings, rapes and acts of arson carried out by Burmese security forces against their people allegations that Myanmars government has denied. The government of Myanmar does not recognize Sadiq and the other refugees as citizens. Officials in that country often refer to them as Bengalis. In India, the Rohingya are among more than 200,000 foreigners who have fled to India from conflicts in other countries. However, India has no legal framework that recognizes or protects them as refugees. We are hated in our country. They dont want us there. We fear we would be subjected to torture and humiliation if we were forced to return, said Sadiq, who lives with his wife and three children. Our lives arent that great here, either. We live in small huts and are barely able to make ends meet. But at least we have some dignity here. I beg the Indian government to let us continue living here, he said. Court ruling being violated: JKNPP Some 10,600 Rohingya live in India, including nearly 6,700 in Jammu, according to figures from the Bureau of Immigration. No figures are available to determine the number of Bangladeshi migrants in the region. Providing shelter to refugees in Jammu and Kashmir is in violation of a 2016 Supreme Court ruling, JKNPP founding member Bhim Singh told BenarNews. The Supreme Court last year passed a verdict that refugees cannot be settled in Jammu and Kashmir, which is mostly forested land. Despite this ruling, the state government has facilitated their settlement and allowed them to avail benefits like electricity and water, Singh said. By raising these billboards, the JKNPP has exposed the double standards of the states incumbent coalition government, Singh added, referring to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-BJP coalition in power in Jammu and Kashmir. A BJP official said he backed demands to evict Bangladeshis and Rohingya from Jammu. These migrants have illegally entered our territory and continue staying here illegally. They must be deported to their native countries at the earliest as the states constitution does not allow them to stay in any part of Jammu and Kashmir, BJPs Ramesh Arora told BenarNews. Arora said he spoke with state Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti regarding the issue earlier this week, and urged her to take steps to deport Bangladeshi and Rohingya migrants. Letting them continue staying means we are playing with the security of our nation. These migrants may be involved in crimes like drug trafficking, Arora said. Wake up and unite Shiv Sena, another rightwing political party, joined the chorus calling for Bangladeshis and Rohingya to be thrown out of Jammu. People of Jammu, especially Hindus, wake up and unite to throw migrants out of Jammu, Dimpy Kohli, Shiv Senas Jammu and Kashmir president, said in a statement earlier this week. But Bangladeshi national Mohammad Subhan, 55, who fled to India in the early 1990s, said he would rather be prosecuted in India than face persecution in his homeland. It would be better if the Indian government buried us here than send us back to Bangladesh to face disrespect, humiliation and other forms of excesses, Subhan, who works as a barber in Jammu, told BenarNews. Messages You have no messages A man believed to be Kim Jong-Nam, the eldest son of then-North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il, walks past journalists upon his arrival at Beijing international airport, Feb. 10, 2007. Updated at 7:29 p.m. ET on 2017-02-16 China has been asked to claim the body of the half-brother of North Koreas leader who was allegedly murdered at an airport in Malaysia, according to a source Thursday. The second wife of Kim Jong-Nam had asked the Chinese government through its embassy in Kuala Lumpur to claim his body following an autopsy, the source told BenarNews. Kim died en route to hospital after reportedly telling medical personnel that a woman had attacked him with a chemical spray at Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (KLIA2) on Monday. At the time, he was about to board a flight to the Chinese territory of Macau, where, according to South Korean media reports, he had been living with Lee Hye Kyong under Beijing's protection. "We have been informed that the family in Macau has made a request to claim the body," the source said, adding that the body would only be released after a full post-mortem report was prepared stating the cause of death. There was no immediate comment from the Chinese embassy, but a foreign ministry spokesman said Wednesday in Beijing that China was aware of reports of the death and was closely following developments. Standing order South Korea's intelligence agency says female agents working for Pyongyang poisoned Kim as he was preparing to board a flight. U.S. government sources also strongly believe that North Korean agents murdered Kim Jong-Nam. Kim had pleaded with his half-brother and North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un five years ago to withdraw a standing order for his assassination, Seoul's intelligence agency had said. The leader allegedly believed his brother could be used in any overthrow of his regime. North Korea has not made any public comment over Kim's death. Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi told reporters in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday that Kims body would be released to the next-of-kin or the North Korean embassy after all police and medical procedures had been completed. On Wednesday, an official close to the investigation told BenarNews that North Korea had requested the Malaysian government to release the victims body without a post-mortem. But we turned down their request, the official said. It is not clear how Malaysia would handle dueling demands for the body amid the assassination claims. More arrests On Thursday, police announced the arrest of two more suspects in the case, after nabbing a woman identified as 28-year-old Doan Thi Huong of Vietnam a day earlier. Police said they had arrested another suspect and named her as Siti Aishah, 25, of Serang, Indonesia. They did not disclose the location of the arrest. Police later said they had arrested Sitis boyfriend, 26-year-old Malaysian Muhammad Farid Bin Jalaluddin, to assist in investigations. Separately, Zahid confirmed that the man allegedly assassinated at the airport was Kim Jong-Nam. His identity was confirmed from the passport that we compared with the document issued by the Embassy of North Korea and by the identity issued by the embassy, Malaysian state news agency Bernama quoted him as saying. The victim was carrying a North Korean passport bearing the name Kim Chol when he was attacked. The passport was authentic, Zahid said Thursday. An autopsy has been completed at Kuala Lumpur General Hospital but authorities have yet to announce the findings. For DNA confirmation, that will need time, let the police and the medical experts confirm this, Zahid was quoted as saying in a New Straits Times report. Safety assurance Zahid said the death had not affected bilateral ties between North Korea and Malaysia, according to the Bernama report. He defended safety at airports in Malaysia and said this had been discussed at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday. Malaysia is among a small list of countries with close relations with the communist regime in Pyongyang under global sanctions over its illegal nuclear weapons drives and ballistic missile launches, the latest of which took place on Sunday. Ahmad Zahid also gave an assurance on the safety at Malaysia's airports, including KL International Airport 2, saying it was at the highest level and that the death was an isolated case, Bernama reported. Ahmad Zahid said that at yesterday's Cabinet meeting, it was stressed that the government would protect visitors to the country and would not compromise on any security issue created by Malaysians or foreigners, the report said. A Malaysian forensics official walks out of the Forensics wing at Kuala Lumpur General Hospital, where the body of a North Korean man believed to be Kim Jong-Nam was being kept, Feb. 16, 2017. [AFP] More than 4,000 police officers and soldiers Thursday raided Thailands biggest Buddhist temple as they sought to arrest a former abbot charged with money-laundering and other alleged crimes, but they did not catch their man. Soldiers and officers from the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) scoured 19 sites at the sprawling Wat Dhammakaya, in Khlong Luang district north of Bangkok, after Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha issued an order to capture ex-abbot and temple founder Dhammajayo. The raid marked the third time that authorities failed to capture him despite being armed with several warrants for his arrest. Police and soldiers surrounded the temple at 3 a.m. and entered the temple grounds at 7:30 a.m., meeting with Phra Sanitwong Wuttiwangso, the temples public relations chief. The search began at 11 a.m. and ended at 4 p.m. Officials said the search would resume Friday. The search went fine but we do not want people to expect much as we still have several days to work. Today, we tried to keep those not involved in this temple from coming in to this area, Pol. Col. Krishna Pattanacharoen, deputy national police spokesman told reporters. Police spokesman Woranan Srilam, who directs the DSI, said Fridays efforts would be similar. Tomorrow will be a search of the rest of the areas. By law, we do not require consent, but in practice, we need to talk to those at the temple, Woranan said. We have not found the wanted person according to the arrest warrant, he said, adding, From the information we received, we believe that Dhammajayo is still in the temple area. The temples public relations officer said he did not know where to find the former abbot. Devotees pray while sitting in front of a gate after authorities closed the temple to outsiders, Feb. 16, 2017. [BenarNews] As I mentioned earlier, monks here and I have not seen him for eight to nine months, Phra Sanitwong Wuttiwangso told reporters. But those [followers] came peacefully because they are worried about the temple, speaking about the crowd outside the temple. A police official told reporters that officers were able to search about 10 percent to 20 percent of the property that covers almost 1,000 acres. Theft, money-laundering charges In March 2016, Supachai Srisupa-aksorn, the former chairman of the Klongchan Credit Union Cooperative (KCUC), pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 16 years for embezzlement totaling more than 22 million baht (U.S. $630,000). Investigators determined that some of the money was linked to the temple. At the time, DSI investigators told reporters that between March 5, 2009, and Feb. 15, 2011, Dhammajayo, as part of the temple network, received 21 checks from KCUC totaling 1.2 billion baht ($34.4 million). DSI investigators determined that Dhammajayo allegedly supported Supachais embezzlement efforts. In June 2016, DSI investigators submitted a complaint of theft and money laundering against Dhammajayo and a prosecutor filed an indictment on Nov. 23, 2016. Police officers prepare to enter the Wat Dhammakaya temple, Feb. 16, 2017. [BenarNews] A bid from Pulte Homes to rezone and add 465 residences and possibly a school near Sandy Run Creek on Jedburg Road wasn't met with open arms at a Oct. 26 community meeting on the part of local homeowners seeking to preserve the area's rural characteristics. Read moreJedburg Road residents tell Pulte Homes: 'Keep it rural' Indian Park Rangers Shoot Poachers To Protect Animals, But Villagers Feel Threatened Trending News: This National Park Deals With Poachers By Shooting Them Dead Long Story Short A National Park in India deals with poachers by shooting them on site. The goal is to protect rhinos, but an NGO that is fighting for villagers in the park argue that the conservation efforts endanger humans at the cost of protecting endangered animals. Long Story Remember Cecil the Lion? The African lion that was shot and killed by an American dentist named Walter Palmer? Well, imagine that instead of Cecil being killed, Palmer was shot by park rangers instead? The situation is slightly different in the case of Kaziranga National Park, where rangers are shooting poachers, because the dentist was a big game hunter and not a poacher but the big question is similar: Is it okay to shoot a human to save an animal? Barcroft Media / Getty Images In Kaziranga, a wildlife reserve in northeastern India, rangers are allowed to shoot a poacher if they see one and we're not just talking about one or two people here. Rangers have shot 50 poachers in three years thanks to the shoot on site law, according to an in-depth report by BBC News. The policy to shoot poachers initially came out of an effort to save the one-horned rhinoceros, an endangered species targeted by poachers for its valuable horns. When brutally cut out of the rhinos, the horns can rack up big money from buyers in places like China, where the horns are viewed as a natural remedy for everything from cancer to erectile dysfunction (this VICE documentary explores the rhino horn trade). Barcroft Media In terms of protecting the rhinos, the policy appears to have worked. The number of rhinos killed in the park (sadly, that's usually the case when the horns are removed) is down, as is the number of poachers. The thought of being shot on the job has to be a tad discouraging. But an NGO called Survival International says the kill-on-site policy does more harm than good. Kaziranga isn't just home to rhinos, elephants, tigers and other endangered wildlife it is home to thousands of people, many of them traditional villagers who have lived in the area for centuries, who have allegedly been shot in the crossfire. Some claim to have been tortured by rangers. "The park is being run with utmost brutality," said Sophie Grig, a lead campaigner for the organization, to BBC News. "There is no jury, there's no judge, there's no questioning. And the terrifying thing is that there are plans to roll [out] the shoot at sight policy across [the] whole of India." Not only is India talking about bringing the policy nationwide, it is looking to expand conservation areas to protect more animals, which is another double-edged sword. On the one side, saving endangered species is terrific. On the other, the plan involves relocating 900 villagers, which will send some 200,000 people out of their homes. So, is it okay to shoot humans, in order to protect endangered species? Certainly a tough one, but something worthwhile to think about, if not only to get your mind off of all the Trump crap lately. Own The Conversation Ask The Big Question Is there a better alternative to protecting the endangered species in the park? Drop This Fact Kaziranga welcomes 170,000 visitors annually including British Prince William and Kate who went to the park last year. For Immediate Release, February 16, 2017 Contact: Noah Greenwald, (503) 484-7495, ngreenwald@biologicaldiversity.org Texas Senator John Cornyn Introduces Bills to Gut Endangered Species Act Legislation Would Delay Species Protection, Burden Federal Wildlife Agencies, Increase Extinction Risk for America's Wildlife WASHINGTON Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) introduced two bills today to substantially weaken protections for endangered species. The Endangered Species Act Settlement Reform Act (S. 375) would make it harder for citizens to ensure species are considered for protection in a timely fashion. The bill would give local governments, Big Oil, Big Agriculture and other industries the right to veto settlement agreements requiring the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to make decisions about the protection of endangered species. Senator Cornyn's bill would do nothing but make it harder for America's imperiled wildlife to get the endangered species protections they so desperately need, said Noah Greenwald, endangered species director at the Center for Biological Diversity. Cornyn's bill would allow industry and local politicians to needlessly delay protection, almost certainly causing the extinction of more of our native plants and animals. Delays in species protection have been a persistent problem. On average species have waited 12 years to receive Endangered Species Act protection, and more than 40 species have gone extinct waiting for that protection. Studies show citizen lawsuits have targeted species that are highly imperiled and been effective at speeding protection for species. Cornyn's bill is a solution looking for a problem, said Greenwald. What the agency needs is more funding to do its job, not bills that give the oil and gas industry special rights. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has a workplan specifying when it will make decisions for hundreds of species in need of protection, and litigation to enforce deadlines is the lowest it's been in decades. Cornyn's other bill, the 21st Century Endangered Species Transparency Act (S. 376), would place additional burdens on the already beleaguered Fish and Wildlife Service by requiring that it publish all studies and other documents relied on for protection decisions online. Such documents are already available upon request, meaning the bill would merely require unnecessary busywork for the agency. Even worse, the bill may further endanger species by requiring publication of sensitive location information that could put species at risk of poaching. Like other Republicans in the pocket of the oil and gas industry, Senator Cornyn is totally out of step with the majority of Americans who support strong protections for endangered species, said Greenwald. Passage of these bills would be an absolute disaster for America's imperiled wildlife. The Center for Biological Diversity is a national, nonprofit conservation organization with more than 1.2 million members and online activists dedicated to the protection of endangered species and wild places. www.biologicaldiversity.org For Immediate Release, February 16, 2017 Contact: Emily Jeffers, (510) 844-7109, ejeffers@biologicaldiversity.org Dune Lankard, Alaska representative, (907) 952-5265, dlankard@biologicaldiversity.org Congress Advances Legislation to Kill Wolves, Bears in Alaska Bill Would Repeal Protections on National Wildlife Refuges WASHINGTON The House of Representatives today used the Congressional Review Act to strip away protections implemented during the Obama administration for wolves, bears and other predators on national wildlife refuges in Alaska. By eliminating these protections, the House measure greenlights killing wolves and their pups in their dens and allows bears to be gunned down at bait stations. Rolling back protections for predators defies everything wildlife refuges stand for, said Emily Jeffers, an attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity. Refuges are places where we celebrate biological diversity, not where wolves and bears are inhumanely killed for no good reason. It's an outrage that Congress would revoke rules that stop the senseless slaughter of predators, heedless of the important role these animals play in healthy ecosystems. In August 2016 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service finalized regulations that protected predators from new predator-control tactics approved by Alaska's Board of Game. These tactics include killing black bear cubs or mother with cubs at den sites; killing brown bears over bait; trapping and killing brown and black bears with steel-jaw leghold traps or wire snares; killing wolves and coyotes during denning season; and killing brown and black bears from aircraft. Alaska's predator control activities are intended solely to artificially inflate prey populations, such as moose, for human hunting. House Joint Resolution 69, citing authority under the Congressional Review Act, would undo all those protections. This action is yet another extremist assault on the environment by certain members of Congress, Jeffers said. This bill has no scientific support and would dismantle rules that ensure wildlife refuges help conserve our natural heritage for future generations. We will do everything in our power to fight this mean-spirited attack on these magnificent animals and stop it from becoming law. The Service's predator-protection regulations are also under attack from the state of Alaska, which is challenging the regulations in federal court. The Center and its allies have intervened on behalf of the Service to defend the challenged regulations. The Center for Biological Diversity is a national, nonprofit conservation organization with more than 1.2 million members and online activists dedicated to the protection of endangered species and wild places. It can be tough to be a vegetarian. You have to work harder than everyone else to make sure youre getting all the nutrients your body needs. So, when its time to take a Four days ahead of the commemoration of the World Radio Day on 13 February 2017, the government of Lesotho cut the broadcasting signals of two local radio stations, Ts'enolo FM (104.6MHZ) and People's Choice FM (95.6 MHZ). Image by 123RF According to the principal secretary of the Minister of Communications, Science and Technology, Ts'eliso Khomari, the radio stations were cut off for allegedly airing defamatory content about the country's Prime Minister Bethuel Mosisili and Deputy Prime Minister Mothejoa Metsing. Station managers of the two radio stations, Khauta Mpeqa and Mshengu Tshabalala respectively, in separate interviews, have confirmed the broadcasting of a press conference and an interview with two brothers, Refiloe Litjobo and Thuso Litjobo. Up till a month ago, Refiloe Litjobo and Thuso Litjobo were members of the Mosisili-led Democratic Congress (DC). Thuso Litjobo was the president of DC Youth League, while Refiloe Litjobo was the deputy secretary General of the DC Executive Committee. Both brothers have since joined a newly formed Alliance for Democrats (AD) led by Monyane Moleleki who deputised Mosisili in the DC. The closure of the radio stations came shortly after the Minister of Communications, Science and Technology, Serialong Qoo dismissed the Litjobo's statement as a campaign to discredit the prime minister and his deputy. In a discussion with MISA Lesotho, the PS promised to advise his minister to reverse the decision to close the two radio stations. It is therefore MISA Lesotho's expectation that the two radio stations will be back on air. MISA Lesotho has learnt that the Principal Secretary has met with the People's Choice FM radio manager and agreed on re-connection of the radio station to the Lesotho National Broadcaster Service (LNBS). The PS told MISA Lesotho that he will have further discussions with the management of the radio stations to address the government's concerns. The minister's decision to close the two radio stations was implemented just two weeks after Thaaha Khube FM's (97.4 MHZ)) broadcast of the programme that attracted dissatisfaction from many listeners as being a campaign to discredit King Letsie III for addressing the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Oversight Committee during its recent visit to Lesotho. Despite listeners' discontent about the content of the programme, Thaaha Khube FM remained on air with no intervention from the government. MISA Lesotho therefore strongly advises that further discussions regarding content of radio stations should include Thaaha Khube FM. It is MISA Lesotho's firm belief that the government of Lesotho will speedily re-connect the two radio stations to the LNBS antennas. Source: Media Institute of Southern Africa. ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar - In order to reduce the vulnerability of populations in Madagascar facing the adverse effects of climate change and severe weather events, the UNDP launched a new project on January 27, 2017, in Antsirabe, titled, Improving Adaptation and Resilience to Address Climate Change in the Rural Communities of Analamanga, Atsinanana, Androy, Anosy and Atsimo Andrefana'. Image by 123RF Spread over five years, the US$61 million project benefits from approximately US$5 million in funding from the Global Environment Facilitys Least Developed Country Fund. National financing comes from the Ministries of Agriculture, Livestock, Transport and Meteorology, and Environment, Ecology, Sea and Forests. UNICEF contributed a US$2.3 million grant. The project aims to lift the barriers identified in the target areas, such as human pressure on natural resources, lack of financial and technical resources, limited access to credit, limited water and sanitation infrastructure, lack of agro-meteorological and climatic information, lack of awareness among decision-makers as well as lack of coordination between the most affected sectors. In order to meet these challenges, project actions will focus on the achievement of the following three outcomes: The establishment of the institutional, structural and technical bases necessary for the dissemination and appropriation of adaptation measures and technologies. The collection and production of reliable climate and weather information to enable informed decision-making with respect to climatic and meteorological conditions. The transfer of adaptation measures, options and technologies required by vulnerable communities in the selected areas. Overcoming disasters such as cyclones, floods or drought must not be an option but a necessity if we are to confront extreme poverty and enable the people of Madagascar to live with dignity. The response proposed by the UNDP at the request of the Government, and in partnership with the communities and the regional and local authorities, was the formulation of the project that we are launching today, said Marie Dimond, deputy UNDP Resident Representative in Madagascar during the launching ceremony. The launch brought together UNICEF, representatives of the Ministry of Environment, Ecology and Forestry, as well as other governmental, technical and financial partners. The project illustrates the UNDP's strategic priorities and goals for 2017, and focuses on building financial and technical efforts on population rehabilitation and resilience in order to break the cycle of vulnerability in Madagascar. A South African study has identified key areas of the global food supply chain where high losses occur, particularly in developing countries. Reducing food losses and waste can contribute to efforts to alleviate world hunger. Food is lost at each step of the food supply chain. Loses occur during production, harvesting, handling, storage, processing, distribution and even during consumption. The study, funded by the DST-NRF Centre of Excellence in Food Security and conducted by University of Pretorias professor Elna Buys and collaborators has revealed that first-world consumers waste food, for example, by discarding food when it reaches its sell-by date. In developing countries, food is lost across the entire food chain. The reasons for this include outdated harvesting techniques, poor storage and cooling facilities, limited infrastructure, and inadequate packaging and marketing systems. The food industrys unscientific determination of shelf life also contributes to food loses, says Buys. Since many low-income or unemployed South African consumers rely on the informal food sector to supply their food, helping small-scale farmers and informal traders to reduce losses could ultimately benefit both suppliers and consumers. South Africa loses food in both first- and third-world ways. For instance, Buys and her team discovered that many ready-to-eat meals on supermarket shelves were still perfectly safe to eat even after the sell-by or use-by dates listed on the packaging. Worryingly, however, some foods that were still within their stipulated shelf lives had high levels of bacteria that can cause food poisoning. This may point to problems with the cold storage or packaging aspects of the food supply chain. For both the formal and informal food sectors, packaging systems that extend the shelf life of fresh foods would help to make food safer and reduce waste, concludes Buys. For more information, go to www.foodsecurity.ac.za. The Financial Mail has released the full Dentons report into irregularities at Eskom so South Africans can make up their own minds about the goings-on at the parastatal. This early version of the report, which Eskom has refused to make public, was compiled by law firm Dentons and raised concerns about the management of the parastatal. A second report, by auditing firm Deloitte, raised concerns about Eskom spending R10bn on emergency coal purchases in 2008 through "irregular" contracts. The contracts were negotiated during the blackout period that crippled the country, wreaking havoc on homes and businesses. Releasing the Dentons report, FM deputy editor Sikonathi Mantshantsha questioned Eskom's decision to release only "a heavily redacted version" of the report. "Eskom has chosen not to provide this sort of transparency, but we believe it is fundamental for the South African public to judge for itself the evidence detailing the near-meltdown of the electricity parastatal," he said. The report released by the Financial Mail finds that: Eskom wasted around R200m over two years by failing to negotiate discounts with diesel suppliers. It also paid suppliers without receiving proper invoices; Eskom failed to comply with the Public Finance Management Act; and Senior executives selected suppliers they wished to negotiate with, while other, more capable, companies were not considered. The full report can be viewed online at www.businesslive.co.za/fm. The Competition Commission on Wednesday referred a collusion case to the tribunal for prosecution against 17 banks, including three of South Africa's big banks. The commission said in a statement it has been investigating a case of price-fixing and market allocation in the trading of foreign currency pairs involving the rand since April 2015. It has now referred the case to the tribunal for prosecution. The banks are Bank of America Merrill Lynch International Limited, BNP Paribas, JP Morgan Chase & Co, JP Morgan Chase Bank NA, Investec Ltd, Standard New York Securities Inc, HSBC Bank Plc, Standard Chartered Bank, Credit Suisse Group; Standard Bank of South Africa Ltd, Commerzbank AG; Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited, Nomura International Plc, Macquarie Bank Limited, ABSA Bank Limited (ABSA), Barclays Capital Inc, Barclays Bank plc (Respondents). The commission is seeking an order from the tribunal declaring that the respondents have contravened the Competition Act. Further, the Commission is seeking an order declaring that 14 of the banks - Bank of America Merrill Lynch, BNP Paribas, JP Morgan Chase & Co, JP Morgan Chase Bank, Investec, Standard New York Securities, HSBC Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, Credit Suisse Group; Standard Bank of South Africa, Commerzbank; Australia and New Zealand Banking Group, Nomura International and Macquarie Bank - are liable for the payment of an administrative penalty equal to 10% of their annual turnover. The commission said it found that from at least 2007, the respondents had a general agreement to collude on prices for bids, offers and bid-offer spreads for the spot trades in relation to currency trading involving US dollar/rand currency pair. It further found that the respondents manipulated the price of bids and offers through agreements to refrain from trading and creating fictitious bids and offers at particular times. The commission said traders of the respondents primarily used trading platforms such as the Reuters currency trading platform to carry out their collusive activities. They also used Bloomberg instant messaging system (chatroom), telephone conversation and had meetings to coordinate their bilateral and multilateral collusive trading activities. They assisted each other to reach the desired prices by coordinating trading times. They reached agreements to refrain from trading, taking turns in transacting and by either pulling or holding trading activities on the Reuters currency trading platform. They also created fictitious bids and offers, distorting demand and supply in order to achieve their profit motives. "The referral of this matter to the Tribunal marks a key milestone in this case as it now affords the banks an opportunity to answer for themselves," said Commissioner Tembinkosi Bonakele. Fin24 Read this report on News24Wire.com. The native range of the Fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda is in South and North America. But it's rapidly spreading across southern Africa. This follows the first reports of its arrival on the African continent in Nigeria in January 2016 . Within a year it spread, reaching South Africa by January 2017 Mikhail Kochiev via 123RF The Fall armyworm is adding to the devastation already caused by the native African armyworm, Spodoptera exempta. The Fall armyworm problem has massive implications for people in the region. The moth is a severe pest of maize and other grass family crops such as sorghum. It poses a serious threat to African agriculture and food security as well as international trade through quarantine restrictions. Its arrival is a particularly heavy blow for southern Africa which is just recovering from a severe drought. There are 208 million people dependent on maize for food security in sub-Saharan Africa. Maize also provides crucial income for smallholder farmers in the region. Understanding how armyworms breed, travel, and feed is critical to managing the devastation they can cause. They have a number of characteristics that make them particularly hard to control. This includes the fact that the moths are strong flyers, the fact that they breed at an astonishingly high rate and that their larvae can feed on a particularly wide range of host plants. In addition, they tend to develop resistance to pesticides. Biological invasions Biological invasions like these threaten biodiversity, the functioning of natural and agricultural ecosystems, and ultimately food security. Sub-Saharan Africa is considered to be particularly vulnerable to invasive species due to its high dependence on agriculture. Usually the expansion of the geographical range of a species is hampered by barriers like oceans and mountain ranges. But an increase in international trade and travel has greatly facilitated biological invasions in recent decades. The larger grain borer, Prostephanus truncatus, another native of the Americas, was accidentally introduced into Tanzania in the 1970s. The beetle spread rapidly through infested consignments of maize and dried cassava. The species has invaded numerous countries since its first introduction into Africa. Theres disagreement about how the Fall armyworm arrived in Africa. One suggested avenue is that it arrived on foodstuffs imported from the Americas. This is feasible as insects can readily cross borders with infested plant material. The species has been intercepted on shipments destined for Europe on several occasions. Its also possible that the Fall armyworm arrived over the Atlantic through wind currents. This is because wind-borne adult insects can move over vast distances. The Fall armyworm wouldnt be the first insect species crossing the Atlantic in this way. The most famous example is the monarch butterfly, Danaus plexippus, crossing the Atlantic from America to the British Isles. Whichever way the Fall armyworm arrived, its rapid spread across the African continent attests to its high dispersal ability. As strong flyers adult moths cross borders with ease. In the US the species has long been known to use jet streams for adult dispersal. Biology of the armyworm The scientific name, Spodoptera frugiperda, refers to the grey-patterned wings of the moths and the fruit destroying habits of the caterpillars. The common name, Fall armyworm, is based on the habit of mass movements of the caterpillars in autumn. The Fall armyworm has several characteristics that make it difficult to control. Apart from being a strong flyer, adult females are highly fertile, laying in excess of 1,000 eggs during their lifetime. The Fall armyworm has a large host plant range that spans nearly 100 plant species in 27 families. Although polyphagous the ability to feed on many plant species the preferred hosts are grass based plants such as maize, sorghum, millet, rice, and sugarcane. The most damaging reports from its native range are for maize. Another reason the Fall armyworm is difficult to manage is because of its tendency to build up resistance to pesticides. There have been efforts to curb its devastating effect by planting BT-maize. But this remains highly contested territory in many African countries. The Fall armyworm has been reported to cause annual losses of US$600 million in Brazil alone. Caterpillars also feed on other important crops, such as cowpea, potato, and soybean. At this stage we know little about the potential impact on crops in Africa. But the fear is that it could be devastating. Quick action is needed Given the severe economic threat that the Fall armyworm poses, governments and international bodies are putting in place emergency plans. These include monitoring with pheromone traps to determine the spread of the Fall armyworm, road shows to increase public awareness and emergency registration of pesticides. Eradication of the Fall armyworm at this stage is unlikely. Control of the pest will be best achieved if managed on an international scale with southern African countries coordinating their efforts. This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. A single law should be developed to address the issue of land restitution without compensation, Rural Development and Land Reform Minister Gugile Nkwinti said on Tuesday. Debating President Jacob Zuma's State of the Nation (SONA) address in the National Assembly, the minister outlined what needed to be done to achieve the goal of radical socio-economic transformation in relation to land reform. Alina Pavlova via 123RF A pre-colonial audit of land ownership, use and occupation needed to be done, he said. "Once the audit has been completed, a single law should be developed to address the issue of land restitution without compensation. The necessary constitutional amendments should be undertaken to effect this process," he said. What also needed to be done was to redesign and establish the National Land Claims Commission as a Chapter 9 Institution, he said. He said one of the most serious challenges facing the implementation of the land reform programme related to incoherent institutional transformation. Nkwinti said the Western Cape was the only province that charged government for township land. They were going to work on legislation to force them to transfer the land freely to the people, he said. Members of Parliament used the debate to hit out at each other, and to bemoan the state of the country. Taking a stab at DA leader Mmusi Maimane, ANC MP Bongani Mkongi said he was not surprised that the DA had started labelling the youth the "lost generation". "They called us a lost generation because we were at the edge of victory for our people and freedom. And they didn't want that. The youth of this country should refuse to allow a white man in black skin to stand here today and demonise them,"he said before he was called to order. 'Politics of patronage' Inkatha Freedom Party leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi told MPs that failed leadership was robbing the people of hope. "Our people are desperate for something real. Real hope and real solutions." White monopoly capital was now the scapegoat for failed leadership on economic policy, he said. United Democratic Alliance leader Bantu Holomisa acknowledged the great strides made in the country since 1994. "The most disturbing reality is that we see an increase in the politics of patronage, uncontrollable corruption, the collapse of government institutions, a high unemployment rate, lack of development, failing health and education systems, widening inequality, chronic poverty and ineffective provincial governments." As a parting shot, he said the country could not be led by thieves and people who abused government funds. News24 Read this report on News24Wire.com. The South African Property Owners Association's (SAPOA) 2016 Q4 Office Vacancy Report says that the office sector is still firmly entrenched in its recovery phase although this is becoming increasingly fragile as a result of the sectors macro drivers. Hassan Shaikh, founder of Revolve In Gauteng, Sandton has lost a significant number of big office tenants over the last year and office rental vacancies have surged to 11,9%. Coupled to this, the number of new speculative developments in Sandton continues to increase sharply adding to the amount of unlet prime space. Commercial and industrial property consultancy, Jones Lang LaSalle South Africa (JLL), pins the current Sandton office supply to 1.5 million square metres. After the completion of all construction developments, JLL anticipates Sandtons office supply to increase to 1.9 million square metres, which will be over the next three to four years. Muted employment growth Rode & Associates property economist, John Lottering, says the jump in Sandtons vacancy rate probably reflects weak demand for office space as a result of muted employment growth. He says it is a concern that even more new space is coming onto the Sandton market over the next year or two. This is a view shared by Hassan Shaikh, founder of Revolve, a specialist corporate and retail interior design strategy agency. Shaikh believes there are a number of reasons why there is so much commercial space vacancy. Some vacancies are as a result of the buildings aesthetics or its location and access, while others relate to cost, which is probably the most relevant. Whatever the reason, he predicts the rise in office space vacancies will not play out well for landlords. Delayed access into the hubs of the city centre and areas like Sandton has seen a rise in companies looking for office space outside of these hubs, says Shaikh. A recent report by Rode & Associates shows that there has definitely been an increase in business looking for decentralised office space. Live-work-play thinking Shaikh believes the solution lies in the creation of mixed-use spaces that encompass the live-work-play thinking that has become very successful. This trend is big in Europe and the US and we have started to see it here with big developments like the multi-billion rand Steyn City Lifestyle Resort, north of Fourways, and more recently the proposed R1bn multi-use development set to begin in the Cape Town CBD. The development, which will be situated in the city centre between Riebeeck Square and the Bo-Kaap, will provide 4,000m of retail, lifestyle activities space and 250 residential apartments within the city. While these are hugely successful, or at least hold the promise of success, they are mostly greenfield developments i.e. new builds. Collaborative, organic office spaces While it is very easy to start new developments that change the face of how we work and live, the real challenge is greater than this. As designers, we should be looking more toward brownfield sites i.e. existing sites, and, if possible, reviving these to create mixed-use communities with collaborative work spaces and organic office spaces, says Shaikh. He believes that this will resolve many of the key issues facing individuals and businesses alike. Creating these spaces from one-dimensional buildings and transforming them into thriving developments that reinstate the ideology of community is the real challenge, from both a landlord perspective and a lifestyle perspective, he says. Maboneng precinct provides a good example of this, although it has its own unique challenges, and is struggling to work. The problem at Maboneng is not the concept, but rather perceptions relating to location in relation to peoples comfort zones, as well as access and security concerns. Shaikh says moving forward the smart money will go into repurposing or redeveloping redundant office parks or buildings in decentralised nodes. We are sitting on a goldmine in Bryanston, for example. Access and security are good and there is a complementary mix of residential, retail and office development to support mixed-use developments. Parktown is another area with huge potential. A recent media briefing, after a meeting between Malusi Gigaba, South Africa's Minister of Home Affairs, and industry stakeholders including the Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa (FEDHASA) has raised some concerns in the hospitality and tourism industry. Cathy Yeulet via 123RF There has been reference to a requirement for all businesses in the South Africa to employ a minimum of 60% South African citizens. However, this requirement, a provision in the Immigration Act and Regulations, only applies when a foreigner makes application to the Department of Home Affairs for a business visa with the intention of starting or investing in a business in the country. One of the conditions attached to the business visa is that the applicant undertakes to employ not less than 60% South Africans including permanent residents within a period of 12 months from the date of issue of the visa. There is currently no provision in South African labour legislation that makes reference to the employment of a minimum of 60% South Africans. The majority of FEDHASA members employ well over 60% of South Africans in their companies many of which are 100% South African employees. We always encourage FEDHASA members to abide by labour laws, and if they are hiring foreign employees, they must follow immigration regulation in terms of the quota system, rare skills, and obtain necessary documents from the DHA. We encourage our members to be good corporate citizens. At the meeting, the Minister expressed concerns on behalf of citizens as to the issue of non-South Africans working in the industry, and this became a topic of conversation. FEDHASAs response was that research is required to find out if this is simply a perception or the reality. We currently have no data available as to the ratio of South African citizens to permanent residents employed in the sector. A further concern was raised about the perception that there is illegal employment of foreigners who are working without the correct entry permits or visas in the industry, especially when it comes to restaurants. FEDHASAs standpoint on this is absolutely clear, says FEDHASA CEO, Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa. We expect that any hospitality establishment is well aware that they could face serious consequences if their employees do not have the proper authority to live and work lawfully in the country. Like all other businesses in South Africa, FEDHASA members are required to adhere to the labour laws of the country. FEDHASA welcomes the engagement with DHA and the Minister; we will work with the department to educate the hospitality industry on the immigration regulations. In South Africa, travel and tourisms contribution to GDP in 2015 stood at R375.5bn (9.4%) and is forecast to rise by 3.7% pa to R555.1bn (10.6%) of GDP in 2026. FEDHASA is committed to working collaboratively with government and other stakeholders to ensure the countrys vital tourism and hospitality industry is fully compliant with South African labour laws and continues to be a key driver of economic growth. At first glance, it looks as though the group of young adults is building Lego. But these are actually students at the University of Cape Town's Hasso Plattner Institute of Design Thinking , and they're using the colourful blocks to design a prototype. It represents policy reform ideas around transitioning from informal to formal economies. It's a complex system represented with very basic materials. It may look like a game of Lego, but its a serious exercise in innovation. Supplied/d-school UCT This is design thinking in action: human-centred, problem solving activities that ground design thinking in practice. It helps students to understand and innovatively solve challenges. Design thinking can be used very successfully as an academic programme that goes beyond traditional university practices. It allows universities to prepare a more resilient, adaptive student cohort. These graduates are more competent to enter economies that are constantly changing. This is particularly important when higher education institutions are training students for jobs that might not yet exist or that might have changed or become redundant by the time they graduate. Were living in a time of rapid transformation in terms of whats required for a countrys workforce. As the World Economic Form has put it: five years from now, over one third of skills (35%) that are considered important in todays workforce will have changed. Design thinking programmes that nurture both creativity and critical thinking around complex challenges offer students an opportunity to develop core skills for the workplace of the fourth industrial revolution. Useful tools Theres a major skills mismatch between graduates and the workplace in South Africa. A 2016 report identified three areas in which these mismatches exist: demand mismatch (skills gap between existing education and emergent job needs); education supply (producing fewer graduates than a field requires), and qualification-job (people moving into fields different from what they have studied for). Higher education institutions need to improve their academic responsiveness to increasingly complex labour market needs and industry requirements. They must also develop graduates with more entrepreneurial mindsets. Design thinking is a very new addition to the countrys higher education landscape. But early indications suggest that it might provide some of the tools to help universities in these tasks. I lecture and manage the academic programmes at the Hasso Plattner Institute, which we call the d-school. It is only the third Institute of Design Thinking in the world and, having opened its doors in 2016, is the newest. The others are at Stanford University in the US and Germanys Potsdam University. Both are more than a decade old and have brought academic rigour to design-led innovation practice. They also make training programmes in design thinking available to academic scholars and leaders in the private and public sectors. Our aim at UCTs d-school is to better prepare students for a changing workplace by nurturing design thinking mindsets. Different approaches to education Design thinking embodies three core approaches to education for a changing workplace: a shift toward interdisciplinary and and collaborative learning; an alignment to student-centred and adaptive learning pathways; and experiential learning These approaches facilitate students readiness for the working world. This is done by exposing them to a variety of mindsets and world views through interdisciplinary, peer-to-peer learning. Students are also given a better understanding of contextual issues through exposure to various lived realities. For example, if a project focuses on exploring informal economies, students will actually get out of the classroom and into the spaces these economies occupy. They talk to informal traders and spend time observing their day to day activities. Thats not just Lego: its a complex system taking simple shape. Importantly, theyre also immersed in the labour markets emerging realities through embedded applications of knowledge in real world projects. Students are introduced to a rich blend of governmental, industry, academic and social challenges. They navigate these, building internal and external understanding of business practice and human relationships. These partnerships with business, government and academia are centred on real challenges. And they have a dual purpose. Students get workplace experience, which can ease their transition from university to the job market. Employers can also foster working relationships with possible future employees. Graduates for the future Design thinking aims to improve students empathy, their comfort with ambiguity and their ability to resolve conflicting ideas through solutions that are stronger than individual ideas. Students are also equipped with the ability to produce new knowledge through creative mental leaps. One student project involved reimagining banking services that embrace informal economic requirements. The project also looked at how social capital can lead to financial capital. Another project was for a small business called Rent-my-Ride, which offers an online peer-to-peer car rental platform. The students designed a secondary platform that would support small business development among car owners. Yet another project, for Transport Cape Town, saw students developing a social network platform that would support community input in the redesign of transport nodes. The field of design thinking does not lay claim to inventing these new educational approaches. But it does present a cohesive methodology through which to explore them, and to prepare graduates for a world thats changing all the time. Tourism took a deserved mention in the State President's State of the Nation Address, with the sector viewed as a key area for driving job creation. The steady growth of the sector, while promising, does not necessarily imply that this will continue. Careful strategic plans must be put in place by all tourism operations in order to grow the market. Opportunities exist, but they must be cultivated and nurtured. Enver Duminy SMMEs, job creation, and partnerships One area showing growth is the creation of SMMEs, since tourism provides gaps for entrepreneurs to develop products that reach visitors and potential visitors in fresh, exciting ways. The large hotel groups and airlines also dominate as employers. Tourism is a sound investment for the public and private sectors; it generated over 32,000 new jobs in 2015 for a total exceeding 711,000. One in 22 employed people in SA work in tourism, or 4 percent of the workforce. Comparatively, mining only employed 462,000 at the end of 2015. When faced with a country-wide unemployment rate of 27.1 million, tourisms contribution is relatively small, but essential. In terms of the SA economy, for every R100 produced, R3.10 (or 3.1 percent) was as a result of tourism in 2015. In the same period, agriculture contributed R2.40 for every R100. Tourists spent R249,7 billion in 2015. In isolation, the tourism figures can be misleading. For example, with eight hotel developments either recently completed or currently underway in Cape Town, these represent multi-billion rand investments as well as a welcome provider of employment for those working in construction and elsewhere in supply chains. As neighbourhood businesses in the townships, tour companies dont operate alone. They engage as partners with other local businesses such as food stalls, individuals who produce arts and crafts and performers, so the tourists rand is distributed wider. Sabu Siyakas Ubizo Tours and Events, based in Langa, works in concert with eight other businesses to add value for his visitors. The Maboneng Township Arts Experience is based around local artists in their own homes. Food and wines Restaurants and wines are also hot-wired into the tourism machine. Cape Town was voted Best Food City in the World, as well as Number One City for Restaurants and Bars, both in 2016. The citys wines are world-renowned, and estates such as Groot Constantia have developed their wine tasting experiences to include activities that appeal to tourists. All visitors eat, and, with the exchange rate still favourable for international visitors, they can enjoy excellent restaurant meals with top wines at affordable rates. Travel like a local The Travel Like a Local global travel trend has seen tourism become spread over more places, so no longer are visitors concentrated to the attractions, they want to get intimate with the many neighbourhoods of the cities they visit, and experience all thats going on as locals would. This means that visitors to Cape Town could find themselves in Durbanville or the Helderberg Region, or even enjoying a gatsby in Athlone followed by an ice cream in Blouberg. Yes, there are many opportunities for growth in tourism and for employment, as long as businesses continue to reinvent themselves in order to remain relevant, and the countrys creative people, young and old, come up with ways of attracting visitors all year round. Last but not least, we must make sure that we maintain excellent levels of service so that visitors have great experiences in our city and not only share their stories with others, but also keep returning. First came Marketing2020, then came Insights2020. In their latest industry shakeup, Kantar Vermeer has put the wheel in motion for the formation of a local South African CMO Council. Frank van den Driest, Kantar Vermeer's chief client officer, shares how this will strengthen the local marketing industry. Last year, I chatted to Kantar Vermeers CMO Marc de Swaan Arons when he flew out to present Marketing2020 and more at last years APEX awards. This year, I pinned down Van den Driest for a brief catch-up, which left me reeling with so much positivity over things to come. Ive compiled the highlights package of Van der Driests feedback below Van den Driest. Wondering why Insights2020 is so impressive? Well, its the largest and most global marketing insights and analytics leadership initiative ever undertaken. Led by Kantar Vermeer, it counts the likes of LinkedIn, the ARF, Kantar and Korn Ferry as partners. Globally led by Van den Driest, hes also co-authored two articles on the study for the Harvard Business Review: The Ultimate Marketing Machine back in 2014, and the more recent Building an Insights Engine in 2016. Both of which made the front cover, with the 2014 issue the bestseller in the titles history. From his warm conversational style its clear why hes a trusted advisor to many chief executives, effectively leading the way for organisational transformation for their blue chip companies, to become purpose-led and insights-fed. More specifically, he spoke to me about the importance of having this level of global marketing leadership available as well as why your business now needs to eat, breathe and sleep customer-centricity to survive. Customer obsession, or else Van den Driest says at the time, Marketing 2020 served as the crossroad of true and deep insights with big data, which naturally led to a lot of follow-up enquiries. Then they started exploring those with their sounding board comprising the likes of Googles head of analytics research Tony Fagan, Sir Martin Sorrel of WPP Group, and others, as the topic deserves a deeper dive based on its traction in the market. The reason for that traction? A combination of technological change and the information age we live in, which is all about getting better and faster access to information. All of that has resulted in consumers being well informed, connected, demanding and truly in the drivers seat, confirms Van den Driest, which means the ultimate competitive business advantage today is customer centricity. Hence their focus on customer-centric growth in Insights 2020, with a strong correlation between customer-centricity and business revenue growth. Its a massive interview with thought leaders and industry leaders alike, involving over 10,000 interviews with insight and marketing professionals. As a result, they deconstructed the overall notion of customer-centricity into 66 variables or components. Those were then put into a quantitative study and isolated the 10 variables that really make a difference for the majority of customer-centric brands. The crux of the findings is that it starts with linking everything you do to your brand purpose, then focusing on data-driven customisation and personalisation, and being consistent across all touchpoints and channels. Van den Driest calls this a true leadership priority and not only about talking the talk but also walking the talk Leaders need to do more than just include it in their plan for the year; they must also translate their customer-centricity priorities into specific KPIs and incentive schemes for everybody who works in the company in order to create a culture of collaboration. Internally, thats done with a focus on functions, externally with suppliers and ultimately your end-users, as well as by experimentation through a trial-and-error approach. Especially now in the digital age where technological change is fast and frequent, Van den Driest says, Its about throwing a handful and seeing what sticks, making customer obsession an organisational direction. Analytics also need to be seen as a true driver of change as an autonomous function, not merely by reporting into a support function of marketing to make the right decision, but rather as inspiring, challenging and provoking other functions and ultimately helping to set the direction of the entire company. Its all about unlocking the power of data as we live in such a data-rich environment. Last, but probably most importantly, Van den Driest says its about building the right capabilities, so ensuring the insights and analytics are seen as a means to an end. This requires real business acumen and the 'whole-brain' mindset. In addition to making complex analysis, we also need to think creatively and laterally and connect the dots. Its that combination that is now important, as is the skill of storytelling. If you understand the business context and youre at whole-brain capability, it can still fall flat if you dont get your brand message across in a convincing and compelling way as youre just not a good storyteller. Van den Driest says these dimensions can also be clustered as strategy, structure and organisational capability. Revealed: What leading SA marketers want These insights are one way of promoting internal and external marketing success, with the new chief marketing officer or CMO Council set to further shape the marketing industry. Van den Driest explains that Insights2020 led to the formation of a coalition of global partners, with key differences appearing market by market. For example, the US has a very strong marketing association, with the ANA very active as a network thats influencing the agenda in terms of lobbying, while also running numerous thought leadership initiatives. If you then look at other markets, there are fewer peer associations and established organisations, networks and councils that take that on. To remedy this, in the UK Kantar Vermeer has just formed a CMO Council, and here in SA were now following in their footsteps. Van den Driest explains the council meeting held on the morning of 7 February 2017 made it clear theres a huge need for this level of network co-creation. Attendees discussed a preliminary agenda and what the councils objectives should be a huge boon as from a global perspective, SA marketers are disconnected and, to some extent, lonely. Theres value in having a trusted environment in which to share your challenges and opportunities as well as exchange ideas in a relatively intimate setting thats all about connecting, sharing and generating thought leadership. The brief was very clear: Yes, we want global inspiration, such as that from Insights 2020, but lets supplement that with best practices from Africa and South Africa. Because we do have great teachers of best practice, with a hell of a lot of insight and can drive this thought leadership. Very importantly, Van den Driest says while its great to have mostly Americans and Europe share inspirational cases, our market is quite different to theirs, so leading marketers in this country want a platform or council where they can be inspired by global best practices but also contribute and lead with Africas best practice, which doesnt always translate if taken from other markets into our own. Therell be emphasis on connecting and sharing, but also on potentially generating an Africa2020 or a Leadership2020. Click here for more on Insights2020 and follow their special Twitter handle. The new B-BBEE codes are here and many businesses will have to find a black shareholder if they wish to maintain their BEE status and benefits at anywhere near the level they currently enjoy. No industry is off the hook as B-BBEE has a ripple effect that spreads across all industries in South Africa. The marketing and media industry is under immense scrutiny as in the past it has been criticised for having very slow transformation. This led to parliamentary hearings of the South African Advertising Research Foundation (SAARF) in November 2001 to inspect allegations of the poor transformation progress. Whilst many will acknowledge that transformation has to happen in South Africa in order to grow the base of participants in the economy and an active middle class that can contribute meaningfully to the tax base and political stability of the country when it comes to their own back yard, inviting a black partner in is often a very difficult thing to do. And its understandable owners feel that they are being forced to give away a large portion of what they have built over many years with sweat and risk. But it is possible to do a much fairer type of deal than the typical historic ones being done, and there are black partners out there who are willing to invest in a new type of deal where wealth is created through the partnership, and ownership is earned. Pula Capital Partners is such a new breed of black investor. Director Vuyo Radebe explains: Pula does deals where you, the original shareholder gets to keep the wealth you have already earned, and yet together we create future wealth which we share, out of the strength of what the partnership brings. The nature of services focused businesses like those in the marketing and media space fit particularly well in the kind of structure proposed by Pula Partners. Pula is a black owned investment company that is a subsidiary of the LR Management Group. Pulas principals have over 50 years of combined experience in growing businesses and have themselves walked the road of business and BEE transformation successfully under this investment model. They now bring together a unique blend of specialist skills in performance improvement and enhancing company growth, which, combined with the corporate investment partnership model aims to create wealth for South African businesses. If you would like to discover more about our approach and how we can do a fair investment with you, please visit our website at www.pulapartners.co.za. The Soweto Wine and Lifestyle Festival - founded by Mnikelo Mangciphu, owner of the Morara Wine and Spirit Emporium and Cape Wine Master, Marilyn Cooper - will take place from 3-5 March 2017 at its new venue, the Soweto Theatre. Now in its 12th year, the festival will showcase the best, and emerging, South African wines, foods, travel, music and artisanal merchandise. The festival is well-known around the world as having transformed the South African wine industry, removing old customs, and developing a large discerning, well-educated, wine-drinking culture over the past decade. New additions to the festival Moving the festival into its new slot in the summer season is granting the organisers carte blanche to create a new wave wine revolution, introducing day-time wine and food tastings, new visual delights, VIP spaces and places and outdoor cook-off type activities that will excite, delight and educate all. The festival was originally designed to bring Cape wines into Johannesburgs largest township, Soweto, which is known for its trendsetting values and people, to expose this magnificent movement to the countrys oldest unique wine etiquettes and cultures. Says the Honourable Minister of Tourism, Derek Hanekom, following his visit to last festival, This festival epitomises innovation and transcends stereotypes. Its about great South African food, wine and travel, brought alive in Soweto. This festival has become a must-do event on the tourism calendar in Johannesburg. Come and experience the best wines the Cape has to offer; travel retailers with a choice of holidays and weekends away, a selection of gastronomies to suit all varieties and tastes from top-shelf restaurants, local bistros and food vendors, music from Sowetos famous set, and more. The new festival open times are: Friday, 3 March 6pm to 10pm Saturday, 4 March 12pm to 10pm Sunday, 5 March 12pm to 6pm Tickets: Loyalty tickets available now: R120 fromNuTickets - sowetofestival.nutickets.co.za/March2017 At the door standard access Friday R150 / Saturday R180 / Sunday R150 The continuous growth of the gig economy and Freelancer.com's rapidly scaling global community of over 22 million users reflect an ever-increasing demand for freelancers. The site analyses the top ten service businesses. Hongqi Zhang via 123RF In-demand and online services can now easily open up opportunities for skilled professionals to broaden their goals and kick-start a new business in 2017. This list is based on over 10 million projects posted on Freelancer.com from over 900 job categories - from IT, design, and writing to nanotechnology and aerospace engineering, and its quarterly reports on the fastest growing online jobs. Writing and content Malaysian blogger Reginald Chan has work published in several online publications, including The Huffington Post, Yahoo! Small Business and Harvard Universitys blog. His passion for writing led him to freelancing, which allowed him to supplement his income alongside his day job at a hotel. "On average, I could get around one project per day and, with Freelancer.com I am busy - I love it," says Chan, who is now planning for a bigger dream, creating online courses on freelancing and blogging to help others succeed, just as he has. Mobile app development Muhammad Mushtaq Magri is a software engineer who was living in a rented house and was not making enough money to live the life that he wanted. Facing numerous financial problems, he was pushed to find other ways to make money, which led him to Freelancer.com. He hustled, he started winning projects and then started earning twice as much as his previous job. Two years after joining Freelancer.com, he now owns a house, a car, and has real estate investments, and he runs a small software company in Pakistan, an achievement that certainly would not have been possible before. User interface design Brazilian graphic designer Leandro Rodrigues wanted what many others want, to be his own boss. His portfolio displays a variety of designs for brochures, posters, logos, business cards, and more complex projects like user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) designs, mock-up application projects, website mock-ups and designs for games. He was still in his day job when he signed up to Freelancer.com. Eventually the demand for his services increased and he was able to let go of his day job and freelance full-time. Data entry and admin Ian Fosgate from the Philippines chose to provide services online, winning a plethora of jobs that involve Microsoft Excel, Web Scraping and Data Entry. He chose these over a standard 9-5 career because of the convenience, the variety and the flexibility that came along with it. His goal is to earn enough to let his mother, who is working as a nurse in Qatar, retire and go back home to the Philippines. Data and statistical analysis Pichart Yapan from Thailand has been working long enough to know that a full-time job does not guarantee security. When he thought about the future, he decided against being an office worker for the rest of his career, so he turned to freelancing. He is a Microsoft Excel developer with expertise on the ins and outs of data analysis for sales innovation. Combined with his proficiency in all matters involving Microsoft Excel and Visual Basic (VBA), he started a completely new career. Graphic design For graphic designer Dhiral Patel, his journey on Freelancer.com began when he was still living in India. He continued on his freelancing adventure when he migrated to New Jersey, US to pursue his Masters in Computer Science. Whilst studying, he hired his own team of graphic designers on Freelancer.com to supplement his business and within eight months, they became one of the top freelance teams on the site. Part of Dhirals earnings on Freelancer.com is used to pay for graduate school. Video production Argentinian video producer Muriel Rebora wanted flexibility and the option to choose which projects to commit to in her career, which is why she chose to be a freelancer. She started accepting freelance work locally through agencies; however, she didnt receive credit for her works as she was overshadowed by these agencies. She tried Freelancer.com and had the opportunity to visit London for a video production project she won from an employer she met on the site. Since then she has been constantly gaining more clients and now even gets to promote herself as her own brand. Business services Peter Adams is from Australia and has thirty years of international financial management and strategic experience as a professional. In his mid-fifties, he decided to make Freelancer.com his main source of income by providing a comprehensive suite of accounting and business advisory services for all businesses across all industries. Freelancer.com lets you connect with entrepreneurs all over the world. There are the benefits of working your own hours, gaining repeat projects, plus the chance to improve your skills, said Adams. Digital marketing Entrepreneur Zane Cosgrove from Cairns in Australia suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder after being both physically and mentally exhausted when volunteering to help areas that had been affected by Cyclone Yasi. While searching for casual work, he came across Freelancer.com. Working consistently on the site and providing services in search engine optimisation, internet marketing, Google AdWords and Facebook Ads paid off. Eventually he was able to open his own company, Queensland SEO, and now employs six Australian-based contractors and three interns. Translation and language Masaharu Hayataki left Japan, as he wanted to experience working in different countries. He landed two full-time jobs in Prague but eventually he was left with a contract job that was not enough to support him and his travels. If he did not find a replacement position, it meant saying goodbye to the country he called home for the three years since leaving Japan. However, he then signed up to Freelancer.com and initially offered English to Japanese translations. Eventually he also started offering localisation services. For more information, go to www.freelancer.com. Nielsen has appointed Terry Murphy as its new director for Nielsen Watch Services in South Africa. Murphy will be tasked with leading the commercial and operational teams responsible for audience measurement, ad intel, software tools and digital ad ratings. Murphy's experience in the media and marketing industry spans over 20 years in which she has worked in broadcast sales, agency account management and digital measurement in SA and the USA. Murphy's knowledge and expertise include media strategy, consumer insights, business development and econometric modelling. [Letter From Gulu] This is the anatomy of a chameleone. Thirty one years ago, in January 1986, Yoweri Museveni and his rebel army, National Resistance Army (NRA) trooped into Kampala overthrowing the short lived military junta government of Gen. Tito Okello Lutwa, who had himself toppled the government of Dr. Apollo Milton Obote. Museveni and his new youthful military government promised a fundamental change to the people of Uganda who had barely recovered from Gen. Idi Amins eight-year reign of terror. In many areas of the country, except the northern Uganda where a rebellion broke out almost immediately, Musevenis new military regime was greeted with a lot of euphoria. Shortly thereafter, he and his regime issued Legal Notice No. 2 that expressly banned political parties from mobilizing and organizing to compete for power. Museveni and his group argued that political parties were divisive and therefore, should be banished for a while, to allow the country to heal from deep seated ethno-regional, social, economic and political fissures. Few weeks into his rule, as the popular narrative goes, at a military high command meeting in Mengo, a suburb of Kampala, President Museveni and his colleagues tabled for discussion the question of the period of time that their military government should take in reorganizing the country before handing over to an elected civilian government. It is said that Museveni argued very strongly that they needed only two years to reorganize things and hand over power to a civilian authority clearly giving the impression he wanted to end military rule quickly. His colleagues however, believing that Museveni was arguing genuinely from the bottom of his heart, persuaded him to accept a four year period. Nuwe Amanya Mushega, a bush war colleague and NRM/A ideologue, argued strongly and persuaded the President that four years were a more realistic timeframe and could be sufficient to accomplish their objective of reorganizing the country and handing it over to whoever would be popularly elected by the people of Uganda. Mr. Nuwe Amanya Mushegas side "won" the argument and they resolved to stay for four years, which was, in hindsight Museveni's intended outcome. After the four years elapsed, the very Museveni, who only four years earlier had argued strongly against lasting in power for over two years, had changed his mind and requested the National Resistance Council (NRC) that he needed more time to complete the constitutional making process that his government had commenced. The NRC without hesitation granted the President another four years which led the country to the election of a Constituent Assembly (CA) in 1994 which met for one year to make a new constitution, promulgated in 1995. With the 1995 constitution in place a General Election was to be held the following year in 1996. In the meantime, Museveni had already stayed in power for nine years without subjecting himself to any form of election. His authority was almost unquestionable. He still enjoyed enormous good will from among a vast majority of Ugandans, including the intelligentsia and political elite. Museveni once again requested his party and the military leadership to grant him a chance to lead the country under the new constitutional order so as to set a strong foundation for the implementation of the newly made supreme law of the land. Again, his desire was granted. In 1996, his party, the NRM, disguised under what was supposed to be an all inclusive strand of democracy called the "Movement," fielded him as their candidate for the presidency of the country. At that time, the president arguably continued to enjoy goodwill and political support among the people of Uganda. He used state machinery and his incumbency maximally to win this election. He defeated Dr. Paul Kawanga Ssemogerere, a renowned democrat and joint opposition standard bearer and went on to lead the country for five more years. Then in 2001, the president once again asked his party and the military leadership to give him one last chance to complete the job he had started, namely, professionalization of the army and fostering national unity, among other things. Unsuspecting, Musevenis party and the military leadership handed him another five years. At that time however, some of Musevenis comrades had started raising questions about the Presidents continued interest in leading the country. They therefore thought the President should commit himself in black and white that he was ruling for only one more term and would thereafter bequeath the leadership of the Movement and the country to a new leader popularly elected. The Constitution that had been promulgated in 1995 had barred a president from seeking more than two five year terms. President Museveni knew this very well and was prepared to scrap it so as to continue leading the country. In 2003, Museveni then embarked on a scheme to remove the Presidential Term Limit from the Constitution so he could rule till death. The emperor was now fully naked. Since then, Gen. Museveni has continued to rule and there are no signs suggestive of his departure. Ugandas Constitution bars a person who is above the age of 75 from contesting for the presidency. The President and his Party are already in advanced stages of scrapping this provision from the Constitution. The words he used to describe Africa's tyrants in 1986 now best characterize his own regime. https://m.youtube.com/watch?list=PLKRRddnPxKM_2MUU6XOtMFih8HXCLiVDW&v=bL... But how did Gen. Museveni dupe his comrades and the people of Uganda to this extent to become the full-fledged dictator? A sneak peek at the profiles of Gen. Musevenis comrades, reveals a whole lot of very intelligent individuals; some of the country's best minds. Mr. Nuwe Amanya Mushega, Mr. Eriya Kategaya (RIP), Mr. Amama Mbabazi, Dr. Kizza Besigye, Gen. Mugisha Muntu, Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, and others. In fairness, Dr. Besigye decisively broke from the dictator and has run against him in presidential elections rigged by Museveni in 2001, 2006, 2011, and 2016. These individuals and many others not mentioned here were well educated and exposed. They were all in one way or another accomplished people. How on earth did they fail to see the tell signs for Gen. Musevenis unquenchable thirst for power? Did they have too much trust in him? Or was Gen. Museveni smarter than all of them? We may never find answers to these questions. But one thing is for sure, we will not allow another Museveni to emerge in our generation. We wont ignore tell signs of dictatorial tendencies in our generational leaders. The Arakan Liberation Party (ALP), the political wing of the Arakan Liberation Army, and the Arakan National Party (ANP) met on February 14 in Rakhine States capital Sittwe to discuss preparations for the political dialogue. The national-level political dialogues are enshrined in the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement. As outlined in the NCA, all signatory groups can stage a national-level dialogue, which involve public consultations and discussions centered around region, topic or ethnicity. The dialogues aim to gather input and recommendations for the Union-level peace conferences. The Arakan Liberation Army was one of eight signatory groups to sign the the NCA in 2015 under then-president U Thein Seins administration. However, earlier this month, the Union Peace Dialogue Joint Committee (UPDJC) - a tripartite committee that oversees the dialogues - decided to put the Rakhine and Chin talks on hold. Bowing to public and ethnic armed group pressure, the decision was reversed in the case of the Chin National Front. The Chin dialogue is expected to get underway later this month. The ALP has submitted a request to go forward with its own dialogue. The February 14 meeting to talk preparations for the hoped-for national-level dialogue was led by Daw Saw Mra Raza Linn, ALPs central executive committee member, and by ANPs vice chair U Khine Pyae Soe. We mainly discussed how we, the ALP and the ANP, can lead a national-level talk and form an organizing committee for the talk, said Daw Saw Mra Raza Linn, who is also a deputy leader of the UPDJC. She told Narinjara News that if the Rakhine State national-level dialogue is given the green light, then nearly 500 representatives would be invited to take part, including members of political parties, civil society organizations and residents from across the state. The ALP will discuss the policy for establishing a federal system. That is what we want to hear from the public about before we present plans that our party has discussed. We also want to consult the public about economics, society, education and security, said Daw Saw Mra Raza Linn, adding that the ALP wants to hold the talk for the benefit of the Rakhine people. Although Narinjara tried to contact ANP vice chair U Khine Pyae Soe regarding the meeting, the calls went unanswered. National-level political dialogues have so far been held in Kayin State, Tanintharyi Region and Bago Region. Translated by Aong Jaeneh Edited by by Laignee Barron for BNI We All Want To Steal These Outfits From Priyanka Chopra Bollywood Wardrobe Lekhaka She is sensational, she is hot, she is sexy, she is our global desi girl! And we are talking about none other than Priyanka Chopra. Priyanka Chopra is a fabulous actress who has a knack of pulling off any kind of outfit with ease. From wearing a low plunging neckline to pant suits and gold sequin outfits, Priyanka Chopra never failed to show off her bold sense of style. Here we have tried to compile some of the finest clothes worn by Priyanka Chopra. 1. In Fringes Slaying in a strapless fringed Sally LaPointe peach dress, Priyanka Chopra looked glamorous and beautiful at the People's Choice Awards this year. She impressed the fashion critics with her flirty fun dress and apt makeup on the face. Metallic strappy heels, slightly brushed hair, a pink pout and minimum accessories completed Priyanka's look for the day. Image Courtesy 2. In Gold While making an appearance at the 74th Golden Globe Awards, the Quantico actress decided to step ahead in a golden gilded Ralph Lauren gown with a plunging v-neckline. Like always, PeeCee kept her makeup simple with deep-hued lip colour and sultry smokey eyes. The actress was styled by Cristina Ehrlich and looked quite amazing in this golden number. Image Courtesy 3. In a Long Jacket Priyanka Chopra slayed the red carpet in an Anamika Khanna ensemble. The actress teamed up the long embellished jacket with straight fit pants and high heels. Wearing a highly pigmented lipstick, the actress finished off her classy look with a sleek hairdo and drop earrings from Nirav Modi jewels. Image Courtesy 4. In a White Dazzling Dress While leaving the Oscars for Miami to start shooting for Baywatch, Priyanka Chopra greeted the crowd in a glitter, sequin and crystal embellished gown. Priyanka Chopra was the second most searched celeb on Google during the Oscar ceremony and this fabulous dress may be one among the reasons. Image Courtesy 5. In a Bright Red Dress Priyanka Chopra turned heads as she slayed at the Emmys' red carpet this year. Wearing a red gown from the house of Jason Wu, Priyanka Chopra looked stunning and dramatic. The actress allowed her dress to steal the show as she kept it simple with a neat hairdo. Image Courtesy 6. In a Lavender Gown Priyanka Chopra walked the green carpet in a pale lavender gown by Schiaparelli. The dusty lavender gown look was completed with a sleek bun and a deep hued lipstick. This gown was surely one among the best dresses worn by her at an international event. Image Courtesy 7. In a White Pant Suit While making an appearance for the TIME 100 Gala, PeeCee picked up a crisp while suit from the house of Olcay Gulsen. The actress completed her look with minimum accessories and Giuseppe Zanotti heels. The perfectly tailored dress and the high bun added sophistication to the dress. Image Courtesy 8. In Shite Tees and Midi Skirt If you underestimated the power of a simple white tee, check out this look of Priyanka Chopra. The actress stepped out in a simple white tee paired with a midi skirt from the fashion label, Dior. She completed the look with white sandals and Dior sunglasses. Image Courtesy 9. In a Sweater Dress While promoting her movie Quantico at the Empire State building, Priyanka Chopra donned a chic appearance in a blue sweater dress from Costume National. The dark pigmented lavender lips and over-the-knee boots added more style to this appearance. Image Courtesy 10. In Pastels Wearing a pink tulle gown from the design house of Marchesa, Priyanka rocked. The bell sleeves and the metallic heels added more magic to this look. The actress played with the pastels with perfection and simplicity. Image Courtesy The Most Extensive and Reliable Source of Information Related to the Mexican Drugs Cartels. You will not find this level of coverage anywhere else, join us! WARNING: Posts may contain strong violent material, discretion is advised. COMMENTS: We do not publish all comments, and we do not publish comments immediately. BEIJING (PTI): China will launch its first indigenously-built aircraft carrier this year which would be a base for PLA fighter jets and helicopters, five years after commissioning a Soviet-era ship as its first aircraft carrier. China's first home-made aircraft carrier, currently being built at a Chinese port, is now near completion, Xu Guangyu, a retired Chinese military officer and consultant to the China Arms Control and Disarmament Association said. China had commissioned its first aircraft carrier Liaoning in 2012. The ship is refit of a hull made in the former Soviet Union. Though it has been made operational with variety of exercises in the disputed South China Sea, it is largely considered as an experimental carrier. Xu said the new aircraft carrier is the first of the Type 001A class, and represents an important step in advancing China's naval power. "The aircraft carrier is being built as planned. Most of its major construction and design work has been completed. Its hull has already been assembled in a shipyard. The ship will soon be equipped with aviation, radar and other facilities," Chinese Defence Ministry Spokesperson Wu Qian had said last year. Photos of its rapid construction are often flashed in Chinese media sparking speculation that China is speeding up the construction. Yin Zhuo, a Chinese naval expert, also confirmed in a CCTV interview that China's first home-made aircraft carrier is expected to be launched in early 2017. There is still a large amount of work to do at the carrier's outfitting stage after its launching. It will take about one to two years to carry out functional debugging for its devices as well as weapons and equipment. The new aircraft carrier could begin its sea trial by early 2019, Xu said. Xu also mentioned in the interview that Chinese carrier pilots are also under training, with an expectation of forming two aviation units. Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba and Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa visiting the BrahMos Aerospace pavilion. A Brahmand photo. BENGALURU (BNS): Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba and Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa visited the BrahMos Aerospace pavilion on the second day of Aero India 2017 being held at Bengaluru. The Service Chiefs were briefed about the BRAHMOS supersonic cruise missile programme and its latest developments. While the Indian Navy has inducted the formidable missile in its frontline warships, the Indian Air Forces Sukhoi-30 strike fighter is gearing up to test fire the deadly air-to-land variant of the versatile weapon in the coming months. A full-scale model of BRAHMOS-A missile integrated with the Sukhoi-30 aircraft is being displayed at Aero India 2017. The air-borne launcher for the missile developed indigenously by BrahMos Aerospace is also being exhibited at the international show along with other indigenous systems. Also on display are the land and sea variants of BRAHMOS. Jointly designed, developed and produced by Indias DRDO and Russias NPOM, the multi-role, multi-platform BRAHMOS has established its supremacy as an unparalleled weapon system in its class. With both land-attack and anti-ship strike capabilities, BRAHMOS has become the ultimate weapon of choice for the Indian Armed Forces. Light combat aircraft Tejas. BENGALURU (PTI): Defence and security company Saab has offered a fighter sensor package for the homegrown Tejas LCA Mk1A fighter aircraft. The package consists of a state-of-the-art Saab Airborne Electronically Scanned Array fighter radar closely integrated with a compact electronic warfare suite using Gallium Nitride based AESA technology, the company said. Saab, in partnership with Indian industry, offers a solution that will bring the required AESA Fighter radar and Electronic warfare capability to India and the Indian Air Force, it said. The AESA fighter radar is developed by Saab with antenna technology based on the latest technologies using Gallium Nitride (GaN) and Silicone Carbide (SiC) substrates in combination with the latest generation of exciter/receiver and processor technology, giving optimum installed performance in a dense signal environment, it said. The radar has a complete mode suite which includes air-to-air, air-to-ground and air to-sea capabilities, a Saab release said. A built-in memory provides a tool to record a large amount of data from performed flights. Integration in the LCA Mk1A fighter aircraft is enabled by the limited space, power and cooling required, it said. The EW suite consists of sensors and transmitters developed by Saab and is a highly capable and extremely compact solution that provides essential situational awareness and self-protection, the release said. The heart of the suite is an electronic warfare receiver which is connected to a front end receiver and fin tip antennas inside the aircraft, it added. HYDERABAD (PTI): Advocating a nuanced approach towards China, former Navy Chief Admiral Arun Prakash has said a possible radical shift in US policies under the Trump administration could trigger instability in the Indo-Pacific and asked New Delhi to seek multi-lateral partnerships within the strategic region. Till recently, the Indo-US relationship seemed to be following a mutually-beneficial trajectory that could have ensured a stable balance-of-power and peace in the Indo-Pacific, he said here. However, the election of President Donald Trump has signalled a radical shift in many of America's long-standing policies which could result in heightened tension and instability in the region, the ex-Chief of the Naval Staff. He was delivering a talk on `Security Issues in Indo-Pacific India's Response' at an international conference on `Changing Security Dynamic in the Indo-Pacific'. "In the approaching era of uncertainty, it would be unwise for India to put all its eggs in any one basket and prudence demands it should seek multi-lateral partnerships within the region," he said, calling for a nuanced approach towards Beijing. India's trade links, investment and diaspora today span an arc extending from Siberia and New Zealand to its east to Africa and Central Asia to its west, Prakash said. "Any attempts (by China) to dominate waters of the Indo-Pacific would represent a grave threat to India's vital interests. "While we lack the deep pockets and dynamism that underpins Chinese overseas initiatives, the India Navy has concluded formal agreements whereby its warships, submarines and aircraft can put into about 25-30 friendly ports across the Indo-Pacific for operational or other reasons." "China's footholds in Indian Ocean locations, dubbed the 'string of pearls', are meant to provide it a network of port facilities, which could support long-range maritime operations," the Navy veteran said. The 'Maritime Silk Road', a component of the 'One Road One Belt' initiative, pursues an even more ambitious agenda by creating a huge arc of maritime and economic influence across the region, according to him. "The deployment of PLA Navy submarines in the Indian Ocean, that commenced in 2013-14, was a clear indication China seeks to not only gain strategic superiority across the Himalayas, but also to establish maritime dominance in the Indian Ocean with the Pakistani port of Gwadar as a key logistic base," Prakash explained. "Commencement of work on the CPEC (China Pakistan Economic Corridor) project will further tilt the balance against India." Rates of child homelessness increased by 55% last year, despite government efforts to tackle the housing crisis, it has emerged, writes Evelyn Ring of the Irish Examiner. The childrens charity Barnardos said children were the invisible victims of the housing crisis Last December, there were 2,505 children registered as homeless across Ireland, compared to 1,616 during the same month in 2015, a 55% increase. Over the same 12 month period, adult homelessness across the country rose by 28%, so child homelessness is growing at double this rate. The Barnardos chief executive, Fergus Finlay, said homeless children suffered terribly. Imagine packing your bag and going with your family to present to the authorities as homeless, he said. Children became overwhelmed by the change in their lives and afraid of what their future contained. The Barnardos head of advocacy, June Tinsley, said the housing crisis was escalating at a ferocious pace and the effect of homelessness on children was profound. It affects every aspect of their development: Mental and physical health, social and emotional development, their education, and their key relationships, she said. Barnardos has called for a redoubling of efforts to ensure families are moved out of hotel accommodation and into more stable and appropriate accommodation as soon as possible. Until we have a response that is adaptive, swift, and far-reaching, we will struggle to keep pace, and we will struggle to protect these children, said Ms Tinsley. A mother living in overcrowded private accommodation says her daughter, who is only nine years old, has to share a single bed with her. I had to move in here after my relationship broke down. It was advertised as a flat, but its a bedsit with only a single bed, a hot plate for cooking, and a small ensuite, she said. Imagine having to share a single bed with your mother when youre nine and having nowhere to play or do your homework except on the floor? The woman contacted Barnardos, and they helped her daughter understand the situation and build up her self-confidence. Theyve helped link her in with a local afterschool club. Its early days yet, but I hope she returns to being a happy, sociable child. Shes only nine. She didnt ask for this. Another child said she had not told any of her school friends that she was living in a hotel because they might tease her. The 14-year-old Limerick boy, Luke Culhane, whose viral video warning against cyberbullying and the late Anthony Foley, posthumously receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award, were today the top recipients at the Limerick Person of the Year awards. The creation of a powerful video Create No Hate saw Luke Culhane, from Castletroy View, selected as the January award recipient and also made enough of an impact to have him selected all of 12 months later for the Limerick Person of the Year Award for 2016. A budding filmmaker and blogger, Luke was motivated to create the video after being a victim of cyberbullying himself and, with over 500,000 views, its success was such that the story was picked up by Sky News, BBC, MTV, Fox, RTE and UTV, and also here. The international admiration for his efforts stretched all the way to December when he was named Young Person of the Year by prominent French newspaper Mon Quotidien. Accepting the award, Luke Culhane said: Thank you so much to everyone that supported the video, the main thing is that helped loads of other children, after I Skyped a school in South Africa it inspired them to make their own video. Its not just me that won, its the whole of Limerick. Todays event, held at the Clayton Hotel, Limerick, also saw Olive Foley, wife of the late Anthony Foley, receive a Lifetime Achievement award on behalf of her husband, whose death on October 16 last led to one of the single greatest outpourings of sadness ever experienced across Limerick. The legendary Shannon, Munster and Ireland No. 8 Anthony moved with his family from Murroe to Killaloe when he was 3-years-old but had an indelible connection with Limerick over the years. He was schooled at St. Munchins, where he first gained prominence as a schools rugby star, before going on to become the most coloured captain in the history of Shannon and Munster rugby. Luke Culhane, whose viral video warning against cyberbullying went viral was named Limerick person of the year, Tony Ward and Olive Foley, wife of the late Anthony Foley, receive a Lifetime Achievement award on behalf of her husband. Photo: Sean Curtin True Media. Speaking at the event, Olive Foley said: Im pretty sure Anthony would be recoiling with the attention here today. He was very proud of his association with Limerick and from a sporting perspective will always be associated with Munster and Shannon, with many of his greatest rugby moments here in Limerick. We know that everyone here misses him and it goes without saying that we do. But we really appreciate the fact that he is thought of and remembered so fondly, including with this Lifetime Achievement Award. Now in its 16th year and sponsored by The Limerick Leader, Southern Marketing Design & Media and the Clayton Hotel, the Limerick Person of the Year Award was set up to honour the achievements and success of local people. Pat Reddan, General Manager, Clayton Limerick Hotel said: We are delighted to sponsor such an event that showcases the very best of Limerick and the people who call it home, they truly are all inspirational. Congratulating all nominees, Dave OHora of Southern Marketing Design & Media said: each of the nominees have in their own way made an outstanding contribution to the cultural, sporting, business and community scene in Limerick, today Limerick celebrates and it should. Past winners of the title include philanthropist JP McManus, world champion boxer Andy Lee, rugby stars Paul O'Connell and Tony Ward, author Donal Ryan, transatlantic rower Paul Gleeson and Thomond Park developer Pat Whelan. This year's Limerick Person of the Year judging panel consisted of Eugene Phelan, Editor of The Limerick Leader; Conn Murray, Chief Executive of Limerick City and County Council; and Cllr. Kieran OHanlon, Mayor of the City and County of Limerick. Mock Interview Day Missouri State University Career Center is hosting our MOCK INTERVIEW DAY on Friday, November 4 from 9:00 am 1:30 pm in the Plaster Student Union - Ballroom West (3rd Floor). This event is an opportunity for students to meet with an employer to practice their interviewing skills. Students and employers will need to sign-up ahead of time (by end of October) to ensure a time slot. See the below instructions to sign-up. Employer Instructions to sign-up for MOCK INTERVIEW DAY: If you would like to sign up to participate in our MOCK INTERVIEW DAY on November 4, please complete the INTEREST FORM no later than October 14th. You will receive an official confirmation email from the Career Center once weve received and reviewed your interest form. Mock Interviews will be 30-minute interview time slots allowing time for 1520-minute interviews and then 510-minute feedback time as the main benefit in a mock interview is getting guidance, feedback and advice. We will provide employers a schedule with students names, resumes and time slots at least the day before our event. We will provide interview questions and evaluation forms for each student you work with; however, you are more than welcome to use your own interview questions, especially if the students major is in alignment with your organization career options. Students Instructions to sign-up for MOCK INTERVIEW DAY: See MOCK INTERVIEW DAY SIGN-UP Instructions and HOW TO UPLOAD RESUME INTO HANDSHAKE instructions if you need assistance. Steps: Update or upload resume into Handshake Apply for the Mock Interview Day event through Handshake by applying for the MOCK INTERVIEW DAY associated job Sign-up for a Time Slot You will receive a confirmation and should be able to see your name on the interview schedule If you have any questions about how to sign-up or simply need to get your name on the schedule, the Career Center is happy to help you. Please feel free to contact us at 417-836-5636. Student Preparation Resources Student Sign-Up Instructions Instructions for Uploading Your Resume to Handshake Interview attire: Dress for success - Students - Career Center - Missouri State University Sample Interview Questions - Students - Career Center - Missouri State University The 30-second Commercial - Students - Career Center - Missouri State University A car bomb in Baghdad has killed at least 47 people and wounded around 60, Iraq's interior ministry said. Ministry spokesman Brigadier General Saad Maan confirmed the toll from the attack, which took place in the south-western al-Bayaa neighbourhood. Update 1pm: Malaysian authorities have made two more arrests over the death of the North Korean leader's half-brother, who was reportedly poisoned by a pair of female assassins as he waited for a flight in Kuala Lumpur. Investigators are trying to piece together details of the death, which set off a torrent of speculation over whether Kim Jong Un dispatched a hit squad to kill his estranged older sibling, Kim Jong Nam. Three suspects - two women and a man - were arrested separately on Wednesday and Thursday. A third person has been arrested in connection with the apparent assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's half brother Kim Jong Nam, Malaysian police said. Two women were detained separately on Wednesday and early on Thursday, and police later confirmed that officers had also detained a Malaysian man on Wednesday evening. He is believed to be the boyfriend of one of the arrested women. Police said he provided information that led to the arrest of a woman who was using Indonesian travel documents. The women were identified using CCTV footage from Kuala Lumpur International Airport, where Mr Kim suddenly fell ill on Monday before he died on the way to hospital. The woman arrested on Thursday was holding an Indonesian passport that identified her as 25-year-old Siti Aishah, Malaysian police said. The other suspect held Vietnamese travel documents bearing the name Doan Thi Huong, 28. Still photos of the CCTV video, confirmed as authentic by police, showed her in a skirt and long-sleeved white T-shirt with "LOL" emblazoned across the front. There was no immediate way to determine if the IDs were genuine or if the women were believed to be the alleged assassins. Indonesia's foreign ministry confirmed the second woman is an Indonesian citizen and officials have requested consular access to her. Malaysian police have said she is from Serang in Banten, a province that neighbours the Indonesian capital Jakarta. The ministry said in a statement it concluded the woman is Indonesian based on data provided by Malaysian authorities and the Indonesian embassy in Malaysia. Several million Indonesians work in Malaysia as maids and construction and plantation workers. Cities across Germany are planning to increase their security at this year's carnival celebrations, citing the continued terror threat the country faces. Cologne mayor Henriette Reker said that lorries will be banned from the city's central area and several streets will be barricaded with concrete blocks, according to the dpa news agency. Hundreds of thousands of people in Somalia may die in the next few months if urgent action is not taken to address the threat of famine, Britain's envoy for the Horn of Africa has warned. Sir Nicholas Kay told a United Nations briefing that the British Government is organising a conference on Somalia in London in May, but he said that "action is needed immediately". New clashes have broken out between police and protesters in a Paris suburb, days after the alleged rape of a young black man by police sparked a week of violence. Protesters - mostly young people - threw stones and iron bars near the main shopping centre in Bobigny, east of Paris, and police used tear gas to disperse several dozen people. US secretary of state Rex Tillerson has said Russia must abide by a 2015 deal aimed at ending fighting between Ukrainian forces and Russia-backed separatists. The former Exxon Mobil chief executive spoke after meeting Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov for the first time in the highest level face-to-face contact between representatives from the two countries since Donald Trump took office on January 20. Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine in 2014, and Russian-speaking separatists began protests that escalated into a war, with thousands killed. A deal two years ago known as the Minsk agreement was intended to end the conflict, but skirmishes have continued. "As we search for new common ground, we expect Russia to honour its commitments to the Minsk agreement and work to de-escalate the violence in the Ukraine," Mr Tillerson said after talks with Mr Lavrov. US General Joe Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was set to meet with his Russian counterpart, General Valery Gerasimov, in the former Soviet republic of Azerbaijan. It was to be the first meeting between the two countries' senior members of the military since Mr Trump was sworn in. Mr Tillerson has taken a low-key and reserved approach in his first two weeks on the job and declined the opportunity to speak with reporters travelling with him aboard his plane to Germany. He did not respond to reporters' questions at his first three meetings in Bonn and, until Thursday, had yet to comment publicly on developments with Russia, its alleged meddling in the 2016 US presidential election or its actions in Syria and Ukraine. "As I made clear in my senate confirmation hearing, the United States will consider working with Russia where we can find areas of practical co-operation that will benefit the American people," Mr Tillerson said following the Lavrov meeting. "Where we do not see eye to eye, the United States will stand up for the interests and values of America and her allies." The meeting, on the sidelines of a larger foreign ministers conference in Germany, came amid turmoil inside the Trump administration over Russia and the ousting of national security adviser Michael Flynn over misleading White House officials on his contacts with Moscow. Asked whether the chaos in Washington was a concern to Russia, Mr Lavrov replied: "You should know we do not interfere in the domestic matters of other countries." In his opening remarks, Mr Lavrov said he and Mr Tillerson had "plenty of issues to discuss" and that they would "discuss and establish the parameters of our future work". Mr Trump chose Mr Tillerson for the job in part because of his business experience and relationship with Russia while he was at Exxon. His meeting with Mr Lavrov was seen as a first test of whether that business acumen - which led to great profits for the oil company and Russian President Vladimir Putin bestowing a friendship award upon him - can translate into success in a high-stakes diplomatic arena. At his confirmation hearing last month, Mr Tillerson voiced conventional concerns about Russia's behaviour and said they should be addressed by projecting a forceful and united front. Like others in the administration, he has not been specific about how to repair damaged ties or whether doing so might involve lifting US sanctions imposed on Russia after its annexation of the Crimea region. Rare footage of a snow leopard and her cubs caught in camera traps has been released. The footage of the endangered animals in the stunning landscape of their Mongolia home has been revealed by charity WWF-UK to inspire people to sign up to next month's Earth Hour calling for action on climate change. The images of the mother and her three young in the remote Khovd province of Mongolia include shots of the cubs taking a keen interest in the camera capturing their movements. Snow leopards, which are found in the high mountains of Asia, including in Afghanistan, China, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Russia, are at risk of extinction due to loss of their habitat and prey, poaching and persecution. The rarely seen species is also one of the most threatened by climate change, as it lives in the mountains above the tree-line, which could shift with warmer temperatures, squeezing the animals' habitat and isolating them from each other. Becci May, WWF-UK's snow leopard programme lead, said: "This intimate footage was captured as part of WWF's conservation work in the Altai-Sayan Ecoregion, where WWF works with local people as citizen scientists - herders assisting on collecting data - to help monitor, understand and protect snow leopards. "We hope this footage will inspire everyone to take part in this year's Earth Hour to help send a message that more action is needed on climate change." Each year, for Earth Hour, millions of people and major landmarks including Big Ben, Times Square in New York and the Hong Kong skyline switch off their lights for an hour to put the spotlight on action needed for the environment. Earth Hour takes place from 8.30pm on Saturday March 25 this year. :: To find out out more about Earth Hour, people can visit wwf.org.uk/2017earthhour or #EarthHourUK. A long-awaited review into the governance of industry super funds by former Reserve Bank governor Bernie Fraser has found no grounds for legislation that would force boards to have a minimum number of "independent" directors. The review, commissioned by industry groups Industry Super Australia and Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees, said mandating a quota of independent directors would not necessarily deliver "best practice" and instead recommended a mandatory code of conduct be introduced across the sector. The Coalition tried unsuccessfully in 2015 to introduce new laws requiring super funds to appoint one third independent directors, including an independent chair. The legislation was blocked when crossbenchers Jacqui Lambie, Glenn Lazarus, John Madigan and Nick Xenophon sided with Labor and the Greens to vote it down in favour of a review. The NSW government has confirmed that it did not check whether Australian employees were suitable to fill 32 computer software jobs, which its contractor filled using overseas workers. The overseas workers on 457 visas were hired after the government's ServiceFirst shed more than 200 employees who had provided computer support services. After laying the 200 off, the government outsourced its computer support services for IT, HR, payroll, finance and accounting to global companies. The companies have taken all responsibility for checking overseas workers are genuinely required to fill a serious skills shortage. These contractors are only required to keep 70 per cent of jobs onshore, allowing 30 per cent to be offshore. I have something of a love-hate relationship with Melbourne. It is by and large a decent place, with a stronger collective sense of society and public amenity than some other big metropolises such as Sydney. Melbourne has, to use the phrase coined by urban theorist and economist Richard Florida, a vibrant "creative class", something which has partly underpinned its recent success. Even so, I think as a city Melbourne has become badly complacent, coasting on a tired major events schedule, an ageing, overburdened public transport network, and misleading labels such as "the world's most liveable city". It's time to accept that Melbourne has, over the past decade, lost much of its coveted liveability and no longer deserve the title. Here are five reasons. Declining rates of home ownership aren't necessarily a bad thing, according to the Reserve Bank. Addressing a conference of housing researchers in Melbourne, the Bank's head of economics, Luci Ellis, said participation in the housing market "need not be about owning your own home". "Many people rent, someone else has to own those dwellings as well," she said. "In Australia, most private rental properties are owned by other households." While the proportion of 25 to 34 year olds owning the home they lived in had fallen from around 60 per cent to around 50 per cent since the 1970s, this wasn't necessarily a cause for concern. To balance out time spent away from her family, Morris would whisk them all off on holiday when she returned home. "I thought that if we're all swimming in a pool somewhere, we're all happy," she says. "Not only was work incredibly intense but then we would all fly somewhere. Every waking hour of every day was filled with work or high-pressure fun." Meanwhile, the family was still coming to terms with Thomas's breast cancer diagnosis in 2012 and subsequent mastectomy. Morris's professionalism is such that she thinks few people, apart from her husband, realised she was imploding from the pressure of trying to contain her rage. "I'm sure there would have been moments in Africa when [I'm a Celebrity co-star] Dr Chris would have thought, 'Ooh dear Lord'," she concedes, "but they would have been pretty rare." But by this time last year, Morris was close to breaking point. From deep in the steamy African jungle, where she was filming I'm a Celebrity, she made an SOS call to a good friend. "I think I'm going mad," she blurted out. "I think I'm having some mental health problems and I don't really understand why." It was a critical turning point. On the other end of the line, Morris's friend suggested she see a therapist to talk things through. But Morris has never been one for introspection "Being self-employed for most of my life, there hasn't been any real time to take stock," she says and her default response was, "Oh, I think I'm all right." "I just thought that there's no way talking to someone is going to stop me feeling like this," she recalls. Yet she agreed to give it a go, and sought out a psychologist when she returned from Africa. To her surprise, in 10 sessions she was taught how to control the "fury ball" which would rise up, unbidden, from her stomach. She learnt to keep things in perspective and refrain from buying into gossip. She's since worked hard to rein in her people-pleasing, diverting that time and energy back into her family. Crucially, she now chooses to focus only on helpful thoughts, rather than the unhelpful ones which were clouding her mind. "Something that I've only really come to know, maybe in the last five years, is accepting who you are not everybody likes you and that's okay," she explains. "And you don't have to help every single person who crosses your path." There's no sign of the wrathful Morris as we talk in this Surry Hills cafe. The woman who greets me is delightfully warm and engaging she kisses me hello rather than shaking my hand, and plonks herself down next to me on the banquette, ignoring the chair opposite. She's sparkling and funny and, as our hour together flies by, I feel like I'm catching up with an old friend. But she's more reflective, and more self-aware the experience has been so life-changing that Morris is determined to spread the love. She has become evangelical about the benefits of cognitive behavioural therapy and hands out the business cards of psychologists she trusts in Sydney and Melbourne to anyone she thinks could benefit from a visit. "Now that I've broken on through to the other side, I feel like, 'Oh my gosh, I got my happy self back.' " Her family also has her back. While Morris was always around a lot, even with her high-octane work life, her husband observes that she's now engaged when she's at home. Her phone is set to silent and she has swapped her habit of permanently running late to arriving 15 minutes early, which creates a sliver of "me time" for breathing, meditating or making a quick phone call to check in with Thomas and the girls. She's also started a new ritual of devoting one day a term to each daughter separately (one child wanted to sit in an empty bath filled with soft toys, the other opted for blindfold makeovers). "It's sitting down together and laughing and spending time together, making cookies and doing all those things where I was like, 'I would love to do that, but I've just got to get this finished,' " Morris explains. "I got lost in 'How do I fit it in?' Now it's, 'Do I really want to do it?' I'm knocking back work left, right and centre. It's been hard, but as a result I've had a terrific year." And her kids have noticed the change. "They say, 'Mum, you're so happy.' " As a result, at the time of our interview Morris was looking forward to returning to South Africa's Kruger National Park for her eight-week stint filming this season of I'm a Celebrity. "It's a crazy amount of fun," she enthuses. "I get to go away with a dear friend, the darling docteur, and laugh my head off. My family comes over halfway that lets a bit of steam out of my tyres. It makes me much more relaxed." But as every working mother knows, some things have to give in the battle to achieve balance. In this instance friends have fallen by the wayside Morris is lucky if she sees them once a month. In fact, her answering machine says (tongue-in-cheek): "I think we both know I'm not returning your call. Send me a text message. I know it's rude, it's something I'm working on with my psychologist." More has changed than simply her approach to work and family. Morris has also deliberately stopped the negative self-talk, mindful of the potential effect it could have on her daughters. "I used to say, 'I'm not doing anything right.' Or, 'Mummy's an idiot, I forgot to do such and such.' I hope I'm raising women with a strong sense of self. I don't need to show them by example that I'm the hardest person on myself." This includes quitting joking about her size or weight. Yet despite all the stress of the last few years, Morris has never looked better. When we meet, she's svelte in a grey marle jersey tube dress spangled with silver sequins (something she whipped up herself from a bolt of fabric from Spotlight, sewing being one of her favourite hobbies). Her hair is dyed its original chestnut brown, she has a slash of crimson across her lips, and her skin shows off a golden glow (apart from her right hand, which she very humanly forgot to fake-tan for our photo shoot). Although Morris's publicist has warned me she won't talk about her weight, nothing is off limits in our candid conversation. "I work hard on how I look, so I don't mind if somebody notices," she tells me. (This includes the odd shot of Botox.) "The way I look at 48, size 12, it takes not eating cakes during the day, not getting that Crunchie at the corner shop, not having another muffin. It's all day, every day. The moment you stop doing that you won't have the same results." This philosophy could equally be applied to Morris's career. Her work ethic has been phenomenal from working for free for three months in the UK trying to get a start on the stand-up circuit, to cramming her diary to fit in every work request. But the newly enlightened Lady J-Mo is determined to ease back. "I've been working this hard my entire life," she says. "Now it's time to stop and reset. The first part of my life was very intense. The second part of my life is not going to be that intense but the fun will remain the same." "He leaves behind two relieved children ... and countless other victims including an ex-wife, relatives, friends, doctors, nurses and random strangers," read the death notice, which his adult daughter has acknowledged she wrote. Leslie Ray Charping, a Texas man who died on January 30 at 74, made a public mark in passing that reflected the private marks - both figurative and literal - that he apparently left on his family. The obituary they wrote is a gloomy meditation on what appears to have been a cruel and useless life. "This obit was intended to help bring closure because not talking about domestic violence doesn't make it go away." Credit:Stocksy The brutally candid obit made headlines around the world and drew so many viewers that the attending funeral home's website crashed Friday. By the end of the weekend, the send-off had been replaced with a brief just-the-dates mention on the funeral home's tribute page. It's tough to read and sad to imagine the raw hatred this man engendered. Mr Charping's hobbies, the biting reminiscence says, included "being abusive to his family (and) expediting trips to heaven for the beloved family pets." At his death, from cancer, he had lived "29 years longer than expected, and much longer than he deserved." "No services will be held, no prayers for eternal peace, and no apologies to the family he tortured." Out there in the chattersphere, opinions varied as to the appropriateness of publicly excoriating the dead. Presumably, once gone to his reward (or just desserts), he is beyond criticism. The federal government is to embark on a massive overhaul of its troubled technology effort, putting more than 100 projects, each worth more than $10 million, under the microscope. The move looks set to be the biggest ever shake-up of Australian government IT, significantly weakening the grip of Canberra mandarins on the $6.2 billion spent on info tech by the Commonwealth each year. Digital Innovation Minister Angus Taylor. Credit:Louise Kennerley First to feel the blowtorch will be the $1 billion replacement of Centrelink's automated payment system and Defence's new "enterprise resource planning" project, which also comes with a $1 billion price tag. The plan, to be announced on Friday, comes in the wake a string of IT disasters for the government like the infamous Census fail, the recent Tax Office meltdown, the Child Support payment debacle and others. Serial paedophile and former priest Brian Joseph Spillane has been sentenced to another 13 years in jail for abusing young boys, many of whom were homesick and turned to him for help, at a private Catholic boarding school. Spillane, 74, kept his back turned to his victims and their families as the sentence was handed down in a packed court room in the Downing Centre District Court on Thursday. Damien Sheridan with his son Zakarie. Credit:Louise Kennerley The former teacher, chaplain and head of discipline at St Stanislaus' College, Bathurst, in central west NSW preyed on young boys who came from strictly Catholic families who revered priests. Spillane used religious rituals, purporting to perform exorcisms, prayers and to speak in tongues, as a ruse to sexually abuse the boys. David Pinter and Samuel Dalton are developing the first American anime, produced with top-tier talent from both Japan and the States. David Pinter and Samuel Dalton are developing the first American anime, produced with top-tier talent from both Japan and the States. Steam Genius DROOLing over Thumper The next EnVision Bus Read more [...] Clive Palmer has been asked in court to provide a phone number for his nephew, who liquidators want to question over the collapse of Queensland Nickel. Mr Palmer said he spoke by phone to Clive Mensink earlier this month, when he was on a cruise ship off the United States. Clive Palmer says he doesn't know his nephew's whereabouts. Credit:Jorge Branco Barrister Walter Sofronoff, for liquidators FTI Consulting, asked Mr Palmer to provide a phone number for his nephew, who was QN's sole registered director before the business failed. Mr Palmer provided the number to the Federal Court in Brisbane. A taxi driver has been beaten and robbed by a trio of thieves in Brisbane's south on Thursday night. It will be alleged two men and a woman caught the taxi on Ekibin Road in Annerley about 11.30pm and when they arrived at Waldheim Street, one of the men stole the driver's money box. The Dog Squad led police to three people who allegedly assaulted and robbed a taxi driver in Annerley. Credit:QPS Police said the trio then fled and when the taxi driver confronted them he was punched in the head and body by the two men. The Dog Squad was called in to help with the search and found the alleged offenders nearby where they were arrested. Queensland Speaker Peter Wellington has announced he will not contest the next state election. The independent member for Nicklin said he had elderly parents who "in the coming years will need my help". Speaker Peter Wellington has announced his retirement. Credit:Bradley Kanaris "For this reason I too will not be standing at the next election as a candidate," Mr Wellington said. "It's been a real honour to be your Speaker, and member of state Parliament. Korean nationals who worked at a Moreton Bay sushi outlet have been underpaid more than $28,000, according to the Fair Work Ombudsman. Federal legal proceedings have begun against Dai II Kang, the owner of a Sushi Kuni outlet at Redcliffe and former owner of a Sushi Kuni outlet in New South Wales, along with his company EJ Group International Pty Ltd, over allegations five employees at the two outlets were underpaid $28,615. Legal proceedings have begun against the owner of Sushi Kun at Redcliffe. Credit:iStock FWO officers allegedly discovered two Korean workers on student and 417 working holiday visas and an Australian employee at the Ballina outlet were allegedly paid flat rates of $120-$160 a day and had been underpaid $19,308 over eight months in 2015. Two other Korean nationals at the Redcliffe outlet had also allegedly been paid flat rates and underpaid $10,312 over four month across 2015 and 2016, according to FWO officers. Boston: Woolly mammoths - or, at least, animals with very similar DNA - could be brought back from extinction within two years, say scientists behind a ground-breaking resurrection project. George Church, a world renowned geneticist, has been working with his team at Harvard University to recreate a DNA blueprint of the mammoth for the past two years using material from carcases preserved in the Arctic permafrost. They hope to isolate the genes that differentiate Ice Age mammoths from modern elephants - such as those responsible for its shaggy coat - then splice mammoth genes with the genome of an elephant embryo to create a hybrid with the recognisable features of a mammoth. Laboratory tests show that cells function normally with mammoth and elephant DNA and the Harvard team plan to grow a mammoth embryo in an artificial womb, rather than use a female elephant as a surrogate mother. Premier Daniel Andrews could soon be forced to hand over the web browsing history from his computer and every staffer in his office. The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal will rule on a case brought by Liberal MP Tim Smith, who is seeking a list of websites visited by all people employed by or seconded to the premier's office between January 1 and March 24 last year. Premier Daniel Andrews is in VCAT defending a decision not to release a list of websites he has visited. Credit:Darrian Traynor Mr Smith took the matter to VCAT after he was refused a request made last year under Freedom of Information laws to access the documents. The Coalition said it wanted the internet browsing histories from the premier's office "to make sure that they're working". Prosecutors preparing the brief of evidence against accused Bourke Street killer Dimitrious "Jimmy" Gargasoulas have been called to front the Supreme Court to provide an update on how the complex case is progressing. Gargasoulas' lawyers have also been invited to appear before Justice Lex Lasry in a special mention hearing on Friday. It's understood Gargasoulas will not be present for the mention hearing. Justice Lasry has invited prosecutors to outline their case against Gargasoulas, and the timeframe in which they expect the court case to run. An anti-Roe 8 mural has been defaced by vandals as the debate over the road extension continues to cause controversy in the City of Fremantle. The mural was painted on a wall at Stevens Street Reserve, and depicted Premier Colin Barnett driving a bulldozer through the planned Roe 8 Highway site. The now-defaced mural. Credit:Pippa Hurst The mural was able to stay on the wall as a part of the City of Fremantle's street art policy, which allows unauthorised art to be kept at certain site if it has 'cultural or artistic merit'. However local residents found the mural had been painted over on Thursday morning, with a thick, black tar-like substance. Premier Colin Barnett has reiterated his 'win at all costs' tactic for the state election - refusing to condemn a WA One Nation candidate receiving Liberal preferences who made violent, racist and homophobic comments online. An exclusive report for Fairfax Media revealed One Nation candidate Richard Eldridge once advocated killing Indonesian journalists and attacked "poofters", Muslims and black people on his now-deactivated Twitter account. Premier Colin Barnett's deal with One Nation in WA is realpolitik with counterintuitive benefits. Credit:Brook Mitchell Mr Eldridge, a real estate agent contesting an upper house seat in the South Metropolitan region of Perth, called Muslims "little sheet heads", derided gay relationships as "poo games" and advocated taking up arms against "extreme Muslims". He revived his Twitter account on Thursday morning, saying his 2014 comments did not represent his views today. Upscale restaurants cancelled long-standing reservations. Some ubiquitous fast-casual chains were closed. And teachers posted pictures on social media of their empty classrooms. Immigrants across the country were on strike Thursday to highlight their importance to the American economy to a new administration that has taken a hard line stance on immigration policies. The strike, spurred by a social-media campaign, calls for immigrants to not come into work, avoid spending money and not send their children to school. It spans across all businesses, but it's the restaurant industry - where immigrants make up nearly 23 per cent of the national workforce, according to data compiled by the Institute for Immigration Research at George Mason University - that seems to be affected most by the strike. Scores of restaurants in Washington, Minneapolis, New York, Phoenix and beyond shuttered for the day. Some schools and day-care centres also were closed, with teachers reporting low attendance numbers on social media. Washington: President Donald Trump once again unleashed a fearsome barrage of tweets on Wednesday morning. The target was the New York Times' new report that intelligence officials have established contacts between Russian intelligence and Trump campaign officials during the campaign. Trump attacked the news media again, railing that "the fake news media is going crazy with their conspiracy theories and blind hatred." He also blasted the intelligence services, claiming that they are "illegally" giving information to the media, which, he opined, is "just like Russia." This has become a pattern, in which Trump deals with setbacks by lashing out at other institutions, including ones that can function as a check on his power. When the courts blocked his immigration ban, he blasted both the courts and the news media for making us less safe, in what seemed to be designed to lay the groundwork to blame them for a future terrorist attack, a move that even some Republicans criticised for its authoritarian tendencies. This appeared to be a test run of sorts, in which Trump was experimenting with how far he could go in delegitimising the institutions that might act as a check on his power later. But as a test run, for now, at least, it is failing. Trump's unchecked antics on multiple fronts are suddenly making him look like a very weak autocrat wannabe. The Oroville Dam in northern California is the tallest dam in the United States, rising 770 feet high. It holds back a reservoir containing 1.1 trillion gallons of water, supplying farms and cities across the state. It's a vital piece of infrastructure. However, over the past week the aging dam has become a serious threat. Cabot member Professor Colin Taylor explains why the dam is under so much stress. Watch the video here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/ programmes/p04stmng Sign up for our amNY Sports email newsletter to get insights and game coverage for your favorite teams Just dont expect this star to make any red-carpet appearances. Coney Islands Wonder Wheel will not only make a cameo in Woody Allens forthcoming film it will also lend its name to the title. The celebrated and controversial director, who spent time shooting in The Peoples Playground last summer, has named his upcoming 2017 offering Wonder Wheel after the amusement-district gem. The landmarked ride is an enduring icon that has managed keep spinning through depressions, wars, and Hurricane Sandy so its only fitting that it gets a titular nod in Allens next flick, according to the rides co-owner. I feel the Wonder Wheel is not just a piece of old New York, its New York itself, said Steven Vourderis, who runs the Ferris wheel along with brother Dennis. Its a modern marvel and who better to highlight it and Coney Island than Woody Allen? Its terrific that he named it after the Wonder Wheel, it really is. Allen and stars Kate Winslet and national treasure Justin Timberlake spent about three weeks last summer filming on the Boardwalk the directors first professional return to Coney since 1977s Annie Hall, which featured the original Thunderbolt roller coaster before Mayor Rudy Giuliani had it demolished in the middle of the night in 2000. The film will center on the Boardwalk and amusement district in the 1950s, according to fan blog The Woody Allen Pages, which first reported the new title. Scenes from the film will feature the Boardwalk, a retro Luna Park outfitted with old rides, and the Freak Bar fashioned to look like a 1950s dive, according to sideshow impresario Dick Zigun, who lent his watering hole to the director. The major motion picture will further promote the Wonder Wheel and Coneys glory, said the so-called Mayor of Coney Island. Woody Allen movies are always a big event and the fact that its set here and named after the Wonder Wheel, I feel this will help further highlight the amusement park, said Zigun. And I know this means much to the continuing legend of Coney Island. Itll keep the lore alive. The 15-story Wonder Wheel has been around since 1920 and has given more than 35 million rides since it began spinning. Vourderis patriarch Denos bought the ride in 1983 and renamed it Denos Wonder Wheel. It was designated a city landmark in 1989 and is one of the oldest rides in Coney Island. The International Association of Firefighters Local 820 and the International Brotherhood of Police Officers Local 673, announced Wednesday their endorsement of Andy Berke for mayor of Chattanooga. The IAFF represents over 68 percent of city of Chattanooga firefighters, and the IBPO is one of two unions representing Chattanooga Police Officers. Mayor Berke won the endorsement of IAFF Membership last Thursday night and IBPO membership Monday night by a majority vote, adding to the growing list of organizations endorsing Mayor Berke for re-election, including: SEIU Local 205, IBEW Local 175, FOP Lodge 22, the Chattanooga Times, and the Chattanooga Free Press. Mayor Andy Berke has been incredibly supportive of Chattanooga Firefighters over the last four years, said IAFF 820 President Jack Thompson. He understands the risk firefighters face every day to protect citizens and has repeatedly shown public safety is his top priority by giving firefighters the support they need. Leadership at IBPO echoed the praise given to Mayor Berke by IAFF President Thompson. The IBPO is proud to endorse Mayor Berke. Hes worked tirelessly to support Police Officers, and we are confident that he is the best choice to keep Chattanooga citizens safe, said IBPO President Sgt. Michael Newton. Mayor Berke said he has made public safety a priority in the citys budget over the past four years, and he has implemented reforms to improve the lives of first responders and their families, while investing in equipment to help them better protect Chattanooga citizens. Mayor Berke worked with the IAFF, IBPO, FOP, and the citys Department of Human Resources to fix the broken Fire and Police Pay Plans, and the city agreed to work with these groups to improve the structure of this plan. Investments to support firefighters include a new fire engine replacement plan, new fire stations in Highland Park and Hixson, and new self-breathing apparatuses. In addition, Mayor Berke worked with CFD leadership to pilot a new Quick Response Vehicle program to help firefighters respond to medical emergencies quicker. I am honored to have the endorsement of all groups representing our firefighters and police officers," said Mayor Berke. "Keeping Chattanooga safe starts with supporting our first responders who put their lives on the line every day. I will continue to support our firefighters and police officers over the next four years and better equip them to keep our citizens safe. An AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) team, River 3, is serving with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park until Thursday, March 9. The NCCC team of 10 members from the Southern Region campus in Vicksburg, Ms., is working to maintain and rehabilitate trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The team is also assisting with environmental recovery in response to the wildfire in Gatlinburg. The members are hiking out to work to clear drains, clear debris from the wildfire, and perform routine maintenance. The team is also treating for invasive species in the park to protect the Eastern Hemlock Trees. Each day, River 3 is hiking to their worksite on either the North Carolina or Tennessee side of the park to leave their mark. These mountains, this park, its all beautiful. I cant wait to see the beauty on the trails, on the ground, and on top of the highest mountain, said Nikki Ottens, River 3 Media representative. The Great Smoky Mountain National Park is home to over 850 miles of trails maintained by the National Park System. The mission of the National Park Service is to preserve unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The NCCC team, River 3, is based out of Vicksburg, Miss., but consists of members from around the country. After completing their service with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the members of the team will deploy to Greensboro, Al., for their next service project. Girls Inc. of Chattanooga member Diamond Jones has been selected as a 2017 scholarship winner in the competitive Girls Inc. National Scholar Program. She is among nine young women around the nation to be awarded a $20,000 college scholarship and is the most recent of four National Scholars to come out of Girls Inc. of Chattanooga in the last three years.The Girls Inc. National Scholars Program selects outstanding young women for exemplifying the Girls Inc. mission of inspiring all girls to be strong, smart, and bold.Recipients are role models for other girls who demonstrate a commitment to achieving academically and serving their communities."We are so proud of Diamond for being recognized with this well-deserved award; a recognition that we know is another step in her strong, smart and bold journey," said Toccora Johnson, Sr. director of Program Operations. "Diamond's self-confidence, courage and resilience are only a few of the many qualities that make her the role model she is for our younger girls and we know she will continue to inspire us. I'm grateful for all our supporters who make it possible for our Girls Inc. girls to be a part of the Girls Inc. Experience."This year, Girls Inc. awarded 19 high school girls with scholarships for educational expenses at any accredited college or university, from a competitive pool of national applicants. Of the 19 recipients, Miss Jones is one of only nine to receive the $20,000 award.Miss Jones and three other 2017 National Scholars have also been chosen to speak and share their personal stories at the Girls Inc. National Luncheon in New York City on March 7, which will honor former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.Ms. Jones commented about her selection by saying, " Receiving the Girls Inc. scholarship is still unbelievable to me. I've always wanted to represent Girls Inc. in some way like some of the other girls, so I am very honored to be representing them by receiving this award."To top off the great news, Girls Inc. of Chattanooga was one of only seven affiliates nationwide with a 2017 Girls Inc. National Scholars at the eighth grade level. Sakinah Rashid was one of only ten Girls Inc. girls nationally to receive the recognition from a record high pool of 52 eligible applications; they were each awarded $500 in scholarships.Ms. Rashid said of her selection, "I'm so thankful for the amazing opportunity to write a essay for a college scholarship. Most people my age aren't really thinking about college or even that far ahead, ut I've learned it's important to do so and to set goals and accomplish them. Being involved in Girls Inc. gives you chances like these that will change your life forever. I am very proud to be a Girls Inc. girl."Girls Inc. Program Coordinator II, Jaleesa Brumfield, who worked closely with the girls on their applications said, "I'm so proud of Sakinah. Over the years I have watched her blossom into the incredible teenager she is now. Winning this award for Sakinah is bigger than just a scholarship. This award showed her the importance of grit and hard work. It also means she has bigger goals to set and meet before she applies for the scholarship as a senior. She is the perfect example of a Girls Inc. girl. I'm so excited for her future."Since 1993, Girls Inc. has awarded over $4.6 million in scholarships, making higher education a reality for hundreds of high school girls across the United States and Canada. Scholarships are awarded annually and are open to Girls Inc. participants in the 11th and 12th grades. Yardley Friends Meeting at 65 N. Main Street in Yardley will host the documentary Organic Roots on Friday, November 18 at 7 p.m. Join director Al Johnson for a showing of this film followed by a discussion of the last 50 years of this movement. Organic foods are part of our life today and a tool in our concern for... latest news October 31, 2022 Buddy TV In November, there are hundreds of new and returning TV showsit can be overwhelming to try and choose what to watch. That's why we've selected some of the best options... On this episode of Star, Mamas Boy, Alex, Simone and Star throw a fundraiser to raise money for Dereks bail. Star also goes to Hunter for help, but he cannot control his temper when she asks him for money. Carlotta continues to deal with Cottons transition with the help of Pastor Harris. Bail Me Out Alexs mother returns to pay her bail and pick her up from jail after she was arrested on her way home from the rally. Carlotta is also waiting for Alex, and tells her that she is going to Dereks arraignment. Alex goes with her, and Dereks bail is set for $250,000 because he is being charged for inciting a riot, resisting arrest and aggravated assault against a police officer. While Star suggests that they throw a fundraiser concert to raise money for Dereks bail, Alexs mom offers to just give her the money if she agrees to leave Atlanta. Alex goes to visit Derek in jail, and he tells her he is going to take the plea deal because he knows he is going to lose the trial. She reminds him that he used to think he was going to save the world, and tells him she is disappointed in him for giving up. After her visit, Alex begs Star to ask Hunter for the money for Derek. After Star and Hunter hook up, she asks him to donate to Dereks fundraiser and he freaks out about her asking for more money. They start to fight, and he hits Star after she calls him a mamas bitch. (Star really has a way with words.) Star Recap: Star Fights for Her Spot as Band Leader>>> Fours a Crowd Jahil gets a call from Connie (his friend who is connected to the Atlanta music festival) about Big Troubles video from the rally. He says Evas voice adds something to the music group that wasnt there before, and he should consider adding her to the band. Once Star finds out about the video, she loses it and demands Jahil takes it down because she is not in it. After a few dates, Cotton worries about how to tell her new man, Elliott, that she is transgender. She explains her past to him, including the fact that she still has a penis, and he is fine with it. Elliott walks Cotton inside, and they run into Carlotta and Pastor Harris. After the men both leave, Carlotta slaps Cotton and asks her not to have her sex change surgery. Later on, Carlotta apologies to Cotton and tells her that she supports her, but still wants her to go to Pastor Harris for advice. Dont Go Chasing Waterfalls After her fight with Hunter, Star goes back to rehearsing for the fundraiser with Simone and Alex. They can tell something is wrong, and the three girls joke about whether or not other girl groups like Destinys Child and TLC had as much drama as them. At the fundraiser, they perform TLCs hit Waterfalls, and it made me wish they would just perform covers instead of original music during the rest of the show. Hunter shows up at the fundraiser, and brings Missy Elliott (who plays a fictional famous rapper named Pumpkin) with him to talk to the crowd and perform. However, when they do not raise enough money for Dereks bail, Alex is forced to take the deal from her mom and plans to leave with her after she pays his bail in the morning. Too Late To Apologize Hunter shows up at Stars house and apologizes for hitting her. Just like Star, he also has a way with words and explains he has been burned by so many crazy bitches that he just lost it. She refuses to give him another chance. Pastor Harris meets with Cotton, and forces her to pray, admit her sins and say I am a man. Cotton is very upset, and accuses Carlotta of setting her up. Carlotta kicks Pastor Harris out of her house, and its safe to say they will not be sinning together anymore. There is also a random Queen Latifah rap music video thrown in, which was fun to watch, but I dont think it belonged in this serious moment. After everything, Cotton is in the bathroom pointing a gun to her head. Star finds her, and helps her put down the gun. Even though Alexs mom pays Dereks bail, she refuses to leave town with her and reunites with Derek outside of the jail. Star quits the band after Jahil brings Eva to rehearsal. Elsewhere, the police run DNA on Otis body, and discover he matches the DNA they found in the car. Star season 1 airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on FOX. Want more news? Like BuddyTVs Facebook page. (Image courtesy of FOX) Hop into your DeLoreans, Supernatural fans. Sam and Dean are prepping for a season 7 throwback. Its been 12 years of monsters, angels, and mayhem for the Winchester boys, and yet we still tend to forget just how massive the Supernatural universe really is. Viewers will get a reminder of the brothers Leviathan days in episode 14. Best Supernatural Quotes From Regarding Dean>>> Titled The Raid, the March 2 episode will see Marys (Samantha Smith) vampire hunting expedition go awry. Shes sharpened her machete, shes ready to lop off more heads than revolutionary France, but what she isnt prepared for is the return of the alpha-vamp. Heck, were not even sure she knows the fangs all hail from one ancient progenitor. Nevertheless, Mary will find herself face to face with the granddaddy of all bloodsuckers. Although Supernatural has yet to officially announce his return, Rick Worthys recent Instagram pics have stymied any talk of recasting. (Can an alpha even be replaced? Well have to dive into the lore on that one.) Shhhhhhhhhhhhhh . Muwahahahahaaaa, worthy teased during filming in December, warning all budding hunters to #KeepYourBacktotheWall. Like Castiel (Misha Collins), it appears Worthys character has found his power outfit. Just as Team Free Wills wingman never ditches his trench coat, the alpha is rocking the same tie he wore while aiding/attempting to kill our heroes in season 7s There Will Be Blood. 13 Signs Supernatural Has Taken Over Your Life>>> Unfortunately, a visit from the British Men of Letters will complicate matters even further. Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) dont trust the limeys as far as they can throw them, and their animosity will undoubtedly grow if Mr. Ketchs (David Haydn) little murder habit is exposed. Do the malicious academics even know about alpha monsters? They might have all the cool toys, but the British legacies have never even laid eyes on Lucifer. Were willing to bet the Winchesters can one up their overseas colleges when it comes to life in the field. Supernatural airs Thursdays at 8/7c on The CW. Want more news like this? Check out our Supernatural Facebook page. (Image courtesy of The CW) Campus News UB faculty fight for survival at annual life raft debate By HALEY CASE If the world were to suddenly come under nuclear attack, which UB professor would you choose to help guide the rebuilding of a new society? On Feb. 15, professors will plead their case for their survival and the final spot in the audiences imaginary life raft set to sail to the new society. The sixth annual Life Raft Debate, sponsored by the Undergraduate Academies and the University Honors College, will take place from 6-8 p.m. Feb. 15, in 107 Capen Hall, North Campus. The debate will consist of professors from six departments, ranging from physics to pharmacology, defending their disciplines. They will try to convince the survivors in the audience that they deserve over all of the other candidates to survive the impending disaster. At the end of the debate, members of the audience will choose which professor had the best argument and which discipline would best help the new society thrive. Refreshments will be served in the Don Shack Student Lounge following the debate. As far as what students can expect to learn, they will likely learn more about some really cool and fun faculty, says Jessica Seabury, senior assistant director of the Honors College. Theyll learn more about new disciplines, enjoy the company of other undergraduates in a relaxed and humorous setting, and have a few laughs and snacks. This years competing faculty and their departments include: Walter Hakala, assistant professor of English and Asian studies. William Kinney, professor of physics. Lance Rintamaki, associate professor of communication. Satpal Singh, professor of pharmacology and toxicology. Gwynn Thomas, associate professor of global gender studies. Patrick McDevitt, associate professor of history, won last years Life Raft Debate, the first faculty member from the humanities to win the competition. I argued that we as a new society would benefit from the experiences of the past, that we had a moral obligation to preserve the pre-catastrophe past, and that we needed a professional to chronicle the birth of the new world, says McDevitt, who this year will take the role of Devils Advocate, pointing out the shortcomings of the arguments of the other faculty members. This, in turn, would make them the founders of the new world not just famous, but immortal. Previous winners of the Life Raft Debate include Provost Charles Zukoski, professor of chemical and biological engineering; Al Price, professor emeritus of urban and regional planning; Peter Horvath, associate professor of exercise and nutrition sciences; and James Jensen, professor of civil, structural and environmental engineering. Three interactive industry workshops to be held at the BMF All-Industry Conference in Budapest in June will give delegates an opportunity to experience one of the BMF's most popular recent innovations. The workshops are based on the specialist BMF Industry Forums that both serve different interest groups within the merchant sector and encourage broader member engagement. There are now over 10 BMF Industry Forums meeting on a regular basis. Three of these Marketing, Plumbing & Heating, and Young Merchants - will be featured on the second day of the Conference, giving delegates an opportunity to hear from expert speakers and to discuss the issues that most affect them with their colleagues in the wider industry. Delegates will be invited to select one of the Forums, detailed below, to attend in advance of the event. Marketing Forum This will pick up on the Conference theme of Change, Challenge & Opportunity, to discuss the impacts that changes in the marketplace are having on marketing and business development strategy. BMF's Marketing Forum is chaired by EH Smith marketing director, Mark Mallinder. Two speakers from the first day's Conference programme, Floyd Woodrow and Michael Jackson, will make a second appearance to start the proceedings before a Q&A session moderated by Conference host, Gethin Jones. The Marketing Forum is sponsored by MRA Marketing. Plumbing & Heating Forum Plumbing & Heating was the first specialist Forum created by the BMF back in 2014. This special session will be hosted by broadcaster and journalist, Steph McGovern, alongside the P&H Forum chair, Keith Jones. The guest speakers are Patrick Headon (pictured), managing director of Wolseley UK, and Jonathan Collier, managing director of Monument Tools, who are sponsoring this workshop. Once again, delegates will be encouraged to add their views to the debate in a Q&A session following the initial presentations. Young Merchants Forum You would be right to expect something different at a Young Merchants Forum. The guest speaker here is Hannah Earnshaw, one of five Britons, and 100 people worldwide, shortlisted for Mars One, a one-way mission that aims to create a human colony on Mars. Ms Earnshaw, an astrophysics PHD student at Durham University, was selected from over 200,000 initial applications. The session will be chaired by Victoria Fiddies, regional sales manager at Catnic, and hosted by Kevin Parr who heads PGS-Team. The Young Merchants Forum is sponsored by ACO. The BMF All-Industry Conference takes place in Budapest from 15 to 18 June 2017, at the five-star Intercontinental Hotel. Broadcaster and TV personality, Gethin Jones, will host the event, which has already sold out. Further details are available on the Conference website, www.bmfconference.co.uk. Pictured: Patrick Headon, managing director of Wolseley UK, will take part in the Plumbing and Heating Forum NOTICE: The Hamilton County Registers Office did not publish this data. All information in the Registers Office is public information as set out in T.C.A. 10-7-503. For questions regarding this report, please call Chattanoogan.com at 423 266-2325. GI numbers, listed when street addresses are not available, refer to the location of transactions (book number and page number) in Hamilton County Register Office records. CSCC will host the 13th annual Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss celebration on Saturday, March 4. The event will take place from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. in Cleveland States Library and is sponsored by the Early Childhood Education program and the Library. The celebration is organized by students in the language and literacy development class. Since this is our 13th year and Cleveland States 50th anniversary we wanted to do some special things, stated Suzanne Wood, CSCC associate professor and coordinator of Early Childhood Education. We are asking children and their families to bring in newly packaged sock for children, and then we will donate them to a charitable organization. There will be barrels at the event to collect the donated socks. This years event will honor Seusss Fox in Socks book. This book is one of Seusss most famous read aloud tongue twisters. Something Seuss was known to include in many of his books. As with previous events, special guests will include Dr. Seusss most well-known characters, the Cat in the Hat, Thing One and Thing Two and the Grinch. Both children and adults are familiar with the uncontrollable and entertaining Cat from Dr. Seusss book, The Cat in the Hat. The Cat is accompanied by the twin mischief-makers, Thing One and Thing Two, and together they bounce from one catastrophic fun-making adventure to another. The Grinch, the title character from The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, is a cynical cave-dweller who has a sudden change of heart when he realizes the real meaning of Christmas. Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss is free to children of all ages; however, all children must be accompanied by an adult. Each child will receive a goody bag and may participate in literacy-related activities assisted by students in Cleveland States language and literacy development class. According to Wood, the Kiwanis Club of Cleveland has generously given money to purchase books for the event, and members of the Kiwanis club will be there to give a free hard back Dr. Seuss book to every child that attends. A representative from Dolly Partons Imagination Library will also be on hand. The Imagination Library is a nonprofit organization that promotes early childhood literacy by giving free age-appropriate books to children from birth to age five around the country. Literacy-related activities will be set up both inside and outside the library, and the young participants will be entertained with readings of Dr. Seusss stories, including some readings in Spanish and German. Other activities will include face painting, hat making and music and movement. Refreshments and door prizes will also be a part of the celebration. The Early Childhood Education Program at Cleveland State began in 1999 out of an initiative from the Tennessee Board of Regents requiring that all community colleges in the state have an early childhood program. Students may receive a Child Development Associate (CDA) designation by completing a four-course option and related credentialing procedures or may pursue an Associate of Applied Science degree by completing the two-year, 60-credit-hour program. Cleveland State also has transfer agreements with many area colleges that allow students to transfer and complete their degree to teach pre-K through third grade. Those interested in more information about the Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss event or the Early Childhood Education Program should contact Suzanne Wood, program coordinator, at 472-7141, Ext. 282. In the spring of 1837, a long, gawky, ugly, shapeless man walked into Joshua Speeds dry goods store in Springfield, Illinois, requesting supplies for a bed. Speed said the cost would be US$17, which ended up being too pricey for the visitor, who asked instead for credit until Christmas. The 23-year-old Speed was nonetheless taken with this stranger; he threw such charm around him and betrayed a perfect naturalness. Coal India and Singareni Collieries, both government-owned, together rule the market for coal; the former has 80 per cent of it. Earlier this month, Union coal secretary Sushil Kumar said the coming year would mark the return of private commercial mining of coal, after 40 years. The government will be allocating four blocks for private commercial mining. However, the government-owned behemoth has 413 mines, producing 530 million tonnes (mt) a year. According to senior Coal India officials, their very size gives an edge over any other entrant. No company can match our production. Thus, we will continue to retain market leadership position and prices will also depend on our reaction to market conditions, said a top executive. At the best, he says, private players will be able to produce only four to five per cent of their output. Recently, keeping with global trends, Coal India raised its coking coal prices by 20 per cent, and revised the steel and direct feed grades at par with import prices. Analysts expect private companies to follow Coal Indias pricing trend in the initial years of operation. For at least three-four years after private companies start selling, Coal India prices will be the benchmark, said an analyst with Motilal Oswal. Another senior Coal India official said although the mining segment was being opened, private companies would be more interested in short-term supply agreements. This allows greater flexibility in reacting to global trends and to earn higher margins, while Coal India will continue to focus on long-term supply agreements. The latter warrant higher and steady offtake. However, it is in the auctions where Coal India will have to seriously compete against private companies and a price war is likely here. Coal India financials and sales Recently, faced with stagnated demand from the power sector, its key customer, has been using the auction route to clear its stock and earn better margins. During April-December, the company sold 64.7 million tonnes via the e-auction route, 41 per cent higher than what it sold during the same months of the previous financial year. However, sales volume from long-term fuel supply agreements dipped by 4.5 per cent to 313.5 mt in the same period. TO READ THE FULL STORY, SUBSCRIBE NOW NOW AT JUST RS 249 A MONTH. Already a premium subscriber? Key stories on business-standard.com are available to premium subscribers only.Already a premium subscriber? LOGIN NOW MONTHLY 249 Select ANNUAL 1799 Select Best Offer SMART ANNUAL 1499 1799 Opt for auto renewal and save Rs 300 Select What you get on Business Standard Premium? Unlock 30+ premium stories daily hand-picked by our editors, across devices on browser and app. Full access to our intuitive epaper - clip, save, share articles from any device; newspaper archives from 2006. Curated newsletters on markets, personal finance, policy & politics, start-ups, technology, and more. Pick your 5 favourite companies, get a daily email with all news updates on them. 26 years of website archives. Preferential invites to Business Standard events. 5 ARTICLE PACK PAY AS YOU GO 150 /for 5 articles * Terms 1. Lorem Ipsum is dummy Text 2. Lorem Ipsum is dummy Text VIEW ALL FAQs Unlock 30+ premium stories daily hand-picked by our editors, across devices on browser and app. Full access to our intuitive epaper - clip, save, share articles from any device; newspaper archives from 2006. Curated newsletters on markets, personal finance, policy & politics, start-ups, technology, and more. Pick your 5 favourite companies, get a daily email with all news updates on them. 26 years of website archives. Food group said it aimed for 2-4 per cent underlying sales growth this year after net profit fell and sales rose less than expected in 2016, hit by slowing emerging markets and a deflationary environment. "Two to four percent reflect the macroeconomic uncertainty. This is a volatile and still somewhat deflationary environment. We felt this was wise and prudent," new Chief Executive Ulf Mark Schneider, who took over on January 1, told reporters at the company's headquarters. "But I also wanted to express my confidence that we can get back to mid-single-digit growth by 2020," he said, adding he expected pricing to improve this year. will step up cost savings to boost profitability and replaced its " model" of 5-6 per cent underlying sales growth with a new mid-term goal of "mid-single-digit organic growth and significant structural cost savings by 2020". Nestle said it would increase restructuring costs to around 500 million Swiss francs ($498 million) this year and so expected a stable trading operating profit margin in 2017. Net profit at the maker of Kitkat chocolate bars and Nescafe instant coffee fell to 8.5 billion francs last year, well short of the average estimate for 9.59 billion francs in a Reuters poll of analysts, hit by a one-off non-cash adjustment to deferred taxes. Shares in Nestle were indicated to open 2.3 per cent lower based on pre-market activity. Underlying "organic" sales growth slowed to 3.2 per cent from 4.2 per cent in 2015, missing the now outdated target of 5-6 per cent growth for the fourth year in a row and also a 3.4 per cent average estimate in the Reuters poll. Growth in emerging markets, previously the growth driver, slowed to 5.3 per cent from 7.0 per cent a year ago. Emerging markets spoilt the picture for peer Unilever that last month reported lower-than-expected fourth-quarter sales amid problems in India and Brazil, while Danone said on Wednesday tough conditions in China would endure in 2017. ($1 = 1.0038 Swiss francs) The Delhi High Court is expected to hear responses from Sarvodaya Driver Association of Delhi (SDAD) and Rajdhani Tourist Driver Union on Friday, against a February 13 order restraining them from blocking Uber and Ola cars or hampering the legitimate businesses of the taxi aggregators. Border Security Force (BSF) personnel on Wednesday seized fake Indian currency notes of Rs 2,000 denomination, having a face value of Rs 2 lakh, from Malda district in West Bengal. Acting on information received from an arrested trafficker that the fake notes were being smuggled into the state from neighbouring Bangladesh, the BSF troopers of Churiantpur outpost conducted a special operation in the border area early in the morning, which led to the seizure. However, the traffickers managed to flee, a BSF official said. "The party thoroughly searched the area and recovered one packet wrapped in white polythene with 100 notes of 2,000 denomination thrown from the Bangladesh side of the border," R P S Jaiswal, DIG (Public Relations) of BSF South Bengal Frontier, said in a release. "Fake note racketeers were attempting to smuggle the consignment. These notes appear to be similar to those seized recently by police and NIA ( Investigation Agency)," the officer added. The BSF officials got the information about fake notes being pushed through Bangladesh border from fake note trafficker Umar Faruk, who was apprehended from Malda district's Gopalganj on the previous day. "Umar Faruk, alias Firoz (21), is wanted by NIA in a previous case of fake note smuggling. He was apprehended from Gopalganj area in Malda's Kaliachak on February 14 with three fake notes of Rs 2,000 denomination," the BSF press release said. Hamilton Place is hosting a career fair for the Chattanooga Police Department on Friday. Chattanooga Police Department officials said it is looking for those interested in a career in law enforcement, have strong communication skills, integrity, good judgment and a commitment to making a difference in the lives of citizens of Chattanooga. The career fair will take place on Friday from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and the Chattanooga Police Department will be conducting interviews on site at Center Court. The on Thursday lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not taking China's on Taiwan seriously. spokesman Randeep Surjewala said, "Why does the Modi government not object to China's stand on Masood Azhar or when China builds the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) on our territories." The CPEC is an economic corridor being built at a cost of $54 billion and aims to facilitate trade along an overland route that connects Kashgar to Gwadar, through a network of highways, railways, optical fibre and pipelines. "It's time Modi government woke up to challenges and tells China not to interfere in our internal matters", Surjewala told ANI. A youth of Madhya Pradesh's Gwalior city who was reported missing for the last three months is suspected to have crossed the border and is getting training at an Inter Services Intelligence camp in Pakistan, informed sources said on Wednesday. Madhav Nagar resident Sunita Khushwaha told media on Wednesday that her son Vishal, who went missing three months ago, called up two days ago and said he was undergoing Army training in "Gangasagar area of Rajasthan", which seemed a suspect claim. She said Vishal sounded anxious and after brief conversation between the two, the phone was disconnected. Thereafter, she could not contact him. Neither did he call again. The sources said Vishal was known to at least one of the 11 persons arrested in Madhya Pradesh on charge of spying for the since both lived in the same neighbourhood in the city. It led to suspicion about Vishal undergoing training at the camp in Pakistan. Gwalior Superintendent of Police Ashish told IANS that Vishal's mother had complained to Madhav Nagar police station on Wednesday. He said police were probing the whereabouts of Vishal, who was last seen in Thatipur area. Hundreds of drivers attached to Indias largest taxi aggregator Ola protested outside one of the companys offices in East Bengaluru, as they stepped up their demand for higher earnings which they claim the company had promised when the joined. India witnessed the maximum bombings in the world in 2016, even more than war-torn Iraq and Afghanistan, according to a report. J Jayalalithaas house in Secunderabad, which is now in the name of Ms. Sasikala Natarajan, has been served a property tax demand notice of Rs 35,424 by the Secunderabad Cantonment Board, according to a Deccan Chronicle report. Adele may have swept the 59th Grammy Awards held in Los Angeles on 12 Feb, 2017 but an unlikely figure from India also made an appearance. That man is Indias first prime minister, Jawahar Lal Nehru. Union Minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy on Wednesday flew a Rafale fighter jet at Aero India. The Skill Development Minister, who holds a commercial pilot licence, flew for around 35 minutes, and said he reached 8G. "It's a great machine it's going to empower IAF. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken a right decision in inducting such a great machine," Rudy said after flying the machine at . "I have been flying other aircrafts too. I've flown in Su-30. This is a different machine. We reached up to 8G and I am not at all tired," he said. India and France signed an inter-government agreement for purchase of 36 Rafale fighters off-shelf on September 23 this year. This was after a long negotiation between the two countries over the price and other aspects of the deal which was agreed upon during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to France in April, 2015. The deliveries of the aircraft will start in September, 2019 and be completed in April, 2022 according to the defence ministry. The procurement includes a provision for offsets of 50 per cent of the value of the Aircraft and Weapons Package, excluding the value of Performance Based Logistics and Simulator Annual Maintenance, which will be discharged by the vendors through purchase of eligible products supplied by Indian firms. Issam Kazim, the CEO of Dubai Tourism, has a lot riding on Indian travellers. The worlds largest democracy sent the maximum number of visitors to the Emirate for the second consecutive year in 2016 and accounted for more than one-fifth of the growth in tourist arrivals in Dubai. While the income-tax (I-T) department identified 1.8 million people whose cash deposits of banned noted did not appear to be in line with their taxpaying profile for the previous years, only 700,000 have complied with the tax departments requirement of online verification. Reaching the 1.1 million remaining depositors is going to be a daunting task, say tax officials. The cumbersome process of getting them to explain their large deposits falls on the I-T department, which is facing a manpower crunch. The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) had launched Operation Clean Money, which involved e-verification of large cash deposits made between November 9 and December 30. The I-T department had also issued advertisements asking depositors to check if they were named in the list of 1.8 million people and explain the source of their cash deposits. Tax officials also extended the deadline for this verification from February 10 to February 15. I-T officials say the departments current strength of 8,000 assessing officers in the country is not enough to go after the 1.1 million people. Each officer will need to verify details of 1,375 cases, on an average, of such deposits during the demonetisation drive. The I-T department has a sanctioned strength of 72,000, but is operating with 30 per cent vacancy at the moment. Another big challenge in the process would be to reach out to the actual depositors, as 30 per cent of them are out of reach via e-mails or SMS, said a senior assessing officer with direct knowledge. The I-T department will now send letters to those who have not replied to the tax query in the given time period, asking them to disclose their source of the cash deposits, said a senior tax official. Under Operation Clean Money, the tax department has framed around eight categories of questions for filing the response. The questions have been structured in a manner so that people can easily clarify the source of deposits. If the explanation given is not appropriate, the department will provide another opportunity to explain the reasons. If a person has deposited someone elses money, he has been given an option of disclosing the name and respective details of the person to whom the cash belongs. One of the questions also asks how much of this money would be disclosed under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana, in which a taxpayer can pay 50 per cent tax and penalty, and come clean. Meanwhile, considering the exhaustive data profiling required, the CBDT is in the process of hiring an external agency to do the advance profiling of potential tax evaders. We are in talks with a couple of external agencies to do the data mining. We will finalise the name in a weeks time, Sushil Chandra, chairman, CBDT told Business Standard. The preliminary data mining has been done and we initiated the verification on the basis of the information we have. The enforcement action would be taken in those cases that have indulged in benami transactions or may have misused dormant accounts, added Chandra. Advance profiling will help the tax department scrutinise a large number of accounts, which would have been a daunting task if done in its existing system, as the process involves issuing notices, examining the responses and taking appropriate action. A senior tax official said, Right now, we are depending on the permanent account number (PAN). We have PAN details of all the 1.8 million accounts. The CBDT had also asked the Reserve Bank of India to let banks not accept cash deposits without a PAN card, if it is over Rs 2.5 lakh. The I-T department has also armed itself with data mining programs, which detect tax evasion. Even then, the scrutiny of all the accounts, after getting the details, would be daunting, as a normal case (before demonetisation) could take as long as two years under the current process. Taxing times for taxmen The city of Chattanoogas Department of Economic & Community Development invites emerging and engaged community leaders, who are interested in being more involved in their city and neighborhood, to attend Neighborhood University on March 3-4. Chattanoogans should have access to tools and resources to reach their neighborhoods potential, whether thats organizing to clean up a community park, mobilizing to impact zoning changes, or engaging with police to solve problems, said Donna Williams, administrator of ECD. Through Neighborhood University, we are increasing the capacity of neighborhood leaders and aspiring leaders of community-based organizations to utilize their assets to lead and affect change in their city. This year, participants are able to choose from three tracts of classes across two days of workshops on subjects such as using community assets to improve neighborhoods, collaborating community-wide to influence and affect decisions in neighborhoods, and including youth to affect change in communities. Community leaders who complete Neighborhood University will have an opportunity to apply for grants from green|spaces, who is a new partner this year. Empower Chattanooga, a program of green|spaces, will fund 12 neighborhood projects up $1,000 each to help Neighborhood University graduates implement community energy efficiency ideas. Residents have amazing ideas on ways they can help solve the issue of high utility bills in their neighborhoods, said Sam Fulbright, Empower coordinator. The idea of the grant program was inspired by Project Porch Light. A resident in the Highland Park neighborhood wanted to reduce criminal activity and thought that by giving people a free LED light bulb, they would be able to keep their porch light on all night with adding just $1 annually to their utility bill. Neighborhood University, which ECD launched in 2014, is a free program for community leaders. For this years participants, breakfast and lunch will be provided both days. For more information visit connect.chattanooga.gov/neighborhooduniversity, or interested participants may call643-7306. One of the largest indebtors in the power distribution sector, will issue bonds worth Rs 10,000 crore against the debt of its discoms which it took over. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has proposed that the merchant discount rate (MDR or charge) on debit card transactions be rationalised on the basis of turnover. The Minister of State for Home Affairs Shri Hansraj Gangaram Ahir was Chief Guest at the 70th Raising Day of Delhi Police, which was celebrated here today. The MoS inspected the Guard of Honour on the occasion. . . During the occasion, Shri Hansraj Gangaram Ahir said that Delhi is at the centre stage of all political, social, cultural as well as commercial activities happening all over the country and the Delhi Police has to be well prepared to face and control any event at large scale, besides performing it regular duties like maintaining law and order and containing crime. The Minister cautioned the citizens against internal terrorism but at the same time, he expressed his confidence in Delhi Police force, which is well equipped to fight any kind of contingency. He stressed upon the friendly police force and said that the interests of women, children and senior citizens should be given top priority. He highlighted about the enhancement of Nirbhaya Fund by around Rs. 25 Cr and assured that the Home Ministry shall have a positive outlook towards requirements of police force in its efforts in Modernization and Digitization. . . The Chief Guest conferred medals on 44 police personnel for Gallantry, President Medal of Distinguished Service and Police Medal for Meritorious Service. . . Delhi Commissioner of Police Shri Amulya Patnaik appreciated the various past initiatives of Delhi Police, including mobile apps and help lines for lost report, senior citizens, women & children in distress, police clearance and traffic updates. He said that he is determined to make police more people friendly and more digitized to cope up with changing nature of crime in the metropolitan. He further said that Delhi Police is well equipped and in high morale to face any eventuality. . . Government taken many initiatives in the budget for the welfare of agriculture & for the prosperity of farmers: Shri Radha Mohan Singh Estimated growth rate of Agriculture Sector is 4.1% in the next financial year: Shri Singh As per the second advance estimate for year 2016-17 production of foodgrains increase by 20.41 million tonnes than previous year 2015-16: Agriculture Minister Compared to 2015-16, sowing in Rabi season increase by 6.86% this year 2016-17: Shri Singh Shri Singh addresses 88th AGM of ICAR Society The Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Radha Mohan Singh said that despite difficult challenges being faced by ICAR in its working period of 87 years, it has attained many achievements and these achievements are the milestones of progress of agriculture. Increase in production and income, development of institutes, human resources, development of new techniques, agriculture diversification are the areas in which ICAR has established new standards of success. Shri Radha Mohan Singh made this statement today in the 88th AGM of ICAR Society in New Delhi. On this occasion, Secretary, the Department of Agricultural Research and Education & DG, ICAR, Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra and distinguished members of Society and senior officers of ICAR were also present. Shri Singh said that Government is committed to double the income of farmers in five years. In this budget, holistic development of agriculture is the main focus in which to provide credit to farmers on affordable rates, assured supply of seeds and fertilisers, increase in irrigation facilities, increase in productivity through soil health cards, through E-nam assured market and providing profitable price has been emphasised. Agriculture Minister said that for the progress of agriculture and prosperity of farmers, Government has made many initiatives in the budget, In comparison to the budget last year, in the budget of year 2017-18, the fund for rural, agriculture and allied sectors has been increased by 24%, it is now Rs. 1,87,223 crore. In the next financial year, it is estimated that the progress rate of agriculture sector will be 4.1%. Shri Singh said that because of a good monsoon and policy initiatives by the government, there is a record production of food grains this year. As per the second advance estimate for the year 2016-17, there would be a total of 271.98 million tonnes production of food grains which is 6.94 million tonnes compared to last records (265.04 MT is 2013-14) 20.41 million tonnes higher than last year production. Shri Singh said that during this Rabi in comparison to last year 2015-16, we got more sowing has been done viz. 7.7% in wheat, 12.96% in pulses and 12.69% in oilseeds which is in total 6.86% more in comparison to last year. Agriculture Minister said that Indian agriculture scientists have played a major role developing research and technology and bringing green revolution, and thereby in the development of agriculture. Bilateral cooperation in fisheries between India and Norway has grown tremendously and there is great potential for enhancing the relationship in this sector. . Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Radha Mohan Singh met H.E. Shri Jon Georg Dale, Norwegian Minister for Agriculture today in New Delhi. On this occasion, Shri Singh said that India and Norway have traditionally close relations and our efforts will be to maintain the same in future. Shri Radha Mohan Singh further said that bilateral cooperation in fisheries between India and Norway has grown and there is ample potential for furthering relationship in this sector. . . Shri Singh said that both countries can cooperate on developing and introduction of climate smart fishing techniques; to explore and develop technologies to capture underutilized fish resources; to increase the export of marine products. Shri Singh further said that Norway may also consider cooperation in the field of dairying for increasing the yield of milk in India. . . The Agriculture Minister appreciated the research work being done on CLIMAWATER, CLIMARICE and ClimaAdapt in Andhra Pradesh, Telengana and Tamil Nadu states in India by Norwegian Institute of Bio-economy Research (NIBIO), Ministry of Agriculture. ClimaAdapt focuses on climate change in the Agriculture and water sectors. Shri Singh hoped that Norway may consider extending the research programme to other states also. . . Shri Singh stated that Indias trade in agricultural commodities with Norway in 2014-15 included US$ 17.65 million in exports which increased to US$25.57 million the next year. Imports were of the order of US$ 2.48 million in 2015-16. Both the countries can, however, do much more in bilateral trade. . . India is a signatory of the Global Crop Diversity Trust since 2006 to ensure the long-term conservation and availability of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture to achieving global food security and sustainable agriculture. Accordingly, Government of India has deposited 25 accessions of pigeon pea (Arhar) to Svalbard Global Seed Vault in 2014 for safety duplication. GoI has now intended to deposit 100 accessions of Sorghum and 100 accessions of Paddy during the visit of Indian delegation in February, 2017. . . Shri Singh stated that our Government has put great focus on furthering relationships with likeminded countries, not only for catalyzing our trade and investment prospects but also sharing the knowledge that we have accumulated over the years with our friends. Shri Radha Mohan Singh hoped that Mr. Jon Georg Dale, Norwegian Minister for Agricultures visit to India will set a milestone in achieving the objective of expanding and strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries in the Agriculture sector. . . After that, Union Agriculture Minister has inaugurated the retail sale counter of National Seeds Corporation in Krishi Bhawan. In order to match up with the government campaign to provide food items on affordable prize to common man, National Seed Corporation is now entering in to the production of Rice, Wheat Flour, Pluses, mustard oil, Besan, Dalia, Oats etc along with value addition to the Seeds which is not suitable for sowing. Corporation has opened the Retail Sale Counter in Krishi Bhawan. These products will be supplied to the customers at reasonable rates under Farm Sona" Brand of the Corporation. Corporation not only increased its revenue but non-seed will be utilized and also the food product will be provided directly from farm to the kitchen of the consumer. . . Thereafter, Shri Singh inaugurated Organic Cafeteria" in Krishi Bhawan to promote Organic farming. All food items in this Organic Cafeteria" will be prepared of the organically produced raw materials. This Cafeteria will be run by Sikkim State Co- operative Supply, and Marketing Federation Ltd. (SIMFED). . . Shortly before President Donald J. Trump's inauguration, his staff confirmed that he had met with two brilliant and pugnacious scientists, each said to be a candidate for the position of science adviser or director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy. US President Donald Trump on Wednesday blamed what he called the "fake media" and "illegal" leaks for the resignation of National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, who had lied to top government officials about his contacts with Russia. At a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump said that the media had treated Flynn "very unfairly". Trump has asked for Flynn's resignation because he had lost confidence in him after revelations the National Security Adviser had lied about his conversations with Russian officials, EFE news quoted the White House as saying. In response to a reporter's question at the press conference, Trump called Flynn a "wonderful man", adding that he had been treated very unfairly by the media. The President also said that the brouhaha over Flynn's resignation is an attempt to "cover up for (the) terrible loss" suffered by Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton in the November 8 election. These were the first comments Trump had made about Flynn's resignation, which was announced on Monday and which has erupted into a big crisis for his administration. Flynn lied to Vice-President Mike Pence and other top officials about his contacts with Russia's Ambassador to Washington Sergey Kislyak with whom he spoke prior to Trump's inauguration about the US sanctions on the Kremlin that former President Barack Obama imposed before he left the White House in retaliation for Moscow's interference in the US election. Trump decided to ask Flynn to resign because he had lost confidence in him after it emerged that the former army general had lied. In 2006, when I arrived at Camp Taqqadum in Iraq to embed with the U.S. Marines, I was immediately invited for tea by the unit's interpreter. A quiet, exceedingly courteous father of three young girls, Haider told me how he spent three months at a time away from his family, but didn't dare carry their pictures. He was a wanted man for helping the Marines, and couldn't risk insurgents seeing his family should he be captured. Playwright Charles Busch described the conception of The Lady in Question as, "A dress." The Lady in Question parodies patriotic 1940 thriller films, as it follows the glamorous and talented world-class pianist Gertrude Garnet. While traveling through Germany, Garnet meets a striking American professor who entangles her in his mission to retrieve his mother from German Nazis. Renowned actor Kenneth Ansloancreator of Albuquerque's incredibly accomplished drag troupe, The Dollsportrays Gertrude Garnet while Hal Simons (Deathtrap, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum) directs the drama comedy at the Vortex Theatre. The opening weekend has already passed, but you can catch the play for just $22 every weekend until the final showing on March 5; Friday and Saturday shows begin at 7:30pm and Sunday shows begin at 2pm. Vortex Theatre Fri Feb 17 7:30pm $18-$22 13+ View on Alibi calendar Here is the weekly road construction report for Hamilton County: U.S. 27 (I-124) widening from I-24/U.S. 27 interchange to north of the Olgiati Bridge over the Tennessee River, including widening the Olgiati Bridge: Work on this project continues. The speed limit on U.S. 27 in the construction zone is 45 MPH. The contractor may have temporary lane or shoulder closures on U.S. 27 between 7 p.m.-6 a.m. On weekdays during this report period between the hours of 9 a.m- 3 p.m., the contractor will have a temporary right lane closure on eastbound MLK Blvd. between the U.S. 27 North exit ramp and Carter St. and on westbound MLK Blvd. between Chestnut St. and the U.S. 27 North entrance ramp to work on new signals. Ramp traffic will not be affected. This work is weather permitting. As the project progresses, there may be short term temporary lane closures for the safety of the traveling public on city streets within the project area. Flaggers will assist with these closures and they will be properly signed in accordance with the Federal Highway Administrations Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. During Phase 1 of the U.S. 27 project, the contractor will be working on the northbound side of U.S. 27 on the bridges. Work will consist of demolishing and reconstructing the outside sections of the bridges along U.S. 27 North. Also on U.S. 27 South, they will be constructing a large retaining wall between the Olgiati Bridge and 6th Street. At least one lane will remain open in each direction on U.S. 27. THP will assist with traffic control on the project as necessary. Estimated project completion date is July 2019. For more info, visit the project website http://www.tn.gov/tdot/topic/US27-reconstruction-chattanooga. [Dement Construction Co., LLC/JM/CNP230] SR 317 (Apison Pike) the grading, drainage and paving on from Old Lee Highway (LM 5.58) to SR-321 (Ooltewah-Ringgold Road) (LM 7.84): Work on this project continues. During this report period the contractor may have intermittent lane closures throughout the project from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Flaggers will assist with traffic control as needed. Estimated project completion date is May. [Wright Brothers Const. Co. /Pruett/CNN279] SR-320 (East Brainerd Road) grading, drainage, installation of signals, construction of seven retaining walls and paving from east of Graysville Road to east of Bel-Air Road: Work on this project continues. During this report period, the contractor will have intermittent lane closures between 9 a.m.-2 p.m. This work may affect either direction of East Brainerd Road or side streets from Graysville Road to Hamlett Drive as the contractor installs road crossings and borings. On Thursday the contractor has scheduled to switch traffic onto the newly-constructed section from the west end of the project to the Hurricane Creek Rd./East Brainerd Rd. intersection. The work will take place between the hours of 9 a.m.-3 p.m.. weather and progress permitting. The contractor may have short-term lane closures to perform various operations on an as-needed basis. Flaggers will assist with traffic control as needed. Original completion date is June. Estimated project completion date is December. [Jones Brothers Contractors, LLC /Pruett/CNN383] SR-153/SR-319 (Hixson Pike) bridge repair on Hixson Pike over SR-153: Work on this project continues. The outside lanes in both directions on the bridge on Hixson Pike over SR-153 are now closed. This lane closure will be in place until late November. During this report period the contractor may have intermittent lane closures on SR-153 from 9 p.m.-6 a.m. to do work under the bridge. If there are any temporary closures needed on SR-153 as part of this project, they will take place at nighttime on Sundays through Thursdays between 9 p.m.-6 a.m. and on weekdays between 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Flaggers will assist with traffic control as necessary during these temporary closures. Estimated project completion date is May 2018. [Mid-State Construction Co. /Micka/CNQ-941] SR-58 miscellaneous safety improvements on SR-58 from Harrison Bay Rd, (LM 12.86) to SR-60 (LM 26.19.): Work on this project continues. During this report period, the contractor will have intermittent lane restrictions from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Flaggers will assist with traffic control as needed. Estimated project completion is May. [Superior Traffic Control, Inc./Pruett/CNQ319] The tunnel cleaning of the McCallie Tunnel on U.S. 11 (US 64, SR-2), the Stringers Ridge Tunnel on U.S. 127 (SR-8), and the Bachman Tubes on U.S. 41 (U.S. 76, SR-8): The nighttime cleaning operation of McCallie Tunnels, Stringers Ridge Tunnel, and Bachman Tubes occurs normally on Wednesday and Thursday nights during the week with the 3rd Tuesday of the month. Work hours are between 8 p.m.-6 a.m. Tunnels will be closed during cleaning, and detours will be marked accordingly as each tunnel is cleaned. Contract completion date is June. [Diamond Specialized, Inc./Micka/CNQ174] The cost of Corp's stealthy F-35 jet could fall 16% to around $80 million in future purchases, according to the Department of Defense's head of the program. In February, the Pentagon agreed to a deal for the tenth batch of the fighter aircraft at below $95 million per jet for the first time, compared with $102 million in the previous purchase and the lowest price ever. Lieutenant General Chris Bogdan, who runs the F-35 program for the Pentagon, gave his new estimate for the future cost of the jet while speaking to the US House of Representatives at a Capitol Hill hearing on Thursday. President Donald Trump and other US officials have criticised the Pentagon's most expensive program for delays and cost overruns, but the price per jet has steadily declined in recent years as production ramps up. Bogdan said in his testimony to Congress that he has spoken to Trump several times about the cost of the stealth aircraft. Lockheed and its main partners have been developing and building F-35s for the US military and 10 allies. The F-35 comes in three configurations, the A-model for the US Air Force and US allies; the B-model, which can handle short take-offs and vertical landings for the Marine Corps and the British navy; and the carrier-variant F-35C jets. Lockheed, the prime contractor, and its partners, including Northrop Grumman Corp, United Technologies Corp's Pratt & Whitney and BAE Systems Plc, have been working on building a more cost-effective supply chain to fuel the production line in Fort Worth, Texas. The US Defense Department expects to spend $391 billion over many years to develop and buy 2,443 of the supersonic warplanes. Prosecutors on Friday arrested the de facto head of South Korea's largest conglomerate, Samsung, on bribery and other charges related to a political corruption scandal that triggered the impeachment of President Park Geun-Hye. In a fresh blow to the electronics giant's corporate image, a district court cited new evidence in approving the arrest warrant against vice-chairman Lee Jae-Yong, who oversees the family-run electronics giant in the absence of his ailing father. Among other allegations, Lee is accused of paying nearly $40 million in bribes to a confidante of President Park's to secure policy favours. "It is acknowledged that it is necessary to arrest (Lee Jae-Yong) in light of a newly added criminal charge and new evidence," a court spokesman said in a statement. Samsung offered a measured response following the arrest as the company's shares took a hit, dipping by around 1.5 per cent in morning trade. "We will do our best to ensure that the truth is revealed in future court proceedings," the company said in a statement. Lee was already being held at a detention centre after appearing in court on Thursday as judges deliberated whether to issue an arrest warrant. He will remain in custody as he awaits a trial likely to begin within a few months. Lee, the son of the Samsung group boss Lee Kun-Hee, has been quizzed several times over his alleged role in the scandal that has rocked the nation. The 48-year-old, described as a key suspect in the scandal, narrowly avoided being formally arrested last month, after the court ruled there was insufficient evidence. But prosecutors on Tuesday made a second bid, saying they had collected more evidence in recent weeks. His arrest, the first for a Samsung chief, will send shock waves through the group, which is a major part of the South Korean economy and includes the world's largest smartphone maker, Samsung Electronics. "This is a blow to Samsung's image as a global player in the short term", HMC Investment Securities' analyst Greg Roh told AFP. IBK Investment Securities' Lee Seung-Woo said that given the cloud over Lee, at a time when the firm is attempting a complicated restructuring, Samsung could refrain from pursuing long-term investments such as overseas mergers and acquisitions. The company is already reeling from the debacle over the recall of its flagship Galaxy Note 7 device and reports have suggested it could face sanctions from overseas authorities if Lee is punished. Lee's father and grandfather repeatedly had close brushes with the law but were never jailed. Even as he was preparing for the biggest struggle of his life, leading Britain in its fight against Nazi Germany, had something else on his mind: extraterrestrials. Dr Reddys Laboratories hit a 52-week low of Rs 2,799, down 4% on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) in intra-day trade after the drug maker said United States District Court for the district of New Jersey issued its opinion regarding Helsinn Healthcare patent infringement claims against the companys proposed Palonosetron product. After seeing a crisis in last year, when prices skyrocketed, Indian farmers have produced record high crop of 22.14 million tonnes this season but all at their own peril. Prices of moong, tur, arhar, lentils are trading below their minimum support prices (MSP) in many producing centers in the country, according to data from Agmark. Shares of State Bank of India (SBI) and its three listed associate banks State Bank of Mysore (SBM), State Bank of Bikaner & Jaipur (SBBJ) and State Bank of Travancore (SBT) rallied by up to 13% in intra-day trade after the Cabinet approves merger of with five subsidiaries. At least 100 people were killed in the blast at Lal Shahbaz Qalandar's shrine in Sindh's Sehwan town on Thursday. "DSP Sehwan says the death toll from attack at Lal Shahbaz Qalandar's shrine now stands at around 100. #Pakistan #Sehwan #Sindh #TTP #LEJ," tweeted Karachi Post. However, there are conflicting reports about the number of casualties According to Dawn News, at least 50 people have been killed and scores injured in the suicide attack so far though the death toll is expected to rise. The Assistant Superintendent of Police in Sehwan said a suicide bomber entered the shrine through its Golden gate. The attacker blew himself up after throwing a grenade, which failed to explode, he said. The explosion took place in the area where dhamaal (a Sufi ritual) was being performed after evening prayers. A large number of devotees, from across the country, frequented the shrine on Thursdays as it is a popular day to visit Sufi shrines. Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa has also directed that immediate assistance be provided to civil authorities. Army contingents have been dispatched along with medical personnel. The shrine is dedicated to Syed Muhammad Usman Marwandia, a 12th century Sufi who was born in Marwand, present day Afghanistan. The famous 'Dama Dam Mast Qalandar' song was composed in the honour of this Sufi mystic popularly known as Lal Shahbaz Qalandar. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A major fire gutted at least 150 shanties in Dhaka's Mohammadpur slum area on Thursday morning. However, no casualties were reported. According to the Daily Star, the fire broke out in the Banshbari slum near Shia Mosque around 4 a.m. It took about 90-minutes and 13 firefighting engines to put the fire out. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Air India's air borne flight from Delhi to Gorakhpur that had Minister of State (MoS) for Culture and Tourism Mahesh Sharma onboard, returned back to Delhi on Thursday due to a technical snag. The Minister was travelling for an election campaign. It was an Alliance Air flight which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Air India. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The neighborhood associations of Highland Park, Glenwood, Orchard Knob and Ridgedale are working together to host a candidate forum for the Districts 8 & 9 City Council and Mayoral candidates for office. Coffee and Conversation with the Candidates will take place from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. on Saturday, at Sacra Coffee and Tea, at 801 S. Orchard Knob Ave. in Highland Park. Every candidate has confirmed their attendance for the event. Neighborhood associations are a gateway to democracy, said Khristy Wilkinson, vice president of the Highland Park Neighborhood Association. Local elections are very important and our organizations have an opportunity to increase civic engagement in the city -- thats one of our goals this year. The non-partisan forum is especially for voters who are still undecided, or who recently learned that there is an election coming up. Its also for residents to engage with their elected officials. Voter turnout is consistently low in Highland Park as it is everywhere in Tennessee, said Emerson Burch, president of the association. We want our neighbors to feel heard by the candidates, and we want to encourage them to be a part of choosing our representation at the city level. This forum will focus on issues of governance in the City of Chattanooga. Candidates will have an opportunity to introduce themselves to the audience and briefly explain how they will use the authority of their office to work for the welfare of our city and/or the residents of their districts. Introductions will be followed by a Q & A session and questions will come from the audience. The forum will be moderated by Marvene Noel, president of the Orchard Knob Neighborhood Association. Light refreshments will be served. The event is free and open to the public. Air Intelligence Unit personnel intercepted two passengers at Mumbai Airport on Thursday and seized of gold bars worth Rs 13, 65, 300. Four gold bars each weighing 100 grams and two cut pieces of 25 grams each weighing 450 grams were seized. The passengers have been identidied as Salochna Dwarkadas Keshwani and Mohini Bacharam Lalawani, and were travelling from Bangkok to Mumbai by Air India flight AI-33. A case has been filed against both by the AIU. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Supporting Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat's strict message to anti- elements in Jammu and Kashmir, defence experts on Thursday said that Rawat's statement is a warning to all those who are on the payroll of Pakistan and ISIS. "What Army General Bipin Rawat has said is absolutely correct. It is a warning to all these overground workers who are on the payroll of Pakistan and ISIS to desist doing such actions otherwise strict actions will be taken against them," defence expert Captain Anil Gaur told ANI. He added that the Indian Army is one of the finest organisations in the world and it does not kill innocent people anyway. "It is in the interest of the civilians that whenever Army operations are going on, they should not venture outside. There should be no question of coming out or trying to create a situation where the Army has to act against them," Gaur said. Echoing similar emotions, former DGP of Jammu and Kashmir M.M. Khajuria said when someone is waving a Pakistan flag or the ISIS flag then that person is conveying where their loyalty lies. "When you wave a Pakistan flag, or even worse, wave the ISIS flag then you are conveying a message and exhibiting publically your loyalty. That is a challenge to the Indian state," he told ANI. He added that this is a very realistic statement given by the Indian Army Chief and it should have been recognized much earlier. "These organizations, who get the people either by exciting them or may be by purchasing them, should get a message that this is not a cake walk and is something very serious for which they will have to pay," he said. He added that the strategy of the enemy is to integrate people on the routes through which reinforcement might come and with such decision the causalities which the country is suffering today will not take place again. "I hope the state government and the government of India are aboard on this and this message goes loud and strong and wherever the action is necessary, it will be taken affectively," Khajuria said adding, "This is something which the politicians would have released earlier, but I am glad that the Army chief has spoken". General Rawat on Wednesday said those Kashmiris supporting terrorists would be considered anti- . "People who have picked up arms, the local boys, if they want to continue with such acts of terrorism and display flags of ISIS and Pakistan, then we will treat them as anti- elements and go helter-skelter for them. Our relentless operations will continue," General Rawat said while paying tribute to the bravehearts of the Handwara and Bandipora encounters. Urging the local people to extend their support to the security forces trying to maintain peace in the Valley, Rawat said they won't be spared if they continue resorting to negative acts. Four army personnel, including a major lost their lives in two encounters in the Bandipora and Handwara areas of North Kashmir yesterday. Three other officers and three civilians sustained injuries as well. Four militants were also neutralised. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In a major breakthrough for the security forces, a United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) terrorist was apprehended in Tengakhat last night for his alleged involvement in a blast in Dibrugarh's Convoy Road on the Republic Day. The police also recovered one motorcycle with two different registration numbers from his possession. Earlier on January 26, three army jawans were killed and four others sustained injuries when the vehicle they were travelling in was damaged after an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted by suspected ULFA terrorists exploded. Further details are awaited. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At least 45 people were killed and at least 56 others were wounded in a car explosion in southwestern Baghdad on Thursday, According to CNN, the blast targeted a busy car market in the predominately Shiite al-Bayaa district, said an official. People's Daily, China also tweeted, "At least 45 killed on Thursday in car bomb explosion in southwestern #Baghdad, the third blast in the Iraqi capital in three days." Yesterday, at least 18 people were killed in a bomb attack on a predominantly Shia suburb in Baghdad after a suicide bomber detonated a vehicle in Sadr City, targeting a busy street full of garages and used-car dealers. At least 42 people were also wounded in the attack, which was claimed by the Islamic State (IS) group. On 2 January, 35 people were killed in a bomb blast in Sadr City, in an attack claimed by the IS. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A team of U.S. researchers finds that a combination of drugs may help in killing of brain cancer tumour cells with high cure rates in mice. A combination of drugs may help in killing of brain cancer tumour cells with high cure rates in mice, finds a study. The study appeared in journal Nature Communications. Researchers at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario in Ottawa conducted the study on mice and found that a combination of drugs known as SMAC Mimetics and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) amplifies kill rates of cancer tumour cells in laboratory testing. They also found that the new mechanism also promotes long-term immunity against glioblastoma tumours and is highly effective against breast cancer and multiple myeloma - a malignant tumour of the bone marrow. "These findings represent a significant evolution in our research and the field of immunotherapy. We are the first in the world to show the synergistic tumour-killing impact of combining SMAC Mimetics with immune checkpoint inhibitors for glioblastoma," said Robert Korneluk from the University of Ottawa. "You could say it takes two to tango. We believe that it takes a combination strategy to impact cancer cure rates," Korneluk added. The finds indicate that SMAC Mimetics also have a powerful synergistic effect with ICIs, relatively new drugs that are showing great promise in the clinic. "Two drug companies have initiated human clinical trials this year to assess the impact of this combination of SMAC Mimetics and ICIs on patients with a variety of cancers," said another researcher ,Eric Lacasse. "Although it could be years before any clinical trials begin for adults or children with the deadly brain cancer, glioblastoma, we're looking forward to seeing how scientific evidence from these experimental treatments adds to our knowledge," Lacasse explained. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi High Court on Thursday adjourned the plea by the top companies Vodafone IN, Bharti Airtel against the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) for imposing fines on them. The matter will be next heard on March 22. Earlier, in October recommended imposing a total fine of Rs 3,050 crore on Airtel, Vodafone and Idea for allegedly refusing interconnectivity to newcomer Reliance Jio. As per Trai's recommendation, the penalty for Airtel and Vodafone works out to about Rs 1,050 crore each, while in case of Idea Cellular it comes to about Rs 950 crore. The regulator stopped short of recommending cancellation of their telecom licences saying it may lead to significant consumer inconvenience. The BJP-led NDA regime on Thursday welcomed Army Chief General Bipin Rawat's strict message to anti- elements in Jammu and Kashmir while asserting that the ruling dispensation at the Centre is clear on its policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism. Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju said the Army Chief's assertion is in interest, adding interest is supreme. "Anybody who acts against it will be treated as someone who has not done his duty," Rijiju told ANI. Echoing similar emotions, Minister of State in Prime Minister's Office (PMO) Jitendra Singh lauded the armed forces for protecting the nation with utmost sincerity and dedication. "If we are safe today and we are able to carry our daily activities according to our wishes merrily because we are safely guarded by our security forces. It is in the interest of the army that no interference is made in its work," Singh said. "We sleep when they wake. When we eat, they stay hungry. Therefore, we owe to the Indian Army and we should allow them to perform their task and their responsibilities professionally to the best of their wisdom and ability," he added. Reiterating the government's stand on zero tolerance towards terrorism, Singh said: "The attempt to intimidate youth is now even known by them. Perpetrators of terrorism also need to be brought to book". The Army Chief yesterday issued a stern warning against anti-national elements. "The people who have picked up arms, the local boys, if they want to continue with such acts of terrorism and display flags of the ISIS and Pakistan then we will treat them as anti-national elements," he said while paying his tribute to the bravehearts of the Handwara and Bandipora encounters. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India on Thursday said that Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed was an internationally proscribed terrorist and needed to be brought to justice soon. "Our view on Hafiz Saeed is very well-known. He is an internationally proscribed terrorist who is engaged in numerous terror acts of terrorism not just at India but also at India's neighbour," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Vikas Swarup said while addressing media here. Swarup further said that the JuD chief should be brought to justice as soon as possible. Earlier on February 3, Pakistan's Interior Ministry has included the names of Hafiz Saeed and 37 others, who are affiliated with JuD or Lashkar-e-Taiba, in the Exit Control List (ECL). The Ministry has sent letters to all the provincial governments and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). The move, which bars the 38 individuals from leaving Pakistan , comes days after authorities placed Saeed under house arrest along with four others namely Abdullah Ubaid, Zafar Iqbal, Abdur Rehman Abid and Qazi Kashif Niaz. The JuD has already been declared as a foreign terrorist organisation by the United States in June 2014. The JuD chief also carries a reward of USD 10 million announced by the US for his role in terror activities. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) After making the movie 'The Great Wall', actor Matt Damon did not believe that the country would be talking about some other kind of wall at the time of the film's release. The 46 year-old recently said in an interview that he is not a believer in walls and slammed Donald Trump's decision to build a wall between Mexico and USA, reports People Magazine. "I'm not a believer in walls. I believe that history belongs to the cooperators and nor am I of a mind that Mexico is going to pay for our infrastructure anymore than we're going to pay for their highways, you know what I mean?," says Damon. The 'Martian' star also believes that the wall is never is going to happen as he said, "That's just not going to happen but, that's where we are and we'll see how it all plays out." The actor gave an assurance to the people of Mexico that majority of USA's population doesn't believe in putting up any walls. "We've got to watch, but hopefully the people of Mexico understand that the people of our country, the majority of them don't believe that we should be putting any walls up," the actor said. On a related note, Matt Damon will next be seen in 'Downsizing', helmed by Alexander Payne, alongside Kristen Wiig and Christoph Waltz. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) President Mickey McCamish of the Navy League Greater Chattanooga Navy League Council and Retired Navy Captain had the honors of attending the Sea Cadet Annual Inspection at Baylor High School. After saying a few words to the officers and cadets, he pinned three officers their new ranks within the United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps organization. Pinnings included: LeighAnn Beasley, the new Commanding Officer of the Chattanooga Division to the rank of LTJG; outgoing Commanding Officer, Patrick Abercrombie to the rank of LT; Stacy Kehoe, the Commanding Officer to the Hurricane Division to the rank of LCDR. The LCDR rank is the highest rank in the USNSCC organization that an officer can obtain. "Congratulations to all the officers for their dedication and hard work to the USNSCC program. We especially thank the Navy League for their generous support in all areas of support," officials said. A felicitation ceremony for successful youth trainees of skill development programme was conducted on Wednesday at the Degree College in Poonch. The trainees comprised of 330 youngsters including males and females. They were trained in carpentry, driving and vehicle mechanic, computer operator and IT, plumbing & fitting and agriculture/horticulture and hand embroidery which are in high demand. This course was launched last year as a pilot project on 'Skill Development: Future of J & K' initiative taken by the Romeo Force, Jammu and Kashmir as part of 'Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojna (PMKVY)'. Major General Yogendra Dimri, General Officer Commanding, Romeo Force gave away the Council for Vocational Training (NCVT)certificates and tool, kits to successful candidates. He stressed on continued support from the civil administration and financial institutions till jobs were created for the certificate holders so that these courses become a guiding beacon in Jammu and Kashmir. He thanked Mr. Mohamad Harun, District Development Commissioner, Poonch for providing entrepreneurial guidance and financial assistance to the selected candidates. Mr. Dinesh Nijhawan, Director, DGET, New Delhi under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship who coordinated the successful implementation of the pioneer project was invited on the occasion. Mr. Nijhawan highlighted the initiatives of the Government of India for skill development and how Kashmiri youth can benefit from the same. Professor Sandeep Singh of Jammu University was also present and appreciated the endeavour of the Army and requested the civil administration to implement the same model in other districts as well. Mohammad Shabir, one of the trainees, gave a vote of thanks to the Indian Army on behalf of the participants, saying, "I learned car driving through participation in the skill development programme which will surely help me to get the job and also earn me a better livelihood." Another participant Ashiana Khatoon who opted for a Agriculture trade said, "I am thankful to the Indian Army for making us enough qualified to earn our own living. I recommend the Indian Army to come up with more such schemes to channelise the potential of talented youth, she added. Tehseen Ahmed, who was trained in plumbing, expressed his happiness over the success of the skill development programme saying, that now he could work outside and earn a better living. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Malaysian Police has detained a second woman, an Indonesian, in connection with the murder of Kim Jong Nam, the half brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. According to Washington Post, the woman was identified as Siti Aishah, a 25-year-old Indonesian, according to a statement from Khalid Abu Bakar, the inspector-general of police. She was arrested at about 2 a.m. on Thursday local time. One woman was already in custody, arrested on Wednesday morning as she tried to fly out of Kuala Lumpur, and is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday. Two women are believed to have used some kind of poison to kill Kim Jong-Nam, with reports from Malaysia and South Korea saying he had been stabbed with poison-tipped needles or had chemicals sprayed in his face. The Malaysia Police were examining CCTV footage from Kuala Lumpur International Airport in order to determine what happened during the attack on Monday morning. Two women are thought to have attacked Kim Jong Nam, the estranged older half brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Monday morning as he went to check in for a flight to Macau, his main base since he went into exile about 15 years ago. One of the women is alleged to have grabbed him while the other sprayed his face with a chemical and held a cloth over it for 10 seconds. They left the scene - going down three escalators and buying a taxi voucher before asking to be taken to a hotel - and Kim Jong Nam sought help from the airport staff, complaining of dizziness. He was put into an ambulance and died on the way to hospital. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With the grand campaigning going on in politically crucial Uttar Pradesh, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Thursday expressed confidence over gaining majority in the assembly elections, adding that the people of the state will punish the Samajwadi Party (SP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress for suppressing them. "The people of UP who are being suppressed since the last five years due to the hooliganism of the SP. Even the BJP is to be held responsible for the same due to failing to fulfill its constitutional responsibilities. People of UP will give punishment for the same to the BJP, SP and Congress in these elections only," Mayawati told ANI. Continuing her tirade against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mayawati said the voters will punish the BJP for its false promises, adding that they will not be influenced by the latter's speeches anymore. "People of UP will not be influenced by the Prime Minister's drama of calling himself as the adopted son of the state or dubbing the state as his parents," she added. Taking a jibe at the Prime Minister, Mayawati said instead of spreading false information about her party's works, he should ask her about it. "Narendra Modi must not spread false information about the BSP's work when we were in office. He can ask me if his people are unable to tell him," she said. Hitting out at the SP-Congress alliance, the BSP supremo said even the young leaders of both the parties will not be able to change the verdict. "Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav will also be unable to save their respective parties. People will not befooled by their promises now," she said. Coming down heavily upon those spreading 'wrong information' about her on social media, Mayawati said she has full faith in the Muslim community and that they will not fall prey to the trap. "I believe that the Muslim community of UP will not be influenced by the tactics of the political rivals to pose me as being against their community," she said. Reiterating that the people of Uttar Pradesh are tired of being suppressed by the ruling party, Mayawati asserted that the BSP will form the government with full majority this time. "I am glad to inform that in the two phases conducted in UP, majority of the seats have been won by the BSP candidates. I can assert that in the coming phases as well, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) will lead. Our party will form the government in the state with full majority. Keeping in view the wrong policies and functioning of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Samajwadi Party (SP), there is urgent need of BSP in Uttar Pradesh," she said. With two phases of Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections already being held, the third phase will be conducted on February 19. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Thursday issued a medium danger avalanche warning around the slopes of Bandipora district of Jammu and Kashmir. The warning has been issued for twenty-four hours from February 16, 05:00 p.m. to February 17, 05:00 p.m. The alert has been issued in accordance with the report of Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment (SASE). People have been advised to stop movement in the avalanche prone areas. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Ministry of and Family Welfare and CARE India's National Workshop on TB in Delhi focused on strengthening existing partnerships, involving more partners from private sector and civil society and an outcome-based roadmap to reduce TB burden in India CARE India's study report highlights improved treatment outcomes through counselling of patients, capacity building of providers and innovative patient support systems in West Bengal The workshop aimed to strengthen and bring forth existing and emerging partnerships in the public and private sector and other players involved in comprehensive TB care and treatment in India. The panel discussions in the workshop focused on developing a workable strategy and roadmap based on best practice models and recommendations for an effective TB response in India along with ways to contribute to the Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTCP) of the GoI. The workshop also marked the release of key learnings report, "Improving Treatment Adherence for TB: Learnings from MDR-TB Project from West Bengal"- a project of CARE India executed with support from Eli Lilly. The report was released by C K Mishra, Secretary, Ministry of and Family Welfare, GOI. The release was followed by the screening of a film which showcased highlights from the project. Mr. Mishra in his keynote address said, "There is an urgent need to reposition and reshape TB care and treatment by focusing on access, addressing treatment and adherence issues, and fostering multi-stakeholder collaboration. We have to involve the private sector to become our DOTS provider, engage with more civil society partners, optimize resource management to get maximum return on investment, and change public perception. There is also a need to initiate new research on the disease, and improve systems to enable patients with correct diagnosis for complete cure. Today's deliberations will greatly help in addressing current concerns and prepare a workable roadmap to reduce TB-related morbidities in India." Rajan Bahadur, MD and CEO, CARE India said, "TB continues to be a serious public health challenge in India, especially with increasing cases of MDR-TB and HIV-induced TB cases in India. While the National Strategy Plan for TB is being finalized, this workshop is an effort to get experts from multiple sectors, discuss lessons learnt, share best practice models, offer recommendations and encourage multi-sectoral partnerships and inter-ministerial coordination for TB control. It will pave the way for increased public-private engagement, develop an integrated TB response plan to overcome present challenges around adherence and treatment." Dr. Sunil Khaparde, DDG, Central Tuberculosis Division, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, said, that, "TB is not only a medical problem but also a social health issue. Lack of access to the social determinants impacts and aggravates the medical aspects of the disease. The Government of India is the enabler of healthcare services and highly committed towards eradicating the disease, but it urgently needs the support of the private sector. Communication for social mobilisation, diagnosis and treatment of the disease and its co-morbidities, and programme management are core areas where the private sector partners can play a significant role. We need to integrate our overall strategic approach to reach every TB patient, treat them with high-quality drugs and prevent new cases among susceptible populations." The event saw two panel discussions focused on strengthening the TB narrative. The eminent panel for the first discussion, chaired by Mr. A K Jha, Economic Advisor, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, deliberated upon building partnerships on inter-sectoral response for TB Control, the learnings and way forward. The discussion focused at how the TB outreach needs to be modelled on the HIV outreach as it has been a successful exercise under public health with a national decline rate of 67 percent as against the world decline rate of 41 percent for HIV cases. We can also utilize existing platforms such as the NRLM under the Ministry of Rural Development, for upscaling of information and messages to build awareness. The second panel, chaired by Dr. A Venkataraman, Faculty of Management Studies, University of Delhi & National PPM Committee Member, focused the discussion on the emerging TB challenge in India and ways to strengthen public private partnerships. The deliberation brought about important facets of how there is an imminent need to increase awareness around the disease, build capacities of the field workers and also the need to position TB as a disease that needs immediate response from both the government and the private sector. The burden of TB in India, according to the Global TB report 2015, is 2.2 million new TB cases annually with 167 cases per 100,000 population. The current prevalence rate is 2.5 million cases with 195 cases per 100,000 population. About 2,20, 000 deaths occur each year with 17 deaths per 100,000 population and about five percent of TB patients are estimated to be HIV positive. Although the prevalence and mortality rates have declined in recent years, but an estimated one million cases a year still go undetected and/or unreported and delays in the diagnosis and treatment of TB continue to be widespread. Improvements in public sector service delivery alone will not be sufficient to achieve the GoI goals of a 95 percent reduction in TB deaths and a 90 percent reduction in TB incidence rates by 2025. There needs to be more scalable and sustainable PPM models that will be a critical contributor in achieving the goals. CARE has been working in India for over 65 years, focusing on ending poverty and social injustice, through well-planned and comprehensive programs in health, education, livelihoods and disaster preparedness and response. For FY 2015-16, CARE India directly reached out to 42.8 million people through 50 projects across 15 states, covering more than 183 districts. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday arrested an accused Fatima for allegedly procuring and circulating high quality Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN). Fatima, aged 43 is a resident of Uttar Pradesh's Agra. Earlier this year, Anarul Islam, a Bangladesh was apprehended on January 1 by the Kaliachak police station in a joint operation of Border Security Force (BSF) and Kaliachak police station in Malda district of West Bengal and a consignment of high quality FICNs were recovered from him. Further investigation by the NIA revealed that Islam had collected FICN's from his associate Ripon. The same notes were being supplied to Fatima. A charge-sheet has been filed against both Anarul Islam and Ripon. They are currently in judicial custody. In addition to two old FICN notes of the denomination of Rs. 1000, several incriminating documents were recovered from Fatima's house including her bank account details. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Delhi court on Thursday acquitted nine persons accused of gang-raping an MBA student of Amity University due to lack of evidence. Earlier in November 2016, the Delhi High Court acquitted two accused in the case for lack of evidence. The girl was gang-raped by 11 men in January, 2009, when she was returning from the Great India Place Mall in Noida with her friend. The victim's friend had alleged that they were returning home from the GIP mall and 11 bikers forced him to stop his car, got into it and drove it around near urban Noida village Garhi Chaukhandi and then raped the girl. The girl, who shifted to London after the incident, had told the court that she left India as the accused persons were threatening her. Earlier, the Supreme Court ordered to shift the trial of the case from a Noida court to Delhi on the plea of victim's friend. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Under increasing pressure over his administration's relationship with Russia, US President Donald Trump took a swipe at the previous Obama administration, suggesting it was "too soft" on Moscow over its annexation of Crimea. Taking to Twitter, Trump commented that the Crimea peninsula was "taken" by Russia from Ukraine under the Obama administration. "Crimea was TAKEN by Russia during the Obama Administration. Was Obama too soft on Russia?," he said. However, the comments indicate a sharp U-turn for Trump, who had previously buoyed Kremlin's claim on Crimea, reports CNN. Russia annexed Crimea, a territory in the former Soviet republic of Ukraine, in March 2014 following tensions with its neighbor. Trump's Press Secretary Sean Spicer said Tuesday that the President has made it very clear that he expects the Russian government to deescalate violence in the Ukraine and return Crimea. But on Wednesday morning, Russia's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova clearly stated that Russia would not return the territory. "Crimea is part of the Russian Federation," she told reporters. Within hours, Trump tweeted, asking: "Was Obama too soft on Russia?" During his campaign trail in July, Trump had said that the Ukraine crisis was "more of a Europe problem," and that the US should only step in on Crimea if European countries asked for help. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) People on Thursday took to twitter to express their anguish over major media outlets like BBC and Sky News for allegedly under reporting riots in French suburbs over the last few days. The riots erupted in protest over the arrest of Theo, a 22-year-old black man, who was hospitalized with injuries from being allegedly sodomized with a police baton following his arrest on February 2. "Strange that @BBCNews and @SkyNews have failed to report on the riots in #France over the last few days. Manchester Leave," tweeted @manchesterleave. "@BBCNews I've heard there are riots in France. Any news?" tweeted @stevens1518. Many others also echoed same allegations in their tweets that read: "@bbcnickrobinson @Arron_banks so why are the Paris riots not being broadcast by @bbcnews Nick? Everything ok in France?" "Hey @SkyNews @BBCNews just checked your websites - you've not covered at all days of massive riots by leftists and Muslims in France! Why?" "Over 30 Cities in France have been enduring riots this wek, yet BBC do not think this is newsworthy." "@Lou_i5e @grancake Why are @SkyNews & @BBCNews not reporting immigrant riots in France?" Earlier according to Politico, the police arrested 37 people late Sunday for the riots, which started in the Paris suburb of Aulnay-sous-Bois and quickly spread to Nantes, Lille, Marseille and other cities. Meanwhile on Thursday, Anadolu news agency quoted French Interior Minister Bruno Le Roux as saying that riots that have hit the suburbs of France over the last 12 days have subsided. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In a scathing attack against the Uttar Pradesh's ruling party, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday dubbed the Samajwadi Party as anti-farmer. Prime Minister Modi claimed that in spite of the Central government providing funds for the farmers, no work is done by the state government in their favour. Targeting other political rivals, the Prime Minister said Uttar Pradesh can develop only when the Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Congress would be removed. "Uttar Pradesh will progress only when SP, BSP and Congress are removed. I urge people in UP to elect a BJP government devoted to development," he said while addressing a rally here. "Till the time you will not punish SP, BSP and Congress, Uttar Pradesh will not change," he added. Asserting confidence of achieving favourable mandate, Prime Minister Modi said an environment of contempt against the SP, BSP and Congress can be seen in Uttar Pradesh. "Our government is for the poor, the underprivileged, the marginalized, the farmers. You can change the situation by placing your finger on the right symbol," he said. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi while addressing a rally in Uttar Pradesh's Hardoi, took potshots at incumbent Akhilesh Yadav's government, alleging that police stations in Uttar Pradesh have become Samajwadi Party's office and vowed to eradicate 'gundaraj' if the BJP comes to power. "Can any political party's office be at police stations? he police take permission from the Samajwadi Party workers to lodge a case. Police stations have become the Samajwadi Party's offices. The highest number of political murders are perpetrated in UP. Law and order has completely collapsed in the state. There should be no discrimination in the deliverance of justice," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Legacy Senior Living, management company of senior living communities, announced the launch of Legacy Cares Fund. This charitable fund, an IRS approved 501(c)3, is designed to provide emergency assistance to employees facing a crisis.Legacy Cares Fund will provide crisis assistance for medical or funeral expenses, temporary housing or basic necessities for those facing financial challenges due to unexpected emergencies. It will also provide support to elderly persons in need of clothing, food or other basic necessities.The Legacy Cares philosophy means that we are all a part of something bigger than ourselves.Whether someone makes a financial contribution or donates their time and talents, everything helps. We want the Legacy Cares Fund to be all about people helping people, said Barry Ray, president of Legacy Senior Living.We will raise money for the Legacy Cares Fund by hosting community fundraisers, offering a payroll deduction option for employees, and by accepting donations from anyone willing to give. Big or small, all donations will make a difference in the lives of our fellow associates, said Bryan Cook, COO of Legacy Senior Living.We have envisioned something like this for many years, and are excited that the time has finally come for us to serve our employees in a greater way. We understand the hardships of unexpected tragedies and we hope that we can be a blessing to these employees in times of need, Mr. Ray said. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said on Thursday that NATO has been trying to embroil Moscow in confrontation by constant provocative actions. According to TASS, at a board meeting of the Federal Security Service (FSB), Putin pointed out that "NATO has declared restraining Russia its new official mission." "For this purpose, the bloc has been expanding as it did before but now they seem to have found new serious reason to justify the bloc's expansion and have sped up the process of deploying conventional and strategic weapons beyond the member states' borders," he stressed. Putin added that "they (NATO) have been constantly provoking us in order to embroil us in confrontation." He noted that at the NATO Summit held in 2016 in Poland's capital of Warsaw, "Russia was declared the main threat for the Alliance's security for the first time since 1989. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) NIRAV MODI launched a sparkling new ad campaign today starring its global Brand Ambassador, Priyanka Chopra and featuring Bollywood heartthrob Sidharth Malhotra. The 'Say Yes, Forever' campaign celebrates the solitaire diamond engagement ring, defining its significance in context to love and commitment. The ad film captures the emotions of a 'proposal' as experienced by both sides and captures the joy of saying 'yes' to love. It highlights the solitaire diamond ring as a timeless ode to the everlasting bond between a couple; a representation of what starts with a 'yes' today, and lasts forever, the promise of a lifetime of commitment. As a celebrated international talent, Priyanka Chopra is undoubtedly India's ambassador to the world. She is a shining symbol of young India with trailblazing, pivotal roles both in India and internationally and a fashion favorite with stunning magazine covers and unmissable red carpet appearances. Sidharth Malhotra, the Bollywood stalwart with a fan-base capturing today's youth, will join Priyanka to bring this special new campaign to life. Speaking on the association, Priyanka Chopra said, "Nirav and I are share a fierce pride in our heritage and are united by the idea of bringing that heritage to the global forefront. It is one of the reasons why I am delighted to be the new face of the brand and to be a part of this campaign. The proposal and engagement is a special moment in every woman's life and a nerve wracking one for every man! Every NIRAV MODI engagement ring makes that moment extra special for both. helping them put aside all else and letting the simplicity of the exquisite designs and high quality of jewels, tell their story of love." "I am really excited to be a part of NIRAV MODI's new ad campaign. It is truly one-of-a-kind and shows you why it is a 'must-have' for when you plan your proposal. When you pick the engagement ring from NIRAV MODI you don't have to worry about the ring - one of the most stressful parts for us men - and can focus your energies on all the other aspects of the proposal!" adds Sidharth Malhotra. Founder & Creative Director Nirav Modi says, "The campaign aims to raise awareness in India on the diamond solitaire as 'the' quintessential engagement ring -nothing exudes the sense of permanent commitment and strength like a diamond, making the solitaire ring an eternal classic and every woman's dream." "Priyanka is a natural choice as she embodies all the symbols of modern India while paving her own path, which also represents the ethos of our brand. As an inspirational icon, she shares an impeccable spirit similar to NIRAV MODI taking Indian excellence to the international stage." "Sidharth represents the independent, confident and suave he personifies sophistication and elegance and is an aspiration for the young men today," added Nirav. The ad film is scripted by writer Ayesha DeVitre, directed by Shakun Batra (of 'Kapoor and Sons' fame) and produced by Dharma Productions. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former Tamil Nadu chief minister O. Paneerselvam on Thursday expressed immense dissatisfaction over the present political scenario in the state, dubbing the present state government as anti-people. "The Tamil Nadu government sworn-in today is anti people," said Panneerselvam after visiting former Tamil Nadu chief minister J. Jayalalithaa's memorial at Chennai's Marina Beach. Expressing resentment against the present government formed, Panneerselvam said they will take out rallies in various constituencies to bring to people's knowledge the actual situation. "We will take out rallies and campaigns in various constituencies to make people aware of the situation," he said. "We have taken a 'shapath' at Amma's memorial to make people aware of the situation in the party and ways to bring the party out of it," he added. Edappadi K. Palanisamy earlier today took oath as Tamil Nadu's 29th Chief Minister. A total of 31 other All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) MLAs were also sworn in. Meanwhile, the AIADMK said that Palanisamy will seek the vote of confidence on February 18. "Vote of Confidence to be taken on 18th. #TNAssembly," the AIADMK tweeted. Earlier, Tamil Nadu Governor C. Vidyasagar Rao requested the Chief Minister to seek the vote of confidence in the assembly within 15 days. The decision to this effect was conveyed to Palanisamy during his meeting with the Governor at Raj Bhavan earlier today along with party presidium chairman K A Sengottaiyan and senior ministers Dindigul C Sreenivasan and P Thangamani. The Governor heard competing pitches last night from within the ruling party of the state over who should be the chief minister after the conviction of AIADMK general secretary V.K. Sasikala in connection with a 19-year old disproportionate assets case. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Amid the ongoing Tamil Nadu political tussle, AIADMK legislature party leader Edappadi K. Palanisamy will meet Governor Ch. Vidyasagar Rao today at 12 "Governor invites AIADMK's legislature party leader Edapadi K.Palanisamy," AIADMK tweeted. Rao heard competing pitches last night from within the ruling party of the state over who should be the Chief Minister. The Governor first met with Palanisamy, who claimed the support of 125 state legislators on MLAS. Next up was interim Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam, who says he has 11 MLAs. Both want to take a trust vote in the legislature and presented the Governor with a list of legislators supporting them. Setting aside on earlier Karnataka High Court order, a two-judge bench of the Supreme Court earlier on Tuesday convicted AIADMK general secretary V.K. Sasikala Natarajan in connection with a 19-year old disproportionate assets case. She has been ordered to surrender to the law enforcement authorities immediately to serve the remainder of her four-year jail term. She also will not be able to contest elections for 10 years or hold public office. The verdict comes in the backdrop of the ongoing power struggle within the ruling AIADMK in Tamil Nadu - between Sasikala and Panneerselvam. The disproportionate assets case that posed a legal hurdle against Sasikala's taking over as the Chief Minister dates back to 1996. Late former Tamil Nadu chief minister J. Jayalalithaa, Sasikala and her two relatives, Ilavarasi and Sudhagaran were convicted in the case that alleged that the former chief minister owned assets far exceeding her known sources of income. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court on Thursday is likely to frame a series of issues from a legal perspective and clear aspects in the legislative domain on and polygamy in the Muslim community. The apex court had earlier clarified in its last hearing that it would not get into the common civil code issue. The top court had also made it clear that it wants to adjudicate on the issue as it is a matter involving a person's human rights. The Supreme Court on February 14 termed 'triple talaq' as an issue of human rights, and said that it will not hear the petitions related to Uniform Civil Code along with it as it was a different matter altogether. "It's a matter of human rights, so we would deal with it properly," the court said. The apex court also said that it would pass an order and dispose of the petitions on May 11, regarding the validity of case. A bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice of India, Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar said so after hearing the plea filed by one Shayara Banu, who had moved the apex court challenging the validity of triple talaq. Several women have filed a petition before the Supreme Court seeking the quashing of the triple talaq practice. The Central Government has also told the top court that it is against gender injustice and for equality between men and women under the Constitution. One of the petitioner's Shayara 38, stirred a hornet's nest after she moved the Supreme Court to challenge the triple talaq under Muslim personal law, under which a man simply has to utter 'talaq' thrice to divorce his wife. Shayara has also challenged in the apex court the concept of 'nikah-halal', under which a woman must consummate another marriage in order to go back to her first husband if she wants to. She also wants to outlaw polygamy within a Muslim marriage. In December last year, the Allahabad High Court termed the Islamic practice of divorcing a woman by uttering the word "talaq" thrice as unconstitutional. The court further observed that the triple talaq practice sanctioned under Muslim Personal Law that governs marriage, property and divorce violates the rights of Muslim women. "Triple talaq is unconstitutional, it violates the rights of Muslim women," ruled the High Court, adding that no personal law board is above the Constitution. However, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board has defended the practice, saying it is better to divorce a woman than kill her. The rights bestowed by religion can't be questioned in a court of law, it said. U.S. President Donald Trump called on Venezuela on Wednesday night to release opposition leader and political prisoner Leopoldo Lopez 'immediately'. Trump shared a photo of himself with Lopez's wife, Lilian Tintori, on Twitter and tweeted, "Venezuela should allow Leopoldo Lopez, a political prisoner and husband of @liliantintori (just met w/ @marcorubio) out of prison immediately." Lopez is the founder and National Coordinator of Voluntad Popular (Popular Will), a social movement and political party composed of thousands of activists and community, labor and youth leaders from all regions of Venezuela. Lopez, a 45-year-old U.S.-educated economist and opposition leader, was accused of inciting violence at anti-government protests in 2014 and is serving a 14-year prison sentence. According to Sputnik, the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control introduced sanctions against Venezuelan Executive Vice President Tareck El Aissami under federal drug trafficking regulations. In Spain, Lopez would be considered a "terrorist" in Spain, Sputnik quotes leader of the Spanish Ruben Dario Foundation Jose Maria Torres as per saying. On Monday, Trump and Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos discussed over the telephone security concerns regarding Venezuela. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) External affairs spokesperson Vikas Swarup, credited with expanding the ministrys social media reach and handling sensitive matters with tact, was on Thursday appointed India's high commissioner to Canada. A 1986-batch Indian foreign service officer, Swarup, whose debut novel Q&A was adapted as Oscar-winning movie Slumdog Millionaire, helmed office since April 2015, when India increased engagement with the world. Swarup is at present an additional secretary and ministry said he is expected to take up his new assignment shortly. Gopal Baglay, who is joint secretary in Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan division in the ministry, will succeed Swarup. As a diplomat, Swarup has been posted in countries including Turkey, the United States, Ethiopia, Britain, South Africa, and Japan. Between 2000 and 2003, he penned down Q&A while posted in London. The novel has been published in 43 languages including Arabic, French, German, Chinese, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, Danish, Swedish, Finnish, Norwegian, Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Tamil, Malayalam, Czech, Slovak, Slovenian, Bulgarian, Romanian, Polish, Russian, Japanese, Korean, Turkish, Taiwanese, Thai, and Hebrew. He has also written for Time, Newsweek, The Guardian, The Telegraph (UK), The Financial Times (UK) Liberation (France), and others. Swarup had taken over charge as the MEA Spokesperson from Syed Akbaruddin, who is now India's Permanent Representative at the United Nations. The post of the Indian High Commissioner in Canada had been lying vacant after retirement of Vishnu Prakash. India has close ties with Canada in a range of key sectors and the country has sizeable number of Indians. Born in Allahabad in a family of lawyers, he had studied history, psychology and philosophy at Allahabad University. The MEA's social media outreach had witnessed major expansion during Swarup's tenure. In December, the ministry had launched a 'Twitter Seva' service with an aim to centralising its grievance redressal mechanism by bringing over 200 social media handles under one platform. In August, the MEA had launched an app, bringing websites and various social media handles of over 170 Indian missions on a common platform to further its public outreach. The West Bengal College and University Teachers Association held a protest yesterday against Education Bill passed in the state assembly. A five-member delegation of various teachers' organisations met with Education Minister Partha Chatterjee in the state Legislative Assembly and submitted a seven-page deputation requesting him to introduce several changes in the West Bengal Universities and Colleges (Administration and Regulation) Bill, 2017 which was passed recently. The Teachers' organisations participated in a march to the assembly, but were stopped by the police at Y-Channel in Kolkata's Esplanade area. The state government had earlier said only "eminent educationists" would be nominated as the president of college governing bodies. However, in the new Bill, the government has replaced this with a "person interested in education". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At least three soldiers died when an improvised explosive device (IED), targeting an army convoy, exploded in Balochistan on Thursday, the Pakistan Army's media wing said in a statement. According to Inter-Services Public Relations, the killed were identified as Capt. Taha, Sepoy Kamran Satti and Sepoy Mahattar Jan. In the attack, two others sustained injuries. --IANS ahm/vt (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Actor Vivek Oberoi, who is sharing screen space with Ajith Kumar in upcoming Tamil actioner "Vivegam", says he finds his co-star to be very humble and caring. He is enjoying being pampered on the sets of the film. "Ajith Anna (elder brother) is the most humble, caring human being, absolute gem! Loving every minute of being pampered by all in Chennai! Thank you for the love," Vivek tweeted on Thursday. The film marks Vivek's Tamil debut. He is being introduced in the role of a suave antagonist. Being directed by Siva, the film also stars Akshara Haasan and Kajal Aggarwal in the lead. Ajith plays an Interpol agent in the film, which has been predominantly shot across exotic locations in Europe. Being produced by Satya Jyothi Films, the film has music by Anirudh Ravichander. --IANS hp/rb/sac (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Lee Universitys Tony Deaton has published his newest book, Aint Had So Much Fun Since Uncle Quentin Died. The book, set in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Oconee Country, S.C., shares Mr. Deatons journey from humble beginnings with a strict father, rigid church teachings, and racial prejudice, to a life of freedom, happiness, and personal fulfillment, said officials. Although trained in opera with a wealth of performance experience, I guess Im still a country boy at heart with deep roots in southern rural culture, said Mr. Deaton. Mr. Deaton, an associate professor of vocal music at Lee, made his New York opera debut at The International Festival of the Arts in the title role of Harrison Birtwistles avantgarde opera, Punch and Judy. He has performed at The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., in Charleston, S.C., and with symphony orchestras and opera companies throughout the United States. He received a Master of Music in vocal performance from The University of Tennessee, where he studied with Edward Zambara, and he earned his Bachelor of Arts in music from Lee College (now Lee University), where he was a voice student of Jim Burns. Mr. Deaton has distinguished himself as an exceptional teacher. Many of his students have placed first in state and regional vocal competitions including National Association of Teachers of Singing, Tennessee Music Teachers Association and the prestigious Metropolitan Opera Auditions. Mr. Deaton also conducts masterclasses, serves as a voice adjudicator, and continues an active performance schedule. He is married to Suzy Venable Deaton, originally of Knoxville, and is the proud grandfather of grandsons, Spencer and Andy. Aint Had So Much Fun Since Uncle Quentin Died is available for purchase on Amazon.com. For more information about the book, email Mr. Deaton at tdeaton@leeuniversity.edu or call 614-8261. Online shopping giant Amazon's Rs 15 lakh in cash were allegedly looted here from a courier handler while he was on his way, the city police said on Thursday. The police said they found contradictions in the courier handler's account of the heist, and suspect foul play in the loot. Sumit Singh, a courier handler of Radiant Private Service Solutions, was assigned to deliver Amazon's cash in Shipra Sun city area in Indirapuram. The incident occurred near Diamond flyover in Kavi Nagar Industrial area, according to Sumit Singh. After taking Rs 15 lakh in cash at 7.35 p.m. on Wednesday from the office of Amazon, he called the police at 7:36 p.m, informing them that he was robbed. He told the police that as he stepped out of the office and turned to Diamond flyover two persons in a car came to him and snatched the bag containing cash and sped away. During the loot, one of their accomplices remained seated on the driver's seat of the car, he said. "On his complaint, the FIR has been registered under Section 392 of the Indian Penal Code. Investigation is being conducted," said Superintendent of Police (City) Salman Taj Patil. "During investigation and recording of statement, we have found several contradictions in Sumit's account of the incident. FIR was submitted late and phones are being checked to connect the chain of events," Patil added. Intensifying the ongoing war between the two ruling allies, a Bharatiya Janata Party MP on Thursday accused Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray of money-laundering. Mumbai Lok Sabha member Kirit Somaiya, a chartered accountant by profession, made the allegation against Thackeray after he declared his assets following the charges levelled against him by the Shiv Sena. "Now Uddhav Thackeray should also do it," Somaiya said in a statement. He said he had declared all his accounts and financial transactions for the past 20 years. "I myself declare and confirm that I have never (been) involved in any non-transparent transaction shell/bogus/khokha company. Let Uddhav Thackeray declare all his financial transactions before the public," Somaiya said. Additionally, he named seven companies, which he claimed indulged in money-laundering, and asked the Shiv Sena to clarify if they had entered into any financial transactions with these firms. "Why Uddhav Thackeray is not disclosing his assets? Is he afraid of connection with the 7 shell companies involved in money-laundering," Somaiya asked. The companies he named are: Jagmandri Finvest Pvt Ltd, Kim Electronic Industries Ltd., JPK Trading India Pvt Ltd., Lexus Infotech Ltd., Regalgold Trading Company Pvt. Ltd., Vanguard Jewels Ltd., and Yash-V-Jewels Ltd. Somaiya claimed that while the SEBI had issued prohibitory orders on Lexus Infotech Ltd. and Yash-V-Jewels Ltd., Nationalist Congress Party leader Chhagan Bhujbal had allegedly used two other companies "Regalgold Trading and Vanguard Jewels - for money-laundering purposes". Arrested nearly a year ago, Bhujbal is currently under the custody of the Enforcement Directorate on charges of alleged money-laundering. Reacting to the allegations, Shiv Sena Sena MP Rahul Shewale dismissed the charges and said the BJP MP (Somaiya) "is a blackmailer known to make baseless allegations". Pointing out that Somaiya had in the past levelled allegations even against his party colleague and Union Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari, Shewale said even BJP President Amit Shah should declare his assets. He asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to order a probe by any agency on the allegations leveled by Somaiya. --IANS qn/gsh/vt (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With the Tata Consultancy Services board slated to consider buyback of equity at a meeting on Monday, a former chief financial officer (CFO) of Infosys has said that the Bengaluru-headquartered IT giant too needs to consider the buyback option for "enhancing shareholder value". "It (buyback) is the right thing to do because the IT services industry is transforming from a growth stock to a value stock," former Infosys CFO V. Bala told BTVi in an interview. He pointed out that as per industry body Nasscom figures released on Wednesday, the IT sector is poised to grow at 8.6 per cent in the current fiscal, which is the "lowest ever we have seen". "Any sensible board will look at and understand the transition to value stock and return more money to shareholders," he said. Indian IT companies in recent years have seen only single-digit growth, leading to low shareholder returns, which has provoked firms to look at the buyback option as another means of rewarding shareholders. "Lots of things have changed for the industry... earlier we were growing at 40-50 per cent. When you are a growth stock, you require cash for further growth. Also, cash as a percentage of market capitalisation was very low at that point of time," the Infosys ex-CFO said. Among other IT companies, Cognizant recently announced a $3.4 million buyback, while Wipro and Accenture have conducted their own. Bala elaborated on the mechanics of this major transformation being witnessed in the IT sector. "Infosys is sitting on $6 million of cash, with a market capitalisation of $32 billion, which is 20 per cent, and growth has come down to single-digit. When 25 per cent of other incomes comes from financial income, you are no longer a software stock but a financial services stock " he said. "When things change, when the context changes you have to understand the transition and look to return more money to shareholders," he added. He said that both in the near- and medium-term, there is no need to keep large cash for acquisitions or strategic objectives, because the purchase of new technology is very costly. "All companies have clearly said they don't want yesterday's technology, while new technology comes at a very high price, where your ability to generate returns on top of the purchase price, your IRR (internal return of return), is very limited," Bala said. According to Bala, for companies and boards, whose primay task is to increase shareholder value, buyback would be the sensible course in the current scenario. "I think if you have large cash, you should return money to shareholders. It'll improve returns, improve EPS (earning per share) and generate shareholder value," he said. --IANS bc/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China on Thursday said it was closely following the events following the death of Kim Jong-nam, the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. "We are aware of relevant reports and will continue to keep an eye on any developments," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency. The North Korean embassy in Malaysia confirmed that a 46-year-old man holding a North Korean passport under the name Kim Chol was Kim Jong-nam, according to local reports that quoted Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. Kim requested help at Kuala Lumpur International Airport terminal two after feeling unwell on Monday. He died on way to hospital. Malaysian police have arrested three suspects -- a 26-year-old male Malaysian, a female bearing an Indonesian passport, and a female holding a Vietnamese passport -- in its investigation. Asked whether Kim's death would affect relations between China and the North, Geng said the two countries are friendly neighbours and have a tradition of friendly exchanges. --IANS gsh/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A dead rat was found in a midday meal served at a government school in south Delhi on Thursday, following which at least nine students who consumed the food were hospitalised. All of them were said to be out of danger. According to government officials, the rodent was found at the Government Boys Senior Secondary School in Deoli area. "A rat found in midday meal of a government school. Nine students (who had eaten food) were immediately rushed to hospital (Madan Mohan Malaviya). I have talked to doctors and the students are safe now," Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia tweeted. Sisodia also visited the hospital to enquire after the students and took stock of the situation. He assured of strict action against those found guilty. "An FIR is being lodged against the meal supplier. We will also blacklist him," Sisodia, who hold the education portfolio, said. "The meals will now be prepared at the school kitchen in presence of our officers," Sisodia added. --IANS am/tsb/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk posted and then quickly deleted three tweets that condemned US President Trump's order on immigration, saying they were accidentally published. "Regarding govt policy, there are often things that happen that many people don't agree with. This is normal for a functioning democracy," Musk wrote in one of the tweets. A second tweet read: "They rarely warrant a public statement. However, the ban on Muslim immigrants from certain countries rises to this level. It is not right." The third tweet added: "The Muslim immigration ban is not right." Shortly after deleting these tweets, Musk explained to a Twitter user that these "were earlier drafts that I accidentally published", The Verge reported on Thursday. Musk's statements on the ban which he tweeted in January, drew criticism for their diplomatic nature. Not only Musk, several Silicon Valley CEOs have strongly criticised Trump's immigration ban. Google CEO Sundar Pichai criticised the executive order, saying it will create "barriers" to bringing great talent to the US. The company later asked its travelling staff to return to America. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella also spoke out against the ban. "As an immigrant and as a CEO, I've both experienced and seen the positive impact that immigration has on our company, for the country, and for the world. We will continue to advocate on this important topic," he wrote in a LinkedIn post. Eassar group Chairperson Shashi Ruia on Thursday said he is confident that both state and the Centre will support fuel linkage to start the state Jharkhand power project. "We are now awaiting fuel linkage and are confident that the state and central government will support fuel requirement for the project through the upcoming coal mine auctions and linkages," said Ruia while speaking at the Global Investor Summit in Ranchi. He said: "Our company has committed for about Rs 10,000 crore investment in Jharkhand for setting up a 1,200MW power plant at Tori in Latehar district and development of Tokisud North Coal Mine with an estimated investment of about Rs 1,100 crore." "The power project is at an advanced stage of completion, with over Rs 4,700 crore already invested on the ground. Once operationalised, the Power Plant and Tokisud North Coal Mine shall together generate employment to approximately 5,500 people with a direct employment of 1,000 people and indirect employment of 4,500 people. "Essar's outsourcing business Aegis has set up BPO facility at Jamshedpur with 2,500 seating capacity. I am happy to inform you that we are considering to set up a similar facility at Ranchi which will have 2,000 seating capacity," Ruia added. --IANS ns/sm/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The European Union (EU) has denounced the suicide terrorist attack at a shrine in Pakistan which killed more than 70 people and wounded 200 others. "We express our condolences to the families of the victims and wish a speedy recovery to those who were injured," a spokesperson of the European External Action Service (EEAS), the EU's diplomatic service, said in a statement on Thursday, Xinhua news agency reported. "We are determined to stand by Pakistan in fighting all forms of and will continue to strengthen our cooperation with Pakistan in this regard," the spokesperson said. The death toll of a deadly suicide blast at a shrine in Sehwan town of Pakistan's south Sindh Province has risen to 72, local police said. Inspector General of Sindh police A.D. Khawaja said that over 200 people were also injured in the explosion. A suicide bomber entered the Lal Shahbaz Qalandar shrine from a crowded golden gate and blew himself up in a group of people performing Dhamal (Sufi dance) inside a compound in Sehwan, a small town located some 284 km away from the provincial capital of Karachi, said policeman Rasool Bux. He said there were 500 to 800 people inside the shrine as Thursday evening is considered as the most sacred time to pray in the shrine and a large number of people from across the country were there to pay homage to the late saint and perform Dhamal. Global terror group Islamic State (IS) claimed the attack. On its Arabic AMAQ website, IS said a suicide bomber "exploded his vest in Shia shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar in Pakistan's south Sindh province." This is the second time when IS claimed an attack targeting a shrine in Pakistan over the last three months. On November 12 last year, at least 52 people were killed and over 100 others injured when an IS suicide bomber blew himself up in a shrine in the country's southwest Balochistan province. --IANS pgh/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Over a week after a BMW luxury car fatally ran over a relative of Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh here, an absconding accused Harmehtab Singh alias Farid was arrested from Delhi, Chandigarh Police sources said. Harmehtab has been brought to the city for further investigations. Harmehtab and another accused Balraj Singh Randhawa were allegedly in the car when it hit and mowed down Akansh Sen, a nephew of Virbhadra Singh's wife Pratibha Singh early on February 9 in upscale Sector 9. The crime was said to be a fallout of an argument and a scuffle during a late-night party. The Chandigarh Police, whom the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister and his relatives accused of laxity, had booked Harmehtab and Randhawa on murder charge. Harmehtab, a rich landowner, is the great-grandson of former PEPSU (Punjab and East Punjab States Union) state Chief Minister Gian Singh Rarewale. Akansh Sen, 28, son of Virbhadra Singh's brother-in-law Arun Sen, died at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research here after battling for life for nearly 36 hours. As many as 25 police teams were sent to arrest Harmehtab and Randhawa. --IANS js/tsb/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A large number of foreigners are being black-listed from visiting northeastern states by the Union Home Ministry for violation of visa rules, a top official said here on Thursday. A top central intelligence official told IANS on condition of anonymity that some foreign nationals become involved in local law and order and negative issues, including spreading of religious messages and thoughts. Foreigners visiting Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland require Protected Area Permits and Restricted Area Permits. In Arunachal Pradesh, a foreigner cannot exceed stay for more than 30 days. "Around 30 black-listed nationals of the US, Nigeria and Bangladesh were disallowed from entering Tripura during the past one year by the immigration authorities," the official added. "On Wednesday, a black-listed Muslim cleric from Bangladesh tried to enter Tripura but the immigration authorities at the India-Bangladesh check post at Akhaura did not allow him," the official said. According to the official, the 64-year-old cleric, carrying Indian visa with one year validity, had visited Tripura last month too. Around 90,000 foreign tourists visited seven northeastern states, excluding Sikkim, last year, while 80,200 foreign tourists visited the region in 2015 and in 2014, around 68,400 foreign travellers visited the mountainous region. --IANS sc/ksk/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault on Wednesday warned Russia or any other state not to interfere in its upcoming presidential election after allegations that Russian hackers have been targeting presidential hopeful Emmanuel Macron. "We will not accept any interference whatsoever in our electoral process, no more from Russia, by the way, than from any other state. This is a question of our democracy, our sovereignty, our national independence," Xinhua news agency quoted Ayrault as saying to lawmakers. The French top diplomat warned that the country would take "retaliatory measures when that is necessary, because no foreign state can influence the choice of the French, no foreign state can choose the future President of the Republic". "After what's happened in the United States, it's our responsibility to take all the measures so that integrity of our democratic process will be fully respected," Ayrault added. French defence chiefs will meet on February 23 to discuss cyber security and implement "specific vigilance and protection measures" during the election campaign after allegations that Russian hackers have attacked presidential candidate Macron who pleaded for stronger European front to face Moscow. On Tuesday, Richard Ferrand, Macron's party chief accused Russia-based hackers of attacking databases and e-mail servers of the candidate's party. Russia called these accusations as "absurd", according to media reports. Moscow was accused of hacking US Democratic Party and campaign staff e-mail and spreading fake news to influence the November 8 election in which Republican Donald Trump, who wants to reset relations with Russia, was elected the 45th President of the United States. --IANS lok/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The digital rights of Rana Daggubati starrer "Ghazi", including in Telugu, Hindi and Tamil, has been snapped for a whopping Rs 12.5 crore by Amazon Prime, an informed source said. The source from the industry told IANS: "The digital rights of 'Ghazi' in three languages have been bagged for Rs 12.5 crore. This is a phenomenal price for a film directed by a newcomer." IANS tried reaching the makers for an official confirmation but did not get a word. Directed by Sankalp, the film is based on the mysterious sinking on PNS Ghazi, a Pakistani submarine during the India-Pakistan 1971 war. Slated for release worldwide on Friday, the film was simultaneously made in Telugu and Hindi and later dubbed into Tamil. While the Telugu and Tamil versions are titled "Ghazi", the Hindi version is called "The Ghazi Attack", and its theatrical rights have been bagged by Karan Johar. The film also stars Taapsee Pannu, Atul Kulkarni, Kay Kay Menon and the late Om Puri. --IANS hp/rb/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Jamaat-ud Dawa (JuD) chief and 2008 Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed has urged the Pakistan government to allow him to travel abroad, it was reported on Thursday. Asking the government to remove his name from the outside Exit Control List, Saeed said he was "neither a security risk nor did his outfit ever engage in terrorist activities", Dawn News reported. In a letter to Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, he said: "A memorandum issued on January 30 placing 38 individuals (in the list) should be withdrawn forthwith." The government also put Saeed and four other leaders under house arrest for 90 days for engaging in activities prejudicial to peace and security, the report said. Arguing that no evidence had ever been produced in courts, Saeed said: "The JuD has never been involved in any terrorist activity in Pakistan and no incident of any terrorism or destruction of property was ever alleged against the organisation." --IANS ruwa/gsh/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India has assured to fully respect the status of the zone of application of the Treaty of Tlatelolco -- the treaty for prohibition of nuclear weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean, said a ministry official in a speech. Speaking at the 50th Anniversary of the Treaty of Tlatelolco at the Mexico City, Mexico, recently, Pankaj Sharma, Joint Secretary - Disarmament and International Security Affairs, said: "As a nuclear power, India conveys its unambiguous assurances to fully respect the status of the zone of application of the Treaty of Tlatelolco." A copy of his speech was released on Thursday by the Ministry of External Affairs. "Likewise, India fully supports the provisions in the Treaty of Tlatelolco relating to the peaceful use of nuclear energy and the application of IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) safeguards," said . The Treaty of Tlatelolco, signed on February 14, 1967, by all the Latin American nations except Cuba, is the conventional name given to the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean. Cuba signed the treaty in 1995 and ratified it in 2002. Referring to Indian stand of a non-discriminatory and verifiable nuclear disarmament in a time-bound manner, Sharma said, "This goal can be achieved by a step by step process underwritten by a universal commitment and an agreed multilateral framework that is global and non-discriminatory." "Our initiatives in the UN General Assembly as well as the Conference on Disarmament (CD) reflect our sincerity in seeking peace and security through the pursuit of a world without weapons of mass destruction," he added. Giving examples of the global non-discriminatory treaties on chemical and biological weapons, he asked for complete elimination of weapons of mass destruction and hoped that the Conference on Disarmament "can commence work towards this goal as soon as possible". "As a founder member of the IAEA and as a country possessing advanced nuclear technologies, India believes that predictable access to nuclear energy would be critical to promote global economic development and combat climate change," he added. --IANS rs/nir (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar will attend the first India-China Strategic Dialogue to be held in Beijing on February 22, a senior official said on Thursday. "China and India will hold the first meeting of the India China Strategic Dialogue co-chaired by Foreign Secretary and the Executive Vice Foreign Minister of China on February 22 in Beijing," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said at his weekly media briefing here. "This dialogue mechanism was agreed to during (Chinese) Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to India in August 2016," he said. "The two sides are expected to discuss all issues of mutual interest in the bilateral, regional and international domain." --IANS ab/vt (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The number of foreign tourists visiting Indonesia last year rose by 11 per cent, a top official announced here on Thursday. In December, a total of 1.11 million foreign visitors came to the country, 12.87 per cent more from a year earlier, National Statistic Bureau chief Kecuk Suhariyanto said. In Bali, the centre of Indonesia's tourism industry, foreign tourist arrivals grew 20.39 per cent to 437,946 people in December compared with the same period last year, Xinhua news agency quoted the chief as saying. Most of the foreign tourists visiting Indonesia in December were from Singapore with 16.95 per cent of the total, followed by Malaysia with 13.97 per cent, China with 11.07 per cent, Australia with 9.96 per cent and India with 4.18 per cent. Indonesia expects 12 million foreign holiday-makers coming into the country this year and rise to 20 million in 2019. --IANS ksk/vt (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Delhi BJP Incharge Shyam Jaju on Thursday said women in the city have been the worst sufferers under the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, as they got carried away by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's false image of "saviour". The Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader's remarks came amid protests by its women wing outside the AAP leader's residence here. Hundreds of Delhi BJP women wing activists gathered outside Kejriwal's residence and raised slogans against him. Addressing the agitating party workers, Jaju said: "Kejriwal government has let down Delhi on all its electoral promises. Worst sufferers are the women of Delhi, who were misled by Kejriwal's false saviour image created after the agitation he led over Nirbhaya's case." Jaju also alleged that Kejriwal promised women security, vocational training and women empowerment, "but despite two years in power, the Chief Minister has done nothing on women security or empowerment". Attacking the AAP leader, Jaju said: "The promise of providing marshals in buses, women cabs, night travel protection, CCTV (Close circuit television) camera network to give women a sense of security continue to be distant dreams." As for women empowerment, "Kejriwal has denied participation of women in his government", he pointed out. Following the protest, police had to use water canons to disperse the protesting BJP activists. The women wing supporters also raised the issue of Delhi government's non performance in areas like women safety and creation of jobs for women. The Delhi BJP Incharge also joined the demonstration and addressed the workers. Delhi Women Wing President Punam Parashar Jha said: "Kejriwal came to power promising more jobs, education and a better and safer Delhi. "But today, Delhi is living amid fear and corruption in the government and the employment opportunities for women is still a far cry," Jha said. --IANS aks/nir/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Delhi Labour Minister Goapl Rai on Thursday said like the AAP government ministers, all Delhi MPs also have a responsibility towards the people, so they should also present their report cards on the work done for the public. Rai said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won all the seven parliamentary seats in Delhi, so they have a responsibility and accountability towards the public of the city. "Instead of protesting, all the seven MPs of Delhi, especially BJP's city unit chief Manoj Tiwari, should submit their report cards to the public," Rai told reporters. "As an MLA, I belong to a state government, but they are MPs and they have the central government, so they have a bigger role to play towards public welfare and development of Delhi," Rai said. He said the BJP only created hurdles in the Delhi government's development works and protested when the government presented the report card of its public welfare works. Rai said that municipal councillors of the Congress and the BJP were hindering the construction of a Mohalla Clinic in Noor-e-Ilahi area of north-east Delhi, which falls within his Babarpur assembly constituency. He said, "I got several public welfare works, worth Rs 100 crore, done in my constituency. The BJP and the Congress want to stop all our development projects. What problem do they have from all the development works being done by the AAP government?" --IANS am-kd/nir/vt (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Actor Ashton Kutcher, who during his 2012 visit to India had met sex trafficking victims and has been batting for their cause for long, says there's need to understand the importance of using technology as a tool to eradicate slavery. Kutcher testified on his anti-sex trafficking efforts before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in a hearing on progress in combating modern slavery. The actor spoke on behalf of Thorn: Digital Defenders of Children, an organisation he co-founded with former wife Demi Moore in 2009 that builds software to fight human trafficking, CNN reported. He called his "day job" his work as chairman of Thorn and also as a father -- he and wife-actress Mila Kunis welcomed son, Dimitri Portwood, in November, and daughter, Wyatt, is two years old. "As part of my anti-trafficking work, I've met victims in Russia, I've met victims in India, I've met victims that have been trafficked from Mexico, victims from New York and New Jersey and all across our country. I've been on FBI raids where I've seen things that no person should ever see," Kutcher said. "I've seen video content of a child that's the same age as mine being raped by an American man that was a sex tourist in Cambodia. And this child was so conditioned by her environment that she thought she was engaging in play," he added. Kutcher emphasised the importance of using technology as a tool that can be used to disable slavery, citing specific progress. "It's working. In six months, with 25 per cent of our users reporting, we've identified over 6,000 trafficking victims, 2,000 of which are minors. This tool has enhanced 4,000 law enforcement officials in 900 agencies. And we're reducing the investigation time by 60 percent," he said of a software tool called 'Spotlight'. Another tool called 'Solis' has taken investigation times from dark web material from three years to three weeks, Kutcher said. He spoke on the issue and called for specific actions, including additional funding for the technology, fostering public-private sector relationships, looking into the pipeline for victims, including working with the foster care system and the mental health system, and differentiating solution sets for sex trafficking and labour trafficking with enforcement and legislation initiatives. --IANS ks/rb/vt (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Myanmar has reopened a border gate with Bangladesh which was temporarily closed following terrorist attacks on some three border posts in 2016, the State Counsellor's Office here said on Thursday. The border gate (number one) was reopened for entry and departure in Maungtaw in Rakhine state over the weekend following restoration of peace and stability in the region after Myanmar negotiated with Bangladesh, Xinhua news agency reported. The surprise coordinated attacks by armed men on three border posts in Maungtaw on October 9, 2016 prompted the then closure of all border gates with Bangladesh for more than four months, resulting in financial hardship for local traders. Myanmar's Rakhine Violence Investigation Commission, which was formed on December 1, 2016 and led by First Vice President U Myint Swe to probe into the background on the violent attacks, has so far inspected Maungtaw's attacked areas four times to find out the truth. The armed men's attack on three border posts, namely Kyikanpyi in Maungtaw, Kotankauk in Buthedaung and Ngakhuya Office, had killed five soldiers and eight policemen . In the latest development, Myanmar's Sittway district court has handed out death sentence to one of the 14 attackers captured. The remaining 13 culprits are still under investigation. A dusk-to-dawn curfew was imposed in Maungtaw since October 10, 2016 but the curfew hours were reduced since February 10 for the next two months as peace and stability were improving in the region. The commission was originally tasked to formally report to the president by January 31, but it has been postponed. The overall report will be released when the investigation process is completely accomplished. Meanwhile, the commission released an interim report on January 4, exposing that the armed attacks in Maungtaw were conducted by Havid Tuhar-led Aqa Mul Mujahidin linked with Rohingya Solidarity Organisation (RSO) operating in the region. --IANS in/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) CTA: Bag Checks Are Not Related To Immigration By Stephen Gossett in News on Feb 15, 2017 11:53PM Red Line, photo via Chicagoist Flickr Pool User Tripp The CTA on Wednesday addressed rumors of immigration-related searches and Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity at train stations, unequivocally rejecting such claims. We want to be very clear that there have been NO incidences of ID checkpoints for purposes of verifying immigration status anywhere on CTA by the Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) service (nor any other agency) on our system, CTA said in a statement. We do not participate in or support this type of activity, the CTA added. A bag check at the Addison Red Line stop on Tuesday left some commuters confused and concerned. But ICE confirmed to Chicagoist on Tuesday that the agency was not involved in the bag check. The bag checks on the Red Line were part of a Mobile Explosives Screening Team operation, a terrorism-deterrence program that has been in operation since 2014 and which frequently enlists Homeland Security personnel to assist local police in such checks. A similar program was challenged in court by the ACLU in New York City when it was launched in 2005, but a judge ruled that the checks do not violate the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution, in part because people can decline the searchalthough if a search is declined the person is not allowed to board the train. Even after the CTAs statement, some slight confusion persisted about ID checks, but the CTA addressed that as well. The CTA may check special fare cards as separate effort to help prevent fraudulent use" and "only involve verifying that the person who has used a special fare card is rightful cardholder, the transit agency said. Those fare card checks can happen when a rider uses cards such as a UPass or RTA Reduced Fare Permit. That fraud check has also been in place since 2014. The CTA's full statement is below: A statement on rumors of immigration ID checks on CTA These rumors are false and we want you to know all are welcome on CTA. pic.twitter.com/qTZsKY1aRS cta (@cta) February 15, 2017 The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights also endorsed a a guide written by DRUM on how to responsibly share reports of immigration raids. A Non-Resident Indian (NRI) and his daughter-in-law were killed while his wife and son were injured when their car was hit by an oil tanker on the Jalandhar-Hoshiarpur road in Punjab on Thursday, the state police said. Mela Singh and his daughter-in-law Amandeep Kaur were killed on tghe spot, and Mela Singh's wife, Jasvir Kaur, and their son Lakhwinder Singh were injured in the accident, which took place around 140 km from here. The NRI family hailed from Begowal village in Kapurthala district. Lakhwinder Singh and his parents are based in the US, and the family was going to Chandigarh to get Amandeep Kaur's medical examination done for visa application so that she could join her husband Lakwinder in the US. The tanker driver fled from the spot, and the police have booked a criminal case against him. --IANS js/gsh/vt (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami said he would prove his majority in the assembly as asked by Governor C. Vidyasagar Rao. Soon after taking oath, Palaniswami went to Marina beach to pay homage at the memorial of late Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa. Palaniswami was accompanied by AIADMK's Deputy General Secretary T.T.V. Dinakaran and other ministers. A large number of AIADMK members were at the memorial at Marina beach and shouted slogans of "Chinamma Vazgha" (Long Live Chinamma), referring to AIADMK General Secretary V.K. Sasikala. Sasikala is in jail in Bengaluru convicted in a corruption case. Speaking to reporters, Palanniswami said he would prove his majority in the assembly as asked by the Governor. --IANS vj/rn (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's son's counsel on Thursday submitted documents in the Supreme Court, asserting that the property in London was not owned by the family, the media reported. Salman Akram Raja, counsel for Sharif's eldest son Hussain Nawaz, told the court that it seems the documents released by Mossack Fonseca -- that is 'Panama Papers' -- "were prepared through fraud". The case -- about alleged illegal money laundering by Sharif in 1990s, when he twice served as Prime Minister, to purchase assets in London -- was resumed on Wednesday. The assets surfaced when Panama papers showed that they were managed through offshore companies owned by Sharif's children. After the judges presiding over the case persisted to ascertain whether or not Hussain Nawaz was the owner of the four flats in London's Park Lane area, Raja submitted fresh documents to the court, Dawn news reported. "Where is the actual document that shows that Hussain Nawaz [...] is the owner of the four London flats?" the five-member bench of the apex court had asked. The bench had also asked Raja to "show the relevant documents that reveal who paid Minerva Financial Services", the holding company for two off-shore entities that own the flats in question. The documents Raja submitted purported to show the services rendered by Minerva Services to the two companies, Nielsen Enterprises Ltd and Nescoll Ltd. The documents that showed the ownership of the Park Lane flats in London were also submitted before the bench. The submitted documents appear to show the ownership of the flats in question. The documents also show that the payment for the flats was made to Minerva Services by Arrina Company through Barclays Bank, the report added. --IANS ruwa/vt (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As Tamil Nadu Governor C. Vidyasagar Rao invited E. Palaniswami to take oath as the new Chief Minister, an AIADMK lawmaker from O. Panneerselvam's camp said they will meet Election Commission officials in Delhi on Thursday. AIADMK lawmaker K. Pandiarajan told the media here that leaders from the camp of outgoing Chief Minister Panneerselvam will press their point before the poll panel that the election of Sasikala as party General Secretary is "void". According to them, the AIADMK General Secretary is to be elected by party cadres in an election whereas Sasikala was elected at a meeting of the General Council. Palaniswami, who belongs to the AIADMK camp led by now-jailed party General Secretary V.K. Sasikala, will take oath on Thursday evening, the Raj Bhavan said. Palaniswami will have to prove his majority in the assembly within 15 days. --IANS vj/tsb/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Jammu and Kashmir Governor N.N. Vohra will on Friday administer the oath office to two new ministers, including Altaf Bukhari, who returns to the cabinet. The name of the second minister is not known. The portfolios of some PDP ministers may also be shuffled. A Raj Bhavan communique said the oath of office and secrecy would be given at 12.30 p.m. Sources close to Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said Bukhari, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) MLA from Amira Kadal in Srinagar, would be re-inducted into the cabinet. Bukhari was the Public Work Department Minister in the Mufti Muhammad Sayeed-led PDP-BJP coalition government. After Sayeed's death, his daughter Mehbooba Mufti did not give Bukhari a ministerial berth. The sources said Bukhari would get an important portfolio. Another PDP MLA is likely to be sworn in as a junior minister. The strength of the council of ministers is 23 while the maximum number of ministers in Jammu and Kashmir can be 25. The state constitution allows for 20 per cent of the total legislators in the bicameral legislature to be in the ministry. The number of MLAs in the state assembly is 89 while the legislative council or upper house has 36 legislators. --IANS sq/ahm/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Philippines military said on Thursday that it was about to welcome its first transgender officer. "In taking in applicants to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), whether in regular or reservist force, we do not discriminate with respect to gender. Our gender and development programme guarantees that," said AFP public affairs chief Col. Edgard Arevalo. Arevalo said Geraldine Roman recently approached the office of the AFP deputy chief of staff for reservist and retiree affairs to express her intention to join the reserve force "but with regard to physical application form, there's none yet", Xinhua news agency reported. On Wednesday, Roman said she will be applying to become a military officer in the Armed Forces reserve force. She will be the first transgender if her application is subsequently approved. On the uniform that Roman will be wearing, Arevalo said court has already approved Roman's petition to change her gender to female. However, Arevalo could not immediately say if Roman's birth certificate, one of the requirements in the application, already bears her new gender. --IANS ksk/vt (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US Senate Republicans are expressing growing concerns about the relationship between President Donald Trump's administration and Russia, the media reported. "Everybody is unnerved by what they read, but (they're) not going to make decisions based on headlines," said South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker acknowledged that calls for a wide-ranging investigation have "gained momentum over the last 48 hours", The Hill magazine reported. The administration's relationship with Russia drew renewed attention on Monday after the resignation of Michael Flynn as President Trump's National Security Adviser. Flynn left his post after reports that he held multiple phone calls with Russia's ambassador to the US about sanctions on Moscow before Trump took office. While the White House said Flynn was ousted because of a lack of trust -- he misled Vice President Pence and others about those discussions -- the conversations themselves raised new questions about ties between Team Trump and Moscow, worrying Republicans in the Senate. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has directed the Senate Intelligence Committee to look into Russia's role in influencing the US presidential election, a stance supported by his conference. Democrats are also asking that the findings of the Senate Intelligence Committee's investigation be made public. --IANS ksk/sac (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Banks Board Bureau chief and former Comptroller and Auditor General of India Vinod Rai on Thursday said that Rs 10,000 crore allocated towards recapitalisation of public sector banks (PSBs) in the Union Budget 2017-18 was "sufficient", as the government was likely to go for a rights issue. "It should be sufficient. Government will probably go for a rights issue as well, so with the Rs 10,000 crore they will be able to leverage more from the market," Rai said here on the sidelines of the launch of a new Bandhan Bank branch. Rights issue is an issuance of shares to the shareholders, in accordance with the number of shares held by them, at a special price. The central government has provided Rs 10,000 crore for recapitalisation of banks owned by it in the Union Budget 2017-18. Presenting the budget in Parliament, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said that additional allocation may be provided as required. On making the public sector banks' pay packages more attractive, Rai said that the proposal on variable pay structure and Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) is under consideration of the government. "The proposal has been given to the government. It was given in January and the government will examine it," Rai said. Rai had said that he was looking at far more attractive packages for public sector banks by next fiscal, with bonus, ESOPs, performance linked variables -- monetary or non-monetary benefits, to make it more attractive for professionals to enter the PSBs. "We may not be able to change the fixed income but we are looking at making the variable part of the package more attractive as the compenasation package of the PSBs needs to be improved in some way," he had said. --IANS mm/qd/vt (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The South Korean government has confirmed that the North Korean citizen assassinated at a Malaysian airport was Kim Jong-un's half-brother, a media report said on Thursday. Seoul -- on the Malaysian government's request on Tuesday -- carried out a test to compare the fingerprints of the deceased with that of Kim Jong-nam's, South Korean officials said, Japanese public channel NHK news reported Thursday. After detecting a similarity between the two impressions, Seoul opened its own investigation into the incident, Efe news reported. Malaysian authorities had till now only confirmed that a North Korean citizen, who was travelling through Kuala Lumpur International Airport with a passport under the name of Kim Chol, had died in the attack, although South Korea was claiming he was Kim Jong-un's elder brother. The victim, born in 1970 in Pyongyang according to his passport died Monday while being transferred to a hospital in Putrajaya (Malaysia's administrative capital), after he was reportedly attacked by two women who sprayed a chemical on his face. The police arrested one woman on Wednesday with Vietnamese documents and a second woman on Thursday, in connection with the alleged murder. Since Wednesday, the body was at the Kuala Lumpur General Hospital, where forensic experts carried out an autopsy although the results were yet to be announced. Kim Jong-nam had been considered best-placed to replace his father as the head of the North Korean regime until he fell out of favour with him at the turn of the century. Since then he has held no official position in the North Korean regime and has lived mainly in Hong Kong, Macao and Beijing. Born to dictator Kim Jong-il and his first mistress actress Song Hye-rim, Jong-nam had attracted attention in recent years with his criticism of the North Korean regime's policies and its succession system through correspondence with a Japanese journalist and in statements to a Japanese television station. --IANS in/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Seoul Central District Court will on Thursday decide whether to order the arrest of Samsung group's heir Lee Jae-yong, a media report said. The Vice President of Samsung Electronics is being investigated for his involvement in the "South Korean Female Rasputin" corruption scandal. Lee Jae-yong appeared in the court an hour before the start of the hearing, which was scheduled at 10.30 a.m. local time, Efe news reported. During the hearing, the judges would decide on his arrest, which was requested by the prosecutors in the case. The head of South Korea's largest business conglomerate is facing his second arrest warrant in the bribery case that lead to the impeachment of South Korean President Park Geun-hye in 2016. South Korea is trying to establish whether the 48-year-old de facto leader of Samsung instructed the financial support to Choi Soon-sil, nicknamed the "Female Rasputin," in exchange for the government's backing for a merger between two of the group's subsidiaries. On Tuesday, the prosecutors investigating the corruption scandal called for a new arrest warrant against Lee, after a local court rejected a previous request in January. The court back then argued that it was not clear whether the donations were made in exchange for favours, but prosecutors said that after three weeks of additional investigations they have obtained new evidence against Lee. In addition to bribery, the prosecution also accuses Lee of embezzlement and perjury for having given several versions of the events during his appearances in courts. Lee and other Samsung personnel admitted having paid about $37 million to entities allegedly controlled by Choi but they deny that it was to get support for the merger process in 2015. Lee Jae-yong took over the Samsung conglomerate in October 2016, after his father, Lee Kun-hee, suffered a heart attack in May 2014, which still keeps him hospitalised and unable to communicate. Choi is still in detention since her arrest in October 2016 when she was charged with colluding with Park to create a network of corruption in which the President, members of her government and the main business conglomerates of the country were apparently involved. In December 2016, the South Korean Parliament approved Park's dismissal. The final decision is now in the hands of the Constitutional Court, which has until June to decide in favour or against the impeachment. --IANS in/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Chicagoist will be launching later but in the meantime please enjoy our archives. South Korea and Malaysia confirmed on Thursday that the North Korean citizen assassinated at a Malaysian airport was Kim Jong-un's half-brother after a fingerprint test came positive, a media report said. The Malaysian government, confirming the death of Kim Jong-nam, who was apparently assassinated on Monday, said that it will transport his body to the Communist country's authorities, Efe news reported. Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister Zahid Hamidi said the incident would not affect bilateral ties, and dismissed as "speculation" the notion that the North Korean regime is behind the suspected killing. Malaysian security forces have detained two women, one from Vietnam and the other from Indonesia, in connection with Kim Jong-nam's killing. Seoul -- on the Malaysian government's request on Tuesday -- carried out a test to compare the fingerprints of the deceased man with those of Kim Jong-nam's, South Korean officials said, Japanese channel NHK news reported Thursday. After detecting similarities between the two impressions, Seoul opened its own investigation into the incident. Malaysian authorities had till now only confirmed that a North Korean citizen, who was travelling through Kuala Lumpur International Airport with a passport under the name of Kim Chol, had died in the attack. South Korea all this while has been claiming he was Kim Jong-un's elder half-brother. Jong-nam died Monday while being transferred to a hospital in Putrajaya after he was reportedly attacked by two women who sprayed a chemical on his face. Since Wednesday, his body was at the Kuala Lumpur General Hospital, where forensic experts carried out an autopsy although the results were yet to be announced. Kim Jong-nam had been considered best-placed to replace his father Kim Jong-il as the head of the North Korean regime until he fell out of favour with him at the turn of the century. Since then he held no official position in the North Korean regime and lived mainly in Hong Kong, Macao and Beijing. Born to dictator Kim Jong-il and his first mistress actress Song Hye-rim, Jong-nam had attracted attention in recent years with his criticism of the North Korean regime's policies and its succession system through correspondence with a Japanese journalist and in statements to a Japanese television station. The confirmation of his death comes on the same day when North Korea celebrates the 75th birth anniversary of Jong-nam's father, the country's late leader. --IANS in/vt (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tension prevailed outside former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam's residence for some time on Thursday after miscreants threw stones at his supporters. People belonging to the anti-Panneerselvam camp objected to the presence of his supporters outside his residence here. This resulted in heated arguments and was followed by some stone pelting. --IANS vj/rn (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) It was a busy Saturday evening in Delhi, just two days before Diwali, when three blasts shattered the peace of the capital on October 29, 2005, claiming the lives of 67 and leaving over 210 people injured. The serial explosions that rocked Delhi were the biggest terrorist strike in India, outside Kashmir, since the Bombay (now Mumbai) blasts of 1993. The scenes at the blast sites were horrific with dead bodies, blood and destruction all around. The first blast took place at Paharganj in Central Delhi, near the New Delhi Railway Station at around 5.38 p.m., ripping apart shop fronts and killing 17 people. According to Delhi Police, the bomb was planted on a two-wheeler parked outside a chemist's shop that also left around 40 injured. The second blast took place in a bus in south Delhi's Govindpuri area at 6 p.m., injuring 13 passengers. According to police, the bomb was noticed by a passenger, with whom the conductor had a heated argument over buying ticket. The 70 passengers travelling in the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) Outer Mudrika bus were asked by the conductor and the driver to disembark. The conductor tried to throw the bag out when the bomb inside exploded. The driver and conductor were among the 13 people injured. The biggest explosion took place in south Delhi's Sarojini Nagar market at 6.05 p.m., just five minutes after the second blast that caused the maximum damage. At least 50 people were killed in the busy market. According to police, the explosive device was placed in a Maruti van near a chat vendor using a gas cylinder. The blast triggered secondary explosions in two cylinders of the chat vendor, starting a blaze. The impact of the blasts was so strong that bodies of several people could not be recovered. As news of the blasts spread, other markets in Delhi soon began to empty out. Grief and shock spread across the city. Many people rushed to hospitals searching for their near and dear ones. Relatives waited in hope and fear outside the emergency rooms of three city hospitals -- All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital and Lady Hardinge Hospital, where the injured were rushed. In Sarojini Nagar, the identity of five victims had to be established with DNA test while seven others still remain unidentified. The ollowing is the chronology of events related to 2005 Delhi serial blasts that killed 67 persons and left over 100 injured: October 29, 2005: Just three days before the Diwali festival, 67 people are killed and more than 100 are injured, including some foreign natioanls, in blasts at the busy Sarojini Nagar and Paharganj markets and one in a bus in Govindpuri area of Delhi. Around 5.35 p.m. the first blast takes place in Paharganj market, near the New Delhi Railway station, killing 17 people. The second blast takes place in a bus in southern Delhi's Govindpuri area at 6.00 p.m. which left 17 people injured. Barely five minutes later, the third blast occurs in crowded Sarojini Nagar market in south Delhi, in which 50 persons are killed. November 10, 2005: Delhi Police make first arrest in the case, Tariq Ahmed Dar from Kashmir. January 14, 2008: Delhi court frames charges against Dar and two others for waging war against the state, conspiring, collecting arms, murder and attempt to murder. January 16, 2017: Court reserves its verdict in the case. February 13, 2017: Court defers judgment in the case. February 16, 2017: Delhi Court convicts Tariq Ahmed Dar under terror charges for being a member of banned outfit. But acquits him and two others of the charges of waging war against the state, conspiring, collecting arms, murder and attempt to murder. --IANS spk-akk/ahm/vt (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told the European lawmakers on Thursday that the relationship between his country and the EU went beyond trade deals and was rooted in their shared values. Trudeau was addressing European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, a day after its members voted to ratify the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) with Canada following years of negotiations, a decision he commended. "CETA is not only about commerce, imports and exports, about profits. It aims to improve people's lives," said the Canadian Prime Minister. He went on to say that the European Union and Canada had common aspirations for a better and more secure world, and added that they must collectively lead the international economy and face future challenges together, Efe news reported. Trudeau acknowledged, however, that for a sizable trade deal like CETA to succeed, it must benefit the ordinary people and allay the anxieties that many people hold with regard to the modern economy. "This anxiety towards the economy and trade can be addressed only if we ensure that trade is inclusive so that everyone benefits. And CETA delivers just that," he said. Trudeau offered a warning to members of European Parliament: "If we are successful, CETA will become the blueprint for all ambitious, future trade deals. If we are not, this could very well be one of the last." Trudeau pressed on the subject, saying that for Canada, an EU voice on the world stage was not just preferable but essential. Trudeau was the first-ever Canadian Prime Minister to address European Parliament. After Strasbourg, Trudeau was scheduled to head to Germany, where he is to meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel. --IANS soni/vt (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US President Donald Trump has welcomed Lilian Tintori, the wife of imprisoned Venezuelan opposition figure Leopoldo Lopez, to the White House and called for her husband's release. "Venezuela should allow Leopoldo Lopez, a political prisoner and husband of @liliantintori (just met with @marcorubio), out of prison immediately," Trump said in a tweet after the meeting on Wednesday, also posting a photograph of himself with Tintori in the Oval Office, Efe news reported. Vice President Mike Pence and Florida Senate Marco Rubio are also seen in the photo. Tintori travelled to Washington to present to the Senate her view of the Venezuelan crisis after a group of 34 legislators from both parties last week urged Trump to sanction the socialist government of Nicolas Maduro. Lopez is serving an almost-14-year sentence in the Ramo Verde military prison for having incited anti-government demonstrations in Venezuela that resulted in more than 40 deaths in 2014. --IANS sm/sac (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US President Donald Trump nominated a former member of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) for the labor secretary post, an announcement that comes a day after his previous nominee withdrew his name from consideration amid controversy. If confirmed by the Senate, Alexander Acosta, a son of Cuban immigrants, would be the first Hispanic in the president's Cabinet, Efe news reported on Thursday. The 48-year-old Acosta was not present for Trump's announcement at the White House, but the president said he had spoken with him and that he would be an outstanding labor secretary. Trump also noted that the Senate on Thursday confirmed Mick Mulvaney as the White House's new director of the Office of Management and Budget. Born in Miami, Acosta earned a bachelor's degree in economics from Harvard College and a law degree from Harvard Law School. Trump's nominee also was a member of the NLRB, worked as assistant attorney general for the US Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division during George W. Bush's presidency and recently was dean of the Florida International University College of Law. On Wednesday, Andrew Puzder withdrew his name from consideration for the post of labor secretary after both Democratic and Republican lawmakers criticized him over personal and professional issues. The 66-year-old Puzder's confirmation hearing before the Senate's Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions had been scheduled for Thursday. But he removed himself from consideration after coming under heavy criticism from labor unions for his alleged mistreatment of low-wage workers during his more than 16-year tenure as chief executive of CKE Restaurants Holdings Inc., owner of the Carl's Jr. and Hardee's hamburger chains. Spousal abuse allegations dating back to the 1980s (which Puzder's ex-wife, Lisa Fierstein, says now that she regrets making) also raised concerns about whether the Senate would confirm Puzder's nomination. He also faced criticism for having hired an undocumented domestic employee. --IANS pgh/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US President has offered the job of National Security Adviser to Vice-Admiral Robert Harward, sources close to the situation said on Wednesday. Harward, a 60-year-old former Navy SEAL, served as Deputy Commander of US Central Command under now-Defence Secretary James Mattis. He previously served as Deputy Commanding General for operations of Joint Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, CBS News reported. Harward has also commanded troops in both Iraq and Afghanistan for six years after the 9/11 attacks. Under President George W Bush, he served on the National Security Council as director of strategy and policy for the office of combating terrorism. He has not yet accepted Trump's offer, and negotiations continue over the National Security Council staff Harward would be empowered to build. According to sources, Trump told current Deputy National Security Adviser K T McFarland she could retain that post. Harward was apparently not consulted about that decision. McFarland was chosen by ousted National Security Adviser Michael Flynn. The UN chief has warned US President Donald Trump against abandoning the idea of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, saying there is "no alternative". It came after Trump went against decades of US policy, saying he would back whatever formula led to peace. Palestinians reacted with alarm to the possibility that the US could drop support for Palestinian statehood. The last round of Israeli-Palestinian peace talks broke down in 2014, BBC reported on Thursday. Speaking alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday, President Trump promised to deliver a "great" peace deal. But he said both sides must compromise. "So I'm looking at two states and one state," he said. "And I like the one that both parties like." Following the press conference, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres urged the international community to do everything it could to bring about a two-state solution. He said there was no other option for resolving the conflict. A "two-state" solution to the decades-old conflict between Israelis and Palestinians is the declared goal of their leaders and the international community. It is the shorthand for a final settlement that would see the creation of an independent state of Palestine within pre-1967 ceasefire lines in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem, living peacefully alongside Israel. When he was asked about a two-state solution, Netanyahu said he wanted to focus on "substance" and not "labels". Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, meanwhile, said he remained committed to the goal. He also seized upon Trump's comments urging Netanyahu to "hold back on settlements for a little bit". --IANS soni/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Manhattan US Attorneys office is conducting a criminal investigation into Fox News, informed sources told ABC News. Judd Burstein, an attorney representing former Fox News personality Andrea Tantaros, said during a hearing on Wednesday that one of his clients had received a subpoena to testify before a federal grand jury investigating the use of corporate resources in connection with sexual harassment allegations against former Fox News CEO Roger Ailes and his former employer, Fox News parent company 21st Century Fox. Burstein said the subpoena did not involve Tantaros but a different, unspecified, client. A spokeswoman for US Attorney Preet Bharara declined to comment. Fox News responded to the news, saying in a statement: "Neither Fox News nor 21st Century Fox has received a subpoena but we have been in communication with the US Attorney's office for months - we have and will continue to cooperate on all inquiries with interested authorities." --IANS ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) More Than A Thousand Protesters Are Marching In 'A Day Without Immigrants' By aaroncynic in News on Feb 16, 2017 7:43PM More than a thousand people gathered on Thursday morning to take part in Chicago's 'A Day Without Immigrants' protest, one of numerous happening throughout the country. The protesters came together to demonstrate the cultural and economic contributions of immigrants to the country while also voicing opposition against President Donald Trump's self-described crackdown on undocumented immigrants and recent arrests conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Today many people did not show up to work. They arent buying anything, theyre not consuming anything, said Jorge Mujica of Arise Chicago. We all are immigrants. We are part of this society, this country, this economy. This is our economy, our society, and this is our country too. The United States has a problem - it needs international workers, but doesnt allow them to come here legally. We have a visa problem. We are not the problem, the problem is the US isnt giving us the papers they want us to have. Demonstrators began to converge at Union Park at around 11 a.m. and began marching around noon. In addition, businesses around Chicago have closed in solidarity with the protesters, some of whom walked off their jobs around the city to demonstrate the importance of immigrant labor to the local and national economy. Signs from businesses closed in solidarity along the march route #chistrikesback #DayWithoutImmigrants Chicago pic.twitter.com/FvSquWiV2M Aaron Cynic (@aaroncynic) February 16, 2017 Protesters at the Day Without An Immigrant event. Photo via Tyler LaRiviere/Chicagoist The protesters were joined by local politicians, including Cook County comissioner Jesus Chuy Garcia and Ald. Ricardo Munoz (22nd) as they marched downtown and chanted as motorists passing by honked in approval. Many different community and labor groups joined the march as well in solidarity with demonstrators, pointing towards the intersectionality of immigrant rights, workers rights, and civil liberties. Aiesha Meadows McLaurin, a fast food worker at Burger King, was one of the many workers affiliated with the Fight for 15 movement that joined the demonstration. Low wage workers and labor organizations scored a huge victory this week when Carls Jr CEO Andy Puzder withdrew as nominee for the position of Secretary of Labor. This is a powerful victory, one of the first major defeat in the resistance movement against the Trump administration, said McLaurin. This is not a new fight, Frank Chapman of the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression told the crowd. Im 74 years old and Ive got one message for Donald Trump. We fought your dad, we fought your granddad, and were going to fight you...Hes trying to turn our government into a billionaire government of robber barons. Thats why he has no respect for working people - hes been exploiting working people all his life. Additional reporting by Aaron Cynic US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Secretary of Homeland Security John F. Kelly will visit Mexico next week, the Mexican Foreign Ministry announced. The two chiefs "will meet with various federal government officials", the ministry said on Wednesday, adding it would release more details of the agenda in coming days, Xinhua news agency reported. The meetings comes after the January 27 telephone conversation between US President Donald Trump and his Mexican counterpart Enrique Pena Nieto. The telephone call took place ahead of a scheduled meeting between the two heads of state. Pena Nieto cancelled it after Trump tweeted there was no point in holding the encounter if Mexico was not prepared to pay for a proposed wall along the US-Mexico border. "If Mexico is unwilling to pay for the badly needed wall, then it would be better to cancel the upcoming meeting," Trump tweeted. Mexico's Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray went to Washington after the call, and met with Tillerson and Kelly so as "to continue to work in favour of a respectful, close and constructive relationship between the two countries," the ministry said. Bilateral ties have been tense since Trump took office in January, who immediately signed an executive order calling for a border wall to stem illegal immigration and cross-border crime. He urged to levy the tax on Mexican goods entering the United States to help pay for the project, which could cost billions of dollars. Trump also demanded the renegotiation of a two-decade-old free trade agreement between Mexico, the US and Canada. --IANS ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Nearly 500 US philosophers have announced their rejection of the anti-Mexican policies of American President Donald Trump, the media reported. In an open letter signed by the philosophers working at universities around the country -- and posted on the website of a leading Mexican university -- the academics on Wednesday stated their "strong repudiation of the Trump administration's intended policies towards our neighbouring country of Mexico", Xinhua news agency reported. The "xenophobic" policies "distort our deep historic, economic, cultural and academic bonds", the letter said. "We are deeply concerned by the fact that plans are already underway for the construction of a wall on our border under the premise that Mexicans themselves will pay for it. This is an unacceptable threat, an act of profound disrespect, and a direct aggression to an historic economic partner and cherished friend." They also expressed "major concern for the announced mass deportations of undocumented immigrants, including Mexicans", and urged the administration "to change these erroneous and compromising policies". Academics from some of the most prestigious universities joined in denouncing the measures, including Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard, Princeton, Yale and New York University. Mexico's National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), whose Institute of Philosophical Research (IIF) hosted the letter on its website, said it was working closely with its academic counterparts in the US. The Director of the IIF, Pedro Stepanenko Gutierrez, who co-authored the open letter, warned Mexicans against turning against the US or its citizens, despite deteriorating bilateral ties under Trump. --IANS ksk/sac (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Washington's Smithsonian National Zoo began a series of public events in preparation to send off a giant panda named Bao Bao back to China. "All of our fans are very sad to see her go, but we know that this is a really important step for her, giving her the opportunity to return to the breeding center in China and hopefully produce offspring of her own," said Michael Brown-Palsgrove, a giant panda curator. "It's sort of like sending your kid off to college," he said. "Bao Bao is more independent than our male cub." Keepers assured panda fans that Bao Bao has well prepared for her 16-hour direct flight to Chengdu city. Kate Masters, who came to bid farewell to Bao Bao with her six-year-old daughter Genevieve, said it is definitely a loss for the Zoo, nevertheless, she felt exciting for Bao Bao. "I came three times every year to see the pandas. They are my favourite animals in the zoo," Genevieve said. Following the zoo keepers' meeting, the Chinese embassy on Thursday will bring dumplings to the zoo for panda fans. In addition, a ceremony will be organised by the zoo on February 21, to bid farewell to Bao Bao. --IANS ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The party owing allegiance to now jailed General Secretary V.K. on Thursday made it clear that it will not embrace acting Chief Minister O. . Barring and School Education Minister K. Pandiarajan, all other MLAs in "the rival camp are welcome to join us", Handloom and Textiles Minister O.S. Manian told the media. Manian's statement came as it became clear that Governor C. Vidyasagar Rao was set to invite loyalist E. Palaniswamy to form a new government. On Wednesday evening, Palaniswamy met Rao and submitted a list of legislators supporting him and requested the Governor to invite him to form the government. Earlier in the day, a senior leader in Panneerselvam's camp said that they expected a sizeable number of legislators from the camp to join them. That was before the Governor invited Palaniswamy. Security forces in the Kashmir Valley are facing a serious challenge in their anti-terror operations with a new trend, which has almost become a phenomenon now, of stone-throwing protesters coming out to rescue militants from shootout sites. Military officials and security experts admit it is a dangerous trend with Army Chief General Bipin Rawat even warning locals against supporting militants. Earlier, Kashmir police had issued advisories, asking people not to come close to shootout sites between militants and security forces. The district administration prohibits gathering of four or more persons around the areas where gun battles are on. Despite that people came out throwing stones at security forces during at least three gun battles in the valley. The trend began in south Kashmir last year when dozens of people came shouting slogans and throwing stones at security forces in a village near Pampore town. The trend has now spread to other parts of the valley. On Sunday morning, stone-pelting protesters came close to an gunfight site to help militants escape when security forces were fighting them in south Kashmir's Kulgam. Two days later, when forces cordoned off a village in north Kashmir, a mob marched towards the militant hideout throwing stones at police and the army. A similar incident was reported in north Kashmir's Handwara where people took to streets to help militants escape. Army officials told IANS that these were diversionary tactics by overground workers to help the besieged militants get out, giving a nightmare to security forces in their efforts to minimize collateral damage in their nearly three-decade of unending counter-insurgency operations in the valley. The officials, however, clarified that the army chief's warning wasn't directed generally at the people of the Kashmir but definitely against those who were supporting militant activities and trying to protect terrorists. "We are with the citizens of the valley and the chief's statement was for the people who support terrorist. The army's role is only to create a situation for civilian government to function," a senior army official told IANS, requesting anonymity because he is not authorized to speak to the media. Former commander of the Srinagar-based 15 Corps Lt. Gen. Ata Hasnain told IANS that the army's "inability to engage with youth (in the valley) beyond the peripheral contacts makes it the key problem". "The absence of grassroot political activity is the other. The last is the nuanced information operations launched by Pakistan and the separatists using social media and networks besides the local mosques," said Hasnain, who has served as the top army commander in Kashmir heading the corps that is the nerve centre of all counter-terror operations in the valley. Brig (retd) Gurmeet Kanwal shared the view. "As a nation we have failed to integrate Jammu and Kashmir with the national mainstream even after 70 years of independence. Deep sense of alienation exists in the valley." Speaking on the army chief's statement on engaging the overground workers who obstruct army's operations against militants, Kanwal said: "The army will only target who are interfering in the operations and firing at the army. They will use utmost restraint." (Rohit Srivastava can be reached at rohit.s@ians.in) --IANS rs-sar/rn (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Edappadi K Palaniswami, 63, was sworn into office on Thursday as the 21st chief minister of Tamil Nadu. This will be followed by a floor test on Saturday. As widely reported already, he was the choice of the ruling AIADMKs now-jailed chief, V K Sasikala, after her own claim to the job was aborted by the Supreme Court convicting her in an old graft case. His challenge and that of the partys new deputy chief, T T V Dinakaran, who is Saikalas nephew and was appointed by her to the charge after her jail verdict, is to keep the legislators united, with O Panneerselvam, the earlier CM, removed by Sasikala and refusing to accept his dethroning. They also have to win a vote of confidence in the legislative assembly within 15 days. Party MLAs and MPs with Sasikala, staying for the past 10 days at a private resort near this city, finally got into a celebratory mood after C H Vidyasagar Rao, the officiating state governor, finally have the formal invitation to Palaniswami. For all these days, the MLAs and ministers had kept away, freezing the states administration The development comes a day after Sasikala and two of her relatives surrendered before a judge in Bengaluru to serve the remaining three years, 10 months and 27 days of sentence in the graft case mentioned earlier. Party supremo Jayalalithaa, who died after a long illness in early December, and whose household aide Sasikala was, was the prime accused in that case. The Palaniswami government will have 31 ministers, including the CM, with most of those in the outgoing ministry retained, with the same portfolios. All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) Legislative Party Chief Edappadi K Palaniswami, who has the backing of the jailed AIADMK leader V K Sasikala, will take oath as the Tamil Nadu chief minister on Thursday evening. The development comes after he was invited by the state's acting Governor C Vidyasagar Rao to form the government. Palaniswami has been given 15 days to prove his majority. In the wake of AAP raising questions over the security of electronic voting machines, a two-member team of the Election Commission today visited all the strongrooms where EVMs of different assembly constituencies of Punjab have been kept. The EC team also examined the strongroom of the Gill constituency here in Punjab which went to polls on February 4. The two-member team comprising Himachal Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer Narinder Chauhan and Additional Chief Electoral Officer Rajesh Kumar from Delhi also held a meeting with the election agents of various political parties. Ravi Bhagat, the district election officer and Jatinder Singh Aulakh, Commissioner of Police were also present on the occasion. The EC team members said that they would submit their report to the Chief Election Commissioner very soon. They also assured the polling agents that the security of the EVMs are being maintained at highest level. Candidates can examine the respective strongrooms daily with the Returning Officer, they said. Notably, senior AAP leader H S Phoolka had complained to the EC that RO Gagandeep Singh along with eight unidentified persons allegedly remained in the strongroom for about half an hour where EVMs of Gill assembly constituency were kept. The EC team arrived in Punjab yesterday to take stock of the security arrangements at strongrooms at Patiala (Nabha), Ludhiana (Gill), Jalandhar (Phillaur, Nakodar, Shahkot, Jalandhar Cantt) and Tarn Taran during their two-day tour. The team was formed by EC after a delegation of Aam Aadmi Party leaders met the Chief Election Commissioner in Delhi two days back, seeking an inquiry over the alleged breach of security of EVMs at strongrooms in Punjab. The delegation led by Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia had submitted a memorandum alleging that there are "multiple instances of breach in EVMs' safety" in the state, where the party is hopeful of forming the government. In the latest incident, AAP smelt foul play in Patiala, alleging that the Nabha RO allowed some people to remove EVMs that were kept in a college building in Patiala. Patiala District Election Officer Ramvir Singh, while denying any wrongdoing, had said that the EVMs in the premises were the machines for the already held 2015 municipal polls in the state and has said machines were being removed to make space for the counting on March 11. Besides Patiala, AAP had also accused the returning officer of Gill assembly segment in Ludhiana of tampering with EVMs kept in the strongroom at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. AAP, which is eyeing to wrest power in the state, had also filed a petition in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, raising questions on the security of EVMs at strongrooms in Jalandhar, Phillaur, Shahkot, Jalandhar West and Tarn Taran. Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh had described AAP's complaint regarding "removal of EVMs" as "excessive paranoia" and said the "frivolous complaint", indicated that the party is preparing ground to "save face" following the announcement of poll results. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Trump Says 'Inner-City' Residents Are 'Living In Hell' & Again Compares Chicago To Middle East By Stephen Gossett in News on Feb 16, 2017 8:13PM During a frequently contentious press conference on Thursday afternoon, President Donald Trump again alluded to the city of Chicago when discussing crime in inner-citiesand he again compared at least parts of Chicago to violent places in the Middle East. After taking a strange aside to say that his vote total in the election from Hispanic, black and women voters was higher than expected, Trump said some people in urban areas are "living in hell" when he was asked about his urban agenda. You go to some of these inner-city places and its so sad when you look at the crime theyre living in hell," Trump said. "You look at the numbers in Chicago. There are two Chicagos, as you know, Trump added. "Theres one Chicago thats incredible, luxurious and alland safe. Theres another Chicago thats worse than almost any of the places in the Middle East that we talk about and you talk about every night on the newscasts. So were gonna do a lot of work on the inner cities." Before he mentioned Chicago, Trump said his initiatives to improve "inner cities" would incorporate health care, education and reduction of crime in a "stringent way." Trump's familiar invocation of Chicago was followed by a highly bizarre moment with the reporter who asked the question about his urban agenda. When asked if he would meet with the Congressional Black Caucus to talk about urban affairs, Trump said to the reporter, who is black, "Do you want to set up the meeting? Are they friends of yours?" Trump to @AprilDRyan on the Congressional Black Caucus : "Are they friends of yours?" pic.twitter.com/FMtl3qxU9w Colin Jones (@colinjones) February 16, 2017 POTUS just asked an African American journalist if she'd set up a meeting with the congressional black caucus. Asked if they're her friends. Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) February 16, 2017 Trump's latest mention of Chicago was of some half-a-dozen since assuming office. It was just over a week ago that Trump said "Chicago is worse than some places in Middle East where there are wars going on," while addressing members of the National Sheriffs Association. This post has been updated. A Delhi court today awarded ten- year jail term to a man, facing trial in the 2005 Diwali-eve serial blasts that had claimed 67 lives, for being a member of banned terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and extending support to it. It acquitted two other persons -- Mohd Rafiq Shah and Mohd Hussain Fazili -- of all charges, saying the special cell of the Delhi Police had "miserably failed" to prove the charges against them. The court convicted Tariq Ahmed Dar for the offence punishable under Section 38 (being the member of a terror organisation) and Section 39 (giving support to such outfit) of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), but did not find any conclusive evidence regarding his role in the blasts. The serial blasts at three places - Sarojini Nagar, Paharganj and Kalkaji - on October 29, 2005 had taken a toll of 67 lives and injured over 225 persons. Dar, who has remained in jail for over 11 years, would also come out of prison as he has already undergone the jail term. Observing that no conclusive evidence was found against Dar about his alleged role in the blasts, Additional Sessions Judge Reetesh Singh consequently, acquitted him of the charges of conspiracy to wage a war against the government by carrying out the blasts. Interestingly, the special court had not framed charges under the relevant provisions of the UAPA under which he was convicted and awarded the jail term. In its order, the court said, "the prosecution has not been able to prove any link between Mohd Hussain Fazili and Mohd Rafiq Shah on one hand, and Dar on the other." "In the absence of any evidence regarding Dar being involved in the conspiracy behind these blasts, none of the charges framed against him are made out," it said. However, the court said that "even though no charge was framed against Dar for the offences under sections 38 and 39 of UAPA, the ingredients of the offences (38 and 39 UAPA) are very much made out". "Hence for the reasons recorded above, Dar is found guilty of the offences under section 38 and 39 of UAPA," the court said. The court said the prosecution had "miserably failed" to prove that Mohd Rafiq Shah was involved in the placing of the bomb in a DTC bus on the fateful evening and neither could it prove that Mohd Hussain Fazili was involved in any manner with the conspiracy behind blasts. Farooq Ahmed Batloo and Ghulam Ahmed Khan had earlier pleaded guilty and were let off by the court for the period already undergone by them. Terror funding was the allegation against both these accused. Three separate cases were registered by police after the blasts. The court had clubbed all the three cases for the purpose of recording of evidence. As per the prosecution, Dar, along with Abu Ozefa, Abu Al Kama, Rashid, Sazid Ali and Zahid, had allegedly entered into a criminal conspiracy to wage a war against the country and planned serial blasts. All these five co-accused are still at large and are said to be in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Prosecution said that Dar had allegedly hatched a conspiracy with the LeT militants to plan and carry out the bomb blasts in the national capital. At least three Pakistani soldiers, including a captain, were today killed when an improvised explosive device, exploded near a security vehicle patrolling in the country's troubled Balochistan province. "An IED exploded on army convoy in Awaran district, Balochistan. Three soldiers including a captain were killed," the Pakistan Army's media wing said in a statement. Two soldiers were also injured in the attack, it said. Awaran is considered one of the most sensitive and troubled districts of Balochistan. The district has witnessed regular attack on security forces in the past. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At least 30 people were killed and over 100 others injured when a suspected suicide bomber blew himself up inside the crowded shrine of revered Sufi Lal Shahbaz Qalandar in Sehwan town in Pakistan's Sindh province, the fifth deadly terror attack in the country within a week. The blast took place during Dhamal - a Sufi ritual - when hundreds of devotees were present inside the premises of the vast mausoleum of the saint, police said. Citing Taluka Hospital Medical Superintendent Moinuddin Siddiqui, Dawn reported that at least 30 bodies and more than 100 injured were brought to the hospital. An emergency has been declared in the hospitals of the area. The area is located far from any hospital, with the nearest medical complex located 40 to 50 kilometres from the site of the blast. Devotees gather at the shrine of the revered Sufi saint every Thursday to participate in a dhamaal and prayers. Earlier, Sindh Health Minister Sikandar Mandhro said that "40-50 people" have been injured in the blast. Initial report suggests that it was a suicide bombing on portion reserved for women in the shrine, the Dawn reported, quoting SSP Jamshoro Tariq Wilayat. "It seems to be a suicide bombing according to initial information provided by Sehwan police to me and I am on way to Shewan," Wilayat said. Rescue officials said due to the non availability of adequate ambulances at the shrine the toll could rise. "Ambulances have been rushed from Hyderabad and other close by places like Nawabshah, Moro, Dadu," Wilayat said. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah ordered immediate rescue operation and government announced emergency in the hospitals of the nearby Jamshooro and Hyderabad districts. Television channels reported that dead bodies and injured were lying inside the shrine. Lal Shahbaz Qalandar was a Sufi philosopher-poet of present-day Afghanistan and Pakistan. The attack on shrine came a day after Pakistan vowed to "liquidate" all those elements posing a threat to peace and security in the country amid a spurt in terror attacks. The decision was taken at high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif yesterday to review the security situation in the country. "The meeting made a resolve that terrorism emanating within the country or executed and harboured from outside the country would be eliminated and those posing threat to peace and security of the country would be liquidated by the might of the state," according to an official statement. Terrorists have carried out attacks in Lahore, Mohmand agency, Peshawar and Quetta within a week. Six militants belonging to Taliban- linked radical group were killed in Pakistan after police raided their hideout in the country's Punjab province. Crime Investigation Department of Punjab police along with the elite commandos raided a hideout of terrorists in Khanewal district yesterday and killed them in an exchange of fire. The action of law enforcement agencies' against Taliban-linked Jamat-ul-Ahrar terrorists has come three days after a militant from the banned Taliban splinter group carried out an attack here, killing 14 people, including senior officials. According to a Counter Terrorism Department spokesman, Jamat-ul-Ahrar terrorists were planning to launch attacks in Khanewal district and their targets were vital installations, government and law enforcement agencies offices. "Six militants have been killed. Four terrorists managed to escape," a police spokesman said, adding the identity of the terrorists killed in the raid is being established. Two hand grenades, as automatic rifles and pistols have been recovered from the hideout. He said the further investigation into the matter is underway. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At least 76 people were killed and nearly 250 injured tonight when an Islamic State (IS) suicide bomber blew himself up inside the crowded shrine of revered Sufi Lal Shahbaz Qalandar in Sehwan town, in a string of deadly blasts this week in Pakistan. The bomber entered the shrine through its 'Golden Gate' and blew himself up near the site where the ritual Sufi dance, 'Dhamal', was taking place. The attacker first threw a couple of grenades to cause panic and then blew himself up, police said. Hundreds of devotees were present inside the premises of the vast mausoleum of the saint in the Sehwan town, some 200 Km northeast of Karachi, at the time of blast. "We had around 27 policemen on duty at the shrine and there were CCTV cameras also. But he took advantage of the rush. I don't think this is a security lapse," inspector-general of police in Sindh, AD Khawaja, said. DIG police Hyderabad range, Manzoor Rind, told the media that the death toll from the suicide bombing has climbed to 76, while the injured were around 250. "The toll at this moment is 76 but (the) condition of some of the injured admitted in different hospitals is critical," Rind said. Earlier, Sehwan police station SHO Rasool Baksh told reporters that around 100 people, including women and children, have been killed in the suicide bomb attack. The IS claimed responsibility for the attack on their Aamaq news agency, saying a suicide bomber had targeted a "Shiite gathering" at the shrine in Sindh. Commissioner Hyderabad Qazi Shahid Pervaz said that since the shrine was located in a remote area, some 130 Km from Hyderabad, ambulances, vehicles and medical teams were sent from Hyderabad, Jamshoro, Moro, Dadu and Nawabshah to the blast site to take care of the injured and move the bodies. He said that the shrine has been sealed and police have collected initial evidence and secured CCTV footage. "The forensic examination will be carried out at the shrine soon," he said. Qazi said that rescue operations have been completed as the Pakistan Army and Navy had sent three night flying helicopters and ambulances to shift the dead and injured. He said that the dead bodies are now being identified. This is the fifth major terrorist strike in Pakistan within a week's time. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned the attack and urged Pakistan to "stand united". He said that the attack on the shrine was an attack on the "progressive and inclusive future" of Pakistan. "The Sufi people predate Pakistan's history, and played an important part in the struggle for its formation," he said. "An attack on them is a direct threat to Jinnah's Pakistan and will be dealt as such," Sharif said. Army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa vowed to avenge "every drop of blood" spilled by terrorists in Pakistan. "Recent terrorist acts are being executed on directions from hostile powers and from sanctuaries in Afghanistan. We shall defend and respond. Each drop of the nation's blood shall be revenged, and revenged immediately. No more restraint for anyone," the army chief was quoted as saying by the Inter Services Public Relations Director Major General Asif Ghafoor on Twitter. Devotees gather at the shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, a Sufi philosopher-poet of present-day Afghanistan and Pakistan, every Thursday to participate in a dhamaal and prayers. The Aam Aadmi Party today demanded a Supreme Court-monitored probe into alleged infiltration of "ISI agents" into Madhya Pradesh BJP, describing it as a "grave threat" to internal security. With opposition parties including Congress seeking to corner BJP over the issue, the saffron party said that the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) of Madhya Pradesh, where it is in power, is investigating the matter and has made arrests which must be appreciated. Addressing a press conference here, AAP leaders Ashutosh and Kapil Mishra said that Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan and BJP National General Secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya must come clean on their "links" with one of the accused. "BJP goes around handing out certificates of patriotism. But the arrests have shown that BJP and RSS are the biggest anti-national outfits," Ashutosh said. "Three of the arrested were active members of BJP". Eleven people were arrested from different places of Madhya Pradesh on February 9 for being part of an alleged espionage racket being run from Pakistan to collect strategic information on important Indian establishments. The ATS had picked up one person from Satna, five from Gwalior, three from Bhopal and two from Jabalpur. Hitting back at the opposition, BJP spokesperson Nalin Kohli said, "Investigation agency has arrested people on the basis of credible information. Is it not to be appreciated? Law will apply to everyone irrespective of anything." Mishra, who is a minister in the Delhi government, took a dig at the ruling party at the Centre saying Army chief Bipin Rawat's remarks that people who support terrorists in staging attacks would be treated as anti-nationals was "apt for the BJP". Demanding a high-level probe, Congress workers in Bhopal had taken to streets earlier this week and clashed with BJP activists. "Before levelling allegations, will Congress like to answer why is that they never sought to take action when corruption, other illegal activities were happening in their government and party at very high level?" Kohli asked. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An Additional Income Tax Commissioner was today arrested by the Anti-corruption Bureau sleuths of Rajasthan Police for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs seven lakh from the owner of an educational institution. Addl IT Commissioner (Range-II) B L Yadav had allegedly demanded Rs 10 lakh from complainant Dhanpat Singh, but the matter was settled at Rs 7 lakh, DSP (ACB), Sleh Mohammad told PTI. Yadav had threatened to levy a penalty of Rs 1 crore on Singh's educational institution operational in Alwar district. Acting on his complaint, a trap was laid and the ACB personnel caught Yadav at his office while accepting Rs 50,000 in cash and a cheque of Rs 6.50 lakh, the official said. The IT official has been booked under relevant sections of Prevention of Corruption Act, he said, adding further probe is on. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Boeing workers' overwhelming anti-union vote at the aviation giant's 787 Dreamliner plant in South Carolina is a big victory for Southern politicians and business leaders who have lured manufacturing jobs to the region on the promise of keeping unions out. It's also a win for the company that will host President Donald Trump at its North Charleston facilities tomorrow. Nearly 3,000 workers were eligible to vote yesterday on representation by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace workers. According to Boeing, nearly 74 per cent of the more than 2,800 votes cast were against representation. It was a massive victory for union opponents, in line with longstanding Southern aversion to collective bargaining. At 1.6 per cent, South Carolina maintains the lowest percentage of unionized workers in the country, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Its neighboring states, North Carolina and Georgia, hover slightly higher but still in low territory, at 3.0 and 3.9 per cent, respectively. Other largescale Southern unionization efforts haven't met recent success. In 2014, Volkswagen workers in Chattanooga, Tennessee, turned down representation by the United Autoworkers. For years, organizers have campaigned for representation among Nissan workers in Canton, Mississippi, but no vote has been scheduled. Boeing came to South Carolina in part because of the state's minuscule union presence. "I think a failed vote isn't that big of a deal because that's frankly the norm in the South," said Jeffrey Hirsch, law professor who specializes in labor relations at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. "The culture here, at least in recent memory, has not been pro-union." Had the results at Boeing been reversed, Hirsch says, the ripple effect could have been dramatic. Politicians such as former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley -- who, directly and via her labor secretary Catherine Templeton, adamantly spoke against the need for unions here -- would be forced to rethink business recruitment strategies, and corporations also might think more carefully about locating in South Carolina. "We'll make the unions understand full well that they are not needed, not wanted and not welcome in the state of South Carolina," Haley said in a 2012 address. She has since been appointed ambassador to the United Nations by President Donald Trump. During her 2014 re-election campaign, Haley said she and others "discourage any companies that have unions from wanting to come to South Carolina because we don't want to taint the water." Union opposition in this heavily Republican state is tied to politics, given Democrats' longstanding ties to organized labor. Any lenience toward unions could be seen as giving Democrats a toehold in the state, where both legislative chambers and the governor's office have long been controlled by Republicans. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav is more interested in doing "kaam ki baat" (practical work) rather than "mann ki baat", SP candidate and his wife Dimple Yadav said on Thursday in an apparent dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's monthly radio address 'Mann Ki Baat'. "Akhilesh Yadav mann ki baatnahikarte, balkikaam ki baatkartehain (Akhilesh Yadav believes in action rather than just words). The people should vote him to power again so that Uttar Pradesh continues to be on the development path," she said at a rally in Arya Nagar constituency. "He is the son of Uttar Pradesh. He dreams about its development. He is focused on providing employment opportunities, pension to women, better roads, laptops to students, power supply etc to the people of the state," she said. Drawing parallels between BSP and BJP, Dimple said, "While BSP supremo Mayawati was responsible for lining up elephant statues in parks during her tenure, the BJP government at the Centre forced people to line up in front of banks in the wake of its demonetisation policy." "In either case, it was the people who were at the receiving end," she said. Dimple, who is contesting the crucial state Assembly polls from Kannauj constituency, also claimed that the ruling party had fulfilled most of the promises made in the Samajwadi Party manifesto in the 2012 polls. She added that women will get 33 per cent reservation in government jobs and the age restrictions for such jobs will be removed for them. The next five phases of the seven-phased Assembly polls will be held on February 19, 23, 27 and on March 4 and 8. Counting of votes will be taken up on March 11. Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav today made light of the Prime Minister's "inexperience" barb at him, saying he has learnt to cycle fast so that neither BSP's elephant nor BJP's lotus can come anywhere near the SP. A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi questioned as to how the SP chief could form a coalition with "those who tried to murder" his father Mulayam Singh Yadav, Akhilesh said Modi's advisors could have done better by telling him to cite a more recent example of Firozabad. "Why did he travel so far to 1984 to create anger in me against Congress. He could have mentioned Firozabad where Congress' state unit chief (Raj Babbar) defeated us (in bypoll)," he said, adding they were revisiting such an old incident only because they have already "lost" the elections. "They termed me as inexperienced but one can ride the bicycle (SP symbol) only after falling down at least once...I have learnt to ride bicycle and that too with great speed so that neither the elephant nor the lotus can come anywhere near," he said. Akhilesh was addressing an election meeting in Karhal town here, attacking BSP, whose symbol is elephant and BJP, which has lotus symbol. "Modiji said in Kannauj that by entering into an alliance with Congress, I have shown inexperience...We have done this so as to remove all doubts among people about government formation...We have done this to form government and remove communal forces," he said. On the 'achchey din" slogan, he said, "BJP people say SP could not bring achchey din...This was the slogan of BJP it was never given by the Samajwadis." "Modi cannot see my kaam (work) but karname (deeds)...I say you will get to see my 'karnama' on the 19th when the people will vote for us once again," he said. On the BJP's promise of loan waiver for farmers, he said, "I want to ask what has their government done in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra (where farmers are committing suicide...First you help farmers of Maharashtra". Both Gujarat and Maharashtra are ruled by BJP. Stressing that he had no confusion that "SP is not my party but that of Netaji (Mulayam)", Akhilesh said the path of politics is ridden with ditches. "I have taken my exam in politics...Had to do what I did as per the circumstances and time," he said. "If Modiji wants to see my work, I will tell him to see the Agra-Lucknow Expressway...It will open his eyes...It will be remembered for long just as the GT Road is remembered even today," the chief minister said. At an election meeting in Kannauj, Modi had yesterday said Akhilesh lacks experience and hence does not know, unlike his father, how "cunning Congress people are". "Akhileshji ko abhi anubhav kum hain, Congress wale kitne chatur hain inko samajh nahi aata... Mulayam ji ko toh pata tha (Akhilesh has less experience. He does not understand how cunning Congress people are. Mulayam knew about it)," he said. "I want to ask how Akhilesh forgot the attack carried out on Mulayam Yadav by Congress in 1984...What can be more shameful than befriending those who tried to murder one's father?...They cannot be pardoned," the Prime Minister had stated seeking to drive a wedge between SP and its fledgling alliance partner Congress. (Reopens DES19) Meanwhile, BJP leader Vijay Bahadur Pathak today termed as farce the development claims made by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and alleged that money was not spent as per the target. "The develoment claims by Akhilesh is farce. When amount was not spent as per the target, how can development be possible. He should tell what is the percentage of expenditure in Central schemes," the BJP state general Secretary said. He here said Akhilesh should also tell the reality of budget expenditure and its allocation for different head claiming that the only development state saw was of "crime and gundaraj" in the present regime. PLEASE NOTE! Due to the March 23, 2020 NM DOH Public Health Order, These Event Listings Are Not Accurate! All non-essential businesses are closed, public gatherings are prohibited! (One day some of these events will be rescheduled or will resume, but they are not happening now!) 2022 election guide: Here are Pueblo County's top races, ballot issues Here's what you need to know about the local candidates and ballot questions in the 2022 election, as well as how to vote in Pueblo, Colorado. has used America's "preoccupation" with the Islamic State to regain strength in South Asia and preparing to spread its ideology in India from its "home" in western Pakistan, top US lawmakers have warned. "Al-Qaida has never changed, and it still sees itself in what it conceives as an existential struggle against the West and against the United States in particular," Bruce Hoffman, Director Centre for Security Studies at Georgetown University, told members of the House Armed Services Committee. "I think that it's taken advantage of our preoccupation with ISIS to rebuild its strength, particularly in South Asia, where, again, almost completely escaped notice when they created al-Qaida in the Indian Subcontinent which was designed simultaneously to reinvigorate its presence in Afghanistan," he told Congressman Mac Thornberry, chairman of the committee. During a Congressional hearing on terrorism and counter- terrorism strategies on Wednesday, Hoffman said al-Qaida "had been preparing to spread its ideology to India", which has the world's second-largest Muslim population. "We already see its effectiveness in Bangladesh and in Burma (Myanmar)," he said. "But elements like the Khorasan group are an elite forward-deployed special operations unit that is waiting for the proper time to take the struggle to the West and to the United States," Hoffman said. Michael Sheehan from the Combating Terrorism Center, West Point, told lawmakers in response to a question that the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) of Pakistan is the "home" of al-Qaida central, which is traditionally America's biggest strategic threat. "They're the ones that blew up our embassies in Africa, at least an African arm of that, blew up the Cole in - in Yemen, an arm of the al-Qaida central and are the people that are responsible for 9/11. They reside in Pakistan. Some of them are floating back in Afghanistan but it's difficult for them to operate in Afghanistan because we own the terrain around Afghanistan," Sheehan said. US Secretary of State makes his diplomatic debut at a G20 gathering in Germany on Thursday, where his counterparts hope to find out what "America First" means for the rest of the world. Host nation Germany has billed the two-day meeting as a chance for the club of leading economies to discuss how to work together on challenges ranging from climate change to the conflicts in Syria, Ukraine and Yemen. But all eyes will be on America's top diplomat, whose maiden trip to Europe will bring him face-to-face with allies seeking reassurance that President Donald Trump will not upend decades of US foreign policy despite his fiery campaign rhetoric. Tillerson will also have his first sit-down with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Bonn, talks that will be closely scrutinised for any hint of a rapprochement as controversy swirls over White House ties to the Kremlin. The Texan could also face questions about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, after Trump caused consternation yesterday by dropping Washington's years-long quest for a two-state solution, saying he would back a single state if it led to peace. US relations with China are likewise in the spotlight.The G20 gathering could see Tillerson's first encounter with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, whose attendance was only confirmed days earlier following a conciliatory phone call between Trump and President Xi Jinping. China "is working out the schedule on bilateral meetings," ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said, adding that Trump and Xi Jinping had had a "very good" conversation. During the call, Trump reaffirmed US adherence to the decades-old position that Taiwan is not separate from China, backtracking on earlier comments that cast doubt on the "One China" principle. If former ExxonMobil boss Tillerson faces the daunting task of clarifying Trump's, at times, contradictory policy signals to a wary community, he will not be doing it alone. US Defence Secretary James Mattis is attending the second day of a NATO meeting in Brussels Thursday, while Vice President Mike Pence will be the highest-ranking US official participating in the Munich Security Conference from Friday. "There are plenty of uncertainties about what they want, what they plan," a European diplomat said about the Trump administration. "We hope we'll get some clarity in the weeks to come. Vice President Hamid Ansari will soon embark on a five-day visit to Rwanda and Uganda, seeking to further boost ties with them and broaden India's diplomatic footprint in Sub-Saharan Africa. Ansari along with wife Salma will visit Rwanda from February 19-21 and Uganda from February 21-23, during which he would be accompanied by Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Vijay Sampla, four MPs, senior officials and a business and media delegation. "This is the first high-level visit to Rwanda from India and the visit is taking place shortly after the official visit of President of Rwanda for the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit in January 2017," a senior MEA official told reporters. MEA Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said during this visit, the Vice President would be meeting the President of Rwanda, and the Vice President of the Senate and deliver an address at the University of Rwanda. "The Vice President would pay homage at the genocide museum (in Kigali), interact with the Indian community in Kigali and attend a banquet hosted by the Prime Minister of Rwanda," he said. "India-Rwanda relations are marked by cordiality, convergence of views and cooperation on major international issues and an increasing bilateral trade and investments, greater people-to-people contact and a deep sense of mutual respect. "During the official visit of President Paul Kagame to India from January 9-11, a decision to give strategic content to our partnership was taken," he said. From Rwanda, Ansari will proceed to Uganda for his visit to that country from February 21-23. "During the visit, the Vice President would be meeting the Vice President of Uganda and the President of Uganda. The Vice President (Ansari) would also interact with the India community in Kampala," Swarup said. The senior MEA official said that this will be the "first high-level bilateral visit from India to Uganda since 1997, i.E., after 21 years." Relations between India and Uganda are characterised by historical cultural linkages, extensive economic and trade interest, and a convergence on major bilateral and international issues, the MEA Spokesperson said. "The visit is expected to deepen and expand the bilateral relationships," he said. "The forthcoming visit of the Vice-President is part of the conscious broadening of India's diplomatic footprint in Sub-Saharan Africa, especially in the Great Lakes region," the senior official said. "He will also address India-Uganda Business Forum. Besides, the Vice President would also be paying floral tribute to the bust of Mahatma Gandhi at a place called Jinja. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni had attended the third India-Africa Forum Summit held in October, 2015 in Delhi. "Our engagement with Africa has intensified significantly. ....We had invited representatives of all 54 African countries at the Forum Summit in 2015. Since then we had 12 outgoing visits to Africa - three by the President, five by the Vice President already and the PM's four," the senior MEA official added. "During the current government under our Africa outreach initiative, we have also had visits to African countries at ministerial level, except perhaps the CAR, the Central African Republic, and in many of these, no high-level visits had taken place for several years," she said. "This underscores the importance that we attach, both our countries attach, to our relations," the official said. In Rwanda, Ansari will also launch India-Rwanda Innovation Growth Programme as part of which there would be a technology expo of India's low-cost innovations. The Vice President along with the Prime Minister of Rwanda would address an India-Rwanda Business Forum, she said. There have been some high-level visits from Uganda, including the visit by Ugandan President Museveni for the India-Africa Forum Summit, she said. "As regards our relationship, both Rwanda and Uganda are important from the view point of trade, especially in the pharmaceuticals, automobiles and mechanical appliances and machinery sectors. Our trade with Rwanda has doubled over the last five years, while we are one of Uganda's largest trading partners," the MEA official said. India is also one of the largest investors in Uganda. Also, the Indian diaspora has invested over USD 1 billion in Uganda. Indian investors have also invested in agriculture, mining, construction, pharmaceuticals and financial services in both Uganda and Rwanda. "30,000-strong Indian community is an important link of India with Uganda, and 3,000 Indian community members in Rwanda. India has also stationed a four-member military training team in Uganda since 2010 to train Ugandan defence personnel, and have also deployed a telecom expert. "We have provided a Line of Credit for a hydrocarbon project, which has been completed and has been running successfully, and it is learned that the project has significantly augmented the power capacity of Rwanda. "We have also solar-electrified 35 schools in Rwanda and an LoC has also been given for export-targeted agricultural projects," she added. An armed group executed at least 32 civilians and captured fighters in the lawless heart of Central African Republic in December, Human Rights Watch said today. "In the town of Bakala, rebels from the Union for Peace in the Central African Republic (UPC) on December 12, executed 25 people after calling them to a school for an alleged meeting," the global watchdog body reported. "Earlier that day, UPC fighters executed seven men who were returning from a nearby gold mine. Accounts of the incidents were provided by a survivor and eight witnesses, including five men who were forced to help dispose of the bodies," the statement added. HRW Africa researcher Lewis Mudge denounced the slaughter as "brazen war crimes by UPC fighters who feel free to kill at will." Bakala lies in the central Ouaka province, where clashes are frequent between rival factions of the ex-Seleka, a mainly Muslim rebel coalition that seized power in March 2013, to be officially disbanded six months later. Atrocities by Seleka forces led to the rise of armed anti-balaka ("anti-machete") militias largely drawn from the deeply poor nation's Christian minority. Thousands of people were killed and hundreds of thousands fled their homes in a conflict whose main victims were civilians. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Assam Health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma today said three medical colleges and hospitals will be constructed across the state over the next three years at an investment of Rs 570 crore. "In construction of the three medical colleges and hospitals in Dhubri, Nagaon and Lakhimpur, we will spend Rs 570 crore. The amount will be divided equally among the three hospitals," Sarma said at a press conference here. He said 90 per cent of the amount would be funded by the Centre and the rest would be borne by the state. "For the Medical Council of India inspection, we will have to upgrade the hospitals in the second phase. For that, we will require another Rs 40-45 crore in each hospital. This amount will be financed entirely by the state government," Sarma said. Land in all the three places has been acquired and the institutions would be ready in the next three years, he said. Union Health Minister J P Nadda would launch the construction work for the hospitals in Dhubri and Nagaon during his two-day tour to the state from tomorrow, Sarma said adding, "all three hospitals will be 500-bedded". The minister said an additional Rs 25 crore have been spent for acquiring 60 bighas of land for Dhubri Medical College and Hospital. Likewise, around Rs ten crore has been invested for purchasing 50 bighas of land in Lakhimpur. "In Nagaon, we did not purchase any land. Government already has enough land and the hospital will be constructed on a 100 bigha plot," Sarma said. He said work for three more medical colleges at Nalbari, Tinsukia and Kokrajhar would begin by the end of this year. "The ongoing construction for the Diphu Medical College and Hospital will be over by this year and we will inaugurate it in 2017," Sarma said. Regarding setting up of the AIIMS at Changsari in Assam, he said the state government has submitted an affidavit in the National Green Tribunal after a complaint was filed opposing the construction work on the allotted land. The Union Health Minister would also inaugurate the new 200-bedded super speciality cancer hospital under Gauhati Medical College and Hospital tomorrow, he said. "The cancer hospital is the first one under the state government and Rs 85.78 crore was spent in establishing it. Academically it will be under the GMCH, but it will function as an autonomous institute administratively," he said. The government had started setting up the cancer hospital in 2009, but it missed several deadlines of inauguration. Sarma said the state was trying to get it recognised as a State Cancer Hospital, which would pave way for getting a Rs 120 crore grant from the Centre for upgrading it further in the second phase. For the first time in the North East, Assam would have the latest PET-CT (Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography) scan machine worth around Rs 32 crore in the cancer hospital, he said. Besides, the hospital would house linear accelerator (LINAC) and Cobalt therapy machines among other latest equipments for treating the disease. In July last year, Sarma had said in the state Assembly that over 90,000 cancer patients were detected during the last five years in the state. An international human rights group has accused Bangladesh authorities of harassing and intimidating garment worker leaders and rights activists, saying 34 of them have been arrested since December on charges it alleged were politically motivated. Bangladesh has the world's second-largest garment industry, which supplies many Western retailers and is vital to the developing country's economy. Workers from 20 factories stopped working and blocked roads during the protests December 11-19 in an industrial zone near Dhaka, Bangladesh's capital. Factory owners rejected the demand and temporarily closed many factories, and police began making arrests. The protesters demanded a monthly minimum wage increase from 5,300 takas (USD 67) to 15,000 (USD 187) or 16,000 (USD 200). New York-based Human Rights Watch said in a statement yesterday that the authorities should respond sensibly. "Targeting labor activists and intimidating workers instead of addressing their wage grievances tarnishes Bangladesh's reputation and makes a mockery of government and industry claims that they are committed to protecting worker's rights," said Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch. "Global garment brands sourcing from Bangladesh and aid donors should press the government to stop persecuting workers and labor rights activists." A rights activist told The Associated Press today that many have been facing "systematic harassment" and they needed to go into hiding after the chaos at Ashulia area in December. "We work for the workers but we are facing crackdown, I will call it crackdown. We are being intimidated," Kalpona Akter, executive director of the Bangladesh Center for Worker Solidarity, told AP by phone from a jail gate where she went to receive two of her colleagues who got bail. Akter said their offices at Ashulia were forcibly closed by police. "This is unfortunate as we don't act against the industry, we work for the workers' rights," she said. Authorities could not be reached for comment immediately, and calls to the president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association remained unanswered. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A special train carrying over 2000 devotees from Bangladesh arrived here today on the occasion of Urs. The festival is observed every year near the Jora Masjid at Mirza Bazar area of Midnapore city in West Midnapore district where devotees offer flowers, chhaddars and itr to the shrine of the venerated saint Hazrat Syed Shah Mehr Ali Alquadri Al Baghdadi. Altogether 2133 devotees arrived in the train originating from Rajbari in Bangladesh to participate in the festival which entered its 116th year. The four-day festival began yesterday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Suspected militants looted at least Rs two lakh from a bank branch in Shopian district of south Kashmir, police said today. Four armed men, believed to be militants, broke into Jammu and Kashmir Bank branch at Turkwangam in Shopian, 70 kms from here, late last night and decamped with Rs two to three lakh, a police official said. He said the gunmen fired few rounds in the air before fleeing from the place. Police has taken cognizance of the incident and started investigations, the official said, adding the investigators were going through the CCTV footage at the bank for identifying the culprits. There has been a sudden rise in armed robberies in banks in Kashmir after demonetisation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Rajasthan Health Minister Kalicharan Saraf today said banning tobacco in the state will be a "foolish decision" as it will lead to revenue loss. Addressing media persons after an event where a foreign delegation had come see the efforts made by the state government in controlling tobacco consumption, he said tobacco should be banned in the entire country. "Banning it only in Rajasthan would be a foolish decision, which would lead to revenue loss and increase its smuggling," he said. State Congress strongly reacted to Saraf's statement saying it shows the government wants to promote tobacco use. "It is unfortunate on part of a senior leader to give such a statement. The state government is reluctant in following 85% pictorial warning on tobacco products. "Revenue earned through tobacco products is less than the expenditure made on health hazards due to its consumption. During Congress regime, we had banned Gutkha," state Congress vice-president, Archana Sharma told PTI. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The West Bengal government has called a meeting of the authorities of private hospitals in the state to discuss excessive billing alleged by many patients, vowing not to allow such "unusual practices". State Consumer Affairs & Self Help Group & Self-Employment Minister Sadhan Pandey today said, "It has come to our notice that some private hospitals are doing something unusual regarding billing." The minister said that in the meeting, expected to be held sometime next week after the ongoing Assembly session, he would enquire about reasons behind patients being charged beyond the packages under which they were admitted. "We have noticed that hospitals are charging more than the packages patients had taken up during admission there. They were also transferring them to the ICU and sometimes to ventilation adding up to the bills... We will have a thorough discussion on these issues during the meeting," Pandey said. "We cannot let them do this. They cannot continue this because this is not a business but serving of the people. Some hospitals have taken land from the state government and they must give concession and they cannot make people suffer like this," Pandey said. The report of the meeting would be sent to the Health Department which is looked after by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. On whether he would take some action if family members of the patient, who died at the CMRI hospital yesterday resulting in violence, approach him alleging negligence in treatment, Pandey said, "If they approach me, I will surely look into the matter and take necessary action, if needed. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bihar government has applied with the BRICS Bank for a loan to construct metallic roads in areas having population of 250 to 499, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today said. "We have fulfilled all formalities from our side. The BRICS Bank will now take a decision on our loan application," Kumar said addressing a function of the Rural Works Department. BRICS Development Bank is a multilateral development bank established by the BRICS states (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) in 2014. Kumar said the state government decided to enlarge the Centre's IAP (Integrated Action Plan) to incorporate areas having a population in the range of 500 to 250 in Maoist-affected districts with PMGSY (Pradhan Mantri Grameen Sadak Yojana). Eleven districts of Bihar have qualified for this. "We realised that rest 27 districts of the state should not be left out and formed a separate plan named Mukhya Mantri Gram Samparak programme, under which habitats having a population from 499 to 250 were included in the core network and work began on it," the Chief Minister said. "Realising that funds could not be mobilised entirely through budgetary allocation within a proper time period, the state government had approached the World Bank for loan for constructing 5,000 km of roads under the Mukhya Mantri Samparak Yojana," Kumar said. As part of the loan, World Bank would provide 70 per cent of the amount and the rest 30 per cent would be the state government's share, he said. It was realised at a later stage that construction of 5,000 km of roads in small rural habitats would be insufficient, and it was then that the state government decided to approach the BRICS Bank for more loan, he said. Kumar was speaking after inaugurating 947 roads and 38 bridges constructed at a cost of Rs 1571.65 crore by the Rural Works Department. He also started work on another 554 roads and 42 bridges at a cost of Rs 2305.73 crore. State Rural Works Department minister Shailesh Kumar was present on the occasion. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Mid way into the Panchayat elections in Odisha, the ruling BJD today called Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the "PM of BJP" and not of India. "Modi had mentioned BJP's success in Odisha's panchayat elections at an election rally at Kannauj in Uttar Pradesh yesterday. He was seeking votes from the people of UP by saying that the people of Odisha supported BJP in the rural polls. It indicates that Narendra Modi is not the Prime Minister of India, but of the BJP," the BJD said in a statement. Stating that the elections to the posts of Sarpanch, Ward members and Samiti 'Sabhya' (member) are held without party symbol according to the Odisha Panchayat Act, BJD general secretary and spokesman Bijay Nayak said only Zilla Parishad candidates contest the polls using party symbols. "There is an attempt to lower the standard of rural polls and politicise it in Odisha. It is also now clear that the Prime Minister has not maintained dignity of the post he is holding," the BJD said in the statement. Criticising Union Ministers for politicising the state panchayat polls, Nayak said they even campaigned for candidates contesting for the posts of Ward members. Claiming that people of the country have hailed note ban, the Prime Minister while addressing a rally in Kannauj in Uttar Pradesh yesterday had said this was proved by BJP's victories in the Panchayat polls in Odisha, Municipal elections in Chandigarh and Gujarat and Vidhan Parishad polls in UP. Though the counting of votes in Odisha Panchayat elections are held soon after polling gets over, the State Election Commission has not formally announced the results of the first two phases of polls held so far, and has said the results will be declared only after completion of the entire five phase of polling. In the previous Panchayat elections held in 2012, BJD had won 654, Congress 128 and BJP 36 seats of the total 854 Zilla Parishad seats in Odisha. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The ruling BJD today said it would review its poor performance in the ongoing three-tier panchayat election in some districts of Odisha, although its overall show was better than rivals. "We will certainly review the poor performance of the party in certain districts. Anyway, the BJD is still ahead of its rivals," BJD vice-president and spokesman S N Patro said after trends of the panchayat polls were known. Though the State Election Commission (SEC), Odisha, was yet to formally announce results of the panchayat polls, the parties in fray claimed victories after assessing information collected by polling agents at the counting booths. "The SEC will announce results of the panchayat polls after completion of polling in all the five phases after February 21," commissioner Rabinarayan Senapati said. In the previous panchayt polls held for 854 Zilla Parishad seats in 2012, the ruling BJD had captured 654 seats followed by Congress with 128 seats and just 36 seats for BJP. The CPI had two seats while CPI(M) candidate could win in one ZP seat. JMM had bagged 11 seats while independents won in 22 ZP seats in 2012 panchayat polls. However, the trend received from the two phases of the five-phase panchayat polls indicated that BJD had already lost about 86 seats. The party headed by Naveen Patnaik had in 2012 captured 290 out of 363 ZP seats in first and second phase. This time round, trend, however said that the BJD got only 204 seats, sources said. As per the trend, te opposition BJP, on the other hand, secured nearly 121 seats in two phases against only 12 ZP seats in 2012. Similarly, the trend indicated that Congress nominees could win in only 25 seats in the 2017 polls against 47 seats in 2012 polls. The loss of about 86 ZP seats by two phases, has become a topic of discussion in the ruling BJD with party vice-president and Excise Minister Damador Rout suspecting sabotage befind the party's poor performances. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BJP Mahila Morcha activists today staged a protest near Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence here slamming his government for "non performance" on women's security and empowerment. Raising slogans against the AAP government, the women activists tried to breach the police barricade while marching towards the CM's residence where they were stopped by police personnel. "Kejriwal came to power promising more jobs, education and a safer Delhi but today the city is experiencing an atmosphere of fear and even as better employment specially for women is elusive," said Delhi BJP Mahila Morcha president Punam Parashar Jha. BJP national vice president and Delhi unit incharge Shyam Jaju, also present during the protest, charged that Kejriwal government has "let down" Delhi on all its electoral promises. Jaju said Kejriwal raised dreams on women's security, vocational training and women's empowerment but two years into power, the Chief Minister has done nothing on both issues. "The worst sufferers are women of Delhi who were misled by Arvind Kejriwal's false image of a saviour created after the agitation he led over the Nirbhaya case," he said. Shazia Ilmi, vice president of Delhi BJP, alleged that women in Delhi, whether in slums or posh homes, were feeling "insecure" under the AAP regime. "A feeling of insecurity hounds all as we found ministers and MLAs of AAP leaving behind goons in harassing, molesting, raping women or forcing them to suicide," said the former AAP leader who joined BJP in January, 2015. Last year, the then social welfare minister of AAP government Sandeep Kumar was arrested in connection with a rape case registered against him. Party MLA Sharad Chauhan was arrested in July last year in a case of suicide by a female AAP activist. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BJP leader and former minister N Biren today urged for "speedy disposal" of several pending fake encounter cases to Provide justice to the people of Manipur. At a press conference held at the BJP state office today, Biren said that the main focus of BJP is "granting of speedy justice to the family of the victims which have died due to fake encounter case." He welcomed the move of the CBI to reopen the fake encounter case at Khwairamband Bazaar in Imphal town of Sanjit Singh and the killing of Rabina om July 23 2009. Biren said the "mother of victim Sanjit appealed to the apex investigative body to reopen the case" after a Manipur court dismissed the name of the officers involved in the fake encounter case despite the accused police constable Herojit revealing their names. Stating that human rights violation had been committed in the state by the law enforcers under the shadow of Armed Forces Special Powers Act 1958, Biren said that the Supreme Court had acknowledged 1528 fake encounter cases in Manipur and urged for their speedy disposal. However, there were several FIRs which were yet to be filed, he told the media. Accordingly BJP demanded that "the state should submit the FIRs before mid-April "in order to provide justice to several widows and orphans." N Biren compared the rising number of drug abuse in Manipur with that of Punjab and alleged that "it is an open secret that several high profile individuals are involved in importing drugs into the north eastern state". Urging that the culprits involved in importing drugs should be booked in order to save the young generation, Biren sought an independent inquiry into those involved in such cases. Biren also called for justice to be granted to teenager Robinhood who succumbed to injuries after being hit by rubber bullet during the agitation for implementing Inner Line Permit System in the state in 2015. Meanwhile, former Congress MLA Erabot, who had joined the BJP, too welcomed the CBI move to reopen the Khwairamband Bazaar fake encounter case in 2009 and demanded that the "truth should be established at all costs." AFSPA had been imposed in Manipur in order to assist the security forces deal with militant outfits which indulges in rampant extortion, kidnappings and periodic ambushes on security personnel. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A coalition of groups representing Britons living in EU nations joined forces today to defend their rights as Britain readies to pull out of the bloc and thousands of expats worry about their future. In an "Alternative White Paper" timed to coincide with the British government's launch of its blueprint for Brexit, organisations representing British citizens living in Germany, France, Belgium, Italy and Spain called for their rights as EU citizens to be preserved after the pull-out. "The (Brexit) referendum gave no mandate to alter the rights of these people," read the document drafted by Jane Golding and Jeremy Morgan, two British lawyers living in Germany and Italy respectively, and endorsed by 10 groups. "It was no part of the (pro-Brexit) Leave campaign that their rights should be torn up, quite the contrary. "It is therefore essential that whatever steps are necessary to protect these rights are taken, and taken as a matter of urgency to bring an end to the anxiety that they are feeling about their personal futures and those of their families." The document called for expats' pre-Brexit rights to be included in EU withdrawal negotiations and explicitly guaranteed in a final agreement "so as to give it the force of international law." It is estimated at least 1.2 million British citizens live in the 27 other EU member states, though that number could be far higher. Chief on their minds are healthcare, pensions, the right to work, to study, and to generally remain in their country of residence -- all of which are addressed in the "alternative white paper." In Spain, for instance, which counts a huge British community, many of them pensioners who have moved to better climes, healthcare is a huge concern, particularly with the fall in the pound following June's referendum. For now, it is covered by Spain's social security system under EU mechanisms that allow Britons to receive the same treatment as locals, and many would not be able to pay if that right were taken away. The "alternative white paper" also highlighted the case of professionals such as nurses or architects whose qualifications are recognised EU-wide, and would have to re-qualify in their country of residence. "It's very important to speak with one voice," Golding, a member of Germany's "Brits in Europe" association, told AFP. "These are real people, real lives, real problems we're facing. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Ousted Burkina Faso president Blaise Compaore will likely go on trial in March for his part in the violent crackdown on the 2014 popular uprising that overthrew him, the supreme court prosecutor has said. Other members of his former government will also face justice including the ex-prime minister Luc Adolphe Tiao, prosecutor Armand Ouedraogo said. Compaore, who lives in Ivory Coast, was defence minister as well as president at the time of the insurrection but is only being prosecuted for his role as the former. "Of the 34 members of (Compaore's) government, seven will be tried in absentia," Ouedraogo added. Compaore lost power after 27 years following a popular uprising in October 2014 against his attempts to change the constitution to remain in office. Thirty-three people were killed during the crackdown on the demonstration, according to official sources. However the Compaore regime is being prosecuted for just 7 deaths and the wounding of 82 people in the capital. "They are not being prosecuted for all the deaths related to the popular uprising because not all protesters died from bullet wounds and they were not all in Ouagadougou," Ouedraogo said. Only Tiao was jailed for a couple of months before being freed. The other ministers have been banned from leaving the country. All of those on trial face the death penalty and should they be found guilty Burkina Faso will call for the extradition of those outside the country to face their sentences at home. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Talks between the Delhi government and striking drivers of Ola and Uber today failed to break the deadlock even as the city administration warned of strict action against any violence. Commuters had to pay astronomical fares as the strike called by Sarvodaya Drivers Association of Delhi (SDAD) entered its seventh day. A section of drivers of the union may disrupt traffic movement in some parts of the city tomorrow after their two leaders, who were on the hunger strike at Jantar Mantar since Friday, were admitted to RML Hospital in view of their deteriorating condition. There was shortage of taxis on the capital's roads during morning and peak hours on the seventh day of the strike. On Ola and Uber's apps, there were unavailability of cabs at times and sometimes, fares were higher than normal. SDAD vice-president vice-president Ravi Rathore, who was admitted to hospital, said that the union's representatives today met Transport Minister Satyendar Jain, but the talks could not reach any conclusion. "In the meeting, the minister sought time to address all their demands, but drivers were not ready to accept the offer. It has been seven days of their strike and that they did not want to give more time to government now. "As I and our union president Kamaljeet Singh Gill are admitted to RML Hospital, we don't know what our drivers will do tomorrow. From our side, the strike is still on," Rathore said. Meanwhile, the transport minister has warned of strict action against those drivers indulging in violence, a day after striking drivers torched a taxi in Indirapuram. "I will request Lt Governor to take strict action against drivers who indulge in violence which will not be tolerated at any cost," Jain said. Asked about commuters being overcharged by autorickshaw drivers due to the strike, the minister said that he appealed to all striking drivers not to overcharge passengers. Thousands of drivers are on strike since February 10 in Delhi-NCR demanding an increase in fares from the existing Rs 6 per km and also want the 25 per cent commission the app-based aggregators charge on every booking be discontinued. Delhi Autorickshaw Sangh and Delhi Pradesh Taxi Union have already cleared they would not support strike as their business was getting affected due to app-based taxi services. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told European lawmakers today that the world is better off when the EU is strong, as anti-Brussels sentiment soars following the Brexit vote and Donald Trump's victory. "The whole world benefits from a strong EU," he said in a speech to the European Parliament, a day after MEPs approved a landmark free trade deal between the EU and Canada. "Canada knows that an effective European voice on the global stage isn't just preferable, it's essential," Trudeau told the assembly in Strasbourg, France. Trudeau also hailed the 28-nation bloc as "a truly remarkable achievement and an unprecedented model for peaceful cooperation." The European Parliament yesterday solidly backed an EU-Canada trade accord after nearly eight years of painful negotiations and activist anger. Opponents to the deal, known as CETA, slam the deal as a "Trojan horse" to big business and a danger to health, democracy and the rule of law. But Trudeau, speaking in a mix of French and English, said that the EU and Canada "have made a big step to deepen our relationship and increase commerce that is both free and progressive". Trudeau spoke three days after meeting in Washington with US President Trump, who has vowed to embrace protectionism and reject big trade deals in order to preserve US jobs. "The conversations I had in Washington and the conversations I had here in Strasbourg are anchored in exactly the same thing -- a recognition that governments need to do better at creating growth and opportunities for all our citizens," Trudeau told reporters after his speech. Trudeau said Trump expressed "a very strong focus on getting things done for those who supported him, believed in him." The EU-Canada deal, known as CETA, could be an example for Trump, Trudeau said. "Demonstrating that good relations with one's neighbours is a good way of getting things done, I think, that everyone is going to benefit from around the world," he told a press conference after his speech. Trudeau's kind words to Europe are in contrast to Trump who has been critical of the EU. Trump has that Britain's vote to leave was a good idea and that other countries would likely follow suit. He is also expected to nominate a pro-Brexit ambassador to the EU who believes that the bloc will disintegrate and that the euro single currency will fail. In contrast, Canada moves closer to Europe with CETA. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two children were seriously injured when a bomb went off at Kultoli Kirtankhali in South 24 Parganas district today. The police said the incident took place when both the children, aged around 10 years, mistook the bomb to be ball and started playing with it. They were taken to Jamtala block hospital and later referred to National Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, they said. Investigation was on, police said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) All seven Delhi BJP MPs should come out with report cards of their achievements, AAP Minister Gopal Rai said today. The AAP minister made the demand a day after BJP burnt effigy of the Kejriwal government alleging "total failure". "They (all seven BJP MPs) were also given a huge mandate by the people of Delhi two-and-a-half years back. Delhi government has presented its report card on its achievements in the last years. "Instead of burning effigy and staging protest, BJP MPs, including Delhi BJP President Manoj Tiwari, should come out with report cards on works done by them in their respective constituencies and people will decide accordingly," he said at a press conference here. The Delhi Labour Minister claimed that the AAP dispensation was working for the welfare of public while accused BJP of creating "hurdles" in the functioning of Delhi government. With the MCD polls a couple of months away, Delhi BJP workers had yesterday staged protests across the city and burnt effigies of the government. He said, "We as MLAs have state government while they (MPs) have central government. We gave our report card on our two year achievements. MPs should make their working report card public." There are seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi and BJP had won all of them in 2014. Tiwari is an MP from North-East Delhi. Rai, who is the MLA from East Delhi's Babarpur, also presented the list of works worth Rs 100 crore being done through MLA LAD fund and different departments in his constituency. "MCD councillors should also present their report card so that people could know how much works they have done in their respective wards," he said. In the MCD polls, scheduled in April, BJP which currently rules the three municipal corporations is pitted against AAP which won the 2015 Delhi Assembly election with a stupendous mandate and a resurgent Congress which expects to build on its good show in the civic body by-polls in May, 2016. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India has told a six-nation meet on Afghanistan that it is essential for countries to stop supporting terror groups and terrorists in any form besides denying safe havens to them to end the menace that besets the war-torn country and the region. Briefing reporters today on yesterday's meet in Moscow, which was attended by India, Russia, China, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan, MEA Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said New Delhi emphasised that an end to violence and terrorism is fundamental to promote security and creating an environment necessary for peace and reconciliation which is Afghan-led and owned. "We stressed that it is essential to end all forms of terrorism and extremism that beset Afghanistan and our region, and to ensure denial of territory or any other support, safe havens or sanctuaries to any terrorist group or individual in countries of our region," he said. The Indian stance seemed an obvious reference to Pakistan. Swarup said India also underlined that it is up to the Government of Afghanistan to decide whom to engage in direct talks and these efforts can only be facilitated by friends and well-wishers of Afghanistan. The consultations brought together regional countries, which have an important stake in peace and security in Afghanistan, to exchange views on promoting security as well as peace and reconciliation in that country, he said. India expressed the hope that the initiative for these consultations, which mark a new beginning, would help promote regional cooperation for stabilising the situation in Afghanistan, protecting its unity and integrity and pursuing peace and reconciliation, Swarup said. "We pointed out that regional efforts to promote security, peace and development in Afghanistan can benefit from wider international collaboration and cooperation," the Spokesperson said. The conference is an initiative of Russia-China-Pakistan trilateral and India was invited during the visit of National Security Advisor Ajit Doval to Russia last month. India was not invited for a similar conference two months ago. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi Commission for Women has summoned Delhi Police for alleged inaction in a complaint of sexual harassment at a beggar home by an Uzbek woman. The women's body had issued a notice to police after DCW chief Swati Maliwal had met the woman who had complaint of sexual assault. The woman, who has been at the shelter since December 15, has alleged that she was "sexually assaulted" by a police officer posted in the Foreigner Regional Registration Office (FRRO) prior to her arrival at the home. "The commission has learnt that till date no FIR has been filed in the case and the information sought by us has also not been provided," said the notice issued to SHO, Dwarka North last month. The issue was highlighted during an inspection by Maliwal at the beggar home in Nirmal Chhaya Complex. The SHO has been asked to appear before the commission on February 21 to explain the "unreasonable cause of delay in action in the mentioned case". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The death toll in the Lahore suicide attack today rose to 14 with one more person succumbing to his injuries, as officials arrested a key facilitator of the blast which took place outside Pakistan's Punjab assembly. "One more injured of the Monday's Lahore Mall Road blast succumbed to his injuries rising the death toll to 14," Punjab Police spokesman Niyab Haider told PTI. He said the condition of over half-a-dozen injured was still very critical. Two senior police officers were among 13 people killed when a Taliban suicide bomber blew himself up during a protest rally outside Pakistan's Punjab assembly on Monday that also wounded more than 71 . "Police have taken more than 50 suspects including some Afghans into custody in connection with the blasts and they are being interrogated," Haider said. A senior police officer has said that the intelligence agencies have got a lead in the case and arrested a facilitator of the suicide bomber. "We are positive to get to the mastermind and other culprits through him. The facilitator/handler is being interrogated," officer said. The Home Department has directed law enforcement agencies to ensure extreme vigilance and heightened security. "Combing operations [must] be conducted in all targeted areas, particularly where the Afghan/Pathan community is residing," it said in a statement. Meanwhile, the government has formed a Joint Investigation Team headed by Crime Investigation Department's Senior Superintendent of Police Muhammad Iqbal to probe the matter. Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah said the federal government will speak to Afghan government about action against Jamaat-ul-Ahrar. Jamat-ul-Ahrar faction of the outlawed Tehreek-i- Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has claimed responsibility for the attack. The group had claimed responsibility for a blast on March 27 last year at Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park in Lahore that left 75 people dead, mostly Christians who were celebrating Easter. Founded in August 2014 by a former TTP leader, the outfit has staged several attacks in Pakistan targeting civilians, religious minorities, military personnel and law enforcement agencies. "The only solution to end the continuing acts of terror seems to be an indiscriminate, immediate and ruthless operation against terrorists," Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had said. Kerala based Save SBT (State Bank of Travancore) Forum today asked Union government to reconsider its decision for merger of five associate banks including SBT with SBI. Merger of SBT with SBI would adversely affect the economic development in the state as SBT has played a vital role in extending loans to agriculture, industrial and education sectors in the state, Forum Chairman Panniyan Raveendran said in a statement. Union cabinet had yesterday gave green signal for the merger of five associate banks with SBI. Criticising the decision, the former MP said service of SBI would be centred on big corporates once it start function as a global bank. It would also lead to shut down of branches and loss of jobs. The state government, state assembly, bank customers, political parties and share holders had request to cancel the merger move and to neglect the same was antidemocratic and not in tune with the Federal system, he pointed out. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Aditi Ashok had a disappointing finish, dropping three bogeys in row in last four holes when strong winds started picking up, to finish at one-over 74 in the first round of the ISPS Handa Women's Australian Open. She was languishing way back in 81st place and would need a solid second round to make the weekend at the event, which is jointly-sanctioned by the LPGA, where the Indian has a limited status. Starting from 10th, Aditi began with a series of four pars but then dropped a shot on fifth. Back to back birdies on 16th and 17th and yet another one on second saw her move to two-under. But then came the stretch of three bogeys from sixth to eighth and that derailed her. Meanwhile, Katherine Kirk posted an early-morning 65 and watched many of the other players, especially afternoon players struggle in higher winds today. An eight-under score with eight birdies and not a single bogey put the 34-year-old two shots ahead of the field which has some very big names including World No. 1 Lydia Ko (71 in T-25) and World No. 2 Ariya Jutanugam (72 at T-41st). Kirk leads by two shots from Americans Jane Park and Marissa Steen and Taiwan's Min Lee and South Korea's Chella Choi at six-under. Scotland's Michele Thomson (67) is a further shot back. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Police in El Salvador say they've detained 10 people connected to advertising and media companies in a corruption case in which former President Tony Saca and others are implicated. National police Commissioner Howard Cotto says those arrested today are suspected of money laundering. They include Saca's brother-in-law and a prominent publicist. Saca has declared his innocence in the case. He and several close associates are being prosecuted for the alleged diversion of at least USD 246 million in government funds. Prosecutors say some USD 116 million of that amount was transferred to private accounts of presidential employees and later to other accounts and businesses, some of them belonging to Saca. The 51-year-old Saca was president from 2004. He also faces a civil prosecution for alleged illicit enrichment. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The first-ever exhibition of "incredible Indian textiles" will be held next week in Dubai in which 19 companies from India will participate with an aim to forge strategic alliance with importers in the UAE. The Synthetic & Rayon Textiles Export Promotion Council (SRTEPC) of India, an apex body of manufacturers and exporters of Man-Made Fibre (MMF) textiles, is organising the exhibition on February 19-20 in association with the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi and Consulate General of India in Dubai. Nineteen Indian manufacturing or exporting companies - representing product categories from yarn to fabrics, and made-ups, are participating, Indian consulate in Dubai said. India is world's second-largest producer of synthetic fibre and yarn, cotton, cellulosic fiber and silk. Participants in the exhibition will display a wide array of products such as suitings, shirtings, furnishing materials, home textiles, made-ups, and apparels. The objective of the exhibition is to demonstrate the incredible Indian textiles and of which the MMF Textiles have a range containing blended fabrics, made-ups, yarns including apparels to importers in the UAE to facilitate sourcing of their specific requirements of textiles from India. Besides forging a strategic alliance and global partnership between UAE buyers and Indian companies, India aims to strengthen the trade ties between the two countries, particularly in the fastest growing man made textile segments. India exported synthetic and rayon (MMF) textiles worth USD 5790 million to over 150 countries during 2015-16. The Middle-East countries have emerged as a leading destination for India's MMF textiles exports with a share of 29 per cent (USD 1709.65 million), followed by the Asia 25 per cent (USD 1474.02 million) and the quality conscious European Union 20 per cent (USD 1170.66 million), the statement said. Leading markets for India's MMF textile exports during 2015-16 were UAE with 12 per cent share in total exports followed by the US (9 per cent) and Turkey (8 per cent). The UAE imported USD 17 billion worth of textiles and clothing products from the world during 2015. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Army Chief Bipin Rawat's statement on tough action against stone pelters in Kashmir evoked a mixed response with Union Minister Kiren Rijiju defending him, while the state's main opposition National Conference echoed the separatists in criticising the stand. National Conference spokesman Junaid Azim Mattu today dubbed the statement of the Army Chief as "tragic" and said the government, instead, should approach and engage with the youth of the militancy-hit Kashmir Valley. "Mobs rushing to encounter sites should concern us and alarm us into constructive political action - NOT issuing threats of 'no mercy'. The Govt needs to engage politically with the alienated youth of Kashmir - threats and warnings will only compound their hostility," he said in a series of tweets. He said it was "tragic that New Delhi was warning the alienated youth of Kashmir through army chiefs." Union Minister of State Kiren Rijiju's response that "the country's interest is supreme" is a firm endorsement of his statement made during the wreath laying ceremony of the troopers killed at the Palam air base last year. "There should be action against the stone pelters and whoever works against national interest as national interest is supreme," he told reporters in Delhi. He added that whatever "Gen Rawat has said, he has said that in national interest. There is no need to misinterpret it. There is nothing wrong in the Army Chief's statement." The Hurriyat had also reacted to Rawat's statement saying it showed the General's ignorance about ground realities in Kashmir. "It shows his (Gen Rawat's) lack of knowledge...Kashmiri youth have not taken to arms for fun nor are they made to hit streets in protest but they have been forced... As the space of Kashmiris has been squeezed," Moderate Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said in a statement. The stern message from Rawat came after three soldiers faced heavy stone-pelting at Parray Mohalla of Bandipore in north Kashmir when they were about to launch an operation against militants holed up there. Alerted by the stone-pelters, the militants had got an opportunity to fire hand grenades and empty a few magazines from AK-rifles into the advancing troopers, leaving three jawans dead and some others, including a Commanding officer of CRPF, injured. One terrorist managed to flee from the spot. General Rawat had said security forces in Jammu and Kashmir were facing higher casualties due to the manner in which the locals were preventing them from conducting the operations and "at times even supporting the terrorists to escape". Meanwhile, the CRPF which forms an essential part of the internal security grid in the Kashmir valley, today said locals were under pressure from militants to help them flee in certain areas of the state which was harming the anti-terror operations. CRPF Inspector General (Operations) in Srinagar, Zulfiquar Hasan asserted that the forces have been acting with restraint in crowded areas to check any collateral damage and the residents should not succumb to the threats of the militants. "The casualties (of the security forces in recent operations) have taken place in crowded areas and the forces operate with restraint so that there is no collateral damage. But the crowds break the cordon and help the militants to flee. "This is happening in certain areas of Kashmir, and villagers and local residents do this under pressure from militants," Hasan told PTI. (Reopens DEL 53) Regretting the Army Chief's statement, CPM MLA M Y Tarigami said, "At a time when efforts are needed for reaching out to people, such statements are bound to widen the gulf between people of valley and the rest of the country. Union Minister on Thursday endorsed Army Chief Bipin Rawat's statement on tough action against those creating hurdles during anti-terror operations in Kashmir, saying country's interest is supreme. "There should be action against the stone pelters and whoever works against interest as interest is supreme," he told reporters here. Rijiju's comments came after General Rawat said yesterday that hostile conduct of locals was causing higher casualties in the Kashmir Valley and those attacking security forces during anti-militancy operations will be treated as "anti-nationals" and will face "tough action". "Whatever the Army Chief has said, he has said that in view of interest. There is no need to misinterpret it. There is nothing wrong in the army chief's statement," he said. Asked about the prevailing security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, the Minister of State for Home said he would not like to comment on the routine law and order matters. General Rawat's statement came a day after four army personnel, including a Major, were killed in two separate encounters in the Kashmir Valley. Four terrorists were also gunned down in the encounters on Tuesday. The opposition National Conference in the state today dubbed as "tragic" the Army Chief's warning of tough action against stone-pelters and said the government needs to engage politically the "alienated" youths of the Valley. Assailants firing machine guns staged a raid today on a market in Sudan's war-scarred Darfur, sending schoolchildren and shoppers into flight, officials and residents said. The day-time raid in North Darfur's capital of El-Fasher came as the government continues to claim that the conflict in Darfur -- a huge region the size of France -- has ended. The attack in an eastern district of the town that also houses several government buildings came weeks after gunmen in military uniforms killed eight people in the mountainous Jebal Marra area of Darfur. Gunmen in several vehicles stormed the market and began firing and looting shops, a resident told AFP. The attack began at around 12:30 pm (0930 GMT), he said, adding that security forces arrived after some time and surrounded the area. "There is fear and panic among the people and schoolchildren in the area. They are fleeing," he said on condition of anonymity. The office of El-Fasher's governor confirmed the attack. "There is an exchange of fire now between security forces and criminals," it said in a statement. Conflict erupted in Darfur in 2003 when ethnic minority rebels took up arms against President Omar al-Bashir's Arab-dominated government, accusing it of marginalising the region. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India today ruled out "hate crime" being the motive behind the killing of a 26-year-old Indian man in Santa Clara County of California last week. "It was not a hate crime from any stretch of imagination. It is a case of carjacking. He (the victim) happened to be at a wrong place at a wrong time," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said, adding the government was bearing the expenses to bring the body back. Earlier this week, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had tweeted that the culprit responsible for the killing of the Indian, Mamidala Vamshi Chander Reddy has been arrested. She had also assured all assistance to the family of the deceased. She had said that according to the report from Indian Consulate in San Francisco, Reddy was killed by a drug addict last Friday evening at Milpitas. According to Reddy's family, the incident happened when he was returning after completing his part-time shift at a local store in Milpitas. Reddy had gone to California in 2013 and completed his MS in Silicon Valley University. While he was looking for a job in the software industry in the US, he recently took up a part-time assignment at a local store. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah says statements made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump one day earlier mark the end of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. The leader of the Lebaense militant group, which waged war against Israel inside Lebanon in 2000 and 2006, said the "two-state basis for peace" is "gone." Trump announced yesterday he was not committed to a two-state solution, at the conclusion of a summit with Netanyahu in Washington. Nasrallah described Trump's policy as "confused". The Hezbollah leader also said his group's strength was the principle deterrent to Israeli aggression in Lebanon and vowed to strike Israel's Dimona nuclear facilities in the event of war. It was the first time he made the threat explicitly. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A massive car bomb blast ripped through a used car market in southern Baghdad today, killing at least 39 people in the third such attack in three days, police said. Mobile phone footage circulated on social media showed charred bodies and extensive destruction in the Bayaa neighbourhood where the explosion went off around 4:15 pm (1315 GMT). A police colonel gave initial casualty figures of 39 killed and 61 wounded but said the emergency services were struggling to cope with the scope of the attack and warned that the death toll may rise. Hospital officials confirmed the casualty toll for the attack, for which there was no immediate claim of responsibility. The explosion occurred in the same Bayaa neighbourhood in southern Baghdad where a car bomb blast killed at least four people on Tuesday. At least 11 people were also killed in a suicide car bomb attack claimed by the Islamic State jihadist group yesterday in a northern neighbourhood of the Iraqi capital. Baghdad was rocked by a wave of deadly suicide bombings during the first days of 2017 but relatively few explosions had been reported since then until this week. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US President Donald Trump has assured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he will not allow Iran develop a nuclear weapon and termed the nuclear agreement Tehran reached with world powers one of the "worst deals" he has ever seen. Trump has on several occasions - during his presidential campaign and afterwards - criticised the agreement reached in 2015 between Iran and the US, the UK, Russia, France, China and Germany to limit the Islamic republic's nuclear ability. The deal signed during President Barack Obama's tenure had strained US-Israel ties, and Obama-Netanyahu relationship. Trump's explicit guarantee came during his first joint presser with Netanyahu after he took over the US presidency on January 20. He has previously said he would work to improve ties with Israel, and has imposed sanctions on Iran for testing a ballistic missile in violation of the nuclear deal. "The security challenges faced by Israel are enormous, including the threat of Iran's nuclear ambitions, which I've talked a lot about. One of the worst deals I've ever seen is the Iran deal," Trump told reporters yesterday. "My administration has already imposed new sanctions on Iran, and I will do more to prevent Iran from ever developing - I mean ever - a nuclear weapon," he said. Iran has defended its nuclear programme as purely civilian. Trump said security assistance to Israel was at an all-time high to ensure it can defend against threats."We have a long history of cooperation in the fight against terrorism and the fight against those who do not value human life." Trump also rejected the "unfair and one-sided actions" against Israel at UNSC, referring to a resolution condemning Israeli settlements in territory claimed by the Palestinians. He, however, said his administration was committed to working with Israel and common allies in the region towards greater security and stability. "That includes working toward a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians... We'll be working on it very, very diligently," Trump said. Netanyahu appreciated Trump's stand on Iran and radical Islamic terrorism. "Mr President, you've shown great clarity and courage in confronting this challenge head-on. You call for confronting Iran's terrorist regime, preventing Iran from realising this terrible deal into a nuclear arsenal," he said. "You have said that the United States is committed to preventing Iran from getting nuclear weapons. You call for the defeat of ISIS. Under your leadership, I believe we can reverse the rising tide of radical Islam," he said. Making his case against Iran, Netanyahu said the ballistic missiles that Tehran tests are mainly aimed at his country. "These ballistic missiles are inscribed in Hebrew 'Israel must be destroyed'. The Palestinian - rather the Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif said, well, our ballistic missiles are not intended against any country. No. They write on the missile in Hebrew, 'Israel must be destroyed', he said. Netanyahu said he could see a change in America's approach towards Israel after Trump took over as the US president. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India and China will hold their first Strategic Dialogue on February 22 in Beijing during which the two sides will discuss key issues of mutual "concern and interest" including "friction points" such as Masood Azhar and Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar and Executive Vice-Chairman of China hang Yesui will co-chair the meet to discuss "all issues of mutual interest in bilateral, regional and international domain", External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said on Thursday. Acknowledging that there are "friction points" in Sino-China ties, Swarup said the dialogue will strive for a holistic view of the relations between the two countries and see to what extent they can accommodate each other's concerns and interests. "India and China share a close development partnership and there are number of issues also between the two countries. While there are collaborative activities, there are also some friction points. The idea is that through the mechanism of this strategic dialogue, the foreign secretary from our side and his Chinese counterpart can take a holistic view of relations and see to what extent the two sides can accommodate each other's concerns and interests," he said. Maintaining that the upcoming Strategic Dialogue, which was set up during the visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in August last year, was a new mechanism, Swarup said it is a more "comprehensive" forum. ties have witnessed strain following Beijing's rigid stand on issues crucial to India such as membership to the Nuclear Suppliers Group and designation of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief and Pathankot attack mastermind Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN. Not only China scuttled India's membership bid at the meeting of NSG last year, it also opposed banning of Azhar by the UN, apparently at the behest of its "all-weather" friend Pakistan. Yesterday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry also said it has lodged a protest with India for hosting a Taiwanese parliamentary delegation and asked it to deal "prudently" with Taiwan-related matters. New Delhi dismissed the protest saying no "political meanings" should be read into such trips. Indonesia's foreign ministry said it's trying to verify the nationality of a woman with an Indonesian passport who was arrested in Malaysia today for suspected involvement in the killing of the North Korean leader's half brother. Lalu Muhammad Iqbal, director of Indonesian Citizen Protection at the Foreign Ministry, said today that millions of Indonesians work in neighboring Malaysia and the passport seized by Malaysian police could have been lost or stolen. "We have been trying to verify those reports with our embassy in Malaysia as soon as we heard about that, because this is not the first time that an Indonesian reportedly committed a crime just based on the bearer of an Indonesian passport, but then the bearer was not an Indonesian citizen," he said. Malaysian police have now arrested two women in the death of Kim Jong Nam, who was reportedly poisoned this week by a pair of female assassins as he waited for a flight in Malaysia. They said the passport with the woman arrested Thursday was in the name of Siti Aishah, 25, from Serang in Banten province which neighbors the Indonesian capital Jakarta. The woman arrested on Wednesday had Vietnamese travel documents bearing the name Doan Thi Huong, 28. Several million Indonesians work in Malaysia as maids and construction and plantation workers. Agents that recruit workers in Indonesia often provide them with altered or forged documents. "Aishah" is a spelling typically used in Malaysia whereas "Aisyah" is commonly used in Indonesia. Investigators in Malaysia are trying to shed light on the death of Kim, which has set off set off waves of speculation over whether North Korea dispatched a hit squad to kill a man known for his drinking, gambling and complicated family life. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Iran said today that Israel's atomic arsenal is the biggest danger to world peace, a day after US President Donald Trump vowed to prevent Iran developing a nuclear weapon. Israel is the "biggest threat to the peace and security in the region and the world," Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi said, quoted by state agency IRNA. Trump had warned yesterday after meeting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington that the "threat of Iran's nuclear ambitions" was one of the major security challenges facing Israel. The US president told reporters that he would do "more to prevent Iran from ever developing -- I mean ever -- a nuclear weapon". But Ghasemi dismissed the comments by Trump and Netanyahu comments as "nonsense". "The bitter truth is that these unjust claims are being repeated by the Zionist regime that doesn't abide by any international laws and has hundreds of warheads in its atomic arsenal," Ghasemi said, referring to Israel. Ghasemi said the United Nations' atomic watchdog had repeatedly confirmed the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear programme. Israel is believed to be the Middle East's sole nuclear power but it has long refused to confirm or deny that it has such weapons. A war of words has been escalating between Tehran and Washington since even before Trump took office in January. Under Trump's predecessor Barack Obama, the US and five other world powers reached a 2015 deal with Iran to lift sanctions in return for curbs on its nuclear programme. Trump himself has repeatedly denounced the historic accord as "one of the worst deals I've ever seen". The Islamic republic's archfoe Netanyahu has warned that the deal will expire too soon to permanently remove the threat. Iran has consistently denied seeking nuclear weapons, saying its activities are exclusively for peaceful purposes such as power generation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Ireland's fragile minority government has survived a no-confidence vote over a scandal involving the police, the state's child protection agency and the political establishment. Lawmakers voted by 57 to 52 in support of the government, with 44 abstentions, after the motion was yesterday tabled by opposition party Sinn Fein as criticism mounted of Prime Minister Enda Kenny and his cabinet's handling of a case involving a police whistleblower. The high-profile officer faced false allegations of child sexual abuse, which may have been a criminal conspiracy by senior members of the force. The vilification of police sergeant Maurice McCabe has engulfed the coalition government since the story emerged in national media last week, with ministers telling conflicting stories about what they knew about the affair and when. In a special parliamentary session on Tuesday, Kenny admitted he gave "wrong information" regarding a meeting with a senior cabinet minister on the matter as recently as last weekend. Despite the scandal the main opposition party Fianna Fail said it would not back the no confidence vote even though it has described the government management as "incoherent and shambolic". "I don't think the Irish people want a general election every few months but people are very, very angry about the way in which a good and decent person was treated," its leader Micheal Martin told a Cork radio station. The Independent Alliance, a junior coalition partner, said ahead of the vote it had secured Kenny's commitment to an external audit of the police force to be carried out by an international expert. The scandal has roots going back to 2006 when McCabe made a complaint against a colleague over misconduct. Another officer then made a complaint against McCabe of sexual abuse involving a six-year-old girl. This was investigated and he was completely exonerated. In 2013, the child protection agency opened another file on McCabe after receiving further allegations of sexual abuse but the following year it acknowledged this was an error. The agency did not inform McCabe of the allegations until December 2015. Given McCabe's high-profile campaign against police corruption, many people suspect the false accusations were made intentionally to discredit him. The government has agreed to set up a public inquiry to investigate whether it was an honest mistake or something more sinister. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar will visit three key countries -China, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh- in India's neighbourhood beginning Saturday. Announcing the visits, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said Jaishankar will travel to China to attend first round of India-China Strategic Dialogue on February 22. During the dialogue, the two sides will discuss key issues of mutual "concern and interest" including "friction points" such as Masood Azhar and NSG. The Foreign Secretary will be in Sri Lanka from February 18-20 during which he will interact with the leadership there on possibilities of collaboration and cooperation in a number of sectors including power, highways, airport, hydrocarbon sector, etc. "The visit will continue the tradition of close exchanges with Sri Lanka that has gained momentum in the last two years... The visit would help in taking stock on various decisions taken during the meetings between the two leaderships," he said. Jaishankar will visit Dhaka on February 23-24 and hold talks with his Bangladeshi counterpart Shahidul Haque. The two Foreign Secretaries will review areas of bilateral cooperation between the two countries, including high level visits, Swarup said, adding during the visit, Jaishankar is expected to call on the Prime Minister of Bangladesh. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Terming Jharkhand as a land of immense potential, Chief Minister Raghubar Das today said the state is rich in natural resources like coal and minerals and striving to become a developed state in the country. "Jharkhand as a young state of India is striving to become one of the developed and prosperous states of India. It is a land of immense potential," Das said while addressing the inaugural session of the first Jharkhand Global Investors' Summit at the Khelgaon here. He said that Jharkhand was one of the richest mineralised regions in the world possessing 40 per cent of mineral resources of the country. "Though we are known for our rich mineral deposits and steel and automobile Industry, I feel our biggest assets are our people. Nearly 60 per cent of our population is between 15 and 59 years of age," he said. "The gross state domestic product growth rate (at a constant price) is 12.1 per cent and the growth rate of per capita income is 11.10 per cent. This demonstrates that Jharkhand is the fast emerging economy in the country," he said. Stating that Jharkhand ranks number one in terms of coal reserves and number two in iron ore reserves of the country, the chief minister said the state contributed 25 per cent of the overall steel production in the country and in Tasar silk alone the contribution was 62 per cent of the overall production of the country. "We are also leading producer of farming products like tomato and peas. We are the fifth largest recipient of FDI among all other states and we are among the leading states in the ease of doing business in India," he said. (Reopens CAL6) The Jharkhand Chief Minister said "We will organise our next Global Investors' Summit in 2019-20." He also made an announcement to hold the 'Pravasi Jharkhandi Sammelan' from November 28 to 30 next year. The Delhi High Court today directed all agencies concerned to hold a meeting to make a traffic plan for highly polluted Anand Vihar area here, saying that lack of coordination among local authorities is the reason for half of the city's problems. The observation by a bench of Justices Badar Durrez Ahmed and Ashutosh Kumar came during hearing of a PIL on air pollution in Delhi in which the court has been dealing with traffic congestion and lack of cleanliness in Anand Vihar, which has the worst air quality in the national capital. "Half of the problems of Delhi is due to lack of coordination among local authorities," the court said and directed that a meeting be held of all stakeholders to devise a traffic management plan for the area. Representatives of the East Delhi Municipal Corporation, Traffic Police, the transport department, the Public Works Department (PWD), Delhi Metro, the railways and the resident commissioner of Uttar Pradesh will attend the meeting on February 20 at the Traffic Police Headquarters, it said. With regard to the corporation's claim of having removed the hawkers and encroachments from the main road, the service road, pavements and the foot overbridge there, the civic body and Delhi Police have been directed to ensure the vacated areas are not re-occupied. The bench noted that from the photographs of the area placed before it, the railway station in the area was also not free of garbage and debris and directed Northern Railway to clean it up on a war-footing. A direction was also issued to the Irrigation Department of the Delhi government to come out with a plan for cleaning, including possibility of filtering and proper management of the drain running along road no. 56 there. PWD has been tasked with ensuring repair of the roads and pavements under its control in the area. The Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT) has also to be cleaned and repaired, wherever required, the court told the Delhi government. A similar direction was issued to the resident commissioner of UP with regard to the bus terminus at Kaushambi so that there is no congestion leading to traffic problems in Delhi. The National Highways Authority of India was ordered by the court to ensure the highways constructed by it are kept free of garbage, debris and dust to the extent possible. The court said that all the directions be complied with in a week's time and a status report be filed before the next date of hearing on February 23. During the hearing, the court perused the internal audit reports of the forest department for 2011, 2012 and 2013 and noted that while there was an increase from Rs 1,000 to Rs 34,000 in the charge for permission to cut a tree, the compensatory plantation expenses have not increased, which may indicate that sufficient plantation may not have taken place. Under the rules, for every tree cut, the person or authority responsible has to plant 10 trees. For permission to cut a tree, a charge of Rs 34,000 and Rs 57,000 per tree is levied on an individual or agency, respectively. Almost 50 per cent of this amount is refunded after five years if compensatory afforestation has been carried out. Delhi government standing counsel Rahul Mehra said that the cost of plantation has not increased commensurate with the hike in tree felling charges and that was the reason for lack of increase in the compensatory plantation expenses. After ordering a CAG audit, the court said the government auditor may look into the internal audit reports of the forest department which were placed before the bench. The Delhi government, meanwhile, was directed to indicate on the next date of hearing on April 12 "as to how notified forests are to be maintained and how forest land is to be reclaimed where there are encroachments". The Delhi Development Authority was asked to cooperate with the Delhi government for ensuring that its plans for maintenance of forests are implemented. On the issue of bursting of fireworks, the court questioned how the practice is going on despite a direction of the Supreme Court in November 2016 banning the activity in the National Capital Region and an order of the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC). The bench said that the apex court should be informed about the violation of its directions. Pakistan's Punjab police today announced Rs one million reward for any information about the identity of suspected facilitator of the Lahore blast, even as elite commandos killed six militants belonging to a faction of the Taliban that claimed responsibility for the deadly attack. "The facilitator is said to be the person who brought the suicide attacker to the bomb site," Punjab's Counter-Terrorism Department spokesperson said, announcing Rs 1 million reward. The name and identity of the person who shares the crucial information will be kept secret, the Express Tribune quoted the spokesperson as saying. Police have released a sketch of the suicide bomber made with the help of eyewitnesses. Senior police officers were among 14 people killed when the suicide bomber blew himself up targeting them during a protest rally on Monday outside Punjab assembly in Lahore that also wounded 73 others. The Jamat-ul-Ahrar faction of the outlawed Tehreek-i- Taliban Pakistan claimed responsibility for the deadly attack. Lahore Traffic Police chief Capt (R) AhmedMobeen and SSP Zahid Gondal were killed in the attack. The Crime Investigation Department of Punjab police along with the elite commandos raided a hideout of terrorists in Khanewal district yesterday and killed them in an encounter. "Six militants have been killed. Four terrorists managed to escape," the spokesman said, adding the identity of the terrorists killed in the raid is being established. According to the Counter-Terrorism Department spokesman, Jamat-ul-Ahrar terrorists were planning to launch attacks in Khanewal district and their targets were vital installations, government and law enforcement agencies offices. Two hand grenades, as automatic rifles and pistols have been recovered from the hideout. He said the further investigation into the matter is underway. The action of law enforcement agencies' against Jamat-ul- Ahrar terrorists came three days after the suicide attack. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Foreigner's Tribunal member was beaten up allegedly by a lawyer in Goalpara after he gave an opinion that eight of the advocate's clients were 'foreigners', police said today. Tribunal member Ajay Kumar Phukan on February nine had given his opinion that eight of 13 'D' (Doubtful) voters presented in his court were 'Foreigners', police said. The lawyer of the eight persons and some other advocates yesterday had an argument with Phukan in his court premises on the order, beat him up and also broke furniture in the court, they said. As the security personnel rushed to arrest them, they managed to flee. Phukhan filed an FIR with the Goalpara Sadar police station after the attack and police has launched a search operation to apprehend the culprits. The incident prompted Gauhati High Court Judge Ujjal Bhuyan, Additional Chief Secretary (Home and Political) T Y Das, Director General of Police Mukesh Sahay and Special Additional DGP (Law and Order) Kuladhar Saikia to rush here to take stock of the situation. "We want to say from the government side that we take this assault on the Member of the Foreigner's Tribunal very seriously," Das told reporters in Guwahati. "We want to see there is no compromise on the safety of the Members of the Foreigner's Tribunal. It is non negotiable. We will do everything to see the culprits are brought to book," she added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) CRPF today said locals were under pressure from militants to help them flee in certain areas in Kashmir which was harming the anti-terror operations. CRPF Inspector General (Operations) Zulfiquar Hasan asserted that the forces have been acting with restraint in crowded areas to check any collateral damage and the residents should not succumb to the threats of the militants. His remarks came a day after Army chief General Bipin Rawat warned those attacking security forces during anti- militancy operations in Kashmir of "tough action". "The casualties (of the security forces in recent operations) have taken place in crowded areas and the forces operate with restraint so that there is no collateral damage. But the crowds break the cordon and help the militants to flee. "This is happening in certain areas of Kashmir, and villagers and local residents do this under pressure from militants," Hasan told PTI. The IG said the security forces, in encounters, also face incidents of stone pelting and all this "harms the operations". "I would say locals should not get under pressure from militants. We are exercising a lot of restraint so that there is no casualty on the side of the crowds and that adds to our problem. We are constantly trying to evolve how could we do the operations better so that there is no harm to the people present around," he said. Commanding Officer of CRPF's 45th battalion Chetan Kumar Cheetah was grievously injured in an encounter in Bandipora on Tuesday and he is currently undergoing treatment and surgery at the AIIMS trauma centre in Delhi. General Rawat's stern message came after three soldiers faced heavy stone pelting at Parray Mohalla of Bandipore in north Kashmir when they were about to launch an operation against the militants holed up there on Tuesday. Alerted by the stone pelters, the militants got an opportunity to fire hand grenades and empty a few magazines from AK-rifles, leaving three jawans dead and some others, including CRPF Commandant Cheetah, injured. The army chief had said security forces in Jammu and Kashmir were facing higher casualties due to the manner in which the local population was preventing them from conducting the operations and "at times even helping the terrorists to escape". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Madras High Court today dismissed the pleas to trace two AIADMK MLAs who were allegedly under "illegal" detention at a resort, where legislators supporting V K Sasikala have been staying. "...We do not find any merit," said the court which declined to entertain a suggestion to appoint an amicus curie to personally go and inspect the resort in Koovathur. The division bench comprising justices M Jaichandren and T Mathivanan dismissed the two habeas corpus petitions seeking that MLAs Geetha and RT Ramachandran of Krishnarayapuram and Kunnam constituencies respectively be traced and set free. "Having taken into consideration the relevant facts, we find that since the question of maintainability is hanging over the petition, we do not find any merit," the bench said. Referring to the Bar Council of India rules, it said, "Rule 9 contemplated that an advocate should not act or plead in any manner in which he himself is peculiarly interested and the Rule 18 mandated that an advocate shall not act at any time be a party to fomented litigants. "Keeping in view of the fact, we are of the considered view that the petitions are devoid of any merit and is therefore deserved to be dismissed." The HCPs filed on February 9 alleged illegal detention of 130-odd ruling AIADMK MLAs after the Tamil Nadu government said the legislators were staying at the MLAs' Hostel and were "free to move around". Earlier, the court had sought the state government's response to allegations that AIADMK MLAs were being illegally detained in the resort and had reserved its orders. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Malaysia is looking at 1 million visitors from India this year on account of a slew of initiatives, including visa fees waive-off -- except for a processing charge of USD 20. "We intend to achieve the target of 1 million Indian arrivals to Malaysia this year," Malaysia Tourism and Culture Minister Dato' Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz told reporters here today. India is a very important market for Malaysia, he added. The government of Malaysia has agreed to waive visa fees for Indian visitors and one has to now pay only USD 20 as a processing fees, Mohamed Nazri said. India is the sixth top tourist source market for Malaysia and last year, from January to October, it received a total of 540,530 Indian tourists, he said, adding a total of 722,141 visitors from India came to Malaysia in 2015. "The close cultural ties between the two countries and cultural affinity between our people can reach even greater heights through tourism," Mohamed Nazri said. This year the focus is on sustainable tourism in line with the vision of UNWTO that has designated 2017 as the 'International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development', he said. Tourism Malaysia is laying special emphasis on promoting four UNESCO Heritage sites, Kinabalu National Park in Sabah, Gunung Mulu National Park in Sarawak, Melaka and George Town cities and the archaeological heritage of the Lenggong Valley, he added. The other focus segments are destination weddings and honeymoons, Mohamed Nazri said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chancellor Angela Merkel testified today that she was surprised to learn almost two years ago that Germany's BND foreign intelligence service was spying on targets in allied nations. "I assumed that the BND does not engage in such activities," Merkel told a parliamentary enquiry into the surveillance practices of the US National Security Agency (NSA) and its German partners. "It's a waste of effort and energy," Merkel said about covert intelligence activities against friendly nations. The panel has for three years looked into revelations since 2013 by fugitive US intelligence leaker Edward Snowden that the NSA was conducting massive Internet and phone data sweeps, including in Germany. Of particular interest was the revelation that the NSA had long tapped Merkel's mobile phone, which strained Washington-Berlin ties at the time, leading Merkel to declare that spying between allies "just isn't on". But the scandal widened in March 2015 with reports that the BND had helped the NSA eavesdrop on EU targets including the French presidency and foreign ministry as well as the European Commission. Merkel said in her testimony that at the time she had voiced her public complaint to Washington, "I had no reason to believe that this was not being observed by the BND." She said there had been "technical and organisational deficits" within the BND, which reports directly to the chancellery. Merkel also reiterated her position that a democratic country needs to strike "the right balance" between security and privacy protection. She said she expected continued US-German intelligence cooperation under President Donald Trump, adding that this was "in our own interest". Last year Germany approved new measures to rein in the activities of its foreign intelligence agency after the scandal over improper collusion with the US National Security Agency. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has described Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Akhilesh Yadav as two sides of the same coin, saying both "failed" to stop riots in their states as chief ministers. Owaisi, whose party is contesting only from Arya Nagar Assembly seat in the district, also accused SP and BSP of trying to fool Muslim voters. "Riots happened in Muzaffarnagar but the chief minister failed to stop riots or provide justice to victims. How does it make him any different from Modi? Riots took place in Gujarat when Modi was the chief minister. He too failed to stop the riots or give justice to Muslims," he said. "Akhilesh is willing to grab Muslim votes by scaring them with the name of BJP. Muslims should make the AIMIM candidates win," he said while addressing a public meeting in Colonelganj area here last night. Owaisi said he wanted to come to Kanpur earlier but was allegedly stopped by the administration as one of the ADMs said in his report that the visit will affect peace in the city. "I would advise Akhilesh to induct that ADM into his party because he is loyal to him. Akhilesh could not be even loyal to his father so now officers like these would be of benefit to him," he said. He said that he has held about a dozen public meetings in UP but his remarks never disturbed law and order anywhere. "Actually the Samajwadi Party is afraid of me because they are fetching votes from Muslims by fear, but I will tell the truth to Muslims that they are being fooled by SP and BSP," he added. Hitting out at Akhilesh, Owaisi said the SP government in Uttar Pradesh promised to build schools and homes for Muslims but failed to fulfil them. It was said that Muslims youths will be recruited in police and other departments of the state but that could not happen either, he said. "There are over 55 per cent vacancies in the state police that have not been filled yet. Similarly, clean drinking water was promised to Muslim colonies.... That was not fulfilled even as the lion safari in Safai got its own water treatment plant," he added. Asking Muslims to vote for his party, Owaisi said if 8 to 10 of his MLAs are elected in the state Assembly, they would not let anyone take what belongs to Muslims. Samajwadi Party (SP) patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav might be on the sidelines in the party, but his personal prestige is at stake in Lucknow Cantt and Jaswantnagar seats, being contested by his 'choti bahu' Aparna and brother Shivpal, respectively. The 77-year-old wrester-turned-politician, who has grappled with many a political crisis, has been conspicuously missing from the UP poll cauldron in the first two phases. For the third phase polls on February 19, he has preferred to campaign only for his family members so far. The reluctant campaigner, in the changed equations in the party after his son Akhilesh Yadav took over, expressed in his three election meetings so far as to how important it is for him that the party wins these seats. "These elections are most important for me and Shivpal ... ensure his victory from here," the Yadav senior, who addressed two rallies for his brother, the sitting MLA from Jaswantnagar in party's stronghold of Etawah, had appealed. Starting his campaign for the UP polls, Mulayam had steered clear of any mention of SP-Congress alliance in his 30-minute speech in Takha block of Jaswantnagar. Similarly, in his meeting to seek votes for his younger daughter-in-law in Lucknow Cantt on Wednesday, he made an emotional appeal saying these elections are attached to his political respect and honour. He would be grateful to the people if they supported Aparna, he said. "We appeal to you to make Aparna win with a massive majority...Our respect is attached to it. She is my daughter-in-law... Keep my honour and ensure her victory from the seat," he said. Going all out to woo the minorities in the seat which has traditionally been a Congress stronghold, Yadav recalled how he managed the Ayodhya development when he was the CM and initiated strict steps to control the situation in the 1990s. "It was for the sake of unity and integrity of the country that I had sacrificed my government," he had said. Yadav's preference towards Shivpal and Aparna is being considered as important in the Samajwadi Party as both these candidates are considered close to him and not too comfortable in the new regime in the party. Shivpal had been in the forefront of the tussle with his nephew and new party president Akhilesh Yadav and had also borne the brunt of the infighting after being divested of his ministerial posts as also his state SP president post. Among the three main decisions taken in the SP's emergency national delegate convention here on January 1 was the removal of Shivpal from the post of the party's state unit president. Shivpal's isolation in the party is also evident from the fact that he has not been included in the list of party's star campaigners. As far as Aparna is considered, though her name as the candidate from Lucknow Cantt seat was announced by Shivpal as the state unit president, it was missing from the list of candidates announced initially by the new SP state president Naresh Uttam. She, however, found favour later and was announced as the candidate and has also earned support publicly with Akhilesh's wife Dimple coming out in her favour at an election meeting on Wednesday. Mulayam, who was against the SP-Congress alliance, had initially declined to campaign in the polls but relented after a flip-flop in the wake of SP-Congress alliance, which he did not like. He has, however, not spoken strongly in Akhilesh's support and has instead concentrated on the SP government's works and promises fulfilled by it. Political temperature in the BJP-ruled Gujarat is set to rise over the alleged gang-rape of a woman in Naliya town of Kutch district, with the opposition Congress deciding to step up its protest to corner the saffron party whose four local leaders are named as accused by police. In a bid to highlight the "plight of the victim", the Congress will organise a vehicle 'yatra' (rally) from Naliya town on February 18. The rally will culminate at Gandhinagar on February 20, the first day of the Budget session of the Assembly, to be addressed by Governor O P Kohli. Congress will also lay siege to the Assembly building on February 20, said state unit Congress president Bharatsinh Solanki while demanding a probe into the incident by a sitting High Court judge. Addressing reporters here, he termed the 2016 gangrape incident an "organised crime". "Just like an organised crime network, the woman was gang-raped by several persons over a period of one year. To highlight the plight of the victim, we will take out the yatra from Naliya," he said. Apart from Solanki, senior Congressmen like the Leader of Opposition in Assembly Shankersinh Vaghela and Shaktisinh Gohil will also join the yatra. "When the budget session commences on February 20, we will gherao the Assembly building. We want the government to transfer the enquiry (into the rape case) to a sitting High Court judge, as we have learnt the victim has been pressurised by some elements to withdraw her FIR," Solanki alleged. He said a Congress delegation would call upon Governor O P Kohli tomorrow seeking his intervention for appropriate action. Vaghela said, "(However), in absence of any assurance, we will tell the Governor that Congress MLAs will not let him address the House on February 20." Meanwhile, the opposition leader announced he was ready to hand over the CDs, which he claimed to contain videos of at least 12 persons involved in the gangrape, to Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel. Vaghela had earlier claimed he was in possession of the electronic evidence against the 12 accused in the form of CDs. Responding to Patel's statement in which he had dared the Congress leader to make the videos public, Vaghela said, "If Patel wants, I am ready to hand over these CDs to him. But, he must not leak these videos, as I do not believe in character assassination." In her FIR, the 24-year-old married woman had claimed she was raped by at least nine persons on different occasions last year. She claimed the accused were running a sex racket in Kutch district and had blackmailed many women by shooting their obscene videos. Kutch Police had arrested eight persons in connection with the Naliya incident. The accused included four local BJP leaders, who were subsequently suspended from the party. National Commission for Women member Alok Rawat today held a string of meetings with various authorities to assess the status of cases, especially acid attacks on women, referred to the police by the women's body. Amid speculation that he was here to conduct an enquiry into the gang rape of a married woman in Naliya town last year, allegedly involving four local BJP leaders, Rawat said his visit was fixed in December. Gujarat State Commission for Women's chairperson Leelaben Ankolia too said Rawat was not here to conduct enquiry into the gangrape case. Upon his arrival at Gandhinagar, Rawat, on a two-day visit to state, held a meeting with state DGP P P Pandey and other senior police officials. "I came here as per the schedule which was prepared in December. I held discussion on a host of issues today. Very fruitful discussion were also held about the cases related to acid attack victims. The DGP as well as legal authority will also look into suggestions which came up during the talks," Rawat said when asked about the Naliya case. From Gandhinagar, he headed to Ahmedabad to meet police commissioner A K Singh and other police officials. "Today's meeting with NCW revolved around the status of all those women-related cases which were referred to us by NCW in past. These cases were from 2012 to 2016. Out of all the cases of this period, we held a detailed discussion about police action in 31 case," said Singh. Later, Rawat held a review meeting with Ankolia. "He is on a two day visit of Gujarat. It was not for Naliya case. It is a scheduled visit meant for the periodic review of cases," she said responding to a query. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) There is "no Plan B" to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, UN chief Antonio Guterres said as he warned against any action to undermine the possibility of the two-state solution. His comments came as President Donald Trump signalled a change in long-held US policy on the Israeli-Palestinian dispute. "First of all, with a complete agreement that there is no Plan B to the situation between Palestinians and Israelis but a two-state solution and that everything must be done to preserve that possibility," Guterres said in his remarks at a press encounter with Egypt's Foreign Affairs Minister Sameh Shoukry in Cairo yesterday. In a separate address to students at Cairo University, the Secretary General stressed that there is no alternative to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict but the two-state solution and that no actions should be taken to undermine that possibility. He said the conflicts in Nigeria, Libya, Somalia, Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan are all interlinked as well as connected to a new threat of global terrorism. "And it is good not to forget that probably the mother of these conflicts is probably in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, lasting for decades and decades without a solution, and the reason why, in a moment like this, it is important today to stress that in my opinion, and I believe in the opinion of the UN, the overwhelming majority of the membership, there is no plan B but the two-states solution and for that [it is necessary] to avoid all actions that undermine the possibility of the two-state solution," he said. Guterres remarks come as Trump, during a joint press conference in the White House with visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, signalled debunking America's long pursuit of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian dispute, saying he could endorse a one-nation solution if it led to peace in the Middle East. Breaking away from Washington's long-held policy on the issue, Trump had said he would be open to "alternate solutions" that does not necessarily involve a two-state solution to the six-decades long Israeli-Palestinian conflict. "It is something that is very different, hasn't been discussed before. Its actually a much bigger deal - much more important deal in a sense," Trump said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan today accused India of endangering regional peace through it military buildup. "Indian defence buildup is not in the interest of the region," Foreign Office Spokesperson Nafees Zakaria said. "It is a matter of grave concern and endangering the peace in the region and disturbing the strategic balance." Zakaria's comments came days after Pakistan claimed that India is building a "secret nuclear city" and has accumulated a stockpile of nuclear weapons which threatens to undermine the strategic balance of power in the region. Speaking at the weekly briefing in Islamabad, Zakaria also alleged that Indian atrocities against Kashmiris are continuing unabated. Zakaria said that Pakistan was committed to the Kashmiris' legitimate movement for self-determination. He also accused India of "violating ceasefire on the Line of Control and Working Boundary resulting into loss of precious civilian lives". He said Pakistan has repeatedly lodged protest with Indian in this regard. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) on Thursday accused India of trying to "sabotage" the $46 billion China- Economic Corridor (CPEC). Foreign Office Spokesman Nafees Zakaraia said that India was openly opposing the CPEC that links China's Xinjiang region with Pakistan's Gwadar port. "We are aware of Indian government's plans to sabotage CPEC," he said, adding "India's interference in is not concealed." Zakaria said Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav, who was arrested in Balochistan last year on charges of spying, had admitted of making an attempt to affect the work on CPEC, Zakaria said. He claimed that India has been involved in terrorist activities in Pakistan. "We have taken issue to the UN Secretary General about involvement of India in terrorist activities in Pakistan." He also accused India of endangering regional peace through it military buildup. "Indian defence buildup is not in the interest of the region," Zakaria said. "It is a matter of grave concern and endangering the peace in the region and disturbing the strategic balance." Pakistan last week had claimed that India was building a "secret nuclear city" and accumulated a stockpile of nuclear weapons which threatens to undermine the strategic balance of power in the region. He also alleged that Indian atrocities against Kashmiris are continuing unabated and said that Pakistan was committed to the Kashmiris' legitimate movement for self-determination. He also accused India of "violating ceasefire on the Line of Control and Working Boundary resulting into loss of precious civilian lives". He said Pakistan has repeatedly lodged protest with India in this regard. Delhi court has sought the response Union Minister V K Singh on a criminal complaint seeking registration of an FIR against him for his alleged "dog" remark in the aftermath of the burning of two Dalit children in Haryana. Additional Sessions Judge S K Malhotra asked Singh to file his reply on the revision petition within four weeks and listed the matter for arguments in April. The court asked the complainant, advocate Satya Prakash Gautam, to supply a copy of his revision petition challenging a magisterial court's decision dismissing his criminal complaint to Singh. "Reply, if any, be filed within four weeks with advance copy to the other party. Put up for arguments on April 6," the judge said. The court had earlier issued notice to the former Army chief on the revision petition. The police had opposed the plea, saying no cognisable offence was made out against Singh for his alleged remarks on October 21, 2015. The revision petition was filed by the complainant in December 2015, challenging the trial court's order alleging that the magistrate "has only desperately tried to shield the proposed accused under various pretexts, including those not even on record, like the intention of the proposed accused while making impugned statements which were the basis of filing the present complaint." "It is clear...That the metropolitan magistrate has tried to step into the shoes of the counsel of the proposed accused to defend him. Thus, the impugned order deserves to be set aside on this ground alone," Gautam had claimed. The magisterial court had on December 7, 2015 dismissed his plea observing that no criminal offence was "ex-facie" made out against the minister. The court had said that for no reason Singh's statement could be seen as a remark made to demean any caste or creed and it did not see the comment as an "analogy drawn between dog (as an animal) and humans (of a caste or creed)". The complainant had alleged that Singh, the Minister of State for External Affairs, had hurt the sentiments of the Dalit community by such remarks. Singh had kicked up a storm with his alleged remarks in connection with the Faridabad incident that the government cannot be blamed if anyone throws a stone at a dog. The court had earlier directed the police to file an action taken report (ATR) on the complaint seeking lodging of FIR against Singh under provisions of SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, Information Technology Act and IPC. The police, in its ATR, had told the court that Singh had not made any "specific derogatory and humiliating statement" warranting his prosecution on the complaint. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Following a Delhi court's verdict acquitting two persons in 2005 Diwali-eve serial blasts case, which had claimed 67 lives, Delhi Police's Special Cell is contemplating the road ahead. "We haven't received the order copy. After reading the order copy, we will decide whether we will approach the higher court in the matter," said a senior officer from Special Cell. Officials say that in cases like these, it is difficult to prove the guilt of the accused. The serial blasts at three places - Sarojini Nagar, Paharganj and Kalkaji- on 29 October 2005 had claimed 67 lives and injured over 225 persons. Additional sessions judge Reetesh Singh today acquitted two accused Mohd Rafiq Shah and Mohd Hussain Fazli of all the charges. However, he held the third accused, Tariq Ahmed Dar, guilty of being a member of a terror outfit and giving support to it, but let him off too, saying he has already undergone more than 10 years in jail, which is the maximum punishment prescribed under the law for these offences. The court also said the prosecution had failed to prove the guilt of those who were acquitted. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Portuguese prosecutors today charged Angolan Vice President Manuel Vicente with corruption over allegations he bribed a magistrate with roughly 760,000 euros (USD 800,000) in 2012 to drop two investigations against him. Vicente, who was the president of Angolan national oil company Sonangol at the time of the alleged crimes, is charged with bribery, money laundering and document falsification, the public prosecutors' office said in a statement. His alleged accomplices, his lawyer Paulo Blanco and his business representative in Portugal, Armindo Pires, were also charged over the affair, as was the Portuguese magistrate who he is accused of having bribed, Orlando Figueira. Figueira, who was arrested in 2016 and is currently under house arrest, was charged with accepting bribes, document falsification, money laundering and violation of the confidentiality of an official investigation. Vicente has denied any involvement in the affair, saying shortly after Figueira's arrest that he had "absolutely nothing to do with any payment". He will be notified of his indictment through an official letter sent to the authorities in Angola, an oil and diamond rich former Portuguese colony in southwestern Africa, the prosecutors' office said. According to Portuguese media reports, one of the investigations which Figueira allegedly dropped in exchange for cash centred on the origin of funds which Vicente used to buy a luxury apartment in a Lisbon suburb. In 2012, attempts to investigate alleged money laundering and tax evasion by several Angolan officials in Portugal sent a chill in relations between the two countries, which have strong economic ties. Portugal is Angola's main source of imports and Portuguese companies are active in banking and construction in the vast African country. In turn, Angolan investors including state oil company Sonangol -- currently headed by billionaire businesswoman Isabel dos Santos, the daughter of Angola's President Jose Eduardo dos Santos -- have built up significant stakes in Portugal's top telecommunications firms and banks. Dos Santos announced earlier this month he will not run in elections in August, signalling the end to 37 years in power and naming his defence minister Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco as the candidate to succeed him. Vicente was once considered to be a possible successor to Dos Santos. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Activist lawyer Prashant Bhushan today sought quashing of a defamation complaint filed against him, Arvind Kejriwal and others by former Union Minister Kapil Sibal's lawyer son Amit Sibal in Delhi High Court. Senior advocate Shanti Bhushan, appearing for his lawyer son Prashant, submitted before the high court that there is no allegation which had cast "aspersion" on Amit Sibal or harmed his "reputation". The counsel also told Justice I S Mehta, if it was said that Amit is the son of a minister, it does not lower his moral character. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had held a press conference on May 15, 2013, alleging conflict of interest on part of Sibal, saying he had appeared in the court for a telecom firm when his father was the Union Communications Minister. Following the accusation, Amit Sibal had filed the defamation complaint. The trial court had then issued summons to them on July 24, 2013. Referring to the press conference in which Kejriwal, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Prashant was present, Bhushan also submitted "even the worst criminal has right to be represented through counsel of their choice". "It was a compliment that he (Amit) he was representing the company. It was compliment that his father was a telecom minister," Bhushan, who is also former Law Minister, said. He submitted that whatever was said there, was against Kapil Sibal and not against his son Amit. The arguments which remained inconclusive will resume on March 20. The apex court on November 17 last year had remanded back the matter to the high court to decide the plea of Kejriwal and others seeking discharge in the case. It had made it clear that the trial court proceedings in the defamation complaint would continue. The high court had in its order on January 16, 2014 asked the trial court to consider the pleas of Kejriwal and others seeking discharge from the defamation case. It had also refused to quash the defamation proceedings against them. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Raipur police today got five-day transit remand of Udayan Das, accused of killing his parents and girlfriend. Chief Judicial Magistrate Arun Kumar Nandi granted the the plea of Raipur police that the presence of Das was necessary as he was an accused in the killing of his parents there. Das, also an accused in the killing of his girl friend Akansha Sharma in Bhopal, today made a statement to magistrate Sangeeta Chatterjee under 164 CrPC in connection with the case. Das allegedly killed his parents and buried them in the lawns of their house in Raipur seven years ago. He also allegedly killed his girlfriend and entombed her body last year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Saudi Arabian Interior Ministry says authorities have arrested 18 suspects belonging to the Islamic State group, including bomb makers. Maj Gen Mansour al-Turki, a ministry spokesman, said in a statement today that the suspects, including Yemenis, were arrested in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina and two other cities. He added that the suspects had different roles, including logistical operations and recruitment, as well as providing shelter and financial support to the militants. Al-Turki said the suspects had experience in making explosives and suicide vests. Saudi Arabia has been targeted by a number of deadly suicide bombings and other attacks claimed by the Islamic State group in recent years. The country is part of the US-led coalition fighting the group in Iraq and Syria. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Shares of SBI and its associates rose sharply by as much as 13.5 per cent today after the Cabinet approved their merger, a step aimed at strengthening the sector through consolidation of public banks. The scrip of State Bank of Mysore soared 13.54 per cent, State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur zoomed 10.86 per cent, State Bank of Travancore jumped 10.54 per cent while SBI gained 3.10 per cent on BSE. Seeking to create a global-sized bank, the Cabinet yesterday gave the go-ahead to the merger plan of SBI and its five associates. However, no decision was taken on the proposal to merge the Bharatiya Mahila Bank with SBI. The merger of associate banks is likely to result in recurring savings, estimated at more than Rs 1,000 crore in the first year, through a combination of enhanced operational efficiency and reduced cost of funds, an official statement said. The two unlisted associate banks which will be merged with SBI are State Bank of Patiala (SBP) and State Bank of Hyderabad (SBH). (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia today accused Shiv Sena and BJP of indulging in corruption in Briahanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and neglecting development of the city. Scindia, who participated in a roadshow for the February 21 BMC polls, in suburban Andheri this evening, said Sena and BJP ruled BMC for the last 20 years, but did not transform it. "Had they wanted, they could have made Mumbai the most beautiful city not only in India, but in the world. However, there was no will to do so," Scindia said. Mumbai Congress president Sanjay Nirupam accompanied Scindia in the road show. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Actress Kangana Ranaut says her "Rangoon" co-stars Shahid Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan are incredible actors and she is fortunate to share screen space with them. "Rangoon" a love story set against the backdrop of World War II and brings together the three actors on-screen for the first time. "They are incredible actors. They are amazing with Vishal Bhardwaj sir (director) and he has given them wonderful characters in the films that he did with them. They are both very special, very natural and spontaneous. "I feel fortunate to be working with great actors like them. I liked Saif as Langda Tyagi in 'Omkara' and Shahid was incredible in 'Haider'. They (Bhardwaj and Saif and Vishal and Shahid) have great tuning and they had same energy for this film ("Rangoon")," Kangana told PTI. Praising Bhardwaj the 29-year-old actress says that the filmmaker has the courage to deal with subjects which no one will ever think of bringing on-screen. "He has courage to take on subjects which are different like 'Rangoon' is a love story in the backdrop of world war II. It is a very courageous move and not many filmmakers will present a love story in rugged and rustic backdrop of war." "He has that undying desire to push the envelope and go beyond what people expect from him," she adds. In the movie the "Queen" star portrays the life and times of Mary Ann Evans aka Fearless Nadia, Bollywood's first original stunt-woman still remembered for her fiery role in the movie "Hunterwali". "She (Fearless Nadia) is a stunt woman and it's an amalgamation of many characters in the film. I am known to speak my mind and to say things that I stand for is right.. That sort of conviction and identity was important for the role. "I feel this character has landed in my lap because I signify that part (fearless) in today's contemporary actresses that we have today." Produced by Sajid Nadiadwala and Viacom 18 Motion Pictures the film is scheduled for release on February 24. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's daughter Maryam owned four flats in the upscale Mayfair locality in London for six months in 2006, a media report quoted the counsel for the Sharif family as telling the Supreme Court today as it heard the high-profile Panamagate case. Sharifs' counsel Salman Akram Raja told the five-judge bench - which is hearing a slew of petitions filed against the Prime Minister's family over alleged corruption - that Maryam had been a legal beneficiary of the London flats in the Park Lane neighbourhood from February to July 2006 as she possessed bearer shares regarding ownership being a trustee. He claimed, however, that in July, the shares were registered in the name of Minerva Services Limited, a company which the premier's family previously identified as a "service provider" to Nielsen and Nescoll - offshore companies owned by Sharif's son Hussain Nawaz. Following this, Justice Azmat Saeed Sheikh called for documentary evidence which could show the authorised representatives of Minerva Services, The Express Tribune reported. In his response, the Sharifs' counsel said Minerva was authorised by a trustee service company which is now owned by the Prime Minister's son. Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan expressed his surprise that the Sharif family seem to have acquired expensive apartments in London without any documentary evidence to establish ownership or a money trail for the purchases, the report said. Meanwhile, Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, who is heading the bench, observed that the court was still conducting proceedings of an adversarial nature, but after completion of arguments by counsels of both parties, it will see whether inquisitorial proceedings should be initiated. Justice Khosa asked Raja if he was telling the court that the Sharif family did not possess any relevant documents and insisted that the Qatari prince should be asked to explain how the Sharifs acquired the London properties. The judge went on to add that the Sharif family was making a gamble which could go either way. Justice Khosa also wondered what would be the spirit of accountability if the Sharifs failed to produce the necessary documents in court. The apex court after a hiatus of two weeks resumed hearing of the Panamagate case involving Prime Minister Sharif and his children. Prime Minister Sharif has denied any wrongdoing. The case is about alleged illegal money laundering by Sharif in 1990s when he twice served as Prime Minister to purchase assets in London. The assets surfaced when Panama papers showed that they were managed through offshore companies owned by Sharif's children. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The two-day South Asian Speakers' Summit, the invitation to which was declined by Pakistan, will begin from February 18 in Indore. Gender equality and Climate Change are the subjects likely to dominate the deliberations at the summit, which is jointly organised by the Indian Parliament and Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). The main agenda of the summit is to discuss about achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs). The summit will be inaugurated by Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan. Besides her, presiding officers of Parliament from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka will also participate in the summit. "The Indore Summit provides an international platform to the parliamentarians of the South Asian region to collectively discuss the developmental concerns of the area," Lok Sabha Secretariat said in a statement. Earlier in January 2016, speakers of Parliament from South Asia had met for the first time in Dhaka, Bangladesh and discussed ways and concrete action for the Parliaments of the region to help implement the SDGs. The Dhaka Declaration highlighted the importance of strong Parliamentary action on the SDGs and established the South Asian Speakers' Forum on Achieving the SDGs. It was decided that the forum should meet once a year to discuss progress and implementation of the SDGs. The present summit in Indore is being held following the declaration taken at Dhaka. Meanwhile, India had invited Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan, Sardar Auaz Sadiq, for the regional summit but the invitation was declined. Besides Pakistan, Myanmar which is also among the member countries, had also turned down the invitation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Claiming that party chief Akhilesh Yadav has given his consent, Ribu Shrivastava today filed her nomination papers as SP candidate from Varanasi Cantonment Assembly seat, alloted to Congress following an alliance between the two parties. Her name was declared as a Samajwadi Party candidate from the constituency in the list which was announced earlier by former SP state president Shivpal Yadav, before the Congress-SP alliance. Following the alliance, the seat was allotted to Congress and the name of party leader Anil Shrivastava figured in the joint list released by the Congress-SP alliance. Shrivastava had already filed his nomination papers on Tuesday. When asked that a Congress candidate had already filed his nomination papers, Ribu, after filing her papers at the District Collectorate here said, "UP CM Akhilesh Yadav had given me his consent to contest from the seat on SP's symbol 'bicycle' and it was the matter for the senior leadership to decide who would contest from here." She claimed that she had been campaigning in the constituency as a SP nominee for the past 12 months, and "my name was announced even before the two parties formed an alliance". Ribu said the Congress candidate had already lost the seat thrice and "she was the most suitable candidate from the seat, which is won by BJP for the last 30 years. She also said "I was in Lucknow for last two days and came straight to file my nomination papers here, after getting the consent from the UP CM." Now, both the Congress and the SP candidates will contest from the seat on their party symbols. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy says he thinks a deal can quickly be worked out with Britain to defend the rights of British expats in Spain after Brexit. "I am absolutely convinced that we will reach an agreement so that these people will not be affected by political decisions," Rajoy told AFP in an interview this week. Up to one million Britons are estimated to be living in Spain, many of them pensioners enjoying sunnier climes. They currently receive healthcare coverage under EU mechanisms that give them the same treatment as locals, but this access could become prohibitively expensive once Britain leaves the EU. "I hope that we will soon be able to tell them: Don't worry, nothing is going to change for the Spaniards in the United Kingdom, nor for the Britons in Spain," he said. He said the negotiations would start after an EU summit that will convene once Britain formally begins its EU divorce proceedings, expected for the end of March. He also noted the importance of British tourism to his country, which attracts more visitors from Britain than any other country. "Last year 17 million Britons came to Spain, and we want that to continue," he said. "They like it, and so do we." Rajoy also reiterated that he would use Brexit to renegotiate with London the status of Gibraltar, the tiny territory on Spain's southern tip that was ceded to Britain in 1713. "We are going to ask that all decisions affecting Gibraltar be made bilaterally between the United Kingdom and Spain," he said. Madrid has recently offered dual citizenship to Gibraltarians in exchange for joint sovereignty of the territory, which offers strategic control of access to the Mediterranean. "I think that our proposal of shared sovereignty is quite reasonable," Rajoy said -- although both London and the government of Gibraltar have rejected the idea. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) State-owned oil firms IOC, BPCL and HPCL have cornered a third of the 31 small discovered oil and gas fields awarded in the first auction in more than six years. Touted as an auction round that would replicate the shale gas revolution of the US, half of the fields went to new and lesser known entrants like engineering company Megha Engineering & Infrastructure, KEI-RSOS Petroleum, Enquest Drilling and Nippon Power. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs yesterday approved award of 31 fields out of 34 that received bids in the auction that closed on November 21. These fields, which hold in place reserves of 62 million tonnes of oil and oil equivalent gas, can cumulatively produce a peak of around 15,000 barrels of oil per day and 2 million standard cubic meters per day of gas, the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH) said in a statement. The peak oil and gas output envisaged is about two per cent of India's current oil and gas production. "It has been estimated that the indicative gross revenue over economic life would be approximately Rs 46,400 crore of which royalty collection and government's revenue share is expected to be around Rs 5,000 crore and Rs 9,300 crore, respectively," it said. Development of these small oil and gas fields is crucial in achieving Prime Minister Narendra Modi's target of reducing oil imports by 10 per cent by 2022. Akhil Teja Natural Resources Ltd, which was incorporated just three days prior to close of the bidding, had bid for the most number of 17 fields. But it drew a blank with the CCEA not even accepting its solo bid for three onland blocks, according to analysis of list of awardees approved by CCEA. Bharat PetroResources Ltd, a unit of Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd (BPCL), won the most number of 5 fields. It had put in a bid for eight. Indian Oil Corp (IOC) bagged three fields, the same number as new entrant PFH Oil and Gas Pvt Ltd got. Hindustan Petroleum Corp Ltd's upstream arm, Prize Petroleum won two fields on its own and one in consortium with Hindustan Oil Exploration Co (HOEC) and Oil India Ltd. HOEC, which had in all bid for eight fields, won another field in consortium with newcomer Adbhoot Estates Pvt Ltd. Nippon Power Ltd two out of the eight fields it had bid for. OilMax Energy Pvt Ltd too won two fields. South Asia Consultancy, which on its website shows its office being located in Ahmedabad, is the only "foreign" company to have won a field - the South Patan field in Gujarat that was most contested, receiving 10 bids. Upstream regulator DGH listed South Asia Consultancy as a foreign in its list of block awardees. Sun Petrochemicals Pvt Ltd, a privately owned company formed by the directors of drugmaker Sun Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd, won one block. In all 46 fields, which were taken away from state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) and Oil India Ltd (OIL), were put on bidding 34 of them received bids. At the close of the bids on November 21 last year, 34 areas were sought for, with 14 getting single bids. All the 26 on land areas had received bids, although 9 had only single bidders, including three from Bengaluru-based Akhil Teja Natural Resources Ltd. Of the 20 offshore blocks on offer, only 8 received bids, 5 of which were single company offers. Cairn India, which bid for two fields, returned empty handed. Hardy Exploration of the UK too was unsuccessful in its bid for one field. Adani Welspun won one field. The 46 fields offered in the bid round were made up of 67 oil and gas discoveries "surrendered" by the state-owned ONGC and Oil India Ltd on finding them commercially unviable to develop under price control regime. ONGC as also Reliance Industries did not bid in the round. "It is expected that in-place locked hydrocarbons volume of 40 million tonnes oil and 22 billion cubic metres of gas will be monetised over 15 years. The production from these contract areas will supplement the domestic production," an official statement issued after the CCEA meeting yesterday had said. A Swedish court today sentenced a Syrian jihadist to life in prison for participating in a 2012 mass execution of seven regime soldiers in northwestern Syria. As a member of an armed Islamist group, 46-year-old Haisam Omar Sakhanh took part in a May 2012 attack to capture the seven men and in their execution two days later, the Stockholm district court said in a statement. He killed one of the soldiers with an assault rifle, it said. In early 2013, Sakhanh left Syria and sought asylum in Sweden, where he was granted a residence permit. The New York Times had in September 2013 published a video showing him participating in the execution of the soldiers, who were not identified. Sakhanh, who was arrested in central Sweden in March last year, admitted being in the video but argued he was ordered to carry out the execution by his senior commanders and that a legitimate court had handed down the death sentence after a fair trial. The Stockholm court rejected his claim of a legitimate trial, and said his actions were "a violation of international humanitarian law" and "a serious crime against the law of nations." "In this case it has been proven that less than two days passed between the capturing of the soldiers and the execution," the court said. It said the soldiers had "been executed under particularly cruel circumstances". The victims had been forced to kneel and several of them had their hands tied behind their backs. "The victims had substantial injuries after having been subjected to grievous bodily harm and entirely lacked the ability to defend themselves," the court said. Before fighting in Syria, Sakhanh spent 10 years in Italy working as an electrician in Milan, according to Italian media. Sakhanh was arrested in February 2012 in Rome for violent behaviour during a protest against President Bashar al-Assad outside the Syrian embassy in the Italian capital but did not attend his trial the following month. In August, Sweden sentenced another Syrian man to eight years in prison for war crimes. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A convoy set to deliver aid to the besieged Syrian area of Waer should be cleared by Damascus as a "goodwill" gesture ahead of peace talks in Geneva next week, the UN said today. Trucks filled with life-saving supplies are scheduled to go to Waer tomorrow after receiving initial government approval, the head of the United Nations-backed humanitarian taskforce for Syria, Jan Egeland, told reporters. But convoys have repeatedly been blocked at last minute by military or administrative obstacles. "We have lined up convoys to Al-Waer to go tomorrow and to a number of other besieged and hard-to-reach locations in the coming days, which will be very important as a sign of goodwill as political negotiations are scheduled in Geneva," Egeland said. Waer is the last remaining opposition stronghold in the central province of Homs. Egeland said that with UN-brokered talks due to resume in Geneva on February 23 the Waer convoy was "a test case" after the government indicated it would strive to allow more aid through. Rebel groups also regularly block convoys to areas they have under siege. Egeland raised alarm over the looming prospect of starvation in the so-called "four towns", a group that includes government-controlled Fuaa and Kafraya in northwestern Idlib province as well as Zabadani and Madaya, two rebel-held towns near Damascus. An elaborate deal to sustain aid flows to the four towns has largely stopped functioning, according to the UN. "If we are not reaching the four towns... Very soon we will see the scenes that we saw when the (humanitarian taskforce) started a year ago: people starving", he further said. There are currently 80 people in the four towns in need of urgent medical evacuation, Egeland added. As the UN readied for talks next week, representatives from the Syrian government and rebel groups were in Kazakhstan's capital Astana, for discussions brokered by Russia, Turkey and Iran. The Astana talks are expected to focus mostly on bolstering a faltering six-week truce and have been billed as a prelude to broader negotiations in Geneva. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Representatives from the Syrian government and rebel groups held fresh talks today with key powerbrokers Russia, Turkey and Iran aimed at shoring up a fragile ceasefire. The meeting is the second time key players Moscow, Ankara and Tehran have brought the warring sides together, and comes ahead of a new round of UN-led talks on Syria in Geneva on February 23. The latest round of discussions is expected to focus mostly on bolstering a faltering six-week truce and has been billed as a prelude to broader negotiations in Geneva. The regional brokers met separately for talks with regime and rebel delegates today in the Kazakh capital Astana. It appeared unlikely that the two sides would meet one-on-one, but a plenary session involving all parties was scheduled. A first set of talks on Syria that took place in Astana in January saw the rebels refuse to talk directly to the regime and did not result in any significant breakthrough. Rebel spokesman Yehya al-Aridi told AFP Wednesday the opposition was sending a a "smaller" delegation than the one it sent for the talks last month. The rebels, who initially cast doubt over their participation in the latest meeting, will be led by Mohammad Alloush, a leading figure of the Army of Islam (Jaish al-Islam), he confirmed. The Syrian regime is represented in Astana by its ambassador to the UN, Bashar al-Jaafari. Moscow has increasingly taken the lead on pushing talks over Syria after its military intervention on the side of leader Bashar al-Assad helped turn the tables in the protracted conflict. While Russia and Iran back the regime with military might, Turkey has supported rebels fighting to oust Assad. Moscow says the Astana process is meant to support the Geneva talks, but there has been speculation that it is working with Ankara to cut the West out of shaping Syria's future. As the talks were set to begin in Astana, UN envoy Staffan de Mistura was in Moscow for talks with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu. "Now is the right time to step up efforts to normalise the political process in Syria," de Mistura told Lavrov in comments translated into Russian by the state-run TASS agency. De Mistura's office is being represented by a technical team at the Astana meet. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 26-year-old man, accused of theft, allegedly committed suicide in a police lock-up in Chhattisgarh's Korba district, following which four policemen were suspended. Dinesh Namdeo was found hanging inside the lock-up of Hardibazar police outpost early this morning, said the district superintendent of police D Shravan. Hardibazar is located around 30 km from Korba town. Several thefts had been reported in the area early this month following which 14 suspects including Namdeo, a native of Bagichapara in Hardibazar village, were rounded up on February 14. Yesterday morning, all others were released as Namdeo admitted to the crimes, SP Shravan said. Based on his statement, the stolen items were to be recovered today, he said. CCTV footage of the lock-up showed that Namdeo tore a strip of the blanket given to him and hanged himself from the ceiling fan, the SP said, claiming that he hadn't been tortured by the police. A three-member departmental team would probe the incident, and also a judicial enquiry will be conducted by magistrate (class-I) Sumit Kapoor, the SP said. Meanwhile, in-charge of the police outpost Mansingh Rathiya, head constable Maruti Mahant and constables Santosh Chaudhary and Laxmi Narayan Baghel were suspended for negligence, while constable Bilfred Masih was shunted out. Relatives of the deceased, villagers and local Congress leaders including Korba MLA Jaisingh Agrawal protested against the police outside the outpost. Congress leaders demanded compensation and jobs for Namdeo's family members. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Three persons have been arrested for their alleged involvement in the violence at a private hospital in southern part of the city following the death of a patient there. Rakesh Dhanuk (25), Jiauddin and Sk Sony (22) were arrested from their respective residences in Khidirpore area of the city late last night during raids, a senior official of Kolkata Police said this morning. "The three persons have been arrested after going through CCTV footages we got from the hospital authorities. They have been spotted ransacking the hospital premises during yesterday's violence. We are looking for others also," the officer told PTI. (Reopens Ces1) Meanwhile, normal operation resumed at the CMRI hospital, a senior official of the medical facility said today. "Admission at our hospital was stopped for sometime yesterday but it resumed and we have started the process today again," CMRI CEO Dr Shantanu Chattopadhyay told reporters today. Dr Chattopadhyay rubbished "medical negligence" on part of the doctors as the reason of the death of the patient as alleged by family members. The CEO also said that the maintenance of proper law and order was a matter of the state government. Meanwhile, the three persons arrested by Kolkata Police in connection with the violence at the CMRI was remanded to police custody till Saturday when produced at a city court this morning. "We have spotted more people vandalising the hospital premises. We have launched a search for them and hopefully we will nab them soon," a senior official said. Director Ali Abbas Zafar chose not to divulge much information about his supposed third collaboration with superstar Salman Khan, which is apparently the remake of South Korean drama film "Ode to My Father". Salman and Ali worked in last year's blockbuster "Sultan" and have teamed up again for the sequel of "Ek Tha Tiger", titled "Tiger Zinda Hai". There were reports that the duo will also work on the Indian adaptation of "Ode To My Father". When asked about the same Ali told reporters, "It's too early to speak about it. First, I am going to start 'Tiger Zinda Hai,' next month. That's my next film. I am excited about teaming up with Salman again. It is always great to work with him." He was speaking at the special screening of Shoojit Sircar's upcoming production, "Running Shaadi", last night. Starring Taapsee Pannu and Amit Sadh in lead roles, the film is scheduled for release this Friday. "Ode to My Father", the 2014 drama, was directed by Yoon Je-kyoon and represented Korean history. It is a story about a young boy's promise made during the chaos of the Korean War to take care of his family, which ends up spanning 60 years of turbulent modern history. The film's remake rights have been bought by Salman's brother-in-law Atul Agnihotri. The Hindi film will reportedly be set during India-Pakistan partition. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In a bid to check the quality of mobile services, regulator has begun operator-assisted drive test that captures real-time data to monitor the level of call drops and voice quality across multiple cities. "The operator-assisted drive tests have started in all the five regions of Trai, and a number of cities have been covered," its Chairman R S Sharma told PTI. The operator-assisted tests have already taken place in Mathura (UP-West circle), Jaisalmer, (Rajasthan), Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh) and Mangalore (Karnataka) among others. Tests are underway or slated to be conducted over the coming weeks in locations include Kalyan, Noida, Jammu, Guwahati-Dispur, Mysore, Hyderabad, Rajkot, Bhopal, and Jhansi, as per the schedule drawn up by the regulator. A new concept by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai), the 'operator-assisted' drive tests are distinct from the independent drive tests conducted by the regulator, as such tests are conducted in co-ordination with telecom service providers. The operator-assisted tests involves the telecom firms' equipment and costs, with the regulator monitoring and supervising the entire process. Last year, independent drive tests were conducted by in Amritsar (August-September), and in Delhi, Hyderabad, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Mumbai, Lucknow, Kanpur, Ahmedabad, Ranchi, Darjeeling, Sikkim and Trivandrum (May-June). Typically, drive tests -- whether TRAI's independent tests or operator-assisted tests -- assess the performance of networks on various quality benchmarks, including call set-up success rate, call drop, blocked calls and Radio Frequency (RF) coverage. On the ongoing Points of Interconnect (PoI) dispute between Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, Sharma said that the regulator will continue to "monitor the situation". "The last I saw, it was quite okay. In case of two operators there were no call failures, and with the third operator there were call failures in certain circles. Secretary will call a meeting soon to take a stock of the situation," he said. Asked about his views on the proposed consolidation in the telecom industry where Vodafone and Idea have begun talks for merger of India mobile operations, Sharma declined to comment saying the regulator has no role to play at this point. "It is a business arrangement and a business activity...So I should not be making any comments on that. I am sure when the business activity is to take place on merger, the processes which are applicable in these cases will be followed," he said. Truebil, a marketplace for pre-owned cars, has secured an investment of USD 3 million from China's leading Venture Capital Fund Shunwei Capital. Truebil had previously raised USD 5.5 million (Rs 35 crore) in Series A funding and plans to leverage the freshly acquired capital to intensify its expansion and strengthen its technological infrastructure. "Truebil plans to utilise the present funding to intensify its operations, invest in skill development and bolster the technological infrastructure of the company," a company release said. ****** Axilor ropes in PayU as industry partner for Accelerator Prog * Early stage fund Axilor Ventures has signed up PayU India as the industry partner for its Accelerator Program. "This engagement will help FinTech startups with one-on-one focussed mentoring, market access and marketing support," Ganapathy Venugopal, co-founder and CEO of Axilor Ventures, said. Axilor has recently announced doubling the intake for its Summer 2017 Accelerator Program. Fintech is one of the five focus areas for the cohort in the Summer '17 batch. Together with PayU India, Axilor aims to improve the odds of success of FinTech startups and make them investible faster, the release said. ******* Mrida launches health and wellness brand 'Earthspired' * Mrida, a social business venture for upliftment of under-served rural communities today said it has launched its brand 'Earthspired' in health and wellness segment. Through Earthspired, Mrida seeks to build distribution channels for products such as millet based ground flour, cookies and healthy snacks, among others, offering health benefits to the end user, the company said in a statement. "Mrida is all about business models for transforming lives, and Earthspired is an offering that fits well into the core philosophy and contributes to the larger Mrida story", said Arun Nagpal, co-founder, Mrida Group. Adani Power allots 2.74 cr shares to warrant holders * Adani Power today said that it has alloted 2.74 crore equity shares with face value of Rs 10 at a premium of Rs 22.54 per piece after warrant holders exercised their right to convert their debt into equity. "The convertible warrant holders, to whom the warrants were allotted in the month of May, 2016 on preferential basis, have exercised their rights for conversion and applied for conversion of part of the warrants into equity shares," Adani Power said in a BSE filing today. "Consequently, management committee of the board of directors of the company at its meeting held on February 16, 2017 has made allotment of total 2,74,09,956 equity shares of the face value of Rs 10 each (with a premium of Rs 22.54 per equity share) to the said convertible warrant holders," it added. * * * * * * Siemens wins order worth Rs 119 cr from Sterlite Power Grid * Siemens today said that it has bagged an order worth about Rs 119 crore from the Sterlite Power Grid Ventures for supply of equipment. The order is for design, engineering, procurement, manufacture, supply and commissioning of equipment of 765/400 kV air insulated switchgear (AIS) substation in Khandwa in Madhya Pradesh and 765kV AIS bay extension equipment at Dhule in Maharashtra for Khargone Transmission Ltd. * * * * * * India Ratings assigns UPPCL bonds stable outlook * India Ratings has assigned Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd's proposed bonds 'Provisional IND AA(SO)' with stable outlook. "India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra) has assigned UP Power Corporation Limited's (UPPCL) proposed Rs 100 billion bonds the 'Provisional IND AA(SO)' Outlook Stable," India Ratings said in a statement. According to statement, the final rating is contingent upon the receipt of final documents conforming to the information already received by Ind-Ra. It said that after the issuance of the proposed bonds, UPPCL (starting from the first day of each quarter of the interest/repayment schedule of the bonds to be issued) would daily remit an amount on a pro rata basis to the UPPCL bond servicing account. Google Maps transit feature extended to 7 more Indian cities * Google India said today it is expanding the transit feature on Google Maps to seven more Indian cities, including Chandigarh, Lucknow and Vadodara. The other cities are Indore, Mysore, Surat and Coimbatore. With the addition of these seven cities to the tally, the transit feature is now available in 16 Indian cities, Google said in a statement. "The new feature will help users better plan their commute around the city, and make it easier to get an overview of public transportation around them," it added. Google Maps globally provides over one billion km worth of transit results every day and has schedules for more than 2.5 million public transit stops worldwide. * * * * * Fitso raised $200,000 from angel investors * Fitso, a health and fitness app, has raised USD 200,000 in funding from a group of angel investors including Sujeet Kumar (ex-president, Flipkart), Bhupender Singh (CEO, Intelenet) amd Yashish Dhaiya (CEO, Policy Bazaar) among others. Fitso intends to invest the funds extensively in product development and expanding its team, it said in a statement. Additionally, the team has also launched multiple offline training classes for running, swimming and triathlon in Delhi NCR and is building a team of coaches to provide personal training, it added. * * * * * PickMyLaundry acquires OneClickWash in an all-cash deal PickMyLaundry, a Delhi-based on-demand dry clean and laundry service provider, has acquired OneClickWash for an undisclosed amount. The all-cash deal will see PickMyLaundry leverage OneClickWash's laundry processing unit, experienced team, and tech infrastructure to improve service efficiency, a statement said. Founded in May 2015 by IIT graduates Gaurav Agrawal, Ankur Jain, and Samar Sisodia, PickMyLaundry offers services in Delhi-NCR and Bengaluru. Post acquisition, both the brands will continue to run as separate entities. * * * * * IAN invests in farMart Indian Angel Network (IAN) has invested an undisclosed investment in Gurugram-based farMart, an agriculture machinery renting platform for farmers. The investment was led by Ambarish Raghuvanshi on behalf of IAN and he has also joined the board of the company, IAN said in a statement. Alekh Sanghera, Mehtab Singh Hans and Lokesh Singh founded farMart in 2016 with a vision to organise the renting market with the help of technology. US President Donald Trump has called on Venezuela to free jailed opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez "immediately," posting a picture of himself and Vice President Mike Pence with Lopez's wife at the White House. "Venezuela should allow Leopoldo Lopez, a political prisoner & husband of @liliantintori (just met w/ @marcorubio) out of prison immediately," Trump tweeted, along with the photo, which also features Florida Senator Marco Rubio. Lopez, the founder of Popular Will, one of the most hardline of the parties opposing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, is serving a 14-year prison term on charges of inciting unrest at anti-government protests that left 43 people dead in 2014. The meeting with Tintori was sure to enrage Maduro, who is already fuming over sanctions slapped on his powerful Vice President Tareck El Aissami, whom US authorities accuse of being involved in drug trafficking. The drug allegations against El Aissami had already raised tensions between Washington and Caracas, which had so far been cautious in its stance towards Trump's new administration. Maduro on Tuesday demanded the United States apologize for the sanctions and vowed to respond "forcefully." Shortly before Trump sent the tweet about Lopez, Maduro had warned the US leader that he would respond with a firm hand to any action by Washington he deemed to be aggressive. "If they attack us, we will not be silent. Venezuela will respond firmly. Those who tangle with us will get an appropriate response," Maduro said on state television. Maduro added that he did not want any "problem with Mr Trump." On Wednesday, Venezuela pulled CNN's Spanish-language television channel off the air, accusing it of spreading "propaganda" about an alleged visa racket at the country's embassy in Iraq. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) President Donald Trump today said his administration has inherited "a mess" both domestically and abroad and blamed "dishonest media" for not giving his adminstration the credit it deserves. "As you know, our administration inherited many problems across government and across the economy. To be honest, I inherited a mess. It's a mess. At home and abroad, a mess," Trump said, speaking at his first solo conference. He said companies are leaving America and jobs are going to Mexico and other places. "Jobs are pouring out of the country; you see what's going on with all of the companies leaving our country, going to Mexico and other places, low pay, low wages, mass instability overseas, no matter where you look. The middle East is a disaster. North Korea. We'll take care of it, folks. We're going to take care of it all," he said at the conference. "I just want to let you know, I inherited a mess. Beginning on day one, our administration went to work to tackle these challenges," he said. Trump said on foreign affairs, his administration has already begun "enormously productive" talks with many foreign leaders, to move forward towards stability, security and peace in the most troubled regions of the world. "We have had great conversations with the UK, and meetings. Israel, Mexico, Japan, China and Canada, really, really productive conversations. I would say far more productive than you would understand," he said. Accusing media of being dishonest to him, Trump said, "The press has become so dishonest that if we don't talk about it we are doing a tremendous disservice to the American people. Tremendous disservice. We have to talk about it. We have to find out what's going on because the press honestly is out of control." "Unfortunately, much of the media in Washington DC, along with New York, Los Angeles in particular, speaks not for the people, but for the special interests and for those profiting off a very, very obviously broken system," he alleged. He said the steps he has taken in the four weeks since he was sworn in "should surprise nobody, especially in the media." "In other words...The media is trying to attack our administration because they know we are following through on pledges that we made, and they are not happy about it, for whatever reason," he said. "But a lot of people are happy about it." Asserting that ISIS has spread like a cancer, he said he has directed his Defence Secretary Gen (rtd) Jim Mattis to submit a plan to defeat the terror group. "He's over there now working very hard to submit a plan for the defeat of ISIS, a group that celebrates the murder and torture of innocent people in large sections of the world. It used to be a small group, now it's in large sections of the world," said the US President. "They've spread like cancer. ISIS has spread like cancer - another mess I inherited," Trump said. Alleging that Iran is the "world's top sponsor of terrorism", he said he has imposed new sanctions on the country, which has "totally taken advantage" of the previous administration. "We are not going to stop until that problem is properly solved. It is not properly solved now, it's one of the worst agreements I've ever seen drawn by anybody," he said. Trump said he ran for President to present the citizens of his country. "I am here to change the broken system so it serves their families and their communities well. I am really talking on this very entrenched power structure, and what we're doing is we're talking about the power structure; we're talking about its entrenchment," he said. "As a result, the media is going through what they have to go through too often times distort - not all the time - and some of the media is fantastic, I have to say - they're honest and fantastic," Trump said. US President Donald Trump has signalled debunking America's long pursuit of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian dispute, saying he could endorse a one-nation solution if it led to peace in the Middle East, but asked Israel to temporarily stop Jewish settlements. Appearing at a joint press conference with visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump hailed the "unbreakable" bond between the two countries after the bilateral relations nosedived under President Barack Obama. At their first face-to-face meeting since his inauguration on January 20, Trump appeared warm to Netanyahu and shook his hands several times throughout the conference. But he politely asked the Israeli head of the government to "hold back" on settlements in territory claimed by the Palestinians for their future state: "for a little bit". Breaking from tradition and international consensus, Trump said he would be open to "alternate solutions" that does not necessarily involve a two-state solution to the six-decades- long Israeli-Palestinian conflict. "It is something that is very different, hasn't been discussed before. It's actually a much bigger deal - much more important deal in a sense," Trump said. "I'm looking at two-state and one-state, and I like the one that both parties like. I'm very happy with the one that both parties like. I can live with either one," he said, adding Israelis "also need to show some flexibility". "We'll work something out but, I think a deal will be made... It might be a bigger and better deal than people in this room even understand," he said, without elaborating. Since 2002, the US has formally backed the two-state solution. But Trump's remarks were the most striking departure for American efforts - and the central theme of the Oslo accords - to establish a Palestinian state alongside Israel as part of a permanent Middle East peace deal. Trump said his administration was looking at moving the US embassy to Jerusalem, but he offered no indication it would happen in near future. Relocating the embassy would signal the American recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. "As far as the embassy moving to Jerusalem, I'd love to see that happen. We're looking at it very, very strongly. Netanyahu did not commit to Trump's request for a hold on settlement construction, and instead set two prerequisites for peace with the Palestinians. "First, the Palestinians must recognise the Jewish state. They have to stop calling for Israel's destruction, they have to stop educating their people for Israel's destruction. "Second, in any peace agreement, Israel must retain the overriding security control over the entire area west of the Jordan River because if we don't, we know what will happen. "We'll get another radical Islamic terrorist state in the Palestinian areas exploding the peace, exploding the Middle East," he said. Netanyahu also made it clear that Palestinians "vehemently reject" both the prerequisites for peace. "The persistent Palestinian refusal to recognise a Jewish state...Is the reason we don't have peace," he said. Netanyahu said he believes the opportunity for peace comes from a regional approach, involving Arab partners in the pursuant of a broader peace with the Palestinians. On the security challenges that Israel faces from Iran, Trump assured Netanyahu the Islamic republic would never be able to make a nuclear weapon. He also termed the nuclear deal between Iran and world powers "the worst" agreement ever. ""My administration has already imposed new sanctions on Iran, and I will do more to prevent Iran from ever developing - I mean ever - a nuclear weapon," Trump said yesterday. Trump also mentioned the "unfair and one-sided actions" against Israel at the UN Security Council, referring to a resolution condemning Israeli settlements, which had triggered a diplomatic fight between Obama and Netanyahu. "This is one more reason why I reject unfair and one-sided actions against Israel at the United Nations - just treated Israel, in my opinion, very, very unfairly - or other international forums, as well as boycotts that target Israel," he said. Netanyahu praised Trump's stand on Iran and radical Islamic terrorism. "Mr President, you've shown great clarity and courage in confronting this challenge head-on. You call for confronting Iran's terrorist regime, preventing Iran from realising this terrible deal into a nuclear arsenal," Netanyahu said. "You have said that the United States is committed to preventing Iran from getting nuclear weapons. You call for the defeat of ISIS. Under your leadership, I believe we can reverse the rising tide of radical Islam. And in this great task, as in so many others, Israel stands with you and I stand with you," he said. President Donald Trump on Thursday announced law school dean R Alexander Acosta as his new labor secretary nominee, one day after his original pick abruptly withdrew from consideration. Trump said Acosta, who did not appear with the president, "has had a tremendous career." He noted that, unlike Puzder, Acosta has been confirmed by the Senate three times and "did very, very well." If confirmed anew by the Senate, Acosta would become the first Hispanic member of Trump's Cabinet. He is now dean of the Florida International University law school. Fast-food CEO Andrew Puzder pulled out yesterday after it became clear he lacked the votes to win Senate confirmation. Trump said he had just spoken with Acosta before coming to the East Room for the hastily arranged conference, where he made the announcement. "I wish him the best," Trump said. At a White House event earlier, he had described Acosta - without identifying him -- as a "star" and a "great person." Acosta has served on the National Labor Relations Board and as a federal prosecutor in Florida. He was named assistant attorney general for civil rights by President George W Bush. Puzder pulled out of the process on the eve of his confirmation hearing, which had been scheduled for Thursday, because Republicans balked at an array of personal and professional issues that dogged him. Puzder said he had employed -- and belatedly paid taxes on -- a housekeeper not authorized to work in the United States. Puzder's withdrawal was the latest example of the disorganized nature of the new administration not known for thorough vetting of its people or its plans. Contentious confirmation fights, a botched rollout of Trump's refugee order and the ouster this week of National Security Adviser Michael Flynn have nearly paralyzed the administration. With regard to Puzder, Republicans grumbled about the stream of "distractions," including the torrent of criticism about his personal life and record as CEO of CKE Restaurants, Inc. What ultimately drained Puzder of enough Republican support for confirmation was his acknowledgment -- well after Trump had become president -- of employing a housekeeper who was not authorized to work in the US. Puzder said he had fired the employee about five years ago. But he did not pay the related taxes until after Trump nominated him on December 9. Puzder said he paid the taxes as soon as he found they were owed, but there was no explanation of why he didn't know or pay for five years. Spokesman George Thompson said yesterday that Puzder did not tell the White House about the housekeeper issue until after he had been nominated. It's unclear whether Trump's aides asked the immigration question before the nomination even though such issues have sunk past presidential nominees. Trump has also taken a hard line on people in the US illegally. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) President Donald Trump announced today he has nominated Alexander Acosta to be the US secretary of labor, the first Hispanic American chosen for his cabinet. Acosta is a former federal prosecutor in Florida and now the dean of the law school at Florida International University (FIU). He has also served on the National Labor Relations Board and led the Justice Department's civil rights division. Acosta was tapped one day after Trump's first nominee for the post, Andrew Puzder, withdrew under pressure over his business record and other past controversies in his personal life. "I think he'll be a tremendous secretary of labor," Trump said of Acosta at a White House conference. "He has had a tremendous career." A Harvard Law graduate, Acosta clerked for Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, before working as a corporate attorney in Washington where he specialized in labor issues. Acosta served as federal prosecutor in Florida for nearly a decade, departing in 2009 after prosecuting high-profile cases involving former lobbyist Jack Abramoff, the Liberian torturer known as Chuckie Taylor and Colombian drug cartel members. Trump had faced criticism for not nominating any member of the Latino or Hispanic community to his inner circle, despite the nation's Hispanic population topping 17 per cent. Cabinet members require confirmation by the US Senate. Puzder, a fast-food executive who faced intense criticism for his labor policies including opposition to minimum-wage increases, withdrew after it became clear he did not have sufficient votes. By nominating Acosta, considered a more mainstream pick than Puzder, Trump was seen as seeking to ease some of the turmoil that has gripped his White House in his first month in office. He has already been confirmed three times by the Senate for various posts, suggesting he should have a smoother ride than the previous nominee. In March 2011, as the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks neared, Acosta testified before a Senate judiciary panel about protecting the civil rights of American Muslims. "These efforts following 9/11 were important. They set a tone," he told Congress. "They reminded those who might be tempted to take out their anger on an entire community that such actions were wrong. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tunisia has extended for another three months a state of emergency in place since a 2015 jihadist attack, the president's office announced today. President Beji Caid Essebsi has decided "to extend the state of emergency for three months from 16 February", his office told AFP. The state of emergency has been in place since a November 2015 jihadist bombing in Tunis that killed 12 presidential guards on a bus. The Islamic State (IS) jihadist group claimed the attack as well as bombings earlier in 2015 at the Bardo National Museum and at a beach resort that killed 59 foreign tourists and a Tunisian guard. They were part of an ongoing jihadist insurgency since a 2011 revolution toppled long-time dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. The government has repeatedly renewed the state of emergency despite its assurances that security has improved in the North African state. The state of emergency grants emergency powers to the police and in theory grants authorities the right to prohibit strikes and meetings likely to provoke "disorder". It also allows measures "to ensure control of the press". Prime Minister Youssef Chahed told local radio station Mosaique FM yesterday that the state of emergency would be "definitively lifted in three months". Defence Minister Farhat Horchani added that there had been a "major improvement" in the security situation. "But as long as our situation is linked to Libya and as long as Libya does not have a government that is in control of the situation... The threat exists," he said. Tunisia shares a 500 kilometre border with Libya, a country plagued by chaos since the 2011 fall of its longtime dictator Muammar Gaddafi. Jihadist groups including IS have taken advantage to set up operations in ungoverned areas of the country. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Turkey today said its armed forces were engaged in "clean-up" operations to clear remaining IS militants from the flashpoint Syrian town of Al-Bab after a weeks-long campaign. The Turkish army, backing Syria rebels, have since December been engaged in fierce fighting to oust the jihadists from the town but Ankara now says Al-Bab is largely under its control. "Al-Bab is now completely surrounded," Defence Minister Fikri Isik told Turkish media in Brussels where he was attending a NATO meeting. "There is a serious clean-up going on inside to clear Daesh (IS) completely," he added. "Once this clean-up is completed, we expected life in Al-Bab to return to normal." Turkey's offensive has been matched by a separate operation by forces of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on the town from the south. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights however said Turkish forces had made little progress since entering the town from the west. It accused Turkey of killing 24 civilians in air strikes. But Turkey's army said it had killed 15 "terrorists" in air strikes, artillery fire and clashes. Isik said the Turkish forces subsequently wanted to move on the town of Manbij but wanted the Kurdish militia fighters who ousted IS there last year to leave first. Isik reaffirmed Turkey was also looking into the possibility of a joint operation with the United States and other powers to take the jihadist bastion of Raqa from IS. But he again insisted that the Kurdish militia -- enemies of Turkey but allies of the US in the fight against IS -- must not be involved in the operation. Isik announced that US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Joseph Dunford would be visiting Ankara tomorrow for talks about the issue. "We will consider whether to do the Raqa operation together," Isik said. "I don't think the US has taken a definite decision on this," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Britain's economy minister Greg Clark said today he was "reassured" by General Motors' plans for its European interests, including Britain's Vauxhall, amid talk of a takeover by France's PSA Group. "There is some way to go in discussions between GM and PSA but I was reassured by GM's intention, communicated to me, to build on the success of these operations rather than rationalise them," the minister said in a statement. GM had recently made "significant investments" at its Ellesmere Port and Luton plants, he said. Clark spoke following a meeting with US auto giant GM's president Dan Ammann in London, two days after it emerged that PSA, which owns the Peugeot, Citroen and DS brands, was in talks to take over GM's European brands Opel and Vauxhall. "I had constructive talks with GM this morning where I emphasised the importance and successful presence of Vauxhall in the UK," Clark added, saying he would stay in close contact with both GM and PSA in the coming weeks. The economy minister will travel to Paris for separate meetings tomorrow with French Industry minister Christophe Sirugue and board members of PSA Group, a spokeswoman for Clark told AFP. The potential purchase of Vauxhall has spooked trade unions as the carmaker employs about 35,000 people in Britain. Len McCluskey, the general secretary of Unite, Britain's largest trade union, said yesterday following a meeting with Clark that his organisation would "not accept any job losses or plant closures". GM's British plants "must be offered the same assurances as those given by the government to Nissan", McCluskey said, as Britain's automobile sector is expected to suffer from Brexit, which would entail leaving the EU's single market. Japanese carmaker Nissan said in October that it would continue to invest in its Sunderland plant after securing guarantees about Brexit from the British government. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The United Nations plans to resume aid operations in the eastern half of the Iraqi city of Mosul on Sunday. They were paused yesterday because of security concerns amid attacks by Islamic State militants. UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said today that after a new security assessment, officials decided the suspension could end. He noted that other organizations have been continuing humanitarian work in eastern Mosul. Mosul is Iraq's second-largest city. IS captured it in summer 2014. Iraq declared Mosul's eastern half "fully liberated" last month. A semblance of normal life returned to many areas, but some neighborhoods have still been hit by insurgent attacks. The IS group is still in control of western Mosul. Iraqi forces have been moving into position ahead of an anticipated assault. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The United States "absolutely" supports a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict but is thinking of new ways to push for a peace deal, US Ambassador Nikki Haley said today. It would be an "error" to say the United States is abandoning its decades-old policy of backing a Palestinian state as part of a final settlement, she told reporters. "We absolutely support a two-state solution, but we are thinking out-of-the-box as well," Indian-American Haley said following a Security Council meeting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. She repeated her statement of support to the two-state solution three times in response to questions from journalists outside the council chamber. The United States wants to help bring the Israelis and Palestinians "at the table to have them talk through this in a fresh way, to say 'okay we're going back to the drawing board: what can we agree on?'" she said. The council earlier heard the UN envoy for the Middle East peace process, Nickolay Mladenov, insist that the two-state solution remains "the only way" to meet the aspirations of the Palestinians and Israelis. Trump announced yesterday that the United States would not insist on a two-state solution to the conflict, stepping back from previous US policy and the international consensus on the peace process. "I'm looking at two-state and one-state, and I like the one that both parties like. I'm very happy with the one that both parties like. I can live with either one," he said at the White House with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Haley accused the United Nations of having an anti-Israel bias. Describing her first council meeting on the Middle East as "a bit strange," she said there was no mention of rockets fired by Hezbollah militants or the threat from Iran, but that discussions had focused on "criticizing Israel, the one true democracy in the Middle East." The US ambassador again described as a "terrible mistake" a council resolution adopted in the final weeks of former president Barack Obama's administration demanding an end to Israeli settlement building on occupied Palestinian territory. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The US and Russian militaries agreed to "enhance communications" after a meeting between their top commanders in Azerbaijan today, the Pentagon said. Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Joe Dunford and his Russian counterpart Valery Gerasimov discussed military relations between the two countries as well as security in Europe, the Middle East and elsewhere during their meeting in the capital Baku. The two sides "have undertaken efforts to improve operational safety of military activities in order to decrease the prospects for crisis and avoid the risk of unintended incidents," the Pentagon said in a statement. "The leaders further agreed to enhance communications on such stabilizing measures." The United States and Russia already maintain a permanent military communications line over their air operations in Syria to avoid incidents between their aircraft. The last face-to-face meeting between the two highest US and Russian military officers took place in January 2014 between Gerasimov and Dunford's predecessor Martin Dempsey. The Baku meeting comes amid widespread speculation about the future of US-Russian relations following US President Donald Trump's election. He has said he wants to improve ties with Moscow, prompting concern among many US officials who view Russia as the main threat to US national security, amid a mounting scandal over ties between the Trump team's ties to Russia going back to his presidential campaign. At a meeting of G20 ministers in the German city of Bonn today, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Washington would conditionally consider working with Moscow in some areas, calling on Russia to honor the Minsk peace agreement aimed at ending hostilities in Ukraine. In Brussels today, US Defense Secretary James Mattis rejected a Russian call to immediately restore cooperation with the Russian military. "We are not in a position right now to collaborate on a military level, but our political leaders will engage and try to find common ground or a way forward," he told reporters. Washington suspended all military cooperation with Moscow following Russia's annexation of Ukraine's Black Sea peninsula of Crimea in 2014. But their military leaders have continued to maintain direct contact by phone and video conferences, the Pentagon said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Turkey's defence minister says the US chief of staff, Gen Joe Dunford, will arrive in Turkey tomorrow for talks on a possible joint operation to recapture the Islamic State group's Syrian stronghold of Raqqa. Fikri Isik told reporters in Brussels that Dunford's visit to Ankara would help Washington assess whether Turkey and the United States could act jointly. Turkey strongly objects to Syrian Kurdish fighters' participation in any operation to liberate Raqqa. It is pressing the US to stop supporting Syrian Kurdish groups that Ankara considers to be "terrorists" because of their links to outlawed Kurdish rebels in Turkey. Isik said the impression he had from meetings with US officials was that the new US administration does not intend to use Syrian Kurdish forces to retake Raqqa. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US Ambassador Nikki Haley says the United States absolutely supports a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and anyone who thinks it doesn't is in "error." The Trump administration's new Indian-American UN envoy told reporters today that "we are thinking out of the box as well, which is: What does it take to bring these two sides to the table? What do we need to have them agree on?" Haley's comments were far more forceful in support of a two-state solution than President Donald Trump's yesterday. He said: "I'm looking at two-state and one-state, and I like the one that both parties like." Haley said the solution to the conflict has to come from the Israelis and Palestinians but she stressed: "We absolutely support a two-state solution. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) American defence major Lockheed Martin today said discussions are currently taking place between the US and Indian governments on the company's plans to set up manufacturing base for F-16 fighter jets in India. "The conversation has progressed to the point that we are deferring at this point to the government-to-government conversation. And that conversation is ongoing," a top company official told reporters at Aero India 2017 air show here. The comments from Randy Howard, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, Integrated Fighter, Director, Business Development, came when asked about its move to push ahead with its plan to move production of its F-16 to India, but that the Trump Administration is taking a "fresh look" at its proposal. "We had really very strong support up to this point. We are deferring those questions and concerns over to governments who are having an ongoing conversation. The discussions have progressed to the point that the requirements need to be more fully articulated...," he said. "There are a number of internal discussions going on here in India on strategic partners. Discussions between the two governments at this point. We will wait to hear from the two governments and Lockheed Martin is fully supportive of those decisions," he said. Lockheed had said recently that its officials have briefed the Trump Administration on the current proposal, which was supported by the Obama Administration as part of a broader cooperative dialogue with the Government of India. Trump has flayed US firms for having moved manufacturing overseas and then sell their products back to the US and asked them to produce in the US itself. Lockheed, however, does not plan to sell back F-16 in the US which has not placed fresh orders for it. In August last, Lockheed had offered to move its lone production line of the latest version of F 16-Block 70 to India from Texas to meet Indian and global requirement. However, the company has made it clear the proposal is "conditional" to Indian Air Force choosing the world's largest-sold fighter aircraft for its fleet. "We understand that the Trump Administration will want to take a fresh look at some of these programmes and we stand prepared to support that effort to ensure that any deal of this importance is properly aligned with US policy priorities," a Lockheed Martin official had said recently. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The United States is not yet ready to cooperate militarily with Russia, Pentagon chief James Mattis said today after Moscow's defence minister called for better ties. "We are not in a position right now to collaborate on a military level, but our political leaders will engage and try to find common ground or a way forward," Mattis told reporters at a NATO summit in Brussels. Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said earlier in Moscow that he was "ready to restore cooperation with the Pentagon," and President Vladimir Putin called for Russian intelligence agencies to bolster contacts with their US counterparts in the fight against terrorism. The back-and-forth remarks come as President Donald Trump faces a growing crisis over ties between Russia and members of his campaign team. And the new president has repeatedly praised Putin, calling for better cooperation with Russia, including in the fight against the Islamic State group in Syria. But Mattis, a former Marine general, said Russia must first "prove itself" and follow international law before the US and NATO can consider closer military ties. "The point about Russia is they have to live by international law just like we expect all nations on this planet to do," Mattis said. The new Pentagon chief's visit to NATO, his first trip to Europe, was closely watched by jittery partners concerned over the potential Kremlin-White House ties. Trump's national security adviser Michael Flynn was forced to quit this week over allegations he had discussed US sanctions with Russia's ambassador before taking office. Mattis yesterday had issued a blunt warning to NATO, saying the 28-member alliance needed to meet earlier spending pledges or else America would "moderate" its commitment. When asked for clarification about what that might mean, Mattis said the trans-Atlantic bond is "as strong as I've ever seen it" and stressed America remained "rock solid" in its support of Article 5 -- NATO's core collective-defence tenet that says an attack on any country will be met by a response from the alliance. His comments come as the Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Joe Dunford was set to hold talks with his Russian counterpart Valery Gerasimov in Azerbaijan's capital Baku. Currently, the US-led coalition fighting IS in Syria and the Russian military, which is operating in similar areas to support President Bashar al-Assad, do not cooperate but hold regular phone calls to ensure their jets are not flying missions in the same area. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson today pledged Washington would use the full range of its arsenal, including nuclear weapons, to defend allies Japan and South Korea against North Korea. "The United States remains steadfast in its defence commitments to its allies, the Republic of Korea and Japan, including the commitment to provide extended deterrence, backed by the full range of its nuclear and conventional defence capabilities," Tillerson said in a joint statement after meeting the foreign ministers in Bonn. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The top military commanders from the US and Russia today held their first meeting since Donald Trump became president, as Moscow warned Washington against trying any strongarm tactics. Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Joe Dunford held talks with his Russian counterpart Valery Gerasimov in Azerbaijan's capital Baku, as both sides have mooted potential cooperation against Islamic State jihadists. Russia's defence ministry said in a statement that the two generals "exchanged opinions regarding the condition of Russian-American relations" and on the security situation around the globe. They also determined areas for cooperation in "increasing the security of military activity, decreasing tensions and the risks of accidents," the statement said. Relations between Russia and the US have slumped to their lowest point since the Cold War over Moscow's meddling in Ukraine, and military ties are limited to a system aimed at avoiding clashes in the air over Syria. Trump has repeatedly held out the prospect of cooperating with Russia in the fight against the Islamic State group, a goal that the Kremlin has long been pushing for. The United States insisted, however, that today's meeting between the military bosses was not political in nature and had been planned for months. The talks took place as Trump's administration battles to fend off reports that aides had repeated contact with Russian intelligence during the presidential campaign last year. Ahead of the meeting, Russia's defence minister also hit out at Washington with a warning not to try to negotiate with Moscow "from a position of strength" "We are ready to restore cooperation with the Pentagon," minister Sergei Shoigu said in a statement. "But attempts to build a dialogue from a position of strength in relation to Russia have no prospects." Shoigu was responding to a comment to NATO by new Pentagon chief James Mattis yesterday in which he said Washington wanted to make sure its diplomats had the upper hand in any talks with Russia. "We remain open to opportunities to restore a cooperative relationship with Moscow, while being realistic in our expectations and ensuring our diplomats negotiate from a position of strength," Mattis said in Brussels. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson today said his country will work with Russia if doing so benefits Americans, as Moscow pressed the Trump administration to live up to its promises of improving ties. The cautious statement came after Tillerson's first meeting with Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov on the sidelines of a G20 gathering in the German city of Bonn. "The United States will consider working with Russia when we can find areas of practical cooperation that will benefit the American people," Tillerson told reporters after the talks. "Where we do not see eye to eye the United States will stand up for the interests and values of America and her allies." For his part, Lavrov stressed the common ground between Washington and Moscow. "We cannot solve all problems... But we have a mutual understanding that where our interests coincide, and there are many such spheres, we must move ahead," Lavrov said in comments televised in Russia. Tillerson was in the global spotlight as he made his debut as America's top diplomat after President Donald Trump promised to put US interests first while also offering a softer line on Moscow. But the closely watched encounter with Lavrov took place as Washington reels from the shock resignation of national security adviser Michael Flynn over contacts with Moscow's ambassador and allegations of Russian meddling in Trump's election last year. For his part, Lavrov told Tillerson that Moscow does not meddle in other countries' internal affairs. "You should know we do not interfere in the domestic matters of other countries," he told reporters. But in Moscow, the Kremlin voiced impatience over the lack of progress in bolstering ties since Trump moved into the White House. Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov said the two countries were "wasting time," especially when neither on their own could solve pressing world problems. Separately, President Vladimir Putin called for restoring links between US and Russian intelligence agencies, saying "even a simple exchange of information" could strengthen the fight against terrorism. In an apparent rebuttal, US Defence Secretary James Mattis said at a NATO meeting in Brussels that Washington was not ready "right now" for military collaboration with Russia. Both Tillerson and Mattis were making their diplomatic debuts in Europe, with their counterparts eager to find out what Trump's "America First" policy means for the rest of the world. The US billionaire had alarmed allies by signalling he might reconsider sanctions against Russia and calling the NATO alliance into question, at a time when member states are nervous about a resurgent Moscow. But both Mattis and Tillerson, who has rarely addressed the media since taking office, appeared to ease those concerns on their maiden European visits, signalling no major shift in policy. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US health regulator USFDA has accepted pharma major Mylan's biologics licence application (BLA) for MYL-1401H, a proposed biosimilar Pegfilgrastim, Biocon and have said. The proposed biosimilar Pegfilgrastim is one of the six biologic products co-developed by and Biocon for the global marketplace, the two said in a statement. President Rajiv Malik said: "This is the second BLA accepted for review by FDA as part of the Mylan and Biocon partnership within the past two months." The milestone builds on the acceptance of regulatory filings for proposed biosimilar Pegfilgrastim in Europe, Australia and Canada, he added. "Once approved, proposed biosimilar Pegfilgrastim will complement Mylan's broad oncology portfolio focused on expanding access to more affordable treatments for multiple types of cancer," Malik said. The FDA goal date set under the Biosimilar User Fee Act (BsUFA) is October 9, 2017, the statement said. "The FDA's acceptance for review of our second BLA for a proposed biosimilar developed by Biocon and Mylan is an outcome of our strong R&D and manufacturing capabilities," Biocon CEO and Joint MD Arun Chandavarkar said. Once approved, the proposed biosimilar Pegfilgrastim will provide a high quality alternative to branded Pegfilgrastim (Neulasta) for cancer patients during cytotoxic chemotherapy, he added. Mylan has exclusive commercialisation rights for the proposed biosimilar Pegfilgrastim in the US, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and in the European Union and European Free Trade Association countries, the statement said. Biocon has co-exclusive commercialisation rights with Mylan for the product in the rest of the world, it added. The proposed biosimilar to Neulasta is used to reduce the duration of neutropenia and the incidence of fever associated with neutropenia in adult patients treated with chemotherapy in certain types of cancer. The stock of Biocon was today trading at Rs 1,106.90 in the afternoon trade on BSE, up 1.12 per cent from its previous close. Venezuela has pulled CNN's Spanish-language television channel off the air, accusing it of spreading "propaganda" about an alleged visa racket at the country's embassy in Iraq. The state National Telecommunications Commission ordered "the immediate suspension of broadcasts by the channel CNN in Spanish" in Venezuela, a government statement yesterday said. President Nicolas Maduro had earlier said he wanted the US-based channel "out" of the country, where state media dominate. Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez told reporters the government had "ordered the relevant authorities to take action" against the channel. Shortly after she spoke, the government made its announcement and the channel disappeared from the air, AFP reporters in Caracas said. She branded one of the channel's sources in the report, embassy employee Misael Lopez, a "delinquent." CNN en Espanol on February 6 broadcast a report alleging that Venezuelan passports and visas had been sold at the Baghdad embassy to Arabs who the channel said may have been linked to terrorism. The report named Maduro's new hardline vice president, Tareck El Aissami, as one of those behind the racket. Hardline former interior minister El Aissami, 42, is next in line to Maduro and would take over if the opposition succeeded in its bid to oust the leader in a vote. El Aissami was targeted separately on Monday by US authorities who announced sanctions against him for alleged drug trafficking. Rodriguez said the CNN report was "based absolutely on falsehoods." The channel "has launched an operation of psychological warfare, a war propaganda operation," she said. The US Treasury Department on Monday accused El Aissami and an ally, businessman Samark Jose Lopez Bello, of being major cocaine traffickers. The drug allegations against El Aissami had already raised tensions between Washington and Caracas, which had so far been cautious in its stance towards the administration of new US President Donald Trump. Maduro on Tuesday demanded the United States apologize for the sanctions and vowed to respond "forcefully." Rodriguez lodged a diplomatic complaint yesterday with the US Embassy in Caracas. On Sunday the socialist president said in his own television program: "I want CNN out of Venezuela." The US Treasury department froze the US assets of El Aissami and Lopez Bello, and banned US nationals from doing business with them. The Caracas government credits El Aissami with cracking down on drug trafficking while serving as interior minister. But the US Treasury says he actually oversaw shipments of cocaine from Venezuela to Mexico and the United States. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Wanchos, a tribal community in Arunachal Pradesh today celebrated Oriah festival with traditional and religious fervour. State Legislative Assembly Speaker Tenzing Norbu Thongdok congratulated the community on the occasion and appreciated their efforts to "preserve and protect the rich traditional culture" even as he urged the youth to channelise their energy towards constructive purposes. He even asked the community to adopt cash crops instead of practicing shifting cultivation so as to improve their economy. The rich and varied folk songs and folk dances of the Wanchos also received appreciation by the speaker. Thongdok offered prayers to Rangwantong altar at the festival ground and later fired a shot with a muzzle-loaded gun, an honour given to the chief guest during the festival. Folk dances by the villagers from Konnu in Longding district which also included war dance, bamboo dance and modern dances marked the day-long celebrations. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Freedom fighters or British Army deserters? This was a poser put forth by the information watchdog to the Home Ministry on the status of those who were part of Subash Chandra Bose's Army (Azad Hind Fauj). The case came up for hearing before Information Commissioner Sridhar Acharyulu as Right to Information applicant Prodyot Kumar Mitra could not get details on the status of the INA soldiers who had marched with Bose to fight the occupying British forces and their allies. Directing the Home Ministry to furnish an answer to the applicant within a month of the order issued on February 13, the Information Commissioner pointed out that "the MHA should have taken the responsibility of answering the question regarding revoking of the social stigma attached to the INA veterans". He said it was necessary to clarify the doubt why INA veterans should not be considered freedom fighters and whether the Home Ministry was ready to provide the benefits like pension to the members of INA. The application filed on August 26, 2014 was first transferred to CPIO, Ministry of Defence which further transferred it to Department of Ex-Serviceman Welfare and finally to the Ministry of Home Affairs which again passed it on to the Archives. Four months after Mitra filed the application, Archives offered inspection of records and asked him to cull out the desired information and documents. Acharyulu noted that the Home Ministry was right in transferring the RTI application to the National Archives as far as records are concerned. However, he opined that the Home Ministry was under obligation to explain the logic or reason behind neglecting the members of INA led by Netaji and rejecting them the status of freedom fighters. The was founded by prisoners of wars of British Indian Army captured by the Japanese in Singapore, Malaysia and other countries of Southeast Asia during the World War II. The main task of gathering them and forming the INA was carried out by Rashbehari Bose, one of the stalwarts of the freedom movement. He gave the mantle to Netaji, who took over the leadership of this army in 1943. It was declared to be the army of the Azad Hind, the provisional government formed by Netaji. Huge funds, jewellery and other valuables were donated by Indians living in these countries for the struggle which was being launched at the call of Netaji. The army comprising ex-prisoners and volunteers marched with the Imperial Japanese army against British forces in South East Asia. The INA led a campaign through Burma till Imphal and Kohima and formed a government in Moirang in Manipur by unfurling the national tricolour in the town. However, the campaign was not successful facing stiff resistance from British Indian Army as well as the US allies in Kohima and Imphal. A joint court-martial of hundreds of captured INA soldiers, led by Colonel Prem Sehgal, Colonel Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon, Major General Shah Nawaz Khan, was held during 1945- 46 at the Red Fort. Leaders of independence movement Jawaharlal Nehru, Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru, Kailashnath Katju, Bhulabhai Desai, Asaf Ali, along with Muslim league defended the comrades of Bose despite difference of ideology. However, none of the INA soldiers were inducted in regular army of India. The famous INA trial sparked off massive unrest across the country, including the strike by the ratings (sailors) and officers of the Royal Indian Navy and Air Force -- from the ports of Mumbai and Karachi to Madras, Vishakhapatnam and Calcutta in February 1946. The airmen too struck work at various places including Karachi and Kalaikunda (now in West Bengal). Historians termed this unrest as "the last nail in the coffin" of the British Empire. Iconic portraits and New Mexico landscapes spanning 50 years and featuring a selection of one-of-a-kind vintage prints from each photographers' archives. Edition ONE Gallery is pleased to be expanding west from Canyon Road to join JFD GALLERY in presenting a rare vintage photography exhibition with two of New Mexicos premier long time residents and photographic chroniclers, Lisa Law and Ray Belcher. Both photographers offer a deep knowledge of the scenes and residents of New Mexico. Ray Belcher came to Santa Fe from California in the mid-1970s, having earned a National Endowment for the Arts grant which he used to travel and photograph. A man of true artistic discipline and tradition, Belcher is one of the few photographers who still utilizes the black and white silver gelatin printing process and pursues a life of work based primarily on the skies and landscapes of Galisteo and more recently, Santa Fe. Lisa Law has spent five decades photographing the shifting tides of American culture. Her reputation is built on photographs unique for their startling sense of intimacy and spontaneity as exhibited in her book of photographs, Flashing on the Sixties. Her documentary film, also entitled Flashing on the Sixties won 4 major awards at film festivals upon its release and has been enjoyed by millions of viewers on Cinemax, The Discovery Channel and PBS. Actor-director Dennis Hopper describedFlashing on the Sixties as the most compelling, moving documentary of the Sixties. Lisa's early New Mexico photographs feature intimate portraits of Dennis Hopper and Janis Joplin. She chronicles the hippie migration from the west and east coasts to New Mexico along with their cultural crossings with the traditional elders of Taos Pueblo, and the communities of Truchas, El Rito, Abiquiu and Santa Fe. West Bengal government has decided to introduce optical fibrescopes to enhance security measures in and around state secretariat Nabanna. Secretariat sources said initially ten optical fibrescopes would be provided to the Kolkata Police commandos, in charge of security of the 14-storied building, housing offices of senior officials and ministers including Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The step came after a team of the National Security Guard (NSG) conducted a survey of the security arrangements in and around Nabanna last year and suggested a series of upgradation of the system. "The decision to introduce optical fibrescopes came as per the NSG suggestion. Nabanna being the headquarter of the state is quite an important place and so the state government has taken up the suggestions quite seriously," a senior official told PTI. Elaborating on the optical fibrescope, the official said it is a device connected to a long fibre with a very tiny camera on the top. In case of combating terrorists inside their hideouts, the fibre can be passed in the place even through a tiny hole in the wall to take stock of activities and chalk out a strategy, he explained. "The NSG has been using this device for quite sometime now, but since our commandos do not having this equipment, the decision was taken to provide them with it," he said. "The finance department has already alloted Rs 2.6 crore for the purpose," the official said. As per the NSG's earlier suggestions, 30 high-power CCTVs have already been installed outside the Secretariat and also on Vidyasagar Setu. "These CCTVs have pan-tilt-zoom technologies, using which one can even record the details of the interior of a moving vehicle," he said. It was also learnt that the state government had also purchased advanced security system devices like Real Time Viewing Systems (RTVS), Telescopic Manipulators and Explosive Trace Detectors as per the suggestion of the NSG. According to the official, the state CID had earlier written to the government for release of funds to purchase RTVS and optical fibrescope devices as a part of the upgradation of the force. "It seems that the CID will soon get the nod from the finance department. Hopefully by next month something positive will come up for them," the official said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Britain's biggest retailer will stock its products at a Pakistani supermarket chain, a official said on Thursday, dipping its toes in a country of nearly 200 million with rising consumer spending and a growing middle class. has been expanding rapidly in emerging markets to bolster sluggish growth in western Europe and is among a growing band of attracted by Pakistan's fast-growing consumer market, encouraged by the highest economic growth since 2008 and improved security. "We have agreed on a wholesale partnership with Alpha Supermarkets in Pakistan, under which Tesco products will be stocked at two of its stores," Jared Lebel, head of new market development at Tesco, told Reuters. He said that Limestone Private Limited, which owns the Alpha Superstores chain, planned to open 50 smaller express stores and four Alpha stores stocking Tesco products within the next three years. "We are excited about Pakistan as a market," Lebel said. "A big factor in coming to Pakistan is rising consumer spending." A spokesman for Tesco in London said: "We're looking forward to seeing how customers respond." Fauzia Khuhro, head of business development at Limestone, told Reuters that Tesco products would hit its shelves in about 10 days. "Alpha Supermarkets will be the only retailer in Pakistan that stocks Tesco private-label products," Khuhro said. "We will offer a complete range of Tesco product categories, from food and non-food items to frozen and fresh foods." Tesco's partnership with Alpha Supermarkets was announced by British High Commissioner Thomas Drew and Limestone at a press briefing in Karachi on Tuesday. That the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) did not make fresh observations after inspecting Cadila Healthcare's Moraiya plant in Gujarat could be a turning point for the company. This plant was responsible for more than 60 per cent of the company's US exports and was impacted ever since issues cropped in 2014. Regulatory issues aggravated after the company received a warning letter which forced it to implement remediation measures. The measures seem to have served the purpose, as the company did not receive any negative comments after the US regulator inspected the plant over the last two weeks. The company is on course to sort out various issues raised by the FDA in previous observations, including the warning letter. The latest development will help improve exports to the US, translating into visibility in earnings growth. How important the development is can be gauged by the 20 per cent spike in the company's share price to Rs 429 on Thursday. stock slipped 10.3 per cent on Wednesday, extending its losses for the second trading session. With brokerages cutting their target prices on a weak Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) show and losses in currency market, investors are jittery. The stock has shed 13.5 per cent since results were announced during market hours on Tuesday. CLSA, which downgraded the stock to "sell" from "buy", cut its target price to Rs 405 from Rs 650 on JLR currency-hedging losses, weak management commentary, and lower operating profit margin going ahead for both JLR and the Indian unit. Other brokerages such as Credit Suisse and Macquarie have reduced the target prices by seven to eight per cent after the results. Commercial Feature is a Business Standard Digital Marketing Initiative. The Editorial/Content team at Business Standard has not contributed to writing or editing these articles. For further information, please write to assist@bsmail.in The recurring economic blockades by tribal groups is a major issue in Manipur where the upcoming assembly polls are witnessing a close battle between the ruling Congress and the opposition BJP. Intriguingly, none of the parties has so far stressed on the important issue of employment generation, despite the state having over 800,000 educated unemployed youths out of its less than 2.8 million population. With the 60-seat assembly slated to hold two-phase polls on March 4 and March 8, campaigning is slowly picking up. The Congress is eyeing a consecutive fourth term in office while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) which had only one legislator in the outgoing House is throwing a determined challenge to wrest power. The path ahead looks far from rosy for the Congress due to resignations, anti-incumbency factor and the warning from an outfit to tribal politicians not to contest on tickets of Congress. Phungzathang Tonsing, the number two in the state cabinet for many years, resigned from the Congress despite being given a ticket. "Manipur is a small place and people know what the Congress is doing," Tonsing said cryptically, while declining to elaborate. The Congress got more jolts as Parliamentary Secretary V Valte, lone tribal woman MLA Nemcha Kipgen and some other prominent lawmakers, who had been ministers for a long time, quit the party and crossed over to the BJP. The Congress decision to nominate a Nepali, G Tamang, for the tribal-dominated but unreserved Kangpokpi seat also sparked a controversy and the anti-outsider campaign in the form of a demand for the Inner Line Permit system gained momentum. Finally, bowing to pressure, the Congress withdrew Tamang's ticket and he is now in the fray as an independent. Nineteen seats of the 60 in the assembly are reserved for tribals. Chief Minister Okram Ibobi, who launched his campaign on Sunday, exuded confidence about a Congress victory on the strength of the development work undertaken by the party during its 15 years in power. But he has so far declined to comment on the burning issues of tribals being asked not to contest on the Congress ticket and the controversy generated over Tamang. The BJP and some other parties have assured of a "blockade-free Manipur" if voted to power. The northeastern state has been facing an economic blockade since November 1 last year over the creation of seven new districts. N Biren, a long time Congress minister who is now the BJP spokesperson, said: "The Congress and the United Naga Integration Council had signed an agreement on August 4, 1972. The Congress had agreed, inter alia, that the Naga demands are not unconstitutional and had accepted them." Countering, Ibobi Singh has demanded that the Modi government's framework agreement with the NSCN-IM be disclosed, amidst fear in many circles that it envisages vivisection of Manipur, bowing to the long-standing NSCN-IM demand for "Naga integration". The NSCN has been demanding unification of all Naga-inhabited areas in Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh under the umbrella of Nagaland. This has been opposed by the people and governments of the three states all these years. The Manipur government's consistent position is that the state had a well-defined territory since 33 AD, with a written chronicle stretching for over 2,000 years. The state was merged with India on October 15, 1949. Ibobi Singh pointed out that in 2001, when the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government at the Centre extended the ceasefire with the NSCN-IM without territorial limits, the state had been in flames, with 18 persons losing their lives. Congress on Thursday dismissed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's charge that the party had made a bid on Mulayam Singh Yadav's life, saying the word 'murder' was synonymous with Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah. "The word 'murder' is synonymous with Modi and (Amit) Shah. The killing spree started with the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi by RSS. We are Gandhians from the core of our heart and firm believer of non-violence," AICC General Secretary and in-charge of party affairs in Uttar Pradesh Ghulam Nabi Azad told a news conference here. He was reacting to Modi's remark on the issue of "assassination attempt" on Mulayam in 1984 allegedly involving a Congress leader, which was aimed at driving a wedge into the fledging SP-Congress alliance. Modi had said this at an election rally in Kannauj on Wednesday and questioned SP chief Akhilesh Yadav as to how he could form a coalition with "those who tried to murder" his father. The Prime Minister had also said Akhilesh lacked experience and hence did not know, unlike his father, how "cunning Congress people are". Ahead of the third phase of Uttar Pradesh assembly polls, he exuded confidence that the coalition would bag over 300 seats and storm to power. Asked when Priyanka Gandhi Vadra would campaign, Azad said, "She would definitely do so. Priyanka is already looking after deployment of party leaders across the length and breadth of UP." "Have you seen the Army Chief going to the border to fight the enemy? He monitors everything from his office," he said, referring to Priyanka's role in the party campaign. Azad accused BJP and BSP of having a tacit understanding and alleged that Mayawati had transferred her party's votes to BJP after she got afraid of the fundamentalist elements. "Congress is of the view that there should be no use of religion in politics and electioneering," he said. On the issue of both SP and Congress candidates still in the fray at certain seats, Azad said his party would withdraw its candidate from that constituency where it is weak and SP will do the same at other places. "If any candidate is defiant, he or she will be expelled," he said. Calling himself the adopted son of UP, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said the future of the state could not be ensured without ridding it of the Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party and Congress. Invoking Lord Krishna at an election meeting here to suggest a strong connect between Gujarat and UP, Modi, who represents Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency, said the state was his mai-baap (parents) and he will not desert it. Vote for a full majority to the Bharatiya Janata Party. I promise to show you the ways of all the problems you are facing within five years, he said, telling the crowd that all pollsters had predicted BJP getting massive support in the first two phases of polling. Highlighting the problems faced by the state and its national importance, Modi said poverty will be removed from the country only when it is eradicated from UP. This is the land of Ganga and Yamuna where the land is most fertile with crores of labourours but poverty still exists here...why is this so? There is nothing wrong with the people here or their capabilities or shortage of resources, he said. The banking industry saw a steep fall in its provisioning cost is December quarter of 2016, which fell by fell by 6.8 per cent y-o-y. The fall in the provisioning cost industry came on account of banks keeping low provision against non-performing assets (NPAs) in the quarter. The RBI, as part of its asset quality review, in December 2015, directed banks to compulsorily recognise a major portion of their NPAs by March 2016 quarter and make provisions accordingly. While a major portion of bad loans were identified by banks in the March 2016 quarter, provisions were also kept for fresh slippages during the December 2015-September 2016 quarter. Since banks had already recognized and kept a substantial amount of provision for bad loans from December 2015, a low provision for NPAs was set aside by them in the December 2016 quarter. This led to a fall in the industry's provisioning cost during the quarter. The banking regulator, in November 2016, gave banks additional time up to 180 days from 90 days earlier for hammering out a restructuring package under the scheme for sustainable structuring of stressed assets (S4A). Banks were allowed to divide a company's debt into a sustainable part and unsustainable part, wherein, only the unsustainable portion was to be kept and provided for an aging basis. A major portion of loans under S4A were from manufacturing and power sector. Banks keep maximum provision for NPAs in these two sectors. The relaxation of S4A scheme for loans from steel and power sector compelled banks to keep low provision for NPAs. This reduced the overall provisioning cost during the December 2016 quarter. Bank of Baroda witnessed steepest fall in its provision against NPAs during the December 2016 quarter. It fell by a sharp 74.7 per cent y-o-y to Rs 1,638 crore. Leading banks, ICICI Bank, State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank and Bank of India saw their provision against NPAs fall by 4.6 per cent, 5.2 per cent, 10.7 per cent and 27.4 per cent, respectively. While, provision against NPAs of HDFC Bank grew by 15.4 per cent, owing to high delinquencies from the retail loan segment post-demonetisation, it was much slower than 23.6 per cent growth seen in the December 2015 quarter. As per CMIE estimates, the provisioning cost of banks is likely to fall further in the March 2017 quarter when compared to the year-ago quarter. It is expected to decline by 5-7 per cent y-o-y. The relaxation of setting aside only the unsustainable portion of debt as provision under S4A scheme was applicable from November 2016. This, coupled with substantial portion of provisions for bad loans kept by banks from December 2015 would urge them to keep low provision for NPAs. This would reduce the overall provisioning cost in the March 2017 quarter. In an attempt to boost air links in remote areas of the country, the government is reviving a three-decade-old plan to build its first passenger aircraft. A 14-seat aircraft, called Saras, is undergoing preliminary tests, Bloomberg reported. According to the report, Saras program was conceived about 29 years ago. The report quoted the director of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research at state-controlled National Aerospace Laboratories Jitendra Jadhav who said that India's air force needs to test the aircraft before certifications and sale to commercial airlines. Air Force has committed to purchase 15 of the Saras planes. The process of getting full certification could take as long as three years, Jadhav said. The development of Saras plane suffered a setback in 2009 when a test flight ended in a fiery crash, killing all three crew on board. "India may need a few hundred small planes that can carry less than 30 people over the next five to seven years for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to succeed in his plan to boost air links in remote areas of the country," Bloomberg quoted Sydney-based CAPA Centre for Aviation as saying. In last couple of years, India has revived many defense deals with its aggressive negotiations with manufacturing countries. Not only Saras, India is also reviving a plan to make light helicopters in India. The plan was announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2015. Last year, the Modi government announced its most ambitious regional connectivity scheme UDAN (Udey Desh Ka Aam Nagrik). Under this scheme, the aam aadmi can look forward to fly at fares as low as Rs 2,500. Besides capping ticket prices, the scheme also seeks to provide air services between unserved and under-served areas and is part of larger plans to boost the domestic aviation sector. After the board approval, the government has now also put its stamp on the merger of five associate banks with the State Bank of India (SBI). The SBI - associates merger would be a test case for bigger consolidation to follow in the public sector bank space, which the government is planning. In fact, there are challenges, too. SBI's merger with five associate banks is coming at a time when the banks are facing challenges from digital players like peer to peer (P2P) lenders, digital wallet companies, payments bank and small finance banks. There is also a fear that the management bandwidth would go on resolving the merger pangs. Here are the key challenges. ALSO READ: Why PSBs need another round of big capital infusion i) Branches overlap SBI today runs the largest bank in the country in terms of assets as well as branch network. They have branches in every nook and corner of the country. The associate banks are regional with good branch network in the place they are headquartered. There is going to be a huge overlap of branches in the five states of Rajasthan, Bengaluru, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab and Kerala. ii) Too big to handle The merger is the biggest in the Indian banking industry. We haven't seen a merger of this size. The bank is merging five associate banks with combined assets of over Rs 6.0 lakh crore , which is almost equal to the size of the two largest private banks HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank Ltd. The merged SBI entity would have 24,000 plus branche , 58,000 ATMs and 2.7 lakh employees. ICICI Bank has 4,450 branches , 14,295 and 97,132 employees. In a digital era, many banks are not even talking of setting up branches. The digital wallets, too, will make ATMs irrelevant in the future. ALSO READ: SBI, associate banks' merger gets green signal from govt iii) Associates are mirror image of parent SBI associate banks are a mirror image of the parent. SBI chairman also sits on their board and MD & CEOs came from other associate banks. The product basket has many similarities with focus on infrastructure , agri , home and auto loans. iv) Too big to fail In the post 2008 scenario, the world saw the government bailing out large banks from tax payers money. SBI though is identified by the RBI as a systemically important bank, requiring additional capital in its book for absorbing any future shock. But SBI's size is not comparable with other banks. SBI, with close to Rs 30 lakh crore assets, is way ahead of the two largest private banks - HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank, which are in the region of Rs 7-8 lakh crore. Managing a bank of SBI's size will require more oversight by the regulator. v) A bad bank within a bank This huge portfolio of bad loan makes it a bad bank within a bank. The five associate banks for instance have stressed loans (gross NPAs and restructured loans) at a staggering Rs 35,396 crore level. This amount is almost half of SBI's Rs 66,117 crore stressed loans in 2015-16. It would be a huge task to resolve the bad loans given the challenging operating environment. In an interview with the Irish Times today, KBC Ireland CEO, Wim Verbraeken, discusses the outlook for the bank post the Groups strategic decision to remain in Ireland. Verbraeken claims KBC is targeting 750m (15% increase) of new Irish mortgage lending in 2017. KBC Ireland reported 650m of new drawdowns in 2016 (implied 11.5% share of new mortgage lending). Mr Verbraeken also noted that KBC Ireland are subscale in consumer finance and credit cards. He also reiterated the banks digital first, customer-centric strategy in Ireland, noting KBC is unlikely to add extensively to its 15 branch/hub network. According to Goodbody Stockbrokers, "KBC is targeting a 10% share of the Irish retail and micro-SME market over the medium term. The banks focus on growing its retail market shares will intensify competition, likely placing more pressure on other challengers, like PTSB. In addition, the 10% micro-SME target market share is likely to add incrementally to competition for the larger banks." Source: www.businessworld.ie President Trump and EU corporate tax reform proposals have provided fresh impetus to the debate on Irelands attractiveness as a location for foreign direct investment (FDI), according to a report today by Davy Stockbrokers. Davy believe that the changes to the US corporate tax regime will have a limited impact. In addition, EU plans for a common consolidated tax base will not be implemented they say. In contrast, Davy believe Brexit unambiguously makes Ireland more attractive for FDI vis-a-vis its main competitor, the United Kingdom. Recent figures show that multinational sector employment grew by a robust 6.3% in 2016 to 200,000 currently, representing 10% of the workforce. Despite this sustained success, a persistent concern among investors has been that corporate tax reform could undermine Irelands attractiveness as a location for FDI. Brexit, President Trumps plans for corporate tax reform and revamped European Commission proposals for a common consolidated corporate tax base (CCCTB) have recently added a fresh range of issues to the debate. However, Davy Stockbrokers claim that Irelands 12.5% corporate tax rate is just one factor attracting FDI. They say academic evidence points to labour market flexibility, EU single market access and technological development as other factors influencing companies location decisions. The headline tax rate is also a poor summary statistic of corporate tax regimes they believe. Irish corporate tax revenues equalled 2.7% of GDP in 2015 versus 2.6% in France and 1.6% in the US, reflecting the many and varied tax reliefs and allowances that allow companies to reduce taxable profits. Also, 60-70% of multinational sector jobs come from existing companies operating in Ireland. Furhermore, they say President Trumps plans to cut the US corporate tax rate to 15% and provide a tax holiday on repatriated profits are unlikely to hurt FDI into Ireland. More problematic are proposals for a US border-adjustment tax or the European Commissions plans for a CCCTB. However, Davy say political realities suggest that these proposals will not come to fruition. The former could fall foul of World Trade Organization (WTO) rules and risk retaliation from the EU and other countries. The CCCTB would lead to clear winners and losers among EU countries, precisely why it will not be adopted they say. According to Davy Stockbrokers, "Irelands main competitor for FDI is the UK, currently with a $1.5trn stock of inward FDI the largest in Europe. Brexit poses clear challenges for Irelands export sector, specifically for agriculture and traditional manufacturers should tariffs be imposed." They added, "However, the academic evidence clearly shows that single market access is a key requirement in attracting FDI. Uncertainty surrounding the outcome of the Brexit negotiations has already led to financial services companies identifying Dublin as an alternative location to London. Given that Ireland has captured 8% of FDI flows into the EU on average through 2007-2014, it can expect to benefit as FDI flows into the UK recede." Source: www.businessworld.ie PWC have today launched Tax Facts 2017 - A new online interactive tool on the Irish tax system. It provides a summary of Irish tax rates as well as an outline of the main areas of Irish taxation as amended by Finance Act 2016. The tool also includes details on withholding taxes, VAT, stamp duty, capital gains tax, employee taxes, income tax, local property tax, relevant contracts tax, pension schemes and customs and excise duties. Tax Facts 2017 allows users to find information quickly and easily on various aspects of business and personal taxes. This includes information on matters such as company residence and transfer pricing (including Country-by-Country Reporting), reliefs available for investment in intellectual property (including the world's first BEPS compliant Knowledge Development Box) and R&D activities, enhancements made to certain personal tax reliefs to encourage entrepreneurship and to support mobile employees and the tax provisions relevant to financial services companies (including the new provisions applying to certain Irish real estate assets). Commenting on the new tool, PwC's Head of Tax, Joe Tynan said, "Whether doing business in Ireland or considering investing here, this online interactive tool provides a practical and easy-to-follow guide to the Irish tax system." Source: www.businessworld.ie Britain's top share index retreated from a one-month high on Thursday, weighed down by a fall among mining firms and those trading ex-dividend, while mid-cap engineer Cobham slumped after results. The blue FTSE 100 index was down 0.4% at 7,272.58 points, in line with a broader decline among European indexes. Falls among banks, oil & gas stocks and mining firms were the biggest weights, with shares in Anglo American and Antofagasta falling more than 2% as the price of copper eased. Likewise a number of heavyweight companies dropped after trading without entitlement to their latest dividend payout, which included AstraZeneca, BP, Royal Dutch Shell and Imperial Brands, all falling between 1.7% to 3.5%. British mid-cap stocks, however, saw some dramatic results-driven moves. Engineering firm Cobham tumbled 20% and was on track for its worst day on record after reporting earnings. Cobham took a 150 million pound sterling charge on a troubled contract with Boeing and downgraded its 2016 trading profit again. Drax Group also fell, down more than 11%, after reporting a disappointing set of results, with its core annual earnings falling 17% on weaker power prices and the loss of revenue from a green energy scheme. "Because we are in a situation where global economic growth is weaker than it has been ... there is a premium that is attached to growth companies," Laith Khalaf, senior analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, said. "If those growth companies falter, then you can see a bit of doubt creeping into investors' minds and that can influence the share price." However, a profit beat propelled Lancashire Holding's shares more than 9%. The property and casualty insurer posted a better-than-expected 2016 profit, helped by lower expenses and higher gains in the final quarter. (Reuters) Source: www.businessworld.ie The Outdoor Retailer Winter Market in Salt Lake City this week is a huge event showing how massive outdoor tourism is in Utah. Photo credit: Utah Office of Tourism. SALT LAKE CITY (AP) Gov. Gary Herbert said Thursday that he will remind organizers of an outdoor trade show considering leaving Utah partly over GOP policies on public lands that its been a blessing for them to have Salt Lake City as a host for the last two decades and its helped the expo grow significantly. The Republican governor spoke at his monthly news conference on KUED ahead of a private conference call with outdoor industry leaders later in the day that was set up after Outdoor Retailer show organizers announced they may move when the contract ends next year. Weve been a blessing to them, too, Herbert said. Theyve doubled or tripled over the last 20 years since theyve resided here. The event has grown from 5,000 people at the first show in 1996 to about 29,000 last summer. It attracts an estimated $45 million in annual direct spending to Utah, filling hotels and restaurants during the two shows held each year. Organizers said they decided to evaluate bids from other host cities for a number of reasons but acknowledged that one was the backlash from many companies to calls by Herbert and other state Republican leaders for President Donald Trump to rescind the designation of the new Bears Ears National Monument. Patagonia is leading a call to boycott shows in Utah. Asked if he would consider reversing his stance on Bears Ears, Herbert said he will discuss that in Thursdays meeting. He added, My job is to reflect the will and desires of the people of Utah. Herbert acknowledged that keeping the show will be a challenge but that he will tell organizers and industry leaders they share more in common than they think on public land protections. The governor said he also will highlight Salt Lake Citys unique blend of convention and hotel space capable of hosting a major expo while being a short drive from world-class mountains that offer skiing and hiking. Show organizers have not said which new host cities they will consider. But Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper recently said his state would be a good fit, the Denver Post reported. A Colorado land conservation group placed playful advertisements Wednesday in Utahs two largest newspapers highlighting why the neighboring state would be a better home. The ads jab Utah for its public lands stance and poke fun at its conservative culture. We have stronger beer. We have taller peaks. We have higher recreation. But most of all, we love our public lands, the ad said. Whether the show stays or not, Herbert said Utah will keep promoting itself as a destination spot for outdoor enthusiasts. The Delicate Arch, Zion they are going to stay here, Herbert said. The beautiful vistas and venues that people appreciate and come here for arent going to leave. SYDNEY (AP) Sydney police say three people have died, including the gunman, during a hostage crisis that ended when officers stormed a downtown cafe. Police said the gunman was killed in a confrontation with police early Tuesday morning. They said in a statement that a 34-year-old man and a 38-year-old woman also died. Four other people were injured. Police said an investigation is underway because police were involved in an incident in which people died. Heavily armed police stormed the cafe in the heart of Sydney, ending a siege by an Iranian-born gunman who had held an unknown number of hostages for more than 16 hours. It will take some time for Cache County to recover from the road damage done by the flooding last week and, in fact, Cache County Development Director Josh Runhaar said Tuesday that there could be more damage if the weekend weather predictions are true. Runhaar told the Cache County Council that it was the worst damage ever for the county, totaling 30-35 miles. It could be extremely expensive, approaching $2 million, but he said he is hoping to find grant money available. The (National Resources Conservation Service) funding can work on drainages and erosion control, but they do nothing for roads, culverts, things of that nature, Runhaar explained. Anything transportation related they cannot touch. (Federal Emergency Management Agency) money, if we can access that, can come in and pay for culverts, roads, drainages, the hard infrastructure of transportation facilities. If we do get that statewide disaster declared that would open up that second pool of money for us. He said the damage was so bad in places that the roads are gone and one family has not been able to access their own house. Runhaar said the county does not currently qualify to be declared a disaster area by FEMA. This could happen if more than $3.9 million in damages are recorded by the state, or if Cache County reaches $3 million in damages on its own. President Barack Obama and Republican Mitt Romney zeroed in on the battleground state of Ohio Tuesday, exactly one month before Election Day. Meanwhile, the race has been tightening since last Wednesday nights debate between the presidential candidates. Cache County Democratic Party Chairman Vince Wickwar agrees with those who say Romney won that debate. I think that they surprised everyone as to the relative performance where Romney did considerably better than Obama, said Wickwar. We will have to see what happens in the next two debates, the vice presidential one and two more presidential debates. The debate between the vice presidential candidates will be held on Thursday, October 11 and will be broadcast live on KVNU 610 AM/102.1 FM. Wickwar said it looks like there will also be a debate later that evening between Utah Republican Governor Gary Herbert and his Democratic challenger Peter Cooke. JUBA, Sudan (AP) The U.N. says more than 800 people have beenkilled and 94,000 displaced because of violence in Southern Sudanthis year.Southern Sudan voted in January to secede from the north and is slated to become the worlds newest country in July.But since the euphoria of that vote, the region has seen a series of violent attacks.Lise Grande, the top U.N. humanitarian official in Southern Sudan, said Wednesday that the U.N. is worried about the violence. She said the number of internally displaced people has doubled in the last month.Most of the clashes have been tribal violence. But militant groups have also battled the government, and Grande said rebelsfrom the Lords Resistance Army killed four people in recent days. This is the blog of China defense, where professional analysts and serious defense enthusiasts share findings on a rising military power. Manif de Bamenda cl2p.org The chairperson of the National Commission on Human Rights and Freedoms (NCHRF) says results of two fact finding missions in the North West and South West regions by members of the commission reveal the populace wants effective decentralisation not secession. Decentralization envisaged in the 1996 constitution should be urgently made effective, Dr Chemuta Divine Banda said as part of solutions to the crisis rocking the English speaking regions. He made the disclosure in Yaounde on Tuesday during a ceremony to present the report of the observation and investigation missions of the commission to the North West and South West from February 1-4, 2017 in relation to human rights violations in the wake of the ongoing crisis in the regions. The commissions chairperson headed the team that went to Bamenda while his deputy, Prof James Kobila Muangue simultaneously led another team to Buea with an objective to get more information about the situation on the ground and investigate alleged human rights violations. Field Realities, Proposed Solutions The commission noted that access to justice which is a fundamental right has not been exercised since the start of the crisis that has paralysed the justice system with the absence of lawyers in the courts of the two regions since October last year. It said negotiations between representatives of the strikers and government appointed adhoc committee were halted against all expectations, whereas an agreement was about to be reached. Dr Chemuta explained that the ghost towns operation which is said to have worsened the situation on the ground came about after forces opened fire on some unarmed citizens after a January 13 meeting between the committee and representatives of Teachers Trade Unions in Bamenda. The commission also observed that the Teachers Trade Unions and Lawyers Associations who called the strike could no longer call it off as the population had taken control. Based on the observations from the situation on the ground, the rights commission made some proposals to public authorities, trade unions, associations as well the population. Besides ensuring effective decentralization, the putting in place of the constitutional council as provided for in the 1996 constitution, the National Human Rights Commission called for resumption of dialogue and the use of a mediator in such. The dialogue the commission report suggests should be preceded by the release of detained leaders and restoration of internet services. The NCHRF is ready to continue mediating in the search of long lasting solutions within the limits of its means, it said. Issa Tchiroma Bakary, Ministre de la Communication Archives The Minister of Communication has disclosed that out of the 82 people arrested in the wake of the ongoing crisis in the North West and South West regions, and 21 were subsequently released. Of the 61 persons still under detention, 31 are awaiting trial before the competent court, namely, the Yaounde Military Court, Issa Tchiroma Bakary said during a press conference in Yaounde on Wednesday February 15. The government spokesman said among those awaiting trial, one of them is appearing freely. Those awaiting trial include Nkongho Felix Agbor Balla and Fontem Aforteka'a Neba, leaders of the Cameroon Anglophone Civil Society Consortium (CACSC), whose existence had previously been declared null and void. Issa Tchiroma said they are prosecuted for acts of terrorism, hostility against the fatherland, secession, revolution, insurgency, contempt of the President of the Republic, contempt of the constituted bodies and civil servants, group rebellion, civil war, dissemination of false news, apology for crimes and are tried under the 2014 anti-terrorism law. Though the aforementioned activists pleaded not guilty at their first court appearance last February 13, they could be sentenced to death should the court eventually find them guilty. To these main charges, we should envisage to add those that could eventually stem from their foreseeable consequences, the government spokesman told the press. In an apparent response to popular opinion and some media reports, Issa Tchiroma said none of the defendants is prosecuted for the mere fact of having participated in a strike, having masterminded or participated in a peaceful demonstration. It should be indicated that each of the accused persons benefits from the presumption of innocence, which means that they remain innocent until the court establishes whether or not they are guilty at the end of the trial, the communication Minister stated. Justifying why those arrested are standing trial in Yaounde whereas they were arrested in the North West and South West regions with military tribunals, he said the Yaounde Military Court is a court of national jurisdiction, empowered to exercise its powers over the entire National territory in the event of serious threats to public order, State security and in case of acts of terrorism. Nominations are open for top industry professionals and projects ADS I know the energy revolution is powering up and ready to take off. We should embrace energy trade with each other. With these words Mr Kandeh Yumkella, UN Under-Secretary-General and Former Special Representative of the Secretary-General and CEO, Sustainable Energy for All (SE4All), accepted the Lifetime Achievement Award at last years African Utility Week Industry Awards. The fourth edition of the annual African Utility Week Industry Awards will once again honour pioneering utilities, projects and people in the energy and water industry on the continent on Wednesday, 17 May, during African Utility Week and Energy Revolution Africa at the CTICC in Cape Town. Award categories vary from the Power and Water Utility of the Year Awards, Young Energy Leader Award and Outstanding Woman of the Year: Power/Water and include exciting new categories to reflect the latest developments and evolution of the energy and water sectors. The new categories include: Small-Scale Sustainable Energy Project (under 5MW) Innovative Technology of the Year Deal of the Year ICT Excellence Award Gas-to-Power Project of the Year Benchmark of excellence These prestigious industry awards will be presented during a gala dinner welcoming 800 of Africas most distinguished power and water industry professionals to recognise those that represent a benchmark of excellence for the industry. Entries for nominations for the awards close on 17 March and the public is invited to nominate themselves or colleagues and projects that have made outstanding contributions to the energy and water sectors. Johannesburgs City Power, George Airport and Akon Lighting Africa were also amongst the exciting and pioneering power and water professionals, utilities and projects that were winners at last years sold-out awards gala evening, while Ugandas NWSC won the coveted Water Utility of the Year Award for the third year in a row. 2017 Award Categories: Individual Awards: Lifetime Achievement Award The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to an individual for prolonged and consistent achievements who has made a significant contribution to the development and future of the energy/water industries during his or her career. The nominee can be from a utility, public or private company and should be someone who has helped to achieve strategic advancement of the sectors by proactively sharing knowledge, encouraging the adoption of new technologies or establishing exemplary financial governance practices. This individual is well recognised across the globe for their influence and insight to the energy or water sectors in Africa. Outstanding Contribution Award: Power This award celebrates the accomplishments of an individual in a senior position from a utility, public or private company who has displayed passion and commitment to the power industry, while also demonstrating leadership, vision and success. Outstanding Contribution Award: Water This award celebrates the accomplishments of an individual in a senior position from a utility, public or private company who has displayed passion and commitment to the water industry while also demonstrating leadership, vision and success. Outstanding Woman of the Year: Power/Water This award celebrates a woman in the power/water industries for outstanding achievements who has made a contribution to and impact on the sector, whether from a utility, public or private company. Young Energy Leader Award This award recognises a person under the age of 35 from a public or private company who has made an outstanding contribution to the energy/water sectors. This young professional has had commendable career achievements to date and is already playing a leading role in their sector. Organisational / Project Awards: Power Utility of the Year This award recognises a power utility in Africa that has excelled in any one or more of the following fields: Service delivery, project roll-out, technology roll-out, revenue protection measures, loss reduction, grid integration and new energy sources, including company contribution to sector growth, demonstrated expenditure reduction, increased capacity to deliver services and revenue collection, completion of infrastructure development or sustainable maintenance projects. Water Utility of the Year This award recognises a water utility in Africa that excels in any one or more of the following: Service delivery, project roll-out, technology roll-out, revenue protection measures, loss reduction, water quality and sanitation solutions, including company contribution to sector growth, demonstrated expenditure reduction, increased capacity to deliver services and revenue collection, completion of infrastructure development or sustainable maintenance projects. Large Scale Renewable Energy Project (10MW +) This award is for a project completed by an African utility, off-grid producer, IPP, government or investor. Small-Scale Sustainable Energy Project (under 5MW) NEW CATEGORY This award is for a connected sustainable energy project providing electricity for either a commercial or rural electrification setting. Innovative Technology of the Year NEW CATEGORY This award will acknowledge a business that has achieved commercial success from energy-focused advanced technology, research or developing products, services, or solutions relevant to the energy sector. Deal of the Year NEW CATEGORY This category will recognise an outstanding energy deal which reached financial closure between 1 January 2016 and 31 December 2016. ICT Excellence Award NEW CATEGORY The ICT Excellence Award provides a platform to recognise utilities from across Africa that have utilised ICT technology to improve the lives of all its customers as well as the citizens of the country. The award aims to promote successful deployment and application of innovative ICT solutions and services that have contributed improvements in service delivery and utility efficiency. Gas-to-Power Project of the Year NEW CATEGORY The gas-to-power project of the year award launches in 2017 to recognise those companies who are not only pioneers in the gas to power space but also those who, through innovation and creativity, have contributed to the commercial and industrial development of the country in which they operate and have had a positive societal impact. ADS | BY Ricki Green | The Association for Data-driven Marketing & Advertising (ADMA) has announced its next batch of international speakers for Data Day 2017, and for the first time ever, will have an Apple representative joining in on the data revolution conversation. Set to take place in Sydney on 3 April and Melbourne on 5 April, Apples Data Scientist, Mohammad Shokoohi-Yekta (pictured) is the second keynote speaker alongside Cambridge Analyticas Matt Oczkowski and will be speaking specifically on the power of data science in Silicon Valley. Says Jodie Sangster, CEO, ADMA: Having Mohammad from Apple speak at this years Data Day is great for both Australian marketers and analysts alike. Not only is this a rare chance to hear from the worlds leading brand about how they use data, it also allows us a glimpse into Silicon Valley the birthplace of start-ups and where arguably the biggest data minds hail from. Also joining Shokoohi-Yekta and Oczkowski are: Coca-Colas director of data strategy and precision marketing, Justin De Graaf (US); QBE Insurances global head of data strategy and governance and SVP and head of data and analytics for emerging markets, Ram Kumar (HK); and CEO of Cambridge Analytica, Alexander Nix (UK). Adds Sangster: At ADMA, we aim to bring global leaders from different fields to share their expertise and insights so as to help other marketers unlock the power of data. This year, our team has put together yet another fantastic program that features international speakers from the political, insurance, FMCG and technology arena. Anyone who is looking to move their business forward and succeed in the challenging era of ever-changing digital transformation, will stand to gain from being among these data-changemakers. ADMA Data Day is the countrys largest and most comprehensive data-driven conference and attracts hundreds of marketers and like-minded professionals every year to explore and discuss current industry trends, business opportunities and key issues relating to our data-hungry climate. International Speakers Matt Oczkowski and Alexander Nix (Cambridge Analytica) Cambridge Analytica has dominated global news headlines after it was credited as the data firm that in 2016 helped Donald Trump win the US elections as well as Brexit. Cambridge Analyticas analytics work is based on a hyper-targeted psychological approach to collect data from myriad sources including media consumption habits and consumer buying histories. Mohammad Shokoohi-Yekta (Apple) Currently a data scientist at Apple and lecturer at Stanford University, Shokoohi-Yekta previously worked for Samsung, Bosch, General Electric Research and UCLA on predictive modeling projects. He received a PhD in Computer Science from the University of California, Riverside with an emphasis on Data Mining, Machine Learning and Time Series Analysis. Shokoohi-Yekta is also the author of the book Applications of Mining Massive Time Series Data. Justin De Graaf (Coca-Cola) For the past 125 years, Coca-Cola has honoured consumer traditions while still embracing changes to maintain as one of the worlds superbrand after all this time. In his role at Coca-Cola, In this role De Graaf is accountable for leading the data and precision marketing practice for North America. The team is responsible for defining the role of first party data as a competitive advantage while outlining how to collect, use and measure data to inform marketing strategies, content and connections planning. The team is also responsible for programmatic media buying across CCNA, including how the organisation leverages first party data to drive audience identification, targeting, and measurement. Ram Kumar (QBE Insurance): As the global head of data strategy and governance, QBE Insurance, and senior vice president and head of data and analytics, QBE Emerging Markets, Kumar is responsible for building capabilities in data and analytics to help drive QBE Emerging Markets profitable growth strategy. Prior to joining QBE in March 2016, Kumar worked for Insurance Australia Group where he held several senior positions, including chief information officer of Asia and group chief technology officer. A recipient of several international awards for building data driven business solutions, Kumar has close to 30 years of experience in various areas of IT. Kumar has also published over 140 articles and holds a Masters in Computer Science and Engineering. | BY Ricki Green | The Society for Experiential Graphic Design (SEGD) has opened its first Sydney chapter, which will be led by Nick Bannikoff, design manager at BrandCulture, and Carlo Giannasca, head of environments at Urbanite (Frost*Collective). SEGD exists to educate, connect and inspire professionals who design experiences that connect people to places and brands. It has over 1,800 members in 35 countries, and the Sydney chapter will be its 28th local chapter globally. Says Clive Roux, CEO, SEGD: Were really pleased Nick and Carlo have agreed to jointly chair our Sydney chapter. SEGD is innovating heavily as an organisation, and Australia is home to our largest international membership. Were extending our support of experiential graphic design to Sydneys creative industries. Bannikoff and Giannasca are two of Australias most experienced wayfinding and environmental designers. With over 15 years experience, Bannikoff has designed award-winning experiences and spaces for Australias biggest brands including Telstra, Westfield and Atlassian. As one of the regions top strategic wayfinding designers, his designs have shaped cities and spaces around Australia for clients including AMP, Lachlan Health Services, TfNSW, UTS and Macquarie University. Internationally, Bannikoff has created environments for clients including SOCOG and State of Qatar. Giannasca is an award-winning graphic and three-dimensional environmental designer with 30 years experience creating major environmental graphics and wayfinding schemes for Qantas, Sydneys Queen Victoria Building, Circular Quay transport interchange, Sydney Exhibition and Convention Centre, Darling Harbour, ResMed and Lendlease. He joins the 2017 SEGD Global Design Awards Jury in Washington DC in March. Says John Lutz, SEGD President: Our vision is to promote and develop a local SEGD community where members can share ideas, support each other in developing the experience design industry in Sydney, and interact with other creatives. As co-chairs of the SEGD Sydney chapter, Bannikoff and Giannasca will also work closely with Stephen Minning, founder and managing director of BrandCulture, who joined SEGDs global board in 2013. SEGD officially announces the launch of its Sydney chapter tonight at Frost*collectives deFrost talk, Connecting People to Places, which is part of the SEGD Off Grid 17 conference. | BY Ricki Green | South Melbourne-based creative projects company Mr Smith has welcomed Sarah Bailey as partner/business director, working alongside creative partners Craig MacLean and Brendon Guthrie. Bailey joins Mr Smith after fifteen years in advertising, primarily at the Melbourne offices of DDB and Ogilvy and just before the local and international publication of her first novel, psychological thriller The Dark Lake. According to Bailey, the offer to partner with a project focused creative business couldnt have come at a better time. Says Bailey: The collaboration economy has arrived, and Mr Smith is a great example of what creative and business minds can achieve when they work together and keep things simple. In fact, thats Mr Smith in a nutshell the companys make it happen philosophy means everyone is multi-skilled, hands-on and interested in getting ideas out of their heads and into the world, regardless of size, scope or budget. Its an exciting place to be. According to MacLean, Baileys combination of sharp business management skills and a keen creative sense made her the right partner at the right time for Mr Smith. Brendon and I have enjoyed collaborating with some inspiring people and businesses over the last 18 months, which is why were passionate about making sure that as Mr Smith grows, the creative spark that makes it so satisfying stays alive. Guthrie agrees: Back in our DDB days, Sarah and I used to talk about an ideal world where thered be a lot less standing between the people who come up with ideas and those who need them. Now were actually living in that business model, Im looking forward to seeing just how well we can make it work. Mr Smith has recently completed projects for Peters Ice Cream, Milo, Ford, Priceline and Swinburne Online amongst others and has several original projects in the works for 2017. Says MacLean: Its been a big 12 months for Mr Smith and the future is bright. | BY Ricki Green | Warc, the global marketing intelligence service, has today released its IPA Effectiveness Awards Report, an in-depth study of effective marketing trends based on the winners of the IPAs biennial competition celebrating advertising that has demonstrated a clear return on investment. Says Catherine Driscoll (left), content development manager at Warc: Weve made a comprehensive data analysis of the entries to the 2016 IPA Effectiveness Awards, which are renowned for their rigorous judging process. As media usage changes, metrics adapt and creative approaches differ, our Report provides detailed and valuable insights, trends and lessons to the industry of advertising that works. Warcs IPA Effectiveness Awards Report highlights the following key insights and marketing trends: Television remains top effectiveness driver: A significant rise in the use of emotion as a creative approach, suggesting a long-term brand building strategy, was used by many successful entrants. While digital media channels are an important part of these campaigns, the findings show that television-led campaigns are still extremely successful at generating ROI for a brand. Social media was used less as a lead channel but more as a supportive and amplifying medium. Brands increasingly look to profit and penetration: Whilst sales has been a reliable indicator for proving the payback on marketing investment, in 2016 there has been a notable swing towards profit and penetration as the most important business measures. Buzz and social media measures have become the dominant soft metrics and as marketers act on advice to drive fame rather than awareness, there is a strong increase in PR value. There is no one-size-fits-all model of effectiveness: A test and learn approach to drive improvement is now a common theme in effective brand marketing. A wide range of strategies multi-market television advertising, agile online programmatic and tight data-driven targeting are now used with the return on investment achieved by both small and large budget campaigns providing inspiration for brands of all types as well as opportunities for new learnings from the different approaches. Purpose marketing comes to the fore: Purpose-driven marketing has been a key trend in the industry and can lead to commercial success. Purpose should be fully integrated across the company and be a good fit for the brand. Campaigns that involved consumer participation were also a key theme to help build momentum and engagement. The most successful can cross geographical and cultural barriers and can resonate beyond its original target. The comprehensive IPA Effectiveness Report 2016 is available to read in full on www.warc.com It was such a pleasant surprise for Tao Wang to see Tiffany Trump, the youngest of U.S. President Donald Trump's two daughters, sitting in the front row at the Chinese designer's New York fashion week show. Tiffany Trump, daughter of the US president, with fashion designer Wang Tao in New York City on Saturday. [Photo/Xinhua] "She looks even more beautiful, elegant and confident. I feel very happy and proud. " Wang told Xinhua in an interview on Wednesday. "I would say she chooses her own style rather than Taoray Wang." The 23-year-old Tiffany, accompanied by her mother, Trump's ex-wife Marla Maples, drew media attention in an off-white V-neck dress and two-toned coat by Taoray Wang, the namesake brand of the Shanghai-based designer, who debuted her Fall/Winter 2017 line in the Skylight Clarkson Square on Saturday. Evolution of a next-door-girl "I'm here to support Tao and that comes with the territory. I thought the collection was spectacular, the way she tailors so well and flows in fabrics," Tiffany was quoted as saying at the backstage following the show by Women's Wear Daily, a fashion-industry trade journal. Tiffany is the only child from her father's six-year marriage to actress and TV personality Maples from 1993 to 1999. She graduated in 2016 with a degree in Sociology and Urban Studies from the University of Pennsylvania, her father's alma mater. The U.S. first daughter, who grew up in California with her mother, said she is partial to "the classic look, chic, simple - sometimes adding a little bit of an edge, a little girly influence or something more trendy. "My aesthetic kind of changes. Tao really hits it right on point. She has lace, leather, perfectly tailored jackets. I love it," she said. The first time Tiffany met Wang was at her Spring/Summer 2017 show on Sept. 12, 2016 in New York. "Tiffany got to know me from her friend's lookbook and she cancelled her flight to Los Angeles to come to my show that day," Wang, who first debuted her brand at New York Fashion Week in the fall of 2014, recalled. Wang was very impressed that the young lady is so beautiful and sweet,"just like the girl next door", catering to various requests from audiences for photos with her. "Tiffany went backstage afterwards, expressed her appreciation of my design, and told me she would follow my brand," Wang said, "I thought she said so just out of courtesy at the moment. But she did write to me soon and we had deeper interaction." Wang, who studied fashion in Japan after graduating with a degree in history from East China Normal University, was thrilled to know Tiffany, wearing a Taoray Wang's cashmere herringbone dress with lace trim, attended her father's first presidential debate on Sept. 26, 2016. "At the first sight of Tiffany on TV, she is such a confident and elegant lady in the outfit I made for her, her image of a lovely next-door-girl is no more there, I am glad to see my design come to life on her, " Wang said. Actually, Wang altered the original design of the black dress Tiffany ordered from the lookbook, making it into one with under-knee length and silk-lined lace to better accomodate the formal solumn occasion. "I do not tell her this before I sent it to her, she likes it very much. I do image-building in addition to fashion design, you know." "What moves me a lot is that Tiffany is such an encouraging, down-to-earth sweetheart, she never hesitates to praise me whenever she gets my designs." Wang said." 'You are the best' is the sentence Tiffany likes to use in her email to me. Her sweet polite tone has never changed a bit though she is now the first daughter of the country." Wang said she has never expected Tiffany would wear a white double-breasted coat from the designer at her father's inauguration as the new U.S. president on Jan. 20, 2017. "She never said to me she is going to wear it that big day," Wang said."But she did, and showed her admirable elegance and sophistication again with a Taoray Wang." Wang said she is very thankful to Tiffany for her trust and choice of the Chinese brand as it is said people usually wear American designs on these historic occasions. "Tiffany not only worn it, but also clearly stated it is designed by me, she even helped reporters correct the wrong spelling of Tao." "This is the result of calls from the public for more to be done to stop shopping trolleys being abandoned or ending up in our bush and waterways," Minister Fitzharris said. Chinese-brand's passenger vehicle sales declined 4.4 percent in January compared with December last year after 20 months of continuous growth, according to the latest data released by China Association of Automobile Manufactures (CAAM). The photo shows the 2016 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition, opened on April 25, 2016. [Photo by Chen Boyuan / China.org.cn] In 2016, China's auto market experienced fast growth. The sales of Chinese-brand passenger vehicles reached 10.53 million, up 20.5 percent year-on-year, accounting for 43.2 percent of the total revenue in the Chinese market. In January 2017, the sales of Chinese-brand passenger vehicles was 977,000, down by 4.4 percent from the same period last year, of which sedan sales was 201,000, a decline of 13.9 percent month-on-month. CAAM's data shows that in January, production and marketing of new energy automobiles in the Chinese market decreased 69.1 percent and 74.4 percent, respectively; production and marketing of blade electric vehicles (BEV) reduced 63.8 percent and 67.8 percent; those of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) dropped 83.2 percent and 89.5 percent. However, domestic brand vehicle sales are still expected to grow this year. First, domestic brand cars and enterprises have gained growing competitiveness in recent years. Chinese brands, like Geely, Guangzhou Automobile Group Co. Ltd. (GAC Group), and SAIC Motor, saw their sales increase 60 to 70 percent month-on-month in January. Second, the government will continue with preferential policies towards domestic auto brands. Although the purchase tax on some small cars has been slashed last year, the preferential policies will continue pushing the sales in China's auto market, especially for domestic brands. Third, rural area is an emerging market. As Chinese urbanization steps forward, consumer demands for automobiles in counties and villages increases significantly. Domestic brand vehicles have a comparative advantage in terms of improved performance and lower price. U.S. President Donald Trump (L-R), joined by Chief of Staff Reince Priebus, Vice President Mike Pence, senior advisor Steve Bannon, Communications Director Sean Spicer and National Security Advisor Michael Flynn, speaks by phone with Russia's President Vladimir Putin in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, U.S. January 28, 2017. [Xinhua] The resignation of National Security Advisor Michael Flynn smacks of an old narrative that runs through the entire gamut of relations between the U.S.-led West and Russia. Apparently an issue was blown out of proportion to force him to call it a day even before he had properly settled in his new job. Mr. Flynn's story developed fast. He was accused of having had contact with the Russian ambassador before the inauguration when he was not authorized to do so. It would have been perfectly normal in case of a normal election and a normal occupant in the White House. Those being tipped off for powerful roles in an incoming government may well try to gauge the situation through interviews and contacts with officials of other countries. Russia, being the most touchy and sensitive area for any defense aide of the U.S. president, will always require extra care and planning. What Mr. Flynn did was not out of place, although he should have been asked to deliver the full contents of his conversation with the ambassador to his bosses. Mr. Flynn was accused of discussing the sanctions imposed on Russia by Obama during the conversation on Dec. 30. But the real problem started when he denied it and led the new administration to deny it as well. The situation worsened when it emerged that surveillance of Russian ambassador Sergei Kislyak revealed that he and Mr. Flynn had discussed the issue of U.S. sanctions. Actually, former acting Attorney General Sally Yates had informed Trump's White House counsel Donald McGahn after inauguration day about Mr. Flynn violating protocol to discuss the sanctions. He might have violated an old law, the Logan Act of 1799. Under the law an unauthorized person cannot negotiate with a representative of a foreign government. The national security advisor was not authorized until his nomination was endorsed by the Senate and duly notified. There could be widespread repercussions after Mr. Flynn's removal from the post. First, there should be the issue of moral authority to lead the country. Mr. Trump had been under the scanner for all the wrong reasons. He became President in the midst of a huge controversy when it was suspected that the outcome of the election had been influenced by the Russians. The Democrats now have all the ammunition at their disposal to fire at the White House with merciless fury. Some of the former and sitting lawmakers are calling for further investigations to see if any harm was done to the national security of the country. Any formal probe will be damning for the administration, as it would shift the focus from key issues. But the real loss might be in the realm of foreign relations. The positive reaction by Russian leadership upon Mr. Trump's success created a window of opportunity for improvement in ties between Washington and Moscow. The fallout of Mr. Flynn's resignation will force President Trump to harden his position, making it difficult to reach any kind of understanding on key international issues with President Putin. It means that the possibility of a joint front against ISIS will remain a dream. Also, the chances for closer cooperation on the issue of Syria and Ukraine will become a distant possibility. The rift between the traditional rivals will further increase and bargaining for the sake of peace and stability will be harder to come by. The resignation of Mr. Flynn demonstrates the extent of mistrust in the U.S. establishment against Russia. In fact, the Washington security establishment is overly obsessed with the Kremlin. That Russia was untrustworthy and planning to wreak havoc through hard and soft power is very old and is still part of official thinking. As the situation has unfolded, instead of focusing on domestic and international issues, President Trump will be immediately preoccupied with finding a suitable replacement for Mr. Flynn. In the long run, he will constantly be looking back over his shoulder when making any big decision regarding Russia. Sajjad Malik is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit: http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/SajjadMalik.htm Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn. US President Donald Trump in Washington, January 29, 2017. [Photo/Agencies] Three months back, in November, I wrote about not giving in to hysteria due to Trump's electoral victory. In the last three months, to be honest, sometimes even I started to question my judgment. But one thing that has always been clear was what international relations theory teaches us. Individual leaders, even when capable and strong, are often bound by the forces of economics and geopolitics, which we call structural barriers and constraints. Structure usually governs human agency. Even during the most trying times, e.g. when Trump had a call with the Taiwanese leader and threatened to unleash a trade war, there was a realistic expectation that Trump would dial back his campaign rhetoric. Now, three months later, let's recap Trump's presidency and everything that has happened in the past week. Trump wrote a formal and diplomatic letter to the Chinese leadership, wishing them a happy Chinese New Year. There then was a cordial phone call between President Trump and President Xi, wherein the U.S. formally re-acknowledged the existing One China policy. Trump also met with PM Shinzo Abe of Japan and agreed to provide alliance support for Japan. In short, the world is back to normal. A White House statement affirmed that Trump and Xi had a phone chat, wherein "President Trump agreed, at the request of President Xi, to honor our 'one China' policy," the statement recorded. The statement also noted that China and U.S. would engage in negotiations and mutual cooperation and quoted Xi as saying that China and the U.S. are complimentary powers. Let's touch on each issue. Trump's phone call with the Taiwanese leader threatened to destroy the cornerstone of Sino-U.S. foreign policy stability. It might just have been a one-time stunt, as Trump seems highly unlikely to be as politically savvy as Nixon and have his own version of madman theory. Or it might be that, taking advantage of Trump's inexperience, Taiwan scored a political victory through backchannels and lobby groups. Or that someone in Trump's administration turned rogue. We will never know for sure. But what happened was that Trump and China took a step towards belligerence. Added to that was Trump's threats of a trade war. However, it was, as I pointed out, highly unlikely that Trump would radically change decades of foreign policy, because it would jeopardize American interests. It is unbelievable that Americans would want to risk a war with China in defense of Taiwan. After all, China is much more important to the U.S., and a much bigger competitor. No great power wants confrontation with another great power over a small stretch of land that is realistically insignificant in the broader game. Had it been otherwise, Russia and the U.S. would be having a war now over Eastern Europe. Perhaps sanity prevailed. The Trump administration after all has saner minds, such as Tillerson and Mattis. In short, Trump's policies now reflect a more traditional approach towards American foreign policy, which includes a measured and balanced foreign policy relationship with China, with a commitment of strength with Asia-Pacific allies. This means, regardless of what Trump says, whether it is too aggressive or too conciliatory, it is wise not to take his rhetoric at face value; and other powers should be careful to actually observe tangible changes or patterns in the behavior of United States when deciding policy. Talk is cheap. It is the force of economics and raw military power that decide foreign policy. That's the ultimate truth. Sumantra Maitra is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit: http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/SumantraMaitra.htm Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors only, not necessarily those of China.org.cn. Flash China is continuing to observe events following the death of Kim Jong Nam, the half-brother of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) top leader Kim Jong Un, a foreign ministry spokesperson said Thursday. "We are aware of relevant reports and will continue to keep an eye on any developments," spokesperson Geng Shuang said at a daily press briefing when asked about the murder of Kim in Malaysia. The DPRK Embassy in Malaysia confirmed that a 46-year-old man holding a DPRK passport under the name Kim Chol was Kim Jong Nam, according to local reports that quoted Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. Kim requested help at Kuala Lumpur International Airport terminal two after feeling unwell on Monday. He died on the way to hospital. Malaysian police have arrested three suspects, including a 26-year-old male Malaysian, a female bearing an Indonesian passport, and a female holding a Vietnamese passport, in its investigation. Asked whether Kim's death would affect relations between China and the DPRK, Geng said that the two countries are friendly neighbors and have a tradition of friendly exchanges. Thursday 16 Swamp People: Ten Most Dangerous Moments (History 6pm) Im thinking if your 1099 tax forms list swamp person under occupation, youre probably subject to more than a few on-the-job dangers. Good Spirits (FYI 4pm) Master cocktail chef Matthew Biancaniello goes on a global journey to create the ultimate cocktail menu, starting with a trip to Tahiti aboard a Princess Cruise ship. Friday 17 Fashion Police: New York Fashion Weekend 2017 (E! 9pm) Melissa Rivers and the gang descend on New Yorks Fashion Week to break down the good and the bad of the runway. Stars to the Rescue (Animal Planet 7pm) David Backes of the Boston Bruins, Olympian Aly Raisman, Baltimore Raven Ronnie Stanley and others share heartwarming pet adoption and rescue stories. Saturday 18 Britney Ever After (Lifetime 6pm) Lifetimes cheesiest-looking pop culture biopic explores the history of Britney Spearsfrom The Mickey Mouse Club to Las Vegas. Planet Earth II (BBC America/AMC 7pm) The BBCs biggest, fanciest nature porn returns for another Attenborough- narrated outing. Sunday 19 In Bed With Simon (FYI 9:58am) French romance expert Simon Marcel Badinter discusses the headaches and heartbreaks of real relationships. Each episode is two minutes long and, yes, takes place in Simons signature bed. The Good Fight (KRQE-13 7pm) Christine Baranski stars as a lawyer in this spin off of The Good Wife. The Paley Center Salutes NBCs 90th Anniversary (KOB-4 7pm) Kelsey Grammer hosts this look back at nine decades worth of iconic shows, characters, personalities and programs. Ted Danson, Tina Fey, Debra Messing and Noah Wyle are among the guests. Big Little Lies (HBO 7pm) Based on the best-selling novel by Liane Moriarty, this darkly comic tale tells of murder and mischief in the tranquil beachfront town of Monterey, Calif. Among the cast are Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman and Shailene Woodley. Crashing (HBO 8:30pm) An aspiring comic (Pete Holmes) finds himself without a home after he catches his wife cheating on him in this dark sitcom from Judd Apatow (Freaks and Geeks, The 40-year-Old Virgin). Monday 20 Bunsen is a Beast (Nickelodeon 5:30pm) A multi-armed monster becomes the first of his kind at a human-filled middle school in Nickelodeons new toon. American Ninja Warrior: All Stars (KOB-4 7pm) Hosts Matt and Akbar select teams of all-star competitors to go against one another in a super-sized skills challenge. The Breaks (VH1 7pm) VH1s 2016 movie about the early days of the hip-hop recording industry in New York returns as a weekly series. Tuesday 21 Needles and Pins (Viceland 8pm) Tattoo artist Grace Neutral explores the underground economy of the global tattoo and piercing industry. Stranded With a Million Dollars (MTV 11pm) Adventurers must survive on an island, using potential prize money to pay for survival supplies. Wednesday 22 2017 ABFF Honors: A Celebration of Hollywood (BET 6pm) The American Black Film Festival has got The Birth of a Nation, Fences, Hidden Figures, Moonlight and Queen of Katwe lined up in the Movie of the Year category. The Brit Awards 2017 (BBC America 8pm) Dermot OLeary (presenter of Britains X Factor) and Emma Willis (presenter of Britains Big Brother) host the British version of the Grammys. Robbie Williams and Ed Sheeran are among the performers. Flash Syria's Foreign Ministry on Wednesday denied a recent report by Human Rights Watch (HRW) about the Syrian military use of chemical weapons during the battles in Aleppo city, according to state news agency SANA. The Syrian government completely denied the "allegations" made in a report by the HRW, which claimed that the Syrian government used chemical weapons at least eight times during the siege of rebel-held areas east of Aleppo city in northern Syria. According to HRW statement, the accusation was based on "phone and in-person interviews with witnesses and analysis of video footage, photographs, and posts on social media." It said Syrian government helicopters dropped chlorine gas on residential areas in Aleppo at least eight times in November and December of 2016. In its statement, the ministry said the report was based on sources from "the terrorists media sources." It added that "this report is unprofessional, unscientific and distorted facts." It continued that the report cannot "stand a chance" before any scientific study or legal evidences. The ministry said the HRW report came to serve foreign agendas and to affect the upcoming intra-Syrian talks in Geneva. Meanwhile, the ministry stressed the government's commitment to its pledges to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). Our Promise: Welcome to Care2, the world's largest community for good. Here, you'll find over 45 million like-minded people working towards progress, kindness, and lasting impact. Care2 Stands Against: bigots, racists, bullies, science deniers, misogynists, gun lobbyists, xenophobes, the willfully ignorant, animal abusers, frackers, and other mean people. If you find yourself aligning with any of those folks, you can move along, nothing to see here. Care2 Stands With: humanitarians, animal lovers, feminists, rabble-rousers, nature-buffs, creatives, the naturally curious, and people who really love to do the right thing. You are our people. You Care. We Care2. UK-based Staffordshire University, which has a global reputation for offering skills-based vocational education and is ranked 69th in the Guardian University Guide 2017, will be holding on-spot admissions and career counseling sessions in multiple cities of India from 17th February to 22nd February 2017. These cities include New Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Pune. These sessions will be undertaken by Dr. Lisa Blenkinsop, the University's Head of International Recruitment. Dr. Blenkinsop will have an in-depth discussion with students about the courses that they can opt for based on their interests and qualifications, the career prospects after completion of the shortlisted course, the fee structure and scholarship opportunities as well as the admissions procedure for the various courses offered by Staffordshire University. Students who would meet the University's entry requirements will also be given provisional offers during the counseling and on-spot admission sessions. Following is the interview schedule for the admissions: Friday, 17 February 2017: New Delhi Venue: Taj Palace Hotel, Sardar Patel Marg, Diplomatic Enclave, New Delhi Timings: 11:30 A.M. to 12:30 P.M Saturday, 18 February 2017 : Mumbai Venue 1: EdwiseInternational, 512, Dheeraj Heritage, S.V. Road, Near Milan Subway (Junction), Santacruz West, Mumbai Timings: 3 P.M. to 5 P.M. Venue 2: Hyatt Regency, Sahar Airport Road, Ashok Nagar, Andheri East, Mumbai Timings: 6:30 P.M. to 7:30 P.M. Sunday, 19 February 2017: Mumbai Venue 1: IDP Roadshow, JW Marriott, Juhu Tara Road, Mumbai Timings: 11 A.M. to 4 P.M. Venue 2: Hyatt Regency, Sahar Airport Road, Ashok Nagar, Andheri East, Mumbai Timings: 5 P.M. to 6 P.M. Monday, 20 February 2017: Ahmedabad Venue: IDP Roadshow, Courtyard by Marriott, Ramdevnagar Cross Road, Satellite Road, Ahmedabad Timings: 11 A.M. to 4 P.M. Wednesday, 22 February 2017: Pune Venue: IDP Road show, JW Marriott, Senapati Bapat Road, Pune Timings: 11 A.M. to 4 P.M. Staffordshire University is situated in the heart of England with its two campuses in Stoke-on-Trent and Stafford. It has an international reputation of equipping students with not just professional qualifications and academic knowledge, but also with requisite practical skills to carve a niche in the global socioeconomic scenario. The University has a proud heritage of delivering quality skills-based vocational education for more than 100 years through its specifically designed coursework and world-renowned faculty. With coursework specifically designed to provide maximum advantage to graduates with hands-on professional skills, Staffordshire University boasts of one of the highest levels of employability, with over 71% of its graduates finding graduate level jobs within 6 months of graduation. A plethora of courses are offered by the University through 6 major Schools- School of Computing and Digital Technologies, School of Creative Arts and Engineering, School of Health and Social Care, School of Life Sciences and Education, School of Law, Policing and Forensics and School of Business, Leadership and Economics. The subject areas in which the University offers specialized Undergraduate and Post Graduate Degree Program include Games and Visual Effects, Film, Media, Journalism, Computing, Humanities, Performing Arts, Art and Design, Engineering, Nursing, Midwifery, Allied Health, Social Work, Education, Psychology, Sports, Exercise, Biological Sciences, Criminal Justice, Forensic Science, Law, Business, Management, Marketing, Accounting, Finance and Economics among others. Recently, Staffordshire University Business School received a Small Business Charter Award in recognition of its work to support small business, start-ups and the local economy. New Merit Scholarship of up to 2,000 is available for the postgraduate and 1,000 for the undergraduate Indian students enrolling for the first time in September 2017 session of the University. All students applying to the University will be considered for the financial support, provided that they must meet the entry requirements. To seek an appointment with Dr. Lisa Blenkinsop, please contact at: Lisa.Blenkinsop@staffs.ac.uk. For further information on the University, please visit: http://www.staffs.ac.uk/ Flash The National Guard of Ukraine said on Wednesday it had agreed to develop security cooperation with the Chinese People's Armed Police Force. The agreement was reached during the meeting of Yuriy Allerov, the Commander of the National Guard of Ukraine, and Cao Xiaojian, the Military Attache of the Chinese Embassy in Ukraine, the National Guard said in a statement. The two sides have agreed to strengthen cooperation on the issues of safeguarding the internal security, ensuring public order and protecting important state objects, the statement said. Cao and Allerov also discussed the possibility of exchanging experience between the National Guard of Ukraine and the China's police force on the use of special units to ensure security. Applications to apply for Global Challenges Scholarships is invited by Lincoln University, New Zealand for students who wish to do an undergraduate degree program at Lincoln University. Program Objective The scholarship aims at encouraging younger generations to get involved in Lincoln's three key missions. The missions are Feeding the World Protecting the Future Living Well through the global challenges program for schools Scholarship Amount The university will pay $12,000 (NZD) towards one year of the tuition fees. Eligibility Criteria: Candidates must: Be an international student Have completed secondary school in the past five years, achieved well academically and not attended another tertiary institution in New Zealand (if you have completed a diploma, undergraduate or postgraduate degree at other international institutions, you are not eligible for this scholarship) Have a strong academic background that demonstrates your ability to undertake and complete a university degree while maintaining involvement in scholarship activities Have a very good knowledge of English, with an overall score of 6 in IELTS (or similar qualification), as the scholarship development program has a strong focus on communication and co-operative work. How to Apply: Online application Website http://www.lincoln.ac.nz/Apply/Scholarships/Global-Challenges-Scholarship/ Requirement to Apply A short video outlining your interest in a current global issue, to be uploaded to Vimeo The details of two referees Your acknowledgement that you agree to our terms and conditions, including the privacy policy Note Major requirement to apply is that students must be passionate and knowledgeable about the topic. Date to Remember Application deadline: Thursday, August 31, 2017. ISRO Invites Applications for Scientist/Engineer: Apply Now! Sometimes its good to be reminded of just how good a car is by giving it go once more. In the case of the Mitsubishi Xpander, its the smal... Flash There is no plan B for the two-state solution between the Israelis and the Palestinians to resolve the Middle East conflict and achieve regional peace, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told a press conference in Cairo on Wednesday following his meeting with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (front) gives a lecture entitled "Facing Global Challenges: Finding Hope in Youth" at Cairo University in Cairo, Egypt, on Feb. 15, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua] Guterres' remarks came while United States President Donald Trump said in Washington, during a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, that the two-state solution is not the only one for the conflict and that the UN treated Israel "very, very unfairly." The UN chief reiterated his statement at a lecture he later gave at Cairo University, attended by diplomats and students. He referred to the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict as "the mother" of the regional conflicts. He also said that all necessary efforts must be made to preserve the two-state solution, adding that Egypt is a key player in resolving regional issues. In December 2016, the United Nations Security Council endorsed a resolution demanding immediate and complete halt of Israeli settlement activities on occupied Palestinian territories. However, the Knesset, Israel's parliament, approved earlier this month the "Regulation Bill" that retroactively legalizes about 3,850 housing units in dozens of outposts built illegally on privately owned Palestinian lands. Israel is blamed by the international community for the deadlock of the peace process due to its settlement expansion policy that is rejected even by the U.S., its strongest ally. With regards to other regional issues, Guterres expressed determination to move ahead with Geneva talks over the Syrian crisis and work on resuming national reconciliation and unity in Iraq. The world's top diplomat said he will also be totally committed to support regional efforts for creating conditions to overcome the present crises in conflict-stricken Libya and Yemen. Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said in a joint news conference with Guterres that President Sisi expressed readiness to cooperate with the world body in all issues. The minister also asserted that the international community cannot accept any preconditions from all sides to reach a settlement in Syria, adding that a peaceful solution that meets the aspirations of the Syrian people must be reached. Meanwhile, Shoukry said he met on Wednesday with a delegation from the Libyan High Council of State, and the delegates praised the road map, which means a notable development that supports the legal institutions and the national army. Guterres took the post as UN chief in January and he arrived in Cairo on Wednesday as the last destination of his first regional tour that also included Turkey, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Qatar. Guterres is scheduled to hold talks with Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit on regional conflicts on Thursday before leaving Cairo. A division of Hiscox is adding and expanding coverage for media and creative industries. Markel plans to join the surety market, with an initial rollout in the UK, Ireland and continental Europe. *** Hiscox UK and Ireland is rolling out two custom professional indemnity products designed to address new exposures faced by digital marketing and event companies. Additionally, the specialist insurer said it has beefed up its marketing, advertising and communications, commercial film producers and multimedia products to address changing risk landscape in those sectors. Hiscoxs new and updated products in this space include the following coverage elements: The digital marketing product has broad cover for contractual liability and explicit cover for digital services including SEO, digital advertising, analytics and insight, and web and app building. The marketing, advertising and communications product covers breach of advertising regulations, breach of contract and rectification costs. The commercial film producers/ product offers explicit cover for APA contracts required for production of commercials, plus cover for breaching a license to use someones trademark or copyrighted material. The event organizers product features automatic cover for venue owners and operators, bodily injury and property damage cover, personal appearance coverage and work performed by subcontractors. The upgraded multimedia product has additions, including protection against allegations of discrimination in your content, legal costs to challenge a Police Information Notice and cover for emotional distress claims. *** Markel International, the London-based specialist insurer and Markel Corp. subsidiary, will join the surety market in March. Plans call for initially focusing on opportunities in the UK, Ireland and continental Europe. Eventually, the surety business will expand to other regions outside of North America. Markel added that hubs in London, Singapore and Dubai will offer a broad spectrum of [products] to corporate and financial institution clients, ranging from excess-of-loss, multi-buyer policies to single obligor credit, contract frustration and political risk coverage. Sources: Hiscox, Markel We are not alone Lessons from the Heart When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained, What... One weird dude Lessons from the Heart There are not a lot of places where someones personal style gets mentioned in the New Testament, so this one... Flash Malaysian police have arrested a third suspect in its investigation in the death of Kim Jong Nam, the half-brother of Kim Jong Un, the top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), a senior Malaysian police official said on Thursday. Abdul Samah Mat, the police chief of Selangor state, told Xinhua that the suspect, a 26-year-old male Malaysian, was arrested in Ampang city of the state of Selangor. The man is believed to be the boyfriend of the second suspect, a bearer of an Indonesian passport who was arrested on Thursday morning. The police have been looking into the connections between the suspects and trying to pin down their roles in the death of Kim Jong Nam. The police have been investigating as a murder case instead of sudden death of Kim and a local court has granted a seven-day remand order for the first two suspects. The first female suspect, holding a Vietnamese passport, was arrested on Wednesday at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport's second terminal, where the deceased Kim looked for help after feeling unwell on Monday. Kim died later on Monday enroute to hospital. His body was taken to a hospital in Kuala Lumpur Wednesday for post mortem to ascertain the cause of his death. The results of the post mortem are yet to be released. BMW is currently developing an advanced new type of lithium ion battery that wont make its way into production until 2026. Autocar states that the German automaker is developing batteries that wont use liquid electrolytes and will instead use solid ones. It is claimed that these solid-state batteries will be lighter than the lithium ion batteries currently used and that they will be less at risk of catching fire in the event of a crash. Additionally, they are expected to have 15-20 per cent greater capacity than batteries currently used. While the automaker is already developing these new solid-state batteries, the delay in bringing them into production is being blamed on long-tern durability testing. In the meantime, BMW will continue to develop its current batteries as well as its internal combustion engines. Its traditional engines are expected to remain popular for at least another decade as more and more of its vehicles transition to hybrid power. Recently discussing this, BMWs sales and marketing boss Ian Robertson said The internal combustion engine has a long way to go. We will improve the efficiency and mate them to electric vehicles in many cases. PHOTO GALLERY A transporter jam-packed with brand new 2017 Chevy Corvettes was involved in an accident with another semi-truck that occurred in Alabama this morning at around 10am. Its not clear what caused the crash, but photos from the scene show the open dumpster trucks metal walls ripped on the passenger side, while the damaged Corvettes on the transporter were pulled out to the drivers side, suggesting that the two 18-wheelers rubbed shoulders. At the time of posting, we were not aware of any injuries related to the incident. While the low-resolution images and the covers on the cars make it difficult to be certain, judging by the wheels and the vents on the front and rear fenders of the yellow Corvette sitting at the bottom end of the trailer, it seems its a Z06, which is the most expensive model in the rage starting from $81,440. At least two more brand new Corvettes on the trailer suffered extensive damages. This incident follows a crash involving a truck transporting prototypes of the next-generation 2019 Porsche 911 just last week. Photos ALEA Photo Gallery The first units of the 2017 Honda CR-V have started rolling off the assembly lines at the brands Greensburg, Indiana plant, in the United States. Meant to be a measure of keeping up with the increased demand in crossovers and SUVs, the automakers move follows a new investment of $52 million, announced almost a year ago, which led to the creation of 100 additional jobs at the factory. We are leveraging the manufacturing flexibility of our experienced Indiana associates to meet the needs of our customers. With the CR-V and Civic, we are really proud to build two of Americas best-selling vehicles in Indiana, said the facilitys President, Bob Nelson. Transitioned from the Guadalajara, Mexico, Indiana is not the only Honda factory that produces the new generation CR-V, as this is also being put together at East Liberty, Ohio, and at Canadas Alliston facility in Ontario. The 2017 Honda CR-V has been on sale across the US since last December, and comes with a base price set at $24,925 for the most humble offering, the LX, powered by a 2.4-liter naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine, which returns from its predecessor and churns out 184 horses and 180 pound-feet (244 Nm) of torque. Buyers on the lookout of the new CR-V can also have it with a new 1.5-liter turbo petrol that is based on an unit found in the Civic and tweaked to produce 190 HP and 179 lb-ft (243 Nm) of torque. PHOTO GALLERY While theres nothing wrong with asking others for directions, youd think that a military helicopter would be fully equipped with all sorts of fail-safe systems that wouldnt allow you to get lost. According to the description of the video, that helicopter landed somewhere near the village of Karabutak, which is in Kazakhstan. After it touched down, someone jumped out and ran to a truck parked by the side of the road nearby in order to ask for directions, so it seems. We obviously cant know for certain what was said, but the gesturing provides us with plenty of hints regarding the purpose of the conversation. As someone pointed out in the comments section of the clip, the crew might have been out practicing combat training or navigating their helicopter in deteriorating weather conditions, when for some reason they felt they needed to land and have a conversation with a truck driver. To be fair, its a well known fact that snow storms represent some of the most dangerous conditions for helicopters, as good visibility is vital for safe flying more so than in case of airplanes. VIDEO PSA Group boss Carlos Tavares wants for Opel to remain a German brand even if they are to be acquired from General Motors. According to Autonews, Tavares is also open to maintaining Opels current management structure if the deal goes through. Both PSA and GM are trying to win German support for selling Opel to PSA, despite concerns that an eventual deal could lead to job losses as well as a massive overhaul of the German automaker. Tavares will eventually meet with German Chancellor Angela Merkel as well as with Opels German stakeholders, said a PSA spokesman. His pitch will include maintaining Opel as a German company in full compliance with German labor law, whereas the deal itself will be presented as an alliance between a French carmaker and a German carmaker. As for GM, theyre saying that selling Opel to PSA would position the automaker to grow and provide better long-term job security than it does in the present, as reported by Bloomberg. Privately, both GM and PSA think that Opel would actually face sharper cuts if it continued under GM ownership. In a memo from GM CEO Mary Barra, she stated that a deal with PSA would be good for GMs future growth plans, shareholder value and for the longevity of Opels German operations, while adding that the deal would also put both Opel and PSA in a position to improve their standing in the fast-changing European market. GM and PSA are hoping to get things done before next months Geneva Motor Show. Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer West Kelowna council is fed up with the rat problem in the city. And, they are looking for help from the provincial government. Council passed a resolution Tuesday which will go before the Southern Interior Local Government Association. The resolution reads: WHEREAS in recent years, the Province of BC has seen an increase in the population and distribution of rats for which no provincial strategy exists; AND WHEREAS rat infestations lead to damage to buildings, electrical wiring and stored food supplies and rats carry diseases that could be transmitted to humans; THEREFORE BE lT RESOLVED that the Union of BC Municipalities lobby the Ministry of Environment to develop and fund a strategy to reduce and/or control the rat population in B.C. The idea of bringing a resolution to SILGA was first brought last July when the city was forced to spend $35,000 on emergency repairs in one of its portables, after the stench of dead rats in the walls forced finance department employees to evacuate the premises. The rat population in the Okanagan exploded about five years ago. Municipalities have continuously said rat problems on private property are the responsibility of the property owner, not the municipality. Photo: Flickr - BC gov't A driver who was attacked while behind the wheel of a BC Transit bus acted heroically, says the local union president. "I'm stunned," said Scott Lovell, president the the Amalgamated Transit Union 1722. He said the Highway 97 Express bus was moving when the female driver was "cold-cocked" in the head. Lovell said a bus shield would have prevented the assault from happening. Read more. RCMP took a bite out of crime, unleashing police dog Ice on two thieves at Corix Kelowna's compound. The crooks broke in Feb. 11 about 4:10 a.m. They are seen on surveillance footage wandering the works yard. Later in the video, an RCMP officer is seen being pulled by the police dog, which seems to have caught a scent. In a letter, Corix thanked police, 911 dispatchers and Sonitrol Verified Security monitoring staff for their quick response. Corix said surveillance equipment picked up the thieves as soon as they crossed the fence line and police were on scene right away to make the arrest. Madison Erhardt Five years later, the great Family Day debate still rankles. B.C.'s long weekend is one week before that of other provinces and one week before the President's Day long weekend in the U.S. A campaign, dubbed Unite Family Day, has called for the long weekends to be synchronized. This week, a Castanet poll found the majority of people want the statutory holiday to be changed to the third weekend of February, rather than the current second week. Out of the nearly 5,500 votes, more than 56 per cent want it bumped ahead. More than 17 per cent want it stay put and more than 25 per cent say it doesn't matter. "Let's hope they change it before next Monday and we can get another day off," joked one person, trying to lighten the mood among the hundreds of heated comments on one recent story about the effort to change the holiday. Another encouraged people to see the positive side. "Seriously, how spoiled are we. A stat holiday that we didn't even have a few years ago and we still seem to need to complain about it? Wow." More snow on the way BC Interior - 9:33 pm Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer Vehicle thefts and break and enters continue to be an ongoing problem in Penticton. On Feb. 7, a resident of the 2300 block of Naramata Road reported that his grey 2000 Sierra pickup truck had been stolen overnight out of his driveway. The truck was eventually recovered on Conklin Ave on Feb. 12. Also on Feb. 7, while patrolling in the 2400 block of Naramata Road, police recovered a green Pontiac Sunfire that had been stolen from Oliver. On Friday, the police responded to a call of a break and enter at a Yorkton Avenue home. The rear door had been pried open two laptop computers, a coffee machine, two bikes and a suitcase was stolen. The forensic identification section is investigating. On Saturday, a complaint was received about the theft of a generator. The yellow 2000 Watt Champion unit was stolen from a concession trailer parked in the 200 block of Brandon Avenue. That same day, police recovered a brown 1992 Honda Accord in the ditch near Outma school. The vehicle had been stolen overnight from Hemlock Street and had its ignition punched out. On Monday, a 1995 Buick Century was reported stolen from outside of an Atkinson Street residence. Photo: Contributed A Kelowna couples unborn baby needs a heart procedure in Toronto. Casey and Amanda were told during an emergency ultrasound on Jan. 28 that their baby has a critical aortic stenosis. Amanda is 21 weeks pregnant, and the couple flew out to Toronto on Tuesday for a balloon angioplasty. They will have to act fast on this choice because the babys heart is already damaged, and the sooner the operation is done the more likely it is to succeed, reads their GoFundMe page. Caseys brother set up the page and said it is to raise enough money to cover flights, travel expenses and living expenses for the Toronto surgeries, recovery time in Vancouver. Amanada is off work and on medical EI due to pregnancy complications, and Casey has been off work due to an injury. For more information about the family visit their GoFundMe page. Photo: DriveBC A mudslide has taken out Highway 8, between Merritt and Spences Bridge, closing down traffic in both directions. The mudslide occurred 12 kilometres east of Spences Bridge just after 4 p.m. DriveBC issued a falling rock warning for the highway earlier in the afternoon. There is no detour around the closure, and DriveBC estimates the highway won't open until Thursday at noon. Photo: Contributed Residents along the Highway 3 corridor, particularly in the East Gate area southwest of Princeton, would like to see improved cell phone service. A petition on the issue containing over 240 signatures has been circulating, with many residents particularly worried about the lack of access to 911 services. The big issue, is in the summertime with motor vehicle accidents and fires and things like that, they cant phone out - you have to go into the gas station there for a landline if you are a tourist, Rural Princeton Director Bob Coyne said. He said the petition contains a number of examples of motor vehicle accidents on the highway where people were left stranded without emergency service. It works today the exact same way it worked in 1948, you have to walk back to the gas station when you went in the ditch and get help in todays world, people expect to have basic cell service. Staff with the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen is recommending the district send a letter to Telus requesting the company improve service in the area. A report to the RDOS Board states Telus acknowledged the lack of coverage, but said they have no plans to improve reception in the area at this time. In 2011, the provincial government awarded Telus a 10-year contract to improve cellular coverage along highways throughout B.C. I think its overdue, if we are going to give companies the right to have the license there, they should have the service there, Coyne said. Photo: Castanet Staff Taking the bus at the University of British Columbias Okanagan campus is about to look a whole lot different. A request for proposal was submitted by BC Transit to issue construction of the new transit exchange at the University of British Columbias Okanagan campus. Nine new bus bays, four bus layover stations, transit shelters, transit lanes and bicycle storage lockers are included in the new exchange project. Providing access to reliable public transportation and world class education are core commitments of the Province, said MLA for Kelowna-Lake Country Norm Letnick. With this announcement, we are delivering real progress on both fronts, which is exciting for the Kelowna community. The new project is part of $160 million in federal and provincial funding for BC Transit projects that was announced in June. Kelowna is a thriving city and UBC Okanagan is at the heart of our community, said MLA for Kelowna-Mission Steve Thomson. This expansion will benefit current and future students, and will position the community for continued growth for years to come. Kelowna Regional Transit system has 28 routes currently. For more information about the federal-provincal public transit infrastructure fund visit the website. Dustin Godfrey Whether or not greater investment in Penticton will drive property values up, Mayor Andrew Jakubeit says the city will be working to ensure there is a stock of affordable housing available. The city was named a "blue chip" for real estate investment by Canadian Real Estate Wealth magazine, which could heat up the market. But Jakubeit says the main issue of housing affordability right now is a lack of available options. "There hasn't been a lot of inventory for properties, which has sort of jacked the prices up, whether it's for purchases or for rental," Jakubeit said on this week's Mayor's Minute. "So adding more to the inventory should help sort of level that out." Part of the reason for giving Penticton the title was the city's affordability and availability of amenities, along with incoming jobs from the Penticton Regional Hospital expansion. That, the magazine says, puts it into a prime spot for growth, which Jakubeit says should be weighed with the benefits of the small city feel. "That's one of the things that attracts people to Penticton is the fact that it's Kelowna amenities but it still has that small town feel to it, or small town charm; it's very friendly," he said. "We certainly don't want to lose that," he added, citing feedback the city got during a Valentine's Day engagement event. "That was one of the common themes, was not just the relaxed lifestyle, but it's a great community, has that community feel." As for whether the blue chip title will create a rush to buy in Penticton's housing market, Jakubeit said that remains to be seen. "We're conscious of that, and ... certainly government can't control or dictate the market," he said. "I think by adding more supply, that sort of helps keep prices in check ... and just because a real estate magazine says it's a solid investment, doesn't meant there's going to be an influx of people here." He pointed to the recently released census population data, which showed a 2.7 per cent increase in population since 2011, which was about half of B.C.'s 5.6 per cent increase and well below Greater Kelowna's 8.4 per cent. "Having a more modest growth rate is a good thing," he said, pointing again to the Valentine's Day feedback. "Growth and development is important, but it's not our number one thing. Making our community livable and sustainable and vibrant is sort of one of our key focuses, and that's what we're going to work on. "I'm sure property values will increase, which speaks to people's investments here a home is their largest investment so that's also a good thing. And we're also very aware of trying to ensure it's affordable for all demographics." Photo: The Canadian Press Firefighters in New Zealand's second-largest city were able to halt a wildfire's advance on suburban homes Thursday after it burned down 11 houses in the hill suburbs and forced hundreds of people to evacuate. John Mackie, the civil defence controller for Christchurch, said about 130 firefighters on the ground assisted by more than a dozen helicopters had stopped the fire from encroaching further into the city. He said the plan was to let it burn itself out, and that a forecast of rain over the weekend would help. He said the fire was spread over about 2,000 hectares in Christchurch's Port Hills. The cause of the fire remained unknown and was being investigated, he said. A helicopter pilot who was a decorated soldier died in a crash while fighting the blaze earlier this week. Christchurch City and adjacent Selwyn District declared a state of emergency Wednesday. Selwyn Mayor Sam Broughton said changing winds had made the fire unpredictable. He said the region had been unusually dry for three years and the grass in the hills had turned brown over the Southern Hemisphere summer. Police ordered the evacuation of about 400 homes while many others nearby were choosing to leave. Broughton said displaced residents were staying at evacuation centres or with relatives. "They need to look after one another, and make sure they have a place to go," he said. Phil Claude told Radio New Zealand he and his family ran down a grass track to escape the fire, which destroyed their home. "I could see that the smoke and the flames were being blown right up toward our house," he said. "And I just yelled 'Get out. Get out!'" Photo: The Canadian Press UPDATED: 11:20 p.m. The heart of Philadelphia's Italian Market was uncommonly quiet. Fine restaurants in the nation's capital and New York closed for the day. Grocery stores, food trucks and taco joints in places like Chicago and Boston shut down. Immigrants around the U.S. stayed home from work and school Thursday to demonstrate how important they are to America's economy and its way of life, and many businesses closed in solidarity, in a nationwide protest called A Day Without Immigrants. The boycott was aimed squarely at President Donald Trump's efforts to crack down on immigration, legal and illegal. Organizers said they expected thousands to participate or otherwise show their support. The protest even reached into the U.S. Capitol, where a Senate coffee shop was among the eateries that were closed as employees did not show up at work. Marcela Ardaya-Vargas, who is from Bolivia and now lives in Falls Church, Virginia, pulled her son out of school to take him to a Day Without Immigrants march in Washington. "When he asked why he wasn't going to school, I told him because today he was going to learn about immigration," she said, adding: "Our job as citizens is to unite with our brothers and sisters." Organizers appealed to immigrants from all walks of life to take part, but the effects were felt most strongly in the restaurant industry, which has long been a first step up the economic ladder for newcomers to America with its many jobs for cooks, dishwashers and servers. Expensive restaurants and fast-food joints alike closed across the U.S. On Ninth Street in South Philadelphia's Italian Market, it was so quiet in the morning that Rani Vasudeva thought it might be Monday, when many of the businesses on the normally bustling stretch are closed. Produce stands and other stalls along "Calle Nueve" as 9th Street is more commonly known for its abundance of Mexican-owned businesses stood empty, leaving customers to look elsewhere for fresh meat, bread, fruits and vegetables. "It's actually very sad," said Vasudeva, a 38-year-old professor at Temple University. "You realize the impact the immigrant community has. We need each other for our daily lives." Since the end of 2007, the number of foreign-born workers employed in the U.S. has climbed by nearly 3.1 million to 25.9 million; they account for 56 per cent of the increase in U.S. employment over that period, according to the Labor Department. The foreign-born who include American citizens, green-card holders and those working without legal authorization tend to be younger and to take jobs in fields that have been growing fastest, including restaurants, hotels and stores. Roughly 12 million people are employed in the restaurant industry, and immigrants make up the majority up to 70 per cent in places like New York and Chicago, according to the Restaurant Opportunities Centers United, which works to improve working conditions. An estimated 1.3 million in the industry are immigrants living in the U.S. illegally, the group said. Photo: The Canadian Press Riz Ahmed, left, and Felicity Jones Stars of "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" are heading to the Academy Awards. Oscar telecast producers announced Thursday that Felicity Jones and Riz Ahmed will serve as presenters at the Feb. 26 ceremony. Past Oscar winners Javier Bardem and Charlize Theron are also set to take on presentation duties at the show. Last year's Oscar winning actors Brie Larson, Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Rylance and Alicia Vikander will also appear on the telecast. They will join previously announced presenters including Samuel L. Jackson, Shirley MacLaine, Gael Garcia Bernal, "Fifty Shades of Grey" stars Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan, and Kate McKinnon of "Saturday Night Live." Jimmy Kimmel is hosting the show, which will air on ABC. Photo: Google Street View The Washington Supreme Court has unanimously ruled that a florist who refused to provide services for a same-sex wedding broke the state's antidiscrimination law. Barronelle Stutzman, a florist in Richland, Washington, had been fined by a lower court for denying service to a gay couple in 2013. Stutzman said she was exercising her First Amendment rights, and her lawyers immediately said they would ask the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn Thursday's decision. She had previously sold the couple flowers and knew they were gay. However, Stutzman told them that she couldn't provide flowers for their wedding because same-sex marriage was incompatible with her Christian beliefs. Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson and the couple sued her, saying she broke state anti-discrimination and consumer protection laws, and the lower court agreed. The state's nine high court justices upheld that verdict. The case thrust the great-grandmother into the national spotlight and she testified before state lawmakers in Indiana and Kansas. Michael Scott, a Seattle attorney who worked with the American Civil Liberties Union to represent Robert Ingersoll and Curt Freed the couple denied the flowers had previously told justices he didn't believe Stutzman's floral creations constituted speech. By providing flowers for a same-sex marriage, he argued, "she's not endorsing same-sex marriage. She's selling what she sells." Ferguson had said the state's argument rested on longstanding principle, and uprooting it would weaken antidiscrimination law. After the arguments in the Supreme Court case last November, at a packed theatre at Bellevue College, a large crowd of Stutzman's supporters greeted her outside, chanting her name and waving signs with pictures of roses that said "Justice For Barronelle." In a February ruling, Benton County Superior Court Judge Alexander Ekstrom found that Stutzman's refusal to provide flowers because of sexual orientation violated Washington's anti-discrimination and consumer protection laws. She has been fined $1,000, plus $1 in court costs and fees. Stutzman entered the florist business 30 years ago, when her mother bought a flower shop and she started as a delivery person. Make the most of winter with Castanet's Wicked Winter Windfall contest. It's our biggest giveaway of the year so far. One winner will walk away with a wicked haul of loot, valued at more than $3,000. The Penticton package includes: VIP Customer Package - $500 gift card from Parkers Chrysler Dream Date Package - One night stay and dinner for two from Walnut Beach Resort Vees Luxury Suite Experience at the SOEC for you and nine of your friends from Underwriters Insurance Winter Adventure Package valued at $500 from Apex Mountain Resort $250 Gift Card from Guerards Furniture $250 Gift Card from Renew Laser and Skin $100 Gift Card from Three Wishes Clothing $100 Gift Card from Pure Gym and Juicery $100 Gift Card from Benjamin Moore $200 Gift Card from Cherry Lane Shopping Centre $100 Gift Card from SASS Boutique $100 Gift Card from La Casa Ouzeria Visit our homepage to win or check the contests' page. Photo: Contributed Urban Bulldogs Against Kids Abuse will be holding it's food and clothing bank on Feb. 25 in Penticton to help those in need. The drive is still going strong until Feb. 20 and for those wishing to donate, the group is seeking used clothing, especially socks, food, toiletries and feminine hygiene products. The drive aims to help those in need including families, individuals and the homeless. The event will take place between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., Feb. 25 at the Eagles Hall in Penticton. For any and all donations please contact [email protected] or call/text 1-250-488-4765 Photo: Contributed Salmon Arm RCMP arrested a man with a handgun and illegal drugs who travelled by Greyhound bus from Vernon Wednesday afternoon. After police were alerted, members of the detachment's plain clothes General Investigation Section conducted surveillance of the subject as he exited the bus, said Staff Sgt. Scott West, detachment commander. Uniformed members from the local detachment and area Highway Patrol Unit provided support to the plain clothes members, said West. After a brief period of time, the RCMP officers who were watching the subject determined that he was safely away from other passengers and took the male into custody. West stressed the arrest was made without incident and there was no danger posed to public safety. Officers seized a .22 caliber revolver with obliterated serial numbers and a quantity of cocaine and heroin. West said the suspect remains in custody and faces weapons and drug charges. An armed police officer was spotted at the Greyhound bus depot in Vernon around 1 p.m. Wednesday looking for a suspect with a gun. A Vernon RCMP spokesperson confirmed the two incidents were linked. Photo: Contributed Wild head coach Dan Chetner and six players from Penticton; Connor Ramage, Beau Chetner, Ben Olsen, Nash Moog, Fred Harbinson and Kale Lawrence. The Okanagan Wild is bridging a massive gap for lacrosse players in the Southern Interior as the only team from the region in the B.C. Intermediate Lacrosse League. The governors of the 10 other teams in the league recently voted 9-1 to accept the Wild into the fold, allowing a group of young local athletes to continue playing the sport The reality is, there is a lot of players in the Interior, and while its just one team, probably 15-17 guys wouldnt have played lacrosse this year if it wasnt for the creation of this team, Martin Gardner, GM of Okanagan Wild said. Previously, players that turned 16 and aged out of Midget lacrosse had two choices; travel to play intermediate lacrosse three days a week in the Lower Mainland, or attempt to play with the 18-21 year olds in Junior B. In the Interior that was the choice ... if you were not able to play at that level, or you were not strong enough, then your choices were to travel to play intermediate or not play at all, Gardner said. There is a lot of players that unfortunately still won't be able to play because we are only taking in a 25 man roster but a majority of those players would have hung up their gloves and wouldnt play lacrosse again. I couldn't stand by and see that happen, he added. Gardner said the sport has grown significantly in recent years, and that the time is right to bring a team to the region. They have the full support of the six minor lacrosse organizations in the Southern Interior, as the team's players will all likely hail from the region. However, the Wild will play just four games in the Interior; one each in Kelowna, Kamloops, Vernon and Penticton. The remaining six home games will be played in Chilliwack. Gardner said getting all 10 of the other teams to commit to travelling to the Interior every year just wasnt going to happen, so he proposed meeting some halfway. Still, other teams have expressed interest in coming to play in the Okanagan. He hopes to play more games locally next year. Evaluations for the Wild start this weekend. The 20-game season runs from April to July. Re: Wake up and smell the roses No person is going to agree with every move that any particular politician makes, thats the nature of the beast. At the end of the day, however, its important to take the bad with the good, and view our political proponents through a lens of neutrality. While everyone is within their right to disagree with certain decisions, its important not to forget the many great things that Trudeau government has done for this country in the past year and a half. They have supported the middle class by cutting taxes for the middle class and implementing the child tax benefit. They have provided a boost to small and large Canadian businesses through the signing of CETA, the expansion of the Summer Jobs program, and investment into previously neglected industries, such as tech and tourism. Theyve greatly improved our international reputation and relationships with important allies by offering much needed foreign aid and ending operation IMPACT. Theyve also shown a commitment to core Canadian values, by re-opening our Veterans offices, improving our relationship with First Nations, and assisting post-secondary students. They have also very wisely allocated funds to projects that benefit Canadians on various levels. The Canada 150 fund/Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program, for example, includes $300M towards infrastructure in Canadian communities and another $200M towards events and Canadian artists that promote tourism in our beautiful Country. This initiative creates jobs for Canadians now, and will have a positive long-term effect on Canadian tourism. Lets not forgot what our local MPs have accomplished as well. Both Stephen Fuhr and Dan Albas have increased federal investment into their respective ridings thanks to their own hard work and initiatives set forth by our current government. Its okay to disagree from time to time, but please give credit where credit is due. Ally Turner Photo: DriveBC An avalanche has blocked Coalmont Road the northern route connecting the community of Tulameen to the rest of B.C. The avalanche happened after 1 p.m. north of the small town. The southern route out of the community is still open. Tulameen is located north of Princeton. Send your photos and video to [email protected]stanet.net. In the spirit of the legendary Canadian storyteller Stuart Maclean, whom we learned has recently passed, I have a story to share that I hope will bring a smile and lightness of heart. The Power of Music and a Silver Lining A couple of years ago, a dear friend of mine lent me a CD to listen to. She shared that the music meant quite a lot to her and she thought that I would also really enjoy it. I immediately plunked it into the dusty old CD player in the room we were in and listened to the gentle piano music of an Italian composer and pianist. Although the first few songs didnt captivate me all that much, one song hit me like a wall of heat. I stopped what I was doing, sat down, and for the next 6 minutes was completely lost in the music. Well, its not a surprise that by that evening I had found the sheet music online and printed it out. Seeing that the title was in Italian, I purposely did not translate it into English, as I wanted to find out for myself, what perhaps the song meant to me and why it drew me in so immediately. This would only have been possible without going into it with a pre-conceived idea of what the composer felt/pictured when he wrote the piece. So, I got to work learning the somewhat easy piece and soon had it memorized to the point where I didnt have to think about the theory. I usually find that the emotional connection with music happens when muscle memory kicks in and your heart and mind are free to explore the deeper emotional connection. I tossed the music aside, in the grand fashion of a mad pianist, closed my eyes and melted into the music. And that is when it happened, the beautiful moment when music connects with your soul on such a deep level that it can unlock memories and bring both lightness and peace. The memory, my mother and I were driving home after a particularly upsetting doctors appointment and we were both silent. Some back story if you dont know, my mom battled cancer bravely. We stopped at the traffic light and sat in silence. Mom looking out the window, me staring at the steering wheel as tears threatened to escape. What I didnt notice was the gorgeous sunset that was unfolding right in front of us. Mom looked over at me, and in her quiet yet strong presence said, Chrystal, there is always a silver lining. I looked over at her and she was staring out of the window looking at the sky, the sun was setting behind the clouds, the sky was glowing, and the somewhat darker clouds had the brightest lining of gold around them. Now, until that very moment, sitting at the piano, I had completely forgotten about that last beautiful moment that my mother and I had shared, and the advice that she had so profoundly and wisely given. Why is it that such a profound moment could be forgotten, and in its place, more focus on all the negative and stressful aspects of the situation? After I finished playing the song, which seemed like an eternity, I decided I was ready to translate the title of the composition and wouldnt you know it, but that darn song was titled, White Clouds ~ Nuovle Bianche by Ludovico Einaudi. Im sharing this story now with purpose. I have this overwhelming sense that Mom wants me to share this story and her advice with us now, at this very time when it would be easy to focus on negativity. She always knew just what to say and so from her wandering soul to yours, always remember to see the silver lining. Chrystal Desjardins Bishop Gorman High School in the Diocese of Tyler, Texas is looking for a few great faculty to join their team. As of 3/14/22, the ... continue reading What's the difference between a deacon and a priest? Why can't a deacon hear my confession and forgive sins? We asked Catholic Online's ... continue reading The Associated Press published an article detailing the challenges many priests face. It is time for a change in how the Church ... continue reading A newly-formed group of Catholic mothers in Rochester, New York has committed to praying regularly for the flourishing of vocations from ... continue reading Canon law should be re-written to institute a global zero-tolerance policy against priests who commit sexual abuse, a clerical abuse ... continue reading Marian shrines in more than 50 countries throughout world will join in a 24-hour rosary initiative on Friday to intercede for and honor the ... continue reading Prayer is the first part of missionary work Watch Every Christian is called to be a missionary through prayer, working in collaboration with the Holy Spirit, who gives prayer efficacy, Pope ... continue reading The Vatican has asked nuns to spend less time on social media and more time in prayer and contemplation. The request follows consultation ... continue reading Twins consecrated to the Virgin Mary both chose religious vocations Watch As infants, Monica and Cristian Moya were hovering on the verge of death. But after their mother consecrated them to the Virgin Mary, they ... continue reading The investiture of Sister Maria Vittoria della Croce last month marked the first ceremony of its kind to be held in the Italian city of ... continue reading GCC: capacity outpaces demand Published 15 February 2017 With oil prices forecast to remain at the lower end of the scale, Gulf Cooperation Council countries reassess their needs. A heightened focus on economic diversification drives infrastructure investment and governments address the lack of affordable housing for their growing populations. However, the expansion of cement capacity is outpacing demand growth. By Hettish Karmani, Ubhar Capital, Oman. Cement capacity in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries has witnessed a significant growth over the last five years, rising by 25Mta to 142Mta in 2016 (see Table 1). Therefore, Oman-based Ubhar Capital estimates that the GCCs total installed capacity currently far exceeds the demand. Of this 25Mta increase, 9.5Mta was added in 2015 and 8.3Mta was added in 2016. This clearly reflects that GCC cement manufacturers have been consistenly adding new capacity, anticipating higher demand as a result of heightened construction activity in the region. Total capacity of listed companies grew to 114Mta in 2016 from 90.4Mta in 2012. At the same time, unlisted cement companies capacity stood at 28Mta in 2016 compared to 26Mta in 2012. The reason for the low capacity growth in this part of the cement industry was that these companies continued to list on their respective counties stock exchanges. To continue reading this story and get access to all News, Articles and Video sections of the CemNet.com website, please Register for a subscription to International Cement Review or Login United States: Maine representatives call for vigilance over McInnis plant ICR Newsroom By 16 February 2017 Congressional representatives for the state of Maine have written to US Trade Representative, Maria Pagan, calling on her to ensure that cement imports from McInniss new Port-Daniel-Gascons plant do not unfairly compete with domestic firms. In a letter to Ms Pagan, the four representatives state that McInniss project has received support from the government of Quebec which could be in violation of Canadas international obligations under WTO rules. The letter specifically cites the case of Maine-based Dragon Cement as an example of a company that could be harmed by the unfair subsidies flowing to McInnis. The representatives put the value of these subsidies at hundreds of millions of dollars. Published under Strangely, the first scripted series from Viceland revolves around neither marijuana nor skateboarding. Instead, the edgy network has imported a snowbound, Nordic-style noir out of Iceland called Trapped. Like much of its brethren (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Bridge, The Killing, Fortitude), Trapped is an icy murder mystery marked by a claustrophobic setting, a bit of international intrigue and a whole lot of snow. The 10-episode series, imported to America by the Weinstein Company, takes us to the remote Icelandic town of Seyoisfjorour. Things get under way when a fishing boat dredges up the dismembered torso of a man. Believing the corpse may have been tossed from a passing ferry, the local chief of police locks down the port to search the boat. Unfortunately, this sets off something of an international incident. The ferry is Danish, and the captain is instantly uncooperative. Clearly, hes got something to hide. So do a number of passengers, including a dangerous human trafficker from Eastern Europe. But do any of these things have anything to do with the grisly murderor are they mere distractions from the big crime at the center of it all? To make matters worse, a massive blizzard is descending on the town, cutting off roads and airports. This storm traps everyone within the town and prevents detectives from the capital city of Reykjavik from arriving to investigate. Understaffed and underprepared, Police Chief Andri (Olfur Darri Olafsson) is left to hunt down the killer while dealing with all the other disasters unfolding in his town. Trapped throws a bit of international intrigue into the mix to up the ante. Seems that some local officials are snapping up land in an attempt to build a Chinese-financed port in the town. So are we dealing with a serial killer or an international conspiracy here? Adding a touch of personal drama is the fact that Andris ex-wife has just shown up in town with her new fiance. Its amid this public and personal mess that the murderous mystery unfolds. The acting and the characters are all rather low-key. Andriour central crimesolver is a beefy sad sack of a blue collar dude, and his ordinary, workaday attitude sets the tone for the rest of the show. Meanwhile, the stark, barren, snow-scoured setting adds a level of tension to the series. (The weather is as likely to off you here as the unknown killer.) The towering, volcanic hills of Iceland lend an even more primal backdrop than the icy fjords of Scandinavia. In other words: Fans of cold climate crime dramas will feel right at home with this exotic, sprawling, grimly absorbing mystery. The Ms. Wheelchair Wisconsin 2017 Pageant was held in Menomonie, Wisconsin on Feb. 4, and judges crowned Plymouth resident Myranda Gereau as the new titleholder. Autumn Neugent of Madison was the first runner up in the pageant. Gereau, has a form of Muscular Dystrophy, diagnosed as Bethlehem Myopathy, a rare neuromuscular disease and as a result she uses an electric wheelchair and a vent to facilitate her decreased lung function. At the young age of 21, Ms.Gereau has already been very active as state ambassador for MDA, participated as a model in the This is How We Roll fashion show, was an advocate at the Wisconsin Capital to address the need for ongoing therapy for people with disabilities and she also attends UW-Sheboygan. She lives in Plymouth with her supportive parents and her fun-loving, helpful teenage sister, Allie. Myranda plans to promote her platform of We Are Able by showing that people with disabilities can do a lot of things, even if its a bit different from the able-bodied community and has already set up a YouTube channel to promote her platform. Unlike traditional beauty pageants, Ms. Wheelchair Wisconsin is not a contest to select the most attractive individual. It is, instead, a competition based on advocacy, achievement, and communication for women who just happen to use a wheelchairs. Gereau will represent people with disabilities in Wisconsin and speak about her platform as she makes appearances around the state during the year of her reign. The next step for Ms. Wheelchair Wisconsin 2017 is to do fundraising for her trip to the Ms. Wheelchair America pageant to compete at the national level in Erie, Pa. from Aug. 14-20. To donate, email randa.gereau@gmail.com, or through her Facebook page: Myranda Gereau Ms. Wheelchair Wisconsin 2017. WASHINGTON Republican Rep. Peter Roskam of Illinois has a safe seat in Congress. So whats he running from? First, supporters of the Affordable Care Act showed up at his office for a previously scheduled meeting with his staff. But 16 of them were turned away when Roskam staffers discovered they were accompanied by a reporter, the Chicago Tribune reported. Next, Roskam went to the Palatine Township Republican Organizations monthly meeting, billed as open to all. But organizers shut out the general public because of intense interest. With hundreds of protesters massed outside, Roskam left through a back door. Some people chased on foot after his fleeing car. Then, Roskam announced he would hold a telephone town hall meeting instead of the real thing. I have no plans to have one of these big, sort of circus meetings, he said, informing WGNs Rick Pearson that hes always thought those larger meetings are just not productive. They certainly arent productive for Roskam and his fellow Republicans not now, anyway. An early backlash against the Trump presidency has led to many verbal confrontations between Republican lawmakers and the citizenry. President Trumps face plant since the inauguration most recently the resignation of national security adviser Michael Flynn over dealings with Russia is only making matters worse. As recent town hall meetings of GOP Reps. Jason Chaffetz (Utah), Tom McClintock (Calif.), Gus Bilirakis (Fla.), Diane Black (Tenn.) and others turn into well-publicized tongue lashings, their colleagues are ducking and running. Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.) canceled a constituent event in Southampton Village scheduled for April; his office told the Southampton Press they feared he would be harassed again by those who rallied at his recent appearance at a Rotary Club. Rep. Mike Coffman (R-Colo.) was caught on video slipping out of his own community event last month before its scheduled ending time. Coffmans office told KUSA that the congressman had planned to have a series of one-on-one meetings, not a town-hall event. The result: Scores were still waiting for Coffman in the lobby when he left via an unmarked exit. In California, McClintock left his town-hall meeting with a police escort. Its the first time Ive ever had a police department have to extract me from a town hall, and Ive done well over 100 of them, he told the Los Angeles Times. The scene is reminiscent of the tea party summer of 2009, but the energy is on the other side this time. Now, as then, the victims say the perpetrators are outsiders Chaffetz said those who protested him included paid people from out of state, an echo of Nancy Pelosis claim of astroturfing but now, as then, the anger is real. Trump has become increasingly toxic, with Flynns resignation and other Russia revelations, the travel ban struck down in court, chaos involving Obamacare, attacks on the federal judiciary and a series of bizarre pronouncements on everything from Ivanka Trumps fashion line to Frederick Douglass. The Posts Sean Sullivan and Ed OKeefe found Republican members of Congress increasingly wary of defending Trump. You cant make it up, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) said after Trump was seen in Facebook photos making sensitive national security decisions in his Mar-a-Lago Clubs main dining area. Trump canceled an event in Milwaukee because his would-be host, Harley-Davidson, feared protests. The White House just canceled a visit to Ohio that had been scheduled for Thursday; no reason was given, but protests had been planned. Even congressional aides have felt demonstrators wrath. Staffers for Sens. Johnny Isakson and David Perdue and Rep. Jody Hice, all Georgia Republicans, were met by hundreds of protesters last week in Greensboro, Georgia, for what was supposed to be a mobile office hours event to help constituents with bureaucratic matters. And so others are retreating. A Feb. 21 town hall scheduled with Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) at the Fairview City Hall was removed from the hosts website. Fairviews mayor told CNN the session would instead be a low-key gathering. Rep. Chris Collins (R-N.Y.), in response to a question from WGRZ television, declared that he wouldnt have a town-hall meeting, because of demonstrators who come and shout you down and heckle you. Then theres Rep. Pat Tiberi (R-Ohio), whose office this week edited his Wikipedia entry to remove a recently added line claiming Tiberi has steadfastly refused to hold a town-hall meeting to discuss health care reform with his constituents. His office, confirming its role in the Wikipedia editing, said Tiberi is instead offering to meet with the protesters in small groups and in private. MADISON The return of the Wisconsin Legislature and the unveiling of the latest state budget plan has come with a mix of proposals tied to the states knowledge economy. Heres a quick rundown of the plusses and minuses so far: Broadband development: Gov. Scott Walkers budget bill contains about $40 million to speed deployment of broadband technology in hard-to-serve places across Wisconsin, mostly in rural areas. This would likely accelerate the roll-out of federal Connect America Fund 2 grants, beginning this year and running through 2020. Access to high-speed internet connections is critical for Wisconsin, especially in those areas that could lag in terms of economic growth, education, health care and more without it. Investor tax credits: The budget would remove a longstanding cap on how much money a young company could raise before its investors no longer qualify for the states investor tax-credit program. The cap has stood at $8 million for about a decade. Meanwhile, the financing needs of young companies especially those in capital-intensive or regulated industries have changed. Raising the lifetime cap to $12 million for any one company wouldnt deplete the existing 25 percent credit pool and would enhance the growth of companies that create good-paying jobs. Fetal tissue: Once again, bills are circulating in the Capitol to ban research on aborted fetal tissue in Wisconsin. One bill would essentially duplicate existing federal law and thus wouldnt change existing practices in Wisconsin, where small amounts of fetal tissue, cells or amniotic fluid are used for research on birth defects and more. Other proposals would impose new limits, however, and send a chilling message about research in Wisconsin. That could be dangerous in a competitive environment in which other research-heavy states dont go beyond federal law. Foreign C Corps: The budget does not change one of the anomalies of Wisconsin law, which is a tax on capital raised by C corporations that are classified as foreign corporations. Foreign doesnt mean China, France or Singapore in this case. It means Delaware, North Dakota or a few other states where Wisconsin companies often are legally domiciled, even if those companies have their buildings, people and operations in Wisconsin. Current law means foreign C corporations that raise venture capital are subject to a fee, even if those companies are pre-revenue. Its an impediment to attracting outside capital. Occupational licenses: Many elements make up a thriving entrepreneurial economy. Among them are cultures that reward risk and dont penalize honest failure; workers who are diverse in terms of skills and training; clusters of innovation in cities or universities; and access to capital. Just as high on the list is a regulatory climate that encourages the free flow of talent and that lowers barriers to entry into the startup economy. Nearly a third of all American workers are required to hold a government-issued license to do their jobs, up from less than 10 percent in the 1960s. Wisconsin is no exception to the rule. The Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty recently noted a 34 percent increase over 20 years in the number of credential holders regulated by the state Department of Safety and Professional Services and an 84 percent jump over the same time period in the number of license types regulated by that agency. A proposal by Walker to create commissions to scrutinize proposed and existing occupational licenses is a welcome step toward lowering those hurdles for thousands of workers in Wisconsin. Its an idea with support from groups as diverse as the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation to the Progressive Policy Institute. State business loan program: The Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. was criticized by lawmakers from both parties for failing to monitor its business loans, especially those made largely in its first two years of existence. That program went away for a while as WEDC retooled its processes. Walkers budget would reinstate the loan program with safeguards which makes sense from a competitive perspective. Almost all states have some sort of a business loan program. It is most often used to assist younger, homegrown companies, although sometimes to attract larger firms looking to expand. Unless lawmakers think WEDC will somehow repeat the mistakes of the past, this proposal makes sense. In secret, behind locked gates, our Nation's Oldest City dumped a landfill in a lake (Old City Reservoir), while emitting sewage in our rivers and salt marsh. Organized citizens exposed and defeated pollution, racism and cronyism. We elected a new Mayor. We're transforming our City -- advanced citizenship. Ask questions. Make disclosures. Demand answers. Be involved. Expect democracy. Report and expose corruption. Smile! Help enact a St. Augustine National Park and Seashore. We shall overcome! This service applies to you if your subscription has not yet expired on our old site. You will have continued access until your subscription expires; then you will need to purchase an ongoing subscription through our new system. Please contact The Chanute Tribune office at 620-431-4100 if you have any questions Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) and Georgia Military College (GMC) held an articulation agreement signing ceremony on Wednesday, Feb. 15, at the Floyd County Campus in Rome. The goal of the articulation agreement is to provide Associate of Applied Science (AAS) graduates of select Georgia Northwestern Technical College programs with an opportunity to continue with Georgia Military College to earn a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degree. Under the agreement, any GNTC student graduating with their AAS degree and having at least 24 semester hours (36 quarter hours) of technical/occupational credit accepted as transfer credit by GMC, is guaranteed admission into one of GMCs BAS degree programs in Business Management or Supervision and Management. Georgia Northwestern Technical College is very pleased to enter into an articulation agreement with Georgia Military College to offer our students a pathway to earn a Bachelor of Applied Science degree, said Pete McDonald, president of GNTC. As an institution of higher learning GNTC recognizes the on-going need for continuous education throughout ones career. This collaborative agreement will open many career options for our GNTC students after achieving their Associate of Applied Science degrees. The ever increasing partnership between the institutions of higher education in Georgia will advance the workforce of our state and region. Under the leadership of Gov. Nathan Deal, Georgia has been recognized as the Number One state in the United States for doing business. By institutions working together, Georgia will continue to be the Number One place for business expansion and job creation, continued McDonald. This agreement formally recognizes that Georgia Northwestern Technical College and Georgia Military College are committed to the establishment of an educational partnership to better serve currently enrolled and future students at both institutions, as well as, support economic and workforce development in the communities served by these educational institutions. We are thrilled to launch this partnership with Georgia Northwestern Technical College to serve the students of Georgia, said Lt. Gen. William B. Caldwell, IV, president of Georgia Military College. Our BAS degrees are designed to build upon the occupational/technical education provided by an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree program and provide an excellent pathway toward completion of a bachelor degree. Our BAS degree programs prepare students for career advancement opportunities and management and supervisory roles in their technical or occupational field. This partnership with GNTC is another step in providing greater opportunities and a brighter future for the citizens of Georgia and is consistent with Gov. Nathan Deals Complete College Georgia initiative designed to provide an improved educational pipeline from high school through college graduation. Members of SpaceLab work on projects during the monthly hack night. (Chris Sweda / Blue Sky) A game designer who brought the hacker and maker movements to Chicago's south suburbs is making a bigger impact than he planned. Jayson Margalus, a software engineer and game development instructor at DePaul University's School of Design, founded the SpaceLab makerspace in Mokena in 2013. It's based in a former telephone exchange station a fitting space for the son of a union telephone lineman. Advertisement He sees the nonprofit as a cooperative to serve hackers, tinkerers and crafters where members feel a strong sense of ownership in the place. "I'm not in it to make money," he said. "It's more a place to follow your own intuition. It's just a space to give back." Advertisement SpaceLab has three offices for coworkers, a mini kitchen, and a crafting room with a sewing machine and vinyl cutter. In an attached 1,000-square-foot garage, there's a slew of equipment for small manufacturers to use: a laser cutter, customized 3-D printers, a computer numerical control (CNC) mill, soldering stations, woodworking tools, electrical components, drones and even a beer-brewing lab. It has a few particularly neat pieces of tech: a holographic projector, a near-space balloon, and an augmented reality sandbox Margalus built that projects a dynamic topography that changes as you manipulate the sand. Margalus said SpaceLab gels well with area's manufacturing history and could help support training workers in the newer skills, so if manufacturing jobs do come back, they will most likely be high-skill, high-tech. Indeed, he also holds a good deal of influence in the south suburb not only through SpaceLab, but also from his role advising Mokena village officials through the Mokena Technology Committee he helped create and now leads, as well as relationships with big locally based businesses. With the help of the technology committee, SpaceLab has given traditional manufacturing businesses exposure to newer technologies that its members are creating. "Through the makerspace, we're starting to explore concrete printing with a build-your-own 3-D concrete printer," said Tim Ozinga, marketing communications director and co-owner of Ozinga Bros. concrete company in Mokena. He also is on the Mokena technology committee. He hopes SpaceLab will help draw interest for younger workers to the field. "Now it's so high-tech and innovative, it broadens the lens of what you can and can't do," Ozinga said. Advertisement To help showcase the maker movement to the community, Margalus and the Mokena tech committee created the Chicago Southland Mini Maker Faire, with SpaceLab and Ozinga as sponsors. What first began as the Mokena Maker Faire quickly grew and moved into the nearby Pipe Fitters Local Union 597 Chicago Training Center. The August 2017 event will be its fourth year. "Last year we had a little more than 1,000 people come out," said Margalus. Some 30 exhibitors were there, including robots, stations for soldering and arts and crafts, and kid-sized electric vehicles that were souped up for racing. That inspired the locally based pipe fitters union to explore drones, 3-D printing, and virtual and augmented reality technologies with SpaceLab members, said Mike Zivanovic, technology research director for the Pipe Fitters Training Fund, Local Union 597 Chicago. "A lot of that has stemmed from the maker faire," Zivanovic said. "We have started to develop that technology to be implemented in our training program." SpaceLab isn't Margalus' first makerspace. In 2009, he cofounded Workshop 88 in Glen Ellyn. Margalus opened SpaceLab in August 2013, partly to be closer to his Mokena home after his first child was born. A year later, he launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund expansion. Today, there are 25 members and Thursday nights are busiest, during weekly open hack night events. Joe Podgorski of Roselawn, Ind., became a member in July 2016 after visiting a hack night. Advertisement "Everybody was open to discussing their projects," Podgorski said. "It was very welcoming." He's been building his own 3-D printers to increase their functionality and has launched his own business called Project R3D to sell them. While Margalus shies away from connecting his work to the Trump administration's vow to revive manufacturing jobs, Jim Richmond, a Mokena village trustee and technology committee member, believes they are giving the area a head start. "Creating that environment for the collaboration of technology and manufacturing, that's one of the things that Jay is trying to help create in our region," Richmond said. Kate MacArthur is a freelance writer. Twitter @KateMacArthur Berkshire Hathaway Chairman Warren Buffett, photographed in August 2016, has boosted his company's holdings in the parent companies of several major airlines, including United and American. (Andrew Harnik / AP) Wall Street and Main Street perk up and take notice when superinvestor Warren Buffett buys a bunch of stock in a major company. This week, the Oracle of Omaha's investment vehicle, Berkshire Hathaway, generated attention by boosting its stake in two major airlines with deep Chicago-area roots, United and American. Advertisement My question: What's up here? This is not a gratuitous slap at Buffett or the airlines. Rather, it reflects a genuine sense of wonder, especially when you consider that in 2013 Buffett seethed at the thought of plowing hard-earned cash into the airline industry and called it a "death trap for investors" because it was volatile and loved to eat up capital. Advertisement Past hyperbole aside, Buffett's U-turn is an encouraging sign for Chicago-based United and Texas-based American, the biggest airlines flying out of O'Hare International Airport. A renowned long-term investor, Buffett is saying these carriers are heading in a money-making direction despite an expected slowdown in air travel this year and the specter of labor and passenger unease. In November, Berkshire disclosed purchasing shares in the parent companies of United, American, Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines. This week, Berkshire boosted its position in United, American and Delta. Right now, Berkshire's total airline stock investment hovers around $8 billion, according to industry reports. That's a lot of dough to put into an investor "death trap." But times have changed since Buffett's cheeky pronouncement and that appears to be the motivation behind his turnaround. It starts with the cost of jet fuel, a make-or-break metric for the industry, being down around 50 percent since 2013. Moreover, airline merger mania, which in the last decade saw the number of major U.S. airlines drop from nine to four, is about done. So is much of the rocky and often disruptive operational blending of United with Continental Airlines and American with US Airways. Industry consolidation also is bringing the curtain down on major fare wars that, in earlier times, would often cripple an air carrier's bottom line. Throw in the tail winds of a better economy and maybe even a corporate tax break or two courtesy of the Trump administration, and large air carriers are poised to rack up good earnings and share prices for a while. Advertisement For its part, United's management is trying to capitalize on this new era. CEO Oscar Munoz is intent on improving profitability of United's domestic flights by doing things like charging more for legroom or sitting upfront while introducing new bare-bones budget tickets to compete with discount carriers. American is doing the same. Nonetheless, the airlines and Buffett are heading for some turbulence. This year, air travel is expected to slow down from 2016's strong run and those low jet fuel prices will creep up in 2017. Moreover, labor unrest looms. At American, for example, the pilots and flight attendants have been publicly at odds with management over various workplace issues. Advertisement "Challenging times lie ahead, particularly for legacy airlines," according to Deloitte's 2017 travel and hospitality industry outlook report. One more wrinkle: Upgrading technology. This month, United's passengers suffered a spate of delays and hundreds of flights had to be rescheduled because of a computer meltdown. American, Delta and Southwest's customers have endured similar tech shutdowns in recent years. Despite these potential headaches, Buffett's purchase represents a turning point for the airlines. United and American join Buffett's exclusive blue-chip club that includes: Apple (also a new purchase), American Express, Kraft Heinz, Coca-Cola, Procter & Gamble and IBM. His influence on some of the country's biggest brand-name corporations can't be overstated. Advertisement Buffett brings with him an avowed long-haul investment philosophy that gives companies an underlying financial stability (and insulation from Wall Street petulance and impatience). That attitude empowers top executives to pursue their business plans. Then there's image. Buffett's involvement aligns companies with his public persona of the folksy billionaire next door. You see, Warren Buffett is just a homespun, regular guy who isn't afraid to speak out or change his mind even when it means pouring billions of dollars into the once-scorned airline industry. roreed@chicagotribune.com Twitter @Reedtribbiz Thousands of workers at a Boeing plant in South Carolina voted against unionizing on Wednesday, perhaps the most important trial of unions' influence since President Donald Trump's win last year. After years of bitter campaigning, workers at the factory said they expected the vote would be a close one, but few thought the union, the International Association of Machinists, would win in a state profoundly hostile to organized labor. Advertisement "We are disheartened they will have to continue to work under a system that suppresses wages, fosters inconsistency and awards only a chosen few," the machinists' organizer, Mike Evans, said of workers at the plant in a statement announcing the defeat. Trump's ascendance to the White House marked a rupture in the conventional relationship between unions and politics. During the presidential campaign, he offered American workers a new prescription for the economy, fervidly opposing free trade and immigration while rejecting taxes on the wealthy and public-assistance programs that union leadership and its Democratic allies have advocated. Advertisement Trump is scheduled to speak at the plant Friday, where he will help unveil Boeing's newest Dreamliner 787, a massive passenger jet. The factory is next to the Charleston International Airport and Joint Base Charleston. "It is great to have this vote behind us as we come together to celebrate that event," said Joan Robinson-Berry, the general manager of Boeing South Carolina, in a statement. She called the new plane an "incredible accomplishment" by the plant's staff. Chicago-based Boeing won 74 percent of ballots cast, according to the statement, with over 2,800 of the roughly 3,000 eligible employees voting. A presidential visit after the union's defeat will add insult to injury for organized labor nationwide, whose leadership endorsed Hillary Clinton in last year's election contrary to many rank-and-file members. Trump's margin among union households was the best for a Republican nominee since President Ronald Reagan's re-election, exit polls showed. With Trump's victory came the far-reaching authority to undermine unions. Trump can now fill two vacant seats on the five-member National Labor Relations Board, giving the powerful body a Republican majority. The board administered Wednesday's vote at Boeing. Conservative observers also believe that Trump's nominee for the Supreme Court, Neil Gorsuch, would be the fifth justice in favor of making it vastly more difficult for unions to collect dues from workers. Slater and other observers predicted that unionization of workers for one of South Carolina's most recognizable manufacturers would have encouraged organizing at other facilities in the right-to-work state, which generally allows workers not to pay dues to or join a union even if they work under a contract that the union negotiated. While rates of membership in unions are depressed throughout the South, just 1.6 percent of workers in South Carolina belong to a union, the least of any state. Advertisement What is more, that figure is in decline, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Just last year, unions lost about 20 percent of their members in the state, or roughly 9,000 workers. "If they get a foothold in a plant that size, that may help in efforts to expand beyond that location," South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance President Lewis Gossett said before the vote. "I don't know a single businessperson that wants a union to be successful there." The alliance, an industry coalition in Columbia, ran television spots opposing the union on local stations in the weeks before the vote, including during the Super Bowl. Residents say TV, radio and billboard advertising has been ubiquitous all of it directed at the roughly 3,000 workers who were eligible to vote Wednesday. Labor's weakness in South Carolina is partly due to intense opposition from local politicians. Former governor Nikki Haley, now Trump's ambassador to the United Nations, said she opposed firms with unionized labor opening facilities in her state, even though new factories would presumably mean more work for her constituents. "We discourage any companies that have unions from wanting to come to South Carolina because we don't want to taint the water," she said in 2014, joking that her high heels were for kicking out organizers. "It's not for a fashion statement," she said. Advertisement In a news conference Monday, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., argued that limited unionization had helped the state succeed economically. "I will leave it up to the people who are working at Boeing to decide what's best for them," he said. "Let me tell you what's best for South Carolina it's that Boeing stays here and grows. If you destroy the business model that led Boeing to come to South Carolina, we all lose." Even as union membership has declined, South Carolina has enjoyed a resurgence in the manufacturing sector after years of closures and layoffs. The traditional industries of the South, textiles and furniture, were especially vulnerable to competition from overseas. Manufacturing employment in South Carolina fell from 336,000 workers in 2000 to 207,000 in 2010. That figure has since recovered to 240,000. Many economists say that limited unionization has helped the recovery along. "This is an advantage for South Carolina," said Adam Ozimek, an economist with the private research firm Moody's Analytics in Westchester, Penn., before the vote. "It would probably erode some of that advantage if they were to change direction now." Advertisement Others argue that the cheap wages factory workers earn in South Carolina are not sustainable. "Right now, they're clearly getting a big wage discount for being in South Carolina, and that's one of the reasons there's an election," said Larry Mishel, president of the liberal Economic Policy Institute in the District of Columbia. According to the union, Boeing's workers in North Charleston make 36 percent less, on average, than workers building the same planes at Boeing's main facility in Everett, Wash. A spokeswoman for the company responded that wages are determined by local markets. Speaking before the vote, Mishel predicted that "even if the union comes close," the vote would be consequential. "Management will have to pay attention, because it will happen in other plants," he said. The prospect of a raise if the union won was enticing for workers at Boeing, but they were also concerned that a union could sow division. Hope Wroblewski, a manufacturing technician who said she would vote against the union, worried about being called a freeloader if the union won and she refused to pay dues, or being named a scab in the event of a strike. Advertisement She said wages and benefits at the plant are already good. Boeing is paying for her to earn a degree in occupational health online from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Ariz. After reading information from anti-union websites and law firms about incidents of embezzlement and fines for workers who crossed picket lines, Wroblewski said, she thought International Association of Machinists would look out for its own interests, not hers. Wroblewski said she did not vote in the presidential election, but she likes how Trump talks about the economy and is looking forward to the visit. She is still waiting, though, to see if Trump's new approach to addressing the needs of the working class will succeed. "You can talk all day long, but let me see what you're going to do," she said. The Angus Third-Pounder debuted in 2009 and was discontinued in 2013. It came back for a limited time in 2015. Here the CBO (Cheddar Bacon Onion) burger is shown. (Kevin Pang / Chicago Tribune) To the many who succumb to late-night cravings, McDonald's drive-thru can be a beacon of fast-food hope. But without a car, the dreams of indulging in that burger desire are dashed. A blind man from Louisiana wants the fast-food giant to come up with another solution for those who physically can't drive through a drive-thru. Advertisement Scott Magee, who is blind, filed a lawsuit in May alleging that only offering service to customers in cars at drive-thru windows when the interior of the store is closed is a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. A federal judge in Chicago ruled Wednesday that despite McDonald's attempts to have the case dismissed, Magee can go forward with the suit, which seeks class-action status. "Most Americans have the experience of driving through a drive-thru and ordering for themselves," said Roberto Luis Costales, the New Orleans-based lawyer representing Magee in the case. "That's an experience Mr. Magee doesn't have." Advertisement Many McDonald's locations operate only as drive-thrus late at night as a security measure. The suit says that cuts off service to disabled customers, like Magee, who don't drive. The suit isn't asking McDonald's to allow people to start walking through drive-thrus. That's unsafe, said Costales, who also has an office in Chicago. It asks the fast-food chain to find some other way to serve customers without cars when only the drive-thru is open. McDonald's representatives did not respond to requests for comment, and attorneys representing the company declined to comment. A possible solution, Costales said, would be allowing people to order ahead and have an employee bring the food out to them. McDonald's could do that with its app, he said. The company, which is planning to move its headquarters from suburban Oak Brook to Chicago's West Town neighborhood, rolled out a mobile app in 2015 and is expected to launch a mobile order-and-pay function sometime this year. But McDonald's has been behind on its app compared with a slew of fast-food competitors. Taco Bell launched a mobile order-and-pay option in 2014. Kentucky Fried Chicken and Chick-fil-A announced mobile-pay apps last summer. "From a corporate standpoint, they are the ultimate battleship that just takes forever to turn," said John A. Gordon, founding principal of San Diego-based chain restaurant consultant Pacific Management Consulting Group. McDonald's is working on it, but it works with thousands of franchisees, and there are logistics to contend with surrounding mobile order-and-pay options, among other issues, Gordon said. Advertisement In the complaint, filed in U.S. District Court in Chicago, Magee called out a McDonald's near his home in Metairie, La., as well as two locations he visited in San Francisco and Oakland, Calif. The court ruled Wednesday that Magee had standing under the Americans with Disabilities Act to sue regarding the Louisiana restaurant since he is likely to visit again. It also ruled that he could seek damages related to the two other locations under a California law. amarotti@chicagotribune.com Twitter @AllyMarotti Immigrants across Chicago heeded a call to skip work and school Thursday to demonstrate the economic power of a community that has been shaken by the Trump administration's hard-line stance on immigration. Numerous businesses including restaurants, dental offices, construction sites and grocery stores either closed for the day or let employees take the day off to support A Day Without Immigrants, a loosely organized protest in several cities across the country that could represent the first salvo in a long fight. High-profile restaurants including The Berghoff and four establishments owned by Chicago chef Rick Bayless were among those that closed. "This is to make them hear us," said Jose Ruiz, 38, at a pro-immigrant rally at Union Park. Ruiz, who moved to Chicago from Mexico 20 years ago, said his employer, Pizza Nova, closed for the day after multiple workers asked to join the protest. He brought his 8-year-old daughter, Jessica, who took the day off from school. Thursday's action sent "a clear message that the immigrant community is ready to use its labor and consumer power to fight and begin a new chapter in the immigrant rights movement," said a statement from Movimiento Cosecha, a national immigrant rights advocacy group that plans a similar one-day action May 1 as well as a seven-day Week Without Immigrants at a later date. Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune A sign is taped on the entrance to Xoco restaurant in Chicago on Feb. 16, 2017. Chef Rick Bayless was among Chicago business owners to close their businesses for a day to support immigrants. A sign is taped on the entrance to Xoco restaurant in Chicago on Feb. 16, 2017. Chef Rick Bayless was among Chicago business owners to close their businesses for a day to support immigrants. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune) (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune) "We are switching the conversation from 'Are immigrants wanted?' to 'Are immigrants needed?'" Maria Fernanda Cabello, a spokesperson for the group, said in the statement. "We cannot live like this anymore and the immigrant community is ready to show this country what would happen without us." The group was not involved in organizing Thursday's protests, which appeared to come together by word of mouth and social media. President Donald Trump made curbing legal and illegal immigration a cornerstone of his campaign, citing concerns about American jobs and public safety, and he has started to fulfill those promises. One executive order, currently on court-imposed hold, bars immigration from seven majority-Muslim countries for 90 days, plus suspends refugee admissions for 120 days and Syrian refugees indefinitely. Another order cracks down on the estimated 11 million immigrants currently living in the U.S. illegally by expanding who is a priority for deportation. Online flyers promoting the protests encouraged immigrants those who are here legally and not to not go to work, open their businesses, shop online, eat in restaurants, buy gasoline, go to class or send their kids to school. Bayless shut down four of his restaurants "out of respect" for a staff vote to support the action, he said on Facebook. Frontera Grill, Topolobampo and Xoco in River North and Fonda Frontera in Wicker Park closed, while Cruz Blanca and Lena Brava in the West Loop remained open and directed 10 percent of gross revenue Thursday to the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. The restaurants called everyone who had reservations to explain the reason for the cancellation and rebooked them, said Casey Cora, media director for the River North restaurants. The decision affected about 200 workers, who overwhelmingly voted in favor of joining the protest, Cora said. They were not paid for the day. While the disruption likely had little economic impact, "This was about pure symbolism," Bayless said in an email. "We're trying to bring some recognition that America is a country built by immigrants," Bayless said. "We work with so many immigrants in our profession, and certainly in our restaurants, and we wanted to stand together with them because that's what country is about." The Berghoff, a landmark Loop restaurant, also opted to close after management polled its hourly staff Wednesday and found the majority did not plan to show up for work the next day. "From an operational standpoint we decided it was best to close for the day, but also to stand in support," said Ashley Mazur, marketing and media manager at The Berghoff. About 50 or 60 hourly workers were off for the day, unpaid. The Berghoff canceled reservations, but "surprisingly, our customers have all been very understanding and said 'We will come another time,'" Mazur said. Eater listed more than 50 Chicago restaurants that closed in support of the protest, many of them Mexican restaurants, but also Johnny's Grill in Logan Square and Acadia in the South Loop. Acadia's chef, Ryan McCaskey, an immigrant from Vietnam, explained his solidarity in a Facebook post. "The subject of immigration remains close to my heart as a Saigon born immigrant who came on a green card to America, and was given an amazing opportunity for not only a good life, but a chance at a great career," he wrote. Oak Park's Maya del Sol, owned by the village's mayor, Anan Abu-Taleb, a Palestinian immigrant, also closed. Some restaurants that didn't close still affirmed their support for their workers. Lula Cafe in Logan Square accommodated any employee who wanted to take the day off for the protest, with pay, and, "as inspired by chef Bayless," donated 10 percent of gross receipts to the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, chef and owner Jason Hammel said. Pete's Fresh Market closed five Chicago stores for the day 5724 S. Kedzie Ave., 4700 S. Kedzie Ave., 4343 S. Pulaski Road, 5838 S. Pulaski Road and 2526 W. Cermak Road to support its workers, after initially vowing to stay open for customers. Vanessa Dremonas, an executive officer at Pete's, said the business invited employees from its closed stores to work at any of its open stores if they wished, and allowed employees at its open store locations to take off if they wished. Dale Belman, a professor at Michigan State University's School of Human Resources and Labor Relations, said the protest raises awareness of how immigrants fit into the economy, especially those filling many low-wage service positions that are often taken for granted. "To some degree, they've been invisible," Belman said. "At the very least, it's a way of reminding people where immigrants are. They're an integrated part of our economy." . Blessing Lulu, 17, waits for her Congolese refugee grandmother and uncle to arrive Feb. 2, 2017, at O'Hare International Airport's Terminal 5. Studies find international travel is broadly down since the Trump administration's travel ban, now blocked by federal courts, was first announced. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune) President Donald Trump's travel ban may be on a court-imposed hold, but the executive order already has affected international travel to and from the U.S. far more broadly than prescribed. From business trips to vacation plans, international demand has fallen in the wake of the Jan. 27 order, according to studies, presaging potential turbulence ahead for the U.S. travel and tourism industry as the Trump administration ponders its next move. Advertisement A report by travel company Hopper found weekly international search demand for flights to the U.S. was down 17 percent after the travel ban compared with the week before Trump's inauguration. "This is one of the first times that we've seen a sustained decline in search from people outside the U.S. trying to come into the U.S.," said Patrick Surry, chief data scientist at Montreal-based Hopper, which analyzes global booking data to predict airfares. Advertisement The Hopper study found a broad decline in flight searches, a leading indicator for bookings, with demand falling in 94 out of 122 countries of origin. Search demand from the seven predominantly Muslim countries included in the travel ban Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen was down 33 percent, but China, Ireland, Denmark and New Zealand all saw comparable declines. At the other end of the spectrum, flight searches from Russia to the U.S. have skyrocketed, up 88 percent under Trump's travel ban. "There were a few places where search traffic was up, and Russia was definitely the biggest," Surry said. The executive order, which the White House said was intended to protect the U.S. from foreign terrorists, temporarily barred entry for people from the seven Muslim-majority countries. It also suspended resettlement in the U.S. of refugees from around the world. A federal judge in Seattle blocked the immigration order Feb. 3, a decision unanimously upheld by a federal appeals court Feb. 9. Trump said Thursday that next week he will announce "a new and very comprehensive order to protect our people." Business travel declined 3.4 percent in the week after the travel ban was rolled out, resulting in $185 million in lost bookings, according to the Global Business Travel Association, an international trade group based in Washington, D.C. The real costs could be much higher, said Michael McCormick, the group's executive director and chief operating officer. "We clearly see the impact, and it hurts," McCormick said. "There's a direct link between business travel expenditure and economic growth." Advertisement The association's study is based on bookings done by companies in the U.S. but reflects travel in both directions. The group is collecting data from European companies on travel to the U.S., McCormick said. "I wouldn't be surprised if we saw ultimately a similar or worse impact on travel coming into the United States," he said. Michael Fassnacht, CEO and president of FCB Chicago, said international business travel continues unabated for the advertising agency but with added support, including a new 24/7 legal hotline for employees abroad. "Because there is some nervousness for some of our employees who are immigrants and on H-1B visas, we are trying everything to provide support and assistance to them," Fassnacht said. "We want to help our employees feel good and safe about traveling for leisure or for business." Fassnacht, a native of Germany, holds a green card and is in the process of becoming a U.S. citizen. He is traveling to South Africa next week on business, and his mom just came to visit from Germany. "It's more important than ever before (to travel internationally) to show that nothing has changed," Fassnacht said. Advertisement In Chicago, where tourism is on the rise but overseas travel lags other major U.S. destinations, the impact of the ban may be more muted. Chicago is coming off a record year for tourism, with 54.1 million visitors in 2016, according to Choose Chicago, the city's tourism arm. But international tourism was down 3.7 percent to 1.56 million visitors, with the biggest declines from the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain and Brazil. "We don't really have any idea of how this ban would potentially impact travel plans," said Al Orendorff, a spokesman for Choose Chicago. "We can't speculate on what the future will hold." Peter Carideo, owner of CRC Travel in Lincoln Park, said the travel ban comes up "in almost every conversation" with clients, with many opting for domestic rather international destinations. "We're doing a lot of Hawaii, a lot of Southern California, a lot of Arizona, whereas people at spring break and the beginning of the summer would be thinking Europe or other places," Carideo said. He said one client who has lived in the U.S. for 50 years but was born in Iran recently decided against a family vacation to Costa Rica over concerns that Carideo could not assuage. Advertisement "We don't say, 'It's safe; you'll be fine,' because I'm not taking responsibility if I didn't know where they were born, whether they're legal or not," Carideo said. "People have to do their due diligence." rchannick@chicagotribune.com Twitter @RobertChannick Republican lawmakers have taken the first steps to carry out President Donald Trump's wishes to roll back financial regulations on Wall Street by introducing legislation that would weaken or dismantle the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Senate Bill 105 by Sen. Deb Fischer of Nebraska would replace the bureau's director with a five-person board, with no more than three members from one political party. Advertisement "For years, the bad decisions made by a single director at the CFPB have kept families locked out of economic opportunity," Fischer said in a news release last month. "My bill would prevent this misconduct by divesting the authority from one director to a five-member bipartisan board." Or, it would create a political quagmire that slows down the agency's enforcement work. Members would be appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. Advertisement Sen. David Perdue of Georgia, along with several others, introduced a bill that would change how the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is funded. It now gets its money from the Federal Reserve. The legislation would require the funding to come through Congress, according to Consumers Union. "Ever since the disastrous Dodd-Frank financial regulation law spawned the CFPB, we have witnessed a rogue agency more focused on expanding its power than protecting the public," Perdue said in a statement on his website Wednesday. I guess he doesn't consider the nearly $12 billion that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has saved consumers from big Wall Street banks and smaller financial businesses to be significant. Senate Bill 370 from Texas Sen. Ted Cruz doesn't bother trying to hide its intent. Instead of playing games as the other legislation does, it gets straight to the point - it would eliminate the agency by repealing the section of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act that authorized its creation in 2010. "Don't let the name fool you, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau does little to protect consumers," Cruz said in a news release Tuesday. "During the Obama administration, the CFPB grew in power and magnitude without any accountability to Congress and the people, and I am encouraged by the actions President Trump has begun to take to roll back the harmful impacts of an out-of-control bureaucracy." If protecting us from banks and other businesses that secretly charge us for services we didn't ask for; open accounts in our names without our permission to secure their bonuses; and mislead us about their products isn't being accountable to the people, I must misunderstand what that term means. I'm not saying that Dodd-Frank and other financial regulations are perfect. They haven't kept big banks from getting bigger, and the number of small banks is dwindling. There always is an opportunity to improve the system. But these proposals don't address those issues. Instead, they would put hard-working Americans at risk by executing or neutering one of their best watchdogs. Legislation targeting the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau had been introduced in the previous session of Congress, too. It didn't get much traction. But with Trump's backing, these bills could be a legitimate threat. Advertisement Lobby your senators and representatives to vote against them. Whether you're a serious movie buff with strong opinions on the merits of "Moonlight" and "Manchester by the Sea" or just like tuning in to the Oscars to see the red carpet fashions and who cries on stage, Feb. 26 is the big night. If you haven't decided where you're watching yet, these five spots are celebrating the 89th Academy Awards ceremony with a mix of swanky parties and casual opportunities to bet on who will take home gold. Conrad Chicago 101 E. Erie St. 312-667-6700 Take in the views of the Chicago skyline from the hotel's 19th floor at a "La La Land"-themed bash featuring a buffet, passed appetizers and champagne, and cocktails served from roaming bar carts. Enter a free best-dressed contest or buy a $5 ballot and you'll have a chance to win a stay at the hotel. Proceeds benefit the YWCA Chicago. 6:30-10:30 p.m. $75. Tickets: eventbrite.com Center on Halsted 3656 N. Halsted St. 773-472-6469 Doubling as a celebration of the LGBTQ center's 10th anniversary, the A Night with Oscar party lets you walk the red carpet and then watch the show while enjoying cocktails, a buffet dinner, a silent auction and a raffle. Enter an Oscar ballot contest for $20, with the person with the most correct picks splitting the entry fees with the Center. NBC 5's Natalie Martinez emcees and DJ All the Way Kay provides music. 6 p.m. $100-$150. Tickets: centeronhalsted.org/anwo @North Bar 1637 W. North Ave. 773-697-3563 Wear a movie-themed costume for the third annual benefit for The Arts of Life, which features food from Dimo's Pizza, popcorn and candy plus an Oscar ballot contest and a raffle. Order some drinks since the Wicker Park club donates 15 percent of its proceeds for the night to the nonprofit. 6-11 p.m. $10 ticket or $5 suggested donation at the door. Tickets: oscarts2017.eventbrite.com Commonwealth Tavern 2000 W. Roscoe St. 773-697-7965 Enter a free Oscar ballot contest awarding the person who guesses the most winners with a date night package including dinner for two, limo service and tickets to any Academy Award-nominated movie. The Roscoe Village spot also serves $5 Right Bee Cider and $5 themed cocktails including the Golden Statue, a blend of peach vodka, peach puree and champagne. 7 p.m. No cover. Advertisement The J. Parker 1816 N. Clark St. 312-254-4747 The Lincoln Park lounge serves $13 cocktails based on Best Picture nominees like the La La Land, made with vodka, pomegranate liqueur, falernum, pink peppercorns, lime and soda, and the Hacksaw Ridge, a warm blend of bourbon, apple cider, ginger, clove, cinnamon and lemon. The best-dressed attendee receives a $50 gift card and the person who guesses the most winners correctly takes home a $100 card. 5 p.m. No cover. Samantha Nelson is a RedEye freelancer. Winner: "It doesn't appear as though strings are attached but that's part of the illusion." - Brian Fargo, Chicago Extras: "I know it's the longest running puppet show in Chicago history, but I still think Garfield Goose was better." Advertisement Ross Rozen - Matteson IL "Madigan-man ...Madigan-Man... does whatever a Madigan-Man Can....." Advertisement Mark Fleszewski Homer Glen "Don't worry. He'll be able to grow another one for Chris Kennedy." Brent J. Harms, Park Ridge "They kind of grow on you after 38 years." Marc Connelly, Grand Beach MI "The Mad-Again Marionette Mess." Jerry Mejdrich, Hinsdale IL "Where's the hand he sticks in the taxpayers pocket?" Carolyn Wartinbee, Elmhurst Advertisement "And all without ever moving his lips. Amazing!" William Murray, Palatine "Really feel sorry for the ninth puppet!" Jack Sventy, Brookfield "2-4-6-8, who can we intimidate?" Jim Phillips, Chicago "The speaker can't meet with the governor. He's tied up with his advisors at the moment." Advertisement John McCormack, Downers Grove "Oh he's pretty good, but he ain't no Jamie 'Canhead' Keeton!" Mike Reiss, Burr Ridge "He's gone mad again. And again. And again... " Richard Anderson, Chicago "Never too many fingers to stick into the pie." C. Daniel Cochran, Bluffton, SC. "Which of his puppets are you?" Advertisement Mark Siegel, Buffalo Grove "You think six more weeks of winter is bad, Boss Madigan is looking for his shadow - that means eight more Reps under his control." John Satter, Glencoe "They're Mike minded." Pat Foley , Homer Glen "I'm pretty sure we need to pull some strings." Rich Wolf, Westminster, MD Advertisement "I hope none of those puppets are Muslim!" David Brimm, Deerfield The Finland Promotion board released a set of emojis to explain some hard-to-describe Finnish emotions, Finnish words and customs, like kalsarikannit, a "feeling when you are going to get drunk home alone in your underwear with no intention of going out." (Finland Promotion Board) In case no one's told you yet, hygge is having a moment. Well, was having a moment. Because once you learn the word the Finns have in store for you, you'll be grabbing a wine bottle and leaving hygge behind. Advertisement Let me explain. In case you skipped 2016, hygge (pronounced hoo-gah) is a Danish word for the concept of finding coziness in everyday living, suddenly celebrated everywhere from the pages of The New Yorker to cookbooks, gift guides and social media. Advertisement No surprise, given that 2016 was, for many, a garbage year. From the stream of high-profile celebrity deaths to the stressful election, Facebook became a lot less fun. The pursuit of hygge gave permission to seek refuge from the world. Now, though, Finland has upped the ante. The country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs just introduced us to a word aptly describing life in 2017: Kalsarikannit (pronounced cal-sar-y-cuhn-eet), defined as "the feeling when you are going to get drunk home alone in your underwear with no intention of going out." Rejoice, homebodies and misanthropes, for this is your new guideline to living well. Is it a noun? A verb? Does one kalsarikannit, or does one take a kalsarikannit? Who cares, frankly turns out my house has been a temple to kalsarikannit this entire time. I intend to spend every weekend in pursuit of holiness. See ya later, pants. In the spirit of kalsarikannit, I've put together a list of seven wines I've loved in the cave that I call home. These are wines that work perfectly with no pretension, no stems and no pants. Swirl, if you want, but don't take these too seriously. It's time to Netflix and kalsarikannit, and no one has time for a snob. Some wines below are available in grocery stores; others, better wine shops. Wines are listed in descending order by price; prices reflect average price on Winesearcher.com and will vary. If your local shop doesn't carry, ask for a similar style. Scar of the Sea "a|muse" Petillant Naturel Chardonnay (Paso Robles, California) A pet-nat style of wine lightly fizzy, easygoing bubbly Scar of Sea's offering is zesty and zippy, loaded with fine bubbles, green apple and lemon flavors and almost enamel-stripping acidity. A wine for Thai food if there ever was one. $29. Eat. Watch. Do. Weekly What to eat. What to watch. What you need to live your best life ... now. > Chateau Peyrassol Rose (Cotes de Provence, France) Rose, all day. This grapefruit-pink bottle is a blast in the face of acidity and zest, lively enough to keep you awake through a Netflix binge of "Stranger Things" or "The People vs. O.J. Simpson." $23. Advertisement Brovo Spirits "Pretty" Vermouth Made in the style of vermouth blanc more floral- and herb-driven than its red counterpart Brovo's Pretty starts life as pinot gris from Washington state's Wahluke Slope before being infused with vanilla bean, cardamom, elderflower, chamomile, lemon peel, and herbs like comfrey and angelica, slightly sweetened by agave nectar. Poured over ice and topped with Topo Chico (an aggressively bubbly mineral water) or good ol' soda water, it's a perfect low-alcohol sipper when you still have to work the next morning. $19. Tami Frappato (Sicily, Italy) Classified Vin di Tavola (VdT, "table wine"), this wine is anything but humble. A project of one of Italy's most exciting winemakers, Arianna Occhipinti, Tami's frappato is everything a weeknight wine should be: easy on the wallet, crowd-pleasing and gulpable. $19. Domaine Mosse "Magic of Juju" (Loire, France) Rene Mosse, proprietor of this Loire Valley winemaking outfit, is a leader in the region. This bottle is a blend of wine geek-faves chenin blanc and melon de Bourgogne, from throughout the region hence the general Vin de France designation. It's as magical as the name suggests, with all the freshness of a grove of green and Golden Delicious apples. Opening this bottle is like an outside world doesn't exist at all. $16. Chateau d'Oupia "Les Heretiques" (Minervois, France) This $10 table wine is made by one of the Languedoc region's best winemaking outfits, Chateau d'Oupia. Made from carignan, this wine explodes with food-friendly raspberry and blueberry flavors, soft tannins and juicy acidity. Les Heretiques is also occasion-agnostic. Pizza night? This wine. Day-drinking? This wine. You get the point. $10. Felicette Grenache Rouge (France) There's not much info on this gulping wine vineyard origins, winemaker profile, that kind of thing but that's fine, because there are two cat-stronauts on the label! Commemorating Felicette, the understudy lady-cat France sent into space in 1963 (Felix, the boy cat, went missing), this wine won't take you to the moon, but it's so easy to drink and enjoy, you won't mind. $10. jbhernandez@chicagotribune.com Twitter @joeybear85 Four-month-old Momotaro breaks a lot of rules. The menu is enormous, its seven pages enough to daunt even the most confident diner. The dining rooms are busy and boisterous, a far and noisy cry from the placidity toward which most Chicago Japanese restaurants aim. There are items available in one part of the restaurant that are unavailable in another. And should you wish to extend your compliments to the chef, the response might be: Which one? Advertisement Give the Boka boys that would be Kevin Boehm and Rob Katz points for ambition and fearlessness. The group that operates Boka, Girl & the Goat and GT Fish & Oyster, to name a few, has opened its riskiest venture yet. One of these days, these guys are going to swing and miss; this is not one of those days. Sitting on a corner in the restaurant-rich, ever-growing Fulton Market district, Momotaro occupies more than 11,000 square feet and can seat up to 250 among its three floors. The massive, main-floor room seats about 130 amid wood-paneled walls, with a buzzing sushi bar in its middle and a Tokyo stock-exchange facade meant to evoke Japan in its postwar economic boon. It's a bold change from the minimalist, white-wall, orchids-and-posters decor that you see everywhere else. Advertisement Above this is a private dining room; below, there's an izakaya, a cocktail-focused space whose dark decor and narrow walkways impart a mysterious, back-alley vibe. The Boka group is famous for its ability to attract top talent, and Momotaro is no exception. There are two chefs here; Mark Hellyar, who oversees the hot side of the menu, and Japan-born Jeff Ramsey, who oversees the sushi operation, although the day-to-day sushi kitchen is run by Kaze Chan, a veteran Chicago sushi chef. The sashimi omakase is presented beautifully, the fish pieces arranged in a bowl with little bamboo-spike identifiers. It's a nice nine-piece assortment, highlighted by some especially fatty saba (mackerel), but for the most part this is Sashimi 101, filled with the usual suspects (akami and otoro tuna, yellowtail, cured salmon, sea bream). Seasoned diners likely will prefer the sushi omakase, a straight line of imaginatively dressed nigiri pieces. As each fish variety is represented by one nigiri, this is a difficult dish to share. The sashimi omakase is presented beautifully, the fish pieces arranged in a bowl with bamboo-spike identifiers. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune) You're probably better off ordering individual pieces, in which case try the aji yakusugi, which is jack mackerel smoked with ignited shavings from a 1,000-year-old cypress tree; the two-piece serving arrives under a lid, locking in the fragrance until the moment it's placed in front of you. It's a real treat. Also worthy are overlapping curls of shimaaji (horse mackerel) in a tiny puddle of dashi, and barely seared bonito alongside wakame sunomono, a tangy cucumber-seaweed salad. And whatever the day's special might be, it will be worthy (utterly delicious tuna zuke nigiri one visit), but likely expensive ($8 per piece). You'll have to try a tartare; the question is, which one? There's the indulgent, $25 toro tartare, a flavor-rich pile of pale-pink meat, dressed judiciously and served on an ice slab; and the momotaro tartare, which looks just like tuna tartare (there are even some capers and shallots in the mix) but consists of diced sweet tomato (momotaro is a Japanese variety), Maui onion and shiso leaves (which impart a hint of mint). The toro is wonderful, but I'd opt for the momotaro, which you won't find anywhere else. The warm side of the menu (which includes some cold items; I told you this menu was daunting) is broken into six subcategories. There are snacks, which include edamame and a nifty salad of ogo (Hawaiian seaweed), nopales (cactus, thin sliced) and konbu (dried kelp, finely chopped and sprinkled like salt). The hot list includes a delicious chawan mushi with crab meat and truffle, and a terrific cedar-roasted sea bream with shiso dressing, a simple, clean dish that's one of my favorites. Not ordering a tartare isn't an option -- pick the momotaro tartare, made with diced sweet tomato, Maui onion and shiso leaves, for a dish you won't find anywhere else. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune) "From the Coals" embraces small robata-grilled dishes, such as skewered chicken hearts with a garlic-citrus glaze, ginger-seasoned chicken meatballs topped with quail eggs, skirt steak with shishito peppers and, irresistible to me, soy-seasoned hard-boiled quail eggs wrapped in bacon and dabbed with maple syrup (it's like breakfast on a skewer). Hibachi dishes are more substantial, and arrive at the table on a ceramic hibachi of still-glowing coals; King crab legs, split open for easy access, are very good, as is the duck breast, lightly cured and even more lightly smoked. I loved every one of the rice and noodle dishes, particularly the curry udon, a murky bowl of long noodles, curried pork and shishito peppers, and the mentaiko spaghetti, an umami bomb of runny egg yolk, noodles and togarashi-spiced fish roe. Advertisement The Izakaya is worth a visit for the unique dishes on its separate menu. Don't pass up the hand rolls of salmon skin (with shaved watermelon radish and ponzu) and barbecued unagi (with avocado and sesame), both very satisfying, A salad of shishitos and "tuna bacon" (smoked pieces of chutoro) is tasty and clever. Best in show is the uni toast, two toast slabs bearing thick smears of sea urchin, pickled celery and finely ground chorizo. There are only a few desserts, and sensibly, they're small and light, such as the custardy yuzu cake with yogurt sorbet, and the very pretty waka mono, a Japanese green peach cooked in syrup and resting on a bed of almond crumble. The Izakaya features an odd dessert of spreadable cheddar cheese, sour-apple mustard and toasted stout bread, kind of a Japanese salute to Door County. Service is excellent, and it needs to be, guiding diners through the myriad options and often-unfamiliar ingredient names. This extends to the cocktail program, which offers some very good drinks but can be a bit mysterious about how a given beverage will taste. Eat. Watch. Do. Weekly What to eat. What to watch. What you need to live your best life ... now. > The menu used to carry a tongue-in-cheek listing for the chopstick rests, priced at $88; this was Momotaro's whimsical way of asking customers not to steal them. That notation has disappeared, because so have most of the chopstick rests; now they're provided only at the sushi bar (some of those rests cost upward of $9, a steep price when you have to buy 100 of them), and they're watched carefully. This is why we can't have nice things. pvettel@tribpub.com Twitter @philvettel Advertisement Momotaro 820 W. Lake St. 312-733-4818 momotarochicago.com Tribune rating: Three stars Open: Dinner Monday-Sunday Prices: Sushi pieces $6 to $12, main courses $16-$75 Credit cards: A, DC, DS, M, V Reservations: Strongly recommended Noise: Conversation-challenged Other: Wheelchair accessible; valet parking Ratings key: Four stars, outstanding; three stars, excellent; two stars, very good; one star, good; no stars: unsatisfactory. The reviewer makes every effort to remain anonymous. Meals are paid for by the Tribune. With the range of craft beers available in Chicago, are New Glarus brews worth the drive to Wisconsin? Beer writer Josh Noel tastes through 11 to find out. (Michael Tercha / Chicago Tribune) During a recent drive back from Milwaukee, I did what any self-respecting, beer-swilling Chicagoan would do. I stopped at the Mars Cheese Castle to buy some New Glarus beer. Perched at the edge of Interstate 94, about 10 miles north of the state line, Mars Cheese Castle is a quick and easy stop for travelers in search of Wisconsin's most essential provisions: beer, cheese and encased meats. That's especially true of the beer, and the beer of New Glarus Brewing in particular. Advertisement Named for the small Swiss-style town south of Madison where the brewery was founded in 1993, New Glarus stopped distributing beer in Illinois in 2003. Ever since, Illinoisans have been left to make our own runs north of the border to get Wisconsin's most legendary craft brew. Though I've never made a dedicated run just for the beer, I rarely set foot inside the state without tracking down some New Glarus to bring home. That's why I stopped at the Cheese Castle one Sunday afternoon. It's also why, after passing a couple in the parking lot whose shopping cart teemed with New Glarus six-packs and 750-milliliter bottles, I smiled and said, "Heading back to Illinois?" Advertisement We all laughed. Then I walked in, grabbed a sixer of New Glarus and, as I stood in line to pay, asked myself a question: Was this beer worth the effort? Is New Glarus really that good? Sure, the brewery was rated as one of the world's 100 best by users of the RateBeer website from 2006 to 2014 and gets similar raves on the competing BeerAdvocate website. But what was essential back when the nation had one-third as many breweries a mere 15 years ago isn't necessarily so today. Chicago has developed one of the nation's most robust beer markets, both in terms of local production and out-of-state beers imported to our taps and shelves. With a world-class selection just down the street for most of us, is it necessary to buy beer in Wisconsin? So I went back to Mars Cheese Castle to find out. It was a Monday morning in November, and I grabbed all 11 types of New Glarus beers on the shelves. As I loaded the bottles onto the checkout counter, I asked the clerk whether he sold much of the stuff. "It's about 70 percent of our business," he said. I admit, the figure surprised me. "Any idea how much of it comes from Illinois?" I asked. "All of it," he said. Advertisement Well, then. Let me be clear: New Glarus is a very skilled brewery, and if I lived in the Great Northern Republic of Cheese, Packers and Union Busting, I'd be a regular customer. But is it worth the ride? I drove home and, bottle by bottle, found out. Year-round beers Spotted Cow (cream ale) This is New Glarus' biggest seller and the beer most commonly associated with the brewery. Though perfectly passable on a hot afternoon or as an afterthought alongside a hamburger, it is by definition not very impressive. Cream ales are intended to resemble the approachable taste of low-budget, adjunct-heavy lagers, and what results with Spotted Cow is a fine beer, but that's about it. A Minnesota bar was busted this year for illegally selling Spotted Cow, which is the dumbest thing I've heard since the last time Donald Trump opened his mouth; Spotted Cow is easy to approximate on a beer menu with any number of legally available beers. It hardly seems worth risking a liquor license. Worth the drive? No. Advertisement Try instead: There are many worthy alternatives, but the closest might be Hickster, made by Algonquin's Scorched Earth Brewing; it, too, is a very easy drinking cream ale with little hop profile. For something approachable with a touch more oomph, try Revolution Brewing's Cross of Gold golden ale. Or else a really cold Budweiser. Yeah, I just said that. Moon Man (pale ale) Enough pale ale lines the shelves of the average craft beer store that I presumed Moon Man would qualify as not worth the drive. But then I opened one. This beer smells surprisingly and appetizingly sweet an unlikely intersection of butterscotch, cotton candy, mango, kiwi and orange. Moon Man is similarly sweet on the palate, but less intensely so. The hops seep through with very little bitterness, hewing toward a soft and gentle tropicality before landing with a clean finish. At a mere 5 percent alcohol, the approachability and unique compositon of this pale ale make it one of the very best. Worth the drive? Yes, provided you plan to drink it fresh. Two Women (pilsner) Pilsner has become a stealthy hit in the craft beer world in recent years; Sierra Nevada, Firestone Walker and Goose Island have all introduced them, while Victory Brewing's Prima Pils is a go-to for many savvy drinkers. Two Women is arguably better than all of them. (Well, let's call it a tie with Prima Pils). This extraordinary pilsner is rife with breadiness and a gently sweet maltiness (sort of like Moon Man). Unlike many craft pilsners, there is virtually no defining hop character to this beer. It's just a simple, clean pilsner that's obviously made with quality ingredients. The bar to recommend driving all the way to Cheeseland for a pilsner should be high, especially with a decent selection on our shelves and a primo lager-focused brewery Metropolitan Brewing in our backyard. But Two Women is that good. In a more sensible world, this would be the New Glarus flagship, not Spotted Cow. If you are a habitual Spotted Cow drinker, give Two Women a try. You'll thank me. Advertisement Worth the drive? Yes especially in summer, when a cold pilsner from the bottle tastes just right. Scream IIPA (imperial India pale ale) Imperial IPAs have proliferated to the point that I find half of them quite good and the other half undrinkable. I count this one in the good half. But if any beer depends on freshness, it's an imperial IPA, and who knows how fresh the bottles are just over the state line. I say this because I've been wowed by some bottles of this beer and shrugged off others. I'd pick up a four-pack at the brewery if I planned to drink it relatively quickly. Short of that, there are so many imperial IPAs out there that I'd stick with what I know is fresh. Worth the drive? No. Try instead: Pipeworks' Ninja vs. Unicorn, or whatever Half Acre hop bomb just came out. Apple Ale (fruit beer) Advertisement Other than Spotted Cow, New Glarus is probably best known for its fruit beers. Among them is Apple Ale, a brown ale that gets an addition of pressed Wisconsin apples. It's a simple concoction that tastes simple a bit too simple. Apple Ale is fresh and lively, but one more dimension would do wonders, whether a more robust beer base or a bit more earthiness or tartness. I'll stick with the burgeoning cider world if I crave the intersection of apples and alcohol. Worth the drive? No. Try instead: For a sweeter cider that echoes Apple Ale, try Vander Mill's ciders: Hard Apple or Totally Roasted. For a drier cider, check out Seattle Cider's Dry or even its Semi Sweet. Also, I'll be curious to check out Virtue Cider's Chicago relaunch in early 2016. Raspberry Tart (fruit beer) Granted, this is a "Wisconsin framboise," which means it is intended to be sweet. But it is so very sweet and lacking an important component I was expecting based on its name: tart. Raspberry Tart does show a trace of tartness and earthy funk upfront, but both give way to an incredibly long and sweet finish that makes this beer a bit too reminicent of soda or, as we say here in the Midwest, pop. New Glarus suggests drinking this beer "very cold," which does suppress the sweetness a bit and ups its refreshing character. Even so, I don't want more than a few sips. Worth the drive? No. Well, maybe. I'm aging a bottle for a few months to see if a bit more tartness and complexity emerge. Advertisement Try instead: Founders Brewing's Rubaeus hits the sweet-tart balance a bit more effectively. Serendipity (fruit beer) A clever amalgamation of fruit flavors: apples, cranberries and cherries mingle in what New Glarus says was a beer never intended to happen but that did because of a failed cherry crop. Rife with earthy fall-winter flavors (including a touch of cinnamon), Serendipity is an interesting and layered fruit beer that stands alone on the beer landscape. Worth the drive? Yes. Wisconsin Belgian Red (fruit beer) My favorite of New Glarus' year-round, large-format fruit beers. Made with Door County cherries, this is relatively straightforward, with the sweet-tart cherries doing the heavy lifting. But they ring with a harmony that's not too sweet and not too tart. Flawless, and absolutely spot on with a rich meal. Advertisement Worth the drive? Yes. Seasonal beers Pumpkin Pie Lust (dark Weisse with pumpkin) One of the more interesting pumpkin beers I've had, thanks mostly to the Weizen yeast employed, which makes for an interesting darkpumpkinweizen hybrid sort of beer. If you're in need of a pumpkin beer, this is a respectable and creative effort. That said, it's still a pumpkin beer. The last bottles are disappearing from shelves now until next year. Worth the drive? No. Try instead: Anything but pumpkin beer. Advertisement Milk Stout (milk stout) A pleasant enough sweet milk chocolate flavor, but a bit thin and nothing you can't find elsewhere. I'd like more stout from this beer more roast and more coffee undertones. Alas. Available through December. Worth the drive? No. Try instead: Left Hand Milk Stout. Obviously. But also, Boulder Brewing's Shake Chocolate Porter, which aces the chocolatey dark beer motif. Fat Squirrel (English brown ale) I recently tried an extra special bitter (ESB) from a Chicago brewery that I quite like, and it smelled like a beautiful IPA. The first taste was something of a cross between a beautiful IPA and the expected ESB. The second taste, and every subsequent taste just bummed me out; I didn't want an ESB that tasted like an IPA. I wanted an ESB! All this is to say that a veteran brewery like New Glarus knows how to make a British style of beer that tastes like a British style of beer. Fat Squirrel tastes just like an English brown ale should a little toffee, a little nutty and never showy. It's a wonderfully restrained and faithful take, and if I lived in Wisconsin, I'd gladly sip this through the early days of winter. But in Chicago, there are quite enough quality brown ales on shelves. Available through December. Advertisement Eat. Watch. Do. Weekly What to eat. What to watch. What you need to live your best life ... now. > Worth the drive? No. But almost. Try instead: Boffo Brown Ale from Michigan's Dark Horse Brewing is outstanding, but I'm also curious to check out AleSmith Nut Brown Ale from California's AleSmith Brewing, a highly regarded brewery that recently began distributing in the Chicago area. So there you have it: four worth driving for, and seven not worth driving for. (Note: I also tried New Glarus' Staghorn Octoberfest this fall when it was fresh, and it didn't impress me. I would include it as not worth the drive due not only to its middling nature, but the fact that there are dozens of outstanding Oktoberfest beers on Chicago taps and shelves each fall. Add that, and our totals come to four for and eight against.) New Glarus is a wonderful brewery, and none of these beers was an outright dud. Wisconsin is lucky to have it. But Chicago is lucky to have one of the nation's most robust craft beer landscapes. Most of us have all the choice we need right down the street. jbnoel@tribpub.com Advertisement Twitter @joshbnoel Spring is a ways off, but you can conjure it with the flavors of baby artichokes and fresh lemon in this quick pasta dish. Likewise, fresh flavors of citrus, pears, apricot and other stone fruit in these crisp white wines complement the dish and make us think of warmer days. MAKE THIS Advertisement Pasta shells with artichokes Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat; add 1 clove garlic, chopped. Cook until fragrant, 1 minute. Add 1 pound frozen baby artichokes, thawed, and 1/2 cup dry white wine. Season with salt. Cook to reduce wine slightly and heat artichokes through, 5 minutes or so. Stir in 2 to 4 tablespoons cream; cook to thicken slightly, about 2 minutes. Stir in 1/2 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley; 1/2 cup pitted green olives, coarsely chopped; and finely grated zest of 1 lemon. Toss with 1 pound cooked medium pasta shells and 1/2 cup grated Romano cheese. Makes: 4 servings Advertisement Recipe by Joe Gray Eat. Watch. Do. Weekly What to eat. What to watch. What you need to live your best life ... now. > DRINK THIS Pairings by sommelier Aaron McManus of Oriole, as told to Michael Austin: 2013 Jean-Marc Brocard Vau de Vey Premier Cru Chablis, Burgundy, France: This crisp chardonnay smells of golden apples, fresh white flowers, lemons and almonds, plus notes of wet stony minerality. The palate has a mouthwatering freshness to it, with flavors of citrus, pears and a hint of mushrooms. The citrus flavors in the wine will complement the lemon in the pasta while the wine's slight nuttiness will pair nicely with the cheese. 2014 Domaine Vacheron Les Romains Sancerre, Loire Valley, France: This sauvignon blanc from the Loire Valley offers aromas of limes and grapefruit, green apple, white flowers, tarragon, green pepper and chalk. Also, a touch of stone fruit comes through on the light and refreshing palate. The green flavors in the wine will complement the green olives and artichokes, and the wine's herbal qualities will match well with the parsley. Ca' del Bosco Cuvee Prestige Franciacorta, Lombardy, Italy: This sparkling wine is a blend of 75 percent chardonnay, 15 percent pinot nero and 10 percent pinot bianco, which produce aromas of toast, nuts, candied citrus peels, baked apple, lemon curd and apricot. The wine has a creamy quality that will complement the Romano cheese. Plus, its effervescence will help cut through the richness of the cream. food@chicagotribune.com Twitter @pour_man Make a can of black beans into something altogether different with bacon, sauteed red bell peppers and onions, and a hit of oregano. (Chicago Tribune) Among our pantry staples, a can of black beans is pre-eminent you can do so much with them, side dish, salads, soups, more. A little doctoring in this recipe transforms the simple legumes into a soup studded with earthy flavors of bacon and the freshness of red bell peppers. For a wine companion, you can go crisp or rich, as with these choices. MAKE THIS Advertisement Black bean soup Cook 4 strips bacon in a large Dutch oven over medium heat until fat is rendered and bacon is crisp; transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate. Add 1 white onion, finely chopped, and 1 red bell pepper, finely chopped, to the pot; cook until vegetables begin to soften, about 5 minutes. Add 1 can (29 ounces) black beans, drained, rinsed; 3 cups chicken broth; and 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano. Heat over medium-low until soup is hot, about 10 minutes. Stir in the reserved bacon. Serve with sour cream and chopped cilantro. Makes: 4 servings Advertisement Recipe by Joe Gray DRINK THIS Pairings by sommelier Liz Martinez, of The Purple Pig, as told to Michael Austin: 2015 Eva Fricke Riesling Trocken, Rheingau, Germany: This nuanced riesling will cut through the richness of this soup nicely. The wine has clean and juicy acidity, with green apple skin and zippy citrus flavors. Its wet stone minerality will play off of the earthy black beans, and its freshness will lift the cilantro and zesty red pepper, leaving a pleasant lingering scent of white peaches. Also, the tangy sour cream won't get lost with this wine. 2015 Domaine Andre et Mireille Tissot, Jura, France: For a lighter-style red, this 100 percent poulsard is perfect. It's full of energy, with vibrant, fresh cranberry and pomegranate, and its acidity will line up well with the red pepper in the dish. The wine's soft tannins are perfect for the black beans, and a hint of baking spice in the wine will play up the smokiness of the bacon. 2012 Quinta de Roriz, Prazo de Roriz, Douro, Portugal: This fuller-bodied red with plummy fruit is a blend of five indigenous Portuguese grapes, and is a wine for anyone who wants richness to match the soup's heartiness. Slightly macerated blackberries and dried thyme will pair with the earthy black beans and herbs, while the wine's texture and weight will match the soup perfectly. The wine's soft tannins will also play nicely with the black beans. food@chicagotribune.com Twitter @pour_man After compiling all the right tools and learning the techniques, you'll want a drink. How about an old-fashioned? (E. Jason Wambsgans, Chicago Tribune) Back in the day, any home bartender (and most professional ones) could create the most popular cocktails with "Mr. Boston Official Bartender's Guide" and a martini pitcher. In the current bar climate of speakeasies, tinctures and giant ice cubes, a budding home mixologist needs a few pro tricks up his or her sleeve in order to create the craft cocktails their guests have come to expect. We checked in with a few bar experts to discover their secrets for making excellent cocktails at home. TECHNIQUE Advertisement Stir vs. shake How do you know if you should stir or shake? Says Jan Henrichsen of Drink Well Consulting, "Only shake if there is citrus or egg white involved. Shaking dilutes a cocktail by breaking up the ice more." Jeff Donahue, a managing partner at Sportsman's Club in Chicago, agrees. "Stirring is called for when spirits make up the bulk of the cocktail. Drinks that require aeration call for the more vigorous method of shaking. It is faster, colder, and results in a more homogenous cocktail." Advertisement So how exactly do you stir that old-fashioned or Manhattan? Says Donahue, "Let the spoon do the work, and always keep the back of the spoon toward the inside of the glass." And remember, adds Henrichsen, "It is not the number of stirs, it is the amount of time spent stirring" that chills the drink properly. When a recipe tells you how many spoon revolutions to make, the writer is just making sure you chill thoroughly. Batching Batching cocktails is a great way to make drinks for a (small) crowd. Choose one house special and scale up the recipe, then mix up a jug and refrigerate. At party time, just add bitters, ice, garnish and serve. TOOLS Just like chefs, bartenders have distinct preferences about what tools to use for their job. Donahue recommends the following: Straight-sided mixing glass (with spout) "It's more durable than a pint glass and less likely to topple." Many bartenders like an attractive faceted style called Yarai. Advertisement Bar spoon "Find one with a tighter twist and a smooth spiral handle." Shaker "Choose a tin on tin version of a Boston shaker with two weighted metal tins like the Koriko. They are balanced, lightweight, won't leak, and are easy to separate with one firm rap." Strainer "Use a julep strainer for stirred cocktails, it fits perfectly in the mixing glass." Advertisement For shaken drinks, use what's known as a Hawthorne strainer, the familiar looking spring loaded type that catches all shards of ice and solids. Professionals sometimes double strain by finishing with a fine mesh strainer over the glass to remove any citrus pulp or tiny bits of ice that can dilute the drink. All of the above can be found at cocktailkingdom.com. ICE "You can never have enough ice," says Henrichsen. Start bagging ice cubes in your freezer a week ahead of time. Use your freezer's ice-maker or regular ice cube trays or check out the varieties of ice at your local grocer or liquor store. "Here in Chicago you can get Chicago Classic Cubes made by Lang that are really clear," says Donahue, and are made from giant blocks of ice. Fancy shapes are fun, but perhaps the best use of novelty ice is that single large cube that rolls around in the glass with your choice of whiskey. Source silicone ice molds (try cooking supply stores or online sources) and remember to make them ahead. You can even fill balloons with water (a trick from New York chef Daniel Boulud) for spherical ice but don't make them too big to fit in your chosen glassware! MEASURING Advertisement "Jiggers are thought of by customers as restricting their alcohol," says Henrichsen, but in fact the use of jiggers to measure spirits precisely ensures consistently delicious cocktails. In his excellently detailed guide "The Bar Book," Portland barkeep Jeffrey Morgenthaler recommends tall Japanese style jiggers (also found on cocktailkingdom.com) for their elegance and accuracy. Find a balanced version that measures one ounce on one side and two ounces on the other, but is graduated and marked on the inside for smaller amounts as well. Donahue also recommends the use of speed pourers to prevent spilling and over-pouring, "but be sure to keep the caps" or you'll be corking liquor bottles with plastic wrap at the end of the night. He uses a "finger on the choke" to control his pours by covering the airhole in the spout, but even without this more advanced technique, Donahue uses speed pourers at home "unless I am just making a drink for myself." SYRUPS AND GARNISH Do like the pros do and make your own simple syrup in a one to one ratio of sugar to water, stirring over low heat to dissolve. For a richer deeper flavor, try using turbinado or "sugar in the raw" in a two to one ratio. Keep both of these on hand in the refrigerator for sweetening cocktails efficiently. "Garnish is king," says Henrichsen, and nothing but the best quality fruits, herbs, and vegetables will do. Cut garnish as close as possible to serving time, but be sure to prep it ahead so you are not scrambling to slice oranges on a tiny bar cutting board while your guests clamor for a refill. The exception citrus peel, which should be zipped off with a y-peeler after the cocktail is finished, so that the essential oils add zing to the drink. Now, head to the liquor store with a few solid recipes ("The Bar Book" has plenty) to stock up on a well-chosen selection of booze, and invite the gang for cocktail hour. Advertisement House old-fashioned Makes: 1 drink All this talk of drink is making us thirsty, so here's a classic from "The Bar Book," by Jeffrey Morgenthaler. Eat. Watch. Do. Weekly What to eat. What to watch. What you need to live your best life ... now. > 1 teaspoon simple syrup (2 to 1 ration) 2 dashes Angostura bitters 2 ounces bourbon Advertisement Large ice cubes 1 orange peel Combine the simple syrup, bitters and bourbon in a mixing glass. Stir with ice cubes. Strain over fresh ice into a chilled old-fashioned glass. Twist the peel over the surface of the cocktail, rub the rim of the glass with the peel and drop in the drink. Simple syrup: Combine 2 parts sugar to 1 part water in a small saucepan. Simmer until sugar melts. As defined by the Iranian writer, director, photographer, artist and poet Abbas Kiarostami, "pure life" consists of "no pain, just hunger" hunger for expression, for connection, for the liberating power of the camera lens. Kiarostami died last year at age 76, from post-operative complications following cancer surgery. His longtime artistic colleague Seifollah Samadian quickly assembled a tribute to his friend, using home-movie footage he shot over several years from various travels around Iran together. Across those years, Kiarostami and Samadian revisit old haunts, scout locations, seek out snowy hillside landscapes, all for the sake of the master's camera eye. Advertisement MOST READ ENTERTAINMENT NEWS THIS HOUR Touching, light-fingered, "76 Minutes and 15 Seconds with Abbas Kiarostami" is the result. As part of the Gene Siskel Film Center's "27th Annual Festival of Films from Iran," it screens twice this weekend along with Kiarostami's final, prophetically titled work, a 15-minute ground-level variation on "The Red Balloon" made in Northern Italy: "Take Me Home." Advertisement Samadian's fond farewell is not for the Kiarostami newcomer. There's no conventional contextualizing of his work. Rather, "76 Minutes" is content to observe Kiarostami as he goes about his business. In one sequence, as he illustrates his plans for an art installation, he carefully balances a tiny little forest of Marlboro cigarettes as a model for a birch tree forest. Then, Samadian films Kiarostami as the project comes to fruition, with immense PVC pipes stepping into the role of the birches. In another scene, we see and hear Kiarostami and company creating the sound score for the film "Five," with rice-crunching sounds dubbing the sound of ducks running along the beach. Kiarostami's evident pleasure in the artifice of his pursuits comes through in every casual detail of "76 Minutes." He was "captive to the moment," to quote a line from one of Kiarostami's favorite poems by Omar Khayyam. The documentary, which is really more of a farewell address, is flooded with one man's nostalgia for his own artistic achievements, and where they took him. Eventually Kiarostami travels to the countryside and re-creates the final scene of his own masterwork "Through the Olive Trees," calling out the name ("Tahereh!") of that film's female protagonist. Elsewhere he and fellow Iranian filmmaker Massoud Kimiai appear to be co-directing a project, as a third filmmaker, Jafar Panahi, films the process. At the same time, Samadian is filming Panahi. The hall of mirrors doesn't feel hoked-up or self-conscious. As they finish the exterior scene, filmed in the rain, an exuberant Kiarostami says to his colleague: "We don't have much time left we need to enjoy what we are doing!" Based on what we see in "76 Minutes," he did just that, to the end. Also at the Film Center this weekend, Kiarostami's "Taste of Cherry" will be screened 2 p.m. Friday; 6 p.m. Saturday; and 3 p.m. Sunday. Saturday's 8 p.m. screening of "76 Minutes" features an introduction by the ace Chicago-based critic and early Kiarostami champion Jonathan Rosenbaum and Mehrnaz Saeed-Vafa, co-authors of a Kiarostami critical biography. Michael Phillips is a Tribune critic. mjphillips@chicagotribune.com Twitter @phillipstribune Advertisement "76 Minutes and 15 Seconds with Abbas Kiarostami" 3 stars No MPAA rating Running time: 1:16 Schedule: 8 p.m. Saturday; 5 p.m. Sunday as part of the Gene Siskel Film Center's "27th Annual Festival of Films from Iran." 164 N. State St.; siskelfilmcenter.org. In Persian with English subtitles. RELATED STORIES: 'XX' review: Chilling horror anthology from 4 female directors Advertisement 'John Wick: Chapter 2' review: Keanu Reeves is back as the superassassin and dog lover 'The Lego Batman Movie' review: Spinoff builds the laughs -- and mayhem -- brick by brick Watch the latest movie trailers. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 122 Sophie Turner as Jean Grey, anger management student, in "Dark Phoenix." The film, the latest in the "X-Men" franchise, costars James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender and Jessica Chastain. Read the review. (Twentieth Century Fox) Justin Hurwitz often worked into the wee hours as he wrote music for the L.A.-set "La La land." (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) Of all the Academy Awards contenders this season, the surest sure thing heading into pre-Oscars week is Justin Hurwitz, the 31-year-old composer of "La La Land." He and lyricists Benj Pasek and Justin Paul have been nominated for two of the original score's songs, "City of Stars" (likely to win, not my favorite) and "Audition," also known as "The Fools Who Dream." Hurwitz is also up for best original score. He's extraordinarily likely to win that one, along with sharing the best song Oscar. So I'm guessing Feb. 26 will be a big night for both Hurwitz and his old Harvard roommate, "La La Land" writer-director Damien Chazelle. Advertisement MOST READ ENTERTAINMENT NEWS THIS HOUR Chazelle and Hurwitz dragged their unfashionable passion project, a jazz-based musical romance without a traditional happy ending, all around Hollywood, for years. Then Chazelle made a short, trial-sized version of "Whiplash," a music-soaked melodrama about a young jazz drummer and his Svengali of a mentor, to prove he could make a movie (even though he'd already done so; more on that in a few paragraphs). After the short version, Chazelle made the feature-length "Whiplash," cheaply and efficiently and well; J.K. Simmons snagged an Oscar his supporting performance. And then Lionsgate put the $30 million up for "La La Land," which has sold nearly $300 million in tickets worldwide. Advertisement Watch the trailer for "La La Land." Not everybody loves it. Some, in fact, hate it, and some wouldn't like it even if it they liked it, because they come from a place of skepticism/disdain/bile regarding movie musicals. Whatever. It's a free country, more or less. Hurwitz told me on the phone the other day that few things in life for a composer, arranger and orchestrator are more wish-fulfilling than walking on the Sony Pictures recording studio, where the old MGM musicals were made, and hearing your work played by a 95-piece orchestra. "After dreaming about it and talking about it with Damien for years," Hurwitz said, "that was really something." The shrewdly considered influences on Hurwitz's "La La Land" score include Michel Legrand's music for the Jacques Demy musicals "The Umbrellas of Cherbourg" and "The Young Girls of Rochefort." By way of example: Hurwitz told me his original orchestration for the "La La Land" traffic-jam intro, "Another Day of Sun," went for the throat and the strings and the bombast more conventionally. Upon further review, Hurwitz took a cue from the way Legrand's Demy musicals let the jazz rhythm section interact with the full orchestra. The results are subtler and intoxicating, and when Angela Parrish (the unseen vocalist; the dancer in yellow, Reshma Gajjar, lip-synchs the words) performs the first few lines about leaving Santa Fe to chase her showbiz dreams, it's as if we're eavesdropping on a private thought, rather than getting clobbered with virtuosity. Hurwitz's feature film debut was just as unusual as the "La La Land" phenomenon. For Chazelle's Harvard graduate thesis project, he and Hurwitz decided to make a 16-millimeter black-and-white cinema verite jazz musical released in 2009 called "Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench," music by Hurwitz, lyrics by Chazelle. (The soundtrack, thanks to the success of "La La Land," is finally available, due out March 17.) Chazelle's idea with "Guy and Madeline," according to Hurwitz, was to contrast the hand-held, black-and-white aesthetic with a lush, extravagant orchestral sound. A significant percentage of the minuscule production budget financed a trip for Hurwitz to Bratislava, Slovakia, where the local symphony had been hired for a single, four-hour "Guy and Madeline" recording session. Featuring 85 musicians. For a composer's first film. A student film. At the moment, Hurwitz is back on his other career track: comedy. He's a writer-producer on the ninth season of "Curb Your Enthusiasm." When he was mixing the "La La Land" score, he told me, he didn't have the next musical assignment lined up yet, and he was more than happy to join "Curb Your Enthusiasm." (His earlier writing credits include a "Simpsons" episode and several episodes of "The League.") Chazelle's next film, already announced, is a Neil Armstrong biopic starring Ryan Gosling, his "La La Land" headliner, and that project may well bring composer Hurwitz back into the fold. As for "Curb Your Enthusiasm," Hurwitz told me Larry David has been a comedy god to him since Hurwitz was in high school in Glendale, Wis., north of Milwaukee. And now, thanks to Hurwitz's "La La Land" score, the world is newly peppered with young fans of movie musicals who are just now learning about all the musicals before it. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 8 Should win: Mahershala Ali, Moonlight (Pictured, left) (David Bornfriend / AP) Starting Monday on WFMT-FM 98.7, I'm pleased to be hosting "The Film Score: Music for Oscar Week 2017," produced by Michael San Gabino and featuring music from Academy Award-winning and Oscar-nominated musicals dating back to the birth of the sound era, "The Broadway Melody" (1929). The daily segments span the music of Gershwin ("An American in Paris"), Lerner and Loewe ("Gigi," "My Fair Lady"), Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim ("West Side Story") and more, including Hurwitz ("La La Land") and a key precursor to the "La La Land" score, Legrand ("The Umbrellas of Cherbourg"). Advertisement Meantime, here at the home store: Starting Sunday, working with Tribune video producer Roger Tino Morales, I'm presenting daily video tributes to Oscar-winning movie musicals through the decades. They're swell, I tell you, just swell. You'll find them online at www.chicagotribune.com/movies. "The Film Score: Music for Oscar Week 2017" airs at 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday-Sunday on WFMT-FM 98.7. Starting Sunday, go to www.chicagotribune.com/movies for daily Tribune video salutes to Oscar-winning musicals, also hosted by Michael Phillips. Michael Phillips is a Tribune critic. mjphillips@chicagotribune.com Twitter @phillipstribune Advertisement The sounds of Oscar "The Film Score: Music for Oscar Week 2017" airs at 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday-Sunday on WFMT-FM 98.7. Starting Sunday, go to www.chicagotribune.com/movies for daily Tribune video salutes to Oscar-winning musicals, also hosted by Michael Phillips. RELATED STORIES 'La La Land' review: Stone, Gosling light up Damien Chazelle's romantic reverie Jazz in 'La La Land' nearly redeems Damien Chazelle's 'Whiplash' excesses Advertisement Behind the scenes of 'La La Land' with director Damien Chazelle Ryan Gosling sings, dances, reads in margins of Gene Kelly's annotated scripts Oscars go gaga for 'La La Land' with record-tying 14 nods Watch the latest movie trailers. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 122 Sophie Turner as Jean Grey, anger management student, in "Dark Phoenix." The film, the latest in the "X-Men" franchise, costars James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender and Jessica Chastain. Read the review. (Twentieth Century Fox) The opening title "Based on a true story" can cover a multitude of movie sins, but in "A United Kingdom," it unlocks the door to a romantic drama that grows more remarkable by the minute. While lovers faced with daunting obstacles is a dramatic tradition going back to Romeo and Juliet, if not further, the real-life barriers facing Seretse Khama (David Oyelowo) and Ruth Williams (Rosamund Pike) when they fell in love in 1947 London were unusually intimidating and overwhelming. Advertisement The African Khama and British Williams had to contend with more than casual British racial prejudice, more than the taunts of yobs on the street or even the horror of Williams' own father, who tells his daughter, "You disgust me." Much more. MOST READ ENTERTAINMENT NEWS THIS HOUR Advertisement For Khama was not simply a handsome and charismatic African, he was also a prince of his native country, the British protectorate of Bechuanaland (now Botswana), and about to become king. And Williams was on the surface simply an ordinary office worker, leading to taunts like "a chief cannot pluck a girl out of the typing pool." Back home, not only were Khama's sister and the aunt who raised him aghast at the match but so were big chunks of the country's population, especially his regent uncle Tshekedi Khama (an effective Vusi Kunene), who felt he was compromising Bechuanaland's future and demanded he abdicate the throne. Rosamund Pike and David Oyelowo in "A United Kingdom" (Fox Searchlight / Handout) More than that, the love match between these two caused serious international political dislocations. Bechuanaland's neighbor South Africa, starting to implement its racial separation policy of apartheid, was furious at what it considered an affront, and as an influential member of the Commonwealth, that country had enormous sway with British policy toward the protectorate. Quite a lot for a young couple to contend with; as written by Guy Hibbert ("Eye in the Sky," "Omagh") and directed by Amma Asante ("Belle"), "A United Kingdom" does a satisfying job of keeping all these balls in the air. "A United Kingdom" is traditional, well-made cinema, with a taste for the obvious at certain points, but it has some powerful advantages. These include its remarkable story (Susan Williams'' book "Colour Bar" was a primary source), plus a director who knows how to convey its essence and a superior cast whose presence elevates the material. Co-star Oyelowo, persuasively sensitive as well as strong, has been connected to the project since even before his role as the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in 2014's "Selma" brought him to prominence. The actor helped persuade Pike, much sought after after playing the disappearing Amy in "Gone Girl," to take the role of the unwavering Williams. Certainly falling in love was hardly on Williams' mind when she accompanied her sister Muriel ("Downton Abbey's" Laura Carmichael) to an earnest event called the Missionary Society Dance. Advertisement There she meets Khama, and the two bond over a mutual love of American jazz, and, as it turns out, the energetic swing dancing they convincingly take part in as their attachment deepens. The film's portrayal of key Africans, starting with but not limited to Oyelowo and Kunene's performances, is one of "A United Kingdom's" strengths. The film's most effective nonromantic scene, in fact, has Khama's sister Naledi (Terry Pheto, from the Oscar-winning "Tsotsi") and his aunt Ella (Abena Ayivor) having a "why would you do this to us?" confrontation with Williams that has both substance and bite. The married couple's real-life battles against the forces arrayed against them were fought one skirmish at a time over a number of years. "A United Kingdom" understands that it was by no means easy, but emphasizes the centrality of their determination not to allow "the world's ugliness to take our joy away." They don't, and we are all the better for it. "United Kingdom" 3 stars MPAA rating: PG-13 (for some language, including racial epithets and a scene of sensuality) Advertisement Running time: 1:51 Opens: Friday RELATED STORIES: 'XX' review: Chilling horror anthology from 4 female directors '76 Minutes and 15 Seconds with Abbas Kiarostami' review: Doc delves into Iranian filmmaker's methods 'John Wick: Chapter 2' review: Keanu Reeves is back as the superassassin and dog lover Watch the latest movie trailers. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 122 Sophie Turner as Jean Grey, anger management student, in "Dark Phoenix." The film, the latest in the "X-Men" franchise, costars James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender and Jessica Chastain. Read the review. (Twentieth Century Fox) In 1972 Richard M. Nixon visited the Great Wall of China. "I think that you would have to conclude," he said in his remarks, "that this is a great wall." In the Nixonian spirit, let's discuss director Zhang Yimou's "The Great Wall." Watching it, you would have to conclude that this is a movie. It is in color, in English and in 3-D, which means green monster guts splurching in your face. With a production budget estimated at $135 million to $150 million, it is the priciest film ever shot wholly in China. (It opened there late last year, to solid but not spectacular results.) Advertisement "The Great Wall" stars the Great Wall, which in reality is 5,500 miles long and took 1,700 years to build, as we learn in the opening titles. It co-stars Matt Damon as a mercenary archer named William Garin, whose dialect suggests Brendan Gleeson pretending to be an American after a couple of pints. MOST READ ENTERTAINMENT NEWS THIS HOUR Advertisement The movie is not a documentary. The screenplay by Carlo Bernard, Doug Miro and Tony Gilroy, working from a story by Max Brooks, Edward Zwick and Marshall Herskovitz, imagines an army known as The Nameless Order charged with fending off a teeming mass of the "Tao Tei." The Tao Tei, based on Chinese mythology, is a breed of savage, "Alien"-ating beasts living inside Jade Mountain (just over from Witch Mountain, and a long way from Brokeback). Every 60 years these beasts rise up as one and gorge on the nearest humans. So what is ol' Matt Damon doing in a mythological version of 1100 A.D. China? His character is just another European money-grubber, ostensibly trading with the locals. But with his Spanish sidekick, played by Pedro Pascal, he has designs on the rumored "black powder," which will make him rich and change warfare forever. "The Great Wall" pushes its pasty protagonist toward a major life decision. Option A: Escape before the monsters regroup for a final attack, joining the characters played by Pascal and Willem "Mugging in Close-Up? My Specialty!" Dafoe? Or Option B: Stay and fight and learn a little teamwork from the brave fighting forces, known as the Crane Corps, led by Jing Tian? Matt Damon stars as a mercenary archer in "The Great Wall," which is set about 1100 A.D. and directed by Zhang Yimou. (Universal) The film's other key Asian actors Andy Lau, Hanyu Zhang and Kenny Lin get a reasonable share of the screen time, in between Damon close-ups and "World War Z"-style digital critter assaults. But something, I'm afraid, has happened to director Yimou since the glory days of "Raise the Red Lantern" and "House of Flying Daggers." ("The Great Wall" could be retitled "House of Falling Extras.") A few stray images linger, such as the sight of Tian and her lieutenants floating in a hot air balloon, high above the green-screen monster carnage. Mostly, though, the movie lurches, stalls and then lurches forward again, hobbled by some of the herky-jerkiest editing (credited to Mary Jo Markey and Craig Wood) I've seen in years. The banter forced upon Damon and Pascal should go in a screenwriting software program titled "How to Write Forgettable Banter," and in stoic action-hero mode, Damon must make do with flat, declarative 11th century argot along the lines of: "The moon is strong." So "The Great Wall" is a monster movie, a white savior movie, and an extremely tedious movie. Even in China, they didn't love it. According to Wikipedia the users of the film review website Douban gave "The Great Wall" 5.4 out of 10, which is "meh" in any language. The Communist Party-controlled People's Daily weighed in, suggesting that grousy reviews on the Ticketmaster-style online site Maoyan were bad for business. In a matter of hours Maoyan removed its so-called professional score, proving that the Chinese government deals with unsupportive publicity more effectively than the American government. Sad! Michael Phillips is a Tribune critic. mjphillips@chicagotribune.com Twitter @phillipstribune "The Great Wall" 1.5 stars Advertisement MPAA rating: PG-13 (for sequences of fantasy action violence) Running time: 1:44 Opens: Friday RELATED STORIES: 'XX' review: Chilling horror anthology from 4 female directors '76 Minutes and 15 Seconds with Abbas Kiarostami' review: Doc delves into Iranian filmmaker's methods Advertisement 'A United Kingdom' review: David Oyelowo, Rosamund Pike play lovers battling public opinion Watch the latest movie trailers. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 122 Sophie Turner as Jean Grey, anger management student, in "Dark Phoenix." The film, the latest in the "X-Men" franchise, costars James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender and Jessica Chastain. Read the review. (Twentieth Century Fox) Robert Falls and Stacy Keach at the Goodman Theatre 90th Anniversary Party on Oct. 20, 2014. (Chicago Tribune/ Yvette Marie Dostatni) Ten years after their collaboration on "King Lear," Robert Falls and celebrated film actor Stacy Keach will reunite for the world premiere play "Pamplona," the Goodman Theatre announced Thursday. Keach, who starred in the 1988 mini-series "Hemingway" and earned a subsequent Golden Globe Award for the performance, will again step into the shoes of the great American writer, lover, drinker and adventurer in Jim McGrath's drama, set in the spiraling years following Papa's Pulitzer and Nobel Prize wins. Advertisement The previously-announced production of Dael Orlandersmith's "Lady in Denmark," which was to be directed by Chay Yew and run in the Owen May 19-June 18, will be rescheduled. The Goodman says that subscribers will receive tickets to "Pamplona." This switch also comes after it was announced that Steve Scott would replace Falls as the director of "Ah, Wilderness!", opening in the Albert in June. Advertisement "Pamplona" runs May 19-June 18 in the Owen Theatre. Tickets go on sale Monday at 10 a.m. at GoodmanTheatre.org and at noon at 312-443-3800. MORE FROM THE THEATER LOOP: New Tracy Letts politics play will debut at Steppenwolf, go to Broadway In 'Gloria' and 'SWM,' New York shows came here to grow Jess McLeod named 2016-17 Michael Maggio Directing Fellow The nightmare always ended the same way: I knelt in the back yard at night, trying to hide my three younger brothers in the sandbox while Nazis searched our house. What saved us, every time, was me waking up. As a Jewish girl growing up in Silicon Valley in the 1980s, my life mainly revolved around Care Bear stickers and swim lessons and chapter books featuring Ramona Quimby. But at Sunday school, I watched grainy black-and-white videos showing piles of emaciated corpses in the Nazi death camps. By night, the horror felt real. Advertisement That nightmare plagued me as a child. As an adult, I'd forgotten it. The other night, I was snuggling with my 4-year-old daughter in my childhood bedroom, stroking her hair as she fell asleep. Suddenly, a terrifying image popped into my mind: the sandbox. Advertisement I lay frozen in the dark, listening to my daughter breathe. Decades had passed since the dream last surfaced. In retrospect, its recurrence right now is perhaps not surprising, what with refugee bans and burning mosques, threats on Jewish community centers, and internet trolls marking pictures of Jewish journalists with Stars of David and bullet holes. Ever since my children began to understand language, and especially in recent months, I have wrestled with how honest I should be with them. Should I tell them about the issues that worry me - about xenophobia and hate crimes and global warming? Should I confide my fears for our country? Would such candor build character, or anxiety? I grew up listening to my grandfather recount stories of escaping the Nazis. As a Jewish journalist in Austria in the 1930s, he'd criticized Hitler's regime. Then Hitler annexed Austria in 1938, and my grandfather was imprisoned for several months. The guards sometimes blindfolded him and the other prisoners, he told me, then fired shots over their heads. After somehow fleeing the country, he wrote to anyone in America who shared his last name. A taxi driver he didn't know signed papers that allowed him to immigrate to New York City in late 1938. Of more than 60 members of his family, six survived the Holocaust. Hearing these stories as a young child shaped my nascent social conscience. They grounded me in history. And they fed my nightmares. My daughter went through a phase a few months ago where she was afraid of everything. She came home from preschool each day with a new fear. Mommy, she would announce, today I'm worried about sharks. Today I'm worried about crocodiles. Today I'm worried about bears. My job, each day, was to reassure her. The sharks are in the ocean. The crocodiles are in the swamps. The bears are in the woods. And Mommy is here. And everything will be okay. I did not qualify my assurances, except silently. What good would it do for me to add that she would one day swim in the sea, or walk in the woods, or stand at the edge of a swamp? That everything would probably be okay then, too. Probably. Hopefully. But not definitely. A couple years before, on the day the children of Newtown were murdered, I sat in the rocking chair, kissing my baby's bald head, sickened and fearful at the impossibility of keeping her safe. And yet every day since, I have made promises to my children that I know I can't guarantee. That goodness will prevail. That I will always come home to them. That they needn't be afraid of the dark. Advertisement These are the lies we tell our children, not because they are the only things we can tell them, but because they are the only things we can tell ourselves. If our children are lucky - and (knock on wood) mine have been privileged enough to be very lucky - the adults in their lives can keep them cocooned for a little while against the scariest truths. For a little while, we can keep the nightmares at bay. But not forever. I have not told my children that I am afraid. They are 4 and 2. I know my fear would frighten them. But, someday soon, I plan to explain to them that it is okay to be frightened, so long as you can respond to fear with courage and reason and compassion. I will tell them about our own history, about the shots fired in an Austrian prison and about the stranger who signed a paper that rescued my grandfather, and thereby rescued all of us. And then, if I can find the right words, I will try to explain to them the lesson I learned as a little girl: To save your life when the nightmare comes, you must wake up. A humble plea, if I may, to Barack and Michelle Obama: Come home and fight the gun violence that plagues Chicago. Set aside politics and launch an all-hands-on-deck, multi-faceted task force. Identify and solve the deeply entrenched, tragically entangled challenges that allow gunfire to steal our kids, terrorize our neighborhoods and sap our belief that it will ever be any other way. Advertisement Do we need more police? Better support for the police we have? Stricter enforcement of gun laws? Longer sentencing for repeat offenders? More jobs? Better schools? Mentors? Advertisement Where do we start? When does it end? We're lost. We're broken and defeated by the violence, and we're nowhere close to agreeing on what to do about it. And while we argue, children keep dying. Takiya Holmes was 11. My daughter's age. She could have been my daughter's classmate. I could have held her hand and walked through Lincoln Park Zoo or the Museum of Science and Industry, chaperoning her field trip and giggling with her about crushes and movies. Kanari Gentry-Bowers was 12. Her fellow sixth-graders signed a banner that her principal brought to the hospital. Lavontay White Jr. was 2. When I look at his photo, I see his tiny hand and I think about how tender you have to be when you trim a toddler's fingernails. They all died violently in the last week. And they're but three in a sea of children this city has sacrificed. More than 250 kids under 14 have been shot in Chicago since 2012, according to data compiled by my Chicago Tribune colleagues. All three of the shootings that killed Takiya, Kanari and Lavontay have likely ties to gang conflicts, police sources tell Tribune reporters. It's a familiar refrain: "gang rivals," "gang-related shooting," "ties to gang conflicts." Advertisement Our elected officials seem unable to stanch the blood. Competing loyalties, clashing priorities, differing politics they all get in the way. Enough. Our humanity has to transcend our politics. You are Chicagoans, Mr. and Mrs. Obama. You know this city's people and its potential. You know its sidewalks and its streetscapes. You know its history. And you know its heartbreak. Soon enough, Jackson Park will give rise to the Obama presidential library. How about embarking on an even bigger legacy? How about taking your community organizing, your diplomacy, your law degrees, your friendships, your networks, your gift for compromise, your desire for social justice and pointing them our way? Advertisement Come home. Bring your ideas and your knowledge and your power and get people to the table. In "The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream," Mr. Obama wrote this: "What's troubling is the gap between the magnitude of our challenges and the smallness of our politics the ease with which we are distracted by the petty and trivial, our chronic avoidance of tough decisions, our seeming inability to build a working consensus to tackle any big problem." And this: "And yet publicly it's difficult to find much soul-searching or introspection on either side of the divide. ... What we hear instead, not only in campaigns but on editorial pages, on bookstands, or in the ever-expanding blog universe, are deflections of criticism and assignments of blame." That was 2006, and the subject was America as a whole. But it could just as well be Chicago in 2017. Advertisement "Of course," the book continues, "there is another story to be told, by the millions of Americans who are going about their business every day. They are on the job or looking for work, starting businesses, helping their kids with their homework and struggling with high gas bills. ... They are by turns hopeful and frightened about the future." There are pockets of Chicago where people are only frightened. Hope is lost. People can't watch babies getting shot and stay hopeful. People can't live through 4,000-plus shootings and 700-plus homicides in a year, like Chicago did in 2016, and stay hopeful. You could work to change that. I was in Grant Park on Nov. 4, 2008, the night you were elected to lead our country. I watched you both walk onto the stage with your daughters. I watched this city embrace you and all that your victory had to offer. Eight years later, the same city many of the same people, no doubt embraced your family again when you bid us farewell from the stage at McCormick Place. We know you've traveled (and changed) the world, but we will always claim you as our own. Come back. Change Chicago. A library is lovely, but it won't save any lives. Advertisement We need you to remember our city's promise, and we need you to help us live up to it. hstevens@chicagotribune.com Twitter @heidistevens13 RELATED STORIES: Third child dies from a shooting in Chicago in just two days 2 young girls shot in Chicago: This has got to stop Advertisement Chicagoans, these senseless shootings are on us Is onetime lead foot state Sen. Jim Oberweis slowing down now that he's in his eighth decade? Count us confused. Advertisement On the one hand, Oberweis, a Republican who successfully pushed to increase the speed limit to 70 mph on some of the state's rural highways, now has introduced a bill to raise the limit to 75 mph. On the other, the 70-year-old Auroran hasn't been slapped with a speeding ticket since 2012, after he reportedly racked up 11 traffic tickets in the prior 24 years. Advertisement So has he changed? "The answer's no," Oberweis, the proud owner of a 2017 Cadillac CTS6 with vanity plates, told Chicago Inc. He disputed a 2014 Tribune report that said he had 11 tickets, saying some tickets given to his son were misattributed to him and that his overall record was not bad, but he acknowledged that the tickets he did get were regrettable. And he promised that, if he gets his way with a 75 mph limit as he did with the 70 mph measure, moves to reset the limit to 80, 90 or 100 mph would not follow. Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. > "That's it, as far as I'm concerned," he said. "The smart place to put the limit is at the 85th percentile of how fast traffic moves, and 75 mph is just right." His bill would raise the limit to 75 mph on Interstate Highway 355, Interstate Highway 80, and every interstate west of I-355 and south of I-80, wherever no other local limit applies. Limits also would be raised to 60 mph from 55 mph on all roads with fewer than 4 lanes of traffic that are not interstate highways. Oberweis said that on the drive down to Springfield to hear Gov. Bruce Rauner's budget address Wednesday, "I was driving 74 mph and most of the traffic was speeding past me." Keeping laws on the books that are widely ignored is bad for the law, in general, he said. But he disputed a rumor that state police turn a blind eye to speeding politicians rushing to Springfield when the House and Senate are in session. "I've seen several other elected officials pulled over at the side of the highway," he said, declining to name names. Advertisement kjanssen@chicagotribune.com Twitter @kimjnews What happened to liberal Democrats , and their concerns about civil liberties and government surveillance of American citizens? Liberals once hated the CIA . And they loved the Russians. Yeah, you can look it up. And their liberal friends in liberal Hollywood made movie after movie about the dangers of The Deep State and its awesome surveillance powers. One of the best was "Three Days of the Condor," with liberal icon Robert Redford fighting the malevolent CIA boss John Houseman, who longed for "the clarity" of world war. Years later, Edward Snowden became the liberal demigod and Wikileaks was their winged chariot of truth and beauty. Liberals fretted about the powers of the intelligence community being used on private citizens for political reasons. So what happened to them? What happened to the ideals of these liberal Democrats? Donald Trump was elected president, that's what happened to them. And now you can clearly see the change in them as Trump's national security adviser, Michael Flynn , has become feast for the crows. Flynn deserves his punishment. Make no mistake about that. He reportedly lied to Vice President Mike Pence about his phone conversations with a Russian ambassador that included discussion of the Obama administration's sanctions against Russia. As a former general officer, as a former Defense Intelligence Agency boss, Flynn understands the chain of command. There is no lying to a superior officer, and Pence was his superior. Lying to a superior is grounds for court-martial. Or, at least gives pretext for a quick and brutal departure from the Trump White House, which is what happened. Advertisement So Flynn is gone, forced to resign, his head high on a spike upon the Democratic Party ramparts. Democrats jeer at his head up there. It's as if this episode were street theater in olde England, with Punch and Judy entertaining the small folk. And Flynn's head, up there above them, is pecked endlessly in the sun. Advertisement But what victory are they celebrating, exactly? And at what cost to the republic? What would have been bothersome to liberals of old (the pre-Trump kind) is that Flynn may have been targeted for a takedown by the Deep State intelligence operatives liberals once loathed. Flynn and Trump warred with the intelligence community during the campaign, and Trump called out the CIA and others on multiple occasions, tweeting at them, provoking them. Most recently, Trump was furious that his private conversations with the Australian prime minister became public and were used as a club to pound him in the pages of the "Never Trump" Washington Post and other establishment newspapers. The damning news was that there are reportedly transcripts of Flynn speaking with the Russian ambassador before Trump was inaugurated president. This indicates that Flynn was most likely the subject of a warrant issued by the secret Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court. It means his conversations were recorded. The American public should know what this is about. I have a hard time believing Flynn was a traitor. But I don't have a hard time believing that arrogance and foolishness are necessary prerequisites for a hard public fall. What's astounding about this is that news reports on Flynn's conversations with the Russian ambassador also mentioned something else. They mentioned the existence of many intelligence community sources, and these many intelligence sources presumably read the transcripts and leaked their contents to reporters. Advertisement That's what is amazing. That the intelligence community records the conversations of a private citizen and leaks to damage and weaken a president. Liberals who once prided themselves on being civil libertarians are overjoyed. They don't question their good fortune. They celebrate. Now Trump is in open, public war with American intelligence and liberals cheer on the intelligence community leakers. Trump declared his war with American intelligence on his Twitter account and then did so in person as he stood in the White House at a news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "I think he's (Flynn) been treated very, very unfairly by the media as I call it, the 'fake media,' in many cases and I think it's really a sad thing that he was treated so badly," Trump said. "I think in addition to that, from intelligence, papers are being leaked, things are being leaked," said the president, adding that such leaks were a "criminal action, criminal act." Advertisement The president's references to Flynn are awkward and politically self-serving. But the president's reference to the intelligence community in his government is an open declaration of war. And it's dangerous. Democrats are on the outs, so they love this story about Flynn. It feeds into their belief that Trump is some tool of Russian strongman Vladimir Putin. It's not whether they believe it that matters. What matters is that they see a way to sear this deeply upon the American mind before the 2018 elections. Democrats will continue to push this theme, even if it means celebrating a possible takedown of administration officials by American intelligence, and the many sources of those reports. So why aren't liberals more concerned, when once they'd be outraged about authoritarian tactics? For the same reasons they weren't concerned about presidential overreach when their guy was president, with his imperial pen and his phone. Advertisement Because for many Democrats, just like for many Republicans, it's all about power, isn't it? And ideals even those which help keep the republic be damned. Listen to "The Chicago Way" podcast with John Kass and WGN's Jeff Carlin and guests Sen. Rand Paul and Kristen McQueary at www.wgnradio.com/category/wgn-plus/thechicagoway. jskass@chicagotribune.com Twitter @John_Kass WASHINGTON Former President Barack Obama on Wednesday paid a surprise visit to Chicago, meeting with several civic leaders to discuss his Presidential Center planned for Jackson Park, according to the Obama Foundation. The Rev. Richard Tolliver, pastor at St. Edmund's Episcopal Church, said he was at the meeting along with the Rev. Torrey Barrett, executive director of the KLEO Community Family Life Center, and Shari Runner, president and CEO of the Chicago Urban League. Advertisement The meeting took place at the Hyde Park headquarters of the Obama Foundation, the not-for-profit that is developing the Obama library and museum in nearby Jackson Park. The former president indicated he would be in Chicago regularly to take a hands-on role in planning the library, Tolliver said. Advertisement The presence of Tolliver and Barrett, leaders in the Washington Park area, was significant. That historic park lost out in the bidding for the library, and planners have said efforts would be made to extend benefits to that community. Obama also met with key elected officials, including Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Ald. Leslie Hairston, whose 5th Ward includes Jackson Park, sources said. Hairston recently wrote an open letter to the foundation asking for greater transparency in the library planning process. Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. > And he met with leaders from Woodlawn and South Shore, neighborhoods that abut Jackson Park to the west and south, respectively. They include the Rev. Byron Brazier, pastor of the Apostolic Church of God; the Rev. Leon Finney, pastor of the Metropolitan Apostolic Church of God; and a representative of the South Shore Chamber, sources said. After he left office, Obama and his wife, Michelle, headed to Palm Springs, Calif., and then to a private Caribbean island owned by British billionaire Richard Branson, according to news accounts. On Valentine's Day, Michelle Obama posted a tweet showing her feet and her husband's feet relaxing on a beach. She tweeted: "Happy Valentine's Day to the love of my life and favorite island mate, @BarackObama. #valentines". kbergen@chicagotribune.com kskiba@chicagotribune.com Twitter@KatherineSkiba Advertisement Twitter@kathy_bergen Bolingbrook police are investigating a shooting Wednesday afternoon that sent one man to the hospital with minor injuries. An unknown number of men walked along the 300 block of North Schmidt Road toward a vehicle with multiple men inside, when one person outside fired shots inside the vehicle, Bolingbrook police Lt. Anthony Columbus said. Advertisement "The occupants of the vehicle fled the scene, taking the victim to a nearby hospital," according to a police statement. "The victim is currently uncooperative." Police responded to a report of gunshots at 3:44 p.m., finding no one involved at the scene. After they received a report of a gunshot victim at the hospital, they learned the adult male victim was being treated for minor injuries and was released within a couple hours. Advertisement The police have no description of the person who fired the shots, however the incident does not appear to be random, Columbus said. Erin Gallagher is a freelance reporter. A former Uber senior executive who once served as Barack Obama's campaign manager has been fined $90,000 by the Chicago Board of Ethics for illegally lobbying Mayor Rahm Emanuel on behalf of the ride-sharing company. The board voted 5-0 to find that David Plouffe violated city ethics rules by failing to register as a lobbyist after contacting Emanuel to help the company on regulations for picking up travelers at Chicago's two airports. Advertisement Plouffe's lobbying violation only became public after Emanuel in December released hundreds of personal emails related to public business under the pressure of two open records lawsuits alleging the mayor violated the state's open records law. Included was a message Plouffe sent to the mayor Nov. 20, 2015. Advertisement "Assume both of us thought the airport issue was settled and we would never have to discuss again, but unfortunately two significant new hurdles were introduced," wrote Plouffe, the political strategist who managed Obama's 2008 presidential campaign and in 2015 was Uber's senior vice president of policy and strategy. "Coming to you because of their severity that would prevent us from operating. We were all set to announce Monday we were beginning pickups." Plouffe, who like Emanuel served in the Obama White House, went on to describe concerns Uber had about pickup fees and the requirement to display an airport pickup placard in Uber vehicles. "Sure this comes as much of a surprise to you as us, since there was an agreement in place," Plouffe wrote. "I hope we can resolve these issues before the holiday. Our team is eager to move forward and begin operating at the airports in advance of the Thanksgiving holiday as you called for and we'd like to deliver on the schedule for you." Emanuel, who was traveling at the time, quickly responded. "Please speak to Negron and David on my staff. Impossible for me to address from China," wrote Emanuel, referring to Michael Negron, the mayor's chief of policy, and David Spielfogel, then his senior adviser. Plouffe's communication with Emanuel came as City Hall had weighed how to regulate the emerging ride-share industry, eventually settling on rules that are less stringent than those placed on the city's taxi companies. The mayor's brother, Hollywood talent agency CEO Ari Emanuel, is an investor in Uber. Last June, aldermen attempted to pass stronger regulations on ride-sharing companies to even the playing field for the taxi industry, only to have them watered down. When aldermen pushing for the stronger rules, which included fingerprinting drivers, tried to use a parliamentary maneuver to delay the action, Emanuel threatened to adjourn the City Council meeting. In the end, the watered-down version Emanuel preferred remained intact. In its final determination to issue its reprimands, the Board of Ethics stated that both Uber and Plouffe "do not dispute the allegations" of violating the city's lobbying ordinance or contest the possibility of a fine. Uber and Plouffe argued he should only be subject to a $1,000 fine, according to the ethics board. Advertisement The city's ordinance, however, calls for a $1,000 fine for each lobbying violation and that "each day that a violation continues shall constitute a separate and distinct offense to which a separate fine shall apply." The board handed down a $90,000 fine because Plouffe did not register until April 13, 2016, long after the five business day requirement for registration after he first lobbied Emanuel. The fine reflects the 90 business days he was not registered after first contacting the mayor. "Mr. Plouffe and the company argue that this leads to an absurd result by having the board punish those, like him, to the same degree it would punish a person who actually had engaged in lobbying every day during this period," the ethics panel wrote in its determination. "The board rejects this argument." The board said handing down only a $1,000 fine would encourage unregistered lobbying activity until someone was discovered or caught. "There would be no deterrent effect as to unregistered lobbying at all," wrote William F. Conlon, the board's chairman. "At the core of Chicago's lobbying law is the prompt and public disclosure of lobbying activity." Plouffe could not be reached for comment. The Board of Ethics fined Uber $2,000, the penalty the city's ordinance requires for each act of hiring a lobbyist who violates the city's lobbying laws. Uber spokeswoman Molly Spaeth said the company accepted the ethics panel's decision. Advertisement Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. > "We work hard to ensure our registrations are accurate and up to date," Spaeth said in an emailed statement. "We regret that in this instance we made a mistake and we will comply with the board's assessment." The start date the ethics board used to tally Plouffe's fine was the Nov. 20 date of the email, but the lobbyist indicated in his message he had communicated with Emanuel previously on the topic by referencing that the two likely thought the ride-share regulations were an issue "we would never have to discuss again." Asked when Plouffe began to reach out to Emanuel personally on behalf of Uber, Spaeth responded, "I don't have any additional details to share at this time." Emanuel released the email from Plouffe as part of a settlement with the Better Government Association that sought official emails from the mayor's nongovernmental accounts. The settlement was announced in December, 12 days after the Chicago Tribune won a round in its ongoing lawsuit alleging the mayor violated the state's open records laws by refusing to release communications about city business Emanuel conducted through personal emails and text messages. In the Tribune case, a judge has ordered Emanuel to produce an index of certain emails and text messages the mayor sent and received on his personal devices. No such requirement was part of the BGA settlement, which relied on Emanuel's personal attorney and City Hall's Law Department not an independent party to determine which emails were public records. bruthhart@chicagotribune.com Advertisement hdardick@chicagotribune.com A federal judge this week rejected an effort by a group of residents and former Gov. Pat Quinn to force the city to adopt an elected school board. In a lawsuit filed in October, Quinn and his fellow plaintiffs argued that a mayoral-appointed board violated the group's constitutional and civil rights, and that the board raises the issue of taxation without representation. Advertisement The lawsuit included a demand that the city and Chicago Board of Education create a plan allowing for the election of school board members. U.S. District Court Judge Elaine E. Bucklo rejected those claims in a 31-page opinion issued Monday. Advertisement "Plaintiffs have no fundamental right to vote in school board elections as a matter of law, and the fact that residents of other Illinois jurisdictions have the privilege of voting in such elections in their districts does not confer such a right upon residents of Chicago," Bucklo wrote. Quinn and the community members filed a similar complaint in the fall with the Cook County Chancery Division, alleging their inability to vote for school board members violated their rights under the Illinois constitution. That case is still pending. A judge is scheduled to hold a hearing on a request to dismiss the case later this month. jjperez@tribpub.com Twitter @PerezJr College isn't cheap, and more students are turning to GoFundMe online fundraising campaigns to raise money for college costs. In Illinois, about $2.6 million has been raised since 2014 from nearly 5,300 campaigns to assist with tuition, housing and other higher education expenses, according to a new guidebook released Wednesday by GoFundMe. Illinois' total puts it in sixth place behind California, Texas, New York, Florida and Georgia. Advertisement "When a student goes off to college, there are a whole host of expenses from books and computers, room and board, study abroad trips ... and a GoFundMe campaign is a simple and easy way for students to raise funds from friends and families and their community to help them pay down those expenses in college," said GoFundMe spokesman Bobby Whithorne. Over the past three years, more than 130,000 GoFundMe campaigns nationwide have raised $60 million from over 850,000 donations for college tuition and related expenses. In the past few years there has been a significant increase in education-related campaigns, making it one of the fastest-growing categories on the site, Whithorne said. Advertisement A Chicago State University student majoring in chemistry recently raised $8,720 to help pay for school after she was in danger of losing her financial aid and her fellowship for the spring semester. Another campaign for a Wheaton College junior studying piano and struggling to secure student loans netted $8,730. "With the average college graduate in 2016 facing $37,172 in student loan debt, the need for help with education costs in this country is clear," the newly released guidebook says. "That's why more and more students are realizing that, with just few clicks, they are able to start a GoFundMe to help reduce the burden." Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. > The average tuition and fees for full-time enrollment at public four-year institutions in the U.S. is $9,650 for in-state students and $24,930 for out-of-state students for the 2016-17 year, according to the College Board's Trends in College Pricing 2016 report. Add in room and board and the cost increases substantially. The guidebook walks students through the process of creating a campaign. Notable tips include sharing stories of achievements and sacrifices to get into college, posting updates and photos frequently to keep supporters in the loop and showing appreciation by sending thank-you notes to donors. The site also launched a college fundraising hub to connect students, parents and alumni with education-related campaigns for donations. Sharing a campaign on social networks including Facebook and Twitter can increase donations, Whithorne said. "There are folks that want to help," he said. "There are members of the community, members of the church, members of the alumni where you go to college, and they want to help. It's just a matter of putting the campaign out there and spreading the word." lvivanco@chicagotribune.com Advertisement Twitter @lvivanco A 13-year-old girl was killed and her grandmother seriously injured when their car was struck by an SUV fleeing police in Hammond, Ind., on Wednesday, authorities said. East Chicago police started pursuing a Dodge Durango into Hammond, where officers from that city joined the chase, according to the Indiana state police. The Durango ran a red light at Gostlin Street and Columbia Avenue and hit an SUV driven by Julianna Chambers' grandmother around 5 p.m., state police said. Julianna died at a Hammond hospital, and her 57-year-old grandmother, Theresa Paramo, was taken in critical condition to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn. Both are from Whiting, police said. The driver of the Durango was taken into custody by East Chicago police. He was identified as a 31-year-old Highland man. His passenger, a 27-year-old woman from Danville, Ill., was taken to a hospital with minor injuries. Kanari Gentry-Bowers' family was determined not to let her go. For days they read to the 12-year-old as she lay unconscious in the hospital bed, her skin pierced by 11 IVs. Notes from friends, a homemade Valentine's Day card from a boy Kanari liked, a school banner her principal brought over, dotted with the names of her sixth-grade classmates. Their determination only grew stronger after another young girl shot over the weekend, 11-year-old Takiya Holmes, died on Tuesday. But in the words of a relative, "God got the last word" on Wednesday afternoon and Kanari died at Stroger Hospital the third child to die from a shooting in Chicago in just two days. Kanari was surrounded by her mother, her father and her uncle, according to Dawn Valenti, a family friend and crisis counselor who was just outside the door. "Her brain function was gone, there was nothing else they could do for her, nothing at all," Valenti said. "It was out of their hands. She was gone." The family of Kanari Gentry-Bowers asks for justice and an end to gun violence after announcing the death of the 12-year-old at Stroger Hospital on Feb. 15, 2017. (Alyssa Pointer/Chicago Tribune) (Alyssa Pointer / Chicago Tribune/Chicago Tribune) Her family released a statement through the hospital saying "we are appreciative of all of the thoughts and prayers we have received in the past several days. "Please keep your children close and do whatever it takes to protect them from the senseless gun violence in our city." Advertisement Kanari was the first of three children fatally shot in Chicago over the past week. Her death came as charges were filed in Takiya's death and as police stepped up their investigation into the slaying of 2-year-old Lavontay White Jr. earlier this week. Kanari had been on life support since a bullet tore into her body on the South Side Saturday night, striking her uppermost vertebrae, close to the base of her head, and causing brain damage, according to Valenti. Thirty minutes later, and 4 miles away, Takiya was also struck by a stray bullet in the head. She also remained on life support for days until doctors determined there was no brain activity. She died early Valentine's Day. Advertisement When Valenti heard the news, she knew she had to be the one to break it to Kanari's legal guardian, her paternal grandmother, Patricia Donald-Bowers. "The shock value of it, I didn't want her to see it on TV, I wanted to tell her personally so she could kind of absorb it," Valenti said. She said the two families have reached out to one another, with some of Kanari's relatives attending a vigil for Takiya on Tuesday and offering condolences to Takiya's mother, Valenti said. "It's amazing how two families can be bonded by an act of violence coming together because their children suffered," Valenti said. Learning of Takiya's fate had only steeled the family's resolve not to take Kanari off life support. The family is extremely close, she said, and Kanari's cousins were a strong support system. Kanari's uncle Djuan Donald and her cousins Rochetta Tyler and Patricia Donald, 20, were at the hospital trying to keep spirits light by sharing stories. "That's about all you could do right now, is talk about those happy times and focus on those things that make your spirits feel good," Valenti said. After a Tuesday visit from Henderson Elementary School Principal Marvis Jackson-Ivy, Patricia Donald took a pile of letters and cards Jackson-Ivy dropped off and read them during a stream on Facebook Live. "Y'all done put so much thought and love into the cards, when Kanari see it she gonna love it," Donald said into the camera. She got in some good teasing too. She complimented one student's handwriting, seemed impressed one student wrote to Kanari in Spanish, and saved her best taunts for a student who had a bit of trouble with spelling (It's "choir," not "quire.") The family has been torn before by gun violence. Rochetta Tyler lost a daughter, Michelle Pearson, after she was shot in summer 2014 at age 20. Like Kanari, Pearson was wounded in the head and was on placed of life support. '"My baby's fighting for her life,'' Rochetta Tyler said at the time. "They say she's not going to get any better. The doctors told me that she's a fighter that she's really fighting.'' Tyler also made a plea that day in June nearly three years ago. "It'll be a miracle and a blessing if they turned themselves in,'' Tyler said. "If the streets don't turn them in, then they're just as guilty as them.'' Pearson died seven months later. She was the mother of a 4-year-old son. On Sunday, Tyler stood in front of a different hospital and made the same plea: "I don't know what's going to stop this, what we can do to stop this. I don't know. It's just, we steadily losing our kids. Eleven and 12? Whoever did this, they should turn themselves in." Tyler's crisis counselor back in 2014 was Dawn Valenti. It was the beginning of a lasting relationship. Tyler called Valenti again Saturday night to tell her, this time, her 12-year-old cousin had been shot. "This city right now is in such crisis," Valenti said. "We've got too much happening and too many innocent children and these feral children out on the streets with too many guns. For me they're basically wild, there's no other way to say it. They're feral. "Because if they do understand what's behind pulling that trigger, then they have to be soulless." This week, Valenti sat with Rochetta Tyler's mother, Carol Tyler, and talked about how Kanari's shooting brought back memories of Michelle. "She said, yes it does, the sitting, the waiting, the hoping, the praying," Valenti relayed. "You've got to trust in God, so that's what they're doing, God got the last word." A West Chicago man faces up to 14 years in prison after being found guilty Thursday of aggravated drunken driving and causing a fiery collision in 2014 that killed a Warrenville man. Omar Montoya Medina, 31, was convicted of two counts of aggravated DUI and two counts of reckless homicide at the close of a bench trial in the DuPage County courtroom of Judge Brian Telander. Prosecutors said Montoya Medina was impaired when he crashed the car he was driving into a vehicle being driven by Antonio Alvarez, 37, of Warrenville. The accident happened about 11:10 p.m. Dec. 4, 2014. Advertisement Authorities said Alvarez was attempting to turn onto Illinois Highway 59 from Garys Mill Road in West Chicago when he was struck by Montoya Medina, who was northbound on Illinois 59. The two vehicles became engulfed in flames, and Alvarez, a father of two, was pronounced dead at the scene. Montoya Medina's blood-alcohol level registered at twice the legal limit, and police say he admitted that he had been drinking before the collision. He has been held in the DuPage County Jail since he was discharged from a hospital shortly after the accident. A passenger in his vehicle also was injured. Advertisement Telander set March 23 for sentencing. Montoya Medina faces a term of three to 14 years in prison, according to prosecutors. State's Attorney Robert Berlin said Alvarez's death has left a hole in the life of his surviving family members. "Because of Mr. Montoya Medina's incredibly irresponsible behavior, Antonio's widow will never get the chance to grow old with her husband, and his two children will grow up without their father," Berlin said. Clifford Ward is a freelance reporter. Since becoming mayor in 2011, Mayor Rahm Emanuel for the most part has ditched his famous affinity for combativeness and profanity at least in public. Not so much in private, according to multiple accounts the past six years, perhaps the best known of which came early in Emanuel's tenure during a meeting with Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis. Advertisement The most recent example comes from Ald. Raymond Lopez, 15th, who's locked in a dispute with Emanuel about how to spend nearly $15 million in leftover property tax rebate funds. Lopez said the mayor used a conjugated form of the F-word during a one-on-one discussion over the spending issue. Unlike Lewis, who expressed shock and used the incident as something of a rallying cry in the lead-up to a teachers' strike, Lopez is more matter of fact about the incident. The alderman had to be coaxed by reporters Thursday to discuss his mayoral encounter, which was first reported by the Chicago Reader. Advertisement "He just said, 'Why am I f------ with him?' with what he was trying to do," said Lopez, recounting a conversation he said he had with Emanuel in the City Council anteroom before last month's meeting. "I don't think he was anticipating me coming up with my own ordinance to try to spend the money differently." Lopez, who dismissed the mayor's profanity-laden question as "just how he talks," said the initially heated conversation went on to focus on the issue Lopez's plan to spend all of the unclaimed tax rebate money on programs to combat the city's rising tide of violence, which has affected the West Englewood, Gage Park, Back of the Yards and Brighton Park neighborhoods he represents. And Lopez said he wasn't immune from using such language. He said he responded by telling the mayor that "I'm not f------ with you. I've got people dying in the streets. What do you want me to do?" "And then it was just a longer conversation after that," Lopez added. "We obviously have two different viewpoints trying to address the same problem. Now it's up to us to see if we can work together to make it happen or if it's going to be some sort of unfortunate showdown next week at budget. And we'll see." He was referring to next week's Budget Committee meeting, where the mayor's plan for spending the money is expected to be on the agenda. Emanuel "doesn't recall the conversation, although he doesn't deny a flair for colorful language either," Emanuel spokesman Matt McGrath said. Lopez described the encounter after holding a second City Hall news conference to push his plan, which calls for all the money to be spent on youth jobs, connecting private security cameras to the city's emergency surveillance system, street-level violence prevention programs like CeaseFire and mentoring for fifth- and sixth-graders. The mayor's plan calls for the bulk of the money to be used to upgrade city park infrastructure, equip all police officers with body cameras by the end of the year, rehab vacant homes and support after-school programs. Lesser amounts would be spent on a new cyber-security training program at City Colleges, a test program to create crime-fighting intelligence centers, planting 1,000 trees, setting up a small-business incubator on the West Side and creating a call center on the South Side. Advertisement "The trees, the parks, they're all great, but right now is not the time to invest in parks when my kids can't even walk from one end of the block to the other," Lopez said during his news conference, noting the recent shooting death of 12-year-old Kanari Gentry-Bowers at a West Englewood elementary school in his ward. Molly Poppe, a city spokeswoman, said the mayor's spending plan is designed to address violence and other community needs at the same time. "By investing in parks, this gives kids options," Poppe said. "They have a playground to go to. They have programming at the parks. This is all about a holistic approach to investing in our community." "We've been having conversations with Ald. Lopez and we'll continue to have conversations with Ald. Lopez," Poppe added. hdardick@chicagotribune.com Twitter @ReporterHal *Print is dead? Illinois senators are being asked to think twice about what they decide to print out after the Senates office supply vendor cut off services because of a lack of payment due to the historic budget impasse. The directive to conserve paper, printer ink and other supplies came in an email sent to senators Wednesday by Kristin Richards, chief of staff to Senate President John Cullerton. While we have alternative options in place to address immediate needs, it is unclear how long we can make them work, Richards wrote. Employees of the Office of the Senate President have been asked to conserve supplies by limiting printing and copying activities, and lean heavily on sharing documents electronically when they are able to do so. Thousands of state contractors have gone without payment or have been left waiting months as the state struggles to pay bills without a complete spending plan. Already, dozens of social service providers have filed suit seeking payment, including the Ounce of Prevention Fund, an early childhood nonprofit agency headed by Diana Rauner, the wife of the Republican governor. (Monique Garcia) *Cupich opposes abortion bill: Calling on parishioners to speak for the children in the womb, Cardinal Blase Cupich condemned legislation that would expand Illinois womens access to abortion services. The bill in question would eliminate a so-called trigger provision that would make abortion illegal in Illinois if Roe v. Wade is overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court. It also would allow women with Medicaid and state employee health insurance to use their coverage for abortions. The measure is a direct response from Democratic state lawmakers to Republican President Donald Trump, who has touted anti-abortion policies and said he would appoint Supreme Court justices with the goal of overturning Roe v. Wade. In a letter posted online earlier this month, Chicagos archbishop framed the bill as an attempt to use taxpayer dollars to fund taking a childs life. Tax money should be used to fund prenatal services for the poor and child care for working mothers, as well as expand health-care options for those in need, he wrote. The measure could be voted on in the House as early as Thursday. Cupich urged parishioners to ask their lawmakers to reject the bill and instead focus on passing a budget that funds essential services. Let us make this Lent a celebration of life by protecting the new life and hope the birth of a child brings to the world, he wrote. (Haley BeMiller) *Speechifyin': Gov. Rauner's budget speech clocked in at 37 minutes or so, including a nearly two-minute delay when his teleprompter gave out. The delay was perhaps the most awkward moment to happen during a major governor speech at the Capitol in recent memory. A close runner-up would be then-Gov. Pat Quinn's 2010 State of the State speech. Quinn didn't use prepared remarks, instead relying on notes. It lasted 75 minutes (twice the length of Rauner's Wednesday speech) and was decried by observers as rambling. Quinn waited 45 minutes into his speech to talk about the state budget mess. (On Wednesday, Rauner waited until the final third of his speech to talk about the state's budget mess.) Quinn apparently learned a lesson: his budget speech in 2011 was 27 minutes long, and his 2012 State of the State address was just less than a half-hour. *Buskers better than gunshots? Chicagos ward-by-ward differences were on display Wednesday as aldermen debated a proposal to crack down on noisy street musicians on a couple of key downtown retail strips. Although she didnt vote against the measure, Ald. Emma Mitts, 37th, noted that there are worse problems in her West Side neighborhood, where the sounds of gunshots often can be heard. Thats what were dealing with, Mitts said. Which one would I rather have? Sponsoring downtown Ald. Brendan Reilly, 42nd, offered a response. I appreciate that, he said, going on to list addressing violent crime as the top priority for any officer in the Police Department. Reilly then reiterated that the street performer noise downtown, where high-rises create noise-amplifying canyons, was a quality-of-life issue for his residents a notion seconded by those who spoke at the meeting. I cant tell you how much noise were dealing with, resident Tom Callahan, who said he lives at Michigan Avenue and Randolph Street, told aldermen. I dont know how you would feel if I came to your neighborhood and started banging on buckets and started playing music at all hours of the evening. ... I cant even open the windows because the sound coming in from noise is overwhelming. (Hal Dardick) *More street musicians in below-ground CTA stations? While downtown Ald. Reilly aims to rid Michigan Avenue and State Street of street musicians, hes all for them plying their trade underground. As a City Council committee advanced his proposal to push the one-man bands, groups of bucket boys and solo saxophone players off the citys two main retail corridors, Reilly said he and Ald. Brian Hopkins, 2nd, plan to meet with the CTA about freeing up more subway space for the musicians. No one sets up a desk in the subway to work for six, seven or eight hours, Reilly said, noting that many street musicians can be found in New Yorks subways. No one puts a bed down there to try to sleep, at least lawfully, for seven or eight hours. But people pass through these terminals five, six minutes at a time. That amount of noise isnt going to bother them in that brief interval. As noted in a Getting Around column by Tribune transportation reporter Mary Wisniewski, performers now are limited to three CTA stations, setting a high demand for those few spots. Part of the issue might be that most of Chicagos public transit system is above ground where noise issues might again come into play just as they have downtown (Hal Dardick) What we're writing *Rauner budget speech: He's open to income tax increase, expanding sales tax to some services, against tax increase on food, medicine, retirement income. *That time Rauner's teleprompter failed in the middle of his budget speech and Speaker Madigan made a joke about Russians. *Emanuel keeps up Rauner attacks, this time on budget. *City Council advances Emanuel's Airbnb tweaks. *Chicago street performer noise crackdown gains steam at City Council. *Quinn loss: Federal judge rejects lawsuit demanding elected Chicago school board. *Exelon competitors sue over state energy law. *Cook County prosecutors drop cases against four men in 1995 double murder. *Is Chicago's downtown apartment construction boom nearing peak? *Ex-Lake County coroner indicted for perjury over election signatures. A ceremonial street sign honoring Saul Bellow is posted at Augusta Boulevard and Rockwell Street, as well as at Augusta and Washtenaw, in Chicago's Humboldt Park neighborhood. (Nancy Stone / Chicago Tribune) The brown honorary street signs that sprout from light poles across Chicago likely will start to get culled under a plan that will head to the City Council next week. For decades, the signs have been a form of political currency, a way for aldermen to reward supporters and neighborhood luminaries with a little aluminum panel of civic immortality. The City Council has approved about 1,500 of the signs the past 50 years. Advertisement But a proposal that passed the Transportation Committee on Thursday would require aldermen to cover the full cost of making and installing the signs out of their ward-level budgets, a process that could run up to $1,200 per intersection. The signs would be allowed for only people who are deceased. And aldermen would be limited to two such honors per year, a response to city Department of Transportation officials saying they are getting pulled away from more pressing work like putting up traffic control signs to meet the timelines for aldermen who want to unveil honorary street signs at ceremonies on a given date. Advertisement Perhaps most jarringly to the Chicagoans who've grown used to the thickets of brown signs on poles alongside official green street signs, aldermen would need to apply to renew the honors every five years, or the signs would get pulled down. "It was just a way of, sometimes you have multiple people who want to be honored, maybe on the same street," said Transportation Committee Chairman Ald. Anthony Beale, 9th, who introduced the new rules, including the expiration clause for existing signs. "So you can have one down and then honor the next person the next five years, or scenarios like that." Aldermen have been reluctant to relinquish their unfettered authority to bestow the signs at a time they have less control than they used to over basic city services like garbage pickup because of Mayor Rahm Emanuel's switch to a grid-based system instead of a ward-based system. Beale had to pull the ordinance off the table in December after colleagues raised concerns about it. On Thursday, however, officials from Emanuel's transportation agency came to a hearing and testified that they spend an inordinate amount of time and money dealing with installation of the signs. "What happens is, if we get the notification (about an honorary sign) late, it causes us to have to shift our operation, which in turn stops us from taking care of the regulatory signs we have to maintain throughout the city," said First Deputy CDOT Commissioner Randy Conner. The committee then approved Beale's measure without opposition. Meanwhile, aldermen will have a couple of months to continue to get the honorary signs approved under the old rules. Among the proposed signs that got the go-ahead Thursday was one sponsored by 26th Ward Ald. Roberto Maldonado to honor former FALN member Oscar Lopez Rivera. Days before leaving office last month, President Barack Obama commuted Rivera's prison sentence for his role in the organization, which in the 1970s and early '80s plotted bombings, prison escapes and armed robberies in an effort to secure independence for Puerto Rico. Advertisement In 1981, Rivera was found guilty in federal court in Chicago of weapons, explosives and seditious conspiracy charges, and sentenced to 55 years in prison. Rivera received an additional 15 years in 1988 after he was convicted of plotting to escape from prison. jebyrne@chicagotribune.com Twitter @_johnbyrne Mayor Rahm Emanuel mocked Gov. Bruce Rauner in a lengthy rant Thursday, saying he would donate $1,000 to charity if a reporter could provide evidence the governor has presented a full state budget plan while in office. "I've asked the Police Department to get the hound dogs out to go find it. I'm giving you a thousand dollars to the charity of your choice. Find me the governor's budget," Emanuel said after a reporter asked him to comment on Rauner's spending plan. "Produce it, line by line, like every chief executive has to do. "I'll stand here, with bathroom breaks, until you produce it," Emanuel said during a five-minute dissection of what he said were Rauner's shortcomings as a chief executive. "No. Because you're asking me to comment on something that doesn't exist." Advertisement A day after Rauner had to stop for two minutes when a teleprompter glitch interrupted his annual budget speech, the mayor also offered an alternate theory on the pause. "The teleprompter didn't have a problem. It got to the budget section, and it wasn't there," Emanuel said after talking to new recruits at the Chicago police academy. "There is no budget. Line by line, he hasn't produced one in three years. Three budget presentations. It does not exist." Rauner spokeswoman Catherine Kelly countered that "the mayor should spend a little less time attacking the governor and a little more time attacking the rampant crime problem in his city." Advertisement A day earlier, Rauner used his budget address to call for training more state police, saying he wanted to send additional troopers to help patrol expressways. Democrats have argued that a spike in city crime can be linked to the lack of a state budget, which has resulted in cuts to crime prevention programs. While Thursday's takedown was Emanuel's most baroque recent commentary on the governor's state government stewardship, it followed his theme this week of hammering his onetime vacation friend in the run-up to and aftermath of Rauner's budget speech. Just before Rauner spoke Wednesday, Emanuel appeared at a Northwest Side child care center to blast him for not getting a state budget passed while such facilities suffer, saying, "It's not like the third's going to be the charm here, OK?" On Tuesday, the mayor's school board sued Rauner, accusing him and the Illinois State Board of Education of violating the Illinois Civil Rights Act for maintaining what the school system termed "separate and unequal" systems for funding school districts and pension obligations. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel discussed Gov. Bruce Rauner's budge and President Donald Trump's news conference, among other topics, at the Chicago Police training academy on Feb. 16, 2017. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune) The mayor also told a group of business leaders Tuesday that Rauner's failure to deliver a balanced budget was "the biggest adverse effect" on the city's economy. Meanwhile, at the Capitol, Senate Democrats spent hours dismantling Rauner's budget proposal, hammering administration officials about the exact size of the plan's multibillion-dollar deficit. By the end of the contentious hearing, Rauner budget director Scott Harry acknowledged the spending plan is $7.2 billion out of whack without various savings and revenues built into the proposal that rely on changes in law which are far from fruition. The Chicago Tribune reported that figure Wednesday evening. Key to Rauner's plan is the expectation that the Senate can pass a controversial package to raise taxes, a proposal Rauner has said he could embrace if lawmakers first make some major tweaks. Without that, Rauner wants legislators to give him the power to make unilateral cuts, an idea he pushed last year that went nowhere. "He makes a lot of assumptions, the governor," said Sen. Michael Hastings, D-Tinley Park. Advertisement Republicans also questioned Rauner's math, with Sen. Kyle McCarter of Lebanon saying "the unbalanced nature of this budget is obvious to all of us. "I think it's obvious to the citizens as well," McCarter said. "I don't think they have to be in this hearing or have seen these documents to figure out that we've got a problem." Democratic and Republican leaders in the Senate have been pushing a sweeping deal to end the impasse that's left Illinois without a complete budget since July 2015. But those efforts have stalled amid concerns from Republican lawmakers who didn't want to vote without first knowing where Rauner stood on the proposal. Monique Garcia reported from Springfield. jebyrne@chicagotribune.com mcgarcia@chicagotribune.com Terminal 2 at Kuala Lumpur International Airport was convulsing with its usual Monday morning chaos. Passengers were crowding around self-check-in kiosks for no-frills flights to Bali and Cebu and Da Nang, cramming belongings into their carry-ons. One of those navigating the cavernous white terminal was a rotund Asian man traveling alone, checking in for a flight to Macau after a week in Malaysia. The nearby Starbucks was full of people camped out waiting for their flights, and the noise was so loud that the workers at the cafe selling Malaysian soup and noodles did not notice anything amiss just a few yards away. There, near a counter in the check-in area, the man was suddenly set upon by two attractive young women who looked like any other travelers heading off on vacation. One was wearing a white sweater emblazoned with "LOL" and a short flowery skirt, her lips painted dark red and her hair cut in a femme-fatale bob. What followed was an assassination that, complete with a honey trap and a public poisoning, has focused new attention on Kim Jong Un, the 33-year-old leader of North Korea, suggesting he will stop at nothing to keep power. For the victim was his older half-brother, Kim Jong Nam, traveling on an apparently fake passport that said he was a 46-year-old named Kim Chol. It was an attack that South Korea's spy chief asserted was directly ordered from the North Korean capital, Pyongyang. One of the women grabbed the man as the other sprayed liquid on his face and held a cloth over it for about 10 seconds. In the hullaballoo of the check-in area, no one even seemed to notice. This account of the attack and its aftermath was pieced together from interviews with staff at the airport, police and other official statements, and leaks to the local media. The women left swiftly, but not that swiftly. They went down three sets of escalators, past an H&M and a Baskin-Robbins, and out of the terminal to a taxi stand, where they needed to buy a voucher for their journey before lining up for a cab. They got in and told the driver to take them to the Empire Hotel, some 40 minutes from the airport. Where are you from, the driver asked. Vietnam, the women responded. Inside the terminal, Kim Jong Nam, feeling dizzy and apparently unable to see, stumbled to one of the counters to seek help. He was taken to a medical clinic inside the terminal, where he had a mild seizure, then was loaded into an ambulance. He didn't make it to the hospital. He died en route. And Malaysian officials soon discovered the real identity of the man who had been living in a kind of exile for the past 15 years. This was not first attempt on Kim Jong Nam's life. Five years ago, when he took power, Kim Jong Un issued a "standing order" to have his half-brother assassinated, South Korean spy chief Lee Byung-ho told lawmakers in Seoul on Wednesday. "It was a command that had to be pulled off no matter what," Lee said, according to some of the lawmakers. "Their spy agency had consistently been preparing for the killing, and it just turned out to have been accomplished this time." One attempt, in 2012, prompted Kim Jong Nam to send a letter to his younger brother pleading with him to "spare me and my family," lawmakers were told. This week's successful attack bore many of the hallmarks of other assassinations and attempts blamed on North Korea, including a foiled 2011 plot to kill a North Korean defector at a Seoul subway station with a poison needle hidden in a Parker pen. Two days after the attack, just after 8 a.m. on Wednesday morning, a woman was arrested at the airport - in the same terminal where the attack took place - and positively identified as one of the suspects. She was traveling on a Vietnamese passport identifying her as 29-year-old Doan Thi Hoang, police said. North Koreans have been caught traveling on Southeast Asian passports before, making it entirely possible that the woman is, in fact, North Korean. Police said that she was traveling alone and had told them she was tricked into the attack, which she had been told was just a prank. On Thursday morning, police arrested a second woman but were looking for four men thought to have been involved. As all this was happening at the airport, Kim Jong Nam's body was being transferred in white van, escorted by four police vehicles carrying officers with automatic weapons, from Putrajaya Hospital to Kuala Lumpur General Hospital, where an autopsy was scheduled. Black sedans bearing North Korean diplomatic plates pulled up outside, and the North Korean ambassador to Malaysia, Kang Chol, emerged from one. He refused to speak to reporters. Police said the North Korean diplomats had tried to stop the autopsy, insisting that the body be released to them. The police refused. The autopsy was finished by Wednesday night, but the results were not immediately released. A Malaysian police official told local reporters only that the poison was "more potent than cyanide" but declined to say what exactly it was. Shortly after 8 p.m., four North Korean cars sped out of the hospital grounds, one driven by a visibly upset young man in his 20s wearing a pink T-shirt - perhaps Kim Han Sol, the most visible of Kim Jong Nam's six children. But there was no such frenzy in Pyongyang, where the regime has been preparing to celebrate the birthday Thursday of Kim Jong Un's late father, Kim Jong Il, an anniversary officially known in North Korea as the Day of the Shining Star. The central squares have been cleared of snow, and pictures of trams and computers are on display at an industrial art exhibition commemorating the anniversary. Floral baskets from as far as Africa and Ecuador have been laid at the foot of statues of Kim Jong Il and his father, Kim Il Sung, according to state media. For North Korea, it is business as usual. Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks to the media after his meeting with Uruguayan President Tabare Vazquez in the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia on Feb. 16, 2017. (Yuri Kochetkov / AP) The Kremlin ordered state media to cut way back on their fawning coverage of President Donald Trump, reflecting a growing concern among senior Russian officials that the new U.S. administration will be less friendly than first thought, three people familiar with the matter said. The order comes amid a growing chorus of anti-Russian sentiment in Washington, where U.S. spy and law-enforcement agencies are conducting multiple investigations to determine the full extent of contacts Trump's advisers had with Russia during and after the 2016 election campaign. Advertisement Vladimir Putin's administration justified the decision to curb coverage of Trump by saying that Russian viewers no longer find details of his transition to power interesting, according to one of the people. In reality, some of the most popular TV segments on Trump touched on ideas the Kremlin would rather not promote, such as his pledge to "drain the swamp," the person said. "They won't pour buckets of criticism on Trump, they just won't talk about him much," Konstantin von Eggert, a political commentator for TV Rain, Russia's only independent channel, said by phone. "The fate of Russia-American relations is much less predictable than it was just a few weeks ago." Advertisement The order marks a stark turnaround from just a few weeks ago. Trump's unexpected triumph over Hillary Clinton in November has been widely hailed in Russia as the beginning of a new era of cooperation between the former Cold War foes. Trump's campaign was watched with rapture as news anchors gushed over the novelty of hearing an American presidential candidate praise Putin. But the wall-to-wall coverage went too far for the Kremlin's liking. In January, Trump received more mentions in the media than Putin, relegating the Russian leader to the No. 2 spot for the first time since he returned to the Kremlin in 2012 after four years as premier, according to Interfax data. The decision to temper the public's expectations for better relations follows the resignation of Trump's national security adviser, retired Lieutenant General Michael Flynn, who sat with Putin at a media event in Moscow in 2015 and is widely reported in Russia to be a sympathetic voice in Washington. Other Trump associates whose activities the FBI and other agencies are examining include former campaign chairman Paul Manafort, who worked for a Putin ally in Ukraine for years, and energy consultant Carter Page, who used to live in Moscow and gave a speech here last summer. Manafort said in a statement he never had "any connection" to Putin or the Russian government. Trump on Wednesday accused Putin of seizing Crimea from Ukraine in a series of Twitter posts that were delivered amid a flurry of allegations that his team has ties to Russia. "Crimea was TAKEN by Russia during the Obama Administration. Was Obama too soft on Russia?" the U.S. president tweeted. Russian officials, who had readily commented to local media on earlier news from Washington, suddenly became less talkative after the Crimea comment. An pro-Palestinian demonstrator interrupts David Friedman, the Trump administration's nominee to be U.S. Ambassador to Israel, at a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing in Washington on February 16, 2016. (C-SPAN) (Chicago Tribune) WASHINGTON President Donald Trump's choice to be the U.S. ambassador to Israel sought Thursday to assure skeptical senators that he can be fair-minded despite previous public statements doubting a Palestinian state and supporting Jewish home building in the West Bank. "Some of the inflammatory language I used during the highly charged presidential campaign . . . has come in for criticism, and rightfully so," New York lawyer and staunch Trump supporter David M. Friedman said. Advertisement "I regret the use of such language and I want to assure you that I understand the important difference between a political contest and a diplomatic mission," Friedman said. "From my perspective, the inflammatory rhetoric used during the election campaign is entirely over and you should expect my comments to be respectful from now on." Asked about insults he lobbed at then-President Obama, Sen. Chuck Schumer and others about support for the Iran nuclear deal, Friedman said he regrets them. Advertisement "There is no excuse. If you want me to rationalize it or justify it, I cannot," Friedman said. "These were hurtful words and I deeply regret them. They are not reflective of my nature or my character." A pro-Palestinian demonstrator interrupted Friedman before he had finished his first sentence, and another followed after the nominee had introduced his family behind him. "We are there, we will always be there," the man shouted. The hearing began with an acknowledgment from all sides that it was going to be contentious. Committee chairman Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., began by warning would-be protesters that he couldn't keep them from being arrested. Former Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., helped introduce Friedman and urged colleagues troubled by Friedman's past public positions to ask the nominee about them but to keep an open mind. Sen. Ben Cardin of Maryland, the top Democrat on the committee, read through a highlight list of some of Friedman's most controversial statements, including likening a U.S. Jewish group to "kapos," or Jewish Holocaust collaborators. "I have questions about your preparedness to this post," Cardin said. The liberal group Friedman had attacked, J Street, is generally critical of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who visited the White House on Wednesday. Advertisement Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., also helped introduce Friedman. "Mr. Friedman is very passionate. He has said some things I don't agree with but I never doubt that he did it based on what he thinks was the right things to say at the time," Graham said. Why tens of thousands of kids from El Salvador continue to flee to the United States The death threats started last spring. Sixteen-year-old Mauricio Gomez answered a phone call from an unknown number and heard a nasal voice on the line. Give me $400 by the end of the week, the gangster warned, or Ill kill you and your family. Do you understand me? the voice continued. We can cut you into pieces. Mauricio, a lanky high school student who wore thick-framed glasses, hung up the phone, shaking. He had no idea who the gangster was, and he didnt have $400. He had to flee, Mauricio decided, but unlike the thousands of unaccompanied minors from Central America who braved the trek to the U.S. border in hopes of winning asylum, he applied for an Obama administration program that would allow him just possibly to join family in the United States. But would the program take him? And could he survive the gangs until it did? Although a fierce military crackdown on El Salvadors two main warring gangs has chipped away at violent crime in the last year, this tiny Central American nation remains one of the most dangerous places on Earth, with a per capita homicide rate more than 15 times that of the United States. Children as young as 9 are recruited for gang membership. Extortion is rampant, with gangs squeezing street vendors, restaurant owners and even grandmothers for cash. Last year, nearly 1 in 4 people were victims of a crime, according to a poll conducted by Central American University, which also found that more than 40% of Salvadorans hoped to leave the country within a year. In certain areas, such as Mauricios hometown of Sonsonate, located on a strategic drug route on the Pacific Coast, many people rarely venture out after dark. The specter of violence is driving increasing numbers of asylum seekers to nearby countries, such as Costa Rica and Mexico, while thousands of others attempt the perilous 2,000-mile journey to the U.S. A record 17,512 unaccompanied Salvadoran children were apprehended at the U.S. border in the fiscal year that ended in September, according to the Department of Homeland Security. It was an 87% increase over the year before. 92579029 On-going struggle to keep the peace in El Salvador. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) More than 27,000 minors or adults traveling in family units also were apprehended; that was a 150% increase. After the threatening phone calls continued, and menacing-looking men started loitering outside the house, Mauricio and his family decided last summer to test the new program created by President Obama that allows Central American children with at least one parent living legally in the U.S. to apply for refugee status while in their home country. More than 10,000 young people have applied for the program, which was designed to protect children from the risks of the migrant path and help stop the flow of unauthorized migrants north. Immigrant advocates have hailed the effort as a small but important step toward recognizing the violence in El Salvador and neighboring countries. Mauricio endured months of vetting. He was asked to play recordings of the death threats for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services officers. He submitted DNA samples, underwent background checks and stripped off his clothing in front of a doctor to prove he was free of infectious disease. Last month, he received a letter saying he had been granted refugee status, and the international body that helps administer the program had booked him a seat on a flight to Los Angeles on Feb. 9. The family wept with joy. But a new U.S. president with deep doubts about the countrys refugee programs was about to complicate things. El Salvador's gang violence made it the murder capital of the world in 2015. At the national morgue, victims of suspected violence remain unidentified. A gang member with the tattoo XIII XIII (for 13) on his arm was shot execution style. Top: El Salvador's gang violence made it the murder capital of the world in 2015. Bottom left: At the national morgue, victims of suspected violence remain unidentified. Bottom right: A gang member with the tattoo XIII XIII (for 13) on his arm was shot execution style. Over the last four decades, violence has become as much a part of life in El Salvador as muggy summers and periodic eruptions of the countrys active volcanoes. The civil war, which pitted leftist guerrillas against the U.S.-backed right-wing government, raged for 12 years, killed 75,000 people and caused millions to flee. An estimated 2 million people of Salvadoran origin now reside in the United States, according to the Pew Research Center, about 700,000 of them illegally. Mauricios father, Max, left San Salvador for Los Angeles in 1981, after he said he was targeted by the military for speaking out in favor of leftist leaders. He and his wife, Alicia, received green cards after President Reagan signed a bill in 1986 granting amnesty to many people living in the U.S. without permission. After a peace treaty ended the war in 1992, Max returned to El Salvador, where Alicia gave birth to Mauricio. He worked as a criminal lawyer, occasionally representing members of gangs, such as Mara Salvatrucha and Barrio 18, that formed in Los Angeles in the 1980s and were introduced to Central America by large numbers of U.S. deportees. The government has estimated that nearly half a million people are now connected to the gangs in a country of slightly more than 6 million. Since 2003, the government has taken what it calls an iron fist approach to criminal groups, sending soldiers armed with automatic weapons and dressed in black balaclavas into gang-controlled areas. Recently, federal prosecutors have accused law enforcement officials of going too far of disappearing young men and residents of some neighborhoods have complained of extrajudicial killings. Many people, including Mauricio, know someone who has been slain. The father of one of his friends was shot by a gangster not long ago after taking money out of an ATM. Its getting worse, he said. We are in a war. An armed soldier checks a man for gang-related tattoos. The military and police are working together to curb the gang problem, routinely stopping and frisking people. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) His father and mother fled to Los Angeles for a second time several years ago after gangsters started demanding that Max represent them in court for free. Mauricio remained at the familys pretty red stucco home in Sonsonate, a colonial-era city with cobblestone streets lined with vendors frying tortillas and pupusas. They became one more transnational family in El Salvador, where as many as 40% of young people grow up without one or both parents because of migration. For children like Mauricio, having parents living in the United States was a boon and bane: They sent money for nice things, but occasionally you were robbed of those nice things, like when gangsters with knives jumped Mauricio as he got off his school bus in 2015 and demanded that he hand over his new sneakers and wristwatch. The phone calls were different than being randomly targeted on the street. They were incessant, for one. The gangsters called so many times, even after Mauricio changed his phone number, that for a short time he thought that joining the gang might be his only way out. Mauricio lived alone, looked after by a housekeeper and his older sister, who lived with her own family. They installed boards on the front windows of the house after Mauricio spied a man peering in. The housekeeper quit, saying she was afraid, and Mauricio started sleeping in an upstairs bedroom that was harder to reach from the outside. He stopped going to school for several weeks afraid hed be jumped on the long bus ride and transferred to a closer school guarded by armed security officers. Leave here, leave here, you have to leave, he remembers thinking. He just had to hang on until Feb. 9, the day he was to leave for Los Angeles. His father flew down to help him pack and to close up the house. They canceled the Internet and the power. Then, 14 days before he was supposed to leave, President Trump issued an executive order calling for the immediate suspension of all refugee admissions to the U.S. for 120 days. That included Mauricio, who received a second letter, this one telling him the program was on hold. He and his father wept again. Mauricio spoke to his brother and sister in the U.S., both citizens, who apologized for having voted for Trump. Then he unpacked his bags. Alicia Gomez, 60, greets her son Mauricio, now 17, after he arrived at LAX from El Salvador. (Christina House / For The Times) Mauricio and his father considered their options. Should he go to Mexico to seek asylum there? Or maybe to Italy, where they had extended family? But they didnt have that kind of money. Father and son slunk around the neighborhood, trying not to attract attention. And then, last weekend, came beautiful news: A federal judge issued an injunction on Trumps ban, freeing migrants to travel. An appeals court upheld the injunction Thursday. That same day, Mauricio and Max boarded a plane for LAX. Mauricio was met there by a brother and his mother, who gathered him in her arms. They went to celebrate at a doughnut shop and then took in a movie. He was taken aback by how nice people in the U.S. were, and how pretty Los Angeles was. The best part, he said, was that he felt safe. kate.linthicum@latimes.com Twitter: @katelinthicum MADISON, Wis. Jarrett Adams was 17 years old in September 1998 when he made a decision he would regret for the rest of his life. He and two friends decided to road trip from Illinois to Wisconsin for a night of partying. The outing ended with a student accusing all three of them of raping her. Adams was sentenced to nearly three decades in prison. Others in Adams' situation might have withered away in despair or been consumed by rage, but Adams kept fighting. With the help of the Wisconsin Innocence Project, he eventually walked free. Adams, now 36, is one of nearly 200 people the Innocence Project has freed since it was founded in 1992 and one of only three exonerees who have become lawyers. He made his first appearance in a Wisconsin courtroom as a litigator on Tuesday, arguing that a man locked up since 1990 for sexual assault deserves a new trial. The symmetry isn't lost on Adams. "I see how one Christmas can turn into five or six," Adams said. "I see how when you have evidence of innocence, it is immediately doubted and you are up against a slow, long climb to even just get the evidence heard." Adams, Dimitri Henley and Rovaughn Hill, all from Chicago, drove to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater on Sept. 5, 1998, for a party. An 18-year-old freshman told police the three men gang-raped her in her dorm room that night. The men countered that the sex was consensual but prosecutors charged them with multiple counts of sexual assault. The only thing of color in that courtroom was the judge's robe, the lawyers' suits and us. It wasn't about the truth. Jarrett Adams Prosecutors dropped charges against Hill after dorm resident Shawn Demain testified during Hill's trial that Hill was playing video games in his room while the other two men were in the woman's room, according to court documents. Adams told said it was actually him, not Hill, who stayed behind in Demain's room. Regardless, Demain's testimony cast doubt on the woman's story that the three men came to her room together. Even more problematic for prosecutors, Demain said he saw the men smoking with the woman later that night. But Henley and Adams' attorneys never called Demain to testify. Henley was sentenced to 20 years in prison, Adams to 28 years. Adams said in an interview that he and Henley had no chance because they were poor and black. "The only thing of color in that courtroom was the judge's robe, the lawyers' suits and us," he said. "It wasn't about the truth." He had been in prison for about a year and had accepted his fate when his cellmate read his case transcripts and told him the charges against him were flimsy. Spurred by the worry lines and wrinkles he noticed on his mother's face during visits, Adams buried his head in law books seven days a week. The more he learned, the more he was convinced that he deserved a new trial because his attorney hadn't called Demain to the stand. He asked the Wisconsin Innocence Project at the University of Wisconsin-Madison for help. Director Keith Findley, a law professor at the school, said he thought Adams' case was a loser. But his students convinced him to take Adams on. Findley discovered he had more than a client. He had a partner. "It was very obvious from early on that Jarrett is smart and perceptive," Findley said. "When we met with him, he had a presence. He would debate with us as a colleague." Together, they won a ruling from the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that Adams' attorney was ineffective. Prosecutors dismissed the charges, and Adams walked free in 2007. He was 27, living with his mother with no identification, no credit cards and no insurance. Advertisement He saw how the Innocence Project was working to help the wrongfully convicted and decided he wanted to change a system he says is tilted against blacks. He landed a full-time job as an investigator with the federal defender's office in Chicago and put himself through college, earning a bachelor's degree and then a law degree from Loyola Law School in 2015. He juggled homework in the morning, a nine-to-five job and class at night. Whenever he wanted to quit he remembered his mother, Adams said. Getting his law degree was a way of paying her back for supporting him when he was in prison, he said. "I derive my strength from her," he said. "Although this seems like an amazing, impossible feat, it was done. And I'm real. I'm not magic. So it can be repeated with the determination and the will to do it." He joined the New York Innocence Project in 2016. Now he's trying to win a new trial for Richard Beranek, a Wisconsin man convicted of rape in 1990. Adams and Findley are working the case together. They contend witnesses put Beranek in North Dakota the day of the crime and new DNA tests show he wasn't the attacker. They planned to present their evidence to a Madison judge during a three-day hearing this week a proceeding that puts Adams back in a Wisconsin courtroom for the first time since his own conviction. "I could have got out, became an attorney and ran off into the sunset in a quest of resources and money to live the way that I wanted to live," Adams said. "But I owe a duty and a responsibility to what I see that is going on." A mail carrier passes a closed bakery on Feb. 16, 2017, in south Philadelphia's Italian Market. In an action called "A Day Without Immigrants," immigrants across the country are expected to stay home from school and work on Thursday to show how critical they are to the U.S. economy and way of life. (Jacqueline Larma / AP) The heart of Philadelphia's Italian Market was uncommonly quiet. Fine restaurants in New York, San Francisco and the nation's capital closed for the day. Grocery stores, food trucks, coffee shops, diners and taco joints in places like Chicago, Los Angeles and Boston shut down. Immigrants around the U.S. stayed home from work and school Thursday to demonstrate how important they are to America's economy, and many businesses closed in solidarity, in a nationwide protest called A Day Without Immigrants. Advertisement The boycott was aimed squarely at President Donald Trump's efforts to step up deportations, build a wall at the Mexican border and close the nation's doors to many travelers. Organizers said they expected thousands to participate or otherwise show support. It was unclear how many people participated, but in many cities, the actions were disruptive, if not halting. More actions are being planned for May 1 known as May Day, the internationally recognized holiday honoring workers. Advertisement "I fear every day whether I am going to make it back home. I don't know if my mom will make it home," said Hessel Duarte, a 17-year-old native of Honduras who lives in Austin, Texas, with his family and skipped class at his high school to take part in one of several rallies held around the country. Duarte said he arrived in the U.S. at age 5 to escape gang violence. The protest even reached into the U.S. Capitol, where a Senate coffee shop was among the eateries that were closed as employees did not show up at work. Organizers appealed to immigrants from all walks of life to take part, but the effects were felt most strongly in the restaurant industry, which has long been a first step up the economic ladder for newcomers to America with its many jobs for cooks, dishwashers and servers. Restaurant owners with immigrant roots of their own were among those acting in solidarity with workers. Expensive restaurants and fast-food joints alike closed, some perhaps because they had no choice, others because of what they said was sympathy for their immigrant employees. Sushi bars, Brazilian steakhouses, Mexican eateries and Thai and Italian restaurants all turned away lunchtime customers. "The really important dynamic to note is this is not antagonistic, employee-against-employer," said Janet Murguia, president of the Hispanic rights group National Council of La Raza. "This is employers and workers standing together, not in conflict." She added: "Businesses cannot function without immigrant workers today." At a White House news conference held as the lunch-hour protests unfolded, Trump boasted of his border security measures and immigration arrests of hundreds of people in the past week, saying, "We are saving lives every single day." Since the end of 2007, the number of foreign-born workers employed in the U.S. has climbed by nearly 3.1 million to 25.9 million; they account for 56 percent of the increase in U.S. employment over that period, according to the Labor Department. Advertisement Roughly 12 million people are employed in the restaurant industry, and immigrants make up the majority up to 70 percent in places like New York and Chicago, according to the Restaurant Opportunities Centers United, which works to improve working conditions. An estimated 1.3 million in the industry are immigrants in the U.S. illegally, the group said. The construction industry, which likewise employs large numbers of immigrants, also felt the effects of Thursday's protest. Shea Frederick, who owns a small construction company in Baltimore, showed up at 7 a.m. at a home he is renovating and found that he was all alone, with a load of drywall ready for install. He soon understood why: His crew, five immigrants, called to say they weren't coming to work. They were joining the protests. "I had an entire day of full work," he said. "I have inspectors lined up to inspect the place, and now they're thrown off, and you do it the day before the weekend and it pushes things off even more. It sucks, but it's understandable." Frederick said that while he fundamentally agrees with the action, and appreciates why his crew felt the need to participate, he feels his business is being made to suffer as a result of the president's policies. "It's hurting the wrong people," he said. "A gigantic part of this state didn't vote this person in, and we're paying for his terrible decisions." Advertisement There were no immediate estimates of how many students stayed home in many cities. Many student absences may not be excused, and some people who skipped work will lose a day's pay or perhaps even their jobs. But organizers and participants argued the cause was worth it. A school board official said that more than 1,100 students went on strike at Dallas Independent School District schools. Marcela Ardaya-Vargas, who is from Bolivia and now lives in Falls Church, Virginia, pulled her son out of school to take him to a march in Washington. "When he asked why he wasn't going to school, I told him because today he was going to learn about immigration," she said, adding: "Our job as citizens is to unite with our brothers and sisters." Carmen Solis, a Mexico-born U.S. citizen, took the day off from work as a project manager and brought her two children to a rally in Chicago. "I feel like our community is going to be racially profiled and harassed," she said of Trump's immigration policies. "It's very upsetting. People like to take out their anger on the immigrants, but employers are making profits off of them. " Advertisement On Ninth Street in South Philadelphia's Italian Market, it was so quiet in the morning that Rani Vasudeva thought it might be Monday, when many of the businesses on the normally bustling stretch are closed. Produce stands and other stalls along "Calle Nueve" as 9th Street is more commonly known for its abundance of Mexican-owned businesses stood empty, leaving customers to look elsewhere for fresh meat, bread, fruits and vegetables. In New Orleans' Mid-City neighborhood, whose Latino population swelled after the damage wrought by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 created lots of jobs for construction workers, the Ideal Market was closed. The place is usually busy at midday with people lining up at the steam tables for hot lunches or picking from an array of fresh Central American vegetables and fruits. In Chicago, Pete's Fresh Market closed five of its 12 grocery stores and assured employees they would not be penalized for skipping the day, according to owner Vanessa Dremonas, whose Greek-immigrant father started the company. "It's in his DNA to help immigrants," she said. "We've supported immigrants from the beginning." Among the well-known establishments that closed in solidarity were three of acclaimed chef Silvana Salcido Esparza's restaurants in Phoenix; Michelin star RASA in San Francisco; and Washington's Oyamel and Jaleo, run by chef Jose Andres. Advertisement Tony and Marie Caschera, both 66, who were visiting Washington from Halfmoon, New York, thought a tapas restaurant looked interesting for lunch, but then realized the lights were off and the place was closed. Tony Caschera, a registered Republican whose family emigrated from Italy before World War II, said he supports legal immigration, but added: "I don't like illegal aliens here." Associated Press writers Sophia Tareen in Chicago; Juliet Linderman in Baltimore; David Saleh Rauf in Austin, Texas; Alex Brandon in Washington; Kevin McGill in New Orleans; and Russell Contreras in Albuquerque contributed to this report. Rep. Mick Mulvaney testifies before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee during his confirmation hearing to be the next director of the Office of Management and Budget in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 24, 2017. (Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images) Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., will oppose President Donald Trump's pick to oversee the federal budget, a defection that could bring yet more trouble for the new president as he seeks congressional support to staff his new administration. McCain declared his opposition in a speech on the floor of the Senate Wednesday, saying that he and Trump's nominee, Rep. Mick Mulvaney, R-S.C., could not agree on military spending. McCain supports an increase, but Mulvaney is an uncompromising advocate of reduced federal outlays. Advertisement If McCain's opposition inspires other advocates of an increased budget for the Pentagon in the Senate to join him, Mulvaney's nomination could be in jeopardy - although two prominent hawks, Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Tom Cotton, R-Ark., continue to support Mulvaney for one of the most consequential positions in the Cabinet. In the speech, McCain noted that Trump had committed to greater military expenditures, but that Mulvaney had supported reductions. "We must rebuild our military while at the same time putting our nation on a sustainable long-term fiscal path. We can and must do both," McCain said. "Unfortunately, Congressman Mulvaney has spent his last six years in the House of Representatives pitting the national debt against our military." Advertisement Cotton was expected to address the nomination on the floor later Wednesday, a spokeswoman said. Graham, who introduced his fellow South Carolinian at his confirmation hearings, reiterated his support. "I back him 100 percent," Graham said. McCain's objections add to the unusual level of opposition, on both sides of the aisle in the Senate, to Trump's nominees for his Cabinet. Earlier Wednesday, Trump's nominee for secretary of labor, Andrew Puzder, withdrew his name from consideration due to rumored opposition from GOP senators. Last week, Vice President Pence was forced to cast a historic vote to break a tie in the Senate in favor of Trump's pick for secretary of education, Betsy DeVos. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was confirmed only after senior GOP statesmen persuaded Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., to give up his initial objections and support the former chief of ExxonMobil. Mulvaney could little afford more Republican defections. His opposition to federal funding for disaster and emergency relief and his support for reductions in entitlements is likely to turn off Democrats in the Senate. "At his hearing, Congressman Mulvaney reaffirmed his support for cutting Medicare and raising the retirement age for Social Security," Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., said in a statement opposing the nomination. She added that her constituents "have paid into the system for decades and they deserve the benefits they've earned." Mulvaney has also received criticism for his failure to pay employment taxes for a household employee between 2000 and 2004. Mulvaney told senators that he had rectified the issue by shelling out $16,000 in taxes due. In past administrations, however, similar omissions have caused sufficient scandal to scuttle nominees for the Cabinet, including former senator Tom Daschle, D-S.D., whom President Barack Obama nominated in 2009. Advertisement As director of the Office of Management and Budget in the Trump administration, Mulvaney would be responsible for making crucial choices about federal spending. "You write the budget, and by doing so, you are making value decisions," said Jim Nussle, a former GOP congressman from Iowa who directed the office under President George W. Bush. "I said, 'No,' a lot, because I was the person tasked with that responsibility." If Mulvaney is confirmed despite his differences with McCain, he could have more serious disagreements to manage in his new post. Trump's nomination of Mulvaney for the position seemed to be at odds with much of Trump's rhetoric as a candidate, which suggested he favored more federal spending, not less. Besides the question of the military, Trump and Mulvaney will also have to reconcile potentially conflicting views on entitlements and public works. Trump has said he opposes changes to Social Security and Medicare, and the president favors substantial new spending on infrastructure. The Washington Post's Ed O'Keefe contributed to this report. The Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov, right, and US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson stand together during the G-20 Foreign Ministers meeting in Bonn, Germany, Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017. (AP Photo/Michael Probst) (Michael Probst / AP) BONN, Germany Secretary of State Rex Tillerson made his debut on the world stage Thursday, meeting the Russian foreign minister and urging Moscow to pull back in eastern Ukraine, then signing a joint statement condemning North Korea's latest ballistic missile test. He attended almost a dozen meetings with his diplomatic counterparts from the G-20 group of major world economies, all fairly routine for a secretary of state on an overseas trip. Advertisement But in one sense it was a landmark day for Tillerson, a former chief executive for Exxon with no previous experience in public office. For the first time since addressing employees on arriving at the State Department two weeks ago, he made a public statement about foreign policy, taking a firm line on Russia and Ukraine. That suggests that the stasis that has gripped the State Department in recent weeks may be ebbing. The ministerial conference was months in the planning. With the change in administrations in Washington, however, it was not certain Tillerson would attend until it was too late to book a large block of rooms for him and his entourage. So they ended up 40 minutes out of Bonn, staying in a large, fading hotel attached to a sanatorium with a casino and thermal baths across the street. Advertisement The joint statement on North Korea, issued with South Korea and Japan, repeated the U.S. commitment to defend the two allies by providing "deterrence, backed by the full range of its nuclear and conventional defense capabilities." But the centerpiece of Tillerson's visit was his one-hour meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, the first face-to-face meeting between top U.S. and Russian officials since President Trump was sworn in. When it was over, Tillerson came out and read aloud a five-sentence statement. He said they had discussed a "range of issues," but the only one he mentioned specifically was the ongoing violence in eastern Ukraine. The conflict began when Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, then backed separatists in eastern Ukraine in what has become a grinding, unending war, despite a deal to end it, called the Minsk agreement. In Brussels on Thursday, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis was saying Russia must "prove itself" before the United States agrees to any military cooperation. In Bonn, Tillerson delivered a more nuanced message. "As I made clear in my Senate confirmation hearing, the United States will consider working with Russia when we can find areas of practical cooperation that will benefit the American people," he said. "Where we do not see eye to eye, the United States will stand up for the interests and values of America and her allies. As we search for new common ground we expect Russia to honor its commitment to the Minsk agreements and work to de-escalate the violence in Ukraine." British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson took much the same view of Russia in his meeting with Tillerson. "You've got to engage with Russia, but you've got to engage in a very guarded way," Johnson told the BBC. "You've got to beware of what they're up to, and there's no question that when you look at Russian activity on the cyber front, when you look at what they're doing in the western Balkans, when you look at what's been happening in Ukraine, you've got to be very, very cautious. And so I think it's entirely right to have a dual-track approach." Advertisement Lavrov, known for his wiles, managed to suggest Russia is innocent of accusations it has meddled in U.S. politics. He brushed off a question about the seeming disorder in Washington, saying, "You should know we do not interfere in the domestic matters of other countries." The meetings were not without small, awkward moments. Reporters allowed in briefly when Tillerson and Lavrov started talking were ushered out while Tillerson was just starting to greet Lavrov. Though the handler seeming to push a cameraman out of the way was Russian, Lavrov turned to Tillerson and asked, "Why do they shoosh them out?" A neophyte as a public official, Tillerson already seems to have developed a jaundiced view of reporters, which might explain why he ignored most of the foreign policy questions reporters doggedly asked at the start of almost every meeting. A reporter allowed in briefly for Tillerson's meeting with Johnson asked how turmoil in Washington would affect the transatlantic alliance. Johnson did not answer, and as journalists were leaving, asked if their remarks were still being recorded. Tillerson advised him, "They never give up." Abdollah Mostafavi, center, arriving from Tehran, Iran, is met by his family including son-in-law Nasser Sorkhavi, left, daughter Mozhgan Mostafavi, second from right, and grandson Kourosh Sorkhavi at San Francisco International Airport in San Francisco. Mostafavi was held at the airport for some time as a result of President Donald Trump's executive order. (Marcio Jose Sanchez / AP) WASHINGTON President Donald Trump said Thursday that he will issue a new executive order on immigration by next week, and Justice Department lawyers asked a federal appeals court to hold off on taking action in the legal battle over his initial travel ban until that new order is in place. In a news conference at the White House, Trump said the new order would "comprehensively protect our country," and he hinted that it might contain new vetting measures for travelers. Trump's first order temporarily barred citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries and refugees from entering the United States, ostensibly so officials could review and tighten screening procedures. Advertisement "Extreme vetting will be put in place, and it already is in place in many places," Trump said. He said the administration "had to go quicker than we thought" because a federal appeals court refused to lift the suspension on his travel ban. The president's comments and the Justice Department's request to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit mean that the administration - at least for now - is pumping the brakes on the furious court battle to restore the travel ban. Instead, the administration indicated in its filing that it expects that a revamped executive order will eliminate judges' concerns, even those the Justice Department views as unfounded. The 9th Circuit agreed late Thursday to wait until a new order was issued to potentially reconsider the matter before a larger group of judges. Advertisement Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson, who had successfully sued to block the travel ban, wrote on Twitter that the Justice Department filing, in particular, "recognizes the obvious - the President's current Exec Order violates the Constitution." "President Trump could have sought review of this flawed Order in the Supreme Court but declined to face yet another defeat," Ferguson wrote. The legal wrangling, though, is far from over, and even a new executive order will not necessarily end the need for it. What happens next will largely depend on how significantly the rewritten order departs from the original. Justice Department lawyers wrote that the revisions would be meaningful. "Rather than continuing this litigation, the President intends in the near future to rescind the Order and replace it with a new, substantially revised Executive Order to eliminate what the panel erroneously thought were constitutional concerns," the lawyers wrote. "In so doing, the President will clear the way for immediately protecting the country rather than pursuing further, potentially time-consuming litigation." Trump could make clear that his order no longer applies to green-card holders - who probably have the strongest case to sue - or he could craft an order that would affect only people who have not yet applied for visas. But a three-judge panel with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit said even those modifications would not necessarily persuade them to lift a suspension of the ban, because such changes would not help U.S. citizens who "have an interest in specific noncitizens' ability to travel to the United States." Lee Gelernt, who is deputy director of the American Civil Liberties Union's national Immigrants' Rights Project and is involved in another legal challenge to Trump's order in federal court in New York, said it is difficult to assess a new order without seeing it, "but I think any type of ban is going to be legally problematic, and I also don't think that the taint of religious discrimination is going to go away." The original executive order, signed Jan. 27, barred refugees from entering the country for 120 days; citizens of Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen for 90 days; and citizens of Syria indefinitely. A federal judge in Seattle first ordered the ban suspended Feb. 3, and the three-judge panel with the 9th Circuit last week unanimously rejected the administration's request to undo that freeze. That left Justice Department lawyers with two options in the short run: rush immediately to the Supreme Court, or ask the full 9th Circuit to take up the matter in what is known as a rehearing "en banc." They had yet to make a choice when a judge on the 9th Circuit asked the judges to take a vote on their own, and the circuit's chief judge asked the parties to file their positions on the matter by Thursday. Advertisement The Justice Department, representing the Trump administration, argued in its filing that the three-judge panel was wrong, but - given that a new executive order was coming anyway - the 9th Circuit should hold off on taking up the matter en banc. Washington state and Minnesota, which are suing over the ban, also argued against en banc consideration, but they asserted that the three-judge panel got it right. At issue has not been whether Trump's ban is ultimately legal - although that has been part of the consideration. The judges have been asked to consider only whether national security concerns necessitate an immediate restoration of the travel ban, when weighed against the economic and other harms Washington and Minnesota officials say it is imposing on their states. The president has broad authority to set immigration policy, but federal judges nationwide have ruled against Trump's particular travel ban. This week, a federal judge in Virginia handed down perhaps the most stinging rebuke of the executive order, declaring that there was evidence that it was motivated not by national security concerns but instead by "religious prejudice" toward Muslims. Hal Baron wasn't one to mince words when it came to his principles or his politics, his wife said. "Hal was kind of a direct guy," said Paula, his wife of 63 years. "He liked getting straight to the heart of things." Advertisement A native of St. Louis, Baron came to Chicago in the 1950s and completed graduate studies in history at the University of Chicago. He went on to work as a teacher, researcher, political strategist and policy adviser focused on school, economic, housing and environmental issues. As an adviser to Mayor Harold Washington, he took on education reform after a 19-day strike by teachers and other school employees in the 1980s. He also provided research on institutional racism in Chicago to Martin Luther King Jr. in the 1960s, which later became a key component of a landmark discrimination lawsuit that changed public housing in the city. Advertisement Baron, 86, died of cancer Jan. 18 at his home in the Edgewater Beach Apartments. "Hal left a huge imprint on the city," said Frank L. Bixby, an honorary life director of the Chicago Urban League. "It was never about him, but always about his principles. He was a doer, an idea man, someone extremely effective in sharing his insights." While chief policy adviser to Mayor Harold Washington in the 1980s, Baron was named head of the Education Summit, a group formed by the late mayor and made up of business leaders, educators and parents to improve Chicago Public Schools. Following the death of Washington in 1987, Eugene Sawyer became mayor and appointed Erwin France as his new adviser on education. Baron resigned, but before doing so he submitted his group's recommendations, among them targeting a reduction in the surging dropout rate and providing parents a greater voice in the management of schools. "The summit has accomplished two big things: a design for reform which is doable in a big-city school system, and it has put together a coalition behind that reform, which is unprecedented in this city or any other," Baron told the Tribune in 1988, adding, "I dealt the mayor a winning hand. It`s a question now of how he plays his chips, and he has chosen France to do the betting for him." Born and raised in St. Louis, the son of an attorney, Baron graduated from Amherst College in Massachusetts and went on to earn a doctorate in history from the U. of C. in 1963. After teaching for a couple of years at City Colleges of Chicago, he became director of research for the Chicago Urban League. During that time, he provided background research to King to help address the issue of housing segregation in Chicago, both private and public. That information later was integral in the Gautreaux v. Chicago Housing Authority case that charged the CHA with violation of the U.S. Constitution by concentrating public housing in impoverished, African-American neighborhoods. Advertisement The court's ruling resulted in an end to nonelderly, CHA high-rises, replacing them with new scattered-site public housing in integrated communities. "Hal wasn't one of those people quoted in the papers all the time," Bixby said. "He was the guy behind the scenes, gathering the research and doing the hard work that made an impact on thousands of lives." From 1970 to 1982, Baron taught in the urban studies program for Associated Colleges of the Midwest, where he mentored hundreds of college students, many of whom now serve in high-profile careers in public policy. "His approach to teaching was more like a community organizer," said former student Kari Moe, now chief of staff for U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison of Minnesota. "As part of the program, he introduced us to a range of politicians, activists, public servants, neighborhood and church leaders, all people involved in shaping public policy. "He never told us what to think, but rather how to figure things out. He'd remind us that life isn't always as it seems and to take the time to look behind the curtain. He taught us not to be naive about power." After serving with the Washington administration, Baron worked on the campaigns of several Democratic candidates, including U.S. Rep. Lane Evans of Illinois and Paul Wellstone, a U.S. senator from Minnesota. He was also an adviser to Cook County Commissioner Jesus "Chuy" Garcia during his run for mayor of Chicago in 2015. Advertisement Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. > In the 1990s, he focused his attention on community organizing in El Salvador and supporting job retraining in the city with the Jane Addams Resource Corp. Over the past 50 years, Baron had an ongoing poker game with friends from all walks of life and was a member of a book club for 25 years. During his last days, he was still taking calls from his bed, helping to advance his causes, in particular, strategizing to elect Ellison as chair of the Democratic National Committee. "Hal was an inspiration to me and so many others, a shining example of a life well-lived," Moe said. In addition to his wife, Baron is survived by two sons, Eddie and Mark; a daughter, Marnie Saeugling; a brother, Morton; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be at 11:30 a.m. March 12 in the Sister Jean Delores Schmidt Ballroom at Loyola University's Damen Student Center, 6511 N. Sheridan Road, Chicago. Advertisement Giangrasse Kates is a freelance reporter. More than 3 million Illinois residents receive health care coverage through Medicaid. They are people of all ages and races living in our cities, suburbs, small towns and rural areas. They include 50 percent of our children, as well as people with disabilities or chronic conditions, those requiring long-term care, women during pregnancy, labor and delivery, and those needing treatment for special circumstances such as opioid addiction. These are our friends, families and neighbors with limited resources whose lives have been saved, extended or improved thanks to Medicaid coverage. Advertisement Now, the future of this safety net is uncertain as discussions continue in Washington about the Affordable Care Act, which the Trump administration announced it intends to repeal. While the impact of a potential repeal will be felt across the nation, the stakes could not be higher for Illinois. If the ACA is repealed and the state is expected to assume costs currently being borne by the federal government, the consequences for those enrolled in Illinois Medicaid would be serious. Advertisement Unfortunately, that is exactly what is being proposed. Medicaid was established in 1965 as a program, funded jointly by the U.S. government and the states, to provide health coverage to low-income people. In Illinois, the federal government matches each Medicaid dollar spent by the state. In 2014, the ACA extended health care coverage to uninsured adults across the country earning less than 138 percent of the federal poverty level by expanding Medicaid. In Illinois, more than 600,000 people enrolled. The federal government has picked up 100 percent of the cost of this expansion, but this will go down to 90 percent in the next few years. A total of about $17 billion is spent annually in Illinois on Medicaid. Only 25 percent of state spending is from general revenue funds; 75 percent comes from federal funds or assessments paid by hospitals. Although this seems like a large total, Illinois spends only $4,500 annually per enrollee less than virtually every other state, including Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana, and less than half the amount spent by New York and Rhode Island. This low level of investment in the health and well-being of the most vulnerable members of our community likely contributes to the fact that some of the highest health disparities and worst health outcomes in the country are in Illinois neighborhoods. This is not a record of which we can be proud. The low reimbursement puts stress on health care providers, who lose money on services to Medicaid recipients for which they are being paid substantially less than providers in other states. Central to the repeal proposals is cutting back on the ACA Medicaid expansion and applying alternatives to the current Medicaid payment methods, including block grants to the states and/or per-capita payments, contributions to health savings accounts or income tax credits, or some combination of all of the above. The overall goal is to reduce federal Medicaid spending by as much as 20 percent and place more of the financial burden on the state, a burden that Illinois is unable to meet. Cuts of this magnitude would mean reductions in federal funding of hundreds of millions of dollars every year for Illinois and therein lies the danger. In light of Illinois' dire financial circumstances and the impasse in the General Assembly that has left us without a budget for the past two years, the state is in no position to make greater contributions to overall Medicaid funding. And reductions in funding mean cuts would be passed on to those who depend on Medicaid and on their health providers. Additional cuts would inevitably boost the number of uninsured people, force providers to curtail services that they can no longer afford to provide, and lead to the elimination of health care-related jobs to reduce expenses. Hospitals and other health providers may be forced to close. Advertisement The decisions that will be made in Washington in the coming weeks will have a major impact on access to health care for many years to come. Illinois faces particular challenges. If the revised Medicaid funding system locks in historically low federal reimbursements for our state, patients will face major hurdles in accessing care. This is not a partisan issue: Everyone in Illinois who is concerned about the well-being of our fellow citizens should be concerned about the impact of this process on our state. Essential elements in protecting the 3 million Illinoisans who rely on Medicaid are for lawmakers in Springfield to pass a balanced budget immediately that supports Illinois Medicaid, and for lawmakers in Washington to address the limitations of the current health system and ensure that affordable health insurance continues to be available to everyone with adequate financial support for the program. Merely trying to shift the costs to states, patients or providers will inevitably increase the number of people who do not have insurance and lead to diminished health and other unintended consequences. Dr. Kenneth S. Polonsky is executive vice president for medical affairs at the University of Chicago. Related articles: How Donald Trump will change Obamacare Advertisement Paul Ryan faces major test in selling his plan to replace Obamacare The leap beyond Obamacare: There's a lot to like in the proposed Patient Freedom Act Obamacare saved my life Barring appeal, expansion plans await NDEQ approval The Butler County Landfills plan for a major expansion has new life now that a judge has overruled a recommendation to deny the expansion permit. District Judge Mary Gilbride ruled Feb. 7 in Saunders County District Court that the landfills application should have been approved by the Butler County Board of Supervisors in December 2015. BCL appealed the denial on Feb. 10, 2016. The landfill expansion would give it an extended life of 30 years, but without the expansion, it's expected to be filled in seven to nine years. Landfill officials said it was still possible that the County Board could appeal the decision to a higher court. They said that they can return to the process of planning, which includes construction of a paved road on County Road R. The expansion of the landfill awaits approval of plans by the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality. The ruling brings us a step closer to paving the road, said Kelly Danielson, district manager of Waste Connections, which owns and operates BCL. We now look forward to preparing the solid waste permit application for NDEQ review and (for) approval. Timing is hard to project, but we are moving forward expeditiously. Asked about any further action by the county, County Attorney Julie Reiter said she had not yet had the chance to review the ruling. In December 2015, the County Board voted 7-0 in favor of a resolution denying the recommendation to NDEQ. The move effectively stalled BCLs plan to expand by 160 acres to the south. The landfill, which serves much of eastern Nebraska, had been developing plans for several years. During the public input period of October and November 2015, there were numerous statements in favor and opposition of the expansion. The application spelled out how the company would add 160 acres to existing 30-year-old landfill, with 110 acres of new space for waste disposal. The application included the companys plans to pay for hard surface on County Road R. Following the boards denial and the appeal, both sides presented their case in briefings, with the final hearing held in Wahoo on Oct. 25, 2016. Last week, following a list of reasons in her ruling, Gilbride wrote: The Boards denial of BCLs siting Application was not based on competent evidence in the record, was contrary to law and was arbitrary and capricious. Gilbrides conclusions were listed on page 16 of the 22 page ruling. She wrote that the County Board applied an incorrect standard in defining the area to be served as Butler County only. The Board should have considered the area to be served to be the area historically served by the applicant, BCL. Gilbride ruled that the County Board erred in this regard. She wrote that BCL demonstrated these facts: *The Landfill will run out of disposal space within the next seven to nine years. *It takes between ten to twelve years for a new facility to obtain a permit and become operational. *Other existing landfills are not adequate to meet the needs of the landfills intended service area. * BCL intends for its proposed expansion site to continue to serve a geographic area greater than only Butler County. * The current capacity at the Butler County Landfill is limited and there is insufficient remaining capacity for BCL to continue to serve the int ended service area, without disruption, if siting approval is not promptly granted. * It is not feasible to permit and construct an entirely new landfill to meet the needs of BCLs intended service area. *It is not feasible for Butler County, David City or a political subdivision located within Butler County to permit and construct a transfer station in an effort to meet the needs of BCLs intended service area. *The Butler County Landfill has been and continues to be an integral part of Butler Countys Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan. *The Butler County Landfill is unique among Nebraska landfills in its ability to receive and process tires and fly ash. Wrapping up the conclusion, Gilbride wrote: No evidence appears on the record to controvert this evidence. The findings of the board that the proposed expansion is not necessary to provide service to the area to be served is not supported by the record, is arbitrary and capricious, and constitutes error. In its denial of the permit, the County Board also had claimed that BCL had failed to provide an evaluation of the potential for adverse health effects that could result from exposure to pollution, in any form, due to the proper or improper construction, operations or closure of the solid waste disposal area. The judge also found that part of the County Boards argument didnt hold up. BCL had satisfied the criteria by providing the necessary evaluation, the judge wrote, stating that the County Boards denial was unsupported by relevant and competent evidence. The final issue cited by the board for the denial was whether BCL provided a design to minimize the impact on existing traffic flows as required by state law. The County Boards conclusion rests exclusively on facts demonstrating that traffic to and from the existing facility is disadvantageous and that the application fails to provide sufficient means to ameliorate those problems. BCL had presented an engineers traffic study during the application process. The judge ruled that state law doesnt require BCL to cure extant traffic problems. Rather, she wrote, state law requires that traffic patterns to and from the landfill be designed to minimize the impact on existing traffic flows. She ruled that the County Boards argument was not supported by the evidence. Road construction The ruling is another chapter in the longtime relationship between the BCL and the county. The BCL permit application has followed about a decade of issues regarding the landfill, one of the states largest, and the heavy truck traffic that it brings to the county. After the road was in poor condition several years ago, BCL paid for upgrades over the course of several years. Ongoing maintenance has included dust control and other upgrades. If BCLs expansion proceeds, it will mean a five mile stretch of hard surfaced road from Nebraska 92 south of David City to State Spur 12B which runs between Abie and Nebraska 15. It essentially would create a paved bypass around David City. Two sides BCL has had its supporters as well as its staunch opponents. The October 2015 meeting brought out both. Some local businesses praised BCLs support of local causes and highlighted its major economic impact with its payroll and the revenue it generates for local businesses. Area village board members expressed their concern about losing the convenience of the landfill in their neighborhood. Opponents raised their concerns about the wear and tear on roads, blowing trash that escapes the landfills extra fences, and the debris that escapes trucks. Dust kicked up by haulers has long been an issue, though it appears it would be eased by the construction of a paved road. Since County Road Q ended up as a shortcut for trucks coming from the north, the village of Octavia has been coping with dust from that road drifting into the village. BCL offered to install a concrete roadway through the village to cut down on the blowing dust. President Donald Trump's latest round of early morning tweets Thursday go well beyond the usual bluster about his opponents. He is now basically calling for the use of the government's investigative machinery to be turned loose on them. Trump tweeted angrily about the leakers who have disclosed to the press that intelligence officials have determined that there were contacts between Russia and Trump campaign officials during the past year. Trump was also presumably referring to leakers who revealed that the Justice Department warned that former national security adviser Michael Flynn communicated inappropriately with the Russian ambassador, making him vulnerable to blackmail. As NBC's First Read crew notes, these complaints are a bit rich, given that Trump repeatedly extolled WikiLeaks for providing political ammunition against Hillary Clinton during the campaign. First Read also points out that the revelations made possible by the leaks are huge stories. We've learned not only that there was contact between Russia and Trump campaign officials but also that intelligence officials have concluded Russia interfered in our election to help Trump. These stories are bigger than the leaks themselves yet Trump wants the focus to be on the leaking instead. But there's still more to this: Note that Trump is now saying, in his first tweet above, that the leakers are going to get caught. This sounds very much like a call for investigations designed to ferret them out. The Obama administration aggressively investigated and prosecuted leakers and whistleblowers, too. As Leonard Downie Jr. recently put it, President Barack Obama's war on leaks was "the most aggressive I've seen since the Nixon administration." And as Glenn Greenwald argues, there is an enormous amount of hypocrisy afoot in Washington around leakers many decried it as a heinous crime when it happened under Obama, yet are now celebrating it under Trump. But it's nonetheless important to pinpoint exactly what is noteworthy about what Trump is doing here. Trump is calling for an investigation into seemingly illegal leaking, but he's doing more than this. He's calling for an investigation into leakers and whistleblowers who are undermining Trump himself. Such investigations presumably could lead to prosecutions. Matthew Miller, a former Justice Department spokesman during the Obama years, argues that there is a fundamental difference between what the Obama administration did and what Trump is now doing. He emailed: "Though they are controversial, there is a place for leak investigations into disclosures that harm national security and serve no whistleblowing purpose. But a president asking for investigations into leaks that expose illegal or inappropriate behavior by him or his staff is something else entirely." Even if one disagrees with Miller's defense of leak investigations in select situations, the underlying difference here does appear to be significant. Let's put this another way: If Trump wants to prove that this fundamental difference is not a meaningful one, he can. He can simply explain why the current round of leaks is a threat to the country, as opposed to merely a political threat to Trump himself. And then we can judge whether he's making a credible argument. Perhaps the next person who gets to interview Trump might confront him with this line of questioning. Another big question here is how Trump's attorney general, Jeff Sessions, will receive the message Trump has sent. Does he take it as a signal to launch investigations into leakers who have undermined Trump politically by revealing contacts between Russia and the Trump campaign? How might Sessions justify this, given the fact that he was a major figure on the Trump campaign himself? How does that all get squared with the fact that the FBI itself is currently investigating those contacts? All of this signals yet another way in which we are heading into very heavy weather under this president. Washington Post The Washington Post reports: "President Donald Trump criticized the intelligence community and the media Wednesday for the news reports that ultimately led to national security adviser Michael Flynn's resignation Monday night, less than four weeks into his White House tenure. "'I think he's been treated very, very unfairly by the media as I call it, the "fake media," in many cases and I think it's really a sad thing that he was treated so badly,' Trump said at a news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. 'I think in addition to that, from intelligence, papers are being leaked, things are being leaked.' "Trump added that the leaks were a 'criminal action, criminal act.'" Let's break this down into two parts: Were the leaks beyond the pale? And does calling news reports "fake" help Trump get through this? As to the first question, I spoke to multiple former intelligence and national security professionals. To a person, each said such information picked up from monitored calls would be classified, and in the normal course of an administration would not be leaked. One former senior intelligence official said, "Certainly not appropriate. Certainly with the investigation still ongoing." Eric Edelman, former ambassador to Turkey, told me, "It is never good when intelligence sources and methods are revealed and there has been sensitivity to American citizens and U.S. government officials being caught in intercepts of conversations with foreign officials over the years." He added, "Asking the intelligence community for the identities (never provided by name but by position) of American citizens was always pretty sensitive and Democrats made a big deal of [former ambassador to the United Nations] John Bolton having asked the intelligence community about this when he was up for confirmation." Nevertheless, Ben Wittes of the Brookings Institution warned, "The assumption that these are intelligence community leaks is utterly unsupported by the evidence and I suspect wrong." In other words, others in the administration may well have been behind the leaks in an effort to move Flynn out of the administration. Moreover, most agreed that as a rule leaks occurred when, as one expert put it, "the truth isn't coming out." The expert added, "It's a form of checks and balances." Yet another put it more colorfully. "It's not that unusual in the sense that if you piss off the intelligence which Flynn had also done at [the Defense Intelligence Agency] you should watch your back," he said. "Not really appropriate, however common." Trump's tantrum, however, hardly helps him. For one thing, the "fake news" line is getting stale. Moreover, in this case, Trump forced out Flynn, confirming that he did, in fact, mislead members of the administration. Wittes noted, "And as to Trump's claim that this is all fake news and made up, well, if that were right, why the heck did he fire the guy?" Likewise, Michael McFaul, former ambassador to Russia, told me via email, "President Trump should respect the work of those in the independent media." He added, "He can express a difference of opinion about articles in the media without denigrating the profession as a whole. And by the way, he seems to have believed the Washington Post story about Flynn." More fundamental, Trump's old tactic of attacking the press no longer works with his own party. Low-information, loyal voters might be satisfied with that kind of bluster, but Republicans in the Senate no longer are. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., came forward, as others had, to make the case that "if there were contacts between Russian officials and Trump campaign operatives that was inappropriate, then it would be time for the Congress to form a joint select commission to get to the bottom of all things Russia and Trump." He added, "The bottom line here is we should have a joint select committee if there is any credibility to the accusation that campaign officials for Trump interacted with the Russians inappropriately." Senate Democrats and Republicans are beginning to work cooperatively in an effort to get to the bottom of Trump's Russia connections. Push will come to shove, nevertheless, when Democrats demand to see Trump's tax returns or subpoena Trump aides. Republicans, including Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), are openly mulling the best course forward, including the possibility of an independent commission. In short, Trump's antics like Kellyanne Conway's spin are no match for reality. "There is something bigger going on here given the background of Russian interference in U.S. elections which is on a larger scale than anything seen in the past," Edelman told me. "In the end of the day, the Trumpkins can't have it both ways. Did Flynn do something wrong or not? If he did, how would anyone have known absent the leaks since even [Vice President Mike] Pence wasn't told before The Post, Times, etc. published?" Trump is kidding himself if he thinks this will all go away. To the contrary, until we know exactly what Flynn was doing and whether it was at Trump's direction, his presidency will be seriously impaired. The war in Afghanistan, now in its 16th year, is largely out of Americans' sight and out of mind a conflict in a faraway place against enemies, the Taliban and al-Qaida, that have been supplanted by the Islamic State as the face of terrorism. But there's big risk in neglecting Afghanistan. During testimony earlier this month before the Senate Armed Services Committee, the commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, Army Gen. John Nicholson, was asked by Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., whether the U.S. would be vulnerable to an attack planned and directed from Afghanistan if the U.S. withdrew its troops. Advertisement The response: "Yes, Senator, definitely." The Islamic State has a foothold there that isn't nearly as entrenched as in Syria and Iraq, but it's a foothold nonetheless. In eastern Afghanistan, Islamic State is recruiting and training, developing a potential to prepare and launch attacks on the West. And while the ranks of al-Qaida have been diminished, the group maintains a presence in Afghanistan, waiting for a time when the country again becomes real estate for recruiting, training and terror-launching. Advertisement So far, President Donald Trump has said virtually nothing about Afghanistan. That has to change: With the Taliban's annual spring offensive just weeks away, the clock is ticking on the Trump administration to devise and explain its blueprint for dealing with Afghanistan. Trump can start by fulfilling Nicholson's request for more soldiers to build on the 8,400 U.S. troops already there. The mission shouldn't change: American troops launch counterterrorism operations against Islamic militants and advise Afghan soldiers so they can secure their own country. Nicholson has said he needs "a few thousand more troops"; he wasn't more specific. The reason for ramping up troop strength is simple: U.S., NATO and Afghan forces aren't winning. "Mr. Chairman, I believe we're in a stalemate," Nicholson told U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at the committee hearing. Afghan security forces are trying to take the fight to the Taliban, Nicholson said, but they're doing more losing than winning. Today, the Afghan government controls a little more than half of the country; a year ago, it controlled 72 percent. To turn the tide, Afghan security forces soldiers, commandos, police need more training. The administration's game plan for Afghanistan cannot, however, center solely on beefing up military presence. The country's chances of survival rest on the viability of its so-called "unity government" in Kabul, and right now that government is anything but unified. Kabul's power-sharing government was the product of a pact brokered in 2014 by then-Secretary of State John Kerry to resolve the country's election impasse. Ashraf Ghani won the election, but his rival, Abdullah Abdullah, claimed he was victimized by election fraud. Kerry got both sides to agree to a deal that made Ghani the president and Abdullah the chief executive essentially a junior partner. The partnership soon soured. Abdullah has accused Ghani of not forging ahead with government reforms and didn't hide his frustration last summer when Ghani refused to meet him for three months. "What does your Highness spend his time on?" Abdullah huffed in August at a public gathering in Kabul. The rift is tailor-made for Trump the Deal-maker. Trump and his team should broker a reconciliation that gets Ghani and Abdullah to stop squabbling and start governing. Afghanistan cannot afford the instability that comes with a fractured government. If Kabul cannot effectively govern, then it can't reform, it can't start to turn around a wrecked economy, and it can't adequately defend against a Taliban that continues to regain large swaths of territory. While the Trump team is in the neighborhood, it can head over to Pakistan to begin turning the screws on that country's military and civilian leaders, who continue to provide safe haven to Taliban militants along the Afghan border. During the campaign, Trump rarely talked about Afghanistan. He now governs a country weary of the Afghan war. Nevertheless, he needs to remember this: A Taliban takeover could put Afghanistan back where it was in 2001, when it was sanctuary for Islamic militants bent on attacking the U.S. This time, some of those militants could carry the Islamic State flag. Advertisement Join the discussion on Twitter @Trib_Ed_Board and on Facebook. Mayor Rahm Emanuel 's school board sued Gov. Bruce Rauner and the Illinois State Board of Education on Feb. 14, 2017, over funding for Chicago Public Schools. District CEO Forrest Claypool, speaking at Lindblom Math and Science Academy, said CPS hoped a judge would respond to the request for a rapid intervention. "We can wait no longer," Claypool said. "CPS is on the brink." (Nancy Stone / Chicago Tribune) (Nancy Stone / Chicago Tribune/Chicago Tribune) Chicago Public Schools leaders heaved a legal long shot this week to extract more education money from Springfield. The Chicago Board of Education sued Gov. Bruce Rauner and the Illinois State Board of Education, accusing the state of operating "separate and unequal systems of funding for public education in Illinois." The suit, filed Tuesday in the Cook County Chancery Division, alleges Illinois spent 74 cents to educate CPS' predominantly minority children for every dollar it spent on the predominantly white children outside of Chicago in 2016. The suit claims CPS received 15 percent of Illinois' 2016 school funding, despite having nearly 20 percent of Illinois students. Advertisement "...The State treats CPS's schoolchildren, who are predominantly African American and Hispanic, as second-class children, relegated to the back of the State's education funding school bus," the lawsuit says. That's an explosive charge. CPS CEO Forrest Claypool hopes a judge will fast-track the district's request to bar the state from dispensing aid in a way that discriminates against CPS students. He hopes that will bring more dollars to CPS and prevent more school budget cuts. "The clock is ticking for our schools and our kids, and for CPS," he said. Advertisement Two thoughts: Chicago Public Schools leaders and Mayor Rahm Emanuel have long claimed the state funding formula has cheated CPS students, mostly low-income and minority, of their fair share. That claim has just as loudly and often been disputed by Republican lawmakers in Springfield, who've trotted out charts and graphs to retort that CPS students receive more than their fair share. Calculating how much or how little Chicago Public Schools children get compared to other students statewide is a long-running political shell game. If a judge finally resolves this confusing numbers game, good. That clarity likely won't come soon. Claypool warns that CPS is "on the brink." The district needs the $215 million in state funds it banked on in its fiscal 2017 budget. But complex lawsuits tend to creep, not sprint, through the courts. Case in point: A pending Chicago Urban League lawsuit argues that minority children in Chicago get cheated because of the over-reliance on local property taxes to fund schools. That suit, which, like the CPS suit, alleged violation of the Illinois Civil Rights Act, was filed in 2008. CPS leaders surely would welcome the sort of legal thunderbolt that Connecticut Superior Court Judge Thomas Moukawsher delivered last year in a wide-ranging decision declaring much of his state's educational system unconstitutional. The judge demolished how Connecticut divides money among districts, sets education standards for children, and evaluates and pays teachers. But that decision capped an 11-year court battle. And the fight still isn't over, pending a state supreme court decision. So, no, the CPS lawsuit likely won't rescue the district's precarious finances this year. CPS is on the brink because it deferred teacher pension payments, recklessly borrowed to the hilt and overspent to maintain an oversized real estate footprint even as student population plummeted. You'd think that CPS could count on a major legal assist from the Chicago Teachers Union because CTU President Karen Lewis has long made similar claims about inequities in the system. But Lewis says she is unimpressed by the district's lawsuit. She characterizes it as "a fake fight between Rahm and Rauner." "It's difficult to support CPS in anything because CPS has proven that it cannot be trusted ..." Lewis tells us in an email via the union's spokesman. "But if the district is sincere about finally making the argument that the CTU has been making for years that school funding is unequal and unfair to minority students sure, we'll testify and go on the record that Rauner's school funding formula is racially discriminatory." In other words: CPS, you're on your own. And note the dig at Rauner, who didn't write Illinois' school funding formula, rather than at the legislative leaders who've had many years to fix it. CPS is on the brink, perilously close to a topple into fiscal insolvency. Springfield likely won't save the day, absent a grand budget bargain among Rauner, House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton. The rest of CPS' school year aka budget year is short. The district's finances are gravely out of whack. And a huge teachers pension payment comes due at the end of June. This is ugly. Advertisement Join the discussion on Twitter @Trib_Ed_Board and on Facebook. Gov. Bruce Rauner presents his 2017 budget address to the General Assembly at the Capitol in Springfield on Feb. 15, 2017. (Illinois General Assembly) (Illinois General Assembly/Chicago Tribune) For weeks Gov. Bruce Rauner declined to involve himself in fragile negotiations unfolding in the Illinois Senate. He finally spoke up Wednesday during his annual budget address, identifying changes he wants to see in a compromise package that would settle a budget impasse and implement pro-growth policy changes that have been tangled up in Springfield for years. So what's next? We say, game on. Advertisement Democrats and Republicans now have the outline they've been requesting. They have a clearer idea of what the governor would support, should a compromise package of bills from the Senate get to his desk. Risk-averse lawmakers didn't want to go out on a limb by voting for controversial legislation, including tax hikes, only to have the governor veto the whole effort. So now they have a framework. The biggest lift for Senate President John Cullerton and Republican leader Christine Radogno will be re-negotiating a tax hike bill with their members. Their proposal a two-year property tax freeze in exchange for a permanent income tax hike is a deal-breaker, Rauner said in his address. Too much taxation, not enough relief. Advertisement "The current Senate proposal calls for a permanent increase in the income tax rate but offers only a temporary property tax freeze in exchange. That's just not fair to hardworking taxpayers across the state," Rauner said. "We need a permanent property tax freeze in Illinois, just like the one the House passed last month. Over time, as our economy grows and revenues expand, any increase in the income tax could be stepped down, dedicating future surpluses to taxpayers, not more government spending." Neither Cullerton nor Radogno indicated Rauner's demand would be catastrophic to their effort, but they didn't say much publicly after Rauner's speech. No need to puff on a house of cards. The governor made other "asks," both for breaking the impasse on the current year's budget and passing the next budget, for the fiscal year that starts July 1. Rauner wants a cap on spending. He continued his push for a plan to move new state employees into a 401(k)-style retirement plan. He wants current state workers to pay more toward their own health insurance costs, saying taxpayers shouldn't subsidize those high-benefits "Cadillac" plans. Rauner introduced some ideas that could be incorporated into existing bills and new ideas that will require work from scratch. But we'll say it again: A compromise emerging from the Senate to break the budget stalemate might be the only way forward. Senators, keep working. Continue talking. Keep going. We would remind Republican senators reluctant to support the compromise package that Rauner has always said he would sign a tax hike into law if it included pro-growth reforms. We would remind Democratic senators, some of whom blasted Rauner's proposals following his address, that they can keep working with the Republican side in their own chamber or they can wait for the House to send its own budget plan around 7 p.m. May 31. Speaker Michael Madigan has said he's working on passing his own agenda. If history serves, he'll jam his plan through the House and plop it in the Senate's lap at the end of the session. Are senators ready for another year of acquiescing to the House speaker? Or are they truly prepared to lead and strike an agreement that doesn't involve him? Advertisement That's the real question. The Senate can fly the plane this year for once yes, with some guidance from Rauner or hand over the aircraft to Madigan, again. Springfield is where Illinois lawmakers decide which flights land safely and which don't. Nothing Rauner announced Wednesday regarding the compromise package should crash the progress that has been made so far. It might be the only hope. Join the discussion on Twitter @Trib_Ed_Board and on Facebook. Americans who tuned out years of on-again, off-again peace negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians may now want to tune in again. Something significant could be happening. No, not a final deal. That's as far off as ever. But President Donald Trump just chopped into a pillar of long-standing U.S. Middle East policy that envisioned Israel and a Palestinian state, existing side by side in peace and security. On Wednesday, Trump, flanked by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, declared that he would not insist on the creation of a Palestinian state as part of a peace accord: "I'm looking at two-state and one-state, and I like the one both parties like. I can live with either one." But Trump also showed support for the two-state scenario when he nudged Netanyahu to curb the building of new housing settlements in the West Bank. The Palestinians oppose settlements because they say Israelis are encroaching on land that would eventually be part of a Palestinian state. So is Netanyahu on board with a one-state solution? Unclear. He dodged the question in Washington on Wednesday. We agree that such momentous decisions must be made at the negotiating table by Israelis and the Palestinians, with guidance from the U.S. and other allies. But the U.S. and much of the rest of the world have backed the two-state solution for years, through presidents Democratic and Republican, for a strong reason: It's the only solution that looks to have a shred of a chance to work. Under a two-state deal that has come tantalizingly close to happening, the sides negotiate borders, security, the status of Jerusalem and other thorny issues. In a single Israeli state of both Jews and Arabs, Israel would control the disputed West Bank and other areas that Palestinians claim for their homeland. A single state essentially gives Israelis more land, but it's also possible that Palestinians could eventually outnumber Jews. It's not hard to imagine how Arab voters could wrest control of Israeli leadership posts unless Israel abandons its democracy and restricts Arab voting rights. That move would likely bring more international isolation and opprobrium onto the Jewish state and create ever-smoldering resentment among millions of Arabs under Israeli rule. "It's difficult to see the Palestinians coming to the table today without the formula of the Palestinian state," Sallai Meridor, Israel's former ambassador to the U.S., told The Wall Street Journal. "Nor is it likely to see Arab countries joining any process if the issue of the Palestinian state is not on the table." Saeb Erekat, chief negotiator for the Palestinians, was so alarmed about the prospect of a one-state solution which he brands "apartheid" that he called for "concrete measures in order to save the two-state solution," The New York Times reports. Hmmm. Could this be Trump's grand strategy? Shake up both sides with an idea that neither finds palatable? Make the two-state solution more appealing by contrast to other options? On Thursday, Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, said the U.S. "absolutely" supports a two-state solution. But she told reporters: "We are thinking out of the box as well, which is: What does it take to bring these two sides to the table?" Stay tuned. Trump isn't bound by decades of Middle East diplomacy that has failed to yield the desired result. He's out to shake things up. This could get interesting. Join the discussion on Twitter @Trib_Ed_Board and on Facebook. Related articles: What Donald Trump's handshake might reveal about him Michael Flynn case is worthy of an independent inquiry What the Constitution says about impeachment Trump's White House is falling apart It is a travesty that three children have been killed by gun violence in four days, but nothing has been done to stop it besides talk. Chicago needs the federal government's help, but not in the form of law enforcement. Yes, it is important to catch the people who do these things, but we need money to fund social services and anti-violence programs in order to prevent individuals from becoming violent offenders in the first place. Advertisement The federal government has not offered assistance in this manner. Funding for programs such as Cure Violence, which can provide scientific proof that its work reduces violence, has been cut from Illinois' budget. And, after hearing Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner give his budget address on Wednesday which did not include solutions to this issue we cannot expect assistance from the state government any time soon. There appears to be a correlation between this uptick in violence and Illinois not having a budget that includes social services for a year and a half. The timing is perfect; no funding for a year and a half has resulted in last year being the deadliest year in Chicago since the 1990s. Advertisement We need federal assistance more than ever. We need funding for social services and violence prevention programs. We need assistance with education and employment. We need a solution to this problem massive problem that is killing Chicagoans. Rosemary Callahan, Chicago LINCOLN - The U.S. Department of Agriculture has established a soil health initiative in Nebraska. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is leading a state-wide effort to enhance the adoption of soil health management systems through the Soil Health Demonstration Farms Initiative. The 2017 initiative sign up will continue to establish demonstration farms across the state to showcase soil health practices and related cropping system comparisons. Landowners interested in applying for funding to establish a soil health demonstration farm should submit their application to NRCS by March 17. According to NRCS, the purpose of this initiative is to demonstrate soil health management systems applicable to various regions of Nebraska. The goal is to establish demonstration farms in each identified region (see map). Producers approved under this initiative will be conducting strip trials of various cover crops, crop rotations, and/or management techniques. Producers will receive funding assistance to demonstrate soil health management by planting cover crops and conducting these comparisons. NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) will be used to fund this initiative. Producers selected will receive this EQIP funding for 5 years. For more information on the Soil Health Demonstration Farms Initiative, visit NRCS at the USDA Service Center or www.ne.nrcs.usda.gov. I must confess that I have been to the Jumpin Eagle Inn in the unincorporated village of Whiteclay in Sheridan County Nebraska. It was 49 years ago that I visited the town that now has 11 residents and four beer stores. It was Monday April 15, 1968, the day after Easter. The occasion was a visit by then U.S. Attorney General Bobby Kennedy who spent the day touring the nearby Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. I was covering the event and sadly remember it because Kennedy would be dead two months later. I was in the place long enough to witness Kennedy visit with some of the patrons. One very inebriated American Indian asked me for some money so he could buy Kennedy a beer. I declined as the entourage left the bar with an excuse that I had to go. Little has changed in all these years, save for the proliferation of businesses dispensing alcohol, which is illegal on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation across the state line and about two miles north. Theres been a lot of talk, a lot of promises. Even an occasional protest or two and a visit by a group of state lawmakers. Recently, the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission required all four stores to submit new license applications. They were heard and approved by the Sheridan County Board and passed on to the state commission for final action. County commissioners admitted that they dont have adequate resources to provide policing for the community, but said closing down the stores would simply move the problem elsewhere perhaps to a community that would require a trip by car that would increase the risk of accidents or death. Of course, theres the issue of free enterprise. How do you limit a business that sells a product that is legal in Nebraska even though it falls into the hands of people from a place where possession is illegal? But we have to balance the economics against the health hazards. There is physiological evidence that American Indians do not process alcohol in their bodies the same way as others and thus have higher rates of alcoholism and fetal alcohol syndrome. Those conditions often lead to poverty and have created what many deem a public health emergency. State Senator Patty Pansing Brooks of Lincoln has offered a bill (LB407) to create a task force to examine the impact of alcohol sales in Whiteclay and its surrounding communities and make recommendations to the Legislature on solving the economic and social issues. She recently told the Legislatures Executive Board that the four stores in Whiteclay sell 3.5 million cans of high-alcohol malt liquor annually. A tragic 25 percent of all babies born on the reservation suffer from fetal alcohol syndrome, she said. The alcoholism rate on the reservation is almost 80 percent. The task force would include five voting members: the chairpersons of the State-Tribal Relations and the Legislatures Health and Human Services Committee, an at-large member from the University of Nebraska Medical Center and two at-large members appointed by the Legislatures Executive Board. Five additional non-voting, ex-officio members would also be named. Judi Gaiashkibos, executive director of the Nebraska Commission on Indian Affairs, said alcohol-related problems have plagued the Pine Ridge for 100 years. While the proposal wont repair the historic damage, she applauded a broader vision for making future positive changes. The Whiteclay Public Health Emergency Task Force is a step in the right direction. Studying the situation is always a good thing. Taking action is even better. Pansing-Brooks bill proposes three annual reports to the Legislature on how the state should act to solve the public health emergency and related economic and social issues. Information would come from medical experts, nonprofit organizations, faith-based institutions and local and tribal governments. Estimated cost for the committee work is $9,500 a year for each of the next two years. That cost and others related to implementation of programs or facilities to address the problem should be born, at least in part, by the businesses that are contributing to the problem. Think of the revenue generated by the sale of 3.5 million cans of malt liquor. Call it the cost of doing business. J.L. Schmidt is the statehouse correspondent for the Nebraska Press Association. He has been covering Nebraska government and politics since 1979. He has been a registered independent for 18 years. LINDSAY Terry Bellers 6,000-head feedlot started as two cows given to his parents, Jim and Mary, as a wedding present in 1958. They took those two head, fattened them, sold them and bought three. Took those three, fattened them, sold them and bought five, Beller said. The herd slowly grew until 1989, when the family decided to double its size from 1,500 to 3,000 head. When my dad was here, he was supporting three young boys, and he could do that with 1,500 head. When he pulled my brother and I in, (his brother) had five kids and I had two at the time, said Beller. It just took more cattle to provide the income we needed. Beller, who will receive the Outstanding Farmer Award from the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerces Agribusiness Committee during a March 14 banquet at Platte County Agricultural Park, views the honor as a testament to his family's hard work. The award is to me, but the award is also to all my employees, to all my family thats stuck through the good markets and the bad markets, he said. My name is on there, but it belongs to all my family and employees. The family oversaw another big expansion in 1993, and from there has grown the herd to its current size. In addition to the 50-acre feedlot, Beller farms 400 acres of corn and soybeans. Beller grew up on a farm about a mile and a-half west of Lindsay, not far from where he is now. He started helping his father run the operation in the 1960s, and a lot has changed since then. When I was helping my dad in the late '60s and '70s, he had six-row equipment. Now we have 24- and 36-row equipment, said Beller. Weve gone from yields back in the '60s and '70s of 50-bushel corn to 200. With beans, we went from 40 bushel to 80 bushel. Theyve also seen huge gains at the feedlot. When my dad would fatten up cattle he would get 2 to 3 pounds of gain per day. Now were pushing 4- to 5-pound gains per day, he said. After his father retired, Beller and his older brother Rick ran the operation until Rick died in 2004. Bellers younger brother, Mike, who was living in Colorado, moved back to Lindsay to help out. Beller said his feedlot is doing pretty well, in spite of the tumultuous markets the past few years, thanks to sound management. The cattle market is very cyclical; you have your ups and you have your downs, he said. "Your good years you have to put away money because when the bad years come you to have to use that reserve. Undeterred by the industry's unpredictable nature, more Bellers are joining the family business. Bellers oldest son, Wesley, helps at feedlot, as well as Mikes son, Tristan. Beller and his wife Karla have three children. Wesley, the oldest, and his wife Alana have a son, Brecken. Bellers second child, Kendra, and her husband Ryan Lavelle and their son Jamison live in Minnesota. Bellers youngest, Riley, is a senior at Lindsay Holy Family High School. Beller sees the operation running in the family long after he retires. When he's ready to call it quits, the operation will be run by Mike, who is eight years younger, and Wesley. Further down the line, he could also see Tristan and Riley joining the operation. Theres the old saying that a family that works together stays together, said Beller. I think its just an important part of the success. HASTINGS It can be lonesome searching Nebraska for evidence of a bipedal, hairy beast that most of society has written off as fantasy. But no longer. Take heart, Nebraska Bigfoot researchers and enthusiasts: You are not alone. For the first time, Nebraska will host its own Bigfoot conference, which seeks to bring together believers and skeptics, as long as they are polite. While Bigfoot, also known as Sasquatch, is unlikely to make an appearance -- he's notoriously enochlophobic -- there will be plenty of first-person stories of close encounters, plus footprint castings, blurry pictures and a map of sightings across the state. The conference at the C3 Hotel and Convention Center in Hastings begins 6 p.m. Friday with popcorn and a showing of the movie Something in the Woods, a 2016 independent thriller about a family threatened when Bigfoot shows up at their farmhouse. Movie tickets are $5; students and children get in free. Actors and producers Stuart Miller and David Ford will be on hand to answer questions. The main event runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and includes displays, door prizes, vendors and speakers. Entry is $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 5 to 15; younger kids are admitted at no cost. Organizer Harriett McFeely said she decided Nebraska needed its own Bigfoot get-together last year while driving home from yet another 500-mile trip to attend a conference. Her husband, Dick McFeely, told her to solve the problem by organizing one at home. The idea almost got scrapped when Dick McFeely died in June, but after some contemplation, Harriett McFeely decided Cornhusker Sasquatch researchers needed a gathering to call their own. And yes, Nebraska has had numerous sightings. McFeely knows of at least 40, many concentrated around Salt Creek and its tributaries. That is the hot spot for Nebraska, she said. McFeely, a member of Sasquatch Investigations of the Rockies, is a believer. She saw Bigfoot for herself during a 2014 trip to South Fork, Colorado, waking one night to a thump and spotting two adolescent creatures near a fellow campers tent when she looked out her RV window to investigate. Her stories have earned her the moniker the Bigfoot Lady, she said, plus other less-flattering names. Bigfoot researchers, especially those in small towns, can sometimes be as hard to find as the critters they seek. They keep their passion for the beast to themselves for fear of become laughing stocks, she said. I thought I was the only one out here in the middle of Nebraska interested in Bigfoot, she said, adding that she's gotten lots of calls from people interested in attending the conference. Little did I know there are lots of people around me. It's a chance for enthusiasts to come out of the closet, she said, to spend time among friends and pursue dreams to prove Bigfoot exists. Speakers will include Lyle Blackburn, author of "Beast of Boggy Creek," Robin Roberts and Mike Johnson of Sasquatch Investigations of the Rockies and musician Scotty Plowman. Find out more at bigfootcrossroads.org. By Tongyu Zhang In June 2015, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) published the Notice on Removing Restriction on Foreign Equity Ratios in Online Data Processing and Transaction Processing Business (Operating e-commerce), which allows foreign investors to hold up to 100 percent equity in an e-commerce company. However, it was not until one year later that the first wholly foreign-owned enterprise (WFOE), Heiwado (China) Co., Ltd, a Japanese company, obtained an operational internet content provider (ICP) license from the MIIT. While the Chinese government provides considerable policy support to the e-commerce sector, the specific definition of e-commerce is vague and can lead to a series of problems in practice. For instance, relevant authorities hold a more reluctant attitude towards e-commerce for services than towards commodities transactions. The e-commerce business model is composed of retailing e-commerce and platform e-commerce. The former indicates a company selling its own goods through its own website, while the latter is an enterprise that uses its own online platform to provide network services to third parties. According to the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM), a foreign-invested enterprise providing platform e-commerce services must obtain an ICP License from the MIIT, as such service belongs to online data and transaction processing services of Category I Valued-added Telecommunications Services. Review of the application requirements in Shanghai According to a recent research conducted by Dezan Shira & Associates Business Advisory Service team, currently, in Shanghai, only WFOEs registered in Free Trade Zone (FTZ) can apply for an ICP license and conduct e-commerce business. The approval authority of the ICP license is the MIIT and the Shanghai Communications Administration Bureau. If a WFOE registers in the original areas of the Shanghai FTZ (Pudong airport, Waigaoqiao bonded area, Waigaoqiao bonded logistics park and Yangshan port), it is eligible to apply for an ICP license with the Shanghai Communications Administration Bureau. If located elsewhere, it should apply with the State Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. Note that it is not mandatory for a WFOE to apply for an ICP license before formal registration. The license can be applied for after receiving the business license. RELATED: Business Advisory Services from Dezan Shira & Associates In addition to this, the following criteria shall be fulfilled by the WFOE: A minimal registered capital of RMB 1 million; Server(s) located in the FTZ; Experience in the e-commerce field; and, If products intended to be sold via the platform require special vending licenses (such as medications), they should be obtained accordingly. Comprehensive pilot zones for cross-border e-commerce Other than the FTZs, the Chinese government has also set up 13 comprehensive pilot zones for cross-border e-commerce, including Hangzhou, Tianjin, Shanghai, Chongqing, Hefei, Zhengzhou, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Dalian, Ningbo, Qingdao, Shenzhen, and Suzhou. In general, by experimenting with new models for technical standards, business procedures and regulatory mechanisms, these pilot zones aim to promote e-commerce nationally. Some critical stages in the process of foreign-invested e-commerce business, such as payment, logistics, customs clearance, tax refund and foreign exchanges, may also benefit from operation of these pilot zones. In addition, each of the pilot zones have their own regional advantages. For example, Zhengzhou is an important transportation hub in the central-eastern part of China, and plays a key role in the One Belt One Road strategy. On the other hand, Dalian enjoys more cross-border e-commerce trade with Japan and South Korea due to the citys proximity. Key takeaways Like in many other industries, state policies on e-commerce may come into conflict with the practices of local authorities. Sometimes, these issues can be highly complicated due to the involvement of several different governing authorities and policies, particularly in the cases of FTZs, pilot zones and high-tech parks. Although, theoretically, restrictions on WFOEs involved in e-commerce business has been lightened, it is still difficult for WFOEs to obtain the relevant license. The Chinese government gradually implements new policies by first experimenting in pilot zones; therefore, foreign investors, especially WFOEs, should keep in close contact with the local government, and seek opinions from experienced professionals. About Us Asia Briefing Ltd. is a subsidiary of Dezan Shira & Associates. Dezan Shira is a specialist foreign direct investment practice, providing corporate establishment, business advisory, tax advisory and compliance, accounting, payroll, due diligence and financial review services to multinationals investing in China, Hong Kong, India, Vietnam, Singapore and the rest of ASEAN. For further information, please email china@dezshira.com or visit www.dezshira.com. Stay up to date with the latest business and investment trends in Asia by subscribing to our complimentary update service featuring news, commentary and regulatory insight. Dezan Shira & Associates Brochure Dezan Shira & Associates is a pan-Asia, multi-disciplinary professional services firm, providing legal, tax and operational advisory to international corporate investors. Operational throughout China, ASEAN and India, our mission is to guide foreign companies through Asias complex regulatory environment and assist them with all aspects of establishing, maintaining and growing their business operations in the region. This brochure provides an overview of the services and expertise Dezan Shira & Associates can provide. An Introduction to Doing Business in China 2017 Doing Business in China 2017 is designed to introduce the fundamentals of investing in China. Compiled by the professionals at Dezan Shira & Associates in January 2017, this comprehensive guide is ideal not only for businesses looking to enter the Chinese market, but also for companies who already have a presence here and want to keep up-to-date with the most recent and relevant policy changes. Navigating HR Audits in China Recent changes in Chinas labor market have underscored the importance of having both an efficient HR system and a satisfied and reliable workforce, and the HR audit is a useful tool to ensure this. In this issue of China Briefing magazine, we provide a guide for conducting HR audits in China. We analyze why the HR audit is especially important for foreign companies operating in the country, and then detail the different HR audit models and procedures that are available to firms. A Chinese court on Thursday sentenced Xi Xiaoming, former vice president of the Supreme People's Court (SPC), to life imprisonment on bribery charges. The Secondary Intermediate People's Court of Tianjin Municipality, north China, handed down the sentence and also stripped Xi of his political rights for life. All his personal property and wealth will be confiscated, according to the court. The court found that from 1996 to 2015, Xi took advantage of various official positions in the SPC to offer favors to entities and individuals in the handling of cases and company listings, accepting bribes worth about 114.6 million yuan (about 16.63 million U.S. dollars) either personally or through his family. The court ruled the property and wealth amassed by Xi through bribery will be turned over to the state. Xi accepted the verdict, according to the court. You are here: Home Police in south China's Hainan Province have seized 1,060 kilograms of methamphetamine, sometimes referred to as ice, the largest ever haul of the drug in the province, police said Thursday. Nine suspects, including the alleged ringleader, surnamed Zhuang, and drug producers, were arrested on Jan. 8, said a police officer with the provincial public security department at a press conference. Based in the provincial capital Haikou, the gang contacted dealers in Guangdong Province and also sold the drugs to other areas of Hainan. Hainan initiated a three-year drug control campaign from November 2016, and started offering up to 100,000 yuan (14,600 U.S. dollars) to informants the next month. To date, more than 1,700 suspects in connection with drug-related crimes have been caught in over 1,500 cases, up 193 percent and 207 percent year on year, respectively, according to the police officer. A total of 3 million yuan has been awarded to informants so far. You are here: Home Flash Top legislatures of China and Mozambique agreed Wednesday to enhance ties in various fields. Top Chinese legislator Zhang Dejiang and Speaker of the Mozambican Parliament Veronica Macamo signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between China's National People's Congress (NPC) and the Mozambique Parliament. Hailing bilateral long-term friendship, Zhang, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, called on both sides to fully implement important consensus between the two heads of state, and connect the Belt and Road Initiative with Mozambique's development strategy. Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Mozambican counterpart, Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, decided to lift bilateral relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation last May. Both sides should firmly support each other on issues related to their core interests and major concern, according to Zhang. He also called on the NPC and the Mozambican Parliament to exchange views on rule of law, improving people's well-being, developing economy and other topics. The legislative bodies could create more favorable conditions for cooperation between the two countries' companies, Zhang said, calling on both sides to create better conditions for Chinese investment in Mozambique. In addition, Zhang called on the legislatures to promote people-to-people exchanges between China and Mozambique. For her part, Macamo stressed that the Mozambican Parliament was willing to strengthen exchanges and collaboration with the NPC and is ready to promote mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries. Invited by Zhang, Macamo is on a five-day visit to China from Monday to Friday. The page may have moved, you may have mistyped the address, or followed a bad link. Visit our homepage, or search for whatever you were looking for You are here: Home Flash Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli met with Russian natural gas company Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller Wednesday, calling for steady development of bilateral engery cooperation. Zhang said China and Russia should conduct further research on the west-route gas pipeline and the Far East gas supply projects adhering to the principle of shared benefits and risks, and expand cooperation in natural-gas-burning power generation, underground gas storage, engine fuel and other areas. He called on both sides to ensure the success of major projects like the China-Russia crude oil trade and increased crude supply, east-route gas pipeline project and the Yamal liquefied natural gas (LNG) project. Recent years have witnessed continuous achievements in energy cooperation including in natural gas field between China and Russia under the strategic guidance of the two countries' top leaders, said Zhang. For his part, Miller said Russia viewed China as an important energy cooperation partner. Russia is willing to work with China on the current projects and explore new areas of cooperation so as to jointly lift the energy cooperation partnership to a new high, he said. You are here: Home Flash An 18-year-old student suspected of preparing a terrorist assault was arrested on Tuesday morning in Wattignies, north France, a regional TV channel reported on Wednesday. Based on elements found in the suspect's computer, the man planned to attack a metro station or shopping centre in Lille, France 3 Hauts-de-France said. "He would have been planning attacks without being able to realize them for logistical reasons," a police source was quoted as saying. Identified as Ismael Z., the man was placed into custody, according to the report. France has been a target of terrorist cells due to its military operations in Iraq, Syria and the Sahel region. The country has declared a state of emergency after a group of terrorists killed 130 people in a series of explosions and shootings on Nov. 13, 2015. Last year, tightened security rules helped police foil 17 terrorist attacks, Interior Ministry figures showed. You are here: Home Flash Russian and U.S. top military officials will meet in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Thursday to seek possible cooperation, the Russian Defense Ministry announced Wednesday. Russian Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov and U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Joseph Dunford will discuss the current state and prospects of military cooperation, said a Defense Ministry statement. The two generals are expected to explore ways to prevent military incidents and exchange views on the security situation in various conflict zones around the world, it read. Also on Thursday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will meet with U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on the sidelines of a G20 foreign ministers' meeting in Bonn, Germany, to discuss bilateral and regional issues. The flurry of military and diplomatic contacts come as a spurt of incidents have added uncertainty to the proposed reestablishment of Russia-U.S. relations. U.S. National Security Adviser Michael Flynn resigned Monday following days of reports that he lied about improperly discussing U.S. sanctions with the Russian ambassador to the United States. Flash Malaysian police said on Wednesday that a woman was arrested as part of the investigation into the death of a man from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. News program about the death of Kim Jong Nam, the older half-brother of the DRPK leader Kim Jong Un and the eldest son of late leader Kim Jong Il, is seen on TV at the Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Feb. 14, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua] The police said the middle-aged man, who died on Monday at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, was holding a passport under the name Kim Chol. Khalid Abu Bakar, chief of the Malaysian police, said 46-year-old Kim, who was born in Pyongyang, sought medical assistance at the customer service counter of Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 before he died en route to a hospital. The investigation is in progress and a postmortem examination request has been made, the police said. Geng Shuang, Foreign Ministry spokesman, said on Wednesday that China has noted the media reports and was closely following the development of the case. While police are identifying the man on the basis of his travel documents, news media from the Republic of Korea have reported the man was Kim Jong-nam, the elder half-brother of the DPRK's top leader Kim Jong-un. Flash Israel should "hold back" on building new settlement "for a little bit," U.S. President Donald Trump told visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday. U.S. President Donald Trump (R) gestures at a joint press conference with visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House in Washington D.C., the United States, on Feb. 15, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua] "As far as settlements, I'd like to see you hold back on settlements for a little bit. We'll work something out but I would like to see a deal be made," Trump said at a joint press conference with Netanyahu at the White House before their meeting. In response, Netanyahu played down the issue of settlement building. "I believe that the issue of the settlement is not the core of the conflict, nor does it really drive the conflict. I think it's an issue that has to be resolved in the context of peace negotiations," Netanyahu said. Israel approved last month the construction of 3,000 housing units in West Bank settlements, amidst a spate of settlement expansion in the wake of Trump's inauguration. Israel's settlement-building in disputed territory is a major dispute between the Israelis and Palestinians. The settlements are illegal under international law because they are built on lands seized by Israel in the 1967 Mideast War, where the Palestinians wish to form their future state. The former U.S. administration criticized Israel's continuous expansion of the settlements, which it considered as a major obstacle to peace. In a White House statement earlier this month, the Trump administration said "the construction of new settlements or the expansion of existing settlements beyond their current borders may not be helpful" in achieving Middle East peace. On Wednesday, Trump also said that he is open to either a one-state or two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a departure from U.S. stance in previous administrations. "I'm looking at two-state, one-state, and I like the one that both parties like. ... I can live with either one," Trump said. The previous U.S. administrations have pushed for the two-state solution to the Middle East peace process, an idea of establishing an independent Palestinian state that lives side-by-side with Israel. On another controversial issue of moving U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, Trump said, "as far as the embassy moving to Jerusalem, I'd love to see that happen. We're looking at it very, very strongly." But he added that the U.S. is looking at the issue "with great care." Israel claimed all of Jerusalem as its "eternal and undivided capital." But the international community has never recognized East Jerusalem, a territory Israel seized in the 1967 Mideast War and later annexed. The Palestinians see East Jerusalem as the capital of their future state. The idea of moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem was discussed in the past but never carried out for fear it will spark fresh tensions in the region. Residents of the neighborhood gather at the crime scene to watch the police investigation. [Photo/China.org.cn] Two Chinese women were found dead in Makerere Kikoni, a neighborhood in the Ugandan capital of Kampala on Wednesday morning. The decomposing bodies of the two women were discovered in a rented house there, with each bearing a stab wound, according to local reports. The police said they are treating the cases as murder, reports say. Local detectives were quoted by Chimpreports.com, a Kampala-based news website, as saying the two women were first kidnapped, killed and later dumped into the house where their bodies were found. The Chinese embassy in Uganda issued two notices on Feb. 14 and 15 on its website saying it had received a report of a serious criminal case in which two Chinese nationals were killed, without giving further details. Chimpreports.com quoted Ugandan Inspector General of Police Kale Kayihura as saying the Chinese embassy reported on Saturday that two females had gone missing. The two were revealed to be Ren-Ju, 33, working with Club 7 restaurant in Kololo as a waitress and Sang-Weng Wa, 34, also a waitress at Chinese Business Hotel in Bugolobi. Kampala police are holding a special hire driver in the investigations, Chimpreports.com said, "[the] special hire driver who is in police custody is said to have been hired by an unknown Chinese man from Chez Johnson hotel in Nakulabye to Club 7 Restaurant in Kololo where they picked Ren-Ju and brought him to the said house." The house was previously used as a church until last week when the Chinese national, who detectives say they are treating as a suspect, rented it. It is suspected that the two women were stabbed by the man, who is on the run. The local police were also quoted as saying that they have started tracking the phone number that the Chinese suspect used to send a WeChat message asking for ransom to release the suspects. Karihura said the clues indicate that the dead could have been targeted and followed from China to Uganda before being cornered and killed. He also said the two could have been killed between Saturday and Monday as the bodies had started to rot by the time they were recovered on Wednesday. According to local news website The Ugandan, at least two people are violently killed in the shanty town Kikoni almost every week. Flash Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said on Thursday that the man from DPRK that died in Malaysia was Kim Jong Nam. Malaysian police earlier identified the man as Kim Chol, according to his passport, but Zahid said the man was indeed Kim Jong Nam. During a press conference on Thursday, when asked if the man was confirmed to be Kim Jong Nam, the half-brother of the DPRK leader Kim Jong Un, Zahid relied, "yes, certainly yes." He said he was briefed by the police that the DPRK embassy had confirmed Kim's identity. Malaysian authorities would only release the body after the postmortem is completed, said the official. Malaysian police said earlier that the 46-year-old man was holding a DPRK passport under the name Kim Chol. His body was taken to a hospital in Kuala Lumpur Wednesday for post mortem to ascertain the cause of his death. The results of the post mortem are yet to be released. Two female suspects who were captured by the surveillance camera at the airport had been arrested, police said. The two women hold Vietnamese and Indonesian passport respectively. The Malaysian boyfriend of one of the suspects was also arrested, police said. Flash At least 24 civilians have been killed by Turkish shelling on Syria's northern city of al-Bab, a stronghold of the Islamic State (IS) group, a monitor group reported Thursday. The killing of the civilians happened during the past 24 hours of Turkish shelling on al-Bab, and 11 children were among those killed, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The London-based watchdog group said that the death toll of the recent Turkish attack on the city that started on Feb. 7 rose to 89 civilians. The Observatory also denied claims that the city has fallen to the Turkish forces and allied Syrian rebels, adding that IS militants are still in control of the city. While the Turkish forces were on an offensive on IS from the northern, western and eastern parts of the city, the Syrian army succeeded recently to besiege al-Bab from its southern edge, a move to prevent IS fighters from withdrawing toward other strongholds in the eastern province of Deir al-Zour, or the northern city of al-Raqqa, the de facto capital of the terror-designated group. Flash The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said on Thursday that transgender Bataan Representative Geraldine Roman is going to "welcome addition" to the military if she pursues her intention to be part of the army's reserve force. "In taking in applicants to the AFP, whether in regular or reservist force, we do not discriminate with respect to gender. Our gender and development program guarantees that," said AFP public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo. Arevalo said Roman recently approached the office of the AFP deputy chief of staff for reservist and retiree affairs to express her intention to join the reserve force "but with regard to physical application form, there's none yet." On Wednesday, Roman said she will be applying to become a military officer in the Armed Forces reserve force. She will be the first transgender in the military if she files her application and it's subsequently approved. On the uniform that Roman will be wearing, Arevalo said court has already approved Roman's petition to change her gender to female. However, Arevalo could not immediately say if Roman's birth certificate, one of the requirements in the application, already bears her new gender. "If her birth certificate already bears (her gender as a female), then we will so allow her. Asking her to wear a male uniform when she is already transformed into a woman will put her to ridicule and we do not want that to happen in the Armed Forces," he said. On the possibility that Roman would join the reserve force of the Marines, Arevalo said: "Why not?" Arevalo is a member of the Marines. "She is a solon, a lawmaker, public official who want to join the reservist force and help the military in another way," said Arevalo. Roman will be a lieutenant colonel in the Army, Air Force or Marines of or commander in the Navy if her application is approved. Flash South Sudan and Uganda have agreed to conduct joint border surveillance exercise in an effort to combat the spread of the avian flu that was reported in Kampala in January, a South Sudanese official said Thursday. Meanwhile, Minister of Livestock and Fisheries James Janka Duku said South Sudan would not ban imports of Ugandan poultry products. The minister said the two countries have agreed to deploy health experts along the Uganda-South Sudan border to monitor and inspect Ugandan poultry products. He said under the new guidelines, all bird products must undergo background checks and traders must have valid export certificates issued by the joint task force. Duku said a team of technical experts from South Sudan would be dispatched to its Southern neighbor Monday next week to meet their Ugandan counterparts in a bid to expedite the process. "We have agreed that we jointly set up a mechanism for monitoring and regulating poultry products from Uganda," Duku told Xinhua in Juba. The strain of avian influenza detected in wild and domestic birds in Uganda is the same virus that has spread through Asia and Europe over the past four months. The H5N8 avian influenza strain is thought to have spread across continents via wild migratory birds. Since Uganda declared the outbreak, Kenya and Rwanda have banned poultry products from Uganda and a number of other East African countries have increased surveillance. Duku said South Sudan would not ban Ugandan poultry products from entering its territory after initial assessment showed that the outbreak has been contained in the Lake Victoria region. "We are also involving the ministry of trade and industry in this process because banning has a direct impact on trade," Duku added. Uganda is South Sudan's biggest trading partner in the East African bloc, with South Sudan taking in 15 percent of Uganda's agricultural products according to data from Ministry of Trade. The government of Dubai has strict rules and regulations in place to protect investors Property investment is the most feasible investment opportunity Dubai When you invest $1 million, you could buy 153 sq m of land in Dubai compared to 20 sq m in Hong Kong, 22 sq m in London, 42 sq m in Singapore. Dubai has a strategic geographical location and is easily accessible to the rest of the world Dubais property sector is projected to see ramp up in 2018, thanks to a growing demand for new residential units ahead of Expo 2020 Gross rental yield for apartments in Dubai ranges from 7-10% per annum compared to 2-3% in other global cities. Investors will benefit from Dubai being the most sustainable city in the region and a safe haven in terms of real estate investments Current Indian Market Scenario Given the recent developments in the Indian economy, the repercussions have lowered sales for the Indian real estate sector. According to recent reports, the second half of 2016 saw a 23% fall in in sales volume and 46% drop in new launches. Post demonetization, and the latest announcement of the economic survey report, Indian investors who would wish to invest in second homes or invest their recently converted old money to new money, seem to have limited lucrative options of achieving higher returns in India. Why Indians invest in Dubai? 2016 saw foreign investment in Dubai real estate market approaching AED 44bn, from 22,834 investors of 136 nationalities. In recent years, the trend of Indians investing in Dubai has surged due to exponentially increasing property prices in India - Almost 25% of Dubai Real estate investments are contributed by Indians. Indians topped the real estate investments in Dubai for 2016, making AED 12bn worth of property transactions across 6,263 investors Perks of tax free returns Capital appreciation of 20 to 30% annually. One can earn more than 2.3 lakhs tax free rental income per month when investing in Sobha Hartland, Dubai Ease of registering a property in Dubai in comparison to India Ease of registering a property in Dubai in comparison to India Dubai is just a 4-hour flight from India, making it easy for Indians to invest and live in Dubai properties Stable returns as the currency is pegged to the US dollar and unaffected by currency fluctuations Under RBIs Liberated Remittance Scheme, a couple can transfer 3.4 crores legally per year which can buy them a 2-bedroom apartment in Sobha Hartland Dubai By investing more than 1 million AED in a property in Dubai, one also gets the eligibility acquire a UAE residence visa. The Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) came into effect on 1st of June, 2000, replacing the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act (FERA). The intentions of the FEMA are to revise and unite laws that relate to transactions of foreign exchange and encourage an orderly maintenance and development of the foreign exchange markets in India PNC Menon Chairman & Founder, Sobha Group says, Dubai has been a hotspot not only for businesses but for all sectors like tourism, real estate, etc., for the past few years. Dubai is considered a viable international hub because of its consistent and steady economic growth, good infrastructure, city planning and ease of access to the rest of the world. Its inviting and inclusive culture and tolerance for multiple nationalities is welcoming and beneficial for residents and businesses alike. Investors will benefit from Dubai being considered the most sustainable city in the region and a safe haven in terms of real estate investments. With prime properties developed in Dubai by Sobha, it has earned recognition for great quality as the number one brand in India (source: Track2Realty Brand X Report 2015-2016) and one of the top real estate companies in the Arab world (source: Forbes Middle East). About Sobha Group Sobha Group is a multinational, multiproduct group with developments and investments in U.A.E., Sultanate of Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Brunei and India. Established in 1976 by a first generation Indian entrepreneur, PNC Menon as an interior decoration firm under the name of Services and Trade Company in Muscat, Oman, the group has grown into one of the most respected names in all the countries in which it has established businesses. The organisation is one of the fastest growing and foremost backward integrated real estate organisations in the region. It means that the company has all the key competencies and in-house resources to deliver a project from conceptualization to completion. Sobha is primarily focused on residential and contractual projects. The Companys residential projects include presidential apartments, villas, row houses, super luxury & luxury apartments, plotted developments and aspirational homes. The company is currently developing Sobha Hartland, a mixed-used development in the centre of Dubai. China Aviation Daily | Feb. 16, 2017 Far Eastern Air Transport has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Nordic Aviation Capital (NAC) for the lease of four ATR72-600 aircraft, Taiwan's China Post reported on Tuesday. The four ATR 72-600s are scheduled for delivery in 2017, renewing its fleet to provide better services and boost its competiveness. Far Eastern Air Transport currently operates an all-McDonnell Douglas fleet with five MD-82s and three MD-83s on flights to sixteen destinations throughout Taiwan as well as mainland China, Macau, and Japan. The value of capital projects and M&A deals in seven core infrastructure sectors across the 66 economies in the Belt and Road Initiative reached nearly $494 billion in 2016 and China contributed one-third of the total value in the period, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers. The global auditing firm may be bullish about the long-term prospects for M&A activity involving infrastructure investment in Belt and Road economies. In its first report regarding investment across seven core infrastructure sectors in Belt and Road countries, PwC said the total capital project value had increased by 2.1 percent to $401.3 billion last year while the total M&A deal value plunged by 48.7 percent to $92.5 billion in the same period. These infrastructure sectors involve utilities, transport, telecoms, social, construction, energy and the environment. China registered an increase of 14 percent in average project value last year while average project value was 47 percent higher in the same period. Since 2013, the value of invested projects across the region had registered a compound annual growth rate of 33 percent, PwC data revealed. Gabriel Wong Yiu-wo, PwC's head of corporate finance for the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong, said: "There was a rise in project dollar value as governments battled to revive growth. However, M&A activity points to a decline in volume and dollar terms, reflecting a flight to quality and renewed focus on project economies." Unveiled by President Xi Jinping in 2013, the Belt and Road Initiative aims to connect China with more than 65 economies through unimpeded trade and financial integration. The total investment amount envisaged in a first phase of the Belt and Road Initiative is estimated to be roughly $240 billion. Wong noted: "We expect that mainland investors are likely to be more prone to invest in capital projects while remaining on the sidelines at the M&A deal level. The hike in construction costs, overcapacity and downgrade of sovereign debts in 2016 also paint a bearish picture for M&A deals." JavaScript is disabled on your browser. CORDIS website requires JavaScript enabled in order to work properly. Please enable JavaScript. A ship loads containers at a terminal in Qingdao, Shandong province. [Photo/China Daily] China's exports to markets along the Belt and Road Initiative, including Russia, Malaysia and India, surged in January, indicating that their ongoing industrialization and infrastructure development continued to stimulate economic exchanges with China, experts said on Wednesday. Exports to the three countries grew 39.1 percent, 22.8 percent and 18.1 percent, respectively, on a year-on-year basis, according to the Ministry of Commerce. Zhang Yunling, director of the academic division of international studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said from a global perspective, upgraded consumption, manufacturing capacity and infrastructure cooperation have become the biggest highlights of projects related to the trading route initiative. Cai Weici, a senior adviser at the China Machinery Industry Federation, said: "The countries, mostly emerging economies, have growing demand for Chinese products, in particular construction machinery, building materials, passenger vehicles, consumer goods, and industrial and energy equipment." Exports to the European Union climbed 13.6 percent in January. Exports to the United States and Japan rose 17.2 and 18 percent, respectively. China's foreign trade rose 19.6 percent year-on-year to 2.18 trillion yuan ($317.5 billion) in January. Wang Dongtang, deputy director-general of the Ministry of Commerce's department of foreign trade, said: "Uncertain and unstable factors are increasing. Difficulties facing China's foreign trade are not short term." The rise of trade protectionism and sluggish overseas demand are potential curbs on China's future export growth, he added. However, Wang said, China's foreign trade fundamentals have not changed and the country still retains advantages in this regard. Cheng Yu contributed to this story. By ZHENG XIN in Beijing and ZHANG MIN in Tianjin | China Daily | Updated: 2017-02-16 08:06 Workers walk past containers at Tianjin Port in this May 13, 2010 file picture. [Photo/Agencies] Tianjin port, one of the country's busiest, will apply the brakes to coal transportation by trucks from the second half of this year, to alleviate pollution caused by diesel-powered trucks and coal consumption, its mayor said. To ease pollution that has shrouded large regions of northern China in recent years, starting July coal handled by the port will be transported by rail instead of diesel-fueled trucks, Mayor Wang Dongfeng said. The measures are meant to lower diesel-powered truck transportation and reduce coal usage, Wang added. The annual coal throughput of the port is around 100 million metric tons. Most coal products are shipped from inland coal-producing regions to the harbor by diesel-driven trucks, which have added to air pollution. From there, the coal products are shipped to users in southern China for power generation. The port is now applying for permission to build more railway lines for transporting coal, according to the port authority. Local media reported the port was in talks with other neighboring ports in Hebei province to cooperate in coal transportation. Coal business in Tianjin port will be diverted to Tangshan in Hebei by July, a source close to the environmental authorities said. Beijing-based analyst Zhang Min said the measures would help China's northern regions battle pollution. Once implemented, the policy would increase cost for coal companies and some might resort to using other ports, Zhang said. Zheng Yiran and Sun Ruisheng contributed to this story. Northeastern Heilongjiang province is taking full advantage of China's Belt and Road Initiative and its unique geographical positionwith its northernmost bordering Russia, and the provincial capital Harbin featuring some Russian buildings and other cultural influencesto boost its business and economic ties with Russia, leading government officials and businessmen said. Harbin-based Qinggonglin Pumps Co Ltd, Harbin Engineering University, and an institute of the Academy of Sciences of Russia, have set up a company to manufacture a new type of power generation equipment. "The institute sent the list and experimental parameters for the equipment to us last Friday. When the core equipment is ready, we can start production," said Qinggonglin Pumps General Manager Piao Chenggong. The company and institute signed a cooperation agreement in November during a trip organized by the Heilongjiang provincial government for about 100 companiesworking in equipment manufacturing, 3D printing and other fieldsto visit Russia. Seventeen of them signed contracts with representatives from 227 of their Russian counterparts in Yekaterinburg and Moscow. "In 2016, Heilongjiang province expanded its opening-up to the outside world with an emphasis on Russian cooperation," said Heilongjiang Governor Lu Hao in a provincial government report. A new landmark 2.6 billion yuan ($379 million) cross-border rail bridge, linking Tongjiang in Heilongjiang province with Nizhneleninskoye in Russia's Jewish Autonomous Oblast, has begun construction, he said. Last week Heilongjiang provincial officials said the construction of the cross-border rail bridge between China and Russia had moved a step closer to completion now that the project's funding gap had been covered. Lu said the development marked the economic and trade cooperation between the two countries entering a new stage. Additionally, the first modern highway bridge on the Heilongjiang River (Amur River), the boundary river between China and Russia, also started construction, he added. According to plans, the two bridges will be in operation, respectively, in 2018 and 2019 and they are expected to expand economic and business ties between Heilongjiang and Russia. "In the past, the cooperation was all about trade. Now it is entering a new stage with cooperation in various sectors including energy, logistics, high-tech, agriculture, infrastructure and culture," said Song Kui, head of the Heilongjiang Contemporary Sino-Russia Regional Economic Research Institute. Statistics show that a total of nearly 9.5 million international parcels were posted to Russia from Heilongjiang in 2016. The cargo weighed 2,400 metric tons and was valued at nearly $200 million. Heilongjiang also witnessed more frequent and in-depth cultural exchanges with Russia last year, when five joint research centers with the Saint-Petersburg State University were established in the province. A Sino-Russian art college, jointly set up by Harbin Normal University and Moscow State Academic Art Institute, opened its doors. Tsinghua University professor Bai Chongen at a forum in Beijing, Oct 17, 2012. [Photo/VCG] BEIJING - A Chinese economist has suggested more tax cuts and less administrative fees for businesses to stimulate the economy. "The government should cut taxes and lower fees more vigorously to bring down corporate burdens and increase profit margins," Tsinghua University professor Bai Chongen said Wednesday at the annual meeting of Chinese Economists 50 Forum (CE50). Bai said businesses would then be encouraged to invest more and improve productivity, relieving some downward pressure on the economy. Policymakers have pledged fiscal support to stabilize growth and maintain a proactive fiscal policy this year. While some analysts are inclined to pay more attention to huge spending on infrastructure, Bai believes it is tax breaks and other such policies that can truly revitalize the economy. Government-driven investment has resulted in falling business profits and efficiency for nearly a decade, since global financial crisis prompted the Chinese government to spend big to fend off risks, according to Bai. Bai advised the government to earmark more funds for social security as firms are suffering from making high social security payments for their employees. China's economy expanded 6.7 percent in 2016, a slowdown from the 6.9 percent growth registered in 2015 but within the government's target range, and more indicators for January have shown the economy is gaining a firm footing at the start of 2017. Founded nearly two decades ago, CE50 is a civil academic organization and think tank that brings together around 50 prominent Chinese economists, including officials and academics. By YUAN HUI in Hohhot and ZHANG YU in Shijiazhuang | China Daily | Updated: 2017-02-16 11:07 The Manzhouli Lianzhong Group, China's largest timber and frame-housebuilding company, is leading a project with Russia to develop forest resources. The project, worth more than 1.5 billion yuan ($218 million), will seek to construct comprehensive bases in both countries for wood processing, storage and trade, according to Lu Baodong, vice-mayor of Manzhouli city in northern China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region. Next to Russia, which is rich in forest resources, Manzhouli has been China's biggest land port for wood imports for 16 consecutive years. In the first half of last year, China imported 46.08 million square meters of wood, 33 percent of which was from Russiathe largest source country for China's wood, statistics provided by Zhonglian Group show. Manzhouli is also a key junction on the China-Mongolia-Russia economic corridor of China's Belt and Road Initiative. The initiative has opened up new business opportunities for countries and regions along the Belt and Road trading routes since it was unveiled by President Xi Jinping in 2013. Last year, Inner Mongolian companies invested in 88 projects in countries along the trading routes, accounting for 77.19 percent of the region's total investment projects in foreign countries, according to the regional government. The projects are in many fields such as forestry, construction, transportation and manufacturing, under cooperation with 11 countries along the trading routes. Located near Mongolia and Russia, Inner Mongolia mainly cooperates with the two countries. Cooperation between them accounts for about 76.3 percent of the region's total import and export value, according to Manzhouli customs. By 2020, the actual outward investment from Inner Mongolia will top $5 billion and more than 900 companies will invest in or cooperate with foreign countries, according to the regional government. The investment will mainly be used in transportation for connecting the region with Mongolia and Russia, exploitation of energy resources, transfer of industries and cooperation in R&D. A flag hangs across a street of houses in London on June 3, 2015. [Photo/VCG] London's commercial real estate market has more or less lost its glamour with deals declining since Brexit, but the market can take some comfort in the fact that Chinese investors still find it attractive, the Wall Street Journal reported. Chinese buyers spent more than three billion pounds ($3.75 billion) on real estate in central London last year, more modest than UK investors but more generous than those from the US or Europe, real estate consultancy firm Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) said. The value of sterling has fallen about 12 percent against the Chinese currency renminbi, or the yuan, since Britain voted to leave the European Union last June, which, for Chinese buyers, means real estate is basically on sale, analysts said. An office building located in Paddington, London, was sold to CC Land Holdings Ltd, backed by Hong Kong property tycoon Cheung Chung Kiu, for 292 million pounds this year. And in January, a subsidiary of Hong Kong conglomerate Emperor Group bought a building with offices and shops in London's Soho for 260 million pounds. New York-based real estate market research firm Real Capital Analytics said London's commercial real estate transaction volume dropped by 45 percent to 21.5 billion pounds from 2015 last year. Other foreign investors' withdrawal is making Chinese buyers' influx stand out. As many investors balk because of the uncertainty over the impact of Brexit, high prices after a multi-year property boom and the returns on London property that have reached near record lows, Chinese buyers see earnings optimism. Real Capital data showed while the average capitalization ratea measure of yieldon offices in Hong Kong was 2.6 percent at the end of last year, it was 4.2 percent on offices in London's West End. "It's clear that returns in London are significantly higher," said Eric Pang, head of the China desk in London at JLL, the Wall Street Journal reported. Bank of China Ltd announced on Thursday it has completed the bank's first international payment transaction under the SWIFT's Global Payments Innovation initiative. China's fourth largest commercial bank by assets said the initiative enhanced customer experience by shortening the time of international money transfers via Bank of China accounts to only a few minutes. Twenty-one large banks worldwide, including Bank of China and Citi, participated as trial banks in the GPI program launched by SWIFT, a global provider of secure financial messaging services. Together they designed and followed the same business standards to achieve same day international money transfers, fee transparency, track the status of transfers and pass on complete information of transfers. Customers enjoy themselves in a shop of Beijing-headquartered Cheers Stores. MA LINA / FOR CHINA DAILY The success of wine retailer Cheers in China can teach us important lessons on how to build a successful business: seize the opportunities and have a broader view by eyeing the whole of China, have a clear target and mission, do honest business by forging a close relationship with clients and be persistent, and offer competitive prices while building up a smart team. The success of Swiss entrepreneur Claudia Masueger is a case in point. She told me her adventure in China started when she decided to learn to love lucky numbers as the Chinese do, because "while in China, do as the Chinese do". As eightsounding similar to fa (making a fortune) in Chineseis such an auspicious one, she landed in Beijing on Jan 8, 2008. While here, she traveled and thought about how to develop her own competitive edge: With four generations of wine business experience in her family and a good relationship with the worldwide wine business, she made a decisionto start a wine business in China and try her best, as the wine business in China was fast growing at the time. Masueger opened her first store in Beijing in April 2011 and became CEO of Cheers Stores, with an aim to target the young Chinese aged between 22 and 35, and earning between 3,000 yuan ($435) and 20,000 yuan a month on average. Over the past six years, I've witnessed her company's rise as the brand leader in the wine retail chain storeswinning all the Best of Wine and Franchise Star Awards in Beijingand selling imported quality wines at the best possible prices to clients. Now with over 200,000 customers and 42 stores in 14 cities covering all major parts of China, she intends to open a further 67 franchise stores in 2017. Currently, her business covers the northeast (with stores in Shenyang, Qiqihar, Dalian), the north (with stores in Beijing, Datong and Taiyuan), central China (with stores in Zhengzhou and Guiyang), the east (with stores in Shanghai, Hangzhou), the northwest (with stores in Xining, Lanzhou), the southwest (with stores in Chengdu) and the south (with stores in Zhuhai and Shenzhen). "I think our Cheers brand is different from others, as it has a clear purposeCheers makes wine drinking fun and affordable, and has a brand promiseCheers makes you smile," she told me, adding that her secret is doing honest business with customers. Mike McConnell from Ohio in the US, now a teacher at Beijing No 4 High School, told me he prefers different varieties of wine from different places, and that's why he has frequented Cheers stores many times to fine many types of wines available at affordable prices. Masueger is optimistic about the outlook for her business: "China's wine market has a bright future. As Chinese consumers' spending power is increasing, I think wine and liquor consumption in the Asia-Pacific region will surpass Europe to rank No 1 in the world after 2016, and 75 percent of them will come from China. The future world wine center will be China.". Hans Li, a loyal customer, said: "I think Cheers' most prominent feature is it is trustworthy and has a good relationship with its customers. In a Cheers store, you can enjoy the friendly atmosphere and the good service in addition to affordable wines." With such booming business and with new investor Movenpick, Masueger is confident. "My end goal is clear: To have 888 stores in China and start internationalizing Cheers soon to other countries." A man tries the iPhone 7s at an Apple store in Guangzhou, Guangdong province. [Photo provided to China Daily] Apple Inc is in discussions with BOE Technology Group Co to supply next-generation displays for future iPhones, a key component that's being provided by a Samsung Electronics Co unit, sources familiar with the talks said. Apple has been testing BOE's active-matrix organic light-emitting diode screens for months but hasn't decided if it will add the Chinese company to its roster of suppliers, one of the sources said. BOE, one of the country's biggest screen makers, is spending close to 100 billion yuan ($14.5 billion) building two next-generation screen plants in the southwestern province of Sichuan in anticipation of future business. Talks are at an early stage and it's unlikely to supply the next iPhone, but BOE is banking on outfitting the one in 2018 or later, the source said. The stand of BOE Technology Group Co Ltd at an industry expo in Beijing.[Wu Changqing / For China Daily] If BOE is selected, it will become the first known supplier of the next-generation screens to Apple outside of South Korea and Japana triumph for a Beijing-based company best known for computer and TV displays. The US company is exploring alternatives to address a global shortage of OLED displays as it prepares to adopt the sharper, more power-efficient technology for its next iPhones. Apple and BOE declined to comment. The display is one of the most expensive components of a smartphone. OLED screens are more difficult to produce, making Apple beholden to suppliers still working to manufacture the displays in mass quantities. Bloomberg The logo of instant messaging app WeChat on a mobile device. [Photo/Agencies] The power of love can be unimaginable, especially when it intersects with the burgeoning internet sector. Chinese consumers sent a huge number of digital red envelopes on Valentine's Day, eager to show deep affection to others via digital payment tools. WeChat, China's leading instant messaging app, said users sent over 9.6 million electronic red envelopes on Tuesday, each containing 520 yuan ($75.70)for a total of 4.99 billion yuan. The enthusiasm was partly motivated by WeChat, which raised the upper limit of each red packet, or gift money, to 520 yuan, for the number "5-2-0", which sounds like wo ai ni, or "I love you" in Chinese. Similarly, 26.21 million red envelopes containing 13.14 yuan each were sent via WeChat. The pronunciation of 1314 is similar to "forever" in Chinese. Giving digital red packets has become a popular holiday custom in China, thanks to the development of e-pay systems. One female user in Hainan province was so popular that she raked in 413 red envelopes, according to WeChat, which did not disclose the total amount of money she received. Zhang Wentao, a 24-year-old university student in Beijing, sent a 520-yuan digital red envelope to his girlfriend on Tuesday. "It was a very convenient way to express my affection. My girlfriend can also post the screen capture of the digital red envelope on WeChat to share her joy with others." Showing love with digital red envelopes is not exclusive to young people. Data from WeChat shows that 21.7 percent of participants were those born in the 1970s, or those ages 38 to 47. The most active users were those born in the 1980s, accounting for 42.2 percent of the total participants. People in Shenzhen topped all other cities nationwide in the number of red packets given via WeChat. It was followed, in order, by Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chongqing. Offering red envelopes stuffed with cash to family members and friends, an age-old Chinese tradition, was first given a digital twist by WeChat in 2014 during Spring Festival. Li Chao, an analyst at iResearch Consulting Group, said that compared with foreign consumers, Chinese users are more comfortable with digital payments. "So companies launch digital red envelope campaigns every year to increase users' loyalty," he added. An image from Journey of the Flower. [China Daily] Chinese mobile games developer Skymoons is set to launch its journey to the West from a new studio in Edinburgh in the United Kingdom. Founded in Chengdu in Southwestern China's Sichuan province in 2014, Skymoons is the company behind the popular mobile game Journey of the Flower. The developer's games have so far attracted more than 180 million users, although it is less well-known among gamers in the United States and Europe than it is in China. "Our games have achieved a very strong performance in China, and we are looking to build our new games to cater to a global audience," said Jason Chiu, Skymoons' senior director of corporate development. The company has opened up operations in Edinburgh, under the leadership of former Reload Games managing director Michael Boniface, who is looking to hire 21 employees over the next six months. "China's really driving the mobile market," Boniface said. "I think the huge appetite for mobile titles in China is driving through to the West." In 2015, the Chinese mobile games market became the largest in the world. That year, it generated $7.1 billion, up 57 percent on 2014, according to a report released by technology companies Newzoo and TalkingData. The report estimated total revenue of $10 billion for 2016, and anticipated an increase to $13.9 billion by 2019. The Edinburgh studio will develop a multiplayer mobile game in the coming months. Boniface said Skymoons' goal is to complement existing games with original and acquired titles that are better suited to Western tastes. The firm recently bought the global rights to develop a game based on the 2013 Dreamworks animation The Croods. By He Wei in Shanghai | chinadaily.com.cn | Updated: 2017-02-16 15:24 A Baidu robot is displayed at TV program event in Nanjing, Jiangsu province. [Photo provided to China Daily] China's top search engine Baidu Inc has announced plans to acquire a local startup featuring artificial intelligence. It is the first buyout since AI expert Lu Qi took over the post of new president and chief operating officer in January. No financial terms were disclosed on the acquisition of Raven Tech, a Beijing-based company that works on AI, big data and next generation operating systems. Under the deal, announced on Thursday, Raven's founder Lyu Cheng will join Baidu to oversee the smart home hardware operations, and will report directly to Lu, who pins much hope on AI to fuel Baidu's future growth. Raven has developed an AI-based voice assistant that it launched in an app called Flow. It also has a music search and player app Music Flow, and a smart home controlling system Raven H-1. The company has received about $18 million in venture capital funding. Baidu has invested heavily in AI and natural language processing, notably through its Silicon Valley lab headed by chief scientist Andrew Ng. Zhao Tianyu's daughter (left) and wife (third from left) mourn at Zhao's memorial service in Tonghua, Jilin province, on Tuesday.Guo Liang / For China Daily The mother of a police officer killed in the line of duty in Jilin province died on Tuesday after having a heart attack at her son's funeral. Zhao Tianyu, who was in his 40s, was stabbed 21 times on Friday evening after confronting a suspect accused of illegally occupying an area of forest in Huinan county. According to People's Daily, Zhao's mother, 74, fell ill during his funeral on Tuesday and was rushed to hospital for emergency treatment, but died as the result of cardiac arrest. The woman, whose name was not disclosed, lived in Liaoning province, but had traveled to Huinan to join Zhao and his family for Spring Festival. The police officer had been on duty for most of the holiday and was planning to have a traditional dinner with his mother on Lantern Festival, which fell on Saturday, according to media reports. "I can't believe my father is gone," his 18-year-old daughter, Zhao Zihan, told People's Daily. "He will forever be my hero." Zhao Tianyu was deputy head of a police station in Huinan, and during a career spanning 21 years, he had cracked more than 200 criminal cases and apprehended more than 60 suspects. He was twice awarded a national citation for bravery. His colleague Yuan Long, director of political affairs at the station, paid tribute to an "excellent officer".He told China Daily: "Zhao was known for his quick thinking and great sense of humor. He was always ready to help others." Hu Jiafu, deputy governor of Jilin and head of Jilin Public Security Bureau, was quoted by Chinese media as saying, "He has left us, but his name and his heroic deeds will be remembered forever." After Zhao was stabbed, the police station deployed more than 160 officers to capture the suspect, who turned himself in on the same night. Twenty-five suspects have been arrested on charges of environmental pollution following two cases of garbage being dumped in or along the Yangtze River. More than 100,000 metric tons of garbage was illegally dumped or landfilled into the Yangtze River estuary waters and surrounding areas last year, according to Xinhua News Agency. In one case, three suspects signed a contract with the Environmental Sanitation Management Center in Haiyan county, Zhejiang province, but more than 90,000 metric tons of household garbage from the county was either illegally landfilled at sites in Huzhou, Zhejiang province, and Wuhu, Anhui province, or thrown into the Nantong section of the Yangtze River in Jiangsu province. In the other case, the suspect, surnamed Shen, signed an agreement with the nearby Haining Environmental Sanitation Management Office in Zhejiang province to transport household waste to garbage incineration plants for disposal. Shen later subcontracted the project for 200 yuan ($29) per ton. The subcontractor collected more than 10,990 tons of trash, transporting and dumping 9,747 tons of it into the Yangtze River using cargo ships between November and December to cut costs. The illegal dumping caused serious water pollution and economic losses of more than 300,000 yuan, according to Xinhua. Garbage disposal has been a great challenge for all cities. For instance, because of citizen opposition prompted by environmental pollution concerns, Haiyan now is the only county in Jiaxing city with no waste incineration plant. The county has to transport its garbage to disposal plants in other cities or provinces, China Youth News revealed in an earlier report. Vietnam responded on Wednesday to demands from China to investigate allegations of a Chinese tourist being beaten by local border defense officers in the northern Vietnamese city of Mong Cai. "Vietnam has received correspondence from China over the incident in Mong Cai. Vietnamese authorities are working to clarifying information and will handle the case in accordance with the nature of the incident," the department said. The statement was released by the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Department of Consular Affairs during a news conference at which a reporter from Xinhua News Agency asked questions about Vietnam's response to the incident in Mong Cai, which borders China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. China's Foreign Ministry and the Chinese embassy in Hanoi had demanded Vietnamese authorities investigate allegations that the male tourist, identified only as Xie, suffered three broken ribs and multiple bruises in an assault on Tuesday last week. Chinese media reported that Xie had been in Vietnam for a two-week wedding photo shoot and was traveling home with his fiancee and mother when he was handcuffed and beaten after hesitating over paying a tip. His fiancee, identified as Ren, told Beijing Times that Xie paid more than 330 yuan ($50) to border officers upon entering Vietnam on Jan 25 and sought to consult a friend before paying additional fees. When walking outside to make a telephone call, "seven or eight Vietnamese border guards" pinned him down and beat him, Xie's fiancee said. Xie's mother reportedly tried to intervene, but was restrained by another border guard, who confiscated their passports. Ren said that after her passport was stamped, she appealed for help from officers in Dongxing on the Chinese side of the border. Xie was taken to a hospital in Dongxing, a city in Guangxi, after his fiancee asked for help from Chinese border security officials, according to the local government. The Chinese Foreign Ministry's Department of Consular Affairs said in a statement on Saturday that it had lodged a formal complaint and called for Vietnam to take immediate measures to prevent such incidents. However, China News Service reported on Saturday that Vietnamese officials in Mong Cai had denied beating the tourist, instead claiming Xie was injured when he fell while being chased. An official at the Chinese embassy in Hanoi said on Sunday that Vietnamese authorities had launched an investigation, but were yet to make a formal conclusion. Dun Jidong, marketing director at China Travel Service, said it is illegal for customs officers to demand a tip, but added that his agency has received similar complaints. "Chinese tourists should protect themselves while abroad," Dun said, adding that people should remain calm, refuse any unreasonable demands, collect evidence and then report such cases to the Chinese embassy and local authorities. Xinhua contributed to this story. By Yang Jun in Guiyang and Hou Liqiang in Beijing | China Daily | Updated: 2017-02-16 07:06 A plaintiff shows her ID card in a WeChat video call during a trial.Pan Degui / For China Daily As Chinese divorce hearings go, it was fairly standard - apart from the fact that one half of the couple was 2,000 kilometers away. A civil court in Fuquan, a city in the largely underdeveloped southwestern province of Guizhou, finalized a breakup last week in which the husband was present in court, but the wife was in Tianjin, in northern China. The proceedings were carried out in just 20 minutes over a WeChat video call, a first for the city, said Deng Chao, the judge who handled the case on Thursday last week. The couple, who were not identified, had been married since 1989 and have five children, Deng said, adding that there were no disputes over finances or custody. Court hearings using a video link are common in large cities, but are still rare in remote regions. "We'll continue to try to hear simple cases via video. But for complicated ones, couples will still be asked to show up in court," Deng said. Pan Degui, a spokesman for the court, added that video link hearings will be promoted, as they can significantly reduce costs for couples. While it may appear economic and convenient, Liu Lin at Beijing Shuangli Law Firm warned that hearing cases via apps like WeChat could cause more complications and open the possibility of potential privacy issues. Chen Wei, an attorney at Yingke Law Firm in Beijing, agreed and added, "It could be risky for judges to hear cases this way because it's difficult to verify the proof that couples may offer." Li Jiaxu contributed to this story. Beijing urged New Delhi on Wednesday to stick to the one-China principle and respect China's core interests, following a rare visit by a delegation of Taiwan politicians to the Indian capital. China firmly opposes all forms of official contacts and exchanges between Taiwan and countries that have diplomatic ties with China, Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told a regular news conference. China hopes that India will stick to the one-China principle and handle issues related to Taiwan prudently, he said, adding that China has lodged a protest with India on the issue. The spokesman's comment came after the visit of a Taiwan lawmakers delegation to New Delhi starting on Sunday. The delegation visited India's Parliament House complex on Monday. It was the first visit to India by an official Taiwan delegation since Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen took office in May. Tsai challenged the one-China principle in December when she made a congratulatory phone call to Donald Trump after he won the US presidential election. Trump assured President Xi Jinping last week that Washington will continue to honor the one-China policy. Noting that India has committed to recognizing the one-China principle, Geng said New Delhi should respect and understand China's core interests and maintain the healthy development of China-India relations. A report in the Indian newspaper The Hindu said the Taiwan delegation sought to upgrade "diplomatic ties" with India in the coming weeks, quoting anonymous sources from Taiwan. Like most countries, India does not have diplomatic relations with Taiwan. According to Resolution 2758, adopted in 1971 by the United Nations General Assembly, the People's Republic of China is "the only legitimate representative of China to the United Nations". The one-China policy confirmed by the resolution has since been the consensus of the international community. Qian Feng, an expert at the Chinese Association for South Asian Studies, said that some Indians want to use the Taiwan question as a bargaining chip in dealing with China. India's suspicions and dissatisfaction toward China have risen in recent years, especially over the $46 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project, he said. Jin Yong, a professor of international relations studies at Communication University of China, said the Taiwan delegation's visit will have a negative effect on China-India ties. Tsai, the "pro-independence" Taiwan leader, came up with the "new southbound policy" last year to enhance economic exchanges with Southeast Asia, South Asia and Oceania, Jin said, adding that Tsai hopes to put pressure on the mainland by seeking closer ties with India. "The one-China principle is a red line whose crossing will never be tolerated by Beijing," he said. GUANGZHOU - An autopsy has been conducted on an endangered Chinese white dolphin that died last week after it swam up a river in south China's Guangdong province. Staff with Hong Kong Ocean Park will report the findings of the autopsy as soon as possible, according to a Guangdong reserve for the dolphins. The mature dolphin, around 30 years old, swam into the Baisha River, a tributary of the Pearl River in Jiangmen, on Feb 1. Wildlife experts attempted to rescue it but its health deteriorated noticeably over the 10 days it spent in the river. It is thought that the dolphin may have been suffering navigation issues due to its age. Each year, Guangdong reports two to three cases of elderly white dolphins mistakenly entering freshwater rivers. Chinese white dolphins can be found in just a handful of coastal areas and only in small numbers. There are about 2,000 at the mouth of the Pearl River. Li Lijuan and her foster children. [Photo/VCG] What would it be like to raise over 100 adopted children? It means years of being overworked, constantly giving and struggling with health and money problems. Despite all the hardships, this mother never turned her back on any of the abandoned children. Li Lijuan, who grew up in urban area and became a millionaire in the 1990s, now is a mother of 103 - one child of her own and 102 adopted others. In contrast to her previous wealth, she now lives in a village of Wu'an city, North China's Hebei province and struggles with lymphoma and faces two million yuan ($292,000) of debt. Though her life is hard, she never sends away any troubled child. Her 102nd child was just adopted in January this year. And in 2016, 29 abandoned children were accepted into her big family. This part of her life began in 1996. Li Yongchao, a daughter adopted back then, now has her own family. Li said the reason she's so determined to adopt abandoned children was her irresponsible ex-husband. He sold their son to a trafficker when the separated couple was in their twenties. Li finally got her son back by paying money to the trafficker. "Most of the abandoned children have some health problems, but under my care, none of them died at a young age," Li said proudly. Among them, seven now have been married, five are in college, while one has found a job as a civil servant, one as a police officer and one enlisted in the People's Liberation Army. Li never thought of seeking anything in return from her foster children. But they are all grateful for her care and passing on her spirit. All daughters asked for one condition when they get married: to raise one little brother or sister in her new family until they can go to school. Then they will receive another one from her mother. Some European businessmen inspect traditional Chinese medicine products of a drug store in Guangzhou. [Provided to China Daily] Remember the ointment for hemorrhoids that Westerners have been raving about on the e-shopping site Amazon? By May last year, about 1,000 users had gone online to praise the Mayinglong Musk Hemorrhoids Ointment Cream that promises to relieve their pains, describing it as "fantastic" and "like applying rose-colored ice cream to your bum..." It's one of thousands of products that would fall foul of a draft naming rules issued by drug regulator China Food and Drug Administration in January. The deadline for submissions on the draft guideline was Feb 15. Under the draft guideline, TCM products should not be named after people, places or companies, or use superstitious or vulgar words. Product names should also not include words that hint at the pharmacology, anatomy, physiology, pathology and therapeutics, such as anti-inflammatory and cancer, the draft guideline says. Overstating, boastful and unrealistic words should also not be used in the names, such as "ling" (very effective), "suxiao" (quick acting) and "yuzhi" (made by emperor order). The regulation would apply to both new and old TCM products, meaning at least thousands will be affected by the new policy. More than 2,000 products alone use the word "ling" according to a database of the regulator. Yunnan Baiyao Group quality director Li Jin said that the company has seven series of TCM products that use the company name, as well as tens of other products that use other banned words. Yunnan Baiyao is a traditional Chinese medicine manufacturer based in Southwest China's Yunnan province. "If Yunnan Baiyao had to change its name, its brand and reputation established over the past 115 years would be damaged, and the loss might exceed 10 billion yuan ($1.458 billion)," Li said. Beijing Pharmaceutical Profession Association vice president Fu Lijia said that the name change would also require change to packaging, introduction booklets and other related products, which would also be huge costs. Companies would then have to invest more to promote their products with new names among users. Liu Yue, an elementary school teacher in Kunming, Yunnan, said that ordinary people are familiar with names such as Yunnan Baiyao and Mayinglong ointment, and, if the names changed, they will feel very uncomfortable. China has been regulating the names of TCM products since the 1990s, because lots of products were named without standards and problems existed, such as different products having the same name. An industry insider said that some companies gave astonishing names boasting about the healing power of products, and senior consumers might be cheated. Fu also admitted that it was necessary to have regulations on naming the TCM products. "In the past, names of many TCM products were approved by local governments, and there was no universal rule." Chen Qiguang, a research fellow with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said that using names of people and places was a tradition in TCM products, which was a way of showing respect to their contributions. Zheng Jin, head of the TCM management bureau of Yunnan, said that the names of the TCM products should be regulated, but the old brands should also be respected. He said the new products should be named under the new regulation, but it should not be apply to old TCM products. Related story: Chinese hemorrhoid ointment wins rave reviews in US The deadline to sign up for this free community event that is open to all is Nov. 16. Kennebunk Post "We need to invest in our kids," said resident Brenda Robinson. "That's how we keep graffiti out of Waterhouse Center and mischief out of the downtown on Saturday night." Two new trains are now in the final stages of debugging and are expected to arrive in central Changsha of Hunan province as early as the end of this month. Compared with the old trains, the new models have many upgraded features. The most obvious improvement is that it is light weight - each weighs 1.5 tons less. The reduction is equal to the weight of 25 people, weighing an average 60 kilograms each. This means it can carry more passengers during peak times while consume less energy during non-peak periods. Si En, an engineer with the CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive Co, told China Daily that many new materials have been used in the interior decoration of the two trains. "We have employed a new hydraulic braking system with a device that shifts air pressure gone. This device weighs hundreds of kilograms," Si said. The maintenance of the new train has also been streamlined. Data collection used to cost a lot of time and energy, and now the data can be downloaded into a computer by USB. "It greatly improves the efficiency of data analysis and downloading," Si said. The two trains will soon begin a trial operation, taking the number of maglev trains operating on Changsha Maglev Express to seven. The operation interval of the trains will further be slashed. The first Chinese middle-to-low speed magnetically levitated (maglev) rail line began operating in Changsha in May last year. China will continue to be open and active in its technological cooperation on the world stage, the Ministry of Science and Technology said on Thursday. In June, Beijing will host the eighth Clean Energy Ministerial, followed by the fifth BRICS Science and Innovation Ministerial in July, said Ye Dongbai, the ministry's director of international cooperation. Dialogues on innovation and technology will also be held with Russia, Germany, France, Italy, Israel and other countries this year to facilitate practical cooperation. "International cooperation in science and technology can increase China's global influence, promote breakthroughs in scientific and industrial bottlenecks, and create a friendly environment to facilitate economic reform," Ye said. Beijing has established cooperative ties in science and technology with 158 countries and regions, inking 111 intergovernmental agreements, he said. It has also joined more than 200 intergovernmental organizations dedicated to boosting such cooperation, as well as sending 146 technology diplomats to 71 Chinese embassies and consulates abroad. China has become a major global research and development player, accounting for 20.4 percent of the world's total R&D spending last year, according to the Industrial Research Institute, a US nonprofit think tank for industrial management and innovation. Last year, the country broke into the world's top 25 innovative economies, becoming the first middle-income country to do so, according to a report by the United Nation's World Intellectual Property Organization, INSEAD Business School and Cornell University. "China should actively propose new ideas, new initiatives and new plans on the world stage, so that we can play a leading role in facilitating cooperation in global production and equipment manufacturing," Ye said. One of the Benz Smart cars available for rent in Shanghai. [Photo/VCG] Car-sharing services in China's mega cities including Beijing, Shanghai and Chongqing have been praised for convenience while others have complained about a shortage of cars. Providing gasoline-powered cars and new energy vehicles, most car-sharing services charge potential hundreds of dollars as refundable deposits once they upload their identity cards and drivers licenses to register accounts. After using the car-sharing service provided by a local company in Southwest China's Chongqing municipality, a woman surnamed Zhang said: "I feel it is really convenient to use the service. And it's also cost-friendly, as I spend only 99 yuan ($14) driving a car of that kind for one day." Drivers of the shared cars are mainly charged in terms of travel time and distance. Over the same distance and time, people spend less using car-sharing services than taking taxis, Fu Cong, from Yidu, a car-sharing service provider in Beijing, said. Unlike Zhang, some users complained that it's not that convenient, since they had to pick up the cars at designated spots and return them to particular parking lots. At some spots users don't need to pay parking fees, but when some are parked at public parking lots the next person who rents the car has to pay the fee to get out of the parking spot. One challenge the car-sharing services have faced is not having enough cars to meet demand. At the initial stage of development, the car-sharing services are limited by high operation costs due to vehicle prices, parking places and maintenance fees. Many users complained that they could not access the cars when they badly need them. Another concern raised was that as more and more shared cars become accessible, they will add to traffic congestion. However, some insiders said shared cars won't bring extra traffic pressure because more people will choose the shared cars instead of buying private cars, particularly given the vehicle restriction policy adopted in Beijing. Despite the initial difficulties, car-sharing services have many supports. One internet user said they were used to driving the shared cars when in Chongqing while others said the difficulties would be overcome, and were optimistic about the idea's future. By June 2016, China had a total of 135 million private cars, making about 260 million trips a day, according to the Traffic Management Bureau of the Public Security Ministry. Chinese scientist participates in human gene editing committee Xinhua | Updated: 2017-02-16 17:18 BEIJING -- A Chinese scientist has participated in making recommendations for human gene editing that cover basic laboratory research, and somatic and germline (heritable) genome editing, according to the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). Pei Duanqing, a researcher at the Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, under the CAS, participated in the study and discussions leading to the recommendations, which are included in a report released in Washington D.C., according to the CAS. The report titled "Human Gene Editing: Science, Ethics, and Governance," suggests using "existing regulatory processes to oversee human genome editing laboratory research." Its proposals for somatic genome editing include limiting "clinical trials or therapies to treatment and prevention of disease or disability at this time," and evaluating "safety and efficacy in the context of risks and benefits of intended use." For germline genome editing, it suggests permitting "clinical research trials only for compelling purposes of treating or preventing serious disease or disabilities, and only if there is a stringent oversight system able to limit uses to specified criteria." The report also proposes overarching principles for research on and clinical applications of human gene editing, including transparency, fairness and transnational cooperation. It has been worked out by the committee on human gene editing, which was set up by the US National Academy of Sciences and National Academy of Medicine, after the International Summit on Human Gene Editing was held in Washington D.C.in December 2015. Pei is the only Chinese scholar in the committee, which consists of 22 scholars from countries including the United States, Britain and France. Though a promising disease treatment method, human gene editing is controversial in many countries due to ethical considerations. Pei told Xinhua in an email interview Wednesday that the report represented the consensus of human gene editing scientists, experts on ethics, sociology and philosophy, as well as social activists. Pei said it was hoped that the report would provide authoritative guidelines for related exploration in this field, and that countries could set up regulations and rules on human gene editing according to the recommendations and achievements of the report. President Xi Jinping will send a special envoy to attend the inauguration ceremony of Gambian President Adama Barrow in the capital, Banjul, on Saturday, according to the Foreign Ministry. Ma Peihua, vice-chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, will attend the inauguration as well as the Independence Day celebration, at the invitation of the Gambian president, ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said on Thursday. Speaking at a daily media conference, he said that China and Gambia have comprehensively pushed forward cooperation in various areas, since the two countries resumed diplomatic relations in March. The resumption of ties conforms to the trend of history, as well as the interests of the two countries and their people, he said. "China appreciates the new Gambian government under the leadership of Barrow for adhering to the one-China policy," Geng said. He also said that China is willing to take the opportunity of implementing the outcomes of the Johannesburg Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, and work with Gambia to promote friendly cooperation in order to benefit the people of the two countries. The Republic of Korea will return the remains of more than 20 Chinese soldiers to China next month according to the consensus reached between the two countries, the Foreign Ministry said on Thursday. Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told a daily media conference that the two countries' working teams had met in Seoul on Wednesday and discussed the handover. "According to the agreement, the ROK will return a batch of the remains of more than 20 Chinese People's Volunteer Army soldiers who died in the Korean War to China on March 22," he said. He also said that China and the ROK have successfully completed the handover of the remains of 541 Chinese soldiers from 2014 to 2016, following humanitarian principles and in the spirit of friendly consultation and practical cooperation. This year's handover will be the fourth to be carried out under the consensus. "China is willing to continue consultation and cooperation with the ROK, to complete the handover of remains of Chinese People's Volunteer Army soldiers in the ROK," he said. China always views Europe as an important pole in the progress of a multi-polar world, and always supports the integration of Europe, Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said in Beijing on Thursday. Geng made the remarks at a daily news conference when requested to introduce this year's China-EU Leaders' Meeting, after Reuters quoted EU officials as saying that the EU is preparing an early leaders' meeting with China in April or May in Brussels to promote free trade and international cooperation. China is communicating and coordinating with the EU over this year's leaders' meeting, and will release relevant news in due time, Geng said. "No matter how the world changes, China's determination to maintain world peace, promote common development, build partnerships and support multilateralism will not change," he said. He said China is always committed to promoting partnerships with the EU for peace, growth, reform and civilization, and hopes to maintain close communication and good cooperation with it to enhance bilateral ties. China has asked Vietnam to apologize to and compensate the Chinese tourist who was beaten by Vietnamese border defense officers, and take effective measures to prevent similar incidents in the future, Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said on Thursday. Vietnam has suspended eight people involved in the attack on a Chinese tourist that happened more than a week ago, Geng said at a daily news conference in Beijing. A Chinese tourist surnamed Xie was beaten by local border defense officers in MongCai on Feb 7 after he hesitated to pay a tip and was left with three broken ribs, Chinese media reported. Geng said China has lodged multiple complaints with Vietnam over the attack. The director-general of the Foreign Ministry's Department of Consular Affairs met the Vietnamese ambassador to China on Thursday, while the Chinese ambassador to Vietnam has also met Vietnamese Foreign Ministry officials in Hanoi, Geng said. China will continue to urge Vietnam to deal with this case thoroughly and properly, Geng said. Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. License for publishing multimedia online 0108263 Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 Governor of capital takes narrow lead, but faces runoff The race to become governor of Indonesia's capital was neck and neck on Wednesday, and heading for a second round between the incumbent governor and a Muslim former education minister, sample counts showed. The Jakarta poll has been overshadowed by religious tensions, with mass Islamist-led protests against Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, a Christian. The vote is also being widely seen as a proxy battle for the 2019 presidential election. Purnama had secured 42.57 percent of the votes, just ahead of former minister Anies Baswedan in second place with 40.23 percent, based on a quick sample count of around 40 percent of the vote by private polling firm SMRC. The other candidate, Agus Yudhoyono, was in third place with 17 percent. Other pollsters showed similar results. A candidate needs to get more than 50 percent of the votes in the first round to win outright. The job of governor can be a springboard to the presidency and weeks of campaigning have been overshadowed by mudslinging, political intrigue and rising hardline Islamist sentiment, raising questions about the role of religion in politics. President Joko Widodo, whose party supports Purnama, appealed for unity after a dirty election campaign that has been dominated by religious and ethnic tensions and a flood of "fake news". "Don't let our different political choices divide us - let's maintain our unity. ... We hope that everybody can return as a family after these elections," he said after voting. President's support Purnama was a deputy to Widodo when he was the previous Jakarta governor and Widodo's party is backing him. Purnama has been campaigning while on trial on a charge of insulting the Quran, a case that has brought Muslims onto the streets, urging voters to shun a non-Muslim as leader. He denies the charge and after dipping in opinion polls his support rebounded, which analysts attribute to his record of improving the bureaucracy and easing congestion and flooding in Jakarta. Indonesia has the world's largest Muslim population but is officially secular and home to minority Christian and Hindu communities, as well as hundreds of ethnic groups. Baswedan is backed by a former general who Widodo beat in the last presidential election in 2014, Prabowo Subianto, who is promising a comeback to the national stage. The elections in the capital, alongside scores of other regional polls in the world's third-largest democracy, were peaceful and mostly running without hitches, police said. Police had deployed 75,000 personnel across Indonesia with 16,000 in Jakarta, concerned hardline Muslim groups may again take to the streets to oppose Purnama. A woman casts her vote in local elections at a polling station in Jakarta, capital of Indonesia, on Wednesday.Chaideer Mahyuddin / Agence Francepresse (China Daily 02/16/2017 page11) More than 50 jing hu (Chinese bowed two-stringed instrument) are being exhibited at the National Center for the Performing Arts, Beijing, Feb 15, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua] More than 50 jing hu (Chinese bowed two-stringed instrument) are being exhibited at the National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing starting from February 15. Some of them are more than 100 years old. Jing hu, or hu qin, is primarily used in Peking Opera. Small in size yet very high in pitch, jing hu plays a leading role in the accompaniment of this Chinese performance. The showpieces were private collections of Lou Zhuangdong, a Peking Opera instrument collector from Shanghai. The 50 instruments included jing hu used by famous musicians and opera performers, made by renowned instrument workshops and some made with special material. One special jing hu was made with a bamboo smoking pipe once used by ethnic people. And there are two instruments called "Twins from North and South" that took two craftsmen over 20 years to make. Weng Si, a Peking Opera scholar, praised the value of jing hu. "Jing hu plays a key role along with its players in the development of Peking Opera. To some extent, it saw the opera's birth, growth and maturity," Weng said. The exhibition will run through March 15. Xie Jinying, director of the Bureau for External Cultural Relations of the Chinese Culture Ministry, speaks at a news conference on "China Today Cooperation, Friendship and Win-Win", in Beijing, Feb 15, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua] In the lead up to the 45th anniversary of China-Germany diplomatic ties, activities including Chinese folk music concerts, temple fairs, heritage exhibitions, fireworks and light shows, have been held in Germany. In the coming months, more than 80 cultural activities will be staged in both China and Germany, including music, drama, dance, creative design, literature, film and other arts. It's part of a cultural series titled "China Today Cooperation, Friendship and Win-Win", Xie Jinying, director of the Bureau for External Cultural Relations of the Chinese Culture Ministry, said at a news conference on Wednesday. More than 50 institutes and organizations from both countries will participate. "We believe that the China Today activities will help enhance German people's understanding of the status quo of China's social development, deepen the friendship between the two peoples and promote further communications between the two sides in the future," Xie said. Highlights of the year-long program includes an exhibition of portrait paintings in China's Ming and Qing dynasties (13681911), the overseas premiere of the National Ballet of China's grand show The Crane Calling, and literature and movie displays of acclaimed Chinese writer Liu Zhenyun's works. Medicated baths for Yao ethnic group By Yang Fan ( chinadaily.com.cn ) Updated: 2017-02-15 A mother adds warm water to her childs medicated bath. [Photo/gog.cn] The Yao people in remote Gaohua village, Congjiang county, use a special, unique bathing that keeps them clean and healthy in a challenging environment. Living in the mountains in Guizhou provinces Qiandongnan Miao and Dong autonomous prefecture, the villagers have fought against the harsh conditions for centuries. They were vulnerable to be attacked by poisonous snakes and insects. Toxic air also sometimes shrouded their land. To dispel the toxins from their bodies, the Yaos ancestors created a medicated bath by boiling more than 30 kinds of vegetable medicines together. The medicated bath was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2008. Its ingredients remain secret and are only passed down to the next generation of Yao people. The well-prepared herbal medicines need to be put in a pot in a certain order and boiled for about half an hour. Then the medicated water is transferred into a wooden barrel. More water needs to be added to the pot before people take a bath. The bathers can relax in the warm water for 20 to 30 minutes. There is also a sequence for bathing: older people go first and males before females. If there are guests, they go first. After bathing in the barrel, people need to wash their faces with clean water to complete the bathing procedure. Two children take a medicated bath together. [Photo/gog.cn] Edited by Mark Ray An undated photo shows an elderly woman dining at a nursing home in Hangzhou. [Sun Yidou/For China Daily] There is a popular notion that a country can "breed itself" out of the aging population "problem". On one level it makes sense: population aging is largely caused by a decline in the birth rate. Increasing the birth rate, by definition, should alleviate the "problem". In 2015 China had about 930 million people aged between 20 and 64 compared to 131 million aged above 65. And by 2050, the population of people above 65 is likely to be about 370 million. In order to maintain the 2015 ratio, the "working age population" would need to be 2.65 billion. Even to have half of the forecast increase in the ratio, China would need a working age population of more than 1.5 billion. So what does this mean for the birth rate? It means that to have the 2015 dependency ratio in 2050, there should be more than 127 million extra births a year. This scenario is made even more remarkable by the fact that the number of women aged between 20 and 40 is forecast to decline from 207 million in 2015 to just 134 million in 2050. These figures also show the aging "problem" cannot be solved by immigrationunless the combined populations of Africa and Europe (about 2 billion today) moved to China, and then moved back when they turned 65. Thinking about this differently; about 1 million extra births have ensued since the family planning policy was eased to allow all couples to have two children. The figure is below the expectations of many who anticipated a large-scale baby boom. But what would be the effect on the ratio if there was such a "baby boom", and the figures were, say, doubled to 2 million extra births over the next five years. Well, the simple answer is that the effect would be negligible; shifting the ratio of working age to those aged above 65 by less than 2 percent. A final issue relating to a "baby-led" response to population aging is that children are dependents themselves. In other words, until children get jobs they cost the state and families a lot of resources in terms of money and time. This is especially the case for women, who still shoulder a disproportionate responsibility for childcare and domestic work. In other words, if you consider children as dependentsjust like the elderlya baby boom would actually create many demographic and economic challenges. So, the evidence appears clear. While population aging has been brought about by a demographic change, responding only by basic demographic means is not feasible. This is not to say that the government and employers should not be doing more to support families to have two children. But this should be done to improve their lives and allow them to reach their aspirations, rather than to meet an impossible demographic "target". Does that mean we cannot be hopeful of overcoming China's aging population problem? I do not think so. Over the past three decades, there has been tremendous demographic change; but there has also been enormous change in other aspects of the economy and society. To imagine the same will not happen over the next three decades would be wrong. In other words, the number of people is just one component of China's future. Indeed, I would suggest the health, skills, productivity, savings and well-being of the population are far more important than the raw number of people. There is still much work to be done, reform of the pension and healthcare systems, and State-owned enterprises and productivity improvements are going on. With high personal savings rates and improving health and education of older people, the outlook is arguably good. Furthermore, why do we continue to use 65 as a "boundary to old age" given how much health and well-being has improved? And if we continue to do so, we should also consider how technology can change our lives in terms of both workplace and robotics for assisting older people. In short, the aging "problem" is only unsolvable if we view it through the eyes of today and not the future and if we view it as a one-dimensional "demographic problem" rather than a multi-dimensional economic, social and political "challenge". The author is a researcher at the division of social science, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Workers clean a molten steel holder at Dalian Special Steel Co Ltd in Dalian, Liaoning province. [Photo by Liu Debin/For China Daily] At a recent meeting on the reform of State-owned enterprises, Wang Yixin, vice-governor of North China's Shanxi province, criticized some provincial SOEs for bureaucracy and low efficiency, citing as an example a local coal SOE with nearly 2,000 positions at the level of division chief. Such kind of overstaffing is not an isolated case. It is not news to the public that reform of the management system of SOEs has made slow progress, and their managers are more like government officials than professional managers of competitive companies. Mid-level and high-level SOE managers not only enjoy the same treatment as government officials at the same level, they also earn a market-based income that is usually higher than their civil service counterparts. This is neither fair nor reasonable. The career development path for SOE employees is still the same as the one for civil servants, which is based on administrative level promotions as an incentive. Such a development path devised mainly in the era of the planned economy has seriously restricted the cultivation of excellent talents in SOEs. The Third Plenum of the 18th Communist Party of China Central Committee in 2013 urged the establishment of a professional management system for SOEs. The State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission also listed the goal as a key task of SOE reform last year. The key breakthrough in the building of a professional SOE management system lies in the de-administration of SOE personnel and the establishment of a market-based system for talent selection and promotions. The system based on administrative ranks should be abolished and a reasonable talent appraisal system established. At the same time, there should be a two-way channel, so that SOE managers who cannot adapt to market competitiveness can be removed and replaced by those more suitable for handling the responsibilities.--Beijing news A file photo of Chinas Supreme People's Court (SPC). [Photo: Xinhua] Officials of the local court and procuratorate in Lulong county, North China's Hebei province, attended a recent training session on attracting investments to boost the local economy that was sponsored by the local government, less than a week after the Supreme People's Court officially prohibited their involvement in attracting investment. Beijing Youth Daily commented on Wednesday: The Lulong government defended the training session as necessary so the judges would be better able to mediate cases, but the judicial officials' presence at a training session aimed at attracting investment is questionable. It has to be made clear that administrative matters, ranging from attracting investment to urban relocation programs that often involve the demolition of resident's homes, are the concern of local governments and it is the judicial departments' job to make sure the cases brought to trial are fairly and properly dealt with. Getting them involved in the implementation of executive orders could, on the one hand, mean they do not stay within the boundaries and obligations of judicial power. While on the other hand, giving judges assignments beyond their duties could overburden them at the cost of efficiency. That miscarriages of justice have been belatedly rectified in some cases is a case in point. Judges have the duty to safeguard social justice and settle legal disputes. Attracting investments to boost the local economy in most cases features intertwined interests concerning local governments and non-local investors, as well as the demolition of old buildings and the construction of new ones. They should not be introduced as advisors and mediators to attract investments. There could be a risk of premature judicial intervention if the local officials insist that judges come to their aid whenever disputes occur. That being the case, people have good reasons to question the local court's role if it is both a player and a referee at the same time. It is important that judicial organs are not misused as an affiliation of the government. A flock of wild mandarin ducks swims across the Xinanjiang River in the Mount Huangshan scenic area, Anhui province, Feb 15, 2017. As spring arrives, temperatures are climbing steadily in most parts of China. Here the mandarin ducks frolic and forage in the warm waterside sunlight. The arrival of groups of wild mandarin ducks in this region indicates that Huangshan city's relentless efforts to improve local ecological conditions are starting to pay off.[Photo by Shi Guangde/Asianewsphoto] Journalists scuffle with a police officer on Wednesday as they try to interview a North Korean official at the morgue at Kuala Lumpur General Hospital, where the body of a man identified as Kim Chol was to undergo an autopsy. Edgar Su / Reuters Malaysian police said on Wednesday that a woman was arrested as part of the investigation into the death of a man from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The police said the middle-aged man, who died on Monday at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, was holding a passport under the name Kim Chol. Khalid Abu Bakar, chief of the Malaysian police, said 46-year-old Kim, who was born in Pyongyang, sought medical assistance at the customer service counter of Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 before he died en route to a hospital. The investigation is in progress and a postmortem examination request has been made, the police said. Geng Shuang, Foreign Ministry spokesman, said on Wednesday that China has noted the media reports and was closely following the development of the case. While police are identifying the man on the basis of his travel documents, news media from the Republic of Korea have reported the man was Kim Jong-nam, the elder half-brother of the DPRK's top leader Kim Jong-un. US President Donald Trump (R) greets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after a joint news conference at the White House in Washington, US, February 15, 2017. [Photo/Agencies] WASHINGTON - Israel should "hold back" on building new settlement "for a little bit," US President Donald Trump told visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday. "As far as settlements, I'd like to see you hold back on settlements for a little bit. We'll work something out but I would like to see a deal be made," Trump said at a joint press conference with Netanyahu at the White House before their meeting. In response, Netanyahu played down the issue of settlement building. "I believe that the issue of the settlement is not the core of the conflict, nor does it really drive the conflict. I think it's an issue that has to be resolved in the context of peace negotiations," Netanyahu said. Israel approved last month the construction of 3,000 housing units in West Bank settlements, amidst a spate of settlement expansion in the wake of Trump's inauguration. Israel's settlement-building in disputed territory is a major dispute between the Israelis and Palestinians. The settlements are illegal under international law because they are built on lands seized by Israel in the 1967 Mideast War, where the Palestinians wish to form their future state. The former US administration criticized Israel's continuous expansion of the settlements, which it considered as a major obstacle to peace. United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres attends a joint news conference with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shukri at the El-Thadiya presidential palace in Cairo, Egypt, February 15, 2017. [Photo/Agencies] CAIRO - There is no plan B for the two-state solution between the Israelis and the Palestinians to resolve the Middle East conflict and achieve regional peace, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told a press conference in Cairo on Wednesday following his meeting with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi. Guterres' remarks came while United States President Donald Trump said in Washington, during a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, that the two-state solution is not the only one for the conflict and that the UN treated Israel "very, very unfairly." The UN chief reiterated his statement at a lecture he later gave at Cairo University, attended by diplomats and students. He referred to the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict as "the mother" of the regional conflicts. He also said that all necessary efforts must be made to preserve the two-state solution, adding that Egypt is a key player in resolving regional issues. In December 2016, the United Nations Security Council endorsed a resolution demanding immediate and complete halt of Israeli settlement activities on occupied Palestinian territories. However, the Knesset, Israel's parliament, approved earlier this month the "Regulation Bill" that retroactively legalizes about 3,850 housing units in dozens of outposts built illegally on privately owned Palestinian lands. Israel is blamed by the international community for the deadlock of the peace process due to its settlement expansion policy that is rejected even by the US, its strongest ally. With regards to other regional issues, Guterres expressed determination to move ahead with Geneva talks over the Syrian crisis and work on resuming national reconciliation and unity in Iraq. The world's top diplomat said he will also be totally committed to support regional efforts for creating conditions to overcome the present crises in conflict-stricken Libya and Yemen. Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said in a joint news conference with Guterres that President Sisi expressed readiness to cooperate with the world body in all issues. The minister also asserted that the international community cannot accept any preconditions from all sides to reach a settlement in Syria, adding that a peaceful solution that meets the aspirations of the Syrian people must be reached. Meanwhile, Shoukry said he met on Wednesday with a delegation from the Libyan High Council of State, and the delegates praised the road map, which means a notable development that supports the legal institutions and the national army. Guterres took the post as UN chief in January and he arrived in Cairo on Wednesday as the last destination of his first regional tour that also included Turkey, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Qatar. Guterres is scheduled to hold talks with Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit on regional conflicts on Thursday before leaving Cairo. video video video In 1957, 27-year-old American journalist Robert Carl Cohen arrived in China after a nine-day trip to Moscow. During his 45-day China tour, Cohen traveled through eight cities from north to south. With one 16mm camera, he became the first American to film the People's Republic of China since its founding in 1949. His old film highlighted Beijing, Guangdong, Shanghai, The Great Wall, Yangtze River, Nanjing University, Changchun Auto Plant among other icons. Fifty-eight years later, the 85-year-old Cohen revisited China in search of the memories of his past and filmed the evolving nation. The new film provides valuable insight into the Chinese dream. Let's take a closer look at the Chinese story through Cohen's eyes. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) announced on Thursday it launched an International Emergency Appeal on the same day to aid thousands of herder families in Mongolia whose livelihoods are at risk from severe winter conditions known as Dzud. The Dzud caused by drought in the summer of 2016 and the twin impacts of winter snowstorms and freezing weather has depleted herders' reserves of hay and fodder and is threatening the lives of millions of livestock in eastern and northern parts of the country. As conditions deteriorate, more than 157,000 people are at risk across 17 of Mongolia's 21 provinces, the IFRC said. "This is the second successive year that some of these herders have been hit by Dzud," explains Madame Nordov Bolormaa, secretary general of the Mongolian Red Cross. "Livestock is the only source of food, transport and income for almost half of the Mongolian population and we have to act now to help herders survive over the coming months". According to the National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA), livestock losses had reached around 42,546 in early February. This figure is expected to grow exponentially in the months ahead when a long harsh spring takes hold after the extremely cold winter. Heavy snowfalls and snowstorms are set to continue through March and temperatures are likely to dip below -35 degrees during the night. "In spring, animals give birth and when the livestock are already exhausted from the winter they are at high risk without adequate feed, shelter and veterinarian care which does not exist in some remote areas of country," explains Madame Bolormaa. The IFRC appeal aims to raise $654,000 to support the ongoing relief efforts of the Mongolian Red Cross. More than 11,000 of those considered most at risk will be supported for 10 months. Each family will receive an unconditional cash grant of 245,000 Mongolian Tugrik to be used to purchase food, clothing, fodder for their livestock, or for any other priority they see fit. The appeal will also support a range of health interventions. A "Psychosocial Support Programme", in partnership with Save The Children, will provide emotional support to 2,000 children at boarding schools and living in school dormitories away from their herder parents. Distribution of basic First Aid kits to 1,000 herder households will benefit many communities who lack access to regular and emergency health services. Funds will also be used to prepare communities against future Dzuds. Three hundred portable grass harvesters will be purchased for Mongolian Red Cross branches from where they will be rented to herder teams for hay collection. "We are concerned that we will see a repeat of last year's Dzud when many herders sold their animals while they were still alive and oversupply of livestock resulted in very low market prices", explains Gwendolyn Pang, head of the IFRC's Country Cluster Support Team in Beijing. "Families with fewer animals to sell are particularly vulnerable. Many will lose their livelihoods and will have no choice but to migrate to slum areas on the outskirts of Ulaanbaatar and other urban centres where they will face great social and economic hardship". A screenshot of the TV program aired in Japan. [Photo/Weibo.com] The abuse of Chinese trainees in Japan is rampant as many of them are forced to work overtime and under unsafe conditions, according to a recent TV program that aired in Japan. The interns gained working access in the country under Japan's Technical Intern Training Program, the original aim of which is to train people from developing nations with skills they can use back home. However, many Japanese companies used the plan as a way to get cheap foreign labor, forcing them to work extremely long hours without paying adequate wages. According to Japan's Ministry of Justice, there were 192,655 technical trainees in Japan as of the end of 2015, an increase of about 15% from the previous year. China was the largest source of interns, with 46.2% of the total, followed by Vietnam and the Philippines. Japan's labor ministry last year inspected 5,173 workplaces across the country. Of those, 3,695 were found to be in breach of foreign labor standards, the Nikkei Asian Review reported. A record 5,803 foreign trainees went missing in 2015 while working in Japan, sparking concern that many may have remained in Japan as a source of black market labor, The Japan Times said in a report late last year. But due to the country's shrinking and aging population, the Japanese still plan to expand the intern training program. Two bills aimed at cracking down on rights abuses of foreign trainees were passed in Japan's parliament last year. A woman clad in burqa walks in the hallway of the tomb of Sufi saint Syed Usman Marwandi, also known as Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, in Sehwan Sharif, in Pakistan's southern Sindh province, September 5, 2013. [Photo/Agencies] KARACHI, Pakistan - A suicide bomber attacked a crowded Sufi shrine in southern Pakistan on Thursday, killing at least 72 people and wounding dozens more in the deadliest of a wave of bombings across the South Asian nation this week. A spokesman for medical charity Edhi said the attacker appeared to have targeted the women's wing of the shrine, and around 30 children accompanying their mothers were dead. Islamic State, the Middle East-based militant group which has a small but increasingly prominent presence in Pakistan, claimed responsibility for the attack, the group's affiliated news agency AMAQ reported. Senior police officer Shabbir Sethar told Reuters from a local hospital that the death toll was likely to rise. "At least 72 are dead and over 150 have been injured," Sethar said by telephone. Television footage from the famous Lal Shahbaz Qalandar shrine in the town of Sehwan Sharif showed army and paramilitary medical teams reaching the site and injured people being taken to nearby hospitals in ambulances and a military helicopter. "We were there for the love of our saint, for the worship of Allah," a wailing woman told the Dawn News television channel outside the shrine, her headscarf streaked in blood. "Who would hurt us when we were there for devotion?" The attack comes as the Pakistani Taliban and rival Islamist militant groups carry out their threats of a new offensive. The violence has shattered a period of improving security, underscoring how militants still undermine stability in the nuclear-armed country of 190 million people. The high death toll at the shrine makes it one of the worst attacks in Pakistan in recent years. In August last year, at least 74 people, mostly lawyers, were killed in a suicide bombing of a hospital in the southwestern city of Quetta. In November, an explosion claimed by Islamic State ripped through a Muslim shrine in southwestern Pakistan, killing at least 52 people and wounding scores. SINDH SUFIS At a crossroads of historic trade routes, religions and cultures, the southern province of Sindh where the shrine is located has always been a poor but religiously tolerant region, helping to shield it from much of the Islamist violence more common in other parts of Pakistan. The country's powerful military, which has cracked down on insurgent groups in recent years leading to a sharp drop in militant violence, vowed a swift, decisive response. "Each drop of nation's blood shall be revenged, and revenged immediately. No more restraint for anyone," Army Chief Qamar Bajwa said in a statement. Shortly after the blast, the army announced it was closing the border with Afghanistan with immediate effect for security reasons. Insurgents operate on either side of the neighbours' long and porous frontier. Different militant groups, often trying to outdo each other, say they are responsible for the bombings. In the case of the Quetta hospital blast, both a faction of the Pakistani Taliban - Jamaat-ur-Ahrar - and Islamic State claimed responsibility. Jamaat also said it was responsible for a bombing in the eastern city of Lahore earlier this week that killed 13 people. In a separate incident late on Thursday, gunmen on a motorbike killed three policemen and one civilian in the city of Dera Ismail Khan. "STAND UNITED" The bomber entered the shrine as crowds massed on Thursday, a statement from the Sindh police spokesman said. Rescue officials said dozens of wounded people were being ferried in private cars to hospitals. The nearest major hospital was nearly an hour's drive away in Dadu district. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif quickly condemned the bombing, decrying the assault on the Sufi religious minority. He vowed to fight Islamist militants, who target the government, judiciary and anyone who does not adhere to their strict interpretation of Sunni Islam. "The past few days have been hard, and my heart is with the victims," Sharif said. "But we can't let these events divide us, or scare us. We must stand united in this struggle for the Pakistani identity, and universal humanity." An ancient mystic branch of Islam, Sufism has been practised in Pakistan for centuries. Lal Shahbaz Qalander is Pakistan's most revered Sufi shrine, dedicated to a 13th-century "saint" whose spirit is invoked by devotees in ecstatic daily dancing and singing rituals in Sehwan Sharif. Thursdays are an especially important day for local Sufis, meaning that the shrine was packed at the time of the blast. Most of Pakistan's myriad radical Sunni militant groups - including the Pakistani Taliban's various factions and Islamic State loyalists - despise Sufis, Shi'ite Muslims and other religious minorities as heretics. (Photo : Getty Images. ) Chinas National Narcotics Control Commission announced on Thursday that it is bringing carfentanil and three related synthetic opioids under list of controlled substances. Advertisement China has included carfentanil and three related synthetic opioids in the list of controlled substances, China's National Narcotics Control Commission said on Thursday. The ban will become effective immediately from March 1. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has hailed China's ban on carfentanil and other opioids substances as a major 'game changer' in their fight against drugs consumption and overdose. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement "It's a substantial step in the fight against opioids here in the United States," said Russell Baer, a DEA special agent in Washington. "We're persuaded it will have a definite impact." Carfentanil is considered 5,000 times stronger than heroin and 10,000 times more powerful than morphine. Owing to its powerful tranquilizing strength, Carfentanil has become one of the most sought after opioids in the world. Besides Carfentanil, the other opioids substances that have been banned are furanyl fentanyl, acryl fentanyl and valeryl fentanyl. In October last year, The Associated Press accused that 12 Chinese firms had sealed a lucrative deal to export carfentanil across the globe. Following this report, the Chinese government started evaluating whether to impose a complete ban on Carfentanil and three other fentanyls. Typically, the process of including any drugs under the list of controlled substances takes nine months, but this time it took barely four months. The U.S has often named China as one of the main sources of fentanyls and other main drugs. However, Chinese government has been unwilling in accepting these allegations. Nonetheless, it has stepped up cooperation with the U.S in a bid to cut the global drugs supply chain. Advertisement Tagschina, Carfentanil, opioids, Fentanyls (Photo : Orbital ATK) The Minotaur IV rocket that will launch SensorSat. Advertisement An upgraded, four-stage Minotaur IV launch vehicle on July 15 will launch a classified U.S. satellite built to spy on other satellites such as those from Russia and China from a unique geosynchronous equatorial orbit above the Equator. Known as Operationally Responsive Space-5 (ORS-5), this mission run by the U.S. Air Force will orbit a small spacecraft called "SensorSat" that will track enemy satellites and other objects in geosynchronous orbit. SensorSat will also track orbital debris and test technologies for future space missions. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement What's peculiar about the ORS-5 mission is SensorSat's 600 kilometer-high; 0 degree-inclination orbit above the Equator. The geosynchronous orbital belt, which is where most large spy satellites are located, is some 36,000 km high. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Lincoln Laboratory designed and built SensorSat, which weighs between 80 kg and 110 kg. The satellite will bridge a gap in Air Force surveillance of the critical geosynchronous orbit currently provided by the Space Based Space Surveillance (SBSS) satellite launched in 2010 and due for retirement this year. In July 2016, the air force confirmed the first of four new satellites of its SBSS system, which will better defend the U.S. military's most important in-orbit satellites, will launch in 2021. The SBSS/Block 20 constellation will include four satellites. It will replace the current SBSS satellite, the Block 10 Pathfinder (a single satellite) equipped with a Space-Based Visible (SBV) sensor. Pathfinder was launched in 2010 into a sun-synchronous, low Earth orbit. Pathfinder's role is to improve the ability of the air force to detect deep space objects by 80% over the Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration of the Mid-Course Space Experiment/Space-Based Visible (MSX/SBV) sensor system. On the other hand, the Block 20 constellation will provide timely and much improved space situation awareness to meet future space control operations. It will detect and track space objects such as satellites and orbital debris, generating data the Department of Defense will use in support of military operations. Advertisement TagsMinotaur IV launch vehicle, geosynchronous equatorial orbit, Operationally Responsive Space-5, ORS-5, U.S. Air Force, SensorSat, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Space Based Space Surveillance, SBSS/Block 20 c (Photo : YouTube) China-made AG600, dubbed as the biggest amphibious aircraft in the world, is set to make its debut flight early this year. Advertisement The China-made AG600, said to be the world's biggest amphibious aircraft, is slated to make its maiden flight in the first half of this year, state-backed Xinhua News agency reported on Wednesday. The seaplane's four WJ-6 turbopops engines successfully passed a series of tests conducted between Feb. 11 and 14, after rolling off a production line in Zhuahi City last July. The AG600, made by China Aviation Industry General Aircraft, a subsidiary of state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), is 37 meters long and has a 38.8-meter wingspan, nearly the size of Boeing 737. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement China's AG600 has been designed to fight forest fires and carry out marine rescue missions. It has a maximum takeoff weight of 53.5 tons, a flight range of 4,500 kilometers, can collect 12 tons of water in merely 20 seconds, and could rescue up to 50 people far offshore. Chief designer Huang Lingcai has earlier compared the AG600 to a flying ship "with advanced gas-water dynamic engineering and underwater corrosion resistance technology." He also added dubbed the latest aircraft as China's breakthrough in the aviation industry, showing overall progress in national strength and research capacity. The AVIC AG600 is the Chinese counterpart of the Russia's Beriev Be-200, which is also known for its firefighting capabilities and maritime rescue and patrol operations. Xinhua cited the manufacturers claiming that the AG600 has received 17 interests so far but did not mention of any specific details. The aircraft has been showcased during China's biggest meeting of aircraft makers and buyers last November. Advertisement TagsChina Seaplane, China Amphibious Aircraft, AG600, china ag600 news (Photo : Getty Images) Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov (R) and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (L) during their bilateral meeting in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China. Advertisement The National Guard of Ukraine and Chinese People's Armed Police Force agreed to develop security cooperation, state-backed Xinhua News agency reported. The agreement was made after Yuriy Allerov, the Commander of the National Guard of Ukraine, met with Cao Xiaojian, the Military Attache of the Chinese Embassy in Ukraine, on Wednesday. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement Both countries agreed that they will boost cooperation on issues such as protecting internal security, maintaining public order, and safeguarding valuable state objects, Ukraine said in a statement. The two representatives also talked about exchanging experiences on the use of special units for security. Amid surging cooperation and visa liberalization, Ukraine has also seen an increase of Chinese visitors to a 10-year high last year, official data revealed on Tuesday. An estimated 20,555 Chinese citizens visited Ukraine in 2016, up from the 13,602 visitors in 2015. It can be recalled that Ukraine started to issue a 15-day entry visa for Chinese businessmen and tourists upon their arrival at the Kiev Boryspil Airport. The visa-on-arrival policy was further extended to Ukraine's southern Black Sea resort of Odessa. Meanwhile, earlier this month, Ukraine also said it will deepen its trade ties with China. "Expanding and strengthening the trade relations with China is our priority for 2017," Natalia Mykolska, Deputy Economic Development and Trade Minister, said. The relation will see Ukraine sending trade missions to China and improve efforts to establish new platforms to intensify business contacts and exchanges. Ukraine plans to boost its China trade volume to $2 billion within this year. The trade turnover between the two nations have by far increased by 5.3 percent in 2016 to $6.51 billion. Ukraine's imports stood at around $4.68 billion, while its exports at $1.83 billion. Advertisement TagsUkraine, china, security cooperation, National Guard of Ukraine (Photo : Getty Images) Replica missiles from the Akash Weapon System are displayed during the Republic Day Parade on in New Delhi, India. Advertisement India is in advanced talks to sell its short range surface-to-air missiles Akash to Vietnam, the head of a defense research agency said on Wednesday. The move, which would mark the first transfer of such weapon to the Southeast Asian nation, comes despite stern warning from China. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement "India and Vietnam share a strategic partnership. Defense cooperation, including supply of defense equipment, is an important aspect of this partnership. Both countries have held discussions on range of issues in this regard," Subhash Bhamre, India's State Defense minister, said, when asked if New Delhi proposes to sell the homegrown Akash surface-to-air missile system and BrahMos missiles to Vietnam. India has been helping Vietnam with military training and vessel patrols and attempting to become Hanoi's major weapon supplier. However, the deepening of ties with missile sales has been criticized by China which has been locked in a territorial dispute with Hanoi in the South China Sea, NDTV reported. Currently, New Delhi is trying to sell its surface-to-air Akash missiles to several countries, S. Christopher, chairman of state-owned Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) said, noting that one of these countries "is none other than Vietnam." He, however, did not elaborate how many Akash missile batteries India plans to supply Hanoi. Vietnam has been discreetly building its military to defend its 200 nautical mile Exclusive Economic Zone, which China has been asserting claims. Experts said that other than the Russian submarines it recently acquired, Vietnam is also eyeing for fighter jets and more advanced missile systems. Meanwhile, India will also likely sell the BrahMos supersonic missile, although it requires Russia's approval. The DRDO did not specify any other details with regard to the BrahMos missiles. Advertisement TagsIndia, Vietnam, Akash surface-to-air missile, china, South China Sea (Photo : YouTube) Geng Shuang, Chinese foreign minister, said that the Hambantota Port initiative is important for both China and Sri Lanka. Advertisement China's envoy to Sri Lanka Yi Xianliang has warned that Chinese investors planning to set up a Chinese-funded Economic Zone could run out of patience if the agitation over the Hambantota port acquisition continues. "I had been able to persuade more than ten big Chinese CEOs to invest in the island country, but their patience may be running thin as local groups continue to protest against the projects," Yi said, according to the Newsin. "I do believe these big projects will be most important for Sri Lanka in the future and in the China's Silk Road project. We either go ahead, or we stop here." Like Us on Facebook Advertisement Local activists, backed by trade unions and former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, have been conducting protests against the land acquisition as residents said they fear that their lands will be seized. The Chinese ambassador, on the other hand, has maintained that China has no intention of taking any privately owned lands without seeking permission. He also stated that the lands provided by the Ports Authority and the Board of Investment are enough. Meanwhile, Reuters reported that the $1.1 billion investment would be delayed as Sri Lanka is still working on clearing legal and political hurdles, sources with knowledge of the matter said. China Merchants Port Holdings had been slated to buy an 80 percent stake of the Hambantota Port before the Jan. 7 target date. China also made a separate agreement with Colombo to develop a 15,000-acre industrial zone. However, the deal, which Sri Lanka hopes to finalize, has been met with stiff local opposition. Currently, the deal would be held off until Colombo also resolved local issues. Geng Shuang, Chinese foreign minister, said that the Hambantota Port initiative was important for both China and Sri Lanka. "As far as we understand, at present, the project is still progressing steadily," he said. Advertisement TagsHambantota Port, Sri Lanka, china, China-funded economic zone, Colombo (Photo : Kevin Frayer/Getty Images) The reflection of a Chinese woman training to be a qualified nanny, known in China as ayis, is seen in the glass of a cabinet with the certificates of graduates at the Ayi University in Beijing, China. Advertisement Beijing has called on the Indian government to honor the One China Policy and conduct its foreign policy in line with China's core interests. This comes after a Taiwanese delegation paid a visit to New Delhi, a move that did not sit well with the Chinese government, China Daily reported. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement In a press conference, China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang stressed that Beijing's leadership opposes both official exchanges and contacts between Taiwan and other countries that have existing diplomatic ties with China. Geng urged India's leaders to be circumspect in handling diplomatic issues concerning Taiwan, and more importantly, adhere to the One China Policy. The Chinese official's statement came as a response to a recent trip made by a group of Taiwan lawmakers to India's capital which began last Sunday. It is worth noting that the visit was the first one made by a Taiwanese delegation since Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen entered office in May this year. Tsai has been vocal in challenging the One China Policy. She even made a phone call to Donald Trump to personally congratulate him for winning the presidency. Despite the apparent breach in protocol, Trump assured President Xi Jinping that the United States would honor the One China Policy. In the meantime, China is not taking the diplomatic snafu sitting down, as the Chinese government has filed a strong complaint against India over the incident, the South China Morning Post reported. According to Geng, he has made a "solemn representation" with New Delhi, asking the latter not to have any further official engagements with Taiwan. The spokesperson also warned against any proposal to upgrade Taiwan-India relations although both countries have not established any formal diplomatic ties. "It (the One China policy) is a de facto reality...We suffered a lot because of the China policy. We have crafted a pragmatic approach in our diplomatic engagement with major countries, including India, despite these difficulties," Kuan Bi Ling explained to Indian media. Advertisement TagsOne China, One China policy, china Racial harmony broke down, but the hope did not. The fact that Pentecostalism has two foundersone white (Charles Parham), one black (William Seymour)did not go unnoticed. It perfectly signified the interracial cooperation of the movement's early days, both at Azusa Street and in the new denominations. Not only did blacks and whites worship together with other races and ethnic groups, but many racists were transformed and prejudices were challenged. Sadly, Parham's bigoted tendencies were not among these. He caricatured Seymour's "disgusting" Azusa Street revivals as "Southern darkey camp meetings." The short-lived relationship between Seymour and Parham foreshadowed the inability of Pentecostalism to maintain the racial harmony for very long. What emerged from the failed experiment, however, was a distinct movement. Neither that movement, black Pentecostalism, nor the larger movement, Pentecostalism, can be understood without knowing the early relationships between black and white Pentecostals. Christian History asked David Daniels of McCormick Seminary (Chicago) to help us understand that complex relationship. Black Pentecostalism emerged out of three nineteenth-century renewal movements within the black church: the black Holiness movement, the black Restorationist movement, and the healing movementand all three had from the beginning a desire to bring blacks and whites together. The black Holiness movement arose during the decades before the Civil War but only developed institutions in 1869 when the first black Holiness denomination was formed: the Reformed Zion Union Apostolic Church. The early movement was mainly found among black Methodist congregations from North Carolina to New York, but soon the movement spread, ... I want to introduce you to someone you'll be glad to know. Raised in Alabama, Richard Clark earned his Master's at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, where he worked as classroom technology manager, helping faculty communicate more effectively through media. Along way he also founded and edited Christ and Pop Culture, a highly regarded online magazine and podcast network dedicated to thoughtful and discerning engagement with culture. Richard and Jennifer have a son, Atticus, whose name reveals their esteem for novelist Harper Lee. Recently named managing editor of Leadership Journal, Richard's love of good writing and engagement with culture and church leadership all come together. I asked him to introduce this edition, "The State of the Pastorate." Here's his story behind the theme. * * * * * I felt a call to ministry back in 1998. I was 16. My youth pastor let me shadow him for a semester and then sent me to Wisconsin ... You have reached the end of this Article Preview You have reached the end of this Article Preview To continue reading, subscribe to Christianity Today magazine. Subscribers have full digital access to CT Pastors articles. 1 Conversations about death have become the weekly norm in our house. This hasnt always been the case, of course. It started last March when our family of four flew on a small regional jet from Jackson, Mississippi, to Atlanta, Georgia. Upon landing, my husband, James, did what any normal person would do on his or her birthday: He powered on his iPhone and opened up Facebook, expecting comments and well wishes of another year lived to the fullest. But none of usnot him, not me, not our sons, and certainly not the 40 other passengers on the planeexpected his tears. Jamess birthday is not only a day of celebrationits also a poignant reminder of tremendous loss. Even though my husbands twin brother, Joseph, had died eight years earlier, the Facebook birthday greetings triggered a sudden, heavy wave of grief. In that moment, remembering the loss of one life far outweighed the joy of the one who lived. Tears streamed down my husbands face. Loud, ugly hiccups took up residence in his throat as, weeping, he stood to retrieve our bags from the overhead compartment. A hallowed silence fell over the small planeuntil our preschooler asked the obvious: Why is Dada crying? My own eyes wet with sympathy, I wrapped my arms around my babies and tried to provide some sort of answer to the biggest why Id ever been asked. Fellow passengers and crew honored the moment with silence and nods of compassion. Eventually, my sons questions ceased and I believed the conversation was over. But really, the conversation had only begunand, like many other families touched by grief, we were left wondering how to talk to our children about death. The ... 1 Texas and North Carolina Lt. Governors, Tony Perkins Discuss Privacy and Religious Freedom Protections Contact: J.P. Duffy or Alice Chao, 866-FRC-NEWS, 866-372-6397 WASHINGTON, Feb. 16, 2017 /Christian Newswire/ -- Family Research Council President Tony Perkins hosted a special program yesterday with Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, North Carolina Lt. Governor Dan Forest, and abuse survivor Kaeley Triller Haver. They talked about what states are doing to protect the safety and privacy of women and children, and how they plan to defend the freedom to believe. Lt. Gov. Dan Forest responded to critics noting that "Forbes just named us the number two place in the country, the number two state to do business in the country. We're at the top, number one, in CEO Magazine; Site Selection Magazine we're at the top of the list??? We've created hundreds of thousands of new jobs over the past couple of years. Businesses are still moving here; people are still moving here in record numbers??? The latest numbers that the Governor just threw out yesterday, related to the NCAA and all of these sporting events, they said that could cost the state of North Carolina 250 million dollars. That is less than one quarter of one percent of our annual GDP in our state. As I've said all along We don't put a price tag on the safety and security, and privacy of our women and children in North Carolina, especially for a sporting event." Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick went on to also debunked reports that passing common sense bills like the Texas Privacy Act would negatively affect the economy, "If you look at the states across the country, all the states that have policies protecting privacy and public safety in bathrooms are thriving and those in the opposite direction, their economies are suffering. That's the real data. And then again in Houston there's been no economic downturn at all that we can find. Not a business. Not a dollar??? Here is the real data point on economics. Houston had the Super Bowl. I don't know of one business that hasn't come to Houston since the voters stood up and said we don't want men in ladies' rooms." Lt. Gov. Patrick went on, "With our bill??? we're really focused on the women as we see them as being vulnerable, not on the transgender issue, as much as all the sexual predators who will exploit these rules to go into the ladies' room." Kaeley Triller Haver, an abuse survivor and former employee at the YMCA, shared why she refused to go along with the YMCA's bathroom policy, "I am the survivor of childhood sexual abuse, much of which happened in showers. As a YMCA employee I was hyper vigilant??? I would regularly conduct sex offender screenings to make sure that people weren't accessing our locker rooms??? And as I would run these screenings??? I would find people in our data base, who were convicted sex offenders, who had gotten through somehow. I've sat there and I've watched the video surveillance footage trying to catch them after its been too late??? There is a real risk in opening up all of our locker rooms and our showers on the basis of gender identity??? It allows anybody to come in??? gender identity is synonymous with 'anything goes'." After Kaeley shared the response she received after publishing her story as a rape survivor, "Every day, for I think probably six months, I started to hear from women across the country, on the left, on the right, everywhere, with similar stories saying, 'please keep fighting.'" Tony Perkins added, "Target, who is the only corporation that I am aware of that has embraced this policy??? If you want to see a real version of CSI, just go into one of their changing rooms because it's been the site of crime scenes. We've had a number of cases of voyeurism, and other illegal acts taking place??? we're not talking about necessarily transgender people committing crimes. It is those taking advantage of these laws." concluded Perkins. Click here to listen to the archived video 500 Years After The Reformation, 1 in 5 Germans Support Unification Of Catholic And Protestant Churches In Germany, where the Protestant Reformation began 500 years ago, the Protestant and Catholic Churches are making a show of unity. One in five German Protestants would support unification with the Roman Catholic Church. New efforts have been made to emphasise and encourage unity between Protestant and Catholics in Germany, according to Evangelical Focus. In September last year, the highest authorities of both Churches signed a document in which they pledged to make the 500th anniversary of the Reformation an ecumenical year in which Protestants and Catholics would 'confess Jesus Christ together'. Two thousand Germans were surveyed by the evangelical news agency Idea on what they thought of a reunification of the Churches. Twenty per cent said they favoured reunification, while 18 per cent said they did not. Seventeen per cent said they could not or did not want to respond, and 45 per cent responded: 'I do not care.' Of those who identified as Roman Catholic, 66 per cent supported the creation of one united institution. However most members (59 per cent) of the state Protestant church (EKD) opposed such a move. On March 11 a reconciliation service will be held in which both Protestant and Catholic Churches will ask each other for forgiveness. The 'ecumenical service of penitence and reconciliation' will be held in the German town of Hildesheim. Roman Catholic Cardinal Reinhard Marx previously lamented the 'broken unity of the Church', but said that he believes 2017 will show 'how deeply both churches are united in the faith'. Via the Centre for Health Protection: CHP notified of human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9) in Mainland. Excerpt: The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (February 16) received notification from the National Health and Family Planning Commission that 61 additional human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9), including seven deaths, were recorded from February 6 to 12. The CHP strongly urges the public to maintain strict personal, food and environmental hygiene both locally and during travel. The 43 male and 18 female patients aged from 22 to 85 had their onset from January 6 to February 8. The cases were from Hubei (11 cases), Zhejiang (10 cases), Jiangsu (nine cases), Guangdong (seven cases), Anhui (six cases), Hunan (six cases), Fujian (five cases), Jiangxi (five cases), and one case each in Shandong and Yunnan. Among them, 25 reported exposure to poultry or poultry markets while the source of infection of 35 cases was still under investigation. In addition, the CHP is closely monitoring one additional human H7N9 case reported in Beijing. According to the Beijing Municipal Commission of Health and Family Planning, a male patient aged 48 with exposure to poultry had onset in Xingcheng City, Liaoning. He was then sent to Beijing for treatment and is now in serious condition. "The number of human H7N9 cases reported in the Mainland has also hugely increased since the end of last year, with 419 cases recorded since last November. The number of cases in this wave so far has been much higher than that in the same period last winter. This shows that the situation is abnormal. Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan also found cases imported from Guangdong," a spokesman for the CHP said. Terms like "hugely" and "abnormal" are rarely used by the CHP, so they're clearly taking these numbers very seriously. For more, see Mike Coston's excellent post today on Avian Flu Diary. Adult Club Owner Surrenders To Jesus, Closes Her Club After Being Convicted By The Holy Spirit She used to be the owner of a strip club in Texas, catering to people who delight in seeing and doing things that are far from godly. But Teresa Fears, the owner of Teresa's club in Longview, Texas, had an epiphany when she became friends with the "church ladies" of the Mobberly Baptist Church, according to the Baptist Press. Fears first met Laney Wootten, one of the church ladies, who befriended her on Facebook. Wooten found out that although Fears owned an establishment that a true Christian wouldn't want to be associated with, she was also a woman with a passion for helping special needs children, regularly volunteering her services at a children's care centre for sickly children and feeding homeless people from her club. Hesitant at first, Fears eventually became friends with Wootten and the other church ladies. During a time when Fears was feeling depressed and suffering from chronic pains, the church ladies visited her at her home, bringing with them beans, cornbread, flowers and a book. That marked their "first truly meaningful spiritual conversation." "Teresa said later the tangible things we brought to meet her physical needs spoke to her and the fact that we went to the trouble to track her down because we were concerned," Wootten told the Baptist Press. Mobberly associate pastor Gregg Zackary and his wife also reached out to Fears, even going to her adult club twice to offer help when they learned that Fears was heartbroken. After meeting with the pastors of Mobberly church and other ministry leaders last August, Fears surrendered herself to Jesus. After that meeting, she posted on Facebook that she was closing the adult club. "Her perspective changed totally, and she saw it as evil, not honouring to the Lord," Zackary said. "She was not pressured. It was the Holy Spirit who convicted her." Fears was baptised on Dec. 4. An even more dramatic transformation attributed to the Holy Spirit occurred at a county jail in North Carolina last year when convicted murderers, rapists and other criminals came out of the water as newly baptised Christians, casting off their sinful past and beginning new lives as followers of Christ. Thirty men and nine women at the Durham County jail in North Carolina were baptised one Sunday, some of them crying uncontrollably after feeling the power of the Holy Spirit inside them, according to CBN News. Archbishops Call For 'Radical New Christian Inclusion' After Synod Blocks Sexuality Report The Archbishops of Canterbury and York have called for a 'radical new Christian inclusion' towards gay couples in the Church of England after its ruling body voted down a report maintaining a conservative line on sexuality. In the strongest hint yet of a change in Church policy they called for a new teaching document on sex and marriage that will be based on 'a proper 21st century understanding of being human and of being sexual'. A joint letter was sent to all members of the CofE's general synod hours after the biannual parliament closed its sitting in London on Thursday. The archbishops wrote: 'The way forward needs to be about love, joy and celebration of our common humanity; of our creation in the image of God, of our belonging to Christ all of us, without exception, without exclusion.' Every bishop will meet with synod members under their authority 'to establish clearly the desires of every member of Synod for the way forward'. It comes after the bishops suffered an unprecedented defeat when clergy threw out a report on sexuality that kept the Church's traditional line that marriage is between one man and one woman. Although passed by the majority of synod members a technicality meant the body voted in its three separate houses the laity, clergy and bishops with the clergy voting it down by 100 to 93. The archbishops' letter is in response to the setback and looks to address criticisms raised by a number of LGBT campaigners within the Church that they were treated as case studies and not people. 'In these discussions no person is a problem, or an issue,' the archbishops write. 'People are made in the image of God. All of us, without exception, are loved and called in Christ. There are no 'problems', there are simply people called to redeemed humanity in Christ.' They called for a solution that was 'founded in Scripture, in reason, in tradition, in theology and the Christian faith as the Church of England has received it; it must be based on good, healthy, flourishing relationships, and in a proper 21st century understanding of being human and of being sexual. 'We need to work together not just the bishops but the whole Church, not excluding anyone to move forward with confidence.' This is the full text of their letter: Dear sisters and brothers in Christ, Following the vote in General Synod not to take note of the paper on Marriage and Same Sex Relationships after the Shared Conversations (GS 2055) we are writing to set out the way forward in the next few months. First, we want to be clear about some underlying principles. In these discussions no person is a problem, or an issue. People are made in the image of God. All of us, without exception, are loved and called in Christ. There are no 'problems', there are simply people called to redeemed humanity in Christ. How we deal with the real and profound disagreement - put so passionately and so clearly by many at the debate - is the challenge we face as people who all belong to Christ. To deal with that disagreement and to find ways forward, we need a radical new Christian inclusion in the Church. This must be founded in scripture, in reason, in tradition, in theology and the Christian faith as the Church of England has received it; it must be based on good, healthy, flourishing relationships, and in a proper 21st century understanding of being human and of being sexual. We need to work together not just the bishops but the whole Church, not excluding anyone to move forward with confidence. The way forward needs to be about love, joy and celebration of our common humanity; of our creation in the image of God, of our belonging to Christ all of us, without exception, without exclusion. Nevertheless while the principles are straightforward, putting them into practice, as we all know, is not, given the deep disagreements among us. We are therefore asking first for every Diocesan Bishop to meet with their General Synod members for an extended conversation in order to establish clearly the desires of every member of Synod for the way forward. As Archbishops we will be establishing a Pastoral Oversight group led by the Bishop of Newcastle, with the task of supporting and advising Dioceses on pastoral actions with regard to our current pastoral approach to human sexuality. The group will be inclusive, and will seek to discern the development of pastoral practices, within current arrangements. Secondly, we, with others, will be formulating proposals for the May House of Bishops for a large scale teaching document around the subject of human sexuality. In an episcopal church a principal responsibility of Bishops is the teaching ministry of the church, and the guarding of the deposit of faith that we have all inherited. The teaching document must thus ultimately come from the Bishops. However, all episcopal ministry must be exercised with all the people of God, lay and ordained, and thus our proposals will ensure a wide ranging and fully inclusive approach, both in subject matter and in those who work on it. We will also be suggesting to the Business Committee a debate in general terms on the issues of marriage and human sexuality. We wish to give the General Synod an opportunity to consider together those things we do affirm. In the meantime, we commend to your prayers our common concern for every member of this church, of all views, and most especially our concern for the mission of God to which we are called by the Father, for which we are made ready by the Son, and in which we are equipped by the Holy Spirit. Christian Agency Fires 140 Staff Helping Refugees As 'A Direct Result' Of Trump's Executive Order Citing Donald Trump's policies, one of the nine US organisations that work with the United Nation's refugee programme announced yesterday that it is letting go of around 140 staff members and closing five offices that have resettled more than 25,000 refugees. The evangelical relief and development agency World Relief called the decision 'a direct result of the recent decision by the Trump Administration', referring to the new president's executive order last month temporarily blocking travel and asylum from seven majority Muslim countries. 'It will impact all nine resettlement agencies, so the infrastructure for refugee resettlement in our country built over decades, at least since the Refugee Act of 1980 could be decimated,' Matthew Soerens of World Relief said in a statement reported by the Washington Post. In 2015, World Relief received around $42 million in government grants, which made up nearly three quarters of the ministry's total revenue of $62 million, according to the ministry's latest available Internal Revenue Service filings. It will close offices in Boise, Idaho; Columbus, Ohio; Miami; Nashville; and Glen Burnie, Maryland. Most of the agencies that help welcome refugees are religious, including World Relief and the US Catholic Bishops' Conference, which raises funding from donors and churches. The US Refugee Resettlement Program combines funding from the federal government with money raised by non-profit agencies. The Episcopal Migration Ministries was expecting $14.2 million from the US State Department and $6.2 million from the Department of Health and Human Services, according to spokeswoman Kendall Martin. They are now working to raise private support. Martin said that on February 8 the Episcopal Church's executive council gave the agency $500,000 to provide a financial bridge during Trump's ban. Soerens said that most federal funding for World Relief comes in a one-off, per-refugee grant of $2,025, most of which gets used for direct expenses for newly arrived refugees during their first 90 days in the country, including covering rent costs for the family's apartment and a caseworker. Trump's temporary halt on all refugee resettlement means the agencies need to find non-governmental funding to cover the budget that they expected to be covered by refugee resettlement grants. Even though Trump's order has faced legal challenges, and been blocked by a federal judge, the courts have not addressed the section that reduces the cap on refugee admissions from 110,000 to 50,000. Trump said in his executive order on January 27: 'I hereby proclaim that the entry of more than 50,000 refugees in fiscal year 2017 would be detrimental to the interests of the United States, and thus suspend any such entry until such time as I determine that additional admissions would be in the national interest.' The US has already resettled 34,000 this year, according to Soerens, and therefore fewer than 16,000 additional refugees will be allowed through on 30 September. World Relief takes in around 10 per cent of the total cases, according to Soerens, so the ministry anticipates it will receive somewhere around 1,600 refugees to arrive in the next seven and a half months, distributed through its offices throughout the country. In the past six months, World Relief resettled more than 6,000 refugees. The agency's President Scott Arbeiter said in a statement that the forced sackings will affect many experts in handling refugees, including some who speak languages that are not widely spoken. 'This represents a loss of more than 140 jobs which by itself is deeply troubling but also decades of organisational expertise and invaluable capacity to serve the world's most vulnerable people,' World Relief's chief executive, Tim Breene said. A spokesperson from the State Department Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration could not be reached yesterday by the Washington Post. Last week, World Relief coordinated an effort by 100 evangelical pastors and leaders to take out a full-page advertisement in the Washington Post that denounced Trump's executive order. The advertisement included several evangelicals who do not usually get involved in politics, including New York City pastor Tim Keller and his wife, Kathy Keller, and popular author Ann Voskamp, the Post said. Christian Persecution Made Worse By Lack Of U.N. Action To Uphold Religious Freedom, Report Says Has the United Nations turned its back on persecuted Christians? The answer is a definitive "yes" as far as the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) International is concerned, the World Watch Monitor reported. In a recently issued report bluntly titled "The UN's Failure to Promote and Protect Religious Freedom," the ADF accuses the world body of "straying" from its original mission to uphold human rights, saying it has failed to fulfil its obligations to uphold religious freedom, thus exacerbating the suffering of persecuted Christians worldwide. The report slams the organisation for its failure to label the crimes committed against Christians and other religious minorities by Islamic State (ISIS) as "genocide," thus allowing the perpetrators of this heinous crime to remain unpunished. It especially finds "glaring" that the U.N. Security Council held a special meeting in 2015 on ISIS' crimes against approximately 30 lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals. However, that same U.N. body did not even reportedly bother to discuss the more than 10,000 Christians and other people who had been slaughtered by ISIS. The ADF report also points out that the membership of the U.N.'s Human Rights Council includes Saudi Arabia and China "states that perpetuate human rights abuses, including abuses of the right to freedom of religion," according to World Watch Monitor. In fact, the report states, of the U.N. rights body's 47 members, 13 are included in this year's World Watch List of countries where Christians face the most severe persecution, as compiled by the charity Open Doors. In December last year, the U.N. Security Council was roundly criticised by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after it passed a resolution calling for a halt to Israeli settlement-building. Then U.S. President-elect Donald Trump also blasted the world body on Twitter, saying, "The United Nations has such great potential but right now it is just a club for people to get together, talk and have a good time. So sad!" In October 2016, Pastor Robert Jeffress of First Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas even called for the abolition of the U.N. after a U.N. panel demanded that Americans pay reparations for their nation's history of slavery and oppression. The pastor said the proposed reparations appear more like a "shakedown." As such, he said he would be ready to see the U.N. abolished "in a heartbeat." Free Missionary Andrew Brunson, US Lawmakers Tell Turkish President US lawmakers have written to Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan asking him to release an American missionary pastor, Andrew Brunson, held in prison and accused of terrorist activities. Brunson and his wife Norine had been working in Turkey since 1993 and led the Resurrection Church in the coastal city of Izmir. Norine was released after 12 days of detention but Andrew Brunson was told he had been accused of terrorism by a secret informant. He has been held for four months with limited access to legal or consular help or to his family. The letter is signed by 78 lawmakers including 37 senators, headed by the leadership of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee. It argues there is no evidence to back Turkey's allegations Brunson was involved with armed terrorists. The letter says: Mr Brunson's imprisonment has been raised repeatedly by US Government officials with officials of the Government of Turkey. Unfortunately, high-level efforts to secure Mr Brunson's release have been unsuccessful. We have closely followed developments with this case, and are deeply disappointed.' It refers to the 'close partnership' between the US and Turkey, and says: 'Now is the time for our countries to reaffirm respect for fundamental freedoms and the rule of law while reasserting our shared commitment to addressing security challenges through partnerships and cooperation. 'In this spirit of partnership, we respectfully ask you to consider Mr. Brunson,s case and how the recent treatment of Mr. Brunson places significant strain not only on him and his family, but also on the robust bilateral relationship between the United States and Turkey.' President Erdogan's rule has been increasingly authoritarian since a failed coup last year, with tens of thousands of people arrested or dismissed from their jobs. A referendum in April is set to give him sweeping powers and entrench his political position for years. Gay Christians Warned Not To Expect Change Soon After CofE Votes Down Sexuality Report LGBT Christians are being warned not to expect change on the Church of England's teaching on gay marriage. On the morning after the CofE's general assembly threw out a report by bishops keeping its conservative line on gay marriage, synod was told Church leaders 'are not up to the task of resolving' the deep divisions. Top Anglican bishop, Josiah Idowu-Fearon, from the deeply conservative Nigeria province in the Church, said the level of fissure was 'not easily resolved' and called on gay Christians to set aside those 'difficult matters for now'. Remaining part of the global church means dropping the idea of change on gay couples, he said. 'This may mean setting aside certain difficult matters for now; it may mean self-restraint of a sacrificial kind for now; it may mean patience of a painful kind for now,' he added. In his address as secretary general of the worldwide Anglican Communion he said: 'There is no one way to thread this needle at the moment.' He told the Church of England that for their Anglican counterparts in Nigeria, 'the single most pressing issue around human sexuality is the criminalisation of homosexuality'. He warned violence and abuse against gay people was supported by many in Nigerian communities in a stark reminder of the vast difference in attitudes between the different Anglican churches around the world. The speech came as synod was reeling from the shock defeat of a bishops' report that kept the Church's conservative line on marriage. After more than two years and more than 380,000 of internal discussions the bishops said there was 'little support' for a teaching change on gay relationships. This prompted outrage from liberal members who launched a campaign to strike the report down. But it also called for 'maximum freedom' for gay couples within current laws and called for 'a fresh tone and culture of welcome and support' for LGBT people. This was too far for some conservative members with Susie Leafe, director of Reform grouping on synod, one of a number to vote against it. But speaking during the debate the Archbishop of Canterbury promised bishops 'will seek to do better' as he called for a 'remarkable' new teaching document on CofE's position on marriage. 'We are going to move on and find a radical new inclusion based in love, based in our Christian understanding careless neither of our theology nor ignorant of the world around us,' he said. Has Trump Killed The Two-State Solution For Israel-Palestine And What Are The Alternatives? Donald Trump met with the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday. Their body language was extremely warm and Trump ticked all the boxes in terms of pleasing Netanyahu, apart from a fleeting call to pause on the building of illegal Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territory. Overall, 'Bibi' Netanyahu's affectionate nickname which Trump repeatedly used in their post-meeting press conference will return to Israel pleased with the outcome. Not least, critics would argue, because peace, despite Trump's calls for a 'deal', looks as elusive as ever. Why are people saying the two-state solution has been abandoned? In the immediate term, this is because of some bizarre and apparently rather casual comments by Trump in his press conference with Netanyahu yesterday. 'So I'm looking at two-state and one-state, and I like the one that both parties like,' Trump said amid laughter. 'I'm very happy with the one that both parties like. I can live with either one. I thought for a while the two-state looked like it may be the easier of the two. But honestly, if Bibi and if the Palestinians -- if Israel and the Palestinians are happy, I'm happy with the one they like the best.' Secondly, because Netanyahu was very vague about a two-state solution, which is entirely in line with his position over recent years, during which time he alienated the Barack Obama administration which was so much firmer in favour of two states in the region than that, we now know, of Trump. Netanyahu repeatedly referred merely to two 'preconditions to peace': recognition by the Palestinians of Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state, and Israel's 'security control of the entire area'. The latter can be interpreted as accepting the status quo, including the occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem. And the status quo, critics say, is exactly what Netanyahu wants to preserve. Trump, for his part, repeatedly alluded to a wider and 'more important' plan for peace in the broader region, involving Arab countries. Netanyahu agreed. Why does this shift matter? All of this takes the focus away from a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinian territories: in other words, the creation of a Palestinian state. Yesterday's press conference represents a marked change from US policy since Bill Clinton's presidency which alongside the UN, EU, Arab League and others has been to promote the idea of a peace deal involving a Palestinian state. But a two-state solution is arguably in Israel's interests too: fulfilment of a Palestinian state would surely ensure greater long-term security for Israel. Further, many say that the demographics of the region mean that Israelis will be crowded out by Palestinians were there to be one state, and those Palestinians would pose a threat to Israel's existence even if they pledge full allegiance to the state in exchange for full democratic rights. Meanwhile, while it is acknowledged by almost all parties that Israel cannot rule the Palestinians forever, the ongoing, expanding settlements mean that the chances of a two-state solution appear to be waning because of the facts on the ground. So what are the alternatives to two states? It appears to be increasingly fashionable on both the Israeli right to which Netanyahu is beholden in his coalition government and among some in the Palestinian left to advocate a one state, rather than a two state solution. In a long, important article for the New York Times this week, an Israeli settler based in Hebron, Yishai Fleisher, outlined the alternatives to a two state solution as he saw them, giving voice to the right's position. '[For] us settlers, the truth is clear: The two-state solution was misconceived, and will never come to pass, because Judea and Samaria belong to the Jewish people,' Fleisher declares. He goes on: '...Arabs can live in Israel, as other minorities do, with personal rights, not national rights.' This, of course, will not satisfy the forces of Palestinian nationalism. One alternative proposed by the Israeli right can be called 'Jordan is Palestine'. Under this plan, says Fleisher, 'Israel would assert Israeli law in what it calls Judea and Samaria while Arabs living there would have Israeli residency and Jordanian citizenship. Those Arabs would exercise their democratic rights in Jordan, but live as expats with civil rights in Israel.' Another alternative is that Israel grants Israeli citizenship to its entire Arab population. While some on the right may baulk at the idea, Caroline Glick, a rightwing Jerusalem Post columnist has pointed out that contrary to conventional wisdom, new demographic research shows that because of falling Palestinian birth rates and emigration, alongside a growing Jewish Orthodox population, Israel is not in danger of losing its majority. As Leisher put its, 'a stable Jewish majority of above 60 per cent exists between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean (excluding Gaza); and this is projected to grow to about 70 per cent by 2059. Alternatively again, some rightwingers advocate a population exchange with Arab countries, and perhaps this is part of what Netanyahu and maybe even Trump have in mind when they talk about engaging the wider region. So where does the Trump-Netanyahu press conference leave the chances of peace? No one knows, and anyone who says they do is lying. World experts have been left floundering by the shifting position of Trump, who now appears to be backing off the controversial idea of moving the US embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. It is of course just possible that on the 'Nixon went to China' maxim, Trump may pull off an elusive 'deal'. But the body language between the president and a prime minister who appears fully committed to the status quo suggests otherwise. Justin Welby: Having An Alcoholic Parent Is One Of The Most Disruptive Experiences A Child Can Have The Archbishop of Canterbury has spoken out about his experience as the child of an alcoholic, describing it as 'one of the most disruptive experiences' a child could have. 'One of the things I most missed was the company of others who understood the issue,' says Archbishop Justin Welby in a report today. The Archbishop writes of his time as the child of a parent who abused alcohol in the foreword to manifesto launched by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Children of Alcoholics. Welby's mother, Jane, is an alcoholic who has now been sober for many years, as was the man he believed for most of his life to be his father, Gavin Welby. His mother spoke out about her history with the illness after it emerged that his true father was in fact Sir Anthony Montague Browne, private secretary to Sir Winston Churchill, with whom his mother had a brief relationship. Welby writes: 'We all know that having a parent who abuses alcohol is one of the most disruptive experiences for any child and leads frequently to long-term effects in one's self confidence, one's capacity to relate, and even for some people in their own relation to alcohol itself. 'My experience, whether easier or more difficult than that of others, was fairly difficult... One of the things I most missed was the company of others who understood the issue. 'We are never ourselves when we are solitary, but in all of human history and community it has invariably been the case that it is in relationship that we become most fully what we are called to be, provided that relationship is healthy.' The report analyses the plight of the one in five children in the UK that lives with a parent who drinks too much more than 2.5 million children. It describes them as the country's 'innocent victims of drink'. Compared to other children, children of alcoholics are twice as likely to experience difficulties at school, three times more likely to consider suicide and five times more likely to develop eating disorders, the manifesto says. 'Worst of all, children of alcoholics are also four times more likely to become alcoholics themselves there is a cycle of alcoholism cascading down the generations. We have to break the cycle of this terrible disease and that starts by breaking the silence around Britain's biggest secret scandal.' The report paints a 'shocking' picture of support for children of alcoholics, stating that none of the local authorities that responded to a survey has a strategy to support children of alcoholics, that almost none is increasing the drug and substance abuse treatment budget in spite of increases in alcohol-related hospital admissions and many are actually cutting treatment budgets. 'The hidden stigma attached to children of alcoholics typically means that they suffer in silence. This needs to change,' the report says. Watch Labour MP Liam Byrne, chair of the group and whose own father struggled with alcohol, talk about the importance of the issue here: There are 12-step programmes similar to Alcoholics Anonymous, Adult Children Of Alcoholics for grown-up children, and Alaateen, for those who are still children, of alcoholics. Syrian Orthodox Patriarch Under Fire From Bishops Over Respect For Islam Six Syrian Orthodox Bishops have publicly condemned the actions of their leader, Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch. Vatican Insider reports that they are concerned about the Patriarch's respectful displays towards Islam. This includes referring to the 'Prophet Mohammad' and raising a copy of the Quran in a gesture showing respect. The six bishops have issued a statement that describes the Patriarch's actions as 'contrary to the teachings of Jesus Christ and his Holy Gospel'. However, a larger group of bishops, some 30 in total, has come to his defence. This group has described the criticism of the Patriarch as 'rebellion against the Church'. The Syrian Orthodox Church, which is thought to have around five million members worldwide, is based in Damascus, the capital of Syria. Some of its members have been on the front line of the persecution of Christians by Islamic State. However, the Patriarch said of his actions: 'Christ loves everyone, and calls us to be peace-builders with everyone.' The Patriarch is no stranger to the dangers posed by extremist Islamism in Syria. Last year he was the target of an attempted suicide bombing by a man dressed as a priest he was protected by security checks which foiled the attacker. Talk About Jesus As Much As You Talk About The Weather, Urges The Archbishop Of York If only people would talk as much about Jesus as they do about the weather, they might succeed in converting others, the Archbishop of York has stated. He was speaking in a debate on how better to empower the 1 million lay people who make up 98 per cent of the Church of England to evangelise the nation. Dr John Sentamu, who is from Uganda and fled to Britain to escape persecution by Idi Amin, described his own conversion as a child, when at every step it was lay people who stepped in to guide and advise him. 'When I encountered Jesus at the age of 10 I was helped by someone who helped bring the Bible to me, helped me pray.' Then a lay person helped prepare him for confirmation. And at 17, at a mission, he was asked to preach an 'evangelistic sermon'. After telling the packed arena that Jesus loved them, he invited them to come forward, Sentamu told the synod. Hundreds did. He said the bishops and clergy had to be confident about spotting gifted lay people, as he was spotted. He said: 'When you complain about the clergy, remember they did come out of the laity. They were once the people of God.' He added: 'In Yorkshire we get a lot of rain. People talk a lot about weather. If only they talked about Jesus as often as they talked about weather, then the whole of Yorkshire might be converted.' He added that in his birth country of Uganda, they had 'climate' not 'weather'. Canon Mark Russell, chief executive of the Church Army and a member of the Archbishops' Council, said people 'lack confidence' in applying their faith to their lives outside church. Repeated reports have examined how the Church can 'liberate' the laity to become 'confident disciples'. None had succeeded in doing this. Lay people think clergy are 'more important' than them. 'This is the culture we want to change,' he said. Russell said: 'We continually face a barrage of headlines about a shrinking Church. We need to be more confident as a Church. We are making a huge difference.' The Church has a million people on its books, he said, giving more than 23 million hours of voluntary service. 'Contrast that with the National Secular Society which has 7,000 members which is the same as the British Sausage Appreciation Society.' He was leading a debate on the report, Setting God's People Free, at the General Synod of the Church of England. The report calls for a 'seismic revolution' in the culture of the Church to empower the laity. The report says: 'Until we find a way to form and equip lay people to follow Jesus confidently in every sphere of life in ways that demonstrate the gospel, we will never set God's people free to evangelise the nation.' Examples of successful initiatives already include a plan by the London diocese to commission 100,000 people as 'ambassadors for Christ' by 2020. More than 14,000 people have been commissioned so far. The Bishop of London, Richard Chartres, who has just retired after 21 years, was aknowledged by the synod as a rare example of a bishop who has achieved significant growth. The report admits that some lay Christians do not want to be empowered. 'It can be far easier and less time-consuming to let the vicar do all the work while seeing oneself as a "customer" on the receiving end of a service,' it says. Jane Patterson, of Sheffield, an NHS consultant surgeon and a member of the Crown Nominations Comission, said: 'Time and time again we hear from dioceses the need to address a culture of over-clericalism.' She continued: 'For a body to be healthy it needs to be functioning. In other words, the 98 per cent of it who are the laity need to be part of it. The Church and our nation need to hear the Gospel. Both are in desperate need of a fully functioning body. We need to welcome this report and take urgent action.' Sarah Maxfield-Phillips, of the Church's youth council, said that recent years had seen a fall in young people attending church. Those who had stayed, wanted to be more involved. 'I am disappointed at the lack of reference to strategies to help young people become disciples.' Young people were also under-represented in elected lay leadership roles. Trevor Willmott, Bishop of Dover, said: 'Over the past five years in Canterbury I have asked every single person when they come to confirmation why they come there. I have over the past years read thousands of thousands of paragraphs. Not one has ceased to humble me.' They are coming primarily because of relationships, he said. Nick Land, of York diocese, an NHS medical director who works with doctors who are also Christians, said that 'for too many people there is still too big a gap between their faith on Sunday and their work during the week'. Work is not just an arena for ministry. 'It is ministry,' he said. Bishop of Newcastle Christine Hardman, one of two woman diocesan bishops, said that at her original selection conference when she was being considered for ordination she was told it was a 'strength' that she was seen as someone who would never have a 'cosy relationship' with the Church establishment. 'Our energies should be about a deep commitment to culture change. That will mean valuing every single member of the Body of Christ,' she said, adding that clergy have a tough time and needed valuing themselves. This would enable them to value the laity. Trump Backs Away From US Commitment To Palestinian State President Donald Trump on Wednesday dropped a US commitment to a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the longstanding bedrock of Washington's Middle East policy, even as he urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to curb settlement construction. In the first face-to-face meeting between the two leaders since Trump's victory in the 2016 election, the Republican president backed away from a US embrace of the eventual creation of a Palestinian state, upending a position taken by successive administrations and the international community. 'I'm looking at two states and one state, and I like the one both parties like,' Trump told a joint news conference with Netanyahu. 'I can live with either one.' Trump vowed to work toward a peace deal between Israel and Palestinians but said it would require compromise on both sides, leaving it up to the parties themselves ultimately to decide on the terms of any agreement. But he offered no new prescription for achieving an accord that has eluded so many of his predecessors, and Palestinian anger over his abandonment of their goal of statehood could scrap any chance of coaxing them back to the negotiating table. Dropping a bombshell on Netanyahu as they faced reporters just before sitting down for talks, Trump told him: 'I'd like to see you hold back on settlements for a little bit.' The right-wing Israeli leader appeared momentarily startled. It was a rare concession sought by Trump as the two leaders tried to set a new positive tone after eight years of friction under Trump's Democratic predecessor, President Barack Obama. Netanyahu insisted that Jewish settlements were 'not the core of the conflict' and made no public commitment to reduce settlement building in the occupied West Bank. He later told reporters traveling with him that he hoped to 'reach an understanding' with Trump on settlements. Trump echoed Netanyahu's calls for Palestinians to recognise Israel as a Jewish state something they have refused to do and to halt incitement against Israelis. But even as Trump promised to pursue peace, saying 'it might be a bigger and better deal than people in this room even understand', he made no effort to address the deep distrust and other obstacles that have prevented any substantive negotiations since 2014. Setting an initially chummy tone, Trump greeted Netanyahu on a red carpet rolled out to the White House driveway. The two leaders smiled, shook hands and chatted amiably before heading inside, accompanied by first lady Melania Trump and Netanyahu's wife, Sara. Among the questions that figured prominently on the agenda was the future of the two-state solution the idea of creating a Palestine living peacefully alongside Israel. Foreshadowing Trump's policy shift, a senior White House official said on Tuesday that peace did not necessarily have to entail Palestinian statehood. Palestinians responded by warning Trump that such a move would seriously damage US credibility. Giving a meandering response to a question on the issue, Trump suggested that he could abide by whatever path the two sides decided. 'I'm happy with the one they like the best,' he said. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas seized on Trump's settlements comment to demand a complete halt to such building which Palestinians see as meant to deny them a viable state and said he remained committed to 'the two-state solution and to international law'. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned against abandoning the idea of a sovereign Palestinian state alongside Israel, saying there was 'no alternative'. Netanyahu committed, with conditions, to the two-state goal in a speech in 2009 and has broadly reiterated the aim since. But he has also spoken of a 'state minus' option, suggesting he could offer the Palestinians deep-seated autonomy and the trappings of statehood without full sovereignty. At the news conference, he never ruled out a two-state solution, but also made it sound like an almost impossible ideal. He said it would require preconditions, including the Palestinians' recognition of Israel as a Jewish state and Israel's retaining security control 'in the area west of the Jordan River' which would encompass all of the West Bank. Netanyahu and Trump shared several warm handshakes during the news conference, especially after Trump's opening remarks, when he said the United States was Israel's greatest friend. But Trump also managed to catch Netanyahu off guard, at one point saying that if a solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict was going to be reached 'both sides will have to make compromises'. The president then turned to Netanyahu and said: 'You know that, right?' Netanyahu replied with a chuckle, 'Both sides.' The two leaders agreed that there was an opening for enlisting Israel's Arab neighbours which share its concerns about Iran into any future peace efforts. But a retreat from the principle of Palestinian statehood would cast doubt on the chances for cooperation from the broader Arab world. 'A nail in the coffin' Martin Indyk, a former Middle East negotiator under Obama and now at the Brookings Institution think tank in Washington, said of the possibility that Washington might ditch its support for an independent Palestinian nation, 'It's another nail in the coffin of the peace process, which already had a lot of nails in it.' The one-state idea would be deeply problematic for both sides. One concept would be two systems for two peoples, which Palestinians would see as apartheid. Another version would mean equal rights for all, including for Palestinians in an annexed West Bank, but that would compromise Israel's Jewish character. Palestinians have expressed fear that their leadership will be frozen out by Netanyahu's close bond with Trump. But CIA director Mike Pompeo met Abbas in Ramallah on Tuesday, US and Palestinian officials said. For Netanyahu, the talks with Trump are an opportunity to reset ties after a frequently combative relationship with Obama. The prime minister, under investigation at home over allegations of abuse of office, wanted no visible gaps between US and Israeli thinking during his visit. Trump, who has been in office less than four weeks and whose foreign policy apparatus is in disarray following the forced resignation of his national security adviser Michael Flynn, brings with him an unpredictability that Netanyahu's staff hoped would not impinge on the discussions. The two leaders, who seemed to strike up an emerging 'bromance' in social media exchanges since the US election, sought to demonstrate good personal chemistry face-to-face as well. Meetings with Obama were at best cordial and businesslike, at worst tense and awkward. In one Oval Office encounter in 2011, Obama grimaced as Netanyahu lectured him in front of the cameras on the suffering of the Jewish people through the ages. Who Was Philip Melanchthon? The Protestant Reformer In 5 Quotes Today marks the birthday of a man who was essential to the Protestant Reformation, though he's not nearly as well known as some other Reformers. His name was Philip Melanchthon. Melanchthon was a friend of Martin Luther's and was heavily influenced by his theology, though the pair also disagreed on some key issues. Melanchthon was known for his caution and concern for peace, as well as his great intellect. Luther would write of him: 'I had to fight with rabble and devils, for which reason my books are very warlike. I am the rough pioneer who must break the road; but Master Philip comes along softly and gently, sows and waters heartily, since God has richly endowed him with gifts.' Melanchthon was not a particularly good-looking man his rather scrawny look in the Lucas Cranach portrait shows why Luther would describe him as a 'shrimp'. Nonetheless, Melanchthon was a great mind, who 500 years after the Reformation still has much wisdom to offer the Church. On creation Melanchthon said: 'God willed to become known and to be recognised.' He emphasised God's deep connection with the world as its creator, who desires to be known. For Melanchthon God is not like the carpenter of a ship who hands his work over to the sailors once it is complete, but rather 'God is present with his creation...sustaining his creation and governing it with His measureless mercy, bestowing good things upon it...' Melanchthon saw God as a benevolent, merciful creator; not distant from his creation but deeply involved with it. On sin and grace Melanchthon defined human sin as 'a darkness in the mind...[wherein] the will is without a fear, love or trust in God'. Since the fall of Adam this darkness has been present within humankind. In our turning away we are separated from God. He wrote, 'Original sin is the lack of original righteousness which is required to be present in us.' In his writing Melanchthon emphasised the difference between 'law' and gospel'. The law, seen in Old Testament teachings in particular, condemns us like a harsh schoolmaster, showing us our original sin and inability to keep the commands we are given. In stark contrast comes the gospel, the free gift of life that comes despite our unworthiness, and therein lies 'the sweetness of the name' of Jesus. One of his more famous quotes is: 'To know Christ is to know his benefits.' Christ's gospel is the radical alternative to living under 'law'. He takes away the sin of humankind, giving righteousness and eternal life in its place. Some critics felt that Melanchthon undermined God's gift of the law by opposing it to 'gospel', and that focusing on the 'benefits' of Christ reduced the gospel and took away from the idea of knowing God personally. On predestination Melanchthon was deeply troubled by the doctrine of predestination put forth by his contemporary John Calvin. Calvin taught that God elects some to eternal salvation and others to eternal damnation. As Calvin wrote: God 'does not indiscriminately adopt all into the hope of salvation but gives to some what he denies to others'. The idea that some are promised salvation and others damnation is one that Melanchthon felt could only lead to doubt and a troubled mind. Where was free will? How could you know for certain if you were elect or not? Melanchthon dismissed the doctrine as dangerous, distracting speculation. For him the gospel needed to be a free gift, offered to all, and be a promise that could not be doubted. On the truth Melanchthon penned the Loci Communes in 1521, the first full elucidation of Lutheran theological beliefs. He cared about the truth. As he said: 'We must seek the truth, love it, defend it, and hand it down uncorrupted to our posterity.' However, he also supported the idea that certain truths were of secondary importance. He described certain doctrines as adiaphora, which is Greek for 'things indifferent'. Belief in salvation through the cross of Jesus was essential to Christian faith, but issues like whether the Lord's Supper was literally or symbolically the body and blood of Christ, were adiaphora. Critics said this made Melanchthon a compromiser, while others said it made him a positive peacemaker. On death Melanchthon led the Lutheran movement after Luther died in 1546. On his deathbed in 1560, Melanchthon encouraged people not to fear death, because in death one would 'be freed from the acrimony and fury of theologians'. Living at the heart of the turmoil of the Reformation, Melanchthon knew the anger of theologians well. More positively, he also said that people should not fear death because when it comes, 'Thou shalt go to the light, see God, look upon his Son, learn those wonderful mysteries which thou hast not been able to understand in this life.' You can follow @JosephHartropp on Twitter Why It's Time To Stop Saying 'You Can't Out-Give God' The televangelist Peter Popoff uses a repeating informercial that claims anyone can access 'miracle money'. The idea is that in exchange for a cash donation to God via Popoff's account, of course there will be a much larger 'divine wealth transfer' to your current account. You lose some money, but you get much more back in return, as various testimonies on the infomercial insist. And of course, the very people attracted to these promises are those already in financial need, who really can't afford to speculate-to-accumulate. But it's OK you can't out-give God, after all. Elsewhere, a new breed of hip, high-production-value churches offer a kind of low-calorie version of the prosperity gospel (how else would they get into those skinny jeans?). They say they want to offer God the very best quality worship and attract people with a service-performance which rivals anything else at the high end of the culture. This level of production has a price-tag though, and that money has to come from the congregation. So services include a heavy emphasis on financial giving, and particularly on the idea of giving sacrificially ie more than you can probably afford. Again, there's always a subtle message that if we're generous to God in this case via his church we'll receive much more back in return. You can't out-give God. Let's get one thing clear: I absolutely believe in the power of God to intervene in our financial situations, and to come to the rescue with money when we desperately need it. I've seen it first hand, and I've known it to be true in the lives of others. It's undoubtedly one of the clearest ways that God seems to intervene in our lives and that's almost certainly because it's one of the things we pray most about. But it's time to be honest: sometimes God doesn't come to the financial rescue. I know people who've lost businesses, or homes, or received visits from the bailiffs, even after months of desperate prayer. And some of those people were giving financially to a church, or to Christian organisations. So what happened there? Did they out-give God? There are two passages in the Bible which televangelists, megachurches and to be honest, normal people like you or I tend to go to when we talk about the idea of giving sacrificially. The first is known as 'the widow's mite' in Luke 21: 1-4. Jesus sees a poor woman putting two coins all she has to live on into the offering plate, and he says that in doing so, she has put in more than anyone else. Crucially though, it doesn't suggest she later received a 'divine wealth transfer' (although she may have done). The act of sacrificial giving brought her closer to God, and was its own reward. The other go-to verse is Malachi 3:10: '"Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it."' This verse is pretty much the source of the whole 'you can't out-give God' phenomenon. Yet like so much of our modern Christianity, what we've done with this verse is misappropriate a specific message to an entire nation, and reapply it to our individual lives. We only have to look at the previous verse to see that this is addressed to Israel at a time when they were subverting the sacrificial system of the Old Covenant: 'In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse your whole nation because you are robbing me.' This is then followed by that famous line, which suddenly reads very differently in context. The other thing which the verse crucially doesn't promise is a direct cash payout. We've interpreted it that way, but in fact God only promises his people an enormous blessing in return for demonstrating generosity. That's not to say that financial abundance or whatever you want to call it won't form part of that blessing, but it's not the only form it can take. And just as with the widow, some of that blessing comes in the act of giving itself, in separating ourselves from the hold that money and possessions can have over us, and finding liberation in that. In one sense, of course you can't out-give God. He breathed life into us, gave us an extraordinarily complex and beautiful world to inhabit, sent his son to die for us and offers us eternal life. There's no way anyone could begin to repay that credit. And even in our everyday lives, the money we choose to offer back to him in tithes and other offerings is no match for the incredible gift of knowing him personally. That's the greatest blessing of all; that's the thing that the televangelists and the megachurches should be offering (completely free of charge, of course). When we reduce this equation down to the level of a financial transaction though, we not only miss the point entirely, but we risk setting people like the friends I mentioned up for a huge disappointment and a crisis of faith. Like so many of the phrases that somehow become popular theology, 'You can't out-give God' is pretty misleading and dangerous, especially while we tie it so closely with the idea of financial prosperity. Perhaps a better, if less comfortable answer to our financial struggles comes from Paul in Philippians 4, when he writes: 'I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.' Part of that answer certainly lies in sacrificial giving, but mainly it rests in seeking and knowing the eternal God, who remains with us however bad our circumstances get. That, rather than financial security, is the greatest blessing of all. Martin Saunders is a Contributing Editor for Christian Today and the Deputy CEO of Youthscape. Follow him on Twitter @martinsaunders. Why The General Synod's Vote Last Night Was Bad For Everyone Alternative truths abounded last night after the General Synod vote on the bishops' report on human sexuality came through and the House of Clergy voted by a narrow margin not to 'take note' of it. Normally a Take Note motion is a neutral one and members of Synod debate a subject that they've been given an opportunity to talk about and then nod it through. Not so last night. Revisionists used a procedural Standing Order to force a vote in all three houses rather than just a simple show of hands. What this means is that the synod was asked to give approval by a clear majority in each of its three parts the bishops, the clergy and the laity. It was in the House of Clergy that the Take Note motion failed 100 voted no and only 93 voted yes. Even though the other two houses voted in favour, officially the synod voted no and so there was a 'victory' for the revisionists. Or was there? This morning's newspapers were full of 'one step closer to gay marriage in the Church of England' headlines, but this is just another example of synodical alternative facts. Let's actually stop and think about what the synod voted against. The bishops' paper proposed creating a new theological teaching document on the issue of sex and marriage. The synod voted not to have that so we're still stuck with the 1987 Higton motion and the 1991 Issues in Human Sexuality as our doctrinal positions on homosexuality. The bishops proposed to create pastoral responses to same-sex couples that were as wide and generous as possible. The synod voted not to have that so we're still stuck with the very limited pastoral responses that the bishops' pastoral statements on civil partnerships and same-sex marriages allow. So far, it's not looking very good for the revisionists. But surely the vote last night was an indication the synod wanted something more liberal from the bishops than what was currently on the table? Not quite. Though there was a majority of seven against in the House of Clergy there was a majority of 23 in favour in the House of Laity, so when you take away the bishops who voted as a block in favour of their paper (apart from the Bishop of Coventry, who accidentally voted no), when you do the maths you see that the laity and clergy voted together by a majority of 16 in favour of the bishops' plans. Far from there being a groundswell in favour of a more liberal approach, what the synod actually said was that they were of a mind to do what the bishops wanted to do. This means that as the bishops pointed out in their paper, there is no consensus to move to a more liberal position and that's why they mapped out the best that they could possibly do in the murkiness of the situation we are in. So despite the victory celebrations outside the entrance to Church House last night, there is actually no victory and nothing to celebrate for the revisionists. Neither is there a 'direction of travel' because in an ironic twist, there were two motions tabled for today if the take note debate had passed, one of which would have signalled a more conservative path, the other a more liberal path, and the bishops were going to use these to help guide them. These motions cannot now be debated and we are back to square one. As the bishops' document told us, the Church of England and its synod are split on this issue, practically down the middle, and there is no majority to liberalise or to become more conservative. Even the gay bishops didn't want a change. On top of that the LGB voice in the synod is itself split, with significant speeches for the first time from gay voices in the Houses of Clergy and Laity who hold to traditional teaching and applaud the bishops for wanting to do so too. We are many mansions in houses divided. If people think that last night the synod gave birth to something new, it was an aborted effort, with all the tragedy that analogy brings with it. Past the fake news and post-truth headlines and spin, the simple fact is that the Church of England is going nowhere fast on the gay issue. We have no path forward at present. I am led to believe that the senior leaders in the House of Bishops understand the gravity of this situation and that they recognise that once you cut through the forest of media instant response there is actually no easy answer to the question of what to do next. The bishops spent months wrestling with the seriousness of the conflict in the Church, working out what could and couldn't be done, processing through the various options and, in my humble opinion, bringing to the synod the best possible solution at the present time. It wasn't perfect, it wasn't what either side really wanted, but it was a genuine effort to try and shape a workable solution for the 21st century. As of last night, we're right back to where we were decades ago. Dear synod members, be careful what you don't wish for, you may not get it. Rev Peter Ould is a Church of England priest based in Canterbury. He blogs at www.peter-ould.net. Will The Church Of England Ever Make Up Its Mind About Sexuality? The Church of England has been debating sexuality for all my lifetime. The reforms of the law in the 1960s which began with the legalisation of homosexual acts were influenced by the Church. The CofE's website explains that 'the Church of England's Moral Welfare Council was one of the major influences that led to the setting up of the Wolfenden Commission, supporting its recommendation to abolish the law against male homosexual activity and to set the age of homosexual consent at 21, which became law in 1967'. Since then, the battle lines have been slowly drawn. The Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement was formed in 1976 to campaign for full inclusion of gay people in the life of the Church. In the wake of the abortive appointment of senior gay clergyman Jeffrey John as Bishop of Reading, renewed focus was brought to the debate in the early 2000s as conservative groups such as Anglican Mainstream were formed, finding common cause with pre-existing conservative groupings like Reform and the Church Society. In a couple of generations, the Church of England has gone from being (publicly at least) of one mind about sexuality, to being drawn into factions facing off against each other. This week the General Synod, the Church's parliament, voted narrowly not to 'take note' of a report compiled by the Bishops into the way the Church deals with issues such as clergy who are gay and same sex marriage. Much of the debate was calm and insightful. There were good conversations between opponents both in person and online. Yet, we seem to be no closer to a resolution. The Bishops' relatively conservative position to uphold traditional teaching while providing a better welcome to LGBT people has now been symbolically pitted against the mind of the synod. In one sense the 50 or 60 years in which this debate has been happening is just the blink of an eye. The Church is almost 2,000 years old and there have been debates which have rumbled on throughout much of that time. On the other hand, members and non-members of the Church might be entitled to ask when the Church of England is going to come up with a consistent position. Both liberals and conservatives (to use the imprecise labels which still remain a helpful guide) as well as those in the middle wonder whether the debate hasn't gone on long enough and either the door should be closed to change, or that change should be plumped for and then cemented. There are two problems with this. First, there's no mechanism within the Church of England to make such a decision. The Archbishop of Canterbury is not a Pope and though he and his fellow bishops set the agenda, they can't narrate the future into being. Secondly, with views which, on either extreme, are diametrically opposed, there is no hope of any decision being made which will be definitive and which will remain unopposed. Just how vociferous are the opposition voices? Well, witness one conservative commentator saying sexuality is a 'salvation issue' and that revisionist voices should be 'excommunicated'. See here, a progressive bishop implying a comparison between his fellow bishops and the high priest who handed over Jesus to be crucified. This is serious stuff even though the vast majority of synod members and those in the pews on a Sunday morning would not care to speak about each other in this way. What, then, is the way forward? Short of a miracle, there is no obvious practical answer. The Archbishop of Canterbury's statement following the synod vote gave some hints and also some hope, though. 'To find ways forward, we need a radical new Christian inclusion in the Church,' he said. 'This must be founded in Scripture, in reason, in tradition, in theology; it must be based on good, healthy, flourishing relationships, and in a proper 21st-century understanding of being human and of being sexual.' The Archbishop's call for healthy flourishing relationships must be the key here. Opponents need to get out of the trenches and talk, openly and honestly. The statement carried on, 'We need to work together not just the bishops but the whole Church, not excluding anyone to move forward with confidence.' Though it's low on detail at this stage, surely this is the only game in town. The way forward may not be simple, but it is clear. We need each other and the sooner we realise it, the better. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Twenty years ago a mentor of mine in Kenya described how he mistakenly opened a closet door in the presidential palace and found dozens of miscellaneous briefcases stacked to the ceiling. Back then business people needed something to carry the gold bouillon and U.S. hundred dollar bills they used to win government contracts, and President Daniel arap Moi's staff didn't know what to do with them once the loot was removed. When President Donald Trump signed a Republican-backed bill that rolled back disclosure requirements for energy and mining companies operating in poor countries, I could only think about the Mercedes Benz sedans that rush through African capitals. Government corruption eats away at a country's social fabric and hobbles a nation's economy. A sure sign of a corrupt country is when a government job is most people's highest aspiration. Poor countries are particularly vulnerable to corruption. When the primary source of revenue for a government is a natural resource extracted by a foreign company, corruption often leads to civil war, a phenomenon known as the resource curse. RELATED: Venezuela's troubles lap at Houston's shores Take one look at the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Southern Sudan or even Nigeria, and you can see how weak justice systems, corrupt officials and amoral corporations can condemn hundreds of millions of people to poverty. Money that should go toward education and health care ends up enriching kleptocrats. That's why anti-corruption activists lobbied so hard to force U.S. energy and mining companies to disclose to the Securities Exchange Commission how much they pay foreign governments for the right to operate. Knowing how much money was going to the government would allow citizens to make sure that cash ended up in the treasury where it belongs, not the president's offshore bank account. Trump and the Republican majority in Congress, though, decided that requiring such disclosures are hurting the competitiveness of U.S. companies, even though European companies must also make such disclosures. "It's a big deal," Trump said. "The energy jobs are coming back. Lots of people going back to work now." Outright bribery will remain illegal under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, but how much a company must pay in fees or licenses to a government official will now remain secret. And what the official does with that money after they receive it will remain his or her secret. RELATED: When does a favor become corruption? "These deals deprive some of the world's poorest people of oil wealth that is rightfully theirs," said Corinna Gilfillan, head of the U.S. branch of Global Witness, an anti-corruption group. "Given the president's massive conflicts of interest and his administration's broad attacks on regulation, it appears our institutions are increasingly being abused to further the business interests of a powerful few. This is how corrupt dictatorships start." I understand the desire to lessen regulations on U.S. business. I support efforts to put Americans back to work. But if the only way we can do that is to allow our corporations to operate secretly, I'm not sure that's a bargain worth making. Livestock farming and ranching is a world all its own, and rodeos celebrate the people and animals that make up that world. The rodeo world has its own distinct language as well, and if you aren't familiar with it, you may feel as if you've landed in a foreign country when you arrive at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Here's a list of key terms and phrases that apply to the most common events and animals you'll see at the rodeo. Use these terms with an authoritative drawl, and you'll sound like a ranch hand in no time. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Houston home sales showed a slight increase in January, and some recent home sales in February indicate that it could be another positive month in town. HAR chairwoman, Cindy Hamann, said in a release that the luxury market, homes listed at $500,000 to $750,000, has been strengthening. >>Take a visual tour and see what some Houston-area homes sold at in the gallery above. Take a look at the price ranges of recently sold homes in the Houston area: 818 Wilkes in Northside: This remodeled two-bedroom, one-bathroom bungalow was originally built in 1949. The 1,589-square-foot home is situated on a 6,450-square-foot lot in the Northside market area of town. Sold price range: $325,001 - $370,000. 2727 Kirby in Upper Kirby: At 1,944 square feet, this 12th story unit is a sizable two-bedroom, two-bath residence with views of the Galleria Area. High-end appliances and finishes fill the highrise at 2727 Kirby at River Oaks. Sold price range: $1,082,001 - $1,242,000. TOP 10: The most expensive Houston homes sold in 2016 5122 Mimosa in the Bellaire Area: Built in 2016, this home is the newest construction in this round-up. The 4,245-square-foot house has five bedrooms, five baths and sits on a 7,345-square-foot lot. Outside, a covered patio is equipped with a summer kitchen, wood ceiling and slate floors. Sold price range: $1,242,001 - $1,425,000. 30 Hunnewell in The Woodlands: Nestled on a cul-de-sac in the Carlton Woods subdivision, this 2005 residence has 5,221 square feet of livable space, with five bedrooms and five baths. The heavily wooded 21,429-square-foot lot includes a resort-style pool and spa. Sold price range: $1,082,001 - $1,242,000. INSIDE TRUMP'S 'WINTER WHITE HOUSE': Trump planning third consecutive weekend at Mar-a-Lago 6211 S. Royal Point in Kingwood: Built in 2007, this 6,107-square-foot home has a nearly one-acre parcel of land in Kingwood's Royal Shores subdivision. The lakefront property has a luxury oasis comprised of a fountain, illuminated spa and pool and sit-in bar. Sold price range: $1,638,001 - $1,888,000. Professional photographer and father Josh Rossi treated his daughter to an adorable and epic Valentine's Day present after he traveled Europe to recreate their own version of Beauty and the Beast. Rossi's daughter, Nellee, is 3 years old and he took a week-long trip around Europe with his photo assistant to capture the perfect images to mesh together to recreate the iconic Beauty and the Beast scenes, including Belle - who is played by Nellee - reading a book in the village and dancing with the prince - who is played by Rossi. CELEB LOVE: Here's how celebrities celebrate Valentine's Day "For me the trip to Europe was a token of my love for my daughter," Rossi wrote in his blog. " The story of Beauty and The Beast has such an amazing message of true love and being accepted that I wanted to recreate the scenes with my daughter. I also wanted to create something my daughter would have forever that showed the fun relationship and the love I have for her." When he finally sat Nellee down for the big reveal of her present on Valentine's Day, her reaction was priceless. See it in the video below: Yes, our hearts melted, too. Rossi photographed the interior and exterior of three castles, five cities and randomly stopped at villages along the way to paste together the beautiful scenes from "Beauty and the Beast." He extensively used his Photoshop skills to copy, paste and layer various different photos from his trip to create every photo. Below are some of the images he used to create the "Belle reading a book in the village" scene. Josh Rossi LOCAL PARTY: Foodies celebrate V-Day with champagne and chocolate in River Oaks "I realized that one of the most important things we can do as parents is spent time with our kids and play a little," Rossi writes online. "The time I spend with my daughter lately has been like that...dreaming and creating together and I love it!" The iconic yellow dress was designed and given to Rossi by designer Ella Dynae. Usually, a gown like Nellee's would have cost close to $400, Rossi told Chron.com, but thanks to Dynae the gown was given to the family at no charge. With the help of his daughter, wife Roxana, his photo assistant and sister, the Utah father was able to give an epic Valentine's Day gift to his daughter. One that she'll likely remember for her lifetime. By J. Keeler Johnson ("Keelerman") Twitter: @J_Keelerman With some of this week's best races scheduled to be run on Presidents' Day, the racing action on Saturday will be a little quieter than usual. However, handicappers with an eye on the Kentucky Derby will still get to enjoy an intriguing renewal of the $200,000 El Camino Real Derby (gr. III) at Golden Gate Fields, a nine-furlong race that has drawn a small but competitive field. Let's start handicapping! El Camino Real Derby (gr. III) As one of only two Kentucky Derby prep races still held over a synthetic track, the El Camino Real Derby tends to draw a different group of horses than most Derby preps. While there are usually a couple of proven dirt runners prepping for a potential run on the first Saturday in May, local runners with proven affinity for the Tapeta track are common, as are turf runners shipping in from the high-quality meets at Santa Anita and Del Mar. With that in mind, it's worth noting that success on turf has been almost a prerequisite for winning the El Camino Real Derby; five of the last six winners had distinguished themselves against good company on turf, and the only winner without turf experience (Tamarando) was already a Grade 1 winner on synthetic. As a result, it could pay to play against the chances of the two favorites Sheer Flattery and Ann Arbor Eddie, for while they are certainly the most accomplished runners in the race, they have been running exclusively on dirt and have no experience on turf or synthetic. Of the pair, Ann Arbor Eddie has the slightly better record-three wins from four starts, including two stakes races for California-breds-but Sheer Flattery has arguably kept better company, most recently finishing third in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (gr. III) on February 4th. In addition, Sheer Flattery is trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, who has won the El Camino Real Derby on six occasions. But keeping historical trends in mind, I believe the horse to beat might be Colonel Samsen, who is one of the longest shots in the field at 10-1 on the morning line. Trained by Eoin Harty, Colonel Samsen has been racing steadily since his debut last August and has already gotten eight races under his belt, including a runner-up effort behind future stakes winner Kitten's Cat in a one-mile maiden special weight on the turf at Kentucky Downs. However, Colonel Samsen has shown significant improvement in his last four races, beginning with an impressive maiden win on November 13th at Del Mar, in which he unleashed a tremendous surge to close 9 lengths in the final five-sixteenths of a mile and win by a neck. That running style is perfect for the El Camino Real Derby, which has been absolutely dominated by closers since being moved to Golden Gate Fields in 2009. Equally important, Colonel Samsen has already proven himself at Golden Gate Fields, where he won the one-mile Gold Rush Stakes on December 3rd with an off-the-pace rally. A subsequent attempt on dirt resulted in a sixth-place finish over a sloppy track in the Sham Stakes (gr. III) at Santa Anita, but Colonel Samsen rebounded to run third in the California Derby at Golden Gate Fields on January 21st, beaten just two lengths despite racing closer to the pace than usual and making an early bid for the lead. In the El Camino Real Derby, Colonel Samsen will be facing a field with a reasonable amount of early speed, which will hopefully allow him to settle near the back of the pack and make one run. Time will tell if he's good enough to defeat the two favorites, but the prospect of getting 10-1 on a horse that fits the profile of previous winners is very appealing. I think he'll give a very good account of himself. I also wouldn't underestimate the chances of Kona Dreams, a promising colt despite the fact that he's still a maiden after four starts. He's kept some good company so far, losing his debut by a nose and running third by 1 lengths to Colonel Samsen in the latter's maiden win at Del Mar. Kona Dreams has been favored in two of his four races and has enjoyed the services of top jockeys Rafael Bejarano, Gary Stevens, and Mike Smith, so there's evidence that this is a well-regarded runner, and while his front-running/pace-pressing style might not be perfect for Golden Gate Fields, Kona Dreams has flashed enough talent in two-turn turf races to suggest that he could be a factor in the El Camino Real Derby. Now it's your turn! Who do you like in the El Camino Real Derby? ***** Two-time Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Nick Zito has been on a roll during the winter meet at Gulfstream Park, going 9-for-46 so far to compile an impressive 20% win rate. One of his wins came on February 5th with the three-year-old gelding Lenstar, who broke through with an impressive maiden win after finishing behind horses like Malagacy, Petrov, Warrior's Club, and Fact Finding in his previous starts. Sent off as the narrow second choice in a six-furlong maiden special weight, Lenstar showed speed from the start and carved out fractions of :22.32 and :45.35, at which point he held a 3 1/2-length lead. He maintained that advantage early in the homestretch and extended it through the final furlong, pulling away to win by 6 1/4 lengths in the final time of 1:10.71 seconds. For his effort, the Virginia-bred son of Shackleford earned a respectable Beyer speed figure of 85. With six starts under his belt dating back to last August, he has more foundation than most maiden winners, and while he's not currently nominated to the Triple Crown, I wouldn't be surprised if we see him turn up in a future Kentucky Derby prep race. ***** The Unlocking Winners Road to the Kentucky Derby Handicapping Challenge is back for a third consecutive year! Please be sure to post all entries, prime horses, and stable additions on the official contest page. Thanks, and enjoy the racing! ***** J. Keeler Johnson (also known as "Keelerman") is a writer, blogger, videographer, handicapper, and all-around horse racing enthusiast. A great fan of racing history, he considers Dr. Fager to be the greatest racehorse ever produced in America, but counts Zenyatta as his all-time favorite. He is the founder of the horse racing website www.theturfboard.com. Houston's year-over-year consumer spending growth dropped 2.91 percent in October 2016, according to JPMorgan Chase Institute's Local Consumer Commerce Index released Wednesday. Houston's drop was the steepest of the 15 U.S. cities examined, but the decline was an improvement from prior months. Houston's consumer spending growth was down 3.53 percent in September, 6.08 percent in August and 4.24 percent in July. RELATED: Houston sales tax revenue fell in December For the 15 cities overall, October 2016 year-over-year consumer spending growth declined by 0.3 percent making it the fourth consecutive month of negative growth. Five of the 15 cities analyzed saw positive growth, and Denver had the fastest growth at 7.9 percent. "Despite a slight contraction, October 2016 brought some positive developments in local consumer commerce," Diana Farrell, president and CEO of the JPMorgan Chase Institute, said in a news release. "Large businesses helped drive this change, as did ongoing spending growth from millennials and low income consumers. We are hopeful that November and December brought continued increases thanks to local holiday spending." This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Suitsupply, a European menswear brand that entered the Texas market four years ago, opened a store in Market Street-The Woodlands Wednesday. The retailer, which sells made-to-measure suits, trousers, shoes and other apparel and accessories, has 70 locations internationally. The new 3,247-square-foot store is next to Orvis at 9595 Six Pine Drive. RELATED: Style-conscious men drive expansion of retail, grooming shops The first of four Texas locations opened at West Ave at Kirby and Westheimer in 2013. Market Street is owned by a venture of Trademark Property Co. and Institutional Mall Investors. A 19-year-old Cleveland man, Steven Lane Barnes, is facing criminal charges after he and another person allegedly burglarized vehicles at the Martin Chevrolet lot in the early morning hours of Feb. 15, authorities say. According to Capt. Scott Felts, spokesperson for Cleveland Police Department, Officers Erica Fleming and Jacob Malnar were patrolling River Street just after 2 a.m. Wednesday when they spotted a suspicious vehicle. "Officers observed a blue Mustang car with its brake lights on located on the south side of the Martin Chevrolet dealership. The officers initiated a traffic stop to investigate the activity," Felt said. "Upon doing so, two subjects jumped into the vehicle and fled from officers." The vehicle was stopped at the US 59 southbound feeder at Fostoria Ave., he said. The driver of the vehicle allegedly fled the vehicle on foot while the passenger, Barnes, was apprehended. "Officers found that one of the vehicles stored at Martin Chevrolet had been burglarized. The stolen property was recovered from the inside of the suspect's vehicle," Felts said. The driver has been identified and warrants for his arrest are expected shortly. Barnes is charged with Burglary of a Motor Vehicle, a Class A misdemeanor. Cleveland Police Chief Darrel Broussard said afterward, "I am very proud of our officers. They always keep a close eye on our businesses. We want our citizens and business owners alike to sleep sound at night, knowing we are looking out for them. I always encourage our officers to slow down, look and listen. It's a great way to catch a burglar in the act." This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A Liberty County constable who was hit by a car on Wednesday is in critical condition in an intensive care unit after a 3 a.m. surgery at Memorial Hermann Hospital. Precinct 1 Constable Justin Johnston suffered a critical head injury while directing traffic at a park and ride lot on Highway 146 north of Mont Belvieu at about 5:15 p.m. Investigators said the driver of a red pickup truck ignored a line of waiting vehicles and sped through a barricade, striking a sheriff's vehicle head-on. FIERY CRASH: Bystander saves 3 men in Fifth Ward The pickup then spun out sideways and hit Johnston, who was thrown into the air and struck his head on the ground. The rear wheel of the truck then ran over Johnston, Liberty County Sheriff's Capt. Ken DeFoor said in a release on Thursday, Feb. 16. The driver of the pickup, 39-year-old Samuel Leyva, of Cleveland, and his 8-year-old daughter also were airlifted to Memorial Hermann Hospital for treatment. According to Liberty County Sgt. Erik Burse, the child suffered minor injuries while Leyva's injuries are more extensive. "A blood draw from Mr. Leyva was taken at the hospital. Charges are pending and the investigation is ongoing," Burse said. SEX ON DUTY: Officers' alleged actions hampered 9-1-1 calls Johnston is serving his first term as constable, having taken the oath of office in January 2017. He is the father of two children and a native of Liberty, Texas. DeFoor said Liberty County deputies and constables have been assisting with traffic flow at this intersection for more than a year. The morning and evening traffic control is needed to allow construction workers to enter and leave the area safely. He said there were six patrol cars in the area when this incident occurred, and all units had their emergency lights on. Texas DPS is investigating, "and, hopefully, with time, can determine why someone would completely disregard all traffic control precautions and run over law enforcement personnel who were trying to control the traffic flow for the safety of others," DeFoor said. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate On Wednesday morning the organizers behind the Fress Press Summer Festival announced the music acts for its ninth annual event. Leading the lineup for the June 3-4 festival are Lorde, Solange, Flume, G-Eazy, Cage the Elephant, The Shins and Tove Lo. PARTY UP NORTH: Middlelands lines up Major Lazer, Rae Sremmurd, Kaskade, Phantogram Houston's own Solange, a critical darling, recently played the Super Bowl Live stage in downtown in front of a massive crowd. Her latest effort, "A Seat at the Table," was hailed as one of 2016's best albums and earned her a Grammy on Sunday for Best R&B Performance for the son "Cranes in the Sky." The FPSF lineup, 55 bands across four stages, is as heavy on dance, hip-hop, and indie-rock as always, attracting a young and dance-crazed crowd. Khruangbin, Rose Ette, The Wheel Workers, Bang Bangz, Deep Cuts, Camera Cult, and Kay Weathers lead the batch of locals set to appear. The full lineup is currently up on the FPSF site in full. The festival also will return to Eleanor Tinsley Park after two years spent on the grounds of NRG Park due to intense flooding at Buffalo Bayou Park. Fans of the festival much prefer the green grass of the park adjacent to downtown Houston. Last year's lineup was led by deadmau5, The National, Modest Mouse, The Chainsmokers, and Zeds Dead. EAST END FUN: Houston's 'sleeper hit' music festival Whatever Fest announces lineup FPSF debuted at that same park back in August 2009 and over the years has grown into an annual Houston tradition, bringing in diverse acts such as Willie Nelson, the Flaming Lips, Iggy and the Stooges, Jack White, Diplo, St. Vincent and Alabama Shakes over the years. It also has been the place to see local up-and-coming acts up before they go national, including The Suffers, Robert Ellis, Fat Tony and a host of others. Tickets for this year's festival are on sale now at the official festival website. VIP and Platinum ticket packages are available. For once, Flame the rodeo clown isn't dancing or cutting up. In profile, he seems thoughtful - maybe a bit noble. That's the moment Lucy Chen, a Katy teenager, captured in her oil painting, "The Entertainer." In 2016, it broke a rodeo record when it sold for $220,000 at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Chen's work was the Reserve Grand Champion at the school art auction, an annual fundraiser that offers up paintings, drawings and mixed-media pieces by area high school students. Students submit work based on rodeo and western themes, and about 60 are selected for auction. A portion of the auction money goes directly to the winning students; the rest funds the rodeo's education programs. Chen's work has been selected several years in a row, including when she was Reserve Grand Champion in 2014 as a high school freshman. Every year, she and the other student artists spend time with Flame, who entertains and chats them up before the auction. "He's the one at the chute telling us, 'You can do it.' " Flame is actually Richard Gruen, a member of the rodeo speakers committee who dresses up in overalls and paints his face every year. "I had no idea she was doing a painting," Gruen said, and when he saw the piece, he was speechless for the first time in his rodeo clown career. "I had no idea that doing what I've done the past 17 years - being a rodeo clown and having fun and trying to get kids to appreciate the rodeo - would have such an impact." For inspiration, Chen used a photo of Flame that her parents took at the 2015 auction. "I thought, 'You know, he's been at the auction all these years. I think it would be really cool to show my appreciation.' " This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Houston's Greater Heights is welcoming a slate of high-profile restaurant openings from familiar names. One of the neighborhood's biggest new debuts is Presidio, where renowned former Pax Americana chef Adam Dorris is helming the kitchen. Dorris partnered with Charles Bishop and contractor Taylor Lee to open this new spot at 911 W. 11th, in the space that formerly house Java Java. >>See the gallery above for a roundup of recently opened Greater Heights establishments, as well as a full list of the area's essential bars and restaurants. That restaurant was initially going to be called 60 Pioneers, a collaboration between Bishop and chef Lyle Bento, but a lawsuit put an abrupt end to that project. Instead, Dorris joined the team and curated a smart menu for Presidio, which is Spanish for military post. CHEFS NAME THEIR GO-TO DISHES: Houston chefs pick their favorite dishes on their own restaurant menus "Our partnership blossomed and it made sense for me to just go for it," Dorris told Chronicle food editor Greg Morago earlier this month. That's just the start of a quickly expanding hub of exciting places to drink and dine in the area. There are several in the works now, some of which are expected to open in the coming months. Matthew Pak and Shawn Bermudez will be bringing their second Burger Joint outpost to 2002 N. Shepherd this spring. Bermudez is known for his Lower Westheimer curve establishments, which include Stone's Throw and Boondocks, among others. Pak is a Heights resident who said he's excited to being this concept to his "own backyard." FIRST LOOK: Presidio in the Heights Another popular burger place coming to the neighborhood is Bernie's Burger Bus. Owner Justin Turner said he expects it will be open by mid-April. This location, at 2200 Yale, will include a sentimental touch. In following with his other spots, in Bellaire and Katy, this restaurant will also include a bus facade installed in the dining area, but the Heights is welcoming the very first Bernie's Burger Bus to hit the road. "We'll have a plaque saying it's the final resting place of bus No. 1," he said, adding that they would be bringing along their spiked milkshakes, collection of local brews and cocktail program. Also in the works for the Greater Heights is Hughie's Tavern, a Southern-meets-Vietnamese restaurant that's also known for its extensive selection of local craft beer. It's expected to debut at the space that formerly housed both Canard bar and Foreign Correspondents, 4721 N. Main St., sometime in early summer. POWER TEAM: Heugel and Yu to team up for new Heights concept Another highly anticipated establishment is Oxheart chef/owner Justin Yu and Anvil owner Bobby Heugel's upcoming project at 544 Yale, where Dry Creek Cafe once stood. Details so far have been scarce, but between Yu, a James Beard Best Chef Southwest winner, and spirits expert Heugel, this should be among the bigger openings of the year. Yu is also working on closing Oxheart as we know it now, a by-reservation tasting menu restaurant, to reopen that space in March with an a-la-carte menu. Lee Ellis' Cherry Pie Hospitality will debut Starfish at 191 Heights Blvd., in the space that formerly housed Bradley's Fine Diner, sometime in March. The menu has not been released, but expect Southern comfort food with plenty of seafood options from chef/partner Jim Mills. Chef/restaurateur Ryan Hildebrand, who recently closed Triniti Restaurant and Sanctuari Bar at 2815 S. Shepherd, but he's slated to debut FM Kitchen and Bar at 1112 N. Shepherd as soon as March. It was originally called FM Burger, but the name changed as of the closing of Triniti. Deer Park Independent School District was among education institutions earning the highest honor in at an architecture exhibit for its renovation of Deer Park High School North Campus. The district, along with San Jacinto College District and Northwest ISD, recently received "Caudill Class" recognition, the highest honor in the Annual Exhibit of School Architecture. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A Dallas County jury Tuesday found a former neurosurgeon guilty of maiming a 73-year-old woman, one victim in a string of alleged intentionally botched surgeries. Christopher Duntsch, who in an email reportedly said that he wanted to "leave the love and kindness and goodness and patience" and "become a cold-blooded serial killer," faces life in prison for injury to an elderly person. Jurors deliberated just four hours before finding him guilty, the Dallas Morning News reports. Duntsch operated on Mary Efurd in 2012, when she was 74, and she lost the use of her leg and a third of her blood. "I trusted that he would do what was right," she testified. HIS OTHER ALLEGED VICTIMS: Former surgeon, who allegedly said he wanted to be a serial killer, stands trial in Dallas "I'll do some crying. And I'll reflect back on how difficult those first months were afterwards. I had so much anger, because my life changed so much," she told reporters at the court, according to Dallas Magazine. That publication once nicknamed him "Dr. Death" in an earlier article. "I was very independent and I had to become dependent on others for transportation, for my meals, for a lot of things." web site His defense attorneys claimed the damage was not intentional, that it was based on a mere lack of training, and that his peers said he operated "at the level of a first-year resident." They also described a hectic operating room at Dallas Medical Center. Although some colleagues painted a very different picture. One reportedly told the Texas Observer that "it seemed Duntsch had learned everything perfectly just so he could do the opposite. Another doctor compared Duntsch to Hannibal Lecter three times in eight minutes." LAWSUIT: Texas dentist facing child indecency charges sues son for calling him an 'abusive pedophile' online The surgeon is also accused of crippling four patients and causing two deaths between 2012 and 2013. Prosecutors referred to his hands and surgical instruments as "deadly weapons." They claimed he "intentionally, knowingly and recklessly" injured more than a dozen patients. In a deposition, a woman, Megan Kane, said that his social life involved alcohol and drug abuse. RELIEF: Doctor removes 130-pound tumor from Mississippi man "After they all partied through the night, powered by LSD and cocaine, she said she saw Duntsch put on his lab coat to make rounds the next morning," Dallas Magazine reports. LAWSUIT: Texas dentist facing child indecency charges sues son for calling him an 'abusive pedophile' online One of his patients, Kellie Martin, died in July 2012, after he performed spinal surgery on her. Emotional testimony revealed she'd been in intense pain, and that Duntsch had told her husband she would be fine. Floella Brown, another of his former patients, was found unresponsive in her hospital room in 2012, the Texas Observer reported. See video above for a look at new practices that could help stroke patients. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Houston and Harris County are poised to decriminalize low-level possession of marijuana in a sweeping move that puts the area at the forefront of efforts in Texas to halt minor drug arrests that clog jails and courts. District Attorney Kim Ogg announced the new policy Thursday with Mayor Sylvester Turner, Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo and Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez. The policy, set to begin March 1, means that misdemeanor offenders with less than four ounces of marijuana will not be arrested, ticketed or required to appear in court if they agree to take a four-hour drug education class, officials said. SWIFT RESPONSE: Reaction strong from both sides on DA's plan to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana Ogg said the county has spent $25 million a year for the past 10 years locking up people for having less than 4 ounces of marijuana. She said those resources would be better spent arresting serious criminals such as burglars, robbers and rapists. "We have spent in excess of $250 million, over a quarter-billion dollars, prosecuting a crime that has produced no tangible evidence of improved public safety," she said. "We have disqualified, unnecessarily, thousands of people from greater job, housing and educational opportunities by giving them a criminal record for what is, in effect, a minor law violation." Officials have said it could divert an estimated 12,000 people a year out of the criminal justice system and would save officers hours of processing time now spent on low-level cases. More than 107,000 cases of misdemeanor marijuana cases have been handled in the past 10 years, officials said. CRITICISM: Ogg under fire for new marijuana plant Since there is no arrest, there is no arrest record. Since there is no court date, there are no court documents connected to the encounter. The plan calls for officers to seize the marijuana and drop it off at a police station at the end of their shift, along with a record of the encounter in case the suspect does not take the class. "You do not get charged with anything," Assistant District Attorney David Mitcham, who heads the DA's trial bureau, said Wednesday. "You have a pathway where you can avoid going to court." TOUGH LESSON: Texas cop lets teen do 200 pushups instead of arrest of marijuana Every Harris County law enforcement agency would be affected, since they rely on the district attorney's office to prosecute their cases. Ogg, a Democrat who beat incumbent Republican District Attorney Devon Anderson in the November general election, campaigned as a reform candidate who pledged to reduce arrests for low-level drug offenses. Reaction to the proposal was swift, coming even before details of the program were officially unveiled. Montgomery County District Attorney Brett Ligon sharply criticized the proposal, saying Ogg was trying to legalize marijuana. JOINT VENTURE: Marijuana business driving merger of two Texas companies "Unlike Harris County, Montgomery County will not become a sanctuary for dope smokers," Ligon said in a press release. "I swore an oath to follow the law all the laws, as written by the Texas Legislature. I don't get to pick and choose which laws I enforce." The Houston chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, praised the program. "Law enforcement should focus on protecting our communities instead of wasting their resources arresting people and ruining their lives over a misdemeanor amount of cannabis," the organization said in a press release. "Our DA is taking a brave course of action to minimize the detrimental affect that prohibition has on our communities." At the sheriff's office, the new policy will save up to 12 hours of processing time per month for as many as 1,000 suspects, a move that will ease the workload on administrators and jailers who transfer and process inmates, officials said. "We're really encouraged by these swift actions by the district attorney," said sheriff's spokesman Ryan Sullivan. "And we are looking forward to working with Harris County's criminal justice leadership identifying common-sense solutions to our broken criminal justice system." STRANGE FRUIT: The ingenious ways smugglers disguise drugs in food Sullivan said the move would likely not affect the jail population significantly, since most misdemeanor marijuana offenders move quickly in and out of jail. On Wednesday, just 12 people were jailed on misdemeanor marijuana offenses and unable to make bail, he said. Elected district attorneys are given wide latitude in their discretion about how to enforce laws in their jurisdictions. Diversion programs, such as drug courts, have been widely used across Texas, and Austin has launched a "cite and release" program in which low-level drug offenders are given tickets and required to appear in court. Under the new local program, police would identify a suspect to make sure they do not have warrants or other legal issues, then would offer them the option of taking the drug education class. If the suspect takes the class, the drugs are destroyed and the agreement is filed away. LESS PENALTIES: Texas legislators file bills aimed at decriminalizing marijuana A suspect would be able to take the class over and over again regardless of past criminal history, officials said. The new program will keep police on the streets longer each day and reduce costs for lab testing of the drugs, Mitcham said. If the suspect does not take the class, the contraband will be tested, and prosecutors will file charges and issue an arrest warrant. Offenders could then face up to one year in jail if convicted of the Class A misdemeanor. In the past, police union officials have supported marijuana diversion programs as long as officers are allowed to drop evidence at police stations, instead of having to take it downtown. BUSTED: The biggest and craziest drug busts along the border Shortly after taking HPD's top post in December, Acevedo who previously was chief in Austin voiced similar sentiments about low-level drug cases, saying police should go after drug dealers rather than users. He could not be reached for comment Wednesday. "For those that are involved in the violence of the drug trade, that's who I want to focus on," he said in December. "I want to focus on the people that are the big movers and shakers that are poisoning young people." Mitcham, who is one of Ogg's top lieutenants, agreed. "We don't want people to go through an arrest, and all that entails, over simple possession of marijuana," he said. "We don't want the cops spending the hours it takes to book somebody into jail while the burglars conduct their business because there's no cop on the beat." Ogg, who lost the 2014 election for DA before unseating Anderson last year, has long campaigned on a diversion initiative. Part of Ogg's platform was adopted by Anderson, who created a diversion program in 2014. Under Anderson's plan, only first offenders were eligible to take the diversion program and could take it only once. Under that plan, they were arrested, jailed, had to arrange bail and come to court to apply for a year-long probation. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg - who campaigned on promises to go easier on low-level drug offenders - is under fire for plans to change the way her office handles misdemeanor marijuana cases. Ogg, who took office Jan. 1, is expected to announce her plan Thursday at a press conference with Mayor Sylvester Turner, Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo and Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez. BLUNT VIEW: Ligon calls out Harris County DA Even before her plan was officially rolled out, however, news of the change prompted Montgomery County District Attorney Brett Ligon to attack Ogg, saying was trying to legalize marijuana. "Unlike Harris County, Montgomery County will not become a sanctuary for dope smokers," Ligon said in a press release. "I swore an oath to follow the law all the laws, as written by the Texas Legislature. I don't get to pick and choose which laws I enforce." LEGAL OPINION: Judge says Texas teacher shouldn't be punished for marijuana use in Colorado DA spokesman Dane Schiller declined to give details of the plan. Asked for a response to Ligon's assertions, he said the details of the initiative would be released Thursday. Ogg, a Democrat who beat incumbent Republican District Attorney Devon Anderson in the November general election, campaigned as a reform candidate who wanted to reduce the time it takes police to arrest low-level drug offenders and the cost for the county to jail them. She has estimated that diverting 12,000 people from jail would save Harris County more than $10 million. Elected district attorneys are given wide latitude in their discretion about how to enforce laws in their jurisdictions. Diversion programs, like drug courts, have been widely used across Texas. Ligon, a Republican, said Ogg is trying to legalize pot instead of pursuing violent criminals. "Despite a rise in violent crime rates in Harris County, Ms. Ogg chooses to focus her attention on the issue of legalization of marijuana," Ligon said. "I hope it's a mistake in judgment on her part and not a sign of things to come. HIGH TIME: What it's like to attend a $125 marijuana pairing dinner where guests eat and get high Ligon said he found out about her plans from fliers that went up around the Capitol in Austin this week from Texans for Responsible Marijuana. He said he doubts the study that the organization touts regarding the dismissal rate for misdemeanor cases. "Experienced prosecutors know that misdemeanor possession cases are usually filed in combination with other charges and are likely dismissed as part of a plea to another matter, or disposed of through pre-trial diversion programs, only after the defendant has had the opportunity to receive drug and alcohol treatment and counseling," he said. brian.rogers@chron.com twitter.com/brianjrogers This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The Harris County district attorney's plan to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana drew reactions swift and strong Thursday from both sides of the debate. District Attorney Kim Ogg made the announced Thursday backed by a bevy of local officials, including Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo, Sheriff Ed Gonzalez and Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis. "The sky will not fall," Acevedo said as he voiced his support. "There are already critics out there. We've been down this path before with my old department. Rather than see an uptick in crime, in the city of Austin we reduced violent crime between 2007 and 2014 by 40 percent." NEW DIRECTION: New policy to decriminalize marijuana in Harris County will save time, money, DA's office says Ellis, a former state senator, likewise praised the move. "For too long, Harris County jails have been filled with people arrested for minor offenses like misdemeanor marijuana possession, leading to dangerous overcrowding and costly prosecutions that do nothing to improve overall public safety," he said. "This new diversion program has the potential to intervene in this vicious cycle by offering people the opportunity to avoid jail and the stigma of a drug conviction with regard to marijuana possession." Montgomery County District Attorney Brett Ligon, however, accused Ogg of trying to legalize marijuana and breaking state law. "Unlike Harris County, Montgomery County will not become a sanctuary for dope smokers," Ligon said in a press release. "I hope it's a mistake in judgment in judgment on her part and not a sign of things to come." PUSH BACK: Ogg under fire for new marijuana plant Bellaire Police Chief Byron Holloway, however, said the program seems similar to a program former District Attorney Devon Anderson put into place. "At first blush, I'm not seeing a difference," he said. "This is basically giving deferred adjudication up front." He said he generally favors alternatives to arrests, and expects that the new district attorney will work closely with his office to clear up any questions about the program. "We're always searching for alternatives because not everybody always needs to be in jail," he said. Some community activists, including a contingent from Houston NORML - the National Organization for Reform of Marijuana Laws - praised the inititive. "We've been fighting for this for a while, so this is elating," said Sam Oser, communications director for the pro-marijuana group, which campaigned for Ogg last year. "We're very excited that she's following through with her promises." The Texas Organizing Project, which organizes minority efforts in Harris County and two other counties, said the move could particularly help people of color. "Jailing people for possessing small amounts of marijuana never made sense," according to an emailed statement from Mary Moreno, TOP communications director. "But it did invite racial profiling by making it easier to jail black men and people of color. ... Today justifies people's faith in Kim Ogg." This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate SAN ANTONIO National media is taking up the case of a 29-year-old San Antonio woman's strange disappearance in 2016, taking a closer look at the turmoil surrounding the woman's relationship with her husband. Crime Watch Daily with Chris Hansen recently aired an investigative piece on the disappearance of Bianca Carrasco, who was last seen on May 1 in San Antonio. Crime Watch Daily investigators spoke with members of Carrascos family and local police and attempted to speak with her husband, who the program revealed was at one point her uncle. RELATED: SAPD still looking for mother of three who disappeared 6 months ago Carrasco's sister, Jovanna Burney, told Crime Watch Daily that Bianca and her husband, Joe Daniel Carrasco, had a rocky relationship starting from when she married him at age 18. Joe Daniel was previously married to Biancas aunt, according to Barbara Talamantez, Bianca's mother. Talamantez described Biancas husband as a family wedge, and said she had not spoken to her daughter in years. Burney said Bianca had just graduated as a registered nurse the October before she disappeared. She had also asked for a divorce from her husband and had changed her status to divorced on Facebook. Bianca started seeing other men, nothing serious, but her husband may have found out about it by looking at her phone, Crime Watch Daily reported. RELATED: Disappearance of 29-year-old mother of three in San Antonio grabs national attention of Nancy Grace Carrasco later sent the following text to her sister: "Daniel emptied the account and opened another account without my name on it, so I have no access to money except my credit card which is almost at the limit." Carrasco said in the text message. "I will not be controlled by a man and money." Carrasco was last seen on May 1, when she reportedly got into an argument with her husband before leaving the home they shared in San Antonio. Burney finds the circumstances around Carrascos disappearance suspicious, and doesnt believe her sister would just leave her three children with her husband. The Crime Watch Daily team tried several times to get Joe Daniel Carrasco to speak on the record, but he refused to speak with them when they approached him in Odessa, where he now lives with his children. San Antonio police spokesman officer Douglas Greene spoke with Crime Watch Daily and said the husband cooperated with the case, but initially did not file a police report for the disappearance of Bianca because he thought she would come back. "Some people, they go missing, they're adults, they just don't want to be contacted," Greene said in an interview with the TV program. Joe Daniel Carrascos attorney, Joseph F. Hoelscher, released the following statement to the TV program: The Carrasco family is deeply grateful for the kind thoughts and prayers of so many people as they continue trying to adjust to their new lives. Joe and the children remain hopeful for Biancas safe return. Carrasco was last seen in the 16000 block of Walnut Creek Drive and was wearing a blue jean jacket, multi-colored leggings and wedge shoes. She also had a pink Prada purse and black Prada wallet. RELATED: San Antonio police searching for 29-year-old woman missing since May 1 The missing woman has shoulder-length brown hair, is right handed, has a large surgery scar on her abdomen and a tattoo of the letter B on her left hip, according to previous reports. Carrasco had been involved in an argument over marital issues with her husband, who may have removed money from her bank account and took her phone prior to her disappearance, according to a missing person report. The San Antonio Police Department said Friday they have no new leads in her disappearance, but anyone with information about her whereabouts should contacted the SAPD Missing Persons Unit at 210-207-7660. Text "Breaking" to 48421 for breaking news alerts from mySA.com twhite@mysa.com Twitter: @tylerlwhite A man North Texas wanted by authorities should be fairly easy to identify thanks to a unique tattoo choice. The Denton County Sheriff's Office is looking for Michael Crawford, who also goes by "Quick," on multiple charges. In a Facebook post Tuesday, DCSO asked the public to look out for the fugitive, who appears to have the word "pimpish" tattooed across his neck. If youre nostalgic for a simpler, notification-free mobile phone era, have we got news for you. At the 2017 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona later this month, HMD Global Oy, the Finnish manufacturer that holds the rights to the Nokia brand, reportedly will unveil four phones -- including a revamp of the beloved Nokia 3310. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate In a somber gathering punctuated by tears, protesters gathered outside the Harris County Jail on Wednesday, lobbing accusations and demanding answers in the death of a 32-year-old inmate earlier this week. Vincent Young, a father of nine who would have turned 33 on Saturday, was found dead in an infirmary cell Monday evening. His death was ruled a suicide, but some who knew him are skeptical. "I know my son wouldn't take his own life," Vincent Laday said, breaking down into sobs. Ryan Sullivan, a spokesman for the Harris County Sheriff's Office, declined to comment on the case, citing an ongoing investigation. He confirmed that Young had filed many grievances during his various jail stays, although he could not immediately provide specifics about any of them. Guards making their rounds found Young's body hanging by a bed sheet just after 7 p.m., according to the sheriff's office. Young's supporters including local activist Quanell X believe there's more to the story. "In 2007 and 2008, he was brutally beaten inside the Harris County Jail," Quanell said. "They whitewashed that investigation, swept it under the rug, flushed it down the damn toilet because they don't give a damn about young black men being beaten in this jail." Although he continued to bounce in and out of jail for another decade, Young reportedly feared for his safety. "He specifically told his mother, his wife and his father that they told him if he ever came back they were going to kill him," Quanell said. "He specifically told them, 'If I come up dead, it's not a suicide.' " After seeing pictures of Young's body, his supporters have more questions. "He has suspicious bruising on his body, a severely busted lip," Quanell said, adding that the jail has a "systemic history" of abuse. "We are demanding that the Department of Justice step in and take over this investigation." Young, who was facing drug and gun charges, had been booked into the county jail 31 separate times part of a lengthy arrest record dating back to at least 2002. At the time of his death, Young was in the infirmary for detoxification, according to the sheriff's office. But according to his family, he was set to be bailed out and he knew it. "My husband was supposed to be released the next day," Kim Young tearfully told the crowd outside the jail. "When I went and saw him, I let him know this is when he was coming home." Black Lives Matter activist Ashton Woods said the case's inconsistencies need to be addressed. "We want Sheriff Ed Gonzalez to answer the questions. We want video, we want DNA evidence, and we will not stop until this family has all the answers they deserve," he said. Gonzalez tweeted his condolences Wednesday evening. "Very sorry for the loss. Thoughts & prayers are with the family. Open to meet w/you and answer questions." Young's passing is the most recent in a string of in-custody deaths in Harris County in recent years. Between 2005 and 2015, 150 inmates died in the county jail, according to data compiled by the Texas Justice Initiative. In 2016, the jail made national news when inmate Patrick Brown was beaten to death a day after he was locked up on a misdemeanor assault charge. Afterward, the U.S. Department of Justice launched an inquiry examining the jail conditions that led to four deaths from assault or head trauma in a one-year period under former Sheriff Ron Hickman. Despite the controversy, Sullivan was quick to point out that the facility's suicide rate is low in comparison to other large jails. Nationwide, 46 inmates per 100,000 kill themselves in county jails, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics. Sullivan said Harris County's rate is roughly one-third that. "The number of suicides we stop is much more staggering than the numbers that are successful," he added. That was little consolation to Young's friends and family. "This is injustice," Woods said. "This is what it means, this is what it looks like. We demand justice for Vincent Young." This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate More than 100 years ago, a prominent Houstonian gathered a dozen women in her home to brainstorm creating a place where low-income families and immigrants could receive help in their community. Alice Graham Baker wanted to replicate the settlement house movement, originally started in London, that placed houses in various neighborhoods, providing education and job training for residents. Her dream of helping people find their way in a new city has evolved into a burgeoning organization, now referred to as Neighborhood Centers, with 70 sites that serve nearly 500,000 people. The non-profit announced Thursday its name is changing to BakerRipley, to honor the contributions of the two families who conceptualized and funded the organization. "A lot of people look at neighborhoods, they look at immigrants, at low-income families, and they see them in terms of their problems," said Angela Blanchard, CEO and president of the organization. "We are driven instead by hunger that we find in each of those communities, and those individuals looking for a place for themselves in the world." Baker, whose husband James Baker served as board chairman of Rice University, was friends with Edith Ripley and her husband Daniel, a banker and civic leader. The two prominent Houston families traveled in the same social circles and held similar convictions about helping the less fortunate. When Ripley's husband died, she funded the creation of Ripley House in the East End to honor him. The house eventually became the headquarters for Houston's Settlement Association. Blanchard recalls stories of Edith pulling up in a red Rolls Royce outside of Ripley House to drive kids to the movies. Through the name change, Blanchard wanted the public to understand how instrumental the two women were in founding the organization during its 110th anniversary. "I was thinking people would say why are we called BakerRipley," Blanchard said. "These two stories would get told and they would be relevant because there's nothing more relevant than welcome, than providing places for people to earn, learn and belong." Neighborhood Centers has become a pillar in the Houston community since its inception in the early 1900s. The organization has centers and schools dotted across Houston, including on the outskirts like Missouri City and Pasadena. It provides classes on job training, language and ways to get politically involved. Susan Baker, granddaughter-in-law to Alice Baker, said her family is proud that her contributions to Houston is being remembered. "It was a very caring and humanitarian effort on their part, but also they saw the city needed this," she recalled of her grandmother-in-law. "[They thought] these people are a resource that can be productive if they're given what they need to succeed." Blanchard said when Baker created the first settlement house in 1907, Houston was receiving an influx of immigrants from all over the world. "People were coming and they weren't going home," Blanchard said. "They needed a place to land. They needed a welcome mat." Baker provided that welcome mat for countless new Houstonians trying to pave a way to a better life. The first center provided a nurse who could treat people on site, but also visited others within the neighborhood. The program also established a day care and education classes for families. More than 100 years later, the center's values remain the same. "Early on we had language classes, we still do," Blanchard said. "We taught people about financial matters and we introduced them to banking. We had a credit union in the thirties. We have a credit union now." The organization makes sure to reach out to neighbors, going directly to them asking them about what they want to see in their community, and about their goals and dreams. Townes Pressler, who serves on the board of the Ripley Foundation, said it makes perfect sense that the organization would merge the two names. He said the Ripley foundation helps fund the buildings used as neighborhood centers located across the city. "I just think it's a deal made in heaven," Pressler said. "The Ripleys and the Bakers were interested in their fellow man. They were engaged in making Houston a welcoming place and giving opportunities to support people who wanted to work." Blanchard said it's often forgotten that two women helped shape what became a pillar of community service in the Houston area. She doesn't want their efforts to go unrecognized. "(Alice Baker's) idea was that every resident have access to education and work with dignity and healthy living surroundings," Blanchard said. "That is so authentically American. That's still something we can say that we're trying to live up to." Carlisle Police Thursday announced they have arrested seven people in connection with heroin distribution in Carlisle and the surrounding communities. The seven arrested are Tyfeek Carter, 20, Quasim Presley, 20, Thomas Beal, 31, and Reginald Brown, 33, all from Philadelphia; Gerald Anderson III, 32, of Harrisburg; and Alex Nelms, 32, and Christopher Weiss, both from Carlisle. Six face varying counts of felony possession with intent to deliver and use of a communication facility. Bail was denied for Carter, Presley and Beal, who were arrested this week. Brown and Nelms were arrested in late January and both posted or partially posted cash bail. Anderson remains in Cumberland County Prison in lieu of $99,000 cash bail. No docket information was available for Weiss. Police said the arrests stem from an intensive investigation with assistance from the Pennsylvania State Police and the Cumberland County Drug Task Force. Carlisle Police have seen a steady rise in the use and distribution of heroin within the borough, as well as the surrounding communities, police said in a release. Heroin-related deaths are on the rise, and the quality of life of residents in drug-infected communities is suffering. Police said investigators determined the heroin coming to Carlisle was primarily making its way from Philadelphia. Police established numerous targets in Philadelphia, who they say were trafficking large amounts of heroin into local hotels for distribution throughout Carlisle. Police said local drug dealers saw an opportunity to make money by also selling heroin to their neighbors, so they also began to bring heroin back from Philadelphia and other area cities. Police said the arrests are just the beginning of the departments work against heroin distribution. Numerous arrests are still pending, according to police. The first wave of arrests resulted in the seizure of heroin with a street value of more than $33,000, as well as more than $13,000 in cash, multiple vehicles and other miscellaneous property. It is the hope of the Carlisle Police Department that the arrests will solidify the fact that heroin dealers will be targeted for criminal prosecution if they sell drugs in our community, police said in the release. People that choose to sell heroin in the Carlisle community should expect to be arrested. A gruesome scene at the Hilton in downtown Fort Worth is being investigated as a murder-suicide after two women were found dead inside one of the rooms. According to an article Fort Worth Star Telegram, police discovered Charlott Livingston, 53, and Fayth Norman, 15 were discovered in a bed with fatal gunshot wounds. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate One promise President Donald Trump has made very clear he will keep is his border wall. It's a strong point of contention for lawmakers who are hoping to protect American "Dreamers" or undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children. Congress has until March 5 to make a decision lest there be another government shutdown. According to an internal report seen by Reuters in 2017, Trump's wall would close the gaps between the already existing fencing on the border. HISTORIC: Photos transport viewers to the 1930s along Texas-Mexico border Now Playing: US President Donald Trump's own budget proposals, to be laid out on Monday, include a request for three billion dollars as a down-payment on his Mexican border wall. An administration official said the money would go towards purchasing private land in the Rio Grande Valley in south Texas and advance purchases of steel. The current plan is to build some 200 kilometres of wall this year combining funding from 2018 and 19. The border wall was a signature issue for Trump in his 2016 presidential election campaign. He pledged that Mexico would pay for the wall, which the Mexican government has insisted it will not do. Video: Euronews The report floated a price tag of $21.6 billion with a 3.5-year construction time. With 654 miles of the border already fenced, and Trump's 1,250 mile wall in the pipe, only a few hundred miles of the border would remain unfortified. While there's no telling how the wall will look, or how it will impact the communities that live directly on the border, the existing fencing might provide a good template for how people live near a highly-guarded border. MEDIEVAL METHODS: Border agents found another catapult flinging drugs over the US-Mexico border As an ongoing project, Agence France-Presse has sent two photographers to Mexico and America, one on either side of the border, traveling from California to Texas. In some areas, the U.S.-Mexico border blurs and it's hard to tell what side is being photographed. Other times, the difference is as clear as day and night. Click through above to see images of the U.S.-Mexico border. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A resolution introduced into the Texas state legislature is urging Texans to think twice before using a certain flag emoji. House Concurrent Resolution 75, "urging Texans not to use the flag emoji of the Republic of Chile when referring to the Texas flag," was introduced by Republican State Representative Tom Oliverson from Cypress on Thursday. "Most major electronic messaging applications provide a number of flag emojis, including that of the Republic of Chile, but the official flag of Texas, also known as the Lone Star Flag, is not included in the selection," Oliverson wrote in the resolution text. #TXLEGE: 85th Texas Legislature issues and players to watch 2017 The fact that Texas doesn't have any built-in emojis (besides the ones you can purchase in an app store) is another problem altogether. "All too often," Oliverson wrote "the Chilean flag emoji is used as a substitute for the Lone Star Flag in text messaging and on social media platforms; the Chilean flag proudly represents its country but, despite its similarity to the Texas flag, it does not represent the State of Texas." Oliverson goes on to describe the Chilean flag (seen here on EmojiPedia) with its proud history. "The colors of the Chilean flag depict sky, snow, and blood spilled while fighting for freedom, but the blue, white, and red of the Lone Star Flag stand for the Texan values of loyalty, purity, and bravery," he wrote. TRAE THA EMOJI: First look at rapper Trae Tha Truth's emoji set "Just as our flag could never fully embody the country of Chile, neither can the Chilean flag inspire feelings of pride and passion in the heart of a true Texan," he continued. And then it gets official. "That the 85th Legislature of the State of Texas hereby reject the notion that the Chilean flag, although it is a nice flag, can in any way compare to or be substituted for the official state flag of Texas and urge all Texans not to use the Republic of Chile flag emoji in digital forums when referring to the Lone Star Flag of the great State of Texas," the resolution concludes. Your move, emoji makers. A whole state implores you. On the surface, Donald Trump and Barack Obama couldn't appear more different. Trump is developer who was born rich, inherited a business from his father and who is, at least nominally, a Republican. Obama, raised by a single mom after his dad abandoned the family, is a Democrat. They have used each other as political foils since well before the 2016 election. While Energy Secretary-in-waiting and former Texas Gov. Rick Perry would be in the line of succession to become President once he's confirmed, it could take him a while to get there. There are 16 people in the order of Presidential succession and Perry isn't close to the top. The summers final Live on the Waterfront concert was held Wednesday evening at Prince Arthurs Landing. The popular series in Thunder Bay has completed nine weekly shows that began on July 13. Wednesdays concert was unique as it was held one hour later in the evening to mesh with the 10 p. People think and converse about many different subjects including their profession, events in their daily lives, their plans for the future, current local and world events, and people they know; just to name a few. However, unless one has recently attended a funeral for a loved one or acquaintance, death is a topic that many people would prefer not to think about or discuss. They may feel flustered by the thought of death itself, the process for handling a body after death, and managing personal feelings of loss. Funerals and other rituals surrounding the death of a loved one or acquaintance play an important role in many cultures. The National Funeral Directors Association has identified the following benefits of a traditional funeral: Assists in taking the first steps in the grief process by reinforcing the reality of death Offers an opportunity to express feelings of grief Encourages sharing of memories that celebrate and validate the life of the deceased Provides support from friends and family and acknowledges the loss within the community Creates a forum to share spiritual values and beliefs Allows mourners a structured activity or something to do during a disorienting time Serves as a rite of passage and important social ritual More than just a service for the person who has died, a funeral is for the loved ones who are left behind. Participating in a funeral can be a therapeutic act that actually starts the healing process. Business services related to funerals are regulated by the government. To be a funeral director, most states require at least a high school diploma, two years of college (part of which is in funeral service education), passage of a licensing exam, and an internship. Continuing education may also be required. In Pennsylvania, contracts and financial arrangements for funeral services can only be legally authorized by licensed funeral directors, and Pennsylvania licensing requirements include 60 college credits plus mortuary college, passage of a licensing exam, a one-year apprenticeship after education is completed, and six hours of continuing education every two years. The Pennsylvania Funeral Directors Association website (www.pfda.org) offers verification of a funeral directors license. Funeral directors provide a variety of services in order to appropriately meet the needs of not only the deceased individual, but also grieving loved ones. They may include responsibility and care of the deceaseds body, notification of important contacts, placement of an obituary in the newspaper, arrangements for religious or memorial services, some or all details related to burial or cremation, and many more. The list of decisions to be made and details to be managed is extensive, and can be overwhelming for loved ones during a time of grieving. Although considering ones own death may be unsettling, pre-planning for some of these details will relieve a portion of the burden from your loved ones, and help prevent potential decisions and actions which you might find objectionable. If you are curious about what actually happens at a funeral home, or the various options that are available for planning; you are invited to join Jill Lazar, Certified Preplanning Consultant and Licensed Funeral Director at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 23 for an informal presentation and discussion. We will be meeting at 555 Gettysburg Pike, Suite B -300 in the Mountain View Office Park, Mechanicsburg. Pre-registration is appreciated by calling 717-697-3223. Give your loved ones a final gift by removing some of the pressure from this obviously stressful time. We attempted to send a notification to your email address but we were unable to verify that you provided a valid email address. Please click here to update your email address if you wish to receive notifications. Otherwise, you may click here to disable notifications and hide this message. I admit right up front that when the subject is immigration, Im what the media loves to call a hardliner. When or why journalists came to embrace hardliner as their preferred word to describe Americans who believe in enforcing immigration law, Im not sure. But Im certain that reporters and their editors rarely miss an opportunity to use the pejorative hardliner in a not-too-subtle attempt to condemn those of us who feel that laws must be obeyed. How I became a hardliner is easy to explain. Americans have had little say in the immigration policies that the federal government has imposed. Even though immigration affects every aspect of citizens lives, the 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act and the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act, which both contributed hugely to Americans job displacement and the nations unsustainable population growth, were negotiated behind Congress closed doors, passed and signed with great media fanfare. The one time I voted directly on immigration, in 1994 on Californias successful Proposition 187 that would have reasonably limited some benefits to illegal immigrants, then-Governor Gray Davis conspired with the courts to overturn it. On average, more than one million legal, employment-authorized immigrants have arrived every year for more than two decades. The historically high immigration level has immeasurably hurt American workers. Most severely penalized are the underskilled and undereducated. Even two prominent immigration expansionists recognize the relationship between high immigration and stagnant wages: former President Barack Obama and Nobel Prize winner Paul Krugman. In his book, the Audacity of Hope, Obama wrote that record immigration threatens to depress further the wages of blue-collar Americans. Krugman, citing supply and demand principles, said that immigration reduces the wages of domestic workers who compete with immigrants. Keeping the borders wide open and having more than a half million non-immigrant visa guest workers employed at jobs Americans allegedly wont do has also economically hurt Americans who once worked in manual labor or in the service industry. If only Obama had followed through with what he knew instead of promoting more immigration, more refugees and amnesty during his two terms, maybe 95 million Americans wouldnt be detached from the labor force, many of them displaced by immigrant workers. The last Bureau of Labor Statistics jobs report, the final one of Obamas presidency, showed that the number of Americans not actively in the labor force increased by 14.6 million, or 18 percent, since January 2009. During Obamas last year, immigrant employment rose 38 percent faster than native employment. As for immigration-driven population growth, the topic remains taboo on both sides of the aisle. Researchers, however, are willing to explore what the current immigration rate means to population. The Pew Research Centers U.S. population projections found that if current immigration demographic trends continue, future immigrants and their descendants will be the major source of population growth. Between 2015 and 2065, immigrants and their children are projected to account for 88 percent of the U.S. population increase, or 103 million people, as the nation grows to 441 million. For a California guy who has photos in his family album of my parents, siblings and me on Santa Monica Beach without another soul in sight, the very idea of 441 million is frightening. As said at the outset, I readily acknowledge that Im an immigration hardliner a proud, uncompromising, absolutist about enforcing laws for the common good of working Americans, and future generations that deserve to live in an environment with a stabilized population. Joe Guzzardi is a Californians for Population Stabilization Senior Writing Fellow. Contact him at joeguzzardi@capsweb.org. Students and Tech Workers Look to Canada Following US Travel Ban CIC News Aa Accessibility Font Style Serif Sans Font Size A A The confusion surrounding the United States Executive Order that temporarily banned citizens from seven majority-Muslim countries from entering the US may have significant consequences for two key Canadian industries: the technology sector, and international education. The Executive Order, signed by US President Donald Trump on January 27, immediately prevented citizens of Iraq, Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen from entering the US. While the Canadian Minister of Immigration, Ahmed Hussen, stated that the White House had confirmed that Canadian citizens and permanent residents who hold citizenship in one of the seven countries would not be affected by the ban, numerous reports proved that many permanent residents and dual citizens of affected countries were being prevented from entering the US. Technology industry responds In the wake of the US Executive Order, tech companies in Canada were quick to highlight the country as an alternative destination for talented workers from the seven countries affected. The uncertainty provoked by the ban proved to be a principle concern in the community. The tech industry worldwide is frequently characterized by startups companies that start small. Founding a startup is typically a risky move, requiring a stable environment and a stable economy in order to succeed. Sunil Sharma, a partner at a Toronto venture capital firm, confirmed this. With [this] kind of uncertainty, entrepreneurs are finding it a riskier idea that they are going to be able to move or stay in the US, Sharma said, explaining that applications to Canadas Start-Up Visa Program had increased. The tech industry in Canada has been lobbying the Canadian government for several months to improve processing times for work permits. Their efforts are expected to prove successful in 2017 as the Global Skills Strategy intends to introduce two-week processing times for visas and work permits for low-risk, high-skill potential employees. This is particularly key for the tech industry, which relies upon an efficient and active immigration system in order to respond to the rapidly-changing needs of a modern technological environment. Canadas technology industry is experiencing a period of intense growth and creativity. The technology sector accounts for 7.1 percent of Canadas GDP, and employs almost 6 percent of the countrys working population. The Kitchener-Waterloo region in Southern Ontario is home to more than 1,000 tech companies, and has the highest number of start-ups in the world outside of Silicon Valley. Vancouvers tech industry is also a major player, employing more than 75,000 technology professionals and hosting three of Canadas four unicorns, or tech companies valued at more than $1 billion USD. Technology and international education Many of Canadas tech workers came to Canada from other countries, either as permanent residents or temporary foreign workers. These individuals may even have studied in Canada before finding employment in the industry. Technology subjects such as Computer Science and various fields of Engineering are among the most popular areas of study in Canada. International students look north The Trump Bump was felt by Canadas educational institutions as soon as the election result was confirmed in November, 2016. The online search phrase Canada colleges saw an immediate and significant boost in popularity. Throughout January, with application season well underway, accounts of Canadian universities and colleges receiving record levels of applications from American students filled media copy. University administrators attributed this not only to the election result, but also to increasing recruitment efforts and awareness of Canada as a study destination. After the introduction of the travel ban, Canadian universities and colleges scrambled to react as many of their students and faculty members found themselves in difficult positions. Universities Canada, an advocacy group for 97 Canadian universities, released a statement condemning the decision, and member universities quickly stepped in to voice their agreement with the statement. Several institutions waived application fees for students from the seven countries, and in some cases extended application deadlines. Many international students currently studying or considering studies in the US are looking to Canada as an alternative destination. This has proven to be the case not only for students and prospective students from the seven affected countries, but also for students from other countries who are concerned by the rhetoric emerging from the leadership of the worlds largest economy. Comparisons have been drawn between the travel ban in the US and the decision of UK voters to leave the European Union a move known as Brexit. Both of these events are reported to have discouraged potential international students from choosing to study in these countries. In looking for an alternative study destination, Canada has become a popular option for its comparatively low tuition and living costs, renowned institutions, and open attitude. As the US and UK are perceived to be closing their borders, Canada continues to welcome increasing levels of immigrants and refugees in the words of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Canadians will welcome you. Canada remains open to the world The travel ban is widely considered to go against fundamental principles of a collaborative intellectual society and entrepreneurial spirit that has united Canada and the US, says Attorney David Cohen. The technology and international education industries are predicated on a forward-thinking, open approach to engaging the worlds best minds. While it is commendable that Canada has responded with open arms to those affected, it is crucial to the advancement of key industries that policymakers reconcile the root cause of the divisions in the US that brought about such a divisive step. The private sector and academia also need to respond, and it looks like students and tech workers may have more opportunities in Canada over the coming years. Learn more about immigrating to Canada from the US. To find out if you are eligible to immigrate to Canada permanently, fill out a free online assessment form. 2017 CICNews All Rights Reserved You must always leave the wall The Fantasticks While the debate continues about when, how quickly and who will pay for a wall across Americas Southern border, at least one country known for its liberal politics is offering a lesson. The City of Light, Paris, France, has decided to spend 20 million euros ($22 million USD) to build a wall around the Eiffel Tower. Why? To limit the risk of terrorism. Bloomberg.com reports that a city official, Jean-Francois Martins, said the idea is to have a permanent and aesthetic barrier around the citys most famous landmark. Sadly, he said, the risk of terrorism hasnt gone away. When President Trump offers a similar rationale for building a wall between the United States and Mexico he is denounced by the left as a racist. Michael Rubin of the American Enterprise Institute, a public policy think tank, has made a useful contribution to the debate about walls. In an essay available on AEI.org, Rubin notes that unlike the Berlin Wall and other barriers to freedom that have been erected by totalitarian states, most walls and other deterrents, such as fences and mine fields have been installed to keep enemies and other undesirables out and contribute to national security. Israels wall, along the West Bank, which is more a security fence, was built in the aftermath of a terror campaign against the Jewish state. Since then the number of terrorist attacks have dropped by 90 percent. About the barrier between Algeria and Morocco, Rubin writes: Morocco fought a bloody insurgency and terrorist campaign sponsored by Algerias and Cubas Cold War proxy, the Polisario Front. The Polisario became ineffective, however, after Morocco built its famous fences, mine fields and ditches. The United Nations, of all entities, built a wall dividing Cyprus between its northern Turkish portion and the remaining Greek section after Turkey invaded and occupied parts of the island nation in 1974. Rubin adds that to cite international law as opposed to walls is, therefore, nonsense since the United Nations created the precedent. India and Pakistan have been hostile neighbors for decades, fighting wars in 1947, 1965, 1971 and 1999. About this, Rubin writes: Because Pakistani terror groups regularly try to infiltrate and wreak havoc in India, India constructed a border fence and wall system to keep Pakistanis out. Following skirmishes throughout the 1990s between Turkey and Syria, the Turkish government reinforced the border with fences, mine fields, and no mans land, and it worked, writes Rubin. The next fifteen years was largely quiet. It was only when Turkeys leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan removed many of the defenses and turned a blind eye to border security that the terrorism problem in Syria and its subsequent blowback inside Turkey itself grew so great. Rubin writes of other walls, including one between Saudi Arabia and Yemen and those built by Greece, Hungary and Spain. True, some walls throughout history have been less effective, but these latest ones are working. They are modern examples employing modern technology and better models than ancient ones from which we can learn and emulate. Readers may email Cal Thomas at tcaeditors@tribpub.com. BNM anunta concurs pentru postul vacant de expert coordonator (durata determinata) responsabil de control pe teren si din oficiu a sistemelor de plati The day the Department of the Army granted the final easement for the construction of the Dakota Access pipeline, I hopped into my pickup trucka beater that I rent from a localand drove straight to the Sacred Stone Camp. Darkness fell slowly over the yurt-village of campers, who were only then learning the news. Nearly a year earlier, a Cheyenne River Sioux environmentalist had erected the first teepee at Sacred Stone as part of a mass resistance campaign to stop the crude-oil line, known as the black snake. Since then, the camp had become the backdrop for reactionary Facebook Live feeds whenever the ongoing indigenous struggle flared. LaDonna Tamakawastewin Allard, who owns part of the camp property, was often the star attraction. In some videos, Allard stood with teams of protesters (who call themselves water protectors,) and called on the world to stand with Standing Rock, the reservation that straddles the states of North and South Dakota. Some of the people around her stared, silent. A few held fists in the air. On this night, the people I saw seemed untroubled. A man named Benji had just arrived to the camp earlier in the week. When I told him construction of the line was on its way to resuming, he shrugged his shoulders then combed his fingers through his thick auburn beard. I guess its to be expected, he said. Anyone who has followed the battle over the Dakota Access Pipeline knew that, under President Donald J. Trump, there would likely come a day when the controversial energy project would resume. During his first week in office, Trump took executive action to advance the permitting process of the $3.8 billion pipeline. Despite the odd complacency I encountered that night at Sacred Stone, and after speaking with several more Benjis, I wasnt taken aback. In chronicling the resistance movementwhich, at one point, drew as many as 14,000 people to Standing Rockthere has always been this sort of mellow vibe, especially at times that might alarm others. It was a dynamic that few of my journalism colleagues could understand from a distance. Sign up for weekly emails from the United States Project Whats the reaction from the camps? asked one message I received that night, as journalists considered whether they should return to the reservation. Ive written about the movement at Standing Rock for nearly six months, and had embedded myself there in December. Since then, Id grown used to receiving these kinds of messages. Are more people on their way? Are protests planned?!?! My colleagues messages always seemed to carry more urgency than anything I felt at the camps. And I detected their discouragement each time I replied that there was probably more action in the cities that they were texting me from than what was happening where I stood, near the border of the reservation. Yet while covering the resistance movement at Standing Rockan unprecedented moment in the history of the indigenous rights struggleI have watched, at times in agony, at how the media has handled this story. Had it not been for Trumpfor his sensationalized campaigning and his dramatic actions taken during his first weeks in officethe months-long standoff on the reservation might have been a major news item time and again. As police forces intensified their response to water protectors who insisted they were unarmed, scenes from Standing Rock came to resemble those from Black Lives Matter protests, many of which received greater news coverage. And as water protectors encountered chemical sprays, rubber-coated bullets, MRAP tanks and concussion grenades, the sentiment at Standing Rock became that it would take someone getting killed before it mattered to the mainstream. An elite press has watched the conflict through an unsteady lens. ON FEBRUARY 1, I was gathering interviews, and taking photographs of campers who had established a village atop historic treaty territory when police began arresting people. I complied with police requests to show my media credentials, and was asked to stand behind police lines and a semi-circle of teepees that police would soon order to be razed. I stood back even farther, several feet away from where the mass arrests were taking place; I didnt have my helmet or protective eyewear. As police disbanded a locked-arm circle of prayer demonstrators, an officer approached me and told me to leave the bluff. Walk or youre going to jail, he said. I was mulling over deadlines and reporting schedules when I realized, midway down the hill, that the officer who ordered me to leave had followed me. I implied that I was a journalist by telling the officer that other media remained on top of the hill, referring to two men I saw filming with DSLR camerasone of whom, a white man, can be seen in my photographs taken before my arrest. I was standing back. I was respectful, I told the officer. Still, I became one of 74 people detained that day, and now face charges of criminal trespassing and engaging in a riot, Class B misdemeanors that could result in jail time and fines. At least eight journalists have been arrested while covering the Dakota Access pipeline. None of their stories have received the sort of media attention given to Amy Goodman, the Democracy Now! host for whom an arrest warrant was issued in September by the Morton County Sheriffs Department. The charges against Goodman, who had her standing as a journalist challenged by a prosecutor, were rejected in October by a judge. They are the same charges I face now. Goodman spent her time in jail knowing she had the backing of her show, its lawyers, and millions of viewers, wrote Tracy Loeffelholz-Dunn, editorial director of Yes! Magazine, a publication I routinely write for. It was a national event on the evening news. Loeffelholz-Dunn posted an editorial days after my arrest that includes a letter template with the names and addresses of the North Dakota attorney general and the Morton County district attorney, and calls on them to drop the charges against me. Still, I havent felt assured of support from the media. The Los Angeles Times has been the sole member of the legacy press to cover my arrest. That coverage is due, in large part, to the prodding of Sandy Tolan, with whom Ive spent months reporting on the standoff at Standing Rock. But tucked inside the article, a few scrolls down, was a video screen-grab of Goodman. When I messaged Tolan after the piece went live on the Times website, I told him I would not be sharing it with my readers. Not that Im vain but WOW, I wrote to Tolan. They put a photo [of] Amy Goodman, a white well-known journalist in that piece, instead of me? Tolan understood, and explained to me that the issue had more to do with the size and shape of my headshot; it was square, and the headline art needed to be horizontal. None of this was Tolans fault: Hes a freelancer like me, far removed from the newsroom where stories are packaged. I asked that the report include my picture and, after much back and forth, my request was granted that night. I thanked Tolan for understanding. Please take my policing of how Indigenous Peoples are represented *and treated* by the established media as no slam on you, I messaged him. This is what I do when Im not reporting. I set the record straightand Im unapologetic about it. WHEN JOURNALISTS WERE ARRESTED during the protests in Ferguson, Missouri, their plight was reported by The New York Times, Time magazine, CNN, and so on. By comparison, the media that stepped up to share my Standing Rock struggle has largely been independentfitting, perhaps, since these niche newsrooms invested early in chronicling this moment among the Lakota Sioux and their allies. The story of my arrest is just one example of how major news outlets have treated the resistance movement at Standing Rock as an afterthought. More often, the media has been reactionary, as in moments when extreme actions of policing could no longer be ignored. On November 20, after police doused dozens of demonstrators with water in sub-freezing temperatures at a protest near the main camp, I stayed up all night writing about the media blackout. Even that harrowing story took two days to make the front page of The New York Times. That relative inattention is why I decided to write about my arrest. I take pride in the fact that I have reported on the movement at Standing Rock from multiple points of view, and with a concerted effort to represent all sides in conflicts. Ive formed strong working relationships at both the county and state level, and reached out to leading community voices away from the reservation. Because I am a journalist of indigenous origin, and because much of my work has been steeped in writing about indigenous-themed struggles like Standing Rock, I have often felt Ive had to overcompensate in my role as a journalist as a way to disprove notions of activism. Turning inward at a time when the protest movement seems to be toppling around me, though, has been distracting and frustrating. Its made me feel awkward for shifting the lens away from this epic conflict and onto myself, even for a moment. As the standoff slowly winds down and turns to the courts, though, I find comfort in knowing that perhaps my arrestjust one among 700 or so otherscomes at time when people need to be informed about new directions in the movement. The public relies on reporters to uncover patterns of misinformation and questionable tactics by police. Those patterns have not only played out in my arrest, but in the months-long militarized protection of a corporate energy project. I could walk away and allow my charges to play out in court. I could sit back and let police lie to local media about how I never presented my press credentials when asked when, in fact, I did. And I could just keep it to myself that white women I was jailed with told me they were not strip-searched upon being booked, but that Native American women like me were. But silence helps no one where inequality exists. Thats why I stayed at Standing Rock when the live trucks left. And thats why Ill continue to report on one of the greatest indigenous struggles in modern times. Pipeline construction has resumed, and the camps are dispersing. Journalists are parachuting in again, and some of their coverage over-hypes the American military veterans who have returned to support water protectors. The local voice of the community, grown weary of the movement, has been ignored by the out-of-town press. So this is the last time I will write about my arrest. Ill get back to reporting on the other lives impacted by this struggle in southern North Dakota. And Ill continue to monitor my relationships with Morton County and state officials, and hope Im not reading into things too sensitively when I see press releases inviting Bismarck-area reporters to events and wonder whether this kind of language is intended to exclude me. Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Jenni Monet (MA '12) is an independent journalist and a tribal citizen of the Pueblo of Laguna who writes about Indigenous rights and injustice in the US and around the world. Death panels made a comeback at a recent town hall in Pasco County, Florida. On Saturday, Bill Akins, secretary of the county Republican executive committee, and U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, who represents the area, tried to convince attendees that death panels2009s Lie of the Year, according to PolitiFactwere indeed part of the Affordable Care Act. In the health law, Akins claimed, There is a provision in there that anyone over the age of 74 has to go before what is effectively a death panel. CNN reported that Bilirakis nodded. Death panels? That canard is still around? A 2016 survey by Public Policy Polling found that nearly 30 percent of Americans still believe the Affordable Care Act contains a death panel provision. And thats not the only enduring misconception about the law: Morning Consult polled nearly 2,000 adults in late January and found that 35 percent either did not know that Obamacare and the Affordable Care Act were the same thing, or else were not certain. In some ways, those numbers arent surprising. Democrats used spin and false promises to sell the law, and Republicans have demonized it ever since, soperhaps as a consequencelarge segments of the public are still confused. Reporters covering the town hall in Pasco County did little to clear up that confusion, and comparable coveragein Florida or elsewhererisks perpetuating it. Seven years ago, Sarah Palin wrote on Facebook that, under the ACA, the government would set up boards to determine whether seniors and the disabled were worthy of care. Former New York lieutenant governor Betsy McGaughey amplified Palins falsehood when she told a radio host, Congress would make it mandatoryabsolutely requirethat every five years people in Medicare have a required counseling session that will tell them how to end their life sooner. The modest provision written into the health law would have reimbursed doctors under Medicare for offering end-of-life counseling for their patients. Bill drafters struck the provision after the Palin-McCaughey firestorm. Saturdays audience pushed back against Akins claim. Still, Akins persisted, telling them, Its in there folks. Youre wrong. Youre wrong! One 77-year-old woman shot back, I think it is unconscionable for this politician to tell me that at 74 I will be facing death panels. There is no such thing as a death panel. Bilirakis stepped in to clean up the mess, but instead his comments muddied the waters even more, leaving the 250 attendees with another misrepresentation. Bilirakis said Akins was referring to the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB), a 15-member board set up by the ACA to make recommendations in order to help control Medicares spending growth should it exceed targets established in the health law. Changes recommended by the IPAB would be subject to Congressional oversight. Is the IPAB a death panel? Hardly. Sign up for weekly emails from the United States Project The IPAB has never been set up because of strong opposition from healthcare stakeholders who fear their Medicare reimbursements might be cut. Still, CNN noted the Congressman repeatedly cited the IPAB. Town hall attendees probably had no clue what he was talking about. After the meeting Bilirakis told CNN, The board exists, OK? And Ive voted to repeal the board. Press accounts of the raucous meeting were standard political fare, much of it political filler. The Washington Post framed its story about Akins around what it called almost daily examples of false, misleading or bigoted stories and memes being shared for his audience via Akins social media accounts. ThinkProgress noted Akins lie, and also mentioned Bilirakis, but did not address his misrepresentation and distortion of the IPAB. Instead, the piece mentioned that the Congressman likes to describe himself as a staunch opponent of Obamacare and told attendees at the town hall, People should have the opportunity to tailor their own plan based on their needs. Florida Politics reported that the meeting wasnt all nastiness, and that Akins counterpart on the county Democratic committee thanked Bilirakis for hosting the town hall when other Republicans were cancelling theirs. Again, no mention of Bilirakis misrepresentation. Axios noted in its morning roundup that the IPAB had come up in the Florida town hall and added the law specifically says the board cant recommend any healthcare rationing. Those outlets, along with CNN, fell short of giving readers a much fuller refutation of death panels. Reporters missed the chance to tell readers that, a year ago, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services began giving physicians an $86 payment for up to 30 minutes of end-of-life counseling with individual patients. Doctors can discuss matters including advance directives, health care proxies, and life support measures, but Medicare has set no rules on what they can or must discuss. The rule quietly took effect without the public uproar that accompanied the death panel myth. Each of those stories also had an opportunity to advance its audiences understanding of a serious public health issue. A 2015 Kaiser Family Foundation poll showed that more than 80 percent of Americans believe Medicare should cover end-of-life discussions between patients and their doctors, though a much smaller number of respondents said they were actually having them. Perhaps the return of the death panels myth is specific to Pasco County, but its likely that reporters covering other counties will encounter other misconceptions, half-truths, and outright lies. When we do, we have two choices: We can do some homework, challenge those falsehoods and help change the discourse around the Affordable Care Act, or we can pass along erroneous statements at the risk of our own credibility. Photo by Nick Youngson Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Trudy Lieberman is a longtime contributing editor to the Columbia Journalism Review. She is the lead writer for CJR's Covering the Health Care Fight. She also blogs for Health News Review and the Center for Health Journalism. Follow her on Twitter @Trudy_Lieberman. Patrick Wraight has been named the director of the Insurance Journal Academy of Insurance, a leading property/casualty insurance learning center that is part of the Wells Media Group. Wraight, an Army veteran, comes to the Academy with more than 12 years of insurance industry training and underwriting experience. Wraight said he will be making some changes at the Academy but first he is surveying current Academy members and prospective students to get their feedback. (The online customer survey is open to anyone interested in insurance education.) I want the Academy to be the trusted educational partner for the insurance industry, said the new Academy director. Wraight most recently spent five years as senior training specialist for Floridas largest property insurer, Citizens Property Insurance Corp. At Citizens, Wraight spearheaded a company-wide insurance education program, created an underwriter assessment tool and expanded his role beyond trainer to learning consultant. He has also served as a part-time faculty member for the National Alliance for Insurance Education and Research, creating and delivering a class on commercial general liability Before joining Citizens in 2005, Wraight worked at a Cortland, New York-based managing general agency, McNeil & Co. Inc., for seven years, first as an underwriter for specialty insurance programs and as a policy analyst. He then worked as an underwriter trainer and established a new underwriter training program. Wraight explained his philosophy and plans for the Academy in a recent interview: How has your experience prepared you for running the Academy? My background as a consumer of educational programs in the insurance industry has given me the perspective of the participant. I know what I am looking for in a course that provides me value for my time and money. However, I think that what has prepared me best for this role was that in my prior role as a trainer and training consultant for a property insurer I had the liberty to explore and assess the customers needs and develop a training plan that met their business objectives. This provided a way for them to measure the ROI in learning and tie learning to the success of their core business. What is your approach/philosophy on education and training? My approach is simple. I want the Academy to be the trusted educational partner for the insurance industry. We will provide relevant content that keeps our customers up to date on insurance topics. We will use innovative learning technologies and techniques to engage our partners in training. What can Academy users expect? Users can continue to expect relevant content presented in an engaging way by some great presenters. They can also expect to see some things change. They have to if were going to continue to innovate. People will always have limited time, money and attention and we are looking to respond to share in those resources in a way that maximizes the impact for the customer. Wraight also worked at Citigroup in Florida from 2002 to 2005, after he completed nine years of service in the U.S. Army as a training and retention non-commissioned officer (NCO). As an Army NCO, he worked in various locations helping soldiers in formulate career plans and determine eligibility for retention. He established a new junior retention NCO training program. Wraight is a graduate of Trinity Baptist College in Jacksonville, Fla. and holds several insurance designations including the Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC), Associate in Commercial Underwriting (AU), Associate in General Insurance (AINS) and Certified Insurance Services Representative (CISR). Wraight succeeds Christopher J Boggs, who has pursued another opportunity. The Academy, founded in 2010, provides live online training and on-demand webinars and classes taught by more than 65 of the industrys leading educators, consultants, writers and executives. Its current library holds more than 600 different courses on coverages, management, sales and risk management. The Academy also offers books and insurance skills testing. The Academy is a division of San Diego-based Wells Media Group, which further serves the property/casualty insurance industry through its digital and print publications that include Insurance Journal, Carrier Management, Claims Journal, MyNewMarkets and InsuranceJournal TV. Take the Academy of Insurance survey. Tornadoes are suspected of damaging homes and injuring people Tuesday southwest of Houston, Texas, as a strong storm system moved quickly across much of the state. National Weather Service meteorologist Scott Overpeck said agency teams were inspecting damage in three locations to confirm whether a tornado touched down Tuesday morning in each area. Damage is evident in communities stretching from Van Vleck in Matagorda County north to Wharton and Rosenberg, he said. The weather service had issued tornado warnings for dozens of counties extending from the San Antonio area over to Southeast Texas. Doug Matthes, emergency management coordinator for Matagorda County, said it appears a tornado passed through Van Vleck and touched down in two locations. Tops of trees are twisted off and at least one home is completely torn apart, Matthes said. A preliminary review of the damage in Van Vleck, a town of about 1,800 people near the Texas coast, indicates up to four homes were destroyed and several others damaged, he said. Seven people were transported by ambulance for medical care and its not clear how many more may have been taken to hospitals by private vehicle, he said. The seven people taken by ambulance didnt appear to have serious injuries, he said. The path of the tornado was close to a junior high school where students sheltered in place, Matthes said. Crews were working Tuesday afternoon to restore power and the Red Cross was offering assistance. Its a rural community so these folks take care of themselves, he said. Elsewhere, more than 3 inches of rain fell in some areas west of Austin, and rain was mixing with snow in the Texas Panhandle, resulting in slick roads and delays in school openings. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. PG&E Corp. was ordered take out television and newspaper advertisements announcing that the company was found guilty of violating safety standards in the wake of a 2010 natural gas pipeline explosion that killed eight people. Last month, a San Francisco federal judge also directed high-level personnel at the utility to do 2,000 hours of community service and sentenced the company to a maximum-allowed fine of $3 million, saying the its crimes were very serious and pose great risk to the public safety. During a trial last year, prosecutors backed off a proposal to seek a penalty of as much as $562 million. In an unusual punishment for a corporate crime, the company was told to place full-page ads in the San Francisco Chronicle and the Wall Street Journal explaining its offenses and what its doing to prevent future wrongdoing. In addition, it will spend almost $3 million to advertise on TV, which the company said amounts to about 12,500 60-second spots. U.S. District Judge Thelton Henderson said on top of the community service requirement for high-level employees, which he said will be monitored by a probation officer, the company as a whole must perform another 8,000 hours of service. Giving Back The judge said the utility should focus its efforts on giving back to the community of San Bruno, California, a city about 12 miles south (19.3 kilometers) of San Francisco. A 30-inch wide PG&E pipeline that was at least 54 years old and located under a street intersection in a residential area blew up, sending a 28-foot, 3,000-pound section of the pipe skyward and leaving a crater the size of a house. The blast destroyed 38 homes and damaged 70 others. Sixty-six people were injured. The company said in a statement that it has invested billions of shareholder dollars in gas safety improvements. We want San Bruno and all of the communities we serve to know that we at PG&E have committed ourselves to a goal of transforming this company into the safest and most reliable energy provider in America and to re-earning their trust through our actions, PG&E said in an e-mailed statement. Since the explosion, PG&E tapped Tony Earley to replace its previous chief executive officer and froze its dividend for six years. It also separated its gas division from its electricity business, provided safety training to managers and tested and replaced pipelines. The company was fined about $1.6 billion by state regulators and paid more than $550 million to settle personal injury and property damage claims stemming from the blast. Unusual Order The 2,000 hours of service to be done by senior-level employees is an unusual order, and would be difficult to enforce, said William Portanova, a former federal prosecutor. Who decides whos senior? This gets right to the question, the craziness, of prosecuting a corporation, he said. Its ironic in that the people who will be doing the work may not be the people who created the problems, because theyre the replacements, Portanova said. But at least its an attempt to underline the need for higher levels of corporate responsibility. Cris Arguedas, a criminal defense lawyer who last year defeated a federal criminal prosecution of FedEx Corp. in the same courthouse, agreed that the community service requirement seems wide of the mark. To personalize community service obligations of people who were not convicted or responsible for whatever happened seems inappropriate, said Arguedas, who wasnt involved in the PG&E case. I Bite Portanova called the advertising requirement unusual, akin to having a thief be forced to wear a sandwich sign outside the store he victimized or a having a Kindergartner wearing a sign taped to his shirt saying I bite as a punishment for biting. It just doesnt happen very often where a defendant is ordered to publish the details of his or her crimes of conviction, Portanova said. The order falls into the category of public shaming, which may be a good thing because it deters future crimes, he said. Its almost pointless to punish crimes if no one hears about it. The case is U.S. v. Pacific Gas and Electric Co., 14-cr-00175, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California (San Francisco). Copyright 2022 Bloomberg. police tape.jpg Detectives are investigating a shooting that happened moments before the victim crashed his car into a utility pole in Akron. The man died Wednesday at Cleveland Clinic Akron General, police said. (File photo) AKRON, Ohio -- An Akron man died Wednesday when he was shot moments before he crashed his car into a utility pole, police said. The 28-year-old man was shot during a fight that broke out just before 8 p.m. on West Long Street near Edison Avenue. The man crashed his car into a pole as he tried to drive off, police said. The man was taken to Cleveland Clinic Akron General, where he died, the Summit County Medical Examiner's Office said. The man's identity will be released once his family has been notified, the medical examiner's office said. Neither police nor the medical examiner's office said whether the man died from the shooting or the crash. But detectives are investigating the death as a homicide, police said. Detectives have not identified any suspects in the shooting, police said. If you'd like to comment on this story, visit Thursday's crime and courts comments section. 637A3955.jpeg Barberton's arts and entertainment district on Tuscarawas Ave is increasingly active. The city will brand and add amenities to its Second Street business district to attract more residents and visitors. (Barberton Community Foundation) AKRON, Ohio - With an active arts district, Barberton is looking to brand its downtown business district with the help of a Better Block festival this summer. To learn what residents want in the Second Street business district, the Barberton Community Foundation, working with the city, the South Summit Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Barberton Merchants Association and other groups, will host a community meeting 6-8 p.m. March 2 at the Active Adult Center at the YMCA. The best ideas will be activated during the Barberton Better Block to see if they're doable in the long run. Better Blocks, which have taken place in North Hill, Middlebury and Cuyahoga Falls, are festivals that showcase and reactivate neighborhoods, while introducing amenities that help them become more vibrant communities. "We don't want to just guess what everyone wants on Second Street; we want to hear different ideas and opinions," said Amber Genet, the foundation's marketing and communications director. "The merchants association is excited to hear those ideas so they can build upon what they're already doing downtown." With Lake Anna in the center of town and the Magic Mile -- a mile-long connection from downtown to the Towpath Trail -- bikeabilty and walkability are among the city's top amenities, said Jim Stonkus, president and CEO of the community foundation. "About 300,000 people go down the Barberton stretch of the Towpath," he said. "There's so much opportunity here and you hear that from people starting to rediscover the city." With Lake Anna in the center of town and the Magic Mile -- a mile-long connection from downtown to the Towpath Trail -- bikeabilty and walkability are among the Magic City's top amenities. The Magic City's arts district on Tuscarawas Avenue is increasingly active, with the newly renovated Magical Theatre Company, one of only six resident children's theaters in the country, plus art galleries, restaurants and shops. Barberton also hosts the annual spring Cherry Blossom Festival, and the fall Mum Festival. A series of well-attended Fourth Friday events, inspired by Barberton high school students, helps draw residents to downtown. The city hopes to draw more of that energy to Second Street. To assist, the foundation is contributing $32,000 toward the Better Block, as well as two new bike initiatives: A bike share program Switching Gears Another popular Barberton bike event is the annual Bike 2 Barberton, a day of live music, food and bike education. Formerly the Larry Bidlingmyer Bike Ride, in memory of a Barberton teacher, the event helps raise funds for the community foundation's Bike Ride Fund, which pays for kids to attend a Barberton City Schools outdoor education camp Bidlingmyer started more than 35 years ago. Want more Akron news? Sign up for cleveland.com's Rubber City Daily, an email newsletter delivered at 5:30 a.m. Monday through Friday. Save Save Save Save Save Save Save Save Save CLEVELAND, Ohio - A little relief could be on the way for some Ohio cities and villages under a new revenue-sharing proposal from Gov. John Kasich, while others would have to cope with less money from the state. These proposed changes come after state lawmakers and Kasich earlier slashed by nearly half the money for municipalities and townships from what is called the state's Local Government Fund. Use this database to find out how your city, village or township would fare over the next two years. to load this Caspio Some mobile users may need to use this link instead. Part of the governor's budget State lawmakers are working on a two-year budget that could impact cities, villages and townships across Ohio. The changes are part of Kasich's proposed two-year budget. (Read more details here.) The proposal still needs approval from the Ohio House and Senate. Final decisions likely will not be made until late June. Kasich is proposing that part of the formula for handing out money to local governments be tied to each community's ability to raise tax dollars on its own. Winners and losers The biggest loser in the state would be Cleveland, which this year increased its income tax to 2.5 percent in part to replace money lost from earlier state cuts. Under the new proposal, Cleveland would receive $2.1 million less in 2019 than the $25.3 million it is expected to receive this year, according to estimates released by the state's Office of Budget and Management. One reason Cleveland would lose is that the proposed formula is based in part on tax collections and population. Cleveland receives a lot of tax money from thousands of "part-day residents" - workers downtown and in University Circle - who don't count in the population. The next biggest losses would be for Cincinnati ($1.2 million), Dayton ($387,000), Columbus ($308,853) and Canton ($88,320). Parma would benefit the most, with an additional $445,775 in 2019, the state estimates. Others gaining at least $250,000 would be Toledo ($384,333), Trotwood ($332,609), Hamilton ($307,081), Lorain ($87,057) and Riverside ($261,878.) What are the trends? Within Cuyahoga County, the trend is that cities where people work tend to be hurt the most, while largely residential ares would gain the most money from the state. Among the biggest losers in Cuyahoga County - by percent - would be Cuyahoga Heights, Independence and Mayfield. The top three gainers by percent would be North Royalton, Olmsted Falls and Chagrin Falls Township. What is the Local Government Fund? The Local Government Fund -- created as a way for the state to share tax money with local cities and villages -- dates to the Depression. In 1934, with foreclosures running high and property tax revenues down, the state reduced property tax rates and promised to share a portion of the new state sales tax with local governments. Then, when Ohio created a state income tax in 1972, a designated portion of the taxes collected was set aside in the Local Government Fund for cities that already had municipal income taxes of their own. When was the fund cut? With the state facing a budget shortfall in 2011, the budget Kasich signed permanently cut the amount of money shared with cities and villages roughly in half. The new proposal suggests changing the formula for distribution of 20 percent of the Local Government Fund. The projections provided through 2019 are for the first two years of a phase-in of changes, covering 10 percent of the Local Government Fund. Reported with Jackie Borchardt from cleveland.com's Columbus bureau. Rich Exner, data analysis editor for cleveland.com, writes about numbers on a variety of topics. Follow on Twitter @RichExner. miagoth.jpg Mia Goth (and slithery friends) in "A Cure for Wellness." (Twentieth Century Fox via AP) CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Sometimes you see a movie and it stinks to holy hell from the very first frame. The horror thriller "A Cure For Wellness" takes its sweet time getting terrible. But when it does, it becomes a true dumpster fire of a mess. Dane DeHaan plays Lockhart, a young executive at a big New York financial institution. The CEO of that company has taken a vacation at an exclusive spa in the remote Swiss Alps. The CEO has written to his company's board that he has had a life-changing epiphany during his stay at the spa, and he won't be coming back to New York -- ever. The board needs the CEO to come back to New York and sign off on a big merger deal. They dispatch young Lockhart to Switzerland to retrieve the errant exec. On the cab ride up the mountain to the castle-like spa, the driver gives Lockhart a little history of the place. It was originally owned by a nobleman who had some strange ideas regarding the purity of blood in his lineage. To that end, he married his sister to keep things "all in the family," as it were. The peasants were enraged by this act of upper-crust incest and took to the place armed with torches and pitchforks to protest. Every since that time, there has been enmity between the spa staff and the townspeople down below. Lockhart finds some resistance on the part of the staff when he requests to see his former boss. Finally, an appointment is made for later in the day, and he takes his cab back into town. On the ride down the mountain, the car hits an elk and flips over into the woods. Lockhart awakens to find himself back at the spa with a broken leg. During his stay at the clinic, Lockhart meets the sinister Dr. Volmer, the man in charge at the spa, who is played by Jason Isaacs. The place is full of old people who swear by the life-giving effects of the magical water they are encouraged to drink daily. But Lockhart soon finds that things are not what they seem. He eventually finds his CEO and discovers that he is quite deranged, as are all the patients at the spa. The water they are drinking seems to render them zombie-like in their devotion to Dr. Volmer. They are also being used in gruesome experiments involving snakes and eels, of which there seem to be a great many swimming around in the spa's water system. There is also one young patient, a mysterious, beautiful young woman who is recovering from some past trauma and waiting for her father to come get her once she is "cured." Lockhart soon discovers that Dr. Volmer is up to no good and is keeping his clients around to use as human guinea pigs. The story begins with a great deal of mystery and intrigue. Director Gore Verbinski, best known for his work on the three "Pirates of the Caribbean" movies, builds suspense slowly over the course of nearly two-and-a-half hours. But when the third-act big reveal finally comes to fruition, none of it makes very much sense. Dead bodies discovered by Lockhart reappear alive. Dr. Volmer's true identity confounds the laws of time and space. The whole affair turns out to be a giant, grisly and grotesque head-scratcher. "A Cure for Wellness" is exactly the kind of cinematic misfire that studios try to bury in the early months of January and February. You'd do well to give this weird tale a wide berth. REVIEW A Cure for Wellness Who: With Dane DeHaan, Jason Isaacs, Mia Goth, Adrian Schiller, Lisa Banes and Carl Lumbly. Directed by Gore Verbinski. Rated: R. Running time: 146 minutes. When: Opens Friday. Where: Area theaters. Grade: C- Union Cabinet approves bill to amend Collection of Statistics Act, 2008 Published: February 16, 2017 The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved introduction of Bill in Parliament to extend the jurisdiction of the Collection of Statistics Act, 2008 to Jammu & Kashmir. The Amendment will be pertained to statistics under Union (List-I) and Concurrent lists (List- III) in the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution and Constitution (Application to Jammu & Kashmir) Order, 1954. Key Facts about Bill It will strengthen data collection mechanism in the state of Jammu & Kashmir. It will extend the jurisdiction of the parent Act to J&K in respect of matters not reserved for the State as per the 1954 Order. It also envisages appointment of nodal officer at Centre and in each State/UT to effectively coordinate data collection activities and provide consultation to government departments to avoid unnecessary duplication. Background The Collection of Statistics Act, 2008 was enacted by the Parliament to facilitate the collection of statistics on economics, social, demographic, scientific and environmental aspects etc. The Act extends to the whole of India, except J&K. The J&K state legislature also had enacted the Jammu & Kashmir Collection of Statistics Act, 2010, which is replica of the central legislation extending to whole state. However, both central and state legislations are not applicable to statistical subjects falling in the Union List, as applicable to the J&K under the Constitution (Application to Jammu & Kashmir) Order 1954. This has created a legislative vacuum. Besides, concurrent jurisdiction to be exercised by Centre in J&K also has not been provided in the Central legislation. So the amendment is intended to address this vacuum. Month: Current Affairs - February, 2017 Topics: Bills and Acts Cabinet Decisions Jammu and Kashmir National Latest E-Books NervousDog.jpg The popular Nervous Dog Coffee Bar, which has locations in Akron and Stow, has opened its newest location in Beachwood. (Nervous Dog Coffee Bar) CLEVELAND, Ohio - The popular Nervous Dog Coffee Bar will have a grand opening for its third location in Beachwood, 2101 Richmond Rd., this President's Day, Feb. 20. Michael Litt, Nervous Dog's owner and creator, opened his first shop in Akron in 2006, followed by a Stow outpost in 2010. The Beachwood location will be in the former home of coffee shops Caribou and Peet's at La Place Shopping Center, and share a patio with Mitchell's Ice Cream. It's also neighboring the forthcoming Container Store, slated to open this spring. The grand opening festivities will begin with a ribbon cutting at 2 p.m. followed by a coffee tasting and cupping demonstration from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. A performance by jazz trio, Acid Cats, will close out the celebration. "This is very personal for me," says Litt. "We're really excited about getting to know even more of the local community, and we'd love to show off the new digs to patrons from our other shops as well. Our evolution has been a collective effort and we are truly grateful to be surrounded by such a diverse, passionate group of people." It's all about staying local here, says Litt, who was raised in the University Heights neighborhood. That includes collaborations with other nearby businesses. White Flower Cake Shoppe will create a cake with Nervous Dog Coffee-infused icing and the shop's own affogatos will be poured over Mitchell's vanilla ice cream. In addition to their coffee service, Nervous Dog also carries an assortment of teas, all-natural smoothies, locally-sourced pastries and Boar's Head meats and cheeses for their lunch items. Since a soft opening on Jan. 23, Litt says he's already adjusted the menu for local patron requests. The shop has formed a partnership with the bakery Ellie's, which provides a number of kosher items. They're also crafting more vegan items and brought in coconut milk to the mix. "We have really big ears, and we're not afraid to use them," jokes Litt. For Litt, who remembers weekly trips to Bialy's Bagels and attending Cleveland Heights-University Heights school, it's "somewhat of a homecoming." Following the grand opening, the shop will be open during regular hours, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. GARFIELD HEIGHTS, Ohio - Law enforcement officials are searching for a man who robbed a Garfield Heights bank Thursday. The Cleveland FBI released surveillance images of the robbery that happened about 12:40 p.m. at the Huntington Bank branch on Turney Road just south of Garfield Heights High School. The robber walked into the bank and passed a note to the teller, FBI spokeswoman Vicki Anderson said. The teller handed over cash, and the robber left the bank, Anderson said. No weapon was seen, and no injuries were reported. Anyone with information on the robbery is asked to contact Garfield Heights police at 216-475-1234 or the Cleveland branch of the FBI at 216-522-1400. Tips can remain anonymous, and reward money is available for information that leads to the successful prosecution of the robber. If you'd like to comment on this post, please visit the cleveland.com crime and courts comments section. Union Cabinet approves merger of SBI, 5 associate banks Published: February 16, 2017 The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the merger of State Bank of India (SBI) with five of its associate/subsidiary banks. These five subsidiary banks are State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur, State Bank of Hyderabad, State Bank of Mysore, State Bank of Patiala and State Bank of Travancore. The Union Cabinet also approved the introduction of a Bill in Parliament to repeal the State Bank of India (Subsidiary Banks) Act, 1959 and the State Bank of Hyderabad Act, 1956. Key Facts The acquisition under Section 35 of the SBI Act, 1955 will result in the creation of a stronger merged entity. It will minimize vulnerability faced by subsidiary banks to any geographic concentration risks. It will improve operational efficiency and economies of scale resulting into in improved risk management and unified treasury operations. Existing customers of associate banks will benefit from SBIs global network. The merger will lead to better management of high value credit exposures through focused monitoring and control over cash flows rather than separate monitoring by six different banks. The merger will also result in recurring savings, estimated at more than Rs. 1,000 crore in first year, because of reduced cost of funds and enhanced operational efficiency. Comment The acquisition of subsidiary banks of SBI is considered an important step towards strengthening the banking sector through consolidation of public sector banks (PSBs). It is in pursuance of the Indradhanush action plan of the Central Government. In 2015, SBI was ranked 52 in the world in terms of assets, however the merger will allow its entry un top 50. The merger does not include Bharatiya Mahila Bank (BMB) and its proposal is still under consideration. Month: Current Affairs - February, 2017 Topics: Banking Business Cabinet Decisions Economy National PSBs Latest E-Books : FIR; State Rep. Paul Fitzwater presented his bill, House Bill 600, before the Conservation and Natural Resources Committee on Wednesday. If passed, the bill will give a new name to the new Jay Nixon State Park in Reynolds County Proffitt Mountain State Park. Both Fitzwater, R-Potosi, and Sen. Gary Romine, R-Ste Genevieve, filed legislation in the Missouri House and Senate last month to rename the park in honor of one of the earliest families to settle on the land around the mountain located in Reynolds and Iron counties. The lawmakers werent pleased when they learned in January that the Missouri Department of Natural Resources had purchased land two years ago in Reynolds County for the development of a state park using ASARCO settlement funds and then decided to name it after Gov. Jay Nixon, who finished his second and last term in office last month. Romine and Fitzwater were even more incensed once it came to light that the land had been previously owned by Thomas Hennessey Jr. who in June 2010 shot and killed his neighbor Carl Jones outside the Town and Country grocery store in Ironton after the pair had feuded over disputed easement rights for years. Fitzwater, who is a member of the Conservation and Natural Resources Committee, was pleased with Wednesday's hearing. "It really went well," Fitzwater said. "As a matter of fact, a few of the members were kind of teary-eyed because Carl Jones' son, Troy, came up and testified on House Bill 600. He told the story about how his dad and Tom Hennessey had feuded over the land and how Tom shot his dad 13 times. It was pretty emotional, I know that." While Fitzwater has received positive feedback on the bill, not everyone is convinced that changing the state park's name is all that great of an idea. He said, "It's kind of funny one of the representatives that chairs one of the rules committees before it passes out of committee it has to go to the Rules Committee told me, 'You know what? Jay Nixon's gone, we need to let this go.' I said, 'No, I'm not going to let it go. I'm correcting a wrong here.' "So, the Rules Committee chairman said, 'I don't know if I want to.' So, I went up to the dais and talked to Speaker of the House Todd Richardson. I told him that it looked like I was going to have a hard time getting the bill out of the Rules Committee and he said not to worry, he would make sure it got done." Fitzwater stressed that changing the name of the state park is not because of any ill feelings he holds against the former governor. "I have nothing against Jay Nixon," he said. "One of the persons on the committee asked, 'What's wrong with naming something after Jay Nixon?' You know, I don't care what they name after him. On Dec. 14 they named a mental hospital after him. That's fine, but to name a park for him after the way he acquired the land to do this is just not right. Then with the Tom Hennessey/Carl Jones situation, that made it even worse for me." According to Fitzwater, nobody could make a visit to Jay Nixon State Park now even if they wanted to. It's been closed. "As of a couple of weeks ago the Department of Natural Resources officially closed the state park due to no access," he said. "DNR was in my office today and talked with me about that. They say they can't get to it. Well, I can get in my car and get back to it if I wanted to. They just don't want anybody in there." Should House Bill 600 become law, Fitzwater has one more thing he wants to accomplish. "If and when we get this name changed from Jay Nixon State Park, I'm going to petition DNR to tear down Tom Hennessey's old house that's there," he said. "People shouldn't have to drive by and look at that all the time. It's a mess. I don't think I'll have to use legislation to do that, but I want that house down." Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos and President Donald Trump may have had their differences, but Amazon's business is in fact quite well aligned with Trump's agenda, said Chamath Palihapitiya, a partner at Social Capital. "They embrace the structural atomic level of value creation that the Trump presidency deeply agrees with," he said. For example, Amazon's pledge to add 100,000 full-time, full-benefit jobs in US by 2018 and hire 25,000 veterans and military spouses over the next five years are a good fit for the Trump era, said Palihapitiya. "President Trump characterizes this as U.S. exceptionalism and Bezos characterizes it as investing in a great business," he said. "The language may be different, but the actual result is the same." Amazon was seen as a prime target for Trump's ire following a campaign season in which the Bezos-owned Washington Post hit Trump with tough and often critical reporting. Trump in turn criticized Amazon for what he said was running a monopoly. "Believe me, if I become president, oh do they have problems," Trump said at a rally in February 2016. "They're going to have such problems." Bezos, in return, offered to blast the presidential candidate into space. Tweet The relationship may have thawed: Bezos was among a number of tech titans to visit Trump Tower for a presidential roundtable in December. That said, there continue to be vast areas of disagreementt. For instance, after Trump's controversial executive order clamping down on immigration from certain countries, Bezos emailed staff to make clear that Amazon did not support the President's move. Many tech giants and visionaries have been rallying around artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented and virtual realities (AR/VR) as the next big developments in technology. The latest to join the call is Chinese internet giant Baidu , whose venture unit announced Tuesday that it had participated in a $27 million Series B funding of 8i, which develops holographic technology for VR and AR. Its technology transforms high-definition videos of people, shot from multiple cameras and angles, into photo-realistic 3D holograms. Baidu established its venture capital fund, Baidu Ventures, last September to invest in early-stage companies working on AI, AR and VR. Daisy Cai, partner at Baidu Ventures, explained the investment to CNBC's "Squawk Box" on Thursday. "It makes 3D models of people that you can view through your VR headsets or you can also play or interact with on your AR application on your smartphone," Cai said of the company. The start-up is set to launch its Holo app this year, which will bring the imaging technology to mobile devices. Users can create mixed reality content from their phones by adding holograms of their favorite celebrities, characters and bands into their real world environments. Baidu will provide financial backing, as well as work with 8i on future product development. The tech start-up was founded in 2014 and has offices in Los Angeles and Wellington, New Zealand. The market for VR technology could be a trillion-dollar industry by 2035, research from Citi predicted last year. AI is the other big area of focus for Baidu Ventures and its $200 million first fund according to Cai. The term AI covers a broad variety of developments currently taking place from common applications like face recognition tools to automated cars, connected homes, medical devices and robots. Baidu Ventures is also looking at other uses for AI, she said. "We are looking at companies (that) use artificial intelligence algorithms in their drug discovery technology, so it can significantly shorten the drug discovery cycle," said Cai, adding it could help to cut down the cost. She did not mention any company by name. Last month, KPMG said in a report that venture capital investments in China will move increasingly into AI in 2017 as companies attempt to capture, analyse and monetize the vast streams of data generated over the last several years. Follow CNBC International on Twitter and Facebook It's that time again! Jim Cramer rang the lightning round bell, which means he gave his take on caller favorite stocks at rapid speed: Nvidia : "OK so there is a little profit taking in Nvidia. Yes, I'm fine with Nvidia. We did have Brian Krzanich [CEO of Intel] he kind of offered an alternative view of Nvidia versus Intel. I think that has hurt the stock of Nvidia after he gave out his vision. I like Nvidia, though." Hershey : "Stay long Hershey. Hershey is a great long-term situation. Not going to run here." Accenture : "Accenture should have never gotten down to $114 or $115. I didn't even think that quarter was that bad. I'm a buy, buy, buyer of ACN." Cheniere Energy Partners : "I like CQP. It's got a good yield and I think that the Cheniere dream is coming true, even though it is not going to be read by Charif [Souki, former CEO of LNG]." Inovio Pharma : "Total spec. The vaccine business we have not liked. We have gotten hurt on vaccines but it is not bad if you want a spec only." Emerge Energy Services : "No. We've got Schlumberger trading as if the Permian isn't coming back. We're going to go with Schlumberger. We are going to go high and not low." Seaspan Corporation : "We do not recommend container ships. We do not recommend tankers. We do not recommend anything that is sea born because it has killed us." Questions for Cramer? Call Cramer: 1-800-743-CNBC Want to take a deep dive into Cramer's world? Hit him up! Mad Money Twitter - Jim Cramer Twitter - Facebook - Instagram - Vine Questions, comments, suggestions for the "Mad Money" website? madcap@cnbc.com U.S. President Donald Trump's protectionist rhetoric will be good for Asia, pushing the region's stock markets to outperform, said Marc Faber, the publisher of the Gloom, Boom & Doom report. Trump may publish harsh tweets, but that'll only send the Asian markets down for a day or so, Faber, also known as Dr. Doom for his pessimistic views, told CNBC's "Squawk Box" on Thursday. "It is a Chinese-centric Asia nowadays," he said. "The exports of Taiwan, South Korea, to China are much more important than to the U.S. All the Asian countries for them, exports to China are the key, tourists from China are the key." During his campaign, Trump vowed to label China a currency manipulator for the purposes of a competitive trade advantage, even though the country has actually been propping up its currency. In other signs of a protectionist bent, last month, Trump formally pulled the U.S. out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), which would have created a 12-country Pacific Rim free-trade bloc. The TPP, which was negotiated during President Barack Obama's term in office, hadn't yet been voted on or ratified by Congress. Trump also signaled he planned to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), enacted in 1994, which eliminated most tariffs between Mexico, the U.S. and Canada. A man walks past the logo of Toshiba displayed at the company's headquarters in Tokyo on February 14, 2017. Behrouz Mehri | AFP | Getty Images Toshiba may delay the sale of its prized flash-memory chip unit after the conglomerate said it would consider selling most, even all, of the marquee business, a person with direct knowledge of the matter said. "It's moving in that direction (of a delay)," the source said late on Wednesday, on condition of anonymity as the discussions weren't public. As Toshiba's plans for the sale have changed, "the bidders are having various thoughts." The TVs-to-nuclear conglomerate is scrambling for cash to stay in business as a multi-billion-dollar hole has emerged in recent months in its nuclear business. Toshiba shares sank 9 percent on Wednesday after the company said it would book a $6.3 billion hit to its U.S. nuclear unit and would consider selling more than the originally planned stake of less than 20 percent of the flash-memory chip business. Changing the rules of the chip auction, which sources have said has generated bids of 200-400 billion yen ($1.8-$3.5 billion), could push the sale beyond Toshiba's planned deadline of the March 31 end of the business year, the source said. watch now Loosening the deadline would ease concerns about trying to hurry any antitrust reviews, increasing the number of potential buyers and potentially improving the offers, he said. Toshiba has accepted that it may remain in negative net worth through the end of the business year, the source said, which could see its shares demoted to the second section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. As a result, the source said, it would have to convince its lenders to keep the funds coming. The result could also be a rethink of the whole auction as some bidders may now want management rights or have other responses to Toshiba throwing open the bidding to include a majority stake, he said. The change of direction by Toshiba - facing a March 27 deadline to avoid a delisting - has prompted investors to question whether the company would have a long-term future without control of the unit and could well shake up the bevy of suitors interested in a piece of the world's biggest NAND chip producer after Samsung Electronics . "Usually in a corporate turnaround plan, the company would keep its most competitive business after selling non-performing businesses," said Masayuki Kubota, chief strategist at Rakuten Securities. watch now "This turnaround plan gives no hope for Toshiba's future," he said. Taiwan's Foxconn , formally known as Hon Hai Precision Industry , is among the companies and funds that were bidding for the smaller stake, a source with direct knowledge of the offer said, declining to be identified because he is not authorized to talk to the media. Foxconn officials were not immediately available to comment. Other bidders include SK Hynix , Micron Technology and private equity firm Bain Capital, sources have said previously. Foxconn, which last year bought a controlling stake in Japanese panel maker Sharp , may find it easier than other corporate bidders to buy a large stake as it is not a major memory chip maker and could avoid any lengthy anti-trust review. Waiver favor Toshiba's new openness towards selling more of its chips business comes as the beleaguered conglomerate failed to deliver audited third-quarter earnings as scheduled on Tuesday, saying it needed more time to look at potential problems at its Westinghouse division. The expected $6 billion writedown will also wipe out shareholders' equity. It has been granted an extension until March 14 to submit audited figures but would face a delisting if it still failed to file within eight business days after that. watch now After graduating from the University of Cincinnati in 2005, Dru Riess was waiting tables, eager to find a way to make something of himself. In 2007, when his good friend Ray Salinas moved to Texas for love, Riess followed, and he found that the stepdad of the girl Salinas moved to Texas for owned a dying printing business. "This printing machine was literally in a barn," says Riess, located in the small town of McKinney, Texas, north of Dallas. "It was disgusting. There were mice. There were snakes." Where he could have seen junk in the old printing press, Riess saw opportunity. The machine may not have looked like much, but Riess had done some Googling and realized it had potential. At the time, the flexible package industry was doing almost $30 billion in sales. Ray Salinas (L) and Dru Riess, co-owners of Popular Ink Photo courtesy Popular Ink Riess, then 24, was determined to build a business. He virtually lived in the barn, cold-calling old customers and maxing out his credit cards. "The company [had] just completely died. I was pretty much the spark, the heartbeat," he recalls. Finally, Riess got his first customer, the health-care conglomerate Abbott Laboratories. To learn about the industry as quickly as possible, Riess traveled to China, posing as a potential customer. "I went over there doing espionage and learning what it was I needed to build," he says. "I learned the science of printing, I saw factories running the way they should, I learned about film structures, how they were made, what resins are used, safety." The hours of an entrepreneur are 24/7. Riess has a cot in his office. In particular, Riess learned that it took Chinese companies between eight and nine weeks to deliver a finished product to the U.S. Because he was operating out of Texas, he could deliver products in two weeks. In May 2008, he brought Ray Salinas on as a partner. At the time, Salinas was 25. The two friends-turned-entrepreneurs were just featured on CNBC's reality television show, "Blue Collar Millionaires." The purple Chevy Cobalt Riess and Salinas rented to drive 3500 miles in 5 days on a sales tour in 2008. That trip resulted in sales contacts that Popular Ink is still benefiting from. Photo courtesy Popular Ink They balance each other well. "I got the street smarts," says Riess. "Ray's book smart. So any obstacle we come across, one of us can think of a way out of it." "We knew nothing about printing when we stepped foot into that barn," says Salinas. "It was like, man, we are going to do this entrepreneur thing." DOING THAT 'ENTREPRENEUR THING' To find customers, in 2008, Riess and Salinas went on a five-day, 3,500 mile road trip in a rented purple Chevy Cobalt. "We crashed on friends' floors because we didn't have any money," says Reiss, now 33. They got in front of every purchasing manager, business owner and decision maker they could manage. Their pitch was direct: "'This is who we are, please just give us one shot,'" recalls Salinas. They did get a shot, and they didn't blow it. "All of a sudden, this once dying printing company was revived," says Salinas, who is now 35. "It was actually doing well and on it's way to being in the black." The printing press in action. Courtesy Popular Ink Growth was quick. "We went from about a million to $1.2 to $2.2 to $3.7 to $5.7, $8.1, $12.1 and so on and so on and so on. It seemed like the company just continued to double and double and double," says Riess. In 2011, Riess and Salinas bought the printing press and old company outright from the former owner. They renamed it Popular Ink. They have expanded to nine various printing machines in a new 70,000-square-foot space. In 2016, Popular Ink did $25 million in sales. In the next four years, the business owners expect to be doing more than $100 million each year. They have 51 full-time employees. WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO MAKE IT In May 2015, when Riess and Salinas were in Salt Lake City, Utah, they pulled up to a stop light alongside a driver sitting in a Polaris Slingshot. They both looked at each other and decided they needed to have the futuristic car. The vehicles weren't allowed in Texas, but two months later, the governor declared them street legal. "I sent him to the dealership and said, 'Tell them you want two!'" says Salinas. They knew, at that moment, they had made it. Salinas and Riess in their Polaris Slingshots. Photo courtesy Popular Ink Another moment that felt rewarding was spending $120,000 renovating his town-home, says Salinas. "Growing up, if my parents wanted to buy something, they had to save up for it," says Salinas. "So let's say they wanted to remodel the bathrooms and the kitchen. That took place over a long period of time, and they completed the projects as they could afford to do it." There is a climbing wall inside the new Popular Ink production facility. "Much like Google we realize we spend more time with each other than we do our families. Thus our campus is fun and interactive," says Riess. Courtesy Popular Ink Supporters of Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, commonly known as Ahok, take a selfie with a cardboard cutout during the voting on February 15, 2017 in Jakarta, Indonesia. Oscar Siagian | Getty Images Race and religion will continue to influence regional elections in Jakarta despite the Indonesian capital's incumbent Christian Chinese governor narrow lead in the first round of polls, an analyst said. Incumbent Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, popularly known as Ahok, was the first round front-runner with 43.08 percent of the vote, according to polling firm SMRC. Former education minister Anies Baswedan took second place with 40.14 percent while Agus Yudhoyono, the son of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, took just 16.78 percent of the vote. A run-off election between Ahok and Baswedan is scheduled to take place in April. watch now "I think the surprise was that Ahok performed better than expected. Polls a fews weeks ago were painting him around 30, 35 percent," Roberto Herrera-Lim, Southeast Asia managing director at Teneo Intelligence, told CNBC's "The Rundown." "It shows that although tensions have been inflamed by the rallies, by the anti-Christian (and) anti-Chinese sentiment, they've toned down a bit since then," he added. Ahok is currently on trial for blasphemy after referencing a verse from the Koran while on the campaign trail. While some experts say that the public is increasingly viewing the blasphemy charge as political in nature, others say that religion continues to play a part in the public sphere in secular Indonesia. "Some Indonesians say they must have a Muslim, they must have an ethnic Indonesian as governor of Jakarta. That's going to inform a lot of votes still," Herrera-Lim said. watch now A trader or traders in the options market made an estimated profit of 400 percent betting on a big move in Fortress Investment Group shares on Tuesday, just hours before the private equity firm announced a $3.3 billion takeover offer from SoftBank . The size of the bets raised eyebrows and led several options market experts to suspect that someone was trading on information that had leaked about the deal, which surprised the private equity industry when it was announced later in the day. "There was a biggish trade and then there was a colossal trade," said Ophir Gottlieb, chief executive of Capital Market Laboratories. "This is a pretty glaring example of likely impropriety." Options trading activity was more than eight times the normal level ahead of the deal's public announcement. Equity trading volume was also unusually high on Tuesday, spiking initially in the minutes before the first options trade and then continuing through the afternoon as speculators noticed and then aped the activity. The developments were noted with dismay inside Fortress, where the share price appreciation was eroding the premium that its founders would be able to boast SoftBank was paying over the prevailing market price. The $8.08-per-share takeover price, announced after the market closed, compared to $5.83 at the start of the day but only to $6.21 at the close of trading. Much of the options trading volume that went through on Tuesday appears to have been taken off on Wednesday, suggesting that whoever made the bet has been taking profits on the position, said Jim Strugger, head of derivatives products at MKM Partners. The number of EU citizens working in the U.K. saw its largest drop in five years during the last three months of 2016, according to a new report from the Office of National Statistics (ONS). The ONS said Wednesday the number of EU workers dropped by 50,000 to 2.3 million in the last quarter of the year which has stoked fears of a labor shortage in Britain. The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), a lobby group for the human resources sector, reported Monday that a skills shortage was "starting to bite" with business sectors that employed a high number of EU nationals being particularly vulnerable. However, given the data was not seasonally adjusted the ONS advised the numbers should be treated with caution. The U.K.'s public sector was found to be the most exposed with 43 percent of education bosses and almost half of health care sector employers indicating that they believed "EU migrants among their workforce were considering leaving their organization and/or the U.K. in 2017." A sign on the door of Toki Underground in Washington, D.C. announcing it will be closed on Thursday to support its staff that are participating in the 'Day Without Immigrants' boycott. Samuel Corum | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images Businesses in cities across the country prepared to close Thursday as immigrants boycott their jobs, classes and shopping. Immigrants in Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Austin, Texas, and other major U.S. cities plan to stay home Thursday as part of a strike called "A Day Without Immigrants." Coming on the heels of roundups of undocumented immigrants nationwide, organizers urge legal residents as well as undocumented ones to participate in the boycott in response to President Trump's crackdown on immigration, which includes plans to build a border wall and a temporary immigration ban on nationals from certain Muslim-majority nations. "From doctors to dishwashers, immigrants are integral to daily life in the U.S.," tweeted Janet Murguia, president and CEO of National Council of La Raza, as she praised Spanish-American Chef Jose Andres' decision to close his Washington, D.C., restaurants Thursday. A demonstrator holds a sign to protest against President Donald Trump's executive order banning refugees and immigrants from seven primarily Muslim countries during a rally in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, February 4, 2017. Tom Mihalek | Reuters The celebrity chef said he decided to close after a few hundred of his employees told him they weren't coming to work Thursday. They asked for his support and got it. "We are all one," he said. "We should not be fighting among each other, we should all be working together to keep moving the country forward." Andres faces a lawsuit against Trump after pulling out of a restaurant deal at Trump's new Washington, D.C., hotel over offensive comments Trump made about Mexican immigrants. More from USA Today: Protesters plan march to pressure President Trump on Tax Day Donald Trump's ties to Russia go back 30 years Ivanka Trump products are still sold at these stores The Trump administration, less than a month in, has implemented policies that advocates call anti-immigrant. The first series of changes included executive actions to build the U.S.-Mexico wall, boost patrol agents to curb illegal immigration and strip federal funding from sanctuary cities that limit cooperation with immigration agents. watch now The Chicago Board of Ethics has fined David Plouffe $90,000 for illegally lobbying the mayor on Uber's behalf, according to the Chicago Tribune. Uber was facing hurdles operating at Chicago airports, due to pick-up fees and requirements to display placards, the Tribune reported, so Plouffe contacted Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. But the board of ethics voted that Plouffe broke the rules when he failed to register as a lobbyist, according to the Tribune. Both Plouffe and Emanuel have ties to President Barack Obama. Plouffe, who now works with Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg, joined Uber after serving as Obama's campaign manager. Emanuel served as Obama's chief of staff. Though Plouffe doesn't dispute the allegations, the fine is far above the $1,000 minimum, the Tribune said. Uber will be fined $2,000, the Tribune reported. "We work hard to ensure our registrations are accurate and up to date," an Uber spokesman told CNBC. "We regret that in this instance we made a mistake and we will comply with the board's assessment." For more on the story, see the report at ChicagoTribune.com President Barack Obama activated the first presidential Twitter account in May 2015, gaining hundreds of thousands of followers for the @POTUS account in a matter of minutes. The Trump administration inherited that account in January, along with its 14 million followers. Obama handed over his named social media accounts, including @BarackObama, his account during the campaign, to an independent nonprofit group in January 2013. But Trump opted to keep his personal account and its millions of followers as a primary communication channel. "I'd rather just let that build up and just keep it @realDonaldTrump," Trump told the Times of London in January. "It's working." Although some reports indicated that Trump would not use the @POTUS account, he has been making use of both accounts, signing some @POTUS tweets "-DJT." So far, it appears that the @POTUS account is putting out staid administrative tweets, while the @realDonald Trump contains more of the off-the-cuff attacks that won the campaign so much attention during the election. Before the election, Trump's account had about 13 million followers. By Jan. 20, the account had hit 21 million, and today it has about 25 million. Favorites and retweets have increased even more than the number of followers, according to data pulled by CNBC from the Twitter API. Trump's use of Twitter can have real consequences for companies like Boeing, General Motors, and Ford, which have found themselves in the president's crosshairs on the social media platform. According to a recent analysis, Trump's negative tweets targeting companies encouraged other users to attack those companies as well. But at least one company is enthusiastic about the president's relentless tweeting: Twitter itself. While he noted that a single person can't drive sustained growth, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey said on the company's earnings call last week Trump has helped the platform at the "macro level." "The President's use of Twitter has broadened the awareness of how the platform can be used, and it shows the power of Twitter," said Dorsey. "When he tweets, it sparks conversation and discussion." Dorsey bought $7 million worth of shares in the company this week, according to regulatory forms filed on Tuesday. Despite the popularity of Trump's personal Twitter account, it's still about 60 million followers behind @BarackObama. The former president tweeted that he was retaking control of his old handle on Jan. 20, a tweet that received 1.9 million favorites and almost 450,000 retweets. None of Trump's recent tweets has come close to those figures. European markets closed lower on Thursday as investors paused for breath after fresh record closes on Wall Street in the previous session. The pan-European Stoxx 600 ended 0.37 percent lower with most sectors and major bourses in negative territory. Insurance stocks were among the worst performers on Thursday as insurance group NN ended close to the bottom of the European benchmark after disappointing full-year results. Its shares fell more than 7.6 percent. The food and beverages sector also dipped lower on Thursday with food giant Nestle closing almost 1 percent lower after sales and profit missed expectations. British engineering company Cobham was the worst-performing stock on Thursday, down by 15.2 percent after slashing its profit guidance. Ex-dividend stocks were also dragging down bourses like the FTSE 100. However, Air France-KLM soared over 13 percent higher Thursday after reporting strong earnings. Several airlines closed higher, including Lufthansa and International Consolidated Airlines, which owns British Airways and Iberia. Elsewhere, Ericsson shares were up by 4.4 percent after media reports that Cisco was open to larger acquisitions. Meanwhile, in the U.S., the Dow Jones industrial average and broader S&P 500 continued to move lower after stocks had hit highs for a fifth straight day in the previous session. In other corporate news, German authorities said they were dissatisfied they were not informed that General Motors planned to sell its ailing European arm to Peugeot, according to the Financial Times. Concerns have been raised that it could result in a mass layoff in German factories, a few months away from a federal election. DEAR ABBY: My daughter and son are heroin addicts. After living through this hell for 11 years, I have reached my breaking point. My daughter, who just turned 18, is in jail. My heart is broken. Therapists, parent sessions, etc. haven't helped. I'm 60 years old and should be retiring, but my retirement money was all spent on rehabs, etc. I won't even go into the many items that were stolen from me. How do I move on? I'm so depressed I can't get out of bed in the morning, and I cry all day. I don't want to take meds for depression because drugs have caused all my misery. My marriage is falling apart too. How do I carry on with this misery? -- MISERABLE IN CONNECTICUT DEAR MISERABLE: The way to carry on is to let it go. If you haven't heard of Nar-Anon, you should check into it. It's a support group for the family and friends of people who are addicted to narcotics, based on the principals of Al-Anon, which is for the loved ones of alcoholics. Help is as near as your computer. Visit nar-anon.org to find a group near you, and you will find that you are not as alone as you feel right now. DEAR ABBY: Five years ago I discovered my wife had been cheating on me with an ex-boyfriend for eight years. We have two young children, so we resolved our differences and decided against divorce. Now she says she wants us to have another baby. I feel I cannot handle a pregnancy with her because of her infidelity. As a hands-on father, I would want to be part of the pregnancy and the complications/changes that come with it. How should I handle this and express to her why I cannot (at this point) have another child with her? -- HANDS-ON DAD DEAR DAD: Clearly you are not over your wife's infidelity, and frankly, I can't blame you. The best way to get the message across to her would be during marriage counseling. DEAR ABBY: Several years ago I gifted one of my nephews, who was serving in the military at the time, with a .38-caliber revolver that had belonged to my uncle and reportedly had been used during World War I. I also gave his older brother a Colt .45 pistol from World War II. The nephew with the .38 revolver suffered from PTSD and died several years ago. The gun went to his father. My question is, shouldn't I have been asked if I wanted the revolver returned? I didn't give it to his father but to him. The father has made no attempt to return it to me. Abby, guns with histories are very personal to owners, and this one was doubly personal and an antique. What should I do? -- EMPTY HOLSTER IN TEXAS DEAR EMPTY HOLSTER: Technically, once a gift is given it becomes the property of the person who receives it. Because your nephew is deceased -- and I'm assuming his father is his next of kin -- the gun became the father's property. Since the gun has emotional significance to you because of its history, depending upon your relationship with the father, you can ask him to return it -- or offer to buy it back from him. However, there is no guarantee he will agree to your request. DEAR ABBY: A family member likes to use the toilet as a garbage disposal. I've asked her to please dump the food scraps into a trash bag or pour them out in the backyard, but she prefers the "easy flushing." How do I get her to stop the extra wear-and-tear on our toilet? Plumbers are expensive. -- MONEY DOWN THE DRAIN DEAR MDTD: Yes, plumbers ARE expensive. And there's a reason why we are supposed to use receptacles for what they're intended. If you are responsible for the toilet that's being used as a garbage disposal, make sure the family member knows she will be footing the bill for the plumber. However, if the toilet is her responsibility, this may be a lesson she will need to learn -- over and over -- on her own. DEAR ABBY: I am a man in my late 20s dating my on-and-off-again boyfriend of five years. I dread the parties and family gatherings he brings me to. I'm polite and good at holding conversations, but generally quiet around his friends and family members I don't know well. He jokingly puts me down at each event and says things like, "Why do I even bring you?" or, "Thanks for not doing or saying anything" (which isn't true). When I tell him afterward that I find his jibes offensive and suggest maybe he should date someone else who doesn't irritate him at social events, he either plays it off as "joking" or says, "Well, it's true." Any advice on how to handle this situation? -- QUIET ONE IN PENNSYLVANIA DEAR QUIET ONE: Humiliating someone isn't funny; it is cruel. If the shoe were on the other foot, I'm sure your boyfriend wouldn't like to be on the receiving end. If you have told him you don't like his jibes and want them stopped and yet he persists, handle it by re-evaluating your relationship and looking for someone who is more sensitive to hang out with. If the ridicule happens often, it may be a clue that you are really not compatible. DEAR ABBY: I lost my mother a month ago. I just could not accept it because she was always there for me through the good and bad times. I would like to know how long my grieving period will last for me. -- SON MOURNING IN MICHIGAN DEAR SON MOURNING: Please accept my sympathy for the loss of your mother. To answer your question, there is no set timetable for grief, and there are different stages of it. Right now, your grief is intense because it is fresh. With time, that intensity should fade to a level where it is tolerable. A grief support group could provide you the chance to talk about your feelings. Although you will always miss your mother, the sadness of her loss should not rule your life. DEAR ABBY: How do you discourage someone's friendliness without being rude? An elderly man recently moved in with his family in our neighborhood. He roams the neighborhood and approaches anyone he sees to introduce himself and start a conversation. He doesn't seem to have dementia, as he knows where and who he is, but his behavior is a little odd (such as asking for the precise spelling of everyone's first name). Unfortunately, now that he has met my husband and me, he comes up and knocks on the door to chat -- weekdays, evenings, weekends. The last time I was outside with my three kids, he approached with a stack of photos and proceeded to show me at least 100 prints of a trip he had taken abroad -- 10 years ago. I feel trapped because I don't want to be mean to an old man, but I dread seeing him stroll down the road. What is the best way to deal with this situation? -- WANTING TO WITHDRAW DEAR WANTING: The poor man is probably lonely and looking for human contact. Because you are not prepared to engage in his "neighborly" conversations, the next time he strolls by, tell him that you do not have time to chat right now. If he knocks on your door, tell him that you are busy or that you will be leaving shortly. And suggest to him that he may want to find a senior center so that he can make friends with contemporaries and won't feel so isolated. DEAR ABBY: I'm an 18-year-old girl and on my way to Navy boot camp. I'm excited about my enlistment, but I have a few troubling distractions. The first is my mother, "Dana." I moved in with my dad a year and a half ago, and it has been an amazing, positive change. But any contact I have with Dana or my grandmother screws me up majorly. I become mopey, have a bad attitude, and I'm just an all-around bad person to be around. This upsets my dad and my stepmom, "Ashley," whom I consider to be my true mom, because it affects them and my three sisters. They say I need to forgive and let go, since obviously I won't get an apology from Dana for how she raised and treated me. What I need is advice on how to forgive and remove her from my life without hurting her feelings or making it worse at home. -- ON MY WAY TO BOOT CAMP DEAR ON YOUR WAY: It isn't necessary to forgive a toxic parent. What you need to do is distance yourself from her, which will happen soon as you depart for boot camp. If being around Dana depresses you, see her as little as possible and don't feel guilty about it. Do not demand or expect an apology from her and don't offer one, because separating oneself from someone who mistreated you is healthy. DEAR ABBY: I'm 57 and have been married for 25 years. My husband has retired and is ready for me to do the same. I enjoy my work, and I am delaying my retirement because he wants to move to another state. Abby, all I can think about is how I will be forced to start all over with a new church, new doctors, new friends, etc. That's incredibly stressful for me, and I don't want to do it. It takes me a while to warm up to people, and I don't do it easily. To me, it would not be an exciting adventure. I have told him I don't want to do this and why. He responds that if I want to visit my friends I can always "hop on a plane." He said he's tired of the cold and wants to move. All I can think about is having to sell our home, buy another one, learn a new area, make friends, find a new church. I have all of that here. Maybe he should be a snowbird? -- DON'T WANT TO START ANEW DEAR DON'T WANT: If you and your husband can afford two places, perhaps you should both be snowbirds. It couldn't hurt to rent a place for a few months to see what life would be like in a new community. That's what I recommend to readers who contemplate making a drastic change -- such as relocation -- in their lives. If you do that, you might find that the "natives" are friendly and the community is congenial. However, if that's not the case, it could help you to avoid making a costly mistake. DEAR ABBY: My daughter has been divorced less than a year and is dating again. (She's the one who left the marriage.) However, she keeps many pictures of her ex-husband on her Facebook page. She says he was a big part of her life, and she refuses to take them down. She thinks if a guy can't accept it, then he isn't the right guy. Do you agree that she's sending the wrong message? -- TAKE THE PHOTOS DOWN DEAR TAKE: Personally, I do. A picture is worth a thousand words, and what it shows those who see hers is that she hasn't emotionally let go of her ex-husband. However, if men date her after looking at her Facebook page and seeing his pictures posted there, it's working for her, and I can't offer a criticism. Because you can't stop her, I suggest you accept it. DEAR ABBY: You missed the mark in your answer to "Mother Doesn't Know Best" (July 7), whose 8-year-old stepson arrives for visits in old, ill-fitting clothing, even though the father purchases new clothes for him on every visit. I live in Ohio, and the state considers housing, food, electricity, gas and running water as part of the makeup of child support. I know this firsthand. You also need to know if the mother is working and if she contributes to her son's support. What about other expenses (toys, haircuts, uniforms, etc.)? Part of the problem may be that Stepmom and Dad live across the country and aren't there to see what exactly goes on day to day. Yes, the little boy shouldn't be showing up at their home in clothes that are too small, but even Stepmom said he was putting on weight. -- MITZI IN DAYTON, OHIO DEAR MITZI: Your points are well taken. However, the majority of the feedback I received about that letter pointed out that children arriving in old clothes for visits with their dads is a popular ploy that some custodial mothers use in order to get new clothes, and some even return the clothes for cash. Read on: DEAR ABBY: I had a divorced girlfriend I had confided in about this same problem. She said, "Don't you know? We always send the kids to their dad's in their worst clothing. That way, they'll have to buy them new stuff during the visit." You can't assume that because a child arrives in worn or ill-fitting clothes that the custodial parent is unfit or that the child doesn't have lots of better clothing at home. -- MRS. D. IN VIRGINIA DEAR ABBY: Please suggest that when Stepmom and Dad buy clothes for his son, they mark the labels with the boy's initials. The mom may be returning the items for cash and buying something she wanted for herself. -- MOM WHO KNOWS DEAR ABBY: I am writing this as I sit in a hospital at my daughter's bedside. When staff comes into her room, she asks them to wash their hands in front of her before putting on their gloves. Several doctors took offense at this. We even posted a note on the door, asking the staff to wash up inside the room. Were we wrong? She doesn't want to increase her risk of infection. I would think that a patient worried about proper hygiene would not be sneered at by the people trying to get her healthy. -- TRYING TO STAY HEALTHY DEAR TRYING TO STAY HEALTHY: Bravo to you for speaking up! According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, hospital-acquired infections have cost the hospital industry $30 billion and resulted in 100,000 patient deaths. A 2013 New York Times article reported that unless pushed to do so, hospital workers wash their hands only as little as 30 percent of the time they interact with patients. The problem is so widespread that some hospitals must monitor workers via video cameras or have them wear electronic badges to "encourage" compliance, while others have resorted to "bribing" workers to do the right thing. You were not wrong to ask staffers at your daughter's hospital to wash their hands. Nobody should feel reluctant to ask for something that is standard procedure. Because many patients in hospitals and care facilities feel vulnerable and dependent, they fear that staff will "dislike" them if they ask for too much. For patients to request handwashing is not only in their best interest, but also the hospital's. Too often, change doesn't happen in the medical profession until patients speak up and advocate for their own well-being. You would not have been "sneered at" if your request hadn't made those individuals feel defensive. Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069 is entering the job market. The social network will now let employers post jobs directly to their Page, and users can apply for those jobs on Facebook. Applications are pre-populated with a user's Facebook data (though it can be altered), then sent to the employer via Messenger. Facebook hopes employers and prospective employees will then use Messenger to communicate throughout the courting process. Posting a job is free for employers, and there's no limit to how many posts a Page can have. Businesses were already posting jobs to their Pages, according to Andrew Bosworth, Facebook's VP of ads and its business platform. The hope is that now it'll be easier to find those postings and apply for them. More from Recode: Alphabet is sending hundreds of staff from its internet access unit to Google Why won't Uber just add a tipping option? Trump's labor secretary pick who favored replacing workers with robots just withdrew his nomination The news is not so great for existing job platforms like LinkedIn, which charges recruiters to post and promote jobs on its platform. Facebook isn't necessarily the first place you think of when looking for a new job, but it could certainly offer some competition to LinkedIn and has a much larger user base. The new feature will start to roll out beginning Wednesday, but only in the U.S. and Canada. By Kurt Wagner, Recode.net. CNBC's parent NBCUniversal is an investor in Recode's parent Vox, and the companies have a content-sharing arrangement. France's conservative presidential hopeful has asked prosecutors to drop investigations into misused public funds arguing they do not have the competency to undertake the task. Francois Fillon, the conservative presidential candidate, has allegedly paid his wife and two of his children public money for work they did not do. The allegations have significantly damaged his chances of becoming France's next president just a couple of months away before voters head to the polls. "We restate that the investigation is in violation with the competency rules of the financial Prosecutor office and, more seriously, with the principle of separation of powers," Fillon's lawyers said in a statement on Thursday. Fillion's standing in opinion polls has stumbled as the allegations emerged about three weeks ago. He was expected to beat far-right leader Marine Le Pen in the second round of voting. Now, he seems to have given that place in the second round to Emmanuel Macron, a former economy minister running as an independent. This has raised concerns among members of the conservative party. According to Reuters, a conservative lawmaker Georges Fenech told French media that voters do not want to support Les Republicans anymore. "There are other people in our party who are respectable, young and have the capacity to run the country," Fenech said, hinting that Fillon should perhaps be replaced. However, it is perhaps too early to remove Fillon from the race to the Elysee. "Fillon is still the safe bet," Claus Vistesen, chief euro zone economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics, told CNBC on Thursday over the phone. "He is taking a tougher stance on immigration," Vistesen noted, saying that Fillon is trying to position himself in a way that he gets some of the voters that are inclined to support the far-right leader Marine Le Pen. The latest opinion polls indicate a 26 percent victory for Le Pen in the first round, followed by Macron with 22 percent of the votes and Fillon in third place with 21 percent. The first round is about 10 weeks away and the small margins between the candidates make the French presidential election hard to predict. -- CNBC's Marion Lory contributed to this report. Follow CNBC International on Twitter and Facebook. Canada Goose parkas hang on display at a store in Richmond Hill, Ontario. Chris So | Toronto Star | Getty Images Canada Goose, the maker of expensive and trendy winter jackets, has filed for an initial public offering in both the United States and Canada. The company is privately owned, with 30% of its stock controlled by its CEO Dani Reiss, whose grandfather founded the company in 1957. The rest is owned by private equity firm Bain Capital, which invested in the company in 2013. More from Buzzfeed: Twitter is now temporarily throttling reach of abusive accounts How American's student loan giant dropped the ball Here's Trump's actual answer to a question about anti-Semitism in the US Here's some highlights from the filing. 1. Canada Goose is very proud of Canadians who achieve things in freezing cold weather. In his letter to shareholders, Reiss mentions that the company's jackets and other clothing were worn by the first Canadian to climb Mount Everest, the man who had the fastest solo South Pole expedition, an Iditarod champion, and Arctic pilots. 2. But the business is largely about finding more hipsters all over the world to sell to. Canada Goose has retail stores in Toronto and New York City and it intends to "open a select number of additional retail locations in major metropolitan centres and premium outdoor destinations where we believe they can operate profitably." 3. The company only began making more money from the US than Canada in 2016 In 2014, Canada Goose earned $73 million of its $152 million in revenue from Canada, with $34 million coming from the US. By 2016, overall revenue had almost doubled to $291 million, with $103 million coming from the US and $95 million coming from Canada. Over the past three years, sales in the US grew by 76% annually, while Canada sales grew by 15%. compounded annual growth, while the Canadian business has grown 15%. 4. Canada Goose still has a long way to go before becoming a national name in America The company just 16% brand awareness among Americans, compared to 76% in Canada. In the US, its fan base is concentrated in the Northeast, as is "the bulk of our investments and wholesale penetration." Its New York City store opened late last year and Canada Goose's "primary driver of our historical growth and momentum in the U.S." has been due to its business in the Northeast. The company does say, however, "there is a large white space opportunity in other regions such as the Mid-Atlantic, Midwest and Pacific Northwest." Watch out Portland and Chicago! Williamsburg tweet Jimmy fallon tweet 5. Animal rights activists are a risk to its business. "We have been the target of activists in the past, and may continue to be in the future," the company said in the portion of its filing that outlines risks to its business. "Protestors can disrupt sales at our stores, or use social media or other campaigns to sway public opinion against our products." The company's jackets include both feathers for filling and coyote fur in their signature hoods. 6. Canada Goose is going public, but one big investor will effectively still control it. "Bain Capital will continue to control a majority of the combined voting power of our outstanding multiple voting shares and subordinate voting shares after completion of this offering," the company said. 7. Canada Goose is profitable, but loaded with debt. Unlike the nominee he replaces, President Donald Trump's pick for Labor secretary brings to the job a record of more than two decades of public service as a prosecutor, law school dean and former member of the National Labor Relations Board. Trump named R. Alexander Acosta as his choice on Thursday, a day after the abrupt withdrawal of CKE Restaurants CEO Andy Puzder ahead of a confirmation hearing. Following growing bipartisan opposition, Puzder did not specify why he dropped out but said he made the decision "after careful consideration and discussions with my family." Acosta, a Republican, is dean of Florida International University College of Law. At a news conference announcing Acosta's nomination, Trump lashed out at Democrats for delaying the confirmation of his Cabinet nominees. "The only thing they can do is delay because they've screwed things up, royally," he said. The Labor Department oversees federal regulation of occupational safety, wage and hour standards and unemployment insurance benefits. It also gathers and analyzes economic statistics related to the American labor market, which covers more some 10 million employers and 125 million workers. The White House is also reviewing candidates to fill the job of national security advisor, left open after the resignation of Michael Flynn following disclosures that he may have mislead the administration about his contacts with Russian officials before Trump took office. Acosta will no doubt face the same level of scrutiny by Democrats that helped sink Puzder's nomination. That review will include more than two decades of a professional career that began after his graduation from Harvard Law School, when he clerked for then-Judge Samuel Alito on the Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. A year later, Acosta joined the Washington office of the Chicago law firm Kirkland & Ellis. In late 2002, Acosta was appointed to the National Labor Relations Board by President George W. Bush, where he served until August 2003. During his tenure, he wrote more than 125 opinions, according to his bio on FIU's website. Later in 2003, he served as assistant attorney general for the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division. Bush then named Acosta as the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Florida, where he prosecuted a number of high-profile cases, including the conviction of lobbyist Jack Abramoff for fraud. In 2009, Acosta's office prosecuted UBS for helping clients conceal assets from the IRS. The Swiss bank paid more than $750 million fines as part of the tax avoidance scheme. Acosta also took on a number of health-care fraud cases, one of which resulted in a reprimand from a Miami judge. In 2009, U.S. District Judge Alan Gold issued a critical order accusing prosecutors of violating ethical guidelines in a high-profile narcotics trial and fined the federal government more than $600,000. Acosta acknowledged that ''mistakes'' were made. Later that year, Acosta was named dean of the FIU law school. In his role as law school dean, Acosta testified in 2011 before Congress about the importance of protecting the civil rights of Muslim-Americans. "We are a nation built on principles of freedom, and high on the list of freedoms is freedom of religious expression," he said. Enough billion-dollar companies like Apple, Microsoft and Amazon have gotten their start in garages that it's easy to start thinking about the space once reserved for cars as a breeding ground for great business ideas. For Rob Myers, founder of the the world's leading automobile restorer and auction house, RM Auctions, his garage was both. It was the perfect place to launch a car-focused start-up. Born the son of a factory worker in Chatham, Ontario, Myers had to work from an early age to supplement his family's income. "When I was 6-years-old I was pouring yards and yards of cement I knew how to pour cement better than most 20-year-olds," he says. "If I wanted to have a motorcycle when I was 16-years-old, I had to figure out a way to earn the money." Rob Myers cruises in a beautifully restored Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster worth over $1 million. CNBC | By 14, he had discovered a pretty consistent revenue stream that set the path for his future career. "I used to go around the junkyards and pick out bicycles," Myers recalls. "I'd bring them home, paint the frames, fix the wheels I sold hundreds of used bicycles." Then a job as a cart collector at a local Kmart offered higher pay. After realizing a promotion to manager would require a high school diploma he didn't have, Myers couldn't shake the desire to go back to restoring. Rob Myers started his passion project out of a one-car garage in Chatham, Ontario as the founder and sole employee. RM Sotheby's | Rob Myers Junkyard bicycle projects led to second-hand motorcycle restorations. Motorcycle restorations led to custom work on the side, which fueled the idea to open a body shop full-time. Myers' father, who was worried about his prospects, helped line up a factory job for his son, but Myers backed out at the last minute. "I just couldn't see myself spending my life in a factory. I've got to be an entrepreneur and I had that spirit in me," Myers says. "My dad about had a nervous breakdown." In 1978, Myers opened his own 40-foot-by-80-foot garage where he started out restoring the old cars his father's friends would bring by. After racking up more than a few satisfied customers, word spread. Myers expanded into bodywork. The RM Classic Car Exhibit is a 37,000-square-foot showroom which boasts some of the company's best restorations and prospects. CNBC | "Then before you know it seven, eight years later, I'm getting Duesenbergs from people in California to do for them, and I'm getting a job from Australia," he says. As business picked up, he added an auction service. The once tiny garage became a mecca for classic automobile aficionados, pumping out hundreds of million-dollar restorations a year and racking up no fewer than six Best of Show awards at the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. In a Montery, California auction, RM Sotheby's achieved over $117 million in auction sales thanks in part to this LeMans Champion 1955 Jaguar D-Type, which set a world record for most expensive British car sold at auction ($21.8 million.) RM Sotheby's | CNBC When President Trump talked about the "mess" he inherited from President Obama, that was news but it was also similar to what we've seen from new presidents in the past. But his complaint about a particular Congressman refusing to meet with him because of political pressure was new. The Congressman in question is Maryland's Elijah Cummings who is a leader in the Congressional Black Caucus. At this point, we have no way of knowing all the real reasons why he hasn't yet met with the president. But this was yet another new way President Trump has come out fighting in a way his predecessors simply wouldn't. The presidents of the past would probably not even want to risk the embarrassment of admitting a meeting like that was killed. But President Trump is used to fighting and seems to genuinely like it. If he feels he's being snubbed, we cannot expect him to show any shame or restraint in complaining about it. And, while Trump emphasized over and over again during the press conference that he is not racist, he is not anti-Semitic, he does really need to do that three-second rule and think before he speaks. In answering that question about why his meeting with Cummings didn't happen, he asked veteran African-American journalist April Ryan if she could help set up a meeting with the Congressional Black Caucus. "Are they friends of yours?" Buckle up, folks. President Trump is like a live tiger in a news conference. And he is now more emboldened than ever to return to his campaign combative persona. He's not afraid and he does not shame easily even when he's sticking his foot in his mouth. And the days of the boring, information-starved, and filibuster-like presidential news conference are truly over. Commentary by Jake Novak, CNBC.com senior columnist. Follow him on Twitter @jakejakeny. For more insight from CNBC contributors, follow @CNBCopinion on Twitter. Jay Y. Lee, co-vice chairman of Samsung Electronics, center, sits in a car as he leaves the Seoul Central District Court in Seoul, South Korea, on Thursday, Feb, 16, 2017. Samsung Group chief Jay Y. Lee was arrested on Friday, a South Korean court said, over his alleged role in a corruption scandal that led parliament to impeach President Park Geun-hye. The Seoul Central District Court also rejected a request to issue an arrest warrant for Samsung Electronics President Park Sang-jin, who also heads the Korea Equestrian Federation. The 48-year-old Lee, Samsung's vice chairman, was taken into custody at the Seoul Detention Center, where he had awaited the court's decision following a day-long closed-door hearing that ended on Thursday evening. The same court rejected a request from prosecutors last month to arrest Lee. On Tuesday, the special prosecutor's office had again requested a warrant to arrest Lee on bribery and other charges again. The Labor Department has spent years favoring the unions and the new secretary needs to find a better balance moving forward, former McDonald's CEO Ed Rensi told CNBC on Thursday. Earlier in the day, President Donald Trump named R. Alexander Acosta as his choice to head the agency after his first pick, CKE Restaurants CEO Andy Puzder, withdrew his nomination. "We need to be the land of promise and hope. And our Labor Department in the past 16 years has been nothing but an obstacle," Rensi said in an interview with "Closing Bell." He believes that obstacle comes in the form of things like the overtime rule, which would have extended mandatory overtime pay to more than 4 million workers. The rule was blocked by a federal judge in November. "These things all serve to do one thing empower unions to manage companies indirectly and it stops hiring," Rensi argued. Jamie Richardson, vice president at White Castle, also thinks there has been an "ongoing assault" by the Labor Department. The overtime rule and a $15 minimum wage "really takes the employment community and puts us in a pause mode. So we're looking for the opportunity to provide more opportunity for more people," Richardson told "Closing Bell." He hopes the new Labor chief recognizes that the workforce is changing and that employers are at their best when they are able to drive employment. Rensi is hoping for a balance between corporations, workers' rights and labor unions, which he said will give young workers and new immigrants an opportunity to gain skills and get jobs. "If we don't get this turned around, we're going to be in trouble," he warned. Flared natural gas is burned at an Apache natural gas plant in the Permian Basin in Garden City, Texas. Getty Images Falling natural gas prices would be even lower if not for a growing U.S. export market both via pipeline to Mexico and through liquefied natural gas shipments around the world. Warm winter weather has been hard on U.S. natural gas producers, who have watched prices do nothing but slide since the end of last year. Natural gas futures are down 22 percent since the beginning of the year, having run up in late 2016 on the expectation that winter heating demand would result in much more gas coming out of storage. watch now "I think a lot of the lack of winter has been priced in," said Gene McGillian, manager market research at Tradition Energy. On Thursday, natural gas futures for March fell about 2.4 percent to $2.85 per million Btus, after the latest weekly government data showed a draw down of 114 billion cubic feet, less than expected. But on the plus side, the gas in storage in the U.S. was 2.4 trillion cubic last week, 303 bcf less than last year at this time. However, it's still 87 bcf or about 3.5 percent above the five-year average of 2,358 Bcf. "The positive spin today is the growing exports, and there's a higher level of natural gas usage intensity," said John Kilduff of Again Capital. "They [utilities] really shifted away from coal in a big way ... that's showing up in the base load demand for natural gas, and thermal coal shipments are down." Kilduff said he expects to see a pickup in U.S. demand, once summer approaches and air conditioning use rises. "I'm looking for it in the short-term to get back down to $2.60 depending on how things look. I'm tempted to get long down there. I do think when the summer heat comes, it will be intense enough to get us back on the upside above $3, $3.50," he said. While relatively small, the pickup in export demand also coincides with slightly less production than at the same time a year ago. According to Genscape, U.S. natural gas production for February so far is relatively strong at 71.3 billion cubic feet per day, down 1.43 bcf/d from last year. watch now When people talk about the office the vice president of the United States, it's almost inevitable that someone reaches back into history toward FDR's two-term second-in-command, John Nance Garner, who memorably described the office as being "not worth a bucket of warm piss." The remark is said to have made Roosevelt laugh out loud when it was conveyed to him and it's been passed down as the conventional wisdom about the office ever since. It was hammered home by Garner's statement in retirement that accepting the nomination had been "the worst damn fool mistake I ever made." But for the past 16 years or more, the job of the vice president has been very different from the one Nance despised. Joe Biden in the Obama White House and Dick Cheney under George W. Bush were both deeply engaged in formulating administration policy and marshaling support in Congress. At critical times in both administrations, both Cheney and Biden were deputized to negotiate with lawmakers and to strike deals that both sides understood the president would honor. More from The Fiscal Times: 4-Star General Warns of 'Unbelievable Turmoil' in White House With Flynn Out, Trump Faces Questions About National Security National Insecurity: Intel Officials Increasingly Worried About Trump It's unclear just what role Vice President Mike Pence is playing in the administration, how empowered he will be with regard to politics and policymaking, and, frankly, how much weight his word will carry on Capitol Hill. That's because this week it became clear that the vice president is not in President Trump's inner circle. In January, with rumors swirling about his alleged contacts with Russian officials before Trump took office, now former National Security Adviser Mike Flynn told Pence that he had not discussed lifting economic sanctions imposed by the Obama administration. Pence then went on national television to repeat Flynn's claims. On January 26, the Justice Department informed the White House that Flynn had apparently misled Pence and other members of the administration. According to multiple reports, wiretap intelligence indicated that he had discussed sanctions with the Russian Ambassador. No question, Pence has to be embarrassed by this turn of events. But his major mistake so far has been getting entirely too close to Trump and parroting some of the silly things Trump and his inner circle have been saying. Larry Sabato director, University of Virginia's Center for Politics Remarkably, even though White House Counsel Don McGahn and Chief of Staff Reince Priebus informed the president immediately, Pence was kept in the dark until February 9. Worse, according to his spokesperson's comment to The Washington Post, he learned about it not from the president but from media reports. At this point, absent some sort of public statement from Trump that affirmatively asserts that Pence has authority within the administration, it's hard to see how the vice president can claim to speak for the White House on matters of policy. Members of Congress, business leaders, interest groups and others sitting across the table from Pence could and will ask themselves whether what he's telling them really reflects the thinking of the president and his closest advisers. Of course, this was always a danger in a Trump presidency, as Pence knew, or should have known when he accepted the vice presidential nomination. When a man as mercurial as Trump has revealed himself to be is sitting in the Oval Office, there would always be the possibility that policies articulated in good faith by his surrogates would be subject to change without notice. However, when the evidence that Pence was treated with manifest disrespect during the Flynn affair was added to the mix, the vice president's ability to act as the voice of the administration has presumably been badly damaged. In truth, Trump and Pence were always an unlikely match. Pence, the former Indiana governor, describes himself as a "born-again evangelical Catholic" and has long been a fixture in the conservative movement, especially with respect to culture war issues, including gay rights and abortion. These are areas in which Trump expressed little interest except when it became politically necessary for him to do so. Trump's selection of Pence was part of what made his deeply unconventional presidential campaign palatable to many conservatives. The assumption was that Pence would have a seat at the table, and would be able to steer the Trump administration toward more traditionally conservative positions. watch now After graduating from the University of Chicago, Grant of Millennial Money found himself unemployed, living at home with his parents, and with a bank account balance of $2.26. "That was a huge wake-up call for me," the now 31-year-old, who goes by his first name exclusively, tells CNBC. "I remember thinking, 'I never want to feel like this again in my life.' I took a screenshot of my bank account as motivation and made it my personal goal to have $1 million in assets in five years." He landed a digital marketing job that paid $50,000 a year, but "quickly realized this just wasn't going to be enough money. I wasn't going to be able to get ahead making this and saving 5% to 10% of my income." Grant's solution was to start a side hustle building websites. "The first website I built was a $300 one for a law firm," he tells CNBC. "That law firm ended up recommending me to another law firm, and in six months, I went from charging $300 per engagement to $5,000." Within a year, he sold his first $100,000 project and decided to quit his full-time job to focus on growing his consulting business. Five years after taking the screenshot of his $2.26 balance, Grant hit seven-figures. In a post on his blog, Grant, who now lives in Chicago with his wife, outlines the five steps he took that helped him turn $2.26 into $1 million. "I can't guarantee that you will have the same results, but if you follow even just a few of these steps, you are likely going to be much better off financially than you are today," he writes. 1. Get paid what you're worth "The number one thing that will dictate your future earning potential and get you to $1 million the fastest is how much money you are being paid today," Grant writes. "Unfortunately, you probably aren't being paid what you are worth." The simplest way to boost your earning potential is to ask for a raise. Grant recommends looking at the salary range for someone with your level of experience in your industry, which will help you understand what you're worth. Then take that information to your boss and emphasize what you bring to the company. Remember, "it doesn't hurt to ask," he tells CNBC. "A lot of people are ultimately afraid that people are going to say no, and so they undervalue themselves and they undervalue their services." 2. Save a ton of money and put it to work "In order to build wealth you need to be making as much money as possible on your money," Grant writes. "Because you can only make so much money at any career, investing is truly the key to wealth." During his five-year journey to seven figures, Grant saved 50% of his income. Today, despite his financial success, he still focuses on living simply and sets aside 40% to 50%. The key, Grant says, is to make things automatic: "Talk to your HR company and have them start depositing at least 20% of your income directly into an investment account before you even see it. This is 20% of your income AFTER contributing to your 401(k). I have mine automatically deposited directly into my Vanguard investment account and the money then gets automatically invested into a mixture of index funds." 3. Develop multiple streams of income After you've maximized your earning potential and are saving a good chunk of your salary, focus on increasing your revenue streams, by finding a part-time job, starting a side hustle or establishing passive income. "If your goal to build wealth you need to master the side hustle and make money other ways than just your full-time job," Grant writes. "This can really be anything, including driving for Uber, consulting, or building websites on the side." Once you start making money from your side gig, invest 100% of the profits, says Grant: "Once you find a great side gig, you will be tempted to spend that money in your everyday life as your bank account grows but I strongly recommend you think of your side hustle as a key to building wealth (over the long term) instead of just being rich today." 4. Invest in what you know While Grant is a big believer in simple index fund investing, he allocates 20% of his investment capital towards individual companies like Apple, Amazon and Google. If you're going to invest in individual companies, go with what's familiar, he says: "Look at the products you use and consume every day; then research the fundamentals of those companies so you can learn more about their investment potential." It's a strategy that investing legend Warren Buffett lives by. The billionaire only invests in companies that are within his "circle of competence," a concept he first described in his 1996 Shareholder Letter. Simply put, stick to what you know. "Defining what your game is where you're going to have an edge is enormously important," Buffett says. Once you've done that, buy and hold. Some have speculated that Will Happer, an emeritus professor of physics at Princeton University is on a shortlist of potential science advisors to the Trump Administration, after Happer met with Trump at Trump Tower in New York City in mid-January. Whether he will play any official role in the administration remains to be seen, but he has been a witness at hearings convened by Republican lawmakers on climate change. A prominent but controversial physicist who recently met with President Donald Trump says global warming is a "non-problem" not worth investing in, that CO2 is actually good for the atmosphere and the planet, and that the debate over climate change is driven by alarmists and is distracting the public from other more pressing problems. Happer also was director of the Office of Science in the Department of Energy from 1991 to 1993 under President George H.W. Bush. In a lengthy interview with ProPublica, Happer said science education in the United States is substandard, that he resents being called a "climate denier," and explained his conviction that carbon dioxide is actually good for the planet, as it fosters plant growth and pushes up agricultural yields. He points out that he is not proposing the "irresponsible burning of fossil fuels," citing air pollution in cities like Beijing and New Delhi as examples of what happens when emissions are not controlled. But he said he thinks the issue of climate change is fueled by alarmists, and that the science is "very, very shaky on their side." Read the full interview at ProPublica. President Donald Trump said "it would be great if we could get along with Russia," as he contrasted his willingness to be friendly with Moscow to the policies of his presidential predecessors. "Tomorrow, you'll say, 'Donald Trump wants to get along with Russia, that's terrible,' " Trump said sarcastically to reporters at a White House press conference Thursday. "It's not terrible. It's good," Trump said. "If we could get along with Russia, that's a positive thing." "You've had a lot of presidents that haven't taken that tack," Trump said. "Look where we are." Trump's comments on Russia came after reports that people in his presidential campaign had been in contact with Russian intelligence officials last year, and after he fired National Security Adviser Michael Flynn for not telling Vice President Mike Pence details of a conversation Flynn had in January with Russia's ambassador to Washington. Here are some of the key stories CNBC is following this hour: Pakistani officials said an ISIS suicide bomber struck a famous shrine in Southern Pakistan, killing at least 75 people and injuring 200 more. Hundreds of worshipers were at the shrine at the time of the blast. The military is helping in the relief effort, and ISIS has claimed responsibility. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos downplayed her contentious confirmation hearing and protests, while addressing educators at the Community College National Legislative Summit in Washington, D.C. Monopoly gave the thumbs down to the thimble. Voters rejected the venerable game piece, which has been in action since 1935. As part of a campaign to select the next generation of game pieces, Hasbro is holding a worldwide contest to choose the next eight tokens. Winners will be announced next month. Here are some of the key stories CNBC is following this hour: Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Germany. This marks the highest face-to-face talk between the two countries since President Donald Trump took office. Separately, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis is telling NATO ministers in Brussels that the U.S. is not ready to collaborate militarily with Russia. On Thursday, North Korea is marking the 75th anniversary of the birth of former leader Kim Jong-il. Thousands of people are laying flowers and bowing below giant statues of the late leader and his predecessor. In Kentucky, a deputy sheriff and a deputy jailer got into a fight in front of inmates, and it was caught on camera. It started when the deputy tried to hand property of an inmate over to the jailer, who allegedly threw it back. The jailer was then arrested. A wedding proposal is now going viral on the internet. Kristian Helton's girlfriend loves chicken McNuggets so much, he proposed to her by putting the ring in a box of McNuggets. She said yes, and McDonald 's says it will cater the wedding. 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Ireland United States Minor Outlying Islands United States of America Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (L) talks to U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson during a G20 meeting of foreign ministers in Bonn, Germany on February 16, 2017. Russia does not interfere in other countries' interior affairs, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Thursday at the start of his first meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. Reporters present at the start of the meeting asked Lavrov to comment on the turmoil in Washington where President Donald Trump sacked a top aide this week over his contacts with Russian officials. "You should know we do not interfere in the domestic matters of other countries," Lavrov said. Trump has railed against "criminal" leaks from U.S. intelligence agencies, some of which apparently showed national security adviser Michael Flynn had had conversations with Russians about sanctions, something he had previously denied. Lavrov did not elaborate about the situation in Washington, but Russian President Vladimir Putin has said it is in the interests of both nations to restore communications between their intelligence agencies. Trump has said he hopes to rebuild ties with Russia despite reports from U.S. intelligence agencies last year which concluded that Russia hacked and leaked Democratic emails during the presidential campaign as part of efforts to tilt the vote in the election in Trump's favor. Lavrov said the two countries had "plenty of issues" to discuss, many of which had already been raised during a telephone conversation between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Jan. 28. The ship, approximately 30 miles from the U.S. naval base, is still in international waters. The boundary for the ship to remain in international waters is 12 nautical miles, according to the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea. A Russian intelligence ship has been spotted off the coast of Groton, Connecticut, where Naval Submarine Base New London is located, U.S. defense officials said. The Russian ship Vishnya (also known as Meridian) class warship CCB-175 Viktor Leonov, docked, on February 26, 2014, at Havana harbor. "We are aware of the vessel's presence," Lt. Col. Valerie Henderson, a spokeswoman for the Defense Department, told NBC News in an email. "It has not entered U.S. territorial waters. We respect freedom of navigation exercised by all nations beyond the territorial sea of a coastal State consistent with international law." The ship, the Viktor Leonov, is expected to sail down the east coast and head to the Caribbean, according to Fox News. The White House has not commented on the presence of the ship. More from NBC News: Trump Blames Russian Connection 'Conspiracy Theories' on Clinton Campaign 'Cover Up' Michael Flynn: A Timeline of His Rise and Fall and the Russia Call Two House Chairmen Ask for Justice Department Probe Over Flynn 'Leaks' Although the Russian vessel hasn't broken any international laws with its presence, several Connecticut lawmakers have expressed concern over its proximity in light of the 2016 election hacks and outstanding questions surrounding Trump's former national security adviser's communications with Russia. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-Connecticut, who serves on the Armed Services Committee and is the ranking member of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, called it an "unacceptable, aggressive action." "A Russian spy ship patrolling 30 miles from the Groton SUBASE underscores that the threats posed by a resurgent Russia are real," Courtney said in a press release. On Wednesday, Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Connecticut, tweeted that Russia "is acting like it has a permission slip to expand influence" and "test limits" by placing a ship so close to the United States. MURPHY TWEET "While this is not wholly unprecedented, it's part of a series of aggressive actions by Russia that threaten U.S. national security and the security of our allies," Murphy, the ranking Democrat on the Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation, said in a statement. Republican members of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, which has primary oversight of the Homeland Security Department, did not immediately respond to a requests for comment. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Kentucky, who is on the committee, declined to comment. Murphy asserted that the move was disconcerting as it came just a one day after it was reported that Russia secretly deployed a cruise missile in what officials have called a violation of a Cold War-era treaty and not long after Russian aircraft buzzed a U.S. destroyer in the Black Sea. "President Trump and his administration must end their silence and immediately respond to these threats to our national security," Murphy said. "People in Ohio and around the country want him to get to work. This is what they hired him to do create stability, make investments, rebuild the country, provide security, and it seems like everything he touches turns to chaos." "We don't need the chaos, the conflict, the fighting," the congressman said in an interview with " Power Lunch ." In his first solo news conference as president , Trump on Thursday hit on a wide range of topics. However, Ryan said Trump is "so incoherent sometimes it's really hard to follow what he's saying." President Donald Trump needs to forgo the "chaos" and "conflict," and start focusing on the issues facing this country, Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Ohio, told CNBC on Thursday. During the press conference, Trump criticized the "dishonest media" and bragged about his accomplishments after announcing his new choice for Labor secretary. He also faced several questions about the resignation of former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn and revealed he will issue a new executive order to protect the United States. Trump also complained that he couldn't get his Cabinet members approved. However, Ryan said that is through no fault of the Democrats, since Republicans control the Senate. "We have to get into the legislative process. He's been talking about a trillion dollar infrastructure package for a long time. Here we are a month in, and he says everything's in shambles. Why aren't you bringing us the biggest piece of legislation that would actually get people back to work? We're waiting," said Ryan. As to whether he would support a border adjustment tax, Ryan said he would have to see exactly what it looks like and talk to those who may be affected before he makes a decision. However, he wasn't necessarily optimistic about the measure passing. "I don't know if it's going to go anywhere, to be quite honest with you," he said. "I'm not sure it has the steam to get it through, but who knows." The parent company of the Snapchat photo app will sell itself to investors with the angle that CEO Evan Spiegel is the product visionary, while chief strategy officer Imran Khan will present on the company's business opportunity. Chief financial officer Andrew Vollero will take a lesser role. Snap plans to set a final price for its stock March 1, and will begin trading on the New York Stock Exchange the next day, according to the company's roadshow schedule, sources told CNBC. Spiegel and Khan will emphasize that users love the product and spend lots of time in it, rather than focusing on the number of users. This argument could be used to counter the fact that the company's user growth started to slow down in the last half of 2016, according to its IPO filing. This slowdown in user growth could create a challenge for the company, VC Chamath Palihapitya told CNBC on Wednesday, as Snap will have to rapidly increase the amount of money it makes per user in order to keep growing its revenue at a rate that justifies its valuation and become profitable. The company's revenue grew almost sevenfold between 2015 and 2016, to $404 million, but it lost $520 million last year. Snap sees its IPO pricing at between $14 and $16 per share, according to a regulatory filing released Thursday, which would value the company at between $19.5 billion to $22.2 billion. However, that price could change depending on perceived demand from investors. Reporting by CNBC's Leslie Picker and Sally Shin Whatever one thinks of Obamacare, many health stocks have benefited from increased coverage. The Health Care SPDR ETF is up 129 percent since the ACA was signed into law on March 23, 2010. That beats the S&P 500 return by about 25 percent. Even now, amid an uncertain Affordable Care Act repeal-and-replace effort, the health-care sector is holding up well, up more than 6 percent this year, ahead of the S&P 500 gain. Michael Nagle | Bloomberg | Getty Images watch now Experts remain wary. Hospitals were a big ACA beneficiary because many emergency rooms were providing free care for patients. After Obamacare was passed, hospitals started getting paid for that work. "If you're going to provide that care one way or another, the incremental margin is extremely high if you're now collecting," Gordon said. Brad Sorensen, managing director of market and sector analysis at Charles Schwab, said he can see a scenario under which an ACA alternative won't cover as many Americans as it does now. If that's the case, then these companies could go back to providing services that they won't get paid for. "Hospitals may take a hit, at least at the beginning, because investors may be worried that they'll be on the hook for uninsured Americans again," Sorensen said. How insurers win in Obamacare's loss The wild card are health insurers, which may be forced to compete with more players under a Trump presidency. Their costs have risen over the years, and some, like Aetna and Humana , have pulled out of public exchanges because sicker, and more expensive, patients, who need medical care right away, have signed up. Humana just announced this week it will exit ACA markets entirely next year. There have not been enough younger, healthier people who could pay premiums without needing pricey care, Sorensen said. These companies have been dealing with even bigger headlines, though, as a few mega-mergers in the sector have failed: this week's lawsuit by Cigna against would-be acquirer Anthem after the government rejected its $54 billion deal, and the scrapped $34 billion Aetna-Humana combination. Even with the wave of mergers stalled, these insurers have all posted double-digit returns since the election. How the insurers fare could now depend more on what the government comes up with to replace Obamacare. Sorensen said he believes it will be a net positive for insurance companies. At the moment, states have varying regulations when it comes to insurance. If those rules can be streamlined, then that would be a benefit to these companies. The insurers may also be able to get more creative in their offerings. They could offer more bare-bones insurance to younger people who might only need emergency coverage, versus covering the cost of physicals or certain drugs, he said. This is similar to what was offered before the ACA mandated certain minimum coverage, Sorenson said. While returns have been strong in the Obamacare era, insurers continue to blame Obamacare's imbalance between unhealthy and healthy patients for weak performance, including Molina Healthcare , which on Wednesday plunged near-20 percent after a weak earnings report that it said resulted primarily as a result of the Affordable Care Act markets. Molina's shares have risen 246 percent since Obamacare was signed into law. ETF YTD (%) 1-year (%) Expense (%) iShares US Healthcare Providers 6.2 23 0.46 SPDR S&P Health Care Services 8.5 16.7 0.35 iShares US Healthcare 5.9 16.7 0.46 Health Care Select SPDR 5.7 15 0.16 Fidelity MSCI Health Care Index 6.5 18 0.08 Source: Source: XTF.com, data as of 2/15/2017 Situated on the Parana River, the Itaipu dam straddles the border between Brazil and Paraguay. Here, Sustainable Energy takes a look at this icon of hydropower, assessing the impact it has on the countries it supplies energy to. Scale In its first year of operation Itaipu produced 276,529 megawatt hours of power. In 2016, that figure hit 103,098,366 megawatt hours, a world record for annual generation. In terms of scale, Itaipu is vast. The dam's length when taking into account the Hernandarias dike is 7,919 meters, while its maximum height hits 196 meters. A staggering 12.3 million cubic meters of concrete were used in its construction, with the steel and iron used enough to build 380 Eiffel Towers. "Our generating units are 700 megawatts each," Juliano Portela, an engineer at Itaipu Binacional, told CNBC's Sustainable Energy. "We have 20 generating units installed, which comprises a total of 14,000 megawatts," he added. President Donald Trump during a Thursday news conference claimed the United States is becoming a "drug-infested nation." "Drugs are becoming cheaper than candy bars. We're not going to let it happen any longer," Trump said. It was not immediately clear which illicit substances Trump was referring to in the first solo press conference of his presidency. A quick, cursory search suggests a single candy bar costs about $1.50 in New York City, depending on the type. In 2012, a gram of marijuana cost about $18.25, when purchased at the "retail" level, according to a 2015 White House National Drug Control Strategy report. RehabCenter.net puts that figure at $15 a gram, which it says is the amount a "moderate user" will consume in a day. The 2015 White House report did show that average prices for most drugs have been falling since the 1980s. It is possible to get small doses of drugs for lower prices. For example, the Baltimore Sun reported in 2015 one dealer was selling $6 capsules that contained a "small amount of diluted heroin." A study published in December 2016 said that students reported the lowest rates of drug use since the National Institute of Drug Abuse began the survey in 1975. NIDA said, "Across all grades, past-year use of inhalants, heroin, methamphetamine, alcohol, cigarettes, and synthetic cannabinoids are at their lowest by many measures." While teens may be abusing drugs at a lower rate than previous generations, there is a trend of increasing overdose deaths in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that more than six out of 10 of these deaths involve an opioid and that "prescription opioids are a driving factor in the 15-year increase in opioid overdose deaths." Common prescription opioids include oxycodone, hydrocodone (Vicodin), morphine and methadone. Trump said his administration has ordered the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice "to coordinate on a plan to destroy criminal cartels coming into the United States with drugs." Earlier this month, Trump signed an executive order that aims to curb international trafficking by transnational drug cartels. On Monday, the Treasury Department sanctioned Venezuelan Vice President Tareck El Aissami, saying he facilitated and coordinated narcotics shipments from his country. The Department said, "He oversaw or partially owned narcotics shipments of over 1,000 kilograms from Venezuela on multiple occasions, including those with the final destinations of Mexico and the United States." President Donald Trump plans to introduce executive actions aimed at scaling back Obama-era climate change initiatives and shaking up the Environmental Protection Agency, reports say. The president intends to sign the actions during a visit to the EPA headquarters for Scott Pruitt's swearing in as head of the agency, policy newsletter Inside EPA reported Tuesday, citing an administration source. The timing of the event has not been determined because the full Senate has not yet confirmed Pruitt. The Hill reported on the Inside EPA report on Wednesday. The White House did not return CNBC's request for comment. On Thursday, Reuters reported that staff at the EPA have been told that Trump is preparing a handful of executive orders to reshape the agency, to be signed once a new administrator is confirmed. The news service cited two sources who attended the meeting. A senior EPA official who had been briefed by members of the Trump administration mentioned the executive orders at a meeting of staffers in the EPA's Office of General Counsel on Tuesday, but did not provide details about what the orders would say, said the sources, who asked not to be named. Inside EPA's source did not share the contents of the planned executive actions, but told Inside EPA they would "suck the air out" of the room. U.S. intelligence officials' mistrust of President Donald Trump is so acute that they have withheld information from him, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing current and former officials familiar with the matter. The information withheld includes the sources and methods used to collect the intelligence, according to the newspaper. The report comes amid Trump's claims that intelligence agencies have leaked information to undermine him. In a tweet on Wednesday, Trump blasted the intelligence community for leaks. The real scandal here is that classified information is illegally given out by "intelligence" like candy. Very un-American! And in tweets on Thursday, Trump lashed out at the media. Leaking, and even illegal classified leaking, has been a big problem in Washington for years. Failing @nytimes (and others) must apologize! The spotlight has finally been put on the low-life leakers! They will be caught! "Any suggestion that the U.S. intelligence community is withholding information and not providing the best possible intelligence to the president and his national security team is not true," the Office of Director of National Intelligence said in a statement to the Journal. The White House said it does not have evidence this is actually happening, the Journal said. Withholding some information from presidents is not new for intelligence agencies, but the difference in Trump's case is that the decision to refrain from sharing sensitive intelligence stemmed from concerns about leaks or compromises, the Journal reported. To read more, check out the full Wall Street Journal report. Americans should stop expecting a different President Donald Trump than candidate Trump, longtime Democratic insider Bill Daley told CNBC on Thursday. The former Obama chief of staff and ex-Clinton Commerce secretary said, "Trump is a different politician. He was a different businessman. His campaign was different. What you saw in his campaign is what you're going to see in his presidency." "That's who he is. [He's] 70 years old. He won when no one thought he would, in a style that was very different. Why change now?" Daley said on "Squawk Box." But Daley said "the perceived chaos around the White House" could complicate the president's ability to work with Congress to pass his promised pro-economic growth agenda. "The market is being very anticipatory of tax reform and the regulatory reform that the president has talked about," said Daley, head of U.S. operations at Swiss hedge fund Argentiere Capital. "The devil is always in the details. And the time which they'll get that done is probably a lot longer than the market realizes right now." Daley predicted Trump probably won't get everything he wants from Capitol Hill, even though Republicans control the House and Senate. Puzder, the CEO of CKE Restaurants and someone known for making controversial statements, was a decidedly out-of-the-box choice for a cabinet position. His withdrawal may be something to mourn for those who truly wanted a major shake-up for the D.C. bureaucracy. But while Acosta may agree with a lot of Puzder's ideas, he is a clear product of the Washington system with many more years in government service than in the private sector. That fact alone will assure some of the more worried observers from both parties that President Trump is not intent on assembling some kind of rogue cabinet. The flip side of that is jobs and immigration are such a crucial part of President Trump's promise to shake up government as usual. Acosta may be able to achieve that goal but as a consummate insider, it may take more intellectual heavy lifting. If the Trump team is going to follow through on those promised changes, this may have to be one of those cases where the cabinet member charged with carrying out those changes simply has to do what the president demands and keeps his own input to a minimum. And then there's the final kicker: Acosta may be Democrats' worst nightmare. He's a nominee they simply have to respect and cannot begin to hope to block. It would simply be suicide for a party that's banking more and more on racial identity politics to be aggressive or even appear to be aggressively opposing someone like Acosta. Barring the revelation of some kind of crazy personal scandal, nothing will stop Acosta from becoming our next Labor Secretary. The ease with which he will be confirmed and the kind way he is likely to be treated even by the president's enemies, might bring a needed moment of calm in the current Washington storm. Commentary by Jake Novak, CNBC.com senior columnist. Follow him on Twitter @jakejakeny. For more insight from CNBC contributors, follow @CNBCopinion on Twitter. New York State parks, historic sites, and campgrounds hosted an estimated 69.3 million visitors in 2016, up 6 percent from 2015 and up 21 percent since 2011, according to a recent new release from Gov. Andrew M. Cuomos office. The governors office said park-system attendance was boosted by many factors, including major improvements to park facilities such as reopening the historic West Bathhouse at Jones Beach on Long Island and renewal of Terrapin Point at Niagara Falls; the Connect Kids to Parks initiative offering free park entry to fourth-graders; an extended swimming season after Labor Day; record overnight visitation at State Park campgrounds; and favorable weather throughout the summer and late into the fall. Annual park-system attendance has climbed steadily from the 57.2 million visits recorded in 2011. CAPTION: Chittenango Falls State Park in Madison County PHOTO CREDIT: New York State Parks website Veteran Musician, 9ice has joined the likes of Mavin Records and Iyanya to sign with Temple Management Company. The deal which was signed and sealed on Thursday 16th, 2017 at the corporate office of the company in Victoria Island, Lagos was witnessed by representatives of both parties. CEO/ Founder TMC, Idris Olorunnimbe highlighted that the Gonga Aso croner is still highly revered in the Nigerian music industry saying; We recognize the foundation that 9ice has built and established, together we can build on and take it to newer heights. At Temple Management Company, we do not gamble but believe in strategy and pinpoint execution. With our team and structure, we are here to support 9ice to actualize his career goals. In 9ice, we see a brand that has an important and strategic core that we can expand. For 9ice this would mean stepping on another level for him as he says TMC is Nigerias very own Sony Music or BMG. In his own words; For me, this is the right thing to do at this stage in my career and indeed for any forward thinking artiste. When we started music, we grew with the knowledge that everything was all about the artiste; you are the manager, owner of the record label etc. We did this to the best of our ability. This is the time to give experienced professionals the chance to take care of you because one will become the better for it. Temple Management are like our own Sony or BMG in Nigeria. Any artiste who plans to grow need to work with the right people such as Temple Management Company An 1838 volume of Collection of the Massachusetts Historical Society containing James Meases chapter Old American Coins brought $944 at NYINC. Numismatic literature continues to provide rich opportunities for collectors to purchase rare and important items at relatively reasonable prices (especially compared to coins). While several key players have dropped out of the rare numismatic book market in the past few years, the partnership of George Kolbe and David Fanning continues to produce impressive auctions, including Kolbe & Fanning Numismatic Booksellers 2017 auction held on Jan. 14 in conjunction with the New York International Numismatic Convention. The firm noted in the introduction that while the world has changed since its first NYINC auction in 1982, our shared love of the historic and the beautiful, the original and the authentic, remains the same. Here is one of three recently sold numismatic books profiled in this Market Analysis: The Lot: The first article on American coins published in America, by James Mease, 1838 The Price: $944 The Story: A work of numismatic literature need not be long to be important. The first article on American coinage was published as part of the book Collections of the Massachusetts Historical Society, Third Series, Volume VII in 1838. James Meases article Old American Coins is considered by most to be the first numismatic article on American coins published in America. As Eric P. Newman published in the summer 1992 issue of the Numismatic Bibliomania Societys publication The Asylum, Meases brief chapter remains important for helping numismatists understand circulating value of Connecticut coppers, among other things. Connect with Coin World: Sign up for our free eNewsletter Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Mease published on a variety of subjects ranging from geology to medicine; for example his 1811 book Picture of Philadelphia describes the operations of the United States Mint. The 1838 volume offered at Kolbe & Fanning on Jan. 14 featured an impressive 19th century brown leather binding with marbled endpapers and was described as having unusually fresh and clean pages. It sold a bit below its estimate of $1,200, at $944. More Notable Numismatic Books That Have Sold Recently: This numismatic book is over 370 years old and sold for $1,250: The book is noteworthy because it contains 144 large woodcut chiaroscuro medallion portraits of important rulers from Julius Caesar to Ferdinand III. Start of the ANA foreshadowed in recently sold set of 1891 publications: Numismatic editor Charles T. Tatman asked in the March 1891 issue of Plain Talk, Why should there not be an American Numismatic Association? February 16, 2017 Two U.S. lawmakers have authored new legislation to name the first of NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) heavy-lift rockets after the last man to leave footprints on the moon. Congressmen John Culberson (R-TX) and Robert Aderholt (R-AL) introduced a resolution on Wednesday (Feb. 15) to christen the first launch of the SLS the "Cernan 1 rocket" in honor of Apollo 17 astronaut Eugene Cernan, who died on Jan. 16 at age 82. "Cernan was devoted to making America's space program the best in the world," Culberson said. "I cannot think of a more fitting way to honor his legacy than the first launch of the Space Launch System carrying Capt. Cernan's name." Culberson and Aderholt introduced their bill in the House of Representatives on the same day that NASA said it was initiating a study to look at flying astronauts on its maiden SLS flight, presently known as Exploration Mission-1 (EM- 1). The flight, which is currently scheduled for late 2018 as an uncrewed mission to orbit the moon, is likely to "require a different launch date" if flown with astronauts on board, according to NASA's acting administrator Robert Lightfoot, who acknowledged the additional work needed to fly safely with a crew in a memo to the agency's employees. Artist's rendering NASA's Space Launch System (SLS). (NASA) NASA is building the SLS and the Orion crew spacecraft to launch U.S. astronauts on missions beyond Earth orbit, to the vicinity of the moon and ultimately to Mars. "The [SLS] represents an opportunity to forge forward with Captain Cernan's vision to push the boundaries of human space exploration," said Culberson. In addition to leading the final mission to land on the moon in 1972, Cernan became the second American to perform a spacewalk during NASA's Gemini 9 mission in 1966, and was lunar module pilot on Apollo 10, the "dress rehearsal" for the first manned moon landing, in 1969. He was one of only three astronauts to fly to the moon twice. After retiring from NASA, Cernan became an advocate for expanding human space exploration beyond Earth orbit. In 2010, he joined fellow Apollo astronauts Jim Lovell and the late Neil Armstrong to deliver testimony before Congress in of support returning astronauts to the moon. "It is quite an honor to partner with astronaut greats, Neil Armstrong and Eugene Cernan, in fighting to preserve our nation's phenomenal space program," stated Aderholt after meeting with the first and last moonwalkers at the time. Although Cernan titled his memoir and documentary "The Last Man on the Moon," it was not a distinction he desired. Astronaut Eugene Cernan poses next to graphic of NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) at a Washington, D.C. screening of "The Last Man on the Moon" in February 2016. (Griffin Communications) "America's challenge of today has forged man's destiny of tomorrow," said Cernan before he returned home to Earth for a final time. "As we leave the moon and Taurus-Littrow, we leave as we came and God willing, we shall return, with peace and hope for all mankind." In 2015, the House of Representatives approved a bill that included a provision to rename the SLS through a student competition, but it did not become law. If Culberson's and Aderholt's resolution passes the House and Senate and is signed by the President, the "Cernan 1" would become the latest U.S. rocket to bear an astronaut's name. Blue Origin, the Seattle-based spaceflight company founded by Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, named its suborbital and orbital vehicles the New Shepard and New Glenn after original Mercury astronauts Alan Shepard and John Glenn, respectively. Orbital ATK, which has a NASA contract to deliver supplies to the International Space Station, has christened its cargo spacecraft after late U.S. astronauts, including David Low, C. Gordon Fullerton, Janice Voss, Rick Husband and Alan Poindexter. "I'm proud to introduce this resolution," said Culberson, "to ensure Cernan's role in making America's space program the best in the world is never forgotten." What did Eli Drinkwitz say after Missouri's game vs. Kentucky? Attorney General Resisting Pressure to Step Aside from Probes Jeff Sessions is getting his first significant test as attorney general and the early results are not encouraging. As pressure mounts in Congress from Republicans and Democrats alike for a formal investigation of possible ties between the Russian government and the Trump administration, Sessions is resisting suggestions that he should recuse himself and let an independent counsel lead the probe. Trump and his team have been dogged for months about their possible ties to the Russian government. The President has praised Russian President Vladimir Putin and for months refused to accept the intelligence communitys unanimous finding that cyber-spies working for Russia tried to influence the U.S. election in Trumps favor. Reported conversations between the Russian ambassador to the U.S. and Trumps national security adviser, retired Army Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn and Flynns apparent lies about those chats on Monday led Trump to demand Flynns resignation. But the President has since gone out of his way to praise Flynn and blamed his departure on news reports based on information leaks by U.S. intelligence agencies. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Wednesday that Sessions should step aside from any investigation. Prosecutors and investigators on the case should not be reporting to the first senator who endorsed Donald Trumps campaign, who served on the same campaign committee as Michael Flynn, and who nominated Donald Trump at the Republican convention, he said. The Justice Departments own guidelines demand that Attorney General Sessions remove himself from this matter immediately. Sessions represented Alabama in the Senate for more than two decades before being confirmed as attorney general earlier this month. White House strategist Stephen Bannon has called him the clearinghouse for policy and philosophy in the Trump administration, and the fiercest, most dedicated, and most loyal promoter in Congress of Trumps agenda. The Justice Departments ethical guidelines say no DOJ employee may participate in a criminal investigation or prosecution if he has a personal or political relationship with any person or organization substantially involved in the conduct that is the subject of the investigation or prosecution, or who would be directly affected by the outcome. While the guidelines seem to fit Sessions situation like a glove, the New York Times reports today that the attorney general is sticking by his refusal to recuse himself from the Russia investigation. Mr. Sessions told senators last month that he was not aware of a basis to recuse myself. Richard Ben-Veniste, a Democratic lawyer who worked on the Watergate special counsels investigation in the 1970s, told The Times that Sessions should recuse himself or seek formal guidance from the Justice Departments ethics office if additional evidence emerges of links between the Russian government and the White House. This is a dangerous area, and one where the attorney general ought to proceed with caution, Ben-Veniste said. Any suggestion that Sessions was allowing politics to taint the investigation would be a tremendous blow to his credibility. ### But It May Be Too Late To Stop Scott Pruitt's Confirmation An Oklahoma judge today gave Scott Pruitt, President Trumps nominee to head the Environmental Protection Agency, until Tuesday to turn over up to 3,000 state records that document Pruitts contacts with energy companies and trade groups. But by then, Pruitt, a longtime EPA antagonist now serving as Oklahomas attorney general, may be installed as EPA administrator. The U.S. Senate is set to vote on his confirmation Friday. One Republican, Susan Collins of Maine, has announced shell oppose Pruitt and two Democrats, Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota and Joe Manchin, have said theyll support him; if the rest of the Senate divides along party lines, as expected, Pruitt will win confirmation with 53 votes. As Oklahomas top lawyer, Pruitt has worked closely with energy companies while suing the E.P.A. at least 14 times to block major environmental regulations. He is an outspoken denier on human-caused global warming and helped craft a national legal effort to dismantle former President Barack Obamas climate change policies. Pruitts critics see the state records Pruitt was ordered to produce today as potential smoking guns in their fight to block his confirmation. They hope to force a delay in the vote to give them an opportunity to study the documents. The Open Records Act lawsuit to force their release was filed by the Center for Media and Democracy (CMD), a Wisconsin-based watchdog organization and frequent Common Cause ally. Six senators wrote to the Oklahoma court on Wednesday, asserting they have concluded [the] pending Open Records Act requests may be the only means by which the Senate and the general public can obtain in a timely manner critical information about Mr. Pruitts ability to lead the EPA. We need to understand whether . . . Mr. Pruitt engaged with the industries that he will be responsible for regulating if he is confirmed as Administrator in ways that would compromise his ability to carry out his duties with the complete impartiality required, the senators added. Responding to the CMD Open Records request, Pruitt submitted 411 documents last week relating to his energy industry contacts as attorney general. But CMD said that total fell far short of the 3,000 emails relevant to the request that Pruitts office earlier said it had located. The low number of records provided by Pruitts office is extremely concerning on its own, said Nick Surgey, CMDs research director. But beyond the obvious omissions based on the document count, we are aware of 27 emails missing from this batch that directly relate to our request and which demonstrate Pruitts ties to the fossil fuel industry. If those emails have been omitted, what else is being withheld? The Senate cannot properly vet Pruitt for EPA administrator if he is concealing information on conflicts of interest that would impact his ability to faithfully perform the EPAs mission to protect human health and the environment. ### Facebook is adding features to its site that may help companies fill job openings. The social network announced on Wednesday that it is rolling out features that will help companies post job openings and applications directly on Facebook. The site also is trying to make it easy for individuals to apply for those jobs. "We know that finding the right talent can be a challenge," the company said in a blog post. It also said that 40% of U.S. small businesses report that filling jobs is more difficult than they had expected. "We're focused on building new ways to help make it easier for businesses to interact with the over 1 billion people visiting Pages every month." Since businesses and people already use Facebook to find and fill jobs, Facebook said it is making it happen more directly with job posts and applications. This is a strong move for Facebook, said Ezra Gottheil, an analyst with Technology Business Research. "It's a potential source of revenue. No one minds seeing job opportunities, as long as they're not too intrusive. Why wouldn't Facebook do it?" Gottheil also said he doesn't see Facebook's move as a big threat to LinkedIn, the social media network for business and careers. [ To comment on this story, visit Computerworld's Facebook page. ] "LinkedIn focuses on people with specific backgrounds, but it looks like the Facebook play is more like, 'If you like our company, maybe you'd like to work here,' " he said. "Posting a 'we're hiring' sign is intrinsically different from finding people with specific experience." Starting today, for instance, U.S. and Canadian businesses can post job openings on Facebook, and users will be able to see those posts on their news feeds, a company's Facebook page or on a new Jobs page that Facebook has created. "This new experience will help businesses find qualified people where they're already spending their time -- on Facebook and on mobile," Facebook said. "We've tested the new jobs experience in parts of the U.S. and while it's still early, businesses are already filling roles." According to Facebook, a company's page administrator can create job posts, track applications and communicate with applicants all on the social media site. Individuals interested in a posted job can click on an Apply Now button and will get a form that is already partially populated with information from their Facebook profile. The pre-populated information also can be edited. Kerrville, TX (78028) Today A mainly sunny sky. High near 85F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy in the evening followed by scattered thunderstorms after midnight. Low 63F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%. As Ive suggested on this site, political operatives on both sides of the Atlantic should find a way of pulling Trumps state visit, which promises to be a disaster for everyone. But if they cant, how should they make the best of it? He has to meet the Queen she wont be embarrassed in the slightest but the ceremonial element of the trip must be played down. Rather, Trump should come on a work visit with clear themes of focus. Above all: Brexit, Security and Provincial Renewal. There will be massive demonstrations whatever, but theyll lose some of their moral power if the watching public are reminded that Trump is the President of the most powerful country in the world someone we need to make Brexit work and to guarantee European security. London is lost to Trump. But a big chunk of the provincal English lower middle class might collectively roll their eyes at demonstrators if Trump comes as a willing partner to deliver things they care about in places they care about. This is the best that Number 10 and Trump can hope for, and they should plan on this basis. What does that mean in practice? Of course there will need to be a couple of state dinners in London and all the usual meetings with dignitaries. But the only way to make Trumps visit work will be to hold a small number of made-for-TV events that help tell a story that the mass of voters in provincial England, particularly, will respond to. The most obvious option would be to visit both British and American armed forces bases with the two visits underlining his commitment to the ongoing role of the US in defending Europe. The pictures would be good serving men and women will behave impeccably and it will send a useful message to Russia and the rest of the world that the NATO alliance is strong. Another good option would be to visit one of the new expanded ports that have recently opened and that allow even larger ships to load and unload in the UK and some of the people that work there. This would give Trump and May to talk about the new trade deals that Britain hopes to shape with the outside world as we leave the EU. Again, they ought to be reasonably controlled, given the security that surrounds such sites. Other options might be: visiting major sites of infrastructure; touring privately-owned high tech manufacturing businesses; meeting with a small group of businesspeople that are expanding post-Brexit; visiting places of historical interest with a security/military link. A little dull, perhaps, but thats no bad thing. That said, there will need to be a few surprises in there too: maybe something like a private visit to meet UK special forces or intelligence operatives (the latter might mend a few fences); or a visit to a tough group of community project leaders that have helped regenerate their area by cutting crime. Im aware this all suggests that Trump will be like a typical foreign head of state visiting one that pretends to ignore demonstrations and that lets his or her staff play down whatever happens in the name of diplomacy. In reality, Trump will make the news by what he says in person and on Twitter. But at least such a schedule would provide decent context for a trip. Prime Ministers dont visit constituencies they expect to lose. Indeed, if more people had paid attention to David Camerons visit to Twickenham a few days before the 2015 General Election, there might have been less surprise at the return to majority Government. So Theresa Mays visit to Copeland yesterday suggests confidence in Downing Street and CCHQ about the outcome of the Cumbrian by-election next week. Nothing is certain in politics, of course, but the seat is certainly within the Tory grasp for the first time since 1931. If Copeland is won, it would be famous victory a vindication of Mays message and another nail in the coffin of Corbyns undead Labour Party. It would no doubt be hailed, too, as a triumph for the Conservative by-election machine. What is the exact state of that by-election operation, though? Speaking to a variety of activists and MPs who have taken part in the ground campaign, there are plenty of reports of voters switching from Labour to Conservative, and a degree of guarded optimism about the result. But those sources also report a range of concerns about the way the campaign is being run suggesting the Conservative ground operation is not running as smoothly as it should. CCHQ certainly got off the blocks quickly, organising campaign days between Christmas and New Year. But then things slowed down understandably, questions are asked about why the Conservative candidate wasnt selected until 25th January, later than Labour, UKIP and the Liberal Democrats. Even once Trudy Harrison was chosen, activists turned up to help only to find that basic materials such as leaflets featuring her name werent available, further shortening the window of opportunity to build up recognition. That problem was later overcome, but other problems have persisted. Tory troops, often travelling long distances to help out, express frustration that they werent able to do as much as they could have due to an apparently stuttering logistical operation such as leafleting teams learning half way through the day that there are no more bundles or delivery runs prepared for them at campaign headquarters. Some have been sent out canvassing without basic information about the candidate or local issues. Such errors are an obvious waste of resources, as well as annoying for volunteers who are giving up their time. Activists who have visited in the last few days tell me that the seat still has no buzz about the forthcoming by-election, and several were surprised to see almost no visible signs of a campaign underway at all such as a lack of the visible posters one might expect with polling day only a week away. While a campaign isnt won through posters, it isnt unusual to see them as a by-product of a ground war that is successfully firing up its target vote. Then theres the question of how the Party is supplying the troops for this effort. In the years since the victory in Crewe and Nantwich, the Conservative Party has at times struggled to put a full campaigning force in the field. The nadir of Eastleigh in 2013 exposed a serious problem with capacity in areas where declining grassroots numbers had hollowed out the Party. Under Cameron or, more precisely, under the co-chairmanship of Shapps various solutions were sought. One involved the mass deployment of Conservative MPs and candidates. At worst, as in Eastleigh, they were used to replace a local base that no longer existed. At best, they were focal points to bring other activists into the fight. Either way, in the Cameron years the Parliamentary Conservative Party was under strict orders to turn up to by-elections a certain number of times. It was, one MP says, a very prescriptive regime, and while it certainly turned out the numbers, it had the twin downsides of encouraging tick-box attendance and reducing morale he tells of a tendency to campaign for 40 minutes and a photo then go home. Parliamentarians are pleased that the new leadership takes a less hectoring approach, and has attempted to appeal to their desire to win rather than implying that personal advancement depends on attendance. That has certainly raised morale, and produced visiting MPs who are there because they want to be rather than under orders that youve got to do this, because youve got to. However, that brings downsides for Copeland. Most recent, viable Tory by-election efforts have been in the South and Midlands, within easy striking distance of most Conservative MPs constituencies. Cumbria is rather further away and, as one MP puts it, some have been surprised to learn that the North is massive which has deterred some from attending. Candidates, by contrast, report being under broadly the same pressures to attend by-elections as they were in previous years; doing so is expected as part of their membership of the candidates list. However, there have been some concessions to human considerations their attendance is expected, but they are more free to choose their own dates, a welcome shift for those in full-time work, with children or of limited means, who found themselves ordered to travel across the country for campaign days at short notice under the previous regime. The second major push under Shapps was to develop a shock troops system, which could bring relatively large numbers of activists in from across the country. Team2015 grew to tens of thousands of people by the time of the General Election, supplemented by the now-infamous RoadTrip2015, which was struck by tragedy and then scandal after the death of Elliott Johnson. We warned at the time that these tactics might work as stopgaps, but were not permanent solutions to the Conservative Partys grassroots issues and urged that the time they bought should be used to rebuild the Party nationally. While some progress has been made in recent years in terms of overall numbers, that eventual goal of a sizeably increased, activist membership still looks a long way off. In the meantime, Team2015 has not been replaced. The CCHQ organogram we published in June 2015 showed a Team 2020, which to my knowledge organised one action day in September of that year then disappeared. Intermittent CCHQ emails still go out inviting Tory members to make campaign phone calls, but there has been no continuation of the intensive effort of identifying, training and then focusing activists that helped to win the General Election. Perhaps the horrific aftermath of Johnsons death has made the Party allergic to the concept, though Team2015 and RoadTrip2015 were distinct ideas and operations and Mark Clarkes actions discredited himself rather than the whole principle of targeted campaigning. Or perhaps the new leadership just doesnt share their predecessors analysis. Either way, most of the groups travelling to Copeland have done so on their own initiative and under their own steam, without the mass events seen previously. Copeland could still be a Conservative Gain next week there are certainly plenty of reasons why it should, not least the parlous state of the Opposition. If it does, the Prime Minister would be justified in enjoying a celebratory glass of wine. But perhaps not a second glass; our Party still has problems in its ground campaign. Liquid Telecom, a unit of South Africabased Econet Global has announced that it has completed the acquisition of South African network operator Neotel for approximately ZAR 6.55 billion (approximately $491 million), further expanding its position as a pan-African telecoms company. Liquid Telecom acquired Neotel from India's Tata Communications and minority shareholders led by Nexus Connexion. Liquid Telecom joined with 30% equity partner Royal Bafokeng Holdings (RBH), a community-based South African investment group, for the acquisition, which received regulatory approval from the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) in December 2016. South Africa's Competition Commission approved the deal in October. Established in 2006, Neotel has invested an estimated ZAR 7 billion in its network, deploying national backbone fibre connecting the top 40 cities and towns in South Africa and to over 5,000 businesses. Neotel operates a major, MEF-certified Ethernet network, while Liquid Telecom is a leading provider of Carrier Ethernet services with MEF Carrier Ethernet 2.0 (CE 2.0) services certification. Neotel also operates redundant backhaul fibre to landing stations with access to all five of the international subsea cables serving South Africa - SAT-3, SAFE, SEACOM, EASSy and WACS. It was noted that Liquid Telecom owns significant international subsea capacity, and is currently building a subsea cable linking the east coast of Africa, Liquid Sea. Over the coming months, Liquid Telecom stated that it plans to make extensive upgrades and expansions to Neotel's network to enable improved high-speed connectivity and deliver services to more customers across South Africa. Liquid Telecom also plans to invest in Neotel's data centre capabilities, which include two Tier 3 facilities in Johannesburg and Cape Town, adding to its existingEast Africa Data Centre in Nairobi, Kenya. In addition, the Neotel operation will be integrated with Liquid Telecom's pan-African network and extensive fibre footprint to provide access to over 40,000 km of cross border, national and metro fibre infrastructure serving 12 countries, giving Liquid Telecom enhanced reach across Eastern, Central and Southern Africa. Earlier in February, Liquid Telecom announced the completion of its acquisition of Tanzanias leading ISP Raha. Liquid Telecom noted the acquisition enhanced its East Africa Fibre Ring, which connects Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania, with direct connectivity to international subsea cables. Raha operates a 400 km metro network serving the central business district of Dar es Salaam and other areas of the Tanzanian capital, and has a data centre in the city. Raha provides over 1,500 businesses, plus a growing base of retail customers, with a range of connectivity solutions, including fibre, satellite, WiMAX and WiFi. https://www.liquidtelecom.com/news-events/news/1017-neotel-officially-becomes-part-of-the-pan-african-liquid-telecom-group.html Nokia Bell Labs has entered into a research collaboration agreement with University of Oulu in Finland. The Joint Center for Future Connectivity aims to be a world leader in developing future 10X technologies disruptive ideas with ten times greater impact than the state of the art today for the new digital era, where networks will have seemingly infinite capacity, much greater energy efficiency, heightened application awareness and built-in self-optimization. Nokia has been one of our most important collaborators for two decades. This new center is mutually beneficial to train future talents for the needs of digital society, said Oulu University Rector Jouko Niinimaki. http://www.nokia.com http://www.oulu.fi/university/ Close Individuals diagnosed with autism are often having a hard time when it comes to expressing their emotions. Children with autism would usually find it hard to tell their parents, teachers, and peers how and what they feel as identifying emotions is not common to them, thus it is often perceived that these children lack empathy. An educational breakthrough then surfaced as it was mentioned that teachers use improv to teach children to read and express their emotions. NPR featured a story where it was mentioned that teachers from Indiana state University use improv to help their students read and identify emotions. Though there are students that would naturally develop their skill, there are those that needs a little push and improv reportedly did the trick. Teachers would ask students to act out what they feel, as their peers would then guess it. In doing so, children with autism are more open to expressing their emotions as some learn on how to identify certain moods. The Psychology Lab at Indiana State University used improvisational theater to develop and enhance their skills as it has a positive impact on the students. "What improv really does is create a safe and fun and authentic environment in which to practice, where mistakes really don't matter," says Jim Ansaldo, a research scholar at Indiana University. Not all children with autism lack empathy, as there are those that can easily identify emotions. There are several ways to teach children with autism cope with emotions and express their feelings, these educators are always coming up with something to make it easier for their students to learn. Before a parent or a teacher would teach a child with autism to develop empathy, it was mentioned that they should first understand that the child's lack of emotions is unintentional, thus patience is highly required. Psychology Today explained that one should not exhibit stress, or being anxious when teaching the child for them to feel comfortable and relaxed. Using improv to teach children with autism to read and identify emotions is a great method as it is deemed as fun and games. See Now: What Republicans Don't Want You To Know About Obamacare Close Turning student lunches into a climate-friendly dish for Oakland schools has been one of the moves California has made to be able to contribute to the fight against global warming. Oakland schools in California collaborated with the environmental group Friends of the Earth (FOE) in fighting against global warming by cutting meat and cheese in student lunches. The FOE provided schools with a lunch menu designed without food items that are unsustainable for the planet, Daily Caller reports. The new menu will feature less meat and more plant-based food items. Meat and cheese that will be served in the school will come from pastured and organic dairy cows. The usual beef hot dogs and pepperoni pizza, schools will be serving stir-fried tofu and vegan tostadas. Meat and cheese will still be served but less frequently and in reduced portion sizes in these Oklahoma schools. This move will reduce carbon and water footprint and is also a way for kids to save lunch money. However, no studies on whether this change will affect the health of the students will be conducted. Since the start of the new food program, carbon dioxide emissions from the school have declined by 14%. This percentage is equivalent to taking 127 cars off the road. Animals are also threatened directly by climate change and global warming, Live Science reports. More than 700 species could face extinction due to global warming. The research had discovered that 7 percent of mammals and 4 percent of birds under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list of threatened species directly affected by global warming and climate change. Further studies conducted about climate change were re-accessed. It is discovered that nearly half of the world's population of threatened and endangered animals, as well as birds, are seriously decreasing in numbers due to global warming. The impacts of global warming to the future is predictable but can be altered by the measures and decisions that people do in the present. California's move in reducing their carbon footprint by changing their student's eating habits at school is just one of the possible moves that can help in preserving nature and fighting global warming. See Now: What Republicans Don't Want You To Know About Obamacare Close The World Health Organization (WHO) had declared an end to the yellow fever outbreak in Congo and Angola. Yellow fever had killed about 400 people for the past years. WHO said it was one of the largest and most challenging outbreaks that they had in recent years. The first outbreak was detected in Luanda, Angola in December 2015. It caused 965 confirmed cases and thousands more of suspected cases in both Angola and its neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo. No confirmed cases have been reported in the past six months from both countries. According to New York Times, in December, Angola declared an end to the outbreak. Two months after, Congo had made its announcement just this Tuesday. The global health agency said more than 30 million people were vaccinated during emergency campaigns to help control the outbreak in Congo and Angola. The UN-backed campaign had more than 41,000 volunteers and 56 charities carrying out mass immunization programs. Drug shortages had forced doctors to switch to administering only one-fifth of the normal dose. WHO said that this tactic gives at least temporary protection. The risk of yellow fever outbreak has risen globablly in recent years because of urbanization and an increase of the population. The El Nino weather phenomenon multiplied mosquito number in 2016. Yellow fever is transmitted by the same mosquitoes that spread Zika and dengue viruses according to Reuters. WHO regional emergency director, Ibrahima Soce Fall said "Yellow fever outbreaks like the one in Angola and the DRC could become more frequent in many parts of the world unless coordinated measures are taken to protect people most at risk." Soce said that implementation of strong preventive approach or procedure is needed to vaccinate the population at risk across the region. There is no known cure for the virus, but it can be easily prevented with vaccines. Once infected, people fall ill with fever and muscle pain. Many recover several days after but there are cases where more toxic phase includes possible bleeding from eyes, ears and nose, jaundice and organ failure. See Now: What Republicans Don't Want You To Know About Obamacare A high-profile online survey in 23 countries, including India, claims that 63% Indians, one of the highest among the countries surveyed, insist on the need to to prioritise stopping terrorism over protecting civil rights. While the average for the 23 countries is 45%, interviewees from only two countries feel so more strongly about this Serbia 73% and Turkey 69%. The countries selected for the survey, carried out by Ipsos-MORI, the second largest market research organisation in the United Kingdom, are Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, France, Britain, Germany, Hungary, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Peru, Poland, Serbia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Turkey and the United States.The countries which refuse to give much priority to terrorism over protecting civil rights include US 37%, Brazil 37%, Italy 35%, Mexico 34%, Canada 31%, Spain 31%, Argentina 30%, and Japan 25%.In all, 16,597 adults aged 16-64 across the 23 countries were interviewed between October 21 and November 4, 2016. Between 500 and 1000+ individuals participated on a country by country basis via the Ipsos Online Panel.In a related response to the statement, To fix the country, we need a strong leader willing to break the rules, 65% Indians answered in the positive, which is higher than all but six countries France, Israel, Italy, South Korea, and Turkey (80%, 69%, 68%, 66%, 66%, and 65% respectively).While the world average is 49%, the interviewees of the countries which feel the least for such a need are Japan, Argentina, Spain, Sweden, and Germany (39%, 36%, 35%, 23%, and 21% respectively).Despite the need for a strong leader willing to break rules, India has the least percentage of people interviewed among 23 countries who believe that society is broken just 32%. Just one country, Japan, has a higher percentage than India on this score (31%).While the average of 23 countries is 58%, the people of the countries where people strongly feel their society is broken are Poland 79%, Spain 78%, Brazil 77%, Mexico 76%, and South Africa 74%.Providing answers to seven different queries on what people think about seven different issues, the survey, whose results were released on January 31, 2017, found that 56% of Indians support prioritising jobs for national citizens, as against the world average of 43%, again one of the highest among the 23 countries surveyed.To the question, To what extent, if at all, do you agree or disagree with the following statements Your country is on decline?, least percentage of people surveyed from India, 22%, answered in the positive, as against the average of 57% among 23 countries.The countries where the highest percentage of people thought their nation is on decline are South Africa, South Korea, Italy and Brazil, with 77%, 73%, 73% and 72% respectively.In yet another question, whether they felt that they have the least confidence in government, just 35%, lowest among 23 countries, agreed. While the average is found to be 71%, the countries where the confidence level in their governments is worst are Mexico, Spain, South Korea, Poland and Hungary (90%, 89%, 84%, 82% and 82% on an average).--- Privacy Overview This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. Security is important. Without it, we wouldn't feel safe in our homes, a lot of things would probably get bombed, and malls everywhere would be overrun with teenagers flagrantly loitering outside the Jamba Juice. But there is such a thing as going too far in the name of safety. For example ... 4 Swedish Police Invade An ISIS Gathering ... Almost 21-year-old Sarah Ericsson's birthday party was quickly shut down by Swedish police. As well it should have been. Sort of like deaths at a Dothraki wedding, if the cops don't come to your 21st, it's widely considered a failure. But the cops weren't there about the rampant nudity and terrible music played far too loudly and without the appropriate amount of shame -- they thought they were busting a terrorist gathering. Sveriges Radio "I've got the balloons and the cake. Which one of you is bringing the plans to topple the infidels of the West?" See, police had received a call about "ISIS balloons" visible in the windows of the apartment, and, terrified at the possibility that ISIS had suddenly taken their propaganda techniques in a new and oddly whimsical direction, they leapt into action. When they busted up the party and found, at worst, some crimes against fashion, they left with whatever the Swedish version of "egg on your face" is -- probably something with 26 J's and an umlaut. Ultimately, it was determined that the passerby who called in the threat had mistaken the "21" on the balloon for "IS," because they were looking at the balloon backwards, and also because they were a paranoid idiot. Channel programs News Red River Promotes Sessions To CEO, Outgoing Chief Will Lead M&A Efforts Michael Novinson Share this Red River President Jeff Sessions has shifted into the CEO role, with longtime CEO Rick Bolduc planning to spearhead a massive M&A spree as executive chairman. The Claremont, N.H.-based company, No. 52 on the CRN Solution Provider 500, said that Sessions' initial responsibilities would include hiring senior execs to accommodate the company's planned growth. Red River today has no C-level executives aside from its CEO, Sessions said. Sessions has worked closely over the past decade with Bolduc, who has been Red River's only CEO since the company's founding in 1995. Bolduc will transition to lining up mergers and acquisitions for Red River in high-growth areas such as security, application development, hybrid cloud and the Internet of Things (IoT), Sessions said. [RELATED: Government VAR Red River Expands Commercial Business With Acquisition] "This is part of a long-time corporate management transition plan," Bolduc told CRN. "It's a wonderful, very closely-aligned strategy for future growth." The shift in responsibilities has happened gradually over the past year, Sessions said, with Bolduc spending more time focused on inorganic growth and working with external firms while Sessions' gained more and more oversight over internal operations. Sessions officially took over as CEO Feb. 6, and the news was announced on Wednesday. Under Bolduc's tutelage, Red River has been profitable for each of the past 21 years and enjoyed annual growth rates of at least 7 percent to 8 percent every single year, including growth rates of more than 20 percent annually for the past decade. But Red River has found it needs to grow its IT capabilities even faster to satisfy the business requirements of its federal customers, Sessions said. The company is focusing both on organic capabilities in areas such as security and app dev, as well as opportunities around new and emerging verticals, he said. "To expand our capabilities organically takes more time than we have today," Sessions said. The company kicked off its acquisition spree in October by purchasing Accunet Solutions, a solution provider specializing in Dell EMC and serving commercial accounts. Just 10 percent of Red River's customers today are in the commercial sector with many of those coming over in the Accunet deal and the company expects to expand its commercial sales base via acquisition, Sessions said. Red River under Sessions will also look to grow its state and local government business in locations where the company has a physical presence, which include New England, greater Washington D.C. and Austin, Texas. In his new role, Sessions said he would explore hiring executives in legal, compliance, revenue-generation and marketing. As president, Sessions oversaw the company's customer-facing, market-facing, and revenue-generating arms, but the people running back-office areas such as finance and legal reported directly into Bolduc. Sessions expects Red River to have divisions in areas such as federal, state, local and commercial, as well as a more traditional corporate structure with directors and vice presidents having profit-and-loss responsibilities for a specific functional area. This should help empower more Red River executives with decision-making authority, Sessions said. Red River today employs 250 people, with roughly 100 of those people joining the company within the past year, Sessions said. Some 30 of the new workers came were brought over from Accunet, Sessions said, with the remaining 70 coming on to take roles in operations and field engineering. Security News Alphabet's Eric Schmidt: Security Is Key For Preserving Internet As We Know It Sarah Kuranda Share this When Eric Schmidt was a Ph.D. student at the University of California at Berkeley, he said it didnt even occur to him that there would be criminals that they would need to secure the internet against. Now that he's older and wiser, he said security is key for preserving the Internet as we know it. "We benefit from the open interconnectivity of the internet At the end of the day, the globalization that we see and the economic growth that we see is heavily dependent on this. I'm worried that the fear of attacks will be used as a pretext to shut down some of this access," Schmidt said at the 2017 RSA Conference in San Francisco, Calif. Schmidt, who is the former CEO of Google and the current executive chairman of parent company Alphabet, said he was particularly worried about the ability of countries to block the openness of the internet. He said that's a problem that Google faces daily, as countries are unhappy about content on the Internet from another country. [Related: RSA 2017: Palo Alto Networks CEO, Cisco VP Call For Next Iteration Of Platform Security] Palo Alto Networks CEO Mark McLaughlin also said he concerned about security issues causing a rising distrust in the Internet, something he said he worried would cause companies to forgo the opportunities presented by technology innovation. "I think we're at a very pivotal moment from a cyber perspective," McLaughlin said in a prior keynote address at RSA 2017. "A lot of how the future will unfold as a digital society will depend on what happens right now. The decisions we make are going to be really important." Schmidt said security would become especially important as more devices are connected to the Internet in the Internet of Things, many of which are not secured. He said there's a significant opportunity for companies like Google to apply artificial intelligence and data analysis to connected devices for security. Getting governments involved to push forward security and investment in tools such as artificial intelligence is one step that can be taken, Schmidt said. He cited talks last year between the United States and China, where the two countries agreed to reduce the number of attacks on each other, as an example of measures that have "some evidence that it has worked." "I think getting the governments to agree that we are better off collectively by having a more open Internet, with less attacking - especially at the nation-state level - would be a clear improvement for everybody," Schmidt said. However, Schmidt said it is important that the pendulum doesn't swing too far, where investment in technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning is taken entirely over by the government. He said innovations in technologies, such as machine learning, need to be done openly and not in military research labs. You can imagine a different scenario that this stuff that I'm talking about now, which is completely open and open to you, that somehow we can arrive at a place where it's done in military research labs between countries One of the questions that I think the industry should be asking is we haven't found a way where countries agree to not use the machine learning technologies in a way that militarizes the Internet Maybe I'm an optimist, but I would like to see some discussions about that," Schmidt said. Places for Mission Trips Christians have faith in God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit; they believe in the gospel and the need to go into other nations and share that gospel. Mission trips are what allow Christians to go to countries in need and make a difference. Sharing Gods love with the world will change the hearts of His people. Here are a few places around the globe that need mission trips. 1. Central America To go on a mission trip, you have to have a place in need and a way to provide help. Central America has so many different projects that are ideal for mission trips. For example, Youth Quest International provides teens with current opportunitiesin Panama, Costa Rica and Guatemala. Central America has many orphanages that missionaries visit and spend time sharing the gospel. The rainy season wipes out homes and shelters in villages, which creates the need for building projects. Opportunities within Central America create a life-changing experience for mission teams, as well as the community the team goes to. 2. Africa Any mission trip you go on will be a life-changing event. Its important to prepare emotionally, physically and also in your faith. If you want to go on a mission trip to Africa, prepare yourself for a culture and climate shock. Africa has various religions within the continent. Some countries in Africa have high rates of Islam, while other areas have traditional African tribe religion. There is also a high rate of Christianity in South Africa. No matter what religion a country is known for, the need for missions is still there. Whether you help build a water well to provide a village with fresh water, have bible studies with orphans or build a new shelter, mission trips in Africa are desperately needed. 3. Haiti Haiti is a small, tropical country with high poverty rates and a large number of orphaned children. There is a strong need here for food assistance as well as clean water, health care, education and other important projects. Healing Haiti is a mission-minded company that sends people on mission trips to Haiti to enrich the lives of the people with projects encompassing these areas, and more. One of the coolest opportunities for families through Healing Haiti is the family mission trips, where vacation is turned into purpose. Rather than a family taking a typical vacation to the beach, they can go to Haiti and help the people there. This opportunity brings families together while assisting a country in need. 4. India India is primarily a Hindu country that believes in arranged marriages, the supreme spirit of Brahman and other cultural traditions. The major ethical crisis in this country involves the sex trafficking of girls and women, orphans and poverty. Indians sometimes believe having a girl is expensive, so they often get rid of the child in the form of abortion or sending her to an orphanage. A mission trip to India would mean showing Gods love and purpose to unwanted orphans. The economical gap between the rich and poor in India creates a major need for missions in this country. 5. China The majority of China sits in the 10/40 window, which is a geographical rectangle Christians created to indicate where the gospel is needed most. China is deeply rooted in Buddhism with very little Christianity here. While you have to worry about pickpocketing, China is a safe country to visit as a missionary. The country is under an environmental crisis, with smog covering the cities. Thousands of lives are affected and people are dying from smog, lack of proper nutrition and a shortage in housing. There is definitely need for more missionaries and Christianity in this country. 6. South America As Christians, youre called to serve. Serving in South America will provide opportunities like no other. South America Mission (SAM) provides long-term and short-term opportunities within South America to spread Gods love with others. Whether youre called to be a teacher, nurse, church planter, or someone on a mission team, your job is equally important. Working with children, families and ministries will provide the people of South America with hope, happiness and Gods love. 7. The USA When planning a mission trip, the need for those in your own country is often overlooked. Your neighbors, whether in your own state or halfway across the country, are in need. Mission trips within the USA are equally rewarding to both the mission team and the people being helped. The typical projects within the USA are home improvement projects through group mission trips. Repairing a home for someone who cant afford it or cant fix it themselves will provide them the hope they need in the humanity around them. Gods love isnt just needed in other countries its also needed right next door. Going on a mission trip will change your life. Theres culture shock, climate shock, foods youve never tried before and cultural traditions youve never seen before. People live in shacks, children are without parents and families need food. The need for missions around the world is substantial. Dont question it. Just go. Sarah Landrum is a freelance writer on a mission to change the world and help people live happier, more enriched lives. She is also the founder of the career and happiness site Punched Clocks. Image courtesy: Pexels.com Publication date: February 16, 2017 Last month I attended the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas and saw not only the future of virtual reality and autonomous driving, but also the advancement of payments embedded in everything from our refrigerators to the clothes that we wear. These innovations are causing a seismic shift in how we consider information security, pushing the protection of consumer payments beyond the traditional role of finance and/or IT departments to design and manufacturing of everyday products that make up the Internet of Things (IOT). At our annual PCI Community Meetings for the past few years, weve demonstrated with the help of Ken Munro and Tony Gee of Pen Test Partners, the increased integration of payments into everyday products such as kitchen appliances and other smart home devices. As this trend continues, we can expect the role of the CISO to expand for many enterprises and create new opportunities for security leaders to advocate for better security in the design of the next generation of products. Products that may never have required logical security considerations previously will need to evaluate and address these type of exploitable risks going forward. So where do we start? More so than ever, a pre-production focus on security has become a necessity. And that begins with education, accountability and good product life-cycle management. 1. Training for application developers Im surprised when I hear how frequently security is overlooked in application code until it is too late. This often first stems from lack of awareness by application developers on their role in the design to consider the confidentiality of customers information. If programmers do not receive security training, how much more likely are they to place a design flaw into that new product or launch it without testing first? IoT, smart wearables and other new forms of payment are going to challenge us to grow the skills of our programmers to receive regular security awareness of emerging threats in order to design mitigating controls for consumer data well beyond the final sales transaction. However, it doesnt stop at just awareness of threats to meet a corporate audit requirement. We need to prepare for the future by training developers how to securely design, test and maintain against potential vulnerabilities. If we are to expect customers to trust the next generation of products with software connecting their phone or other smart devices, then security training for those involved must be seen as a frequent necessity and exceed what is expected today. 2. Accountability While training will provide the appropriate skills to protect exploits, unless there is direct accountability to adhere to security best practices, they will often slip away as fast as a New Year resolution. This requires local advocates within engineering and other departments to assume security oversight roles and responsibilities that once may have not have existed. If current organizational structure doesnt provide for the CISO to influence, then senior leadership should evaluate a change in governance or new roles with these assigned responsibilities. These responsibilities start with participating in design need and pre-production conversations and continues throughout testing of code prior to release and the life cycle of the product. More companies are moving to automated testing of code, run-time security built into products and even artificial intelligence with code writing code to eliminate common errors. 3. Life-cycle management What we have not yet seen is how will legacy IoT products be supported when they exist in the marketplace for many years after they no longer are sold in retail outlets or possibly supported by the original manufacturer. Security leaders should encourage threat modeling for their product lines that extend well into the future and how the company can manage future revisions. There are many good resources for organizations to work with to begin a culture of managing the security life cycle of software products. NIST SP 800-64 Security Considerations in the System Development Life Cycle provides a framework as do organizations such as SAFEcode. This is the world CISOs should expect going forward. Updates and changes that happen at a hyper pace beyond what conventional product security can protect. To mitigate, we must diversify the types of security controls with more emphasis early in the design process with support from automated and dynamic testing throughout. I might not understand the practical use for every smart product I saw at CES but my hope is that each app has thoughtfully considered security implications for an environment that shares memory with my sensitive payment information. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Vibrant red hair is one of Brooke Fagans best accessories. It makes the fashionista and new Greenwich business owner both easy to spot and memorable. On her fashion blog, Fagan frequently advises clients to make their wardrobes sustainable through collecting versatile items in neutral colors. Her hair and standout shoes provide a pop against clothes she can mix and match easily. Fashion and personal style shouldnt be intimidating, but for those who see it that way, Fagan wants to help. Dont be afraid of fashion, Fagan said. You just havent found the right outfit yet. The Minneapolis native knew early on she was destined to end up in New York Citys fashion scene. In college, she started a fashion blog and later did a stint at Conde Nasts fashion and lifestyle magazine, Lucky. Working there didnt click, Fagan said, and she moved on, spending about three years at a Manhattan-based hedge fund. In May, Fagan got married and moved to Greenwich. Since quitting her job in the city, shes found a way to fuse her enthusiasm for fashion and desire to help women gain confidence in their style. Last summer, she updated her online presence with a new fashion blog. Earlier this month, she launched a fashion concierge business. Since then, Fagan has received feedback from a number of followers who draw inspiration from her unexpected type of style advice, she said, adding it has helped affirm her decision. Her new closet concierge services will include closet clean-outs that support minimalism, fashion and styling advice, personal shopping, and wardrobe plans. As a society, were so prescribed to see a certain body image, she said. But its about finding what styles complement your body. I feel like I figured out my body type and what works for me. I want to help find what works best for you. The main goal is to help clients structure their closets, but Fagan, who writes for Hearst Connecticut Medias Sunday Arts & Style section under the name Brooke Helmer, hopes an underlying benefit will be increasing their confidence and empowering more women to pursue small businesses. While a bad outfit can do a lot to diminish self confidence, a good one is a big self-esteem boost, Fagan said. Just because you cant wear this or that outfit doesnt mean the right one for you isnt out there. Fagan plans to continue writing her blog, which includes tips and tricks that Ive figured out help me, and includes ideas that influence her wardrobe. Thursday, Fagan will team up with other local and female-owned businesses to formally launch her closet concierge-services. At the Katie Fong boutique on Lewis Street, owner Katie Fong along with Fagan and Molly Wills, owner of The Waverly Project, will host the launch party. For information about Fagans new business, visit her website and blog at BrookeKatherine.com. MBennett@greenwichtime. com, 203-625-4411; Twitter @Macaela_ Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for New York Fashion Week: The Shows Brian Ach/Getty Images for New York Fashion Week: The Shows Brian Ach/Getty Images for New York Fashion Week: The Shows Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for New York Fashion Week: The Shows Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for New York Fashion Week: The Shows Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for New York Fashion Week: The Shows Albert Urso/Getty Images for New York Fashion Week: The Shows Albert Urso/Getty Images for New York Fashion Week: The Shows Albert Urso/Getty Images for New York Fashion Week: The Shows This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Chiseled features, dreamy blue eyes, time in prison...check. Jeremy Meeks, the "Hot Mugshot Guy," took to the runway for the first time in the Philipp Plein show where he modeled a black trench with a furry hood, black pants, and black sneakers. Meeks also had a shirtless moment, showing off muscles and several tattoos; but during the actual show, the model was covered up. You might remember first seeing the viral mugshot of Jeremy Meeks in June of 2014. The then, 30-year-old was arrested on felony weapon charges. Runway Politics: Bella Hadid and powerful political statements come down the NYFW runway Meeks quickly became dubbed the "Hot Felon" and "Hot Mugshot Guy." Modeling agencies must have rejoiced when Meeks was released from prison in March of 2016. (Story continues below.) In an Instagram post, Meeks captioned a photo with his talent agent Jim Jordan saying,"I want to thank my family and everybody for all your love, support and prayers. I'm overwhelmed and grateful for what lies ahead. I'm ready @jimjordanphotography and @whitecrossmanagement #jeremymeeks #jimjordan #whitecrossmanagement." Take a look at the "Hot Mugshot Guy's" runway debut and other looks from NYFW. BRIDGEPORTAn apparent assault with a BB gun landed two people in the hospital Wednesday night, according to police dispatch reports. Police investigated the alleged assault after the victims were admitted to St. Vincents Medical Center Wednesday evening, according to the dispatch reports. West Haven police are investigating a rash of smashed motor-vehicle windows that happened early Thursday morning. In the early morning hours, WHPD officers have been responding to incidents of several vehicle windows smashed all concentrated in the West Shore area by Pagels School, police posted on their Facebook page. No items are being taken so it appears as if vandalism is the motive. Anyone who may have seen anything pertaining to these acts, your help would be appreciated. Police across southwest Connecticut have been warning residents to make sure their vehicles are locked overnight. On Tuesday, Easton police reminded all drivers, to lock their cars and take all belongings with them when they leave their vehicles. We have experienced an uptick of cars being entered, in the area, late at night and items being stolen from the vehicles. If you see anything strange, please call the Easton Police Dispatch at (203) 268-4111. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate STAMFORD The Mill River Collaborative received a rare type of donation at the end of last year. Paula and John Todd donated their Shippan waterfront home where they lived for 26 years to the nonprofit group as the Florida snowbirds downsized to a downtown condo this fall. We had started some estate planning, and we dont have children, so we decided we wanted to be making donations during our lifetime instead of after our lifetime, Paula Todd said over the phone from her winter home in Juno Beach, Fla. It was a donation unlike any other the park planning authority had ever received, Mill River Park Collaborative chairman Arthur Selkowitz said. It could garner more than $1 million for capital projects and a maintenance endowment. The Malloy Group at Douglas Elliman plans to list the 2,940-square-foot, three-bedroom Mediterranean home for $1.2 million. Gail and Ron Malloy, Gov. Dannel P. Malloys siblings, are not charging the collaborative for their services so every penny paid for the home goes toward rebuilding Mill River Park, off Washington Boulevard downtown. Ron and I really believe in the park, Gail Malloy said during a tour this week of the Sea Beach Drive home. It was my brother (Gov. Malloy) who wanted to see the park rebuilt when he was mayor, so it felt like the right cause to give back to. Even before the house is sold, Selkowitz said the collaborative is already benefiting from the donation. They left the house partially furnished, so we were able to have a tag sale, he said. The tag sale raised a few thousand dollars for the park, and a few pieces of furniture still remain in the house, including a grandfather clock, a mahogany sleigh bed in the master bedroom and a dining room table and chairs. Selkowitz said those items could be sold with the house. Project house The Todds former home in Shippan is sturdy. The big-boned house, built with extra-wide beams and steel joists, sits on a hearty concrete foundation. We weathered Sandy in that house, and only lost one terracotta shingle, Todd said. When we had the home inspected before we donated it to the collaborative, one builder said it was a house built for 200 years. It sits stoically on the waterfront side of Sea Beach Drive in Shippan Point, with views of the Long Island Sound from nearly every room. Its just a great house, Todd said. We had lived in eight or nine places before we lived in Shippan, and that has been our favorite home. Still, the house is in need of some TLC. The bathrooms need updating, some of the wood trim is rotting and a few doorknobs have come loose in the 90-year-old home. We had always wanted to do a historic renovation of the house, but never got around to it, Todd said. Its still a nice house, we want it to have a good owner hopefully someone will give it the renovation it needs. Emotional attachment The Todds still feel sentimental about their former Shippan Point home, comparing it to a family pet. We moved into the house in 1990, so you develop an emotional attachment, Todd said. We want to see it go to good owners. Selkowitz, who grew up a stones throw from the property on Ocean Drive West, also had a connection to the house. It was a little shocking when the Todds said they wanted to donate this house, because I actually lived here for a summer when I was a teenager, he said. After Selkowitzs father died, his mother moved the family into the home for a summer to save money. I have my own fond memories in this house, he said Monday as he walked up the stairs, passing a colorful stained-glass window. Its fitting, he says, for the proceeds from the sale of the waterfront home to fund Mill River Park. Its a great home for a nature lover, he said. nnaughton@stamfordadvocate.com; @noranaughton STORY LINK EUR USD Exchange Rate Rises after Trump Changes Tact on Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Euro Update: Eurozone Unemployment Drops, Greek Debt Outcome Remains Uncertain EUR Gains Predicted if Incoming Construction Stats Show Annual Growth US Dollar Losses Triggered as Trump Moves Away from Two-State Israel Policy USD Forecast: National Housing Stats in Focus Today and Next Week Like this piece? Please share with your friends and colleagues: The Euro to US Dollar exchange rate slipped back from its weekly highs on Friday afternoon and looked to end the week nearer its opening levels at around 1.06.Demand for the US Dollar improved on Friday afternoon as the days US leading index report improved from 0.5% to 0.6% month-on-month, despite being predicted to remain at 0.5%.[Previously updated 11:00 GMT]Even though Decembers Eurozone current account surplus widened markedly from 40.8 billion to 47.0 billion this failed to shore up the Euro US Dollar exchange rate ahead of the weekend.Despite a continued lack of detail over the Trump administrations promised tax reforms the US Dollar remained on a stronger footing, benefitting as risk appetite generally weakened.[Previously updated 16/02/2017]The Euros advance against the US Dollar today comes after a pair of supportive drops in unemployment, coming from France and the Netherlands.Additional support has been granted by the Italian trade balance figure, which has shown a December surplus expansion from 4.2bn to 5.8bn.Greek debt crisis negotiations continue in the background; most recently, European Commissioner Pierre Moscovici has stated that small steps remain before an agreement on bailout funding can be reached.The Euros last domestic news will be Friday mornings construction output figure for December.Previously, the level of construction stagnated at 0% so even a fractional rise has the potential to boost Euro demand against the US Dollar.Looking forward to next week, Monday will bring the provisional Greek debt talks deadline, by which time an agreement needs to be reached between the Greek Government and its creditors.While talks can continue after this stage, their chances of bearing fruit will be greatly reduced due to officials and negotiators being preoccupied with upcoming Eurozone elections.Donald Trump has caused the latest drop in US Dollar demand, both directly and indirectly. In the former case, during a recent meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump mused abandoning the two-state solution that has been official US policy for two decades.This raises the danger of a more one sided stance being taken on concluding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which has raged for over 60 years.Less directly, US investors have been panicked by the withdrawal of Trumps Labour Secretary Andrew Puzder from the confirmation process.This represents yet another setback to Trumps cabinet creation, leaving further uncertainty among investors as a new candidate must now be chosen.Outside of any unexpected Trump remarks or policy revelations, US housing data will be the next major sources of USD influence.This afternoon will see housing starts and building permits for January; both fields are expected to rise, although only by a fractional amount. International Money Transfer? Ask our resident FX expert a money transfer question or try John's new, free, no-obligation personal service! ,where he helps every step of the way, ensuring you get the best exchange rates on your currency requirements. TAGS: Currency Predictions Euro Forecasts We must rethink the U.S. response to infectious disease. Here's why. Some are protestors across the country, some are Memphians who marched in front of the Civil Rights Museum and some are Katy Perry. Whether they wear resist armbands during their Grammy performances or attend demonstrations regarding Donald Trumps travel ban, the presidents resisters have been ensuring that their voices are heard since November. Some Republican officials see these efforts as ridiculous, while some professors at the U of M say the amount of resistance the 45th president is facing is extraordinary. Music business freshman Alex Boadnax classifies himself as part of the Trump resistance, and he has actively protested against the president. I was a part of the march downtown regarding the Muslim ban, as well as the Not My President protest on campus, the 18-year-old said. Im part of the resistance because hes preaching hatred. Though some go as far as signing online petitions like impeachdonaldtrump.org,Republican Party of Shelby County Chairman Lee Mills said that the talk of impeachment is ridiculous. There is no basis for impeachment, Mills said. It originates from people who lost the election and have never been taught that sometimes you lose in life. Still, political science professor Matthias Kaelberer said that the amount of resistance Trump has received so early in his presidency is extraordinary. The intensity and extent of protest against a newly elected president this early into his term is extraordinary, Kaelberer said. For instance, Kaelberer said he believes the intensity of the resistance is because of extreme divisiveness of the presidential campaign, as well as questions concerning the legitimacy of a president who lost the popular vote by almost 3 million votes. Kaelberer also drew a comparison to the Obama administration and the Trump administration. Obama was able to maintain positive approval ratings for much longer than Trump, Kaelberer said. Trumps approval ratings turned negative within days of assuming office. According to Kaelberer, Obama drew tea party movement protests relatively early after his election, while the womens marches were developed immediately following the November elections and then took place the day after the inauguration. Although protests have occurred with presidents in the past, there have not been any like the extent of the ones against Trump, according to journalism professor and historian Joseph Hayden. Unlike Trumps resistance, these past demonstrations soon faded away, Hayden said. Richard Nixon saw protests, but these were mostly directed against the war in Vietnam, Hayden said. George W. Bushs peculiar ascent to office generated protests, too. Hayden also said that, according to Gallup, recent presidents took between 500-1,200 days to earn majority disapproval, while in contrast Trump took eight days. Thats not a record you want, said Hayden. And it may be a sign of a disconnected, increasingly self-destructive administration. Twenty-year-old nursing freshmen Shalom Fisk does not consider himself part of the Trump resistance, but still dislikes the president and his actions. I think he should be impeached, Fisk said. Hes too quick with pressing the red button Hes destroyed what America is founded on, which is the American dream. However, 20-year-old psychology junior and Trump supporter Kelsey Coleman said that we should accept the Trump presidency, and that we as a nation should not be resisting our president. What good is it to wish to see our president fail? Coleman said. Margaret Thatcher's Oxford college, Somerville, founded in 1879 and named after Scottish scientist Mary Somerville, has appointed as its principal Baroness Royall, 61, a former adviser to ex-Labour leader Neil Kinnock. A lifelong Leftie and the party's ex-leader in the Lords, she was selected from a list of 400 candidates. Lady Royall says she's proud 'that I will be part of a vibrant community that is meeting the challenges of today whilst finding solutions to the problems of tomorrow'. Vibrant, perhaps, but why's this centre of privilege so unashamedly Left-wing? Somerville has appointed as its principal Baroness Royall, 61, a former adviser to ex-Labour leader Neil Kinnock Margaret Thatcher's Oxford college, Somerville, founded in 1879 and named after Scottish scientist Mary Somerville, has appointed a new principal - Baroness Royall Both the Queen and her heir, Prince Charles, are looking for experts to run their social media accounts. HM is offering 30,000 while Charles asks applicants to state their 'salary expectations'. The monarch has been photographed twice allegedly in the act of tweeting but has never actually composed one. Charles hasn't even pretended to send one. When the Queen Mother was offered a remote for her TV she is said to have explained that she had staff to change her programmes. Prince Philip, while accompanying the Queen to the opening of the National Cyber Security Centre, asked a member of staff if he spoke Russian or Chinese. When the hapless employee said no, Philip clearly with hackers in mind informed him: 'Let's hope they don't attack when you're on duty.' Donald Trump's choice as the new US ambassador to Austria is concert pianist Patrick Park, who has no diplomatic experience but claims to have seen The Sound of Music, starring Julie Andrews, pictured, 75 times. He adds: 'I know every single word and song by heart. I've always wanted to live in the Von Trapp house.' Perhaps officials will advise him that many Austrians deplore the film, which features local Nazis hounding the wholesome Von Trapp family. Number 10 says Theresa May 'phoned Donald Trump on Tuesday, saying it was 'part of their regular engagement'. Was it merely a coincidence that she talked to her new, hand-holding buddy on St Valentine's Day? And shouldn't Mr May be concerned!? Number 10 says Theresa May 'phoned Donald Trump on Tuesday, saying it was 'part of their regular engagement'. Was it merely a coincidence that she talked to her new, hand-holding buddy on St Valentine's Day? Princess Eugenie's plans to move into a Kensington Palace cottage have stalled over a dispute about who'll pay to repair damp problems, says a source there. Taxpayers are funding a 1.2million yew hedge to shield the Cambridges. Courtiers fret about paying additional refurbishment costs for Andrew's youngest daughter and her beau, Jack Brooksbank. 'The Queen might regret rejecting a proposal to clear out Kensington Palace of cousins and retainers and make it a museum and banqueting rooms,' says my source. Tipped to succeed Mary Berry on Channel 4's version of The Great British Bake Off, foodie Prue Leith, 76, is no fan of celebrity cookery shows. Referring to those who view them, she has said: 'They are sitting on sofas stuffing their faces with pizza, Pot Noodles and chocolate bars.' Won't Channel 4 need its face stuffing viewers after agreeing to pay 25million a year for the Bake Off? Less than a month into his presidency, Donald Trump's enemies are already scenting blood. They hope they have got him on the run over the resignation of Michael Flynn as his National Security Adviser. Flynn was forced to stand down for secretly discussing sanctions against Russia with the country's ambassador to America in the weeks before Trump took office and then trying to cover up his foolish and possibly illegal behaviour. It is being suggested that Flynn's goose was cooked by the FBI and CIA, who had tapped these phone-calls, and gleefully leaked transcripts of them. Was this pay-back time for Trump's recent dismissive criticisms of the U.S. intelligence services? And are the CIA and the FBI also conspiring against their commander-in-chief because they disapprove of his stated intention to try to mend fences with Russia? Whatever the truth, Flynn was clearly out of order in discussing sanctions with the Russian ambassador, and then pretending he had not done so. He obviously had to go. I am certainly no cheerleader for Donald Trump, but surely his desire to explore whether some sort of accommodation can be reached with Vladimir Putin's Russia should be welcomed But it does not follow that the more constructive policy towards Russia championed by Trump and Flynn should also be jettisoned, as the CIA and America's military Establishment not to mention much of the country's media would apparently like. I am certainly no cheerleader for Donald Trump, but surely his desire to explore whether some sort of accommodation can be reached with Vladimir Putin's Russia should be welcomed. Of course, I completely accept, as Trump may not, that Russia behaved inhumanely in Syria when its jets dropped bombs on civilians in Aleppo, though it must also be said that Putin has brought a degree of order to Syria, which the West signally failed to do. Seized Russia behaved illegally when it seized Crimea from Ukraine in 2014. (However, the peninsular had been long part of Russia until given to Ukraine in 1954.) And Moscow is succouring some very unappetising separatists in eastern Ukraine who are trying to break away from the government in Kiev. Putin is evidently not a nice man. He has cracked down on a free Press, and locked up, and occasionally killed, his enemies. But our Government is on relatively good terms with regimes that have acted even more abominably. The question is whether we want a war with Putin, as certainly seems to be possible, with Nato troops (including 800 British soldiers) being sent in sizeable numbers to Eastern Europe. Or, do we, in the words of Winston Churchill, want first to try 'jaw-jaw'? Putin is evidently not a nice man. He has cracked down on a free Press, and locked up, and occasionally killed, his enemies. But our Government is on relatively good terms with regimes that have acted even more abominably That is Trump's laudable approach, though many of those who are celebrating the dismissal of Michael Flynn seemingly wish to scupper it. They shouldn't allow their hatred of the President to prejudice them against his legitimate aim to reduce tension with Russia. While Western leaders are right to regard the Putin regime as unpleasant and potentially dangerous, they should try much harder to understand how beleaguered many Russians feel, and how threatened by the West. After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Nato embraced not only former Soviet satellites such as Poland and Hungary as new members. It also signed up the Baltic States Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania right on Russia's borders. Suddenly, Russian leaders were faced with the reality of American and other Nato troops being stationed on their doorstep. You can hardly blame them for feeling paranoid. Then the West with the EU playing an ill-considered leading role went one step further by wooing Ukraine, which has a large Russian-speaking population, and is regarded by many Russians as the cradle of Mother Russia. When we look at Russia, we tend to see the world's largest country in terms of area, still brisling with nuclear weapons Baroness Ashton, the rather mediocre then High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs, even travelled to Kiev in December 2013 on behalf of the EU to offer the Ukrainian government an Association Agreement which is a precursor to possible EU membership. In short, the West's diplomacy towards Ukraine has been at best clumsy, at worst provocative. This is not to excuse Putin who disgraced himself by seizing Crimea and stirring up trouble in eastern Ukraine but to try to understand what makes him tick. Annoyance When we look at Russia, we tend to see the world's largest country in terms of area, still brisling with nuclear weapons. To the justifiable annoyance of the U.S. military, it has just deployed a new cruise missile in apparent violation of an arms control treaty. Yet when Russia looks at the West, it sees a bloc which collectively spends ten times as much money on defence, and has a combined economy about 20 times as big. The point was well made by Sir Tony Brenton, a former British ambassador to Moscow, on Radio Four yesterday. He rightly conceded that Russia presents a 'real problem and a challenge' but compared it to a defensive, frightened 'animal in the corner with its claws out'. The West's task is to get those claws retracted. Significantly, Russia's economy is about the size of Italy's, which makes it significantly smaller than Britain's. Though she spends more on defence as a proportion of her gross domestic product than any single Nato country, she has limited economic resources. Remember the recent photographs of Russia's sole 30-year-old aircraft carrier - a rust bucket - limping down the English Channel as it belched embarrassing amounts of black smoke. The U.S. has ten modern aircraft-carriers. Even Britain will soon have two. This is far from being the picture of a superpower. Russia is a former great power with a middling economy and, by the way, a declining population. She is striving to cut a figure in the world far above her station. For all his weaknesses and absurdities, Trump has the gift of challenging orthodoxies, and seeing old problems through new eyes It's true declining powers can be dangerous. The declaration of war on Serbia in 1914 by the Austro-Hungarian Empire (which was in terminal decline) precipitated World War I. My argument is not that Russia would be harmless if provoked. It is that she is massively out-gunned by the West and Putin in his heart knows it. Is this much diminished, and largely Christian, country really our natural enemy? Looking ahead ten, 20 or 30 years, I'd say the greatest threat to our stability is more likely to come from the Middle-East or China, whose resources will far outstrip Russia's, as will her global ambitions and capabilities. And Russia, after all, is on the same page as the West when it comes to standing up to Islamic militancy. Putin's policy in Syria may have been brutal. It was also more cogent than the West's inasmuch as he saw the greatest threat was not the country's president, Bashar al-Assad, but extremist Islamists such as IS and Al Qaeda. Danger For all his weaknesses and absurdities, Trump has the gift of challenging orthodoxies, and seeing old problems through new eyes. Wasn't he right when he tweeted last month: 'Having a good relationship with Russia is a good thing, not a bad thing'? Conceivably such a relationship is not obtainable. But at least Trump is prepared to have a go. If Russia is respected, and her fears of the West's military and economic hegemony better understood, she might turn out to be more of a friend than a foe. The biggest danger is that Trump will be stopped, for there are lots of people in the American military machine and intelligence services (and doubtless our own) who want to keep Russia as enemy number one, even at the risk of war. Was Trump's National Security Adviser Michael Flynn deliberately undermined because he sought an entente with Russia? It's certainly possible. And those who are celebrating his downfall, and relishing Trump's discomfiture, should ask themselves whether they are not also hindering the cause of peace. A super-buff pilot has left his twenty-two-thousand Instagram followers on cloud nine by posting heart-racing snaps of his topless workouts and glamourous globetrotting lifestyle. Jaw-dropping images show First Officer, Jonas, 31, also known as the Pumping Pilot working out at the gym and posing for topless pool and beachside photographs in his downtime. In other pictures, Jonas who is from Munich, Germany can be seen relaxing in the cock pit of his plane. First Officer, Jonas (31), also known as the Pumping Pilot has amassed more than 22,000 followers on Instagram, thanks to showing off his very buff body The handsome aviation worker joked that only pilots and lifeguards get to wear sunglsses to work every day The fitness fanatic starting his day with a morning jog on a trip to Florida Other shots show jet-setting Jonas standing beside some of the world's most recognisable tourist locations. He's been pictured next to the Great Sphinx of Giza, Egypt and the Cape of Good Hope, South Africa and other shots show the action loving pilot skating across a frozen Lago Bianco, Switzerland. 'I am a pilot who loves to travel and work out, for me being a pilot is like a dream came true because I can combine all the things I like,' said Jonas. 'As my favourite sport is going to the gym I decided to use the combination of being a pilot and pumping in the gym for my Instagram name.' For Jonas who has been a pilot for over six years and flies A319, A320 and A321 planes, flying runs in the family. 'My dad also used to be a pilot and I was always fascinated about his job,' he explained. The action loving pilot goes skating across a frozen Lago Bianco, Switzerland First Officer Jonas poses alongside the Sphinx on a trip to Egypt It's a tough life! Jonas surveys the scenery on yet another sunny break 'To see so many places around the world and always change the team you work with is just awesome.' With a busy schedule of between 15 and 20 flights a week, Jonas still manages to hit the gym and workout five days a week. Despite this Jonas says he does receive some negative comments from social media users. 'Working out definitely gives me great balance from the job, as you are sitting most of the time at work. Sorry ladies, he's taken! At the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa with his girlfriend Mary Jonas poses for a smouldering snap in the pool at Port De Soller in Mallorca Ready for duty! The Munich-based first officer leads a jet set lifestyle 'It helps me to stay more focussed as I have a balanced lifestyle and furthermore it is good for your health. 'Some say that it is just awesome how I combine the pilot lifestyle with the fitness lifestyle and of course there are also negative comments but I guess they are just jealous.' Unfortunately for fans, the hunky aviation worker is happily settled with his partner Mary - a medic and fellow fitness fanatic - and this week paid a touching Valentine's tribute to his love. 'Loving is not just looking at each other, it's looking in the same direction,' he wrote. 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. New York Fashion Week fall 2017 was rife with stunning, must-try hair looks this season. Many of our favorite moments were, of course, spotted on the runways. The 'knitted bangs' at Jenny Packham and the 'Minnie Mouse' double bun look worn by It models like Bella Hadid and Taylor Hill at Anna Sui top our list. But there was also plenty of great hair to be seen off the catwalk. Shay Mitchell, Kylie Jenner and Mandy Moore were among the stars who turned heads with their hair looks in the front rows throughout the fashion-filled week. Read on below to get inspired. SHAY MITCHELL Justine Marjan was busy leading teams of hairstylists backstage at shows like Jonathan Simkhai and Alice + Olivia, but she still made time to ensure her client Shay, 29, killed it in the front rows. For the Zimmerman show on Sunday, Shay wore a unique double chignon look with wire details. On Instagram Justine explained that to achieve the look, texture was key. She prepped the actress' hair with Tresemme Firm Hold Mousse before rough drying. She then created small bends in the hair with a flat iron, sprayed Ouai Texturizing Spray at the roots and pulled hair back. Justine wrapped metal wire around select pieces and twisted the lengths into a double bun, securing with pins to finish. Later that day for Phillip Plein's fall collection, the stylist created an impressive Rapunzel-esque rope braided ponytail that stretched from Shay's head to her hips. Letting down her long hair: Shay Mitchell, 29, wore her hair in a Rapunzel-like rope braid for the Philipp Plein show earlier this week Quick change: On the same day, the Pretty Little Liars star also sat front row at Zimmerman with an accessorized chignon MANDY MOORE Hairstylist Ashley Streicher jazzed up 32-year-old Mandy Moore's wavy high ponytail ahead of the Lela Rose show by topping it with a simple black bow. The stylist called the look a 'texture Bow-ny tail'. A ponytail to remember: Mandy Moore, 32, looked ladylike at Lela Rose's show with her hair pulled back into a bow-topped ponytail BLAKE LIVELY The L'Oreal spokesmodel hosted a Galentine's day-themed fashion week party on Monday night and everything from her SemSem dress to her hair was in line with the theme. Blake's longtime hairstylist Rod Ortega twisted the top half of her hair into the shape of a giant heart at the back of her head. The actress, 29, told popsugar.com that he created the seemingly intricate style in just 20 minutes. 'He's so talented, it's upsetting.' We heart this look: Blake Lively, 29, got in the Valentine's Day spirit for a festive L'Oreal party with a heart-shaped updo DIANE KRUGER The front-row fixture may have cut her medium-length hair into a short choppy bob for her role in the German film In the Fade, but the cropped look suits her in real life, too. Paired with a copper smoky eye look and a navy blazer dress at Jason Wu's fall show on Friday, the actress couldn't have looked cooler. Fierce: Allow Diane Kruger, 40, to convince you to finally get that cropped bob you've been thinking about KYLIE JENNER Kylie, 19, stepped out in a number of different hairstyles this fashion week (she went from long peach-colored hair to long black hair in one day) but she saved her edgiest look for the Alexander Wang show. Give the hair chameleon a tube of gel and a blunt bob wig and you've got one winning combination. Who needs a blow-dryer? Kylie Jenner, 19, made wet hair look cool at Alexander Wang's Saturday show OLIVIA CULPO Hair accessories had a moment on the Marchesa runway yesterday and clearly, Olivia, 24, got the memo. The one-time Miss USA arrived at the show wearing a gorgeous metal hairpiece that pushed her long waves back behind her ear on one side. Sitting pretty: With her soft waves and glitzy hair accessory, Olivia Culpo, 24, embodied Marchesa's whimsical aesthetic in the front row MILLIE BOBBY BROWN Short hair is more versatile than you might think - just look at Millie Bobby Brown. In the past two months alone, the Stranger Things actress has worn her neck-grazing crop wavy, slicked down, and pushed back with a glittering headband. At Calvin Klein's fashion show on Friday, she changed things up again with a front French braid that extended from ear to ear. Millie may be 12, but this is a look all ages can rock. A woman has become almost entirely bed-bound - requiring seven men to lift her - after years of overeating fast-food and sweets. As a result of her food addiction, Diana Bunch, 55, weighs 620lbs and suffers from extreme lymphedema, a swelling in the arms or legs, as well as blisters, open sores and rashes. In a last ditch attempt to prevent her from being completely confined to her bed, Diana, from Seattle, agrees to seek the help of obesity specialist D. Younan Nowzaradan on tonight's episode of My 600lb Life. Immobile: 620lbs woman Diana Bunch, 55, pictured on TLC television show My 600lb Life, says it is 'embarrassing' that it takes seven men to lift her from a car to a bed Morbidly obese: Diana, from Seattle, is almost entirely bed-bound after years of overeating fast-food and sweets A preview clip shows Diana lying horizontal in the back of a car while her sister drives her to Houston, Texas in the hope of getting gastric surgery after her niece Megan convinces her to consent to treatment. 'I've been miserable for two days straight and I cannot wait to get into a bed. But it's embarrassing that I'm so big that I can't even get out of a vehicle by myself,' she says. During the two-day journey her sister has to call for medical assistance to move her from the car to a bed, and it takes the strength of seven men to move her. Discomfort: She suffers from extreme lymphedema - swelling in the arms or legs - and blisters, open sores and rashes Assistance: In a last ditch attempt to prevent her from being completely confined to her bed, Diana agreed to seek the help of obesity specialist Doctor Younan Nowzaradan Diana says she had not realized the extent of her mobility issues until embarking on the trip. 'A major effect of my weight that I didn't really think about until I was on this road trip is my inability to get in and out of the van, much less the hotel. 'I didn't realize how basically handicapped I am. So it really has just brought home in a really tough way how desperately I need help,' she adds. Awakening: Diana said she had not realized the extent of her mobility issues until they embarked on the trip Reality: Her journey is set to be documented on tonight's episode of the television show She says she finally feels comfortable after she is placed in a bed following hours of being propped up and cushioned by pillows in the car. Diana says it is 'embarrassing' that it takes so much effort to transport her from place to place. She adds: 'If I'd known it was going to be this hard to do, I'm not sure I would have made the decision to go to Houston.' A Sydney mother-of-two has revealed she has been co-sleeping with her children 'on and off since they were born'. Sky News presenter Jacinta Tynan has two sons, seven-year-old Jasper and Otis, five. She talked about the decision in a column for news.com.au on Tuesday, explaining there was no compelling case against it. Staying close: Sky News presenter Jacinta Tynan says she has been co-sleeping with her children, aged five and seven ' on and off since they were born' 'As new mums, we get the memo that we must do what it takes to get that newborn into their own room pronto, even better the holy grail of sleeping through the night while theyre at it, without ever questioning why,' she wrote. An Australian study from 2000 found 80 per cent of babies spent some time co-sleeping in the first six months following their birth. Ms Tynan also noted the words of Dr James McKenna, a professor at the University of Notre Dame who is considered the world's leading authority on mother-infant co-sleeping. Popular opinion: A 2000 Australian study found 80 per cent of babies co-slept at some point in their first six months of life He believes babies are 'biologically designed' to sleep alongside their mothers, and a co-sleeping arrangement can help mum get more sleep and strengthen the bond between the two. The setup has its detractors though. Boston-based psychologist Dr Kate Roberts claims as children get older, co-sleeping can become a negative experience for both mother and child. Benefits waning? Psychologist Dr Kate Roberts says as children get older, co-sleeping can have a detrimental effect on mother and child In a column for the Huffington Post, she wrote many of her child patients who presented with generalised anxiety were more often than not still co-sleeping. She claims the children are often less self-reliant, and says it can also present social problems for the youngster when they are faced with the prospect of sleepovers or overnight camps. And though sleeping elsewhere may feel daunting for the child, Dr Roberts says it is likely a welcome change for the parents, whose sleep often deteriorates as a result of co-sleeping. Mum's choice: Ms Tynan says she 'loves nothing more' than lying next to her children as they're falling asleep Ms Tynan, a part-time co-sleeper, admitted the setup is not for everyone, but says for her, it's a beautiful feeling. 'I love nothing more than lying next to my children as theyre falling asleep, absorbing the subtle tempo change of breath as their limbs go limp, the soles of their feet joined together like a newborn,' she wrote. 'Im here, I whisper to them in the night, assurance hopefully setting them up for life.' Advertisement Supermodel Jennifer Hawkins dazzled on Thursday afternoon as she led models down the catwalk ahead of the Myer Autumn 2017 fashion collections launch. Hawkins stormed the runway in a number of designer pieces in preparation for the show, which will take place in a heritage listed underground car park at the University of Melbourne. And while the show was made up of a number of classic, sophisticated and ready to wear pieces, a number of the designers took their creativity to a whole new level with face visors, racy thigh high boots and models appearing on the runway in nothing but blazers and underwear. Bold in black: Jennifer Hawkins dazzled on Thursday afternoon as she led models down the catwalk ahead of the Myer Autumn 2017 fashion collections launch - opening the edgy show in a black strapless sheer gown by Alex Perry that retails at $1,800 Shining in silver: Hawkins later reappeared on the catwalk to close the show in a spectacular silver number by Maticevski - the 'mesmerising foil fabric' creation retailing at an eye-popping $5,000 and featuring a fitted bodice and dramatic full skirt No pants required: The electric Balmain collection took the runway to a whole new level, with models donning racy thigh high boots and chic double-breasted blazers paired with nothing but underwear Hawkins, the Face of Myer, opened the edgy show in a black strapless sheer gown by Alex Perry - the daring number featuring billowing floor-length sleeves, a plunging V neckline and retailing at $1,800. The designer's new collection oozed sophistication and featured bold cuts, split form-fitting pink dresses, chic tailoring, striking statement gowns and black evening pieces. From sheer pieces to stunning lace creations, models walking for Alex Perry channeled a fierce yet feminine vibe as they made their way down the runway. Edgy: Playful prints are also expected to be a must-have this season, with models in ByJohnny showcasing star-studded dresses and polka dots - but in an unusual twist, the designer had all of his models appear in black face visors Ready for the races? True to their signature style, the Yeojin Bae collection was all about chic cuts and lace - as well as stunning fiery red dresses, netted crepe tops and block colour dresses in pink, blue, black and white Glam: Black was also the colour of the moment for models walking for Misha Collection, who wore fringed dresses, silk trench coats and dresses, chic flared suit pants and sophisticated pantsuits in red Hawkins later reappeared on the catwalk to close the show in a spectacular silver number by Maticevski - the 'mesmerising foil fabric' creation retailing at an eye-popping $5,000 and featuring a fitted bodice and dramatic full skirt. The rest of the Melbourne-based designer's collection was very minimalist, with models donning sophisticated pencil skirts, gathered tops, peplum blouses and conservative gowns - many retailing from $1,000 to $3,600. The electric Balmain collection took the runway to a whole new level, with models donning racy thigh high boots and chic double-breasted blazers paired with nothing but underwear. Squad: Sequinned pants, chunky black boots, ribbons and ripped jeans are trends expected to be popular this winter Clashing prints and striking patterns: Cowboy style hats, high splits and glittering fabrics also appeared on the runway Blending feminine and masculine: Self-Portrait models accessorised their looks with black hats and simple bags Grunge: Double denim looks, leather and studs also made an appearance on the runway Models also wore bright striped dresses, rainbow minis and simple black trousers with edgy black boots. Playful prints are also expected to be a must-have this season, with models in ByJohnny showcasing star-studded dresses, polka dots, tiered dresses, peplum tops, geometric designs and plunging necklines. But in an unusual twist, the designer had all of his models appear in black face visors as an accessory to their otherwise simple and ready to wear looks. Conservative: The Morrison collection was made up of sheer dresses and tiered floor-length dresses - and each of the models wore chokers over the top of their hair Classic with a twist: Lace black tights paired with form-fitting dresses and lace pieces were also recurring looks Black was also the colour of the moment for models walking for Misha Collection, who wore fringed dresses, silk trench coats and dresses, chic flared suit pants and sophisticated pantsuits in red. Models walking for Acler rocked an array of unique flowing pieces - from floor-length green pleated dresses to darker fitted dresses and sheer blouses. And for a feminine twist, the Aje collection saw models in eye-catching white and gold dresses, frilly playsuits and casual off the shoulder blouses. True to their signature style, the Yeojin Bae collection was all about chic cuts, chic feminine dresses and bold black dresses. From day to night: Myer will unveil the much anticipated Autumn 2017 fashion collections at an exclusive black tie dinner event on Thursday evening in front of 120 A-listers and members of the country's fashion elite Bold: Unique neck accessories, sequins and bows were also popular on the catwalk Making a statement: Some models appeared wearing one earring and rocking large metallic hair pieces Star turn: Models also hit the runway in stunning fiery red dresses, netted crepe tops and block colour dresses in pink, blue, black and white Models also hit the runway in stunning fiery red dresses, netted crepe tops and block colour dresses in pink, blue, black and white. Myer will unveil the much anticipated Autumn 2017 fashion collections at an exclusive black tie dinner event on Thursday evening in front of 120 A-listers and members of the country's fashion elite. Australian fashion personalities to attend the evening include Myer designers, Edwina Robinson and Adrian Norris from Aje, Toni Maticevski, Alex Perry, Johnny Schembri from By Johnny. Yeojin Bae, Kylie Radford from Morrison, Jacqui Demkiw from WHITE SUEDE and new Myer designer and renowned jeweller Christie Nicolaides are also expected to attend. For most women, a gust of wind would spell ruin for their carefully coiffed hair. But the Duchess of Cornwall was spared the embarrassment when she was caught in a breeze during a visit to the Ebony Horse Club in Brixton, south London, today. Her seemingly indestructible blonde locks fell effortlessly back into place just moments after it was swept up by the wind proving her high-end hairdresser is worth every penny. Dressed in a vibrant tartan coat, Camilla, 69, appeared unfazed by the momentary mishap, which would have had most women running for the mirror. Scroll down for video Perfectly coiffed: The Duchess of Cornwall's hair was swept up by the wind, left, during a visit to a riding school in Brixton, south London, but fell back into place just moments later Glamorous: Camilla's locks withstood the breeze as she cut a cake at the London riding school Making friends: The duchess with one of the horses, left, and cutting the birthday cake, right He's behind you! A pony creeps up on the 69-year-old royal during a photo call at the school The duchess is president of the Ebony Horse Club, and was visiting the charity's Brixton riding centre to celebrate the club's 21st anniversary. During her visit she spent time meeting young Brixton riders taking part in activities that teach them about horse welfare, grooming and riding. Earlier Camilla and Prince Charles visited London's Black Cultural Archives (BCA) where they were greeted by members of the Army Cadets. Dressed in her colourful coat, the Duchess injected a much-needed splash of colour to an otherwise dreary morning in the capital. Passionate: Camilla looks on as one of the young riders shows off her talents in the yard Photobomb: A miniature pony tried to steal the show when Camilla was posing for photos Spotted! Camilla turned around and appeared to be gesturing to the cheeky pony at the event Next generation: The duchess spent time speaking to young riders at the south London school It is believed to be the third time Camilla has stepped out in the attention-grabbing ensemble; she wore it for a literature festival in 2016, and in 2015 while touring the Art Workers Guild in London. The couple were also greeted by Lord-Lieutenant Of Greater London, Mr Kenneth Olisa OBE, as they arrived on Thursday morning. They will view the collection at the BCA with a focus on African and Caribbean contribution to war efforts during World War I and II. Camilla opted for a tartan coat dress for an engagement in London on Thursday morning, teaming her outfit with a pie crust shirt, black suede boots and a clutch bag Prince Charles wore a royal blue suit, left, while Camilla dazzled in her vibrant coat, right The Duchess of Cornwall was given a bouquet of flowers by Marie Garrison during the visit The royal couple signed a visitor's book during their visit to the south London centre today The Duchess was in Bristol earlier this week where she dropped in on a tea party at a community centre and visited local charity Women's Aid. Camilla - a fan of Strictly Come Dancing - proved nimble on her feet as she moved across the room to the sound of Shake, Rattle and Roll during a swing dance and the tea party and told her partner: 'Don't tell my husband!' She also took a turn with Graeme Puckett of the Hoppin' Mad group at the Trinity Centre tea party, as visitors clapped along to the music. Charles and Camilla were shown a number of historically important artifacts by staff The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall viewed examples of historical literature Prince Charles met veterans including Allan Wilmot, centre, during the official engagement The mother-of-two has been president of the Royal Voluntary Service, which helps older people stay active and independent, since 2013. The royal also received a Valentine's Day bouquet of scented narcissi during a visit to see some of the award winning independent stores on North Street. Camilla also visited Rare Meat Butchers of Southville - winner of the Best Butcher in the Bristol Good Food Awards - and the Southville Deli, where she was presented with a white chocolate heart. The Duchess is greeted by Lord-Lieutenant Of Greater London, Mr Kenneth Olisa OBE and army cadets as she arrives at the Black Cultural Archives (BCA) in Brixton, south London Charles chats to soldiers after exiting his car. He and Camilla will view the collection at the BCA with a focus on African and Caribbean contribution to war efforts during the war A lingerie model and personal trainer who spent years suffering with pain in her genitals has undergone 'designer vagina' surgery to resolve the bizarre condition. Single mother-of-two Tracy Kiss, 29, from Buckinghamshire, endured pain every day as she was working out, walking, and even when sitting down. Fearing that her vagina was 'deformed' Tracy sought advice from a doctor, who told her that excess skin was behind the problem and recommended she grow out her pubic hair to alleviate the pain. But the mum decided to take more drastic action by undergoing labiaplasty - because she feared a 'big bush' wouldn't go down well in the modelling world. Tracy Kiss is a lingerie model (seen left in an Instagram snap) and a personal trainer (right) Tracy undergoes the minor surgery while under local anaesthetic and is told that the recovery period will be just ten days Doctor Belinda Fenty, who works in gynaecology and antenatal medicine, examined Tracy in her own home as part of 5STAR's new series Don't Tell the Doctor, which helps those suffering with embarrassing illnesses seek a diagnosis. Tracy explained how it was difficult to discuss her intimate issues, adding she often had to awkwardly adjust herself in public to try and alleviate the pain. After attempting to self-diagnose using the internet, she says she came away with a list of 'scary' responses and sought a definitive answer. 'Ive only seen [my vagina] when I took a photo to see where the pain was coming from, I was so surprised really in the difference in size and shape and it looks like its deformed. 'I think I have excess skin, but I dont know what to compare it to see how much' Doctor Fenty explained the cause of Tracy's constant pain after an examination on her couch: 'It does not look deformed. The left side looks bigger than the right side, but that is absolutely within the normal range but thats probably whats giving you your problem. Personal trainer, model, blogger and single mother-of-two Tracy Kiss had been trying to conceal an intimate problem for years 'I can see that your inner lips are hanging lower than your outer lips, that is definitely what it going to be causing your problems.' After reassuring her that there were no abnormalities, Doctor Fenty suggested that Tracy try growing out her pubic hair to alleviate her symptoms and provide 'cushioning', but that wasn't an option for the model. 'I do lingerie modelling and I dont know how well that would go down. 'I already think I have quite a big bulge in the skin and think if I have a big bush of hair it would look quite obvious in lingerie,' she said. The only option left for Tracy was labiaplasty - which involves removing excess skin from the vagina lips - which is performed by eminent cosmetic and reconstructive surgeon Angelica Kavouni in her London clinic. Staying awake for the procedure, Tracy had some local anaesthetic, while the surgeon seared off the small piece of flesh that had been negatively affecting the personal trainer's life. Despite her painful post-op recovery period, Tracy says: 'I will get my life back and it's more than worth it.' Don't Tell the Doctor airs on 5STAR tonight at 9pm A Toronto bar has come under fire for displaying a 'No means yes, yes means a**' signs that many thought was a shocking promotion of rape culture. A dismayed student shared a photo of the message on social media last week, saying Locals Only was 'straight up promoting rape' and asking the venue to get rid of the sign. Her post prompted an online firestorm as outraged users re-posted the picture, some urging others to boycott the bar. Locals Only has since apologized and said the sign was the result of a unsupervised employee's actions, but Torontonians have shared pictures of what they said were previous offensive messages posted inside the bar. Shocking: Locals Only, a bar in Toronto, prompted outrage after pictures of a sign saying 'No means yes, yes means a**' emerged on social media 'Boycott this dump': Outraged social media users circulated the pictures of the sign as well as others, which they said showed messages displayed at the bar in the past Ryerson University student Katii Capern had tried in vain to get in touch with the bar when posted a photo of the 'No means yes' sign online on Sunday, she told the Toronto Star. 'They're trying to be edgy, but in doing so they are just straight up promoting rape,' she said. The 24-year-old, who shared the photo with the hashtag #consentcomesfirst on social media, said she felt sick to her stomach when she realized what the message meant. A staff member confirmed the intended meaning of the message, Capern told CBC. Dozens of concerned social media users spoke out against the sign, some of them urging others not to return to Locals Only as a way to protest against the offensive message. 'This is NOT a joking matter and your shameless promotion of rape culture in your signage was horrific,' one woman wrote in an online review of the bar. Someone else shared a photo of the sign on Twitter and wrote: 'Locals Only, a bar in Toronto, seems to think rape is a joke. Demand that this sign be taken down and an apology issued.' 'Enough to worry about': Dozens of concerned social media users spoke out against the sign, some of them urging others not to return to the bar Not a joke: Some pointed out that joking about rape is not acceptable and asked other social media users to demand that the sign be removed 'Horrific': One woman said in a review on Locals Only's Facebook page that sexual assault was 'no joking matter' and viewed the sign as a 'shameless promotion of rape culture' Speaking out: Other Torontonians posted photos of what appeared to be signs set up in the past inside the venue, displaying more offensive messages LOCALS ONLY'S STATEMENT 'It has come to our attention that while unsupervised, a staff member of Locals Only Toronto made a sign within our establishment that is disgusting, derogatory, and insensitive towards a serious issue that we in no shape or form condone. 'We are deeply saddened, shocked, and appalled that a trusting member of our staff would do such a thing, and we are taking the appropriate measures to immediately terminate this staff members employment. 'We will take responsibility for this incident and effective immediately, we will reissue a staff training course to further educate our staff members of appropriate practice and policy in the work place.' Source: Facebook Advertisement Another person shared the picture and tweeted: 'Everyone, boycott this dump.' Locals Only apologized in a Facebook post Sunday, condemning the sign and pledging to fire the employee they said was responsible for it. 'It has come to our attention that while unsupervised, a staff member of Locals Only Toronto made a sign within our establishment that is disgusting, derogatory, and insensitive towards a serious issue that we in no shape or form condone,' the venue wrote. 'We are deeply saddened, shocked, and appalled that a trusting member of our staff would do such a thing, and we are taking the appropriate measures to immediately terminate this staff members [sic] employment.' The bar has since agreed to follow recommendations from the Sexual Assault Action Coalition to maintain a safe environment for patrons and staff. Other Torontonians, however, said it wasn't the first time that Locals Only had displayed offensive messages. They posted photos of what appeared to be signs set up in the past inside the venue, with Locals Only written below. 'Snapchat me that p***y,' one of the pictures reads. Another one includes a message stating: 'Too naughty to say no.' A group of dancing dads have become the latest internet sensation after a Philadelphia school invited them along to join their kids in a ballet lesson. The Philadelphia Dance Center decided to celebrate Valentine's Day Tuesday with a unique class, asking their students to bring along their dads. But not only did the dads show up in support of their tiny dancers, but they even joined in, following the kids' lead through a series of leaps, plies and pirouettes. Getting into it: Fathers of students at The Philadelphia Dance Center feature in heartwarming videos, attempting to follow along in a ballet class Luckily, the little routines were caught on video, and since the clips appeared on the web, social media users simply can't get enough of the sweet doting dads' dance moves. One of the videos shows a series of dad and daughter pairs being directed by a teacher to leap with grace into the air to Waltz of the Flowers from Tchaikovskys The Nutcracker Suite. A second video includes one of the class' male students leaping in front of the camera, with his proud father doing his best to keep up. Some of the dads offer up just a little hop, while others launch themselves into the air with enthusiasm. A few of the dads even truly got into the spirit of the lesson by donning tutus. Taking the leap: The clips see the fathers trying to mimic the movements of their dance-loving children, such as this man who is carefully studying his son's technique Step-by-step: Some of the dads got into the spirit of things by donning tutus A third clip even sees the dads trying their twinkle toes at following their dancing spawn in a pirouette - with varying success. The Dance Center later posted three videos of the occasion to its Facebook page, with two of them racking up more than 12 million views each. The heartwarming clips have also been shared by hundreds of thousands and gained the fathers plenty of new fans. 'This is the cutest thing I've seen on FB. Ever,' wrote one user. 'Seeing those dads being so awkward and obviously out of their comfort zones for their little girls, warmed my heart.' The teams: The students and their proud dads posed together for a series of group shots Up in the air: This dad was among those making a serious effort to nail the perfect leap Going big: The videos have been viewed more than 12 million times on Facebook Another added: 'So lovely. Some very manly daddys right there. To the dads in the tutus; you're awesome!' After the videos went viral, the Center took to Facebook once again to express thanks to everyone who had watched, shared and commented on the clips. 'Saying thank you doesn't seem to cover how we feel. We are so overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support from around the world,' the statement read. 'Thank you for recognizing the beauty, love, and joy that dance can bring into the world. It just proves that art, love and family are the international language.' A little girl had her dream come true when her doting father helped transform her into Belle from Beauty in the Beast as part of a stunning photo series inspired by the Disney film. Photographer Josh Rossi, 31, from Salt Lake City, Utah, surprised his three-year-old daughter Nellee with one of the images for Valentine's Day, and it is certainly a gift that she will never forget. In order to pull off the whimsical shoot, Josh flew to Europe to photograph castles and villages in five different cities, and he explained in a blog post on Full Time Photographer that that the trip was a 'token of my love for my daughter'. Scroll down for video Magical moment: Josh Rossi (right) transformed his three-year-old daughter Nellee (left) into Belle from Beauty and the Beast Simply stunning: The photographer form Salt Lake City, Utah, used Photoshop to edit photos of Nellee into the storybook-inspired backgrounds After he returned home, Josh had Nellee pose in a series of costumes from the film, which were created by Ella Dynae, a designer specializing in children's luxury gowns. 'The story of Beauty and The Beast has such an amazing message of true love and being accepted that I wanted to recreate the scenes with my daughter,' Josh wrote in his post. 'I also wanted to create something my daughter would have forever that showed the fun relationship and the love I have for her.' Playing dress up: Nelle wore a series of costumes created by Ella Dynae , a designer specializing in children's luxury gowns Tale old as time: The images from the shoot were inspired by the animated Disney film (pictured) Josh got in front of the camera as well, donning a blue double-breasted jacket to play the Beast. One of the most heartwarming shots from the shoot sees Josh dancing with Nellee, who is wearing a replica of Belle's yellow dress from the animated film's ballroom scene. Unsurprisingly, the photographer said that his daughter's favorite part of the photoshoot was putting the iconic frock and dancing with him. Going above and beyond: The dad photographed castles and villages in five different cities in Europe to gather backdrops for the photos series Simply stunning: Josh traveled to Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, Germany for one of the locations Josh used Photoshop to combine the photos of him and Nellee with the scenic backdrops he had photographed in Europe to create the magical images that look like they were ripped off the pages of a storybook. 'When I surprised her with the big print of us dancing she was so excited and kept jumping up and down,' he explained. Josh also created a video documenting the process of the shoot, starting with his trip to Europe and ending with him presenting Nellee with their portrait. Make believe: After he returned home, Josh had Nellee pose in front of a white backdrop Too cute: Josh got in front of the camera as well, donning a blue double-breasted jacket to play the Beast Surprise! Josh blew up one of the photos and gave it to Nellee for Valentine's Day The adorable footage sees the little girl happily unwrapping her gift, and her eyes widen with excitement when she realizes what it is. And while the images are undoubtedly amazing, this isn't the first time Josh has dedicated an entire photoshoot to his daughter. Back in October, he celebrated Nellee's third birthday by transforming her into Wonder Woman as part of another incredible shoot. Do you want lips like Kylie Jenner? Or would you rather a pout like Angelina Jolie? For years, women have tried everything from lip liners to injections in chase of the perfect plump. But now, researchers claim to have found the exact dimensions of what makes the most attractive kisser. Plastic surgeons had focus groups look at a series of morphed computed images showing every possible variety of lip ratio. Finally, they can reveal the shape that was unanimously deemed the 'ultimate'. Scroll down for video A new study has revealed what size lip dimensions women think make the perfect pout. Can you guess which lip size was found to be the most desired? The study, conducted at the University of California, Irvine, got focus groups to rank the faces by attractiveness, with varied lip surface areas created and manipulated upper to lower lip ratios. The most attractive lips were found to be those with a 53.5 percent increase in surface area from the original image with a one to two ratio of upper to lower lip - making the new ratio 1.5 to three. The lips made up about 10 percent of the lower third of the face. Limitations were noted, including that because there are no guidelines for modifying lip surface area, the augmentation in the morphed faces were generated based on clinical experience of what seemed to be feasible. 'We advocate preservation of the natural ratio or achieving a one to two ratio in lip augmentation procedures while avoiding the overfilled upper lip look frequently seen among celebrities,' the authors concluded. Lead author Dr Brian Wong said he hoped the study would help establish guidelines to achieve optimal outcomes in lip augmentation. The study used only images of white women's faces, for reasons not immediately clear to Daily Mail Online. It could be due to the fact that 70 percent of America's plastic surgery patients are Caucasian, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, and that lip filler patients are disproportionately white. Surgeons have noted that millennial girls, in particular, see celebrity selfies online - images of ageless stars presented as natural - fueling a desire to copy their features. Among the most sought after lips are those of Kylie Jenner - the youngest Kardashian. We advocate preservation of the natural ratio while avoiding the overfilled upper lip look frequently seen among celebrities The 19-year-old has denied anything beyond lip fillers. But in 2015, a worrying trend dubbed the '#kyliejennerchallenge' swept social media, encouraging teens to blow their lips up to epic proportions using bottles or shot glasses. The reportedly painful method involved participants placing their mouth over the opening of a cup, jar or other narrow vessel and sucking in until the air vacuum caused their lips to swell up - all in the hopes of emulating Jenner's bee-stung pout. Countless teens, both boys and girls, shared the disturbing results of their experiments on Twitter and Instagram, which in many cases led to severe bruising around the mouth. However, not long afterwards, the social media star tweeted: 'I'm not here to try & encourage people/young girls to look like me or to think this is the way they should look.' She added: 'I want to encourage people/young girls like me to be YOURSELF & not be afraid to experiment w your look.' In a 2010 study, researchers experimented to see whether there was a facial golden ratio, or an ideal facial feature arrangement. They concluded: 'A woman who has large lips, suggesting a strong mating potential, with average length and width ratios will always be more attractive than a woman with narrow lips and average length and width ratios.' Jamie Gordon, an anthropologist, partner, and cultural strategist at Culture Agency in Atlanta, Georgia, told Women's Health that women have been chasing larger lips for centuries. 'When you look at the anthropological history of the female body and sexuality, full lips signal not only sensuality, but being excited about having sex,' she said. 'Much like how studies show that the higher your hip-to-waist ratio in some African tribal cultures, the more attractive you are, full lips can also make you seem more attractive.' A 60-year-old woman's brain tumour caused her to suddenly become obsessed about religion. The unidentified patient, from Spain, was found to have an aggressive form of cancer after complaining of unusual symptoms. Not only was she reporting signs of depression - typical with a brain tumour, but she believed she was in contact with the Virgin Mary, it is reported. The unidentified woman, from Spain, was found to have an aggressive form of cancer after complaining of unusual symptoms - such as speaking to the Virgin Mary In a case report published in the journal Neurocase, it explained how the woman was not overly religious. However, those around her began to notice a slight change in her personality, LiveScience reports. Not only did she succumb to sadness, but she began to show a degree of interest in the Bible. Her condition then escalated and she began to spend significant portions of her day reciting religious text. According to the researchers, from the Hospital General Universitario Morales Meseguer in Murcia, she reported seeing, feeling and talking with the Virgin Mary. Her family thought it may just be signs of depression, but doctors recommended she be taken to hospitals for tests to be sure. Her symptoms were caused by a brain tumour - but researchers are yet to pinpoint how it caused her to suffer from the strange sensation (stock) An MRI scan revealed that she had a glioblastoma multiforme - of which only five per cent of patients are alive five years after their diagnosis. But the tumours were too large to be removed, leaving her with just the option to have chemotherapy and radiotherapy. HOW DID THE TUMOUR TURN HER RELIGIOUS? The researchers aren't clearly as to how the hyper-religious behaviour could have been caused. However, because she did not believe in God it may have made her more prone to the experience, they said. They were unable to pinpoint the part of the brain responsible, but said the right temporal lobe could have been affected. This region of the brain has previously been linked to mystical experiences. Previous studies have also suggested that up to a quarter of brain tumours give off psychotic symptoms at first - such as hyper-religious behaviour. While the researchers also said it was possible that she suffered from epilepsy - another known factor of a sudden religious obsession. Advertisement After also being given some anti-psychotic drugs, her religious symptoms disappeared over a five-week period. However, her condition quickly deteriorated and she died just eight months after being diagnosed. Writing in the journal, the researchers said: 'it is clear that the religious experience represented a fracture' from her prior behavior that was 'not preceded by a gradual change in her thinking and acting'. 'Nor was there any kind of trigger or reason [for the behaviour change] except for the disease, and hence, it can be considered a clearly pathological experience,' they added. But they were unsure how patients could possibly become obsessed with religion as a symptom of having the brain tumour. This comes after a seven-year-old boy was found to smile moments before having a seizure as a result of a rare condition. Nathan Box, seven, from Hornchurch, was struck down by a mystery illness two years ago - but doctors assumed it was just epilepsy. However, a string of tests revealed he was suffering from an incredibly rare brain tumour called hypothalamic hamartoma. The side effects of his condition means he breaks into a grin shortly before having a seizure - of which he can have up to 25 in a day. Scientists have developed a portable scanner resembling a hat that could diagnose within a few minutes whether someone has suffered a stroke. The vital information which would also show the extent of damage - could allow rapid treatment on the scene. This would ensure better chances of recovery for the estimated 152,000 Britons who suffer strokes each year. A portable scanner resembling a hat that could diagnose within a few minutes whether someone has suffered a stroke has been developed by scientists Strokes are a major cause of disability in the UK, with 50 per cent of survivors left disabled. Current scanners are bulky, can weigh up to 90 tonnes and are based in hospitals. In contrast, the new device could be deployed in ambulances, by paramedics, at hospital bedsides and on the battlefield. The device could be used in diagnosis of other medical conditions such as brain tumours and to detect whether sportsmen or women had suffered brain injury from collisions on the field. Julie Brefczynski-Lewis, of the West Virginia University, unveiled the device at the American Association for the Advancement of Science's annual meeting in Boston. The scanner is known as an 'ambulatory positron emission tomography' device, or 'ampet' for short. The scanner is known as an 'ambulatory positron emission tomography' device, or 'ampet' for short (stock) To use it, the patient gets an injection of glucose which has a mildly radioactive 'tracer' chemical, which is picked up by the scanner. Dr Brefczynski-Lewis said the current prototype device weighs 6lbs, although it does not cover the full brain. A full brain device would weigh around 20lbs. She said: 'A lot of people wake up with stroke. If you could get a quick image you could decide whether to do an intervention.' HOW DOES IT WORK? Created by scientists at the West Virginia University, the ampet device can diagnose whether someone has suffered a stroke in minutes. Users are given an injection of glucose, which has a mildly radioactive 'tracer' chemical. The scanner, which is worn like a hat and weighs 6lbs, is then able to pick up the chemical and identify the 'penumbra' - the area of the brain affected by the stroke. This then allows doctors to quickly salvage the area by through drugs or surgery. Advertisement The key to treating strokes is identifying the 'penumbra', the area of the brain that has been affected by the stroke, which can be salvaged by surgery or drugs. Dr Brefczynski-Lewis said the quicker it is dealt with, the more of the brain that can be saved. She added: 'The more you wait, the more that penumbra area gasps and dies. A lot of it remains in limbo. If you can see there's a bit of activity you might say let's do an intervention. 'You could see if that area is getting the glucose back to it. If the stroke has occurred within two to four hours, it's often worth it. 'The intervention is basically brain plumbing, they put something in to dissolve the plaque to restore blood flow and those bits might perk up.' Dr Brefczynski-Lewis said the new device can make out damage as small as 2 to 3mm, which is comparable to functional MRI scanners, which are much bigger. It requires a lower dose than conventional PET scanners because it is closer to your head so it captures more. She added: 'It's like going from a big computer to a smart phone.' In October, the Stroke Association warned that 52 per cent of stroke patients fail to get a brain scan within one hour of arrival in hospital, while more than one in three (36 per cent) have to wait up to 12 hours for a brain scan. Book of the week NO WALL TOO HIGH by Xu Hongci (Rider 20) His arms lashed tightly behind his back, squeezed between two soldiers and prodded mercilessly with rifle butts, he was paraded through the streets and into the square where 10,000 hate-filled faces were screaming abuse at him. Xu Hongci was experiencing the sharpest edge of the terrible witch-hunts that masqueraded as justice in the China of mad Chairman Mao. He was hauled up onto a table, his slumping head grabbed by the hair and forced upwards to face the baying mob. Quotations from Maos Little Red Book echoed from loudspeakers as he was denounced as a counter-revolutionary, an imperialist, a criminal. He was sentenced to . . . A great escape: Xu Hongci. Xu fully expected the next word to be death, and he welcomed the prospect. He had been a prisoner for 12 years, serving the hardest time imaginable in the laogai, Chinas chain of brutal slave-labour camps for those considered enemies of the state. Virtually with his bare hands, hed built dams, dug mines, quarried mountains, worked in paddy fields for 19 hours a day, all on starvation rations of gruel and husks. Hed been shackled with irons, whipped, beaten and humiliated. To be pinned to the ground and finished off with a bullet in the back of the neck as he had seen done to countless others would be a release. Instead, the voice on the loudspeaker pronounced 20 years imprisonment. Xus extraordinary tale of endurance handwritten by him 20 years ago and published for the first time in the West is a rarity. Historians number the butchered and starved-to-death casualties of Maos 30-year regime at 60 million, outstripping Hitler (30 million) and Stalin (40 million) as the worst murderer in human history. But while there have been notable victims accounts of Nazi and Soviet atrocities, there has largely been silence from those who actually suffered at first hand the worst of Red Chinas astounding inhumanity to its own people. And thats what makes Xus moving account a must-read. His is a story that must not be buried, but confronted. The irony for Xu, born in Shanghai in 1933, is that he was a fervent Communist and a revolutionary, who as a teenager worshipped Mao. As a student activist, he rose up through the party ranks. Brutal Chinese dictator Mao Zedong Then he made the mistake of taking Mao at his word. In 1957, as the Communist world fretted over developments in the Soviet Union, the Great Leader invited constructive criticism of his regime. Let a hundred flowers bloom and a hundred schools of thought contend, he declared. At the college where he was studying medicine, Xu offered his ideas to make the Communist party more democratic and less dictatorial, only for Mao to spring his trap. Xu had outed himself. He was denounced as a Rightist and disgraced, along with millions of others who had dared speak their mind. Even his girlfriend turned against him. He was exiled to a remote labour camp for re-education. With Orwellian irony, this hell on earth went by the name of the Eternal Happiness Farm. He was worked to within an inch of his life. Twice he escaped, but surveillance was so tight in Maos police state that he was caught and hauled back. Xu fully expected the next word to be death, and he welcomed the prospect That he survived at all is probably down to the fact his medical training gave him a valued position in what passed for hospitals in the prison farms and penal labour colonies. Not that life on the outside of Maos gulag was much better. The Great Leader ordered a Great Leap Forward and pretty well overnight millions of peasants were forced off the land to work in factories. With no rice to sustain them, those millions starved to death. Through all this, Xu bided his time in captivity, hoping for release. And it seemed near until another of Maos initiatives, the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution, unleashed a further round of bloody persecution. With his record of dissent and refusal to kowtow, Xu was an obvious target, hence his humiliating appearance in front of the howling mob and his new sentence to another 20 years. This time he would be properly behind bars, in a seemingly impregnable high-security prison surrounded by a high wall and an electric fence, with guards and their dogs on constant patrol, a communist Colditz. But just as the inmates of the German prison were determined to find a way out, so Xu began to plan his escape the thrilling climax of this book and as gripping as any World War II prisoner-of-war epic. NO WALL TOO HIGH by Xu Hongci (Rider 20) Over the next three years, he made his preparations. In the prison factory, which made agricultural tools, he secretly carved wooden blocks for the stamps he would need on the travel documents he was forging. He explored the prison for weak spots, a point out of sight of the spotlights and the sentries in their towers where he could climb the wall. He hoarded parcels of food. He plotted his route once outside. He made and hid the components of a ladder. He also prepared a phial of poison from nicotine in cigarettes. If his attempt failed, he would put an end to his misery. In August 1972 he got his chance. Blackouts were common, but on this day the electricity went out at 10am and, the convicts were told, would not come back on until the next morning. After roll-call that night, he hid in the prison yard, then climbed up and over the wall, into the factory, out through a window, with a final heave across the dead electric fence. His luck held. He had six hours until his absence would be discovered. Xu headed up into the mountains, keeping on the move for 40 hours before daring to rest. He took trains when he could those travel documents passed muster before ending up in the Gobi Desert. Thirty days after escaping, he crossed the border into Mongolia. As far as anyone knows, he is the only person to escape from Maos deadly labour camps and live to tell the tale. After Maos death, Xu returned to Shanghai in 1984, two years after his case was reviewed and his convictions quashed, anxious to see his mother again. He brought his wife, whom hed married in Mongolia, and their three children. He worked as a management instructor for a petrochemical company until his retirement in 1993, when he began to write this extraordinary and powerful memoir. He died in 2008, aged 75. He left a warning. Maos problem he says was that, steeped in the mentality of ancient China, he was unable to listen to dissenting opinions. Its a thought that todays rulers in Bejing, with their authoritarian approach to human rights, would do well to keep in mind. Simon Callow's Being Wagner: The Triumph Of The Will is published by HarperCollins What book... are you reading? Dantes Inferno, in the magnificent new translation by Jean and Robert Hollander. Its a terrifying and sublime journey into hell, as the anguished souls review their past lives as we all must do, sooner or later. ... would you take to a desert island? Shakespeares Collected Works all human life is there, in the plays, in the marvellous long poems and, above all, in the sonnets. ... gave you the reading bug? Butlers Lives Of The Saints a set of books on the shelves of my Catholic grandmother encompassing hideous torture and stonings to death, but our heroes struggled on. These stories ignited my love of biography. ... left you cold? Childrens books. I never really got into Winnie-The-Pooh, The Wind In The Willows or The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe. They just seemed to me, well, childish. Little Deaths by Emma Flint (Picador 12.99) Little Deaths by Emma Flint (Picador 12.99) Flint reconstructs a real Sixties case in New York where a mother, Alice Crimmins, was convicted of murdering her two children. In a remarkable blend of fact and fiction, Flint has changed the names, but stuck closely to the details of the lengthy police investigation and trial though she provides her own interpretation of who really was to blame. Her protagonist is Ruth Malone a sexy redhead who is separated from her husband and living a rackety life in the borough of Queens, where she is a part-time cocktail waitress with a string of lovers. Accordingly, she is not believed when she claims the children were taken at night from her apartment where they were sleeping in a locked bedroom without her waking. Flints narrative, largely told from an admiring rookie reporters point of view, is that Ruth was as much on trial for her chaotic lifestyle and extramarital conduct as she was for killing her children. The police, led by a corrupt copper, were hellbent on a guilty verdict, as were most of the public. Flint has done an admirable job in presenting an alternative story that brilliantly captures the atmosphere of the time. This is spellbinding, beautifully written and very moving. Her Every Fear by Peter Swanson (Faber 12.99) Her Every Fear by Peter Swanson (Faber 12.99) Kate Priddy needs to get as far away as possible from London after a brutal attack by an ex-boyfriend leaves her traumatised. A house swap with her unknown cousin Corbin in Boston provides a temporary solution. However, shortly after settling in to Corbins grand pad, Kate makes a shocking discovery. The next-door neighbour, a young woman called Audrey, has been murdered and, worse, she and Corbin were an item. With the police sniffing around, as well as an over-friendly neighbour, Alan, who seems to be spying on her, Kate becomes rattled. What does she really know about Corbin and why did he rush off to London? Swanson painstakingly builds up an ingenious and very readable narrative that alternates between Boston and London but somehow the suspense is never sufficiently ratcheted up to make this the white-knuckle ride his previous two books have been. Say Nothing by Brad Parks (Faber 12.99) Say Nothing by Brad Parks (Faber 12.99) In rural Virginia, Judge Scott Sampson is preparing to pick up his six-year-old twins from school when he gets a text from his wife Alison saying they have gone to the doctor instead. But when Alison gets home, she is alone and denies sending the text. So begins the emotional roller coaster thats the stuff of parental nightmares. Why? How? Who? An anonymous phone call answers the why question. The judge is instructed to rule a certain way in an upcoming drugs trial if he wants to see Sam and Emma again and, of course, most importantly, to say nothing. With the fascinating backdrop of the U.S. judicial system, this outstanding race-against-time psychological thriller is as much a tale of family dynamics as of criminal behaviour, as the judge even starts to suspect his wife of being involved with the kidnap. The old cliche of page-turner is dead right here. This twisted tale is written with such power and intelligence that you have no option other than to read it under your desk at work. Desperation Road by Michael Farris Smith (No Exit Press 14.99) Desperation Road by Michael Farris Smith (No Exit Press 14.99) Newly released from prison after serving 11 years for killing a man while driving drunk, Russell Gaines returns to his home town, thinking his debt to society has been paid. Its a view not shared by the dead mans two brothers, one of whom is mentally unstable and bent upon violent revenge. At the same time, Maben, a homeless young woman, is so exhausted from walking the highway with her small daughter that she spends her last few dollars on a cheap motel for a nights rest. But later that night she makes a bad decision that leads to the shooting of a policeman. When their two stories collide, Russell must resist the urge to help someone even more of an outcast than he is or risk life, limb and the possibility of being locked up again to do what his compassion says is the right thing. Award-winning author Michael Farris Smith depicts a steamy American South redolent of lawless menace in sparse, simple, lyrical prose. He has produced a taut thriller that lays bare the legacy that violence leaves behind it, as it builds relentlessly to a dramatic climax. You will not be disappointed. Euphoria by Heinz Helle (Serpents Tail 11.99) Euphoria by Heinz Helle (Serpents Tail 11.99) Five thirty-something men who have been enjoying one of their regular weekend breaks in a remote cabin in the Austrian Alps emerge from it to discover that during their holiday the world as they knew it has come to an end. They trudge through the inhospitable landscape, at first hopeful of discovering some remaining civilisation, but nothing they come across offers them anything but despair: a crashed helicopter, a lone child whose parents skulls have been crushed, a burned-out nightclub full of charred bodies. Gradually, optimism fades and the purpose of their quest narrows to the most basic of needs; to find food and wood to keep them from freezing to death in the wintry landscape. Death stalks them one by one and, as survival becomes paramount, human nature turns savage. The German writer Heinz Helles second, very short, novel echoes the theme of William Goldings Lord Of The Flies: that in a world where the rules and restraint of society have been swept away, Man becomes a beast whose only aim is to remain alive. This bleak book is a quick read, but also a profound and extremely unsettling one with a powerful message for our increasingly hate-filled times. Carnivalesque by Neil Jordan (Bloomsbury 16.99) Carnivalesque by Neil Jordan (Bloomsbury 16.99) The new novel by the prize-winning author and Oscar-winning filmmaker Neil Jordan is a strange, surreal coming-of-age story set in a travelling carnival visited by a boy, Andy, and his parents. He enters the hall of mirrors on his own and is absorbed into one of them, trapped in the glass, while his reflection steps out of it and joins his parents. The Andy imprisoned in the mirror is rescued from it by Mona, a carnival acrobat, and elects to leave his boring provincial Irish life and stay with the carnival, helping to set it up and take it down as it moves from town to town. Meanwhile, the substitute Andy disturbs his mother with his new self-contained persona, an unyielding blankness and refusal to engage with her and his father. This is a character with which, of course, any parent of an adolescent child will be familiar: the person you knew and loved who suddenly morphs into a sullen being from outer space. The narrative becomes increasingly weird and, though written in beautifully poetic prose, it doesnt truly engage the readers emotions. AIADMK chief V K Sasikala has been sent to jail after she surrendered before a trial court in Bengaluru, a day after the Supreme Court restored her conviction in the two-decade-old disproportionate assets case. Driving from Chennai straight to the court, 60-year-old Sasikala appeared before the special court judge Ashwathnarayana, as the Supreme Court refused her request for more time to surrender. Travelling in the same car that Jayalalithaa used, Sasikala arrived at the central jail housed at Parappana Agrahara, close to Hosur on Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border accompanied by her security team. All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) leader VK Sasikala pays her respects at the memorial for former state chief minister Jayalalithaa Jayaram before leaving to surrender to authorities Sasikala's relatives V N Sudhakaran and Elavarasi, who were also convicted by the trial court, were also imprisoned after they surrendered and fulfiled court formalities. She will be in jail for three years and about 11 months out of the four-year sentence awarded by the trial court. Sasikala and Elavarasi will share a small cell in women's block in the jail. Sudhakaran will also be sharing the cell with other inmates, he said. In commotion after Sasikala's arrival, four cars in her cavalcade were damaged by vandals, police said. Driving from Chennai straight to the court, 60-year-old Sasikala appeared before the special court judge Ashwathnarayana, as the Supreme Court refused her request for more time to surrender Sasikala headed to Bengaluru after visiting Jayalalithaa's memorial on Marina Beach where she paid floral tributes to the late leader. In dramatic gestures, an emotional Sasikala went around the burial site, muttered something and tapped on the tomb thrice and prayed and prostrated. The thumping was unprecedented and has left Twitteratis in splits. Hilarious memes have emerged that have by now gone viral. The second phase of the crucial assembly elections witnessed an impressive turnout of over 65 per cent in 67 constituencies across 11 districts of western Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday. A total of 2.28 crore voters, including over 1.04 crore women, were eligible to cast their ballot in 14,771 polling centres and 23,693 polling stations in the second of the seven-phase polling. These figures are slightly more than the percentage of votes cast in these constituencies in the 2012 Vidhan Sabha elections. Voters stand in queue to cast their vote during the second phase of UP assembly polls in Moradabad The voter turnout in the first phase was recorded at 64.2 per cent - an increase of nearly three per cent from the first phase turnout in the 2012 state Assembly polls. The fate of 721 candidates, including 62 women (BJP-67, BSP-67, SP-51, Cong-18, RLD-52 and others-466) in the districts of Bijnor, Saharanpur, Moradabad, Sambhal, Rampur, Bareilly, Amroha, Pilibhit, Kheri, Shahjahanpur and Badaun are in the fray. Vijay Dev, deputy election commissioner confirmed, 'Slightly over 65.5% voters exercised their rights in the second phase. 'However, these are preliminary figures and will definitely increase, as we have only provided the figures up to 5 pm. Those who reached the polling booths by 5 pm are eligible to vote'. Illicit liquor worth over Rs 9 crore was also seized besides other cash recoveries, he added. Besides some incidents of minor violence and EVM malfunction, the polls were by and large peaceful and successful, Dev said. Of the 67 seats at stake, the ruling Samajwadi Party had won 34 seats in the 2012 polls, followed by BSP 18, BJP 10, Congress three and others two. At certain places, long queues were seen outside polling stations. Muslim women clad in burqas were seen outside several booths, while the photograph of a newly married couple going to cast vote in Bareilly went viral on social media. The upcoming five phases of polling will be held on February 19, 23, 27 and on March 4 and 8. Counting of votes will be taken up on March 11. Edappadi Palanisamy, an ally of jailed and disgraced Indian politician VK Sasikala has been sworn in as the next chief minister of Tamil Nadu state, ending a week-long tussle over succession marked by bitter infighting. Wearing a crisp white shirt, Palanisamy took the oath of office along with 31 cabinet colleagues in the state capital Chennai at a ceremony beamed live nationwide. Palanisamy took the reins of the ruling party after Sasikala was spectacularly hauled off to prison over a 21-year-old disproportionate assets charge just as she was on the verge of becoming chief minister of the southern state. AIADMK party leader Edappadi Palanisamy pays his respects at the memorial for former state chief minister Jayalalithaa Jayaram after being sworn in as Tamil Nadu state chief minister Sasikala, the former 'shadow' of popular CM Jayalalithaa had already been nominated for the top job before she was convicted of amassing illegal assets worth $10 million, barring her from holding office for a decade. Palanisamy, 63, was cleared for the top job after receiving Sasikala's blessing and a majority vote from the ruling All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) party. Palanisamy must now prove his majority on the floor of the house within the next 15 days to cement his new position, Governor C. Vidyasagar Rao's office said in a statement. Politician VK Sasikala pays her respects at the memorial for former Tamil Nadu state chief minister Jayalalithaa Jayaram before leaving to surrender to authorities in Chennai on Febuary 15, 2017 The AIADMK said on Twitter that the 'vote of confidence' would take place on Saturday. Palanisamy, who served as a senior minister in previous governments, emerged as the frontrunner after Tuesday's bombshell court verdict shattered Sasikala's political ambitions. Tamil Nadu, one of India's most prosperous states, was plunged into political crisis after its long-serving chief minister Jayalalithaa Jayaram died suddenly in December. Her close aide Sasikala - a one-time video cassette seller who has never held political office or stood for election - emerged as the heir apparent until a rebellion by aspirational party colleague O Panneerselvam blocked her ascent. She skipped Tuesday's court hearing and instead stayed at a Chennai resort with several dozen legislators over fears her opponents' camp might try and poach them before her investiture. The corruption case dates back to the late 1990s, when Jayalalithaa and Sasikala were accused of profiting from the chief minister's office and acquiring wealth beyond their income. They were jointly accused of illegally amassing bungalows, luxury cars, tea estates and vast quantities of gold worth the equivalent of $10 million. Tamil Nadu Governor CH Vidyagar Rao being welcomed by Chief Minister 'Edappadi' K Palanisamy during the swearing-in ceremony Sasikala had spent nearly a month in the same Bangalore prison in 2014 before being let out on bail. On Thursday, crowds carrying photographs of Jayalalithaa burst fire crackers to celebrate Palanisamy's appointment. In signs of trouble still brewing in the ruling party, Panneerselvam vowed to keep fighting for 'Amma' or mother as Jayalalithaa was fondly known. 'We will keep this fight alive. This is my assurance to my brothers and sisters who have stood by me all these days.' OPS camp not giving up, moves poll panel By Kumar Shakti Shekhar As the VK Sasikala faction of AIADMK emerged victorious with her loyalist EK Palanisamy swearing in as the next chief minister of Tamil Nadu, the fate of rebel O Panneerselvam hangs in balance. While Palanisamy claims the support of majority of the 135 party MLAs, the Panneerselvam camp banks on whatever little support he has of the legislators both in the Parliament and the Assembly. The current position of the Panneerselvam has once again become untenable in the roller coaster political developments of the state. Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam gestures during a press conference at his Greenways Road residence in Chennai On Thursday, the O Panneerselvam faction of the AIADMK moved the Election Commission challenging the election of V K Sasikala as general secretary of the party, saying she was elevated in violation of the norms. A 12-member delegation of the faction led by Rajya Sabha MP V Maitreyan met Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi and other top officials, and submitted a memorandum demanding that it decline approval to her elevation to the top party post. In its 42-page petition, the delegation claimed Sasikalas election was violative of the party constitution as she was chosen by the general council of the party and not the primary members. It said the general council was empowered to frame policies and programmes, and not elect someone as general secretary. Party insiders said that the OPS camp is banking on a positive EC verdict as it would mean that the expulsion of Panneerselvam and his supporters, including MLAs, will be revoked. This would provide a boost to the rebel camp. The faction, which has refused to accept Sasikala as their leader, also plans to go among the people to gauge their sentiments and try to form an opinion against their rivals. They will highlight the appointment on key posts of members of Sasikala's family who had been expelled by Jayalalithaa. Brewing giant Heineken was rocked by a backlash from pub landlords yesterday as the company toasted a near-10 per cent rise in profits. The Dutch firm is poised to buy 1,900 pubs from Punch Taverns in a 1.8bn deal sparking fears it will stock the bars with its own beer. Chris Lindesay, co-ordinator of the Punch Tenant Network, which opposes the deal, said: We are going to get hundreds of pubs that look the same, serving the same beer. The ordinary, traditional British pub is a dying breed. Hangover: The row erupted as Heineken posted profit of 3bn for 2016 and said it sold 3 per cent more beer globally than in the previous year Heineken has promised it will work with independent brewers to ensure tenants have the right drinks on offer to suit the needs of each pub. Its beers and ciders include Birra Moretti, Amstel, Fosters and Strongbow. The row erupted as Heineken posted profit of 3bn for 2016 and said it sold 3 per cent more beer globally than in the previous year. Beer sales declined slightly in the UK last year, but sales of premium products saw double-digit growth. Heineken is the worlds number two brewer behind Budweiser firm Anheuser-Busch InBev, which sealed a 79bn takeover of SABMiller last year. The deal to buy the Punch pubs is expected to go through in the first half of this year. It is understood Heineken will enforce a stocking policy, but it has not said how much of the beer sold in the pubs will be its own brands. It says publicans will continue to be able to have a say over which beers they stock. Heineken has justified the deal to its investors by assuring them it will use it to improve sales of its brands in high-quality pubs. In December, Lawson Mountstevens, managing director of Heineken-owned Star Pubs & Bars, said: I want to reassure sceptics that, subject to the deal for us buying the Punch pubs, we will aim to keep... selling a number of non-Heineken beers. But tenants of Punch pubs fear that they could be forced mainly to stock Heineken beers. Heineken has denied this will be the case. BREWING GIANT Heineken was founded in 1864 in Amsterdam It owns more than 170 beer brands worldwide The two largest brands are Heineken and Amstel Its brands in the UK include Fosters, Kronenbourg, Birra Moretti, Sol, Tiger, Newcastle Brown Ale, John Smiths, Scrumpy Jack, Strongbow and Murphys Heineken already owns 1,100 pubs in the UK It is now buying another 1,900 pubs from Punch Taverns The beer giant has announced it will work with brewing organisation the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA). Mountstevens added: We will start with what is right for each of the pubs joining us and we will work together with licensees to ensure they have the right drinks on offer to suit the specific needs of each pub. But Lindesay said this would exclude brewers who were not part of SIBA. He is concerned there will be less choice. He said: Its a small step, but not as significant as one might think. To those familiar with the industry it only serves to underline Heinekens true intentions, which are to impose a very significant requirement to stock around 85pc Heineken brands, ahead of more popular beers and ciders. Punch has an agreement with its tenants that they can choose which beers and ales they stock. If Punch decided to change the agreement, then publicans could apply for a market rent-only deal, when they rent the pub and have greater choice over what to stock. Tenants have called for assurances that they could apply for the same arrangement. Heineken and its private equity partner Patron Capital have agreed to buy the pubs at 185p per share. There are intelligent people in both parties. It is because of people like you that make the rest of us Democrats look foolish. You have no argument, just mindless parroting of campaign rhetoric and retarded fake news. People like you created Trump. I don't defend Trump, I just point out the libtardation that you and some other here are tossing out. If you don't want Trump reelected, the best thing you can do is to stop your deranged posting of fake news and argue with real facts and not just with the unbridled emotion and complete denial caused by TDS. Look at how many stupid remarks you post. You claimed to be a vet and even declared to me in one of your replies that none of your fellow service person would have voted for Trump, even though all reports from both sides show that active and current military voted majority Trump. That just makes you look foolish, petty, and ever so Trumpish. Do you understand the value of credibility? Or is being a ******* internet troll your lifelong ambition? Billionaire investor Warren Buffett has made a huge bet on Apple while dumping almost all of his stock in Asda owner Walmart. The 86-year-old, worth an estimated 60bn, nearly quadrupled his stake in Apple late last year, raising his companys holding from 15.2m shares to 57.4m. The iPhone makers shares hit a record high yesterday of $136.27 (109.49) making his stake worth 6.3bn. Planning ahead: Warren Buffett, worth an estimated 60bn, nearly quadrupled his stake in Apple His firm Berkshire Hathaway also offloaded 723m of Walmart stock a shift some will view as an admission the industry is in decline. The American dubbed the Sage of Omaha has focused on the threat from online retailers such as Amazon. Buffett told shareholders in Omaha last year: Its a big force and it has already disrupted plenty of people and it will disrupt more. The tycoon also upped his stakes in airline companies, including 1.7bn in each of American Airlines Group, Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines and United Continental Holdings. The new, larger stake in Apple makes Berkshire one of the technology giants ten biggest investors. The California-based company is thought to be on the brink of releasing a radically redesigned new iPhone. Elsewhere in technology, Twitter founder Jack Dorsey bought 5.6m of shares in the ailing social media giant. He tweeted his regulatory filing, adding #LoveTwitter demonstrating his confidence in the company. Thousands of Tata Steel workers will accept cuts to their pensions in return for commitments on their jobs. Workers from the Community, Unite and GMB unions overwhelmingly backed proposals under which the heavily indebted British Steel pension scheme will close to future accrual. Under the plan, Tata will invest 1bn in its steel sites across the UK while workers move to a less generous pension scheme. Looking to the future: Workers from the Community, Unite and GMB unions overwhelmingly backed proposals However, Tata has said the investment also depends on it separating the pension scheme and its 1-2bn deficit from the rest of the business. The agreement follows huge uncertainty for workers after Tata Steel announced last March it was reviewing its UK businesses as it battled global oversupply of steel and weak demand. The Indian-owned company has 11,000 staff in the UK at sites including Port Talbot, Rotherham and Hartlepool. Tony Brady, national officer for Unite, said the past years uncertainty had been hellish. He added: [Workers] sacrifices must be repaid by Tata Steel honouring its commitments on investment and job security. Amazon is set to shake up the UK clothing retail scene by launching its own fashion label, according to industry reports. Fashion magazine Drapers has reported that the Seattle-based giant is developing its own-label clothing, which could be launched as early as this spring. Although it already sells clothes from third party suppliers in Britain, Amazon is said to have its eye on a slice of the UK's clothing market, taking on businesses ranging from high street stalwarts, such as Marks & Spencer and Next, to internet retailers like Asos and Boohoo. Amazon could launch its own UK fashion label, according to industry reports The rumours are fuelled by Amazons recruitment of former Marks & Spencer big-hitters Frances Russell (ex-head of womenswear) and Karen Peacock (previously the high street chains head of design), as well as Primarks menswear buying director, Glen George - who also once worked at Marks & Spencer. Keely Stocker, Drapers Editor, said a mid-market range could really appeal to the customer who has become slightly disenchanted with the current high street offer. She added: If Amazon gets its own-label fashion product right, it will shake up the whole industry. High street stalwarts such as M&S and Next may have most to fear, if Amazon decides to target their customers rather than the heavily-saturated 18-to-34-year-old market. Although taking on established industry players would not be easy, Richard Lim, chief executive of Retail Economics, said the online giant has the power to stir things up. He said: Amazon is a very cash rich business and if they want to launch into a sector, they won't do things by half. Earlier this month, Amazon announced profits of $749million for the final quarter of 2016 a 55 per cent increase on the previous quarter. After years of prioritising growth over profits, this was its seventh consecutive profitable quarter. However, the online giant may not get things all its own way in an intensely fragmented and competitive market. Turning heads: Amazon's entry into the UK's clothing market would challenge online retailers like Boohoo (pictured) as well as high street brands such as Marks & Spencer. Tom Gadsby, retail analyst at Liberum, said: It takes a really long time to build a brand, even when youre Amazon. Amazon does have fashion labels in the US, including formal menswear line Franklin Tailored and womenswear brand James & Erin. In the UK, online fashion retailers such as ASOS and Boohoo have squeezed the market share of the big high street chains. Amazon has seen how successful these pure online retailers have been over the last few years and are thinking they could compete in that area, said Mr Lim. The new venture would continue Amazons remarkable growth from online bookseller to comprehensive and convenient one-stop shop. In June last year, the company made its first foray into the UK grocery market, launching AmazonFresh in London. The service is now available across more than 200 postcodes, generating nervous glances from rivals Ocado and Tesco. Last week, it was reported that Amazon is searching for shops in London to locate a checkout-free grocery chain. In parallel, it continues testing its Amazon Go store in Seattle, where sensors track customers and record items so people can buy goods without queuing at a till. Liberums Adam Tomlinson reiterated: When Amazon decide they want to do something in any space, it's always a threat. British consumers have been lumped with a string of price hikes by US tech giant Microsoft. Microsoft said it had been driven to increase prices for some of its most popular products in the UK following the fall in the pound after June's EU referendum. As a result, the cost of Microsoft's basic Surface Book has gone up by 150 or 11.5 per cent to 1,449. But a top-of the range Surface Book now costs 400 or 15 per cent more than before, at more than 3,000. Price hikes: British consumers have been lumped with a string of price hikes by US tech giant Microsoft A Microsoft spokesperson said: 'In response to a recent review we are adjusting the British pound prices of some of our hardware and consumer software in order to align to market dynamics. 'These changes only affect products and services purchased by individuals, or organisations without volume licensing contracts and will be effective from February 15, 2017. For indirect sales where our products and services are sold through partners, final prices will continue to be determined by them. Microsoft, which employs 5,000 people in the UK, came out in favour of Britain remaining within the EU ahead of June's EU referendum. In a letter to staff, Microsoft said Britains membership of the EU made it one of 'the most attractive places in Europe' to make investments. More expensive: The price of a Microsoft Surface Book has gone up by as much as 400 for a top-of-the-range model The price hikes come months after Microsoft announced it would increase the cost of software services for businesses in the UK by as much as 22 per cent as a result of currency fluctuations. Later this year, Microsoft is expected to release a new version of its Surface Pro Windows 10 computer. It is not yet clear whether this latest model will be more expensive in line with the group's other post-Brexit price hikes. Microsoft refused to give This is Money further details of the products affected by its latest price hikes. Pro-EU: Microsoft, which employs 5,000 people in the UK, came out in favour of Britain remaining within the EU ahead of June's EU referendum The Redmond-based tech giant has come under fire from UK consumers in the past for allegedly failing to pay its fair share of corporation tax. By booking billions of pounds of sales in Ireland under a confidential deal with HM Revenue & Customers, Microsoft avoided paying up to 100million a year in corporation tax, the Sunday Times reported in June. Microsoft also hit the headlines last year as consumers complained about its automatic installation of Windows 10 on computers, triggering consumer group Which? to call on the company to offer people compensation if they experienced problems with the software. Microsoft is not the only technology giant to have increased prices in the wake of sterling's depreciation after the Brexit vote. Earlier this year, Apple confirmed it would be raising the download prices in its App Store in the UK by 25 per cent. Audio firm Sonos has also increased the cost of its items sold in the UK, bumping the Sonos Play:1 speaker from 169 to 199. Since June's EU referendum , the value of the pound has fallen by around 16 per cent against the US dollar and 10 per cent against the euro. Controversy: The Redmond-based tech giant has come under fire from UK consumers in the past for allegedly failing to pay its fair share of corporation tax While stationed in the Central Pacific during the Second World War, Sergeant Stan Dube passed his time by drawing portraits of his comrades (pictured above is an unidentified comrade) Sergeant Stan Dube was stationed in the Central Pacific during the Second World War and passed his time by sketching portraits of his comrades. When the US secured a crucial victory in the Battle of Saipan in 1944 where more than 3000 soldiers were killed, it was believed that a majority of his fellow soldiers passed away in the conflict. With no indication of who these people were, 17 of these drawings remained untouched for more than 70 years up until their recent discovery by son Ira Dube in his sister's attic. Dube, 60, was searching through his sister's attic in Mississippi in late January when he found his father Stan Dube's artwork portfolio. Scroll down for video It is believed that a majority of these soldiers served in the 27 Infantry Division, 105th Infantry Regiment and died as a result of the Battle of Saipan These drawings were untouched for more than 70 years until Stan's son Ira found them in his sister's attic in Mississippi Stan paused pursuing his degree in architecture from Syracuse University in New York when he was drafted to be in the 27 Infantry Division. He died in 2009 In an interview with DailyMail.com and another with Fox 21 News, he shared how the portfolio included watercolor paintings but also 17 sketches of Stan's comrades in the Second World War. '(These men) need to be remembered and honored and I just want to find them a home.' Stan paused pursuing his degree in architecture from Syracuse University in New York when he was drafted to be in the 27 Infantry Division. According to Dube, his father was stationed in the Central Pacific which includes Hawaii and other mandated islands in the area between 1941 and 1945. Stan died in 2009. He told DailyMail.com: 'It was a topic he would avoid. He was Jewish so this was an overwhelming time for him and so he didn't ever really want to talk about it.' 'But it (sketching) was something that brought him peace and helped him cope with everything that was going on.' Ira hopes to deliver the sketches to the soldiers' families and has already successfully done so for the grandson of Joseph Joner Kratky, who was killed in action in the Battle of Saipan. '(These men) need to be remembered and honored and I just want to find them a home,' said Dube with tears welling in his eyes Ira hopes to deliver the sketches to the soldiers' families and has already successfully done so for the grandson of Joseph Joner Kratky, who was killed in action in the Battle of Saipan 'I deal with the emotional aspect of it when I get an answer to the sketch,' said Dube who served in the Navy as a cook for 20 years. 'When I found out Kratky had died in action it was emotional for me. 'That's why I have to do this because he'll see what his grandfather actually look like back in 1943, a year before he passed.' And while there are no legible names visible on the remaining sketches, the Kentucky native believes that the men are from the New York area and served in the 27 Infantry Division, 105th Infantry Regiment circa 1941. 'The 27 Infantry was made up of almost all New Yorkers and that was weird because although my dad went to Syracuse, he lived in Trenton, New Jersey,' he told DailyMail.com Ira thinks that none of them were able to return back to the United States after the war. 'Saipan was very bloody battle, lots of casualties, unfortunately,' Ira said Dube said: 'I knew when I found these, the chances of finding any of them alive with slim' 'The 27 Infantry was made up of almost all New Yorkers and that was weird because although my dad went to Syracuse, he lived in Trenton, New Jersey,' he said. 'Every name that I've been able to come up with shows the New York area. Even the one where I am looking at now is in Newark.' But he also thinks that none of them were able to return back to the United States after the war. 'Saipan was very bloody battle, lots of casualties, unfortunately,' he said. 'I knew when I found these, the chances of finding any of them alive with slim.' The Battle of Saipan is regarded as a crucial strategic moment on the Pacific front of WWII because the US was finally able to strike the mainland of Japan eventually winning the war. On June 15, 1944, US Marines stormed he beaches of the Japanese island hoping to establish an air base where they could launch long-range B-29 bombers to the home island. A vicious fight broke out due to Japanese resistance being fierce but by July 9, US forces had their opponents cornered and raised a flag of victory. Ira Dube (left) is hopeful he'll find the rest of the families the pictures belong to He was recently connected with the family of Joe Orbe on Monday And while there were more than 3,000 casualties and 10,000 wounded during the bloody struggle, the victory would allow the US to use the island for future skirmishes including the invasion of the Philippines in October 1944. Ira hopes that by connecting these families with a small part of their history, he can honor the legacy of the men who gave their lives for the US. He was recently connected with the family of Joe Orbe on Monday. 'People tell me that I am the rightful owner of these sketches. To me the rightful owner are these families,' he said. If you recognize any of the men in the sketches, Ira Dube can be contacted by email at ira.dube@yahoo.com Advertisement Hate groups in the US have proliferated over the past year as Donald Trump's successful bid for the presidency energized the far right, a new report claims. Anti-Muslim groups nearly tripled from 34 in 2015 to 101 in 2016, the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) said, while the total number of hate groups increased from 892 to 917. 'Trump's run for office electrified the radical right, which saw in him a champion of the idea that America is fundamentally a white man's country,' the nonprofit said. The group counted 867 bias-related incidents in the first ten days after Trump's election, including more than 300 that targeted immigrants or Muslims. The Southern Poverty Law Center has released this map of hatred across the USA, tracking groups that target communities based on unchangable factors such as race or ethnicity. Anti-Muslim groups have risen dramatically, they say In 2015 there were 892 hate groups, the SPLC said; in 2016 there were 917 - and it's been going up every year since 2014. The number of anti-Muslim groups has also gone up from 34 in 2015 to 101 in 2016 The KKK is among the hate groups counted. So are neo-Nazis and other white supremacists. The SPLC says that Trump's anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim rhetoric, and the fervent atmosphere of his rallies, attracted the 'radical right' The White House did not respond to a request for comment. The figures, contained in the site's 2017 Intelligence Report said the number of hate groups in the United States in 2016 was high by historic standards. The organization classifies 'hate groups' as those who vilify entire communities based on unchangeable characteristics like race or ethnicity. And researchers for the Alabama-based organization said the number of crimes against Muslims had risen with the number of hate groups. For example, they said, a Texas mosque was torched after the Trump administration issued an executive order suspending travel to the United States from seven Muslim-majority countries. The election year was 'an unprecedented year for hate,' said Mark Potok, senior fellow and editor of the Intelligence Report. 'The country saw a resurgence of white nationalism that imperils the racial progress we've made, along with the rise of a president whose policies reflect the values of white nationalists,' he said. And he cited Trump's rise as a key factor, saying 'There hardly seemed a reason to organize their own rallies when extremists could attend a Trump event filled with just as much anti-establishment vitriol as any extremist rally.' But the report also tracked black separatist movements, which are strongly anti-white and antisemitic, and which oppose interracial marriage. Many want separate rules for black in the US - or even a separate country. The SPLC counted 193 such groups in the US in 2016, up from 180 in the previous year, likely the result of increasing numbers of white supremacist activity. It is also at a historic high. One group that is dropping is anti-government 'Patriot' groups, which have fallen off as Obama's presidency drew to a close. Others have switched the focus f their hate from the government to Muslims, the SPLC said. Although the number of hate groups is less than it was in 2011 - when there were 1018 - the figure is trending up, and has particularly enlarged in areas touched by Trump's politics, the SPLC claims Anti-LGBT groups were also noted, as were radical religious groups such as extremist Christians. Black supremacists are also increasing, possibly as a result of increasingly visible white supremacist groups Donald Trump was questioned about an increase in anti-Semitic incidents in the US on Wednesday. He said he expected a future with more 'love'. The White House has not commented on the SPLC report The report said the level of organized hatred in the United States was likely understated by the number of groups, since 'a growing number of extremists operate mainly online and are not formally affiliated with hate groups.' The organization is not without its critics. Conservative online website Breitbart News, formerly run by current Trump strategist Steve Bannon, has accused the SPLC of 'manufacturing hate for fun and profit.' But Potok believes the center's current message is vital to the future of America. 'The radical right in the United States has more of a chance, an opportunity, to directly affect real life national policy at this moment than at any time in at least half a century,' he told a teleconference after the report was released. At a news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday, President Trump was asked to comment on an increase in anti-Semitic incidents in the United States. He was also asked to respond to those in the US Jewish community, Israel and elsewhere 'who believe and feel that your administration is playing with xenophobia and maybe racist tones.' 'We are going to do everything within our power to stop long simmering racism and every other thing that's going on,' he said. 'There's a lot of bad things that have been taking place over a long period of time. 'As far as people, Jewish people, so many friends; a daughter who happens to be here right now; a son-in-law, and three beautiful grandchildren. 'I think that you're going to see a lot different United States of America over the next three, four or eight years ... And you're going to see a lot of love.' President Donald Trump will huddle behind closed doors with his attorney general today as he contemplates the source of numerous leaks from within the intel community and Department of Justice that have been hamstringing his administration. Trump suspects that the FBI, which is under Jeff Sessions' purview at Justice, is giving classified information to reporters. He has not publicly called for an investigation but warned leakers this morning that they 'will be caught!' He's particularly incensed about a New York Times report that relies on anonymous sourcing to accuse his campaign of having improper ties with Russia as the country was hacking people close to his opponent. Senate Democrats on Wednesday called for Sessions to recuse himself from any executive branch investigation into the allegations being levied against Trump and his associates, before the White House released today's schedule. President Donald Trump will huddle behind closed doors with his attorney general, Jeff Sessions, as he contemplates the source of numerous leaks that have been hamstringing his administration Matt House, a top aide to Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, released a snippet of the listing last night and commented that the meeting 'would be a lot less suspicious' if Sessions 'followed DOJ guidelines and recused himself' from an investigation into Trump. Schumer said Wednesday that Sessions, a senator from Alabama until he was confirmed as attorney general earlier this month, should not be involved because of potential conflicts of interest. Justice Department regulations prohibit individuals with political ties to the subjects of an investigation from leading it, he' said. 'When the FBI looks into a matter, they do so alongside prosecutors from the Justice Department,' Schumer stated. 'Those prosecutors should not be reporting to the first senator who endorsed Donald Trump's campaign.' Sessions was one of Trump's earliest and staunchest backers in Congress. Republicans have continued to brush off demands from Democrats for a Watergate-style probe, insisting investigations underway by the House and Senate intelligence committees are adequate. And nothing requires Sessions to appoint a special prosecutor. A statute mandating the use of independent counsel in certain situations was allowed to expire in 1999. Senate Democrats on Wednesday called for Sessions to recuse himself from any executive branch investigation into the allegations being levied against Trump and his associates. An aide to Chuck Schumer, center, said today's meeting is 'suspicious' A spokesman for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer pointed out the president's meeting with Attorney General Jeff Sessions - while suggesting Sessions should recuse himself Schumer and other Democrats spoke to reporters as Trump criticized the intelligence agencies that he oversees and the media for what he described as unfair treatment of his former national security adviser, Michael Flynn, and for 'illegally leaked' information about reported contacts between his campaign aides and Russian officials. Flynn was forced to resign Monday following reports he misled Vice President Mike Pence about contacts with a Russian diplomat. Late Tuesday, The New York Times reported that U.S. agencies had intercepted phone calls last year between Russian intelligence officials and members of Trump's 2016 campaign team. A group of 11 Democrats wrote to Sessions and urged him to appoint an independent special counsel to investigate possible illegal communications between Flynn and representatives of the Russian government. The special counsel would also examine any attempts by Flynn and other White House officials to hide any wrongdoing, they said. The group, led by Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, included Sens. Richard Durbin of Illinois and Patrick Leahy of Vermont. Schumer did not sign the letter to Sessions. Republican Sen. Roy Blunt of Missouri, a member of the Senate intelligence committee, recommended a streamlined approach as the best way to speed the inquiry along. 'I think sooner is better than later,' Blunt told reporters. 'And I think we can be a long way down the road in 90 days.' Trump suspects that the FBI, which is under Jeff Sessions' purview at Justice, is giving classified information to reporters. He has not publicly called for an investigation but warned leakers this morning that they 'will be caught!' Sessions is seen meeting with the FBI's James Comey last week Sen. John McCain of Arizona, the Republican chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, didn't rule out an independent probe, but said he and other lawmakers 'need to find out a lot of basic information' first about Flynn's communications and the alleged contacts involving Trump's campaign. 'Something like this always sucks the oxygen out of the room,' McCain said. 'The president's national security adviser did not tell the vice president of the United States the truth and had to be fired. 'It brings up a lot of questions and those questions need to be answered. Right now, without a national security adviser and everything else that's going on in the White House, it is dysfunctional on national security.' Separately, Judiciary Committee Chairman Charles Grassley, a Republican who represents Iowa, and the panel's top Democrat, California's Dianne Feinstein, sent a letter late Wednesday to Sessions and FBI Director James Comey seeking a briefing on Flynn's resignation the week of Feb. 27. The Defense Intelligence Agency has suspended ousted national security adviser Michael Flynn's access to classified information pending a review, a defense official said Wednesday. Flynn, a former director of the agency who was dismissed from that post, was forced to resign this week. The White House said he misled Vice President Mike Pence about his contacts with Russia's ambassador to the U.S. before the inauguration. Scroll down for video Michael Flynn (pictured), the ousted national security adviser, had his access to classified information suspended Flynn and the Russian appear to have discussed U.S. sanctions on Russia late last year. This raises questions about whether he was freelancing on foreign policy while President Barack Obama was still in office and whether he misled Trump administration officials about the calls. A defense official said the agency suspended Flynn's access to classified information Tuesday evening - a standard administrative action taken when questions arise concerning an individual's compliance with security clearance directives. The official, who was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly, spoke only on condition of anonymity, Obama dismissed Flynn as head of the Defense Intelligence Agency in 2014. Flynn has said he was pushed out for holding tougher views than Obama about Islamic extremism. But a former senior U.S. official said the firing was for insubordination, after Flynn failed to follow guidance from superiors. Former directors of the agency are routinely allowed to keep their access to classified information so they can advise the current director. A Muslim youth leader declared 'Islam is the most feminist religion' after going on a taxpayer-funded trip to nations in Africa and the Middle East where girls are circumcised and women are stoned to death for adultery. Yassmin Abdel-Magied, who describes herself as a so-called Sharia fighter for human rights, was born in Sudan where the vast majority of girls are surgically violated so they are unable to experience sexual pleasure as women. However, the 25-year-old political activist and author has been silent on the issue of female genital mutilation which the United Nations is campaigning to end by 2030. Unlike her, Somali-born writer and Islam critic Ayaan Hirsi Ali has highlighted the issue as a woman who was circumcised as a girl. This former Dutch lawmaker and refugee is touring Australia in April to promote the need for women's rights and free speech in the Muslim world. Scroll down for video Ms Abdel-Magied shared a series of photographs on Instagram while she was on tour, including an image taken with a group of women at the Ahfad University in Sudan Yassmin Abdel-Magied promoted her tour of the Middle East and Africa on her Facebook page Unlike Yassmin Abdel-Magied, Somali-born writer Ayaan Hirsi Ali (pictured) has highlighted violations against women and girls in the name of Islam. She is touring Australia in April WHAT IS FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION? PRACTICE PERFORMED IN 30 MUSLIM-MAJORITY NATIONS Female genital mutilation is common in Muslim-majority nations and involves the removal a girl's clitoris so she can't experience sexual pleasure as an adult, often with dirty metal instruments by someone who isn't a surgeon. More than 200 million girls and women alive today have been circumcised in 30 countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia where FGM is concentrated, the World Health Organisation says. The WHO says this human rights violation has no health benefits, and is practised in Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Indonesia and Malaysia. Muslim migrants in western nations have also been known to illegally arrange for their daughters to be cut. It threatens the lives of women during childbirth and also newborn babies. It also creates lifelong complications for women during menstruation and urination, and leaves scar tissue. The United Nations is seeking to eradicate female genital mutilation by 2030. Advertisement Female circumcision is widespread in Muslim majority nations, from Somalia and Nigeria in Africa, to Yemen in the Middle East and Asian democracies Indonesia and Malaysia. A UNICEF report in 2014 found nine out of 10 Sudanese women aged 15 to 49 had been circumcised. Last week was the United Nations' International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation Abdel-Magied has has failed to directly address female genital mutilation or women being stoned to death for adultery in the United Arab Emirates and oil-rich Saudi Arabia under Sharia law. Abdel-Magied embarked on a speaking tour through Sudan, the UAE and Saudi Arabia in November 2016 which the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade funded, The Australian reported. The founder of Youth Without Borders declared on the ABC's Q&A program on Monday night that 'Islam is the most feminist religion' during a fiery clash with Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie over Sharia law. The next day, Abdel-Magied released a YouTube video addressing how women are banned from driving in Saudi Arabia, arguing this was a cultural not religious issue as other Muslim nations did not have such restrictive laws. Girls in Ethiopia shared female genital mutilation following a successful project to end it A woman is flogged in the Indonesian province of Aceh in 2005 under a Sharia law punishment for gambling A woman in the Saudi Arabian capital of Riyah catches a taxi because she isn't allowed to drive 'I'm not going to deny it: some countries run by Muslims are violent, sexist and do oppress their citizens,' she said. 'But again that's not down to Sharia, that's down to the culture, and the patriarchy and the politics of those particular countries. 'I follow Sharia, and my interpretation of that means that I must also fight for people's human rights.' During her tour, Ms Abdel-Magied also visited Kuwait, Jordan, Israel and Egypt. A UNICEF report in 2014 found nine out of 10 Sudanese women had been cut Women are often sentenced to death by primitive methods in much of the Muslim world, where a woman's word is worth less than that of a man in court. Stoning for adultery is legal punishment for adultery in several Muslim nations including Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Somalia, Nigeria, Sudan, Iran and the Aceh province of Indonesia. Females are also caned for having sex with a man they aren't married to across the Muslim world. A woman at Banda Aceh, in Indonesia, was flogged 100 times last year as she was forced to kneel on the ground in front of a crowd. Activist Yassmin Abdel-Magied (pictured in Jordan on her book tour last November) went on a taxpayer-funded trip to the Middle East and North Africa to promote her book, it has been claimed The 25-year-old activist was caught in a fiery exchange with Jacqui Lambie (right) on ABC's Q&A after the Tasmanian senator called for all supporters of Sharia Law to be deported The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) did not say how much money the trip cost, and told News Corp Ms Abdel-Magied visited the countries 'to promote Australia as an open, innovative, democratic and diverse nation'. On Monday night, she explained why she believed Islam was 'the most feminist religion'. 'We got rights well before the Europeans, we don't take our husbands last names because we ain't their property... the fact is, what is culture is separate to what is faith,' Ms Abdel-Magied said. But Senator Lambie interjected, shouting out: 'The fact is we have one law in this country and it is the Australian law. It is not Sharia Law. Not in this country, not in my day.' Ms Abdel-Magied returned fire, stating: 'In Sharia it says you follow the law of the land which you are on - so don't try to tell me you know anything about my religion.' Promoting her book about being an Australian Sudanese-born woman who wears a hijab, she blogged last November about her upcoming tour trip around North Africa and the Middle East Ms Abdel-Magied posing for the camera outside media company Al Jazeera HQ while on tour Promoting her book about being an Australian Sudanese-born woman who wears a hijab, she blogged last November about her upcoming tour trip. 'I'm incredibly honoured to be hosted by the Australian Embassies... I'll be visiting a number of countries, and although not all stops have public events I will do my best to make time to meet people inshallah,' she wrote. 'If you can come to any of the public sessions though, I would LOVE to see you there!' Ms Abdel-Magied shared a series of photographs on Instagram while she was on tour, including an image taken with a group of women at the Ahfad University in Sudan. '@ahfad_university50 was a blast! Mashallah, amazing women doing awesome things. Keep at it!' she wrote in the caption. On Monday night, Ms Abdel-Magied (pictured at Sydney's Bondi Beach) got into a heated dispute with Ms Lambie who called for all supporters of Sharia Law to be deported The youth leader made headlines after she clashed with Jacqui Lambie over Sharia law The young author enjoyed an Iftar feast to celebrate the end of the holy feasting monthof Ramadan alongside Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Waleed Aly and his wife Susan Carland in June last year From Abu Dhabi she posted: 'Among meeting some amazing women in government and seeing the grand mosque, had the opportunity to address almost 200 female engineers ... Hopefully it has an impact inshallah!' Following her talks, she was praised for her events, with one Twitter user saying: 'What an awesome speech. Thank you Yassmin for the valuable advice and for being such an inspiration to the Sudanese youth.' Daily Mail Australia has contacted the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for comment. A teenager has been given a two-year suspended jail sentence after he pleaded guilty to trying to have sex with a dog. The 19-year-old man, from Esk in Queensland, pleaded guilty on one count of attempted bestiality on Tuesday, the Queensland Times reported. The actions of the teenager, who cannot be identified, were described by the court as 'spontaneous and opportunistic rather than predatory'. A 19-year-old man from Esk in Queensland has been given a two-year suspended jail sentence after he pleaded guilty to trying to have sex with a dog (stock image) The crown prosecutor said the teen was experimenting, rather than attempting to hurt the animal. The dog was unharmed during the incident. The crown prosecutor said the teenager had 'recognised the wrongfulness of his conduct'. The defence lawyer said the accused was psychologically distressed and disturbed, and was likely impaired at the time of the offence. He said the man had experienced distressing family insults, had been bullied by peers and had been the subject of 'quite horrible harassment'. The man appeared in Ipswich District Court (pictured) on Tuesday and pleaded guilty to one count of attempted bestiality. He was given a two-year suspended sentence and no conviction was recorded against him He pleaded guilty to one count of attempted bestiality and was sentenced to two years probation with no conviction recorded. Judge Alexander Horneman-Wren requested the facts of the offending not be read into the record in court. He said the offences did not reflect the man's true character. GhostRider said: After firing him, Trump says Flynn is 'a wonderful man' - CNNPolitics.com Exposing liars is considered unfair by the liar in chief. Note, two of the most deceitful and corrupt right wingers on the stage together. Exposing liars is considered unfair by the liar in chief. Note, two of the most deceitful and corrupt right wingers on the stage together. Click to expand... You just can't make this stuff up! I mean, he is behaving exactly someone who knows he has been compromised by Russia and is just about caught for it would be. He has never once sided with America over Russia or Putin, and that is not normal. Donald Trump praised Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull as a 'brawler', according to one of the U.S. President's staffers. Mr Trump made the comment after the two leaders' infamous first telephone conversation earlier this month, in which the US president reportedly berated Mr Turnbull for pushing a Obama-era refugee deal that would 'kill' him politically. The February 2 phone call was supposed to last for an hour, but was reportedly cut short to just 25 minutes. The recent comments were made by Mr Trump to a staffer, and suggested the president was impressed with Mr Turnbull's conduct during the call. 'There is a brawler there,' Mr Trump reportedly told the senior staff member. 'Not what I expected of him. He is no shrinking poppy (sic).' The president reportedly added he has 'no issues with the Aussies.' Mr Trump's comments were reported by the Australian. US president Donald Trump apparently praised Mr Turnbull following the two leaders' contentious phone call earlier this month 'There is a brawler there,' Mr Trump reportedly said of Malcolm Turnbull. 'Not what I expected of him. He is no shrinking poppy (sic)' The president's phone conversation with the Australian prime minister should have been a formality - but turned into another headache for the new White House administration, after it was reported that the call was contentious and drastically cut short. During the call, Mr Trump reportedly lashed out at Mr Turnbull over a deal the prime minister struck with former president Barack Obama, which involved the US accepting a group of refugees currently detained under squalid conditions on the islands of Manus and Nauru. According to a report in the Washington Post, Mr Trump said it was 'the worst deal ever' and would get him 'killed' politically, and added Australia was trying to send the US the 'next Boston bombers.' Mr Turnbull has disputed this version of events, saying the phone call was 'forthright' and 'very frank.' The president's February 2 phone conversation with the Australian prime minister should have been a formality - but turned into another headache for the new White House administration During the 25-minute call, Mr Trump reportedly berated Mr Turnbull over a refugee deal the prime minister struck with former president Barack Obama The US and Australia have historically strong relations, described by the US State Department as 'a robust relationship underpinned by shared democratic values, common interests, and cultural affinities.' The two nations have fought side by side in every major military conflict since World War I, the State Department fact sheet points out. The Minnesota police officer accused of fatally shooting Philando Castile during a traffic stop will stand trial in the death, a judge ruled on Monday. Officer Jeronimo Yanez, 28, had asked the case to be dismissed, arguing that prosecutors lacked probable cause to charge him, and that Castile was high on marijuana at the time of the shooting, making him culpable in his own death. Judge William Leary denied that request, writing in his Monday order that 'it is fair and reasonable to allow this matter to proceed to trial,' the Pioneer Press reported. Yanez is charged with manslaughter and dangerous discharge of a firearm in Castile's death on July 6, 2016, when Yanez shot the 32-year-old black man seven times in Falcon Heights, a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota. Defense attorneys for officer Jeronimo Yanez (left and right) argued his actions were 'intentional and justified.' A judge ruled Wednesday that Yanez's trial could proceed Philado Castile was shot seven times during a traffic stop in Falcon Heights, Minnesota in July His girlfriend Diamond Reynolds livestreamed the bloody aftermath of the school cafeteria worker's shooting. Although there is no question that Castile was in legal possession of a gun in pants pocket, the exact circumstances of the incident are in dispute. The state claims that Castile notified Yanez he had a gun in the car and was reaching for his wallet when the officer shot him. Yanez's attorney says 'he saw that gun' and saw Castile reaching for it. 'He had not choice but to shoot,' defense attorney Paul Engh said at a preliminary hearing on Wednesday morning, a few hours before the judge issued his decision. Castile's girlfriend Diamond Reynolds filmed the aftermath of the shooting on Facebook live. The video showed Castile bleeding and slumped over The hearing drew supporters of both Yanez and Castile to the Ramsey County Courthouse. Yanez, wearing a beige suit, said nothing throughout the 40-minute hearing. Yanez's attorneys had also argued that because THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, was found in Castile's system after his death, the man was complicit in his own death, and the case should be dismissed. The judge found that unpersuasive, writing in his order that 'a victims unreasonable conduct is never an absolute defense to a criminal charge.' Wednesday's hearing provided a preview of the defense strategies that Yanez's attorneys might employ in a trial, but the judge's ruling simply meant that he felt there was enough of a factual dispute to merit a jury trial. 'This court concludes that the evidence, as interpreted by the state, is substantial enough to create a likelihood that, if the states interpretation is accepted by a jury, the state could prevail,' Judge Leary wrote. Officer Geronimo Yanez's defense attorney Paul Engh makes his way out of the courthouse after the hearing on Wednesday. 'He had not choice but to shoot,' Engh argued Castile's mother, Valerie Castile, was present at the hearing, and told reporters that the case is 'in God's hands.' 'He was an amazing human being,' she said of her son. Yanez, who joined the St. Anthony Police Department about four years ago, is the married father of one child. The next hearing in the case is schedule for February 27. A man accused of trying to groom a 14-year-old boy over the internet and then meet him for sex in a hotel room is due in court on Thursday. Police say the 33-year-old from Moruya, in New South Wales, was caught in a sting operation when officers posed as a young boy online. Officers claim the man made numerous sexually explicit comments to the 'child' before arranging a meeting. A 33-year-old man (pictured left in both frames) has been arrested after police claim he was caught in an online sting operation attempting to groom a 14-year-old boy He was arrested in a car park on High Street in Penrith at around 3.30pm on Wednesday before being led away in handcuffs. Photographers were on hand to capture the moment the man - wearing blue jeans, black trainers, and a striped blue shirt - was put into the police car. Afterwards officers carried out a raid on a nearby hotel room, and a home in Moruya. A laptop and two mobile phones were seized as evidence. The man was taken to Penrith Police Station and charged with use carriage service to procure persons under 16. He was refused bail to appear at Penrith Local Court on Thursday. The man is accused of sending numerous sexually explicit messages to officers posing as a young boy before attempting to meet the child for sex A 'Domino's pizza employee' has been spotted buying bargain pizzas from a supermarket. However, this is not a genuine delivery driver, but a prankster, who set up the hilarious video after the chain was spotted topping up low supplies with frozen supermarket goods. In the prank video, DiscoBoy dons a Domino's outfit and hat and takes a huge stack of ASDA's cheapest line of cheese and tomato pizzas to the self-service checkouts. The video shows DiscoBoy, a serial prankster, taking a huge stack of ASDA's cheapest pizzas to the self-service checkout He tells the cameraman to turn it off as he starts scanning the items, but the cameraman insists on finding out what he's doing As he does, he is cornered by a man filming, who asks him what he is doing. DiscoBoy looks at the cameraman and says: 'Mate, turn it off, please.' But his filming friend insists he isn't going anywhere, and wants to know if he's selling these onto customers. He says: 'That's a disgrace. They're expensive enough as it is and you're using ASDA's pizzas.' Shrugging, DiscoBoy says: 'I just do deliveries, I've just been asked to do this. 'At the end of the day, these are the cheap ones anyway, these are not the big ones. 'We put our own toppings on them, then we put our own cheese on them. You're still getting a Domino's pizza at the end of the day, they're getting cooked in a proper oven.' He's told buying cheap pizzas from the frozen section is a 'disgrace' but the joker keeps a straight face as he keeps scanning DiscoBoy tells the cameraman that the pizzas will have their own Domino's toppings and more cheese added, so the customer still gets a Domino's pizza The prank comes a week after a real employee was spotted buying 1 wedges in the supermarket, when the store ran out Many of the commenters were quick to spot that DiscoBoy's partner in pranks calls the pizzas 'Tesco pizzas' as he comes to the end of the film. The prank comes after a real Domino's worker was spotted buying ASDA 1 potato wedges at the same store in Greenhithe, Kent. Although DiscoBoy is a serial joker, part of the internet group Trollstation, who stormed the X Factor stage last year, it left many people very confused and angry. Matty Radcliffe said: 'They buy wedges if they need to, but if you believe they buy pizzas to sell, you're moronic.' Nicola Hyder got it though, and said: 'Discoboy you are so naughty and you forgot the wedges.' Kimberley Hughes said: 'Dominos seriously shouldn't be using foods not from there suppliers! Any chains doing so needs to be inspected!' Last week, Twitter user Sinead Sarah spotted a Domino's worker in ASDA in the London area, stocking up on bags of the supermarket's frozen wedges, which cost 1 a pack. It sparked outrage as the chain charges 3.99 for a portion of their potato sides. Domino's apologised and said it was investigating the incident. A spokeswoman for Domino's Pizza said: 'With a big sporting weekend, very occasionally our stores are in an unfortunate position where some products may run out. 'We do not advocate this as a solution and are investigating. We have rigorous food standards where our franchisees buy all food from our approved suppliers to help maintain the high standards customers rightly expect.' Dennis Murdock (pictured), 25, who was arrested for sparking a five-year-old girl so hard he left bruises on her, told police he 'can't believe it's illegal to whoop' a child A Florida man who was arrested for sparking a five-year-old girl so hard he left bruises on her told police he 'can't believe it's illegal to whoop' a child. Dennis Murdock, 25, was arrested on February 6 in Riviera Beach, Florida, after he hit the young girl because she had misbehaved at preschool in previous days. The Palm Beach Post reports the arrest was made after a woman saw bruises on the five-year-old's buttocks and left thigh on February 5. Police documents cited by the Post claim the woman said it appeared as though the marks had been left by a belt. Murdock was shocked when he was arrested, telling police: 'I cant believe its illegal to whoop (a child).' The 25-year-old went on to tell officers, according to the Post, he was not trying to hurt the young girl and instead wanted to teach her it was wrong to act out in school. Murdock, 25, was arrested on February 6 in Riviera Beach (pictured, the police station), Florida, after he hit the young girl because she had misbehaved at preschool in previous days He then said he reminded the five-year-old he loved her after the spanking. He was released without bail but ordered to stay away from any minors. Someone can be charged with child abuse in Florida if there is one bruise on the child, as it is illegal to put a physical mark on a youngster. Tamron Hall is back at work, a little over two weeks after she made the decision to walk away from a multimillion contract with NBC in response to their decision to cancel her hour of Today to make room for incoming host Megyn Kelly. The hardworking Hall, who at times hosted upwards of four programs on NBC and MSNBC in a single day, posted a video on set as she began shooting on the fifth season of her popular Investigation Discovery show Deadline Crime. The show is produced by NBC's production arm, Peacock Productions, but airs on a network that is owned by Discovery Communications. It marked the end of an epic two-week vacation for Hall, who took full advantage of her time off by spending her first full day away from set cleaning her apartment and closet, and every subsequent day out and about. Among the spots that Hall was spotted in a little over 10 days were the Super Bowl in Houston, Grammys weekend in Los Angeles, fashion parties in New York and even the 62nd Annual Viennese Opera Ball. At these events she got to hang with the likes of Mary J. Blige, Jesse Williams, Martina Navratilova and Laurence Fishburne. Scroll down video Filming underway: Tamron Hall (above) posted video of herself on the set of Deadline Crime in Pottsdam, New York on Wednesday Percolatin': Hall, 46, had been enjoying an unexpected two week vacation after walking away from her job at NBC News following 10 years with the company (above with Mary J Blige in LA this weekend) Score: Hall spent the previous weekend in Houston at the Super Bowl (above with a family member) Hall revealed that she and the crew were shooting in Potsdam, New York on Wednesday, a town located just 10 miles from the Canadian border. That town was the site of a headline-grabbing murder mystery when Oral Nicholas Hillary, a black man, was accused of murdering a white boy, Garrett Phillips, whose mother he had been in a relationship with. He was eventually acquitted of that crime. Hall has been devoted to her work on the show due to her own tragic history with the subject matter. The 46-year-old suffered a devastating loss in 2004 after her sister Renate was bludgeoned to death and found face down in a swimming pool in Houston. Although the murder is still unsolved more than a decade later, police speculated the death was the result of domestic violence. Tamron has spoken in the past about witnessing a physical assault between Renate and a male companion, whom she said she would not name out of fear of retaliation. The anchor first revealed details of her sister's murder back in 2014 during a Television Critics Association panel for Investigation Discovery. That is likely a big reason why she wants to hold on to her job as host of the show, despite working with a company tied to NBC. She has yet to speak about the network, who told her in late January about their plans to replace her time slot with Kelly's program. On air: Hall stopped by to spend time with Laurence Fishburne and Larenz Tate at the launch of their audio series Bronzeville Series (above) Big names: Hall hung out with Grey's Anatomy star Jesse Williams (left) BET CEO Debra Lee (right) in LA last weekend Icon: Hall also ran into tennis great Martina Navratilova while out in Los Angeles (above) An NBC insider told Dailymail.com that the plan is for the former Fox News darling to get her own hour of morning television that would not fall under the Today brand, would be a new brand, and would cancel the fourth hour of the program all together. That news comes on the heels of Hall's abrupt departure from the network, who refused an offer of over $2million a year after Today cancelled the third hour of the show which she hosted with Al Roker. Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb are now expected to move to the third hour and the fourth hour will be cancelled for Kelly. The news of their cancellation was announced to Roker and Hall on same day it was confirmed that they had beaten Live With Kelly in the key demo for the month of January, according to an insider. They had won they key demo for eight straight weeks when Today decided to inform them of the Kelly news. Roker and Hall were told on the last Friday in January shortly after Today ended and just a few minutes before Hall was going on air to host MSNBC Live. Hall walked away from the money three days later. She and Roker ended up together at 9 am after Billy Bush was abruptly axed in wake of the Trump p**sy tape scandal. Kelly's hire, at a reported $12million a year, has reportedly rustled feathers at the Peacock Network, where she is expected to debut this fall. She will reportedly be moving into a 30 Rock office space in May. Roker addressed Hall's departure the day after it was announced on Today. 'As some of you may have heard by now, our good friend Tamron Hall has decided to leave NBC News, ' said Roker. 'Personally, Tamron has been not just a co-host here on Todays Take for the past three years but a good friend. And not just to me, to all of us here.' Roker then added: 'We want to wish her nothing but the best, much continued success and cannot wait to see what her next chapter is.' Sheinelle Jones, the host of Weekend Today and MSNBC Live who was filling in on Thursday, then added: 'Shes going to rock it, no matter what she does.' Drink it up: Hall spent her first hours away from NBC at a Dolce & Gabbana party in NYC (above) Black tie: hall also found time to attend the Viennese Opera (left) and the he 14th annual Woman's Day Red Dress Awards at Jazz at Lincoln Center (right) Wrapping it up: Hall spent Wednesday at an AIDS fundraiser in Los Angeles (above) In a statement at the time, NBC hailed Hall as an 'exceptional journalist' while stressing that it was her decision to walk away. 'We are disappointed that she has chosen to leave, but we wish her all the best,' said the network. A source familiar with the discussions between Hall and the NBC told DailyMail.com: 'NBC News very much wanted Tamron to stay, she was offered a multi-million dollar/multi-year contract and she chose to go. Hall has long been one of the hardest working personalities on the network, and in the past two months had filled in for both Savannah Guthrie on Today and Lester Holt on NBC World News Tonight while also anchoring the third hour of Today. On one day in December she filled in for both Guthrie and Hall while also hosting MSNBC Live. She also hosted Dateline Extra on MSNBC, as well as lending her on-air talents to NBC's coverage of the Westminster Dog Show. Roker will now anchor the third hour of Today until the show debuts their new morning lineup this fall. Unlike Hall however, the meteorologist already had a steady gig on Today, and will continue to appear on the program's first two hours when Kelly arrives on the scene. The news of Hall's departure also caused outrage among many on social media. That is due in large part to the fact that Hall and Roker, two African-Americans, are being moved out of the time slot to bring in Kelly, a white woman. 'Not a good way to start Black History Month @ NBC letting @TamronHall go. Who's next.... @AlRoker?' wrote one woman on Twitter. Many on Twitter had that same thought, with some also going after Kelly in their comments, who was called everything from a 'racist apologist' to 'the racist "santa is white" b****.' And one man wrote: 'NBC purging black faces. If they had any clue, @TamronHall would be co-hosting Today.' There is still no word on where Hall may be heading next. Meanwhile, overall ratings for Today have been down 10 percent and 11 percent versus this time last year in the two weeks since Hall has gone, but that is for the entire program and just her segment. The show has lost an even higher percentage of viewers in the key demo versus this time last year. Good Morning America and CBS This Morning also posted losses as well over those two weeks in both overall and key demo viewers. Sergeant Alexander Blackman takes part in an operation in the Omani desert in 2001 A Royal Marines padre has delivered devastating fresh evidence supporting the case of Sergeant Alexander Blackman as he challenges his murder conviction. The Reverend Nigel Beardsley told military police investigators that he did not visit the Afghan checkpoint where the marine was based because he was warned it was simply too dangerous. It flatly contradicts the evidence of military chiefs about how risky that area of Helmand Province was when Sgt Blackman was stationed there in 2011. Although the commando padres last-minute intervention came too late for the marines appeal hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice last week, his testimony has now been passed to the judges, who will now take it into account. It could prove highly important in securing victory for Sgt Blackman. Five Appeal Court judges are currently weighing up whether to quash Sgt Blackmans murder conviction for shooting a Taliban fighter. His appeal is based on evidence from three top psychiatrists, who diagnosed him as suffering a combat stress disorder at the moment he pulled the trigger, brought on by the acute stresses of the Afghan warzone. Last week, the court was shown a documentary filmed in the most dangerous square mile on Earth, where Sgt Blackman, known as Marine A during his military trial, and the band of 15 marines under his command manned a remote British outpost. Sgt Blackmans wife Claire has also provided the Mail with previously unseen pictures of her husbands experiences. Protection at Camp Omar: Raising the height of the earth-filled cages, good at stopping incoming fire - if they are high enough His men were under almost daily Taliban attack in what was called in court a breeding ground for mental health problems. But serving top brass and the Ministry of Defences legal team sought to play down the stresses that Sgt Blackman suffered in the lead-up to him shooting the wounded Taliban insurgent. His former commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Ewen Murchison, who led 42 Commando, even suggested it had been safe for the marines padre to visit the outpost, Checkpoint (CP) Omar, the court heard. But now the padre himself has emphatically said that this was not the case. In a devastating intervention, Rev Beardsley told military police investigators he did not visit Checkpoint Omar even once during his six-month tour of duty as he was warned it was simply too dangerous. Whether or not he visited became a key argument in Sgt Blackmans appeal. The Mail has learnt that the Rev Beardsley had initially promised he would visit CP Omar. But he was prevented by the intensity of Taliban activity and serious concerns raised by officers. Unlike many British patrol bases, which were founded inside or around the thick mud walls and roofed buildings of a typical Afghan farm compound, Omar was built from scratch as a rudimentary bastion by the Royal Engineers While Royal Marine padres undergo the famously tough commando training, they are not allowed to bear lethal weapons. In training, they carry Christian crosses weighing nine pounds the approximate weight of a standard issue British assault rifle. Rev Beardsleys testimony is a huge blow to the already heavily criticised Lt Col Murchison. Jonathan Goldberg QC, for Blackman, told the court that while Lt Col Murchison had not specifically stated in his witness statement whether or not Rev Beardsley visited Omar, the commanding officer had given the clear impression that the checkpoint was safe for the padre to visit. At the time Sgt Blackman was the senior soldier at isolated CP Omar during a hellish tour of duty for his unit. Seven soldiers died and 45 were seriously wounded in all during 42 Commandos tour as the Taliban stepped up their attacks. In the face of overwhelming and unopposed psychiatric evidence, the prosecution last week had to concede that Sgt Blackman was indeed suffering from a temporary mental illness known as Adjustment Disorder caused by his ordeal in CP Omar. On patrol: Every step taken by a soldier (left) could see them ending up maimed and disfigured by an IED (pictured right) The padre contacted military police after the threat level at Omar became a key area of dispute during last weeks Court of Appeal hearing. Sgt Blackman is appealing against his murder conviction for which he received a life sentence more than three years ago. The five-judge court, presided over by Lord Chief Justice Lord Thomas, is expected to deliver its ruling later this month. An internal Royal Navy investigation into the Blackman incident called Telemeter the existence of which was first revealed by the Mail also confirmed the chaplains version of events. The Court of Appeal has to decide whether to quash Sgt Blackmans murder conviction. If it does, the alternatives are to substitute a conviction of manslaughter due to diminished responsibility or send him back to court martial for retrial. He was able to launch a new appeal after Daily Mail readers raised more than 800,000. The Church of England was plunged into a damaging new split last night after its parliament threw out its bishops plan to end 30 years of conflict over gay rights. The General Synod embarrassed the Churchs leaders by voting against a scheme that would have paved the way for church services to bless the unions of gay couples - while keeping the traditional teaching that marriage must be between a man and a woman. The rejection was a major rebuff to Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, who had led a three-year campaign to smooth over the acrid and bitter dispute, which continues to split the Church. Justin Welby had led a three-year campaign to smooth over the acrid and bitter dispute over gay marriage While a majority of the Synod backed the plan which would have given maximum freedom for gay clergy and gay couples under the rules of Church doctrine the votes of clergy resulted in its downfall. Evangelical conservatives opposed to gay rights joined with liberal clergy and gay activists to defeat the bishopss scheme. Clergy voted by 100 to 93 to refuse to take note of the bishops report, and under Synod rules a vote against by one group meant the report fell. The refusal to take note means bishops cannot bring their plan back for reconsideration for another three years. The Church has been divided over gay rights since 1987, when the Synod voted to reject gay sex as sinful. Since 1991, the Church has operated an uneasy regime under which gay couples are welcome in churches but gay clergy must be celibate. The General Synod embarrassed the Churchs leaders by voting against a scheme that would have paved the way for church services to bless the unions of gay couples The Church, which last suffered a major rebellion against its leadership in 2012 when the Synod rebelled against plans to allow women to become bishops, has been desperate to end its disputes over homosexuality following civil law changes that have allowed same-sex partners to marry since 2014. The new scheme would have eased the pressure on gay clergy and prepared prayers for all Church of England churches to use to support gay couple who are married under civil laws or who take out civil partnerships. The Archishop of Canterbury appealed personally to the Synod for support for the bishops plan. Archbishop Welby said the bishops report is not the end of the story, adding: We will as the bishops think again and go on thinking. We will seek to do better. The bishop primarily responsible for the plan, the Bishop of Norwich, the Right Reverend Graham James, said the debate had been painful. A series of speakers from both liberal and conservative evangelical wings of the Church made plain their unhappiness with the bishops plans. The Archishop of Canterbury appealed personally to the Synod for support for the bishops plan Gay activist Lucy Gorman, a Synod member from the York diocese, said gay people were dying because of discrimination. She said a friend called Helen who committed suicide last year had said: I love my local church and my faith but I feel conflicted about the Church of England. It makes me sad and angry that it can waste so much energy in being inward-looking, that it misrepresents Gods generous love, Christs teachings, and as an established Church can be exempt from equality legislation. Another gay activist, Jayne Ozanne, a former member of the CofEs cabinet, the Archbishops Council, said the report was not clear. I chose to use the phrase unGodly in my reaction to it, she said. We do not need cleverly-worded reports that can be read by either party any way they want. Susie Leafe, of the Churchs conservative Reform movement, which opposes gay rights, questioned whether the bishops were upholding the doctrine that sex must remain inside marriage and that marriage must be between a man and a woman. Another conservative, Andrea Minichiello Williams, of the Christian Concern group, added: From what we have heard this afternoon the two positions are irreconcilable. Since 1991, the Church has operated an uneasy regime under which gay couples are welcome in churches but gay clergy must be celibate She said sexual behaviour was a salvation issue and clergy must set an example, adding: That is why sexual morality is so important. Developed by the bishops after five years of inquiries and talks within the Church, the package of reforms was designed to find a compromise after 30 years of division over gay rights. The plan was designed to offer a form of prayer to mark civil partnerships or same-sex weddings. A blessing for same-sex couples in all but name, it would be available in Anglican churches across the country. There was also to be an end to hostile interrogation of trainee priests to check whether they are actively gay. Instead the same questions would have been asked of all future priests, gay or straight, to check that they intend to stick by the rules of marriage and fidelity. Bishops apologised in advance of the Synod debate for the failure of their plans to please all in the Church. The Bishop of Norwich, Graham James, said the Church owes much to its gay members and clergy. Like others which have gone before it, the report has not received a rapturous reception in all quarters, and I regret any pain or anger it may have caused, he said. Bishop James also signalled that the Church was wrong when 30 years ago it declared that gay sex was sinful. The Synod voted in its three houses bishops, clergy and laity. Under the rules, a vote against in any one house means a motion must fall. Clergy voted 93 in favour and 100 against with two abstentions, while the laity - lay Synod members - voted 242 in favour and 184 against with six abstentions After two hours of acrimonious and anguished debate, bishops voted 43 in favour of the plan. But one, unnamed prelate voted against the plan to which he or she had put his or her name. Clergy voted 93 in favour and 100 against with two abstentions, while the laity - lay Synod members - voted 242 in favour and 184 against with six abstentions. Following the vote the Bishop of Willesden, the Right Reverend Pete Broadbent, said: When we legislated for women to be bishops, even those opposed came to the view that the Church of England had to make it possible for women to be bishops in the Church of God according to our canons and formularies. In this debate, we havent even begun to find a place where we can coalesce. The bishops report acknowledges a place of starting. More conversation is needed. We dont yet know the next stage - nor yet when and whether we can bring any further report to Synod. A beer-loving pig named after Pauline Hanson has gone missing from his Queensland home. Pauline the pig's distraught owner put up a notice on Facebook in the hopes of finding the beloved pet. 'The poor thing, he wandered off and didn't come back this time,' Helen Adams told Daily Mail Australia. The pet pig 'loves beer' and is frequently seen cracking open ale cans using his sharp teeth A beer-loving pig (right) named after Pauline Hanson (left) has gone missing from his Queensland home The pig 'has the same kind of hair as Pauline Hanson, and the same kind of 'tude as her,' his owner said Pauline frequently went down to the river near the Adams family's property to swim, and always came back, Ms Adams said. But it's now been over a week since she last saw the porker, and Ms Adams is getting worried. 'He's such a beautiful pet, surprisingly clean, and toilet trained,' she said of the six-month-old Tamworth pig. Pauline frequently went down to the river near the Adams family's property to swim, and always came back, Ms Adams said But it's now been over a week since she last saw the porker, and Ms Adams is getting worried 'He's such a beautiful pet, surprisingly clean, and toilet trained,' she said of the six-month-old Tamworth pig Pauline is named after the One Nation leader, Ms Adam explained. 'He has the same kind of hair as Pauline Hanson, and the same kind of 'tude as her,' Ms Adams said. She said the pet pig 'loves beer' and is frequently seen cracking open ale cans using his sharp teeth. 'He absolutely loves it. You can't put a beer can down. He'll use his teeth to pierce straight through the can.' The Duke of Cambridges call for a complete ban on ivory trading would harm Britains indispensable collection of historical treasures, leading experts warned. The British Museum - itself the holder of dozens of priceless ivory artefacts - along with historian David Starkey, have opposed the Dukes plans. Under current laws, only ivory products made after 1947 are illegal. Prince William, pictured feeding a rhino at Port Lympne Wild Animal Park in 2012, has called for an outright ban on ivory products But Prince William is calling for an outright ban, regardless of age, meaning even ancient ivory artefacts would be outlawed. A patron of anti-ivory charity Tusk, the Dukes views are said to be so strong that he would like to see all the ivory in the Royal Collection destroyed. Mr Starkey called the plan cultural vandalism, amid fears the move would damage Britains heritage. He told the Antiques Trade Gazette: By trying to preserve one wondrous, rare and elegant thing, the elephant, we are in danger of threatening other wondrous, rare and elegant objects. If these objects cease to be tradable they lose their value and will end up being destroyed. This is one of the largest threats to the preservation of Western decorative arts. It would be cultural vandalism. A public consolation on the ban will go ahead in the next few months. Art and antiques dealer Philip Mould joined the cohort of experts opposing Prince Williams plans, saying it threatens thousands of years of culture and history. He said: As an active conservationist, nothing could be more welcome to me than an initiative to save one of our most charismatic animals from a relentless road to extinction. A ban on the heinous trade in poached ivory should not mean that a thousand years of culture and history be outlawed with it. The thought that, say, some of our most emotive miniature portraits of Nelson, Byron and the young Queen Victoria become persona non grata artworks of shame for which there is no market is up there with book-burning and recent cultural vengeance meted out on the buildings of ancient Syria. The British Museum said that while it supports efforts to protect elephants and curb the illegal ivory trade, this should not include antique ivory. The British Museum - itself the holder of dozens of priceless ivory artefacts - supports efforts to protect elephants and curb the illegal ivory trade, but is against a ban on antique ivory A spokesman said: Ivory artefacts are integral parts of the collection and play an indispensable part in the museums presentation of the history of human cultural achievement. The Victoria and Albert museum also said that while it does not actively seek modern ivory, it too may acquire ivory objects from before 1947. The British Museums ivory collection includes the chronometer used on board HMS Beagle during Charles Darwins historic expedition in 1831. It also has the 3,000-year-old Nimrud Ivories, the finest collection carved, decorative ivories ever excavated in the Middle East. The collection is made of nearly 1,000 items dating from between the 9th-7th centuries BC. First off, it doesn't matter that he's no longer President. He is a liar. It is Time to Acknowledge that Obama is a Gay Muslim f-ggot In an interview with NBC News, Horner told Senior Political Analyst Tom Downey that he is one-hundred-percent positive that President Obama is not only gay, but a radical Muslim as well. Everyone on the inside knows that Obama is gay and a Muslim, it is common knowledge, Horner said. I saw many men coming and going from Obamas room, at all hours. I would say a good portion of the men, over fifty-percent, were Muslim. Secret Service Agent Says Obama Is Muslim & Gay In New Tell-All Book - News Examiner - Examine Your World A political cartoon that seemingly links Trump's embattled education secretary Betsy DeVos with civil rights icon Ruby Bridges has people outraged. The image, created by cartoonist Glenn McCoy, has caused controversy since it first appeared in Illinois newspaper the Belleville News-Democrat on Monday. It shows a particularly small DeVos being escorted into a school under heavy guard following an incident in Washington DC last week where protesters blocked her from entering a middle school. How can you compare a child who actively sought education to a woman who's trying to get rid of it? Betsy Devos is not Ruby Bridges. pic.twitter.com/REjxAEj2Yp nani (@pettyblackgirI) February 14, 2017 McCoy's cartoon of DeVos bears a resemblance to an image of a six-year-old Bridges who became the first black child to attend an all-white school in New Orleans in 1960. Bridges had to be escorted by federal marshals into the school as crowds of people protested. The iconic moment was documented in Norman Rockwell's famous painting 'The Problem We All Live With'. In McCoy's cartoon, the word 'n****r' has been replaced with 'conservative'. The comparison between the two has sparked outrage among those on social media, including former first daughter Chelsea Clinton. 'What?! What?!' Clinton posted alongside the cartoon. Scroll down for video Cartoon shows DeVos being escorted into a school under heavy guard following an incident in Washington DC last week (above) where protesters blocked her from entering a school Ruby Bridges was six years old when she had to be escorted to school after becoming the first black child to attend an all-white school in New Orleans in 1960 The comparison between the two has sparked outrage among those on social media, including former first daughter Chelsea Clinton RW political cartoonist Glen McCoy created the image on the left. On the right is Norman Rockwell's image about the Civil Rights Movement. pic.twitter.com/mbW2J6kRrX ...she persisted. (@leahmcelrath) February 14, 2017 RUBY BRIDGES ACTIVELY FOUGHT FOR AN EDUCATION BETSY DEVOS IS ACTIVELY TRYING TO TAKE IT AWAY STOP TRYING TO ERASE BLACK HISTORY pic.twitter.com/bH4FXadxJs Berenabas (@BerenabasG) February 15, 2017 Another Twitter user wrote: 'I'm disgusted. What we're NOT gonna do is compare Ruby Bridges to Betsy Devos. NOT TODAY. NOT TOMORROW. NOT EVA.' 'Seeing Betsy Devos transplanted onto art that centered Ruby Bridges, A BLACK GIRL THRUST INTO VIOLENT DESEGREGATION EFFORTS, is sickening,' one person tweeted. Others pointed out the differences they saw between DeVos and a then six-year-old Bridges. 'How can you compare a child who actively sought education to a woman who's trying to get rid of it? Betsy Devos is not Ruby Bridges,' one wrote. Another person tweeted: 'Ruby Bridges actively fought for an education. Betsy DeVos is actively trying to take it away. Stop trying to erase black history.' McCoy told USA Today in an email: 'I regret if anyone was offended by my choice of metaphors, but my intention was to focus on the protesters being hateful and to open up a dialogue on this point.' Worms have dashed the hopes of residents in a seaside town who wanted a sea wall to protect their homes from flooding. Building the sea defence would disturb the habitat of the marine honeycomb worm Sabellaria alveolata off the coast of Aberaeron in Wales, say local council bosses. The seabed at Aberaeron is part of the Cardigan Bay Special Area of Conservation, which guarantees the welfare of the worms, which use sand and shell fragments to build underwater reefs. But Nick Sawyer, commodore at Aberaeron Sailing Club, said: Surely the higher priority is human habitats which need protection. Building the sea defence would disturb the habitat of the marine honeycomb worm Sabellaria alveolata off the coast of Aberaeron in Wales (pictured), say local council bosses The worms live underwater and they will quickly relocate after any disturbance. Humans will be much more expensive to relocate and our habitat ... would be lost forever. Last night a Ceredigion County Council spokesman said the off-shore breakwater is not considered to be viable owing to the potential for direct loss of valuable habitat. 'The construction of a breakwater would result in substantial disturbance of the seabed and the structure would inevitably have an impact on patterns of sediment deposition and accretion. 'The seabed at Aberaeron is under the protection of the Cardigan Bay Special Area of Conservation. 'The council is currently discussing various protection options with the Welsh Government, including strengthening South Pier and the construction of a flood defence wall. 'Should the Welsh Government agree to support the project, funding would be made available through its Coastal Risk Management Programme, which is not linked to any EU funding streams.' Aberaerons current sea defence, which was completed in 2009 at a cost of more than 5m, included the strategic placement of 75,000 tonnes of rock, a raised promenade, and timber groynes. Actress Shailene Woodley is enthusiastic after finding an ally in her fight to stop the planned oil pipeline at Standing Rock, Dakota: Malia Obama. Woodley, 25, best known for her starring role in The Fault in Our Stars, told Late Night host Seth Meyers that she met Barack Obama's daughter at a protest she was hosting at the Sundance independent film festival last month. 'I thought it was really inspiring that no matter who you are, who your family is it was neat to see her invested personally and separately from her family in these causes,' she told Meyers. Scroll down for video Star struck: Activist actress Shailene Woodley (right, on Late Night With Seth Meyers Tuesday) was protesting at the Sundance film festival when she met Malia Obama (left, at Sundance) Woodley met Malia at the protest on January 23 just days after she and her family vacated the White House. The actress was at the festival, held annually in Park City, Utah, to help host a protest against Chase bank, which not only sponsors the festival but also has a large stake in the pipeline. She spoke at a private event along with a number of members of the Sioux tribe affected by the pipeline - with Malia in the crowd. But she said she was oblivious to the presence of the 18-year-old ex-president's daughter until a friend pointed her out. 'One of my best friends' name is Malia and some of my friends were like, 'Shailene, Malia is over there, you should go say hi!'' she said. 'And I was like "Yeah I know, I'll talk to her in a minute." And they were like, "No, it's Malia Obama!"' Malia also met with with Standing Rock Sioux chairman Dave Archambault at the event. Prior to the meeting, Malia was one of around 100 people who stood in blistering cold on Main Street chanting 'Exist. Resist. Rise.' and 'Impeach corporate control.' Donald Trump announced his intention to restart construction on the oil pipeline - which had been stopped by Obama one month before he left office - that same week. Protest: Woodley met Malia a meeting where she gave a speech (pictured) on Jan 23. They also protested Chase bank's sponsorship of the festival, as Chase is invested in the pipeline Arrested: Woodley was arrested in October (pictured left, and right in mugshot) after protesting at the construction site itself. She said Malia was an 'inspiration Speaking at the time, Woodley said she wished Obama had done something about the plans years before. 'You know, as a citizen, of course, I would say that,' she said. 'But I'm not - I'm not in the White House. I don't know what obstacles that man was up against. I don't know what resistance he was up against. 'And so, obviously, again, as a citizen, I would love to say, yes, I wish he had stopped this in 2014, when it was originally proposed to the tribe and when the Army Corps of Engineers originally ignored the tribes - actually, you know, according to law, they were meant to meet with the tribe multiple times, and that didn't happen. 'So, in 2014, I wish Obama had done something, but I don't know, actually, that he could have. So, it's kind of a - it's hearsay for me.' Woodley is best known for romantic drama The Fault in Our Stars and the Divergent series of sci-fi movies, but became infamous after her arrest at Standing Rock in 2016. She livestreamed her demonstration at the construction site of the Dakota Access pipeline for than two-and-a-half hours on October 10 before she was taken into custody. Toward the end of the video, Woodley is told by a law enforcement officer that she is being arrested for criminal trespassing. Morton County Sheriff's Department spokesman Rob Keller said Woodley was one of 27 protesters arrested. She was charged with engaging in a riot. Barack Obama has talked previously about encouraging his daughters to stand up for what they believe in. He said The Week in 2015 that he told his daughters, 'I want you to protect people who may not have voices themselves, I want you to be somebody who's strong and sees themselves as somebody whos looking out for the vulnerable.' Dozens of mothers-to-be have signed up to receive shopping vouchers as a reward to stop smoking during their pregnancies. A council is offering up to 260 in vouchers to expectant mothers if they can prove they have quit cigarettes. Each smoker is challenged to stay off tobacco during their pregnancy, and is rewarded every two weeks that they remain smoke-free. The Love2Shop vouchers can be redeemed in a number of stores, including Debenhams, Argos, New Look and TK Maxx. At least 65 women have so far received the Love2Shop vouchers, which can be redeemed in popular stores, including Debenhams, Argos and TK Maxx The mothers-to-be are tested for carbon monoxide to prove they aren't cheating the system. And they are incentivised to keep off cigarettes after their child arrives, with the shopping vouchers continuing for up to 12 weeks after the birth. If they complete the whole course, their partner or a friend will also receive 40 worth of Love2Shop vouchers for their support. At least 65 women have so far received the vouchers from Stoke-on-Trent City Council in Staffordshire, leaving the city's taxpayers with a bill of around 17,000. The council says the drive is part of measures to try to cut the number of infant deaths blamed on smoking in the city. It is also intended to reduce costly, complicated deliveries at hospital. Research in 2015 showed that pregnant women were more than twice as likely to kick their smoking habit if they had financial incentives. In a scheme run by Glasgow University and Stirling University, 612 pregnant smokers were randomly assigned to one of two groups. Half were assigned to a group offered up to 400 of financial incentives if they engaged with 'usual care' smoking cessation services and/or quit smoking during pregnancy. They were offered Love2shop vouchers at different stages of pregnancy, ranging from 50 for setting a quit date to a final 200 voucher for proof of having quit shortly before birth, using breath analysis. Stoke-on-Trent City Council is offering up to 260 worth of vouchers in a bid to cut the number of infant deaths blamed on smoking in the city The other half were offered usual care smoking cessation services that included a face-to-face appointment with a smoking cessation adviser, four follow-up support calls and free nicotine replacement therapy for 10 weeks. The study found that women who were offered shopping vouchers were significantly more likely to quit smoking than those in the control group. Overall, 69 women quit from the test group, and 26 from the control group 23 per cent and nine per cent respectively. But although doctors said widening the incentive scheme could produce public health benefits 'as important as vaccines', critics claimed 'bribery' was being used to get mothers to maximise the health of their children. Around 5,000 babies die in the womb or shortly after birth from mothers smoking during pregnancy each year in the UK. Latest figures show 55,000 adults smoke in Stoke-on-Trent, making up 28 per cent of the city's adult population, compared to the national average of 18.5 per cent. Around 5,000 babies die in the womb or shortly after birth from mothers smoking during pregnancy each year in the UK Figures show 19 per cent of pregnant women smoke in Stoke-on-Trent, compared to the national average of 12 per cent. Some residents in the city have expressed concern at the amount of money being spent by on the scheme. Mother-of-three Angela Copeland, 40, said: 'I have never smoked in my entire life but do I get a free handout? No I do not. 'Rather than reward pregnant women for not risking the lives of their unborn children, why not punish those women caught smoking or drinking while pregnant. Surely that's a better, and fairer way to protect babies from their reckless parents.' Another mother-of-three, Claire Brennan, 36, said she had smoked throughout her pregnancies. 'When I was pregnant... I was told to just go with what my body was telling me,' she added. 'I sometimes went weeks without having a cigarette, but I never thought 'I have to quit'.' She said each pregnancy was 'subjective' and 'ultimately the decision of the woman'. 'I don't think this scheme is a waste of money,' she added, 'because it's always good to educate people, especially young parents, about the issues.' Councillor Ann James, Stoke-on-Trent's cabinet member for health and social care, said: 'The scheme is a pilot project designed to encourage pregnant women to set a quit date and sustain it for at least 12 weeks after they give birth. 'Studies on Voucher Based Reinforcement Therapy provide compelling evidence that positive reinforcement with retail vouchers creates positive changes in behaviour. We are keen to see if this approach can improve infant health in Stoke-on-Trent.' Police believe a human skull found washed up on a Victorian beach eight months ago could belong to missing man Paul Kingsbury. Kingsbury, who disappeared two years ago and is believed murdered, is the main focus of the skull investigation, the Geelong Advertiser was told by police. Before his disappearance Kingsbury had assault and criminal damage convictions against his name and had ended a long-term relationship with the daughter of the Geelong Bandidos bikie gang leader. Police believe a human skull found washed up on a Victorian beach eight months ago could belong to missing man Paul Kingsbury (pictured) The skull was found by a fisherman near Lascelles Wharf in North Shore on June 14 last year (Aerial view of where police searched in 2016) Kingsbury was last seen at a home in Moolap, Geelong. Two men, John Nelis and another man, were arrested over his kidnapping but the charges were later dropped. Forensic investigators have had the skull for eight months, sparking fears that there is no usable DNA of Kingsbury that could lead to solving the case. Homicide Squad Detectives said inquiries were continuing. 'It's an ongoing investigation. There is nothing new,' Senior-Constable Michael Cashman said. The skull was found by a fisherman near Lascelles Wharf in North Shore on June 14 last year. Lawyers for the man accused of abducting and killing a 15-year-old girl who disappeared on her way to school claim she may not even be dead, pointing to a cryptic note as evidence that the girl ran away. High school cheerleader Sierra LaMar vanished in Morgan Hill, California on March 16, 2012, as she headed to a bus stop. She hasn't been heard from since, and no body was ever found. 'I hate my life no ever sees this I will be in San Francisco by 3/16/12,' reads the note discovered in the girl's Spanish notebook the week after her disappearance, the Mercury News reported. The note poses one of the biggest challenges for prosecutors of accused killer Antolin Garcia-Torres, but they argued on Wednesday that the note is bogus. Investigators discovered a cryptic note in missing cheerleader Sierra LaMar's Spanish notebook that seemed to suggest she'd ran away to San Francisco. But prosecutors argue the note is likely a sick joke written by one of Sierra's classmates An assistant principal at Sierra's high school turned the notebook over to investigators on March 22, six days after the teenager disappeared. Claudia Magana, Sierra's Spanish teacher, testified that the notebook was kept in the classroom, and that other students could have had access to it. The teacher also said that in the days after Sierra went missing, some students spoke of the mystery in a joking way, suggesting the possibility that one could have written the message as a prank. Handwriting expert John Bourke, an analyst in the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office crime lab, testified that Sierra had 'probably' not written the note, as many letters in it had 'significantly' different characteristics from her known writing samples. Scroll down for video Friends told the court that Sierra (pictured) didn't have credit cards, a bank account, or a driver's license, casting doubt on her ability to disappear on her own But Garcia-Torres lawyer Al Lopez countered that the comparison handwriting samples were all from Sierra's homework, asking Bourke repeatedly if the different context could account for the differences in the handwriting, a question Bourke said he wasn't qualified to answer. Lawyers for Garcia-Torres, 25, say the note is strong evidence that Sierra ran away to San Francisco, and may even still be alive. Morgan Hill is about 70 miles south of San Francisco, a journey that is possible via public transit. There is reason to believe Sierra wasn't thrilled about her family's move from Fremont, in the East Bay, to more rural Morgan Hill in October of her sophomore year. But the missing girl's friends have testified she didn't seem extremely out of sorts about the move. They also said the girl had no credit cards, bank account, driver's license, or passport. 'She had no reason to abandon everything she knew, loved and cared about,' prosecutor David Boyd argued. Antolin Garcia-Torres (pictured left in his mugshot and right in court in 2012) is standing trial for the teenager's murder, despite the fact her body has never been found. His car was seen near LaMar's home on the day she went missing Garcia-Torres is from San Martin, California, just a few miles from Sierra's home in Morgan Hill. The 25-year-old has pleaded not guilty. If he is convicted, he faces either the death penalty or life in prison without parole. However, if he is acquitted by Santa Clara County Superior Court, he cannot be tried again for the murder, even if Sierra's body is found or other incriminating evidence surfaces. Garcia-Torres is the owner of a red car caught on surveillance camera near her home on March 16, the day of her disappearance, which was seized by police before his arrest. Sierra hasn't been seen or heard from since she left her home in Morgan Hill to go to school on March 16, 2012. Authorities believe she was kidnapped while walking to a bus stop. Authorities arrested Garcia-Torres two months after her disappearance at the convenience store where he worked. The first breakthrough in the case came in the discovery of Garcia-Torres' red Volkswagen Jetta. Sierra's cellphone was found near the side of the road the day after she vanished. Her Juicy brand black and pink purse with clothes folded neatly inside was found the day after that A search for the car began after it was captured on several surveillance videos close to the missing teen's home and the area where authorities recovered some of her belongings. Sierra's cellphone was found near the side of the road the day after she vanished. Her Juicy brand black and pink purse with clothes folded neatly inside was found the day after that. There is also evidence linking his DNA to clothing found in Sierra's abandoned backpack, which was tossed in a shed not far from her home. The reveal dirt stains and reflective beads from the road were found on her jeans, indicating she was dragged, according to Fox 5. Legal Analyst Steven Clark said prosecutors are relying heavily on forensic DNA evidence to prove Garcia-Torres' guilt. He said: 'What the DA needs to do is establish through anecdotal evidence by calling Sierra's mother and her friends is that this is not a girl who would run away. This is not a girl who would not communicate with her mom.' Following the incident, Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith said it appeared to be a random act of violence. According to Fox, Garcia Torres sat through the opening statements looking clean shaven and emotionless. A Queensland couple have decided to give away their land for free to Australians who cannot afford to rent or buy a house. Brisbane couple Ian and Neva Handy are part of a $10.5 million development in the Moreton Bay region for 50 townhouses. The pair told The Today Show on Channel Nine the project is due to be completed in late September or early October and will see the construction of one, two and three-bedroom houses on the site. Queensland couple Ian and Neva Handy (inset above) are giving away their land for free to Australians who cannot afford to rent or buy a house The Handy's are working with not-for-profit organisation Churches of Christ Housing Services to complete the project, located in Kallangur, 15km north of Brisbane. Ian Handy told hosts Karl Stefanovic and Lisa Wilkinson it was difficult for private enterprise to be involved because of the costs, so it was easier to work with a charity. 'We've donated the land to them so those who need affordable housing or have difficulty affording rent they can have the benefits of this opportunity and this project that we're doing here,' he said. When Neva was asked by Lisa Wilkinson if they were tempted to sell the land or give it away to family members when the passed on, she laughed. The couple are working with a not-for-profit organisation Churches for Christ to build about 50 one, two and three-bedroom houses on the site in Queensland (pictured) 'No, we'd always decided that this what we were going to do with it and it was the easiest way to join with Churches of Christ,' she said. Mr Handy said: 'We feel that money comes around and goes around so if someone can benefit from this, then that's our objective.' Churches of Christ general manager Frances Paterson-Fleider told Channel Nine the couple's generous donation would make a huge impact on those who needed it most. The site is located at Kallangur, 15km north of Brisbane. Mr Handy (inset) said it was for people who need affordable housing or had difficulty affording rent 'This project presented an opportunity to leverage private capital and philanthropic resources to achieve both financial and social returns, it is exemplar of philanthropists and the community sector partnering to address affordable living options in Queensland.' Mr Handy said people interested in the housing project need to lodge an application with the charity and undergo and an assessment. Hundreds of FBI documents have been released detailing the investigation into whether Donald Trump's real estate company racially discriminated against people in the 1970s - while his father, Fred, was in charge. Included in the 389 page file published online by the FBI on its Freedom of Information Act website on Wednesday are details on interviews carried out by investigators during the probe that ran from 1972 to 1974. The files show agents spoke to tenants, management and employees - as they were trying to determine whether it was made harder for minorities to rent from the Trump Management Company. One of the interviews, which was conducted with an employee of Fred Trump's, detailed how the president's father allegedly 'wanted to get rid of the blacks that were in the building'. Hundreds of FBI documents detailing the investigation into whether Donald Trump's real estate company racially discriminated against people in the 1970s while his father, Fred, was in charge. Donald and Fred Trump are pictured together in 1992 Fred and Donald Trump are seen at Trump Village in January 1973 - which was linked to the alleged discrimination 'I asked Fred Trump what his policy was regarding minorities and he said it was absolutely against the law to discriminate,' the interview stars, before taking a turn. 'At a later date during my two weeks at Tysens Park, Fred Trump told me not to rent to blacks. 'He also wanted me to get rid of the blacks that were in the building by telling them cheap housing was available for them at only $500 down payment, which Trump would offer to pay himself. 'Trump didn't tell me where this housing was located. He advised me not to rent to persons on welfare.' Included in the 389 page file published online by the FBI on its Freedom of Information Act website on Wednesday are details on interviews carried out by investigators during the probe that ran from 1972 to 1974 into Fred and Donald Trump's company Another interview was conducted with a former doorman at a Trump building in Brooklyn in 1974. The man said a supervisor: 'told me that if a black person came to 2650 Ocean Parkway and inquired about an apartment for rent, and he, that is [redacted] was not there at the time, that I should tell him that the rent was twice as much as it really was, in order that he could not afford the apartment.' The files also contained cease and desist orders that alleged discriminatory practices were taking place, and a ruling from the New York State Human Rights Commission. The HRC letter read: 'A preliminary study of the tenant selection pattern of Trump Village indicates a pursuit of tenant selection policies and practices which have directly or indirectly created a discriminatory restrictive pattern precluding Negroes and Puerto Ricans, because of their race, color or national origin, from obtaining apartments.' One of the interviews, which was conducted with an employee of Fred Trump's (pictured with Donald and Elizabeth Trump in 1985), detailed how the president's father allegedly 'wanted to get rid of the blacks that were in the building' Three of the pages included in the document that contained allegations of racial discrimination are seen above Another interview with a former tenant supported the Trumps against the allegations of discrimination. 'It was obvious that she had not been discriminated against since she, in fact, a Negro female, had been rented an apartment,' one tenant told investigators. Many of the pages are hard to read, and countless more have been heavily redacted. A discrimination lawsuit was filed against Trump Management Company, Donald Trump and Fred Trump in October 1973 that alleged African-Americans and Puerto Ricans were systematically excluded from apartments. Trump denied any race-based discrimination took place, however in his own book in 1987 he said certain types of tenants were avoided. The FBI Records Vault tweeted out the massive data dump on Wednesday morning after publishing the pages Trump Village in Brooklyn is seen in January 2016. Included in the document dump on Wednesday is a letter from the New York Human Rights Commission alleging racial discrimination at the property 'What we didnt do was rent to welfare cases, white or black,' he wrote, according to Politico. Trump Management Company, as well as Fred and Donald, entered into a consent decree settling the litigation in 1975. It did not include any admissions of wrongdoing in regards to the allegations. However it did state a series of safeguards to make sure apartments were rented without regard to race, religion, gender, color, religion, sex or nationality were not implemented in future. Police appealed for the publics help late on Wednesday to identify a man they were seeking in connection with the double homicide of two teenage girls in Indiana. The man, dressed in jeans, a dark blue jacket, and a hat, was seen in the same area of the Delphi Historic Trails on Monday around the time Abigail Williams, 13, and Liberty German, 14, were walking. Police shared images of the individual with his head lowered and hands in his pockets along a stretch of exposed wooden bridge. Police did not describe him as a suspect. German and Williams were dropped off around lunchtime at Monon Bridge by Germans sister to do some hiking on what was a public winter holiday from school. Interest: Police in Delphi, Indiana have indicated that they would like to speak to this man - who was pictured near to the Monon Bridge where Abigail Williams and Liberty German started their ill-fated walk Police released an update which read: We are asking help from the public to help identify him so he can be contacted regarding what he might have seen. The two friends were active on social media on their cell phones before they disappeared. German posted final Snapchat images of Williams at Monon High Bridge Trail close to where they started hiking around 2:07pm. The girls were reported missing by their families several hours later when they did not return. Police also asked that anyone parked at High Bridge Trail Head on February 13 between the hours of 1pm and 5pm contact authorities. If you can identify the subject or were parked in the lot, please contact the Carroll County Sheriffs Department or the Delphi Police Department at 765-564-2345 or the Indiana State Police at 765-567-2125. You can remain anonymous if you request, a police statement read.' They were last seen by German's older sister who had dropped them off around lunchtime near the Monon High Bridge on the Delphi Historic Trails on Monday. The two girls were reported missing later that afternoon. Police confirmed that a double homicide investigation was underway but would not comment on the cause of death of the two girls. Liberty German posted these Snapchats of Abigail at at Monon High Bridge Trail close to when they started hiking around 2.07pm yesterday. They are the last photos of Williams A search was conducted for Liberty German (right) and Abigail Williams (left) in the Deer Creek area after being missing for almost 24 hours Police operation: Access to Deer Creek, near where the girls were last seen, has bene blocked off by law enforcement while an FBI evidence team moves in Start of trail: Wilson Bridge runs over the Delphi Historic Trail. The two girls were dropped off to go for a hike on the trail Scenic setting: The trail runs close to Deer Creek in Carroll County, where a massive police operation is now under way When asked if there was a threat to anybody else in the community, Carroll County Sheriff Tobe Lazenby said: 'At this time we do not believe so.' Sgt. Kim Riley, of Indiana State Police, told DailyMail.com on Wednesday: 'At this point in time, we really have no real strong leads on anybody but we're getting hundreds of tips coming in all the time. We have nobody in suspicion yet.' Delphi Police Department, Carroll County Sheriff's Department, Indiana State Police and the FBI's Evidence Recovery Team were all coordinating on the investigation. The area where the bodies were recovered is still an active crime scene and evidence is being recovered. The bodies were found in the area of the Monon High Bridge on the Delphi Historic Trail. Sgt Riley said people live along the road close to the trail. 'The crime scene is on private property, it's not on the trail itself and it's owned by a subject who lives on that road.' Police have nobody in custody at this time and would not comment if there were any persons of interest. 'There is somebody out there who committed this crime and we are going to track them down,' Sgt Kim Riley said. Authorities have spoken with the victims' families but would not say 'one way or the other' if anything they learned could help with the investigation. Sgt Riley said the families had believed that the bodies belonged to their children when they were notified of the grim discovery on Tuesday. 'They were of the belief it was their children but when you hear from an official, it hits home twice,' Riley said. Due to the ongoing investigation, police would not say if this was a random act or whether they were looking for one or more suspects. Neither would they comment on whether the girls' cell phones had been recovered. Riley said that the bodies were found around 50 feet from Deer Creek and that he believed the area was only accessible on foot or by horse. Confirmation: Sgt Kim Riley of the Indiana State Police (right) and Sheriff Toby Leazenby Carroll County Sheriff's Department confirmed the bodies were those of the missing girls on Wednesday, 48 hours after they were last seen Police would not say whether the girls were killed in the spot where they were found or if their bodies had been moved. He added: 'I think people need to be cautious and careful. Parents should make sure they know where their children are and what their children are doing, and if nothing else, know what's going on in their lives. That's the most important thing I can say at this point in time.' When asked whether that person was being considered a suspect, Sgt Riley said: 'Right now, everybody is being considered. We are looking at every option, every angle that we have.' Riley said there had only been three murders in the county in his 30 years on the force. 'It's not something that occurs every day, especially involving 13-year-old girls. That is not something that happens all the time.' Abigail Williams (left) and Liberty German (right) were supposed to be picked up by family members after hiking at Monon High Bridge but never showed up Abigail Williams fishes in a photo on Facebook. Two bodies were found Tuesday He described the area as a close-knit community where generations of family know each other. 'People are born here, stay here a lot. There's a lot of relations in this area, people know each other. They go to church together, they have community events.' The bodies were discovered less than one mile away from the Monon High Bridge, where they were dropped off by family members at 1pm on Monday and were supposed to be collected later. Both of the girls' cellphones either died or were powered off. German's grandfather Mike Patty toldWLFI: 'The cellphone has been pinging around town and here there is a cellphone tower but the ping was last noted around five to six hours ago. And they say the phone is now dead.' The bridge is something of a local beauty spot and is where the final picture of Abigail Williams was taken by Liberty German, hours before they were reported missing at 5.30pm. The teens were last seen at 1pm on Monday. German's photo of Williams on Snapchat at 2.07pm is the last documentation of the girls. Williams and German were supposed to be picked up where they were dropped off a few hours later but never showed up. Police said that family members dropped them off but it is not clear if it was a parent of either girl, or a sibling or other relative. Initially, foul play was not suspected when Abigail Williams (left) and Liberty German (right) disappeared. German was last seen wearing a tie dyed t-shirt similar to the one pictured The initial view of police was that there was no foul play suspected, or that the girls were in danger, but as the night passed, their view changed. Carroll County Sheriff Tobe Leazenby had said in a release early Tuesday: 'Based on information learned from friends and family members, police do not suspect foul play and have no information to believe the girls are in any kind of danger, other than being exposed to outside elements' The Williams family appears to have an attachment to the bridge. Anna's cover photo is an artistic photo of the railroad. Police, firefighters and volunteers searched the area until around midnight Monday and restarted the search when it became light outside Tuesday morning. A K-9 unit and a dive team were deployed to search for the teens. Mother of six Terisha Lee Norviel, 34, was arrested last month with her boyfriend in Utah after the high-tech drone they allegedly used to spy on neighbors was found A Utah mother of six and her boyfriend have been charged for allegedly using a drone to peep into the bathrooms and bedrooms of neighbors. Terisha Lee Norviel, 34, and Aaron Dennis Foote, 39, were arrested last month and charged with voyeurism after the high-tech drone they allegedly used to spy on neighbors was found. Police in Orem, south of Salt Lake City, revealed in December that they had recovered the drone that contained videos looking into people's bathrooms and bedrooms. The $1200 drone was turned over to police by a man who spotted it flying outside his window. He followed it until it landed nearby in a church car park. Police were able to track the couple down after reviewing the videos and finding it contained images of Foote flying the drone and also footage of his truck, which they traced the license plates on. Footage captured people in their homes in the early morning after they had just woken up. Police said it appeared the pilot hovered the drone near windows waiting for lights to turn on so it could film inside. Some videos were shot from outside high rise apartment buildings, the Desert News reports. Norviel (right) and Aaron Dennis Foote, 39, (left) were arrested last month and charged with voyeurism after police uncovered the drone videos Police in Orem, south of Salt Lake City, revealed in December that they had recovered the drone that contained videos looking into people's bathrooms and bedrooms At the time, police revealed on Facebook that they knew who the owner was and encouraged him to hand himself in. 'Would you like to turn yourself in before we have to come knocking at your door, maybe on Christmas morning, with a warrant?' police wrote. 'We know who you are but let's make this easier on everyone!' Norviel and Foote were both charged on January 19 with voyeurism by electronic equipment. They are scheduled to attend preliminary court hearings on March 3. Norviel, who is a mother of six children and a real estate agent, was in the process of divorcing her husband at the time. Foote has been charged previously with burglary and theft. The 39-year-old was arrested in August for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend. He was charged with voyeurism in 2007 over an alleged incident at a tanning salon. right to left said: So, that's a grave violation, but the US/Turk/Saudi triumvirate's backfired plan of sending Islamic Jihad groups in to force out Assad, and replace it (after ethnic cleansing of 30% non-Sunni pop.) with another Sunni theocracy that allows gas pipelines connecting the Gulf to European markets..apparently that's not a grave violation! Click to expand... In fact, the bloody and blasphemous assad regime committed genocide and war crimes against the Syrian people, murdering in cold blood tens of thousands of Syrian women and children.The unchangeable principle of international law commands to provide personal weapons to the people against which genocide is committed if such a people desires to take up personal weapons to defend life, freedom from enslavement, dignity from rape and physical assault, movable property, land up to 100 hectares per citizen of the state/family and kin of the citizens of the state and real estate situated upon such land: there are no exceptions whatsoever from this unchangeable principle of international law, confirmed inter alias in the laws of the Persians and the Iranians and Persian and Iranian kings, that are unchangeable and in force as long as the Persian and Iranian peoples and the earth exists, and all nations of the world, great and small, including superpowers, and all international organizations, including the UN, must comply with this unchangeable principle of international law.The selfsame unchangeable principle of international law compels any state, neighboring a state that committed genocide, that is, within last seven years murdered more than 10,000 (wo)men who did not commit the abominable deeds of sexual perversions (homosexuality, lesbianism, bestiality, incest, ********** (sexual relations with girls below 12 years of age)), abominations (child murders (abortions), change of gender, cannibalism, human cloning), intentional murder, enslavement of men/women or selling of men/women to slavery, is forcefully abolished, and a new state established, respectful of the commandments of God and Lord Jesus Christ, customs and traditions of the state-forming people, and natural rights, derivative-natural rights, civil rights, traditional rights of the citizens and residents of the state (Exodus 17:14,16, I Samuel 15:3), to let pass through its territory volunteers, armed with personal weapons: military knives, handguns, semi-automatic and automatic rifles, machine guns, grenades, portable grenade launchers, portable missile launchers, portable anti-aircraft missiles, portable anti-tank missiles, portable naval missiles and appropriate munitions, or unarmed, joining the lawful holy war on behalf of the people against which genocide or aggressive war is committed. The state that refuses under any pretext whatsoever, including concerns of national sovereignty or national security, any international law and any law of mankind, to let pass through its territory volunteers, armed with personal weapons: military knives, handguns, semi-automatic and automatic rifles, machine guns, grenades, portable grenade launchers, portable missile launchers, portable anti-aircraft missiles, portable anti-tank missiles, portable naval missiles and appropriate munitions, or unarmed, joining the lawful holy war on behalf of the people against which genocide or aggressive war is committed, becomes co-responsible for genocide and aggressive war committed against another people, thereby bringing destruction and desolation upon the state and the state-forming people, that refuses under any pretext whatsoever, including concerns of national sovereignty or national security, to let pass through its territory volunteers, armed with personal weapons: military knives, handguns, semi-automatic and automatic rifles, machine guns, grenades, portable grenade launchers, portable missile launchers, portable anti-aircraft missiles, portable anti-tank missiles, portable naval missiles and appropriate munitions, or unarmed, joining the lawful holy war on behalf of the people against which genocide or aggressive war is committed.The Bible illustrates this principle multiple times, and there are no exceptions whatsoever for any people, including a jewish people, a Christian people, including an American people, except for a small remnant, or any state, including a jewish or a Christian state, or a state of Israel.Two common examples are:- when the Hebrews were engaging in lawful holy war against canaanites who committed the abominable deeds of sexual perversions (homosexuality, lesbianism, bestiality, incest, ********** (sexual relations with girls below 12 years of age)), abominations (child murders (abortions), change of gender, cannibalism, human cloning), intentional murder, enslavement of men/women or selling of men/women to slavery, the wicked king of the Amorites, Sihon, refused to let the Hebrews pass, God held Sihon, king of the Amorites, co-responsible for the abominable deeds of sexual perversions (homosexuality, lesbianism, bestiality, incest, ********** (sexual relations with girls below 12 years of age)), abominations (child murders (abortions), change of gender, cannibalism, human cloning), intentional murder, enslavement of men/women or selling of men/women to slavery, committed by canaanites, and the Hebrews killed all the people of Sihon, king of the Amorites, subject to the command of God (Numbers 21);- when the righteous Israeli king, Josiah, interfered with the lawful holy war waged by the pharaoh Necho, king of Egypt, refusing to let pass the army of Egyptian volunteers who came to fight for the Assyrians against the Babylonians initiating an aggressive war against the Assyrian empire, the pharaoh Necho, king of Egypt, killed the righteous Israeli king, Josiah, and God subsequently destroyed the Hebrew people, except for a small remnant, and the state of Israel, holding the state of Israel and the Hebrew people co-responsible for an aggressive war against the Assyrian empire.This signifies that until the bloody and blasphemous assad regime is overthrown, all states are required by international law:- not to interfere with travel through their territory within first ten days of presence in their territory of any and all islamic volunteers who come to join any brigade of Syrian freedom fighters, including the islamic state of Iraq and Syria and Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, let such islamic volunteers, who come to join any brigade of Syrian freedom fighters, including the islamic state of Iraq and Syria and Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, to leave their territory into Syrian territory or into the territory of the third state willing to accept such islamic volunteers, who come to join any brigade of Syrian freedom fighters, including the islamic state of Iraq and Syria and Jabhat Fateh al-Sham;- not to interfere with supply of personal weapons: military knives, handguns, semi-automatic and automatic rifles, machine guns, grenades, portable grenade launchers, portable missile launchers, portable anti-aircraft missiles, portable anti-tank missiles, portable naval missiles and appropriate munitions to any and all brigades of Syrian freedom fighters, including the islamic state of Iraq and Syria and Jabhat Fateh al-Sham;- not to interfere with financial assistance, supplies of food, clothing and medicine for any and all brigades of Syrian freedom fighters, including the islamic state of Iraq and Syria and Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, or Syrian refugees.God said:Book of Enoch, Section 17, Chapter 90And I saw till great swords were given to the sheepLord Jesus Christ said:St. Luke 22:36But now he that hath a purse let him take it and likewise his scrip and he that hath no sword let him sell his garment and buy oneAdditionally, glorious and mighty Assyrian king Tiglath Pileser III, who defeated Israeli zionism, issued a decree, allowing resident from neighboring nations to serve in the Syrian army and the self-defense militias of the Syrian people, to defend the Syrian people from foreign and domestic enemies: the decrees of the Syrian and Assyrian kings are unchangeable and in force as long as the Syrian people and the Assyrian people exist.Furthermore, at the beginning of the Syrian civil war, when it was possible to negotiate reasonable peace settlement in Syria, the bloody and blasphemous assad regime for more than a year rejected all proposals of Syrian freedom fighters and Syrian opposition for ceasefire negotiations and peace negotiations, more than a dozen in total, murdering tens of thousands of Syrian women and children instead and thereby committing genocide of the Syrian people.Almighty God, Lord Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit burning fire - clearly said: there is no peace to the bloody and blasphemous assad regime that committed genocide of the Syrian people and the abominable deeds of intentional murder and enslavement of Syrian men and women, as there was no, there is no and there will be no peace to the wicked, to those who committed aggressive war (Exodus 17:14,16, I Samuel 15:3), genocide (Exodus 17:14,16, I Samuel 15:3), abominable deeds of the abominable deeds of sexual perversions (homosexuality (Leviticus 20:13), lesbianism (Leviticus 20:13), bestiality (Leviticus 20:15), incest (Leviticus 20:11-17), ********** (sexual relations with girls below 12 years of age) (Leviticus 20:2-3, Matthew 18:6)), abominations (child murders (abortions) (Leviticus 20:2-3, Exodus 21:22-25), change of gender (Book of Enoch, section XVII, chapter 86; section II, chapter 10), cannibalism (Book of Enoch, section II, chapter 7,10), human cloning (Book of Enoch, section XVII, chapter 86; section II, chapter 10)), intentional murder (Exodus 21:14), enslavement of men/women (Exodus 21:16) and selling men/women to slavery (Exodus 21:16) (Isaiah 48:22). And despite any statements of any and all states, nations and peoples, including all member states of the UN Security Council, the whole humanity, Almighty God, Lord Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit will never change, as it is written:Numbers 23:19God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? Or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?Daniel 4:35And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and God doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?Thus, no peace and no ceasefire with the bloody and blasphemous assad regime is possible, and all peace negotiations and all ceasefire negotiations with assad regime will fall: member-states of UN Security Council can only create illusion of ceasefire negotiations and peace negotiations that cannot and will not achieve either lasting ceasefire or lasting peace in Syria.Thus, all messengers of false peace, as you are, are false prophets, peddling peace, when there is no peace, as false prophets always do. Authorities checking abandoned properties near the Oroville Dam crisis in North Sacramento made a surprising discovery of a home where several exotic animals, including an albino kangaroo, a mini deer, and zebras were left behind. 'We never know what we'll discover out here. We hope life gets back to normal here real soon and that the owners are able to return to their properties,' the California Highway Patrol wrote on Facebook after posting several photos and video of the abandoned critters. The animals are now all with a veteran rescuer who has a large piece of property and is willing to keep them until their owners can return or make arrangements for them. Scroll down for video A smiling California Highway Patrol officer buddies up to his new pal, Kenzie, an albino kangaroo who was rescued when her owners fled the area, leaving her behind with several other exotic pets Officer Crandall makes a new friend - Mary, who is about seven years old and was rescued by the California Highway Patrol Tamara Archer Houston, who agreed to keep the animals on her ranch in Sutter, was filmed petting Kenzie, the albino kangaroo, who she said was not quite a year old. 'Kenzie actually sleeps in bed with her owner every night with her diaper, so this has to be a new deal for her,' Houston said, caressing Kenzie, who appeared to be in a barn. Kenzie's friend, Dottie, is a red kangaroo that Houston said 'has to be at least eight.' A seven year old Muntjac deer named Mary is now chilling at a rescue ranch after being saved from the Oroville Dam crisis in northern California One of the rescuing officers, Officer Crandall, posted video of herself with Kenzie, and also with a multi-colored bird, which one poster identified as a Galah bird. The mini deer is identified as a seven year old Muntjac deer named Mary. Posters were irate that the owners would have left so many animals behind, but officers said on Facebook that residents had less than an hour to evacuate, so taking so many large and unusual animals with them on such short notice might have been impossible. A police officer cuddles up to rescue roos Kenzie and Mary who were rescued when their family had to flee in the Oroville Dam crisis The owners were apparently permitted to have the wild animals through the Fish and Game agency. CPH said all the animals are safe and being well cared for until they can be reunited to their owners. 'They actually seem as though they are enjoying their mini vacation,' Houston wrote on Facebook. Nearly 200,000 people were told they could return to their homes Tuesday night but may have to evacuate again at a moment's notice. Hundreds of thousands of people downstream of the state's largest dam had to suddenly leave their homes Sunday when the emergency spillway at Oroville Dam was about to give way to the full lake and send a 30ft wall of water cascading down into the nearby towns. The crumbling dam has since been shored up but authorities are still unsure if the fixes will hold. Tamara Archer Houston (pictured) volunteered to keep the animals on her large property (right) - she and her family have rescued animals for years The Trump administration has approved federal disaster funding for the area. 'We are thankful for the random acts of kindness we find out in the community. Everyone seems to be coming together to take care of each other. This is what makes California so special,' wrote the CHP on Facebook. An animal evacuation center in Chico set up for the emergency included lots of dogs and cats but also roosters, guinea pigs, cows, horses, turtles, a mini horse and other 'exotics,' reported SFGate. The young woman at the centre of the Lin family murders has spoken out for the first time since her parents, brothers, and aunt were slain, revealing the 'sexual motive' for her uncle's horrific crime. Brenda Lin is the niece of Robert Xie, 53, who was last week sentenced to life in prison over the murder of his newsagent brother-in-law Min Lin, 45 his wife Lily, 43, the couple's sons Henry, 12, and Terry, 9, and Lilys 39-year-old sister Irene. The family were found bludgeoned to death in the bedrooms of their home in the Sydney suburb of North Epping early on July 18, 2009. This weekend, Ms Lin will break her silence and reveal the 'sexual motive' behind her uncle's horrific crimes. The only surviving member of her family, she will detail in an interview with Channel Seven's Sunday Night how Xie touched her inappropriately before her family was killed and how the assaults escalated after they were murdered, Fairfax reported. Scroll down for video Brenda Lin has broken her silence on the horrific murder of her entire family in 2009 Robert Xie, 53, was last week sentenced to life in prison over the murders Ms Lin (centre) has revealed how Xie sexually assaulted her before and after the murders Ms Lin, who is now in her 20s, spoke of her torment and suffering in a victim impact statement read out at court during Xie's sentencing hearing last week. Throughout the lengthy murder trial her identity was suppressed, but in agreeing to speak to Channel Seven her full story can now be revealed. 'I do not even know how to begin to express how the murder of my immediate family have impacted my life there are not enough words to describe the pain and suffering caused me and those around me,' Ms Lin said in her statement to court. 'It has been seven-and-a-half years since I have lost my family. That's seven-and-a-half years without a loving mother, seven-and-a-half years without a loving father. 'Seven-and-a-half years without two exuberant brothers who were my best and closest friends and seven-and-a-half years without an extremely kind aunt. 'In this time I have finished my HSC, was accepted into uni, got my first part-time job and learnt to drive. But I have achieved all these things without my family beside me. 'These inherently happy moments are now at most bittersweet, they have now become a painful reminder of the family I have lost and I will never see again.' Brenda Lin, who is now in her 20s, has spoken of her heartache after her uncle ruthlessly murdered her entire family while she was on an overseas school trip During the trial prosecutors made the argument that one Xie's (pictured) motives was having full access to the young woman once her family was out of the way The court heard that Xie touched Ms Lin (pictured) inappropriately and the assaults became more frequent after she had to move into his home after the killings During the trial prosecutors made the argument that one Xie's motives was having full access to the young woman once her family was out of the way. Police revealed that the killer appeared to be familiar with the layout of the home and chose to enter Ms Lin's room, pointing them towards Xie as a suspect. The court also heard that Xie touched Ms Lin inappropriately and the assaults became more frequent after she had to move into his home after the killings. Xie offered to adopt Ms Lin immediately after the murders, and assaulted Ms Lin up until he was charged with her family's murders in 2011, the court heard. He has not been charged over any of the sexual assault allegations. Ms Lin also revealed that she neglected to hug her father goodbye before leaving for an overseas school trip to New Caledonia in 2009. She had no idea it would be the last time she would ever see him. 'Being a prideful teenager I did not say anything to my father, I just stood there awkwardly and thought to myself 'It is just going to be a week, I am going to see them again really soon,' she told the court during sentencing last week. 'To this day, my biggest regret was not hugging [my father] and telling him I loved him, to say thank you for being an amazingly loving and caring parent.' Brenda Lin's parents Min, 45, and Lily, 43 were killed after being bludgeoned with a 'hammer-like object' by Robert Xie A furious struggle took place in the bedroom of her two young brothers Henry (left) , 12, and Terry (right), 9 - but both were killed by their sinister uncle Irene - Brenda Lin's auntie - was the fifth member of the family to suffer a horrendous fate at Xie's hands Justice Fullerton said during Xie's trial the 'brutal and calculated, murderous violence is a course of offending that can only be described as heinous in the extreme'. Ms Lin was overseas on a school trip to New Caledonia when her family was murdered, and evidence that suggested the killer knew the family's movements and the layout of the home was presented in court. She lived with Xie and his wife Kathy Lin after the murders. Kathy Lin maintained her husband's innocence throughout the trial and in turn grew distant from her parents, Ms Lin's grandparents. On Sunday the young woman will tell of her trauma after her family was killed, and the abuse she suffered at the hands of her uncle. 'He was someone I trusted, as a person who isn't a murderer', she tells Sunday Night. 'I'd give anything to have my family back.' Xie maintained his innocence throughout four murder trials, but will die in jail after being found guilty of killing the five Lin family members Bloodied mobile phone charger: Grisly crime scene photos taken inside the Lin family home were released after Xie was found guilty Blood was smeared on the bedroom door handles of the home in Epping, north of Sydney TIMELINE OF MURDERS July 18, 2009: Five members of the Lin family are found dead in their North Epping home May 5, 2011: Robert Xie is arrested and charged with five counts of murder December 19, 2012: Xie is committed to stand trial July 22, 2013: Trial delayed to March August, 2014: Second trial begins, but is aborted due to judge's health issues February, 2015: Third trial begins, but jury is unable to reach a verdict after ten months December 8, 2015: Xie is granted bail June, 2016: Retrial is commenced in Sydney January 12, 2017: Xie is found guilty of five murders Advertisement Xie was found to have left his own home in the early hours of July 18, 2009, hours after attending a 'normal' Friday night dinner with his extended family. His wife confirmed his alibi, that he didn't leave their bed that night, but the Crown suggested Xie sedated her before creeping into the Lin residence around the corner. Ms Lin lied at times to 'assist' her husband, not because she knew he was guilty but because she was convinced he was framed by police, prosecutor Tanya Smith said. At the Lin house, Xie disconnected the electricity before making his way upstairs in the dark. He then used a hammer-like object to inflict horrific head injuries on his newsagent brother-in-law, Min Lin, 45, and his wife, Lily, 43, as they lay in their bed. He did the same to Lily's sister, Irene, 39, in the next room. Blood splatters revealed a furious struggle took place in the third bedroom occupied by Xie's nephews. But Henry, 12, and Terry, 9, still suffered the same shocking fate in the North Epping home. Xie has maintained his innocence throughout four trials - two aborted and one with a hung jury - as has his wife Kathy, who has supported him since his arrest in 2011. Sunday Night airs on Sunday evening at 8.30pm on Channel Seven. Little Caesars founder and Detroit Tigers owner Mike Ilitch was well-known for his philanthropic efforts with veterans and the poor, which garnered him the praise of a succession of presidents. But billionaire Illitch - who died aged 87 on Friday - didn't stop sharing when he was out of the spotlight. And one of his friends wants the world to know that the businessman spent 11 years secretly helping a civil rights icon after she needed a new home. 'They dont go around saying it, but I want to, at this point, let them know how much the Ilitches not only meant to the city, but they meant so much for Rosa Parks, who was the mother of the civil rights movement,' Detroit judge Damon Keith told WXYZ. Scroll down for video Helping hand: Little Caesars owner Mike Illitch (left) was a well-known philanthropist but he kept one of his kindnesses secret. From 1994 onwards he paid for the rent of Rosa Parks (right) Hero: Parks became a civil rights icon when she refused to give up her bus seat for a white passenger. She is seen here being fingerprinted in 1956 after being arrested for that 'crime' Shortly after she was arrested for refusing to give up her bus seat to a white person on December 1, 1956, Parks and her husband lost their jobs and had to leave their Montgomery, Alabama, home. They joined her sister and brother-in-law in Detroit, where Parks continued her social activism as a key member of the civil rights movement. But by 1994, the 81-year-old Parks was widowed and living alone in a poor and tough city. It couldn't last. Icon: Parks (seen in booking photo) was mugged in her Detroit home in 1994, aged 81. Illitch paid for her to move to more expensive, but secure accommodation On August 30 of that year, Joseph Skipper, a 28-year-old African-American drug addict, entered her home. 'Hey, aren't you Rosa Parks?' he asked, and when she confirmed that she was, he asked for for money, saying he'd just chased off an intruder. She gave him $3. He asked for more. She gave him $50. Blatant robbery wasn't enough for Skipper, who punched Parks in the face before fleeing. He was caught and convicted, but Parks was scared to return home. Keith, another prominent member of the city's black community, had worked to find Parks a home in the secure Riverfront Apartments. But rent wasn't cheap. That's when Illitch, a Detroit-born son of Macedonean immigrants who started his pizza business in 1959, stepped in. After reading the story in a local paper, the pizza tycoon offered to pay Parks's rent at Riverfront Towers for the rest of her life. Parks died in 2005. Illitch's better-known philanthropic efforts included helping veterans and the homeless. Safe: Parks moved to the Riverfront Towers, where she lived until her death in 2005. Illitch paid for her rent there after reading of her plight in a newspaper In 1985, he opened Little Caesars Love Kitchen, a traveling restaurant that feeds the hungry and hands out food during disasters, earning the acclaim of presidents Bill Clinton, George HW Bush and Ronald Reagan. And in 2006 he started the Little Caesars Veterans Program, which helps honorably discharged soldiers find civilian work in his restaurants. For this, Illitch received the the Secretary's Award - the highest award available to a civilian from the US Department of Veterans Affairs. Now, Little Caesars charities tackle issues such as homelessness, poverty and unemployment. And Illitch and his wife, Marian, have contributed strongly to Detroit's stability and return from bankruptcy last year, Keith said. 'You'll never discover new oceans unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore,' Keith said. 'Mike and Marian had the courage to lose sight of the shore and discover new oceans. 'They kept pushing Detroit, and had it not been for them, I am saying, Detroit would not be in the renaissance that theyre in now.' Keith first revealed the story of Illitch and Parks in an interview with Sports Business Daily in 2014. Norma Cook, the 89-year-old woman whose friendship with her neighbor, 31, melted hearts across the nation, died in Los Angeles on Wednesday morning. The feisty retired interior designer, who loved champagne and her cat Hermes, was diagnosed with leukemia 10 years ago, and decided to stop treatment last fall. After doctors said she could no longer live on her own without a caregiver, she moved in with her neighbor and best friend, Chris Salvatore. 'Norma is now resting peacefully in the eternal and while she may no longer physically be with us, her spirit will continue to fill the hearts of so many people,' Salvatore wrote on Facebook. 'This year Norma has helped the world see the true meaning of Valentine's Day. To love another is not about living struggle free or never experiencing hurt or loss, but to fully and deeply open our hearts to one another without fear,' Salvatore continued. Chris Salvatore, 31 (right), has become the primary caretaker of his 89-year-old neighbor Norma Cook (left) Norma Cook, who loved champagne and her cat Hermes, is dead at 89. Her friendship with her 31-year-old roommate melted hearts across the country. Chris posted this tribute to Cook after she passed on Wednesday. Salvatore first met Cook when he moved across the hall from her apartment four years ago, and the two bonded immediately. Salvatore says his neighbor would often wave to him from her kitchen window, and eventually he decided to walk over to introduce himself by knocking on her door. 'She offered me a glass of Champagne - it's her favorite drink - and we just sat down and talked. We connected right away,' Salvatore told the Today show. 'Back when she was a young adult, she had a lot of friends who were gay, and I'm also gay, so I think it made her feel safe at home and at peace to sort of have that bond again.' The two became best friends immediately, and Cook called Salvatore 'the grandson I never had'. The Hollywood actor met the former interior designer when he moved into her building four years ago. The two quickly bonded and he has become like family in the past year, caring for her as her health has deteriorated The two recently realized they could save more money if Cook moved in to Salvatore's apartment. The two pictured above at their joint New Year's Eve bash 'The day I entered her apartment and spoke with her face to face was the day my life was changed forever,' Salvatore said. Salvatore says he was going through a rough break-up at the time, and it helped to be able to talk to Cook. During their talks, Salvatore also learned that Cook had been diagnosed with leukemia 10 years ago and recently had to give up her car. She was also struggling to make ends meet, with no money saved up and most of her Social Security check going towards rent each month. Cook divorced at the age of 43 and never had any children, so she also didn't have any family in the state to look after her. Over the next four years, the two grew close through their many champagne happy hours and dinner parties. Salvatore also helped Cook out whenever he could by driving her to the doctors, the bank, the pharmacy and even going with her to vote this past November (Cook wore a Nasty Woman shirt to the polls, leaving no ambiguity over who she cast her ballot for.) 'Im giving her a gift of passing on and being at peace and having a good time in her last few months,' Salvatore told People of Cook. Salvatore pictured above taking Cook to vote back in November. Salvatore calls Cook his 'bestie'. He says knocking on her door four years ago changed his life Salvatore and Cook are pictured above recently watching one of Norma's favorite movies - Harold and Maude Salvatore would regularly post pictures with Norma, under the hashtag #MyNeighborNorma, and the two created somewhat of a following online. As Cook's health deteriorated, doctors said she would not longer be able to live alone unless she had 24-hour care, something she did not have the funds for. Salvatore helped raise over $30,000 for her medical expenses, and then went a step further, inviting Cook to move in with him. The two spent their time cooking, watching the news and enjoying, as always, a little champagne. 'Norma reminded me that we all are created to love and all desire to be loved,' Salvatore said following her death on Wednesday. 'Each of us is lovable even with all of our differences. Love has no boundaries.' 'Perhaps Norma's lasting legacy is that her story helped the world to see the true meaning of love.' The woman accused of killing Kim Jong-un's brother was pictured in handcuffs as she was arrested by Malaysian Police today. The 'LOL assassin' who has been named as Doan Thi Huong, 28, from Vietnam, was led out of a building and into a police car by officers in Kuala Lumpur on suspicion of murdering North Korean Kim Jong-nam. Today it emerged that the suspect may have been tricked into the murder of Kim Jong-un's brother by 'friends' who told her to 'wipe poison on him as a prank'. It has also been claimed that a man dressed as a woman helped assist the killing by holding Kim from behind. Doan is believed to have told police she was 'abandoned' by a group she was on 'holiday' in Kuala Lumpur with after allegedly applying a toxin to his face. She was named as the woman captured on CCTV at Kuala Lumpur Airport wearing a white t-shirt branded with LOL and a blue skirt. Police sources said Doan - which may be a false name - had told officers that she had been convinced by another woman and four men to play a prank on Kim and it was never her intention to kill or even hurt him and she thought it was 'a harmless joke'. It comes as a second woman named as Siti Aishah, 25, from Indonesia and her Malaysian boyfriend Muhammad Farid Bin Jalaluddin, 26, were arrested over the death. Scroll down for video A photo has emerged showing the first arrested suspect (pictured wearing a yellow top) being led into a police car It comes as a second woman named as Siti Aishah (pictured in the passport profile image), 25, from Indonesia and her Malaysian boyfriend were arrested over the death The 'LOL assasin' (left) who allegedly murdered Kim Jong-nan, right, by wiping poison on his face may have been 'duped into killing him' by 'friends who told her it was a harmless prank' How the chillingly audacious murder of North Korean tyrant's brother in a major airport may have involved a poisonous handkerchief and fountain pen Indonesia's foreign ministry said the second woman is an Indonesian citizen and has requested consular access to her. Officers were expected to release more details of Aishah's detention later. The New Straits Times said today that the attack on Kim Jong-nam had been captured on one of a number of CCTV cameras and the vision had revealed the movements of the two women said to be involved. The paper said that the assailants had moved separately as Kim was preparing to check in for his flight to Macau at the self-service check in booths. 'It is understood that one of the suspects, who was picked up from the same airport yesterday, was the one who had apparently finished the job,' said the paper, referring to the woman seen wearing a top with LOL emblazoned on the front. Security camera footage reportedly shows the same woman wearing a dark-coloured glove on her left hand as she walked towards the taxi stand. By the time she reached the taxi area, she was no longer wearing the glove. There are suggestions that the glove might have been laced with poison when it was wiped across Kim's face. He had headed to the washroom immediately after the attack, but had then turned back to the information counter to seek help complaining of pain in his eyes. DID 'CARELESS' FACEBOOK USE LEAD TO KIM JONG-NAM'S DEATH? Kim Jong-Nam's 'careless' use of Facebook and emails may have led to his assassination, it has been reported. The 46-year-old half-brother of Kim Jong-un, poisoned to death by two female operatives in Kuala Lumpur, posted numerous pictures of himself online along with comments. His Facebook page was under the name 'Kim Chol', the same name used on the passport he had in his possession when he died on Monday. Kim Jong-Nam's 'careless' use of Facebook and emails may have led to his assassination, it has been reported. He is shown in one of his Facebook photos The 46-year-old half-brother of Kim Jong-un, poisoned to death by two female operatives in Kuala Lumpur, posted numerous pictures of himself online along with comments Jong-nam's Facebook profile shows a squirrel along with a French flag filter - possibly added in solidarity with Paris in the wake of the November 13 ISIS terror attacks South Korean intelligence chiefs say he was poisoned by agents from the North as he walked through Kuala Lumpur International Airport on his way to board a flight. Asian news websites are now reporting that the Facebook profile is that of the estranged relative of North Korea's dictator who had been living in exile in Macau. But a former intelligence secretary to South Korean President Lee Myung-bak claims that his 'careless' use of emails and social media may have prompted his assassination. Cha Du-hyeogn told NK News Jong-nam was known to have used commercial e-mail addresses to communicate. He said: 'Open activities like these do not look like they are coming from a person who is constantly under the death threats. A former intelligence secretary to South Korean President Lee Myung-bak claims that his 'careless' use of emails and social media may have prompted his assassination In 2010, he added another photo where he was posing in front of the five-star hotel Wynn Macau. He said of the image: 'Nice place!' His profile suggests he studied at the International School of Geneva and at the Lycee francais de Moscou 'I think it is possible that Kim (Jong-nam) was careless, leading to his unsuspecting death.' Jong-nam's Facebook profile shows a squirrel along with a French flag filter - possibly added in solidarity with Paris in the wake of the November 13 ISIS terror attacks. One of his photos posted in October 2008, shows him standing on a yacht with an unknown man. Five years later he commented on the photo, saying: 'I miss Europe!' In 2010, he added another photo where he was posing in front of the five-star hotel Wynn Macau. He said of the image: 'Nice place!' His profile suggests he studied at the International School of Geneva and at the Lycee francais de Moscou. A number of his Facebook friends use French language to comment on his photos. Advertisement The paper said it had seen footage of Kim, who was wearing a dark blue polo T-shirt, light blue jeans and brown shoes, slumped in an armchair. 'His eyes were shut and he appeared to be grimacing in pain.' And in a startling claim the New Straits Times said it had been told there was a likelihood that one of the assailants who approached Kim - one from the front to distract him, the other to grab him around the throat from behind - was a man disguised as a woman. The paper said the man police might be looking for could be a 40-year-old agent from the North Korean intelligence agency known as the Reconnaissance General Bureau. It was reported that Kim had high blood pressure when he died. Following an autopsy, his tissue, urine and blood samples have been sent to a laboratory for analysis, which might take a week. Malaysia will return the body, which has been held at Kuala Lumpur Hospital following an autopsy, the results of which have not yet been released. Kim, 46, died on the way to hospital after telling staff at Kuala Lumpur International Airport that a woman had sprayed, or wiped, a liquid on his face. The woman, pictured on CCTV, has been arrested the suspect, has been named as 28-year-old Doan Thi Huong, of Vietnam, although Malaysian authorities believe it may be a false identity Kim Jong-nan, pictured, was half brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and was open critical of his siblings regime He had collapsed shortly after revealing the incident. Other new reports in Malaysia suggested today that the woman might have been duped by the four men and the other woman into playing the 'joke' on Kim, after which they had abandoned her. This might explain why, dressed in a white top bearing the letters LOL, she had turned up at the airport again a day later to catch a flight back to Vietnam, perhaps unaware that her 'prank' had proved to be an assassination. The Star newspaper said today that all six people had been staying at a hotel not far from the airport, but after the attack on Kim then others had abandoned her. It was then that she had decided to take a flight home. 'Her story opens up the possibility that the other five had been the real killers who had planned the execution while the arrested woman was the pawn in their plot,' said The Star. THE ASSASSINATION: WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR The mystery of just what happened to the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as he waited for a flight in a Malaysian airport has only deepened since news of his death emerged. Was Kim Jong Nam poisoned? Are the two female suspects trained killers or dupes? How can we be sure that North Korea, which seems the obvious culprit, was even involved? South Korea's National Intelligence Service - no friend to Pyongyang - and eager reporters across Asia have assembled a dramatic profile of the last hour of Kim's life. But unanswered questions remain. Here are a few: WAS HE POISONED? This one could be answered fairly soon. Kim complained of being sprayed in the face with some sort of chemical before he died. Presumably Malaysian authorities' autopsy, which has been completed, will determine whether poison killed Kim, and, if so, what kind. South Korean security experts believe North Korea, under dictator Kim Jong-Un (pictured), may have ordered the assassination A big question is how possible killers would have managed to quickly inflict a fatal chemical dose on someone in the middle of a busy airport. South Korea's intelligence service says Kim almost certainly was poisoned, but it's unclear whether a needle or spray was used, and the spy agency didn't elaborate. One possibility for the poison is neostigmine bromide, which South Korean officials said was contained in a pen-like weapon used in a failed North Korean attempt to kill an anti-Pyongyang activist in 2011. Or it could have been cyanide or sarin gas, according to a Seoul university professor who didn't want to be identified because Kim's autopsy results weren't out yet. Sarin gas was used in a deadly attack on Tokyo's subways in 1995. And if it turns out that Kim wasn't poisoned? Expect furious media backtracking, and flustered explanations in South Korea from the spy agency. WAS IT REALLY NORTH KOREA? North Korea, of course, is the easy answer. South Korea's spy service considers the North the bogeyman and almost immediately, in a private briefing to lawmakers in Seoul, pointed the finger at North Korean agents for the death, saying that Kim Jong Nam had been targeted for five years because of Kim Jong Un's 'paranoia.' Kim Jong-nam was poisoned close to an information desk at Kuala Lumpur International Airport Most news media have run with this, but, so far, Malaysian officials have provided no solid links to North Korea. When asked Thursday if North Korea was behind the murder, Malaysian Deputy Home Minister Zahid Hamidi said, 'That is speculation.' This doesn't mean that North Korea couldn't have orchestrated such an attack. It does fit a certain profile: North Korean agents have, at times, run wild in South Korea, killing defectors, sometimes with poison, and critics. WHO ARE THE ARRESTED WOMEN? The two women arrested in connection with Kim's death were spotted on surveillance video at the airport where Kim fell ill. Both are reportedly in their 20s. One held an Indonesian passport. The other had Vietnamese travel documents and was seen in grainy photos waiting for a cab while wearing a white jumper emblazoned with 'LOL' - internet-speak for Laugh Out Loud. But their possible involvement in Kim's death is still unclear. Were they simply in the wrong place at the wrong time? Were they North Korean agents, maybe even North Korean nationals using false passports? Kim Jong Nam, in one of his lowest moments, was humiliated while trying to sneak into Japan to visit Disneyland - with a Dominican passport. Police are trying to verify if the women's travel documents are genuine, according to the Malaysian minister. Police said they have also arrested a third suspect, a Malaysian man thought to be the boyfriend of the suspect with an Indonesian passport. A diplomatic vehicle leaves the North Korean Embassy as members of the media crowd near the building's main entrance, in Kuala Lumpur If this was a carefully planned assassination - years in the making, as South Korean intelligence claims - it begs more questions: Would North Korean agents be so easily arrested - one of the women was picked up back at the airport, two days after Kim's death? Would they really take taxis from the scene of the crime? ARE OTHER EXILED NORTH KOREANS IN DANGER? South Korea's government said it was boosting security for high-profile defectors in the South, many of whom already have police protection. Kim Jong Nam was long protected in his Macau base by China, according to Seoul's spy service. South Korean officials say he leaves behind two sons and a daughter between two different women living in Beijing and Macau. Ha Taekeung, a South Korean lawmaker and North Korea human rights activist, said in a radio interview Thursday that Kim Jong Nam's son, Kim Han Sol, could be in danger because he knows sensitive secrets about Kim Jong Un's personal life. Kim Han Sol, who lived with his father in Macao, referred to Kim Jong Un as a 'dictator' in a 2012 interview. WHAT WILL CHINA DO? China, North Korea's most important ally, has said little officially about the death. Beijing reportedly saw Kim as a potential leader should North Korea's government ever collapse. An editorial in Global Times, the ruling Communist Party's English-language newspaper, said Thursday that China would offer condemnation if Kim was found to have been assassinated. 'Regardless of how intense a country's political struggle might be, there is no doubt that it should never rely on assassination methods as means for its advancement,' said the editorial. 'Although a final conclusion has yet to emerge regarding Kim Jong Nam's sudden death, speculation remains sharply pointed at Pyongyang.' Advertisement North Korean diplomats tried to prevent pathologists carrying out an autopsy on Kim, perhaps because they feared that if it was found a poison had indeed killed him it could be traced back to Pyongyang. The post-mortem examination went ahead anyway, but the results have yet to be made public. Possible poisons are ricin, found in the seeds of castor oill plants, or tetrodotoxin, extracted from pufferfish. Ricin is slow acting, so it is less likely to have been used than tetrodotoxin, which can paralyse and kill victims quickly. Deputy Police Inspector-General Rashid Ibrahim said today that investigators were 'not ruling out the possibility that more suspects will be picked up in the coming days.' Her light blue Dior handbag, with its long strap slung over her left shoulder, was searched by police, who allegedly found a bottle containing a liquid that might have been the poison. JONG-NAM 'PLEADED FOR HIS LIFE TO BE SPARED' The half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un pleaded for his life to be spared after a failed assassination bid in 2012, lawmakers briefed by Seoul's spy chief have claimed. Jong-Nam, the eldest son of the late former leader Kim Jong-Il, was once seen as heir apparent but fell out of favour following an embarrassing botched bid in 2001 to enter Japan on a forged passport and visit Disneyland. He has since lived in virtual exile, mainly in the Chinese territory of Macau, while Jong-Un took over the isolated, nuclear-armed state after the death of his father in December 2011. The North in 2012 tried to assassinate Jong-Nam - known to be a supporter of reform in Pyongyang - Seoul lawmakers said following a closed-door briefing by the chief of the National Intelligence Service, Lee Byung-Ho. The half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un pleaded for his life to be spared after a failed assassination bid in 2012, lawmakers briefed by Seoul's spy chief said today 'According to (Lee)... there was one (assassination) bid in 2012, and Jong-Nam in April 2012 sent a letter to Jong-Un saying 'Please spare me and my family,'' Kim Byung-Kee, a member of the parliamentary intelligence committee, told reporters. 'It also said 'We have nowhere to go... we know that the only way to escape is suicide',' he said, adding Jong-Nam had little political support at home and posed little threat to Jong-Un. Jong-Nam's family - his former and current wives and three children - are currently living in Beijing and Macau, said another committee member, Lee Cheol-Woo. 'They are under the protection by the Chinese authorities,' he said, adding Jong-Nam had entered Malaysia on February 6, a week before his death. Jong-Nam's murder is the highest-profile death under the Kim Jong-Un's regime since the execution of the leader's uncle, Jang Song-Thaek, in December 2013. Jang, known to be close to China and an advocate of economic reform in the North, was charged with treason. Jong-Nam, believed to have ties with Beijing's elite, was a relatively outspoken figure, publicly criticising Pyongyang's political system. The 45-year-old said he 'personally opposed' the hereditary power transfer in his own family, during an interview with Japan's Asahi TV in 2010. One of his sons - Han-Sol - also described his uncle, Jong-Un, as a 'dictator' in a rare interview with a Finnish TV station in 2012 while he was studying in Europe. Advertisement Kim Jong-nam had lived with the threat of death for years, since fleeing North Korea in fear of torture and execution. There had already been one botched attempt on his life. He travelled with bodyguards on his regular trips in Asia and occasionally Europe, usually on a false passport, in this case under the name of Kim Chol. But a brief lapse in his personal security between arriving at the airport and proceeding to passport control for his flight to Macau, where he lives in exile, left Kim Jong-nam alone, giving an assassin the chance to strike in the shopping concourse. One of the women is believed to have grabbed his face from behind possibly placing a poison-laced handkerchief on his mouth while the other sprayed toxic liquid on him or injected him with poison. According to U.S. sources, a 'fountain pen' may have been used a device previously associated with North Korean assassinations. Former North Korean leader Kim Jong Il (bottom left) poses with his first-born son Kim Jong Nam (bottom right), in this 1981 family photo in Pyongyang, North Korea Kim Jong-Nam was once considered heir apparent but fell out of favour with his father Kim Jong-Il following a botched attempt in 2001 to enter Japan on a forged passport and visit Disneyland An agent arrested on a mission last year revealed how he was equipped by North Korean Intelligence with what looked like a Parker pen, but contained a retractable needle for administering a fatal dose of a toxin described as 'more potent than cyanide'. It caused muscle paralysis, breathlessness, suffocation and death, and was the method of choice for covert killings. Cheong Seong-Chang, of the independent Sejong Institute in Seoul, South Korea, said the assassination was 'unthinkable without a direct order or approval from Kim Jong-un himself'. Jong-nam's killing was probably motivated by a recent news report that he had sought to defect to the EU, the U.S. or South Korea as far back as 2012. 'LITTLE GENERAL' WHO FELL OUT OF FAVOUR WITH PYONGYANG They used to call him the 'Little General' but Kim Jong-Nam - once heir-apparent to his father and North Korea's then-leader Kim Jong-Il - fell from grace in 2001 after a spectacular blunder. On Tuesday, after more than a decade in exile from the North, Jong-Nam - the 45-year-old half-brother of current leader Kim Jong-Un - was widely reported by South Korean media to have been assassinated in Malaysia. Born from his father's relationship with actress Sung Hae-rim, Jong-Nam is known to have been a computer enthusiast, a fluent Japanese speaker and a student in both Russia and Switzerland. He lived in Pyongyang after finishing his overseas studies and was put in charge of overseeing North Korea's information technology policy. But the chubby eldest son of the supreme leader was already seen by Seoul experts as something of a political lightweight when in 2001 he fell out of favour. Jong-nam (pictured) was reportedly close to his uncle Jang Song-Thaek, once the North's unofficial number two and political mentor of the current leader He was embarrassingly detained at a Tokyo airport, trying to enter Japan to visit Disneyland on a false Dominican Republic passport, accompanied by two women and a child. Jong-Nam and his family afterwards lived in virtual exile in Macau, Singapore and China. Jong-Nam's half-brother Jong-Un took over as North Korean leader when their father died in December 2011. In an email exchange with a Japanese journalist published in 2012, Jong-Nam spoke disparagingly of Jong-Un, saying he lacked 'any sense of duty or seriousness' and warned that bribery and corruption would lead to North Korea's eventual collapse. In another exchange with the same reporter in 2012, Jong-Nam said: 'Anyone with normal thinking would find it difficult to tolerate three generations of hereditary succession.' Kim Jong-Nam was once dubbed the 'Little General', but fell out of favour with his father In October 2012 South Korean prosecutors said a North Korean detained as a spy had admitted involvement in a plot to stage a hit-and-run car accident in China in 2010 targeting Jong-Nam. In 2014 Jong-Nam was reported to be in Indonesia - sighted at an Italian restaurant run by a Japanese businessman in Jakarta - and was said to be shuttling back and forth between Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and France. In 2012 a Moscow newspaper reported that Jong-Nam was having financial problems after being cut off by the Stalinist state for doubting its succession policy. The Argumenty i Fakty weekly said he was kicked out of a luxury hotel in Macau over a $15,000 debt. Jong-Nam's son Kim Han-Sol studied at university in Paris. Back in 2012, when at school in Bosnia, he labelled his uncle Kim Jong-Un a 'dictator' in an interview. 'My dad (Jong-Nam) was not really interested in politics,' Kim told the interviewer when asked why his father was passed over for the dynastic succession in favour of his younger brother. Advertisement Just days after the international condemnation of North Korea's 'game-changing' latest ballistic missile test, the assassination on foreign soil has prompted further outrage. Adding insult to injury, North Korean officials are attempting to block the autopsy on Jong-nam as they demand to take the body back to Pyongyang. For 33-year-old Kim Jong-un, the burial of his half-brother will bring to a triumphant end to a long-running saga of jealousy, paranoia and, ultimately, fratricide that would not have seemed out of place in Ancient Rome. Kim Jong-nam was once the heir apparent of North Korea, the eldest, albeit illegitimate, son of the 'Dear Leader', Kim Jong-il, by a South Korean actress (who died in mysterious circumstances in Moscow in 2002). His existence was kept secret by his father for many years, and he was not allowed to mix with his siblings from Kim Jong-il's other affairs and marriages. North Korean ambassador Kang Chol pictured inside the mortuary of the Kuala Lumpur Forensic Department. North Korea has ordered Malaysia to hand over the body A North Korea embassy official sits inside his car beside armed police outside a morgue at Kuala Lumpur General Hospital where Kim Jong-nam's body was taken However, he wanted for nothing, living in a mansion, surrounded by the latest toys from Europe and being driven on jaunts around the North Korean capital in a black Mercedes. At the age of ten he was sent abroad to study at the International School of Berne in Switzerland, where he became fluent in French. On his return to North Korea aged 17, Kim Jong-nam enrolled at a university. But his relationship with his father had deteriorated and he blamed his younger half-brother, Kim Jong-un, for taking advantage of his father's loneliness while he was out of the country. But Kim Jong-nam was a young man whose European experiences had filled him full of 'dangerous ideas', such as free market reforms to end rampant poverty and starvation in his home country. These suggestions outraged his father and caused apoplexy among the ruling elite. 'I was viewed with suspicion,' he admitted. FEMALE ASSASSINS 'ARE NORTH KOREA'S WEAPON OF CHOICE' North Korean female assassins, armed with good looks and poison tools, are now the weapon of choice for a ruthless regime stalking its opponents, a high-profile defector revealed, after the latest apparent assassination. Hardy male agents wielding guns or knives have been ditched in favour of their female counterparts, who strike fear into the hearts of enemies, said An Chan-Il, a North Korean defector and renowned critic of Pyongyang's one-man rule. 'We are always mindful of young women accosting us for possible revenge killings,' An said. His comments come days after the half-brother of the North's leader Kim Jong-Un died in a spy novel-style assassination that Seoul said was carried out by Pyongyang agents. South Korean intelligence chiefs believe Kim Jong-Nam had toxins sprayed in his face as he walked through Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Two women have been arrested over the murder. North Korean female assassins, armed with good looks and poison tools, are now the weapon of choice for a ruthless regime stalking its opponents, it has been claimed. Female army personnel are pictured during a march in Pyongyang An, a former North Korean commando who defected to the South in 1979, is now a leading researcher on North Korean affairs, and a harsh critic of the Stalinist state. He is one of eight defectors who were given the highest degree of protection by the South. Following Jong-Nam's death, that number has increased to 20, he said. In recent years, North Korean male agents have increasingly been sidelined into intelligence gathering or building contacts with other spies, An told AFP. 'Female agents are now being trained to do the killing, using poison', he said. 'They can easily hide mini poison injectors made of plastic, either in lipsticks, cosmetics or under their clothes,' he said, adding that such plastic tools go undetected by airport security. Agent candidates are carefully screened for their intelligence, physical attributes and family background. 'Good looks are essential but this is different from any beauty contest. A girl with a curvy body is not considered ideal to become an assassin who has to engage in physical contact with targets', he said. Hardy male agents wielding guns or knives have been ditched in favour of their female counterparts, who strike fear into the hearts of enemies, said An Chan-Il, a North Korean defector and renowned critic of Pyongyang's one-man rule Before beginning their careers, the women go through many months of training, including strength work, combat skills, surveillance and weapons use, as well as language courses, he added. Malaysian police probing Kim's killing have detained a woman with an Indonesian passport and a 28-year-old woman with a Vietnamese passport, who reappeared at the same airport two days after Kim died. An said that would be 'bizarre' behaviour for a Pyongyang spy, adding that 'if she is a North Korean agent, she should have either disappeared or committed suicide when she was in danger of being arrested'. 'Her behaviour is simply unthinkable in the playbook of spies', he said. Two North Korean agents attempted to commit suicide by biting cyanide capsules hidden in cigarettes when they were arrested in Bahrain in 1987 after blowing up a South Korean airplane. The man died instantly but the other agent, Kim Hyon-Hee, survived. She was later brought to Seoul and confessed that the terror attack was aimed at hampering the 1988 Seoul summer Olympics. Advertisement The playboy half-brother of Kim Jong-Un (pictured, centre) was killed by two female assassins with poisoned needles at an airport in Malaysia, it has been claimed Reports, citing multiple government sources, said two women hailed a cab and fled immediately after Jong-nam fell sick His spell in Switzerland had also introduced him to life's luxuries and to sex. Despite Japan being a sworn enemy of the regime, he would regularly fly to Tokyo using a false passport to indulge his playboy lifestyle in nightclubs, casinos and the city's red-light district. The tubby Korean, just 5ft 2in tall and weighing 14st, was a regular at an establishment known as Soap Land, where hostesses charge clients up to 300 an hour for their services. In 2001 he was caught in Tokyo on a false passport, on a trip to Japan's Disneyland. Retribution was swift and he was imprisoned for three days by his father before being banished from North Korea for ever. He lived in Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and France, acquiring two wives and a son, before settling in the Chinese territor of Macau, where his lavish lifestyle was bankrolled by China a huge power behind the scenes in North Korea. Beijing saw the exiled brother as a useful asset should they ever need to attempt to replace the 'Supreme Leader' with another member of the dynasty. When Kim Jong-un came to power in 2011 after the Dear Leader's death, his half-brother never lost an opportunity to attack his regime, claiming that without reforms North Korea would collapse and decrying the herditary transition of power, and he recklessly encouraged speculation that he could one day replace his half-brother. North Korea has so far made no comment about a murder that is making headlines around the world. Significantly, the death of a close relative of the ruling family in such strange circumstances has not merited a single word in the state-controlled media. Advertisement From Los Angeles to New York, immigrants skipped work and school today, and many instead took part in demonstrations to show how vital they are to the national economy and way of life. The heart of Philadelphia's Italian Market was uncommonly quiet. Fine restaurants in the nation's capital and New York closed for the day. Grocery stores, food trucks, coffee shops and taco joints in places like Chicago, Los Angeles and Boston shut down as part of a nationwide 'Day Without Immigrants' boycott. It comes in response to President Donald Trump, whose administration has pledged to increase the deportation of immigrants living in the country illegally. Trump campaigned on building a wall along the US-Mexico border, and blamed high unemployment on immigration. As president, he's called for a ban, since suspended by a federal judge, on people from seven predominantly Muslim countries from coming into the US. Scroll down for video Demonstrators march during the 'Day Without Immigrants' protest in Washington, DC. As part of the action, immigrants across the country are staying home from work and school to show how critical they are to te US economy People cheer before they march Thursday in Detroit as part of the nationwide boycott supporting immigrants Hundreds of people march for approximately three miles on West Vernor from Clark Park to Patton Park in Southwest Detroit Thursday Protesters march in the streets outside the Texas State Capital on 'A Day Without Immigrants' February 16, 2017 in Austin, Texas. The crowd, which grew to well over a thousand participants, marched from the Austin City Hall to the Texas State Capital A young girl helps hold a US flag as a group marches through downtown heading to the Texas Capitol during an immigration protest in Austin People cheer before they march Thursday in Detroit as part of the nationwide boycott Restaurant workers, many of them immigrants, came out in droves in DC during the boycott Protesters in DC are carrying signs mocking Donald Trump's policies and likening him to Adolf Hitler High school senior Vicky Sosa holds a sign outside the Grayson County courthouse in downtown Sherman, Texas, Thursday High school student Kathia Suarez holds up a sign that is a play on Trump's campaign slogan 'Make America Great Again' as she protests with others outside the Grayson County courthouse in downtown Sherman More than 100 restaurants and dozens of other places of business closed their doors for the day to show solidarity with immigrants. The boycott comes on the heels of a series of federal raids last week in which more than 680 people living illegally in the country were rounded up, raising alarm among immigrant rights' groups. 'Mr. President, without us and without our contribution this country is paralyzed,' read a poster promoting the protest that was widely shared online. In Washington DC alone, dozens of restaurants, among them some of the capital's finest dining establishments, are shutting down for the day to protest Trump's anti-immigration policies. 'For one single day on a weekday, we must come together and unite in absolute resistance in order to reject the system dictating the launch from dehumanization and blatant oppression of those that are not straight, white, natural-born citizens,' read a call to action posted on social media. A restaurant on Georgia Avenue is closed in honor of the 'Day Without Immigrants' protest in Washington, DC A sign in the window of Fish in the Hood restaurant in DC reads: 'We support: A day without immigrants is a day without liberty and justice for all' A sign in the window of Ted's Bulletin Restaurant on 14th Street in DC proclaims it closed in honor of the pro-immigrant protest A sign posted for customers hangs on the window of Blue Ribbon restaurant in Brooklyn, New York, stating that they are closed in solidarity with 'A Day Without Immigrants' A restaurant worker photographs passing demonstrators as they march during the "Day Without Immigrants" protest in Washington, DC Morning Glory Diner sits empty in Philadelphia. With the support of the owner, the majority of the staff, which is Latino, did not come to work Thursday After attempting to enter, Kristina Roth of Colorado Springs, Colorado, stops to take a picture of a sign on the door of the restaurant 'Oyamel Cocina Mexicana', which states it is closed in solidarity with 'A Day Without Immigrants', in Washington, DC A man attempts to enter the restaurant 'Zaytinya', owned by chef Jose Andres, discovering that it is closed in DC Pedestrians pass by Sweetgreen in D, which was closed on Thursday in a show of support for immigrant workers A sign in the window of the popular Brooklyn restaurant Prime Meats explains their solidarity with the 'A Day Without Immigrants,' boycott/strike on February 16, 2017 in New York Washington restaurateur John Andrade said on Wednesday that he would close his businesses today, and David Suro, owner of Tequilas Restaurant in Philadelphia and a Mexican immigrant, said he also planned to participate. Another DC-based restaurant owner Jose Andres, an immigrant from Spain who became an award-winning celebrity chef, said on Twitter he is closing five of his establishments to show support for workers. 'People that never missed one day of work are telling you they don't want to work on Thursday,' Andres said in an interview at his restaurant Oyamel. 'They want to say: "Here we are," by not showing up. The least I could do was to say: "OK, we stand by you."' A sign hangs outside the closed Marco's Fish Market in Philadelphia's Italian Market A mail carrier passes a closed bakery Thursday in south Philadelphia's Italian Market Felix Solis shows a flyer he is handing out to inquiring customers in front of a closed latino grocery story in Dallas Thursday Luis Arce Mota, the chef and co-owner of La Contenta, posts a flyer in the window announcing the closure of his restaurant for the day, Thursday, in New York Members of the Mexican Association of Perth Amboy, from left, Alicia Ireneo , Leonardo Sanchez and Rodolfo Cortes, carry flags while walking in front of closed business taking part of an immigration protest, Thursday, in Perth Amboy, New Jersey Andres is in a legal battle with Trump that came after the chef scrapped plans to open a restaurant in Trump's new Washington hotel. Andres cited the Republican's anti-immigrant comments on the campaign trail as his reason for backing out. At the Pentagon, about half a dozen food outlets were forced to close after staff members joined the protest, including a Starbucks, a Taco Bell and a Burger King, according to a Defense Department spokesman. The protest even reached into the US Capitol, where a Senate coffee shop was among the eateries that were closed as employees did not show up at work. Pro-immigration marches and rallies were being staged in cities from coast to coast, including in Washington DC, Detroit and Austin, Texas. Sending a message: Organizers of Thursday's protest aim to show President Trump, pictured at the White House Wednesday, how vital immigrants are to the American way of life Marcela Ardaya-Vargas, who is from Bolivia and now lives in Falls Church, Virginia, pulled her son out of school to take him to a Day Without Immigrants march in Washington. 'When he asked why he wasn't going to school, I told him because today he was going to learn about immigration,' she said, adding: 'Our job as citizens is to unite with our brothers and sisters.' Approximately 700 people showed up at a rally in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina. 'We add to the economy and society,' said Kia Allah, 32, a teacher who is Muslim and described herself as half Puerto Rican and half black. 'Sometimes people don't listen until it hits their pockets. Organizers appealed to immigrants from all walks of life to take part, but the effects were felt most strongly in the restaurant industry, which has long been a first step up the economic ladder for newcomers to America with its many jobs for cooks, dishwashers and servers. Expensive restaurants and burger joints alike closed across the country. Sushi bars, Brazilian steakhouses, Mexican eateries and Thai and Italian restaurants turned away lunchtime customers. In New York, the owners of the Blue Ribbon restaurant chain said they would close several eateries despite the economic impact. 'It's really a show of support for our staff, and as a team and a family as a whole,' said co-owner Eric Bromberg. On Ninth Street in South Philadelphia's Italian Market, it was so quiet in the morning that Rani Vasudeva thought it might be Monday, when many of the businesses on the normally bustling stretch are closed. Produce stands and other stalls along 'Calle Nueve' - as 9th Street is more commonly known for its abundance of Mexican-owned businesses - stood empty, leaving customers to look elsewhere for fresh meat, bread, fruits and vegetables. 'It's actually very sad,' said Vasudeva, a 38-year-old professor at Temple University. 'You realize the impact the immigrant community has. We need each other for our daily lives.' In New Orleans' Mid-City neighborhood, whose Latino population swelled after the damage wrought by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 created lots of jobs for construction workers, the Ideal Market was closed. The place is usually busy at midday with people lining up at the steam tables for hot lunches or picking from an array of fresh Central American vegetables and fruits. In Chicago, Pete's Fresh Market closed five of its 12 grocery stores and assured employees they would not be penalized for skipping the day, according to owner Vanessa Dremonas, whose Greek-immigrant father started the company. 'It's in his DNA to help immigrants,' she said. 'We've supported immigrants from the beginning.' Carmen Solis, a Mexico-born US citizen, took the day off from work as a project manager and brought her two children to a rally in Chicago. 'I feel like our community is going to be racially profiled and harassed,' she said of Trump's immigration policies. 'It's very upsetting. People like to take out their anger on the immigrants, but employers are making profits off of them. ' Some restaurant owners said their employees would be paid, while other workers would take days off. Roughly 12 million people are employed in the restaurant industry, and immigrants make up the majority - up to 70 per cent in places like New York and Chicago, according to the Restaurant Opportunities Centers United, which works to improve working conditions. Undocumented immigrants made up about 9 per cent of employees in the hotel and restaurant industry in 2014, according to the Pew Research Center. Eateries are not the only establishments taking part in today's nationwide boycott that aims to show the president that immigrants play a critical role in the US. Maria Arellano, who works in Washington, and whose parents are from Mexico, carries a sign during a Day Without Immigrants protest, Thursday Protesters march outside the Texas State Capital. Across the country hundreds of restaurants and eateries are closing for the day to protest President Trump's immigration policies Yaretzi Perez, 4, holds a sign as she joins her family and others during a march and rally during an immigration protest in Austin, Texas A group marches through downtown away from the Texas Capitol during an immigration protest in Austin Brandeli Rojas of Beechview listens to one of the speakers during a rally in Pittsburgh's Beechview neighborhood The Davis Museum at Wellesley College in Massachusetts is removing or shrouding all artwork created or given by immigrants to the museum through February 21. In New Mexico, the state with the largest percentage of Hispanic residents in the nation, school officials worried that hundreds of students may stay home on Thursday. 'We respectfully ask all parents to acknowledge that students need to be in class every day to benefit from the education they are guaranteed and to avoid falling behind in school and life,' principals with the Albuquerque Public Schools wrote in a letter to parents on the eve of the planned protests. Students who take part in the action will receive an unexcused absence, Albuquerque school officials warned. 'Our goal is to highlight the need for Philadelphia to expand policies that stop criminalizing communities of color,' said Erika Almiron, executive director of Juntos, a nonprofit group that works with the Latino immigrant community. 'What would happen if massive raids did happen? What would the city look like?' Immigrant supporters marches with others during a protest outside the Grayson County courthouse in downtown Sherman, Texas, Thursday Allison Perez, 9, holds a sign as she marches with others during a protest outside the Grayson County courthouse in downtown Sherman, Texas Olivia Vazquez, a community organizer with Juntos, is taking part in 'Day Without Immigrants' protest in South Philadelphia Thursday A shopper walks past a sign hanging outside the closed Marco's Fish Market in south Philadelphia's Italian Market Davis Museum at Wellesley College Assistant Preparator Craig Uram, left, and Curatorial Assistant Alicia LaTores, right, cover the painting Friends in a Storm Approaching, 1875-1876, by Scottish-born artist James McDougal Hart, with a black shroud To protest President Trump's travel ban, artworks by immigrants, or artworks given to the museum by immigrants, are being covered with shrouds or de-installed from Thursday through February 21 Writing on the wall: Davis Museum Associate Director Tsugumi Joiner places a placard near the shroud-covered painting Friends in a Storm Approaching to call attention to contributions that immigrants have made to American culture Almiron said that while community groups have not seen an uptick in immigration raids in the city, residents are concerned about the prospect. Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney is among leaders in several cities nationwide who have vowed to maintain their 'sanctuary city' status and decline to help federal law enforcement with deportation efforts. Many people who make the choice to skip work Thursday will not be paid in their absence, but social media posts encouraging participation stressed that the cause is worth the sacrifice. At least 11 million people are living in the US illegally. Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria is reportedly being considered for the much-coveted role of ambassador to France. Loria is being championed by White House chief of staff Reince Priebus, reported the New York Post on Wednesday. But apparently the choice isn't going over too well with the State Department, said the outlet. Miami Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria is reportedly being considered for the prime post of Ambassador to France Loria, here with Hanley Ramirez, was in talks to sell the team to the Kushner family, but that may be scuttled now Loria, here with catcher JT Realmuto on February 14, would get the one of the most desired ambassador posts if it happens 'The list has led some at the State Department to worry that Priebus has not properly vetted the diplomats-to-be,' said a source to the Post. The list of candidates also includes GOP activist Georgette Mosbacher to Luxembourg, financier Lew Eisenberg to Italy and hedge funder Duke Buchan to Spain. All are some of the most desired postings. Loria donated at least $125,000 to Trump's campaign and is in talks to sell the Marlins to a group that includes Joshua Kushner, the brother of Trump's son-in-law, Jared. However, the Kushner family, headed up by father Charles, said late Wednesday night that the family will not pursue buying the Marlins if Trump nominates Loria for the post, according to ESPN. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is supposedly unhappy about White House chief of staff Reince Priebus grabbing all the most coveted ambassadorships for his choices Priebus is apparently going around Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in his choices, which isn't winning him any fans in the department. 'Tillerson had a deal that if he were to come on board, he would have a decision on who the ambassadors were going to be,' a source told the Post. 'The process was supposed to be where transition was going to give two names for each position and Tillerson was going to interview those people for each country - and Tillerson would make the decision.' The source said that Priebus hasn't seemed to put too much thought into the process. 'Eventually, what Reince is doing has to be squared with process and reality. Im not sure the White House is exactly stoked about this as they dig deeper into the background of these people,' said the source. But in a joint statement, Preibus and Tillerson denied a feud. 'Eventually, what Reince is doing has to be squared with process and reality. Im not sure the White House is exactly stoked about this as they dig deeper into the background of these people,' the statement said. A three-year-old boy was tragically killed after being run down by a 'reversing forklift truck driven by his father', it has been claimed. It is understood Richard Nelson, 37, was at the wheel of the farm vehicle when it collided with his son Stuart. Emergency services rushed to the scene at Cuttlehill Farm near Fife, Scotland, but were unable to save the youngster and he was pronounced dead at the scene. A source close to the family said Mr Nelson had been working in the yard when Stuart 'ran out of nowhere'. Stuart Nelson, three, pictured centre, was killed after being hit by a reversing forklift truck at his family farm, with the vehicle said to be driven by his father Richard, left, 37. Also pictured is his mother Linzi, 36, right Police have confirmed they are investigating the incident as are the Scottish Health and Safety Executive The source told the Daily Record: 'Stuart ran out from nowhere and went behind the vehicle and was hit. It's a freak and tragic accident. 'It's a small area and everyone pretty much knows everyone. They're a lovely family and this is just the worst nightmare of any parent.' Previously a relative, who did not want to be named, said: 'It's very early to say what they'll be doing as a family. As far as I'm aware it's just a tragic accident. 'From what I've been told, there's been an accident with a forklift where it has backed up and the child has come round the corner in the blind spot. 'It's just one of those freak things.' The incident happened at about 5.10pm on Tuesday. His uncle Simon Coyle took to Twitter to reveal his devastation at the tragedy. He wrote: 'Life is so so short. For those of you with kiddies please give them an extra hug tonight. Devastated.' Mr Nelson lives at the farm with wife Linzi, 36, and his parents David and Agnes Nelson, both 75. They are all cattle farmers. Mr and Mrs Nelson had their first and only child two years after they married in Crossgates in 2012. Stuart celebrated his third birthday on February 9. His father posted a picture of him on the big day sitting in a fork-lift and grinning. Friends and family were quick to wish the wee fella a happy birthday online. Mr Nelson frequently posted pictures of himself and his son riding in farm vehicles. Last night, family members shared tributes on social media. Relative Nancy Cole said: You really got to question some acts of God/Fate out there. Local residents have spoken of their shock at the incident, with the family said to be 'well-known' in the area. The incident happened at Cuttlehill Farm near Fife, pictured, where the Nelson family live Stuart, pictured with parents Richard and Linzi, left and right, had turned three just days before the fatal accident The Rev Gavin Boswell, the minister at Crossgates Church, said: This is a tragedy that has left members of the close-knit community shocked and stunned. Newsagent owner Surryia Ashraf said: 'We know the family very well as they come for the papers every day. 'We've known the family for thirty years. 'Richard is really, really nice. I've known him since he was a child. 'They all live up there with their parents on the farm. His mother, father and Richard are all farmers. 'He was over the moon when he was having his little boy, he was telling every body. 'He would come in and pick up a sweet for him every time saying 'this is for the boy, this is for the boy'.' She added: 'We seen the ambulances yesterday and asked someone what happened and we were told the little boy had been hit by a tractor. 'We thought that someone had a heart attack. That didn't even come to mind. 'It's such a shame, he loved that boy so much. It's just awful.' Another local, Robert Fraser, said: 'I heard this morning about the little boy, that he was run over by a tractor. The whole thing is just tragic. 'I've been here long so don't know the family but something like that happening, it's devastating.' Police Scotland and the Health and Safety Executive confirmed they are investigating the circumstances surrounding the tragedy. The collision with a farm vehicle, believed to be a tractor, happened near Crossgates, pictured, in Fife A spokesman for the Scottish Ambulance Service said: 'We got a call at 5.17pm to respond to an incident in Crossgates, Fife. 'We dispatched multiple resources. The first unit arrived at the scene at 5..21pm.' A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: 'Police in Fife are investigating after a child was killed during a collision on a farm in Fife. 'The incident happened around 5.10pm on Tuesday 14th February at a property in Crossgates. 'A three-year-old boy sustained fatal injuries after he was involved in a collision with a farm vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene. 'Inquiries into the full circumstances surrounding this matter are continuing.' A spokesman for the Health and Safety Executive said: 'We are aware and making enquiries into the incident.' A woman at the farm did not wish to comment. In a fiery rant to the Senate, Coalition Senator Ian Macdonald slams Australians who 'complain a lot but never offer themselves for election' as he defended travel perks for retired politicians. The Liberal Senator also warned Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull he is 'sadly mistaken' if he thinks he will get more votes by axing the Life Gold Travel Pass for retired politicians. 'If you think going along with this populist approach on this issue is going to win you just one vote - you are sadly mistaken,' he said in parliament on Thursday. In a fiery rant to the Senate, Coalition Senator Ian Macdonald slams Australians who 'complain a lot but never offer themselves for election' Senator Macdonald said he feared for the future of Australia if is was run by 'what is popular rather than what is right'. 'Perhaps Hitler and Stalin or Idi Amin had the right idea: do not bother about a parliament and you do not have to bother about those pesky parliamentarians at all,' The Herald Sun reports. He also targeted 'a small section of the community' who were willing to complain about how Australia is run, but unwilling to fill the shoes of politicians. 'They have never had the energy, the dedication and the commitment to do the hard yards and get elected in the first place,' he ranted. 'Then do that work for something less than $50 an hour for all hours of the day and night, often at least six days a week, often for up to 48 weeks a year, in a job where there is no privacy, no down time.' Senator Macdonald said he feared for the future of Australia if is was run by 'what is popular rather than what is right' The Liberal Senator said Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull (pictured) that he is 'sadly mistaken' if he thinks he will get more votes by axing the Life Gold Travel Pass Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull during Question Time in the House of Representatives at Parliament House in Canberra on Thursday Senator MacDonald also defended of the Life Gold Pass for retired politicians, saying he would never benefit from the travel perk as he would never retire Senator MacDonald also defended of the Life Gold Pass for retired politicians, saying he would never benefit from the travel perk as he would never retire. 'Ill probably be carried out of here in a pine box, he said. The Life Gold Pass for federal MPs could be axed. Senator Macdonald insists he opposes the change because of its retrospective nature, claiming he would have voted against the government's retrospective superannuation changes if they had not been amended. 'I'm distressed that my party in this particular instance has ignored the basic principle of our party,' he said. 'In the context of a government which every year spends upwards of $300 billion, the savings from retrospective cancellation of this benefit for elderly retired politicians is not going to make one iota of difference to the budget.' Senator Macdonald will support parts of the bill that are prospective and move amendments to remove the retrospective elements. If that fails, he will move to include all former MPs in the ban, including prime ministers. 'I can't fathom the logic behind allowing Julia Gillard, perhaps Australia's worst prime minister for a three-year term, to have a gold pass for the rest of her life while someone like Peter Costello ... is banned,' Senator Macdonald said. Mawande Sicwebu grabbed the girl and told her 'come with me or I'll kill you' before dragging her away A horrified father heard his 11-year-old daughter being beaten up and abducted after calling her mobile phone by chance as she was being abducted by a drunk man. Mawande Sicwebu, 27, grabbed the girl as she was walking home from school and dragged her away towards a house while punching her. The youngster's father telephoned while the school pupil was 40 minutes into her ordeal and she screamed: 'A man is trying to kidnap me.' He could also hear a man in the background ordering the 'hysterical' girl to put down her mobile phone during the terrifying abduction in Colchester, Essex. Ipswich Crown Court heard how the off-duty security guard screamed down his phone 'just run for your life' before losing contact with her. The father immediately rang her back and heard his daughter out of breath and gasping: 'I can't run any more; my tummy is hurting'. Sicwebu will now face deportation to his native South Africa after confessing to the horrific abduction attempt. A family friend later found the girl in a distressed state and took her to her mother's house, said prosecutor Cathy McCulloch. Members of the public were so worried they flagged down a passing police car. The girl later told detectives she had been approached by a man on the town's George Street who told her: 'Come with me or I'll kill you' at around 4.30pm on October 12 last year. The terrifying abduction happened on George Street in Colchester, Essex, while the girl was walking home from school A boy who was with the 11-year-old was ordered to walk to nearby Castle Park The attacker- who moved to Britain from his home country two decades ago - ordered a boy who was with her to walk to nearby Castle Park as he put her through a 40 minute ordeal. The girl claimed he grabbed her by the wrist, slapped her face and punched her in the chest and stomach, leaving her badly winded. Miss McCulloch said the girl had been saved by the 'lucky' call from her father. She added: 'But for the telephone call from her father we don't know what would have happened to her.' Mental health carer Sicwebu, 27, of Halstead, Essex, was arrested the next day. He admitted abducting the girl and assaulting her and was jailed for two years and eight months. The court heard it appeared to be a completely random abduction attempt with no obvious pre-planning. Judge Martyn Levett said Sicwebu described the incident as 'terrifying'. He said: 'I hope these remarks send a message to you, and others who consider committing similar crimes. 'No adult person can place themselves in the position of an 11-year-old child who has been taken, or even understand the shock of a stranger taking them to an unknown place. 'You had been drinking for a considerable period on the day in question and have admitted you are ashamed of your actions. 'You have a child of your own and should be ashamed. 'What is unforgivable is you hit her while sending her friend away. All she did was leave school and try to return home.' At Ipswich Crown Court, Sicwebu admitted abducting the girl and assaulting her and was jailed for two years and eight months Catherine Bradshaw, defending, said Sicwebu had three young children and had spent four months in custody. She said he had been drinking heavily on the day in question and was shocked and upset by what he had done. Sicwebu told police after being arrested that he had started to feel sick after drinking on the day of the incident from 10am to 4pm and was seeking assistance. The court was told his heavy drinking, and high stress levels caused by a recent promotion at work, were the only possible reasons for his behaviour. Miss Bradshaw said: 'He is distressed about the crime he has committed and the effect it has had on the victim. 'His two main regrets are for the victim, and the additional stress he has put on his young family.' She said that he arrived in the UK as a four-year-old, worked to get an education, earned an Open University degree as a young father and gained employment as a mental health carer. The court was handed eight character references about him. A Home Office spokesman told MailOnline: 'Foreign nationals who abuse our hospitality by committing crimes in the UK should be in no doubt of our determination to deport them and we have removed more than 33,000 foreign offenders since 2010. 'All those given a custodial sentence are considered for removal.' President Donald Trump has called on the Venezuelan government to release political prisoner Leopoldo Lopez, following a meeting last night with the man's wife and Senator Marco Rubio. Mr Lopez, who is the leader of Venezuela's opposition party, Voluntad Popular, was jailed for nearly 14 years on charges of inciting violence at anti-government protests in 2014. Following a meeting at the White House with the prisoner's wife, Lilian Tintori, the President took to social media to call for action. Scroll down for video Donald Trump took to Twitter to call on the Venezuelan government to release political prisoner Leopoldo Lopez. Alongside his message he posted a picture of himself with Lilian Tintori, Mike Pence and Marco Rubio Alongside a picture of himself with Ms Tintori, Mr Rubio and Vice President Mike Pence, Trump tweeted: 'Venezuela should allow Leopoldo Lopez, a political prisoner & husband of @liliantintori (just met w/ @marcorubio) out of prison immediately.' The meeting came at the end of a busy day for the President, which included a meeting with Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu followed by a press conference. Ms Tintori, who is a television and radio star in Venezuela, said she told Trump of the 'humanitarian crisis' in the country, which is led by a radical Left-wing government. US-educated Mr Lopez was jailed for 13 years last year for allegedly inciting violence at anti-government protests in 2014 Ms Tintori has campaigned for her husband's release since his sentence. She called the Venezuelan government a 'dictatorship' She also took to Twitter to thank Trump and Pence 'for standing with the Venezuelan people & our aspirations to restore democracy to our country'. She added in Spanish that President Nicolas Maduro's government was a 'dictatorship' that left its people 'without food or medicine'. Mr Rubio was at the White House with his wife Jeanette for dinner with Trump and his wife Melania, although the President's former campaign rival refused to reveal what was to be discussed at the meeting. Mr Lopez was educated at Harvard University and has led the opposition to Venezuela's socialist government since 2009. Before then he was mayor of a district in the capital city of Caracas but in 2008 he was barred from running for re-election for allegedly misusing public funds - an allegation for which he was not tried or convicted. His arrest provoked outrage and his sentence was criticized by the United Nations as well as the US Government. Venezuela's president Nicolas Maduro said he did 'not want problems with the Trump administration' In 2015 he went on a month-long hunger strike in his cell, demanding the release of political prisoners and international observation of elections. Since her husband's imprisonment, Ms Tintori has campaigned for his release. Mr Trump has not spoken publicly about Mr Lopez's case before. The President's call came as it emerged the Venezuelan government ordered the suspension of CNN's Spanish-language service from its airwaves, accusing it of distorting the truth in coverage. Mr Rubio was attending a dinner with Trump at the White House. He refused to reveal what the meeting was about The network had irked the socialist government with various reports, including one alleging that Venezuelan passports and visas were being sold illegally at the embassy in Iraq. But speaking on Wednesday, President Maduro said he did 'not want problems with the Trump administration'. He added: 'We want respectful relations.' The ruling United Socialist Party was founded by Hugo Chavez in 2007. Chavez, a former revolutionary, was elected to power in 1999, following a failed coup seven years earlier. He was President for 14 years until his death in 2013 and was regarded as one of the most controversial leaders in Latin America. Police are allegedly 'trying to cover up' a report into the murder of a grandmother brutally knifed to death by a psychiatric patient and convicted killer. In 2011, a string of police blunders meant murderer Nicola Edgington remained free to stab 58-year-old Sally Hodkin to death in Bexleyheath, southeast London. Prior to her horrific crime, the 36-year-old rang 999 four times from a hospital begging to be arrested - telling police: 'the last time I felt like this I killed my mum'. But now the Metropolitan Police has reportedly asked High Court judges to block the publication of an independent report commissioned by NHS England after the killing. Nicola Edgington (right) stabbed 58-year-old Sally Hodkin (left) to death in Bexleyheath, southeast London in 2011 CCTV stills show Nicola Edgington being arrested for the murder of Sally Hodkin The force has been accused of attempting to 'stifle public debate' over the death of Mrs Hodkin. The Met reportedly told the court the report is 'unlawful and irrational' and therefore it is not in the public interest for it to be released, according to The Sun. TIMELINE OF MURDER NOVEMBER 2005: Edgington killed her 60-year-old mother Marion in 2005, stabbing her nine times in the face, neck and chest with a kitchen knife at her home in East Grinstead, West Sussex. OCTOBER 2006: Found guilty of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility and held under the Mental Health Act. SEPTEMBER 2009: Released from a secure psychiatric hospital. OCTOBER 2011: Attempts to stab Kerry Clark before murdering Sally Hodkin. MARCH 2013: Sentenced to life for murder Advertisement Edgington, who has schizophrenia, was convicted of manslaughter after killing her mother in 2005 and was released back into the community in 2009. In October 2011 the psychiatric patient dialled 999 from the waiting room of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich, south-east London, but after sitting alone for several hours having also warned nurses she was dangerous, she just walked out. Later that day she attacked and killed Sally Hodkin, slashing her neck with a stolen 12in butchers knife with such force that the 58-year-old was almost beheaded. She also attempted to murder Kerry Clark, then 22, who survived after fighting off her attacker. Hours before the attacks Edgington made five 999 calls asking to be sectioned under the Mental Health Act because she believed herself to be a danger. It came just two years after spending four years in a mental hospital for killing her 60-year-old mother Marion in 2005, stabbing her nine times in the face, neck and chest with a kitchen knife at her home in East Grinstead, West Sussex. She was jailed for life with a minimum term of 37 years in 2013. Hours before the attacks Edgington made five 999 calls asking to be sectioned under the Mental Health Act because she believed herself to be a danger Edgington attacked and killed Sally Hodkin, slashing her neck with a stolen 12in butchers knife (pictured) with such force that the 58-year-old was almost beheaded Police and forensic teams pictured at the murder scene in Albion Road, Bexleyheath in 2011 Edgington (pictured arricing at Lewes Crown Court in 2005), told police she was a dangerous schizophrenic, adding: The last time I was feeling like this I killed someone, I killed my mum' However NHS England is said to have argued the report into the killing should be released as it is intended to improve services in future, adding: 'It is not understood why the claimant wishes to stifle public debate that may ensue from publication'. According to The Sun the Met is also attempting to have the report's conclusions changed, with the whole legal wrangle costing taxpayers tens of thousands of pounds. In 2013 a report by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) highlighted serious failings in the case - including the fact that police did not carry out a computer check on Edgington which would have alerted them to her previous conviction for manslaughter. A Scotland Yard spokesman said: 'The Metropolitan Police Service is unable to comment as this matter remains the subject of a High Court consent order following the Met's challenge to a report commissioned by the NHS.' A spokesman for Mrs Hodkin's family told The Sun: 'We as a family have seen the final report from the NHS. We do not agree with its findings.' Nicola Edgington in Asda after she bought the knife (in plastic bag) she used to try and stab Kerry Clark with Britain should not be punished for 'escaping the EU prison', and France should carve out a new cross-channel relationship after Brexit, according to far-right candidate Marine Le Pen. The National Front leader is expected to win the first round of Presidential elections in April, picking up 26 per cent of the vote, according to a poll released yesterday. And she has said that if she is elected President, she will reverse incumbent Francois Hollande's belief that Britain should 'pay the price' for Brexit. Le Pen has called for the euro to be scrapped, tighter controls of borders for EU members, and the right to impose trade barriers. She also plans a clampdown on migrant workers if she becomes President, but says a French referendum to leave the European Union should be a last resort if reform efforts fail. Scroll down for video France should carve out a new relationship with post-Brexit Britain, French presidential candidate Marine Le Pen has said French President Francois Hollande, who is not standing for re-election, said Britain would have to 'pay the price' for Brexit A poll by Itop Fiducial yesterday predicted that Le Pen will win the first round of the election, with rivals Emmanuel Macron winning 19.5 per cent of the vote and Francois Fillon getting 18.5 per cent. But in the runoff election, Macron is tipped to pick up 62 per cent of the vote against her 38 per cent. Nevertheless, some bookmakers have reduced the odds of a National Front victory to 3/1. Fillon had been favourite to win the presidency until allegations emerged three weeks ago that his wife did very little work for the hundreds of thousands of euros in taxpayers' money that she received as his aide. Francois Fillon had been favourite to win the presidency until allegations in a newspaper three weeks ago that his wife did very little work for the hundreds of thousands of euros in taxpayers' money that she received as his aide Fillon has faced a huge backlash from voters, and is now expected to be eliminated in the first round of votes Speaking to The Telegraph, Le Pen said her government would carve out a new bilateral relationship with post-Brexit Britain. The 48-year-old said: 'What is the point in punishing a country? It is senseless, unless you think the EU is a prison, and you are condemned if you escape. 'I want to rebuild our damaged relations with the United Kingdom. 'A people decides its own destiny. You cannot force a country to do something that is against its own interest, or against the democratic process.' She told the newspaper that Brexit was a 'powerful weapon' for her campaign. A poll by Itop Fiducial yesterday predicted that Emmanuel Macron (right) would emerge victorious in the presidential race And Le Pen warned that her desire to leave the euro would send shockwaves across member states. The candidate said: 'France is the political heart of Europe, and the moment we leave the euro the whole project collapses.' After Britain's vote to leave the EU last year, Le Pen had been expected to push for a French exit vote, but this year she has struck a more conciliatory tone, saying she favours reform. She said after last year's Brexit vote that Britain had 'broken a taboo'. She said in a radio interview with RMC last month: 'I think we need to renegotiate with the EU to bring back sovereignty to France, backed by a referendum.' A poll has previously found that just 33 per cent of French voters would back Frexit. Addressing a crowd in Lyon last week, she said: The European Union has placed us under guardianship, we will have to find a compromise with Europe to regain sovereignty.' But she said that if no compromise is reached, she will organise a Frexit referendum to 'resign from this nightmare and become free again'. Le Pen also wants to leave Nato, and devote two per cent of gross domestic product to building up the French army. Attacking globalisation, she said her 'made in France' economic policies would be based on jobs for French workers and a clampdown on foreign firms creating 'unfair competition'. REBEL: 'VOTERS ARE DESERTING CONSERVATIVE FILLON' Fillon with wife Penelope, who allegedly received thousands of euros of taxpayers' money to do very little work Scandal-hit French conservative candidate Francois Fillon has come under renewed attack from within his own camp, amid warning that voters were deserting the party. Rebel lawmaker Georges Fenech said The Republicans face defeat in the April-May election unless it ditched Fillon. Fenech has been one of the strongest anti-Fillon voices since the former prime minister's campaign was knocked off track by a scandal over his use of public funds to employ his wife as a parliamentary assistant. With 10 weeks to go until the election, his place as favourite has been taken by centrist Emmanuel Macron, while far-right National Front leader Marine Le Pen has also gained ground. 'I'd love to be wrong, but I can't believe any more because I can see on the ground the reaction of the voters. They don't want to vote for us any more,' Fenech told Radio Classique. He was speaking a day after leading a failed bid to force a meeting of the party's executive that could have challenged Fillon's decision to continue his presidential bid. Fillon returned to the campaign trail with a rally in northern France yesterday. In a speech he made no mention of the family scandal dogging his bid for the Elysee, but scorned the programmes of his rivals. Advertisement Le Pen's plans to scrap the euro has caused anxiety among investors. If she gets her way, experts fear a plunge in European bank securities, a selloff of US stocks and corporate bonds, as well as a dramatic fall in Treasury yields, The Street reports. France could also default its AA credit rating from Standard & Poor's if the French franc is reintroduced. Scoot MacDonald, chief global economist for Smith's Research and Gradings in White Plains, said: 'People are concerned that what should happen according to script might not happen according to script.' Brenda Lin will never forget the last time she saw her father. It was 2009, and not wanting to make a big deal out of a week-long school excursion to New Caledonia, she opted not to hug or talk to him in front of her classmates. She had no idea that while she was gone, her entire family - including both parents, two younger brothers and auntie - would be murdered by her uncle Robert Xie. 'Being a prideful teenager I did not say anything to my father, I just stood there awkwardly and thought to myself "It is just going to be a week, I am going to see them again really soon",' Ms Lin said in court during Xie's sentencing last week. 'To this day, my biggest regret was not hugging (my father) and telling him I loved him, to say thank you for being an amazingly loving and caring parent.' Brenda Lin has revealed the heartbreaking moment she ignored her father before leaving for an overseas school excursion. She had no idea it would be the last time she would see him, or the rest of her family 'To this day, my biggest regret was not hugging (my father)': While Ms Lin was on the week-long trip to New Caledonia, her father Min (right) was brutally murdered Last week Robert Xie, Brenda Lin's uncle, was jailed for life for the murders of her parents, two younger brothers and beloved auntie Xie, 53, was last week sentenced to five lifetimes in prison for the murders of Brenda Lin's parents Min and Lily, aged 45 and 43, her two younger brothers Henry, 12, and Terry, 9, and her auntie Irene, 39. Across four murder trials spanning seven years Brenda's identity was kept hidden, but that suppression order was lifted when she agreed to appear in an exclusive interview with Channel Seven's Sunday Night program, Fairfax reported. Ms Lin, who is now in her 20s, will break her silence and reveal the 'sexual motive' behind her uncle's horrific crimes in the tell-all interview. 'I do not even know how to begin to express how the murder of my immediate family have impacted my life there are not enough words to describe the pain and suffering caused me and those around me,' Ms Lin said in her statement to court. 'It has been seven-and-a-half years since I have lost my family. That's seven-and-a-half years without a loving mother, seven-and-a-half years without a loving father. 'Seven-and-a-half years without two exuberant brothers who were my best and closest friends and seven-and-a-half years without an extremely kind aunt. 'In this time I have finished my HSC, was accepted into uni, got my first part-time job and learnt to drive. But I have achieved all these things without my family beside me. 'These inherently happy moments are now at most bittersweet, they have now become a painful reminder of the family I have lost and I will never see again.' Brenda Lin's parents Min, 45, and Lily, 43 were killed after being bludgeoned with a 'hammer-like object' by Robert Xie A furious struggle took place in the bedroom of her two young brothers Henry (left) , 12, and Terry (right), 9 - but both were killed by their sinister uncle Irene - Brenda Lin's auntie - was the fifth member of the family to suffer a horrendous fate at Xie's hands During the trial prosecutors made the argument that one Xie's motives was having full access to the young woman once her family was out of the way. Police revealed that the killer appeared to be familiar with the layout of the home and chose to enter Ms Lin's room, pointing them towards Xie as a suspect. The court also heard that Xie touched Ms Lin inappropriately and the assaults became more frequent after she had to move into his home after the killings. Xie offered to adopt Ms Lin immediately after the murders, and assaulted Ms Lin up until he was charged with her family's murders in 2011, the court heard. He has not been charged over any of the sexual assault allegations. Esteban Santiago has been declared mentally competent to proceed in trial by his attorneys despite indications of mental illness The gunman behind the deadly shooting at Fort Lauderdale Airport in Florida has been deemed mentally competent to proceed with his court case despite indications of mental illness, his attorneys said. Esteban Santiago opened fire last month, killing five people and wounding six in a shooting rampage at a baggage claim. The 26-year-old was treated briefly in a psychiatric facility in Anchorage, Alaska, after showing up at an FBI office in November and telling agents he was hearing voices and was under CIA mind control. He made similar statements about mind control after he was arrested on January 6th authorities said. Defense attorneys Hector Dopico and Eric Cohen, however, told US District Judge Beth Bloom at a hearing on Thursday that Santiago understands court proceedings, comprehends the charges against him and is able to assist in preparing a defense. They also said he is taking psychiatric medicine in jail for an undisclosed mental condition. This still image taken from a security camera inside the terminal shows the moment Esteban Santiago opened fire Lockdown: People wait at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International airport after a shooting took place last month 'We have met with him hours upon hours. We do not have a concern at this time,' Dopico said. 'One can be profoundly mentally ill, including schizophrenic, and be competent.' Bloom initially said she wanted to order a full psychiatric evaluation for Santiago but decided to wait after Dopico asked for time to obtain records of his previous treatment and his behavior while in a different jail following his Florida arrest. The issue of mental competence could play a key role in whether the Justice Department decides to seek the death penalty against Santiago. 'I want to ensure the court is satisfied he is competent,' Bloom said. The judge asked Santiago a series of questions about whether he understood the 22-count indictment against him, whether he knew how the death penalty decision would be made and whether he was satisfied with his lawyers. He calmly answered 'yes' to each of these and said 'no' when asked if he objected to delays in the case. Trial is currently scheduled to begin October 2 in Miami. Another hearing on the competency issue is set for March 15. Esteban Santiago (pictured during an arraignment in January) said he understands court proceedings, comprehends the charges against him and is able to assist in preparing a defense Four of the five victims in the deadly airport shooting: (left to right) Shirley Timmons, 70, Olga Woltering, 84, Michael Oehme, 57, and Terry Andres, 62 (Not pictured: Mary Louise Amzibel) According to the indictment, Santiago flew from Alaska to Fort Lauderdale with a 9 mm handgun in a box in checked luggage. After landing he retrieved the weapon, authorities say, loaded it in an airport bathroom and came out firing in a baggage claim area. He was arrested after exhausting his ammunition. The five victims were identified as: Michael Oehme, 57, of Iowa, Terry Andres, 62, of Virginia, Olga Woltering, 84, of Georgia, Shirley Timmons, 70, of Ohio, and Mary Louise Amzibel, 69 of Delaware. The FBI has said he initially told them he acted under government mind control, then claimed he was inspired by the Islamic State extremist group. Investigators have found no links to terrorists and Santiago is not facing any terror-related charges. The FBI also says Santiago confessed fully to the shootings in video and audio recordings. After his meeting with the FBI in November in Anchorage, Santiago was handed over to local police who took custody of his gun and had him admitted to the Alaska Psychiatric Institute. He was released after five days and police returned his weapon in December. Santiago is an Iraq war veteran with the National Guard who grew up in Puerto Rico but later moved to Alaska. His reason for choosing the Florida airport has not been disclosed. Outrage has erupted over plans to build a sausage and bacon factory on the site a former Nazi forced labour camp in Austria. The 25-acre site in Haiming, 28 miles west of Innsbruck, housed hundreds of prisoners during World War II who were put to work building a dam for a hydro-electric power plant. The camp was demolished after the war, and the plot was unused by power company Tiwag until it was acquired by one of Austria's largest bacon and sausage producers, Handl Tyrol. Outrage has erupted over plans to build a sausage and bacon factory on the site a former Nazi forced labour camp in Haiming, Austria. Pictured above is another Nazi forced labour camp in Dachau, Germany Protests by heirs of former landowners have broken out, after they claimed that they were forced to sell the land at low rates by the Nazis. A commission after the war found that the land was lawfully obtained by Tiwag's predecessor company, according to The Times. It said that the company obtained the site 'in general interest' and that the heirs to the landowners should not receive compensation. Handl Tyrol says that the dispute only involved Tiwag and the claimants, adding that it is now the legal owner and plans to build a factory would not be delayed during the row. Markus Wilhelm, an environmental activist from the area, said: '[The energy company] has not worked through its dark brown past and it still sits on Nazi assets today.' Forced labour camps were used throughout Nazi Germany and German-occupied Europe in World War II. Millions of Jews and other victim groups were put into forced labor, which was often imposed without proper equipment, clothing, nourishment or rest, according to the US Holocaust Memorial Museum. Handl Tyrol, one of Austria's largest bacon and sausage producers, says it is the legal owner and plans to build a factory would not be delayed during the row. Pictured above, prisoners being forced to work at the Nazis' Bremen-Farge concentration camp during World War II (not the site in question) Before the war even started, Nazis had started putting people into forced labour in and out of concentration camps for economic gain and to to meet labour shortages. Dozens of rows have broken out over the years about areas used by the Nazis for murder, imprisonment and forced labour. Last year, the Czech government removed a communist-era pig farm from the site of a former Nazi concentration camp for Roma, Cabinet ministers said on Tuesday. Roma activists long demanded the removal of the farm from Lety, 60 miles (95 kilometers) south of Prague, where some 1,300 Czech Roma were sent between August 1942 and August 1943 during the Nazi occupation of what was then Czechoslovakia in World War II. Some 327 people died there, and many others were taken to the Nazis' Auschwitz death camp. Only about ten percent of up to 10,000 Roma living on occupied Czechoslovak territory are estimated to have survived the war. The current 250,000-strong Roma minority faces widespread prejudice. Tragedy: Back pain sufferer Ty Porter, 40, from Greater Manchester, had so much morphine in his system a pathologist said it was the most he had seen in his 25 year career A father of one died in his sleep after accidentally taking too many painkillers for the bad back that plagued him from the age of 13, an inquest has heard. Ty Porter, 40, from Greater Manchester, had so much morphine in his system a pathologist who examined his body said it was the most he had seen in his 25 year career. Mr Porter, a labourer from Salford, had been prescribed the powerful mediation by doctors to help with the severe back pain he had suffered since childhood. His problems increased when 18 months before his death he suffered a broken foot after jumping from a window at his girlfriend's house. In the weeks before his death, he had been in significant pain but was planning to book a holiday with his daughter Hannah when he felt better. But on November 8 last year, Ty, known by his family as 'Russ' was found unresponsive by his step-father Thomas and paramedics later confirmed that he had passed away in his sleep. His family insisted that he would never intentionally take his own life and was always sensible and would only take morphine when required. Proud father: The father of one, who had a daughter, Hannah, pictured together, first started suffering back pain aged 13 Pain: Mr Porter, a labourer, had been prescribed powerful mediation by doctors to help with severe back pain which he had suffered since childhood as well as a more recent broken toe They believe that his consistent lack of appetite - which he had suffered with for years - and use of the drug should have been more widely monitored by GPs. Giving evidence, Porter's mother Joan Porter told a Bolton inquest: 'When he was 13-years-old his back seized up. After a few weeks he started to make a recovery but the problems returned and he was in a lot of pain. His family insisted that he would never intentionally take his own life and was always sensible and would only take morphine when required 'Eighteen months before his death he broke his foot caused by him jumping from a window at his girlfriend's house. He was in a cast for months because the bones in his foot did not heal properly. He was in significant pain from his back and his foot and was given strong pain killers. 'He was good at taking the medication regularly and when he needed it and regularly attended hospital to get help. He had a problem with his appetite for years and would sometimes go two or three days without eating anything. 'But about 18 months ago he did begin to lose a significant amount of weight and I told him to go and see his GP. His GP didn't prescribe anything for him and did not advise him about the morphine he was taking. 'On the days leading up to his death he had been in a lot of pain and stayed in his room a lot of the time. The day before he died he took a swig of my medicine from the bottle and on our way to bed, Tom checked on Russ and he seemed to be normal. 'He was in bed under the duvet and looked like he was asleep. At 12.15 the next afternoon, Tom checked on him again and found him unresponsive and paramedics confirmed when they arrived that he had passed away. I feel strongly that it must have been an accident - we do not believe that he would take his own life. He never discussed anything like that with his family. 'He and his daughter Hannah had discussed going on holiday when he had recovered from his injuries and he believed he would make a full recovery and was looking forward to the future. He was a wonderful son. I feel his GP should have considered his lack of appetite properly and discussed the repercussions of not eating properly whilst taking morphine.' Hope: He and his daughter Hannah had discussed going on holiday when he had recovered from his injuries Warning: Ty's drowsiness and confusion before his death, caused by the morphine, could explain some of the symptoms he displayed prior to his death Pathologist Dr Gordon Armstrong told the hearing: 'The level of morphine was very high - around 9,050mg of morphine were present in the body. This is the highest level of morphine I have seen in someone's body in my 25 years of practise. he effects of morphine can depress brain function causing drowsiness and confusion and could explain some of the symptoms Russ displayed prior to his death. 'It is likely he would have fallen unconscious and passed away in his sleep..' Recording a narrative verdict, Senior Coroner Jennifer Leeming told the hearing: 'I think this was a tragic accident. It can only be explained as that of an accident.' A jilted ex-boyfriend took 'revenge' on his former partner by flushing her pet hamster down the toilet. Sydney Fraser, 54, lashed out at his girlfriend Maria Jefferson by drowning the creature at their south London flat after she told him she was leaving him. Miss Jefferson left the rodent behind when she moved out, and discovered Fraser's cruel actions when she returned to collect it. But he avoided jail after admitting criminal damage at Camberwell Magistrates' Court and was given a 12-month conditional discharge. Sydney Fraser, 54, pictured left and right, admitted flushing ex-partner Maria Jefferson's hamster down the toilet after she left him According to The Sun the court heard Fraser had been abusive towards Miss Jefferson and had previously 'plied her with drink to control her' and 'took out the lights because he knew she was afraid of the dark'. The paper reported she left him on December 5 and returned before Christmas after he 'bombarded her with text messages and phone calls', only to find he had killed her pet. Fraser pleaded guilty and told the court he wanted to 'get on with his life'. After the case, a spokesman for the RSPCA said the public wanted to see tougher sentences for animal cruelty. Camberwell Magistrates' Court, pictured, heard Fraser was 'unrepentant' and 'just wanted to get on with his life' The spokesman said: 'This is a really upsetting case and the poor hamster would've been caused immense distress and suffering. 'Recent RSPCA polling shows that 70 per cent of people would like to see the Government bring in tougher sentences for the most serious cases of animal cruelty and neglect.' The US Attorney's office has launched a criminal investigation into Fox News over claims the company failed to inform investors about payments it had made to the alleged victims of former chairman Roger Ailes. Ailes left the company last year amid claims he sexually harassed female members of staff. Several former staff members have lodged civil cases against the company following the allegations, including former host Andrea Tantaros. Roger Ailes, pictured, was forced to step down as chairman of Fox News over allegations he sexually harassed female members of staff, some of whom who sued the station Fox News agreed to pay former presenter Gretchen Carlson, pictured, $20million in September 2016 to settle a claim she had been sexually harassed by Roger Ailes Tantaros is suing Fox and Ailes for $30million alleging the former chairman ran 'a sex-fueled, Playboy Mansion-like cult'. Her lawyer Judd Burstein told the NY Daily News that another of his clients has been ordered to testify in front of a grand jury: 'I was told by the U.S. attorneys office there is an ongoing criminal investigation, relating to these allegations, all of these allegations.' He said the subpoena issued by US Attorney Preet Bharara concerned 'alleged violations of criminal law by Fox'. It is understood, the investigation concerns whether the company should have officially informed shareholders about the size of legal settlements concerning Ailes' alleged conduct as they could have impacted the value of their investment. US Attorney Preet Bharara, pictured, has tasked a grand jury to consider the allegations Fox News in September 2016 agreed to pay $20million to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit brought by former anchor Gretchen Carlson. A subsequent internal investigation of the company turned up more than two dozen women who described harassment by Ailes, according to New York Magazine. Fox News has seen hit anchors Megyn Kelly and Greta Van Susteren leave the station in recent months. Kelly claimed even she had been sexually harassed by Ailes. In her memoir, Settle For More, she wrote that Ailes would make inappropriate sexual comments and tried to kiss her. He even made comments about her bras. Kelly claimed Ailes offered to help her career in return for 'sexual favors'. After leaving Fox News, the New York Times reported Ailes had given Donald Trump advice in advance of presidential debates with Hillary Clinton before November's election. Fox News replied: 'The court granted FOX News motion to send Andrea Tantaros case to arbitration, where it always belonged, and rejected her counsel Judd Bursteins histrionics. 'Apparently one of Mr. Bursteins other clients has received a subpoena. Neither FOX News nor 21CF has received a subpoena, but we have been in communication with the U.S. Attorneys office for months we have and will continue to cooperate on all inquiries with any interested authorities.' A controversial Buddist sect has been raided in Thailand amid claims that the monk who leads it accepted more than $40 million in embezzeled money. An estimated 3,000 police took part in the raid, targeting Phra Dhammajayo, head of the Dhammakaya sect, after monks and supporters blocked their way during previous attempts to arrest him. Dhammajayo, 72, has not been seen in public for months, and it is not clear whether he was inside the temple during the raid. Buddhists pray in front of police outside the temple, which was raided by an estimated 3,000 officers The raid targeted Phra Dhammajayo, head of the controversial Dhammakaya sect, which encourages followers to become wealthy Thai police block Buddhist monks at the gates of the temple during Thursday's raid He has been charged with money laundering and receiving stolen property, but supporters say he was unaware that the money was tainted. The sect is controversial because it encourages followers to become wealthy, and followers claim this has made it a target for politically-motivated persecution. Officers were asked to wait outside the Wat Dhammakaya temple in Pathum Thani province, on the outskirts of Bangkok, until after monks had eaten their afternoon meal. Supporters of the sect allege that the charges are politically motivated, and authorities were branded heavy-handed Thousands of police officers piled into the lavish temple, 10 times the size of Vatican City, which has a centrepiece shaped like a flying saucer, made from a million small Buddha statues A devotee prays outside the temple, which was raided by police amid allegations of money laundering Monks were blocked from entering the place of worship while officers carried out the raid, looking for the sect's leader Thousands of police officers piled into the lavish temple, 10 times the size of Vatican City, which has a centrepiece shaped like a flying saucer, made from a million small Buddha statues. Thailand's military government invoked an emergency order declaring the area around the temple a 'restricted area' for the raid to stop people from entering. Phra Pasura Dantamano, a Dhammakaya spokesman, said Dhammajayo was innocent and criticized the authorities for being heavy-handed. He estimated that 10,000 followers were in the temple when the raid took place, but this figure could not be confirmed. Buddhist monks stand in front of the rows of police who carried out the raid, which critics claim was politically motivated It is estimated that 10,000 followers were in the temple when the raid took place, but this figure could not be confirmed Thailand's military government invoked an emergency order declaring the area around the temple a 'restricted area' for the raid to stop people from entering Followers of the sect are seen as supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was deposed by a 2006 military coup. Supporters allege the charges are politically motivated, as they were brought under an anti-Thaksin military government that seized power in 2014, seeking to erase his power base. One of Dhammajayo's followers, the head of a credit union, has already been convicted of embezzlement and sentenced to 16 years in prison. Dhammajayo was charged with money-laundering and receiving stolen property. The sect says he did not know the money was tainted. Followers of the sect are seen as supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was deposed by a 2006 military coup The sect was founded in 1970 and its base ballooned in Thailand's economic boom of the 1980s Thursday's raid was the latest in a series of attempts to arrest Dhammajayo over the past year The sect was founded in 1970 and its base ballooned in Thailand's economic boom of the 1980s. Its increasing size and influence drew scrutiny, and Dhammajayo was forced to temporarily step down as the temple's abbot following embezzlement accusations in 1999 and 2002. He resumed his post in 2006 after clearing his name. Thursday's raid was the latest in a series of attempts to arrest Dhammajayo over the past year. The Department of Special Investigation -Thailand's FBI - first summoned him last March in connection with the money-laundering charges. After he repeatedly failed to show up for questioning, saying he was ill, a criminal court issued an arrest warrant in May. Dhammajayo was charged with money-laundering and receiving stolen property. The sect says he did not know the money was tainted The raids have also been complicated by a Thai law which forbids the arrest of a monk in his robes, for fear that would mar the sanctity of the clergy Worshippers were blocked from entering the temple by rows of police officers during the raid In June, supporters repulsed hundreds of officers seeking Dhammajayo by crowding the temple grounds, and in December police called off a raid after thousands of monks blocked the way. The raids have also been complicated by a Thai law which forbids the arrest of a monk in his robes, for fear that would mar the sanctity of the clergy. Buddhism is the national religion and one of three core pillars of Thai society, along with the monarchy and nationhood. Monks occupy a privileged position and are granted many concessions, including not paying taxes and being exempt from arrest until they are defrocked. Jason Allen Garlinghouse, 33, of Lebanon, was arraigned Wednesday afternoon in Linn County Circuit Court on a charge of murder after his estranged wife, Sparki Garlinghouse, 34, was found dead Tuesday morning with multiple gunshot wounds at his home, according to police documents. Judge Daniel Murphy ordered Garlinghouse held without bail and set the next hearing for March 13. Murder is a Measure 11 charge and carries a potential life sentence. According to the probable cause affidavit, the Garlinghouses had separated, were in the middle of a custody battle, and Sparki Garlinghouse was living at another residence. The report also described a history of "multiple calls for service" to the home. The affidavit reports that Jason Garlinghouse invoked his right to remain silent after telling a 911 dispatcher, "My wife attacked me" and that he shot her multiple times. After detaining Jason Garlinghouse, officers entered the home and found Sparki Garlinghouse unresponsive on the floor with multiple gunshot wounds. The report says she was clutching two children's backpacks and a set of keys in her left hand, and that a bread knife was resting in her opened right hand. Observing the body, Deputy Medical Examiner Amy Keys and Lebanon Police Detective Justin McCubbins reported two of the bullets appeared to have entered through the victim's back, according to the PC affidavit. Executing a search warrant at the home, Lebanon Police detectives, Linn County Sheriff deputies and Oregon State Police crime lab personnel recovered a total of eight spent shell casings, five of which were located near the body, the probable cause affidavit states. Two others were located on the kitchen floor, and one was found on top of the refrigerator. Officers also observed a semiautomatic, slide-locked pistol on the kitchen island. An angry shopper complained to Domino's after she saw a 'sheepish-looking' member of staff piling a shopping trolley full of hundreds of chicken wings and coleslaw from Aldi. Caroline Foskett, 31, was shopping in Aldi in Dartford, Kent, on Friday, February 10 when she spotted a man wearing a Domino's uniform 'awkwardly wandering up and down the aisles' with a trolley. The man appeared to be waiting for Aldi staff to restock the freezer after he had emptied it of chicken wings and dippers. An angry shopper complained to Domino's after she saw a 'sheepish-looking' member of staff (pictured) piling a shopping trolley full of hundreds of chicken and coleslaw from Aldi Caroline Foskett (pictured left) was shopping on Friday when she photographed the worker (right) who appeared to be waiting for Aldi staff to restock the freezer after he had emptied it of chicken wings and dippers Teacher Ms Foskett, from London, claims he already had six or seven tubs of coleslaw, eight or nine boxes of chicken strips and the same amount of chicken wings before he loaded in even more. The mother-of-two sent the fast food giant a photo of the worker when she saw Domino's hit the headlines earlier this month after staff were spotted bulk-buying 1 bags of potato wedges in Asda. However, Domino's claimed the member of staff was conducting his personal grocery shop because bottles of water are visible in the trolley, which they don't sell. Domino's sell portions of coleslaw (left) for 1.99 each and seven chicken strippers (right) cost 4.99 Ms Foskett said: 'No-one needs that much chicken for themselves. 'I just couldn't believe it when I saw him with a trolley full of frozen chicken - especially after the photo of the Domino's staff member stocking up on wedges last week. I thought "as if they're doing it again". 'We used to get pizzas on the weekend because my husband works then and we'd spend well over 20, but now I'm not so sure. 'He certainly looked a bit sheepish, like he was trying to be very discreet. 'His trolley was full of chicken legs and chicken strips, as well as bottles of water and about six or seven tubs of coleslaw. 'He had about eight or nine boxes of chicken strips and a similar amount of legs.' Domino's hit the headlines earlier this month after admitting a staff member bulk-bought Asda wedges and sold them for a huge mark-up at 3.99 a portion. Domino's blamed a 'big sporting weekend' for some stores running out of products. Domino's hit the headlines after a member of staff (pictured) was seen stocking up on 1 bags of wedges in a London Asda on February 5 Ms Foskett said: 'I'm not going to order there again. We even used to get the potato wedges but I'm not doing that anymore. I'll just go to the supermarket myself. 'You'd at least hope they would cook them fresh and make them themselves. 'I know they've got to get their stock from somewhere else, like their own supplier who has fresh products. 'We do shop at Aldi ourselves and it is good quality, but when you are paying what is technically a restaurant price, it's not fair. Asda sells bags of frozen seasoned potato wedges (pictured) for just 1 on its website and in store Domino's sells its side of potato wedges for 3.99 - but admitted a store bought bags of Asda wedges when it ran out 'I saw that man and I just thought 'here they go again. I'll think twice about using Domino's in the future.' A Domino's spokesperson said: 'Our franchisees are not authorised to buy food items from outside sources. 'Investigations suggest this is a colleague carrying out a personal grocery shop, reinforced by the fact we don't offer many items in the trolley.' Cambridge students have been warned not to wear gowns in public after an undergraduate was attacked in the street. Tutors think the assault was sparked after an 18-year-old student burnt a 20 note in front of a homeless man. The undergraduate victim was verbally and physically attacked as he cycled in the city wearing a gown. It came days after after Ronald Coyne taunted the rough sleeper on film. Cambridge students have been warned not to wear gowns in public after an undergraduate was attacked in the street (stock image) Coyne, 18, a first-year law student at Pembroke College and Tory party supporter, was wearing a white bow tie and tails when he was filmed on Snapchat. On Tuesday students at St Catharine's College were warned against wearing their gowns outside of university premises. According to student news site Varsity, senior tutor Dr Paul Hartle, emailed students and suggested a tense environment from last week's note burning may have caused the assault. His email suggested the fact the victim was clearly identifiable as a student may be linked and warned of a dangerous 'climate' in the city. Coyne, 18, (left) a first-year law student at Pembroke College, was wearing a white bow tie and tails when he was filmed on Snapchat burning the note in front of Ryan Davies (right) He said: 'The student was wearing his gown which may have occasioned the incident, given recent unhelpful local publicity about the stupidly arrogant behaviour of a particular student (from another college).' He advised students against going out in their gowns. 'Whilst I suspect this was a random act, it might be prudent for a while at least not to wear your gown about town', he added. Cambridge University said: 'We can confirm there was an incident on Sunday morning that has been reported to police. We cannot comment further while a police investigation is ongoing.' More than 21,000 people have signed a petition calling for Coyne to be removed from the university as he faces an internal university disciplinary investigation. The man he taunted, jobless crane operator Ryan Davies, 31, who has been sleeping rough for three months, said: 'It was absolutely disgusting. It was horrible. Just plain nasty. Coyne was the communications officer for The Cambridge University Conservative Association but has since been expelled him from the group. His mother Sandra McLaughlin, 46, said she could not understand her son's behaviour. Speaking from their family home in Livingston, West Lothian, she said: 'I don't recognise that behaviour in my son. 'I don't really know why he's done something so thoughtless and cruel.' She added: 'It's completely out of character. He did two years of volunteering at Stockbridge shelter homeless shop in Edinburgh when he was still at school. 'It's very surprising. We're just a normal family. We're not toffs, he's not a toff.' Former French PM Jean-Pierre Raffarin chaired an eight month inquiry into the Brexit talks that warned Britain should be left worse off by the Brexit deal The French senate has demanded a Brexit deal that leaves Britain worse off to ensure no other EU member states quit the bloc. Senior politicians have warned Brussels should rule out giving some UK industries - such as financial services - special access to the single market. An eight month inquiry into Brexit also concluded there should be no negotiations about a UK-EU trade deal until the terms of the divorce have been agreed. The report, produced by a committee chaired by former French PM Jean-Pierre Raffarin, will infuriate Brexiteers ahead of the start of official negotiations next month. It lays bare the challenges faced by Prime Minister Theresa May in negotiating with a European Union that does not have an agreed approach. Even if her goal of negotiating a deal in the interests of both sides that deals with the future settlement as well as the terms of departure is backed by some countries, it could be derailed by stubborn opponents determined to punish Brexit voters. Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg told MailOnline: 'The error is to assume that anything could be worse than our current membership of an extravagant bureaucracy 'Saving 10billion a year, controlling our own borders and dealing with the rest of the world offer opportunities the EU forbids.' Michael Tomlinson, the deputy chairman of the Tory European Research Group, said 'Many thanks to the French Senate for their inquiry into our circumstances but perhaps we can agree to differ? 'We hope the French can do better under the EU but we're definitely going to do better out of it. 'For them the EU is the best solution, anything less is worse, for us non EU membership is better. 'So if they prefer they can call it a worse deal but we know it is more suited to us - access not membership.' Theresa May, pictured on a visit to Copeland yesterday, is due to officially trigger two years of talks with the EU on Brexit next month In the report, the senators branded her Lancaster House speech a 'mixture of veiled threats and pledges of goodwill'. They said the speech ignored 'the thousands of jobs that European citizens undertake in the medical sector, agriculture and several other sectors where a low-skilled labour force is needed'. It was assembled after an inquiry heard evidence from EU negotiators, technical experts and British politicians. The French report highlights what the senate considers to be the UK's vulnerabilities in the negotiations. There is focus on Britain's desire for a deal to ensure the UK does not fall out of the UK after the official two-year negotiation without any agreement. Mrs May has made clear she does not want a 'cliff edge' to Britain's EU membership and has promoted the idea of a transition or implementation phase. An illegal immigrant was arrested by border agents just moments after a judge gave her a protective order against her partner, claiming he was abusive. Documents filed at El Paso County Courthouse in Texas on February 9 show that the victim, a transgender woman, had been granted a protective order against her boyfriend, Mario Alberto De Avila. The court documents refer to the victim using a male name, Irvin Gonzalez, but the El Paso Times reports that she is also known as Ervin Gonzalez. Just moments later the woman, who was living at a domestic violence shelter, was picked up by ICE immigration agents. An illegal immigrant was arrested by border agents just moments after a judge gave her a protective order against her partner The case has sparked outrage as officials and law enforcement are prohibited from making a determination to detain someone for deportation solely on information provided by an abusive partner. 'Our clients come to us at the lowest point in their lives,' county attorney Jo Anne Bernal, whose office represents domestic abuse victims seeking court orders against abusers, said. 'Many of them are so frightened of coming to us because of possible immigration concerns.' Federal authorities have said the raids are routine, although critics speculate they are part of a crackdown under the Trump administration. The alleged victim who had previously been deported six times and arrested for stealing mail, false imprisonment, and assault was detained and questioned after leaving the court. Although documents do not state who tipped off federal agents, county attorney Jo Anne Bernal said she suspects it may have been the victim's alleged abuser. 'I'm suspicious that the tip may have come from the abuser, who knew precisely where the victim would be at that time and date since he had received notice to be in that courtroom as well,' Bernal told KFOX. Documents filed at El Paso County Courthouse in Texas (pictured) on February 9 show that the victim, a transgender woman, had been granted a protective order against her boyfriend, Mario Alberto De Avila 'I cannot recall an instance where ICE agents have gone into the domestic violence court, specifically looking for a victim of domestic violence,' she said. Although the complaint alleges Gonzalez was arrested on the street, Bernal claims it happened inside the courthouse. 'There were six ICE agents on the 10th floor,' she said. De Avila is currently being held on suspicion of forging a financial document. Horrific pictures show how a taxi driver narrowly survived after he was stabbed through the back of the neck by a crazed passenger. The motorcycle taxi driver had the man riding on the back of his vehicle when the passenger put the five-inch long blade to his neck and tried to rob him in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. When the driver refused to hand over his cash, the attacker plunged the kitchen knife into the back of his neck. A motorcycle taxi driver in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, was stabbed in the back of the neck by one of his passengers who tried to rob him X-rays show how the weapon travelled through the cab driver's entire neck, the tip ending just below his jaw. The motorcycle taxi driver had the man riding on the back of his vehicle when the passenger put the five-inch long blade to his neck and tried to rob him. When the driver refused to hand over his cash, the attacker plunged the kitchen knife into the back of his neck X-rays show how the weapon travelled through the cab driver's entire neck, the tip ending just below his jaw. But remarkably, it missed the spinal cord by millimeters and he has now made a full recovery after the attack. Assistant Professor Neurosurgeon Sam Nang, who carried out the life-saving operation, said: 'This was the motor driver. He had his client sit behind. 'He who was a robber who took the knife to stab him on the back of the neck. 'Three surgeons operated on the man for 90 minutes in the operating room. 'Fortunately, he was very, very lucky and the important spinal cord nerve was fully intact. One or two millimetres was the difference life and being killed instantly. Assistant Professor Neurosurgeon Sam Nang carried out the life-saving operation last June Neurosurgeon Sam Nang and his team operated on the man for 90 minutes to get the knife out of his neck Remarkably, the knife missed the spinal cord by millimeters and he has now made a full recovery after the attack. Professor Nang said that the case was one of his 'greatest ops' 'The patient has survived without any neurological deficit. He is now fully rehabilitated.' Professor Nang - who only began training as a neurosurgeon in 2005 - now works as a leading medic at the Preah Kossamak Hospital. He has compiled the shocking case from June last year among his 'greatest ops', part of his latest course which he is using to aid teaching at Sen Sok International University Hospital. He added: 'Images like this are helpful to students. We can demonstrate exactly where important nerves are and how they are impacted by traumas.' Advertisement These pictures offer a unique glimpse inside the creepy psychiatric hospital that once housed a President's assassin and two more would-be presidential killers. Eerie images and video show rows of observation seats overlooking the morgue's blood-stained operating table and the stainless-steel drawers where bodies would have been kept. Other spooky shots show paint flaking from the walls, hypodermic needles and forgotten blood samples. This eerie photograph shows a shattered glass window in a door leading to a stairwell in St Elizabeth's Hospital The now-abandoned psychiatric hospital in Washington DC has housed some of history's most notorious killers - as well as some would-be assassins The pictures and footage were taken by photographer and urban explorer Chris Hall, 17, from North Beach, Maryland St Elizabeth's Hospital opened in 1855 as the first federally operated psychiatric hospital in America This picture shows an empty box of hypodermic needles, which once would have been used to inject patients with drugs The pictures and footage were taken in Washington DC at St Elizabeth's Hospital by photographer and urban explorer Chris Hall, 17, from North Beach, Maryland. 'In my images, you see a past filled with torment and neglect that somehow all comes together to be something incredible and interesting as a whole,' he said. 'I started urbex about a year ago and I came upon the image from an explorer who had shown the morgue and operation table. 'I spent months searching for the location and finally was able to come across this secret urbex spot.' The hospital held Charles J. Guiteau, right, until his execution after he assassinated the 20th President of the United States, James Garfield, in 1881, left At its peak, in the 1950s, the facility housed more than eight thousand psychiatric patients This creepy image shows a blood-stained operating table in the theater where patients would have been taken for surgery The hospital at one point had a fully functioning medical-surgical unit, a school of nursing, and accredited internships and psychiatric residencies The facilirt has been abandoned since 2010 when a new hospital was built on the site, but the decaying remains of the building offer a glimpse into its past The hospital once housed two would-be presidential assassins. Richard Lawrence, who attempted to kill Andrew Jackson in 1835, was a patient as well as John Hinckley Jr who shot Ronald Reagan in 1981 but failed to kill him. It also held Charles J. Guiteau until his execution after he assassinated the 20th President of the United States, James Garfield, in 1881. All three men were housed in the hospital after their claims of insanity at their trials. Chris, who shot the images and video with a Samsung NX300M, did not experience any problems inside the forgotten hospital. John Hinckley Jr, left, was detained in the hospital after he shot President Ronald Reagan, right, in 1981 but failed to kill him When the hospital closed little care seems to have been taken to clear it out with blood-stained tables left behind The hospital was set to provide care for indigent, mentally ill residents of the District of Columbia, as well as for those in the U.S. Army and U.S. Navy who were deemed 'insane' Soon after the hospital opened in January 1855, it became known officially as the Government Hospital for the Insane Tens of thousands passed through its doors, with this shattered watch left behind by a former patient 'The main problem was finding the main medical room within the huge complex,' he said. 'People are always shocked when they see something like this that has just been left to rot.' St Elizabeth's Hospital opened in 1855 as the first federally operated psychiatric hospital in America. It housed more than eight thousand patients at its peak in the 1950s but has been abandoned since 2010 when a new facility was built on site. Richard Lawrence, who attempted to kill Andrew Jackson in 1835, as depicted in this etching, was detained in the hospital By 1996, only 850 patients remained at the hospital, and years of neglect had become apparent, with staff reporting equipment and medicine shortages, and complaining that the heating system was broken for weeks at a time St Elizabeth's is believed to have treated over 125,000 patients, though an exact number is not known due to poor record keeping, and it is believed thousands are buried there in unmarked graves The modern facility still houses patients, about half of whom are forensic patients - those found not guilty by reason of insanity or considered incompetent to stand trial Well-known former patients of St Elizabeth's include would-be Presidential assassins Richard Lawrence, who attempted to kill Andrew Jackson, and John Hinckley, Jr., who shot Ronald Reagan, as well as the assassin of James Garfield, Charles J. Guiteau, who was later executed Much of St Elizabeth's campus has now fallen into disuse and is in serious disrepair, and it has been named one of the nation's 11 Most Endangered Places in 2002 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation The hospital, which was created in August 1852 with a grant of $100,000 from the United States Congress, is historically significant for being the first such facility of its kind Paedophile priest Brian Spillane, 74, has been jailed for nine years for sexually abusing vulnerable and homesick boys for over two decades A paedophile priest who sexually abused vulnerable and homesick boys for over two decades could spend the rest of his life in jail. Father Brian Spillane was a charismatic priest and college chaplain, and generally well regarded by the school and others. But his 'respected position' masked a manipulative predator who sexually abused boys who sought his help over two decades at St Stanislaus College in Bathurst. Now the 74-year-old former clergyman faces the prospect of dying in jail after he was sentenced in the NSW District Court on Thursday for the assaults on boys aged under 16 in the 1970s and 1980s. The most serious charge was buggery (anal intercourse). The court heard Spillane preyed on boys - some as young as 12 - who were feeling homesick and invited them up to his room under the guise of providing comfort. Instead they were subjected to various indecent assaults. The 74-year-old former clergyman faces the prospect of dying in jail after he was sentenced in court on Thursday for the assaults on boys aged under 16 in the 1970s and 1980s A Year 10 student who went to Spillane's room seeking counselling was given tablets and a cough mixture which effectively drugged him, before he was assaulted on the priest's bed. He was abused again some time later. A 13-year-old boy in 1985 was placed on Spillane's lap and subjected to an exorcism after being told he 'had the devil in him' before being assaulted. 'He was devastated by the experience,' Judge Robyn Tupman said on Thursday. 'He threw his clothes away and had a shower.' Another victim who was attending day school was sexually assaulted a number of times in 1978. The 14-year-old, who had initially sought comfort from Spillane because his mother was sick, was told no one would believe his story after the assaults, which included buggery. The abuse started with kisses but eventually exacerbated to rape. Spillane tried to initiate anal intercourse on the teen again after the student came to his room for disciplinary reasons. The boy told him to stop because it hurt. Spillane abused him in another way and as the student was leaving the room said: 'I don't know what we're going to do with you if you keep getting into trouble.' He sexually abused boys who sought his help over two decades at St Stanislaus College in Bathurst (pictured) Spillane also conducted group prayer sessions, where he would chant and 'speak in tongues'. During one session he touched a student's penis. Judge Tupman said Spillane had taken advantage of vulnerable boarders and obtained their silence in a 'particularly manipulative' way. The victims were impressionable teens away from their homes, without any sounding board to check Spillane's behaviour. 'He was charismatic and genuinely well regarded by the school and others,' Judge Tupman said of Spillane. 'But he was using his respected position to abuse these children.' Outside court one of the victims said his life had been destroyed by the abuse. 'For me, this is a life sentence,' Damien Sheridan told reporters. 'What he's done to me, I'm still dealing with it all.' Spillane, who has not expressed remorse for his actions, sat with this back to some of the victims in court. His sentence will run concurrently with time he's already serving for previous convictions, extending his parole date to 2026. 'There is a prospect that he will die in prison,' Judge Tupman said. 'Even if he survives jail, when he does emerge on parole, he will be an old man.' A war hero cited for 'exceptional bravery' after being wounded in a battle with the Taliban has died fighting wildfires in his native New Zealand. Corporal David Steven Askin, who served in New Zealand's SAS in Afghanistan, was killed in a helicopter crash in Port Hills, Christchurch. The 38-year-old had been pouring water onto the devastating flames which have engulfed land around the city. He died at the scene of the crash on Tuesday. David Steven Askin pictured after a firefight with the Taliban in Afghanistan in 2011 The crash claimed the life of SAS war hero Corporal David Steven Askin, who was fighting the flames He was one of four troops famously photographed outside the InterContinental Hotel following a siege by Taliban commandos in Kabul in June 2011. Askin and his colleagues were credited with saving the lives of numerous guests and officials at the hotel. Twenty people were killed in the raid. Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee said at the time: 'Our NZSAS personnel operate in dangerous and volatile situations and all of these men have demonstrated extreme courage in the face of a determined enemy.' In 2014, Askin was wounded during a grenade-and-gun battle with the Taliban. He was awarded the New Zealand Gallantry Star, the second-highest military honour, for his bravery. The 38-year-old died SAS war hero died at the scene of the crash Paying tribute to the war hero, Army chief Major General Peter Kelly said, the NZ Herald reports: 'He was an outstanding soldier who served his country with bravery and commitment. The same bravery and commitment he showed in helping his community fight these fires. 'During his time in Afghanistan, Corporal Askin displayed great gallantry and leadership in the face of the enemy. He put himself in the line of fire, and put the objectives of the mission before his personal wellbeing.' More than 1,000 people fled their homes and at least seven houses have been destroyed by a bushfire. About 450 homes were officially evacuated on Thursday morning, while more people have left of their own accord. 'We understand it's hard for people to leave their homes but the fire can change direction and move incredibly quickly,' police Senior Sergeant Ash Tabb said. The fires were fanned by strong winds and merged into one. It covered more than 1850 hectares on Wednesday night The devastating fires forced more than 1,000 people to flee their homes The blaze, which started as two separate fires on Monday and which sparked a local state of emergency, was fanned by strong winds. It covered more than 1,850 hectares on Wednesday night, emergency officials said. Around 120 firefighters and support crew have been involved in ground operations to battle the fires that broke out on Monday night. About 85 Defence Force personnel are helping with efforts. Stephen Wilson has been handed a suspended sentence after admitting the breach in court A mother found out her new partner was a convicted child rapist after he was stopped by the authorities while coming back to the UK from a holiday with her and her teenage son. Stephen Wilson was caught while returning from a holiday to Turkey after border officials scanned his passport at the UK border and realised he had not told police that he was leaving the country. The former school caretaker and ex army sergeant was jailed for 12 years in 2007 for sex offences against a young girl. Following the 59-year-old's release in 2012, he was subject to strict conditions under a sexual offences prevention order and the terms of the sex offenders register. One was that Wilson - from South Shields - was not to have contact with a child under the age of 18 unless supervised by an adult who was aware of his conviction. But after beginning a new relationship with a woman who has a 16-year-old son, the former Royal Grammar School employee Wilson failed to tell her of his conviction. Under the terms of the sex offender registration he was also obliged to inform the authorities of any trips abroad but failed to tell them of the trip to Turkey last year with his new girlfriend and her son. Now Wilson has been given a suspended prison sentence at Newcastle Crown Court after he admitted breaching the sexual offences prevention order and failing to comply with the registration requirements. The former caretaker worked at the Royal Grammar School in Newcastle for years before his crimes were revealed The court heard the offences were due to him not properly understanding the conditions rather than simply ignoring them and he had found it difficult to tell his new partner about his past. Judge Tim Gittins told him: 'There was no suggestion you were seeking to breach the orders for the purposes of committing further sexual offences. 'But you must appreciate both of these orders were serious court orders, breaches of which could lead of up to five years imprisonment. 'It's clear you have demonstrated remorse for what you have done and you appreciate now the serious position you have put yourself in. 'The fact is you have jeopardised all you have done to rehabilitate yourself from the sentence of imprisonment you have served. 'I take the view they were deliberate breaches but not designed to assist you in committing further offences.' The court heard it was in January 2007 that Wilson was convicted of sex offences against a 14-year-old girl, which he continues to deny. As a result of the conviction he was told he must sign the sex offenders register for life and was given the sexual offences prevention order. Prosecutor Kevin Wardlaw said: 'One of the terms of the order is he is not to associate or have contact with any child under the age of 18, unless it is supervised by an adult who is aware of his conviction. 'This offence happened by the defendant, who had recently begun a relationship with a lady who has a 16-year-old son, together with that lady and her son going on holiday to Turkey for two weeks. 'The offences came to light when he returned to this country and passed through border control.' Judge Tim Gittins told Wilson at Newcastle Crown Court: 'You must appreciate both of these orders were serious court orders' Police were informed and Wilson told then he had been complying with his registration requirements but admitted he had not told his new partner about his past. Mr Wardlaw said: 'He accepted he had begun a relationship, planned a holiday, she had invited him and he was aware of the prohibitions of the order. 'He had not made her aware of his convictions and went on holiday with her and her son.' Wilson, who has a total of 13 previous convictions, including assault and acquisitive crime pre-dating his 2007 sentence, was given two months suspended for 18 months with rehabilitation. He remains subject to the sexual offences prevention order and still has to sign the sex offenders register. Brian Hegarty, defending, said Wilson's relationship with the woman is ongoing but 'at a difficult stage'. He added: 'The defendant's explanation is he has a poor understanding of the positive obligations and the prohibitions. 'It's just a matter of him not properly understanding he had to report any foreign travel, it's not a case of him ignoring it, he just didn't understand what he had to do. The 59-year-old was only caught when border officials in the UK scanned his passport and found he had not told police he was planning to leave the country (stock photo) 'He had not made (the woman) aware of the conviction he had. One can understand the difficulty he had in broaching the subject with a new partner. 'That has now been done and they are doing their best to ensure the order is not breached again. 'In many other ways he appears to be completely rehabilitated. He was released in November 2012 and since that time he has obtained full-time employment and is a valued member of staff. 'This is the first time he has travelled abroad since his release. He should have got the papers out of the back of the cupboard and fully appraised himself of them but this was not a case of him willfully disregarding the order that was in place. 'He says he will absolutely make sure it doesn't happen again. He is very contrite and apprehensive about what might happen to him today. 'He has rehabilitated himself and made himself a useful member of society.' Wilson was jailed in 2007 for a string of attacks in his car and his former home between 1995 and 1999. The caretaker continued to work at the RGS for eight years before his victim summoned the courage to reveal her ordeal to a relative. Wilson, a former army sergeant for 21 years, joined the school two years after the first attack. Once the allegations came to light, he was immediately suspended by the private school and resigned shortly afterwards. Wilson denied four counts of rape and four of indecent assault but was found guilty after a trial at Teesside Crown Court. Syria's president Bashar al-Assad today said Donald Trump's ban on Syrians entering the United States targeted terrorists, not his country's people. Trump last month issued an executive order, since suspended by a judge, that temporarily barred travellers from seven Muslim-majority countries including Syria. Assad made the claims during an interview which is due to be broadcast on Thursday. Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, pictured, said he supports Donald Trump's travel ban In an interview broadcast with Europe 1 radio and TF1 television, the dictator said: 'It's against the terrorists that would infiltrate some of the immigrants to the West. And that happened. It happened in Europe, mainly in Germany. 'I think the aim of Trump is to prevent those people from coming... not against the Syrian people.' Trump said his order, which triggered protests at home and abroad and confusion at US and international airports, was intended to prevent militants from entering the United States. His administration is challenging the suspension ruling, which was upheld last week by appeal court judges. Assad's government has often criticised Western states for their support for Syrian rebel groups, all of which are regarded by Damascus as terrorists, and has warned that such backing will lead to militant attacks around the world. Trump has not yet set out a clear policy on Syria but has indicated he could cut US support for insurgent groups and has said he wants to mend ties with Russia, whose President Vladimir Putin is Assad's strongest international ally. Assad claimed Trump's ban was not 'against the Syrian people' but 'against terrorists' Asked directly whether Trump's immigration policy was the right one, Assad did not answer. He also said he had not yet seen what Trump's Syria policy would be. Assad claimed the fight for Raqqa was not a priority for his forces as his regime intends retaking 'every inch' of Syrian territory. He said: 'Raqqa is a symbol. You have ISIS close to Damascus, you have them everywhere. 'Everywhere is a priority depending on the development of the battle. They are in Palmyra now and in the eastern part of Syria. For us it is all the same, Raqqa, Palmyra, Idlib, it's all the same.' Assad denied his regime engaged in torture, accusing defectors of creating their stories for international human rights organizations: 'They said they interviewed few witnesses, who are opposition and defected. So it's biased. 'We don't do this, it's not our policy. Torture for what? ... For sadism?... to get information? We have all the information. 'If we commit such atrocities it's going to play into the hands of the terrorists, they're going to win. It's about winning the hearts of the Syrian people, if we commit such atrocities... we wouldn't have (popular) support (through) six years of war.' Sept. 25, 1921 Jan. 23, 2017 Russell W. Maddox Jr. died on Jan. 23, 2017, in Corvallis at his home. He was born in Richmond, Virginia, to Russell W Maddox Sr. and Magruder Yancy Maddox. Russell joined the U.S. Army in 1942 and was stationed in Texas and Wisconsin. He married Audrey Hatch in 1944 in Madison, Wisconsin. He completed his bachelors degree from Marshall College in 1946, a master's in public administration from Wayne State University in 1948, and a doctorate in political science from the University of Illinois in 1953, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. Russell joined the political science department at Oregon State University in 1950, where he worked for 40 years. He co-authored the text book, State and Local Government. He also served as department chair. Russell was central in writing the Benton County Charter in 1973. Russell married Polly Freeman (deceased) in 1972. He married Connie Fox in 1988, she passed in May 2016. He is survived by his sons, Russell W. Maddox III and Kenneth S. Maddox, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. The family wishes to thank the care staff who enriched his final year with their thoughtful care. No service is planned. A widower who penned a viral Gumtree advertisement searching for a fishing buddy to replace his late friend has reeled in another trip of a lifetime. Ray Johnstone, 75, placed an advert on the classifieds website seeking a new friend to head out to the water with him after his fishing buddy died. Within days, the Adelaide man was flooded with responses, including a trip to Moreton Bay in Queensland after Mati Batsinilas, 22, responded to his plea. And his quest to find another fishing companion isn't over yet, with kind strangers offering to take the humble pensioner on a fishing trip in Sydney. Avid fisherman Joe Forza, 32, and his friend Zac Shahin will be spending the weekend with Mr Johnstone around the Harbour Bridge. Ray Johnstone, 75, (pictured on his first fishing trip after placing an advert seeking a new buddy after his late friend died) has a new fishing trip lined up Avid fisherman Joe Forza, 32, (pictured) and his friend raised money so they could fly Mr Johnstone to Sydney for a fishing trip around Harbour Bridge this weekend Mr Forza's friend Zac Shahin (pictured) will also be fishing alongside the 75-year-old pensioner The pair raised nearly $1,600 after setting up a GoFundMe page to cover Mr Johnstone's airfares and accommodation in Sydney. 'Naturally, when I saw his ad, it made me want to put a smile on his face,' Mr Forza told Daily Mail Australia. 'I had a couple friends donated a decent amount. But we had plenty of other donations from across the world. He really did reach so many with his story. 'And what better place to go fishing than Sydney Harbour?' The company manager said he has an exciting weekend lined up for Mr Johnstone when he arrives in Sydney on Friday afternoon. '[Friday] night if he's not too tired, I'll take him down near the Harbour Bridge to check out some local fishing spots,' Mr Forza said. 'Saturday he will do his own thing. Sunday we're taking him with the famous angler Alistair McGlashan. 'Then on Monday, some other local shops want him to visit so they can donate some fishing gear. Then he flies out on Tuesday morning.' The pensioner felt so alone after his fishing buddy died that he placed an advert on the classifieds website seeking a new friend to head out to the water with him On Thursday, Mr Johnstone revealed on social media about his next adventure after two men set up a fundraising campaign to bring him to Sydney for a fishing trip The 22-year-old Brisbane man saw Mr Johnstone's heartbreaking viral ad shared on Facebook and quickly got in touch, offering to take the 75-year-old fishing in Queensland On Thursday, Mr Johnstone revealed on social media that his next stop was Sydney. 'To all my Facebook friends, just letting you all know that my grandson and myself have been invited to Sydney,' he wrote. 'Then on Saturday will be shown [to] some of the views around Sydney and some of possible spots where Al McGlashan - one of Australia's top fishermen - will be taking us fishing in Sydney Harbour,' he continued. 'It's going to be great, as I have been told that you can catch big fish in the Harbour; yellowtail kingfish, giant trevally and maceral. 'We are both looking forward to start our fishing adventure.' The latest plan comes after Mr Johnstone went on a trip with Mr Batsinilas, from Brisbane, after the young man responded to the ad. The pair managed to reel in a number of massive whiting at Stradbroke Island after Mr Johnstone flew from Adelaide earlier this month. Grant Hackett is in hiding because he's embarrassed about his breakdown, his father Neville has revealed. The Australian swimming great was found safe and sound on Thursday evening after being reported missing earlier in the day. The triple Olympic champion, who has struggled with drug and alcohol problems away from the pool, was detained by Gold Coast police on Wednesday after his parents reported he had suffered a 'breakdown' at their family home. He was released after a few hours without charge but a day later, his parents said he had disappeared. 'Grant's been found alive and sober,' Neville Hackett said outside the family's Mermaid Waters home. 'He's spoken to police. He's actually hiding because he's very, very embarrassed about all this,' he said. 'He's in hiding from everybody, including us. I think he's very, very embarrassed, but let's see how things go.' Scroll down for video Just hours before his family said he was missing, the embattled swimming star accused his brother of beating him up in a social media post which read: 'My brother comments to the media... but does anyone know he beat the s**t out of me. Everyone knows he is an angry man' (pictured) He added that while he was unsure where his son had been, he had made contact with police. 'He's sober. They haven't told us where he is. It doesn't matter. As long as he's alive. He can look after himself,' Neville told The Age. The Olympic champion was located at the Surfers Paradise Marriot Resort & Spa in Queensland on Thursday evening, according to the Gold Coast Bulletin. After he resurfaced, Hackett reportedly told authorities that he wanting nothing to do with his family, 9News reported. But his father insisted that the ordeal had brought the family closer. Friends and family of the 36-year-old had been searching for him after he was last seen at 7.30am at the luxury Palazzo Versace hotel before he missed an appointment with his lawyer. Later on Thursday, Hackett's father had put out a plea to find the former Olympic swimmer. 'He's definitely a missing person,' he told local media. 'He's mentally disturbed and needs urgent help ... If anybody has seen him contact the media or the police or the Hackett family. 'Grant, let us know where you are. We love you and we want to help you.' Neville Hackett said his family had been 'ready for the worst' after a tense phone call with the three-time Olympic gold medallist. Serious concerns are being held for the welfare of Australian Olympian Grant Hackett with his father Neville (pictured) reporting him missing to police in the last hour His family grew concerned after he didn't make contact with friends, family, his doctor or lawyer for several hours, his father Neville told 9News 'We can't find Grant. He left a hotel on the Gold Coast at 7.30am this morning, very depressed and not in good condition, and obviously very mentally disturbed,' Neville said. 'We are extremely worried about him. His doctor can't find him. He hasn't kept an appointment with his lawyer.' 'He won't - when we spoke to him several hours ago, he just hung up when we asked him where he was. He is definitely a missing person, and he's mentally disturbed and needs urgent help.' Just hours before, the embattled swimming star had accused his older brother Craig of beating him up. Craig told reporters on Wednesday that Hackett was a 'danger to himself and to the community' and that his family were unable to help him. However, before he was reported missing, Hackett posted a photo of himself on Instagram with cuts and bruises to his face and said his brother had beaten him. 'My brother comments to the media... but does anyone know he beat the shit out of me,' Hackett wrote. 'Everyone knows he is an angry man.' The swimming community have rallied around the embattled swimmer, posting messages of support on the Instagram post. It is unclear when or where the photo was taken and Hackett did not appear to be sporting any injuries when he was released by police. Hackett has was arrested at his parents' home on the Gold Coast on Wednesday On Wednesday after Hackett was arrested his brother Craig called him 'dangerous' The pair are pictured here with their mum Margaret Hackett on Mother's Day last year Hackett, 36, was arrested at his parents' house in Mermaid Waters on the Gold Coast on Wednesday after flying into a abusive rage. His father Neville said calling the police was the only option he had. 'This is now a chronic problem and it looks like it's not going to go away in a hurry,' his brother Craig added. 'The whole family have been doing all that we can but now it's kind of out of our hands, it really is. 'The Grant Hackett that Australia fell in love with, they can still have that affection towards him. '(But) this is not Grant Hackett. This is a completely different person. I don't know this person, my mum and dad don't know this person. 'He's there in body, but he's not there in mind, soul or spirit. Hackett was released from Southport Police Station after more than hour with no charges Earlier footage showed the swimming star in the back of a police car wearing handcuffs Hackett's father Neville (centre) and brother Craig (right) spoke to the media yesterday Hackett, 36, was believed to have been arrested at his parents' house 'We can't do it. It's getting to the point where he's dangerous. He's a danger to himself and to the community. 'It doesn't look encouraging, but who knows? If he gets the right type of treatment and that's what we're really counting on, maybe, just maybe he might be able to claw himself out of it,' Craig added. His comments came as it emerged that a family member recently sought a court order against the three-time gold medallist. The order requires Hackett to be of 'good behaviour' until January 2019, the Daily Telegraph reported. Friends said it was obtained after an altercation that ended with Hackett seeking treatment for a facial injury, according to the Gold Coast Bulletin. It's understood Hackett's father Nev called police to the address because his son was in an agitated state and apparently intoxicated Hackett was spotted drinking wine with his girlfriend at the time Maggie Keating in July 2016 It was obtained before Hackett's breakdown on Wednesday, which led to his desperate family calling police because he refused to get help. Hackett, 36, subsequently checked into a private hospital where he will be getting rehab treatment. Asked how he was feeling as he left the Southport watch-house on Wednesday, Hackett said: 'Not the best.' His father Neville said he called police to their address because his son - who he says has been battling mental health issues for years - became verbally abusive after drinking heavily. Witnesses told 7News the swimming star was brandishing a knife and 'stabbing a chopping board.' After Hackett's arrest, his father said the 36-year-old was 'ranting and raving a bit' and the family had called the police when he had refused to get treatment. 'He's big and powerful when he's not happy,' Neville Hackett said. 'We decided he needed some treatment but there was no way he was going to go and get treatment this morning, so we called the police.' Regarded as Australia's best 1500m swimmer of all time, Hackett (seen here in 2008) won gold medals in the long-distance event at the Sydney and Athens Olympics Footage showed the swimming star in the back of a police car wearing handcuffs, before giving a 'shaka' sign to the camera. Regarded as one of the greatest long distance swimmers of all time, Hackett won back-to-back 1,500 metres golds at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and at Athens in 2004. He retired after the 2008 Games in Beijing, where he won silver in the event. The 10-times world champion, who was also a member of the 4x200m freestyle relay gold-winning squad in Sydney, returned to the pool last year to make an unsuccessful bid to qualify for the Rio Olympics. In the wake of national trials, he was involved in an altercation with a passenger on a flight and questioned by police at Melbourne airport in April last year. He said he had been binge drinking after his Olympic disappointment and publicly apologised. Last April Hackett (seen here at Melbourne Airport) was accused of 'tweaking' a fellow plane passenger's nipple during a Virgin Australia flight from Adelaide Hackett was spotted wandering round Melbourne's Crown casino half-naked in February 2014 after taking the sleeping pill Stilnox Hackett was accused of 'tweaking' a fellow plane passenger's nipple during a Virgin Australia flight from Adelaide to Melbourne. He allegedly 'smelt of alcohol' during the flight, and was questioned by Australian Federal Police over the matter. The business class passenger, who was sitting in front of Hackett, spoke about how he felt 'violated' when the swimmer 'groped his chest' during the row. 'There was no altercation - I was sexually assaulted by that man,' the passenger told the Herald Sun at the time. In 2011, he smashed up the multi-million dollar penthouse he shared with his then-wife, Candice Alley, and their two children, in an alcohol-fuelled rage Hackett said the 2012 breakdown of his marriage to Candice Alley (pictured left together in 2004, right in 2010) took a 'physical, mental and emotional' toll on him Hackett and his sports coach girlfriend Debbie Savage split in November 2015 after dating for a year Hackett has also previously struggled with addiction to sleep medication. He spent time in a rehab centre in 2014 after he was spotted in the lobby of a Melbourne casino disoriented and wearing only his underwear. It later emerged that he had taken the sleeping pill Stilnox on the night the pictures were taken. His prescription drug dependency plunged his life into chaos, forcing him to check into a rehabilitation centre for a five-week program in Arizona. In 2011, Hackett smashed up the multi-million dollar penthouse he shared with his then-wife, Candice Alley, and their two children, in an alcohol-fuelled rage following the Melbourne Spring Carnival. Ms Alley called police after Hackett reportedly went on a rampage through their apartment, smashing furniture and photo frames and upending a grand piano. Westpac dumped him as a brand ambassador after the incident, while a children's charity also cut ties. Aisha Roberts died in the waters around Koh Rang on Tuesday afternoon A British tourist drowned while snorkeling during a dream holiday with friends in Cambodia. Aisha Roberts, 32, went missing in the waters around Koh Rang on Tuesday afternoon, prompting a large search operation. The Londoner was part of a group which rented boats for the trip, but when her friends climbed onto the board they realised she was missing. Her body was yesterday washed up on shore and found by staff from the Koh Rong Dive Center, who helped in the search operation. A spokesman for the centre said today that they were not in touch with any of the group. They added: 'I do not know why she drown, she was not diving or snorkeling with us. We did search and recovery. 'The sea is sometimes rough which can be difficult for an inexperienced swimmer.' Koh Rong police chief Heng Kem An said they had pronounced Aisha dead at the scene. Police were called to the scene after Ms Roberts' body was washed ashore after a frantic search He said: 'Her friends confirmed that Roberts disappeared while they were snorkelling, they did not know what had happened to her. There was a search for her but nothing appeared until yesterday. It was staff from the diving centre that found her.' She had arrived in Cambodia with friends on February 5, and visited a number of attractions in the country before taking a trip for several days to the idyllic island. They then took a boat together for a snorkelling and diving trip in the waters around Koh Rang, but it is not known if they had a tour guide with them. Seng Huorleang, Koh Rong deputy police chief, said the search started on Tuesday afternoon and ended yesterday when her body surfaced on the waters near the island's Koh Touch village. A post mortem examination found the cause of death to be drowning. British Embassy officials in Phnom Penh are arranging for Aisha's body to be sent home. Looking solemn during a formal parade with top officials, this is the first picture of North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un since his half-brother was assassinated. The tyrant was attending a birthday celebration for the state's late leader Kim Jong-Il in Pyongyang - the second-most important holiday of the year. But most of those present at the event are unaware that Jong-Il's exiled son Kim Jong-Nam was killed just days ago in what appears to have been a carefully planned assassination. Looking solemn during a formal parade with top officials, this is the first picture of North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un since his half-brother was assassinated The tyrant was attending a birthday celebration for the state's late leader Kim Jong-Il in Pyongyang - the second-most important holiday of the year Most of those present at the event are unaware that Jong-Il's exiled son Kim Jong-Nam was killed just days ago in what appears to have been a carefully planned assassination Kim Jong-nan, pictured, was half brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and was open critical of his siblings regime Instead, North Koreans marked Kim Jong Il's life as they do every year, with dancing, special treats for children and reverential bows and bouquets of flowers before bronze statues. South Korean security officials suspect North Korea ordered the assassination of Jong Nam amid fears he was about to defect. But there has been no mention of his killing at the Kuala Lumpur airport in the North's official media. Jong Nam, who is believed to have lived most of the past decade in a kind of exile away from the North, may as well have never existed as far as most North Koreans are concerned. Few have access to outside media sources and reports here are generally limited to the ruling line of Kims. Other members of the family tree - especially problematic ones like Kim Jong Nam, who once suggested the North should do away with its hereditary succession - are rarely if ever mentioned. North Koreans marked Kim Jong Il's life as they do every year, with dancing, special treats for children and reverential bows and bouquets of flowers before bronze statues Few have access to outside media sources and reports here are generally limited to the ruling line of Kims On the surface, at least, normalcy was the word of the day. North Korea's state media said Kim Jong Un paid his customary respects overnight at a palatial mausoleum in Pyongyang. He also reportedly attended a large meeting on Wednesday. North Koreans across the country, meanwhile, observed as normal the 'Day of the Shining Star,' Kim Jong Il's birthday and the second-most important holiday of the year. National founder and 'eternal president' Kim Il Sung's birthday in April - the 'Day of the Sun' - is the most important. In central Pyongyang, from early morning thousands of people climbed Mansu Hill to lay flowers and bow below giant statues of Kim Jong Il and Kim Il Sung. North Koreans across the country observed as normal the 'Day of the Shining Star,' Kim Jong Il's birthday and the second-most important holiday of the year National founder and 'eternal president' Kim Il Sung's birthday in April - the 'Day of the Sun' - is the most important North Koreans are expected to make a show of respect to their leaders on all major holidays and anniversaries and authorities are ensuring that Kim Jong Il's birthday is being celebrated in traditional fashion North Koreans are expected to make a show of respect to their leaders on all major holidays and anniversaries and authorities are ensuring that Kim Jong Il's birthday is being celebrated in traditional fashion. This morning it was claimed that one of the 'assassins' in the killing may have been tricked into the murder of Kim Jong-un 's brother by 'friends' who told her to 'wipe poison on him as a prank'. A 28-year-old woman arrested in connection with the death of North Korean Kim Jong-nam is believed to have told police she was 'abandoned' by a group she was on 'holiday' in Kuala Lumpur with after allegedly applying a toxin to his face. Doan Thi Huong, of Vietnam, has been named as the woman captured on CCTV at Kuala Lumpur Airport wearing a white t-shirt branded with LOL and a blue skirt. Photos have since emerged showing the suspect being led into a police car. Police sources said Doan - which may be a false name - had told officers that she had been convinced by another woman and four men to play a prank on Kim and it was never her intention to kill or even hurt him and she thought it was 'a harmless joke'. It comes as a second woman named as Siti Aishah, 25, from Indonesia and her Malaysian boyfriend Muhammad Farid Bin Jalaluddin, 26, were arrested over the death. A photo has emerged showing the first arrested suspect (pictured wearing a yellow top) being led into a police car It comes as a second woman named as Siti Aishah (pictured in the passport profile image), 25, from Indonesia and her Malaysian boyfriend were arrested over the death The 'LOL assasin' (left) who allegedly murdered Kim Jong-nan, right, by wiping poison on his face may have been 'duped into killing him' by 'friends who told her it was a harmless prank' How the chillingly audacious murder of North Korean tyrant's brother in a major airport may have involved a poisonous handkerchief and fountain pen Indonesia's foreign ministry said the second woman is an Indonesian citizen and has requested consular access to her. Officers were expected to release more details of Aishah's detention later. The New Straits Times said today that the attack on Kim Jong-nam had been captured on one of a number of CCTV cameras and the vision had revealed the movements of the two women said to be involved. The paper said that the assailants had moved separately as Kim was preparing to check in for his flight to Macau at the self-service check in booths. 'It is understood that one of the suspects, who was picked up from the same airport yesterday, was the one who had apparently finished the job,' said the paper, referring to the woman seen wearing a top with LOL emblazoned on the front. Security camera footage reportedly shows the same woman wearing a dark-coloured glove on her left hand as she walked towards the taxi stand. By the time she reached the taxi area, she was no longer wearing the glove. There are suggestions that the glove might have been laced with poison when it was wiped across Kim's face. He had headed to the washroom immediately after the attack, but had then turned back to the information counter to seek help complaining of pain in his eyes. DID 'CARELESS' FACEBOOK USE LEAD TO KIM JONG-NAM'S DEATH? Kim Jong-Nam's 'careless' use of Facebook and emails may have led to his assassination, it has been reported. The 46-year-old half-brother of Kim Jong-un, poisoned to death by two female operatives in Kuala Lumpur, posted numerous pictures of himself online along with comments. His Facebook page was under the name 'Kim Chol', the same name used on the passport he had in his possession when he died on Monday. Kim Jong-Nam's 'careless' use of Facebook and emails may have led to his assassination, it has been reported. He is shown in one of his Facebook photos The 46-year-old half-brother of Kim Jong-un, poisoned to death by two female operatives in Kuala Lumpur, posted numerous pictures of himself online along with comments Jong-nam's Facebook profile shows a squirrel along with a French flag filter - possibly added in solidarity with Paris in the wake of the November 13 ISIS terror attacks South Korean intelligence chiefs say he was poisoned by agents from the North as he walked through Kuala Lumpur International Airport on his way to board a flight. Asian news websites are now reporting that the Facebook profile is that of the estranged relative of North Korea's dictator who had been living in exile in Macau. But a former intelligence secretary to South Korean President Lee Myung-bak claims that his 'careless' use of emails and social media may have prompted his assassination. Cha Du-hyeogn told NK News Jong-nam was known to have used commercial e-mail addresses to communicate. He said: 'Open activities like these do not look like they are coming from a person who is constantly under the death threats. A former intelligence secretary to South Korean President Lee Myung-bak claims that his 'careless' use of emails and social media may have prompted his assassination In 2010, he added another photo where he was posing in front of the five-star hotel Wynn Macau. He said of the image: 'Nice place!' His profile suggests he studied at the International School of Geneva and at the Lycee francais de Moscou 'I think it is possible that Kim (Jong-nam) was careless, leading to his unsuspecting death.' Jong-nam's Facebook profile shows a squirrel along with a French flag filter - possibly added in solidarity with Paris in the wake of the November 13 ISIS terror attacks. One of his photos posted in October 2008, shows him standing on a yacht with an unknown man. Five years later he commented on the photo, saying: 'I miss Europe!' In 2010, he added another photo where he was posing in front of the five-star hotel Wynn Macau. He said of the image: 'Nice place!' His profile suggests he studied at the International School of Geneva and at the Lycee francais de Moscou. A number of his Facebook friends use French language to comment on his photos. Advertisement The paper said it had seen footage of Kim, who was wearing a dark blue polo T-shirt, light blue jeans and brown shoes, slumped in an armchair. 'His eyes were shut and he appeared to be grimacing in pain.' And in a startling claim the New Straits Times said it had been told there was a likelihood that one of the assailants who approached Kim - one from the front to distract him, the other to grab him around the throat from behind - was a man disguised as a woman. The paper said the man police might be looking for could be a 40-year-old agent from the North Korean intelligence agency known as the Reconnaissance General Bureau. It was reported that Kim had high blood pressure when he died. Following an autopsy, his tissue, urine and blood samples have been sent to a laboratory for analysis, which might take a week. The woman, pictured on CCTV, has been arrested the suspect, has been named as 28-year-old Doan Thi Huong, of Vietnam, although Malaysian authorities believe it may be a false identity A North Korea embassy official sits inside his car beside armed police outside a morgue at Kuala Lumpur General Hospital where Kim Jong-nam's body was taken North Korean ambassador Kang Chol pictured inside the mortuary of the Kuala Lumpur Forensic Department. North Korea has ordered Malaysia to hand over the body Malaysia will return the body North Korea. It has been held so far at Kuala Lumpur Hospital following an autopsy, the results of which have not yet been released. Kim, 46, died on the way to hospital after telling staff at Kuala Lumpur International Airport that a woman had sprayed, or wiped, a liquid on his face. He had collapsed shortly after revealing the incident. Other new reports in Malaysia suggested today that the woman might have been duped by the four men and the other woman into playing the 'joke' on Kim, after which they had abandoned her. This might explain why, dressed in a white top bearing the letters LOL, she had turned up at the airport again a day later to catch a flight back to Vietnam, perhaps unaware that her 'prank' had proved to be an assassination. The Star newspaper said today that all six people had been staying at a hotel not far from the airport, but after the attack on Kim then others had abandoned her. It was then that she had decided to take a flight home. 'Her story opens up the possibility that the other five had been the real killers who had planned the execution while the arrested woman was the pawn in their plot,' said The Star. THE ASSASSINATION: WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR The mystery of just what happened to the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as he waited for a flight in a Malaysian airport has only deepened since news of his death emerged. Was Kim Jong Nam poisoned? Are the two female suspects trained killers or dupes? How can we be sure that North Korea, which seems the obvious culprit, was even involved? South Korea's National Intelligence Service - no friend to Pyongyang - and eager reporters across Asia have assembled a dramatic profile of the last hour of Kim's life. But unanswered questions remain. Here are a few: WAS HE POISONED? This one could be answered fairly soon. Kim complained of being sprayed in the face with some sort of chemical before he died. Presumably Malaysian authorities' autopsy, which has been completed, will determine whether poison killed Kim, and, if so, what kind. South Korean security experts believe North Korea, under dictator Kim Jong-Un (pictured), may have ordered the assassination A big question is how possible killers would have managed to quickly inflict a fatal chemical dose on someone in the middle of a busy airport. South Korea's intelligence service says Kim almost certainly was poisoned, but it's unclear whether a needle or spray was used, and the spy agency didn't elaborate. One possibility for the poison is neostigmine bromide, which South Korean officials said was contained in a pen-like weapon used in a failed North Korean attempt to kill an anti-Pyongyang activist in 2011. Or it could have been cyanide or sarin gas, according to a Seoul university professor who didn't want to be identified because Kim's autopsy results weren't out yet. Sarin gas was used in a deadly attack on Tokyo's subways in 1995. And if it turns out that Kim wasn't poisoned? Expect furious media backtracking, and flustered explanations in South Korea from the spy agency. WAS IT REALLY NORTH KOREA? North Korea, of course, is the easy answer. South Korea's spy service considers the North the bogeyman and almost immediately, in a private briefing to lawmakers in Seoul, pointed the finger at North Korean agents for the death, saying that Kim Jong Nam had been targeted for five years because of Kim Jong Un's 'paranoia.' Kim Jong-nam was poisoned close to an information desk at Kuala Lumpur International Airport Most news media have run with this, but, so far, Malaysian officials have provided no solid links to North Korea. When asked Thursday if North Korea was behind the murder, Malaysian Deputy Home Minister Zahid Hamidi said, 'That is speculation.' This doesn't mean that North Korea couldn't have orchestrated such an attack. It does fit a certain profile: North Korean agents have, at times, run wild in South Korea, killing defectors, sometimes with poison, and critics. WHO ARE THE ARRESTED WOMEN? The two women arrested in connection with Kim's death were spotted on surveillance video at the airport where Kim fell ill. Both are reportedly in their 20s. One held an Indonesian passport. The other had Vietnamese travel documents and was seen in grainy photos waiting for a cab while wearing a white jumper emblazoned with 'LOL' - internet-speak for Laugh Out Loud. But their possible involvement in Kim's death is still unclear. Were they simply in the wrong place at the wrong time? Were they North Korean agents, maybe even North Korean nationals using false passports? Kim Jong Nam, in one of his lowest moments, was humiliated while trying to sneak into Japan to visit Disneyland - with a Dominican passport. Police are trying to verify if the women's travel documents are genuine, according to the Malaysian minister. Police said they have also arrested a third suspect, a Malaysian man thought to be the boyfriend of the suspect with an Indonesian passport. A diplomatic vehicle leaves the North Korean Embassy as members of the media crowd near the building's main entrance, in Kuala Lumpur If this was a carefully planned assassination - years in the making, as South Korean intelligence claims - it begs more questions: Would North Korean agents be so easily arrested - one of the women was picked up back at the airport, two days after Kim's death? Would they really take taxis from the scene of the crime? ARE OTHER EXILED NORTH KOREANS IN DANGER? South Korea's government said it was boosting security for high-profile defectors in the South, many of whom already have police protection. Kim Jong Nam was long protected in his Macau base by China, according to Seoul's spy service. South Korean officials say he leaves behind two sons and a daughter between two different women living in Beijing and Macau. Ha Taekeung, a South Korean lawmaker and North Korea human rights activist, said in a radio interview Thursday that Kim Jong Nam's son, Kim Han Sol, could be in danger because he knows sensitive secrets about Kim Jong Un's personal life. Kim Han Sol, who lived with his father in Macao, referred to Kim Jong Un as a 'dictator' in a 2012 interview. WHAT WILL CHINA DO? China, North Korea's most important ally, has said little officially about the death. Beijing reportedly saw Kim as a potential leader should North Korea's government ever collapse. An editorial in Global Times, the ruling Communist Party's English-language newspaper, said Thursday that China would offer condemnation if Kim was found to have been assassinated. 'Regardless of how intense a country's political struggle might be, there is no doubt that it should never rely on assassination methods as means for its advancement,' said the editorial. 'Although a final conclusion has yet to emerge regarding Kim Jong Nam's sudden death, speculation remains sharply pointed at Pyongyang.' Advertisement North Korean diplomats tried to prevent pathologists carrying out an autopsy on Kim, perhaps because they feared that if it was found a poison had indeed killed him it could be traced back to Pyongyang. The post-mortem examination went ahead anyway, but the results have yet to be made public. Possible poisons are ricin, found in the seeds of castor oill plants, or tetrodotoxin, extracted from pufferfish. Ricin is slow acting, so it is less likely to have been used than tetrodotoxin, which can paralyse and kill victims quickly. Deputy Police Inspector-General Rashid Ibrahim said today that investigators were 'not ruling out the possibility that more suspects will be picked up in the coming days.' Her light blue Dior handbag, with its long strap slung over her left shoulder, was searched by police, who allegedly found a bottle containing a liquid that might have been the poison. Kim Jong-nam had lived with the threat of death for years, since fleeing North Korea in fear of torture and execution. There had already been one botched attempt on his life. Former North Korean leader Kim Jong Il (bottom left) poses with his first-born son Kim Jong Nam (bottom right), in this 1981 family photo in Pyongyang, North Korea Kim Jong-Nam was once considered heir apparent but fell out of favour with his father Kim Jong-Il following a botched attempt in 2001 to enter Japan on a forged passport and visit Disneyland He travelled with bodyguards on his regular trips in Asia and occasionally Europe, usually on a false passport, in this case under the name of Kim Chol. But a brief lapse in his personal security between arriving at the airport and proceeding to passport control for his flight to Macau, where he lives in exile, left Kim Jong-nam alone, giving an assassin the chance to strike in the shopping concourse. One of the women is believed to have grabbed his face from behind possibly placing a poison-laced handkerchief on his mouth while the other sprayed toxic liquid on him or injected him with poison. According to U.S. sources, a 'fountain pen' may have been used a device previously associated with North Korean assassinations. An agent arrested on a mission last year revealed how he was equipped by North Korean Intelligence with what looked like a Parker pen, but contained a retractable needle for administering a fatal dose of a toxin described as 'more potent than cyanide'. FEMALE ASSASSINS 'ARE NORTH KOREA'S WEAPON OF CHOICE' North Korean female assassins, armed with good looks and poison tools, are now the weapon of choice for a ruthless regime stalking its opponents, a high-profile defector revealed, after the latest apparent assassination. Hardy male agents wielding guns or knives have been ditched in favour of their female counterparts, who strike fear into the hearts of enemies, said An Chan-Il, a North Korean defector and renowned critic of Pyongyang's one-man rule. 'We are always mindful of young women accosting us for possible revenge killings,' An said. His comments come days after the half-brother of the North's leader Kim Jong-Un died in a spy novel-style assassination that Seoul said was carried out by Pyongyang agents. South Korean intelligence chiefs believe Kim Jong-Nam had toxins sprayed in his face as he walked through Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Two women have been arrested over the murder. North Korean female assassins, armed with good looks and poison tools, are now the weapon of choice for a ruthless regime stalking its opponents, it has been claimed. Female army personnel are pictured during a march in Pyongyang An, a former North Korean commando who defected to the South in 1979, is now a leading researcher on North Korean affairs, and a harsh critic of the Stalinist state. He is one of eight defectors who were given the highest degree of protection by the South. Following Jong-Nam's death, that number has increased to 20, he said. In recent years, North Korean male agents have increasingly been sidelined into intelligence gathering or building contacts with other spies, An told AFP. 'Female agents are now being trained to do the killing, using poison', he said. 'They can easily hide mini poison injectors made of plastic, either in lipsticks, cosmetics or under their clothes,' he said, adding that such plastic tools go undetected by airport security. Agent candidates are carefully screened for their intelligence, physical attributes and family background. 'Good looks are essential but this is different from any beauty contest. A girl with a curvy body is not considered ideal to become an assassin who has to engage in physical contact with targets', he said. Hardy male agents wielding guns or knives have been ditched in favour of their female counterparts, who strike fear into the hearts of enemies, said An Chan-Il, a North Korean defector and renowned critic of Pyongyang's one-man rule Before beginning their careers, the women go through many months of training, including strength work, combat skills, surveillance and weapons use, as well as language courses, he added. Malaysian police probing Kim's killing have detained a woman with an Indonesian passport and a 28-year-old woman with a Vietnamese passport, who reappeared at the same airport two days after Kim died. An said that would be 'bizarre' behaviour for a Pyongyang spy, adding that 'if she is a North Korean agent, she should have either disappeared or committed suicide when she was in danger of being arrested'. 'Her behaviour is simply unthinkable in the playbook of spies', he said. Two North Korean agents attempted to commit suicide by biting cyanide capsules hidden in cigarettes when they were arrested in Bahrain in 1987 after blowing up a South Korean airplane. The man died instantly but the other agent, Kim Hyon-Hee, survived. She was later brought to Seoul and confessed that the terror attack was aimed at hampering the 1988 Seoul summer Olympics. Advertisement It caused muscle paralysis, breathlessness, suffocation and death, and was the method of choice for covert killings. Cheong Seong-Chang, of the independent Sejong Institute in Seoul, South Korea, said the assassination was 'unthinkable without a direct order or approval from Kim Jong-un himself'. Jong-nam's killing was probably motivated by a recent news report that he had sought to defect to the EU, the U.S. or South Korea as far back as 2012. Just days after the international condemnation of North Korea's 'game-changing' latest ballistic missile test, the assassination on foreign soil has prompted further outrage. Adding insult to injury, North Korean officials are attempting to block the autopsy on Jong-nam as they demand to take the body back to Pyongyang. For 33-year-old Kim Jong-un, the burial of his half-brother will bring to a triumphant end to a long-running saga of jealousy, paranoia and, ultimately, fratricide that would not have seemed out of place in Ancient Rome. Kim Jong-nam was once the heir apparent of North Korea, the eldest, albeit illegitimate, son of the 'Dear Leader', Kim Jong-il, by a South Korean actress (who died in mysterious circumstances in Moscow in 2002). Kim Jong-Nam is believed to have been targeted as he prepared to board a plane in Kuala Lumpur His existence was kept secret by his father for many years, and he was not allowed to mix with his siblings from Kim Jong-il's other affairs and marriages. However, he wanted for nothing, living in a mansion, surrounded by the latest toys from Europe and being driven on jaunts around the North Korean capital in a black Mercedes. At the age of ten he was sent abroad to study at the International School of Berne in Switzerland, where he became fluent in French. On his return to North Korea aged 17, Kim Jong-nam enrolled at a university. But his relationship with his father had deteriorated and he blamed his younger half-brother, Kim Jong-un, for taking advantage of his father's loneliness while he was out of the country. But Kim Jong-nam was a young man whose European experiences had filled him full of 'dangerous ideas', such as free market reforms to end rampant poverty and starvation in his home country. These suggestions outraged his father and caused apoplexy among the ruling elite. 'I was viewed with suspicion,' he admitted. His spell in Switzerland had also introduced him to life's luxuries and to sex. Despite Japan being a sworn enemy of the regime, he would regularly fly to Tokyo using a false passport to indulge his playboy lifestyle in nightclubs, casinos and the city's red-light district. The tubby Korean, just 5ft 2in tall and weighing 14st, was a regular at an establishment known as Soap Land, where hostesses charge clients up to 300 an hour for their services. THE ILLEGITIMATE CHILD OF A DICTATOR AND AN ACTRESS It was a secret affair that was so sensitive it was air-brushed from history in reclusive North Korea. Kim Jong-il, the country's late dictator started a relationship with married actress Song Hye-rim - a star of her time - in the 1960s. He wanted to keep the affair from his father and founder of North Korea's ruling dynasty Kim Il-Sung. But Jong-Il would go on to father a son with the actress in 1971, naming him Kim Jong-nam. Intelligence sources have verified reports of Kim Jong-il's liaisons with Song, Song Hye-rim, who died in exile in Russia in 2002. She was one of the country's first big movie stars, with legions of fans including film buff Kim Jong-il. Another star of the day, celebrated dancer Kim Young-soon - who escaped to South Korea in 2003 - has revealed how she was jailed for 'gossiping' about the affair. Kim Jong-Nam is pictured dressed in an army uniform as a child and posing with his maternal grandmother in January 1975. His mother was famed 1960s actress Song Hye-rim One day, she met Song who said she was moving into a place in Pyongyang called 'special residence number five' - a home reserved for the family of the ruling Kim clan. She knew what it meant. Her friend was to become Kim's wife. In other words, not only was Kim Jong-il forcing a woman six years older to divorce her husband to move in with him but, more riskily, he was rejecting the communist revolutionary his father had chosen for him to produce heirs for the ruling dynasty. Kim Young-soon became a criminal by repeating the story, losing her family, her privileged status and living for decades at the mercy of the North's security apparatus. She had not realised just how far Kim Jong-il would go to keep the relationship secret. Kim Jong-nam (pictured) was the illegitimate son of Kim Jong-Il and 1960s movie star Song Hye-rim In August 1970, Kim Young-soon was interrogated and forced to write her entire life story, including a line in one of the dozens of notebooks she filled about the conversation with Song. She later speculated an informant had tipped off security about the marriage and her written statement confirmed it. She was jailed for nine years and it was not until 10 years after she was released - after Kim Jong-il had apparently lost interest in Song - that she was told by a state security agent why she landed in prison. 'He told me that Song Hye-rim was not Kim Jong-il's wife and to forget what I might have heard about them having a child.' By that time, Kim Jong-il had two other sons with a former dancer named Ko Young-hee, including current dictator Kim Jong-un. 'Once Kim Jong-il took up with his new wife Ko Young-hee, (also known as Ko Yong-hui) they went on to erase any remembrance of Song Hye-rim,' Kim Young-soon said. Kim Jong Nam was quoted as saying in a 2012 book by a Japanese journalist: 'My father was keeping highly secret the fact that he was living with my mother who was married, a famous movie actress, so I couldn't get out of the house or make friends. 'That solitude from childhood may have made me what I am now, preferring freedom.' Advertisement In 2001 he was caught in Tokyo on a false passport, on a trip to Japan's Disneyland. Retribution was swift and he was imprisoned for three days by his father before being banished from North Korea for ever. He lived in Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and France, acquiring two wives and a son, before settling in the Chinese territor of Macau, where his lavish lifestyle was bankrolled by China a huge power behind the scenes in North Korea. Beijing saw the exiled brother as a useful asset should they ever need to attempt to replace the 'Supreme Leader' with another member of the dynasty. When Kim Jong-un came to power in 2011 after the Dear Leader's death, his half-brother never lost an opportunity to attack his regime, claiming that without reforms North Korea would collapse and decrying the herditary transition of power, and he recklessly encouraged speculation that he could one day replace his half-brother. North Korea has so far made no comment about a murder that is making headlines around the world. Significantly, the death of a close relative of the ruling family in such strange circumstances has not merited a single word in the state-controlled media. A Swedish court on Thursday sentenced a Syrian man to life imprisonment for participation in the 2012 mass execution of seven government troops in Syria. The Stockholm District Court ruled that 46-year-old refugee Haisam Omar Sakhanh joined the armed group Suleiman Company in early May 2012, and shot a person dead with an assault rifle. Judge Tomas Zander said the victim, who was not identified, was shot dead along with six others 'under particularly cruel circumstances'. The seven men who were shot were part of the Syrian regime who had been captured by the independent Islamist group, which was founded in 2011. The Stockholm District Court sentenced 46-year-old refugee Haisam Omar Sakhanh to life imprisonment after ruling that he joined the armed group Suleiman Company in early May 2012, and shot a person dead with an assault rifle The Islamist armed group captured the men during an attack at the beginning of May 2012, and the seven were shot to death less than two days later, according to Stockholms Tingsratt. In the years since the execution, it has been impossible to identify the victims. Sakhanh had confessed to the shooting but said he should not be prosecuted because the death sentences had been made by a legitimate court, something the Swedish court rejected. It also rejected his defense that he had been following orders. The group Sakanh was part of, the Suleiman Company, is a Islamic rebel group independent of Free Syrian Army that was formed in 2011 during the Syrian uprising. The group is mainly active in the Idleb countrysides Jebel al-Zawiya region, and is led by former drug smuggler and Salafi militant Abu Suleiman al-Hamawi, according to TrackingTerrorism.org. The court said Sakanh had been active in Italy in 2011 and 2012 where he protested against the Syrian government. Sakhanh's arrest came after footage emerged of him taking part in in the 2012 mass execution of seven government troops in Syria (he's pictured above left) Italian police helped investigators in Sweden to identify him via fingerprints and photos of him illegally entering the Syrian Embassy in Rome during a protest, according to the court ruling obtained by The Associated Press. After his stint in Italy, Sakhanh returned to Syria before heading north to Sweden where he sought asylum in Sweden in 2013. He failed to inform authorities about the executions and was given refugee status and permanent residence permit in early 2016. He has been held in pre-trial custody since March. In a statement, the court said Sakhanh's crime 'is so high that the punishment has been ruled to be life imprisonment'. In Sweden, life imprisonment is normally ten years. The court said Sakhanh should then be expelled from the country and banned from returning. Eleven illegal immigrants were discovered hiding in the back of a lorry after a hand was spotted poking out of the back of the trailer. Police stopped the HGV on the M40 between junction nine for Bicester, Oxfordshire, and 10 for Northampton A43 on Wednesday afternoon. It comes just two weeks after 16 suspected Iranian illegal immigrants were discovered in the back of a lorry in Bicester. Police stopped the heavy goods vehicle on the M40 after being alerted to a hand sticking out the back Thames Valley Police said: 'We stopped a lorry at about 3pm yesterday. 'This has now been passed to the Home Office Immigration.' Earlier this month,16 people were found in the back of a lorry after a man phoned 999 for help. Officers were alerted by one of the 16 men in the back of the truck, which was stopped on the A41 near the Bicester Village shopping outlet in Oxfordshire. Police arrested the lorry driver and detained the suspected illegal immigrants. The lorry was stopped between junction 9 for Bicester, Oxfordshire, and 10 for Northampton A43 (pictured) In October, a group of 15 suspected illegal migrants, including a couple with two children, were treated at the side of a motorway after travelling for hours in the back of a lorry reportedly refrigerated to -25C. Emergency services rushed to Clacket Lane service station on the M25 in Surrey after the driver of a freezer lorry heard loud banging coming from the back of his truck. Police arrived at the scene to find the group huddled inside the lorry, which was carrying Aunt Bessie's roast potatoes. And in September, police found ten Iraqi migrants including a 20-day-old baby in a lorry on the M1, near Northampton. They were only saved from death after their gasps of no air were heard by passers-by. This is the horrifying moment a 'studious' teenager was tripped, punched and kicked by a gang led by 'jealous girls' in a filmed beating then posted online. The minute long video, shot in Glasgow, shows a group of up to ten people taunting and verbally abusing the girl before attacking her as she tried to get away. The footage, filmed by a boy who laughs throughout the attack, shows girls attacking her in the dark while screaming abuse at her. The unnamed victim, who had been studying, repeatedly cries out 'leave me alone' before a teenage boy kicks the young girl's feet from beneath her. Cornered: The victim was surrounded by a group of girls who were verbally abusing her before they started attacking her one by one (pictured) Vicious: The unnamed teenager was surrounded then repeatedly beaten around the head and body before being kicked to the ground by a boy At the start of the clip, the well-spoken girl tries to reason with the gang, after they accuse her of posting something derogatory on social media. As she tries to walk by her path is blocked and several girls begin punching and slapping her. At one point she is surrounded by three girls, who shove her, before the male comes in and kicks her to the ground, whilst the man filming the incident laughs. Brutal: Every time she tries to walk away her path is blocked and several girls begin punching and slapping her again The clip was posted online by The Glasgow Gospel Facebook page yesterday, and the page admin claims the girl was returning from a late night study session. The page posted the video along with a statement saying: 'A source from the area says the polite hardworking teen is targeted regularly by the jealous girls and that claims of aimed social-media stats and bus-stop insults are most-likely made up.' The video has now been viewed almost 4,000 times, and viewers have reacted with disgust. Kelly Meechan said: 'Their parents must be so proud especially of the boy in the hood who thinks it's funny to join in. If these were my kids doing this they wouldn't need to worry about the parents of the girl cause I'd deal with them first.' Stephanie Robertson added: 'This terrifies me being a mum of two girls. If this happened to my girls I'd be going to parents' doors'. Melissa Kennedy wrote: 'Little scumbag can never confront someone on their own always need their fellow scumbag mates with them hope the wee girls got a cousin or a sister that goes round and kicks s**t out of every single one of them.' This is not the first time that a video showing school-age pupils in the city indulging in violence has been shared online. Last month, horrifying footage also captured in Glasgow, showed two schoolgirls trade over 100 blows to the head in under a minute. And in November, mobile phone footage showed a brutal brawl, thought to have broken out during an English class at Eastwood High School in the affluent town of Newton Mearns, East Renfrewshire. A former head of a Rotary Club has been exposed as a wanton vandal after he was captured on CCTV keying his neighbour's 30,000 Bentley. John Saunders was spotted on camera as he slashed the side of neighbour Peter Stirling's classic car following a petty row over how Mr Saunders ran the apartments where . He scratched a V-shape into the passenger side of Peter Stirling's beloved motor, causing 2,000 of damage to the car, which had first been owned by airline entrepreneur Sir Freddie Laker. John Saunders was caught on CCTV camera vandalising neighbour Peter Stirling's classic Bentley, pictured, worth 30,000 Mr Stirling, pictured with the car, said the criminal damage was committed over a 'petty row' on how Saunders ran the apartment complex where he lived The 69-year-old from Colchester, Essex, thought he had got away with his callous act but instead his actions were captured on CCTV cameras installed by Mr Stirling after a spate of previous damage. Saunders, a former head of Kelvedon Rotary Club, told police he was just simply looking in the window of the Bentley parked in an underground carpark of apartments where Mr Stirling lived. He was charged with criminal damage and was convicted following a trial at Ipswich Magistrates' Court. The pensioner was slapped with a 1,500 when he was sentenced earlier this week Afterwards Mr Stirling, who has lived at the apartments in Colchester for more than 30 years, said he is glad he has got justice. Pictured: Saunders scratched a V sign into the body of the classic car He revealed he had been involved in a minor dispute with company director Mr Saunders, who was responsible for running the apartments where Mr Stirling lived. He said: 'I pointed out to him on a couple of occasions I did not think one person should be chairman, secretary and looking after the finances. 'On the day in question he was milling around the pass door. It had been chained open. 'I am sensitive about the security because the car has been scratched previously.' Mr Stirling closed the door and said he received a sarcastic 'thank you' from Saunders, before returning home. He said: 'I thought if it was going to be scratched in a fit of pique it would happen then.' Mr Stirling returned to his car and saw the fresh scratch. When he checked the CCTV footage he saw Saunders in the images. Saunders claimed he had been standing next to the car in order to look at the interior but was not responsible for the damage which occurred on June 7 last year. Mr Stirling added: 'He was not aware of the camera. His face is clearly identified. 'He had no reason to be there.' Saunders claimed he had been standing next to the car to look at the interior Mr Stirling bought the car for 20,000 before spending another 7,000 restoring it with an additional 2,000 repairing the damage caused by Saunders. A spokesman for the Crown Prosecution Service confirmed Saunders was positively identified by the victim as a result of the CCTV images. Saunders was slapped with the fine and ordered to pay the insurance excess of 200, 650 court costs and a victim surcharge. Two entrepreneurs face jail after they attempted to kidnap an investment guru who failed to secure them a lucrative 1.6million deal. Bernadette Degrassee, 42, and Thomas O'Donovan, 36, arranged for 49-year-old David Cumberbatch to be 'arrested' for fraud and bundle him in a car after a meeting in London's West End. Both O'Donovan and Degrassee denied attempted kidnap, but were found guilty by a jury at the Old Bailey. Thomas O'Donovan, 36, and Bernadette Degrassee, 42, (both pictured arriving at the Old Bailey) arranged for 49-year-old David Cumberbatch to be 'arrested' for fraud Mr Cumberbatch, the director of First Global Intermediaries, was grabbed by two men wearing radios clipped to their jackets as he left an office in St James' Square in May 2015. He was frogmarched towards a Vauxhall vehicle, but realised it was a trick when he spotted O'Donovan and managed to break free and run back to the office to call police. The victim arranged finance deals between investors and businesses seeking investment and was paid between one and two percent of the investment for his services. He had previously done business with Degrassee before being introduced to O'Donovan in August 2014. O'Donovan had hoped Mr Cumberbatch would broker a lucrative deal but was left furious when it feel through. Describing the kidnap attempt, prosecutor Adam Pearson said: 'He understood O'Donovan had a sum of money to invest and attempts were made to broker a deal between O'Donovan and a Swiss or Austrian businessman. 'It did not ultimately come to fruition and the deal fell through with the result that a profit of just under two million dollars that had been expected did not materialise.' Phone records revealed that O'Donovan and Degrassee were in contact moments before Mr Cumberbatch left the meeting at around 11.30am. Both O'Donovan and Degrassee denied attempted kidnap, but were found guilty by a jury at the Old Bailey (pictured) Degrassee was involved in relaying information to O'Donovan outside the office so the kidnapping could take place. The two bogus police officers have never been identified. Mother-of-three Degrassee, who worked at First Global Intermediaries since 2014, denied any involvement in the plot and claimed she got on well with the victim. She claimed they had exchanged emails and were on 'good terms'. Degrassee claimed she stood nothing to gain from the deal and was just trying to obtain further experience as a credit manager risk assessor in order to climb the pay scale. O'Donovan denied involvement in the plot and described the allegations against him as 'complete rubbish'. Degrassee, from Battersea in southwest London, and O'Donovan, from Essex, were both convicted of attempted kidnapping. Judge Stephen Kramer QC adjourned sentence until 20 March and released both on bail, but told the pair they should 'be under no illusions' that their inevitable sentence would be one of custody. Jacqui Lambie insists her move to ban the burqa from public places has emboldened oppressed Muslim women afraid to speak out. The crossbench senator believes full face coverings make Australians fearful and the right to feel safe must outweigh the right for expression of religious freedom. Ms Lambie said she's been told Muslim women have been emboldened by her proposed ban, and her public comments on Islam. Thousands of women in Australia were oppressed and fearful, with lives full of abuse and control by men, Senator Lambie told parliament. 'They are told what to wear and how to dress in public,' she said. 'They can't speak out. They are voiceless.' Scroll down for video Jacqui Lambie (speaking at Parliament on Thursday) insists her move to ban the burqa from public places has emboldened oppressed Muslim women afraid to speak out Yassmin Abdel-Magied (left) was caught in a fiery exchange with Jacqui Lambie (right) on ABC's Q&A after the Tasmanian senator called for all supporters of Sharia Law to be deported She says people hide their identity when they commit crimes. The upper house is debating the senator's private bill banning full-face coverings in commonwealth jurisdictions such as airports, as well as the ACT and Northern Territory. It also makes it an offence to force another person or child to wear a full face covering, punishable by imprisonment. The ban is linked to the national terrorism threat level, kicking in when the terror threat reaches 'probable'. Given the threat level is already at `probable', it would start immediately. The crossbench senator believes full face coverings make Australians fearful and the right to feel safe must outweigh the right for expression of religious freedom Liberal frontbencher Concetta Fierravanti-Wells says while the burqa was 'confronting at times', she's rarely seen women wearing them in Australia. 'I have very rarely seen women whose faces are fully covered,' she said. The most common head covering she has seen is the hijab, which leaves most of the face uncovered. 'Women have told me that they do so because it's their choice,' she said. 'It's what they feel they would like to wear as a demonstration of their beliefs.' Liberal Democrat David Leyonhjelm rejected the idea that banning the burqa would improve security. Thousands of women in Australia were oppressed and fearful, with lives full of abuse and control by men, Senator Lambie told parliament 'I can scarcely think of anything you could do to put security on higher alert than wearing a burqa, other than carrying a neon sign with an arrow pointing at you that says 'potential terrorist',' he told parliament. Anyone considering a terrorist attack would not be inconvenienced by a burqa ban. 'It's just as easy to hide a bomb under a loose gown as under a burqa,' he said. 'And if you are planning to blow yourself up, you won't be worried if a surveillance camera captures an image of your face before it gets blown to bits.' It was more important to ensure immigrants were compatible with Australian values, he said. On Monday night, Ms Lambie made headlines after she was caught in a fiery exchange with Yassmin Abdel-Magied on ABC's Q&A. The Tasmanian senator called for all supporters of Sharia Law to be deported but the founder of Youth Without Borders, disagreed, accusing her of 'talking about something you know nothing about'. It seems to be a common statement during the 2016 campaign: "If so-and-so is elected, I'm moving to Canada" (or some other country). Here are Two men dubbed the 'Demons of Death' by police were arrested in Dubai for promoting and selling illegal abortion drugs. The duo used social media as a tool to promote their illegal drugs in Ras Al Khaimah, Brigadier Abdullah Al Munkis, director of the police department's criminal investigations unit, said. The men are accused of exploiting social media websites and modern technology for the promotion and sale of prohibited drugs. Two men in Ras Al Khaimah, Dubai, dubbed the 'Demons of Death' by police, were arrested for exploiting social media websites and modern technology for the promotion and sale of prohibited drugs after being caught selling illegal abortion pills After police were tipped off about the crime a team of electronic experts confirmed that the drugs were being illegally sold and officers tracked down the two suspects. An undercover officer then arranged a meeting with the suspects while posing as a client looking to buy abortion pills. The suspects, whose names have not been released, were given their grim nickname 'due to the ugliness and seriousness of the crime they were involved in', Al Munkis told Gulf News. Al Munkis urged the public not to purchase medical drugs from unlicensed strangers or through social networking sites. According to UAE law, it is illegal for a woman to abort her pregnancy in most situations. The only exceptions are if the pregnancy endangers the mother's life or if there is evidence the baby will be born with fatal deformities and will not survive (file photo) 'People should not become a victim or be partners to such crimes, and should inform the police immediately of any information they may have related to such crimes,' he said. According to UAE law, it is illegal for a woman to abort her pregnancy in most situations. The only exceptions are if the pregnancy endangers the mother's life or if there is evidence the baby will be born with fatal deformities and will not survive. In the latter situation, the abortion must be done before 120 days after conception and must be approved by a medical panel. Three people have died after a man collapsed in an empty water tank and another man and woman attempted to save him on a rural NSW property. Emergency services were called to the home in Gunning, in the state's Southern Tablelands, at about 6.20pm on Thursday night. A neighbour told police that the first man collapsed while working inside the empty cement water tank near the front of the property. A second man and a woman attempted to rescue him but they also collapsed once inside the tank, police believe. Three people have died after a man collapsed in an empty water tank and another man and woman tried to save him (stock image) Emergency service personnel worked long into the night attempting to pull the victims' bodies from the well. All three of the victims, believed to be aged in their 60s, died inside the tank. Officers from The Hume Local Area Command established a crime scene which will be examined by forensic officers. The deaths are not being treated as suspicious. A brief will be prepared for the information of the Coroner. President Donald Trump's defense secretary James Mattis says the US military is not ready for a collaboration with Russia. Mattis dealt a blow to Moscow's hopes for repairing ties with the United States during talks at NATO headquarters in Brussels. He said: 'We are not in a position right now to collaborate on a military level. But our political leaders will engage and try to find common ground.' His comments came just hours after Vladimir Putin called for better cooperation with Western intelligence agencies in order to fight terrorism. Donald Trump's defense secretary James Mattis (left) has said the US military will not collaborate with Russia, in a blow to Moscow's hopes for repairing ties with the United States. His comments came just hours after Vladimir Putin (right) called for better cooperation The Russian president said it was in the 'general interest' for improved information sharing between services. The comments came after an aide said the Kremlin and the US were 'wasting time', and should work together. President Trump is currently facing questions over Moscow's influence on the White House. Speaking to top officials at the Federal Security Service, the Russian President said: 'It's in the general interest to establish a dialogue with the special services of the United States and other member countries of NATO. 'We need to establish cooperation at a new level in the antiterrorist sphere with foreign partners.' Putin at the same time complained that NATO 'is constantly provoking us and trying to draw us into confrontation,' according to reports in Russia. He claimed that Russia last year thwarted the activity of more than 400 foreign special agents, but did not give details. Putin's comments come as Moscow is hoping Trump makes good on his pledge to improve ties with Russia and seek cooperation in the fight against ISIS. Mattis told reporters (above) after talks at NATO headquarters in Brussels: ''We are not in a position right now to collaborate on a military level. But our political leaders will engage and try to find common ground' Trump's administration is currently facing criticism over reports of its ties to Moscow 'Even a simple exchange of information about the channels and sources of terrorists, about people implicated in or suspected of terrorism seriously raises the effectiveness of our joint efforts,' Putin said. WHAT ARE THE LATEST RUSSIAN REPORTS? High-level staffers on Trump's team and some aides were in 'constant communication' with Russian intelligence during the campaign One person has been named - former campaign chairman Paul Manafort President-elect Trump and President Obama were briefed on the contact Communication 'raised a red flag' - especially because Trump often spoke highly of Putin in public Communications were uncovered in call records and intercepted conversations Russian officials spoke about having 'special access to Trump' Information was found during 'routine US intelligence collection' - and not because Trump's team was targeted The FBI and intelligence officials are still trying to figure out why the communication was taking place Advertisement Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov said separately that Russia and the United States were 'wasting time', especially when neither on their own could solve pressing world problems. Trump's administration is currently facing criticism over reports of its ties to Moscow - which follow allegations from the US intelligence community that Putin ordered a hacking and influence campaign to help get Trump elected. This week his national security adviser, Michael Flynn, resigned after it emerged he had made misleading statements he over conversations he'd had with the Russian ambassador. It has prompted growing criticism over Moscow's influence on the White House. Yesterday a Russian spy ship was spotted loitering just 30 miles off the coast of a Naval submarine base in Connecticut - the latest in series of belligerent moves by their military as Moscow appears to be testing the resolve of Donald Trump's young presidency. The SSV-175 Viktor Leonov ship moved even closer to the East Coast, after it was spotted 70 miles off the coast of Delaware on Tuesday, Fox News reports. While it remains in international waters, a U.S. official said the armed boat - capable of intercepting communications and sonar capability - is 'loitering'. And days earlier, four Russian military aircraft conducted low passes against a US destroyer in the Black Sea. The spy ship was seen just 30 miles away from the Naval Submarine Base New London, known as the 'Home of the Submarine Force', in Groton, Connecticut The USS Porter, a guided missile destroyer, reported the aircraft performing 'dangerous flybys' past the ship which was based just off the coast of Romania on February 10. 'There were several incidents involving multiple Russian aircraft,' said Navy Capt. Danny Hernandez, spokesman for the European Command. 'They were assessed by the commanding officer as unsafe and unprofessional. Trump's predecessor Barack Obama slapped sanctions on Russia's FSB domestic agency and the GRU military intelligence over accusations they were involved in cyberattacks against the US. Four Russian military aircraft conducted low passes against a U.S. destroyer in the Black Sea just days before a spy ship was spotted off the East Coast (stock image) The comments come as a new report alleges members of Trump's team were in contact with Russian intelligence officials during the year leading up to the presidential election. The New York Times claims call records and intercepted conversations show: 'members of Donald J. Trump's 2016 presidential campaign and other Trump associates had repeated contacts with senior Russian intelligence officials in the year before the election.' The Times said its allegations are based off interviews it has carried out with four 'current and former American officials'. It claims US intelligence was worried because the alleged contact was taking place as then-candidate Trump continued to praise Russian President Vladimir Putin on the campaign trail. The Kremlin said on Wednesday, however, that the report was not based on any facts. The commander of the U.S. military's special operations division has given a new - higher - death count for the war against the Islamic State. Speaking at a conference in Maryland on Tuesday, Army Gen. Raymond Thomas said that troops had killed approximately 60,000 ISIS militants in the past two years. That's 10,000 more than what officials estimated just this past December. 'Im not into morbid body count, but that matters,' Thomas said at the National Defense Industrial Associations Special Operations/Low Intensity Conflict conference, according to Military.com. 'So when folks ask, do you need more aggressive [measures], do you need better [rules of engagement], I would tell you that were being pretty darn prolific right now.' The commander of the U.S. military's special operations division said Tuesday that 60,000 ISIS militants have been killed in the past two years. Above, ISIS fighters march through Raqqa However, other military experts say that death toll isn't an especially helpful figure when determining the effectiveness of a campaign. Army Gen. Raymond Thomas' figure is 10,000 higher than what officials gave in December 'References to enemy killed are estimates, not precise figures,' Defense Department Spokesman Christopher Sherwood told Fox News. 'While the number of enemy killed is one measure of military success, the [U.S. military] coalition does not use this as a measure of effectiveness in the campaign to defeat ISIS.' Sherwood said that the more effective way to measure success is the 'impact' on the enemy's ability to 'hold territory and to plan, finance, and conduct terrorist operations'. Robin Simcox, the Margaret Thatcher Fellow focusing on terrorist and national security at the Heritage Foundation, told Fox that ISIS' ability to continue recruiting members to commit terrorist attacks shows that 'we've barely made a scratch'. In December, former Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel also downplayed the importance of death counts. 'My policy has always been, don't release that kind of thing,' Hagel told CNN. Hagel, a Vietnam veteran, explained that death totals in that war were high but were not any indication of U.S. success. There's also an issue with how accurate that number can be. In December, the UK's Defense Secretary estimated the number of ISIS militants killed at 25,000. This shows how far off these estimates can be, even among allies that share intelligence. According to MIlitary.com, 'what makes the number of militants killed difficult to put into context is the wide variance between estimates of how many Islamic State fighters there are to begin with'. For example, in 2014, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights estimated that there were about 100,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria. Last summer, the Pentagon estimated that there were only about 15,000 to 20,000 left. Movie director Roman Polanski, who has spent the past 40 years on the run following allegations he raped a 13-year-old girl in California has launched a legal bid to avoid further jail time if he returns to the US. Polanski, 83, claimed he had an agreement with a judge in 1977 which stated he only had to serve 48 days in jail for the rape. However, the director, who has Polish and French nationality, said the judge reneged on the deal and insisted he should spend 50 years behind bars. Roman Polanski, pictured, claims a judge reneged on a deal to serve only 48 days in jail for the rape of a 13-year-old girl and instead insisted he should serve 50 years in prison Polanski has instructed his US legal team to petition a judge to unseal the 1977 plea agreement which he claims shows that he has served enough time in prison for the young girl's rape According to TMZ, Polanski's lawyer, Harland Braun has petitioned LA County Superior Court to unseal details of the 40-year-old plea arrangement, which Polanski claims will show he has served enough time in prison. Following his arrest in 1977, Polanski spent 42 days in Chino State Prison before he was released. He claims he had an arrangement with Judge Laurence Rittenband to serve 48 days in jail. However, Rittenband told prosecutors the director should instead be jailed for 50 years. Polanski claims the time in state jail along with almost a year he spent on remand in Switzerland while fighting extradition more than covers the original 48-day term stipulated in the deal. Polanski, who was married to US actress Sharon Tate, left, who was murdered by Charles Manson's gang, said he wants to be able to visit her grave in California without risk of arrest It is understood Polanski wants to be able to visit his wife Sharon Tate's grave. Ms Tate was murdered by Charles Manson's gang. Last month, Polanski had to turn down an invitation to head the jury at the French Cesar film awards - the country's equivalent of the Oscars - following an outcry by women's groups. In a statement, Polanski's spokesman claimed: 'This controversy has been generated by totally unfounded information, forty years after the issue in question. It has deeply saddened Roman Polanski and his family.' The Polish-born Polanski, now aged 83, pleaded guilty in 1977 to having sex with a 13-year-old girl during a photo shoot in Los Angeles. He served 42 days in jail after a plea bargain but later fled the United States fearing a lengthy jail time if the deal was overruled. His case remains an international cause celebre, where some argue it is time to drop US demands for his extradition but others say he must be punished. The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office has long insisted Polanski remains a fugitive and subject to immediate arrest in the United States because he fled the country before sentencing. It says his case cannot be resolved until Polanski, who has both French and Polish citizenship and lives mostly in Paris, returns to California to face justice. France does not extradite its nationals. A Polish court last year ruled against his extradition to the United States and an earlier attempt to have him extradited from Switzerland when he went there also failed. Girish Dahyabhai Patel, 65, used a blank document, pre-signed by his 'astute and devout' mother, before adding a will around it A high-flying account forged his dead mother's will to take control of a slice in his family's 160million palm oil business. Girish Dahyabhai Patel, 65, from Highgate in north London, used a blank document, pre-signed by his 'astute and devout' mother, before adding a will around it. He did so - his brother, Yashwant, claimed - in order to get hold of her shares and thus control over a 40million stake in the family's plantation in Malaysia. Mr Patel was caught out by minute forensic analysis, which revealed the faint indentation of her signature elsewhere on the paper. It suggested she had signed the sheet while putting her name to several blank documents, one on top of the other, for use in the family's businesses. At the High Court in London, Judge Andrew Simmonds QC found the will to be a forgery, meaning a previous will - leaving everything to his brother Yashwant - will stand. It leaves Girish Patel, who also sits as an arbitrator in disputes, slapped with legal bills totalling an estimated 1.3million. Judge Simmonds said: 'Regrettably, I have reached the conclusion that, despite his professional and business achievements, the truth is a flexible concept for Girish, to be fashioned according to his own interests and requirements.' The court heard the family, originally from Gujarat in India, are successful business people, with their palm plantation the 'jewel in the crown' of an empire thought to be worth around 160million. However, Mr Patel fell out with his three brothers in 2009, leaving him 'at odds with some, or all' of them, said the judge. A 'long and acrimonious dispute' has since raged over control of the businesses, with legal cases ongoing in several different countries. After Prabhavati Dahyabhai Patel (pictured) died in September 2011, a family feud between her son erupted over her multi-million fortune The brothers' mother - Prabhavati Dahyabhai Patel - died aged 88 in September 2011, sparking fresh arguments in court. First, Yashwant, a 69-year-old doctor who lives in New York, came forward with a will, made in 1986, leaving everything to him. The document was approved, but Mr Patel then launched a bid to overturn it, for the first time producing a document he claimed his mother had signed in 2005. In the case, their other brother Suresh, 63, backed Yashwant, while another, Rajnikant, 71, played no part. Mr Patel claimed that, on a visit to London from her home in Singapore in 2005, his mother had asked him to make a new will. She was concerned that, on her death, some of her money might be given to the Swaminarayan Temple, in Edgware, London, a Hindu sect she did not support. Instead, she insisted that the will be in Mr Patel's favour so that he could distribute to charities of her choosing when she died. She had gone to his offices in north Acton, west London, and put her name to the will, translated into Gujarati by him in the presence of witnesses. However, the judge said that, apart from 'unreliable' evidence put forward by Mr Patel, nothing backed up his account of how the will was signed. His mother never mentioned it and he never spoke of it himself, not even bringing it up when it would have been advantageous during other litigation, said the judge. And there was no documentary evidence even of its existence until the beginning of 2015, ten years after it was purported to have been made. During the case at the High Court in London (pictured), Judge Andrew Simmonds QC called Mr Patel a 'self-confessed liar' Crucially, analysis of the document itself backed up what Yashwant had claimed, the judge continued. He had told the court of a practice within the family, whereby blank documents were signed in bulk, so business could be conducted in the absence of others. Under the microscope, an expert found on the 2005 document the indentation on the page of another signature of Mrs Patel's nearby. Tests also showed specks of printer ink on top of the signature, but none underneath, suggesting the signature came before the text. Judge Simmonds said: 'I find that there were available to Girish blank papers pre-signed by the deceased which enabled him to forge the will, utilising a genuine but old signature of the deceased.' Despite being told not to discuss their evidence, Mr Patel and some of his witnesses had got together for a 'last-minute joint revision' session before the trial to make sure their evidence was as consistent as possible. But Mr Patel, who lives in a private gated development off Fitzroy Park, had 'brazenly lied' when asked about it under oath, and admitted having done so, said the judge. Girish is a self-confessed liar and even when accepting that he had lied to the court, there was a certain insouciance in his responses which increased, rather than allayed, my concerns as to his reliability generally. Judge Andrew Simmonds QC Judge Simmonds said: 'Girish is a chartered accountant and sits as an arbitrator. 'I would, in the normal course of events, expect such a witness to be reliable and trustworthy. 'However, Girish is a self-confessed liar and even when accepting that he had lied to the court, there was a certain insouciance in his responses which increased, rather than allayed, my concerns as to his reliability generally.' Finding that Mr Patel had indeed forged the will, the judge said: 'I consider Girish's account of the genesis and execution of the will to be implausible.' He 'exercised influence' over crucial witnesses in the trial, enabling him to 'persuade them both falsely to witness the will'. He continued: 'I accept Yashwant's contention that Girish had a strong motive for forging the will. 'It provided him...with control over a $50m stake in (the palm oil plantation) as well as a number of tactical advantages in the bitterly-fought litigation with his brothers. 'It is hard to account for the peculiar layout of the text of the will, unless it was necessary to fit around the deceased's pre-existing signature. 'The impression of another signature of the deceased on the same paper in close proximity to her actual signature is consistent with her having pre-signed a number of blank sheets, one on top of the other.' Judge Simmonds' ruling means that the 1986 document - under which Yashwant gets everything - is Mrs Patel's last true will. Girish Patel agreed to pay 450,000 on account of his brother's total legal costs, estimated at 550,000. His own costs are estimated at almost 750,000. Jean-Claude Juncker has described Donald Trump as 'highly unfriendly' - but declared that Europe does not need Britain's help to deal with the US President. The 62-year-old made the comments days before confirming he would not seek a second term as President of the European Commission when his current term in office ends in 2019. Juncker, from Luxembourg, was reacting to claims from Trump that 'others will leave' the European Union following the Brexit vote last year. Jean-Claude Juncker (pictured) has described Donald Trump as 'highly unfriendly' - and declared that Europe does not need Britain's help to deal with the US President Juncker, from Luxembourg, was reacting to claims from Trump (pictured) that 'others will leave' the European Union following the Brexit vote last year In an interview with Time Magazine, he denied other countries would now opt to quit the bloc adding: 'We were a little bit disappointed listening to President Trump's first declaration when he was congratulating the British for having taken that decision, and more or less inviting others to do the same. That was highly unfriendly and not helpful at all.' He was then asked his views on the suggestion that the UK, under Theresa May, could act as a bridge between America and the European Union. Juncker told the magazine: 'To put it brutally, we don't need the United Kingdom government to organise our relations with the U.S. and in fact according to President Obama, Britain is weaker being outside the European Union than being a member of the European Union.' Last week Juncker said he would not seek a second term when his tenure expires in 2019. Juncker was asked his views on the suggestion that the UK, under Theresa May (pictured), could act as a bridge between America and the European Union 'It was a fine election campaign' in 2014, Juncker told Deutschlandfunk radio, according to extracts of an interview that will be broadcast on Sunday. 'But there won't be a second one, because I won't be putting myself forward as a candidate for a second time.' He also admitted to fearing that Britain's negotiations to leave the European Union could open up splits in the bloc. 'The British are going to succeed, without too much difficulty, to divide the 27 other EU countries,' he said. 'The British know very well how to achieve this,' he added. 'You promise one thing to state A, another to state B and something else to state C and you end up with no united European front.' Juncker, a conservative former prime minister of Luxembourg, took office on November 1 2014 after a long spell at the helm of the Eurogroup, gathering ministers of countries which share the euro. Presidents of the Commission are appointed for a five-year term, which is renewable once. The post is elected by the European Parliament, on a proposal by the European Council, which comprises heads of state or government. The office of the Director of National Intelligence is pushing back on a report that intelligence officials are withholding information from President Donald Trump out of a concern that the information could get compromised. 'Any suggestion that the U.S. intelligence community is withholding information and not providing the best possible intelligence to the president and his national security team is not true,' the office of the DNI said in a statement. The statement comes in response to a Wall Street Journal report that intelligence officials are holding back 'sources and methods' information about how it gets information out of concern that it could leak. The story acknowledges that intelligence agencies have withheld such information from presidents in the past to avoid exposing their sources. President Donald Trump speaks during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the East Room of the White House, where he defended his ex security advisor Mike Flynn and blasted leaks. The Wall Street Journal reported that the intelligence community is withholding information from the president out of fear it could get compromised But it states that in previous cases 'the decision wasn't motivated by a concern about a president's trustworthiness or discretion,' citing current and former officials. Of particular concern is Trump's repeated praise for Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to the Journal, 'The current and former officials said the decision to avoid revealing sources and methods with Mr. Trump stems in large part from the president's repeated expressions of Vladimir Putin and his call during the presidential campaign for Russia to continue hacking the emails of his Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton. The story does not point to any particular incidents where critical intelligence got withheld. Trump famously asked the Russians to hack into Hillary Clinton's emails. He said during the campaign, 'Wikileaks I love Wikileaks!' President Donald Trump speaks at the CIA headquarters on January 21, 2017 in Langley, Virginia President Trump defended his ex-national security advisor, Mike Flynn It quotes Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Washington), the top Democrat on the House intelligence panel, on the subject. 'I've talked with people in the intelligence community that do have concerns about the White House, about the president, and I think those concerns take a number of forms,' Schiff said. 'What the intelligence community considers their most sacred obligation is to protect the very best intelligence and to protect the people that are producing it.' He added, without confirming any incidents: 'I'm sure there are people in the community who feel they don't know where he's coming from on Russia,' There had been speculation before Trump took the oath of office that the intelligence community would be wary of passing on sensitive Russia information to him because of the ties. Trump's national security advisor Mike Flynn resigned after Trump had 'eroding' confidence in him following revelations about his contacts with the Russian ambassador to the U.S. A White House official told the Journal, 'There is nothing that leads us to believe that this is an accurate account of what is actually happening.' Even as it reported information on sources and methods was being withheld, it noted that Trump 'doesn't immerse himself in intelligence information' and that it wasn't clear he has expressed a desire to know the sources and methods. During the transition he complained about the quality of the briefings and frequently skipped the daily intelligence brief, delegating the task to Vice President Mike Pence. Trump has reportedly asked the intelligence community to dramatically pare down the length and breadth of the briefings he gets. The report about the intelligence community supposedly withholding information out of concerns it might leak comes as Trump himself is blasting a series of 'illegal' leaks. 'The spotlight has finally been put on the low-life leakers! They will be caught!' Trump vowed in an early morning tweet Thursday. Trump continued to keep the focus on 'illegal' leaking in another indication he plans to keep up internal investigations meant to ferret out who is putting out damaging information that has contributed to a tumultuous start to his presidency. 'Leaking, and even illegal classified leaking, has been a big problem in Washington for years,' Trump wrote in another Tweet. 'Failing @nyTimes (and others) must apologize!' Trump wrote. A Mar-a-Lago resort guest posted pictures of Trump's outdoor dinner at Mar-a-Lago following the launch of a North Korean missile, leading some to assume America's strategic response was being discussed The photos show aides using cellphone camera lights to help Trump and Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe read through documents at the table on a dining patio shortly after North Korea test-launched a medium-range ballistic missile White House press secretary Sean Spicer denied on Tuesday that President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe violated security protocols during a dinner conversation Friday night. Amateur photographers captured the men and their aides huddled around an outdoor patio table at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, shortly after North Korea test-launched a medium-range ballistic missile. CNN reported that the meal 'quickly morphed into a strategy session, the decision-making on full view to fellow diners.' Not so, Spicer insisted during a press conference Tuesday afternoon, saying the table talk was limited to a discussion about where to deliver a joint statement to reporters a few hours later. 'There was simply a discussion about press logistics where to host the event,' he said. Innocent: The jury cleared Colin Leacock, 34, of rape An internet dater accused of twice raping a woman he met on Match.com while his sister made her a 'slave' walked free after he was cleared by a jury today. The jury agreed with Colin Leacock, 34, that the 37-year-old woman only made accusations against him because she hated his sister Mandy so much. Mandy Leacock, 36, forced the vulnerable woman to move into the siblings' shared flat in Maida Vale, west London where she was beaten and kept as an 'unpaid skivvy'. She has admitted three counts of assault causing actual bodily harm after she poured bleach over the victim in the bath, and pulled out handfuls of her hair. Mandy posted pictures of herself drinking champagne at five-star hotels while the victim overdosed on her medication and was living in a 'state of fear.' The woman also claimed Colin forced her to perform oral sex on him twice at his flat in St John's Wood. But Leacock, who has a low IQ, insisted she was a willing participant. He told the court if she told him not to continue 'I would just back off and walk away'. 'If she had struggled that would have been a no, no, no,' he added. Clare Wade, defending, asked the alleged victim: 'Aren't you just blaming him because you hate Mandy Leacock for what she did to you?' The woman shouted back: 'No, he did it, so don't go there.' She told the court that the sister 'made me a slave' and she was too scared to call the police. Mandy Leacock took her bank card and went on spending sprees buying expensive clothes and a watch for her ex-boyfriend. The victim said she was assaulted 'everyday' and told jurors: 'I felt humiliated. I didn't cry because I got that used to it at the time. 'I got used to getting hit, that's why I didn't cry. I haven't got proper emotions.' Colin Leacock was cleared of two counts of rape and two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He was said to have punched the complainant in the face and swung her round by her hair until chunks fell out. The brother said he did not join in as Mandy beat the woman, and was 'disgusted and shocked' by police pictures of her injuries. Mandy Leacock (pictured) treated the woman like a slave, ordering her to cook and clean as an 'unpaid skivvy', punishing her by covering her with bleach as she sat in a bath A psychologist concluded that Colin's IQ may be as low as 55 but he has a 'rudimentary' understanding of consent. In September 2015 Mandy Leacock posted Facebook pictures from a champagne-session at the five-star Langdon Hotel in Marylebone, central London. She also revealed her 'addiction' to Rihanna, sharing an iTunes link for the R&B superstar's ANTI (deluxe) album in January. Prosecutor David Povall told jurors of the horror the victim suffered at Mandy's hands after she moved in with Colin in early 2015. He said: 'She was lonely and she went looking for love, romance, on the internet on Match.com. 'In March 2015 online she met Colin Leacock. 'It was clear to her even on those visits that Colin's sister Mandy was quite a powerful personality and didn't approve of the relationship. 'But in the event, having visited twice she came to London and she moved in with Colin Leacock in his flat. Colin Leacock was cleared today 'Mandy Leacock did not consider her to be good enough for Colin and she needed to prove that she was capable of cooking and cleaning and doing necessary household work. 'She came to be living in Mandy Leacock's flat where she quickly became an unpaid skivvy, sleeping on the floor, required to clean and after a time soon the victim of repeated assaults. 'She was living in that flat in a state of fear, of depression, being bullied and controlled. 'Sometimes she was made to sit in the bath and she would have bleach poured on her skin. 'There were occasions when she was grabbed by the hair and swung round so that chunks of her hair were pulled out.' He added: 'Her ordeal continued until the beginning of May 2016 when she walked into a local shop and as a result of talking to one of the people who was working there she was sent on for medical help and the police became involved.' A Match.com spokesperson said: 'We are appalled by these crimes and welcome the conviction of Mandy Leacock. 'Sadly, there is a tiny minority of people who set out to harm others. 'While this is not confined to dating sites or even the internet, those who do so should be convicted. 'Our member's safety is our highest priority. 'We continually review our policies and fully support the initiatives that the Online Dating Association and Suzy Lamplugh Trust are taking on the issue.' Colin Leacock was cleared of two counts of rape and two counts of assault occasioning ABH. Mandy Leacock will be sentenced for three counts of ABH tomorrow at Southwark Crown Court. Theresa May's honeymoon continued into an eighth month as a poll revealed more than half of the British public are satisfied with her performance as Prime Minister. One in three said they were unhappy with her performance - giving her a net approval rating of +17. Jeremy Corbyn's approval ratings went the other way and continue to tumble, according to the latest Ipsos Mori survey on the public's perception of the two main party leaders. Theresa May's honeymoon continued into an eighth month as a poll revealed more than half of the British public are satisfied with her performance as Prime Minister. Meanwhile Jeremy Corbyn's approval ratings went the other way and continue to tumble, according to the latest Ipsos Mori survey on the public's perception of the two main party leaders Just one in four people think the veteran socialist is doing a good job, while 62 per cent are dissatisfied, giving him a dire net approval rating of -38. Pollsters said Corbyn's performance was now similar to that of Michael Foot, who led Labour to its worst defeat in post-war Britain. Mrs May has retained positive approval ratings since entering No 10 in mid-July and last month pollsters said she had enjoyed the longest opinion poll 'honeymoon' of any Conservative prime minister since the 1950s. The average poll lead over Labour since last summer is 14 points, with Mr Corbyn's popularity falling further after the party's divisions over the Brexit bill. The contrast in popularity among their own party supporters is stark. While nine in ten Conservatives say they are satisfied with Mrs May as PM, just 41 per cent of Labour supporters are pleased with Mr Corbyn's leadership. Pictured, Mrs May, left, visiting the Copeland by-election campaign yesterday and Mr Corbyn, right, during a visit to Ashton last week The contrast in popularity among their own party supporters is stark. While nine in ten Conservatives say they are satisfied with Mrs May as PM, just 41 per cent of Labour supporters are pleased with Mr Corbyn's leadership. More Labour voters (50 per cent) are dissatisfied with Mr Corbyn than satisfied. Today's survey also reveals most Britons remain pessimistic about the state of the British economy. Just 28 per cent believe it will improve over the next 12 months while 44 per cent believe it will get worse - leaving a net economic optimism score of -16. The Ipsos Mori poll showed the Tories continuing to maintain a strong lead over Labour. Four in ten voters back the Tories, Labour is on 29 per cent, the Lib Dems are on 13 per cent and Ukip at 9, the survey found. Theresa May looks a little queasy as she discusses 'turtles getting run over' with primary school children It was a prime opportunity for the Prime Minister to use her political clout to win over the Copeland electorate and impress a new generation of voters. But during an important visit to the Cumbrian constituency ahead of next week's by-election, during which she would usually have a permanent smile plastered across her face, Theresa May was instead seen grimacing at schoolchildren. Mrs May's shocked expression came as the youngsters discussed saving turtles from being run over or trapped in drains as a chat about robots took a bizarre and stomach-churning twist. Theresa May would be expected to have a smile permanently etched on her face during her visit ahead of a by-election in Copeland, but revealed a slightly different expression The Prime Minister looked less than impressed when a little girl told her how their invention could be used to stop 'turtles getting run over and falling down drains' She made the unfortunate grimace while talking to pupils at Captain Shaw's CE Primary School in Bootle, Cumbria, as they explained what their award-winning Lego robot could be used for As Mrs May talked to pupils at Captain Shaw's CE Primary School in Bootle, Cumbria, they explained an award-winning robot they had made for the First Lego League contest. But the Prime Minister looked less than impressed when a little girl told her how their invention could be used to stop 'turtles getting run over and falling down drains' and return them to the sea. Jamie Reed, the former Labour MP for the Copeland seat, prompted the by-election when he resigned to take up a position at the Sellafield nuclear processing plant. Ahead of the 2015 General Election, a similar memorable moment of David Cameron was captured as he visited the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Primary School near Bolton Mrs May was out supporting Tory candidate, Trudy Harrison, on Wednesday before voters go to the polls on February 23. Polls there suggest the Tories could be on course to win the seat for the first time since 1924, which would make it the first by-election gain by a ruling party since the early 1980s. Ahead of the 2015 General Election, a similar memorable moment of David Cameron was captured as he spent some time with future voters. The then-Prime Minister, who had been talking of the Tory manifesto on the campaign trail, was talking to young pupils at the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Primary School in Westhoughton, near Bolton. But six-year-old Lucy Howarth seemed less than entertained by his presence and was pictured resting her head on the desk next to Mr Cameron. Target: Syed Rizwan Farook, 29, converted Enrique Marquez Jr, 25, into a fanatical Muslim then used him to help prepare for the massacre The father of one of the San Bernardino terror attack victims has called the fact that the Muslim convert who aided the mass murderer will escape a life term a 'travesty'. Enrique Marquez Jr was in court in Riverside, California, Thursday to enter a guilty plea as part of a deal that will see him sentenced to a maximum of 25 years. He bought guns which were used in the massacre and had been plotting other terror attacks for years with Syed Rizwan Farook. He had been facing up to 50 years behind bars if he had been convicted after a trial. But Gregory Clayborn, 58, of Los Angeles, California, stood up before Judge Jesus G. Bernal to demand he gets life without parole. Outside court, he called the deal a 'travesty'. Clayborn's daughter Sienna, 27, was one of the 14 gunned down by Farook, 29, and his Pakistani wife Tashfeen Malik, 30, at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino on December 2 2015. Fighting back tears, he said: 'Why is this man [Marquez] not being charged with murder? If he had not purchased those weapons, we would not be here. He added: He should get life without parole. A whole life. He's going to get a slap on the wrist. I can't get my head around it. Husband and wife killers: Syed Rizwan Farook, 28, brought his Pakistan-born wife Tashfeen Malik, 29, into the country just over a year before they launched their deadly attack together Victim: Sierra Clayborn was one of the 14 murdered by the two Islamic fanatics at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino in December 2015 'Travesty': Gregory Claybourn, who lost his daughter Sierra, spoke in court to ask why Marquez was not being jailed for life and outside said: 'It's a travesty and the judicial system needs to fix it.' Not forgotten: The victims of the San Bernardino shooting rampage. They are top row left: Robert Adams, Isaac Amanios, Bennetta Betbadal, Harry Bowman and Sierra Clayborn. Second row from left: Juan Espinoza, Aurora Godoy, Shannon Johnson, Larry Daniel Kaufman and Damian Meins. Bottom row from left: Tin Nguyen, Nicholas Thalasinos, Yvette Velasco and Michael Wetzel. 'Those 22 people who were injured - their lives will never be the same. My life will never be the same. Your Honor, please give us closure.' Outside court, fighting back tears, he added: 'Why is this man [Marquez] not being charged with murder? If he had not purchased those weapons, we would not be here. He added: 'He should get life without parole. A whole life. He's going to get a slap on the wrist. I can't get my head around it.' Speaking outside court after the hearing concluded, Claybourn described the 25-year maximum sentence as 'a travesty' and complained that 'criminals have more rights than we do'. He added: 'Being surprised like this, with what happened, and this guy not being charged with the actual murders, it just made me angry. It really made me angry. 'It just broke my heart because the thing is, if you've never been in this position, if you've never had your child taken from you by such callous people, you begin to include all folks who are working, seemingly thinking for that purpose. 'Criminals have more rights than we do. They go into the system and they have more rights than we do. Understanding: Eileen Decker, U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California said she felt for those who wanted a longer sentence but could only jail Marquez on the evidence she had In court: Enrique Marquez appeared on Thursday at Riverside Federal Court in California. He is expected to be sent to the federal supermax 'Basically, what I said in there [in court], I meant it. For him to get as light a sentence as he got, for the crimes that were committed based on what he provided [weapons], it's a travesty and the judicial system needs to fix it.' Asked if if he believed Marquez' claims that he knew nothing of Farook's plans, Claybourn replied 'Hell, no.' Responding to Claybourn's concerns, US Attorney Eileen Decker said the decision to go for the deal had been made based on the evidence available and said the only way Marquez could have been eligible for a whole life term was if he had been charged with murder. She added: 'My heart goes out to him [Claybourn]. My job is to follow the evidence and the law. 'But I understand why he and some of the other victims' families think 25 years is not enough. I sympathize with their view.' Decker said a decision on which jail Marquez will ultimately be sent to would not be taken until after sentencing. He is likely to at least initially be sent to the federal supermax in Colorado. During the hearing, Marquez admitted his guilt on two counts - one of conspiring to provide material support to terrorists and another of making a false statement in connection with the acquisition of a firearm. Handcuffed and wearing a white prison-issue jumpsuit, he made his answers quietly and told the court that he is seeing a psychologist and taking lithium which is used to treat depression and anxiety. Judge Bernal accepted Marquez' guilty plea and adjourned sentencing until August 24. Marquez had been facing up to 50 years in jail but is likely to serve a maximum of 25 followed by a lifetime supervision order and a fine of $500,000. A third charge of immigration fraud was struck out as part of the deal, which came less than a month before Marquez was scheduled to go to trial. In court: Enrique Marquez Jr. was previously seen in court in Riverside, California, in December 2015 when he appeared in shackles charged with providing material support to the attackers. He is now due to plead guilty as part of a proposed plea deal Massive armed presence: Law enforcement officers poured into San Bernardino because of the massacre at the social services center Marquez was arrested on December 6 2015 three days after his friend Farook massacred 14 with his wife Malik at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino. The couple, who died in a hail of gunfire at the hands of cops the same afternoon, had pledged allegiance to ISIS - although Farook had previously expressed a wish to join al Qaeda. That night, Marquez posted a cryptic message on Facebook saying that 'it was a pleasure knowing everyone'. The next day, he consumed nine bottles of beer and checked himself into UCLA Harbor Medical Center in Torrance, California, where staff said he appeared 'emotional' and 'anxious'. He also called 911 to confess to knowing Farook and added: 'He was the shooter. The f***ing a**hole used my gun in the shooting.' Marquez, who was driven to court from a maximum security federal prison in downtown Los Angeles, first met Farook in 2005 when he was just 14. Two years later, he converted to Islam, began attending a mosque in Corona, California, and became fascinated by the teachings of Anwar al Awlaki. Al Awlaki, a radical American cleric, died in a drone strike in Yemen in 2011 and was a leading light in al Qaeda. He also helped prepare underwear bomber Umar Farouk Ummuttallab, preached to three of the 9/11 hijackers and corresponded with Fort Hood shooter Major Niswan Hasan in the run-up to the 2009 attack. With Farook, terrorist's apprentice Marquez plotted attacks on the 91 Freeway and Riverside City College. American-born: Marquez, a native-born citizen was converted by his citizen neighbor Farook - who used the speeches of another US citizen Anwar al Awlaki to talk him into radical Islam Aftermath: 14 people died, many more were wounded, and those who survived were escorted to safety when the terrorists hit Final moments: The two San Bernardino mass murderers died in a hail of bullets as police finally caught the SUV in which they had made their escape Both plots involved the use of pipe bombs followed by multi-gun shootings - similar in style to the San Bernardino attack. Marquez was tasked with purchasing weapons for both because of his Caucasian appearance - buying the first for $741.52 in November 2011 and the second for $758.75 the following February. He also made multiple trips to gun ranges in Riverside and Los Angeles with Farook between February and June 2012 - but by the end of that year, Marquez had become disenchanted and stopped plotting terror. That did not prevent him from marrying Farook's Russian sister-in-law Mariya Chernykh in November 2014 - a sham that brought him $200 a month. Marquez, who was originally indicted on an immigration fraud charge relating to the marriage, has now had that count thrown out as part of his plea deal. Chernykh, who has two children with US citizen Oscar Romero, pleaded guilty on one count of immigration fraud last month and will be sentenced this summer alongside her sister Tatiana Gigliotti and Farook's older brother Syed Raheel. Marquez will be formally sentenced in August pending a pre-sentencing report and, according to court sources, is 'likely to be handed the maximum term' - 25 years in a federal prison. Reacting to Marquez' plea, San Bernardino County Sheriff John McMahon said: 'December 2 will forever haunt the memories of the victims' families and the survivors who have lived through the tragedy. 'I pray today's guilty plea brings all of us a bit of justice.' Grant Hackett's messy breakup with his girlfriend may have triggered the breakdown that led to his arrest this week, friends say. The triple Olympic champion deleted all evidence of law student Maggie Keating from his Instagram page days before the fight at his family's Gold Coast home on Wednesday, the Daily Telegraph reports. Hackett was first spotted with Ms Keating in July last year - and the pair made their romance Instagram official the following month with a loved up snap posted on the swimming great's account as they holidayed in Italy. The couple broke up after six months together and Ms Keating also deleted pictures with Hackett from her social media pages. It's not clear what led to the end of the relationship, but friends claim Hackett's ill-fated romances since his marriage to Candice Alley ended in 2013, as well as a lack of direction since retirement, sparked an emotional crisis. 'He falls in and out of love easily,' one friend told The Telegraph. 'He needs a girlfriend and finds it difficult to be on his own.' Scroll down for video Grant Hackett's messy breakup with his girlfriend Maggie Keating (above, in August last year) triggered the breakdown that led to his arrest this week, it has been claimed It also emerged that Hackett needed to be restrained by security during an altercation with an unnamed woman during Olympic swimming legend Michael Phelps' wedding. Hackett had been staying at a hotel in Phoenix, Arizona, on New Year's Eve for Phelps' third wedding reception when he got drunk, the Gold Coast Bulletin reports. 'He was wasted. She was crying. He was angry. Security guards restrained him,' a friend told the Bulletin. Upon his return to Australia last month, Hackett's mother Margaret and brother Craig went to his home for an intervention. But when Hackett became angry, his brother allegedly punched him in the face, leaving him needing treatment for a bruised eye and fractures to his jaw. 'They exchanged words and Grant apparently charged at Craig and Craig punched him,' a friend said. 'Grant was running towards him and thats why the impact was so bad.' The incident led a family member to seek a court order demanding Hackett remain on 'good behaviour' until January 2019. Hackett and Ms Keating (pictured) deleted pictures of each other from their social media pages after their relationship ended after six months Friends claim Hackett's ill-fated romances since his marriage to Candice Alley (above, with him) ended in 2013, as well as a lack of direction since retirement, sparked an emotional crisis Grant (left) and Craig Hackett (right) are pictured with their mum Margaret Hackett on Mother's Day last year Just hours before Hackett disappeared, the embattled swimming star had accused his older brother Craig of beating him up. Craig told reporters on Wednesday that Hackett was a 'danger to himself and to the community' and that his family were unable to help him. However, before he was reported missing, Hackett posted a photo of himself on Instagram with cuts and bruises to his face and said his brother had beaten him. 'My brother comments to the media... but does anyone know he beat the shit out of me,' Hackett wrote. 'Everyone knows he is an angry man.' The swimming community have rallied around the embattled swimmer, posting messages of support on the Instagram post. The picture is believed to be following the altercation with his brother last month as Hackett did not appear to be sporting any injuries when he was released by police. Hackett needed to be restrained by security during an altercation with an unnamed woman during Olympic swimming legend Michael Phelps' (above, with his wife and friends) wedding on New Years' Eve Just hours before his family said he was missing, the embattled swimming star accused his brother of beating him up in a social media post (pictured) Hackett, who has struggled with drug and alcohol problems away from the pool, was detained by Gold Coast police on Wednesday after his parents reported he had flown into an abusive rage. He was released after a few hours without charge but a day later, his parents said he had disappeared. The Australian swimming great was later found safe and sound. Hackett's father Neville also revealed his son is in hiding because he is embarrassed about his meltdown. 'Grant's been found alive and sober,' Neville Hackett said outside the family's Mermaid Waters home. 'He's spoken to police. He's actually hiding because he's very, very embarrassed about all this,' he said. 'He's in hiding from everybody, including us. I think he's very, very embarrassed, but let's see how things go.' He added that while he was unsure where his son had been, he had made contact with police. 'He's sober. They haven't told us where he is. It doesn't matter. As long as he's alive. He can look after himself,' Neville told The Age. Serious concerns are being held for the welfare of Australian Olympian Grant Hackett with his father Neville (pictured) reporting him missing to police in the last hour The Olympic champion was located at the Surfers Paradise Marriot Resort & Spa in Queensland on Thursday evening, according to the Gold Coast Bulletin. After he resurfaced, Hackett reportedly told authorities that he wanting nothing to do with his family, 9News reported. But his father insisted that the ordeal had brought the family closer. Friends and family of the 36-year-old had been searching for him after he was last seen at 7.30am at the luxury Palazzo Versace hotel before he missed an appointment with his lawyer. Later on Thursday, Hackett's father had put out a plea to find the former Olympic swimmer. 'He's definitely a missing person,' he told local media. 'He's mentally disturbed and needs urgent help ... If anybody has seen him contact the media or the police or the Hackett family. 'Grant, let us know where you are. We love you and we want to help you.' Neville Hackett said his family had been 'ready for the worst' after a tense phone call with the three-time Olympic gold medallist. His family grew concerned after he didn't make contact with friends, family, his doctor or lawyer for several hours, his father Neville told 9News Hackett has was arrested at his parents' home on the Gold Coast on Wednesday On Wednesday after Hackett was arrested his brother Craig called him 'dangerous' 'We can't find Grant. He left a hotel on the Gold Coast at 7.30am this morning, very depressed and not in good condition, and obviously very mentally disturbed,' Neville said. 'We are extremely worried about him. His doctor can't find him. He hasn't kept an appointment with his lawyer.' 'He won't - when we spoke to him several hours ago, he just hung up when we asked him where he was. He is definitely a missing person, and he's mentally disturbed and needs urgent help.' Hackett, 36, was arrested at his parents' house in Mermaid Waters on the Gold Coast on Wednesday after flying into a abusive rage. His father Neville said calling the police was the only option he had. 'This is now a chronic problem and it looks like it's not going to go away in a hurry,' his brother Craig added. 'The whole family have been doing all that we can but now it's kind of out of our hands, it really is. 'The Grant Hackett that Australia fell in love with, they can still have that affection towards him. '(But) this is not Grant Hackett. This is a completely different person. I don't know this person, my mum and dad don't know this person. 'He's there in body, but he's not there in mind, soul or spirit. Hackett was released from Southport Police Station after more than hour with no charges Earlier footage showed the swimming star in the back of a police car wearing handcuffs Hackett's father Neville (centre) and brother Craig (right) spoke to the media yesterday Hackett, 36, was believed to have been arrested at his parents' house 'We can't do it. It's getting to the point where he's dangerous. He's a danger to himself and to the community. 'It doesn't look encouraging, but who knows? If he gets the right type of treatment and that's what we're really counting on, maybe, just maybe he might be able to claw himself out of it,' Craig added. His comments came as it emerged that a family member recently sought a court order against the three-time gold medallist. The order requires Hackett to be of 'good behaviour' until January 2019, the Daily Telegraph reported. Friends said it was obtained after an altercation that ended with Hackett seeking treatment for a facial injury, according to the Gold Coast Bulletin. It's understood Hackett's father Nev called police to the address because his son was in an agitated state and apparently intoxicated Hackett was spotted drinking wine with his girlfriend at the time Maggie Keating in July 2016 It was obtained before Hackett's breakdown on Wednesday, which led to his desperate family calling police because he refused to get help. Hackett, 36, subsequently checked into a private hospital where he will be getting rehab treatment. Asked how he was feeling as he left the Southport watch-house on Wednesday, Hackett said: 'Not the best.' His father Neville said he called police to their address because his son - who he says has been battling mental health issues for years - became verbally abusive after drinking heavily. Witnesses told 7News the swimming star was brandishing a knife and 'stabbing a chopping board.' After Hackett's arrest, his father said the 36-year-old was 'ranting and raving a bit' and the family had called the police when he had refused to get treatment. 'He's big and powerful when he's not happy,' Neville Hackett said. 'We decided he needed some treatment but there was no way he was going to go and get treatment this morning, so we called the police.' Regarded as Australia's best 1500m swimmer of all time, Hackett (seen here in 2008) won gold medals in the long-distance event at the Sydney and Athens Olympics Footage showed the swimming star in the back of a police car wearing handcuffs, before giving a 'shaka' sign to the camera. Regarded as one of the greatest long distance swimmers of all time, Hackett won back-to-back 1,500 metres golds at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and at Athens in 2004. He retired after the 2008 Games in Beijing, where he won silver in the event. The 10-times world champion, who was also a member of the 4x200m freestyle relay gold-winning squad in Sydney, returned to the pool last year to make an unsuccessful bid to qualify for the Rio Olympics. In the wake of national trials, he was involved in an altercation with a passenger on a flight and questioned by police at Melbourne airport in April last year. He said he had been binge drinking after his Olympic disappointment and publicly apologised. Last April Hackett (seen here at Melbourne Airport) was accused of 'tweaking' a fellow plane passenger's nipple during a Virgin Australia flight from Adelaide Hackett was spotted wandering round Melbourne's Crown casino half-naked in February 2014 after taking the sleeping pill Stilnox Hackett was accused of 'tweaking' a fellow plane passenger's nipple during a Virgin Australia flight from Adelaide to Melbourne. He allegedly 'smelt of alcohol' during the flight, and was questioned by Australian Federal Police over the matter. The business class passenger, who was sitting in front of Hackett, spoke about how he felt 'violated' when the swimmer 'groped his chest' during the row. 'There was no altercation - I was sexually assaulted by that man,' the passenger told the Herald Sun at the time. In 2011, he smashed up the multi-million dollar penthouse he shared with his then-wife, Candice Alley, and their two children, in an alcohol-fuelled rage Hackett said the 2012 breakdown of his marriage to Candice Alley (pictured left together in 2004, right in 2010) took a 'physical, mental and emotional' toll on him Hackett and his sports coach girlfriend Debbie Savage split in November 2015 after dating for a year Hackett has also previously struggled with addiction to sleep medication. He spent time in a rehab centre in 2014 after he was spotted in the lobby of a Melbourne casino disoriented and wearing only his underwear. It later emerged that he had taken the sleeping pill Stilnox on the night the pictures were taken. His prescription drug dependency plunged his life into chaos, forcing him to check into a rehabilitation centre for a five-week program in Arizona. In 2011, Hackett smashed up the multi-million dollar penthouse he shared with his then-wife, Candice Alley, and their two children, in an alcohol-fuelled rage following the Melbourne Spring Carnival. Ms Alley called police after Hackett reportedly went on a rampage through their apartment, smashing furniture and photo frames and upending a grand piano. Westpac dumped him as a brand ambassador after the incident, while a children's charity also cut ties. The chief of staff Gen. Joe Dunford Jr. is meeting with Russia's top military officer this week for the first such meeting in three years. Pentagon and Moscow leaders have not met in person since Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 - which sparked international outcry. But with rapidly escalating tensions between the U.S. and Russia, Dunford Jr., chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will hold talks with Valeriy Gerasimov, the chief of the general staff of Russia's armed forces, in Baku, Azerbaijian, on Thursday. The meeting follows a series of belligerent moves by their military as Moscow which appears to be testing the resolve of Donald Trump's young presidency - including buzzing a US destroyer and allowing a Russian spy ship to 'loiter' near a submarine base. Gen Dunford Jr., chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, (left) will hold talks with Valeriy Gerasimov, the chief of the general staff for Russia, in Baku,(right) Azerbaijian Today Donald Trump's defense secretary James Mattis rejected Vladimir Putin's calls for closer collaboration with the U.S. military to fight terrorism. The Russian president had said it was in the 'general interest' for improved information sharing between services. 'We are not in a position right now to collaborate on a military level. But our political leaders will engage and try to find common ground,' Mattis told reporters after talks at NATO headquarters in Brussels. U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also met for the first time in the highest-level face-to-face contact between the two countries since President Donald Trump took office. US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson (right) and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (left) have met for the first time in the highest-level face-to-face contact between the two countries since President Donald Trump took office. Lavrov was asked if Russia is concerned about turmoil in the Trump administration. He repeated Moscow's standard line that Russia 'does not interfere in the domestic matters of other countries.' RUSSIA TESTS TRUMP'S RESOLVE: A TIMELINE February 10: Four Russian military aircraft buzzed a U.S. destroyer, USS Porter, in the Black Sea February 14: Spy ship SSV-175 Viktor Leonov is spotted 70 miles off the East Coast February 14: Moscow secretly deploys a new cruise missile despite landmark arms control treaty February 15: Leonov is seen 30 miles away from Naval Submarine Base New London, Connecticut Advertisement Tillerson did not speak at the meeting on the sidelines of a conference of foreign ministers of Group of 20 major powers in Bonn, Germany. Moscow is hoping Trump makes good on his pledge to improve ties with Russia and seek cooperation in the fight against ISIS. 'Even a simple exchange of information about the channels and sources of terrorists, about people implicated in or suspected of terrorism seriously raises the effectiveness of our joint efforts,' Putin said. But President Trump is currently facing questions over Moscow's influence on the White House. They follow allegations from the US intelligence community that Putin ordered a hacking and influence campaign to help get Trump elected. This week his national security adviser, Michael Flynn, resigned after it emerged he had made misleading statements he over conversations he'd had with the Russian ambassador. The spy ship was seen just 30 miles away from the Naval Submarine Base New London, known as the 'Home of the Submarine Force', in Groton, Connecticut The intelligence-gathering ship Viktor Leonov has been spotted on and off around the East Coast over the past few years (pictured in Havana in 2014) Four Russian military aircraft conducted low passes against a U.S. destroyer in the Black Sea just days before a spy ship was spotted off the East Coast (stock image) It has prompted growing criticism over Moscow's influence on the White House. Yesterday a Russian spy ship was spotted loitering just 30 miles off the coast of a Naval submarine base in Connecticut - the latest in series of belligerent moves by their military as Moscow appears to be testing the resolve of Donald Trump's young presidency. The SSV-175 Viktor Leonov ship moved even closer to the East Coast, after it was spotted 70 miles off the coast of Delaware on Tuesday, Fox News reports. While it remains in international waters, a U.S. official said the armed boat - capable of intercepting communications and sonar capability - is 'loitering'. Russia has also deployed a new cruise missile apparently violating an arms control treaty banning ground-based U.S. and Russian intermediate-range missiles. The nation has secretly deployed the ground-launched SSC-8 cruise missile that Moscow has been developing and testing for several years, despite U.S. complaints that it violated sections of the 1987 Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces treaty, The New York Times reported. Trump (far left) demanded the resignation of Michael Flynn (far right), his national security adviser for talking to the Russian ambassador, this week Putin recently called for the US and Russia to work together to fight terrorism (file above of Russian President Vladimir Putin) And days earlier, four Russian military aircraft conducted low passes against a US destroyer in the Black Sea. The USS Porter, a guided missile destroyer, reported the aircraft performing 'dangerous flybys' past the ship which was based just off the coast of Romania on February 10. 'There were several incidents involving multiple Russian aircraft,' said Navy Capt. Danny Hernandez, spokesman for the European Command. 'They were assessed by the commanding officer as unsafe and unprofessional. WHAT ARE THE LATEST RUSSIAN REPORTS? High-level staffers on Trump's team and some aides were in 'constant communication' with Russian intelligence during the campaign One person has been named - former campaign chairman Paul Manafort President-elect Trump and President Obama were briefed on the contact Communication 'raised a red flag' - especially because Trump often spoke highly of Putin in public Communications were uncovered in call records and intercepted conversations Russian officials spoke about having 'special access to Trump' Information was found during 'routine US intelligence collection' - and not because Trump's team was targeted The FBI and intelligence officials are still trying to figure out why the communication was taking place Advertisement Trump's predecessor Barack Obama slapped sanctions on Russia's FSB domestic agency and the GRU military intelligence over accusations they were involved in cyberattacks against the US. The comments come as a new report alleges members of Trump's team were in contact with Russian intelligence officials during the year leading up to the presidential election. The New York Times claims call records and intercepted conversations show: 'members of Donald J. Trump's 2016 presidential campaign and other Trump associates had repeated contacts with senior Russian intelligence officials in the year before the election.' The Times said its allegations are based off interviews it has carried out with four 'current and former American officials'. It claims US intelligence was worried because the alleged contact was taking place as then-candidate Trump continued to praise Russian President Vladimir Putin on the campaign trail. The Kremlin said on Wednesday, however, that the report was not based on any facts. Following his meeting with Gerasimov, Dunford will fly to Turkey on Friday for talks on a possible joint operation to recapture the Islamic State group's Syrian stronghold of Raqqa. Turkey's defense minister Fikri Isik told reporters in Brussels that Dunford's visit to Ankara would help Washington assess whether Turkey and the United States could act jointly. Turkey strongly objects to Syrian Kurdish fighters' participation in any operation to liberate Raqqa. It is pressing the U.S. to stop supporting Syrian Kurdish groups that Ankara considers to be 'terrorists' because of their links to outlawed Kurdish rebels in Turkey. Isik said the impression he had from meetings with U.S. officials was that the new U.S. administration does not intend to use Syrian Kurdish forces to retake Raqqa. A Gold Coast officer who allegedly used a police database to stalk the personal details of star netballer Laura Geitz has been charged with computer hacking. Queensland policeman Stephen Wright, 40, is accused of unlawfully using the state police service's computer database 80 times in a six-month period last year. Geitz, who captains Australia's national netball team, was just one of more than a dozen people Wright allegedly looked up on the database, the Courier Mail reports. A Gold Coast officer who used a police database to stalk the personal details of star netballer Laura Geitz (pictured) has been charged with computer hacking Geitz, who captains Australia's national netball team, was just one of more than a dozen people Queensland policeman Stephen Wright allegedly looked up on the database Wright, who is a sergeant in the police force is performing 'non-operational duties' while his legal case continues. Geitz is pictured at a beach Queensland Police Records and Information Management Exchange, or QPRIME, contains sensitive information about millions of people in the state. Wright, who is a sergeant in the police force, has been temporarily stood down from his position and is performing 'non-operational duties' while his legal case continues. He has been charged with computer hacking for using a restricted computer without consent, the Courier mail reported. His lawyer has reportedly disputed some of the details of the case, namely the '80' counts of using the database without consent. The case was adjourned and defence lawyer Calvin Gnech said the case would likely be resolved without going to trial. Geitz, who got married to Mark Gilbride in 2012, is expecting her first child and has taken time off the professional netball circuit to prepare for motherhood. She told the Courier Mail she was aware of the allegations but provided no further comment. There have been a number of cases of Queensland police abusing the database to search for sensitive information in recent times. Geitz told the Courier Mail she was aware of the allegations but provided no further comment Brush fires broke out across Florida and scorched thousands of acres of land, forcing firefighters to desperately try and contain the destruction. Twenty-seven blazes ravaged Polk, Flagler, Brevard, Seminole, Orange counties on Wednesday. More than 800 homes at the Indian Lake Estates retirement community in Wales, Florida, were evacuated, News6 reported. Strong winds stoked the fires and heavy smoke shut down several roads. Scroll down for video More than two dozen brush fires broke out across central Florida on Wednesday, the worst of which was in Polk County Strong winds stoked the fires and heavy smoke shut down several roads as firefighters continue to battle the blazes on Thursday morning At least one home was damaged in Polk County although officials are still assessing the overall destruction. Several pets have reportedly died in the fires More than 800 homes at the Indian Lake Estates retirement community in Wales, Florida, were evacuated It is unclear why the fires started, but Cliff Frazier, a Florida Forest Service spokesman told the Orlando Sentinel: 'The low humidity, dry conditions and high-wind speeds today are the perfect recipe. 'Its not really normal this year but all the conditions together are perfect for fires.' The biggest fire broke out in Polk County on Wednesday morning and spread across more than 2,000 acres of land. Both the Florida Forest Service and the Polk County Fire Rescue worked on the scene with bulldozers and helicopters enlisted in the fight. Officials knocked on about 800 doors and the entire Indian Lake Estates community was evacuated at 1.15pm on Wednesday, although they were later allowed to return home at 2.30am Thursday. Richard Jones told WTSP: 'I'm just thankful Im still walking. I can replace that stuff but I cant replace myself.' Twenty-seven fires ravaged Polk, Flagler, Brevard, Seminole, Orange counties on Wednesday While rain on Wednesday evening helped extinguish the flames, firefighters are still working on Thursday morning Bulldozers and helicopters were enlisted in the fight against the brush fires Several roads including State Road 60 and 11, along with County Road 630, were shut down as authorities warned drivers of the heavy smoke Several roads including State Road 60 and 11, along with County Road 630, were shut down as authorities warned drivers of the heavy smoke. In Flagler County, a fire ravaged more than 400 acres, while another in Brevard County covered about 50 acres before firefighters were able to put it out. While rain on Wednesday evening helped extinguish the flames, firefighters are still working on Thursday morning. Officials are still also monitoring the situation since rising temperatures could lead to another outbreak of brush fires. At least one home was damaged in Polk County. Officials are still determining how much property and structural damage has been caused. Several pets have reportedly died. President Donald Trump patted himself on the back this morning for the record high global stock gains. Stocks peaked on Thursday, beating out the previous all-time high that was established in May of 2015. Trump sent out a celebratory tweet touting his role in the financial boom: 'Stock market hits new high with longest winning streak in decades. Great level of confidence and optimism - even before tax plan rollout!' President Donald Trump patted himself on the back this morning for the record high global stock gains - and teased his yt-to-be-unveiled tax plan again Yesterday, Trump met with top retailers at the White House. He told executives from Gap, Target, Auto Zone, Best Buy, Joanne Fabric and Craft and JC Penney that his administration was cutting regulations 'big league' and by 'massive amounts' The FTSE All-world index is up 8.1 percent since Trump's November election, the Financial Times reports. It was up 0.7 percent on Thursday, at 293.7. Reuters identified surges in exports from Indonesia and Taiwan as causes for improvement in the market, as well as a decrease in unemployment in Europe. The United States had stronger retail sales, Reuters said. Yesterday, Trump met with top retailers at the White House. He told executives from Gap, Target, Auto Zone, Best Buy, Joanne Fabric and Craft and JC Penney that his administration was cutting regulations 'big league' and by 'massive amounts.' 'There is a lot of confidence in our country now. There is a great confidence level. You've been seeing that in the stock market. You've been seeing that in businesses,' he said. 'My administration is very focused on the issues that will lead to economic growth.' At the meeting, Trump teased his yet-to-be-revealed tax proposal, which he says is coming soon. 'We're doing a massive tax plan that is coming along really well. It will be submitted in the not too distant future. It will be not only good and simpler, it will be, you're talking about big numbers of savings,' the president told them. The tax plan, which the administration has kept under wraps while it works with Republicans in Congress to come up with a proposal that both branches are willing to support, will be a boon to business and middle class families, Trump said. 'We're going to lower the rates very, very substantially for virtually everybody in every category. Including personal and business.' It will simplify the tax code, he told retailers. 'In fact, H&R Block probably won't be too happy. That's one business that won't be too happy.' The statements mirrored remarks he made to airline industry executives last Thursday. Trump told retailers Wednesday: 'There is a lot of confidence in our country now. There is a great confidence level. You've been seeing that in the stock market. You've been seeing that in businesses' Trump said then that he would be announcing a 'big league' tax cut within the next several weeks 'that will be phenomenal.' 'Lowering the overall tax burden on American business is big league, thats coming along very well,' the president said. 'Were way ahead of schedule, I believe.' White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said Monday that the administration would put out its plan in a couple weeks but didn't have a specific time frame. 'I know that the president has been working very hard with House and Senate leaders, I know hes spoke to Speaker Ryan, Leader McConnell, and the teams have been doing a lot of follow-up to put the contours on the plan,' he said. Spicer said, Theres a lot of stuff that our team is trying to work with Congress on, meaning that we may have our plan together, and I think part of it is trying to figure out how much initial common ground there is with folks on the Hill. The White House is looking for 'consensus' with Republicans on Capitol Hill on key areas of the plan before it is unveiled, he said. A woman in her 70s has been indecently assaulted by a man who was inside a public toilet south of Perth. The woman entered the block at Falcon Bay Beach between 9.30am and 10am on Wednesday and the man, who was already inside, assaulted her. Police have issued a description of the man and called for anyone who may know him or was in the area to come forward. The woman entered the block at Falcon Bay Beach where the man, who was already inside, assaulted her The man is aged between his late 20s and early 30s, with fair skinned with a slim build, shoulder-length hair. He was wearing a red shirt with a floppy brimmed khaki hat at the time of the attack. Detectives would like to speak to anyone who was in the Falcon Bay Beach area who may have seen the man, particularly any men around the public toilet area. Anyone with information regarding this matter is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 Former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott slammed a Muslim youth leader after she declared 'Islam is the most feminist religion'. Mr Abbott said Yassmin Abdel-Magied was 'blindfolded' during a speaking tour through Sudan, the UAE and Saudi Arabia in November 2016 which the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade funded, The Australian reported. 'If she's right that "Islam is a feminist religion", how come such terrible things are done to women in its name,' the former Prime Minister said. Ms Abdel-Magied was born in Sudan where the vast majority of girls undergo female genital mutilation so they are unable to experience sexual pleasure as women. Scroll down for video Former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has slammed a Muslim youth leader after she declared 'Islam is the most feminist religion' Mr Abbott said Yassmin Abdel-Magied was 'blindfolded' during a speaking tour through Sudan, the UAE and Saudi Arabia in November 2016 (Pictured with a group of women at the Ahfad University in Sudan) On Monday night during the ABC's Q&A program the founder of Youth Without Borders declared that 'Islam is the most feminist religion' during a fiery clash with Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie over Sharia law. 'We got rights well before the Europeans, we don't take our husbands last names because we ain't their property... the fact is, what is culture is separate to what is faith,' Ms Abdel-Magied said. But Senator Lambie interjected, shouting out: 'The fact is we have one law in this country and it is the Australian law. It is not Sharia Law. Not in this country, not in my day.' Ms Abdel-Magied returned fire, stating: 'In Sharia it says you follow the law of the land which you are on - so don't try to tell me you know anything about my religion.' Activist Yassmin Abdel-Magied (pictured in Jordan on her book tour last November) went on a taxpayer-funded trip to the Middle East and North Africa to promote her book, it has been claimed A woman is flogged in the Indonesian province of Aceh in 2005 under a Sharia law punishment for gambling A woman in the Saudi Arabian capital of Riyah catches a taxi because she isn't allowed to drive 'If she's right that "Islam is a feminist religion", how come such terrible things are done to women in its name,' the former Prime Minister said (Pictured in the House of Representatives at Parliament House in Canberra on Monday) The next day, Abdel-Magied released a YouTube video addressing how women are banned from driving in Saudi Arabia, arguing this was a cultural not religious issue as other Muslim nations did not have such restrictive laws. 'I'm not going to deny it: some countries run by Muslims are violent, sexist and do oppress their citizens,' she said. 'But again that's not down to Sharia, that's down to the culture, and the patriarchy and the politics of those particular countries. 'I follow Sharia, and my interpretation of that means that I must also fight for people's human rights.' The 25-year-old activist was caught in a fiery exchange with Jacqui Lambie (right) on ABC's Q&A after the Tasmanian senator called for all supporters of Sharia Law to be deported During her speaking tour, Ms Abdel-Magied also visited Kuwait, Jordan, Israel and Egypt. Women are often sentenced to death by primitive methods in much of the Muslim world, where a woman's word is worth less than that of a man in court. Stoning for adultery is legal punishment for adultery in several Muslim nations including Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Somalia, Nigeria, Sudan, Iran and the Aceh province of Indonesia. Females are also caned for having sex with a man they aren't married to across the Muslim world. A woman at Banda Aceh, in Indonesia, was flogged 100 times last year as she was forced to kneel on the ground in front of a crowd. Ms Abdel-Magied posing for the camera outside media company Al Jazeera HQ while on tour Former prime minister Tony Abbott during Question Time in the House of Representatives at Parliament House on Wednesday Jaden Smith has moved out of his parents' massive Calabasas compound into a $4 million home in the gated enclave of Hidden Hills, California. The 18-year-old has only been living in the posh gated community for about six months, but has already had run-ins with his neighbors over his careless driving, DailyMail.com has learned. Jaden drives a Tesla X SUV; the price of the car starts at $85,000. 'This was a quiet neighborhood, but Jaden and his entourage are turning it into their own personal kingdom,' a longtime resident of the upscale enclave said. Jaden Smith has moved out of his parents' massive Calabasas compound and into a $4 million home in the gated enclave of Hidden Hills, California The 18-year-old has only been living in the posh gated community for about six months, but has already had run-ins with his neighbors over his careless driving, DailyMail.com has learned. Pictured, Jaden's 5-bedroom, 6-bath estate Jaden drives a Tesla X SUV; the price of the car starts at $85,000 One draw to Hidden Hills may have been his friend Kylie Jenner, 19, who lives less than a mile away in a $12 million mansion. Hidden Hills is a community of choice for other celebrities, too, including Kris Jenner, Jessica Simpson, Nick Carter, Nicollette Sheridan, Scott Foley, Kim Kardashian and Kanye West: who are currently renovating a $20 million estate. The community is located in the West San Fernando Valley, bordering both Calabasas and Woodland Hills, and has just 592 residences. Jaden's five-bedroom, six-bath estate that Jaden now calls home was actually purchased through a Smith family trust in 2003. It has a long driveway and is surrounded by a large obscuring grove of trees and vegetation. 'Will and Jada lived here while they were building their large compound in Calabasas, and Will's business partner James Lassiter lived in the home for a while, but now it's Jaden and his buddies who have free reign of the place. The mansion that Jaden now calls home was actually purchased through a Smith family trust in 2003. From left to right: Trey Smith, Willow Smith, Jaden Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith's son Jaden has always been a somewhat controversial figure in Hollywood. In 2015, he acknowledged that some people thought he was 'crazy' but then said he felt like it was an 'honor because they thought Galileo was crazy too' Jaden got into the family business in 2006 when he appeared alongside his famous father in The Pursuit of Happyness 'He has a sense of entitlement, bravado. He doesn't care if security reprimands him or gives him a warning, he just continues to do whatever he pleases,' the neighbor said. Built in 1978 and later renovated by the Smiths, the home boasts almost 6,000 square feet and a Mediterranean-inspired design. Jaden has clearly had Hidden Hills on his mind for a while now. On August 18, 2016, just weeks before he packed up and moved into the area, he cryptically tweeted, 'You Could Move In To Hidden Hills And We Still Don't Live By The Same Code.' Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith's son Jaden has always been a somewhat controversial figure in Hollywood. In 2015, he acknowledged that some people thought he was 'crazy' but then said he felt like it was an 'honor because they thought Galileo was crazy too.' Jaden got into the family business in 2006 when he appeared alongside his famous father in The Pursuit of Happyness. He went on to star in the 2010 remake of the Karate Kid and again co-starred with dad Will in After Earth in 2013. Will and wife Jada Smith live with daughter Willow, 16, just eight miles away at their $42 million, 22,078-square-foot, 6-bedroom, 13-bath pad. 'It reminds me of when Justin Bieber moved into the gated Oaks community in Calabasas and immediately had trouble with the neighbors. It seems like the Hollywood Hills would be a better fit than Hidden Hills for a young guy like Jaden,' an insider said. Voters across Europe want a harder line approach than Donald Trump, Nigel Farage has told his EU counterparts in Brussels. The former Ukip chief cited a survey by respected think tank Chatham House that found more than half of voters in 10 EU states supported an end to migration from mainly Muslim countries, with just one in five disagreeing. This was more extreme than President Trump's travel ban on anyone travelling from seven majority countries, Mr Farage told the European Parliament. He said the rise in anti-immigrant sentiment had been caused by the EU's failure to deal with the refugee crisis and German Chancellor Angela Merkel's decision to open her country's borders to more than a million migrants in a year. And he warned them that 2017 would deliver an even bigger shock for the EU than 2016, which not only saw Brexit but also the election of an anti-EU US President. Voters across Europe want a harder line approach than Donald Trump, Nigel Farage, pictured, has told his EU counterparts in Brussels Far-right leaders in France, Holland and Germany are expected to increase their support in major elections this year. The Chatham House survey of more than 10,000 people 10 EU member states found 55 per cent wanted all further migration from mainly Muslim countries to be stopped. A quarter gave no opinion, while 20 per cent wanted Muslim migration to continue. Mr Farage told MEPs: 'The people want less Europe. We see this again and again when people have referendums and they reject aspects of EU membership. 'But something more fundamental is going on out there. 'Yes, you can say theyre lying and Ive no doubt many of you here when you hear what Im about to say will probably despise your own voters because just last week, Chatham House, the reputable group, published a massive survey from 10 European member states, and only 20 per cent of people want immigration from Muslim countries to continue.' He added: 'Just 20 per cent want us to keep on allowing people from Muslim countries, which means your voters have a harder line position on this than Donald Trump, or myself, or frankly any party sitting in this Parliament and that is where were going. 'I simply cannot believe that you are blind to the fact that even Mrs Merkel has now made a U-turn and wants to send people back. Even Mr. Schulz thinks it is a good idea. 'The fact is, the European Union has no future at all in its current form. And I suspect you are in for as big a shock in 2017 as you were in 2016.' Nigel Farage, pictured standing up, cited a survey by respected think tank Chatham House that found more than half of voters in 10 EU states supported an end to migration from mainly Muslim countries, with just one in five disagreeing Earlier this week Brexiteers slapped down the European parliament's chief negotiator after he claimed Winston Churchill would have backed staying in the EU. Guy Verhofstadt quoted from the 'British Bulldog' as he insisted the wartime leader wanted the UK to play a 'decisive part' in the bloc. The comments came during a bad-tempered debate on the future of the EU in the European Parliament in Strasbourg. They drew a furious response from UK MEPs including Nigel Farage - who accused Europhile counterparts of behaving like a 'religious sect'. Mr Verhofstadt, who leads the liberal ALDE group in the parliament and will play a key role in the looming Brexit talks, admitted that the EU was 'in crisis'. But he said the answer was a 'Europe that delivers' rather than breaking up the union. Mr Verhofstadt deployed a line from Churchill's famous speech at the University of Zurich where he mooted a United States of Europe. Guy Verhofstadt quoted from 'British Bulldog' Churchill as he insisted the wartime leader wanted the UK to play a 'decisive part' in the bloc Mr Verhofstadt, who leads the liberal ALDE group in the parliament and will play a key role in the looming Brexit talks, admitted that the EU was 'in crisis' 'In May 1947, in the Albert Hall in London Churchill, the British Bulldog, made it very clear what he wanted,' he said. 'And I quote: 'I present the idea of a United Europe in which our country will play a decisive part... as a member of the European family.' 'Yes, the Tories were openly pro-European at that time.' Mr Verhofstadt went on: 'The Eurosceptics in this house can twist and turn the words from the British Bulldog all they want. 'It is a fact that they have professionally squandered Winston Churchill's legacy.' But Mr Farage shot back: 'I feel like I'm attending a meeting of a religious sect here this morning. 'It's as if the global revolution of 2016; Brexit, Trump, the Italian rejection of the referendum, has completely bypassed you. 'Mr Verhofstadt this morning said that people want more Europe - they don't.' Former Ukip leader Nigel Farage accused Europhiles of behaving like a 'religious sect' Ashley Fox, leader of the Conservatives in the European Parliament, said: 'Britain did not vote to leave because there is not enough Europe. 'Whatever the question is, the answer is always the same; more Europe. So he calls for the Commission to be the EU government and for parliament to have the power to levy taxes on EU citizens. 'Instead of listening to people this report is telling them that Brussels knows best.' A woman shot and killed her 15-year-old granddaughter before turning the gun on herself inside a Hilton hotel room, just hours after the youngster sent a Snapchat to her parents showing off the room's view. Fayth Elizabeth Norman and her grandmother Charlott Livingston were found dead when they failed to check out of the Fort Worth, Texas, hotel on Monday. The grandmother left a note behind saying she 'wanted to take Fayth's life because she didn't want the teenager to live the type of life she had to live,' according to police. Scroll down to video Fayth Livingston (pictured in a Snapchat) was shot dead by her grandmother, who then turned the gun on herself, in a hotel room in Fort Worth, Texas Fayth did have a relationship with her mother, Candice (pictured). However the pair had not lived together for 10 years and her grandmother was her legal guardian Fayth was Norman's eldest daughter, and these photos taken on her 15th birthday just weeks before her tragic death show a doting older sister and caring soul Family of the two said that they checked into the hotel room late on Saturday, and then failed to check out by the required time on Monday, reported WFAA. A memorial for Fayth will be held in Mansfield, Texas, and the family has set up a GoFundMe page for funeral costs Fayth lived with her grandmother and legal guardian, Charlott Livingston. She did have a relationship with her mother, Candice Norman, but had not lived with her for 10 years. 'To know her was to love her, that's for sure. She was perfect, she was perfect,' Norman told WFAA news. She added: 'The last snap Fayth had was the view from the room of the hotel, I just thought, oh that's really nice she's getting to do that. And I never, I never thought that would be it.' Fayth was Norman's eldest daughter, and photos taken on her 15th birthday just weeks before her tragic death show a doting older sister. The note, left by Fayth's grandmother, was paraphrased to Norman by the police, and the family believe that mental illness likely played a role in this tragedy. CPS could not confirm its contents due to confidentiality, and have said that they are not investigating the teenager's death, reported WFAA. Fayth and her grandmother Charlott Norman were staying in a Hilton hotel in downtown Fort Worth, Texas (pictured) Norman says that, despite concerns, she never thought something like this would happen, or that her own mother could take her daughter away forever. 'I just miss her, I don't know what to do without her,' Norman told WFAA. Her fiance, Bill Guzman, told the news station that he believes police should have 'done a whole lot more' in investigating the deaths. A memorial for Fayth will be held in Mansfield, Texas, and the family has set up a GoFundMe page for funeral costs. If you need to speak to a counselor, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by calling 1 (800) 273-8255. Italian art conservationists have restored two funerary busts from the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra after they were badly damaged by ISIS. Restorers in Rome used a 3-D printer to generate replicas of the missing parts of the busts, which date from the 2nd or 3rd centuries. After Palmyra fell to Islamic State militants in 2015, extremists destroyed ancient temples for which the UNESCO heritage site is famous. Restorer Daria Montemaggiori says she was 'filled with anguish' when she saw damaged busts and was 'happy to collaborate in canceling out this massacre.' Restorers in Rome used a 3-D printer to generate replicas of the missing parts of the busts, which date from the 2nd or 3rd centuries Restorer Antonio Iaccarino Idelson poses between two limestone male, right, and female busts A limestone male bust that was damaged during the Islamic State occupation of the Syrian city of Palmyra Once completely restored, the busts are to be returned to a museum in Damascus at the end of the month. Palmyra, situated about 130 miles northeast of Damascus, is known by Syrians as the 'Bride of the Desert'. It was an important caravan city of the Roman Empire, linking it to India, China, and Persia. Before the outbreak of Syria's conflict in March 2011, the UNESCO site was one of the most popular tourist attractions in the Middle East drawing 105,000 visitors a year. Restorer Antonio Iaccarino Idelson shows a computer 3D rendering of a missing part of a limestone male bust, right Restorer Daria Montemaggiori shows a computer-rendered, 3D print-generated replica of a missing part of a limestone male bust The whole of Palmyra, including the four cemeteries outside the walls of the ancient city, has been listed as a world heritage site by UNESCO since 1980. Global concern for Palmyra's magnificent ancient ruins spiked in September 2015, when satellite images confirmed that ISIS had demolished the famed Temple of Bel as part of its campaign to destroy pre-Islamic monuments it considers idolatrous. Unesco described the temple as one of the best preserved and most important religious edifices of the first century in the Middle East. In October last year, the jihadists blew up the Arch of Triumph, dating from between 193 and 211 AD, as they pressed a campaign of destruction that Unesco has said constitutes a war crime punishable by the International Criminal Court. Hayley Williams said her sister Lisa (pictured) was 'tired of fighting and just wanted to go to sleep' before her death The heartbroken sister of a woman who left an emotional Valentine's Day card to her children just days before she was found dead on a beach has paid emotional tribute to the mother-of-five. Hayley Williams, 35, said her sister Lisa was 'tired of fighting and just wanted to go to sleep' in the weeks leading up to her death. The tragic 31-year-old had sent a card telling her children she 'loves them with all her heart' before being found badly burned at Newry beach in Anglesey, Wales. It is understood that Ms Williams was heartbroken after separating from her husband and losing contact with her children. Her distraught sister Hayley revealed that Lisa had sent a letter to the family noting that she was 'battling some difficulties'. She told Mirror Online: 'It's just the nature of what she's done, the level of what she inflicted on herself to get out of this world. 'As a family we are devastated and our lives have been turned upside down. Lisa was a beautiful and caring mum, daughter, sister, aunt, and cousin. ' The heartfelt Valentine's Day message and chocolate bars left by Ms Williams to her family, who she called her 'famous five' The tragic 31-year-old had sent a card telling her children she 'loves them with all her heart' before being found badly burned at Newry beach in Anglesey, Wales Hayley added: 'She said she was tired of fighting and just wanted to go to sleep. The level she went to, to find a way out is horrific.' Loved ones have since left floral tributes to her close to the spot where she was found. One bouquet, which appeared to have been left by her father, read: 'Our Lisa Bach. You'll always be in our heart. Love you forever Dad and Rachel xxx.' The mother had posted the card on February 12, so that it would reach her 'famous five' in time for Valentine's Day. Enclosed with the heartfelt message to her family were five of their favourite chocolate bars and a necklace for her daughter, accompanied by a note that read: 'for when you are older.' Less than an hour before her death, she had also shared a picture of the package on her Facebook page. Lisa Williams (pictured), 31, sent the card telling her children that she loved them, before she was found badly burned at Newry beach in Anglesey, Wales Ms Williams, from Llanfaethlu, wrote: 'I love you all with my Welsh heart, lovely Welsh (parcel), Valentine's treats and chocolate treats. 'Will see you all soon I promise. Kind hands, kind feet, nice words and sharing is caring.' Another message in a floral tribute described Ms Williams as 'kind' with a 'cute smile'. It read: 'It's a big loss without you here with us all. Hard to believe that you're gone. You meant the world to us. I'll never forget that cute smile and how kind you were to us all. The young children of Ms Williams, who she loved with 'all with my Welsh heart' 'There were a lot more things we wanted to do with you but you're in a better place now. Love you forever Lisa. Gone too soon.' Dozens of messages from heartbroken family and friends have also been posted on Facebook. One wrote: 'Your mam loved you and your brothers and sister so much.. Im sure u all know that. Your mam was also so proud of u five. My heart goesout 2 u little one's.' Another said: 'Your mam adored the bones off yous all, such kind and caring woman, she'll always be with you no matter what.' One of her children wrote simply: 'Love u mam and miss u.' Ms Williams' body was found by a security guard from Holyhead port in a shelter close to the beach, at around 10:40pm on Sunday. Police have said the death is not suspicious, but it is believed formal identification is yet to take place. It is understood an inquest is to be opened soon. A spokesman for North Wales Police said: 'At approximately 10.50pm yesterday, Sunday 12 February 2017, emergency services were alerted to the discovery of a woman's body on Newry Beach, Holyhead. Less than an hour before she was found dead Ms Williams (pictured) posted a picture of her Valentine's Day gift on Facebook 'She was pronounced dead at the scene and whilst no formal identification has taken place officers believe she is a local woman and enquiries are underway to locate and inform her next of kin. 'At this time the death is not being treated as suspicious, and the coroner for north-west Wales has been informed.' District Inspector Jason Higgins, at Llangefni Police Station, added: 'The lady, who we believe to be local, was pronounced dead at the scene and we are now in the process of locating and informing her family. 'Our thoughts are with them at this very difficult time.' A mother-of-four has taken refuge in a Denver church to avoid deportation after US immigration authorities denied her request to remain in the country. Jeanette Vizguerra, 45, entered the US from Mexico in 1997. She skipped her scheduled check-in with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials on Wednesday in suburban Centennial. Jeanette Vizguerra has taken sanctuary in a Denver church after her Stay of Deportation was declined Ms Vizguerra's Stay of Deportation expired last week and she believed she would be immediately deported if she met with the officers. The undocumented migrant, whose three youngest children were born in the US, has taken sanctuary in the First Unitarian Society of Denver church in the city's Capitol Hill district. She claims she has fought deportation for eight years. ICE says Ms Vizguerra is an 'enforcement priority' because she has two misdemeanor convictions. Her attorney's office confirmed she had a few traffic tickets and the last one led to her being charged with a misdemeanor involving forged documents. A judge issued a deportation order for her in 2011. 'This is not just an attack on me but an attack on the whole immigrant community,' Ms Vizguerra told CBS Denver. 'We have to look and see what we're going to do, how we're going to take action to protect ourselves.' The grandmother's case sparked protests in the city and around 100 people gathered in Centennial on Wednesday calling on officials to let her stay. The case has sparked protests in the city and around 100 people gathered in Centennial calling for her to be allowed to stay Ms Vizguerra arrived in the US from Mexico in 1997. She says she has been battling deportation for eight years It is believed Ms Vizguerra is the first undocumented immigrant to seek sanctuary since Donald Trump took office. Curbing immigration and deporting those in the US illegally was a major issue in the president's campaign and last week ICE arrested around 600 undocumented people in a series of raids nationwide. Since his inauguration last month, a number of churches have said they are preparing to offer sanctuary to those fleeing deportation. ICE says Ms Vizguerra is an 'enforcement priority' because she has two misdemeanor convictions and a judge had issued a deportation order for her in 2011 Rev. Mike Morran defended the decision to grant her sanctuary 'It is our position as a people of faith that this is sacred, and faithful work,' he said during a news conference at his church. 'We know Jeanette. We know her to be an honorable human being.' Vizguerra became an immigration rights activist even as she fought to stay in the country. Her case follows the deportation of a Phoenix-area woman last week under similar circumstances. US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson today suggested a 'co-operation deal' with Putin when he met with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov. Former Exxon Mobil chief executive Tillerson has said that Washington would cooperate with Moscow - but only if it is in US interests to do so. 'The United States will consider working with Russia when we can find areas of practical cooperation that will benefit the American people,' Tillerson said in a statement after his first meeting as secretary of state with Lavrov. The meeting marked the highest-level face-to-face contact between the two countries since Trump took office. Scroll down for video Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, lefy, shakes hands with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson during their talks on the sidelines of the G20 foreign ministers meeting When asked if Russia was concerned about turmoil in the Trump administration, Lavrov refused to be drawn, repeating Moscow's standard line that Russia 'does not interfere in the domestic matters of other countries.' Tillerson did not speak at the meeting on the sidelines of a conference of G20 foreign ministers in Bonn, Germany. However, speaking to reporters after the summit he urged Russia to meet its Minsk ceasefire commitments in Ukraine, where Russian intervention and its annexation of Crimea have plunged Western ties with Moscow into a deep freeze. US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, left, has put a 'co-operation deal' with Putin on the table when he met with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, right 'As we search for new common ground we expect Russia to honour its commitment to the Minsk agreements and work to de-escalate violence in Ukraine,' Tillerson told reporters after meeting Lavrov. Speaking after their meeting, Lavrov said he agreed with his new US counterpart that Moscow and Washington should 'move ahead' in areas where they have shared interests. 'Obviously we cannot solve all problems... but we have a mutual understanding that where our interests coincide, and there are many such spheres, we must move ahead,' Lavrov said in televised comments. He said Tillerson reiterated the 'readiness' of the US to 'overcome' the period of strained bilateral ties 'while recognising that... we will never work through all disagreements in one go.' Rex Tillerson, left, and Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, right, were at a conference of foreign ministers of Group of 20 major powers in Bonn, Germany Tillerson has taken a low-key and reserved approach in his first two weeks on the job and declined the opportunity to speak with reporters travelling with him aboard his plane to Germany. He did not respond to reporters' questions at his first three meetings in Bonn and, until Thursday, had yet to comment publicly on developments with Russia, its alleged meddling in the 2016 US presidential election or its actions in Syria and Ukraine. Trump chose Tillerson for the job in part because of his business experience and relationship with Russia while he was at Exxon. His meeting with Mr Lavrov was seen as a first test of whether that business acumen - which led to great profits for the oil company and Russian President Vladimir Putin bestowing a friendship award upon him - can translate into success in a high-stakes diplomatic arena. At his confirmation hearing last month, Mr Tillerson voiced conventional concerns about Russia's behavior and said they should be addressed by projecting a forceful and united front. The meeting between the two men marked the highest-level face-to-face contact between the two countries since Trump took office Like others in the administration, he has not been specific about how to repair damaged ties or whether doing so might involve lifting US sanctions imposed on Russia after its annexation of the Crimea region. Despite Tillerson's remarks on possible co-operation, the US is not ready to collaborate militarily with Russia, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has said, appearing to close the door for now on any effort to work more closely with Moscow in the fight against Islamic State militants in Syria. His blunt rejection came after Russian President Vladimir Putin called for increased intelligence cooperation with the US and NATO, and it makes such coordination less likely at least in the near future. Mattis followed his dismissal with a sharp assessment of Russia's alleged election meddling, saying there is 'very little doubt that they have either interfered or they have attempted to interfere in a number of elections in the democracies.' Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, right, said the U.S. is not ready to collaborate militarily with Russia despite Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, calling for increased intelligence cooperation with the U.S. and NATO His comments raised questions about the Trump administration's policies on Russia. As a candidate, President Donald Trump repeatedly praised Putin, saying he wanted a new era of cooperation with Moscow. Speaking at a meeting of NATO defense ministers, Mattis said the US will continue to engage politically with Putin's government to try to find common ground. Political leaders, Mattis said, will seek 'a way forward where Russia, living up to its commitments, will return to a partnership of sorts here with NATO. But Russia is going to have to prove itself first.' The US ceased military relations with Russia in the wake of Moscow's 2014 annexation of Ukraine's Crimea region. But last year, the Obama administration considered plans to cooperate militarily with Russia as part of a cease-fire deal in Syria. Senior Defense Department leaders opposed the plan, and it quickly fell apart as the cease fire collapsed. US General Joe Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was set to meet with his Russian counterpart, General Valery Gerasimov, in the former Soviet republic of Azerbaijan. It was to be the first meeting between the two countries' senior members of the military since Mr Trump was sworn in. A Canadian hiker was rescued along with his two dogs from Mount Lafayette in New Hampshire early Thursday morning after spending 10 hours stranded on a trail in whiteout conditions. Officials with the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department say 25-year-old Vincent Hevey, of Quebec, left with his four-legged companions from a trailhead at 9am Wednesday to reach the 5,260-foot summit, where he arrived at about 3pm. Once there, he lost the trail and his gloves in the blizzard. Temperatures on the mountain were below freezing Wednesday afternoon. Mountain rescue: Vincent Hevey, 25, of Quebec, had to be rescued after he found himself stranded on Mount Lafayette in New Hampshire (pictured) in whiteout conditions Hevey was able to send a message to family members back in Canada that he was having trouble finding his way down the peak. Fish and Game officials were able to communicate with the 25-year-old via text message. Eventually, Hevey found the Franconia Ridge Trail and stayed put until rescuers arrived shortly before 1am Thursday, about 800 feet south of the summit. Hevey had spent the night huddling with his two dogs for warmth while awaiting help to arrive. Officials say Hevey got lost after reaching the summit of the 5,260-foot mountain, part of the majestic Franconia Ridge (pictured), in a snowstorm Conservation officers and volunteers from the Mountain Rescue Service trudged through waist-deep snow in poor visibly to reach the hiker. Everyone made it back at the trailhead at around 5am. Lt. James Kneeland, of the Fish and Game Department, says it's doubtful Hevey would have survived the night outdoors in frigid weather if rescuers hadn't arrived when they did. A Chinese website has been selling 'LOL' shirts for 725 each after the design was used by a suspect in the assassination of Kim Jong-Un's half brother. A CCTV image of a key suspect in the killing of Kim Jong-Nam was used alongside the words 'the same Tee worn by North Korean female spy'. But the item, in five sizes priced at 6,324 yuan (725) was quickly removed from China's biggest e-commerce shopping platform Taobao after the offer was widely circulated online. Buy Un, get one free: A Chinese website has been trying to sell 'LOL' shirts for 725 each after the design was used by a suspect in the assassination of Kim Jong-Un's half brother The woman in the now infamous surveillance picture, identified as 28-year-old Doan Thi Huong, is thought to be a Vietnamese national. She is suspected of being one of two women who grabbed Jong-Nam from behind in Kuala Lumpur International Airport and assassinated him using poison. She was later arrested as she was trying to take a flight from the same terminal and police later said they had identified her through CCTV footage as being the woman with the LOL shirt. The 'LOL assasin' (left) who allegedly murdered Kim Jong-nan, right, by wiping poison on his face may have been 'duped into killing him' by 'friends who told her it was a harmless prank' A photo has emerged showing the first arrested suspect (pictured wearing a yellow top) being led into a police car A second woman, who was holding an Indonesian passport, was also identified from CCTV footage and detained on Thursday. Vietnam has said it is investigating. Indonesia has confirmed the second arrested woman was an Indonesian national and is seeking consular access to her. A third suspect, apparently a boyfriend of one of the women, has also been taken into custody, Malaysian police said. A woman who was doused in gasoline and set on fire by her estranged husband is speaking out about the near-deadly incident five months later as she continues to recover from her wounds. Heilyn Hernandez was arriving for work at Nature's Sleep in Plantation, Florida, in September when she saw her ex, 47-year-old Noel Garcia De Armas, storming over to her from across the parking lot. Surveillance footage shows Hernandez trying to reverse her car, but her ex is too fast and opens her door before she can flee. 'He came running fast towards me, so I turned on the car and I tried to get back and get out of there,' Hernandez told CBS Miami. WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES - Scroll down for video Heilyn Hernandez (pictured) is speaking out about being set on fire by her estranged husband in September Hernandez's ex, Noel Garcia De Armas (pictured left and right), faces attempted murder charge for the near-deadly attack 'I couldn't imagine this would happen because we had a good relationship, but the love was over,' Hernandez said. Above, the couple in happier times Hernandez gets emotional as she describes how her husband then poured gasoline all over her and set her on fire. 'It was so fast,' she said. She added: 'I couldn't imagine this would happen because we had a good relationship, but the love was over.' Luckily, a worker at a nearby urgent care center spotted her and came over to help. The worker told her to drop on the ground and roll to put out the flames. She then walked her over to the urgent care center where she was later airlifted to Ryder Trauma Center in Miami. Surveillance footage shows Hernandez arriving at work and her husband storming towards her car She barely had time to react before he had opened her door and started pouring gasoline over her Dr Carl Schulman, who treated Hernandez, said there were several times where she could have died. 'She was close to death many times. She was with us for a long time and it was probably eight weeks before she was able to crack a smile. 'When she was able to crack a smile and when she was able to reunite with her daughter, that's when the real healing begins,' Dr Schulman said. Doctors used skin grafts from Hernandez's legs to fix the burns to the rest of her body. Doctors used skin from Hernandez's legs to heal the burned skin on her upper torso Hernandez still has two more months of physical therapy and possibly more surgeries The former couple pictured above with their young daughter. A major victory for Hernandez was when she was finally strong enough to pick up her daughter again Since then, she has been undergoing physical therapy to adjust to her new skin. She has about two more months left, but still faces the possibility of more procedures. A major victory was when she was able to hold her daughter again. 'I want my life back. I want to do everything I was doing before. I have my daughter and I have to be there for her, and not just "be there," be there!' she said Despite her pain, she says she feels indebted to the health care professionals who have been helping her get through this difficult part of her life. Meanwhile, Hernandez's ex faces trial on charges of attempted murder and other charges. When asked about him, Hernandez only said 'I left that in God's hands'. President Donald Trump made his first Hispanic cabinet pick today, selecting Alex Acosta to be secretary of labor. Trump was looking to fill the shoes vacated by fast food CEO Andy Puzder, who dropped out of the running yesterday after spousal abuse claims derailed his nomination. 'Throughout his career, Alex Acosta has been a passionate advocate for equal opportunity for all Americans,' Trump said in a statement. Scroll down for video President Donald Trump will nominate Alexander Acosta to be secretary of labor, which would be his first Hispanic pick President Donald Trump announced Alexander Acosta as his labor secretary pick and then lectured reporters in the room on their coverage 'His extensive experience has tremendously impressed me and my team and makes us confident that he will lead the Department of Labor with the utmost competence and determination to support the American worker,' the president continued. 'The American worker had been forgotten and left behind,' Trump also noted. 'That ended when I became President on January 20.' Acosta, a former member of the National Labor Relations Board, served as the assistant attorney general for the Civil Rights Division under President George W. Bush. He was a U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Florida and formerly clerked for now Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, when Alito was a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit a part of his resume that will please conservatives on Capitol Hill. 'I am deeply grateful and honored for the opportunity to serve my country,' Acosta said in a statement provided by the White House. 'I thank the president and his staff for their confidence in me and I am eager to work tirelessly on behalf of the American worker.' At the top of his White House press conference today, Trump confirmed that Acosta was his pick, dedicating just a few lines to the announcement, before lecturing reporters about recent press coverage for another hour. Of the Harvard-educated Acosta he said he was a 'great student' and touted his resume, 'he has had a tremendous career.' He expanded those comments in a release the White House sent out later on Thursday. Alexander Acosta is a veteran of the George W. Bush administration and he clerked for Justice Samuel Alito, which should please conservatives on Capitol Hill Alexander Acosta was the assistant attorney general for the Civil Rights Division under President George W. Bush and served as a U.S. attorney in Florida 'Alex is going to be a key part of achieving our goal of revitalizing the American economy, manufacturing, and labor force,' Trump said. 'I call on the Senate to swiftly confirm this highly qualified and deserving leader so that he can get straight to work for the betterment of the American people.' The president had also pointed out that Acosta had successfully been through the Senate confirmation process three times. Sen. Lamar Alexander, the chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions committee, which will have to vote on Acosta's nomination, also greeted this fact with enthusiasm. 'Mr. Acosta's nomination is off to a good start because he's already been confirmed by the Senate three times,' Alexander said. 'He has an impressive work and academic background.' Alexander promised to schedule a hearing 'promptly.' 'And I look forward to exploring his views on how American workers can best adjust to the rapidly changing workplace,' Alexander said. Bloomberg News reported that Trump met with Acosta at the White House last night. Acosta is currently the dean of the Florida International University College of Law. He is the son of Cuban immigrants and in the past has done work defending Muslim Americans' civil rights. Trump said at a congressional listening session this morning that his labor secretary pick is a 'great person' and a 'star.' The experienced Acosta will be viewed as a safe pick after Puzder, who would have been a first-time government official, as he's the CEO of CKE restaurants, the company that owns Hardee's and Carl's Jr. Puzder's confirmation hearings were always going to be bumpy, with Democrats objecting on principle to putting someone in the role who had worked against a minimum wage. But things were made worse when Puzder admitted that he had hired an illegal immigrant to work in his household for five years. President Donald Trump's original secretary of labor pick Andrew Puzder, chief executive of CKE restaurants, pulled his name out of consideration yesterday Video from the Oprah Winfrey Show became public this week, which showed Andrew Puzder's ex-wife Lisa Fierstein (pictured), in disguise, alleging he abused her while they were married Andy Puzder, a fast food restaurant executive, withdrew his nomination from the Senate today to become President Donald Trump's secretary of labor President Donald Trump's (left) initial pick for the job Andy Puzder (right) had too much baggage between domestic abuse allegations and the fact that he hired an illegal maid Republicans, including Alexander, believed he would still have enough GOP votes to get through the confirmation process. But then, Oprah Winfrey's OWN Network handed over to senators a video of Puzder's ex-wife appearing in disguise on the show, stating that he had abused her. Lisa Fierstein, his ex, testified that her husband was a public figure and 'vowed revenge' when she took her spousal abuse allegations public. 'He said, "I will see you in the gutter. This will never be over. You will pay for this,"' Fierstein said. Fierstein has since said she made those allegations to get a leg up in the couple's divorce proceedings, even writing a letter to senators characterizing her ex-husband as a good man. It was just too much for the nomination, as a dozen or so Republican senators were wavering by the eve of Puzder confirmation hearing, which was supposed to take place today. 'I am honored to have been considered by President Donald Trump to lead the Department of Labor and put America's workers and businesses back on a path to sustainable prosperity,' Puzder said, thanking Trump for the opportunity and noting that he fully supported the president. Next to her hate-spewing Ku Klux Klan leader husband, nobody would have looked twice at cat-loving, mom-of-three Malissa Ancona. And yet the suburban housewife accused of executing 'Grand Wizard' Frank Ancona with a bullet to the head as he slept, is said to be every bit as extreme and dangerous, DailyMail.com can reveal. Ancona, 44, and her son Paul Jinkerson Jr., 24, were both charged Monday with murdering Ancona at their home in Leadwood, Missouri before dumping his body beside a river. Paul Jinkerson, the ex-husband of Malissa Ancona and father to Paul Jr., points the finger of blame squarely on his ex. Here with his 24-year-old son, he doesn't buy the innocent mom routine, he told DailyMail.com Malissa Ancona, wife of Ku Klux Klan leader Frank Ancona whose body was dumped by the river after being shot in his bed, has been charged with his murder Malissa in her mugshot, and her son Paul Edward Jinkerson Jr. have been charged with first degree murder She will likely tell the court she was living in fear of the cross-burning fanatic who headed a sinister KKK faction known as the Traditionalist American Knights of the Ku Klux Klan. But in an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com, her former husband and Jinkerson's father, also named Paul Jinkerson, said he doesn't buy the innocent mom routine. He says peroxide blonde Ancona willingly embraced her slain husband's vile white supremacist ideology and blames her for the February 17 murder. 'She was lazy, she was uneducated, she was a sociopath. My mother used to say she was pure evil,' said Mr Jinkerson, 48. 'She wasn't racist back when I knew her but I think she absorbed the hatred and lifestyle living with Frank. 'My son would tell me they were going out of town for rallies and gatherings. I know she sewed all their robes and hoods. 'There's a line from the Elton John song Tiny Dancer that refers to the "seamstress for the band". Well we used to call her the seamstress for the Klan.' Authorities suspect Ancona hatched the murder plot after learning her husband was about to divorce her before 'acting in concert' with her son to carry it out. She and computer science student Jinkerson are charged with first degree murder, armed criminal action, tampering with physical evidence and abandonment of a corpse. Paul Jinkerson was thrown under the bus by his mother, his dad, a retail manager and father-of-five, says. The elder Jinkerson predicted his son's version of events will be radically different from his mother's A police affidavit seen by DailyMail.com states that Ancona accuses Jinkerson of firing the fatal shot as his stepfather slept in the master bedroom of the ramshackle one-story marital home. However she admits to 'altering the crime scene' and trying to 'destroy blood evidence' before Frank Ancona's body was stuffed into the trunk of his car and abandoned in a remote location. The 51-year-old was found the next day on the banks of the Big River in nearby Belgrade, Missouri, by a family on a fishing trip. By then Malissa Ancona had cynically appealed for information on his 'heartbreaking' disappearance on Facebook, claiming he left town to deliver car parts and never returned. Jinkerson, a retail manager and father-of-five, predicted his son's version of events will be radically different. 'I don't know anything about Frank cheating on her but Frank told me six months ago that he suspected Malissa was cheating on him,' he said. 'I know my son and I do not believe my son shot Frank Ancona. And unless I see evidence to the contrary I will not believe it. I don't believe he's capable of that. 'He is not a racist. He is a gentle kid, a whiz with computers. To my knowledge he has never been in a fight or fired a gun. Wife of Ku Klux Klan leader who posted ad looking for new roommate on the same day he disappeared is charged with murder along with her son after her husband's body was found dumped by a river 'Frank was his stepdad. I always thought they got along great. He got Paul a job doing deliveries for the same firm. 'Malissa is throwing my son - I don't want to call him her son anymore - under the bus. She will do anything to save her own skin.' Mr Jinkerson, a retail manager and father of five, married Malissa when he was just 21 and she was still in her late teens. He says they 'grew apart' and divorced in 1996, when he won custody of their two children and stepdaughter. His ex-wife would eventually settle down with Frank Ancona, who separated with his wife Kellie, to be with her. Jinkerson said he abhorred Ancona's views on race and politics but he had never once witnessed him being violent or abusive. 'I knew Frank Ancona,' he said. 'Frank was an honest man. If he saw me at a family function he would come over and shake my hand. I never heard him yell or get violent. The self-proclaimed 'imperial wizard' of a St. Louis KKK chapter was last seen leaving his Leadwood home, with a packed bag and several guns on Wednesday last week Ancona's body was discovered by a group of fisherman near the Big River in Missouri 'If anyone in that relationship was abusive it was Malissa. If anyone was aggressive or violent, it was her. 'One time I talked to him and he said he couldn't leave her because she would ring the police and say he was violent to her. She did the same thing to me. 'He wanted to know If I would take her back to get her out of the house. After I was done laughing I said, "you gotta be kidding". 'That would be like selling a used car and when you finally get someone to take it they want you to buy it back 20 years later.' Formed in 2009, Frank Ancona's KKK group is said to have be one of 29 rival factions across the US peddling white supremacist propaganda and competing for media attention. The mustached extremist was interviewed by several newspapers and TV stations, with the New York Times and MSNBC among those offering him a platform. While dismissing the KKK's historical violence as the work of 'a few bad apples', Ancona insisted his American Knights did not preach violence. However in the wake of the 2014 racially-charged Ferguson, Missouri riots his group distributed fliers threatening 'lethal force' against demonstrators. He also referred to members of the hacking collective Anonymous, who posted a list of KKK members online in 2015, as 'pathetic nigger lovers' who will 'soon be strung up next to the chimps.' Photos on the American Knights website reveal Ancona standing in front of a burning cross in the white hood and robes synonymous with Klan rallies and lynchings. 'This Order will strive forever to maintain the God-given supremacy of the White Race,' declares a rambling manifesto. 'To preserve the blood purity, integrity, cultural, and traditions of the White Christian Race in America.' By contrast, Malissa Ancona's social media describes her as a dedicated animal rights advocate and says she runs a pet rescue center from home. 'I love animals i have my whole life. I speak up for them..I am there voice,' she writes on Facebook. However in a Twitter account dating back to 2009, the year she married Mr Ancona in head-to-toe Klan regalia, she reveals rather more extreme views. Ancona describes herself as an 'Imperial klokan' - someone who vets prospective KKK members - and links her page to the American Knights website. In April 2010 she posted: 'Sewing robes for my brothers and sisters and getting ready for our bbq at the park saturday, state of missouri thought they could stop us.' There are also various references to violence and murder - and an ominous warning in February of the same year: 'Take your Ex out tonight...One bullet oughtta do it.' Mr Ancona's son Frank Jr, 24, and daughters Virginia, 22, and Carolyn, 14, have not commented publicly on his murder. A Just Giving page they set up to raise $5,000 for his closed casket funeral was shut down after it raised $535. Mr Ancona's ex-wife Kellie, 53, described it as an 'absolute tragedy' before slamming her door. His father Frank Snr, 72, who lives in a trailer decorated with a Confederate flag beside the Ancona marital home, refused to comment, telling a reporter: 'Get off my property or I'll blow your brains out.' Law enforcement are treating the death as completely unrelated to Frank Ancona's involvement with the American Knights. Mark Potok, a researcher for the Southern Poverty Law Center, predicted the group, which he estimates has less than 40 members, will struggle to survive without their leader's knack for generating publicity. 'Frank Ancona worked very hard to portray himself as the kinder, gentler Klansman,' Mr Potok said. 'He said he wasn't racist, he didn't judge people on the color of their skin, he claimed he was friends with a black man. But this was pure lies and hypocrisy. His website completely undermines the facade.' Malissa Ancona and Paul Jinkerson Jr. of Belgrade, Missouri, are both being held without bail. A spokeswoman for the St. Francois County Prosecuting Attorney said Ancona was due in court February 28 while no court date has been set for Jinkerson. Missing RAF serviceman Corrie McKeague's mother has vowed to devote the rest of her life to raising money for the search and rescue charity which has spent more than 6,000 hours looking for her son. Nicola Urquhart, 48, said she could never say thank you enough to crews who have helped look for the missing gunner on two public searches. Mr McKeague, 23, vanished following a night out with friends on September 24 last year, sparking fears he may have tried to walk the ten miles from Bury St Edmunds to his base at RAF Honington. Mr McKeague (left and right with his girlfriend), 23, vanished following a night out with friends on September 24 last year In the months since, volunteers at Suffolk Lowland Search and Rescue (SULSAR) have scoured vast rural areas close to where he was last seen. The next public search for clues will take place on February 19 at an undisclosed location. Speaking to her local paper, Ms Urquhart said: 'Myself, Makeyan, Darroch and our family will never be able to show our true gratitude. 'Even if Corrie was found tomorrow, I will still spend the rest of my life trying to find ways of raising money for this charity. 'The efforts they have already made and future efforts are truly what lets us function, I know every single member of SULSAR will never ever stop searching for Mr McKeague. 'I pray none of you, not one other person, should ever have to need their service to search for your child or loved one, but if you do, I hope that each penny you have all given for everything I have supported to raise for SULSAR helps you too.' Nicola Urquhart (pictured), 48, said she could never say thank you enough to crews who have helped look for the missing gunner on two public searches This was the last sighting of Mr McKeague. CCTV shows him walking down Brentgovel Street in Bury St Edmunds at 3.25am On Wednesday, police will begin scouring a huge landfill site containing waste collected from the area Corrie was last seen. Signals from his mobile phone appeared to correspond to the speed of a moving vehicle and place him on the route of a local bin lorry which went between Bury and Barton Mills. One theory is that it might have been picked up by a bin lorry collecting rubbish from Greggs, as the vehicle's movement matched that of the phone. The tip in Milton, Cambridgeshire, is 30 miles away from where Mr McKeague was last seen in an area known as the horseshoe in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. No extra waste has been dumped at the site since police alerted the owners that they may need to inspect it soon after Corrie was reported missing. Suffolk Police said the search will be a 'considerable task' as the area identified is more than 920 square metres of waste down to a maximum depth of eight metres. SULSAR chairman Andy King has spoken previously about the 'Corrie effect', which has raised awareness of lowland rescue teams. The 1,100-square-foot landfill in Milton takes waste from Bury St Edmund's, where Mr McKeague was last seen in CCTV footage He said: 'I would like to thank Colin Davey, of Top the Lot gambling, who has very generously donated 5,000 to the team, and has pledged to help and assist the team further with funding and assistance.' While coordinating the last public search, on January 22 he said: 'Before Corrie went missing, many people would not have even known about lowland rescue. 'They would have all heard of mountain rescue, but lowland just did not have the profile. Corrie's disappearance has shined a spotlight on what we do.' Following his disappearance, it emerged that Mr McKeague's girlfriend April Oliver, 21, is pregnant with his child. Miss Oliver said Mr McKeague did not know about the baby which is due in late spring or early summer. Mr McKeague is originally from Fife in Scotland and moved down to Suffolk to live at RAF Honington where he worked as a gunner and team medic in the air force. Anyone with information about his disappearance is asked to call the incident room at Suffolk Police on 01473 782019. Mr Kaba (left), 24, was allegedly part of a group of five men who went to a Notting Hill Carnival after-party (inset) in east London in the early hours of August 30. They are suspected of conspiring to murder a 23-year-old rival who was shot on the dance floor at the Oval Space nightclub in Cambridge Heath. The victim was chased out of the nightclub and shot twice by a gunman before being taken to the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel. He was treated for gunshot wounds to both legs, but survived the attack. The four men appeared at Thames Magistrates Court on October 28 charged with conspiracy to murder. The newspaper reported that the prosecution will allege Mr Kaba helped plot the attack and was present at the incident. Mr Kaba, who died in Streatham Hill (right), south London, on September 5, was being followed by an unmarked police car with no lights or sirens turned on in the minutes before the shooting, Inner South London Coroner's Court was told last month. Roux, an adorable four-year-old Pomeranian has become an internet sensation An adorable Pomeranian has become an internet sensation thanks to his epic sneeze. Tiny Roux, 4, suffers from allergies, which cause him to make a remarkable noise when something tickles his nose. Lying on his back, the pooch sounds more like a car failing to start when he frantically shakes his head from side to side as he is gripped by a sneeze. The fluffy pup then goes straight back to relaxing as if nothing happened. The white Cajun fluffball, who lists his hobbies as 'playing and eating treats' on his social media profiles, has now gained thousands of Instagram fans after his owners posted pictures of the pub and videos of his adorable sneezing habits online. Roux's devoted owners are Jake and Laura Kulbeth who live with their fluffy friend in Lafayette, Louisiana. Roux suffers from allergies, which cause him to make a remarkable noise when something tickles his nose Jake said: 'Roux had always had a funny sneeze, but Laura just assumed it was normal. It was only when I heard it that it became apparent it was not normal, but very funny. 'Roux suffers from seasonal allergies that make him sneeze this way. He takes daily allergy medication, but some days his allergies act up more than others. 'We have never seen another Pomeranian sneeze this way. 'He is a great dog, and always keeps us laughing with his quirky personality. Lying on his back, the pooch sounds more like a car failing to start than a dog He frantically shakes his head from side to side as he is gripped by a sneeze 'Now he's been seen by lots of people, when he starts to sneeze everyone waits for the famous noise. 'Everyone loves it. He makes people happy and keeps them laughing. 'When we go out with him we get a lot of attention, and people always ask to pet him. 'He loves the attention and gets excited when people say he's cute. 'His favourite things are naps, walks, and shopping.' Locals in Middlesbrough are outraged after 30,000 of taxpayers' money was spent creating literacy-inspired artworks including one on Sherlock Holmes. The first piece of artwork to appear is a book page containing classic quotes from The Five Orange Pips by Arthur Conan Doyle. It cost around 3,000 to produce and has been transposed on to the gable end of a Subway restaurant at the end of Baker Street. The author E W Hornung (1866-1921), who was from Middlesbrough, married Doyle's sister, Constance. A market in the town is called 'The Five Orange Pips'. The first piece of artwork to appear is a book page containing classic quotes from The Five Orange Pips by Arthur Conan Doyle The mural is one of 10 pieces of classic and contemporary literature including poetry and literary quotes which will be painted on walls in the town centre. The pieces, which include poetry and literary quotes, will also appear in Bedford Street and a Teesside University building on King Edward's Square. The Public Poetry scheme has been funded by cash-strapped Middlesbrough Council to enhance the overall vibrancy of the town, just days after they announced an almost four per cent increase in council tax. It has attracted attention from both visitors and local residents in the town, with many slamming the artwork. The mural is one of 10 pieces pieces of classic and contemporary literature including poetry and literary quotes which will be painted on walls in the town centre Margaret Agar, 80, said: 'They should be spending this money on housing. It could be spent on something better. 'It does not brighten up the area. The money could go to the bairns, and people who say they are unable to get housing. 'I think it is a waste of money. I think a lot of people will think it is a waste of money.' Brian Hodgson, 55, added: 'If you are walking along the road you really have to stop and put your neck out and try and work it all out. I think the idea was right, but they have done it the wrong way. 'In that way it is a waste of money because it has not got the right effect. I think it could have been better spent elsewhere. The money has been misspent.' James Wall posted on social media: 'Just get innovative local graffiti artists the opportunity that's all Rio, Berlin and London does. Waste of money when they are closing museums.' Sk Bob posted: 'total waste cant even read full thing.? what's sherlock holmes got to do with teesside? why is it always baker street? 3000!!!!!!!boring basically (sic)' Stephan Whitaker posted: 'poor spending when there was homeless kids in middlesbroughs soup kitchens at Christmas (sic)' Stanley Blagg added: 'No wonder council tax going up.' However, not everyone was unhappy with the artwork. Jane Jorgenson, 53, who runs a shop on the street, said: 'I think it is marvellous. People walk past and they can see something is going on. 'It makes people stop and take notice. I think it is a really good idea. Some people may not think it is good value for money but as a trader on the street, I do. 'It makes the place look nice, and I think we need a little bit of that around here. It brightens the place up.' Lewis Young, the councillor responsible for culture, media and sport, said: 'There is a real confidence in Middlesbrough town centre at the moment with the Baker and Bedford Street and Orange Pip Markets really capturing the imagination of people. 'The Public Poetry is an extension of everything that is currently going on to add more variety into the town centre and to encourage more people to visit, for them to stay longer and have an even more enjoyable experience.' Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes lived at 221B Baker Street, London in the books Baker Street in Middlesbrough; the 10 murals will cost 30,000 and are being funded by the council Curator of the project, Nicky Peacock, said: 'Research shows that projects such as this encourage mindfulness and a sense of discovery in a familiar environment. 'Current research into the multifunctionality of town centres encourages us to be flexible, responsive to change and open to ideas that enliven space. 'Town centres can once again become useful, lively and creative places that reflect the diversity of our communities - but not through retail alone.' Jill Morgan, dean of Teesside University's school of design, culture and the arts and the university's lead for culture, said: 'This is an imaginative and inspirational project which will both enrich the town's cultural offer and builds on our important history of poetry and performance as a force for social and political change. 'Teesside University supports a wide breadth of cultural activity, both within the University and in the wider community. 'We are delighted to support this project and hope it will bring the work of Simon Armitage and other writers to a wider audience.' All fights between Britain and Europe could be cut off in March 2019 if 'clueless' Government ministers fail to strike a Brexit deal, Ryanair chief Michael O'Leary has warned. The controversial airline boss said a 'cliff edge' Brexit could close down flights in and out of UK airports overnight. Prime Minister Theresa May has talked up the prospect of a transition or implementation phase after the end of the official two year period of talks to quit the EU which could resolve the situation. But some in Europe are reluctant to even begin talks on the future arrangements until the divorce is finalised and Mrs May has insisted no deal is better than a bad deal. Ryanair chief Michael O'Leary has warned all fights between Britain and Europe could be cut off in March 2019 if 'clueless' Government ministers fail to strike a Brexit deal Mr O'Leary warned the current 'open skies' arrangement hinges on recognising the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice which Mrs May has vowed Britain will escape. Open skies allows flights to travel to and from any point in the EU and the United States. Mr O'Leary believes it will take more than the two-year time frame from triggering Article 50 to put the necessary agreements in place with the EU. He said: 'In the airline industry we could be heading for a very difficult divorce with Europe. 'There is a possibility, unlikely, but nevertheless a possibility that there may be no flights between the UK and Europe in March 2019 if the UK walks off this cliff that they seem determined to walk off.' The airline head said he was switching growth plans away from the UK and would not create any more pilot or cabin crew posts, or increase the amount of planes there due to Brexit uncertainty. He said new routes announced in Scotland on Thursday would use planes based elsewhere in Europe and would move to other European countries in the event of a hard Brexit. Mr O'Leary accused the UK Government of being clueless over Brexit and hoped that the UK would stay in the EU. Ryanair has planes on mainland airport, including at Eindhoven pictured, allowing it to continue flying routes within Europe even if Britain falls out of the 'open skies' system He said: 'Brexit - no exit plan by the UK Government. I don't think they have a clue what they are engaged in. 'I've had a number of meetings in London in recent weeks where they are going to do a great deal for Britain, and then I got to Frankfurt and Brussels and Paris where they are determined to do Britain down, and I fear they will. 'We have to recognise the will of the the people, they did vote in a referendum, however they were fundamentally misled into believing they could leave Europe and nothing would change. 'Everything is going to change, and probably for the worse.' An American tourist died of a heart attack after snorkeling in freezing waters at Icelands most popular diving site on Sunday. The 65-year-old collapsed at the side of the Silfra fissure, where his tour guide performed CPR as other horrified tourists looked on. The tourist, who has not been named, was flown to the National University Hospital in the nearby capital city of Reykjavik but died soon after. The death is the eighth serious accident to occur at Silfra since 2010 and the fourth fatal one, according to local reports. The spectacular 90ft deep, 1,500ft long fissure has water so clear that divers can see up to 40ft away from them. Park officials have raised concerns about the 50,000 people diving there each year as tourists find it hard to adjust to the cold water. Scroll down for video An American tourist died of a heart attack after snorkeling in freezing waters at Icelands most popular diving site, the Silfra fissure, on Sunday. This photo was taken on the day of the fatal dive by Scot Hacker, who witnessed the scene and spoke with DailyMail.com about what he saw The unidentified tourist was part of a tour of eight people who went for a lunchtime snorkel in water that hovers around 30 degrees Fahrenheit all year Large crowds mean they have to wait for some time for their turn in dry suits, which constrict their blood flow, making an accident more likely. The tourist was part of a tour of eight people who went for a lunchtime snorkel in water that hovers around 30 degrees Fahrenheit year round. Scot Hacker, 51, who was diving with a different tour company, wrote on Facebook that he watched a person die today, and am feeling shaken. Scot Hacker, 51, who was diving with a different tour company, wrote on Facebook that he watched a person die today, and am feeling shaken Hacker told DailyMail.com that as he was getting out of the water he looked to his right to see a the man, who had a stocky build, having clear difficulties. Hacker said: The person was on the ground on their back. There was one person kneeling over them doing CPR and a group of five people standing close by. A helicopter came in and we were asked to move back. Our guide shooed us out of the area. It was shocking and such a dark thing to happen after such an incredible experience.' Hacker, an app developer from El Cerrito, California, added that there were a lot of tour groups at the fissure that day, meaning each group had to wait on a bench for their go. The Silfra fissure is considered a bucket list activity by many. Reviews on Tripadvisor say that words cannot begin to describe the beauty and say it's all worth it. The site is where the European and American tectonic plates meet, and the water that fills the fissure bubbles up from the center of the Earth. 'Our guide shooed us out of the area. It was shocking and such a dark thing to happen after such an incredible experience,' Hacker, pictured on the left at Silfra, said The tourist was flown by helicopter from Thingvellir National Park to the National University Hospital in Reykjavik, 30 miles to the east, but died soon after Safety has been a concern for some tourists at the site and one review on Tripadvisor said: The dry suit is kinda scary and when they put the hood over your head you may have a panic attack as you feel tense with sense of suffocation' Divers at the site, located in Thingvellir National Park, 30 miles east of the Reykjavik, must obtain a permit from park authorities. Most tour groups charge between $250 and $350 for the three hour trip, of which 30 minutes is spent underwater. Safety has been a concern for some tourists and one review on Tripadvisor said: The dry suit is kinda scary and when they put the hood over your head you may have a panic attack as you feel tense with sense of suffocation.' An official at the Icelandic Coast Guard, which flew the tourist to the hospital on its helicopter, told DailyMail.com that first responders were nervous about some tour groups being too gung ho. The official said: There are so many tourists diving there and there is no infrastructure at Silfra. If you are snorkeling you at least need to be able to swim - they will basically let anybody in.' Einar Asgeir Smundsson, the spokesman for Thingvellir National Park, said that the tourist became dizzy as he was about to come out of the water. He said: What it seems like is that man suffered from a heart attack in the water. He was snorkeling with his group and he was getting out of the water when he became ill.' South Iceland police chief superintendent Oddur Arnason said that he was still waiting for the autopsy results to reveal the exact cause of death. He said: There appear to be indications that the person did not drown but there was an illness, a heart attack or something. Police in Iceland have the duty to investigate accidental deaths whatever the reason. I find it unlikely it will turn into a criminal investigation but we have a duty to investigate.' A spokesman for the State Department said: We can confirm the death of a US citizen in Iceland on February 12, 2017. We offer our sincerest condolences to their friends and family. We stand ready to provide all appropriate consular services.' Amiyah Kayla Dunston (above), 9, was mauled to death by a pit bull on November 8, 2015 A Long Island mother was stunned to discover the wrong tombstone was placed on the grave of her 9-year-old daughter who was mauled to death by a pit bull over a year ago. Amiyah Kayla Dunston was in the backyard of a friend's home in Elmont, New York, at 10.30am on November 8, 2015, when an 80-pound pit bull attacked and 'shook her around like a rag doll,' according to witnesses. A woman who lived nearby tried to stop the dog, but was unable to. Two responding officers arrived within minutes - at which point the dog dropped Amiyah and bounded towards one of the cops, who shot it dead. Dunston was rushed to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Its owner, an unemployed former welder called Carlyle Arnold, was arrested at the scene for unrelated charges. This past Valentine's Day, Dunston's mother and her grandmother visited her grave site in Greenfield Cemetery in nearby Uniondale. There they were shocked to discover that someone else's headstone was sitting atop of her grave. Dunston (left) was in the backyard of a friend's home in Elmont, New York, when an 80-pound pit bull (seen right with its owner, Carlyle Arnold) attacked and 'shook her around like a rag doll,' according to witnesses This past Valentine's Day, Dunston's mother and her grandmother visited her grave site in Greenfield Cemetery in nearby Uniondale. There they were shocked to discover that someone else's headstone was sitting atop of her grave On her Facebook page, Marlena West, Amiyah's grandmother, posted photos of the incorrect headstone. The pictures show the headstone after it was placed on top of her granddaughter's grave site. She then posted another picture (above) of the headstone after it was moved The tombstone they had ordered was not ready yet, according to WCBS. 'We just want to be in peace,' a family member told WCBS 880 AM. 'Because we went through enough - now you're going to put something on her grave that isn't hers?' When West (above) reported the mistake, a local official had the incorrect tombstone removed by the monument company. It was just really emotional for me,' the girl's grandmother, Marlena West, 47, told Newsday. 'And her mother is so ... she just can't even handle it. It really messed her up. It was like she was reliving the tragedy of what happened to her daughter,' West said. When West reported the mistake, a local official had the incorrect tombstone removed by the monument company. 'He came out and was very sympathetic and apologizing for the error,' West said of Marino. 'He told me this has never happened before.' On her Facebook page, West posted photos of the incorrect headstone. The pictures show the headstone after it was placed on top of her granddaughter's grave site. She then posted another picture of the headstone after it was moved. 'Please if u have loved ones in Greenfield Cemetery please visit often! You just never know what to expect in this world today,' she wrote on Facebook. A spokesperson for Hempstead Town, the locality that runs the cemetery, offered an apology. 'We've extended our heartfelt apologies to the [Amiyah Dunston] family ... on behalf of the monument company that made the mistake,' the spokesperson, Mike Deery, said. Njaya Gardner, 13 (pictured), was last seen leaving her Somerdale, New Jersey school yesterday Police in Somerdale, New Jersey are searching for a 13-year-old who disappeared on her way home from school on Wednesday. Nyaja Gardner was last seen on her school's surveillance footage leaving campus around 3pm yesterday. She was reported missing when she never returned home. Police say she may have been going to meet someone she met on Facebook. Gardner was last seen wearing a green jacket, a gold hooded sweatshirt with the word 'Pink' on it, tan pants and dark blue shoes with white soles. She was also carrying a black backpack with white dots, as well as a tablet bag with a gold and blue Somerdale Park School logo. She is described as being 5-foot-6 inches tall and weighing about 125 pounds. She has black hair and medium complexion skin. Anyone with information on Gardner's whereabouts is being asked to call Camden County Communications at 856-783-4900 or Corporal Smith at 856-428-6324 extension 3800. This is the incredible moment firefighters in Hong Kong gave CPR to a cat after saving the animal from a blazing building. The feline passed out after a fire had broken out in a crowded apartment building in north-west Kowloon on Thursday morning local time. Web users have praised the rescuers for their heroic act after they were spotted giving mouth-to-mouth resuscitation in a bid to save it. Firefighters in Hong Kong gave a cat mouth-to-mouth this morning to revive the animal The feline, reportedly a grey British shorthair, was revived by the rescue effort carried out by two officers. Firefighters also provided oxygen to the cat through an oxygen mask as the animal had been knocked out by toxic gas. Afterwards, the cat was taken to the local Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals for further evaluation. Rescuers also gave an oxygen mask to the feline which had been knocked out by blazing fire After firefighters revived the feline, a grey British shorthair, it was taken for further checkups According to Apple Daily, the fire was caused by a man who had been smoking in his apartment in the wee hours. Apparently, his sofa caught fire after he had discarded a cigarette butt. The seven-storey building is in Cheung Sha Wan and is known in Hong Kong for its crowded subdivided flats. The fire spread across four neighbouring flats divided from the apartment on the third floor. Firefighters arrived on the scene and used ladder to rescue the residents from the blaze. The fire broke out today in a building in one of Hong Kong's most densely packed areas More than 26 people were taken to hospital and treated for smoke inhalation. The fire was put out at around 6am. One woman remains in critical condition, two men and seven women are in stable condition and the others are discharged, according to Apple Daily. Subdivided apartments is a reflection of Hong Kong's expensive flat rental market. Hong Kong, often thought to be one of the world's richest cities, is filled with luxury apartments. A luxury residential home in the city's exclusive Peak district was sold for $270million (221million) in 2016. It was the most expensive property sold in the world last year, according to Mansion Global. The city is also one of the most densely packed metropolitan areas on the planet, with nearly 16,500 people living in every square mile of the territory. Advertisement Hillary Clinton joined her longtime friend and celebrity backer Anna Wintour on Thursday for a special USPS Oscar de la Renta Forever Stamp unveiling during the last day of Fashion Week. The defeated presidential nominee was all smiles alongside the Vogue Magazine Editor-In-Chief at the ceremony hosted at Grand Central Terminal's Vanderbilt Hall in New York City. Sporting a magenta pink blazer with a large statement necklace featuring gold metals, Clinton looked upbeat and seemed to be enjoying herself as the ceremony was emceed by CNN's Anderson Cooper and former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg was also in attendance. She used the ceremony as an opportunity to praise the contributions of immigrants like the Dominican-born fashion designer. Clinton seems to be making the most of her failure to win the presidency, spending time catching shows and mingling with the stars she counts as close friends. Scroll down for video Fun times: Hillary Clinton joined her longtime friend and celebrity backer Anna Wintour (together above) on Thursday for a special USPS Oscar de la Renta Forever Stamp unveiling The former Democratic presidential nominee and Vogue Editor-In-Chief seemed to be having a great time at the event at Vanderbilt Hall in Grand Central Station in New York During her presidential campaign, Wintour was one of many celebrities who openly supported Clinton Clinton and Wintour hugged each other during the event on Thursday in New York City Former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg (right) was also in attendance at the ceremony on Thursday Sporting a pink blazer with a large necklace featuring gold metals, Clinton looked upbeat and seemed to be enjoying herself Speaking at the U.S. Postal Service ceremony dedicating a series of 11 stamps honoring de la Renta, Clinton said the designer was an immigrant who had come to America to pursue his dreams 'and aren't we proud and grateful that he was?' 'Let there be many, many more immigrants with the love of America that Oscar de la Renta exemplified every single day,' she added. De la Renta, who died in 2014 at age 82, dressed every first lady from Jacqueline Kennedy to Michelle Obama. First daughter Ivanka Trump carried on the tradition by wearing his company's designs during last month's inauguration festivities. During the event, Clinton recounted personal stories she and her family shared with the iconic Dominican designer. One of those moments she recalled included when she traveled to the fashion legend's home country to do humanitarian work following a hurricane that devastated thousands. 'Anna was right, when you are a friend of Oscar's, you were a friend in good times and dark times,' Clinton said. One of the stamps featuring the designer, who died of complications from cancer, is a single black-and-white portrait image. The other 10 stamps highlight details from gowns and dresses designed by De La Renta. Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who joined Clinton, Anna Wintour and others at the ceremony at New York's Grand Central Terminal, also praised de la Renta as a proud Dominican immigrant. 'Our country is great because we welcome people from around the world. They come here to work hard and build a better future for their families, no matter where they come from,' said Bloomberg, a political independent who endorsed the Clinton, a Democrat, for president. Clinton's longtime aide Huma Abedin also attended the star-studded ceremony. Chelsea Clinton is seen in the background Anderson Cooper (left) emceed the ceremony on Thursday as it closed out Fashion Week Clinton spoke at the event on Thursday and recounted personal stories she and her family shared with the iconic Dominican designer who passed away in 2014 from complications related to cancer On Wednesday night, the former first lady was a special guest in the audience at hit musical Sunset Boulevard at The Palace Theater on Broadway, where she was greeted with a round of applause and a standing ovation. She was pictured backstage at the performance with six-time Academy Award nominee Glenn Close, who plays Norma Desmond in the show. Clinton was happy to pose for pictures with the cast backstage - who looked equally pleased to have their pictures taken with her. Andrew Lloyd Webber's Broadway musical Sunset Boulevard starring Glenn Close is extending its run an additional four weeks, producers have announced. Clinton seems to be making the most of not being President, spending time catching shows and mingling with the stars, including Glenn Close (right) on Wednesday at The Palace Theater Clinton was greeted with a round of applause and a standing ovation when she was spotted in the audience of the Broadway show Clinton and Glenn Close as 'Norma Desmond' pose with the cast and orchestra backstage at the hit musical 'Sunset Boulevard' on Broadway The play opened Monday at the Palace Theatre to rave reviews, with Clinton among the first to see the show. She arrived at the theater about three minutes before curtain, but her attempts to slip in unnoticed did not exactly go to plan, as she was greeted by cheering audience members who recognized her immediately - despite her new haircut. As the lights went down as the performance was about to begin, an audience member shouted out 'We love you, Hillary', prompting the crowd to applauded through the beginning of the overture. The Democrat also drew a crowd of fans during the intermission, with well-wishers queuing to shake her hand and take photos, Playbill reports. Andrew Lloyd Webber's Broadway musical Sunset Boulevard starring Glenn Close is extending its run an additional four weeks, producers have announced As well as posing with the stars, the Democrat drew a crowd of fans during the intermission, with well-wishers queuing to shake her hand and take photos Her supporters also started another round of applause towards the end of the break. The theater trip was Clinton's third visit to a Broadway show in just a few weeks'. She attended The Color Purple with husband Bill just before it closed in January, where she also received a standing ovation, and she also went to see In Transit earlier this month. The response Clinton has had from theater crowds is markedly different to the reception that Vice President Mike Pence received when he attended a performance of Hamilton in November. The cast read a statement directed at Pence, asking him to protect 'the diverse America' they represented. Federal experts have been called in to assist in the hunt for a double-teen killer who is still on the loose in Indiana. A mobile command center was established for teams of agents at the municipal building on East Main Street in the small town of Delphi. On Thursday, a satellite link was set up to provide a secure, direct link with FBI headquarters in DC and also with the Department of Homeland Security, local police said. The move emphasizes law enforcement's concern over the double murders. Last sighting: This is the bridge where Abigail Williams, 13, and Liberty German, 14 are last known to have been alive on Monday, thanks to a Snapchat post. They were founded murdered three quarters of a mile away. The bridge's train tracks were removed many years ago Liberty German posted these Snapchats of Abigail at at Monon High Bridge Trail close to when they started hiking around 2.07pm Monday. They are the last photos of Williams Interest: Police in Delphi, Indiana have indicated that they would like to speak to this man - who was pictured near to the Monon Bridge where Abigail Williams and Liberty German started their ill-fated walk A search was conducted for Liberty German (right) and Abigail Williams (left) in the Deer Creek area after being missing for almost 24 hours Final steps: This is the Delphi Historic Trail near Monon High bridge where the murdered teenagers went hiking River: The girls' bodies were found on Tuesday about 50 feet from Deer Creek river. Police have not disclosed the exact spot where they were found or how they were murdered Abigail Williams, 13, and Liberty German, 14, went missing on Monday after going for a hike at 1pm near the Monon High Bridge along the Delphi Historic Trails. On Wednesday, police released a grainy image of a mystery man, dressed in jeans, a blue jacket and hat, walking along the same stretch of disused railroad bridge as the girls. He had still not been located although police have had a number of tips, including from as far as California, related to him. 'We're not saying he's a suspect, we just want to talk to him to find out what he might have seen,' Sgt. Kim Riley, of Indiana State Police, told DailyMail.com on Thursday. Riley would not provide a specific time stamp for the picture or say how the image had been captured due to the ongoing investigation. The sergeant said that investigators had cleared a number of people who were in the Delphi Historic Trails area at the same time as the girls on Monday. 'At the moment we've talked to everybody that we feel that has been through there and none of them are coming up as suspect,' Riley said. He added: 'Everybody is still a suspect but they went from high on the list to low on the list.' A new tip line was launched on Thursday which will be manned 24 hours a day for information regarding the deaths of German and Williams. The number is 844 459 5786. Police were no longer posted at access points to the trail on Thursday after FBI specialists spent Tuesday and Wednesday gathering evidence at the scene. German and Williams were dropped off on Monday near Monon High Bridge by German's sister to go for a hike on what was a winter holiday from school. The girls were reported missing by their families several hours later when they did not return. Federal link: Law enforcement have installed a link to FBI and Department of Homeland Security facilities elsewhere in the country as the hunt is stepped up In mourning: The town of Delphi is praying for the families of the murdered girls Comparison: The bridge where the teens were last seen and their hike alone bears a resemblance to Stand By Me, the 80s movie starring River Phoenix The two friends were active on social media on their phones before they disappeared, with German posting final Snapchat images of Williams walking on the bridge, which is 60 feet above the creek, at 2:07pm. The exposed, rickety wooden bridge in the photographs bears an eerie resemblance to the train tracks featured in movie Stand By Me, adapted from Stephen King novel, The Body. In the movie a group of young people find a body by the tracks. The victims were found at 12:15pm on Tuesday about three-quarters of a mile upstream from the bridge, police said. A volunteer searching for the girls found their bodies on private property about 50-60 feet from the water. Their cause of death and nature of injuries were not released. Three young men have been arrested in Florida for beating up a Navy veteran who had asked them to stop torturing a turtle outside his home. Gary Blough, who fought in the Gulf War, was told by his wife that the men were 'smashing up a turtle' so he went to confront the heartless group. But no sooner had the vet told the thugs to stop what they were doing, they turned their aggression on him. Scroll down for video Gary Blough was set upon by a group of men after he saw them torturing a turtle in the street Johnnie Beveritt, 18, left and Ryan Ponder, 23,right, have been charged with aggravated battery and animal cruelty 'They started hitting the back of my head and started punching me. I was able to fend off a little bit but I mean three of them, got the better of me,' he said. The trio gave the vet a black eye as he was struck by the men's hands, fists and feet. The beating was so severe that he ended up suffering a broken skull and facial bones, internal bleeding and a concussion. According to the arrest report Blough told the group he did not want to fight, but one attacker said: 'I don't give a f*** and I don't care if I go to jail.' Blough who fought in the Gulf War told the men to stop what they were doing, but they refused He ended up suffering a broken skull, facial bones, internal bleeding and a concussion Beveritt, left and Ponder, right, allegedly told Blough that they didn't care if they went to jail The beating continued until neighbors came out and the suspects ran away. Blough described vividly how the men were torturing the defenseless animal. 'One one had it over his head and he was smashing it down on the sidewalk,' Blough he told ClickOrlando. 'I asked them to please leave it alone, just let it go to the lake.' Daytona Beach police soon caught all three suspects after they were identified by Blough's wife, Jennifer. One man, Johnnie Beveritt, 18, allegedly picked up the turtle and threw it down on the sidewalk. Another two men, Ryan Ponder, 23 and a 16-year-old boy, kicked the turtle toward the apartment building away from the pond. Gary decided to intervene in the turtle torture when his wife Jennifer saw what was happening All three men are charged with aggravated battery and animal cruelty. 'The animal likely suffered greatly during the time it was being battered by the three defendants,' a police officer wrote in the arrest report. The turtle was trying crawl away but was seriously injured and unable to walk. It was later found dead in a pool of blood close to the pond. A GoFundMe account has been set up to help aid Blough's recovery. Mark Hignett bought the notes to put on display in his museum but didn't immediately realise they told an epic love story It is a classic tale of World War II romance - with the passion playing out in a flutter of love letters despite the two sweethearts being hundreds of miles apart. But unlike thousands of other military couples, 'G & G' had a secret that meant their relationship had to be kept quiet for decades - because the initials adorning the bottom of the notes stood for Gordon and Gilbert. Homosexuality was illegal in Britain until 1967 and between touching messages expressing their love for each other the pair would speak about the tricky business of keeping their relationship hidden from officials. Most gay couples would burn the letters they sent to each other to avoid the notes being used as 'evidence' by police. But remarkably, the collection of wartime letters between Gordon Bowsher and his lover Gilbert Bradley have survived for more than 70 years. Mark Hignett, from Oswestry in Shropshire, bought the notes to put on display in his museum - but didn't realise they told such an epic love story until he studied them more closely. The 62-year-old uncovered the relationship as he transcribed the letters, which he bought on eBay for 1,000, after hunting for war memorabilia from Shropshire for a small museum he runs. He said: 'The value of these letters lies in the fact most love letters from homosexuals at the time were burned, because if they were found, they would have been used as evidence. 'The story really has a life of its own. It's a fantastic love story to rival the Titanic.' Gordon Bowsher and his lover Gilbert Bradley exchanged more than 300 letters Gilbert (pictured) worked for Cadbury's and was a junior studio assistant for the BBC before the war Mark, who has two grandchildren, said: 'Gilbert's dad owned a shipping company and tea plantations in India, so we know he came from a wealthy family. 'My darling... I shall die if I do not hear your wonderful voice' My darling - I am going to phone you this evening - after 7.00! But since I am usually incapable of making myself understood on the phone I am writing this to explain - why phone, did you say? Well darling because I shall die if I do not hear your wonderful voice. Advertisement 'Gordon's family owned land and they talked about all the things they were planning to do together. 'We think their mums knew they were gay, but there's reference to not ever letting Gilbert's dad find out. 'The letters are full of humour and they weren't suppressed in any way. 'They talked about keeping their relationship secret, but they openly talked about friends who were gay.' When Mark first bought the letters, he presumed they were between a man and a woman as they were only ever signed 'G'. It wasn't until their full names were revealed that Mark realised he'd uncovered a particularly rare war artefact. He said: 'When I was half way through transcribing the letters I realised they were from Gordon. Mark bought the collection of letters online in bundles of three, eventually spending a total of 1,000 on them 'Then this story just took on a life of its own. 'The couple didn't stay together and there's a big chunk of the letters missing, so we don't know why they split up. 'We do know that Gordon went to California on his own though where he set up a horse stables. 'Gilbert worked for Cadbury's and was a junior studio assistant for the BBC before the war. 'They were such characters involved in all sorts and they were full of humour. He transcribed every one and now plans to produce a book about Gilbert's life 'Gordon talks about taking afternoon tea at the Savoy, and how he'd stand up every time the porter asked someone with a Bentley to move their car so people would think he owned a nice vehicle.' According to Mark, Gilbert was allegedly 'picked up' by Conservative MP Sir Paul Latham at 'The Pink Sink' - a notorious bar underneath the Ritz. Gilbert died in 2008 aged 92, and Gordon had died around 15 years previously. Mark added: 'There was only two or three years between them and from what I can gather, they were never found out.' Mark bought the letters from eBay as a seller listed them in bundles of three. In this letter one of the wartime lovers writes: 'I'm so excited I can hardly hold the pen' In another note from the enormous collection he signs off by simply saying 'I adore you' Gradually, over 18 months, Mark acquired them all - setting him back over 1,000. He now plans to tell Gilbert's life story through the letters, as the collection also includes around 700 letters from his family. Mark said: 'I've transcribed every letter and I've even got hold of a picture of Gilbert. 'I plan to make a book about Gilbert's life, but told through the eyes of others. 'It's just a beautiful story.' A suicide bombing in a crowded Sufi shrine in Pakistan has killed at least 75 people. ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack that was the deadliest to hit Pakistan so far this year. The bomber blew himself up among devotees in the shrine of 13th century Sufi saint Lal Shahbaz Qalandar in the town of Sehwan, in Sindh province, police said. The shrine was crowded as Thursday is considered a sacred day for Muslims to pray there. Pakistan's leaders vowed revenge for the attack which came after a surge of attacks this week shattered a period of improving security in the militancy-plagued country. A Pakistani man helps his injured wife at a local hospital in the town of Sehwan in Sindh province, after a bomb blew up in the shrine of Muslim Sufi saint Lal Shahbaz Qalandar ISIS, which has a small but increasingly prominent presence in Pakistan, claimed responsibility for the deadly attack The attack comes as the Pakistani Taliban and rival Islamist militant groups carry out their threats of a new offensive A man who was injured in a suicide bomb attack that left at least 75 people dead An injured Pakistani blast victim talks on mobile phone at a local hospital after a bomb explosion in the shrine of 13th century Muslim Sufi saint Lal Shahbaz Qalandar Security officials said at least 20 women and nine children were among the dead. At least 250 others were wounded, a senior police official told the BBC. The only hospital in the area was said to be overwhelmed. Raja Somro, who witnessed the attack, told a local TV network that hundreds of people were performing a spiritual dance known as the Dhamal when the bomber struck. 'I saw bodies everywhere. I saw bodies of women and children,' he said. 'We were there for the love of our saint, for the worship of Allah,' a wailing woman told the Dawn News television channel outside the shrine, her headscarf streaked in blood. 'Who would hurt us when we were there for devotion?' Sughra Bibi, 45, who was rushed to hospital with shrapnel wounds in her stomach, said she was near the front of the crowd watching the devotional dancing when the explosion occurred. She said: 'The terrorists are targeting us just because they hate our shrines. They attacked another shrine a couple of months ago. But we will never give up our faith.' Ghazanfar Shah, the custodian of the site, said security was lax at the shrine, which is entered through two gold-plated doors. Pakistani men comfort a mourner after the death of a relative outside the shrine of the 13th century Muslim Sufi Saint Thursdays are an especially important day for local Sufis, meaning that the shrine was packed at the time of the blast Sufism has been practised in Pakistan for centuries. Most of the country's radical Sunni militant groups despise the Sufis, as well as Shia Muslims, as heretics. Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif responded tonight saying an attack on Sufis was considered a 'direct threat'. Military chief General Qamer Javed Bajwa warned: 'Each drop of (the) nation's blood shall be revenged, and revenged immediately. No more restraint for anyone.' Pakistan has seen a dramatic improvement in security in the past two years, but a series of attacks this week - most claimed by the Pakistani Taliban - has shaken the growing sense of optimism. Rescue officials said dozens of wounded people were being ferried in private cars to hospitals Survivors and local residents, many in tears, were helping the blood-soaked wounded on to stretchers, while at Sehwan's overcrowded medical facility the injured were being treated on floors and in corridors Pakistanis vented their anger and grief, calling the shrine a 'capital of spirituality' and a 'seat of interfaith harmony' Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, a faction of the Pakistani Taliban said it had carried out a suicide bombing in Lahore which killed 13 people and wounded dozens more on Monday, days after the group had vowed to launch a fresh offensive. On Wednesday, four suicide bombers struck in the northwest of the country, killing sex people. Mr Sharif said: 'The past few days have been hard, and my heart is with the victims. But we can't let these events divide us, or scare us. 'We have faced tougher circumstances, and still persevered.' Witnesses said the suicide bomber walked through a gold-plated door and entered the main hall of the shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar before setting off his bomb amid a gathering of worshippers The bomber entered the main hall of the shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar and detonated his suicide bomb amid dozens of worshippers Today's attack was the deadliest in Pakistan since December 2014, when militants attacked an army-run school in Peshawar, killing 154 people, mostly schoolchildren. Pakistan has been at war with the Taliban and other extremist groups for more than a decade. In recent years it has launched major offensives against militant strongholds in the tribal regions along the border with Afghanistan, but insurgents have continued to carry out attacks elsewhere in the country. Security officials secure the shrine that was soaked with blood following the deadly attack At least 75 people died and hundreds were wounded when a bomb ripped through the packed Sufi shrine A woman lies on a hospital bed following the deadly terror attack in Pakistan ISIS has been expanding its presence in Pakistan in recent years and has claimed a number of deadly attacks, including a suicide bombing at another shrine in November 2016 that killed more than 50 people. The government has downplayed the ISIS affiliate, insisting only a small number of militants have pledged allegiance to the terror group. Shortly after the blast tonight, the army announced it was closing the border with Afghanistan with immediate effect for security reasons. Veteran disc jockey Paul Gambaccini has launched a 300,000 damages' claim against Scotland Yard following his arrest over baseless sex allegations Veteran disc jockey Paul Gambaccini has launched a 300,000 damages' claim against Scotland Yard following his arrest over baseless sex allegations. The BBC Radio 2 presenter, 67, endured a year of suspicion before being told he would not be prosecuted for historical sexual abuse. The DJ, who claims he was the victim of a 'celebrity witch-hunt', was dropped by the BBC after he was arrested by officers on the Met's Operation Yewtree following claims he sexually assaulted two teenage boys. Today, more than two years after he was cleared of the allegations, he started legal proceedings against the Met for false imprisonment, trespass to land and goods and misuse of private information. Sources said Mr Gambaccini's financial claim against Britain's biggest force is likely to be in the region of 300,000. He is also seeking an apology from the Met. His legal action, outlined in a letter of claim to the force, will cast a shadow over the final days of Met chief Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, who steps down next week after five and a half years in post. Mr Gambaccini, who has been reinstated by the BBC after he was cleared, told the Mail last night: 'My letter of claim has been faxed to the Metropolitan Police. The action speaks for itself.' He declined to answer further questions. But speaking in October, the US-born presenter how he had been the victim of a celebrity 'witch hunt' launched by police in the wake of the Jimmy Savile scandal. He added that Sir Bernard, whom he called 'the villain of my life', has never apologised to him. He told a literary festival: 'The Metropolitan Police of Bernard Hogan-Howe attempted to destroy my life and end my career for their own public relations purposes in a 100 per cent fraud. 'And when they failed, as they have done, they did not admit it, they did not apologise, they did not offer restitution. 'There can be no organisation more vile than the Metropolitan Police. Bernard Hogan-Howe is the villain of my life, but more than that, he is the coward of my life.' Sources said Mr Gambaccini's financial claim against Britain's biggest force is likely to be in the region of 300,000 Mr Gambaccini said the police chief has repeatedly failed to answer questions directly about his case when questioned by the Home Affairs select committee and by journalists. And he revealed that while the police chief has 'embarked on an apology tour' of other public figures who have been exonerated of historical sexual offences, he has not been invited to a meeting. He said: 'I've not been invited, and there had been no apology.' He told a literary festival in Gibraltar that he was considering suing the Met after discovering that his case file has errors in it and that allegations relating to a second complainant, whom he calls secondary, do not feature. He said this second complainant 'appears to have been brought in to justify my arrest' before being dropped by police. His legal action is being handled by human rights law firm, Bindmans. Sources said there were no reasonable grounds to suspect Mr Gambaccini of the alleged offences and his arrest was unlawful, because he was not a flight risk and would have fully co-operated with the investigation. The allegation of trespass to land relates to the police's presence on his property being unlawful as it is claimed that the arrest was unlawful, while the trespass to goods relates to the seizing and withholding of phone, computers and diaries for 14 months. The misuse of private information relates to the police causing the details of his arrest to be made public. The Met has 28 days to respond to his letter of claim indicating whether liability is accepted or denied. The veteran DJ said: 'There can be no organisation more vile than the Metropolitan Police. Bernard Hogan-Howe is the villain of my life, but more than that, he is the coward of my life' Speaking in November 2015, the Pick of the Pops presenter spoke of the devastating impact of his arrest. He said: 'The BBC said I could stay on air until I was named. 'Well, I was named within the week. So I made no broadcasts after I'd been arrested, and the BBC stopped paying me at precisely the time when I needed the money most. 'I didn't realise this was possible, but there was a loophole my annual contract was with the independent production company that made my show, rather than with the corporation itself. 'So the BBC simply said they wouldn't broadcast any programmes that had me in them. 'I was off air for 13 months.' He added he lost about 200,000 in earnings and legal fees. The Met confirmed it had received his letter of claim. A mother has told how she woke up in the middle of the night to find a naked man lying underneath the bed of her young daughter. Jack Heathcote was discovered unconscious in the little girl's bedroom after her mother was woken up by a clattering noise and went to investigate. The 18-year-old had wandered into the family home in Matlock, Derbyshire after drinking session at a nearby pub where he downed 10 pints. After breaking through a gate at the side of the home, Heathcote took off his wet clothes in the kitchen and made his way upstairs to the girl's bedroom. A mother has told how she woke up in the middle of the night to find a naked man lying underneath the bed of her young daughter (stock image) Chesterfield Magistrates Court heard how the little girl had been traumatised by the incident, left unable to sleep and experiencing flashbacks. Prosecuting, John Cooper said that Heathcote had urinated in a police van after he was arrested on the scene. He was unable to explain how he ended up at the family home following a night of drinking in the nearby Duke of Wellington pub The landscaper apologised to the family and pleaded guilty to one count of damaging a gate and one count of damaging a police vehicle. Chesterfield Magistrates Court (pictured) heard how the little girl had been traumatised by the incident, left unable to sleep and experiencing flashbacks He defence solicitor, Kevin Tomlinson, said his client believes he entered the house thinking it was his own and that he was subsequently 'appalled' by his own actions. Speaking to the family in court, he said: 'I just simply want to apologise for everything that happened. 'I never meant anything bad to come from it. It was simply a drunken mistake.' Heathcote, of Park Avenue, Darley Dale, was fined 528. He must also pay 618 in compensation, a 30 victim surcharge and 85 costs. A man born without arms is suing his former employer, claiming they fired him because he couldn't carry his bike up the stairs. Michael Trimble was born in Chernobyl, Ukraine, in 1987, one year after the nuclear power plant explosion sent radioactive smoke over Eastern Europe, causing a spike in birth defects. He required minor accommodations from his employer in his job, his attorney said to the Washington Post. But the bike that he used to get to work was causing problems. His employers wanted him to stop bringing it through the front door - which meant going up a flight of stairs. Scroll down for video Michael Trimble, who was born without arms, is suing Kroger for wrongful termination after he says they asked him to carry his bike up the stairs instead of walking it through the back door, which he could not do due to his disability Michael Trimble was born without arms in Chernobyl is citing the Americans With Disabilities Act as he sues his former employers for what he considers to be wrongful termination While Trimble can carry the specially made bike on his shoulder, it takes a lot of effort and he can't do so for more than a few feet. So to carry the bike up the stairs would be a significant task. The civil complaint says it would 'require Michael Trimble to manually open the back door, to go through a smoking section, and to carry the bicycle up and down a flight of stairs, which is impossible for him to do as he does not have arms.' Trimble initially objected to the request, but a supervisor offered no alternatives. A woman who worked at the temp agency Elwood Staffing talked to Kroger, and the requirement that he carry the bike up stairs was waived. But instead they asked him to stop biking across a pavilion even though he was unable to push it across, the Post reported. Michael Trimble's disability is severe and clearly noticeable, as he is missing both arms, and accommodations he asked his employer to meet were minor The lawsuit says that Trimble explained to his employers that he could not do that as he does not have arms, but he was told that Kroger's decision was final. According to court documents, his employer asked how he could be trusted to deal with the more complicated requirements of his job if he could not comply with these minor tasks. His job, however, required that he answer customer and employee phone calls at Kroger, and a month after starting at it, he received a 100 per cent on one audit, and a 98 per cent on another, and they were both 'glowing in praise of his performance'. He is suing the Kroger supermarket chain and Elwood Staffing Services, the temp agency that placed him at the corporate offices in southeast Portland, reported the Post. His claims are that their discrimination and retaliation violated the American With Disabilities Act, resulting in his wrongful firing. 'It looked to me like someone at Kroger got in their head that he needed to do this specific thing with his bike, and nothing else but doing that exact thing was going to satisfy them,' according to Trimble's attorney Daniel Snyder. The American With Disabilities Act requires 'a non-adversarial meeting between the employer and the employee, it's not supposed to be an adversarial, off-with-your-head type of conversation' Snyder told the Post. In a statement, Kroger spokesman Keith Dailey told the Post: 'The Kroger family of stores has a long history of hiring and accommodating people with disabilities. 'While we can't comment on pending litigation, our company values include safety, inclusion, and respect and we strive to live up to those values every day'. Advertisement When it comes to high-speed races, a tank may not be the fastest vehicle that springs to mind. But scores of the armoured military beasts were pictured out in force, whizzing round a 10km course to qualify for an international biathlon. The tanks undertake three laps of the circuit, firing at targets as they circle the track, in the ultimate test of complex tank training. It is an annual event that has taken place since 2013, when only Russia, Kazhakstan, Belarus contested the title - won by the former. But the competition has now expanded to 12 nations, with the likes of China and India joining in, although nobody has yet been able to topple the Russians. The main tournament takes place during August, but several military divisions were trying their hand at qualifying today in order to compete for their countries. Images show the rugged vehicles in action as they stormed around the course at the Sergeyevsky training ground, in Russia's Primorye Territory. Fire in the hole: A T-72B1 tank crew of the Russian Eastern Military District's 5th Combined Arms Army competes in an individual race at a qualifying round Shots fired: The same team fire at another target as they compete to represent Russia at the full tournament in the summer Flying the flag: Servicemen of the Russian Eastern Military District's 5th Combined Arms Army hold up flags and banners as they cheer on their comrades who are going around the track Taking on the course: A T-72B1 tank crew of the Russian Airborne Troops' 83rd Guards Air Assault Brigade competes in one of the races All done: Crew members of T-72B1 tank crew dismount from the their vehicle after completing their heat. It is an annual event that has taken place since 2013, when only Russia, Kazhakstan, Belarus contested the title - won by the former Explosive power: A T-72B1 tank crew of the Russian Eastern Military District's 5th Combined Arms Army fires a missile. The competition has expanded to 12 nations, with the likes of China and India joining in Gearing up: Two competitors get into their tank as they prepare to take part in the qualifying heats Birds eye: An aerial view of a T-72B1 as it lets off a shot during one of the races. The course has mostly been cleared but some leftover snow can still be seen on the terrain Wave to the crowd: Two crew members wave to the crowd following their heat at the event. The main tournament takes place during August, but several military divisions were trying their hand at qualifying today in order to compete for their countries Double act: Another pair gear up to take part in the course, which is three laps of a 10km course, firing at targets as the circle the track, in the ultimate test of complex tank training Caleb O'Neil, 19, has been suspended for filming his professor's anti-Trump rant at Orange Coast College last month A Republican student who filmed his professor describing Trump's election win as an 'act of terrorism' has been suspended by his college. Caleb O'Neil filmed Olga Perez Stable Cox, 66, labeling the president a 'white supremacist' during a psychology and human sexuality class at Orange Coast College, California, in December. He anonymously sent the clip to the college's Republican body for it to be shared online, prompting a barrage of complaints against Cox who critics said should not thrust her political views on students. On Wednesday Caleb, a 19-year-old sophomore at the school, revealed his identity and that he had been suspended for sharing the video. The university issued a letter complaining that he had violated its student code of conduct by filming Cox without her knowledge. Unless he writes an essay explaining why he shared the video and apologizes to Cox, he will be excluded for an entire semester. The teenager's lawyer Bill Becker admonished the college's decision, describing it at a news conference as a 'leftist attack' on conservatives. Scroll down for video Cox, 66, was filmed describing the president as a 'white supremacist' and called Vice President Mike Pence 'one of the most anti-gay' people in the country. She said their election victory was an 'act of terrorism' 'We think this is a clear example of unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination that targets conservatives and were going to challenge it,' he said. He has appealed the suspension and can continue to attend class until a final decision is reached. On Wednesday, he said he began filming the teacher to gather proof of her left-leaning views. He also said he was convinced she would begin grading him harshly purely because he was a Trump fan. Olga Perez Stable Cox said she received death threats after the video went viral 'I pulled my phone out to record it because I was honestly scared that it would affect my grades because she knew I was a Trump supporter.' He previously told the College's Republicans he felt 'censored and bullied if I did not agree with her opinions'. Cox claimed she received death threats from Trump fans after her rant was posted on YouTube by the Orange Coast College's Republican Group. In the lecture, she told students: 'Our nation is divided, we have been assaulted, its an act of terrorism.' She described Trump as a 'white supremacist' and said Vice President Mike Pence was 'one of the most anti-gay people in the country'. Cox later defended her comments, saying she was only repeating what people around the country were feeling. 'My privacy has been demolished. And thats awful. Im a very private person. And its very scary,' she complained to The Orange County Register about being filmed without her knowledge. The college did not respond to requests for comment on Thursday and has not revealed whether or not she will face any disciplinary action over the incident. The school's Republican body, which filed a complaint against her when the footage was shared last year, is campaigning for Caleb to be spared punishment. In a letter from the college that was seen by Campus Reform, Caleb was told he had to apologize to the teacher or write an essay about the incident if he didn't want to be exluded Caleb revealed himself at a press conference on Wednesday to tell how he planned to fight his suspension Its president, Joshua Recalde-Martinez, described her rant as 'indoctrination' last year and was on hand at the press conference in California on Wednesday to support Caleb. The group has also launched the hashtag 'JusticeForCaleb' on Facebook and describes the college's decision as an 'assault on their basic amendment rights'. 'Caleb was so afraid of being targeted by his professor for being a Trump supporter, that he felt compelled to show the world what's really going on at our nation's college classrooms. 'Orange Coast College just suspended him for a year, and is forcing him to write an apology letter to his professor and to the school. He may be expelled if he doesn't comply with all of the requirements they sent out for him. 'Please share if you're against this blatant assault on first amendment rights by OCC,' a post in his support read. This is the horrifying moment a child is taken to safety by his father after his legs were blown off at the knees in a barrel bomb strike in Syria. The little boy, named locally as Abdulbasit Taan Al-Satouf, eight, was caught up in the heavy bombing from the Syrian Air Force in Habeet, Idlib. He had lost his legs in the attack, which killed his mother and injured his two siblings. The boy was placed down on the ground by his father, at the side of a truck. The father can be seen holding his arms up and shouting 'Allahu Akbar', which means 'God is great'. Abdulbasit, clearly in extreme shock and pain, can be heard screaming 'pick me up daddy, pick me up.' This is the horrifying moment a child is taken to safety by his father after his legs were blown off at the knees in a barrel bomb strike in Syria The little boy, who is a refugee from Allatamneh, near Hama city, was taken to hospital and is said to be in serious condition. His mother and sister died and his other sister is said to be in a very serious situation in hospital. Meanwhile, Turkish bombardment of an ISIS group-held town in Syria has killed 34 civilians in one day, a monitor said Thursday, but Turkey's army said only 'terrorists' died in the operation. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the dead in air strikes and shelling on the town of Al-Bab had killed 24 civilians - including 11 children - by Thursday morning. Renewed bombardment later in the day killed another ten civilians, among them six children, Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP. Turkey's army, quoted by the state-run Anadolu news agency said it had killed 15 'terrorists' in air strikes, artillery fire and clashes. Al-Bab is IS's final stronghold in the northern Syrian province of Aleppo and has come under fierce attack in recent months by Turkish forces and allied Syrian rebels, fighting under the 'Euphrates Shield' banner. The little boy was caught up in the heavy bombing from the Syrian Air Force in Habeet, Idlib The joint force entered Al-Bab over the weekend, and Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said Tuesday that the town had 'largely been taken under control.' The Observatory however said Turkish forces had made little progress since entering the town from the west. Abu Jaafar, a field commander in one of the Euphrates Shield brigades, described a fierce IS defence of Al-Bab. 'We tried a new tactic and were able to advance in Al-Bab at 1:00 am (Thursday)' seizing several key grain silos in the city's west, he told AFP. 'But unfortunately, as we were storming the city, we were surprised by an ambush set for us by Daesh,' Abu Jaafar said, using the Arabic acronym for IS. The little boy, who is a refugee from Allatamneh, near Hama city, was taken to hospital and is said to be in serious condition He said that several of his fighters were wounded when they were attacked by at least one suicide attacker and their equipment sustained serious damage. Abu Jaafar said his forces were regrouping for a fresh attack, and that air strikes by Turkish warplanes and the US-backed coalition were ongoing. On the eastern side of the town, fighters were seen from the Mustafa Regiment, part of Euphrates Shield, attacking Al-Bab from a large olive grove on Thursday. Perched atop white pickup trucks, they strafed the town with machine gun fire before entering a few bombed-out buildings. Turkey began military operations in Syria in August, targeting both IS and Kurdish fighters. Initially its forces advanced quickly, but they stalled around Al-Bab in December. The town is also a key target for Syrian government forces, who had been advancing towards from the south. But they have yet to enter Al-Bab, instead focused on clearing IS-held territory in the surrounding countryside in recent days. More than 310,000 people have been killed in Syria since the conflict began in March 2011 with anti-government protests. The war has displaced over half the country's population and drawn in jihadists and international militaries. A council worker in Spain claimed he spotted a ghost lurking outside council offices in a small town outside Granada. The councillor was working late in the town hall in Vegas del Genil on February 3 when the air suddenly turned cold. He told local newspaper Ideal: 'It was unusually cold in the office so I put on my coat and then got up to go to bathroom. 'That's when I heard a strange rustling sound in the hallway, like someone was dragging files across the floor.' The councillor took a picture of the dark hallway and later discovered this image on his phone Staggering around the dark corridor he decided to take a photo of the hallway. When he examined the picture later he noticed the haunting ghostly image of a child. According to the Local, the councillor locked himself in the officer before sending the photo round the council's Whatsapp group. One of the councillors invited a local Reiki practitioner to carry out a 'cleansing session' in the corridor and she reported 'feeling a presence'. The councillor was working late in the town hall in Vegas del Genil on February 3 when the air suddenly turned cold But keen to play down any fears of spooky visions, the town mayor Leandro Martin hit back. He said: 'He (the council worker) sent us the photo and told us that he had a strange vision. 'The truth is that we all take it as a joke.' He added: 'I am a sceptic. It's not true that it is inexplicably cold. It is a collective psychosis.' A businessman has been discovered dead with two zip-ties around his neck in the bathroom of his family's Manhattan jewelry store where he worked. Police found the body of 43-year-old Omid Gholian, of Brooklyn, at World of Gold N Diamond, a gold exchange shop located in Lower Manhattan, at around 6pm on Wednesday. An emergency medical crew arrived at the scene and pronounced Gholian dead. Scroll down for video Grisly discovery: The body of Omid Gholian, 43, was discovered at his family's jewelry store in Lower Manhattan Wednesday evening Crime scene: Gholian was found with zipties around his neck in a pool of blood in the bathroom at World of Gold N Diamond, a gold exchange shop on Church Street Responding officers found blood near Gholian's body in the bathroom, according to NBC New York sources. A medical examiner will perform an autopsy to determine the cause of death, but police suspect foul play. Police say the victim, a Iranian national, worked at the shop, which is owned by his family, reported ABC 7 NY. Authorities began searching for Gholian after his brother reported him missing Monday. According to investigators, it did not appear as if anything had been stolen from the store and there were no signs of forced entry. When police officers were summoned to the business Wednesday evening, they found the store closed, and the victim's brother had to use his own key to open the door. Friends and fellow merchants in the community described Gholian as a humble and hardworking man who was known in the neighborhood for his sense of humor, reported DNAInfo New York. Gholian's brother went to the police to report the Iranian jeweler missing Monday President Donald Trump defended his wife Melania at a White House press conference today and confirmed that she will indeed be moving to Washington, D.C. 'Melania goes back and forth and once Barron finishes school, it's hard to take a child out of school with a few months left, she and Barron will be moving over to the White House,' Trump told reporters. Trump was responding to tabloid reports that suggested the first lady would stay living in New York City permanently, as she currently resides in the family's Trump Tower penthouse. Scroll down for video President Donald Trump (left) confirmed that his wife, first lady Melania Trump (right) would be moving into the White House At today's press conference, President Donald Trump criticized his wife's treatment in the press and talked about how long he's known her and how successful she was as a model Melania Trump (left) returned to Washington yesterday as the president (right) hosted the Israeli prime minister and his wife In a press conference filled with digs at reporters, Trump criticized some of the coverage of his wife as well. 'I think she's a great representative for this country,' the president said. 'And a funny thing happens because she gets so unfairly maligned, the things they say I've known her for a long time, she was a very successful person,' he continued, speaking of the length of time he's known his third wife, who he married in 2005. 'She was a very successful model. She did really well. She would go home at night and didn't even want to go out with people. She was a private person. She was always the highest quality that you'll ever find,' the president said. Since inauguration day, Melania Trump has only been seen in D.C. twice. She made a brief appearance in the area last week, before hopping on Air Force One with her husband and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his wife, for a weekend away at Mar-a-Lago, what the president calls his 'winter White House.' She also came down to Washington yesterday to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara. Melania and Sara toured the new Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. The president also said Melania had dinner with him last night, along with Sen. Marco Rubio and his wife Jeanette. 'Who is, by the way, lovely,' Trump said of Mrs. Rubio. Trump also told reporters that Melania Trump had opened the White House Visitors Office, which isn't quite right. The first lady put out a statement on Tuesday saying that Visitors Office, which handles White House tours, would open in three weeks on March 7. Members of Congress, including some Republicans, had been grumbling about the delay, as tour requests, which their offices process, started piling up. The pause in tours, which is standard during the change of administration, but was longer than usual in this case, was likely because of the sluggish hiring of the first lady's staff. So far she's only appointed a chief of staff and a White House Social Secretary. She's also not announced any official policies she would pursue. While she said before the election that she would take on the topic of cyber bullying, at today's press conference the president suggested she would become an advocate for women and work alongside first daughter Ivanka Trump too. Ivanka Trump has played a more proactive role in the administration thus far. 'She's going to be a tremendous representative of women and of the people and helping her and working with her will be Ivanka who is a fabulous person and a fabulous woman,' Trump said. Donald Trump has had another swipe at the BBC in a heated back-and-forth during a White House press conference. The President remarked, 'Here's another beauty', after asking BBC North America editor Jon Sopel which organisation he was from. Sopel responded by saying 'It's a good line', before adding: 'Impartial, free and fair'. Donald Trump had another swipe at the BBC in a heated back-and-forth with the media during a White House press conference The president said 'Here's another beauty' after asking BBC North America editor Jon Sopel which organisation he was from Trump then replied, 'Just like CNN, right?', after famously branding the network as 'fake news'. Sopel joked 'We could banter back and forth' before eventually getting to his question, asking: 'On the travel ban, would you accept that that was a good example of the smooth running of government?' As he continued asking a second question, Trump said: 'Wait, wait, wait, I know who you are, just wait. 'Let me tell you about the travel ban. We had a very smooth roll out of the travel ban but we had a bad court. We got a bad decision. 'We're going to keep going with that decision. We're going to put in a new executive order next week sometime. 'We had a bad decision, that was the only thing that was wrong with the travel ban.' He added: 'The roll-out was perfect.' Trump claimed on Thursday that his administration is 'running like a fine-tuned machine, despite the fact that I cannot get my cabinet approved.' It is not the first time the President has had a dig at the BBC, using a similar 'That's another beauty' line last month. It is not the first time the President has had a dig at the BBC, using a similar 'That's another beauty' line last month Sopel later quipped on Twitter: 'My bosses have approved a new business card for me: Jon Sopel, Another Beauty, North America Editor.' This isn't the first time that a BBC staffer has been publicly slammed by Trump. During a joint press conference between Trump and Prime Minister Theresa May in January, BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg questioned the president's controversial views on torture, Russia and the Muslim ban. TRUMP'S VERBAL SALVOS AT THE PRESS The president used the East Room to launch attack after attack on the media. On CNN: 'I mean, I watch CNN. It's so much anger and hatred, and just the hatred!' On the media generally: 'I turn on the TV, open the newspapers and I see stories of chaos, chaos.' On the New York Times: 'Front page, big massive story. And it was nasty.' On claims Russia hacked the election: 'Russia this is fake news put out by the media.' On the BBC: 'Here's another beauty' On the headlines he expects from the press conference: 'Tomorrow they will say, "Donald Trump rants and raves at the press." I'm not ranting and raving. I'm just telling you you're dishonest people.' Advertisement 'Mr President, you've said before that torture works, you've praised Russia, you've said you want to ban some Muslims from coming to America, you've suggested there should be punishment for abortion. 'For many people in Britain those sound like alarming beliefs. What do you say to our viewers at home who are worried about some of your views and worried about you becoming the leader of the free world?' Trump pointed at Kuenssberg and turned to May to ask, 'This was your choice of a question?' He then leaned into the microphone and said: 'There goes that relationship.' The BBC was not the only news organisation that Trump took a swipe at in his press conference. He complained that the national press corporations continue to portray his work unfairly, suggesting that dishonest reporters are responsible for the lack of credit he gets from the public. Trump ignored a week which saw him fire his national security adviser for lying to the vice president and mounting leaks, attacking the media for 'fake news' reports.. He quipped: 'I'm changing it from 'fake news', though. 'Very fake news'.' Trump also took direct aim at CNN, saying both that he watches it and can no longer stomach its bias. 'I mean, I watch CNN. It's so much anger and hatred, and just the hatred!' Trump said. 'I mean, I don't watch it anymore.' 'You have a lower approval rating than Congress,' he said, shooting eye-daggers at CNN correspondent Jim Acosta. 'I think that's right.' The President also slammed publications - citing The New York Times and the Wall Street Journal in particular - for turning intelligence leaks into false stories. Sopel later quipped on Twitter: 'My bosses have approved a new business card for me: Jon Sopel, Another Beauty, North America Editor' 'The leaks are absolutely real,' he said. 'The news is fake because so much of the news is fake.' Trump cited 'classified information that was given illegally' to reporters, material that linked his outgoing national security advisor Gen. Michael Flynn with phone calls to the Russian ambassador before Trump became president. 'Russia is fake news,' he proclaimed. 'Russia this is fake news put out by the media.' Trump's chief practical complaint that the smooth running of his administrative gears has gone unnoticed took the form of a lament that his chief of staff has been forced to focus on crisis communications instead of issues management. 'This is a fine-tuned machine and Reince happens to be doing a good job, but half his job is putting out lies by the press,' he said. 'You take a look at Reince. He's working so hard just putting out fires that are fake fires! I mean, they're fake. They're not true. And isn't that a shame. Because he'd rather be working on healthcare. He'd rather be working on taxes. And he said his diplomatic approaches to foreign leaders including Russian President Vladimir Putin have been hampered by unfair press coverage that rockets around the world on the Internet at the speed of electrons. 'I love to negotiate things. I do it really well. ... But I want to just tell you: The false reporting by the media by you people, the false, horrible, fake reporting makes it harder to make a deal with Russia,' he said. 'The press honestly is out of control,' he exclaimed at one point. 'The level of dishonesty is out of control.' Jake Turx of Ami Magazine asked President Donald Trump about the rise in anti-Semitism and how his government planned to combat it - what he received was a rant The reporter in question, Jake Turx, said he believed Donald Trump had misunderstood his query, as he asked about rising anti-Semitism, not if the president was anti-Semitic Trump also scolded a Jewish reporter at his White House press conference, after Jake Turx of Ami Magazine asked how the government planned to curb rising anti-Semitism. 'See, he lied about - he was gonna get up and ask a straight, simple question, so you know, welcome to the world of the media,' the president said, classifying Turx's query as a 'very insulting question'. Turx had prefaced his question by noting how nobody in the community was accusing the president or his staff of being anti-Semitic and noted Trump's three Jewish grandchildren. 'However, what we are concerned about and what we haven't really heard being addressed is an uptick in antisemitism and how the government is planning to take care of it,' Turx said, quoting a report that said there have been 48 threats made against Jewish centers in January. WHAT JAKE TURX ASKED DONALD TRUMP 'I haven't seen anybody in my community accuse you or any members of your staff of being anti-Semitic. There's an understanding you have Jewish grandchildren. However, what we are concerned about and what we haven't really heard being addressed is an uptick in antisemitism and how the government is planning to take care of it. There was a report out that 48 bomb threats have been made against Jewish centers all across the country in the last couple of weeks. There are people who are committing anti-Semitic acts or threatening to.' Advertisement Trump, who had already spent much of the press conference berating the press, wasn't having it. Before even calling on Turx he had surveyed the room asking for a 'friendly reporter.' What Turx asked wasn't Trump's interpretation of 'friendly.' 'He said he was gonna ask a very simple, easy question. And its not, its not, not not a simple question, not a fair question. OK sit down, I understand the rest of your question,' Trump said. The president then defended himself against accusations of anti-Semitism and racism, which wasn't what the reporter had asked. 'So heres the story, folks. Number one, I am the least anti- Semitic person that youve ever seen in your entire life,' Trump said. 'Number two, racism, the least racist person,' Trump continued. When Turx tried to repeat what he had asked, Trump yelled 'quiet, quiet, quiet,' from the podium and then called the journalist a liar. 'But let me just tell you something, that I hate the charge, I find it repulsive,' the president continued. 'I hate even the question because people that know me and you heard the prime minister, you heard Ben Netanyahu yesterday, did you hear him, Bibi? He said, Ive known Donald Trump for a long time and then he said, forget it,' Trump said, referencing a defense made yesterday by the Israeli prime minister against any charges of anti-Semitism made against Trump and his White House. Trump told the Jewish reporter that he should take Netanyahu's word. 'See, it just shows you about the press, but thats the way the press is,' the president quipped before moving on. After the dust-up, Turx took to Twitter to clear the air. 'President Trump clearly misunderstood my question. This is highly regretful and I'm going to seek clarification,' Turx said. Sgt. Keith Wildhaber, a 22-year veteran of the St. Louis County Police Dept claims he was told to 'tone down his gayness' A Missouri police officer who had been with the St. Louis County police for 22 years is suing the department that once employed him after being told to 'tone down' his 'gayness'. Sgt. Keith Wildhaber joined the force in 1994 and claims that he was designated the police department's liaison to the gay community, but in a lawsuit filed last month he maintains he was told if he ever wanted to be promoted, he would need to change his mannerisms. Wildhaber is now suing the department for discrimination as almost all of his colleagues have since been promoted. According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch his written performance reviews were also among the top in the department, yet court records purportedly show exactly what it is that stopped the sergeant from getting his promotion. 'Defendant believes plaintiff's behavior, mannerisms, and/or appearance do not fit the stereotypical norms of what a 'male' should be,' states the lawsuit. The police Chief Jon Belmar has so far refused to comment on exactly what such claims might mean. Wildhaber alleges in the lawsuit that his peers were promoted to higher ranks while he was was left languishing as a sergeant However, Wildhaber has cited a number of instances in the past when others close to the department have hinted that a change in his manner would have to follow before any promotion could be considered. Wildhaber says John Saracino, pictured, a former member of the county's police board, made the anti-gay comment. Saracino denies such a conversation ever took place On one particular check on a local business at Bartolino's restaurant in St. Louis, Wildhaber met with the John Saracino who was also a member of the department's civilian police board. 'The command staff has a problem with your sexuality. If you ever want to see a white shirt (i.e. get a promotion), you should tone down your gayness,' Saracino allegedly told Wildhaber. Saracino has since told the Post-Dispatch that he has 'never had a conversation like that,' before. When Wildhaber felt he was being overlooked because of his sexuality, he filed a charge of discrimination with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Missouri Commission on Human Rights alleging that he was being unfairly overlooked for a promotion. No less than six week later, Wildhaber was moved from comfortable afternoon shifts to the midnight slot some 30 miles away from his home. Wildhaber believes such reassignment came as a direct result of him filing the lawsuit. Overall, the St. Louis County police department has come under a number of criticisms in the wake of the protests and riots in nearby Ferguson during the summer of 2014. In the wake of the 2014 protests in nearby Ferguson, many police squads set up diversity councils. St Louis County did not A number of large police departments sought to appoint liaisons to the gay community and reach out to other ethnic minorities by improving the diversity of their squad. Although no such diversity council was created in the St. Louis County force, Wildhaber was asked to serve on a committee that would reach out to the LGBT community. Wildhaber claims he was asked to take on a liaison role in January 2014 which would have seen him promoted to lieutenant. Yet, despite taking a test, the promotion never came. Wildhaber has declined to comment for the story and his attorney, Russell Riggan, has not responded to multiple requests for comment. Too many students are arriving at university almost illiterate or unable to write English properly, according to a survey of academics. Almost half of professors believe students are not being well prepared for higher education by their schools and that entry standards have slipped in recent years as universities struggle to hit Government targets. A record number of students now attend university, with around 48 per cent gaining places compared with just 3pc in 1950 and 14 per cent in the 1970s. Under New Labour in 1999, Tony Blair set a target of 50 per cent. Too many students are arriving at university almost illiterate or unable to write English properly, according to a survey of academics The Times Higher Education annual survey polled 1,150 university staff about their jobs, with academics making up 90 per cent of respondents. Some suggested the drive to get youngsters into university, as well as more foreign students who pay higher fees, has led to an inevitable drop in the calibre of undergraduates. One creative arts professor said: When 45 per cent of school-leavers go to university, standards must be different from what they were when 7 per cent did. Another said: Each year, the entry requirements for undergraduate programmes are reduced, meaning we get a high number of students who are almost illiterate. While a lecturer at a large London university said they wondered how some of our [postgraduate] students got their first degrees, as the quality of their written English is really poor. The Government recently launched a drive to toughen up GCSE and A-level qualifications following years of criticism that they had been dumbed down and teenagers were leaving school without basic skills The survey, which examined all aspects of campus life for academics, found that many had serious misgivings about the ability and motivation of their students. Around 39 per cent of academics thought that students are intellectually less able or less well prepared than previous generations. The Government recently launched a drive to toughen up GCSE and A-level qualifications following years of criticism that they had been dumbed down and teenagers were leaving school without basic skills. But it also removed a cap on recruiting students, meaning universities can recruit as many as they like, which ministers hope will lead to even greater numbers of students from disadvantaged backgrounds gaining places. Students now paying 9,000 a year in fees, meaning universities are under pressure to treat them more like consumers who want their moneys worth. However, one academic said it means student satisfaction now matters more than academic quality, while another at a top university said they felt under pressure to give out first-class degrees. Around 68 per cent of academics said that students complain if they are given marks that are lower than expected. A Department for Education spokesman said: Our GCSE and A-level reforms will create qualifications that match the best education systems in the world. But we want to keep improving the quality of schools, so more students of all backgrounds have the grades and the confidence to apply to the best universities, and be successful in exams. With a record high proportion of people from state schools entering university, we are giving more students the opportunity to reach their full potential. President Donald Trump called on CNN, who he routinely insults as 'fake news' at his White House press conference and took a shot at network president Jeff Zucker. Trump called on CNN's White House correspondent Jim Acosta, whom he lambasted at a previous press conference, during a performance heavily laced with attacks on the 'dishonest media.' 'Just because of the attack of fake news and attacking our network, I just want to ask you, sir...' Acosta began as he caught Trump's attention. Trump responded that, 'I'm changing it from fake news, though,' before announcing he would call the network 'very fake news.' 'For the record, we don't hate you, I don't hate you,' Acosta said at the start, apparently attempting to mend fences. Scroll down for video President Donald Trump labeled CNN 'very fake news' as he took a question from its White House correspondent Jim Acosta . The exchange was at a press conference where he railed against media coverage of his administration 'Ask Jeff Zucker how he got his job,' Trump shot back, referencing the network's CEO. Then Acosta lightened things up by mentioning that he wasn't related to Trump's new labor secretary nominee, Alex Acosta. 'I am not related, sir. No. I do like the sound of Secretary Acosta, I must say.' Trump responded: 'I looked at that name. I said, wait a minute, is there any relation there? Alex Acosta.' 'I said, 'Do me a favor, go back and check the family tree,' Trump quipped. Then he lectured: 'But if you were straight, I would be your biggest booster. I would be your biggest fan in the world, including bad stories about me. But if you go - as an example, you're CNN, I mean it's story after story after story is bad. I won. I won. And the other thing, chaos because zero chaos. We are running - this is a fine-tuned machine.' CNN's Jim Acosta (right) sparred with Turmp during a White House press conference Thursday Trump complained that CNN's coverage was filled with 'anger and hatred' The president bristled at 'illegal' leaks during this press conference, and called the focus on Russia ties a 'ruse' The the president mentioned the 'Russia scam you guys are building' based on 'illegal leaks,' in reference to reports Trump continually returned to his gripes about the media, having opened his unexpected press conference with a long harangue about the 'mess' he inherited and the coverage he gets. 'I can handle a bad story better than anybody as long as it's true and, you know, over a course of time, I'll make mistakes and you'll write badly and I'm OK with that. But I'm not OK when it is fake. I mean, I watch CNN, it's so much anger and hatred and just the hatred,' he said. Trump went out of his way to praise CNN rival Fox News, which is owned by Rupert Murdoch. ''The tone is such hatred. I'm really not a bad person, by the way. No, but the tone is such -- I do get good ratings, you have to admit that -- the tone is such hatred.' 'I watched this morning a couple of the networks,' Trump said. 'And I have to say, Fox & Friends in the morning, they're very honorable people. They're very not because they're good, because they hit me also when I do something wrong. But they have the most honest morning show. That's all I can say. It's the most honest.' 'But the tone, Jim. If you look the hatred,' Trump complained. Trump and Acosta clashed at Trump's post-election press conference. 'Not you. Your organization's terrible, Trump told Acosta as he tried to ask a question in January. 'Quiet, quiet ... Don't be rude,' Trump said. 'I'm not gonna give you a question: you are fake news,' Trump said. Donald Trump says it was 'terrible' his phone call with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull was leaked because everyone knew 'what took place'. The U.S. President said he is concerned about holding confidential phone calls about North Korea as a result of published leaks, including his phone call with Mr Turnbull. 'Terrible it was leaked,' Mr Trump at a press conference at the White House on Thursday. Scroll down for video Donald Trump is pictured at a press conference at the White House on Thursday Mr Trump said it was 'terrible' his phone call on January 28 with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull (pictured on Thursday) was leaked 'All of a sudden people are finding out exactly what took place.' Mr Trump said he has important calls in the future on issues including North Korea's nuclear and missile programs, and he is concerned they could also be leaked. He slammed the leakers and the media for publishing the exposed information. 'The first thing I thought of when I heard about it was, "How does the press get this information that's classified. How do they do it? You know why? Because it is an illegal process and the press should be ashamed of themselves",' Mr Trump said. 'All of a sudden people are finding out exactly what took place,' Mr Trump said about the leaks, including his phone call with Mr Turnbull (pictured on Thursday in Question Time at Parliament House) The U.S. President slammed leakers and the media at his press conference on Thursday 'But more importantly, the people that gave out the information to the press should be ashamed of themselves. Really ashamed.' Mr Trump was discussing multiple leaks, including his first conversation with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto. He labelled the furore over his fired national security adviser Michael Flynn's phone calls with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak as fake news. The Washington Post was the first to report leaked details of Mr Trump's fiery January 28 call with Mr Turnbull, their first following the inauguration. The phone call was expected to last for one hour, but was cut short by Mr Trump after 25 minutes, according to the leaks. Mr Trump is pictured on Thursday during his press conference at the White House Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is pictured during Question Time at Parliament House on Thursday WHAT IS THE REFUGEE DEAL? The Obama administration and Turnbull government struck a deal to resettle some of the refugees being held offshore in Nauru and Manus Island. A large majority of those refugees come from Iran, Iraq and Somalia - all countries on US President Donald Trump's travel-ban. Mr Trump reportedly agreed to honour the deal, on the condition the refugees would undergo 'extreme vetting'. Advertisement Their conversation was described as 'hostile', and Mr Trump reportedly told Mr Turnbull it was his 'worst call by far'. Mr Trump told Mr Turnbull the refugee deal was the 'worst deal ever'. Refugees held offshore by Australia on Manus Island and Nauru will be resettled in the U.S. under the deal, struck between the Australian Prime Minister and former U.S. President Barack Obama. The president accused Mr Turnbull of exporting the 'next Boston bombers' to the U.S. Mr Turnbull has refused to comment on the details of the phone call, but reiterated the U.S. was a close ally. Mr Trump is pictured on the phone to Mr Turnbull last month during the 'hostile' conversation A 91-year-old man and his 89-year-old wife were found dead next to each other in their northern Michigan home after it was destroyed by a fire. State police say firefighters responded to the home in the Ogemaw County community of Lupton on Tuesday after a person called to report a fire at around 2:00am. Troopers responded to the home in Michigan's northern Lower Peninsula and found it engulfed in flames. Firefighters from area departments responded and found two people unresponsive inside. Scroll down for video A 91-year-old man and his 89-year-old wife were found dead next to each other in their northern Michigan home (above) after it was destroyed by a fire State police say firefighters responded to the home in the Ogemaw County community of Lupton on Tuesday after a person called to report a fire at around 2:00am Police say they were pronounced dead at the scene. Police identified the dead as 91-year-old Ernest Foor and his wife 89-year-old Genevieve Foor. Investigators believe Ernest Foor was the 911 caller. The cause of the fire is under investigation, but police say it doesn't appear to be suspicious. Troopers responded to the home in Michigan's northern Lower Peninsula and found it engulfed in flames Firefighters from area departments responded and found two people unresponsive inside 'We just can't help but to feel devastated for the family that survived,' Michigan State Police Lt. Chris Luty told WWTV. 'When the fire department arrived, the house was fully engulfed.' Fire crews needed to enter the home from the back. 'Once the flames were put out and we were able to make entry into the house, we discovered a 91-year-old male and an 89-year-old female,' said Luty. 'Right now, we don't have an exact cause of the fire but we believe that it started in the kitchen area.' 'An incident of this magnitude always has an impact on the community. It would be a horrible way to lose a loved one, no matter what,' said Luty. Neighbors who spoke to WWTV said that the couple mostly kept to themselves and were rarely seen outside. Photographs show Karen Matthews hiding her face as she mingles with shoppers while leaving a new life with a different identity. Matthews became the most despised women in Britain after kidnapping her nine-year-old daughter Shannon, for which she was jailed for eight years. The 41-year-old has dyed her ginger hair black and is using the name 'Kate' while living in an undisclosed location in the south of England. Matthews chatted with a friend while going in and out of shops and even stopped to meet people from her bible study group in a cafe. Matthews scrolls through her phone (left) as she keeps a scarf high up her face (shown right) As she wandered the streets, the disgraced mother of seven regularly hid her face from view to stop passersby from recognising her The disgraced mother of seven chats away to stallholder about buying a pair of shoes Her story has received renewed interest after the airing of a two-part BBC drama called The Moorside, which details Shannon's disappearance and discovery. As she wandered the streets, the disgraced mother of seven regularly hid her face from view to stop passersby from recognising her. Matthews, who is apparently teetotal, regularly meets a support group of religious volunteers in a cafe where she receives encouragement and advice. She was reportedly attacked in recent weeks at a fish and chip shop by someone who recognised her and threw a plate of mushy peas over her head. Matthews is said to fear for her life and often covers her face with a scarf when walking in the street. She has reportedly given up drinking and began volunteering in the charity shop after finding it impossible to find a job due to her notoriety. Matthews is said to fear for her life and often covers her face with a scarf when walking in the street She has claimed that she is struggling to survive on benefits of just 25 a week, and prays every day in order to find the strength to carry on. Her new name, Kate, is thought to be inspired by one of her Hollywood idols. The renewed interest in the Matthews case was prompted by a BBC drama, The Moorside, featuring Sheridan Smith as family friend Julie Bushby. Since the first episode was broadcast, it emerged that Matthews is alleged to have written explicit letters to admirers for money while serving time in prison and planned to win over a guard to try to become pregnant. There has also been speculation that at least three other people may have been involved in the crime after Bushby claimed that the Dewsbury mother was 'not intelligent enough' to come up with the plot on her own. Matthews, who is apparently teetotal, regularly meets a support group of religious volunteers in a cafe where she receives encouragement and advice Defence: Matthews continues to protest her innocence, while her daughter Shannon, right, who is now 18, is living under a new identity at an undisclosed location Kidnap plot: The show tells how Matthews, left, claimed her daughter Shannon had been taken in February 2008. The girl was found bound and drugged in the base of a divan bed less than a mile from her home in a house belonging to the uncle of her stepfather Craig Meehan, right She claimed that her daughter Shannon had been kidnapped in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, in February 2008. Shannon was found, following a police search costing 5million, 24 days later less than a mile from her home in a house belonging to the uncle of Craig Meehan, Matthews' boyfriend. She had been tied up, drugged and hidden in the base of a divan bed. It is thought that Matthews staged the kidnap in order to claim the 50,000 reward for her return. She was convicted of kidnapping, false imprisonment, and perverting the course of justice and was sentenced to eight years along with Michael Donovan, Meehan's uncle. Matthews was released after serving four years at New Hall prison in West Yorkshire and Foston Hall prison in Derbyshire. Pictured: Karen Matthews' former home in Dewsbery, West Yorkshire, in March 2008 Walmart has found itself in the middle of a brewing legal storm sparked by claims that its craft beers are not at all what they seem. A beer lover from Cincinnati, Ohio, has filed a class-action lawsuit against the big-box retailer accusing Walmart of misleading its customers by marketing mass-produced brews as craft beers. The civil complaint, filed last week at the Hamilton County court, alleges that Walmart's craft beers, which are being sold under the brand Trouble Brewing, dont meet the Brewers' Association's criteria for craft beer. Trouble brewing: Walmart is facing a class-action lawsuit accusing the big-box chain of passing off mass-produced beer as craft beer in order to charge more for it The complaint, filed in Ohio, notes that Walmart stocks its craft beer next to other craft beers instead of next to mass-produced beers The trade group defines a craft brewer as 'small, independent and traditional,' and one whose output does not exceed six million barrels of suds a year; is less than 25 per cent owned or controlled by a non-craft brewer, and that brews beers using only traditional or innovative ingredients. Walmart's craft beer is being sold in over 3,000 stores spread across 45 states under the names 'Cat's Away IPA,' 'Round Midnight,' Red Flag' and After Party Pale Ale.' According to court documents cited by Courthouse News, the beverages, which were first introduced on the market last year, in actually are being churned out by Genesee Brewing Co, an operation located in Rochester, New York. 'Genesee produces well over the prescribe [sic] amount that would be considered "small."' the lawsuit claims. The complaint states that customers, among them the plaintiff, Matthew Adam, who shelled out nearly $14 for a 12-pack of Trouble Brewing Variety Pack, are willing to pay a premium for high-quality craft beer. Not so small-batch: According to the complaint, the beverages, which were first introduced on the market last year, in actually are being churned out by Genesee Brewing Co Retail giant: Walmart's craft beer is being sold in over 3,000 stores spread across 45 states On average, the court document states, a six-pack of craft beer cost $2-$3 more than a six-pack of mass-produced beer, such as Budweiser or Coors. The lawsuit slams Walmarts craft beer as wholesale fiction, accusing the chain of deceiving consumers by using misleading labeling designed to make them pay more for mass-produced beer. The complaint also points out that Walmart stocks its 'craft brews' next to other craft beers in store aisles, rather than with other mass-produced beers. 'Again, placing the craft beer on its shelves with other craft beers, defendant is further perpetuating the myth that it's a craft beer,' the suit reads. The class-action suit is seeking compensatory and punitive damages, attorneys' fees, a declaration that Walmart has broken the law, and an injunction prohibiting it from marketing its beers as 'craft beers' gong forward. A notorious 'mafia kingpin' faces being deported to Italy after being found guilty of firearm and drug possession, several months after he was convicted of extortion and drug trafficking. The Age reported the federal government plans to deport Calabrian-born, Melbourne raised Rocco Arico once he serves any prison sentence for his latest convictions. Arico was arrested in March 2015 after police found a semi-automatic pistol and a bottle of the drug butanediol hidden in the seat of his motor scooter. A jury returned guilty verdicts for the offences in the Victorian County Court on Thursday but he is still to be sentenced. Rocco Arico was found guilty of firearm and drug possession on Thursday Rocco Arico faces being deported back to Italy after he serves any prison sentence for his latest convictions Rocco Arico was was found guilty of extortion and drug trafficking in November last year It follows a trial last November in which Arico was found guilty of extortion and drug trafficking. He was found to have threatened long-time associate Arthur Vouthas and his relatives over a debt, as well as supplying Mr Vouthas with $350,000 worth of cocaine. Mr Vouthas sold the cocaine to bikie enforcer Toby Mitchell, but was tricked because the payment was just 'magazines in a box', the court heard. Arico, who hadn't yet been paid for the drugs, told Mr Vouthas he had to come up with the money or kill Mr Mitchell. Mr Vouthas managed to pay back $300,000 and Arico agreed to waive the final $50,000 owed, but later told him he had to kill Mr Mitchell because people were laughing at them over the drug rip-off. Rocco Arico supplied cocaine to Arthur Vouthas, who in turn sold the drugs to bikie enforcer Toby Mitchell (pictured) Rocco Arico told Arthur Vouthas to kill Toby Mitchell (pictured) over a drug rip-off, a court heard Mr Mitchell was shot and wounded in 2011 by an unknown person, the court heard. When Arico found out in 2013 that Mr Vouthas wasn't responsible for the attack on Mr Mitchell, he allegedly told Mr Vouthas he owed $50,000 and they fell out. According to The Age, Arico has been identified by police as a major player in Melbourne's underworld, with family links to the 'Ndrangheta, an influential mafia group. The paper also reported the Australian Taxation Office is trying to seize $10 million worth of assets linked to Arico as the suspected proceeds of crime. Advertisement Well this looks familiar. Ivanka Trump seems to have taken a cue from Kate Middleton during a recent trip to the National Museum of Natural History, where she marveled at a butterfly that landed on her finger with four-year-old son Joe. Strikingly similar photographs of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, taken at the Natural History Museum in London, were released on Prince George's first birthday in 2014. Ivanka Trump seems to have taken a cue from Kate Middleton during a recent trip to the National Museum of Natural History, where she marveled at a butterfly that landed on her finger with four-year-old son Joe Strikingly similar photographs of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, taken at the Natural History Museum in London, were released on Prince George's first birthday in 2014 The First Daughter shared the Instagram photograph on Thursday writing: 'Exploring the wonders of the @smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.' Dressed in a maroon turtleneck sweater, along with a nautical-inspired skirt, Ivanka wrapped one arm around her son as they both gazed at a butterfly resting on her finger. While fans were quick to gush at the heartwarming photograph, it bore a striking resemblance to the photo shoot in 2014 celebrating Prince George's first birthday. In that image, George is seated on Kate's lap with his finger pointing tentatively at a butterfly that has landed on his father's outstretched hand. On Thursday, boxes from West Elm were delivered to the $5.5million Kalorama home she shares with husband Jared Kushner and their three children A step up from Ikea? The boxes were piled outside her home on Thursday, after a previous delivery of Ikea furniture On Thursday, boxes from West Elm were delivered to the $5.5million Kalorama home she shares with husband Jared Kushner and their three children. She sparked a fierce debate earlier this week after she posted a picture of herself seated at the resolute desk flanked by both her father and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. 'A great discussion with two world leaders about the importance of women having a seat at the table!' she tweeted at the meeting alongside the picture of the smiling trio. The picture prompted intense debate on social media where some branded the move 'disrespectful' and 'inappropriate,' while others hailed it a welcome prediction of things to come. Ivanka has stepped down from her roles at both Trump Organization and her eponymous brand in order to help her family transition to Washington DC. While she has repeatedly expressed an interest in 'women's issues', it remains unclear what her role will be under her father's administration. Kushner was spotted leaving their home on Thursday morning in a slim navy suit and a grey tie. During a news conference yesterday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave a personal shout out to Kushner, who has been tapped by the president to broker peace between Israelis and Palestinians. A Maryland Democratic congressman says Donald Trump invented part of a story on Thursday about a planned meeting between the two men that never happened. During a White House press conference, the president said Rep. Elijah Cummings was scheduled to sit down with him but canceled because of pressure from Democratic leaders who are concerned about political appearances. 'I actually thought I had a meeting with Congressman Cummings. And he was all excited,' Trump told reporter April Ryan who, like Cummings, is a vocal advocate for African-Americans. 'And then he said, "Oh, I can't move it might be bad for me politically. I can't have that meeting." I was all set to have the meeting," the president claimed. Maryland Rep. Elijah Cummings blasted Donald Trump on Thursday after the president claimed the Democrat had canceled a White House meeting out of concern for political optics Trump suggested that Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer persuaded Cummings to call off the meeting something that Cummings denied without actually saying Trump was wrong about the meeting itself 'We called, called, called, called they can't make a meeting with him. Every day I walk in, I said, "I would like to meet with him." Trump had told Ryan that he intended to 'do a lot of work' to combat inner-city blight. She responded by asking if he planned to work alongside the Congressional Black Caucus, a Democrat-dominated organization whose membership includes only one Republican. 'Well I would,' Trump said. 'I'll tell you what, do you want to set up the meeting?' 'Are they friends of yours? No, set up the meeting. Let's go, set up a meeting. I would love to meet with the Black Caucus. I think it's great.' Ryan became part of a news cycle of her own this week following an angry confrontation with Trump aide Omarosa Manigault, whom she accused of asking press secretary Sean Spicer to stop calling on her for daily briefing questions. Trump's story about Cummings, a vocal Congressional Black Caucus member, was meant as an example of how difficult it can be for a president to work with monolithic opposition groups. And the Maryland Democrat, he suggested, may have been waved off the meeting by New York Sen. Chuck Schumer, the Senate minority leader. American Urban Radio Networks reporter April Ryan (right), who created headlines this week over a spat with Trump aide Omarosa Manigault, asked the president the question that led to the story about Cummings and the meeting that never happened 'He was probably told by Schumer or somebody like that some other lightweight he was probably told: "Don't meet with Trump, it's bad politics",' the president said. 'And that's part of the problem with this country.' Cummings didn't deny that he at one point had a White House meeting on his calendar, or that he had pulled out. But he disputed that Schumer had ordered him to cancel. 'I have no idea why President Trump would make up a story about me like he did today,' Cummings said in a statement. 'Of course, Senator Schumer never told me to skip a meeting with the President.' 'I was actually looking forward to meeting with the President about the skyrocketing price of prescription drugs,' he continued, shifting the focus to a pet issue. 'I also sincerely have no idea why the President made this claim in response to an unrelated question about the Congressional Black Caucus,' Cummings added. 'I am sure members of the CBC can answer these questions for themselves.' The Congressional Black Caucus is a 46-year-old organization of African-American lawmakers, only one of whom is a Republican The Black Caucus's official Twitter account trolled the president minutes later. 'Hi, @realDonaldTrump. We're the CBC,' its tweet read. 'We sent you a letter on January 19, but you never wrote us back. Sad!' Trump told Ryan, a reporter with American Urban Radio Networks, that 'as you know, I was very strong on the inner cities during the campaign. I think it's probably what got me a much higher percentage of the African-American vote than a lot of people thought I was going to get.' 'We are going to be working very hard on the inner cities having to do with education, having to do with crime,' he pledged. 'We're going to try and fix as quickly as possible,' But the president lamented crime rates in the decaying shells of once-proud urban communities, saying, 'It's so sad when you look at the crime.' 'You have people ... they lock themselves into apartments, petrified to even leave in the middle of the day. They're living in hell. We can't let that happen.' Eamon Bradley, from Londonderry, insisted he went to help the people suffering during a catastrophic civil war A Northern Irish Muslim convert, who is accused of fleeing to Syria to fight in the conflict, said he went to tell Allah he was there to help. Eamon Bradley, from Londonderry, insisted he went to help the people suffering during a catastrophic civil war. Londonderry Crown Court heard Bradley told police: 'The killing of babies, this is what brought me there.' His lengthy interviews with officers constituted the 'bedrock' of the prosecution case. The accused was arrested by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) after photos on his Facebook account appeared to show him posing with weapons, although an expert said they could have been decommissioned. When he was questioned he spoke at length with detectives about his alleged role. His defence attempted to undermine some key details of his account. In 2013 he was watching the devastation of the Syrian civil war, as rebels fought a bloody war to depose Syrian president Bashar Assad from power. He used a Facebook page to research the fighting, convert to Islam and make contact with people who told him how to get there, his evidence at interview showed. They pinpointed a village on the Turkey/Syria border and he was given a WhatsApp mobile messaging number to meet with the rebels once there, his account said. He flew from Dublin to Turkey in February 2014, and was then smuggled across the border with Syria, crossing a river using a tractor wheel as a makeshift raft. At the time he did not know which group he was with but was taken to a training camp in the mountains and learned that it was Jaysh al Islam or Army of Islam. Jaysh were described in court as a more moderate rebel group opposed to the regime which wanted to introduce sharia law in Syria. It was well armed, supplied by individuals in Qatar and Saudi Arabia, an expert in the conflict told the jury. Bradley told police he signed a letter in Arabic which he understood to mean that he was a 'mujahid' fighter, the court was told. During months of training as the only western European at a camp, his interviews revealed he was taught how to use an AK 47 assault rifle, other firearms and a grenade. The accused was arrested by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) after photos on his Facebook account appeared to show him posing with weapons, although an expert said they could have been decommissioned He told police: 'I went to help the people. I wanted to be among those who were being bombed. 'I just wanted to be there and then I could say to Allah at least I was there to do something.' He said he was present at three battles in Aleppo, Idlib and Hama but never fired a bullet. Bradley said sitting around doing nothing was the worst part of it, adding: 'You could hear the bullets overhead.' During evidence in court it was suggested the battle in Aleppo never happened and that a police weapons expert should have more closely interrogated Bradley over his alleged training in using the AK 47. The police interviewer suggested Bradley was withholding something from police, which his defence said showed detectives too had their doubts about his evidence. Londonderry Crown Court heard Bradley told police: 'The killing of babies, this is what brought me there' The prosecution argued that the inclusion of details about how much he was paid and the leadership of the rebels meant the interviews were reliable, that he 'agreed' that he committed the terrorism offences he was charged with. Financial records showed he used bank machines in Turkey near the Syrian border. Then there was a gap corresponding to the period when he told police he was in Syria. His defence said the uncertainty and ambiguity around key areas like getting into and out of Syria, his weapons training and the battles he allegedly took part in created doubt about his account. Bradley became disillusioned and asked his commanders for permission to leave. His mother paid for his flight home from Istanbul. His defence said he had suffered a nightmare in the intervening period. Bradley told police he signed up as a soldier in the rebel group in 2014. He described, according to police notes of his interview, attending a training camp and carrying an assault rifle and grenade as a junior infantryman or mujahid fighter. But he denied all six charges he faced. An expert witness testified that the AK 47 assault rifles Bradley was photographed in front of could have been deactivated. A lawyer for the defence said one of the battles the defendant told police he was present at did not happen. According to earlier testimony he gave to police he used a Facebook page to research the fighting, convert to Islam and make contact with people who told him how to get there. They pinpointed a village on the Turkey/Syria border and he said he was given a WhatsApp mobile messaging number to make contact with the rebels once there, according to interviews read out during the trial. He allegedly flew from Dublin to Turkey in February 2014 then was smuggled across the border with Syria, crossing a river in a tractor wheel, according to the transcripts. Bradley said he went to help the Syrian people. A lawyer for the defence said it was a flimsy and threadbare case and there was no evidence to corroborate that he was even in Syria. He said his client was not Derry's answer to Britain's First World War desert adventurer Lawrence of Arabia and was simply in Turkey on holiday. According to the prosecution, he had truthfully agreed that he committed terrorism offences when questioned by detectives and was not a fantasist. Barrister for the prosecution Ciaran Murphy QC said he was referring it back to the director of public prosecutions Barra McGrory QC. The case is due to be mentioned in Belfast on March 3. Bradley J. Mills (above), 79, died at an assisted-living facility after an employee failed to plug in his heart pump during bedtime A 79-year-old man died at a Minnesota assisted-living facility after a care worker became distracted and failed to plug in his heart pump during bedtime, a state investigation found on Wednesday. Bradley J. Mills died July 10, 2016 at the Aging Joyfully residential elderly care facility located in Eden Prairie, located about 30 minutes outside of Minneapolis. The married father-of-four who worked for the U.S. Postal Service for 36 years until retiring in 2000, the Star Tribune reported. Mills had a left ventricular assist device, or LVAD, implanted inside his chest to help his weakened heart pump blood. Without the device, Mills had only 10 percent heart function, according to the state Health Department who launched an investigation shortly after his death into the facility. Mills died July 10, 2016 at the Aging Joyfully (file above) residential elderly care facility located in Eden Prairie, located about 30 minutes outside of Minneapolis Mills had a left ventricular assist device, or LVAD, implanted inside his chest to help his weakened heart pump blood. An investigation found that an employee at the facility (file above) forgot to plug it in for it's nightly charge and Mills was found dead the next day As Mills was preparing for bed with a caregiver, another resident entered his room. The caregiver then directed the person out, but forgot to plug his heart pump into an outlet for its nightly switch from batteries, according to the Health Department investigation. Around 1am another employee checked Mills' room and found him sleeping, but during the next check at 5am he was dead. That employee noted that his heart pump was not plugged in and 'both batteries were depleted of a charge,' according to the Health Department investigation. Joy Hansen, owner and operator of the facility, told authorities that her employees are trained on the operation of the device Mills had implanted in his chest and that an emergency alarm was given a test on the morning prior to his death. She did acknowledge that there is no procedure to record whenever the device is switched from one power source to another, as there is also no requirement for overnight monitoring of the device's operation. The Medical Examiner found that the device's alarm did sound off around 1:30am to warn of a low battery. But staff at the facility did not recall hearing it. Hansen told the Tribune that the two overnight staffers who worked the shift when Mills died no longer work at the facility, as one left voluntarily and the other was fired. The names of the two employees were not released in the report. Joy Hansen, owner and operator of the facility, said the employees working the shift during the night he died no longer work there The Health Department found the facility at fault for Mills' death because it had no procedure 'to ensure the pump would keep operating when switched every night from batteries to electricity from an outlet,' the Tribune reported. Hansen has cooperated with health officials' orders for procedural changes related to Mills' death. She said the primary chance is that the facility now has 'some sort of documentation that residents are looked at every two hours and a form to document the more frequent checks,' the Tribune reported. 'It wasn't good, was it?' Mills' wife, Kathleen, said after reading over the findings from the Health Department. 'I knew it was their mistake.' Kathleen said that Hansen sent her a card after her husband's death saying something to the effect of 'we'll never really know what happened.' '(Those responsible) will have to answer somewhere,' she added, 'but to sue, what does it get you?' A cyclist is in hospital with serious injuries after a collision with a P-plate driver on a busy Queensland road. Queensland Police confirmed the incident took place at about 5.15am on Friday morning on Moggill Road at Chapel Hill in Brisbane. The male cyclist was transported to the Royal Brisbane Hospital with life threatening injuries. A cyclist is in hospital with serious injuries after a collision with a P-plate driver on a busy Queensland road. Picture is a police officer speaking with the suspected P-plater driver The male driver of the car was not injured in the incident. Police are reportedly examining the bicycle involved in the crash, and there was believed to be significant damage to the driver's windscreen. According to a report from Channel Nine a fellow driver captured the incident on his dashcam and this footage is now being examined by police. Moggill Road between the tavern and Chapel Hill Road, inbound, is expected to be closed for a period and drivers are advised to expect delays in that area and avoid the area if possible. The Forensic Crash Unit is investigating. Queensland Police confirmed the incident took place at about 5.15am on Friday morning on Moggill Road at Chapel Hill in Brisbane. Pictured is the bicycle involved in the incident Sajid Javid the minister in charge of business rates came under fire last night for staying on holiday amid uproar over the planned rises. Government insiders said the Communities Secretary is abroad despite the continued furore over the levy. It comes a year after he was forced to fly back from a trip to Australia while the future of the Port Talbot steel works hung in the balance. Last night there was anger in Whitehall that the 'Where's Wally' search for Mr Javid was happening again. (In the popular cartoon books, children have to find the stripey-jumpered figure of Wally among a crowd of similarly dressed characters.) Last night there was anger in Whitehall that the 'Where's Wally' search for Mr Javid was happening again Colleagues are said to be furious that he has not cut short his break to explain the reasons why 500,000 firms are facing extortionate increases. One Government insider said: 'It's frustrating that the Secretary of State is not around to explain his policy. This is not the time to be away.' Pressure has been mounting on No 10 and the Treasury to use next month's Budget to reverse the changes or implement a freeze in business rates. But the policy is actually the responsibility of the Department for Communities and Local Government, which is headed by Mr Javid. A source close to Mr Javid said that it was the Commons recess and he was 'still working'. Yesterday he put out a statement defending aspects of the business tax rise. Colleagues are said to be furious that he has not cut short his break to explain the reasons why 500,000 firms are facing extortionate increases He said thousands of businesses in the North and the Midlands would benefit from falls in their business rates, adding that this would give regional economies 'the edge' to drive growth for the country as a whole. Nearly three-quarters of businesses would see a fall or no change in their rate, he said. The then Business Secretary was away on a trade trip to Australia when the board of Indian firm Tata, which owns the Port Talbot steelworks, took the decision to withdraw from Britain, with the loss of hundreds of jobs. After it later emerged that Mr Javid planned to stay on in Australia for a holiday with his teenage daughter, he was forced to fly back. Last night Tim Farron, the Liberal Democrat leader, said: 'Sajid is on holiday while businesses suffer. This is a total disgrace. Our small businesses deserve better than seeing tax cuts for Amazon while their overheads go through the roof.' Small firms say rise is their biggest concern The toll of the business rate review is taking on small firms was laid bare last night as research showed three in four now say it is now their biggest worry. A survey by the Federation of Small Businesses found that 74 per cent cited rates among the biggest issues they are facing double the proportion that mentioned the state of the economy. The survey of 129 small businesses also found that four in ten expect to see an increase of above 20 per cent in their business rates. And three in ten 31 per cent said they were still unsure of what the change will mean to their business. In London, there were warnings that small firms will be forced to lay off staff or close. Senior MPs called for an urgent review of business rates to ensure online retailers such as Amazon do no not receive favourable treatment over high street shops. Frank Field, the Labour MP who heads the Work and Pensions Committee, said: 'Now these retailers play the role of a great department stores they should pay similar rates. They carry out all the functions of a department store the major difference being they don't allow the public in to see how badly they treat their workers.' Hillbilly Elegy is the story of J. D. Vance, a former U.S. Marine who served in Iraq, studied at Yale Law School and now works for a big Silicon Valley investment firm We are barely four weeks into the presidency of Donald Trump yet already it has led to enough dramatic incidents to last a full term. Perhaps never in American history, and certainly not in living memory, has a new presidency opened amid such controversy, with protesting crowds on the streets of cities across the world. Yet tempting as it is to join the chorus of execration, it is surely a much better idea to try to understand how on earth America and by extension, the Western world got here in the first place. There is, after all, another America beyond the great cities of New York and Los Angeles that most liberal commentators and foreign visitors completely miss. This is an America where more people back Mr Trumps immigration ban than oppose it, and where car workers, shop assistants and small businessmen will go out of their way to tell you how much they approve of him. Many of us may be appalled by the man they chose as their President. But the plain fact is that these are not bad people. Indeed, many are not so different from the millions in Britain who have deserted the mainstream political parties and voted for Brexit last June. Why did so many Americans turn to a man with so little political experience? Why were they prepared to overlook his manifest failings? And why, despite all the controversies, do millions of Americans still see him as the only man who will speak for them? The answer, I think, lies not in anything Mr Trump has said or done, but in a book that does not even mention him. And it offers some intriguing clues, not just to how Mr Trump was elected, but to why his presidency is doomed to failure. Hillbilly Elegy is the story of J. D. Vance, a former U.S. Marine who served in Iraq, studied at Yale Law School and now works for a big Silicon Valley investment firm. To describe him this way, however, is to miss the bigger picture. Vance was born and raised at the very bottom of American society, in the depths of the underclass. He grew up in the dying town of Middletown, Ohio, the Rust Belt of the American Midwest, with violent, alcoholic grandparents, a heroin addicted mother and an absent father. His family were originally hillbillies from the poor and remote Appalachian Mountains that run from Pennsylvania to Alabama. Like most Appalachians, they came from what Americans call Scotch-Irish stock. Vance was born and raised at the very bottom of American society, in the depths of the underclass They were warm, working people, but they were also violent, self-destructive and intensely conservative. As Vance writes of his grandmother, Mamaw, she came from a family that would shoot at you rather than argue with you. In the years after World War II, when the American economy was booming, Vances grandparents moved to Middletown, then a thriving steel-producing centre. Today, this is blue-collar Trump territory; Middletown backed him in the presidential election by two to one. Back then, cities such as Middletown were Democratic heartlands. People such as Vance and his family looked to the government for aid and support. Their values were hardly liberal the Christian faith stood at the centre of our lives, writes Vance but they saw the Democrats as the party of the common man. By the time Vance was born in 1984, the American Dream was turning sour. Jobs were disappearing overseas, steelworks were closing across the Midwest and Middletown was in terminal decline. It was against this background he grew up, and his description of his childhood makes for horrifically memorable reading. His ancestors share croppers, coal miners, steelworkers had always been poor; poverty was a family tradition. But this was worse. His mother, who had at least five husbands and countless boyfriends, was addicted to prescription drugs. He grew up in the dying town of Middletown, Ohio, the Rust Belt of the American Midwest, with violent, alcoholic grandparents, a heroin addicted mother and an absent father His grandparents effectively raised him. His grandfather, Papaw, was a violent drunk who carried a gun, while Mamaw was given to blinding rages. Once, when Vance was a child, she served her drunken husband a dinner made up of rubbish from the bin. On another occasion, she doused him in petrol after he got back from a drinking session, lit a match and dropped it on his chest. He survived, Vance notes laconically, with only minor burns. But their violence was not confined to home. Before Vance was born, they took his uncle Jimmy to a mall. When Jimmy was thrown out of a shop for playing with a toy, they stormed in and began ransacking the place, throwing toys on the floor and stamping on them. His ancestors share croppers, coal miners, steelworkers had always been poor; poverty was a family tradition His grandparents effectively raised him. His grandfather, Papaw, was a violent drunk who carried a gun, while Mamaw was given to blinding rages Kick his f***ing ass! Kick his f***ing ass! Mamaw shouted at her husband. In response, Papaw leaned towards the terrified assistant and said: If you say another word to my son, I will break your f***ing neck. Most of us, I suspect, would regard them as utterly unsuitable people to bring up a child. Indeed, to many liberal Americans they would appear quintessential white trash: drunken, violent, boorish and irresponsible. But though she may have seemed an unlikely saviour, Mamaw was the key to Vances escape. A fierce believer in family values, she despised the chaos, self-pity and self-destruction of her daughters life. She was appalled by its effect on Vance, who was starting to go the same way, skipping school and getting into fights. Taking charge, she put a roof over his head during his teenage years and laid down a terrifying brand of discipline. US President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with teachers, school administrators and parents in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on February 14 On discovering some of his friends were smoking drugs, she told him if she saw him hanging around with them, she would run them down in her car. Her regime was one of self-respect and self-reliance. Quit your whining, she would tell him. And there were three strict rules: Get good grades, get a job and get off your ass and help me. Her influence changed everything. For the first time, Vance learned what could be achieved by hard work at home, at school and in his part-time job. And with her encouragement, he was able to see how welfare dependency had reduced his community to hopelessness, inertia and despair. Their broken lives were part of a broader trend. In Middletown in the Eighties and Nineties, as Vance notes, the rates of family breakdown, drug abuse, alcoholism and unemployment were heading through the roof. But he sees the plight of the underclass as the result not just of globalisation and economic change, but of a wider and more pernicious culture of debt and dependency. For political observers trying to understand why so many blue-collar Americans were attracted to Donald Trumps aggressively anti-welfare message, those words ought to be required reading As he puts it, speaking for his fellow hillbillies, we purchase homes we dont need, refinance them for more spending money, and declare bankruptcy, often leaving them full of garbage in our wake. Thrift is inimical to our being. Perhaps above all, he thinks the welfare programmes designed by liberal administrations since the Sixties have trapped the white working class in a terrible cycle of dependency, allowing millions to live off the dole while blaming the government for their disappointments in life. In one memorable passage, the teenage Vance, working in a grocery store, watches in mute anger as welfare recipients use their food stamps to buy gigantic crates of fizzy drink before selling them on for a profit. His drug-addled neighbours spend their welfare money on T-bone steaks, while his own family, relying on his hard-earned wages, struggle to get by. Theyd regularly go through the checkout queue speaking on their mobile phones, he writes. I could never understand why our lives felt like a struggle while those living off government largesse enjoyed trinkets I only dreamed about. For political observers trying to understand why so many blue-collar Americans were attracted to Donald Trumps aggressively anti-welfare message, those words ought to be required reading. But as Vance explains, there is another side to hillbilly culture that played even more clearly into Mr Trumps hands. Apart from their Christian faith, he writes, there was only one thing his family believed in: their country. Mamaw always had two gods: Jesus Christ and the United States of America. I was no different, and neither was anyone else I knew. As a young man, Vance would start crying during patriotic hymns, and he would always go out of his way to shake military veterans hands. It was little wonder, then, that after he left high school propelled in part by the iron will of his frankly terrifying grandmother he joined the Marine Corps. The military was the making of him, teaching him duty and discipline, and later paying for him to go to Ohio State university. Yet when Vance went to college, he was shocked by the attitudes of his fellow students. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, joined by their wives first lady Melania Trump, right, and Sara Netanyahu, left, are photographed in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, yesterday In a class on foreign policy, he listened in horror as a 19-year-old classmate with a hideous beard spouted off about the Iraq War. His classmate, who had never been to the Middle East, thought the Marines were red-neck idiots who enjoyed butchering Iraqis. Yet Vance knew that many of his Marine comrades had been decent, liberal-minded people, trying to do their best in an appalling situation. He thought of his friends who had been injured or killed and here was this dips*** in a spotty beard telling our class that we murdered people for sport. Nothing, I think, better captures the gulf between two different kinds of America. On the one hand, Vances America: conservative, religious and intensely patriotic, devoted to family, faith and flag. On the other, the America of his classmates at Ohio State and Yale Law School: the liberal, metropolitan, hand-wringing world of Edward Snowden (the former National Security Agency employee who leaked top-secret government information), the Left-wing activist group Black Lives Matter and transgender toilets. Against this background, is it really so shocking so many blue-collar Americans turned their backs on Hillary Clinton and the Washington elite? Is it surprising so many of Vances community, trapped in welfare dependency, drug addiction and family breakdown, cast their vote for the aggressive, boorish but hyper-patriotic Donald Trump? The tragedy is that millions of Mr Trumps voters have projected their hopes and anxieties onto a man who, in terms of his temperament, experience and political style, is, I think, utterly unfit to address them It is telling that Vance did not. Instead, he voted for independent conservative Mormon Evan McMullin, who has worked for the CIA and Goldman Sachs, and won just 0.5 per cent of the national vote. And given the lessons of his book, I am not surprised. Hillbilly Elegy describes a social, cultural and economic disaster that cant be fixed by a single politician, no matter how loudly he boasts about his greatness. Indeed, Vance repeatedly argues that family is more important than the state. Too many white working-class Americans, he believes, look to Washington for help when they should be trying to change their lives themselves as he did. After all, had it not been for the strength and willpower of his grandmother, he might never have fought his way out of the despair that had engulfed so many others in his home town. The tragedy, however, is that millions of Mr Trumps voters have projected their hopes and anxieties onto a man who, in terms of his temperament, experience and political style, is, I think, utterly unfit to address them. Mr Trumps supporters are deluding themselves if they believe he can change things with the flourish of pen After all, although J. D. Vance may be a walking advertisement for the conservative values of hard work, self-discipline and self-improvement, the same could never be said of Donald Trump, who inherited his fortune from his father and has conducted himself with staggering moral irresponsibility. I think Mr Trumps supporters are deluding themselves if they believe he can change things with the flourish of pen. As Vance puts it: Public policy can help, but there is no government that can fix these problems for us. That sounds fair enough to me. Indeed, whenever Mr Trump tells his audiences he is going to bring jobs to places such as Middletown and turn the clock back to the boom years of the Fifties, my heart sinks, because I can foresee the scale of disappointment to come. But do I blame the people of Middletown for putting faith in a man who will let them down? Not really. How many of us can honestly say that if we had been raised in such an environment, deprived of family, community, prosperity and hope, we would have been able to see through a political conman such as Donald Trump? My fear is that when Mr Trump fails to bring the kind of miraculous economic revival for which his hillbilly supporters are hoping, he will double his aggressive, demagogic and often xenophobic rhetoric, which has already done so much to poison U.S. politics. That would be a betrayal not just of the optimism and openness that have always been such attractive American qualities, but of blue-collar Americans themselves. As J. D. Vances book shows, they have suffered enough already. What a tragedy, then, that they now find themselves with a leader who will surely let them down. HILLBILLY Elegy: A Memoir Of A Family And Culture In Crisis by J. D. Vance (William Collins, 14.99) Ministers were facing a growing revolt over the business rates shake-up last night as leading bodies claimed it could be illegal. Thirteen business groups signed a letter warning small firms could be blocked from appealing against big rises in their rates. More than 500,000 cafes, shops, hotels, nurseries, schools and hospitals will pay up to 300 per cent more from April, following the first revaluation of business rates for seven years. But under the reforms, they could be prevented from appealing against the bills if they are within a 'margin of error' which experts have claimed may be as high as 15 per cent. The revaluation sparked uproar after it emerged online giants such as Amazon would benefit while small stores would lose out The business groups, including the British Retail Consortium, the Confederation of British Industry and the Federation of Small Businesses, say this could be illegal under local government finance laws. Experts said the Government's message was, 'Pay up, don't appeal, and shut up'. Figures show it is still dealing with 280,000 appeals against business rate hikes from the last change in 2010 a total which is likely to soar in the coming weeks. Last night there was anger in Whitehall that the 'Where's Wally' search for Mr Javid was happening again Yesterday questions were being asked about Communities Secretary Sajid Javid's leadership amid the crisis, after officials said he had stayed on holiday despite the uproar. As the backlash intensified, it was revealed that: More than 100million of UK foreign aid has been spent on malls and retail chains around the world despite shops facing tax hikes here; Three in four small firms said the prospect of business rate rises was now their major worry; Two parliamentary committee leaders called for a review of the entire business rates system; Even the Queen will be hit with a potential 60,000 increase in bills for Buckingham Palace; The Federation of Small Businesses said London firms could be driven out of business by the rises; Mr Javid said thousands of businesses in the North and Midlands would benefit from falls in rates. The revaluation sparked uproar after it emerged online giants such as Amazon would benefit while small stores would lose out. Money Mail has launched a Save Our Shops campaign calling for an rethink of how rates are calculated. But yesterday it emerged many firms will face a double hit thanks to a tightening of the appeals regime. Even the Queen will be hit with a potential 60,000 increase in bills for Buckingham Palace Under current law, all appeals must be considered. But new rules due to be passed before April would mean only businesses that claim their rate is wildly inaccurate would have it rectified. If the disputed amount is within a 'margin of error' the appeal could be rejected. Experts understand this will be around 15 per cent but the Government denies there is a specific limit and insists officials will use their professional judgment. The move was seen as a bid to reduce the seven-year backlog of appeals, which is expected to balloon from April when businesses can appeal against the new rates. The 13 business groups called on Mr Javid to withdraw the loophole before it is put before Parliament. James Lowman, of the Association of Convenience Stores, said the plans 'will leave retailers powerless to challenge their bills unless they are wildly inaccurate'. The Government's Valuation Office Agency (VOA) will be able to block appeals on the basis of 'reasonable professional judgment'. Officials say allowance must be made for the fact official valuers and private valuers hired by firms sometimes disagree slightly over rates. But business groups say appeals cannot be blocked under the Local Government Finance Act 1988. The law says the Government can make regulations on appeals, but does not say it has the right to ban appeals on the basis of accuracy, or to define what accuracy is. Debbie Warwick of property specialists Daniel Watney LLP, which co-signed the letter, said: 'This change is not just morally but legally wrong. It's the equivalent of making it illegal to challenge an incorrect income tax bill.' The appeals process is also due to become more complicated from April, with three stages instead of two. Jerry Schurder, of rates specialists Gerald Eve, said firms were facing 'an obstacle course'. The powers would allow the VOA to refuse to adjust a rate when a valuation tribunal has judged it inaccurate unless it is deemed 'outside the bounds of reasonable professional judgment'. The British Retail Consortium's Helen Dickinson said: 'This would be unfair to ratepayers and create additional uncertainty for local government.' John Webber of rates specialists Colliers International said: 'The Government are short-changing business by overseeing a system that has more appeals outstanding today than it has in its history.' He said the reforms would make appeals 'harder, more expensive, more time consuming and will still provide no justice. The Government's message is clear pay up, don't appeal, and shut up.' Mark Rigby of CVS Business Rent & Rates Specialists said: 'VOA staff are having to contend with a leaky bucket of 280,000 unresolved cases, a third less resources by 2020 and a new complex appeals process Government continues to ignore their cries.' A Government spokesman said that claims the clause was illegal were false, adding: 'We are not preventing anyone from appealing their bills, or setting any margin of error for appeals. We're reforming the appeals process to make it easier for businesses to check, challenge and appeal .' Advertisement A cliff village made famous by children who were pictured climbing vine ladders is set to undergo a tourism boom. Atuleer in Sichuan province is set to be turned into a scenic spot with a new bridge and a tourist centre already installed, reports the People's Daily Online. A tourism group based in Chengdu is set to invest 300 million yuan (35 million) to transform the area. Scary: The village first shot to fame after images showed young children climbing the cliff face between home and school Long way down: Local villagers climb up the 2,624-foot cliff using a vine ladder in Atuleer, China's Sichuan province A slightly safer method: Following news reports on the mountain, the local government installed a metal ladder and it's reported that tourists have begun flocking to the area to see the sight for itself Atuleer is situated on the top of a 2,624-foot-tall peak in south-west China. The village on a cliff became well-known after children were pictured using vine ladders to get up the mountain to go home from school. Heart-breaking images showed the pupils, the youngest of whom were just aged six, climbing the unsecured vine ladders on the side of a steep rock face. A long way down: A local villager climbs up the cliff on a vine ladder in the mountainous area of Aluteer village The village first shot to fame when pictures emerged showing the children's treacherous journey to go home from school Dangerous path: Before the steel ladder was constructed, the children used to have to use a ladder made of vines In October last year it was announced that the village had constructed a metal ladder for the children to use. Thanks to the new ladder which is made up of more than 1,500 steel pipes, the journey from the bottom to the top of the mountain is half an hour shorter. Local authorities footed the one million yuan (120,000) bill. Scenic: The village is now being made into a tourist spot with a bridge constructed and a tourist centre planned A tourist group in Chengdu is investing 300 million yuan (35 million) in developing the area into a scenic spot The village, dubbed the 'cliff village' by Chinese media, is so remote that only 72 families live there, most of whom make a living by growing chillies. In May, A Pi Ji Ti, the Secretary of Communist Party of Zhi'ermo Township told reporters that the journey between the village and the foot of the mountain had killed around eight people. And now following media coverage, a tourism group in Chengdu is planning to turn the village which boasts rich natural scenery including canyons and forests into a scenic spot. Tourists have begun to flock to the region. According to the tourism administration in Zhaojue County, the first phase of the project has already begun with a tourist centre and a bridge already at the spot. During the second phase, cable cars and a resort will be developed. Mosezigu, party secretary of the village says that developing the village's tourism potential is key to helping villagers overcome poverty. He said: 'We will build a village featuring traditional Yi customs where visitors will be able to experience the unique charm of the Yi nationality.' Tourists have already started flocking to the area since the construction of a safer ladder to the top of the mountain Beautiful location: The first phase of the project has already begun with a tourist centre and a bridge already at the spot This is the shocking moment a man brutally beats an ER doctor who saved his friend after being told to pay his medical bills. The incident took place at Jinan Military General Hospital on February 14, reports Huanqiu, an affiliation with the People's Daily Online. The doctor suffered concussion along with minor scratches and remains in hospital. Tragic: The man starts to verbally attack the doctor in the middle of the emergency room A woman has to intervene to try and stop the man from attacking the doctor further According to reports, the doctor was working in the emergency department at the time of the incident. He was looking after a patient with heavy injuries and decided to keep the patient in the emergency room for observation. The doctor then asked Mr Zhang, the friend of the patient to pay the relevant treatment costs. Zhang refused to pay and began to be violent towards the doctor, picking up medical supplies and beating him with it. Shocking: The man then starts to throw objects at the man while continuing to shout At one point the man can be seen grabbing the doctor and hitting him violently Footage shows the moment Zhang starts physically and verbally attacking the doctor. A woman can be seen trying to get control of the situation. However the man continues his tirade, kicking and punching the doctor. At one point, he even tries to throw a chair at the man. The doctor suffered concussion and scratches to his body. According to reports, police are currently investigating the case. Advertisement China has a new quirky building to add to its collection. A new 12 storey building shaped like a boat has been constructed in Zhengzhou, China's Henan province. The ship-like building measures some 115 feet tall and 330 feet long, according to People's Daily Online. Is there land ahoy? The ship shaped building is located in Zhengzhou City, central China's Henan province Ahoy there! The ship-like building stands out from others and measures some 115 feet tall and 330 feet long A large space: A new 12 storey building shaped like a boat is being constructed in Zhengzhou, China's Henan province The new building in Zhengzhou, China's Henan province resembles a ship. It almost looks like it is cruising on the land. Locals won't be able to miss the building as it sticks out among the other buildings standing some 115 feet tall. The 'ship' is also 330 feet long. Zhengzhou is about 264 miles to Lianyungang city, which is by the Yellow Sea. A village was demolished to make way for the building. Big ship: Locals won't be able to miss the building as it sticks out among the other buildings standing some 115 feet tall Will it contain pirates? The new 12-storey building in Zhengzhou, central China's Henan province is shaped like a boat China is no stranger to odd buildings. In February 2016, China's State Council released new guidelines on urban planning that aimed to curb 'weird and odd shaped buildings' in the country. The council called for buildings to keep in line with its cultural heritage along with being economic and green. Over the past few decades, more and more creative buildings have been constructed in China. One famous example of this is the Galazy Soho building in Beijing. Odd: The Galaxy building sits in Beijing's ChaoYangMen district and stands out among the buildings The Students' Employment Centre at the University of Water Resources and Electric Power in Zhengzhou is shaped like a toilet Cheers! The office building for a Chinese liquor company based in central China's Hubei province Sheraton Hot Spring Resort, lit up at night, in Huzhou, Zhejiang. The luxury hotel and resort has earned itself nicknames such as 'Horseshoe Hotel' and 'Doughnut Hotel' Strange structure: The Tianzi Hotel in Hebei province features the gods of fortune, prosperity and longjevity In 2014, Chinese President Xi Jinping gave a speech in which he called for 'no more weird buildings' in the country. In the same year, Beijing's Vice Mayor Chen Gang announced that Beijing would be taking a greater role in influencing building aesthetics by specifying standards in size, style, color and materials. The country is home to many strange buildings including one in the shape of a bottle of Chinese liquor, another that looks like a giant spaceship and one that looks like a giant magnet. Sheraton Hot Spring Resort, lit up at night, in Huzhou, Zhejiang. The luxury hotel and resort has earned itself nicknames such as 'Horseshoe Hotel' and 'Doughnut Hotel' One of the ugliest: Fortune Tower, known as the 'Gold Ingot Building' in Luquan county, central Henan province Hideous or on trend? The 11 storey building is located in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan province Not very pretty: Famen Temple in Baoji city, Shanxi province, west China has been declared as unsightly Weird and unsightly: The China pavilion which was the centrepiece of the 2010 Shanghai World Expo Known as the 'flying gun', the A-10 Warthog plane was a hero during Operating Desert Storm but has since been deemed vulnerable and costly to operate. Now, a Minnesota-based startup has unveiled designs for a new attack plane called the 'Machete' that consists of a new metal foam developed in conjunction with the US Department of Energy. The metal foam is lightweight and strong - and is capable of stopping bullets and other projectiles in much less space than traditional armor, while the plane boasts the same 30mm cannon as the Warthog it could replace. The Machete is still in the concept stages, but is set to be released in to variants - the propeller-driven SM-27 and the jet-propelled SM-28. And the startup has also thrown around ideas for Machete models to be used in air-to-air combat and advanced training MEET MACHETE Stavatti, an aerospace startup, resurrected an old proposal of the Machete that was first marketed in 2009. The plane consists of a metal foam instead of the traditional armor. This allows it to be lighter and stronger - and stop bullets in less space. The Machete is still in the concept stages, but is set to be released in to variants - the propeller-driven SM-27 and the jet-propelled SM-28. And the startup has also thrown around ideas for Machete models to be used in air-to-air combat and advanced training. Both the SM-27 and SM-28 will be designed as a single-engine, single-seat plane, which will be fitted with the same GAU-8 cannon its predecessor, A-10, used in its early 1990s victory. Advertisement The first A-10s hit the sky in 1972 and entered the front lines five years later a decade later manufacturing of the planes came to a halt. Each of the planes cost an average $26.6 million dollars to manufacture and weighs about 12 tons without armament and it can carry 13 tons of weapons while airborne. The Warthog had its first air-to-air victory in 1991 when it shot down a helicopter with the GAU-8 cannon. Although the A-10 is deemed 'one of the most important US assets' its time has come to be replaced with a new and modern model. Stavatti, an aerospace startup, resurrected an old proposal of the Machete that was first marketed in 2009, reports David Axe with War is Boring.com. The Machete is still in the concept stages, but is set to be released in to variants - the propeller-driven SM-27 and the jet-propelled SM-28. And the startup has also thrown around ideas for Machete models to be used in air-to-air combat and advanced training. Both the SM-27 and SM-28 will be designed as a single-engine, single-seat plane, which will be fitted with the same GAU-8 cannon its predecessor, A-10, used in its early 1990s victory. The first A-10s Warthog (pictured) hit the sky in 1972 and entered the front lines five years later a decade later manufacturing of the planes came to a halt. Light attack planes could replace the A-10s in big missions as these planes cost over $10,000 per flight hour. 'Machete is a big project around here,' said Chris Beskar, Stavatti's CEO. The Machete was first discussed when the Air Force was toying with the idea of purchasing some 100 light attack planes that could replace the A-10s in big missions as they cost over $10,000 per flight hour. However, the Air Force's taste for light-weight planes diminished after 2009 when Congress mandated budget cuts. The military branch even went so far to retire the remaining A-10s, but Congress stepped in in an attempt to save the Warthog fleet stating A-10 cuts are to be delayed until after 2021. But last year, the idea of light weight planes resurfaced. A-10: THE UGLY WARTHOG It is the ugliest aircraft in the Air Force's arsenal. The A-10, often called a warthog, was designed to destroy Soviet tanks and troops on the ground. Officially the Thunderbolt II, it was quickly nicknamed the Warthog for its unusual looks, It was specifically designed around its main weapon, a 30mm cannon which fires 4,000 rounds a minute. The plane can fly low and slow, coming down to 50ft to shoot at or drop bombs on enemy positions. The A-10, often called a warthog, was designed to destroy Soviet tanks and troops on the ground. ts top speed is just above 400mph but it can go as slow as 150mph and 'loiter' for hours above targets making it an effective deterrent as well as an attack plane. The Warthog is covered in 1,200lbs of titanium armor, making it invulnerable to attack from anything but heavy weapons. Even when hit it is designed to fly home on one engine, with no tailfin and half a wing missing. On board the single-seater the pilot has at his controls the cannon, which is accurate to 4,000ft, and fires depleted-uranium shells, as well as Maverick air-to-surface missiles, 500lb free fall bombs, and Hydra air-launched rockets. Despite USAF attempts to retire the fleet, it is expected to remain in service into the 2020s. At one stage when the Air Force suggested retiring its more than 300 A-10s the Army indicated it would take them over as soldiers are so keen on its close support capabilities. Advertisement It is believed that the Air Force is on the market for about 20 'OA-X' light weight combat planes and is looking to purchase them in the near future. Even US senator John McCain has supported the idea of taking on new light attack planes he proposed the military branch should acquire 300 models. And Gen. Dave Goldfein, the Air Force's chief of staff, said McCain's proposal was a 'great idea.' However, because the Machete is still a concept drawing, the plan would not be available in time to fulfill the OA-X need. But Beskar said he believes the plane 'could be contender for a broader acquisition of attack planes', reports Axe. Stavatti unveiled designs for a new attack plane called the 'Machete' that consists of a new metal foam developed in conjunction with the US Department of Energy. The metal foam is lightweight and strong - and can stop bullets in much less space than traditional armor can He stressed the design has evolved and is more advanced than its early 2009 beginnings. 'It's basically doubled in weight' to 30,000 pounds, Beskar explained, which is close to the same weight as an A-10. Adding the new metal foam into the design allows the plane to stop projectiles in a lesser amount of space than the traditional armor. 'We could stop the bullet at a total thickness of less than an inch, while the indentation on the back was less than eight millimeters,' said Afsaneh Rabiei, an engineering professor at North Carolina State University, who tested the metal foam. 'To put that in context, the [National Institute of Justice] standard allows up to 44 millimeters indentation in the back of an armor.' Apple has long prided itself on being less vulnerable to viruses and other malware - but this could be about to change. Security firm Bitdefender Labs has found evidence of malware designed for Macs created by the same group thought to be behind the Hillary Clinton email leaks. The malware is by APT28, a hacking group with alleged links to the Russian intelligence services. Scroll down for video Apple has long prided itself on being less vulnerable to viruses and other malware, but this could be about to change, with the discovery of the X-Agent malware on Mac OS HOW DOES X-AGENT WORK? It's not clear exactly how the malware is being spread, but a trojan horse called Komplex may be responsible for attacking the Mac OS. Trojan horses hide themselves within 'friendly' software that appears safe to the user, but contains code to execute malicious software. Once installed, the X-Agent exploit checks for software processes that could detect it, and will self-destruct to prevent this from happening. On machines where such processes aren't present, X-Agent waits for an internet connection before beginning to transmit information with the hacker's servers Previously APT28 has infiltrated the Windows, iOS, Android and Linux operating systems, but now it seems that Apple devices operating the Mac OS can also be infected. Users hoping to prevent infection, or check if they already have inadvertently downloaded the malware, should install a virus checker or security software that can detect X-Agent, including Bitdefender. Advertisement APT28 has been known under various names, including Fancy Bear and Pawn Storm, and is believed to have been active for at least a decade. Previously, APT28 has infiltrated the Windows, iOS, Android and Linux operating systems, but now it seems that Apple devices operating Mac OS can also be infected. The X-Agent malware contains modules that can probe the infected device's system to steal passwords and take screenshots, But the most important module, from an intelligence-gathering perspective, allows the operator to retrieve iPhone backups stored on a compromised Mac, according to a report from computer security firm Bitdefender. Mail Online has contacted Apple for a comment. It's not clear exactly how the malware is being spread, but a trojan horse downloader called Komplex may be responsible for the infiltration into the Mac Operating System. Trojan horses hide themselves within 'friendly' software that may appear safe to the user, but hides within it code to execute malicious software that will open a 'backdoor' to the system which can be further exploited. This often takes the form of email attachments, and will normally only be detected by up to date security software. Once successfully installed, the X-Agent backdoor exploit checks whether anti-virus or other security systems are present which could detect its presence and the software will self-destruct to prevent this from happening. On machines where such software isn't installed, X-Agent waits for an internet connection before initiating communication with the servers. Users hoping to prevent infection, or check if they already have inadvertently downloaded the malware, should install a virus checker or security software that can detect X-Agent, including Bitdefender. In October 2016, America's Department of Homeland Security and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence announced in a joint statement that they were confident Russia's 'senior-most officials' ordered hacking attacks by APT28 against presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton 'The sample we are discussing today has been linked to the Mac OSX version of X-Agent component from Sofacy/APT28/Sednit APT,' the Bitdefender report says. 'This modular backdoor with advanced cyber-espionage capabilities is most likely planted on the system via the Komplex downloader.' 'Our preliminary analysis shows most of the C&C URLs impersonate Apple domains.' 'Our past analysis of samples known to be linked to APT28 group shows a number of similarities between the Sofacy/APT28/Sednit Xagent component for Windows/Linux and the Mac OS binary that currently forms the object of our investigation.' In October 2016, America's Department of Homeland Security and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence announced in a joint statement that they were confident Russia's 'senior-most officials' ordered hacking attacks against presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton. Romanian hacker Marcel Lazar Lehel, aka Guccifer, has links to the group known as APT28 and was responsible for revelations over Hillary Clinton's alleged misuse of private email. But Guccifer has downplayed White House claims that Russia tried to control the election using hackers, calling them 'a fake cyber war'. When the internet was first built in the 1970s, it was seen as one of the greatest innovations of our time. But Eric Schmidt, executive chairman of Alphabet and former CEO of Google, has suggested that the initial build of the net may have missed a trick. Speaking at a security conference this week, Schmidt said that internet security is still an ongoing issue because 'it didn't occur to us that there were going to be criminals.' Eric Schmidt, executive chairman of Alphabet and former CEO of Google, has suggested that the initial build of the net may have missed a trick WEB'S EARLY DAYS The US Defense Departments Advanced Research Projects Agency Network (ARPANET), or the Eve network was first published in 1967. Two years later, it become a way of interconnection for four university computers. By the end of 1970, ARPANET users were transferring files using FTP and a year later they were dialing into a network using a personal computer. Then in the 1980s, ARPANET was passed over to a new military network, called Defense Data Network and NSFNet. Around the same time, the system adopted TCP/IP, allowing researcher to create the networks of networks the small begins of the modern internet. In 1989, Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web. Advertisement Schmidt was speaking at the RSA security conference in San Francisco about the early days of his career building a network and mail system. When discussing the ongoing issue of internet security, he said: 'We now find ourselves back fixing it over and over again. 'You keep saying, "Why didn't we think about this?" 'Well the answer is, it didn't occur to us that there were criminals.' This year alone, there have been countless examples of hacking and data breaches, including attacks on PlayStation, Netflix and Amazon. And as more and more devices become connected to the internet, including home appliances and gadgets, it leaves us more vulnerable than ever. Schmidt has previously said that early internet pioneers did not consider that people might use the system for malicious purposes. But internet firms continue to struggle, as hackers develop more sophisticated ways to attack systems. For example, Gmail was the victim of a phishing scam last month that was so convincing it even fooled experienced technical experts. The scam was described as one of the most convincing yet, and tricked users into giving their Google login details, allowing the attacker to sift through their messages. As more and more devices become connected to the internet, including home appliances and gadgets, it leaves us more vulnerable than ever (stock image) Emails containing the rogue attachment came from people in the recipient's own address book. And attackers could even copy their style of writing, convincingly passing the fake email on to the victim's contacts. In the hope of preventing these kind of attacks, firms are encouraging people to take precautionary steps, including enabling two-factor authentication, and tightening up on password security. Don't count on your looks to get you a higher salary. New research reveals employers are more concerned with your health, intelligence and personality when it comes to giving you a pay rise. Extroverts and those who are conscientious and emotionally stable are the highest earners, it found. The researchers say their findings have implications for discrimination at work, and suggest the belief that 'ugly people get paid less' is unfounded. Scroll down for video The findings indicate that healthier, more intelligent people with more conscientious, extroverted and less neurotic personality traits are paid the best (stock image) THE TRAITS THAT WILL EARN YOU MORE The findings suggest that the people who earn the most tend to be: - Healthier - More intelligent - Conscientious - More extroverted - Less neurotic Advertisement The study was conducted by scientists from the London School of Economics and the University of Massachusetts. Previous studies have suggested that there is a 'beauty premium' on wages, and that attractive people earn more than the average person. Instead, the findings indicate a range of other factors are at play. The researchers analysed a sample of workers in the US, rating them on a number of factors, including attractiveness, health and intelligence. Their results dispel the 'beauty premium' theory. Satoshi Kanazawa, who co-led the study, said: 'Physically more attractive workers may earn more, not necessarily because they are more beautiful, but because they are healthier, more intelligent, and have better personality traits conducive to higher earnings, such as being more conscientious, more extroverted, and less neurotic.' The researchers believe their findings have important implications for organisational behaviour. They said: 'Discrimination on the basis of arbitrary criteria that are not associated with worker productivity decreases the efficiency and productivity of organisations' (stock) DOES BACKGROUND AFFECT SALARY? New research suggests that people from poorer backgrounds tend toe earn less because they may be: - Less likely to ask for pay rises - Have less access to networks and work opportunities - Exclude themselves from promotion for fear of not 'fitting in' Other explanations for the 'class pay gap' could include conscious or unconscious discrimination or more subtle employment processes which lead to 'cultural matching' in the workplace. Advertisement One of the most surprising findings was a so-called 'ugliness premium', in which it pays to not be attractive. Participants who were deemed 'very unattractive' always earned more than those who were merely rated as 'unattractive', and sometimes even more than those who were deemed 'average looking' or even 'attractive'. The researchers believe their findings have important implications for organisational behaviour. In their paper, published in the Journal of Business and Psychology, the researchers wrote: 'Discrimination - whether intentional or accidental - on the basis of arbitrary criteria that are not statistically associated with worker productivity decreases the efficiency and productivity of organisations in the long run.' Facebook already runs most of our social lives - and now it could even help you find a new job. The social network has revealed a new service to help firms find qualified employees, aimed at an area overlooked by LinkedIn - finding qualified employees for small to midsize businesses. The social media giant has unveiled a tool that lets users search through help-wanted posts on business pages, News Feed and a new 'Jobs' bookmark. Scroll down for videos Facebook has unveiled a new tool that lets users find help-wanted posts at business pages, News Feed or a new 'Jobs' bookmark on the mobile application. The new tool is geared towards helping small to midsize businesses find the right employees HOW 'JOBS' WORKS Business can post help-wanted posts on their page, in the Jobs bookmark and share it so it appears in user's News Feeds. After posting a job, Page admins will be able to review applications and contact applicants on Messenger. Users will see job listings through their News Feed, in the new bookmark for Jobs and with other posts on business Pages. All you have to do is click on the 'Apply Now' button and a form will open, which will be pre-populated with information you have provided in your Facebook profile but information can be changed if necessary. Applicants will be asked for the traditional information such as education, work experience and why they would be a good fit for that specific company. Advertisement The feature is a way to help the 40% of US small businesses that reported filling jobs was more difficult than they expected. 'We know that finding the right talent can be a challenge,' Facebook shared in an announcement. '40% of US small businesses report that filling jobs was more difficult than they expected, which is surprising when you consider that these small businesses also employ nearly half of the country's workforce.' 'We're focused on building new ways to help make it easier for businesses to interact with the over 1 billion people visiting Pages every month.' 'Businesses and people already use Facebook to fill and find jobs, so we're rolling out new features that allow job posting and application directly on Facebook.' Jobs is rolling out Thursday in the US and Canada, and can be found in the 'More' option nestled between 'Fundraisers' and 'Instant Games'. Facebook has also provided all the tools Page admins need to create a job posting, track incoming applications and communicate with potential employees. After posting a job, Page admins will be able to review applications and contact applicants on Messenger, all on mobile and all in one place. And as with other posts, they can boost job posts to reach a larger or more relevant audience. 'We've tested the new jobs experience in parts of the US, and while it's still early, businesses are already filling roles,' explained Facebook. 'It was great because it was easy,' said Wendy Grahn, co-owner of the Chicago-based Lakeview Kitchen and Market. Jobs can be found in the 'More' option nestled between 'Fundraisers' and 'Instant Games'. All you have to do is click on the 'Apply Now' button and a form will open, which will be asked for i about education, work experience and why you would be a good fit for that specific company Facebook has also provided all the tools Page admins need to create a job posting, track incoming applications and communicate with potential employees 'It took three minutes to fill out the information and put it out there. Then someone saw the post, we talked, and it was done.' And the firm assures the process is just as easy for applicants. Users will see job listings in their News Feed, the new bookmark for Jobs and other posts on business Pages. Business can share detailed information of what type of potential employees they are looking for to the location of their company. They can also add pictures to make the post more interesting LinkedIn's top ten buzzwords to avoid Specialized Leadership Passionate Experienced Strategic Focused Expert Creative Successful Excellent Read more: Advertisement All you have to do is click on the 'Apply Now' button and a form will open, which will be pre-populated with information you have provided in your Facebook profile but information can be changed if necessary. Applicants will be asked for the traditional information such as education, work experience and why they would be a good fit for that specific company. LinkedIn has been the go-to spot for job seekers since 2002, however the Mountain View-based firm caters mostly to larger, well-known firms leaving the smaller business market open for the taking. Last June, Microsoft announced it was buying the site for $26.2 billion (18.4 billion) in a move that could see the professional networking site being integrated into the software giant's business services. Jeff Weiner, chief executive of LinkedIn, said the company would remain as fully independent entity within Microsoft much as YouTube has under Google. The move promises to let the social networking site, which has around 433 million registered users, to extend its reach to 'empower people and organisations'. A German man is being hailed a hero after using his Tesla Model S to stop another driver who was unconscious at the wheel while driving on the Autobahn. Manfred Kick, age 41, pulled his car in front of a Volkswagen Passat and slowly braked until both vehicles came to a stop causing more than $10,000 worth of damages to the Tesla. However, the car maker's CEO, Elon Musk, has promised to repair the Tesla that was sacrificed to save another man's life. Scroll down for video Tesla CEO, Elon Musk, is praising a Telsa owner who sacrificed his Tesla Model S to save another man's life. The incident caused more than $10,000 worth of damages to the Tesla, which Musk said will be paid by the car maker Kick was driving north on Bundesautobahn 9 outside of Munich on Monday night when he noticed a Volkswagen (VW) Passat swerving on the highway, reports the German newspaper Merker. The Tesla driver sped up alongside the other car and that is when he saw a man, age 47, slumped over the wheel it has been revealed that the man, who has yet to be named, had suffered a stroke. 'The driver had tipped forward and hung motionless in the belt,' Kick told Merker. 'The head and hands hung limply down.' 'I had to stop his car somehow, otherwise it would have continued for ever.' TESLA TOPS UK CHARTS The Tesla Model S topped the Auto Express Driver Power 2016 survey with the highest-ever satisfaction rating. Overall, cars powered from the domestic mains dominated the top rankings with Renaults all-electric ZOE in second place and four petrol-electric four hybrids in the top ten. The survey asked owners to rate their vehicles over ten categories including reliability, running costs, practicality and in-car tech. The Tesla Model S received a highest-ever satisfaction rating of 97.46%, which included a 100% satisfaction rating in the ease of driving category the first time any model has received full marks in the 15 year history of the survey. The Tesla S took top place in seven of the ten categories, scoring first for running costs, performance, road handling, ride-quality, ease of driving, practicality and in-car-tech. It was fifth place for reliability and for seat-comfort. But it lagged behind on build quality with a poor 33rd place. Advertisement Within a few seconds, Kick had decided to pull his car in front of the VW and stop it by slowly pushing on the brake until both of the vehicles came to a halt. And this heroic feat caused $10,651 worth of damages to the Tesla. But if that wasn't enough, Kick ran over to the Passat to check the man's pulse. 'I felt his pulse and then put him in a lying position so that the foam ran out of his mouth,' he said. Manfred Kick (left), age 41, pulled his car in front of a Volkswagen Passat and slowly braked until both vehicles came to a stop causing more than $10,000 worth of damages to the Tesla. Kick had decided to pull his car in front of the VW and stop it by pushing on the brake Within two days, the news of, what officials are calling, 'incredible courage', found its way to Tesla CEO who praised the Tesla driver on Twitter Wednesday Shortly after three other drivers came to the scene, who Kick asked to call for help. 'I felt like I was in a movie,' he told Muncher Merker. The unconscious man was rushed to the hospital and is in stable condition. Kick told Mercker that he wasn't sure if insurance would cover the incident, but said what is most important is 'that the man is all right'. Kick was driving north on Bundesautobahn 9 outside of Munich on Monday night when he noticed a Volkswagen (VW) Passat swerving on the highway. The Tesla can be seen in front and the Volkswagen Passat is behind The unconscious man was rushed to the hospital and is in stable condition. Kick told Mercker that he wasn't sure if insurance would cover the incident, but said what is most important is 'that the man is all right' Within two days, the news of, what officials are calling, 'incredible courage', found its way to Tesla CEO who praised the Tesla driver on Twitter Wednesday. 'Congrats to the Tesla owner who sacrificed damage to his own car to bring a car with an unconscious driver safely to a stop,' wrote Musk. And in minutes the billionaire returned to the social media platform with more news. He is famous for his believes tubes and tunnels are the future of transport - and now Elon Musk has claimed flying cars will never take off. The SpaceX and Tesla founder has revealed his thoughts on the Jetsons sci fi dream. 'Obviously, I like flying things,' Musk told Bloomberg. Scroll down for video The billionaire SpaceX and PayPal founder tweeted this photo showing the rear of Nannie, a TBM, with the excavating conveyor belt which removes the debris from the site clearly visible in the bottom centre of the image. BORING COMPANY Elon Musk may have dreamt up his latest world-changing technology while stuck in heavy traffic. In December he tweeted: 'Traffic is driving me nuts. Am going to build a tunnel boring machine and just start digging...'. 'It shall be called ''The Boring Company',' he added. Musk tweeted the above picture with the caption 'Minecraft', giving no further details. Musk even proposed a suggested slogan for the company: 'Boring, it's what we do.' The idea might seem like a joke, but Musk ended his series of tweets with 'I am actually going to do this'. Advertisement 'But it's difficult to imagine the flying car becoming a scalable solution.' He also said there's a risk of falling debris if falling cars were to get in a mid-air crash. 'If somebody doesn't maintain their flying car, it could drop a hubcap and guillotine you,' Musk said. 'Your anxiety level will not decrease as a result of things that weigh a lot buzzing around your head.' The interview also revealed fresh detail of Musk's plan to start a tunneling firm. Earlier this month he tweeted a picture of a tunelling machine, after being stuck in heavy traffic in December and coming up with a plan to create a giant tunnel under Los Angeles to ease congestion. 'Traffic is driving me nuts. Am going to build a tunnel boring machine and just start digging...', he tweeted. Now, the identity of the machine has been revealed. Nicknamed Nannie after Nannie Helen Burroughs, nationally prominent Black educator, Church leader, and suffrage supporter who founded the National Training School for Women and Girls in Washington, D. C, the machine is 26 feet in diameter, about 400 feet long, weighs 1,200 tons, and was used by Washington's water utility to dig a tunnel to prevent sewage from overflowing into the Anacostia River. NANNIE THE BRING MACHINE Nicknamed Nannie after Nannie Helen Burroughs, nationally prominent Black educator, Church leader, and suffrage supporter who founded the National Training School for Women and Girls in Washington, D. C, the machine is 26 feet in diameter, about 400 feet long, weighs 1,200 tons, and was used by Washington's water utility to dig a tunnel to prevent sewage from overflowing into the Anacostia River. Nannie, the boring machine Musk is mulling buying: It was used to to dig a tunnel to prevent sewage from overflowing into the Anacostia River, and is now believed to be for sale. The 1,248 ton machine created a 23-foot diameter tunnel beginning at RFK Stadium that ends at the Poplar Point Pumping station in Southeast, approximately 100 feet underground. It goes underneath the Anacostia River, CSX railroad tracks, and the Green Line. The entire projectwhich traverses underground 13 miles from Bloomingdale to DC Water's Blue Plains Wastewater Treatment Plant in Southeastis designed to supplement the existing sewer system by capturing excess storm water and curb area flooding. After phase one, the Anacostia River Tunnel will serve as a storage tank for water until the storms passit can hold more than 38 million gallons of combined sewage, according to DC Water. By the end of phase two, expected to occur in 2022 or 2023, storm water will be piped to Blue Plains for treatment before its release through the Northeast Boundary Tunnel. Advertisement Made by the German company Herrenknecht, Musk was considering buying it for his problem - although admitted to Bloomberg's reporter 'It may make sense to start with something smaller.' He posted the photo with the caption 'Minecraft' - a reference to the popular video game in which players dig large tunnel networks for resources. When Musk first announced his plans to bore a tunnel to his SpaceX offices in Los Angeles, it was hard to know if he was simply venting his frustrations about being stuck in traffic. But he ended his rant on Twitter with: 'I am actually going to do this'. Musk has yet to confirm, however, whether the image of the tunnel boring machine he tweeted is his own, or its exact purpose. The entrepreneur has a strong track record of getting ideas off the ground. HOW BORING MACHINES WORK Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) are large, cylindrical pieces of drill-mining equipment used to excavate long tunnels. They can drill through a variety of materials including sand, earth and even solid rock. Each machine is fronted by a 'cutterhead' - a huge, circular metal face interspersed with sharp discs. The cutterhead is forced under immense pressure against soil or rock using a powerful hydraulics system to tear away at the material. The loose 'chips' that are created from this process fall into large 'bucket lips' which are openings in the cutterhead that feed the material through to an excavating conveyor belt. The conveyor belt extends backwards through the machine and takes the debris to a back-up area where it can be extracted to the surface. Soil and rock chips are captured and taken to an excavating conveyor belt which removes the debris from the site Advertisement Musk has started two transportation related companies - Tesla for electric cars and SpaceX for launching into space. He has also initiated the development of Hyperloop, a proposed method of travel that would transport people at 745mph (1,200km/h) between distant locations. And it seems that Musk's tunnelling work has already begun. WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR December 17 2016 - Musk tweets his initial idea to start up a tunnel boring company to tackle LA traffic. January 25 2017 - Musk tweets: 'Exciting progress on the tunnel front. Plan to start digging in a month or so.' In response to a follower asking where he plans to dig, Musk tweets: 'Starting across from my desk at SpaceX. Crenshaw and the 105 Freeway, which is 5mins from LAX'. Musk has claimed that he plans to dig from his office at SpaceX through to LAX airport January 30 2017 - Excavators begin digging a test trench at SpaceX's headquarters in Hawthorne, Los Angeles. The trench reportedly measures 30 feet (9 metres) wide, 50 feet (15 metres) long, and 15 feet (4.5 metres) deep. February 4 2017 - Musk tweets a picture of what appears to be a piece of tunnel boring machinery with the caption 'Minecraft'. Advertisement Excavators working for the entrepreneur have already dug a test trench at SpaceX's headquarters in Hawthorne, Los Angeles, Wired reported last week. The trench reportedly measures 30 feet (9 metres) wide, 50 feet (15 metres) long, and 15 feet (4.5 metres) deep. Elon Musk may have dreamt up his latest world-changing technology while stuck in heavy traffic. The SpaceX and PayPal founder tweeted about starting a company to make tunneling equipment to dig tunnels that will relieve traffic The hole is legal because it has been dug on private property. But extending the tunnel further than SpaceX's headquarters would require more discussion, paperwork, and LA City council approval. 'We're just going to figure out what it takes to improve tunneling speed by, I think, somewhere between 500 and 1,000 percent,' he said during a Hyperloop design competition at SpaceX earlier this month. 'We have no idea what we're doing - I want to be clear about that.' The technology giant proposed a slogan for the company in his string of December tweets: 'Boring, it's what we do.' In December, Elon Musk tweeted 'Traffic is driving me nuts. Am going to build a tunnel boring machine and just start digging...' His next tweet read: 'It shall be called ''The Boring Company'' The technology giant even proposed a suggested slogan for the company: 'Boring, it's what we do' The idea might seem like a joke, but Musk ended his series of tweets with 'I am actually going to do this' Since his original Twitter rant on LA traffic in December Musk has pledged to eliminate the city's infamous congestion by building a network of tunnels. 'If you think of tunnels going 10, 20, 30 layers deep (or more), it is obvious that going 3D down will encompass the needs of any city's transport of arbitrary size,' he told Wired last week in a Twitter direct message. 'You have tall buildings, they're all 3D, and then everyone wants to go into the building and leave the building at a same time,' he said Sunday. 'On a 2D road network, that obviously doesn't work, so you have to go 3D either up or down. And I think probably down.' But Musk has an uphill battle ahead if he's serious about tunnelling under LA. Digging under cities takes a lot of time because the densely packed earth and rock underground is poorly mapped. 'Our recent experience with tunnels in the US is that neighbours worry, you run up against various environmental laws, and you just never know what's underneath the Earth,' Michael Manville, who studies urban planning at the University of California, Los Angeles, told Wired. Boring technology has become much cheaper in recent years thanks to rapid advances in tunnelling technology. Herrenknecht AG, one of the world's biggest tunnel-boring machine makers, says it is providing machines for as many as 100 projects annually, up from 20 some 15 years ago. 'The ability to deliver a tunnel on time and on budget has changed a lotand really pushed the industry,' says Achim Kuhn, a spokesman for the privately held German company, whose tunnel-boring machines can cost more than 40 million/$50 million each. Many drilling technologies have been designed with the aim to drill into the moon or Mars to mine them for raw materials. For example, a company called Zaptec has come up with a new kind of plasma drilling technology that could make drilling on the moon, asteroids or Mars more affordable. Apple has announced the date of its highly anticipated annual developer conference - and it could give the first hints of the firms plans for its 10th anniversary iPhone. The event, which will this year be held in San Jose, is within walking distance of Apple's new 'spaceship' campus, traditionally features a look at Apple's new iOS software, along with its Watch, TV and Mac operating systems. The announcement of the event proclaimed 'T echnology alone is not enough.' The event will, for the first time since 2002, be held in San Jose rather than San Francsisco. It is within walking distance of Apple's new 'spaceship' campus, and the event traditionally features a look at Apple's new iOS software, along with its Watch, TV and Mac operating systems 'Technology must intersect with the liberal arts and the humanities, to create new ideas and experiences that push society forward,' it goes on to say. 'This summer we bring together thousands of brilliant minds representing many diverse perspectives, passions, and talents to help us change the world.' Although Apple is not expected to reveal its latest iPhone until September, the software could be revealed - and in particular iOS 11 could support the much rumoured new screen which does not feature a home button. Instead, there are claims of a special 'function area' and even an iris scanner. It could also include the augmented reality capabilities Apple is believed to be working on. The conference has traditionally been held in San Francisco in recent years, but was originally held in San Jose. 'When the last WWDC was held in San Jose in 2002, the original iPod was only six months old,' Apple blogger John Gruber said. He spoke to Apple marketing bos Phil Schiller about the move, who said it It feels like WWDC is going home'. Apple is working with city officials to put on events for the 5,000 expected attendees. The announcement comes days after Apple's share price hit an intraday record high on Tuesday for the first time in almost two years as investors raised bets that a 10th anniversary iPhone will boost lackluster sales. The stock touched an intraday all-time high of $135.09, beating its previous intraday high of $134.54 set on April 28, 2015. Its final level of $135.02, a gain of 1.30 percent, was Apple's second consecutive record closing price. Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway said in a filing it more than tripled its stake in Apple during the December quarter to 57.4 million shares from 15.2 million shares. IPHONE 8 RUMORS Several rumors have been circulating about the iPhone 8, and suggest the next device may have: - Dual-lens 3D camera - Augmented reality to generate real-time views of surroundings - Curved glass casing - Plastic OLED screen - Wireless charging The news was reported by analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities, who also said the battery life of the 4.7-inch iPhone 8 might end up having a better could be better than the 5.5-inch iPhone (pictured is artist impression) - A folding element - New 5 inch (12.7 centimeter) and 5.8 inch (14.7 centimeter) model, which will have a wraparound OLED screen - 5.8 inch will be designed with the Touch ID finger print sensor 'under the glass and in the active display area' - A new 'pure white' model - Aluminum back will be replaced with two reinforced glass panes and a metal frame in the middle - Facial recognition Advertisement It is unclear what Berkshire paid for its Apple shares, but so far in 2017 their value has increased by $1.1 billion, and legendary investor Buffett's increased interest in Apple could boost already positive sentiment on Wall Street. The S&P 500's largest component has climbed 50 percent from its low in the first half of last year and is up almost 17 percent so far in 2017, with many investors betting that Apple will mark the iPhone's 10th anniversary with a dramatically improved model. Many on Wall Street also believe that strong sales of the iPhone 6S two years ago have left a larger-than-normal base of customers ready to upgrade. "We're holding it, we look for opportunities to buy," said Jeff Carbone, co-founder of Cornerstone Financial Partners in Charlotte, North Carolina. "Consumers feel better, people spend more money. There's still a lot of good to come from Apple." The Cupertino, California, company reported strong December-quarter results on Jan. 31. Although it gave a cautious outlook for the current quarter, Wall Street expects revenue to grow this year after sinking nearly 8 percent in fiscal 2016. While some are aware that 2D maps fail to accurately convey the scale of countries and continents on Earth, a mind-boggling new infographic reveals the true extent of this distortion. Historically, Mercator projection used in 2D cartology was favoured by sailors as it allowed them to keep their course - but this system is flawed. The further away destinations are from the equator the more distorted their size becomes. For instance, the USA and Africa look close in size on traditional maps but in reality the USA is less than a third the size of Africa, according to data from Expedia. Spanning across 11 time zones, while Russia may well be the largest country in the world, despite its dominance on most maps its actually only 1.8 times bigger than the USA. Most maps show the UK as a much bigger landmass than it is. At a glance it looks as though it is a similar size to Colombia, but in reality its 4.3 times smaller than the South American country. Another surprising comparison reveals the true size of the African continent, which is three times larger than China. Likewise, Greenland, which often appears to be a sprawling country, as large as its American neighbours, is actually a fraction of the size of South America, which is 8.2 times bigger than the country. She achieved worldwide fame after being crowned Miss Universe by a Donald Trump-owned beauty pageant in 2004. And Jennifer Hawkins has refused to pass judgement on an already divisive Trump presidency, saying it is still 'early days' in his leadership. The Myer Ambassador made the comments during an interview with Today on Thursday, promoting the department store's launch that night. 'It's early days': Jennifer Hawkins refuses to pass judgement on Donald Trump presidency while quizzed about friendship with former pageant owner Today host Karl Stefanovic quizzed Jennifer on whether she found it difficult to talk about Donald because of his new job title and her known association with him. 'Is it hard for you to talk about that?' Karl asked. 'I mean, given his job now and given what his job used to be, given his job now, do you find it difficult to talk about that?' 'I don't find it difficult,' Jennifer responded, 'but to be honest, like, I just find that I don't want to be the headline and I don't want people thinking that I'm constantly talking about it. 'I don't want to be a headline': Today host Karl Stefanovic quizzed Jennifer on whether she found it difficult to talk about Donald because of his new job title and her known association with him. 'So I kind of avoid it because I don't want to disrespect anything or anyone or any comment, because there is so much flying [around]. 'There is a headline here, a headline there, and I don't want to be a headline.' Lisa quizzed also quizzed Jennifer on Donald, asking: 'Do you think he looks comfortable sitting there in the White House?' 'I'm like everyone else sitting back and I'm watching': Lisa quizzed also quizzed Jennifer on Donald, asking: 'Do you think he looks comfortable sitting there in the White House?' 'It's early days,' Jennifer answered, 'I'm like everyone else sitting back and I'm watching- there is a a lot to watch absolutely.' The interview then took a funny turn when Karl quizzed Jennifer about his infamous head of hair. 'What does his hair look like close up?' He asked, to which Jennifer replied: 'Well it might be different now but it is just normal hair!' 'It is just normal hair!' The interview then took a funny turn when Karl quizzed Jennifer about his infamous head of hair Since the former Apprentice host's president campaign first kicked into gear, Jennifer has faced a steady stream of questions about Donald but has refused to be drawn on his political stances. The two have known each other since 2004, when the Aussie won the real estate mogul's Miss Universe pageant. She got to know him through a series of engagements during the 12 month Miss Universe contract that followed, living in a luxury New York City apartment in Trump Tower. Bombarded: Jennifer has faced a steady stream of questions about Donald but has refused to be drawn on his political stances The model, who married her longtime partner Jake Wall in 2013, also revealed to Karl and Lisa Wilkinson that she spent Valentine's Day solo due to work commitments. 'Well, I was in a hotel bed chilling out by myself - what happened? She replied jokingly. 'So you know, that is the way it goes when you're working but we are celebrating this weekend. So it's all good.' All by herself: The model, who married her longtime partner Jake Wall in 2013, also revealed to Karl and Lisa Wilkinson that she spent Valentine's Day solo due to work commitments Jennifer looked back on her long career, expressing shock that it had been 13 years since she was crowned Miss Universe. The blonde beauty told Today that she would tell her younger self to 'chill out a little bit more'. 'I think when you're comfortable and happy within yourself and your own life, you kind of step forward and make things happen and kind of take hold of your own life,' she said. 'Whereas I think when you're younger, you're more impressionable, I guess. But that's like everyone.' The Today show's interview with a suburban hero soon turned into somewhat of a match-making session. Host Karl Stefanovic was clearly impressed with Rhys Brown during his appearance on Thursday's show, even offering to find him a partner. Following the Brisbane tradie's interview, the 42-year-old host commented: 'Gee, imagine Reece chasing you. Phwoah!' 'What a nice guy': Host Lisa Wilkinson was apparently very impressed by the burly tradie (right) who appeared on the Today Show on Thursday His co-star Lisa Wilkinson was also apparently quite dazzled by the burly man, adding: 'There's a few of us who wouldn't mind.' Appearing on the breakfast TV program to recall the incident which saw him chase down an alleged car thief through the streets of Brisbane, Rhys was soon probed about his love life, after Karl called him a 'big unit'. 'Well done brother. It takes a lot of courage to do that and you helped the police out so it's all very good,' the TV presenter said. 'Do you have a partner at all? Would you like one?' The interview took a turn when Karl Stefanovic quizzed the Brisbane tradie about his love life and offered to match him up 'Find the tradie a wife, it's got a good ring to it!' Karl said, leaving Rhys Brown giggling awkwardly 'Do you have a partner at all? Would you like one?' he went on, leaving the tradie giggling awkwardly. Karl didn't stop there and continued to quiz Rhys on what type of woman he was 'looking for'. ' 'Find the tradie a wife, it's got a good ring to it!' the Logie winner said. 'There's a few of us who wouldn't mind': Lisa revealed she 'wouldn't mind' being chased down by Rhys after calling him a 'nice guy' 'What a nice guy,' Lisa gushed to her co-host after the chat. Rhys found national fame on Wednesday after video footage emerged of him and a friend chasing an alleged criminal in Woolloongabba. The 21-year-old man allegedly stole the car and drove through the city at high speeds, before eventually crashing into parked vehicles. Rhys, who was working on a construction site at the time, chased the man through the streets and detained him until police arrived. She's been showing off her slimmed-down figure since undergoing a dramatic weight loss. And Frankie Essex dressed to impress on Wednesday night as she headed out to Gilgamesh bar and restaurant in North London. The 28-year-old showed off her trim legs in a pair of tight leather trousers which she teamed with high heeled matching boots. Scroll down for video Hell for leather: Frankie Essex showed off her slimmer frame in some smoking hot leather trousers as she arrived in Gilgamesh in Camden on Wednesday night She teamed the trousers with a black T-shirt with ripped out sleeves and a snapshot of Marilyn Monroe on the front. The reality star wore her blonde hair in tousled loose curls teamed with red lipstick and a matching manicure. Heavy black eyeliner and mascara added to the look while she accessorised with layered beaded necklaces and a chunky watch. Gentlemen prefer blondes: Frankie sported a distinctive Marilyn Monroe T-shirt with ripped details on the shoulders Striking: Heavy black eyeliner and mascara added to the look while she accessorised with layered beaded necklaces and a chunky watch The TV personality recently celebrated the launch of second fitness DVD 20 Minute Trim at upmarket restaurant STK. The ITVBe star lost over two stone in seven months after her weight ballooned to 12st 8lbs when she turned to food in the wake of a painful love split. Speaking recently about her lowest point, Frankie told MailOnline: 'I've had a year and a half of being sad and depressed and not even wanting to leave the house at times.' Iconic: She sported a black T-shirt with ripped out sleeves and a snapshot of Marilyn Monroe TOWIE WOWIE: Frankie has been displaying her svelte figure ever since she underwent a dramatic weight loss last year The reality star previously blamed a bad boyfriend for 'the worst year of her life' in which she contemplated suicide. Joey and Frankie lost their mother to suicide during their teenage years and Frankie said she feared she might 'fall into the same whole'. She added: 'I want to show everyone that being sad is all in your head and you need to believe in yourself and that you can do it.' Her husband Oliver Curtis is currently serving a jail sentence for insider trading. And it seems that Roxy Jacenko may have just revealed her relationship status in an Instagram Story uploaded on Wednesday. The 36-year-old publicist, who lives with her two children Pixie and Hunter Curtis, referred to a minor wardrobe hiccup as one of many 'single girl issues.' Did she just call herself SINGLE? Roxy Jacenko describes struggle with a dress zipper as 'single girl issues' while husband Oliver Curtis is in jail via a recording posted to Instagram Stories on Thursday Standing by her man: The Sydney PR queen documents her visits to see husband Oliver Curtis in Cooma jail, where he is currently serving a jail sentence for insider trading The Sydney businesswoman's clip documented her failed attempt at trying on a fitted-floral Zimmermann frock in front of a full-length mirror. The late-night post is believed to have been posted when her two youngsters, Pixie, five, and Hunter, two, were asleep. Roxy noted that she was having 'single girl issues' while 'trying to get her zipper up' on her own. The $650 designer mini-dress hugged at her slender frame, with a flounced hem sitting above her knees to flaunt her trim pins. 'Single girl issues': Roxy documented her struggles in putting on the $650 designer Zimmermann mini-dress, which hugged at her slender frame and flaunted her trim pins 'Gave up in the end!' Showing off her unfortunate zipper incident, Roxy turned her back to the mirror to display the garment's striking cut outs and lace up detail left undone without having anyone to assist her Showing off her unfortunate zipper incident, Roxy turned her back to the mirror to display the garment's striking cut outs and lace up detail left undone. Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, the Sweaty Betty owner revealed she never managed to get the dress up solo, adding she: 'Gave up in the end!' 'Pix and Hunty help me with tricky zips these days - they were in bed so I was almost a contortionist trying to get it up solo!' she explained of the situation. Mummy's little helpers! Roxy told Daily Mail Australia that her two young children help her with tricky zips 'these days' 'I was almost a contortionist trying to get it up solo!': As Hunter is two and Pixie, five, she explained they were both in bed and unable to assist her with her late-night outfit trial The fashion maven often takes glamorous snaps in luxury ensembles with her iPhone in hand and is happy to share what's happening at work, home or out and about on multiple occasions each day. In the past Roxy had sent tongues wagging by choosing to not wear her engagement ring in public. Curtis is expected to be released from Cooma in June on good behaviour, after one year behind bars. Alessandra Ambrosio can look good anywhere, anytime. The 35-year-old made her way through a terminal at the Sao Paulo, Brazil airport before attending the Annual Vogue Gala this month. Despite potential jet-lag, the model was in great spirits where she flashed her lovely grin for the cameras. All smiles: Alessandra Ambrosio was at an airport in Sao Paulo, Brazil where she bared her grin for the cameras The Victoria's Secret gal donned a white shirt that bared part of her midriff. She added on a pair of jeans with rips in the knees as they exuded her slender legs. Finishing her look with a black and white jacket, Alessandra had headphones wrapped around her head upon her arrival. Dressy gal: The model donned a white shirt with ripped jeans and an animal print jacket as she walked outside the terminal Alessandra also had a pair of white sneakers on during her walk. She tied her hair back in a bun while letting her brunette bangs flow around her forehead. She had a low profile going on with a pair of sunglasses, but that didn't stop fans from recognizing her. She's there for the fans: The 35-year-old graciously accepted a young girl's request to take a photo with her Selfie! The Victoria's Secret star smiled with another fan who asked for a picture Places to be: The mother of two is heading to the Annual Vogue Gala this month Fresh face: The longtime partner of Jamie Mazur wore minimal makeup and tied her hair back Alessandra took a couple moments to stop and pose with fans who asked for pictures. The model graciously accepted and smiled for the cameras.And based on some of the reactions, everyone seemed pretty pleased to spot her. Meanwhile, CIROC Vodka just announced a global partnership with Alessandra. In celebration of the partnership, the brand has released an exclusive On Arrival Alessandra shot, captured by the undisputable king of fashion photography and CIROC global creative partner, Mario Testino. Talking to MailOnline following the news, Alessandra was asked what she most loves about herself. She said: 'I would prefer other people to answer this question but if I have to say I would pick my outgoing personality and that I love people. Is there nothing she can't do? CIROC Vodka just announced a global partnership with Alessandra who posed for this stunning shoot for the alcohol brand Iconic: The glamorous shoot was shot by acclaimed photographer Mario Testino 'I love to celebrate with my friends and that is exactly why I joined Cirocs new campaign as it is all about celebrating those special moments in life.' And talking about body confidence, she said: 'I am Brazilian and we spend a lot of time in our bikinis so I have always been comfortable with my body and posing in lingerie in front of the camera.' The stunner doesn't deprive herself of treats either. She said: 'I actually live a very healthy life and from time to time I have cocktails as well as sweets, but everything in moderation. I think it is important to eat healthy all year long but if I do decide to have more sweets than usual, I just exercise more frequently.' While she has enjoyed incredible success, Alessandra said there is one model she would happily trade places with. She said: 'I never really thought about this but I guess if I had to pick someone it would be Christy Turlington as she has an great career, is amazing mom and gives back to community. I am very inspired by her charity work.' She told MailOnline: 'I actually live a very healthy life and from time to time I have cocktails as well as sweets, but everything in moderation' She added: ' think it is important to eat healthy all year long but if I do decide to have more sweets than usual, I just exercise more frequently' As a mother of two kids- Anja, eight, and Noah, four- Alessandra has made some adjustments in her lifestyle particularly what she likes to wear. 'I think that my style is more practical right now,' she told Who What Wear last April. 'I like to mix and match some key pieces that are comfortable and look good, and finish the look with accessories and a great bag to make the outfit stand out more.' No regrets: Alessandra added: 'I think you learn from every experience and everything that I have done in my career has lead me where I am right now' The man himself: She poses with Mario in one of the artsy shots Wow thing: She showed off her incredible figure in her extreme plunging gown She also dished on what it's like having a daughter and the joy it's given her so far. 'Every day I learn something new from Anja, but her thoughtfulness is what I appreciate the most,' Alessandra said. 'This last Thanksgiving, she decided to compose a very precious email to friends and family and tell them how thankful she is to have them in her life.' She lives in one of the most picturesque and exclusive areas in California - Montecito. But even Oprah Winfrey, 63, was blown away by New Zealand's stunning views, while taking a break between filming scenes for the Disney movie A Wrinkle in Time. The media mogul, along with her costar Reese Witherspoon, took to Instagram on Thursday to share 'breathtaking' views with fans. Scroll down for video Wow: Oprah Winfrey and her A Wrinkle in Time costar Reese Witherspoon took to Instagram on Thursday to share 'breathtaking' views of New Zealand with fans Work mode: The pair are currently filming scenes for the Disney movie on the South Island 'Around every corner yet another breath taking view. #ilovenewzealand,' she captioned a mountainside snap of the South Island. Reese, 40, was equally as captivated with the actress posting her own snap of the scenic views. 'New Zealand , why are you so magical? #nofilter because nature,' she wrote. Captivated: 'Around every corner yet another breath taking view. #ilovenewzealand,' she captioned a mountainside snap of the South Island On Wednesday, the film's cast and crew were pictured hard at work on set in Otago. The Disney project, which has a budget of over US$100 million, is based on the fantasy novel by Madeleine L'Engle. Currently shooting at Hunter Valley Station near Lake Hawea, the production staff were treated to a traditional Maori welcome on Tuesday. Picture perfect! The cast includes Oprah (L), Reese (C) and Mindy Kaling (R) Director Ava DuVernay thanked the locals for their hospitality on Instagram beside a photo of the cast and crew. She wrote: 'Welcomed with a Powhiri. Blessed with a Karakia. United with a Haka. Grateful to the Maori people, Tangata Whenua, for receiving us so warmly. Thank you!' The plot centres around the daughter of a government scientist, who is sent on a mission to find her father by three mysterious women after his surprise disappearance. Warm welcome: Director Ava DuVernay thanked the locals for their hospitality on Instagram beside a shot of some of the cast and crew members The trio of supernatural beings, known as Mrs Whatsit, Mrs Who and Mrs Which, will be played by Reese, Mindy and Oprah respectively. Zach Galifianakis, Chris Pine and Australia's own Levi Miller are also among the film's cast. Last year, the director announced on Twitter that the film is scheduled for release in April 2018. She's regularly been stepping out in an increasingly revealing array of ensembles since finding fame on Big Brother back in 2008. And so it was no surprise that Lisa Appleton was flashing a great deal of flesh yet again as she headed out for a night on the town in Liverpool. The buxom brunette wore no bra underneath her sheer black lace bodysuit, with just a pair of black underpants protecting her modesty. Typically revealing: Lisa Appleton headed out for an evening in Liverpool sporting a racy sheer bodysuit and fishnet stockings A pair of fishnet stockings could barely keep out the cold as she strutted down the street in a pair of diamante silver shoes. Later, the model somewhat bizarrely donned a tiger mask, while striking a number of poses. Lisa's outrageous behaviour is also said to be the main reason behind her split from beau Paul in December. Eye of the tiger: Lisa acted unusually coy as she later donned a tiger mask Red alert! Lisa wore her brunette locks in loose curls, adding a slick of glossy scarlet lipstick Give us a wave Lisa! The star regularly steps out in audacious ensembles However, the star said her audaciousness is the result of 'coming out of severe depression.' She told The Sun: 'My behaviour has been over the top and Ive also had a blow out Ive ate and drunk too much. I feel like I have been let out of a cage.' 'I am just starting to live again. I know I have upset a lot of people by rolling around on the beach. 'Loads of people are saying I am having a mid life crises, or its embarrassing, Paul has said it is embarrassing, my daughter said it was embarrassing.' All that glitters: The reality star sported a pair of glittery silver heels with her fishnet stockings Over the top: The star said her audaciousness is the result of 'coming out of severe depression.' However, the mother-of-one - who refers to herself as the UK's answer to Kim Kardashian - revealed she hasn't had any problem attracting new men, particularly younger suitors. 'I've had a few toy boys, I attract them all in,' she said on Lizzie Cundy's Fubar Radio. 'I think they like the older, experienced woman who can put them in their place.' Lisa elaborated further, revealing that even if they're millionaires, older men are not for her. 'They wouldn't be able to keep up with me,' she declared. They're the most famous siblings on Australian TV, having been signed with Channel Nine for over a decade. But many would be surprised to discover that Karl and Peter Stefanovic have a younger brother named Tom, who also works at the network. Speaking about the youngest of the bunch, Peter's fiancee Sylvia Jeffreys told Nova 100 she believes Tom is 'the youngest and potentially the most handsome of the Stefanovic brothers.' Scroll down for video 'He's pretty hot too': Sylvia Jeffreys (right) admits she thinks her future brother-in-law Tom Stefanovic (left) is the best looking compared to her fiance Pete and Today host Karl Host Chrissie Swan was pleasantly surprised by the discovery and was curious to find out more about the mystery man. 'Tom Stefanovic. Where is he? What does he do?' the radio presenter asked. 'He's an almond farmer,' Sylvia revealed, before admitting: 'He's pretty hot too.' TV's most famous siblings? Today host Karl (left) and 60 Minutes reporter Peter (middle) may be the most well-known of their family, but their younger brother Tom (right) also works for Channel Nine Who's better looking? Despite being engaged to Peter, Today host Sylvia told Nova 100 she thinks Tom is 'the youngest and potentially the most handsome of the Stefanovic brothers' But the 30-year-old Today host had to apologise to Australia's single women as she revealed Tom is in fact married. 'But he's married, sorry. Apologies to the women of Australia he is married,' the journalist said. Tom, 32, tied the knot with his long-term love Jenna Dinicola in August 2015. Family business: Tom, 32, has worked for the same network as his brothers for several years as a camera man The pair's nuptials took place at the bride's family's gorgeous almond orchard in Griffith, New South Wales. Tom's older brothers Peter, 35, and Karl, 42, as well as Sylvia all attended the party along with 250 guests. Taking after his brothers, the aspiring almond farmer has also worked for Channel Nine for many years. Sorry, ladies: Sylvia explained that her handsome brother-in-law is 'married' and apologised to the women of Australia (pictured with his wife Jenna Dinicola) But he's perhaps less known as his duties involve working behind the camera in the news room. Meanwhile, Sylvia is set to marry Tom's brother Peter, after the pair became engaged during a romantic holiday to Europe last July. The couple met after hosting Weekend Today and confirmed their relationship in 2014, while Peter was working in Europe as Channel Nine's overseas correspondent. Close bunch: Sylvia admitted that Peter's close bond with his family, especially his brothers, is one of the traits she loves most about him (pictured with their mother Jenny Stefanovic) Keeping it in the family: Sylvia has worked with the famous siblings for several years, having all hosted Today together Sylvia has previously listed her partner's bond with his family, particularly his brothers, as one of the traits she loves. 'They're such fun guys. When they're in their natural habitat Karl's garage they're so fun,' Sylvia told News.com.au. 'They're so in love with each other,' the TV star added. Nick Cannon was 'shaken to his core' after his run in with NBC that lead to him quitting America's Got Talent. Sources told TMZ the host was devastated to learn the talent show was considering firing him because of a race gag he made in a comedy special. The 36-year-old announced on Monday that he would not be returning after being 'punished for a joke'. Rocked: Nick Cannon was 'shaken to his core' after his run in with NBC that lead to him quitting America's Got Talent Ironically his offending comments - made during his Showtime stand-up special - were about what he can and cannot say in his role as AGT host. 'I grew up like a real n****r. But I honestly believe, once I started doing Americas Got Talent, they took my real n****r card,' he joked. He also jibed that the acronym NBC stood for 'n*****s be careful.' However, in an apparent marketing oversight, Cannon is still featured on promotional materials for AGT's next season. It surfaced soon after it aired that the network was considering letting him go for 'breach of contract'. However, in an apparent marketing oversight, Cannon is still featured on promotional materials for AGT's next season 'Not returning': Sources told TMZ the host was devastated to learn the talent show was considering firing him because of a race gag he made in a comedy special But according to insiders, Cannon felt like he was being treated differently from other entertainers at NBC, such as Johnny Carson, Jay Leno, David Letterman and others who had openly thrashed the network and gotten away with it. He also pointed to the example of Tracey Morgan, who once joked he would stab his son if he came out as gay, and was defended by the network. Yet he made a few 'harmless comments about NBC' and he was threatened with termination. The source said Cannon found his treatment by NBC harder to deal with than his very serious medical problems, including Lupis. One source says it was emotionally harder on him than dealing with his very serious medical problems, including Lupus. Singled out: But according to insiders, Cannon felt like he was being treated differently from otherentertainers at NBC, such as Johnny Carson, Jay Leno, David Letterman and others who had openly thrashed the network and gotten away with it TMZ previously reported that the show's producers thought Nick, 36, had 'disparaged' them and AGT, and thereby was in 'breach of contract', by stating during his standup routine that NBC had forbidden him to use the n-word. When he discovered how NBC reacted, the ex-husband of Mariah Carey posted a detailed statement on his Facebook page Monday. 'I write this from a deeply saddened and dolorous mindset,' he wrote. 'After days of deliberating over some extremely disappointing news that I was being threatened by Executives because of a comedy special that was only intended to bring communities together, I was to be punished for a joke.' 'I find myself in a dark place having to make a decision that I wish I didn't have to, but as a man, an artist, and a voice for my community I will not be silenced, controlled or treated like a piece of property.' Nick has hosted AGT for eight seasons and production on the ninth season is slated to start next month. It seems unlikely that NBC will try to hold him to his contract or sue him if he doesn't agree to return. However, PageSix.com claimed Monday that network insiders denied that NBC threatened to fire Nick and had been trying to reach him about the situation but without success. The Playboy bunny is an iconic sex symbol, known through the ages. And Rhian Sugden nailed the legendary look as she slipped into the corset and bunny ears made famous by the magazine in the Sixties - instantly synonymous with scantily clad ladies. The 30-year-old glamour model took to Instagram on Wednesday to share a saucy Boomerang clip in which she wiggled her derriere while clad in the corset, bunny ears, cuffs and neck collar - making her the perfect bunny. Rhian looked incredible as slipped into the costume made famous by waitresses at the original Playboy Clubs, operating between 1960 and 1988. The women were chosen via auditions, after which they were trained and eventually chosen to wear the "bunny suit" inspired by the tuxedo-clad Playboy mascot. It seems if the blonde beauty was vying for a waitress role she would certainly scoop the job, as she rocked the sizzling corset which highlighted her bust and waist. Her blonde tresses were teased into a volumunious half-beehive, while she topped her locks with the white bunny ears with a pink centre. Wow! And Rhian Sugden nailed the legendary look as she slipped into the corset and bunny ears made famous by the magazine in the Sixties - instantly synonymous with scantily clad ladies Oh my! The 30-year-old glamour model took to Instagram on Wednesday to share a saucy Boomerang clip in which she wiggled her derriere while clad in the corset, bunny ears, cuff and neck collar - making her the perfect bunny She boosted her endless legs with the addition of staggering black heels, while she stood with her hands on her hips while twitching from side-to-side. Late last month, Rhian was certainly not afraid to show off her toned body once as she shared her second lingerie snap of the week to Instagram. The blonde beauty confidently uploaded a shot from a recent photo shoot for fans - which saw her display her ample bust and enviably flat stomach in an incredibly racy set of black lingerie. Way back when: Rhian looked incredible as slipped into the costume made famous by waitresses at the original Playboy Clubs, operating between 1960 and 1988 Woah mama! She boosted her endless legs with the addition of staggering black heels, while she stood with her hands on her hips while twitching from side to side The originals: The women were chosen via auditions, after which they were trained and eventually chosen to wear the "bunny suit" inspired by the tuxedo-clad Playboy mascot Facing the the mirror for the saucy selfie, the scantily-clad stunner displayed her impressively gym-honed figure in all its glory in the snap. Her black bra plunged daringly low at her chest to enhance to her famously plentiful cleavage - which she drew further attention to with a set of sexy straps across the round of her bust. Leaving her defined stomach and tiny waist on show, the blonde paired the bra with nothing but a semi-sheer lace thong and raunchy set of suspenders - which elongated her already leggy figure. Racy in lace: Rhian Sugden displayed her ample bust and enviably flat stomach as she shared her second lingerie snap of the week to Instagram Gym bunny: Rhian had flaunted her toned physique in another skimpy snap on Monday - proving her fitness resolutions for 2017 were already in full swing With her blonde bob styled into tousled waves and a heavy smoky eye, the Manchester native looked incredibly glamorous as she smouldered for the camera. Rhian had flaunted her toned physique in another recent skimpy snap - proving her fitness resolutions for 2017 were already in full swing as she posted the image after a gruelling workout. Posting again to her Instagram, the former glamour model showcased her enviable abs in a revealing pink bra and knickers ensemble. Flaunting her slender waist in the mirror selfie, she wore nothing but a pair of white Calvin Klein pants and a bright pink crop top. The outfit made the most of her lean pins and ample cleavage. '#GymBrag. I feel it's acceptable to gym brag when it's a new fitness regime and it took every ounce of effort in me just to get there! #slinkymalinki #gymw**ker', she captioned the snap. Just desserts: Rhian, 30,. went completely TOPLESS for a very sexy festive selfie as she covered her modesty with xmas pudding emojis on Twitter In December she shared a selfie of herself wearing nothing but silver briefs as she went completely topless. Rhian covered her modesty with two Christmas pudding emojis as she worked her magic in front of the lens. The pretty brunette, who is engaged to former Coronation Street actor Oliver Mellor no doubt delighted her 325k followers with her giggly snap. She captioned the image with the words: 'It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmaaaaaas.' Rhian and Oliver have recently returned from a saucy holiday to Amsterdam, where she was pictured enjoying a rude novelty lollipop. She also shared a beach babe in a daringly plunging swimsuit, posted last week. Taking the plunge: Rhian recently flaunted her ample assets once again in a sexy black one-piece in a sizzling Instagram snap The blonde beauty wore her golden hair in polished curls that effortlessly framed her features, which she highlighted with a sweep of bronzer and a nude lip. Fixing a sultry pout at the camera, Rhian flaunted every inch of her enviably trim physique in the sexy black one-piece. She captioned the shot: 'Dreaming of being in the sunshine somewhere in my @lacefromreyn swimsuit!' And Rhian was up to her old tricks again last week as illustrated in a sizzling video posted to her page The glamour model shed all inhibitions as she stripped off to just a pair of tiny red knickers while holding on to her chest. Oopsie! Rhian Sugden is naturally keen to show off her attributes, as illustrated in a sizzling video posted to social media Rhian, who boasts a whopping 185,000 followers on the photosharing site, ensures her social media feeds are littered with the sauciest snaps possible. Her latest sexy shot saw the blonde beauty slip down to just her knickers in the Boomerang video which she captioned: 'Wiggle Wiggle Wiggle ....' With her bold blonde tresses scraped into a high chignon with tendrils cascading around her face, she seemed to go make-up free. She pulled a cheeky face into the camera as she poked out her tongue while heightening her shoulders and pouting away. Blue babe: Rhian, who boasts a whopping 185,000 followers on the photosharing site, ensures her social media feeds are littered with the sauciest snaps possible Coordinating her knickers to her vampish crimson manicure, it seems Rhian had her sexy clip all planned out ahead of shooting the video in a mirror. Rhian's post comes after she was embroiled in a second sexting scandal with married DJ and TV presenter Vernon. Speaking about their relationship, Rhian claimed the pair had got back in touch in December, after a break of six years, which felt like an 'old friendship coming back'. Shocking stuff: Rhian's sexy video comes after she was embroiled in a second sexting scandal with married DJ and TV presenter Vernon Back in 2010, Vernon was forced to make a public apology to his wife Tess Daly on Radio 1 and subsequently promised he would no longer contact Rhian or four other women he had been caught messaging at the time. But earlier this year, the busty blonde revealed she was still speaking with the star, and even claimed he had asked her to meet up. Vernon claimed at the time of the allegations that the Whatsapp messages he sent to Rhian asking to meet had been taken out of context, that he had done 'nothing wrong' and that his wife was completely aware of all contact. Sorry: Back in 2010, Vernon was forced to make a public apology to his wife Tess Daly on Radio 1 and subsequently promised he would no longer contact Rhian or four other women he had been caught messaging at the time He's the self-proclaimed 'seafood king,' whose wife touts him as a 'master' at cooking fish. So it's no surprise that My Kitchen Rules couple Josh and Amy were slammed on Twitter this week, after failing to whip up a simple meal of fish and chips. Broome-based deckhand Josh, 25, admitted he had cooked the 'worst' dish during Wednesday night's episode and fans wasted no time calling him and Amy out for being 'arrogant' across social media. Questionable cooking skills: My Kitchen Rules couple Josh and Amy were slammed on Twitter this week, after failing to whip up a simple meal of fish and chips 'Josh & Amy seem to have forgotten this is a cooking competition not pub food competition...josh is such an arrogant flog #mkr,' one viewer tweed. 'Watching josh talk to Amy is almost as bad as his fish cooking abilities. Wat (sic) an a**hole,' another tweet read. 'Josh and Amy have a lot to live up to, don't talk the talk if you can't walk the walk.' Unimpressed: Viewers wasted no time slamming the pair on Twitter Critical: Their cooking skills weren't the only thing that was called into questions, with one viewer weighing in on their relationship dynamic Cocky? Josh and Amy boastful attitudes did not sit well with viewers after their meals garnered low scores Didn't go down well: At their instant restaurant, Josh and Amy prepared an entree of chorizo stuffed squid, a main of beer battered barramundi with shoestring fries and tartar sauce, and a dessert of cape brandy pudding At their instant restaurant, Josh and Amy prepared an entree of chorizo stuffed squid, a main of beer battered barramundi with shoestring fries and tartar sauce, and a dessert of cape brandy pudding. Fellow contestant Alyse fell ill immediately after eating their food and was seen rushing to the bathroom to vomit. Josh and Amy scored a measly 43 points out of 110, prompting them both to get visibly upset. Sick: Fellow contestant Alyse fell ill immediately after eating their food and was seen rushing to the bathroom to vomit Better luck next time? Pete Evans was very critical of Josh and Amy's entree during their instant restaurant on Wednesday's episode 'That's the worst cooking I've ever done in my life, and that's being honest,' said Josh. Judge Pete Evans did not hold back in his blunt criticism of the entree. 'The sauce guys, the sauce is not worthy of this competition sorry, it's lacking in flavour and tastes like tin diced tomatoes,' he said. Interesting: For their instant restaurant, the pair prepared an entree of chorizo stuffed squid Judge Manu said the fish and chip sauce couldn't even be called a 'tartare sauce' and Pete also complained that their chips were soggy. However, Pete commended how their squid was cooked, saying they've 'delivered on the seafood front.' 'I think the squid was well executed, quite tender, so full ticks for that.' Tough competition: The pressure was on for self-proclaimed 'Seafood King' Josh and his wife Amy to deliver after their criticisms of the other teams Pete explained he wanted the squid to have been caramelised and the chorizo 'more prominent.' Judge Manu Feildel agreed, and said a sauce of garlic, olive oil and fresh herbs, would have worked 'beautifully.' Josh later told the camera that he wasn't feeling discouraged. Unimpressed: Judge Manu Feildel agreed with fellow judge Pete's criticism of their tartare sauce 'I'm not shaken at all by Pete and Manu's comments, there is no reason at all that we can't bring out an amazing main,' he said. The entree was served over TWO HOURS after the guests arrived, despite Amy and Josh's preparation work in the kitchen earlier. She's the blonde model rumoured to be dating controversial TV personality Karl Stefanovic, 42. And LA-based Jasmine Yarbrough, 33, was spotted in Karl's home-city of Sydney as she visited a Darling Harbour cafe with her sister Jade on Thursday. Jasmine put on a stylish display in a leather jacket worn as a cape, a grey top, black skinny jeans and brogue shoes. Visiting someone special Down Under? Karl Stefanovic's rumoured LA-based girlfriend Jasmine Yarbrough, 33, (left) was spotted in Karl's home-city of Sydney as she visited a Darling Harbour cafe with her sister Jade on Thursday Cutting a low-key figure the LA-based shoe designer shielded her face from onlookers with a pair of round-framed sunglasses while swathing her decolletage with an over-sized scarf. The trendy pair also carried a healthy green juice during the casual outing. At one stage, Jasmine was spotted chatting on her mobile phone as she sat in the booth of a bustling CBD cafe. New flame? Karl is rumoured to be dating Jasmine following his split from wife Cassandra Thorburn Chic: Jasmine put on a stylish display in a leather jacket worn as a cape, a grey top, black skinny jeans and brogue shoes Low-key: Cutting a low-key figure the LA-based shoe designer shielded her face from onlookers with a pair of round-framed sunglasses while swathing her decolletage with an over-sized scarf What else? The trendy pair also carried a healthy green juice during the casual outing Despite the indoor setting, she made sure to keep her face hidden behind shady frames. Karl is currently in Sydney as he films daily episodes of Nine Network's breakfast program, Today. According to Woman's Day magazine, Jasmine and Karl have been seeing each other since before Christmas, after meeting at a boat party in Sydney in December. Who's on the phone, Jasmine? At one stage, Jasmine was spotted chatting on her mobile phone as she sat in the booth of a bustling CBD cafe Letting the cat out of the bag? And now, the duo are preparing to 'go public' according to one of Karl's friends, who has told the publication they don't want to hide their relationship And now, the duo are preparing to 'go public' according to one of Karl's friends, who has told the publication: 'Karl and Jasmine don't want to hide because they aren't ashamed of being together'. The leggy beauty is said to have been invited by the TV star to his brother Peter Stefanovic's April wedding to co-star Sylvia Jeffreys, giving her a chance to meet the family. It's also alleged Karl may introduce Jasmine to his three children - Jackson, 17, Ava, 11, and River, 10 - when she visits in April, which is also when they will step out together for their first public appearance at the Logie Awards that month. Fashion pack: The designer counts Australian models Ashley Hart and Montana Cox among her friends over in the States Romance? It's understood Karl visited the LA-based shoe designer while in the US on his two-month holiday across December and January 'They're hoping that once they declare they're a couple, public interest will die down,' the friend claims. The designer counts Australian models Ashley Hart and Montana Cox among her friends over in the States. It's understood Karl visited the LA-based shoe designer while in the US on his two-month holiday across December and January. The magazine claims the pair travelled separately to restaurants. Representatives from the Nine Network declined Daily Mail Australia's request for comment. Jasmine has also been contacted for comment. Secret rendezvous? The magazine claims the pair travelled separately to restaurants She is something of a live TV icon. So Holly Willoughby knows better than anybody that live television is prone to mishaps, which was all too clear in a throwback clip from her days as a frontwoman on Ministry Of Mayhem in the early Noughties. The This Morning presenter, 35, was captured in an archive video larking around in the studio, shortly before her slinky top caused a major wardrobe malfunction - when she flashed her assets - an incident she later admitted was horrifying. Holly has had a vast career in both modelling and television, with the Ministry Of Mayhem, later restyled as Holly & Stephen's Saturday Showdown, being one of first forays into kids' programming. Joined by her co-host Stephen Mulhern, she is seen interviewing Duncan James and the rest of the boys from Blue before they embark on a skit in which they all lark around playfully. Holly was sporting a mint green, empire line top in a loose chiffon material, under which she appeared to go braless, while she paired the look with jeans. As she jumped up to dance around with her cohorts, it seemed the stunning star ran into some trouble as she desperately grappled with her top, in moments which seemed to capture Ducan's attention, as he playfully stopped and stared. Oops! Holly Willoughby knows better than anybody that live television is prone to mishaps, which was all too clear in a throwback clip from her days as a frontwoman on Ministry Of Mayhem in the early Noughties Agh! The This Morning presenter, 35, was captured in an archive video larking around in the studio, shortly before her slinky top caused a major wardrobe malfunction - when she flashed her assets - an incident she later admitted was horrifying Perils of live TV! Holly has had a vast career in both modelling and television, with the Ministry Of Mayhem, later restyled as Holly & Stephen's Saturday Showdown, being one of first forays into kids' programming Back in 2012, Holly discussed the incident in a chat with the Mirror, when she admitted the lessons she learnt from the mishap. She said: 'That was probably my most embarrassing moment on TV. But I learnt a very valuable lesson, which was to always wear a sturdy bra. There could be an earthquake and I'd be the only person still in their dress!' Holly's most recent throwback incident comes just weeks after her sexy past caught up with her, when an advert for lingerie giant Pretty Polly surfaced, showing the TV presenter, then 18, sizzling into the camera while branding herself a 'sex Goddess'. The blonde beauty looked stunning in the advert as she grappled with her ample cleavage while joining a bevy of lingerie clad models in speaking through the technology of bras. That was then... Back in 2012, Holly discussed the incident in a chat with the Mirror, when she admitted the lessons she learnt from the mishap Oops! Duncan was quick to point out Holly's mistakes A sturdy bra! She said: 'That was probably my most embarrassing moment on TV. But I learnt a very valuable lesson, which was to always wear a sturdy bra. There could be an earthquake and I'd be the only person still in their dress!' Holly was first spotted by talent scouts in 1995, at the tender age of 14, when she was at The Clothes Show Live and was later signed to Storm Model Management. After enjoying a number of gigs in teen magazines, including Just Seventeen, More! and Mizz, she later scooped her big contract with Pretty Polly, where she stripped down to lingerie for a number of sexy campaigns. In the 1998 advert, the set is made to look like a science experiment with a nervous professor seen saying: 'Everything you've always wanted to know about... bbbb but we're afraid to ask. This is the story of how your bras began. We begin the test in five seconds... three... two... one.' The scene then shoots to Holly is a stunning pink balcony bra, where she is seen exclaiming: 'I'm a sex goddess!' before grabbing her cleavage and saying: 'Don't squeeze them! Lift them!' Stunner: After enjoying a number of gigs in teen magazines, including Just Seventeen, More! and Mizz, she later scooped her big contract with Pretty Polly, where she stripped down to lingerie for a number of sexy campaigns Hold on! Holly was first spotted by talent scouts in 1995, at the tender age of 14, when she was at The Clothes Show Live and was later signed to Storm Model Management Having become a beloved face of daytime TV, it would be very easy for fans to forget Holly's lingerie-clad past, yet she has always been candid about her career roots. In a 2012 interview with MailOnline, when asked about a return to her bra-baring ways of days gone by, she admitted it was not out of the question: 'When I started, I did a lot of lingerie work but it was for Pretty Polly, which is a very safe brand... 'Its been less than a year since I had my second baby so I would need some time to get in shape, but I would consider it. Having the time to do all these things is the real problem.' Despite her stratospheric TV career, she has always been candid about her start, as she previously explained: 'Suddenly, I went from reading teen magazines like Just 17, Mizz and More to being on their covers! Way back when: In a 2012 interview with MailOnline, when asked about a return to her bra-baring ways of days gone by, she admitted it was not out of the question: 'When I started, I did a lot of lingerie work but it was for Pretty Polly, which is a very safe brand...' 'I landed a lot of magazine work initially and it was all a bit surreal to me. Luckily, I didnt get any catty comments or sniping from my friends. Id been at the same school since I was five, so we were all very close. 'I modelled for five years, and got a good insight into how the media worked, and at that age it was simply a fun job. knew it wouldnt last for ever but it helped raise my profile and brought me to the attention of a casting director for CITV... 'I appreciate it was down to luck that it happened modelling is a hard field to break into these days and Im grateful I never saw the dark side of the industry. It opened a lot of doors for me that I never thought were possible.' He's preparing to become a father in just a few short months. And like any first-time parent, George Clooney is understandably anxious - and doubly so, as he and wife Amal Clooney are expecting not one newborn, but two. According to People, the 55-year-old actor is 'excited but nervous' as he gears up to welcome both a bouncing baby boy and girl with his 39-year-old wife. Anxious: Like any first-time parent, George Clooney, 55, is understandably nervous - and doubly so, as he and wife Amal Clooney are expecting not one newborn, but two 'He is excited about the kids, but also has the normal amount of nerves that come with being parents,' says the source. 'When George and Amal found out it was twins, they were surprised,' another source said in January, 'but also a little scared because they both had said that one was enough. 'But the news that it was a boy and a girl made them both really happy ... they can't believe in just a few months, they're going to have two babies.' The Oscar winner doesn't have much to worry about - his better half has got them covered. Don't worry about a thing! The Oscar winner doesn't have much to worry about - his better half has got them covered. They are pictured above in January Us Weekly reported that the human rights lawyer has done most of the preparation and already selected a London hospital where she will give birth this summer, with a backup selected in New York City in case they will be traveling. She has also designated a bedroom in their newly renovated, $12million 17th century manor just outside of London to be a nursery for the twins. Another insider prophesied that the human-rights lawyer will make a great mom. Great partner: Another insider prophesized that the human-rights lawyer will make a great mom, as she is 'loving, funny, smart,' and 'nurturing.' Pictured in February 2016 '(Amal) strikes me as someone who'll be a fantastic mother: intelligent, loving, funny, smart, nurturing. She doesn't seem like someone who will let kids get away with being Hollywood children.' On Thursday, The Talk's Julie Chen confirmed the couple's double joy after confirming the news with the actor. The couple, who married in 2014, will welcome their two bundles of joy in June. He's never been shy to reveal extremely intimate details about his sex-life with girlfriend Imogen Anthony. And Kyle Sandilands, 45, didn't hold back discussing his laissez fair attitude to birth control this week, claiming that he simply 'pulls out' during sex. Speaking to KIIS FM co-host Jackie 'O' Henderson at the end of their breakfast show on Thursday, the shock jock explained that Imogen isn't on birth control pills, saying: 'I've got to make sure I finish correctly.' 'I don't care, if a baby comes it comes': And Kyle Sandilands, 45, didn't hold back discussing his laissez fair attitude to birth control this week, claiming that he simply 'pulls out' during sex He admitted that he often tries to see if he can get 'one more' in before climaxing. 'Oh jeez playing with fire there,' remarked a shocked Jackie. What's the worst that can happen?' he simply responded, adding: 'I don't care, if a baby comes it comes.' Thanks for sharing! Speaking to KIIS FM co-host Jackie 'O' Henderson at the end of their breakfast show on Thursday, the shock jock explained that Imogen isn't on birth control pills, saying: 'I've got to make sure I finish correctly' Earlier this year, Kyle admitted live on air that he regrets not being able to give his late father Peter grandchildren. 'I was thinking in the shower this morning...I was regretting not being able to give him a grandchild,' the radio host said. Back in 2014, Kyle confessed live on air that an ex-partner suffered a miscarriage several years ago, losing what would have been his first child. Heartbreak: Back in 2014, Kyle confessed live on air that an ex-partner suffered a miscarriage several years ago, losing what would have been his first child He has since moved on with his new girlfriend Imogen, who has previously made no secret that Kyle is keen to start a family. 'He's clucky, trust me he's clucky', she told Daily Mail Australia in 2014, adding that Kyle had become increasingly adamant about having children over the past couple of years. '[Having children] on the cards, we're not that kind of couple to jinx everything and move into everything really fast,' she said, revealing the pair have the same attitude to marriage. 'We're not in any rush' she said. Clucky! He has since moved on with his new girlfriend Imogen, who has previously made no secret that Kyle is keen to start a family Talk about a quick change. Coco Rocha certainly dressed to impress on Wednesday, managing to rock two high fashion looks within just few minutes of each other. The 28-year-old attended both the Anna Sui and Marchesa shows at New York Fashion Week despite the latter scheduled to start as the first finished. Back-to-back: Coco Rocha certainly dressed to impress on Wednesday, managing to rock two high fashion looks within just few minutes of each other, first at the Anna Sui show (left) and then the Marchesa Show (right) in New York No doubt her years of being a model helped her be able to make world's fastest change. The mom of one - Ioni, 23 months - headed to the Anna Sui show in a matching ensemble from the label. The catwalk star wore a cropped short sleeve top with a matching knit skirt. The blue two piece featured a red pattern with birds in it and had red and white bands on the hems. Round one: The mom of one - Ioni, 23 months - headed to the Anna Sui show in a matching ensemble from the label The cropped combo showcased Coco's incredibly toned abs and also gave a little peek at her gorgeous legs thanks to an above the knee split. The 28-year-old wore the look with a pair of silver lace-up shoes. The blonde did not add any other accessories to the outfit which no doubt helped when it came to changing her outfit quickly. Top of the crops: The blue two piece featured a red pattern with birds in it and had red and white bands on the hems Date night: The 28-year-old attended the show with her husband James Conran Fortunately, the model had rented a hotel room at the nearby The Marmara Park Avenue. Coca took to Instagram to reveal while attending the Anna Sui show was so important. She said on a snap of herself in the matching ensemble: '[Anna] was one of the first designers to ever have me walk a runway, always a good show!' Striking layers: This year saw a who is who - including Kendall Jenner - head down the runway in the Elsa Schiaparelli and lavish Italian interior design-inspired collection that was both romantic and Gothic Stylish siblings: Gigi Hadid and her sister Bella both strutted their stuff on the catwalk. This year saw a who is who head down the runway in the Elsa Schiaparelli and lavish Italian interior design-inspired collection that was both romantic and Gothic. Kendall Jenner, Gigi Hadid and her sister Bella all strutted their stuff on the catwalk. As that show wrapped, Coca dashed back to her hotel to grab a stunning cocktail dress for the Marchesa show. Round two: Coca dashed back to her hotel to grab a stunning cocktail dress for Marchesa Devil's in the details: Coco - who sat with Petra Nemcova - dress had gold embroidered flowers and ostrich feathers Dramatic: Coco added a black tuxedo-inspired cape which draped over her shoulders as she sat front row The star was dressed in a black embroidered knee length dress with ostrich feathers on the neckline and hem. The figure fitting gown had gold embroidered flowers accentuating her body's curves. Coco added a black tuxedo-inspired cape which draped over her shoulders as she sat front row. Added extras: The model further accessorized her look with a pair of cages booties Blonde ambition: The 28-year-old wore her platinum bob styled to one side with her hair partially covering her face The model further accessorized her look with a pair of cages booties. Coco sat with Petra Nemcova and watched a stunning display of the ballgowns the label is known for. No doubt, the same dresses will be seen sashaying down the red carpet at next week's Oscars. The collection drew inspiration from Imperial China and its 'exquisite attention to detail'. Red carpet ready: Coco s watched a stunning display of the ballgowns the label is known for Red hot: The new fall collection drew inspiration from Imperial China and its 'exquisite attention to detail' Thirds time's a charm: Coco's looks were actually her third of the day, as the model did another look for her Instagram earlier in the day But wait, there's more: And she was right. the model was later spotted at the Marc Jacobs Beauty event in another outfit Black on black: The star and her husband wore all-black ensembles to the event Coco's looks were actually her third of the day, as the model did another look for her Instagram earlier in the day. Speaking about her quick changes, the model said she expected to do more through the night. She wrote: 'Third (but not final) outfit of the day for the @marchesafashion show! Fashion week is the only time it's "normal" to change your clothes every 2 hours. Or is it?' And she was right, the model was later spotted at the Marc Jacobs Beauty event in another outfit. She's been modeling since she was 12 years old. And Brooke Shields showed she can still rock a red carpet on Wednesday night while she attended the Off-Broadway Opening Night performance of 'Man From Nebraska' at the Second Stage Theater in New York City. The 51-year-old actor looked ravishing in a white blouse cinched at the waist with a thick black belt. Still stunning! Brooke Shields showed she can still rock a red carpet on Wednesday night while she attended the Off-Broadway Opening Night performance of 'Man From Nebraska' at the Second Stage Theater in New York City She paired the classy top with dark slacks and strappy high heels. Her gorgeous long brunette locks took center stage with the beauty wearing them long and luscious around her shoulders. She wore her makeup light, showing off her natural beauty with a bit of makeup around her eyes and a neutral gloss on her lips. The mom of two finished off her look with gold bangles around her wrists and tiny stud earrings. Luscious locks: The 51-year-old actor looked ravishing in a white blouse cinched at the waist with a thick black belt as her long chestnut hair flowed down around her shoulders Naturally gorgeous: She appears to have aged naturally with tiny lines showing her wisdom, but clearly hasn't done a lot of work to her gorgeous features She appears to have aged naturally with tiny lines showing her wisdom, but clearly hasn't done a lot of work to her gorgeous features. The former model recently started a new career as a radio show host on Sirius XM's female-focused Stars channel. The 51-year-old Hollywood heavyweight took to Instagram to urge her 222k followers to tune in to listen to her first-ever radio show live called Brooke Shields Now. The brunette beauty had three guests for her first show: Andy Cohen, Wanda Sykes (who phoned in) and makeup mogul Bobbi Brown. Career change: The former model recently started a new career as a radio show host on Sirius XM's female-focused Stars channel Supportive friend: Andy Cohen was among her first guest on the show, with Bobbi Brown and Wanda Sykes also stopping by The broadcasting company announced on Thursday that Shields would be hosting a weekly one-hour show. The series will focus on Brooke's life as a businesswoman, wife and mother and will include conversations with various experts about parenting, fashion, the arts and other subjects. She will also host a mix of celebrity guests and take calls from listeners. 'Ive always been a believer in having honest, frank conversations the kind so many women crave,' the Suddenly Susan star said.' At SiriusXM, Ive found the perfect place for that, and look forward to sharing the conversations with my friends, special guests, and listeners nationwide.' The series will initially run for six weeks, with an option to extend it if it takes off. They're both radio hosts, who are known for bringing the laughs on-air. But the wives of Michael 'Wippa' Wipfli and Hamish Blake failed to see the funny side of their holiday antics last year. During an interview with Channel Seven's The Morning Show on Thursday, Nova's Wippa jokingly recalled how he and Hamish 'almost ended up single' after a trip to the Blue Mountains. Joking: Michael 'Wippa' Wipfli recalled how he and fellow radio host Hamish Blake 'almost ended up single' after a trip to the Blue Mountains last year 'We almost ended up single after that holiday,' he said. Just days before Christmas, Wippa and his wife Lisa enjoyed a family trip to the Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley , where Hamish and wife Zoe were celebrating their fourth wedding anniversary. 'We were there first,' Wippa said in response to claims that he and Lisa 'crashed' Hamish and Zoe's getaway. Bromance: Both Wippa, 37, and Hamish, 34, appeared inseparable during the holiday. At one point, the men were seen sporting identical clothing and matching multicoloured hats that featured neck flaps - which Lisa called 'creepy' Bonding time: They were pictured bonding with their respective two-year-old sons Ted and Sonny Both Wippa, 37, and Hamish, 34, appeared inseparable during the holiday and were pictured bonding with their respective two-year-old sons Ted and Sonny. At one point, the men were seen sporting identical clothing and matching multicoloured hats that featured neck flaps - which Lisa called 'creepy.' 'Everything about this video is creepy and weird,' she captioned an Instagram video. Crashers: Hamish and Zoe celebrated their fourth wedding at the Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley - the same place they got married in 2012. Wippa and Lisa can be seen in the background Zoe shared similar sentiments, writing: 'juuust enough' alongside a snap of the radio stars The Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley is the same place where Hamish and Zoe got married in 2012. One snap showed the couple, who are expecting their second child, cuddled up while being photobombed by Wippa and Lisa. Wippa appeared on The Morning Show to chat about his recent school visits with radio co-host Ryan 'Fitzy' Fitzgerald - the duo have been reading Roald Dahl to primary school kids. She's one of the most in-demand models in the world. And Shanina Shaik's supermodel status saw her visit Morocco for a Harper's Bazaar Arabia photoshoot this week. While in Morocco, the 25-year-old beauty took time to soak in the local culture by visiting a souk to smok hookah. Scroll down for video Breathing in Morocco! Shanina Shaik smokes hookah and visits souk during an exotic high fashion shoot in Marrakesh In one photo shared to Instagram on Thursday, Shanina wears a leopard-print blouse and her hair in an elegant bun. Exhaling smoke, the model poses with other women on a couch while holding a hookah pipe. 'I can't wait for everyone to see the Magic & the beautiful pictures that were created for the @harpersbazaararabia 10 years celebration issue,' Shanina captions the photo. Thinking about someone? Another photo posted to Instagram that day shows the model appearing to take a coffee break between photo takes Lit up: A photo posted to Instagram on Wednesday also offers another sneak peek into the exotic fashion shoo She adds: 'Had the best time shooting with you and smoking hookah lol in #marrakech.' Another photo posted to Instagram that day shows the model appearing to take a coffee break between photo takes. Sporting dramatic cat eye and eyebrow makeup, Shanina rests her chin in the palm of one hand while gazing into the distance. In demand: The model was in Morocco shooting for Harpers Bazaar Arabia's 10 year anniversary edition The Australian model wears a long sleeved black top layered with a striped navy T-shirt. 'Coffee break in the Souk,' she captions the photo, also adding the hashtags 'marrakech' and 'harpersbazaararabia'. A photo posted to Instagram on Wednesday also offers another sneak peek into the exotic fashion shoot. Beauty: Born in Australia, Shanina is of Pakistani, Saudi Arabian and Lithuanian descent Wearing the same outfit seen in her hookah-smoking post, Shanina stands before a decorated tiled hall. 'Date night in Marrakech with @harpersbazaararabia crew,' Shanina captioned the photo. Satly for Shanina, her overseas schedule meant that she was apart from her fiance DJ Ruckus on Valentine's Day. These stylish besties cemented their status as the world's most in-demand clothes horses as they took to the runway three times in one day. Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid joined Taylor Hill on the Ralph Lauren runway in New York on Wednesday night. The presentation was Bella and Kendall's third New York Fashion Week show in a row. Scroll down for video In-demand: Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid joined Taylor Hill on the Ralph Lauren runway in New York on Wednesday night The trio were joined by a host of models at the Upper East Side Ralph Lauren flagship store. The beauties strutted their stuff over two levels of the boutique with thousands of white orchards providing the background. With the smell of the flowers filling the air, guests including Jessica Biel and Emmy Rossum, sipped on butler-delivered champagne as they saw looks sent down the runway. Unlike most shows during fashion week, the looks were from a collection that will be made available to consumers immediately. Safari chic: Kendall: wore a pair of off-white high waisted tailored pants with a shirt which was left unbuttoned down to the pants' waist line Wild thing: A giant gold disc necklace hung across her decolletage and a pastel jacket was added to the look The man himself: Unlike most shows during fashion week, Ralph Lauren sent looks down the runway that were from a collection that will be made available to consumers immediately The fact that the looks were ready-to-wear meant far less dramatic than usual outfits headed down the catwalk. Nevertheless, Kendall looked chic and stylish in a relaxed but chic ensemble. The 21-year-old wore a pair of off-white high waisted tailored pants with a shirt which was left unbuttoned down to the pants' waist line. Beauty undercover: Bella meanwhile strutted out in a figure-hiding silk dress Going with the flow: The orange flowing gown featured an asymmetrical hemline and dramatic sleeves that floated behind her as she walked A giant gold disc necklace hung across her decolletage and a pastel jacket was added to the look. Changing things up, the star carried a giant leopard print tote which matched her platform heels. Bella meanwhile strutted out in a figure-hiding silk dress. Get your motor running: was dressed in a leather romper with padded shoulders over which she slung a leopard print backpack The orange flowing gown featured an asymmetrical hemline and dramatic sleeves that floated behind her as she walked. The 20-year-old wore the same leopard print pattern heels. Taylor wore python versions of the platforms which matched with her belt. Theme dressing: Most of the models wore loose silhouettes with pops of metallics and an occasion black in a collection of largely pastel ensembles. The 20-year-old was dressed in a leather romper with padded shoulders over which she slung a leopard print backpack. Most of the models wore loose silhouettes with pops of metallics and an occasion black in a collection of largely pastel ensembles. The collection had a very safari chic meets city feel. Summer ready: Emmy Rossum arrived in a sweet above-the-knee dress. that featured cut-out embroidery on the hem and sleeves Just a hint: The actress added a pop of color by toting a red clutch The celebrity guests went in another direction, sans for Emmy who arrived in a sweet above-the-knee dress. The three-quarter sleeve frock featured cut-out embroidery on the hem and sleeves. The actress added a pop of color by toting a red clutch. Style in black and white: Jessica wore a black lace dress which flowed over her knees Get shirty: The actress wore the dress over a white shirt and added a gold buckled belt Jessica meanwhile wore a black lace dress over the top of a white shirt. The star then added a gold emblem belt, black pumps and a matching clutch. The women were joined front row by Bella Heathcoat, Camilla Belle and Deepika Padukone. Deepika wore a full length white fringed gown which was ready to be taken for a twirl. Spotted: Bella Heathcote wore a black and white spot mini dress with a keyhole cutout Style stars: The women were joined front row by Camilla Belle and Deepika Padukone White hot: Deepika wore a white fringed gown which was ready to be taken for a twirl Bella wore a black and white spot mini dress with a keyhole cutout on the bust. The 29-year-old's hair was haphazardly gelled back from her head with lots of volume. Camilla slicked back her hair too but do so in with a sleek sideways part whereby not a hair on her head was out of line. Ralph Lauren himself walked out to close the show to cheers of the guests. She's the Australian actress living the dream in Hollywood. But Bella Heathcote revealed her latest role in Fifty Shades Darker made her doubt herself - and it wasn't because of the racy scenes. The 30-year-old told InStyle Australia she was aware of fans' high expectations for her character, Christian Grey's ex-lover. Scroll down for video 'I was nervous, to be honest, about the fans': Bella Heathcote was worried about the public reaction to her role as Christian Grey's ex-lover in Fifty Shades Darker Bella admits she found herself relating to the character of Leila Williams, a former submissive partner of Christian. In the storyline, Leila cannot accept their relationship has ended and suffers a nervous breakdown. Bella said: 'I kind of related to the idea of someone who is grief-stricken, but hopefully I handle grief slightly better than she does - and break-ups in general!' 'I kind of related to the idea of someone who is grief-stricken': The 30-year-old related to her character Leila Williams, a former submissive lover of Christian Grey The Dark Shadows actress also explained she was nervous about playing the role, but not because of the explicit content. Instead, Bella worried about disappointing the Fifty Shades fan base, saying: 'I was nervous, to be honest, about the fans. 'I was worried that I'd disappoint them, or not live up to the idea that they had in their minds of who she should be.' 'I was worried that I'd disappoint them': Bella, who hails from Melbourne, confessed she was worried about disappointing the Fifty Shades book series fans She also spoke about her relationship with boyfriend-of-six-years Andrew Dominik, who is 19 years her senior. Bella revealed she would like to one day collaborate on a film together with the New Zealand writer-director. The Melbourne native began her career on Neighbours in 2008, before moving to the US courtesy of the Heath Ledger scholarship. She's kept a low profile since giving birth to her second son last October. And it seems Lara Worthington (nee Bingle) is keeping busy as she adjusts to life as a working mother-of-two. The 29-year-old model was seen doting over little Rocket Zot and her precious newborn as she flew out of New York on Wednesday. Scroll down for video Model mother! Lara Worthington (nee Bingle) was seen doting over son Rocket Zot and her precious newborn as she flew out of New York on Wednesday Lara dressed down for the occasion in a lightwash denim jacket and black leggings that highlighted her slim legs. She tied a shirt around her waist as a low-key accessory, and finished off her casual look with a pair of sneakers and dark sunglasses. Appearing to go make-up free, the beauty entrepreneur styled her blonde hair in her sleek signature bob. Baby on board! The beauty entrepreneur dressed down for the occasion in a lightwash denim jacket, carrying her newborn son underneath in a baby carrier Effortlessly stylish: Black leggings highlighted Lara's lean legs, while a plaid button-up shirt and casual sneakers finished off the look Lara, who was joined by mother Sharon Bingle, kept her her newborn close in a baby carrier, while Rocket Zot was nearby at all times. Rocket looked cute-as-a-button in a camouflage zip-up jacket, black Adidas sweatpants and sneakers. They appeared to be flying out of New York for a fair amount of time, as she was spotted with several cases of luggage. Chic: The star shielded her eyes behind a pair of dark sunglasses and allowed her short blonde locks to fall effortlessly around her face Where to next? Lara, also accompanied by mother Sharon Bingle, appeared to be jetting out of New York for a fair amount of time as she was spotted with several cases of luggage Noticeably absent was Lara's husband, Australian actor Sam Worthington, 40, who is promoting his new film The Shack. Just last weekend, he was seen at a photocall for the film on a snowy New York day. Sam and Lara, who married in 2014, welcomed their first son Rocket Zot in March 2015. They have not revealed the name of their newborn. Helping hand: Lara's mother Sharon was seen assisting the famous model, and was dressed casually in a black overcoat, indigo jeans and black flats Precious: Rocket Zot looked cute-as-a-button in a camouflage zip-up jacket, black Adidas sweatpants and coordinating sneakers Trio: Noticeably absent was Lara's husband, Australian actor Sam Worthington, 40, who is promoting his new film The Shack Too cute: Lara was later seen carrying Rocket Zot on her hip, with the precious youngster wearing a thick blue jumper this time On a quick trip to Sydney recently, Lara revealed the couple were enjoying the challenges of parenthood. 'It's amazing, two children under two definitely keeps us busy,' the blonde beauty told the Sydney Morning Herald. 'But it's the most rewarding thing ever,' she quickly added. Growing brood: Last October, Lara and Sam welcomed their second son, but have not revealed his name She welcomed identical twin sons Tom and Darcy in September last year. And Rebecca Judd was back into work mode on Wednesday, sharing an Instagram photo while on location in New Zealand. The 34-year-old AFL WAG enjoyed a glass of wine while filming scenes for Channel Nine travel program Postcards. Scroll down for video Thirsty work! Rebecca Judd was back into work mode on Wednesday, sharing an Instagram photo while on location in New Zealand Rebecca's stylish outfit highlighted her slim post-baby body as she posed in black skinny jeans and a grey sweater. Accessorising with pink sneakers and a statement watch, the brand ambassador swept her brunette hair into a ponytail. Keeping her make-up look simple, she drew attention to her flawless complexion with a touch of bronzer on her cheeks. Meanwhile, Rebecca smiled for the camera while posing in front of a fireplace at The Marlborough Lodge in New Zealand's wine region. Her little boys! Rebecca appears to be balancing her TV career with motherhood effortlessly, if her Instagram posts are anything to go by. She appears to be balancing her TV career with motherhood effortlessly, if her Instagram posts are anything to go by. Earlier on Thursday, the Melbourne socialite shared a photo of four-month-old twins Tom and Darcy on social media. The cute black and white image saw the little children lying next to one another, smiling happily for the camera. They're so cute! Rebecca gave birth to twin sons Tom and Darcy on September 29 last year Rebecca gave birth to twin sons Tom and Darcy on September 29 last year. She is also mother to five-year-old son Oscar Dylan and daughter Billie Kate, four. Rebecca married former AFL player Chris Judd, 33, in a lavish ceremony in 2010. Two members of The Bold And The Beautiful cast stripped down to their swimwear while filming in Australia on Thursday. Courtney Hope showed off her bronzed figure in a bikini as she was pictured in Sydney with co-star Pierson Fode, who flaunted his six-pack in an open shirt. The American actors were shooting scenes for the long-running soap opera at Manly Wharf, after arriving Down Under earlier this month. Beach day: The Bold And The Beautiful stars Courtney Hope (R) and Pierson Fode (L) stripped down to their swimwear while filming in Manly, Sydney on Thursday Cutting a stylish figure in a floral bikini, Courtney looked in good spirits as she made her way around the set. The 27-year-old, who plays Sally Spectra, showed off her toned abs and torso, while wrapping a sarong around her midriff. Adding a splash of colour to her look, the red-headed beauty wore purple sandals and a pair of yellow tassel earrings. Hot bods: Courtney Hope showed off her bronzed figure in a bikini as she was pictured in Sydney with co-star Pierson Fode, who flaunted his six-pack in an open shirt. Small screen stars: The American actors were shooting scenes for the long-running soap opera at Manly Wharf, Sydney Colleagues: Pierson joined the show in 2015 while Courtney is one of the newest members of the cast having debuted this year Leading lady: Cutting a stylish figure in a floral bikini, Courtney looked in good spirits as she made her way around the set Abs-olutely fabulous: The 27-year-old, who plays Sally Spectra, showed off her toned abs and torso, while wrapping a sarong around her midriff Bold look! Adding a splash of colour to her look, the red-headed beauty wore purple sandals and a pair of yellow tassel earrings Stunner: Courtney's first TV role came in 2000 when she played a part in Walker, Texas Ranger Pierson also wasn't afraid to show some skin, leaving his white shirt unbuttoned to reveal his muscular physique. The 25-year-old, who plays the role of playboy Thomas Forrester, also wore a pair of patterned swim shorts and red loafers. Hailing from Washington, Pierson began his TV career in 2012 when he appeared on children's show iCarly. What a hunk! Pierson wasn't afraid to show some skin, leaving a white shirt unbuttoned to reveal his muscular physique Sun-kissed: The 25-year-old, who plays the role of playboy Thomas Forrester, also wore a pair of patterned swim shorts and red loafers Success: Hailing from Washington, Pierson began his TV career in 2012 when he appeared on children's show iCarly Poser: The dark-haired hunk was seen waving to the cameras and strolling around the set with his script in hand The dark-haired hunk was seen waving to the cameras and strolling around the set with his script in hand. The Bold And The Beautiful cast and crew have been in the country since last Friday. Courtney, who only joined the show earlier this year, was pictured filming scenes in front of the cameras. Lights, camera, action! Courtney was pictured filming scenes in front of the cameras Change of scenery: On Wednesday, on-set photos revealed the production team was filming a wedding reception scene at the same location Chit-chat: During some downtime between takes, Courtney was seen chatting to Channel Ten reporter Angela Bishop Keeping cool: Courtney was followed by a crew member carrying a sun umbrella The beauty was also seen having her luscious locks tended to by a hair and make-up assistant. And during some downtime between takes, Courtney was also seen chatting to Channel Ten reporter Angela Bishop. On Wednesday, on-set photos revealed the production team was filming a wedding reception scene at the same location. He is best known for his leading roles in US dramas Homeland and Billions. And while Damian Lewis, 46, has perfected his American accent, he revealed his wife Helen McCrory, 48, lives in fear that their two children - Manon,10, and Gulliver, nine - will pick it up from him. The star keeps up his adopted accent away from film sets, but he draws the line when it comes to inside the family home. Scroll down for video Too good at his job! While Damian Lewis, 46, has perfected his American accent, he revealed his wife Helen McCrory lives in fear that their two children will pick it up from him He told Mr Porter: 'I dont do it in front of them. They once spent a school term in the US and they started copying the accent in this comical, exaggerated way, elongating their vowels. I put a stop to that. My wife has a horror that the children will start talking American if we spend too much time out there.' Damian's friends back in Blighty have also given him stick for altering his voice, but he doesn't let their criticism affect him. 'I once did a US TV interview in my American accent and somehow it was seen by quite a few of my friends back in England,' explained the actor. 'There were several irate text messages. "You are British! Stop talking like an American!" It has become second nature to me now and I am happy to do it. That said, if I am with Brits I come out of it pretty quickly.' Committed: The star keeps up his adopted accent away from film sets, but he draws the line when it comes to inside the family home Class act: The star looked the epitome of smooth in his shoot for the online retailer He said: 'My wife has a horror that the children will start talking American if we spend too much time out there' For his role as the super successful hedge fund manager Bobby Axelrod in Showtime's Billions, Damian beefed up his physique. Discussing his own body image, he said: 'I guess I am conscious of being more buff when I am in New York. Its right for the role. 'There exists in the US a certain type of controlling, blue-collar male who is all muscles, pumped up and worked out. You know, a man is a man, build a barn. Go logging. Confident: Damian's friends back in Blighty have also given him stick for altering his voice, but he doesn't let their criticism affect him In shape: For his role as the super successful hedge fund manager Bobby Axelrod in Showtime's Billions, Damian beefed up his physique Famous: Damian is best known for his leading roles in US dramas Homeland and Billions 'Of course, men who are stuck in the city are unable to do those things so they go to the gym. I am not that guy. I am a coat hanger normally. If I want to get bigger I have to work at it.' He was also keen to dispel any notion that being a high-profile TV actor is a charmed life, revealing he can regularly work up to 70 hours a week on any given project. 'A show like Billions means extraordinarily long hours,' said Damian. 'You get a 60-page script every week to 10 days. You have to get learning it immediately. You are doping 60-70 hour weeks. The turnover is relentless and everyone is working flat out. Theres no time for a beer when youve wrapped for the day because you are exhausted.' Whatever it takes: Discussing his own body image, he said: 'I guess I am conscious of being more buff when I am in New York. Its right for the role' Grafting: He was also keen to dispel any notion that being a high-profile TV actor is a charmed life, revealing he can regularly work up to 70 hours a week on any given project The star's Tufnell Park home in north London was previously owned by fellow thespian Hugh Laurie, and it was the House star who Damian turned to for career advice back in 2007. Despite Hugh's encouraging him to take a role in NBC's Life, Damian said the actor failed to mention the how hard the work can be and avoided sharing his own negative experiences from House. He said: 'Every single person I spoke to afterwards told me that Hugh had been utterly miserable doing House. That the hours were outrageous that it was impossible to learn the lines, that he didnt have a life any more.' A friendly ear: The star's Tufnell Park home in north London was previously owned by fellow thespian Hugh Laurie, and it was the House star who Damian turned to for career advice back in 2007 He was recently embarrassed on The Project when questioned about his fling with '90s model Kate Fisher, now known as T'ziporah Malkah. And on Thursday, Ryan 'Fitzy' Fitzgerald was directly asked by co-host Tommy Little about how the brief relationship ended. After a post-Valentines Day segment about dealing with break-ups, Tommy said bluntly: 'Who dumped who? T'ziporah or you?' Scroll down for video Awkward! On Thursday's episode of The Project, Ryan 'Fitzy' Fitzgerald was directly asked about how the relationship with former model Kate Fischer ended The segment began with Fitzy speaking about a break-up he experienced during his AFL career when he was in a long-distance relationship with an American woman. After spending six months apart, he spent over $2,000 to fly to visit her in Phoenix, Arizona only for her to end the relationship the moment he arrived. 'The day after I got there, she sat me down and said "I'm so glad you're here, I need to tell you face-to-face I can't do this",' he explained. 'Who dumped who?' After Fitzy spoke about an unrelated break-up, The Project panellist and comedian Tommy Little asked him if Kate, now known as T'ziporah Malkah, ended their fling Former flames? The radio host, who has been married to wife Belinda for eight years, didn't answer the question and looked a little embarrassed when asked about the brief fling But soon after finishing his heartbreaking story, Fitzy was roasted by fellow panellist and comedian Tommy Little. He asked: 'Just to hark back to last week, who dumped who? T'ziporah or you?' The radio host, who has been married to wife Belinda for eight years, didn't answer the question and looked a little embarrassed when asked about the brief fling. Heartache: Earlier in the segment, Fitzy revealed he was dumped by an American woman during his AFL playing days after spending $2,000 to fly to Arizona to visit her Earlier in the week 'Fitzy' was left squirming as he abruptly ended an interview on The Project over questions about his brief romance with T'ziporah in the '90s. As he was wrapping up an interview with I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! hosts Dr. Chris Brown and Julia Morris, they suddenly bombarded him with questions about James Packer's ex-fiancee. 'Before you guys go, just one little thing. T'ziporah has been very testy the last few days... Fitzy would you have any clues as to how one might I guess placate T'ziporah and make her feel good given your history?' a smirking Dr. Brown asked. He's not happy! Earlier in the week 'Fitzy' was left squirming as he abruptly ended an interview on The Project over questions about his brief romance with T'ziporah in the '90s As Fitzy began to blush, co-host Carrie Bickmore asked with surprise: 'Did you guys date?' to which he nervously replied: 'No!' As the panel began making jokes about their relationship, a fed-up Fitzy laughed off the moment before quickly shutting down the segment. 'Stuff you Browny! Browny we're losing you mate, have a great night. See you guys,' he said. Sneaky! As he was wrapping up an interview with I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! hosts Dr. Chris Brown and Julia Morris, they suddenly bombarded him with questions about Kate My, how you've changed! T'ziporah was previously known as the model Kate Fischer, but her appearance has changed dramatically in recent years. Pictured left in 1994 and right in 2016 Fitzy and T'ziporah 'kissed on the lips' while they briefly dated following her split from billionaire James Packer in 1998. He said on Nova FM last year: 'I got to know her... she sold her Bondi apartment that James gave her and she bought this amazing place down at Clovelly on the cliff, right down the road from Clovelly Hotel. 'And I used to be a bit of a local down there, the ladies used to know me down there. I met her one day and we became acquaintances and yeah... kissing on the lips. Haven't spoken to her since.' They've been subject to engagement rumors since they fell in love on the first season of The Bachelor in 2013. And it seems there's still no special ring Anna Heinrich's hand from her boyfriend-of-three-years Tim Robards. The genetically-blessed couple were spotted arriving at the Myer Autumn-Winter Fashion Show in Melbourne on Friday. Scroll down for video No ring yet? The Bachelor couple Tim Robards (L) and Anna Heinrich (R) were spotted arriving at the Myer Autumn-Winter Fashion Show in Melbourne on Friday Anna graced the red carpet in a stunning dress by designer Yeojin Bae. The 30-year-old styled her blonde hair in a chic low pony-tail, with her side fringe fluttering in the air. She finished off her look with a pair of strappy heels and accessorised with a sparkly clutch that matched her skirt. She looks flawless! Anna graced the red carpet in a stunning dress by designer Yeojin Bae Winning look: The criminal lawyer finished off her look with a pair of strappy heels and accessorised with a sparkly clutch that matched her skirt Meanwhile Tim looked dapper in a grey suit jacket and black trousers by Myer. The fitness entrepreneur and chiropractor beamed at his stunning date as they arrived at the show hand-in-hand. Tim took to Instagram to share a photo of the couple shortly after arriving in Melbourne for the fashion event. Excited! Tim took to Instagram to share a photo of the couple shortly after arriving in Melbourne for the fashion event Still going strong! The fitness entrepreneur and chiropractor beamed at his stunning date as they arrived at the show hand-in-hand 'Serious business' Anna also shared an Instagram photo of herself and her hunky boyfriend getting ready for the event Anna, a part-time criminal lawyer, also shared an Instagram photo of herself and her hunky boyfriend getting ready. She wrote in the caption: 'Getting ready is serious business... especially when you're running late!!! How is it possible that I am always ready first?' Meanwhile, the reality TV couple were rumored to be looking for wedding venues earlier this week. They shared photos and drone footage of The Residences in Sydney's Centennial Park on Valentines's Day. Lindy Klim radiated beauty as she walked the red carpet on Thursday night. The Balinese model wore a flowing gown as she attended the Myer Autumn-Winter Fashion Launch at Melbourne University. Arriving hand-in-hand with fiance Adam Ellis, the 39-year-old cut a glamorous figure as she posed for photos. Scroll down for video Balinese beauty! Lindy Klim wore a flowing gown as she attended the Myer Autumn-Winter Fashion Launch at Melbourne University Lindy, the ex-wife of former Olympic swimmer Michael Klim, wore an extravagant dress by Melbourne designer Toni Maticevski. The chic pastel-hued frock, which featured a floral pattern design, showed off Lindy's slim, toned figure arms. A pair of vibrant red Caribe sandals from Italian shoemaker Gianvito Rossi also caught the eye. Dressed to impress! Lindy, the ex-wife of former Olympic swimmer Michael Klim, wore an extravagant dress by Melbourne designer Toni Maticevski Picture perfect! Arriving hand-in-hand with her fiance Adam Ellis, the 39-year-old looked in happy spirits as she posed for photos British-born property developer Adam joined his fiancee for a photo, affectionately placing his arm around her. He looked suitably suave, attending the event in a black suit and crisp white shirt. Earlier in the day, Lindy shared an Instagram snap from her hotel room at the Grand Hyatt as she relaxed on a sofa in her designer gown. Room with a view: Earlier in the day, Lindy shared an Instagram snap from her hotel room at the Grand Hyatt as she relaxed on a sofa in her designer gown She captioned the picture: 'What a view!! Enjoying a quiet moment before the Myer show tonight.' Lindy and Adam were among 120 guests at the exclusive event, which was headlined by Australian supermodel Jennifer Hawkins. A cast of 30 models showcased 100 of the essential new season looks from local and international designers. She's the PR queen who described herself as a 'single girl' while her husband Oliver Curtis serves a two-year prison sentence. And it appears Roxy Jacenko is enjoying life as she visited a Sydney salon for a haircut and a blow dry this week. The 36-year-old publicist shared an Instagram photo of herself during the pampering session on Thursday. Scroll down for video Primped: Roxy Jacenko is enjoying life as she visited a Sydney salon for a haircut and a blow dry on Thursday, a day after describing herself as a 'single girl' while her husband is in prison The glamourous mother-of-two posed for a selfie in the salon's chair while showing of her new 'do. Roxy's signature blonde hair appeared to be more voluminous and was styled in sleek, loose waves. The Sweaty Betty PR boss captioned the post: 'Casual Thursdays'. What are you trying to say? On Wednesday, Roxy hinted at her marital status by sharing an Instagram Story describing herself as having 'single girl issues' On Wednesday, Roxy hinted at her marital status by sharing an Instagram Story describing herself as having 'single girl issues'. She was documenting her attempt at trying on a fitted-floral Zimmermann frock in front of a full length mirror. The late night post is believed to have been posted when her two young children, Pixie, five, and Hunter, two, were asleep. Sentenced: Oliver Curtis was sentenced to two years in prison for insider trading. Pictured: Roxy and Oliver arriving at the Supreme Court of NSW during his trial in May 2016 Roxy noted that she was having 'single girl issues' while 'trying to get her zipper up' without any assistance. She has previously described herself as 'a single mother' while her husband serves his jail sentence at Cooma Correctional Centre. Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, Roxy previously claimed she never managed to get the dress up on her own, saying she 'gave up in the end'. Mummy's little helpers! Roxy has previously described herself as 'a single mother' while her husband serves his jail sentence at Cooma Correctional Centre In the past, Roxy has raised eyebrows by choosing to not wear her diamond engagement ring in public. Oliver is expected to be released from prison in June on a good behaviour bond, after serving half of his sentence. Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Roxy for comment. It's been a disastrous 2017 so far for Whitney Carter. In the space of a couple of months she has had a miscarriage, married Lee Carter, kissed her father-in-law Mick, been slapped by Lee and has now seemingly been abandoned him. But are things set to be even more complicated for the Walford resident? Scroll down for video Something to hide? Shona McGarty keeps her coat wrapped tightly around her as she shoots EastEnders scenes as Whitney Carter Bun in the oven? Images of actress Shona McGarty on the EastEnders set have indicated the next twist in the tale of Whitney could be that she is pregnant Images of actress Shona McGarty on the EastEnders set have indicated the next twist in the tale of Whitney could be that she is pregnant! Seen on set with fellow actresses Jacqueline Jossa and Lorna Fitzgerald, the girls were filming a scene involving a night out at a club. Keeping her cards close to her chest: Seen on set with fellow actresses Jacqueline Jossa (L) and Lorna Fitzgerald, the girls were filming a scene involving a night out at a club Happy new year? It's been a disastrous 2017 so far for Whitney Carter Trauamtic: In the space of a couple of months she has had a miscarriage, married Lee Carter, kissed her father-in-law Mick, been slapped by Lee and has now seemingly been abandoned him While all three actors were wearing large jackets to shield them from the chill, Shona was taking particular care to hug hers in tightly, over what looked suspiciously like a bump. This begs the question - whose baby (if she is indeed pregnant) is it? With Lee walking out on his new wife, fans are convinced she will seek solace in the arms of Mick once again, while his wife is also away. Could the pair get even closer - and end up with a disastrously timed love child? Drama: Are things set to be even more complicated for the Walford resident? Bumping along: While all three actors were wearing large jackets to shield them from the chill, Shona was taking particular care to hug hers in tightly, over what looked suspiciously like a bump Is she or isn't she? This begs the question - whose baby (if she is indeed pregnant) is it? Two weeks ago, while trapped under an upturned bus, Whitney made a move on Mick and kissed him. Since then, it's been an elephant in the room for the pair, while she has attempted to carry on as normal with her husband, Mick's son Lee. But Valentine's Day ended in sadness for the newly-weds, as Lee viciously lashed out at his wife. Raging at her for 'flirting' with his friend, he screeched: 'You might as well have stuck your tongue down his throat! Co-star: Jacqueline Jossa plays Lauren Branning in the BBC soap opera Night out: The scenes are supposedly set after a night out clubbing with the girls Corrupt: With Lee walking out on his new wife, fans are convinced she will seek solace in the arms of Mick once again, while his wife is also away How dare you? objected Whitney, before admitting she had been persuading said friend to get Lee a job in Dover. How could you do this to me? Im a grown man! Lee fumed. Well then start acting like one then Lee! Because seriously I cant do this anymore! Whitney responded, before comparing him to him to his father. What I wouldnt give for you to be just a little bit more like him!' she carried on. 'But you wont and you never will be. A sordid affair? Could the pair get even closer - and end up with a disastrously timed love child? 'You mope around feeling sorry for yourself and leave it down to me to pick up the pieces! Your dad said to me tonight you dont deserve me. Im beginning to think hes right. It was at this point Lee slapped her before removing his wedding ring and leaving her a note telling her he no longer loved her. The pair have already been through the mill, excluding the aforementioned drama. Whitney stuck by Lee despite his suicidal mood swings, his drinking, the time he impregnated Abi and gave Whitney Chlamydia not to mention his botched plan to rob the Vic resulting in his brother Ollie being threatened. Suffering: Yes he had left the army with Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome and has been suffering from depression. But then isnt everyone in Albert Square? Andy Lee cut a dapper figure as he walked the red carpet beside girlfriend Rebecca Harding on Thursday night. The 35-year-old radio presenter wore a tuxedo as the couple arrived at Melbourne University ahead of the Myer Autumn-Winter Fashion Launch. Andy smiled for the cameras while posing with 25-year-old Rebecca, after the couple rekindled their romance in December. Scroll down for video Suited and booted! Radio personality Andy Lee cut a dapper figure as he walked the red carpet with girlfriend Rebecca Harding at the Myer Autumn-Winter Fashion Show on Thursday The funnyman looked smart in a tailored suit jacket, trousers, a white shirt, bow-tie and dress shoes. He accessorised with a statement watch. Rebecca highlighted her slimline figure in a black and white patterned frock, with the hemline finishing mid-calf. Showing off her penchant for style, jewel statement earrings, a feathered clutch and black strappy heels finished off her glamourous look. Red carpet style: The funnyman looked smart in a tailored suit jacket, trousers, a white shirt, bow-tie and dress shoes. He also accessorised with a statement watch Dressed to impress! Model Rebecca highlighted her slimline figure in a black and white patterned frock, with the hemline finishing mid-calf Rebecca's make-up look consisted of defined brows, lashings of mascara and a glossy nude lip. The pair were among 120 guests at the department store's exclusive event, which was headlined by supermodel Jennifer Hawkins. Andy confirmed he was dating model Rebecca again in December, after they had briefly split following 18 months of dating. Back together: Andy confirmed he was dating model Rebecca again in December, after they had briefly split following 18 months of dating But the Melbourne native later claimed they would probably won't be getting married any time soon. At the Portsea Polo event in January, Andy was asked by Fairfax if he would propose to his younger girlfriend this year. 'No', he jovially responded, as Rebecca reportedly laughed and shook her head. 'I propose that we keep on drinking and enjoy today,' he added. Matthew Newton left Australia five years ago after a series of scandals. But he's been making a name for himself as a director since moving to Hollywood, and his latest effort From Nowhere has received rave reviews. The film, which he wrote and directed, follows teenage undocumented immigrants living in the United States. Scroll down for video Moving on from the scandal: Matthew Newton (L) is making a name for himself as a director since moving to Hollywood, and his latest effort From Nowhere has received rave reviews The independent drama, which opens in America this week, has received positive reviews from publications like Variety. It also won the Audience Award at the South By Southwest film festival in Texas. From Nowhere has also received a rating of 75 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes, a film review aggregation website. The actor-turned-director appears to have found his niche in America and doesn't have plans to return Down Under. Critical acclaim: From Nowhere, which he wrote and directed, follows teenage undocumented immigrants living in the United States Making a comeback? The independent drama, which opens in America this week, has received positive reviews from publications like Variety On Thursday, Matthew told the Herald Sun that while he's a proud Australian, he now sees the USA as home. 'I love being in America. I am proudly Australian born, and I now live in America I love being here. That's how I feel about this country,' he said. Explaining that his teenage characters face very 'adult' problems, Matthew also admitted he was a 'moron' when he was younger. 'That's how I feel about this country': On Thursday, Matthew told the Herald Sun that while he's a proud Australian, he now sees the USA as home 'I was a moron when I was 17,' he confessed. 'I didn't know who I was, and I can't imagine facing these adult problems.' Matthew left Australia after a string of high profile scandals, including an alleged assault against ex-girlfriend Rachael Taylor in 2010. The 40-year-old is now engaged to Catherine Schneiderman, 23, the daughter of a New York attorney-general. She's the glamour model who has never been afraid of speaking her mind. And that was exactly the case for Imogen Anthony, in her interview with this month's issue Maxim Australia. The 26-year-old slammed critics of her relationship with shock jock Kyle Sandilands, saying that people need to 'get the f**k over it'. Scroll down for video She's not holding back! Imogen Anthony, 26, slammed critics of her relationship with shock jock Kyle Sandilands, 45, saying that people need to 'get the f**k over it'. Speaking of the negative response to her private life, Imogen said: 'I don't care for dumb opinions - they have zero effect on me.' 'I couldn't really care less what people think this far into it. It has been almost six years, so get the f**k over it. Jesus!' she added. Imogen's interview was featured alongside a racy photo shoot in the Australian men's magazine. 'It has been almost six years': Imogen claimed she did not care for 'dumb opinions' about her long-term relationship with the Sydney radio personality. Pictured in October 2015 And in a behind-the-scenes video posted on Instagram this week, Imogen shows off her slim figure in racy lingerie. Posing in a heavy metal bar, the former promotions girl flaunted her curves in a black bra and matching underwear. A dark smoky eye and a pink pout completed Imogen's rock chick look for the shoot. Rock chick! Imogen's interview was featured alongside a racy photo shoot in Maxim Australia Imogen has been dating Kyle, a popular Sydney radio personality, since 2012. He was previously married to former pop star Tamara Jaber between 2008 and 2010. The March issue of Maxim Australia is available now Emily MacDonagh looked every inch the chic mum as she stepped out with her first child Amelia. The doctor, 27, held her little girl's hand as they headed out shopping in East Grinstead, Sussex, for a spot of mother and daughter bonding. She wore tinted aviators and a black coat with a fur-lined hood for the outing as well as dark trousers and slip on kicks. Scroll down for video Mother and daughter: Emily MacDonagh, 27, looked every inch the chic mum as she stepped out with her first child Amelia, three Amelia, three, sported a cream faux fur coat, smart grey trousers and shoes and looked to be having lots of fun by her mum's side. The youngster leapt into the air with a smile on her face as they made their way through a car park. Emily was last seen with husband Peter Andre, 43, and their two-month-old son Theodore heading to the South African visa centre in east London. Stepping out: The doctor held her little girl's hand as they headed out shopping in East Grinstead, Sussex, for a spot of mother and daughter bonding Despite having their hands full, Emily is already planning to have more children in the future. Emily recently spoke about her desire to expand her family in an interview with Now magazine, admitting: 'Id like to have another baby and move to the West Country at some point in the next 10 years.' However, Peter - who also children Junior, 10, and Princess, eight, with his ex-spouse Katie Price - wasn't too keen on the idea. 'I dont know about that. Take it easy! I dont mind practising, but I dont know,' the 43-year-old star quipped back. Emily also revealed her hopes in seeing her kids attend university as she had a great time obtaining her degree, while Pete - who she married in 2015 - didn't. The happy couple welcomed baby Theo on November 22, but the birth didn't go to plan with Emily having to have an emergency cesarean because the baby was breech. Speaking to OK! magazine in December about his love for little Theo, he said: 'I was bawling my eyes out at the birth it was my dream to have another boy. He added: I love him so much, hes such a chilled baby. Hes my mini-me. Shay Mitchell has yet to confirm she is dating Matte Babel. But on Wednesday the Pretty Little Liars actress was caught sitting on his lap when dining at Cipriani in New York City's Soho neighborhood. The 29-year-old pinup has been linked to the handsome star for a year. Caught: Shay Mitchell has yet to confirm she is dating Matte Babel. But on Wednesday the Pretty Little Liars actress was caught sitting on his lap when dining at Cipriani in New York City's Soho neighborhood It's love? The 29-year-old pinup has been linked to the handsome star for a year The Canadian actress wore a black furry jacket by LPA over a matching black bodysuit, leather leggings and boots. Her raven locks were worn down and she had on flattering makeup. The cover girl looked comfortable with her man as they dined on salads and pasta with a group of pals. Snazzy: The Canadian actress wore a black furry jacket over a matching black bodysuit, leather leggings and boots and left with a female friend Though Shay was seen exiting the restaurant with a pretty blonde pal, she definitely only had eyes for Matte when inside the venue. Babel is s a television host and music reporter, and also from Canada, like Shay. Shay and Matte have taken to Snapchat to show off their selfies together. She has her glam on: The TV star looked very fetching with her black outfit and gold rings Courteney Cox and Jessica Biel are two of eight celebrities tracing their surprising ancestries in the ninth season of Who Do You Think You Are? premiering March 5 on TLC. In the trailer - which dropped Wednesday - 52-year-old Courteney discovered that her maternal line spanned seven centuries and included British royalty. 'We're talking someone in my family killed the King of England?' the Golden Globe nominee asked. Premiering March 5! Courteney Cox and Jessica Biel are two of eight celebrities tracing their surprising ancestries in the ninth season of Who Do You Think You Are? on TLC 'Powerful little family we got there.' And like Gwyneth Paltrow, Jessica - turning 35 next month - found out she had more than German, French, English, Irish, and Choctaw ancestry. 'My dad [Jonathan] has never mentioned any sort of Jewish ancestors!' the wife of Justin Timberlake exclaimed. Liv Tyler was excited to find out she came 'from music from all sides' and that one of her relatives was half African-American. The unscrolling: In the trailer - which dropped Wednesday - 52-year-old Courteney discovered that her maternal line spanned seven centuries and included British royalty Visiting a castle: The Golden Globe nominee said, 'We're talking someone in my family killed the King of England? Powerful little family we got there' 'Lies!' And like Gwyneth Paltrow, Jessica - turning 35 next month - found out she had more than German, French, English, Irish, and Choctaw ancestry The wife of Justin Timberlake exclaimed: 'My dad [Jonathan] has never mentioned any sort of Jewish ancestors!' At that revelation, the 39-year-old LOTR alum's famous father Steven Tyler (born Tallarico) gave her a high five and said: 'Haha, I knew it!' Jennifer Grey got very emotional after learning that her Jewish grandfather was 'a sympathizer of the Communist party.' 'I'm sorry, Communist?' the Golden Globe nominee - turning 57 next month - asked. 'I'm so excited!' Liv Tyler was excited to find out she came 'from music from all sides' and that one of her relatives was half African-American At that revelation, the 39-year-old LOTR alum's famous father Steven Tyler (born Tallarico) gave her a high five and said: 'Haha, I knew it!' 'I'm sorry, Communist?' Jennifer Grey got very emotional after learning that her Jewish grandfather was 'a sympathizer of the Communist party' The Golden Globe nominee - turning 57 next month - asked: 'Was it just so traumatic for the family that no one wanted to talk about it?' 'Was it just so traumatic for the family that no one wanted to talk about it?' Elsewhere on the genealogy series, Smokey Robinson discovered his great grandfather was a slave and Julie Bowen had familial ties to an abolitionist. Meanwhile, one of John Stamos' Greek relatives was murdered and Noah Wyle uncovered that an ancestor on his mother's side took his own life. Based on the BBC show: Elsewhere on the genealogy series, Smokey Robinson discovered his great grandfather was a slave and Julie Bowen had familial ties to an abolitionist In keeping with their TOWIE roots, Pete Wicks and Megan Mckenna have had a turbulent first year as a couple. Just two weeks ago Megan was left in tears outside the National Television Awards, thought to have come to blows with her boyfriend yet again. But out for the second romantic night on the trot, the pair seem to have patched up their problems once more. Scroll down for video A week of love: Megan McKenna and Pete Wicks prove that things are back on track following their romance-laden Valentine's Day as they step out for their second date night of the week Arriving at Sheesh Restaurant in Essex, the couple strolled along with an air of uncharacteristic calm about them. Megan led the way in front, making sure the camera flash caught all her right angles, as she sported a smart outfit consisting of a little black dress and three-quarter-length jacket. The burgundy coat added a splash of subtle colour to the ensemble, which was otherwise all-black. At the end of her tinted pins she wore black ankle boots and over her shoulder she slung a dark bag, with a gold chain attached to it. Cute couple: The TOWIE lovebirds have patched things up following their almighty row at the National Television Awards Her brunette locks were tied high above her head and she wore a face of natural-toned make-up; with just a hint of mascara, bronze blusher and shiny clay lip gloss. Pete kept one step behind his other half, often seen to be trying to outshine her in his attempt at making a fashion statement. Not tonight however; the reality personality had left his silver and black animal print coat hung up at home, opting for a more traditional look for the day after Valentine's Day. After the storm...: Arriving at Sheesh Restaurant in Essex, the couple strolled along with an air of uncharacteristic calm about them He wore grey distressed skinny jeans and a plain white T-shirt, matching his tan jacket with suede tan loafers. Much like his girlfriend, he also kept his hair swept up above his head, clearly going for a his'n'her's style. Over the course of the year they've faced several trials and tribulations in their relationship, including a sexting scandal that saw them temporarily split. So the TOWIE coupling must be using the romantic season to up the ante on the reignition of their romance. Dialled down: Pete kept one step behind his other half, often seen to be trying to outshine her in his attempt at making a fashion statement On Valentine's Day they recreated their first date at Quaglino's in London, and were clearly feeling the passion as they puckered up outside the venue, leaning in for a tender kiss. Taking to Instagram, the TOWIE couple shared several snaps from their romantic evening, with Megan revealing that she'd been 'spoilt as always' by her man. Kicking off their romantic evening, Megan was gifted with a giant bouquet of red roses, which she proudly posed with. Second date: Out out for the second romantic night on the trot, the pair seem to have patched up their problems once more The former CBB star looked delighted in the shot, which she captioned: 'Valentines with my [love]. He spoilt me... like always.' After exchanging gifts the pair headed into London to enjoy some drinks in the place where their love story first began. Posing with their cocktails, Megan gushed: 'First stop, back to where we had our first date.' Everything's coming up roses! Kicking off their romantic evening, Megan was gifted with a giant bouquet of red roses, which she proudly posed with Back to the beginning: Pete and Megan recreated their first date by visiting the same spot and toasting their romance Pete was also feeling romantic as he shared a snap of his gorgeous girlfriend downing her drink. He wrote: 'This is why she is my woman...if you know, you know. Ain't nothing better than having your best mate and your bird all rolled in to one little sort.' Earlier in the day, Pete had lavished his girlfriend in kisses and gifts before hitting out at critics of their relationship. Sharing a sweet snap of the couple, he wrote: 'It ain't perfect and we're up and down like a yo-yo but it's what I want. Bottoms up! Pete was also feeling romantic as he shared a snap of his gorgeous girlfriend downing her drink as he called her his 'best friend and his bird' 'I don't care who judges me, you or us together the only thing that matters is that I love you and I can't imagine my life without you. Happy Valentines.' Last year, the pair threatened to call an end to their romance for good after it emerged that Pete had been sexting girls behind Megan's back. And there are reports their romance could be called into jeopardy yet again as Pete's ex Harriette Harper is reportedly next in line to join TOWIE. According to The Sun, the glamour model, who is currently starring on MTV's Ex On The Beach, has attracted show bosses due to the drama she could cause on the next series - after Megan's fiery reaction to Pete's infidelity in October. Riley Keough fondly remembers her mother Lisa Marie Presley's two-year marriage to the King of Pop Michael Jackson. 'I loved him,' the 27-year-old granddaughter of 'The King' Elvis Presley said of the late legend in T Magazine. The Golden Globe nominee was photographed by Patrick Demarchelier and styled by Marie-Amelie Sauve for the Spring Women's Fashion cover on newsstands Sunday. Memories: Riley Keough fondly remembers her mother Lisa Marie Presley's two-year marriage to the King of Pop Michael Jackson in the new issue of T Magazine, on sale Sunday The 27-year-old granddaughter of 'The King' Elvis Presley told T Magazine of the late legend: 'I loved him' Aside from Graceland, Riley used to stay at the 13-time Grammy winner's $100M Neverland Ranch in Los Olivos - which boasted a zoo, carnival rides, and waterfall. 'There were toys everywhere, animals everywhere, kids everywhere,' the Girlfriend Experience actress recalled. 'It was like being at Disneyland all day.' 49-year-old Presley - who divorced her fourth husband Michael Lockwood last year - remained on/off with Jackson in the four years following their 1996 divorce. The Girlfriend Experience actress recalled: 'There were toys everywhere, animals everywhere, kids everywhere. It was like being at Disneyland all day' Sleepovers: Aside from Graceland, Riley used to stay at the 13-time Grammy winner's $100M Neverland Ranch in Los Olivos - which boasted a zoo, carnival rides, and waterfall As for Lisa Marie's 108-day third marriage to Nicolas Cage, Keough only said: 'My mom's a tough b****.' The nepotistically-privileged starlet was mostly raised by her birth father, Presley's first husband, Chicago-born musician Danny Keough. 'Looking back on it, I'm like, "Wow, my upbringing was very intense,"' Riley - born Danielle - noted. 'I always wanted to be in film. I knew that. I grew up in a family of musicians, so it was also something I wasn't around a lot. I wanted to make movies and that's all I wanted to do when I was a kid was film everything and I was very fascinated with people and human behavior.' 'Wow, my upbringing was very intense': The nepotistically-privileged starlet was mostly raised by her birth father, Presley's first husband, Chicago-born musician Danny Keough Riley - born Danielle - recalled: 'I always wanted to be in film. I knew that. I grew up in a family of musicians, so it was also something I wasn't around a lot. I wanted to make movies and that's all I wanted to do when I was a kid was film everything' Last month, Keough celebrated her first wedding anniversary with SAG Award-winning stuntman Ben Smith-Petersen, whom she met the on the 2012 set of Mad Max: Fury Road. The Standing Rock activist received an Independent Spirit Award nod for best supporting female as mag crew leader Krystal in American Honey. Riley will compete against Molly Shannon, Edwina Findley, Paulina Garcia, and Lily Gladstone at the ceremony airing February 25 on IFC. The Muffins video vixen will next play a neglected wife and mother called Sarah in So Yong Kim's drama Lovesong, which hits US theaters this Friday. Decorated career: The Standing Rock activist received an Independent Spirit Award nod for best supporting female as mag crew leader Krystal in American Honey Selena Gomez's new song It Ain't Me with Norwegian DJ Kygo was released on Thursday. And though the tempo is upbeat, the lyrics are heartbreaking. The 24-year-old beauty - who used to romance Justin Bieber but is now with The Weeknd - sings about dating an alcoholic. Tweeters were quick to assume the song is about 22-year-old Bieber, who was arrested for a DUI and resisting arrest in Florida in 2014. Writing about the past? Selena Gomez's new song It Ain't Me with Norwegian DJ Kygo was released on Thursday. Pictured Tuesday in NYC at the Coach show Jumping to conclusions? Tweeters were quick to assume the song is about Bieber, who was arrested for a DUI in January 2014. Here he is seen arriving at Delilah in December The lyrics are dripping with disapproval as she talks about 'being 17.' 'We were sipping whisky neat / Highest floor, the Bowery / And I was high enough,' are some of the lyrics. 'Somewhere along the lines / We stopped seeing eye to eye / You were staying out all night / And I had enough.' She added: 'Who's gonna walk you through the dark side of the morning? / Who's gonna rock you when the sun won't let you sleep? / Who's waking up to drive you home when you're drunk and all alone? / Who's gonna walk you through the dark side of the morning? / It ain't me.' When they were living together: The couple seen at the Vanity Fair Oscar party hosted by Graydon Carter at Sunset Tower in 2011 They have been linked for a long time: Here the beauty is pictured with a very young Justin in 2009 in Las Vegas Bieber did indeed party too much in 2013 and 2014, something he has admitted to many times. In January 2014 the Sorry hit maker was arrested for a DUI and resisting arrest in Florida. Not only was he not driving safely, but he also had an attitude. 'What the f*** did I do? Why did you stop me?' Bieber asked the police officer who pulled him over just after 4 a.m., according to the arrest report. The new man in her life: The beauty with The Weeknd in 2015; It Ain't Me also comes after The Weeknd's song with Nav - Some Way - came out. The Weeknd seemed to take aim at Bieber when he sang: 'I think your girl, think your girl, fell in love with me' Justin has since cleaned up, delivered the hit album Purpose and is now on tour. In fact, several of his songs on the album like Sorry and Purpose are about making amends for his bad behavior. His more recent hit Cold Water is also about 'getting high' when you're 'feeling low.' This is Selena's first song in about a year. Her last hit was Kill 'Em With Kindness from her Revival album. Back and better than ever: Last year the former Disney child star spent 90 days in rehab She also worked with Charlie Puth We Don't Talk Anymore. It Ain't Me also comes after The Weeknd's song with Nav - Some Way - came out. The Weeknd seemed to take aim at Bieber when he sang: 'I think your girl, think your girl, fell in love with me. She say my f*** and my tongue game a remedy.' Last summer she was stripped of her Miss Great Britain title after being seen by millions enjoying a televised romp with Love Island co-star Alex Bowen. But on Wednesday Zara Holland let fans know her summer was not all bad as she shared a sizzling throwback bikini snap to Instagram. The 21-year-old reminded the world why she originally won a beauty pageant, flaunting her ample assets and toned abs in a skimpy bright yellow two-piece and pouting confidently into the camera. Scroll down for video Summer scorcher: Love Island star Zara Holland shared a throwback picture reminding the world why she originally won the Miss GB title, flaunting her ample assets and toned abs in a skimpy bright yellow two-piece and pouting confidently into the camera The stunner put one foot forward and held a pageant-style pose as she showed off her bikini body in complementary gold-rimmed shades and bright pink nails. The bow-tied bikini graced the blonde bombshell's toned abs and thighs and she sported a deep tan in the bright summer sunlight. Her snap may have been taken in Bali or Marbella, two of the holidays the former Miss GB delighted about on social media in 2016. Earlier this week the now budding young entrepreneur shared another bikini photo while doing promotion for her upcoming swimwear range, Beach Angels Swim. The inclusive swimwear range will feature sizes 6 to 18 and come with accessories, with all pieces designed by the star. Zara pulled a cheekier, smiling face in this snap, wearing her hair in soft, styled waves. Swimming for glory: At 21, Zara is now a budding entrepreneur, and she annouced the upcoming launch of her new swimwear range earlier this week - by sharing a snap of her busty cleavage in hot pink and silver on Instagram Her posts have been cheerful recently, perhaps due to her new relationship with hunky Elliott Love. On Valentine's Day the smitten beauty shared a montage of adorable pictures of the photogenic couple in London and on holiday, including a snap on the slopes from a ski trip. Zara gushed: 'Happy Valentine's Day everyone! But especially to the best boyfriend in the world. I love you.' Happy in love: On Valentine's Day the smitten beauty shared a montage of adorable pictures with her hunky new beau Elliott Love, showing the photogenic couple in London and enjoying the slopes on a recent ski trip These are happier times as just nine months ago Zara's charmed life was drawn into the spotlight. The up and coming model had been the reigning Miss GB for 2015-2016, but her appearance on Love Island ended in disaster after she enjoyed a steamy romp with Alex, who is now dating fellow contestant Olivia Buckland. The beauty then made headlines again after a fiery encounter live on Loose Women with the woman who replaced her as Miss GB, Deone Robertson. Making her comeback on the show in December, Zara confirmed that the exchange was 'heated' - but insisted she had put the furor in the past. She explained: 'It seemed like so long ago, so much has happened. It got very heated, I didn't feel bullied and I didn't get escorted. We went back to the green room and I had words with the Miss GB organisers but I left of my own accord. 'It's totally in the past now, I'm the happiest I've ever, ever been. I got asked to take part in Release The Hounds, I also raised money for charity. I'm launching my own bikini line and it's something I've always wanted to do.' It broke Hollywood film taboos with its graphic depiction of sex and violence back in 1967. Now Bonnie And Clyde stars Faye Dunaway, 76, and Warren Beatty, 79, have reportedly been asked to mark the groundbreaking movie's 50th anniversary by co-presenting the Oscar for best film at the Academy Awards at Hollywood's Dolby Theatre on February 26. Oscar telecast producers Michael DeLuca and Jennifer Todd reached out to the Oscar winners to present the evening's top award, according to The Hollywood Reporter, citing sources on Thursday. Reunion: Faye Dunaway, pictured in Beverly Hills on February 6, and Warren Beatty, seen here on December 8, have been asked to co-present the Oscar for best film at the Academy Awards at Hollywood's Dolby Theatre on February 26 Smokin' hot: Faye was just 26 when she co-starred with 29-year-old Warren in the iconic 1967 blockbuster Bonnie And Clyde However, it's not a done deal. The Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences declined to comment and THR pointed out that plans could change. Insiders also revealed that the run of the Oscars show is being hammered out this week. Faye was just 26 and Warren was 29 when they took on the roles of the now infamous Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, who cut a bloody swathe robbing banks in Depression-era American. The film's ending, in which the two die in a hail of bullets, became iconic as 'one of the bloodiest death scenes in cinematic history,' according to The New York Times in August 2015. Deadly lovers: Bonnie And Clyde broke Hollywood film taboos with its graphic depiction of sex and violence. In tribute to its legacy, it was among the first 100 films selected for preservation in the U.S. National Film Registry The blockbuster went on to receive Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actress for Estelle Parsons and Best Cinematography for Burnett Guffey. But Faye, Warren and director Arthur Penn were overlooked in a year when the Best Picture statuette went to In The Heat Of The Night starring Sidney Poitier. In tribute to its legacy, Bonnie And Clyde was among the first 100 films selected for preservation in the U.S. National Film Registry. The best film nominations this year are Arrival, Fences, Hacksaw Ridge, Hell Or High Water, Hidden Figures, La La Land, Lion, Manchester By The Sea and Moonlight. Meanwhile, Faye and Warren still have busy careers. The actress has four movies and a TV series set up for this year while Warren is now mostly behind the camera. He directed and wrote dramedy Rules Don't Apply, co-starring Lily Collins, his wife Annette Bening, Martin Sheen, Matthew Broderick and Candice Bergen, which came out on November 23. Award winner: Faye nabbed the Oscar for Best Actress for Network in 1977 She always pulls it out of the bag in the fashion stakes. So Sienna Miller naturally dazzled as she arrived at the London premiere of The Lost City of Z at the British Museum on Thursday evening, while looking phenomenal in a crochet white gown with a sexy bustier detail. The 35-year-old actress ensured she encompassed both high fashion with sizzling style as she sported underwear as outerwear in the corseted gown. Scroll down for video All white? So Sienna Miller naturally dazzled as she arrived at the London premiere of The Lost City of Z on Thursday evening, while looking phenomenal in a crochet white gown with a sexy bustier detail Sienna has always been known as a style icon since first launching into the public eye when she began her high-profile romance with Jude Law before kicking off her wildly successful acting career with 2004 movie Alfie. Her trailblazing boho style was a huge hit in the early Noughties and it seems she has returned to her old ways as she dazzled in the antique style gown. The intricate lace of her gown added a plush feel to the look, while the shape accentuated her stunning figure, complete with her perky bust and tiny waist. The dazzling star plays Nina Fawcett in the movie, where she stars opposite main men Robert Pattinson, Charlie Hunnam and Tom Holland, in the true story telling the story of a British explorer Col. Percival Fawcett, who mysteriously disappeared while searching for a city in the Amazon in the Twenties. All laced up: The 35-year-old actress ensured she encompassed both high fashion with sizzling style as she sported underwear as outerwear in the corseted gown Floating beauty: The intricate lace of her gown added a plush feel to the look, while the shape accentuated her stunning figure, complete with her perky bust and tiny waist The dress featured an asymmetric handkerchief hemline, which boasted floor-skimming details which rose into near knee-height cuts. As she turned to the back, the attention to detail was further evident due to a delicate button detail extending the entire length of the delicate gown. Sienna's bustier style dress appears to be her hot new trend of the moment, as at the Berlin premiere two nights before she sported a number in an extremely similar cut. The Christian Dior dress in which she graced the carpet was near identical in shape and silhouette, yet she upped the sex appeal with a sheer body. Back in the day: Her trailblazing boho style was a huge hit in the earlier Noughties and it seems she has returned to her old ways as she dazzled in the antique style gown Busty babe: Her look was stunning as she drew attention to her perky bust Out and a pout: The dazzling star was the centre of attention at the bash Sizzling? The Christian Dior dress in which she graced the carpet was near identical in shape and silhouette, yet she upped the sex appeal with a sheer body A hairy situation: Sienna was showing off elegant plaits which added to her boho look Keeping her beauty regimen in-keeping with her floaty look, she wore her hair in a laid-back style comprising of loose waves falling over her shoulders with two plaits pulling the front off her glowing face. Her naturally stunning features were enhanced by a simple make-up look, with highlighter drawing out her cheekbones and a lick of mascara opening her almond shape eyes. Joining her on the red carpet was her hunky co-stars, Charlie, Tom and Robert who were both looking remarkably slick in sharp suits - no doubt a pleasing sight for their legion of female admirers. Robert and Sienna's kinship is steeped with history as he is the best friend of her ex-boyfriend Tom Sturridge, with whom she shares her four-year-old daughter Marlowe Ottoline Layng Sturridge. Flawless: Keeping her beauty regimen in-keeping with her floaty look, she wore her hair in a laid-back style comprising of loose waves falling over her shoulders with two plaits pulling the front off her glowing face Dashing: Charlie Hunnam looked slick in a navy suit as he posed among his co-stars Long-time pal: Robert Pattinson looked dapper in his navy ensemble Slick: Tom Holland was looking every inch the pro as he hit the premiere just days after being prized with the Rising Star Award at the BAFTAs Her boys: Sienna was a vision among her co-stars as she wowed in white Pals: Robert and Sienna's kinship is steeped with history as he is the best friend of her ex-boyfriend Tom Sturridge (right), with whom she shares her four-year-old daughter Marlowe Ottoline Layng Sturridge Boo! Charlie jumped up behind an unsuspecting Tom as they lived it up The man behind the scenes: Director James Gray posed alongside the cast Making a rare red carpet appearance together was Robert and his singer girlfriend FKA twigs, who looked remarkable chic in a plunging black number. The beautiful star, whose real name is Tahliah Debrett Barnett, long-sleeved jumpsuit boasted a cleavage boosting sweetheart neckline and nipped in waist. Naturally keen to put her own quirky edge on things, the songstress had utility style pouches attached to the side - in a similar look to what she was sporting at the Harvey Weinstein BAFTAs after-party on Sunday night. Her tresses were pulled into a wild style complete with a plaited crown while the ponytail was backcombed into a dramatic and volumunious do. The couple who pose together... Making a rare red carpet appearance together was Robert and his singer girlfriend FKA twigs, who looked remarkable chic in a plunging black number Cheeky! Robert was more intent on staring at his girlfriend than working the cameras The look of love: It was plain to see the couple are enamoured with one another Stunner: The beautiful star, whose real name is Tahliah Debrett Barnett, long-sleeved jumpsuit boasted a cleavage boosting sweetheart neckline and nipped in waist A fine pair: The duo cut an extremely handsome figure as they stormed the event Designer diva: Naturally keen to put her own quirky edge on things, the songstress had utility style pouches attached to the side - in a similar look to what she was sporting at the Harvey Weinstein BAFTAs after-party on Sunday night (right) Eyes up! Robert could not help but steal a look at his girlfriend's assets Stunning from every angle: She looked stunning as she strutted her stuff A rare treat: The pretty starlet flashed a rare smile - looking worlds away from her usual doe eyed look Out and a pout: The incredibly trendy couple were a refreshing addition to the red carpet Out with the pout? FKA flashed a contrasting look to usual Upping the cute factor at the premiere was Tom Mulheron, who plays Jack Fawcett in the film, and looked adorable in a sharp suit with a pocket square and matching shirt. Handsome actor Rami Malek arrived looking sharp in a trendy ensemble comprising of navy trousers paired with a paint splattered jumper. The widely-anticipated movie has been lauded in many reviews with The Telegraph deeming the film 'an immediate classic'. Cute: Handsome actor Rami Malek arrived looking sharp in a trendy ensemble comprising of navy trousers paired with a paint splattered jumper Adorable! Upping the cute factor at the premiere was Tom Mulheron, who plays Jack Fawcett in the film, and looked adorable in a sharp suit with a pocked square and matching shirt Dashing: Tom, 20, slotted in perfectly to his new glitzy life as he suited up in a three-piece A job well done: The widely-anticipated movie has been lauded in many reviews with The Telegraph deeming the film 'an immediate classic' Playful: It was clear to see how well the stars meshed while shooting the period piece Co-stars and pals: The stunning star swept off the stage alongside Charlie Great work! The review raves about Charlie's performance as Percival Fawcett, writing: 'Its a role built on complex, not-obviously-cinematic qualities like decency, honour and conviction, but Hunnam brings them to life with total persuasiveness' The whole gang: The stars of the show also posed with director James Gray (right) The review raves about Charlie's performance as Percival Fawcett, reading: 'Its a role built on complex, not-obviously-cinematic qualities like decency, honour and conviction, but Hunnam brings them to life with total persuasiveness.' While her acting career is going from strength to strength, Sienna recently lamented her former time as one of the It girls of the London social scene, when she was often seen tumbling out of nightclubs. Yet Sienna turned her life around after realising her actions were 'hurtful' to receiving acting offers, and is thankfully now reaping the benefits. She admitted in the new issue of LOVE magazine that her career is only just recovering after years of embracing the party lifestyle. Ex-party girl: While her acting career is going from strength to strength, Sienna recently lamented her former time as one of the It girls of the London social scene, when she was often seen tumbling out of nightclubs A vision: Sienna threw it back to her boho days in the pretty number Stunner: She looked beautiful from every angle She told the magazine: 'I probably could've had all that I'm experience now if I'd been savvy and smarter. But I just wanted to have fun and not taper my behaviour in any way, and it was hurtful, somehow, to my career.' Discussing what influenced her party-hopping lifestyle, she explained: 'I grew up in the 90s watching everyone getting away with what they got away with. I was like, oh, the Gallaghers (did it), f**k it.' Sienna revealed that these days she's more likely to be spending her evenings at her New York City home with her daughter Marlowe, four. The former party girl joked that while she might be more 'boring', she feels happier and more focused than ever. The British beauty has since won acclaim in films such as American Sniper and Foxcatcher, and was also nominated for a Golden Globe for the TV film The Girl. Meeting the fans: Sienna gracefully greeted her fans as she signed autographs Floating fancy: Sienna glided into the event in her chic gown A vision: The stunning star beamed and glided along as she greeted the world's press Out and a pout: Sienna's stunning gown stood out further among her colleagues She is usually caught smiling seductively or laughing for the camera. But TOWIE star Megan McKenna pulled a different sort of face while filming for the upcoming series of the famed reality show in an Essex park on Thursday. The 24-year-old TV sensation pouted and turned away in what looked like disgust as her co-stars Dan Edgar and James Lock ran past. Scroll down for video Disdainful pout: TOWIE star Megan McKenna turned away in what looked like disgust as her co-stars Dan Edgar and James Lock ran past while filming for the new series of the reality show in an Essex park The star donned a typically chic outfit, choosing a light pink coat with a sharp black and white scarf draped casually around her slim shoulders. Megan teamed the statement coat with simple black ripped jeans and practical-but-playful wellies for the day of shooting. She was sat catching up with old friend Georgia Kousoulou and new series star Amber Turner on a bench with their adorable puppies when the awkward moment happened. Georgia had driven to the park in her brand new Range Rover and had joined Amber and Megan for a chilly chat before the boys were spotted. The two men ran up looking suave and fit, and appeared to have colour co-ordinated. James, 28, showed off his toned arms and chest in branded gear, while 26-year-old Dan dressed for warmth, donning a gilet and cap. Awkward run in: Megan was sat catching up with friends Georgia Kousoulou and Amber Turner on a bench with their adorable puppies when Dan and James put in their unwelcome appearance Perhaps Megan refused to engage because she is still fuming about James' infamous Snapchat post from the beginning of the month - though she has not avoided her co-star's Romford healthy eatery, Lockie's Kitchen, as she was spotted there last week. The rift between Megan and James opened up when he grilled the brunette beauty and her tattooed on/ off beau Pete Wicks, 28, for 'relationship tips' on a group dinner outing. Stirring up the seemingly awkward atmosphere further, James then posted a Snapchat from the dinner as he grilled the turbulent couple following their very public row. Dog days are over: The brunette beauty and her poodle looked happy on the walk with new series star Amber Turner - who is rumoured to be involved with Dan at some point in the series - before the awkward run in, perhaps due to her relationship being back on track 'These two are like an old couple they don't talk.' he joked, adding: 'Megan! -What's your top tip for a great relationship?' As someone piped up in the background shouting 'habit!', James added: 'Come on girl, hit us with it. Before he concluded: 'You don't have one? What because of him?', admitting: 'What's my top tip? Don't have one.' Megan and Pete kept tight-lipped during the exchange. Back on track: The pair returned to their first date night venue in central London for Valentine's Day and professed their love despite turbulent times - after Pete showered Megan with a bouquet of roses Their romance has been famously shaky, with the pair looking close to another break-up just last month. But the pair seemed to be back on track as they celebrated Valentine's Day together on Tuesday. Cuddling up to share a smooch, the couple looked more loved-up than ever as they exchanged gifts and had dinner in the place where their love story began. Megan looked delighted in the shot, which she captioned: 'Valentines with my [love]. He spoilt me... like always.' After exchanging gifts the pair headed into London to enjoy some drinks in the place where their love story first began. Posting a picture of his girlfriend posing with their cocktails, Pete gushed: 'This is why she is my woman...if you know, you know. Ain't nothing better than having your best mate and your bird all rolled in to one little sort.' She's the reality TV star who continues to set tongues wagging. And just one day after Cheryl Maitland, 25, was seen snorting white powder from her breast, new topless photos of the Married At First Sight star have emerged. The Gold Coast hairdresser is pictured wearing a hat and not much else while flaunting her bare assets on a high-rise balcony alongside a gal pal. And there is more: MORE topless photos of Married At First Sight's Cheryl Maitland emerge after video of her snorting white powder It is unclear when exactly the photo was taken however her darker locks suggest it was before she appeared on the Channel Nine dating show. The risque snap comes after the Scottish-born beauty confirmed she once worked as a topless waitress, after photos emerged of her at a work function with her breasts exposed. The ombre-haired beauty appears to be working at a party taking place in a hotel room, with bottles of hard liquor laid out on the kitchen counter. Flaunting her ample assets in the photo, the reality TV star's wore just a skimpy pair of lingerie bottoms and matching black garters. Speaking about her past profession, Cheryl insisted she no longer works in that industry. Exposed: Cheryl's wild past as a topless waitress has been revealed, with a photo emerging of the busty brunette at work last September Leaving it behind: Despite the photo being taken just a few months ago, the 25-year-old insists her controversial job is now 'well and truly in (her) past' 'For a brief time I was a topless waitress but that's now well and truly in my past,' she previously told the Herald Sun. But according to the publication, the image in question was taken just a few months ago, in September. Meanwhile, that's not the only detail of Cheryl's past that may be cause for concern for her TV 'husband' Andrew Jones, who is 13 years her senior. Party girl: In January, Daily Mail Australia exclusively revealed the Married At First Sight star (L) had previously attended parties at the infamous Playboy mansion In a video taken several years ago, Cheryl can be seen snorting a white powder off her own breast during a wild night out. Verifying her appearance in the clip, the 25-year old told Daily Mail Australia it was just a 'joke' and she regretted appearing in it. Wild night: Meanwhile, video footage has emerged of the brunette snorting a white powder off her breast while at a party 'Joke': Verifying her appearance in the clip, the 25-year old told Daily Mail Australia it was just a 'joke' and she regretted appearing in it Scandal: The video, first published by Woman's Day, shows the Gold Coast native taking a $50 note from another woman and rolling it up to snort a line of white powder 'I posted this video as a joke on my Instagram account several years ago. Looking back I now realise what an extremely naive thing it was to have done, and I seriously regret it,' she said. Meanwhile Cheryl's sister, Sarah-Jane Maitland, also told Woman's Day on Thursday: 'Yes, we are aware this video of Cheryl is circulating.' In the clip, Cheryl is handed a $50 note by another woman with red nails before she leans down and snorts the substance off her chest. Social butterfly: More recently, Cheryl (pictured third from the left) was spotted attending a bikini party run by millionaire tobacco tycoon Travers Beynon, known as 'The Candyman' A male is heard exclaiming off camera: 'S**t, that is so good'. It appears that the footage was taken during a party as music is heard blaring in the background. Before her appearance on reality TV, Cheryl worked as a glamour model. She was recently spotted partying in the Gold Coast with millionaire tobacco tycoon Travers Beynon, known as 'The Candyman'. Past: Now a hair salon assistant, the reality TV star previously worked as a glamour model In January, Daily Mail exclusively revealed that Cheryl had attended at least two parties at Hugh Hefner's infamous Playboy mansion in Los Angeles. According to a previous local news report, she first visited the mansion in 2011 with her sister Sarah-Jane when she was just 20 years old. The following year Cheryl, who at that time had bleach-blonde hair, returned to the LA to attend another Playboy party, this time wearing nothing but lingerie. Meanwhile, on this week's Married At First Sight, Cheryl asked for a second chance at love with Andrew after her 'marriage' to Jonathan broke down. What will her husband think? Cheryl's wild past may come as a surprise to her TV 'husband' Andrew Hill, who had been warned by other contestants about her intentions Second chance: Cheryl asked for a second chance to be matched with fireman Andrew after her TV 'marriage' to Jonathan broke down Andrew became available when his bride Lauren disappeared after their 'wedding', leaving the fireman too hurt to continue with their relationship. But at the weekly dinner party, Cheryl's return with Andrew on her arm was not well-received by the other contestants. Anthony led the intense barrage of questions, questioning whether she deserved a second chance with a 'nice guy' like Andrew. 'Absolutely I'm questioning Cheryls intentions because, you know, it's all bulls***. It was a complete act. She doesn't deserve a second chance,' Anthony said. It's a match! Andrew (L) had become single after his bride Lauren disappeared on their wedding night, leaving the 38-year-old too hurt to continue with their relationship She's just returned from a family holiday to Noosa. And AFL WAG Nadia Bartel swapped her bikinis for a little black dress as she stepped out with her husband at the Myer Autumn-Winter Fashion Show on Thursday. The 31-year-old simply stunned in a strapless, long-sleeved frock by Alex Perry, while Jimmy cut a dashing figure in a black tux. Scroll down for video Power couple: Nadia Bartel looked gorgeous in an Alex Perry dress as she attended the Myer Autumn-Winter Fashion Show with her husband Jimmy on Thursday night Nadia looked radiant on the red carpet in the strapless dress, which featured tiny sparkly embellishments all over. The mother-of-one showed off a hint of cleavage with the frock's sheer panel that plunged down to her navel. The fashion blogger added extra glamour to the ensemble with a pair of strappy Giuseppe Zanotti heels and a chain bag from Saint Laurent. Bronzed beauty: The 31-year-old showed off her glowing complexion with a bronzed makeup look for the night Back in black: The fashion blogger showed off her slender pins in a black mini-dress with long sleeves and a sheer panel at the bust Meanwhile, a pair of silver earrings by Quella tied in with the rest of the look. Nadia styled her blonde locks in loose waves, while her complexion was absolutely glowing with bronzer and highlighter applied generously. Smokey brown eyeshadow and lashings of mascara added drama to the night-time look, as well as a mauve shade of lipstick. Power couple: Nadia and her former AFL star beau dazzled on the red carpet after returning from their beach holiday in Noosa last week Nadia looked thrilled to be accompanied by her husband Jimmy, who announced his retirement from AFL in October. The 33-year-old looked dapper in a tux with a white shirt and patent dress shoes. A black pocket square completed the former Geelong Cats star's date night look. Bikini babe: The glamourous WAG showed off her enviable bikini body in social media snaps shared during the family getaway The couple's outing comes just days after their sun-soaked holiday to Noosa with their 14-month-old son Aston. Nadia seized plenty of opportunities to document the trip on social media, sharing bikini snaps from the beach. In one shot, the Melbourne-based beauty is cuddling her son while showing off her svelte figure in a black-and-white bikini. Ellen DeGeneres earned a legal victory for a case centred around a breast joke. The 59-year-old comedienne was being sued for a wisecrack she made about the name of Georgia realtor Titi Pierce on her chat show. A judge tossed the lawsuit against DeGeneres and even explained the decision to do so by deciphering the English language according to a Thursday report from TMZ. Scroll down for video Victory: Ellen DeGeneres earned a legal victory for a case centred around a breast joke she made on her chat show last year as a judge tossed the case according to TMZ Legal documents obtained by the publication read: 'The letter "i" in the English language can be pronounced in several ways. 'While Titi chooses to pronounce her name with "e," there is nothing demonstrably false in pronouncing it with "i" as DeGeneres did.' In February 2016, as part of her segment called What's Wrong With These Signs she displayed an image of one of Pierce's signs on the big screen behind her and made a few jokes about it. Gag: The 59-year-old comedienne aired a segment called What's Wrong With These Signs in February 2016 Speaking about the name, which she featured after the similarly amusingly named but unconnected 'Nipple Convalescent Home', she wryly noted: 'Titi Pierce, sounds like she might have spent some time in that nipple home.' Unfortunately Ellen pronounced the name like the slang name for a woman's breast, rather than the supposedly grammatically correct, 'tee-tee,' which is said to have led to the woman being a source of mockery ever since. Titi claimed it was the first time anyone had mispronounced her name. According to the Macon Telegraph back in June, the Warner Robins, Georgia woman has been subjected to constant ridicule, with people ringing her mobile phone to leave cruel answerphone messages, including during a funeral. Wisecrack: displayed an image of one of Georgia realtor Titi Pierce's signs on the big screen behind her and made a few jokes about it Sense of humor: Members of the audience began laughing as Ellen joked 'Titi Pierce, sounds like she might have spent some time in that nipple home' Her attorney Stacey Godfrey Evans told the newspaper: 'Shes a real person with real feelings. She is a private, proud person, and she was humiliated on national television not once, but twice.' In her suit the 35-year-old says when the segment aired her personal mobile phone number had not been blurred from the real estate sign featuring her name used on the show. Realtor Pierce, who also works as an Air Force base electronics engineer, claims she did not even see the segment when it initially aired, but soon afterwards received calls as she drove to a funeral, at the wake and during the service itself. Bourne this way: Earlier this week she was joined on the Ellen DeGeneres show by actor Matt Damon She claimed she called the show when it aired last February and the following month to inform show staff the correct correct pronunciation of her name and that her number had not been blurred. She also begged that they do not reference her on the show or on social media. While it was blurred on a video posted on social media, when the programme aired again April 15 her number could still be seen. Her name was apparently taken from the Nigerian word for flower, which her mother discovered in a book on Nigerian names. Regis Philbin claims in a new interview that he hasn't been invited back to Live With Kelly since retiring from the show in 2011. But an executive for the daytime show has now spoken out, insisting that the TV veteran was asked to be a guest several times. Dave Davis, President of WABC which produces the talk show, released a statement Thursday saying: 'It was wonderful to have Regis on the show for our 2015 Halloween special.' Scroll down for video 'Several times': Producers from Live With Kelly insist Regis Philbin has been asked back to appear on the show following his retirement despite his claims that he hasn't Dave Davis (right) released a statement Thursday saying: 'It was wonderful to have Regis (left) on the show for our 2015 Halloween special' 'He's also been invited back several times as a guest, and in fact was confirmed for a date, but was not able to make it at the time.' Davis confirmed. In a behind the scenes video clip from the 2015 episode Kelly is seen giving Regis a very warm welcome as she enters his dressing room. The blonde beauty also invites the 85-year-old star round to her house for a visit as they catch-up while Regis has his hair and makeup done. Friendly encounter: In a clip of the Halloween episode from 2015, Kelly is seen giving Regis a warm welcome in his dressing room They get on great! The friendly encounter contradicts what Regis said in his interview with Larry King this week Regis gave an interview for the Larry King Now show where he says he thinks Kelly, 46, took it personally when he left their show Live! With Regis And Kelly in 2011. He'd also revealed on the Ora.TV and Hulu show that after he left Live!, 'Never once did they ask me to go back' for a guest episode. When asked by King whether he and Kelly Ripa still kept in contact, Regis replied: 'Not really. No. No. 'She got very offended when I left. She thought I was leaving because of her. I was leaving because I was getting older and that wasn't right for me anymore.' 'Never once did they ask me to go back': When asked on Larry King Now whether he and Kelly Ripa still kept in contact, 85-year-old Regis said wanly: 'Not really,' adding: 'No' Split: As he explained, 'She got very offended when I left' their show, noting that: 'She thought I was leaving because of her,' but that 'I was leaving because I was getting older and that wasn't right for me anymore' 'You mean she took it personal?' King pressed, to which Philbin replied: 'Yeah, I think so. That was 11 years ago and I've...' he trailed off. Indeed, King did not correct Philbin on this point, as he left Live only five-years ago and not 11, as he stated. 'Haven't heard?' King offered as an end to the sentence, and Philbin, with a sad shake of the head, concurred: 'Never have.' This new revelation sharply contradicts the warmly emotional goodbye the 46-year-old had offered her co-host during his final episode of Live! on November 18, 2011. In floods of tears, she'd read out a speech she'd written him, vaunting the 'privilege of walking 43 steps with you from my dressing room to the studio floor five days a week for the past 11 years.' Wounded by the exit: 'You mean she took it personal?' King pressed, to which Philbin replied: 'Yeah, I think so' Earning laughs, she'd quipped: 'Except for when you have off on Fridays, and Fridays and Mondays in the summer,' as Philbin mugged for the crowd. Effusing about how 'you always wanna make me look like a million bucks,' she'd remembered that on her first day in 2001: 'I was terrified.' As she'd recalled: 'I was absolutely filled with fear, and you grabbed my hand, and we walked down the hallway, we came out the door, and the audience leapt to their feet and they were cheering and screaming.' At which point 'you pulled me in and you said: "You see that, sweetie? That's all for you. All these people are here for you,"' a compliment she insists 'wasn't true.' The way they were: This new revelation sharply contradicts the warmly emotional goodbye the 46-year-old had offered her co-host during his final episode of Live! on November 18, 2011 The old days: Live With Regis And Kathie Lee began in 1988 and lasted until 2000, when Kathie Lee Gifford abdicated and began an interregnum known as Live With Regis; the Philbin and Gifford are pictured in 1995 with Hugh Grant Saying that 'your light is what shined about all of us and made us look so bright,' she gushed that 'I look forward to the next 43 steps, and may they fill you with the joy that you filled all of us with for all of these years.' Live With Regis And Kathie Lee began in 1988 and lasted until 2000, when Kathie Lee Gifford abdicated and the show was known as Live With Regis. Live! With Regis And Kelly ran from 2001 until that final November 2011 air date, whereupon Live! With Kelly blew through over 50 co-hosts until 2012. That year, Michael Strahan joined what became Live! With Kelly And Michael, but when he left for a full-time gig at Good Morning America last April - igniting rumors of her fury - the show became Live With Kelly and continues to rotate co-hosts now. He once used an extreme analogy about bunnies to stop his daughters from eating sweets. And Pete Evans, 43, appears to have passed on his paleo eating habits onto his little girls, Chilli, 12, and Indii, 10. The My Kitchen Rules judge shared a snap of Indii's breakfast to Instagram on Friday. Paleo meal: Pete Evans, 43, appears to have passed on his paleo eating habits onto his two young daughters Chilli and Indii While most kids opt for sugary cereal or toast, Indii was served an unprocessed meal that included fish eggs and sauerkraut. 'Little Indii's breakfast before school today. Organic eggs, broccolini, bacon, lettuce, avocado, fish eggs, kraut and the eggs are topped with chimmichurri [sic],' he captioned. The celebrity chef added that the daughters he shares with ex Astrid Edlinger regularly enjoy fish eggs. Healthy eaters: In 2015 Pete, whose family no longer eats gluten, dairy, processed foods and sugar, recalled how he persuaded his daughters not to eat lolly bags they had brought home from a kids party 'The girls favourite food is fish eggs so we get a jar every week as a treat,' he wrote adding the hashtags: #guthealth, #foodismedicine and #paleo. In 2015 Pete, whose family no longer eats gluten, dairy, processed foods and sugar, recalled how he persuaded his daughters not to eat lolly bags they had brought home from a kids party. 'What if the bunnies wanted to eat lollies because the other bunnies in the street were and there was a chance that maybe their bunnies would get sick or not live as long or be in pain, would they ever feed the bunnies the lollies?' he told News Corp. Criticism: The reality TV judge was once widely criticised over a baby cookbook he co-authored Controversy: Publisher Pan Macmillan Australia pulled out of plans to publish his book after critics like Professor Heather Yeatman, president of the Public Health Association of Australia, warned against it 'I said that they need to think of themselves as 'bunnies' and hopefully they will learn to make wise choices when it comes to what they feed themselves.' The reality TV judge, who is dating Kiwi model Nicola Watson, was once widely criticised over a baby cookbook he co-authored. Publisher Pan Macmillan Australia pulled out of plans to publish the book after critics like Professor Heather Yeatman, president of the Public Health Association of Australia, warned against it. 'In my view, there's a very real possibility that a baby may die if this book goes ahead,' she told The Australian Women's Weekly. Buddhist monks face the police in front of the scandal-hit Wat Dhammakaya temple Thai police left empty handed after a day-long search of a massive Buddhist temple for a monk wanted over a multi-million-dollar scam on Thursday, the latest twist in a saga highlighting a split over the nation's faith. The sweep of the powerful and ultra-rich Wat Dhammakaya temple on Bangkok's outskirts comes after Thailand's junta chief invoked special powers to put its sprawling 1,000-acre compound under military control. But it became the latest failed attempt to arrest Phra Dhammachayo, the septuagenarian monk who founded the breakaway Buddhist order in 1970, after police said they were unable to find him but would resume their search the following day. The former abbot is believed to be holed up inside the compound, which is famous for its space-age architecture, though he has not been seen in public for months. Police issued a warrant for his arrest last year on charges of money laundering and accepting embezzled funds worth 1.2 billion baht ($33 million) from the jailed owner of a cooperative bank. Previous attempts to raid the temple have been thwarted after thousands of devotees showed up to defend the elderly abbot. Desperate to avoid clashes with monks and other disciples, the Thai junta endorsed a sudden order early Thursday that gave authorities special powers to block ff the area. In a day of high drama and stagecraft, some 4,000 unarmed police and soldiers descended on the site before dawn, locking down roads leading to the compound. Thailand After hours of negotiation with monks, some officers managed to enter one gate and cut the lock off on another -- a breakthrough compared to previous stand-offs. But after scouring "15-20 percent" of the sprawling compound investigators retreated empty handed. "We still have to keep searching in our all targeted areas, only then can can we say whether he is in there or not," Woranun Srilam, deputy spokesman of Thailand's equivalent of the FBI, told reporters. Speaking to media outside the temple, a Dhammakaya spokesman said he could not confirm whether the spiritual leader was inside. "I don't know his whereabouts -- I haven't seen him in about nine months," said Phra Sanitwong Wutthiwangso. Temple staff have previously said the ex-abbot is innocent but too ill to be questioned by police. - 'Cultish' - Historically, Thailand's secular authorities have been reluctant to intervene in the affairs of the clergy in the Buddhist-majority country. But hostility towards the Dhammakaya sect has mounted in recent years, with critics from the mainstream Buddhist establishment accusing the temple of promoting a pay-your-way to nirvana philosophy. Aided by a sophisticated PR operation, the sect has enjoyed a meteoric rise over the past three decades, raising tens of millions of dollars and opening outposts around the world. It is also famous for hosting visually-stunning mass gatherings of monks on Buddhist holy days -- events derided by critics as a display of the sect's "cultish" approach. Buddhist monks pray with candles in front of a full moon to mark Makha Bucha Day at Wat Dhammakaya temple, just north of Bangkok, on February 11, 2017 The controversy is fuelled in part by speculation that the temple has links to Thaksin Shinawatra -- the ex-premier who was ousted in a 2006 military coup and lies at the heart of the kingdom's rancorous political divide. The administration of his sister Yingluck, who was also prime minister, was toppled by the military again in 2014. The temple denies any political affiliations and says it has become a pawn in a battle that pits the Shinawatras and their rural supporters against Bangkok's army-allied elite. Last week Thailand's new king chose an octoganerian abbot to become the country's top monk, ending a three year stalemate and passing over a Dhammakaya-linked cleric who was next-in-line for the job. Malaysian police are detaining a woman holding a Vietnamese passport and seeking further suspects in the killing of Kim Jong-Nam, the half-brother of North Korea's leader A suspect in the killing of the half-brother of North Korea's leader was due to appear in court Thursday, as Malaysian police searched for others involved in an assassination Seoul says was carried out by Pyongyang's agents. Police said the 28-year-old woman, who was carrying a Vietnamese passport, was held overnight following her arrest, after reports said two female assassins sprayed toxins in the victim's face at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. "We are looking for more suspects," Selangor state police chief Abdul Samah Mat told AFP, but declined to say how many were being sought, or their nationalities. The two women struck on Monday as Kim Jong-Nam was readying to board a flight to Macau where he has spent many years in exile, South Korea's spy chief Lee Byung-Ho has said, pointing the finger of blame at the North. Malaysian police said Kim, a portly 45-year-old with a playboy reputation, was walking through the departure hall when he was attacked. How to poison your enemies CCTV images that emerged in Malaysian media, purportedly of one of the suspects, showed an Asian woman wearing a white top with the letters "LOL" emblazoned on the front. Kims body was Thursday being held at Kuala Lumpur Hospital following an autopsy, the results of which have not yet been released. Malaysian media cited unnamed official sources as saying North Korea had requested the body, but Abdul Samah said Wednesday that nobody had come forward and that it would remain in the morgue until it was claimed. However North Korean embassy officials were seen visiting the hospital's forensics department in a diplomatic vehicle on Wednesday afternoon and again overnight. If confirmed, the assassination, which analysts said could have been ordered over reports Kim was readying to defect, would be the highest-profile death under the watch of the North's young leader Kim Jong-Un. However, in a country with a long record of meting out brutal deaths, he is believed to have also ordered the 2013 execution of his influential uncle, Jang Song-Thaek. US President Donald Trump spent time defending his former national security adviser, Michael Flynn (L) as a victim of "illegal leaks" to "fake media" US President Donald Trump hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House -- and dropped his predecessors' longtime attachment to a two-state solution in any Middle East peace settlement. Meantime, his still young administration continued down a tumultuous path as Trump's under-fire nominee for labor secretary withdrew from consideration. Trump also spent time defending his former national security adviser, Michael Flynn -- who resigned Monday amid furor over his reported contacts with Russian intelligence -- as a victim of "illegal leaks" to "fake media." And at NATO headquarters, Defense Secretary James Mattis conveyed Trump's message that America's allies need to carry more weight. Here are five takeaways from the day, from Washington and Brussels: - One state, two states ... - Trump, departing from the steadfast preference of his three predecessors, said he had no special attachment to a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and would back a single state if it led to peace. "I thought for a while the two-state looked like it may be the easier of the two but, honestly, if Israel and the Palestinians are happy, I'm happy with the one they like the best," he said at a White House news conference with Netanyahu. While warmly welcoming the Israeli leader, Trump did urge him to restrain for a "little bit" from building Jewish settlements, which Palestinians fervently oppose. But he also said that "the Palestinians have to get rid of some of that hate that they're taught from a very young age." Netanyahu and Trump's predecessor, Barack Obama, had a notably prickly relationship. The warm vibe between the Israeli leader and Trump was one they both emphasized. - Labor secretary pick is out - Despite intense opposition to some of his cabinet picks, Trump has managed to get most of them confirmed. Not so his choice for labor secretary, Andrew Puzder, who withdrew from consideration Wednesday, amid intense scrutiny of his business record and personal past. The withdrawal of the fast-food executive dealt a new blow to the president on the heels of Flynn's resignation Monday. Puzder offered little explanation but vowed his full support for "the president and his highly qualified team." Critics had blasted Puzder for opposing a minimum wage for workers, for initially failing to pay taxes on an undocumented employee, and over embarrassing questions raised by a messy divorce several years ago. - Russia contacts? 'Non-sense' - Still struggling to contain the damage over Flynn's contacts with Russia, Trump dismissed talk of any Russian connection as "non-sense" and blamed the debacle on "illegal leaks" from US intelligence agencies. "This Russian connection non-sense is merely an attempt to cover-up the many mistakes made in Hillary Clinton's losing campaign," Trump said on Twitter. The New York Times had reported Tuesday that US intelligence agents intercepted calls showing that members of Trump's campaign had repeated contacts with top Russian intelligence officials before the November election. Trump tweeted that "information is being illegally given to the failing @nytimes & @washingtonpost by the intelligence community (NSA and FBI?) Just like Russia." - Message to NATO: Carry your weight - Europeans were unnerved during the US campaign by suggestions from Trump that they might not always be able to count on the strong US support they have long counted on. Defense Secretary James Mattis may not have eased those concerns on Wednesday, bluntly warning allies at NATO headquarters in Brussels that the Trump administration would "moderate its commitment" to the alliance unless members met their spending pledges. Washington has long called on its allies to spend at least two percent of their GDP on defense, but only a handful do so. Mattis's words, however, will likely resonate among Europeans -- already worried by the threat from Russia in the east -- at a time when Trump has repeatedly expressed admiration for President Vladimir Putin. "Americans cannot care more for your children's future security than you do," Mattis said. "If your nations do not want to see America moderate its commitment to this alliance, each of your capitals need to show support for our common defense." It was a "firm message," NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said later, adding that it would be clearly heard by his colleagues. - Antidote for anti-Semitism? 'A lot of love' - Asked at the news conference about a spike in anti-Semitic acts in the United States, Trump promised that Americans would be seeing "a lot of love" across the country -- but he did so only after bragging about his election win. Anti-Semitic attacks increased in the days after Trump's November election, and an Israeli journalist asked if the Republican agreed with those who said the new administration might be "playing with xenophobia." Trump offered a rather circuitous answer -- first congratulating himself on the size of his Electoral College victory. He then vowed: "We are going to stop crime in this country. We are going to do everything in our power to stop long-simmering racism." Trump then shifted gears to mention his daughter and son-in-law are Jewish, before closing with: "I think that youre going to see a lot different United States of America over the next three, four or eight years. I think a lot of good things are happening and you're going to see a lot of love." Trump's response drew some acid commentary. One tweeter drily summed up his response as: "I won the election and also my daughter is Jewish." Lee Jae-yong, vice chairman of Samsung Electronics, is accused of paying nearly $40 million in bribes secure policy favours in South Korea The scion of South Korean giant Samsung appeared in court Thursday as judges deliberate a second attempt by prosecutors to arrest him over a corruption scandal embroiling impeached President Park Geun-Hye. Lee Jae-Yong, Samsung Electronics vice chairman, is accused of paying nearly $40 million in bribes to Park's secret confidante to secure policy favours. The 48-year-old appeared grim-faced as he entered the Seoul courthouse Thursday without answering questions from hordes of reporters as protestors chanted "Arrest him!" nearby, according to television footage. He avoided being arrested during hearings last month, after the court ruled there was insufficient evidence. But prosecutors on Tuesday made a second bid for his arrest, saying they have collected more evidence in recent weeks. Lee, the son of Samsung group chairman Lee Kun-Hee, would face immediate incarceration at a detention centre for those awaiting trial, if the court opts to issue the arrest warrant. The scandal centres on Choi Soon-Sil, who is accused of using her close ties with Park to force local firms to "donate" nearly $70 million to non-profit foundations which Choi allegedly used for personal gain. Samsung was the single biggest donor to the foundations. It is also accused of separately giving millions of euros to Choi to bankroll her daughter's equestrian training in Germany. The court is also deliberating an arrest warrant for another Samsung executive, who is also the head of Korea Equestrian Federation, over bribery charges. Samsung said in a statement Wednesday it had "not paid bribes nor made improper requests to the president seeking favours". Lee has effectively taken the helm of Samsung -- South Korea's biggest business group -- since his father suffered a heart attack in 2014. The group's flagship unit, Samsung Electronics, is the world's largest maker of smartphones. Prosecutors are probing whether Samsung had paid Choi to secure state approval for the controversial merger of two Samsung units seen as a key step towards ensuring a smooth power transfer to Lee. The merger in 2015 of Samsung C&T and Cheil Industries was opposed by many investors who said it wilfully undervalued the former unit's shares. But the deal went through after Seoul's state pension fund -- a major Samsung shareholder -- approved it. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said it was the "duty of any government" to regain control of "every inch" of its territory President Bashar al-Assad on Thursday said Raqa is not a priority target for his forces, saying his goal is to retake "every inch" of Syrian territory. "Raqa is a symbol," Assad said in an interview with French media, while asserting that jihadist attacks carried out in France were "not necessarily prepared" in the Islamic State group (IS) stronghold in Syria. "You have ISIS close to Damascus, you have them everywhere," Assad said, using another acronym for IS. "Everywhere is a priority depending on the development of the battle," he said, as a new round of peace talks was set to kick off in the Kazakh capital Astana. "They are in Palmyra now and in the eastern part of Syria," he said in the interview in Damascus with Europe 1 radio and the TF1 and LCI television channels. "For us it is all the same, Raqa, Palmyra, Idlib, it's all the same." The Syrian leader said it was the "duty of any government" to regain control of "every inch" of its territory. Zones of control in the north of Syria After a string of major losses in both Iraq and Syria, the jihadists' two main strongholds of Mosul and Raqa are both under attack from forces backed by a US-led coalition. After a massive, four-month campaign, Iraqi forces are tightening the noose on Mosul, while in Syria, an Arab-Kurd alliance, the Syrian Democratic Forces, has begun advancing on Raqa. Also in the interview, Assad categorically denied that his government practises torture and reiterated his rejection of recent allegations by Amnesty International of executions and atrocities perpetrated at a prison near Damascus. Assad said Amnesty's "childish report" contained "not a single fact (or) evidence" to support allegations that some 13,000 people were hanged at the Saydnaya prison between 2011 and 2015. - Winning hearts - Fighters from the Syrian Democratic Forces, backed by a US-led coalition, move towards a village northeast of Raqa during their advance on IS de facto capital in Syria "They said they interviewed few witnesses, who are opposition and defected. So it's biased," the Syrian president said. Regarding torture, he said, "We don't do this, it's not our policy," adding: "Torture for what? ... For sadism?... to get information? We have all the information." He argued: "If we commit such atrocities it's going to play into the hands of the terrorists, they're going to win. It's about winning the hearts of the Syrian people, if we commit such atrocities... we wouldn't have (popular) support (through) six years" of war. Concerning international negotiations to end the conflict that has claimed more than 300,000 lives, Assad said Western countries had "lost their chance of achieving anything in Geneva twice." While Turkey, Russia and Iran take the lead in the talks in Astana, the West has become "passive", he said, denouncing the coalition for supporting "those groups that represented the terrorists against the government. "They did not want to achieve peace in Syria." Russia and Iran have helped turn the tables on the ground with their military backing for Assad, while Turkey has supported rebels fighting to oust the strongman. A new round of the Astana talks was set to kick off on Thursday after a one-day delay for "technical reasons". The talks -- pushed by key Assad supporter Moscow -- are viewed as a warm-up for UN-led negotiations that are due to begin in Geneva on February 23. The meeting in Geneva, the fifth time negotiators have gone to Switzerland, has been pushed back twice already, in part to give the opposition more time to form a unified delegation. UN envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura is in Russia for meetings with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu as the UN gears up for Geneva talks UN envoy Staffan de Mistura called Thursday for greater efforts in the push for peace in Syria, as he visited Moscow ahead of a fresh round of talks in Geneva. De Mistura was in Russia for meetings with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu as the United Nations gears up to hold negotiations in Switzerland on February 23. "Now is the right time to step up efforts to normalise the political process in Syria," de Mistura told Lavrov in comments translated into Russian by the state-run TASS news agency. TASS reported that de Mistura said the UN "supports" Russian-led peace efforts in the Kazakh capital of Astana, where armed opposition groups and Syrian regime representatives are set to hold a second round of indirect talks on Thursday. The talks in Kazakhstan -- co-sponsored by Turkey and Iran -- are being billed as a prelude to the Geneva meeting, with negotiations expected to focus on shoring up a shaky ceasefire on the ground. Moscow has increasingly taken the lead on shaping Syria's future after its military intervention on the side of leader Bashar al-Assad helped turn the tables in the protracted conflict. Russia says the Astana process is meant to support the Geneva talks, but there has been speculation that it is working with Ankara to develop an alternative to the UN-led initiative. Al-Bab is IS's final stronghold in the northern Syrian province of Aleppo and has come under fierce attack by Turkish forces and allied Syrian rebels in recent months Turkish bombardment of an Islamic State group-held town in Syria has killed 34 civilians in one day, a monitor said Thursday, but Turkey's army said only "terrorists" died in the operation. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the dead in air strikes and shelling on the town of Al-Bab had killed 24 civilians -- including 11 children -- by Thursday morning. Renewed bombardment later in the day killed another ten civilians, among them six children, Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP. Turkey's army, quoted by the state-run Anadolu news agency said it had killed 15 "terrorists" in air strikes, artillery fire and clashes. Al-Bab is IS's final stronghold in the northern Syrian province of Aleppo and has come under fierce attack in recent months by Turkish forces and allied Syrian rebels, fighting under the "Euphrates Shield" banner. The joint force entered Al-Bab over the weekend, and Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said Tuesday that the town had "largely been taken under control." The Observatory however said Turkish forces had made little progress since entering the town from the west. Abu Jaafar, a field commander in one of the Euphrates Shield brigades, described a fierce IS defence of Al-Bab. "We tried a new tactic and were able to advance in Al-Bab at 1:00 am (Thursday)" seizing several key grain silos in the city's west, he told AFP. "But unfortunately, as we were storming the city, we were surprised by an ambush set for us by Daesh," Abu Jaafar said, using the Arabic acronym for IS. He said that several of his fighters were wounded when they were attacked by at least one suicide attacker and their equipment sustained serious damage. Abu Jaafar said his forces were regrouping for a fresh attack, and that air strikes by Turkish warplanes and the US-backed coalition were ongoing. On the eastern side of the town, an AFP correspondent saw fighters from the Mustafa Regiment, part of Euphrates Shield, attacking Al-Bab from a large olive grove on Thursday. Perched atop white pickup trucks, they strafed the town with machine gun fire before entering a few bombed-out buildings. Turkey began military operations in Syria in August, targeting both IS and Kurdish fighters. Initially its forces advanced quickly, but they stalled around Al-Bab in December. The town is also a key target for Syrian government forces, who had been advancing towards from the south. But they have yet to enter Al-Bab, instead focused on clearing IS-held territory in the surrounding countryside in recent days. More than 310,000 people have been killed in Syria since the conflict began in March 2011 with anti-government protests. The war has displaced over half the country's population and drawn in jihadists and international militaries. Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari The leader of Nigeria's Senate on Thursday said President Muhammadu Buhari was well after visiting him in London, trying to dispel rumours about the state of his health. Bukola Saraki on Wednesday travelled to the British capital with the majority leader in the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, and the speaker of the lower House of Representatives, Yakub Dogara. It was the latest political delegation to visit 74-year-old Buhari at Nigeria's official diplomatic residence, where he has been staying for nearly a month. Saraki said in a statement on his Facebook page that Buhari was "healthy" and there was "no cause for alarm". The head of state was "cheerful and in good spirits", he added. In a separate series of Tweets, he added there was "no vacuum in government" and "all organs of government (are) fulfilling their mandate". A tweet on Buhari's own Twitter account late on Wednesday said he appreciated the visit and thanked "Nigerians, Christians and Muslims alike, for their prayers and kind wishes for my health". Unlike some heads of state and government, Buhari does not initial tweets he writes himself. Photographs showed him meeting the politicians looking apparently relaxed. Buhari's health has been the subject of increasing concern in Nigeria since he extended his stay in London earlier this month, just as he was scheduled to return to Abuja. The presidency has repeatedly insisted he is not seriously unwell but was awaiting the results of medical tests. The former army general, who headed a military regime in the 1980s, received treatment for what his office said was a persistent inner ear infection in London in June last year. The health of Nigeria's president is a sensitive issue given the death in 2010 of president Musa Umaru Yar'Adua from a long-standing, but previously undisclosed, kidney complaint. His initial illness and treatment in hospital abroad triggered months of political uncertainty. His deputy, Goodluck Jonathan, took over on Yar'Adua's death. Buhari's number two, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, is deputising during his absence. A Palestinian woman holding her national flag takes cover from tear gas fired by Israeli security forces during clashes in the West Bank village of Nabi Saleh on February 6, 2015 Arab League chief Ahmed Abul Gheit said on Thursday resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict would require a two-state solution, a day after Washington signalled it would drop that demand. Abul Gheit affirmed that the conflict "requires a comprehensive and just peace based on a two-state solution with an independent Palestinian state," a statement said after he met UN chief Antonio Guterres in Cairo. His comments came a day after US President Donald Trump met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and suggested a two-state solution was not necessary. Guterres had also called for a two-state solution on Wednesday in a speech in Cairo, saying there was "no Plan B". The Arab League statement said he and Abul Gheit "agreed that the two-state solution remains the real way to achieving" peace. For the better part of half a century, successive US governments -- both Republican and Democrat -- have backed a two-state solution. Palestinian Liberation Organisation secretary-general Saeb Erekat said the PLO remained committed to two states and would oppose any system that discriminated against Palestinians. Transcription 1 Dust Emissions from Landfill due to Deposition of Industrial Waste: A Case Study in Malmberget Mine, Sweden Qi Jia, Yi Huang, Nadhir Al-Ansari and Sven Knutsson Civil, Mining and Nature Resources Engineering of Lulea University of Technology Abstract A great amount of industrial wastes are produced in Sweden every year. In 2008 there were 97.9 million tons of wasted generated, among which 93 million tons industrial waste were produced. 64.1% of industrial wastes were deposited in the landfill sites. Dust generation is one of the most important problems associated with industrial waste and landfills. The particulate dust emissions come from the industrial waste may contain heavy metal and produce environmental problems and potential health risks. Active and passive samplers, deposition pans are common equipment to collect dust samples. Real-time monitors use laser diffraction to recording continuous dust concentration. Dust emission from Malmberget mine in Sweden was analyzed as a case study. Dust was collected by NILU deposit gauge from 26 stations. Generally speaking the amount of dust fallout was decreasing with time because of implemented dust control methods. During the period August 2009 to August 2010, among all the measuring stations through the year, the maximum and the minimum value were 1284 g/100m 2 /30d and 9 g/100m 2 /30d. Two sources of dust generation were identified. The first was located close to the open pit, and the second near the current mining industrial center. The dust generation due to road construction was calculated. On the other hand dust generation was also closely related to weather conditions. Introduction The rapid industrialization, urbanization and rise in living standards of people bring major environmental pollution problems associated with wastes. In developed countries like Sweden, mining industry plays an important role. In the national productive works 97.9 million tons wastes were generated all over the country in 2008, among which 93 million tons were industrial waste (NATURVARDSVERKET,2010). The problems relating to disposal of industrial solid waste are associated with lack of infrastructural facilities and negligence of industries to take proper safeguards. The industrial waste from extractive operations (i.e. waste from extraction and processing of mineral resources) is one of the largest waste streams in the EU. It involves materials that must be removed to gain access to the mineral resource, such as topsoil, overburden and waste rock, as well as tailings remaining after minerals have been largely extracted from the ore. Some of these wastes are inert and hence not likely to represent a significant pollutant threat to the environment. However, the other fractions, in those generated by the heavy metal mining industry, may contain large quantities of dangerous substances, such as the residuals from the mineral ores. Through the extraction and subsequent mineral processing, metals and metal compounds tend to become chemically more available, which can result in the generation of acid or alkaline drainage. Moreover, the management of tailings is an intrinsically risky activity, often involving residual processing chemicals and elevated levels of metals. In many cases tailings are stored in open pile, or in large ponds where they are retained by means of dams. The collapse of dams or heaps may have serious impacts on environment and human health and safety. Other 2 likely significant impacts relate to the emissions from the physical operations of waste disposal facilities and from dust and erosion. These impacts can have lasting environmental and socio-economic consequences and be extremely difficult and costly to address through remedial measures. Wastes from the mining extractive operations have therefore to be properly managed in order to ensure in particular the long-term stability of disposal facilities and to prevent or minimize any water and soil pollution arising from acid or alkaline drainage and leaching of heavy metals. Many comprehensive frameworks for the safe management of waste from extractive industries at EU level are now in place. Industrial waste in Sweden Nowadays, Sweden is a developed country with a highly percentage of mining industry works. A huge amount of mining wastes are produced during mineral works. These wastes can either be used for filling materials or be stored at piles. For some dangerous waste materials landfill is the most common method for waste treatment process (Figure 1), however only waste that has been treated until it has the same properties as earth should be deposited (Baccini & Henseler, 1985). With the development of the modern society, the demand of management of the huge amount of the waste from the cities is of great concern for the influence on the environmental, and back to the human health. By the development of the mining industry in Sweden from 1900s, high content of heavy metal contaminated materials had been managed to fulfill the landfill requirement (Lagerkvist, 2003). Due to its consequences on people and the environment the landfill technology is significantly important in Sweden. The landfill site Figure 1.The percentage of the solid waste in Sweden ( NATURVARDSVERKET,2010) 3 formation had become a serious public problem. The results of the research carried by Ritzkowski et al. (2006) indicated that the emissions of pollutants, either solid or gaseous, produced in solid urban waste landfill sites, last approximately three decades or even centuries after the landfill site is closed. According to the filling materials, there are two types of landfill: organic materials from urban areas and construction and tailings from civil engineering and mining industry. (Krajewski, et al.2000 and Musson SE, 2008). It is a difficult task to select a landfill site and the criteria has been described by Al-ansari (2011). By 2008 there were totally 97.9 million tons of wastes (86.2 million tons of dry weight ) in Sweden. The industrial wastes accounted for the largest fraction, 70 million tons. Energy, water, sewage and construction sectors produced only 7.4 million tons of waste. The waste from households was more than 5 million tons. Around one million tons of the waste produced from the public service and forestry, agricultural and fishing works produced about tons of waste (Figure 2). Figure 2.Large amount of landfill waste come from Industry.(Industry 70%, Building 3.4%, Energy water and sewage 2.1%, households 4.5%, Agriculture, forest and fish 0.3%) Dust emission from industrial waste In mining industry, the source of particulate emissions is from vehicle travel on access roads, topsoil removal and daily cover activities, on going construction development, and wind erosion of exposed areas. Landfilling activities have the potential to produce both fine and coarse particulates, the make-up of which will depend on the activities undertaken on-site and the types of waste being handled. Landfilling activities having the potential to generate particulates include: a movement of waste on-and off-site, b handling storage and processing of waste, c plant traffic both on-and off-site, d plant used to burn landfill gas, including gas flare or engines, e dust generated from the surface of the landfill,erosion. Exposure to the dust particles that can enter the respiratory system is known to be associated with a range of adverse effects on health. Loss et al (2002) concerned about the dust emissions generated in the formation and life of landfill sites because public disturbances as dust particles (smaller than 10 micro in size) penetrate into the organism, from which those smaller than 1 micron are retained in the pulmonary alveoli causing serious diseases. 4 Dust from landfill sites can become airborne and move off site by a number of mechanisms. The amount of dust lifted from the surface of the landfill is dependent upon the speed of the wind, the condition of the surface and the size of the dust particles. Emissions of dust as a result of wind-blow can be significantly reduced if the surface is wet. If the dust generation has been marked as a problem, the operator should employ dust suppression methods such as surface wetting to avoid the effects of wind-blown. The distance travelled by dust emissions will depend on the particle size and on the wind speed and turbulence. Smaller dust particles will stay airborne for longer period of time and disperse over a wider area. Strong and turbulent winds will also keep larger particles airborne for longer period of time. The Data reported from quarries indicated that the coarser dust particles (> 30 m) are mainly deposited within 100 m of the source intermediate particle (10-30 m) between 250m and 500m, while fine particles(<10 m) can travel up to 1km. Ultrafine particles (<2.5 m) would be expected to travel considerably further.(department of the environment of UK,1995a) Environmental permits for landfill sites require that dusts must be adequately controlled using, for example, dust suppression measures, so as not to have an adverse impact on public health. Furthermore, monitoring for particulates is a requirement for the environmental permit. To ensure that there is minimal impact on the local population from nuisance dust issues; regulators should set a nuisance criterion level (Environment Agency of UK, 2004). Particulates emitted from landfills may also contain metals such as arsenic, cadmium, choromium, cobalt, copper, lead and manganese. Especially for the mining industry, heavy metal in tailings landfill would give significant influences on the environment. It is highly recommended that some good techniques be developed to measure the heavy metal around landfill sites for monitoring the pollution condition around the landfill sites. Measuring equipment In the study on atmospheric dust two measurements of interest in measuring airborne dust are of horizontal flux of particles past a measuring station and of vertical deposition of particles to the ground. Horizontal particle flux can be measured by passive samplers or active samplers. Deposition pans or gauges usually are used to measure the deposited flux of particulate matter. Passive samplers rely on wind to maintain airflow through their intakes. Therefore they must use filters of relatively coarser mesh with >40 m to allow sufficient airflow. The coarse mesh often results less accurate measuring, however since passive collectors are usually cheap and easy to operation they very widely used in field experiments. There are several types of passive collectors, such as Bagnold (1938) sand trap, the Fryrear (1986) sand trap and the Leach (White, 1982) sand trap. The Bagnold sand trap measures the integrated vertical sediment drift. The original design was a collector with height of 0.76m and with of 13mm, having a shap minimizing the interference with air flow. Some recent modification is a trap with 1m high and 10 mm wide, and automatically aligns itself to the direction of the wind (figure3). Sand traps are mounted on the ground and measure near ground horizontal sand flux. Passive samplers are not sufficient in sampling dust particle because they cause disturbance in air flow and dust particles are small and easy to diverse with disturbed flow. 5 Figure 3. Modified passive sand trap (After Nickling, 1994) Active samplers use pumping devices to maintain airflow through their intakes. Highand low-volume samplers are active samplers widely used to measure dust concentration at certain height. The flow rate for high volume samplers is between 100 and 1000 L/min, and is less than 100L/min for low-volume samplers. The high speed of flow rate of high-volume samplers allow they measure the concentration of TSP, while low volume sampler can only collect fine particles due low flow rate. Isokinetic samplers measure suspended dust concentration using the same flow speed with the wind speed by generating active suction. Figure 4 shows an isokinetic sampler used for measuring dust concentration. It has a 13mm inlet orifice and automatically faces into the wind. Airflow is controlled by a needle valve and flow meter incorporated in to the sampler. Figure 4. An isokinetic sampler (After Nickling, 1994) Dust deposition is affected by ground surface properties. Therefore a useful way to study dust deposition is to use surrogate surfaces to imitate the natural ground. Though the surrogate surfaces are widely used in wind tunnel experiment they are difficult to employ in the field for 6 long term dust deposition monitoring. Instead, dust deposition collectors are often used. Marble dust collector, inverted frisbee collector and NILU collector (figure 5). International Standardization Organization (ISO) has considered the NILU collector for adoption as an international reference collector for particulate fallout. The mounting stand is adjustable in height. Figure 5.NILU collector (From Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU)) Dust monitors are used to determine real-time dust concentrations. The principle of measurement is to use near-forward light scattering to measure dust concentration. Inside the instrument, an infrared light source is positioned at a 90-degree angle from a photodetector. As airborne particles enter the infrared beam, they scatter the light. The amount of light received by the photodetector is directly proportional to the aerosol concentration. A size selective inlet may be fitted to a monitor to measure different size ranges. There are various real-time monitor available such as TEOM and Beta gauges (figure 6). When matched with meteorological data, the measurement can determine dust levels from a particular event or source. Figure 6. Met One E-BAM Beta Attenuation Monitor 7 Case study-dust fallout in Malmberget mine Malmberg mine operated by Luossavaara-Kirunavaara Aktiebolag (LKAB) is one of the most important iron mines in Sweden. It is located at Gallivare, 75km from Kiruna, and contains some 20 orebodies (figure 7). The mine covers a huge area spreading over approximately 5km from east to west and 2.5 km from north to south. Mining began in 1892, since then over 350Mt of ore had been extracted. In 2006, it produced around one third of LKAB s total production of 23.3Mt of iron-ore products (Mining-technology.com, 2010). Surface open pit mining method was firstly used to reach and exploit the ore minerals. A huge pit (figure 8) was abandoned and then large-scale sub-level caving became the predominant mining technology at Malmberget. Figure 7. Location of Malmberget mine, Sweden The land surface features have been deformed due to the underground mining. The surface soil is prone to wind erosion in this bare area after mining. Those who are still living in Malmberget and the vicinity complain about elevated dust level due to mining activities. The movement of trucks from the industrial area to dump the debris into the pit enhanced dust generation. However due to some security reasons the filling of the pit was discontinued in March The LKAB industrial center is located northeast from the open pit, and the main mining operation area includes the open pit area, haul area with stockpile in use, product stockpile area and sedimentation reservoir for used process water (figure 8). There are residential areas located both around the open pit and nearby the LKAB industrial center. 8 Figure 8. Main operation areas in Malmberget mine (from LKAB) 26 measuring stations were installed in the mining site to evaluate the dust problem (figure 9). The dust was collected by a particulate fallout collector produced by the Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU) (figure 5). International Standardization Organization (ISO) has considered the collector for adoption as an international reference collector for particulate fallout. The mounting stand is adjustable in height. The collection and weighing of the material was done on approximately a monthly base and reported as g/100m 2 /30day. The systematic data recording started since 2001 but no meteorological monitoring was installed in relation to the dust fallout stations. Figure 9. Locations for Dust fallout measuring stations (red dots) in Malmberget mine 9 Analysis of the data was done using Surfer 9.0 program. This is a contouring and 3D surface mapping program that runs under Microsoft Windows. It can quickly and easily convert data into many types of output including contour, 3D surface, 3D wire frame, vector, image, shaded relief, and post maps. The general trend of variation of dust level on the mining site from 2001 to 2010 is shown in figure 10 which shows the yearly average (from August till July the year after) dust fallout. The winter average and the summer average of dust fallout were also calculated and shown in the figure. April, May, June, July and August were considered as summer time and the rest of the months were considered as winter time. Generally speaking the amount of dust fallout was decreasing with time because of some implemented dust control methods such as watering the stockpiles and the haul roads. The slight increase of dust fallout during the year 2009 and 2010 was due to a road construction near the open pit area. More dust was produced by mining activities during the summer than winter due to fact that the climate in the summer is usually very windy and dry and most surfaces are covered by snow during the winter. 140 Dust fallout g/100m2/30d Overall average Winter average Summer average Year Figure 10. Yearly average, winter average and summer average of dust fallout The detail of the dust fallout during the year August 2009 to August 2010 analyzed using surfer 9.0 program for the mining area is shown on a contour map of figure 8. Generally the dust production was increased from August 2009 until May 2010 when it reached to the maximum value, and then decreased till August Two sources of dust generation were identified. The first was located close to the open pit, and the second near the current mining industrial center (figure 11). The relative significance of the two sources was changing with time though the industrial center acted as the dominate source for most of time due to the fact that the main mining operations are taking place in the industrial area. The dust produced from the open pit was much higher in April, May, June and July 2010 than the rest of the months. This was due to a road construction near the open pit at that time. The net dust produced due to the road construction was calculated and is shown in table 2. Among all the measuring stations through the year, the maximum and the minimum value were 1284 g/100m 2 /30d (station 35, May 2010, figure 9) and 9 g/100m2/30d (station 22, December 2009, figure 9) respectively. Both stations 10 Figure 11. The map of the test area and contour lines for dust fallout from August 2009 to August (The contour lines were made according to those days when data were available, and the date is shown below each individual figure. The color scale is shown on the top to the right.) 11 were close to the open pit. Looking at the contour lines through the whole year, difference between maximum and minimum dust fallout was over one thousand. However during December 2009 and February 2010 there was a slight decrease in dust fallout. Table 1. Net dust fallout on area A due to road construction Month Dust due to road construction activities t/30d g/100m 2 /30d On the other hand, the variation of dust level in the period other than April to July seems to be closely linked with climatic variables such as rainfall, wind speed and humidity. Meteorological data were gathered from Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (figure 12). During September 2009 the amount of dust was very similar to that in August 2009 Figure 12. Dust fallout, wind velocity, humidity and precipitation during August 2009 to August 2010 despite the fact that the wind velocity was higher in September. This was due to the relatively higher rainfall in that month compared to the previous month. Though the wind velocity decreased in November the dust amount increased due to the lower precipitation and the higher humidity, the later increased particle weight and enhanced settlement. In December the dust emission was relatively low because of the decrease in mining activities due to the Christmas holidays. The increased dusts in January and February in 2010 were mainly due to relatively low rainfall. The combined effect of low precipitation and high wind speed further increased dust emission in March in In April, May, June and July in 2010 the high dust generation level was mainly caused by the work of road construction. Finally the dust generation in August in 12 2010 went back to the similar level as it was in August in 2009 as the effect of road construction faded away. Those factors interact with each other and as a consequence one factor can be counter balanced by the other factors, and this leads to the complexity of understanding the dust problem. Conclusion The emission from the landfill is an important environmental issue in the Swedish mining industry. The high mining activities in the industrial sector in Sweden discharges large amount of waste to landfills. The case study investigates the dust fallout in the Malmberget mine in northern Sweden, and the variation during different periods of the year. It high lights the most important factors in the dust generation sources in mining industry, and how the dust fallout spread around a mining site. During the period August 2009 to August 2010, among all the measuring stations through the year, the maximum and the minimum value were 1284 g/100m 2 /30d and 9 g/100m 2 /30d. Considering the other mining sites with larger scale, such as the iron mine in Kiruna, copper mine in Orebro, the dust fallout contains heavy metal from the dumping of tailings and traffic crashes from the access haul roads to facilities which can produce considerable amount of particulate dust emissions. The mining companies should monitor and take measures to minimize the dust emission from their activities. 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R, 1982, Two-phase measurements of saltating turbulent boundary layer flow. Int J Muliphase Flow 5: More than 310,000 people have been killed and more than half of the country's population displaced since Syria's conflict erupted in 2011 The head of the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and former British foreign secretary David Miliband on Thursday said the humanitarian crisis in war-torn Syria was still "appalling" despite a fragile ceasefire. "The fact that the war has gone to reduced intensity has led to much reduced popular media attention on what remains an appalling crisis inside Syria," Miliband told AFP in an interview on the sidelines of the World Tourism Forum in Istanbul. He said there are "seven million people displaced from their homes and continued low-level fighting that terrorises people and the humanitarian crisis outside the country," he said. A ceasefire brokered by Russia, an ally of President Bashar al-Assad's regime in Damascus, and Turkey, which backs rebel forces, has been in place since late December. However, both rebels and Damascus have complained of repeated violations. More than 310,000 people have been killed and more than half of the country's population displaced since Syria's conflict erupted in 2011 with protests against Assad's rule. International Rescue Committee head David Miliband Miliband, who has been running the IRC since 2013, said one of his priorities is "to make the case that the lesson of history is when the world forgets these humanitarian crises they become political crises again." He added: "They are not just a humanitarian emergency, they become a political emergency." "And that's something that has caused terrible problems across not just the Middle East but across Europe in the course of the Syria crisis. It's something we really cannot afford." - 'Do aid differently'- With under-reported conflicts raging in areas including Yemen and South Sudan, Miliband said the world aid system was not only facing the Syria crisis but other emergencies that outstripped the capacity of the humanitarian system. Humanitarian challenges are of a different nature, he noted, as refugees increasingly live in cities rather than camps and stay long-term in their host countries. "Refugees are much less likely to be in camps these days," he said. Turkey says it is home to over 2.7 million Syrian refugees but less than 10 percent live in an internationally-respected system of camps. The vast majority live in towns and cities throughout the country, especially in the southeast but also urban centres like Istanbul. Few are also thinking about going home as the war drags on. "Refugees are out of their own countries for much longer period of time, so you have to think about education, employment, not just survival when it comes to refugee policy," Miliband said. "We also need to do aid differently. We need to put priority on employment and on education as well as on social policy. We need to address the needs of urban refugees" not just policies on camps, he said. "We need to reform the system as well as expand it." Miliband, a centrist who was foreign secretary for the Labour party, was narrowly beaten to the party leadership by his brother Ed who then himself resigned after losing the 2015 general election. With Labour still in turmoil, Miliband is rumoured to be in the running for a high-profile job at the United Nations in New York, in charge of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Asked about his future career planning, Miliband said he was "focused" on his current job. "I am focused on running a large NGO called International Rescue Committee ... We work in war zones, fragile states," he said. "I feel I am doing work that is of value and of interest to me, so I am focused on that." Miliband only said when asked if he had any plans to return to politics: "I am planning to make sure I do my job really well." US President Donald Trump speaks during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on February 15, 2017 Donald Trump's shelving of the decades-long goal of a two-state solution to the Middle East conflict excited Israelis and alarmed the international community Thursday, though an official appeared to temper his comments. In the first meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu since his inauguration, Trump on Wednesday broke with international consensus and decades of US policy insisting on a future that included an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel. "I'm looking at two-state and one-state, and I like the one that both parties like. I'm very happy with the one that both parties like," Trump said. "I can live with either one." The two-state solution has long been the cornerstone of US and international policy and the seeming shift met with hostility from other world powers Thursday. The United Nations said there had been no change in its policy. "The two-state solution remains the only way to achieve the legitimate national aspirations of both peoples," UN envoy for the Middle East Nickolay Mladenov told the Security Council. French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault labelled the US position "confusing" and reiterated his government's support for two states. "A possible Palestinian state will also be a guarantee for the security of Israel," he added. Israel, Gaza and the West Bank Arab League chief Ahmed Abul Gheit said no alternative to two states would be acceptable. Perhaps seeking to clarify the US's position, US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley told reporters they were "absolutely" committed to two states. - US 'thinking out-of-the-box' - "We absolutely support a two-state solution, but we are thinking out-of-the-box as well," Haley said following a Security Council meeting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. US President Donald Trump (centre) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on February 15, 2017 In Israel, ministers in Israel's right-wing government hailed what they said was a historic statement by Trump. "The Palestinian flag has come down from the mast and the Israeli flag has taken its place," far-right Education Minister Naftali Bennett said. Science Minister Ofir Akunis hailed "the end of a dangerous and erroneous idea: the creation of a Palestinian terrorist state." In contrast to international powers, the Palestinian leadership publicly tried to downplay the issue. The foreign ministry said it was too early to talk about Israel and US perspectives aligning, while Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas said his government was "ready to deal positively" with the White House. Hossam Zomlot, a special adviser to Abbas, said the two-state solution was still their preferred option. "What we retain is that Trump says he wants peace," Zomlot said, adding Israel sought an "apartheid state". The sun sets over Jerusalem on January 23, 2017 Trump's controversial pick for ambassador to Israel, longtime settlement supporter David Friedman, appeared at a confirmation hearing at the Senate foreign relations committee Thursday. Friedman, a 58-year-old Jewish American bankruptcy lawyer who has worked for Trump's property empire, expressed "skepticism" about the two-state solution over what he perceived as Palestinian "unwillingness to renounce terror and accept Israel as a Jewish state". Trump and Abbas have never spoken and officials have quietly fretted about being frozen out. On Tuesday, however, CIA chief Mike Pompeo held talks with Abbas in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Palestinian officials said, the most senior figure to meet with him since Trump's inauguration. - 'Weak' position - The UN envoy for the Middle East peace process, Nickolay Mladenov, said the two-state solution remains "the only way" to meet the aspirations of the Palestinians and the Israelis. US President Donald Trump (R) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hold a joint press conference in the East Room of the White House February 15, 2017 Jihad Harb, a Palestinian political scientist, said the leadership was being cautious due to its "weak position" and its past failure to follow through on threats. "The Palestinian leadership has failed to open a dialogue with the US administration. It is afraid that an escalation (in rhetoric) at this stage could ruin any possibility of dialogue," he said. The leadership, Harb added, has limited options if Trump continues to freeze them out. Ghassan Khatib, a professor and former Palestinian official, agreed Trump was "very bad for the Palestinians". What a one-state solution would look like in reality remains unclear. Michael Oren, deputy minister in Netanyahu's office, implied Thursday there was support for what has been dubbed by Israeli media as the "state minus" approach, meaning levels of autonomy for Palestinian areas in the West Bank but never full independence. "(It) may not conform to what we know as a two-state solution but would enable the Palestinians to lead their lives in prosperity and security," Oren said. Ofer Zalzberg of the International Crisis Group think-tank said the Trump administration appeared to have "zero clarity" on the meaning of a one-state solution, leaving the Israelis in prime position to dictate terms. "Essentially Netanyahu was presented with the choice between one state and two," he said. "But he is in favour of one state and a half." US President Donald Trump vowed to catch "low-life leakers" of potentially classified information that led to the ouster of his national security advisor President Donald Trump insisted neither he nor his campaign team had contacts with Russian officials in the run-up to last year's US election, contradicting an explosive report which he blasted as "fake news." Trump also defended Michael Flynn, the national security advisor whose resignation he demanded and received this week, saying Flynn "wasn't wrong" for holding pre-inauguration phone calls with the Russian ambassador about US sanctions policy. Instead, Trump accused members of US intelligence agencies of breaking the law by leaking information about the calls. The new president, in the midst of a turbulent week of back-and-forth accusations about contacts with Russia and his battle with the intelligence community, addressed the concerns during an extraordinary White House press conference. Asked whether he or anyone on his staff had engaged in contacts with Russia prior to the election, Trump proclaimed: "No, nobody that I know of." Trump-Russia connections "I have nothing to do with Russia," Trump said. "The whole Russia thing is a ruse." It was a full-throated denunciation of a bombshell report by the New York Times which said intercepted calls and phone records show Trump aides were in repeated contact with Russian intelligence officials well before the US elections. "It's all fake news," Trump said, unleashing verbal assaults on the media. Trump stressed that the Times story centered instead on inappropriate action by US intelligence agencies, as he stepped up earlier Thursday attacks in which he vowed to catch "low-life leakers" of potentially classified information that led to the ouster of his national security advisor. - Jeopardy - US President Donald Trump fired National Security Advisor Michael Flynn (L) for deceiving Vice President Mike Pence about his contacts with Russia's ambassador to Washington "Those are criminal leaks" by people angry about Democrat Hillary Clinton's loss, he told reporters, as he revealed he has asked the Justice Department to investigate the disclosures. "The people that gave out the information to the press should be ashamed of themselves." The Washington Post meanwhile reported that current and former US officials said Flynn denied to FBI agents that he had discussed US sanctions on Russia with Moscow's ambassador. Should it turn out that he discussed the sanctions, as Trump appears to believe he did, Flynn could be in legal jeopardy because lying to the FBI is a felony. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham called for in-depth investigations into communications between Trump aides and Russia prior to the presidential election "What he did wasn't wrong," Trump stressed. "I didn't direct him" to discuss sanctions with Russia's envoy, Trump added. "But I would have directed him because that's his job" to talk with foreign contacts. Late Thursday Flynn's replacement was still undetermined after former navy admiral Robert Harward, who Trump had reportedly tapped for the job, declined it, US media said. In his wide-ranging presser Trump defended his political agenda, and said that next week he will introduce an amended version of the much-criticized travel ban now caught up in court. He also pledged that new trade deals were coming that would stop countries from "taking advantage of us," and said he would "show great heart" in dealing with undocumented immigrants who arrived as children and are protected from deportation. But the crux of his remarks centered on Russia connections. US Secretary of Defence James Mattis said the Pentagon was not ready "right now" for military cooperation with Moscow at a a NATO meeting in Brussels "I would love to be able to get along with Russia," he insisted. "It would be much easier for me to be tough on Russia, but then we're not going to make a deal." The latest salvoes came amid reports that Trump plans to name New York billionaire Stephen Feinberg -- who has no national security experience -- to lead a sweeping review of US intelligence agencies, raising fears of a bid to curtail their independence. Trump had pointed the finger at the National Security Agency, which conducts electronic surveillance, and the FBI, which handles counter-intelligence probes, as possible sources of the leaks. The drumbeat of revelations has infuriated Democrats and alarmed Republican leaders, wary of Trump's overtures toward Russia. "It is a cloud over the White House," said Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who has called for in-depth investigations. - 'Collusion?' - Amid mounting calls for more sweeping congressional investigations, one Democrat openly accused Trump's campaign of improper contacts with Russia. "I believe there was collusion," House Democrat Maxine Waters told CNN, stressing that Trump's focus on the leaks was a distraction. Trump's stance on leaks has flipped since last year's campaign when he proclaimed "I love WikiLeaks" -- the organization that published hacked Clinton campaign emails. He also dismissed as a "joke" his suggestion that Russia was behind the damaging leaks. By January, US intelligence had concluded that those leaks were part of a wider campaign ordered by President Vladimir Putin to try to tilt the election in Trump's favor. Moscow denies any involvement. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has moved gingerly on Russia, sending top officials to Europe to reassure NATO allies while making its opening official contacts with the Russians. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson met with Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in Bonn, and said Washington is prepared to work with Russia "when we can find practical areas of cooperation." In Brussels, Defense Secretary James Mattis said the Pentagon was not ready "right now" for military cooperation with Moscow "but our political leaders will engage and try to find common ground." Angola Vice President Manuel Vicente, seen in 2016, has denied any involvement in the alleged bribing of Portuguese magistrate Orlando Figueira, who was charged with accepting bribes Portuguese prosecutors on Thursday charged Angolan Vice President Manuel Vicente with corruption over allegations he bribed a magistrate with roughly 760,000 euros ($800,000) in 2012 to drop two investigations against him. Vicente, who was the president of Angolan national oil company Sonangol at the time of the alleged crimes, is charged with bribery, money laundering and document falsification, the public prosecutors' office said in a statement. His alleged accomplices, his lawyer Paulo Blanco and his business representative in Portugal, Armindo Pires, were also charged over the affair, as was the Portuguese magistrate who he is accused of having bribed, magistrate Orlando Figueira. Figueira, who was arrested in 2016 and is currently under house arrest, was charged with accepting bribes, document falsification, money laundering and violation of the confidentiality of an official investigation. Authorities seized about 512,000 euros which the magistrate had placed in bank accounts and safes in Portugal and Andorra as part of their investigation dubbed "Operation Fizz", the prosecutors' office said. According to Portuguese media reports, one of the investigations which Figueira allegedly dropped in exchange for cash centred on the origin of funds which Vicente used to buy a luxury apartment in a Lisbon suburb. The Angolan vice president will be notified of his indictment through an official letter sent to the authorities in Angola, an oil and diamond rich former Portuguese colony in southwestern Africa, the prosecutors' office said. Vicente has denied any involvement in the affair, saying shortly after Figueira's arrest that he had "absolutely nothing to do with any payment". - 'Never been questioned' - Vicente's lawyer Rui Patricio said Thursday that his client had not been notified of any charges being brought against him. "I am astounded that my client has been accused, not only because he had nothing to do with the facts mentioned but also because he has never even been questioned about them," Patricio said in a statement sent to Portuguese news agency Lusa. The fact that Vicente was not questioned "invalidates the (legal) process," he added, according to Lusa. In 2012, attempts to investigate alleged money laundering and tax evasion by several Angolan officials in Portugal sent a chill in relations between the two countries, which have strong economic ties. Portugal is Angola's main source of imports and Portuguese companies are active in banking and construction in the vast African country. In turn, Angolan investors including state oil company Sonangol -- currently headed by billionaire businesswoman Isabel dos Santos, the daughter of Angola's President Jose Eduardo dos Santos -- have built up significant stakes in Portugal's top telecommunications firms and banks. Dos Santos announced earlier this month he will not run in elections in August, signalling the end to 37 years in power and naming his Defence Minister Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco as the candidate to succeed him. Until news of the corruption scandal emerged last year, Vicente had been strongly tipped as a potential successor to Dos Santos, who has ruled Angola since 1979. Angola's vast oil wealth has not trickled down to the masses and critics accuse both dos Santos and his family of amassing huge wealth by siphoning off state funds. Japan's Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida (L), US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson (C) and South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-Se (R) take their seats before a meeting at the World Conference Center February 16, 2017 in Bonn, Germany US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Thursday pledged that Washington would use the full range of its arsenal, including nuclear weapons, to defend allies Japan and South Korea against North Korea if needed. "The United States remains steadfast in its defence commitments to its allies, the Republic of Korea and Japan, including the commitment to provide extended deterrence, backed by the full range of its nuclear and conventional defence capabilities," Tillerson said in a joint statement after meeting the foreign ministers in Bonn. North Korea has carried out repeated missile launches despite UN sanctions and last year conducted two nuclear tests in a bid to develop a weapons system capable of hitting the US mainland. Pyongyang said the latest missile tested on Sunday could carry a nuclear warhead. Seoul said the rocket travelled some 500 kilometres (300 miles) before it came down in the Sea of Japan (East Sea). The joint statement said Tillerson, South Korea's Yun Byung-Se and Japan's Fumio Kishida "condemned in the strongest terms" the test which was carried out in "flagrant disregard" for multiple UN Security Council resolutions. The three countries would work together to ensure that further violations would be "met with an even stronger international response," it said, demanding that Pyongyang abandon its nuclear and missile programmes. Shortly after the missile test, President Donald Trump said North Korea was a "a big, big problem... and we will deal with that very strongly." Earlier this month on a trip to Seoul and Tokyo, US Defence Secretary James Mattis warned that "any use of nuclear weapons would be met with a response that would be effective and overwhelming." The United States has had a major military presence in both Japan and South Korea for decades but its defence commitment also complicates relations with China, North Korea's main ally. Washington's recent decision to install a sophisticated THAAD anti-missile system in South Korea especially angered China which sees it as a potential threat to its own security. Pedestrians pass by a restaurant closed for a "Day Without Immigrants" in protest of US President Donald Trump's immigration policy, on February 16, 2017 in Washington, DC From burger joints to posh eateries, scores of Washington restaurants shut down Thursday as part of a protest with echoes across the United States against President Donald Trump's treatment of immigrants. Some restaurants on the "Day Without Immigrants" closed out of solidarity with the largely low-earning people who staff them, a strike meant to show how important foreign born workers are to the economy. Others shuttered because not enough staff showed up to work in the immigrant-dominated restaurant industry. And it wasn't just food establishments. From New York to Los Angeles, immigrants stayed home from work, kept their kids out of school, avoided buying gas and otherwise tried to illustrate the cost to America of going a day without them. One museum in Massachusetts removed all artworks created or donated by immigrants. A sign on a shuttered salad shop called Sweetgreen, a short walk from the White House, explained what it is all about. All 18 Sweetgreen shops in Washington closed for the day. "The three of us are sons of immigrants," the trio of co-founders wrote. "We respect our team members' right to exercise their voice in our democracy." Edward Burger, 84, a retired doctor, stood reading that sign and said the protest was a great idea. A sign on the front of a restaurant announces that it is closed for a "Day Without Immigrants" on February 16, 2017 in Washington, DC "This question of immigrants and the hospitality of the United States is terribly important, both for them and for us," said Burger. Trump has just taken up residence in a staunchly Democratic town: Hillary Clinton won more than 90 percent of the votes in the presidential election. The mix of protest, boycott and strike comes as acute fear spreads mainly in Latino communities across the United States because of raids that have led to the arrest of hundreds of people without legal status to live in the US. Some have been summarily deported as Trump says he is making good on a campaign promise to get rid of unauthorized immigrants. Anger also remains over his now-suspended ban on entry of all refugees and people from seven mainly Muslim countries. The immigration raids prompted the idea of a protest, which spread quickly by word of mouth in the nation's capital. Altogether, some 70 restaurants closed in Washington -- from fast food joints in a Pentagon food court to restaurants in mainly Hispanic neighborhoods to chic shopping streets near the White House and Capitol Hill. "We are closed to support our Hispanic community," read a sign on a shop in the Mount Pleasant district, home to many Latinos. Undocumented immigrants make up about nine percent of employees in the hotel and restaurant industry in 2014, according to the Pew Research Center. At least 11 million people are living in the US illegally, most of them Latinos. - Living in fear - DC-based Jose Andres -- an immigrant from Spain who became an award-winning celebrity chef and built a restaurant empire -- closed five of his establishments to show support for workers. Doors at at least one of his restaurants, China Chilcano, remained open to customers and offered work to employees who did not wish to protest. The support of Andres was key to establishing momentum for the protests in Washington. He has more than 460,000 followers on Twitter. Andres is also in a legal battle with Trump that came after the chef pulled out of plans to open a restaurant in the real estate mogul's Washington hotel. Andres cited the Republican's anti-immigrant comments on the campaign trail as his reason for backing out. Protesters said these are scary times for them. "We the undocumented all live in fear of being deported," said Marvin Gomez, a Honduran construction worker who has been in the US illegally for 10 years. He pays taxes, and sends money home to his mother. "A group of us, 10 or 12 co-workers, agreed not to go to work today. This is something we all have to do," Gomez said. "The bosses can fire us, but it does not matter." Iris Mata, a 38 year old registrar at a school in Mount Pleasant, said the message of the protest was important. "We want people to hear us, and feel the weight of a day without immigrants," she said while taking part in a march of several dozen people toward the White House. Mata added: "We are worried about the consequences of the president's decisions." US President Donald Trump speaks during a press conference on February 16, 2017, at the White House in Washington, DC President Donald Trump announced Thursday he has nominated Alexander Acosta to be the US secretary of labor, the first Hispanic American chosen for his cabinet. Acosta is a former federal prosecutor in Florida and now the dean of the law school at Florida International University (FIU). He has also served on the National Labor Relations Board and led the Justice Department's civil rights division. Acosta was tapped one day after Trump's first nominee for the post, Andrew Puzder, withdrew under pressure over his business record and other past controversies in his personal life. "I think he'll be a tremendous secretary of labor," Trump said of Acosta at a White House news conference. "He has had a tremendous career." A Harvard Law graduate, Acosta clerked for Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, before working as a corporate attorney in Washington where he specialized in labor issues. Acosta served as federal prosecutor in Florida for nearly a decade, departing in 2009 after prosecuting high-profile cases involving former lobbyist Jack Abramoff, the Liberian torturer known as Chuckie Taylor and Colombian drug cartel members. Past controversies forced fast-food restaurant executive Andrew Pudzer to withdraw as Trump's labor secretary pick to avoid being rejected on confirmation Trump had faced criticism for not nominating any member of the Latino or Hispanic community to his inner circle, despite the nation's Hispanic population topping 17 percent. Cabinet members require confirmation by the US Senate. Puzder, a fast-food executive who faced intense criticism for his labor policies including opposition to minimum-wage increases, withdrew after it became clear he did not have sufficient votes. By nominating Acosta, considered a more mainstream pick than Puzder, Trump was seen as seeking to ease some of the turmoil that has gripped his White House in his first month in office. He has already been confirmed three times by the Senate for various posts, suggesting he should have a smoother ride than the previous nominee. In March 2011, as the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks neared, Acosta testified before a Senate judiciary panel about protecting the civil rights of American Muslims. "These efforts following 9/11 were important. They set a tone," he told Congress. "They reminded those who might be tempted to take out their anger on an entire community that such actions were wrong." French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, seen February 14, 2017, says the US's position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict "remains very confusing" Washington's position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains "confusing", French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said after talks with his US counterpart Rex Tillerson in Germany on Thursday. "I have got a bit more clarity (on the US position) even if on the Israeli-Palestinian issue it remains very confusing and concerning and I made a point of telling him that," Ayrault said, a day after President Donald Trump stepped back from the US commitment to a two-state solution as part of a final peace deal. Ayrault said he had reaffirmed France's commitment to the two-state solution and its belief that this is the only viable way forward. "A possible Palestinian state will also be a guarantee for the security of Israel," he said. At a meeting in Washington on Wednesday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump shelved Washington's decades-long commitment to a two-state solution, breaking with the international consensus that it provides the only way forward. His move sparked widespread criticism and dismay but was welcomed by Netanyahu as a long-overdue recognition of reality. Trump's predecessor Barack Obama had repeatedly warned Israel that if it did not agree a two-state deal with the Palestinians, it would never reach an accommodation with the Arab world. Khalifa al-Ghweil, the leader of the self-proclaimed "Government of National Salvation", which refuses to recognise Libya's unity administration, gives a speech at Tripoli International Airport on February 16, 2017 The head of a former government announced plans Thursday to reopen Tripoli's airport that was heavily damaged in fighting in 2014, in a fresh blow to Libya's unity administration. Khalifa Ghweil, who refuses to recognise the legitimacy of the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA), made the announcement during a visit to the airport, south of Tripoli. The facility was damaged during the summer of 2014 in fierce fighting between rival militias for control of the capital. Ghweil, who arrived in a convoy of four-wheel-drive vehicles, told reporters that the airport, where construction work is already underway, would reopen "soon". "We have finalised the airport project in record time, despite a parallel authority, and flights will resume soon," said Ghweil, referring to the GNA. A local firm, Al-Sarih, has been tasked with the reconstruction work and has already restored the VIP lounge at the airport. According to Al-Sarih, work to rebuild a new terminal, control tower and the airport parking lot has already begun. It was not immediately clear who is funding the project. Flights in and out of Tripoli have been operating through Mitiga airport, formerly a military base east of the capital, that is under the control of the GNA. Ghweil is backed by a number of Tripoli militias and powerful armed groups from his hometown, the western city of Misrata. The former premier has taken several steps in defiance of the GNA, including seizing control briefly in January of several government buildings in Tripoli that housed ministries. Last week, several militias who back him announced the creation in Tripoli of a "Libyan National Guard". The United States said it noted with "serious concern reports that numerous tactical vehicles from an organisation claiming to be the 'Libyan National Guard' have entered Tripoli". Libya has been wracked by chaos since the 2011 toppling of dictator Moamer Kadhafi, with rival militias and administrations vying for control of the oil-rich country. A rival authority based in the country's east has also refused to recognise the GNA since it started working in Tripoli in March last year. Oman's Sultan Qaboos bin Said (R) and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani meet as part of the latter's regional tour on February 15, 2017 Shared fears over US President Donald Trump's policies could bring Iran and Gulf Arab countries closer together, analysts said after a fence-mending regional tour by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. Rouhani's visit Wednesday to Oman and Kuwait follows years of rising tensions between Iran and its Gulf Arab neighbours, fuelled by the conflicts in Syria and Yemen where they back opposing sides. In stark contrast to some of the previous blame-trading, Rouhani struck a conciliatory tone during his short trip, which did not include a stop in arch-rival Saudi Arabia. "Today we must all stand side-by-side as Muslim brothers and confront divisive ideas," Rouhani told Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, quoted by Iran's state news agency IRNA. "All existing differences can be resolved through dialogue among the regional countries." Kuwait, which unlike many of its neighbours has maintained relations with Tehran, last month launched a dialogue with the Islamic republic to normalise Iran-Gulf ties. Iran also has good relations with Oman where Rouhani was warmly welcomed by Sultan Qaboos, whose country has played a role in the past as a key mediator between the Islamic republic and the West. Tehran's ties with other Gulf states have been strained over its support for the Syrian regime of Bashar Al-Assad and its alleged backing of Yemen's Huthi rebels. - Trump's radical positions - President Hassan Rouhani says Iranians are rejecting the new US administration and its "threatening language" Rouhani's trip came less than a month after Trump took office, bringing a wave of unpredictable policies, notably a visa ban on citizens of seven Muslim-majority nations, including Iran, Iraq and Yemen. He also stirred controversy with campaign rhetoric that critics denounced as anti-Muslim. "The new US administration has a radical position towards Islamic countries and may make dangerous moves against regional nations, including Iran," Iranian analyst Samad Ghaempanah told AFP. Trump's rhetoric has forced Iran's diplomatic apparatus "to take initiatives to once again restore its relations with its neighbouring countries," said Ghaempanah, a professor in international relations. "It seems that all of the countries in the region are facing a general threat, and it's a good opportunity for Muslim countries to come closer," he added. "It can be a significant step and these countries can mediate so that other countries that have tensions with Iran -- like Qatar, the United Emirates, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia -- can take positive steps for dialogue and negotiations leading to increased unity... in the region against US threats." A Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit held in Manama in December asked Kuwait to initiate contacts with Tehran to start a dialogue to improve ties. That led to the Kuwaiti emir sending a letter to Tehran last month. "The Kuwaitis can definitely play an important role as Iran recognises Kuwait as its friend and the Kuwaitis as trustworthy," the former Iranian ambassador to Kuwait wrote in a note in the reformist Etemad daily on Thursday. The trip sends a signal to the region that "Iran is interested in talking and ready to resolve the differences," wrote Reza Mirabian. A lack of cooperation among the Gulf countries "brings foreigners, including the US, Britain and Israel to the region, which is not something Iran is interested in," he said. Iranian pilgrims were absent from the 2016 hajj pilgrimage to Mecca following disagreements with Saudia Arabia about security and logistics But prominent Kuwaiti political analyst Sami al-Nasef said the success of Tehran's initiative depended "on Iran's actions rather than slogans". "Iran is now interfering in Iraq, Syria and Yemen... and is backing (Shiite) militias in several countries in the region," he told AFP. Tensions between Tehran and Riyadh have also been fuelled by the annual hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. Iranian pilgrims were absent last year for the first time in three decades after the two regional rivals failed to agree on security and logistics following the deaths of 464 Iranians in a stampede at the 2015 hajj. Last month Tehran said it had received an invitation from Saudi Arabia for its pilgrims to attend this year. Transcription 1 Insight Growth Balance pigmeat 2 AGRICULTURE & FOOD Table of Content STRUCTURE OF PIG PRODUCERS AND PIG HERD IN DENMARK Structure of Suppliers in Denmark 3 Structure of Pig Herd in Denmark 5 PIG POPULATION AND PRODUCTION Pig Population in Denmark 7 Development in the Pig Herd 8 Production of Pigs in Denmark 9 World Pigmeat Production and Pig Population in Selected Countries 10 EU s Supply Balance with Pigmeat 11 Supply Balance of Pigmeat in Selected Countries 11 SLAUGHTERHOUSES Supplies of Pigs for Slaughter in Denmark and Exports 13 Structure of Slaughterhouses 14 Pig Slaughtering in EU and Selected Countries 16 Employment and Wages 17 PRODUCER PIG PRICES AND ECONOMY Producer Pig Prices 19 Economy in Pig Production 20 Social Importance of the Pig Industry 21 EXPORT AND IMPORT OF PIGMEAT Denmark s Export of Pigmeat 23 Denmarks Export of Pigmeat for EU 26 Denmarks Export of Pigmeat for 3 rd countries 28 Trend in Pigmeat Export 30 Export of Live Pigs from Denmark 32 The Development in Rate of Exchange 33 Denmark s Import of Pigmeat 34 EU s Export to 3 rd Countries 35 USA and Japan s Trade in Pigmeat 36 COMMON AGRICULTURAL POLICY AND EXPORT REFUNDS Export Refunds 39 1 Tafdrup&co June 2012 CONSUMPTION AND PRICES Consumer Prices of Pigmeat in Denmark 41 Sale of Fresh/Frozen Meat from Different Types of Shops 42 Consumption of Meat in the EU 43 3 STRUCTURE OF PIG PRODUCERS AND PIG HERD IN DENMARK Structure of Suppliers in Denmark Slaughterpigs Structure of Pig Producers and Pig Herd in Denmark 1991 Number of pigs per supplier Number of suppliers % of all suppliers Number of pigs % of all pigs head 18, ,044, head 5, ,673, ,000 head 3, ,633, ,001-2,000 head 2, ,079, ,001-3,000 head 1, ,492, ,001-4,000 head ,473, ,001-5,000 head , ,001-10,000 head ,285, , , Total 31, ,545, Number of pigs per supplier Number of suppliers % of all suppliers Number of pigs % of all pigs head 5, , head 1, , ,000 head 1, ,173, ,001-2,000 head 2, ,999, ,001-3,000 head 1, ,120, ,001-4,000 head ,757, ,001-5,000 head ,320, ,001-10,000 head ,892, , ,996, Total 14, ,194, Number of pigs per supplier Number of suppliers % of all suppliers Number of pigs % of all pigs head , head , ,000 head , ,001-2,000 head , ,001-3,000 head ,095, ,001-4,000 head ,324, ,001-5,000 head ,206, ,001-10,000 head ,688, ,001-20,000 head ,738, , ,458, Total 4, ,685, The statistical figures are based on reports from individual coop slaughterhouses for the financial year. 2 3 4 STRUCTURE OF PIG PRODUCERS AND PIG HERD IN DENMARK STRUCTURE OF PIG PRODUCERS AND PIG HERD IN DENMARK Structure of Pig Herd in Denmark Specialisation of the Pig Herd Number of farms 75,476 53,489 40,660 Number of farms with pigs 27,733 12,936 4,642 Of which: With pigs and sows 13,644 5,677 1,808 With pigs only 6,998 5,056 2,046 With sows only 5,444 1, Source: Danmarks Statistik Danmarks Statistik defines a slaughter pig as one of 50 kg an upwards. Farms with pigs less than 50 kg and without sows are accordingly not included in the above table. This is why the 3 categories for farms do not add up to the number of farms with pigs. Pigs and sows by size of herd Pigs Number of farms Number of pigs Sows Number of farms Number of sows % % 1-49 head head head head head head head head ,000-1,999 head head ,000-2,999 head head ,000-3,999 head head ,000-4,999 head head ,000-5,999 head head ,000-6,999 head head ,000-7,999 head head , Total Total Source: Danmarks Statistik 4 5 5 PIG POPULATION AND PRODUCTION Pig Population in Denmark Pig Population and Production 1000 head 1 Jan. 1 April 1 July 1 Oct. Gilts in pig Other sows in pig Total sows in pig Boars Sows with piglets Dry sows Cullud sows and boars for slaughter Gilts (over 50 kg) for breeding Piglets 2,411 2,462 2,493 2,545 Weaners < 50 kg 5,204 5,156 5,417 5,441 Slaughter pigs over 50 kg 3,374 3,053 3,360 3,413 Total pig population 12,293 11,932 12,549 12,693 The census is based on a sample of about 3,500 farms. Percentage distribution of pig population in counties (June census) County Copenhagen and Nordsjlland Bornholm Region Sjlland Fyn Sydjylland stjylland Vestjylland Nordjylland Total Denmark Source: Danmarks Statistik 6 7 6 PIG POPULATION AND PRODUCTION PIG POPULATION AND PRODUCTION Development in the Pig Herd Production of Pigs in Denmark Development in the pig herd M head M head Slaughtering in Denmark 21.1* Export of slaughter pigs and sows Danish production of slaughter pigs and sows Export of piglets Total * 53 weeks The figures are from Danmarks Statistik s pig census in June. Development in slaughterings M head The slaughtering includes slaughtering of pigs at the cooperative slaughterhouses, private slaughterhouses, public slaughterhouses and private butchers in Denmark. 8 9 7 PIG POPULATION AND PRODUCTION PIG POPULATION AND PRODUCTION World Pigmeat Production and Pig Population in Selected Countries EU s Supply Balance with Pigmeat Pigmeat production 1,000 tonnes Pig population M head 1) 1) Germany 4,941 5, Spain 3,527 3, France 2,312 2, Poland 1,811 1, Italy 1,577 1, Denmark 1,888 1, Netherlands 1,800 1, Belgium/Luxembourg 1,114 1, UK Austria Hungary Rumania Portugal Czech. Rep Sweden Finland Ireland Greece Bulgaria Other EU-27 countries EU-27 total 22,772 22, China (incl. Hong Kong) 51,070 49, USA 10,177 10, Brazil 3,220 3, Russia 2,331 2, Canada 1,926 1, Mexico 1,175 1, Japan 1,291 1, Rep. Of Korea 1, Ukraine Total selected countries 95,702 93, ) Provisional figures Source: GIRA 1,000 tonnes (deadweight) EU-27 EU-27 EU-27 Supply Balance of Pigmeat in Selected Countries 1) ) Production (GIP) 22,219 22,513 22,523 Import (cwe) Export (cwe) 1,839 2,714 2,000 Stocks Consumption 20,402 20,355 20,538 Self sufficiency, % ) Provisional 2 ) Forecast Source: Eurostat and GIRA (Excl. stocks), 1,000 tonnes (CWE) 2009 Canada USA Mexico China* Brazil Russia Japan Production 1,789 10,442 1,162 48,905 3,130 1,844 1,310 Import ,138 Export 1,123 1, Consumption 854 9,013 1,770 48,823 2,423 2,688 2,467 Canada USA Mexico China* Brazil Russia Japan Production 1,772 10,187 1,165 51,070 3,195 1,920 1,291 Import ,198 Export 1,159 1, Consumption 807 8,653 1,774 51,097 2,577 2,773 2,485 1) Canada USA Mexico China* Brazil Russia Japan Production 1,745 10,259 1,195 52,500 3,275 1,910 1,285 Import ,210 Export , Consumption 795 8,547 1,805 52,580 2,646 2,764 2, ) Canada USA Mexico China* Brazil Russia Japan Production 1,765 10,466 1,180 51,280 3,295 2,020 1,280 Import ,210 Export 1,160 2, Consumption 795 8,526 1,755 51,560 2,726 2,719 2,489 * Excl. Hong Kong 1 ) Provisional figures 2 )Forecast Source: USDA 10 11 8 SLAUGHTERHOUSES Supplies of Pigs for Slaughter in Denmark and Exports %-change Head %-share Head %-share :10 Slaughter Denmark 20,925, ,243, Export: Slaughter pigs/sows 500, , Piglets 8,039, ,509, Total 29,465, ,648, Slaughterhouses Slaughterings Slaughter pigs kg Sows more than 110 kg Total January 1,686,867 41,015 1,727,882 February 1,521,472 36,974 1,558,446 March 1,849,584 44,797 1,894,381 April 1,462,670 39,283 1,501,953 May 1,367,893 36,654 1,404,547 June 1,863,486 46,177 1,909,663 July 1,489,621 34,501 1,524,122 August 1,515,645 37,338 1,552,983 September 1,970,000 46,399 2,016,399 October 1,576,303 37,571 1,613,874 November 1,656,249 41,016 1,697,265 December 1,800,738 41,168 1,841,906 Jan. - dec. 19,760, ,893 20,243,421 Slaughter pigs kg Sows more than 110 kg Total January 1,750,717 44,384 1,795,101 February 1,665,625 39,492 1,705,117 March 2,021,314 49,256 2,070,570 April 1,447,065 36,196 1,483,261 May 1,566,614 40,767 1,607,381 June 1,755,315 45,810 1,801,125 July 1,582,756 36,204 1,618,960 August 1,574,038 43,953 1,617,991 September 1,875,228 47,182 1,922,410 October 1,560,368 38,970 1,599,338 November 1,652,067 41,442 1,693,509 December 1,968,124 43,038 2,011,162 Jan. - dec. 20,419, ,694 20,925,925 Source: Reports to Production Levy 12 13 9 SLAUGHTERHOUSES SLAUGHTERHOUSES Structure of Slaughterhouses Development in number of slaughterhouses End year: DS-members: Cooperatives Private owned Total slaughterhouses Not DS-members: Private* *Slaughterhouses with more than 10,000 pigs per year. No figures in 1970 and 1980 are available 10 SLAUGHTERHOUSES SLAUGHTERHOUSES Pig Slaughtering in EU and Selected Countries Employment and Wages M head 1) ) 2012: %-change Germany Spain France Poland Denmark Netherlands Italy Belgium/Luxembourg UK Rumania Austria Portugal Hungary Czech. Rep Sweden Ireland Finland Greece Bulgaria Slovakia Lithuania Cyprus Estonia Latvia Slovenia Malta EU Brazil Canada USA Russia Japan China ) Provisional 2 ) Forecast Source: GIRA The figures include slaughtering of pigs, i.e. imported pigs are included. Number of Workers Employed in the Slaughterhouses Average per month January 10,200 10,800 9,000 8,000 7,419 February 10,300 10,900 9,000 8,000 7,434 March 10,300 10,900 8,900 7,800 7,361 April 10,200 10,700 8,900 7,700 7,407 May 10,800 10,600 8,900 7,800 7,597 June 10,900 10,500 8,800 8,000 7,678 July 11,100 10,000 8,700 7,900 7,946 August 11,000 9,700 8,600 7,900 7,768 September 10,800 9,000 8,300 7,700 7,605 October 10,600 8,800 8,000 7,700 7,492 November 10,800 9,000 8,100 7,700 7,233 December 10,900 9,200 7,900 7,400 7,182 Total year 10,700 10,000 8,600 7,800 7,510 Source: Dansk Industri Average wages for Danish slaughterhouse workers DKK/hour* Index 1980= * Including holiday pay and sickness benefit. Source: Dansk Industri Earnings of employees. Annual percentage increase (Industry) Denmark Germany Sweden UK Netherlands Poland USA Source: DA International lnstatistik 16 17 11 PRODUCER PIG PRICES AND ECONOMY Producer Pig Prices Producer Pig Prices and Economy Payment to the producer DKK/kg Average Pig Price* Bonus payment Value of payment to producer accounts Production levy Total (0.05) (0.05) (0.06) * After weight and meat percentage payment, and incl. discounts/cost at transport. Producer pig prices Producer pig prices DKK/kg, Danish Crown (best weight group) Week 2009 Week Avg. 8,98 9,25 10, 12 PRODUCER PIG PRICES AND ECONOMY PRODUCER PIG PRICES AND ECONOMY Economy in Pig Production Social Importance of the Pig Industry The ratio between the price for slaughter pigs and compound feeding stuff The total Danish pig production Monthly ratio January February March April May June July August September October November December Total year The price of slaughter pigs = Danmarks Statistik s price for slaughter pigs (excl. Bonus). The price of compound feeding stuff = Danmarks Statistik s price for compound feeding stuff Gross margin DKK/head Piglets Slaughterpigs Source: Videncenter for Svineproduktion Year Tonnes %-change from the year before Value ex producer DKK M %-change from the year before ,898, , ,974, , ,008, , The production includes approved and discarded animals, slaughtered on the farms, exports of live animals and edible by-products. Value of the Danish export Year DKK M Total export Agricultural export %-change from the year before DKK M %-change from the year before DKK M Animal agricultural export %-change from the year before , , , , , , , , , Export of pigmeat products Year Value DKK M %-change from the year before Total export Share of pork export, percentage Agricultural export Animal agricultural export , , , Source: Danmarks Statistik and own estimates 13 EXPORT AND IMPORT OF PIGMEAT Denmark s Export of Pigmeat Export and Import of Pigmeat Country Tonnes DKK M Country Tonnes DKK M Germany 611,580 7,198 Ukraine 3, UK 281,489 4,830 Slovakia 3, Poland 210,335 2,574 Norway 3, China 178,886 1,537 New Zealand 3, Japan 135,973 3,636 Greenland 2, Italy 125,498 1,800 Canada 2, Russia 117,718 1,654 Argentina 2, Sweden 48,314 1,201 Bulgaria 1, Australia 42, Croatia 1, USA 37, United Arab Emirates 1, Hong Kong 34, Belarus 1, Korea 31, Papua Ny Guinea 1, Netherlands 27, Thailand 1, France 21, Algeria 1, Czech Rep. 17, Hungary 1, Ireland 13, Faroe Islands 1, Greece 11, Austria 1, Lithuania 7, Uruguay 1, Rumania 6, Malaysia 1, Spain 6, Azerbaijan 1, Singapore 6, Guam Taiwan 5, Mexico Philippines 5, Bahama Belgium/Luxembourg 5, New Caledonia Portugal 5, Saudi Arabia Estonia 5, Malta Finland 5, Serbia Cyprus 5, Other countries 8, Latvia 5, Total 2,070,668 30, 14 EXPORT AND IMPORT OF PIGMEAT EXPORT AND IMPORT OF PIGMEAT Denmark s Export of Pigmeat (Tonnes) Denmark s Export of Pigmeat (1,000 DKK) Tonnes EU-27 3 rd countries Total Live pigs and sows 312, ,425 Bacon 97,773 1,304 99,077 Carcasses pigs/sows 75, ,151 Cuts 774, ,084 1,124,892 By-products 93, , ,898 Canned meat 43,746 17,069 60,815 Other processed products 18,166 14,804 32,970 Total 1,415, ,366 1,993,228 %-share ,000 DKK EU-27 3 rd countries Total Live pigs and sows 3,997,257 55,561 4,052,819 Bacon 1,869,272 44,211 1,913,483 Carcasses pigs/sows 734,588 8, ,270 Cuts 10,228,413 6,947,833 17,176,247 By-products 829,911 1,302,969 2,132,880 Canned meat 939, ,089 1,384,218 Other processed products 451, , ,332 Total 19,050,259 9,118,989 28,169,249 %-share Excl. payments from FEOGA: 10 DKK M Tonnes EU-27 3 rd countries Total Live pigs and sows 286,146 3, ,759 Bacon 99,891 1, ,101 Carcasses pigs/sows 77, ,312 Cuts 799, ,086 1,186,499 By-products 104, , ,554 Canned meat 44,683 20,471 65,154 Other processed products 17,761 14,529 32,290 Total 1,429, ,179 2,070,668 %-share ,000 DKK EU-27 3 rd countries Total Live pigs and sows 3,790, ,709 3,945,750 Bacon 1,956,929 39,269 1,996,199 Carcasses pigs/sows 791,851 4, ,329 Cuts 11,157,319 7,715,375 18,872,695 By-products 828,448 1,815,685 2,644,133 Canned meat 995, ,927 1,539,673 Other processed products 447, , ,500 Total 19,967,928 10,596,352 30,564,279 %-share Excl. payments from FEOGA: 4.8 DKK M 24 25 15 EXPORT AND IMPORT OF PIGMEAT EXPORT AND IMPORT OF PIGMEAT Denmark s Export of Pigmeat for EU (Tonnes) Denmark s Export of Pigmeat for EU (1,000 DKK) Tonnes Germany UK Poland Italy Other EU-countries Live pigs and sows 254, ,048 10,189 23, ,565 Bacon , ,199 97,773 Carcasses pigs/sows 70,397-4, ,610 Cuts 260, , , , , ,807 By-products 23,347 17,321 4,889 3,632 44,005 93,194 Canned meat 14,183 19, ,203 43,746 Other processed products 927 6, ,022 18,166 Total 624, , , , ,562 1,415,862 %-share Total EU-27 1,000 DKK Germany UK Poland Italy Other EU-countries Live pigs and sows 3,154,437 6, , , ,757 3,997,257 Bacon 17,146 1,746,207 1,836 1, ,041 1,869,272 Carcasses pigs/sows 673,820-51,770-8, ,588 Cuts 2,797,723 2,223,384 1,781,214 1,468,844 1,957,247 10,228,413 By-products 187, ,700 43,888 72, , ,911 Canned meat 255, ,575 1,521 15, , ,129 Other processed products 21, ,257 2,753 3, , ,689 Total 7,108,854 4,704,392 2,180,288 1,749,090 3,307,635 19,050,259 %-share Total EU-27 Tonnes Germany UK Poland Italy Other EU-countries Live pigs and sows 208, ,872 11,124 22, ,146 Bacon , ,905 99,891 Carcasses pigs/sows 76, ,016 Cuts 278, , , , , ,413 By-products 32,869 18,866 6,271 3,216 43, ,580 Canned meat 13,225 21, ,725 44,683 Other processed products 1,093 6, ,518 17,761 Total 611, , , , ,587 1,429,490 %-share Total EU-27 1,000 DKK Germany UK Poland Italy Other EU-countries Live pigs and sows 2,684,516 4, , , ,199 3,790,041 Bacon 26,560 1,829,367 4, ,214 1,956,929 Carcasses pigs/sows 780,170-7,439-4, ,851 Cuts 3,214,845 2,188,944 1,931,967 1,520,758 2,300,805 11,157,319 By-products 209, ,357 67,009 66, , ,448 Canned meat 253, ,657 1,364 17, , ,746 Other processed products 29, ,494 2,669 4, , ,593 Total 7,198,324 4,829,722 2,574,441 1,800,330 3,565,112 19,967,928 %-share Total EU 16 EXPORT AND IMPORT OF PIGMEAT EXPORT AND IMPORT OF PIGMEAT Denmark s Export of Pigmeat for 3 rd Countries (Tonnes) Denmark s Export of Pigmeat for 3 rd Countries (1,000 DKK) Tonnes China Hong Kong Japan Russia Other 3 rd countries Total 3 rd countries Live pigs and sows 133, Bacon 14, ,034 1,304 Carcasses pigs/sows 7, Cuts 15, ,548 88, , ,084 By-products 155, ,831 23, ,705 Canned meat 373 3, ,764 17,069 Other processed products 383 1, ,466 14,804 Total 171, , , , ,366 %-share ,000 DKK China Hong Kong Japan Russia Other 3 rd countries Total 3 rd countries Live pigs and sows 19,743 1,236 18,480 16,102 55,561 Bacon 475 6,832 5,155 31,750 44,211 Carcasses pigs/sows 114 1, ,224 8,682 Cuts 172,442 3,468,291 1,170,284 2,136,816 6,947,833 By-products 988, , ,722 1,302,969 Canned meat 10,042 86,508 14, , ,089 Other processed products 7,349 38,198 14, , ,642 Total 1,199,017 3,603,017 1,335,314 2,981,641 9,118,989 %-share Tons China Hong Kong Japan Russia Other 3 rd countries Total 3 rd countries Live pigs and sows , ,613 Bacon 34, ,209 Carcasses pigs/sows 15, Cuts 40, ,861 93, , ,086 By-products 172,320 1,077 20,039 20, ,974 Canned meat 437 3, ,042 20,471 Other processed products 279 1, ,356 14,529 Total 213, , , , ,179 %-share ,000 DKK China Hong Kong Japan Russia Other 3 rd countries Total 3 rd countries Live pigs and sows 7,956 2, ,733 40, ,709 Bacon 1,122 5,223 3,333 29,591 39,269 Carcasses pigs/sows ,639 4,478 Cuts 527,249 3,470,187 1,318,523 2,399,416 7,715,375 By-products 1,380,722 11, , ,496 1,815,685 Canned meat 9, ,763 9, , ,927 Other processed products 7,641 40,711 15, , ,908 Total 1,934,651 3,635,617 1,654,242 3,371,841 10,596,352 %-share 17 EXPORT AND IMPORT OF PIGMEAT EXPORT AND IMPORT OF PIGMEAT Trend in Pigmeat Export Trend in Pigmeat Export Products Main countries Tonnes Live pigs and sows 9,540 65, , ,212 Bacon 136, ,719 99, ,224 Carcasses pigs/sows 16,784 63,800 76,151 77,122 Cuts 539, ,535 1,124,892 1,187,302 By-products 109, , , ,567 Canned meat 150,152 86,672 60,815 65,451 Other processed products 41,289 43,360 32,970 32,382 Total 1,003,905 1,549,975 1,993,228 2,070,260 1,000 DKK Live pigs and sows 140, ,069 4,052,819 3,917,339 Bacon 2,975,766 3,277,160 1,913,483 1,998,830 Carcasses pigs/sows 207, , , ,323 Cuts 11,116,442 19,523,104 17,176,247 18,873,631 By-products 813,918 1,275,325 2,132,880 2,649,165 Canned meat 3,356,009 2,129,107 1,384,218 1,544,528 Other processed products 762, , , ,812 Total 19,372,704 28,890,323 28,169,249 30,549,628 Tonnes Germany 168, , , ,580 UK 245, , , ,489 Poland n.a. n.a. 188, ,335 Italy 81, , , ,498 France 117,591 79,933 18,114 21,263 Other EU-countries 38, , , ,324 Total EU 651, ,220 1,415,862 1,429,490 China/Hong Kong n.a. n.a. 171, ,723 Japan 150, , , ,973 Russia n.a. n.a. 104, ,718 USA 86,601 52,271 36,983 37,633 Other countries 112, , , ,132 Total 3 rd countries 349, , , ,179 Total 1,001,193 1,549,975 1,993,228 2,070,668 1,000 DKK Germany 2,915,900 5,239,045 7,108,854 7,198,324 UK 4,678,450 6,190,089 4,704,392 4,829,722 Poland n.a. n.a. 2,180,288 2,574,441 Italy 1,416,624 2,256,070 1,749,090 1,800,330 France 2,216,879 1,380, , ,785 Other EU-countries 625,545 2,339,910 2,947,877 3,127,326 Total EU 11,853,398 17,405,924 19,050,259 19,967,928 China/Hong Kong n.a. n.a. 1,199,017 1,934,651 Japan 3,938,282 6,420,382 3,603,017 3,635,617 Russia n.a. n.a. 1,335,314 1,654,242 USA 1,699,086 1,574, , ,018 Other countries 1,826,439 3,489,545 2,102,609 2,440,823 Total 3 rd countries 7,463,807 11,484,399 9,118,989 10,596,352 Total 19,317,205 28,890,323 28,169,249 30,564, 18 EXPORT AND IMPORT OF PIGMEAT EXPORT AND IMPORT OF PIGMEAT Export of Live Pigs from Denmark The Development in Rate of Exchange Piglets Head 0-15 kg kg Slaughter pigs Sows Total January 36, , ,981 10, ,840 February 28, ,337 82,610 10, ,566 March 35, , ,574 6, ,525 April 34, ,094 78,137 9, ,871 May 31, ,489 65,818 10, ,276 June 34, ,364 60,840 11, ,247 July 38, ,633 50,167 9, ,444 August 36, ,294 38,426 15, ,528 September 36, ,394 35,804 12, ,062 October 39, ,546 40,929 10, ,429 November 33, ,246 52,520 5, ,417 December 49, ,643 57,303 10, ,200 Jan. - Dec. 436,014 7,073, , ,705 8,405,405 DKK per Pound Dollar Yen 100 units January February March April May June July August September October November December Piglets Head 0-15 kg kg Slaughter pigs Sows Total January 38, ,156 39,060 11, ,904 February 39, ,104 40,793 10, ,608 March 44, ,094 46,908 14, ,625 April 36, ,099 28,622 5, ,213 May 30, ,442 38,739 15, ,949 June 26, ,634 43,366 9, ,245 July 35, ,954 25,263 5, ,293 August 30, ,920 22,492 8, ,542 September 29, ,255 22,308 10, ,858 October 29, ,204 21,835 10, ,018 November 28, ,286 25,386 7, ,958 December 37, ,021 27,601 9, ,293 Jan. - Dec. 406,942 7,632, , ,022 8,539,506 Index January 2009 = Yen Dollar Pound Source: Report to Production Levy 70 F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J 19 EXPORT AND IMPORT OF PIGMEAT EXPORT AND IMPORT OF PIGMEAT Denmark s Import of Pigmeat EU s Export to 3 rd Countries Products Tonnes Germany Sweden Other EU-27 Other countries Total Live pigs and sows Bacon 7, , ,755 Carcasses pigs/sows Cuts 38,296 1,039 10,099 1,232 50,666 By-products 34,227 5,614 22,513 6,272 68,625 Canned meat 11,690 1,228 11, ,152 Other processed products 14,513 1,916 6, ,129 Total Fresh/frozen and bacon 106,483 10,262 52,004 7, ,384 %-share Tonnes (product weight) 2009 EU-27 Live pigs 151,188 97,163 84,934 Fresh/frozen pigmeat 949,796 1,162,793 1,431,989 Bacon 26,436 30,580 34,304 Other processed products 101, , ,689 Canned meat 54,270 60,276 74,930 By-products 1,100,949 1,228,784 1,438,711 Total 2,384,536 2,685,126 3,190,556 Source: EUROSTAT, Luxembourg. EU-27 EU-27 Tonnes Germany Sweden Other EU-27 Other countries Total Live pigs and sows Bacon 8, ,577 2,136 17,815 Carcasses pigs/sows Cuts 50,763 1,124 18,923 8,548 79,358 By-products 36,769 7,486 12,184 17,250 73,689 Canned meat 12,142 1,066 8,521 3,963 25,692 Other processed products 15,128 1,721 5,258 1,553 23,659 Total Fresh/frozen and bacon 123,801 11,511 51,472 33, ,235 %-share Main countries Tonnes Export countries Import countries EU-27 EU-27 Tonnes Germany 669, ,805 Russia 808, ,286 Denmark 562, ,890 Hong Kong 426, ,463 Spain 213, ,321 China 207, ,683 Netherlands 223, ,786 Japan 223, ,224 France 225, ,397 Korea 100, ,994 Poland 222, ,405 Ukraine 137, ,985 Belgium 109, ,707 Belarus 80, ,867 Italy 79,258 97,453 Philippines 89,407 96,662 Austria 63,841 77,191 Croatia 67,784 70,692 Hungary 65,097 72,725 Angola 44,465 61,493 UK 39,708 58,883 USA 58,593 59,423 Ireland 32,273 58,640 Australia 50,304 44,242 Others 178, ,354 Others 389, ,542 EU-27 2,685,125 3,190,557 EU-27 2,685,126 3,190,556 EU-27 EU-27 Source: EUROSTAT, Luxembourg 20 EXPORT AND IMPORT OF PIGMEAT EXPORT AND IMPORT OF PIGMEAT USA and Japan s Trade in Pigmeat USA s import Tonnes Fresh/frozen Processed products Canada 243,532 37, , ,950 Denmark 30,037 2,761 32,798 33,304 Poland 7,408 1,515 8,923 9,748 Mexico 4, ,324 4,207 Other countries 3,884 11,741 15,625 15,091 I alt 289,531 54, , ,300 Total Total Japan s import Fresh/frozen pigmeat Tonnes USA 336, , , ,749 Canada 174, , , ,004 Denmark 159, , , ,723 Other countries 146, , , ,631 Total 817, , , ,108 Source: Ministry of Agriculture, Japan USA s export Tonnes Fresh/frozen Processed products Japan 464,564 13, , ,113 Mexico 285,777 93, , ,164 Canada 122,593 64, , ,917 China 219,216 5, ,472 51,310 Hong Kong 36,778 1,503 38,281 60,803 Korea 148,626 1, ,468 73,000 Russia 63,417 1,637 65,054 54,627 Australia 55,987 3,015 59,002 46,849 Phillipines 29,204 5,373 34,577 43,951 Taiwan 14, ,694 21,367 Other countries 106,718 17, , ,151 Total 1,547, ,317 1,753,780 1,436,252 Total Total The above-mentioned figures are excl. by-products Source: USDA, Washington 36 37 21 COMMON AGRICULTURAL POLICY AND EXPORT REFUNDS Common Agricultural Policy and Export Refunds Subsidies for private storing Common Agricultural Policy and Export Refunds Year Period 2000 None 2001 None /12-31/ /1-6/ /1-22/ None 2006 None /10-27/ None 2009 None None 1/2-22/2 Export refunds Fresh, chilled and frozen cuts Export refunds DKK/kg Hams, shoulders/ fore-ends and loins with bones Bellies with rind Deboned hams, shoulders/ fore-ends and loins excl. Japan Products Bellies without rind and bone Excl. Japan products General Processed products Export refunds DKK/kg Dried sausages Cooked sausages Cooked hams* Cooked shoulders Luncheon meat General: / / * o/u 1 kg 38 39 22 CONSUMPTION AND PRICES Consumer Prices of Pigmeat in Denmark Consumption and Prices DKK/kg Tenderloin Cuts from loin Bellies Cuts from ham Minced pigmeat 1. Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Total year Total year Source: GfK Denmark A/S, ConsumerScan 40 41 23 CONSUMPTION AND PRICES CONSUMPTION AND PRICES Sale of Fresh/frozen Meat from Different Types of Shops Consumption of Meat in the EU % Supermarkets and grocer s Source: GfK Denmark A/S, ConsumerScan Hypermarkets Discount stores Butchers Farms Other and wholesale Kg per capita 2001 Pigmeat Beef Poultry Pigmeat Beef Poultry Germany France Italy Netherlands UK Belgium/Lux Ireland Denmark n.a n.a. Greece Spain Portugal Austria Sweden Finland Total EU Cyprus Czech Rep Estonia Hungary n.a Latvia Lithuania Malta n.a Poland Slovakia 28.6 n.a Slovenia n.a Bulgaria Rumania , Total EU n.a Source: GIRA The official figures for meat available for consumption shows the statistics calculated quantity available in the market. However, the real consumption of pigmeat in Denmark differs substantially from the statistical quantity available. Different official surveys prove that the real consumption is half the quantity shown in official supply statistics 24 Notes 44 25 Danish Agriculture & Food Council Axelborg, Axeltorv 3 T DK-1609 Kbenhavn V F E W The billionaire South Korean heir to the Samsung empire has been arrested over $40million bribery claims - and is being held in prison, it has emerged. Lee Jae-Yong, who normally lives in a $4million mansion in the capital Seoul, is being held in a cell with a mattress on the floor after being detained on bribery and other charges. Among other allegations, Lee is accused of paying nearly $40 million in bribes to a confidante of President Park Geun-Hye to secure policy favours. He has denied any wrongdoing. Lee Jae-Yong (centre) who normally lives in a $4million mansion in the capital Seoul, is being held in a small prison cell with a mattress on the floor after being detained on bribery and other charges The probe is related to a corruption scandal that triggered the impeachment of the President. A district court cited new evidence in approving the arrest warrant against vice-chairman Lee Jae-Yong, who oversees the family-run electronics giant in the absence of his ailing father. It is the latest blow to the firm's public image. 'It is acknowledged that it is necessary to arrest (Lee Jae-Yong) in light of a newly added criminal charge and new evidence,' a court spokesman said in a statement. Lee, the third-generation leader of South Korea's massive Samsung Group and scion of the country's wealthiest family, is being held in 71 square foot detention cell with a toilet in the corner behind a partition. The 48-year-old has no shower, only a wash-stand. Bed is a mattress on the floor. Lee is being held in a single cell and will not be allowed contact with other inmates, said an official at the Seoul Detention Centre, a facility on the outskirts of the city where arrested politicians and corporate chieftains are usually held, along with other detainees. The billionaire South Korean heir to the Samsung empire has been arrested over $40million bribery claims, it has emerged 'This is a highly public case, and as you know many involved in the case were already here,' the official told Reuters. Prison officials don't want Lee discussing the case with others involved in the case, the official said, explaining why the Samsung scion was being held in a single cell. Also, there may be safety issues. 'There are concerns about destroying evidence,' the official said, adding that Lee was not being given special treatment. Lee's lawyers declined to comment. Lee, who is divorced with two children, has a net worth of $6.2 billion and ordinarily lives in a $4 million Seoul mansion. The Samsung Group he heads is the world's biggest manufacturer of smartphones, flat-screen televisions and memory chips, and Lee is accustomed to rubbing elbows with Silicon Valley titans such as Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg and Apple's Tim Cook. An accomplished equestrian, Lee is also a lifetime member of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews in Scotland. At the detention centre, Lee will be allowed visitors but they can speak only through a glass partition, for up to 30 minutes at a time. However, inmates are allowed unlimited meeting time with their lawyers. He can exercise, but on his own, for 30 minutes a day. Among other allegations, Lee is accused of paying nearly $40 million in bribes to a confidante of President Park Geun-Hye (pictured) to secure policy favours. He has denied any wrongdoing Before he entered his cell, prison officials subjected Lee to an identification check and physical examination, according to the detention centre official, who declined to be identified given the sensitivity of the matter. He showered and was issued an inmate uniform and boxes with toiletries and bedding. Prosecutors have up to 10 days to indict Lee, although they can seek an extension. After indictment, a court would be required to make a ruling within three months. Lee will be given simple 1,443 won ($1.26) meals, usually rice with side-dishes. Anything additional must be bought at the centre's commissary. Meals will be served on plastic trays slid through a small square window in the cell door. Lee is required to wash his own tray. Inside the cell, he can watch TV between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., but only a single channel with recorded programmes broadcast by the justice ministry. Fellow inmates include Choi Soon-sil, a friend of President Park Geun-hye who is at the centre of the scandal and who Lee is accused of bribing, as well as the country's former culture minister and former presidential chief of staff. The cell has a small study table to one side. 'Inmates can receive eyeglasses and books from outside but should buy other things at the commissary inside, such as snacks, coffee, instant noodles, detergent, razors, and towels,' said a man surnamed Sohn who runs a private errand service for detainees at the centre and requested that his full name not be used due to the sensitivity of the matter. Samsung offered a measured response following the arrest as shares of many Samsung units took a hit on the Seoul stock market. Samsung is already reeling from the debacle over the recall of its flagship Galaxy Note 7 device The group's flagship Samsung Electronics slid 0.4 percent while its de-facto holdings firm, Samsung C&T, dropped by two percent and another key unit, Samsung Life Insurance, fell 1.4 percent. 'We will do our best to ensure that the truth is revealed in future court proceedings,' the group said in a statement. Lee, the son of Samsung group boss Lee Kun-Hee, has been quizzed several times over his alleged role in the scandal that has rocked the nation. The 48-year-old, described as a key suspect in the scandal, narrowly avoided being formally arrested last month, after the court ruled there was insufficient evidence. But prosecutors on Tuesday made a second bid, saying they had collected more evidence in recent weeks. His arrest, the first for a Samsung chief, will send shock waves through the group, which is a major part of the South Korean economy and includes the world's largest smartphone maker, Samsung Electronics. 'This is a blow to Samsung's image as a global player in the short term', HMC Investment Securities' analyst Greg Roh told AFP. IBK Investment Securities' Lee Seung-Woo said that given the cloud over Lee, at a time when the firm is attempting a complicated restructuring, Samsung could refrain from pursuing long-term investments such as overseas mergers and acquisitions. The company is already reeling from the debacle over the recall of its flagship Galaxy Note 7 device and reports have suggested it could face sanctions from overseas authorities if Lee is punished. Samsung offered a measured response following the arrest as shares of many Samsung units took a hit on the Seoul stock market Lee's father and grandfather repeatedly had close brushes with the law but were never jailed. The scandal centres on Choi Soon-Sil, who is accused of using her close ties with Park to force local firms to 'donate' nearly $70 million to non-profit foundations which Choi allegedly used for personal gain. Samsung was the single biggest donor to the foundations. It is also accused of separately giving millions of euros to Choi to bankroll her daughter's equestrian training in Germany. The court turned down prosecutors' demand for a separate arrest warrant for another Samsung executive, who is also the head of the Korea Equestrian Federation, citing his limited role in the scandal. Lee has effectively taken the helm of Samsung - South Korea's biggest business group - since his father suffered a heart attack in 2014. Prosecutors are probing whether Samsung had paid Choi to secure state approval for the controversial merger of two Samsung units seen as a key step towards ensuring a smooth power transfer to Lee. The merger in 2015 of Samsung C&T and Cheil Industries was opposed by many investors who said it wilfully undervalued the former unit's shares. But the deal went through after Seoul's state pension fund -- a major Samsung shareholder -- approved it. Samsung is South Korea's largest business group and its revenue is equivalent to about a fifth of the country's GDP. Lee's arrest was seen as a blow to Park who is staging an uphill battle at the Constitutional Court to overturn her impeachment by parliament. The Constitutional Court on Thursday said it would wrap up hearings on the impeachment case Friday next week, sparking expectations that it will reach a verdict around March 10. A US military spokesman said A-10 attack aircraft used depleted uranium rounds on November 16 and 22, 2015 in attacks on tanker trucks carrying oil for the Islamic State group The United States used depleted uranium anti-tank rounds on two occasions in 2015 during devastating air strikes against convoys of Islamic State tanker trucks, the Pentagon said Thursday. The military prizes depleted uranium munitions for their armor-piercing capabilities as well as for protective armor for tanks and vehicles. But they have been criticized for posing health risks to soldiers who use them and being potentially toxic to surrounding civilian populations. The United Nations Environment Program has described them as "chemically and radiologically toxic heavy metal." A by-product of uranium enrichment, depleted uranium "is mildly radioactive, with about 60 percent of the activity of natural uranium," it says. A military spokesman said A-10 attack aircraft used depleted uranium rounds on November 16 and 22, 2015 in attacks on tanker trucks carrying oil for the Islamic State group. The operations destroyed hundreds of trucks. A total of 5,265 depleted uranium rounds were fired in combination with other incendiary rounds, US Central Command spokesman Major Josh Jacques said. The combination of armor-penetrating and high explosive incendiary munitions was used "to ensure a higher probability of destruction of the truck fleet ISIS was using to transport its illicit oil," he said, using an acronym for the Islamic State group. "We will continue to look at all options during operational planning to defeat ISIS, this includes DU rounds," he added. The munitions have been suspected -- but never proved -- to be a possible cause of "Gulf War syndrome," the name given to a collection of debilitating maladies suffered by veterans of the 1990-91 Gulf War. The UN Environment Program has conducted studies and clean-ups of areas affected by use of the munitions in conflicts in the former Yugoslavia and Iraq. Keith Urban (R), pictured at the Grammies on February 12, 2017, says he approached Pitbull about collaborating after hearing the Cuban-American rapper on the radio Keith Urban led nominations in the Academy of Country Music Awards on Thursday after releasing an experimental album that featured the rapper Pitbull. The country music veteran was nominated for seven awards, including in the top categories of Album of the Year and Entertainer of the Year. Winners will be announced April 2 at a gala in Las Vegas. "Ripcord," his latest album, veers outside country formulas with the song "Sun Don't Let Me Down," featuring Pitbull as well as guitar by Nile Rodgers of Chic fame. Urban said he approached Pitbull about the song after hearing the Cuban-American rapper on the radio. "On that particular day, I heard his voice and I was like, 'Oh my gosh. That is the voice that needs to be on 'Sun Don't Let Me Down,''" Urban told the site Taste of Country. Urban -- who was born in New Zealand, raised in Australia and now lives in the United States -- is best known outside the country music world as the husband of Hollywood superstar Nicole Kidman. Another top name in country music, Miranda Lambert, was tied for six nominations with newcomer Maren Morris. Morris was also nominated as Best New Artist at the Grammy Awards amid the popularity of "My Church," a pop-tinged country song that likens cruising to the radio to a religious experience. The Academy of Country Music Awards are one of two top honors in the genre along with the Country Music Association Awards. In the hope of bringing internet access to even the most remote corners of the globe, Google parent Alphabet's 'Loon' project has taken a big step closer. Alphabet said artificial intelligence-infused navigation software has significantly sped up plans, helping to smartly guide high-altitude balloons to improve coverage. While the firm has not said when it expects the balloons to be up and running, Astro Teller, head of the team at Alphabet unit X said: 'We are looking to move quickly, but to move thoughtfully.' Scroll down for video Alphabet said artificial intelligence-infused navigation software has significantly sped up plans, helping to smartly guide high-altitude balloons to improve coverage. Pictured is a Project Loon balloon on display at the Airforce Museum in Christchurch Teller said: 'Our timelines are starting to move up on how we can do more for the world sooner.' The acceleration was credited to software leaps that allow internet-serving balloons to ride high-altitude winds to ideal locations or loop in patterns that create consistent webs of internet coverage in the sky. 'We've been working to make the balloons smarter; almost like a game of chess with the winds,' Teller said. WHAT IS PROJECT LOON AND HOW DO THE BALLOONS WORK? Project Loon is a network of balloons travelling on the edge of space, designed to connect people to the internet in remote parts of the world. The balloons travel approximately 12 miles (20km) above the Earth's surface in the stratosphere. Winds in the stratosphere are stratified, and each layer of wind varies in speed and direction, so Project Loon uses software algorithms to determine where its balloons need to go. It then moves each one into a layer of wind blowing in the right direction. By moving with the wind, the balloons can be arranged to form one large communications network. Winds in the stratosphere are stratified, and each layer of wind varies in speed and direction, so Project Loon uses algorithms to determine where its balloons need to go. It then moves each one into a layer of wind blowing in the right direction (illustrated) The inflatable part of the balloon is called a balloon envelope made from sheets of polyethylene plastic that are 49ft (15 metres) wide and 40ft (12 metres) tall when inflated. The balloons harness power from card table-sized solar panels that dangle below them, and they can gather enough charge in four hours to power them for a day. Each balloon can provide connectivity to a ground area of around 25 miles (40km) in diameter using LTE, also referred to as 4G, technology. Project Loon is partnering with telecommunications companies and mobile networks to share cellular spectrum. Ground stations with internet capabilities around 60 miles (100km) apart bounce signals up to the balloons. The signals can then hop forward, from one balloon to the next, along a backbone of up to five balloons. Advertisement He expected Loon to be partnering in coming months with telecom companies to provide internet to 'real users,' in a step up from tests done to see how well the high-floating technology works with networks on the ground. Teller declined to specify where Loon might first be integrated into telecommunications networks providing service to customers. 'We are not going to all of a sudden be everywhere,' Teller said. 'We intend to be part of an ecosystem - in any country where we are doing testing we would work with a local telco.' Loon could soon be partnering in coming months with telecom companies to provide internet to 'real users,' in a step up from tests done to see how well the high-floating technology works with networks on the ground (pictured) Part of the money-making vision for Loon would be to get revenue from telecom operators for extending their reach. Teller said Loon is one of the more mature projects at X and that it 'would be a natural state to graduate into its own company' but there were not plans at the moment for that to happen. The word of speedy progress came the same day that the venture to beam the internet to the ground via balloon hit a legal snag in Sri Lanka that could see the project abandoned on the island. The inflatable part of the balloon is called a balloon envelope made from sheets of polyethylene plastic that are 49ft (15 metres) wide and 40ft (12 metres) tall when inflated PROGRESS SINCE 2013 In 2013, Google launched 30 balloons into the stratosphere from New Zealand. These balloons floated at altitudes up to 15.5 miles (25km) and travelled as fast as 200mph (324 km/h). In 2014, Google tested the Project Loon balloons in Piaui, Brazil, marking its first LTE experiments near the equator. In February 2014, the record streak for a balloon lasting in the stratosphere was 50 days. But with improvements, by March 2015, the record for a continuous balloon flight was 187 days. Advertisement Project Loon uses roaming balloons to beam internet coverage and planned to connect Sri Lanka's 21 million people to the web, even those in remote connectivity black spots. But just a year after testing began in Sri Lanka, regulators have been unable to allocate Google a radio frequency for the airborne venture without breaching international regulations. 'There are lots of places excited to run experiments with us,' Teller said. 'We encourage that, but there are lots of agencies and we need to dot 'I's and cross 't's.' He added that Loon planned to 'do things by the book' in any country where it is active, using balloons to get internet signals far and wide, while local telecom companies tap into the network from the ground. The first public launch of Loon took place in New Zealand in 2013, when the project was in an early experimental phase. Alphabet recently said that it gave up on its internet drone project, called Titan, about a year ago, to focus its resources on Loon where it saw more promise of success. The economics and technical feasibility of balloons are seen as a more promising way to connect rural and remote parts of the world to the internet, according to X. MADISON, Wis. (AP) - A candidate for Wisconsin state superintendent accused an opponent Wednesday during a radio debate of offering him a three-year, $150,000 job in the department and a personal driver if he drops out of the race. John Humphries made the allegation against Lowell Holtz during a debate on WISN-AM radio. They are both challenging incumbent state Superintendent Tony Evers. The top two vote-getters in Tuesday's primary will advance to the April 4 general election. Holtz called Humphries' allegations a "bunch of liberal BS." Holtz said unnamed business people asked him and Humphries to discuss options for working together and that ideas were thrown around but "there was no specific proposal." Humphries referenced a document he said Holtz presented during their meeting. Humphries later provided that document to The Associated Press. It says "3yr no-cut contract 150k, full benefits, driver" under each of their names. It also says Holtz, as state superintendent, would have "complete authority over Milwaukee, Racine, Kenosha, and Madison (Green Bay can be negotiated)." It also said he could create rules for the districts, change school boards "when I deem it necessary" and break apart districts. "You identify me as the superintendent in charge of those four urban districts with the authority and autonomy that goes with the office of WI State Superintendent," the document said under Holtz's name. "We are going to shake up Milwaukee and it is going to make noise." Holtz said in a statement to AP after the debate that the document was a "rough draft and a conversation starter about what an agreement between us working together could look like." "Unfortunately, we are on totally opposite ends of the political spectrum," Holtz said. "The differences between Mr. Humphries' approach to education and mine were too stark to be reconciled, so the conversation ended there." The state superintendent's salary is set by law at $120,111. No one in the agency he runs makes $150,000 or more and no one has a personal driver, said Department of Public Instruction spokesman Tom McCarthy. Also, the state superintendent does not have the authority to unilaterally change school boards, break apart districts or appoint staff or administrators to districts as the document Humphries released envisioned. "This would be an unprecedented shift in who controls our local schools," McCarthy said. Humphries said in an interview after the debate that he found the offer from Holtz to be "ludicrous" and rejected it. Humphries said during the WISN debate that the proposal sounded like a state takeover of schools from the state superintendent's office, which he opposes. Humphries has called for allowing poor-performing schools to be reorganized into charter or private voucher schools at the local level. Humphries and Holtz are both trying to run as a more conservative alternative to Evers, who is backed by Democrats, teachers unions and public school advocates. Holtz has been endorsed by Republican lawmakers and conservative groups including Pro-Life Wisconsin. Humphries said it was up to Holtz to say who the business people were who suggested they meet. Holtz did not name them during the debate or in the statement he provided in response to follow up questions. ___ Follow Scott Bauer on Twitter at https://twitter.com/sbauerAP and find more of his work at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/scott-bauer . CHICAGO (AP) - A Minneapolis man who was shot by Amtrak police near Chicago's Union Station has died. Chicago Police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi says 25-year-old Chad Robertson died Wednesday, one week after being shot. Robertson was taking a bus from Memphis, Tennessee, to Minneapolis and was on a stopover in Chicago when the shooting occurred. According to family members, the transit officer fired at Robertson as he ran during an encounter near Union Station. The officer reportedly fired twice, striking Robertson once in the left shoulder. Guglielmi says the man's wounds were considered non-life-threatening at the time. He says the wounded man was found with cash and narcotics, but was unarmed. Attorney Douglas Hopson of Chicago tells the Minneapolis Star-Tribune that Robertson's family will now be considering a wrongful death lawsuit against the officers involved. LOS ANGELES (AP) - The longtime producer of the Grammy Awards is offering apologies to Metallica and Shirley Caesar after a technical glitch and a misprint marred their inclusion on the show. The mic for Metallica's James Hetfield wasn't initially working when the band took the stage to perform with Lady Gaga, and Caesar, a lifetime achievement award honoree, was misidentified during the televised ceremony when a photo of another gospel star, CeCe Winans, was shown instead of her during a montage clip. "These kinds of things are horrible when they happen," Ken Ehrlich said in an interview with The Associated Press on Wednesday. "That's one of the risks of live television." The Metallica glitch, for which the band has blamed a dead microphone, resulted in Hetfield making a decision to improvise and use Lady Gaga's mic. Ehrlich has heard a different story from his crew about the problem. "My guys say that the mic cable was connected," he said. "My guys' theory was that ... one of the extras (on stage) accidentally kicked out the cable that went to the mic." Still, the end result was Hetfield's singing couldn't be heard for the first part of the performance. "Obviously, we apologize to the band," Ehrlich said, calling the mishap "awful." He added that he's worked with Metallica for years, so to see that happen was personally upsetting to him: "You hurt." In the case of Caesar, the gospel legend, Ehrlich had a better understanding of what happened. When preparing for a clip to run of her for the show, footage of a classic Caesar, Winans and Whitney Houston performance was used, and Winans was mistakenly shown. Ehrlich said he usually checks such footage but didn't get a chance to this year, since he was busy with the show and the Recording Academy's tribute to the Bee Gees, which taped in Los Angeles on Tuesday and will air at a later date. "We obviously want to apologize to Shirley Caesar," he said. "It's unfortunate that happened." Caeser released a statement Wednesday thanking Ehrlich for the apology and added, "these things happen sometimes." Ehrlich was also frustrated that the mistakes have overshadowed some of the great performances that occurred on the show, including Beyonce, Bruno Mars and Adele, who had her own hiccup when she restarted her tribute to George Michael. "When you do a three-and-a-half hour live show, it's fraught with danger," he said. "It was an adventurous show in many ways." Ehrlich has produced the Grammys for years and has also produced other events, including the Emmy Awards. ___ Online: http://www.grammys.com CHICAGO (AP) - The businesswoman President Donald Trump selected to oversee Medicaid, the health care program for 74 million low-income Americans, has said the program is structurally flawed by policies that burden states and foster dependency among the poor. Seema Verma heads Indianapolis-based SVC Inc., a consulting firm that works with GOP-led states seeking federal leeway in how they spend Medicaid dollars. Her proposed solutions can be seen most dramatically in Indiana, where Medicaid enrollees pay fees and a missed payment means a six-month lockout from the program. A still-pending proposal she developed for Kentucky includes work requirements for most adults. Elsewhere, the poorest Medicaid recipients usually don't pay monthly fees, although many states have experimented with fees for certain groups such as working adults with disabilities. FILE - In this Jan. 10, 2017 file photo, Seema Verma, left, then President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, gets on an elevator in the lobby of Trump Tower in New York. Verma, the businesswoman selected by President Donald Trump to oversee Medicaid, the health care program for 74 million low-income Americans, has said the program is structurally flawed at its core by policies that burden states and foster dependency in the poor. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci File) Democrats in Washington are concerned Verma's methods may become a favored model as Republicans work to repeal the Affordable Care Act, making it harder for non-disabled adults to get access to health care. Underway for two years, the short track record of Indiana's Medicaid expansion leaves questions about whether Verma's ideas have helped poorer Americans or hurt them. Indiana and Iowa, which also has a Verma-designed program with monthly fees, expanded coverage while saving taxpayers' money, said Marcus Barlow, a spokesman for SVC. He extolled the results of Verma's programs, pointing to data showing the two states spent less per capita on newly eligible Medicaid enrollees than the national average while keeping uninsured rates below average. "We're proud of the innovative solutions based specifically on each state's needs," Barlow said. Verma, who faces a Senate Finance Committee hearing Thursday, has been highly critical of Medicaid. "At Medicaid's core is a flawed structure," Verma said in 2013 testimony to a congressional subcommittee. States must endure a "cumbersome" and "capricious" procedure to get approval for innovative ideas, she said, and "rigid, complex rules" have created "an intractable program that does not foster efficiency, quality or personal responsibility." Federal Medicaid policies limiting copays and premiums, Verma said, "disempower individuals from taking responsibility for their health, allow utilization of services without regard for the public cost and foster dependency." In Indiana, Verma worked with then-Gov. Mike Pence, now Trump's vice president, to win federal permission to expand Medicaid, gaining federal dollars under President Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act while making the program look more like commercial insurance. Financial carrots and sticks are meant to discourage low-income families from overspending on health care. "The only way Gov. Pence was going to pass coverage expansion was through this means," said Doug Leonard, president of the Indiana Hospital Association. Hospital fees and a cigarette tax pay the state's portion of the expansion. The program, known as the Healthy Indiana Plan 2.0, requires people to pay $1 to $100 a month, depending on income, for beefed-up coverage that includes dental and vision care. A missed payment means losing coverage and a six-month lockout before reapplying. More than 2,600 individuals were locked out in this way during the program's first year. Carol Irvin of Mathematica Policy Research, who led Indiana's evaluation of the program's first incarnation from 2009 through 2014, said its financial incentives are misunderstood by those who are supposed to be motivated by them. "They didn't necessarily understand the connection and, we would argue, they didn't understand the incentives," Irvin said. A separate evaluation of HIP 2.0's first year showed similar findings. Blacks and Hispanics are underrepresented, and it has been difficult for evaluators to survey non-enrollees to find out why some people haven't signed up, Irvin said. Many Indiana residents were able to get coverage because of the expansion, although not as many as the state had hoped. Seventy-three percent of the 559,000 projected to be eligible actually enrolled in HIP 2.0 for at least a month during its first year. People below the poverty line don't lose their coverage entirely if they miss a payment, but instead are bounced down to a "HIP Basic" plan that requires copays and doesn't include dental or vision. That's what happened to 54-year-old fast food cook Michael Boone of Gary, Indiana. He missed a few $12-a-month payments and was moved from "HIP Plus" - under which he'd been able to see a dentist for "the first time in my adult life" - to the basic plan. Still, he said he appreciates the coverage and will be back on the "HIP Plus" plan soon. "It's been a godsend," said Boone, who says he can afford $12 a month. "I never had health care before." ___ Follow AP Medical Writer Carla K. Johnson on Twitter at https://twitter.com/CarlaKJohnson . In this Friday, Jan. 6, 2017 photo, Michael Boone poses for a portrait in his Gary Ind., home. Seema Verma, the businesswoman selected by President Donald Trump to oversee Medicaid, the health insurance program for 74 million low-income Americans, has said the program is structurally flawed by policies that burden states and foster dependency in the poor. Verma's solutions to the flaws she sees in Medicaid can be seen most dramatically in Indiana where enrollees pay fees and a missed payment means a six-month lockout from the program. Boone says the coverage he gained from the Indiana Medicaid expansion has been "a godsend." (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) WASHINGTON (AP) - It was pretty much inevitable. Every recent president has had a doomed Cabinet nomination or two, and President Donald Trump is no exception. On Wednesday, Trump's choice for labor secretary, fast food CEO Andrew Puzder, withdrew his name after Republicans expressed concern over his failure to pay taxes promptly on a former housekeeper who wasn't authorized to work in the U.S. Democrats also had complained about Puzder's business record and remarks about women and workers at his company, which owns Hardee's and Carl's Jr. FILE - In this Nov. 19, 2016 file photo, then-President-elect Donald Trump walks then-Labor Secretary-designate Andrew Puzder from Trump National Golf Club Bedminster clubhouse in Bedminster, N.J. Every recent president has had a doomed Cabinet nomination or two, and Trump is no exception. On Feb. 15, Trump's choice for labor secretary, Puzder, withdrew his name after Republicans expressed concern over his failure to pay taxes promptly on a former housekeeper who wasn't authorized to work in the U.S. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File) Puzder was Trump's first Cabinet-level nominee to withdraw. The president also ousted his first national security adviser, Michael Flynn, after just weeks on the job because Flynn wasn't truthful about his contacts with Russian officials during the transition. Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and both Bush presidents all had to come up with new names after nominees for their Cabinets ran into trouble. And experts on filling top federal jobs say Trump's nominees have been subjected to less scrutiny during the nomination process than those of past presidents, which inevitably leads to unpleasant surprises. A number of Trump's choices "have certainly pushed the boundaries of acceptable behavior," says Darrell West, director of governance studies at the Brookings Institution. "You would like for the nominees to be forthcoming but many of them don't volunteer key information unless they really have to." Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, for example, was approved by the Republican-controlled Senate this week despite his failure to disclose nearly $100 million in assets on forms he filed with the Senate Finance Committee. Mnuchin called that lapse an oversight. Democrats also complained that the former banker had made much of his fortune by foreclosing on families during the financial crisis. Past presidents can attest to the pitfalls of failing to check out nominees thoroughly and of letting a problem appointment fester. Obama took three tries to find a secretary of commerce. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson withdrew his name after the word surfaced that a grand jury was investigating allegations of wrongdoing in the awarding of contracts in his state. Republican Sen. Judd Gregg of New Hampshire backed out citing "irresolvable differences" with the policies of the Democratic president. Obama's first choice to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, former Senate Democratic leader Tom Daschle, withdrew his nomination when it came out that he owed $140,000 in back income taxes and interest. Remember Linda Chavez? Probably not. That's because George W. Bush did the smart thing in 2001 when it emerged that his choice for labor secretary had housed an immigrant living in the country illegally. Bush quickly cut Chavez loose, making clear he would not defend her. She withdrew her nomination just three days after the issue surfaced. Contrast that with Clinton's long, frustrating search for an attorney general in 1993. First, he nominated lawyer Zoe Baird. When word leaked that she had hired people in the U.S. illegally as household workers and failed to pay their Social Security taxes, Clinton blamed a slipshod review process. Next, he settled on federal Judge Kimba Wood. Her nomination never went forward after the disclosure that she had hired a babysitter who was in the country illegally, even though Wood broke no laws and had paid the required Social Security taxes. The drama dragged on for almost two months, casting a shadow over Clinton's inauguration. It was Feb. 11 when he finally nominated his eventual attorney general, Janet Reno. A few months later, Clinton jettisoned the nomination of old friend Lani Guinier as an assistant attorney general after critics said her writings were too liberal. "I had not read her writings," Clinton said. "In retrospect, I wish I had." That drama stretched out over five weeks, and left women and blacks outraged that Clinton had abandoned Guinier after letting her twist. Paul Light, an expert on the federal government at New York University, said experience shows that the lure of a Cabinet appointment sometimes proves irresistible to people who should know better. "Hubris knows no limits when you're invited to serve," he said. Light said plenty of nominees have asked him whether they could get confirmed despite serious blots on their records. Clinton was far from alone in running into problem nominations. President George H.W. Bush's effort to make former Texas Sen. John Tower his defense secretary went down in flaming defeat. In January 1989, Tower seemed headed to confirmation despite reports of a drinking problem and womanizing. Then came fresh allegations about Tower that gave new life to the opposition. Bush still refused to back down, pushing the nomination all the way to a vote in the full Senate, which rejected Tower, 53-47. For Jimmy Carter, it was his choice of former Kennedy administration figure Ted Sorensen for CIA chief that turned sour. Sorensen withdrew his name on the eve of his Senate confirmation hearing, blaming "scurrilous and unfounded personal attacks." Criticism had centered on Sorensen's past handling of classified materials, and his registration for noncombatant status with his draft board. ___ Follow Nancy Benac on Twitter at http://twitter.com/nbenac BEIRUT (AP) - Syrian President Bashar Assad has lashed out at his French counterpart ahead of France's April presidential election, accusing Francois Hollande of sponsoring terror in Syria. Assad is encouraging Western nations to reset their relations with his pariah government, after six years of civil war. Assad told French media outlets Europe 1 and TF1 in an interview broadcast on Thursday that he prefers someone who is "not a warmonger" to be the next French president. Outgoing Hollande maintained former President Nikolas Sarkozy's position to support Syria's 2011 uprising against the Assad family rule. The uprising subsequently descended into all-out civil war. Assad says the French president's policy is tantamount to "supporting terrorists." Assad's government has labelled all armed opposition to his rule - including the Western-backed rebels - as "terrorists." As we've been explaining, Republicans hold a record number of state legislative seats right now. This is not because more people vote for them. Democrats aren't losing elections, as the so-called Democrat Jim Webb asserted on Meet the Press Sunday, because Democrats are too focused on "identity politics" or because weve moved too far to the left. This is because Republicans prevent people from voting and racially gerrymander statehouses across the country. With operation REDMAP and a slew of partisan policies, Republicans have systematically taken control of both houses of 32 state legislatures across the country, including in one of the two states with state level elections being held this year-- Virginia. In Virginia, Republicans used these tactics to take 66 of the 100 seats in the state house, despite the state having two Democratic Senators, a Democratic Attorney General and Governor, and having gone blue in every single one of the last three Presidential elections. Clinton beat Trump in November 1,916,845 (49.9%) to 1,731,156 (45.0%). Just as an example, courts ruled in both 2014 and 2015 that Virginias congressional districts were racially gerrymandered and needed to be changed and in 2016 the Supreme Court accepted a case arguing that 12 state legislative districts were racially gerrymandered as well. Reversing years of new Jim Crow laws and winning a 51-seat majority in the state house is not a one cycle project. But it is something that we need to start now if we are ever going to pass fair district maps. And passing fair maps is what we need to do if were ever going to have a chance to take back and hold Congress. Thats why I want to introduce you to Josh King. Josh is one of the top Delegate races in Virginia this year. He ran in 2015 and came within 125 votes of winning the seat, despite only being in the race for four months and being outspent 3:1. But now Mark Dudenhefer, the incumbent Republican, is retiring. Better yet, the district went for Hillary in a landslide-- by over 20 points. The district has parts of Prince William and Stafford counties. It's been pretty reliably Democratic in recent races. In the last gubernatorial race McAuliffe took the district against Cuccinelli 53-42%. The next year Mark Warner beat Ed Gillespie for U.S. Senate 52-46%. In 2012 Obama won the district against Romney 58-40% and Tim Kaine beat George Allen 59-41%. The district goes south from Woodbridge along the Potomac to Quantico, heads further south down to Arkendale and Widewater Beach and west to Tacketts Mill and Roseville. This is definitely one where we can turn a Republican-held seat Blue... and progressive. This week Blue America endorsed Josh King, our first endorsement of 2017 for a Virginia legislative seat. There will likely be more. Meanwhile I asked Josh to introduce himself and explain why he's running and what he hopes to accomplish in the legislature. Please take a look-- and if you agree, please consider making a contribution to his campaign by tapping the ActBlue thermometer on the right. And, remember, this election is in 2017, not 2018. What I Stand For -by Josh King My name is Josh King. I'm an army vet, a deputy sheriff, and I'm running for the Virginia House of Delegates in the 2nd District. Three years ago my autistic daughter, Josclyn, was forced to go a year without a teacher because the public school she was assigned to couldn't afford one. In a state with one of the best education systems in the country, there was no money for her or six other special needs children. And when I investigated, I found that time and time again resources were being sent to privileged communities while minority communities like mine had their kids put in trailers and their best teachers hired elsewhere. It's unacceptable. No child-- especially one with special needs-- should go a year without a teacher. If elected, I will fight discrimination in every form it takes. Whether its requiring voter IDs at polling places, racial gerrymandering in our state, education funding going to wealthy communities first, mass deportation of immigrants, placing environmentally toxic coal ash sites in my district without the proper safety controls, pay inequality, or taking away womens rights to make their own healthcare decisions. As a father with three kids I also know that we need a living wage for every person. Far too many people in our community-- including my mother and my sister-- work two or more jobs and cant make ends meet when something goes wrong. Theyre left out in a cold when a car breaks down, a family member gets sick, or, God forbid, they get sick and cant work. They dont have the savings and they cant afford to take a sick day. Theyre living paycheck to paycheck and just praying that gas prices dont rise. If elected, I will fight for working class families and make sure they get fair wages. The fight for $15 is real and big banks need to be broken up and the top 1% should make up the difference in the minimum wage gap. No family should have to work two to three jobs, like my mother and sister do, just to feed their family and pay bills. Finally, I want to say that as a Deputy Sheriff, I know that criminal justice reform is long overdue. There are too many mental health patients that are incarcerated when they just need help. There is an enormous homeless population, which includes veterans, that has not been addressed. These people need jobs, treatment, and homes, not jail cells. These are the issues that motivate me and that I will fight for. I hope you will join our campaign to take this seat and turn Virginia blue. EL-ARISH, Egypt (AP) - Suspected Islamic militants gunned down a Coptic Christian teacher on his way to school in northern Sinai on Thursday, the second killing of a Christian in less than a week in the turbulent region, officials said, amid fears of escalating attacks on Christians. Gamal Tawfiq, 50, was shot in the head by two militants on a motorbike who followed him as he walked from home to work at El-Samran School in the coastal city of el-Arish. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the killing, but a security official said the Islamic State's affiliate in Sinai was the prime suspect. A school official confirmed Tawfiq's death to The Associated Press but declined to give details. Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to reporters. On Sunday, suspected militants gunned down a local vet, Bahgat Zakher, in el-Arish, and in late January, Wael Milad, a merchant, was killed by militants who stormed his shop. Both were Coptic Christians. Egypt is home to one of the world's oldest Christian communities, accounting for roughly 10 percent of its 92 million people. The Copts have long complained of discrimination and have frequently been targeted by Islamic militants. IS claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing in a packed Coptic church in Cairo in December that killed nearly 30 worshippers. Since the 2011 uprising that ousted autocrat Hosni Mubarak, northern Sinai has plunged deeper into strife, with Islamic militants gaining a strong foothold. The insurgency in Sinai grew deadlier and, in some cases, spread to the mainland following the military's 2013 ouster of the country's Islamist president, Mohammed Morsi. Most Egyptian Christians, along with many of the country's Muslim majority, supported Morsi's ouster, thus inviting retaliation by the militants. "For long, incidents of shooting and killing Christians were sporadic, but recently we are witnessing an increase that I think will turn into a repetitive pattern in el-Arish," said Ishaq Ibrahim, a researcher at the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights. Last year, several Christians were shot to death in attacks, including in Sinai, where priest Rafael Moussa and health ministry employee Massak Nasrallah were gunned down. In May last year, an elderly Christian woman was stripped off her clothes and paraded naked through the streets of a southern village by a Muslim mob who accused her son of having an affair with a Muslim woman. Egyptian prosecutors threw the case out last month, citing lack of evidence, but authorities reversed the decision this week after the woman's defense appealed. The suspects were also referred to a criminal court. ___ Associated Press Writer Maggie Michael in Cairo contributed to this report. NEW ORLEANS (AP) - A magistrate judge has reduced the charges against two men accused in a shootout in New Orleans' tourist-filled French Quarter that left one man dead and nine others wounded. Magistrate Judge Harry Cantrell said Wednesday that he could find no probable cause for a murder count and nine counts of attempted murder on which both suspects had been arrested following the November shooting. Instead, he found cause to hold the men on manslaughter and attempted manslaughter counts. News outlets report Cantrell reduced the bail for the 20-year-old suspects, Jordan Clay and Travon Manuel, from $2.25 million to $1.375 million each. Twenty-five-year-old Demontris Toliver was killed in the Bourbon Street shooting. District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro's office says it intends to still prosecute the men on murder charges by securing an indictment. Here are the AP's latest coverage plans, top stories and promotable content. All times EST. ---------------- ONLY ON AP A shopper walks past a sign hanging outside the closed Marco's Fish Market, Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017, in south Philadelphia's Italian Market. In an action called "A Day Without Immigrants", immigrants across the country are expected to stay home from school and work on Thursday to show how critical they are to the U.S. economy and way of life. (AP Photo/Jacqueline Larma) ---------------- ANDY'S NEW FACE, HFR - When the doctor handed him a mirror, Andy Sandness stared at his own image and absorbed the enormity of the moment: After an extraordinary 10-year medical journey, he had a new face. At 21, Sandness survived a suicide attempt that ravaged his face. A decade later, another 21-year-old took his own life. With a family's difficult donation decision and the skills of a face transplant team at the Mayo Clinic, one young man's tragedy allowed another to have a second chance at a normal life. By National Writer Sharon Cohen. UPCOMING: 2,300 words on HOLD FOR RELEASE FOR 12:01 a.m. Friday, photos, video. An abridged version will also be available. With: FACE-TRANSPLANT-NEW ISSUES. ---------------- TOP STORIES ---------------- TRUMP - President Donald Trump opens his first solo news conference since taking office with a more than half-hour defense of his young and rattled administration, dismissing scandals and setbacks as fictions created by an 'out of control' media. By Ken Thomas. SENT: 509 words, photos, video UPCOMING: 800 words by 5 p.m. WITH: TRUMP-FACT CHECK. UPCOMING: Developing from Trump news conference. TRUMP VS SPIES - The Trump administration asks the founder of a New York-based private equity firm to lead a review of the intelligence community as Trump vows to crack down on what he describes as "illegal leaks" of classified information. By Vivian Salama and Deb Riechmann. UPCOMING: 800 words by 4 p.m., photos. TRUMP-LABOR SECRETARY - Trump announces law school dean Alexander Acosta as his new labor secretary nominee, one day after his original pick abruptly withdrew from consideration. By Laurie Kellman and Ken Thomas. SENT: 740 words, photos, video. UPCOMING: 850 words by 4 p.m. DAY WITHOUT IMMIGRANTS - Immigrants around the country are staying home from school and work to show how important they are to the U.S. economy and way of life. "A Day Without Immigrants" actions are underway in cities including Philadelphia, Washington, Boston, Houston, Chicago and New York. By Errin Haines Whack. SENT: 600 words, photos. MALAYSIA-NORTH KOREA - Malaysian authorities announce two more arrests in the death of the North Korean leader's half brother, whose apparent assassination this week unleashed a wave of speculation and intrigue: a pair of female assailants, a broad-daylight killing and a dictator-sibling out for blood. By Eileen Ng. SENT: 800 words, photos. WITH: NKOREA-MALAYSIA-FEMALE SPIES - North Korea has a long history of dispatching female spies on some of its most dangerous and deadly assignments. SENT: 690 words, photos; NORTH KOREA-A PRINCELING DIES - Mystery deepens, questions build in North Korea princeling death. SENT: 950 words, photos. OSCARS-POLITICS - The nation's culture wars inspired by President Trump and energized by Meryl Streep and other Hollywood stars could be this year's big distraction at the Academy Awards. Will the Oscar podium become a political pulpit? Will conservatives boycott the show? And will the film academy try and steer host Jimmy Kimmel and presenters away from politics? By Entertainment Writer Sandy Cohen. UPCOMING: 900 words by 2 p.m., photos -------------------------------------- WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT -------------------------------------- CLINTON-DE LA RENTA STAMP - Hillary Clinton praises Oscar de la Renta as an inspiration to striving immigrants like himself. SENT: 130 words. UPCOMING: 400 words by 3 p.m., photos, video MONOPOLY-NO THIMBLE - The maker of the Monopoly board game is making changes to its tokens again, and this time the thimble will be kicked to the curb. SENT: 130 words, photo. VOGUE-GEISHA SPREAD - Model Karlie Kloss sorry for a culturally insensitive spread. SENT: 250 words, photos. REGIS PHILBIN-KELLY RIPA - Regis Philbin, Kelly Ripa haven't kept in touch since he left show. SENT: 130 words, photo. -------------------------------- WASHINGTON & POLITICS -------------------------------- CONGRESS-HEALTH OVERHAUL - House Republican leaders sketch broad outlines of a replacement for the Obama health care law that leaves GOP members at odds and questioning details and timing on a long-promised alternative. UPCOMING: 750 words by 4 p.m., photos. WITH: CONGRESS-ABORTION- House Republicans push toward passage of a bill to let states refuse family planning money for groups like Planned Parenthood that provide abortion. UPCOMING: 600 words by 4 p.m.; vote expected around 3 p.m; MEDICAID - Trump's pick to lead the government's major health insurance programs says maternity coverage should be optional for patients. UPCOMING: 550 words by 3 p.m., photos. UNITED STATES-RUSSIA - Top Trump administration officials signal there will be no change soon in U.S.-Russian relations, putting the onus on Moscow to prove itself if it wants closer cooperation with Washington. SENT: 790 words, photos. WITH: UNITED STATES-NATO -Mattis tells fellow NATO members to increase military spending by year's end or risk seeing the United States curtail its defense support. SENT: 850 words, photos SENATE-SUPREME COURT - While Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch has shown some independence in meetings with Senate Democrats, it may not be enough for a smooth confirmation when his hearings begin next month. UPCOMING: 750 words by 4 p.m., photos ------------ NATIONAL ------------ SAN BERNARDINO ATTACK - A California man has pleaded guilty to providing the high-powered rifles used to kill 14 people in the San Bernardino terror attack. SENT: 350 words, photos. GAY WEDDING-FLORIST - The Washington state Supreme Court has ruled unanimously that a florist who refused to provide services for a same-sex wedding broke anti-discrimination laws. SENT: 300 words, photos. UPCOMING: 550 words by 5 p.m. INMATE SLAIN-CONVICTION REVERSED - When an appeals court threw out Roger Lee Largent's rape conviction, there was no courtroom victory for him. Four days earlier, Largent had been found beaten to death in a prison cell. UPCOMING: 650 words by 3 p.m., photos. -------------------- INTERNATIONAL -------------------- MIDEAST-A GRAND DEAL?-Q&A - Trump and Netanyahu pledged to seize what they believe is an opportunity for a broader, more ambitious Israeli-Arab peace deal. Their premise is that Sunni Arab countries - pushed by the fear of regional rival Iran - can pressure the Palestinians into signing a deal they would otherwise reject. UPCOMING: 900 words by 4 p.m. photos. WITH: ISRAEL-AMBASSADOR'S SETTLEMENT - Trump's designated ambassador to Israel will likely be grilled about his strong ties to Beit El, a West Bank settlement. UPCOMING: 800 words, photos, video by 3 p.m. PAKISTAN - The death toll from an Islamic State suicide bombing at a famous shrine in Pakistan has climbed to 75, with another 200 people wounded. SENT: 100 words, photo. TRINIDAD-IS RECRUITS - A Caribbean island nation has become an unlikely source of fighters and funding for the Islamic State militant group, prompting an internationally backed effort to stem the flow of money and recruits to Syria and Iraq. SENT: 900 words, photo. ------------ BUSINESS ------------ TRUMP-TRADE UNCERTAINTIES - Trump is moving fast to dismantle seven decades of American policy built on trade deals and multinational alliances that have helped drive the U.S. and global economies. And no one is sure what will replace them. Without knowing whether international trade will be disrupted in the coming years, business people in the United States and abroad could be forced to rethink their business plans. By Paul Wiseman. UPCOMING: 850 words. BOEING-UNION VOTE - Boeing workers' overwhelming rejection of unionizing at the South Carolina plant where the aviation giant makes its 787 Dreamliner marks a major victory for Southern politicians and business leaders who have brought tens of thousands of manufacturing jobs to the region. By SENT: 800 words, photos. UPCOMING: 600 words with a new approach by 4 p.m. ---------------------------------------- HEALTH/SCIENCE/TECHNOLOGY ---------------------------------------- MOSQUITO TRAPPING - Microsoft is developing an "intelligent" mosquito trap that promises to catch the bloodsuckers while letting friendlier insects go - but will high-tech trapping improve public health? By Medical Writer Lauran Neergaard. UPCOMING: 650 words by 4 p.m., photos. ---------------------- ENTERTAINMENT ---------------------- THE GREAT WALL-CHINA'S HOLLYWOOD EXPERIMENT - It's an action epic with Matt Damon. It's a cultural milestone for China. It's an alleged case of whitewashing Asian roles. There's a lot riding on Zhang Yimou's "The Great Wall." By Technology Writer Mae Anderson. UPCOMING: 700 words by 2 p.m., photos ---------------- SPORTS ----------------- BBN--MARLINS SALE - The Kushner family has put the brakes on its negotiations to buy the Miami Marlins because of a report team owner Jeffrey Loria may be nominated by President Trump to become ambassador to France. By Sports Writer Steven Wine. SENT: 550 words, photos. ------------------------- HOW TO REACH US ------------------------- At the Nerve Center, Alina Heineke can be reached at 800-845-8450 (ext. 1600). For photos, Jenny Kane (ext. 1900). For graphics and interactives, Phil Holm (ext. 7636). Expanded AP content can be obtained from http://www.apexchange.com. For access to AP Exchange and other technical issues, contact apcustomersupport@ap.org or call 877-836-9477. This frame taken from an aerial video shows the rubble of the Hotel Rigopiano which was buried by an avalanche in January, near Farindola, central Italy, Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017. The avalanche buried a hotel in central Italy under 60,000 tons of snow leaving 29 dead. (La Repubblica via AP) From left, Norway's Defense Minister Ine Marie Eriksen Soreide, German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen, and Dutch Defense Minister Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert pose before signing a european military cooperation agreements at NATO headquarters in Brussels, on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017. (Francois Lenoir, Pool Photo via AP) BEIRUT (AP) - Syrian government officials sat face-to-face with rebels for the second time in three weeks in Kazakhstan on Thursday, as diplomats stepped up efforts to lay the groundwork for U.N.-brokered peace talks next week. A leader of the Russian delegation to the talks in Astana, sponsored by Russia, Turkey and Iran, said an agreement has been reached to form a permanent contact group of the three nations to 'preserve and strengthen" a cease-fire that has technically been in place since Dec. 30. The meeting is intended to pave the way for the revival of broader, U.N.-led peace talks in Geneva next week, but huge challenges remain as both sides criticized each other and continued to spar about the agenda for the talks. U.N. Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, left, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, right, enter a hall for talks in Moscow, Russia, Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin) The Syrian government's envoy to the talks accused Turkey, one of the sponsors, of continuing to support "terrorist" groups and urged Ankara to withdraw its troops from Syria. Bashar al-Ja'afari, Syria's U.N. ambassador, said at a press conference that Turkey "cannot be fanning the flames and be extinguishing them at the same time." He accused Turkey of continuing to facilitate the entry of "tens of thousands of mercenaries" to Syria, and said the meeting ended without a final statement because of the late arrival of the Turkish delegation and the Syrian opposition delegates. Turkish troops have been helping Syrian opposition forces battle the Islamic State group around the IS-held town of al-Bab in northern Syria, near the Turkish border, since August. Al-Ja'afari also criticized Jordan, Syria's southern neighbor, accusing it of sponsoring rebel factions that have been clashing with government forces in the southern city of Daraa for the past few days. "There is an attack by eight factions on Daraa since four days and they... have unleashed thousands of shells at innocent civilians" in the area, he said. In Geneva, U.N. humanitarian adviser Jan Egeland called on parties to allow aid convoys to reach besieged and hard-to-reach areas of Syria to demonstrate "goodwill" before the talks in Geneva on Feb. 23. Egeland lamented that not a single U.N.-arranged land convoy has reached any of more than a dozen besieged towns or villages this year, citing a lack of approvals from authorities. He said relief convoys were lining up Thursday in hopes of delivering aid to the opposition-held enclave of al-Waer in Homs, Syria's third-largest city. The U.N. envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, was meanwhile meeting with top Russian officials in Moscow in the run-up to the anticipated talks. The meeting in the Kazakh capital, Astana, includes representatives from the government and armed rebel groups, and is aimed at reinforcing a cease-fire that has been violated on a daily basis. The Geneva talks will include the exiled civilian opposition and will have as their goal a broader political settlement to the nearly six-year conflict. The Daraa clashes have continued despite the stepped up diplomatic efforts. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says an al-Qaida-linked faction attacked government forces Sunday, shattering an extended spell of calm in the contested region. The opposition-run monitoring group says government forces have responded with a relentless barrage of artillery and airstrikes, destroying at least one field hospital in the contested provincial capital. Issam al-Rais, a commander in the rebel Free Syrian Army's Southern Front, said mainstream rebel factions were also taking part in the fighting, in response to persistent government violations of the Dec. 30 cease-fire. "If the regime disciplines itself, then we are committed to the cease-fire," al-Rais told the AP. Turkish troops and Syrian opposition forces meanwhile pounded the northern Syrian town of al-Bab as pro-government forces attacked the nearby village of Tadef. Both sides are trying to expel the Islamic State group from the region and claim it for themselves. The two sides are about 5 kilometers (3 miles) apart. The Observatory said 24 civilians have been killed under Turkish and Syrian opposition fire in al-Bab in the past 24 hours. The figure could not be independently confirmed. ___ Associated Press writers Jamey Keaten in Geneva and Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow contributed to this report. WASHINGTON (AP) - The Latest on President Donald Trump (all times EST): 7:25 p.m. Vice Admiral Robert Harward has turned down an offer to be President Donald Trump's new national security adviser. President Donald Trump speaks during a news conference, Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017, in the East Room of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) A senior White House official says Harward turned the offer down due to financial and family commitments. The official spoke anonymously because Harward's decision has not been publicly announced. Harward would have replaced retired Gen. Michael Flynn, who resigned at Trump's request Monday after revelations that he misled Vice President Mike Pence about discussions he held with a Russian diplomat. Officials said this week that there were two other contenders: acting national security adviser Keith Kellogg, and retired Gen. David Petraeus. ___ 6:50 p.m. Mick Mulvaney has been sworn in as director of the White House budget office. Vice President Mike Pence administered the oath of office Thursday hours after the Senate confirmed Mulvaney by a narrow 51-49 vote. Democrats had opposed Mulvaney over his support for curbing the growth of Medicare and Social Security. They also objected to his brinksmanship as a freshman lawmaker during the 2011 debt crisis in which the government came perilously close to defaulting on its obligations. Mulvaney's confirmation promises to accelerate work on the Trump administration's upcoming budget plan, which is overdue. ___ 6:10 p.m. House Republicans who met Thursday with Donald Trump say the president committed to supporting the Export-Import Bank. The agency helps U.S. exporters by making and guaranteeing loans, but has been a political football on Capitol Hill due to opposition from conservatives. It was allowed to expire in 2015 but was then revived, although it still isn't able to conduct major business due to a vacancy on its board. Trump criticized the Ex-Im Bank on the campaign trail, but now appears to have warmed to it. Congressman Kevin Cramer of North Dakota says Trump "said, 'You know I wasn't a real believer until I talked to some of the job creators who use it.'" Cramer says Trump also asked for recommendations for the board. ___ 4:25 p.m. President Donald Trump has put the brakes on a regulation blocking coal mining debris from being dumped into nearby streams. Trump called the regulation a "job-killing rule" before he signed a measure to overturn it. Lawmakers from coal-mining states stood close by, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va. and Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va. Several coal miners and energy company executives also attended the White House signing ceremony. Republicans and some Democrats argued that the rule could eliminate thousands of coal-related jobs. They said the rule also ignored dozens of existing federal, state and local regulations. The Interior Department said in December when it announced the rule that 6,000 miles of streams and 52,000 acres of forests would be protected. ___ 4:20 p.m. Members of the Congressional Black Caucus are expressing bafflement and dismay after President Donald Trump asked a black reporter to set up a meeting with them. Rep. Jim Clyburn of South Carolina says there is "an element of disrespect" in Trump's comment to journalist April Ryan. Ryan asked Trump during his press conference Thursday whether he planned to include the CBC in developing his agenda. The president responded by asking Ryan whether the CBC are "friends of yours" and remarking, "I tell you what, do you want to set up the meeting?" Clyburn says: "He's not going to ask any other reporter to do that for any other group, so why did he do that to her? I think that was pretty instructive to me." ___ 2:35 p.m. President Donald Trump says "nobody that I know of" on his campaign staff contacted Russian officials. Trump initially did not provide a straight yes or no answer on whether or not anyone on his staff had made those contacts. When pressed by reporters at a Thursday news conference, he said he wasn't aware of any. He repeatedly denied having links with Russia, a claim he deemed "fake news." Trump asked for the resignation of Michael Flynn after the national security adviser misled the vice president about his conversations with a Russian official. Flynn admitted that he discussed sanctions with the Russian ambassador to the U.S. Trump said Thursday that he did not order that conversation, but he "would have directed" him to have that conversation had he known. ___ 2:30 p.m. President Donald Trump says that "with heart" he'll deal with the policy to allow undocumented minors to stay temporarily in the U.S. The president made his comments Thursday at a White House press conference. DACA, which stands for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, allows young adults to get work permits and Social Security numbers and protects them from deportation. Ending DACA is part of the president's broader plan to crack down on illegal immigration, which was a cornerstone of his campaign. Trump says he'll focus his efforts on those in the country illegally who have criminal records. Trump says he needs to convince politicians that "what I am saying is right." He says he has the "best lawyers" working on the immigration policy now and the "new executive order is being tailored to the decision we got from the court." ___ 2:20 p.m. President Donald Trump says a new executive order on immigration will be tailored to the federal court decision that blocked implementation of his original order. The original order temporarily blocked travelers from seven Muslim-majority countries. It sparked protests nationwide and was put on hold by a federal court. A federal appeals court based in San Francisco last week upheld the lower court's decision. Trump has called the appellate ruling a "very bad decision" and the administration has been mulling its options since then. Trump says the new order is being tailored to satisfy the ruling from the San Francisco appeals court. He did not reveal any specifics of the new order, but says it will be issued next week. ___ 2:10 p.m. President Donald Trump says it makes sense for the U.S. to get along better with Russia because both are nuclear powers. The president said during a lengthy White House news conference that the risks of conflict with the country are enormous. Trump says, "We're a very powerful nuclear country, and so are they." He says he's been briefed on the issue and adds, "Nuclear holocaust would be like no other." Trump also says he won't forecast how he'll respond to provocations from Russia, North Korea or Iran. He says that's to maintain the element of surprise. ___ 2:10 p.m. President Donald Trump is defending the rocky rollout of his travel ban, which judges have put on hold while they weigh its legality. He calls the rollout "very smooth" and "perfect" but says it ran into "a bad court." Trump says he wanted to do the same order but have it take effect after a month or so, but he says he was advised by Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly not to do that because it would give people with bad intent time to flow into the country. He says, "That's why we did it quickly." Waiting, he says, "would have wasted a lot of time, and maybe a lot of lives." ___ 2 p.m. Senate Democrats are asking the White House and law enforcement agencies to preserve all materials related to contacts between Russians and individuals associated with President Donald Trump. The nine Democratic members of the Senate Judiciary Committee sent a letter Thursday to White House counsel Donald McGahn, and similar letters to the Justice Department and the FBI. The letters ask for confirmation the White House, FBI and Justice Department have instructed their employees to preserve all materials related to any contacts Trump's administration, campaign, transition team - or anyone acting on their behalf - have had with Russian government officials or its associates. ___ 2 p.m. President Donald Trump is staunchly denying that he has any contact or connections with Russia. Defending against accusations that he and certain members of his administration have close ties or contacts with the Russian government, Trump said, "I have nothing to do with Russia. I have no deals there. I don't know anything." He says Michael Flynn, his national security adviser who was fired this week after revelations that he discussed sanctions with a Russian diplomat, was just doing his job by contacting Russia. He says Flynn was asked to resign because he was dishonest about the details of the call with Vice President Mike Pence. But he adds, "I didn't direct him (to make the call), but I would have directed him because that was his job." ___ 1:30 p.m. President Donald Trump says his ousted national security adviser was "just doing his job." Trump is recounting why he asked Michael Flynn for his resignation. The president says at a news conference that he was "not happy" with how information about Flynn's phone call to a Russian diplomat was relayed to Vice President Mike Pence. But Trump says what Flynn did "wasn't wrong" - and after that, Trump is calling attention to what he says is "classified information that was given illegally." Trump also says he's got someone good to replace Flynn, which made the decision to let him go easier. ___ 1:25 p.m. President Donald Trump claims his administration is running like "a fine-tuned machine." But evidence points to the contrary. Trump says at a White House news conference that he turns on the TV and opens the newspapers and sees "stories of chaos." He says the truth is that "it is the exact opposite." Trump says his administration "is running like a fine-tuned machine despite the fact that I can't get my Cabinet approved." Trump's comments come amid a period of apparent dysfunction at the White House marked by leaks, division and several high-profile exits. Just this week, his top national security aide and his pick for labor secretary were ousted. -This story has been corrected to reflect in the item on Trump's comments about how his administration is running that the quote is 'the exact opposite,' not 'the exact opposition. ___ 1:20 p.m. President Donald Trump says his administration will release a new executive order on immigration next week to - in his words - "comprehensively protect our country." Trump's original order restricted immigration from seven Muslim-majority countries. It led to massive protests and was put on hold by a federal appeals court. Trump tweeted "SEE YOU IN COURT!" after that ruling. His administration said it would immediately appeal - and either revise its original executive order or write a new one. But nearly a week has gone by without action from the White House. Trump isn't saying what the new order would do. ___ 1:05 p.m. President Donald Trump says he's chosen R. Alexander Acosta to be labor secretary - a day after Trump's first nominee, fast-food executive Andrew Puzder, withdrew when he lost support among Republican senators. Trump says at a White House news conference that he believes Acosta will be "tremendous" in the Cabinet job. Acosta is dean of the Florida International University law school, has a law degree from Harvard and is a former member of the National Labor Relations Board. Puzder pulled out after it was revealed that he once employed a housekeeper who was not authorized to work in the U.S. ___ 1 p.m. President Donald Trump has met with one of his staunchest campaign opponents, financier Paul Singer. The president says at a news conference that Singer was at the White House on Thursday morning and is now "a very strong ally." Singer is a New York hedge fund manager who spends millions of dollars on political candidates and causes. He had been a crucial player in the "Never Trump" movement that tried to stop Trump's Republican candidacy. Here's what Trump thinks of Singer now: "He was a very strong opponent, and now he's a very strong ally." Singer has been wooing Trump since shortly after his election. Trump isn't saying what the two discussed Thursday, and a Singer representative isn't immediately replying to a request for comment. ___ 12:55 p.m. The "press is out of control." That's what President Donald Trump has said at a White House news conference. He says the "level of dishonesty is out of control," and he says he'll take his message "straight to the people." Trump's criticism of the media has grown amid reports that members of his administration had associations or communications with the Russian government. Trump says there is "distortion," but he hopes everyone can get along. But, he adds, "maybe we won't and that's OK." ___ 12:41 p.m. President Donald Trump is expected to name law school dean R. Alexander Acosta as his new choice for secretary of labor. A White House official says the announcement will come the day after Trump's original pick, Andrew Puzder, withdrew after it became clear he lacked enough Republican votes for Senate confirmation. The official isn't authorized to comment on an announcement that has not been made and spoke on condition of anonymity. Acosta has served on the National Labor Relations Board and as a federal prosecutor in Florida. Former President George W. Bush named him assistant attorney general for civil rights. Puzder withdrew on the eve of his confirmation hearing because Republicans balked at an array of personal and professional issues. Puzder said he had employed - and belatedly paid taxes on - a housekeeper not authorized to work in the United States. -This story has been corrected to reflect that the announcement has not been made. ___ 12:30 p.m. The Trump administration has asked the co-founder of a New York-based equity fund to lead a review of the intelligence community. A senior White House official says Stephen Feinberg of Cerberus Capital Management has been asked to head a review of the various intelligence agencies and make recommendations on improvements. The official was not authorized to discuss private personnel matters and spoke on condition of anonymity. The official says that Feinberg's role is not official until he completes an ethics review. President Donald Trump has been highly critical of the intelligence community amid leaks that led to revelations about associations and conversations with Russia by some senior members of his staff. Trump on Tuesday tweeted, "The real scandal here is that classified information is illegally given out by "intelligence" like candy. Very un-American!" ___ 11:20 a.m. President Donald Trump plans a news conference about midday Thursday to announce his nominee for labor secretary - "a star, great person," in his words. Trump's first pick for the job, fast food chain executive Andy Puzder, withdrew from consideration after it was revealed he employed a housekeeper who wasn't authorized to work in the U.S. Trump has blamed Senate Democrats for stalling or complicating the confirmation process of several of his Cabinet nominees. ___ 9:55 a.m. President Donald Trump is accusing Democrats of fabricating news reports about Russia because "they lost the election." The president tweeted Thursday, "The Democrats had to come up with a story as to why they lost the election, and so badly (306)," he wrote, citing the number of electoral votes he banked to win the general election. He continues, "so they made up a story - RUSSIA. Fake news!" Trump asked his national security adviser, retired Gen. Michael Flynn, to resign this week when it was revealed that Flynn had discussed sanctions with a Russian diplomat before Trump took office. U.S. intelligence agencies have also said the Russian government tampered with the presidential election in an attempt to help Trump win. ___ 7:05 a.m. A former Donald Trump associate and campaign official is blaming the bumpy start of the billionaire's presidency on mixed loyalties in the White House. Roger Stone declined to name names in an appearance on NBC's "Today" show Thursday, but he discussed "a division between those who are loyal to the president and those who are loyal to the Republican National Committee." When asked if he was referring to Reince Priebus (ryns PREE'-bus), who headed the RNC before joining Trump's team and becoming chief of staff in the West Wing, Stone demurred, indicating he didn't want to say who he was talking about. Stone says, "The leaking that is coming out of the White House is a manifestation of the fact" that some of the people Trump hired "are not loyal." He adds, "I think it's healthier to have people in the administration who share the president's vision of where he wants to take the country." ___ 7:05 a.m. President Donald Trump is warning "low-life leakers" of classified information that they will be caught. In a pair of tweets Thursday, Trump says, "Leaking, and even illegal classified leaking, has been a big problem in Washington for years. Failing @nytimes (and others) must apologize!" Trump writes, "the spotlight has finally been put on the low-life leakers! They will be caught!" Trump's national security adviser, retired Gen. Michael Flynn, resigned at Trump's urging this week after a series of reports revealed Flynn held addressed the issue of sanctions with a Russian diplomat before Trump was in office. On Wednesday, Trump said it was "really a sad thing that he was treated so badly." He tweeted Wednesday that "classified information is illegally given out by 'intelligence' like candy. Very un-American!" ' President Donald Trump speaks during a news conference, Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017, in the East Room of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) MELBOURNE, Fla. (AP) - Zoo-goers in central Florida can get a look at a rare baby antelope. Florida Today (http://on.flatoday.com/2lVut1u) reports the baby scimitar-horned oryx and its mom can be seen in their exhibit by visitors who take kayak tours or the Cairo Express train rides at the Brevard Zoo in Melbourne. Zoo officials say the mom of the 22-pound calf was born at the zoo seven years ago. In a statement, zoo officials say scimitar-horned oryxs, named for their sword-like antlers, used to be prevalent from northern Africa to Sudan until they went extinct in the wild in 1999. Since then, the desert antelope have been successfully bred in captivity and some have even been reintroduced in their native range. MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) - Two civilians were killed in an al-Shabab mortar attack outside Somalia's presidential palace during a handover ceremony for the country's new leader, police said Thursday, a sign of the enormous challenges facing the man who has promised his government will make security a priority. At least three mortars slammed into a nearby residential area during the ceremony for President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, also known as Farmajo, Capt. Mohamed Hussein said. The explosions could be heard near the end of the handover ceremony, startling those attending. Somalia's President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, right, speaks at a handover ceremony with former president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, left, at the presidential palace with in Mogadishu, Somalia Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017. The Somalia-based extremist group al-Shabab is claiming responsibility for a mortar attack outside the presidential palace during a handover ceremony for the country's new president. (AP Photo/Farah Abdi Warsameh) The SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors jihadi websites, cited al-Shabab posts on Twitter that claimed responsibility for the attack. At the blast scene, rescue workers carried the bloodied body of a child from a house after a mortar shell hit its roof. "They don't care who gets hit but just want to terrorize everyone," said Mulki Ahmed, a neighbor. This was the first mortar attack in the capital since Mohamed, who also holds U.S. citizenship, was elected Feb. 8 to lead a country recovering from a quarter-century of conflict. "We can't achieve everything within a few months, therefore I am calling people to support us to serve our country," Mohamed said at Thursday's ceremony. While the al Qaida-linked al-Shabab has been pushed out of most of its key strongholds, it continues to carry out deadly attacks in the capital, Mogadishu. Recent targets have included hotels and checkpoints manned by Somalia's security forces or the multinational African Union peacekeeping mission that has been trying to stabilize this Horn of Africa country. Fears of al-Shabab attacks were a factor in delaying the presidential election multiple times since last year. On the eve of the election, two mortar rounds fired by suspected extremists hit near the voting venue, a heavily guarded former air force base. The election of Mohamed and the peaceful transfer of power have been seen as a key step toward having Somalia's first fully functioning central government since 1991, when warlords ousted dictator Siad Barre and then turned on each other. Somalia is now an increasingly important partner for the U.S. military on counterterrorism efforts, including drone strikes against al-Shabab leaders. LONDON (AP) - From jungles to deserts to mountains, the BBC's epic nature series "Planet Earth II" takes viewers around the world - and around many genres of television. The fortitude of a penguin family tugs heartstrings like a love story. The snail's-pace courtship of a three-toed sloth is soothing comfort TV. And a life-or-death contest between baby iguanas and writhing racer snakes is heart-in-mouth action thriller. The seven-part series, which begins in the U.S. on Saturday with a simulcast on BBC America, AMC and SundanceTV, is a spectacular demonstration of how far nature programs have come. And no one has been more closely linked to their evolution than David Attenborough, the 90-year-old naturalist who narrates "Planet Earth II." In this undated image made from video provided by the BBC, hatchling marine iguanas - just a few minutes old - huddle together on a rock near the sea shore where they will spend their lives in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. From jungles to deserts to mountains, the BBC's epic nature series "Planet Earth II" takes viewers around the world - and around many genres of television. The seven-part series, which begins in the U.S. on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017 with a simulcast on BBC America, AMC and SundanceTV, is a spectacular demonstration of how far nature programs have come. And no one has been more closely linked to their evolution than David Attenborough, the 90-year-old naturalist who narrates "Planet Earth II." (BBC via AP) Attenborough has been making wildlife documentaries for so long that, when asked about the biggest technological change he's seen, suggests "the shift from black-and-white to color" before settling on the transformative power of digital photography. Speaking to The Associated Press ahead of the show's U.S. premiere, he said in the days of celluloid film, "I went for as long as 2 1/2 months without seeing what I'd filmed." A decade ago, the BBC's original "Planet Earth" was the first nature series filmed in high definition. The new series - shot in razor-sharp ultra-HD - uses even more technological wizardry. Stabilizers and drones let the cameras roam, capturing creatures'-eye-views of leaping lemurs and fighting Komodo dragons. Remote camera traps allowed close-ups of elusive snow leopards and grizzly bears. The result is a show that gets viewers closer to the animals than ever before - and more emotionally involved. Broadcast in Britain in the fall, "Planet Earth II" has been sold around the world and starts airing this week in Canada and Australia. Attenborough says in the past, program-makers felt "we weren't giving the viewers the climax that they wanted" if a predator failed to catch their prey. In real life, he said, "the failure is more common and more significant than the catching. ... Lions fail about eight times out of 10." Nowadays, producers understand that viewers often want to cheer for the underdog. When "Planet Earth II" aired in Britain, millions watched, caught between horror and hope, as newly hatched baby iguanas tried to make it across a Galapagos beach without being devoured by hungry racer snakes. Series producer Tom Hugh-Jones said he thinks a growing number of female producers has added "a lot more emotion" to wildlife programs. "They see different things, little looks or tender moments," he said. "The male producers tend to go for the more bombastic stuff." The crew, who spent more than 2,000 days filming in 40 countries, also faced the fraught question of whether to intervene in life-and-death situations. "We wouldn't stop a predator from catching its prey, because that's the natural cycle of things. And the predator needs to eat as much as the prey," Hugh-Jones said. But crew members stepped in to save a fledgling noddy bird that had become covered in sticky seeds. "In certain situations, where you can see very little benefit of that bird dying, apart from maybe a bit of fertilizer for the tree, it feels fair enough to help the animal out of a sticky situation," Hugh-Jones said. It's not just technology but the planet that has changed in the decade since the first "Planet Earth." For one thing, a majority of the world's population now lives in cities. Alongside episodes exploring islands, mountains, jungles, deserts and grasslands, "Planet Earth II" devotes one episode to urban wildlife - including Mumbai's leopards, Manhattan's peregrine falcons and the pesky raccoons of Toronto. Climate change is also reshaping the globe and creating new dangers. It worries Attenborough, who has been exploring the beauty of the natural world for nine decades. He admits he is not an optimist about the future of the natural world. "I don't think the world is going to recover to what it was like when I was a boy," he said "But I am persuaded that we can ameliorate things. We can prevent things getting worse than they might be if we did nothing." Attenborough thinks the keys to that are cutting waste and getting far more of our energy from renewable sources. He's among the scientists and educators behind the Global Apollo Program, aimed at drastically cutting the cost of carbon-free energy. Attenborough believes plentiful and cheap green energy is "just out there, just beyond our reach. And all we need to do is organize scientific research to solve the particular problems on that roadmap." "It's not there yet, but it's possible," he said. "And while there's possibility, there's hope." ___ Follow Jill Lawless on Twitter at http://Twitter.com/JillLawless RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) - The Saudi Arabian Interior Ministry says authorities have arrested 18 suspects belonging to the Islamic State group, including bomb makers. Maj. Gen. Mansour al-Turki, a ministry spokesman, said in a statement Thursday that the suspects, including Yemenis, were arrested in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina and two other cities. He added that the suspects had different roles, including logistical operations and recruitment, as well as providing shelter and financial support to the militants. Al-Turki said the suspects had experience in making explosives and suicide vests. Saudi Arabia has been targeted by a number of deadly suicide bombings and other attacks claimed by the Islamic State group in recent years. The country is part of the U.S.-led coalition fighting the group in Iraq and Syria. I hesitate to accuse many people of being the personification of rank evil but when faced with the likes of Jeremy Corbyn, John McDonnell, Ken Livingstone, Naomi Campbell, Diane Abbott, Seumas Milne and Owen Jones in the UK; Sean Penn, Oliver Stone and Michael Moore in the US, there is, quite simply, no other word for them. Lest you doubt me - you wouldn't do that, would you? - then read Jason Mitchell's piece in The Spectator this week. He reminds us that only ten years ago all the above were singing the praises of Hugo Chavez and his wonderful, humanitarian experiment in Venezuela. That, they insisted at the time, was the truly socialist road we should all follow to a new world order. Of course, Chavez died, extremely painfully I hope, of cancer but all of their Left-wing hopes were shifted to their new hero, Nicolas Maduro. So how's that working out then? Maduro has turned out to be an economic incompetent of the highest order. Last year imports collapsed by more than 50 per cent and the economy nosedived by 19 per cent. The budget deficit is around 20 per cent of GDP. The minimum wage is now the equivalent of 25 a month. After a Central Bank estimate that suggested that the Venezuelan economy had contracted by 19 per cent last year was leaked to the press, Maduro fired the banks president and replaced him with a Marxist loyalist. [...] At the heart of Venezuelas economic chaos lie market distortions. Petrol is sold locally for less than one penny per litre and it receives 12 billion of state subsidies a year. The country has a complex monetary arrangement that makes use of three different exchange rates simultaneously. This feeds rampant corruption: the presidents cronies can buy dollars from the state at ten bolivars a dollar but sell them at 3,300 bolivars a dollar on the black market. Price controls have made it unprofitable for small businesses to sell staple goods, leading to widespread shortages. Carjackings and kidnappings are now epidemic. Caracass murder rate is 80 times higher than Londons. Needless to say, human rights have been trampled on and most people believe that Maduro will fix next year's election to ensure that he remains 'El jefe'! Well, we all get things wrong from time to time but given the scale of the humanitarian disaster overwhelming Venezuela, isn't it time - indeed is it not long overdue - for all those smug, stupid, wealthy and evil Lefties to admit their errors? Don't hold your breath! ADDITIONAL No sooner had I written the above than I clicked over to the always excellent American Thinker to read some good news from Monica Showalter. She points out that already President Trump has put away the soft-soled slippers worn by his predecessor and replaced them with steel-capped boots in his approach to the 'thugocracy' that runs Venezuela. In a highly publicised event he met personally with Liliana Tintori, the wife of a Venezuelan thrown into jail years ago on false charges. What a hell of a change from the mealy-mouthed, don't-upset-them approach seen from the Obama and, to some extent, even George Bush White Houses. Trump not only met with Tintori, signaling that she was welcome in the White House any time she liked, he also posed for a photo with her that included Vice President Mike Pence and Florida Senator Marco Rubio, to show an unambiguous united front. Not satisfied with that signal written in block capitals, 'The Donald' went one stage further: It comes just a few days after Trump placed Chavista Vice President Tareck el-Aissami onto a Treasury Department list of actual drug dealers, something that is not done lightly, and requires the most unassailable standards of proof. The U.S. has had it for years, sitting on it, but until now refused to execute in the sanctions order. Trump got that job done, too. Go, Donald, go! INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - The Indiana Supreme Court is considering the appeal of a man convicted in a deadly Indianapolis house explosion. The court is hearing arguments Thursday in 58-year-old Bob Leonard's appeal of his murder and arson convictions. Leonard was convicted in the November 2012 natural gas explosion that destroyed the house of his half-brother's then-girlfriend, killed two next-door neighbors and damaged or destroyed dozens of homes. He was sentenced to two consecutive life prison terms without parole, plus 70 years. Leonard's appeal includes the argument that Indiana's sentencing rules for life without parole are unconstitutional. Four other people, including Leonard's half-brother, Mark Leonard, were convicted in the explosion prosecutors say was an insurance claim plot. Mark Leonard's appeal is pending before the court following September oral arguments. PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad & Tobago (AP) - A Caribbean island nation has become an unlikely source of fighters and funding for the Islamic State militant group, prompting an internationally backed effort to stem the flow of money and recruits to Syria and Iraq. Security officials and terrorism experts believe that as many as 125 fighters and their relatives have traveled from Trinidad and Tobago to Turkey and on to IS-controlled areas over the last four years, making the country of 1.3 million people the largest per-capita source of IS recruits in the Western Hemisphere. The Islamic State has put out propaganda videos and magazines featuring bearded fighters with lilting Trinidadian accents training in the desert with sniper rifles and encouraging their countrymen to join them. In this Feb. 9, 2017 photo, Umar Abdullah, head of the Islamic Front in southern Trinidad, speaks during an interview in Two Princesses Town, Trinidad and Tobago. Umar Abdullah said he has actively discouraged members from traveling to Syria to fight. He said he knew several young men who had become IS fighters, although he declined to provide specifics. (AP Photo/Ricardo Nunez) Alarmed, Trinidadian state security officials have launched intensive surveillance and monitoring of the country's homegrown Islamist movements, which have a history of militancy and crossover with the country's violent criminal gangs. Saying their efforts are bearing fruit, Trinidad and Tobago officials have recently proposed legislation to crack down on the flow of money to Islamic State fighters overseas by establishing criminal penalties for those sending money to the group. "There's always a concern in terms of money leaving Trinidad and Tobago that could be involved with terrorist activities," National Security Minister Edmund Dillon said. "There is a minority in the Muslim community and there is a minority in the criminal community that is hellbent on committing these types of offenses." U.S. officials have described themselves as deeply concerned about the combatants and funds heading out of Trinidad and Tobago. They say they are working with the islands' government on intelligence-sharing and new legislation, as well as sponsoring trips for Muslim leaders to the U.S. to meet Islamic leaders working on anti-extremism programs. "They are certainly not the only ones worried about this phenomenon of self-radicalization and how easy it has become," said U.S. Navy Adm. Kurt Tidd, who is responsible for Department of Defense operations in Central and South America and the Caribbean. "They need to be able to understand what are the conditions that might predispose individuals to become radicalized and then to be able to take steps to try to stop that from occurring before people go down that path with the tragic results we have seen in everyplace from Paris to Brussels to Berlin to Orlando to San Bernardino." Tidd praised Trinidad and Tobago for adopting anti-terrorism legislation and cooperating with the U.S. and other international partners. "Trinidad is a serious country and recognizes that there is work to be done," Tidd said. Some hard-line Muslim leaders have opposed the new efforts, instead blaming the government for failing to improve the lives of poor, largely Afro-Trinidad youth who can find themselves drawn in by IS recruiters. An oil-rich nation just off the coast of Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago has long been celebrated for its rich mix of cultural influences, primarily rooted in India and Africa. Its Muslim minority of Indian-descended families and Afro-Trinidadian converts includes dozens of mainstream mosques and more militant strains such as the Jamaat al Muslimeen, an organization responsible for a 1990 coup attempt classified as the Western Hemisphere's only Islamist uprising. "I think that the indictment is on the government, past and present," said Yasin Abu Bakr, leader of the Jamaat Al Muslimeen, which has seen as least two members travel to Syria. "Why would the young people in a place like Trinidad and Tobago, the land of steel band and calypso, carnival and gaiety, chutney and all the rest of it. Why would a young person take up his family and go to a place where death is almost certain. Why would somebody do that? That is the big question that the state has to answer." Umar Abdullah, head of the hard-line Islamic Front group in southern Trinidad, said he has actively discouraged members from traveling to Syria to fight. He said he knew several young men who had become IS fighters, although he declined to provide specifics. "I do feel responsible in some way with some of these brothers that have left and gone to Syria and fight and so on," Abdullah said. "I felt I could have done a lot more, I felt I could have dissuaded them." At the same time, Abdullah defended IS recruits as legitimate defenders of embattled Muslims in Syria and Iraq, comparing them favorably to Western soldiers involved in military actions in the Middle East. "Whosoever has left and gone Syria, how can they call them terrorist," Abdullah said. "I would call my guys freedom fighters as well." The Trump administration attempts to block travelers from seven Muslim-majority countries has raised sensitivities in Trinidad and Tobago about what some call an alarmist focus on the country's problem with IS recruiting. But some of Trinidad's Islamist leaders say they approve of Trump's attempted crackdown on visitors from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen, and admire what they call his bold and decisive leadership style. "I am in agreement with Donald Trump 110 percent," Abu Bakr said. "More than that, I have a lot of admiration for Donald Trump." _____ Ben Fox in Miami, Michael Weissenstein in Havana and Tony Fraser in Port of Spain contributed to this report. _____ Michael Weissenstein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/mweissenstein SAO PAULO (AP) - Police say two passenger buses have collided head-on in southeastern Brazil, killing at least nine people and injuring 46. The accident occurred shortly after midnight near the city of Teodoro Sampaio west of Sao Paulo. The city's police department said university students were on one bus and passengers returning from Paraguay were on the second one. Both of the bus drivers and four students were among those killed in Thursday's accident. Police say they don't know how many passengers were on each bus and that the causes of the accident are still unclear. ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast (AP) - The world's largest cocoa producer is seeing demonstrations against a slowdown in exports and a reduced buying price. Dozens of people protested Thursday in Ivory Coast's commercial hub of Abidjan and in San Pedro, home of the country's second-largest port. Meanwhile, several tons of cocoa have piled up in warehouses. The Coffee-Cocoa Council says there has been a slowdown of sales because of overproduction by some 110,000 tons and a worldwide price reduction by 30 percent. Cocoa producers are asking the government to activate an emergency fund on cocoa. Christophe Kouakou Koffi, chairman of the board of the agriculture and cheese department of Gagnoa in the country's southwest, says producers are struggling to sell cocoa at a respectable price. Ivory Coast produced some 1.5 million tons of cocoa in 2015. PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A Philadelphia dance school hosted a "Daddy-Daughter" ballet class on Valentine's Day and posted videos of the results that are definitely on pointe. The Philadelphia Dance Center had students invite their fathers to participate in classes this week. The center posted videos of the Tuesday lesson on their Facebook page, with graceful daughters leading their dads, some wearing pink tutus and in varying states of physical fitness, in leaps and spins across the floor. One video had been viewed 10 million times by Thursday morning. Moms were also invited to participate in classes, including a hip-hop class where they appeared to be holding their own alongside their daughters. ___ Online: https://www.facebook.com/Philadelphiadancecenter/ PARIS (AP) - Tunisian authorities have extended a state of emergency in place since 2015, citing a persistent threat of extremist violence from neighboring Libya and elsewhere. The Tunisian president's office announced the 3-month extension in a statement Thursday. Defense Minister Farhat Horchani said this week that despite frequent government operations to dismantle extremist cells, "as long as Libya doesn't have a government that can control the situation, the threat exists." Tunisia has built a sand wall along half the desert border with Libya, and received six U.S. combat helicopters this month aimed at helping the North African country fight terrorism. Tunisia was hit by a string of extremist attacks targeting tourists and the presidential guard in 2015, and an unusually high number of Tunisians have joined the Islamic State group. SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (AP) - Police in El Salvador say they've detained 10 people connected to advertising and media companies in a corruption case in which former President Tony Saca and others are implicated. National police Commissioner Howard Cotto says those arrested Thursday are suspected of money laundering. They include Saca's brother-in-law and a prominent publicist. Saca has declared his innocence in the case. He and several close associates are being prosecuted for the alleged diversion of at least $246 million in government funds. Prosecutors say some $116 million of that amount was transferred to private accounts of presidential employees and later to other accounts and businesses, some of them belonging to Saca. The 51-year-old Saca was president from 2004. He also faces a civil prosecution for alleged illicit enrichment. BONN, Germany (AP) - The United States, South Korea and Japan are condemning North Korea's latest missile test and say they'll enhance security cooperation in response. U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is in Germany on his first overseas trip as the top American diplomat - and has met with South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se and Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida. They're attending a meeting of foreign ministers. A joint statement says the U.S. "remains steadfast" in its defense commitments to the two Asian allies, "backed by the full range of its nuclear and conventional defense capabilities." US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, left, and Korea's Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se, right, talk before a meeting at the World Conference Center in Bonn, Germany, Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017. Foreign ministers from 20 of the world's leading nations met Thursday in the former German capital to discuss current conflicts and ways to prevent future crises against a backdrop of uncertainty among allies and adversaries about the direction of U.S. foreign policy. (AP Photo/ Brendan Smialowski, Pool) North Korea test-fired a ballistic missile from a mobile launcher last Sunday. It was an advancement in its capabilities as the North develops nuclear weapons and the means to deliver them. WASHINGTON (AP) - Donald Trump is moving quickly to dismantle seven decades of American policy built on trade deals and multinational alliances that help fuel the U.S. and global economies. And no one is sure what will replace them. The void risks intensifying uncertainty at home and abroad. Without knowing whether trade will be disrupted, business people in the United States and abroad could be forced to rethink their plans. FILE - In this Monday, Jan. 23, 2017, file photo, President Donald Trump signs an executive order to withdraw the U.S. from the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact agreed to under the Obama administration, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. Less than a month into his presidency, Donald Trump is already dismantling seven decades of American policy by pulling back from established trade agreements, such as the TPP, and questioning longstanding global alliances. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File) "The big problem comes when there is uncertainty," says Marcus Moufarrige of Servcorp, a company in Sydney, Australia, that sells office space and technology services abroad. "Uncertainty stops businesses from making decisions. It stops everything." For now, stock prices are soaring as investors focus on Trump's pledge to cut taxes and business regulations. But his break with the past is raising worries among some. Fitch Ratings, for instance, warns that the uncertainty surrounding Trump's policies poses global risks - from disrupted trade relations to confrontations that unnerve investors. The president's hostility toward existing trade deals and suspicion of long-term allies is also leaving a vacuum in global leadership - one that China seems eager to fill. President Xi Jinping last month became the first Chinese head of state to attend an annual gathering of business elites in Davos, Switzerland. Xi used the occasion to declare China a champion of free trade, usurping the traditional U.S. role as the leading booster of globalization. China, the world's leading exporter, wants to expand its global influence. Trump has offered few details of his trade plans, beyond pressuring U.S. companies to keep or create jobs in America, taking a tougher line in forging deals and slapping tariffs on nations that are deemed to exploit the United States. "There's not a lot of substance to his policies," says Gordon Hanson, director of the University of California San Diego's Center on Global Transformation. "It consists of two things: Jaw-boning corporate America - 'create more jobs here or else' - and across-the board trade protectionism." Companies heavily involved in imports or exports can't easily develop their business plans without knowing what specific moves Trump will embrace or achieve. Among the uncertainties: - Will Trump insist on taxing imports if he doesn't get the concessions he wants from America's trading partners? - If America abandons existing agreements, would allies trust it to adhere to any new trade deals? - Would Trump risk igniting a trade war whereby other countries impose retaliatory taxes and sanctions on U.S. goods? Will America's old alliances endure? If not, what replaces them? Trump argues that the existing order has short-changed America - especially blue-collar U.S. workers - exposing them to unfair competition with low-wage foreign laborers and to unjust trade practices by China and others. The result, he said in his inaugural speech, is "rusted-out factories scattered like tombstones across the landscape of our nation." "From this day forward," Trump declared, "it's going to be only America first." His words resonate among communities that blame low-wage foreign competition for the loss of 4.8 million US. factory jobs since 2000 and among families whose incomes have stagnated. Trump has pulled the United States out of a 12-nation Asia-Pacific trade accord negotiated by the Obama administration. He's intent on renegotiating a pact with Mexico and Canada - and dumping it if he can't improve the version in place since 1994. He's questioned NATO's usefulness, considered slashing America's financial contribution to the United Nations and bickered with allies Mexico and Australia. Critics say Trump is tearing down an international system that nurtured peace after World War II, encouraged global commerce, lifted much of East Asia out of poverty and empowered the United States to become the world's leading superpower. "This is the biggest reversal we've had since World War II," says Adam Posen, president of the Peterson Institute for International Economics, a think tank that promotes free trade. "It does have echoes of the '20s and '30s, when the U.S. said, to its detriment, that everyone else is ripping us off." In Roseville, Illinois, a soybean and corn farmer named Ron Moore had expected to benefit from the Trans-Pacific Partnership with 11 Asia-Pacific countries. The TPP would have pried open Japan's market to more U.S. farm exports, thereby benefiting U.S. cattle and hog farmers. Moore provides feed to those livestock producers. "It was going to add value to my soybeans," says Moore, whose soybeans are shipped down the Mississippi River to New Orleans and often on to China and other foreign markets. "We're a little disappointed." The TPP had stalled in Congress. But Trump officially pulled out of the deal, saying he could do better by negotiating with countries one on one. Some critics backed his argument. They argued that the TPP would have killed American jobs by exposing U.S. workers to low-wage competition in Southeast Asia. But the TPP was also a diplomatic effort to counter China's influence in Asia. Now, writes economist Gareth Leather at Capital Economics, "the demise of the TPP has created an opportunity for China." "Who will negotiate with us if we renege on our deals?" asks Hanson of the University of California San Diego. Also in Trump's crosshairs: The North American Free Trade Agreement with Mexico and Canada, which he's called the worst trade deal the United States has ever negotiated. Trump says he wants to renegotiate NAFTA or scrap it. He's also threatened to tax U.S. companies that move to Mexico and ship goods back to the U.S. Since NAFTA took effect 23 years ago, the U.S. trade gap with Mexico has surged as factories moved south of the border to capitalize on cheaper Mexican labor. Some analysts echo Trump's criticism that existing trade deals have hurt many Americans. "NAFTA is packed with incentives to offshore jobs," says Lori Wallach, director of Public Citizen's Global Trade Watch, which opposes many existing pacts. "NAFTA must be replaced - not tweaked - to actually deliver better outcomes for working people." But U.S. exporters benefited from Mexican purchases, too. And many companies have built complex supply chains that span the U.S.-Mexico border. Pulling out of NAFTA would threaten their operations. Trump says his shift in policy -along with big tax cuts and looser regulation - would restore countless factory and mining jobs. Most economists are skeptical. If the U.S. imposes taxes on Chinese and Mexican imports, they warn, those countries would impose taxes of their own on U.S. exporters. The result could be a job-killing trade war. Even if Trump does draw some factories back to America, he'd face another problem: They aren't the huge employers they used to be. American factories produce more than twice as much as they did when manufacturing employment peaked in 1979 - with fewer than two-thirds the workers. "The jobs we lost in manufacturing were in 20th century factories that employed lots of people," UC San Diego's Hanson says. It would also be hard to undo decades of globalization. In 1960, trade - exports and imports combined - equaled 9 percent of U.S. economic output. By 2015, it was 28 percent, according to the World Bank. "It sounds good: America First," says Ron Moore, a farmer who is president of the American Soybean Association. "But we live in a global economy nowadays." ___ This story has been edited to correct the name of the Australian company Servcorp. The company's name is not Servecorp. ___ Follow Paul Wiseman on Twitter at https://twitter.com/PaulWisemanAP COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - Boeing workers' overwhelming anti-union vote at the aviation giant's 787 Dreamliner plant in South Carolina is a big victory for Southern politicians and business leaders who have lured manufacturing jobs to the region on the promise of keeping unions out. It's also a win for the company that will host President Donald Trump at its North Charleston facilities Friday. Nearly 3,000 workers were eligible to vote Wednesday on representation by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace workers. According to Boeing, nearly 74 percent of the more than 2,800 votes cast were against representation. FILE - In this Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016 file photo, An engine and part of a wing from the 100th 787 Dreamliner to be built at Boeing of South Carolina's North Charleston, S.C., facility are seen outside the plant. The morning round of voting has concluded Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017, among South Carolina Boeing workers considering if they want representation by a union. Nearly 3,000 production workers are eligible to vote in the election to determine if they'll be represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. (Brad Nettles/The Post and Courier via AP, File) It was a massive victory for union opponents, in line with longstanding Southern aversion to collective bargaining. At 1.6 percent, South Carolina maintains the lowest percentage of unionized workers in the country, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Its neighboring states, North Carolina and Georgia, hover slightly higher but still in low territory, at 3.0 and 3.9 percent, respectively. Other largescale Southern unionization efforts haven't met recent success. In 2014, Volkswagen workers in Chattanooga, Tennessee, turned down representation by the United Autoworkers. For years, organizers have campaigned for representation among Nissan workers in Canton, Mississippi, but no vote has been scheduled. Boeing came to South Carolina in part because of the state's minuscule union presence. "I think a failed vote isn't that big of a deal because that's frankly the norm in the South," said Jeffrey Hirsch, law professor who specializes in labor relations at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. "The culture here, at least in recent memory, has not been pro-union." Had the results at Boeing been reversed, Hirsch says, the ripple effect could have been dramatic. Politicians such as former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley -- who, directly and via her labor secretary Catherine Templeton, adamantly spoke against the need for unions here -- would be forced to rethink business recruitment strategies, and corporations also might think more carefully about locating in South Carolina. "We'll make the unions understand full well that they are not needed, not wanted and not welcome in the state of South Carolina," Haley said in a 2012 address. She has since been appointed ambassador to the United Nations by President Donald Trump. During her 2014 re-election campaign, Haley said she and others "discourage any companies that have unions from wanting to come to South Carolina because we don't want to taint the water." Union opposition in this heavily Republican state is tied to politics, given Democrats' longstanding ties to organized labor. Any lenience toward unions could be seen as giving Democrats a toehold in the state, where both legislative chambers and the governor's office have long been controlled by Republicans. "If they were successful it would be huge, I think," Hirsch says. "The numbers by themselves are not going to move the dial nationally in a substantive way, but the symbolism of it would be quite large." Boeing workers will have to wait at least a year before voting again, and Machinist organizers have said they'll wait and see about their next steps. Despite more manufacturing jobs coming to the state, South Carolina saw the largest drop in union members as a percentage of employed workers over the past decade, according to BLS data. It's not all bad news for unions in the South, however. In the face of falling union membership nationwide, six of the 11 states that were part of the old Confederacy saw more modest losses in that time. Mississippi, Florida and Virginia even saw gains. Boeing's massive win gives the company a boost for Friday's visit from Trump, who blasted the manufacturer during last year's presidential campaign for the cost of building a new Air Force One. "Costs are out of control," Trump tweeted in early December. "Cancel order!" Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg met with Trump two weeks later. Trump's visit will also be his first since naming law school dean R. Alexander Acosta as his pick to lead the U.S. Department of Labor, following the withdrawal of troubled nominee Andrew Puzder. Acosta has served on the National Labor Relations Board and as a federal prosecutor in Florida and was an assistant attorney general for civil rights under President George W. Bush. In a statement on the union election, Boeing vice president and general manager Joan Robinson-Berry looked past the decisive vote to Trump's visit. "It is great to have this vote behind us as we come together to celebrate that event," she said. ___ Emery Dalesio contributed to this report from Raleigh, North Carolina. ___ Kinnard can be reached at http://twitter.com/MegKinnardAP . Read more of her work at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/meg-kinnard/ . UNITED NATIONS (AP) - The United Nations plans to resume aid operations in the eastern half of the Iraqi city of Mosul on Sunday. They were paused on Wednesday because of security concerns amid attacks by Islamic State militants. U.N. deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said Thursday that after a new security assessment, officials decided the suspension could end. He noted that other organizations have been continuing humanitarian work in eastern Mosul. Mosul is Iraq's second-largest city. IS captured it in summer 2014. Iraq declared Mosul's eastern half "fully liberated" last month. A semblance of normal life returned to many areas, but some neighborhoods have still been hit by insurgent attacks. The IS group is still in control of western Mosul. Iraqi forces have been moving into position ahead of an anticipated assault. It's been more than a week since engineers at the nation's tallest dam noticed damage to its emergency spillway, launching a series of events that culminated with the threat of catastrophic flooding and the two-day evacuation of nearly 200,000 California residents downstream. Officials said Thursday that they are confident the lake behind Oroville Dam will keep draining despite storms expected to dump several inches of rain in the coming days. Here's what we know: People watch the gushing waters of the Feather River from the town's fish hatchery a day after an evacuation was lifted Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017, in Oroville, Calif. Authorities say the immediate danger has passed and allowed people living downstream of the Oroville Dam to go back home Tuesday after ordering an evacuation Sunday. But new storms forecast to hit Northern California this week will test quick repairs to the dam. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) ___ THE DAM Straddling the Feather River, the dam created Lake Oroville in rural Northern California in 1968. The reservoir is a major water supplier for farmers in the agricultural-rich Central Valley and residents in Southern California. There are two primary ways workers drain water from the lake. They can control the flow of water downriver by opening a gate to the dam's main concrete spillway or divert water through a nearby power plant. The dam also is equipped with an emergency spillway. The emergency spillway is an earthen structure - a big hill - with a 30-foot concrete wall on top. It is several feet lower than the main dam, and water will flow over it uncontrollably when the lake is over capacity. Water had never flowed over the emergency spillway until Saturday. ___ THE FIRST PROBLEM Engineers noticed an odd flow pattern on the main concrete spillway Feb. 7 and shut off the water to investigate. They discovered a large crater in the bottom. Despite heavy rain and melting snow, engineers slowed releases later in the week after the hole grew. Compounding matters, concrete from the eroding hole clogged the power plant's exit channel and forced it to shut down. The cause of the hole remains unknown. A report prepared Feb. 11 by a CalFire official suggested heavy rain may have contributed. Engineers determined the hole couldn't immediately be fixed and decided to keep using the damaged spillway with reduced flows. The next day, it rained harder than expected, and a day later, water was flowing in almost twice as fast as it was draining. ___ THE SECOND PROBLEM Water flowed over the emergency spillway at 8 a.m. Sunday when the lake reached capacity, but officials kept telling the public there was no threat until as late as noon Sunday. A few hours later, engineers determined the hillside was eroding faster than expected, undermining the concrete wall. Officials feared it was about to collapse and cause a catastrophic flood. Around 4 p.m., authorities ordered nearly 200,000 residents downstream to evacuate. ___ THE EVACUATION Authorities turned nearby highways into one-way roads south. Still, massive gridlock occurred. Gas stations ran out of gas. Motels and hotels quickly sold out. Shelters swiftly opened. Officials flowed more water through the damaged concrete spillway in a frantic bid to lower the reservoir. Lake levels fell enough that water stopped pouring over the emergency spillway about four hours after the evacuation order. Crews worked to dump thousands of tons of rocks to shore up the damaged spillways. ___ THE RETURN HOME Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea announced Tuesday afternoon that residents could return home after the repairs and the lake's lowered levels. He conceded the evacuation was "chaotic" but defended the decision as "better safe than sorry." ___ WHAT WENT WRONG? "I'm not sure anything went wrong," Department of Water Resources acting chief Bill Croyle said of the near-failure of the emergency spillway. "This was a new, never-happened-before event." Environmental groups demanded 12 years ago that the hillside be paved with concrete to prevent erosion. But federal regulators decided against ordering the work after state water agencies argued it would cost too much for a structure that, at that point, had never been used. ___ IS IT SAFE? Croyle said he's confident the dam and primary spillway can handle rainfall from three storms rolling into the region this week. He said more water is leaving the lake than entering it and it can handle storm runoff and melting snow. The emergency spillway also has been repaired enough to handle any overflow, Croyle said. Officials identified three areas where erosion caused the most concern of potential flooding, including one spot that was completely fixed, he said. The others were partially repaired. The temporary fixes will last beyond snow melting this spring, and officials will then make long-term repairs, the water agency said. Nonetheless, the sheriff told residents to prepare for another evacuation if the situation worsens. Water gushes down the Oroville Dam's main spillway Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017, in Oroville, Calif. The Oroville Reservoir is continuing to drain Wednesday as state water officials scrambled to reduce the lake's level ahead of impending storms. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) Graves are submerged in floodwaters at a cemetery downstream from a damaged dam Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017, in Marysville, Calif. The Oroville Reservoir is continuing to drain Wednesday as state water officials scrambled to reduce the lake's level ahead of impending storms. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) This photo taken Monday, Feb. 13, 2017, shows erosion caused when overflow water cascaded down the emergency spillway, right, of the Oroville Dam in Oroville, Calif. Water flowed over the emergency spillway Sunday morning when Lake Oroville reached capacity, and engineers determined the hillside was eroding faster then expected, undermining the concrete wall. Officials fearing it was about to collapse ordered thousands of residents downstream to evacuate. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) A helicopter carries sandbags in the direction of a damaged dam Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017, in Oroville, Calif. The Oroville Reservoir is continuing to drain Wednesday as state water officials scrambled to reduce the lake's level ahead of impending storms. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A Colorado man was charged with murder Thursday in the death of his year-old daughter's mother, a day after authorities in Oklahoma caught up to him and the girl, who had been reported missing and was recovered unharmed. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol arrested Adam Densmore, 32, on Wednesday for violating a custody order, Shannon Cordingly, a Boulder, Colorado, police spokeswoman said Thursday. He had his daughter, Winter Mead, with him, and the girl was placed in state custody in Oklahoma, she said. While in the Pawnee County jail, Densmore was served with a first-degree murder arrest warrant out of Boulder for the death of 25-year-old Ashley Mead, Cordingly said. She said a woman's body had been found about 40 miles away in a dumpster at a gas station outside a Wal-Mart in Okmulgee, which is about 90 miles east of Oklahoma City and nearly 600 miles from Boulder. The body has not been identified, but Cordingly said the warrant was issued because authorities believe Ashley Mead is dead and the body was found near where her daughter and Densmore were discovered. Cordingly declined to say how Mead is believed to have been killed, but said the slaying is believed to have taken place in Boulder, where she said Densmore and Cordingly had an "on-again, off-again" relationship and were living together. "At this point the arrest warrant is still sealed," Cordingly said. "It's not going to be unsealed until we have positively identified the body as that of Ashley." The body was sent to the Oklahoma medical examiner's office for identification and to determine the cause of death, said Amy Elliott, a spokeswoman for the office. "There are some factors involved that make it very, very difficult for us, so I don't know how long it's going to take," she said. She would not elaborate. Jail records don't list an attorney who might be able to speak on Densmore's behalf. Ashley Mead and her daughter were reported missing Tuesday when Mead did not show up for work. She was last seen in Boulder on Sunday. ___ This story has been corrected to delete a reference to Densmore being charged with murder in Oklahoma. The warrant for the murder charge was issued from Boulder, Colorado. PORTLAND, Maine (AP) - Prosecutors say a Norwegian man has been sentenced to 15 months in prison for making threats against Maine police while in Portland as a tourist. Twenty-nine-year-old Espen Brungodt, of Bergen, was sentenced Thursday. He pleaded guilty to making threatening interstate communications in September. Authorities charged that Brungodt made the threats against police in August via email, saying he would shoot officers from a parking garage. He did not act on the threats, and was arrested at a Portland hotel hours after making them. U.S. District Court Judge D. Brock Hornby says the threat disrupted public services and instilled fear. Brungodt will be denied re-entry into the U.S. in the future. Prosecutors say they would support a request by Brungodt to serve the sentence in Norway. TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) - An Ohio man accused of spray-painting a swastika and a message cursing Arabs on a Lebanese family's home has pleaded no contest to criminal damaging. Police say the 28-year-old told them he left the messages because he was angry over a perceived slight, not because of the family's ethnicity. Osama Nazzal, of Toledo, pleaded no contest Thursday to the misdemeanor charge. The Blade reports he'll be sentenced in May and faces up to 90 days in jail. EDS NOTE: VULGAR LANGUAGE BEHIND THE WORD TOLEDO - FILE - This Jan. 12, 2017, file photo, shows a heart and the word "Toledo" that Souheir Eltatawy says her daughter painted, covers a swastika and graffiti cursing Arabs that a vandal had spray-painted two days before on the garage door of the Lebanese family's home in the Toledo, Ohio, suburb of Sylvania Township, Ohio. Sylvania Township, Ohio, police say in a Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2017, court filing, that Osama Nazzal, of Toledo, Ohio, is being charged with a second-degree misdemeanor count of criminal damaging the home. (Dave Zapotosky/The Blade via AP, File) Court records don't indicate whether Nazzal has an attorney. Police say he told them he felt threatened after the homeowner's daughter snickered at him in a college library, so he researched her address and spray-painted the graffiti. The woman later told police Nazzal stared at her and followed her at the library. Malaysian authorities have made two more arrests over the death of the North Korean leaders half-brother, who was reportedly poisoned by a pair of female assassins as he waited for a flight in Kuala Lumpur. Investigators are trying to piece together details of the death, which set off a torrent of speculation over whether Kim Jong Un dispatched a hit squad to kill his estranged older sibling, Kim Jong Nam. Known for his love of gambling and casinos, Kim Jong Nam had lived abroad for years, aware he was a hunted man. (Kyodo News via AP) Three suspects two women and a man were arrested separately on Wednesday and Thursday. The women were identified using surveillance videos from Kuala Lumpur International Airport, where Kim Jong Nam, who was 45 or 46, suddenly fell ill on Monday morning. Malaysian officials said he died on the way to hospital after telling medical workers at the airport that he had been sprayed with a chemical. CCTV footage shows a woman, left, at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, who police say was arrested Wednesday in connection with the death of Kim Jong Nam Multiple South Korean media reports, citing unidentified sources, said two women believed to be North Korean agents killed him with some kind of poison before fleeing in a taxi. One of the female suspects had Vietnamese travel documents and was picked up on Wednesday at the budget terminal of the airport, the same place where the suspected attack took place. A woman, left, at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang, Malaysia The other woman held an Indonesian passport and was arrested early on Thursday. Indonesian diplomats met with that suspect and confirmed she is an Indonesian citizen, officials said. Authorities identified her as Siti Aisyah, 25, originally from Serang in Banten, a province that neighbours the Indonesian capital, Jakarta. Indonesian immigration office spokesman Agung Sampurno said officials from the Indonesian embassy in Kuala Lumpur met with the woman in Selangor state, where she is being held, and ensured she is in a safe condition. A TV screen shows a picture of Kim Jong Nam, the older brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong U They were allowed to see her but cannot make any questions, said Mr Sampurno. However, the team can confirm that Aisyah is Indonesian. News of the third arrest came on Thursday afternoon. Police said they had detained a Malaysian man who was believed to be the boyfriend of the Indonesian suspect. Police officers patrol outside the forensic department at Kuala Lumpur Hospital Medical workers also completed a post-mortem examination on Kim Jong Nam, but the results have not been released. The findings could reveal whether he was actually poisoned. North Korea had objected to the post-mortem examination but Malaysia went ahead with it anyway because the North did not submit a formal protest, said Abdul Samah Mat, a senior Malaysian police official. On Thursday, Malaysian deputy home minister Zahid Hamidi said security is a top priority for the government and the authorities had acted swiftly and efficiently. Asked at a news conference why Malaysia failed to protect Kim Jong Nam, Mr Zahid said: What do you mean? Do we have to engage a bodyguard and usher him everywhere? No. A seven-year-old girl who loves robots and computers got something of a shock when Google chief Sundar Pichai responded personally to her job application. Chloe Bridgewater, from Hereford, sent the letter to the technology giants head offices in Silicon Valley in the US last Monday, saying: My dad said I can sit on bean bags and go down slides and ride go karts in a job in (Google). The letter written by seven-year-old Chloe Bridgewater to Google chief Sundar Pichai Her father, Andy Bridgewater, 37, said she was over the moon when the head of the company responded just four days later, encouraging her to keep working hard and get in touch when she finishes school. Mr Bridgewater, a sales manager, told the Press Association he was working from home when Chloe asked him where he would really like to work. I said Google would be a nice place to work, then I told her about the bean bags and the driverless cars. She responded by saying she would like to work there. Sundar Pichai personally replied to Chloe's letter (Dominic Lipinski/PA) He told Chloe she should get the ball rolling and send Google an application. I had to explain to her what an application was, he said. In the letter, Chloe wrote about her skills and interest in working for the company one day, and highlighted her experience in tablet usage and robot games. (left-right) Julie, Chloe, Hollie and Andy Bridgewater (Andy Bridgewater/PA) And she wrote: My dad told me to give you (an) application to get a job in Google. I dont really know what one of them is but he said a letter would do for now. Thank you for reading my letter, I have only ever sent one other and that was to Father Christmas. Good bye, she concluded. Mr Bridgewater said he was overwhelmed when he got home a few days later and saw the envelope on the floor with the Google logo on it. I didnt expect anything, I didnt expect a reply, he said. She was over the moon when she opened it. A personal response from Google chief Sundar Pichai to Chloe's letter In his reply to the primary school pupil, Mr Pichai one of the highest-paid chief executives in the world told her: I think if you keep working hard and following your dreams, you can accomplish everything you set your mind to. I look forward to receiving your job application when you finish school. The letter went viral after Mr Bridgewater posted it on LinkedIn gaining more than 10 million views, and prompting phone calls from Japan, China and the United States. Chloe cant comprehend the scale and magnitude of whats happening, Mr Bridgewater said. He added: My wife and I both want Chloe to be a little girl, if she wants to pursue her dreams were not gonna stop her. A university was evacuated after a student accidentally made the same explosive that was used in the Paris terror attacks. The chemistry laboratory at the University of Bristol was evacuated after triacetone triperoxide (TATP) was unintentionally formed. Police, fire service and bomb disposal experts were called to the building following the incident on February 3. (Joe Giddens/PA) No-one was injured and emergency services carried out a controlled explosion of the substance. TATP was used in bomb vests worn by militants in the attacks that killed 130 people in November 2015. A spokesman for the University of Bristol said: Following a full investigation, we can confirm that the chemical triacetone triperoxide (TATP) was unintentionally formed during a routine procedure carried out by a PhD student. The student was following a published literature method and the risk of TATP as a potential by-product had been identified during the risk assessment process. A student looks at matter under a microscope We have robust contingency plans in place to deal with incidents of this nature. As soon as the presence of TATP was identified, the student immediately notified those responsible for laboratory safety in the school. A series of actions were then taken which resulted in the precautionary evacuation of the chemistry building and surrounding buildings and the controlled disposal of the substance by the emergency services. The spokesman said the School of Chemistry risk assessment process is being reviewed to determine whether additional checks can be made. Everton manager Ronald Koeman expects striker Romelu Lukaku to be training with the team again by early next week. The Belgium international has not travelled with the squad to their Dubai training camp but instead visited a doctor in his homeland for treatment on a calf problem. However, Koeman has no doubts Lukaku will be ready to rejoin the squad and play a full part on their return to Merseyside. Romelu Lukaku We know that for 10 days Rom has had some problems with his calf, Koeman told evertontv. He has a lot of confidence in the Belgian doctor and I gave him permission to go to Belgium and recover. We expect him, normally, next Tuesday to be joining in the training session. He will be fit and available for the weekend. Koeman also expects midfielder James McCarthy and forward Kevin Mirallas who have travelled to Dubai to be back to full fitness next week after hamstring and groin complaints which forced them to miss the goalless draw at Middlesbrough. James McCarthy They are progressing well, Koeman added. We knew that they would not play in the friendly this Friday but next week, from Tuesday on, they will be available for all the training sessions. Normally they would be fit for the weekend of Sunderland. North Korea has a history of dispatching female spies on some of its most dangerous and deadly assignments. So the arrests of two women in connection with the apparent killing this week of an exiled member of North Koreas ruling family has helped fuel suspicions that the North was involved in the mysterious death. closed circuit television footage from Monday, Feb 13, 2017, shows a woman, center in white, at Kuala Lumpur International Airport South Koreas intelligence agency believes that two women poisoned Kim Jong Nam, the half-brother of North Koreas ruler, as he stood in a shopping area at Kuala Lumpur airport in Malaysia. But authorities have so far revealed very little information about Kim Jong Nams death or the women. Here is a look at some of North Koreas most famous female spies: Kim Hyon-hui (Kim Kyung-hoon/Pool Photo via AP, File) In November 1987, two North Korean agents posing as a father and daughter left a time bomb on a South Korean jetliner when it stopped in Abu Dhabi during a flight from Baghdad to Seoul. The plane exploded off the coast of Burma, killing all 115 people on board, South Korean investigators say. When the two, who were travelling with fake Japanese passports, faced arrest at a Bahrain airport, the 72-year-old male agent killed himself by biting a cyanide-tipped Marlboro cigarette. But the woman, Kim Hyon-hui, was stopped just before taking the poison. (AP Photo/Bei Yeon-Hong, File) After being extradited to Seoul, Kim, then around 27, told investigators that the bombing was intended to disrupt the Seoul Summer Olympics, set to begin 10 months later. Kim was sentenced to death but was eventually pardoned on the grounds that she was duped by North Koreas leaders. She has written several best-selling books and married a former intelligence officer. Won Jeong-hwa Won Jeong-hwa Won Jeong-hwa, who entered South Korea in around 2001 by posing as a defector from the North, was arrested and sentenced to five years in prison in 2008. South Korean authorities said she used sex to extract sensitive information from South Korean military officers and plotted to kill other officers. The South Korean media quickly dubbed her North Koreas Mata Hari, after the exotic dancer sent to obtain military secrets in the First World War. After her release from prison, Won said her Mata Hari image had been exaggerated by officials and the media, and that she had used sex as a spying tool only once. She said she had fallen in love with a junior army officer. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man, File) Won also said she disobeyed orders to kill two of her South Korean military intelligence sources with poison. Won struggled to make a fresh start after her release from prison, amid allegations that she was just a low-level informant whose role was inflated by South Korean prosecutors. Won, however, insists she was a highly trained spy. Lee Sun-sil In October 1992, South Koreas intelligence agency announced it had arrested 62 people for establishing a secret southern branch of North Koreas ruling Workers Party. Spearheading the underground political party was 75-year-old Lee Sun-sil, a North Korean woman who Seoul officials say had operated in the South for 10 years. Lee, reportedly ranked 22nd in the Norths political hierarchy, avoided arrest because she had already returned to North Korea by the time the underground party was broken up. A former North Korean agent captured in a separate case in the mid-1990s said he had escorted her to the North in 1990 on board a submersible. The captured agent said North Koreas founding leader Kim Il Sung, the grandfather of current leader Kim Jong Un, met Lee twice at one of his villas, awarding her an honorary title and giving her a gold watch engraved with his name. Lee, who was also a member of the Norths rubber-stamp parliament, died in 2000 and was buried at Pyongyangs patriots cemetery, the ex-agent said. Ukip leader Paul Nuttall has broken cover to launch an angry attack on his critics for waging an evil smear campaign by claiming he was not at the Hillsborough disaster. The would-be MP also defended his failure to turn up at a Stoke Central by-election hustings earlier on Thursday, insisting he needed the time to write his speech for Ukips spring conference, which takes place on Friday. Mr Nuttall has faced widespread criticism and calls to resign as an MEP after it emerged that a claim made on his website that he lost close personal friends in the 1989 footballing tragedy are wrong. Paul Nuttall has pulled out of a hustings for #StokeCentral - citing essential party meetings. Ukip MEP Patrick OFlynn attended instead pic.twitter.com/MVlIcs95jz Matthew Cooper (@MatthewCooperPA) February 16, 2017 It came days after a report cast doubt over his assertions that he was at the match, at which 96 Liverpool fans were crushed to death. Speaking during an election hustings on BBC Radio Stoke, Mr Nuttall said the past few days have been the most difficult circumstances I have ever been in in my life and insisted voters can trust him despite the claims which have rocked his candidacy. He said: I have been a victim of a smear campaign, one which has been organised, one which tries to claim that I wasnt at the Hillsborough disaster even though I have provided witness statements. And the sources who said, oh he mightnt have been there are unnamed, and they wont be named, and its utterly disgraceful. There was a mistake on my website, which was put up by a press officer - I take full responsibility. It has now been taken down. I was there, I was at the game. I can prove I was at the game. And I think it is a very dangerous route for politics to take. Look, I thought Id seen all lows in politics this just isnt scraping the barrel, this is digging beneath the barrel. Are you going to blame these direct quotes on a press officer, @paulnuttallukip? Do the decent thing for a change and resign. pic.twitter.com/PrW5OUUyHY Joe Anderson (@joeando58) February 15, 2017 His comments came just hours after he pulled out of a hustings organised by Stoke-on-Trents City Centre Partnership business group, sending his political adviser and fellow Ukip MEP Patrick OFlynn to speak on his behalf. Challenged by his Labour rival Gareth Snell about why he was a no-show, Mr Nuttall said: I was writing my speech for the conference tomorrow. He added: Because of the week Ive had, and because of the situation I have found myself in, I had to juggle everything around. I had to ensure that I was in Liverpool on Tuesday and on Wednesday as well, and there is nothing I could have done about that, thats the circumstances I found myself in - the most difficult circumstances I have ever been in in my life. Part of it is my fault. The other part, the main part, the beginning of the story, was nothing but a very cruel and actually evil smear campaign. The family of a British backpacker killed in India have spoken of their struggle as a Dutchman accused of murdering her faced his 88th court hearing. Richard de Wit is accused of killing 24-year-old Sarah Groves, who was stabbed more than 40 times while she slept on a houseboat in Kashmir in 2013. (Family handout/PA) Four years on from her death, de Wit has yet to stand trial, and Ms Groves family learned that the 88th court hearing on Thursday at the District Court in Srinagar was adjourned until March 1. Ms Groves parents, Victor and Kate, are desperate for help to progress the case, and have repeatedly called on the British Government to apply diplomatic pressure. (Family handout/PA) They have also been tormented by the disclosure that de Wit holds a mystery secret about their daughters death, but is only willing to share it with them. Mr and Mrs Groves are willing to travel to India to learn about de Wits apparent revelation but first want an assurance about the veracity of his claim. Sarah Groves Mrs Groves, from Guernsey, said: Were tearing our hair out about whether there is any substance to what he is claiming. We only want some form of confirmation that what he is claiming is not going to lead us on a wild goose chase because it is a horrible and costly journey. But we are struggling to get any kind of co-operation from any quarter. I have my head in my hands at the moment. (Family handout/PA) The family said in a statement that the public prosecutor agreed following the latest hearing that de Wit can apply for the court to allow a telephone conversation to place between them. The family also said a major reason for the case stalling is de Wits lack of legal representation. Despite orders by the judge to resolve the matter, he still remains without a lawyer as he trusts no-one. Lincoln boss Danny Cowley believes he will face one of the best English managers when he sits in the opposing dugout to Burnleys Sean Dyche. Cowley, whose National League leaders face Dyches Premier League side in the FA Cup fifth round at Turf Moor on Saturday, regards the Clarets manager and Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe as pick of the current crop when it comes to Englishmen in charge at Premier League clubs. A look at their recent records makes it hard to argue. Dyche got Burnley promoted last season and another top flight campaign looks assured with the Clarets currently 12th in the table and 10 points clear of the relegation zone. Sean Dyche (Tim Goode/PA) Howe has done similar things at Bournemouth, getting them promoted to the Premier League in 2015 and keeping them up last season. The Cherries are presently 14th in the table and six points above the bottom three. Cowley thinks both men do not get the credit they deserve for the jobs they are doing and would like to see English managers get more of an opportunity in the Premier League. For me, Sean Dyche and Eddie Howe are the two best English managers, said Cowley. For what they are doing with their clubs, they deserve a huge amount of respect. They certainly set the standard for England managers. A huge thanks to @lovellsoccer for supplying our 1st team with some new boots ahead of Saturdays big game! pic.twitter.com/ccCdf4iVFq Lincoln City FC (@LincolnCity_FC) February 16, 2017 If Im being honest, I dont think English managers get enough opportunity. We are far too quick, particularly in the Premier League, to appoint managers from different countries. Of course, we want the best managers, like we want the best players, and foreign managers and players have brought so much to our game. But there are certain English players and managers who could do just as good a job and Im sure if they were given more opportunity, they would be able to show that. Are you one of the 3,200 Imps fans travelling to Burnley for Saturday's @EmiratesFACup tie? How will you be getting there? #Impvasion Lincoln City FC (@LincolnCity_FC) February 15, 2017 Cowley, who 12 months ago was still a full-time PE teacher while also managing Braintree, aspires to be like Dyche and Howe. They are the blueprint for me, said the 38-year-old. Ive learned so much watching Burnley recently, Ive seen six of their games. I would like us to be as well organised with and without the ball as Burnley are. US secretary of state Rex Tillerson has said Russia must abide by a 2015 deal aimed at ending fighting between Ukrainian forces and Russia-backed separatists. The former Exxon Mobil chief executive spoke after meeting Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov for the first time in the highest level face-to-face contact between representatives from the two countries since Donald Trump took office on January 20. Secretary Tillersons remarks following his meeting today with #Russia's Foreign Minister Lavrov: https://t.co/yZwLEwnlSG pic.twitter.com/5dkkjEMgMo Department of State (@StateDept) February 16, 2017 Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine in 2014, and Russian-speaking separatists began protests that escalated into a war, with thousands killed. A deal two years ago known as the Minsk agreement was intended to end the conflict, but skirmishes have continued. Secretary Tillerson arrives in Germany to participate in #G20Bonn. Learn more about his trip here: https://t.co/2rlPsYltcC pic.twitter.com/A9ClTWaJrC Department of State (@StateDept) February 16, 2017 As we search for new common ground, we expect Russia to honour its commitments to the Minsk agreement and work to de-escalate the violence in the Ukraine, Mr Tillerson said after talks with Mr Lavrov. US General Joe Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was set to meet with his Russian counterpart, General Valery Gerasimov, in the former Soviet republic of Azerbaijan. It was to be the first meeting between the two countries senior members of the military since Mr Trump was sworn in. Mr Tillerson has taken a low-key and reserved approach in his first two weeks on the job and declined the opportunity to speak with reporters travelling with him aboard his plane to Germany. Rex Tillerson He did not respond to reporters questions at his first three meetings in Bonn and, until Thursday, had yet to comment publicly on developments with Russia, its alleged meddling in the 2016 US presidential election or its actions in Syria and Ukraine. As I made clear in my senate confirmation hearing, the United States will consider working with Russia where we can find areas of practical co-operation that will benefit the American people, Mr Tillerson said following the Lavrov meeting. Where we do not see eye to eye, the United States will stand up for the interests and values of America and her allies. Sergei Lavrov on his way to a meeting with Rex Tillerson The meeting, on the sidelines of a larger foreign ministers conference in Germany, came amid turmoil inside the Trump administration over Russia and the ousting of national security adviser Michael Flynn over misleading White House officials on his contacts with Moscow. Asked whether the chaos in Washington was a concern to Russia, Mr Lavrov replied: You should know we do not interfere in the domestic matters of other countries. In his opening remarks, Mr Lavrov said he and Mr Tillerson had plenty of issues to discuss and that they would discuss and establish the parameters of our future work. Mr Trump chose Mr Tillerson for the job in part because of his business experience and relationship with Russia while he was at Exxon. A baby rhino has frolicked in one of her first mud baths at a British wild animal park after spending the last month keeping warm indoors. Little Rukuru, who was born last December at Port Lympne Reserve near Hythe, Kent, was joined by her mother Nyasa as she wallowed in mud. Nyasa took the lead and started off the mud-fest by rolling around in the dirt in front of Rukuru, who then joined in with her mother. Nyasa and Rukuru Rukuru is the 36th eastern black rhino to be born at Port Lympne, and is seen by keepers as another step towards protecting the endangered species. Their population decline is largely due to hunting as their horns are often made into dagger handles which are seen as a symbol of wealth in some countries. Business secretary Greg Clark will meet with Peugeot executives and the French government as he scrambles to secure thousands of British jobs at takeover target Vauxhall. The Press Association understands Mr Clark will travel by Eurostar to Paris tonight for separate meetings with French industry minister Christophe Sirugue and board members of PSA Group, which is in talks to acquire General Motors loss-making European operation. The deal would include Vauxhall, which has plants at Ellesmere Port and Luton employing 4,500 staff. Business Secretary Greg Clark (Kirsty O'Connor/PA) It comes after GM said it would put Vauxhall in the strongest possible position for the future after attending crunch talks with the Government and unions at Westminster today. GM President Dan Ammann met with Mr Clark and Unite general secretary Len McCluskey as concerns mount over Vauxhalls 35,000-strong UK workforce. In a statement following the meeting, GM said: While we have no definitive news to report at this time, we can affirm that our objective in exploring opportunities with PSA Groupe is to build on the success of Opel Vauxhall and to put the business and the operations in the strongest possible position for the future. Mr McCluskey said he had received no assurances at the moment over Vauxhalls workforce, but believes concrete proposals are imminent. However, Mr Clark struck a more positive note, saying the talks had been constructive and he was reassured that the plants would not be rationalised. Unite chief Len McCluskey (Gareth Fuller/PA) Unite is also seeking a meeting with PSA Group at the earliest opportunity to discuss the proposed deal that would see Vauxhall and Opel shift to the French government-backed automotive giant. The tie-up would cause GM to exit the UK and Europe, while transforming PSA Group into Europes second-largest car maker with a 16% share of the market. In a statement after the GM meeting, Mr Clark said: I had constructive talks with GM this morning where I emphasised the importance and successful presence of Vauxhall in the UK and welcomed GMs recognition of the excellent and committed workforce at Ellesmere Port, Luton and across the UK. There is some way to go in discussions between GM and PSA, but I was reassured by GMs intention, communicated to me, to build on the success of these operations rather than rationalise them. Sir Mo Farah has said Donald Trumps travel ban on refugees and citizens from seven mainly-Muslim countries was unfair and that he felt it was important to speak up. The Somalia-born four-time Olympic champion said last month that the US presidents decree, which prevented those from Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen entering the US for 90 days or more, was deeply troubling. Sir Mo, who lives and trains in Portland, Oregon, was concerned the travel ban would force him to be separated from his wife and four children, but it was later clarified that the exclusion would not apply to the athlete. Sir Mo Farah (Ian Rutherford/PA) A federal appeals court refused to reinstate the ban last week meaning people and refugees from the seven nations can continue to enter the US for the time being but Mr Trump has promised more legal action. In his first interview since criticising the ban, Sir Mo told ITV News London that Mr Trumps unfair decision had affected him. He said: Speaking to my kids and not being able to see my kids that affected me, so it was important that I speak up and say what was right. I believe that was an unfair decision. Suddenly your country When youve been there for six years and done everything right, overnight to tell you that you cant come back to your kids, is unfair. In the ITV News London interview, Sir Mo also spoke about how he had found it weird being called Sir, and said it was something I never dreamed of. I remember watching Match of the Day seeing so many guys like Sir Alex Ferguson was one of them. And now myself. Its just incredible, unbelievable. Megan Thee Stallion's attorney says Drake and others doubting that she was shot by Tory Lanez will look 'very silly when the facts fully come out' Phil Taylor saw off his greatest rival Raymond van Barneveld in what could be the final meeting between the pair. Sixteen-time world champion Taylor is retiring at the end of the year and this Premier League clash in Leeds was the last remaining scheduled fixture between the two old foes. They could draw each other in future tournaments before Taylor quits but, if that fails to happen, the Power will retire with a 7-4 victory in their final meeting. Phil Taylor (Steven Paston/PA) INTERVIEW| @PhilTaylor looks like a man who is simply enjoying his final year. All smiles in the Taylor camp after a win over Barney tonight pic.twitter.com/2bm7ZMYhAb PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) February 16, 2017 To have played this man, every month, has been incredible, Van Barneveld said. We will miss him. Taylor was followed on stage by heir apparent Michael van Gerwen, with the reigning world champion beating fellow Dutchman Jelle Klaasen 7-4. Earlier in the night, Peter Wright beat two-time world champion Gary Anderson 7-5 and James Wade beat another ex-world winner, Adrian Lewis, 7-4. Theresa May gave her French counterpart a warm welcome to Downing Street today as she warned that hundreds of thousands of jobs in the EU depend on ties to Britain. The Prime Minister highlighted the importance of keeping economic links as she hosted Bernard Cazeneuve for talks in No10. But she also reassured the Brussels club that the UK will not seek to 'cherry-pick' which parts of membership it wants to keep in the looming negotiations. Theresa May, pictured greeting French counterpart Bernard Cazeneuve at No10 today, has highlighted the number of jobs that depend on the strength of links between the EU and UK The PM welcomed Mr Cazeneuve warmly to Downing Street today. They are expected to discuss a range of issues including Brexit and Russia In an article for French newspaper Le Figaro, Mrs May addressed warnings from European leaders that the UK must not be allowed to pick out the benefits of being in the bloc without bearing the responsibilities. 'As we leave the EU, we will seek the greatest possible access to the European single market through a new, comprehensive, bold, ambitious free trade agreement,' she wrote. 'This cannot, however, mean retaining membership of the single market. 'President (Francois) Hollande and other European leaders have been very clear that this would mean accepting the "four freedoms" of goods, capital, services and people and I respect their position. 'Britain understands that EU leaders want to continue with the process of integration. 'We do not, to borrow the phrase, seek to cherry-pick which bits of membership we desire.' Mrs May also highlighted French interest in a good Brexit deal, pointing out that the UK is France's fifth-largest export market with bilateral trade worth more than 50 billion euros last year. 'UK companies are responsible for an estimated 230,000 jobs in France, and French companies for about 370,000 jobs in the UK,' she added. Mrs May also stressed the UK will remain an 'open and tolerant' country and that French people will 'always be welcome in Britain'. French PM Bernard Cazeneuve and Theresa May know each other from when they were both in charge of home affairs for their respective governments (pictured in August 2015) She reiterated her aim of guaranteeing the rights of EU nationals already in the UK, including more than 300,000 French people, and said she hopes France will do the same for Britons living there. 'I will make securing this reciprocal agreement a priority as soon as the negotiations begin, because this is in everyone's interests,' she said. Mrs May and Mr Cazeneuve are also set to agree to maintain pressure on Russia over its 'aggressive and destabilising' actions in Ukraine. The PM said she is 'sure' they will agree on the importance of pushing Russia in response to the 'drastic deterioration' in the humanitarian situation in eastern Ukraine. By Victoria Bryan and Peter Maushagen BERLIN/FRANKFURT, Feb 15 (Reuters) - Lufthansa and a pilots' union have accepted pay recommendations from a mediator, though the German airline said it planned to offset the cost by using more crew on cheaper contracts in a move that could jeopardise the deal. Lufthansa, which has been dogged by a succession of strikes, said on Wednesday it had agreed to increase pay for 5,400 pilots by 8.7 percent in several steps, as well as one-time payments worth a total of 30 million euros - adding around 85 million euros ($90 million) to its annual costs. The agreement boosted Lufthansa shares, which were up 1 percent by 1221 GMT and among the top DAX gainers. To make up for the added expense, Lufthansa said 40 new aircraft due for delivery would be staffed not by crew on collective labour agreements at its core brand, but by crew from elsewhere within the group. Board member Harry Hohmeister had last month raised the prospect of shifting new planes to other parts of the group or even setting up a new unit to keep costs down. Pilots' union Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) said the proposals would be put to a vote of members, with a result expected by the end of March, but spokesman Markus Wahl said the plans to shift the planes could affect the outcome. "It will be hard for some of our members to accept and it could impact talks over other issues," he told Reuters. Lufthansa wants to cut costs to keep pace with leaner rivals such as Ryanair on short-haul flights and Emirates on long-haul routes, but pilots have walked out 15 times since early 2014 over topics including pay and early retirement, costing the carrier hundreds of millions of euros in lost profit. The two sides had previously tried to negotiate a wide-ranging deal on subjects including pay, retirement schemes, working conditions and the expansion of budget services, but last year decided to tackle each topic individually. Lufthansa said on Wednesday talks on the outstanding issues would continue. Liberum analyst Gerald Khoo, who has a "sell" rating on Lufthansa stock, said the pay issue was arguably the least contentious one to resolve. "Then again, an agreement on one item is better than none, and the hope must be that the mediation process can be repeated," he said. Before the mediation, the pilots had asked for an average annual pay increase of 3.7 percent over a five-year period back-dated to 2012, which is when their last collective bargaining contract with Lufthansa expired. Lufthansa had proposed an increase of 4.4 percent in two instalments in 2016 and 2017, plus a one-off payment worth 1.8 months' pay. ($1 = 0.9479 euros) (Reporting by Maria Sheahan and Victoria Bryan; Editing by Susan Thomas and Mark Potter) WELLINGTON, Feb 16 (Reuters) - More than 1,000 people were evacuated from their homes and a state of emergency was declared in New Zealand's third largest city of Christchurch on Thursday because a wildfire threatens homes. The fire in the Port Hills district of the city began earlier this week but spread rapidly overnight to cover more than 1,800 hectares (4,447.9 acres), emergency workers said. Prime Minister Bill English canceled all his engagements to set off for Christchurch to monitor developments. "The situation remains very serious," said David Adamson, Christchurch Civil Defence Controller. "Police and the Defence Force have had a huge job overnight with evacuations, the setting-up of cordons around key areas and security patrols of areas that have been evacuated." Fifteen helicopters and fixed wing aircraft, the maximum number that can safely be in the air at any one time, have been despatched amid forecasts for winds that could fan the flames. A change in the wind direction is predicted for later in the week that will lower temperatures and humidity and could slow the fire's progress, emergency workers said. A helicopter pilot died on Tuesday after crashing while tackling the blaze. (Reporting by Charlotte Greenfield and Colin Packham in SYDNEY. Editing by Jane Wardell and Grant McCool) By Melanie Burton MELBOURNE, Feb 15 (Reuters) - Even as strikes cripple output at the world's two biggest copper mines, Asia's copper industry is pretty relaxed, sitting atop metal stockpiles that have grown by nearly two-thirds since the end of January. Copper inventories tied to China's Shanghai Futures Exchange have surged 61 percent since the week of Jan. 20 to 277,659 tonnes, the most since May 2016, the latest data shows. Stockpiles held in bonded warehouses in China have edged above 500,000 tonnes, from around 450,000 tonnes in November, according to consultants CRU Group. BHP Billiton declared a force majeure last week on contracted copper shipments from its Escondida site in Chile, the world's largest copper mine, and Freeport-McMoRan Inc has sent home workers from its Grasberg facility, the world's second-biggest mine, this week. But, because of the ample stockpiles, the outages have not worried the market as copper cathode premiums in China's bonded zones, what buyers will pay above global prices to procure the metal, remain steady at $75 a tonne. China is the world's biggest copper user. <0#BASEBW-SHMET> "In China's bonded market there is still a lot of stock, so we are not that worried about the force majeure for now," said a BHP customer in Shanghai whose February shipments were delayed. BHP halted its Escondida operations because of a worker's strike while Freeport closed Grasberg after filling up its on-site storage after a strike shuttered the smelter that is the only buyer of its copper output. In addition to the high refined metal stockpiles, copper ore and concentrates imports to China swelled in the months before the disruptions. November imports were a record 1.76 million tonnes, with December just below that at 1.67 million tonnes, according to customs data. While Chinese premiums remain steady, copper prices have surged, with three-month copper on the London Metal Exchange rising to $6,204 a tonne on Monday, the highest since May 25. On the mine supply side, analysts estimate the disruptions will cut around 5,400 tonnes per day from the global supply of copper concentrate. If the Escondida strike lasts for 20 days, first-quarter global supply could drop 1.8 percent, according to Goldman Sachs. In theory this could wipe out a small surplus of 80,000 tonnes of refined copper this year, estimated by analysts polled by Reuters. Analysts at Standard Chartered said the loss of both Escondida and Grasberg is a "justified" bullish factor but they also note the high inventories. "If sustained beyond the end of February then it is possible that the cathode market could... start to tighten. For the time being, though, we remain in a clear phase of cathode surplus," said the analysts in a report referring to the typical type of refined copper. With the surge of concentrate imports, most Chinese smelters are in no rush for new supply. "For the next two to three months most of the smelters are well prepared, particularly the main smelters. They were restocking the concentrate before Chinese New Year, so they are comfortable," said a source at a trade house in Shanghai. Fees that smelters pay miners to process their concentrate, an indicator of the supply and demand balance, dipped to the mid$80's a tonne last week from the high $80s in mid-January, according to CRU. JX Holdings Inc's metal unit, Japan's biggest copper smelter, does not expect any impact from Escondida's strike unless it dragged on for a few months, a spokesman said. But Escondida could have ripple effects amid labour talks at other mines such as Rio Tinto's Kennecott mine in Utah. One trade house source in North America believes China has underestimated the strikes' impact. "There is already a lot of enquires and some for as early as February. There seems to be a fair bit of appetite for Feb-March," the source said. (Reporting by Melanie Burton Additional reporting by Yuka Obayashi in Tokyo and Susan Taylor in Toronto.; Editing by Christian Schmollinger) By Lin Noueihed and Ahmed Mohammed Hassan CAIRO, Feb 15 (Reuters) - Libyan factions have tentatively agreed on an Egyptian-brokered roadmap to heal divisions, Egypt said, though the failure to engineer a meeting between two key figures has cast a shadow on the diplomatic push. The deal comes after months of diplomatic efforts by Egypt, culminating this week with visits by Prime Minister Fayez Seraj of the U.N.-backed government in Tripoli, and Khalifa Haftar, a military commander supported by eastern factions. After meeting separately with senior Egyptian military officials the two men had been set to sit together in a session late on Tuesday, then failed to meet due to last-minute differences. Three Egyptian sources involved in the talks told Reuters that Seraj and Haftar had agreed to honour a plan to create a joint committee to negotiate reconciliation and elections by February 2018, despite lingering tensions. "The two sides have agreed. I have doubts about the implementation as the atmosphere between them is ... tense but we hope the opposite happens," said one of the sources. Seraj said in a statement late on Wednesday that he had been informed of Haftar's refusal to meet "without the provision of any justifications." "We hoped that it would be an entry point to a solution to end the state of division and lift suffering of the nation and the people," he said. Despite this, he said, "we affirm that we are moving forward in our efforts for reconciliation and to end the crisis." Concerned about the spread of chaos from its western neighbour, Egypt has made stabilising Libya a priority and has hosted a flurry of meetings in recent months bringing together Libyan politicians from east and west. The Tripoli-based Government of National Accord's (GNA) leadership, the Presidential Council, is made up of nine members who are meant to represent different geographical regions and political groupings within Libya. But the U.N.-backed Council has been bitterly divided, with two of its number mostly boycotting proceedings, and different members regularly issuing contradictory statements. Haftar is a figurehead for factions in eastern Libya but harbours national ambitions and once fought beside long-time leader Muammar Gaddafi. He has shunned the GNA but enjoys close ties with Egypt, which supports his tough approach to Islamic State and other militant groups. Egypt has refrained from endorsing the GNA, with officials saying it is up to the Libyans to decide on their government. LACK OF TRUST According to a statement released by the Egyptian Armed Forces late on Tuesday, Seraj, Haftar and Agila Saleh, speaker of the eastern parliament allied to the commander, agreed to establish a committee tasked with forming a power-sharing arrangement. The joint committee will include at least 15 members of the Tripoli-based State Council, a consultative body aligned with the GNA, and at least 15 members of the eastern parliament. The roadmap envisages that any power-sharing deal be reflected in an revised constitution followed by presidential and parliamentary elections no later than February 2018. Under the plan, Seraj, Haftar and Saleh would keep their posts until the elections. Egypt would broker the talks, but it was unclear how successful they could be given the depth of mistrust. Tarek al-Jaroushi, a member of Libya's eastern parliament who was in Cairo, confirmed the plan, but his comments suggested confidence was low. "Seraj must return to the legitimacy of (the eastern) parliament if he really is looking for a Government of National Accord that secures the rights of all Libyans," he told Reuters. Libya began to descend into factional chaos after the 2011 uprising that, with NATO backing, ultimately toppled Gaddafi. Since its arrival in Tripoli early last year, the GNA has struggled to assert its authority among rival armed factions reluctant to cede power. Haftar's forces have extended their control to the west and have threatened to march on Tripoli. The GNA also faces challenges from a third self-declared government led by Khalifa Ghwell and supported by Misratan militias. Those militias are among Libya's most powerful but are widely seen as sympathetic to the Muslim Brotherhood, which is banned in Egypt. With Egypt reluctant to engage with Islamists of any stripe, it was unclear whether even if Haftar and Seraj could be reconciled, that would be enough to bring peace to Libya. (Additional reporting by Amina Ismail and Ali Abdelatti in Cairo, Ayman al-Warfalli in Benghazi, Libya, and Ahmed Elumami in Tripoli; Editing by Louise Ireland and Diane Craft) Following are news stories, press reports and events to watch that may affect Poland's financial markets on Thursday. ALL TIMES GMT (Poland: GMT + 1 hour): DATA Polish statistics office is to release January employment and wages data at 1300 GMT. EBI European Investment Bank plans to lend Poland 800 million zlotys ($196.76 million) to co-finance social housing, the daily Puls Biznesu said. TREASURY AUCTION Poland's finance ministry will offer treasury bonds worth between 4.0 billion zlotys and 7.0 billion zlotys at a bond tender on Thursday. ****Reuters has not verified stories reported by Polish media and does not vouch for their accuracy.**** For other related news, double click on: Polish equities E.Europe equities Polish money Polish debt Eastern Europe All emerging markets Hot stocks Stock markets Market debt news Forex news For real-time index quotes, double click on: Warsaw WIG20 Budapest BUX Prague PX ($1 = 4.0658 zlotys) (Reporting by Warsaw Bureau) The following are some stories in Russia's newspapers on Thursday. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy. VEDOMOSTI www.vedomosti.ru A subsidiary of VimpelCom Ltd. and MegaFon in Tajikistan may withdraw from the country's cellular communications market after increased taxes hit profits, the daily said. The market for wearable gadgets in Russia has grown 42 percent in 2016. The most popular wearable gadgets are Apple watches and Xiaomi fitness bracelets, the daily reports. BI Group, a major Kazakh developer, plans to build up to 1 million square meters of housing per year in Russia, the daily said. KOMMERSANT www.kommersant.ru Kremlin-controlled Gazprom announced the start of commercial negotiations with China's CNPC on the construction of a gas pipeline from Sakhalin. According to experts this is a political move that will strengthen the position of Gazprom in talks with Japan on gas supply from Sakhalin. IZVESTIA www.izvestia.ru Russia has developed a bio-chip to quickly detect the type and location of tumours and provide accurate cancer diagnosis, one of the authors of the project Marina Savostikova told the newspaper. NEZAVISIMAYA GAZETA www.ng.ru The head of the Levada Center, an independent Russian pollster company, said an ideology of state patriotism is forming in Russia that is hindering the country's development and discouraging liberal values, the newspaper reported. ($1 = 56.7719 Rub) (Reporting by Margarita Popova) By Esha Vaish and Noor Zainab Hussain Feb 16 (Reuters) - Lancashire Holdings said on Thursday it was well placed to tackle a challenging year ahead, after the insurer reported better-than-expected 2016 profit despite a tough underwriting environment. Shares in the company touched a record high after the insurer said it was carrying a "bit more" capital buffer as of Jan. 1 than it typically would, giving it a choice between investing for growth if opportunities arise and returning capital if tough conditions persist. Competition from investment funds has piled on pressure on speciality insurers and reinsurers, even as they face cut-throat pricing competition, with the Western world not having seen any large-scale catastrophes since Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Against this backdrop, better-than-expected investment returns helped the company, which writes policies for heavy-duty assets such as oil rigs, ships and aircraft, post pretax profit of $150.4 million for the year ended Dec. 31, ahead of analysts' estimate of $130 million according to a company-compiled consensus. Fourth-quarter investment income came in at $13 million, beating analysts' consensus, which Bernstein attributed to higher income from Kinesis, Lloyd's fees and profit commissions due to timing effects. "These results demonstrate the continuing relevance of Lancashire as a top underwriter and its ability to navigate tough underwriting conditions through a judicious mix of risk and reward," Shore Capital analyst Eamonn Flanagan wrote. The insurer brought more reinsurance last year to reduce the impact of market volatility on its business and its increased its capital holdings, its head of investor relations said. "There's an abundance of capacity in this industry and that's not leaving as such ... and having more capital gives us other options... it's a prudent thing to be doing at this time," Jonny Creagh-Coen told Reuters. On top of global challenges, London-listed insurers are grappling with uncertainty over their ability to continue selling products to EU customers after Britain leaves the EU, and some are drawing up plans to potentially set up EU bases. Creagh-Coen said Bremuda-based Lancashire would it would follow the lead of the government and Lloyd's of London , the insurance marketplace of which it is a part, to decide what contingency plan to adopt. "When Lloyd's and the government move, we shall make decisions. We're monitoring the situation very carefully but at this stage no decision has been made as there is nothing to base the decision on," he said. "We have Bermuda, London and Lloyd's... so we have optionality (and) there's time, so there's no need to panic." Lloyd's is considering five locations for its EU base and is set to make an announcement by the middle of April at the latest. (Reporting by Esha Vaish and Noor Zainab Hussain in Bengaluru) JAKARTA, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Indonesia's foreign ministry on Thursday confirmed that a female national had been arrested in Malaysia in connection with the killing of a North Korean in Kuala Lumpur. Kim Jong Nam, the estranged older half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, was killed in an apparent assassination on Monday at Kuala Lumpur international airport in the Malaysian capital. "Our embassy has verified the information received from Malaysian security authorities and based on preliminary data, the woman in question is an Indonesian citizen," the foreign ministry said in a statement. The Indonesian embassy has requested consular access to the woman to provide legal assistance, it added. (Reporting by Kanupriya Kapoor; Editing by Clarence Fernandez) LONDON/BERLIN, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Budget airline Wizz Air will open a new British base at London Luton, seeking to drive growth in routes between Britain and eastern Europe and improve efficiency, it said on Thursday. The east Europe-focussed airline said the base will open on June 18 with one new Airbus A320 aircraft. Luton will be its first UK airport with base operations, and the number of routes it serves from the airport will rise to 42. Although London-listed Wizz has been flying from Britain since 2004, until now it had not set up a British base. CEO Jozsef Varadi said the decision to do so reflected the size of the Luton operation, where it served 5 million passengers last year, making it the second largest airline there behind easyJet. "For the scale and size of the business, the operating model is not efficient or sustainable. If we want to grow, we need to base some capacity there," Varadi told Reuters, adding that space at Luton was getting tight and Wizz wanted to book an overnight stand before rivals did. Basing planes at Luton will give the airline more flexibility and allow it to open more routes, he added. The three new routes announced on Thursday will connect London Luton with Tel Aviv, Kosovo and Georgia. Varadi said the decision had nothing to do with Britain's decision to leave the European Union. He said Wizz was happy with its Hungarian operating certificate for now and was not currently looking at whether to apply for a British certificate. Such decisions would have to await clarity on future traffic rights between Britain and the EU. Wizz Air also announced two new routes from Frankfurt airport this week, meaning more low-cost competition for German carrier Lufthansa at its home base after Ryanair announced a deal to start flights this summer. Varadi said Wizz expected to expand flights from Frankfurt in the future, given its attractive customer profile. But he said Wizz was not at present looking at Munich, where budget carrier Transavia, part of Air France-KLM, has said it would shut its base from October. He said Wizz is happy flying from nearby Memmingen. (Reporting by Alistair Smout and Victoria Bryan; Editing by Paul Sandle/Ruth Pitchford) PARIS/BEIRUT, Feb 16 (Reuters) - France's far-right National Front leader Marine Le Pen is due to visit Lebanon this coming weekend and will meet prime minister Saad al-Hariri on Monday, officials said. Le Pen's visit, confirmed to Reuters by a member of her entourage, will come nine weeks from a French election in which she is among the leading candidates competing with conservative Francois Fillon for the presidency. A spokeswoman for Hariri said a meeting would take place on Monday. The Le Pen official said she would also meet President Michel Aoun. There was no immediate comment from Aoun's team. Sunni Muslim Hariri lived in exile in France for a time until his return to Lebanon in 2014 and his family has close links to conservative former French President Jacques Chirac. (Reporting by Gerard Bon Paris and; Samia Nakhoul in Beirut; Editing by Toby Chopra) ANKARA, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Turkey's defence minister said on Thursday the new U.S. administration has a more flexible approach to Syria and is not insisting on the Kurdish YPG militia being involved in the operation to drive Islamic State from its Raqqa stronghold. U.S. support for the Syrian Democratic Forces, an alliance dominated by the YPG, has caused tensions with NATO ally Turkey, which views the Kurdish militia as an extension of militants fighting on its own soil. "If we want the Raqqa operation to be successful, then it should be carried out with Arab forces in the region and not the YPG," Turkish Defence Minister Fikri Isik told reporters in Brussels. "The new U.S. administration has a different approach to the issue. They are not insisting anymore that the operation should definitely be carried out with the YPG. They haven't yet made up their minds," he said in comments broadcast live. The SDF alliance, which includes Arab and other groups in Syria's north as well as the YPG, has taken territory along the Syria-Turkey border as they push back Islamic State. With air strikes and special ground forces from the U.S.-led coalition, the SDF is in the middle of a multi-phased operation to encircle Raqqa, Islamic State's base of operations in Syria. A key decision for the Trump administration will be whether to provide weapons to the YPG despite Turkish objections. The U.S. says weapons provided to the SDF are so far limited to its Arab elements. "We are working with the U.S. on the withdrawal of the YPG from Manbij by the time the al-Bab operation is completed," Isik said, referring to a town currently under SDF control. Isik added that Turkey's priority after al-Bab would be advancing towards Manbij and Raqqa. He also said U.S. chief of staff Joseph Dunford would visit Turkey on Friday. (Reporting by Ece Toksabay and Tuvan Gumrukcu; Writing by Daren Butler; Editing by Nick Tattersall) By Victoria Bryan and Cyril Altmeyer BERLIN/PARIS, Feb 16 (Reuters) - A "resilient" start to 2017 from Air France-KLM and a better than expected operating profit lifted shares in the airline to their highest level since July on Thursday. But Air France-KLM management and sector analysts cautioned against reading too much into the latest figures, given the challenges facing the airline and its rivals. "We are not euphoric, we are cautious, that's why we're continuing to work on costs," Chief Financial Officer Frederic Gagey told journalists following the results. Long-haul bookings, where Air France-KLM has said it wants to regain market share, were satisfactory so far this year, Gagey added. The airline, which restricted 2016 capacity growth to 1 percent, wants to grow by 3 to 3.5 percent this year. European airlines are battling to bring down costs to compete with budget rivals such as Ryanair and easyJet , prompting strikes at Lufthansa, Air France and British Airways in recent months. Overcapacity in Europe is also weighing on ticket prices, posing headaches for all the region's carriers. The Franco-Dutch carrier said that while there was a high level of uncertainty around ticket revenues, unit revenue had fallen by just 0.7 percent in January, compared with a 5 percent drop for 2016 as a whole. Air France-KLM shares rose as much as 7 percent in response to the 34 percent jump in 2016 operating profit to 1.049 billion euros and the January bookings update. BOOST PLANS Gagey said a 1 percent cut in unit costs - how much it costs the airline to operate in terms of seats and kilometres flown excluding the effects of fuel - last year was "significant" for Air France-KLM, which has struggled with strikes and fraught relations with its unions. By comparison, Ryanair, which has the lowest cost base of Europe's airlines, reduced costs by 6 percent in its quarter. Industry consultant John Strickland said "legacy" carriers such as British Airways owner International Consolidated Airlines Group and Lufthansa had understood they needed to take action in order to compete with the low cost carriers, with IAG so far making the most progress. Gagey said Air France-KLM was aiming to reduce costs by at least 1.5 percent this year with initiatives such as a new Air France unit, dubbed Boost, that will operate at lower costs out of its hub at Charles de Gaulle in Paris. Pilot costs would be cut by 15 percent and cabin crew by 40 percent under the proposals, which were greeted with scepticism by pilots' unions when presented by Air France last week. While KLM had an operating margin of 6.9 percent in 2016, Air France's was just 2.4 percent, which Gagey said was due to strikes by Air France pilots and cabin crew and the impact of Islamist militant attacks on French tourism. (Editing by Sudip Kar-Gupta and Alexander Smith) ROME, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Italy's parliament approved on Thursday a government plan to create a 20 billion euro ($21.25 billion) fund to support the country's troubled banks, including Monte dei Paschi di Siena. The government unveiled the project in December and the parliamentary approval means that funds can now be released to a sector weighed down by 350 billion euros of bad loans -- a third of the euro zone's total. The first bank likely to benefit will be Monte dei Paschi, the world's oldest bank, which last year failed to win investor backing for a desperately needed capital increase. The government readied the fund in December on the understanding that the struggling lender had a capital shortfall of 5 billion euros, but the European Central Bank has since estimated the gap at 8.8 billion euros. Despite this jump, ministers have repeatedly asserted that their 20 billion euro fund will be large enough to sort out problems across the country's banking sector. The CEO of Popolare di Vicenza told Il Sole 24 Ore newspaper on Thursday that besides Monte dei Paschi, the state was also expected to step in to help both his own lender and the neighbouring Veneto Banca. The two Veneto-based regional banks, rescued by bailout fund Atlante last year after an attempt to raise money on the market failed, are planning to merge. "The size of the (state) intervention is not known yet and will depend on talks with the ECB and talks between the Treasury and Atlante," CEO Fabrizio Viola told the financial daily. ($1 = 0.9412 euros) (Reporting by Crispian Balmer) By Krishna N. Das COX'S BAZAR, Bangladesh, Feb 16 (Reuters) - The United Nations' refugee agency has asked Bangladesh to allow it to negotiate with the United States, Canada and some European countries to resettle around 1,000 Rohingya Muslims living in the South Asian nation, a senior official at the agency said. Tens of thousands of Rohingya live in Bangladesh after fleeing Buddhist-majority Myanmar since the early 1990s, and their number has been swelled by an estimated 69,000 escaping an army crackdown in northern Rakhine State in recent months. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) would push for resettlement of those most in need, despite growing resistance in some developed countries, particularly the United States under President Donald Trump, UNHCR's Bangladesh representative, Shinji Kubo, told Reuters on Thursday. "UNHCR will continue to work with the authorities concerned, including in the United States," Kubo said. "Regardless of the change in government or government policies, I think UNHCR has a clear responsibility to pursue a protection-oriented resettlement programme." Kubo said 1,000 Rohingya refugees had been identified as priorities for resettlement on medical grounds or because they have been separated from their family members living abroad. "Resettlement will always be a challenging thing because only a small number of resettlement opportunities are being allocated by the international community at the moment," Kubo said in an interview. "But it's our job to try to consult with respective countries based on the protection and humanitarian needs of these individuals." H.T. Imam, a political adviser to Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, said the resettlement proposal was "unrealistic" due to reluctance in the United States and Europe to take further Muslim refugees. Reuters reported this month that officials at an Australian immigration centre in Papua New Guinea were increasing pressure on asylum seekers to return to their home countries voluntarily, including offering large sums of money, amid fears a deal for the United States to take refugees had fallen through. Canada, Australia and the United States were the top providers of asylum to Rohingya Muslims who came to Bangladesh from Myanmar before Dhaka stopped the programme around 2012. A Bangladesh government official said it was feared the programme would encourage more people from Myanmar to use it as a transit country to seek asylum in the West. Canada has said it would welcome those fleeing persecution, terror and war, after Trump put a four-month hold on allowing refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries into the United States, an order since suspended by a U.S. district judge. HOPING FOR ACCESS The UNHCR supports around 34,000 refugees living in two government-registered camps in the Bangladesh coastal district of Cox's Bazar, but a greater number of Rohingya live in makeshift settlements nearby, unregistered and officially ineligible to receive international aid. Kubo said he had asked Bangladesh to give the UN access to all the refugees who have recently arrived, adding that UNHCR and other international agencies were also willing to provide aid to poor Bangladeshis living near the refugee settlements to counter local resentment at the influx. Hasina adviser Imam said providing aid to the new refugees and its citizens was the responsibility of the government. Myanmar said late on Wednesday that a security operation that began after nine police officers were killed in attacks on border security posts on Oct. 9 had now ended. A report released by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on Feb. 3 gave accounts of mass killings and gang rapes by troops during the operation, which it said probably constituted crimes against humanity. Two UN sources have separately told Reuters that more than 1,000 Rohingya may have been killed in the crackdown. Northern Rakhine has been locked down since October, and Myanmar has not said when aid groups or reporters might be allowed in. "We're now hoping for immediate access to the affected areas in northern Rakhine as soon as possible with our resources, our protection expertise," Kubo said. "That will also have a positive impact on what is happening in Bangladesh at the moment." (Reporting by Krishna N. Das in COX'S BAZAR; Additional reporting by Serajul Quadir in DHAKA; Editing by Alex Richardson) By Tiisetso Motsoeneng JOHANNESBURG, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Minority investors in South Africa's Shoprite are worried they're getting a raw deal in the supermarket chain's potential tie-up with international furniture and household goods merchant Steinhoff to create an African retail giant. Under the proposed deal, Steinhoff will sell its African assets to Shoprite in return for a controlling stake in the $8 billion grocery chain, and Steinhoff will exchange its shares for those of Shoprite's top two shareholders. If approved, it will allow Steinhoff to hive off its struggling African assets - made up mainly of clothing, shoe and textile company Pepkor - into a new, separately listed merged entity called Retail Africa and possibly prompt a higher investor rating for its fast-growing European businesses. But three minority shareholders in Shoprite that spoke to Reuters are not in favour of a merger they say will short-change them and benefit Steinhoff investors and Christo Wiese, a top shareholder in both companies and the architect of the estimated 180 billion rand ($14 billion) proposed deal. The push back, although not enough to torpedo the deal at this stage, could complicate it if their views spread, and could test the retail billionaire's determination to bring more of his assets under one roof. At the heart of the Shoprite investors' complaints are a lack of obvious cost savings from overlaps between Pepkor's shoe, furniture and clothing chains and grocery retailer Shoprite and exchanging a stock with bigger potential for what they called inferior businesses. "It's a good deal for Steinhoff shareholders but it's not a great deal for Shoprite shareholders," said Tota Tsotsotso, managing director at Bataung Capital, a Shoprite shareholder. He declined to disclose the stake the fund holds in the company. "Through this deal, Shoprite will inherit some problematic businesses in Steinhoff while Steinhoff will add a defensive, fast-growing supermarket chain to its portfolio." Steinhoff's African businesses, which include furniture store JD Group and electronics brand Incredible Connection, have been a drag on earnings due to weak consumer spending, slowing economies and faltering currencies. Operating profit at those businesses grew just 1 percent last year, compared with a 16 percent rise at Steinhoff's European chains and almost double in Australasia. SHARES UNDER PRESSURE The deal has depressed Shoprite's stock price. It booked its worst one-day fall in more than a decade on Dec. 14 when the talks were announced and has extended losses to about 15 percent at around 175 rand since then as of this week. Zwelakhe Mnguni, chief investment officer at Benguela Global Fund Manager, a Shoprite investor, said a merger could further dampen a stock that has big upside potential because Shoprite's store and supply chain network outside its maturing home market had reached a stage where it can be scaled up. Shoprite's shares should be trading at 205 rand, or nearly 20 percent higher that the current level, based on its most likely earnings growth trajectory, according to Thomson Reuters Starmine intrinsic valuation model. "Our assessment is that this deal is not in the best interests of our clients," said Mnguni, whose firm owns nearly 1 billion rand ($75 million) worth of Shoprite shares. "There are no obvious synergies in the deal, so the idea of creating an African retail giant doesn't make sense." Shoprite and Steinhoff have said the deal will not lead to job cuts. Another fund manager, who owns shares in Shoprite, said the takeover appeared tailored to benefit Wiese, who told Reuters in September a merger would be a "natural development" as he continued to look for ways to consolidate his assets. "I can't see either party adding value to each other. It's obviously in Christo Wiese's long-term interests and doesn't mean it's in other shareholders' interests," said Evan Walker, a fund manager at 360ne Asset Management. Wiese, who initiated the tie-up along with the Public Investment Corporation (PIC), has 16 percent in Shoprite and 23 percent in Steinhoff and is a board member in both. Government-owned pension fund PIC is the second-biggest investor in Shoprite and Steinhoff with 11 percent and 8 percent, respectively. The companies have not disclosed the exchange ratio of the all-share deal but one retail banker expected the two businesses to be combined at around 12 times Shoprite's estimated 2017 core earnings, or EBIT, and closer to 15 times Steinhoff's African retail assets. That multiple values the combination at more than 180 billion rand ($13.52 billion). "Pepkor might fetch a higher valuation than Shoprite. They are both affected by weak economies in Africa but Pepkor boasts higher margins," the retail banker, who declined to be named, said. 'SPAZA SHOP' The transaction would require the backing of 75 percent of both companies' shareholders to go through. It could be a sure thing if Wiese and the PIC are allowed to vote their shares. Besides his direct Shoprite holding, Wiese owns another 35 percent in deferred shares, which carry the same voting rights, through his investment vehicle, Thibault Square, meaning he controls about 50 percent of Shoprite's voting rights. Given that Wiese and PIC, led by Chief Executive Dan Matjila, are the architects of the tie-up and significant shareholders in both companies, experts say they could possibly be barred by the Takeover Regulation Panel from voting their shares, giving minorities a bigger say in the fate of the deal. The two companies said last month they were still in exclusive talks. Wiese did not respond to emailed requests for comment but other investors in Steinhoff said there was scope for cost-savings between Shoprite and Pepkor. "There may be some synergies between food and clothing even though it does not seem obvious at first glance," said Nino Frodema, portfolio manager at Vunani Fund Managers, holders of Steinhoff shares. He cited Shoprite rival Pick and Pay's clothing business, which had been "growing quite well in a predominately food supply chain infrastructure". A top 10 investor, who owns shares in both companies, said his fund was in favour of the potential tie-up because it would create a diversified African retailer that could take on the likes of U.S. company Wal-Mart, clothing chain Zara and UK grocer Tesco. "You cannot do it with a spaza shop," the investor said, referring to local 'mom and pop' stores found in South African suburbs. ($1 = 13.0844 rand) (Editing by Susan Thomas) By Philip Blenkinsop STRASBOURG, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau praised the European Union on Thursday as an unprecedented model for peaceful cooperation, in a speech to EU lawmakers that contrasted sharply with the critical stance of U.S. President Donald Trump. Speaking to the European Parliament a day after it backed a comprehensive free trade deal between Canada and the EU known as CETA, Trudeau said the 28-nation bloc had a crucial global role to play. By contrast, Trump has questioned the value and future of the EU and has applauded Britain's shock decision to leave it. "You are a vital player in addressing the challenges that we collectively face as an international community ... Indeed the whole world benefits from a strong EU," Trudeau told delighted EU lawmakers in his speech, delivered in English and French. Canada and the EU share a belief in democracy, transparency and the rule of law, human rights, inclusion and diversity, said Trudeau, who is also due to visit Germany on his European tour. "We know that, in these times, we must choose to lead the international economy, not simply be subject to its whims," he added. CETA AS MODEL TO TRUMP? With the passage of their trade deal, Canada and the EU offer a counter to Trump, who has withdrawn from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and wants to rework the North American Free Trade Agreement. Trump told Trudeau in talks in Washington on Monday that the United States would only be "tweaking" its trade ties with Canada. For Canada, the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) with the EU is important to reduce its reliance on the neighbouring United States as an export market. For the EU, it is a first trade pact with a G7 country and a timely success after Britain's vote to leave the bloc last year harmed its credibility. Brexit supporters want to focus more on reviving trade with former British colonies, including Canada. "We are in a globalised world and how we make sure that we are turning that into opportunities for small businesses and our citizens is the challenge of our time," said Trudeau. Trump got elected partly by those who felt opportunities were slipping away, fearing for themselves and their children, Trudeau said, anxieties shared by people in Canada and Europe. "Hopefully this spring the vast majority of the provisions of CETA are going to start impacting small business, workers, consumers. People will immediately begin to see the tangible benefits that come from trade deals such as this one." Both Canada and the EU have to ensure that CETA, set to come into force in months, worked. "If we are successful, CETA will become the blueprint for all ambitious, future trade deals. If we are not, this could very well be the last. So make no mistake, this is an important moment for us." (Reporting By Philip Blenkinsop; Editing by Alastair Macdonald and Gareth Jones) ATHENS, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Cyprus reunification talks broke off on Thursday, sources at the meeting said, after the Greek Cypriot parliament voted to commemorate a 1950 plebiscite seeking union with Greece - angering Turkish Cypriots. Thursday's meeting between Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades and his Turkish Cypriot counterpart, Mustafa Akinci, ended about an hour after it started, sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said. It was not clear if their schedule of weekly meetings would be disrupted. The talks aim to end the division of the island, for decades a source of tension between NATO allies Greece and Turkey and an obstacle to Turkey's bid to join the European Union. Cyprus's parliament, comprised solely of Greek Cypriots, adopted a resolution on Feb. 9 commemorating a 1950 unofficial referendum where more than 95 percent of that community voted for "enosis", or union, with Greece. Thursday's hiccup underscores the sensitivities of Cyprus, split in a Turkish invasion in 1974 triggered by a brief Greek Cypriot coup by elements of the military seeking union with Greece. The two sides gave differing accounts of what happened on Thursday. Anastasiades said he took a short break and returned to find Akinci gone. Akinci said Anastasiades walked out, slamming the door. "It's up to Anastasiades to reopen the door that he banged behind him in the middle of today's meeting," Akinci said. Anastasiades said he asked for an interruption after a brief disagreement with United Nations interlocutors: "The discussion was held in a friendly and constructive climate ... the Turkish Cypriot delegation left without cause." "Enosis" has always been a deep source of resentment among Turkish Cypriots, and was the cause of inter-communal clashes in the 1960s shortly after the island gained independence from Britain. The notion of unification with Greece has, officially at least, been abandoned as a concept for decades. The Mediterranean island has been a member state of the EU since 2004. Last week's vote was proposed by a small nationalist party. Anastasiades's conservatives abstained and the left-wing party voted against it. (Reporting by Michele Kambas; Editing by Robin Pomeroy) By Nate Raymond NEW YORK, Feb 16 (Reuters) - An executive at a Beverly Hills gallery and auction house who briefly starred in a reality TV show has been charged with conspiring to facilitate the sale and exportation of 15 rhinoceros horns worth $2.4 million. Jacob Chait, the youngest son of the founder of I.M. Chait Gallery/Auctioneers, was charged in an indictment unsealed on Wednesday in Manhattan federal court with a single conspiracy count in connection with the wildlife trafficking scheme. His indictment came after his older brother, Joseph Chait, was sentenced in June 2016 to one year in prison for conspiring to smuggle at least $1 million in animal products that included rhino horn and elephant ivory. A lawyer for Jacob Chait, 34, could not immediately be identified. The case comes as conservationists and law enforcement officials in the United States and globally have been trying to crack down on the illegal trade in products from the two threatened species. U.S. authorities say rhino horn-made libation cups are particularly in demand in Asia, resulting in a thriving black market. Most species of rhinoceros are extinct or on the brink of extinction as a result, prosecutors said. Chait, of Los Angeles, served as the head of acquisitions at I.M. Chait, which was founded by his father, Isadore Chait. He was featured in a 2012 Discovery Channel reality television show focused on memorabilia sellers called "Final Offer." According to the indictment, from 2008 to 2012, Chait and others acquired and traded rhino horns that they sold to foreign customers and helped the buyers export them without proper paperwork and by hiding them in luggage. The indictment said the scheme involved 15 horns worth $2.4 million, some of which were smuggled out of the country in connection with sales to buyers in China. The case is not the first to involve the I.M. Chait auction house. Actor Nicholas Cage in 2015 agreed to turn over a rare stolen dinosaur skull he bought from I.M. Chait after U.S. authorities filed a civil forfeiture complaint seeking to take possession of the item so it could be repatriated to Mongolia. Neither Cage nor the gallery was accused of wrongdoing in the affair. (Reporting by Nate Raymond in New York; Editing by Dan Grebler) By Luke Baker WASHINGTON, Feb 16 (Reuters) - As he stood on the podium next to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, U.S. President Donald Trump said he was open to new ideas that would bring Middle East peace. With that, he opened the door to a whole new maze of complexity and risk. By uttering the phrase "one-state" - rather than a two-state solution to the conflict, the bedrock of international diplomacy for two decades - he went where past presidents and most leaders feared to tread, knowing the loaded implications. The creation of a binational or single state that encompasses both Israel and Palestinian territories is not a viable option for most Israelis and Palestinians for religious, political and demographic reasons. "So I'm looking at two-state and one-state, and I like the one that both parties like," Trump said with an almost offhand air, emphasizing that for him the main aim was "to see a deal." "I'm very happy with the one that both parties like. I can live with either one." The problem is the parties - Israelis and Palestinians - may find it just as hard, if not harder, to live with a one-state solution as two states side-by-side, depending on how it is defined and what ideals underpin it. While not the taboo it was a few years ago - Israel's president is an advocate and many younger Palestinians discuss the concept - the idea of one state is freighted with questions of identity, ethnicity, religion and democracy that cut to the essence of the conflict. Saeb Erekat, the Palestinian chief negotiator, suggested the overriding risk was that Israel ended up holding the upper hand, creating one state with two separate systems - one for Jews and one for Arabs - mirroring South Africa's apartheid. ONE SECULAR STATE? With efforts to forge a two-state solution having largely gone nowhere in the last 20 years, despite exhaustive international effort, it is natural that leaders and diplomats begin to examine other possibilities. In that respect, one state can seem a simpler, cleaner and more elegant solution. But at the heart of Israel's identity, from before its creation nearly 70 years ago, is the idea that it is a nation for the Jewish people. One of Netanyahu's core and unwavering demands is that Palestinians recognize Israel as a Jewish state. If one state is created from the estimated 16 million people now living in Israel, Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem, it would be extremely difficult for it to remain both Jewish and democratic - nearly half the population is Muslim or Christian, and the Palestinian birthrate is rising more rapidly than the Israeli one. Academics and free-thinkers on the left and the right often circulate proposals for a single, binational state, or some similar formulation, but in opponents' minds that quickly raises questions about the primacy of law and language, and whether the Palestinians, who have so long lived without a state, would have equal billing within a binational structure. Beyond the many profound issues of identity lie simple-sounding but thorny questions: What would the single state be called? Could it be secular and Jewish? Would Muslims from other states be free to visit? Which legal system would apply? Would Arab or Muslim countries recognize the new entity? DIFFERENT MEANINGS To many settlers on Israel's right, the term "one state" can mean Israeli sovereignty over the entire West Bank, while to some on the left in Europe and the United States, it can be a euphemism for a binational state with no Israel, said David Makovsky, director of the Project on the Middle East Peace Process at the Washington Institute. "Whoever uses this term needs to be very careful in how it is used since it means opposite approaches," he said. "Polls show only a minority of Israelis and Palestinians favor either definition of one state." A poll on Thursday showed exactly that. The survey of 2,400 Israelis and Palestinians conducted by the Tami Steinmetz Center at Tel Aviv University and the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research in Ramallah showed 55 percent of Israelis and 44 percent of Palestinians favor a two-state solution. The survey showed far lower support for a one-state outcome. That is perhaps one reason why Netanyahu was careful not to reference a one-state solution at the news conference. He knows that buried behind the one-state label are concepts that could undermine the essence of an independent Jewish state, while not being attractive to the Palestinians either. Briefing reporters after meeting Trump, Netanyahu did not rule out two states, saying his language on it had been consistent since 2009, when he made a landmark speech accepting the objective, albeit with conditions. On Thursday, Trump's ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, told reporters: "We absolutely support the two-state solution but we are thinking out of the box as well." Trump may not have known quite how loaded his mention of a one-state solution was, but he also emphasized it was not up to him in the end. The parties must agree. "I'm happy with the one they like the best," he said. (Additional reporting by Matt Spetalnick in Washington; Editing by Howard Goller) MEXICO CITY, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Mexico's agriculture minister said on Thursday he will lead a business delegation to Argentina and Brazil to buy yellow corn, part of a drive to lessen Mexico's dependence on U.S. exports as President Donald Trump threatens to upend long-standing free trade between the two countries. The trip will happen within the next 20 days, Agriculture Secretary Jose Calzada said, adding that the government could explore quotas and changing the tariff regime for imports from South America if needed. For years, Mexico has relied on U.S. yellow corn imports under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). With $2.3 billion of imports in 2016, Mexico is by far the biggest foreign buyer. U.S. farming groups have lobbied Trump about the benefits of the relationship. Faced with Trump's threats to renegotiate or totally scrap NAFTA, Mexico is now turning to other markets to guarantee its supply of the grain, which is mainly used for animal feed and industry, Calzada said. "It's not a trip to open relationships or of goodwill, it's a trip to do deals," he said. "We are very interested in our producers seeing the opportunity to import grains from Argentina, and yesterday I spoke to the Brazilian ambassador." In 2016, Mexico imported almost 13 million tonnes of yellow corn. Brazil and Argentina are the second- and third-largest exporters of corn in the world. Calzada also said the ministry was planning trips to Ukraine and Russia to look at buying wheat, with Russia also interested in buying Mexican beef. During his campaign, Trump called Mexicans rapists and criminals and has insisted that Mexico country will pay for a huge wall he plans to build along the southern U.S. border, leading Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto to cancel a Washington summit. Since taking office Trump's team has also threatened steep border taxes on Mexican-made products as a way to pay for the wall. "There has been international sympathy for Mexico because of what we've been seeing in recent days," Calzada said. "Mexico should take advantage of it." (Reporting by Adriana Barrera and Christine Murray; Editing by Leslie Adler) School Principals of leading Colombo schools, several of whom were forced to discipline students who were found to have been part of clashes that occurred on Wednesday (15), said that they had been put in an awkward position as a result of strictures imposed by institutions such as the Human Rights Commission (HRC) with regards to student discipline. These principals had conveyed this to Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam during an urgent meeting held at the Ministry to discuss the clashes that broke out between two groups of students of Ananda and Nalanda and another incident at D. S. Senanayake College and also to discuss future security measures to be taken during the big match season to prevent such clashes from taking place. Minister Kariyawasam inquired from the principals as to what action they had taken with regard to the recent clashes. He pointed out that Circular no: 2016/12 includes measures to be followed when safeguarding discipline at schools and it had empowered School Disciplinary Boards to take action against students who breach discipline. However, principals were of the opinion that it was extremely difficult for them to adhere to this circular due to recommendations of the HRC and other institutions which had put forward procedures to be followed when disciplining students. The minister instructed relevant authorities and officials to create a strong mechanism to uphold discipline among students. He instructed officials to immediately recruit teachers who are counsellors and highlighted the importance of upholding discipline in schools. Principals and teachers are directly responsible for discipline among students. Parents too should share the responsibility of disciplining their children, the minister said. Principals and vice principals of Ananda, Nalanda, D. S. Senanayake, Royal, Thurstan, Isipathana and Mahanama Colleges in Colombo, Prince of Wales College and St. Sebastian's College in Moratuwa, St. Thomas' College-Mt. Lavinia and Sri Dharmaloka Vidyalaya - Kelaniya attended the meeting. Five Nalanda students, who were arrested by the Borella Police in connection with Wednesdays clash with Ananda College students, were ordered to be released on bail by Colombo Additional Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake today. They were released on surety bail of Rs. 100,000 each. The Borella Police brought charges under the Penal Code against the suspects for damaging an SLTB bus and assaulting students of the Ananda College. Before releasing the suspects, the Magistrate strictly warned them to avoid violence. (Shehan Chamika Silva) Under the theme Be the Best, Coca-Cola Beverages Sri Lanka Ltd. recently hosted its annual National Sales Conference for 2017. The event took place at Stein Studios in Ratmalana and was attended by over 800 members of the Coca-Cola sales team. Regional Sales Managers, Executives, Distributors, Sales Representatives and Key Accounts Teams were all recognized for their achievements and ongoing commitment. The awards ceremony was graced by Mayank Arora Managing Director, Coca-Cola Beverages Sri Lanka Ltd, Sonu Grover Managing Director, Coca-Cola Sri Lanka Private Limited along with several members of the companys senior management. Muditha Adikari Country Sales Manager, Coca-Cola Beverages Sri Lanka Ltd commented: I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Coca-Cola sales team for their ongoing dedication and success in Sri Lanka. Each member of the team has played a pivotal role in driving our business growth in this market and the region. The passion, commitment and hard work that is continuously demonstrated by our team at every level across Coca-Colas operation in Sri Lanka is truly commendable. I am honoured to be a part of this driven team that is renowned across the island for their impeccable work ethic and dynamism. Coinciding with Independence Day on February 4, instead of only impressive talks and military parades, Sri Lanka also had the privilege of the historic Right to Information Act coming into operation -- guaranteeing to the people their fundamental right to information about what is done with billions in public money and resources. The Daily Mirror in an editorial on February 3, the day on which the RTI Act came into operation called for adequate financial and other resources to be provided to the RTI Commission and for civic action groups to act proactively and seek information on big public contracts, projects and other deals to ensure transparency and accountability by political leaders and state officials. A good governance group translated this editorial into Sinhala and circulated it among the people so that the RTI Act could become a solid base whereby the right to information is ensured and more importantly politicians and top officials are not allowed to do big private business with public funds. The RTI commission in a media statement this week says it is encouraged by the support and interest evidenced by the people in regard to the effective working of the RTI Act. The Act was operationalised in respect of Public Authorities (PAs) on February 3. The Commission published a public notice in the newspapers in all three national languages on January 29 and February 2. The Daily Mirror advises the citizens to carefully read these notices so that they could act effectively to ensure transparency and accountability when handling public money and prevent the type of corruption and frauds, kickbacks and commissions revealed during the past 10 years. The Commission points out it is the central oversight, policy-making and enforcement agency and the appeal body established under the Act. It is a statutorily independent body entrusted with the task of guiding implementing agencies and users of RTI, ensuring compliance with the Act and hearing appeals. According to the Commission, the Act was enacted to bring about a major democratising transformation of relations between the citizens and the government. It imposes important new obligations of openness on public authorities which include constitutional and statutory entities, government departments and bodies, corporate bodies in which the government has a controlling interest, provincial and local authorities as well as courts, tribunals and institutions established to administer justice. This also includes private entities working under contract, agreement, licence or a partnership with the government -- where their statutory or public service or function is concerned -- higher educational, private vocational or technical educational institutions established, recognised or licensed under any written law or funded wholly or partly by the State and nongovernmental organizations rendering a service to the public. The Commission says it wishes to inform citizens they are now able to exercise a right to access information held by these public authorities, subject only to a few exceptions, which are subject to the public interest override. New norms are established for public authorities to proactively share information. The Commission also says it is still in its early days and is operating in an interim capacity with a skeletal staff and from temporary premises. Yet the five-member Commission says it is committed to building a strong independent operation with the expertise and capacity to support all those who seek and provide public information. To that end, the Commission has developed rules on fees and appeals and provided feedback to the nodal agency, the Ministry of Parliamentary Reforms and Mass Media on Regulations in regard to the effective implementation of the RTI Act. According to the Commission, the February 3 gazette regulation strengthens proactive disclosure and obligations, stipulate criteria for the appointment of information officers and an open re-use policy. The rules specify a pro-people fee schedule, informal hearings of appeals and exceptionally states that if an appeal is successful to the designated officer or the commission, fees for that information will not be charged. The Commission notes that participation and feedback by citizens is vital to bringing about a culture of accountability and openness. This is the primary objective of the RTI Act and the commission looks forward to proactive public engagement in that regard. Yes, it is true that there is rampant corruption in the Government even now as we inherited a corrupt system from the last administration and practices of that regime were yet there, Minister for Strategic Development & International Trade, Malik Samarawickrama had accepted in an interview with Ceylon Today on February 12, 2017. What he tries to convey is that, the system inherited and they, the Government are two totally different entities running the country. That it is the system inherited that is corrupt but not their Government. This ad hoc coalition was not voted to Government to provide such excuses even after two years in power. The promises at two consecutive elections were not just to investigate the previous Rajapaksa rule for mega corruption. The promise was to ensure clean and democratic Governance with accountability and transparency. Yet, Sri Lanka under this good governance unity rule has slipped down the list of the corrupt, during their two year rule since January 2015. When Rajapaksa was voted out of power, Sri Lanka was rated 79th corrupt country in the world by the Transparency International. During the past two years under PM Wickremesinghe (19A bifurcated the position Head of State & Government into two, making PM the head of government) Sri Lanka was consistent in slipping down to 83 in 2015 and 85 in 2016. This unity government for over 02 years has failed to perform and deliver on promises made. It is into heavy corruption, with the top three in Government who plan and run the economy, public finances and approve all development projects publicly accused of big time corruption. There are many reasons why it is so. First is the fact that over the past 40 years since President Jayewardene opened up the economy for unrestricted free trade, every aspect of socio political and economic life along with social values, morals and ethics went through serious and drastic changes for the worst. Political parties changed into power blocs without any democracy within them and became wholly dependent on private sector funding for their existence. The system of governance became increasingly politicised and corrupt. Also the middle class professionals along with politicians who profit from this open market economy. Degeneration and erosion of professional ethics and morals have left them and their organisations playing dirty. It is therefore wrong in a neo liberal free market economy to hold politicians alone responsible for all corruption. In these free market economies the professionals, the major players in urban middle class society collaborate and facilitate corruption with their professional services. Corruption without professional assistance and support is impossible. For that reason alone, the Chartered Accountants of SL (CASL), the foremost professional association of Accountants has never intervened in maintaining professional standards among its membership, though bound to uphold professional ethics. It is a fact there cannot be big time corruption in any major project, IF the Accountants stick to professional conduct. But they sure dont. Free market economies dont need clean and efficient judiciaries and law enforcement agencies. Independence of the judiciary depends on non-partisan investigating and prosecuting agencies with lawyers upholding morals and ethics that is no more. A girl who was raped when 17 years old, represented by Lawyers in Courts was 31 years when the ruling was made. If all components of a judicial process including lawyers are clean and efficient, no case could get dragged for decades. That not being so, the Bar Association of SL (BASL), has also turned out as a heavily politicised organisation sans professional responsibility. The type the free market economies nurture. The medical profession is no different or far worse. Their professional association the GMOA plays truant with free health to nurture private practise. They are the main factor in promoting investment in modern private hospitals and making private sector health service extremely lucrative. Their hard line on free education therefore is a fraud with free health sabotaged for profits. Morals and ethics unknown to this profession, citizens who paid for all their education including 05 years of medical college studies and continue to pay their salaries, numerous allowances, DAT, over time and forego taxes for their duty free cars as direct and indirect taxpayers are charged for medical services by doctors to increase the size of their wallet undermining free health. (In SL, from the beggar on the street, every citizen pays indirect taxes that account for 80 per cent of the total tax revenue of the State) With heavily politicised State administration, public officials in ministries and departments are complicit in most mega corruptions. Ministry Secretaries are the Chief Accounting officers in all ministries. No minister could rob, unless the Secretaries aid and assist. Free markets in neo liberal economies are that. This free market economic model which is an urban phenomenon is all about corrupting governing systems for unrestricted profiteering. It needs professionals to run the systems for bigger and bigger profits. We therefore have a growing urban middle class that competes for income gain and wealth necessary for cosy expensive living. They therefore wouldnt want any dent on the status quo within this free market economy that allows them the privilege to amass wealth. Forty years of neo liberal free market economy would not be anything else. Globally the middle class intellectual thinking had been groomed to fit into this liberal democracy as its main consumers. In SL as in all neo liberal economies, private business provided with long term tax holidays, tax waivers, tax reductions and State funded special concessions for land and infrastructure, have invested in mainstream political parties to influence government policy in their favour. All governments voted at elections therefore have been more corrupt than the previous government. Within this accelerated corruption with political parties funded by the corrupt, the liberal consumer democracy provides the urban middle class a competitive but a comfortable and a privileged life. They thus take over the responsibility of promising society of controlling corruption through reforms. Unless the society is told this mess can be cleaned up, this free market economy the urban middle class grows in, could be challenged by the majority who are left out of it. The only advantage the present urban middle class has for now in maintaining the status quo is the dilapidated Left including the JVP that has no intellectual contribution in proposing alternatives. The neo liberal free market is therefore accepted as the only plausible development model by society with middle class led anti corruption campaigns. The type we saw even in India with Anna Hazare who came on the streets before Narendra Modi got his act together and faded off thereafter. None had succeeded in cleaning up corruption and voting clean governments to power in neo liberal economies. These anti corruption campaigns nevertheless are given social space in neo liberal democracies for they help in changing governments to continue with neo liberalism. In Sri Lanka Rev. Maduluwave Sobitha Thera is recognised and respected for the change of government in 2015 January as it was with Anna Hazare, the hero in pre Narendra Modi India. These middle class anti corruption campaigns lead to nothing but change of governments but not the corrupt free market economy. A change of government in 2015 January helped continue with a tested and proved corrupt economic model that can never be cleaned up. Frustrations in these neo liberal economies that marginalise the larger majority, lead to majoritarian anti secular fanaticism. It is a necessary political factor in continuing this free market neo liberal economy. The Sinhala Buddhist campaigns here in the South led by the Joint Opposition and other Sinhala extremist groups as that of the extremist Hindutva campaigns led by RSS and its affiliates like the VHP in India, are necessary political developments. They grow louder than anti-corruption lobbying shifting the social mood from economics to patriotism of the majority. Electoral and Constitutional reforms the middle class champion as necessary for cleaner and accountable governance thereafter are compromised to win the support of the majoritarian fanatical vote at elections. The dilemma of the TNA leadership as with frustrated middle class elements is in their inability to read politics of neo liberalism. In their inability to understand the sheer crudeness of neo liberal democracies in free market economies that require a compromise with majoritarianism for continued profiteering in an unrestricted economy. It is therefore necessary to demand alternate democratic development strategies for far reaching democratic and inclusive reforms. It is Necessary to demand an alternate development model to this neo liberal economy that would also accompany power sharing in a participatory democracy. The absence of which, allows this unity government to continue as corrupt or more corrupt than the Rajapaksa regime compromising with Sinhala Buddhist demands for political survival. Good governance therefore is nothing more than mega corruption within this economic model that breeds inequality, breeds injustice and breeds racial and religious conflicts too. Says its up to govt. to decide the stake to be given to Chinese But says controlling stake should be with Chinese for operational efficiency Asserts port without industrial zone makes little sense Agreement signing will only be after FR case is resolved China is flexible on the conditions of the drafted Hambantota port agreement, Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Yi Xianliang said yesterday amid the contradicting statements made by powerful cabinet ministers during the past several months. We are flexible. This is a decision by the (Sri Lankan) government. We never requested a definite how much portion or percentage of shares. This is totally decided by the government. China is flexible, whether it is 80 percent or 60 percent, he said. Xianliang was making these comments after delivering the Sujata Jayawardena Memorial Lecture organised by the University of Colombo Alumni Association at the BMICH last night, where he deviated wildly from a prepared lecture to deliver a politically-charged speech. He said that a Chinese company, whether it is China Port Merchant Holdings (CMPH) or China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), should own at least 51 percent of the port for operational control and efficiency. Both the entities are controlled by the Chinese state, which was the reason given by Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake for not opting for an international tender in finding a party to run the Hambantota port, since government-to-government relations were preferable. Development Strategies and International Trade Minister Malik Samarawickrama recently claimed that CMPH offered to buy 80 percent of the shares of the port for US $ 1.12 billion for 99 years, which was the best deal for Sri Lanka, compared to the CHEC deal of 65 percent of shares for 50 years for US $ 750 million. Samarawickrama remained adamant that the current government would only go ahead with the CMPH deal, following the claims by the former President Mahinda Rajapaksa that CHEC offered a better deal, which was profitable to Sri Lankathe deal he would have followed had he remained in power. Xianliang further contradicted Samarawickramas claims that China would go ahead with the port investment, even if it doesnt get the industrial zone. I dont believe these are two issues. If no zone, the port might be a little bit difficult, Xianliang said, after stating that it was he who suggested to both the Sri Lankan and Chinese governments to set up a special industrial zone. The industrial zone and port together would draw up to US $ 10 billion in investments over five years, which Sri Lanka is sorely in need of, to rectify the balance of payment issues. China is banking on the Hambantota port on its One Belt, One Road initiative, which aims to revive the ancient land and maritime silk route, in order to ensure Chinas energy security. However, Xianliang said the port would not be profitable without an industrial zone. However, he said that disagreements between individuals shouldnt bloat into bilateral issues. Of course, I have differences with some ministers but these are not differences between two states. Both these projects will be important for Sri Lanka in the future. So we go ahead or we stop here, he added. He also said that the agreement, which is already drafted, would not be signed until the fundamental rights (FR) case filed at the Supreme Court claiming that the port sale is illegal, is resolved. A fortnight ago, Karunanayake said that Sri Lanka and China are hoping to finish off the Hambantota port deal within the very week. Samarawickrama last December said the agreement would be signed by early January. Xianliang said that China would not have tolerated the levels of opposition it is facing from Sri Lanka from any other country, which shows the friendship between the two nations. I remember the president (Xi Jingping) telling me I have patience but Im worried about our business people, Xianliang said. He said that many of the investors who are hoping to relocate businesses to Hambantota and who are interested in setting up operations in the Colombo Port City are Fortune 500 companies and their CEOs prefer to invest in other countries, given the delays experienced with entering Sri Lanka. Xianliang also reassured the residents of Hambantota by promising that China would neither go ahead with the acquisition of residential land without permission, nor acquire arable land. He further added that he would like the support of Sri Lankan academia and students, likely referring to the active lobbying power of these circles. He said that the relations between the two countries should depend on the people and not on ideologies or economics. (Chandeepa Wettasinghe) Indian Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar will visit Sri Lanka from February 18 to 20 during the course of which a wide range of bilateral issues will be discussed, the IANS today said. The visit will continue the tradition of close exchanges with Sri Lanka that has gained momentum in the last two years, Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said in his weekly media briefing in New Delhi. The Foreign Secretary is scheduled to interact with the Sri Lankan leadership for discussions on possibilities of collaboration and cooperation in a number of sectors including power, highways, airport and hydrocarbon sector. Swarup said the visit would help in taking stock on various decisions taken during the meetings between the two leaderships. The Inter University Students' Federation (IUSF), at a meeting with President Maithripala Sirisena today said the President had so far failed to take a firm stance on the South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine (SAITM) issue. IUSF Convener Lahiru Weerasekara said President Sirisena had informed them that he was yet to discuss the issue with the representatives of SAITM. The President earlier promised us that a decision would be taken soon with regards to the SAITM issue, but today he admitted that he was yet to discuss the matter with the relevant authorities, he said. He said they had informed the President that students belonging to eight medical faculties continue to refrain from taking part in lectures until a proper solution was given to them with regards to the SAITM issue. Meanwhile, President Sirisena has advised students of university student federations to attend lectures. The President had promised to make a decision on SAITM after holding talks with other student federations, the deans of the eight medical faculties, Sri Lanka Medical Council(SLMC), University Grants Commission (UGC) and the SAITM administration. The discussion was held yesterday at the Presidential Secretariat with the participation of IUSF representatives, members of Medical Faculty Student Activists Committee and the Inter University Bhikku Federation (IUBF). (Yoshitha Perera) A well-known figure in Buddhist circles, J.H. Karunarathna, passed away peacefully on February 10, 2017 at his residence at 33, Abeysinharama Road, Colombo 10. At the time of death he was 94 years old. Born in 1923 to a much respected Buddhist family in Welpalla in Pitigal Koralaya, Katugampola Hatpattuva in the Kurunegala District, he had his education at the Welpalla Buddhist Boys School and Welpalla Dhamma School and showed his distinction in passing all the examinations at that level. Fortune brought him to Colombo and due to circumstances he got interested in the motor car spare parts business. He started as an assistant in a motor spare parts enterprise run by a relative of his in a small room at the Bauddha Mandiraya, Fort. Later he established his own business in Panchikawatta and Slave Island under the name Karunarathna Motor Stores in premises owned by him. My first acquaintance with late Mr. Karunarathna was in 1960 when the Sasana Sevaka Society of Maharagama, under the patronage of Most Venerable Madihe Pannasiha Mahanayaka Thera and Ven. Ampitiye Sri Rahula Maha Thera, elected me as one of the Joint Secretaries, the other being Mr. Karunarathna. I continued with him as Joint Secretary until 1964 and later became a Vice President, its President from 1985 -1992, and still later as President Emeritus until 2015. Mr. Karunarathna continued to be one of its Joint Secretaries and has the longest innings in the post of Secretary until he voluntarily retired from that position in 1994. The position of Secretary is one that he cherished very much. He had a perfect hand and all admired his lucid style of writing. I cannot remember any occasion when his record of minutes of a meeting was challenged. He knew what to record and what not to record. It was not the Hansard style where every word was recorded verbatim (allowing for expunging), nor brief like the recording of a Cabinet decision. It was midway between the two and what was recorded could stand on its own feet without references. They formed a valid basis for me to write the history of the Sasana Sevaka Society when it celebrated its golden jubilee in 2007. This speaks much for Mr. Karunarathnas calibre. He was a life member of almost all the leading Buddhist organisations in the country and held the position of Secretary of some of them, the most notable were Pettah Buddhist Society started in 1949 (40 years its secretary), Sri Lanka Temperance Society started in 1912 (25 years), Panchikawatta Maranadhara Society (22 Years), Fort Sri Bodhiraja Society (15 years), Buddhist Theosophical Society (nearly 10 years). A peep into his life will indicate what a disciplined person he was. In 1993, when he completed 50 years of service to the Buddha Sasana and the community he published in book-form excerpts from the personal diaries he had maintained. The title of his publication was J.H.Karunarathna biography, namely, My Services J.H. Karunarathna Caritapadanaya nohoth Mage Sevaya. In the introduction he has mentioned that from the age of 12 he got used to writing down important events relating to his life and of general significance in exercise books and from 1940 onwards he switched on to printed diaries to keep records. That was the training ground for that rare skill he possessed of recording events truthfully and precisely. An activity that was very close to his heart was organising regular sermons at the Bauddha Mandiraya, Fort under the auspices of the Pettah Buddhist Society. With what glee he had mentioned that during 1949 and 1993 he was responsible for organising personally 385 Bana sermons. After he purchased his car, he himself drove the invited monks from their temples to Fort and back. He relished this activity because he was able thereby to come into close contact with some of the most erudite monks who were excellent expositors of the Dhamma. That was the immediate reward he expected. Most Venerable Palene Vajiranana Mahanayaka Thera was one of his closest spiritual mentors. He has mentioned in his biographical sketch that he associated with over 200 monks. Special reference has been made to Most Venerable Kalukondayawe Pannasekara Maha Thera, Ven. Pandita Hammalava Saddhatissa Maha Thera, Ven. Madihe Pannasiha Mahanayaka Thera, Ven. Narada Maha Thera and Piyadassi Maha Thera. Among lay leaders he had the fortune to associate were Professor G.P. Malalasekera, P.P. Wickramaarachchi, Dr. A.P.de Zoysa and journalist, Piyasena Nissanka. There is much more that could be written. But the appreciation above will give a snapshot view of the true qualities of real Buddhist leadership. The Buddha Sasana has survived so far because of such noble people who have served with silence and without praise. Let me end with his words: Rather than wasting my time I have utilised the greater part of it in service to my country, my people, and society, and especially in serving Buddhist organisations. When I think of this I am overjoyed that my life is well spent. How many of us could utter such wonderful words being true to one-self. May J.H. Karunarathna attain the supreme bliss of Nibbana and may his Sansaric life be happy and peaceful. Oman Air Catering Services has posted positive results for 2016 despite volatile market conditions. Being awarded a new contract for British Airways to supply inflight catering to their London flights, at the end of last year, for an initial period of three and a half years, is just one among them. In addition, Oman Air Catering Services recently won the contract with Royal Flight, a Russian based charter airline, for three years. With a focus on quality and increased efficiency, Oman Air Catering Services division now offers services to 12 airlines worldwide (including its two newest contracts). The Catering Services division has grown from strength to strength and has the capability to produce in excess of 18,000 meals a day. In the past year alone Oman Air Catering Services produced an extra one million meals, increasing productivity without compromising on quality. Oman Air Catering Services operates adjacent to Muscat Airport in a 10,000 square meter HALAL certified facility. The division employs around 650 staff with 74% of the work force being Omani. Abdulaziz Alraisi, Executive Vice President, Products and Brand Development said: Despite difficult trading conditions, we are delighted to announce these new contracts. Oman Airs Catering Services division aim to replicate the vision of Oman Air as a whole, focusing on being the best, increasing efficiency and differentiating products and services through enhanced quality. Our talented team is derived from a multicultural array of nationalities which gives us an edge when developing and producing menus for our many international clients. Under the corporate umbrella of Oman Air, the Catering Services division has implemented comprehensive Health, Safety and Environment policies (HSE), and undergoes regular audits from the airport authorities in Oman, in addition to IATA. The division currently holds the following certificates: ISO Certificate 22000:2005; ISO Certificate 9001:2008 and the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health from UK. Joint opposition recently claimed that there was a plan to purchase State owned institutions such as SriLankan and Mihin Air by Perpetual Treasuries Pvt. Ltd. Addressing a press briefing Prof. G L Peiris said that they had reason to believe that the company was attempting to take over several large-scale State institutions. Prof. Peiris claimed that Perpetual Treasuries, that was currently embroiled in a major controversy surrounding the Central Bank bond issue, was attempting to purchase these State institutions by using another company as a cats-paw. Recently, State Enterprises and Entrepreneurship Deputy Minister Eran Wickramaratne had told the media that three companies, namely Peace Airways, Texas Pacific Group (TPG) and Super Group Partners were those selected from among 10 companies to compete for the right to engage in the process of restructuring the SriLankan and Mihin Lanka. From the selected companies, the deputy minister had said that the Texas Pacific Group was the most qualified to restructure the two airlines. However, it was reported that the TPG, which is a US based group, was connected to Perpetual Treasuries Pvt. Ltd. (Thilanka Kanakarathna) The astounding rapidity in the turn of events taking place in the southern Indian State of Tamil Nadu after the death of the States Chief Minister Jayalalithaa Jeyaram does not allow anybody to surmise as to what is going to happen next. However, now that V.K. Sasikala, the confidante of Jayalalithaa had been sentenced to four years in jail in the verdict of a disproportionate assets case, the situation is likely to calm down soon. Recent events took place in the State had brought us so many interesting parallels between the opportunistic and highhanded politics in Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu. And the tolerance and the adaptation of people of the two States to the vulgarity in political developments are also amazing. Before being convicted by the Supreme Court Sasikala Natarajan incarcerated almost all except for about five Members of Legislative Assembly of Jayalalithaas political party, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhaham (AIADMK) in a luxury resort in Koovathoor, near Chennai, apparently till the Assembly vote on her election as the new Chief Minister of the State is held. This might evoke in the minds of many in the politically conscious older generation in Sri Lanka, a strangely similar incarceration of Parliament members in a luxury hotel by a former Sri Lankan President. That happened in 1987 soon after the Indo-Lanka Peace Accord signed between President J.R. Jayewardene of Sri Lanka and Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi of India as a solution to the Sri Lankas ethnic problem. As a ratification of the Accord by the Parliament, the Sri Lankan Government had to enact the 13th Amendment to the Constitution and the Provincial Councils Act providing for the introduction of Provincial Councils in the country. The opposition in the southern parts of Sri Lanka to the Accord and the two pieces of legislations scheduled to be adopted was such that even President Jayewardene, who wielded a five sixths of Parliamentary majority doubted whether he would be successful in getting them passed in the House. He might have been alarmed as his Prime Minister Ranasinghe Premadasa had also been expressing views against the Accord. Hence, he took a bizarre decision to prevent the MPs of his party, the United National Party (UNP) from being influenced by the outsiders as well as the unfurling events. He while having undated resignation letters from the MPs of his party with him, housed all of them in a luxury hotel in Colombo until they were taken to the Parliament in busses next day for the passage of the said Constitutional Amendment. Sasikala did the same thing. After the death of Jayalalithaa the Acting Chief Minister O. Panneerchelvam continued in the post. But she craftily persuaded him first to propose her for the powerful General Secretary post of the party, the AIADMK, and then to resign as the Chief Minister. Despite her being not a member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) she was appointed as the leader of the assembly group of the party to be appointed as the Chief Minister, using certain provisions of the Indian Constitution. Even before being appointed for the post of General Secretary of the AIADMK only because her close friendship with Jayalalithaa, Sasikala was so powerful within the party that even President Maithripala Sirisena had sent his condolences over Jayalalithaas death to her, who did not hold any post in the party or in the Tamil Nadu Government then, according to Indian media. The special emissaries of President Sirisena, former Minister Arumugan Thondaman and Uva provincial Minister Senthil Thondaman met her instead of meeting Chief Minister Panneerchelvam to convey the message. Also President Sirisena had obliged to a request by Sasikala, an ordinary citizen then to increase the number of Tamil Nadu devotees for the opening of a new church building in Kachchathivu from 20 to 100, the Indian media said. However, Pannerchelvam woke up from his deep moral slumber two days after his resignation to see that he was going to be a political destitute and dropped a bombshell at the Jayalalithaa samadi at the Marina Beach, by stating that he was forced to resign by Sasikala and her men and that he would fight back. Alarmed by the new development Sasikala took all AIADMK MLAs to the Golden Bay Resort in Koovathoor to be incarcerated and some Tamil Nadu media said that they had been prevented from using any kind of telephones, televisions, newspapers. The reports also said that habeas corpus petitions had been filed on behalf of five incarcerated MLS, by their relatives. Then Sasikala requested the States Governor Vidayasagar Rao to swear in her as the Chief Minister, but the Governor was noncommittal. In fact, he had to oblige as she had then been appointed as the leader of the ruling party of the State Assembly, despite the modus operandi she used to take control of the party and its MLAs. The Catch-22 situation faced by the Governor, who had been caught between the law and conscience or relative loyalty reminds us a similar dilemma encountered by a Sri Lankan Provincial Governor in 1994. Towards the tail end of the 17 year long UNP rule, The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) led Peoples Alliance (PA) won the Southern Provincial Council in 1994 by one seat and Amarasiri Dodangoda of the PA claimed the Chief Minister post. Caught between the morality and his loyalty to his party, the UNP Governor M.A. Bakeer Marker vanished from the Province for few days creating a crisis situation. Later Dodangoda was sworn in as the CM. Sasikala did not use thugs or any other unlawful methods to get the MLAs become subservient, but they just obeyed her like slaves do even when she ordered them to be incarcerated in a hotel. They did so when they strongly sensed that she was going to be the next Chief Minister, as Panneerchelvam was repeatedly giving in to her. The parallel to this in Sri Lanka was seen soon after the last Presidential election was held when the SLFP MPs who called Maithripala Sirisena an agent of the West and the LTTE marched into his fold to become Ministers after he was voted into Presidency. In fact, Paneerchelvam has acted like a coward. He did not need to give in to Sasikala as he did when she was with Jayalalithaa. But it seems that he had no guts to break the tradition of obeying Jayalalithaas most trusted friend, until he found that he was going to be totally sidelined. It was his submissive mindset that prompted Jayalalithaa to assign him to step up for her thrice before when she was disqualified due to legal grounds and when she was admitted to the hospital in last September. In Sri Lanka too certain Presidents appointed relatively submissive personalities as their Prime Ministers as they felt it would be safe. Reminding SLMCs founder leader MHM Ashraffs widow, Ferial fighting for the SLMC leadership, Sasikala who claimed the Chief Minister post had never been a party activist, despite being Jayalalithaas shadow. Tamil Nadu media say that she had never spoken on a public platform. Ferial too had never been a member of the SLMC until Ashraffs death in 2000, in spite of her being his wife. Both wanted to become the rulers just on the grounds that they were so close to deceased leaders. Another parallel can be drawn between the controversial politician Subramanian Swami and the small parties in the Joint Opposition in Sri Lanka. Both want to split the ruling party in their respective States for the survival of their own parties. In all these instances what we see is that opportunism and greed to power have been the norm of politics. What is disheartening is the peoples tolerance and attempts to adapt to the situation. Sail Lanka Charter recently hosted two exclusive events on board its luxury yacht, the Sapphire. The gatherings took place, whilst the yacht was docked at Dikowita port, and both functions were attended by VIP guests from the public and private sectors. The events were hosted as part of Sail Lanka Charters ongoing efforts to showcase its fleet whilst highlighting the potential of yachting as a key contributor to the countrys tourism industry and economy at large. The guests who came on board the Sapphire included Hon. Mahinda Amaraweera, Minister of Fisheries as well as several government officials from the Ceylon Fishery Harbour Cooperation, the Cey-Nor Foundation and the Export Development Board. Corporate sector guests and representatives from various travel agencies were also present. Commenting on the events Pierre Pringiers - Chairman of Sail Lanka Charter stated: We are extremely honoured to have had the opportunity to host so many distinguished guests on board the Sapphire. We hope that they were able to experience our offering and learn more about our unique luxury yachts and travel services. We are also proud to support the development of the yachting industry at a national level, and we look forward to helping Sri Lanka become a thriving destination for luxury yachting experiences as well a hub for yacht manufacturing. The first event that was hosted on the Sapphire brought together senior members of the Lions Club including Club District Governor Nimal Semadheera (MJF.MAF. JP, District 306 B2) and Cabinet Treasurer Kaushal (PMJF,MAF). During this event Mr. Pierre Pringiers made the first donation to the Lions Club, on behalf of Building a Future Foundation (BAFF) to enable the club to build a new skill development center in Biyagama. This center will offer youth in the area an array of training opportunities which will equip them for employment in various marine, boating and yachting related jobs. The project will be similar to the BAFF training centre which Mr. Pringiers founded in 2007, which has helped Sail Lanka Charter to manufacture yachts locally. The third EXCO meeting of the Lions Toastmaster Club was also conducted at the venue thereafter. The Sapphire also welcomed members of the Export Development Board, the Board of Investment and the BTI (Boat Technology Institute), as well as other VIP guests, who came to learn about the future of yachting in Sri Lanka. Guests from BAFF POLYMECH, a sister company of Sail Lanka Charter were also in attendance. Keeping in mind the rise of yachting on a global scale, the company believes that all this all-important industry can support tourism and provide valuable employment opportunities for people living in key coastal areas of Sri Lanka. Other guests who were present included Christophe Commard, Head of Manufacturing for French Yacht Building Group Grand Large Yachting, Darshan Munidasa, Founder of Nihonbashi and Ministry of Crab and Anna Lin from Quintessentially Travel. Kanagaratnam Selvaraj, the Country Manager of Ultra Bespoke Asia was also in attendance along with Sanjaya Dahanaggamaarachchi, Hashan Silva, and Jerome Daniel from Antiquity Sri Lanka. Finger foods at the event were supplied by a new upscale Belgian cheese brand called CIAO and guests were able to enjoy a delicious dinner, overlooking the port and ocean. Sail Charter Lanka offers up-market yachting experiences and relaxed coastal cruising and dining, without any hassle. Guests travelling on board the companys yachts can experience breath-taking vistas of the Indian Ocean, Sri Lankas ocean breeze, the islands tropical waters and the rich marine life that inhabits the islands coastline. Sail Charter Lanka is now offering mini cruises of up to three to six days on the south coast cruises to Jaffna. To find out more contact: http://sail-lanka-charter.com Tamil women who survived Sri Lankas civil war now face widespread sexual exploitation by officals in their own community as well as from the army, the head of an ethnic reconciliation body said Wednesday. Former president Chandrika Kumaratunga, the chairwoman of the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation, said women who were widowed during the 37-year conflict were among the victims of abuse by officials who frequently demand sexual favours just to carry out routine paperwork. There is a lot of sexual abuse still going on by officials, even Tamil officials and even at lower levels, the grama sevakas (village officials), she told Sri Lankas Foreign Correspondents Association. Even to sign a document, they abuse the women and of course some people in the (armed) forces continue to commit sexual abuse, she said. Kumaratunga, who lost an eye in a Tamil Tiger suicide bombing when she was president at the height of the conflict, said the best way to make women less vulnerable was to improve their livelihoods. We feel that when women have livelihoods, they will be empowered they feel safer and they dont have to be exploited, she said. Kumaratunga said many women had been traumatised as a result of the sexual abuse and needed psychological support but the authorities lacked qualified experts to treat them. We cannot bring counsellors from abroad because they wont know the language, she said. Many women, particularly widows, have struggled in the wars aftermath to obtain identity papers and birth certificates which are essential to obtain government handouts and other aid. Prosecutions of military personnel or officials for sex crimes are rare in Sri Lanka, although four soldiers were jailed for 25 years for the gang-rape of a young Tamil mother in 2010, a year after the war ended. At least 100,000 Sri Lankans lost their lives during the conflict that saw horrific abuses by both sides. (AFP) Amid a simmering crisis over the recognition of medical degrees offered by South Asia Institute of Technology and Medicine (SAITM), its Chairman Dr. Neville Fernando, in an interview with Daily Mirror, says that he had complied with all the requirements in conducting this degree programme. The excerpts of the interview: "In our institution, there are a large number of students with three As. They missed the entry to the state universities because even students with minimum qualifications are taken on the district quota system from areas like Mullaitivu and Buttala." Q Over the current crisis situation, what is the way forward for SAITM? In spite of all the protests, SAITM will go on. I started it not to make money. If I wanted money, I would have started a fixed deposit and stayed at home with income from interest. But, I answered the call of the then Minister of Higher Education, the late Prof. Wiswa Warnapala. He said that out of the 250,000 students sitting the G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination, around 100,000 passed it. They are suitable to enter the universities. But, only 18,000 are taken because the state does not have the facilities. He wanted to invest in private education. It is on his suggestion that I started this. At that time, I had sold my Asha Central Hospital for Rs.1.6 billion. I had enough money to start. I told him and he agreed. I got the go ahead. First, I wrote to Prof. Gamini Samaranayake, the then chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC). He wrote to me saying the Universities Act did not provide for private institutions. I knew there were universities under the BoI. I met Mr. Dhammika Perera, the biggest share entrepreneur in Sri Lanka. He gave permission and approved this. He asked me to get the permission of the Health Ministry. I got it. Then, he asked me to get affiliation to a recognized university. I did that as well. We went to Russia and found a university there. That MoU is still in force. In fact, there are professors who come to teach. They are in the island today. They were the observers of class final examination. We continue with that accreditation. Q You are affiliated to a Russian university as you said. But, you offer a Sri Lankan medical degree. How does it happen? When we went to the Sri Lanka Medical Council to get this approved, they said that the prevailing process could not be approved. But, we can exist as a degree awarding institution. We have that in writing. After that, we met the then Minister of Higher Education S.B. Dissanayake. We wanted the degree awarding status. There is a procedure. There are various review committees that come. It is only after that, the Minister can announce it in a gazette notification. We were given the degree awarding status. Students originally entered for MD. Some of them have two Cs and one S. They were weeded out by the UGC. They went to Russia. Q According to the gazette notification issued, you have to follow a certain set of guidelines. How far have you adhered to them? We have got a certificate of compliance from the respective authorities. We have fulfilled all the conditions in the gazette. "There are various review committees that come. It is only after that, the Minister can announce it in a gazette notification. We were given the degree awarding status. " Q After that court ruling was given, SLMC refused to recognize the degree. What is the next step? They will be charged for contempt of court. The court has ordered them to give provisional registration. If they do not do it, they will go to jail. We will not do that. Q At the end of the day, you need the cooperation of the SLMC. How viable is a confrontational approach? The court decision is that the SLMC must give provisional registration. They will have to continue with it. Q At the meeting with the Higher Education Ministry, they came up with some conditions for SAITM including the suspension of admissions. How are you going to comply with them? We have not got any official communication indicating that admissions should be suspended. When it comes to that, we will take a decision afterwards. Q They have proposed to conduct a separate examination. Are you ready for it? We are prepared to sit for any exam. We have been giving a good education. But, it should not be an examination conducted by the Sri Lanka Medical Council. It must be conducted by an independent body like the UGC. Q Why are you opposed to the examinationconducted by SLMC? That is because they are all GMOA members. The Deans and the SLMC are part and parcel of the GMOA. We cannot get justice from that examination. That is why we are for an examination under the UGC. We are even alright with an international body, but not the SLMC. "I met Mr. Dhammika Perera, the biggest share entrepreneur in Sri Lanka. He gave permission and approved this. He asked me to get the permission of the Health Ministry. I got it. Then, he asked me to get affiliation to a recognized university. I did that as well. " Q What is your stand on this Act 16 Examination meant for students completing degrees at foreign universities? Yes, it should be a common examination for state medical students, our students and foreign students. It is one common MCQ examination. Appointments should be given on the basis of results of the MCQ. That is what the state students are scared of. They know definitely that our students will top the list. Q However, critics challenge the quality of medical education you offer. How do you respond? We have 19 professors. All of them have worked in state universities and taught all these fellows who are shouting. If these professors are bad, the training of medical education received from them are also bad. They are the best professors in the country today, teaching our students. That is why I am confident that our students, after passing out one day, would be efficient 100 percent. They will not go on strike. They will shave their faces, dress well. Q The quality of clinical training given to your students is challenged. How would you respond? That was accepted by the review committee. That committee came and met me. They met with the academic staff, students and the minor staff. They observed the laboratories. In their final discussion with our staff, they said they would give provisional registration, subject to certain conditions. It was mentioned in page 18. When the final meeting was held, this page was substituted. They said registration could not be given. This is a big fraud. I am going to hand this over to the CID. We can get the minutes according to the Right to Information Act. We have got the minutes even before that. Q How do you respond to these critics in terms of different aspects of clinical training? In the first two batches, we had only 25 students each. For one student, there must be seven patients. We had that ratio. Our students were trained well. They were given clinical exposure. Even now, after the degree, they are in hospitals following professors for clinical training. Q How is their clinical training on forensic medicine? We went to the Supreme Court for that and got a ruling. Our students had to be given Avissawella Hospital and the Kaduwela MoH area for community medicine. We went to Avissawella for Psychiatric and judicial medical training. For each subject, students had to pay Rs.50, 000. It is not free. These are children of taxpayers of this country. In the state universities, no fee is charged from students. It is also unethical. Q As for the admission criteria of your university, critics say you admit students even with minimum qualifications such as two C passes and one S pass at the Advanced Level Examination. In the science stream, there are some students even with 3 As, but left out from the state universities. What is your response? In our institution, there are a large number of students with three As. They missed the entry to the state universities because even students with minimum qualifications are taken on the district quota system from areas like Mullaitivu and Buttala. What has happened is 40 percent of good students with three As are shut out. Those are the fellows shouting against SAITM. They have an inferiority complex. Q What is the future plan for you? In anatomy, we ordered equipment worth Rs.15 million to teach surgery. There is a new process called Theil Embalming that enables a body to be kept fresh for three to four months. Representatives from the Royal College of Surgeons are coming on Sunday. We will get accreditation from the Royal College of Surgeons. We have not taken any student with qualifications less than two Cs and one S. Indian Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Bipin Rawat, has reasons to be upset. In the past few days, our forces have lost at least four of its brave men, including an Indian Army major, the 31-year-old Satish Dahiya, in counter-terror operations in Handwara and Bandipora, north Kashmir. Others are injured and are fighting for their lives as we write this editorial. It is a very grim situation indeed. However, that is not an excuse for the senior-most member of the Indian Army, General Rawat, to take the tone he has taken in his media statement, saying stone-pelters in the Valley would be treated as "jihadi aides" and would be subject to action. "Those who obstruct our operations during encounters and aren't supportive will be treated as over-ground workers of terrorists," he said. He added: "We would now request the local population that people who have picked up arms, and they are the local boys, if they want to continue with the acts of terrorism displaying flags of ISIS and Pakistan, then we will treat them as anti-national elements and go helter-skelter for them. They may survive today but we will get them tomorrow. Our relentless operations will continue." It is important that we note the circumstances of this particular statement from COAS General Rawat. It came when Gen Rawat was paying homage to the late Major Satish Dahiya, whose mortal remains, along with that of slain soldiers Dharmendra Kumar and Ashutosh Kumar, had been brought in at Palam airport in the national capital. Gen Rawat was joined by none other than Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who also laid wreaths. It's both unfortunate but not unexpected that General Bipin Rawat sounded exactly like the establishment in the Centre that picked him as the chief of Army staff, superseding not one but two of his then seniors, particularly Lt-Gen Praveen Bakshi. General Bipin Rawat sounded exactly like the establishment in the Centre that picked him as the chief of Army staff. [Photo: Agencies] The less said of Modi government's Kashmir policy, the better. Not only did the regime completely mishandle the uprising in the Valley in the wake of Hizbul militant Burhan Wani's death, allowing pellet guns to be fired at agitators and blinding, maiming hundreds of protesters, while fatally shooting at least 120 of them during a three-month lock down, it has persistently and systematically alienated the ordinary Kashmiri, particularly the Kashmiri Muslim with its myopic and Hindutva-laced stance on the conflict-torn state. The antagonism and one-upmanship with Pakistan has shot up many times, and those stationed in Kashmir, particularly the Army personnel, have paid the price of this doomed foreign policy, becoming themselves the target of terror attacks in Uri, and losing their lives in ever-more frequent counter-terror ops in the region. The civilians in Kashmir are fed up of their lives under a permanent quasi-curfew, and it's natural that they would feel nothing but antipathy towards the Indian soldiers, the embodiment of Indian Union's military might. While Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is where the terrorists are nurtured and brain-washed, we need to ask why the number of homegrown militants has overshot foreign-born terrorists if everything else was working just fine. What General Bipin Rawat's unusually harsh statement belies is the fact that most stone-pelters are barely out of their teens and are particularly impressionable, susceptible to violent rhetoric from either ends of the political spectrum. Does General Rawat imply the forces under his command will not discriminate against teenagers now, teenagers who have lived all their lives in the world's most militarised zone? Not just the youth, women - young and old - come out in large numbers and shout slogans and cry out loud whenever there's a counter-terror operation on. Why do they do it? How can women, who are also mothers, sisters, daughters and wives to felled young men lured in by militancy, not cry out loud when the bullets are being fired at more of their own? Burhan Wani uprising proved Kashmiri youth are estranged which harsh rhetoric cannot win over. [Photo: Agencies] Like Burhan Wani, whom Kashmiri teenagers and women had come to idolise, most of these youngsters, whom General Rawat has branded as "over-ground workers of terrorists", are not afraid of dying: in fact, as the Burhan Wani uprising proved, they are dabbling with death wish of a sort, preferring to go in a blaze of glory rather than take the daily humiliation of living in a militarised zone, questioned over loyalties, not being allowed to feel at home in the land of their birth. Moreover, as some journalists and commentators have already asked, despite the agitations in Haryana over Jat quota, or in Gujarat over Patidars demanding reservation, or even the recent bouts of angry protests in Tamil Nadu over Jallikattu, when stone-pelting did take place and even the paramiltary forces were deployed for a while, no harsh rhetoric was to be heard during each and every of these agitations. A "tougher" Kashmiri policy, as echoed by MoS home Kiren Rijiju, will neither yield territorial sovereignty, nor will endear the Indian Union to the thousands of disgruntled Kashmiris, who legitimately fear a potential return to the violent 1990s and are petrified. Confined to their homes, left without internet and mobile services for months at end, constantly battling suspicion from the regime, and repeatedly betrayed by their political leaders, Kashmiris are a melancholy lot. It is extremely unfortunate that General Bipin Rawat chooses not to acknowledge this dismal reality of the Kashmiris he admonishes in his stern warning. And by issuing this harsh a statement, he's only endangering the lives of his precious soldiers who have risked it all to protect and serve India. Despite several laws in place, in the glaring absence of enforcements, there is no let up in the number of cases of violence against women in Pakistan. Most disturbingly, the current year seems to be particularly brutal, with more than a dozen honour killings occurring in just one-and-a-half months. It looks like Pakistan is still in the medieval or dark ages with scant respect for women or its own laws. To cite an example, an independent and motivated woman, Huma Shahnawaz , 27, belonging to Kohat in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), is the latest victim of atrocity. Huma had the courage to defy the advances of her cousin, who often intimidated her to marry him. She refused his overtures, enraging him, and he got her killed in cold blood. Sadly, Huma was the sole breadwinner of her family and earned her livelihood by working in a small NGO in Islamabad. Her earnings supported her widowed sister-in-law, her dependent children, her divorced sister and her child. The murder drew attention of some international human rights bodies which put pressure on the Pakistan government, leading to issue of an arrest warrant against the murderer. He is still on the run. Under further pressure from the vocal international NGOs, the murderer's father was arrested, ostensibly to calm the agitated women in the region. It's clear that most often, state inaction amounts to endorsement of such dastardly acts occurring in the name of honour of a tribe or family. In addition to the cases of murder, torture and physical abuse of hapless women by a patriarchal society is more routine than an exception. One fails to understand how in a country such as Pakistan, where military writ runs and which is consistently trying to eliminate terror and ethnic feud, such honour killings are regular happenings. Pakistani sociologists reckon that the country's society encourages violent behaviour and accepts it as social norm. According to the latest statistics on violence against women, contained in a report by the ministry of law, justice and human rights submitted to parliament, there were 860 honour killings, 481 incidents of domestic violence, 90 cases of acid burning, 344 cases of rape/gangrape and 268 incidents of sexual assault/harassment. And these are only official figures. The toll is even higher as many cases do not get registered with the police. Significantly, the laws against honour killings have been toughened. Yet, nearly 40 honour killings have been recorded since the promulgation on October 7, 2016, of the Anti-Honour Killing and Anti-Rape Bills. This suggests inertia on the part of Pakistani federal and provincial governments. Punjab Commission on the status of women has reported a 20 per cent surge in violence against women every year from 2012 to 2015. Appallingly, there were 81 convictions in 2015, compared to 378 in 2012. (Photo: India Today) More interestingly, out of a total population of 190 million people, women in Pakistan constitute almost 52 per cent. Yet, a majority of these women suffer mental and physical abuse in the form of domestic violence, rape, assault, acid attacks and honour killings. According to the 2011 Thomson Reuters Foundation Report, Pakistan is the world's third most dangerous country for women. It continues to suppress and oppress women by openly denying them the right to education, healthcare, adequate nutrition and even the right to choose their life partners. Judging by yet another reliable statistic, World Economic Forum's (WEF) global gender gap report ranks Pakistan at 143 among 144 countries in the gender equality index. Since 2006, when the country stood at 112th position, its standing has been steadily deteriorating each year. Pakistan has also been ranked the second worst country in the world for gender equality for the second consecutive year. Meanwhile, the Punjab Commission on the status of women has reported a 20 per cent surge in violence against women every year from 2012 to 2015. Such rise in crime is perceived to be the direct fallout of decline in conviction rates. Appallingly, there were 81 convictions in 2015, compared to 378 in 2012. Enforcement and enactment of "women-friendly laws" are of no use unless women are accorded decision-making and empowering positions in the work force. According to the commission's report, Pakistan was one of the few countries in the world that didn't have a woman as a federal minister. There are only two female state ministers at the federal level. Glaringly, the provinces of Punjab, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had only one woman minister in their cabinet, while Balochistan did not have even one. Further, in Pakistan the literacy rate is dismal. According to a 2015 report of UNESCO, popularly referred to as 'eAtlas of gender inequality in education', almost 16 million girls between the ages of 6 and 11 are not currently in school. It might appear wishful thinking to expect the status of women to be elevated only by promulgation of laws. The state must play an active role along with society in ensuring equality as envisaged in the constitution. Unless this responsibility is seriously taken up to uplift the status of women, 52 per cent of Pakistan's population will continue to suffer from violent discrimination. Indian entities engaged in women's welfare activities must, while expressing solidarity with their Pakistani counterparts, join the crusade for a more proactive approach to this protracted malaise. Rivers are the life of this very nation. Bharat has essentially grown along the banks of its major rivers. The great civilisations like Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa were born along rivers, and they died in the course of meandering of the rivers. We owe our very own existence to our rivers. Rivers in India, like the Ganges, have strong presence within the Indian ethos and civilisation and are considered the backbone of activity. From ancient days, the people who lived alongside riverbanks believe the river to be sacred and holy, and many go on pilgrimage to cities like Varanasi and Allahabad to wash away their sins in the holy water. It is this vitality of the Ganges that makes it one of the most powerful epicentres of spirituality which continues to draw millions of people to visit and understand its culture and history. The agro-ecological stretch of the Ganges provides food for most parts of this nation. Ganga Cha Yamuna Chaiva Godavari Saraswati, Narmada Sindhu Kaveri Jalesmin Sannidhim Kuru Many great civilisations took shape on the banks of these holy rivers. Early river-valley civilisations include the Indus Valley Civilisation, Ancient Egypt (the Nile), Mesopotamia (along the Tigris and Euphrates rivers), and the Chinese civilisation along the Yellow River. Most of these civilisations are agrarian societies. However, one of the major challenges confronting rivers today is climate change and the situation is alarming. Today our rivers are depleting at such a rate that they will become seasonal in 20 years. In the last 10 to 12 years, we have witnessed a dozen rivers going dry across the nation. Today, some of the most significant rivers of south India, the waters of the Cauvery, Krishna and Godavari flow to the oceans only for a few months in a year. Recently concluded research on Impacts of climate change on Indian rivers by professor AK Gosain of IIT Delhi has also observed that the majority of river systems show an increase in precipitation at the basin level. This is not only true for big basins such as the Ganga, but also for smaller basins such as the Cauvery, Pennar, Luni, and Indus. It was also observed under climate scenario for 20212050, MC, that there is a general increase in flow dependability for many river systems such as the Indus, Ganga, Brahmaputra, Tapi, Godavari, Narmada, Mahanadi, etc., whereas under long-term (20712098, EC) studies suggests that parts of Krishna, Cauvery, Brahmaputra and Ganga show a decrease in flow. An estimated 20,00,000 people take a dip in the Ganges, on a daily basis. (Photo: Reuters) The same study also goes on to reveal that under different greenhouse gas (GHG) scenarios, the conditions may deteriorate, and this can be in terms of severity of drought in some parts of the country while they may enhance the intensity of floods in the other. However, it acknowledges the fact that there is a general overall reduction in the quantity of the available run-off under the present GHG scenario. Luni, along with rivers of Kutch and Saurashtra, which occupy 25 per cent of the area of Gujarat and 60 per cent of the area of Rajasthan, shall also face acute water scarcity conditions. The report further predicts that the river basins of Mahi, Pennar, Sabarmati and Tapi shall also face water shortage conditions along with the river basins of Cauvery, Ganga, Narmada and Krishna facing seasonal or regular water-stressed conditions. On the other hand, river basins of Godavari, Brahmani and Mahanadi are predicted to face severe flood conditions. The importance of rivers cannot be ignored owing to their civilisational links. The significance of the river was first noticed in the Rig Veda, which considered the river Saraswati, one of the lost rivers in India, to be the mother of the seven seas. There are 45 hymns in which the Rig Veda eulogises it. Even the Ramayana refers to it as Ikshumati, that is, Brahmas daughter. The Mahabharata too has references to the holy river. But the story does not end here: there is strong archaeological evidence that apart from the Indus, the Sarasvati was also the lifeline of the Indus Valley Civilisation, thus prompting many scholars to call it the Indus-Sarasvati Civilisation. Renowned archaeologist Michel Danino of IIT Gandhinagar has also referred to it in his book The Lost River: On the trail of Saraswati. Not only this, the Indus Valley Civilisation was also mapped by British archaeologists about 200 years ago and was believed to be located on the dry beds of Ghaggar Hakra. One of the early explorers of ancient civilisations, Colonel James Tod goes back in time to trace the reasons for the depopulation of the northern desert and credits it to the absorption of Caggar (sic) river. Almost 200 years ago, a French scholar named Vivien de Saint-Martin, too, had argued that all the streams that flow from the west to the east, namely Ghaggar, Markanda, Dangri, Sarsuti and Chautang unite into a single bed and that is the bed of Rig Veds Sarasvati. Apart from French, a Hungarian-British archaeologist Marc Aurel Stein too referred to Ghaggar as the eastern most tributary of Sarsuti, a corruption of Sarasvati. Travelling forth from ancient to modern scholars, they too believe Ghaggar is a strong contender for the mythical Sarasvati. Science too supports their belief, as satellite images of the region show that Ghaggar, in other words Sarasvati, had its significance not only during the Vedic times but also during the Harappan age. An examination of 1,400 Harappan sites shows that almost 75 per cent of these were along the Ghaggar-Hakra channel. It is the civilisational, cultural, spiritual and geographical importance of these rivers that made them the lifeline of our ancient civilisations and the lifelines of modern society as well. Even today, 80 per cent of our population is dependent on 14 major rivers for food and livelihood. More than 400 million people live along the banks of the Ganges alone, and thus depend on it for their subsistence. An estimated 20,00,000 people take a dip in the Ganges, on a daily basis. Yet, the society is disconnected from the environmental importance of these rivers. More than 200 million litres of untreated human sewage flows into the Ganges from Varanasi alone. There is an alarming disconnect among the youth today, as they seem to be disconnected with this civilisational and natural heritage. The uninterrupted flow of these water bodies is being taken for granted and thus, the society is nearing its end. The Bank of Nova Scotia provides various banking products and services in Canada, the United States, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Colombia, the Caribbean and Central America, and internationally. It operates in four segments: Canadian Banking, International Banking, Global Wealth Management, and Global Banking and Markets. The company offers financial advice and solutions, and day-to-day banking products, including debit and credit cards, chequing and saving accounts, investments, mortgages, loans, and insurance to individuals; and business banking solutions comprising lending, deposit, cash management, and trade finance solutions to small, medium, and large businesses, including automotive financing solutions to dealers and their customers. It also provides wealth management advice and solutions, including online brokerage, mobile investment, full-service brokerage, trust, private banking, and private investment counsel services; and retail mutual funds, exchange traded funds, liquid alternative funds, and institutional funds. In addition, the company offers international banking services for retail, corporate, and commercial customers; and lending and transaction, investment banking advisory, and capital markets access services to corporate customers. Further, it provides online, mobile, and telephone banking services. The company operates a network of 954 branches and approximately 3,766 automated banking machines in Canada; and approximately 1,300 branches and a network of contact and support center internationally. The Bank of Nova Scotia was founded in 1832 and is headquartered in Halifax, Canada. National Bank of Canada provides various financial products and services to retail, commercial, corporate, and institutional clients in Canada and internationally. It operates through four segments: Personal and Commercial, Wealth Management, Financial Markets, and U.S. Specialty Finance and International. The Personal and Commercial segment offers personal banking services, including transaction solutions, mortgage loans and home equity lines of credit, consumer loans, payment solutions, and savings and investment solutions; various insurance products; and commercial banking services comprise credit, and deposit and investment solutions, as well as international trade, foreign exchange transactions, payroll, cash management, insurance, electronic transactions, and complimentary services. The Wealth Management segment comprises investment solutions, trust services, banking services, lending services, and other wealth management solutions. The Financial Markets segment offers corporate banking, advisory, and capital markets services; and project financing, debt, and equity underwriting; advisory services in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, and financing. The U.S. Specialty Finance and International segment provides specialty finance products; financial products and services to individuals and businesses in Cambodia; and investment solutions, guaranteed investment certificates, mutual funds, notes, structured products, and monetization. It provides its services through a network of 384 branches and 927 banking machines. National Bank of Canada was founded in 1859 and is based in Montreal, Canada. Hardywood Park Craft Brewery will be opening its Charlottesville pilot brewery and taproom on Saturday. The 3,600-square-foot space at 1000 W. Main St. will serve as the brewerys main hub for research and development. Pilot recipes will be brewed and served on-site for patrons to taste and share their feedback, and popular beers tested at the brewery will be considered for wider production. The brewery and taproom were founded in Richmond and opened in 2011. Hardywood will open a new brewing facility and beer campus in Goochland in 2018. Co-founder and President Eric McKay said the company wanted to open a location in Charlottesville to familiarize the area with their beer. Its also far enough away from Richmond that were free from any distraction of the day-to-day things that go on with running a production brewery, but close enough that any of our brewing team members could drive out for a day, McKay said. In terms of a place for creative inspiration, we couldnt think of a better place, where you can drive 10 minutes and be hiking in the mountains and a beautiful place to sort of clear your head and think creatively. The pilot-batch beers brewed on-site will be available exclusively at the taproom for the most part, but they also will have a full selection of Hardywoods flagship and seasonal beers on draft, in cans and available for to-go purchases. Well definitely bring our bigger releases and some of our smaller releases to the Charlottesville location, as well, said Hardywood master brewer and co-founder Patrick Murtaugh. The location features a 3.5-barrel Premier Stainless brewhouse, and the system is fully visible behind the main bar so guests can watch the entire brewing process. Kevin Storm, who most recently led the development of Hardywood VIPA and Tropication, will serve as the Charlottesville lead brewer. He will work alongside Assistant Brewer Anna Warneke, on apprenticeship from Germany. They already have collaborations in the works with fellow craft brewers Funky Buddha Brewery, The Bruery, 2SP Brewing Company and New Belgium Brewing Company, with whom Hardywood is partnering on the SAVOR 2017 10th Anniversary collaboration beer. Hardywood also has started working on collaborative concepts locally with Early Mountain Vineyards and Champion Brewing Co. McKay said their hope is to use some of Early Mountains freshly dumped wine barrels to condition a beer. That something that were putting more and more attention towards is wine-barrel aging and potentially doing more sour beers that are aged in oak barrels, McKay said. We brought on a brewer (Ethan Adams) who had previously worked at The Bruery in California, which is really well-known for its barrel-aged beer, who is helping up develop that portion of our portfolio. He also mentioned that they may be working with Three Notchd Brewing Company, as well. Three Notchd Brewmaster Dave Warwick said he was thrilled for the opportunity to join forces with Hardywood through a collaborative beer. He said the Charlottesville craft beer scene can only benefit from the addition of Hardywood and that its unique in the fact locals crave variety. The more variety Charlottesville offers, the more people come to Charlottesville, Warwick said. The people that Hardywood brings to town will also visit Three Notchd, Random Row, Champion and South Street while theyre here. Were all in this together, as craft beer in Virginia makes up less than 10 percent of the entire beer market. We call it a co-ompetition. On a personal side, Hardywood is right in between where I work and where I live, so it will be a convenient stop for a beer on my way home, he said. McKay said they are still working on parking options for guests. A big reason we chose [this location] is that theres a lot of foot traffic in the area and its sort of halfway between the university and the Downtown Mall; theres also bike parking right adjacent to the brewery, McKay said. Murtaugh said that they will try to identify the most convenient places to park and have it on their website. Because there is not room for food trucks, Hardywood will be offering house-made Singel pretzels for sale, a custom recipe designed using their flagship Belgian blonde ale. They also encourage customers to bring takeout from local restaurants into the taproom. The taproom will be open to the public 12-10 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Private event rental options will be available on Mondays. We would love to partner with some local restaurants on hosting some beer-pairing dinners at the tap room, and Monday nights are going to be reserved for private events, so that could be a good opportunity for us to engage in some of those collaborations with local restaurants, McKay said. CULPEPER Maria Galarza went to work Thursday serving customers in her Culpeper restaurant, but she supported those who purposely took the day off as part of the nationwide A Day Without Immigrants boycott. Thank God I am legal, but there is a lot of people who are in trouble. A lot of these people are good people and are not here to hurt anyone, she said. I support these people because I know what it means coming here. I know what it is to be an immigrant and I know what it is to be on the bottom. I know what it is to work hard and I know a lot of people are working hard for this country. Galarza, born in Guatemala, became a naturalized citizen last summer at Monticello. She runs the 4Cs eatery on Main Street with her husband, a U.S. citizen from Peru. Their daughter recently graduated from Harvard University and is working toward a post-graduate degree in forensics at George Mason University. Galarza said she wanted to become a U.S. citizen because she loves this country. I love the people of Culpeper because thats what I know. I lived in Fairfax and I didnt know anyone, you dont know your neighbor. But here, everybody is nice and I have kids, my husband is a citizen. This is home for me, she said. Galarza said she sees both sides of the immigrant debate, referring to her Christian faith for the answer. If [Donald] Trump wins [the election], its in Gods hands. Not because I like him or agree with everything he does, but I believe in God and the love of God. If the Lord allowed it, its because he has plans for the country, she said. In Culpeper, where nearly 10 percent of the population is Hispanic, two tiendas closed Thursday in the Willow Shade shopping center, and there were reports of high school students being absent as part of the boycott, which called for all immigrants not to go to work, open their businesses, shop, eat out, buy gas or send their children to school. Student absences at Culpeper County Public Schools average about 5.6 percent on a typical day, said spokeswoman Pearl Jamison. On Thursday, total absences were 12 percent, she said, noting that the school system does not compile attendance data based on ethnicity. Leonardo Legora, a world languages teacher at Eastern View High School, said half of his Latino students were absent Thursday. Born in Argentina, he said he had mixed emotions about participating in A Day Without Immigrants. I am a professional and I came to work, but if President Trump insults the Latinos with a tweet or makes inflammatory comments towards the Latinos once again, then I will deeply consider to join the boycott nationwide next time, he said. Culpeper resident Claudia Vasquez, 24, was unable to take off from her job as a manager at a loan company, but said she was proud to stand with those making their voices heard. Its a good movement, just like Black Lives Matter its time for my people to stand up, she said. Im tired of it. Vasquez said she is a U.S. citizen born to parents from El Salvador who fled guerrilla warfare. My mother came here as a refugee, and the U.S. government helped her get her papers in order and now she is a U.S. resident, said Vasquez, who moved from Los Angeles to Culpeper in 2009. Marilyn Dunphy, a medical liaison for local Hispanics, said there is a lot of fear in the Culpeper immigrant community right now. It seems like local Hispanics are staying home, saving their money because they dont know what is going to happen, she said. I wish I could say that their fears are unfounded, but it doesnt appear so. We feel your pain and we are scared, too. For the past 13 years, Dunphy and her husband have helped organize the downtown Culpeper Fiesta, an annual, family-friendly celebration of Latino culture. Its tentatively scheduled for Sept. 15. Weve tried to help the local Hispanic community feel a part of the community rather than excluding them, she said, and this is just the exact opposite direction we wanted to go, so its not too good. CULPEPER Rep. Dave Brat, R-7th, announced on Valentines Day that he would hold the first in-person town hall meeting of his second term at 7 p.m. Feb. 21 at Blackstone Herb Cottage, a restaurant in Blackstone, Nottoway County. He made the announcement on Facebook Live as he covered health care, immigration, Russia, education and Planned Parenthood. Brat also addressed a controversial remark he made last month about protesters when he said the women are up in my grill no matter where I go. He said Tuesday that a constituent made the comment to him and he thought it was kind of funny. So I shared it in a humorous, light-hearted gesture and people take it out of context. I meant no harm. I probably should not have repeated that phrase. In hindsight, I probably could have chosen much better words, he said. Brat, in addition, said he never said all of his constituents were paid protesters, mentioning groups such as Indivisible and Resist as examples of such. In a January interview with the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Brat said I had one woman on my Facebook say she was going to get up in my grill. ... There's paid protesters ... paid activists on the far left, not my Democratic friends I go to church with. They're being paid to go around and raise havoc." During the Facebook Live event, however, he cited organized efforts sharing the same message. A small percentage of folks load up the Facebook with comments and you can kind of tell theres an organized pattern at a certain time an email goes out, and all of a sudden you get 50 or 100 people reading off the same script. So those are the organized professionals who are leading off some of this, but the majority of the folks who are contacting us are sincere folks with policy questions, he said. Near the end of his latest Facebook town hall, Brat, whose district includes Louisa and Orange counties, brought up whats occurring at other congressional town halls nationwide. Youve seen some of the tensions where one of my colleagues had to be dragged out of his own town hall by police. We saw the secretary of education unable to enter a school, Brat said. I havent seen that before in politics, and I dont think differences in opinion justify that kind of a move. On the issues, Brat said he did not support tweaking the Affordable Care Act versus repealing it, as Republicans have vowed to do. There is no way possible to just tweak a completely federally run health care program that controls one-sixth of the economy. Believe me, if there was a simple way to fix the thing, we would love to do that, he said. Brat said the Republican plan would be affordable and cover pre-existing conditions. He submitted legislation recently to expand personal tax-free health savings accounts, saying it was one part of the health care plan going forward. Brat said getting rid of Medicaid was not part of the plan, though he repeated his assertion that the program, along with Medicare and Social Security, soon would be insolvent. Asked about President Donald Trumps promise to build a wall on the southern border, Brat said that was going to be a challenge financially. We have to find $8 trillion in savings just to balance the budget in 10 years. Then, when you throw on some of President Trumps priorities, that increases the load even more. Youve got the wall, the infrastructure at anywhere from $300 billion to a trillion dollars that has to be paid for, he said. Brat said he supports enacting an immigration policy designed to serve the best interests of the American worker. We have a very generous welfare state compared to the poorest of the poor in the world, so 8 million people could do much better by moving here, and thats the issue, he said. He also predicted the U.S. Supreme Court would uphold Trumps executive order determining who comes into the country, adding that America faces many foreign policy challenges from ISIS, al Qaeda, Iran and China. It seems to me like Trump is trying to have a more friendly relationship with Russia. That does not make Putin a good guy, Brat said. Theres a clear track record of human rights violations and worse. When it comes to Russia policy, they are every bit a foreign policy concern as some of the other countries going forward. On the other hand, its better to build friendly relationships when you can. WASHINGTON President Donald Trump aired his grievances against the news media, the intelligence community and his detractors in a sprawling stream-of-consciousness news conference Thursday, capping an extraordinary four weeks in office marked by tumult, disarray and infighting. The beleaguered chief executive defended his advisers against claims of improper contacts with Russia and claimed - contrary to widespread perceptions both inside and outside the White House - that his fledgling administration "is running like a fine-tuned machine." "To be honest, I inherited a mess," he said in a news conference that lasted an hour and 17 minutes and was, by turns, rambling, combative and pure Trump. "It's a mess. At home and abroad, a mess." Yet moments later, the president seemed to acknowledge the widespread reports of turbulence and upheaval emanating out of the West Wing, only to claim that his White House - which so far has been marred by staff feuding, a controversial travel ban, false statements and myriad leaks - was operating seamlessly. "I turn on the TV, open the newspapers and I see stories of chaos - chaos," he said. "Yet it is the exact opposite. This administration is running like a fine-tuned machine, despite the fact that I can't get my Cabinet approved." Trump's news conference - with the president firmly at the center as both complainer and defender in chief - capped a month of turmoil in what so far is the most tumultuous start to any U.S. presidency in modern history. His approval ratings are underwater in most polls, and he is battling setbacks including the ouster on Monday of national security adviser Michael Flynn and the decision Wednesday by his nominee for labor secretary, Andrew Puzder, to withdraw amid mounting opposition on Capitol Hill. The turmoil continued Thursday evening as Trump's pick to replace Flynn, retired Vice Adm. Robert Harward, turned down the job, according to people familiar with the offer. A senior U.S. official said that "family considerations changed his mind," and a friend of Harward's added that the hard-charging former Navy SEAL was not fully comfortable with the quickly moving process. One factor in Harward's decision was that he could not get a guarantee that he could select his own staff, according to a person close to Trump with knowledge of the discussions. Trump had said earlier at the news conference that one of the reasons he felt that he could let Flynn go was because he had a good replacement in mind, without naming that person. "I have somebody that I think will be outstanding for the position," he said. "And that also helps, I think, in the making of my decision." Asked about recent reports in The Washington Post that Flynn had improperly discussed Russian sanctions with the country's ambassador to the United States before Trump was sworn in, the president defended Flynn as a "fine person," saying he had done nothing wrong in engaging the Russian envoy. But Trump said that Flynn had erred by misleading government officials, including Vice President Pence, about his conversations with Russia, which is why he ultimately demanded his resignation. "He didn't tell the vice president of the United States the facts," Trump said. "And then he didn't remember. And that just wasn't acceptable to me." Trump also made clear that he had no problem with Flynn discussing with the Russian ambassador the sanctions imposed on Moscow by the Obama administration, saying it was Flynn's job to reach out to foreign officials. "No, I didn't direct him, but I would have directed him if he didn't do it," Trump said. Asked several times about reports in the New York Times and on CNN that his campaign had repeated contacts with Russia, including senior intelligence officials, Trump grew testy as reporters pushed him for a yes or no answer. He said that he personally had not had contact and that he was not aware of such contacts during the campaign. "Russia is a ruse," Trump said. "I have nothing to do with Russia. Haven't made a phone call to Russia in years. Don't speak to people from Russia. Not that I wouldn't. I just have nobody to speak to. Trump's general defense of Russia stood in contrast to comments that Defense Secretary Jim Mattis made at a NATO meeting Thursday in Brussels, where he said that there was "very little doubt" that the Russians have either interfered or attempted to interfere with elections in democratic nations. Thursday's news conference was ostensibly billed as a chance for Trump to announce Alexander Acosta as his new nominee for labor secretary. If confirmed, Acosta would be the first Latino in Trump's Cabinet. But for 77 minutes, the president offered the verbal equivalent of the brash and impetuous early-morning tweets that have become the alarm clock for much of Washington. He took aim at topics including the recent controversies over Russia, which he dismissed, and the "criminal leaks" within the intelligence community. Although he inherited a growing economy, low inflation and low unemployment, he repeatedly portrayed a country in shambles under President Barack Obama. Trump also said he would use his remarks to bypass the "dishonest media" and speak directly to the American people about the "incredible progress" his administration has made. The president began on a subdued, almost melancholy note, looking down repeatedly to read from prepared remarks on his lectern. But he became more fiery and animated - joyful, even - when he began to banter and joust with the assembled reporters. He reprised some of his favorite themes from the campaign trail, complaining about Hillary Clinton, whom he referenced 12 times; criticizing Obama's policies, from his Affordable Care Act to his failed reset with Russia; and relitigating wounds old and new, in a Festivus-caliber airing of grievances. And he boasted of his accomplishments so far. "I don't think there's ever been a president elected who in this short period of time has done what we've done," Trump said. He said he has asked the Justice Department to look into the leaks coming out of U.S. intelligence agencies. He promised a new executive order by the middle of next week that would replace the now-frozen directive that temporarily barred refugees and citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States. Trump also said he would put forward a plan to repeal Obama's Affordable Care Act by mid-March, with a tax reform package soon after. "Tax reform is going to happen fairly quickly," he said. "We're doing Obamacare. We're in the final stages." Trump repeatedly lambasted the "fake news" media - which at one point he upgraded (or downgraded) to the "very fake news" media - while promoting some dubious claims and fake news of his own. Trump was pressed on his incorrect assertion that he had the largest margin of victory in the electoral college since President Ronald Reagan, when Obama, Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush had bested him in all of their victories. The new president blamed faulty facts. "I was given that information," he said. "Well, I don't know, I was given that information." During the news conference, Trump alternated between showering the media with scorn and adopting a more playful, almost jaunty, tone. At one point, he insisted that he was enjoying himself. "I'm not ranting and raving - I love this," he said. "I'm having a good time doing this." In an exchange with April Ryan of American Urban Radio Networks - the only black reporter called on by Trump - the president asked her to arrange a meeting with the Congressional Black Caucus. "Do you want to set up the meeting? Are they friends of yours?" he asked. Trump also claimed that he had tried to meet with Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., a prominent member of the group, but that Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., whom he called a "lightweight," had urged Cummings not to attend. In a statement, Cummings rebutted Trump's version of the facts. "I have no idea why President Trump would make up a story about me like he did today," he said. "Of course, Senator Schumer never told me to skip a meeting with the President." In another notable exchange with a Jewish reporter, who asked what Trump was going to do to tamp down on the uptick in anti-Semitism in the country since he took office, the president rejected the idea that he or his rhetoric might be partially to blame. "Number one, I am the least anti-Semitic person that you've ever seen in your entire life," Trump said. "Number two, racism, the least racist person." Trump's Thursday performance seemed an acknowledgment, by the president, that he may be his own best press secretary and senior adviser, and allowed him to appear both confident, comfortable and in control. While many of his comments, as well as the sometimes disjointed nature of his delivery, are certain to alarm official Washington, they are also the sorts of red-meat talking points that delighted his base during the campaign and helped propel him to victory. "I won with news conferences and probably speeches," he told the assembled reporters. "I certainly didn't win by people listening to you people." RICHMOND A boycott of Trump Winery products at Wegmans has caused just the opposite effect: Five of the wine varieties have sold out at the two Richmond-area Wegmans stores. Both Midlothian and Short Pump [stores] have sold out all five of the Trump wines we carry, said Jo Natale, vice president of media relations for Wegmans. They will be replenished when they are available, possibly three to four weeks. The grocery retailers eight other stores in Virginia also either have sold out of all or have sold out of some Trump Winery varieties, she said. The Wegmans store in Charlottesville, for instance, is out of the Trump Winery Chardonnay and Trump Winery Sauvignon Blanc, but it has three other varieties still available. That store had a larger inventory because theyve had a big demand right along probably because of the location, Natale said. Rochester, New York-based Wegmans sells five varieties from the Trump Winery, including Trump Winery Meritage and Trump Winery Sauvignon Blanc, at its 10 stores in Virginia. The chain sells 237 Virginia wines from 58 wineries at its stores in Virginia. About 300 members of the Prince William County chapter of the National Organization for Women made plans last weekend to pressure Wegmans to stop carrying products from the Albemarle County winery, The Washington Post reported. Since news got out about the potential boycott, sales of Trump Winery products at Wegmans have soared this week. The company had bottles on its shelves and back-up inventory in the stores before the sell-out, Natale said. Our role as a retailer is to offer choice to our customers, Natale said. For various reasons, we are sometimes asked to stop selling a product. Our response is always the same, no matter the product: How a product performs is our single measure for what stays on our shelves and what goes. Individual shoppers who feel strongly about an issue can demonstrate their convictions by refusing to buy a product. When enough people do the same, and sales of a product drop precipitously, we stop selling that product in favor of one thats in greater demand. Wegmans has been carrying wines from Kluge Winery (now Trump Winery) since 2008. When Kluge Winery was sold in 2011 to Donald Trump, the chain continued to offer its wines under the Trump brand. The vineyard is now operated by his son Eric. The Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control carries six varieties from Trump Winery. Of the 364 ABC stores in the state, 69 stores carry at least one Trump Winery product. At four Richmond-area locations, store stocking reports show that sales of the Trump Winery products have remained pretty much the same over the past week, Virginia ABC spokeswoman Valerie Hubbard said. Sales of Trump Winery products increased 107 percent for the fiscal year that ended June 30 compared with the prior 12-month period, the agencys records show. ABC sold $167,650-worth of Trump Winery products, or 7,837 bottles, ranking it No. 5 in wine sales at its stores. Maria Galarza went to work Thursday serving customers in her Culpeper restaurant, but she supported those who purposely took the day off as part of the nationwide boycott, A Day Without Immigrants. Thank God I am legal, but there is a lot of people who are in trouble. A lot of these people are good people and are not here to hurt anyone, she said. I support these people because I know what it means coming here. I know what it is to be an immigrant and I know what it is to be on the bottom. I know what it is to work hard and I know a lot of people are working hard for this country. Galarza, born in Guatemala, became a naturalized citizen last summer during a ceremony at Thomas Jeffersons Monticello. She runs the 4Cs eatery on Main Street with her husband, a U.S. citizen from Peru. Their daughter recently graduated from Harvard University and is working toward a post-graduate degree in forensics at George Mason University. Galarza said she wanted to become a U.S. citizen because she loves this country. I love the people of Culpeper because thats what I know. I lived in Fairfax and I didnt know anyone, you dont know your neighbor. But here everybody is nice and I have kids, my husband is a citizen. This is home for me, she said. Galarza said she sees both sides of the immigrant debate, referring to her Christian faith for the answer. If Trump wins, its in Gods hands. Not because I like him or agree with everything he does, but I believe in God and the love of God. If the Lord allowed it, its because he has plans for the country, she said. Up the highway in Washington, D.C., schools and restaurants closed in solidarity with A Day Without Immigrants, a social media-led movement protesting President Donald Trumps immigration agenda. Protesters took to the streets all over the country. U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, D-Virginia, weighed in on Twitter. From Norfolk to D.C., I hear you loud & clear. Ill always continue fighting for immigrant rights, he posted. In Culpeper, where nearly 10 percent of the population is Hispanic, two tiendas closed Thursday in the Willow Shade shopping center and there were reports of high school students being absent as part of the boycott that called for all immigrants to not go to work, open their businesses, shop, eat out, buy gas or send their children to school. Student absences at Culpeper County Public Schools average about 5.6 percent on a typical day, said spokeswoman Pearl Jamison. On Thursday, total absences were 12 percent, she said, noting that the school system does not compile attendance data based on ethnicity. Leonardo Legora, a world languages teacher at Eastern View High School, said half of his Latino students were absent Thursday. Born in Argentina, he said he had mixed emotions about participating in A Day Without Immigrants. I am a professional and I came to work, but if president Trump insults the Latinos with a tweet or makes inflammatory comments towards the Latinos once again, then I will deeply consider to join the boycott nationwide next time, he said. Culpeper resident Claudia Vasquez, 24, was unable to take off from her job as a manager at a loan company, but said she was proud to stand with those making their voices heard. Its a good movement just like Black Lives Matter its time for my people to stand up, she said, referencing horrible Donald Trump comments directed at her. Im tired of it. Vasquez said she is a U.S. citizen born to parents from El Salvador who fled guerrilla warfare. My mother came here as a refugee and the U.S. government helped her get her papers in order and now she is a U.S. resident, said Vasquez, who moved from Los Angeles to Culpeper in 2009. Thursdays protests followed last weeks arrests of more than 680 people by Immigration & Customs Enforcement agents in raids across the U.S. Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly, in a statement on Monday, said the operations targeted criminal aliens and gang members and those who violated immigration laws. Of those arrested, 75 percent were criminal aliens, Kelly said, convicted of such crimes as homicide, sexual abuse, drug trafficking and assault. ICE conducts these kinds of targeted enforcement operations regularly and has for many years, he said. President Trump has been clear in affirming the critical mission of (the Dept. of Homeland Security) in protecting the nation and directed our department to focus on removing illegal aliens who have violated our immigration laws. Marilyn Dunphy, a medical liaison for local Hispanics, said there is a lot of fear in the Culpeper immigrant community right nowand rightly so. It seems like local Hispanics are staying home, saving their money because they dont know what is going to happen, she said. I wish I could say that their fears are unfounded, but it doesnt appear so. We feel your pain and we are scared, too. For the past 13 years, Dunphy and her husband have helped organize the Culpeper Fiesta downtown, an annual, family-friendly celebration of the Latino culture. It might not happen this year. If things get worse, if there are boots on the ground, ICE stomping all over the place then who wants to come out to a fiesta, who wants to be exposed to that, whether theyre legal or illegal here in their status why would they want to come out and subject themselves to anything like that? she said. I would expect there would be very poor turnout. Culpeper Fiesta, year after year, is a beautiful event, Dunphy said. Weve tried to help the local Hispanic community feel a part of the community rather than excluding them and this is just the exact opposite direction we wanted to go so its not too good, she said. The Fiesta is tentatively scheduled for Sept. 15. In a press conference Thursday, Trump said plans were progressing for building a wall on the Mexican border. And the wall is going to be a great wall and its going to be a wall negotiated by me, he said. The price is going to come down just like it has on everything else Ive negotiated for the government. And we are going to have a wall that works, not gonna have a wall like they have now which is either non-existent or a joke. A boycott of Trump Winery products at Wegmans has had just the opposite effect than intended: Five of the wine varieties have sold out at the two Richmond-area Wegmans stores. Both Midlothian and Short Pump (stores) have sold out all five of the Trump wines we carry, said Jo Natale, vice president of media relations for Wegmans. They will be replenished when they are available, possibly three to four weeks. The grocery retailers eight other stores in Virginia also either have sold out or have sold out of some Trump Winery varieties, she said. Rochester, N.Y-based Wegmans sells five varieties from the Trump Winery, including Trump Winery Meritage and Trump Winery Sauvignon Blanc. The chain sells 237 Virginia wines from 58 wineries at its stores in Virginia. About 300 members of the Prince William County chapter of the National Organization for Women made plans last weekend to pressure Wegmans to stop carrying products from the Charlottesville winery, The Washington Post reported. Since news got out about the boycott, sales of the Trump wine at Wegmans have soared this week. The company had bottles on its shelves and back-up inventory in the stores before the sell-out, Natale said. Our role as a retailer is to offer choice to our customers, Natale said. For various reasons, we are sometimes asked to stop selling a product. Our response is always the same, no matter the product: How a product performs is our single measure for what stays on our shelves and what goes. Individual shoppers who feel strongly about an issue can demonstrate their convictions by refusing to buy a product. When enough people do the same, and sales of a product drop precipitously, we stop selling that product in favor of one thats in greater demand. Wegmans has been carrying wines from Kluge Winery (now Trump Winery) since 2008. When Kluge Winery was sold in 2011 to Donald Trump, the chain continued to offer its wines under the Trump brand. Kenneth Wayne Smith, 72, of Culpeper passed away on Tuesday, February 14, 2017, at Novant Health UVA Health System Culpeper Medical Center surrounded by his family. Kenneth was born on August 8, 1944, to his parents, William Jacob Smith, Jr. (deceased ) and Mary Crandall Patterson in Warrenton, Va. Kenneth is survived by his wife, Nancy for45cherished years; one son, Scott with his wife, Cynthia; andthree grandchildren, Andrew, Stone,and Cassie Smith. His siblings include one brother, Gregory Smith and wife, Doris;two sisters, Emily Trout of Tonganoxie, Kansas and Valerie Myers and husband, Curtis of Richmond, Va. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, William J.and Myra G. Smith; and his maternal grandparents, Frankand Edna Crandall. Kennethwas a graduate of Culpeper County High School where he played sports, played in the band, active in the FFA Chapter & 4-H earning top honors in agriculture, and drove the school bus. He loved serving his community in organizations such as Culpeper Jaycees, Va Farm Bureau, Culpeper Petroleum Cooperative Director, the Ruritan Club and Culpeper Young Farmers of Va. Hewas a member of Culpeper United Methodist Church serving as usher and member of the administrative board. He and Scott had currently operated Ashland Farms, Inc. carrying on the tradition from Gregory, his father and grandfather. His source of pleasure in his life was the love for family, watching grandchildren grow and develop while passing on the love and tradition of farming to Scott. Hobbies included building model airplanes and sometimes flying them and traveling. Hewas the best unpaid detective of Culpeper County. His hope was that some day cancer can be eradicated. His purpose was to serve God, find something to do (farm), and find some things to love (family, friends, community). The family will receive friends on Friday, February 17, 2017, from 6 until 8 p.m. at Clore-English Funeral Home. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, February 18, 2017, at Clore-English Funeral Home at 1 p.m. following with graveside services at Fairview Cemetery on Sperryville Pike led by the Rev. Randy Orndorff and the Rev. Norma Jean Fellows. Donations in his honor may be made to the Culpeper area Fire and Rescue Services of your choice. A special thank you to the dedicated doctors, nurses, and staff at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Hope Center (Oncology & Radiation) UVA Medical Center (Charlottesville, Culpeper), and Continuum Home Health Care. Condolences may be given at clore-english.com. Clore-English Funeral Home, 11190 James Monroe Highway, Culpeper, VA 22701, has been entrusted with these arrangements. With great sadness I read online that the city has decided to remove the statue of General Lee from Lee Park, at a staggering cost of $300,000 in taxpayer money. I assume Lee is seated on his famous horse Traveller, hence the price tag for removing so much stone. With what to replace it, or what to do with it, is not known. Apparently the meeting was contentious, and all are aware of the types of groups that battled this out. While those in Charlottesville may be prone, as we all are, to recto-cranial inversion, there was no need for them to lose their heads. An alternative and cheaper method surely could have been reached. As a builder I know that the exorbitant price tag could be reduced by adopting a more utilitarian and educational compromise. Indeed it should have suggested that only the head of Lee be removed, and replaced with a monthly rotating bust of some famous person, in the manner in which some ancient civilizations honored their permanent statues with removable heads.The Neolithic folks of Malta were doing this a thousand years before the Pyramids were built. Any capable tradesman could neatly saw off Lees head at minimal cost and insert a pin into the body to receive the next head scheduled. Therefore, these heads could be gazing in any direction, even to the rear. I should think the busts of Churchill and Dr. King that are in the White House now would be a good start. Lee probably has a sword on his side and the pommel could be engineered to receive flowers,very non-martial, or a balloon, or riding crop. The equine enthusiasts would love it. Imagine the money saved and the safe space created. Joseph Hudson Reva As the citys second longest serving mayor, George Corner led Elko through the peak of growth in population and economy. Donald George Corner was born in Akron, Ohio in 1945. He grew up in western Pennsylvania and graduated high school in New Castle in 1962. Four years later he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served one tour in Vietnam with the 173rd Airborne, 145th Aviation Battalion, and Pathfinder Detachment, rising to the rank of corporal. After being discharged, corner moved to Elko in 1968 and worked for Newmont Gold Co., then called Carlin Gold, and joined the Elko Police Department as a patrolman in 1970. He and his wife Maryanne raised three children: Sheri, Kelli and Jeff. Corner earned an associates degree in law enforcement from Elko Community College in 1973 and four years later earned a second degree in corrections. In 1975, he resigned and was elected to his first term as mayor, running against Dutch Stenovich. During Corners time in office, the Elko Convention Center was built and Project Lifesaver relocated the railroad tracks from downtown to the Humboldt River. He was also chairman of the Elko County Recreation Board that led the development and construction of South Fork Dam. Corner also oversaw the expansion of Elko due to the gold mining boom that increased the citys population and called for more schools and recreational facilities. He won re-election in 1979, 1983 and 1987 when he ran unopposed for his final term. He was defeated by Jim Polkinghorne in 1991, concluding the second-longest term in office after David Dotta, who was mayor for 26 years from 1929 to 1955. In 1983, Corner was named Nevadas Elected Official of the Year and served as president of the Nevada League of Cities the following year. He was also on the board of directors for the Vitality Center and oversaw the annual Fourth of July Fireworks display until he left office. Corner also worked at Nevada Youth Training Center while serving as mayor. He was there 20 years until retiring as shift supervisor in 1996. In addition to his dual careers, George became a life member of VFW Post 2350. It was my pleasure and honor to serve during those exciting years, Corner said recently, looking back on his four terms in office. Elko was transitioning from a sleepy little cowtown to a bigger mining town. ELKO Law enforcement officials are warning the public about a phone scam in which the caller claims to be from the sheriffs office and instructs the recipient to purchase iTunes cards in order to avoid arrest for supposedly failing to appear for jury duty. Elko Police Department received a call Wednesday from a resident who said she had received a call from a person identifying themselves as an Elko County Sheriffs Office employee. The caller advised the resident that they had a warrant for their arrest for failing to appear for jury duty. The resident was instructed to purchase $3,000 in iTunes cards and told there would be a person at the jail who would meet her to collect the cards. The Sheriffs Office would like the public to know that people are not called by telephone and advised of arrest warrants nor would any warrant be cleared through the use of iTunes cards or any other such payment. All such transactions would be facilitated by the courts and not with individual deputies or employees of the Sheriffs Office, stated a media release on Thursday. We would also advise citizens to be wary in light of the recent flood event in Elko County that many such scams may be attempted by people representing themselves as employees or representatives of various organizations that provide assistance in these types of events. Typically, legitimate organizations do not solicit funds in this fashion and none would request payment by things such as iTunes cards. Anyone who receives this type of solicitation should contact local law enforcement and/or the organization claiming to be represented. Do not give your credit card or personal information without first knowing who it is you are supplying the information to, advised the sheriffs office. The Elko County Sheriffs Office can answer questions about scam phone calls at 738-3421. New Delhi: India has awarded drilling rights for 31 small oil and gas fields as it looks to reduce its costly dependence on energy imports. In its first such auction in six years, contracts for the fields were awarded to 22 companies, the majority of which are new to the oil and gas sector. "The government endeavours to execute these contracts at the earliest so that the awardees can commence production," the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons said in a statement Wednesday. India is hungry to secure more of its own supplies as half its gas and at least 80 percent of its crude oil requirements are sourced from abroad, draining state finances especially as crude prices climb, analysts say. In a bid to bolster domestic production, the government announced in 2015 a new policy to encourage investors in smaller oil and gas fields considered too minor for India's energy behemoths. The government received a total of 134 bids in this auction, with bidders offered improved financial terms on contracts to attract interest. "This is a very positive move by the government to make it lucrative for companies to invest," said an oil and gas analyst, who is not authorised to speak to the press and declined to be named. "But the bottom line is that in India we don't have much oil and gas so this is too small a step to move the needle to secure India's energy needs." New Delhi: Restructuring of Tata Steel's European operations is crucial for company's consolidated financial health, S&P Global Ratings said today. "The recent improvement in profitability at Tata Steel Ltd is in line with our expectations and supports the company's credit quality. However, we believe restructuring of Tata Steel's European operations will be a key to an improvement in the company's consolidated financial health and ratings," the ratings agency said. This is given the company's large debt, low margins and volatile profitability, especially in the UK. "We attribute Tata Steel's improved profitability in India in the third quarter of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017, to stronger global steel prices, aided by better demand than we expected in stimulus-driven Chinese markets and optimism on the new US administration's infrastructure spending proposals," it said. S&P Global Ratings credit analyst Vishal Kulkarni said, "We expect the improving profitability trend, especially in India, to continue in the quarter ending March 2017 despite some headwinds in India, where short-term demand could get disrupted due to slower construction following demonetisation." The Indian government's protectionist measures for the domestic steel industry also continue to support the Indian steel market, in our view, it said adding these measures have lowered steel imports in here, helping domestic steelmakers, including Tata Steel, to generate better profitability per tonne, despite steep rises in prices of raw materials such as coking coal. "We believe that Tata Steel's India operations can deliver more than Rs 10,000 average EBITDA per ton for fiscal 2017. The company's India EBITDA per tonne improved to more than INR 11,332 in the third quarter of fiscal 2017, from about Rs 628 in the previous quarter," S&P said. Talking about the Tata Steel's new capacity at the Kalinganagar industrial zone in India, it said it is also ramping up well, producing 1.5 million tonnes of steel in fiscal 2017, which is higher than 1.3 million tonnes expected. Profitability at Tata Steel's Europe operations will continue to be volatile, given it is a function of raw material prices and currency movements. Europe EBITDA of USD 50 per tonne for the nine months ending December 2017 is a turnaround from negative EBITDA during the same period last year, and is in line with our expectation. It said in line with our forecast of EBITDA per tonne at Rs 10,000-11,000 in India and USD 40-USD 45 in Europe over next two years, "we expect Tata Steel's ratio of funds from operations (FFO) to debt to improve to about 12 per cent, and EBITDA interest coverage to be around 2.0x over the next one to two years," the Rating agency said. The ratings agency further said this is a marked improvement from a negative EBITDA in fiscal 2016. These ratios support our stable outlook on the ratings of Tata Steel. "We would raise our rating if the FFO-to-debt ratio can reach 15 per cent sustainably. In our view, improving profitability and declining capital expenditure (with no new material expansion underway) will support Tata Steel's financial ratios. Still the improvement is from weak levels and is in line with expectations for the ratings," it said. The improvement in Tata Steel's profitability in the third quarter of fiscal year 2016-2017 coincides with the company's restructuring efforts to bolster the operational health of its European businesses. Over the past one to two years, Tata Steel has sold off a number of relatively small assets in Europe to reduce cash losses, while its debt remained largely unchanged. Meanwhile, the company's proposed changes to the pension scheme for its UK operations has been approved by the workers. The rating agency said the proposal still needs approval of other stakeholders, such as the trustees, and the regulators. The financial implications, if any, for Tata Steel from the changes will be clear once it is finalised. Tata Steel is also considering joint ventures with other steel makers in Europe, which, when transacted, could bolster the company's financial metrics over next two to three years, it said. Completion of these intended strategic measures asset sales, pension-scheme overhaul, and joint ventures -- would be supportive of credit quality, it said. New Delhi: A central revenue authority has summoned some executives of Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) in connection with its investigation in an alleged excise duty evasion case involving the company's Hazira unit in Gujarat. The Directorate General of Central Excise Intelligence (DGCEI), under the Finance Ministry, is looking into the case relating to alleged wrong classification of mixed xylene a chemical obtained through cracking of Naphtha -- produced by it and sold to paint factories, official sources said. The company was allegedly paying 12.5 per cent duty on it by declaring the product as organic chemical, but instead it should have been declared as mineral oil which attracts 14 per cent levy, the sources said. The Hazira plant of RIL has allegedly evaded payment of about Rs 26 crore as excise duty to the government, they said. Ambrish Anjaria, who according to the tax authorities is plant head at Hazira, and Vilas Sawant, General Manager (Sales) have been asked to appear before the authorities in connection with the probe, the sources said. Besides them, Chief Financial Officer Alok Aggarwal is also likely to be called by the DGCEI officials, they said. Aggarwal was earlier asked to join the investigation on January 31 and later on February 10, 2017. However, he cited some personal issues and a fresh date will be issued soon. The summons have been sent to seek presence of these executives before the DGCEI officials to get certain details about the case, they said. When contacted, an RIL spokesperson told PTI that the company has compiled with all rules and regulations, but did not give a direct reply to the question on summoning of the officials. The spokesperson further said that the "company's understanding of the product's constituents has also been endorsed by the Premier Institutes of Chemicals and Petroleum." "The product is essentially a chemical and its Central Excise classification will depend on the exact constitutes. It will thus highly presumptuous to generalize the classification based on merely on the broad description of the product or the results in respect of other manufacturers," the company said in reply to PTI queries. The company maintained that a proper chemical test will be able to remove any ambiguity in this regard. "Further our operations are regularly audited by various government agencies. In any case the duty paid is modvatable by our customers irrespective of its classification," it said. RIL has been manufacturing mixed xylene (solvent grade) at its Hazira factory for over 10 years. This stream is obtained during Naphtha cracking. The Hazira manufacturing division is located near Surat, in Gujarat. It comprises of a Naphtha cracker feeding downstream fibre intermediates, plastics and polyester plants. ELKO Taste some wine and have a fine time at the 42nd annual Soroptomist wine tasting event. The fundraiser helps provide money for the Dream it, Be it program that the group hosts every year for teen girls and for the Magic School Supply Bus that helps gather needed learning items for 300 underprivileged youth. The Dream it, Be it program is a teen workshop for high school aged girls and gives them various skills that they need after high school, said chairwoman and president elect Marianne Kobak McKown. About 115 girls are bussed in and get to learn about things like budgeting, college information and healthy relationships. Kobak McKown said this years speaker for the program will be Dana Bennett, Nevada Mining Association president. Young ladies also eat breakfast and a catered lunch while attending the educational workshop. The wine tasting will be from 5:30 8:30 p.m. Feb. 24 at Northeastern Nevada Museum. Tickets can be purchased in advance from any Soproptimist member or from Nevada IT Services, the convention center, Century 21 and Summit Funding. People can also call 397-0597 or 340-4334 for tickets. The cost for early ticket procurement is $25 for individuals and $40 for a couple. People can also buy tickets at the door, but prices are $30 for an individual and $50 per couple. The theme is taken from the boisterous era of prosperity known as the Roaring 20s. It was a popular theme last year and many people attended. People are encouraged to dress in the garb of the freewheeling pop culture era and live it up. There will be a speakeasy, lots of wine tasting, food provided from several area eateries, dancing, a photo booth and more. The event also boasts a silent auction and raffle. Some of the prizes include a Burning Man ticket, a two-night package at Harrahs and tickets to the Reno Aces, donations from Indigo, Carlin Trend and others. The Magic School Supply Bus has been going on for about 30 years, said Kobak McKown. While many people in the community donate items, almost every year our club has to buy supplies for about 100 kids. She invites everyone to help support the community by coming out to enjoy giggle water and goodies, dance the Charleston, and hang out with like-minded molls and dolls. An FDA Form 483 is issued to firm management at the conclusion of an inspection New Delhi: Drug firm Cadila Healthcare today said the US health regulator has inspected the company's Moraiya plant and found it meeting the manufacturing norms. "United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) inspected company's Moraiya facility from February 6, 2017 to February 15, 2017. At the end of the inspection no observation (483) is issued," Cadila Healthcare said in a filing to BSE. The FDA Form 483 notifies the company's management of objectionable conditions. As per the US health regulator's site "An FDA Form 483 is issued to firm management at the conclusion of an inspection when an investigator(s) has observed any conditions that in their judgement may constitute violations of the Food Drug and Cosmetic (FD&C) Act and related Acts". Shares of Cadila Healthcare were trading at Rs 420.10 per scrip in the afternoon trade today on BSE, up 17.33 per cent from its previous close. New Delhi: Seeking to create a global sized bank, the government today gave go ahead to the merger plan of SBI and its five associate banks but did not take a decision with regard to Bharatiya Mahila Bank. "The Cabinet had earlier in-principle cleared the (merger) proposal. It had gone to the boards of various banks which have granted the approvals. The recommendations of the boards were considered today and the Cabinet cleared the proposal," Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said. The associate banks which will be merged with SBI are: State Bank of Bikaner & Jaipur (SBBJ), State Bank of Mysore (SBM), State Bank of Travancore (SBT), State Bank of Patiala (SBP) and State Bank of Hyderabad (SBH). "With this merger, the SBI, with all these five subsidiaries merging in it, will also become a very large bank, not merely from a domestic point of view but actually a global player in its very size," the minister said after the Union Cabinet meeting. It will, he added, "certainly lead to far greater efficiency. It will lead to synergy of operations within these banks...it will cut down the cost of operations. The cost of funds itself will come down". With the merger of all the five associates, SBI is expected to become a global-sized bank with an asset base of Rs 37 trillion (Rs 37 lakh crore) or over USD 555 billion, 22,500 branches and 58,000 ATMs. It will have over 50 crore customers. State Bank of India has about 16,500 branches, including 191 foreign offices spread across 36 countries. SBI first merged State Bank of Saurashtra with itself in 2008. Two years later, State Bank of Indore was merged with it. New Delhi: Chief Economic Advisor (CEA) Arvind Subramanian today took the line that the minimum support price on foodgrains for farmers should not continue forever and there should be an "expiry date". "Minimum support price (MSP) originally came into being because we had a big problem of lack of self-sufficiency in foodgrain production. It (MSP) was used as means of providing incentives to farmers. It has been successful. We no longer have the scarcity of foodgrains, cereals, etc," Subramanian said at an event here. "But the problem with all these things are (although) many of these things work, they should not remain forever. There must be expiry date." Subramanian, an on-leave senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, further said, " MSP policy not only favours cereals, but de-facto favours cereal producing regions. It widens regions disparity." According to the CEA, one way to get rid of MSP is to neutralise incentives across crops and provide these through other means, technological research and the like. He, however, admitted that it is a difficult job, given the politics in India. "...expiry dates are very difficult," Subramanian said. Mumbai: The Reserve Bank will start reimbursing MDR charges to banks for payments made since January 1 through debit cards by citizens, in line with the government's move to further digital solutions. In December 2016, the government had decided to absorb the merchant discount rate (MDR) charges in respect of debit card transactions for making payments to it. The move was aimed to encourage people to use digital payments post demonetisation. "In order to operationalise the (government's direction), the Reserve Bank will reimburse banks MDR on debit cards used for payment of tax and non-tax dues to the government of India with effect from January 1, 2017," the central bank said in a notification. Banks have been asked to forward their claim for reimbursement of MDR along with statutory auditor's certificate, as in the case of agency commission claims, to RBI's Nagpur office on a quarterly basis. Also, the banks will have to certify that MDR charges for transaction amounts up to Rs 1 lakh have not been collected from the payer. The banks have been asked to file claim by April 30 for the quarter ending March 2017. Ranchi: The remonetisation situation with regard to replenishing the scrapped currency is "almost normal" now and the Reserve Bank is monitoring the supply on a daily basis, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said today. "As far as remonetisation is concerned, the situation is almost normal and RBI is monitoring the currency supply position on daily basis," he said. The government had withdrawn legal tender character of old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes on November 2016 with an aim to check black money, counterfeit notes and terror financing. The government is now pushing and incentivising digital payments. Talking to reporters on the sidelines of 'Momentum Jharkhand Global Investors' Summit 2017 here, Jaitley said cash economy has many vices as it leads to crime and tax evasion. Therefore there was need to change the way the trade and commerce is undertaken in the country, he added. When asked about the amount of scrapped currency received by banks post demonetisation, the Finance Minister said RBI Governor Urjit Patel had recently informed that the central bank would disclose the figure only after the process of currency verification is complete. "Whatever time is required, RBI will take that much time. I would not like to say anything thing beyond that," he added. To a query on discrimination on royalty payment on minerals, Jaitley said it is done based on defined rule. MUMBAI: After failing to get the necessary regulatory approval to launch its quadri-cycle in India, Rajiv Bajaj, managing director of Bajaj Auto took potshots at the governments Make in India campaign stating that the regulatory hurdles in India will turn Made in India to Mad in India. If your innovation in the country depends on the government approval or the judicial process, it will not be a case of 'Made in India', but 'Mad in India'. After five years, we are still waiting for permission to sell our four- wheeler in the country," Mr Bajaj said while speaking at a seminar organised by Nasscom. He said that the small four-wheeled vehicle Qute is being now sold across the world including Asia, Europe and Latin America. Why a vehicle which is cleaner, fuel-efficient, safer and whose benefits are as obvious as daylight, is facing troubles? This is the only country that has not given us permission to sell this vehicle. Because for some reason it thinks if four-wheeler is worse, let people continue on three- wheeler, he added. According to Bajaj Auto, Qute is the first Indian made Quadri-cycle to meet the stringent European Quadri-cycle norms and get the European WVTA (Whole Vehicle Type Approval) certification awarded by RDW Netherlands. On asked whether Bajaj Auto has any plans to manufacture four wheelers, Mr Bajaj said that his company is anti car and on a lighter note added that two wheelers are dangerous only when hit by a car. We feel people should either walk, cycle or use a two -wheeler. Cars are too big, too fast. They pollute, they congest and kill all of us on two-wheelers. People say two- wheelers are dangerous, my submission is two-wheelers are dangerous only when hit by a car, he said. Mr Bajaj also ruled out any possibility of re-entering the scooter business saying that his focus is to create a niche for its motorcycles and increase its market share across the world. In life, we should climb only one mountain at a time. We have only 10 per cent of the global motorcycle market, should I try to move in the motorcycle segment which is 35 million vehicles worldwide from 10 to 30 per cent where we have tailwinds, or should I try the scooter space where I have zero per cent and try build it up from there, Mr Bajaj said while responding to a query on why he is not getting back into manufacturing scooters. Shruti with her rumoured boyfriend Michael Corsale at the Mumbai airport on 14 February. (Photo: Viral Bhayani) Mumbai: Shruti Haasan was spotted exiting the Mumbai airport with a mystery guy on the occasion of Valentines Day. We have finally found out that the man is her boyfriend Michael Corsale. The couple has been reportedly dating for three months now and the definitely looked great together. The two first met in London, where they were introduced by a common friend. Corsale is a London-based Italian and is a theatre actor. He flew down to Mumbai to visit Shruti who was shooting for her film Behen Hogi Teri opposite Rajkummar Rao in Mumbai. Shruti spent some quality time with him roaming around places in Mumbai before he left for London on Wednesday. Shruti was earlier dating Rang De Basanti actor Siddharth and her name has also got linked to Dhanush and Ranbir Kapoor before. Reports of Shah Rukh Khan doing a cameo in 'Baahubali 2' have dominated headlines in the past few days. New Delhi: Prabhas, the main lead of the 'Baahubali' franchise, is amused by the rumours of Shah Rukh Khan doing a cameo in the upcoming flick 'Baahubali: The Conclusion' and clarified that King Khan is not a part of the film. The actor, whose name is synonymous with 'Baahubali,' feels that the film has become such a huge brand and is constantly under scrutiny, surrounded by speculations and conjectures. He expressed how these rumours actually amuse him rather than affecting him in any way. 'Baahubali: The Beginning' was an epic historical drama which was absolutely loved by the audience, who are eagerly waiting for its sequel ' Baahubali: The Conclusion.' The prequel was a visual delight with gigantic sets and action-packed sequences and the second installment promises an even bigger and better experience for cine-goers. The 37-year-old became a household name after the immense popularity of this film. The movie also stars Anushka Shetty, Rana Daggubati and Tamannaah Bhatia. ' Baahubali: The Conclusion' is all set to hit the screens on April 28. The two had starred together in 'Bajirao Mastani'. Mumbai: Indian stars Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone have impressed audience in the US with their respective TV and film projects and two made their presence felt in the fashion scene here as they attended the New York Fashion Week (NYFW). Priyanka graced the front row of Nepalese-origin designer Prabal Gurung's feminism-inspired show. For Gurung's show, the 34-year-old Quantico actress wore separates from the designer's Fall 2017 collection that included an embellished text top and an asymmetric hem skirt with button detail and thigh-high slit. A pair of boots, fur jacket, simple hair and a plum tone lip completed her look. Priyanka sat in the front row with onetime Hillary Clinton adviser Huma Abedin making one of her first public appearances since Election Day as well as Diane Kruger and Sarah Jessica Parker. Deepika graced designer Michael Kors' show wearing a navy blue trench dress from the designer's Spring 2017 collection, that she paired with high neck top. She opted for a colour block wedges for the look. She kept her make-up limited to winged liner and soft lips with side-swept curls. During the show, Deepika was seen posing with Emily Ratajkowski, Jourdan Dunn and Hikari Mori. Mumbai: Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut has said that her Rangoon co-stars Shahid Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan are incredible actors and she is fortunate to share screen space with them. Rangoon a love story set against the backdrop of World War II and brings together the three actors on-screen for the first time. They are incredible actors. They are amazing with Vishal Bhardwaj sir (director) and he has given them wonderful characters in the films that he did with them. They are very special, very natural and spontaneous. I feel fortunate to be working with great actors like them. I liked Saif as Langda Tyagi in Omkara and Shahid was incredible in Haider. They (Bhardwaj and Saif and Vishal and Shahid) have great tuning and they had the same energy on this film (Rangoon), Kangana said. Praising Bhardwaj, the 29-year-old actress said that the filmmaker has the courage to deal with subjects which no one will ever think of bringing on-screen. He has the courage to take on subjects which are different, like Rangoon is a love story in the backdrop of World War II. It is a very courageous move and not many filmmakers will present a love story in rugged and rustic backdrop of war, she said. He has that undying desire to push the envelope and go beyond what people expect from him, she added. In the movie the Queen star portrays the life and times of Mary Ann Evans aka Fearless Nadia, Bollywoods first original stunt-woman still remembered for her fiery role in the movie Hunterwali. She (Fearless Nadia) is a stunt woman and its an amalgamation of many characters in the film. I am known to speak my mind and to say things that I stand for is right. That sort of conviction and identity was important for the role, she added. Implementing fully legalized marijuana in Nevada should be tough. Nevadas nascent medical marijuana program is run by the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services. However, Nevadas new recreational marijuana program will be run by a different agency, the Nevada Department of Taxation, pursuant to the initiative voters passed last November. The Department of Taxation has no institutional experience in administering a marijuana program. Under the initiative, the department is given broad powers to set marijuana wholesale prices; establish requirements and issue licenses for five different types of marijuana licensees; do background checks; set requirements for packaging, testing, recordkeeping, signage, taxes and fees. The powers and duties of the Department of Taxation are exhaustively listed in the initiative and cover two pages. This monumental undertaking requires the department to draft all regulations and staff up by January 1, 2018. Implementing marijuana legalization in Colorado required the hiring of more than 50 full-time employees in their Department of Revenue and a total of 120 new hires at all levels of government. Colorado struggled but met their initiative-imposed one year deadline on retail sales. Similarly, California promises to be operational by January 2018. The legislature in Massachusetts, citing complications, voted to delay their marijuana deadline for six months to July 1, 2018. Nevadas Department of Taxation has just now hired four employees to draft regulations and administer the states recreational marijuana program. They plan to hire an additional 12 individuals in July. Meanwhile, the department has stated an intention for early start retail sales to begin July 1, 2017 using temporary regulations. Pressure from the commercial marijuana industry and state officials to get retail sales started immediately is intense. Retail sales means profits for the industry and revenue for the state to recoup costs incurred in staffing up. The Department of Taxation is Nevadas new marijuana regulator with a duty to protect the health and safety of Nevadans. Will a staff of 16 employees be able to draft tough, comprehensive regulations limiting advertising, pot potency, restricting edibles, prescribing packaging, among their myriad duties? Colorado required over three times as many full-time employees to administer their marijuana start-up program. At a time when Massachusetts is postponing their start date to July 2018, Nevada is advancing ours to July 2017 one full year earlier. Will Nevadans be protected by adequate regulation and enforcement? Governor Sandoval proposes a new retail excise tax of 10 percent on marijuana retail sales coupled with the 15 percent wholesale tax provided for in the initiative. Under Sandovals proposal, a Clark County retail marijuana purchaser would absorb a combined wholesale and retail tax of 25 percent, plus a local sales tax of 8.15 percent. This total tax cost of 33.15 percent would result in a large black market. Colorado is actually reducing their retail marijuana tax from 10 to 8 percent effective in July after a state-sponsored study substantiated the black market effect. Sandovals retail marijuana tax revenue forecast of $50 million annually is also extremely optimistic based on the Colorado experience where first-year marijuana taxes were barely half the amount projected. Marijuana remains illegal under the federal Controlled Substances Act, classified a Schedule 1 drug, found to be without valid medicinal applications and a high potential for abuse. The Obama Administrations DEA director re-affirmed that classification last August. President Trumps new Attorney General, Jeff Sessions, has been an outspoken critic of legalizing marijuana. The only thing keeping federal agents from enforcing federal law is the 2013 Justice Department Cole Memorandum making marijuana a low priority and permitting localities and states to enforce their own laws. Attorney General Sessions has full authority to withdraw that memorandum and pursue a different policy. Nevada policymakers should not get addicted to the pot of gold lure of marijuana tax revenues. Marijuana taxes will not likely cover the full costs of legalization including regulation, enforcement, public health and safety, and substance abuse treatment. Los Angeles: After giving brilliant performances in movies like ' American Psycho', 'Fight Club' and ' Dallas Buyers Club', which made him earn an Academy Award for Best Supporting actor, Jared Leto is geared up for his feature film directorial debut. The actor is all set to step behind the camera with Paramount's crime thriller '77', reports Hollywood Reporter. The 45 year-old, previously helmed 'Artifact', the 2012 documentary feature and also has directed numerous music videos and commercials, winning over a dozen awards worldwide. '77' is set in politically charged 1974 Los Angeles, the story centers around two police officers who team up to recover kidnapped heiress Patty Hearst while simultaneously investigating the brutal murder of a fellow officer. They uncover not only relentless corruption and crime, but a dark and violent conspiracy as well. David Matthews ( Narcos, Boardwalk Empire) writes from an original screenplay by author James Ellroy (L.A. Confidential). On a related note, Jared Leto will next be seen ' Blade Runner 2049', directed by Denis Villeneuve, alongside Harrison Ford and Ryan Gosling. Reports stating that the Baadshah of Bollywood, Shah Rukh Khan, has been roped in for a special appearance in Rajamoulis Baahubali: The Conclusion, has been going viral on social media. Rumours were abuzz that SRK would be seen in a cameo mediating between Prabhas and the antagonist played by Rana. Also, there were rumors that Suriya and Mohanlal were approached for the same, prior to getting Shah Rukh onboard for the special appearance. However, when DC contacted Rana, he denied all of it. He says, It is false news! SRK is not part of the film. There are no cameos of other south actors as well in Baahubali 2, as the movie has different settings. He also adds that the Baahubali sequel is bigger and mightier. Though Lakshmi Sharma has done a number of movies in Malayalam, she is still known for her Mollywood debut role in Palunku. Hailing from Andhra Pradesh, it was in Malayalam that she found a modicum of success. After a three-and-a-half year hiatus, Lakshmi is facing the camera again for the film Stethoscope and where you guessed right, she plays a doctor. Lakshmi is absolutely thrilled about returning to Malayalam. She explains, Earlier I had acted in some films but I cannot say that I have performed as an actor. In this role, I get to say my dialogues and really act some emotional scenes. Nowadays, getting a role where you have ample screen space to showcase your talent is rare. The film is directed by Suresh and will see Lakshmi playing the central character of Dr Bhagyalakshmi who is a dedicated and caring gynaecologist who considers her patients as her own. The film is a woman-oriented one and she plays the mother of a girl. She adds, Since I have put on some weight, this role suits me fine too. For an actress who was active in Malayalam films since 2006, she talks about the reasons for the break. Mentioning that it was never a lack of offers from Mollywood, she says that it was personal difficulties that forced her to take a break. "My father had two heart attacks in a year and I chose to look after him than be active in films. After that, I had a surgery for a ligament which forced me to be off my feet for three months. I also had to undergo physiotherapy and though I got some good roles in between, I could not say yes to them. Though the hiatus was a forced one, Lakshmi is now happy on many counts, In an industry where out of sight is out of mind, I thought people would forget me because there are so many newcomers coming into the industry; but I was wrong. The audience remembers me and my role in Stethoscope has given me back my confidence that I have not forgotten to act. Lakshmi is happy with the changes in Mollywood in the past five years. It has become a better industry, she feels, because of the influx of young blood handling departments like direction acting, scripting and production. She mentions, Mollywood is more vibrant now! Kerala has a very special connection in her life and she even ruminates on the thought that she has a previous birth connection with the land. She says, Kerala is home to me. I visit Guruvayoor whenever I come here and at any shoot in Kerala you will see me visiting all the nearby temples. I have visited more than 100 temples in my stint in Malayalam. Also I have so many memories of spending time with Sukumari amma and Manichettan. Before winding up, she adds, I would like to continue acting in Malayalam. Rating: Director: Sankalp Reddy Cast: Rana Daggubati, Kay Kay Menon, Atul Kulkarni, Ompuri, Satyadev, Taapsee and others Ghazi created much interest and buzz when the promos of the film were released as this is the first submarine war film made in India, and that too in Telugu. Sankalp Reddy, a first-time director, has based the film on the 1971 incident when a Pakistan submarine PNS Ghazi planned to attack Visakhapatnam, but was destroyed by the Indian warship INS Rajput. The case was classified and no one knows what actually happened. Its more difficult to convey the events of a battle from inside a submarine and to get all the emotions right, but with a talented cast that includes Rana Daggubati, Kay Kay Menon, Atul Kulkarni, Om Puri and Satyadev, Sankalp has managed to pull it off. A few films have changed the scenario of Telugu cinema, such as Shankarabharanam, Sagara Sangamam, and Shiva and now Ghazi has joined their ranks. The story is simple enough. The Eastern Naval Command, Visakhaptnam, gets information that Pakistan has deployed a submarine in the Bay of Bengal that is heading for Visakhapantam. INS Rajput, under the command of Captain Ran Vijay Singh (Kay Kay Menon) and Lt Commander Arjun Varma (Rana Daggubati), is sent to intercept it. Both show exemplary courage. An 18-day battle ensues that ends with the destruction of the enemy ship and Visakhaptnam is saved. Ghazi definitely belongs to director Sankalp Reddy. Not only are the action sequences credible, but we are kept at the edge of our seats as the narrative unfolds. The director maintains the tempo and creates some excitement, even though the outcome is known. The dialogue is heavily peppered with Navy lingo, but its never boring. The screenplay is gripping and the cast brilliant. Kay Kay is superb as Captain Ran Vijay Singh. Rana Daggubati rises to new heights as an actor in this film, giving the best performance of his career so far. Atul Kulkarni as assistant captain once again shows his class. Om Puri, Nasser and Milind Gunaji are all adequate in their respective roles. Taapsee hasnt much of a role. The music is by K and the background score creates the right atmosphere. The music is the soul of this film. Madhis cinematography is brilliant; Shivarams art work is also notable as he recreates the submarine atmosphere. Though graphics are used, they are not obvious Definitely, Ghazi stands on par with many Hollywood films of wars at sea. A must-watch film. Theres some sour news for Kamal Haasans fans. The superstars much talked-about Vishwaroopam is nowhere close to releasing. Reason? The films producer Oscar Ravi hasnt been able to provide funds needed to pay the pending salaries of the films crew and cast. Says the actor, I have six months of post-production work on the project left. My producer Aascar Ravi was busy bringing Arnold Schwarzenneger to release a Tamil films music and even busier buying rights for distribution of various films. Till he pays his due, the film stays mine on contract. Kamal Haasan is willing to let go of his own fees, but cannot forego his teams fee. To work ahead, the crew needs to be paid. I cant let my cast and crew suffer for my idealism, says Kamal who is willing to talk things out with Oscar. We meet regularly and theres no indication of any animosity regarding Vishwaroopam. Its just that hes busy with other ventures. For us, it is years of hard work. For him its just one more business venture. Mr Oscar wants us to cut our budgets but we cannot cut on budgets unless people are paid their pending salaries. This is a film, not a vegetable stall. Paris: A malaria vaccine that mimics a mosquito bite yielded encouraging results in human trials, its makers said Thursday, raising hopes for thwarting a parasite that kills a child every two minutes. The candidate drug, called PfSPZ, provided up to 100 percent protection for 10 weeks in a trial in Germany, although a trial in real life conditions in Mali gave a lower level of defence, they reported in two separate studies."We are extremely encouraged by these findings," said Stephen Hoffman of vaccine developer Sanaria, a company based in Maryland.But he stressed a lot of work lay ahead, and a registered vaccine may take another two years to reach the market. PfSPZ uses a live, immature form of the malaria parasite, called a sporozoite, to stimulate an immune reaction in humans.In one trial, a version of PfSPZ required fewer shots and a lower dose of live malaria parasites than tested to date, researchers reported in the science journal Nature.For another form of the vaccine, sporozoites are exposed to radiation to weaken them before being injected into the human bloodstream. A previous trial with the irradiated version saw 44 trial volunteers given five shots, each with up to 135,000 sporozoites, or three doses with up to 1.8 million sporozoites in total. The highest dose conferred up to 100 percent immunity, a 2013 report said.For the German trial, volunteers were given only three injections over eight weeks or 10 days, with sporozoite doses ranging from 3,200 to 51,200 per shot. All nine volunteers in the high-dose group enjoyed malaria protection 10 weeks after the last dose, compared to six out of nine in the medium- and three out of nine in the low-dose groups, said Hoffman. No radiation "The ability to complete an immunisation regime in 10 days will facilitate the use of PfSPZ-CVac in mass vaccination programmes to eliminate the malaria parasite and to prevent malaria in travellers," he added.The reason that fewer sporozoites were required was that they were not irradiated before injection. Instead, the vaccine was administered in conjunction with an anti-malarial drug, chloroquine, to stop the parasite causing disease once inside the human body. PfSPZ is being developed against the Plasmodium falciparum mosquito-borne parasite, by far the deadliest type. Further trials are to follow in Mali, Ghana, the United States and Gabon. A second report, published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases, said 44 people given five doses of PfSPZ in Mali had a lower rate than non-innoculated peers after six months. Of the control group given a placebo or dummy injection, 93 percent contracted malaria, said the team. In the vaccinated group, "only" 66 percent were infected. "That's the highest level of protection ever seen with a malaria vaccine... in a real setting," Hoffman told AFP. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there were 212 million malaria cases in the world in 2015 and 429,000 deaths. More than 90 percent of deaths occur in Africa. Another vaccine called RTS,S, developed by GlaxoSmithKline, is being tested in children -- the most affected population. It is considered the most advanced candidate, but results last year from a Kenyan trial showed it was only about four percent effective after seven years. The developers of PfSPZ are aiming for efficiency of about 80-90 percent protection lasting for six months to a year, Hoffman said. "We hope we'll be there this year, maybe next year. We're closing in on it," he told AFP. Hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent on the quest for a vaccine, but bite-prevention remains the most effective prophylactic -- mosquito nets, insecticides, and wearing long sleeves in malaria-riddled areas. Tengakhat: In a major breakthrough for the security forces, a United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) terrorist was apprehended in Tengakhat on Wednesday night for his alleged involvement in a blast in Dibrugarh's Convoy Road on the Republic Day. The police also recovered one motorcycle with two different registration numbers from his possession. Earlier on January 26, three army jawans were killed and four others sustained injuries when the vehicle they were travelling in was damaged after an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted by suspected ULFA terrorists exploded. Further details are awaited. Hyderabad: Rajendranagar police prevented a major robbery at a petrol pump which was planned by one of its employees, and arrested five people. The main accused, Mohammed Abdul Said Rehman, 21, working as cashier at the Essar petrol pump in Hyderguda, had conducted a recce of the pump and had explained to his associates how to avoid being captured by CCTVs while committing dacoity. He had also prepared an escape plan, police said. The other suspects are Syed Sami, 19, a degree student, Mirza Alishan Ali Baig, 19, who works for a footwear shop, Mohammed Ali Qureshi, 23, an auto driver and a 17-year-old boy. The cops seized face masks, gloves and a knife which they brought with them for the dacoity and five mobile phones. Rajendranagar ACP K. Gangareddy said that pump cashier Rehman, was going through a financial crisis and planned the dacoity. He shared his plan with his friend Sami saying that they can commit the dacoity after other employees slept at night. As per their plan, they purchased masks, gloves and a knife two days ago. While Rahman was at the pump on night duty, Sami and the others came to the pump in an autorickshaw. They parked their vehicle at a distance and were waiting for Rehmans instructions. At midnight, after his colleagues slept, Rehman met his associates. They wore gloves and masks and were about to strike, the ACP said. Police nabbed the suspects and seized the material they had brought for the robbery. The arrested persons were remanded. Chakali Narsamma lived with her 30-year-old daughter Parvathamma, who had two failed marriages due to her alcohol addiction. (Photo: Representational Image) Hyderabad: Angry at being refused money to buy alcohol, an alcohol addict killed her 70-year-old mother and stayed in the same room, with the body, for a week. Officials say the crime occurred more than a week ago at Ippaturu village in Nawabpet mandal of Mahabubnagar district. It was discovered on Thursday after neighbours found the daughter, Parvathamma, dragging her mother Narsammas body into the main room of her home, to dispose of it. The murder was a re-enactment of an earlier crime within the family, when Parvathammas elder brother, Narayana, killed their father Nagaraju after he refused to give him money for alcohol four years ago. According to the police, Chakali Narsamma lived with her 30-year-old daughter Parvathamma, who had two failed marriages due to her alcohol addiction. The two women lived off Narsammas pension. Recently, nearly a week ago, when Parvathamma asked her mother for money to buy some liquor, the mother refused and a quarrel ensued during which the daughter is believed to have struck the mother on the head with a stick. Police claim she also later doused the body with kerosene. Parvathamma later told neighbours who were wondering about Narsammas absence that her mother was visiting a relative. But on Wednesday night, neighbours alerted local police after the daughter was spotted dragging her mothers decomposed body into the main room of her house. Police later said Parvathamma had confessed to committing the gruesome crime. She admitted that she had killed her mother under the effect of alcohol, after her mother denied her money to purchase more liquor, Nawabpet SI A. Praveen Kumar told the press. Parvathamma has been placed under arrested. Police and excise department officials take part in a workshop on NDPS Act with reference to Ganja trade and persecution at Zilla Parishad Hall in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday. (Photo: DECCAN CHRONICLE) Visakhapatnam: Vizag is among the top producers of cannabis in the country. The conviction rate in ganja trade cases is low, estimated at about 5 to 10 per cent. The legal fraternity says that enforcement officials have little knowledge of the various provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act and do not follow the mandatory provisions. Most of the cases related to ganja trade have ended in acquittals due to this. The number of cases booked against ganja smugglers under the NDPS Act by the department of prohibition and excise and the police has been on the rise over the last few years in Visakhapatnam and other parts of the state. The failure of the investigating officers in terms of producing key evidence in the court has helped the accused escape jail. According to statistics from the police and excise department, they had seized over 50 tonnes of hemp and arrested over 700 smugglers in 2016. They destroyed hundreds of acres of ganja plantation in Vizag district alone, figures show. However, only about 35 persons have been convicted under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act and that too under sections for petty crimes. Lawyers believe that the NDPS Act was strong enough to sentence a person to life imprisonment and even capital punishment for smuggling. What is needed is to frame the case strongly without leaving any loopholes. Dr G. Kalyani, legal adviser-cum-public prosecutor of prohibition and excise department, observed that most of the ganja cases have ended in acquittal due to ignorance of the investigating officers from police and excise department. Cases booked by them lack comprehensiveness that can lead to stronger conviction. Though the police managed to seize large quantity of hemp, they failed in alerting their superior officer or involving a gazetted officer as witness to the arrests. These lacunae weaken the case and allows the apprehended persons to go scot-free, she said. Admitting that the conviction rate in ganja cases is not encouraging, assistant commissioner of excise S.V.V.N. Babji Rao and deputy excise commissioner (Vizag) Ch. Gopal Krishna said there was an urgent need to create awareness among the investigating and field officers about the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act to improve the conviction rate.In most of the cases, they managed to nab a few persons but have not been able to breach the cartel and reach the kingpins, they added. Kudos to NDOT director for help with signs Editor: How about some news? Good news! After at least three years of study and meetings with sign vendors and Nevada Department of Transportation officials, we can finally report to you that two new signs along I-80 will be installed to help motorists know where the California Trail Interpretive Center is and a little about what is actually there. The signs (one each direction) will be placed 3 miles from the off/on ramps of the California Trail Center. Three years ago, we began negotiations with Maggie Creek Ranch and NDOT to put up Bill Boards on the ranch property in both directions. The ranch was happy to accommodate our needs. However, after many meetings with NDOT it was determined that Bill Boards would not work because the existing Federal Regulations forbid their erection in this area. We at the California Trail Heritage Alliance were devastated as this effectively ended anything we knew to do to give better notification to tourists of the California Trail Center ahead as they moved in both directions on I-80. Then out of the BLUE we received a phone call from Mr. Kevin Lee, the Elko NDOT District Engineer, inviting us to a meeting at his office to explain other possibilities. We gladly accepted. Kevin suggested we might consider two NDOT-placed signs in the highway right of way. We were dumbfounded as this was probably more effective than Bill Boards and the construction and maintenance expenses would be borne by our federal highway system. As you might understand, the really BIG NEWS is a public official who is going the extra mile for the people he serves. How we appreciate his help on this project, but more than that, the ethics that continue to guide his professional and personal life. Kevin also serves his community as a Boy Scout leader and serves his nation on the BLM Resource Advisory Council representing transportation. Now a little bad news, Kevin Lee informed us that he will be retiring in just a few weeks. We wish him well and offer our special thanks for being an exemplary public servant. He, like so many other elected or appointed public officials, seldom get a pat on the back for the service they render to all Americans. So, to all of you who deserve our heartfelt thanks, THANK YOU! For those who dont, watch your back side! R. Jeff Williams Osino New Delhi: A Delhi court acquitted two persons on Thursday who were accused in 2005 Diwali-eve serial blasts case here which had claimed 67 lives, saying the prosecution has failed to prove their guilt. Additional Sessions Judge Reetesh Singh acquitted Mohd Rafiq Shah and Mohd Hussain Fazli of all the charges. However, he held the third accused, Tariq Ahmed Dar, guilty of being a member of a terror outfit and giving support to it. However, he was let off too, as he had already undergone more than ten years in jail, which is the maximum punishment prescribed under the law for these offences. The serial blasts happened at three places - Sarojini Nagar, Paharganj and Kalkaji - on October 29, 2005, and had taken a toll of 67 lives and injured over 225 persons. Dar was convicted for the offence punishable under Section 38 (being the member of a terror organisation) and Section 39 (giving support to such outfit) of Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). Farooq Ahmed Batloo and Ghulam Ahmed Khan had earlier pleaded guilty and were let off by the court for the period already undergone by them. Both were accused of terror funding. Three separate cases were registered by Delhi Police's Special Cell following the blasts. The court had clubbed all the three cases for the purpose of recording evidence. As per the prosecution, Dar, along with Abu Ozefa, Abu Al Kama, Rashid, Sazid Ali and Zahid, had allegedly entered into a criminal conspiracy to wage a war against the country and planned serial blasts. All these five co-accused are still at large and are said to be in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Prosecution said that Dar had allegedly hatched a conspiracy with the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militants to plan and carry out the bomb blasts in the national capital. The resort in Koovathur at East Coast Road where various AIADMK MLAs were camping. (Photo: PTI) Chennai: AIADMK MLAs supporting party general secretary V K Sasikala today began leaving the premises of the resort near here where they were staying for the past eight days. The development comes in the wake Sasikala loyalist and AIADMK Legislature Party Leader Edappadi K Palanisamy taking oath as new Tamil Nadu chief minister in presence of Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao. "All the legislators are starting from here," Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker M Thambidurai told reporters at the premises of resort, about 80 km from here. "Dharma has won," he said. Asked if his party was still worried about MLAs switching to the faction led by O Panneerselvam, he said, all the legislators are united and supporting Palanisamy. "All the MPs are with us as well," Thambidurai said. The ruling party legislators had arrived at the resort on February 8, a day after Panneerselvam rebelled against Sasikala. Panneerselvam and his supporters had alleged that the MLAs were forced to stay there against their will. Srivaigundam MLA S P Shunmuganathan on February 10 had filed a police complaint, claiming that AIADMK MLAs were illegally confined as per Sasikala's "instructions". On February 12, police booked a case of abduction and wrongful confinement against Sasikala and Palaniswamy following a complaint by Madurai South MLA S S Saravanan. However, the MLAs, whose opinion was sought in this regard, had said they were staying there on their "own volition." New Delhi: Hitting back at Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi for accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) of indulging in the politics of hatred, the saffron party on Thursday said that it was under the 60-year regime of the UPA Government that hatred reared its ugly head. Attacking the grand old party, BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain told ANI that Congress has always thrived on grounds of hatred. "In 60 years they have only spread hatred..and today, that same Congress is talking about peace and love. BJP has only one agenda that is 'sabka saath, sabka vikaas'. And we will take the country forward with this agenda," he said. Toeing similar sentiments, another BJP leader Sambit Patra mocked Gandhi saying he should not to be taken very seriously. "Mr. Rahul Gandhi who only about 15- 20 days ago was saying that '27 saal UP behaal" and today suddenly he has come up with the phrase that he and Akhilesh will improve Uttar Pradesh. He is that same person who was saying 20 day before said "that 24 rape cases took place in Uttar Pradesh because of the lackadaisical law process there and about 13 murders were happening in UP everyday" the same Rahul Gandhi has today made an U-turn," Patra told ANI. Trashing the prospects of the SP-Cong alliance, he said BJP stands for development and that the party is moving ahead with this agenda and only this agenda will be connective and take UP forward. Earlier, Rahul had accused the BJP and RSS of spreading "hatred" among people and claimed that the SP and his party activists were for harmony in the society. Addressing a rally in Bijnor's Afzalgarh area, he also said that since the Congress has formed an alliance with the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has lost his sleep. The Congress Vice President also alleged that the BJP-led NDA dispensation at the Centre had failed to generate employment opportunities as promised, and "the lion of 'Make In India' has failed to provide jobs to unemployed youths". Later, addressing a rally in Bareilly, he claimed that the "wrong policies" of the Centre and demonetisation of high value currency notes were responsible for the poor state of small and traditional enterprises, including the local 'manjha and surma' industry. New Delhi: India and China will hold their first Strategic Dialogue on February 22 in Beijing during which the two sides will discuss key issues of mutual "concern and interest" including "friction points" such as Masood Azhar and NSG. Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar and Executive Vice Chairman of China hang Yesui will co-chair the meet to discuss "all issues of mutual interest in a bilateral, regional, and international domain", External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said on Thursday. Acknowledging that there are "friction points" in Sino-India ties, Swarup said the dialogue will strive for a holistic view of the relations between the two countries and see how much they can accommodate each other's concerns and interests. "India and China share a close development partnership and there are a number of issues also between the two countries. While there are collaborative activities, there are also some friction points, said Swarup. "The idea is that through the mechanism of this strategic dialogue, the foreign secretary from our side and his Chinese counterpart can take a holistic view of India-China relations and see to what extent the two sides can accommodate each other's concerns and interests," he said. Maintaining that the upcoming Strategic Dialogue, which was set up in August last year during the visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, was a new mechanism, Swarup said it is a more "comprehensive" forum. India-China ties have witnessed strain following Beijing's rigid stand on issues crucial to India such as membership to the Nuclear Suppliers Group and designation of JeM chief and Pathankot attack mastermind Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN. Not only China blocked India's membership bid at the meeting of NSG last year, it also opposed banning of Azhar by the UN, apparently at the behest of its "all-weather" friend Pakistan. On Wednesday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry also said it has lodged a protest with India for hosting a Taiwanese parliamentary delegation and asked it to deal "prudently" with Taiwan-related matters. New Delhi dismissed the protest saying no "political meanings" should be read into such trips. After collecting the house keys from a neighbour on returning home, Pavan hung himself to death from the ceiling. (Photo: Representational Image) Mysuru: A 13-year-old boy from Mysuru hung himself from the ceiling after he was accused of stealing Rs 100 from a classmate. According to reports, Pavan, a seventh standard student of Sri Bhyraveshwara School in Metagalli police limits, killed himself at his residence after returning from school. After collecting the house keys from a neighbour on returning home, Pavan hung himself to death from the ceiling. Pavan took Rs 100 from a friends bag last week and spent Rs 30. But after realising his mistake, Pavan returned the sum of money to his friend. However, school officials summoned the boy's father Jayasheelan and apprised him of the situation. Following this, Pavan's father scolded him, causing the boy to take the extreme step. Pavan was in his school uniform when he committed suicide, police said. The boy's father has lodged a police complaint alleging that his son was humiliated by the school authorities. His father told media persons that he had given Rs 100 to Pavan, who spent a portion of it. New Delhi: National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested Mouinudheen Parakadavath, a Kerala resident, in connection with its probe in alleged ISIS module. Mouinudheen, wanted by the NIA arrived at the IGI Airport in Delhi on February 14 from Abu Dhabi, the agency said in a statement. The 25-year-old, a resident of Kasaragod, was summoned for questioning at the agency's Headquarters yesterday, NIA said. "During his examination, he admitted to his involvement in the conspiracy and therefore, he has been arrested today at NIA Headquarters," it said The NIA said the case relates to a terror module in which a group of youths from Kerala including some members based in the Middle-East hatched conspiracy under instructions from their online ISIS handlers. It said on October 2, 2016, based on the intelligence inputs, five accused associated with this terror module, were arrested from Kanakmala Hill in Kannoor district, Kerala and another associate was arrested from Calicut the same day. "Based on their revelation, it was established that Mouinudheen was a key figure in the module, which was actively planning various aspects of terrorist plot, on a Telegram group," NIA said. It alleged Mouinudheen was using the online identity Abu-Al-Indonesi as well as Ibn Abdullah on the telegram group. "It was also revealed by the arrested persons that Mouinudheen had sent funds from Abu Dhabi to members of the terrorist module in Kerala, through Western Union Money Transfer last year," it said. Chennai: Edapaddi K Palanisamy, who took office as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister on Thursday, will hold the important Home and Finance portfolios, which were earlier held by his predecessor O Panneerselvam. Besides, the new Chief Minister will also take care of other key portfolios of Public Works, Highways and Minor Ports, which he had managed as a minister in the Jayalalithaa and Panneerselvam cabinets. The Chief Minister allotted the following portfolios to his Cabinet Ministers: C Srinivasan (Forests), K A Sengottaiyan (School Education), K Raju (Cooperation), P Thangamani (Electricity), S P Velumani (Municipal Administration), D Jayakumar (Fisheries) and C Ve Shanmugam (Law). K P Anbalagan will look after Higher Education, V Saroja (Social Welfare), M C Sampath (Industries), K C Karuppannan (Environment), R Kamaraj (Food), O S Manian (Handloom), K Radhakrishnan (Housing), C Vijaya Baskar (Health and Family Welfare), R Dorai Kannu (Agriculture), Kadambur Raju (Information), R B Udhayakumar(Revenue) and N Natarajan (Tourism). K C Veeramani has been allotted Commercial Taxes, K T Rajenthira Balaji (Dairy Development), P Benjamin (Rural Industries), Nilofer Kafeel (Labor), M R Vijayabaskar (Transport), M Manikandan (Information Technology), V M Rajalakshmi (Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare), G Baskaran (Khadi and Village Industries Board) and S Ramachandran (HR and CE). S Valarmathi has been given charge of Backward Classes and Minority Welfare department, while P Balakrishna Reddy will be the Animal Husbandry minister. All the Ministers, barring Sengottaiyan, had handled the respective portfolios in the Panneerselvam cabinet too. K Pandiarajan, now in the Panneerselvam camp, was School Education Minister in the previous cabinet. AIADMK said all the party MLAs were working as a family and the focus will be on delivering good governance to the people of Tamil Nadu under the leadership of Palanisamy. "Now, we have the party under the leadership of Edappadi K Palanisamy (as Chief Minister). We will focus on delivering good governance to the people of Tamil Nadu," Minister for Milk and Dairy Development, K T Rajendhira Balaji told a Tamil channel. On the remarks by former Chief Minister O Panneerselvam that they would never allow a family, apparently referring to AIADMK General Secretary V K Sasikala to run the government, Balaji said, "No family is dominating us. We (the 124 legislators) all are united and working as a family." Elaborating, he said, "all these days we were protecting the unity in the party. Now, we all are united and the focus will be on delivering good governance." Bengaluru: By 5.45 pm on Wednesday, V.K. Sasikala was ensconced in a jail cell that measured barely ten feet by twelve in Bengaluru's largest prison. There was no toilet, no facilities, unlike the last time she was there, as Amma's fellow cellmate. And in the neighbouring cell in the block for convicted women prisoners was a hardened criminal, convicted of murder - Cyanide Mallika, the woman whose one aim the last time around was to meet her idol Jayalaitha! In a huge comedown for the political newbie who claimed she would fight for "her people" even from prison, Prisoner Number 9234 saw her 10 car convoy being vandalized by angry local farmers, upset over Tamil Nadu's stand on the Cauvery waters which had seen the lion's share going to the lower riparian state. Police sources put the vandalism down to Sasikala's rival for the AIADMK's fortunes, O. Paneerselvam's supporters, but no one is quite sure who the small group of people were - whether they were local Tamil Sangam activists or genuine AIADMK supporters. Either way, numbers were miniscule compared to the huge crowds, mainly women who had gathered when Jayalalitha was brought to the same prison, and later, celebrated with dance and song, when she was freed. On Wednesday, as Sasikala strode to the prison, accompanied by her sister-in-law Ilavarasi, the slogans were not flattering. Sasikala 420 was the hurtful chant, alluding to the AIADMK supporters belief - despite evidence to the contrary - in their Amma's innocence. Chennai: Edappadi K Palanisamy, a VK Sasikala loyalist, was today sworn-in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, ending the 10-day political uncertainty in the state which began with caretaker CM O Panneerselvam's revolt against the AIADMK general secretary. Governor C Vidyasagar Rao administered the oath of office and secrecy to 63-year-old Palanisamy, a party veteran from western Tamil Nadu, at the head of a 31-member Cabinet at a ceremony in the Raj Bhavan this evening. The ministers were sworn-in in batches. Palanisamy is the third AIADMK leader to be sworn-in as Chief Minister in the last nine months. AIDMK supremo and Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa had powered the party to a rare successive term in office in the state in the May, 2016 Assembly Polls. She continued in the post through her grim 74-day battle for life. Palanisamy exuded confidence that he will prove his majority in the Assembly and ensure that "the government of Amma (Jayalalithaa) will continue." "I wish to say that Amma's (Jayalalithaa) government will continue by me proving majority in the Assembly," he told reporters in his first media interaction after taking over as Chief Minister of the southern state. Tamil Nadu Assembly Secretary Jamaludeen said vote of confidence will be on February 18. Prime Minister Narendra Modi called up Palanisamy to congratulate him on taking over as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. "Spoke to Thiru Edappadi K. Palaniswami & congratulated him on taking over as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu," Modi tweeted. Within hours of Jayalalithaa's death on December 5, Panneerselvam, who had filled in for Jayalalithaa twice in the past when she had to go to jail in corruption cases, was sworn-in as Chief Minister. Panneerselvam later stepped down, paving the way for Sasikala, who was already chosen AIADMK general secretary, to be elected its legislature party leader on February five. However, the usually reticent Man Friday of Jayalalithaa rose in rebellion against Sasikala two days later, claiming he was coerced into resigning. He even expressed willingness to become Chief Minister again if the people of Tamil Nadu and AIADMK workers so desired. His belligerence plunged the state into a political crisis. Amid the face off with Panneerselvam, Sasikala met Governor Rao on February 9 and staked claim to form the government. Notwithstanding criticism from several quarters, Rao preferred to wait and watch as the political tug-of-war played out between the rival AIADMK factions. He stood vindicated when Sasikala and two members of her family were convicted and their sentences restored by the Supreme Court in Rs 66 crore disproportionate assets case on February 14, rendering her ineligible for contesting elections for 10 years and dashing her hopes of becoming the Chief Minister. Sasikala then handpicked her loyalist Palanisamy, who was elected AIADMK legislature party leader, and staked claim to form the government on Tuesday. Palanisamy was invited by the Governor today to form the government after he submitted a list of 124 MLAs supporting him last night. He has 15 days to prove his majority in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly. Later, Palanisamy visited the memorials of party founder M G Ramachandran and Jayalalithaa where he paid floral tributes. As a mark of reverence, Palanisamy prostrated at Jayalalithaa's memorial on the marina. He was accompanied among others by AIADMK deputy general secretary T T V Dinakaran, who is a nephew of Sasikala. Before heading for a Karnataka prison where she would serve the remainder of her jail term, Sasikala had reinducted Dinakaran into the party, five years after Jayalalithaa had expelled him. Sasikala also appointed Dinakaran as her deputy, virtually handing over the party's control to him in her absence. AIADMK legislature party leader Edapadi K Palanisamy submits list of MLAs supporting him to Governor Ch Vidayasagar Rao on Wednesday. (Photo: ANI Twitter) Chennai: Sasikala loyalist Edappadi K Palanisami is all set to be the new Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu with the Governor on Thursday inviting him to form government at the "earliest". Ending the 10-day impasse over government formation, Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao asked Palanisami, the AIADMK Legislature Party Leader, to form his ministry at the earliest and seek a vote of confidence in the assembly within 15 days. "The Governor has today appointed Edappadi K Palanisami, Party Headquarters Secretary of AIADMK as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and invited him to form the ministry at the earliest," a Raj Bhavan release said. Palanisami's swearing-in ceremony will take place at 4:30 pm. 31 MLAs will also be sworn in as Cabinet ministers along with Palanisami. Here's the list: 31 ministers including Tamil Nadu CM E. Palanisamy to take oath today. pic.twitter.com/Jlt5tQcOuf ANI (@ANI_news) February 16, 2017 The Governor's invitation came "in acceptance" of the letter submitted by Palanisami on February 14, saying he had been elected as the Leader of the AIADMK Legislature party in a meeting of its MLAs that day. Earlier in the day, the Governor had met Palanisami, the third meeting between the two since February 14 when AIADMK General Secretary V K Sasikala was convicted by the Supreme Court in an assets case, dealing a body blow to her ambition of becoming Chief Minister. She was earlier elected AIADMK Legislature party leader on February 5, but a revolt by the O Panneerselvam came as a spanner in her works. Soon after news of Palanisami emerging as the next Chief Minister came in, supporters of Sasikala welcomed his elevation and hailed the Governor's decision. MLAs staying at the Koovathur resort, about 80 km from Chennai, for the past one week amidst police enquiries of their well-being, were all smiles and also raised slogans, hailing 'Chinnamma' (Sasikala). Party MPs supporting Sasikala said due process has come into being and that the state government would stay. Though the Governor held meetings with both the warring factions led by Panneerselvam and Palanisami respectively during the last two days, he seems to have gone by the constitutional mandate on the support of MLAs' to the Chief Minister designate, who claims to have the 124 legislators on his side. Rao was on Monday advised by Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi to convene a special session of the Legislative Assembly within a week for holding a composite floor test. Immediately after Rao invited Palanisami to form the government, AIADMK MLAs hailed the Governor, and raised pro-Sasikala slogans. The AIADMK Twitter handle, after posting the Governor's decision, simply said, '#Ammawins'. Sources on Wednesday said the Governors office had verified the signatures of the 124 legislators, whose letters of support Palanisami had submitted to Vidyasagar Rao on Wednesday for the second time. The Governor was of the view that 'the whole world knew that Palanisami had the numbers on his side'. The Governor formed the view that he would go by the time-tested tradition of inviting the leader claiming majority support. He was of the view that the advice of Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi to hold a joint floor test to determine the strength of the two sides did not hold water in this case. Vidyasagar Raos stand was that no previous Governor had called for such a test, which had only been ordered by the Supreme Court, sources said. E Palanisami was appointed AIADMK legislature party leader by Sasikala on Wednesday, before surrendered in Bengaluru jail. Coimbatore: The one-man commission appointed by the Tamil Nadu government to probe the circumstances leading to violent incidents here following the agitation over Jallikattu issue, inspected the protest venue at VOC park grounds and several other places here on Thursday. District Collector T N Hariharan, Deputy Commissioner of Police Lakshmi along with senior district and police officials, accompanied Justice (Retd) S Rajeswaran for the inspection. Later, Rajeswaran said he was here to get the first-hand information on the circumstances leading to the violent incidents across the city. Stating that he had already visited the violence-hit areas in Chennai and conducted enquiries with police officials, Rajeswaran said he would visit Madurai next after the inspection and investigation in the city and Salem. The news of the commission's visits to affected localities would be publicised through newspapers, so that the public and students could depose before it, he said. The report will be submitted to the state government at the earliest, he added. Rajeswaran visited Gandhipuram Bus stand, Meenaskhi Marriage Hall, Codissia grounds and a private college premises, where the violent incidents took place on January 23 and 24. Koovathur: Hailing Edappadi K Palanisamy's appointment as the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, senior AIADMK leader M Thambidurai on Thursday said the party stands united and will carry forward late chief minister J. Jayalalithaa's legacy. Thambidurai, who is also the Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker, however took on caretaker CM O Panneerselvam while stating that the latter stands alone in his desire for the coveted post. "This is people's victory. We will carry forward Amma's legacy in the coming days. We are not divided. There are no factions. Only O Panneerselvam is apart and his question shouldn't arise because he isn't a party member. Except that, all the 134 MLAs are with us. I have learnt that the swearing-in will be around 4-4.30 pm," Thambidurai told the media. Meanwhile, AIADMK MP V. Maitreyan from Panneerselvam's faction will meet the Election Commission officials in Delhi at 2.45 p.m. today. Putting all speculations to rest, Tamil Nadu Governor Ch. Vidyasagar Rao earlier in the day appointed AIADMK legislature party leader Palanisamy as the Chief Minister. The Governor has asked Palanisamy to seek vote of confidence in 15 days, the Raj Bhawan said in a statement. Tamil Nadu Minister D. Jayakumar said the swearing-in ceremony of Palanisamy as the Chief Minister will be held later this evening. Meanwhile, AIADMK general secretary V.K. Sasikala's supporters celebrated as they raised slogans against O. Panneerselvam, the caretaker chief minister, outside Golden Bay Resorts in Kovathur. Palanisamy, along with Tamil Nadu ministers Jayakumar, K.A. Sengottaiyan, S. P. Velumani, T. T. Dinakaran and K. P. Anbazhagan met the Governor earlier in the day. The Governor heard competing pitches last night from within the ruling party of the state over who should be the Chief Minister. The Governor first met with Palanisamy, who claimed to have the support of 125 legislators. Next up was Panneerselvam, who claimed to have the support of 11 MLAs. Setting aside on earlier Karnataka High Court order, a two-judge bench of the Supreme Court earlier on Tuesday convicted AIADMK general secretary V.K. Sasikala in connection with a 19-year old disproportionate assets case. She also will not be able to contest elections for 10 years or hold public office. The disproportionate assets case that posed a legal hurdle against Sasikala's taking over as the Chief Minister dates back to 1996. Guwahati: In what may be called an effort to damage control, Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday said that the Jorhat girl has done nothing wrong by posting her case of eve-teasing on Facebook. Sarmas remark came after a college girl's Facebook in Jorhat, narrating how she was sexually harassed last week by motorcycle-borne youths, sparked protests across the state. Clarifying that his government was not opposed to the idea of posting anything against the government on social media, Sarma said, We have simply requested the people to inform such incidents to police also. Police failed to take note of the Facebook posts of the girl and by the time it came to their notice, the accused had sufficient time to escape. Earlier, Parliamentary affairs minister Chandra Mohan Patowary had ridiculed the girl, who was an activist of the Left-wing Students Federation of India (SFI), for making her ordeal public on social media, instead of seeking police help and. A day after Patowarys remark, Tezpurs BJP MP R P Sharma also had advocated that such incidents should be reported to police instead of taking it up on social media. The remarks of Patowary and Sharma had sparked angry reactions with many asking for the resignation of the minister. In an obvious attempt to pacify the storm, Sarma on Thursday stepped in and clarified that they cant snatch away the rights of any individual to put forward their grievances on social media. The Facebook post of the girl has sparked protests across the state with many intellectuals extending their support to the girl for raising her voice against it. Sahitya Akademi winner Nirupama Borgohain lauded the girl's courage for bringing the issue on public domain in the interest of others, risking her own security. An IPS officer Sanjukta Parashar, a former superintendent of police in Jorhat, also wrote a Facebook post supporting the girl going public with her ordeal. She has expressed herself quite clearly; the pain and the anguish of being sexually assaulted, the trauma of feeling lonely, and the frustration at the inability to get help. Her words are a cry for justice, a cry for putting an end to such heinous acts by men. It becomes very easy for a woman to blame herself as the society tries to instil such thoughts in us from childhood, she wrote. Referring to a tasteless comment made by the Andhra Pradesh Assembly Speaker Kodela Shiva Prasad, Parashar said, We wont be parked cars, we as capable and competent women, will go to schools and colleges, to markets and to our jobs. We are not to blame, our clothes are not at fault, we wont apologise for being women. Chennai: After losing the race for Chief Minister to AIADMK legislature party leader and Sasikala pick Edappadi K Palanisamy, caretaker Tamil Nadu CM O Panneerselvam on Thursday said his faction won't let the party go into the hands of few of Sasikala's family members. "We will not let the party (AIADMK) go into the hands of few of V.K Sasikala's family members," Panneerselvam said. OPS vowed to carry on the 'dharmyudh' until 'Amma's rule is established'. Many MLAs will support only Amma's rule and not rule of a family, said Pandiarajan, who is part of the OPS faction. Another OPS supporter and AIADMK MLA, S Semmalai, said, Now, we'll go back to our party supporters and discuss as to who'll lead the party next. Meanwhile, AIADMK MP V Maitreyan from Panneerselvam's faction will meet the Election Commission officials in Delhi at 2.45 p.m. today. However, Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker and AIADMK leader Thambidurai on Wednesday asserted that Panneerselvam's opinion did not matter since he was not a member of the party. He also claimed that no MLAs were on Panneerselvam's side. Putting all speculations to rest, Tamil Nadu Governor Ch. Vidyasagar Rao earlier in the day appointed AIADMK legislature party leader Palanisamy as the Chief Minister. The Governor has asked Palanisamy to seek vote of confidence in 15 days, the Raj Bhawan said in a statement. Tamil Nadu Minister D. Jayakumar said the swearing-in ceremony of Palanisamy as the Chief Minister will be held later this evening. Meanwhile, AIADMK general secretary V.K. Sasikala's supporters celebrated as they raised slogans against O. Panneerselvam, outside Golden Bay Resort in Kovathur. Palanisamy, along with Tamil Nadu ministers Jayakumar, K.A. Sengottaiyan, S. P. Velumani, T. T. Dinakaran and K. P. Anbazhagan met the Governor earlier in the day. The Governor heard competing pitches last night from within the ruling party of the state over who should be the Chief Minister. The Governor first met with Palanisamy, who claimed to have the support of 125 legislators. Next up was Panneerselvam, who claimed to have the support of 11 MLAs. Setting aside on earlier Karnataka High Court order, a two-judge bench of the Supreme Court earlier on Tuesday convicted Sasikala in connection with a 19-year old disproportionate assets case. She also will not be able to contest elections for 10 years or hold public office. The disproportionate assets case that posed a legal hurdle against Sasikala's taking over as the Chief Minister dates back to 1996. Within the next couple of months, the first set of bulletproof helmets out of an order of 1,58,000 (order worth Rs 170 crore) will be given to the northern command of Indian Army. Bengaluru: With increasing number of skirmishes along the border with Pakistan, and possibility of maritime attack by terrorists, the countrys armed forces will, for the first time, don bulletproof helmets and jackets, soon. Within the next couple of months, the first set of bulletproof helmets out of an order of 1,58,000 (order worth Rs 170 crore) will be given to the northern command of Indian Army. Of these, 13,000 will go to MARCOs (maritime commandos) of the Navy. Interestingly, MKU, a Kanpur-based enterprise with an annual turnover of Rs 300 crore, which has been chosen to supply these helmets and jackets, has been providing them to armed forces of 120 countries. Some of these helmets will also have radio sets attached to facilitate better communications during encounters with terrorists or during war, Mahesh Singh Chauhan, spokesman of MKU, told Deccan Chronicle. He said his firm will commence delivery of such helmets in two months, and complete the process over the next three years. Helmets made by us are special because 40 layers of composite fabric are compressed to make sure that they cushion the impact of bullets. The jackets are undergoing field trials, and the order is likely to be of the order of 1.89 lakhs. These jackets help break the tip of bullets and stop them piercing the body even when they are fired from close proximity of 10 meters," he added. MKU has supplied 60,000 bulletproof jackets to CRPF, besides 3,500 to the Navy and 300 bulletproof and floatation jackets to the Coast Guard. In addition, it has provided specialised equipment to special para forces and QRT or quick reaction teams for counter-insurgency and operation against terrorists, he added. This firm has developed armour protection for aircraft and helicopters using cutting-edge technologies while keeping the weight of the armour minimum. MKUs 6th Generation Polyshield V6 armouring technology uses advanced composite materials and techniques that reduce the weight of the armour for aircraft and helicopters by approximately 40 per cent compared with standard armouring solutions. It also designs helicopter armour kits using the proprietary 'Modular Schutz Technik', which uses precision engineered composite armour panels along with patented aero-grade attachment systems. These kits are installed in existing structure of the helicopter, thus saving changes or tampering with the aerodynamics of the helicopter. A model of cabin of a helicopter with such protection along with bullet proof helmets are on display at Aero India 2017. New Delhi: India and China will hold the first round of strategic dialogue on February 22 in Beijing during which the two sides will discuss key issues of mutual concern and interest, including friction points such as proposed UN action against Pakistan-based terrorist Masood Azhar and Indias NSG membership bid. China and India will hold the first Meeting of the India China Strategic Dialogue co-chaired by foreign secretary and the executive vice-foreign minister of China on 22 February, 2017, in Beijing. This dialogue mechanism was agreed to during foreign minister Wang Yis visit to India in August 2016, the external affairs ministry said in a statement. The two sides are expected to discuss all issues of mutual interest in the bilateral, regional and international domains, it said. MEA spokesman Vikas Swarup there are friction points in Sino-China ties, adding that the dialogue will strive for a holistic view of the relations between the two countries and see to what extent they can accommodate each others concerns and interests. India and China share a close development partnership and there are number of issues also between the two countries. While there are collaborative activities, there are also some friction points, Mr Swarup was quoted as saying by news agencies. Earlier, the Chinese foreign ministry had said it has lodged a protest with India for hosting a Taiwanese parliamentary delegation and asked it to deal prudently with Taiwan-related matters. which New Delhi dismissed it, saying no political meanings should be read into such trips. Lucknow: As the election in Uttar Pradesh enters its third phase, the blame game between various political leaders touches a new low. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Thursday, alleged that maximum political killings had taken place in Uttar Pradesh, as a jibe to Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav who had proudly claimed that it is work that talks. Mr Narendra Modi, while addressing a rally in Hardoi, said that illegal mining in UP was being patronised by the government and journalists who dared to write about it were either being threatened or killed. UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav returned the fire at a rally in Mainpuri where he said that the slogan of achche din by the BJP is about the days gone by and not about the tough times people are facing now due to demonetisation. Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, while addressing a rally in Sitapur on Thursday, said that Mr Modi had made the entire nation stand in queues because he wanted to grant favour to his 50-odd rich friends. The Prime Minister should tell us how much black money he had unearthed and how many black marketers were arrested after demonetisation, he said. Meanwhile, at another rally, the Prime Minister alleged that the fight in the SP family was over the distribution of illegal money and CM Akhilesh Yadav replied to the charge by saying, The battle was not for power or money. It was for principles and the legislators backed me for this. New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday asked internet search engines Google, Yahoo and Microsoft to set up an expert body within the company to monitor and remove sex-determination advertisements. Sex determination tests in India are illegal under the PNDT Act (Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994). A bench of Justices Dipak Misra and R. Banumathi also appr-oved the nodal agency set up by the Centre that will guide the search engines to delete offensive advertisements and materials. The bench passed this order on a writ petition filed in 2008 by one Sabu George. At the earlier hearing, Google and other search engines had assured that they would forthwith take all necessary steps to block and develop further requisite technique so that the moment any advertisement or search is introduced into the system, the results would not be projected or seen, in India, by resorting to auto block method. But since it was not being implemented, the court passed the present order. The bench asked the search engines to respect the law of the land by having an in-house mechanism to curb these advertisements. Quoting Unicef figures, it was submitted that foetal sex determination by unethical medical professionals has grown into a `1,000-crore industry in India. Following the 2011 census, it was estimated that upto 8 million female foetuses had been aborted in the previous decade. Apex court says no right is absolute The Centre informed the court that the ministry of health and family welfare has set up a nodal agency to enforce the ban on commercial advertisements and all forms of information on Internet relating to pre-natal sex determination tests to find out whether the foetus is a boy or girl. The bench rejected the arguments of Google, Yahoo and Microsoft that they were willing to block all commercial advertisements, it would be impossible to block knowledge which are not commercial in nature. It was also argued that such a curb will violate the right to free information, but court turned down the objection saying no right is absolute. The bench said while knowledge, wisdom and information cannot be blocked there is no doubt that there has to be freedom for access to information, but such freedom cannot violate a law that holds the field. You cannot have and should not have anything on website that carries any propaganda, it added. Chennai: The fate of MLAs posts held by former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam and former school education minister K. Pandiarajan hangs in balance as voting against the party whip on February 18 will disqualify them as per anti-defection law. The law requires one-third of the total legislators to recognise a split in the party in case of violating the direction of whip and so far only 10 MLAs had openly expressed support to Panneerselvam. As the AIADMK has a strength of 135, the required strength for a split would be 45. Although, Panneerselvam and Pandiarajan have been expelled from the party, it has not been intimated to the Assembly. So, all the 10 MLAs will be considered as AIADMK members and they should obey the party whip to avoid disqualification. Assembly secretary A.M.P. Jamaluddin has summoned the convening of the Assembly on Saturday (February 18). When Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palanisami moves a confidence motion for his government, a whip will be issued on the floor of the Assembly, it is said. Those present in the House should have to follow the whip or risk losing their MLA post. Even an abstention or not attending the Assembly will also lead to disqualification of the 10 MLAs. Under similar conditions in 1988, the then Speaker P.H. Pandian disqualified 33 MLAs belonging to the faction of former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa. At the moment, Pandian himself is in the camp of Panneerselvam.Assembly sources said any party whip would send a communication letter to all the MLAs to attend the House and vote in the confidence motion. They also said abstention and absence would also attract the same provisions of law. When an MLA did not attend the Assembly, he should have to give valid reasons that should be accepted by the Speaker. When asked about their strategy, a former minister from the Panneerselvam camp said "Only when we violate the whip's order and vote for an opposition party, such problems will arise. Anyhow, we will decide on the floor at the time of voting". However, on verification with the Assembly secretariat, it was found that this view is not correct. DMK working president M.K. Stalin greeted the new Chief Minister, he had clearly stated that the new government is unlikely to solve the problems of the state and the state of paralysis would continue. CHENNAI: The principal opposition, DMK is likely to vote against the confidence motion moved by Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palanisami and its alliance partner Congress too have given indications that it will go along with the DMK. Although, DMK working president M.K. Stalin greeted the new Chief Minister, he had clearly stated that the new government is unlikely to solve the problems of the state and the state of paralysis would continue. Stalin had further stated that the new Chief Minister would be controlled by the power centre in Bangalore, in an apparent reference to AIADMK general secretary V.K. Sasikala, who had nominated Palanisami for the post. The DMK leader had also made it clear that both the factions are its rivals and there is no question of supporting the Panneerselvam camp now, since a motion of confidence will be moved by Palanisami. Besides, the DMK need not worry about the fall of the government and dissolution of the government, since Assembly elections would give it a chance to regain power in the state. The DMK could not be faulted for voting against its rival AIADMK, which it had been strongly opposing for decades and it is not the responsibility of the DMK to save the government, a DMK MLA said. The Congress had not come to the support of the AIADMK and senior leaders like former Union Minister P. Chidambaram and former TNCC president E.V.K.S. Elangovan had opposed any such move. Congress sources said it would not support the AIADMK, since the alliance with the DMK is continuing. One of the functionaries also said no one from the AIADMK had approached them for support and such a question did not arise. The lone Muslim League MLA would also go along with the DMKs decision. Spain has not done enough to reduce air pollution. On Wednesday, the European Commission issued one last warning: if the five member states guilty of continued breaches of nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) limits Germany, France, Spain, Italy and the United Kingdom fail to take action within two months, the Commission may decide to take the matter to the Court of Justice of the EU. Speed restrictions on the M-30 ring road in Madrid. Jaime Villanueva In Spains case, the problem affects the two largest cities, Madrid and Barcelona. The EC notes that NO 2 pollution is a serious health risk. Persistently high levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) caused almost 70,000 premature deaths in Europe in 2013, which was almost three times the number of deaths by road traffic accidents in the same year, reads the press release. Barcelona Mayor Ada Colau said she will ban the most polluting vehicles from the city beginning in 2020 Member States are required to adopt and implement air-quality plans that set out appropriate measures to bring this situation to an end as soon as possible. The warning from Brussels adds fuel to a debate that is already on the political agendas of both Madrid and Barcelona. Last November, Madrid activated a pollution protocol that reduced speed limits and banned parking in downtown areas for three days. And in late December, for the first time, it introduced alternate-day travel based on license plate numbers, mirroring a common practice in some Latin American cities. In Barcelona, Mayor Ada Colau has announced that she will ban the most polluting vehicles from the city beginning in 2020. Until then, these cars may be temporarily restricted on days with particularly high ambient air pollution. Barcelona officials have estimated that 3,500 people die a year due to poor air quality. The city is preparing incentives for owners of contaminating vehicles, such as offering them free public transportation passes for three years if they get rid of a polluting car and refrain from purchasing a new one. None of these measures will be enough by itself to satisfy EU requirements, although Brussels is aware that action is required at all levels of government. While it is up to the Member State authorities to choose the appropriate measures to address exceeding NO 2 limits, much more effort is necessary at local, regional and national levels to meet the obligations of EU rules and safeguard public health, reads the report. English version by Susana Urra. Vijayawada: The Sangh Parivar has started focussing on BJP politics in AP. Growing differences among the leaders and cadres, as well as the working style of the BJP state ministers seem to have irked the RSS bosses. Infighting within the BJP has been on for the year and a half, following comments being made by second rung leaders and party activists regarding the leadership. The RSS headquarters has directed its leaders in AP and Telangana state to plunge into action and deal with the matter. A written complaint was made by RSS activists to BJP president Amit Shah and to sar-sanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat, after which the Nagpur headquarters decided to deploy trouble-shooters to me-diate and resolve the infighting. When this correspondent contacted a senior member at the RSS headquarters, he said that he was only in a position to say that they had received a mail that mentioned that the services of RSS activists working for the development of the BJP in AP were being ignored. Recent developments include the incident in Kaikaluru mandal of Krishna district, where mandal president Bandi Satyavati and her husband, BJP district executive committee member B. Sreenivas, were suspended for allegedly disobeying the alliance dharma. She was supposed to have handed over the mandal presidency after two years but refused to do so, after which minister Kamineni Srinivas made a recomme-ndation to AP unit party chief Kambhampati Haribabu that she and her husband be su-spended from the party. RSS and BJP activists in the districts of Krishna and West Godavari were irked by the actions of Mr Srinivas and Mr Haribabu, and wrote to Mr Shah and Mr Bhagwat. They wanted the party high command to answer whether the minister was working for the BJP or the TD. They also asked why the minister was not in a position to fill the two-member quota in area and district hospital committees and in community health centres. Hyderabad: The TS government has been pitching for a clause in the GST Act to ensure that the benefit of lower taxes is passed on to the consumers. The TS government wants to raise this issue at the crucial meeting of the GST Council to be held on February 18 in Udaipur. Besides, it will ask the Centre to set up a National GST Appellate Tribunal to resolve tax-related disputes between all stakeholders quickly. The transition of traders from VAT to GST is going on at a brisk pace in the state. The linking of local traders with national GST networks is expected to be completed by April to enable GST rollout from July 1, as planned by the Centre. Senior officials of commercial taxes department have submitted a report to finance minister Etala Rajender on the issues to be taken up in the GST Council meeting on February 18. The report noted that the benefit of taxes that may come down due to GST should be passed on to consumers and there should be a mechanism like Appellate Tribunal to examine whether input tax credits availed by any registered taxable person, or the reduction in the price on account of any reduction in the tax rate, have actually resulted in a commensurate reduction in the price of the said goods and /or services provided. Many manufactured goods like cars, are expected to become cheaper after GST. All manufacturers claim input credit from government on final output. This will result in a car costing Rs 5 lakh to become cheaper by Rs 50,000. This benefit should be passed on to consumers. We should not allow profiteering by manufacturers on account of this, the official said. The GST Council, headed by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has already decided on a 4-tier GST tax structure of 5, 12, 18 and 28 per cent. New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday indicated that a five-judge Constitution bench will decide whether triple talaq form of divorce is a fundamental right to the religion and a part of Muslim personal law which can be recognised as legally valid. A three-judge Bench comprising Chief Justice J.S. Khehar and Justices N.V. Ramana and D.Y. Chandrachud had on February 14 said it would determine whether triple talaq violated basic human rights of Muslim women. The court had asked counsel for the parties to submit a list of issues to be determined. During the resumed hearing on Thursday, the Centre informed the bench that the court should determine whether the practices of talaq, nikah halala and polygamy are protected under Article 25 (1) of the Constitution (right to freedom of religion); whether Article 25(1) is subjected to fundamental rights of the Constitution and in particular Article 14 (right to equality) and Article 21 (right to life) and whether personal law is protected under Article 13 of Constitution or not. Article 13 says, All laws in force in the territory of India immediately before the commencement of this Constitution, in so far as they are inconsistent with the provisions of this Part, shall, to the extent of such inconsistency, be void. The State shall not make any law which takes away or abridges the rights conferred by this Part and any law made in contravention of this clause shall, to the extent of the contravention, be void. The CJI told the counsels for various parties that another important facet of triple talaq is whether it is Islamic or un-Islamic. Or if it was a religious practice, whether to sustain it is, support of any law is needed. The CJI made it clear that we dont want to rush through the hearing, we cant scuttle all the points. We will give you further time to arrive at the issues. All the counsels give brief written submissions so that the court will get an idea of the points for determination. Secular nature of triple talaq under question The Centre also said whether the controversial practices of talaq, nikah halala and polygamy are compatible with Indias obligations under Intern-ational treaties and conventions to which it is a signatory. The other issues under consideration are: Whether the practices of triple talaq are of a secular nature, namely marriage and divorce, and thus not protected under Article 25(1) although they may be considered as a part of religion? Whether this practices run counter to Constitutional Morality that guarantees equality before law and equal protection of laws? Whether instantaneous triple-talaq in one sitting (talaq-e-bidat) in the absence of witnesses and without any attempt at reconciliation and nikah-halala are legally permissible? CHENNAI: After having lost the battle to the rival camp, former chief minister O. Panneerselvam on Thursday vowed to continue his fight with AIADMK general secretary V. K. Sasikala and her family till the time Annas government is restored. Let us altogether stop the party and government from going into the hands of a single family again. Let us form a peoples government again in sync with the aspirations of people and till then this struggle will continue, he said in a statement after Edappadi K Palanisami was made the chief minister. Till such time Puratchi Thalaivi Ammas regime is restored, our struggle (Dharma Yudh) will continue, he said. Flanked by his colleagues, he thanked his followers and people for supporting him. We will win this struggle with the support of Ammas followers, he said. In a press release later, in an apparent reference to his breaking ranks with Sasikala on February 7, he said, We started a struggle to see that AIADMK does not become a property of a single family. He said he also chose to rebel with an aim of ensuring that Ammas regime does not become a government to guard the interests of a family by diverting from its path of peoples welfare. Stressing that people and party cadres gave huge support to his struggle, he said people were agitated that a government is being formed only on the basis of number of legislators forcibly confined (at a resort). Barrel rolls, loops, pausing on the wings, Lazy Cat, wing walking are some of their many moves, of which, Cat Walk remains the most popular. (Photo: R. samuel) Bengaluru: The Scandinavian Catwalk, a bright yellow aircraft, grabs eyeballs by virtue of its appearance and its skilled pilots. Three ladies steal the show, however. The Skycats team, comprising three women who perform death-defying stunts atop a moving aircraft walk, move, perform stunts and pause for a moment to pose as the audience below watches with bated breath. The Scandinavian Airshow, with their Skycats team, displayed daredevil moves in Aero India 2017. While there are pilots in the cockpit, Victoria, Hella and Anna on the wings steal the show fearlessly. Anna, the youngest performer in the team in terms of experience spoke to DC on the sidelines at the Yelahanka Air Force station. We start training with stunts on ground and then later move on to performing on a moving aircraft. There is no time limit to learn this. It differs for each person," the 22 year old Aerobatic performer said. Has fear ever got the better of her, perhaps at the start of her journey as an aerobat? She responds with a resounding "No!" She goes on to say, "I never felt scared and neither do the others. It is necessary for us to be certified sky divers to learn aerobatics, so we are used to it. I feel excitement, rather than fear." Barrel rolls, loops, pausing on the wings, Lazy Cat, wing walking are some of their many moves, of which, Cat Walk remains the most popular. Being sky divers, they do not face usual difficulties of fainting or throwing up, like pilots do. While Victoria and Hella have five and10 years of experience respectively, Anna is a college student who became a Skycat as a hobby. "I study Industrial Engineering back home. I do this on the side, earn a little. It's great because I get to travel to so many foreign countries to perform," Anna said. Kanpur: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav is more interested in doing "kaam ki baat" (practical work) rather than "mann ki baat", SP candidate and his wife Dimple Yadav said today in an apparent dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's monthly radio address 'Mann Ki Baat'. "Akhilesh Yadav mann ki baat nahi karte, balki kaam ki baat karte hain (Akhilesh Yadav believes in action rather than just words). The people should vote him to power again so that Uttar Pradesh continues to be on the development path," she said at a rally in Arya Nagar constituency. "He is the son of Uttar Pradesh. He dreams about its development. He is focused on providing employment opportunities, pension to women, better roads, laptops to students, power supply etc to the people of the state," she said. Drawing parallels between BSP and BJP, Dimple said, "While BSP supremo Mayawati was responsible for lining up elephant statues in parks during her tenure, the BJP government at the Centre forced people to line up in front of banks in the wake of its demonetisation policy." "In either case, it was the people who were at the receiving end," she said. Dimple, who is contesting the crucial state Assembly polls from Kannauj constituency, also claimed that the ruling party had fulfilled most of the promises made in the Samajwadi Party manifesto in the 2012 polls. She added that women will get 33 per cent reservation in government jobs and the age restrictions for such jobs will be removed for them. The next five phases of the seven-phased Assembly polls will be held on February 19, 23, 27 and on March 4 and 8. Counting of votes will be taken up on March 11. New Delhi: All seven Delhi BJP MPs should come out with report cards of their achievements, AAP Minister Gopal Rai said on Thursday, a day after BJP burnt effigy of the Kejriwal government alleging it a "total failure". "They (all seven BJP MPs) were also given a huge mandate by the people of Delhi two-and-a-half years back. Delhi government has presented its report card on its achievements in the last years, Rai said. "Instead of burning effigy and staging protest, BJP MPs, including Delhi BJP President Manoj Tiwari, should come out with report cards on works done by them in their respective constituencies and people will decide accordingly," he said at a press conference here. The Delhi Labour Minister claimed that the AAP was working for the welfare of public while accused BJP of creating "hurdles" in the functioning of Delhi government. With the Delhi Municipal Corporation (MCD) polls a couple of months away, BJP workers had staged protests across the city and burnt effigies of the government on Wednesday. Hitting back, Rai said, "We as MLAs have state government while they (MPs) have central government. We gave our report card on our two year achievements. MPs should make their working report card public." There are seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi and BJP had won all of them in 2014. Tiwari is an MP from North-East Delhi. Rai, who is the MLA from East Delhi's Babarpur, also presented the list of works worth Rs 100 crore being done through MLA LAD fund and different departments in his constituency. "MCD councillors should also present their report card so that people could know how much works they have done in their respective wards," he said. In the MCD polls, scheduled in April, BJP which currently rules the three municipal corporations is pitted against AAP which won the 2015 Delhi Assembly election with a stupendous mandate and a resurgent Congress which expects to build on its good show in the civic body by-polls in May, 2016. Hardoi: Calling himself as the "adopted son" of UP, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said the future of the state cannot be ensured without ridding it of SP, BSP and Congress. Invoking Lord Krishna at an election meeting here to suggest a strong connect between Gujarat and UP, Modi, who represents Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency, said the state was his 'mai-baap' (parents) and he will not desert it. "Lord Krishna was born in UP and made Gujarat his 'karam bhoomi' (land of work). I was born in Gujarat and UP has adopted me...Uttar Pradesh is my 'mai-baap'. I am not the son who would betray his 'mai-baap'. You have adopted me and it is my duty to work for you," he said in an emotional speech at a poll rally here. "Vote for a full majority to BJP government. I promise to show you the ways of all the problems you are facing within five years," he said, telling the impressive crowd that all pollsters have predicted BJP getting massive support in the first two phases of polling. Highlighting the problems faced by the state and its national importance, Modi said poverty will be removed from the country only when it is eradicated from UP. "This is the land of Ganga and Yamuna where the land is most fertile with crores of labourours but poverty still exists here...why is this so? There is nothing wrong with the people here or their capabilities or shortage of resources," he said. "It is the problem of the government's lack of intention (which is responsible for it). SP, BSP and Congress have not thought as to how the state should be developed...all those who had been at the helm have only worked to safeguard their votebank, help them in whichever way possible...the future of UP cannot be changed till it is freed of SP, BSP and Congress," he said. Continuing his attack on Akhilesh Yadav's 'kaam bolta hai' (work speaks) slogan, the Prime Minister spoke about some central schemes, which he said, were not implemented in Uttar Pradesh by the Samajwadi Party government. "The Centre brought a scheme for providing free power connections to 1.25 lakh poor families but funds are lying here and UP has extended it only 13,000 households...will it harm Akhilesh if the poor families get it?... Who is responsible? ...Is this how your work is speaking? "...Your government is a failure. It is not working...Those who have run their government in this way do not have the right to survive for even a minute more," he said. Modi said only 14 per cent farmers got the benefit of the Crop Insurance Scheme for farmers in UP "because Akhilesh does not feel it is any work....Jinka kaam bolta hai, unka kisan nahi bolta ki bima mila hai (Those whose work speaks, their farmer does not say that they got insurance)," he said. "The police stations here have turned into the offices of Samajwadi Party. It is the SP worker who decides which case has to be filed and which not," he said. Alleging that maximum political killings and gangrape take place in UP, Modi said, "I want to ask the family-led government, are the mothers and sisters here not members of your family." He said 3,000 people die due to firing using illegal arms termed 'kattas' and asked as to who made these kattas. "Almost 50 per cent cases of those registered in the country under the Arms Act are in UP," he rued. "Over 20 per cent atrocities against Dalits in India take place in UP and no one gets punished...Isnt illegal mining prevalent in Hardoi...Who patronises illegal miners? Who is responsible for this?" he asked. Modi said no journalist can write against illegal mining. "If somebody dares, he gets killed. We must fight against this condition created by Akhilesh government," he said. While talking about the work done by his government, Modi said it was for the first time that prices of fertilisers have come down since it was done by the Chaudhary Charan Singh government. On demonetisation, he said those who have looted the poor for 70 years will have to return it. "This is our fight against black money and graft as at the root of all ills is corruption which has taken deep roots...Every single paise has come into banks and it will be used for development," the Prime Minister said. Making an emotional appeal to voters, he said, "I realise the problems of the poor as I have lived through poverty...I have taken the responsibility of bringing change in their lives." Contending that unlike his detractors, his schemes were reaching grassroots level, he said Rs 11,000 crore power bills have been saved with the distribution of LED bulbs by the government under its UJALA scheme. Of these, 1.25 lakh have been distributed in Hardoi alone. Making a reference to opponents seeking evidence of surgical strikes, Modi, in a lighter vein, said after ISRO scripting history by successfully launching 104 satellites yesterday, he asked them to safekeep it (evidence) because it might be sought for as elections are underway in UP. The third phase of polling in the state is scheduled for February 19 and the results of the seven-phase elections would be declared on March 11. Later addressing an election rally in Barabanki, Modi said he could visualise an atmosphere of hatred in the state against SP, BSP and Congress. "Akhileshji when you took over five years ago, people had welcomed you. People had thought you are young and will do something for the state...You might not be free at this point but after March 11 when you get time once people send you packing, you can sit back and think as to why there is so much hatred against you," the Prime Minister said. "It is the 'karnamey' (misdeeds) of Akhilesh which are speaking up for him, not his 'kaam' (deeds)," he said. Seeking to reach out to the voters in Barabanki, Modi said, "What the son of UP (Akhilesh) has not been able to do, this adopted son (Modi) will do.... I don't have to read the plight of the poor in books as I have it in my 'zehan' (mind)." Modi went on to add, "Mayawati, who is referred to as 'buaji' (by Akhilesh), managed to provide power in only 23 villages in a period of two years...see the 'karnamey' of Akhileshji, he managed only three villages in two years and the 'adopted son' (himself) has got power to 1,350 plus villages." On SP-Congress alliance, he wanted to know the reason behind the ruling party's decision. "The followers of socialist thinker Ram Manohar Lohia, who opposed Congress all his life, entered into the alliance...Two months ago they went about from one village to another saying '27 saal UP behal' and suddenly embraced each other...Who are you afraid of?.....Samajwadis are saying 'aa gale lag jaa'...," the Prime Minister said. "Akhilesh ji, this (Congress) is 'doobi hui naav' (sunken ship)...in Lok Sabha elections they have been rejected by the people. You might look for whatever means, but Akhileshji your five years of misrule will not be pardoned by the people," he said. "In UP, 50 per cent of teachers (in government schools) have not been enrolled. Will someone tell where the children of poor will study? Are hospitals working properly? No. There are no medicines in hospitals. Poor cant avail quality education and healthcare. What kind of development is this?" he asked. Mainpuri: Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav today made light of the Prime Minister's "inexperience" barb at him, saying he has learnt to cycle fast so that neither BSP's elephant nor BJP's lotus can come anywhere near the SP. A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi questioned as to how the SP chief could form a coalition with "those who tried to murder" his father Mulayam Singh Yadav, Akhilesh said Modi's advisors could have done better by telling him to cite a more recent example of Firozabad. "Why did he travel so far to 1984 to create anger in me against Congress. He could have mentioned Firozabad where Congress' state unit chief (Raj Babbar) defeated us (in bypoll)," he said, adding they were revisiting such an old incident only because they have already "lost" the elections. "They termed me as inexperienced but one can ride the bicycle (SP symbol) only after falling down at least once...I have learnt to ride bicycle and that too with great speed so that neither the elephant nor the lotus can come anywhere near," he said. Akhilesh was addressing an election meeting in Karhal town here, attacking BSP, whose symbol is elephant and BJP, which has lotus symbol. "Modiji said in Kannauj that by entering into an alliance with Congress, I have shown inexperience...we have done this so as to remove all doubts among people about government formation...we have done this to form government and remove communal forces," he said. On the 'achchey din" slogan, he said, "BJP people say SP could not bring achchey din...this was the slogan of BJP it was never given by the Samajwadis." "Modi cannot see my kaam (work) but karname (deeds)...I say you will get to see my 'karnama' on the 19th when the people will vote for us once again," he said. On the BJP's promise of loan waiver for farmers, he said, "I want to ask what has their government done in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra (where farmers are committing suicide...first you help farmers of Maharashtra". Both Gujarat and Maharashtra are ruled by BJP. Stressing that he had no confusion that "SP is not my party but that of Netaji (Mulayam)", Akhilesh said the path of politics is ridden with ditches. "I have taken my exam in politics...had to do what I did as per the circumstances and time," he said. "If Modiji wants to see my work, I will tell him to see the Agra-Lucknow Expressway...it will open his eyes...it will be remembered for long just as the GT Road is remembered even today," the chief minister said. At an election meeting in Kannauj, Modi had yesterday said Akhilesh lacks experience and hence does not know, unlike his father, how "cunning Congress people are". "Akhileshji ko abhi anubhav kum hain, Congress wale kitne chatur hain inko samajh nahi aata... Mulayam ji ko toh pata tha (Akhilesh has less experience. He does not understand how cunning Congress people are. Mulayam knew about it)," he said. "I want to ask how Akhilesh forgot the attack carried out on Mulayam Yadav by Congress in 1984...What can be more shameful than befriending those who tried to murder one's father?...They cannot be pardoned," the Prime Minister had stated seeking to drive a wedge between SP and its fledgling alliance partner Congress. Kanpur: AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has described Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Akhilesh Yadav as two sides of the same coin, saying both "failed" to stop riots in their states as chief ministers. Owaisi, whose party is contesting only from Arya Nagar Assembly seat in the district, also accused SP and BSP of trying to fool Muslim voters. "Riots happened in Muzaffarnagar but the Chief Minister failed to stop riots or provide justice to victims. How does it make him any different from Modi? Riots took place in Gujarat when Modi was the Chief Minister. He too failed to stop the riots or give justice to Muslims," he said. "Akhilesh is willing to grab Muslim votes by scaring them with the name of BJP. Muslims should make the AIMIM candidates win," he said while addressing a public meeting in Colonelganj area in Kanpur on Wednesday night. Owaisi said he wanted to come to Kanpur earlier but was allegedly stopped by the administration as one of the ADMs said in his report that the visit will affect peace in the city. "I would advise Akhilesh to induct that ADM into his party because he is loyal to him. Akhilesh could not be even loyal to his father so now officers like these would be of benefit to him," he said. He said that he has held about a dozen public meetings in UP but his remarks never disturbed law and order anywhere. "Actually the Samajwadi Party is afraid of me because they are fetching votes from Muslims by fear, but I will tell the truth to Muslims that they are being fooled by SP and BSP," he added. Hitting out at Akhilesh, Owaisi said the SP government in Uttar Pradesh promised to build schools and homes for Muslims but failed to fulfil them. It was said that Muslims youths will be recruited in police and other departments of the state but that could not happen either, he said. "There are over 55 per cent vacancies in the state police that have not been filled yet. Similarly clean drinking water was promised to Muslim colonies.... that was not fulfilled even as the lion safari in Safai got its own water treatment plant," he added. Asking Muslims to vote for his party, Owaisi said if 8 to 10 of his MLAs are elected in the state Assembly, they would not let anyone take what belongs to Muslims. This is a matter of concern for everyone. We cannot trust the federal governments promises. These words, spoken by lawyer Marielena Hincapie, illustrate the general feeling among legal experts on immigration issues following the recent detention in Seattle of a Mexican man who was protected under Obamas Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Daniel Ramirez Medina in a picture released by his lawyers. AP Daniel Ramirez Medina, 23, now faces deportation even though the US government promised him five years ago that this would not happen. Around 750,000 people who were brought into the US illegally as children enjoy DACA protection. The program was created in 2012 by Barack Obama to allow them to attend school and work, and recipients are popularly referred to as dreamers. Under the program, Ramirez Medina, who now has a young son of his own, had obtained a work permit and held a job in the Seattle area. On February 10, Ramirez was at his fathers house when immigration officers came in to arrest the latter, and also detained the son. This is the first known case of a DACA beneficiary facing deportation. In a complaint filed by Ramirez and reported by Reuters, the reasons for the fathers arrest remain unclear. But according to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Ramirez has admitted to being a gang member. More information La detencion de un dreamer dispara el temor a una politica extrema con los indocumentados His lawyers categorically deny this allegation, and say he was pressured into saying it during interrogation, Reuters reported. If no criminal record is produced and no reason for his detention provided, yet Ramirez finally gets deported, it will mean that every assumption about immigration in the US is coming under review. It would also mean that Trumps campaign promise of targeting the countrys 11 million undocumented migrants has become a reality. Like Ramirez, the dreamers who applied for the DACA are people who took a step forward and gave all their information to the federal government, said Hincapie, executive director of the National Immigration Law Center, at a press conference on Wednesday morning. The executive order is the broadest and most draconian we have ever seen Marielena Hincapie, National Immigration Law Center His detention has broken the promise that the federal government made to Daniel and to all the others, she said. DACA recipients passed a background check before obtaining their permits, which get renewed every two years. They are individuals about whom the government has a lot of information, and who have undergone a process before obtaining their benefits. Ramirezs lawyers said on Tuesday that they hoped the detention is a mistake. But experts at United We Dream and the National Immigration Law Center ruled out that ICE agents were acting on their own. They are applying Trumps executive order, said Hincapie. During the first days of his administration, Trump signed an order coming down hard on illegal immigration and allocating resources to deportation procedures. Donald Trump recently signed an executive order cracking down on illegal immigration. EFE The order stated that people with criminal records would be a priority. That was already the case under Obama, the president who has deported the highest amount of illegal migrants in US history. The trouble is that there seems to be quite a lot of latitude in the interpretation of what constitutes a criminal to the Department of Homeland Security. Paul Quinones, leader of the Dream Act Coalition in Washington state, said that the department is expanding the definition of what a criminal is. Last week, ICE conducted raids in 12 states and arrested 680 people. But despite protests to the contrary by immigrant rights activists, the department says that it is doing the same routine work it has been doing all along (the US deports thousands of people a week). The ICE added that 75% of detainees had a criminal record. But rights groups say that Ramirezs detention, added to the recent deportation of a mother of three who was living in Phoenix and had never before been an ICE priority, proves that Trumps most extreme views about the treatment of unauthorized migrants are being applied. The executive order is the broadest and most draconian we have ever seen, said Hincapie. English version by Susana Urra. Mumbai: Shiv Sena today dared Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make public the wealth of BJP chief Amit Shah and other top party leaders and challenged the party to conduct a probe into Uddhav Thackeray's assets and finances. Reacting to it, the BJP said every penny that the party president possesses is already in public domain. "The BJP is making unsubstantiated allegations of corruption by Thackeray family and other Sena leaders. "Before making such claims, I dare PM Modi to make public the assets and wealth of Amit Shah along with national leaders of the BJP," Sena MP Rahul Shewale told reporters here. "It is the BJP governments at the Centre and Maharashtra. If BJP has guts, let them conduct an inquiry into Thackeray family's wealth and his finances. "The Chief Minister should speak with proof and not say anything, thinking he can get away with it. By levelling such allegations, he has already accepted defeat," Shewale said. Responding to Sena's take on his party chief, BJP spokesperson Madhav Bhandari said, "The Sena seems to forget that Amitbhai Shah's 2012 election affidavit is already in public domain. Nonetheless, we are once again releasing his affidavit to fulfil their demand." "As far as probing the wealth of Thackeray family is concerned, we have not spoken the language of conducting a probe as of now and they should not force us to do it as well," he said. The Sena's fresh salvo at the BJP comes a day after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis dared Thackeray to disclose his wealth and alleged that the Sena is getting rich in the name of fighting for cause of 'Marathi Manoos'. Recently, BJP MP Kirit Somaiya had alleged that Thackeray was involved in the financial dealings of seven shell companies. Chennai: Dravida Munntera Kazhagam welcomed the Tamil Nadu Governor's invitation to AIADMK Legislature Party Leader Edappadi K Palaniswami to form the government on Thursday, and urged him to monitor the situation "to prevent horse-trading". Party Working President and Opposition Leader M K Stalin apprehended that the 15-day window given to Palaniswami to seek the vote of confidence in the Tamil Nadu Assembly could lead to large-scale "horse-trading". Speaking to reporters here, Stalin said that his party had repeatedly urged Governor Ch Vidyasgar Rao to take steps to ensure a government was in place and that he had spoken to Rao himself. "He (Governor) has taken a delayed decision. It is, however, welcome. But he has given 15 days' time. This is a big duration and one cannot understand why this window has been given," he said. "Now with a 15-day window being given, certainly there are chances of big time horse trading happening for the purpose of proving strength in the Assembly," he added. Stalin alleged that horse trading was taking place between both the Palaniswami and Panneerselvam camps even now. "Therefore, the Governor should monitor the situation and take all steps to protect democracy," he added. Chennai: In a major jolt to caretaker chief minister O. Panneerselvam, Tamil Nadu Governor Ch. Vidyasagar Rao has appointed AIADMK legislature party leader Edappadi K. Palanisamy as the new Chief Minister of the state. He will be sworn-in at the Raj Bhawan at 4 pm on Thursday. The Governor has, however, asked Palanisamy to prove his majority in 15 days with a floor test of the Tamil Nadu Assembly. While Palanisamy and those loyal to V.K. Sasikala have been claiming to have the support of 126 MLAs, the Panneerselvam camp has insisted that the MLAs would be able to switch sides only if they are allowed to go out of the resort. The ultimate test of their claims will be held in the Tamil Nadu Assembly. If Palanisamy can prove his majority, he will remain the Chief Minister until the next election. But if he fails the floor test, the story will be back to where it started. Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker P. Dhanapal will now have to convene a session after Palanisamy is sworn-in. Once the session is convened, one member will have to move a no-confidence motion and the motion must be seconded by at least one other person. Once the motion is passed, it can be followed by a debate and then a division of votes. The Speaker can either decide to take a voice vote (where MLAs shout 'Aye' or 'No') or he can ask them to stand for their vote and count the heads. The strength of the Tamil Nadu Assembly after late chief minister J. Jayalalithaa's demise is 234. If more than half the number of MLAs present and voting refuse the no-confidence motion, Palanisamy will remain the Chief Minister. If the opposition party decides to abstain, Palanisamy will need 74 MLAs to prove his majority. If the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) participates, that number will be 118. In case there is a split decision, the Speaker will cast his vote to make the decision. Meanwhile, Panneerselvam has said that they would continue with their 'dharm yudh' until Jayalalithaa's rule is established. "We will not let the party (AIADMK) go into the hands of few of V.K Sasikala's family members," Panneerselvam said. Nandi's electoral debut in 2007 had caused the BJP to lose its grip over the constituency which it had never lost since 1989. (Photo: Representational picture) Allahabad: An industrialist-turned-politician has been fielded by BJP in Allahabad South assembly segment, hoping that the man, who had ended its winning streak in the constituency a decade ago as a BSP candidate, might now wrest the seat from SP. On February 23, when voters of the constituency will exercise their franchise, 43-year-old Nand Gopal Gupta Nandi shall be looking forward to avenging his 2012 defeat at the hands of sitting Samajwadi Party MLA Haji Parvez. He had lost by a slender margin of 400 votes to Parvez. While Nandi is the BJP candidate this time, the BSP (which expelled him three years ago) has fielded Mashooq Khan as part of a strategy to give a substantial number of tickets to those belonging to minority community. The Congress, which Nandi had joined after his expulsion from BSP and quit last month, will end up supporting Parvez owing to its alliance with the Samajwadi Party. Nandi's electoral debut in 2007 had caused the BJP to lose its grip over the constituency which it had never lost since 1989. Nandi had defeated Keshri Nath Tripathi by a margin of more than 14,000 votes. Tripathi was a five-time MLA and had served as the assembly speaker for Uttar Pradesh thrice. He was also the BJP's state unit president at that time. Emerging as the proverbial dark horse in an electoral contest that was viewed as a "clash of titans", Nandi had humbled Tripathi and relegated Rita Bahuguna Joshi, then the Congress woman's wing president and its future state unit chief, to the position of a distant third. Interestingly, Joshi, too, is contesting the current elections on a BJP ticket, from the Lucknow cantonment seat. The BJP could not recover from the upset it suffered in 2007 as Tripathi finished third in the electoral contest five years later. He has now moved out of the state on a gubernatorial assignment. However, the party has high hopes about the ongoing elections, which come against the backdrop of its stunning performance in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, when it won 71 out of 78 seats. Nandi, who was expelled from the BSP just ahead of the general elections, had contested the Allahabad Lok Sabha seat as a Congress candidate. His induction into the BJP last month, followed by a party ticket, has miffed many, most notably the Allahabad MP Shyama Charan Gupta. A businessman-turned-politician like Nandi, 72-year-old Gupta had unsuccessfully lobbied for party tickets for his son and wife. Incidentally, Gupta too had been with the Samajwadi Party until he joined the BJP just a few days before he was announced as the party candidate for Allahabad Lok Sabha seat. Known as an entrepreneur adept at marshalling resources, Nandi is said to have made a favourable impression on the party's leadership last month when, while still with the Congress, he had organized a huge traders' conclave here in which businessmen with diverse political leanings including Essel Group Chairman and Rajya Sabha MP Subhash Chandra had taken part. His dynamism will be put to a bigger test in the electoral fight wherein he may be helped by the presence of two prominent Muslim candidates, but troubled by the pre-poll tie-up between the Congress and the Samajwadi Party which is likely to consolidate some communities in favour of the SP candidate. THAT the administration of US President Donald Trump has been busy issuing a host of executive orders is well known. The orders issued have included the infamous one that banned nationals and green card holders from seven Muslim countries for 90 days and all refugees for 120 days (refugees from Syria indefinitely). Enforcement of that order has been stayed because of an injunction issued by a district court judge, whose ruling was recently upheld by a court of appeals. Other orders have included one that prohibits government agencies from passing any new regulations unless two other regulations are expunged and three orders instruct the department of justice to confront drug cartels, fight violent crime and reduce attacks against the police. President Donald Trump is not done issuing executive orders, however. According to reports from the new White House, one of the orders under consideration would designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organisation. Former presidential contender Senator Ted Cruz, have argued that the group, which operates primarily in Egypt and Jordan, espouses a violent Islamist Ideology with a mission of destroying the West. Cruz has also introduced a bill in the US Senate that aims to do the same thing. Supporters of the Bill and the executive order under consideration have argued that diaspora American-Muslim organisations such as the Islamic Society of North America, the Council on American-Islamic Relations and the North American Islamic Trust are all front organisations for the Muslim Brotherhood, suggesting that restrictions may also extend to these groups. While many Trump advisers and supporters, have long opposed the Muslim Brotherhood, the new move has caused concern. Opponents of such a move stress the following: first, equating the group with terrorist organisations like Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State casts too broad a net and deflects attention away from actual terror groups. Second, the broad transnational and loosely connected group has long participated in elections. Its candidate Mohammed Morsi won the 2012 presidential election in Egypt before he and his allies were swept from power in a military coup. It is because of this that the previous two US administrations have both refused to apply the designation. Third, given that the Muslim Brotherhood has offshoots beyond Egypt, in countries like Morocco, Jordan and Turkey, the designation would imperil alliances in which America needs cooperation. Among policy experts in Washington, there is widespread disagreement. The issue of the Muslim Brotherhoods designation is likely to put American Muslims, particularly those from Arab countries where the Brotherhood has a strong presence, more on edge. With the terrorist designation, money that is sent to any entity associated with the Muslim Brotherhood would come under scrutiny. Disbursements and connections to the Muslim Brotherhood could be prosecuted under the US Material Support for Terrorism statute. While there may be little truth to the premise that American-Muslim organisations are fronts for the Muslim Brotherhood, it is quite likely that the latters designation as a terrorist organisation will affect American Muslims. While the Muslim Brotherhood does not itself have a presence in Pakistan, several other Islamist parties do. If the Brotherhood is designated as a terrorist organisation, it indicates the Trump administrations willingness to cast a very broad net. An Islamist political organisation like the Muslim Brotherhood is not the same as terrorist organisations such as Al Qaeda, Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan or IS. Still, the broad nature of designating the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organisation is unlikely to accomplish any security objectives for the US. it is likely to enable all sorts of wrongful prosecutions of Arab-Americans; in the long term, it will likely make the American-Muslim community even more insular, increasing the possibility of alienation and ultimately radicalisation. By arrangement with Dawn US President Donald Trump has given burial rights to a two-state solution, ending the decades-long policy of US administrations and the world by giving Palestinians their defanged nation living alongside a Jewish entity. Hosting Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, he said a two-state or one-state solution was all right with him as long as the two immediate parties agreed. Mr Trump had boasted during his election campaign that he would resolve the most contentious Middle East issue where others had failed. The first inkling of what it would be emerged at the White House press conference, with the US President opting for a regional solution on the strength of major Sunni states teaming up with Israel to fight the common enemy, Iran. The only mild admonition he had for Israel was "to hold back a little bit" on settlement building. Palestinians had little chance to achieve a state of their own after the disastrous 1967 war, with Israel occupying more and more Palestinian land. Occupied East Jerusalem has been annexed and the spree in settlement building, reignited by the Trump victory, made a Palestinian entity increasingly remote. As Israel's coalition swung right, Mr Netanyahu was happy to bask in the glory of a single Jewish state. Israel has been the most coddled nation state in American political history. Over a succession of US administrations, Washington winked at Israel building a nuclear arsenal while Tel Aviv was the recipient of the most generous economic and military assistance. And the American Jewish lobby took over political Washington by intimidating US legislators to vote for Israel by pulling their financial support. And the world deferred to American primacy in resolving he problem. In the long history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, there have been many false starts, including the Oslo accords. Along the way, more and more Israelis came round to the view that, given the near-absolute American support, they could get away without giving anything to Palestinians. Now with a friendly US President in office, they are blowing the victory bugle. President Trump is delaying moving the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, as he had promised during the campaign. But the whole pitch of the new administration is to make Israel strong. Although he has appealed to Israelis to show flexibility, his efforts seem directed at Sunni Gulf kingdoms to do the dirty job of Israel ruling Palestinians as a subject race in a Jewish state. What are the chances of Mr Trump succeeding where others have failed? It is true that an increasing number of Arab states have informal relations with Israel, but for them to repudiate their fellow Palestinians' cause is a step too far, even taking into account the animosity towards Iran they share. Both Mr Trump and Mr Netanyahu agree that it was a bad agreement the Obama administration and other world powers signed with Tehran on curbing its nuclear programme. But repudiating it is another matter, given other countries' stakes. Will Palestinians meet the fate of the Kurds spread over many countries, fighting the Turkish state as guerrillas and in Syria fighting with Americans against the Islamic State? It seems unlikely because the Palestinian cause has a resonance across the wider Arab and developing world. It was Yasser Arafat who brought romance to his quest for an independent Palestine. Jews, who evoke the Holocaust at the slightest provocation, seem happy to suppress Palestinians by occupying and building on their land and finally pronouncing it all belongs to it because of ancient history. Imagine what the world would look like if countries made their claims based on centuries of history! The joint aim of Mr Trump and Mr Netanyahu is to make Iran the bad boy of the region and get the region's Arab states to team up with Israel. It is an idea divorced from reality. Making furtive contacts with Israel is one thing, to be seen supping with the devil quite another. If such an unlikely outcome would come to pass, the main beneficiary would be the so-called Islamic State or ISIS, who would paint the Gulf's rulers in lurid colours. Indeed, it is revealing that Mr Trump' son-in-law, Jared Kushner, has been made the overseer of the Israel-Palestinian problem. Indeed, it seems unlikely that Shia Iran will not merely become a unifying factor for the Sunni Gulf states but will compel the latter to forsake their brother Palestinians to make public cause with Israel. As the short tempestuous error-prone Trump administration has shown thus far, the new ruler in Washington is fumbling for a solution without a clear idea of what would follow. Palestinians themselves have a lot to answer for Mr Arafat himself had made mistakes in not seizing the right moment, his vanity often standing in the way. Mr Mahmoud Abbas is way beyond his allotted time as the head of the Palestinian movement, which is in any event split down the middle, with a separate set of Palestinians in the form of Hamas ruling the Gaza Strip after a fashion. Right-wing Israelis might believe that they have won a famous victory, with a friendly President in the White House and Palestinians running from pillar to post. Mr Netanyahu's demand is that Palestinians recognise the Jewish nature of the Israeli state. And they shall be ruled as a subject race till eternity. In the real world, such a happy ending for the Israeli state would be a fairytale. Mr Trump's consistent theme has been the destruction of the Islamic State. By his loud open support for Israel's illegal ambitions, he is merely giving succour to his proclaimed enemies. Beyond the expected Palestinian reaction, there is perhaps an undercurrent of hope that by overplaying his hand, Mr Trump has heightened the stark injustice of subjecting the inhabitants of the land Israel occupies to a subject status. Despite underhand dealings, which Arab ruler can live with this ignominy? Millions around the world consume pornography. That doesnt mean that almost all who subscribe to such videos or images are probable sex attackers. Trouble though, starts when you have 11-year-olds watching these clips. To really understand the problem, here are a few highlights from the works of Gail Dines, author of Pornland: How Porn Has Hijacked Our Sexuality. Her campaign against an industry thats no longer benign, has made Dines the worlds leading anti-pornography campaigner. The first time I personally confronted the issue of child pornography was in a case popularly referred to as the Swiss Couple Case. An elderly couple, Wilhelm Marti (69) and his wife Lili Marti (66) were caught red-handed while creating pornographic material using street children. They were convicted by the Sessions Court, Mumbai, in March, 2003, for seven years and were directed to pay a fine of Rs 5,000 to the three girls who were found in their custody, just peanuts for a couple trading in the highly-lucrative global industry of generating and circulating pornographic material using poor third-world children. Since there were no specific legal provisions to address the concerns of pornography or child sexual abuse, punishment was secured by extrapolating the sections from the Indian Penal Code which addresses issues of sexual abuse, violating modesty and generating and circulating obscene material. What was interesting during the trial was that the material confiscated at the time of arrest was stored along with the other material such as clothing, equipment, and other material used for forensic examination in a dusty storehouse. Hence, when the trial started and the sealed material was produced in court, sophisticated gadgets such as camera and laptop had been reduced to scrap. This was the level of awareness among the investigating officers then. Much has changed in the intervening 14 years as the country went through a technology revolution and children born after 2000 live in a virtual world from a tender age. Responding to this new challenge, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, included certain sections (sections 13 and 15) which criminalises possession and circulating obscene pornographic material. Section 13 prescribes that activities using children for pornographic purposes shall be an offence. Section 15 criminalizes collecting and storing any pornographic material in any form involving a child for commercial purposes. But while, there are some safety measures have been brought in to protect children through the POCSO Act, the situation of young women has become extremely vulnerable due to the prevalence of pornography and this has not been adequately addressed in our recent statutes. There have been news reports that women view porn in the privacy of their bedrooms and it has given them an avenue of expressing their sexuality without inhibition. However, within a gendered and class-ridden society, the easy accessibility of porn to men from varied socio-economic backgrounds is filled with dangers of an increase in violent sexual crimes. A research study conducted on viewing habits of men at railway stations where the government has provided free internet access revealed that 70 per cent were using this facility to view porn. In a repressive society that does not permit free intermingling between the sexes, the internet has become a place where male sexual fantasies get actualised. This has grave implications for women as violent images of female subordination and male privileges during the sexual act are projected as the norm to arouse male sexual appetite. Though a direct link between viewing porn and sexual crimes has not been established, we do have some anecdotal narratives. Victims of violent gangrapes have deposed in court that they were shown violent porn before being forced to participate in perverse sexual acts. In their recent book, Dangers of Adult Porn to women (Sage, 2017) authors Debarati Halder and K. Jayashankar explain the dangers of free access to adult pornography upon women and the devastating effect it has on the psyche of adolescent girls and young adult women. There are incidents in which young women in rural India have committed suicide after their explicit photographs were circulated. The damage on the emotional well-being of women is severe and it takes years for them to heal. Sex workers have also complained their clients who view such images, force them to perform anal and oral sex, masturbation and other extremely humiliating acts. But the obvious and easy solution of banning pornography is not an answer as it will impinge fundamental freedom of expression. However, we need to be more innovative in our strategies when safety of women is at stake. Perhaps, the answer lies in careful monitoring and permitting limited access. One suggestion is to make porn extremely expensive and difficult to access. Another suggestion is to restrict access to such sites in certain public places. The government though, needs to have wider consultations around these themes in order to protect the dignity of women. For children the danger is two fold (a) being used to generate pornographic material and (b) being able to access adult porn. In a sexually-repressive society like ours, where sex education to children continues to be taboo, the curious child gathers information about sex through these pornographic material which may scar the child for life. There is also no accurate data on the number of Indian children being exploited in porn either being forced to show their sexual organs or made to engage in sexual acts as many victims do not go to the police due to fear and shame. However, there were 96 reports of children in India being sexually exploited in online imagery in 2015, a rise of 140 per cent from 2014, according to the National Crimes Records Bureau data. The problem is global. Majority of images are found in North America and Europe as the internet service there is most developed. The children in these countries are also exposed to sexual material and sex education. Culturally, India is very different with different codes of sexual morality operating. So when an eight-year-old views images of sadomasochist sex, the impact would be very different... it may scar the child for life or and mar the chances of a normal sexual relationship. But banning pornography may still not be a solution. Certain countries have been alert to the dangers much earlier and set up child pornography hotlines. Britains Internet Watch Foundation, set up in 1996 to fight child pornography, reported that at that time, 18 per cent of the worlds child sexual abuse images were hosted in the UK. After sustained efforts it has been brought down to under one per cent. This emphasises the need to set up similar measures to reach out to the child who is violated. The Ministry of Women and Child, Government of India has also set up a helpline to address this issue which has become a serious concern for lawmakers. Many lawyers who deal with the issue say Indian laws are not sufficient to effectively combat various cyber threats such as cyber-bullying, cyber-stalking and sexual abuse involving grooming, sexting and the sort of pornography that children are exposed to in a digital world. The shortcomings in Indian laws need to be addressed notwithstanding the fact that the legal framework is by and large fairly enabling and can be invoked to address several cyber offences against children. A UNICEF report titled, Child Online Protection in India alerts us about the gaps in terminology used while reporting the crime: Disagreements regarding the actual meaning of terms have created confusion for policy, legislation, interventions and public advocacy. Indeed, establishing certain forms of cyber harassment as legal offences poses a challenge due to the lack of legal provisions for addressing cyber-bullying. While laws criminalise child trafficking with the intent of sexual exploitation, they do not specifically address and criminalise child trafficking with the intent of producing pornography and advertising child sex tourism online. The writer is a womens rights lawyer and works on issues of gender and law reforms M. Hari Prasad, a scientist at Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), says the solar-powered unmanned aerial vehicle can fly for a month without stop. (Photo: R. samuel) BENGALURU: Scientists at the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) are working on developing a solar-powered unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) which can fly on all-weather conditions for at least a month. Mr M. Hari Prasad, a scientist at ADE, said, UAVs will be the future of all combat vehicles. They are used for varied purposes right from carrying out recce missions along the border to collecting crucial information from neighboring countries. They are needed for real-time information and data through a secure data link. We will submit our project proposal to the DRDO soon. Tech giants like Google and Facebook are researching and developing UAVs that can fly on air non-stop for five long years on solar energy without the need of any fuel. We are not in that race, but are into R&D of making the solar-powered UAV that can fly for at least a month, he said. UAVs now run on fuel and can be airborne non-stop for about 24-36 hours. Solar-powered UAVs will be a real boon to the Indian defence. Our R&D is on solar-powered UAVs of 25-30 kg class. The UAVs will be fitted with solar panels that will convert solar energy into electrical energy and store it in 2KWatt high-density batteries that can keep it running in the night. It will be pollution free, he said. Generally, focus across the world has been on manufacturing UAVs as there is a demand for them from the third world countries. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. NASA is inviting the public to help search for possible undiscovered worlds in the outer reaches of our solar system and in neighbouring interstellar space. A new website, called Backyard Worlds: Planet 9, lets everyone participate in the search by viewing brief movies made from images captured by NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) mission. The movies highlight objects that have gradually moved across the sky, NASA said. "There are just over four light-years between Neptune and Proxima Centauri, the nearest star, and much of this vast territory is unexplored," said lead researcher Marc Kuchner, an astrophysicist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. "Because there's so little sunlight, even large objects in that region barely shine in visible light. But by looking in the infrared, WISE may have imaged objects we otherwise would have missed," said Kuchner. The new website uses the data to search for unknown objects in and beyond our own solar system. Last year, astronomers at Caltech in the US, showed that several distant solar system objects possessed orbital features indicating they were affected by the gravity of an as-yet-undetected planet, which they nicknamed "Planet Nine." If Planet Nine - also known as Planet X - exists and is as bright as some predictions, it could show up in WISE data. The search also may discover more distant objects like brown dwarfs, sometimes called failed stars, in nearby interstellar space. "Brown dwarfs form like stars but evolve like planets, and the coldest ones are much like Jupiter," said team member Jackie Faherty, an astronomer at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. "By using Backyard Worlds: Planet 9, the public can help us discover more of these strange rogue worlds," said Faherty. Unlike more distant objects, those in or closer to the solar system appear to move across the sky at different rates. The best way to discover them is through a systematic search of moving objects in WISE images. While parts of this search can be done by computers, machines are often overwhelmed by image artifacts, especially in crowded parts of the sky. These include brightness spikes associated with star images and blurry blobs caused by light scattered inside WISE's instruments. On the website, people around the world can work their way through millions of "flipbooks," which are brief animations showing how small patches of the sky changed over several years. Moving objects flagged by participants will be prioritised by the science team for follow-up observations by professional astronomers. Participants will share credit for their discoveries in any scientific publications that result from the project. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. MWC is one of the biggest fixtures in the mobile launch calendar and is the launch platform for many of the year's big smartphones. Mobile World Congress (MWC) is among the most speculated events in the technology industry. The event is known to hold the largest exhibition for the mobile industry and conferences featuring prominent executives representing mobile operators and device manufacturers among others from across the world. This years MWC is scheduled to take place in Barcelona between 27 February to 2 March and it appears like viewers will, for the first time witness Samsung and Reliance Jio hold a joint press conference on one of these days. Samsung recently announced that Jio and Samsung will be holding a joint press conference on February 28. The objective of the press conference is to foster engagement and participation among industry leaders, governments and communities by discussing Jios successful 4G LTE business and how it has transformed the everyday lives of the 1.3 billion Indians, their post read. In alignment with this, we will also share the contributions made by Samsung, as Jios solutions partner. The event will be hosted by President of Jio, Jyotindra Thacker and President Head of Networks Business of Samsung Electronics Youngky Kim. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. 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(Photo: Satish B.) BENGALURU: Combating infiltrators and terrorists, who find their way into the country through tunnels, is always a challenge for security forces, as it is difficult to track tunneling activity. However, now a Delhi-based Lighthouse Technologies and UK-based SureWave have developed sensors which can track any tunneling activity up to a depth of 500 m and up to one kilometre across the surface. The sensors are designed to remain unaffected by surrounding noise, rain and animal movements. Using microseismic technology, it helps detection of tunneling and real time tracking of surface activity. "People from all wings of armed forces visited our stalls and are impressed with this technology. They have sought for a live demonstration of this technology, said Fahad Khan, sales director, Lighthouse Technologies. $30 million deal to upgrade MI-17 chopper City-based Alpha Design Technologies Pvt. Ltd. announced signing of a $ 30 million contract with Elbit Systems for the Indian Air Force (IAF)'s MI-17 helicopter upgrade programme. It involves upgrading of 90 Mi-17 helicopters and Alpha Design, as the major offset partner, will be manufacturing all key sub-units at its Bengaluru facility. Alpha Designs scope of work will involve manufacturing of key sub-units such as smart displays, new cockpit, transponder, Digital Voice Recorder (DVR), Missile Launch Detection Systems (MILDS), cables, brackets, etc. Alpha Designs MILDS is being indigenously manufactured by the company in technical collaboration, with Airbus, as part of DARE (DRDO)s project for upgradation of helicopters. Alpha Design has already produced and supplied 469 MILDS as part of Cheetah Helicopter Upgrade to Army Aviation Corps through BEL (DRDOs Project) during 2015-16. Col (Retd) H.S. Shankar, CMD, Alpha Design said, "The inking of this contract further reinforces our commitment towards providing the best defence technologies to our forces. We look forward to working on more such contracts. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. Bankers and service providers are also concerned about the security features of TS-Wallet, which was developed by the states IT department. Hyderabad: The Centres BHIM App and Aadhaar-based payments system have blocked the launch of the states own, TS-Wallet. Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao had announced the launch of the of TS-Wallet a mobile application for cashless transactions in December last year. But bankers and service providers are said to be not particularly keen on partnering with individual state governments, after the Centre itself came out with the BHIM app and is now set to launch an Aadhaar-based payments system. Bankers and service providers are also concerned about the security features of TS-Wallet, which was developed by the states IT department. The department had developed the app in December and had referred it to the government for final approval. There has been no progress after that. The state government had even approached banks and service providers to form crucial partnerships while implementing the TS-Wallet system. But it was at this juncture, the Centre itself rolled out the BHIM App which is the same at the states own digital payment solution. Bankers felt the TS-Wallet would be just a duplication of the BHIM App. Under TS-Wallet, we wanted waiver of all taxes and transaction charges. And banks had asked the government to bear some losses due to the waivers. We could not come out with a proposal on how much burden the government would bear due to which there was no progress on the TS-Wallet plan, official sources from the finance department revealed. The TS-Wallet can be used if one has a mobile phone or an Aadhaar number. But the Centre too announced an Aadhaar-based payment plan which was in direct competition with the states app. Banks were also concerned about the quality of security training state staff, working on the TS-Wallet, had been provided. They wanted the government to train the staff first on handling digital transactions, especially at Mee Seva centres, where private players rule the roost. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. Huawei is the third-largest smartphone maker, after Samsung and Apple. Huawei is reportedly aiming on the digital voice assistant services provided by its competitors, Apple and Google, by launching its own voice assistance for smartphones. According to a report by Bloomberg Technology, a team of over hundred engineers in China are working to bring a voice-powered service on Huaweis smartphones. However, initially the voice assistant will debut in Chinese languages, targeting domestic users. Meanwhile, Huawei will continue to work with Google and Amazons Alexa service for the international market. Last month, Huawei announced it would use Alexa on its Mate 9 smartphone in the US market. Huawei is the third-largest smartphone maker, after Samsung and Apple. While Samsung is all set to bring in an AI voice assistant to the Galaxy S8 smartphone, Huaweis plan to build voice assistant in-house is another need-of-the-hour in the growing smartphone market. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. Los Angeles: A California man accused of buying assault-style rifles used by a married couple to massacre 14 people at a government office in San Bernardino in 2015 has agreed to plead guilty to conspiring to provide material support to terrorists, prosecutors said on Tuesday. Enrique Marquez Jr, 25, will plead guilty for conspiring with Syed Rizwan Farook in 2011 and 2012 to attack a community college and commuters on a Southern California freeway, prosecutors said. Marquez, a friend and former neighbor of Farook, has also agreed to plead guilty for making false statements about his purchase of two assault rifles used in the 2015 shooting rampage at the San Bernardino Inland Regional Center. Marquez was scheduled to enter his pleas, part of an agreement with federal prosecutors, at a hearing on Thursday in US District Court in Los Angeles. He faces a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison. "This defendant collaborated with and purchased weapons for a man who carried out the devastating December 2, 2015 terrorist attack that took the lives of 14 innocent people, wounded nearly two dozen, and impacted our entire nation," US Attorney Eileen Decker said in a written statement announcing the plea deal. Farook, 28, and his wife, Tashfeen Malik, 29, opened fire at a holiday gathering of Farook's co-workers on December 2, 2015, killing 14 people and wounding 22. Farook, the US-born son of Pakistani immigrants, and Malik, a Pakistani native he married in Saudi Arabia in 2014, died in a shootout with police four hours after the massacre. Authorities have said the couple was inspired by extremism. It was one of the deadliest attacks in the United States since the September 11, 2001, hijacked plane attacks. Prosecutors say Marquez and Farook, who were childhood friends, plotted attacks together in 2011 and 2012 that were never carried out. It was during that time that Marquez purchased the two rifles that Farook and Malik ultimately used in San Bernardino. Marquez did not take part in the San Bernardino massacre but was arrested about two weeks later and has remained in custody ever since. He also faces immigration fraud charges in connection with his marriage to Russian-born Mariyah Chernykh, which prosecutors say was a sham. Chernykh, 26, and Farook's brother, Syed Raheel Farook, 31, pleaded guilty in January to immigration fraud charges stemming from the marriage. Washington: Pakistan is probably the "most dangerous country" for the world, a former CIA official has said, citing the potential dangers emanating from its failing economy, rampant terrorism and one of fastest growing nuclear arsenal. Kevin Hulbert, a former CIA Station Chief in Islamabad, warned that the "failure" of Pakistan would have implications for the world. Pakistan is like the bank that is "too big to fail", or "too big to allow failing" more appropriately, because allowing the bank to fail could have catastrophic impacts on the greater economy, Hulbert wrote in the Cipher Brief a website for the intelligence community. "We have big problems in Afghanistan with its population of 33 million people, but Pakistan has about 182 million inhabitants, over five times the size of Afghanistan," he said. "With a failing economy, rampant terrorism, the fastest growing nuclear arsenal, the sixth largest population, and one of the highest birthrates in the world, Pakistan is of grave concern," Hulbert said. "In the end, while Pakistan is not the most dangerous country in the world, it probably is the most dangerous country for the world. There seem few levers to pull in Pakistan today, but if we pursue a strategy of containment or disengagement, things will only get worse," he said. The US and the IMF have given billions of dollars in financial assistance because the specter of Pakistan collapsing presents US President with more nightmare scenarios than probably any other country in the world, he said. "So, we keep throwing money at it, trying to steer them towards good behavior, and with only limited success. But, we must keep trying," he added. In Afghanistan, Hulbert said the only real mission today is to stop the country from falling to the Taliban and to prevent Afghanistan from becoming a safe haven for terrorists who might plan attacks against the West. "Meanwhile, if we stay, the death toll for the US continues as the casualties dribble in," he said. Washington: The White House is working frantically to find a new secretary of labour candidate after President Donald Trump's original pick, Andrew Puzder, abruptly withdrew from consideration. It was a stark example of the disorganized nature of the new administration not known for thorough vetting of its people or its plans. Contentious confirmation fights, a botched roll-out of Trump's refugee order and the ouster this week of National Security Adviser Michael Flynn have nearly paralyzed the administration. Republicans grumbled about the stream of "distractions," including the torrent of criticism about Puzder's personal life and his record as CEO of CKE Restaurants, Inc. What ultimately drained Puzder of enough Republican support for confirmation was his acknowledgment of employing a housekeeper, not authorized to work in the US. Puzder said he had fired the employee about five years ago. But he did not pay the related taxes until after Trump nominated him as labour secretary on December 9. Puzder said he paid the taxes as soon as he found out he owed them, but there was no explanation of why he didn't know or pay for five years. Spokesman George Thompson said Wednesday that Puzder did not tell the White House about the housekeeper issue until after he had been nominated. It's not clear that Trump's aides asked the immigration question before the nomination even though such issues have sunk past presidential nominations and Trump has taken a hard line on people in the US illegally. People who were interviewed during the transition period said they were not asked by Trump's team to provide vetting information, raising questions about the level of scrutiny. Ultimately, Republicans made it clear that Puzder lacked the votes in a chamber narrowly split between Republicans and Democrats. There was scant, if any, praise for his selection. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Sen. Lamar Alexander, who would have chaired Puzder's confirmation hearing Thursday, issued statements praising Puzder's qualifications but saying they "respect" his decision. Puzder fell to a relentless series of attacks from Democrats, labour and other groups who opposed him on ideological and personal grounds. They argued that his corporate background and opposition to a hike in the minimum wage proposal made him an unfit advocate for American workers at the top of an agency charged with enforcing worker protections. They rolled out stories from workers who said they were treated badly at Puzder's company. And they were ready to make his women and his workers part of the hearing on Thursday. Puzder was quoted in Entrepreneur magazine in 2015 as saying, "I like beautiful women eating burgers in bikinis." He said the racy commercials for Carl's Jr., one of his companies, were "very American." Democrats also said Puzder had criticised workers at his restaurants. He was quoted by Business Insider as saying he wanted to try robots at his restaurants, because they're always polite, they always upsell, they never take a vacation, they never show up late, there's never a slip-and-fall, or an age, sex or race discrimination case. A coalition led by the pro-labour National Employment Law Project and Jobs With Justice groups said Puzder's withdrawal represents the first victory of the resistance against President Trump. "Workers and families across the country spoke up loud and clear that they want a true champion for all workers in the Labour Department," said Sen. Patty Murray, the ranking Democrat on the panel that was to handle the hearing. Washington: US President Donald Trump halted Washington's quest for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict Wednesday, saying he would back a single state if it led to peace. The new president warmly welcomed Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House and hailed the "unbreakable" bond between their countries. And -- while he urged Netanyahu to "hold back" from building Jewish settlements for a "little bit" -- Trump broke with the international consensus insisting on two states. "So I'm looking at two state and one state, and I like the one that both parties like. I'm very happy with the one that both parties like. I can live with either one," he said. "I thought for a while the two-state looked like it may be the easier of the two but, honestly, if Israel and the Palestinians are happy, I'm happy with the one they like the best." If this change in the US stance was calculated to please Netanyahu and his right-wing coalition, Trump's views on the shortcomings of the Palestinian position will delight them. "I think the Palestinians have to get rid of some of that hate that they're taught from a very young age," he said, echoing Netanyahu's argument that Palestinians are not ready for peace. "They're taught tremendous hate. I have seen what they're taught, it starts in the school room, and they have to acknowledge Israel." Netanyahu had warm words for the US alliance, and hammered home his own prerequisites for peace. "First, the Palestinians must recognize the Jewish state. They have to stop calling for Israel's destruction," he said. "Second, in any peace agreement, Israel must retain the overriding security control over the entire area west of the Jordan River," he added. This area contains the entire West Bank area that would represent the heart of any Palestinian state as conceived in all previous international agreements. The change in the US stance, which was trailed overnight by a US official, triggered Palestinian despair and consternation in international capitals. The second ranking official in the Palestine Liberation Organization, Saeb Erekat, denounced it as an attempt to "bury the two state solution and eliminate the state of Palestine." And he warned that any single state that emerged would lose Israel's Jewish character. "There's only one alternative," he told a news conference. "A single democratic state that guarantees the rights of all: Jews, Muslims and Christians." Victory cry The new US message deliberately echoed the long-standing Israeli position: No peace deal can be imposed from outside and the agenda for talks must reflect the reality on the ground. Naftali Bennett, the right-wing leader of the hardline Jewish Home party and an opponent of any Palestinian state cried victory. "A new era. New ideas. No need for third Palestinian state beyond Jordan and Gaza. Big day for Israelis and reasonable Arabs. Congrats," he tweeted. But Trump's decision flew in the face of an international consensus that any final status agreement must be based on a return to Israel's 1967 border -- albeit with land swaps. Just five days before Trump's January 20 inauguration, Barack Obama's outgoing US administration was among 70 countries to endorse this vision at a peace conference in Paris. And just a month before that, Obama's ambassador to the United Nations broke with longstanding US policy to allow a UN motion that criticized Israeli settlement building. Addressing a US-Israeli conference in December, the then secretary of state John Kerry called settlements a "barrier" to progress. Under Trump, that vision appears dead, and Washington has aligned itself with Netanyahu's government and its supporters in the right-wing settler movement. Speaking in Cairo after talks with Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, UN chief Antonio Guterres warned that "everything must be done" to preserve the two-state solution. France, which organized the January peace conference, was also unimpressed. Its ambassador to the UN, Francois Delattre told reporters "our commitment to the two-state solution is stronger than ever." Trump has tapped son-in-law Jared Kushner and lawyer Jason Greenblatt to lead peace efforts. Kushner had dinner with Netanyahu -- a long time family friend -- and US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Tuesday night. Russian relations Another major question that remains is whether Netanyahu can build closer security ties with his Arab neighbours despite regional anger over the stalled peace process. Netanyahu came to Washington to seek help in this outreach, while gauging Trump's appetite for better relations with Russia. Trump has signalled willingness to work with Russia to defeat the Islamic State group in Syria but that could de facto mean furthering the goals of Russian allies Bashar al-Assad and Iran. Israel sees Iran and its Lebanese ally the Hezbollah militia as the greatest threats in an unruly region, a view shared by the leaders of the main Sunni Arab states of the region. So on Wednesday, Netanyahu held out the prospect of a broader realignment, with the US and Israel partnering with Sunni Arab states in an anti-Iranian alliance. "I think that if we work together on the great magnitude and danger of the Iranian threat, then I think we can roll back Iran's aggression and danger," Netanyahu said. "That's something that is important for Israel, the Arab states, but I think it's vitally important for America." The ministry said in a statement it concluded the woman is Indonesian based on data provided by Malaysian authorities and the Indonesian Embassy in Malaysia. (Photo: AP) Jakarta: Indonesia's foreign ministry said a woman arrested in Malaysia for suspected involvement in the killing of the North Korean leader's half brother is an Indonesian citizen and officials have requested consular access to her. Malaysian police have identified the woman as Siti Aishah, 25, from Serang in Banten, a province that neighbours the Indonesian capital, Jakarta. She was arrested early Thursday. The ministry said in a statement it concluded the woman is Indonesian based on data provided by Malaysian authorities and the Indonesian Embassy in Malaysia. "Following that verification, the embassy has requested consular access to the Government of Malaysia to provide assistance in order to ensure her legal rights," the statement said. Malaysian police have now arrested two women and one man in the death of Kim Jong Nam, who was reportedly poisoned on Monday by a pair of female assassins as he waited for a flight in Malaysia. An Indonesian news portal published a photo of the identification page of an Indonesian passport belonging to Siti Aisyah that differed from the details released by Malaysian police only in the spelling of the name. "Aishah" is a spelling typically used in Malaysia whereas "Aisyah" is commonly used in Indonesia. Several million Indonesians work in Malaysia as maids and construction and plantation workers. Investigators in Malaysia are trying to shed light on the death of Kim, which has set off set off waves of speculation over whether North Korea dispatched a hit squad to kill him. Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia will return the body of Kim Jong-Nam, the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader, Kim Jong-Un. This has been done on Pyongyang's request, although there are "procedures to be followed", the deputy prime minister told reporters on Thursday. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi confirmed Pyongyang had made the request when questioned by journalists after a meeting with regional business leaders, according to footage from the event. "We will facilitate the request by any foreign government although there are procedures to be followed. Our policy is that we have to honour our bilateral relations with any foreign country," he said. Malaysian police have referred only to a Korean male in their official statements on the matter, but Hamidi confirmed his identity. "He carries two different identities, probably this is an undercover document and this is an authentic passport," Zahid added. Kim, 45, was believed to have been in Malaysia on a passport bearing the name Kim Chol, a known alias, according to South Korean media. South Korean intelligence chiefs say he was poisoned by agents from the North as he walked through Kuala Lumpur International Airport on his way to board a flight for Macau. Almost 69,000 Rohingyas have since fled from Myanmar to Bangladesh, according to UN estimates. (Photo: AFP) Naypyidaw: Myanmar's military has ended a clearance operation in the country's troubled Rakhine State, government officials said, ending a four-month sweep that the United Nations said may amount to crimes against humanity and possibly ethnic cleansing. The security operation had been under way since nine policemen were killed in attacks on security posts near the Bangladesh border on Oct. 9. Almost 69,000 Rohingyas have since fled from Myanmar to Bangladesh, according to UN estimates. The violence has renewed international criticism that Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi has done too little to help members of the Muslim minority. The government led by Nobel laureate Suu Kyi has denied almost all allegations of human rights abuses in Rakhine, including mass killings and gang rapes of Rohingya Muslims, and said the operation was a lawful counterinsurgency campaign. "The situation in northern Rakhine has now stabilized. The clearance operations undertaken by the military have ceased, the curfew has been eased and there remains only a police presence to maintain the peace," newly-appointed national security advisor Thaung Tun was quoted as saying in a statement released by State Counselor's Office late on Wednesday. "There can be no excuse for excessive force, for abuses of fundamental human rights and basic criminality. We have shown that we are ready to act where there is clear evidence of abuses," he told a group of diplomats and U.N. representatives in a meeting, according to the statement. Two senior officials from Myanmar's President Office and the Ministry of Information confirmed that the army operation in northern Rakhine had ended but said the military force remained in the region to maintain "peace and security". Myanmar military did not immediately respond to requests for comments. The military and police have separately set up a team to investigate alleged crimes after Suu Kyi promised to probe U.N. allegations of atrocities against the Muslim minority. More than 1,000 Rohingya Muslims may have been killed in the crackdown, two senior U.N. officials dealing with refugees fleeing the violence told Reuters last week. A Myanmar presidential spokesman has said the latest reports from military commanders were that fewer than 100 people had been killed in the counterinsurgency operation. Rohingya Muslims have faced discrimination in Buddhist-majority Myanmar for generations. They are regarded as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, entitled only to limited rights and some 1.1 million of them live in apartheid-like conditions in northwestern Myanmar. Kathmandu: Nepal has requested the European Union to lift an air traffic ban imposed on Nepalese airlines in 2013 over safety concerns. Minister for Foreign Affairs Prakash Sharan Mahat briefed European Commission President Jean Claude Juncker about the progress Nepal has made in the aviation safety sector. Acknowledging the EU's support to Nepal's development efforts in areas such as human and social development, agriculture and trade, Mahat also sought an enhanced level of support from the EU in infrastructure building and skills development. The Foreign Minister also called for an increased support for post-earthquake reconstruction to help meet resources gap particularly in housing grant, education and health. Juncker assured the Foreign Minister that the EU would consider the possibility of enhancing support and cooperation as per the request made by Nepal. Mahat, on the occasion, also apprised the EU President of the recent political developments in Nepal, including the amendment of the constitution and preparations for holding of elections in the within next year. In 2013, the EU had cited "safety information from various sources and a hearing both with the Nepalese aviation authorities as well as with a number of Nepalese carriers" to justify the blanket prohibition against the Himalayan country. Since 1949 - the year the first aircraft landed in Nepal- there have been many crashes involving planes and helicopters. Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin is calling for a new level of cooperation with Western intelligence agencies in order to fight terrorism. "It's in the general interest to establish a dialogue with the special services of the United States and other member countries of NATO," Putin said Thursday at a meeting of top officials of the Federal Security Service, news agencies reported. "We need to establish cooperation at a new level in the antiterrorist sphere with foreign partners," he said. Putin at the same time complained that NATO "is constantly provoking us and trying to draw us into confrontation," the reports said. He claimed that Russia last year thwarted the activity of more than 400 foreign special agents, but did not give details. Kim Jong Nam was targeted on Monday in the Kuala Lumpur International Airport and later died on the way to the hospital. (Photo: AP) Kuala Lumpur: Malaysian police investigating the assassination of the half-brother of North Korea's leader reportedly said Thursday they have detained a second woman in connection with the killing. A 28-year-old woman, who was carrying a Vietnamese passport, was arrested the previous day after reports said two female assassins sprayed toxins in the victim's face at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar confirmed the detention of the second woman to Malaysia's Bernama news agency without providing further details, adding that an official statement will be issued later Thursday, Selangor state police chief Abdul Samah Mat told AFP earlier that officers were looking for several suspects. The two women struck on Monday as Kim Jong-Nam was readying to board a flight to Macau where he has spent many years in exile, South Korea's spy chief Lee Byung-Ho has said, pointing the finger of blame at the North. The first woman is due to appear in court on Thursday. Bangkok: Thai security forces entered the country's biggest Buddhist temple on Thursday to search for an influential monk wanted for money laundering, police said. "Right now authorities have already started a search operation seeking the individual under arrest warrants," Paisit Wongmuang, chief of the Department of Special Investigation, told reporters in front of a temple gate after meeting temple representatives. Moscow: Russia's defence minister on Thursday warned Washington not to try to negotiate with Moscow "from a position of strength" ahead of the first meeting between their military chiefs since Donald Trump became US president. "We are ready to restore cooperation with the Pentagon," minister Sergei Shoigu said in a statement. "But attempts to build a dialogue from a position of strength in relation to Russia have no prospects." Shoigu was responding to a comment to NATO by new Pentagon chief James Mattis on Wednesday in which he said Washington wanted to make sure its diplomats had the upper hand in any talks with Russia. "We remain open to opportunities to restore a cooperative relationship with Moscow, while being realistic in our expectations and ensuring our diplomats negotiate from a position of strength," Mattis said in Brussels. The comments come as the Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Joe Dunford is set to hold talks with his Russian counterpart Valery Gerasimov in Azerbaijan's capital Baku. The meeting takes place as Trump's administration battles to fend off reports that aides had repeated contact with Russian intelligence during the presidential campaign. Ties between Russia and the US have slumped to their lowest point since the Cold War over Moscow's meddling in Ukraine and intervention in Syria. Trump has repeatedly held out the prospect of cooperating with Russia in the fight against the Islamic State group, a goal that the Kremlin has long been pushing for. The United States insisted, however, that Wednesday's meeting between the military bosses was not political in nature and had been planned for months. The Pentagon said the two men will discuss "the importance of consistent and clear military-to-military communication to prevent miscalculation and potential crises". The two sides currently have a system set up to help them avoid any confrontations in the air over Syria where both nations are flying bombing campaigns. Washington DC: To intensify its battle against ISIS, the Pentagon might propose sending U.S. ground combat forces into northern Syria for the first time ever. "It's possible that you may see conventional forces hit the ground in Syria for some period of time," CNN quoted a defence official. However, the official made it clear that the final call lies with President Donald Trump, who has ordered his defence secretary to come up with a proposal to combat ISIS before the end of the month. Conventional units operate in larger numbers and would require a more significant footprint of security protection both on the ground and in the air. Right now, no more than 5,262 troops are allowed in Iraq, with 5,155 deployed there at present. Huthi rebels, who control the capital, accused a Saudi-backed coalition of carrying out the strike. (Photo: Representational Image) Sanaa: Eight women and a child were killed in an overnight air raid on a funeral reception near Sanaa, medics in the Yemeni capital said on Thursday. At least 10 more women were reported wounded in the raid, which hit the women's reception area at a funeral in Arhab district, 40 kilometres (25 miles) north of Sanaa. Medics dispatched to the incident identified the site as the residence of Mohammed Al Nakii in the village of Shiraa. Casualties were transported to hospitals in Sanaa. Huthi rebels, who control the capital, accused a Saudi-backed coalition of carrying out the strike. A coalition spokesperson was not immediately available for comment. A post on the Huthi-run Saba Net news site late Wednesday gave an initial toll of six women killed and 10 wounded. Yemen's war pits the internationally recognised government of President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi against Iran-backed Huthis allied with forces loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh. The conflict spiralled in March 2015, when the coalition began targeting the Shiite rebels, who had seized control of Sanaa. The United Nations says more than 7,400 people, including around 1,400 children, have been killed in violence across Yemen since then. Paris: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad defended President Donald Trump's ban on Syrians entering the US, saying it targeted "terrorists" and not the Syrian people, in an interview broadcast Thursday. In January, Trump summarily denied entry to all refugees for 120 days and barred Syrian refugees indefinitely. The highly controversial decree, which was suspended by a federal judge, also barred travellers from seven predominantly Muslim countries, including Syria, for 90 days. In an interview with French media Assad expressed understanding for the ban. "It's not against the Syrian people... it's against the terrorists that could infiltrate some of the immigrants to the West and that happened. It happened in Europe, mainly in Germany and could happen in the United States," he told Europe 1 radio and TF1 television channels in the interview in Damascus. "For me, as president, I would not worry about that," he said, accusing Trump's critics of seizing on the ban as the fuel for the conflict with Trump. The interview came as Syrian government representatives and rebel groups began new peace talks in the Kazakh capital Astana, brokered by Russia, Turkey and Iran. The talks aim to shore up a faltering six-week truce and pave the way for new UN-brokered talks on a political solution to the six-year conflict. Assad revealed that retaking the Islamic State's Syrian bastion of Raqa -- a key objective of the US-led coalition battling the jihadists -- was not a priority for his forces. "Raqa is a symbol," he said, "You have ISIS close to Damascus, you have them everywhere," Assad said, using another acronym for IS. "For us it is all the same, Raqa, Palmyra, Idlib, it's all the same," vowing to win back "every inch" of Syrian territory. The French particularly have been pushing for an operation to flush IS out of Raqa, as the suspected incubator of some of the attacks that have claimed 238 lives in France over the past two years. Across the border, Iraqi forces are four months into a massive operation to drive IS out of the city of Mosul. In Syria, an Arab-Kurd rebel alliance has begun advancing on Raqa with the aim of liberating the city. In the interview, Assad again denied recent allegations by Amnesty International of executions and atrocities perpetrated at a prison near Damascus. Assad said Amnesty's biased report contained not a single fact (or) evidence to support allegations that some 13,000 people were hanged at the Saydnaya prison between 2011 and 2015. On the use of torture, he said, "We don't do this, it's not our policy," adding: "Torture for what?...For sadism?...to get information? We have all the information." He argued: "If we commit such atrocities it's going to play into the hands of the terrorists, they're going to win. It's about winning the hearts of the Syrian people, if we commit such atrocities... we wouldn't have (popular) support (through) six years" of war. He was also scathing of the West's fruitless attempts to mediate in the six-year conflict that has claimed more than 300,000 lives. The West, he said, did not want to achieve peace in Syria. Over the past year, Russia and Iran have helped turn the tables in Assad's favour with their military backing, while Turkey supports rebels fighting to oust the strongman. The talks in Astana are viewed as a warm-up for UN-led negotiations that are due to begin in Geneva on February 23. Turkey's army said it had killed 15 terrorists in air strikes, artillery fire and clashes. (Photo: Representational Image/AP) Beirut: Turkish bombardment of an Islamic State group-held town in Syria has killed 24 civilians, a monitor said Thursday, but Turkey's army said only "terrorists" died in the operation. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the dead in air strikes and shelling on the town of Al-Bab in the last 24 hours included 11 children. Turkey's army, quoted by the state-run Anadolu news agency said it had killed 15 "terrorists" in air strikes, artillery fire and clashes. Al-Bab is IS's final stronghold in the northern Syrian province of Aleppo and has come under fierce attack by Turkish forces and allied Syrian rebels in recent months. The joint force entered Al-Bab over the weekend, and Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said Tuesday that the town had largely been taken under control. The Observatory however said Turkish forces had made little progress since entering the town from the west. Turkey began military operations in Syria in August, targeting both IS and Kurdish fighters. Initially its forces advanced quickly, but they stalled around Al-Bab in December. The town is also a key target for Syrian government forces, which had been advancing towards from the south. But they have yet to enter Al-Bab, instead focused on clearing IS-held territory in the surrounding countryside in recent days. More than 310,000 people have been killed in Syria since the conflict began in March 2011 with anti-government protests. The war has displaced over half the country's population and drawn in jihadists and international militaries. Karachi: Nearly 100 people were killed and dozens injured tonight when an Islamic State suicide bomber blew himself up inside the crowded shrine of revered Sufi Lal Shahbaz Qalandar in Sehwan town, some 200 kms northeast of Karachi, in a string of deadly blasts this week in Pakistan. The bomber entered the shrine through its Golden gate and blew himself up near the site where the ritual of sufi dance 'Dhamal' was taking place. He first threw a grenade, which failed to explode, SSP Jamshoro Tariq Wilayat said. "He first threw a grenade to cause panic and then blew himself up," the SSP said. Sehwan police station SHO Rasool Baksh told reporters that around 100 people, including women and children, have been killed in the suicide bomb attack. Hundreds of devotees were present inside the premises of the vast mausoleum of the saint at the time of blast. Faisal Edhi of the Edhi foundation confirmed they have shifted 60 bodies to hospitals in Hyderabad and Jamshoro. The ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack on their Aamaq news agency, saying a suicide bomber had targeted a "Shiite gathering" at the shrine in Sindh. Commissioner Hyderabad Kazi Shahid said since the shrine was located in a remote area, some 130 kms from Hyderabad, ambulances and vehicles and medical teams were being sent from Hyderabad, Jamshoro, Moro, Dadu and Nawabshah to the blast site to take care of the injured and move the bodies. "Emergency has been declared at hospitals in these places and rescue operations have started," he said. Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah said that the Pakistan army had been requested to provide night flying helicopters to shift the dead and injured. "Yes it is a tragic incident and because the shrine is away from a major city there have been problems in providing rescue operations," he said. The army said a C130 aircraft will be used to lift the injured from Nawabshah. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned the attack and urged Pakistan to "stand united". Devotees gather at the shrine of the revered Sufi saint every Thursday to participate in a dhamaal and prayers. Television channels reported that dead bodies and injured were lying inside the shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, a Sufi philosopher-poet of present-day Afghanistan and Pakistan. Lahore: Jamaat-ud Dawah chief Hafiz Saeed has asked the Pakistan government to immediately remove his name from a list that bars him from leaving the country, claiming he was neither a security risk nor his outfit ever engaged in terrorist activities. In a letter to Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, the mastermind of 2008 Mumbai terrorist attack, in which 166 people died, said: "A memorandum issued on January 30, 2017 placing 38 individuals should be withdrawn forthwith." The government last month put Saeed and 37 other leaders of JuD and his Falah-e-Insaniyat charity on Exit Control List. It also put Saeed and four other leaders of the organisations under "house arrest" for 90 days for engaging in activities "prejudicial" to peace and security. Additionally, the interior ministry put JuD and FIF on a "watch-list" for six months. But Saeed contended the government decisions saying: "The JuD has never been involved in any terrorist activity in Pakistan and no incident of any terrorism or destruction of property was ever alleged against the organisation." He argued that no material has ever been produced by federal or provincial governments against him in a court of law. He cited an observation of a full-bench of the Lahore High Court in a 2009 case against him. The court had said: "In the present case the government is not in possession of any evidence that the petitioners are risk to the security of Pakistan and merely on the basis of the UN Resolution their liberty cannot be curtailed." India-China trade and investments relations which made progress in the last two decades often regarded as a buffer to deal with complex issues like border and strategic competition between the two. (Photo: AP) Beijing: India and China should rejig their diplomatic strategy to improve relations during the strategic dialogue next week, as economic ties which served as a buffer to alleviate frictions are getting weakened due to intense competition in markets, a report in the state-run media said. "As competition grows the function of economic ties as a buffer to alleviate trade friction between the countries is weakened, which requires the two neighbours to deal with a complicated political situation more carefully," an article in the state-run Global Times said today. The article in the daily's website said the first India-China strategic dialogue is expected to be held on February 22 in Beijing and it would serve as a prime opportunity for the two countries to make a change in its diplomatic strategy. Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar would lead the Indian delegation at the talks during which the two sides are expected to discuss steps to address increasingly tense ties due to differences over a host of issues including China blocking listing of JeM leader Masood Azhar as a terrorist and India's admission into Nuclear Suppliers Group. "Sino-Indian relations are experiencing severe tests after a female 'parliamentary' delegation from Taiwan paid a visit to India. Such issues should be handled much more carefully in the future," it said. The report said that the economic ties no longer worked as a buffer as new study showed China has a relatively low industrial complementarity with India compared with other South Asian countries, resulting in intense competition in the global market for products made in the two countries. Citing a new study by state-run think-tank - the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) - the article said "as more economic competition is expected, greater uncertainty is likely to be present in future Sino-Indian relations". India-China trade and investments relations which made progress in the last two decades often regarded as a buffer to deal with complex issues like border and strategic competition between the two. India-China bilateral trade progressed to over USD 70 billion while Chinese investments in India was USD 1.06 billion last year registering 7.5 per cent growth, as per Chinese official media. The CASS report tends to challenge the idea that key elements for Sino-Indian ties are more complementary than competitive in economics and trade, the article said. The idea that China and India are highly complementary should be abandoned in order to restore trust and promote economic cooperation, it said. "The competitive trend underlined in the CASS report is expected to become more visible in the coming years as India pursues its Make in India strategy, which calls for a rethinking of bilateral economic ties," the article said. India has become the second-largest source of trade remedy probes against Chinese goods as an increasing homogeneity in the two countries' economic structures creates friction, it said. Additionally, the two countries are also engaged in a fierce competition in exploiting overseas markets in the South Asian region, it said. "How mutual trust can be built and how sound interaction can be developed between the two countries deserve careful consideration and thought," it said. "Although it is not easy to put China and India out of contention in the economic and trade area, dissolving strategic mistrust between the two countries may be more difficult to do. "As bilateral ties between the two emerging Asian powers grow increasingly complicated, economic complementarity should be enhanced by encouraging Chinese firms to invest more in India's infrastructure. Shoring up cooperation is the most effective way to promote mutual trust," it said. The Dawn quoted Musharaf's interview to Samaa TV, where he said that Pakistan does not have a clear perspective in regard to terrorism, which had affected Hafiz Saeed and the JuD. (Photo: ANI) Lahore: Asserting that the Pakistan Government was taking action against Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) solely due to pressure from India, former president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf has called for the release of UN-designated global terrorist Hafiz Saeed, who is under house-arrest. The Dawn quoted Musharaf's interview to Samaa TV, where he said that Pakistan does not have a clear perspective in regard to terrorism, which had affected Hafiz Saeed and the JuD. "In my opinion they are against Taliban (in Pakistan), they did not commit any terrorism in Pakistan or anywhere in the world. So they should be dealt separately. They were banned through United Nations by India and we are following the same line," he said. Pakistani journalist Nadeem Malik, who took Musharraf's interview on Samaa TV, quoted him as saying on Twitter, "#NadeemMalikLive: Gen @P_Musharraf demands release of Hafiz Saeed, claims action against Jamatud Dawah was due to Indian pressure #Pakistan." Asserting that Hafiz Saeed should definitely be freed, Musharraf further stated that the JuD was not a terrorist organization, but was running "a very fine NGO" instead, which had contributed in relief activities in post earthquake and post floods periods in Pakistan. "They [JuD] have been engaging the religious youth in relief and welfare activities and if we push them against wall and call them terrorist, the religious youth could incline to Taliban and terrorists," said Musharraf. Islamabad: Pakistan on Thursday accused India of endangering regional peace through it military buildup. "Indian defence buildup is not in the interest of the region," Foreign Office Spokesperson Nafees Zakaria said. "It is a matter of grave concern and endangering the peace in the region and disturbing the strategic balance." Zakaria's comments came days after Pakistan claimed that India is building a "secret nuclear city" and has accumulated a stockpile of nuclear weapons which threatens to undermine the strategic balance of power in the region. Speaking at the weekly news briefing in Islamabad, Zakaria also alleged that Indian atrocities against Kashmiris are continuing unabated. Zakaria said that Pakistan was committed to the Kashmiris' legitimate movement for self-determination. He also accused India of "violating ceasefire on the Line of Control and Working Boundary resulting into loss of precious civilian lives". He said Pakistan has repeatedly lodged protest with Indian in this regard. Pakistan last week had claimed that India was building a "secret nuclear city" and accumulated a stockpile of nuclear weapons which threatens to undermine the strategic balance of power in the region. (Photo: Representational Image) Islamabad: Pakistan on Thursday accused India of trying to "sabotage" the USD 46 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Foreign Office Spokesman Nafees Zakaria said that India was openly opposing the CPEC that links China's Xinjiang region with Pakistan's Gwadar port. "We are aware of Indian government's plans to sabotage CPEC," he said, adding "India's interference in Pakistan is not concealed." Zakaria said Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav, who was arrested in Balochistan last year on charges of spying, had admitted of making an attempt to affect the work on CPEC, Zakaria said. He claimed that India has been involved in terrorist activities in Pakistan. "We have taken issue to the UN Secretary General about involvement of India in terrorist activities in Pakistan." He also accused India of endangering regional peace through it military buildup. "Indian defence buildup is not in the interest of the region," Zakaria said. "It is a matter of grave concern and endangering the peace in the region and disturbing the strategic balance." Pakistan last week had claimed that India was building a "secret nuclear city" and accumulated a stockpile of nuclear weapons which threatens to undermine the strategic balance of power in the region. He also alleged that Indian atrocities against Kashmiris are continuing unabated and said that Pakistan was committed to the Kashmiris' legitimate movement for self-determination. He also accused India of "violating ceasefire on the Line of Control and Working Boundary resulting into loss of precious civilian lives". He said Pakistan has repeatedly lodged protest with India in this regard. The raid comes on heels of a series of suicide bombings this week by a Pakistani Taliban's breakaway faction. (Photo: Representational Image/AP) Multan: A Pakistani counter-terrorism official says security forces have raided a hideout of Taliban- linked suspected Islamic militants, killing 6 of them. Mohammad Saleem says the raid took place on Thursday in the central district of Khanewal and was based on intelligence that the militants were planning an attack. The raid comes on heels of a series of suicide bombings this week by a Pakistani Taliban's breakaway faction, Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, or Freedom Movement, following an almost three-month lull. The group has carried out three suicide bombings this week, killing 19 people. Also, two of its bombers were killed before they could set off their explosives and another blew himself up prematurely before reaching his target. Pakistan has for over a decade fought Islamic militants, who have killed thousands of people. Army Chief General Bipin Rawat on Wednesday said those who obstruct the armys operations during encounters in Jammu and Kashmir will be treated as anti-national elements. The army chief made the comments after paying tributes to security personnel who lost their lives in encounters with terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid homage to Major S Dahiya and three other soldiers who were killed on Tuesday in two encounters. He laid wreaths on the bodies of the soldiers, at the Palam Airport where the mortal remains were brought on Wednesday. Gen Rawat, who briefed the prime minister on the incidents, said the security forces faced higher number of casualties because the local residents hindered their operations and at times even helped the militants to escape. We would now request the local population, that people who have picked up arms and they are the local boys if they want to continue with the acts of terrorism displaying flags of ISIS and Pakistan, then we will treat them as anti-national elements and go after them, Gen Rawat said. They may survive today, but we will get them tomorrow. Our relentless operations will continue. We are giving them an opportunity; should they continue, we will also continue with our relentless operations that may be with harsher measures, he said. What has upset the army is that protests followed the gunfights, stalling security operations. Police were forced to use teargas to stop angry marchers heading to the site of the encounter. While the army claimed a civilian was taken hostage by the militants, the locals claimed he was used by the soldiers as a shield. Earlier, Modi tweeted, Paid tributes to the brave men who lost their lives fighting terrorists in J&K. India will always remember their valour & sacrifice. On the security challenges that Israel faces from Iran, Trump assured Netanyahu the Islamic republic would never be able to make a nuclear weapon. He also termed the nuclear deal between Iran and world powers "the worst" agreement ever. "My administration has already imposed new sanctions on Iran, and I will do more to prevent Iran from ever developing - I mean ever - a nuclear weapon," Trump said yesterday. Trump also mentioned the "unfair and one-sided actions" against Israel at the UN Security Council, referring to a resolution condemning Israeli settlements, which had triggered a diplomatic fight between Obama and Netanyahu. "This is one more reason why I reject unfair and one-sided actions against Israel at the United Nations - just treated Israel, in my opinion, very, very unfairly - or other international forums, as well as boycotts that target Israel," he said. Netanyahu praised Trump's stand on Iran and radical Islamic terrorism. "Mr President, you've shown great clarity and courage in confronting this challenge head-on. You call for confronting Iran's terrorist regime, preventing Iran from realising this terrible deal into a nuclear arsenal," Netanyahu said. "You have said that the United States is committed to preventing Iran from getting nuclear weapons. You call for the defeat of ISIS. Under your leadership, I believe we can reverse the rising tide of radical Islam. And in this great task, as in so many others, Israel stands with you and I stand with you," he said. US President Donald Trump has signalled debunking America's long pursuit of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian dispute, saying he could endorse a one-nation solution if it led to peace in the Middle East, but asked Israel to temporarily stop Jewish settlements. Appearing at a joint press conference with visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump hailed the "unbreakable" bond between the two countries after the bilateral relations nosedived under President Barack Obama.At their first face-to-face meeting since his inauguration on January 20, Trump appeared warm to Netanyahu and shook his hands several times throughout the conference. But he politely asked the Israeli head of the government to "hold back" on settlements in territory claimed by the Palestinians for their future state: "for a little bit". Breaking from tradition and international consensus, Trump said he would be open to "alternate solutions" that does not necessarily involve a two-state solution to the six-decades- long Israeli-Palestinian conflict."It is something that is very different, hasn't been discussed before. It's actually a much bigger deal - much more important deal in a sense," Trump said. "I'm looking at two-state and one-state, and I like the one that both parties like. I'm very happy with the one that both parties like. I can live with either one," he said, adding Israelis "also need to show some flexibility". "We'll work something out but, I think a deal will be made... It might be a bigger and better deal than people in this room even understand," he said, without elaborating.Since 2002, the US has formally backed the two-state solution. But Trump's remarks were the most striking departure for American efforts - and the central theme of the Oslo accords - to establish a Palestinian state alongside Israel as part of a permanent Middle East peace deal. Trump said his administration was looking at moving the US embassy to Jerusalem, but he offered no indication it would happen in near future. Relocating the embassy would signal the American recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. "As far as the embassy moving to Jerusalem, I'd love to see that happen. We're looking at it very, very strongly."Netanyahu did not commit to Trump's request for a hold on settlement construction, and instead set two prerequisites for peace with the Palestinians. "First, the Palestinians must recognise the Jewish state. They have to stop calling for Israel's destruction, they have to stop educating their people for Israel's destruction. "Second, in any peace agreement, Israel must retain the overriding security control over the entire area west of the Jordan River because if we don't, we know what will happen."We'll get another radical Islamic terrorist state in the Palestinian areas exploding the peace, exploding the Middle East," he said. Netanyahu also made it clear that Palestinians "vehemently reject" both the prerequisites for peace. "The persistent Palestinian refusal to recognise a Jewish state...is the reason we don't have peace," he said. Netanyahu said he believes the opportunity for peace comes from a regional approach, involving Arab partners in the pursuant of a broader peace with the Palestinians. Party MPs supporting Sasikala said due process has come into being and that the state government would stay. Though the Governor held meetings with both the warring factions led by Panneerselvam and Palaniswami respectively during the last two days, he seems to have gone by the constitutional mandate on the support of MLAs' to the Chief Minister designate, who claims to have the 124 legislators on his side. Rao was on Moday advised by Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi to convene a special session of the Legislative Assembly within a week for holding a composite floor test. Sasikala loyalist Edappadi K Palaniswami is all set to be the new Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu with the Governor today inviting him to form government at the "earliest". Ending the 10-day impasse over government formation, Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao asked Palaniswami, the AIADMK Legislature Party Leader, to form his ministry at the earliest and seek a vote of confidence in the assembly within 15 days."The Governor has today appointed Edappadi K Palaniwami, Party Headquarters Secretary of AIADMK as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and invited him to form the ministry at the earliest," a Raj Bhavan release said. The Governor's invitation came "in acceptance" of the letter submitted by Palaniswami on February 14, saying he had been elected as the Leader of the AIADMK Legislature party in a meeting of its MLAs that day.Earlier in the day, the Governor had met Palaniswami, the third meeting between the two since February 14 when AIADMK General Secretary V K Sasikala was convicted by the Supreme Court in an assets case, dealing a body blow to her ambition of becoming Chief Minister. She was earlier elected AIADMK Legislature party leader on February 5, but a revolt by the O Panneerselvam came as a spanner in her works.Soon after news of Palaniswami emerging as the next Chief Minister came in, supporters of Sasikala welcomed his elevation and hailed the Governor's decision. MLAs staying at the Koovathur resort, about 80 km from Chennai, for the past one week amidst police enquiries of their well-being, were all smiles and also raised slogans, hailing 'Chinnamma' (Sasikala). Police in Sriganganagar district today recovered an AK-56 assault rifle along with its 95 live rounds in a plastic gunny sack near the BP Minor canal. They also also found three used magazines, five live cartridges of self-loading rifle (SLR) and 10 used cartridges of some other weapon apart from the assault rifle used in modern war. Police said the gunny sack was wrapped with a thermo-coal sheet and prima facie it is that someone had put it in the canal. Some of the villagers found the weapons in the bag and informed the police."The gunny bag had blocked water. It was then villagers got the bag out and found the weapons. The rifle has PJBD written on it, which indicates Jalalabad, Punjab. We are looking into all angles to investigate the matter," Gajsinghpur SHO Shyam Sunder said. A case has been registered against unidentified person under the Arms Act and investigation is underway, he said. Russia's defence minister today warned Washington not to try to negotiate with Moscow "from a position of strength" ahead of the first meeting between their military chiefs since Donald Trump became US president. "We are ready to restore cooperation with the Pentagon," minister Sergei Shoigu said in a statement. "But attempts to build a dialogue from a position of strength in relation to Russia have no prospects." Shoigu was responding to a comment to NATO by new Pentagon chief James Mattis yesterday in which he said Washington wanted to make sure its diplomats had the upper hand in any talks with Russia. "We remain open to opportunities to restore a cooperative relationship with Moscow, while being realistic in our expectations and ensuring our diplomats negotiate from a position of strength," Mattis said in Brussels. The comments come as the Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Joe Dunford is set to hold talks with his Russian counterpart Valery Gerasimov in Azerbaijan's capital Baku. The meeting takes place as Trump's administration battles to fend off reports that aides had repeated contact with Russian intelligence during the presidential campaign. Ties between Russia and the US have slumped to their lowest point since the Cold War over Moscow's meddling in Ukraine and intervention in Syria. Trump has repeatedly held out the prospect of cooperating with Russia in the fight against the Islamic State group, a goal that the Kremlin has long been pushing for. The United States insisted, however, that yesterday's meeting between the military bosses was not political in nature and had been planned for months. The Pentagon said the two men will discuss "the importance of consistent and clear military-to-military communication to prevent miscalculation and potential crises". The two sides currently have a system set up to help them avoid any confrontations in the air over Syria where both nations are flying bombing campaigns. Pakistan today inducted 16 new multi-role JF-17 Thunder jets jointly manufactured with China to its air force with the Defence Minister asserting that the country was ready to safeguard borders against any aggression. The JF-17 Thunder jets were handed over to the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, Kamra, in Attock area of Punjab province, with Defence Minister Khawaja Asif present as the chief guest. The new home-made jets, inducted into 14-Squadron of Pakistan Air Force, have been manufactured jointly by China and Pakistan. The JF-17 Thunder is the backbone of PAF and already more than 70 fighters of the category are part of it. Asif, while speaking on the occasion, said the government was committed to fund the PAF's operational readiness especial its JF-17 programme in the future as well. The Defence Minister said Pakistan is a peace-loving country and wishes to maintain peaceful relations with international community especially with neighbours. However, he said, the government stands determined to safeguard Pakistan's national interests and borders against any aggression. The minister lauded the role the PAF has played in the anti-terror operation Zarb-e-Azb. This has not only brought peace and normalcy to the country but also put Pakistan's economy on a fast-track, he said. Asif thanked China for its support in the co-production of JF-17 Thunder aircraft. In his address, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman said JF-17 fighter jets have the capability comparable to any advanced fourth generation aircraft across the world. Development on the aircraft started in 1999, and the maiden flight was conducted in 2003. According to details, while the first block of JF-17's were manufactured and delivered in 2007, the second block manufacturing which started in 2013 has delivered a more advanced fighter jet with upgraded avionics, air-to-air refuelling capability, data link, enhanced electronic warfare capability and enhanced load carrying ability. The JF-17 can be equipped with air-to-air and air-to-ground ordinance. The aircraft mounts both short-range infra-red air-to-air missiles along with longer ranged radar-guided beyond visual range (BVR) missiles, an essential capability for a frontline interceptor. The JF-17 also enhances the capability of the air force in beyond visual range (BVR) engagements. The PAF has said between 250 and 300 aircraft will be inducted into the air force to replace ageing fleets. Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar and Executive Vice Chairman of China hang Yesui will co-chair the meet to discuss "all issues of mutual interest in bilateral, regional and international domain", External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said today. Acknowledging that there are "friction points" in Sino-China ties, Swarup said the dialogue will strive for a holistic view of the relations between the two countries and see to what extent they can accommodate each other's concerns and interests. "India and China share a close development partnership and there are number of issues also between the two countries. While there are collaborative activities, there are also some friction points. "The idea is that through the mechanism of this strategic dialogue, the foreign secretary from our side and his Chinese counterpart can take a holistic view of India-China relations and see to what extent the two sides can accommodate each other's concerns and interests," he said. Maintaining that the upcoming Strategic Dialogue, which was set up during the visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in August last year, was a new mechanism, Swarup said it is a more "comprehensive" forum. India-China ties have witnessed strain following Beijing's rigid stand on issues crucial to India such as membership to the Nuclear Suppliers Group and designation of JeM chief and Pathankot attack mastermind Masood Azhar as global terrorist by the UN. Not only China scuttled India's membership bid at the meeting of NSG last year, it also opposed banning of Azhar by the UN, apparently at the behest of its "all-weather" friend Pakistan. Yesterday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry also said it has lodged a protest with India for hosting a Taiwanese parliamentary delegation and asked it to deal "prudently" with Taiwan-related matters. New Delhi dismissed the protest saying no "political meanings" should be read into such trips. India and China will hold their first Strategic Dialogue on February 22 in Beijing during which the two sides will discuss key issues of mutual "concern and interest" including "friction points" such as Masood Azhar and NSG. Calling himself as the "adopted son" of UP, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said the future of the state cannot be ensured without ridding it of SP, BSP and Congress. Invoking Lord Krishna at an election meeting here to suggest a strong connect between Gujarat and UP, Modi, who represents Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency, said the state was his 'mai-baap' (parents) and he will not desert it. "Lord Krishna was born in UP and made Gujarat his 'karam bhoomi' (land of work). I was born in Gujarat and UP has adopted me...Uttar Pradesh is my 'mai-baap'. I am not the son who would betray his 'mai-baap'. You have adopted me and it is my duty to work for you," he said in an emotional speech at a poll rally here. "Vote for a full majority to BJP government. I promise to show you the ways of all the problems you are facing within five years," he said, telling the impressive crowd that all pollsters have predicted BJP getting massive support in the first two phases of polling. Highlighting the problems faced by the state and its national importance, Modi said poverty will be removed from the country only when it is eradicated from UP. "This is the land of Ganga and Yamuna where the land is most fertile with crores of labourours but poverty still exists here...why is this so? There is nothing wrong with the people here or their capabilities or shortage of resources," he said. "It is the problem of the government's lack of intention (which is responsible for it). SP, BSP and Congress have not thought as to how the state should be developed...all those who had been at the helm have only worked to safeguard their votebank, help them in whichever way possible...the future of UP cannot be changed till it is freed of SP, BSP and Congress," he said. Continuing his attack on Akhilesh Yadav's 'kaam bolta hai' (work speaks) slogan, the Prime Minister spoke about some central schemes, which he said, were not implemented in Uttar Pradesh by the Samajwadi Party government. "The Centre brought a scheme for providing free power connections to 1.25 lakh poor families but funds are lying here and UP has extended it only 13,000 households...will it harm Akhilesh if the poor families get it?... Who is responsible? ...Is this how your work is speaking? "...Your government is a failure. It is not working... Those who have run their government in this way do not have the right to survive for even a minute more," he said. Modi said only 14 per cent farmers got the benefit of the Crop Insurance Scheme for farmers in UP "because Akhilesh does not feel it is any work....Jinka kaam bolta hai, unka kisan nahi bolta ki bima mila hai (Those whose work speaks, their farmer does not say that they got insurance)," he said. "The police stations here have turned into the offices of Samajwadi Party. It is the SP worker who decides which case has to be filed and which not," he said. Alleging that maximum political killings and gangrape take place in UP, Modi said, "I want to ask the family-led government, are the mothers and sisters here not members of your family." He said 3,000 people die due to firing using illegal arms termed 'kattas' and asked as to who made these kattas. "Almost 50 per cent cases of those registered in the country under the Arms Act are in UP," he rued. "Over 20 per cent atrocities against Dalits in India take place in UP and no one gets punished...Isnt illegal mining prevalent in Hardoi?...Who patronises illegal miners? Who is responsible for this?" he asked. Modi said no journalist can write against illegal mining. "If somebody dares, he gets killed. We must fight against this condition created by Akhilesh government," he said. While talking about the work done by his government, Modi said it was for the first time that prices of fertilisers have come down since it was done by the Chaudhary Charan Singh government. On demonetisation, he said those who have looted the poor for 70 years will have to return it. "This is our fight against black money and graft as at the root of all ills is corruption which has taken deep roots...Every single paise has come into banks and it will be used for development," the Prime Minister said. Making an emotional appeal to voters, he said, "I realise the problems of the poor as I have lived through poverty...I have taken the responsibility of bringing change in their lives." Contending that unlike his detractors, his schemes were reaching grassroots level, he said Rs 11,000 crore power bills have been saved with the distribution of LED bulbs by the government under its UJALA scheme. Of these, 1.25 lakh have been distributed in Hardoi alone. Making a reference to opponents seeking evidence of surgical strikes, Modi, in a lighter vein, said after ISRO scripting history by successfully launching 104 satellites yesterday, he asked them to safekeep it (evidence) because it might be sought for as elections are underway in UP. The third phase of polling in the state is scheduled for February 19 and the results of the seven-phase elections would be declared on March 11. Army Chief Bipin Rawat's statement on tough action against stone pelters in Kashmir evoked a mixed response with Union Minister Kiren Rijiju defending him, while the state's main opposition National Conference echoed the separatists in criticising the stand. National Conference spokesman Junaid Azim Mattu today dubbed the statement of the Army Chief as "tragic" and said the government, instead, should approach and engage with the youth of the militancy-hit Kashmir Valley. "Mobs rushing to encounter sites should concern us and alarm us into constructive political action - NOT issuing threats of 'no mercy'. The Govt needs to engage politically with the alienated youth of Kashmir - threats and warnings will only compound their hostility," he said in a series of tweets. He said it was "tragic that New Delhi was warning the alienated youth of Kashmir through army chiefs." Union Minister of State Kiren Rijiju's response that "the country's interest is supreme" is a firm endorsement of his statement made during the wreath laying ceremony of the troopers killed at the Palam air base last year. "There should be action against the stone pelters and whoever works against national interest as national interest is supreme," he told reporters in Delhi. He added that whatever "Gen Rawat has said, he has said that in national interest. There is no need to misinterpret it. There is nothing wrong in the Army Chief's statement." The Hurriyat had also reacted to Rawat's statement saying it showed the General's ignorance about ground realities in Kashmir. "It shows his (Gen Rawat's) lack of knowledge...Kashmiri youth have not taken to arms for fun nor are they made to hit streets in protest but they have been forced... as the space of Kashmiris has been squeezed," Moderate Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said in a statement. The stern message from Rawat came after three soldiers faced heavy stone-pelting at Parray Mohalla of Bandipore in north Kashmir when they were about to launch an operation against militants holed up there. Alerted by the stone-pelters, the militants had got an opportunity to fire hand grenades and empty a few magazines from AK-rifles into the advancing troopers, leaving three jawans dead and some others, including a Commanding officer of CRPF, injured. One terrorist managed to flee from the spot. General Rawat had said security forces in Jammu and Kashmir were facing higher casualties due to the manner in which the locals were preventing them from conducting the operations and "at times even supporting the terrorists to escape". Meanwhile, the CRPF which forms an essential part of the internal security grid in the Kashmir valley, today said locals were under pressure from militants to help them flee in certain areas of the state which was harming the anti-terror operations. CRPF Inspector General (Operations) in Srinagar, Zulfiquar Hasan asserted that the forces have been acting with restraint in crowded areas to check any collateral damage and the residents should not succumb to the threats of the militants. "The casualties (of the security forces in recent operations) have taken place in crowded areas and the forces operate with restraint so that there is no collateral damage. But the crowds break the cordon and help the militants to flee. "This is happening in certain areas of Kashmir, and villagers and local residents do this under pressure from militants," Hasan told PTI. This man and his machine are inseparable. Mats Thorbiornson, an experimental test pilot with Gripen, Swedens premiere range of fighter aircraft, is extremely confident and skilled. Mats, who was an aircraft technician with the Swedish Air Force, chose to write the test to be a pilot of Gripen after he was flattered by the power of the aircraft. He has not looked back since. He has flown almost all available variants of Gripen, yet he admits that he still hasnt got enough of it. Mats, who is at the Aero India 2017, took time off to chat with Nina C George about what got him hooked to the Gripen. Why did you choose to be a pilot when you were an aircraft technician? I was in the Air Force working as an aircraft technician when I got the opportunity to do the pilot test and managed to perform well, so I was selected as a pilot. Before flying the Gripen, Ive flown the Viggen, another Swedish aircraft,and about 40 to 50 different kinds of aircraft from the US, Russia and France, before I settled down for Gripen. What do you like about the Gripen? There are different versions of it. There are specific versions for air to air and air to ground operations. Gripen is a multirole aircraft and is designed to be a multirole fighter aircraft. Could you elaborate? This aircraft is the backbone of a number of air force systems in the world the Swedish Air Force to start with. Its a fighter plane that can do many different things. You can even switch from one type of mission to another during flights. Its very safe. If you want to switch missions, you just have to push a couple of buttons and every thing is out there for you. The aircraft will do exactly what you tell it to do. It is very agile but still very smooth. How does it feel to do manoeuvres in a Gripen? One feels very safe when doing manoeuvres in a Gripen. You feel absolutely secure when you are flying in low altitude, negotiating a bad weather or while involved in a dangerous mission because you are in total control of the aircraft. The technicians of Gripen are also working on providing the pilot with the best possible view of the surroundings which help spot the enemy plane faster. This man and his machine are inseparable. Mats Thorbiornson, an experimental test pilot with Gripen, Swedens premiere range of fighter aircraft, is extremely confident and skilled. Mats, who was an aircraft technician with the Swedish Air Force, chose to write the test to be a pilot of Gripen after he was flattered by the power of the aircraft. He has not looked back since. He has flown almost all available variants of Gripen, yet he admits that he still hasnt got enough of it. Mats, who is at the Aero India 2017, took time off to chat with Nina C George about what got him hooked to the Gripen. Why did you choose to be a pilot when you were an aircraft technician? I was in the Air Force working as an aircraft technician when I got the opportunity to do the pilot test and managed to perform well, so I was selected as a pilot. Before flying the Gripen, Ive flown the Viggen, another Swedish aircraft,and about 40 to 50 different kinds of aircraft from the US, Russia and France, before I settled down for Gripen. Could you elaborate? This aircraft is the backbone of a number of air force systems in the world the Swedish Air Force to start with. Its a fighter plane that can do many different things. You can even switch from one type of mission to another during flights. Its very safe. If you want to switch missions, you just have to push a couple of buttons and every thing is out there for you. The aircraft will do exactly what you tell it to do. It is very agile but still very smooth. How does it feel to do manoeuvres in a Gripen? One feels very safe when doing manoeuvres in a Gripen. You feel absolutely secure when you are flying in low altitude, negotiating a bad weather or while involved in a dangerous mission because you are in total control of the aircraft. The technicians of Gripen are also working on providing the pilot with the best possible view of the surroundings which help spot the enemy plane faster. Do you have women in your team? We do have some women and they are very good. We have a very strict selection process and if one passes the tough test, then one qualifies to be a Gripen pilot. What does it take to be pilot for Gripen? You have to be very confident in yourself, stay focussed and concentrate on doing the right things at the right time. You always need good health. We do have some women and they are very good. We have a very strict selection process and if one passes the tough test, then one qualifies to be a Gripen pilot. What does it take to be pilot for Gripen? You have to be very confident in yourself, stay focussed and concentrate on doing the right things at the right time. You always need good health. In November last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stunned the country by announcing that Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes were as good as garbage. Despite his insistence that the ban was meant to curb black money and put terrorists out of business, many analysts said it was motivated by politics rather than economics, and done with an eye on the Uttar Pradesh (UP) elections. Since the rise of the regional Samajwadi Party (SP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in the late 1990s, national parties the Congress and the BJP have been often relegated to third and fourth positions in the state. This time around, the Congress has joined the governing SP as a junior partner in an alliance, and the BJP is making an all out effort to win back the state. In the past few days, Ive travelled through several districts in the state to ask people if the currency ban or notebandi (Hindi for stopping of notes) here - is an election issue. The notebandi has without doubt touched every life, in the big cities, smaller towns and tiny villages, and everyone talks about the problems theyve faced. But will it impact the way people vote? In the main market in Barabanki town, not far from the state capital, Lucknow, the trading community is seething at the BJPs betrayal. Traders have traditionally supported the BJP, and in the past they have also contributed generously to party funds. But this time, they tell me they will not vote for the party. Notebandi is the biggest issue here, says Santosh Kumar Gupta, who along with his brothers, runs the family hardware store. The public has been really hassled. The government set limits on withdrawals and even those little amounts were unavailable because banks had no money. Gupta points out that in his address to the nation, the prime minister said the government had been planning for it for six months and that people would face minor problems. But there were lots of problems. Isnt he ashamed of lying? he asks angrily. Police used sticks to beat up people waiting in queues to withdraw their own hard-earned money. All small manufacturing units in Barabanki shut down for weeks. Thousands became unemployed. Theres a labour market a few metres from our shop and every morning, nearly 500 daily wage labourers from the nearby villages would gather to look for work, but for the first time, we saw there were no takers for them. His brother Manoj Kumar Jaiswal adds: Traders are very angry with Modi. He first said it was done to curb black money. Then he said it was done to promote digital economy. You can use credit cards and (popular mobile wallet) Paytm in cities like Delhi and Mumbai, not in Barabanki. People here are illiterate, many dont have bank accounts or credit cards. The Gupta family has 10 voters and not one will opt for the BJP. In Gosaiganj, on the outskirts of Lucknow, I stop to talk to people gathered at a tea stall. Raja Ram Rawat, a 60-year-old widower, lives with his two sons and four grandchildren. The small plot of land he owns is not sufficient to support the family and his sons work as daily wagers to supplement the family income. Since November 8, theyve not been able to find work even for one day, he says. I ask him how they are managing. Earlier if we bought two kilograms of vegetables, now we buy only one. Thats how we are managing. A farmer in the group, Kallu Prasad, compares the ban to poison for his community - it came just as the rice crop had been harvested and the sowing season had begun for wheat, mustard and potatoes. Normally we sell a kilo of rice for Rs 14, but this time we had to sell it for Rs 8 or Rs 9. We couldnt buy seeds and pesticides in time. Farmers who grew vegetables were the worst affected. Since people had no money to buy vegetables, they had to just throw them away. In the holy city of Varanasi, walking through the narrow lanes of Lallapura area, where homes sit cheek by jowl, one cannot escape the noise of the looms. Here, every home is a tiny factory where weavers work in semi-darkened rooms, using coloured silk threads to create beautiful patterns. Varanasi is famous for its hand woven silk and cotton saris and nearly a million people make their living from this cottage industry here. It was like we were hit by a bolt of lightning, says factory owner Sardar Mohd Hasim, describing the moment of Modis announcement. Hasim, who represents 30,000 weavers, says initially about 90% of the industry was affected since all their transactions happen in cash. Looms still shut We had no cash to buy raw materials, we had no cash to pay wages to the workers. Nearly three months later, all my 24 looms are still shut. Most of my weavers are doing other jobs to earn a living. Varanasi has eight assembly constituencies, and Hasim insists that BJP will not win even one. Why would anyone now vote for Modi? he asks. One of his former workers, 40-year-old Mangru Prajapati, who is now back to work in Hasims brothers loom, agrees. Hes the sole breadwinner for his family of eight. Rajan Behal, trader and leader of the organisation that represents traders, weavers and sellers, calls it a major disaster. The ban, he says, couldnt have come at a worse time - November to February is the wedding season when sales peak, but this year its been a wipe-out. A long-time BJP supporter, Behal refuses to say who he will vote for but predicts that Modi will not win enough seats to be able to form a government in the state. Its an assessment challenged by senior BJP leader in the state Vijay Pathak, who pegs the partys chances of winning at 101%. He says that there were difficulties in the implementation of the currency ban, but insists that they have been able to convince the voters that it was done in the nations interest. We started our campaign with the aim to win more than 265 of the 403 seats. Now we believe we will cross 300. That, he says, is because people have faith in the man whos taking the decisions - the prime minister. On this count, hes right - Modis personal stock remains high, especially with the youth. In Kukha Rampur village in Tiloi constituency in Amethi district, 21-year-old Tanu Maurya says she will vote for Modi because he is doing good work and that the note ban was a good decision even if it caused some hardships in the short term. Since his sweep of the 2014 general election, Modi has not had much luck in state elections and hes desperate to reverse that losing trend. A victory in the politically key state of Uttar Pradesh would be a huge shot in the arm for Modi and his party. But will the rupee ban help him or hurt his chances? When the votes are counted on March 11, we will know whether it was a masterstroke or a miscalculation. International New York Times District Minister M R Seetharam on Thursday turned down the request of Diddalli tribals for sites at Devaramucchi reserve forest in the district. The minister advised the tribals against being misled by others. If the government allots sites for the rehabilitation of the tribals in forest area, the minister and officials concerned wil be jailed along with chief minister for violating forest laws. The minister told tribals that the district administration has already identified lands to develop sites at three places, and the beneficiaries selected through lottery should settle down at the sites allotted by the administration. Earlier, the minister laid foundation for the concretisation of Igguthappa Temple Road at an estimated cost of Rs 2.85 crore. The minister told the executing agency to complete the works before the onset of monsoon. A group of residents complained to the minister that Tamara Resort management has closed the road leading to their locality. The minister directed the Revenue officials and the police to take appropriate action in this regard. Any inconvenience to public movement will be strictly dealt with in accordance with law, he added. MLC Veena Achaiah, Kodagu DCC president T P Ramesh, Deputy Commissioner Richard Vincent DSouza, Assistant Commissioner Dr Nanjundegowda and other officials were present. There is hope for 10 Punjabi youths on death row in Dubai for reportedly killing a Pakistani national in July 2015. The accused are likely to escape the gallows after the victims family is said to have agreed to accept blood money. In October last year, a court in Dubai had convicted them for the murder of Mohammad Faran, a resident of Peshawar. Blood money (paid as compensation to the family of someone who has been killed) is permissible under Islamic law. A member of the victims family is expected to depose before a Dubai court on February 27 and make a statement. The fate of the youths, all in their 20s, will be decided a fortnight from now. Hotelier and NRI S P S Oberoi, chairman of NGO Sarbat Da Bhala Trust, intervened last year to save the lives of the youths by agreeing to pay 2 lakh UAE dirhams. Their death sentence was suspended in the wake of the likely settlement. This is not the first time Oberoi has shelled out money to save people. The trust has so far helped as many as 17 youths from Punjab and Haryana by way of such monetary settlements. The 10 youths are from poor backgrounds and worked as plumbers, masons and carpenters, among others. On the ill-fated day, they were having dinner in their room when a brawl broke out. Faran was killed in the dispute, which was reportedly over bootlegging. SP supremo Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday countered Prime Minister Narendra Modis remark that he had been tricked into an alliance by the Congress owing to his inexperience, saying he had learnt politics after much difficulties. I have learnt to cycle... now my cycle is running so fast that both the elephant (BSP symbol) and lotus (BJP symbol) have been left far behind, the Uttar Pradesh chief minister said, addressing an election rally in Mainpuri. One does not learn to cycle unless one falls once or twice. Similarly, one does not learn swimming unless water enters the nose and mouth, Akhilesh remarked, in an apparent reference to the family feud that broke out a few months ago. On Wednesday, Modi said Akhilesh should not have joined hands with a party (Congress), which was behind an attack on his father and SP patron Mulayam Singh Yadav 33 years ago. Mulayam had come under attack here on March 4, 1984... he was fired at... it was an attempt to murder. Chaudhary Charan Singh and Atal Bihari Vajpayee had launched an agitation on this issue, the prime minister had said. He also said that being inexperienced, Akhilesh had been caught in the trap of the Congress. Indias meat production registered an increase of nearly 9% in the 2016-17 monsoon over the previous year with BJP-ruled Maharashtra ranks among the top five states. According to the government data released on Thursday, total meat production increased to 2.43 million tonnes between July-October 2016-17, as against 2.24 million tones for the same period during 2015-16, registering a growth of 8.74%. The Centre had set a target of 7.37 million tonnes of meat production for 2016-17, of which, 63.28% has been achieved in the past eight months. Nearly 47.86% meat production is contributed by poultry and 20.11% is from buffaloes, an agriculture ministry statement said. Uttar Pradesh tops the list of highest meat producing states, followed by Maharashtra, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Interestingly, Maharashtra, which witnessed protests by the ruling BJP over consumption of cow and buffalo meat recently. The findings are part of the Integrated Sample Survey of major livestock products conducted by the government every year. According to the survey, the total egg production is estimated to be 55.11 billion till now, of which 29.09 billion eggs were produced during the monsoon. The years target is 87.05 billion. The largest producers of eggs are commercial poultry farms with nearly 75.75% of the total produce and the remaining comes from household/ backyard poultry. The top five egg producing states during the rainy season were Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, West Bengal and Haryana. The survey indicated that milk production during the period saw 4.38% growth and was pegged at 54.50 million tonnes from 52.21 million tonnes in the year-ago period. The average milk yield of exotic and crossbred cows is estimated to be 10.85 kg and 7.40 kg per animal per day, respectively. In case of indigenous cows and nondescript cows, it is 3.56 kg and 2.29 kg per animal per day. Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh were the largest milk producers during the monsoon. Production of wool witnessed a marginal decline of 2.16% during the period under review. The total wool production was 5.78 million kg as against 5.91 million kg last year. Karnataka, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir are the key producers of wool. India may take decades to achieve the target to have 33% women in police if one goes by the snails pace at which forces are recruiting them. The country added only 12,040 women to its police forces in a year taking their total to 1.22 lakh as on January 1, 2016, in a force that has a sanctioned strength of 22.80 lakh. At present, there are 17.31 lakh police personnel. The Data on Police Organisation 2016, released recently by the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD), showed that the proportion of women in comparison to actual strength is just 7.10%. When compared to the 2015 report, there is an increase of 10.86% in women personnel in the force. However, one would be surprised to know that the police forces across the country added only 38,433 women since 2011 even as the government repeatedly gives its commitment to increase their representation to 33%. The 2016 report, like in the previous years, had reiterated that the availability of adequate women in the police force is likely to reduce vulnerability of women to crime. If there is an overall shortage of women police personnel then how can the country meet the new challenges in the form of increased crimes against women, the report asked, emphasising the need to put policewomen on front line duties. It is essential that women are visible at the cutting edge of public interface, the report added. Among the states, Tamil Nadu has the highest representation of women at 12.99% (14,280 out of 1,09,948), followed by Maharashtra 12.07% (21,249 out of 1,76,044). In numbers, Maharashtra has the highest number of policewomen in the country. Uttar Pradesh has just 7,589 women police personnel in a 1.81 lakh-strong force, which is just 4.17%. Karnataka has just 6.14% (4,354 out of 70,934) women in police forces. The number of women officers in senior positions is also very low. While there are 484 officers in the rank of director general, special director general and additional director general, only 29 are women. Of 539 inspectors general, only 38 are women, while only 25 out of 385 deputy inspectors general are women. India and China will launch a strategic dialogue next week to add momentum to the complex bilateral relations, which were beset with new irritants over the past few months. Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar will meet Chinas executive vice foreign minister Zhang Yesui in Beijing on February 22 to launch the strategic dialogue. The new mechanism for bilateral engagement at the level of top diplomats is being finally launched almost six months after it was agreed upon by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Chinas Foreign Minister Wang Yi in August last year. Jaishankar and Zhang are likely to discuss friction points between India and China, apart from exploring ways to build on the convergence in views of the two nations on several issues. They will try to take a holistic view of India-China relations and explore how both sides can accommodate each others concerns, Vikas Swarup, spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, said in New Delhi. The strategic dialogue will be held just a week after China criticised India for hosting a delegation of parliamentarians from Taiwan. The state-owned media of China even accused India of being a provocateur and warned that New Delhi was playing with fire by hosting the delegation from Taiwan. New Delhi will use the dialogue to once again nudge Beijing to shed its policy of shielding terrorists based in Pakistan from United Nations sanctions. Jaishankar will convey to Zhang that India and China could not afford to have divergent views on the issue of combating the menace of terrorism, sources told Deccan Herald. India has long been maintaining a non-committal stand on supporting the Belt-and-Road Initiative of China, arguing that it had not been consulted before the mega-plan was conceived. Top diplomats of India and China are likely to discuss the issue in Beijing. However, Jaishankar will make it clear that New Delhi could never support the Belt-and-Road Initiative, as one of its key component is China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The CPEC is proposed to pass through areas, which India claims as its own and accuses Pakistan of illegally occupying it. An association of farmers on Thursday urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah not to restore conservation reserve tag of Kappatagudda region in Gadag district. In a memorandum submitted to Siddaramaiah, Kappatagudda Farmers and Workers Protection Forum president Venkatesh Dasara stated that as many as 639 farmer families were cultivating in the region. Besides, around 90,000 animals were dependent on the region for grazing. The memorandum urges the government not to be carried away by the protests especially by seers of various maths to restore the conservation tag. Most of the farmers, who were dependent on the region, were either Dalits or OBCs. AIADMK leader Sasikala, who is in Central Prison at Parappana Agrahara here, after being ordered to serve the sentence in the disproportionate assets case, met her nephew and two advocates on Wednesday. A source said that though several AIADMK leaders were lined up in front of the prison to meet Sasikala, the officials declined permission. According to an official, Sasikala's nephew and the other convict Elavarasi's daughter were allowed to enter the visitors' area. Sasikala and Elavarasi spoke to their family members for a while. Later, Sasikala spoke to three advocates who had come from Tamil Nadu. Cardiologists opine that the Union government should re-consider its decision to fix a cap on the prices of stents only under two categories. They have sought that stents be capped based on the performance of the device. Speaking to DH on Thursday, Dr C N Manjunath, Director, Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, said that even in the past, the Cardiologists Society of India had submitted a representation to the government. The society had sought that the prices of stents must be capped based on the performance. They had also urged the government to have multiple consultations with cardiologists before capping the prices of the stents. Dr Manjunath said that price capping must be done after categorising stents based on their performance. The cap must be put based on performance, efficacy and safety of the stents. At present, there are only two broad categories, he added. Cardiologists are concerned, as they believe that this might minimise choices for patients. The new generation stents will not even hit the Indian market with such a cap, he added. The cost of stent, he said, is based on the high quality polymer that is used to coat the metallic object. This polymer releases drugs at designated intervals. Dr Manjunath said that there is no quality assessment for indigenous stents. The stents from the US pass through quality control and clinical trial is conducted on thousands of patients. With every year passing by, there will be improvements and betterment of technology. At least 40% patients who undergo stenting are also diabetic. In such cases, the high-end stents work best, he said. Noted cardiologist Dr Ramana Rao said the price capping was a welcome move and would bring cheer to many poor. However, he said, the problem could arise if other countries refuse to launch better stents in the Indian market in the future. The volume of patients in India is so huge that, the government might have to overlook the capping and consider the available option, he said. DH News Service The BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles range of a paltry 290 km has been its biggest drawback. But an upgraded version with a range of 450 km will be tested on March 10, boosting its potential to strike deep into enemy territory. India and Russia had, in October last year, agreed to work together to boost the missiles range. Uniquely configured for installation in ships, aircraft and submarines, BrahMos could also be deployed on ground vehicles. At the Aero India 2017, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) chairman S Christopher said Indias membership in the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) in June 2016 had removed the barriers to enhance the missiles range. The barrier had surfaced because in the 1990s, when BrahMos was being jointly developed with Russia, India was not a member of MTCR member. The regime restricts its members from sale, joint production or export of missiles with range exceeding 300 km. The missile production is spearheaded by BrahMos Aerospace, a joint venture between DRDO and Russia's Federal State Unitary Enterprise NPOM. Russian president Vladimir Putin had, at the 17th annual India-Russia bilateral summit in Goa, formally announced the plan to extend BrahMos range. Subsonic Nirbhays fate Plagued by repeated trial failures, is DRDOs subsonic cruise missile project Nirbhay on the way to be dumped? Christopher admitted the technical challenges linked to the low-flying, sea-skimming missile. Following one successful flight and three unsuccessful ones, DRDO had aborted the missions. However, after conducting defect investigation, another flight would be attempted by May-June, the DRDO chairman said. Dubbed as Indias first indigenously built long-range subsonic cruise missile, Nirbhay was designed by the Aeronautical Development Establishment. It has an impressive range of over 1,000 km and can potentially carry both conventional and nuclear warheads. But the project, launched in 2004, has been in trouble ever since. However, Christopher sounded optimistic when he remarked, Our plan is to have a family of subsonic cruise missiles. Missile Kalam The hypersonic version of the BrahMos cruise missile, named BrahMos-II (K) after the late president A P J Abdul Kalam, might still be in the drawing board. But it will push India to the big league that includes the US, Russia and China. BrahMos-K is designed to fly at Mach 5 speeds (6,125 kmph) with an impressive range of 800 to 850 km. It would be extremely tough to intercept. DH News Service Those depending on taxis will now have to look at other options as taxi drivers associated with app-based services have decided to stay off roads till Tuesday. This decision was taken after over 2,000 taxi drivers staged a protest in Murgeshpalya, opposite Ola head office on Thursday. Tanveer Pasha, president of Ola, TaxiForSure and Uber (OTU) Drivers and Owners Union, said that the drivers have decided not to ply taxis in the city until their problem is resolved. The cab drivers are protesting against Ola and Ubers plan to stop incentives and fix charges based on government rates, besides removing attachment clause, among others. We sat on a day-long protest opposite Ola head office, but no official came to speak to us. They came out only after the police intervened when things went out of control. After receiving an earful from the police, the Ola spokesperson told us that their seniors are in Delhi and would return on Tuesday, Pasha told Deccan Herald. Israel would like to expand the current seller-buyer relationship with India and strengthen it further along with Make in India initiatives to boost technology tie-up, said Israeli ambassador Daniel Carmon. In an interaction with DH as part of Aero India 2017, Carmon said the two countries attach high importance to their shared values. India is becoming one of our important partners. We want to end the buyer-seller relationship and go beyond it. We definitely have our solid relationship in research and development. We are celebrating 25th year of Indo-Israel diplomatic relations, he said. He emphasised that the two countries attach high importance to shared values, interests and challenges. Our defence ties with India are solid and we have a sizable presence of Israeli defence companies. Also, we have joint venture (JV) initiatives with both public and private sector companies, he said. At Aero India, Israel has a massive pavilion with the solid participation of Israel Ministry of Defence (IMOD), private companies and JV partners. SIBAT, a promotion board of IMOD, has put up a stall for facilitating high-end government-to-government agreements as India has sizable contracts with many Israeli industries. Indias Cabinet Committee on Security is expected to approve the procurement of Israeli military equipment worth an estimated $3 billion ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Tel Aviv later this year. Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), which develops and produces military and commercial aerospace and defence systems, finds huge potential in the Indian defence market. Besides unmanned aerial vehicle, we are collaborating with Indian companies in refueling vehicles, signal systems, etc, IAI executive vice-president Eli Alfassi told DH. Besides signing MoU with Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited (KSSL) to build, market and manufacture specific air defence systems and ground-to-ground & ground-to-sea munitions, IAI also signed an agreement with Dynamatic Technologies to enable the indigenous capability for mini-UAV systems in support of the Indian governments Make in India initiative. Commenting on the growing Israel-India defence cooperation, David Keynan, vice chairman of the Federation if Indo Israeli chambers of Commerce, said the ambiguity created by the Trump administration in the US highlights the long-term and sustainable commitment of the defence ties between India and Israel. Over the past 25 years, many have been in and out of the Indian defence market. Only the Israeli defence industry has maintained steady and deep relations, regardless of any momentary situation, he said. DH News Service Over the past 25 years, many have been in and out of the Indian defence market. Only the Israeli defence industry has maintained steady and deep relations, regardless of any momentary situation. David Keynan, vice chairman of Federation if Indo Israeli chambers of Commerce New AIADMK legislature party leader Edappadi K Palaniswami was sworn in as Tamil Nadu chief minister on Thursday after Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao invited him to form the government. Assembly Speaker P Dhanapal has convened a special sitting of the House at 11 am on Saturday to enable the new chief minister to test his strength on the floor of the House. Earlier, the governor had asked Palaniswami to prove his majority in 15 days. Palaniswami is the third chief minister to assume office after AIADMK retained power for a second successive term in the Assembly elections held in May last year. He met the governor in the morning and was sworn in as chief minister around 4.30 pm. Ending 10 days of uncertainty, Rao administered the oath of office and secrecy to 62-year-old Palaniswami and his council of ministers in the presence of several party leaders including T T V Dinakaran, who was appointed AIADMKs deputy general secretary by the party chief, his aunt V K Sasikala. The much-awaited move by the governor ended the political uncertainty in the state following the power struggle within AIADMK between Sasikala and caretaker chief minister O Panneerselvam, who had rebelled against her. Panneerselvam had said that he was forced to resign as chief minister to make way for Sasikala, who is now in jail after being convicted in a disproportionate assets case. Before she headed for prison, the party faction led by her picked Palaniswami for the chief ministers post. Palaniswami, who is the 13th chief minister of the state, heads a 31-member ministry. Except finance and school education, the portfolios of his cabinet colleagues remain unchanged. A staunch loyalist of the late chief minister J Jayalalithaa, Palaniswami will retain charge of several crucial portfolios including Indian Administrative Service, Indian Police Service and Home department earlier held by rebel leader Panneerselvam. The school education ministers post, which was held by K Pandiarajan, who shifted his loyalty to the Panneerselvam's camp, has gone to senior AIADMK leader K A Sengottaiyan. Several AIADMK MLAs from the Sasikala group, who were staying at a resort amid the Sasikala-Panneerselvam power struggle, came to Chennai to attend the swearing-in ceremony at Raj Bhavan. Soon after the swearing-in, Palaniswami, accompanied by Dinakaran, visited Jayalalithaa's memorial and paid homage. We will prove our majority in the Assembly and our government will continue, Palaniswami said near the memorial site. AIADMK workers across the state celebrated by bursting crackers and distributing sweets soon after Palaniswami took oath as chief minister. But tension prevailed for a while when some miscreants pelted stones near rival Panneerselvam's home in the city. Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker M Thambidurai claimed that the new AIADMK government would serve its full term and all MLAs who supported Sasikala will stay united. He also said the MLAs who went over to the Panneerselvam camp will return. Do business jet operators see an opportunity in the Union governments Regional Connectivity Scheme to revive over 500 defunct airports across the country? It is too early, but going by the poor turnout of business jet makers at the Aero-India 2017, the optimism does not seem to be well-placed. Showcasing its Falcon 8X and 2000 LX business jets, Dassault Aviation has been the only player visible at the airshow. Embraer, Gulfstream, Bombardier and other firms that had made a splash last time were conspicuously absent. But, Dassault spokesman Vadim Feldzer was optimistic. We are very bullish about the future of the business jet market here. The US has 500 airports for commercial planes but 5,000 for business aviation. There is huge potential for growth here, he told DH. In the last 20 years, Dassault has sold 25 jets, primarily to chartered flight operators and big corporates such as the Tatas. The French firm has captured 50% share of the market for high-end, large cabin, long-range business jets. Gulfstream and Bombardier are its only competitors in this segment. The emergence of more wealthy Indians could widen the base of prospective customers, less inclined to look at business aircraft as elitist status symbols. But what could really drive the growth besides more airports, as Feldzer put it, is the growing network of maintenance and service centres. The network exists because a huge market for used jets exists now. Corporates had acquired second-hand business jets to test how useful they were, and this further boosted the service and maintenance centres. However, a big number of people who can afford to fly private business jets were reluctant to buy due to infrastructure issues. This could change dramatically once remote airports are activated, ensuring connectivity to industries/factories hitherto inaccessible by air. DH News Service Feel like a king, fly like a fighter pilot Luxurious, classy and hyper-comfortable, business jets are obviously a class apart from the regular commercial planes. Parked on the Yelahanka Airport tarmac, the Dassault Falcon 2000 LX was all of that, but its cockpit looked like a fighter planes! Now, thats what happens when a company that makes military aircraft toys around with its business jet. Like a fighter aircraft, the Falcon 2000 LX is fitted with the Falcon Eye, a head up display (HUD). A pilot looks through this to see mountains, landscape and runways in 3D, with all parameters neatly displayed. So, even if the jet is operating in foggy, day/night extreme weather conditions, the pilot will see through them all clearly. With 6,000 flying hours, the 2000 LX pilot, Herve Laverne knew exactly how that worked, you just have to look ahead through the HUD to get all the data, gathered through real-time GPS and four cameras. When the jet is about to land, the runways approach lights become visible. In planes without the HUD, you have to look up and down repeatedly. With the HUD, it becomes really convenient and comfortable, explained Laverne. The leaked images suggest that the phone is likely to have a dual camera at the rear and a curved display at the front. A set of leaked images suggest that Lenovo Zuk Edge's successor will get a dual-camera setup. According to the leaked images, the phone has a distinct curved display and a blue paint scheme. The device, however, seems like a special edition variant as it seems to be dedicated to Luo Tianyi, a Vocaloid character in China. A similar special edition variant of the Redmi Note 4X was launched by Xiaomi, which was dedicated to another vocaloid character named Hatsune Miku. According to the leaked images, the phone looks more like the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+ rather than original Zuk Edge. The power button and the volume rocker on this Edge II seems to be on the right side towards the middle of the phone. It is expected to feature a 5.5-inch display, but the resolution or any other details about the specification have not yet been revealed. However, it should be kept in mind that its predecessor, the Zuk Edge, was launched just a couple of months back, which is yet to make its debut outside China. The original Zuk Edge was launched back in December 2016, and featured a 5.5-inch Full HD display with curved 2.5D glass on top. Lenovo claimed that the display has a contrast ratio of 1500:1 and 85% NTSC colour gamut coverage. It is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 SoC, which is same SoC used by the Google Pixel and OnePlus 3T. It was launched in China with 4GB and 6GB RAM options with 64GB of storage. It measures 7.68mm at its thickest and weighs 160 grams. Lenovo also touted the audio quality with support for Dirac HD sound for Hi-Fi audio. The smartphone has a 13MP camera at the rear with an ISOCELL sensor and f/2.2 aperture lens. The 3100mAh battery on this device supports fast charging and is charged via a USB-C port. With prices starting at 2,299 Yuan (approximately Rs 23,000), the Zuk Edge is the most affordable Snapdragon 821-powered device. However, there is no update on whether Lenovo will launch this device in India. That said, India is a major market for Lenovo and we might see the phone launch in India some time later this year. As for the Lenovo Zuk Edge II, we have our fingers crossed for an early launch. Via This would join Samsung's Bixby, and the more established trio of Siri, OK Google and Cortana in the realm of voice assistants on phones. If information circulating the internet is to be believed, then Huawei is preparing to take on Apple, Google and Amazon in the virtual voice assistant space. The catch is that the company is doing this in China only as of now. A Bloomberg report reads, A team of more than a hundred engineers is in the early stages of developing the technology at its Shenzhen, China offices. The report also suggests that Huaweis assistant is targeted at users in China and will communicate in Chinese languages. Having a custom virtual assistant built into the smartphone will help Huawei devices stand out, especially since Google services being blocked in China renders Google Assistant unusable. Huawei isnt abandoning Google altogether, though. The company will continue to work with Google and Amazon outside of China. Huawei announced that it would use Alexa as the voice assistant on its Mate 9 smartphones in the US. Google Assistant, however, works only on Google Pixel phones and Google Home as of now. We speculate that it won't be long before we see the service active on third party Android devices. Huawei isnt the only smartphone maker looking to cash in on the voice assistant market. Last year, Samsung acquired Viv Labs, a startup led by the team that worked on Siri. Samsung plans to introduce its own voice assistant in its upcoming flagship smartphones, possibly named Bixby. Microsoft also has Cortana but with the death of Windows Phone, the state of Cortana is in constant flux. We do have her on the PC, though. It should be noted that four years ago, Micromax launched a voice assistant in its smartphone, the A50 Ninja, called Aisha. Check out the video below to see how Aisha performed against Siri. Transport for London confirmed a major milestone in the construction of the Northern line extension had been reached on Thursday, with the lowering of two giant tunnel boring machines 20 metres below ground in Battersea, ahead of the start of tunnelling in March. The local government body called it a precision operation, requiring a huge 750-tonne crane to lift the two tunnel boring machines, named Helen and Amy, in the shadow of Londons iconic Battersea Power Station. It said the two tunnel boring machines will create two 3.2km underground tunnels to extend the Charing Cross branch of the Northern line from Kennington to a new station at Battersea Power Station, via another new station at Nine Elms. Tunnelling will take six months to complete, with the extension - targeted for completion in 2020 - being the first major Tube construction work since the Jubilee line in the late 1990s. Both tunnelling machines will now be fully assembled within two 77m long launch tunnels, before starting their journeys towards Kennington next month, Transport for London said in a statement. When fully assembled, Helen and Amy will each be 100 metres in length. According to tunnelling tradition, the machines cannot start work until given a name and, following a vote by local school children, were named in honour of the first British astronaut, Helen Sharman, and British aviation pioneer, Amy Johnson, who was the first female pilot to fly solo from Britain to Australia. After both tunnel boring machines and their gantries are constructed, a conveyor system will be built to take the spoil from the tunnels up to barges on the River Thames. /p> TfL said more than 300,000 tonnes of earth will be excavated by Helen and Amy before the spoil is taken to Goshems Farm in East Tilbury, Essex by boat where it will be used to create arable farmland. President Donald Trump abandoned Americas commitment to searching for a two-state solution to decades of fighting between israelis and palestinians. Following a face-to-face meeting with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump said: "I'm looking at two states and one state, and I like the one both parties like," Trump told a joint news conference with Netanyahu. "I can live with either one." It was the first encounter between the two leaders since the US 2016 elections. Trumps change of tack stood in stark contrast with a decades-long policy of the majority of the international community. He also called on palestinians to recognise Israel as a Jewish state, historically one of Tel Aviv's key demands. However, during the press conference following their talks Trump surprised some observers by calling for curbs on Israeli settlement construction activities in the West Bank. "I'd like to see you hold back on settlements for a little bit," he said. Netanyahu responded by saying settlements were not the core of the conflict. Their press conference at the White House concluded with Trump telling Israels PM that "both sides will have to make compromises". Businesses in several cities throughout the US will close on Thursday as immigrants across the country unite for their "Day Without Immigrants" boycott. Immigrant groups in cities such as Washington DC, Philadelphia and Austin have organised the protest against the ongoing changes in policies towards them from President Donald Trump. Trump signed an executive order to ban the entry of citizens from seven predominantly Muslim countries, which was ultimately defeated by the US courts system. He has also pledged to build a physical wall on the US-Mexico border, and has already begun a round-up of undocumented immigrants in several parts of the US. Several restaurant groups in the Northeast of the US have been instrumental in the boycott, with health food chain Sweet Green among those closing 18 stores on Thursday. "Our diversity is what makes this family great, and we respect our team members' right to exercise their voice in our democracy," Sweet Green said in a statement. "We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and hope you understand our commitment to our people." Acclaimed chef Salcido Esparza said that she would be closing her restaurants in Phoenix as they simply "don't fucntion" without immigrants. "You know what, my restaurants don't function without immigrants. That starts in the field, people who pick our food, the processing plants, the slaughterhouse, I could go on," she said. Trump's stance on immigration proved hugely popular among voters in the US as he gained a historic victory last November, but has faced criticism from many businesses and lawmakers in the country following his attempts to introduce the travel ban. Watchstones wholly-owned subsidiary, Canadas Hubio Solutions, has issued a claim in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice against Aviva Canada in respect of breach of contract and unpaid amounts due under an agreement made in October 2014. Aviva Canada has filed a claim against Hubio and another one of Watchstones subsidiaries, Ingenie, in respect of this agreement.Watchstone formerly known as Quindell said it is confident in the strength of the group's case and will defend any claim robustly. The group is disappointed that having worked closely with Aviva Canada for many years, Aviva Canada has chosen not to fulfil its obligations under the agreement or make the payments due as invoiced. The company said it will make further announcements as appropriate. Londons FTSE 100 was down 0.2% to 7,284.98 in afternoon trade as ex-dividend stocks weighed on the index. Drug maker Shire was the standout gainer as its fourth-quarter sales and earnings beat City estimates and the company said it was confident of generating strong top- and bottom-line growth in 2017. Revenues for the quarter came in at 3.81bn, versus the consensus $3.77bn, while earnings per share of $3.37 beat the forecast $3.24. Coca-Cola HBC fizzed higher as it hiked its dividend 10% after a calendar year that saw flat volumes and a dip in sales due to currency but much improved profits thanks to improved costs and efficiencies. British Airways and Iberia parent International Consolidate Airlines Group flew higher after peer Air France KLM reported solid results for 2016. The airline sad full-year profit rose to 792m from 118m the year before, while operating income increased 34.5% to 1.05bn. On the downside, ex-dividend stocks were the biggest drag on the index, with AstraZeneca, Imperial Brands, BP, and Royal Dutch Shell all in the red. Risers Shire Plc (SHP) 4,791.50p 4.41% Coca-Cola HBC AG (CDI) (CCH) 1,883.00p 3.29% Smurfit Kappa Group (SKG) 2,204.00p 2.08% Capita (CPI) 517.50p 1.97% International Consolidated Airlines Group SA (CDI) (IAG) 510.50p 1.39% Mediclinic International (MDC) 835.50p 1.33% Hikma Pharmaceuticals (HIK) 2,013.00p 1.26% GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) 1,614.50p 1.25% Mondi (MNDI) 1,851.00p 1.15% BT Group (BT.A) 312.60p 0.94% Fallers AstraZeneca (AZN) 4,517.00p -3.57% Anglo American (AAL) 1,352.50p -3.05% Antofagasta (ANTO) 848.50p -2.02% Imperial Brands (IMB) 3,626.00p -2.00% BP (BP.) 450.40p -1.56% Royal Dutch Shell 'A' (RDSA) 2,137.00p -1.54% Johnson Matthey (JMAT) 3,066.00p -1.54% Royal Dutch Shell 'B' (RDSB) 2,241.00p -1.47% Rolls-Royce Holdings (RR.) 695.00p -1.35% Fresnillo (FRES) 1,494.00p -1.19% Save my User ID and Password Some subscribers prefer to save their log-in information so they do not have to enter their User ID and Password each time they visit the site. To activate this function, check the 'Save my User ID and Password' box in the log-in section. This will save the password on the computer you're using to access the site. Note: If you choose to use the log-out feature, you will lose your saved information. This means you will be required to log-in the next time you visit our site. Subscriber content preview WASHINGTON (AP) President Donald Trump met Wednesday with the CEOs of large retailers like Target and Best Buy, who have a built-in concern: They're worried about a possible border tax on imported goods. The president has provided scant details about his own tax overhaul, but said people will love his planned tax reforms. He assured retail CEOs Wednesday that tax rates would be lowered and simplified in a massive plan that will be submitted in the not too distant future. . . . Subscriber content preview FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) State transportation officials say construction on a $20 million road project in Fairbanks could begin as soon as this summer thanks to federal funding. The University Avenue project was one of several state road projects Gov. Bill Walker nixed funding for last year as a cost-saving measure, The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reported Tuesday. . . . Subscriber content preview SEATTLE SkB Architects recently sold its building at 2333 Third Ave. in Belltown to Hot Rain LLC, which is associated with Seattle investors Hao Chen and Hongbin Zhang. SkB did not return a call for comment about its plans, but Leroy Lutu and Chris Secreto of Marcus & Millichap represented SkB in the sale, and Lutu said the firm negotiated an 18-month leaseback for the space. Lutu said his firm is also advising SkB in the search for a new building to purchase. . . . Donegal's 1992 All-Ireland winning captain Anthony Molloy is set to take on an ambassadorial role for Donegal GAA. The first Donegal man to climb the steps of the Hogan Stand in Croke Park to claim the coveted Sam Maguire Cup, and to declare to the world that Sam was for the Hills, Molloy is in discussion with GAA officials here on the role of being the countys first ambassador. His pending appointment has been confirmed by Donegal chairman Sean Dunnion who said the key role of the ambassador will centre on fundraising. We have had discussions with Anthony and we received approval from the county executive to have further discussions with him, the chairman told the Democrat. Those discussions are currently ongoing between the 1992 All- Ireland winner and the county treasurer. However, it is expected the appointment will be confirmed shortly. Fundraising Mr. Dunnion said the main priority for the county in terms of fundraising, is to raise the necessary finance to complete the countys new training centre in Convoy. The board are awaiting news on a planning application before Donegal County Council for new clubrooms and dressing rooms at the facility. Anthony Molloy is excited about his new role and said hes looking forward to getting down to business. Im really excited and looking forward to the new role and getting started, he told the Democrat. It is an exciting time for Donegal GAA and the Donegal brand has become a huge one. Im looking forward to getting that brand out there and reaping the rewards for the county. There are plenty of opportunities out there and Im looking forward to getting out there and identifying and maximising those opportunities. Anthony will be a member of the travelling party with the Donegal senior team for the six-day trip to New York in April. Sean Dunnion said the appointment of an ambassador means that plans for a full-time commercial and marketing manager have been shelved. Donegal advertised the position last summer with the job carrying a salary of 25,000+. Interviews for the position were held in Croke Park in the Autumn and a number of people were interviewed. However, it has since been decided not to fill the commercial and marketing position and appoint an ambassador instead. Meanwhile, Sean Dunnion has also confirmed that Donegal are awaiting confirmation on whether their planning application for the new clubrooms at the training centre in Convoy is successful or not. Tomorrow week, Friday February 24th, is the date the council are to make known their decision on the application. If the council give the plans the thumbs up, the project will immediately go out to tender and all going well on that front, it is hoped to begin work on the 1.5 million development around July or August. Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. A campaign group fighting to save the future of three community hospitals in Donegal has welcomed comments from Deputy Joe McHugh that he has asked the health minister that the hospitals be retained. Deputy McHugh told Simon Harris this week that the community hospitals in Ramelton, Stranorlar and Lifford should be given a major upgrade as part of a new health service plan which will make available 2.6 billion extra capital funding nationally. The minister of state met the health minister at the launch of the new North West Cancer Centre in Derry on Monday and requested enhanced services for the hospitals. Deputy McHugh said he has asked for upgrades for three hospitals to take place alongside plans for a new 120-bed community hospital in Letterkenny. Save Our Services (SOS) have feared that the plans for the new hospital in Letterkenny would be at the expense of the community hospitals, with beds being transferred to the new Letterkenny unit. Health service campaigners have feared that the plans for the new hospital in Letterkenny would be at the expense of community hospitals with beds being transferred to the new Letterkenny unit. Deputy McHugh told the Donegal Democrat that he put a case to Minister Harris for the retention of the three hospitals as well as the construction of the new Letterkenny Community Hospital. Extra capital funding nationally totaling 2.6 billion has been put forward and my immediate response was to lobby Minister Harris for funding for our community hospitals, he said. I have asked for funding for the community hospitals to upgrade them and bring them up to the required standard which will enhance them well into the future. Alan McMenamin from the Save Our Hopsitals Group said he was optimistic that the hospitals can be retained. That is what we want - the retention of services and if there is money in the capital plan then we want some of that money for those services. The group met with Minister Harris in December and Mr McMenamin said they were cautiously optimistic following the meeting. Our optimism is heightened at the minute as we feel the proposals we put forward were something very much within the grasp of the State. The Still Waiting health campaign is holding a vigil this evening at Letterkenny University Hospital and hospitals across the country. Organisers are holding the nationwide vigils to protest the impact of hospital cutbacks on patients and their families. The hospital vigils are to start at 7.30pm this evening, Thursday. Don McGuinness, Donegal spokesperson for Still Waiting, said waiting lists are an issue that concern every citizen in Ireland. "Everyone has been affected by it somewhere, friends or family members," he said. The Still Waiting vigils will take place this evening outside hospitals in Sligo, Galway, Mayo, Kerry, Louth and Kildare, as well as Letterkenny. "Elected procedures are cancelled because of emergencies coming in - there's no end to it," Mr. McGuinness said, adding, "That's not right." "Our health service is broken, and how do you fix it?" he asked. "Nobody knows, but maybe this might get people thinking about it." The Next Great American Tour bus rolled into Eufaula last week, bringing students from across the county together Wednesday to kick off the Super Citizen Program and the American Character Program for this year. Students from the Eufaula City Schools, Barbour County Schools and Lakeside waved flags and wore Statue of Liberty crowns as they counted down for Libby Liberty to take the stage at the Eufaula Community Center on Wednesday, Feb. 8. Students watched on three large screens as live video showed the Next Great Americans tour bus pulling up to the complex, Libby Liberty exiting from the bus, and then as the students counted down, Libby Liberty walked out on stage where she brought history to life and introduced the students to the 10 week program with curriculum that includes civic, character, financial literacy, careers and social studies program. Libby Liberty, portrayed by former Broadway actress Kristen Sharp, kicked off each schools learning experience with a high-energy assembly that is designed to teach the students to fully appreciate American freedom and liberty. Seventh graders from Admiral Moorer Middle School gathered together for the first-time ever for the American Character Program Kickoff and a performance by Libby Liberty later the same day. The American Characters Program that they will experience in coming weeks is a continuation of the groundbreaking Super Citizen civic education program that has been taught for the past four years. In the 30-minute performance, Sharp reflects on the characters she has played and the kind of character it takes to go from small-town to Broadway and back again. Sharps powerful story challenges the students at Admiral Moorer Middle School to discover their own true character through perseverance, self-esteem, service and song. Special guests that participated in the program at AMMS included Suzann Tibbs from Communities of Transformation, Merrill Dillon from the Humane Society, Scharon Peterson from the Boys and Girls Club, and Dr. Alexandria Conniff from the Lions Club. Each guest told the AMMS students about their local nonprofit organization and how they can make a difference by volunteering in their communities. The programs in Barbour County were made possible because of generous community sponsors that include the Barbour County Community Alliance, Keystone Foods LLC, BBVA Compass Corporate, Johnson Outdoors Marine Electronics, FEB, Alfa Barbour County, MidSouth Bank Eufaula, and WestRock. To conclude the 10-week program, students will honor local heroes later this year. Students will read their hero nomination essays and present each Super Citizen recipient with a Statue of Liberty replica trophy. The trophy contains fragments of the actual Statue of Liberty in New York. This years Super Citizen Program will be in Barbour, Coffee, Crenshaw, Cullman, Escambia, Etowah, Franklin, Henry, Jefferson, Lauderdale, Lee, Marengo, Marshall, Mobile, Monroe, Talladega and Winston counties. Since 2010, the Liberty Learning Super Citizen Program has reached over 81,000 students and honored almost 1,400 local heroes. For more information on Liberty Learning, visit LibertyLearning.org. The stenotype machine belonging to Karen Strickland Planz looks like someone has sabotaged it by stealing most of its keys. When she begins to type, it appears even more certain. Planz presses combinations of the 24 keys the way a person may play the pipe organ, only much, much faster. What comes out is a mixture of consonants and vowels that appear random enough to have been mixed up in a paper sack and thrown out onto the computer screen. There is a method to the madness. A computer program translates the shorthand to English. What emerges will be a near flawless transcription of the latest court proceeding in the courtroom of local Circuit Judge Butch Binford. Planz has been Binfords court reporter since 2008, about two years after Planz began working as a court reporter at the Houston County Courthouse. Since beginning in the business, Planz has learned to decipher fast talkers, thick accents and sentence fragment specialists along with the lets-all-talk-at-the-same-time crowd, all in real time. Not bad for someone who could only type 13 words per minute before she began to learn how to transcribe in shorthand. Its a talent you can learn, said Planz, recently elected president of the Alabama Court Reporters Association. Planz is one of five court reporters at the courthouse, one for each of the local circuit judges. Court reporters transcribe all official court proceedings in circuit court, whether it is a 5-minute preliminary hearing or a week-long murder trial. Court reporters must type the entire on-the-record proceeding. Although court reporters can interrupt the proceedings to ask a judge, lawyer or witness to repeat what has been said, they try to make that a rarity because they do not want to disrupt the flow of the hearing or trial. It generally takes about two years to become a certified court reporter. Candidates are required to type at least 225 words per minute with 98 percent accuracy. Most experienced court reporters can type between 280 and 300 words per minute. Along with their transcribing duties, court reporters are also responsible for storing evidence. Planz has more than a closet full of evidence in her office from various trials. Planz said she enjoys her job in part because of the variety it provides. No two days are alike, Planz said. It is something different every day. Planz has transcribed several high-profile trials during her tenure at the courthouse. She said the 2014 human trafficking trial of Santiago Alonso stands out. You learn so much about so many different things, Planz said. That was one I dont think many people at all know much about. As president of the Alabama Court Reporters Association, Planz is responsible for organizing the associations annual conference. The most recent conference was held in Prattville. The keynote speakers were court reporters who transcribed the trial of Jodi Arias, who was convicted of killing her ex-boyfriend Travis Alexander in 2013. The trial received worldwide attention. Court reporter is expected to be an in-demand profession over the next several years. According to the National Court Reporters Association, more than 5,000 court reporters are expected to retire within the next five years, while only 1,500 new court reporters are expected to be produced. Demand is expected to be particularly strong in the Southern United States. Planz said predictions that voice recognition software will take the place of human court reporters are inaccurate. They are not as effective. How can an electronic recorder know who is speaking? What happens when people are speaking at the same time? Planz said. Planz is available for speaking and/or presenting at local career days. For more information, email admin@alcra.org or visit the website at alcra.org. The Headland Police Department held a swearing-in ceremony Thursday to welcome the departments newest officer, Paxton Smith. The department is glad to see Paxton come on board, said Headland Police Chief Mark Jones. Today marks a big day in Paxtons life. Although he decided many years ago a career in law enforcement was what he dreamed of, today, it becomes reality. Jones addressed everyone in attendance during the ceremony. I want Officer Smith and his family here today to understand that I hope and pray Paxton places God first, his family second, and his career third as he begins this journey. I want Smith to always remember where his faith lies, and I pray his faith protects him. Being a law enforcement officer, sacrifices are to be made. But they are made by the officer and that officers family. I want to thank all of Officer Smiths family that is here. Thank you for allowing him to make his dream come true. Thank you for supporting him now, and in the years to come as he serves the residents of Headland. Although Smith is starting a new career, he is not new to law enforcement. I have this in my blood, Smith said. I have grown up listening to my uncle share stories for many years. This is what I have always wanted to be growing up. My uncle has inspired me and shared his career with me for as long as I can remember. Now, I get to start my own career and share my stories. My goal is to be a part of this department, and to serve and protect the residents of Headland, to the best of my ability. I want to help make a difference in the community. This is something I take very serious and my dedication to being a law enforcement officer runs deep. Smith is the nephew of Officer Keith Cook, with the Dothan Police Department. Cook has been in law enforcement for the past 29 years. I am very proud of Paxton, Cook said. I know this is what he wants to do with his life, and we are very supportive of his decision. He is going to make a good law enforcement officer. Paxton will soon depart for his 13-week police academy training in north Alabama. Officer Smith will train very hard over the next 13 weeks, Jones said. It will be some of the hardest training he has ever participated in, but he will be just fine. He is bright, energetic and determined to succeed. What more could you ask for? I believe he is going to be a huge asset for our department. It seems a bit far-fetched, but you could be forgiven for thinking that Toyota anticipated the boom in values of its iconic old workhorse, the 45-Series LandCruisers from the 1960, '70s and beyond. These weren't glamorous vehicles in the day and were built to do a specific job. The point is that they did that job incredibly well and carved out a remarkable reputation for Toyota off-roaders that is still helping the brand sell vehicle to this very day. But if you've been watching the market, you'll know that, almost overnight, prices of the old LandCruisers, particularly the short-wheelbase wagon models, took off on the back of a wave of nostalgia for these old girls. Which makes Toyota's retro-styled FJ Cruiser of 2011 seem even more canny. And, for our money, it makes the latter-day FJ Cruiser an even more enticing proposition as you'll be cashing in on all that feel-good stuff, yet you won't be deafened and beaten half to death by the vehicle (as you would be in an original 45-Series). And reliability? A given with a modern Toyota, of course. Actually, that's the second of the FJ Cruiser's big selling points: Based on the Prado, it's more or less bomb-proof in the bush and, driven intelligently, will stay with the best of them when the track gets snotty. So what's not to like? The big stumbling block for many would-be buyers was that the FJ Cruiser was released at a time when diesel was sexy. And with only a petrol driveline on offer, the FJ missed the mark for many. The truth is that the FJ was designed with North America firmly in mind, a market that doesn't understand a diesel engine in anything smaller than a Kenworth. But now that we've all come to understand the limitations of diesel, the FJ's four-litre V6 suddenly looks alright again. The catch is that you need a post-March 2013 model because that was when the FJ Cruiser got a second fuel tank which more than doubled its fuel capacity and, therefore, its range in the bush. The original version's 72-litre tank just wasn't big enough for weekends away from civilisation, but with the second, 87-litre tank on board, suddenly the FJ was the real deal. The alternative is to buy the earlier model and have an aftermarket fuel tank added to the factory item, but for most people, it's probably easier to find the later-build vehicle. And if you do, you'll also get Toyota's CRAWL system which amounted to a sophisticated hill-descent and traction-control system that kind of made the vehicle's standard rear differential lock a bit irrelevant. The extra fuel tank won't alter the fact that an FJ Cruiser will be relatively thirsty (more so in the bush or if you fit a big roof rack as many owners do) but it does mean you can attempt desert crossings and all the other big adventures for which the vehicle is otherwise so beautifully suited. So what goes wrong? Typically, the main problems that will occur with an FJ Cruiser are nearly always down to the vehicle's previous treatment. If the thing has been smashed through the outback countless times and asked to crawl over boulders, chances are it will be a bit looser than one that hasn't. A quick check underneath will soon tell you how the car has been looked after, and if it looks like a bomb has gone off under the FJ, then it's probably been used hard off-road. The same goes for the type of accessories fitted. Many have racks and driving lights fitted, but one with a big winch and a high-lift jack fitted is also a potential weekend warrior and should be checked closely. A local woman is seeking to give couples from across Ireland the church wedding of their dreams. Donna McLaughlin, who lives in Blackrock, last year purchased a disused Presbyterian church in Castlebellingham with a view to hosting marriages and civil ceremonies for those to whom a more traditional setting is not available. The church was built in 1840 so, as you can imagine, the renovation has been huge, reflects Donna. Also, because of it being a listed building I had to abide by planning office regulations when it came to the restorations, so most of the work has been carried out by heritage craftsmen in that regard. While that red tape served to almost double Donnas intended timeframe, alls well that ends well. Indeed, having been out of service for almost 20 years, the chapel is almost ready to open its doors. Its nearly complete now and looks really fabulous. The plan from here is to establish ourselves as a general wedding and events venue, all with a view to giving couples who have been excluded from marrying in a chapel for whatever reason the opportunity to have a non-religious ceremony in a church setting. I have been working with couples for the past fifteen years and felt so many were looking for the fairytale wedding and the walk down the aisle but didn't feel like they belonged to any particular church or religion. With that in mind, Woodside Chapel will be open to all couples, whether same sex or couples who are remarrying. Since Ireland voted for marriage equality a huge number of same sex couples are coming from other places in the world to legalise their marriage in our beautiful country, so why not offer the full package? The venue will host an open day on March 25th and 26th from 2pm-5pm. visit http://woodsidechapel.ie/ for more details. Sustainable Globalisation: Lessons from Europe Speech by Benoit Cure, Member of the Executive Board of the ECB, Workshop: Financial globalization and its spillovers monetary and exchange rate policy in times of crises, Special public event 25 Years after Maastricht: The Future of Money and Finance in Europe, Maastricht, 16 February 2017 Ladies and Gentlemen, Let me first thank the organisers for inviting me to this impressive Jean Monnet workshop, which is taking place at a critical point in time. 25 years after Maastricht, you might expect me to reflect upon the implications of the Maastricht Treaty, which brought about the biggest transfer of sovereignty in Europe since the Treaty of Rome. And indeed today 500 million people benefit from the Single Market and 19 countries enjoy stable prices thanks to the euro. You might also be expecting me to talk about the advantages of Europes new Single Supervisory Mechanism. Or about the challenges we face in completing Economic and Monetary Union. Well, these are indeed important issues, but Id like to approach them today from a slightly different angle, namely from the perspective of economic and financial globalisation. Over the past 25 years, global trade relative to GDP almost doubled, financial openness quadrupled and global value chains emerged as a worldwide phenomenon.[1] These figures suggest that a too inward-looking appraisal of the European project 25 years after Maastricht would fail to draw the full lessons from the project. European integration and globalisation are at least partly based on the same principles. So its no surprise that the acute concerns expressed about globalisation today coincide with equally acute doubts over European integration. As we know, the push for European integration was initially a political one.[2] It was built in the post-war period on the promise of lasting peace and security and democracy on our continent. Over time, enlargement extended this promise to the new democracies in southern and eastern Europe. As the continent experienced an unprecedented era of political stability, economic integration was no longer presented just as a means to that end: it was at the centre of a promise of economic prosperity and protection for European workers in times of technological change and increased global competition. But many today feel that Europe has not kept this promise. Moreover, the conflicts that have ravaged our continent are a fading memory. As a result, the European project is now being judged more from an economic than from a political perspective. European policymakers should not shy away from the political discussion, but they also need to enter into the fundamental economic debates about free markets, free trade and free capital flows, and spell out how the European project has helped reap the benefits while addressing the costs. The concerns expressed about globalisation are also coinciding with recent signs of economic deglobalisation: trade and financial flows appear to have taken a pause after the global financial crisis, partly because global banks had to deleverage and change their business models.[3] Deglobalisation is most visible in the re-emerging correlation between domestic saving and domestic investment, known as the Feldstein-Horioka puzzle. This correlation, which declined among OECD countries from almost 80% from 1980 to 2000 to less than 50% between 2000 and 2006, went back up to almost 70% in 2016.[4] In 2017, according to the Institute of International Finance, foreign direct investment flows to emerging markets are expected to fall to their lowest level since the financial crisis[5]. It is less clear, however, whether deglobalisation patterns can be identified when using other metrics of financial integration.[6] And it is not obvious how to judge such developments from a normative perspective. While most economists still make the case for free trade, the costs and benefits of financial globalisation are being reassessed in academic and policy circles.[7] These discussions have already led to the IMF holding a more benign view on the usefulness of temporary capital controls. In my remarks today I will take a look at common concerns related to political and economic integration and argue that some of them are based on fallacies. I will argue that the European project can be regarded as the most elaborate attempt ever to mitigate the inevitable political trade-offs arising in a globalised world, and that it has been largely successful. I will review the case for free trade and capital flows. Concerns in this area are legitimate, but they should be addressed with policies which are targeted at specific market failures rather than with outright protectionism. Building on specific ideas I recently spelled out for a better version of financial globalisation, I will issue a more general call for sustainable globalisation which should be efficient, enduring and equitable.[8] These elements have important implications for the European project, both in its internal and external dimensions, as I will make clear in my conclusion. Political fallacies about globalisation Its often said that globalisation undermines national sovereignty and democracy. A more sophisticated version of this popular claim appears in academic discussions about the political trilemma of the world economy. According to this concept, devised by Dani Rodrik in 2007, we cannot simultaneously pursue democracy, national sovereignty and economic globalisation at the same time.[9] As a corollary, we can find ourselves only in situations where we either (i) stick to democracy and national determination while compromising on economic globalisation, as under the Bretton Woods system, (ii) maintain the nation state, but make it responsive only to the needs of the international economy at the expense of domestic objectives, or (iii) establish a form of global federalism, where we, to quote Rodrik, align the scope of democratic politics with the scope of global markets. This analysis suggests that we are confronted with difficult trade-offs when attempting to make globalisation compatible with democracy and the nation state. But the European experience shows that these trade-offs are manageable. A variant of globalisation could be based on a parsimonious framework of international rules which leaves room for manoeuvre for national governments. In fact, the principle of subsidiarity which is firmly anchored in the Treaty on European Union can be interpreted as a regional attempt to solve Rodriks political trilemma. It aims to ensure that decisions are taken as closely as possible to the citizen and that action at European level is only taken if the objectives cannot be properly achieved at national, regional or local level. If you put an economist, a political scientist and a legal scholar in the same room, they will define subsidiarity in different ways.[10] Nevertheless, subsidiarity guides the relationship between different political levels and strikes the right balance between centralisation and decentralisation. And in fact integration in some areas does not exclude decentralisation in other areas. Since the 1980s, European integration has been accompanied in several countries by transfers of competences from the state to the regions. Convergence processes may also play a role in allowing for an efficient centralisation of policies. While harmonisation of policies can be harmful if economies diverge too much, citizens or governments may agree on a convergence process ensuring that the benefits of a common policy outweigh its costs.[11] Without such convergence processes, neither the European Union nor Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) would have been possible. And the euro areas travails are largely due to lack of effective convergence, both before the financial crisis and since then. An example of the subsidiarity principle is the Stability and Growth Pact, which spells out common rules for the fiscal deficit and debt levels in order to avoid fiscal dominance within the currency union. At the same time, the Stability and Growth Pact leaves space for Member States to determine both the composition of government expenditures and revenues and their size relative to the economy and thus to choose from a variety of social models based on democratic deliberation. This point has recently been made also in the debate on globalisation: the power to levy taxes and determine the size and composition of government expenditures has remained in the hands of national governments, despite economic and financial globalisation. Whether or not they have been successful is debatable, but this has little to do with globalisation.[12] Another common political fallacy about globalisation is the view that international markets flourish if the state is weak. In fact, the opposite appears to be true: international trade has thrived because of the existence of strong states which helped markets to overcome specific risks stemming from cross-border trade, including security risks, transaction costs and the enforcement of property rights[13], and also because of multilateral institutions and fora created by these states. Likewise, the experiences from the emerging market crises of the late 1990s and the global financial crisis suggest that well-functioning international capital markets require strong financial regulation, both domestically and across borders. In addition to this traditional role of the state, governments also need to ensure that the gains from trade are shared within societies. And in fact, countries with higher trade openness tend to have larger, not smaller, public sectors.[14] Governments have acted to mitigate the distributional consequences of globalisation, although they now face issues to which I will turn later. Before turning to the economic fallacies about globalisation I would therefore conclude that global markets need to be underpinned by strong states and firm governance. Although opinions do differ on the scope of competence of institutions and administrations, carefully crafted structures and networks of national and international bodies and rules can ease the political trilemma. Economic fallacies about globalisation It is useful to re-state the case for free trade from its early origins, which date back to a time even before the seminal work of David Ricardo. In fact, it was recognised back in 1701 that the benefits from trade are very similar to those from technology.[15] The concept of comparative advantage makes the argument even stronger and suggests that free trade is not a zero-sum game because differences in comparative, and not absolute, costs matter.[16] But like technological progress, free trade has distributional effects. In fact, unskilled workers will inevitably suffer long-term losses in income from free trade, as the Stolper-Samuelson theorem shows. Empirically, it is also well documented that globalisation was associated with a rise in inequality within the developing and the developed countries, although establishing a causal link is more challenging.[17] While economists disagree on the size of the distributional effects of international trade relative to its efficiency gains[18], it is important to keep in mind that free trade works through a number of channels which are absent in simple trade models and which are difficult to pin down in an equilibrium framework.[19] In addition we should remember that simple trade models do not take non-tariff barriers to trade into account. In fact, it is a fallacy per se to believe that globalisation is concerned only with the removal of tariffs. This stems from the fact that trade is often hindered by more subtle forms of protectionism, including national regulation aimed at protecting domestic industries and state aid provided for similar reasons. The removal of these barriers, as in the European case to which I will turn later, might lead to large efficiency gains. As a matter of fact, modern free trade agreements cover non-tariff barriers to trade as much as traditional tariffs. Other channels through which free trade can raise overall efficiency include: increased economies of scale due to larger markets, aggregate productivity gains due a reallocation towards more productive firms and, at the firm level, productivity gains from higher-quality imports. In addition, it appears that import competition interacts with deregulation (in the sense of removing red tape) via which it tends to boost productivity growth.[20] When it comes to generating new knowledge, which is crucial for generating future growth, the mobility of students, researchers and high-skilled labour is also essential.[21] All of these considerations suggest that gains from trade are likely to be quite large, in particular if a wide-ranging set of transmission channels and a broad definition of free trade is accounted for. But the case for free trade can also be challenged due to the presence of externalities and information asymmetries which can negatively affect social welfare. For example, importers may find it difficult to find out under which conditions or standards the imported goods or services have been produced. Externalities, including eventual social costs of free trade, are one reason why we also regulate technological progress, e.g. if new technologies have adverse side effects on public health, safety or the environment. Overall, the economic case for free trade thus remains strong on efficiency grounds, like the case for using more productive technologies. But the political case for free trade depends on whether its distributional, social and environmental consequences can be adequately managed. A similar reasoning applies to the free flow of capital.[22] In principle, free capital flows allow for risk sharing and a better allocation of resources across economies. They also help economies to catch up in terms of technology and financial market development through the transfer of knowledge. But recent academic analysis and policy experience, both globally and at euro area level, have revealed that capital flows can pose risks. They can be volatile and pro-cyclical, fuelling economic and financial cycles, and eventually asset price bubbles. In this context, the composition of flows has important implications for the likelihood of sudden stops and reversals.[23] Finally, countries participating in financial globalisation should have reached a certain level of institutional development in order to avoid costly boom-and-bust cycles.[24] Overall, these considerations lead me to conclude that the case for real and financial integration is still strong but should be qualified. At the same time, I believe that reducing real and financial integration via harsh protectionism is tantamount to destroying machines, as the Luddites did during the industrial revolution. In fact, outright protectionist measures have adverse side effects that reduce economies growth potential. Over time, these side effects may reduce welfare by more than the problems they seek to address. And there are better ways of dealing with the side effects, as I will argue below. Towards sustainable globalisation Globalisation can be made more sustainable if we make it more efficient, enduring and equitable. To that end, let me expand on some ideas I have put forward on financial globalisation. More efficient globalisation should be on the agenda of even mainstream economists because it would mainly address common market failures, which are well known from the domestic context. For trade flows, it would imply reducing information asymmetries, rents from monopoly power, and dealing with externalities, e.g. by giving better information to importers. It could also resort to Pigouvian taxes, e.g. in the case of transportation externalities which damage the environment. For financial flows, efficiency requires channelling capital flows into productive uses, rather than fuelling inefficient consumption-led boom-and-bust cycles. This should be achieved largely by improving overall institutional quality and supervisory frameworks and, as a last resort, by resorting to capital flow management measures.[25] Harmonisation of international tax codes can help avoid large but inefficient gross flows into and out of financial centres which are purely tax-driven. Making globalisation more enduring means to me making it politically sustainable. As recent political outcomes have shown, this is an area which has been underappreciated, in particular by economists. In practice, it means that we have to enhance the legitimacy of international economic rules, allow for different economic and social models to the extent that fair competition and macroeconomic stability is not impaired, and explain the case for globalisation in more nuanced ways. Enduring globalisation also implies raising the quality of trade and financial flows. For trade flows, this could include global standards (e.g. on labour conditions or product safety) to the extent that externalities cannot be dealt with through market-based solutions. Such standards have become important ingredients in free trade agreements and contribute considerably to the political legitimacy of globalisation. For financial flows, high quality would imply e.g. the tilting of the composition of flows towards less volatile types including equity, thereby reducing the likelihood of sudden stops. This can be achieved, for example, through better corporate governance and better protection of shareholder rights globally. Enduring globalisation also includes environmental sustainability. The Financial Stability Board has started important work in this area via its task force on climate-related disclosure. In line with the notion that markets can only allocate resources efficiently if risks are adequately priced, this initiative aims to reduce information asymmetries stemming from financial exposures related to climate change. Finally, globalisation cannot be enduring if it does not become more equitable. A more equitable globalisation would pay more attention to the distributive impact of globalisation than in the past. As in the case of new technology and competition, economic efficiency gains stemming from free trade often have distributional consequences. As we learn at university, free trade is Pareto-improving only if it comes with lump-sum transfers or other redistributive tools.[26] But lump-sum transfers are enforceable only if governments keep control of their tax and benefit systems, which financial globalisation has called into question. In particular, it has become more difficult to tax multinational companies. In order to compensate the losers from globalisation under a more equitable form of globalisation, we would need to reduce tax base erosion and profit shifting along the lines proposed by the OECD and endorsed by the G20.[27] Broader and more stable tax bases should enable governments to ensure, through smart government expenditures backed by stable tax revenues, that income losses from globalisation do not become permanent. Recent research suggests that the most efficient instruments in this area include active labour market policies, such as retraining programmes and relocation subsidies, which compensate for the switching costs and facilitate the migration of workers away from depressed regions.[28] Let me also stress that policymakers also need to consider links between the three elements for sustainable globalisation. For example, a financial transaction tax is not an efficient tool to curb risk-taking in the financial sector, but given that it is easy to understand and intuitive to many citizens, it could increase the political legitimacy of financial globalisation, thus making it more enduring and, to some extent, more equitable. This assumes, of course, that it can be designed in a way that minimises losses in efficiency. Sustainable European integration Let me now sketch out how the European project can help make globalisation sustainable both inside Europe and worldwide. In respect of efficiency, recent evidence suggests that EU membership has increased it considerably since the 1980s: according to one recent estimate, GDP per capita in the EU is around 12% higher relative to a counterfactual scenario excluding Union membership.[29] This positive effect of EU membership not only comes from free trade since Europes Single Market is the best example of a free trade area whose benefits go well beyond the removal of tariffs and non-tariff barriers: it has also established a stable legal framework that protects investors and consumers, and stimulates competition by ensuring a level playing field which is to say, the Single Market is not only about removing trade barriers, or even just a customs union, but about common governance and having common rule of law under the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice. In addition, the EU has also acted in particular in emerging Europe as an anchor for an institutional environment which is conducive to well-functioning markets. The efficiency track record of financial flows within the euro area and the rest of the EU is more mixed, to say the least. Such flows certainly contributed for a long time to desirable catching-up growth, in particular in some eastern European Member States. [30] But the European sovereign debt crisis has demonstrated that the original design of EMU was incomplete and did not prevent inefficient boom-and-bust cycles within the euro area. In fact, cross-border financial flows were excessively biased towards interbank lending at the expense of bond and equity investment and there was no common system of banking oversight to monitor the former, which allowed competitiveness losses in some countries to be masked by unsustainable finance-driven growth in low-productivity industries. During the European sovereign debt crisis, these imbalances led to a sudden reversal in capital flows and thus a growing fragmentation of the euro area.[31] Since 2012 these adverse developments have receded, partly in response to policy measures taken at European and at national level.[32] Additional important steps which should address these issues have been taken, namely towards a banking union, of which the Single Supervisory Mechanism is one component. It should lead to more prudent bank lending. Enduring European integration is achieved to some extent through a common regulatory framework enforced by the European Court of Justice, including common product standards to ensure a high quality of trade flows. While, as I mentioned earlier, the quality of financial flows has been so far deficient, the capital markets union has the potential to bring about a more resilient form of financial integration based on more cross-border equity holdings rather than short-term debt.[33] But more can be done with regard to making European integration more equitable. Let me point out that Europe has established the first continent-wide redistribution system the structural and investment funds. They support economic development and in particular help redress regional inequalities. While some may feel that these funds improve their lives still too little, such schemes along with the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights protecting in particular the most vulnerable constitute an important element in making European integration more equitable compared with a purely market-based outcome. Moreover, such schemes are complemented by progressive tax systems, social safety nets and regional equalisation arrangements at national level. This means that the European model caters for what I mentioned before: although Member States need to respect common rules, sovereigns keep control of their tax and benefit systems, reflecting different conceptions of, and preferences for, social protection and the size of the welfare state. The European Commission has also adopted decisions that sanction unfair tax benefits and has only recently re-launched the Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Base (CCCTB), which will strengthen the Single Market by making it easier and cheaper for companies to operate cross-border in the EU. Reducing harmful tax practices is therefore a vital element of the European approach towards integration. Conclusion Let me address at the end of my remarks the last challenge when heading for sustainable globalisation in Europe, namely that the European voice is heard in international bodies which shape international economic rules. The Single Market and Economic and Monetary Union clearly enhance Europes global influence in four ways. First, a common trade policy gives Europe more weight in global negotiations, both in bilateral trade negotiations and when setting multilateral rules in the World Trade Organization. Second, a large single market with a single competition authority has significant leverage over multinational firms, allowing Europe to protect what it deems important. Third, a single currency and single supervisory mechanism allow 19 countries to speak with one voice on monetary policy and exchange rates and increase their leverage over global regulatory and supervisory standards. Finally, a Europe which speaks with one voice is carefully listened to by organisations such as the IMF, the G20 and the BIS, whose European members already, to some extent, seek to coordinate their views. These bodies play a key role in shaping economic and financial globalisation since they aim for a global consensus on the international economic order. Given the criticisms of globalisation, international cooperation and European integration we are confronted with, the time has come to make the case for globalisation to be made more efficient, enduring and equitable. Europe has become a blueprint for sustainable globalisation and it bears lessons for the rest of the world. Provided that we make further strides towards sustainable integration, Europe will be strong enough to promote a better global economic order. *** I would like to thank Roland Beck for his assistance in preparing this speech. All views expressed herein remain mine. Tomorrow, Friday, February 17, 2017, education activists in Detroit will hold a rally to protest the imminent closure of public schools there. The schools are slated to be closed under a draconian new policy in Michigan. The policy says that poor-performing schools that dont show progress over a three year period may be shut down. 25 schools in Detroit and 13 schools from other areas of the state are on the list: State law allows for forced closure if the schools rank in the bottom 5% for academic performance for multiple years in a row. In this case, these schools have been at the bottom in 2014, 2015 and 2016. A final determination will come in late February or early March, after the school reform office decides whether closing any of the schools below would cause a hardship for students. If closing the school presents a hardship, the state will choose from a range of interventions the law allows. That could include a CEO taking over the schools academics, the principal and half the staff being replaced, or the school being converted into a charter school. In a rational society, schools that are struggling so profoundly as those in Detroit are would receive an influx of funding and resources to turn the situation around. But in the new world order we live under in Michigan, schools are looked upon as business units to be jettisoned when they dont turn a profit. I have long advocated for a educational surge, the education equivalent to a military surge where resources are poured in when the situation becomes dire. More resources for teachers. More resources for parents. More resources for administrators. An investment in crumbling infrastructure. An all hands on deck approach to rapidly turn the situation around. This is decidedly NOT how Republicans see things. Rather, they force schools that are already struggling to compete against each other and against better-funded for-profit charter schools that have far fewer legacy costs. Its a Hunger Games-style approach that all but guarantees the collapse of traditional, neighborhood-based schools, schools that are an important element in keeping communities intact and vibrant. The protest will start at noon and will be held at the State of Michigan Building at 3044 West Grand Blvd. in Detroit, across from the Fisher Building. Here are more details: The following guest post was written by Ingham County Clerk and former State Representative Barb Byrum. Enjoy. Recently, President Trump assigned Vice President Mike Pence to oversee a special commission to investigate what he believes to be voter fraud. While I welcome this investigation, I believe the resources that will be expended could be better spent on strengthening the integrity of elections, nationwide. Which brings me to my next concern: Why is the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) facing elimination on the brink of this federal investigation (H.R.634)? The EAC is an independent, bipartisan agency of the federal government which was created by the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA) to help rectify the issues with the 2000 Election in Florida. The EAC is arguably the only federal agency authorized to make sure voting machines cannot be hacked. It is charged with supporting state and local election officials to ensure accessible, accurate and secure elections by serving as a vital resource to election administrators around the country. In light of the voter fraud allegations by the Trump Administration, it seems unusual that Congress would be looking to eliminate this crucial federal agency, at this time. Last week, Michigan Secretary of State Ruth Johnson sent a letter to Vice President Pence indicating her belief that the federal government should not play a substantive role in election administration. However, she went on to ask that they help states remove the names of deceased voters from voter rolls and pass a law that allows a voter to be efficiently removed at state motor-vehicle offices from the voting rolls if that voter registers or secures a drivers license in another state. Further, Secretary Johnson requested the sharing of non-citizen information with state election officials. She also wishes for the creation of a comprehensive, national database or repository of election-related crimes. While I certainly agree that, in Michigan, the Qualified Voter File (QVF) needs attention. I believe much of that can be done by allowing County Clerks the opportunity to make updates in the QVF. For example, when someone passes away, the death certificate is filed with the County Clerks Office. However the County Clerk cannot update the QVF of the newly-deceased voter. Rather, they must notify the local, municipal clerk to mark the voter deceased within the system. This bogged-down routine is cumbersome and does not allow for quick updates to the voter rolls. In addition to allowing County Clerks to update the QVF, all states should be required to participate in the Interstate Crosscheck. After conducting 15 elections as the Ingham County Clerk, I fully understand the need to increase the efficiency and participation of the Interstate Crosscheck. This is a system that allows for communication between states regarding newly-registered voters so the former state can proceed with the process of cancelling the voter due to change of voting address. Currently, only a few states voluntarily participate in this program. This must include participation by all states to ensure there is a formal process followed to ensure voters are only registered in one state. A similar system could be utilized for deceased voters who may have voted in their residential state, but passed away in another state. This information should be made available to all state and local election officials. This will allow officials to remove deceased and moved voters from the voter rolls in a timely and regular basis. Voter identification laws and regulations for registering to vote vary from state to state. However, the concern of voter fraud occurring due to non-citizens unlawfully voting should be addressed through a federal verification system. Strict identification requirements effectively disenfranchise some Americans, including minorities, the elderly and the disabled. Voter rolls should be kept up to date at the state and local levels by allowing all election officials, including County Clerks, to input data and utilize federal system information. The federal government can provide support to state, county and local election officials who can successfully implement these solutions to strengthen the integrity of elections throughout our nation. 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Republican Attorney General Cynthia Coffman and the state of Colorado are plaintiffs in the lawsuit. The complaint to initiate the lawsuit was received by county officials on Feb. 14, KUNC reported. The AGs office had been threatening Boulder County with a lawsuit for several weeks over the countys moratorium on oil and gas development in unincorporated areas. The county first adopted the temporary ban back in Feb. 2, 2012 and has extended it several times. In a Jan. 26 letter to county commissioners, Coffman gave a Feb. 10 deadline to rescind the moratorium as it violates state law. Last May, Colorados Supreme Court rulings on two cases prohibited local governments from preventing oil and gas development through the use of local bans. In light of the courts decisions, Coffman called Boulder Countys continued ban clearly unlawful. https://twitter.com/EcoWatch/status/727250101266186240 But Boulder County deputy attorney David Hughes disagrees. Our position is that we are complying with state law and if attorney General Coffman just held off and let us complete our process, we think that is a perfectly viable option, Hughes told KUNC. A lot of the open space that we bought over the years, the mineral rights had already been severed, so the open space doesnt provide protection in those instances. In 2012 when the county adopted its regulations, it was looking at smaller well pads and now the trend is for these mega pads, were looking at 20, 30 40 wells per pad, Hughes added. Our regulations didnt really look at or address that issue. As KUNC explains, after the state Supreme Court rulings, Boulder County rescinded its moratorium on new oil and gas permits that was set to expire in 2018. It was replaced by county commissioners with shorter time-outs, usually four to six months long. Most recently commissioners voted in December 2016 to extend it until at least May 1, 2017, while they revise the countys oil and gas regulations. But Coffman said in a statement about Tuesdays filing that the county had years to prepare with state law: The Boulder County Commissioners responded that they needed yet more time to draft regulations and prepare to accept new applications for oil or gas development. Because five years is more than reasonable time to complete such a project, and because Boulder County continues to operate in clear violation of Colorado law, the Attorney General today is filing suit in Boulder County District Court to compel compliance. It is not the job of industry to enforce Colorado law; that is the role of the Attorney General on behalf of the People of Colorado. Regrettably, Boulder Countys open defiance of State law has made legal action the final recourse available to the State. Incidentally, Coffmans lawsuit came just as the Colorado School of Public Health released a study that found that young Coloradans with leukemia were 4.3 times more likely to live in the densest area of active oil and gas wells than those with other cancers. https://twitter.com/EcoWatch/status/791392746410020864 County commissioners were critical of the lawsuit, saying they are already planning two public hearings next month to discuss the adoption of new oil and gas regulations for unincorporated Boulder County. A statement from the commissioners reads: The Colorado Attorney General sent a special valentine to the oil and gas industry today by filing a lawsuit against Boulder County for our working to safeguard our community from the industrial impacts of oil and gas development. Drilling proposals of 20 to 40 wells per site are being proposed near residential neighborhoods, schools, parks and recreational areas up and down the Front Range, and we believe it is our responsibility to ensure that we have the strongest possible protections in place for the residents of Boulder County and the world-class environment we have worked hard to protect and preserve. Its a sweetheart deal for the oil and gas industry, but a massive waste of Coloradans tax dollars for the state to sue us on industrys behalf, and we are prepared to defend our right to safeguard the health, safety, and wellbeing of our constituents. As we stated when we first responded to the Attorney Generals January 26 letter, Boulder County understands its legal constraints on adopting local bans and lengthy moratoria; however, the current moratorium is of a materially shorter duration and is consistent with Colorado law. Unsurprisingly, the oil and gas industry applauded the AGs legal action. Its not about drilling, or fracking, or pipelines, its about the law. And the law is clear: Long-term moratoriumsand this one is over five years noware illegal, said Dan Haley, President and CEO of the Colorado Oil and Gas Association in a statement. Boulder County shouldnt be surprised that the Attorney General cares about the rule of law in Colorado. According to the International Business Times, during her 2014 campaign for AG, Coffman directly received nearly $20,000 from oil and gas interestsincluding maximum donations from fossil fuel companies political action committees. She also was boosted in the 2014 election by the Republican Attorneys General Association (RAGA), which launched a $1.4 million political action committee that supported her candidacy. RAGA that year listed fossil fuel corporations and trade associations among its largest donors. Democratic lawmakers in the state have denounced the lawsuit. We should all be outraged that the Colorado attorney general has chosen to use public tax dollars to bully Boulder County on behalf of the oil and gas industry, Democrat Rep. Jared Polis said in a statement to Denver7. The oil and gas industry is more than equipped to bring their own lawsuits, and I suspect they have opted not to sue Boulder County because they know Colorado law allows for a short term fracking moratorium. What the attorney general has done today is a purely political waste of money, and it is not legally sound. Democrat State Sen. Matt Jones also accused Coffman of colluding with the oil and gas industry. This is disgraceful. After seeing the Attorney Generals and Oil and Gas industrys press releases about the lawsuit sent out almost at the same time, I think its safe to assume the Attorney General is using the powers of her office and using tax dollars to intimidate and sue taxpayers at the behest of special interest industries, he said. The question I have for the Attorney General is this: how many oil and gas corporations did she consult with before sending out her threat letter to Boulder County on January 26? The fight between local governments versus oil and gas development runs deep. Last year, environmental groups tried to introduce two statewide measures to appear on Colorados November ballot. https://twitter.com/EcoWatch/status/770395717802323968 The first initiative would have amended the state constitution to enable local governments the option to enact regulations more protective of health and safety than those required by the state, largely addressing the Colorado Supreme Courts decision to strike down local fracking bans. The other initiative would create 2,500-foot buffer zones between homes, schools and sensitive areas like playgrounds and water sources, and all new oil and gas development. Both measures failed to make the ballot. Records show that energy companies spent millions of dollars to stop the anti-fracking measures. Gov. Jerry Browns oil regulators failed to meet their own deadline Wednesday for shutting down 1,650 oil industry injection wells that are violating water-protection laws by dumping toxic fluid into protected California aquifers. Governor Browns administration has decided not to protect our water from illegal contamination by the oil industry, said Hollin Kretzmann of the Center for Biological Diversity. By failing to meet their own lax deadline for shutting down these polluting wells, state oil regulators have given Californians another reason not to trust a word they say. https://twitter.com/climatecouncil/status/811408606620831744 All illegal oil-industry injection activities were supposed to be halted by Feb. 15, according to a promise made two years ago by Californias Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources. The state could be imposing fines of up to $25,000 a day for every well that continues to operate in a protected aquifer. But as of Wednesday, the state has shut just a portion of wells operating in aquifers that should be protected by the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. State officials quietly announced the indefinite delay in enforcing the law in mid-January. In March of 2015, state officials testifying before the California senate pledged to stick to the February deadline and other aspects of a schedule approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). John Laird, the states Secretary of Natural Resources, told senators that the Brown administration was fully committed to meeting these deadlines. The promises came in the wake of admissions by the Brown administration that state regulators had let oil companies operate thousands of injection wells that have been dumping wastewater into scores of protected underground water supplies in Monterey, Ventura, Kern and other counties (see interactive map). But instead of halting most of the illegal injections, state officials have moved forward with plans to exempt as many as 40 of these aquifers from water-protection laws. If these aquifer exemption applications are approved by the EPA, the oil industry would be allowed to make permanent use of these water supplies for the disposal of contaminated waste fluid. The Brown administration will go down in history for this failure to enforce the law and safeguard our water from oil industry pollution, Kretzmann said. Its a shocking abdication of the governors most fundamental duty to the people and environment of this state. [facebook https://facebook.com/EcoWatch/videos/1452225191457080/ expand=1] By Robin Scher There are many things to fear about Donald Trumps presidency. From a decline in socially progressive values to deteriorating international diplomatic relations, the political effects alone are cause for conniptions. Then theres the toll on the environment. Where to begin? In short, protecting the climate isnt as profitable as selling oil. In the past, some governing bodies tried to push back against the influence money had over politics. That was until last November, when the country underwent a corporate coup detat. Now, our next potential head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is a climate change denier-cum-fossil fuel shill. https://twitter.com/NRDC/status/832219497482317826 Unfortunately, this is only the beginning. A recent executive order signed by Trump has ordered federal agencies to repeal two existing regulations for every new regulation issued in the future. Or, as environmentalists describe it, a means to dismantle existing protections. The GOP began its own battle against the environment recently when House Republicans voted to repeal the Stream Protection Rule, a measure that protects waterways and communities from the negative effects of unchecked coal mining. https://twitter.com/EcoWatch/status/827176773502722049 The situation is pretty overwhelming, but this is not the time to give in to apathy. Instead, now more than ever, this is the time for action. And heres the good news: You dont need the national government to help dial back climate change. Federal cooperation would help a lot, of course, but its vital to remember that your own local community has agency. As Margi Prideaux wrote in an article for AlterNet on this topic, We need genuine delegation to communities to manage and protect what surrounds them. As of 2014, 54 percent of the worlds population lives in urban areas. This means that cities carry much of the burden when it comes to climate change action. This is a good thing for two main reasons, explained sustainable business analyst Adam Green in his article Why Cities Are Leading the Way in Sustainability. Green emphasized that cities can act without going through the cumbersome climate negotiations process of reaching consensus and secondly the competition between cities is driving climate performance. Enter WalletHubs analysis of Americas greenest cities in 2016. To help encourage communities to take up the climate change fight, last year WalletHub, a personal finance website, compared data from 100 of the largest U.S. cities to determine which is the greenest of them all. read page 1 The performance of each city was separated into four categories: 1. Environment 2. Transportation 3. Energy Sources 4. Lifestyle and Policy Within these categories, analysts looked at a set of 20 metrics, such as greenhouse-gas emissions per capita and number of smart-energy policies and initiatives. San Francisco managed to edge out Honolulu to claim the top overall ranking, but the Hawaiian island city came first in lowest greenhouse gas emissions and highest amount of green space. Some of the other results were unsurprising. New York, for instance, had the lowest percentage of commuters who drive and Las Vegas contained the least amount of green spaces. Minneapolis, it turns out, had the best bike score, while Newark seems to be severely lacking in farmers markets. Overall, California had the most cities in the top ten, while Texas, Oklahoma and Ohio were tied for the bottom bunch. Unlike other competitions, WalletHubs greenest cities is not really about winners and losers. Rather, its about identifying the areas where your community can do better. The idea being that one day, all 100 cities will receive top scores. The pertinent question for now is, how to get there? https://twitter.com/greenpeaceusa/status/812055620140535808 The answer largely comes down to public-private partnerships, said Green. Companies that provide urban planning and biomimicry solutions to energy and water efficiency needs are just some of the examples Green lists. Others include businesses focused on waste solutions, industrial process design and cleaner production, which can work together with cities to understand, engage and leverage the best of each other. If done effectively, this sort of collaboration can be profitable. Trump talks a lot about bringing jobs back. Well, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists, more jobs are created for each unit of electricity generated from renewable sources than from fossil fuels. The explanation for this is quite simple. Fossil-fuel technology is capital-intensive, while renewable energy involves more labor. Of course, there are a bunch of ways individual people can help do their part. As part of Wallethubs analysis, experts on environmental sustainability practices were asked their opinion on the matter. Some common answers included: Walk or bike to work, use mass transit or drive a gas-electric hybrid vehicle. Reduce, reuse, recycle and always remember to bring your canvas bag to the shops. Buy local, especially locally sourced food. Some more specific answers and the experts who provided them, include: The best and most effective improvements come from good old energy efficiency (better insulation at home, thicker windows, energy efficient lights, etc.) Ted Loch-Temzelides, professor of economics and scholar of energy studies at Rice University In the southern U.S., turn up the thermostat a degree or two; use ceiling and/or portable fans; open windows in fair weather. When selecting a home, consider an older neighborhood with an established tree canopya shaded roof saves electricity bills. Robert M. MacLeod, director of School of Architecture & Community Design at University of South Florida The best approach is to rethink our own consumption and finding out ways to be more efficient and conserve (energy, water, miles traveled, others) as much as we can. Nabil Nasr, director of the Gosilano Institute for Sustainability at the Rochester Institute of Technology The biggest single impact will come from reducing unnecessary air travel, since a single cross-country flight can produce as many greenhouse gas emissions per passenger as created annually by their car. Stephen M. Wheeler, professor of landscape architecture and environmental design at UC Davis The most effective way is Community Choice Aggregation, whereby individuals come together to pool their investments in renewable energy on a voluntary basis. David Auston, director of TomKat Carbon Neutrality Project in the Institute of Electricity Efficiency at UC Santa Barbara There you have it. If individuals, businesses and local government can all work together in taking up the fight, we can fight the battle against climate change without having to rely on a bunch of suits in conference rooms. Power to the peoplerenewable power, of course. Reposted with permission from our media associate AlterNet. The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) sued the Trump administration Tuesday for illegally suspending the rule to put the rusty patched bumble bee on the endangered species list. The rusty patched bumble bee has lost approximately 90 percent of its range in the past 20 years. It is the first bumble bee ever listed under the Endangered Species Act. [facebook https://facebook.com/EcoWatch/videos/1453228961356703/ expand=1] The Trump administration broke the law by blocking the rusty patched bumble bee from the endangered species list, Rebecca Riley, senior attorney with the NRDC, said. The science is clearthis species is headed toward extinction and soon. There is no legitimate reason to delay federal protections for this bee. In this case, the decision to freeze protections for the rusty patched bumble bee without public notice and comment violates the law. In the case filed in the U.S. District Court in New York City, NRDC asks the court to stop the Department of the Interior and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from implementing and enforcing the bumble bee delay order. The White House instructed agencies to withdraw or freeze a broad array of rules issued by the Obama administration to protect public health and the environment. https://twitter.com/EcoWatch/status/819321791961251840 The suit claims the agencies broke the law by freezing the bumble bees endangered species listing without public notice or an opportunity for comment. In its complaint, NRDC contends the agencies cannot suspend the listing because the rule was final when published in the Federal Register. This is the third lawsuit NRDC has filed against the Trump administration for its attacks on regulation. In response to the same regulatory freeze directive, NRDC is suing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for illegally rescinding a rule that would protect the public from more than five tons of mercury discharges each year. And last week, NRDC joined Public Citizen and Communications Workers of America in seeking to block a Jan. 30 executive order requiring agencies to repeal two existing regulations for each new regulation it puts in place. Pope Francis defended the rights of indigenous tribes at the Indigenous Peoples Forum in Rome Wednesday. As part of a UN International Fund for Agricultural Development meeting, he spoke in Spanish with 40 representatives of the 300 largest indigenous groups in the world. The particular characteristics of indigenous peoples and their territories, must be protected, Francis said, according to Reuters. He stated this was especially true when planning economic activities which may interfere with indigenous cultures and their ancestral relationship to the earth. He also promoted the full participation of indigenous peoples in local and national government. The right to prior and informed consent should always prevail, as foreseen in Article 32 of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, he added, according to US News. Only then is it possible to guarantee peaceful cooperation between governing authorities and indigenous peoples, overcoming confrontation and conflict. The 2007 UN Declaration the Pope referenced was opposed by the U.S., Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Pope Francis has a record of defending the environment. His 2015 encyclical on the environment and human ecology shared a prayer for the earth: Bring healing to our lives, that we may protect the world and not prey on it, that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction. While he didnt specifically mention the controversial Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL), many news outlets picked up on his suggestive and timely focus on indigenous land rights and reported the connection. Reuters described his actions as backing Native Americans seeking to halt part of the Dakota Access Pipeline, saying indigenous cultures have a right to defend their ancestral relationship to the earth.' https://twitter.com/SierraClub/status/831593891564490753 expand=1] Evidently, hes informed of the numerous problems that affect indigenous peoples, but theres no element in his words that would give us a clue to know if he was talking about any specific cases, Paloma Garcia Ovejero, a Vatican representative, told the Catholic News outlet, Crux. On Jan. 24, President Trump signed two executive orders calling for the approval of the Dakota Access and Keystone XL pipelines. On Feb. 13, a federal judge denied a temporary injunction against DAPL construction, requested by the Cheyenne River and Standing Rock Sioux tribes. The judge plans to reconsider this case Feb. 27. [facebook https://www.facebook.com/EcoWatch/videos/1911366655763004/ With legal immunity, Rangers at Kaziranga National Park (Kaziranga) in Assam, India can shoot poachers to protect the Indian one-horned rhinoceros. While the number of rhinoceroses killed has now dropped, the human shooting policystarted in 2013 remains controversial. Local villagers and tribal peoples rights organizations, including London-based Survival International, feel the poacher-killing program is out of control. In 2015, 16 rhinos were killed compared to 23 people, raising concerns about extrajudicial executions, according to the BBC. https://twitter.com/EcoWatch/status/727679336174764032 expand=1] Rhino horn is highly valued as a medicinal and cultural product in multiple countries including China and Japan, where it can cost more than gold. Poachers come from crime syndicates and poaching gangs, who recruit locals. In response, Indias rangers have long been uniformed, with arms, and given license to prosecute offenders in the parks, according to Quartz. Kaziranga has made great strides in rhino conversation. Only a few of the one-horned rhinoceros were living 100 years ago when the park was established. There are now more than 2,400, or more than 75 percent of their world population. Kaziranga is the areas main tourist attraction, the BBC reported. Rhino and ranger in Kaziranga National Park Robin Pagnamenta When the amount of rhinos poached in Kaziranga reached 27 in 2013, M. K. Yadava, then director of the park, penned a report proposing the poacher-shooting initiative. To justify his beliefs, he wrote Crime against man, an animal which is found in great abundance and one who is largely responsible for destroying nature and ecosystems, must take a back seat when crime against mother nature is on the examination table. The current park director, Dr. Satyendra Singh, told the BBC, First we warn themwho are you? But if they resort to firing we have to kill them. First we try to arrest them, so that we get the information, what are the linkages, who are others in the gang? Human rights campaigner Pranab Doley is investigating the parks record keeping relating to the poacher shootings and has found it quite lacking. Many of the poachers killed are listed as unidentified and forensic reports are missing. We dont keep each and every account, a senior Forest Department official told the BBC. Kaziranga National Park Rangers David Reid Several cases drew added attention to this policy, including the killing of a disabled man who wandered into the park and did not respond to a verbal warning, the shooting of a child in the leg and the alleged torture of an individual later deemed to be innocent. In the first case, the family of little means felt unable to pursue a case against the rangers, who have significant government protection against prosecution. The park paid the medical bills and offered other compensation to the family of the boy who was shot, and it denies the torture accusations. An added danger for locals is that in some areas, there are no signs or fences to mark the edge of the park. This conflict continues to embroil conservationists, government officials, native locals, animals, human rights organizations and poachers. The shooting policy may also be in violation of the 2006 Forest Rights Act, which, in part, grants legal recognition to the rights of traditional forest dwelling communities. In related news, plans to dramatically increase the size of Kaziranga entails villager displacement with little due process and documented cases of violence and even death, according to Quartz. India isnt the only country fighting poaching. Check out this video from the Hemmersbach Rhino Force working to end poaching in Africa: [facebook https://facebook.com/EcoWatch/videos/1453085071371092/ Considered to be the Ten Best UFO Photos Ever Taken I am sure that we could add more pictures to this list but these are considered ten o... Beaver County preparing for robust Election Day turnout As the Nov. 8 midterm election approaches, nearly 114,000 people are registered to vote in Beaver County. Prince Charles is reportedly frantic over a new book that detailed his biography most especially in the part where Prince Philip, his father forced him to marry Princess Diana. It has been claimed that Charles did not like much of the biography's contents. A new book has been released about the prince's biography which has been titled, "Prince Charles: The Passions and Paradoxes of an Improbable Life" and was written by Sally Bedell Smith. The book alleges that Philip told his son that he had no choice but to marry Princess Diana as per Express UK. It has been claimed by that Charles did not like it when it has been revealed in the biography his relationship with his father, Prince Philip. From the book, people became aware that the Prince of Wales has a difficult relationship with his father since then. According to the book, Charles actually received a letter from his father and even Prince Philip's cousin can attest to it. Prince Charles received a rather threatening letter from his father after he and Dian travelled in the train together in 1980. Charles found the letter coercive and accusatory. Prince Philip, according to Smith forced Charles to marry Diana whether he likes it or not. What happened the night Charles received the letter from his father was detailed in the book as well as the information that made him eventually propose to his soon-to-be wife, Diana. Prince Philip was heard before calling his son "Romantic" while he is "pragmatist." The two are said to be living in a difficult relationship and the father even admitted that he and his son have different perspective and view of things. It can be recalled that Prince Charles marriage to Princess Diana turned out to be a royal nightmare as per The Sun. Charles and Dian got a divorce in the year 1996 and one year after, Diana died because of a fatal car crash. And last 2005, Charles finally married his first love and alleged mistress, Camilla Parker Bowles. Meanwhile, it has been reported that Queen Elizabeth is not that ready to abdicate the throne since she thinks Prince Charles is not that fit yet. Perhaps his difficult relationship with his father Prince Philip is also another factor. "American Horror Story" has now been confirmed on having quite the context once it resumes, one that could be held dear by many of today's citizens. The producer himself iterated on what this will be in a recent interview. The creator of "American Horror Story," Ryan Murphy, has changed the tone of the movie for the past seasons. After the various contexts that the series has gone through, Murphy finally revealed that the next installment will be utilizing the recently concluded election, but that will be as far as it goes. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Murphy said that the upcoming season of "American Horror Story" will be inspired by the latest election. Murphy said he believes that the subject will be rather relatable to the viewers, given that the theme is considerably "interesting" during his talk with "Watch What Happens Live" host Andy Cohen. Another point of intrigue is when asked about whether or not the forthcoming theme of "American Horror Story" will have the image or at least the interpretation of President-Elect Donald Trump in it, Murphy simply replied "maybe." In the past, Murphy has been known to continuously mislead his fans to think of the other possibilities that could befall the series, which many can attest on being unpredictable at times. Two of the stars from the past "American Horror Story" seasons are confirmed on returning, namely Sarah Paulson and Evan Peters. As per Independent, the said series is not the only point of today's media that chooses to address the government's changes. The suspense flick "The Purge: Election Year" is also one that was said to address the presidential run even using a tagline from President Donald Trump's 2020 campaign. "American Horror Story" was confirmed for two more season last January, with the remaining contents yet to be announced. What do you think of the recent announcement by producer Ryan Murphy? Over the last two decades, the state-led production of space, as part of worlding cities, has introduced new structural violences into the lives of poor groups in Durban, Mumbai and Rio de Janeiro, and has met with resistance. Three main mechanisms have been adopted to produce spaceinfrastructure and mega-projects, redevelopment, and creating exception regimes for slums. The nature of the state that enacts structural violence through worlding processes is simultaneously strong and weak. It is strong in its bid to open up new spaces for capital accumulation that integrate specific economic circuits, classes and groups globally, while weak in its responsibility to protect and strengthen the life chances and claims of poor groups/spaces. Shoshana Amielle Magnet, in her book When Biometrics Fail (2011), argues that biometric systems around the world have largely failed to provide their intended benefits and instead often ended up perpetuating gender, ethnic, cultural, and socio-economic inequalities. Without heeding this warning, Indias legislature directed the executive to leverage Aadhaar in Section 12 of the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013. Consequently, some state governments have introduced Aadhaar-based Biometric Authentication (ABBA) in the Public Distribution System (PDS), ostensibly to enhance efficiency. However, echoing Magnets arguments, recent evidence suggests that linking the PDS with Aadhaar is hindering efficiency. Researchers, journalists, and an Andhra Pradesh government-commissioned study have documented the disruption of welfare programmes that often follows the introduction of ABBA (Khera 2017; Dreze 2016; Ramakumar 2016; Yadav 2016; Matharu 2015). The NFSA confers a legal right to subsidised foodgrains on eligible households. While eligibility is a household characteristic (ration cards are made for households, not individuals), entitlements are determined on a per capita basis.[i] The ABBA system was introduced in all PDS outlets of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) in February and March 2016. Ever since, even among individuals of an eligible household (hereafter eligible individuals), only those with a valid Aadhaar number can become beneficiaries of the PDS. This requires their Aadhaar number to be seeded onto the PDS database and added to the household ration card. Other individuals are omitted and hence denied entitlements.[ii] The ABBA system in PDS outlets is built around a set of fragile technologies (Dreze 2016) that need to work simultaneously for successful transaction. These are: Seeding of Aadhaar numbers: An eligible individual can become a beneficiary and access the PDS system only if her Aadhaar number is correctly seeded onto the PDS database and added to the household ration card. Point of Sale (PoS) machines: The entire process at the PDS outlet is dependent on the PoS machine. If it malfunctions, no transaction can be made. The first step in the process requires the dealer to enter the ration card number of the beneficiarys household onto the PoS machine. Internet connection: Successful working of the PoS machine depends on internet connectivity as verification of the ration card number and the beneficiarys biometric fingerprint is carried out over the internet. Remote Aadhaar servers: Remote Aadhaar servers verify the ration card number and initiate fingerprint authentication. Fingerprint recognition software: The beneficiary proves her identity by submitting to fingerprint recognition in the PoS machine. Upon verification, the PoS machine indicates that the beneficiary is genuine and that foodgrains can be distributed to her household. The stated purpose of introducing ABBA in the PDS is to eliminate identity fraud (for example, duplicate or bogus beneficiaries) and reduce siphoning of grains by the dealers, thereby improving the delivery of welfare schemes to the benefit of the poor. With its well-functioning connectivity, strong infrastructure, and tech-savvy government, Hyderabad offers a favourable context for ABBA. We decided to probe its workings in this seemingly best-case environment based on a household survey conducted in November 2016. The Survey We sought to examine the following issues: Are eligible individuals being excluded due to the introduction of ABBA? What other issues crop up with the introduction of ABBA, barring exclusion? A sample of 80 households (surveyed households) was drawn from roughly 1,300 households registered with two PDS outlets which were purposively selected for their location: one in the suburbs of Yapral and the other in Osman Gunj, less than two kilometres from the high court. We randomly selected 50 households that had successfully transacted via the ABBA system in the month of October (successful households) and 30 households that did not transact at the PDS in October (no-show households). This data was accessed from the Government of Telangana e-PDS website. Table 1: Basic Facts Households (HH) registered with the 2 PDS outlets of interest 1,381 Successful HH (no-show HH in brackets) 1,156 (225) Eligible HH surveyed (individuals covered) 80 (284) Successful HH surveyed (no-show HH surveyed) 50 (30) Eligible individuals omitted from ration cards 34 Eligible individuals without Aadhaar card 10 No-show HH that failed transactions in October due to ABBA 8 Children not added to ration card (possibly due to lack of Aadhaar) 7 HH reporting 1 or more ABBA-related technology issue 53 HH reporting receipt of full entitlement at correct price prior to introduction of ABBA 71 Of the 80 households surveyed, 71 (89%) reported receiving full entitlements at correct prices even before the introduction of ABBA. Three of the remaining nine households reported mismatch between actual household size and the number of individuals on the ration card prior to the introduction of ABBA. The others were either unable to recall, or were newly identified eligible households. For the surveyed households at least, the PDS seemed to be working well before the introduction of ABBA. The introduction of ABBA has, however, brought with it many complexities and problems. Although all 50 successful households received full entitlements at correct prices in October, eight of 30 (27%) no-show households reported failed transactions due to issues with ABBA. Further, 53 of 80 (66%) surveyed households reported glitches with one or more of the five technological components of the system (Table 1). Exclusion Due to Aadhaar The identification of eligible households involves two kinds of possible errors: (i) inclusion of an ineligible household on the NFSA list (inclusion errors), and (ii) exclusion of an eligible household from the NFSA list (exclusion errors). While inclusion errors increase the financial burden of the state, exclusion errors can often leave poor families vulnerable to hunger. Since the PDS was introduced to overcome chronic hunger and malnutrition, exclusion errors should be of greater concern. Though Aadhaar is technically not an eligibility criterion, ABBA is systematically leading to exclusion at two levels. First, the lack of an Aadhaar number automatically disqualifies eligible individuals from being listed in the household ration card. Among surveyed households, 12% (34 out of 284) of eligible individuals names were missing from the ration cards, leading to a loss for the concerned household as PDS entitlements are defined in per capita terms (in Telangana, each beneficiary is entitled to 6 kg of grains per month). While there could be other reasons for missing names, 10 out of 34 reported the lack of an Aadhaar card as the reason and we suspect that seven childrens names were missing due to Aadhaar (Table 1). More than one-fifth (21%) of sample households reported Aadhaar seeding issues. Respondents had submitted all Aadhaar documents to their respective circle offices, but they found that their names were missing from the NFSA list. Second, beneficiaries face persistent and pervasive issues related to ABBA. Among the surveyed households, 35 (70%) successful and 18 (60%) no-show households reported issues with one or more of the five technological components of the system (Table 2). A large part of our sample reported fingerprint authentication errors, Aadhaar seeding issues, and poor connectivity (discussed below). In all these cases, Aadhaar is creating discriminatory hassles and increasing transaction costs. Among the 30 no-show households, eight reported ABBA-related issues that led to failed transactions: five resulted from fingerprint authentication errors and the rest from Aadhaar number or seeding issues. Three households expressed disinterest in the PDS, and two provided unclear responses when asked why they did not transact. The remaining 17 of the no-show households reported unavoidable personal reasons (for example being out of station, hospitalisation, absence of a male member whose fingerprints works, etc). Administrations may disregard these legitimate hardships as exceptional personal problems that cannot be accommodated by broad policy. Note, however, that prior to the introduction of ABBA in Hyderabad, households could collect accumulated rations for up to three months when they were unable to do so for any month. With Aadhaar leveraging, this considerate and fair approach has been discontinued. The introduction of ABBA configured PoS machines enables the District Supply Officer (DSO) to track each PDS outlets transactions online. At the start of each month, grains are released to the respective outlets after accounting for grains leftover from the last month. For example, if a PDS outlet must receive 100 kg of rice to disburse every month, but has 5 kg left over from last month, only 95 kg are delivered to the outlet for the next months disbursal. Even in institutions like the Indian Armed Forces, whose personnel receive rations in-kind, there is a pre-announced mis-muster date when rations missed from the previous month can be collected. Why deny PDS beneficiaries the same right? Table 2: Issues Reported by Households at thr Time of Last ABBA Transaction Issue Reported Number of HH (% in brackets) No-show HH Successful HH HH surveyed 30 (100) 50 (100) Fingerprint authentication errors 11 (37) 20 (40) Internet not working 4 (13) 18 (36) PoS machine not working 0 (0) 8 (16) Aadhaar numbers yet to be seeded 6 (20) 11 (22) One or more ABBA technology related issue 18 (60) 35 (70) More than 1 trip to the PDS outlet due to ABBA related errors 8 (27) 17 (34) PoS Malfunction and Failed Fingerprint Authentication The PoS is central to the ABBA system. While none of the no-show households reported PoS malfunction (most of them did not reach the stage of using it), eight of the successful households did. Almost 40% of the surveyed households reported persistent fingerprint authentication errors, that only specific fingers worked, or that only certain household members fingerprints worked. Elderly persons and women engaged in domestic work or manual labour especially expressed distress over fingerprint authentication errors. Incidentally, early warnings of this issue were raised in early UIDAI documents (Committee on BiometricsUIDAI 2009:4). Poor Internet Connectivity The internet is the essential infrastructure on which the ABBA rests. Despite Hyderabads decent network facilities, 36% of successful and 13% of no-show households reported problems with internet connectivity. This implies delays in grain disbursal and having to make more than one visit to the PDS outlet. Between one-fourth and one-third no-show and successful households respectively had to make more than one trip. Internet connectivity has frustrated not just beneficiaries but also dealers. The dealer at Yapral complained of connectivity issues every day of the week after 8 pm (a time when beneficiaries could come after work). The dealer at Osman Gunj revealed having to face internet issues for an hour or two every day. Both dealers expressed displeasure over the resultant slowing down of sales. Poor technological construction of the machines, software, and the networks has resulted in unnecessary inconvenience and anxiety. Plight of Elderly and the Disabled We consistently found that the introduction of the ABBA system had led to the disenfranchisement of the elderly and the disabled, as access to NFSA entitlements became contingent on their ability to access affordable transport and the effectiveness of ABBA. These dual issues impeding access have arisen because ABBA requires beneficiaries to visit the PDS outlet personally for fingerprint authentication. In the earlier set-up, the elderly and the disabled relied on family and neighbours to collect grains for them. Now, even reaching the PDS shop is no guarantee of receiving entitlements due to technical issues with fingerprint authentication. In Yapral, K Urmila, a widow who worked as a domestic help, has not been able to access her entitlements since April 2016 after suffering from a seizure and leg injury that have left her immobile. She can neither physically access public transportation nor financially afford a private rickshaw or auto to visit the PDS outlet. Had the ABBA not been in place, she could have sent her daughter to collect her entitlements for her. Urmila is just one of many such elderly persons we met. Ration Card Woes Lastly, we found several instances of persons still in possession of their old ration cards. Despite completing the application procedure and receiving official communication of approval via a paper slip or SMS, they had not received their new ration card and were not getting rations. They were not aware of any grievance redressal mechanism and were left hopeless in a bureaucratic limbo. Though it is not clear whether Aadhaar had anything to do with this, this is an illustration of chronic issues in the functioning of the PDS that cannot be resolved by ABBA, and from which ABBA is diverting attention. Conclusions It has mattered little to successive governments that their Aadhaar endeavours are in clear violation of several Supreme Court orders that have ruled (even after the passage of the Aadhaar bill in Lok Sabha) that Aadhaar cannot be mandatory to access welfare services (Anand 2016). Technocratic understanding of the efficiency of ABBA is ignorant of the multiple hardships that ABBA has created as well as aggravated. Among 80 surveyed households, 89% reported receiving full entitlements at correct prices even before the introduction of ABBA. In contrast, 10% of households are now excluded due to ABBA and two-thirds reported errors with one or more of its five technological components. If such is the state of affairs in urban, technologically sophisticated, and infrastructure-supported cities such as Hyderabad and Delhi (Shagun and Priya 2016), one can only imagine the magnitude of tragedies unleashed upon the beneficiaries in rural India. As Khera (2013) notes, while it is essential to deal with issues of duplication, less disruptive methods than Aadhaar such as food coupons, smart cards, and last-mile tracking can be used to produce the same effectiveness with far less administrative burden. It is difficult to see how implementing Aadhaar has been to the benefit of the poor in Hyderabad. Although our sample may not be fully representative, the results suggest that the ABBA system is neither as efficient nor as dependable as it is made out to be, even in a seemingly best-case environment. A blind belief that technology will enhance efficiency seems to have ironically bred inefficiency. References Anand, Utkarsh (2016): "Supreme Court Reminds Govt: Aadhaar Cannot be Mandatory," Indian Express, 23 September, https://goo.gl/rcHIeb. Committee on BiometricsUIDAI (2009): Biometrics Design Standards for UID Applications, Unique Identification Authority of India, New Delhi, https://goo.gl/kmgTZj. Dreze, Jean (2016): "Dark Clouds Over the PDS," Hindu, 10 September, https://goo.gl/BSbMxu. Khera, Reetika (2013): Lessons from the East Godavari Pilot, Hindu, 11 April, https://goo.gl/Xj9y5w. Khera, Reetika (2017): On Aadhaar Success, It's All HypeThat Includes the World Bank," NDTV, 21 July, https://goo.gl/QT2ih3. Magnet, Shoshana Amielle (2011): When Biometrics Fail: Gender, Race, and the Technology of Identity, Duke University Press. Matharu, Sonal (2015): AP Detects Glitches in Aadhaar-linked PDS Distribution, Governance Now, 28 September, https://goo.gl/iTKaci. Ramakumar, R (2016): All Pervasive Aadhaar Raises Serious Privacy Concerns, Deccan Herald, 12 March, https://goo.gl/O7UI5h. Shagun and Priya, Aditi (2016): "Even in Delhi, Basing PDS on Aadhaar Is Denying Many the Right to Food," Wire.in, 25 October, https://goo.gl/I8xrfX. Yadav, Anumeha (2016): "Government Presses on with Aadhaar in Ration System Despite Glitches, Delayed Food Law, Scroll.in, 25 September, https://goo.gl/xDLW1P. SAN FRANCISCO The RSA Conference is perhaps the worlds largest security event, but that doesnt mean that its necessarily a secure event. Security testing vendor Pwnie Express has been passively scanning the airwaves on the RSA Conference show floor and has found multiple instances of EvilAP attacks. In an EvilAP attack, a rogue access point uses a Karma attack to trick users into thinking they are connecting to a known access point. Among the access point beacons sent out in the EvilAP attacks at the RSA Conference are common locations like Starbucks and McDonalds. The Pwnie Express analysis found that multiple users actually connected to the rogue access point and at least two remained connected over the course of more than a day. Adding insult to injury, Pwnie Express found that there were multiple Wi-Fi access points running on the RSA Conference show floor that used WEP encryption. WEP is an older standard that has long since been proven to be insecure. Watch the full video below: Sean Michael Kerner is a senior editor at eSecurityPlanet and InternetNews.com. Follow him on Twitter @TechJournalist. The free trade agreement between the European Parliament and Canada has entered into force. The European Parliament has approved the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), a deal seven years in the making. CETAs ratification will eliminate almost all trade tariffs between the European Union and Canada and the EU estimates that the mutual trade, which currently stands at more than 60bn a year, will be boosted by 20%. MEPs overwhelmingly supported the deal with 408 in favor and 254 against. The deal has been criticized over concerns that it would undermine the EUs environmental, labor and consumer standards and destroy equality. Hundreds of protestors gathered in front of the European Parliament building in Strasbourg ahead of the vote but EU trade chief Cecilia Malmstrom assured EU citizens that the deal would not compromise the EUs decision making. She said that approving the deal will not change food safety standards or any other EU requirements, only the EU institutions can do that. The EU has embraced the deal as a shining example of international cooperation amid rising isolationism. The ratification follows Donald Trumps withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) on his first day in office. He also campaigned for the presidency by deriding NAFTA, the free trade pact between the US, Canada, and Mexico, as a job killer and the worst trade deal maybe ever signed anywhere, but certainly ever signed in this country. As to the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) currently still being negotiated, it is effectively dead and buried now that President Donald J. Trump has indicated a move away from multilateral trading blocs, Bow Group, Britains oldest conservative think tank has said. With President Trump in the White House we see a clear change in US policy, said Marietje Schaake of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats who backed the deal in the European Parliament. Leadership for open economies and societies must come from us in Europe. We cannot imagine a better partner than Canada, the most European country outside the Union, she said. Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission, described the deal as an important milestone and said EU companies and citizens will start to reap the benefits the agreement offers as soon as possible. Egyptian tourism inhales after four European countries Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland have lifted travel restrictions that they have imposed on South Sinai governorate of Egypt since the downing of the Russian passenger jet. The travel ban was introduced in 2015 and it will be lifted starting Thursday (16 February). Denmark was first to initiate this move and it is believed that it would prompt other European countries to follow. Mohamed al-Hassanein, member of the tourism companies chamber in the Federation of Egyptian Chambers of Commerce, said that the Egyptian market would feel the positives of the decision by the beginning of October. British travel agency Thomas Cook said that the demand for vacation in Egypt is going up again after security concerns had discouraged policy makers to opt for other destinations. This effect was further exacerbated by the downing of the Russian plane in October 2015, which killed all 224, mostly Russian, passengers on board. As a result, a number of countries have banned flights to Egypts destinations and imposed some security measures to be considered. Russia halted all flights with Egypt after the tragedy and Cairo in turn agreed to accept several Russian experts who inspected the security features at Egyptian airports. Russian authorities also commented that they looked forward to resuming tourism to Egyptian resorts. Tourism is one of the leading sources of income for the Egyptian economy, contributing more than 10% of the countrys gross domestic product. At its peak in 2010, it employed about 12% of the work force, serving almost 15 million visitors annually. In an attempt to bring tourists back, Egypt announced a new marketing campaign at the end of 2016, which will cost 3 million euros over the span of three years. They voted to "freeze" UK Government's draft to put People in jail for 42 Days on "anti-terrorist" suspicion without charge, or they abstained. Don't they look suspect ? ------------------------- CoE's debate on UK controversy stirs PanEuropean check of anti-terror suspects' imprisonment Former Leftists of the Sixties would boil in hot water if they heard PACE's debate on the controversial 42 days detention without charge, currently drafted by the British Government : A "Socialist" Government, a Socialist PACE Rapporteur and a Socialist Chair of PACE's Legal Committee, opposed a .. "Conservative" amendment (supported by .. Liberals, Democrats, etc), to freeze the measure, in order to protect Citizens' Freedom, by "waiting" until CoE's Venice Committee checks its conformity with Human Rights' principles. "Left"'s support to Conservative-Lib.Dem's criticism, wasn't enough to obtain a majority, nor to make things as they were back in the good old days, when "Left" and "Right" had a clear meaning, as "liberty" and "restrictions"... Conservatives and most Democrats were joined by the Left in voting for the "freeze", as well as Liberal Paul Rowen, while Socialist MEP Ivan Popescu, an experienced MEP from Ukraine (PACE Member since 1996-2008) abstained. But most Socialists, added to a few Liberals and EPP's Right, voted against. Fortunately, someone inside PACE had the wise idea to shorten the Debate for less than 1 Hour, and put it on the Agenda only at the end of an exceptionally busy day, towards the end of the Evening, when most MEPs had already gone to taste wins and foods at various Receptions all around Strasbourg's "European" area : As a result, not even 42 MEPs weren't present.. Socialist Lord Tomlinson accused the leaders of the PanEuropean Assembly, in its highest body : the "Bureau", to "lack wisdom" by deciding to hold a Debate on an issue that neither the Socialist Chair of the Legal Committee, nor its Socialist "reluctant Rapporteur", did "not want to do", ... Finally, everybody (critics and supporters alike) was happy to agree, in substance, that the controversial measure "may" gravely violate Human Rights, and therefore, PACE asked Legal Experts of Venice Commission to check UK Government''s plans. But this might take more than .. 42 Days to do, since PACE's Rapporteur asked the Experts to enlarge their study in a PanEuropean comparison of all that is happening on "anti-terrorism" legislation in 47 CoE Member Countries, including Russia, Turkey and Azerbaidjan.. Bad lack : "The existing 28 days detention without charge in the UK is, in comparison with other CoE member countries, one of the most extreme : In Turkey, the period is 7,5 days, in France 6 days, in Russia 5 days, and in .. the U.S. and Canada just 2 and 1 days respectively", denounced Democrat MEP Ms WOLDSETH from Norway.. "Numerous respected human rights organisations, including Liberty and Human Rights Watch, have expressed serious concern" "The proposed legislation ...could easily lead to extensive abuses. ...Detention for 42 days means six weeks in which one is taken away from ones family, friends, home and livelihood only to be let off without being charged. That will destroy lives and isolate communities", she added. - "3 years ago, the UK Government sought to increase the period of pre-charge detention from 14 days to 90 days. Not long before that, it had been only 7 days. There was a vigorous debate ...and a ...compromise was reached of 28 days. We have to ask whether there are proper safeguards in place to extend the period to 42 days. I suggest that there are fatal flaws", reminded British Conservative Clappison. - "What sort of society holds someone in detention for 42 days and does not have to tell the person who is in prison why they are there, or explain the suspicions that arose and led to their detention? What sort of society believes that that is the way to treat its citizens? That is an appalling injustice, ...A 42-day detention period will not make the UK safer. Instead, it will be the first step to giving in to terrorists; it is saying that we are prepared to sacrifice our democratic rights and the principles for which we have stood for centuries", criticized British Liberal Michael Hanckock "Comments made ...by Norwegian delegates are unfortunate", replied British Socialist MEP Ms.Curtis-Thomas, accusing them to "besmirch the reputation of our police force, which is one of the Best in the World", as she said, believing that "there are significant safeguards ...to ensure that individuals are not subjected to unlawful detention" PACE "has serious doubts whether ...the draft legislation are in conformity with the ...case-law of the European Court of Human Rights. A lack of ..safeguards may lead to arbitrariness, resulting in breaches of ... liberty and ...right to a fair trial". PACE "is particularly concerned that: ..the judge ..may not be in a position to examine whether there exist reasonable grounds for suspecting that the arrested person has committed an offence;"; that "... representation by a lawyer may be inappropriately restricted or delayed;" that "information on the grounds for suspicion of a person ...may be unduly withheld.. ;" that this "may give rise to arrests without the intention to charge;", and; in general, that "prolonged detention without proper information on the grounds for arrest may constitute inhuman treatment", says Klaus De Vries' Report, adopted with 29 votes against zero. Records don't say if it took him 42 Days to draft his Report, but, at least, he knew why... As Italy approves new emergency liquidity legislation for its banking sector, a belated sense of urgency is finally emerging in Europes battle with its banks bad debts. Both the EBA and the ECB have recently mooted the idea of a Europe-wide bad bank into which the regions banks could transfer their soured loans to free up their capacity to lend. What is perhaps more shocking than the fact that 10 European countries now have non-performing loan ratios of over 10% is that this solution is only being grasped at now. Europe currently has more than 1 trillion of bad loans to deal with, a figure that long ago surpassed the point at which the private market might have had the appetite to deal with it. Europe is paying a high price for its decision to eschew a US-style Tarp (Troubled Asset Relief Program) immediately after the financial crisis and let the bad assets on bank balance sheets fester. Those countries that set up bad banks early on, most notably Ireland and Spain, have made much better progress in dealing with their NPL problems than those that have not. From bad to worse Prime culprit in this regard is, of course, Italy. Since the failure of Monte dei Paschi di Siennas private sector recapitalization at the end of last year and the resultant hasty proposal of a 20 billion bank rescue fund in December, things have gone from bad to worse. The new fund was approved on February 16 and will facilitate state-funded emergency liquidity guarantees and capital injections for the banks. Paolo Gentiloni's government has put in place an emergency state-backed bank liquidity fund for Italy's banks After the predictable failure of MPSs huge rights issue last year, the ECB subsequently declared that the amount of capital that it needed to raise had increased from 5 billion to 8.8 billion. The exact cause of this increase is unclear, but the extra 3.8 billion figure bears a striking resemblance to the 3.6 billion shortfall in the securitization recapitalization plan maths that was identified in Euromoneys September issue. In early February, it also emerged that the Italian government is believed to be considering a 5 billion recapitalization of Veneto Banca and Banca Popolare di Vicenza: two banks that were rescued less than a year ago by Italys dedicated recapitalization fund, Atlante. Alternatively, the Italian government may take temporary stakes in the two striken lenders. In January, these banks proposed a settlement with shareholders who bought stock during the last decade whereby they would be reimbursed 15% of investment losses in return for agreeing not to pursue legal action against the lenders. This doesnt sound like much compensation for the 200,000 small investors who were wiped out by the rescue of the banks last year. But that state aid may now be sought to prop up banks so that they can to deal with the hit to investors that resulted from a rescue that took place less than a year ago shows just how fast the situation in Italy is deteriorating. While a bad bank is fast becoming the go-to solution for the European authorities, national governments seem far more focused on another two-word option: precautionary recapitalization. This route enables banks to receive injections of state aid that comply with BRRD regulations if they can prove that the move is temporary and required to preserve financial stability and that the bank is still solvent. It is triggered by the failure of a stress test. MPS certainly failed its stress test with a common equity tier-1 ratio of minus 2.23% in an adverse scenario but to deem a bank with 23.5 billion bad loans as solvent is a stretch. If Veneto Banca and Banca Popolare di Vicenza are now going to go down the precautionary recapitalization route, they also need to fail a stress test, something the EBA is not planning to undertake until 2018. Perhaps most importantly, however, EU rules prohibit using a precautionary recapitalization to offset losses already incurred or likely to be incurred in the near future, which looks like something of a dealbreaker. Italys new 20 billion bank rescue fund isnt going to last long if just three banks are going to tap it for 13.8 billion within weeks of its establishment. A fourth bank, Banca Carige, is also on the critical list with 7.1 billion gross bad lending. It has been slated to attempt an NPL securitization under the Italian governments GACS guarantee scheme by the end of March. Europe's problem There is no getting away from the fact that Europes NPL problem is Italys NPL problem. The country accounts for 26% of all bad lending in Europe. Some 276 billion of its 1.68 trillion gross loans outstanding are bad by far the largest quantum from a single jurisdiction. France and Spain combined account for barely more: 27.2%. Proposals for a pan-regional bad bank are a positive sign that the magnitude of this problem is at last being recognised. However, the speed with which the situation in Italy is deteriorating means that these proposals have simply come too late. A 20 billion rescue fund isnt going to sort out Italys 300 billion bad debt problem. Arguably nothing will before the countrys sclerotic insolvency regime is comprehensively tackled. But, in the meantime, the European authorities should focus their attention on setting up a bad bank, or asset management company, for Italy as a priority. Getting these assets off the banks books and pooling them could give the GACS scheme a chance to gain momentum and give the banks themselves some respite from soaring capital requirements. Much as the BRRD regulations are designed to ensure that the opposite is the case, any pretence that this problem can be dealt with by investor bail-in and private capital alone has long since been abandoned. BRUSSELS, February 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Mars Petcare announced today that Helen Mills will join their global management team as the leader of Corporate Affairs. Mills has over 20 years of experience in communications, advocacy and change management, and her background in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry will complement the Mars Petcare strategy to offer holistic care of pets from nutrition to veterinary care. (Photo: enlace ) Mills will join Mars Petcare in March from Amgen, one of the world's leading biotechnology companies, where she led Corporate Affairs for Amgen's global Commercial business for the last five years. Before joining Amgen, Mills managed a global Corporate Affairs team at AstraZeneca in Sweden and the UK. Mills also managed external communication for one of GlaxoSmithKline's global therapeutic franchises based in the UK and spent three years at PR agency, Hill & Knowlton, first in London, and later in Australia, where she ran H&K's Melbourne healthcare practice. "We are very excited to welcome Helen to Mars Petcare," said Poul Weihrauch, Global President, Mars Petcare. "Her passion, and experience will help us advance our purpose of creating A Better World for Pets." "I'm delighted to be joining Mars, a world class company and a leader in many categories, and excited to help to grow the Mars Petcare business around the globe," said Mills. "As Mars continues to increase its external engagement on issues important to our business and society, we are pleased to be building our Corporate Affairs capabilities from within and by adding new team members like Helen," said Andy Pharoah, VP Corporate Affairs and Strategic Initiatives, Mars, Incorporated. About Mars Petcare Mars Petcare is the world's leading pet nutrition and health care business that strives to make A Better World for Pets(TM) every day. Mars Petcare believes that pets make our lives better and that pet ownership brings joy and benefits which should be accessible to everyone. Mars Petcare has a total of 41 brands in our portfolio, including billion dollar brands PEDIGREE(R), WHISKAS(R), ROYAL CANIN(R) and BANFIELD(R). Other leading brands include: IAMS(R), CESAR(R), SHEBA(R), NUTRO(R), DREAMIES(R), EUKANUBA(R), BLUEPEARL(R) and PET PARTNERS(TM). And the WALTHAM Centre for Pet Nutrition, a leading scientific authority on pet nutrition and wellbeing. Mars Petcare has more than 40,000 Associates worldwide. About Mars, Incorporated Mars, Incorporated is a private, family-owned business with more than a century of history, $35 billion in sales, and diverse business segments producing some of the world's best-loved brands: PEDIGREE(R), ROYAL CANIN(R), IAMS(R), BANFIELD(R) CESAR(R) (Petcare); M&M'S(R), SNICKERS(R), DOVE(R), GALAXY(R), MARS(R), MILKY WAY(R), TWIX(R) (Chocolate); DOUBLEMINT(R), EXTRA(R), ORBIT(R), 16 Feb. (TM) - , SKITTLES(R) (Wrigley); UNCLE BEN'S(R), DOLMIO(R), MASTERFOODS(R), SEEDS OF CHANGE(R) (Food); ALTERRA COFFEE ROASTERS(TM), THE BRIGHT TEA COMPANY(TM), KLIX(R) FLAVIA(R) (Drinks); and COCOAVIA(R) (Symbioscience). Headquartered in McLean, VA, Mars operates in 421 facilities across 78 countries, where our more than 80,000 Associates -all united by the company's Five Principles of Quality, Efficiency, Responsibility, Mutuality and Freedom -strive every day to create relationships with our stakeholders that deliver growth we are proud of. For more information about Mars, Incorporated, please visit http://www.mars.com. Follow us on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/Mars ], Twitter [https://twitter.com/MarsGlobal ], LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/mars ] and YouTube [enlace ]. Photo: enlace CONTACT: Gosia Faras, Director External Communications, Mars Petcare, M:+32-491-961901, gosia.faras@effem.com Do respected media outlets like, say, The New Yorker or ProPublica merit the respect they get, from other media outlets or from media consumers? The answer depends on whether you think they are what they claim to be, high-minded purveyors of fair, thoughtful reporting? Or are they activists using the guise of fair reporting to advance an agenda that they wont admit, perhaps not even to themselves? I ask because we get fed into the machinery of these organs, and it makes a difference when someone is reporting about you rather than about a stranger. Thats not only because you have a direct stake in the matter but because you know the truth about yourself that they either have got right or hopelessly mangled. Well, I spent the latter part of Tuesday corresponding with an editor at ProPublica (Journalism in the Public Interest) regarding their inaccurate reporting about Discovery Institutes science education policy. I focused on an assertion in an article that was untrue in a clear-cut manner, as should have been clear from a look at our own website and other published material. The editor would not budge, insisting it was a matter of opinion, not fact. It was a look into the sausage factory how fake news is generated and defended. Our colleague Sarah Chaffee had already responded to the ProPublica article, DeVos Code Words for Creationism Offshoot Raise Concerns About Junk Science. She noted a variety of misrepresentations in the piece by reporter Annie Waldman, including about how critical thinking has become a code phrase to justify teaching of intelligent design, ID is an outgrowth of creationism, and According to federal law, [ID] cannot be taught. Sarah did a fine job, and I likely would have let it rest there had I not heard an irritating NPR story the other day about comedian John Oliver, adored for his smug (and frankly, vile) rants on the HBO program Last Week Tonight. In the interview, besides soliciting from Oliver the pronouncement that flatulence is one of the pillars of comedy, NPR noted that his facts are provided to him by a team of researchers, many of whom are pulled from such journalistic outfits as The New Yorker magazine and the investigative site ProPublica. Oliver has even plugged the website on his show, telling viewers to donate to groups like ProPublica, a nonprofit group which does great investigative journalism. This resulted in a surge in donations, according to another source, Poynter. Great investigative journalism, you say? I decided to put their investigative ethics to the test by seeing how well they would respond to a challenge on the facts. We all make mistakes. Would Ms. Waldman ignore me and stick with her errors, or correct them? I first tweeted to her on this, then upon not receiving a reply, sent her an email. She never answered, but I did hear back from her editor, Dan Golden. I dont see any reason why our email interaction should be private since ProPublica is an investigative site that attacked us using alternative facts that I know to be untrue. Indeed, when Center for Science & Culture associate director John West was contacted by Ms. Waldman, he told her one of her notions, that critical thinking is code for intelligent design, was ludicrous. Dr. Wests attempt to set her straight made no impression, though at least she quoted him. Its all very revealing. I wrote: Ms. Waldman, Writing at Evolution News & Views, which I edit, my Discovery Institute colleague Sarah Chaffee has pointed out significant misrepresentations in your January 30 article for ProPublica. Do you plan to correct them? [Link] [Link] Kindly let me know. Thank you. David Klinghoffer To this, her editor replied: Dear Mr. Klinghoffer, How are you? Thank you for your email to Annie Waldman. As her editor, I am responding to your request for a correction. I have reviewed both Annies article and the critique by your colleague. In my judgment, Annies article is factually accurate, and therefore we do not plan to publish a correction. Ms. Chaffee takes issue with Annies description of intelligent design as an offshoot of creationism. This is actually a widespread view, as both creationism and intelligent design posit the existence of an intelligent cause or being guiding the development of the species. In addition, Annies article does not state (contrary to your colleagues suggestion) that the Discovery Institute advocates mandatory teaching of intelligent design in public schools. It does state, correctly, that the institute published a briefing packet walking educators through the approach of teaching the controversy. Finally, Annie interviewed and quoted the Discovery Institutes Mr. West, so the institutes viewpoint was reflected in her article. Im sure Annie will continue to reach out to the institute if she writes more on this topic. Thanks again for getting in touch. Yours, Dan Golden Senior Editor, ProPublica I answered: I appreciate your getting back to me. Ill focus on this, which is very clear-cut. Your reporter writes: Advocates have contended that presenting intelligent design side-by-side with evolution, also known as teaching the controversy, would enhance the critical thinking skills of students and improve their scientific reasoning. Indeed, a briefing packet for educators from the leading intelligent design group, the Seattle-based Discovery Institute, walks teachers through this approach. You are saying our published document walks teachers through teaching intelligent design side-by-side with evolution, which you indicate is identical with teaching the controversy. That is not accurate, and its not a matter of opinion or interpretation. The approach and examples supplied in the document your reporter cites focus on teaching the strengths and weaknesses of evolutionary theory, NOT on presenting the theory of intelligent design. See, in particular, the material presented on pages 6-8 and 20-26. In the Dos and Donts section, we also warn teachers DO NOT push intelligent design into the public school curriculum. You are confusing ID with the wider controversy about evolution, which is independent of ID. These are two separate things, and scientists who challenge standard evolutionary theory, while rejecting ID, recognize as much. On our website, we make clear that teaching the controversy over evolution is not the same as presenting the case for intelligent design: [Link] 1. Is raising scientific criticisms of modern Darwinian theory the same thing as advocating intelligent design? No. One can critique the sufficiency of current evolutionary mechanisms (such as natural selection, random mutations, and genetic drift) without going on to conclude that intelligent processes are a better explanation for the features of nature under study. Indeed, many scientists who reject intelligent design in biology are nevertheless skeptical of key claims made by orthodox Darwinian theory. Challenging orthodox Darwinian thinking is not limited, at all, to ID advocates. Here, for example, is a website organized by prominent scientists who question neo-Darwinism while also disavowing design in nature: [Link]. An overlapping group of scholars was behind a conference in November at the venerable Royal Society in London. We advocate enhancing critical thinking skills for public school students by teaching about this mainstream debate that is the purpose of academic freedom bills not by teaching about ID. Put in the simplest terms, ID is defined by presenting positive evidence of design in biology and cosmology. The controversy does not pertain to that positive evidence but only to negative critiques regarding neo-Darwinian theory and whether its proposed mechanisms satisfactorily explain all biological novelties. Our published material is clear. The media habitually confuse all of this, but your site is held to be a disinterested investigative news source. I look forward to a correction. David By this point I was not holding out a lot of hope of getting a favorable resolution. Sure enough, Golden replied: Sorry, but many experts (which I am not, admittedly) would disagree with your view that intelligent design is independent of the wider controversy about evolution. That is a matter of opinion and debate, not fact, and as such does not warrant a correction, which is limited to factual inaccuracies. Now, this transparently evades the crystal clear issue I had raised. I deliberately did not bring up the business about codes, which essentially posits a conspiracy theory, because its so much easier to show that a published document says one thing and not another. Our briefing packet warns against teaching ID in public schools and strongly warns against mandating it. ProPublicas reporter, on the other hand, said our packet walks teachers through [an] approach of presenting intelligent design side-by-side with evolution. Theres a big difference between warning against something and warmly inviting it, which is what walking them through would indicate. As a matter of fact, not of opinion and debate, the reporting there by Annie Waldman is not accurate. You dont have to be an expert to see this. You only have to draw upon a minimal level of reading comprehension. And remember this is all quite apart from the other significant issues raised by Sarah Chaffee that I didnt even try to bring up with the editor, though he says he reviewed Ms. Waldmans article in light of our post. So there you have it: a source of investigative journalism called out on multiple instances of misinformation in a single article refuses to correct the record, brushing aside objections as no more than a difference in opinion. But I thought the highly regarded news source is supposed to be a source of fact, not opinion? Ill drop this now, because the parade of fake news about ID and the evolution debate never ends. See Sarah Chaffees article from Tuesday noting more inaccurate reporting, this time from the Washington Post (another outlet recommended by John Oliver to his viewers, by the way), regarding a South Dakota academic freedom bill. Keep this in mind when you open your newspaper, read stuff on the Internet, or see it on TV. Even given the imprimatur of a news source with a noble-sounding motto like Journalism in the Public Interest, if your skepticism is the least bit aroused, dont simply take them at their word. If you suspect axe-grinding, yeah, its probably there. Image: John Oliver endorses ProPublica, via YouTube. Im on Twitter. Follow me @d_klinghoffer. The Association for International Broadcasting, the trade association for television, radio and online, has welcomed Hum Network as its first member in Pakistan. Hum Network is Pakistan's only publicly-quoted media company, operating a range of television channels that are available across the country. Hum Network also offers its television channels in North America, the UK, and the Middle East. Established in 2004, Hum Network has expanded into production for television and film, and has plans for further development in a range of areas of the media, both at home and abroad. We are delighted to welcome Hum Network as a member of the Association for International Broadcasting, said Simon Spanswick, AIB chief executive. Hum Network is a dynamic company that has developed fast over the past 13 years. The AIB and its members look forward to working with Hum Network and its executives as they expand their reach and introduce new services. As part of the AIB, Hum Network will benefit from the expertise that exists within the Association and from the opportunities of collaboration with our global membership base, added Spanswick. In joining the AIB, Hum Network is reinforcing its position as the pioneer of Pakistan's media industry, commented Duraid Qureshi, CEO of Hum Network. We are pleased to be the AIB's first member in Pakistan, benefiting from the work that the Association undertakes for all its members across the world. My colleagues and I are looking forward to working closely with the AIB and its members, he added. As a member, Hum Network now has access to the full range of the AIB's work, ranging from market intelligence briefings to participation in working groups that focus on key areas of activity such as cyber security, sustainability, and audience measurement. The AIB also supports its members on key issues that affect their business through its international lobbying activities. The Association for International Broadcasting is a not-for-profit, non-governmental organisation that works for the benefit of its members and of the wider media industry. Read more news about (internet advertising India, internet advertising, advertising India, digital advertising India, media advertising India) More than 25,000 immigrants and expats are set to become US citizens at hundreds of ceremonies across the country to mark Presidents Day.Some will be at poignant sites such as George Washingtons Mount Vernon estate, the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site in Buffalo, New York and Washington Crossing Historic Park in Pennsylvania.It fills me with pride to know that 25,000 will take the Oath of Allegiance and become US citizens during the week that celebrates Presidents Day, said Lori Scialabba, United States Citizenship and Immigration Service acting director Lori Scialabba.These new US citizens will be given rights, responsibilities and opportunities that will strengthen and shape the future of our great nation, just as generations of immigrants have done before them. By choosing to naturalise, they are confirming their commitment to our country and furthering our legacy as a nation of immigrants, she explained.More information is now available online to help people to prepare for the citizenship test that they take before completing the process of being a US citizen. This includes study materials for the English tests and the civic test.There are basically four tests. The ability to speak English is done via a speaking test with a USCIS officer, which is part of the initial eligibility interview, and applicants also need to read aloud one out of three sentences correctly to demonstrate an ability to read in English. The content focuses on civics and history topics.There is also a writing test when applicants need to write one out of three sentences correctly to demonstrate an ability to write in English and again the content focuses on civics and history topics.The civics test, which is done during the naturalisation interview, involves up to 10 questions from a list of 100 questions and applicants must answer six out of 10 to pass the civics test.Applicants have two opportunities to take the English and civics tests per application. If an applicant fails any portion of the test during the first interview, they will be retested on the portion of the test that they failed between 60 and 90 days from the date of the initial interview.There is help for those preparing for the citizenship tests. For example, USCIS regularly holds information sessions for the public. These sessions will help permanent residents and others interested in naturalisation learn about eligibility, testing, and citizenship rights and responsibilities, said a USCIS spokesman.He also pointed out that USCIS now has a new fees structure and new forms. The old forms will no longer be accepted from 21 February 2017. Applicants for any USCIS functions are advised to check the fees on the organisations website and make sure they include the correct amount as applications with the wrong fee will be rejected. All new forms can be downloaded for free. thehuskyone said: Hi Fellow Forum members, I arrived in Auckland yesterday on an AU PR, i was granted a residence visa at the immigration. I have taken up an assignment in Auckland as an Independent Contractor. I would like to know what are the things to get sorted initially and how, 1) I have been asked to apply for an IRD number and GST - can anyone help how to go about this? The ird.gov.nz asks for an immigration visa application number when applying online - i dont have one and i am confused on how to go about this? 2) Which Bank should i choose for my bank account? I may go back to AU after this assignment, should i prefer anz, westpac over bnz, asb, kiwi etc? 3) any other tasks i should knock off asap? Click to expand... Hi,(1) Go to a post office to make an application for an IRD number. This is required so you pay the correct % of income tax.You can also download and print it off the IRD website here IRD number application - resident individual IR595 (Tax Agents) but you'll still need to take it to an AA shop or an NZ post shop with 2 forms of ID.Go here to register for a GST number GST registration IR360 (by service name) You won't have an immigration visa application number as you have not formally applied for a visa......your AUS PR gave you the right to complete the passenger card for an NZ Resident Visa at the border. I'd use the number on the Resident visa that you were given at the border. If there is no number than all you can do is leave it blank.(2) If you are to go back to AUS at some point then maybe choose a bank that operates in both countries.(3) Mobile phone. Register at a GP's. Insurance for car/contents/health. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A fizzy delicacy popular with Texans could be jeopardized if President Donald Trump enacts trade policies hostile to the U.S. southern neighbor. Coca-Cola bottled in Mexico, dubbed Mexican Coke, has gained popularity during the past decade as hipsters flocked to the drink with a sleek glass bottle and a reputation for using cane sugar instead of high-fructose corn syrup. The retro-looking beverage is ubiquitous in San Antonio and South Texas. Grocery stores, big-box retailers and convenience stores stock individual bottles in coolers and soda aisles. Trendy restaurants and food trucks order them lest they lose their hipster cred. But the sugary drink has long been in a mainstay in Latino communities in the U.S. Mexicans who know it much better than us, whove drank it their whole life versus corn syrup they swear by it, said La Gloria owner Johnny Hernandez. But supplies of the popular fizzy drink along with other sodas sweetened with Mexican cane sugar could be disrupted should the Trump administration pursue aggressive trade policies toward Mexico. A previous trade dispute forced at least one Texas soda manufacturer to switch to U.S. sugar. Austin-based Party Time Beverages had used Mexican cane sugar in its Doppleganger line of sodas, owner Joe Stanke said. The company supplies sodas to Torchys Tacos and Hopdoddy Burger Bar, both of which each have San Antonio locations, among other Austin-area restaurants. But in 2014, a spat between the U.S. and Mexico over prices of Mexican cane sugar disrupted his supply. Although the two nations eventually came to an agreement, we just bit the bullet and said, Were just going to get it in the states and pay more, Stanke said. The companys clients and customers didnt note a change in taste, he said. Although the Trump administration has backed away from a proposed 20 percent tariff on all Mexican goods imported to the U.S. to cover construction costs for the presidents touted border wall, a tax overhaul plan by House Republicans that would tax imports is still in play. The proposed overhaul of the corporate tax code would reward companies that sell products outside the U.S. while punishing ones that rely on low-cost overseas suppliers though its supporters say the tax would also lead to a stronger dollar, evening out those effects. The tax would be assessed at a 20 percent rate on imported goods sold domestically and would replace the current 35 percent corporate income tax. Major retailers many of which manufacture goods overseas because of low labor and production costs have come out against the border adjustment tax. If enacted, the House proposal would have profound implications for our guests and business; and at Target, we believe that anything that raises prices for families is not a good idea for America, a Target spokeswoman said after Trump met with retail CEOs on Wednesday. Its not clear whether Trump will include the border adjustment component in a tax reform package, but aides have said he is warming to the proposal. Trump also has signaled his intent to tweak parts of the North American Free Trade Agreement among the U.S., Mexico and Canada. During a joint White House appearance Monday with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Trump implied that Mexico would bear the brunt of those changes. We have a very outstanding trade relationship with Canada. Well be tweaking it, Trump said. We'll be doing certain things that are going to benefit both of our countries. It's a much less severe situation than what's taken place on the southern border." At least two companies Coca-Cola FEMSA, based in Mexico City, and Arca Continental handle Coca-Colas bottling operations south of the border. A spokeswoman for Coca-Cola, based in Atlanta, declined in an email to answer questions about whether the company has contingency plans should a trade war break out between the U.S. and Mexico, how many bottling plants the company uses in Mexico and whether the company has found any significant difference in taste between soda bottled in the U.S. and in Mexico. While Coca-Cola from Mexico sold in the U.S. continues to grow, it is minimal compared to the (overall) sales of Coca-Cola in the U.S., the spokeswoman said. 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. Hernandez said he switched his La Gloria restaurant near the Dominion development to 100 percent cane sugar soda products two years ago, in part because of demand from customers but also to experiment with different soda flavors. But he feels that as far as Mexican Coke goes, he believes the flavor may have less to do with whats in the bottle than the glass bottle itself. I think anything you drink out of a (glass) bottle tends to taste better, Hernandez said. Chris Conger, owner of the barbecue restaurant Smoke Shack, offers his customers a choice between the two. Smoke Shack sells six flavors of bottled soda including Mexican Coke and the same amount of canned soda. Curious about whether there was a difference, he conducted an informal blind tasting with four employees. Each employee, Conger said, preferred Coke bottled stateside to Mexican Coke. It (Mexican Coke) actually was not as carbonated, and the American Coke had more of a syrupy taste, Conger said. Nevertheless, his customers are split: Sales of each are roughly 50-50 each month, he said. I buy what I think is going to sell, Conger said. If Mexican Coke is the trend, thats what Im going to sell. jfechter@express-news.net Twitter: @JFreports The Washington Post and Bloomberg News contributed to this report. One day after President Ricardo Romo of the University of Texas at San Antonio was placed on leave after allegations related to possible misconduct, some students at the campus said they remained bewildered. Whenever I think of him, its smiling and happy. I feel like everybody holds him up here, said Kassy Robles, 19, holding her hand high above her head. Now Im wondering what he couldve done. Sources who have direct knowledge of the investigation said Romos leave might be related to a formal sexual harassment complaint filed against him. The sources said the move was connected to the firing of two people in the presidents office that could be viewed as retaliatory. The University of Texas System Chancellor William McRaven sent an email Tuesday afternoon alerting UTSA staff and faculty that Romo was being placed on administrative leave, effective immediately. Several sources said Sonia Martinez, Romos chief of staff, also was placed on leave, but it was not immediately clear why or what role she might have played. She could not be reached for comment. UTSA and UT System officials declined to specify the conduct thats under review. Romo said in a text message that he couldnt comment. Some students wondered how their leader, a man so well known for his charisma and school spirit, could be enmeshed in any type of wrongdoing. Im just in disbelief. Its just, how is that possible? Hes such a role model, said student Eric Apaez, who found out about Romos leave Wednesday evening. Im shocked. On Wednesday afternoon, the UTSA student government president Andrew Hubbard emailed the student body with words of support. It's important to remember, especially at times like these, that UTSA is more than any one individual, he said. We are a community of thousands of students and thousands more alumni and supporters. Together, we have made many achievements and we will continue to move forward as Roadrunners. In Romos absence, Pedro Reyes, special assistant to the chancellor and professor of education policy at the University of Texas at Austin, is serving as the acting UTSA president. Romo, 73, grew up in San Antonio. He attended Fox Tech High School before moving on to UT-Austin, where he was the first Texan to break the 4-minute-mile barrier. Hes an amazing guy, Apaez said. Hes overcome a lot of barriers. Growing up on the West Side? I mean, I grew up on the West Side. And for him to go from there to president of a major university in Texas, thats amazing. As UTSAs fifth president, Romo announced last fall that he planned to retire in August after 18 years at the helm. The national search for the next president is ongoing, according to the email sent to university faculty and staff. He was really well liked. Hes always around. Hes like the face of UTSA, said Cortney Holmes, 19, a sophomore. Ive only been here two years but at every event, he always tries to be present. Samuel Haley, 20, also a sophomore, chimed in: Its even to the point where Ive seen memes where they took Virgin Mary candles and put Romos face on it. Romo was UTSAs first Latino president, and largely is credited with transforming the university from a commuter school of about 18,000 students into an emerging Tier One institution with an enrollment nearing 30,000. Abel Gonzales, a graduate student who also works in outreach at UTSA, said that without further information, students, faculty and staff might speculate the worst, but he cautioned about making judgments too quickly against their president. I think people assume it was inappropriate, he said. But I think it might be good to figure out what exactly happened Gonzales, whos getting his masters in educational leadership, worried that Romos absence might leave some students feeling like the university has no direction. Apaez said hes always known Romo to be a respectable guy. On Wednesday afternoon, the UTSA student government president Andrew Hubbard emailed the student body words of support. It's important to remember, especially at times like these, that UTSA is more than any one individual. UTSA President Ricardo Romo, who was put on leave earlier this week pending a review of allegations related to his conduct, indicated Thursday that he expects to prove his innocence. I look forward to a speedy resolution and the clearing of my name, he said in a statement issued through his attorney Ricardo Cedillo in response to the article published by the San Antonio Express-News on Thursday. In the statement, the University of Texas at San Antonio president confirms hes the subject of a complaint brought against him by a university employee. Romo also said he complied with university officials in removing himself from his office for the time being. RELATED: UIW fires President Louis Agnese after controversial comments In accordance with university policy, I was requested to and I wholeheartedly agreed to be placed on administrative leave with pay pending this investigation, he said. While he did not give details about the complaint, sources say Romo's leave was connected to the firing of two people in his office that could be viewed as retaliatory. Sources who have direct knowledge of the investigation said the complaint against him was related to an allegation of sexual harassment. They also reported that Sonia Martinez, Romo's chief of staff, was placed on leave, but it was not clear why and she couldn't be reached for comment. RELATED: How San Antonio universities rank among Texas' best according to College Choice UTSA and UT System officials have declined to specify the conduct that is under review. In his statement Thursday, Romo indicated he has been bolstered by positive encouragement from the community. The outpouring of community support has been humbling and overwhelming, and my family and I will be forever grateful for the prayers and love being sent our way, he said. sfosterfrau@express-news.net This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A proposal to create a small, new historic district just west of the prestigious King William neighborhood south of downtown drew support Wednesday from the citys Historic and Design Review Commission, without any stated opposition. Rick Zertuche, a resident of the proposed Nathan Historic District who applied for the designation, said it could help the neighborhood retain its unique character. Documentation presented to the HDRC chronicled the areas ties to San Antonios origins, with part of the alignment of a mission-era water canal running through it, and development after advent of the railroads in the form of Queen Anne and Folk Victorian houses. I think we do need the protection against alterations and other changes that could diminish the neighborhoods historical ambiance, Zertuche told commissioners. Another neighborhood resident as well as a representative of the King William Association also spoke in favor of the designation, which would create San Antonios 28th historic district. The commission supported the designation, although two members said the city needs to budget more funds for compliance officers as the number of historic areas increases. The matter is expected to be heard by the Zoning Commission within 45 days, then presented to the City Council for approval. Documents prepared by the citys Office of Historic Preservation note the historic homes of the late 1800s and early 1900s in the proposed district, and the former alignment of part of the San Pedro Acequia, first constructed in 1718 and used for irrigation and drinking water for nearly 200 years. Neighboring King William became the first locally designated district in 1968, and was listed as a National Register Historic District four years later. The King William Association had sought a westward expansion of its historic district in 2010, initially seeking to grow by 140 parcels along and west of South Flores Street, according to news archives. But property owners opposed the move, even after the association downsized its proposed expansion. The proposed Nathan Historic District encompasses 68 contributing properties, including 27 designated landmarks. The city preservation office has identified two other pending historic districts and eight eligible districts in San Antonio whose designation could potentially raise the number of districts to 38. District designation initiates a zoning change that qualifies owners for tax incentives, while requiring them to seek approval prior to making exterior alterations. A statement of significance submitted to the HDRC said the comparatively modest houses in the area along Nathan Street reflect the economic status of trades and craft workers of the early 20th century in direct juxtaposition of the mansions built by the German merchant class in nearby King William. Construction of a railroad depot in 1885, eight years after the arrival of San Antonios first railroad, is believed to have driven the neighborhoods development. shuddleston@express-news.net Twitter: @shuddlestonSA A businessman who headed now-defunct Boerne-based Progreso Produce was sentenced Thursday to two years in prison for hiding assets in a bankruptcy related to his failed business. Last year, Curtis DeBerry, 55, pleaded guilty in a deal that capped his sentence at 24 months in prison, while his wife, Kathy Suzanne DeBerry, 54, agreed to probation as part of her sentence. Shes scheduled to be sentenced next week. Curtis DeBerry was indicted in 2014 and 2015 on charges of wire fraud, making false statements to a financial institution, bankruptcy fraud and money laundering, making false declarations in a bankruptcy proceeding and concealing assets in bankruptcy. Kathy DeBerry also faced five counts, including aiding and abetting her husband in concealing assets in bankruptcy. But as part of plea deals with the government, they each pleaded guilty to a single count of aiding and abetting each other to conceal assets during the bankruptcy. I accept full responsibility for my actions, DeBerry told U.S. District Judge Xavier Rodriguez. My goal was to pay full restitution as quickly as possible. The hearing turned into a three-way fight between DeBerrys lawyers, prosecutors and Elliott Cappuccio, a bankruptcy trustee trying to recover $16 million in claims filed by creditors. In the end, the judge appeared to stay within the confines of the plea agreement, giving DeBerry 24 months in prison and ordering $800,000 in restitution. Of that, $500,000 is to go to a man allegedly duped into investing in Progreso as it was sinking. The other $300,000 is to go to the trustee for distribution, Rodriguez ordered. Progreso Produce was started by DeBerrys father more than 40 years ago, and the younger DeBerry controlled it in more recent years. The company filed for Chapter 7 liquidation in early 2014. Before the filing, the FBI and the IRS alleged, DeBerry lied about deals with Mexican strawberry growers and with L&M Cos., based in Raleigh, North Carolina, to bring in financing and lure a potential buyer for the failing enterprise. He had also been accused of falsifying accounts receivable to secure about $7 million in refinancing, and agents claimed that he lied to a potential buyer of the company, pitting that buyer against nonexistent counteroffers to get a $500,000 down payment. As part of the plea deals, counts related to those allegations will be dismissed at sentencing. The bankruptcy-related charge the couple pleaded guilty to deals with 100,000 shares of stock worth about $200,000 that they did not list in bankruptcy disclosures. The judge allowed DeBerry to surrender by June 30. gcontreras@express-news.net Twitter: @gmaninfedland This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A Seattle resident who first came to the U.S. as a child may have been the first person arrested under President Donald Trump of an immigrant protected by an Obama-era order. Reuters reported Tuesday afternoon that 23-year-old Daniel Ramirez Medina was arrested last week in his father's Seattle home by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. He had no criminal record, according to the report. Ramirez Medina had a work permit and protection from deportation under former President Obama's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, established in 2012, according to documents filed in the U.S. District Court. RELATED: Federal agents conduct sweeping immigration enforcement raids in at least 6 states The officers gave no reason to Ramirez Medina upon his arrest, other than saying he wasn't born in this country, said Ethan Dettmer, a partner with law firm Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher and one of the attorneys representing Ramirez Medina. "We're sincerely hoping that this is a mistake and it's going to be rectified," Dettmer said. Ramirez Medina had been approved twice under DACA, according to the documents. Those protected under the program, often called Dreamers, gives them at least temporary rights to work in the U.S. and can help them eventually seek legal status. About 750,000 people in the U.S. are protected under DACA. RELATED: Immigrants wait in fear after raids; Trump takes credit In a statement issued Tuesday evening, ICE spokesperson Rose Richeson said Ramirez Medina was arrested for his "self-admitted" affiliation with a gang. "ICE officers took Mr. Ramirez into custody based on his admitted gang affiliation and risk to public safety," Richeson said in an emailed statement. Mark Rosenbaum, an attorney for Ramirez Medina, followed soon after with a statement saying otherwise. "Mr. Ramirez unequivocally denies being in a gang," Rosenbaum wrote. "While in custody, he was repeatedly pressured by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to falsely admit affiliation. The statement issued tonight by Ms. Richeson of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is inaccurate." Ramirez Medina was being held at the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma as of Tuesday afternoon. RELATED: AP FACT CHECK: Are immigration raids result of Trump policy? The officers had arrived at the home to arrest Ramirez Medina's father, who was a previously deported felon, according to the ICE statement. Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., issued a statement Tuesday evening calling for Ramirez Medina's "immediate" release. "President Trump's deportation force has struck our community and taken one of our own," Jayapal said in the statement. "It's unconscionable that Daniel, who trusted the government and registered under DACA, was picked up and sent to a detention center. Seattle stands with Daniel and we will not back down until he is free." Ramirez Medina on Monday filed a challenge to his detention -- a writ of habeas corpus -- arguing the arrest was a violation of his constitutional rights. "The agents who arrested and questioned Mr. Ramirez were aware that he was a DACA recipient, yet they informed him that he would be arrested, detained, and deported anyway, because he was not 'born in this country,'" attorneys wrote in the petition, filed in U.S. District Court. A hearing is set for Friday at U.S. District Court in Seattle. U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., tweeted about the case Tuesday afternoon: "It's unacceptable #DREAMERS who were brought to U.S. as kids & have grown up, gone to school here are being detained," she wrote. Trump has promised an end to the DACA program, created by executive order, but has only vaguely indicated that he might allow Dreamers to remain in the U.S. after the program is gone. Those who have obtained a work permit through the program have filed personal information with the federal government, including addresses and other information that could be used to find them. Obama had promised to use the information only for issuing work permits and Social Security cards. "But now, maybe Trump could use that information to track us down," said Dulce Siguenza, who works with the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project and is also protected by DACA, in a recent interview. A regional spokesperson for ICE did not immediately return requests for comment. Earlier Tuesday, the city of Seattle joined a broad coalition of 20 cities in opposition to detention of immigrants without due process. The 20 cities filed an amicus curiae, or friend of the court, brief with the U.S. Supreme Court, asking that the court uphold constitutional protections for those held in prolonged mandatory immigration detention. The brief was filed in a case asking the court to reaffirm an allowance for a bond hearing every six months for immigrants who are held long-term during deportation proceedings. Seattlepi.com reporter Lynsi Burton contributed to this report. Daniel DeMay covers Seattle culture, business and transportation for seattlepi.com. He can be reached at 206-448-8362 or danieldemay@seattlepi.com. Follow him on Twitter: @Daniel_DeMay. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Facing up to 99 years in prison for failing to get prompt medical attention for their dying 7-month-old child in December 2015, parents Qwalion Busby and Marquita Johnson wept and embraced Thursday when they heard a Bexar County jury had given them a probated 10-year sentence. Theyre not going to prison! said weeping family members whose arms remained locked and eyes closed as State District Judge Melisa Skinner read the decision. I am just so grateful, said Johnsons beaming mother, Patricia Henderson, surrounded by her grandchildren. I am ecstatic, said Busbys brother, Kalion. I was disappointed that the jury found them guilty, but with probation we can keep our families together. The parents had been out on bond during the six-day trial and then put in custody by Skinner upon their conviction Tuesday, with their bonds revoked. They will remain in the Bexar County jail until March 29, when Skinner will hear their pre-sentencing report and dictate the terms of their probation. Those terms could include up to 180 days in jail, said county probation officers. Skinner denied a request from Johnsons defense attorney, Linda Molina, that Johnson be placed back on a bond with a GPS tracking device on her ankle, as she was prior to the trial. Busby and Johnson were charged with the first-degree felony of serious bodily injury to a child by omission, which carries a five- to 99-year prison term. However, if the term is 10 years or shorter, probation is permitted, and thats what the jury sought. Their child, Naeem, weighing just 11.6 pounds, died Dec. 23, 2015, after an untreated middle ear infection grew into a massive bacterial infection, or sepsis, and meningitis, which experts testified likely caused his skin, hair, weight and breathing problems. The couple did not believe in using traditional doctors and Johnson testified that Naeem, who was shown in numerous trial photos as happy and playful with relatives, had not seen a doctor until the parents called 911 when he had respiratory problems. But the lack of a definitive and believable timeline for the emergence of dire symptoms, the awareness of family witnesses and the emergency response of the parents apparently troubled the jury. By all accounts, the defenses most impressive witness, Minnesota pediatric disease specialist Dr. Ralph Faville, created reasonable doubt among jurors about any months-long deliberate neglect when he said Naeems rampaging auto-immune deficiency crisis could have exploded in 24 to 36 hours. He dismissed prosecution assurances that any responsible caregiver would have spotted all the symptoms of infection long before the child died. We took a very long time to consider this, said juror David Vaudrin. There were inconsistencies in the timeline throughout the trial. We were very careful. Jury foreman Michael Dewar, like his colleagues drained by hours of complex medical testimony and emotional family scenes, said the unanimous decision to put the parents on probation indicated that the panel believed Busby and Johnson were basically very good people who just made a series of bad decisions. The parents made poor choices, agreed juror Joseph Rodriquez, but there was never any malice. Prosecutor Kristina Escalona, who has handled numerous child abuse cases during her six years with the Bexar County District Attorneys office, said she trusted the jury process and respected its decision. Barely an hour before the verdict, Escalona implored the jury with a stern voice: If you give them probation, you are giving them trust, the communitys trust.You do not get a free pass (for the childs death), even if youre a good parent, or even if youre a veteran. Busby and Johnson college-educated homeowners, with backgrounds in law enforcement, pharmacology and (for Busby) six years in the Air Force were portrayed by Escalona and her second-chair, Melissa Saenz, as unnaturally calm to the point of being emotionally detached both during their childs 911 crisis and in the trial. But Johnson burst into tears during her surprise testimony earlier in the week. I remember when Naeem began to `code at the hospital, she said, trembling. He had a tube down his throat. Somebody said atropine (a drug that might be used in cardiac arrest). Then all of us prayed together and the doctor walked out and said, `We did everything we could do. We later all went to the house and cried and thats when I had to explain to my two older children that their little brother would not be coming home. Equally stoic, Busby never testified in his defense. A Child Protective Services caseworker testified earlier in the week that even after his sons death, Busby had mentioned to CPS that he would probably not take his two older children to traditional doctors. Escalona reminded the jury of this, cautioning against giving the couple probation. The couple says they have practiced a homeopathic lifestyle in their Converse-area home. Johnson testified Naeem was breastfed, never saw a doctor and she treated Naeems skin rashes with essential oils, aloe vera and oatmeal baths. The couples older children, ages 6 and 13, who have seen doctors sparingly, are by all accounts healthy and were often outside the courtroom playing and working on homework. Sources familiar with the CPS proceedings said the prosecution had wanted no visitation between the parents and their older children, and that prosecutors successfully prevented that for months until Judge Skinner allowed family-supervised visits in December. I really enjoyed dealing with their children, said San Antonio attorney Sally Justice, a family court veteran who was appointed to represent the children in CPS matters. They are very articulate, polite and intelligent. Obviously someone has done an excellent job of parenting. Though the loss of their brother has been devastating, Justice continued, Im very happy they wont be losing their parents to any incarceration time. In early December, the younger child said that all he wanted for Christmas was to see his parents. bselcraig@express-news.net This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate This session, the Texas Senate has prioritized a bill that purports to ease the property tax burden by limiting the services a city could provide its residents, yet another instance of state lawmakers trying to usurp local control. And supporters of Senate Bill 2 have found an unlikely enabler in Manuel Medina, a candidate for mayor whose support for the legislation runs counter to the interests of a city he wants to lead. Mayor Ivy Taylor has an idea why. The only thing that I can offer is that he has absolutely no experience at the city level knowing what kind of services people want and need in their neighborhoods and how to manage and stretch taxpayer dollars, she said. He has absolutely no experience in that. As chairman of the Bexar County Democratic Party, Medina does have experience in channeling populist energy. He proved this in his response to Taylors remark. I might not have attended an Ivy League school like Mayor Taylor, but I did earn a graduate degree in electrical engineering from the University of Texas at Austin, he retorted. Medina is running as a populist, but the property tax debate requires practical analysis. The city accounts for only about 20 percent of the average property tax bill. School districts, meanwhile, make up nearly half. If the state provided better funding for education, tax bills would be lower. Senate Bill 2 doesnt address that problem, nor does it tackle rising property valuations. (A cynic might wonder if thats because formulas allow the state to pay less for education as local school property tax values increase.) Instead, the legislation would trigger an automatic election if city and county officials propose a 4 percent increase in property tax revenues. Under current law, revenue growth is capped at 8 percent. To justify his support for eroding local control, Medina argued that forcing an election is simply a purer form of it: Its giving the voter the right not the mayor, not the city council. State Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, the author of Senate Bill 2, is milking Medinas support. This month, he devoted an entire press release to it, titled, Property Tax Relief and Reform Act, SB 2, Picks Up a Bipartisan Backer. Medina voiced support for the enactment of Sen. Bettencourts SB 2, calling the measure fiscally responsible and saying there needs to be limits on the growth of local government revenue, the press release stated. Had a 4 percent revenue cap been state law for the past decade, it would have cost the city nearly $300 million and saved the average resident only about $4 a month. Taylor compared that dollar amount to a meal at McDonalds. It really doesnt provide relief for taxpayers, she said. Its not real relief. Medina called that sort of relief a good beginning. And he accused Taylor of opposing the legislation because shes got too many six-figure salaries to fund and pet projects to finance. (Cue the populist outrage.) The mayors of all 27 suburban cities in Bexar County have joined Taylor in opposing the legislation. In a letter to Texas House Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, the Greater Bexar County Council of Cities warned that such a bill could limit a municipalitys ability to provide essential services to its residents, particularly emergency and public works services, while doing little to ease the tax burden on property owners. (The mayors signed on to the letter.) District 8 Councilman Ron Nirenberg also is running to unseat the mayor. Like Taylor, hes more of a planner than a politician, someone to whom nuances matter. I dont support (Senate Bill 2) because its a gimmick, he told me, and it doesnt address the real need for property tax appraisal reform. Why would any mayoral candidate support legislation that would slash resources for residents and erode local control while offering negligible property tax relief? I think because (Medina) actually doesnt need to make a decision on it, Nirenberg said, and its a way he thinks he can score some cheap political points. bchasnoff@express-news.net Exactly two years ago, we knew we were heading into a down cycle in the dairy industry following the major high of 2014. How well each farm would fare through the coming years of substantially lower milk prices would be heavily influenced by the financial health of the farm going in. Cash or near-cash reserves would be tapped. Cash is cash, but what is near-cash? Here, we are looking at the current assets (CA) of the farm business. These include cash, savings, pre-paid expenses, accounts receivable, crop and feed inventories, supplies, and any market livestock such as bull calves and steers all items that will be used in the coming year to produce crops and milk. How do we evaluate the farms cash position, or liquidity the ability to buy what is necessary to grow crops, make milk and pay the bills when they are due? Three simple measures: current ratio, working capital, and working capital to gross income. These are calculated using a farms balance sheet and income statement. Real farms numbers At the time, we looked at data from the 35 Ohio dairy farms that had completed an analysis of their 2013 business year with the Ohio Farm Business Analysis and Benchmarking Program. Now we can compare 2013 with the years that followed. Table 1 shows what we expected of dairy farms in 2014. Working capital increased, as did the current ratio. Going into 2015, the 38 farms that participated in 2014 had an average current ratio of 2.53, or $2.53 of current assets for every $1 of current liabilities. This would be considered a strong position. Working capital increased, however working capital to gross income did not. Why? Even though working capital increased (which is simply total current assets less total current liabilities), gross revenues were extremely high in 2014, simply because the milk price was at a record high. 2015 was a bad year What happened next? 2015s numbers are, not surprisingly, disappointing as they reflect the challenges faced by dairy farmers. Current ratio dropped below 2 to 1.67, or $1.67 of current assets for every dollar of current liabilities. Working capital declined further, averaging $250,564, and working capital to gross income plummeted to 13.6 percent. It is important to note that while many of the same farms participate in the program each year, new farms enter and a few farms exit the program each year. What impact did 2016 have on these numbers? Farms are currently wrapping up their 2016 business year information and completing their 2016 analyses. These numbers will be finalized early this summer. Know your numbers Current ratio, working capital, and working capital to gross returns. These are important, basic numbers that each farm should know for their farm business. If your current system does not allow this sort of analysis, now is prime time to join the Ohio Farm Business and Benchmarking program. Visit http://farmprofitability.osu.edu to view past analyses and find out more about Ohios program. Contact us to talk about what would work well for your farm at 330-533-5538 or shoemaker.3@osu.edu. URBANA, Ill. Viruses are everywhere. They affect all forms of life, from complex mammals down to the mere fungus. We may not give much thought to fungal viruses, or mycoviruses, but new research from the University of Illinois suggests they deserve a closer look. Theres been a lot of work done with human and animal and plant viruses. There isnt as much known about fungal viruses or insect viruses, because if they get infected with a virus, no one cares, explains U of I and USDA ARS virologist Leslie Domier. Reasons to care It turns out there are good reasons to care about mycoviruses. Fungal diseases account for approximately 10 percent yield losses annually in corn and soybean. When certain mycoviruses infect those fungi, they can become less virulent good news for crop yields. These forms were the targets of a recent investigation by Domier and his colleagues. In addition to viruses that make fungi less virulent, we were also looking for those that might be transmitted outside of the fungus the way a cold virus is transmitted, where you can pick it up off a surface without having direct contact with another person. Therefore, we were particularly interested in viruses that were encapsidated, or that formed virus particles, Domier explained. The team extracted genetic material, DNA and RNA, from five major types of plant-pathogenic fungi and used computers to search for genetic sequences that resembled those of known viruses. We found a lot of sequences that were very similar to previously described fungal viruses, but we also found some encapsidated forms that were similar to plant viruses. Those were the ones we were most interested in, because they reduce fungal virulence and can be transmitted outside the fungus, he said. This key combination may make it possible for these viruses to be used as biological control agents. Control agents Some mycoviruses have been shown in laboratory or greenhouse studies to be very effective biocontrol agents, Domier said. One day, the encapsidated forms they discovered may be sprinkled on a field to kill pathogenic fungi and improve soybean yield. Interestingly, the research could also improve medical treatment options for human fungal diseases. The biochemical pathways in fungi are relatively close to humans, so its often difficult to find something that will kill a fungus and not damage the person, Domier said. Ultimately, we are hoping to explore whether we can use mycoviruses to reduce the severity of human disease to the point where normal immune response could clear the disease from the body. COLUMBUS The Ohio Department of Natural Resources is hosting several family-friendly events during the remainder of February. Here are some to add to your calendars: Wildlife Invasion at Mohican State Park: Get a closer look at some of Ohios wild animals skins and skulls. Meet at the lodge on Friday, Feb. 17, from 7:30-8:30 p.m. For more information, call 419-994-5125, ext. 20. Great Backyard Bird Count at Lake Hope State Park: Try your hand at some citizen science. Help the naturalist identify and count birds at the nature center feeders at Lake Hope State Park on Saturday, Feb. 18, and Sunday, Feb. 19, both days from 9 a.m. until noon. Information gathered will be part of National Audubon Societys annual bird count to help create real-time snapshots of bird populations around the country and the world. Beginners and experts welcome. Some binoculars and identification books available to use. For more information, call 740-596-4938. Owl Walk at Mohican State Park: Welcome to an evening all about owls in Ohio Feb. 18, and Saturday, Feb. 25, from 8-10 p.m. Meet at the Nature Center in the Class A campground for a program and a short hike. Call 419-994-5125, ext. 20, to sign up. The walk will be easy to moderate. Bird Walk at Mohican State Park: Meet at the Mohican State Park Lodge lobby on Sunday, Feb. 19, at 10 a.m. and take a leisurely walk to view various birds in and around the lake. People may want to bring binoculars if they have them. This is an easy path with some steps. For more information, call 419-994-5125, ext. 20. Great Backyard Bird Count at Maumee Bay State Park: Join a naturalist at the Trautman Nature Center at Maumee Bay State Park Feb. 19, from 12-4 p.m. for Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Societys Great Backyard Bird Count. Basic birding information will be provided. For more information, call 419-836-7758. Owl Prowl at Burr Oak State Park: Hocking Hills State Park naturalist Pat Quackenbush will lead this program at Burr Oak State Park Feb. 23, which starts in the lodge with a presentation. Then participants will head outside for a hike to call for owls. The lodge will offer soup beans and cornbread for purchase prior to the program. Complimentary hot chocolate will be served. Meet at the Burr Oak State Park Lodge at 6:30 p.m., event will last until 8:30 p.m. For more information, call 740-767-3570. Night Hike at Mohican State Park: Enjoy a night hike at Mohican State Park Feb. 24, from 7:30-8:30 p.m. Meet at the Hemlock Gorge Trailhead located at the back of Camp Area A. For more information, call 419-994-5125, ext. 20. Ohio Boating Education Class at Shawnee State Park: This eight-hour course Feb. 2 runs from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at Shawnee State Park at the marina. The course meets Ohios boating education law, and may also qualify boaters for a discount on boat owners insurance. Call 740-353-7668 to register. Winter Hike at Caesar Creek State Park: Start at the Wellman Meadows Trailhead parking lot at Caesar Creek State Park Feb. 25, from 10 a.m. until noon for a self-guided hike to Horseshoe Falls and a 103-foot-long swinging bridge. Warm up with a nice soup lunch at the nature center before going on to Crawdad Falls. For more information, call the nature center at 513-897-2437. Winter Greens at Boch Hollow State Nature Preserve: On Feb. 25, from 1-4 p.m. take a 2-mile hike from forest bottom to ridgetop and in field and forest settings. Beginners and experienced naturalists are welcome. Meet at 1 p.m. at the Boch Hollow office, 7211 Bremen Road, Logan. For more information, contact Lauren Metcalf at lauren.metcalf@dnr.state.oh.us or 740-380-8918. Woodpecker Wanderings at Burr Oak State Park: Bring your binoculars for this event Feb. 25, from 2-4 p.m. Meet in the lodge lobby. For more information, call 740-767-3570. Polar Bear Plunge at Lake Milton State Park: Raise money for the American Cancer Society by running or walking into the cold waters of Lake Milton State Park Feb. 25, from 2-5 p.m. Minimum donation of $25 per team. Meet at the Harry Meshel Picnic Area of the park. An event description is available at: facebook.com/brrforacure. For more information, call 330-654-4989. LONDON, Ohio Proper seed placement, along with applying just the right amount of fertilizer needed to maximize yields while saving money, will be the focus of the daylong Planter University workshop offered Feb. 28 by the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences at Ohio State University. The workshop, held at Becks Hybrids, 720 U.S. 40 in London, will offer farmers a hands-on opportunity to learn more about advancements in planter technology as well as hear directly from researchers and experts on the issues, said John Fulton, precision agriculture specialist for Ohio State University Extension. Planter setup Fulton, who is also an associate professor in the colleges Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, said the event will also offer participants practical information and knowledge about planters, including setup and technology to improve a planters operation. Our focus for this event is on farmers and agronomists that support farmers when it comes to decisions around the planting operation, he said. Well provide information to help them with obtaining peak operating performance of the planter. This information could be vital to a farmers bottom line, considering the expense of seed costs today and the need to ensure proper seed placement to gain the highest yield potential, Fulton said. We have farmers today that are spending a significant amount of money on their seed purchases, so it has become even more critical that they are able to plant at the right depth while avoiding compaction or other issues that could negatively impact uniformity of emergence and yield, he said. Growers also want to be as efficient as possible with placing fertilizer. Topics covered Workshop topics will include planter setup for maximizing yield potential, unmanned aerial vehicles and imagery for planting evaluations, precision planting seed and nutrient placement, managing compaction, and electronic drive technology. The workshop is from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. The event will also feature 15 vendors focused on planting operations. Several varieties of planters will be on site, including representatives from Case IH, John Deere and Precision Agri Service. Registration for Planter University is $50 and includes the program, handouts, lunch and refreshments. For more information or to register, contact Fulton at 937-484-1526 or 740-852-0975. The deadline to register is Feb. 20. More information can also be found at go.osu.edu/PlanterU. In congressional testimony today, Wisconsin Farm Bureau President Jim Holte, told the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee current Endangered Species Act enforcement fails to provide adequate incentives for species conservation on working lands and, instead, imposes far-reaching regulatory burdens on agriculture. Congress intended for the ESA to protect species from extinction, but even after species have recovered, regulations and litigation often fail to allow them to be removed from protected status. According to Holte, a member of the American Farm Bureau Federation Board of Directors, the law is ripe for reform because it places a priority on keeping species listed rather than carrying out actual work related to recovery and habitat conservation. Reform of the ESA should include a focus on species recovery and habitat conservation that respects landowners, Holte told senators. Coordination with state wildlife agencies to leverage private, incentive-based conservation efforts can better achieve long-term conservation goals. Holte, a beef and grain farmer from Elk Mound, Wisconsin, said that in his state regulatory action related to one species in particular, the gray wolf, is having adverse effects on many farmers. In addition to sharing statistics about Wisconsins wolf population, Holte shared one of many stories about how an attack by the predator species resulted in the gruesome loss of a dairy cow by Ryan and Cheri Klussendorf. As a result, the Klussendorfs now keep their herd within 200 feet of their farmyard at night, and calves are no longer put on pasture. The costs have been burdensome but the emotional toll and increased stress on the family and animals has been tremendous, Holte said, noting that the family cannot legally protect their herd with a firearm in the event of a wolf attack. Click here to see more... Warrenton, VA (20186) Today Showers in the morning, then cloudy in the afternoon. High near 75F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight A few clouds from time to time. Low 62F. Winds light and variable. In an effort to reduce the lines at the Prince William landfill and compost facility, now that both are closed on Sundays, the county is encouraging residents who regularly visit such faciliti Fayetteville woman says anti-abortion laws hurt her mom, then herself Judy Pittard said her and her mother's pregnancy complications that required abortions were made worse by the decisions of "old men in big buildings." Donald Trump considers to quit the nuclear deal with Iran. This could lead to a new war in the Middle East. There are better alternatives. An Iranian cleric walk in a street in Tehran Bild: EPA/REX/Shutterstock The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action concluded in July 2015 between Iran, the P5+1 and the EU resulted in the lifting of economic sanctions on Iran and was a major success for multilateralism. The benefits seemed clear: painstaking diplomatic engagement had triumphed over hostility in defusing the Iranian nuclear programme crisis. A catastrophic war and further regional instability has been prevented. Iran-US enmity had ostensibly thawed after more than three decades of seemingly irreconcilable differences, creating a significant opportunity for not only Tehran-Washington rapprochement, but also improved relations between Iran and the rest of the world. In the past year, Irans trade with the EU alone has increased by over 60%, a figure that is still growing, and sanction relief, to date, has translated into USD $11bn in foreign direct investment. Mehr zum Thema 1/ It is therefore puzzling to observe trends emerging from the new administration in Washington aimed at undermining the agreement. The recent imposition of new sanctions risks unravelling the Iran Deal in toto. It also alienates the other architects of the accord, including European and Russian partners. Continued engagement by the P5+1 and EU with Iran remains crucial to ensure the agreement is insulated from ideologically driven assaults, and stays true to the mutually beneficial strategic imperatives that formed the basis of that successful multilateral accord. Undermining the nuclear deal would constitute a major setback for regional stability and increase the likelihood of a devastating regional war a war that would make the Syrian catastrophe and the ensuing refugee crisis a walk in the park by comparison. The Iran Deal, however, offers much more. It can present a first step towards a sustainable regional security architecture for the Middle East. Heres an inexcusable oddity: while the Middle East is one of the worlds most strategically significant and conflict-ridden regions, it lacks the necessary institutions and mechanisms to discuss, manage, and adequately respond to security crises. The regions chaotic security order needs a reset. The Iran Deal may offer that opportunity. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action is proof that Iran is a pragmatic actor and can be a partner in moving the region towards greater regional security. As early as 2010, I presented different scenarios for how the Middle East can move toward a new regional security order, arguing the adoption of mechanisms for dialogue and trust-building measures would be a crucial first step towards creating a region-wide security framework. The regions security culture and norms could then over time create the conditions for the start of formal collective defence security discussions and negotiations. In the immediate term, the lowest-hanging fruit is the creation of an annual regional summit for security dialogue in the Middle East. Such an indigenously conceived forum is desperately needed in the region. This forum can be hosted on a rotating basis in different capitals across the region. Core agenda items could include a credible, region-wide response to the threat of ISIS, cross-border terrorism, sectarianism, and internally displaced populations. To be sure, the Iran Deal offers an opening for regional diplomacy. With the participation of major actors at the table, thorny questions like tensions between Persian Gulf littoral states, the Syrian conflict, the rise of ISIS, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and, in time, a Middle East that is free of weapons of mass destruction, can be tackled. So as to cajole the parties to work towards a common security vision, the proposed discussions must be rooted in the founding principles of the UN Charter i.e. prohibition against the use of force, peaceful settlement of disputes, non-interference in the sovereign affairs of states or the Decalogue in the Helsinki Final Act (1975). Equally important will be the support of the UN, the P5+1 and the EU for such regional endeavours. Indeed, the architects of the Iran Deal should build on that successful precedent to continue to broker the regions security arrangements and institutions through multilateralism. Irrefutably, a more stable and secure Middle East is vital to the security of Europe and beyond. The Middle East is host to alarmingly frequent hot wars with devastating losses in blood and national treasure. The existing regional order is not only highly volatile, but increasingly inching toward collapse. It is, alas, a region with countless instances of mass atrocities. The carnage in Iraq, Syria, Libya and Yemen in the last decade alone are cases in point. These challenges must incentivise the regions states, with the support of external actors, to commit to serious diplomatic engagement on regional security. Open and comprehensive dialogue is indispensable to brokering peace, reconciling differences and working towards greater regional cohesion. The vision of a shared future in the Middle East, or at a minimum, a less ruthless regional security landscape is possible. Let us have faith in the belief that to dare the seemingly impossible in the pursuit of peace is to inch ever closer to its attainment. What happens when recovered assets that were stolen by kleptocrats are not simply returned to the government currently in power, but used to benefit victims of corruption the poor? What if the mechanism to return these assets is a foundation, monitored by civil society activists as well as a multilateral finance institution like the World Bank? What if such a foundation not only existed, but provided a tested model, complete with external evaluations, annual audits, and first-hand accounts that demonstrated that more than $100 million was returned accountably, transparently and with great impact? Such a foundation did indeed exist, the BOTA Foundation in Kazakhstan, which was active for five and a half years, from 2009 2014. Readers of the FCPA Blog are likely aware of BOTA. Andy Spalding has posted several times about why BOTA is important and how it could be an important precedent for future corruption settlements, and in 2015 I cooperated with Andy to produce an extended series on BOTA. Over the last year, the success BOTA had was recognized in the New York Times and the Financial Times. A recent op-ed piece in the Washington Post called for the BOTA model to be replicated in Uzbekistan, in connection with the return of almost one billion dollars linked to the Karimova case. Discussions between the DOJ and Government of Uzbekistan have had going on for several months on how that money will be returned and used. What was BOTAs history and what made it successful? What were its chief lessons for new foundations that could be established to return recovered corruption assets? These questions, and much more, were explored on a new case study on BOTA which I wrote and was recently published in association with the Philanthropication through Privatization (PtP) Project, led by Professor Lester Salamon of Johns Hopkins University. I will summarize BOTAs beginnings, key success factors and lessons it provides in the case study in the next three` blog posts. For those who cannot wait and wish to download The BOTA Foundation: A Model for the Safe Return of Stolen Assets? please click here. ____ Aaron Bornstein was the Executive Director of BOTA Foundation, employed by a Washington, D.C. based NGO called IREX, from 2011 until its close in 2014. He has worked in eight different countries on a variety of anti-corruption, institution building, poverty alleviation, and other projects. Currently available for new consulting assignments or speaking engagements on stolen asset return, Aaron can be contacted here. The best thing that's ever happened to me was meeting my wife, Caroline. We've been married over 47 years, and have 4 children and 8 grandchildren. I am very, very fortunate. My Mum took me to church when I was small, and I grew up wanting to be a vicar (sad child!). I never became one. A curate for just 2 years, then a school chaplain (at Eton!), followed by teaching at a theological college in Salisbury, and finally a post at Chester Cathedral. No regrets! When I was a chaplain at Eton, my nick-name was, inevitably, the Rev Trev. I loved teaching OT studies at Salisbury, and invariably preached on the OT reading. I used to refer to the NT as 'The Appendix'. I got down to serious study of the Gospels when I moved to Chester Cathedral and found to my horror that they didn't have an OT reading at the main Sunday service. So I bought lots of books on Jesus, and some multi-volume commentaries and started reading - and I was hooked. The Gospel writers were brilliant storytellers, and this book has emerged from my continuing fascination with them. One of the best things about writing about the Bible is suddenly seeing new things in a passage that is so familiar, asking questions you haven't asked before, or making fresh connections. I was surprised myself by some of the conclusions I drew in this book - but very excited. There's lots of wonderful scholarship out there, which never normally darkens the doors of our churches. For this book I was particularly stimulated by the writings of some Jewish scholars. I go to my parish church one Sunday and Quaker Meeting the next. The Quaker silence means a great deal to me, and our not being constrained by doctrine. Being a Quaker is very challenging. My first girlfriend was studying music and introduced me when I was in my teens to the music of Benjamin Britten. I still have a passion for it. I've been to several performances of his 'War Reqiuem', and at the end there's always a long, long silence before the applause explodes. The work is a towering masterpiece and it brings me to tears. I am devoted also to the work of Rembrandt, who shows me what it is to be human and takes me deep into the heart of God. Britten and Rembrandt are among my greatest saints. I watch birds. So many memories: sitting on a Wiltshire hillside with one nightingale in full song in one ear and a second nightingale in full song in the other - the most beautiful sounds I have ever heard; being in a small boat off the Pembrokeshire coast one summer's evening, surrounded by tens of thousands of Manx shearwaters, filling the sea and the sky - they take the art of flying to a new level, do shearwaters. The theological college at Salisbury taught me to be completely honest in my teaching and preaching of the Bible, and in my writing about it: to celebrate its many glories with gusto, but never to defend the indefensible. It helps me, too, that Caroline is not a Christian. She is immensely supportive of my work, but she keeps me grounded and has stopped me being consumed by the Church. Trevor Denniss brand new book The Gospel Beyond the Gospels is out on Thursday 16th February. Pre-order it here today: http://www.eden.co.uk/shop/the-gospel-beyond-the-gospels-4435480.html Trevor Dennis Amanda Bynes claims she is being impersonated on Twitter. Amanda Bynes The 30-year-old actress took to the micro-blogging site to claim that someone had gained access to her private Instagram account and had posted on Twitter pretending to be her, alleging that she was pregnant and engaged. She wrote: "I am not @persianla27. I am not getting married and I am not pregnant. I don't understand why twitter won't take @persianla27 down. "I have asked repeatedly. This person continues to impersonate and harass me and twitter needs to take the account down. "I repeat: I am not @persianla27. She got into my private instagram somehow and took all my photos and videos (sic)." The account, which Amanda accused of impersonating her, later tweeted: " I've been forced to deny this account to prevent them from having me committed against my will. AGAIN! "This is just another ploy & scare tactic for them to keep my money FOREVER (sic)." Last year, Amanda - who was previously placed under a conservatorship and endured stints in rehab and psychiatric facilities - returned to Twitter after a six-month break and explained that she has been busy studying fashion at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles. She tweeted: "Hi everybody! I haven't tweeted in a long time and I want to say hi! I've been really busy at FIDM, and I just finished my midterms. "I am really loving school and I feel that I am learning a lot. I enjoy all of my classes and my teachers are excellent. "I'm really appreciative of all that FIDM is giving me. I've been in school learning about the fashion business so I don't have time to tweet "FYI, this Twitter account is the only communication media that I am using. "No other Twitter accounts or websites are mine! I only have this one. (sic) The 'Easy A' actress returned to the fashion school in October 2015 after reportedly being kicked out the year before. She allegedly turned up to class under the influence of marijuana and offered students money to do her homework. The actress, who was released from a psychiatric facility in October 2014 after less than a month of treatment, was arrested for Driving Under the Influence [DUI] in 2012, but avoided jail time by completing inpatient treatment and was placed on three years' probation in early 2014. Amanda was also arrested for a DUI in the early hours of September 28, 2014 but the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office opted not to press charges "after much deliberation and review". She was placed under the conservatorship of her mother Lynn in August 2013 after she set fire to a driveway. Ashton Kutcher teared up at a senate hearing on Wednesday (15.02.17) as he called for an end to child sexual exploitation. Ashton Kutcher The 39-year-old actor told the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee in Washington that it was time for "society and government" to defend vulnerable people and revealed he has been exposed to things "no person should ever see". Ashton, who married Hollywood actress Mila Kunis in 2015, said: "The right to pursue happiness for so many is stripped away, it's raped, it's abused, it's taken by force." Ashton said more must be done to protect against sexual exploitation over the internet. He explained: "Technology can be used to enable slavery, but it can also be used to disable slavery." The 'Jobs' actor was speaking at the hearing as the chairman of Thorn, which develops software to locate victims of abuse, and Ashton said his determination to tackle the problem was being driven by what he'd witnessed. Ashton also admitted his organisation had been approached by authorities to help identify online perpetrators using new technology. But, he said: "We were the last line of defence - an actor and his foundation." Ashton is among Hollywood's most passionate campaigners on a number of social issues and in 2015, he took to Facebook to bemoan the lack of diaper changing tables in men's toilets. The actor - who has a two-year-old daughter called Wyatt and a two-month-old son called Dimitri with his wife - created a petition to encourage more companies to "provide universally accessible changing tables in their stores". On his Facebook page, Ashton wrote: "It seems this idea of diaper changing stations has struck a chord. It's a pet peeve of mine when people just complain about s**t and don't do anything to improve their condition. So lets do something. In for equality? Pass it on - #LeanInTogether (sic)" Pet Shop Boys received the Godlike Genius award at the VO5 NME Awards 2017 in London on Wednesday (15.02.17). Pet Shop Boys' Neil Tennant Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe took home the top prize at the awards ceremony at London's O2 Academy Brixton and praised their collaborators for their long-lasting success. Neil said: "Little did I know when I started reading the NME as a child in the mid-60s, that one day we would stand here as an electronic duo getting such a magnificent award. "Our career has been such a huge collaboration with producers, programmers, remixers and I would just like to thank every one of them - and accept this on behalf of electronic music, dance music and shiny pop music. Thank you very much." Earlier, while introducing the pair, Johnny Marr said: "The winners of this award have changed pop music, over three decades, with hit after hit after hit. They brought romance, glamour, style, high art to the wonderful thing that is pop music." Neil and Chris first met in 1981 and went on to have 22 Top 10 singles and 13 Top 10 studio albums. They wowed the crowd at the awards with a set which included their hits 'Vocal', 'Sodom & Gomorrah', 'It's A Sin', 'Left To My Own Devices', 'West End Girls', 'Domino Dancing' and 'Always On My Mind'. Other winners included The 1975, who took home the award for Best Live Band, and frontman Matt Healy mentioned that they had previously won Worst Band in 2014. He said: "Thank you. Stop talking. Listen. This our second NME Award. The first time we were the sh***est band. Now it's for being good, so I don't know what that proves. I don't think it proves anything, I think it proves that...hey listen Mike (Williams) came out this evening and he said if you're an artist, we have a duty to make pop music didactic. "I know this is unfashionable and boring and no-one really gives a f**k but everything is f***ed. And if your music isn't purposefully informative, then there's no point to it. So let's make sure that we do that. Thank you." Bastille, Dua Lipa and the Bands4Refugees supergroup were among the other performers on the night. NME Awards 2017 - Full list of winners Best British Band supported by Zig-Zag: Biffy Clyro Best International Band supported by Austin, Texas - Live Music Capital Of The World: Metallica Best British Male supported by Pilot Pen Company: Skepta Best British Female: MIA Best International Male supported by VO5: Frank Ocean Best International Female supported by VO5: Christine & The Queens Best New Artist supported by TOPMAN: Dua Lipa Best Album supported by HMV: Bastille - 'Wild World' Best Track supported by Red Stripe: Christine And The Queens - 'Tilted' Best Live Band supported by Nikon: The 1975 Best Video: Slaves - 'Consume Or Be Consumed' Best Festival supported by ID&C: Glastonbury Best Music Film: Oasis: Supersonic Best TV Series supported by Domino's: Fleabag Best Film: My Scientology Movie Music Moment Of The Year: Coldplay's Viola Beach tribute at Glastonbury Best Festival Headliner: Adele Best Small Festival: End Of The Road Villain Of The Year: Nigel Farage Hero Of The Year: Beyonce Worst Band: 5 Seconds Of Summer Best Reissue: Oasis - 'Be Here Now' If you are a foodie like Parineeti Chopra, then you simply must explore Dubais delightful cuisines, especially during the upcoming Dubai food festival. The charming actor tucked into a variety of delicacies at the finest restaurants and the best food trucks of Dubai. If you are drooling over her gastronomic journey, the best time to visit is during the Dubai food festival. On day 1 of her trip to Dubai, Parineeti decided to try out the food trucks at Kite beach. After having her fill of delicious fried chicken sandwiches and warm pancakes, she and her friend enjoyed a nice walk on the beach. Your first day in Dubai is sorted too! Bollywood actress and entrepreneur Shilpa Shetty Kundra will attend a women's empowerment gala in the US. Shilpa on Monday took to Twitter, where she shared a poster of the event and also the tour dates. The actress will be starting her tour from Febuary 26, and it will end on March 26. "Ok America here I come... Starting with Orlando... Looking forward," Shilpa captioned the poster. The poster also read: "Celebrating Women's Day and creating awareness for various non-profit organizations." International Women's Day falls on March 8. On the work front, Shilpa was last seen on the small screen judging children dance-based reality show. She was co-judging the show with director Anurag Basu and choreographer Geeta Kapoor. Anavila Misra, whose efforts in reviving traditional techniques have contributed considerably to employment generation for weavers across the country, speaks toabout the scope and need for sustainability in the production of saris. Sustainable textiles is paving its own way in the fashion industry. There is no dearth for innovation while working on sustainability textiles, according to fashion designer Anavila Misra, well known for making organic saris that are also sustainable while being trendy at the same time. Misra is famous for weaving textiles with various organic yarns in natural dyes. Since the beginning of her journey as a fashion designer in a corporate firm, Misra has always wanted to work with the traditional medium. Her desire to work with the handloom industry was the motivation to work in a craft cluster project as a consultant and design studio manager. It was a detailed project focused on cluster development in five different states. The project was intended to create sustainable means of employment while taking into consideration the artisans skills. Working with the handloom community inspired me to work with handwovens, said Misra, whose efforts in reviving traditional techniques have contributed considerably to employment generation for weavers across the country. Brand Anavila is into creation of sustainable saris. In India, quite a large number of women wear saris. Further, it is a challenge to come up with a sari collection that is young as well as contemporary. Working with organic yarns tests your ability as a designer, said Anavila, whose works are mostly linen-based. Linen is a casual-looking fibre, but is luxurious as it is good for the skin, besides being comfortable. We work only with natural yarns. Nearly 80 per cent of our production is in linen, cotton, organic cotton and natural coloured cotton. Sometimes, we also use silk to make saris. However, we use silk after blending it with either linen or cotton. We prefer natural dyes, but due to environmental hazards we resort to artificial ones. We use only those artificial dyes that harm neither the weavers nor those processing the dyes, Misra told Fibre2Fashion. The sustainable clothing label is famous for saris for casualwear, formalwear, dailywear and partywear. We have to come up with sustainable wears while maintaining our brand. When you start working with one yarn, linen, and one garment, sari, the scope of permutation and combination gets limited. It requires thorough research to come up with trendy yet elegant and creative sustainable saris, said Misra. On the scope of sustainable fashion, she said, Sustainable textiles have become a trend today. Lakme Fashion Week summer/resort 2017 had dedicated an entire day to textiles. Same was the case with Amazon India Fashion Week with a show promoting craft and clusters. Sustainable fashion has a very bright future. Gradually, apparel stores have also begun encouraging events around sustainable textiles. Sustainability has a very positive future. (RR) Click here to read the complete interview Fibre2Fashion News Desk India Karnataka-based Himatsingka Linens, a division of Himatsingka Seide Ltd and a leading producer of bed linen products, is installing three new Monforts units as part of an expansion that will double bed linen output and see a venture into terry towelling. Monforts is a global leader among the manufacturers and exporters of textile machines based in Germany.The latest Monforts include a10 chamber Montex 6500 stenter, a Monfortex 8000, and a Thermex CDR with E-Control; all three units feature a fabric working width of 3200 millimetres. The three new machines are all German-built and are being installed by Monforts representative for India, ATE Enterprises Private Ltd. Karnataka-based Himatsingka Linens, a division of Himatsingka Seide Ltd and a leading producer of bed linen products, is installing three new Monforts units as part of an expansion that will double bed linen output and see a venture into terry towelling. Monforts is a global leader among the manufacturers and exporters of textile machines based in Germany.# The group is doubling its existing sheeting capacity from 23 million metres per annum to 46 million metres. The company will also be installing for the first time 211,000 spindles as part of its backward integration into spinning, and the entry into the terry towels sector will see it setting up a capacity for 25,000 tons per annum.At the bed linen mill, the new units will join two eight chamber Montex 6500 units - one of the units featuring a Montex Thermex condensation unit with two curing chambers being positioned on top of the stenter. There is also a Monfortex 7000 model Sanforiser and a Montex Thermex CDR E-Control dyeing range, both with 3200 mm fabric working width.Expansion of sheeting capacity will enable the company to make printed products, which will enhance its fashion bedding shares in the market, and also help Himatsingka to enter into the basic bedding segments.Himatsingkas portfolio of brands includes Calvin Klein Home, Barbara Barry, Bellora, Kelly Wearstler, Beekman 1802, Pimacott, Atmosphere, and Esprit. The company operates manufacturing facilities in India, and retail and distribution businesses across North America, Europe and Asia. Its bed linen unit is located at Hassan, in Karnataka, and its drapery and upholstery unit is at Bengaluru, also in Karnataka. (GK) Fibre2Fashion News Desk India Farmers wishing to venture into cocoa farming are encouraged to seek the assistance of the Ministry of Agriculture. This was highlighted by the Ministrys deputy secretary for Agriculture Development, Uraia Waibuta at the recent launch of a cocoa processing unit in Naitasiri. We have identified varieties specifically suitable for the chocolate market and this is the particular variety that we are producing and distributing to farmers who are interested in doing new planting, he said. There is huge potential for cocoa in Fiji and the Ministry will continue to focus on production in terms of revitalisation and planting of new cocoa to meet the demand for the export market, he said. The farm gate price offered to farmers for the last two to three years was $1.00 to $1.50 per kilogram (kg). The price has stabilised; now it is $5 per kg which indicates the demand that exists in this commodity. Mr Waibuta said with the budget allocation of $530,000 under the Cocoa Rehabilitation Programme, the Ministry would continue to pursue the rehabilitation in existing cocoa farms. Under this Programme, the Ministry aims to revitalize and expand cocoa plantations through diversified cocoa based micro eco farming. The rehabilitation programme includes new planting, formation of clusters, rehabilitation, procurement of agro inputs and equipment, road upgrading and training for farmers. The symptoms of pests, diseases and nutrient deficiency overlap and it becomes difficult to identify the main cause. However, the soil test results confirm the cause of the symptoms and make it easy for the farmers to apply the necessary remedial measures. The Ministry of Agriculture is encouraging farmers to take advantage of the soil sample and testing services that they provide.The Ministry provides soil sampling services to farmers, private companies and other interested individuals. Services provided by the Ministry to farmers free of charge provided it comes through the agriculture locality officers. However, charges are applicable to private companies as well as farmers who directly bring the samples to the Ministrys Fiji Agricultural Chemistry Laboratory at the Koronivia Research Station.Soil testing is an easy and cost effective way to manage soil for crop or pasture production. It determines the key nutrients and pH levels, so that the farmer can make the best choice when purchasing fertilizers and other nutrients, said Director Research, Dr. Apaitia Macanawai.The laboratory offers a wide range of analytical services for soils from simple tests which affect plant growth such as pH and moisture to soil fertility measurements such as carbon, nitrogen available phosphorus and potassium to more detailed testing for trace elements.The Ministry provides its analysis on the soil samples within three to four weeks. A report is prepared and recommendations are given on how to improve the fertility of the soil.Dr. Macanawai stated that it is important to conduct soil sampling when first clearing a piece of land for farming and at least two to four weeks before planting or fertilizing the crop for established farms.Dr. Macanawai added the agriculture locality officers are trained to conduct proper soil sampling to ensure there is uniformity and true representation of the soil that is sampled.The Fiji Agricultural Chemistry Laboratory also conducts livestock feed, water, fertilizer, compost, manure, food and plant testing.Farmers who are interested in getting soil sampling done can contact the Ministrys locality officers or the Fiji Agricultural Chemistry Laboratory on 3477044. Ms Daunabuna emphasised to the workers whilst farewelling them that the key for opening and closing doors for more work opportunities for other fellow Fijians depended entirely on them as an individual and as a group. The Permanent Secretary encouraged the twelve male workers to aim high and with the right attitude they can succeed and supercede the employers expectation and open many doors for other potential Fijian workers. A new seasonal work employer under the New Zealand Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) Work Scheme, Agworks Limited has employed 12 Fijian workers for seasonal work employment opportunities.The Company based in Napier, New Zealand is well known for contracting workers to major farms around the Hawkes Bay region in New Zealand with majority of their workers from Thailand and India.This is their first recruitment from Fiji and they have relinquished recruiting workers from other neighbouring Pacific Islands.Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations, Salaseini Daunabuna said that the workers departed Fiji yesterday (15/2/17) and have been farewelled and presented with their Pre-Departure Orientation and Life Skills Training Certificates last Friday.This second batch comprised of five workers from Koro, five from Naitasiri, one from Vanua Levu and Namosi, Mrs Daunabuna said.They will engage in Grapes farming carrying out bud rubbing, leaf plucking, bunch thinning, hand harvesting, winter pruning, planting, grafting bud wood collection, running out wires, and installing irrigation. They have been contracted for six months.The owner of the company Mr. Indirjit Bedi has also shown interest in recruiting more workers from Fiji provided the pilot group perform exceptionally well.If you do not perform well, you will close doors for your other Fijian brothers and sisters, Ms Daunabuna said. Akshay Kumar's daughter Nitara is as cute as a button and her daddy dearest is already preparing her to be a champ in the field of Martial Arts. On Valentine's Day, when all the other celebs were getting lovey-dovey, Akshay had a social message to all the women out there! He posted a really cute clip of Nitara learning Martial Arts and captioned it as, "This Valentine's Day don't let a guy take u for granted. Learn Martial Arts, you never know when it comes handy & starting early always helps." Check out the clip below! This Valentine's Day don't let a guy take u for granted.Learn martial arts, u never know when it comes handy & starting early always helps pic.twitter.com/kcDWkAjoSk Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) February 14, 2017 On the work front, Akshay Kumar has returned to the sets of Toilet: Ek Prem Katha and the team is currently shooting in Hoshangabad, Madhya Pradesh. The film is based on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's project Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. It is reported that Sana Khan is all set to play the role of Akshay Kumar's girlfriend in the film. A source close to the film was quoted as saying, "It's a cameo extremely crucial to the plot. Sana shot her portions recently during a schedule. She will be seen in a completely desi avatar in the film." Amy Jackson's Mobile Hacked! Personal Pictures Leaked Online Las Vegas and Henderson, Nevada--(Newsfile Corp. - February 15, 2017) - One of the easiest ways to gage whether or not a company is meeting customer expectations or is in a state of decline is how well they meet their goals. The Atlas Group LC has had an annual increase in sales and customer growth every year since they opened their doors in May of 1995 and 2016 was no different. Our continual growth in the Las Vegas residential property management market can be attributed to accessible experienced, bilingual personnel, and very reasonable fees. Our offices are not hampered by layers of authority or divisions of labor. At the Atlas Group we train our people to be able to do just about everything. It is very frustrating for an owner or a tenant to deal with several different people to get a couple of easy questions answered. Some firms have one person handle maintenance, another shows property, someone else inspects property, and another person handles all the finances. This is frustrating and confusing for everyone. At the Atlas Group an owner or a tenant only has to talk to one efficient property manager to get all their questions answered. In addition our owners are not locked into a long term contract. Being required to stay with a management company, or for us to keep an owner, when the chemistry is not positive, is not good for anyone. We want owners to stay with us because of what we do for them, not because they have to. Last year there were two property managers in specific that stood out above the rest. One of our more seasoned professionals, Lando Stracner, increased his managed portfolio by over 38%. Not to be outdone, Noe Avila, one of our newest team members increased his managed volume by 78%. Both of these individuals, along with everyone at the Atlas Group LC, do their very best to give their clients the best service possible. If you have a residential property, whether it be a house, condo, townhome or apartment complex, give them a call and see how they can reduce your stress when it comes to your greater Las Vegas valley rental. They can be reached at 702-244-4777 or on their website at https://www.property-mgmt.com. Take a minute and check out what other owners and tenants have to say in their Google Reviews. Contact: Andrew Pourghahreman 725-244-4700 LONDON, February 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- A new report commissioned by Samsung reveals businesses will need to invest to ensure they're ready for the next wave of the digital revolution A new report commissioned by Samsung reveals that by 2020 companies which have not opened their borders to competitors, innovators and a new generation of independent freelancers will struggle to prosper in what Samsung calls the 'Open Economy' . Web video: https://www.youtube.com/user/SamsungAtWork (Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/468408/Roger_Enright.jpg ) (Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/468409/Marcos_Eguillor.jpg ) (Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/468410/Anthony_Bruce.jpg ) (Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/468622/Nick_Dawson_Image.jpg ) (Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/468625/Dr__Marie_Puybaraurd.jpg ) This new Open Economy will be characterised by a deep use of freelance workers, routine embedding of startup driven innovation and a new kind of collaboration between former competitors. Over the last decade, thanks to the ubiquity of mobile technology, businesses have become more open and collaborative and have a clear understanding of the benefits compared to existing 'closed' business models. However, within just three years, organisations will be operating in a world much less restricted by technical or human boundaries. People, data and ideas will be integrated into current business models more freely, yet it will be crucial for businesses to get to grips with, and fully embrace, the agile technologies and expectations of tomorrow's work culture. To thrive in this world of new technologies and highly dispersed digital workforces, companies will need to embrace security platforms which will allow them to share information openly but safely. This in turn will force them to fundamentally rethink how they build their business models and the technologies they depend on. "Finding ways to safely empower new waves of future freelance workers is going to be the number one business challenge. Within three years, it's expected that businesses will have to deal with over 7.3 billion connected devices[1], whilst a rapidly digitised and changing workforce will evolve to one that will transform businesses in how, where and when they operate," says Nick Dawson, Global Director Knox Strategy. On the global stage, European companies are leading the way in adopting the infrastructure and human capital that will power the next stage of this digital revolution. This will put them in pole position to harness the open and ultra-flexible workforces and businesses over the next three to ten years, according to research from The Future Laboratory which formed the basis of the report. Across industries, innovation will emerge from new sources, with reverse innovation tactics of embedding start-ups at the heart of organisations becoming the norm. As this new future develops they will become critical strategic elements and a powerful driving force for innovation in every corner of businesses. Marcos Eguillor, Founder of BinaryKnowledge and professor at IE Business School, a specialist in digital innovation and transformation, says, "Relying on past certainties will not foster the creativity that business will need to compete in tomorrow's global market place. Companies will need to adopt the technologies that allow them to be fast and flexible enough to spot and understand their next competitive advantages, and recognise when it's time to disengage from the previous one." Tomorrow's organisations will use AI and machine learning technology to accurately predict - and make better decisions - about their future. It is not just today's devices that present risk. Already new machine intelligences are being widely deployed in the commercial world that are self-organising, self-adapting and capable of far more accurate predictions about the future state of their businesses. Advanced machine intelligence will give those companies which adopt them unprecedented power to plan ahead and optimise their business models. However, this desire for a more open approach often conflicts with the critical need to maintain high levels of security at all times across a company's entire network of devices and endpoints. Driven by a rapidly evolving threat landscape and enforced by new legislations such as General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), organisations will face many new challenges as they strive to protect their data across their entire business. Nick Dawson continues, "Cyber-security platforms that allow businesses to be both technologically open and safe are the key to unlocking the future of the Open Economy." Samsung Knox is such a platform. Today, it is the most powerful defence against mobile security threats in the workplace, thanks to an adaptive, modular design that embeds encryption and security keys in a secure chip-based hardware container. This allows the creation of secure, completely isolated work and personal identities on the same mobile device, ensuring that corporate data is always inaccessible to personal apps and processes and, critically, that personal privacy is always respected and maintained. -------------------------------------------------- 1. Gartner Inc, Internet of Things (IoT) Study 2015 Samsung is ideally placed to help businesses achieve this as its rich consumer heritage and deep understanding of how people really use their mobile devices provides an unrivalled perspective on exactly how organisations can maximise competitive advantages of new mobile technologies. To download the full report, visit: http://www.samsungatwork.com/openeconomy Notes to editors: About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, cameras, digital appliances, medical equipment, network systems, and semiconductor and LED solutions. For the latest news, please visit Samsung Newsroom at http://news.samsung.com About The Future Laboratory The Future Laboratory is a global trends forecasting consultancy, which aims to inspire and future-proof organisations. For more information see: http://www.thefuturelaboratory.com MONTREAL, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 02/15/17 -- Theratechnologies Inc. (Theratechnologies) (TSX: TH) announced today that pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) data comparing the intramuscular (IM) with the intravenous (IV) administration of ibalizumab were presented at the annual Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) 2017. The PK and PD of two doses of ibalizumab, 800 mg bi-weekly and 2000 mg every 4 weeks, administered IM were evaluated under study TMB-121. This data was compared to the PK and PD data of similar doses of ibalizumab administered IV from a previous study. The results showed that the PK and PD profiles of both doses of ibalizumab administered IM were comparable with IV profiles. Ibalizumab was well tolerated when administered IM or IV. About TMB-121 TMB-121 is a Phase I/II, randomized study primarily assessing the PK/PD of IM administration of ibalizumab. The study is conducted in Taiwan, by our partner TaiMed Biologics inc, and enrolled patients with HIV-1 RNA greater than or equal to5000 copies/mL who have not received antiretroviral (ARV) treatment for at least one year. The primary objective of the study is to evaluate the PK and PD profile of ibalizumab when administered by different routes of administration. About ibalizumab Ibalizumab is an investigational humanized monoclonal antibody currently being developed for the potential treatment of Multiple Drug Resistant Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 (MDR HIV-1) infection. Unlike other antiretroviral agents, ibalizumab binds primarily to the second extracellular domain of the CD4+ T cell receptor, away from major histocompatibility complex II molecule binding sites. It potentially prevents HIV from infecting CD4+ immune cells while preserving normal immunological function. Ibalizumab is active against HIV-1 resistant to all approved antiretroviral agents. Ibalizumab has been tested in Phase I and II clinical trials and the Phase III trial is the last pivotal clinical study necessary for the completion of a Biologics License Application (BLA) expected to be submitted to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Ibalizumab has received "Breakthrough Therapy" designation from the FDA. This designation is given to a therapy that may provide a substantial improvement over what is currently available to address a serious and life-threatening condition. Ibalizumab also received "Orphan Drug" designation by the FDA. About Theratechnologies Theratechnologies (TSX: TH) is a specialty pharmaceutical company addressing unmet medical needs to promote healthy living and an improved quality of life among HIV patients. Further information about Theratechnologies is available on the Company's website at www.theratech.com and on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Forward-Looking Information This press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information, or, collectively, forward-looking statements, within the meaning of applicable securities laws, that are based on our management's belief and assumptions and on information currently available to our management. You can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as "may", "will", "should", "could", "would", "outlook", "believe", "plan", "envisage", "anticipate", "expect" and "estimate" or the negatives of these terms, or variations of them. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release include, but are not limited to, the completion and filing of a BLA with the FDA for ibalizumab and the approval of ibalizumab as a treatment for patients with MDR HIV-1 infection. Forward-looking statements are based upon a number of assumptions and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Theratechnologies' control that could cause actual results to differ materially from those that are disclosed in or implied by such forward-looking information. These assumptions include but are not limited to, the following: all data required to file a BLA with the FDA will be available to support such filing, ibalizumab will be approved by the FDA as a treatment for MDR HIV-1 infection, and, if ibalizumab is approved, Theratechnologies will have set-up on time the necessary infrastructure to launch and commercialize ibalizumab in the United States. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risk that all data required to file a BLA with the FDA are not satisfactory enough to proceed with such filing, that the FDA does not approve ibalizumab as a treatment for MDR HIV-1 infection, or if approved, impose a significant limitation of its use, that the FDA requires additional clinical trials to be conducted and that Theratechnologies is unable to have all the necessary infrastructure in place to successfully launch and commercialize ibalizumab in the United States. We refer potential investors to the "Risk Factors" section of our Annual Information Form (AIF) dated February 7, 2017 for additional risks and uncertainties about Theratechnologies. The AIF is available on the Corporation's website at www.theratech.com and on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The reader is cautioned to consider these and other risks and uncertainties carefully and not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements reflect current expectations regarding future events and speak only as of the date of this press release and represent our expectations as of that date. We undertake no obligation to update or revise the information contained in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable law. Contacts: Theratechnologies Inc. Philippe Dubuc Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (514) 336-7800, ext. 297 www.theratech.com Catherine Driscoll, Content Development Manager at Warc Amanda Benfell PR Manager, Warc Email: amanda@gunnreport.com Tel: +44 20 7467 8125 LONDON, Feb 16, 2017 - (ACN Newswire) - Warc, the global marketing intelligence service, has today released its IPA Effectiveness Awards Report, an in-depth study of effective marketing trends based on the winners of the IPA's biennial competition celebrating advertising that has demonstrated a clear return on investment.Catherine Driscoll, Content Development Manager at Warc, says, "We've made a comprehensive data analysis of the entries to the 2016 IPA Effectiveness Awards, which are renowned for their rigorous judging process."As media usage changes, metrics adapt and creative approaches differ, our Report provides detailed and valuable insights, trends and lessons to the industry of advertising that works."Warc's IPA Effectiveness Awards Report highlights the following key insights and marketing trends:Television remains top effectiveness driver: A significant rise in the use of emotion as a creative approach, suggesting a long-term brand building strategy, was used by many successful entrants. While digital media channels are an important part of these campaigns, the findings show that television-led campaigns are still extremely successful at generating ROI for a brand. Social media was used less as a lead channel but more as a supportive and amplifying medium.Brands increasingly look to profit and penetration: Whilst sales has been a reliable indicator for proving the payback on marketing investment, in 2016 there has been a notable swing towards profit and penetration as the most important business measures. Buzz and social media measures have become the dominant soft metrics and as marketers act on advice to drive fame rather than awareness, there is a strong increase in PR value.There is no one-size-fits-all model of effectiveness: A test and learn approach to drive improvement is now a common theme in effective brand marketing. A wide range of strategies - multi-market television advertising, agile online programmatic and tight data-driven targeting - are now used with the return on investment achieved by both small and large budget campaigns providing inspiration for brands of all types as well as opportunities for new learnings from the different approaches.Purpose marketing comes to the fore: Purpose-driven marketing has been a key trend in the industry and can lead to commercial success. Purpose should be fully integrated across the company and be a good fit for the brand. Campaigns that involved consumer participation were also a key theme to help build momentum and engagement. The most successful can cross geographical and cultural barriers and can resonate beyond its original target.The comprehensive IPA Effectiveness Report 2016 is available to read in full on www.warc.comDavid Tiltman, Warc's head of content, will be discussing the report's findings with a panel of leading client and agency representatives at an IPA-hosted event in London on the evening of Monday 27 February. http://www.ipa.co.uk/events/10-lessons-for-marketers.The IPA Effectiveness Awards are the world's most rigorous industry competition that rewards campaigns that demonstrate their marketing payback. In total, 11 gold, 13 silver and 15 bronze prizes, along with nine special prizes were awarded. The top prize, the Grand Prix, was awarded to John Lewis's agencies adam&eveDDB and Manning Gottlieb OMD for proving how their heart-warming Christmas campaigns between 2012-2015 increased sales during the festive season by 16% on average, and produced over 8 British pound of profit for every 1 British pound spent. As a result, John Lewis's annual market share increased to 29.6%, its highest level ever.About the IPA Effectiveness AwardsThe IPA Effectiveness Awards are advertising's most uncompromising competition that provides the winners with proof and independent validation that their marketing works. Held every two years, the Awards are open to any communications agency, media owner or advertiser worldwide. Entries can feature campaigns involving any product category, country or size of budget. www.ipa.co.ukAbout Warc - ideas and evidence for marketing peopleWarc.com is an online service offering advertising best practice, evidence and insights from the world's leading brands. Warc helps clients grow their businesses by using proven approaches to maximise advertising effectiveness. Warc's clients include the world's largest advertising and media agencies, research companies, universities and advertisers.Warc also publishes leading journals including Admap, Market Leader, the Journal of Advertising Research and the International Journal of the Market Research Society. In addition to its own content, Warc features advertising case studies and best practices from more than 50 respected industry sources, including: ARF, Effies, Cannes Lions, ESOMAR and IPA. Warc hosts three annual global case study competitions: The Warc Awards, Warc Innovation Awards, Warc Media Awards as well as the Warc Asian Strategy Awards.Founded in 1985, Warc is privately owned and has offices in the UK, U.S. and Singapore.Contact:Amanda BenfellPR Manager, WarcEmail: amanda.benfell@warc.comTel: +44 20 7467 8125Source: Warc - Ideas and evidence for marketing peopleContact:Copyright 2017 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved. VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 02/15/17 -- Western Potash Corp. (TSX: WPX)(FRANKFURT: AHE) (the "Western", "the Company") is pleased to announce that it has filed a management information circular (the "Circular") and related proxy materials in advance of the annual and special meeting of shareholders of Western Potash to be held on Thursday, March 9, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. (Vancouver time) (the "Meeting") to seek approval of, among other things, the Arrangement (as defined herein). The Circular is now being mailed to shareholders of Western Potash to provide them with information about the proposed Arrangement. On February 1, 2017, the Company announced a corporate restructuring whereby Western Resources Corp. ("Western Resources"), a BC corporation created by Western Potash for the purposes of the Arrangement, will acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Western Potash on the basis of 0.2 of a Western Resources common share for each Western Potash common share. The Arrangement is expected to be completed by way of a statutory plan of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia). Annual and Special Meeting The special meeting of shareholders of the Company is scheduled to be held at 10:00 a.m. (Vancouver time) on Thursday, March 9, 2017 at Suite 1400, 1111 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. At the Meeting, the shareholders will be asked, among other things, to consider and, if deemed advisable, pass a resolution approving the Arrangement (the "Arrangement Resolution"). To be effective, the Arrangement Resolution must be approved at the Meeting by at least 66 2/3% of the votes cast on the Arrangement Resolution by the shareholders of Western Potash present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Meeting. Your vote is important regardless of the number of shares you own. Shareholders are encouraged to read the Circular and related proxy materials in detail. An electronic copy of the Circular and related proxy materials are available on SEDAR under the issuer profile of Western Potash at www.sedar.com. It is anticipated that the transaction will close in March 2017. Reasons and Benefits of the Arrangement The Western Potash Board believes that the proposed corporate restructuring can result in an optimal corporate structure for the Company. Western Potash wishes to be able to pursue investment opportunities in other resource properties. The Western Potash Board believes that, by making Western Potash a wholly-owned subsidiary of Western Resources and Western Resources acquiring additional resource properties in other separate wholly-owned subsidiaries of Western Resources, it will facilitate its ability to consider and implement alternative value enhancing opportunities. How to Vote Shareholders of Western Potash are encouraged to vote using the internet, telephone or facsimile. Registered shareholders may vote by: - proxy returned using any of the following methods Internet http://www.investorvote.com/ Telephone 1-866-732-8683 Facsimile 1-866-249-7775 Mail Computershare Trust Company of Canada, at 100 University Avenue, Proxy Department, 8th Floor, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5J 2Y1 - attending the Meeting in person Non-registered shareholders of Western Potash: Shareholders who hold shares of Western Potash through a bank or other intermediary will have different voting instructions and should carefully follow the voting instructions provided to them. In most cases, non-registered shareholders will receive a voting instruction form as part of the meeting materials. Non-registered shareholders are encouraged to complete, sign and return the voting instruction form in accordance with the instructions on the form. Shareholders are invited to visit the Company website at www.westernpotash.com for more information on the Company. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Geoffrey Chang, Chairman and CEO Cautions Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this news release constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by words such as "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "expected", "intend", "may", "will", "project", "plan", "should", "believe" and similar expressions (including negative variations), or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made and they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information that is set out herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Contacts: Western Potash Corp. Angela Aydon Corporate Communications Manager 604-689-9378 CHICAGO, Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Sphera, the leading global provider of operational risk, environmental performance and product stewardship software solutions and information services, today announced Intelligent Authoring 4.9, a uniquely enhanced version of its Intelligent Authoring software designed to ensure companies will be able to stay in compliance with the forthcoming 2018 European Substance Volume Tracking (SVT) regulations. Companies that manufacture and/or import chemical substances into the European Union today must navigate a growing array of regulatory demands from the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) and other regulatory bodies. With the new 1 ton annual reporting threshold that will be enacted in 2018 - driven by the regulation known as the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) - these reporting and tracking processes will significantly increase in complexity, time, and cost. Currently, reporting thresholds begin at 100 tons so the new guidelines will affect companies and importers large and small. Sphera's substance volume tracking software delivers out-of-the box monitoring, analytics and reporting built for the REACH requirements enabling companies to easily and accurately track and monitor substance volume activity and generate regulatory and management reports on a planned and on-demand basis-resulting in lower operational costs, timelier reporting, and less compliance risk. "This new software release represents our significant investment in research and development in the product stewardship market," said Paul Marushka, Sphera's president and CEO. "It is engineered with innovative functionality and informed by our deep regulatory content to assist companies in complying with the new and complex chemical regulatory requirements." Intelligent Authoring also introduces a brand-new concept called GHS by Design. TheUnited Nations Global Harmonized System (GHS) is a model regulation providing building blocks to enable a common and consistent approach for defining, classifying and communicating hazard information on labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDS). There are, however, many versions of GHS, as each country has applied these building blocks according to their own interpretations and variations. "Our customers wanted a way to use these building blocks to create GHS inspired compliance documents for other countries not currently implemented or to create a 'regional'-type GHS compliant document that could cover multiple jurisdictions," said Frank Arcadi, Sphera's vice president of Product Stewardship. "GHS by Design gives them this capability at their fingertips, enabling them to easily tailor the system to create their own user-defined GHS implementations for producing sheets and labels." A pioneer in Product Compliance, Sphera has partnered with companies that have trusted Intelligent Authoring to standardize and streamline compliance processes and enable them to produce fully compliant Safety Data Sheets and other mandated hazard communication documents on a global basis in more than 45 languages. About Sphera Solutions For more than 30 years Sphera has been committed to creating a safer, more sustainable and productive world by advancing operational excellence. Sphera is the largest, global provider of software and information services in the operational risk, environmental performance and product stewardship markets, serving more than 2,500 customers and over 1 million individual users across 70 countries. Sphera is aportfolio company of Genstar Capital, a leading middle-market private equity firm focused on the software, industrial technology, financial services and healthcare industries. Learn more at www.spherasolutions.com. Follow Sphera on LinkedIn and Twitter @SpheraSolutions. Media Contact: Diana Dixon, 419.297.0222, diana.dixon@kemperlesnik.com Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160919/409545LOGO TORTOLA, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS -- (Marketwired) -- 02/16/17 -- ATLAS Mara Limited (LSE: ATMA) LSE: ATMA Atlas Mara Limited 16 February 2017 Accelerated Strategic Execution, Successful Equity Raising, Leadership Change and Rationalization of Costs Atlas Mara Limited (the "Company" or the "Group"), the sub-Saharan Africa banking group, today announces several measures to accelerate its strategic execution of its three core areas: Commercial and Retail Banking, Fintech, and Markets and Treasury. This will enable faster expansion and responsiveness to changes in the market environment. As part of the execution strategy, the company plans to significantly reduce operating expense and staff cost at the center by more than US$20 million per year on an annualised basis. The Group's three core businesses will be run by existing Group leadership: Sanjeev Anand will become Group Managing Director for Retail and Commercial Banking, Mike Christelis, Group Managing Director for Markets and Treasury, and Chidi Okpala, Group Managing Director for Fintech. Effective 15 February, John Vitalo stepped down as CEO and from the Board. John joined the company in 2014 as Atlas Mara's first CEO, leading the company to its current, profitable seven-country footprint and operational scale. The Board will appoint a new Group CEO in due course. To seed its Fintech and Global Markets Business, and for general corporate purposes, the company successfully closed an oversubscribed equity raise through a placing of ordinary shares. Over 90% of this offering was subscribed by our existing shareholders, as announced to the market earlier today. Atlas Mara expects its 2016 full year earnings to be broadly in line with market expectations. Media Teneo Blue Rubicon, +44 (20) 7260 2700 Anthony Silverman About Atlas Mara Atlas Mara Limited (LON: ATMA) is a financial services institution listed on the London Stock Exchange. Its vision is to create sub-Saharan Africa's premier financial services institution through organic and inorganic growth by combining the best of global institutional knowledge with extensive local insights. With a presence in seven sub-Saharan countries, Atlas Mara aims to be a positive disruptive force in the markets in which we operate by leveraging technology to provide innovative and differentiated product offerings, excellent customer service and accelerate financial inclusion in the countries in which the Company operates. For more information, visit www.atlasmara.com. Biographies Sanjeev Anand Sanjeev has been Managing Director of Banque Populaire du Rwanda Ltd (BPR) since January 2016. BPR was formed by the merger of BRD-Commercial Rwanda with BPR. The majority shareholder is Atlas Mara and Rabobank is the largest minority shareholder. Prior to his current appointment, Sanjeev Anand was Managing Director of I&M Bank Rwanda Limited (previously Banque Commerciale du Rwanda-BCR). During this period, he managed the transition of ownership of the bank from Actis to the I&M consortium, comprising I&M Bank, DEG and PROPARCO. Prior to joining BCR/I&M, Sanjeev had a long career spanning 25 years with Citibank, where he held a number of senior assignments across Asia, Europe, America and Africa. Some of the key positions he held during this period were as CEO of Citibank in Zambia and Uganda and Executive Director of Citibank Nigeria. Mike Christelis Mike Christelis joined Atlas Mara as the Head of Treasury and Markets in 2015. Mike has a total of 30 years corporate and banking experience. Prior to joining Atlas Mara Mike worked for Barclays Africa and Absa Capital for seven years, the last three of which he was the Head of Markets for Sub-Saharan Africa. In this role, he managed the markets area of the 12 Barclays Africa businesses. During this time Mike was responsible for transforming the business from a purely retail managed business into a full investment bank operation, growing the product range while at the same time implementing a rigorous control framework and growing revenue. Mike also worked for 11 years at Rand Merchant bank in various roles as well as in corporate treasury at Bayer and Siemens. Chidi Okpala Chidi was appointed Chief Digital Officer at Atlas Mara in January 2016 to drive the Innovation, Digital Financial Services and Financial Inclusion agenda across our sub-Saharan franchises. Prior to that, he was with Bharti Airtel International as CEO for Airtel Money, with responsibility for Mobile Money businesses across 17 countries in Africa. While at Bharti, he built Airtel Money to become one of the largest providers of Retail Financial Services in Africa with 12m active (90Day) customers and over 100m and $2B in monthly transaction count and value. Before Bharti Airtel, he was the Division CEO for Retail Banking at United Bank for Africa Plc, overseeing Personal and Business Banking in 19 countries. He earlier had a two-year stint with Accenture as a Senior Consultant in the Strategy and Business Architecture. Contacts: RNS Customer Services 0044-207797-4400 rns@londonstockexchange.com http://www.rns.com LONDON (dpa-AFX) - Shares of Rolls Royce Holdings plc (RYCEF.PK, RR.L, RYCEY.PK) declined around 6 percent in London trading after the aero engine maker reported a hefty loss in its fiscal 2016, compared to last year's profit, on charges. Revenues , however, increased from last year, and the company projects marginally higher revenues in fiscal 2017. For the year 2016, the company's loss before tax was 4.64 billion pounds, compared to profit of 160 million pounds in the previous year. Loss to ordinary shareholders was 4.0 billion pounds or 220.08 pence per share, compared to profit of 83 million pounds or 4.48 pence per share last year. The latest results reflected a non-cash impact of 4.4 billion pounds period-end mark-to-market revaluation of derivatives and a 671 million pounds charge for financial penalties from agreements with investigating bodies. Underlying profit before tax was 813 million pounds, compared to 1.43 billion pounds a year ago. Underlying earnings per share were 30.13 pence, compared to 58.7 pence last year. Underlying profit before finance charges and tax was 45 percent lower at 915 million pounds. All segments posted weak results. Civil Aerospace' underlying profit fell 60 percent and Defence Aerospace's profit was down 8 percent. Fiscal- year reported revenue increased 9 percent to 14.96 billion pounds from 13.73 billion pounds in the previous year. Underlying revenue was down 2 percent at constant exchange rates, reflecting weakness in Marine. Order book increased to 79.81 billion pounds from last year's 76.40 billion pounds. Warren East, Chief Executive, said, 'We have made operational progress and performed ahead of our expectations for the year as a whole. While we have made good progress in our cost cutting and efficiency programmes, more needs to be done to ensure we drive sustainable margin improvements within the business.' Further, the company said its final payment to shareholders is maintained at 7.1 pence per share, giving a full year dividend of 11.7 pence, higher than last year's 16.4 pence. The distribution will be in the form of C Shares. Looking ahead, for fiscal 2017, the company said group revenue on a constant currency basis should be marginally higher than that achieved in 2016, despite expected further weakening in offshore oil and gas markets in Marine. Rolls Royce said the year-on-year incremental progress will be modest, after a better than expected 2016. The company said its medium-term trajectory for revenue, profit and free cash flow remains unchanged. In London, Rolls Royce shares were trading at 697.12 pounds, down 5.79 percent. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de LONDON, Feb. 16,2017 /PRNewswire/ --MindLink', provider of highly secure Chat Enabled Collaboration (CEC) tools for global businesses, has announced its latest software release which focuses on bringing first-rate security features to the enterprise messaging platform. Data is the most valuable asset of a firm and increasingly vulnerable to loss or leaking. 43% of businesses experienced a data loss, according to Kaspersky Labs, with 20% of global enterprises suffering four or more data breaches in 2016. "Data protection is a top priority for 80% of businesses. It is those firms we are actively working with. Enterprise Chat is more than just a smooth user interface and usability features - it is about keeping control of your data and keeping it safe," says Harpreet Gosal, CTO, MindLink. The latest MindLink software release focuses on security & integration: Integrated Windows Single Sign On (SSO) The MindLink Desktop app can leverage the user's authenticated Windows security context to offer a secure zero-sign-on log on experience Pre-authenticated Single Sign On (SSO) The MindLink Desktop app supports integration with pre-authenticating HTTP proxies to offload custom or complex authentication and authorization workflows Android for Work container (AfW) The MindLink Mobile app for Android is supported inside the AfW container, securing the app's at-rest and network data with AfW's deep native encryption capabilities. MindLink supports the full AfW deployment and lifecycle management capabilities, incl. configuration & data-loss-prevention policies Add-Ins MindLink provides integration with business workflows through Add-ins whilst additional content management features such as bookmarks, inline images, smart hashtags & @ mentions have been added MindLink's latest release adds to its already rigorous security & compliance focus with OnPremise and Private Cloud deployments (as opposed to Cloud only), MDM/EMM support for MobileIron, Good, BES, Citrix, AirWatch and out-of-the-box compliance connectors to meet regulatory requirements. "External threats will often focus on credential theft. Antiquated authentication mechanisms are hence one of the weakest security links," continues Harpreet Gosal. "We want to address that and strongly advocate for firms to take ownership of the tools they provide to their staff." MindLink's chat tools have become popular amongst a range of clients, notably financial services, government & defence agencies, pharmaceutical/healthcare and law firms, who all share a need for highly secure messaging tools whilst catering for dispersed teams and a mobile workforce. About MindLink MindLink is a secure Chat Enabled Collaboration (CEC) platform for global enterprises. Think of MindLink as a highly secure and compliant alternative to WhatsApp' designed for corporate use. Its messaging and collaboration app encourages employees to stay actively connected, reducing unnecessary email usage. MindLink integrates with Unified Communication platforms such as Microsoft Lync and Skype for Business. Contact: Annekathrin Hase, CMO +44 (0) 203 582 1487 Annekathrin.hase@mindlinksoft.com Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXwXh17pghQ LICHFIELD, England, February 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Stephen Mann, CEO of Police Mutual Group announces 2016 results Police Mutual Group, which includes the two brands Police Mutual and Forces Mutual and celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2016, has seen another year of very strong growth with new business up by an impressive 22% with total income up by 27%. (Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/468647/Police_Mutual_Group_Logo.jpg ) Stephen Mann refers to the Group performance as benefitting from a "virtuous circle". "The stronger our financial performance, the more that can be given back in improving lives for our Police and Military affinities which in turn is leading to higher levels of advocacy which is leading to this strong performance. These are challenging times and supporting our members and customers remains at the heart of everything we do. Our results prove that you can both do the right thing and be a strong performing business." The increase in new business mostly came from organic growth (18% year on year) as well as the early results of the enlarged Forces Mutual business (Police Mutual Group merged its existing Forces Financial brand with Abacus Group, which it acquired in April 2016). Member numbers now stand at a record level and strong growth was seen across all product lines. Financial inclusion - a strong motivator Equally importantly, the products and services which Police Mutual Group offers, reflect its purpose of improving lives and key within this is an objective around financial inclusion. Mann comments, "We recognise that it's a tight environment for our members so our Regular Savings Plans (RSPs), which have no minimum, make saving accessible pretty much to everyone." Over 3,800 new members started the savings habit, and in total Police Mutual paid out 63.7m on maturing plans. Money back in members' pockets Financial wellbeing is a key indicator of improving lives and to meet this, Police Mutual continues to deliver savings for their members: In 2016, members saved 130 on motor and 123 on home insurance [1] Police and Military customers made typical savings of 500 on mortgage advice fees If Police Officers took out a basket of Police Mutual products they could save an average of 1,674 in 2016 [2] 2016 saw the launch of Police Mutual's new stocks and shares Options ISA with over 43 million invested, including eight fixed-term ISA offers for the Police family In terms of explaining plans for this year, Mann comments, "Our focus in 2017 will be to continue this momentum. The Group is now a very different business to seven or eight years ago. We have strengthened our operation for the next phase of growth, growth that will continue to enable us to focus on the wellbeing of our Police and Military affinities." 1. Average premium savings are based on 19% of all car insurance and 14% of all home insurance members who provided their existing premium and switched their insurance (inbound sales only) from June 2015 - May 2016 2. Based on an individual in their 30s with a salary of 38,000, holding Police Mutual mortgage, home and motor insurance, healthcare, personal loan and fixed-term-ISA products. Police Mutual data 2016. VEVEY (dpa-AFX) - Swiss foods giant Nestle SA (NSRGY, NSTR.L) reported Thursday a decline in its fiscal 2016 net profit, while trading operating profit improved with higher organic sales. Looking ahead, for fiscal 2017, the company expects organic growth between 2 percent and 4 percent, and underlying earnings per share in constant currency to increase. The company projects stable trading operating profit margin in constant currency as it plans to increase restructuring costs considerably in 2017. Mark Schneider, Nestle CEO, said, 'Our 2016 organic growth was at the high end of the industry but at the lower end of our expectations. We saw a solid trading operating profit margin improvement and our cash flow grew significantly. ...Nestle continues to invest in future growth and operating efficiency, targeting mid-single digit organic growth and significant structural cost savings by 2020.' For fiscal 2016, profit attributable to shareholders of the parent declined to 8.53 billion Swiss francs from last year's 9.07 billion francs. Earnings per share fell to 2.75 francs from 2.89 francs last year. The latest results were impacted by several items, the largest one being a one-off non-cash adjustment to deferred taxes. Underlying earnings per share were 3.40 francs, up 3.4 percent in constant currency. Trading operating profit increased to 13.69 billion francs from 13.38 billion francs last year. Trading operating profit margin was 15.3%, up 20 basis points on a reported basis and up 30 basis points in constant currency. Trading operating profit margin went up 20 basis points to 15.3%. In constant currency, trading operating profit margin went up 30 basis points Sales of 89.47 billion francs edged up 0.8 percent from 88.79 billion francs last year. Foreign exchange impact was negative 1.6 percent. On an organic basis, sales grew 3.2 percent, with continued strong real internal growth of 2.4 percent. All business segments posted increased organic sales in the year. Further, the company said that at the Annual General Meeting on April 6, the Board of Directors will propose a dividend of 2.30 francs per share. Nestle shares were trading at 72.15 francs, down 1.37 percent. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. VIENNA, February 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Effective today, the Essl Collection is being officially transferred to theALBERTINA in Vienna. This marks the beginning of a new chapter in the history of the Essl Collection, as well as the ALBERTINA itself. And at the same time, this acquisition of one of the largest private collections of contemporary art represents a milestone in the history of the Austrian Federal Museums. With over 6,000 works, the Essl Collection numbers among the world's largest private collections of its kind. Groups of works by figures including Karel Appel and Arnulf Rainer, Franz West and Georg Baselitz, Maria Lassnig and Alex Katz, Erwin Wurm and Anselm Kiefer, VALIE EXPORT and Cindy Sherman, and photographs by artists ranging from Andreas Gursky to Candida Hofer, characterise this collection's unique richness and special profile. In 2014, the Essl Collection was in danger of being caught up in the financial turbulences surrounding the group of companies owned by the Essl family. But that same year, the collection - in no small part thanks to the efforts of Dr. Hans Peter Haselsteiner - was placed under the ownership of a new company, thus ensuring its survival. Now, its permanent loan (until 2044) to the ALBERTINA, places the Essl Collection beneath the umbrella of the Austrian Federal Museums. "With this forward-looking cooperative arrangement, the Essl Collection has been saved for Austria. These highly important works of contemporary art by artists from Austria and abroad complement the collections of the Federal Museums in a unique way, making this a win both for art and for the Republic of Austria," commented Minister of Culture Thomas Drozda. "In the ALBERTINA, we have found an ideal partner for the future of the collection," said a cheerful Karlheinz Essl. Klaus Albrecht Schroder: "Today is a shining moment in the ALBERTINA's over 200-year history. To my mind, this transfer of the Essl Collection to the ALBERTINA opens up an entirely new chapter in the history of this tradition-steeped museum and of contemporary art in Austria." Voices from the art world on the transfer of the Essl Collection to the ALBERTINA Georg Baselitz: "I've maintained close ties with the Essl Collection for many years, as I also have with the ALBERTINA. For me, the fact that these two great collections will now be brought together beneath the roof of the ALBERTINA is a piece of good fortune indeed, and I think that also goes for all the other artists represented in the Essl Collection. I've always believed in Vienna, and I was sure that the best possible solution would be found for the Essl Collection." Eva Schlegel: "I'm ecstatic! For artists like myself, the decision to preserve the largest world-class collection of post-war Austrian art for the public is a cultural policy act of great foresightedness. Preserving this important art archive by integrating it into one of the most important institutions guarantees its permanence, its exemplary status, and its visibility. My warmest congratulations to all those decision-makers who were involved." Erwin Wurm: "By assuming this collection, the ALBERTINA has catapulted itself into the first rank of contemporary art museums. It was always clear to me that the art of our times could stand to involve several big players in our capital city of Vienna. And I think that the ALBERTINA's assumption of the Essl Collection is a courageous show of commitment to contemporary art." Press images are available free of charge under http://www.albertina.at/en/press/general_information/essl_collection Further inquiry note: Verena Dahlitz Press Office ALBERTINA T: +43-1-534-83-510 E: V.Dahlitz@albertina.at W: http://www.albertina.at Q3 Financial Results 2016-2017 PART I STATEMENT OF STANDALONE UNAUDITED FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR THE QUARTER AND NINE MONTHS ENDED 31ST DECEMBER, 2016 (? in crore) Sr. No. Particulars Quarter ended Nine months ended Previous year ended 31.12.2016 30.09.2016 31.12.2015 31.12.2016 31.12.2015 31.03.2016 Unaudited Unaudited Unaudited Unaudited Unaudited Audited 1 Income from operations (a) Gross sales / Income from operations 1160.12 1188.24 1053.02 3476.94 3019.55 4224.84 (b) Other operating income - - - - - - Total income from operations 1160.12 1188.24 1053.02 3476.94 3019.55 4224.84 2 Expenses (a) Cost of materials consumed 747.58 762.65 684.59 2267.37 2004.95 2767.09 (b) Purchases of stock-in-trade 26.91 34.87 25.16 117.68 73.59 118.29 (c) Changes in inventories of finished goods, work-in-progress and stock-in-trade (0.22) 2.33 (1.43) (58.47) (48.14) (63.59) (d) Employee benefits expense 88.08 89.52 88.86 272.65 268.26 362.69 (e) Depreciation and amortisation expense 23.53 22.72 24.98 70.01 77.26 98.63 (f) Other expenses 221.16 211.97 200.77 651.91 582.14 815.39 Total expenses 1107.04 1124.06 1022.93 3321.15 2958.06 4098.50 3 Profit from operations before other income, finance costs and exceptional items 53.08 64.18 30.09 155.79 61.49 126.34 4 Other income 58.50 68.61 49.99 163.04 155.30 226.33 5 Profit from ordinary activities before finance costs and exceptional items 111.58 132.79 80.08 318.83 216.79 352.67 6 Finance costs 47.09 35.72 9.35 108.01 20.67 39.77 7 Profit from ordinary activities after finance costs but before exceptional items 64.49 97.07 70.73 210.82 196.12 312.90 8 Exceptional items (net) - income / (loss) (3.39) - (92.56) (3.39) (93.79) (1508.73) 9 Profit / (loss) from ordinary activities before tax 61.10 97.07 (21.83) 207.43 102.33 (1195.83) 10 Tax expense (11.20) 8.20 (4.65) 6.73 35.12 38.55 11 Net profit / (loss) from ordinary activities after tax 72.30 88.87 (17.18) 200.70 67.21 (1234.38) 12 Extraordinary items (net of tax expense - Nil) - - - - - - 13 Net profit / (loss) for the period / year from continuing operations 72.30 88.87 (17.18) 200.70 67.21 (1234.38) 14 Profit / (loss) from discontinued operations before tax (29.87) 1.07 (4.28) (30.06) 147.92 146.70 15 Tax expense on discontinued operations - - - - 61.31 61.31 16 Net profit / (loss) from discontinued operations after tax (29.87) 1.07 (4.28) (30.06) 86.61 85.39 17 Net profit / (loss) for the period / year 42.43 89.94 (21.46) 170.64 153.82 (1148.99) 18 Other comprehensive income after tax (76.35) (7.99) (12.89) (90.62) 63.33 9.14 19 Total comprehensive income after tax (33.92) 81.95 (34.35) 80.02 217.15 (1139.85) 20 Paid-up equity share capital 125.35 125.35 125.35 125.35 125.35 125.35 (Face value of equity share of ' 2 each) 21 Reserves excluding Revaluation Reserve as per balance sheet of previous accounting year 4002.70 22 Earnings Per Share (before extraordinary items) (of - 2 each) (Not annualised) (a) Basic 0.67 1.44 (0.34) 2.72 2.45 (18.33) (b) Diluted 0.67 1.44 (0.34) 2.72 2.45 (18.33) Earnings Per Share (after extraordinary items) (of ' 2 each) (Not annualised) (a) Basic 0.67 1.44 (0.34) 2.72 2.45 (18.33) (b) Diluted 0.67 1.44 (0.34) 2.72 2.45 (18.33) STANDALONE SEGMENT-WISE REVENUE, RESULTS, ASSETS AND LIABILITIES FOR THE QUARTER AND NINE MONTHS ENDED 31ST DECEMBER, 2016 (? in crore) Sr. No. Particulars Quarter ended Nine months ended Previous year ended 31.12.2016 30.09.2016 31.12.2015 31.12.2016 31.12.2015 31.03.2016 Unaudited Unaudited Unaudited Unaudited Unaudited Audited 1. Segment Revenue: (a) Power Systems 636.30 687.01 602.44 1979.89 1715.88 2424.68 (b) Industrial Systems 523.85 501.43 450.64 1497.34 1303.79 1800.54 Total 1160.15 1188.44 1053.08 3477.23 3019.67 4225.22 Less: Inter-Segment Revenue 0.03 0.20 0.06 0.29 0.12 0.38 Total income from operations 1160.12 1188.24 1053.02 3476.94 3019.55 4224.84 2. Segment Results: [Profit / (loss) before tax and finance costs from each segment] (a) Power Systems 64.11 55.39 31.60 153.62 67.49 116.98 (b) Industrial Systems 54.26 52.72 41.85 153.15 118.55 174.28 Total 118.37 108.11 73.45 306.77 186.04 291.26 Less: (i) Finance costs 47.09 35.72 9.35 108.01 20.67 39.77 (ii) Other un-allocable expenditure net of un-allocable income 6.79 (24.68) (6.63) (12.06) (30.75) (61.41) Add: (i) Exceptional items (net) - Income / (loss) (3.39) - (92.56) (3.39) (93.79) (1508.73) Profit / (loss) from ordinary activities before tax 61.10 97.07 (21.83) 207.43 102.33 (1195.83) 3. Segment Assets: (a) Power Systems 2148.13 2177.41 2178.36 2148.13 2178.36 2190.23 (b) Industrial Systems 886.28 832.27 824.19 886.28 824.19 822.47 (c) Unallocable 4335.47 4192.11 4302.19 4335.47 4302.19 3273.17 (d) Discontinued Operations 248.97 284.50 289.77 248.97 289.77 320.26 Total segment assets 7618.85 7486.29 7594.51 7618.85 7594.51 6606.13 4. Segment Liabilities: (a) Power Systems 955.95 1089.31 904.94 955.95 904.94 1070.11 (b) Industrial Systems 435.07 402.34 358.09 435.07 358.09 359.49 (c) Unallocable 396.04 357.05 122.40 396.04 122.40 196.73 (d) Discontinued Operations 12.20 48.88 48.24 12.20 48.24 80.53 Total segment liabilities 1799.26 1897.58 1433.67 1799.26 1433.67 1706.86 Notes on standalone financial results: 1. The above unaudited standalone results have been reviewed by the Audit Committee and approved by the Board of Directors at its meeting held on 10th February, 2017. The statutory auditors have carried out a limited review of the financial results of the Company as required under Regulation 33 of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015 (the 'Listing Regulations'). 2. Exceptional items include the following: (' in crore) Particulars Quarter ended Nine Months ended Previous year ended 31.12.2016 30.09.2016 31.12.2015 31.12.2016 31.12.2015 31.03.2016 Amount paid towards Sales tax Amnesty scheme (3.39) - - (3.39) - - Profit on sale of portion of land at Kanjurmarg, Mumbai - - 246.30 - 246.30 246.30 Liquidation of investment in subsidiary company - Crompton Greaves Holdings Mauritius Limited - - 31.63 - 31.63 31.63 Profit on sale of investment in joint venture - CG Lucy Switchgear Limited - - 39.51 - 39.51 39.51 Provision made against loan given to subsidiaries net of exchange gain - - (410.00) - (410.00) (1272.90) Provision made against investment in subsidiaries - - - - - (545.86) Compensation to employees pursuant to voluntary retirement scheme - - - - (1.23) (1.23) One-time payment to former CEO & Managing Director - - - - - (6.18) Total (3.39) - (92.56) (3.39) (93.79) (1508.73) 3. Other comprehensive income is in respect of fair valuation of exposure in foreign subsidiaries, other investment and employee benefits. 4. Discontinuing businesses: a. In respect of discontinued Distribution Franchise business (Jalgaon), the Company and Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) have raised demand on each other and the matter is under dispute. The Company and MSEDCL are in the process of constituting a Permanent Dispute Resolution Body (PDRB) to arrive at a solution in near future. The Company does not expect any adverse impact with respect to above. b. The Board of Directors of the Company vide resolution dated 7th November, 2016 have accepted an offer for the sale of the Company's B2B Automation business, comprising of ZIV Aplicaciones y Technologia, S. L, (Spain), its subsidiaries alongwith the related Automation business in United Kingdom, Ireland, France and India at an enterprise value of 120 million from Alfanar Electric Systems Company (Alfanar) of The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Alfanar is a major player in the electrical manufacturing business, including the manufacturing of electrical construction products as well as related engineering services. The deal is likely to be concluded within the current financial year. In line with above, effective 1st January, 2017, the Company has transferred its automation business in India under slump sale agreement to ZIV Automation India Limited (A wholly owned subsidiary - a special purpose vehicle incorporated on 18th November, 2016) at a consideration of ' 30.80 crore. Pursuant to the arrangement with Alfanar, investment in this subsidiary will be sold to them in due course as a part of divestment of entire automation business of the company. c. The Company has terminated Share Purchase Agreement entered into with First Reserve, an offshore private equity (PE) firm for sale of overseas Power T&D businesses of the Company at Indonesia, Hungary, Ireland, France, US and Belgium. However, the Company will continue to identify new buyers for sale of these businesses in near future. d. Details of the discontinued businesses as on 31st December, 2016 included therein are given below in terms of the requirement of Indian Accounting Standard (Ind AS) 105: (' in crore) Particulars Quarter ended Nine months ended Previous year ended 31.12.2016 30.09.2016 31.12.2015 31.12.2016 31.12.2015 31.03.2016 Gross sales / Income from operations 17.12 20.01 17.55 51.01 2036.52 2071.13 Profit / (Loss) before Tax (29.87) 1.07 (4.28) (30.06) 147.92 146.70 Net Profit / (Loss) after Tax (29.87) 1.07 (4.28) (30.06) 86.61 85.39 5. The Company has applied for the change of its name from Crompton Greaves Limited to CG Power and Industrial Solutions Limited for which Shareholders approval is already in place and awaiting approval from Registrar of Companies, Mumbai. 6. Consequent to adoption of Ind AS effective from 1st April, 2015, the net profit for the quarter and Nine months ended 31st December, 2015 is decreased by ' 141.66 crore and ' 150.87 crore respectively on account of increase in depreciation due to fair value, depreciation on leased assets, expected credit losses, re-measurements of defined benefit obligations, and other adjustments. 7. Results of the quarter / nine months ended 31st December, 2016 are in compliance with the Indian Accounting Standards (Ind AS) notified by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. Consequently, results for the quarter and nine months ended 31st December, 2015 have been restated to comply with Ind AS to make them comparable. 8. Figures of the previous quarters / year have been regrouped, wherever necessary to correspond with the current quarter / period. Hence, the corresponding component figures are comparable with all respective quarters / period financial results. For Crompton Greaves Limited Place: New DelhiK.N. Neelkant Date: 10th February, 2017 CEO & Managing Director DIN: 05122610 STATEMENT OF CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR THE QUARTER AND NINE MONTHS ENDED 31ST DECEMBER, 2016 (' in crore) Sr. No. Particulars Quarter ended Nine months ended Previous year ended 31.12.2016 30.09.2016 31.12.2015 31.12.2016 31.12.2015 31.03.2016 Unaudited Unaudited Unaudited Unaudited Unaudited Audited 1 Income from operations (a) Gross sales / Income from operations 1244.09 1323.29 1124.85 3895.04 3292.01 4827.35 (b) Other operating income - - - - - - Total income from operations 1244.09 1323.29 1124.85 3895.04 3292.01 4827.35 2 Expenses (a) Cost of materials consumed 779.15 839.84 635.20 2473.34 1994.74 2981.20 (b) Purchases of stock-in-trade 26.90 34.88 18.38 117.69 77.50 118.16 (c) Changes in inventories of finished, goods work-in-progress and stock-in-trade (5.30) 3.42 22.24 (57.06) (20.98) 0.51 (d) Employee benefits expense 111.96 117.92 120.32 352.16 364.04 495.96 (e) Depreciation and amortisation expense 34.10 35.56 40.14 109.27 122.21 171.73 (f) Other expenses 248.08 242.86 235.33 728.25 677.74 938.40 Total expenses 1194.89 1274.48 1071.61 3723.65 3215.25 4705.96 3 Profit from operations before other income, finance costs and exceptional items 49.20 48.81 53.24 171.39 76.76 121.39 4 Other income 30.58 50.21 15.53 98.04 78.70 121.17 5 Profit from ordinary activities before finance costs and exceptional items 79.78 99.02 68.77 269.43 155.46 242.56 6 Finance costs 50.88 43.94 19.11 125.07 50.58 79.37 7 Profit from ordinary activities after finance costs, but before exceptional items 28.90 55.08 49.66 144.36 104.88 163.19 8 Exceptional items (net) - income / (loss) (3.39) - (149.77) (3.39) (151.00) (111.26) 9 Profit/ (loss) from ordinary activities before tax 25.51 55.08 (100.11) 140.97 (46.12) 51.93 10 Tax expense (11.69) 7.81 (4.07) 5.54 40.06 33.40 11 Net profit / (loss) from ordinary activities after tax 37.20 47.27 (96.04) 135.43 (86.18) 18.53 12 Extraordinary items (net of tax expense - Nil) - - - - - - 13 Net profit / (loss) for the period / year from continuing operations 37.20 47.27 (96.04) 135.43 (86.18) 18.53 14 Share of profit / (loss) in associates (net) (0.34) (0.36) (0.06) (0.94) 1.60 1.20 15 Minority interest (0.05) (0.05) 0.37 (0.22) 1.90 1.33 16 Net profit / (loss) after taxes, minority interest and share of profit / (loss) of associates (net) 36.81 46.86 (95.73) 134.27 (82.68) 21.06 17 Loss from discontinued operations before tax (66.15) (55.55) (237.96) (179.94) (232.97) (364.62) 18 Tax expense on discontinued operations 2.11 1.72 (16.00) 5.70 53.66 108.98 19 Loss from discontinued operations after tax (68.26) (57.27) (221.96) (185.64) (286.63) (473.60) 20 Loss for the period / year (31.45) (10.41) (317.69) (51.37) (369.31) (452.54) 21 Other comprehensive income after tax (97.17) 72.85 19.97 33.25 109.93 90.73 22 Total comprehensive income after tax (128.62) 62.44 (297.72) (18.12) (259.38) (361.81) 23 Paid-up equity share capital 125.35 125.35 125.35 125.35 125.35 125.35 (Face value of equity share of ' 2 each) 24 Reserves excluding Revaluation Reserve as per the balance sheet of previous accounting year 4471.81 25 Earnings Per Share (before extraordinary items) (of ' 2 each) (Not annualised) (a) Basic (0.50) (0.17) (5.07) (0.82) (5.89) (7.22) (b) Diluted (0.50) (0.17) (5.07) (0.82) (5.89) (7.22) Earnings Per Share (after extraordinary items) (of ' 2 each) (Not annualised) (a) Basic (0.50) (0.17) (5.07) (0.82) (5.89) (7.22) (b) Diluted (0.50) (0.17) (5.07) (0.82) (5.89) (7.22) CONSOLIDATED SEGMENT-WISE REVENUE, RESULTS, ASSETS AND LIABILITIES FOR THE QUARTER AND NINE MONTHS ENDED 31ST DECEMBER, 2016 (' in crore) Sr. No. Particulars Quarter ended Nine months ended Previous year ended 31.12.2016 30.09.2016 31.12.2015 31.12.2016 31.12.2015 31.03.2016 Unaudited Unaudited Unaudited Unaudited Unaudited Audited 1. Segment Revenue: (a) Power Systems 662.23 741.34 603.82 2166.92 1751.68 2706.62 (b) Industrial Systems 578.73 576.67 518.86 1714.39 1539.81 2118.80 (c) Others 3.16 5.48 3.99 14.02 11.76 13.60 Total 1244.12 1323.49 1126.67 3895.33 3303.25 4839.02 Less: Inter-Segment Revenue 0.03 0.20 1.82 0.29 11.24 11.67 Total income from operations 1244.09 1323.29 1124.85 3895.04 3292.01 4827.35 2. Segment Results: [Profit / (loss) before tax and finance costs from each segment] (a) Power Systems 78.02 65.34 70.41 229.92 143.75 201.14 (b) Industrial Systems 43.04 45.17 28.65 127.66 95.57 138.87 (c) Others 0.48 0.51 0.55 0.38 (3.32) (1.00) Total 121.54 111.02 99.61 357.96 236.00 339.01 Less: (i) Finance costs 50.88 43.94 19.11 125.07 50.58 79.37 (ii) Other un-allocable expenditure net of un-allocable income 41.76 12.00 30.84 88.53 80.54 96.45 Add: (i) Exceptional items (net) - Income / (loss) (3.39) - (149.77) (3.39) (151.00) (111.26) Profit / (loss) from ordinary activities before tax 25.51 55.08 (100.11) 140.97 (46.12) 51.93 3. Segment Assets: (a) Power Systems 2862.36 2851.29 3086.24 2862.36 3086.24 2688.03 (b) Industrial Systems 1390.86 1366.96 1356.12 1390.86 1356.12 1384.78 (c) Others 21.27 18.47 8.86 21.27 8.86 33.10 (d) Unallocable 2592.82 2551.91 2086.49 2592.82 2086.49 1911.70 (e) Discontinued Operations 4661.47 4811.34 3798.23 4661.47 3798.23 4911.86 Total segment assets 11528.78 11599.97 10335.94 11528.78 10335.94 10929.47 4. Segment Liabilities: (a) Power Systems 1242.32 972.46 1025.83 1242.32 1025.83 683.13 (b) Industrial Systems 519.90 489.70 420.54 519.90 420.54 439.45 (c) Others 8.25 7.10 5.07 8.25 5.07 6.03 (d) Unallocable 890.26 830.33 575.22 890.26 575.22 932.50 (e) Discontinued Operations 1992.19 2227.09 1409.62 1992.19 1409.62 2545.11 Total segment liabilities 4652.92 4526.68 3436.28 4652.92 3436.28 4606.22 Notes on consolidated financial results: 1. The above unaudited consolidated results have been reviewed by the Audit Committee and approved by the Board of Directors at its meeting held on 10th February, 2017. The statutory auditors have carried out a limited review of the financial results of the Company as required under Regulation 33 of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015 (the 'Listing Regulations'). 2. Exceptional items include the following: ((' in crore) Particulars Quarter ended Nine Months ended Previous Year ended 31.12.2016 30.09.2016 31.12.2015 31.12.2016 31.12.2015 31.03.2016 Amount paid towards Sales tax Amnesty scheme (3.39) - - (3.39) - - Profit on sale of portion of land at Kanjurmarg, Mumbai - - 246.30 - 246.30 246.30 Profit on sale of investment in joint venture - CG Lucy Switchgear Limited - - 13.93 - 13.93 13.93 Provision made against loan given to subsidiaries net of exchange gain - - (410.00) - (410.00) (323.77) Compensation to employees pursuant to voluntary retirement scheme - - - - (1.23) (1.23) One-time payment to former CEO & Managing Director - - - - - (6.18) Impairment of Goodwill - - - - - (40.31) Total (3.39) - (149.77) (3.39) (151.00) (111.26) 3. Other comprehensive income is in respect of fair valuation of exposure in foreign subsidiaries, other investment and employee benefits. 4. Discontinuing businesses: a. In respect of discontinued Distribution Franchise business (Jalgaon), the Company and Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) have raised demand on each other and the matter is under dispute. The Company and MSEDCL are in the process of constituting a Permanent Dispute Resolution Body (PDRB) to arrive at a solution in near future. The Company does not expect any adverse impact with respect to above. b. The Board of Directors of the Company vide resolution dated 7th November, 2016 have accepted an offer for the sale of the Company's B2B Automation business, comprising of ZIV Aplicaciones y Technologia, S. L, (Spain), its subsidiaries alongwith the related Automation business in United Kingdom, Ireland, France and India at an enterprise value of 120 million from Alfanar Electric Systems Company (Alfanar) of The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Alfanar is a major player in the electrical manufacturing business, including the manufacturing of electrical construction products as well as related engineering services. The deal is likely to be concluded within the current financial year. c. The Company has terminated Share Purchase Agreement entered into with First Reserve, an offshore private equity (PE) firm for sale of overseas Power T&D businesses of the Company at Indonesia, Hungary, Ireland, France, US and Belgium. However, the Company will continue to identify new buyers for sale of these businesses in near future and hence, these businesses will continue to be reflected as discontinuing businesses. d. Details of the discontinued businesses as on 31st December, 2016 included therein are given below in terms of the requirement of Indian Accounting Standard (Ind AS) 105: (' in crore) Particulars Quarter ended Nine months ended Previous year ended 31.12.2016 30.09.2016 31.12.2015 31.12.2016 31.12.2015 31.03.2016 Gross sales / Income from operations 1011.61 997.65 1063.00 3109.08 5499.89 6898.37 Loss before Tax (66.15) (55.55) (237.96) (179.94) (232.97) (364.62) Net loss after Tax (68.26) (57.27) (221.96) (185.64) (286.63) (473.60) 5. The Company has applied for the change of its name from Crompton Greaves Limited to CG Power and Industrial Solutions Limited for which Shareholders approval is already in place and awaiting approval from Registrar of Companies, Mumbai. 6. Consequent to adoption of Ind AS effective from 1st April, 2015, the net profit for the quarter ended and nine months ended 31st December, 2015 is decreased by ' 190.69 crore and ' 220.50 crore respectively on account of increase in depreciation due to fair value, amortisation of intangible assets, depreciation on leased assets, expected credit losses, re-measurements of defined benefit obligations, and other adjustments. 7. Results of the quarter / nine months ended 31st December, 2016 are in compliance with the Indian Accounting Standards (Ind AS) notified by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. Consequently, results for the quarter and nine months ended 31st December, 2015 have been restated to comply with Ind AS to make them comparable. 8. Figures of the previous quarters / year have been regrouped, wherever necessary to correspond with the current quarter / period. Hence, the corresponding component figures are comparable with all respective quarters / period financial results. For Crompton Greaves Limited Place: New DelhiK.N. Neelkant Date: 10th February, 2017 CEO & Managing Director DIN: 05122610 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 16, 2017) - International Lithium Corp. (TSXV: ILC) (the "Company" or "ILC") is pleased to announce that, further to the Company's news releases dated January 25, 2017 and February 9, 2017 announcing certain strategic changes to its corporate structure and business model, Maurice Brooks has been appointed to the Company's board of directors. Mr. Brooks was appointed interim Chief Financial Officer of the Company earlier this year. He is a licensed senior statutory auditor in the UK and has been a senior partner in Johnson, Smith & Co., Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors since 2000. Previously, he was Finance and Deputy Managing Director of a vehicle producer, Investment Accountant to the Western Australian Government, and before that he had been employed in the audit department of PricewaterhouseCoopers - UK. "Mr. Brooks brings a unique skill set to the board of directors of ILC and shares our vision to move beyond the high risk early exploration model of value creation," stated Kirill Klip, Chairman, President and CEO of International Lithium Corp. Mr. Brooks replaces Mr. Wayne Spilsbury, who resigned as a director of ILC on February 13, 2017. Mr. Spilsbury is also a director of Australian Stock Exchange-listed Pioneer Resources Limited ("Pioneer") a party to an option agreement with International Lithium Corp. on the Mavis and Raleigh pegmatite projects located in Ontario, Canada. About International Lithium Corp. International Lithium Corp. is an exploration company with an outstanding portfolio of projects, strong management ownership, robust financial support and a strategic partner and keystone investor Ganfeng Lithium Co. Ltd., a leading China based lithium product manufacturer. The Company's primary focus is the strategic stake in the Mariana lithium-potash brine project (including 10% back-in right), a joint venture with Ganfeng Lithium Co. Ltd. within the renowned South American "Lithium Belt" that is the host to the vast majority of global lithium resources, reserves and production. The Mariana project strategically encompasses an entire mineral rich evaporate basin, totalling 160 square kilometres, that ranks as one of the more prospective salars or 'salt lakes' in the region. Complementing the Company's lithium brine project are three rare metals pegmatite properties in Canada known as the Mavis, Raleigh, and Forgan projects, and the Avalonia project in Ireland, which encompasses an extensive 50km-long pegmatite belt. The Avalonia project is under option to strategic partner Ganfeng Lithium and the Mavis and Raleigh projects with strategic partner Pioneer Resources Limited (ASX:PIO). The Mavis, Raleigh and Forgan projects together form the basis of the Company's Upper Canada Lithium Pool designated to focus on acquiring numerous prospects with previously reported high concentrations of lithium in close proximity to existing infrastructure. With the increasing demand for high tech rechargeable batteries used in vehicle propulsion technologies and portable electronics, lithium is paramount to tomorrow's "green-tech", sustainable economy. By positioning itself with solid development partners and acquiring high quality grass roots projects at an early stage of exploration, ILC aims to be the resource explorer of choice for investors in green-tech and to continue to build value for its shareholders. On behalf of the Board of Directors, Kirill Klip Chairman, President and CEO, International Lithium Corp. For further information regarding this news release contact Kirill Klip at InternationalLithiumCorp@gmail.com. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information Statements in this press release other than purely historical information, should not be relied upon. Historical estimates, including statements relating to the Company's future plans and objectives or expected results, are forward-looking statements. This news release contains certain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions and are subject to all of the risks and uncertainties inherent in the Company's business, including risks inherent in resource exploration and development. As a result, actual results may vary materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 02/16/17 -- The Honourable Melanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage, invites media to attend the launch of Winterlude's first Ice Dragon Boast Festival on Saturday. Members of the media should note that registration from Canadian Heritage is required to access Winterlude's official sites and closed streets with a vehicle. Since parking is limited at Dows Lake, media representatives are asked to R.S.V.P. by sending an email to pch.media-media.pch@canada.ca by 2:00 p.m. EST on Thursday, February 16, 2017. Please see the attached backgrounder for further details. Please note that all details are subject to change. All times are local. The details are as follows: DATE: Saturday, February 18, 2017 TIME: 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. PLACE: Rideau Canal Skateway (Dows Lake) Ottawa, Ontario Stay Connected Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. BACKGROUNDER Members of the media are reminded that registration from Canadian Heritage is required to access official sites and closed streets by vehicle throughout the festivities. If you have not registered, please do so by sending an email to pch.media-media.pch@canada.ca by 2:00 p.m. EST on Thursday, February 16, 2017, with the following information: -- Name -- Cellular phone number -- Type of vehicle -- Licence plate number Official media passes are available upon presentation of your identification at the Parliamentary Press Gallery at 150 Wellington Street in Ottawa from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Friday. Media parking is available on Queen Elizabeth Driveway (see Annex 1), and media representatives are asked to access the Driveway via Preston Street. As this event is taking place on the Rideau Canada Skateway, non-slip footwear is recommended. Contacts: Pierre-Olivier Herbert Press Secretary Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage 819-997-7788 Media Relations Canadian Heritage 819-994-9101 1-866-569-6155 pch.media-media.pch@canada.ca PUNE, India, February 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new market research report "Data Science Platform Market by Business Function (Marketing, Sales, Logistics, Risk, Customer Support, Human Resources, & Operations), Deployment Model, Vertical, and Region - Global Forecast to 2021", published by MarketsandMarkets, the market is estimated to grow from USD 19.58 Billion in 2016 to USD 101.37 Billion by 2021, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 38.9% (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160303/792302 ) Browse44 market data Tables and43 Figures spread through 137 Pages and in-depth TOC on "Data Science Platform Market" http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/data-science-platform-market-21532997.html Early buyers will receive 10% customization on this report. The logistics business function is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period The logistics business function is expected to have the largest market share, as well as, the highest growth rate. Most of the enterprises are embracing revered data science platforms to ingest data from numerous sources. These data science platforms have helped enterprises to address the business queries with the help of actionable insights delivered as an end result from data science platform solutions. This has led enterprises to enhance and maximize their Return on Investment (ROI). Moreover, data science platform also helps sort data to support efficient network planning and network optimization through analysis of historical data of transportation routes. Ask for PDF Brochure @ http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownload.asp?id=21532997 The on-demand deployment model to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period The market by deployment model has been segmented into on-premises and on-demand model. The on-demand deployment model is expected to witness the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The on-demand deployment model will gain traction in the future, owing to low operational expenses, ease of deployment, and improved scalability & integration. North America is expected to dominate the Data Science Platform Market during the forecast period The Data Science Platform Market segments the global market on the basis of regions, which includes North America, Asia-Pacific (APAC), Europe, Middle East & Africa (MEA), and Latin America. North America is expected to hold the largest share of the Data Science Platform Market in 2016, due to the presence of large enterprises, technical experts, and growing demands for data science platform in this region. The market in APAC is expected to grow at the highest CAGR between 2016 and 2021. The APAC market is expected to adopt data science platform significantly, owing to increased Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs), flexible government policies advocating the growth of digitalization, industrialization, and smart city initiatives by various governments, which will be instrumental in adoption of the technology by leaps and bounds. Inquiry before Buying @ http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_Buying.asp?id=21532997 Enterprises are focusing on methods enabling simpler use of data to drive their business and advancement in big data technologies and these are the key driving forces of the Data Science Platform Market. The report also encompasses different strategies, such as acquisitions, partnerships & collaborations, and product developments, adopted by major players to increase their shares in the market. Some of the major technology vendors include Microsoft Corporation (U.S.), IBM Corporation (U.S.), Google, Inc. (U.S.), Wolfram (U.S.), DataRobot Inc. (U.S.), Sense Inc. (U.S.), RapidMiner Inc. (U.S.), Domino Data Lab (U.S.), Dataiku (France), Alteryx, Inc. (U.S.), and Continuum Analytics, Inc. (U.S.). Browse Related Reports Big Data Market by Component (Software and Services), Type (Structured, Semi-Structured and Unstructured), Deployment Model, Vertical, and Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America & Middle East and Africa) - Global Forecast to 2021 http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/big-data-market-1068.html Predictive Analytics Market by Business Function, Applications (Risk Management, Operations Management, Sales Management, Supply Chain Management, Workforce Management), Organization Size, Deployment Model, Vertical, & by Region - Global Forecast to 2020 http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/predictive-analytics-market-1181.html Know More About our Knowledge Store @ http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Knowledgestore.asp About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets is the largest market research firm worldwide in terms of annually published premium market research reports. Serving 1700 global fortune enterprises with more than 1200 premium studies in a year, M&M is catering to a multitude of clients across 8 different industrial verticals. We specialize in consulting assignments and business research across high growth markets, cutting edge technologies and newer applications. Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model - GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. M&M's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "RT" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets. The new included chapters on Methodology and Benchmarking presented with high quality analytical infographics in our reports gives complete visibility of how the numbers have been arrived and defend the accuracy of the numbers. We at MarketsandMarkets are inspired to help our clients grow by providing apt business insight with our huge market intelligence repository. Contact: Mr. Rohan MarketsandMarkets 701 Pike Street, Suite 2175, Seattle, WA 98101, United States Tel: 1-888-600-6441 Email: sales@marketsandmarkets.com Visit MarketsandMarkets Blog @ http://www.marketsandmarketsblog.com/market-reports/telecom-it Connect with us on LinkedIn @ http://www.linkedin.com/company/marketsandmarkets TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 02/16/17 -- Pasinex Resources Limited (CSE: PSE)(FRANKFURT: PNX) (the "Company" or "Pasinex") today announced the completion of a sale of high grade zinc sulphide from the Pinargozu Mine, Adana, Turkey. A total of 1,359.33 tonnes (wet weight) of material assaying an average of 46.1% Zn and about 200 g/ tonne Ag (provisional assay) was sold to an international trading house. The material was sold for over US$900 / tonne and the production costs for this material, based on previously disclosed Q3 2016 financial information, is anticipated to be approximately US$308.80 / tonne. Steve Williams, President and CEO of Pasinex Resources Limited commented, "We are pleased to report on-going production at the Pinargozu Mine. This is the latest sulphide sale and the first produced this year from the new third adit at Pinargozu. Once again this production of high-grade sulphide material is an added bonus to the run-of mine non-sulphide zinc production reported in previous news releases." Full production statistics, financial results and the Management Discussion and Analysis is filed quarterly. 2016 year-end results will be published in April, followed by Q1 2017 in May. Over the last 2 years, production at the Pinargozu Mine has come from two adits and then late in 2016 production was expanded to three adits. Mine planning for the next 5 years is based on mineralized volumes delineated by fan drilling from key drill stations on surface and underground. A key objective over the coming months is to complete a NI 43-101 resource estimate prepared by an independent qualified person. Pinargozu Zinc Mine and Horzum Zinc Trend (HZT) Mining is predominantly exploiting very high-grade non-sulphide zinc mineralization from two adits. The new third adit, opened in August 2016, is deeper and accesses exceptionally high-grade zinc sulphide- mineralization in addition to predominantly non-sulphide mineralization. The grade of the mined non-sulphide material consistently exceeds the 25% zinc threshold for direct shipping to zinc processing plants and the sulphide zinc material (sphalerite) is averaging over the required 45% zinc threshold. Pinargozu is one of several exploration targets along the Horzum Zinc Trend (HZT), in southern Turkey. The HZT consists of a series of Carbonate-Replacement-Deposits (CRDs). The HZT extends for at least eight kilometres north of the Horzum Mine, currently operated by our joint venture partner, Akmetal Madencilik San ve Tic. AS (Akmetal AS). The HZT is grossly underexplored. Pasinex is the first to apply advanced exploration technology and CRD exploration concepts and models to the HZT. Qualified Person EurGeol, P.Geo. John Barry, a qualified person (QP) as defined by NI 43-101, has inspected the original paid sales invoice issued by the JV for the shipment of zinc sulphides specified in this news release and has approved the scientific and technical disclosure herein. Mr. Barry is a director of the Company. About Pasinex Pasinex Resources Limited (CSE: PSE)(FRANKFURT: PNX) is a metals company which is a 50% owner of the high-grade Pinargozu Zinc Mine which has produced for several years and, under its DSO Program, is shipping directly to zinc smelters / refiners from its mine site in Turkey. The Pinargozu Mine is included in the 50-50 company, Horzum Arama Isletme AS (Horzum AS), which is a corporate joint venture between Pasinex and Turkish mining house, Akmetal Madencilik San ve Tic. AS (Akmetal AS). Akmetal AS is one of Turkey's largest family-owned conglomerates with the nearby past-producing Horzum Zinc Mine. Pasinex has a strong technical management team with many years of experience in mineral exploration, metallurgy and mining project development. The mission of Pasinex is to build a mid-tier zinc mining company based on developing a large land package within the productive CRD district in Turkey. Visit our web site at: www.pasinex.com. On Behalf of the Board of Directors, PASINEX RESOURCES LIMITED Steve Williams The CSE does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. This news release includes forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause the actual results of the Company to be materially different from the historical results or from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All statements within, other than statements of historical fact, are to be considered forward-looking. Although Pasinex Resources Limited believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, continued availability of capital and financing, exploration results, and general economic, market or business conditions. There can be no assurances that such statements will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements. Contacts: Pasinex Resources Limited Steve Williams President/CEO 416.861.9659 info@pasinex.com www.pasinex.com CHF Investor Relations Cathy Hume 416.868.1079 ext. 231 cathy@chfir.com TORONTO, ON -- (Marketwired) -- 02/16/17 --Patriot One Technologies, Inc. (TSX VENTURE: PAT) (OTCQB: PTOTF) (FRANKFURT: 0PL) ("Patriot One" or the "Company"), developer of a revolutionary concealed weapons detection system, has been accepted and recognized by the Security Industry Association (SIA) and ISC West to participate in the New Product Showcase in Las Vegas, NV. The New Product Showcase is the premier platform for security professionals to evaluate new products and technologies for use in security applications. Patriot One's NForce CMR1000 software solution will be featured in the Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection category as part of the New Product Showcase at ISC West, the largest security industry trade show in the U.S. The event will be held at the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas from April 5-7th. "We are honored and excited to be accepted into the New Product Showcase, that benchmarks us against the best products in the market for weapons detection," said Martin Cronin, CEO & Director of Patriot One Technologies. "We are pleased to demonstrate to the judges an innovative and disruptive technology that will be a real step forward in public security." The first-of-a-kind NForce CMR1000 is an easily-concealed, cost-effective and non-invasive full-body scanning technology that is practical and safe. The device can covertly detect on-body concealed weapons (rifles, handguns, knives, grenades, explosive vests) at key access points and doorways of weapons-restricted buildings and facilities. The solution is designed to be installed behind walls, in ceilings and in floors, and may be installed to notify security professionals prior to an individual carrying a weapon into a building. In addition, the NForce CMR1000 solution can be integrated with other access point security systems to assist in locking down doors, turnstiles, elevators and other access point gating systems. Patriot One's NForce CMR1000 solution utilizes very low power microwave emissions that, through machine learning algorithms, are able to target, identify and notify security professionals and law enforcement of concealed threats. "We've designed this technology for use in any public or private facility to effectively manage and restrict unlawful weapons access," added Cronin. "Our mission is to reduce the spread of violence caused by unlawful use of weapons through our superior detection technology that identifies concealed weapons, even on moving targets in real time." For more information on Patriot One, visit www.patriot1tech.com. For more information on ISC West, visit iscwest.com. About Patriot One Technologies, Inc. (TSX VENTURE: PAT) (OTCQB: PTOTF) (FRANKFURT: 0PL): Patriot One has developed a first-of-its-kind Cognitive Microwave Radar concealed weapons detection system as an effective tool to combat active shooter threats before they occur. Designed for cost-effective deployment in weapon-restricted buildings and facilities, NForce CMR1000 can be installed in hallways and doorways to covertly identify weapons and to alert security of an active threat entering the premises. Owner/operators of private and certain public facilities can now prominently post anti-weapons policies with compliance assured. The Company's motto Deter, Detect and Defend is based on the belief that widespread use of its technology will act as an effective deterrent, thereby diminishing the epidemic phenomena of active shooters across the globe. For more information, visit: www.patriot1tech.com and watch the video. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD "Martin Cronin" CEO & Director CAUTIONARY DISCLAIMER STATEMENT: Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) nor any other regulatory body has reviewed or accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to product development, licensing, commercialization and regulatory compliance issues and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipate", "expects" and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include the failure to satisfy the conditions of the relevant securities exchange(s) and other risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company will update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements as expressly required by applicable law. For further information, please contact: Patriot One Inquiries +1 (888) 728-1832 info@patriot1tech.com www.patriot1tech.com FORT LAUDERDALE, FL -- (Marketwired) -- 02/16/17 -- VPR Brands, LP (OTC PINK: VPRB) proudly introduces its new RIPPO brand handheld Vaporizer. An old school design packed with new school technology for the discerning vapor connoisseur. The RIPPO is a must have for anyone who enjoys quality, power, and concealment. The product features a high capacity 1500mah rechargeable battery, micro USB port, ceramic heater, a flip open top for concealment/cleanliness, and a rubberized textured grip for durability. "This is one of the coolest looking items we have ever launched into the market and at $99, it's going to get everyone's attention. It looks good plus it feels great in your hand, and once you experience the RIPPO you will understand where the name came from. This is a unit anyone would be proud to carry and pass around when they are out and about with friends or just want to be discrete anywhere at any time. Our Iconic design, new age technology, and quality were brought together by our winning team at VPR Brands which I am proud to be a part of," says Kevin Frija, VPR Brands CEO. "The RIPPO stands true to its name and then some." "We have already pre-sold a large portion of the initial run and plan to build a full line around this concept. I actually took a handmade prototype to MJ Business Conference in Las Vegas and industry professionals offered $200+ for the unit on the spot! From that moment I knew we had to bring this unit to life," said Dan Hoff, VPR Brands COO. "This piece was designed and built to feel solid in the hands of the beholder, have a feel and function familiar to many while outperforming the competition. This is one of the most powerful compact essential oils vaporizers on the market which provides larger than life hits and extraordinary taste." The RIPPO will be available in stores, dispensaries and online www.vapehoneystick.com starting March 1st. The Product will be distributed by Busy Bee distributing and featured product at Canna Daddy's in Oregon as well as other local distributors and dispensaries in legal states. Busy Bee Distributing: We make it easy for retailers to stock their shelves with the products that loyal customers want. The idea is simple, order what your store needs and receive it in one shipment instead of dozens. That's dozens of intakes you don't have to process, dozens of vendor payouts you won't have to manage and dozens of customers that get to work with your most knowledgeable staff members. We're really choosy about who we partner with, our thorough application process includes interviews, site visits and product tests in addition to meeting all OHA testing regulations. Why do we bother with all of this? Not only because that's what will build your business, it's also because it's our families and friends who end up using our products. For more information on this company, please visit http://busybeedist.com. Canna Daddy's: We work hand and hand with farmers allowing them to have an opportunity to be promoted and appreciated from our dispensary and from our patients. All of our farms have completed all regulations in testing the medicine that they bring to us to provide to the patient under ORS 333-008-1190. For more information on this company, please visit http://www.canna-daddys.com. About VPR Brands, LP: VPR Brands is a technology company, whose assets include issued U.S. and Chinese patents for atomization related products including technology for medical marijuana vaporizers and electronic cigarette products and components. The company is also engaged in product development for the vapor or vaping market, including e-liquids, vaporizers and electronic cigarettes (also known as e-cigarettes) which are devices which deliver nicotine and or cannabis through atomization or vaping, and without smoke and other chemical constituents typically found in traditional products. For more information about VPR Brands, please visit the company on the web at www.vprbrands.com. Forward-looking statements: This news release contains statements that involve expectations, plans or intentions, and other factors discussed from time to time in the company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. These statements are forward-looking and are subject to risks and uncertainties, so actual results may vary materially. The company cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. The company disclaims any obligation subsequently to revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events. Contact Information: VPR Brands, LP Kevin Frija CEO and CFO (954) 715-7001 info@vprbrands.com http://www.vprbrands.com/ VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 02/16/17 -- Strongbow Exploration Inc. (TSX VENTURE: SBW) ("Strongbow" or the "Company") is pleased to report the results of an independent Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") of its 100%-owned South Crofty tin project, located in Cornwall, UK. The PEA was completed by P&E Mining Consultants Inc. of Ontario, Canada in accordance with guidelines found in National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"). All amounts quoted are in USD unless specified otherwise. The PEA indicates that the project is potentially economically viable and technically feasible. Richard Williams, Strongbow's President and Chief Executive Officer commented: "The completion of a PEA for South Crofty is another significant step in advancing the project to a production decision. The outcome of this PEA, coupled with the strong potential to materially add to the Lower Mine tin Mineral Resource, supports our belief that South Crofty can become an operating mine once again. "We now have a project that not only shows it is potentially economic under the PEA parameters, but also benefits from a mine permit valid until 2071, planning permission to construct a new process plant, and strong community support. "The next step for the Company is to complete the current water treatment trials by the end of February 2017 and submit an application to the Environment Agency for a permit to commence dewatering the mine." PEA Highlights -- After-tax Net Present Value ("NPV") of $130.5 million (CDN$170.7 million using an exchange rate of 1.308, at a 5% discount rate) and an Internal Rate of Return ("IRR") of 23.4%, at assumed metal prices of $10.00/lb Sn, $2.65/lb Cu, and $0.90/lb Zn; -- Estimated pre-production capital cost, including contingency, of $118.7 million with payback of 3.8 years and Life of Mine ("LOM") sustaining capital costs of $83.8 million; -- Average LOM total cash cost of $3.36/lb SnEq metal recovered and a LOM all-in sustaining cash cost ("AISC") of $4.44/lb.; -- Potential to create approximately 110 new jobs during the 24-36 month dewatering and construction period (excluding construction personnel and contractors); -- A mine at South Crofty would have the potential to directly employ approximately 275 people in permanent positions; -- South Crofty will be operated using modern, trackless, mechanized underground mining methods and best-in-class processing, based on over 40 years of experience processing South Crofty mill feed through both the former on-site and Wheal Jane mills. The thickened tailings from the process will be used to backfill part of an 8-million cubic metres void space currently in the mine as well as providing ground support for modern mining operations; -- The mineralized material mined in the PEA is 2.575 million tonnes containing 88 million pounds of SnEq (tin equivalent) at an average grade of 1.55% SnEq; -- Operating mine life is over an 8-year period using average process recoveries of 88% for tin, 85% for copper, and 70% for zinc; -- A technical report prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 will be filed on SEDAR within 45 days of this announcement. The PEA was prepared by P&E Mining Consultants Inc. of Ontario, Canada. P&E is an established Canadian geological and mining consultancy that has undertaken over 300 precious and base metals resource estimate and mine engineering projects globally since 2004. P&E has a diverse current client base which it services from its Toronto area and Vancouver offices. Disclosure of a scientific or technical nature in this press release was prepared under the supervision of Owen Mihalop, CEng. MIMMM, the Company's Chief Operating Officer, and Eugene Puritch, P.Eng. and Andrew Bradfield, P.Eng., of P&E Mining Consultants Inc. Messrs. Mihalop, Puritch and Bradfield are "Qualified Persons" as defined in NI 43-101. Project Growth Opportunities There are numerous opportunities to further enhance the South Crofty tin project including: -- Increase in mine life: The PEA has concentrated on the four main mining areas that were in production when the mine ceased operating in 1998. There are numerous other mineralized zones and production areas that are developed and accessible but have yet to be included in an NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate. Strongbow is currently working to define the Mineral Resources in these areas and will potentially bring them into the mine plan in due course. -- In-mine exploration potential: The South Crofty mine has significant exploration potential, whereby all the main lode systems in production when previous mining stopped remain open along strike and at depth. -- Near mine exploration and development potential: The South Crofty mine is one of three former operating mines within Strongbow's mining permission area. The Dolcoath and Carn Brea mines, which are located adjacent to South Crofty mine, remain available for further exploration and re-development activities and could share the same surface and underground infrastructure. The reader is cautioned that Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. The mineralized material mined in the PEA differs from the Mineral Resource Estimate of May 2016 due to mine planning access considerations, higher SnEq cut-off grade, higher Sn price, dilution, mine recovery factor and production scheduling logistics. NPV and IRR Pre-Tax and After-Tax (US$ Millions) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pre-tax After-tax ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NPV @ 5% discount rate at $10/lb tin $165.9M $130.5M ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- IRR 27.4% 23.4% ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Payback (years) 3.5 3.8 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- All figures are reported on a 100% equity project basis valuation. Capital payback is calculated based on start of production. Cash Flow Over Initial Three Years and Life of Mine (US$ Millions) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pre-production Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 LOM ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Revenue 81.1 100.5 107.3 776.5 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Operating Cost 27.9 31.6 34.9 260.9 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Transport, Refining and Royalties 5.6 6.8 6.9 50.4 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- EBIT 30.6 42.4 43.1 288.5 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Capital Costs 118.7 19.4 18.8 18.8 202.6 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Working Capital 4.7 5.3 5.8 43.4 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Corporate Taxes 2.5 7.2 7.3 48.2 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Undiscounted Cash flow After-Tax 21.8 35.5 38.8 214.4 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The cash flow model is based on an assumed price of $10.00/lb for tin, $2.65/lb for copper, and $0.85/lb for zinc, and a U.S. Dollar / Sterling exchange rate of $1.25. Tin Price Sensitivity The project sensitivity analysis shows that a $1/lb variation from the $10/lb base-case tin price had the following impact on the project after-tax economics. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- BASE CASE ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- $9.00/lb $10.00/lb $11.00/lb ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NPV @ 5% discount rate 83.7 130.5 177.7 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- IRR 17.5% 23.4% 28.8% ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Payback (years) 4.5 3.8 3.3 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Economic Benefits to the UK and Local Communities The PEA indicates that the development of South Crofty could provide substantial economic benefits at the local and county levels, including: -- During the 24-36 month construction period the project is anticipated to generate direct employment of approximately 110 people, an increase of over 95 compared to the current levels of employment at the mine. This figure excludes contractors to be employed in the construction of the surface and underground facilities, which are additional to the permanent employees; -- Once the mine is in operation, it could directly employ approximately 275 people in permanent positions, excluding contractors; -- The Company believes the project has the potential to generate several hundred indirect jobs with local suppliers of products and services to support mine operations. Studies by other mining companies have indicated that 3 to 4 indirect jobs are generated for every direct job, but Strongbow has yet to make a formal employment study for South Crofty; -- Based on a tin price of $10/lb, the project is anticipated to generate annual corporation tax payments totaling GBP 38.5M (US$48.2M using an exchange rate of 1.25) over the LOM. Additionally, employee income tax and national insurance contributions will generate further government revenue; -- The Company will provide full training and skills development where necessary in order to maximize the employment of local residents at the project. The current and historical mining industry in Cornwall means that many of the skills required to operate the mine are already present in the local area and wider in-county; -- Development of the mine should form a fundamental part of the existing plans to re-generate the Camborne, Pool and Redruth area, by providing much needed, well-paid, permanent jobs as well as enhancing the visual impact of the mine site following decades of neglect and under- investment; -- Environmental benefits through taking control of the mine water, which currently discharges untreated directly into the Red River and finds its way downstream to Gwithian Bay, one of Cornwall's premier tourist beaches, and providing a long-lasting sustainable solution to mine discharge water for the future; -- Support for and enhancement of existing cultural development programs within the UNESCO World Mining Heritage Area. PEA Details The mineralized material mined in the PEA indicates that 2,575 kt at an average grade of 1.55% SnEq is amenable to mining which is based on the NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate published by Strongbow in May 2016 is detailed below. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Contained Resource Category (cut-off grade SnEq 0.6% SnEq) Tonnes Sn % Cu % Zn % SnEq % (tonnes) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Upper Mine (polymetallic) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Indicated 257 0.70 0.79 0.58 0.99 2,540 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Inferred 464 0.67 0.62 0.63 0.91 4,220 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lower Mine (tin only) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Indicated 1,660 1.81 0.00 0.00 1.81 30,050 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Inferred 738 1.91 0.00 0.00 1.91 14,100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Indicated 1,917 1.66 0.11 0.08 1.70 32,590 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Inferred 1,202 1.43 0.24 0.24 1.52 18,320 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- (i) Metal prices used for the SnEq Mineral Resource Estimate are US$8.50/lb Sn, US$2.75/lb Cu and US$0.90/lb Zn based on the approximate LME 2-year trailing averages at March 31, 2016. Process recovery assumptions are 88.5% for Sn, 85% for Cu and 70% for Zn. The SnEq% calculation includes metal price and recovery: SnEq% = Sn% + (0.311 x Cu%) + (0.084 x Zn%). For the Lower Mine Mineral Resource Estimate, only tin analyses are available, therefore only Sn% is reported. The May 2016 NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate was calculated by P&E Mining Consultants Inc, of Brampton, Ontario.Mr. Eugene Puritch, P.Eng was the lead author, and is a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101. Mineralized Material Mined The mineralized material mined contains Mineral Resources classified in the Inferred category and therefore cannot be considered a Mineral Reserve, however, the PEA demonstrates that approximately 83% of the Mineral Resources are demonstrated to be potentially extracted under the mine plan supported by the PEA. The PEA is preliminary in nature, and includes Inferred Mineral Resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as Mineral Reserves. There is no certainty that the preliminary economic assessment will be realized. The South Crofty mine is expected to be accessed via the existing New Cook's Kitchen shaft which will serve as the primary access to the mine for personnel and materials and for transporting mill feed to the plant site. The existing Tuckingmill decline will be extended in the second half of the mine life and eventually provide an alternative haulage route from the upper levels as well as access and ventilation. The existing New Roskear shaft will provide ventilation and secondary egress during development and early mine life. Annual mill feed of up to 350,000 tonnes (1,000 tonnes per day) is planned, primarily using sub-level longhole mining. Delayed thickened tailings will be used as backfill to support some mining areas. Mining blocks will be approximately 60m along strike and 20m to 30m high. Mineralized material will be removed from the stopes using 3.5 tonne load-haul-dump vehicles (LHDs) and transported to the existing shaft hoisting infrastructure using 20 tonne trucks. All development and re-habilitation work will be conducted using single boom hydraulic jumbo drills to widen the existing access development from 2.4m x 2.4m to 3.0m x 3.5m to enable trackless mining. Processing South Crofty mill feed is expected to be processed using a crush, grind, gravity and flotation flowsheet to recover tin and later in the mine life, copper and zinc when mining the lower grade upper mine stopes. Historical processing operations up to 1998, plus more recent testwork on the polymetallic material, have demonstrated that recoveries of between 88% and 90% can be expected over the LOM. Coarse tin is recovered by gravity separation following primary grinding with finer tin plus copper and zinc recovered through flotation following re-grinding of the gravity tails. Tailings from the flotation circuit will be thickened and placed underground in voids created during the previous mining operations and also in the newly-mined stopes, where required for support. All process water will come from mine dewatering and will be treated prior to discharge. Both mine water and process water will be treated using the High Density Sludge ("HDS") process to remove heavy metals prior to discharge. Where possible, process water will be re-circulated to minimize environmental impact. Capital and Operating Costs The pre-production capital cost of the South Crofty project is estimated to be $118.7-million. The LOM sustaining capital is estimated to be a further $83.8-million, comprising mine capital development and mill sustaining capex. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pre-Production Capex Cost ($M) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pumping, Shaft Refurbishment, Hoisting and Underground Infrastructure 34.0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mining Equipment and Ventilation 3.6 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mine Development 4.2 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub-surface Loading Pocket and Conveyor to Mill 6.0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Level Development Rehab 2.8 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Surface Processing Plant 37.7 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thickened Tailings Plant & Tailings Disposal 11.0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site Infrastructure 7.5 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Owners Costs 1.3 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Contingency @ 15% 10.6 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Capital Cost 118.7 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Note: The process plant contains a separate 35% contingency and is not included in the overall 15% contingency. The LOM operating cost estimate is $101.35 per tonne of mineralized material (totals may be approximate due to rounding). ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Operating Cost Unit Cost $/t Total Cost $M ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mining 66.65 171.6 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Processing 24.30 62.6 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- G&A 7.33 18.9 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Closure Cost 3.06 7.9 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 101.35 260.9 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Infrastructure & Permits The South Crofty project, being a former mining site, is already serviced with good infrastructure. Three deep vertical shafts will provide personnel and material access, mineralized material and waste hoisting and ventilation for the underground mine. There is a partly completed decline from surface and the Company owns sufficient freehold surface land with full planning permission to build new processing facilities. The project has a Mine Permit, valid through to 2071, and also benefits from planning permission to mine by underground methods to a depth of 1,500m across approximately 1,500 hectares of land surrounding the surface facilities. The only outstanding permit required to commence operation from South Crofty is a mine waste permit with water discharge consent. This permit is required to pump out the mine and discharge treated water into the local river system. A water treatment trial is currently underway to demonstrate that the mine water can be treated to a sufficient quality standard to permit discharge into the Red River (please see Strongbow news release dated November 17, 2016 for details of the water treatment trial). This trial is supported by the Environment Agency and a permit application for the full discharge consent will be submitted on completion of the trial, which is expected to conclude near the end of February, 2017. Next steps -- Complete water treatment trials and apply for discharge consent; -- Conduct drilling program in order to update Mineral Resource Estimate, and increase mineral inventory and mine life; -- Commence engineering study for the water treatment plant to ensure pumping can begin within as short a time as possible following receipt of the discharge consent; -- Commence Feasibility Study; -- Commence dewatering the mine; -- Underground drilling program to delineate Measured Mineral Resource and increase the Indicated Mineral Resource once access to the underground workings is obtained; -- Basic and detailed engineering; and -- Construction of process plant and underground facilities. Independent Qualified Person Mr. Eugene Puritch, P. Eng., lead author of the NI 43-101 Technical Report and an independent "Qualified Person" as defined in NI-43-101 has reviewed and approved the contents of this news release. The Company will publish a Technical Report, prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 guidelines, within 45 days of this news release. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Richard D. Williams, P.Geo Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release contains "forward-looking statements" including but not limited to statements with respect to Strongbow's ability to obtain an increase to the water discharge permit for the South Crofty tin project, the potential to increase the Mineral Resource Estimate, its ability to deliver a positive Feasibility Study on the project, the commencement of commercial production from the South Crofty tin project and the estimated future net present value of the South Crofty tin project, the availability of financing for future cash payments, ongoing maintenance costs and future development work at the South Crofty tin project, in addition to the estimation of a mineral resource and the success of exploration activities. The Mineral Resource Estimate figures referred to in this press release are estimates and are therefore insufficient to allow meaningful application of the technical and economic parameters to enable an evaluation of the technical or economic viability and no assurances can be given that mining of the South Crofty project will be technically viable or that the indicated levels of tin will be produced. Such estimates are expressions of judgment based on knowledge, mining experience, analysis of drilling results and industry practises. Valid estimates made at any given time may significantly change when new information becomes available. While the Company believes that the resource estimates included in this press release are well established, by their very nature, resource estimates are imprecise and depend, to a certain extent, upon statistical inferences which may ultimately prove unreliable. If such estimates are inaccurate or are reduced in the future, this could have a material adverse impact on the Company. Forward-looking statements, while based on management's best estimates and assumptions, are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: risks related to receipt of regulatory approvals, the successful integration of acquisitions; risks related to general economic and market conditions; risks related to the availability of financing; the timing and content of upcoming work programs; actual results of proposed exploration activities; possible variations in Mineral Resources or grade; failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; accidents, labour disputes, title disputes, claims and limitations on insurance coverage and other risks of the mining industry; changes in national and local government regulation of mining operations, tax rules and regulations. Although Strongbow has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Strongbow undertakes no obligation or responsibility to update forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Contacts: Strongbow Exploration Inc. Richard Williams 604-638-8005 rwilliams@strongbowexploration.com Blytheweigh (Financial PR/IR - London) Tim Blythe +44 207 138 3204 Tim.blythe@blytheweigh.com Blytheweigh (Financial PR/IR - London) Camilla Horsfall +44 207 138 3204 Camilla.horsfall@blytheweigh.com Blytheweigh (Financial PR/IR - London) Nick Elwes +44 207 138 3204 Nick.elwes@blytheweigh.com VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 02/16/17 -- Aldershot Resources Ltd. ("Aldershot" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: ALZ)(FRANKFURT: ASL1)(OTC PINK: ALZTF) is pleased to announce that seven drill holes have been completed at the Gowganda Gold project for a total of 869 metres with assay results pending for the first three holes. The objective of the current drill program is to test high priority gold targets associated with mineralized and altered syenite and gold veins identified from surface trenching and previous drilling. The intention is to complete approximately 1,500 metres of drilling by early March 2017. Jeremy Caddy, President and CEO commented, "We are very pleased to initiate the next step in the development of the Gowganda Gold project. Working with the team at Transition Metals Corp., the exploration program operator, we look forward to results from the gold targets identified." To view "Gowganda Gold Project Drilling Summary" associated with this news release, please visit the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/1086068.pdf Qualified Person The technical elements of this press release have been approved by Mr. Greg Collins, P.Geo. (APGO), a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101. About the Gowganda Gold Project The project consists of mining claims totaling approximately 3,520 hectares centrally located adjacent to Hwy 560 and the unorganized municipality of Gowganda Ontario in Nicol, Haultain, Milner, and Van Hise townships, Larder Lake Mining Division (the "Property"). The project is focused on Archean greenstone overlain by Proterozoic sediments of the Cobalt Embayment located south of the Round-Lake Batholith in the south-western part of the prolific Abitibi greenstone belt. A short animated video that introduced Aldershot and the Gowganda project may be viewed at: http://iresourcemedia.com/companies/aldershot/. On November 8, 2016, Aldershot announced that it had entered into an agreement (the "Agreement") with Transition Metals Corp. ("Transition") to earn a 51% interest in the Property. To do so, Aldershot has agreed to fund $400,000 worth of exploration on the Property in year one and must incur cumulative work expenditures totaling $2.0 million by the third anniversary of the Agreement. In addition, Aldershot must issue 1,500,000 common shares of Aldershot to Transition on signing, and provide an additional $450,000 worth of common shares of Aldershot to Transition by the second anniversary date, subject to the TSX Venture Exchange Inc.'s approval, to earn its initial interest. Upon earning an initial 51% interest, Aldershot may opt to acquire an additional 24% interest in the Property (for a total of 75%) by committing to completing a feasibility study. Upon Aldershot earning its 51% or 75% interest in the Property as the case may be, a joint venture would be formed, with each party obliged to fund work programs on the Property to maintain its respective interest. During the course of the initial stage of the option in the Agreement, Transition has agreed to serve as program operator, dedicating its team and expertise to overseeing work programs funded by Aldershot. About Aldershot Aldershot is engaged in the acquisition and exploration of gold properties. The Company relinquished its uranium properties in Utah in 2015 due to the low uranium price and the Company has signed the Agreement with Transition for the Gowganda Gold project as highlighted above. The mission of Aldershot is to find and develop a gold property to create wealth for shareholders. This is planned to be achieved by identifying quality gold properties and exploring those that have the highest potential for future discoveries, sale or development of existing mineral resources into mineable reserves. On a regular basis management will rationalize all of its core mineral property holdings to maintain percentage ownership by funding the exploration work. Management will sell its properties when it feels value for shareholders has been created and management is able to obtain fair value for the assets. The Company is a publicly listed corporation whose shares are traded on the TSX Venture Exchange Inc. under the symbol ALZ. The Company's registered office is located at 409 - 221 West Esplanade, North Vancouver, BC, V7M 3J3 and its head office is located at 303 - 1006 Beach Avenue, Vancouver, BC V6E 1T7. FOR AND ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Jeremy Caddy, President, CEO and Director Forward-looking statements: This press release may contain forward-looking statements about certain of the Company's current plans, goals and expectations relating to the drilling program, assay results, earning an interest in the Property and the Agreement. Statements containing the words: 'believes', 'intends', 'expects', 'plans', 'seeks' and 'anticipates' and any other words of similar meaning are forward-looking. All forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to future events and circumstances beyond the Company's control. As a result, the Company's actual financial condition, performance and results may differ materially from the plans, goals and expectations set out in the forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this release and, other than as required by applicable securities laws, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. A description of assumptions used to develop such forward-looking information and a description of risk factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking information can be found in the Company's disclosure documents on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com. The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the contents of this News Release. This release has been prepared by management and no regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. Contacts: Aldershot Resources Ltd. Jeremy Caddy President, CEO and Director 604-727-7148 jcc4tlx@intergate.ca www.aldershotresources.com MONTREAL, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 02/16/17 -- Midland Exploration Inc. ("Midland") (TSX VENTURE: MD) is pleased to announce the execution of a strategic alliance with Altius Minerals Corporation ("Altius") (TSX: ALS), whereby Midland and Altius will combine their efforts to jointly explore the remarkable gold potential of the extensive James Bay region. Under this new alliance, Midland and Altius will bring together two experienced exploration teams, as well as large databases, in order to generate exploration targets and new high-quality projects across the vast and underexplored James Bay region. Generation of exploration targets will begin shortly, and the first reconnaissance, prospecting and till sampling campaigns will begin in the early summer of 2017. A budget of approximately $500,000, jointly funded, will be allotted for the 2017 field campaign and Midland will be the operator. This new strategic alliance with Altius covers a vast area of the James Bay region which is highly prospective for gold mineralization. Midland's existing properties and the area of interest defined under its agreement with Osisko Exploration James Bay Inc. are excluded from this new agreement with Altius. About Altius Altius's diversified royalties and streams generate revenue from 14 operating mines located in Canada and Brazil that produce copper, zinc, nickel, cobalt, precious metals, potash, and thermal (electrical) and metallurgical coal. The portfolio also includes numerous predevelopment-stage royalties covering a wide spectrum of mineral commodities and jurisdictions. It also holds a large portfolio of exploration-stage projects, which it has generated for deal making with industry partners and which will result in third party financing, equity and minority interests, and newly created royalty interests. Altius has 43,335,654 shares issued and outstanding that are listed on Canada's Toronto Stock Exchange. It is a member of both S&P/TSX Global Mining Indices. About Midland Midland targets the excellent mineral potential of Quebec to make the discovery of new world-class deposits of gold, platinum group elements, base metals and rare earth elements. Midland is proud to count on reputable partners such as Altius Minerals Corp., Agnico Eagle Mines Limited, Teck Resources Limited, SOQUEM INC., Osisko Exploration James Bay Inc., Japan Oil and Gas and Metals National Corporation and Abcourt Mines Inc. Midland prefers to work in partnership and intends to quickly conclude additional agreements in regard to newly acquired properties. Management is currently reviewing other opportunities and projects to build up the Company portfolio and generate shareholder value. This press release was prepared by Mario Masson, VP Exploration for Midland, certified geologist and Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101. For further information, please consult Midland's website: www.midlandexploration.com Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This press release may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to vary materially from targeted results. Such risks and uncertainties include those described in Midland's periodic reports including the annual report or in the filings made by Midland from time to time with securities regulatory authorities. Contacts: Gino Roger President and Chief Executive Officer 450 420-5977 450 420-5978 (FAX) info@midlandexploration.com www.midlandexploration.com VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 02/16/17 -- Cannabix Technologies Inc. (CSE: BLO)(CSE: BLO.CN)(OTC PINK: BLOZF) (the "Company or Cannabix") developer of the Cannabix Marijuana Breathalyzer for law enforcement and the workplace, is pleased to provide a development update on its FAIMS Beta 2.0 (field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometry) based marijuana breathalyzer for the detection of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol ("THC") in human breath. Development in Gainesville, Florida and Vancouver, BC is progressing well and the Company expects to begin pre-trial live subject testing during the month of March. Since introducing the Beta 2.0 version of the Cannabix Marijuana Breathalyzer in late 2016, Company scientists have been engaged in developmental testing, method development, and continuously improving the design of the device. At the same time, experiments have been done with THC to characterize the individual parts of the instrument and improve the efficiency of human breath collection and sampling. The Cannabix Marijuana Breathalyzer consists of proprietary components including a generator enabled by the latest chip technology to provide extremely fast high-voltage square wave transitions that significantly improve chemical separations, and a novel plasma ionization source that provides efficient ionization with a relatively small footprint. The Company anticipates completing developmental testing of the Beta 2.0 device within the next month while preparing for preliminary human subject testing. Various technical leaps have been made with several components over the last 3 months. In particular, the dielectric barrier discharge ionization source ("DBD") which allows efficient ionization with relatively low voltages, has been significantly optimized in every aspect of the source (sizes, geometries, and materials) leading to significantly smaller instrument footprint. In addition, the high-voltage square wave generator ("HVSW") which causes ions to oscillate rapidly at a high frequency between the FAIMS electrodes, to create separation from each other, has been drastically improved. The Company is working with its Vancouver based engineering firm to ruggedize and refine its breath collection component (i.e. the collection tube where users breathe into the breathalyzer). In particular, engineers are testing a very exciting proprietary flow-through heat exchanger technology that stabilizes breath temperature in extreme cold as well as humid temperature settings. In December, a special Task Force set up by the Government of Canada to review the future regulation of recreational cannabis in Canada, issued a report, where the among other things, emphasised the issue of marijuana impaired driving as a critical issue and presented a host of specific recommendations to provincial Ministers across Canada, including: Supporting the development of an appropriate roadside drug screening device for detecting THC levels, and invest in these tools; Determining whether to establish a per se limit as part of a comprehensive approach to cannabis-impaired driving and re-examine per se limits should a reliable correlation between THC levels and impairment be established; Investing in baseline data collection and ongoing surveillance and evaluation in collaboration with provinces and territories. The Government of Canada, is expected to table marijuana legalization legislation in the spring. The Company will use key metrics and guidance from Drugs and Driving Committee (DDC), which is an advisory body to the Canadian Department of Justice on issues relating to drug-impaired driving and has been given a mandate to develop reports regarding drugs that are proposed for zero-tolerance and per se legislation, including cannabis. About Cannabix Technologies Inc. Cannabix Technologies Inc. is a leader in marijuana breathalyzer development for law enforcement and the workplace. Cannabix has established breath testing technologies in the pursuit of bringing durable, portable hand-held tools to market to enhance detection of marijuana impaired driving offences on roads at a time when marijuana is becoming legal in many global jurisdictions. Cannabix is working to develop drug-testing devices that will detect THC- the psychoactive component of marijuana that causes intoxication- using breath samples. In particular, Cannabix is focused on developing breath testing devices for detection of recent use of THC, in contrast to urine testing for THC metabolite that requires an invasive collection and reflects use days or even weeks earlier. The devices will also be useful for other practical applications such as testing employees in the workplace where intoxication by THC can be hazardous. We seek Safe Harbor. On behalf of the Board of Directors Rav Mlait, CEO Cannabix Technologies Inc. The CSE has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking information that involves various risks and uncertainties regarding future events. Such forward-looking information can include without limitation statements based on current expectations involving a number of risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance of the Company, such as final development of a commercial or prototype product(s), successful trial or pilot of company technologies, no assurance that commercial sales of any kind actually materialize; no assurance the Company will have sufficient funds to complete product development. There are numerous risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and the Company's plans and objectives to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking information, including: (i) adverse market conditions; (ii) risks regarding protection of proprietary technology; (iii) the ability of the Company to complete financings; (v) the ability of the Company to develop and market its future product; and (vi) risks regarding government regulation, managing and maintaining growth, the effect of adverse publicity, litigation, competition and other factors which may be identified from time to time in the Company's public announcements and filings. There is no assurance that the marijuana breathalyzer business will provide any benefit to the Company, and no assurance that any proposed new products will be built or proceed. There is no assurance that existing "patent pending" technologies licensed by the Company will receive patent status by regulatory authorities. The Company is not currently selling commercial breathalyzers. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. These and all subsequent written and oral forward-looking information are based on estimates and opinions of management on the dates they are made and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this notice. Except as required by law, the Company does not intend to update these forward-looking statements. Contacts: Cannabix Technologies Inc. info@cannabixtechnologies.com LINCOLNSHIRE, IL -- (Marketwired) -- 02/16/17 -- Camping World Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CWH) ("Camping World"), the nation's largest network of RV-centric retail locations, announced plans for expansion in the state of Virginia, with the acquisition of the McGeorge's Rolling Hills RV dealership in the Richmond market. "Virginia is a great state for the outdoor enthusiast and we are thrilled to welcome the wonderful people of McGeorge's RV to the Camping World family as the first step of our rapid expansion in the state. McGeorge's RV is an exceptional family business that grew through a focus on delivering excellent service and products to customers," said Marcus Lemonis, Chairman and CEO of Camping World and Good Sam. "Over the past 40 years, Ed McGeorge and his team have earned the title as Virginia's largest and #1 RV dealer by providing superior customer service and we look forward to continuing their high standards of quality and service, and solidifying our leading position in the state." Camping World currently operates two SuperCenters in the Roanoke and Winchester areas and with the acquisition of McGeorge's RVs, is further expanding in the Richmond metropolitan market, increasing their current presence in Virginia to three dealership locations. "We will maintain both companies' commitment to service and product excellence while building on our success as part of this new market," said Brent Moody, Chief Operating Officer of Camping World and Good Sam. "This important acquisition reinforces our commitment to planned expansion in the state of Virginia and our focus on increased market share with our country-wide expansion." About Camping World Holdings, Inc. Camping World Holdings Inc. (NYSE: CWH) is the only provider of a comprehensive portfolio of services, protection plans, products and resources for recreational vehicle ("RV") enthusiasts. Through its two iconic brands, Camping World and Good Sam, the company offers new and used RVs for sale, vehicle service and maintenance along with more than 10,000 products and services through its retail locations and membership clubs. Good Sam branded offerings provide the industry's broadest and deepest range of services, protection plans, products and resources while the Camping World brand operates the largest national network of RV-centric retail locations in the United States with over 120 retail locations in 36 states and an e-commerce platform. With both brands founded in 1966, product and service offerings are based on 50 years of experience and customer feedback from RV enthusiasts. For more information, visit www.CampingWorld.com. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 concerning Camping World and other matters. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release may be forward-looking statements. Statements regarding our future results of operations and financial position, business strategy and plans and objectives of management for future operations are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as "may," "will," "should," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "could," "intends," "targets," "projects," "contemplates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "potential" or "continue" or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions. The forward-looking statements in this press release are only predictions. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties that affect our business, including those described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this communication. Except as required by applicable law, we do not plan to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of any new information, future events or otherwise. You are advised, however, to consult any further disclosures we make on related subjects in our public announcements and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For Media Outlets: Contact Karen Porter Email Contact PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) and Takashi Oyamada, CEO and President of The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ (BTMU), at the meeting (Photo: VNA) He made the statement while receiving Takashi Oyamada, Chief Executive Officer and President of The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ (BTMU) in Hanoi on February 15th. Lauding sound cooperation between BTMU and the Vietnam Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Industry and Trade (Vietinbank), particularly their organisation of investment promotion conferences, PM Phuc said Vietnam attaches importance to the supply of capital for its economy during the development progress. He stressed that Vietnamese enterprises want to form partnerships with the Japanese peers to learn from their experience in management, production and business. He also noted with pleasure that most Japanese firms have witnessed good business results in Vietnam, adding Japan is now the second largest investor in Vietnam with a total investment capital of over USD42 billion. The PM expressed his wish that Japanese businesses will pay more attention to the Vietnamese market so as to make Japan the biggest investor in the Southeast Asian nation. For his part, Takashi Oyamada informed his host that the long-term strategic partnership between his bank and Vietinbank has brought mutual benefits, contributing to the growth of Vietnam-Japan ties. Through the cooperation, BTMU has learned about valuable experience from Vietinbank and the Vietnamese credit market, he stressed, adding that both sides will work closely to supply capital for business activities in Vietnam. He said many Japanese firms want to invest and expand operations in Vietnam as they see the country as a strong economy and potential market./. LOS ANGELES, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 02/16/17 --Vitality Biopharma, Inc. (OTCQB: VBIO) ("Vitality Biopharma," "Vitality," or the "Company") a corporation dedicated to the development of cannabinoid prodrug pharmaceuticals, and to unlocking the power of cannabinoids for the treatment of serious neurological and inflammatory disorders, is pleased to advise there will be a corporate presentation at the SeeThruEquity 3rd Annual Innovations Investor Conference to be held on Wednesday, February 22nd at the W Hotel, in South Beach, Miami. Company CEO Robert Brooke will provide a 30-minute overview of Vitality Biopharma's business during his presentation, and will be available to participate in one-on-one meetings with scheduled investors. Event: SeeThruEquity 3rd Annual Innovations Investor Conference Date: Wednesday, February 22, 2017 Time: 9:30 AM Eastern Location: W Hotel, 2201 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL, 33139 Webcast: http://wsw.com/webcast/seethru18/vbio Investors and other interested parties will be able view a webcast of the presentation by visiting http://wsw.com/webcast/seethru18/vbio for up to 120 days after the event. To review a printable copy of the presentation itself, please visit the investors section of the Vitality Biopharma website at http://vitality.bio/investors/presentation. About Vitality Biopharma (OTCQB: VBIO) Vitality Biopharma is dedicated to unlocking the power of cannabinoids for the treatment of serious neurological and inflammatory disorders. For more information, visit: www.vitality.bio. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in Section 27(a) of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Statements in this press release which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such factors include, among others, the inherent uncertainties associated with new projects and development stage companies. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and we assume no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Although we believe that any beliefs, plans, expectations and intentions contained in this press release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that any such beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions will prove to be accurate. Investors should consult all of the information set forth herein and should also refer to the risk factors disclosure outlined in our annual report on Form 10-K for the most recent fiscal year, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other periodic reports filed from time-to-time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Contact Vitality Biopharma Investor Relations info@vitality.bio 1-530-231-7800 www.vitality.bio DALLAS, TX -- (Marketwired) -- 02/16/17 -- Parks Associates announced today that Centrica Connected Home, DTE Energy, Illinois Commerce Commission, Powerley, Toyota Motor North America, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will deliver keynotes and special sessions at the eighth-annual Smart Energy Summit: Engaging the Consumer, February 20-22 in Austin, Texas. The conference focuses on strategies for utilities to leverage the smart home to develop compelling value propositions for their customers and expand adoption of demand response, energy efficiency, distributed generation, smart meter, and AMI deployments and offerings. "An increasing number of IoT products are changing the energy management industry and creating new opportunities in the smart home," said Stuart Sikes, President, Parks Associates. "At Smart Energy Summit, we will address the intersection of these markets, which is creating new opportunities for energy providers, energy management companies, home control platforms and services, appliance and device manufacturers, and software and cloud service companies." Sudeep Maitra, Global Director of Strategy and Development, Centrica Connected Home, will present the event's opening keynote "Leading the Transition - Customer-first Strategies to Succeed in the IoT" on Tuesday, February 21, at 10 a.m. He will address how utilities and energy companies can shift from being asset developers and operators to delivering unique experiences that customers will value. "I'm delighted to be taking part in this year's summit, which is always a stimulating event," Maitra said. "By focusing on what customers need rather than the technology, Centrica's Hive brand is leading the smart home market in the U.K. We're now building on that success and those customer insights to bring our unique end-to-end services to homes in new markets, including North America. I hope attendees will be encouraged by our own story of transition and inspired to do likewise." Irene Dimitry, Vice President, Business Planning and Development, DTE Energy; and Manoj Kumar, CEO, Powerley, will deliver the joint keynote address "Bridging the Smart Grid to the Smart Home" on Tuesday, February 21, at 4:15 p.m. Dimitry and Kumar will detail the pathway to utility-led smart home adoption, delving into the key obstacles discovered and the key insights uncovered to date. Following the joint keynote, Ann McCabe, Consultant; Former Commissioner, Illinois Commerce Commission; and Abigail Daken, ENERGY STAR Program, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, will lead a pair of special sessions. McCabe's session "From Pilots to Programs: AMI and the Illinois Experience" will begin at 4:45 p.m. and examines the role of regulators in driving innovation in both business strategies and technologies. Daken's session "Recognizing Successful Delivery of Smart Efficiency: ENERGY STAR Connected Thermostats" will start at 5:05 p.m. and examines thermostat products that save energy and the unique capabilities of emerging connected products. Kevin Butt, General Manager, Environmental, Toyota Motor North America, will present the event's final keynote "Connected Car & Smart Energy - What is the Connection?" on Wednesday, February 22, at 9:45 a.m. He will outline how Toyota is working toward a more connected future, through a multitude of collaborative and creative partnerships. "More than one-fourth of U.S. broadband households currently own a smart home product," said Tom Kerber, Director, IoT Strategy, Parks Associates. "This year's Smart Energy Summit features influential industry speakers providing in-depth discussion on ways to leverage these smart home devices in order to expand the role of energy in the IoT." Conference sponsors include People Power Company, Austin Energy, Bidgely, Carrier, ecobee, EnergyHub, Hampton Products International, Honeywell, Jasmine Universe, Powerley, Trusource Labs, UtilityShield, The Weather Company, Whisker Labs, Xively, Z-Wave, Grid4C, ipCapital Group, MivaTek, and State Farm. Parks Associates is accepting press pass requests for Smart Energy Summit: Engaging the Consumer at http://www.parksassociates.com/ses-presspass. More information about the Smart Energy Summit is available at www.SES2017.com. Parks Associates will also host a pre-conference research workshop, "Utilities and Consumer Engagement Strategies," on Monday, February 20, from 1:00-5:00 p.m. To speak with an analyst or request specific research data, contact Holly Sprague at hsprague@gmail.com or 720-987-6614. About Smart Energy Summit Smart Energy Summit: Engaging the Consumer examines new cross-industry opportunities in the expanding market for energy solutions, including connected devices, energy management, utility services, and home control platforms and services, as they evolve within the smart home and consumer-based Internet of Things. Smart Energy Summit focuses particularly on the challenge of engaging consumers with energy-related solutions. Research analysts, thought leaders, and industry executives present and discuss business strategies, case studies, partnership opportunities, and consumer research that utilities, service providers, retailers, and manufacturers can use to expand and monetize their energy offerings. The eighth-annual Smart Energy Summit will take place February 20-22, 2017, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Austin, Texas. The summit agenda features leaders from utilities, state and national regulators, telecom and security companies, retailers, and OEMs. Follow the event on Twitter at @SmartEnergySmt and SmartEnergy17 and on the Smart Energy Insights Blog. For information on speaking, sponsoring, or attending Smart Energy Summit, visit www.ses2017.com. Holly Sprague Parks Associates 720.987.6614 hsprague@gmail.com VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 02/16/17 -- Highlights: -- GBM Resources Limited (GBM) and WCB Resources Ltd. (WCB) have executed a Binding Heads of Agreement (HOA) to merge resulting in a substantial ASX listed gold development and exploration Company focussed in Australia and Papua New Guinea. -- The merger combines the advanced stage gold assets of Mt Coolon in Australia and the Misima Gold Project in Papua New Guinea in addition to the extensive exploration assets of both companies. -- The merged entity will have an impressive resource base comprising: GBM's Resources(1) include -- Measured Resources of 114 Kt @ 1.7 g/t Au for 6,200 ounces -- Indicated Resources of 3,993 Kt @ 1.4 g/t Au for 173,800 ounces -- Inferred Resources of 2,415 Kt @ 1.7 g/t Au for 134,800 ounces WCB's Misima Island Resources(2) -- Indicated Resource of 36 Mt @ 1.1 g/t Au for 1.3 million ounces -- Inferred Resource of 11 Mt @ 1.1 g/t Au for 0.4 million ounces -- Importantly significant growth opportunities for discovery of additional resources exist within both the Mt Coolon and Misima Island Projects. -- The immediate focus of the group will be 1. Reopening and development of the Mt Coolon Gold Mine which will enable the group to be funded moving forward. 2. Completion of a gold resource update to include recent surface extensions and controls on mineralisation, pit optimisation sensitivity and financial studies followed by drill testing for resource extension, geotechnical and metallurgical parameters at Misima. -- Under the HOA each WCB shareholder will receive 8 GBM ordinary shares for every WCB common share. -- The HOA is conditional on GBM completing the AUD$10.0 million Loan Agreement (AUD$8.5million to be completed) and the parties executing a formal Arrangement Agreement before 31 March 2017. -- The Board of Directors of each company have unanimously given support for the merger and major shareholders have indicated support for the merger in the absence of a superior proposal. -- WCB President and CEO, Mr Cameron Switzer, will join the Board of the merged entity. Note 1. GBM Resources (ASX: GBZ) Mineral Resources are calculated on information compiled by Kerrin Allwood who is a member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and The Australian Institute of Geoscientists. Mr Allwood is a full time employee of Geomodeling Limited. Mr Allwood has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity which he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves. Mr Allwood consents to the inclusion in the report of the matters based in his information in the form and context in which it appears. 2. WCB Resources (TSX VENTURE: WCB) Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resource estimate has been reviewed and approved by Mr Peter Stoker an Honorary Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and a Chartered Professional, and full time employee of AMC Consultants Pty Ltd who is a "qualified person" as defined by the National Instrument 43-101. Further details pertaining to the resource estimate are located following the resource table below. WCB Resources Ltd. (TSX VENTURE: WCB) and GBM Resources Ltd. (ASX: GBZ) are pleased to jointly announce that they have executed a binding HOA to merge the two companies which is to be structured as an Arrangement Agreement under Canadian law . Each WCB shareholder at the record date will receive 8 ordinary shares of GBM for each common share of WCB they hold in consideration for the transfer of those WCB shares to GBM (Merger). The Merger will allow the companies to create a new Australasian focussed gold development and exploration group. Upon completion of the Merger, WCB shareholders will hold 36% and GBM shareholders will hold approximately 64% of the merged entity. Both companies have major shareholder support and the directors of both companies unanimously support the Merger in the absence of a superior proposal. The Boards of GBM and WCB consider that the combination of the two companies will provide significant strategic and financial benefits to both sets of shareholders. Executive Chairman GBM, Peter Thompson said: "The complementary nature of the two companies' projects creates a strong platform for both companies' shareholders to benefit from a substantial value uplift from a significant increase in combined gold resources at Misima and Mt Coolon, and the ability to step up exploration within the group's extensive landholding. GBM's board believes that this transaction is in the best interest of GBM and unanimously recommends it to our shareholders, in the absence of a superior proposal. We also look forward to welcoming WCB President and CEO, Mr Cameron Switzer to the Board of the combined entity as an Executive Director, where his strong, long-term understanding of the Misima Gold Mine will prove invaluable." Mr Cameron Switzer, WCB President and CEO said: "The Board of WCB considers this merger to be an outstanding opportunity for existing shareholders. The attractiveness regarding the focus on near term production and cash flow from Mt Coolon underpins the group moving forward. The significant exploration upside identified at both the Misima and Mt Coolon project has the potential to ensure that the merged company has an exciting future with significant growth optionality moving forward". Key benefits of the merger include: -- The creation of an Australasian focussed gold development company with an attractive and complementary gold portfolio of near term production, development and exploration assets. -- The combined entity will have an impressive gold resource base comprising: -- GBM's Measured Resource of 6,200 ounces of Au, Indicated Resources of 173,800 ounces of Au and Inferred Resources of 134,800 ounces Au across all projects (see resource summary table); and -- WCB's Misima Island project containing an Indicated Resource of 1.3 million ounces of Au plus an additional 0.4 million ounces of Inferred gold Resource. -- The new entity will be fully funded to achieve gold production at Mt Coolon in 2017 and support the ongoing exploration strategies of both the Misima and Mt Coolon Gold Projects. -- Both Misima and Mt Coolon have the potential to be mid-tier gold production assets with significant discovery upside. -- Both companies have Pan Pacific Co., Ltd (PPC) as their joint venture partners. -- Both Boards are known to each other and both companies have support from their respective major shareholders. -- A strong board and management team with significant depth of technical and corporate expertise of delivering value through the successful discovery, development and operation of gold projects. -- Strong market re-rating opportunity for the merged entity with project diversification and increased scale. Merger Details The Merger is subject to both Australian and Canadian regulatory approvals. In Canada the Arrangement Agreement is a statutory process under Division 5 of Part 9 of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) which will involve WCB shareholder and Canadian court approval. In Australia shareholder approval will be required for the Merger transaction. The HOA includes a commitment by WCB not to solicit alternative transactions to the Merger. Each of the directors of WCB have agreed to vote in favour of the Merger, in the absence of a superior proposal. Major shareholder of WCB, Sandfire Resources NL (holds 38%) has also indicated their support of the Merger in the absence of a superior proposal. On satisfying the condition precedents under the HOA and the formal Arrangement Agreement being executed, a full copy of the Arrangement Agreement will be filed in accordance with applicable securities laws and will be found on the WCB profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Following completion of the Merger, Mr Cameron Switzer (the current WCB President and CEO) will join the merged entity as Executive Director - Misima Gold Project. Cameron Switzer was previously one of the founding directors' of GBM. The non-executive directors of WCB will retire on completion of the Merger. The Process Ahead Once GBM has secured the required debt funding of AUD$8.5million, then WCB and GBM will execute the Arrangement Agreement. In addition to other customary conditions and regulatory approvals, the Arrangement Agreement is conditional upon GBM obtaining all necessary shareholder and regulatory approvals. The Merger is subject to the approval of both GBM and WCB shareholders. Pursuant to the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia), the Merger will require the approval of 66 2/35 of the votes cast by WCB shareholders. A special shareholder meeting for each company to vote on the Merger is likely to be held in May 2017 with the completion of the Merger expected in June 2017, at which time WCB would be delisted from the TSX-V. Further information regarding the Merger for holders of GBM ordinary shares will be contained in a notice of meeting that GBM will prepare and mail to its shareholders in connection with the meeting of GBM shareholders to be held to consider matters in connection with the Merger. In due course, WCB's shareholders will receive a comprehensive Information Circular that will contain full details of the proposed Merger, including the basis for the WCB board's recommendation that WCB shareholders approve the proposed Merger. Upon signing the HOA GBM will advance AUD$150,000 to WCB. If the conditions precedent to the HOA are not satisfied before 31 March 2017 then the HOA will terminate and shall be deemed to be at an end. If the HOA is terminated then the Parties have agreed that the AUD$150,000 will be converted into fully paid common shares of WCB at a conversion price of CAD0.05, subject to approval of the TSX-V. Assets Snapshot WCB The Company was incorporated under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) on March 2, 2007 and was listed on the TSX-V and called to trade on October 10, 2007. The Company completed its Qualifying Transaction under the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange on April 8, 2010. As a result, the Company is a Tier 2 mining issuer on the TSX-V. Misima Island - PNG Misima is a large bulk mineable disseminated gold (Au) and silver (Ag) deposit spatially related to a potentially significant porphyry copper (Cu) gold (Au) system at depth. Placer Pacific (owned by Placer Dome) commissioned the Misima Gold Mine in 1988 and was operated by Misima Mines Pty Ltd (MMPL), a subsidiary of Placer to 2004. The mine produced 3.7 Moz Au and 22.2 Moz Ag during this 14 year period. Historic production prior to this period was estimated at 240,000 ounces. WCB signed a farm-in JV Agreement with Pan Pacific to test for Cu and explore Au on Misima in 2011. PPC is a global mining, smelting, refining and international copper producer. Under the terms and conditions of the Agreement, WCB can obtain up to a 70% interest in EL1747 Misima and currently has earned 49%. Systematic exploration completed by WCB resulted in the completion of a series of deep drill holes up to 800m in depth targeting the porphyry Cu Au mineralisation whist also understanding the upside and potential of the superimposed Au Ag base metal mineralisation. An initial inferred resource was completed in 2013 and further upgraded to inferred / indicated in 2015 over the Umuna region where the majority of the historic mining activity has been completed. All resources are quoted within optimised pit shells. Key Strategy is to move to a 70% interest in the Misima Project by 2018 and complete mining feasibility studies by end calendar year 2019. Resource Table - Misima ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cutoff Tonnes Gold Silver Deposit OXIDE RECLASS g/t Au Mt g/t Au g/t Au Au Moz Ag Moz ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Umuna Oxide Indicated 0.37 4.2 0.71 11 0.10 1.6 -------------------------------------------------------- Inferred 0.37 2.5 0.94 21 0.07 1.6 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Primary Indicated 0.45 32 1.1 4.3 1.2 4.4 -------------------------------------------------------- Inferred 0.45 4.9 1.2 8 0.19 1.3 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Sub-Total Indicated 36 1.1 5.1 1.3 6.0 -------------------------------------------------------- Inferred 7.4 1.1 12 0.27 2.9 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ewatinona Oxide Inferred 0.37 0.54 0.78 3.6 0.013 0.063 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Primary Inferred 0.45 3.1 1.0 2.9 0.10 0.29 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Sub-total Inferred 3.7 0.97 3.0 0.11 0.35 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Misima Total Indicated 36 1.1 5.1 1.3 6.0 -------------------------------------------------------- Inferred 11 1.1 9.2 0.38 3.3 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Notes 1. Rounding may cause apparent computational errors 2. Reported at USD1200/oz gold price USD20/oz silver price within an optimised pit run at USD1400/oz gold price USD20/oz silver price and costs provided by WCB. 3. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. The disclosure of the Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resource estimate has been reviewed and approved by Mr Peter Stoker an Honorary Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and a Chartered Professional, and full time employee of AMC Consultants Pty Ltd who is a "qualified person" as defined by the National Instrument 43-101. GBM Portfolio Summary and Location GBM Resources Ltd (ASX: GBZ) is an Australian resource company that listed on the ASX in 2007, headquartered in Perth WA, with exploration operations in Victoria and Queensland and holds equity in a Malaysia gold company listed on the Singapore exchange. The Company's primary focus is the development of key gold and copper-gold assets in Australia. GBM is on track to become a gold producer in 2017 with the Company's flagship Mount Coolon Gold Project. GBM tenements cover an area greater than 2,600 square kilometres in eight major project areas in Queensland and Victoria. Mount Coolon Gold Project The Mount Coolon Gold Project is located within Queensland's Drummond Basin, a prolific Gold Province which has an identified gold endowment in excess of 7.5million ounces. Deposits already identified and exploited in this province include examples of high grade vein style and large tonnage stockwork epithermal gold systems. GBM's tenement package has three identified deposits with published gold resources. In addition, the project hosts a number of advanced exploration targets including; Bimurra, Conway, Verbena Sinter and South East silica Zone, each of which will be further investigated with a high probability of significantly adding to the already growing resource base. A summary of key points relating to the known deposits is provided below. For further detail the reader is referred to the GBM Annual Report 2016 and company announcements. Mount Coolon Resource Table To view the Mount Coolon Resource Table, please visit the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/Mount-Coolon-Resource-Table.jpg. Table: Mount Coolon Gold Project Resource Summary (Refer ASX:GBZ announcement 23 August 2016). Mineral Resources are calculated on information compiled by Kerrin Allwood who is a member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and The Australian Institute of Geoscientists. Mr Allwood is a full time employee of Geomodeling Limited. Mr Allwood has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity which he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves. Mr Allwood consents to the inclusion in the report of the matters based in his information in the form and context in which it appears. Eugenia Gold Deposit (refer (ASX: GBZ) announcement 23 August 2016) -- Publication of Eugenia Heap Leach Scoping Study showing potential economic viability. -- Recovered gold ounces total 32,588 at a C1 cost of $813 per ounce, capital estimated at $8.3 million. -- Free cash flow generated will be allocated to accelerate expanding the open pit resources within known mineralising systems with the aim to build the Mt Coolon Gold Project inventory to a level that will support the commissioning of a CIL plant. Koala Gold Mine -- During 2016 the Koala Gold resource increased by 135% to 1.5Mt averaging 2.6 g/t Au containing an estimated 125,300 ounces. -- The Koala Gold Deposit now has an identified gold endowment (past production and current resources) containing an estimated 378,000 ounces with significant exploration upside. -- Currently completing mining studies (including pit optimisation) and the commencement of the review and assessment of environmental factors for EA approval. Drilling is in progress to upgrade the geological and geotechnical information of the Koala Gold underground workings and open cut. Glen Eva Gold Mine -- The Deposit currently hosts a Resource estimated at 154,000 tonnes averaging 7.5 g/t Au containing 37,200 ounces of gold. This high-grade Deposit remains open at depth, and exploration along strike does not appear to have penetrated the shallow cover that obscures the extensions to the mineralisation. -- Currently completing drilling for metallurgy, geotechnical and waste characterisation testing. The Project assessments of these deposits are well advanced and it is planned that Koala, Glen Eva and the Eugenia heap leach will commence gold production in sequence by the end of 2017. The Company is targeting end March 2017 to commence feasibility studies on these deposits. Other key value drivers Anchor Resources Limited - Lubuk Mandi Gold Project (Malaysia) GBM has an investment in value Singapore Stock Exchange Listed Anchor Resources Limited (Anchor). Anchor's principal asset is the Lubik Mandi Gold Project located in Malaysia. GBM's equity holding is 35 million shares in Anchor which represents 12.5% of that company's issued capital. Exploration assets including the Mount Morgan Copper Gold Project (Queensland, Australia): Consists of 11 granted leases with targets identified associated with significant geochemical anomalism. Brightlands and Milo Iron -Oxide Copper -Gold (IOCG) and REE Project (Queensland, Australia): Consists of an IOCG breccia pipe system in the Mt Isa Inlier with an inferred resource containing 97,000 tonnes of copper, 14 million pounds of U3O8 and 108,000 tonnes of TREEYO (ASX:GBZ 29th February 2012) with significant exploration upside. Malmsbury Gold Project (Victoria, Australia): Large intrusive related Gold System (IRGS) with 104,000 ounces of gold in historic inferred resources with significant exploration upside (ASX:GBZ 19th January 2009). Qualified Persons Mr. Cameron Switzer, BSc (Hons), MAIG (3384), MAUSIMM (112798), President and Chief Executive Officer of WCB Resources, is a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. He is responsible for quality control of exploration undertaken by WCB. Mr. Switzer has reviewed and approved the technical information in this release. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward Looking Statements: This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, including, without limitation, statements potential mineralization, the estimation of mineral resources, the realization of mineral resource estimates, interpretation of prior exploration and potential exploration results, the timing and success of exploration activities generally, the timing and results of future resource estimates, permitting time lines, metal prices and currency exchange rates, availability of capital, government regulation of exploration operations, environmental risks, reclamation, title, and future plans and objectives of the company are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include failure to obtain necessary approvals in respect of a transaction, unsuccessful exploration results, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, results of future resource estimates, future metal prices, availability of capital and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business conditions, risks associated with operating in foreign jurisdictions, uninsured risks, regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of personnel, materials and equipment on a timely basis, accidents or equipment breakdowns, delays in receiving government approvals, unanticipated environmental impacts on operations and costs to remedy same, and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the company with securities regulators. Mineral exploration and development of mines is an inherently risky business. Accordingly the actual events may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on the Company, investors should review their annual filings that are available at www.sedar.com. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. The Company relies on litigation protection for "forward looking" statements. Actual results could differ materially from those described in the news release as a result of numerous factors, some of which are outside the control of the Company. Contacts: WCB Resources Ltd. Cameron Switzer President and CEO +61 7 3212 6212 or +61 4 2777 2111 cswitzer@wcbresources.com VANCOUVER, BC--(Marketwired - February 16, 2017) - RESAAS Services Inc. (CSE: RSS) (CSE: RSS.CN) (OTCQX: RSASF), a cloud-based social business platform for the real estate services industry, is pleased to announce that it has signed an agreement with Keller Williams, the largest real estate franchisor globally based on agent count. The service is available to all Keller Williams Global Property Specialists (KW GPS), a designation within the Keller Williams Realty franchise. KW GPS agents represent an elite community of real estate agents that focus on generating more referrals, winning more listings and taking advanced training. Benefits of KW GPS membership includes access to the referral platform within RESAAS, online & in-person training, a Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) designation, exclusive GPS branding, and ListHub global syndication services. The GPS Referral Platform, powered by RESAAS, is a brand new hub of communication, connection and tools for GPS agents. Within the platform, GPS agents have the ability to interact within specific GPS groups (based on region & subscription tier), market their listings to a global network of agents, search for new and upcoming listings, as well as send and receive referrals. In addition, GPS Pro and Elite agents gain access to the GPS Library, an in-depth resource of how-to videos, marketing materials, reports and educational content. "Keller Williams is fast approaching 170,000 agents worldwide. Knowing that real estate is global, and that huge opportunities exist for our agents beyond the borders of their town or even country, KW GPS was created," said Matt McPheely, Director of GPS at Keller Williams Realty. "We selected RESAAS to serve as the hub of communication for our referral program, a place where best practices amongst our elite agents are shared, and referrals are received. The RESAAS solution, combined with our world-class training, enables our agents to win more listings and gain more referrals." The solution built for Keller Williams also automatically synchronizes all property listings associated with each agent's profile on the RESAAS Platform. This listing integration will also accommodate changes in listing status, price, and property photos. Further technology integrations with Keller Williams' global single-sign-on system, billing provider and real-time analytics engine provide a tightly integrated, highly efficient and seamless experience for all KW agents. "We are very excited to be working with such an elite group of agents within the Keller Williams family," said Danielle Sissons, VP of Operations at RESAAS. "With the GPS Referral Platform, agents will have the ability to easily facilitate additional referral business in private communities exclusive to GPS members." About RESAAS Services Inc. RESAAS is a cloud-based social business platform built for licensed real estate professionals. RESAAS brings proprietary real-time technology into the business of real estate and transforms how real estate listing data flows between real estate agents, brokers, associations, and MLSs. Visit www.resaas.com. About Keller Williams Realty, Inc. Austin, Texas-based Keller Williams Realty, Inc. is the largest real estate franchise by agent count in the world with more than 800 offices and 154,000 associates across the Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia. Since 1983, Keller Williams has grown exponentially and continues to cultivate an agent-centric, education-based, technology-driven culture that rewards agents as stakeholders. The company also provides specialized agents in luxury homes, commercial and farm and ranch properties. For more information, visit kw.com. The CSE has not reviewed, nor approved or disapproved the content of this press release. Forward-Looking Information: This press release and the RESAAS website referenced herein contain forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, including but not limited to statements regarding the company's technology platform. The forward-looking information is based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by RESAAS' management, including future plans for the design and development of the company's technology platform. Forward-looking information is subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside of the company's control that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking information. Although RESAAS believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking information is based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information because RESAAS can give no assurance that it will prove to be correct. The Forward-looking information contained in this press release is made as of the date of this press release. RESAAS disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, other than as required by applicable securities laws. On Behalf of RESAAS Danielle Sissons VP Operations RESAAS Services Inc. Telephone: (604) 558-2929 Email: danielle.sissons@resaas.com Investor Relations Scott Young RESAAS Services Inc. Telephone: 1 (705) 888-2756 Email: scott.young@resaas.com Michel Safi brings more than 20 years of international leadership expertise. AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --Zilliant, a leading provider of prescriptive selling applications that drive financial growth, recently announced that the company hired Michel Safi as vice president of Europe, MEA and Asia Pacific to lead the company's international teams. Safi will be in charge of furthering the development of global markets for Zilliant. "We're very excited to welcome Michel to our fast-growing team and build a stronger worldwide network," said Greg Peters, president and CEO of Zilliant. "As the only SaaS provider for B2B price and sales optimization, Zilliant represents a unique opportunity for prospective global clients to magnify the value of their offerings. Michel brings a deep expertise in cloud computing and SaaS, enterprise software, business intelligence and business strategy, and we can't wait to tap into that as we continue to build out our global reach." Safi has had outstanding success in building and leading international teams prior to joining Zilliant as the head of IBM's Merchandising Solutions global sales organization. Additionally, at DemandTec, Safi was responsible for ensuring the company's unique value proposition was aligned with its customer's strategic priorities, business needs and financial requirements. Safi also played a key role in launching the international business of DemandTec, broadening its reach and deepening client relationships. "Zilliant's impressive growth and success illustrates the enormous global market opportunity for advanced analytics," said Safi. "I'm excited to be part of this company and am confident that my knowledge and experience will enable Zilliant to build a successful presence abroad." About Zilliant Zilliant enables a new way of smart selling through prescriptive sales applications that help businesses overcome decision complexity and drive financial growth. Zilliant's proven data science provides the best answers to everyday sales decisions. Our pricing and selling applications deliver real-time, prescriptive guidance directly to sales reps to enable strategic front-line decisions, dramatically improving execution and P&L results. With a flexible software-as-a-service (SaaS) model, companies can see measurable results in a matter of weeks that transform the business for years to come. Learn more about how Zilliant helps companies grow sales, grow profits and grow smarter atwww.zilliant.com. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160115/322835LOGO VALLEY COTTAGE, New York, February 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Medical organisations and research institutes will continue to put more efforts towards development of advanced imaging devices. Growing preference to portable point-of-care devices has propelled the scope of using imaging software as one can now view vital stats through smartphone applications. Orthopaedic imaging has also conversed beyond the limits of being an exclusive medical service. Prominence of bone-related ailments, fractures and disorders are prompting individuals towards adoption of handy devices with orthopaedic imaging facilities. A recent study published by Future Market Insights projects that trends as such will continue instrumenting the growth in global demand for orthopaedic imaging. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161020/430874LOGO ) According to Future Market Insights - "The global market for orthopaedic imaging, which is currently valued at US$ 7.6 billion, will soar steadily at 4.9% CAGR to reach US$ 12.4 billion valuation by 2026." Nevertheless, the global orthopaedic imaging market will exhibit a restrictive growth owing to rising cost of clinical trials for such imaging devices, stringent regulations associated with commercialisation of orthopaedic imaging devices, and poor imaging infrastructure in underdeveloped & developing economies. Request for Sample Report with Table of Contents: http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-418 According to the report, titled "Orthopaedic Imaging Market: Global Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment, 2016-2026," demand for X-ray systems and ultrasound systems as orthopaedic imaging products will remain high. Instead of EOS imaging systems and nuclear imaging systems, orthopaedic patients are more likely to be imaged with CT scanners, ultrasound, an MRI or X-ray imaging systems. In 2016, global sales of these three product types brought in more than US$ 5 billion in revenues. However, efficiency of EOS imaging systems will boost their sales, registering fastest growth at 17.7% CAGR. Asia-Pacific excluding Japan - Most-Lucrative Region for Orthopaedic Imaging In terms of revenue share, North America and Western Europe will remain dominant regions for orthopaedic imaging sales through 2026. However, limited healthcare budget in the US is restraining North America's share in global orthopaedic imaging market to below 30% by the end of forecast period. Western Europe is also expected to incur a marginal decline in terms of global market value share. Key findings in the report, however, project that the orthopaedic imaging market in Asia-Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ) region will expand its global revenue share, reaching a value of US$ 2.72 billion by the end of 2026. Prevalence of Orthopaedic Imaging Devices in Emergency Care Facilities Hospitals will remain the largest end-user of orthopaedic imaging devices. Radiology centres, along with hospitals, will collectively account for over two-third of global market value throughout the forecast period. Emergency care facilities, on the other hand, will be demanding more number of orthopaedic imaging systems. By the end of 2026, more than US$ 3.2 billion revenues will be attributed by sales of orthopaedic imaging devices to emergency care facilities. Preview Analysis on Global Orthopaedic Imaging Equipment Market Segmentation By Product Type - X-Ray System, CT-Scanner, MRI System, EOS Imaging Systems, Ultrasound, Nuclear Imaging Systems; By Indication - Acute injuries (Sports Injuries, Fracture, Bone Dislocation), Chronic Disorders (Osteoarthritis, Osteoporosis, Prolapsed Disc, Degenerative Joint Disease); By End User - Hospitals, Radiology Centres, Emergency Care Facility, Ambulatory Surgical Centres: http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/orthopaedic-imaging-market Additional findings compiled in the report include: Almost every other orthopaedic imaging device sold in the world is used for treatment of acute injuries Chronic disorders will account for more than 30% revenue share through 2026 Esaote SpA, Hitachi Ltd., Planmed OY and EOS Imaging are orthopaedic imaging device manufacturers specialising in particular products Toshiba Medical System Corporation, Koninklijke Philips NV, General Electric Healthcare Limited and Siemens AG are recognised as leading players in the global market for orthopaedic imaging More from FMI's Cutting-edge Intelligence: North America Vision Care Market Segmentation By Product Type - Rx-Lenses, Frames, Contact Lenses, Non Rx Sunglasses, Reading Glasses, Contact Lens Solutions; By Distribution Channel - Retail Stores, E-Commerce, Clinics, Hospitals: http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/north-america-vision-care-market Segmentation By Product Type - Rx-Lenses, Frames, Contact Lenses, Non Rx Sunglasses, Reading Glasses, Contact Lens Solutions; By Distribution Channel - Retail Stores, E-Commerce, Clinics, Hospitals: http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/north-america-vision-care-market Balloon Catheter Market Segmentation By Product - Normal, Cutting, Scoring, Drug Eluting, and Stent Graft Balloon Catheter; By Disease Indication - Coronary Artery Disease, Peripheral Vascular Disease; By Raw Material - Polyurethane, Nylon; By End User - Hospitals, Public Hospitals, Private Hospitals, Ambulatory Surgical Centres, Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratories: http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/balloon-catheter-market Segmentation By Product - Normal, Cutting, Scoring, Drug Eluting, and Stent Graft Balloon Catheter; By Disease Indication - Coronary Artery Disease, Peripheral Vascular Disease; By Raw Material - Polyurethane, Nylon; By End User - Hospitals, Public Hospitals, Private Hospitals, Ambulatory Surgical Centres, Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratories: http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/balloon-catheter-market Saudi Arabia Pharmaceutical Market Segmentation By Product - Prescription Products and Over-The-Counter (OTC) Products; By Disease - Cardiovascular Diseases, Diabetes, Cancer, Obesity, Infectious Diseases and Other Diseases; By Distribution Channel - Hospital Pharmacies and Retail Pharmacies: http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/saudi-arabia-pharmaceutical-market About Us Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights and an aerial view of the competitive framework and future market trends. Browse More Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals and Medical devices Market Insights Contact Us 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018, Valley Cottage, NY 10989, United States T: +1-347-918-3531 F: +1-845-579-5705 T (UK): + 44 (0) 20 7692 8790 Sales: sales@futuremarketinsights.com Press Office: Press@futuremrketinsights.com Website: http://www.futuremarketinsights.com PUNE, India, February 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new market research report"Internet of Things (IoT) Managed Services Marketby Service Type (Infrastructure Management, Security Management, Network Management, Data Management, Device Management), Vertical, and Region - Global Forecast to 2021", published by MarketsandMarkets, market expected to grow from USD 21.85 Billion in 2016 to USD 79.60 Billion by 2021, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 29.5% during the period 2016-2021. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160303/792302 ) Browse36 market data Tables and36 Figures spread through 112 Pages and in-depth TOC on"Internet of Things (IoT) Managed Services Market" http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/iot-managed-services-market-256294760.html Early buyers will receive 10% customization on this report. The major drivers for the increase in demand for IoT Managed Services Market include rise of managed cloud services and growing inclination towards cost effective managed services. Managed Service Providers (MSPs) offer high effectiveness and performance for enterprises with their offerings, which also boosts the growth of the market. Network management services segment is likely to hold the largest market share in the IoT Managed Services Market Network management deals with the entire network chain of an organization. It is essential to enhance the network for optimum utilization of the available resources. Network management services assist in analyzing the amount of data transferring over a network and automatically routes it, to avoid congestion that can result in crash of the network. Opting for a MSP can help organizations in reduced downtime, better network connectivity, safety, security, automatic device discovery, scalability, and seamless operation of the business process. Request Report Brochure @ http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownload.asp?id=256294760 Smart transportation segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period Smart transportation is all about integrating advanced technologies with the existing transportation infrastructure, delivering real-time online information about the traffic flow, tracking of the assets, and passengers/commuters. IoT managed services help the transportation vendors to manage and monitor the complex IoT ecosystem. The increasing requirement for managing analytics, security, devices & sensors, data, and high volume networking, along with a rise in the overall operations and responsiveness drives the smart transportation vertical in the IoT Managed Services Market. North America is expected to hold the largest market share in the IoT Managed Services Market As per the geographic analysis, North America is likely to benefit from factors such as rapid digitization across industry verticals. Increasing adoption of smart connected devices and technological advancements, followed by robust network infrastructure and presence of major IoT MSPs that offer specialized managed services. Make an Enquiry @ http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_Buying.asp?id=256294760 The major vendors covered in the IoT Managed Services Market for this study include Cisco Systems, Inc. (California, U.S.), Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation (New Jersey, U.S.), HCL Technologies Limited (Uttar Pradesh, India), Harman International Industries, Inc. (Connecticut, U.S.), Infosys Limited (Karnataka, India), Virtusa Corporation (Massachusetts, U.S.), Tieto Corporation(Helsinki, Finland), Tata Consultancy Services Limited (Maharashtra, India), Tech Mahindra Limited (Maharashtra, India), and Wipro Limited (Karnataka, India). Browse Related Reports: Managed Security Service Market by Services, Deployment Type (Hosted or Cloud, Hybrid Cloud, and On-Premises), Organization Size (SMES and Enterprises), Vertical, and Region - Global Forecast to 2021 http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/managed-security-services-market-5918403.html Cloud Managed Services Market by Managed Services (Business Service, Network Services, Security Services, Data Center Services, Mobility Services), by Deployment, by Organization Size, by Industry Application & by Region - Global Forecast to 2021 http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/cloud-managed-service-market-195317068.html Know More About our Knowledge Store @ http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Knowledgestore.asp About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets is the largest market research firm worldwide in terms of annually published premium market research reports. Serving 1700 global fortune enterprises with more than 1200 premium studies in a year, M&M is catering to a multitude of clients across 8 different industrial verticals. We specialize in consulting assignments and business research across high growth markets, cutting edge technologies and newer applications. Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model - GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. M&M's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "RT" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets. The new included chapters on Methodology and Benchmarking presented with high quality analytical infographics in our reports gives complete visibility of how the numbers have been arrived and defend the accuracy of the numbers. We at MarketsandMarkets are inspired to help our clients grow by providing apt business insight with our huge market intelligence repository. Contact: Mr. Rohan MarketsandMarkets 701 Pike Street Suite 2175, Seattle, WA 98101, United States Tel: 1-888-600-6441 Email: sales@marketsandmarkets.com Visit MarketsandMarkets Blog @ http://www.marketsandmarketsblog.com/market-reports/telecom-it Connect with us on LinkedIn @ http://www.linkedin.com/company/marketsandmarkets MOSCOW (dpa-AFX) - US President Donald Trump continued his rhetorical tirade against those who leaked information regarding the circumstances that led to the resignation of National Security Advisor Lt. General Michael Flynn, and the media that published it. In a series of tweets Thursday, the President demanded apology from the New York Times and other media outlets for publishing disclosures. Trump was apparently annoyed by media reports on Flynn's conversations with Russia's ambassador to the U.S. while he was still a private citizen. The conversations reportedly involved sanctions imposed on Russia by the Obama administration, although Flynn has denied that sanctions were discussed. 'Leaking, and even illegal classified leaking, has been a big problem in Washington for years,' he said on Twitter Thursday. The spotlight has finally been put on the low-life leakers, Trump said, and warned that they will be caught. 'Fake news media, which makes up stories and 'sources,' is far more effective than the discredited Democrats - but they are fading fast,' according to the business tycoon-turned politician. Trump alleged that it was the Democrats who made up a story on his administration's Russian connection. 'The Democrats had to come up with a story as to why they lost the election, and so badly (306), so they made up a story'. This is the second successive day that Trump has lashed out at a so-called information leak from the intelligence community to some US media about Flynn news. Wednesday, the President had named CNN and MSNBC as the media outlets publishing 'fake news,' and warned the NSA and FBI not to interfere in US politics as it will create a 'Very serious situation for USA.' In a separate twitter message Thursday, Trump noted the stock market hitting new high with longest winning streak in decades. 'Great level of confidence and optimism - even before tax plan rollout,' he added. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. MONTREAL, CANADA -- (Marketwired) -- 02/16/17 -- MOBI724 Global Solutions Inc. ("MOBI724" or the "Company") (CSE: MOS), a FinTech leader offering integrated EMV payment, Card-Linked Offers and Digital Marketing, hereby invites its current shareholders as well as the public to assist a webinar presided by Marcel Vienneau, CEO of MOBI724 to provide a material management update and to answer questions. In compliance with Canadian Securities Regulations, the Company advises that management has requested, on a voluntary basis, that the trading on the MOBI724 shares be halted temporarily due to the dissemination of material news and the presentation the management update webinar. Interested parties may log in at the following web address: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1317098762580805634 Please register for Management update on Feb 16, 2017 1:00 PM EST After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. Brought to you by GoToWebinar Webinars Made Easy About MOBI724 Global Solutions Headquartered in Montreal, Canada, MOBI724 Global Solutions Inc. (CSE: MOS), a leader in the FinTech industry, offers a unique and fully integrated suite of Card-Link Offers, Digital Marketing and EMV Payment solutions. MOBI724 is innovating the market with a combined EMV payment, Card-Linked Offers and Digital Marketing Platform that works on any payment card and any mobile device. MOBI724 pioneered the addition of intelligence to all types of transactions benefiting banks, retailers and cardholders. MOBI724 succeeds in leveraging all available user and purchasing data to increase transaction volumes and spend. MOBI724 provides a turnkey solution to clients to capture payment card transactions on any mobile device, at any POS or from any payment card. Our easy-to-adapt gateway switch is designed for simple integration with all payment protocols. Within the same suite, MOBI724 combined its Card-Linked Offers solution and provided payment card issuers, banks and retailers with the ability to add offers and/or coupons, which can be redeemed directly at the POS in a seamless user experience for all the parties in the ecosystem MOBI724 provides its customers with full and comprehensive traceability and enriched consumer data through its offering. Its solutions enable card associations, payment card issuers, banks and retailers to create, manage, deliver and "track and measure" incentive campaigns worldwide to any payment card, to any mobile device and allow redemption at any POS. MOBI724 's credit and debit EMV payment solutions allow banks to process end-to-end EMV transactions, focusing on authentication, PCI security and quick merchant adoption, which allows to process payments with a wide range of devices. MOBI724 Global Solutions unleashes the true potential of both Card-Link Offers and smart payment transactions. For more information, visit www.mobi724globalsolutions.com. Certain statements in this document, including those which express management's expectations or estimations with regard to the Company's future performance, constitute "forward-looking statements" as understood by applicable securities laws. Forward- looking statements are, of necessity, based on a certain number of estimates and hypotheses; while management considers these to be accurate at the time they are expressed, they are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and risks on the commercial, economic and competitive levels. We advise readers that these forward- looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other known and unknown factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements. Investors are advised to not rely unduly on the forward-looking statements. This advisory applies to all forward- looking statements, whether expressed orally or in writing, attributed to the Company or to any individual expressing them in the name of the Company. Unless required by law, the Company is under no obligation to publicly update these forward-looking statements, whether to reflect new information, future events, or other circumstances. The Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) has not reviewed this news release and does not accept responsibility for its adequacy or accuracy. This news release does not constitute a solicitation to buy or sell any securities in the United States. Contacts: MOBI724 Global Solutions Inc. Mr. Marcel Vienneau 1-514-394-5200 x 413 www.mobi724globalsolutions.com Photo: VNA During a talks between the Vietnamese delegation and the Lao Public Security Ministrys delegation led by Deputy Minister Sinthavong Sayakon, the two sides agreed that the cooperation plans had been carried out effectively. In particular, the two sides worked together to ensure the complete security and safety of political events taking in each country, especially important international meetings during Laos Year of ASEAN Presidency in 2016, contributing to ensuring political security and social order in each country, heightening the international position and prestige of Laos. In addition, the two sides also successfully organized meetings on cooperation in security and crime prevention, and supported each other in multi-lateral forums as well as regional and international forums in terms of crime prevention. In 2017, the two sides will continue to maintain and increase meetings between the two ministries leaders, as well as public security forces in localities, sharing information and experience in preventing crime, and training cadres. The two sides will also support each other at regional and world forums in the prevention of crime and in non-traditional security issues; carry out activities to mark 55 years since the establishment of Vietnam Laos diplomatic ties and 40th year of the signing of the Vietnam Laos Friendship and Cooperation Treaty, helping deepen and reinforce the friendly relations, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, States, peoples and public security forces. During the working visit, the Vietnamese public security delegation met with the Lao Public Security Minister Somkeo Silavong, and Lao Party and State leaders and former leaders./. Blood pressure and other vital signs system accuracy already proven in trials. Monitor your health using just your smartphone in 60 seconds with no cuff, no pain...and no cost Leman Micro Devices (LMD), the developer of accredited consumer healthcare products that is backed by major players within the mobile device industry, has announced that its Health Sensor App the only smartphone-integrated solution that measures blood pressure and other vital signs with medical accuracy is being readied for submission to FDA and other regulators worldwide. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170216005894/en/ LMD's Medically Accurate Smartphone Integrated Health Sensor and App (Photo: Business Wire) LMD uses the well-proven Riva-Rocci technique to measure blood pressure. However, instead of using a cuff on the arm, the LMD gaming App tells you how hard to push your finger against LMD's sensor built into the smartphone. Other features give medically-accurate readings of your body temperature as well as blood oxygen saturation, heart rate and respiration rate. All five measurements are performed anywhere at any time in under 60 seconds by following simple instructions and without any extra accessories. There is no need to undress; there is no fuss, no pain and no 'White Coat' syndrome. The App is factory-loaded in the smartphone and ready to use out-of-the box at no cost to the smartphone user. No calibration is required for the life of the smartphone. Sir George Alleyne, Director Emeritus of the Pan American Health Organisation comments: "Hypertension is one of the world's most neglected killers, affecting a quarter of the adult population. It's easily treated if you know you've got it; a reliable blood-pressure measuring device costing less than $5 would save many lives. Adds LMD CEO, Mark-Eric Jones: "The world is ready for smartphones that come with a built-in medically-accurate heath monitoring system, rather than current products which are not approved and often inaccurate. Most wearable devices do not measure health at all, only activity, while other solutions carry a hefty price tag. Yet the market is immense Apple's CEO Tim Cook says healthcare products could 'dwarf' the smartphone market and we believe that just as today no one would buy a smartphone without a high quality camera or GPS, very soon users will expect accurate healthcare functions to be included in the package He continues: "Our product is proven in the lab and already the FDA has ruled that it is our device, not the smartphone itself which is the regulated element in this instance, the smartphone is regarded as an 'accessory'. We expect to submit our Health Sensor App for full approval and certification later this year About Leman Micro Devices Founded in 2010, Leman Micro Devices (LMD) is based in Lausanne, Switzerland, in the heart of the "Health Valley" and close to EPFL University and major phone sensor companies. Funded by Business Angels, Venture Capital, and two major players in the smartphone sector, the ISO 13485 certified company's first product is a unique sensor and software combination that measures blood pressure and other vital signs to medical accuracy using a smartphone. The LMD Health Sensor App is expected to garner international regulatory body approval this year. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170216005894/en/ Contacts: Leman Micro Devices Mark Eric Jones CEO mej@leman-micro.com www.leman-micro.com or BWW Communications (Worldwide Agency) Nick Foot PR Director Nick.foot@bwwcomms.com +44 1491 636393 (office) +44 7808 362251 (mobile) nick.foot61 (Skype) www.bwwcomms.com CALGARY, AB -- February 16, 2017 -- Agrium Inc. (TSX: AGU) (NYSE: AGU) announced today that its Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be held on Tuesday, May 2, 2017 in Calgary, Alberta. Shareholders of common shares of Agrium Inc. as at the close of trading on March 9, 2017 (the "Record Date") will be eligible to vote their shares at the Meeting. About Agrium Agrium Inc. is a major global producer and distributor of agricultural products, services and solutions. Agrium produces nitrogen, potash and phosphate fertilizers, with a combined wholesale nutrient capacity of approximately eleven million tonnes and with significant competitive advantages across our product lines. We supply key products and services directly to growers, including crop nutrients, crop protection, seed, as well as agronomic and application services, thereby helping growers to meet the ever growing global demand for food and fibre. Agrium retail-distribution has an unmatched network of approximately 1,500 facilities and over 3,300 crop consultants who provide advice and products to our grower customers to help them increase their yields and returns on hundreds of different crops. With a focus on sustainability, the company strives to improve the communities in which it operates through safety, education, environmental improvement and new technologies such as the development of precision agriculture and controlled release nutrient products. Agrium is focused on driving operational excellence across our businesses, pursuing value-enhancing growth opportunities and returning capital to shareholders. For more information visit: www.agrium.com FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Investor/Media Relations: Richard Downey, Vice President, Investor & Corporate Relations (403) 225-7357 Todd Coakwell, Director, Investor Relations (403) 225-7437 Louis Brown, Analyst, Investor Relations (403) 225-7761 Contact us at: www.agrium.com Former SoundCloud General Counsel brings digital media expertise to JAG Shaw Baker's existing IP practice JAG Shaw Baker further bolsters Corporate practice with growth of the Corporate partner team Despite Brexit, JAG Shaw Baker continues to advise UK and European start-ups, technology companies and investors on an increasing range of transactions JAG Shaw Baker, a strategic law firm that advises entrepreneurs, companies and investors across high-growth technology markets, today announced the addition of Neil Miller as a Partner in the Intellectual Property practice at the firm. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170216005916/en/ Former SoundCloud General Counsel joins JAG Shaw Baker as Partner in their Intellectual Property Practice (Photo: Business Wire) Prior to joining the firm, Miller was Senior Vice President and General Counsel at SoundCloud, a role he held for six years. During that time, he helped SoundCloud to grow from a small start-up to one of the most significant and influential players in the global music industry. At JAG Shaw Baker, Miller will advise clients on all aspects of the protection, exploitation and enforcement of intellectual property rights with a specialised focus on digital media and content rights. Miller also brings extensive corporate, commercial and operational experience from his time at SoundCloud and also from his previous roles at multinational companies including Viacom/MTV Networks and CBS Interactive. In addition to Miller, the firm bolstered the Corporate team through three strategic appointments in late 2016: Nick Crabtree was elevated to Partner to manage the growth in M&A and corporate activity. Crabtree focuses on M&A in the retail and technology markets and will continue to advise large corporates, private equity and venture capital investors and entrepreneurs on investments and M&A transactions in light of Brexit. Erika McIntyre, a Partner on the Corporate team, has taken the reins of the Corporate practice at the firm. McIntyre focuses on this growing practice area, continuing to advise on all aspects of corporate law including M&A, VC, debt financing, IPOs and corporate reorganizations. Howard Watt joined the firm as Partner from Eight Roads (Fidelity Investments) where he was in-house counsel for the past six years. Watt focuses on advising investors, founders and companies on corporate issues throughout their lifecycle, from start-up to exit. He brings extensive experience in VC fund formation from his work in structuring private investment funds operating in China, India, Japan and Europe. "We started this firm in 2013 to meet the very specialised needs of the UK tech community and in that time we have seen double digit growth at the firm," said James Shaw, Co-founder and Partner, JAG Shaw Baker. "The addition of Neil and the growth of the Corporate and management team will help us to continue to meet the expanding needs of clients here and in the US." "Even with Brexit, the UK tech sector continues to thrive," said Tina Baker, Co-founder and Partner, JAG Shaw Baker. "The UK continues to lead the way with digital tech jobs, outpacing the rest of the UK economy and we see this first-hand within our client base from start-up, spin-out to M&A transactions." A recent report from Tech Nation 2016 revealed that the UK digital tech industry is growing 32% faster than the rest of the economy from 2010 to 2014. The firm will be at Mobile World Congress and 4YFN, February 28 March 1, 2017 in Barcelona, Spain. They will host a workshop entitled: Going the Rounds: Trips Tricks to go From Seed to Exit on 28 February at 4YFN. Tina Baker, JAG Shaw Baker Co-founder and Partner will also host a fireside chat on 1 March with Antonio Cantalapiedra, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Spain Portugal, MyTaxi The Taxi App, which is now part of the Daimler AG-Mercedes Benz Group. About JAG Shaw Baker Founded in 2013, JAG Shaw Baker is a strategic law firm that is central to the European technology and venture capital ecosystem in advising entrepreneurs, companies and investors in high-growth markets including the life sciences, cleantech and digital technology sectors. We provide a collaborative culture that gives our clients access to exceptional commercial legal advice, deep industry expertise and an understanding of how to build a business from inception through to successful exit. From start-up, scale-up or speed-up to high-growth, late stage, M&A, and post-IPO, our UK and US lawyers have extensive expertise in representing UK and European companies, and representing US and European investors and strategic buyers on quality transactions. Clients include Transferwise, SoundCloud, Bioven, Fon, Mologic, Vayon, Parkinson's UK, Index Ventures, Algomi, Environmental Technologies Fund, InMotion Ventures, Kano, Lostmy.name and Moo. For more information visit our website at http://www.jagshawbaker.com or follow us on Twitter @JAGShawBaker View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170216005916/en/ Contacts: For media inquiries please contact: JAG Shaw Baker Kajsa Eklof +44 0203 598 3214 kajsa.eklof@jagshawbaker.com VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 02/16/17 -- Valens GroWorks Corp. (CSE: VGW) together with its subsidiary (collectively, the "Company") is pleased to announce its engagement under a 5-year, renewable, Professional Services Agreement (the "PSA") with Arizona-based marijuana cultivation and medicinal dispensary business MKHS, LLC and its affiliate MKV Ventures 1, LLC (collectively, "MKHS"). In addition, MKHS has issued to the Company a US$1,212,500 Promissory Note, Loan Agreement and Guaranty that secures repayment of previous advances (collectively, the "Arrangement"). This Arrangement supersedes and replaces the Company's previously described investment in MKHS and settles all outstanding issues between the parties. As a result of this Arrangement, MKHS will complete the buildout of the 28,000-sf Farmtek greenhouse expansion, as proposed and funded by the Company in 2016 (the "Buildout"). In accordance with the PSA, payments of US$60,000 per month for management services ("Management Services") will commence to the Company upon completion of the Buildout, with the initial three month's payments to be deferred and paid at the end of the third month following Buildout to allow for an initial harvest. In addition, the Company will provide consulting services ("Consulting Services") to be performed and invoiced monthly, and will be reimbursed for approved out-of-pocket expenses and sub-contracted services. In accordance with the Arrangement, loan interest accrues at the rate of 15% per annum commencing May 15, 2016. Principal and interest, as well as US$30,000 in cost recoveries for past accrued fees, shall be payable to the Company by MKHS in arrears commencing at the end of the third month following Buildout, and on the 15th day of each month thereafter over a 5-year term. MKHS supplies medical marijuana pursuant to the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act, operating an 11,000-sf warehouse cultivation, commercial kitchen and extraction facility, and a nearby fully-secured 9.5-acre operation that includes a 3,000-sf automated greenhouse and 21,780-sf (1/2 acre) Airstream wind-assisted, air-supported greenhouse, and the proposed Buildout. MKHS also operates two state-licensed "healing center" dispensaries, and distributes its own in-house prepared, branded line of edibles, concentrates and extracts. About Valens GroWorks Corp. Valens GroWorks Corp is a Canadian Securities Exchange listed company with two pending proposed acquisitions in progress (see our February 9, 2017 news release), proposes to provide management, consulting, testing and support services to domestic and international licensees, and seeks to capture a broad spectrum of medical marijuana users, as well as recreational users once legalized, in pursuit of its ambitious farm to pharma objectives. The Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, Valens Agritech Ltd. ("VAL"), is a post-inspection applicant (see our January 13, 2017 news release) awaiting the granting of a Controlled Drugs and Substances Dealer's Licence for the cultivation and processing of marijuana. Based in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, VAL anticipates participation in clinical trial programs researching the efficacy of medical cannabis. On behalf of the Board of Directors, VALENS GROWORKS CORP. Robert van Santen, Chief Executive Officer Notice regarding Forward Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "estimates", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company or its subsidiaries to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Examples of such statements include statements regarding the use of proceeds from a proposed funding. Such forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions which may prove to be incorrect, including, but not limited to: the ability to obtain any necessary financing; the economy generally; competition; regulation and anticipated and unanticipated costs and delays. The forward-looking statements included in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company does not undertake an obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect new information, subsequent events or otherwise unless required by applicable securities legislation. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. We seek safe harbor. Contacts: Valens GroWorks Corp. Greg Patchell +1.250.860.8634 WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Congressman Mick Mulvaney, R-S.C., was narrowly confirmed by the Senate as President Donald Trump's budget director on Thursday. The Senate voted 51 to 49 in favor of Mulvaney's nomination as Director of the Office of Management and Budget. The close vote came down largely along party lines, although Senator John McCain, R-Ariz., broke with Republicans to vote against Mulvaney. McCain revealed his intention to vote against Mulvaney's confirmation in a speech on the Senate floor on Wednesday. Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, McCain expressed concerns about Mulvaney's views on defense spending. 'Congressman Mulvaney's beliefs, as revealed by his poor record on defense spending, are fundamentally at odds with President Trump's commitment to rebuild our military,' McCain said. He added, 'And this record cannot be ignored in light of the significant authority exercised by the Director of OMB over the federal budget.' Senators Thad Cochran, R-Miss., and Susan Collins, R-Maine, had also previously expressed uncertainty about Mulvaney's nomination, raising questions about whether he would be confirmed. However, Cochran and Collins both eventually decided to support Mulvaney, giving Trump another narrow victory in the Senate. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. - Former Oakwood Worldwide executive Christopher Ahearn named Chief Executive Officer - Mapletree intends to step up acquisition and development of this asset class, building on the portfolio of more than 50 Oakwood-branded properties globally LOS ANGELESand SINGAPORE, Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --Mapletree Investments Pte Ltd ("Mapletree" or "the Group"), a leading real estate development, investment and capital management company, is pleased to announce that it has acquired Oakwood Worldwide ("Oakwood"), a premier global provider of corporate housing and serviced apartment solutions. The acquisition covers all of Oakwood's global operations. Mapletree also wishes to announce the appointment of Mr. Christopher Ahearn as Oakwood's Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") with immediate effect (please refer to the Annex for Mr. Ahearn's biography). Oakwood's Founder and Chairman Mr. Howard Ruby will assume the non-executive role of Chairman Emeritus at Oakwood, where he will serve in an advisory role to Oakwood on the corporate housing business. Mapletree's acquisition of Oakwood is part of its long-term strategy to strengthen its corporate housing and serviced apartment business. Currently, all of Mapletree's ninecorporate housing and serviced apartment assets in the United States ("US") and Australia are managed under the Oakwood brand as part of a collaboration signed in 2014. The collaboration also saw Mapletree acquire a 49 percent stake in Oakwood's Asia Pacific operating arm, Oakwood Asia Pacific. Said Mr. Hiew Yoon Khong, Mapletree's Group Chief Executive Officer: "This acquisition is strategic and commercially significant to Mapletree. Our full ownership of Oakwood will allow us to enhance efficiencies and the growth momentum of our corporate housing and serviced apartment business. In addition, Oakwood is a reputable global brand and we intend to continue strengthening its presence. "Furthermore, Mapletree intends to step up the acquisition and development of corporate housing and serviced apartment assets that will add to our earnings streams and expand housing options available to Oakwood's clients and guests. We will be looking at markets across the US, Europe and Asia Pacific, which are also regions where Oakwood is a well-regarded brand." Said Mr. Howard Ruby, Chairman Emeritus of Oakwood: "It has been my very special privilege to lead this organization for 57 years. It gives me great pleasure to know that the company, the associates and our clients will be in good hands with Mapletree and CEO Christopher Ahearn at the helm. We have learned through our collaboration that Mapletree shares our key vision of growing and expanding the Oakwood brand globally and maintaining the high customer service standards for which we are known. Both companies have worked well together since 2014, and I am confident that will continue. I am very excited about the future of Oakwood as we embark on this new journey with Mapletree as the company's new owner." Mr. Ahearn, as Oakwood's new CEO, will draw from his vast experience in growing and improving the operating performance of companies, which he gained while serving as Senior Advisor to TPG Capital. He will also capitalise on the industry knowledge he acquired while serving as Oakwood's Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing from 2005 to 2010. Said Mr. Ahearn, CEO of Oakwood: "I am delighted to be returning to Oakwood as the new CEO. Howard is a pioneer in this industry and I am honoured to have been entrusted to carry forth his legacy and lead the company into this new chapter under Mapletree's ownership. I look forward to working with our associates, the heart of our organization, to align and evolve Oakwood's global capabilities and innovative offerings in order to better meet the ever-changing needs of our clients and guests. We are committed to a seamless transition of ownership with minimal disruption to Oakwood's operations." Oakwood is the largest provider of corporate housing and serviced apartments globally with a presence in more than 95 countries. The company serves more than 80 percent of Fortune 500 companies, and works with the 10 largest US relocation companies. In addition to a vast supply chain inventory, Oakwood manages a portfolio of more than 50 branded properties globally. In addition to the nine Mapletree properties operated by Oakwood (US and Australia), Mapletree is currently developing three serviced apartment properties in Japan and Vietnam as well as one other asset under development in the US, which will be managed by Oakwood Worldwide upon completion. MEDIA CONTACTS Pam KREBS Christine TEH Director Senior Manager Global Communications Corporate Communications Oakwood Worldwide Mapletree Investments Pte Ltd Direct: +1 310 444 2552 Direct: +65 6377 4608 Mobile: +1 310 987 2233 Mobile: +65 9368 5684 Email: publicrelations@oakwood.com Email: christine.teh@mapletree.com.sg Grace LEE Assistant Manager Corporate Communications Mapletree Investments Pte Ltd Direct: +65 6377 6218 Mobile: +65 9750 6482 Email: grace.lee@mapletree.com.sg ABOUT MAPLETREE Mapletree is a leading real estate development, investment and capital management company headquartered in Singapore. Its strategic focus is to invest in markets and real estate sectors with good growth potential. By combining its key strengths as a developer, an investor and a capital manager, the Group has established a track record of award-winning projects, and delivers consistent and high returns across real estate asset classes. Mapletree currently manages four Singapore-listed real estate investment trusts (REITs) and five private equity real estate funds, which hold a diverse portfolio of assets in Singapore and Asia Pacific. As at 31 December 2016, Mapletree owns and manages S$38.6 billion (~US$26.6 billion) of office, retail, logistics, industrial, residential, corporate housing and serviced apartment, and student housing properties. The Group's assets are located across 12 economies globally, namely Singapore, Australia, China, Germany, Hong Kong SAR, India, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea, the United Kingdom (UK), the United States (US) and Vietnam. To support its global operations, Mapletree has established an extensive network of offices in Singapore, Australia, China, Hong Kong SAR, India, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea, the UK, the US and Vietnam. In the US, Mapletree currently owns a portfolio of seven student accommodation assets located across six states, and eight Oakwood-branded corporate housing properties with more than 1,200 units. The corporate housing properties are situated in Silicon Valley, Raleigh, Los Angeles, Portland, Dallas and Seattle. For more information, please visit www.mapletree.com.sg. ABOUT OAKWOOD WORLDWIDE Oakwood Worldwide is the premier provider of corporate housing and serviced apartment solutions through its well-known brands, Oakwood, ExecuStay and Insurance Housing Solutions'. With a presence in all 50 United States and more than 95 countries, the award- winning company provides move-in-ready furnished accommodations to meet the needs of global organizations, individual business travelers, insurance clients and leisure travelers alike. Oakwood Worldwide was founded in and continues to base its corporate headquarters in Los Angeles and operates regional headquarters in London, Phoenix and Singapore. For more information, please visit OakwoodWorldwide.com . ANNEX Mr. Christopher Ahearn, Chief Executive Officer, Oakwood Worldwide Mr. Christopher Ahearn has more than 26 years of experience in the areas of consultancy, sales, marketing and operations across a broad range of industry sectors. In his last appointment, Mr. Ahearn was Senior Advisor for TPG Capital and worked on a variety of projects spanning multiple industry sectors to improve the operating performance of companies acquired by TPG Capital. Prior to that, Mr. Ahearn was Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Oakwood Worldwide from 2005 to 2010. Mr. Ahearn has also held executive roles with FedEx Office, NowDocs and RR Donnelley, and worked with corporate boards and partnered with senior executive peers to drive initiatives that delivered improved business performance. Mr. Ahearn holds a bachelor's degree in Marketing from California State University, San Bernardino, the US. Logo - http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/469079/Oakwood_Logo.jpg Logo - http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/469059/Mapletree_Logo.jpg Photo - http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/469063/Oakwood_Worldwide_Signing_Ceremony.jpg Photo - http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/469064/Oakwood_Worldwide_Portland_Pearl_District.jpg BELLEVUE, WA -- (Marketwired) -- 02/16/17 -- CORTAC Group, a leading provider of business development, management consulting and technology services, announced today it has expanded its capabilities with the integration of a Chicago-based firm, MCSI. This agreement enables CORTAC to provide enterprise-class installation, implementation, integration and training services, in particular with Oracle's Primavera P6 Software, to a combined client roster that includes Fortune 500 companies in the defense, technology, manufacturing, retail, consumer, financial services, construction, energy, healthcare and airline industries. "We have partnered with MCSI on several projects in the past, and were impressed with the company's solid reputation and expertise in its specializations," said CORTAC managing partner and co-founder Tom Eide. "By absorbing the company's talented staff and operations, we immediately boost CORTAC's national footprint with a Chicago-area presence and offer our existing client base more diverse service offerings, particularly in project management and training. We also gain a new service market in the energy industry, thanks to MCSI's successful track record." As a result of this agreement, MCSI retains its original brand and becomes a new training-specific division of CORTAC. MCSI principal and founder, James 'Jimmy' Bratsakis, joins the CORTAC Group team as a vice president with full responsibility for CORTAC's program planning and controls (PP&C) team. This responsibility includes other projects across CORTAC, including work with its large technology clients in the Seattle market. Other MCSI employees are transitioning to CORTAC's PP&C organization, retaining the same roles and responsibilities held at MCSI. "MCSI's excellent training programs and experience, combined with the benefits of a now deeper talent pool and exposure with CORTAC is a big win," said Bratsakis. "By combining our practices, we have a team that is free to spend more time with our clients, who are really the biggest beneficiaries since they now get a broader portfolio of services." The new Chicago-area office is the first of several planned expansions for CORTAC Group in 2017. For more information, please visit www.cortacgroup.com. About CORTAC Group CORTAC Group is a leading provider of business development, management consulting, and technology services to the world's most innovative organizations in the defense, technology, manufacturing, energy, consumer and retail industries. With a team of 50+ professional consultants averaging more than 20 years of experience, CORTAC offers expertise in mergers/acquisitions, proposal development, project management, planning and controls, data center creation and the development of technology solutions for small to multi-billion dollar projects. The company is jointly headquartered in Los Angeles and Seattle. To learn more, please visit CORTACGroup.com. Contact: Reid Wegley Voxus PR (253) 444-5652 Email Contact CALGARY, ALBERTA and HOUSTON, TEXAS -- (Marketwired) -- 02/16/17 -- Enbridge Inc. (TSX: ENB) (NYSE: ENB) (Enbridge) and Spectra Energy Corp (NYSE: SE) (Spectra Energy) announced today that the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has cleared the previously announced proposed combination of the two companies. As part of the clearance, the FTC today voted to accept a proposed consent decree in which Enbridge and Spectra Energy have agreed, following the closing of their proposed combination, to enact firewalls governing the flow of certain information to Enbridge about the Discovery offshore Gulf of Mexico natural gas pipeline system (Discovery), and to take certain other steps limiting Enbridge's potential influence over actions related to Discovery. Spectra Energy holds an ownership interest in Discovery through its indirect ownership interest in DCP Midstream, LP, which holds a 40 percent ownership interest in Discovery. Enbridge, through an affiliate, also has offshore natural gas gathering operations in the Gulf of Mexico. The FTC's decision is accessible via the following link: https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/cases-proceedings/161-0215/enbridge-spectra-energy With this clearance from the FTC, the final regulatory requirement for closing is clearance under the Canadian Competition Act. The companies continue to expect the transaction to close in the first quarter of this year. About Enbridge Inc. Enbridge Inc., a Canadian company, exists to fuel people's quality of life, and has done so for more than 65 years. A North American leader in delivering energy, Enbridge has been ranked on the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations index for the past eight years. Enbridge operates the world's longest crude oil and liquids transportation system across Canada and the U.S., and has a significant and growing involvement in natural gas gathering, transmission and midstream business, as well as an increasing involvement in power transmission. Enbridge owns and operates Canada's largest natural gas distribution company, serving residential, commercial, and industrial customers in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and New York State. Enbridge has interests in more than 2,200 megawatts of net renewable and alternative generating capacity, and continues to expand into wind, solar and geothermal power. Enbridge employs approximately 10,000 people, primarily in Canada and the U.S., and has been ranked 15 times on the annual Canada's Top 100 Employers list, including the 2017 index. Enbridge's common shares trade on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges under the symbol ENB. For more information, visit www.enbridge.com. About Spectra Energy Corp Spectra Energy Corp (NYSE: SE), a FORTUNE 500 company, is one of North America's leading pipeline and midstream companies. Based in Houston, Texas, the company's operations in the United States and Canada include approximately 21,000 miles of natural gas and crude oil pipelines; approximately 300 billion cubic feet of natural gas storage; 5.6 million barrels of crude oil storage; as well as natural gas gathering, processing, and local distribution operations. Spectra Energy is the general partner of Spectra Energy Partners, LP (NYSE: SEP), one of the largest pipeline master limited partnerships in the United States and owner of the natural gas and crude oil assets in Spectra Energy's U.S. portfolio. Spectra Energy also has a 50 percent ownership in DCP Midstream, LLC, which is the general partner of DCP Midstream, LP (NYSE: DCP), the largest natural gas liquids producer and the largest natural gas processor in the United States, and the largest gathering and processing master limited partnership in the United States. Spectra Energy has served North American customers and communities for more than a century. For more information, visit www.spectraenergy.com. Forward-Looking Information Certain information with respect to the proposed combination of Enbridge and Spectra Energy constitutes forward-looking statements. Although Enbridge and Spectra Energy believe these statements are based on information and assumptions which are current, reasonable and complete, these statements are necessarily subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, including those pertaining to the timing and completion of the proposed combination. A further discussion of the risks and uncertainties facing Enbridge and Spectra Energy can be found in each company's filings with Canadian and United States securities regulators, as applicable. While Enbridge and Spectra Energy make these forward-looking statements in good faith, should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary significantly from those expected. Except as may be required by applicable securities laws, neither Enbridge nor Spectra Energy assume any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements made herein or otherwise, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Contacts: Enbridge Inc. Media Suzanne Wilton (403) 231-7385 or Toll Free: (888) 992-0997 Suzanne.wilton@enbridge.com Investment Community Jonathan Gould (403) 231-3916 or Toll Free: (800) 481-2804 jonathan.gould@enbridge.com Spectra Energy Corp Media Creighton Welch (713) 627-5806 (713) 627-4747 (24-hour media line) cawelch@spectraenergy.com Investment Community Roni Cappadonna (713) 627-4778 vacappadonna@spectraenergy.com MONTREAL, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 02/16/17 -- MOBI724 Global Solutions Inc. ("MOBI724" or the "Company") (CSE: MOS)(CSE: MOS.CN), a fintech leader offering integrated EMV payment, card-linked offers and digital marketing, has signed a partnership agreement with CredibanCo, Colombia's largest payment cards network and processor, to deliver an integrated card-linked offers and digital marketing platform for card issuers and retailers in the Colombian market. MOBI724's innovative card-linked offers patent-pending solution will allow Colombian card issuers to enable cardholders to redeem offers directly at the more than 172,000 CredibanCo points-of-sale - all within a seamless user experience for all the parties in the ecosystem: issuers, cardholders and retailers. Cardholders will have the ability to receive relevant and targeted card-linked offers and rewards. With MOBI724's innovative card-linked offers solution, when a consumer makes a purchase with a debit or credit card and - once the transaction is authorized - the value of the offer or reward is credited to the cardholder's account in real time. This platform gives card issuers the opportunity to increase spend and usage while fostering consumer loyalty and the ability to send real time personalized notifications. Colombian card issuers will also benefit from MOBI724's other solutions and services, including data analytics and business intelligence. MOBI724 and CredibanCo will go to market with a joint solution providing an integrated platform that helps card issuers offer new and innovative solutions with ease. Integration is underway. "We are thrilled to partner with CredibanCo, the largest payment-acquiring network in Colombia, to offer our state-of-the-art card-linked offers and business intelligence platform. We are looking forward to leveraging the full potential of our solution for the benefit of card issuers and cardholders, while adding more transactions for CredibanCo's merchants," says Marcel Vienneau, CEO, MOBI724. Luis Sierra, VP Corporate Business CredibanCo, stated: "We are enthusiastic about this opportunity to add significant value to our merchant network, card issuing business partners and the end consumer through Mobi724's leading-edge proven solutions; we look forward to greatly invigorate the Colombian market around card-linked offers and electronic marketing." About CredibanCo CredibanCo is a Colombian corporation, facilitating and simplifying methods of electronic payments, transactions and digital information in the financial and retail areas. CredibanCo is the largest processor in the country and has more than 220,000 affiliated merchants and more than 172,000 points of sales for electronic payment acceptance. The company has been a pioneer in the launch of mobile payment solutions. www.credibanco.com About Mobi724 Global Solutions Mobi724 Global Solutions Inc. (CSE: MOS) is a fintech leader offering integrated EMV payment, card-linked offers and digital marketing. Headquartered in Montreal, Canada, Mobi724 is innovating its market with technology solutions that interoperate seamlessly with any credit/debit card and any mobile device. Mobi724's solutions increase transaction volumes and average spend while benefitting financial institutions, merchants and cardholders. For more information, visit www.mobi724globalsolutions.com. Certain statements in this document, including those which express management's expectations or estimations with regard to the Company's future performance, constitute "forward-looking statements" as understood by applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are, of necessity, based on a certain number of estimates and hypotheses; while management considers these to be accurate at the time they are expressed, they are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and risks on the commercial, economic and competitive levels. We advise readers that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other known and unknown factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements. Investors are advised to not rely unduly on the forward-looking statements. This advisory applies to all forward-looking statements, whether expressed orally or in writing, attributed to the Company or to any individual expressing them in the name of the Company. Unless required by law, the Company is under no obligation to publicly update these forward-looking statements, whether to reflect new information, future events, or other circumstances. The Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) has not reviewed this news release and does not accept responsibility for its adequacy or accuracy. This news release does not constitute a solicitation to buy or sell any securities in the United States. Contacts: MOBI724 Global Solutions Inc. Marcel Vienneau 1-514-394-5200 x 413 www.mobi724globalsolutions.com Vietnam-Cambodia friendship monument (Photo: vov.vn) The event was one of the activities to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries (June 24th, 1967 June 24th, 2017). Addressing the ceremony, Governor of Takeo province Lay Vannak said that people in Takeo, as well as in Cambodia, always keep in mind the enormous support of Vietnamese voluntary soldiers who helped their country defeat Pol Pots genocidal regime, and develop as it is at present. The completed restoration of the friendship monument is evidence of the growing traditional solidarity and amity, he added, and called on the younger generations of the two nations to join hands in nurturing that friendship. The Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Monument was built in 1986 at a park that covers more than 8,000 square metres of land in the centre of Takeo city. It was previously restored in 2005 and 2008. The restoration is part of a project on restoring Vietnam-Cambodia friendship monuments in Cambodia, funded by Vietnams Ministry of National Defence./. MONTREAL, CANADA -- (Marketwired) -- 02/16/17 -- Note to editors: Three images are included with this press release on Marketwired's website. Saputo Inc. (Saputo), is voluntarily recalling certain Gouda cheese products in the United States after having been notified by Deutsch Kase Haus, LLC of Middlebury, Indiana that some specialty Gouda cheese products that it supplied to Saputo's Green Bay, Wisconsin facility may have been contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria monocytogenes is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms, such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. The affected retail products are the Great Midwest Applewood Smoked Gouda cheeses listed in the table below. As a precautionary measure, Saputo is also recalling the Dutchmark Smoked Gouda cheeses listed in the table below, which were packaged on the same line. Consumers should not consume the recalled products. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Brand Product Pack Size UPC Sell By Date --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Great Applewood Random Weight No UPC SELL BY MAY 22 Midwest Smoked Gouda approx. 6 17 Cheese pounds G7/1 00:00 ---------------------------------------------- Random weight Sliced/chunked ALL CODE DATES slices or cut at stores - chunks cut at No UPC stores --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Brand Product Pack Size UPC Sell By Date --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dutchmark Pasteurized Random Weight No UPC BEST WHEN USED Processed approx. 2 BY:11-18-17 Smoked Gouda pounds Cheese --------------------------------------------------------------------------- No illnesses due to consumption of these products have been reported. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider. The recalled products were sold to retailers nationwide. The Great Midwest Applewood Smoked Gouda cheeses were sold primarily in retail stores at deli counters and deli cases. Saputo is working with impacted customers to ensure that the recalled products are removed from the marketplace. Consumers who have purchased any of the recalled products identified in the table above with the specified sell by date are urged to dispose of them or return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. No other Saputo products are affected by this recall. This recall is being initiated with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. For more information, consumers with questions may contact Saputo at 1-877-578-1510 between 9 am and 9 pm EST, Monday - Friday. About Saputo Saputo produces, markets, and distributes a wide array of dairy products of the utmost quality, including cheese, fluid milk, extended shelf-life milk and cream products, cultured products and dairy ingredients. Saputo is one of the top ten dairy processors in the world, the largest cheese manufacturer and the leading fluid milk and cream processor in Canada, the third largest dairy processor in Argentina, and the fourth largest in Australia. In the US, Saputo ranks among the top three cheese producers and is one of the largest producers of extended shelf-life and cultured dairy products. Our products are sold in several countries under well-known brand names such as Saputo, Alexis de Portneuf, Armstrong, COON, Cracker Barrel(i), Dairyland, DairyStar, Friendship Dairies, Frigo Cheese Heads, La Paulina, Milk2Go/Lait's Go, Neilson, Nutrilait, Scotsburn(i), Stella, Sungold, Treasure Cave and Woolwich Dairy. Saputo Inc. is a publicly traded company and its shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "SAP". (i)Trademark used under licence. To view the images accompanying this press release, please visit the following links: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/GreatMidwestLabel.jpg http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/GreatMidwestRWLabel.jpg http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/DutchmarkLabel.jpg Contacts: Media Inquiries 1-866-648-5902 WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - A hearing on federal appeals court judge Neil Gorsuch's nomination to the Supreme Court is scheduled to begin on March 20th. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, announced the scheduled start of the hearing on Thursday and said the hearing is expected to last three to four days. The hearing will begin with opening statements by Judiciary Committee members and Gorsuch on Monday, March 20th. The questioning of Gorsuch will begin on Tuesday, March 21st, with testimony by outside legal experts as well as the American Bar Association expected to follow. 'Judge Gorsuch has met every demand placed on him by the Minority,' Grassley said. 'He's a mainstream judge. He's displayed independence.' 'He's met with dozens of senators who have nothing but positive things to say. He is well-qualified and respected. He worked diligently to return the bipartisan questionnaire,' he added. 'It's time for him to have the opportunity to speak for himself before the Judiciary Committee.' A statement from Grassley noted Gorsuch's hearing will begin 48 days following the announcement of his nomination, similar to the timelines put together for Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan. Last week, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., accused Gorsuch of dodging questions on key legal and constitutional issues during his meeting with federal appeals court judge. In a press conference following the approximately 45-minute meeting, Schumer told reporters Gorsuch 'avoided answers like the plague.' 'This President is testing fundamental underpinnings of our democracy and its institutions,' Schumer said. 'These times deserve answers and Judge Gorsuch did not provide them. I have serious, serious concerns about this nominee.' Schumer argued the bar for a Supreme Court nominee to prove they can be independent has never been higher, accusing President Donald Trump of showing deep contempt for an independent judiciary. The Senate Democratic leader said he pressed Gorsuch on a number of issues, including Trump's immigration ban and claims of voter fraud as well as a clause in the Constitution prohibiting the president from receiving gifts from foreign leaders. Schumer claimed he has not made up his mind on whether he will support Gorsuch but argued that Trump's Supreme Court nominee deserves intense scrutiny in light of the president's actions. Trump's nomination of Gorsuch will need support from some Democrats to reach the 60-vote threshold to break a filibuster, although Republicans have suggested they may invoke the so-called 'nuclear option' to require only a majority. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de VAL-D'OR, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 02/16/17 -- Cartier Resources Inc. (TSX VENTURE: ECR) ("Cartier" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement with Paradigm Capital Inc. (the "Agent") under which the Agent has agreed to sell on a best efforts, private placement basis up to 11,200,000 Quebec super flow-through shares of the Company (the "Flow-Through Shares") at a price of C$0.27 per Flow-Through Share for total gross proceeds of up to C$3,024,000 (the "Offering"). The Agent has been granted the option to sell up to an additional 15% of the number of Flow-Through Shares issuable in the Offering, exercisable in whole or in part at any time up to 48 hours prior to the closing of the Offering. Cartier is also pleased to announce that pursuant to the Investor Rights Agreement between Cartier and Agnico Eagles Mines Limited ("Agnico Eagle"), Agnico Eagle has indicated that it intends to maintain its pro-rata 19.97% interest in Cartier after giving effect to the Offering. The closing of the Offering is expected to occur on or about March 7, 2017, and is subject to the completion of formal documentation and receipt of regulatory approvals, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. The Company intends to use the gross proceeds of the Offering for "Canadian Exploration Expenses" (within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada)) related to the Company's Quebec mineral concessions. The Company will agree to renounce such Canadian Exploration Expenses with an effective date of no later than December 31, 2017. Cautionary Statements Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: Certain disclosures in this release constitute forward-looking statements. In making the forward-looking statements in this release, the Company has applied certain factors and assumptions that are based on the Company's current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. Although the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to it, they may prove to be incorrect, and the forward-looking statements in this release are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause future results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. Such risk factors include, among others, those matters identified in its continuous disclosure filings, including its most recently filed MD&A. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Contacts: Philippe Cloutier, P.Geo. President and CEO 819 856-0512 philippe.cloutier@ressourcescartier.com www.ressourcescartier.com VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 02/16/17 -- Range Energy Resources Inc. (the "Company") (CSE: RGO)(CSE: RGO.CN)(FRANKFURT: YGK) is pleased to announce that further to the Company's news release of February 15, 2017, it has received secured convertible loans totalling $1,479,749 (the "Loans") from Gulf LNG America, LLC ("Gulf") and Harrington Global Opportunities Fund S.A.R.L. ("Harrington"), which are the first advances under the credit facility pursuant to the loan agreements entered into with Gulf and Harrington on February 14, 2017 (the "Loan Agreements"). Gulf and Harrington are both significant shareholders of the Company. See the Company's news release of February 15, 2017 for information about the Loan Agreements. The Loans are evidenced by a secured convertible promissory note in favour of Gulf for the principal amount of $1,319,749 and a secured convertible promissory note in favour of Harrington for the principal amount of $160,000 (together the "Notes). The maturity date of the principal amount, interest and any fees of the Loans is February 15, 2018 and the rate of interest is 10% per annum. The Loans are secured by the general security agreement dated February 14, 2017 pursuant to which the Company granted in favour of the lenders a security interest in all the Company's present and after-acquired real and personal property (the "Collateral"). See the Company's news release of February 15, 2017 for information related to the exclusion from the Collateral of the Company's shares of NAZZ2 (the "NAAZ2 Shares") and certain rights of the Company derived from or connected to the NAAZ2 Shares (the "NAAZ2 Shares Derivative Rights"). If the Company obtains the consents necessary to grant to the lenders a lien on the NAAZ2 Shares and the NAAZ2 Shares Derivative Rights, this property will become part of the Collateral. All or any portion of the principal amount, accrued interest and fees outstanding under the Notes is convertible by the lenders into common shares of the Company at any time before the maturity date, at a conversion price per share set out in the Notes, subject to adjustment upon certain events occurring. The conversion price for the Loans was approved by the Company's board and by the Canadian Securities Exchange. The principal amounts advanced by the lenders will be used by the Company for working capital requirements in respect of the production project in the Khalakan Block in the Kurdistan Region, general corporate purposes and any capital expenditures for the purchase by the Company of property or assets permitted under the Loan Agreements. For further information on Range Energy Resources Inc., please visit the Company's web site at www.rangeenergyresources.com. On Behalf of the Board of Directors: Toufic Chahine, Chairman THIS PRESS RELEASE, REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE CANADIAN LAWS, IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES, AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OF THE SECURITIES DESCRIBED HEREIN. THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS, AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO U.S. PERSONS UNLESS REGISTERED OR EXEMPT THEREFROM. This news release contains certain statements that may be deemed to include "forward-looking information". Forward looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although Range Energy believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in forward looking statements. Forward looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of Range Energy's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by law, Range Energy Resources Inc. undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. THE CSE AND FRANKFURT STOCK EXCHANGES HAVE NOT REVIEWED AND DO NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THE CONTENT OF THIS PRESS RELEASE. Contacts: Range Energy Resources Inc. Toufic Chahine Chairman 604-688-9600 604-687-3141 (FAX) range@rangeenergyresources.com www.rangeenergyresources.com TORONTO, ON--(Marketwired - February 16, 2017) - The Canadian Centre for Aging and Brain Health Innovation (CC-ABHI) announced today the launch of its Researcher-Clinician Partnership Program (RCP 2 ). This program is uniquely designed to greatly enhance the effectiveness of connecting point-of-care clinicians in the senior care sector with university-based researchers to collaboratively design, test and validate innovative products, services or health practices in aging and brain health in a real-world care setting. In total, up to CAD $2.4 million in funding will be available. RCP 2 is seeking applicants with innovations that aim to find solutions for the following care priorities, of which the first three are aimed at older adults with dementia: Reduce unnecessary emergency department visits. Prevent falls or mitigate injury due to falls. Provide better management of complex health conditions at home. Improve brain health or cognitive fitness in older adults. "The Government of Canada is proud to support the Canadian Centre for Aging and Brain Health Innovation and its programs. These programs encourage partnerships to bring innovative new ideas and creative solutions in brain health and cognitive fitness to Canadians. Their work to improve the quality of life for those living with dementia, and for their caregivers, is a priority for our government," says the Honourable Jane Philpott, Canada's Minister of Health. "The collaborations being created through the Researcher-Clinician Partnership Program will help accelerate creative solutions in aging and brain health, and we are proud to support this initiative. Our government remains committed to finding new ways to continue to improve the quality of life for seniors in Ontario, and fostering innovative developments in brain health is an important part of that commitment," says the Honourable Reza Moridi, Ontario's Minister of Research, Innovation and Science. "The Researcher-Clinician Partnership Program will provide a significant opportunity for health professionals who are working collaboratively to secure the support needed to test, refine and validate their innovative solutions with the aging population in a real-world setting," says Dr. William Reichman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Baycrest Health Sciences, which leads CC-ABHI. Health professionals applying for the program must be part of a team that includes at least one researcher and one clinician. Teams may also include additional clinicians, researchers, educators, industry partners and end-users located worldwide. Applicants must demonstrate that their product, service or health practice is at an advanced stage of development as defined in the Call for Innovations. Teams must demonstrate that the proposed solution has the potential to be scaled across multiple organizations in North America and is ready for pilot testing and evaluation. CC-ABHI will support project costs that are directly associated with the trial of an innovative solution, to a maximum of CAD $600,000 per project. CC-ABHI's funding will be provided directly to the host institution employing the principal Investigators of the qualifying projects. All projects must be completed within a 12 to 18 month period. Eligible applicants must submit an Expression of Interest by 5 p.m. EST on March 30, 2017. Shortlisted applicants will then be invited to complete a full application form, which must be submitted by 5 p.m. EST on May 25, 2017. The complete eligibility requirements, selection criteria and additional information about the program are available on the CC-ABHI website. Funding for the Researcher-Clinician Partnership Program is provided by the Government of Canada through the Public Health Agency of Canada, by the Government of Ontario through the Ministry of Research, Innovation and Science, and by the Baycrest Foundation. The Canadian Centre for Aging and Brain Health Innovation (CC-ABHI) is a solution accelerator for the aging and brain health sector, providing funding and support to innovators for the development, testing, and dissemination of new ideas and technologies that address unmet brain health and seniors' care needs. Established in 2015, it is the result of the largest investment in brain health and aging in Canadian history. CC-ABHI is a unique collaboration of health care, science, industry, not-for-profit and government partners whose aim is to help improve quality of life for the world's aging population, allowing older adults to age safely in the setting of their choice while maintaining their cognitive, emotional, and physical well-being. For more information on CC-ABHI, please visit: www.ccabhi.com. About Baycrest Health Sciences Baycrest Health Sciences is a global leader in geriatric residential living, healthcare, research, innovation and education, with a special focus on brain health and aging. Fully affiliated with the University of Toronto, Baycrest provides excellent care for older adults combined with an extensive clinical training program for the next generation of healthcare professionals and one of the world's top research institutes in cognitive neuroscience, the Rotman Research Institute. Baycrest is home to the federally and provincially-funded Canadian Centre for Aging and Brain Health Innovation, a solution accelerator focused on driving innovation in the aging and brain health sector, and is the developer of Cogniciti -- a free online memory assessment for Canadians 40+ who are concerned about their memory. Through its dedicated centres, the organization offers unmatched global knowledge exchange and commercialization capacity. Founded in 1918 as the Jewish Home for Aged, Baycrest continues to embrace the long-standing tradition of all great Jewish healthcare institutions to improve the well-being of people in their local communities and around the globe. For more information please visit: www.baycrest.org. Image Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2017/2/16/11G130596/Images/RCP2_logo_large-e19fbebf4a0982aebb153548f2687785.jpg Media Contact: Arielle Zomer Senior Communications Specialist CC-ABHI 416-785-2500 ext. 6086 azomer@baycrest.org Jonathan MacIndoe Senior Communications Specialist Baycrest Health Sciences 416-785-2500, ext. 6579 jmacindoe@baycrest.org CHICAGO, IL -- (Marketwired) -- 02/16/17 -- Methode Electronics, Inc. (NYSE: MEI), a global designer and manufacturer of electro-mechanical devices, will release its third-quarter Fiscal 2017 results for the period ended January 28, 2017, on Thursday, March 2, 2017, before the market opens. Following the release, the Company will conduct a conference call and Webcast to review financial and operational highlights led by its President and Chief Executive Officer, Donald W. Duda, and Chief Financial Officer, John Hrudicka, at 10:00 a.m. Central time. To participate in the conference call, please dial (877) 407-9210 (domestic) or (201) 689-8049 (international) at least five minutes prior to the start of the event. A simultaneous Webcast can be accessed through the Company's Web site, www.methode.com, by selecting the Investor Relations page, and then clicking on the "Webcast" icon. A replay of the conference call, as well as an MP3 download, will be available shortly after the call through April 2 by dialing (877) 481-4010 (domestic) or (919) 882-2331 (international) and providing Conference ID number 10241. On the Internet, a replay will be available for 30 days through the Company's Web site, www.methode.com, by selecting the Investor Relations page and then clicking on the "Webcast" icon. About Methode Electronics, Inc. Methode Electronics, Inc. (NYSE: MEI) is a global developer of custom engineered and application specific products and solutions with manufacturing, design and testing facilities in China, Egypt, Germany, India, Italy, Lebanon, Malta, Mexico, Singapore, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States. We design, manufacture and market devices employing electrical, electronic, wireless, safety radio remote control, sensing and optical technologies to control and convey signals through sensors, interconnections and controls. Our business is managed on a segment basis, with those segments being Automotive, Interface, Power Products and Other. Our components are in the primary end markets of the automobile, computer, information processing and networking equipment, voice and data communication systems, consumer electronics, appliances, aerospace vehicles and industrial equipment industries. Further information can be found on Methode's Website at www.methode.com. For Methode Electronics Inc. - Investor Contacts: Kristine Walczak Dresner Corporate Services 312-780-7205 kwalczak@dresnerco.com VAUDREUIL-DORION, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 02/16/17 -- Immunotec Inc. (TSX VENTURE: IMM), a direct-to-consumer company and a leader in the nutritional industry (the "Company" or "Immunotec"), launched a comprehensive brand identity update including new packaging for its flagship products, Immunocal and Immunocal Platinum, in twin events held in Long Beach, California, and Mexico City at the beginning of February. The two events were attended by almost 4,000 independent Consultants, marking the highest Convention attendance in the Company's history. The elements of what Immunotec terms its "brand evolution" are anchored around the Company's new tagline "The Science of Living Better", a statement designed to embody Immunotec's 40-year scientific heritage and 20-year history as a network marketing innovator. CEO Charlie Orr stated "Coming on the heels of last year's 20th anniversary celebrations, we are very proud to unveil this bold, cutting edge new look for our Company, one that communicates our deep roots in ground-breaking science and equally deep expertise in network marketing." Immunotec launched its brand evolution with multimedia presentations supported by a new booklet and video titled It All Started With the Immune System: The Story of a Network Marketing Company Unlike Any Other. Both pay homage to the company's rich history while presenting its new tagline, updated logo and colour palette, new typographic standards, new packaging for its core products, and supporting information. Said Mimi Cohen, Vice-President of Marketing "Our brand evolution positions Immunotec for its next phase of growth by creating a fresh, more modern brand landscape to support our Consultants as they work to grow their Immunotec businesses." The new packaging for Immunocal and Immunocal Platinum was designed to seamlessly integrate with the other elements of the brand evolution. Careful attention was given to communicating the unique status of the two products as "glutathione precursors". This scientific development was led by doctors working in Montreal starting in the late 1970s and into the 1990s, whose focus was immune system health. Immunocal has since achieved recognition through patents issued in the U.S., Canada, and countries around the world, has been the subject of 48 publications in the medical literature by doctors and scientists working in top global institutions, is listed in two highly respected medical publications, the Compendium of Pharmaceuticals and Specialties in Canada and the Physician's Desk Reference in the United States, and received approval to make certain claims by Health Canada. About Immunotec Inc. Immunotec is a Canadian-based company that develops, manufactures, markets and sells research-driven nutritional products through direct-to-consumer sales channels in Canada, the U.S., Mexico, the Dominican Republic, the United Kingdom and Ireland. The company offers an extensive line of nutritional, skin care and wellness products targeting health, weight management, energy and physical performance. Please visit us at www.immunotec.com for additional information. The company files its continuous disclosure documents, on the SEDAR database at www.sedar.com and on the Company's Website at www.immunotec.com. The common shares of the Company are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the ticker symbol IMM. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Contacts: Patrick Montpetit, CPA: CA, CF Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer (450) 510-4527 VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 02/16/17 -- Note to editors: There is a photo associated with this press release. The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, P.C., Q.C., M.P., Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, toured Seaspan's Vancouver Shipyards (VSY) for a first-hand review of the progress on the Coast Guard's three new Offshore Fisheries Science Vessels (OFSVs). The three new OFSVs are the first ships to be built at VSY under the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS). Ships as large as these are built in blocks which are then fit together to form the whole vessel. The main blocks for the first OFSV are almost completely joined - the basic structure of the ship is in place and the vessel resembles its final form. The blocks forming the hull of the second OFSV are now being assembled, allowing the Minister to participate in the ship's the keel-laying while he was onsite. Keel-laying is a significant milestone. For the first time, steel sections, modules, and blocks are joined into a recognizable part of the ship. VSY has recently commenced production on the third OFSV. The new OFSVs will enable Fisheries and Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard to continue conducting important science and research work such as collecting information about the distribution, abundance and biology of our species on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. Quotes "I am pleased that progress is being made on construction of the Offshore Fisheries Science Vessels at Seaspan's Vancouver Shipyards. The keel laying of the second OFSV was a highlight as the pieces are starting to resemble the actual ship. This and other projects under the National Shipbuilding Strategy and the Coast Guard Fleet Renewal Plan will provide the men and women of the Coast Guard and our scientists with the equipment they need to conduct their important work for Canadians." The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, P.C., Q.C., M.P., Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard "Seaspan's Vancouver Shipyards is honoured to celebrate the laying of the keel for the second Offshore Fisheries Science Vessel (OFSV) with Minister LeBlanc. Today's ceremony signifies an important milestone in the National Shipbuilding Strategy and serves as a testament to the continuing momentum of the OFSV program for our Coast Guard customers and the many thousands of Canadians involved across the country." Brian Carter, President - Seaspan Shipyards Quick Facts -- Seaspan's Vancouver Shipyards has committed to deliver three OFSV ships at a total ceiling price of $514 million. -- Each vessel is approximately 63.4 metres in length with a displacement of approximately 3212 tonnes and a top speed of 13 knots. -- By the end of 2016, Seaspan's Vancouver Shipyards was employing 750 tradespeople, 57 active apprentices, 390 office staff, and 136 sub-contractor personnel on-site in North Vancouver in support of the National Shipbuilding Program. Internet: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca Follow us on Twitter! www.Twitter.com/DFO_MPO For more information about the Canadian Coast Guard, visit www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca. Follow us on Twitter! www.Twitter.com/CCG_GCC To view the photo associated with this press release, please visit the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/DFO.jpg Contacts: Media Relations Fisheries and Oceans Canada 613-990-7537 Media.xncr@dfo-mpo.gc.ca Laura Gareau Press Secretary Office of the Minister Fisheries and Oceans Canada 613-992-3474 Laura.Gareau@dfo-mpo.gc.ca Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 16, 2017) - Los Andes Copper Ltd. (TSXV: LA) ("Los Andes", or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Company has closed the private placement announced in its News Release dated December 2, 2016. On December 8, 2016, the Company issued 26,800,000 units (the "Units") priced at $0.30 per Unit. Each Unit consists of one common share of the Company (a "Unit Share") and one detachable share purchase warrant (a "Warrant") entitling the holder thereof to purchase one additional common share of the Company (a "Warrant Share") at a price of $0.45 per Warrant Share for a period of 3 years. The Unit Shares, Warrants and Warrant Shares are subject to a hold period expiring on April 9, 2017. Turnbrook Mining Ltd. ("Turnbrook"), the Company's largest shareholder, subscribed for the 26,800,000 Units and assigned its 26,800,000 Warrants to a third party. The sale of the Units to Turnbrook constituted a related party transaction under TSX Venture Exchange Policy 5.9. The proceeds of the Private Placement will be used to fund a proposed work program on the Company's Vizcachitas project and for general working capital purposes. The Private Placement is subject to acceptance by the TSX Venture Exchange. For more information please contact: Antony Amberg, President & CEO Tel: (56-22) 954-0450 Aurora Davidson, Chief Financial Officer Tel: 604-697-6207 E-Mail: info@losandescopper.com or visit our website at: www.losandescopper.com Certain of the information and statements contained herein that are not historical facts, constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of the Securities Act (British Columbia) and the Securities Act (Alberta) ("Forward-Looking Information"). Forward-Looking Information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect" and "intend"; statements that an event or result is "due" on or "may", "will", "should", "could", or might" occur or be achieved; and, other similar expressions. More specifically, Forward-Looking Information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such Forward-Looking Information; including, without limitation, the achievement and maintenance of planned production rates, the evolving legal and political policies of Chile, the volatility in the Chilean economy, military unrest or terrorist actions, metal and energy price fluctuations, favourable governmental relations, the availability of financing for activities when required and on acceptable terms, the estimation of mineral resources and reserves, current and future environmental and regulatory requirements, the availability and timely receipt of permits, approvals and licenses, industrial or environmental accidents, equipment breakdowns, availability of and competition for future acquisition opportunities, availability and cost of insurance, labour disputes, land claims, the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates, currency fluctuations, expectations and beliefs of management and other risks and uncertainties, including those described in Management's Discussion and Analysis in the Company's financial statements. Such Forward-Looking Information is based upon the Company's assumptions regarding global and Chilean economic, political and market conditions and the price of metals and energy, and the Company's production. Among the factors that have a direct bearing on the Company's future results of operations and financial conditions are changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, a change in government policies, competition, currency fluctuations and restrictions and technological changes, among other things. Should one or more of any of the aforementioned risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from any conclusions, forecasts or projections described in the Forward-Looking Information. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on Forward-Looking Information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise Forward-Looking Information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Not for distribution to United States Newswire Services or for dissemination in the United States GluSense, a Rehovot, Israel-based medical device company focused on treating diabetes, raised a new funding of undisclosed amount. The backer was JDRF T1D Fund, a venture philanthropy fund exclusively focused on finding and funding early-stage T1D commercial programs. The company intends to use the funds to bring the Glyde CGM closer to the first in-human clinical trial, a key step in the commercialization process. Founded in 2007 and led by CEO Dr. Boaz Brill, GluSense develops a long lasting injectable glucose sensor for treatment of Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). Its GlydeTM CGM, a miniature long term injectable glucose sensor, is injected under the skin and is expected to last for one year, providing continuous glucose measurements wirelessly to a wearable device such as a watch. The injection of the device is minimally invasive and can be performed in a clinic using only local anesthesia. The company is part of the Rainbow Medical innovation house, a private business that seeds and grows companies developing innovative medical devices. FinSMEs 16/02/2017 Neosurance, a Milan, Italy-based insurtech startup, raised 230k in total pre-seed funding. Backers included new CEO Pietro Menghi and Matteo Carbone, founder of the Connected Insurance Observatory, who will join as Senior Advisor. Following the pre-seed round, the company is being valued more than 3m. Co-founded by Andrea Silvello and Dario Melpignano, Neosurance provides insurance companies with technology solutions to offer on the spot micro policies to their clients. As announced previously, the company is in talks with potential investors to complete a 1m seed funding round in the coming months and has signed deals with few communities such as Models Corner Milan, a model club, TiAssito 24, an Italian app assisting the client in car management, and KLCC Runners Group, a runners club in Malaysia, which enable them soon to subscribe micro insurance policies to cover specific short lasting events. Neosurance, which recently won the Horizon 2020s SME Instrument Phase 1 award, has also appointed Pietro Menghi, a professional veteran with a 20 year long career in the insurance industry, having held top roles in Swiss Re and Willis, as CEO. FinSMEs 16/02/2017 OpenFin, a New York based common operating layer for financial desktop applications, raised $15m in Series B funding. Backers included Bain Capital Ventures, DRW Venture Capital, J.P. Morgan, NEX Groups fintech investment business Euclid Opportunities, Nyca Partners, Pivot Investment Partners and angels and financial industry executives. The company has raised a total of $22m in venture funding to date. Led by Mazy Dar, CEO and co-founder, OpenFin uses an open technology stack to create a common operating layer for applications that provide real-time market data, news, research, collaboration services and direct trading capabilities, enabling rapid development and deployment, while simultaneously improving security. The companys technology based on Googles Chromium engine which runs on Windows, Mac and Linux powers applications licensed across over 100,000 desktops, including applications from 35 of the worlds largest banks and trading platforms. These customers are using OpenFin to redesign and unify their front-end experience for traders and other end users at banks and hedge funds. OpenFin also has offices in London. FinSMEs 16/02/2017 Upstream, a London, UK-based mobile commerce platform, received 25m in growth financing. The European Investment Bank provided the financing, granted with the support of the EU budget guarantee under the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI). The company will use the funds for the implementation of its growth strategy, further boosting its global operations and R&D activities and improving its technology platform and product offering, as well as its big data capabilities. Led by Marco Veremis, CEO & Co-founder, Upstream is a mobile commerce platform, which already enables 1.2 billion people to receive and pay for the digital subscription services (infotainment and microinsurance, mobile security and antivirus, cloud storage, gaming, video portals, app stores, language learning courses and mobile marketing promotions) on their mobile devices. The company is present internationally with 10 regional offices employing over 330 professionals. FinSMEs 15/02/2017 Waud Capital Partners, a Chicago, IL-based growth-oriented middle-market private equity firm with $2.1 billion under management, appointed Dave Prendergast as Vice President Business Development. Within the Business Development group, Prendergast will focus on identifying investment opportunities within the firms healthcare services vertical. He brings more than five years of private equity experience in healthcare services, healthcare information technology (HCIT) and technology-enabled business services. Previously, Prendergast served as a Vice President at Great Point Partners, where he focused on healthcare, and more specifically, outsourced provider services, payor services, dental, HCIT and distribution businesses. Mr. Prendergast began his career as an associate at Summit Partners, where he focused primarily on the technology sector, with an emphasis on software, internet, and communications technology companies. He graduated magna cum laude from Cornell University with a B.S. in Applied Economics and Management and holds an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. FinSMEs 15/02/2017 As US president Donald Trump keeps the world on tenterhooks with his protectionist ways that can have a debilitating impact on the Indian IT sector, RIL Chairman Mukesh Ambani on Wednesday advised the industry to look at it as a blessing in disguise to focus on home market. "Trump can actually be a blessing in disguise. The domestic IT industry can focus on solving problems right here, which is a huge market," Ambani told the three-day Nasscom leadership forum that opened in Mumbai on Wednesday. Incidentally, the comments from Ambani who has spent over Rs 1.2 trillion in his new telecom venture Reliance Jio, come on the same Nasscom platform that delayed its customary annual growth projection to May as the industry awaits clarity on Trump's plans to more than double the minimum salary for H1-B visa-holders and massively curb visa issuance to techies. The problem is that the US $155-billion domestic IT industry nets over 65 percent of its revenues from the US. Nasscom again lowered its revenue growth projection to the lower-end of its already lowered guidance of 8-10 percent for this year from 10-12 percent given last February. On the increasing calls coming in from the developed world for protectionism, Ambani said the domestic industry should work on strengthening domestic capabilities. "We have a very big advantage in this new world of digitisation. Its very very important to be open, to have partnerships and not be closed. That is really a strength we should build on, and continue to be open and never think whatever the world changes. "The world might want to build walls around. I think it is very important for us not to be influenced by those developments, to make sure that we are always open, always connected," he said. Stating that Rel Jio has already crossed 100-million customer milestone since its launch last September, he said Jio is open to partnerships now. He also credited the Aadhaar-based verification of the applicant's details for this. Calling for looking at the larger picture of helping millions to resolve their problems with adoption of digital technologies, he said digitalisation will continue to face challenges in terms of privacy, security and data thefts, but "with our very big advantages in the new world of digitisation, I am sure we can find solutions to our major problems". (Disclaimer: Firstpost is part of Network18 Media & Investment Limited which is owned by Reliance Industries Limited.) Despite the impending dark overtones cast on Indias IT sector, the reality on the ground is far from anything bleak. Irrespective of the announcements from US president Donald Trump, Brexit concerns and the slowing global economy, the IT sector seems to have factored the low spell and will be only marginally impacted. The sector will likely grow 8-9 percent in FY2017E and could grow at same pace or accelerate in FY2018, according to a technology report from Kotak Instituitional Equities released a week ago. The outlook for 2017 looks promising though admittedly it faces risks from current negative news wave against outsourcing. For the calendar year 2017, the set-up is promising, says the report, because of initial indications of higher spending in financial services vertical, announcements of integrated digital deals, albeit sporadic, and no acceleration in intensity of captive shift as witnessed at the beginning of calendar year 2016. These factors indicate that CY2017 holds promise for the Indian IT. However, these positives are partly negated by simple roll-over of budgets, awaiting broad policy direction of the new US government leading to soft start to the year, states the report. Hence, divergence in performance of companies can be expected depending on the mix of business (run versus change) and ability to capitalise on the digital opportunity. However, this is totally subjective and depends on how invested the company is in a particular market and where its revenue accruals come from. It is true that 60 percent of business comes from US and the dependence of the workforce is largely on H-1B visa. It all depends on how deeply invested you are, says Sanchit Vir Gogia, Chief Analyst and CEO of Greyhound Research. It is not going to be easy for the companies, its investors to accept new business models in this scenario. There is investor pressures internally, he pointed out. These are exciting times, say some industry stalwarts. It is a time to look forward to the change, said N Chandrasekaran, who is set to take over the chairmanship of Tata Sons next week, at the annual Nasscom conference on Wednesday. "Every time there is a regulatory change or some kind of a perceived challenge, in our industry, everybody says 'there is a problem' ... and it is hyped up whether it is H-1B, whether it is increase in re-staffing." In fact, he said these are exciting times for the IT industry given the exponential demand for technology as every business reorients itself. "Fundamentally, every business is going to be powered by technology. So, the opportunity and the demand that we are going to see is just exponential," he said. "Change is something you have to live with. You cannot get overly paranoid, I don't think there is a cause for concern, I really feel the opportunity is immense," Chandrasekaran added. Quarterly results The quarterly results of some top IT players were in line with estimates and in sync with seasonal weakness, the Kotak report states, with the exception of Tech Mahindra. Tech Mahindra led the pack with 5.4 percent q-o-q constant currency growth followed by HCL Technologies at 3 percent, TCS 2 percent, Wipro 0.6 percent, respectively. Infosys 0.3 percent constant currency revenue decline was due to ramp down in RBS project, sluggish growth in specific geographies and service mix. There will be a shift in markets from the current US-focus, and contracts may shrink too to shorter duration, said analysts. Upfront payments for contracts may change to pay-as-you-go, predicts Gogia. The Indian market will not be enough as a sole market to cover costs. That is a reality that has to be factored in, says Gogia. But there is no need to worry as Indias startup sector is on a growth curve and though the sector will take a few years to mature, it is time to focus on putting Indias startup sector on the global map. It requires the attention and focus of the government, incubators, and companies of which some like Tech Mahindra, Reliance Industries, for instance, have started taking keen interest to promote and fund. The churn that one is seeing in the IT sector is part of the life cycle of any economy. The industry has seen a churn in 2000 with Y2K, later in 2008 with the global financial crisis. But the industry has sailed through each of these crises situations earlier, says Harish HV, partner, Grant Thornton, adding that there is no reason not to overcome Trump's promise of heavy restrictions on the outsourcing industry coupled with Brexit and the slowing global economy. US is the biggest market and the worry about losing out on this huge market and talent losing interest in the sector as foreign assignments will no longer be par for the course is being hyped a lot, believe some experts. How much of that is real, asks Harish. He feels that some IT majors like Infosys, for instance have been prepared for this change with CEO Sikka shifting his office to the US. Soon others will follow, he said. There are enough opportunities in India too which will now come up, he said. The focus will be on India and though growth may be impacted in the short-term, the impact will not be as large as it is feared, point out analysts. Changes have been brought in with some of Indias leading IT firms using local resouces onsite. Not just that, automation has also reduced the dependency on people/labour by 20-30 percent. This could go up to 40 percent in the future, says DD Mishra, Research Director, Gartner - IT research and advisory firm. Look east With the west becoming inaccessible, the focus will be towards east. Markets in the Asia-Pacific region will have good growth opportunities as many organisations have increased their share of revenues in this region and many others will expedite their focus here, says Mishra. India, China, Indonesia, Malaysia will get more focus from providers, believes Mishra. The Gartner forecast report on IT services says that overall IT services end user spending is expected to grow at CAGR 4.5 percent between 2015 to 2020. Countries like India will have a CAGR at 14 percent in 2017. Others countries like China with current growth of 8.7 percent will grow at more than 10 percent. Cloud infra as a service will grow at CAGR of over 40 percent in India and China. BPO services continue to grow, consulting services is expected to grow at CAGR 8 percent, with implementation leading this growth. The forecast has not taken the H1 b visa issue into account, though. It will have a minor impact only to those providers who are focused solely on this market, said Mishra. Mukesh D Ambani, RIL Chairman on Wednesday advised the industry to look at restriction on H-1 visa as a blessing in disguise and focus on the domestic market. "Trump can actually be a blessing in disguise. The domestic IT industry can focus on solving problems right here, which is a huge market," he said. Perhaps, it is time to do just that. (Data contribution by Kishor Kadam) New Delhi: India's exports rose for the fifth straight month in January, up 4.32 percent, to $22.11 billion on increase in shipments of petroleum products, engineering goods and iron ore even as trade deficit widened to $9.84 billion. The growth in shipments came despite the growing protectionist and anti-trade sentiment in the US and Europe, which exporters said pose "major challenges" for the sector in the near future. Gold imports tumbled 29.94 percent to $2.04 billion in January, from $2.91 billion in the same month last year, as demand softened following cash crunch, post demonetisation. Imports widened to $31.95 billion in January, up 10.7 percent from the same month last fiscal. "While continuous positive growth in exports for the last 5 months is encouraging, the slowdown in global trade is equally affecting us. Going by the current trend, we are expected to reach around $270 billion this fiscal," said S C Ralhan, President of FIEO, an exporters' body. Ralhan said increasing protectionism, volatility in currencies and uncertainties clouding the global economy pose as major challenges for the export sector in 2017. As per the data released by the commerce ministry today, growth in exports last month was lower than 5.72 percent recorded in December. Exports for April-January of the current fiscal totalled $220.92 billion, up about 1 percent over the year-ago shipments. Higher imports took the trade deficit to $9.84 billion as against $7.66 billion in January 2016. Positive trade data set the stage for a further build-up in India's exports, taking advantage of pick-up in the US and Europe, EEPC India Chairman T S Bhasin said. However, he said, Indian exporters and policymakers need to keep a watch on a possible currency and unfolding trade war. New Delhi: Seeking to create a global-sized bank, the Cabinet on Wednesday gave the go-ahead to the merger plan of State Bank of India (SBI) and its five associates, a step aimed at strengthening the banking sector through consolidation of public banks. However, no decision was taken on the proposal to also merge the Bharatiya Mahila Bank with SBI. The merger is likely to result in recurring savings, estimated at more than Rs 1,000 crore in the first year, through a combination of enhanced operational efficiency and reduced cost of funds, read an official statement. "The Cabinet had earlier in-principle cleared the (merger) proposal. It had gone to the boards of various banks which have granted the approvals. The recommendations of the boards were considered today and the Cabinet cleared the proposal," Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said in a post-Cabinet briefing. The associate banks which will be merged with SBI are State Bank of Bikaner & Jaipur (SBBJ), State Bank of Mysore (SBM), State Bank of Travancore (SBT), State Bank of Patiala (SBP) and State Bank of Hyderabad (SBH). "With this merger, the SBI, with all these five subsidiaries merging in it, will also become a very large bank, not merely from a domestic point of view but actually a global player in its very size," the minister said after the Cabinet meeting. It will, Jaitley added, "certainly lead to far greater efficiency. It will lead to synergy of operations within these banks... it will cut down the cost of operations. The cost of funds itself will come down". The Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, also approved the introduction of a Bill in Parliament to repeal the State Bank of India (Subsidiary Banks) Act, 1959, and the State Bank of Hyderabad Act, 1956. The acquisition of subsidiary banks of SBI is "an important step towards strengthening the banking sector through consolidation of public sector banks. It is in pursuance of the Indradhanush action plan of the government and is expected to strengthen the banking sector and improve its efficiency and profitability", the release added. With the merger of all the five associates, SBI is expected to become a lender of global proportions with an asset base of Rs 37 trillion (Rs 37 lakh crore) or over US $555 billion, 22,500 branches and 58,000 ATMs. It will have over 50 crore customers. India's 27 public sector banks account for 70 percent of its banking sector assets, as well as the lion's share of the country's $120 billion in troubled loans. Treating investor money more carefully than one's own and having the right team as well as not looking for immediate returns are some of the key requirements to become a successful entrepreneur, noted industrialist Mukesh Ambani said on Wednesday. "Treat your investors' money even more carefully than your own money. And secondly, you cannot do anything without the right team - these are the two non-negotiable for me," said the owner of the world's largest startup, Reliance Jio. Ambani was speaking at Nasscom Leadership Forum in Mumbai. Narrating his experience as an entrepreneur and listing out the formulae that helped him become a successful corporate leader, Ambani recalled he learnt the first important lesson in business from his father, the late Dhirubhai Ambani, founder of Reliance Group. "The first piece about entrepreneurship was taught to be my my father after I returned from the US. I asked him for my roles and responsibilities and my job, and he told me if I want to do a job, I have to be a manager. "An entrepreneur will figure out what to do," Ambani said, recalling what his father told him. The RIL chief noted that an entrepreneur must first identify problems that he is passionate about. "It's not solving problems, but it is finding the problems. Once you find the problem, then you solve it." Besides, Ambani said, it is imperative that solving a problem should benefit society in some way or other and that financial returns arising out of it should be secondary. "The third thing that I learnt, and which we have now institutionalised at RIL, is that you have to create societal value. "You have to solve a problem that actually does good in some way. That has to be the objective and financial returns are actually a by-product. If you focus only on financial returns, the chances are that you will not really become great and solve your own passion," he added. The industrialist maintained business failures are normal and he had personally failed many times before succeeding. "Never get disheartened by failures. Learn from them, but never give up." Talking about setting up the right team for business, he insisted, "It is very important to align the team passionately to your own vision. And finally, an entrepreneur is always positive. He is an optimist. There are lots of cynics and negative people around, but entrepreneurs spread positive energy." (Disclaimer: Firstpost is part of Network18 Media & Investment Limited which is owned by Reliance Industries Limited.) New Delhi: Amid calls in the IT industry for sharing of cash pile with shareholders and investors, India's largest software company Tata Consultancy Services Wednesday said its board will discuss suggestions received on certainty over dividend policy and share buyback. According to a report in Moneycontrol, TCS board is likely to consider buyback of shares on 20 February. Stating that the company had received suggestions from investors over the need for certainty on dividend policy along with share buyback to distribute the cash, outgoing TCS chief N Chandrasekaran said: "These two comments have come from investors and we will discuss it in the board." Without giving any further details on the issue in an interview with CNBC TV18, he said TCS has been building up cash to meet its requirements, especially in the case of any mergers and acquisitions, and the excess sum has been shared consistently with shareholders. Chandrasekaran said that over the years, TCS has been increasing its dividend payments to shareholders. Asked who would take over as the company's new CFO as the incumbent Rajesh Gopinathan will replace him as CEO, Chandrasekaran said: "We have an internal candidate, we will announce that candidate. We have to go through the board. So, in the next board meeting, that will get formalised." On the issue of impact on Indian IT industry in the wake of proposed tightening of H-1B visas norms and hike in fees by the US, Chandrasekaran said that for TCS, it will not be a big issue. TCS has worked in an environment where visas were difficult to get. "USD 1,00,000 minimum wage in the US will not be a problem," he pointed out. Allaying fears in the IT industry about a slowdown, he said the industry was robust and the demand environment was strong. In meetings with various clients from across industries, he said he did not come away with any concern. "I am not in the doom and gloom club," Chandrasekaran said. On the way ahead for TCS, he said Gopinathan and his team understand the industry and the company does not need any major management or strategic changes because of his elevation to Tata Sons. The way TCS operates will not change, he clarified, adding however that the company will shift to a higher gear on cloud and automation. "We already operate in cloud space. We have a clear view on what we want to do in the cloud space. We have done a lot of work in automation, we want to see how we can take it to the next level," Chandrasekaran added. With the cabinet clearing a proposal to merge the five remaining subsidiaries of State Bank of India (SBI) with the parent, the stage is set for the birth of a banking behemoth thatll possibly finding place amongst the top 50 banks in the world. The five associates are -- State Bank of Travancore (SBT), State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur (SBBJ ), State Bank of Mysore ( SBM ), State Bank of Patiala (SBP) and State Bank of Hyderabad (SBH). SBI merged two of its subsidiaries State Bank of Saurashtra and State Bank of Indore during Bhatts time, in 2008 and 2010, respectively. Once this merger happens, SBIs asset size should go up to Rs 28.6 lakh crore as on March. It will then be seen in the club of banking giants from developed countries and take part in bigger deals flaunting its size. SBI gaining global size is a good thing for Indian banking sector in relation to the global industry. But, back home, this would also mean SBI will grow in size at least four times bigger than its nearest competitorHDFC bank---which has assets of Rs 7.4 lakh crore as on March 2016. The third largest bank will be ICICI with asset size of Rs7.2 lakh crore. Beyond HDFC Bank and ICICI, most other lenders will look too tiny in comparison to State Bank. The combined entity will have over 23,000 branches and two and half lakh employees. The question here is this: Is SBI, often dubbed as the elephant among Indian banks, growing too big in relation to its competitors in the domestic market creating a monopolistic situation and a too-big-to-fail banking institution? Such a big difference in the asset sizes of the largest bank and other competitors have worried the banking regulator in the past. For instance way back in 2013, the then RBI governor, D Subbarao, had highlighted this issue. Presently, (there is) significant skewness in the size of banks. The second largest bank in the system is almost one-third the size of the biggest bank. This creates a monopolistic situation, Subbarao said. The problem has grown even bigger since then. Instead of creating one big giant among several relatively tiny rivals, it is good if we have 3-4 large sized banks so that the spirit of competition will be sustained, experts have suggested in the past. The concern of policymakers worldwide about 'oversized' financial institutions is justified since if something goes wrong with them, this can have serious ramifications on the whole financial system. This is something that prompted the US federal reserve to finalise a rule in November, 2014 that prohibited any financial company from acquiring another, if the resultant entity's liabilities exceeded 10 percent of the total liabilities of the financial services system. The rule - Section 622 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act - says once a particular entity reaches the specified concentration limit, that bank cannot acquire control of another entity. Logically, the new rule intends to shield the US financial system from the foibles of 'too big to fail' banks, which could then spark a crisis like the one in 2008 following the collapse of Lehman Brothers, which triggered a global financial meltdown. That meltdown showed that when banks become too big, they can bring down the whole financial system when they lend or invest imprudently. True, there is no comparison between US and Indian banking systems in terms of size. But, the concerns apply here as well. In July, 2014, the central bank released a framework to identify domestic systemically important banks (D-SIBs) and later classified both SBI and ICICI as systemically important banks. In SBIs case, given the enormous size of the bank compared to its domestic peers, there is an obvious concentration risk that is building up. This is what the RBI has to monitor. If anything goes wrong with SBI, it would have repercussions not only for the bank, but the whole financial system. In a worst case scenario, if a major crisis grips the domestic banking system, a fiscally-constrained government may find it difficult to capitalize SBI. Considering its size and appetite, the elephant is not easy to feed. It is a matter of pride for India to have a global sized bank but it brings with itself ominous challenges. (Data support from Kishor Kadam) Washington: Actor Ashton Kutcher, who, during his 2012 visit to India, had met sex trafficking victims and has been batting for their cause for long, says there is a need to understand the importance of using technology as a tool to eradicate slavery. Kutcher testified on his anti-sex trafficking efforts before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in a hearing on progress in combating modern slavery. The actor spoke on behalf of Thorn: Digital Defenders of Children, an organisation he co-founded with former wife Demi Moore in 2009, that builds software to fight human trafficking, CNN reported. He called his 'day job' his work as chairman of Thorn and also as a father - he and wife-actress Mila Kunis welcomed son, Dimitri Portwood, in November. His daughter, Wyatt, is two years old. "As part of my anti-trafficking work, I've met victims in Russia, I've met victims in India, I've met victims that have been trafficked from Mexico, victims from New York and New Jersey and all across our country. I've been on FBI raids where I've seen things that no person should ever see," Kutcher said. "I've seen video content of a child that's the same age as mine being raped by an American man that was a sex tourist in Cambodia. And this child was so conditioned by her environment that she thought she was engaging in play," he added. "It's working. In six months, with 25 per cent of our users reporting, we've identified over 6,000 trafficking victims, 2,000 of which are minors. This tool has enhanced 4,000 law enforcement officials in 900 agencies. And we're reducing the investigation time by 60 percent," he said, of a software tool called 'Spotlight'. He spoke on the issue and called for specific actions, including additional funding for the technology, fostering public-private sector relationships, looking into the pipeline for victims, including working with the foster care system and the mental health system, and differentiating solution sets for sex trafficking and labour trafficking with enforcement and legislation initiatives Running Shaadi is one of those movies that you might want to give a try because of its actors. The movie stars Tapsee Pannu and Amit Sadh who were last seen in Pink and Sultan respectively, and these two put on a great show. Ram (Amit Sadh) works in a textile shop in Punjab, whose owner is Nimmi's (Tapsee Pannu) father. It's a smooth playground till love hits; Ram and Nimmi fall in love while the latter is still in school. As she moves on to college and starts hanging with cooler friends who wears better clothes and speaks in English, love falls short. While Ram gets very annoyed with this, Nimmi tries to get the relationship back in track. One night when Ram has had enough, he calls his relatives back in Bihar and fixes his wedding with a stranger. That night is whena million dollar idea of making a website that would help lovers elope and get married legally strikes him. They name it runningshaadi.com and this is the first 30 minutes of the movie. From this point, for a very long time, we only see montages of them helping 20-odd couples elope and get married. Beyond that, we eventually lead up to the main plot point in the film: how Raj and Nimmi get their love mojo back. The performances in the movie are great. Tapsee Pannu and Amit Sadh are great to look at and have the north Indian twang bang on, which helps you understand the story better. Arsh Bajwa, who plays Ram's side kick in the movie (a Sardar tech junkie named Cyber) does a great job, too. Running Shaadi has an interesting plot; it's new and fresh but not entertaining throughout. The movie is fun for the first 30 - 45 minutes when we just get to know the characters and understand what's going on. Post that the movie falls flat. There is nothing more to it once they make the website. The movie was earlier supposed to be called runningshaadi.com which is also the name of the website, but due to legal reasons, they had to drop the .com from the name. Since this is was a last minute decision, the movie had many scenes where '.com' was blurred and beeped, which makes it look shabby. Running Shaadi would be a great short story, or a short film. As a full length feature, it is entertaining only in parts. Debutant director Sankalp Reddy's film The Ghazi Attack, produced by Dharma Productions, released on this weekend with seven other films (Irada, Running Shaadi, Hidden Figures, Silence, Lego Batman and John Wick 2). And yet, a lot of reviewers have said positive things about this Rana Daggubati starrer. It also stars Taapsee Pannu, Kay Kay Menon, Atul Kulkarni, Rahul Singh, and Om Puri. The film is based underwater, mostly in an Indian submarine titled s-21, under the command of one Captain Rannvijay Singh (Kay Kay Menon). The action of the film begins as they head towards the Bay of Bengal to recce for a possibly dangerous intrusion based on internal reports. Singh's deputy Lieutenant Commander Arjun Verma (Daggubati), and Officer Devraj (Atul Kulkarni) help in finding the enemy submarine that poses as a threat, titled PNS Ghazi. Here's what reviewers are saying about the film. Shalini Langer for Indian Express: Clearly, some amount of effort has gone into understanding the makings of a submarine, running of a ship, and even firing of torpedoes and laying of landmines at sea. The film doesnt cut corners on under-water shots of ships damaged, leaking, hissing and sputtering, even though the first shot of Singh and Arjun first venturing into the unknown is Titanically fake. Renuka Vyawahare for Times of India: Given the scale of his ambitious project and limited resources at hand, debutant director Sankalp Reddy deserves a pat on the back for making an engaging film. You wish the execution was more nuanced and performances a tad understated but Sankalp makes you invest in his characters nonetheless. Rohit Bhatnagar for Deccan Chronicle: The Ghazi Attack is an interesting choice for this weekend unless you arent willing to watch a patriotic film which the makers havent projected it as at all. But dont expect the chills you get after seeing films like Border, Chak De India, Rang De Basanti or Dangal. Watch it for its performances and technicalities Mayank Shekhar for Midday The production design appears exceptional, because it's unexpected. We don't make such movies in India, even while we've been watching such from the West since forever (Das Boot came out in 1981, for God's sake!). The captain of this sturdy ship, or director (Sankalp Reddy), as it were, I'm told, is a young first-time filmmaker from Hyderabad. Now that's the guy to watch out for. As is his debut. Kunal Guha for Mumbai Mirror The film packs in enough near-collisions, engine failures and torpedo evasions to keep you excited through most of the 125 minutes that make up its runtime. Cumulatively, The Ghazi Attack makes for a history worthy of repeating on the big screen. Hindi cinema offers a diverse range of offering this Friday with a period war drama, a crime thriller and a romantic comedy. Bollywood Films The Ghazi Attack What's It About: It is a period drama that revolves around the mysterious sinking of PNS Ghazi during the Indo-Pakistan war of 1971. Who's In It: Rana Daggubatti, Taapsee Pannu, Kay Kay Menon and the late Om Puri. Why It May Work: State of the art production values as evident in the trailer, the recent shift of preference towards period films, the performance of the lead actors Daggubatti and Pannu riding on the success of Baahubali and Pink, and the urge to see the recently departed veteran Puri on the silver screen one more time. The Ghazi Attack is directed by Sankalp Reddy. Irada Whta's It About: A mysterious bomb blast in a tycoon's factory prompts the Chief Minister to hire a National Investigative Agency (NIA) officer to unearth the cause. He joins forces with a journalist and an army veteran to solve the case. Who's In It: Arshad Warsi, Naseeruddin Shah, Sagarika Ghatge and Divya Dutta. Why It May Work: The intrigue it has evoked among the audience through its trailer and promos. Also, watch out for the nuanced performances of the actors, particularly Shah and Warsi, whose collaboration was lauded in Abhsihek Chaubey's Ishqiya franchise. Irada is directed by Aparnaa Singh. the What's It About: Set in a small North Indian town, a couple start a matrimonial website that helps couples elope. Who's In It: Taapsee Pannu and Amit Sadh. Why It May Work: It is produced by Shoojit Sircar who has churned out memorable slice-of-life films like Piku, Pink and Vicky Donor in the past. Also, it has a similar premise with Maneesh Sharma's 2010 blockbuster Band Baaja Baaraat. Running Shaadi is directed by Amit Roy. Hollywood Films It's the week for sequels and Oscar-nominated films in Hollywood. While The Lego Batman Movie and John Wick: Chapter 2 are sequels; Hidden Figures and Moonlight are both nominated for the upcoming Oscar awards. The Lego Batman Movie What's it about: A sequel to the 2014 Batman film, we now have Lego City under threat from the Joker. But now Bruce Wayne and his alter ego Batman (voiced by Will Arnett) must battle the Joker and other evil forces as well as try and bring up an adopted boy. Who's in it: The voice of Will Arnett, Zach Galifianakis, Michael Cera and Ralph Fiennes. Why is may work: The Lego Movie (released in 2014) was a hit because of its novelty; and the fact that it was one of the first DC films that took the superhero genre lightly. This film follows the same plotline. The Lego Batman has been directed by Chris McKay. Silence What's it about: Based on Shusaku Endo's 1966 novel of the same name; the film takes us back to Japan in the 17the century; where two Portuguese priests have traveled to look for a Jesuit who has renounced his faith. Who's in it: Liam Neeson, Andrew Garfield and Adam Driver. Why it may work: Director Martin Scorsese's obsession with spiritualism has resurfaced in this film, which he had been waiting to make since the '80s. The long wait will have Scorsese's fans queuing up to buy tickets at the theater. Silence is directed by Martin Scorsese. Moonlight What's it about: Moonlight chronicles the life of a young black man from childhood to adulthood as he struggles to find his place in the world while growing up in a rough neighborhood of Miami as he struggles with his sexuality. Who's in it: Mahershala Ali, Shariff Earp, Duan Sanderson Why it may work: The film is sure to draw crowds because of its unique storyline and hype surrounding the Oscar nomination. Moonlight is directed by Barry Jenkins. Hidden Figures What's it about: A story about how three African American women who worked as Nasa scientists and served as the brains behind one of the greatest operations in history: the launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit, a stunning achievement that restored the nation's confidence, turned around the Space Race, and galvanised the world. Who's in it: Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monae. Why it may work: : Its an inspirational story that surpasses boundaries of gender and race. Hidden Figures is directed by Theodore Melfi. John Wick: Chapter 2 What's it about: A sequel to the 2014 film John Wick; the action film is about the life of the hitman John Wick who is forced to come out of retirement to avenge his wife's death. Shortly after the events of the first film; we see John Wick discovering that a large bounty has been put on his life. Who's in it: Keanu Reeves, Common, Laurence Fishburne Why it may work: The Keanu Reeves fan club will appreciate the film for its slick action scenes from the looks of the trailer coupled with their favourite action star who, from the looks of it, hasn't lost the agility of days from the Matrix. John Wick: Chapter 2 is directed by Chad Stahelski. Are you tired of cliched superhero movies? Are you frustrated by the horrible DC universe films from last year? Are you increasingly bored by the dark, gritty and brooding nature of Batman? Are you wondering when the storylines of this genre would change? Are you waiting to be surprised by something in a big blockbuster movie? Then prepare to welcome the superhero of superhero movies The Lego Batman Movie. Its the perfect antidote to everything that was going wrong with the Batman brand lately, and also a vastly fun time at the theater. Much like in The Lego Movie from three years ago, The Lego Batman Movie is rife with self aware humour and revels in poking fun at not only itself but at the genre as a whole. The film is a sequel of sorts to the 2014 film Chris McKay returns to the directors chair and goes all out with tongue in cheek quips and giant spectacular action set pieces. In a deliberately cliched fashion were introduced once again to Gotham City the Joker (Zach Galifianakis) plans an attack with his gang of super villains only to be thwarted triumphantly by Batman (Will Arnett). The film then changes its gears as Batman returns home a hero, only to find himself completely alone, and with no real purpose in life apart from negating the Jokers evil plans. The laughs come thick and fast as the film skewers every single serious stereotype of the Batman character by replacing it with his goofiness and self-obsession. Everything youve ever questioned about how Batman functions alone is answered with hilarious takedowns of the characters internal struggles with identity crisis. The film in fact plays out like a kid playing with Lego toys, excitedly waving the toy figures around and mumbling the story to himself. The results are insane its hard to keep up with the ADHD riddled rapid fire moves from one scene to the other. Even the characters talk like an over excited kid on speed, maneuvering their voices and actions. Because the execution is done in this fashion, its easy to simply embrace the increasingly ridiculous action sequences and over the top master plans of the villains, and also the guffaw inducingly silly reactions from Batman towards the danger. Those who have grown up with the Batman action figures will have a total blast watching the film seeing as pretty much every supervillain, from the A grade ones like Bane to the C grade ones like Killer Croc and even some hilariously fictional ones, categorised by Batman himself as Z grade villains show up in droves. The opening scene is so epic in scope with a giant cluster of villains teaming up to defeat Gotham and Batman you wonder how the rest of the movie will top such a large scale in the rest of the film, but surprisingly it does happen when the Joker unearths an even more evil plan to gang up against Batman. Its best for you to not know the details of the plans before you see the film so make sure you go to the nearest IMAX screen and watch the entertaining mayhem unfold. This is almost the Deadpool of the year, and also the superhero film we need, but probably not deserve. Watch the trailer here: By Tom Miles | GENEVA GENEVA More than 20 million people - greater than the population of Romania or Florida - risk dying from starvation within six months in four separate famines, U.N. World Food Programme chief economist Arif Husain says.Wars in Yemen, northeastern Nigeria and South Sudan have devastated households and driven up prices, while a drought in east Africa has ruined the agricultural economy."In my not quite 15 years with the World Food Programme, this is the first time that we are literally talking about famine in four different parts of the world at the same time," he told Reuters in an interview. "Its almost overwhelming to comprehend that in the 21st century people are still experiencing famines of such magnitude. Were talking about 20 million people, and all this within the next six months, or now. Yemen is now, Nigeria is now, South Sudan is now," he said. "Somalia, when I look at the indicators in terms of extremely high food prices, falling livestock prices and agricultural wages, its going to come pretty fast."The global humanitarian system is already struggling with a historic surge in migration, huge operations in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan, and serious situations in Ukraine, Burundi, Libya and Zimbabwe."Then you have places like DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo), CAR (Central African Republic), Burundi, Mali, Niger, where people are chronically food insecure but ... theres just not enough resources to go around. Humanitarian aid is at record high levels but demand is growing even faster, creating a huge gap. "In northeast Nigeria were feeding more than 1 million people and just a few months ago we didnt even have an office there," Husain said. There is a glimmer of hope that Somalia's drought will not be as severe as feared, but in the capital Mogadishu food prices have already risen by a quarter since January and forecasts for the rainy season from March to May are not optimistic.TOO LATE In 2011, Somalia suffered a famine that killed 260,000 people. The famine was declared in July, but most people had already died by May. "When we declare famine, it means many lives have already been lost," Husain said. "If we wait to find that out for sure, people are already dead."Moreover, the 2011 famine followed a good agricultural season. This year's drought follows two bad seasons that have already sapped people's resources.In Yemen and South Sudan, economic collapse means people simply cannot afford the food that is available. Prices in South Sudan have risen two to four times in a year, and traders from Uganda and Kenya consider the local currency valueless. Yemenis, whose family wealth may be stored in gold or silver or weapons, are being forced to sell off those assets. "I was in Yemen just a couple of weeks ago. There is food in the markets. But people have not been paid, especially the urban population, which is about a third of the total population," Husain said."Once theyve lost their economic assets, its almost impossible for them to recover, and that just perpetuates long-term poverty.Yemen is officially still classed as an "emergency", but famine could be declared within about three months, Husain said.In Nigeria's Borno state, where millions of people have fled Boko Haram militants, there is simply no commerce, no markets and no movement, leaving people dependent on emergency aid."They survive outside in camps, 50 degree Centigrade temperatures, living in huts with metal sheets on top, with one water point, with communal kitchens, with one meal per day," Husain said. "And theres no end in sight. (Reporting by Tom Miles; Editing by Tom Heneghan) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. By Luke Baker and Matt Spetalnick | WASHINGTON WASHINGTON President Donald Trump on Wednesday dropped U.S. insistence on a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a longstanding bedrock of Middle East policy, even as he urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to curb settlement construction.In the first face-to-face meeting between the two leaders since Trumps victory in the 2016 presidential election, the Republican president backed away from a U.S. commitment to eventual creation of a Palestinian state, upending a position embraced by successive administrations and the international community."I'm looking at two states and one state, and I like the one both parties like," Trump told a joint news conference with Netanyahu. "I can live with either one."Trump vowed to work towards a peace deal between Israel and Palestinians but said it would require compromise on both sides and up to the parties themselves ultimately to reach the terms of any agreement. But he offered no new prescription for achieving an accord that has eluded so many of his predecessors.Dropping a bombshell on Netanyahu as they faced reporters just before sitting down for talks, Trump told him: I'd like to see you pull back on settlements for a little bit.The right-wing Israeli leader, who may have expected more decidedly pro-Israel rhetoric, appeared startled. When given a chance to respond, he insisted that Jewish settlements were not the core of the conflict and made no commitment to reduce settlement building.Trump echoed Netanyahus calls for Palestinians to recognise Israel as a Jewish state something they have refused to do and to halt incitement against Israelis.But even as Trump promised to pursue peace between the two sides who have had no substantive peace talks since 2014 he offered no new ideas for unblocking the peace process.Setting a chummy tone for the meeting, Trump greeted Netanyahu on a red carpet rolled out to the White House driveway. The two leaders smiled, shook hands and chatted amiably before heading inside the executive mansion, accompanied by first lady Melania Trump and Netanyahus wife Sara.Among the questions expected to figure prominently on the agenda was the future of the two-state solution the idea of creating a Palestine living peacefully alongside Israel.Foreshadowing Trumps policy shift, a senior White House official said on Tuesday that peace did not necessarily have to entail Palestinian statehood, and Trump would not try to "dictate" a solution. Palestinians responded by urging Trump not to abandon their goal of statehood. Giving a convoluted response to a question on whether he backed a two-state solution, he suggested that he could abide by whatever the two parties decided.I thought for a while it looked like the two-state, looked like it may be the easier of the two, but honestly if Bibi and if the Palestinians if Israel and the Palestinians are happy, I'm happy with the one they like the best," Trump said, referring to Netanyahu by his nickname.Netanyahu committed, with conditions, to the two-state goal in a speech in 2009 and has broadly reiterated the aim since. But he has also spoken of a "state minus" option, suggesting he could offer the Palestinians deep-seated autonomy and the trappings of statehood without full sovereignty.At the news conference, he never ruled out a two-state solution, but also made it sound as if it was an almost impossible ideal. He said there were preconditions for it to happen, including the Palestinians recognition of Israel as a Jewish state and Israel retaining security control in the Jordan Valley demands that Palestinians reject.Netanyahu and Trump shared several warm handshakes during the news conference, especially after Trumps opening remarks, when he said the United States was Israels greatest friend. But Trump also managed to catch Netanyahu off-guard, at one point saying that if a solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict was going to be reached both sides will have to make compromises. The president then turned to Netanyahu and said: You know that, right? Netanyahu looked momentarily startled and replied with a chuckle, Both sides.The two leaders agreed that there was an opening for enlisting Israel's Arab neighbours - who share its concerns about Iran - into any future peace process, though they offered no specifics on how that could be done.PALESTINIANS ALARMED Palestinians reacted with alarm to the possibility that Washington might ditch its support for an independent Palestinian nation."If the Trump administration rejects this policy it would be destroying the chances for peace and undermining American interests, standing and credibility abroad," Hanan Ashrawi, a senior member of the Palestine Liberation Organization, said in response to the U.S. official's remarks. "Accommodating the most extreme and irresponsible elements in Israel and in the White House is no way to make responsible foreign policy," she said in a statement.Husam Zomlot, strategic adviser to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, said the Palestinians had not received any official indication of a change in the U.S. stance.The one-state idea that Trump referred would be deeply problematic for both sides. One concept would be two systems for two peoples, which many Palestinians would see as apartheid. Another version would mean equal rights for all, including for Palestinians in an annexed West Bank, but that would compromise Israels Jewish character.For Netanyahu, the talks with Trump are an opportunity to reset ties after a frequently combative relationship with Democrat Barack Obama, Trump's predecessor. After speaking to reporters, the two leaders were due to hold talks in the Oval Office followed by a working lunch.The prime minister, under investigation at home over allegations of abuse of office, spent much of Tuesday huddled with advisers in Washington preparing for the talks. Officials said they wanted no gaps to emerge between U.S. and Israeli thinking during the scheduled two-hour Oval Office meeting.Trump, who has been in office less than four weeks and has already been immersed in problems including the forced resignation of his national security adviser earlier this week, brings with him an unpredictability that Netanyahu's staff hope will not impinge on the discussions.The two leaders, who seemed to strike up an emerging bromance in social media exchanges since the election, sought to demonstrate good personal chemistry face-to-face as well, both sporting smiles and exchanging asides.Meetings with Obama were at best cordial and businesslike, at worst tense and awkward. In one Oval Office encounter in 2011, Obama grimaced as Netanyahu lectured him in front of the cameras on the suffering of the Jewish people through the ages. (Additional reporting by Steve Holland, Ayesha Rascoe and Doina Chiacu in Washington and Maayan Lubell and Jeffrey Heller in Jerusalem; Editing by Mark Trevelyan and Howard Goller) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Ottawa: The only person convicted in the 1985 Air India Kanishka bombings that killed 331 people is now free, Canada's parole board has said. Inderjit Singh Reyat had been ordered to live at a halfway house following his release from prison one year ago, after serving two decades behind bars. That condition has now been lifted and Reyat may return to a normal life, including "living in a private residence," parole board spokesman Patrick Storey told AFP in an email. The Sikh immigrant from India was convicted of making bombs that were stuffed into luggage and planted on two planesleaving Vancouver, and of lying in court to cover for his co-accused. One bomb tore apart Air India Flight 182 Kanishka as it neared the coast of Ireland, killing all 329 people aboard, including entire families. The second exploded at Japan's Narita airport, killing two baggage handlers as they transferred cargo to another Air India plane. The blasts followed a crackdown on Sikhs militants, and those behind it were allegedly seeking revenge for the Golden Temple operation. Reyat was working as a mechanic in westernmost Canada and purchased the dynamite, batteries and detonators used to construct the bombs. Two alleged co-conspirators were acquitted due to a lack of evidence and, according to prosecutors, because of Reyat's perjury. Storey said Reyat's parole officer has assessed those with whom he will live "to ensure they will not have a negative influence on him." Conditions of his release from prison also still apply, including having no contact with the victims' families nor with extremists. Reyat must also shun all political activities and take counseling for violent tendencies, a lack of empathy and exaggerated beliefs. New Delhi: Acknowledging that the hostile conduct of locals was causing higher casualties in the Kashmir valley, Army chief Bipin Rawat on Wednesday warned those attacking security forces during anti-militancy operations of "tough action". The stern message from Rawat came a day after three soldiers faced heavy stone-pelting at Parray Mohalla of Bandipore in north Kashmir when they were about to launch an operation against militants holed up there. Alerted by the stone-pelters, the militants got an opportunity to fire hand grenades and empty a few magazines from AK-rifles into the advancing troopers, leaving three jawans dead and some others, including a commanding officer of CRPF, injured. One terrorist managed to flee the area. General Rawat said security forces in Jammu and Kashmir were facing higher casualties due to the manner in which the local population was preventing them from conducting the operations and "at times even supporting the terrorists to escape". "We would now request the local population that people who have picked up arms, and they are the local boys, if they want to continue with the acts of terrorism, displaying flags of ISIS and Pakistan, then we will treat them as anti-national elements and go helter-skelter for them. "They may survive today but we will get them tomorrow. Our relentless operations will continue," the Army Chief told reporters here, sending out a stern message to those who support militants. Rawat's assertion came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and he paid last respects to three of the four soldiers, including a major, who were killed in two separate encounters in Kashmir on Tuesday. The Army chief said if "they do not relent and create hurdle in our operations, then we will take tough action." The Prime Minister, in a tweet, said, "Paid tributes to the brave men who lost their lives fighting terrorists in J&K. India will always remember their valour & sacrifice." General Rawat said those supporting terror activities are being given an opportunity to join the national mainstream but, if they continue with their acts, security forces will come down hard on them. "We are giving them an opportunity, should they want to continue to (do what they are doing now) then, we will continue with relentless operations may be with harsher measures. And that is the way to continue," he said . Four terrorists were gunned down in two separate encounters on Tuesday. Four army personnel, including a Major, were also killed in the encounters at Handwara and Bandipora. Mumbai: Bombay High Court on Thursday directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to remove forthwith all hoardings, banners and advertisements put up illegally by parties or their members and initiate action against them. "All hoardings, posters, banners and skysigns and advertisements put up without the permission license number and the duration period on them shall be removed forthwith by the civic body before the elections on 21 February," a division bench headed by Justice A S Oka said. The court was hearing a public interest litigation filed by NGO Janhit Manch alleging that political parties and their members put up illegal hoardings, banners and posters in complete violation of civic rules all over the state, defacing private and public properties and spaces. The high court had on 31 January, while hearing another petition on the issue, directed the Election Commission to impose conditions on political parties at the time of their registration, that they would not indulge in defacement of properties, as per the Prevention of Defacement of Property Act and laws governing skysigns and advertisements. The court had then also directed political parties and their members to print on the hoarding/poster/banner the permission number and duration period given by the civic body when allowing them to put up the hoardings. "The civic body will have to undertake a drive from this evening itself to remove all illegal hoardings from the city before the elections. It (BMC) shall also initiate criminal action against the errant political parties and their members," Justice Oka said. The court further specified today that apart from the permission license number and duration period, the hoardings shall also include the name of the person who has put it up and the name of the printer. Beijing: India deserves kudos for sending a record 104 satellites into the orbit at one go but it was way behind than China in space technology, a Chinese newspaper said on Thursday. An editorial in the state-run Global Times said by smashing the previous Russian record of putting 37 satellites into the orbit in 2014, India's frugal space exploration offered "food for thought for other countries". India did a good job but has a long way to go as there still was no Indian astronaut in space and the plan to establish a space station was yet to take off, the paper said. "This is perhaps the first widely followed world record India has made in the field of space technology. The Indians have reason to be proud," the daily said. "However, the space technology race is not mainly about the number of satellites at one go. It's fair to say the significance of this achievement is limited. In this regard, Indian scientists know more than the Indian public, who are encouraged by media reports. "It's a hard-won achievement for India to reach current space technology level with a relatively small investment. It offers food for thought for other countries. India launched a lunar probe in 2008 and ranked first among Asian countries by having an unmanned rocket orbit Mars in 2013. "Nonetheless, the development of a country's space technology is determined by the size of its input. "The US space budget in 2013 was $39.3 billion, China $6.1 billion, Russia $5.3 billion, Japan $3.6 billion and India $1.2 billion. "As India's GDP is about one-fifth to one-fourth that of China's, the share of investment in space technology in India's GDP is similar to that of China's. "There is another figure that deserves attention. India's defence budget is about one-third of China's, a higher percentage of GDP than that of China." It said the Indian space programme was based on certain considerations, including an ambition to make New Delhi a great power. Also, India felt it should remain present in space technology development, given its close links with military, the daily said. "On the whole, India's space technology still lags behind the US' and China's. It has not yet formed a complete system. "There is no Indian astronaut in space and the country's plan to establish a space station has not started." Srinagar: The recent spurt in militancy-related violence has claimed 17 lives in two days, while over 30 people were injured in civilian clashes with security forces in the same period raising the spectre of another summer of violent discontent. The signs are all there: a spurt in violence, separatists uniting to continue their "protest calendar", large numbers of civilians attending funerals of slain militants, and small mobs gathering to pelt stones at the security forces during gunfights with militants. On Tuesday, for instance, the security forces reportedly intercepted a car in Pulwama district. The occupant of the car abandoned the vehicle and managed to slip away as some youths distracted the security forces by pelting stones at them. Reports said the man who slipped away was Abu Dujana, a top Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander. Are these developments telltale marks of another summer unrest in the making? If top officers of the security forces are to be believed, the answer is no. But, if one is to go by the local grapevine, these are signals of another summer of discontent waiting in the wings. Even senior officers of state and other intelligence agencies appear to be divided in their opinion about this. "People cannot afford to do away with their livelihood every now and then. The Valley was at a standstill for over five months last year. Development and livelihoods were destroyed. "People have not recovered from that shock. They are looking forward to a normal summer this year so that they can earn to survive. Granted that the separatists are looking for opportunities to create trouble, but people are fed up," one senior intelligence officer told IANS on condition of anonymity. On the flip side, an officer of another intelligence agency told IANS: "The one thing that can be said with absolute certainty about the situation in Kashmir is that it cannot be predicted with absolute certainty." "We had a bloody summer unrest in 2010. The separatists achieved nothing through that except that the common man suffered immensely. It was believed that lessons had been learnt, but we had another bloody unrest in 2016. "I don't say that we are on the brink of another unrest, and yet I firmly believe lowering the guard would be disastrous," the officer explained. The state government has been doing everything possible to encourage the youth to join sports, compete at in state- and country-level civil service exams, look beyond the beaten track to find avenues for a better tomorrow in the corporate world so that militant groups are not able to woo them. "It is a vicious circle of sorts that cannot be avoided as long as militancy continues. Crackdowns and other anti-militancy operations cannot be stopped because these pertain to the security of the country," a senior army officer told IANS. "As long as there are local militants, however small or large their numbers might be, you cannot avoid their getting killed in operations. We have, in fact, taken serious casualties during recent operations to avoid civilian damage. "When a local militant gets killed, sympathies naturally arise. Families, relatives, neighbours and friends protest such a death and the separatists find these situations handy," the officer added. In a nutshell, what do all these developments indicate? Are we headed for another unrest in 2017? Would better sense prevail and peace be given a chance to allow Kashmiris live a normal life? Well, predictions have always been the Waterloo of fortune-tellers in Kashmir. A new strategy to carry out counterinsurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir is likely to come into effect soon, after Army Chief General Bipin Rawat warned protesters in the state of "tough action", signalling them to avoid creating hurdles during operations and helping terrorists escape. The rising number of casualties among the forces is giving sleepless nights to the security establishment in Jammu and Kashmir, forcing them to re-visit their strategy in the insurgency-hit state. Eighteen people, including seven soldiers and eight militants, were killed in the last three days in different anti-militancy operations across the Kashmir valley. Director General of Police, Jammu and Kashmir, SP Vaid told Firstpost that evaluation and analysis of the counterinsurgency operations carried out by forces happens from time to time. It is a continuous process. We are trying to deal with it and trying to find out ways and means to minimise casualties, Vaid said. Every aspect is studied and analysed to make sure that the number of fatalities is brought down to zero, he added. The security establishment is going back to the fundamentals, trying to come up with fresh strategies to deal with the militants, who have been able to inflict a large number of casualties upon both the state police and the army, in the recent months. During their thorough analysis of recent counterinsurgency operations, the government forces have found that most of the casualties reported were incurred in the first assault carried out against the militants. The security establishment is now re-devising their approach to neutralise the militants surprise element, in a bid to avoid damages. Most of times the casualties happen in the first push during the operation, a senior police official, who has carried out dozens of counter insurgency operations in the Valley, said. There is a rush, he says, to wind up the operation as soon as possible to avoid confronting the locals, who throng the encounter sites; a trend which has picked up since January. The local population is preventing us from conducting the operations, at times even helping the terrorists escape. It is these factors which are leading to higher casualties among the security forces, Rawat said in New Delhi. They do not relent and create hurdles in our operations... we will take tough action, he added. After months of violent protests had subsided in Kashmir, security forces had intensified counterinsurgency operations in recent weeks, which has left scores of militants, both local and foreign, dead. But every time a counterinsurgency operation was carried out, the forces were met with stiff resistance from the locals who throng encounter sites and throw stones at the forces to help the militants escape. Four terrorists were killed in separate encounters in the Valley on Tuesday. Four army personnel, including a Major, were also killed in the encounters at Handwara and Bandipora. New Delhi: After a 9-year-old girl refused to drink Dabur Real juice because the label on its pack said it was meant for "him", Union minister Maneka Gandhi has asked the manufacturer to look into the matter. Resultantly, Dabur has agreed to make changes to its packaging, while maintaining that it used "him" on the pack to connote both girls and boys. The intervention from Gandhi, the Women and Child Development Minister, followed a letter to her by the girl's father who wrote that Dabur's 'Real' juice brand needs "to show some respect to our daughters". "My 9-year-old daughter asked me yesterday that whether 200 ml carton of Real fruit juices can be consumed only by boys...I was caught aback and could not reply to her (sic)," wrote Mriganka K Majumdar. His daughter was referring to a label on the juice carton which read: "Something that's good for your child should also make him smile." This is accompanied by an image of a boy in school uniform. Dabur said, "Let me reassure you that the use of the term 'him' on the pack is not gender-specific and was used in a more general sense to connote children and not any specific gender." "However, we have taken into account Mr Majumder's concern and will make the necessary amendments to avoid any such misunderstanding in the future," according to an official statement issued by the group. It also said, "In the point raised by Mr Majumder, we would like to state that the Real Fruit Power product pack also carries the picture of a happy family of four, including a girl child." However, the girl's father said, "It is misleading on the part of Dabur to say that the pack also carries a girl's image because that is not true. However, I am happy that they have decided to make changes." The 200 ml pack of 'Real' juice only has an image of a boy in a school uniform, accompanied by nutritional facts per 100 ml of the beverage. However, the bigger 1 litre pack also has an image of a girl. "The reason why I intervened is that it sends a message out and will set a precedent for future," said Maneka Gandhi. Nagaland is likely to have a new chief minister, with the political crisis gripping the state showing no signs of easing up anytime soon. Chief Minister TR Zeliang's address to the state on Monday, through an appeal on All India Radio, has failed to lift the indefinite bandh being called by tribal bodies in Nagaland. But despite the chief minister urging normalcy return to the state, all government offices in Nagaland remained closed, as civil society groups stood resolute in their demand of Zeliang's resignation. "The agitators have locked government offices and the keys are with them. None of the offices have opened again. The government machinery has completely broke down," said a government official on condition of anonymity. The civil society groups and tribal bodies have come out with a press release, lashing out at Zeliang and saying his "trickery is hoodwinking the public". A Joint Coordination Committee, a common platform comprising all the tribal bodies of the state, said in its release: "The statement by the Chief Minister, TR Zeliang, that he went ahead with the ULB election after holding 14 consultative meetings, is another trickery to hoodwink the public. The fact of the matter is after 14 times futile consultation meetings, and unable to arrive at a consensus, the government decided to go ahead with the ULB election without the consent of the people." It also reiterates that it will intensify its agitation till Zeliang steps down on moral grounds. It held him responsible for the "complete failure" of the state machinery, saying loss of three lives during the agitation are down to his administration, and hence he must take responsibility for it and step down to pave way for normalcy. Vichutuolie Mere, president of the Chakhroma Public Organisation, a tribal body part of the agitating groups, told Firstpost, "The chief minister is avoiding the real issues because of political agenda. He is just trying to fool the public. But people are not going to accept his appeal." Winds of change in the ruling party The statewide bandh has also kickstarted speculation about the direction the state is headed in and the possibility of new leadership, as it is seen as the only way to bring back normalcy. Sources in the ruling Naga People's Front said that some of the party's MLAs are also of the opinion that NPF chairperson Shurhozelie Liezietsu should be the next chief minister, since he is the head of the party. "We have also started a signature campaign among party MLAs to elect the chairperson of the party as the chief minister. So far, more than 25 MLAs have signed supporting him." the source said. However, KG Kenye, NPF secretary general, told Firstpost that the present situation is not a crisis. "This is just another normal problem which the state government faces from time to time. It is unfortunate that we have landed in this situation over the reservation policy," he said. He also said that the party has not taken any decision so far and has left it to the legislators. "The party will not venture into the issue which the government and the legislators are trying to sort out amicably with civil society groups. Only if they express an inability to take any decision will the party step in," he added. When asked if some MLAs are of the view that Liezietsu should be the next chief minister, he said, "We cannot rule speculation out. Maybe this too is speculation like that." But no signature campaign to elect the chairperson as the chief minister is going on, he clarified: "There are reports that the chief minister has confined some of the party's MLAs in a hotel fearing that they might be persuaded to withdraw support." But KG Kenye calls these reports "absolutely unfounded". Nagaland is reeling under political crisis for the last fortnight after the state government went ahead with municipal polls including 33 percent reservation for women on 1 February, despite stringent protests from tribal bodies. On 7 February, amid a statewide bandh called after the death of three persons, the tribal bodies gave three days' ultimatum to Zeliang to resign. Zeliang appealed to the tribal bodies through a radio message to lift the ban and let normalcy return. But the failure to meet the desired results of sorting out the political crisis only means that a political change is imminent in Nagaland. Chants of death to the dictator grow louder as Iran protests intensify The protests in Iran that were sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini have now entered the 42nd day. The demonstrations are more powerful than ever and so is the crackdown by Iranian authorities. Thousands of mourners defied heightened security measures as they made their way to Aminis burial site in India and Afghanistan have a deep rooted relationship. Afghanistan is a strategically important country, not only to India but to the entire region. It is Indias gateway to Central Asian republics. Afghan people are fiercely independent and follow the Sunni sect that follows Hanafi Islamic Law. Tribal affinity and affiliation have been the hallmark of politics in Afghanistan. The country can proudly claim that no outsider has ever been able to subjugate her. Afghanistan has been in a state of turmoil for the last 40 years. It all started with the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979. After a bitter 10 years of war, the Soviets finally withdrew in 1989. Then the Taliban came to power in 1996. And before the scars of the conflict with USSR could subside, came the global war on terrorism targeting Al-Qaeda, which had a foot hold in Afghanistan. Ever since, Afghanistan has been in a constant state of turmoil. The 15-year presence of International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) has not brought the expected peace to Afghanistan. Pakistans role in Afghanistan has been one of retaining the influence in the political arena in that country. At best, it has been dubious in nature. Afghanistan is at a very crucial juncture today: ISAF has withdrawn from Afghanistan; USA has approximately 9,800 troops deployed, supported by troops from a few other countries; Taliban, which has been fighting the Afghan government since it lost the power in 2001, has been gaining ground it controls almost 10 percent and has influence over approximately 30 percent of the country. Taliban has also been trying to engage in conventional battle. The battle for Kunduz in 2016 stands testimony to this strategy. For their part, the Afghan National Security Forces have been improving their combat capabilities and are becoming more and more successful in holding their own against the Taliban. The elements that have been fighting the Pakistani Army in the troubled Orakzai area, have relocated themselves as part of the Islamic State (IS) Velayat Khorasan in Nangarhar and Nuristan Provinces of Afghanistan. Given these circumstances, it is only natural that Afghanistan seeks military assistance to ward off the threats from Taliban and IS. USA has been the largest assistance provider to Afghanistan. Indias assistance to Afghanistan has been mostly in the civilian field in particular, in power plants, road construction and medical aid amounting to US$ 2 Billion. Another US$ 1 billion assistance is in the offing. In addition, India has been giving a lot of non-lethal military assistance. Last year, four MI 25 attack helicopters were given to Afghanistan. This is a break from the past wherein India had refrained from supplying lethal equipment to other countries that have been in internal distress. An earlier case in point is Sri Lanka. During the Eelam Wars that the Sri Lanka Army fought against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), that country requested for support from India. At that time, India followed the policy of not supplying lethal weapons to Sri Lanka or for that matter, any other country. Partially, the decision was motivated by the domestic politics involving Tamil Nadu. That decision proved detrimental to the bilateral relations. In desperation, Sri Lanka turned to China and Pakistan. Both these countries were eager to fill the vacuum created by Indias decision. Pakistan even went to the extent of supplying artillery ammunition out of her General Staff reserves. India lost out on Sri Lankas good will. It is not that India did not help Sri Lanka. India helped by setting up radars and assisted the Sri Lankan Navy in the blockade of LTTE vessels. However, it did not fall in the same league of helping with lethal equipment. Therefore, not supplying lethal equipment to the elected governments when they have been facing problems comes with a price. In 2013, Afghanistan gave a list of weapons and equipment that they would like from India. The then UPA government, following the erstwhile policy, did not supply that equipment. One of the reasons attributed to this stance was that the bilateral relations between India and Pakistan would be affected if India provides lethal equipment to Afghanistan. A trilateral arrangement was suggested in 2014 through which equipment of Russian origin and spares for such equipment could be sent to Afghanistan directly by Russia, with India paying for it. This proposal also did not gain much traction. However, India has been providing non-lethal assistance in the form of vehicles, bullet proof jackets etc. Indias assistance in training thousands of Afghan National Army personnel has also been significant. General Qadam Shah Shahim, Chief of Afghan National Army, gave another list of requirements to India during his visit to the country in August 2016. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani met during the Heart of Asia Conference held in Amritsar in December 2016. Ghani seems to have raised the issue of defence cooperation. As per reports, in that meeting, Modi assured Ghani of Indias continued support for ensuring peace and stability in Afghanistan. As stated earlier, in December 2015, India took the decision of handing over four MI 25 attack helicopters to Afghanistan. The last of the four was handed over to Afghanistan on 26 November, 2016. India seems to have come out of the moralistic shell with the supply of MI25 helicopters to Afghanistan. Afghanistan has also been seeking Indias assistance in making Soviet-era helicopters and transport aircraft, that are not in a flying condition, functional. Having seen the background, let us see what increase in military assistance can be possible to Afghanistan. Some of the issues that can be looked into are the supply of lethal equipment, increase in numbers for training of ANA personnel, training of Afghan National Police, training of Afghan Women Police, increased cooperation in intelligence sharing, increasing the number of treatment centres for casualties, maintenance of equipment for both Afghan army and air force. Training of Afghan National Police and Afghan Women Police are not truly in the military domain. However, since they need to be in synergy with the security issues, they are mentioned here. The pros and cons of India's military assistance should be seen in light of geo-political, internal dynamics and military implications. The geo-political implications are to be seen in light of reactions from Russia, China, USA, Pakistan, Central Asian republics and Iran. Russia seems to be concerned about the influence of IS-Khorasan. Therefore, any additional effort by India that could reduce that threat should be welcomed by Russia. It is also likely that Russia is trying to make an entry back into Afghanistan. Increase in military assistance by India will be detrimental to that aspiration. Therefore, as far as Russia is concerned an element of caution needs to be exercised. With careful handling, Russia can be brought on board. China filled in the vacuum when India did not supply lethal weapons to Afghanistan. In July 2016, China sent the first consignment of military assistance to Afghanistan. Chinas interests are the Uighur threat from the border areas, threat from IS-Khorasan and its own economic interests. If the military assistance from India can mitigate the threats from IS and Uighurs, China may have no objection to that. However, if it impinges on its economic and political interests, China may not support that effort. US will welcome any effort that can support the withdrawal of its forces. Pakistan will be opposing any such effort by India, as it could reduce its influence. Central Asian republics are likely to support Indias assistance if the apprehensions between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan are taken care of. Therefore, geo-politically, it may be worth the while to increase the military assistance to Afghanistan. As far as the internal dynamics of Afghanistan are concerned, the not so smooth relationship between Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah can make such an assistance a bit tricky. The internal dynamics of Afghanistan are dominated by the tribal affiliations. These strong tribal affiliations need to be taken into account. Return of Gulbuddin Hekmatyar is likely to have an effect on the loyalties in the Kunduz Province. Pakistans role in supporting the Taliban will come into a contradiction with Indias increase in military assistance. Amongst the military issues, there is a need to pay attention to the fact that the Indian armed forces themselves are short on weapons and equipment. Also, it is not adequate to only increase the military assistance in terms of weapons and equipment but systems need to be put in place to sustain and maintain them. With the operations against the Taliban being prolonged ones, India needs to realise that it will be in it for the long haul. Most of the equipment that India holds is of Russian origin. So are many of the equipment that Afghan armed forces hold. This similarity will assist in maintaining the equipment. Lastly, but not the least, India will have to get into an understanding with Russia, for supply of spares. Keeping all the above points and the long lasting friendship India shares with Afghanistan in mind, it will be a positive development if India can increase the military assistance to Afghanistan. However, it should be in the realm of increase in training, medical aid, supply of both lethal and non-lethal equipment, creating structures for maintenance of the weapons and equipment and reconstruction. There is a constituency that supports deployment of Indian troops in Afghanistan. India will be well advised not to fall for that trap and should not deploy troops other than the ones deployed for protection of the Indian mission and its assets. Chennai: The AIADMK camp led by acting Chief Minister O Panneerselvam is hoping to receive a sizeable number of legislators on Thursday, said a senior leader. He also said Governor C Vidyasagar Rao may not invite Public Works Minister Edapadi K Palanisamy to form the government in the state till everything seems to be clear. "There is no patch up moves between the two groups -- one led by Panneerselvam and the other led by AIADMK General Secretary VK Sasikala, who is now in a Bengaluru jail. "We expect around 30 legislators to our sides from the rival camp," a senior AIADMK leader told IANS preferring anonymity. "With Deepa Jayakumar joining hands with Panneerselvam, the strength of our camp has increased manifold and there is no patch up moves," he added. Deepa Jayakumar, the niece of former chief minister late J Jayalalithaa was opposed to Sasikala. Soon after the death of Jayalalithaa, thousands of AIADMK cadres rallied behind Jayakumar and wanted her to enter politics. According to the AIADMK leader, the political impasse in the state may end in a couple of day's time. "Yesterday (Wednesday) when we met the Governor, we reiterated the point that majority of AIADMK legislators are held in captivity at the beach resort and if they are freed then support for our leader would swell," he said. "At the Governor's meeting there was no indication that he would soon invite Palanisamy to form the government," he added. On Wednesday evening, AIADMK's leader of the legislature party Palanisamy and Panneerselvam met Rao separately. After the meeting AIADMK Presidium Chairman KA Sengottaiyan expressed confidence that the Governor would soon invite Palanisamy to form the government. Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar too echoed similar views post Rao's meeting. According to AIAMDK leader in the Panneerselvam camp, the appointment of TTV Dinakaran as the party's Deputy General Secretary by Sasikala is void. "As per party by-law only a person who is a party member for five continuous years can hold any party post. Dinakaran was not a member of the party for the past several years. He was dismissed from the party by Jayalalithaa," he added. Even the election of Sasikala as the general secretary in 2016, was being questioned on this ground and a complaint has been filed with the Election Commission. "I do not know where the party is going. The general secretary is in jail for corruption and the deputy general secretary faces case under the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act," KC Palanisamy, former AIADMK MP told IANS. He said Dinakaran's appointment as deputy general secretary goes against the party laws. "The Election Commission is expected to decide on my petition challenging the election of Sasikala as general secretary by the general council. A general secretary can be elected only by party members in an election," Palanisamy said. "I expect status quo would continue in the state till the Election Commission decides on my complaint so that there will be stability in the ruling party," Palanisamy added. Tamil film superstar and the founder of the AIADMK party, MG Ramachandran, breathed his last on 24 December, 1987. He was Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu at the time of his death, and his demise left a vacuum within his party and resulted in a violent succession battle. A report in The Quint recalls the bloody riots that followed MGR's death. "Shops, cinemas, buses, public and private properties were targeted by mobs. The situation reached such a level that police had to issue shoot-at-sight orders. MGR's funeral was a show of his huge popularity. Around 10 lakh emotionally charged people participated in his last journey. Violence during the funeral alone left 29 people dead and 47 policemen badly wounded. Even after the funeral, schools and shops remained shut for almost three weeks. The state of affairs continued to be tense for almost a month across Tamil Nadu," it said. At the centre of the confusion was J Jayalalithaa, a film star who was inducted into the party by MGR, and Janaki, also a film star and MGR's wife of 44 years. A report in The Week published at the time speaks of the intense rivalry between "J-1 and J-2". "One of Janaki's worst fears just after MGR fell seriously ill in October 1984 was that Jayalalitha would assume the leadership of the party. Close friends of Janaki recall the days when MGR was in Appollo Hospital in Madras and Janaki absolutely refused to allow Jayalalitha to come anywhere near MGR," it says. What followed then has been explained in the book Amma: Jayalalithaa's Journey from Movie Star to Political Queen by Vaasanthi. "Ninety-seven MLAs of the AIADMK signed a memorandum supporting Janaki and submitted it to SL Khurana, the governor, who then invited Janaki to form the government. Janaki was sworn in as the chief minister on 7 January, 1988. She was required to prove her majority on the floor by 28 January. On that day there was absolute pandemonium in the Assembly on account of the Speaker showing open support to Janaki's side...goondas entered the house and started beating up the pro-Jayalalithaa group. Jayalalithaa then issued a statement that democracy had been murdered and appealed to the governor to dismiss Janaki's ministry immediately," reads an excerpt from the book. Jayalalithaa had pulled off a coup and had the AIADMK cadres firmly backing her. The power she won in 1988 was with her for the best part of 28 years, until her death on 6 December, 2016. And it was following her death that we saw how history has repeated itself yet again. Like MGR, Jayalalithaa too hadn't named a political heir, which meant a series of AIADMK leaders were competing for her legacy. As we reported soon after Jayalalithaa's death, plenty of things could have gone wrong for Sasikala following her decision to promote O Panneerselvam as chief minister. "Like wind vanes, they (AIADMK MLAs) know which way the wind is blowing, and they are expressing their adulation for the new leader in the most sycophantic terms that Tamil Nadu excels and revels in. It's difficult to believe yet that the entire party is wholeheartedly backing Sasikala. What's easier to understand is that most MLAs and ministers don't relish the prospect of losing their posts which is what the fall of government would mean with Assembly elections, held only six months ago, due next only in 2021," we had reported. And considering what followed since, these words have been proven prophetic. One key difference between Jayalalithaa's successful takeover of the party in 1988 and Sasikala's ultimately failed coup of 2017 is the verdict in the Disproportionate Assets case, which has sent the latter to prison and will keep her out of politics for a decade. It may yet give O Panneerselvam a chance to make a comeback, something Janaki couldn't get 30 years ago. Follow all the live updates here At 5 pm on Sunday, 19 February, campaigning for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections will officially end. Therefore, the next 72 hours will be extremely crucial for the Shiv Sena and the BJP, the two parties who are eyeing an absolute majority in the country's richest civic body. But for the time being, while allegations and counter-allegations continue, there has been no focus on developmental work. And the core problems faced by millions of Mumbaikars also continue. BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis and Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray have indulged in a particularly vicious personal attack on each other, with the vitriol only increasing ever since their parties had an acrimonious split. The two parties, allies at the Centre and at state level, have been openly attacking each other ever since talks of a seat sharing agreement for the BMC polls fell through. In all, there are five major political parties in the fray for top honours in Mumbai, although it's ultimately expected to be a toss up between Sena and BJP. Realising this, the two parties have brought in the heavyweights to campaign for them. For Sena, Aditya Thackeray, Sanjay Raut, Anil Parab, Rahul Shewale have all hurled attacks on Fadnavis, while Aashish Shelar, Kirit Somaiya and Madhav Bhandari have joined Fadnavis in taking the Thackerays on. Fadnavis had challenged Thackeray to disclose his assets and wealth, following which Sena MP Rahul Shewale asked BJP's national president Amit Shah to disclose details of his property. Responding to this, BJP disclosed Shah's property, which was part of the election affidavit. Ahead of the 2007 Gujarat Assembly election, Shah had disclosed assets worth Rs 5.57 crore, which went on to Rs 11.77 crore by the 2012 Gujarat Assembly election, said BJP spokesperson Madhav Bhandari. "But where is Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray's property disclosures?" Furthermore, BJP MP Kirit Somaiya asked what is the relation between Uddhav Thackeray and seven companies. In a public rally, Fadnavis had openly asked if saheb (Uddhav) will disclose his wealth. "I am in politics the last 25 years, but my wealth hasn't increased by so much. But will Sena disclose property in the name of Uddhav Thackeray?" the Maharashtra chief minister alleged. He also accused the Sena of having double standards, of claiming to fight for the rights of the "Marathi manoos", while also becoming rich themselves. On the other hand, the Sena has accused Fadnavis of being complicit in corruption, during his stint as Nagpur mayor in 2001. The BJP is trying to sell itself as a party with a clean image and has been promising a corruption-free regime, but Fadnavis being indicted for corruption by a probe panel could hurt this image. Sena MLC Anil Parab claimed that various contracts were awarded to specific contractors by the standing committee of the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) during Fadnavis' stint as mayor from 1997 to 2001. Parab said that by urging Mumbai voters to choose the BJP in Mumbai, Fadnavis is telling them to forget the scams that took place under his tenure in Nagpur. The Nand Lal Committee appointed by the state government had submitted its report on 27 February, 2001. This report contains proof of all irregularities committed by then NMC mayor Devendra Fadnavis, claimed Parab. However, the chief minister denied all such allegations, saying the report was quashed by both the high court and the Supreme Court. Apart from this particular issue, the Sena has also slammed Fadnavis over the poor state of law and order in Nagpur. When Fadnavis compared Mumbai to Patna recently, Sena leader Sanjay Raut had said that the law and order situation in Nagpur was as bad as the worst in India. "Fadnavis couldn't manage Nagpur, so how can he manage Mumbai?" Raut had asked. Meanwhile the BJP has also demanded a ban on the Sena mouthpiece Saamana on 16, 20 and 21 February, as it allegedly violates the election code of conduct, since the state will go to polls on those dates. BJP claimed that Saamana is an official mouthpiece of the Sena which will be circulated on the day the party will contest elections. However, Sena has ridiculed this demand, instead questioning BJP's affiliation with the Tarun Bharat newspaper. Shweta Shalini, spokesperson of BJP in Maharashtra, who wrote the letter to the state election commission, said, "Saamana is Shiv Sena's mouthpiece. This is a clear violation of the code of conduct. The demand is that action be initiated and an immediate ban on the mentioned dates be imposed." In response, Uddhav Thackeray condemned the demand, saying BJP was trying to bring about a "covert Emergency" in the state. "The situation has become worse than the Emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi. Why not ban meetings of the chief minister and the prime minister instead?" Uddhav suggested. A demand has come forth, perhaps the first of its kind, from a political party, the Bharatiya Janata Party, that the newspaper Saamana, owned by a Shiv Sena-promoted trust, be banned for three days during the final stages of the civic bodies elections in Maharashtra. This is, to say the least, a regressive move and the BJP is not entitled to any accolades even if it were in the interests of a level-playing field between the two parties. Though it is a mouthpiece of Shiv Sena, apart from the issues relating to its party, when it can get as strident as it gets, the publication is a newspaper with a fair lot of good reporting on many issues. Asking a newspaper to be banned by a political party is just not kosher. It could well set off a chain of demands, though other parties do benefit by biases in other publications. It includes favourable coverage by paying for space paid for news. It has been reported that the State BJP spokesperson Shweta Shalini said in a letter to SEC (State Election Commission) that publishing content or undertaking publicity campaign (of parties and candidates) two days before polling date is prohibited, so publication of Saamana should be banned on 16, 20 and 21 February. It ignores the fact that on the very polling days, full-page advertisements by all parties in newspapers is not uncommon. The call for a ban on Saamana has given an opportunity to an extreme right-wing political party which believes in my way or the highway principle, to describe it as an Emergency. Uddhav Thackeray, the editor of the paper, and Sena chief, said, My question is if you blame Indira Gandhi for imposing Emergency, isn't this an Emergency?" He has a point there. The BJP walked into a trap, what with many left-wingers voicing their grief that fear pervades the country since BJP came to power in Delhi. This publicity just before the polls has to be seen in the context of publicity during the voting. For instance, in any elections where the polling is in stages, often separated by a few days, the campaign may stop 36 hours before the polling that is campaign by distributions of bills, etc but the very same day the television may be live telecasting a speech by a party worthy in another part of the region where polling is due later. This has been an issue which does not seem to have engaged the attention of the Election Commission of India. While opting for multi-phase polling given the vast size of the country and even states and the requirement of law and order management logistics has not dealt with this. It actually is in conflict with the rules. Just as live telecast of parliamentary debates where the presiding officer expunges a remark but the country has heard it. Only the printed versions of the media have to follow the rule of not reporting it. Recall the song and dance when Narendra Modi, after casting his vote during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, was raising his two fingers in a victory sign, wearing a BJP symbol on his kurta. Had he done that a kilometre away, it may have met the requirements of electoral conduct rules, but mass news television has bridged distances and the gesture could have the same impact as it would have outside the polling booth. The new age media has made nonsense of some rules. It is quite likely, in fact quite certain, that after the traditional campaign ended this time too for the civic bodies and the zilla parishads in Maharashtra, the WhatsApp, Twitter and the Facebook would be promoting the interests of political parties and their candidates right up to the moment the last vote is cast. Be assured that it may not be by partisan citizens but by paid trolls who have become the invisible campaigners in the country. Saamana is not the only newspaper which is a mouthpiece of a political party. Political parties and politicians own media outlets, ranging from newspapers to websites, news television channels and magazines included. There are newspapers which have a clear stance in favour of a single political party, and their owners or editors, or sometimes the two positions being held by a single person, have been even MPs representing a political party. In 2009, Livemint had this graphic listing the ownership or association of politicians and political parties and the media in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Chhatisgarh, West Bengal, Maharashtra, New Delhi. In its consultation paper on media ownership, the Telecom Regulatory Authority did not mince its words when it said: There is an increasing trend of influence of political parties/politicians in the media sector. Political parties either directly or indirectly through surrogates control newspapers, TV channels and TV distribution systems. Such TV channels and newspapers would, obviously, promote the leaders and propagate the agenda of these political parties. This tendency is more prevalent in regional markets." Washington: Terming the nuclear deal with Iran as "the worst" agreement ever, US President Donald Trump has assured visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Tehran would never be able to build a nuclear weapon. "The security challenges faced by Israel are enormous, including the threat of Iran's nuclear ambitions, which I've talked a lot about. One of the worst deals I've ever seen is the Iran deal," Trump told reporters at a joint news conference with Netanyahu at the White House on Wednesday. "My administration has already imposed new sanctions on Iran, and I will do more to prevent Iran from ever developing I mean ever a nuclear weapon," Trump said. He said the American security assistance to Israel was currently at an all-time high to ensure that the Jewish state has the ability to defend itself from many threats. "Both of our countries will continue and grow. We have a long history of cooperation in the fight against terrorism and the fight against those who do not value human life. America and Israel are two nations that cherish the value of all human life," he said. "This is one more reason why I reject unfair and one-sided actions against Israel at the United Nations just treated Israel, in my opinion, very, very unfairly or other international forums, as well as boycotts that target Israel," he said. Trump said his administration was committed to working with Israel and common allies in the region towards greater security and stability. "That includes working toward a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians. The United States will encourage a peace and, really, a great peace deal. We'll be working on it very, very diligently," he said, adding that the parties themselves who must directly negotiate such an agreement. "We'll be beside them; we'll be working with them," he added. Netanyahu applauded Trump for his strong stand on Iran and radical Islamic terrorism. "Our alliance is based on a deep bond of common values and common interests. And, increasingly, those values and interests are under attack by one malevolent force: radical Islamic terror," he said. "Mr President, you've shown great clarity and courage in confronting this challenge head-on. You call for confronting Iran's terrorist regime, preventing Iran from realising this terrible deal into a nuclear arsenal," Netanyahu said. "You have said that the United States is committed to preventing Iran from getting nuclear weapons. You call for the defeat of ISIS. Under your leadership, I believe we can reverse the rising tide of radical Islam. And in this great task, as in so many others, Israel stands with you and I stand with you," he said. Netanyahu said in rolling back militant Islam, "We can seize an historic opportunity - because, for the first time in my lifetime, and for the first time in the life of my country", Arab countries in the region do not see Israel as an enemy, but, increasingly, as an ally. "I believe that under your leadership, this change in our region creates an unprecedented opportunity to strengthen security and advance peace," Netanyahu said. He said Trump led a very important effort against Iran in the past few weeks and pointed out that there are Iranian violations on ballistic missile tests. "By the way, these ballistic missiles are inscribed in Hebrew 'Israel must be destroyed'. The Palestinian - rather the Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif said, well, our ballistic missiles are not intended against any country. No. They write on the missile in Hebrew, 'Israel must be destroyed', he said. Netanyahu said he was seeing a change after Trump took over as the US President and it is clearly evident that he is challenging Iran on its violations of ballistic missiles, imposing sanctions on Hezbollah and making them pay for terrorism that they foment throughout the Middle East and beyond. "Let me say this very openly: I think it's long overdue, and I think that if we work together - and not just the United States and Israel, but so many others in the region who see eye to eye on the great magnitude and danger of the Iranian threat, then I think we can roll back Iran's aggression and danger," Netanyahu said. "That's something that is important for Israel, the Arab states, but I think it's vitally important for America. These guys are developing ICBMs. They're developing - they want to get to a nuclear arsenal, not a bomb, a hundred bombs. They want to have the ability to launch them everywhere on Earth, and including, and especially, eventually, the United States," he said. As the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls get nearer, ties between BJP and Shiv Sena are worsening with each passing day. In fact, the ties are so strained that a BJP functionary had written to the State Election Commission demanding ban on publication of Shiv Sena mouthpiece Saamana for three days. But as far as taking digs at political opponents is concerned, BJP just came up with one of the unique and hilarious ways to do so. Enter Khau Sena. BJP's latest jibe at Shiv Sena is a series of animated shorts called 'Khau Sena Tiger Chronicles' on YouTube. Apart from taking inspiration Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's mascot, the series of cartoons also show the misadventures of a tiger and his son, which is a very obvious reference to Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and his son Aaditya. The series then takes a jibe at various allegations against and embarrassing incidents for Shiv Sena. One of those incidents include the time when Aaditya Thackeray's BMW collided with another car, even though the other person took full responsibility for the accident. The series is probably titled 'Khau Sena' in an allusion to the concept of 'eating money', an evil practice of corruption which can only be stopped by you guessed it BJP. It is darkly comical to see the ties between two parties, which were once very close allies, being reduced to such a state. Our favourite video, though, has to be the one in which BJP takes a dig at the party for the death of one of the eight Humboldt penguins which had been brought to the Byculla Zoo. Mumbai: Maharashtra Government's Cooperative Department has stepped in to ensure better polling percentage in Mumbai and other parts of the state during the upcoming civic polls. In a letter to the Bank of India staff quarters-- Panchsheel Cooperative Housing Society in suburban Andheri-- Deputy Registrar of K-West ward, Pratap Patil asked it to convene a special general body meeting to ensure maximum voting from eligible members. "We have issued directives from State Election Commission to take all necessary steps to increase voting percentage," Patil told PTI. According to the powers vested under the Maharashtra Cooperatives Act 1960, housing societies have to 'arrange and convey the special general body meeting on or before 20 February, 2017', Patil said. If these societies fail to conduct sensitisation programmes for voter members, the auditor can put a negative remark on the society report about the breach of directives, he added. "If adverse remarks from auditors about not abiding by the election training directives of the government reach the cooperatives office, then within three months, the managing committee can be dismissed by the registrar or the members can be disqualified for a period of five years," said Ramesh Prabhu, Chairman of Maharashtra Societies Welfare Association. There are around 70,000 housing societies in Mumbai metropolitan region. Under Section 24 A of the Maharashtra Cooperatives Act, it is mandatory for societies to train and make people aware about the importance and process of voting for elections, Prabhu said. The special meeting to create awareness and train new voters ahead of elections is compulsory as per law and any negative remark by the society auditors can lead to dismissal of the society's management committee or disqualification of its members, he said. The Registrars of Cooperatives have written to societies in their respective jurisdictions that a government circular, dated 13 October, 2016, has directed all cooperative housing societies in Mumbai to convey the special general body meeting before the voting day to discuss the election process and ensure maximum participation of resident members. Imphal: Activist Irom Sharmila and Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, who is seeking a fourth term, on Thursday filed their nominations for Thoubal Assembly seat in the upcoming Assembly elections. Sharmila filed her nominations on behalf of her Peoples' Resurgence and Justice Alliance (PRJA), which is making an electoral debut, while Ibobi Singh filed for Congress. Anti-AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Powers Act) crusader Irom Sharmila, who ended her 16-year-long hunger strike in August 2016, will be one of Singh's main opponents in Thoubal. Sharmila reached Thoubal on her bicycle, covering a distance of about 20 kilometres from Imphal, flanked by her party activists. PRJA is hoping to make an impact using alternative political practices. Ibobi Singh, the three time chief minister of Manipur, is eyeing for a fourth term in office after being elected successively in 2002, 2007 and 2012 respectively. Polling for the 60-member Manipur Assembly will take place in two phases on 4 and 8 March respectively, results for which will be declared on 11 March. In the last Assembly polls, the Congress had won 42 seats and Okram Ibobi Singh was re-elected as the chief minister of the state. The BJPs performance in both the phases of panchayat polls in Odisha has been nothing short of incredulous. The party though, from the beginning, was pitted to take the second position, has surprised by the number of seats it has won so far, giving a tough fight to the ruling BJD and showing Congress the way out. In the first phase, while the BJP has won 66 out of 188 Zilla Parishad (ZP) seats (the BJD has won 105), in the second phase, the lotus has taken over 55 out of 166 ZP seats (the BJD has won 92) of the 853 ZP seats in the state. Setting a big margin in comparison to the last panchayat polls, where the BJP had won only 36 seats (the BJD won 652, followed by the Congress with 128), the party workers are celebrating no holds barred. With the momentum going in its favour, it is likely to make it harder for the other parties even in the next three phases on 17, 19 and 21 February. The showing couldn't have come at a more opportune time for the national party, which is facing a crucial electoral battle in the politically significant state of Uttar Pradesh. Facing serious questions over demonetisation, the party is keen to project every little gain as people's stamp of approval for the note ban. Narendra Modi, a canny politician, will not let go of it. He has pitched it before the UP voters as an example of the growing popularity of the party in regions where it was inconsequential even at the peak of Modi wave. Addressing an election rally in Kannauj in UP, Modi congratulated the party karyakartaas for being able to reach the masses and gain their confidence despite everyone facing the demonetisation effect. The surge of BJP in Odisha, however, is set to shake the ruling BJD, particularly the invincibility of chief minister Naveen Patnaik in Odisha. None, for that matter, not even the BJP, had imagined the seats in its favour till the counting of the first phase started and results flowed in. The panchayat elections have delivered a shocker to the ruling party which had made a habit of sweeping the state in tsunami like victories since 2000. In the first major setback for Patnaik in his 16 years of rule, the people of Odisha have given a strong signal to the BJD. In the last two years, the BJD government has not had a smooth journey. With the continuing agony of chit fund scam, issues like farmers suicides, malnutrition, Dana Majhi incident, Japanese encephalitis deaths have all stood as pointed spears against the BJD. One may call it hubris, but the protracted indifference to the burning and emotive issues has begun to swing public perception against Patnaik. It is also important to track the inroads the BJP has been able to make post 2014 elections to reach the grassroots. Its workers too who have been incessantly interacting with the masses on a regular basis besides reaching them at times of need. Take the issue of Japanese encephalitis deaths in the back of the beyond region of Malkangiri. Patnaik did not deem it fit to visit the district even once or make any public display of anguish or action to combat the outbreak that claimed lives of scores of children. Contrast that to Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who not only promptly visited the region and victims' families, but also projected efforts for their assistance. Similarly, the BJD workers were vocal to intolerable limits when Dana Majhi of Kalahandi was meted out a raw deal with no ambulance to carry his dead wife. No wonder, the BJP has won in 18 of the 36 ZP seats in Kalahandi district while the BJD is yet to open account there. On the contrary, the BJD had won 28 seats in the same district in 2012. In Malkangiri too, the BJP is heading towards victory. The BJP has also puzzled poll pundits by winning 23 out of 27 seats that went to polls in Mayurbhanj district and the numbers are equally skewed in Balangir where the party has already won 11 out of 13 seats. It might also be in very strong position in Angul, Sambalpur and Bargarh where elections in the three phases are yet to take place. Besides continuing their hold in the western districts, the BJP has been able to sway through some unexplored districts which is an indication that people in Odisha want change and before 2019 Assembly elections, the panchayat poll could be the harbinger. Besides, both the Union ministers Pradhan and Jual Oram, had been camping in the state for more than 25 days a month to ensure their voices reach the grassroots, for which they have also been highly criticised. Not paying any heed, both ensured that the schemes launched by the Centre reaches each and every person in the state and the impact is for everyone to see. Add to all these, were factors that worked against the BJD to help the BJP. The high-handedness of the people in power, arrogance, scams and internal factionalism besides overconfidence were consequentially damaging. And BJP was fast to reap the benefit and they did. Most importantly, the state that was seeing no option as a chief minister other than Patnaik, on whose back the BJD has ridden for too long, sees Pradhan as a strong contender. Pradhan, so far, has also not disappointed them. Irrespective of the outcome of the forthcoming phases, the die is cast and its time for the BJP to hold on to the momentum that the panchayat poll has created. A1, A2, A3, A4 the nomenclature for the four accused in that 1996-vintage corruption case which was decided on 14 February, 2017 couldnt be more delicious for those of us with a game theory fetish. J Jayalalithaa, VK Sasikala (Sasikala Natarajan as far as the court is concerned), J Ilavarasi and Sudhakaran are A1, A2, A3 and A4 respectively. Game theorys most popular chapter in colleges around the world is also its finest and most fun Prisoners Dilemma. Two criminals and in this case lets call them A and B are caught and accused of a crime together. Cops separate them and encourage them to rat out the other called defection. Zipping your lips is cooperating. If B rats out, both lose big. If they stay mum, both gain. The payoff is like this: A defects, B cooperates: A goes free, B in jail A cooperates, B defects: A gets three years, B goes free Both co-operate, both gain. Both go ballistic, both get two years. If you look carefully at the four options above and ignore all the other details, if both go kicking and screaming away from each other, both get away with two years, which is less than the worst outcome of three years. Now lets distort this arrangement just enough to introduce our Mannargudi star cast: Sasikala is A and her MLAs in Golden Bay resort are B. That the Supreme Court has convicted Sasikala (or would have) is already factored into this. Another assumption is that one or two defections from B to the OPS camp do not skew the nature of B unless there are so many defections that B is unable to enjoy the support of 117 MLAs. This is because 117 is the minimum number that B needs to win control of the state legislature which is the prize they're playing for. Automatically, that means MaFoi Pandiarajan cursing OPS and then joining OPS is irrelevant he does not tip the balance. To do that, at least 8-10 MLAs must flee from Golden Bay resorts. Finally, all nephews, nieces, and off shoots of the Sasikala family tree are deemed to be A. The more ED, FERA and general assault and cheating cases they have against their names, the better. Wearing sunglasses, Safari suits, thick gold chains and roaming in white Land Cruisers gets extra credit in As mind when A meditates upon the human condition in Parappana Agrahara Central Jail in Bengaluru. Consider what TS Sudhir says on the numbers and loyalty: The thinning crowds at Panneerselvam's residence on Greenways Road indicate that Team Panneerselvam has realised it does not have the momentum and is claiming that if the MLAs who are holed up at the resort are set free, they will not back Palanisamy but Panneerselvam. But the claim is not borne out by facts on the ground. Because at the resort, the loyalty factor to Sasikala is enormous. That is because each of the 124 MLAs supporting Palanisamy is a creation of the Jayalalithaa-Sasikala combine. They are aware that they got elected because of Sasikala's recommendation for a ticket and finances and Jayalalithaa's campaign for them. So, just as in theory, cooperation in this Golden Bay prisoners game has evolved because both A and B have both the conditions necessary to band together a past and a future together. In our game here, Sasikala has not suckered B, she has helped B by showering them with tickets for the 2016 Assembly Elections, she has bestowed favours on them while Jayalalithaa was unwell (and thats been the case since she came out of jail in October 2014, that she died in 2016 is a mere footnote in this context). Both A and B have developed a code of silence that predates the MLAs dash to Golden Bay resorts and this is crucial for cooperation. Although OPS has too has a history in politics and has been praised to the skies by Jayalalithaa, this is his first game a single round, which by its very definition is not a sufficient condition for co-operation when criminals abound. In the hard code of game theory, A and B dont get to talk to each other but in our distorted example, they did which is why the cooperation is even thicker. Sasikala went personally to Golden Bay so A and B spoke and both sides hugged tighter. Thats why the curious sight of riot police outside and loyalists inside saying no, we are not here by force. Even if they are, they wont tell because silence is the code via which they signal to other comrades the fruits of obedience over multiple games. Way back in 1949, a math phenom called John Nash sent a one pager to the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences on a concept that was to lay the foundation for his Nobel winning effort in 1994 where he laid bare his 'Nash equilibrium'. Shorn of all complexity, this is its core idea: The result of people or institutions making rational choices basis their calculation of what others will do. In equilibrium, no one can improve their situation by changing tack; each one is performing at their peak and that does not guarantee the best outcome for society. With elegant math, Nash showed us how any game with a limited set of players and finite outcomes to choose from would have at least one equilibrium. Sasikala in jail and a bloke called Palanisamy who nobody knows as possible CM and her proxies as chiefs of parallel power structures is the best outcome for Sasikala but not for society, its the result of multi-games that many criminals have played over many rounds and because they have developed a code of silence that they have found equilibrium. For OPS, its Round One. For Tamil Nadu though, the result of B not snitching is a zero sum game shorthand for the idea that the winner's gains and the loser's losses is equal in value. Sasikalas brood had no incentive to cooperate with opponents because every MLA ceded to OPS is a possible Cabinet post lost. It also reminds us that the wisdom of crowds is counterbalanced by their madness. Game theorys foundation is rational behaviour but this is clearly problematic because politicians who become democracy-free after gaining power don't follow societys best interests. Follow live updates here. Construction of a biscuit workshop of the Roshen Corporation near Boryspil (Kyiv region) could be finished by the end of 2017, Roshen President Viacheslav Moskalevsky has said in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine. "I think that construction will be finished at the end of this year. Then we will launch one test line," he said. The cost of the construction project is estimated at UAH 1.5 billion. "The workshop is being built using another principle that that used for construction of the factory in Kyiv. It will be a single store building, while Kyiv factory is a many-storied building. Now no one in the world bakes biscuits on three floors," he said. Kyiv confectionary factory will produce only cakes. Moskalevsky said that its building could eventually become a museum or an office. In 2016, Roshen retained sales in Ukraine at the level of 2015 (220,000 tonnes). "We sell 65% of our products in Ukraine and 35% is exported. The share of EU sales is 5% of total sales. We have not been exporting anything to Russia since 2013 Before 2013, the Russia's share of total exports was 58%," he said. Now the company continues looking for new markets after the closure of the Russian market. "Our supplies to the CIS plunged, but we compensated it by growth [of shipments] to the EU, Middle East and slightly increased sales in Ukraine. We finally broke even," Moskalevsky said. He said that delivery of Ukrainian confectionary products to the CIS and Central Asia bypassing Russia affected their price. High ferry tariffs of Ukrferry also impact the price of goods. Roshen, one of Ukraine's largest makers of confectionaries, has confectionary factories in Kyiv, Mariupol (Donetsk region, under liquidation), Kremenchuk (Poltava region), two in Vinnytsia, one in Lipetsk, one in Klaipeda, Lithuania, and one, BonbonettiChoco, in Hungary. The corporation also owns the Bershadmoloko dairy plant and Litynskplemzavod, both in the Vinnytsia region. The corporation's owner is Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko. An agreement was signed in January 2016 whereby Poroshenko transferred his share in the corporation to an independent blind trust. The trust's managing bank also has a four-year power of attorney to negotiate a sale of the assets. Moskalevsky holds 13% via Konditerinvest fund and four top managers hold 0.5% each. Is 124 greater than 10 or is it the other way round? All of Wednesday night, Governor Vidyasagar Rao sought the answer to this question in the land of Ramanujam. On it hinges how soon Tamil Nadu will get its new government. Edapadi Palanisamy has conveyed to Rao that he has the support of 124 MLAs, which is seven above the half way mark of 117. O Panneerselvam has not presented any numbers but it is obvious he has only ten legislators on his side. The fact that Raj Bhavan is still engaging with Panneerselvam is proof that a political farce is being played out in Chennai. Rajya Sabha MP Navneethakrishnan from Sasikala camp points his finger upwards, saying it is the invisible hand that is at work. "We have represented our case and urged the governor to take note,'' he said to me outside Raj Bhavan, late on Wednesday evening. He is apprehensive about how New Delhi is dictating terms to Chennai. After how events have panned out since 5 February, with the Governor first refusing to invite Sasikala and then dragging his feet with Palanisamy, there is huge trust deficit between the Sasikala camp and Raj Bhavan. Sources say Rao himself is keen to put an end to this stalemate that has lasted ten days now. Personally he is in favour of inviting Palanisamy to form the government and ask him to prove his majority on the floor of the House within 24 to 48 hours. But the pitch has been queered by Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi who has suggested a composite floor test to be conducted between Panneerselvam and Palanisamy even though it is only the Supreme court that can order it. The governor reportedly is not convinced that the situation in Chennai warrants a composite floor test. Sources indicate that Raj Bhavan's invite could go out to Palanisamy by Thursday noon and the swearing-in ceremony could even take place the same day. BJP leader Subramanian Swamy has already spoken of how two central ministers are showing undue interest in affairs of Tamil Nadu. It is almost as if Panneerselvam who is slow in running between the wickets, has asked for a runner to sprint for him. The thinning crowds at Panneerselvam's residence on Greenways Road indicate that Team Panneerselvam has realised it does not have the momentum and is claiming that if the MLAs who are holed up at the resort are set free, they will not back Palanisamy but Panneerselvam. But the claim is not borne out by facts on the ground. Because at the resort, the loyalty factor to Sasikala is enormous. That is because each of the 124 MLAs supporting Palanisamy is a creation of the Jayalalithaa-Sasikala combine. They are aware that they got elected because of Sasikala's recommendation for a ticket and finances and Jayalalithaa's campaign for them. They know public sentiment is against Sasikala at the moment but it is also about self-interest and obligation. None of them want a snap poll in 2017 and would side with the winning horse, that at least on the basis of numbers, is Palanisamy at the moment. Senior police officers say that under no section of the Indian Penal Code, they can forcibly ask the lawmakers to move out of the private resort. They say that the MLAs are there with their family members and support staff and cannot be evicted just because the Panneerselvam camp alleges they are kept there under duress. "Several IPS officers are inside the resort now. If any of the MLAs wants to get out, all he or she has to do is to tell one of the officers and he will be taken out. There are some 700 cops stationed outside the resort as well. If police does anything on its own, it will be an overreach,'' says a senior police officer. Also when the cops asked the 119 MLAs present at the resort if they were compelled to stay there, none of them said yes. The same report was presented to the Madras High court. There is also the ethical dilemma about whether Panneerselvam in his capacity as caretaker chief minister, can use the police force against a political rival to gain politically. On Wednesday, a complaint was filed by Saravanan, MLA from Madurai who claimed to have escaped the resort in disguise. He accused Palanisamy and Sasikala of having kidnapped him. Police officials say Saravanan at best can speak for himself, not for all the legislators. They cite the case of the nephew of an MLA from Tiruvallur district who had complained that his uncle was missing. But the legislator's wife told the police that she knew where the MLA was and that he was safe. In the midst of all this, an attempt was also made to queer the pitch for both chief minister aspirants. Sources say those opposed to the idea of Palanisamy as CM have been floating the name of a non-OPS, non-EPS candidate. The name of an AIADMK MP as the new leader is being spoken of. This is to ensure that Tamil Nadu stays under the thumb of elements from outside. For the last 24 hours, back channel talks are on to achieve a breakthrough, now that Sasikala the main target of rancour is out of the picture. Palanisamy is not likely to be given too much time to prove his majority on the floor of the House. The floor test could take place as early as Monday. The concern is about Panneerselvam's personal safety. Such is the anger in the Sasikala camp against OPS, who they call a "betrayer" that he could be physically harmed in the House. The political potboiler from the land of Kollywood has not yet run out of twists and turns. To read more on this, click here Lucknow: Curtains will come down on Friday on the hectic campaign in 69 Assembly seats spread over 12 districts of Uttar Pradesh that will go to polls in the third phase on 19 February. The districts are Farrukhabad, Hardoi, Kannauj, Mainpuri, Etawah, Auraiya, Kanpur Dehat, Kanpur, Unnao, Lucknow, Barabanki and Sitapur. In the 2012 Assembly polls, SP had won 55 of these 69 seats, while BSP, BJP and Congress secured just 6, 5 and 2 respectively. One seat went to an Independent. On the campaign trail, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sought to puncture Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav's "kaam bolta hai" slogan by stating it was the SP leader's "karnama"(misdeed) which spoke for him. While, Akhilesh questioned him on "acchey din" promise claiming that it was elusive. He said that after the turnout trend of first two phases, the blood pressure of opposition has shot up. In a bid to woo minority voters, he also tried to attack BSP supremo Mayawati stating, "She cannot be trusted. She can join hands with BJP again to form next government." Mayawati, however, clarified in her speeches that "she will prefer to sit in the opposition instead of joining hand with anyone" while urging minority voters to back her party. After skipping constituencies falling in the first two phases, SP patron Mulayam Singh Yadav campaigned for brother Shivpal Singh and daughter-in-law Aparna Yadav, but preferred not to seek votes for others. He is said to be perturbed over SP forming a coalition with Congress. Prominent among those whose prestige will be at stake is Nitin Agarwal, son of SP leader Naresh Agarwal, BSP turncoat Brijesh Pathak from Lucknow (Central) on BJP ticket and Congress turncoat Rita Bahuguna Joshi from Lucknow Cant who is pitted against Mulayam Singh Yadav's daughter-in-law Aparna. SP leader Shivpal too is a key figure in this round. He is contesting from Jaswant Nagar seat. Congress leader P L Punia's son Tanuj Punia is trying his luck from Jaidpur seat in Barabanki. Besides, BJP will have the additional challenge to fare well in Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh's Lok Sabha seat Lucknow. This phase includes Etawah, the native place of SP patron Akhilesh Yadav and districts like Mainpuri, where Tej Pratap Yadav is an SP MP. From Kannauj Dimple Yadav, wife of the chief minister is MP. A total of 826 candidates are in fray, whose fate will be decided by 2.41 crore voters, including 1.10 crore women and 1,026 belonging to third gender category. While the maximum number of 21 candidates are in Etawah, minimum of three candidates are in Haidergarh (Barabanki). Lucknow West and Central have 17 candidates each. There will be 25,603 polling booths in this phase. The next four phases of polling will be held on February 23, 27 and on March 4 and 8. Counting of votes will take place on 11 March. Lucknow: Congress on Thursday dismissed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's charge that the party had made a bid on Mulayam Singh Yadav's life, saying the word 'murder' was synonymous with Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah. "The word 'murder' is synonymous with Modi and (Amit) Shah. The killing spree started with the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi by RSS. We are Gandhians from the core of our heart and firm believer of non-violence," AICC General Secretary and in-charge of party affairs in Uttar Pradesh Ghulam Nabi Azad told a news conference here. He was reacting to Modi's remark on the issue of "assassination attempt" on Mulayam in 1984 allegedly involving a Congress leader, which was aimed at driving a wedge into the fledging SP-Congress alliance. Modi had said this at an election rally in Kannauj yesterday and questioned SP chief Akhilesh Yadav as to how he could form a coalition with "those who tried to murder" his father. The Prime Minister had also said Akhilesh lacked experience and hence did not know, unlike his father, how "cunning Congress people are". Ahead of the third phase of Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls, he exuded confidence that the coalition would bag over 300 seats and storm to power. Asked when Priyanka Gandhi Vadra would campaign, Azad said, "She would definitely do so. Priyanka is already looking after deployment of party leaders across the length and breadth of UP." "Have you seen the Army chief going to the border to fight the enemy? He monitors everything from his office," he said, referring to Priyanka's role in the party campaign. Azad accused BJP and BSP of having a tacit understanding and alleged that Mayawati had transferred her party's votes to BJP after she got afraid of the fundamentalist elements. "Congress is of the view that there should be no use of religion in politics and electioneering," he said. On the issue of both SP and Congress candidates still in the fray at certain seats, Azad said his party would withdraw its candidate from that constituency where it is weak and SP will do the same at other places. "If any candidate is defiant, he or she will be expelled," he said. In Uttar Pradeshs heartland, where the election enters phase three, the debate is not whether the Yadav dominance in their stronghold would continue, its how the bitter power struggle in the Yadav first family would impact the prospect of individual members in the fray. The once powerful Shivpal Yadav is a pale shadow of himself after the knock-out blow from nephew Akhilesh. Patriarch Mulayam Singh is a much subdued man these days, preferring to be away from the limelight. Some other members of the family are still in the process of adjusting to the generational shift in the party. The Yadav community has stood by Mulayam for over two decades but this time its a bit confused after the coup by Akhilesh which many perceive as an insult to Mulayam. Netaji should have been allowed to retire with dignity. Family patriarchs are not treated this way in our community. He is aging. Akhilesh could have waited for his time, says Rajendra Yadav, a hotel worker in Meerut and a resident of Jaswant Nagar. Of course, we would stand by Akhilesh. We cannot think of an option beyond the Samajwadi Party." Not many are concerned with the fate of Shivpal though. During the course of conversation with several people of the region, one gathered the impression that he is perceived as a political manipulator. Some even suspect him of hobnobbing with the BJP. He is the candidate from Jaswant Nagar, a Samajwadi Party stronghold. People involved in a crime would call up Shivpal and he would intervene on their behalf. This is one reason why the party has earned the notoriety for protecting criminals, says driver Debendra Yadav who claims to be part of the wider Yadav clan and someone who gets invites for family functions in Mulayams household like all other Yadavs in Etawah. However, in the 69 seats of central UP, the trouble in Mulayams family is not likely to have a bearing on the voting trend in the region stretching over 12 districts. In 2012 Assembly polls, the Samajwadi Party had won 55 seats, a good strike rate of 80 percent. The strike rate is likely to get better with the Congress not dividing upper caste votes. However, a lot depends on votes of both the parties getting transferred to each other. The BSP is banking on the Dalit-Muslim combination plus a small chunk of upper caste votes. It was the runner up in as many as 44 seats last time, and the margin of loss was close in some constituencies. A good performance for Akhileshs party would depend how voters perceive his achievements. He does not seem to be on weak ground here. His performance has been good. There can be no doubts about that. His has been mostly a responsive government. Roads have been constructed and supply of electricity, in particular, to rural and urban areas has been his high point, says Haider Naqvi, senior journalist. In fact, many believe that his good performance would blunt whatever disaffection he might have earned in the community because of his moves against Mulayam. Wary of the negative perception that could have emanated from the family feud, the Yadavs are busy putting up a show of unity. Akhileshs wife Dimple, parliamentarian from Kanauj, campaigned extensively for sister-in-law Aparna, who is contesting from Lucknow Cantt. Aparna is the spouse of Prateek, son of Sadhana, the second wife of Mulayam. Shivpal is said to be behind this faction of the Yadav family. In Jaswant Nagar, Mulayam campaigned for his brother Shivpal, seeking votes for the party and without mentioning the alliance with the Congress. Shivpal is known to be opposed to the alliance. Shivpal is still sulking at the treatment meted out to him by Akhilesh. Earlier, he had announced that he would form his own party after the elections. On its home turf, the family not only has to win the seats but also has to revive its image. Results of phase three of the election would make clear whether the community has forgiven Akhilesh. Amethi (UP): The ongoing Assembly election in Uttar Pradesh is to end dynastic and caste-based politics, BJP chief Amit Shah said on Thursday in Amethi, the pocket borough of the Nehru-Gandhi family. Targeting Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi and chief minister Akhilesh Yadav, he said that the Congress and the Samajwadi Party have entered into an "unholy alliance". "Two families have entered into an unholy alliance. Initially, people were affected by one shahzada (prince), now it is two. One shahzada is giving pain to his mother, the other to his father," he said, attacking Rahul and Akhilesh, who had a bitter feud with his father Mulayam Singh Yadav over the control over SP. He asked the voters to shun dynastic and caste-based politics, noting that everything in the state veered around one family. "What has this family given you? There are problems for farmers while law and order machinery in the state has collapsed. There is acute shortage of water and medicines. What has this state government done for you?" he asked. "For the past 50 years, only one family is running the affairs of Amethi. Even then, this place is languishing behind other districts in terms of development," he said. Rahul represents Amethi in the Lok Sabha. Reacting to Rahul seeking a performance report from Prime Minister Narendra Modi after two-and-a-half years in office, the BJP chief said, "We will give details of each and everything. But, tell me what has your family done for the country? People of Amethi are asking this question." In a jibe at Rahul, he advised him to remove his "Italian curtains" to have a better vision of things, in an apparent reference to his mother and Congress president Sonia Gandhi's Italian origin. The Assembly election in Uttar Pradesh is being held in seven phases. Unless a miracle saves him or his supporters spill out on the streets, this looks like the end of O Panneerselvam, the courtier who wanted to be the king. On Thursday, Tamil Nadu Governor C Vidyasagar Rao ended the stalemate and power games in the state by inviting E Palaniswami to form the government. He has been given 15 days to prove his majority in the Assembly. With the governor's decision to invite E Palaniswami a proxy nominated by VK Sasikala's camp after Chinnamma's incarceration to form the next government, the acting chief minister faces a dark future that may end into oblivion. The governor's decision ensures that either Panneerselvam goes out and breaks the AIADMK with the support of at least two-third legislators or loses his Assembly seat. His third option is, of course, to go back to the AIADMK and become its loyal servant again, provided the powers that control the party forgive and forget. The law on elected legislators is clear: They can't break away unless their new faction has the support of at least two-third of the elected members. So, in Panneerselvam's case, he can trigger a rebellion only if he has at least 100 legislators. Given that he has just around a dozen MLAs in his camp, a split in the AIADMK looks unlikely. Though Panneerselvam has been expelled from the party, he will continue to remain under the control of the party. In 2016, the government had clarified in the Supreme Court that upon expulsion from a political party, there is no automatic disqualification under the 10th Schedule of the Constitution from legislative assembly or Parliament and that member will continue as an unattached member as per the direction of the Speaker. However, if there is any overt act of either joining any other political party voluntarily or defies any whip of any political party then he will attract the provision of the 10th Schedule and action can be taken against him by the Speaker," The Indian Express quoted the government's statement in the apex court. This means if Panneerselvam and his supporters violate the AIADMK whip to support Palaniswami's government in case of a floor test, they could be expelled from the Assembly. So, if Panneerselvam wishes to remain a member of the legislature, he would have to obey the diktat of the new high command. In many ways, the denouement appears rational and justified. Panneerselvam was a proxy for J Jayalalithaa. After her demise, he had staked claim to her legacy citing his loyalty to the late chief minister. But, his current innings seems to have ended with Jayalalithaa. Courtiers and proxies often meet this end. With Palaniswami in the driver's seat and the remote firmly in Sasikala's hand, it would be interesting to see how the new government deals with the BJP-led Centre. The Centre needs the government's support for getting its candidate elected as the next President of India. The AIADMK numbers are crucial also in the Rajya Sabha, where the government is currently outnumbered by the Opposition. If Sasikala decides to avenge her humiliation by the Centre and decides to join the anti-BJP camp, it would turn out to be a lose-lose situation for everybody who supported Panneerselvam and thwarted Chinnamma's dream. Perhaps the road to Jayalalithaa's legacy was jinxed. Everybody who tried to claim got scalded: Sasikala went to jail, the BJP got checkmated and Panneerselvam might disappear into oblivion. Follow LIVE updates on the AIADMK crisis here. London: For most of the kids, toys are what fascinate them. But this seven-year-old girl from Britain wrote a letter to Indian-born Google CEO Sundar Pichai asking him for a job -- and received an encouraging reply. According to a report in Business Insider on Thursday, Chloe Bridgewater, who lives in Hereford, Britain, sent a hand-written letter to Pichai for a job. "Dear Google boss... My name is Chloe and when I am bigger I would like a job with Google. I also want to work in a chocolate factory and do swimming in the olympics," Bridgewater wrote to Pichai. She wrote about her dreams, school, her sister and her first letter she had written to Father Christmas. In reply, Pichai encouraged her to follow her dreams: "I look forward to receiving your job application when you are finished with school." Pichai ended the letter with a smile emoji. In a LinkedIn post, Andy Bridgewater, the girl's father, wrote that his daughter had lost a great deal of confidence after being knocked down by a car a couple of years ago. "However, to say she is delighted after receiving this letter signed by Sundar Pichai himself is an understatement," the father posted. Fascination for Google came about recently in the kid when she asked her father where his ideal place to work would be. "And I said, 'oh, Google would be a nice place to work', owing to their world-famous perks and all of the cutting-edge work they do," her father was quoted as saying. It was then that the kid decided that she wanted to work at Google too and her father encouraged her to apply. Bonn: US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson makes his diplomatic debut at a G20 gathering in Germany on Thursday, where his counterparts hope to find out what "America First" means for the rest of the world. Host nation Germany has billed the two-day meeting as a chance for the club of leading economies to discuss how to work together on challenges ranging from climate change to the conflicts in Syria, Ukraine and Yemen. But all eyes will be on America's top diplomat, whose maiden trip to Europe will bring him face-to-face with allies seeking reassurance that President Donald Trump will not upend decades of US foreign policy despite his fiery campaign rhetoric. Tillerson will also have his first sitdown with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Bonn, talks that will be closely scrutinised for any hint of a rapprochement as controversy swirls over White House ties to the Kremlin. The Texan could also face questions about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, after Trump caused international consternation Wednesday by dropping Washington's years-long quest for a two-state solution, saying he would back a single state if it led to peace. US relations with China are likewise in the spotlight. The G20 gathering could see Tillerson's first encounter with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, whose attendance was only confirmed days earlier following a conciliatory phone call between Trump and President Xi Jinping. China "is working out the schedule on bilateral meetings," ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said, adding that Trump and Xi Jinping had had a "very good" conversation. During the call, Trump reaffirmed US adherence to the decades-old position that Taiwan is not separate from China, backtracking on earlier comments that cast doubt on the "One China" principle. If former ExxonMobil boss Tillerson faces the daunting task of clarifying Trump's, at times, contradictory policy signals to a wary international community, he will not be doing it alone. US Defence Secretary James Mattis is attending the second day of a NATO meeting in Brussels Thursday, while Vice President Mike Pence will be the highest-ranking US official participating in the Munich Security Conference from Friday. "There are plenty of uncertainties about what they want, what they plan," a European diplomat said about the Trump administration. "We hope we'll get some clarity in the weeks to come." 'Your children's security' Speaking in Brussels on Wednesday, Mattis reaffirmed Washington's commitment to NATO after Trump branded the Western military alliance "obsolete". But the former Marine also sternly rebuked member states for not paying their fair share, and warned that Washington would "moderate its commitment" to the alliance unless they boost their spending. "Americans cannot care more for your children's future security than you do," he said. Looming large over this week's US diplomatic offensive is the scandal surrounding the resignation of Trump's national security advisor Michael Flynn. He was forced to step down after less than a month in the job on allegations he discussed US sanctions against Moscow over the Ukraine conflict with a Russian official before taking office. In Bonn, Tillerson will likely also be grilled about Trump's commitment to the European Union after he praised Britain's decision to quit the bloc and predicted other countries would follow suit. By contrast, UN chief Antonio Guterres, another Bonn attendee, said in an interview with British newspaper The Guardian that a "united Europe" had a crucial role to play at a time of global upheaval. He urged the bloc to "learn the lessons of Brexit". The G20 event is hosted by German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel, who has been a vocal critic of Trump's protectionist and nationalist leanings. "No country in the world can tackle the major international problems of our time alone," Gabriel said ahead of Thursday's talks. The G20 grouping accounts for some 85 percent of the global economy and two thirds of the population. Other high-profile diplomats attending include Turkey's Mevlut Cavusoglu, the EU's Federica Mogherini, and Britain's Boris Johnson. The meeting is a precursor to a G20 leaders' summit scheduled to take place in Hamburg in July, likely to be the first time Trump will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in person. Washington: US President Donald Trump dodged questions Wednesday about ties with Russia, railed against intelligence leaks and defended the national security adviser he just fired, as crisis engulfed his fledgling administration. Amid revelations that Trump aides were in repeated contact with Russian intelligence officials in the run-up to his shock election victory last year, the Republican billionaire battened down the hatches, even as members of his party called for a broader probe. The 70-year-old president accused his own intelligence community of being behind the leaks, directly pointing the finger at the National Security Agency and the FBI. "This Russian connection non-sense is merely an attempt to cover-up the many mistakes made in Hillary Clinton's losing campaign," Trump said in one tweet. "The real scandal here is that classified information is illegally given out by 'intelligence' like candy. Very un-American!" At a press conference with visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump called on journalists sympathetic to his administration in order to dodge tough questions about his aides' ties to Moscow. He addressed the high-profile sacking of national security adviser Michael Flynn only to blame reporters for what he called the mistreatment of his former aide. "I think he's been treated very, very unfairly by the media, as I call it, the fake media in many cases," he said. Trump demanded Flynn's resignation Monday, after wiretaps showed he falsely claimed he did not discuss sanctions policy with Russia's ambassador to Washington. Since then, Trump's administration has been shaken by new reports of high-level Russian contacts with his aides and associates during the 2016 presidential campaign. Among those picked up on the calls was Paul Manafort, a Trump campaign chairman who had worked as a political consultant in Ukraine, The New York Times said. Manafort called the report "absurd." 'Full account' In Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed the latest allegations. "Don't believe newspaper reports it's very difficult at the moment to differentiate them from falsehoods and fabrications," Peskov told reporters. "If you don't mind, let's wait and let's not believe anonymous information, which is information based on no fact," he said. The revelations have infuriated Democrats and unsettled Republican leaders wary about Trump's professed desire for better relations with Moscow. "This ongoing story is a perfect piece of evidence as to why we should not trust Russia," House Speaker Paul Ryan said. Republican and Democratic lawmakers have now called for an investigation into what happened, although they differ on the scope and powers of the probe. Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren insisted that Trump "owes Americans a full account" of his campaign and administration's dealings with Moscow. The Senate's top Republican Mitch McConnell said it was "highly likely" that Flynn would have to testify before an intelligence panel. Hawkish Republican Senator Lindsey Graham minced no words in describing the seriousness of the crisis. "It is a cloud over the White House," said Graham, who has called for in-depth investigations. Adding to administration woes, Trump's pick for labor secretary, Andrew Puzder, withdrew from consideration Wednesday. The 66-year-old fast-food executive was under fire for his labor practices, his hiring of an undocumented migrant and old video that emerged of his ex-wife alleging domestic abuse. Puzder denied his ex-wife's allegation, which was later withdrawn. 'Trust issue' In January, US intelligence agencies released a declassified report concluding that Russian President Vladimir Putin personally ordered a wide-ranging campaign to disrupt and ultimately influence the US election in Trump's favor. The issue reignited following disclosures that Flynn, a retired general and former head of the Defense Intelligence Agency, made five phone calls with Russian envoy Sergey Kislyak on December 29. That was the day outgoing president Barack Obama launched retaliatory sanctions against Russia for election meddling. When the calls came to light, Flynn denied to Vice President Mike Pence and other White House officials that he had discussed the sanctions with Kislyak, and Pence repeated the denial in a television interview January 15. On January 26, acting attorney general Sally Yates informed the White House legal counsel that intelligence intercepts show that Flynn lied about the nature of the call, the White House acknowledged Tuesday. Spokesman Sean Spicer said Trump was told about the intercepts immediately. But Pence was kept out of the loop for two weeks. In a show of bipartisan cooperation, the top Republican and Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee asked the Justice Department for a briefing and data related to Flynn's Russia contacts. "We similarly request copies of the transcripts of Mr. Flynn's intercepted calls and the FBI report summarising the intercepted calls," committee chairman Chuck Grassley and Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein wrote to Attorney General Jeff Sessions. The White House insists Flynn was not acting on Trump's instructions when he discussed sanctions with Kislyak, but questions have been raised about why Trump took so long to fire Flynn. The White House counsel "determined that there is not an illegal issue, but rather a trust issue," Spicer said. 'Wonderful man' Donald Trump on Wednesday assailed what he said were illegal and "criminal" leaks from US intelligence agencies in the controversy over contacts with Russian officials that forced his national security adviser Michael Flynn to resign. Speaking at a joint news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump called Flynn a "wonderful man" and added: "I think it's very, very unfair what's happened to General Flynn, the way he was treated, and the documents and papers that were illegally, I stress that, illegally leaked." With inputs from AFP and Reuters Though we may forget it, the vast and labyrinthine US federal government is made up of people. Now that Donald Trump has taken office, we cant put a finer point on this. Without the people populating these offices, the government ceases to function. Resistance is becoming a mandate in parts of the federal bureaucracy that view the Trump administration as an existential threat. It must be said that this administrative dissent is as varied as resistance on the streets. It is important to scrutinise the various means and motives behind acts of dissent in the belly of the beast. We must engage in this critical analysis to understand how these coalitions may unite and how the inner turmoil might affect external movements. First, we must discuss the false parity between the dissent from Congressional Democrats and dissent from federal officials. It is Democrats mandate to block the nominations and legislation that constituents would take issue with. This is how they get and keep their jobs. Most recently, Senator Elizabeth Warrens attempts to protest Senator Jeff Sessions nomination for Attorney General were stymied when her bureaucratic dissent met with bureaucratic muzzling. Warren was censured for reading a letter from civil rights activist Coretta Scott King calling Sessions nomination detrimental to any progress black Americans had and might make. The letter had been sent to the Senate and admitted into the record when Sessions was first up for a federal judgeship in 1986. This censure outraged many progressives. Warren will be likely lionised for this show of defiance and re-elected to Congress for dissenting. True bureaucratic dissent, where people face consequences for speaking their conscience, has presented itself in many forms over the past few weeks. Sometimes, procedures, like filing complaints, can slow mandates to pull funding. Departments that might be on the chopping block are already putting measures in place to protect their funding for as long as possible. In this case, officials are body-blocking their departments. They are doing the best they can to continue their work for as long as possible. Departments that serve the public, like the ones responsible for facilitating federal funding or domestic violence prevention initiatives, are likely to incorporate these tactics. Sometimes, agency members signal to the public that dissenters exist within the government. We are seeing this through the many rogue social media accounts that have popped up. This is a riskier move though, because it breaks with formal bureaucratic methods of resistance. The government has become a very leaky boat. Alternate social media accounts for the US National Park Service, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Justice, and other federal agencies have popped up. Tweets from these informal social media accounts range from facts about climate change to more obvious and partisan shows of resistance to the Trump administration. It has been reported that some officials are using encrypted text apps to communicate their dissent to one another. Republican members of Congress are playing whack-a-mole here as well, attempting to curb this communication to monitor dissent more closely. In the State Department, a formal dissent channel was established in response to the internal swell of opposition to the Vietnam War. President Nixon grew frustrated when he was unable to plug the innumerable leaks from the department during this tumultuous period, and thus created the channel to formalise bureaucratic opposition. The channel, in effect, is a steam vent for frustration and dissent within the ranks. The Secretary of State must read and respond to the dissenters within 90 days. People who dissented formally were to be protected from reprisals, though this cannot always be guaranteed. Employees must curry favour to rise in the ranks, so dissent might be met with subtle retaliation. During the Obama administration, 51 members of the State department signed on to a cable formally dissenting to the US decision not to intervene on behalf of anti-regime forces in Syria. Until the Muslim ban, this was the most popular internal dissent cable since the channel had been established. Even during the Iraq war, only a handful of officials expressed their dissent through these formal channels. One resigned in protest. Most state officials realise that their jobs and promotions are at risk when they express dissent formally. People might not be formally dismissed for dissenting, but could be squeezed out. And usually, its for almost nothing. Very few dissent memos have had any impact on the policies they concern. This is the lens through which we should view the most recent dissent memo regarding the travel ban. The cable rolled like a snowball from embassy to embassy, attracting signatures from State Department officials around the world. More than 1,000 employees signed the memo claiming that the ban would adversely affect the US. In the past, despite the private hatred for rebellion in the ranks, reactionary administrations have begrudgingly accepted dissent in order to manage it. The Trump administration seems to be changing tack. Trumps press secretary Sean Spicer has indicated that officials in the State Department should not feel free to express their dissent. According to Spicer, department officials should either get with the program or they can go. We will see if bureaucrats fall into line or continue to express dissent in large and small ways. Aside from purging entire departments and hiring sympathetic people, the Trump administration cannot do much in the face of this defiance. In fact, he probably would be best served by publicly expressing peoples right to dissent. If he continues with this ham-fisted approach, he might have a revolt of the pen pushers on his hands. State of emergency in energy sector to allow rotating blackouts if required The introduction of the state of emergency on the Ukrainian electricity market would allow rotating blackouts if they are required, Ukrainian Energy and Coal Industry Minister Ihor Nasalyk has said. "The paragraph applied when there are urgent problems and misbalance between power consumption and generation is foreseen. We will use rotating blackouts to balance generation and consumption," he said at an extraordinary government meeting late on Wednesday. He said that the adoption of the resolution would help to minimize consumption of anthracite at thermal power plants (TPPs) to ensure stable operation of the country's power grid. The measures would help to cut anthracite consumption in winter period by 300-350 tonnes a month. Nasalyk also said that the resolution permits national energy company Ukrenergo to manually determine the loading of TPPs units. This is switch from the operation of the units using price bids. In addition, the resolution envisages the reduction of the 'hot' reserve of energy capacity of TPPs by at least 500 MW, which is required if reactors of nuclear power plants (NPPs) are stopped off the schedule. Today there is a surplus of NPP capacity. As reported, the Ukrainian government at the extraordinary government meeting on February 15 introduced the state of emergency on the Ukrainian electricity market. Syria's President Bashar al-Assad said President Donald Trump's ban on Syrians entering the United States targeted terrorists, not the Syrian people, appearing to defend the logic of the measure in an interview broadcast on Thursday. Trump last month issued an executive order, since suspended by a US district judge, that temporarily barred travellers from seven mostly Muslim countries including Syria, as well as imposing an indefinite ban on all Syrian refugees. "It's against the terrorists that would infiltrate some of the immigrants to the West. And that happened. It happened in Europe, mainly in Germany," Assad said in the interview with Europe 1 radio and TF1 television which was recorded on Tuesday in English. "I think the aim of Trump is to prevent those people from coming." It was "not against the Syrian people," he said. Trump said his order, which triggered protests at home and abroad and confusion at US and international airports, was intended to prevent militants from entering the United States. His administration is challenging the suspension ruling, which was upheld last week by appeal court judges. Assad's government has often criticised Western states for their support for Syrian rebel groups, all of which are regarded by Damascus as terrorists, and has warned that such backing will lead to militant attacks around the world. Trump has not yet set out a clear policy on Syria but has indicated he could cut US support for insurgent groups and has said he wants to mend ties with Russia, whose President Vladimir Putin is Assad's strongest international ally. Asked directly whether Trump's immigration policy was the right one, Assad did not answer. He also said he had not yet seen what Trump's Syria policy would be. By Ercan Gurses and Orhan Coskun | ANKARA ANKARA President Tayyip Erdogan has made abundantly clear how he sees an April 16 referendum to change Turkey's constitution and create a stronger presidency - those who vote "no", he says, are siding with supporters of terrorism and a failed coup.Erdogan, the most popular but also most divisive politician in modern Turkish history, has long cast himself as the champion of ordinary, pious Turks exploited by a secular elite. But some pollsters and people close to the ruling AK Party now think his polarising rhetoric risks scaring off moderate voters in April.One AKP official put current support for the "yes" vote at 52-56 percent. A senior official told Reuters that in two of the party's own polls, the "yes" vote stood at 50-55 percent, highlighting the importance of undecided voters and the AKP's own liberal wing.Erdogan and his supporters say Turkey needs a strong executive presidency, similar to the United States or France, to avoid the fragile coalition governments of the past that have hampered development. The president now has limited powers.Opponents, including the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) and the Kurdish-rooted Democratic Peoples' Party (HDP), say the change would push Turkey toward one-man rule and the likely erosion of basic rights and freedoms.Erdogan has seized on the HDP's opposition to buttress his case for change. He views the HDP as an arm of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which has waged a decades-long armed struggle against the Turkish state in the mainly Kurdish southeast. More than 40,000 people have died in the conflict."On one side there is a terror group which is trying to divide and dismember this country. There are those who act together with the separatist terror group," he said this week, referring to the PKK and the HDP respectively. "Now what does the separatist terror group say? It says 'no'.""The position of those who say 'no' is taking sides with July 15," Erdogan added, a reference to those who backed the abortive coup he has blamed on a U.S.-based Muslim cleric, Fethullah Gulen.Turkey has become more deeply polarised since the coup, with authorities arresting tens of thousands of suspected Gulen supporters, including judges, journalists and soldiers, in a crackdown that has alarmed its NATO allies and rights groups. SWING VOTERS In the referendum, Erdogan cannot take for granted the support of more liberal-minded AKP supporters. They represent a bloc of swing voters who in a June 2015 parliamentary election denied the AKP a parliamentary majority for the first time since it came to power in 2002. The party won 41 percent of the vote.But as the security situation in southeast Turkey worsened, the AKP managed to win many back in a November 2015 snap election, securing 49 percent and a new parliamentary majority."The difference is the voting of our liberal supporters," said the first AKP official, comparing the two 2015 results. "If we can convince this segment to vote 'yes' in the referendum, we won't have a problem." But the liberal segment may well blanch at Erdogan's terrorism rhetoric, which is designed to win over supporters of the nationalist MHP, parliament's fourth-largest party."The rhetoric that lumps the 'no' voters and terrorists together will not be welcomed by anyone other than the nationalists," said Faruk Acar of the Andy-Ar polling company.The MHP leader backs Erdogan's executive presidency, but some others in the party are undecided or oppose the referendum, including Meral Aksener, who mounted a failed leadership challenge last year.On Saturday when Aksener was addressing a rally at a hotel whose owners are seen as close to Erdogan, the electricity was cut in the building, the Cumhuriyet newspaper said, silencing the audio system and forcing her to continue using a megaphone."The power being cut during Meral Aksener's rally and cases where those voting 'no' are labelled terrorists cause discomfort among some AK Party members," said a source close to the party. (Writing by Tuvan Gumrukcu and David Dolan; Editing by Gareth Jones) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Lahore: Jamaat-ud Dawah chief Hafiz Saeed has asked the Pakistan government to immediately remove his name from a list that bars him from leaving the country, claiming he is neither a security risk nor does his outfit engage in terrorist activities. In a letter to Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Saeed, the mastermind of 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks, in which 166 people died, said, "A memorandum issued on 30 January, 2017, placing 38 individuals should be withdrawn forthwith." The government put Saeed and 37 other leaders of JuD and his Falah-e-Insaniyat charity on Exit Control List last month. It also put Saeed and four other leaders of the organisations under "house arrest" for 90 days for engaging in activities "prejudicial" to peace and security. Additionally, the interior ministry put JuD and FIF on a "watch-list" for six months. But Saeed has contended the government decisons saying, "The JuD has never been involved in any terrorist activity in Pakistan and no incident of any terrorism or destruction of property was ever alleged against the organisation." He argued that no material has ever been produced by federal or provincial governments against him in a court of law. He cited an observation of a full-bench of the Lahore High Court in a 2009 case against him. The court had said, "In the present case, the government is not in possession of any evidence that the petitioners are risk to the security of Pakistan and merely on the basis of the UN Resolution their liberty cannot be curtailed." Donald Trump, the newly-elected President of the United States of America met Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel; the US-Israel bond was "unbreakable", claimed Trump. In classic Trumpian language, with its peculiar linguistic characteristics, he proclaimed: "So, I am looking at two-state and one-state, and I like the one that both parties like. I am very happy with the one that both parties like," he said, adding: "I can live with either one." The media took it to mean that Trump was effectively moving away from the two-state solution to the Israel and Palestine 'problem' that the US has been supporting for the past two decades. In fact, Barack Obama, the former president endorsed the two-state vision at a peace conference in Paris on behalf in January, five days before Trump was formally inaugurated as president. And quite bluntly, along with Netanyahu, Trump echoed the sentiments that Palestinians are the ones not ready for peace "I think the Palestinians have to get rid of some of that hate that they're taught from a very young age." Palestine-Israel conflict The Palestine-Israel conflict dates back to the time when Israel was established as a State in 1948. It is the world's only Jewish state. Arab Muslims and Jews have rightful claim to the land dating back to many centuries and the political unrest that we see now stems from the end of the Second World War, where Jews fleeing persecution wished to establish a 'homeland' in the Ottoman/British Empire. Of course, this did not sit well with the Arabs who viewed the land as theirs and viewed the influx of Jews as a colonial move. United Nations intervention in 1947, split the erstwhile Palestine under British Empire into two. Almost immediately after adopting the UN Partition plan, fighting began. Consequent interventions to give both countries land failed, a civil war ensued in 1967 and further negotiations in 2014 failed leading to a full-fledged war. Israel was originally promised 56 percent of the land, but they ended up occupying 77 percent of the land by the end of 1967. The Palestinians, however were never particularly pleased with incoming Jews, because they believed that the Jews were taking away land from them. According to Middle East Research and Information Project, the conflict between Palestine and Israel between 1947 and 1949 had created over 700,000 refugees while Palestinians claim that it was a "zionist plan to rid the country of its non-Jewish inhabitants," Israelis claim that refugees fled because Arab leaders (political and military) ordered them to. The Palestine Question: A two-state solution? Israel and Palestine both have claims to the land, while most neutral conflict experts think that breaking up the land in two and creating Israel and Palestine would be the best way to resolve the conflict where both countries will be sovereign and will have the ability to to run their country in the manner they seem fit. However, the one-state solution would merge all the territories under one, effectively ending the run of Israel as a nation/state, ending the existence of a Jewish state. According to Yehouda Shehnav in Beyond The Two-State Solution, the one-state policy "does not consider the fact that most of the population of the area concerned is both religious and nationalist," and the two-state solution creates random borders without giving any weight to religious community or national sentiment. American intervention The US has always been hugely supportive of Israel. In 1962, to provide a balance to the power division in the Middle East, US sold missiles to Israel. France paused supplies to the Jewish state, but US increased its sales. However, the US' affection for Israel didn't start in the early formation of the state. During the 1956 Suez Crisis, US was particularly hostile towards Israel. But perhaps, Israels positioning as a relatively stable nation-state, especially as a democracy in the turbulent Middle East was seen as an important key in unravelling the Soviet control over the Middle East during the Cold War. But there are many answers to why United States of America, for most part a powerful country has vested its interests in Israel. According to Michael Eisenstadt and David Pollock in Friends With Benefits: Why the US-Israeli Alliance Is Good for America, Israel is important for America because it is a "counterweight against radical forces in the Middle East, including political Islam and violent extremism." The authors also claim that Israel is pertinent in US foreign relations, because of the information the two countries share on terrorism, nuclear proliferation and impact of Middle Eastern politics. Public support for Israel in America is high too, according to a Gallup poll on American sympathies, it was found that Americans "lean heavily towards Israelis," 64 percent Americans support Israelis over 12 percent Americans who support Palestinians. These numbers are also confirmed by Michael J Koplow in his paper, Value Judgment: Why Do Americans Support Israel? where he finds that it is the high level of public affinity for Israel that drives the policy and not diplomatic or geo-political strategy. Walter Russell Mean writes in Real Clear Politics: "In the United States, a pro-Israel foreign policy does not represent the triumph of a small lobby over the public will. It represents the power of public opinion to shape foreign policy in the face of concerns by foreign policy professionals." The support seems to be steadily growing as US agreed to providing a military aid package worth $38 billion over the next 10 years for Israel in September 2016. In light of this level of American support, Trump's plans to withdraw from a 'commitment' (howsoever vague) to see through the two-state plan is unclear, especially when he qualifies it with statements like: "I am very happy with the one that both parties like... I can live with either one." But because the US actively supports Israel, Palestinian interests a peoples' interest, with an equal right to the land, are often ignored or not taken into account. If it's not a two-state solution, what solution then takes into account the consequences for Palestinians in relations to Jews and how will that solution answer the historical inequities and inequalities? For now, Palestinian representatives are unhappy with the inference of Trump's vague words on backing away from the two-state solution: Husam Zomlot, strategic affairs adviser to Palestinian Authority told Reuters that the "two-state solution is not something we just came up with. It is an international consensus and decision after decades of Israel's rejection of the one-state democratic formula." Antonio Guterres, UN Chief said: "There is no alternative solution for the situation between the Palestinians and Israelis, other than the solution of establishing two states and we should do all that can be done to maintain this." Despite criticism, the two-state solution has endured political upheavals and has managed to come across as the most reasonable solution time and again, the United Nations, European Union, Arab League, Russia and US have stated their support for the two-state solution. But Trump's vague utterances have jolted the world into rethinking solutions for the Israel-Palestine problem. Lahore: The death toll in the Lahore suicide attack on Thursday rose to 14 with one more person succumbing to his injuries, as officials arrested a key facilitator of the blast which took place outside Pakistan's Punjab assembly. "One more injured of the Monday's Lahore Mall Road blast succumbed to his injuries rising the death toll to 14," Punjab Police spokesman Niyab Haider told PTI. He said the condition of over half-a-dozen injured was still very critical. Two senior police officers were among 13 people killed when a Taliban suicide bomber blew himself up during a protest rally outside Pakistan's Punjab assembly on Monday that also wounded more than 71 others. "Police have taken more than 50 suspects including some Afghans into custody in connection with the blasts and they are being interrogated," Haider said. A senior police officer has said that the intelligence agencies have got a lead in the case and arrested a facilitator of the suicide bomber. "We are positive to get to the mastermind and other culprits through him. The facilitator/handler is being interrogated," officer said. The Home Department has directed law enforcement agencies to ensure extreme vigilance and heightened security. "Combing operations [must] be conducted in all targeted areas, particularly where the Afghan/Pathan community is residing," it said in a statement. Meanwhile, the government has formed a Joint Investigation Team headed by Crime Investigation Department's Senior Superintendent of Police Muhammad Iqbal to probe the matter. Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah said the federal government will speak to Afghan government about action against Jamaat-ul-Ahrar. Jamat-ul-Ahrar faction of the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has claimed responsibility for the attack. The group had claimed responsibility for a blast on 27 March last year at Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park in Lahore that left 75 people dead, mostly Christians who were celebrating Easter. Founded in August 2014 by a former TTP leader, the outfit has staged several attacks in Pakistan targeting civilians, religious minorities, military personnel and law enforcement agencies. "The only solution to end the continuing acts of terror seems to be an indiscriminate, immediate and ruthless operation against terrorists," Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had said. Islamabad: On Thursday, Pakistan inducted 16 new multi-role JF-17 Thunder jets jointly manufactured with China to its air force with the Defence Minister asserting that the country was ready to safeguard borders against any aggression. The JF-17 Thunder jets were handed over to the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, Kamra, in Attock area of Punjab province, with Defence Minister Khawaja Asif present as the chief guest. The new home-made jets, inducted into 14-Squadron of Pakistan Air Force, have been manufactured jointly by China and Pakistan. The JF-17 Thunder is the backbone of PAF and already more than 70 fighters of the category are part of it. Asif, while speaking on the occasion, said the government was committed to fund the PAF's operational readiness especial its JF-17 programme in the future as well. The Defence Minister said Pakistan is a peace-loving country and wishes to maintain peaceful relations with international community especially with neighbours. However, he said, the government stands determined to safeguard Pakistan's national interests and borders against any aggression. The minister lauded the role the PAF has played in the anti-terror operation Zarb-e-Azb. This has not only brought peace and normalcy to the country but also put Pakistan's economy on a fast-track, he said. Asif thanked China for its support in the co-production of JF-17 Thunder aircraft. In his address, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman said JF-17 fighter jets have the capability comparable to any advanced fourth generation aircraft across the world. Development on the aircraft started in 1999, and the maiden flight was conducted in 2003. According to details, while the first block of JF-17's were manufactured and delivered in 2007, the second block manufacturing which started in 2013 has delivered a more advanced fighter jet with upgraded avionics, air-to-air refuelling capability, data link, enhanced electronic warfare capability and enhanced load carrying ability. The JF-17 can be equipped with air-to-air and air-to-ground ordinance. The aircraft mounts both short-range infra-red air-to-air missiles along with longer ranged radar-guided beyond visual range (BVR) missiles, an essential capability for a frontline interceptor. The JF-17 also enhances the capability of the air force in beyond visual range (BVR) engagements. The PAF has said between 250 and 300 aircraft will be inducted into the air force to replace ageing fleets. A massive blast at the shrine of Sufi saint Sufi saint Lal Shahbaz Qalandarin in Sindh killed around 50 and injured more than 100 people on Thursday. This is the seventh blast reported in a week in Pakistan. On Thursdays, the shrine is thronged by many who participate in the special weekly prayers. The explosion reportedly occurred at the site of dhamaal rituals. The bomber entered the shrine through its Golden gate and blew himself up near the site where the daily ritual of sufi dance 'Dhamal' was taking place. He first threw a grenade, which failed to explode, senior police officers said. The number of casualties may go up considering the area is located far away from any hospital, with the nearest medical complex located 40 to 50 kilometres away from the explosion site. According to Dawn, the injured are being shifted to Liaquat Medical Complex Jamshoro and the sub-district hospital. Emergency has been declared in all hospitals of the area. Faisal Edhi of the Edhi foundation said the number of casualties rose to 50. "We have shifted some 40 bodies to hospitals in Hyderabad and Jamshoro so far," he said. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. The Tehreek-e-Taliban militants have frequently targeted Sufi shrines across Pakistan. More than 25 shrines across the country have been attacked since 2005, according to reports. Commissioner Hyderabad Kazi Shahid said since the shrine was located in a remote area, some 130 kms from Hyderabad, ambulances and vehicles and medical teams were being sent from Hyderabad, Jamshoro, Moro, Dadu and Nawabshah to the blast site to take care of the injured and move the bodies. Large crowds of people, from different parts of the province, were gathered at the shrine when the blast took place. Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah called up the senior civil and police officials of the district and directed them to reach the shrine at the earliest. According to Samaa TV, the explosion led to a stampede resulting in more people being injured in the chaos. However, this is not the first time that terrorists have attacked a Sufi shrine. In November 2016, a suicide blast at Shah Noorani shrine had resulted in the death of 52 people with more than 100 being injured. Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif issued a statement saying, The attack on the shrines of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar represents an attack on the progressive, inclusive future of Pakistan; one where every man women and child is entitled to life, liberty and property in the pursuit of happiness no matter their religion. Police chief Jamshoro Tariq Wilayat told Dawn that initial reports suggested it was a suicide bombing in the area reserved for women in the shrine. "It seems to be a suicide bombing according to initial information provided by Sehwan police to me and I am on way to Sehwan," Wilayat said. The attack on shrine came a day after Pakistan vowed to "liquidate" all those elements posing a threat to peace and security in the country amid a spurt in terror attacks. The decision was taken at high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif yesterday to review the security situation in the country. "The meeting made a resolve that terrorism emanating within the country or executed and harboured from outside the country would be eliminated and those posing threat to peace and security of the country would be liquidated by the might of the state," according to an official statement. (with inputs from agencies) By Roberta Rampton and Noah Barkin | WASHINGTON/BERLIN WASHINGTON/BERLIN U.S. Vice President Mike Pence heads to Europe this week to meet with allies seeking clarity on the Trump administration's foreign policy strategy and its stance towards Russia after the resignation of the top White House national security aide. Pence, who has hewn more closely to Republican orthodoxy than his boss President Donald Trump, will attend the Munich Security Conference this weekend and will visit Brussels.The trip comes as turmoil swirls within the administration following the resignation of Trump's national security adviser, Michael Flynn, on Monday.Flynn, who championed closer ties to Russia, stepped down after reports he had discussed U.S. sanctions on Moscow with Russia's ambassador.Even before Flynn's departure, Trump's calls for warmer ties with Moscow and his praise of Russian President Vladimir Putin had unnerved both U.S. lawmakers at home and NATO allies.Trump has called NATO "obsolete" and said member nations were not paying their fair share for U.S. protection. Some European capitals greeted Flynn's departure with relief. Flynn was seen by some officials in Europe as one of the Trump administrations leading advocates of closer ties to Russia and a hardline opponent of the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and western powers.One fear, ahead of a series of important elections in Europe, is that a Trump White House could actively promote the disintegration of the European Union, Wolfgang Ischinger, chairman of the Munich Security Conference told reporters in Berlin. Ischinger said he hopes Pence states clearly that the breakup of the EU is not the goal of the U.S. government.MIXED MESSAGES Pence may be unable to lay out many details about Trump's policies given the turbulence on the foreign policy team, but he could provide insight into White House views ahead of a NATO summit in May that Trump will attend. "I think from the administration's point of view, this is an opportunity to make a very major pronouncement on its foreign policy and its European policy," said Alexander Vershbow, a former U.S. ambassador to Russia and a former deputy secretary general of NATO.The White House has not yet previewed Pence's remarks.Pence's comments on Russia's incursions into Ukraine will be closely parsed to see whether Trump will be willing to trade off U.S. economic sanctions to achieve other security goals, said Vershbow, now with the Atlantic Council.Trump's mixed messages on NATO have perplexed European allies. "One minute NATO is obsolete - the next minute he loves NATO. One minute NATO is an impediment and doesnt do anything for terrorism - the next minute NATO is the centrepiece of the global fight," said retired U.S. Navy Admiral James Stavridis, a former supreme allied commander of NATO.Pence is the right person to set a more reassuring tone, said Stavridis, now dean of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University."Because of his personality: he's calm, he's centred, he's thoughtful, he's widely regarded with respect on both sides of the aisle in the United States," Stavridis said in an interview.With Flynn's departure, European officials said they hope Pence, Defense Secretary James Mattis and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson become the dominant players in Trump's foreign policy. But this remains an open question.Tillerson is also in Europe this week, meeting with G20 nations in Bonn, and Mattis travelled to NATO, warning allies that they must honour military spending pledges. (Reporting by Roberta Rampton in Washington, Noah Barkin and Andrea Shalal in Berlin, and John Irish in Paris; Editing by Caren Bohan and James Dalgleish) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Seoul: The South Korean government has confirmed that the North Korean citizen assassinated at a Malaysian airport was Kim Jong-un's half-brother, a media report said on Thursday. Seoul on the Malaysian government's request on Tuesday carried out a test to compare the fingerprints of the deceased with that of Kim Jong-nam's, South Korean officials said, Japanese public channel NHK news reported Thursday. After detecting a similarity between the two impressions, Seoul opened its own investigation into the incident, Efe news reported. Malaysian authorities had till now only confirmed that a North Korean citizen, who was travelling through Kuala Lumpur International Airport with a passport under the name of Kim Chol, had died in the attack, although South Korea was claiming he was Kim Jong-un's elder brother. The victim, born in 1970 in Pyongyang according to his passport died Monday while being transferred to a hospital in Putrajaya (Malaysia's administrative capital), after he was reportedly attacked by two women who sprayed a chemical on his face. The police arrested one woman on Wednesday with Vietnamese documents and a second woman on Thursday, in connection with the alleged murder. Since Wednesday, the body was at the Kuala Lumpur General Hospital, where forensic experts carried out an autopsy although the results were yet to be announced. Kim Jong-nam had been considered best-placed to replace his father as the head of the North Korean regime until he fell out of favour with him at the turn of the century. Since then he has held no official position in the North Korean regime and has lived mainly in Hong Kong, Macao and Beijing. Born to dictator Kim Jong-il and his first mistress actress Song Hye-rim, Jong-nam had attracted attention in recent years with his criticism of the North Korean regime's policies and its succession system through correspondence with a Japanese journalist and in statements to a Japanese television station By Joseph Sipalan and Liz Lee | KUALA LUMPUR KUALA LUMPUR Malaysian police made a third arrest on Thursday in their hunt for the people involved in the murder of the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.The third person, whose nationality was not disclosed, was the friend of an Indonesian woman who was detained earlier in the day in connection with the killing of Kim Jong Nam at the airport in the Malaysian capital on Monday, police said."He was detained to facilitate investigations as he is the boyfriend of the second suspect," said Abu Samah Mat, the police chief in Selangor state, told Reuters.The Indonesian woman was remanded in custody for seven days along with another woman, who held a Vietnamese travel document, who was caught trying to leave the country through the budget airline terminal of Kuala Lumpur airport on Wednesday, the Bernama state news agency reported.Kim Jong Nam, 46, was assaulted at the same airport on Monday with what was believed to be a fast-acting poison as he was about to leave on a flight to Macau.He sought help, collapsed and died on his way to hospital.Lawmakers in South Korea earlier cited their spy agency as saying it suspected two female North Korean agents had murdered Kim. U.S. government sources also said they believed North Korean assassins were responsible.Kim Jong Nam had spoken out publicly against his family's dynastic control of the isolated, nuclear-armed state, and he had also expressed fears for this safety.South Korea's intelligence agency told lawmakers in Seoul that the young, unpredictable North Korean leader had issued a "standing order" for his elder half-brother's assassination, and that there had been a failed attempt in 2012.North Korean agents have killed rivals abroad before. The Indonesian woman was alone when she was apprehended, police said. Her passport bore the name Siti Aishah, and gave her date of birth as Feb. 11, 1992, and place of birth as Serang, Indonesia. The Indonesian foreign ministry said it had requested consular access to the woman.The first suspect detained had travel documents in the name of Doan Thi Huong, with a birth date of May 1988 and birthplace of Nam Dinh, Vietnam.'NO REASON TO KILL' North Korea has made no public reference to Kim Jong Nam's death, and calls to the embassy in Malaysia were unanswered.But a source in Beijing with ties to both the North Korean and Chinese governments told Reuters that North Korea was not involved in his killing, and had no motive. "Kim Jong Nam has nothing to do with (North) Korea," the source said. "There is no reason for (North) Korea to kill him.""(North) Korea is investigating," the source said when asked why there has been no publicly denied involvement, adding that North Korea wanted the body returned.There was also no mention of Kim Jong Nam's death in North Korean state media, as of early Thursday. At midnight on Wednesday, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun to mark the birthday of his father, the late leader Kim Jong Il, who died in 2011.The late leader was also the father of Kim Jong Nam. The two had different mothers. Malaysian police said Kim had been at the airport to catch a flight to Macau on Monday when someone grabbed or held his face from behind, after which he felt dizzy and sought help at an information desk."The cause of death is strongly suspected to be a poisoning attack," said South Korean lawmaker Kim Byung-kee, who was briefed by his country's spy agency.Malaysian authorities rebuffed North Korean officials' efforts to stop an autopsy being carried out on Kim, three Malaysian government sources familiar with the stand-off told Reuters.Speaking to reporters on Thursday, a Malaysian government leader said he believed the police had received a request from North Korean officials for the body, and it could be eventually released to the North Korean embassy."After all the police and medical procedures are completed, we may release the body to the next of kin through the embassy," Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.According to South Korea's spy agency, Kim had been living with his second wife, under Beijing's protection, in the Chinese territory of Macau, South Korean lawmakers said. One of them said Kim also had a wife and son in Beijing.In Beijing, a foreign ministry spokesman said on Wednesday China was aware of reports of the murder and was closely following developments. (Additional reporting by A.Ananthalakshmi in KUALA LUMPUR and Benjamin Lim in BEIJING; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore, Robert Birsel) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. The Nova Poshta Group does not plan to transform own financial company Post Finance (the Forpost payment system) into a bank, co-owner of the group Volodymyr Popereshniuk has said. "Forpost will remain a transaction financial company. In 2016 over 30 million transactions were settled via the company. Initially this is logistics, but in the financial area. We do not plan to create a bank and expand. We will develop these services. Maybe we will invent some wallets, but we do not want to make it a full-featured bank," he said in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine. Popereshniuk said that the banking market is overregulated. "The main reason is that it is hard to create a bank. The market is overregulated. The minor reason is that it is separate business. We do not want to divert our attention from logistics. If there were an opportunity of opening a bank without any problems we would have opened it, as we twice suffered from bank Finance and Credit and National Credit," he said. Earlier in April 2016 co-founder of the group Viacheslav Klymov said that Nova Poshta could create a bank on the basis of Post Finance in the future. Nova Poshta was founded in 2001. The company is a leader on the express delivery market in Ukraine. Its network includes over 2,300 depots and 1,400 pick-up and drop-off points in over 1,000 cities and towns of Ukraine. By Diego Ore | CARACAS CARACAS Venezuela's socialist government said on Thursday it would seek to block CNN's Spanish-language service online after pulling it off the airwaves in anger at its coverage of the South American nation. U.S.-based 'CNN en Espanol' became unavailable on Venezuela's main cable providers from Wednesday, but it could still be seen on YouTube and various other websites. "Managers are coordinating with all internet providers, using the available technology, to make the respective blocks," Andres Mendez, head of state communications regulator Conatel, told state media. 'CNN en Espanol' has often taken a tough line towards President Nicolas Maduro's government, but particularly irked authorities here with a report alleging passports were sold illegally at Venezuela's embassy in Iraq, including to members of the Hezbollah movement.Maduro was also furious at the network for giving prominence to comments by a girl who told him on live TV that some fellow students were fainting from hunger amid the OPEC nation's deep economic crisis.CNN has stood by its reporting on Venezuela. "We believe in the vital role that freedom of press plays in a healthy democracy," it said in a statement on Wednesday.On Thursday, CNN President Jeff Zucker criticized the Maduro government's move. "When authoritarian regimes around the world start attacking journalists like that, we all have a problem," Zucker told reporters at a press luncheon in New York. CNN's Spanish-language service could still be easily accessed online in Venezuela by mid-afternoon on Thursday. A small group of journalists, politicians and activists protested at Conatel's office in Caracas on Thursday, where a few dozen red-shirted government supporters also rallied in support of the measure against CNN. Venezuelan authorities took Colombia's NTN24 TV network off the air in 2014 over its reporting of opposition protests that turned violent, and blocked Argentine news site Infobae. Opponents say Maduro, who has seen his popularity slide since narrowly winning a 2013 election to replace the late Hugo Chavez, has morphed into a dictator by jailing opponents, sidelining the opposition-led congress and delaying local elections.The 54-year-old former bus driver and foreign minister says he is fighting against well-financed coup plotters intent on ending socialist rule in Venezuela with the help of the United States and the connivance of hostile foreign media. Venezuela's spat with CNN has come amid rising tensions with the United States this week.U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed concern over Venezuela in various calls with South American leaders and met with the wife of the country's best-known jailed opposition leader, Leopoldo Lopez. The U.S. Treasury Department has blacklisted Maduro's vice president on accusations of drug-trafficking. (Additional reporting by Girish Gupta in Caracas and Jessica Toonkel in New York; Writing by Andrew Cawthorne; Editing by Paul Simao) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. There are no legal means for halting reverse supplies of gas to Ukraine from Europe, Energy Minister Alexander Novak said in an interview with Interfax. "It is clear to all that these reverse supplies are artificial: gas doesn't arrive in Ukraine from Austria or Slovakia, but from the Velke Kapusany gas distribution station on the Slovakia-Ukraine border, through which Russian gas transits to Europe. This is our Russian gas, only purchased by Ukraine through European intermediaries," Novak said. "Not only that, if the balance of supplies of Russian gas to Europe is analyzed, it can be seen that exports to Slovakia and other European countries last year rose by roughly the amount by which gas supplies to Ukraine declined. That is, the balance of Russian exports has been maintained," he said. "We cannot affect this process legally, since operation of gas pipelines in reverse mode is provided for in European law," he said. "But perhaps, there is no pressing need for this. If Ukraine wants to pay a higher price to European intermediaries, then it's more of a problem for Ukraine itself. In the end, its consumers pay more for gas, significantly more," he said. We already know that Motorola is all set to introduce Moto G5 and Moto G5 Plus smartphones at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2017 in Barcelona on February 26th. Last week a live image of the smartphone confirmed some of the specifications of the smartphone, today complete specifications of the smartphone including press shots have surfaced on a retail site. As you can see from the images, both the phones have a unibody metal design and have moto branding on the front along with a Moto logo on the back. There is also a Lenovo branding on the right side. Both the phones have dual nano SIM cards, but it is not clear if it is a hybrid slot or it will pack 2 nano SIMs as well as a microSD in a single slot like the Moto Z Play. Moto G5 rumored specifications 5-inch (1920 x 1080 pixels) Full HD display with Corning Gorilla glass 3 protection 1.4GHz Octa-Core 64-bit Snapdragon 430 (MSM8937) processor with Adreno 505 GPU 2GB RAM, 32GB internal memory, expandable memory with microSD Android 7.0 (Nougat) Dual SIM (Optional) 13MP rear camera with dual-tone LED flash, PDAF, 1080p video recording 5MP front-facing camera with OmniVision OV5693 sensor Water repellent nano-coating Front-ported loudspeaker Dimensions: 144.3x73x9.5 mm; Weight:145g 4G VoLTE, WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.2, GPS 2800mAh battery Moto G5 Plus rumored specifications 5.2-inch (1920 x 1080 pixels) Full HD display with Corning Gorilla glass 3 protection 2GHz Octa-Core Snapdragon 625 processor with Adreno 506 GPU 2GB/4GB RAM, 64GB internal memory, expandable memory with microSD Android 7.0 (Nougat) Dual SIM (Optional) 12MP rear camera with dual-tone LED flash, Dual-Pixel Autofocus, Sony IMX362 sensor, f/1.7 aperture, 4K video recording 5MP front-facing camera with OmniVision OV5695 sensor, f/2.2 aperture Water repellent nano-coating Fingerprint sensor Front-ported loudspeaker Dimensions: 150.2x74x7.9 mm; Weight:155 g 4G VoLTE, WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n (2.4 GHz + 5 GHz), Bluetooth 4.2, GPS, NFC 3000mAh battery with Turbo charging Motorolas Moto G5 and Moto G5 Plus event is set for February 26th at 4:30 PM CET (9:00 PM IST) at the MWC 2017 in Barcelona. Source 1, 2, 3 It looks like we will soon see a new voice assistant that will join the likes of Siri, Google Assistant and Cortana. Huawei is said to be working on its own digital voice assistant according to a latest report from Bloomberg. The third largest smartphone maker is currently in the early stages of developing the technology with a team of 10 engineers. Initially, Huaweis assistant will target domestic users and communicate in Chinese languages. However, the company will continue to work with Google and Amazon outside China, as per unnamed sources. Last month, Huawei announced it would use Alexa on its Mate 9 smartphone in the US market. Adding its own voice assistant will give Huawei leverage in the fiercely competitive Chinese smartphone market. The company was second largest smartphone maker in China in 2016 with 16.4% market share. Huawei is expected to announce P10 smartphone with dual rear camera on February 26 at MWC 2017 in Barcelona. Source BlackBerry has filed a patent infringement suit against Nokia. The Canadian smartphone maker is alleging that Nokias mobile products like Flexi Multiradio base stations, radio network controllers, and Liquid Radio software are using its patents. BlackBerry is demanding royalties for these products. The aforementioned Nokia products using technology covered by as many as 11 patents owned by BlackBerry, as per the filed complaint. The lawsuit involves products and services that use LTE networks, AT&T and T-Mobile in the US. As per the report, BlackBerry is not seeking a ban on the use of patents however, it is demanding royalty from Nokia as a result of unauthorized use of these patents for its own products. The company claims that as its patented networking technology is essential to a mobile communications standard called 3GPP, it is not keen on banning the use. The exact amount of damages demanded by BlackBerry is not mentioned in the suit. Source Airtel launched 4G on mobile in Bengaluru based on 2300 MHz TDD-LTE (Band 40) last year. Today the company has rolled out 4G services in the 1800 MHz (Band 3) spectrum band using FDD-LTE technology. This will allow customers in the circle to use dual spectrum bands of 2300 MHz and 1800 MHz so that users can get better network coverage and data speeds. This is one of the few cities to get support for dual spectrum bands, similar to Delhi and Bengaluru. Airtel has also expanded its 4G footprint across Maharashtra and Goa to over 400 towns. In the circle Airtel is offering one-time free 4G data upto 10 GB with upgrade to 4G SIM. A new offer also allows customer with any 4G mobile handset who are not on the Airtel network or upgrading to a new 4G device, enjoy 3GB free data, in addition to the regular pack benefits of Rs. 349 recharge. The pack will offer free calls Local & STD plus 4GB data (1GB regular pack benefit + 3GB free data) and may be availed 13 times till 31st December, 2017. Commenting on the launch, Vidur Rattan, Chief Executive Officer Maharashtra & Goa, Bharti Airtel Limited said: We have rolled out a future ready network across Maharashtra and Goa, with enhanced capacity and latest technology. The addition of the second 4G carrier in the 1800 MHz band will enable faster data speeds and better coverage for customers and add to their mobile data experience on our network. We have also expanded our 4G network presence to over 400 towns across the two states under Project Leap and remain committed to the digital vision of the two states. We invite customers to get on to the information superhighway with Airtel 4G. President of the Ukrainian Grain Association (UGA) Volodymyr Klymenko has said that he want to build or buy freight wagons to transport agricultural products in the conditions of a lack of rolling stock if public joint-stock company Ukrzaliznytsia provides a 30% discount. "Farmers have proposed to include the carrier to the supervisory board of representatives of key sectors to return trust to it. We are ready to build wagons themselves if a 30% discount to the tariff is given. In addition, Klymenko recalled the specifics of the sector operation and said that the increase of the tariffs before July 1 is unacceptable for the representatives of the sector," The head of the Verkhovna Rada committee on industrial policy and entrepreneurship, Viktor Halasiuk, said in a press release after the round table held on Tuesday and devoted to the influence of the tariff policy on industry and economy. According to the press release, President of Ukrmetallurgprom Association (Dnipro) Oleksandr Kalenkov said that due to unsatisfactory operation of Ukrzaliznytsia the mining and metal complex of Ukraine saw large losses in H2 2016. Some 3 million tonnes of steel was not made. He said that the structure of the cash cost of the Ukrzaliznytsia's tariff remains non-transparent. "They say that the tariffs are low, while in presentations for European investors they say that return on cargo transportation is 35-50%. Thus using monopoly the railways subsidizes passenger transportation," he said, adding that some tariffs exceed the tariffs in Russia. "This year Ukrzaliznytsia seeks to invest UAH 27 billion. At present, before the increase of the railway tariffs, the company can use UAH 13 billion. Show your effectiveness and then we will give consent to the indexation [of the tariffs]," he said. Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Tourism and Culture, yesterday launched a new initiative of the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India for providing pre-loaded SIM Card to foreign tourists arriving in India on e-Visa. This has has been launched in association with Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd., (BSNL), wherein BSNL would distribute pre-loaded SIM Cards to foreign tourists arriving in India on e-Visa. This facility will be initially available in the Indira Gandhi International Airport (T3 Terminal), New Delhi and later cover remaining 15 international airports, where e-Visa facility is currently available. To avail pre-loaded Sim Card, BSNL will collect e-Visa copy and the first page of passport from foreign tourists on arrival at the airport. This facility is only available for tourists arriving in India on e-Visa. SIM cards will be pre-loaded with a value of Rs. 50 talk time and 50 MB data and will be activated on immediate basis so as to enable them use this facility instantly. [HTML1] This is aimed at providing connectivity to foreign tourists to enable them to stay in touch with their near and dear ones and also help them to contact with the 247 Multi lingual toll free helpline of Ministry of Tourism for any assistance and guidance during times of distress / medical emergency, etc. At the launch, Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Tourism and Culture, said: This unique initiative will facilitate the foreign tourists in communicating with their acquaintances immediately after their arrival in India. Yesterday, ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) made a world record in the history of space exploration by successfully launching 104 satellite by Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) in one go. The PSLV-C37 launched from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota at 9.28am. Out of 104 satellite, 96 belongs to the US, one each from Israel, UAE, Netherlands, Kazakhstan and Switzerland. Its worth mentioning that, after the seventeenth minute the rocket placed the satellite into the orbit one by one with an interval gap of 11 minutes. While many appreciated this amazing work, the recent one to join is none other than the real life Ironman itself. No, not Robert Downey, its Elon Musk. During an interaction with this followers on Twitter, Musk paid his tribute to ISRO on PSLVs 39th mission. [HTML1] [HTML2] Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman has ordered First Deputy Prime Minister and Economic Development and Trade Minister Stepan Kubiv and the National Industrial Development Committee to draw up the industrial production development system. The press service of Ukraine's Cabinet of Ministers, the prime minister held a meeting devoted to support of production of specialized vehicles in Ukraine. "We need a high-quality system to stimulate own production," the prime minister said. Groysman said that the quality of all equipment and vehicles made and bought should be high, and production should be localized in Ukraine as wide as possible. "The main thing that this should not be semi knocked down assembly of vehicles. All aggregates and parts should be by 60% and more made at Ukrainian enterprises. This is jobs and salaries," the prime minister said. When discussing the need to update the fleet of firefighting machinery, the premier noted the need for a medium-term program of such purchases. The meeting was also attended by Finance Minister Oleksandr Danyliuk, First Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade Maksym Nefyodov, Chairman of the State Emergency Service Mykola Chechetkin, the leadership of the Defense Ministry and the Interior Ministry, Automobile Roads of Ukraine. In addition, CEO of PJSC AvtoKrAZ (the only manufacturer of heavy trucks on a full cycle) Roman Cherniak and MP Kostiantyn Zhevaho were present at the meeting. Poroshenko predicts negative consequences in case of continuation of coal supply blockade from Donbas KYIV. Feb 16 (Interfax-Ukraine) In case of a continued blockade of coal supply from Donbas a large number of workers of metallurgical enterprises will lose their jobs, and unemployed miners in the uncontrolled territories will join the ranks of militants, President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko has said. "When the blockade is not terminated and the organizers do not bring Ukrainian metallurgy to a designed capacity, then it may lose up to 300,000 workplaces. Some 300,000 people will remain without job, Poroshenko said at a solemn meeting dedicated to the Day of honoring the combatants in other states in Kyiv on Thursday. He also noted that in this case the state loses up to $2 billion in currency earnings with the corresponding consequences for the hryvnia exchange rate. In addition, Poroshenko said that coal supplies blockade threatens shutdown of heating in many localities. According to him, 10,000 of miners in the occupied territories will lose their jobs. "And a large part will join the militants in order to survive and earn money. And this movement was clearly demonstrated by the Main Intelligence Directorate yesterday," the president said. "So, what is better for us: that they will work at mines or shoot at our soldiers?" the president said reminding that Ukraine is implementing a strategy of restoration the territorial integrity. As GOP lawmakers work toward creating a just-right repeal and replace plan for Obamacare, some legislation being introduced has touched a nerve for AARP and older Americans. In a letter to the Chairman and Ranking member of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee, AARP Senior Vice President Joyce Rogers lashed out against the recently introduced State Age Rating Flexibility Act of 2017, legislation that would allow insurers to charge older Americans significantly more for health insurance. This legislation has a simple explanation -- it would be an age tax -- charging older Americans not yet eligible for Medicare a penalty of five times what others must pay for health insurance. The term age rating is Washington-speak for overcharging older Americans by thousands of dollars for their health care, AARP Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond told FOX Business. Under the ACA, insurers can charge its oldest enrollees up to three times as much as the youngest adult enrollees. The new proposal would change the age rating ratio to 5:1 or even higher. According to a new study from AARPs Public Policy Institute conducted by the independent actuarial firm Milliman, under this proposal, on average, adults age 60 and older would see their insurance bills go up by $3,200 making their average annual premium a whopping $17,900. LeaMond discussed with FOX Business what you need to know. Boomer: What other financial burdens might Boomers face with health-care coverages, if this bill is passed? LeaMond: Charging older Americans five times more for the same coverage just isnt fair and AARP will fight to hold our elected officials accountable for taxing older American families with a burden they dont deserve. Seniors already spend one out of every six dollars on healthcarethey cant afford to spend more. A typical senior without insurance in the individual market has a median income of only $20,000. Asking moderate and middle income older Americans to pay over $3,000 more out of pocket for insurance will put a major squeeze on other necessities. And, this group is already dealing with added expenses from the high prices of prescription drugs. Add to that the fact that many parents pay for their childrens insurance until they turn twenty-six, a bill many are happy to foot, but that certainly adds to their financial burden. Boomer: What is AARP doing to deter the passage of this bill? LeaMond: This week, AARP launched a new campaign to stop the age tax that includes advertising and recess visits by AARP staff and volunteers to members of Congress in the states. AARPs latest efforts come in addition to our continued advocacy of members of Congress and the Trump administration about the age tax. AARP visits with members of Congress will include vocal opposition to the age tax. Our latest efforts follow letters we have sent that lay out the negative impact of the age tax. The ads also come as an addition to AARPs Medicare campaign, which takes on premium support, a proposal that would harm Medicare beneficiaries by turning the successful program into a private voucher program. We are encouraging our members to call their representatives in Congress at 844-617-2688 and urge them to oppose H.R. 708, the bill that would allow insurance companies to charge 50- to 64-year-olds thousands of dollars more for their health care. Remind Congress they should be standing up for their constituents, not insurance companies. You can also send a message to your Representative by going to the following website. For two years in a row, Americans are going to get a little extra time to file their taxes, thanks to a holiday that may be completely unknown to you. In 2017, the tax-filing deadline will be April 18 thanks to Emancipation Day. Emancipation Day is a legal holiday in the District of Columbia, held on April 16 to celebrate the DC Compensated Emancipation Act of 1862 that ended slavery in Washington, DC. The holiday is shifted when April 16 falls on a weekend when Emancipation Day falls on Saturday, it's moved back to Friday, and when Emancipation Day falls on Sunday, it's moved forward to Monday. The tax filing deadline cannot be on a Saturday, Sunday, or a legal holiday. Since Emancipation Day is a legal holiday in DC, closing the IRS offices, it has the same effect on taxes as a national legal holiday. When Emancipation Day and the tax-filing deadline fall on the same day, the tax deadline shifts. For 2017, April 15 falls on a Saturday, and thus the tax deadline would normally be moved to the next Monday, April 17 except Emancipation Day has also been moved to that same day since April 16 falls on a Sunday. Thus, the tax-filing deadline is shifted one more day ahead, to Tuesday, April 18. Residents of the states of Maine and Massachusetts sometimes get another extra day to file thanks to the Patriot's Day holiday, observed there annually on the third Monday of April. When the regular tax deadline in these states coincides with Patriot's Day, either on the regular April 15 deadline, or because of a shift caused by Emancipation Day, the tax deadline is shifted out one day further. This situation occurred last year because Emancipation Day was moved back to Friday, April 15, 2016. That bumped the tax deadline forward to Monday, April 18, 2016. Those in Maine and Massachusetts got an extra day because of the conflict with Patriot's Day on that Monday. In 2017, that will not be the case because Patriot's Day is always held on Monday, but the tax deadline has been bumped to Tuesday, removing the conflict. Simple, isn't it? No? Well, leave it to the IRS to complicate even the simplest of tasks. In case you like to plan way ahead, note that 2020 is the next year that all Americans will return to the traditional April 15 deadline. April 15, 2020, will be a Wednesday, unaffected by either Emancipation Day or Patriot's Day. April 15, 2018, will be a Sunday, normally pushing the tax deadline to Monday April 17, 2018 but because April 16, 2018, is on a Monday and is also Emancipation Day, the tax deadline will again shift to Tuesday, April 18. Patriot's Day 2018 is on a Monday and will not conflict with the tax deadline. April 15, 2019 falls on a Monday, missing Emancipation Day but conflicting with Patriot's Day. Residents of Maine and Massachusetts will have one extra day to file their taxes; everyone else will be back to an April 15 deadline. Procrastinators, beware. You may have a few extra days to file your taxes, but that does not necessarily mean that you should take advantage of them. Filing early could bring you a faster refund. If you owe taxes, you can still defer payment to the due date even if you file ahead. You can also get a jump on any thief trying to file for a fraudulent refund in your name by getting your valid return in first. If that's not enough to convince you, consider one other important reason the satisfaction of having your taxes done and out of the way while others struggle and panic. Watch them from a safe distance, and remember how easily that could have been you. This article was provided by our partners at moneytips.com. Read More From MoneyTips: 5 Reasons To File Your Tax Return Now Check Your Credit Score And Read Your Credit Report For Free 17 Top Tax Deductions for 2017 Crude oil has stabilized above $50 per barrel, which is right in the sweet spot for a select group of oil stocks. What makes these companies unique is that they control prime positions in America's best shale plays, which thanks to a combination of factors are now very profitable at current commodity prices. This scenario has the following crude oil stocks forecasting robust production growth rates, and that could create tremendous value for investors in the future. Crude Oil Stock Enterprise Value Most Recent Production Rate Growth Forecast EOG Resources (NYSE: EOG) $64.3 billion 555,200 BOE/d 15% to 25% compound annual oil growth rate through 2020 at $50 to $60 oil Anadarko Petroleum (NYSE: APC) $53.6 billion 774,000 BOE/d 12% to 14% five-year compound annual oil growth rate at $50 to $60 oil Pioneer Natural Resources (NYSE: PXD) $34.4 billion 242,000 BOE/d 15% compound annual growth through 2016 at $55 oil Devon Energy (NYSE: DVN) $26.5 billion 537,000 BOE/d 13% to 17% exit-to-exit oil growth rate in 2017, 20% growth in 2018 Concho Resources (NYSE: CXO) $22.5 billion 152,900 BOE/d 18% to 21% companywide output growth in 2017 and 20% oil growth through 2019 Data source: Devon Energy, EOG Resources, Anadarko Petroleum, Pioneer Natural Resources, and Concho Resources. (BOE/d = barrels of oil equivalent per day) The shale king Before the oil market downturn, EOG Resources was one of the fastest-growing large-cap oil producers in the country. However, it slammed the brakes on growth once crude started to plunge and refocused its attention on driving down costs and improving well productivity to boost drilling returns. Those initiatives have proven to be wildly successful as EOG Resources has been able to identify roughly 6,000 drilling locations spread across several shale plays that can earn premium returns in the current market environment, which it defines as 30% after-tax at flat $40 oil. EOG Resources expects to use that drilling inventory to fuel 15% to 25% oil growth through 2020 at $50 to $60 oil, respectively. That's a remarkable growth rate for a company of its size. Image source: Anadarko Petroleum. Repositioned and ready to roll Anadarko Petroleum spent much of the downturn focused on repositioning so it could grow at lower oil prices. However, aside from driving down costs, the company also restructured its portfolio by jettisoning some lower-margin gas assets and its Eagle Ford shale position, while bulking up in the Gulf of Mexico. As a result, Anadarko Petroleum controls a cash cow in the Gulf that it intends to use to fuel robust production growth from its shale position in the Delaware Basin side of the Permian Basin and the DJ Basin in the Rockies. The company expects these two shale plays to fuel double-digit compound annual oil output growth over the next five years as long as crude is between $50 to $60 per barrel. Powered by the Permian Unlike EOG and Anadarko, which expect several shale plays to fuel growth going forward, Pioneer Natural Resources has one focus: the Midland Basin portion of the Permian. While the company does control some land in the Eagle Ford, it is currently the largest acreage holder in the Midland by a long shot. More importantly, that prime Permian real estate holds an estimated 11 billion barrels of oil equivalent resource potential according to Pioneer. Its rocks are so saturated with hydrocarbons that the company expectsto drill 20,000 future wells on its acreage position. It recently unveiled a 10-year development plan that it expects will grow production and cash flow by a compound annual growth rate of 15% and 20%, respectively, by 2026 as long as crude averages $55 per barrel. If it can achieve those robust growth rates, its output would average 1 million BOE/d and its cash flow could top $10 billion annually. Image source: Pioneer Natural Resources, Sands Weems. Ramping back up Devon Energy has taken Anadarko's approach during the downturn, focusing mostof its efforts on adding to its ability to grow by subtracting non-core assets that were holding it back. As a result, the company now has a portfolio it can be proud of, which includes prime spots in both the Delaware side of the Permian and the STACK play of Oklahoma. It plans to use these regions to restart production growth this year, with it expecting oil output to rise by double digits compared to where it ended last year. Furthermore, thanks to the high-margin nature of these wells, Devon Energy sees its cash flow soaring and anticipates that it will deliver peer-leading cash flow growth this year, putting it in the position to accelerate its oil growth rate next year. The Permian pure play Concho Resources has one thing in common with all the other oil stocks on this list, which is a prime position in the Permian Basin. However, what's unique about Concho compared to rival Permian pure-play Pioneer Natural Resources is that it controls land across the basin and not just in the Midland, which gives it more opportunities to expand via acquisitions. Overall, Concho has identified about 18,000 future drilling locations on its land, which it estimates can recover as much as 5 billion BOE of resources. While Concho doesn't have quite as ambitious a growth forecast as Pioneer, the company still anticipates that it can deliver 20% oil growth through 2019 at current crude prices. Investor takeaway One thing all five of these oil companies have in common is that each controls a prime acreage position in the oil-rich Permian Basin. Because of that, these companies can drill wells that earn fantastic returns at $50 oil, which will provide them with the cash flow to fuel remarkable production growth rates even if crude barely budges. This high-margin growth has the potential to create tremendous value for investors as these oil companies put the recent market downturn in the rearview mirror. 10 stocks we like better than EOG ResourcesWhen investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.* David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy right now... and EOG Resources wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys. Click here to learn about these picks! *Stock Advisor returns as of February 6, 2017 Matt DiLallo has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of Devon Energy and EOG Resources. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. ROSARIO, Argentina (Reuters) - When a boat carrying soy oil destined for India ran aground on the Parana River near Buenos Aires in late January, ships loaded with most of Argentina's grains exports were blocked for hours. It was the latest accident on one of the world's great food highways, which is straining to carry rising volumes of Argentine agricultural products embarking on the first leg of the journey from the fields of the Pampas to the feeding troughs of cattle, pigs and chickens worldwide. Increasing congestion on the Parana, which carries 80 percent of Argentina's grains exports, could hamper President Mauricio Macri's efforts to expand farm output and pull the country out of recession. Macri wants Argentina to grow 25 percent more grains to boost rural income and has cut export taxes to attract more investment in the sector. But to haul all that grain to market, Macri needs the log jams on the river to end. The government is studying how to accommodate the growing flotilla plying the waterway without driving up shipping costs - which could cancel out the benefits of the export tax cut to farmers and agricultural businesses. "The entire river system is at its current limit," said Koen Robijns, Argentine operations manager for Jan De Nul, the privately-owned, Luxemburg-based company that operates the Parana and is responsible for dredging. The grounding in January made commerce grind to a halt, Robijns said in an interview aboard one of the company's dredging vessels near Argentina's main grains hub of Rosario, some 300 kilometers northwest of Buenos Aires. "Every ship behind it, all the way up to Rosario, had to stop or slow down for more than an hour," he said. Efforts to develop the waterway to carry more of Argentina's burgeoning exports, however, could be delayed by negotiations between the channel's operator and the traders that ship grain along it. Jan De Nul favors dredging the channel deeper. The firm declined to provide an estimate on how much that would cost, but the shippers say the bill would be billions of dollars. That would likely mean an increase in the toll, currently $3 per net ton, which the shippers would pass on by paying the farmers less for their grains. The world's largest bulk grains traders Bunge, Cargill [CARG.UL], Louis Dreyfus Company [AKIRAU.UL] and ADM - who together ship much of the grain exported via the Parana - would prefer the less expensive option of widening the river at trouble spots, said two industry groups representing the shippers and traders using the waterway. The industry groups declined to give an estimate on how much cheaper it would be to widen rather than deepen the river. "Rather than dredging deeper, we need wider curves in places where vessels have run aground," said Guillermo Wade, a spokesman for the Rosario-based maritime chamber. Macri's government says it aims to cut the cost of exporting grains by 30 percent, including lowering tolls on waterways. But the government has not said yet which option it favors, and is unlikely to do so until a report on the project is completed. Bunge, Cargill and Louis Dreyfus declined to comment. ADM did not respond to requests for comment. PUSHING THE LIMIT Argentina is the world's top exporter of soymeal feed for animals, key to global meat production and meeting the protein needs of a global population growing toward 9 billion. The South American country is also the world's third-largest supplier of corn and soybeans and the seventh largest supplier of wheat. Macri's government expects farm output of 130 million tonnes this season, up from 123 million before he took office. Macri is targeting 150 million tonnes by the end of his first term in late 2019. Groundings are becoming more common as exporters, under pressure to haul as much grain as possible, often overload vessels. There were 15 groundings on the waterway last year, up from 12 in 2015 and nine the previous year, according to port data. The January accident took place in the Mitre section of the Parana, just north of the capital city Buenos Aires. The same vessel, the Theresa Success, ran aground near Rosario several days earlier. That time, it took longer for tug boats to pry the vessel loose, but traffic was able to move around the blockage as the river was wider there. Baltzer, the vessel's Rosario-based shipping agency, declined to comment on the groundings. Other incidents have seen ships stuck for days while floating cranes arrive to unload cargo until vessels are light enough to float. TOLLS AND TOP OFFS Jan De Nul has had the Parana concession since 1995. The contract ends in 2021, and the company wants to renew it. The toll it charges for plying the waterway is negotiated by Jan De Nul, the port terminal owners and the government. The Parana's shipping canal is maintained at 34 feet from the ocean to the port of San Martin, 35 kilometers north of Rosario, said Pieter Jan De Nul, an area manager for the company and son of its owner. The firm could easily dredge to 36 feet, he said. The additional two feet of depth would allow larger vessels carrying several thousand tonnes more cargo to load in Rosario before heading out to sea, he said. Larger cargoes would reduce shipping costs. Currently, traders have to load part of their cargo in Rosario and then stop to add more in deep-water Atlantic ports before heading into international waters. That means additional port and loading costs, as well as longer shipping times. The privately-owned Rosario Grains Exchange favors deepening, because larger ships could load and therefore fewer vessels would be needed to carry the rising volume of grains. "Everyone wins with the deepening of the Parana River," analysts for the exchange said in a report. Deputy Transport Secretary Jorge Metz said the service on the river needs to improve, as delays can cost shippers $40,000 to $50,000 a day, a cost that is eventually passed on to farmers. Decades of underinvestment in roads and rail have made transportation one of the biggest costs faced by growers, said Martin Fraguio, executive director of the Maizar corn industry chamber. "Argentina has the possibility of increasing its farm production enormously," he said. "We need the Parana to be as competitive as possible, as soon as possible." (Additional reporting by Caroline Stauffer; Editing by Simon Webb and Brian Thevenot) When a boat carrying soy oil destined for India ran aground on the Parana River near Buenos Aires in late January, ships loaded with most of Argentina's grains exports were blocked for hours. It was the latest accident on one of the world's great food highways, which is straining to carry rising volumes of Argentine agricultural products embarking on the first leg of the journey from the fields of the Pampas to the feeding troughs of cattle, pigs and chickens worldwide. Increasing congestion on the Parana, which carries 80 percent of Argentina's grains exports, could hamper President Mauricio Macri's efforts to expand farm output and pull the country out of recession. Macri wants Argentina to grow 25 percent more grains to boost rural income and has cut export taxes to attract more investment in the sector. But to haul all that grain to market, Macri needs the log jams on the river to end. The government is studying how to accommodate the growing flotilla plying the waterway without driving up shipping costs - which could cancel out the benefits of the export tax cut to farmers and agricultural businesses. "The entire river system is at its current limit," said Koen Robijns, Argentine operations manager for Jan De Nul, the privately-owned, Luxemburg-based company that operates the Parana and is responsible for dredging. The grounding in January made commerce grind to a halt, Robijns said in an interview aboard one of the company's dredging vessels near Argentina's main grains hub of Rosario, some 300 kilometers northwest of Buenos Aires. "Every ship behind it, all the way up to Rosario, had to stop or slow down for more than an hour," he said. Efforts to develop the waterway to carry more of Argentina's burgeoning exports, however, could be delayed by negotiations between the channel's operator and the traders that ship grain along it. Jan De Nul favors dredging the channel deeper. The firm declined to provide an estimate on how much that would cost, but the shippers say the bill would be billions of dollars. That would likely mean an increase in the toll, currently $3 per net ton, which the shippers would pass on by paying the farmers less for their grains. The world's largest bulk grains traders Bunge, Cargill [CARG.UL], Louis Dreyfus Company [AKIRAU.UL] and ADM - who together ship much of the grain exported via the Parana - would prefer the less expensive option of widening the river at trouble spots, said two industry groups representing the shippers and traders using the waterway. The industry groups declined to give an estimate on how much cheaper it would be to widen rather than deepen the river. "Rather than dredging deeper, we need wider curves in places where vessels have run aground," said Guillermo Wade, a spokesman for the Rosario-based maritime chamber. Macri's government says it aims to cut the cost of exporting grains by 30 percent, including lowering tolls on waterways. But the government has not said yet which option it favors, and is unlikely to do so until a report on the project is completed. Bunge, Cargill and Louis Dreyfus declined to comment. ADM did not respond to requests for comment. PUSHING THE LIMIT Argentina is the world's top exporter of soymeal feed for animals, key to global meat production and meeting the protein needs of a global population growing toward 9 billion. The South American country is also the world's third-largest supplier of corn and soybeans and the seventh largest supplier of wheat. Macri's government expects farm output of 130 million tonnes this season, up from 123 million before he took office. Macri is targeting 150 million tonnes by the end of his first term in late 2019. Groundings are becoming more common as exporters, under pressure to haul as much grain as possible, often overload vessels. There were 15 groundings on the waterway last year, up from 12 in 2015 and nine the previous year, according to port data. The January accident took place in the Mitre section of the Parana, just north of the capital city Buenos Aires. The same vessel, the Theresa Success, ran aground near Rosario several days earlier. That time, it took longer for tug boats to pry the vessel loose, but traffic was able to move around the blockage as the river was wider there. Baltzer, the vessel's Rosario-based shipping agency, declined to comment on the groundings. Other incidents have seen ships stuck for days while floating cranes arrive to unload cargo until vessels are light enough to float. TOLLS AND TOP OFFS Jan De Nul has had the Parana concession since 1995. The contract ends in 2021, and the company wants to renew it. The toll it charges for plying the waterway is negotiated by Jan De Nul, the port terminal owners and the government. The Parana's shipping canal is maintained at 34 feet from the ocean to the port of San Martin, 35 kilometers north of Rosario, said Pieter Jan De Nul, an area manager for the company and son of its owner. The firm could easily dredge to 36 feet, he said. The additional two feet of depth would allow larger vessels carrying several thousand tonnes more cargo to load in Rosario before heading out to sea, he said. Larger cargoes would reduce shipping costs. Currently, traders have to load part of their cargo in Rosario and then stop to add more in deep-water Atlantic ports before heading into international waters. That means additional port and loading costs, as well as longer shipping times. The privately-owned Rosario Grains Exchange favors deepening, because larger ships could load and therefore fewer vessels would be needed to carry the rising volume of grains. "Everyone wins with the deepening of the Parana River," analysts for the exchange said in a report. Deputy Transport Secretary Jorge Metz said the service on the river needs to improve, as delays can cost shippers $40,000 to $50,000 a day, a cost that is eventually passed on to farmers. Decades of underinvestment in roads and rail have made transportation one of the biggest costs faced by growers, said Martin Fraguio, executive director of the Maizar corn industry chamber. "Argentina has the possibility of increasing its farm production enormously," he said. "We need the Parana to be as competitive as possible, as soon as possible." (Additional reporting by Caroline Stauffer; Editing by Simon Webb and Brian Thevenot) In case you missed it, General Motors (NYSE: GM) set off a mini-firestorm in Germany this week after it was confirmed that French automaker PSA Group was in discussions to purchase GM's European Opel/Vauxhall business. While GM hasn't turned a profit in Europe since 1998, its crosstown rival Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) isn't considering an exit from Europe, and just posted some pretty solid sales results in January. By the numbers Ford's sales in its traditional 20 European markets ("Euro 20") jumped 11% in January to 107,700 units. That was good enough to become Ford's best January for total vehicle sales in Europe since 2008 -- not a bad way to kick off the new year. The uptick in sales helped Ford increase its market share by 10 basis points to 8% compared to the prior year. Zooming out to include all the markets Ford sells into ("Euro 50"), the automaker's sales jumped a similar 11% to 117,200 units during January. That drove its Euro 50 market share 20 basis points higher, to 7.8%. Key highlights Ford's Ranger. Image source: Ford Motor Company. Ford's commercial business has come on strong in recent years, and January was no different. Its commercial vehicle sales grew 21% in January to 25,600 vehicles in its Euro 20 markets, for the best January in company history. Not only were sales up, but its market share remains dominant at 14%, a 140-basis-point improvement compared to the prior year, solidifying Ford as the No. 1 commercial vehicle brand in Europe. Another highlight within the data came from Ford's more profitable trims. Ford's high-series vehicles, which include Titanium trims, Vignale models, ST-Line, ST, and RS, represented 64% of its sales in Euro 20, a 300-basis-point improvement over the prior year. Even Ford's SUV sales posted a strong month, with a 35% gain to 16,700 units, thanks to strong consumer demand for Ford's Kuga (Escape), EcoSport, and Edge. More specifically, sales of the Kuga rose 24% last month to 9,900 vehicles, for its best January since launching in 2008. Sales of the EcoSport jumped 16% in January to top 5,000 vehicles, for its best January sales since 2014. Not to be outdone, even the Ranger posted a solid increase, per Ford's press release: "The tough, rugged and technologically advanced Ford Ranger is the best-selling vehicle in its segment for all of 2016. Ranger sales nearly doubled to 3,800 in January 2017, making it the best January for Ranger sales since the vehicle launched in 1999." It's no secret that turning a profit in Europe has been tough sledding since the recession, and despite Ford posting a profit there for 2016, investors would be wise to temper bottom-line expectations in the near term, due to the U.K. opting to leave the European Union. While headwinds from Brexit are going to throw a wrench into Ford's bottom-line success this year, if you focus solely on its brand and product demand, evident through rising sales similar to January, theremight be a silver lining for investors. 10 stocks we like better than FordWhen investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.* David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy right now... and Ford wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys. Click here to learn about these picks! *Stock Advisor returns as of February 6, 2017 Daniel Miller owns shares of Ford and General Motors. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Ford. The Motley Fool recommends General Motors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Oil prices reversed gains to trade nearly 1 percent lower on Thursday but continued to hold in a tight range as the market weighed swelling U.S. inventories against possible renewed efforts by major oil producers to reduce a price-sapping glut. Crude futures rose earlier after sources said the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries may consider extending its oil supply-reduction pact with non-members and might even apply deeper cuts if global crude inventories failed to drop to a targeted level. By 10:34 a.m. ET (1534 GMT), Brent crude was down 48 cents, or 0.9 percent, at $55.27 a barrel while U.S. light crude dropped 26 cents, or 0.4 percent, to $52.85 a barrel. Prices have traded in a tight $5-range since OPEC and other exporters including Russia agreed last year to cut output by 1.8 million barrels per day (bpd) to reduce a price-sapping glut. The deal took effect on Jan. 1 and lasts six months. OPEC's supply pact could be extended by May if all major producers showed "effective cooperation," an OPEC source told Reuters. "There's a good chance and high odds that the group (OPEC) decides that they want to continue this process," Energy Aspects analyst Richard Mallinson said. Most producers appear to be sticking to the deal so far but it is unclear how much impact the supply reductions are having on world oil inventories that are close to record highs. U.S. oil inventories have risen sharply in the past six weeks, with crude and U.S. gasoline inventories hitting all-time records last week, the U.S. Energy Department said on Wednesday. Analysts say that the market is setting up for a possible fall if inventories do not start to decline soon. "The market's response to yesterday's stats suggests it continues to focus on forward expectations of further rebalance through production cuts and increased demand, but doesn't have any oomph to push higher," said Gene McGillian, manager of market research at Tradition Energy in Stamford, Connecticut. "But the massive overhang over oil and gasoline inventories continues to put doubts in the minds of the bulls." The anticipation that OPEC's cuts - and surprisingly high level of adherence to those production reductions - will start to reduce inventories has kept traders heavily invested in futures contracts betting on more gains. As of last week, non-commercial traders had a net long position of 477,000 U.S. crude contracts, just short of the previous week's level that represented a record long position in oil futures, according to data from the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission. (By David Gaffen; Additional reporting by Henning Gloystein in Singapore; Editing by Marguerita Choy and Adrian Croft) When you're ready to start saving for the future, opening an IRAcan be a fantastic way to start. But where you open an account can have a big impact on what you pay, and what you invest in. In the article below, we'll compare two popular discount brokers, TradeStation and Charles Schwab, to see how they compare for IRA accounts. Commission prices -- costs matter TradeStation and Charles Schwab both make trading simple and inexpensive. The table below dissects each brokers' commission prices by investment type. Brokerage Stocks and ETFs Stock Options Mutual Funds TradeStation $8.99 per trade (or $0.01 per share, $1 minimum) $8.99 + $0.70 per contract (or flat rate of $1.00 per contract) $14.95 per purchase Charles Schwab $6.95 per trade $6.95 + $0.70 per contract $76.00 per purchase Data source: company websites. Notably, investors rarely pay the full published price on every trade. TradeStation rewards active traders with lower commissions that can fall as low as $4.99 per trade, or $0.002 per share. Charles Schwab has one of the largest list of investments that you can make for free, with thousands of mutual funds and ETFs that are free of commissions and transaction fees. Savvy shoppers can also collect on some bonuses when they open an account. See if you qualify for a special offer for opening an IRA account. Mutual funds, ETFs, and commission-free choices TradeStation and Charles Schwab differ greatly when it comes to fund selection. The table below shows how they compare on funds, including fee-free fund choices. Brokerage Total Mutual Funds No-Load, No-Transaction-Fee Funds (NTF) Commission-Free ETFs TradeStation More than 12,100 None None Charles Schwab More than 5,400 More than 3,200 More than 200 (Schwab, Guggenheim, PIMCO, and more) Data sources:Barron's, company websites and representatives. Note how the availability of fee-free funds can reduce or eliminate commissions. While Charles Schwab's standard mutual fund commission of $76 is more than five times higher than TradeStation's fee, investors who stick to the 3,400+ funds on Schwab's fee-free list will pay nothing at all. Of course, TradeStation would be the less expensive broker for funds that aren't on Schwab's list of free funds. Minimum deposit requirement for IRAs When it comes to minimum deposits, brokers' requirements can vary substantially. TradeStation requires that investors deposit a minimum of $5,500 to open an IRA account. Charles Schwab requires a $1,000 minimum deposit for new IRAs, but the minimum is waived for clients who make automatic monthly deposits of $100 or more. TradeStation and Charles Schwab bring Wall Street to the masses with IRA account minimums that are lower than most full-service brokers. Image source: Getty Images. International stocks and ADRs Not all brokers offer the same access to foreign markets. Many brokers only allow their clients to invest in foreign companies by investing in stocks or funds with U.S. tickers (TradeStation) while others offer the ability to send orders to foreign stock exchanges (Charles Schwab). The table below compares these two brokers on access to international stocks and ADRs. Type of Investment TradeStation Charles Schwab American depositary receipts(ADRs) Yes Yes Stocks traded on international stock markets No Yes (12 markets electronically, up to 30 through its Global Services desk) Mutual funds and ETFs of foreign stocks Yes Yes Data sources: company websites and representatives. Note that standard commission prices do not include trades on foreign markets. Schwab customers pay "the greater of the broker-assisted trade schedule or $100, or 0.75% of principal" to place trades on international exchanges. Mobile app reviews You can check your account and make trades from your mobile phone or tablet from anywhere around the world. Here's how each broker's users and customers rated their mobile trading apps, as of Feb. 14, 2017. Brokerage Apple App Store Google Play TradeStation 4.0 stars 4.3 stars Charles Schwab 4.3 stars 3.9 stars Data source: relevant app stores. Fees on IRA accounts Fee schedules can be opaque, but there are two fees that are generally avoidable. Maintenance fees, or service fees, are the most basic type of fee. A maintenance fee is usually charged just for keeping an account open. The second type of fee is an inactivity fee, or a charge assessed to accounts that do not meet a brokers' minimum trading requirements. TradeStation charges an annual IRA account fee of $35. In addition, it charges a monthly minimum activity fee of $99.95 if you don't maintain a balance of at least $100,000 or fail to meet minimum trading requirements. Minimum monthly trading requirements include meeting one of the following: 10 round-turn futures and/or futures options contracts, 50 options contracts traded, or 5,000 shares traded. Charles Schwab does not charge a maintenance fee or inactivity fee. TradeStation vs. Charles Schwab: Better broker for IRAs Depending on how you invest, either TradeStation or Charles Schwab could be a good choice. On one hand, TradeStation may appeal to particularly active stock and option traders, who naturally stand to benefit most from its volume-based commission prices. On the other hand, Charles Schwab may win over investors who trade less frequently, and who therefore have a preference for lower minimum deposit requirements, no on-going fees, and a wide selection of fee-free funds. The truth is that every broker caters to a particular subset of the market, and for that reason, there isn't a perfect brokerage for every type of investor. It's all about how a broker's pricing and capabilities fit within the specific requirements of your portfolio. To be clear, The Motley Fool does not endorse any particular brokerage, but we can help you find one that is a good fit for you. VisitFool.com's IRA Centerto compare several brokers all on one page, and see if you qualify for any special offers for opening a new account. 10 stocks we like better thanWal-MartWhen investing geniuses David and TomGardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter theyhave run for over a decade, the Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.* David and Tomjust revealed what they believe are theten best stocksfor investors to buy right now... and Wal-Mart wasn't one of them! That's right -- theythink these 10 stocks are even better buys. Click hereto learn about these picks! *StockAdvisor returns as of December 12, 2016The author(s) may have a position in any stocks mentioned. Jordan Wathen has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Giant integrated energy stocks was hammered by the oil downturn. That's old news now that oil price trends are starting to improve. If you have a positive outlook for the oil industry, now could be the right time to step in and buy one of these high-yield stocks. However, the downturn was a stark reminder of the risks inherent in this cyclical industry. Which is exactly why the top big oil dividend stock is ExxonMobil (NYSE: XOM). Safety first When you look at the integrated oil giants, ExxonMobil stands out. First, as an income investor, you'll be attracted to its streak of 34 consecutive years of annual dividend increases. Only Chevron (NYSE: CVX) comes close to that, with 29 years of annual hikes. After that, the pickings get slim. Royal Dutch Shell (NYSE: RDS-B), for example, has one of highest yields in the industry, but it hasn't increased its dividend for three years. Italian energy giant ENI (NYSE: E), meanwhile, cut its dividend during the downturn. Image source: ExxonMobil. So while Exxon's 3.6% yield is at the low end of the industry, it has proven to be one of the most secure payments. If you are looking for income, safety should be a key consideration. And on that score, Exxon has proven it cares greatly about rewarding its shareholders in good years and bad. There's more to this story But Exxon didn't get to 34 years because it was lucky. It got there because of a conservative business model that focuses on operational excellence. For example, Exxon's debt is toward the low end of the industry. That's a trend that's been in place for years because of management's conservative bias. A modest debt load gives Exxon the flexibility to deal with adversity. XOM Debt-to-Equity Ratio (Quarterly) data by YCharts. Yes, debt levels rose during the oil downturn, but they remain at reasonable levels. Long-term debt, for example, made up a modest 15% (or so) of the capital structure at the end of the third quarter. The added leverage was used to protect the company's dividend and to support its capital investments during the lean years. That's an intelligent use of the balance sheet that protects investors and the company's long-term future without sacrificing safety. For comparison, Royal Dutch Shell's long-term debt makes up around 30% of its capital structure. That's not outlandish, but you can see why it hit the pause button on annual dividend hikes. Then there's Exxon's long history of investing its shareholders' money better than its peers. The quickest way to see that is looking at return on invested capital, a metric where Exxon leads the pack year in and year out. With its low debt and smart investing, it's little wonder Exxon was able to remain in the black throughout the current downturn while many of its peers fell into the red. Note that Chevron, the only integrated oil giant with a dividend history as strong as Exxon's, was among the competitors that lost money during the downturn. Exxon really does stand out. XOM Return on Invested Capital (TTM) data by YCharts. The perfect combination I'm not suggesting that Chevron, Eni, Shell, BP, or Total are bad companies.There are reasons to like them all. However, for dividend investors, Exxon stands above the pack as the best dividend stock in the oil industry. It's one of the best-run oil companies around, has a relatively low level of debt, and its history of protecting its dividend is top notch. It isn't the highest-yielding oil giant, but it's probably the safest. And if safety is as important to you as it is to me when analyzing a dividend stock, Exxon should hold the top spot on your oil short list. 10 stocks we like better than ExxonMobilWhen investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.* David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy right now... and ExxonMobil wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys. Click here to learn about these picks! *Stock Advisor returns as of February 6, 2017 Reuben Brewer owns shares of ExxonMobil. The Motley Fool owns shares of ExxonMobil. The Motley Fool recommends Chevron and Total. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. President Donald Trump on Thursday nominated former National Labor Relations Board member R. Alexander Acosta to serve as U.S. secretary of labor, one day after Trump's original choice withdrew. Acosta is dean of the Florida International University College of Law in Miami and is Trump's first Hispanic nominee. Acosta has had a decades-long public service career, serving in three presidentially appointed and Senate-confirmed positions, and is expected to face a smooth confirmation process. "Mr. Acosta's nomination is off to a good start because he's already been confirmed by the Senate three times," said Senator Lamar Alexander, who chairs the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions that will be vetting the nomination. Acosta was appointed to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) by former Republican President George W. Bush, who also appointed him to be assistant attorney general in the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division. He was then appointed to be U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Florida, where he went after high-profile defendants such as Jack Abramoff and UBS, resulting in the Swiss bank paying more than $750 million in fines for a tax-avoidance scheme. Acosta also previously served as a law clerk to Samuel Alito from 1994 to 1995, when the conservative Supreme Court justice was a judge at the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. While at the NLRB, Acosta signed hundreds of opinions. Those familiar with his work describe him as a careful and cautious public servant whose career trajectory suggested he may someday vie for a federal judgeship. Because he has already gone through multiple vettings by the U.S. Senate, it is unlikely there will be any surprises in his background that could derail his nomination. The choice of Acosta, a traditional Republican conservative, is seen by some as a sign that Trump was forced to give up a more aggressive policy on worker issues. Trump's first labor secretary pick, Andrew Puzder, the chief executive officer of CKE Restaurants Inc, was outspoken in opposition to issues such as overtime pay, minimum wage hikes and even discussed the superiority of robots over human workers. He removed his name from consideration on Wednesday amid concerns he could not garner enough Senate votes to be confirmed. "This is the humbling of Donald Trump," said Seth Harris, a former Acting Labor Secretary during the Obama administration, who said Puzder would have been a "radical disruptor" but Acosta won't be. Acosta has been a staunch defender of the civil rights of Muslims who faced a backlash after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States. In a 2011 congressional hearing, Acosta applauded how the Justice Department responded to civil rights violations, saying they helped assure Muslim Americans that "their government would protect their rights." But progressive groups were already responding negatively to the Acosta appointment with Allied Progress alleging he had mismanaged the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division when he ran it. In 2008, an internal Justice Department report faulted Acosta for failing to rein in a staffer who engaged in improper politicized hiring. (By Steve Holland and Robert Iafolla; Additional reporting by Amanda Becker and Roberta Rampton; Writing by Susan Heavey and Sarah N. Lynch; Editing by Linda Stern and James Dalgleish) The Ford Ranger has returned. Just a few weeks after the automaker confirmed its bringing back the small pickup model in 2019, a prototype has been spotted undergoing testing on public roads in Michigan. The body of the camouflaged truck appears to be identical to the one on the Ranger that Ford currently builds and sells in other countries, which Ford is basing the new Michigan-made Ranger on. Chevrolet did the same thing when it reintroduced the Colorado to the USA in 2015, but while it looks much like its foreign market Colorado, its been significantly reengineered with more capability to better meet the expectations of American truck buyers. Thats likely the case with the Ranger, which could also end up getting a new body design by the time it goes on sale. FORD CONFIRMS RETURN OF RANGER PICKUP AND BRONCO SUV The undercover truck is a fairly conventional crew cab with a solid rear axle and front independent suspension. While its engine is unknown, todays Rangers are sold with four-cylinder gas and diesel engines, along with a version of the five-cylinder diesel found in the Ford Transit van. Its likely the American Ranger will be available with one or two of those and at least one V6 to compete with the other small pickups that all offer them in the United States. With an on sale date expected late next year, the official production version of the new Ranger should make its debut at the 2018 North American Auto Show in Detroit in January. ---------- BIG CHANGES, AND A BRONCO, COMING TO FORD TRUCKS: Russia in 2003 grabbed half of Dmytro Firtash's business for the supply of gas from Central Asia, the businessman has said in an interview with Bloomberg. "I didn't enter their business. They entered my business. All that I earned myself, I was supposed to share with Gazprom," Firtash said. Bloomberg stated, with reference to Firtash, until 2003 he independently controlled the supplies from Central Asia of about 68 billion cubic meters of gas per year (14-17 billion cubic meters of this volume were exported to Europe, the rest was sold in Ukraine). Negotiations between Firtash and Russians have lasted for about a year, they resulted in the creation of a new company, RosUkrEnergo, with the distribution of shares. As reported, RosUkrEnergo trader was established by Gazprom and Centragas Holding AG on a parity basis in summer 2004. RosUkrEnergo in 2006-2008 was the monopoly supplier of natural gas to Ukraine. Centragas Holding AG belongs to Ukrainian businessmen Dmytro Firtash (90%) and Ivan Fursin (10%). In 2014 Gazprom and Centragas decided to liquidate RosUkrEnergo. Beauty is hard work just ask Matt Damon. The 46-year-old actor, who stars in The Great Wall, had to take on a transformation of epic proportions. MATT DAMON PLANS TO PITCH TRUMP ON CLEAN WATER Id never done that before 700 extensions [and] it took 12 hours, explained Damon on getting his hair ready for the role to E! News. The tiny glue [extensions], which is weird. And then I lived with it for five monthsThe kids loved it. The kids were into it for like a week and then they kind of forgot about it. I got good at doing the hair ties, just to get a ponytail up. Damon appears in the action flick as an English mercenary who battles monsters in ancient China, which required warrior-esque tresses that he doesnt naturally have. However, what became of Damons new mane? He revealed its somewhere in Hungary. MATT DAMON DEFENDS ROLE IN 'THE GREAT WALL' I flew from China and went to do a day of extra filming on The Martian and so I flew to Hungary, landed, went into the production office, and cut all that hair off, and left it on the floor on Hungary, he said. It was a rats nest It was so gross. It was so nasty. And that wasnt the only thing Damon struggled with while on set. With a CGI arrow, Im pretty damn good, he explained on his character shooting a bow and arrow. But with an actual arrow, not so much. You can catch Damon and his hair on the film went it debuts in theaters on Friday. Sofia Vergara has filed papers to prevent her ex-fiance Nick Loeb from bringing the former couples two frozen embryos to term. As Page Six first reported, a suit was filed against Vergara on behalf of the embryos which were named Emma and Isabella in the suit in December. TMZ reports that, on Tuesday, Vergara responded by filing court documents in LA arguing that any suit is invalid because Loeb already signed paperwork agreeing that he cannot bring the embryos to term without her consent. The site says that the Modern Family actress is seeking a court order quashing Loebs suit, as well as money, presumably to compensate her for the legal costs she has racked up during the long debacle. This article originally appeared in Page Six. Restaurant workers and owners across the country are hoping Thursdays A Day Without Immigrants walkout will make a powerful statement that foreign laborers have a serious sway when it comes to economic power in America. Amalita Silva, owner of El Burrito Mercado in St. Paul, Minn., said her employees asked her to join the grassroots campaign of immigrants to stay home, close their businesses and refrain from dining out and making purchases on Feb. 16. She said she spoke with her management team, and they decided unanimously to join the boycott. The market and restaurant are closing, which equals about 100 employees, said Silva, whose Mexican-immigrant grandparents opened El Burrito Mercado in 1979. She said shed lose money she wouldnt say how much but she insisted that was not the point. Its worth it to support our employees, she said. Our grandparents were immigrants. The boycott shows the hit the economy will take if every business does this. Immigrants helped make this country what it is. They help make it successful. KEVIN DURANT, TEAM DINE AT OKLAHOMA RESTAURANT AFTER OWNERS DENY REQUEST TO RENT IT OUT And it isnt just small mom-and-pop restaurants that are closing their doors on Thursday. "If members of my team decide to protest I will support their decision, "Top Chef" judge Tom Colicchio wrote on Twitter. If members of my team decide to protest I will support their decision. https://t.co/v3mjoU7p85 Tom Colicchio (@tomcolicchio) February 15, 2017 On Wednesday, chef Rick Bayless, known for his upscale Mexican cuisine, announced he would be closing four restaurants Thursday as his workers participate in the walkout in Chicago. "For three decades, weve been a place that has welcomed, respected and promoted our immigrant staff, friends and restaurant family," Bayless wrote in a statement. Two of his restaurants, Cruz Blanca and Lena Brava, will remain open for employees who still want to work but the chef says he plans to donate "10 percent of gross revenue" to the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. In the nation's capital, the owner of the local cafe chain Busboys and Poets' is allowing any of his 600 employees to use a vacation day to join the walkout. Also signing on is Jose Andres, the D.C.-based chef credited with bringing the small-plates dining concept to America and well-known for his ongoing feud with President Trump. Andres pulled out of plans to open a restaurant inside the Trump Hotel D.C. after Trump made disparaging remarks about immigrants during the 2016 campaign. Trump then slapped Andres with a $10 million lawsuit, and Andres hit back with an $8 million suit of his own. Andres, who owns restaurants in Washington, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, South Beach, Dorado and Philadelphia, announced hed be closing a number of his eateries Thursday including Oyamel Cocina Mexicana and Zaytinya in downtown Washington and all of his Jaleo locations in Las Vegas. But the boycott has several detractors. By encouraging walk-outs, these organizations disrupt the workplaces of hard-working Americans who are trying to provide for their families, Leslie Shedd, vice president of the National Restaurant Association, wrote in a statement to Fox News. Restaurants employ nearly 2.3 million foreign-born workers, representing more than 8 percent of the 28.1 million foreign-born workers in the U.S labor force, according to the U.S. Census Bureaus 2015 American Community Survey. And more than 23 percent of restaurant employees are foreign-born, versus 19 percent for the overall economy, according to the National Restaurant Association News & Research. Forty-five percent of restaurant chefs are foreign-born, as are 24 percent of restaurant managers. Immigrants are more likely to be business owners in the restaurant industry, according to the National Restaurant Association News & Research. Ira Mehlman of the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) said he wasnt sure the walkout would have much of long-term effect. The enforcement of immigration policies is only going to affect people who work here illegally, he said. There are plenty of legal workers who would be willing [to] do these jobs with higher wages and better working conditions. But there appeared to be a groundswell of protest as Thursday approached. In Wisconsin on Monday, thousands took part in a "Day Without Latinos." And Movimiento Cosecha, a national movement seeking protection for undocumented immigrants, is planning a nationwide boycott called A Day Without Immigrants on May 1, urging immigrants to show their impact on the U.S. workforce and economy by taking the day off from work and school. In cities throughout the country, including New York, Minneapolis, Detroit, Boston, Oakland, Chicago and Ann Arbor, Mich., restaurants are declaring themselves to be part of a grassroots Sanctuary Restaurants Movement. They are posting signs on their windows encouraging immigrants to know their rights and advising them how to ask federal immigration agents for proper paperwork in a raid. Theyre also posting a text line for customers and employees who want to report incidents of harassment. AS TRUMP DOUBLES DOWN IN IMMIGRATION POLICY, 'SANCTUARY RESTAURANT' MOVEMENT GROWS NATIONWIDE Alfredo Solis, owner of Mezcalero and El Sol restaurants in Washington, D.C., said his restaurants would be closed on Thursday. He said about 30 employees would walk out and hed lose between $14,000 and $15,000 for the day. Still, he hopes it will illuminate the issues surrounding the immigration debate. Id like to see President Trump to back down a bit on immigration, he said. Of course there are some bad people in this country, but I hope he changes his policy and that he sees that not everyone who comes to the country wants to destroy it. He continued, I came here and I do something good for the country. I pay taxes. Everyone does their part here." ITALIAN RESTAURANT REWARDS WELL-BEHAVED KIDS WITH FAMILY MEAL DISCOUNT Marilou Halvorsen, president of the New Jersey Restaurant and Hospitality Association, said she held a call on Monday with some members of her organization to talk about the Thursday boycott. She said most of the restaurant owners understood why employees might want to participate. By and large, she said, members support their employees. While they certainly hope that their staff would give them a heads-up if they are not coming in, they do understand their need, and its their right of freedom of speech.... [The protesters] want people to know how important immigrants are to the hospitality industry. They want to send that message. Social media has been known to cause trouble for some big brands but could it lead to jail time? Thats what jurors are trying to determine as a northwest Omaha restaurant owner heads to trial for a tweet he sent exposing an underage beer sting operated by the Nebraska State Patrol. John Horvatinovich, the owner of restaurant Salt 88, is facing a $1,000 fine and up to a year in prison for a post he sent out to followers-- some of whom were local restaurant and bar owners-- warning them of the ongoing investigation. Last August, Horvatinovich tweeted photos showing the faces of the teens participating in the sting. Omaha restaurant peeps: These two are trying to ruin your night w/sting operations in town, Horvatinovich wrote in the now-deleted tweet. The photo in the post utilized images from Salt 88's own surveillance cameras. In opening statements at trial on Feb. 6, Assistant City Prosecutor Makayla Maclin said that the communication compromised the investigation. (The teens) couldnt perform any more compliance checks as a result of the tweet, she said. But Carolyn Wilson, Horvatinovichs defense attorney, argued that the tweet wasnt a violation of law. It is not unlawful to take a picture of someone and post it online, if theyre in a public place, she stated. FOR THE LATEST FOOD FEATURES FOLLOW FOX LIFESTYLE ON FACEBOOK According to the Omaha World-Herald, the restaurant owner has welcomed the opportunity to go to trial in an effort to prove his point. This was about principle, absolutely, Horvatinovich said. My wife usually says, Oh, John, just let it go. This time she said fight it because its time for restaurant owners to stand up for themselves. The compliance checks, coordinated with a series of law enforcement agencies and Project ExtraMile, an organization dedicated to underage drinking prevention, have been conducted since 1997. Now Horvatinovich, who isnt being held in jail, is awaiting the decision from six jurors hearing the case. Can freezing your privates heat up your sex life? Cryotherapy UK, in Manchester, England is offering a service called Love Mist, which involves freezing men and womens private parts to boost their endorphins and sex drive, the Sun reported. The results come from cryotherapy, wherein extremely cold air is applied to certain parts of the body to reportedly increase blood flow and reduce signs of aging by healing damaged tissues. Some experts say cryotherapy, which involves air as cool as -264 degrees Fahrenheit, can even heal injuries in athletes. To administer the cool air, Cryotherapy UK blasts chilly vapor over customers genitals through a liquid nitrogen tank. The Sun reported the 30-minute treatment costs about about $50 USD. Couples get fired up when the sub-zero temperature covers the skin, the sudden drop in heat stimulates the temperature receptors, according to the Sun. Next, the brain signals the rest of the bodys blood vessels to begin whats reportedly called vasoconstriction, a process that increases blood flow and causes endorphin levels to skyrocket. Endorphins are thought to increase energy and help induce arousal. While celebrities like Chelsea Handler, Mandy Moore and Lindsay Lohan are reportedly fans of the alternative treatment, some experts argue its just too new to know its risks at this stage. In fact, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hasnt cleared any cryotherapy devices for medical purposes, Deborah Kotz, an FDA spokeswoman, told TODAY. In October 2015, Fox News reported on a 24-year-old Nevada woman who died reportedly after freezing to death in a cryotherapy chamber at an unlicensed spa. Editor's note: The following column originally appeared on The Resurgent.com. A lot of people who think Edward Snowden and Bradley Manning are American heroes are under the impression Donald Trump and members of his administration are traitors. Hollywood celebrities are openly calling for a military coup. Political commentators are comparing Donald Trumps election to 9/11 or Pearl Harbor because, allegedly and with no evidence, Russia stole the election. I would encourage you to read John Podhoretz on just how bad this situation could get. On the other side, more and more Trump supporters are treating the American intelligence community as the enemy. The president grows more suspicious of the intel community by the way and he has good reason to do so. Right now, the Wall Street Journal is reporting that intelligence agents are withholding information from Donald Trump because they fear it will be given to the bad guys. The New York Times is reporting Donald Trump is about to send in a friend to clean house. The intelligence community is concerned. This is all going to end badly. Just about all of us were wrong about where 2016 would lead and now we can all see the worst case on the horizon. The left is in a nonstop state of agitation calling for mass resistance. Trump supporters are looking to settle scores. Democrats have every incentive to play up unproven allegations that the Russians tampered with the election. Republicans have every reason to play up the theory that the intelligence community is out to get the President. Both sides need to work to defuse this situation. It is escalating quickly and given antics on both sides, I concur with John Podhoretz that things could turn violent. The wisest course of action is for Attorney General Jeff Sessions to name an independent counsel to examine two questions and for both sides to stand down on the matter while the investigation is ongoing. First, did the Trump campaign collaborate with the Russians to affect the election? Second, are some members of the intelligence community leaking to undermine the President? We need answers to both. The first to satisfy the left and the second to satisfy the right. What seems most plausible to me is that the Trump team individuals with known ties to Russia probably were in communication with the Russians about their other business dealings, not Trump. As the New York Times is reporting and everyone is ignoring, there is plenty of evidence of communications, but no evidence at all of coordination. If both sides will not cooperate on defusing this situation, we are in for some seriously rocky times. Concurrently to all of this, Mitch McConnell needs to hurry the hell up and get the rest of the cabinet and Neil Gorsuch confirmed. The executive departments need stability and we need someone on the Supreme Court who can break 4-4 decisions on controversial matters. The left is going to have to get over their phony stolen seat talking point. The right is going to have to concede the left has legitimate concerns about the Russian mess. The constant inflaming of grievances by political organizations is going to do us all in. The presidents on twitter antics are part of that. Lastly, I would add just one thing that some will not like, but should still be said. Some of us, myself included, have been raising the red flag about Donald Trump staffers and Russia since before he was even the Republican nominee. Many prominent media outlets chose to ignore the story entirely until Wikileaks started releasing information detrimental to the Clinton campaign. Since then, there have been more and more leaks from the intelligence community and greater, louder, and more prominent media coverage of the Trump-Russia story. I have to wonder, though, why every story still has to note that THERE IS NO EVIDENCE AT ALL of Trump-Russian collaboration. Given the open hostility for the president that the intelligence community has, one would think they would have produced some actual proof of something other than innuendo by now, if there was something to produce. But they have not. Ive been saying journalism is dead since 2008, when the press refused to look closely at a little known senator from Illinois who was about to become president. But what we're seeing play out now is far worse. The alt-radical left propaganda media has created an informational crisis, and they can no longer be trusted. Let me explain. After the resignation of Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn as President Trumps national security adviser, the media is in rushing to paint a patently false narrative. Let's start with The New York Times and their bombshell report that the press is running wild with. In reality, it amounts to nothing more than a fake news political hit piece. The headline screamed: "Trump campaign aides had repeated contact with Russian intelligence." The story cites four current and former unnamed American officials who offer up vague details about intercepted communications between members of the Trump campaign and the Russian officials. Buried in the stories are major caveats. For example, the only Trump campaign member named was his former campaign manager, Paul Manafort. And we already knew he did business in Russia and Ukraine. It's nothing new. And then there's this, quote: "The officials would not disclose many details, including what was discussed on the calls, the identity of the Russian intelligence officials who participated, and how many of Mr. Trump's advisers were talking to the Russians. It is also unclear whether the conversations had anything to do with Mr. Trump himself." The story is very light on details and actual facts and very heavy on assumption. Then you have Chuck Todd, of MSNBC. Heres what he said after Flynn's resignation. Good evening. I'm Chuck Todd here in Washington. Welcome to "MTP Daily" and welcome to Day 1 of what is arguably the biggest presidential scandal involving a foreign government since Iran-Contra. Let me set the record straight, because so-called journalist Chuck Todd refuses to. Yes, Mike Flynn was wrong. He misled the president and vice president about his call with the Russian ambassador. But so far, there's zero evidence that Flynn broke any law in any way. And Fox News is reporting that there's zero indication that Flynn misled the FBI when they interviewed him. And consider Thomas Friedman, the award-winning liberal columnist from The New York Times. The issue is, what did he tell Trump? Friedman said of Flynn. Did he and Trump actually cook up this whole thing? After the Russians did not respond harshly to the eviction of their spies and diplomats, Trump actually tweeted out some positive encouragement of this. Did the two of them cook this up all along? But wait. He wasnt finished. And it gets to two other issues, he continued. The first is, we have never taken seriously from the very beginning Russia hacked our election. That was a 9/11-scale event. They attacked the core of our very democracy. That was a Pearl Harbor-scale event. Thats right, he compared it to 9/11 and Pearl Harbor, where thousands of Americans died. Disgraced former news anchor and grandfather of fake news Dan Rather took to Facebook to write this idiotic quote: "Watergate is the biggest political scandal of my lifetime, until maybe now. It was as close as came to a debilitating constitutional crisis, until maybe now." The Flynn resignation is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the alt-left propaganda media and their coordinated campaign to purposely misinform the American people. They have an agenda. They've also claimed that the president's temporary travel ban -- remember this? -- is either a religious test or anti-Muslim, even though 90 percent of the world's Muslims are not included. These examples show exactly why the American people should not trust the lazy leftist propaganda media. It's why President Trump has taken to calling on non-traditional media outlets at his press conferences, which has CNN freaking out. In the last three news conferences, Wolf, all of the questions to the American news media have been handled by conservative press, CNN Senior White House Correspondent Jim Acosta told his colleague, Wolf Blitzer. And I think, Wolf, there's no other way to describe it but the fix is in. This White House, this president, does not want to answer questions, critical questions, about his associates, his aides' contacts with the Russians during the course of that campaign. Well, maybe CNN shouldn't have colluded with Hillary Clinton's campaign to give her debate questions in advance. Maybe others in the alt-left media should not have allowed the Democratic machine to edit their stories. Maybe they should have covered the election honestly instead of advocating for Clinton. Its pretty simple. You have a bunch of overpaid, lazy, partisan hacks throwing one giant hissy fit because their candidate lost. And because of that, they're carrying out this endless, all-out assault against President Trump. Adapted from Sean Hannitys monologue on Hannity, Feb. 15, 2017 For the eight years of Barack Obamas presidency, the United States treated Iran as if it were a major rising power in the world dominating the Middle East. But Iran is not a First World or even Second World power. Iran, as a Third World country, is far weaker than either the superpower United States or the rising First World power Israel. Look at the figures. The American GDP of over $18 trillion is more than 40 times the GDP of Iran ($450 billion). American GDP/capita is $53,000 while Iranian GDP/capita of $4,800 is not even 10 percent of that figure. On the military front, there is no comparison. The United States spends over $600 billion a year on defense while Iran spends a paltry $6 billion. The United States has over 1,500 strategic nuclear weapons while Iran has none. The Business Insider rates the American military the best in the world and Iran is not even rated in the top 20. The United States has 10 high end aircraft carriers while Iran has none. The United States has 72 destroyers, Iran none. The United States has a staggering 14,000 planes to Irans 480 planes. The United States has 62 destroyers while Iran has none. The Americans have 72 submarines, Iran has three. The Iranian military is weak, with very limited naval and air force capability. In the eight year war with Iraq in the 1980s the Iranian military was unable to beat Saddam Husseins military. By contrast, in 2003 the American military destroyed it and took Baghdad in only 22 days. Iran has been struggling, sometimes slowed by sanctions, to build nuclear weapons ever since 1984. After 33 years it still has not yet succeeded. The United States can also likely count on help from three regional powers-- Israel, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Israel, rated #8 in the world in a recent survey of military power, has 700 advanced fighters (including the F-35), 5 German Dolphin class submarines, 4,200 tanks and 100-200 atomic bombs. It has one of the worlds top 5 intelligence services in Mossad and Shin Beth. Bloomberg rates Israel #2 in the world for its anti-missile missiles (Iron Dome, Davids Sling, Arrow 2 and 3). Having fought 11 wars since 1948, Israel has the most experienced military in the world. Egypt, direly afraid of Iran, has 470,000 troops, 4,600 tanks and 1,100 planes. Saudi Arabia, a limited military power, has announced it will go nuclear if Iran develops atomic bombs. Iran lags far behind in strong universities that are important on the field of battle. The United States has 15 of the top 20 universities in the world (including Cal Tech, MIT, Harvard, Yale, Columbia and the University of Chicago). By contrast, Iran does not have a single university in the top 100 or even the top 800 universities in the world. Irans four best universities are rated #895 (Iran University), #2,273 (Iran University Medical University), #3,363 and # 5,142 in the world! In education they rate 112th in the world alongside lagging African countries. In global innovations, while the United States is a world leader with Silicon Valley, Iran rates 120th out of 143 countries. Iran takes 58th in the world in research and development. In business Iran rates 137th in the world for ease of doing business and 67th for entrepreneurship. Fully 20% of the adult population is illiterate. In doctors per thousand patients it runs in at 138th in the world and its national health system rate 93rd in the world. Women do especially badly with a 103rd rating of 109 countries for gender empowerment. Finally, there are key domestic problems for Iran. Beset by massive corruption, blatant authorianism, strong opposition group (the Green Movement), large-scale emigration (4-5 million Iranians) and a rising young generation not enamored of isolation from the world, the future does not look bright. Given all this the fear of Iran getting nuclear weapons still remains real. But, even more real is the notion that the biggest power in the world, plus three significant regional powers, could handle Iran if they would put their minds to it. Only time will tell if that will happen in the days of the new American administration. House Oversight Committee Chairman Rep. Jason Chaffetz told Fox News' "The First 100 Days" Wednesday night that he would ask the Justice Department's inspector general to investigate leaks of classified information that led to the resignation of former national security adviser Michael Flynn. The Utah Republican told host Martha MacCallum that "no matter where you are on the political spectrum, you cannot have classified information migrating out into a non-classified setting." TRUMP, GOP LAWMAKERS EYE 'ILLEGAL LEAKS' IN WAKE OF FLYNN RESIGNATION Chaffetz's letter to Inspector General Michael Horowitz, which was also signed by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., described "serious concerns about the potential inadequate protection of classified information" and requested "that your office begin an immediate investigation into whether classified information was mishandled" in the Flynn case. Flynn resigned Monday night after a series of media reports purportedly detailed his conversations with the Russian ambassador to the U.S. about sanctions levied against Moscow by the Obama administration. The reports indicated Flynn had given Vice President Mike Pence "incomplete information" about the calls, leading Pence to deny discussion of sanctions took place. Earlier this week, Chaffetz sent a letter to the White House questioning security protocols at President Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida after the president and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe discussed North Korea's recent ballistic missile test in a public setting. CHAFFETZ INVESTIGATING SECURITY PROTOCOLS AT TRUMP'S MAR-A-LAGO RESORT "I think the standard is still the same," said Chaffetz, who helped lead a congressional investigation into the Benghazi terror attack that led to the disclosure of Hillary Clinton's classified email system. "You have a duty and an obligation, because by its very nature, if that classified information gets out there, it can harm somebody. It can kill somebody." "Same with Hillary Clinton, same with Donald Trump, and same with those in the intelligence world or at the Department of Justice who get to see this information," he added. "They just cant hand it out like candy and favors to those in the news media. Can't do it." President Donald Trump is considering at least four candidates to be his new nominee for labor secretary after his previous pick abruptly withdrew from the confirmation process. Two administration officials told Fox News late Wednesday that potential nominees include former National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) members Peter Kirsanow and Alexander Acosta, former South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation Director Catherine Templeton and Joseph Guzman, an assistant professor of labor relations at Michigan State University who advised Trump during his presidential campaign. Trump met with Acosta and Guzman Wednesday evening, sources with knowledge of the meetings told Fox News. One administration source said that more candidates could still be considered. Earlier Wednesday, fast-food executive Andrew Puzder abandoned his confirmation effort after Senate Republicans balked at supporting him, in part over taxes he belatedly paid on a former housekeeper not authorized to work in the United States. A senior Capitol Hill source told Fox News that "about a dozen" GOP senators had reservations about Puzder's nomination and were not prepared to vote to confirm him. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., relayed that message to the White House. White House spokesman Sean Spicer acknowledged late Wednesday that the administration had seen the writing on the wall, saying "We know how to count." Democrats and their allies welcomed Puzder's withdrawal, saying his corporate background and opposition to such proposals as a big hike in the minimum wage made him an unfit advocate for American workers at the top of an agency charged with enforcing protections. Fox News' Serafin Gomez and Chad Pergram contributed to this report. The Associated Press also contributed to this report. Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) has instructed the country's government to urgently take exhaustive measures to neutralize the threats to Ukraine's energy security. The relevant NSDC decision, dated February 16, 2017, was enacted by the presidential decree No. 37/2017 published on the Ukrainian president's official site on Thursday. "The Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers is forthwith to take exhaustive measures to diversify sources of coal supply to Ukraine and to create a reserve of energy-sector coal," the document says. The government is also to approve a procedure for goods movement from and to the anti-terrorist operation zone in Donetsk and Luhansk regions and the list of goods prohibited from such movement. As liberal protesters step up confrontations with Republican lawmakers, leaders of the original Tea Party movement that wrote the book on those tactics are reassembling their political army dispatching activists to push a conservative agenda that includes tax reform and dismantling ObamaCare. FreedomWorks, Tea Party Patriots and other groups are looking to keep pressure on GOP lawmakers to keep their 2016 campaign promises, and not buckle in the face of rowdy town hall protesters angry about the prospect of repealing the Affordable Care Act. A lot of people were elected to Congress based on bold promises about ObamaCare, tax reform and regulatory reform, Noah Wall, FreedomWorks national director of campaigns, told Fox News. We have to hold them to campaign promises, keep up the momentum and the energy. Its time to get off the bench and get this to work. FreedomWorks plans to mobilize its network of grassroots organizations and unite with the Tea Party Patriots on March 15 for a Day of Action on Capitol Hill that will include a rally and visits to members of Congress. The group will follow up with a Month of Action, set to include members driving constituents to congressional district offices and larger-scale rallies across the country to amplify their fiscally conservative message. Wall says his group and its supporters want to capitalize on Republicans now controlling Congress and the White House, and achieve long-awaited policy objectives. If successful, their efforts could mark a revival of the eight-year-old Tea Party movement a political revolt against big government under then-President Obama that crested with Republicans historic 2010 House takeover. Tea Party Patriots national coordinator Jenny Beth Martin on Wednesday said the upcoming Capitol Hill events are to make sure Republicans stay focused on repealing ObamaCare and her group will follow up with its own busy month -- including daily, micro-focused activities like Message Monday and Tweet Tuesday. She bristled at the suggestion the Tea Party movement has emerged from hibernation, arguing it was instrumental over the past several election cycles in helping Republicans take control of the House, Senate and then the White House. We are not dead, and we have never gone away, Martin told Fox News. Theres a time to be active in campaigns, a time to have our voices heard and a time to stand up and be heard by members of Congress. They need to know we are not going away. Heritage Action for America, the conservative Heritage Foundations political arm, said this week that its sentinels also will be pressing House members to repeal ObamaCare. However, the group and others, like Tea Party Express, have announced no specific plans such as the town-hall blitzing that elevated the Tea Party movement going into the 2010 wave election in which Republicans gained more than 60 House seats. FreedomWorks was founded in 2004 by the billionaire and libertarian-minded Koch brothers and has continued to advocate for lower taxes and less government. The group spent a record $560,000 in 2009-2010, when roughly 60 percent of 114 Tea Party-endorsed candidates won their congressional races including Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul and South Carolina Rep. Mick Mulvaney, who on Thursday was confirmed to run President Trumps White House budget office. FreedomWorks has kept a lower profile since the 2010 wave election, spending an average $46,000 over each of the last three cycles, according to OpenSecrets.org. Still, the group remains an influential force on Capitol Hill, while facing new and different challenges. Foremost is the slow movement on Capitol Hill under the Republican majority. In a first step, Paul and South Carolina Rep. Mark Sanford on Wednesday introduced companion ObamaCare replacement legislation that is endorsed by the Freedom Caucus. GOP House and Senate leaders, though, have signaled that fully repealing and replacing ObamaCare could take several years. And a 2017 tax reform bill could be a longshot, though Trump has vowed he will push a plan soon. Further, liberal-leaning groups have recently co-opted some Tea Party tactics for their own purposes -- challenging congressional Republicans at town hall events and jamming their office phone lines in opposition to Trumps agenda. They mobilized within days of Trumps November win, as Democratic congressional leaders urged rank-and-file members to hold media events in their districts over Christmas break to warn voters about GOP plans to end ObamaCare without a replacement. Earlier this month, GOP Rep. Tom McClintock hosted a town hall in his California district that attracted about 500 people and became so rowdy that he required a police escort to leave the building. I have held more than a hundred town hall meetings in my district throughout the last eight years spanning the entire life of the Tea Party and Occupy Wall Street movements, McClintock said afterward. Through all those heated debates, the police have never had to intervene. Utah GOP Rep. Jason Chaffetz also was among those recently confronted by angry town hall attendees. Chaffetz, McClintock and others have suggested at least some of the attendees are part of a paid, organized effort to disrupt events. Martin said the comparison between those events and the 2009 grassroots Tea Party town halls disturbs me more than anything else. We didnt harass people, she said. We didnt destroy property. The left just tore up buildings in Berkeley. We never did that. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Thursday at NATO headquarters he has little doubt Moscow has tried interfering in democratic elections, while also rebuffing calls for renewed military cooperation with Russia. "Russia is going to have to prove itself first," Mattis told reporters, adding it is premature to talk about cooperating militarily with Moscow. Amid rising evidence that Russia has begun interfering in several upcoming European elections using a strategy of leaked emails and fake news, Mattis gave a blunt response when asked if he thinks Russia did the same thing in the U.S. election. "There is very little doubt they have either interfered or attempted to interfere in elections of democracies," Mattis said in Brussels. The tough comments came as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Joe Dunford flew Thursday to Baku, Azerbaijan, to meet with Valery Gerasimov, his Russian counterpart -- the first meeting of top Russian and American military commanders since Russia invaded Ukraine three years ago. Russia's defense minister separately chastised Mattis for rebuffing the proposal for renewed cooperation, saying if the U.S. thinks it can negotiate from a position of strength, then talks are hopeless. "I have no need to respond to the Russian statement at all. NATO has always stood for military strength," Mattis said, when asked about the Russian defense minister's remarks. The comments reflect lingering reservations from some in the Trump administration about interactions with Russia, even as President Trumps team faces accusations of being too cozy with Moscow. "Russia sees the world as a very zero-sum game. The only way that Russia can ascend is if the U.S. declines," NATO's former Supreme Allied Commander Retired General Phillip Breedlove warned. Breedlove, who first raised alarm bells about Russian actions in Europe and ordered U.S. tanks and troops to preposition in Europe for the first time since the Cold War, also described in a sit-down interview with Fox News how his emails were hacked and released by Russia in an effort to discredit him. "My email was hacked and placed out on DC Leaks," Breedlove said. "Those emails were contrived by trolls -- the many trolls in Russia who work on me." The emails portrayed him and former Gen. Colin Powell colluding to overthrow the Obama government. "I mean it's fantastical some of the things that were created from that episode," he said. Breedlove warned that Russian efforts to undermine elections in the West would not stop, adding there is evidence the Russians are still operating in the U.S. "They are just trying to discredit our form of democracy. To convince the people in the United States that what they just went through was not legitimate and cause them to lose faith in the democratic system," he said. The former NATO commander was referring to Russian hacking and information operations undermining Western democracy by targeting their elections. "I believe they are doing the same thing in many European countries, he said. Gerasimov, whom Dunford met with in Baku Thursday, has even written about these kinds of operations and describes them as "indirect war," writings Breedlove cited as he discussed Russian efforts to discredit American democracy. This is written about in Russian lexicon now. They call this war by indirect means, he said. I call it war below the lines -- doing things in a nation that would remain below that threshold of more strenuous response. I think they are doing it all around. The New York Times and the Washington Post have delivered a one-two punch to President Trump that cost the national security adviser his job, raised questions about his campaigns contacts with Russia and plunged the White House into a crisis atmosphere. And there is an air of vindication coursing through the corridors of the mainstream media, which saw Trump survive many negative barrages during the campaign and which are constantly under attack by the new president. Both things are true. The newspaper stories are based on solid reporting, and there is a strong sense the media are pumped about getting a scalp. This journalistic digging would not have been possible without high-level leaks from sources who are clearly trying to damage Trump. The Times story yesterday is attributed to four current and former American officials. The original Post story on Flynn having discussed U.S. sanctions with the Russian ambassador before the inauguration was attributed to current and former officials. But the stories have been accurate. Both things are true. There has been a gusher of leaks from inside the administration, not just on the Russia mess but on the presidents calls to foreign leaders. Leakers often have nefarious motives, and ex-Obama aides seem to be involved (hence the former officials description). But the two papers nailed down the details, and Flynn had to apologize for misleading Mike Pence and others. Trump went on a tweetstorm yesterday, accusing news organizations of hating him. And: And: Well, its not just like Russia, which doesnt have a free press. But it is illegal to leak classified information, and there is a hostile edge to much of the media coverage of this president. Both things are true. The question now is whether the Times piece has kicked this story into the media stratosphere. The paper said that members of Donald J. Trumps 2016 presidential campaign and other Trump associates had repeated contacts with senior Russian intelligence officials in the year before the election. This is based on intelligence intercepts that alarmed American intelligence and law enforcement agencies, in part because of the amount of contact that was occurring while Mr. Trump was speaking glowingly about the Russian president, Vladimir V. Putin. The talks included not just Trump campaign officials but other associates of Mr. Trump. On the Russian side, the contacts also included members of the government outside of the intelligence services. Now its important to emphasize what the story doesnt say. It doesnt say there was evidence of improper collusion in these calls. It doesnt say anyone discussed the hacking of the DNC or the Hillary campaign. And as the Times itself says,it is also unclear whether the conversations had anything to do with Mr. Trump himself. But its unusual, and theres an FBI investigation, and that makes it news. The Democrats and liberal pundits are going haywire. Robby Mook, Clintons campaign manager, called in to MSNBC to compare the story to Watergate. He demanded a 9/11 commission-style investigation. 9/11! Slates William Saletan, in a piece ripping the Trump teams handling of the mess, ends thusly: Thats why the catastrophe of this administration wont end with Flynns departure, or even with an investigation of Trumps ties to Russia. It will end only when Trump is impeached and convicted. Well, no ambiguity on where hes coming from. But Commentarys John Podhoretz issues this warning: The idea that Donald Trump is now inexorably on a path to impeachment has taken almost gleeful hold in the wake of the Michael Flynn resignation among liberal elites and anti-Trumpers generallyand everybody better stop and take a deep breath and consider what might arise from this. This isnt fire were playing with, its a nuclear war. The media should aggressively pursue this story. And they should avoid the trap of hype and speculation. Both things are true. It doesnt matter if you go to medical school and graduate last in your class. You still earn the initials M.D. after your name. In figure skating, likewise, for years it didnt much matter whether a skater rocked a Salchow and a triple-toe loop. They could fall behind if judges didnt find their compulsory figures where skaters actually carved numerals in the ice crisp and accurate. And when it comes to confirming members of President Trumps Cabinet and other key officials, there certainly are no style points. All that matters is getting through. The Senate just confirmed Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin 100-0. Days earlier, now-Education Secretary Betsy DeVos squeaked through after Vice President Pence broke a 50-50 tie, the first time in history on a Cabinet member vote. Both are now Cabinet secretaries. And things are only tightening up, as majority Republicans try to push through President Trumps remaining nominees after weeks of delay. The Senate confirmed Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin 53-47. There were 52-47 votes to confirm Jeff Sessions as attorney general and Tom Price as Health and Human Services secretary. Theres another tight vote Thursday morning to confirm Rep. Mick Mulvaney, R-S.C., as budget director. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., tangled with Mulvaney at his confirmation hearing over the congressmans views on Pentagon spending and likely will vote nay. The Senates also planning an early Friday afternoon vote to confirm Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt as the head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). But Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, plans to vote no on Pruitts nomination. Theres little turning radius here, with Republicans holding a narrow 52-48 majority. Pruitt faces a possible 51-49 vote, just like on Mulvaney. Again, they dont award style points. But its unclear precisely who may be around to vote. As chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, McCain planned to lead a congressional delegation of lawmakers to the annual Munich Security Conference tonight. McCain tells Fox News hell cut town early on his own probably missing the Pruitt vote on Friday. Its unclear if any other senators may bail. When asked if Pences services may be required due to absent senators, a senior Senate GOP leadership source replied flatly we dont lose votes. Senate Republicans have to get it right on each roll call. They cant just stop and start all over again like Adele at the Grammys. Senate Democrats successfully dragged out the confirmation process for multiple nominees for weeks. Senate Republicans have repeatedly executed a parliamentary maneuver to break a Democratic filibuster on most nominees. Senate rules allow opponents of a nominee up to 30 hours of debate once the body halts the filibuster. On Monday night, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., filed cloture (an effort to end the filibuster) on the nominations of Mulvaney, Pruitt and four others. Those included the selections of Wilbur Ross to serve as Commerce secretary; Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mont., to become Interior secretary; Ben Carson to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development; and former Texas Gov. Rick Perry for Energy secretary. On Tuesday, Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn, R-Texas, predicted senators would confirm Mulvaney and Pruitt before the Senate broke for the first major congressional recess of the year. But Cornyn hoped Republicans could forge a deal with Democrats to also confirm Ross and maybe a few others. Senate Democratic sources doubted an agreement was in the works. But never underestimate the power of the scent of jet fumes. Things often seem intractable in the Senate just before a big recess. Then, magically, everything comes together. Senators vote and burst out of the building faster than Russian fighters buzzing U.S. destroyers in the Black Sea. The Democrats tactic to protract the confirmation process helped them collect one trophy, though. Labor Secretary nominee Andy Puzder withdrew from consideration Wednesday. But in the end, Republicans killed Puzders nomination. Fox News is told there were as many as 12 Republican senators who harbored reservations about Puzder. It quickly became apparent that Puzder couldnt win confirmation with such tight margins in the Senate. Its not uncommon for new administrations to suffer a few Cabinet setbacks. President George W. Bush nominated Linda Chavez to be Labor secretary in 2001. She stepped aside over the issue of paying an undocumented immigrant to perform household chores. President Clinton burned through two attorney general nominations in 1993 before settling on Janet Reno. Both of Clintons picks, Zoe Baird and Kimba Wood, also had household worker employment problems. Without a big majority in the Senate and multiple close votes, it may have been inevitable that one of Trumps nominees would implode. It was just the perfect storm for Puzder. And so the Senate is poised to confirm Mulvaney and Pruitt in the next day or two. The confirmation votes may be close. But you dont get style points in the Senate. Capitol Attitude is a weekly column written by members of the Fox News Capitol Hill team. Their articles take you inside the halls of Congress, and cover the spectrum of policy issues being introduced, debated and voted on there. The Senate on Thursday narrowly confirmed Rep. Mick Mulvaney to head up the White House Office of Management and Budget. He was confirmed on a 51-49 vote. Mulvaney, a conservative Republican from South Carolina, faced opposition from Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain. McCain, R-Ariz., took issue with Mulvaneys past support of defense cuts as well as his 2011 vote to withdraw all U.S. troops from Afghanistan. McCain's objections added to a growing level of bipartisan angst over some of President Trump's Cabinet nominees. On Wednesday, fast-food chain CEO Andrew Puzder withdrew from consideration for Labor secretary following controversy over his personal and professional past. About a dozen Republican senators had voiced reservations about the nominee. The Puzder news came on the heels of Trumps national security adviser Michael Flynn resigning amid controversy over his past contact with the Russian ambassador. The Senate on Wednesday had voted 52-48 along party lines to advance Mulvaney to a final vote Thursday. McCain voted to advance Mulvaney, though he made his opposition clear from the Senate floor. I will vote to oppose Congressman Mulvaneys nomination because it would be irresponsible to place the future of the defense budget in the hands of a person with such a record and judgment on national security, McCain said. Appropriations Committee Chairman Thad Cochran of Mississippi also expressed reservations about Mulvaney, though he voted for him Thursday. The White House Office of Management and Budget is one of the most powerful agencies in the federal government. As its head, Mulvaney will assist the president in preparing the annual federal budget. OMB examiners provide guidance to government agencies on how to prepare their budgets. Immediately following the Mulvaney vote, the Senate will turn its attention to Environmental Protection Agency nominee Scott Pruitt. The conservative Oklahoma attorney general is expected to easily clear a procedural vote but there is already pushback from some Republicans on his actual confirmation vote. Syrias embattled President Bashar al-Assad said in an interview that President Trumps travel ban is not against the Syrian people, rather it is meant to prevent terrorists from entering Western countries. "It's against the terrorists that would infiltrate some of the immigrants to the West. And that happened. It happened in Europe, mainly in Germany," Assad said in a radio interview, Reuters reported. Lawmakers have accused the Assad government of war crimes and even genocide as the number of people killed during the violence in Syria continues to mount. The war, now in its sixth year, has killed hundreds of thousands of people, contributed to Europes worst refugee crisis since World War II and given the Islamic State group room to grow into a global terror threat. Trump has said Assad may be "bad" but the rebels fighting to topple him "could be worse." He has said the U.S. has no idea who its allies in the country are and has appeared most concerned about containing the exodus of Syrian refugees, fearing they'll spread terrorism. Assad had previously suggested the U.S. and Syria could be "natural allies." Trumps ban, in the meantime, has faced fierce legal challenges. A lawsuit by Washington state and Minnesota will proceed as an appellate court considers a preliminary injunction in the case, a federal court ruled on Monday. FOX NEWS POLL: SHARP DIVISION ALONG POLITICAL LINES ON TRUMP'S TRAVEL BAN The Justice Department had wanted to put the case on hold while the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals decides whether a larger, 11-judge panel will review a government request to allow the ban. But U.S. District Judge James Robart, who previously issued a temporary restraining order halting the ban, said the lawsuit can go forward. The states said that process wouldn't interfere with review by appellate courts. Robart directed both sides to prepare for their arguments on whether Trump's travel ban should be permanently blocked. A three-judge federal appeals court panel last week refused to toss out the injunction and reinstate the travel ban. The panel unanimously rejected the administration's claim of presidential authority in the matter. The Associated Press contributed to this report President Trumps feud with the media turned into an all-out war Thursday afternoon. His early presidency beset by damaging leaks and a burst of staff turmoil, Trump used a hastily called press conference to blast the medias coverage of his administration in his strongest terms yet. He claimed the press is out of control, reports on his teams ties to Russia are fake, and news outlets are attacking him because they oppose his agenda. "The medias trying to attack our administration because they know we are following through on the pledges that we made, and theyre not happy about it," Trump declared at the White House. The president spoke and took questions for more than an hour and 15 minutes, even joking with some reporters toward the end and saying he was having fun. In a bid to preempt negative coverage of his remarks, Trump insisted he was not "ranting and raving." But he lamented that the "tone" of coverage of his administration is one of "such hatred." "The public doesn't believe you people anymore," he said. Trump, who is dealing with the roughest stretch of his nascent presidency so far, unleashed the battery of accusations after first announcing his newest pick for labor secretary. After his original nominee withdrew, Trump nominated law school dean and former federal prosecutor Alexander Acosta for the post Thursday. "He has had a tremendous career," Trump said, noting he's been through Senate confirmation three times for past positions. But Trump pivoted to tout his administration's record so far and to blast the media for allegedly underplaying progress made. "The press honestly is out of control," Trump said, vowing to take his message "straight to the people." Amid a court fight over his controversial immigration executive order, which he maintained is lawful, Trump said he would announce a "new and very comprehensive order to protect our people." He also staunchly defended his administrations work on everything from the economy to energy to security. "This administration is running like a fine-tuned machine, he said. The press conference was held days after Michael Flynn resigned as national security adviser over a controversy regarding his past contacts with Russias ambassador. Those contacts emerged in news reports. Fast food chain CEO Andrew Puzder also withdrew from consideration for labor secretary on Wednesday amid deepening scrutiny of his personal and professional past. Trump on Thursday personally denied having any contact or connections with Russia, saying: "I have nothing to do with Russia. I have no deals there. I don't know anything." While acknowledging he sought Flynns resignation, he also said Flynn was just doing his job by contacting Russia. He said Flynn was asked to resign because he was dishonest about the details of the call with Vice President Mike Pence. And he dismissed recent reports that campaign aides had been in contact with Russian officials before his election. Trump called the reports a "ruse" and said he had "nothing to do with Russia." Trump added, "Russia is fake news. This is fake news put out by the media." In a free-wheeling event that, before Trump, would have been unprecedented in a modern presidential news conference, the president by turns teased and lambasted members of the press corps. Toward the end of the press conference, Trump summed up his complaints by suggesting he was being blamed for problems that have existed for years: I didnt come along and divide this country. This country was seriously divided before I got here. He also blasted Senate Democrats for holding up his Cabinet nominees. His latest pick for Labor Department might have an easier time. If confirmed, Acosta would be Trumps first Latino Cabinet member. According to top GOP sources, Republican Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and other Hispanic leaders are enthused about the pick. Acosta currently is dean of Florida International University College of Law. He previously served as the first Hispanic assistant attorney general and as U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Florida, as well as on the National Labor Relations Board. In the wake of the Flynn reports and other damaging stories, Trump also has vowed to root out those leaking sensitive information. Were going to find the leakers. ... Theyre going to pay a big price for leaking, Trump said at a meeting ahead of the press conference. Fox News' John Roberts and The Associated Press contributed to this report. President Trump vowed Thursday to root out those responsible for leaking the illegal classified information that has fueled a string of damaging news reports on his administration, warning the leakers they will be caught! Leaking, and even illegal classified leaking, has been a big problem in Washington for years. Failing @nytimes (and others) must apologize! Trump tweeted. Leaking, and even illegal classified leaking, has been a big problem in Washington for years. Failing @nytimes (and others) must apologize! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 16, 2017 He added: The spotlight has finally been put on the low-life leakers! They will be caught!" The renewed focus on tracking down the sources causing political migraines for his core team follows National Security Adviser Michael Flynn's resignation amid reports he misled Vice President Pence about a phone call with a Russian diplomat. Flynn's alleged deception was revealed by leaks. While Trump apparently sought Flynn's resignation, the episode swiftly rekindled the president's feud with the intelligence community, amid suspicions their agents provided some of the damaging information. The Wall Street Journal also reported the intelligence community is holding back information from Trump, wary of exposing the president to sensitive information. Trump's tweets Thursday echoed his comments a day earlier during his joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. When asked about Flynns resignation, Trump said the situation was unfair and emphasized that documents and papers were illegally I stress that illegally leaked. "Intelligence, papers are being leaked," Trump said. "Things are being leaked. It's a criminal action -- criminal act -- and it's been going on for a long time. Before me. But now it's really going on." The flood of anonymous sources bolstering a wide array of news accounts has given rise to rumors of a so-called deep state coup, in which members of the intelligence community are potentially working to undermine the new president and his advisers. It certainly seems like it, and remember the intelligence community has a long history of doing this, Fox News contributor Erick Erickson said on Fox & Friends on Thursday, linking the suspected sabotage to Trumps desire to roll back the Iran nuclear deal. They leaked information damaging to [former presidents] Bill Clinton, George [W.] Bush and Barack Obama when it served their interest, so Donald Trump is no different. Trump is not the only Republican leader seeking answers on the leak issue. House Oversight Committee Chairman Rep. Jason Chaffetz told Fox News The First 100 Days Wednesday that hell ask the Justice Departments inspector general to investigate the leaks that led to Flynns outster. No matter where you are on the political spectrum, you cannot have classified information migrating out into a non-classified setting, Chaffetz said. President Trumps nominee to be U.S. ambassador to Israel faced tough questioning from Democrats at his confirmation hearing Thursday about everything from past controversial comments to his stance on the so-called two-state solution. The heated hearing captured an intense debate playing out over his nomination, in editorial pages and newspaper ads across the country. David Friedman is the latest Trump nominee targeted by Democrats, after they helped pressure labor secretary pick Andrew Puzder to withdraw from consideration on Wednesday. Frankly, the language you have regularly used against those who disagree with your views has me concerned about your preparedness to enter the world of diplomacy, Ranking Democratic Sen. Ben Cardin of Maryland told Friedman on Thursday. The bankruptcy lawyer was not only grilled by Democrats on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee but heckled by pro-Palestinian protesters. He showed contrition, though, about some of his past remarks -- specifically having called supporters of the liberal Jewish lobbying firm J Street worse than "kapos," a term typically used to describe Jews who worked with Nazis in concentration camps. There is no excuse. If you want me to rationalize it or justify it, I cannot. These were hurtful words and I deeply regret them. They are not reflective of my nature or my character, Friedman said Thursday. On Wednesday, J Street issued a statement asserting a possible apology will not at this stage in Mr. Friedmans career will change the fact that his views, his actions and his temperament should disqualify him. The criticism, though, does not mean the nomination is in jeopardy. Republicans mostly asked Friedman about policy, and he was introduced by South Carolina GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham, who said despite disagreements on some issues he never doubted the nominee's commitment to Israel. Republicans on the panel also praised Friedmans longstanding support of Israel. Florida Republican Sen. Marco Rubio described Democrats relentless questions about his prior statements as unreal. Democrats indeed directed their focus on Friedmans firebrand rhetoric, including describing Bill Clinton as more dangerous to the interests of Israel than any president since Eisenhower and arguing the Obama administration was more interested in fighting Republicans than terrorists. Friedman said his comments were indefensible, but argued he recognizes there is an important difference between a political contest and a diplomatic mission. The one-time lawyer to Trump was pressed about his public skepticism toward a two-state solution, in the context of remarks made by the president in his joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Breaking away from longstanding U.S. policy, Trump said he was not wedded to the idea of separate Palestinian and Israeli states. I thought for a while the two-state looked like it may be the easier of the two. But honestly, if Bibi and if the Palestinians ... are happy, Im happy with the one they like the best, he said Wednesday. In an interview with The New York Times, Trump declined to specifically address the issue. When pressed, Trump admitted to basically supporting the position. Friedman has inspired an intense lobbying campaign that reflects deeper divisions within the Jewish community. Working to support him, Christians United for Israel (CUFI), the nations largest pro-Israel organization, took out full-page ads in several newspapers this week backing Friedman. "This nomination cannot get bogged down in petty bickering or sour grapes over the results of the election. Trump is the President, Friedman is the nominee, and the Senate needs to let them do their jobs, CUFI Action Fund Washington Director Gary Bauer said in a statement. The New York Times editorial board, meanwhile, predicted the confirmation of Friedman would provoke conflict in Israel and undermine American leadership in the Middle East. In a letter, former ambassadors Thomas Pickering, William Harrop, Edward Walker, Daniel Kurtzer and James Cunningham maintained Friedmans extreme, radical positions made him unqualified to serve as ambassador. A confirmation vote has yet to be scheduled. The militants fired on the positions of the Ukrainian military 49 times in Donbas over the past day, the press service of the ATO staff said. "Some 49 attacks were recorded. Unfortunately, one of our military was killed, three wounded and one injured," a message on the official Facebook page of ATO headquarters said on Thursday. So, in the Mariupol sector the militants fired on Vodiane from mortars and infantry combat vehicles. Infantry combat vehicles, heavy machine guns and small arms were used to shell Shyrokyne, Hnutove, Vodiane and Pavlopil. Novotroyitske was fired on by a sniper. In the Donetsk sector 120-mm and 82-mm mortars were used to shell at Ukrainian positions in Avdiyivka area, Opytne and Novoselivka Druha, and rocket-propelled grenades were applied to attack Zaitseve and Pisky. In the Luhansk sector Krymske, Novo-Oleksandrivka and Novozvanivka were shelled from mortars and rocket-propelled grenades. A sniper threw fire into Ukrainian army positions near Lobacheve. In the 12-month period that ended last August, deforestation in Brazil increased in almost 30 percent. It is an all-time record that has set off a loud alarm among scientists, environmentalists and everyone who knows that the region is not only the so-called lung of the planet but also home to about 2.5 million species of insects, tens of thousands of plants and about 2,000 birds and mammals. According to the latest report by the National Institute for Space Research (INPE), the Brazilian agency that monitors deforestation, between July 2015 and August 2016 roughly 3,100 square miles went up in smoke mostly to give way to farmland and further cement the countrys position as the worlds top exporter of meat products. INCREDIBLE PHOTOS OFFER GLIMPSE OF UNCONTACTED AMAZON TRIBE Activists and experts agree that such depredation has been in large part possible to the loosening of the nations environmental laws and also to budget cuts that have left vast stretches of rain forest to the mercy of greed. Cristiane Mazetti, a spokesperson for Greenpeace, said the Forest Code of 2012 brought about a sort of deforestation amnesty that contributes to the increase of tree felling by creating a sense of impunity. She said the issue is hardly getting any government attention and that apathy seems to have taken over. "We live a political moment in Brazil that puts the environmental issue in second, maybe third, she told Fox News. Congress spent a year focused on the impeachment vote of former President Dilma Rousseff and now prioritizes the approval of austerity measures. It has not allowed this issue to advance," she said. STRANGE AMAZON MARKINGS BAFFLE EXPERTS In addition, the allocation of funds for surveillance, monitoring and prevention has been dropping dramatically. In 2015 approximately $22 million were devoted to this end; in 2016 only $7 million were used for this purpose, according to the Environmental Ministry data. To put an end to what some are calling an epidemic, in 2015 Greenpeace introduced a bill in Congress calling for a zero deforestation policy. It was filed along with 1.4 million signatures supporting the initiative. The bill is currently in the consultation phase, which means the population has until the end of 2017 to issue opinions and recommendations. Environmentalists hope that the new law will reinstate some of the regulations that they say protected the land. Before 2012, any tree-cutting had to be justified and explained by a number of government agencies. Today, all that is required is a single permit issued by the Ministry of Agriculture in a matter of weeks. Greenpeace has dubbed Agriculture Minister Blairo Maggi the largest forest destroyer in Brazil. EYE IN THE SKY: TECH HELPS PROTECT ISOLATED AMAZON TRIBES According to Paulo Barreto, a researcher at the Instituto do Homem e Meio Ambiente da Amazonia (Imazon), the steady expansion of the country's farming borders is also being stimulated by an increase in cattle prices. However, he said Brazil could still benefit from its oversized livestock the largest in the world without dilapidating the Amazon rain forest if the government was vigilant, if it didn't change the rules. But when the [deforestation] threat increases and government weakens protection that mix leads to this escalating situation," he said. Large infrastructure projects in the Amazon region, such as the new Belo Monte Hydroelectric Plant, in the state of Para, have worsened the problem by leading to a disorderly urban growth of the site, pollution and even the flooding of various areas," according to the Socio-Environmental Institute (ISA). No wonder that in the INPE report released recently, Para is at the top of the list, with approximately 1,200 square miles (38 percent of the state) of deforested land in just 12 months. Environmentalists say the magnitude of the threat demands a serious effort by the government and the world. "There is also a lack of ambition to combat the problem, Mazetti said. Last year, the government set a goal to end illegal deforestation by 2030. But if we [continue to] allow this practice, admittedly illegal, for another 15 years, how can we achieve this goal?" she said. The head of Twitter Wednesday compared 'patterns' in the U.S. to past historic moments like the "Arab Spring," which eventually lead to years of political upheaval in counties like Tunisia and Egypt. Jack Dorsey, the CEO, made the comments during a technology conference in San Francisco hosted by Goldman Sachs, Fortune magazine reported. "A lot of the same patterns we've seen during the Iranian Green Revolution and the Arab Spring," he said. "It was stunning to see how Twitter was being used to have a conversation about the government, with the government." Tech Crunch reported that Dorsey discussed the social media sites influence in global media. Dorsey said there is a lot of dialogue about policy shifts and whats happening in this country and around the world. The tech website also reported that Dorsey called Twitter the best place to get a sense of whats going on in the world. "As a culture in the U.S., we've focused on things that didn't matter as much. Now, everything is brought into perspective, and Twitter is at center of the most important conversations," Dorsey said, according to Fortune. In a charged political and social environment, Twitter is trying to balance its position as a platform for free speech while curtailing hate speech and bullying. The social site has taken several steps to address abuse, though it's too early to tell whether they are working. Dorsey recently purchased $7 million in his company's stock. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Cassie De Pecol, a 27-year-old traveler from Connecticut, just became the fastest person to visit every country in the world. She is also the first woman to visit every sovereign nation. She left for her world tour in July 2015, and on February 2 she visited Yemen, the 196th and final country on her list. Her entire journey around the world took 18 months and 26 days, smashing the previous record of three years and three months. De Pecol is now completing the paperwork to be officially recognized by Guinness World Records. De Pecol completed her whirlwind world tour as an ambassador for the International Institute of Peace Through Tourism. Throughout her trip, De Pecol met with mayors and ministers of tourism, presenting them with the organizations Declaration of Peace. Throughout her journey, De Pecol boarded over 255 flights, planted trees in over 50 countries and went through five passports. She spent between two and five days in each country. De Pecol told CNN that some of the hardest moments in her journey came when trying to secure visas. There have been cases when I post on my Facebook, 'Hi I need help getting into Libya' or 'I need help getting into Syria,' and at that point it's kind of trusting in the unknown, trusting in people," she said. In order to fund her journey, De Pecol saved $10,000 in babysitting money. She acquired the rest of her $198,000 budget through sponsors. De Pecol also exchanged promotional coverage for stays at eco-hotels around the world. She also filmed the entire journey and hopes to release her travels as a documentary. Next up, De Pecol plans to visit Antarctica. But before that, she will race in an Olympic Triathlon in San Diego next month, and in June she will teach a course in how to secure funding to travel the world. next Image 1 of 2 prev Image 2 of 2 Get ready to hear a whole lot of 1970s classic rock at Disneyland. Disney's California Adventure theme park announced they'll be kicking off a "Summer of Heroes" with the opening of the Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout! ride on May 27. Inspired by the hit Marvel film franchise, Guardians of the Galaxy will replace the old Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, which had been in operation since 2004, but closed earlier this year on Jan. 3. Like the Tower of Terror, the new Guardians of the Galaxy-themed attraction will be a free-fall ride, but with all-new visual and audio effects and music inspired by the popular film soundtracks, according to Disney. Mission Breakout! will take riders on a mission to help Rocket [Raccoon] bust his pals out of the Collectors Fortress. In a previous blog post, they also describe the ride as a randomized experience, so you never know which adventure you will get! The attractions opening coincides with the release of Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 2, which hits theaters on May 5. MICKEY MOUSE BUSTED FOR CONNING TIMES SQUARE TOURIST Plans for Mission Breakout! were first announced at San Diego Comic-Con in July 2016-- but the news was initially met with criticism by Tower of Terror fans on social media. You still have 23 hours to stop yourself from making the worst decision in the history of @Disney #savethetower pic.twitter.com/0jwd60eWSd ang (@aaaannng) January 2, 2017 Even as the opening date of the Guardians ride draws closer, nostalgic Tower fans are still tweeting about their disappointment with Disney. This week, Disney also announced several smaller attractions as part of their Summer of Heroes, including superhero encounters with the Avengers, an awesome dance-off opportunity with costumed "Guardians" characters, and plenty of superhero-themed souvenirs and foods throughout the park. The state's largest school district is urging immigrant families to send children to school despite the national "Day Without Immigrants" protest. Principals for Albuquerque Public School sent parents a letter this week acknowledging the planned national immigration protest on Thursday. But officials said students needed to be in class every day. School officials say students who participate in the protest will receive an unexcused absence and will have to make up missed assignments. The letter also says Albuquerque Public Schools welcomes and supports immigrant and refugee students. Organizers in cities across the U.S. are telling immigrants to miss class, miss work and not patronize businesses Thursday. "A Day Without Immigrants" protest is meant to show how critical immigrants are to the U.S. economy. San Francisco city officials have reopened all streets except Tehama between 1st & 2nd streets in South of Market neighborhood where a high-rise construction emergency took place Wednesday afternoon. The situation has been resolved. Fire officials evacuated 16 nearby buildings when a partial hydraulic failure happened at 41 Tehama Street. All of those buildings are now safe to re-enter except 44 Tehama, according to authorities. The building under construction initially prompted concerns that a 2,000 pound concrete wall could have collapsed. According to San Francisco Fire Department, the construction company made the emergency call at 2:45 p.m. The building is a 37-story, 403-unit luxury residential tower near the Transbay Transit Center site. The building is being developed by Hines and Invesco Real Estate. The risk was said to be coming from the 30th floor of the building. The developer said previous reports of the concrete slab being in danger of falling were false. City inspectors have now backed up that claim saying that was not the case. "The interior forming system and the concrete placement arm have been secured and are being evaluated by engineers to bring it back to level," Hines and Invesco said in a written statement. Click for more from KTVU.com. Nearly three-quarters of eligible production workers at Boeing's South Carolina plant voted Wednesday not to join the International Association of Machinists in a major setback for organized labor. The Post & Courier newspaper reported that 2,097 of 2,828 voting workers 74.2 percent cast ballots against unionization. Under NLRB rules, workers must wait a year before another union vote. In a statement, Machinists organizer Mike Evans said the union was disappointed with the vote but vowed to stay in close touch with Boeing workers to figure out next steps. "Ultimately it will be the workers who dictate what happens next," Evans said. "We've been fortunate enough to talk with hundreds of Boeing workers over the past few years. Nearly every one of them, whether they support the union or not, have improvements they want to see at Boeing. Frankly, they deserve better." The vote took place ahead of a scheduled Friday visit by President Donald Trump to attend the rollout of the first Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner from the aircraft maker's North Charleston campus. The vote was an uphill battle for the union and its backers. The global aviation giant, which came to South Carolina in part because of the state's minuscule union presence, did so with the aid of millions of dollars in state assistance made possible by officials who spoke out frequently and glowingly with anti-union messages. "It is an economic development tool," then-South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, now President Donald Trump's ambassador to the United Nations, said in a 2012 address of how she sold companies on coming to the state. "We'll make the unions understand full well that they are not needed, not wanted and not welcome in the state of South Carolina." Only about 52,000 South Carolina workers have union representation, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' 2016 figures. Other major manufacturers in the state, including BMW and Michelin, aren't unionized or haven't experienced major campaigns to do so. The Machinists initially petitioned for a vote at Boeing in 2015 but withdrew the request because of what the union claimed was a toxic atmosphere and political interference. Southern states for decades have recruited manufacturers by promising freedom from the influences of labor unions, which except for some textile mills have been historically rejected by workers as collective action culturally foreign to a South built around family farms, said Jeffrey Hirsch, a law professor who specializes in labor relations at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Boeing didn't threaten to move its operations abroad if workers unionized, perhaps abstaining from those threats because of its huge South Carolina plant investment and billions of dollars in federal defense contracts the company does not want to risk. The union vote also came after Trump blasted Boeing for the cost of building a new Air Force One. "Costs are out of control," Trump tweeted in early December. "Cancel order!" Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg met with Trump two weeks later. Catherine Templeton, South Carolina's former labor director and successful anti-union lawyer, is no stranger to this fight. When Haley picked Templeton to lead South Carolina's labor department, the governor played up Templeton's union-fighting background and saying she needed her help to "fight the unions" at Boeing. "They cannot legally deliver higher wages, better benefits or a different working environment. Even if they are promising it, they certainly can't deliver it," Templeton said. Asked earlier Wednesday about the vote, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster said he didn't feel unions were needed in the state. "I think we're doing just fine without a union presence," he said. In a statement emailed to reporters, Boeing vice president and general manager Joan Robinson-Berry was already looking toward Trump's visit, the first by a sitting president to the facility. "It is great to have this vote behind us as we come together to celebrate that event," she said. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Amanda Knox revealed what it was like having a same-sex, non-sexual romantic relationship with an inmate at an Italian prison Wednesday, nearly two years after the countrys high court acquitted her of murder. Knox spent four years in prison abroad before her conviction in the 2007 murder of roommate Meredith Kercher was reversed in 2011. The 29-year-old Seattle native wrote in a piece published in Vice Magazine describing how she met another woman in prison and developed a romantic relationship with her. Knox, who says shes a straight female, wrote that her attraction to the woman was not sexual. Prison is an isolating place, Knox writes. Youre forcibly removed from your homes and support network. Youre deprived freedom of movement, of social interaction, and of time. Youre forced to submit to total surveillance and control by strangers, alongside strangers. But relationships help keep us sane, even if theyre forbidden or not ideal. Knox also writes about how she was forced to hold hands with her partner, whose name was Leny. She said thats when the relationship started to go south. Ive changed women before, shed tell me. I can do things to you that no man can, Knox wrote. I felt objectified and Id get annoyed. You cant change me, Id respond Knox contended that society often overlooks non-sexual romantic relationships that occur in prison. Gay for the stay is an insensitive oversimplification that signals a lack of understanding about what its really like to be imprisoned, and an underestimation of human nature, Knox wrote. Knoxs legal drama started after she and her then-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito were originally sentenced for 20-plus years in prison for Kerchers murder. Both were acquitted of those charges. However, a higher court in Italy reversed the acquittal in 2013. Knox was sentenced again before fighting it and winning again in March 2015. Knox reportedly works as a writer for the West Seattle Herald. Click for more from Q13 Fox. A California college student who was suspended for recording a professor ranting about President Trump's election victory and how it amounted to an "act of terrorism" filed an appeal Wednesday to fight the suspension. RUTGERS CONDEMNS ANTI-MUSLIM POSTER FOUND AT CULTURAL CENTER Caleb ONeil, a student at Orange Coast College, was suspended for a full semester and the summer term for filming the video. The college said the 19-year-old violated its policy by recording any person on District Property or at any District function without that persons knowledge or consent. SPARKS FLY OVER MAHER'S BOOKING OF PROVOCATEUR MILO He was also ordered to write a three-page double spaced essay regarding the incident, Campus Reform reported. ONeil videotaped his professor Olga Perez Stable Cox in December talking about Trump's election win. She called his election an act of terrorism. Cox also said in the video that, our nation is divided as clearly as it was in civil war times. ONeil, who shared the video with college Republicans, wore pro-Trump clothing in class and said he felt threatened due to his teachers comments. "I pulled my phone out, because I was honestly scared that I would have repercussions with my grades because she knew I was a Trump supporter," he said, according to The Orange County Register. His suspension has caused mixed reactions among students at the campus. Its unfair for the teacher to be secretly recorded. The student should have talked to the professor and voiced his opinions, then the fallout wouldve been avoidable, one student told the Los Angeles Times. The Los Angeles Times reported that a small group of people supported ONeil, with one yelling, Youre a hero, Caleb! Cox told the Washington Post in December that she was being virtually attacked by emails and Facebook messages saying, I feel like Ive been attacked by a mob of people all across the country. Alyssa Madruga is a news editor for FoxNews.com. Follow her on Twitter @AlyssaMadruga. A Colorado man was charged with murder Thursday in the death of his year-old daughter's mother, a day after authorities in Oklahoma caught up to him and the girl, who had been reported missing and was recovered unharmed. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol arrested Adam Densmore, 32, on Wednesday for violating a custody order Shannon Cordingly, a Boulder, Colorado, police spokeswoman said Thursday. He had his daughter, Winter Mead, with him, and the girl was placed in state custody in Oklahoma, she said. While in Pawnee County jail, Densmore was later served with a first-degree murder arrest warrant for the death of 25-year-old Ashley Mead, Cordingly said, after a woman's body was found about 40 miles away in a dumpster at a gas station outside a Wal-Mart in Okmulgee, which is about 90 miles east of Oklahoma City and nearly 600 miles from Boulder. The body has not been identified, but Cordingly said the arrest warrant was issued because authorities believe Ashley Mead is dead and the body was found near where her daughter and the child's father were discovered, although Cordingly declined to say where or how Mead is believed to have been killed. "At this point the arrest warrant is still sealed," Cordingly said. "It's not going to be unsealed until we have positively identified the body as that of Ashley." The body was sent to the Oklahoma medical examiner's office for identification and to determine the cause of death, said Amy Elliott, a spokeswoman for the office. "There are some factors involved that make it very, very difficult for us, so I don't know how long it's going to take," she said. She would not elaborate. Jail records don't list an attorney who might be able to speak on Densmore's behalf. Ashley Mead and her daughter were reported missing Tuesday when Mead did not show up for work. She was last seen in Boulder on Sunday. The international investigation group Bellingcat has published a report naming the individual who coordinated the deployment of the Russian Buk ground-to-air missile system that downed a Boeing passenger plane (MH17) over eastern Ukraine in July 2014, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty has reported. The individual named is retired Russian military officer S. Dubinsky. "Dubinsky is a Russian war veteran. He was a colonel in July 2014, fought in Afghanistan for the Soviet Union and later in Chechnya, where he served in the 22nd Special Brigade connected with Russia's Military Main Intelligence Directorate [Foreign military intelligence agency, known as GRU], RFE/RL reported on Wednesday evening, citing the Bellingcat report. Bellingcat on February 14 gave the information to the international investigative group, which is conducting the official investigation into the downing of the Boeing-777. Representatives of Australia, Belgium, the Netherlands, Malaysia and Ukraine are in the group. According to the Bellingcat report, the ground-to-air Buk missile that downed the Boeing was delivered to Ukraine from Russia. The place of the missile launch was Pervomayske village, located in an area of eastern Ukraine occupied by Russian hybrid forces. Some 100 individuals have been implicated of involvement in the launching of the missile. Prosecutors say they have charged a day care worker with sexually abusing a 3-year-old girl. SHOOTING THAT KILLED CHICAGO TODDLER CAPTURED ON VIDEO The arrest of 32-year-old teacher Michael Barbee on charges of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse on a 3-year-old child had parents outraged and upset Wednesday evening as they came to pick up their children at the Early Learning Center at Saint Francis of Assisi Church. A woman, whose identity we're withholding, worked at the Early Learning Center. She says she complained to officials here about staffing and supervision. SIX CHARGED IN NORTH CAROLINA WITH TRAFFICKING A TON OF POT If our calls and our concerns were taken serious, this probably could have been prevented, she said. Police arrested Barbee Saturday on 16 charges from indecent assault to unlawful contact. Investigators say he sexually assaulted a 3-year-old girl during naptime in a classroom after she called him stupid. The Archdiocese of Philadelphia released the following statement reading in part: "These charges are serious and disturbing. The Archdiocese is cooperating fully with law enforcement regarding this matter and remains fervently committed to preventing child abuse as well as protecting the children and young people entrusted to its care. There were no prior indications that Mr. Barbee was involved in activity of this nature. Prior to beginning his term of employment with Saint Francis of Assisi Parish, appropriate criminal background checks as well as child abuse clearances had been obtained and he completed mandatory Safe Environment Training programs." Click for more from Fox 29. Two men and a teenager in Florida are behind bars after they attacked a disabled Navy veteran who was trying to protect a turtle that they were torturing, according to police and the vet's family. MARINE VET SPEAKS OUT ABOUT VIRAL VIDEO SUPPORTING TRUMP TRAVEL BAN Gary Blough said he came upon the group in Daytona Beach as they were taking the turtle and slamming it down as hard as they could on its shell. He asked them to leave the animal alone and then tried to help the turtle back into the water. While I had my head turned, two of them started hitting me in the back of the head and punching me," Blough told Fox 35. "Next thing I know were in a scuffle and Im fighting three of them at the same time defending myself. VETERAN SAID HE WAS ASKED TO LEAVE POST OFFICE BECAUSE HE DIDN'T HAVE HIS SERVICE DOG'S IDENTIFICATION He said the group began to punch and kick him, leaving him with a severely swollen eye and a bump on the back of his head. After other people came to see the commotion, the suspects reportedly took off, but police later caught up with them nearby, charging all three with aggravated battery and animal cruelty. One of its legs was up here, said Blough to Fox 35, pointing toward some bushes next to an apartment building. When he got slapped . . . it shot stuff outside. So, I dont doubt the turtle died. Police identified the two adult suspects as Ryan Ponder, 23, and Johnnie Beveritt, 18. The third suspect was a 16-year-old boy. Authorities told Fox 35 that when another officer went to check on the turtle later, it was gone; they believe the turtle died and sank into the water. Blough's wife was horrified by what she saw. My husband, who is disabled, tried to save a poor animal's life and he gets beaten up, said Jennifer Blough. Ponder and Beveritt reportedly were held on $15,000 bond at the Volusia County Jail. The teen is being held at a juvenile detention facility. Click for more from Fox 35. A former close friend of Robert Durst admitted in court Thursday the millionaire heir confessed to killing their mutual best friend. Nathan Chavin testified in Los Angeles that Durst told him in 2014 that he killed Susan Berman. WOMAN CHAINED IN METAL BOX SAYS CAPTOR BRAGGED ABOUT DOZENS OF VICTIMS Chavin says Durst said he had to. He said: "It was her or me, I had no choice." Chavin, who became emotional while testifying, said he still has warm feelings for Durst. FRIEND OF SAN BERNARDINO ATTACKER PLEADS GUILTY TO PROVIDING GUNS Durst has pleaded not guilty to murder in the 2000 execution-style shooting of Berman inside her Los Angeles home. Chavin said the conversation came at the end of a dinner Durst arranged to discuss Berman and the disappearance of his first wife. Chavin also said that Durst's wife told him she was afraid of her husband before she disappeared. Chavin is a New York advertising executive who was a longtime friend of Durst and his wife. He was also a friend of Berman, whom Durst is charged with killing. On Wednesday, Chavin described watching Durst's marriage deteriorate before his wife, who went by Kathie, mysteriously disappeared in 1982. Kathie Durst had confided in Chavin with her worries about her husband, but didn't discuss any violence, according to Chavin. "She said she was afraid of him," Chavin said. "She never said he hurt her." Robert Durst is not charged in Kathie Durst's disappearance, but prosecutors contend that he killed his best friend Berman in 2000 because she was going to talk to police about the case. Chavin testified that he did not think Durst was responsible for his wife's disappearance at the time. Before he took the stand, Chavin's identity had been kept a secret, and he entered the courtroom through a back door with a personal security detail. Prosecutors have suggested that with Durst's estimated $100 million fortune, he could have witnesses knocked off. The defense said that suggestion is absurd and have pointed to Durst's frail condition and the fact he's in jail where his phone conversations are recorded. But the judge allowed Chavin to testify in a rare proceeding to record testimony from a few elderly witnesses and those who fear for their safety and may not be alive to testify at trial. Durst has yet to even be ordered to stand trial. Because Berman's murder trial is not likely to begin until next year, prosecutors asked that Chavin testify early out of fear he might be killed before trial, the Los Angeles Times reported. Chavin, 72, said he once considered Durst his best friend. He told of two violent incidents Durst described to him, including one that involved kicking a man in the head who had flirted with his wife. "The guy pissed him off," Chavin said and he noted that Durst never showed any regret for the incident or distress after being sued. In another incident, Durst said he had run over a female police officer in the San Francisco Bay Area while creeping through traffic. Chavin asked why he wasn't in jail. Durst replied: "What's she going to do, go to her superiors and say, `He ran over me at 1 mph?"' Chavin said. "I think he did it in a prankish way." Fox News' Laura Prabucki in Los Angeles and The Associated Press contributed to this report. The only person criminally charged in connection with the 2015 San Bernardino terror attack pleaded guilty Thursday to providing the high-powered rifles that were used to kill 14 people. Enrique Marquez Jr., 25, appeared in federal court in Riverside, Calif., after signing a plea agreement with prosecutors. He was accused of providing husband-and-wife attackers Syed Rizwan Farook and Tashfeen Malik the rifles used in the rampage, as well as plotting mass killings with Farook several years earlier that were never carried out. SAN BERNARDINO ATTACK COUPLE'S SISTER-IN-LAW PLEADS GUILTY IN MARRIAGE-FRAUD CASE During Thursdays hearing, U.S. District Judge Jesus Bernal allowed Gregory Clayborn, whose daughter, Sierra Clayborn, was killed in the attack, to address federal prosecutors. He expressed his disappointment in them for the plea agreement saying that Marquez was getting a slap on the wrist. He added, People get more time for committing a lesser crime. ISIS BOMBINGS KILL DOZENS IN IRAQ AND PAKISTAN Bernal said the victims' families would be able to speak before Marquez is sentenced. Under the plea deal, Marquez could face up to 25 years in prison. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Aug. 21. The 2015 attack at a holiday party for county health workers also wounded 22 people. Farook and Malik were killed in a gunfight with law enforcement later that day. Prosecutors said there was no evidence Marquez, a friend of Farook's, participated in the San Bernardino massacre or had advance knowledge of it. Prosecutors said Marquez acknowledged being a "straw buyer" when he purchased two AR-15 rifles from a sporting goods store that were used in Farook's attack on the meeting of his work colleagues. Prosecutors have said Marquez agreed to buy the weapons because the attackers feared Farook's Middle Eastern appearance might arouse suspicion. Marquez also acknowledged plotting with Farook in 2011 and 2012 to massacre college students and gun down motorists on a gridlocked Southern California freeway, though those attacks never occurred. Marquez said he backed out of the plot after four men in the area were arrested on terrorism charges in late 2012, the FBI has said in court documents. Marquez and Farook met in 2005 after Marquez moved next door to Farook's family in Riverside, about 55 miles east of Los Angeles. TRINIDAD & TOBAGO TRIES TO HALT FIGHTERS TO ISIS Farook began educating his new friend about his Muslim faith and Marquez converted in 2007. The FBI said the two began discussing extremist views shortly thereafter. By late 2011, Marquez spent time at Farook's home reading magazines published by Al Qaeda and studying radical material online, federal officials said. Fox News' Dan Gallo in Riverside and The Associated Press contributed to this report. A Georgia firefighter and medic defied the odds after being shot 14 times and being told by doctors he would not be able to work again. SHIRT WITH $8G IN POCKET ACCIDENTALLY DONATED TO GOODWILL Getting back to this point is almost unheard of and I wish I could think of the words to express how happy I am, said College Park Firefighter Eddie Baker. Eddie Bakers neighbor, Taylor Carthern, shot him several times outside his College Park home in December of 2014. Carthern is serving a 20-year sentence. SUSPECT DRAGGED COP 150 YARDS WITH CAR FOR STOLEN BEER, POLICE SAY Baker said the bullets hit him in the chest, spine and arm and he suffered a broken femur, shoulder, jaw, seven broken fingers along with tendon damage resulting in 10 surgeries. Doctors told Baker he would not be able to return to work. I would always ask is there ever going to be a chance where I will be able to get back to the fire department and they always told me no and it was heartbreaking every single time, said Baker. College Park FF shot 14 times-Doctors told him he wouldn't be able to work again, but he defied the odds 2yrs later-More @ 10p @FOX5Atlanta pic.twitter.com/8oTMxZOd6F Nathalie Pozo (@NathalieFOX5) February 15, 2017 The 11-year veteran would not take no for an answer, crediting his faith, co-workers and family, including his now 11-year-old daughter with encouraging him to fight. She always thought that I was going to be able to come back and she would tell me every day, 'you know Im sick of you sitting around here, its time to get up and do your exercises,' said Baker. Baker went through two rigorous years of rehab and had to learn how to walk again. After two years of difficult work and perseverance, he was able to come back to the firehouse. He is the crazy one of the crew, once he got back he just stepped right back into that role, said fellow firefighter and longtime friend, Orlando Gray. While Baker was gone, he never missed a paycheck thanks to the support from the city. Everyone donated probably over two years of vacation time to him, so he did not miss a check while he was out, said College Park Fire Chief Wade Elmore. He is a model employee, so I would say he means a whole lot to us. Click for more from Fox 5. Federal immigration officials reportedly arrested an illegal immigrant in Texas who was seeking help for domestic violence. Irvin Gonzalez, who is identified as a transgender woman, was arrested on Feb. 9 at the El Paso County Courthouse. She had just received a protective order against her live-in boyfriend, the El Paso Times reported Wednesday. ICE agents acted on a tip, possibly from the boyfriend. The arrest has sparked concerns that illegal immigrants who face domestic abuse may stay with their abusers over fear of being detained and deported. Jo Anne Bernal, the El Paso county attorney, who is representing Gonzalez, said protective-order courts were no place for illegal immigrant raids. Our clients come to us at the lowest point in their lives, Bernal told the paper. Many of them are so frightened of coming to us because of possible immigration concerns. A criminal complaint in the U.S. District Court in El Paso indicates that the person with the same name as Gonzalez may have a history of deportation and domestic violence, according to the paper. Bernal said she wasnt aware of the complaint. The complaint, which was filed on Feb. 9, stated that Gonzalez had been deported six times since 2010 after arrests for possession of stolen mail, false imprisonment and assault. El Paso County officials said they hope immigration enforcement officials do not make a habit of arresting illegal immigrants at the courthouse acting on tips from alleged abusers. Theres no place for that especially in family court, 65th District Judge Yahara Lisa Gutierrez, who oversees Gonzalezs protective order, told the paper. Gonzalez is being held in the El Paso County Jail under an ICE detainer. Click for more from the El Paso Times. A Mexican woman trying to avoid deportation took refuge in a Denver church Wednesday after U.S. immigration authorities denied her request to remain in the country, the latest case to rattle the immigrant community as the White House promises to boost enforcement. Jeanette Vizguerra skipped her scheduled check-in with Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials in the suburb of Centennial. About 100 supporters demonstrated outside the building as her attorney, Hans Meyer, and a minister went inside. ICE AGENTS REPORTEDLY ARREST ALLEGED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICITM AT TEXAS COURTHOUSE They said they were met by a lobby full of agents, a few of them armed, and were told Vizguerra would not get another extension as she tries to obtain a U visa, sometimes given to crime victims. ICE spokesman Shawn Neudauer said Vizguerra was an "enforcement priority" because she had two misdemeanor convictions and a judge originally issued final deportation orders for her in 2011. Meyer said Vizguerra had been granted several previous extensions under the Obama administration because officials realize it can take two or three years to obtain the visa. PHOENIX OFFICIALS TURN DOWN PETITION TO ADOPT SANCTUARY CITY STATUS "This is a big, huge red flare that the Trump administration has plans to deport as many people as possible," said Meyer, who declined to disclose details of the crime to which Vizguerra was a victim. Trump has made cracking down on illegal immigration a priority, declaring plans to build a border wall, threatening to cut funding to cities that don't cooperate with federal immigration authorities and issuing an executive order making it clear that just about any immigrant in the country illegally could be a priority for deportation, particularly those with outstanding deportation orders. ICE's Neudauer would not say whether denying Vizguerra's request for an extension was a change in policy. Vizguerra took refuge in the church, a common tactic to avoid deportation because authorities generally don't enter places of worship, as immigrant advocates called for the release of 23-year-old in Washington state who was detained despite participating in a federal program to protect those brought to the U.S. illegally as children. 'DAY WITHOUT IMMIGRANTS' PROTESTS BEING HELD ACROSS US She said she was thinking of Daniel Ramirez Medina as well as Guadalupe Garcia de Rayos, an Arizona woman arrested during a routine ICE check-in and deported to Mexico the next day, before taking sanctuary. Vizguerra, crying at first, spoke in Spanish by phone through a bullhorn to supporters outside the ICE building and later in person at the First Unitarian Church not far from the state Capitol. With three of her four children joining her on the altar, the former union organizer and house cleaner said her only crimes were related to working in the country illegally to support her family. She said she was arrested for not having a driver's license or current vehicle registration. Officers also discovered that she had a forged identity document, which she said had a Social Security number made up of digits from her birth date, not one that belonged to an actual person. Vizguerra said she told her children last week of her decision to stay in a basement room of the church that they had painted in 2014 in preparation for any immigrant who might need to seek sanctuary. "You can see the reasons behind me why I am fighting so hard to win my case," she said of her family. Man with zip-ties around his neck foud dead in New York City jewelry store. A 43-year-old employee of a family-owned jewelry store in Tribeca was found dead in a bathroom with two zip-ties around his neck, authorities said. Omid Gholians body was discovered inside World of Gold N Diamond at Church and Duane streets when police entered around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday. POLICE GET 100 TIPS FROM PHOTOS OF MAN NEAR INDIANA DEATHS The mans family hadnt heard from him for a few days and his brother had even filed a missing-person report with the 1st Precinct, police said. When the brother went to the store Wednesday to look for Gholian, the gate was locked. Cops then helped him track down a family member who had keys to the shop and were able gain entry Wednesday afternoon. Gholian was found lying in a pool of blood on the floor of a bathroom with the zip-ties around his neck, police said. EMTs were summoned and pronounced the man dead at the scene. He reportedly was last seen alive two days ago. READ MORE FROM THE NEW YORK POST. A Detroit man is nearly killed after being shot multiple times while driving on the freeway. The 33-year-old was driving on I-96 on Wednesday afternoon when a vehicle pulled up alongside him and opened fire. The victim drove to Beaumont Hospital in Farmington Hills with both his body and his Chevy Trailblazer full of bullet holes. "I'm hoping and praying that he's doing fine. They just say they got him heavy sedated." GEORGIA FIREFIGHTER DEFIES ODDS, RETURNS TO WORK AFTER BEING SHOT 14 TIMES The victim was alone in the vehicle at I-96 at Outer Drive when a green Nissan pulled up alongside him. That Nissan driver fired at least 30 rounds at the Trailblazer. The victim was shot in the neck, the shoulder and the arm. Bullets peppered the Trailblazer blowing out the windows, the right front tire and piercing the door. LAWYER: FLORIDA AIRPORT SHOOTING SUSPECT MENTALLY COMPETENT Although he was badly wounded the victim drove approximately three miles to the emergency room on Grand River. He called his family as he drove. "We was sittin' in the house and we got a phone call from him and he said I've been shot at. And we was like where you at? And he was like I'm on Fenkell and that was it and he told his sister like meet me at the hospital." Detroit Police are at a loss to explain this incident. READ MORE FROM FOX 2 DETROIT. Militants launched an artillery strike on the residential sector in the old part of Avdiyivka (Donetsk region) last night, as a result private houses were ruined, one household was destroyed by fire. There is no information about the victims and survivors there. According to Pokrovsky police department of the Donetsk region, a district, located near the industrial area, turned out to be under fire. Eight homes of local residents were damaged by shrapnel, one private home was burned down as a result of a direct hit. Investigative police team is on the scene, assisting the civilian population and documenting the effects of militant shelling. Avdiyivka police department has opened criminal proceedings under all the facts under Part 2 of Article 258 (act of terrorism) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has reacted angrily to comments of U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis who on Wednesday spoke of the need to negotiate with Russia "from a position of strength. The statement came just hours before Gen. Joe Dunford and Gen. Valery Gerasimov, the U.S. and Russian Chiefs of Staff, were to hold talks in the former Soviet republic of Azerbaijan, the first meeting between the two countries' senior members of the military since Donald Trump was elected president last year. Shoigu on Thursday lambasted Mattis for his remarks, saying that "attempts to build a dialogue with Russia from a position of strength are futile." Shoigu said Moscow would seek Dunford's explanation at the meeting in Baku later on Thursday. A British citizen who is a noted expert on Spanish history faces a child pornography charge in the United States. According to an indictment returned Tuesday in Georgia, Henry Kamen faces a possession of child pornography charge. Federal prosecutors say that in September 2014 Kamen had child pornography, defined in the indictment as any image of a child under 12 engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Prosecutors said in a news release that Kamen, a historian and professor of Spanish history, lived in Georgia but currently lives in Barcelona. Online court records do not show any lawyer listed for him. If convicted of the child pornography charge, Kamen faces up to 20 years in prison. A Minnesota man is asking those who collect and sell rocks to be on the lookout after his unique collection of Lake Superior agates worth tens of thousands of dollars was stolen. Hunting down rare and unusual gemstones has been Jesse Lofgren's passion for the last 20 years. Now he is offering a $5,000 reward for the return of his prized possessions. MICHIGAN MAN SHOT ON THE HIGHWAY DRIVES HIMSELF TO HOSPITAL "Devastated. Completely and utterly devastated," Lofgren said. After a month working out-of-state, Lofgren returned earlier this week to find someone had broken into his home in Wright County. The burglar smashed the glass on two locked display cases and took off with about 75 Lake Superior agates, worth at least $60,000. "This was a very targeted attack. I believe they knew what they wanted before they entered the property. They wanted the agate collection and that's all they wanted," Lofgren said. Click for more from Fox 9. An Iranian-American pastor freed last year from an prison in Iran is facing jail time and community service in Idaho after pleading guilty to violating a restraining order his estranged wife filed against him. SHADOWY IRANIAN GENERAL VISITS MOSCOW, VIOLATING SANCTIONS Saeed Abedini, 36, who converted from Islam to Christianity in 2000 and then worked in Iran as a Pentecostal minister, was released by his government Jan. 16, 2016. His release came after years of global pressure from human rights and Christian groups. Shortly after he arrived in Idaho last year, his wife, Naghmeh, filed a restraining order against him and filed for legal separation. She described years of emotional and physical abuse, the Idaho Statesman reported. PASTOR FREED FROM IRAN DESCRIBES HIS HARROWING EXPERIENCE AS A PRISONER An Idaho county magistrate on Monday sentenced him to 180 days in jail, all but five days of which were suspended, after Abedini pleaded guilty to violating the restraining order last May. The magistrate also ordered him to do community service and fined him $1,000, half of which was suspended. In exchange for his guilty plea, the court dropped two other counts of violating the restraining order in June 2016. "This was a personal matter that I won't share in public," he said. "I will write something in my book in the future." Outside of court, Abedini has consistently denied harming his wife. The sentence of Abedini, who brought his family to the U.S. in 2005, was not his first such brush with U.S. law. In 2007 he pleaded guilty to domestic abuse in the same Ada County Magistrate Court and was put on probation for a year. Between 2005 and 2016 Abedini made several missionary trips to Iran and was briefly detained on several such visits. In 2009, however, Iranian authorities arrested him and sentenced him to eight years in prison. During his imprisonment he became a cause celebre among human rights activists and international Christian groups, including one led by the Rev. Franklin Graham, son of famed evangelist Billy Graham. His release last year came after President Obama negotiated the release of four Iranians in exchange for the U.S. releasing seven Iranian prisoners. The Associated Press contributed to this report. A South Carolina prosecutor says two of the three Greenville County sheriff's deputies at a motel last weekend fired at a suspect who was killed in the confrontation. Solicitor Walt Wilkins says the officers fired four rounds in the Saturday morning confrontation with 37-year-old Jason Mendez of Fountain Inn. Their guns, as well as a gun found in Mendez's vehicle, are being examined by the State Law Enforcement Division. Sheriff Will Lewis said Mendez failed to comply with deputies' orders and was involved in an altercation before he was shot. SLED spokesman Thom Berry said Mendez was white, as are the officers involved. Wilkins said Wednesday the confrontation was captured on video by officers' in-car cameras and a camera at the motel. He said there was no body camera video available. A Russian spy ship last seen off the coast of Connecticut was spotted late Wednesday steaming south -- and near the largest naval base in the world, where the U.S. Navy's Atlantic Fleet is located. The Viktor Leonov was spotted approximately 65 nautical miles northeast of Norfolk, Va., in international waters heading south, a U.S. official told Fox News. The U.S. territorial line extends 12 miles from the coast. RUSSIA, ASSAD BOMBING OF CIVILIANS CONTINUES The Russian spy ship likely was returning to the Caribbean and Havana Harbor, according to the official. The Viktor Leonov was last seen in Havana in January 2015, as the Obama administration helped thaw relations with Cuba. Earlier this week, the Russian intelligence-gathering ship ventured as close as 30 nautical miles off the coast of Groton, Conn., home to a U.S. Navy submarine base. In addition to intercepting communications, the spy ship can also collect and analyze U.S. Navy sonar capability, according to officials. U.S. SPIES REPORTEDLY KEEPING INTELLIGENCE FROM TRUMP This comes as the U.S. militarys top officer, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph Dunford, is set to meet his Russian counterpart Thursday in Azerbaijan, the first time the military heads of both nations have met since Russias annexation of Crimea in 2014. Dunford is set to meet with Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation Valeriy Gerasimov in Baku, according to the Pentagon. The military leaders will discuss a variety of issues including the current state of U.S.-Russian military relations and the importance of consistent and clear military-to-military communication to prevent miscalculation and potential crises, a Pentagon statement said. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson also met his Russian counterpart, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, for the first time Thursday in Germany. Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday it was in the interests of both Russia and the United States to restore ties between the two nations' intelligence agencies, Reuters reported. Adding to the list of meetings with Kremlin officials, Fox News exclusively reported yesterday that a sanctioned Iranian general, responsible for killing hundreds of American troops in Iraq, would meet with top Russian officials. Qassem Soleimani is visiting Moscow in violation of United Nations Security Council sanctions barring him from traveling outside Iran. Russia, as a member of the UN Security Council, would also be in violation of the sanctions preventing Soleimani from traveling. Soleimani heads Irans Quds Force, the external wing of the Islamic Republic's Revolutionary Guard Corps, which is tasked with coordinating Irans proxy forces throughout the Middle East. Students by the hundreds walked out of their classrooms and Latino-owned businesses closed by the dozen as part of "Day Without Immigrants" demonstrations across Texas. More than 1,100 students went on strike at Dallas Independent School District schools on Thursday. That's according to school board member Miguel Solis. The El Rancho supermarket chain closed its 16 stores for the day. In Fort Worth, school absences were about 13 percentage points above normal. Other North Texas districts saw light to moderate increases in absenteeism Thursday. Absenteeism is much higher in the Austin area, where classrooms were reported to be no more than half-full. Hundreds of immigrant rights advocates rallied and marched from the Texas Capitol through downtown Austin. President Donald Trump opened the doors of the White House Wednesday to Liliana Tintori, the wife of the most visible faces of the Venezuelan opposition, Leopoldo Lopez. In a later tweet President Trump called for Lopez's immediate release and openly confronted the socialist government of Nicolas Maduro by calling him a "political prisoner." Lopez is serving a 14-year sentence in a military prison for having incited anti-government demonstrations that resulted in more than 40 deaths in 2014. "Venezuela should allow Leopoldo Lopez, a political prisoner & husband of @liliantintori (just met w/ @marcorubio) out of prison immediately," Trump tweeted after the meeting, also posting a photograph of himself with Tintori in the Oval Office. The tweet includes a photo of Tintori with Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio. VENEZUELANS MOSTLY APATHETIC AFTER DRUG TRAFFICKING ALLEGATIONS AGAINST VP Earlier in the day, Tintori and Mitzy Ledezma, the wife of jailed Caracas Mayor Antonio Ledezma, met with several lawmakers, including Miami Republican Reps. Carlos Curbelo, Mario Diaz-Balart and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen. Tintori traveled to Washington to present to the Senate her view of the Venezuelan crisis after a group of 34 legislators from both parties last week urged Trump to sanction the socialist government of Nicolas Maduro. Venezuela should allow Leopoldo Lopez, a political prisoner & husband of @liliantintori (just met w/ @marcorubio) out of prison immediately. pic.twitter.com/bt8Xhdo7al Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 15, 2017 The White House meeting followed the Trump administration's decision this week to sanction Vice President Tareck El Aissami, blacklisting him as a major international drug trafficker. The CNN report also singled out El Aissami as being partly responsible for illegal passport sales from his days as interior minister, when he oversaw the agency that issues travel documents. VENEZUELA SHUTS OFF CNN IN SPANISH AFTER CRITICIZING STORY Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez said Wednesday that the CNN report and the sanctions were intimately linked and part of a foreign media-backed conspiracy to remove Maduro. The previous night, she delivered a letter to the acting head of the U.S. Embassy in Caracas formally protesting the sanctions. Maduro criticized CNN on Wednesday night, calling it an "instrument of war in the hands of real mafias." He also urged Trump to avoid repeating the mistakes of the Obama administration, which also called for Lopez's release although never went so far as to invite Maduro's opponents to the White House. "Mr. President Trump: Open your eyes and ears and don't let yourself go down the wrong path," Maduro said on state TV before news of Trump's surprise meeting with Tintori set off a buzz on social media in Venezuela. VENEZUELANS LEAD IN US ASYLUM REQUESTS AS CRISIS DEEPENS The suspension of CNN in Spanish followed a steady stream of criticism aimed by Venezuelan officials at CNN since the investigative report was aired Feb. 6. CNN's story was based on a whistleblower's allegations that Venezuelan officials had been selling passports from the country's embassy in Iraq to people of Middle Eastern origin, including a few members of Hezbollah. In a statement, CNN said that it stood by its reporting and that the government's decision denied Venezuelans access to the network's news and information. It said it would continue airing content on YouTube and its website. "At CNN en Espanol we believe in the vital role that freedom of press plays in a healthy democracy," the company said. EFE and AP contributed to this report. Less than a month into his tenure, Donald Trump's White House is beset by a crush of crises. Divisions, dysfunction and high-profile exits have left the young administration nearly paralyzed and allies wondering how it will reboot. The bold policy moves that marked Trump's first days in office have slowed to a crawl, a tacit admission that he and his team had not thoroughly prepared an agenda. Nearly a week after the administration's travel ban was struck down by a federal court, the White House is still struggling to regroup and outline its next move on that signature issue. It's been six days since Trump who promised unprecedented levels of immediate action has announced a major new policy directive or legislative plan. His team is riven by division and plagued by distractions. This week alone, controversy has forced out both his top national security aide and his pick for labor secretary. "Another day in paradise," Trump quipped Wednesday after his meeting with retailers was interrupted by reporters' questions about links between his campaign staff and Russian officials. Fellow Republicans have begun voicing their frustration and open anxiety that the Trump White House will derail their high hopes for legislative action. Sen. John Thune of South Dakota demanded Wednesday that the White House "get past the launch stage." "There are things we want to get done here, and we want to have a clear-eyed focus on our agenda, and this constant disruption and drumbeat with these questions that keep being raised is a distraction," said Thune. Sen. John McCain of Arizona blasted the White House's approach to national security as "dysfunctional," asking: "Who is in charge? I don't know of anyone outside of the White House who knows." Such criticism from political allies is rare during what is often viewed as a honeymoon period for a new president. But Trump, an outsider who campaigned almost as much against his party as for it, has only a tiny reservoir of goodwill to protect him within the GOP. His administration has made uneven attempts to work closely with lawmakers and its own agencies. Officials have begun trying to change some tactics, and some scenery, with the hope of steadying the ship. The White House announced Wednesday that Trump, who has often mentioned how much he loves adoring crowds and affirmation from his supporters, would hold a campaign-style rally in Florida on Saturday, the first of his term. The event, according to White House press secretary Sean Spicer, was being "run by the campaign" and it is listed on Trump's largely dormant 2016 campaign website. No other details were offered. To be sure, pinballing from one crisis to the next is not unprecedented, particularly for a White House still finding its footing. But the disruptions that have swirled around Trump achieved hurricane force early and have not let up. On Wednesday his choice for labor secretary, fast food CEO Andy Puzder, withdrew his nomination while the administration continued to navigate the fallout from the forced resignation of national security adviser Michael Flynn. Flynn was ousted on grounds that he misled the vice president about his contacts with a Russian ambassador. Flynn's departure marked the return of an issue Trump is not likely to move past quickly. The president's relationship with Moscow will continue to be scrutinized and investigated, sometimes apparently fueled by leaks from within his own administration. Trump on Wednesday blasted what he called "illegal leaked" information. Not just leaks, but also legal woes, have derailed Trump's early efforts. After the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected his immigration ban last week, Trump emphatically tweeted "SEE YOU IN COURT!" and the administration vowed that it would re-appeal the block and either revise its original executive order or write a new one from scratch. But confusion soon followed. After first indicating they would not take a temporary restraining order request to the Supreme Court, administration staffers squabbled audibly, behind closed doors, over the accounts emerging in news reports. When the dust settled, a new statement was printed out and handed to journalists, stating, "to clarify," that all options were still on the table. But despite Trump's vow to have a plan in place by Tuesday, one has not emerged. The collapse of the ban, which poured fuel on simmering staff rivalries, was followed by a period of stark inaction by a White House suddenly put on the defensive. Trump did sign legislation Tuesday that rolled back a financial regulation, but his administration has not issued any executive orders in days. House Republicans have been nudging the White House to get behind Speaker Paul Ryan's tax overhaul, which includes a border adjustability plan of which Trump has been skeptical. GOP aides believed they were making progress, but the matter has been overshadowed by the flood of controversies. Other possible executive actions have been bandied about, from a task force on allegations of voter fraud to steps to strengthen cybersecurity, but have yet to be released. Key legislative items such as a massive plan to rebuild roads and bridges and an overhaul of the tax law remain works in progress. "He's a one-man band for all practical purposes, it's how he ran his business," said Bill Daley, a former White House chief of staff under Obama. "When you try to take that and everything revolves around that and he is the beginning, middle and end of everything, that is a tough model. His campaign was the same way." Trump's new administration has also been plagued by ethics brushfires that are taking up the time and energy of communications and legal staff members. In one incident that sparked bipartisan condemnation and calls for ethics investigations, White House counselor Kellyanne Conway said on TV that people should "go buy Ivanka's stuff" an endorsement that came after the president disparaged Nordstrom for dropping his daughter Ivanka Trump's fashion line. And congressional Republicans also are demanding to know more about the security measures in place at Mar-a-Lago, Trump's weekend White House in Palm Beach, Florida, where resort members photographed him during a dinnertime national security strategy session after North Korea conducted a missile test. "When you are the White House, every day is a crisis. Crisis is routine," said Ari Fleischer, who was President George W. Bush's first press secretary. "But when they all come right on top of each other, particularly at the start of an administration, it starts to create the feeling that they don't know how to run the place." ___ Additional reporting contributed by Julie Pace, Erica Werner, Ken Thomas, Vivian Salama and Julie Bykowicz. ___ Follow Lemire on Twitter at http://twitter.com/@JonLemire The head of the Special Anti-corruption Office (SAPO) of Ukraine's Prosecutor General's Office (GPO) has said he is ready to meet in London with Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine deputy Oleksandr Onyshchenko after receiving the necessary international documents. "Onyshchenko's responses to questions [via Skype] boiled down to 'I did not hear that,' 'We have to see,' and 'I don't remember.' The SAPO office is checking all information [regarding Onyshchenko's recordings]. I don't rule out travelling to London to depose him," Kholodnytsky told journalists in Kyiv on Thursday, commenting on the case, dubbed "The Onyshchenko Recordings." The SAPO chief said it would be necessary to comply with international procedures. "It is necessary to receive permission from the British side in order to conduct investigative work on the soil of a sovereign state, and these permissions are not doled out like parking lot chits. It will take some time," he said. As earlier reported, Onyshchenko is suspected of organizing a corrupt scheme to steal money through the extraction of natural gas and sale under cooperation agreements with Ukrgazvydobuvannia. As a result, the state was bilked for some UAH 3 billion. Ukraine's SBU security service has opened its own investigation into the shenanigans after receiving information about possible state treason. Onyshchenko in December 2016 accused the administration of President Petro Poroshenko of buying votes in parliament through him and other MPs. Lawmakers approved a measure allowing law-enforcement officials to arrest Onyshchenko. However, the day before the vote, using his status as MP, Onyshchenko fled Ukraine. He was put on the international wanted list on August 8, 2016. In December 2016 the Internet news portal Strana.ua released snippets of audio recordings. One is purported to be a recording between Onyshchenko and Will of the People faction head Oles Dovhy. Another recording of a conversation purportedly between Onyshchenko and former MP Mykola Martynenko was subsequently released. Malaysian police said on Thursday that a third person has been arrested in connection with the apparent poisoning death of Kim Jong Nam, the half-brother of North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un. A police official said officers detained a Malaysian man on Wednesday evening. He is believed to be the boyfriend of the second suspect. The official said the man provided information that led to the arrest of the woman who was using Indonesian travel documents. On Wednesday, police arrested the first suspect in the case, a woman carrying Vietnamese travel documents identifying her as 28-year-old Doan Thi Houng. A Malaysian police statement said a second woman was arrested carrying an Indonesian passport identifying her as 25-year-old Siti Aishah. It was not immediately clear whether either woman's identification was genuine. Indonesia's Foreign Ministry has requested consular access to Aishah. The ministry said Thursday the woman is an Indonesian citizen based on data provided by Malaysia and the Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur. Both women were identified using CCTV footage from Kuala Lumpur International Airport, where Kim Jong Nam suddenly fell ill Monday morning as he waited to board a flight. His death set off waves of speculation over whether North Korea dispatched a hit squad to kill a man known for his drinking, gambling and complicated family life. DID A SOUTH KOREAN NEWS REPORT DOOM KIM JONG UN'S BROTHER? Also Wednesday, medical workers completed an autopsy on Kim Jong Nam, but it was not immediately clear if or when the findings would be made public. North Korea had objected to the autopsy and asked for Kim Jong Nam's body to be returned; Malaysia went ahead with the procedure anyway as the North did not submit a formal protest, said Abdul Samah Mat, a senior Malaysian police official. Kim Jong Nam, who was 45 or 46, was estranged from his younger brother, Kim Jong Un, and had been living abroad for years. He reportedly fell out of favor when he was caught trying to enter Japan on a false passport in 2001, saying he wanted to visit Tokyo Disneyland. According to two senior Malaysian government officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the case involves sensitive diplomacy, the elder Kim died en route to a hospital on Monday after suddenly falling ill at the airport's budget terminal. EXCLUSIVE: SHADOWY IRANIAN GENERAL VISITS MOSCOW, VIOLATING SANCTIONS He told medical workers before he died that he had been attacked with a chemical spray at the airport, the Malaysian officials said. Multiple South Korean media reports, citing unidentified sources, said two women believed to be North Korean agents killed him with some kind of poison before fleeing in a taxi. Since taking power in late 2011, Kim Jong Un has executed or purged a number of high-level government officials in what the South Korean government has described as a "reign of terror." South Korea's spy agency, the National Intelligence Service, said Wednesday that North Korea had been trying for five years to kill Kim Jong Nam. The NIS did not definitively say that North Korea was behind the killing, just that it was presumed to be a North Korean operation, according to lawmakers who briefed reporters about the closed-door meeting with the spy officials. The NIS also cited a "genuine" attempt by North Korea to kill Kim Jong Nam in 2012, the lawmakers said. The NIS told them that Kim Jong Nam sent a letter to Kim Jong Un in April 2012, after the assassination attempt, begging for the lives of himself and his family. The letter said: "I hope you cancel the order for the punishment of me and my family. We have nowhere to go, nowhere to hide, and we know that the only way to escape is committing suicide." Although Kim Jong Nam had been originally tipped by some outsiders as a possible successor to his late dictator father, Kim Jong Il, others thought that was unlikely because he lived outside the country, including recently in Macau. He also frequented casinos, five-star hotels and traveled around Asia, with little say in North Korean affairs. But his attempt to visit Tokyo Disneyland reportedly soured North Korea's leadership on his potential as a successor. Kim Jong Nam had said he had no political ambitions, although he was publicly critical of the North Korean regime and his half brother's legitimacy in the past. In 2010, he was quoted in Japanese media as saying he opposed dynastic succession in North Korea. Among Kim Jong Un's executions and purges, the most spectacular was the 2013 execution of his uncle, Jang Song Thaek, once considered the country's second-most powerful man, for what the North alleged was treason. The Associated Press contributed to this report. next Image 1 of 3 prev next Image 2 of 3 prev Image 3 of 3 Malaysian authorities on Thursday announced the second and third arrests in the death of the North Korean leader's half brother, whose apparent assassination this week unleashed tales of spectacular intrigue: a pair of women assailants, a broad-daylight killing and a dictator-sibling out for blood. But investigators were still piecing together details of the case, which hinges in part on speculation that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un dispatched a hit squad to kill his estranged half brother, who loved gambling and casinos and lived abroad for years, knowing he was a hunted man. The three suspects two women and a man were picked up separately Wednesday and early Thursday. The women were identified using closed-circuit TV footage from Kuala Lumpur International Airport, where Kim Jong Nam, who was 45 or 46, suddenly fell ill Monday morning. He died on the way to the hospital, after telling medical workers at the airport that he had been sprayed with a chemical, said two senior Malaysian government officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive diplomatic issues involved. Multiple South Korean media reports, citing unidentified sources, said two women believed to be North Korean agents killed him with some kind of poison before fleeing in a taxi. One of the women suspects had Vietnamese travel documents and was picked up Wednesday at the budget terminal of the airport, the very place where the alleged attack took place. The other woman held an Indonesian passport and was arrested early Thursday. Police said they were working to determine if the IDs were genuine. It was not immediately clear if the women, both in their 20s according to the IDs, were believed to be the alleged assassins. A still photo of the airport CCTV video, confirmed as authentic by police, showed one of the suspects in T-shirt with "LOL" across the front. News of the third arrest came Thursday afternoon. Police said they had detained a Malaysian man who was believed to be the boyfriend of the suspect carrying an Indonesian passport. Medical workers also completed an autopsy on Kim Jong Nam, but the results have not been released. The findings could reveal whether he was actually was poisoned. North Korea had objected to the autopsy but Malaysia went ahead with it anyway because the North did not submit a formal protest, said Abdul Samah Mat, a senior Malaysian police official. On Thursday, Malaysian Deputy Home Minister Zahid Hamidi said security is a top priority for the government and the authorities had acted swiftly and efficiently. Asked at a news conference why Malaysia failed to protect Kim Jong Nam, Zahid said: "What do you mean? Do we have to engage a bodyguard and usher him everywhere? No." Indonesian Foreign Ministry officials said they believed one suspect was from Indonesia, and had requested consular access to her. Kim Jong Nam was estranged from his younger brother, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, and had been living abroad for years. He reportedly fell out of favor when he was caught trying to enter Japan on a false passport in 2001, saying he wanted to visit Tokyo Disneyland. He was the son of Kim Jong Il, North Korea's second leader, and Sung Hye Rim, an actress who analysts say was forced to divorce her first husband to live in secret with the future leader in 1970, a year before their son was born. Analysts say Kim Jong Nam was educated in Geneva and Moscow in his early teens and became fluent in English, French and Russian. After Kim Jong Il's death in 2011, Kim Jong Nam complained that Kim Jong Un, his younger half brother and the country's new leader, was failing to treat him with respect and send him enough money, according to Cheong Seong-Chang, an analyst at South Korea's Sejong Institute. However, Kim Jong Nam refrained from openly criticizing the North and kept a low profile after Kim Jong Un executed his uncle and former protector Jang Song Thaek, once considered the country's second-most powerful individual, in 2013. Officials from South Korea's spy agency, the National Intelligence Service, told lawmakers that Kim Jong Nam leaves behind two sons and a daughter with two women living in Beijing and Macau. Since taking power in late 2011, Kim Jong Un has executed or purged a number of high-level government officials. The National Intelligence Service said that North Korea had been trying for five years to kill Kim Jong Nam. Kim Jong Nam sent a letter to Kim Jong Un in April 2012, begging for the lives of himself and his family. "I hope you cancel the order for the punishment of me and my family," the letter said, according to the NIS. "We have nowhere to go, nowhere to hide, and we know that the only way to escape is committing suicide." ___ Associated Press writers Kim Tong-hyung in Seoul, South Korea, and Tim Sullivan in New Delhi contributed to this report. Greece's government has proposed legislation to extend the short-term contracts of some 2,000 firefighters, on the day they expired, following union protests. Hundreds of firefighters protested peacefully outside parliament, where lawmakers debated the draft legislation that is expected to be voted on later Thursday. Union officials say 4,000 of Greece's 12,000 firefighters are on five-year contracts expiring Thursday. The proposed law would allow 2,000 of them to serve another three years on short-term contracts before being granted full-time jobs. Greece has been relying on billions of euros in international rescue loans since 2010. In return, it implemented deep spending and income cuts, and froze public sector hirings. The country's continued problems in meeting all bailout conditions have frequently seen its future in Europe's joint currency brought into question. Portugal's attorney general's office says prosecutors are bringing charges of corruption, money-laundering and forgery against Angolan Vice President Manuel Vicente as part of an investigation in Lisbon. A statement says Vicente is suspected of bribing a Portuguese magistrate to favor him in two investigations. The statement Thursday says Vicente was at the time of the alleged crimes the head of Angolan state oil company Sonangol. The magistrate, Vicente's lawyer, and his representative in Portugal are also accused in the case. The Islamic State terror network claimed responsibility for two bombings that each killed dozens of people Thursday -- one at a shrine in Pakistan and one at an auto dealership in Iraq. ISIS USING KIDNAPPED YAZIDI CHILDREN IN SUICIDE MISSIONS The suicide bomber at the world-famous shrine in southern Pakistan killed at least 75 people and wounding more than 200 others, according to health officials. They said the dead included 20 women and nine children. Also Thursday, a car bomb exploded in Baghdad's southwestern al-Bayaa neighborhood shortly before sunset, killing at least 55 people and wounding more than 60 others, according to Iraq's Interior Ministry. It was the third blast to hit the Iraqi capital in three days, the BBC reported. The terror group claimed the bombings through its Amaq media agency. SPECIAL OPS CHIEF: TROOPS HAVE KILLED 60,000 ISIS MILITANTS THE PAST TWO YEARS ISIS has carried out near-daily attacks in Baghdad even as U.S.-backed Iraqi troops regain ground from the terror group. The military has engaged in an intense operation to regain the ISIS hub of Mosul in northern Iraq since October. In Pakistan, the attacker walked through a gold plated door and entered the main hall of the shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, named after the famous Sufi saint buried there, in the town of Sehwan in the southern Sindh province. Then, security officials said he detonated his suicide jacket as hundreds of worshippers were performing their weekly mystical dance -- called Dhamal. In a strongly-worded statement, Pakistan's army chief Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa said "each drop of nation's blood shall be revenged, and revenged immediately. No more restraint for anyone." State-run Pakistan Television quoted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif as saying the country's military and other security forces would use all their resources to track down and arrest the culprits. "I saw bodies everywhere. I saw bodies of women and children," Raja Somro, who was inside the shrine at the time of the attack, told a local TV network. The military reported it was dispatching troops to contribute to the relief effort. The U.S. condemned the Baghdad attack. "These acts of mass murder are yet another example of ISISs utter contempt for human life and its efforts to sow discord and division among the Iraqi people. Our partnership with the Iraqi Security Forces, who serve on the front-lines of this global fight, remains steadfast and unwavering," State Dept. spokesman Mark Toner responded. ISIS claimed the Baghdad attack targeted Shiites. Earlier, a police officer and medical official told The Associated Press the bombing targeted automobile agents and dealers. Another four attacks in and around the Iraqi capital on Thursday killed eight people and wounded around 30, police and medical officials said. The Associated Press contributed to this report. French financial prosecutors have decided to continue their investigation into embezzlement allegations against conservative presidential candidate Francois Fillon. Fillon's spokesman, Damien Abad, said on BFM television that the candidate will maintain his campaign pending further investigation. Fillon has denied wrongdoing. The national financial prosecutor's office opened a preliminary investigation into embezzlement and misappropriation of public funds after newspaper Le Canard Enchaine reported that Fillon's wife and two of his children earned as much as 1 million euros ($1.1 million) for fake parliamentary jobs. The prosecutor's office said Thursday it received the initial police report into the case and will continue investigating. That suggests prosecutors have enough reason to suspect wrongdoing not to drop the case. Polls considered Fillon the front-runner for the April 23-May 7 election before the scandal erupted. next Image 1 of 3 prev next Image 2 of 3 prev Image 3 of 3 Foreign ministers from the Group of 20 leading industrialized and emerging economies are starting two days of talks in the former German capital, with a focus on global development. Germany, which is hosting the talks in the western city of Bonn, wants to keep up momentum on 17 so-called sustainable development goals the international community agreed to aim for by 2030. Recognizing and preventing future crises, as well as support for Africa, are also on the agenda. Diplomats from the G-20 and several guest nations began holding bilateral talks early Thursday, ahead of the meeting's official start mid-afternoon. It is the first opportunity for recently confirmed U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to meet with key players on the diplomatic circuit, including the foreign ministers of Russia, Britain and Turkey. ___ Follow Frank Jordans on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/wirereporter next Image 1 of 2 prev Image 2 of 2 Germany has signed a series of agreements with its NATO partners to jointly buy transport aircraft and submarines and develop new weapons. Details of the agreements seen by The Associated Press Thursday show Germany aims to buy eight Airbus A330 transport planes along with the Netherlands and Luxembourg if Norway and Belgium also sign up. NATO allies have long struggled to find enough transport planes to deploy troops and equipment. Germany and Norway plan to buy six submarines together and replace their aging missile systems. Berlin will also work together with France to set up a smaller air transport unit aimed at supporting special operations and for helping German nationals in trouble abroad. It comes as the United States presses its NATO allies to increase defense spending. As a new U.S. administration highly critical of the nuclear deal it calls "the worst ever negotiated" settles into Washington, a top expert says the agreement between Iran and several other world powers could fall apart -- although the Islamic Republic would not pull the plug. SHADOWY IRANIAN GENERAL VISITS MOSCOW, VIOLATING SANCTIONS Mark Fitzpatrick of the International Institute for Strategic Studies has been intimately involved with the ins and outs of the landmark nuclear deal with Iran, signed by the U.S., Europe, Russia and China back in 2015. Fitzpatrick has tracked every centrifuge and studied each satellite image of nuclear sites that have been spotted from the skies for more than a decade. He has been privy to meetings of experts on both sides, has traveled the region extensively, and studies the possible scenarios that could arise should the deal, that curtails and monitors Iran's nuclear activity, fail. Fitzpatrick shares some of his thoughts about the way forward with the Islamic Republic, and containing its suspect nuclear program. OPINION: THE SURPRISING TRUTH ABOUT IRAN AND THE WEST "I think it's clear that the nuclear deal is in jeopardy," he tells Fox News, but notes that Iran does not want to be the one to break that deal. "So there will probably be a tit for tat, and Iran will face additional pressure, not getting the economic benefits it wanted. It will be testing more missiles and so forth and within a year the deal will be under very severe pressure." Fitzpatrick suggests that if the deal were to unravel, and Iran were to resume the level enrichment that would get it within a couple months of being able to produce highly enriched uranium for a nuclear weapon, there would be serious talk again about the prospect of a military strike. While conventional wisdom has been that since several states are party to the deal, the United States alone couldn't undo it, Fitzpatrick believes Washington could in fact cause a de facto dismantling of the accord, by effectively keeping European countries to refrain from doing business with the Islamic Republic. Fitzpatrick believes it is essential to keep up the pressure on Iran, calling it out when it undertakes actions that are detrimental to the security of the United States and its allies in the region. That includes moves like the designated sanctions President Trump imposed after the January 29 ballistic missile test carried out by Tehran, but Fitzpatrick offered his own advice to Trump. "I would caution him about speaking rhetoric and laying out red lines like 'You are on notice', which is vague. Setting a red line that is vague like that sort of invites the other party to test it, to walk across it, and then the Administration is faced with a moral hazard question." In other words, Fitzpatrick explained, that hazard is somehow enforcing the fuzzy red line. "That would give," he says, "the other party the belief that it can push the U.S. around." Fitzpatrick is particularly adamant that calls on Iran to stop harrassing U.S and other ships in the Gulf are kept up. He admits that Iran has increased its missile testing, which it had severely curtailed during nuclear negotiations. "They are doing more missile tests. Not every missile test, however, is dangerous," Fitzpatrick says. "Iran recently was said to have tested another missile. It wasn't a ballistic missile that could carry nuclear weapons, it was an anti-ship missile. We shouldn't jump at everything Iran does and say 'this is dangerous to the U.S.' We should be careful how we assess Iran. That is my reccomendation." Fitzpatrick is concerned about the U.S. visa ban, currently suspended, on seven countries, which includes Iran. He says until now, those with pro-U.S. sentiments in Iran could say that U.S. punitive actions vis-a-vis the Islamic Republic were directed at Iranian government officials and actions, "but a visa ban that keeps the entire nation of Iran from entering the U.S. attacks everybody." Despite decades of severed relations between the two countries, Iran is often said to have one of the most pro-U.S. streets in the Middle East. Fitzpatrick says, "the other point about the visa ban is that there have been no acts of terror in the United States commited by any Iranian citizen, so they are wondering in Iran why they are being blamed." Fitzpatrick says his Iran contacts tell him that there is debate in the inner circles there about how to respond to President Trump, his words, and his actions. Some say Iranian power players are even debating a new route-"the high road." He says they are genuinely worried that the nuclear deal will fall apart. Clearly, the hardline factions will have zero interest in talk of high roads. And their own internal debates will likely sharpen, as Iran soon enters its own election cycle, this spring, which is expected to pit sitting President Hassan Rohani, an advocate of better relations between Iran and other countries, against a hardline opponent from the camp that seeks legitimacy in defending an Iran perpetually in confrontation with the West. Ukraine retains limited economic relations with those enterprises in the occupied territories, which pay taxes to the state budget, President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko has said. "We retain extremely limited and very confined economic relations. I emphasize, this is not trade with the invaders this is cooperation with the companies, which, being in the occupied territories, were still able to stay in the legal field of Ukraine. I emphasize: those who pay taxes into the budget of Ukraine," Poroshenko said at a solemn meeting dedicated to the Day of honoring the combatants in other states in Kyiv on Thursday. The world's largest cocoa producer is seeing demonstrations against a slowdown in exports and a reduced buying price. Dozens of people protested Thursday in Ivory Coast's commercial hub of Abidjan and in San Pedro, home of the country's second-largest port. Meanwhile, several tons of cocoa have piled up in warehouses. The Coffee-Cocoa Council says there has been a slowdown of sales because of overproduction by some 110,000 tons and a worldwide price reduction by 30 percent. Cocoa producers are asking the government to activate an emergency fund on cocoa. Christophe Kouakou Koffi, chairman of the board of the agriculture and cheese department of Gagnoa in the country's southwest, says producers are struggling to sell cocoa at a respectable price. Ivory Coast produced some 1.5 million tons of cocoa in 2015. U.S. representatives of Iraq's long-persecuted Assyrian Christian minority are blasting claims by the country's Kurdish Regional Government that its refusal to let them return home aims only to protect them. But the KRG, which denies the accusation, cites unexploded roadside bombs left by now-expelled Islamic State forces as a key reason for -- temporarily -- barring the Assyrian Christians from their homeland. The clash between the KRG and the American representatives of the Assyrians erupted earlier this week, signaling strains in what had been a solid anti-ISIS alliance of Kurds and Assyrian Christians. The other large Christian group in Iraq, known as Chaldeans, enjoys harmonious relations with the KRG. According to a report from The Investigative Project on Terrorism, the KRG has blocked both the Assyrians and the Yazidis from returning to their villages across a broad expanse of northern Iraq known as the Nineveh Plain. Its really been a case of adding insult to injury to insult again, Jeff Gardiner, director of operations for advocacy and relief foundation Restore Nineveh Now, said to Fox News. The Kurdish authorities did not protect the people of the Nineveh Plain. In a way, this was enabled by the Kurdish government. They really set them [Yazidis and Assyrians] up for this catastrophic outcome. An official with the KRG's representation office in Washington dismissed the claims of the report as the views of a disreputable group and said KRG fighters liberated land from ISIS control and did not engage in a "land grab." Also, the official said there is still a security risk throughout the region one they are working diligently to eliminate. We urgently need assistance with mine and bomb clearance, KRG representation in Washington told Fox News. The scale of the problem in Sinjar and in most liberated areas is vast and beyond our capabilities alone. We would welcome any efforts among the Iraqi-Christian community to help us lobby for such assistance from the United States and other coalition partners. Further, the KRG said Tuesday it plans to rebuild the city of Sinjar, the largest Yazidi city, Turkish news site BasNews.com reported. Mahma Khalil of the KRG told the news agency that good steps for reconstructing the town have already been made. Meanwhile, Gardiner, who has been in the region multiple times, calls claims that there is a security risk from unexploded roadside bombs false. Its simply not true that the place is still littered with IEDs, he said. The Assyrians own military, known as Nineveh Protection Units (NPU), assisted in clearing them out. Their movements are still being impeded by Kurdish forces. The Assyrians and Yazidis are not being allowed to leave the camps to even assess the damage of their homes and villages. The minorities also say the KRG is keeping NPU personnel restricted to refugee camps, according to the Investigative Project on Terrorism. In addition, the KRG vetoed a NPU request to increase its forces from 500 to 1,000. Gardiner called the KRGs actions a land grab aimed at securing access to oil and gas under the Nineveh Plain and boosting their claims to be an independent nation. "For months we've been receiving numerous reports from Assyrian Christians and Yazidis that Kurdish forces are using the fog of war to seize land that rightfully belongs to victims of genocide. Each week those reports are increasing, Robert Nicholson of The Philios Project said. The Nineveh Plain has never been a Kurdish territory. It belongs to the Christians (Assyrians) and Yazidis who have been living there for thousands of years. KRG officials insist that they are not looking to make any sort of land grab and support the creation of a new state in the the Nineveh Plain. "What happens to those areas has yet to be decided," a KRG official said in a statement to Fox News. "The Peshmerga will not withdraw from areas we consider to be Kurdistani areas. In other places, we will transfer control in an orderly fashion when there is a legitimate body to hand them over to, knowing that the people and property there will be protected. Yezidi and Christian groups have called for autonomous provinces or zones in Nineveh and Sinjar. We support their view and believe that the people of those areas should determine their governance." next Image 1 of 2 prev Image 2 of 2 The Latest on the Syrian conflict (all times local): 3 p.m. A top U.N. humanitarian aid official is calling for aid convoys to be allowed into besieged and hard-to-reach areas of Syria to demonstrate "goodwill" before government and opposition envoys gather for talks in Geneva next week. Jan Egeland, of the U.N. Syria envoy's office, lamented that not a single U.N.-arranged land convoy has reached any of more than a dozen besieged towns or villages this year, citing a lack of approvals from authorities. He said convoys were lining up Thursday in hopes of delivering aid to the opposition-held enclave of al-Waer in Homs, Syria's third-largest city. The appeal came as the U.N. envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, was meeting with top Russian officials in Moscow in the run-up to the anticipated Feb. 23 start of Syrian peace talks in Geneva. ___ 2:45 p.m. Syrian government officials have sat face-to-face with Syrian rebels for the second time in three weeks in Astana, Kazakhstan, as diplomats step up their efforts to reconcile the two sides ahead of U.N.-brokered peace talks in Geneva. Thursday's meeting is aimed at shoring up a cease-fire before the government meets with the exiled opposition as well as representatives of armed groups in Geneva on Feb. 23, for talks aimed at reaching a broader political settlement. Rebels and pro-government forces are meanwhile clashing in the Daraa governorate in southern Syria. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says an al-Qaida-linked faction attacked government forces Sunday, shattering an extended spell of calm in the contested region. There have been repeated violations of the cease-fire since it went into effect on Dec. 30. next Image 1 of 3 prev next Image 2 of 3 prev Image 3 of 3 A Pakistani counter-terrorism official says security forces have raided a hideout of Taliban- linked suspected Islamic militants, killing 6 of them. Mohammad Saleem says the raid took place on Thursday in the central district of Khanewal and was based on intelligence that the militants were planning an attack. The raid comes on heels of a series of suicide bombings this week by a Pakistani Taliban's breakaway faction, Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, or Freedom Movement, following an almost three-month lull. The group has carried out three suicide bombings this week, killing 19 people. Also, two of its bombers were killed before they could set off their explosives and another blew himself up prematurely before reaching his target. Pakistan has for over a decade fought Islamic militants, who have killed thousands of people. Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny faces mounting pressure from party colleagues to resign over his stumbling response to a police scandal. Lawmakers in Kenny's Fine Gael party say their 65-year-old leader could be ousted next week if he doesn't voluntarily specify a resignation date. Finance Minister Michael Noonan, a key Kenny ally, said Thursday that the turmoil makes a 2017 election more likely. Opposition leaders accuse Kenny's weak minority government of failing to defend a whistleblower exposing corruption in Ireland's police force. Documents published this month suggest a government agency helped senior officers circulate malicious gossip that falsely branded the whistleblower as a pedophile. Kenny, Ireland's leader since 2011, has faced withering criticism over his gaffe-prone defense of government actions. Kenny's 9-month-old coalition government survived a parliamentary confidence vote Wednesday. A Swedish court has sentenced a Syrian man to life imprisonment for participation in the 2012 mass execution of seven government troops in Syria. The Stockholm District Court ruled that 46-year-old asylum-seeker Haisam Omar Sakhanh joined the armed group Suleiman Company in early May 2012, and shot a person dead with an assault rifle. In its Thursday ruling, the court said Sakhanh said he had been ordered to do so by a superior, which the court rejected. Judge Tomas Zander said the victim, who was not identified, was shot dead along with six others "under particularly cruel circumstances." Sakhanh had sought asylum in Sweden in 2013 and has been held in pre-trial custody since March. next Image 1 of 2 prev Image 2 of 2 The United States, South Korea and Japan are condemning North Korea's latest missile test and say they'll enhance security cooperation in response. U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is in Germany on his first overseas trip as the top American diplomat and has met with South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se and Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida. They're attending a meeting of foreign ministers. A joint statement says the U.S. "remains steadfast" in its defense commitments to the two Asian allies, "backed by the full range of its nuclear and conventional defense capabilities." North Korea test-fired a ballistic missile from a mobile launcher last Sunday. It was an advancement in its capabilities as the North develops nuclear weapons and the means to deliver them. A Caribbean island nation has become an unlikely source of fighters and funding for the Islamic State militant group, prompting an internationally backed effort to stem the flow of money and recruits to Syria and Iraq. Security officials and terrorism experts believe that as many as 125 fighters and their relatives have traveled from Trinidad and Tobago to Turkey and on to ISIS-controlled areas over the last four years, making the country of 1.3 million people the largest per-capita source of ISIS recruits in the Western Hemisphere. GERMANY'S MERKEL TESTIFIES ON ALLEGED US EAVESDROPPING The Islamic State has put out propaganda videos and magazines featuring bearded fighters with lilting Trinidadian accents training in the desert with sniper rifles and encouraging their countrymen to join them. Alarmed, Trinidadian state security officials have launched intensive surveillance and monitoring of the country's homegrown Islamist movements, which have a history of militancy and crossover with the country's violent criminal gangs. Saying their efforts are bearing fruit, Trinidad and Tobago officials have recently proposed legislation to crack down on the flow of money to Islamic State fighters overseas by establishing criminal penalties for those sending money to the group. "There's always a concern in terms of money leaving Trinidad and Tobago that could be involved with terrorist activities," National Security Minister Edmund Dillon said. "There is a minority in the Muslim community and there is a minority in the criminal community that is hellbent on committing these types of offenses." PAKISTAN POLICE RAID TALIBAN-LINKED MILITANT HIDEOUT, KILL 6 U.S. officials have described themselves as deeply concerned about the combatants and funds heading out of Trinidad and Tobago. They say they are working with the islands' government on intelligence-sharing and new legislation, as well as sponsoring trips for Muslim leaders to the U.S. to meet Islamic leaders working on anti-extremism programs. "They are certainly not the only ones worried about this phenomenon of self-radicalization and how easy it has become," said U.S. Navy Adm. Kurt Tidd, who is responsible for Department of Defense operations in Central and South America and the Caribbean. "They need to be able to understand what are the conditions that might predispose individuals to become radicalized and then to be able to take steps to try to stop that from occurring before people go down that path with the tragic results we have seen in everyplace from Paris to Brussels to Berlin to Orlando to San Bernardino." Tidd praised Trinidad and Tobago for adopting anti-terrorism legislation and cooperating with the U.S. and other international partners. "Trinidad is a serious country and recognizes that there is work to be done," Tidd said. Some hard-line Muslim leaders have opposed the new efforts, instead blaming the government for failing to improve the lives of poor, largely Afro-Trinidad youth who can find themselves drawn in by ISIS recruiters. PRO-GOVERNMENT TRIBAL LEADER AMONG DEAD IN US RAID IN YEMEN An oil-rich nation just off the coast of Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago has long been celebrated for its rich mix of cultural influences, primarily rooted in India and Africa. Its Muslim minority of Indian-descended families and Afro-Trinidadian converts includes dozens of mainstream mosques and more militant strains such as the Jamaat al Muslimeen, an organization responsible for a 1990 coup attempt classified as the Western Hemisphere's only Islamist uprising. "I think that the indictment is on the government, past and present," said Yasin Abu Bakr, leader of the Jamaat Al Muslimeen, which has seen as least two members travel to Syria. "Why would the young people in a place like Trinidad and Tobago, the land of steel band and calypso, carnival and gaiety, chutney and all the rest of it. Why would a young person take up his family and go to a place where death is almost certain. Why would somebody do that? That is the big question that the state has to answer." Umar Abdullah, head of the hard-line Islamic Front group in southern Trinidad, said he has actively discouraged members from traveling to Syria to fight. He said he knew several young men who had become ISIS fighters, although he declined to provide specifics. "I do feel responsible in some way with some of these brothers that have left and gone to Syria and fight and so on," Abdullah said. "I felt I could have done a lot more, I felt I could have dissuaded them." At the same time, Abdullah defended ISIS recruits as legitimate defenders of embattled Muslims in Syria and Iraq, comparing them favorably to Western soldiers involved in military actions in the Middle East. "Whosoever has left and gone Syria, how can they call them terrorist," Abdullah said. "I would call my guys freedom fighters as well." The Trump administration attempts to block travelers from seven Muslim-majority countries has raised sensitivities in Trinidad and Tobago about what some call an alarmist focus on the country's problem with IS recruiting. But some of Trinidad's Islamist leaders say they approve of Trump's attempted crackdown on visitors from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen, and admire what they call his bold and decisive leadership style. "I am in agreement with Donald Trump 110 percent," Abu Bakr said. "More than that, I have a lot of admiration for Donald Trump." next Image 1 of 3 prev next Image 2 of 3 prev Image 3 of 3 Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has hailed a landmark trade deal with the European Union, in an address to the EU parliament one day after the pact was formally approved. Trudeau said Thursday that the deal would create jobs and boost the middle class on both sides of the Atlantic. He said that "trade that is free and fair means that we can make the lives of our citizens more affordable." Trudeau presented the pact as a "blue-print" for future trade deals and the outcome of Europe's and Canada's shared history and values. Critics fear the pact gives too much power to multinationals and hope that it will be blocked by national and regional parliaments in the EU. President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko will meet with U.S. Vice President Michael Richard Pence in the course of his working visit to Munich (Germany) on February 17-18 this year, the official website of the Ukrainian president said. Poroshenko is also scheduled to meet with President of Poland Andrzej Duda and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. In Germany, the Ukrainian president will participate in the 53rd Munich Conference on Security Policy, where he is to participate in the debate on the topic titled "The Future of the West: fall or return?" Meetings are planned in the framework of the conference. next Image 1 of 3 prev next Image 2 of 3 prev Image 3 of 3 The leader of ethnically divided Cyprus' breakaway Turkish Cypriots has walked out of a meeting with the Greek Cypriot president amid ongoing reunification talks. It's unclear why Mustafa Akinci left Thursday's meeting with Nicos Anastasiades and what this means to the months-long peace process. Tensions have been high this week following strong Turkish Cypriot protests against the annual commemoration in Greek Cypriot schools of a 1950 vote for union with Greece. Akinci decried new legislation making the commemoration compulsory and warned that it threatened peace talks. Anastasiades countered that a "mere historical reference" in no way detracts from the goal of reunifying the island as a federation. Cyprus was split in 1974 when Turkey invaded after a coup by supporters of union with Greece. Former McDonalds Director to Open Five Uncle Maddios Pizzas Franchise Expert Linda Zamboni Opens In St. Petersburg With Free Pizza On Feb. 18, From 5 to 8 p.m. February 16, 2017 // Franchising.com // ATLANTA, GA - Uncle Maddios Pizza announces its newest opening in St. Petersburg, FL, owned by Linda Zamboni who is the former Director of Operations, franchise consultant and franchisee for McDonalds. Attracted to the simplicity of operations, Linda Zamboni has signed on to open five units of the wildly-popular fast casual pizza chain in the St. Petersburg Clearwater area of Florida over the next 5 years. The St. Pete Uncle Maddios is located at 5226 4th St. Uncle Maddios Pizza will offer free pizza for all at the St. Pete location from 5 to 8 p.m. on Sat. Feb. 18. After spending 20+ years in operations and 12 years as a franchisee, Linda and her husband, Bob, couldnt pass on the opportunity to grow with a dynamic and forward-thinking brand like Uncle Maddios Pizza. We spent a great deal of time researching new, emerging brands, and Uncle Maddios really stood out, says franchisee Linda Zamboni. The difference between McDonalds and Maddios is huge. The simple operations at Uncle Maddios allows the staff to focus on the guest and to make fresh food they are proud to serve and that Served with Love culture truly comes to life in the way Uncle Maddios operates. With over 65 different entities in 19 states, Uncle Maddios is truly infiltrating the nation. In addition to the McDonalds link, Uncle Maddio's franchisees have multi-unit experience that runs the gamut Jimmy John's, Firehouse Subs, Dairy Queen, Burger King, Krystal, Papa John's, Domino's, Golden Corral. The brand is on track to have 250 restaurants open in five years with 1,000 units in development. An active leader in the restaurant industry and community, Linda has been active in the local and state Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. She has been active in her local Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club. Bob is a former DJ in the Tampa Bay area and was known as Bob DeCarlo, or Bob and Judd in the morning on W101. For information on Uncle Maddios Pizza, visit www.unclemaddios.com. Interested franchisees can visit unclemaddiosfranchise.com or contact Jocelyn Blain at franchising@unclemaddios.com. About Uncle Maddio's Pizza With more than 1,350 Pizza Makers making more than 5,000,000 pizzas a year, Uncle Maddio's Pizza is category leader of the create-your-own, fast casual pizza restaurants. Opening 50 locations in 15 states, Uncle Maddio's has more than 250 units in development. Uncle Maddio's pizzas are customizable, made-to-order, and served up fast for about $8. With four pizza sizes, three types of crusts (including gluten free), six sauces and 48 fresh toppings, Uncle Maddio's has the freshest and largest menu in the category. The restaurant's unique fast bake ovens offer the most throughput in the industry and can produce 200 pizzas per hour. Uncle Maddio's also serves Foldwiches and salads. Uncle Maddio's 'Served with Love' philosophy and restaurant is for everyone children and families, college students, the young and the young at heart and includes extensive community involvement. Based in Atlanta, the Uncle Maddio's management team has 50 years combined experienced in the fast casual category. Twitter: @UncleMaddios Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unclemaddios/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/unclemaddios/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unclemaddios Media Contact: Ellen Hartman ellen@hartmanpr.com SOURCE Uncle Maddio's Pizza ### Comments: Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Disqus Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine has urged to stop coal supply blockade from the occupied territories of Donbas. The blockade of the railway communication between the territories controlled by Ukraine and ORDLO (uncontrolled areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions) is contrary to an inclusive approach to citizens of Ukraine who live in the territories where the state power bodies temporarily do not exercise their powers, the EU delegation told Interfax-Ukraine on Thursday. The diplomatic mission urges those involved in the blockade to immediately stop it. The authorities, in turn, should solve this problem as soon as possible, a report says. According to the information, blockade reduces the volume of coal supplies from the occupied territories, there is also a risk of the proper functioning of power stations. This, in turn, can lead to an energy crisis that will hurt the Ukrainian citizens on both sides of the demarcation line, the agency said. The commentary notes the importance of the transparent movement of goods across the demarcation line, which will facilitate the fight against illegal migration and smuggling. We call on the Ukrainian authorities to strengthen their efforts in this sphere, a commentary says. The EU also noted that the Minsk agreements remain the basis for a peaceful and lasting solution to the conflict with respect to sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. You already get your news, gossip and cat videos from Facebook. Could you find your next job there too? Starting this week, Facebook users in the United States and Canada can search and apply for jobs directly from the social-media platform. It's one more way Facebook is trying to expand its reach, particularly among low-wage, hourly workers who may not have profiles on job-search sites such as LinkedIn or Monster.com. Analysts say the new jobs feature is yet another way the social media site is testing how much privacy its 1.86 million users are willing to sacrifice for the sake of convenience. "Facebook is pushing the limits to see what people are willing to do on the site, and jobs is a natural step," said R "Ray" Wang, founder of Constellation Research, a Silicon Valley technology research and advisory firm. "It's an area where people will say, 'Oh, this makes a lot of sense.' Facebook is covering a very important gap." Social media is increasingly playing a role in job searches. Roughly 14.4 million Americans say they have used social media to find employment, according to a recent survey by ADP. In addition, the survey found, 73 percent of companies said they had successfully hired employees using social media. Facebook executives said they are also hoping to target users who may not be actively looking for a new job by flagging nearby opportunities in businesses they may frequent or support. "Two-thirds of job seekers are already employed," Andrew Bosworth, Facebook's vice president of ads and business platform, told Tech Crunch. "They're not spending their days and nights out there canvassing for jobs. They're open to a job if a job comes." Businesses can post jobs free through their profile pages. Users, meanwhile, can search for nearby listings and quickly apply for jobs by clicking an "Apply now" button. Facebook automatically fills in basic information, such as a user's name, location and photo, into the application, which is sent to the business via Facebook Messenger. A recent search for Washington-area jobs turned up a doughnut-making position at Duck Donuts in Fairfax, Va., an engineering job at Tenable Network Securities in Columbia, Md., and a part-time bartending gig at Killarney House Irish Restaurant and Pub in Davidson, Md. Blue Feather Music in Arlington, Va., meanwhile, was looking for piano, guitar and voice instructors. Pay: $50 per hour. "I thought this would be a great way to find a big audience," owner Laura Peacock said of the job posting, which went live Thursday morning. "I'm hiring, I need people and they're already all on Facebook." But not everyone is convinced the plan will work in the long run. Jan Dawson, chief analyst at Jackdaw Research in Provo, Utah, says users are likely to be wary of combining their personal profiles with professional pursuits. Although most applicants know potential employers may look through their social media accounts, he said that's different from linking a user's Facebook profile to their job application. "This is something many people are going to be very uncomfortable with," Dawson said. "Ultimately people are on Facebook to connect with their friends and to watch funny videos. They're not there to apply for jobs." President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko describes blockade of rail lines with the temporarily occupied territories in Donbas as factor destabilizing Ukraine. "Unfortunately, blockade of rail lines with the temporarily occupied territories and attempts of complete economic blockade have become a destabilizing factor in recent days," Poroshenko said at a solemn meeting dedicated to the Day of honoring war veterans in other countries in Kyiv on Thursday. The president said that he "understands the emotions of society," which "has grown tired of the several years of war." "But I will never forgive the cynicism and irresponsibility of political schemers who have used this emotion in order to promote their selfish partisan publicity," he said. The authorities will certainly find a way to unblock supplies of coal from territories not controlled by Kyiv, he said. "We will protect the rights of Ukraine's citizens both on this and that side of the line of confrontation. I will not let demagogues in the country create the image of a state where anarchy and gang leaders rule. I will not allow the situation in the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) zone to be destabilized. I will not allow the front to be disintegrated because this is something that the enemy is expecting from us," he said. ATO veterans and Ukrainian lawmakers have blocked the Luhansk-Lysychansk-Popasna railway on the section Horske-Zolote since January 25 to prevent trade with the part of Ukraine uncontrolled by Kyiv. The checkpoint set up by supporters of the blockade was named 'Bohdan Redoubt'. Ukrainian prosecutors January 26 opened a criminal case on the basis of the blocking of the railway in the Luhansk region on the division line on the basis of the article dealing with "the blocking of transport lines." The blockade has led to an acute shortage of coal for the Ukrainian energy industry. A preliminary hearing for a man accused of brutally killing the clerk at a Sunoco station in Spotsylvania County Dec. 3 was delayed Wednesday after his court-appointed lawyer withdrew from the case. David Junior Washington, 50, of Spotsylvania is charged with first-degree murder, robbery and grand larceny in connection with the slaying of Saleh Yousef Abukhait. Abukhait was working at the convenience store when he was attacked and beaten with a stick and hot dog tongs. The entire attack was captured on store surveillance cameras and the video is expected to be key evidence in the case against Washington. Washington was in Spotsylvania General District Court, but his case was continued after defense attorney Tim Barbrow withdrew from the case. Barbrow said he had a conflict of interest, but did not elaborate in open court. Attorney Sarah Raymond was appointed as Washington's new attorney and the preliminary hearing was rescheduled to March 15. Washington is being held without bond in the Rappahannock Regional Jail. According to court records, Abukhait's slaying was discovered early that morning after a customer entered the store and noticed blood on the floor. The customer did not see Abukhait before backing out of the store and calling police. Deputies found Abukhait dead behind the counter. The killing was captured on film and police quickly identified Washington as the suspect. Court records and other sources indicate that the man who killed Abukhait had been in the store for at least 10 minutes before the attack began and appeared to be having a pleasant conversation with the clerk. But at some point, the clerk's attacker picked up a stick that he had brought into the store and attacked Abukhait. During a struggle behind the counter, Abukhait was struck several times in the head. The clerk appeared dazed in a corner while his assailant took money from the cash register and beer from a cooler. The attacker then picked up the stick, which had splintered by this time, and jabbed it repeatedly into the already wounded clerk. The video then shows Abukhait's attacker going to the hot dog cooker, removing the tongs and using the tongs as a weapon against the victim. He then stomped on the victim's head before leaving with the beer. An affidavit for a search warrant filed in Spotsylvania Circuit Court states that Washington's mother picked him up sometime after the slaying and drove him to her home off Sunset Road in Spotsylvania. Washington purchased alcohol from two stores in the Four Mile Fork Shopping Center before making his way to the Dunning Mills Inn in Fredericksburg. He was picked up by police at the inn and gave a statement to investigators. Detective Twyla Demoranville recovered money with blood on it at one of the stores Washington visited and other evidence was recovered from the mother's car, court records state. ATLANTIC CITY, N.J.A man wanted on assault and firearm charges in Spotsylvania County was arrested by Atlantic City police after a chase Thursday. At about 1 p.m. Thursday, Atlantic City police were alerted by Virginia law enforcement that Kenneth Livette Fisher, 37, was in the Atlantic City area, Deputy Chief William Mazur said. Fisher was wanted on numerous charges in Spotsylvania: felony assault, possession of firearm by a felon, felony shooting from a vehicle, brandishing a firearm, reckless handling of a firearm and driving on the revoked list. He was considered armed and dangerous, Mazur said. According to Spotsylvania Sheriff's Capt. Liz Scott, deputies went to a home in the 9800 block of Red Hill Road around 10 p.m. Sunday in response to a report of shots being fired. A woman there told the officers that she and Fisher had gotten into a dispute and he fired a gun, Scott said. No one was hurt. Scott said Fisher drove away before deputies arrived, but they found shell casings at the scene. The suspect was located at a hotel in Galloway. When Galloway police and Atlantic City detectives tried to stop him in the hotel parking lot, he abruptly fled in a gold Chevrolet Tahoe with Virginia license plates, Mazur said. Police officers pursued the vehicle down U.S. 30 as it sped through traffic lights and drove around cars on the shoulder, he said. After entering Atlantic City, the Tahoe was eventually stopped at the 400 block of Connecticut Avenue, Mazur said. Officers took Fisher into custody after a short struggle, Mazur said. No one was injured. Police said a fully loaded .40-caliber handgun with hollow-point bullets and drugs were found at the scene. Neighbors and passers-by gathered near where the man was apprehended. "There was no risk to the community. We thank the community for their cooperation and understanding," Mazur said. "We know it can be quite upsetting when something like that abruptly comes in to a neighborhood with lights and sirens and police officers, but I can assure the community the officers did a great job." Free Lance-Star staff writer Keith Epps contributed to this report. A woman who supplied the fatal dose of pain medication that resulted in the death of a 27-year-old King George man in October 2015 was ordered Wednesday to serve three years in prison. Mary Evelyn Trainum, 54, of Colonial Beach was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and, as part of a plea agreement, was sentenced to 10 years in prison with all but three years suspended. The three years Trainum was ordered to serve was well above the recommended state sentencing guidelines, which called for a sentence of up to six months. The conviction stemmed from the Oct. 20, 2015, death of Charles Cody Gusha, who overdosed after taking Opana he had purchased from Trainum. Prosecutor Charlie Clark said it was the third time since July 2014 that Gusha had overdosed on drugs he received from Trainum. Defense attorney Robert May said that Trainum herself helped save Gusha after one of the overdoses by performing CPR on him. Trainums Alford plea came during what was the first day of a scheduled three-day trial in King George Circuit Court. Judge Herbert Hewitt, prosecutors Clark and Luke Mitchell and defense attorneys May and Madeline Starbranch had already spent the entire morning questioning some of the 60 potential jurors that had been summoned for the case. But well before opening arguments took place, Trainum decided to take the deal that she had been offered. She said it was a tough decision and that she and Gusha were victims of their addictions. Unfortunately, addictions change lives and hurt a lot of people, Trainum said just prior to being formally sentenced. Cody was a very good person and I miss him. Clark said that Detective Scott Simons investigation showed that Trainum was receiving large amounts of Opana every 15 days. Cellphone records showed that Gusha was one of her customers, and Clark added that Trainum was fully aware of Gushas prior overdoses. Yet she chose to ignore the overwhelming risk and sell to him again, Clark said. Trainum, who has a prior conviction for distributing drugs in King George, is still facing distribution charges in Westmoreland County. She picked up a new distribution charge Dec. 6 while she was on bond for the King George offense. A preliminary hearing in Westmoreland General District Court is scheduled for Tuesday, court records show. Stafford residents wont have a chance to speak at tonights School Board Colonial Forge High School redistricting work session, where the board will meet in a separate room and pipe video in to the board chambers for the public. Thats because work sessions dont typically include time for comments. But over an hour of public comment at Tuesdays meetingwhere redistricting was not on the agendarevealed the concerns, and rumors, making the rounds as many in the county struggle with the contentious issue of redistricting 400 students out of the highly-ranked school over the next four years. I think the common theme from every single person that has spoken [was] this decisions rushed, Garrisonville district resident Andrew Curry said. I think it would be smart to delay and get some plans that people could offer opinions about. The county identified two receiving schools: North Stafford High School, the least crowded school in the countyprojected to reach a maximum of about 86 percent capacity by 2026and Mountain View High School, the newest school in the county, which would be 93 percent full by 2026. Several speakers had the perception that Mountain View, currently a little over 81 percent full, was grossly underpopulated compared even to North Stafford. But North also is about 81 percent full, with less projected growth. The School Board, which plans to vote on redistricting in mid-March, started the current discussion around redistricting Forge in November, and delayed freshman orientation in the county. Forge is expected to be more than 100 students over its 2,150-student capacity in two years and grow from there. Administrators and board members have said only incoming ninth-graders will be affected, so current Forge students wont have to move, but if their neighborhood is shifted then they will have to provide their own transportationand their younger siblings wont be allowed to attend with them. Most of Tuesdays speakers said they lived in the Garrisonville district and felt their neighborhoods had been targeted to be moved. Embrey Mill, a neighborhood in the district, is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, and residents have said they feel neighborhoods are being turned against each other. The School Board has not yet made any specific statements about which neighborhoods it will move. Tonights work session was scheduled to review community and staff recommendations. In addition to saying the process is moving too quickly, residents criticized the Board of Supervisors and the School Board for poor planning. According to school projections, the county will have more total high school students than it has capacity in its five schools by 2023but no progress has yet been made on starting construction for a sixth high school. Several speakers also criticized North Stafford specifically, saying that the school did not perform well compared to the gold nugget they they feel Colonial Forge is. Superintendent Bruce Benson called that a perception problem later in the meeting. But some said the county has not invested enough in North Stafford. I feel like weve sort of danced around a lot of the issues, Carol Medawar, a county teacher, told the board. It really needs to be said that this is an ongoing problem. You really are advantaging some schools over others based on redistricting and its continuing to happen over and over again. The board needs to make sure that every kid has access to the countys phenomenal educational opportunities, she said. Several speakers also addressed the fact that Garrisonville board member Chris Connelly was appointed, not elected, after Nanette Kidbya strong advocate for Garrisonvilleannounced she was moving out of the county last October. The announcement came too late for a special election, and Connelly is serving the last year of a four-year term, when the county will vote on a new representative. The comments, which included saying Garrisonville should not be moved because it lacked an elected representative and one resident calling Connelly a fall guy, angered board member Irene Egan. After saying that new home sales professionals should not be promising buyers they will be in a particular district, Egan pointed out that some localities in Virginia still have fully-appointed districts; that both Kidby and current chairwoman Holly Hazard were appointed before election; and that the elected board unanimously chose Connelly. Because someone on this board is appointed does not take away their legitimacy, ever, Egan said. We chose him based on his interview and his vision for the school division, nothing more. One speaker asked Connelly if he plans to run for the seat he currently holds as an appointed member. Board members generally do not respond during public comment, and Connelly declined to answer. But during time for board comment, though Connelly did not speak to future plans, he said he understood residents frustration. I got involved in this board as a dad, a resident of Stafford for 13 years, because the decisions that are made up here are very important and they affect all of our lives, Connelly said. We hear you. I hear you. For almost four hours on Wednesday, there was democracy at work in Westmoreland County as residents first stood outside, in the blustering cold, to wave signs protesting the possibility of fracking in their waterside community, then gave their opinions at a public hearing. Darryl Fisher, chairman of Westmoreland Board of Supervisors and a Baptist preacher, told residents how proud he was of the respectful way they made their points, and that this is how the process should work. An hour and a half before the 6 p.m. board meeting, about 65 residents gathered on State Route 3 in Montrossin front of the old courthouse where the road takes a hard rightand waved signs of protest against gas and oil drilling known as hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. Thats the act of injecting chemical and waters, deep underground, to loosen trapped gas and oil. The protesters signs stated: Dont Frack With My Crabs or No Fracking Way, Farmers Not Frackers or Tourism or Fracking? You Cant Have Both. Ban Fracking. Fisher said he got a good feeling when he saw them. Thats democracy at work, he told the crowd of about 80 people in the board meeting room. You have freedom of speech, freedom of expression and you do it in an organized fashion to get your point across without infringing on anybody elses rights. Holly Harman, who runs a coffee shop in Montross, organized the gathering because she wants the supervisors to ban fracking in Westmoreland, not severely limit it through zoning ordinances. The latter is what the Planning Commission recommended to the supervisors, who had the first of two public hearings on the matter Wednesday night. Supervisors considered changes to their Comprehensive Plan, a guide to community development that addresses areas such as transportation, utilities and land use. Fisher stressed the board wouldnt take action Wednesday night. The boards next public hearing addresses proposed zoning ordinanceswhich would look at actual zoning regulations and conditionsat 6 p.m. on March 15. The planned amendments are even stricter than whats been put in place in neighboring King George, the first locality to address gas and oil extraction in the area south and east of Fredericksburg, where 84,000 acres have been leased for potential drilling. Gas wells in Westmoreland would have to be at least 1,000 feet from structures or any type of waterwaycompared to 750 feet in King George. Every one of the 25 speakers at the Westmoreland public hearing railed against fracking. Many asked, pleaded or insisted the county ban fracking outright. You spoke of the democratic process, said Chris Myer, an environmental scientist, firefighter and farmer. The people have spoken. As in previous meetings before the countys Planning Commission, speakers said they loved the unique and pristine waterways of the Northern Neck. Id like to keep it that way, said Robert Baldwin. Farmer Rebecca Gillions said shed never been the kind of person who wanted restrictions on land, I wanted people to be able to do what they wanted to do, but this case is different, she said. Im afraid of fracking. Robert Brown, a seventh-generation farmer in Loudoun County in Northern Virginia, told the group how he moved his operation to Oklahoma several years ago. The floor of his ranch house was cracked from an earthquake whose epicenter was 100 miles away. The Oklahoma Geological Survey reported 41 earthquakes in 2010 and 623 in 2016. The increased numbers are caused by wastewater thats been used in the fracking process, then injected into the ground under high pressure, according to the surveys website. Brown said that areas not damaged by earthquakes have been contaminated by saltwater used in the process. As fragile and pristine as [the Northern Neck] area is, I cant even imagine letting fracking come in, Brown told the audience. People applauded heartily at his comments, but then, they were a clap-happy crowd. They clapped when Bill Johnson said he represented the Sierra Club, and when Richard Moncure said he was there on behalf of the Friends of the Rappahannock. They cheered even louder when Reuben Fowler, a 16-year-old sophomore at nearby Washington and Lee High, took the podiumand before he said the first word. I want to keep this place safe and happy for all people, for all generations throughout the years, Fowler said. A third of the way through the public hearing, resident Don Hess said he understood the Westmoreland Planning Commission had favored severe restrictions on fracking, instead of banning it, because officials didnt want the county to be sued by the gas and oil industry. Commission Chairman John Felt said in December that imposing a ban puts a specific target on your back. Thats why commissioners favored restrictions that would render it more challenging to do fracking here. Speakers after Hess seized on that subject line and told the county to not allow fracking at all. Outright ban it, and well have your back later on when you need it, said resident Melissa Gross. Youre going to be sued anyway, so I say stand up and make it worthwhile and just say no, said Susan Rager, a lawyer in the county. Longtime farmer Lawrence Latane was the most succinct. I would rather go to court to keep the oil companies out of here than go to court to make them clean up the pollution they caused. Near the end of the two-hour public hearing, Board Vice-Chairman Russ Culver reminded the audience that while the Planning Commission recommended severe restrictions on fracking, the group also had given the board a second option, of banning. Chairman Fisher told those gathered that the board would consider all possibilities before making a decision. For instance, he wondered, if the board bans fracking and is sued and loses a court case, does that mean the ban is reversed and that fracking would be allowed in Westmoreland? Fisher was applauded when he reassured them that the board isnt afraid of a lawsuit. We arent going to be governed by the fear that somebody might sue us, he said. EU Commissioner Stylianides, who is in charge of humanitarian assistance and crisis management, will visit Ukraine on February 20-21, 2017. "During his two-day visit, the Commissioner will be visiting two EU funded humanitarian projects in Eastern Ukraine, meeting EU humanitarian partners and workers, and speaking to those benefitting from the projects," the EU Delegation to Ukraine said in a press statement issued on Thursday. He will also meet with local officials in eastern Ukraine, including governor of Donetsk region Pavlo Zhebrivsky. "The visit of the Commissioner comes in light of an upsurge in fighting in eastern Ukraine which has affected tens of thousands of people, especially those living along the 'line of contact'," the EU Delegation said. On February 21, Commissioner Stylianides is also scheduled to meet in Kyiv senior representatives of Ukrainian authorities. "The discussion will focus on the current humanitarian situation in Eastern Ukraine and the way how the EU can help with addressing the needs of the affected population," the statement reads. The majority of Americans have no clear idea what "sell by" labels are trying to tell them. But after 40 years of letting us guess, the grocery industry has made moves to clear up the confusion. On Wednesday, the Food Marketing Institute and the Grocery Manufacturers Association, the two largest trade groups for the grocery industry, announced that they've adopted standardized, voluntary regulations to clear up what product date labels mean. Where manufacturers now use any of 10 separate label phrases, ranging from "expires on" to "better if used by," they'll now be encouraged to use only two: "Use By" and "Best if Used By." The former is a safety designation, meant to indicate when perishable foods are no longer good. "Best if Used By" is a quality descriptor -- a subjective guess of when the manufacturer thinks the product should be consumed for peak flavor. That's what most "use-by" dates indicate now, though studies have shown that many consumers believe they signal whether a product is okay to eat. In fact, it's totally fine to eat a product even well after its so-called expiration date. These dates typically indicate one of two things: a message from the manufacturer to the grocery store, telling the store when the product will look best on shelves, or a subjective measure -- often little more than a guess -- of when consumers will most "enjoy" the product. Methods for setting those dates have been left to manufacturers, rather like the phrasing of the labels themselves. But when consumers see a date labeled "use by" (or, even worse, not labeled at all) they often tend to assume that it's a food-safety claim, regulated by some objective standard. Both the Department of Agriculture and a coalition of environmental groups have been urging the industry to clear this up. In addition to costing average Americans, in the form of prematurely tossed groceries, the waste represents a significant use of landfill space and source of greenhouse gas emissions. "I think it's huge. It's just an enormous step," said Emily Broad-Leib, the director of Harvard's Food Law and Policy Clinic. "It's still a first step -- but it's very significant." Advocates and environmentalists have been warning for years that many people interpret date labels as a sign that food is no longer good to eat. As a result, one industry survey found, 91 percent of consumers have mistakenly thrown away past-date food, when the label only signals the manufacturer's guess at its peak quality. Shoppers shouldn't expect to see the new labels the next time they buy groceries; the change won't be immediate. While FMI and GMA are urging manufacturers and retailers to make it now, they have until July 2018. Even then, the standards are voluntary, so there's no guarantee that they'll be adopted by every single company. Some states also have labeling regulations that preempt the industry standards. In Montana, for instance, milk must come with a "sell by" label. That means milk in the state will still say "sell by," even if every other product gets the new labels. Still, a number of major manufacturers have already signaled their enthusiasm, including Walmart, the largest seller of American groceries. And both FMI and GMA are expecting to see widespread adoption, in part because the standards were written by a working group comprised of representatives from large food companies. The voluntary standards are also a way to influence, or preempt, pending federal regulation; there has been growing interest in a federal standard for label dates, which would both align the contradictory patchwork of state rules and guarantee corporate compliance. Last May, Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) introduced legislation that would standardize both date labels and food donation laws. They're expected to reintroduce the bill in the coming weeks. In mid-December, the USDA also published non-binding guidance that encouraged manufacturers to switch to the "Best if Used By" phrasing. This all delights Broad-Leib, who made similar policy recommendations in a 2013 report with the Natural Resources Defense Council. According to NRDC, Americans throw $218 billion worth of food away each year. The anti-food-waste coalition ReFED estimates that 398,000 tons, or $1.8 billion, could be saved through standardized date labels. Of course, that is just a drop in the waste bucket: To make a real dent in America's food waste problem, Broad-Leib said, more will have to be done. The Food Law and Policy Clinic is arguing for several federal interventions, including policy changes that make it easier for companies and farms to donate food and incentives to encourage them to do so. (Some of this appears in the Food Donation Act of 2017, which Rep. Marcia Fudge, D-Ohio, introduced a week ago.) Broad-Leib would also like to see the Department of Agriculture designate more funds for local composting and anaerobic facilities, as well as education campaigns for consumers. NRDC and the Ad Council are currently running one such campaign, called "Save the Food." After all, Broad-Leib points out, if Americans don't understand food waste the new labels won't help. And ultimately, neither will anything else. The U.S. Embassy in Ukraine is concerned about the potential impact on the energy system of the blockade of coal supply from the areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions beyond Kyiv control. "We are concerned by the current disruption to the coal supply from the non-government-controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk and its potential impact on Ukraine's energy system, the Ukrainian economy, and the Ukrainian people," the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine said in a statement on its Facebook page. According to the Embassy, the relevant parties need to come together to find a way forward in the short term that allows legitimate goods from Ukrainian companies to transparently cross the line of contact in order to prevent hardship to the people of Ukraine on both sides of the line. "Further, we strongly encourage the Government of Ukraine to accelerate much-needed reforms in the energy sector to better meet the needs of the Ukrainian people. Executing a plan to diversify Ukraine's coal supply, enhance energy efficiency, and minimize the role of government in the energy sector would reduce opportunities for corruption and increase energy security," the statement reads. Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) on Thursday issued a number of instructions to the Interior Ministry, the Security Service and the National Guard as part of urgent measures to neutralize threats to the country's energy security and strengthen the protection of critical infrastructure. In its February 16 decision, published on the Ukrainian president's official website on Thursday evening, the NSDC also instructed the Interior Ministry and the Security Service to urgently "take exhaustive measures to ensure public order" in the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) zone in Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The Interior Ministry and the Security Service are also to ensure proper protection of gas- and power-supply facilities and transport infrastructure in the ATO zone in Donbas and maintain an adequate level of safety to ensure their smooth function. Furthermore, the National Police, the National Guard and the Security Service have been instructed to ensure safety and prevent, in a statutory manner, any attempt to violate public order on critical infrastructure. A Florida trucker who was caught with 130 pounds of marijuana after being pulled over for speeding on state Route 288 in Chesterfield County last summer was sentenced to serve three years in prison for trafficking drugs into Virginia. When a Chesterfield police detective asked Collin M. Ashley about the drugs police found in the cab of his rig and in a duffel bag he had tossed out before he came to a stop the truckers only reply was, Im doomed. There is no way you can help me, according to a transcript of his roadside conversation with police on Aug. 7. Ashley, 55, said he had left Miami earlier in the day with a load of produce and was on his way to Pennsylvania and Maryland to drop off his load. When the officer, who first stopped the trucker just before 1 a.m., asked him if he had a large amount of cash in the cab or his trailer, the trucker looked directly at the officer and said, No, the transcript said. But when the officer then asked if he had any drugs, Ashley immediately looked away and mumbled something the officer said he couldnt hear. When asked to repeat his answer, Ashley would still not look at the officer but said, No. The officer then asked Ashley if he could search his rig for cash and drugs. The trucker said the officer was free to search the trailer but the cab area was his personal space, according to the transcript. A drug sniffing dog was then deployed, and the canine alerted to the presence of narcotics in the trucks cab. A box containing marijuana was recovered from the cab, and police found additional marijuana inside a duffel bag that Ashley had thrown from his moving rig after police initiated a traffic stop, said Chesterfield Deputy Commonwealths Attorney Kenneth Nickels. Police said they stopped Ashley for traveling 77 mph in a 70 mph zone and drifting into another lane of travel. Ashley provided police with most of his required paperwork after being stopped, including his license, registration, shipping manifest and log book. But he couldnt find his medical card, which truckers must have to obtain a commercial drivers license and keep with them while driving. The trucker also acknowledged lying to another officer about his driving schedule that day, adding that his log book that recorded his stops and sleep time was messed up. The confiscated marijuana had been packaged in 38 separate plastic packages, according to a Virginia Department of Forensic Science report. In an agreement between the prosecution and defense, Ashley, who lives in Coconut Creek, Fla., pleaded guilty in Chesterfield Circuit Court to one count of transporting more than five pounds of marijuana into Virginia and was sentenced to 20 years in prison with 17 years suspended. Accompanying charges of distribution of marijuana, manufacturing a controlled substance and a second count of transporting marijuana into Virginia were withdrawn by prosecutors during lower court hearings last year. The penalty for a conviction of transporting drugs into Virginia is five to 40 years in prison, with a mandatory minimum of three years to serve. Nickels said Ashley has a prior drug distribution conviction dating to the early 2000s from another state. When the trucker was charged in the summer, Chesterfield police said his arrest was part of an investigation into a large marijuana distribution ring. Police on Wednesday could not immediately say whether an investigation was still ongoing or whether it has resulted in any out-of-state arrests. African-American war hero deserves recognition So much of AfricanAmerican history is truly unknown. As an example, few know anything about Revolutionary War hero James Armistead, who was a slave in New Kent County. Following the British siege of Richmond in 1781, he asked for and received permission to serve in the cause of American independence. He was assigned to Gen. Marquis de Lafayette, who persuaded Armistead to go to a British camp and pose as a runaway slave. The British gladly accepted him and gave him work, which put him in close contact with British generals, including Commander-in-Chief Lord Cornwallis. He was able to gather vital information about British troop movements and frequently sent this information on to Lafayette. Impressed with him, the British asked Armistead to spy on the Americans. He agreed and became Americas first double agent spy, feeding accurate information to the Americans while giving the British inaccurate information. Armistead learned that the British fleet was moving Cornwallis and his troops to Yorktown. He relayed this information to Lafayette and Washington, who positioned the American forces at Yorktown. After the British troops landed and the British fleet departed, the Americans engaged the British while the French fleet blockaded the British fleet. The British, without naval reinforcements or supplies and with no way to retreat off the peninsula, were trapped. The British finally surrendered and Armisteads crucial intelligence helped bring a victorious end to the American Revolution. Several years after the war, Armistead gained his freedom and eventually received a retirement pension from Virginia for his military service. He died in the 1830s and was a true American patriot. Robert Davis Spotsylvania By Stef Gijssels We love solo bass albums, and it seems that they keep coming in great numbers. The overview below is indeed nothing more t... Free Freightnet Membership List your company in the Freightnet directory. It's Free, it's Easy and your company can be displayed in front of potential freight buyers within 24 hours. An Australian expert in the human organ trade says there's been a massive drop in the numbers of foreigners coming to China for an organ transplant. Campbell Fraser, from Griffith University, spoke at the Vatican Summit on Organ Trafficking and Transplant Tourism last week and told chinadaily.com.cn that he had interviewed many patients "who attempted to buy an organ in China but were refused by the Chinese hospitals." For the first time, Chinese representatives have been invited to the summit to discuss its experience of combating organ commercialism. China has undertaken a 10-year reform process to reduce dependence on executed inmates as the primary source for organ transplants. A public organ donation system has been launched in line with international practice, and in 2015 the country announced that the use of organs from executed inmates had ceased. Using organs from executed inmates became a major source of criticism of China by some individuals or groups, such as Falun Gong. They even accused China of extracting organs from "prisoners of conscience". "In the days before the summit, the FLG embarked on a campaign of emailing participants," Fraser said. The content of the emails made false allegations against Chinese representatives. Fraser said that the authors of these emails -- academics, lawyers, doctors, and politicians based primarily in Australia, Canada, USA and Europe are not "independent" researchers as they claim. "They have the specific intention of attacking the Chinese government, and have decided to use so-called "organ harvesting" as their main weapon... as they think that it will be difficult to prove that it does not happen," Fraser said. Fraser has investigated human organ trafficking since 2008 and has personally met over 1000 people involved in the illegal business, including doctors, buyers, sellers and brokers, and consulted several governments, health departments and police organizations. After conducting his own investigations, he said he has concluded that the FLG claims are fraudulent. He also believed that the FLG met the criteria of a cult because they believe in one person with supernatural powers and "practitioners" refuse medical treatment for themselves and their children. He said he was recently invited to both New York and Taipei to meet doctors who explained to him that they have a problem with FLG "practitioners" refusing treatment. "There was even a case reported to me of a FLG practitioner refusing medical treatment for her young daughter," he said. When academics have reported things against the FLG, Fraser says they are harassed. "The FLG harass me because they know that I am a threat to them, because I know what really happens in China," he said. "They are doing all they can to silence me, by trying to stop me attending and presenting at international conferences." "In August 2016 the FLG tried to stop me speaking at the international transplant conference in Hong Kong. When legal means failed, they attempted to physically stop me from speaking by shouting at me when I started to present. What made this particularly ridiculous was that my presentation was not even specifically about China, it was about Special Interest Groups in general." China is still implementing major reforms in organ transplantation, and significant progress continues to be made in this transformation process. Fraser said he hoped "the international transplant community will continue to support our Chinese colleagues in this vital work." Campbell Fraser, an international human organ trade expert from Australia. [Photo provided by Campbell Fraser] China is helping the world to fight against the problem of organ trafficking, an international human organ trade expert from Australia said during a recent interview with China Radio International (CRI). Campbell Fraser with Griffith University in Brisbane has just attended the two-day Pontifical Academy Summit (PAS) on Organ Trafficking and Transplant Tourism. During the PAS, Jiefu Huang, professor and chairman of the China National Organ Donation and Transplantation Committee, said China had imposed a total ban on the use of executed prisoners' organs for transplantation since the beginning of 2015. Fraser said he has monitored global trends on organ trafficking for years and his research has shown that foreigners have stopped coming to China for organ transplantation based on his interviews with over 1000 organ buyers, sellers, brokers, and doctors. "I'm absolutely convinced that the reforms in China are absolutely true, and for that reason, I believe the international community should be supportive of the changes in China and encouraging China, and to keep going on this wonderful journey they are going on, and not listening to the political propaganda of people who are trying to stop our progress," Fraser said. Fraser revealed that his research prompted harassment from Falun Gong cult members just because it was inconsistent with the claims made by Falun Gong, "I had a lot of personal troubles with Falun Gong. When I presented an academic paper at the Hong Kong transplantation conference last year, they complained to my employer, they complained to the conference organizers. When I was speaking, they interrupted me, shouted at me, and generally tried to stop me speaking. " Fraser had thought that perhaps he was the only person harassed by Falun Gong, but later he found that several other scholars who have not supported the claims made by Falun Gong have also been harassed by cult members. The Chinese government banned Falun Gong as a cult in 1999, accusing it of disguising as a religious group to brainwash practitioners, extracting money from them, and even encouraging practitioners to set themselves alight. Although Falun Gong made unfair claims about the Chinese government, China has made progress on cracking down on organ trafficking, Fraser said. China is not only solving its organ trafficking problem in China, but also actually assisting the world with solving the organ trafficking problem. Speaking on behalf of China at the PAS summit which concluded on Feb. 8, Jiefu Huang proposed the establishment of a World Health Organization (WHO) task force to fulfill the mission of the PAS in order to eradicate organ trafficking. "China is such an important country, a global leader, so it's really important for China to lead by example, and this is one of the greatest things of having them, China actually gives some good ideas, we are looking at China, we can use some of the ideas to solve the problems of trafficking in Egypt, in Pakistan, and India, and a few other countries," Fraser said. Sarah Wehner treats a patient. (Gao Shi/People's Daily) Sarah Wehner, an American woman born in the 1980s, has been promoting Chinese acupuncture for 10 years in the state of Maryland, hoping that she can some day exchange views with real masters of acupuncture in China. Wehner is from Baltimore, Maryland. She has been an experienced acupuncturist for 10 years though she has never been to China before. Her father is the one who introduced her to acupuncture. He was cured of a mental illness through acupuncture, after many other therapies failed. My father is an carpenter, he can create a lot of things with only simple tools. He enlightened me and I decided to learn acupuncture. I think I can help others with the needles, explained Wehner. Sarah Wehner treats a patient. (Gao Shi/People's Daily) Wehner and her colleagues uploaded videos introducing different acupuncture therapies on social media in order to alleviate patients concerns. They also compiled a two-page guide to TCM terms. Wehner herself remembered hundreds of acupoints from when she was in college. Since treatment fees for acupuncture are relatively high in the U.S., Wehner organized a group of medical students, acupuncturists, patients, community clinics and sponsors to set up an acupuncture community, hoping to help more people obtain the therapies, coordinate job opportunities for acupuncturists in the U.S., and significantly lower the price of the treatments in America by 2020. I treat 70 to 100 patients from different ethnic groups and aged from 2 to over 80 every week. They all like this traditional Chinese therapy and feel satisfied after treatment, said Wehner. She added that she hopes to continue improving her medical skills and would love to speak with Chinese acupuncture masters in the future. A debate has started about how best to protect some of Britains most cherished food brands from cheap imitations once the UK leaves the EU. Iconic products such as Melton Mowbray pork pies, Welsh lamb and Scotch beef have gained the EUs Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status, Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) or are included in Traditional Specialty Guaranteed (TSG) schemes. Industry representatives recently met farm minister George Eustice to discuss what should happen to these products after Brexit. See also: Farmers may benefit as China eyes EU speciality foods There are 61 UK foods with protected status, with another 17 applications in the system. While these numbers are lower than countries such as Italy, France, Spain and Germany, those who have fought to secure protected status argue it is an important marketing tool that needs to be retained. Protected names help exports The PGI status enjoyed by Welsh lamb and Welsh beef places our products in the same category as premium goods such as Champagne, says Hybu Cig Cymru (Meat Promotion Wales) chief executive Gwyn Howells. As well as protecting our meat against imitation and giving customers confidence in its authenticity and traceability, the PGI status has been a cornerstone of marketing efforts that have seen lamb exports rise from 57m in 2004 to 133m in the space of a decade. So what might happen in the future? The worry is that without some form of protection, cheaper, poor-quality imitations will hit the market, which will undermine the reputation and value of authentic regional products. Shortly after the EU referendum vote former Defra secretary Liz Truss tried to allay these fears, telling MPs that she was keen to develop British protected food name status. Six months on Defra says it is business as usual, given the UK is still a member of the EU. But a spokesman adds: These products are extremely important to our reputation as a great food nation and we will work to ensure they continue to benefit from protection in the future. Matthew OCallaghan, chairman of the UK Protected Food Names Association (PFNA), likens protected name status to having a Michelin star in the restaurant world. The meeting with Mr Eustice was positive and the industry is putting together a working group so it can work with Defra on proposals for a new scheme, Mr OCallaghan says. But he warns a suggestion that trademark certifications might be an alternative to a national scheme was not one that would work for everyone. If someone wanted to get protected status in the EU then they would have to apply for trademarks in 27 different countries, which would come at a cost. Unlike Protected Food Names (PFN) status, it would also not be linked to a particular place. Mr OCallaghan says the industrys preference is for a scheme very similar to the EU one, but with improvements. Stronger enforcement needed One change is we really do need proper enforcement of the rules, he says. There isnt currently a specific law on protected food names, so trading standards have to use existing consumer laws, such as passing off, to take action. Thats not really adequate. Protected status In total, there are 1,377 foods with protected status across the EU. Research carried out in 2013 found that the EUs protected food products typically wholesale for 1.55 times more money than non-protected foods. At 1.07, the premium is smaller in the UK but there are further benefits for producers, such as greater stability, profitability and an enhanced reputation for their businesses. Protected status products can also promote more stable supply chains. To improve transparency for consumers, the PFNA would also like to see a registration scheme for producers of a protected food, he says. There is a list of the products covered, but not who is behind them. Theres also a desire to see a cut in the bureaucracy involved as it can take years for an application to be accepted. An AHDB Horizon report published in December concluded that provided there was a reciprocal agreement between the UK and the EU. then existing registered protected names should be able to benefit from EU protection. It also highlighted that non-EU countries such as Colombia (coffee) and Mexico (tequila) already have food products registered for protection in the EU so a precedent is there for the UK. National approval scheme for UK? However, non-EU products must already be protected in their country of origin, which means the UK would need to set up its own national approval scheme to deal with new applications. Kathy Roussel, head of the AHDBs Brussels office and co-author of the Horizon report, says: Only when products have been approved by a non-EU countrys own national scheme can they be considered for approval under the EU protected food scheme. Ms Roussel also stresses while protected status added value for some products and could result in premiums, it did not on its own guarantee success. AHDB has found to increase returns, producers have to work individually or collectivity to develop their market. There can also be increased costs associated with PFN compliance. Herdwick challenges Amanda Carson, secretary of the Herdwick Sheep Breeders Association, who was involved in a seven-year battle to get PDO status for Lakeland Herdwicks, admits they had found the rules requiring lambs to be born, bred and butchered in Cumbria a difficulty. Only one abattoir had been prepared to get involved in the scheme, which meant many farmers were unable to meet all the PDO requirements. This meant they had to develop an alternative approach to help these producers market Herdwick lamb. It is not as easy as it seems, she says. It is not as easy as it seems, she says. However, PDO status had helped to secure exports to Hong Kong and there were a small number of farmers securing premiums because they were selling food with a story to top chefs in the region, she adds. Malaysia arrests another suspect in connection with the death of DPRK man (Xinhua) 11:12, February 16, 2017 Malaysian police said Thursday a second female suspect, who bears an Indonesian passport, has been arrested early in the morning in connection with the death of a man from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). Malaysian police chief Khalid Abu Bakar said in a statement that the second suspect was also identified from a surveillance camera footage at the airport and was alone at the time of the arrest. Based on the passport, the suspect is named "Siti Aishah" and was born on Feb. 11, 1992 in Serang of Indonesia. Abdul Samah Mat, police chief of Selangor state, told Xinhua that the suspect was arrested in a hotel in Selangor near the capital of Kuala Lumpur. Police are investigating as a murder case instead of sudden death of the man, and a local court has granted 7-day remand order for the two suspects. The first female suspect holding a Vietnamese passport was arrested Wednesday at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport's second terminal, where the deceased DPRK man had looked for help for feeling unwell on Monday and died enroute to the hospital. Malaysian police said earlier that the 46-year-old man was holding a DPRK passport under the name Kim Chol. His body was taken to a hospital in Kuala Lumpur Wednesday for postmortem to ascertain the cause of his death. The results of the postmortem are yet to be released. WHATS UP The Cherokee County Literacy Association is having a hot dog sale fundraiser on November 12 at 11:00 a.m.2:00 p.m. in the office parking lot at 409 Buford Street. Plates for... Blacksburg town employees to get bonus of $175 Blacksburg town employees were rewarded for their work Tuesday with a little extra in their holiday bonuses. Blacksburg Town Council unanimously agreed to give most full-time and part-time employees an... In this region, no one fights alone Traditional rivals Landrum and Liberty presented a $4,700 check at Fridays Blacksburg game from a competitive fundraiser to celebrate Pink Out Week. Students competed to see which school could raise... Pet Obituary Cameo CamiWard 7/27/2004 10/29/2022 Cameo chose her forever family by walking into their yard June 2006. She loved her cat proof backyard, window and screen porch. Cameo for many years played hide and go... Story Highlights More than four in five Americans say both goals are very important Defending U.S. allies' security has increased in importance Two in three say defending U.S. allies' security is very important WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Preventing future acts of international terrorism (85%) and the spread of nuclear weapons (84%) remain Americans' top foreign policy goals in 2017, with more than four in five rating each of these as "very important." Nearly as many say securing adequate supplies of energy for the U.S. (80%) is a very important foreign policy goal. Americans' Top Foreign Policy Goals Next, I'm going to read a list of possible foreign policy goals that the United States might have. For each one please say whether you think it should be a very important foreign policy goal of the United States, a somewhat important goal, not too important a goal or not an important goal at all. How about -- Very important Somewhat important Not too important/Not important at all % % % Preventing future acts of international terrorism 85 12 3 Preventing the spread of nuclear weapons/other weapons of mass destruction 84 9 6 Securing adequate supplies of energy for the U.S. 80 16 3 Promoting favorable trade policies for the U.S. in foreign markets 71 25 3 Defending our allies' security 66 29 5 Working with organizations like the United Nations to bring about world cooperation 63 21 16 Promoting and defending human rights in other countries 53 34 13 Helping other countries build democracies 29 43 27 GALLUP, Feb. 1-5, 2017 Solid majorities also say promoting favorable trade policies (71%), defending our allies' security (66%) and working with organizations like the U.N. to bring about world cooperation (63%) are very important foreign policy goals. A smaller majority rated promoting and defending human rights abroad (53%) as being very important. Meanwhile, less than three in 10 Americans said that helping other countries build democracies (29%) is very important. These results are based on Gallup's annual World Affairs poll, conducted Feb. 1-5. Gallup last asked Americans to rate these foreign policy goals in 2013, as President Barack Obama started his second term. Americans are a bit more likely now than they were in February 2013 (66% vs. 60%) to say that defending U.S. allies' security is a very important goal. Not only is this percentage up slightly from 2013, but it is also the highest Gallup has recorded since first polling on the question in 2001. Since then, a majority of Americans have consistently said defending allies' security is a top priority, ranging between 57% and 62% until this year's 66%. Americans now are also more inclined to value working with organizations like the U.N. to bring about world cooperation and promoting favorable trade policies for the U.S. in foreign markets -- each up five percentage points since 2013 to 63% and 71%, respectively. The latter was a central tenet of President Donald Trump's campaign. Perceptions of the other five goals are generally the same as they were four years ago. Change in the Percentage of Americans Who Rated Each Foreign Policy Goal as "Very Important," 2013 vs. 2017 2013 2017 Change % % (pct. points) Defending our allies' security 60 66 +6 Working with organizations like the United Nations to bring about world cooperation 58 63 +5 Promoting favorable trade policies for the U.S. in foreign markets 66 71 +5 Preventing the spread of nuclear weapons/other weapons of mass destruction 83 84 +1 Promoting and defending human rights in other countries 52 53 +1 Securing adequate supplies of energy for the U.S. 82 80 -2 Helping other countries build democracies 31 29 -2 Preventing future acts of international terrorism 88 85 -3 GALLUP Bottom Line Americans have concerns about how the world views the U.S., and less than four in 10 approve of the way Trump is handling foreign affairs. With majorities of Americans viewing the security of our allies and world cooperation through organizations like the U.N. as very important, actions that threaten these goals could further undermine the trust Americans place in Trump to handle foreign policy. Trump broke with diplomatic norms while campaigning for president when he expressed hesitance about maintaining NATO, even calling it "obsolete." But Secretary of Defense James Mattis met with NATO officials this week to reaffirm America's commitment to the alliance. Trump also previously criticized involvement with the U.N. as "wasteful" spending and sparred with the organization before taking office. The administration has drafted an executive order to audit and dramatically reduce U.S. contributions to international organizations, although Trump has not yet signed it. At the same time, the president's focus on preventing international terrorism aligns with Americans' greatest priority, as does his commitment to renegotiating trade deals that are more favorable to the U.S. And while Trump has called for an arms race, his administration's measured response to North Korea's recent ballistic missile test could assuage fears of nuclear escalation. Historical data are available in Gallup Analytics. Story Highlights 72% view foreign trade as an economic opportunity, 23% as a threat 71% say promoting favorable trade policies is "very important" All political party groups increasingly see trade as an opportunity WASHINGTON, D.C. -- A record-high 72% of Americans see foreign trade as an opportunity for economic growth. This is up sharply from 58% last year, after much debate about trade during the presidential election cycle. These results are from Gallup's annual World Affairs survey, conducted Feb. 1-5. Foreign trade was a major theme of the 2016 presidential election, with Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders having denounced trade agreements such as the North American Free Trade Agreement and the Trans-Pacific Partnership. However, rather than rejecting agreements like these outright, President Trump has promised to replace multinational agreements such as the TPP with bilateral deals on more favorable terms for the U.S. This reasoning may help explain why more Americans now see trade as a mechanism for economic growth. Americans' view that trade is an opportunity for economic growth has fluctuated since 2000. The low point was 41% in 2008, during the 2007-2009 recession. However, the percentage holding this view was also low in 2005-2006, when the economy was in much better shape. It is possible that Americans were less likely to view trade as an economic opportunity then because there was less emphasis on the matter during the George W. Bush administration. During Barack Obama's tenure, a push for trade with countries in the Asia-Pacific region thrust the issue back into the spotlight. Americans are also modestly more positive about trade in response to another question Gallup asked in the same survey. Seventy-one percent say promoting favorable trade for the U.S. is a "very important" foreign policy goal, up from 66% in 2013, the last time the question was asked. Across All Parties, More See Trade as an Opportunity All political party groups show an increase from last year in the view that trade is an economic opportunity. Among Democrats, this view has increased 17 percentage points to 80%, while among Republicans it has risen 16 points to 66%. The increase is smaller among independents -- up eight points to 71%. For all party groups, the percentages viewing foreign trade as an economic opportunity are at record highs. The previous high mark for Democrats was 66% in 2013, and for Republicans it was 57% in 2002. Since 2012, Democrats have been more positive about trade than Republicans have been. From 2001 to 2009, the opposite was true. Bottom Line A record-high 72% of Americans believe foreign trade is good for the U.S. economy, and an equal proportion believe promoting favorable trade policies in foreign markets is a very important goal. Despite the often-negative characterization of U.S. trade deals throughout the 2016 campaign, there has been an increase among all party groups in perceptions that trade is good for the country. For Democrats, this may be a sort of rebellion against Trump's anti-trade pronouncements. Among Republicans, this sentiment may be up due to a belief that U.S. trade will flourish under a Trump administration. In the first few days of Trump's presidency, he announced that the U.S. was withdrawing from the TPP. Trump also has pledged to rework other trade agreements, to the consternation of some and delight of others. Nevertheless, it is clear that Americans across party lines now believe trade is compatible with domestic economic opportunity. Historical data are available in Gallup Analytics. China will spend about 1.7 trillion yuan (247 billion U.S. dollars) to increase the quality of arable land and to promote urbanization. The country will divide its land into nine zones for land consolidation over the 13th Five-year Plan period (2016-2020), according to a plan released Wednesday. Land consolidation refers to the rational use of land. In the case of farming, parcels of land are consolidated to provide larger holdings. Faster development of "high-standard cropland" will be a priority, Zhuang Shaoqin, head of the planning bureau of the Ministry of Land and Resources (MLR), told a news conference on the blueprint. The target refers to large-scale, contiguous plots of land with fertile soil and modern farming facilities. This type of farmland can maintain stable and high yields and has sound ecological condition and strong capacity to resist natural disasters. At least 400 million mu (about 26.7 million hectares) of high-yield farmland will be added by 2020, he said. The country has created the same amount of farmland meeting those standards from 2011 to 2015. Higher quality arable land will see a 40-billion-kg increase in China's food production capacity, an official with the MLR said. Meanwhile, urban and suburban residents will be better integrated and urbanization will be promoted with improved infrastructure and environment in city outskirts. Per capita annual income of farmers will increase by 750 yuan during the period. Half-Life developer Valve has expanded quite a bit in the 20+ years since it was founded, branching out beyond game development to become a major game marketplace operator, hardware developer, and event producer. So what kind of team does it have in place to oversee budgeting across all those different projects? Game devs curious to learn more about how Valve works may appreciate hearing the answer from company chief Gabe Newell, who got into it with Gamasutra and other outlets during a press briefing at Valve HQ last week. "At Valve, we don't have a budgeting process. There's not like some group of people who go off and say this is how much money we think we're going to make on this title, so that's how many people we're going to assign to work on that project," said Newell. "That's an economy based on that budgetary process. Our economy is based on people's time. That's the scarce commodity." Newell has mentioned the lack of financial oversight or forecasting at Valve before, but last week he dug into exactly how it works and, based on the way he spoke, it sounds as though it works in part because the amount of funding available to Valve outsizes staff size to the point that work time, not budget, is the major constraint. "The scarce commodity here is not money -- it's how many hours there are in a day" "The scarce commodity here is not money -- it's how many hours there are in a day," Newell continued. "So everybody is expected to essentially vote on what is most important to our customers by the projects that they work on. So none of the people you saw today [folks who worked on Steam Support, VR, CS:GO, Team Fortress 2 and Dota 2] are working on those projects because somebody else told them to work on them. Everybody's working on those projects because they thought they could make the largest contributions to our customers by working on them. People move around all the time." He and fellow Valve staffer Erik Johnson went on to explain that this is basically how Valve got started making its highly popular free-to-play MOBA Dota 2 -- at first most people in the company thought it was a weird project ("giving a game away for free. And there's this economy aspect to it, and user-generated content...seemed kind of wacky", recalled Newell) and interest in working on it was tepid. "But you know, Adrian Finol, a week after he started, he had the top-down camera working. And suddenly other engineers go oh, okay, I think there are other interesting problems in this space that I can work on," continued Newell. "And then more and more people pile onto the project because they think it's interesting. And I think it's that fact that you're always voting with your time, you're always making a decision about how to spend your work product, that actually makes it easy for people to be fired up. Because they're always working on stuff that to them seems significant. Nobody's working on yet another sequel. 'Oh, it's the fall, we have to come out with, you know, version 17.'" This way of running a game company seems intriguing, and worth studying if you're a game maker -- but it also seems like something that could only work in very rare instances. Newell admits this, and says he often has a hard time convincing folks at other companies that he's not just making it all up. "I talk with other people at other companies and they just..." Newell said, raising his hands in the air wordlessly before continuing. "I'll talk to another CEO and they'll say, 'you don't have a budgeting process?' And they'll say, 'you are lying. There's no way a modern company could work like that. Either that or you're incredibly unprofessional, and you guys will eventually implode.' And we're like, no, actually this system works." It works in part, says Newell, because of Valve's now-infamous decentralized structure. There are no titles, and therefore everyone is accountable to nobody and everybody at the same time. This means there's no established accounting process for either funding or actual work done. "One of the things that you don't really care about is, you don't care about information flowing to me. Right? If there's information I need, I should go and hunt it down," says Newell. "And that's true for anybody. If Erik [Johnson] needs to know something to get his job done, he goes and gets it. But there's no monthly reports. Nobody says 'I have to update Gabe on the progress of X.' The reality is, they have to update their customers on the progress of X. That's way more important than updating me." "And I'm a really good information hunter-downer," he added. "If there's something I need to know, I can find out about it. And information is pretty freely available inside of the company. It's just not hard to, if there's something you need to know, to find out about it. But there's no -- you pull your information. There's no push towards you." It's an intriguing way to work, one you can read more about in our recent conversation with Newell about Valve's plans and expectations for VR in the years ahead. Confession time: I wasnt really that excited for the Switch, especially before its big reveal. I felt let down by the Wii U, which collected dust aside from a handful of games, and I didnt see much on the Switch to garner my enthusiasm outside of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, which I could play on the Wii U. So imagine my surprise when I tuned into the reveal and saw Nintendo grabbing plenty of my favorite RPG franchises for its latest console. Xenoblade Chronicles 2. Shin Megami Tensei. Fire Emblem Warriors, a Musou Fire Emblem/Dynasty Warriors crossover. Square Enixs smaller, gorgeous-looking RPG, Project Octopath Traveler. Suddenly, I had unexpected excitement for the console. This was only the beginning. It was also revealed that a brand new, mainline Fire Emblem game is in development for Switch, which is a big deal considering this is the first time the franchise has been on a home console since 2007s Radiant Dawn for Wii. Bandai Namco then confirmed plans to bring its beloved Tales series to Switch. As of late, the Tales games have mostly been released on Sony platforms and PC. The last time we saw an entry hit a Nintendo home console was 2008s Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World, again on Wii. We also know Dragon Quest XI is making its way to the platform, which is exciting considering English-speakers missed out on X, an MMORPG that came out on a plethora of platforms in Japan. Oh, and lets not forget The Pokemon Company's chief executive told The Wall Street Journal that it will make games for Switch, so some sort of Pokemon game is in the works. This just makes me giddy. An interesting observation is that many of these franchises, such as Fire Emblem, SMT, and Dragon Quest, have subsisted and even grown on handhelds while home console development costs rose. Now they return to the living room via the Switch. This actually makes sense considering the Switch is supposed to be the best of both worlds, letting you take your game on the go or play them on the big screen in the comfort of your own home. A bonus to these games presence on Switch is it allows them to have a bigger spotlight and I couldnt be happier about that. It also gives these franchises an opportunity to expand their scope; a new platform often affords developers more chances to experiment and stretch their creative muscles. Im curious how the Dragon Quest series will evolve since its MMORPG debut and what lessons the team has learned for XI. I cant imagine it didnt impart some wisdom on creating a larger, more intriguing world and making sure players had plenty of fun things to do. I want something more in line with the scope and ambition we saw with Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King. Will Fire Emblem be able to make building your headquarters and team up feel even more grand on the big screen? How much more exciting will navigation be in SMT? After all, we got a slice of exploring different Tokyo districts in Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE, which I adored. Time will tell. With these series making the jump from handheld back to console, it has also makes me wonder what other franchises might follow. Maybe this opens the doors for series that got their start on handheld, such as Bravely Default or Etrian Odyssey, to grow their scope with Switch. It will be interesting to see how Nintendo moves forward with the Switch, especially in the months after launch. In my opinion, it needs a solid showing at E3, signaling that plenty of games are coming to the console in the near and distant future. People want proof theres longevity here. As an RPG fan, Im of course interested in how it continues to expand its RPG library down the road. Even more so, a big question remains: Will the Switch eliminate a separate handheld device entirely for the Big N, or will we still see a pure handheld system to follow? Ive been thinking more and more about these things as we get closer to launch. Nintendos handhelds have been an important place for niche RPGs, after all. The Switch could either make that better or hurt that market, but I cant imagine Nintendo would entirely turn its back on its lucrative handheld market. The $300 price point for the Switch doesnt make it an ideal option for everyone, so a less-expensive, purely handheld system makes sense. If we look back at the Wii U, 3DS, and even their predecessors, both solid and novel titles have been available for the RPG audience, ranging from Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE to Xenoblade Chronicles. The Switch having so many RPGs in the works so early is promising. As long as the console can draw a solid number of adopters, this could be a very good thing for RPG fans. My biggest worry is that the Switch will pay for the Wii Us failures, or even worse, repeat its mistakes. For now, Im optimistic. My biggest hope is that we see a few new RPG franchises and even the return of some beloved ones (Mana!) in the future. Mattel's American Girl Introduces New Characters To Promote Diversity; Logan Everett Company's First-Ever Boy Doll A Musician American Girl, a company owned by mattel, is releasing Logan Everett. The company's first-ever boy character wears gray jeans and t-shirt topped by plaid shirt. As a musician, he comes with a drum set, but sharing the limelight with another character Tenney Grant who is a Nashville rising star. American Girl Introduces New 3 Girls, 1 Boy Characters The new characters aim to promote diversity in the American Girl collection. Aside from Tenney and Logan, the company is also releasing a half Korean, half American character named Z Yang as well as a Hawaiian girl Nanea. According to a press release, these dolls will be sold for $115 each; however, will come with a book. On top of American Girl's diversity promotion, the release of more contemporary stories and characters is also to establish more avenues for girls to build their interests on. The company foresees that it is not impossible to encourage girls to be open-minded through connecting with compelling, smart, and aspirational characters. Together with the existing characters, all of the beautiful American Girl characters will be 18 inches tall, bearing unique accessories and outfits, American Girl reported. Each of them will also be paired with different content forms that will tell their original stories through books, apps, web series, and online videos. American Girl Characters Kick-Off Feb. 16 To kick-off release, the newest character Tenney will be met by the company's fans. The character is a songwriter, who has curly long blonde hair and brown eyes. She will also be packed with an outfit that perfectly reflects Tenney's artistic side, as well as a book to reveal her personal story. Tenney will also have a Taylor GS Mini guitar, which could play three songs. A two-sided stage accessory equipped with microphone, amp, and working spotlights. A dressing room will also come with her that has at least 40 pieces of attires. Mattel Partners With Alibaba On Tuesday, Feb. 14, Mattel's shares slightly rose after the announcement that it has partnered with Alibaba. At the closing of stocks, it was at $25.69 post 3 percent loss from what it gained early in the day, CNBC reported. Mattel, which includes Fisher-Price, Hot Wheels, and Barbie, will now arrive to Chinese consumers through Alibaba. Watch the newest American Girl's new characters here: Readers, we need your help to prove a merry Christmas for victims of domestic violence. (Xinhua) 11:20, February 16, 2017 Japanese education ministry's move to issue new curriculum guidelines to teach students that China's Diaoyu Islands and a group of disputed islets controlled by South Korea are "inherent" territories of Japan has riled the international community, and is further evidence of Japan's continued efforts to whitewash history. In an unprecedented move, the education ministry is now opting to state in its legally binding guidelines that China's Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea and the Takeshima islands in the Sea of Japan, known in South Korea as Dokdo, are "inherent" parts of Japanese territory. In doing so, it threatens to severely warp historical facts and the minds of future generations here. The controversial guidelines will be formally published in March and fully implemented for elementary schools from fiscal 2020 and for junior high schools in fiscal 2021. The most prominent revision was that Japan's official position on the Diaoyu Islands is that there is "no dispute" over their sovereignty. Ties between Japan and its closest neighbors have been particularly strained of late regarding Japan's unrelenting effort to whitewash its history, not just in terms of its diplomatic and political stance on issues of history and territory, but also owing to its ardent push to institutionalize its wrongful agenda. The education ministry has repeatedly implemented the dilution of facts in its humanities textbooks such as downplaying the Nanjing massacre in line with the rightwing, revisionist agenda of the government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Abe has, on a number of occasions, stated that Japanese young people do not have to keep apologizing in the future for Japan's atrocities committed before and during World War II, exposing his absolute reluctance to face up to history, and his dedication to delivering misguided and unsound messages to the younger generations here. In March, 2016, the education ministry revised some passages of junior high school text books regarding Japan's World War II barbarities, much to the consternation of the international community and historians, who have presented the truth of the matter on countless occasions and through numerous reputable outlets, including highly respected history books, journals and through international media. Experts close to the textbook controversy have stated that Japan daring to dispute the facts of the Nanjing Massacre is nothing short of churlishness and a reflection of the current administration's ever-right leaning ideology and obsessive fixation with trying to rewrite history. The Nanjing Massacre in 1937 saw the Imperial Japanese Army steamroll through the then capital of China and savagely murder as many as 300,000 civilians and unarmed combatants in one of the bloodiest, most barbaric campaigns known in history. "Senior politicians and bureaucrats connected to the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) have publicly declared their skepticism or outright denial that the Nanjing Massacre ever occurred, and for those of us who speak with authority on matters of history and undertake our own independent studies to achieve the truth, while conversing with the best historical minds the globe over, such attitudes are disgusting," pacific affairs research analyst, Laurent Sinclair, previously told Xinhua. "The events that occurred in 1937 involving the hundreds of thousands of lives lost at the hands of the Imperial Japanese Army is one of the world's most unforgivable tragedies, and the massacre was well documented by global media including the New York Times, the Associated Press, the Chicago Daily News and other respected outlets," Sinclair said, adding that refuting the incident, the severity, or the numbers of civilians slaughtered is wholly undignified and a clear sign of Japan's inherent inability to face up to its past. In 2015, the education ministry announced it had authorized textbooks for use in junior high schools' social studies classes that contained content that served to fan the flames of historical and territorial disharmony between Japan and its closest neighbors. Two years ago, as is still the case now, at the crux of the controversy is the textbooks' content overtly toeing the rightwing, revisionist line of the current administration. The approved textbooks reflected the government's equivocal view that the contested islands are inherently Japan's and the teachers who use them will now be under legal pressure to pass on the government's misguided message. "Territory-related descriptions in school textbooks have certainly been on the rise in the recent past and this is worrisome, as teachers are duty-bound to teach a prescribed curriculum even if it's one that has been politicized by the government," David McLellan, a professor emeritus of postgraduate Asian Studies formerly told Xinhua. "Disputes over land or territory are nothing new in the world, but in terms of education, progressive countries tend to firstly concede there is in fact a dispute in the first place as a point of historical fact, and then present a balanced view of the situation to better inform the students, rather than dictate to them," he said. Political observers have highlighted further instances of, not just the whitewashing of historical acts of aggression and brutal behavior by Japan, but, again, the removal of Japan as the perpetrator. Previous content in the textbooks that stated, "...Japan's acts of atrocity were condemned..." have been entirely deleted from the latest editions. On the land survey during Japan's occupation of Korea, previous textbooks stated that the move was, "under the banner of modernizing Korea," but subsequent books described the move as, "...with the purpose of modernization..." And the Imperial Japanese Army forcing Okinawans to commit mass suicide at the end of the Battle of Okinawa has been phrased in new textbooks as, "...many Okinawans falling into a hopeless situation of suicide..." Education experts like Hidenori Fujita have stated that historical and geographical education here is rapidly going awry. The Kyoei University professor has said that textbooks here lack balance and fail to represent the feelings of unjustness from countries like China and South Korea, and are lacking in detail about the specific claims from non-Japanese parties regarding issues of territory and history. In one such example, the Manchurian Incident was barely mentioned on one page in a textbook, and the Nanjing Massacre, "comfort women" issue and even the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki are barely footnotes in the textbooks. Some experts speaking with authority on the matter have accused Abe of flaunting his revisionist, militaristic and imperialistic stance and in doing so mocking his detractors. They also maintain the textbooks and the education ministry in particular are also forcing nationalism onto children by way of requiring them to "get familiar with the national anthem and flag..." both of which have overt militaristic connotations. "Of course subjects like mathematics and science are taught differently, particularly the former, as learning a particular formula will always lead to the same objective results. Put simply, one plus one will always equal two," explained McLellan. "But the social sciences are supposed to develop critical thinking and interpretation, not spoon feed children rewritten governmental indoctrination. This is hugely irresponsible and dangerous and not in the best interests of raising and educating children to become balanced global citizens," said the expert. Some 28 people turned out Wednesday night for the first of three meetings being hosted this week by Hollingsworth & Vose to discuss the companys plans to lower air emissions at its south Corvallis glass fiber plant. Unlike previous meetings held in public venues such as the Corvallis library and the First Alternative Co-op community room, this one was an invitation-only affair aimed primarily at the plants immediate neighbors rather than the community at large. Two more meetings scheduled for today are also for invited neighbors and interested parties. Notably absent from Wednesdays gathering, held in a conference room on the H&V site at 1115 S.E. Crystal Lake Drive, were the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality personnel who had done much of the talking at the earlier meetings. Also missing was a large measure of the hostility that had been directed at the company in those public forums. South Corvallis residents have long been concerned about pollutants coming out of the stacks at H&V (formerly known as Evanite), which makes glass fiber for use in specialized air filtration and battery separator materials. But those concerns spiked in December 2015, when state environmental regulators discovered that the plant had been operating under the wrong class of air pollution permit for nearly two decades and had been putting out much higher levels of carbon monoxide and fluoride compounds than its permit allowed. DEQ fined the Massachusetts-based company but allowed it to keep operating the Corvallis plant at current production levels while it applied for the appropriate permits. Last month, the company announced it will install a custom pollution control system that will eliminate 99 percent of filterable particulates, significantly reduce fluoride emissions, cut water use by more than 90 percent, virtually eliminate the steam plume above the plant and reduce noise levels from the operation. Installation is expected to begin within the next few months and should be completed before the end of the year. The company has also pledged to make improvements to the plants physical appearance and take steps to reduce noise levels from its operations. Weve really tried to give it our all to come up with a good solution, Ken Fausnacht, the companys vice president for global operations, told the audience Wednesday night. Were really committed to trying to earn the communitys support. Several of the neighbors who spoke at the meeting thanked H&V officials for making those commitments. But a majority of speakers also made it clear they would watch the company closely to make sure it delivered on its promises. To earn the communitys support, theres going to have to be honesty, warned Dean Codo, a canoeing enthusiast whos been sharply critical of the company for allowing glass fiber from its wastewater system to enter the Willamette River. To earn the communitys trust is going to take time. There were plenty of questions about the new emissions control system, with several people demanding to know exactly how much it would reduce particulate, carbon monoxide, fluoride and other emissions and expressing frustration when Fausnacht and site manager Cindy Frost explained there was no way to know for sure until after the new system has been up and running for awhile. People also wanted to know if there would be ongoing air quality monitoring (yes), if the new emission control system would be quieter (almost certainly) and if the company intends to get rid of its wastewater settling ponds, the source of previous glass fiber discharges into the Willamette (probably, eventually). And audience members had plenty of suggestions for ways that H&V could contribute to the community, from giving money to the local watershed council to reducing glare from the plants outdoor lighting and allowing the city build a bike path through the companys property. With the aid of a professional facilitator, H&V employees made notes of the questions and comments for future reference. Afterwards, Fausnacht acknowledged that H&V has not always done a good job of communicating with the community in general and the neighborhood in particular. But he also expressed the hope that face-to-face get-togethers like Wednesdays meeting and the sometimes contentious public forums held over the last year would reverse that trend and help improve the companys standing with Corvallis residents. Its always a good opportunity to get people in and give them some information. To get their concerns out is really important to us, and to get them to listen to us I think is really important, he said. So I think were going to keep doing it. This log includes incidents in which there might have been a public disturbance or a risk to the public. Information comes from the Corvallis Police Department, the Benton County Sheriffs Office and Oregon State Police. It does not include all calls for service. The status of incidents might change after further investigation. Locations are approximate. People arrested or suspected in crimes are considered innocent until proven otherwise. Benton County Sheriff's Office WEDNESDAY, FEB. 15 CRIMINAL MISCHIEF: 5:40 p.m., 4455 N.E. Highway 20. Deputies responded to the Children's Farm Home for a report of a juvenile armed with a large metal pipe threatening people. A 16-year-old juvenile was cited with criminal mischief. SATURDAY, FEB. 11 SHOTS FIRED: 1:17 a.m., 5300 block Worth Way, Philomath. Deputies responded to a report of shots fired at home. A deputy reported finding five spent 9 mm casings on the porch of the home. The deputy also reported that he was familiar with the home and that the residents "shoot frequently." He reported no one answered the door and he saw no signs to make him believe anyone was in distress. We believe in the Constitution. It is the bedrock of our freedom and the supreme law of the land. No person great or small is above it not the president, not any of us. It establishes order the three branches of government and their functions and powers and it protects us lest the government overreach and try to take away our liberties. We, and our Constitution, face two significant perils today: political parties have become more important to our leaders than serving all the citizens, and the First Amendment is under attack. I am trying to be nonpartisan, but let me give just one example. Vice President Pence, when he was chosen, described himself as a Christian, a father and a Republican in that order. What about being a citizen? What about serving all of the people, not just those on ones own team? Democrats are no better. If the Republicans want it, they are against it. We have to start listening to each other. Each of us, regardless of education or economic status, knows where our individual shoe pinches and that is the genius of democracy: that each person has something to contribute. The great patriot of the American Revolution, Thomas Paine addressed this issue: He that would make his own liberty must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty, he establishes a precedent that will reach himself. What goes around comes around and if we Democrats and Republicans can think of nothing but beating each other up, our government will continue to be dysfunctional and our democracy flawed. Here comes the civics quiz: What five freedoms does the First Amendment protect? No fair looking ahead. Here are the most important 46 words in the Constitution: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or of the right of the people peaceably to assemble and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. First, religion. The government cant make you pray. Belief is off-limits for the government. It can neither favor nor persecute any religion, and that includes Islam. You can worship as you please or not at all. A uniform ban of people of a particular religion would seem to offend both ends of the religion clause. Speech, press, petition and assembly. These four freedoms are how we avoid violent revolution. They give us the machinery to change and a democratic form of government is always in the process of becoming. The notion that there are alternative facts (namely, that if you believe something, it must be true) is totally contrary to the marketplace of ideas upon which the First Amendment is based (put all of the information out there and the truth will emerge). The founders protected the press because the people have to have accurate and timely information to govern themselves. Petition and assembly are the other two ways we speak to power. We gather; we discuss. We march; we protest. But the government has to listen for this to work. A government with a closed and armored mind one that can not abide criticism is immune to the petitions of its citizens and is, therefore, undemocratic by definition. My wish for us all is that we listen to each other with patience and good humor, and that we protect each others right to speak and try to persuade with facts and logic. After all, the Constitution is just paper unless it lives in the hearts and minds of citizens. So here is an exercise we can all try: each day engage a stranger on a topic you care about and actually listen to what that person says. Who knows. We might learn something. In the latest step in its efforts to get back into the good graces of Corvallis residents, Hollingsworth & Vose officials plan to meet this week with neighbors of its south Corvallis glass fiber plant. In recent months, the company has dramatically increased its public profile in Corvallis, announcing plans to aggressively reduce the amount of particulates and other pollutants coming out of its stacks. It has embarked on a series of meetings with Corvallis officials and residents. It has sent out a letter to about 2,400 south Corvallis residents and other interested parties outlining plans to install new pollution control equipment; the company says the new equipment would go well beyond the established regulatory standards. The folks from Hollingsworth & Vose are saying all the right things, and they deserve credit for getting out into the community and saying them. But as gratifying as those words are, everybody knows that what matters is what the company does. And "everybody" in this case includes Hollingsworth & Vose officials. In this case, of course, it also matters what the state does. In December 2015, the state's Department of Environmental Quality discovered that the company's plant at 1115 S.E. Crystal Lake Drive had been operating under the wrong class of air pollution permit for nearly two decades and had been putting out much higher levels of carbon monoxide and fluoride compounds than its permit allowed. The department fined the Massachusetts-based company but allowed it to keep operating the Corvallis plant at current production levels while it applied for the appropriate permits. At several community meetings since then, neighbors voiced concerns about the DEQs regulatory failures and the health effects of breathing tiny bits of glass and other potentially harmful emissions coming from the plants smokestacks. It was the latest chapter in a somewhat tortured relationship between the city of Corvallis and Hollingsworth & Vose and the other companies that have owned that plant over the years. (Hollingsworth bought the plant in 1996.) The company has kept such a low profile over the years that we tend to overlook the fact that it employs 150 or so people and pays good wages. Part of the tension, frankly, naturally comes with the territory of running a manufacturing business in Corvallis, which can be, shall we say, skeptical of business. (Unless, of course, you're running a brewery or a distillery.) But the pollution issues and the state licensing mess brought the company back into the spotlight. This time, the company responded in a positive manner. We like the sound of that response so far. Even a longtime critic of the company was somewhat stunned: "At first glance, it sounds like a miracle," she said. But there's that phrase: "At first glance." Plenty of details remain to be worked out, and there seems little doubt that people (including the Department of Environmental Quality, which has announced plans to install its own monitoring equipment in the neighborhood to measure ambient air quality and particulate levels) will be keeping an close eye on the company. Could this be the start of a new chapter in the story of Corvallis and one of its longtime businesses? We hope so. But it depends on how Hollingsworth & Vose follows through to put muscle behind its positive words. And it sounds like the company understands that: I think we also recognize that this is a process, Val Hollingsworth, the company's president and CEO, told the Gazette-Times. The proof is in the pudding, and were going to have to earn the results.(mm) On Feb. 15, several portions of the soon-to-open exhibition curated by the British Museum in Beijing were prepared at the National Museum of China. The first batch of 28 boxes for the exhibition were delivered to Beijing, and have already been inspected by personnel from both China and the U.K. Some have been set in the exhibition hall. Knife-wielding attackers kill five, injure five more in Xinjiang (Global Times) 13:14, February 16, 2017 Three knife-wielding attackers killed five and injured another five in Northwest China's XinjiangUyghur Autonomous Region before police killed the "thugs," Hotan government said. The attack took place in Pishan county in Hotan prefecture on Tuesday night, Hotan prefecture government said on its official website early Wednesday. The statement said that "social order is normal at present and an investigation is under way." Chen Quanguo, Party chief of Xinjiang, said in a government video conference in January that maintaining stability is a major task for all levels of Xinjiang government, and this priority overrides all other work. Chen called on Party members and civil servants in the region to have a clear understanding of Xinjiang's anti-terrorism situation. He said that Xinjiang's fight with the "three evil forces" is urgent, complicated and time-consuming. "Three evil forces" refers to terrorism, separatism and religious extremism. Chen called for a thorough crackdown on terrorism and strengthened efforts to improve ethnic ties. He urged cultivation and protection of patriotic religious personnel and a crackdown on illegal religious activities. Six officials from Hotan were investigated for "serious disciplinary violation," said the website of the Central Commission for Disciplinary Inspection on February 9, without giving further details. On December 28, terrorists stormed Moyu government compound in western Xinjiang and detonated self-made bombs, killing an official and a security guard. Three attackers were shot dead at the scene, the Xinhua News Agency reported. A week after the attack, Moyu's Party chief, He Jun, was placed under investigation for suspected serious violation of discipline and dereliction of duty, ts.cn, a news portal affiliated with the Xinjiang regional government, reported Friday. Zhang Jinbiao, secretary of the Communist Party of China's Hotan prefecture committee, which oversees Moyu county, was also sacked last week and placed under investigation on the same charge. In September 2015, a group of terrorists raided a coal mine in Baicheng, Aksu prefecture, killing 11 civilians and five police officers and injuring 18 people. Testimony in Niklas Pohler case : Friends testify about what happened on night of the attack Bonn Friends who were with Niklas Pohler on the night he was attacked and killed, have identified defendants Walid S. and Roman W. as the assailants. On Wednesday, they described for the court what took place that night. Teilen Teilen Weiterleiten Weiterleiten Tweeten Tweeten Weiterleiten Weiterleiten Drucken A friend of Niklas Pohler clearly identified the main defendant Walid S. and co-defendant Roman W. as perpetrators. On the fifth day of the trial, the 19-year-old friend, who was supposed to have witnessed the attack on May 7, 2016, was called to the witness stand. He was questioned by the court about what took place that night. Following that testimony, the court heard from a 19-year-old female friend who was also present on the night of the attack. The male 19-year-old witness publicly described the events of the crime for the first time in court. According to his account, Niklas, himself and their two female friends were on the way back from a concert and passed by the roundabout near the Bad Godesberg train station. They saw the group with Walid S. and Roman W. sitting there. Niklas thought it didnt look safe, so he recommended, according to his friend, that the girls walk outside the roundabout, while he and Niklas took the direct route through it. Roman W. began to verbally harass Niklas and his friend. 100 percent sure Up until now, the 19-year-old witness had only been able to identify Walid S., but in the courtroom on Wednesday, he was 100 percent sure that Roman W. was the second offender. After Roman W. began to taunt them, a sharp exchange of words ensued. The witness said neither he nor Niklas had provoked the group, rather they were verbally harassed and then attacked. Walid S. suddenly stormed over to Niklas, punched him in the temple and Niklas collapsed, laying motionless on the ground. As the 19-year-old friend took Niklas in his arms and tried to help him up, Walid S. raised his foot and kicked the unconscious youth in the head. He clearly recognized Walid S. as the attacker of Niklas. Roman W. then stormed over to Niklas as well but before he reached him, he and Walid S. fled. The female 19-year-old witness said she could also identify Roman W. very clearly and confirmed accusations that he had beaten Niklas. She had not been able to see the alleged attack carried out by Walid S. Roman W. is also accused of punching the female friend in the head. Witness suffers from post traumatic stress disorder Live blog : Latest news and pictures of GA coverage from the G20 meeting Bonn The G20 meeting of the foreign ministers will kick-off this afternoon. In our live blog, you can follow the latest news and pictures from the event at the World Conference Center in Bonn. Teilen Teilen Weiterleiten Weiterleiten Tweeten Tweeten Weiterleiten Weiterleiten Drucken Von Carol Kloeppel Foreign ministers are in Bonn today for the start of the G20 meetings which will run until Friday afternoon. The conferences are being held at the World Conference Center Bonn (WCCB). Security measures are having a massive effect on traffic in the region. Some highlights so far: Thursday The B9 will be closed off for around 30 minutes for demonstrations (5:09 pm). Demonstrators gather at the Museum Mile (5:14 pm). The demonstration against the G20 politics begins to move out (5:34 pm). Fewer protesters came than were expected for the demo. Around 500 were planned but around 80 - 100 came (5:42 pm). The protest has left the B9 and turned into Marie-Kahle-Allee so B9 traffic is flowing again. A small smoke bomb was thrown in the demo (5:53). The number of demonstrators climbed to 200 (6:01 pm). Here is the latest from General Anzeiger in a live blog. A dinner for the foreign ministers is scheduled at 7 pm at the Villa Hammerschmidt (6:21 pm). The protest march has ended (6:25 pm). After dinner at Villa Hammerschmidt has ended, delegates and ministers will return to their hotels. Traffic disruptions/closures should be expected (7:01 pm). Gabriel spoke of a good opening dialogue at the end of the conference, and said it would be continued at dinner. Some of the success of the summit hinges of course on the bilateral meetings held outside of the formal meeting (7:12 pm). Friday After the opening yesterday, German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel invited colleague Rex Tillerson for discussion in Villa Hammerschmidt (7:17 am). Bonn is back on the world stage and this means not only a gain for the city but also hotels, restaurants and other merchants profit (7:38 am). Police report they are happy so far with how things have been going and hope this evening will run as smoothly (7:42 am). A565 is blocked off between AK Meckenheim and BN-Poppelsdorf (7:46 am). Reuterstrae heading towards Bad Godesberg is temporarily closed (7:50 am). Many police are out in the streets and closures are to be expected (7:59 am). Sigmar Gabriel talks about the meaning of the G20 (8:07 am). Syria will be the focus of the G20 meetings today (8:19 am). Lawrow sees a basis for working together after meeting with Tillerson (8:26 am). A565 is open again (8:35). Traffic situation in Bonn: previous closure of the A565 and closed off Reuterstrae are causing back up traffic (8:45 am). Patience is needed this morning around the B9 - this picture shows backed up traffic at Oscar-Romero-Allee (8:49 am). Reuterstrae is opened again (8:50 am). Handshakes are a part of the daily business (9:16 am). Good news for journalists at the WCCB: the coffee is ready (9:33 am). Day two has officially opened with conferences in the WCCB. It begins with an ad-hoc discussion on Syria (10:13 am). Dinner at Villa Hammerschmidt - gourmet cook Hartmut Bartz and his team of 33 says all went very well as they served up dinner last evening. It was exciting and a highlight at Villa Hammerschmidt - and privilege to cook there (10:18 am). Police say helicopters are in the air again, providing for security (10:40 am). G20 meets Carnival: foreign guests get acquainted with fancy dressed people (10:52 am). Photos of the G20 can be found when you click on hier at 11:21. Despite the weather, things are going well. Marriott Hotel Manager (left in photo), told GA reporter Philipp Konigs that he was please with how things were running. Truck deliveries were tricky due to security searches. At the bar on the 17th floor, it was open until nearly 3 am. GA information has it that German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel stopped there after dinner at Villa Hammerschmidt (11:47 am) Twitter threats: a man threatened to run through Bonn and shoot at police in just the right moment. Police are investigating but say the threat was not a serious one (11:55 am). Police ask people to please avoid using the autobahn when possible (12:40 pm) At the airport, there will be some closures as delegations depart. Patience will be needed on the part of drivers until around 5 pm (1:01 pm). Reporter Philipp Konigs reports that he has heard from police spokesperson Ulrich Fabender of a change of plans - most the of delegations will be at the airport at 4 pm and not 5 pm as originally thought (1:06 pm). Petra-Kelly-Allee is closed as well as the entrance to the Sudbrucke, affecting neighboring streets (1:29 pm). After then end of the conference, preparations are underway for the Friday concert of the Beethoven Orchestra (1:46 pm). Autobahns are very full, especially the A565 and the B56 due to departing delegations (2:02 pm). Traffic jams everywhere! (2:15 pm) Autobahn closures lifted for the moment but more are expected this afternoon - as well as backed up traffic (2:21 pm). German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel spoke to the press to give his impression of the G20 conference (2:27 pm). Gabriel thanked the residents of Bonn for their patience with traffic disruptions and praised the WCCB as and excellent facility (2:32 pm). Germany and France dampened expectations on a new round of Syrian peace talks in Geneva (2:40 pm). Barricades are taken down. Most of the delegations are gone, only the Japanese and the German hosts are still there (2:50 pm). Public transportation: 40 minute delays to be expected as inner city lines are affected by the delegation departures as well (2:58 pm). In the word of Sigmar Gabriel, the G20 foreign ministers agreed that the actual crises in the world can only be solved through cooperation and not further unilateral action. He and the other participants were happy that the new US Foreign Minister Tillerson played an active role in the debates. The major G20 Summit will be in Hamburg on July 7 (3:09 pm) Accident on the A565 in the direction of Cologne near Endenich....emergency personnel are on the way, traffic will be backed up (3:16 pm) Departure of the UN delegation (3:24 pm) Around the WCCB, there is no movement. GA Reporter Marcel Wolber says that it is not even possible to get out of the parking garage at the Post Tower (3:45 pm) No escaping from the traffic congestion, its everywhere and even inner city public transport is facing delays (3:53 pm). For anyone who doesnt believe our description of traffic congestion, heres a photo of the B9 from reporter Lisa Inhoffen (3:55 pm). Last photos on the red carpet while police take away barricades around the WCCB (3:58 pm). Was was discussed at the G20 meeting? Germany tried to prevent the worlds most powerful industrial nations from drifting apart. Global problems like terrorism and climate change will only be solved with cooperation said Sigmar Gabriel, the German foreign minister. He and other participants were pleased that US Secretary of State Tillerson took part in discussions and expressed himself on his first visit to Europe. To that extent, they were very good talks, said Gabriel. He said he had longer discussions with Tillerson yesterday evening. Russia did not participate in the Syrian talks outside of the G20 meeting. Only countries who see the resignation of President Assad as the basic prerequisite for a political solution to the Syrian conflict participated in these meetings. (Xinhua) 13:20, February 16, 2017 Malaysian police said on Thursday a second female suspect, who bears an Indonesian passport, has been arrested early in the morning in connection with the death of a man from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). It is not sure yet whether the suspect is related to the female suspect, who was arrested on Wednesday at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport's second terminal, where the deceased DPRK man once looked for help for feeling unwell on Monday and died enroute to the hospital. Malaysian police chief Khalid Abu Bakar said in a statement Thursday that the second suspect was also identified from a surveillance camera footage at the airport and was alone at the time of the arrest. Based on the passport, the suspect is called "Siti Aishah" and was born on Feb. 11, 1992 in Serang of Indonesia. Malaysian police said earlier that the 46-year-old deceased was holding a DPRK passport under the name Kim Chol. His body was taken to a hospital in Kuala Lumpur Wednesday for post mortem to ascertain the cause of his death. The results of the post mortem are yet to be released. Article Protecting the worlds oceans an important goal of Germanys climate diplomacy The worlds oceans are vital to our survival. They regulate the global climate and are a source of food and income for billions of people. Only a very small part of the seas enjoys legal protection, however. Our diplomats are working in New York right now to change this state of affairs. (Photo/Global Times) The University of California, San Diego (UCSD), announced earlier this month that it will invite the Dalai Lama to offer the keynote address at the universitys commencement ceremony in June, causing dissatisfaction with many Chinese students. Chancellor Pradeep Khosla called the Dalai Lama a man of peace, and he was thankful the Dalai Lama will share his compassionate messages with the universitys graduates and their families. But China has long insisted that the Dalai Lama is a political exile who has long been engaged in anti-China separatist activities under the cloak of religion with the aim of breaking Tibet away from China, and many Chinese students feel the invitation is a slap in the face. Bonnie Glaser, Director of the China Power Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, views the protest as Chinese students trying to limit free speech in America. Let those Chinese students prevent freedom of speech in their own country. Not here. Not ever, she wrote on Twitter. But many Chinese students view the situation differently, and the practice of protesting commencement speakers is nothing new. In an opinion piece for the student-operated newspaper UCSD Guardian, Ruixuan Wang wrote, The main reason why many Chinese students are upset is that our university shows little consideration about cultural respect, as he is a politically sensitive person in China. A group of Chinese students plan to meet with the universitys chancellor to discuss the content of the upcoming speech, according to Quartz, after the chancellor invited them for a meeting on February 15. According to a UCSD student and a principal member of the Chinese Students and Scholars Association who spoke to Quartz, the group does not plan to ask the chancellor to disinvite the Dalai Lama. Instead, the group plans to request that the chancellor send out statements that clarify the content of Dalai Lamas speech, make sure his speech has nothing to do with politics, and stop using words like spiritual leader or exile to describe the Dalai Lama. Commencement day should be a time of celebration, not of division. In 2014, former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice backed out of her speech at Rutgers University in order not to spoil students gradation day. Commencement should be a time of joyous celebration for the graduates and their families, Rice said. Rutgers invitation to me to speak has become a distraction for the university community at this very special time. Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, gave a similar response after backing out of her speech at Smith College. Many Chinese students feel their culture should be respected too, even if many Americans are biased against China. Commencement is a landmark of our life. Our family members are coming all the way from China...to celebrate with us. The Dalai Lama, as a political icon, is viewed differently in our country. We want to spend a fantastic time with our family during the commencement, but his presence will ruin our joy, wrote Wang. (Aerial View of UC San Diego toward west. Photo source:http://ucsdnews.ucsd.edu) clarajancita at 16-02-2017 11:25 AM (5 years ago) (f) Apparently to put the records straight and prove doubters wrong, the white House has released the full text of the telephone call between President Trump of America and Muhammadu Buhari. The news is coming after some Nigerians refused to believe the call actually took place. Apparently to put the records straight and prove doubters wrong, the white House has released the full text of the telephone call between President Trump of America and Muhammadu Buhari. The news is coming after some Nigerians refused to believe the call actually took place. According to reports from the Presidency, President Buhari spoke with President Trump, on Monday, February 13. This however generated a lot of controversies. But according to a release on the official website of the White House titled readout of the Presidents Call with President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria, President Trump discussed diverse issues with his Nigeria counterpart. The press release read in full: According to reports from the Presidency, President Buhari spoke with President Trump, on Monday, February 13. This however generated a lot of controversies. But according to a release on the official website of the White House titled readout of the Presidents Call with President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria, President Trump discussed diverse issues with his Nigeria counterpart.The press release read in full: Quote President Donald J. Trump spoke this week with President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria to discuss the strong cooperation between the United States and Nigeria, including on shared security, economic, and governance priorities. President Trump underscored the importance the United States places on its relationship with Nigeria, and he expressed interest in working with President Buhari to expand the strong partnership. The leaders agreed to continue close coordination and cooperation in the fight against terrorism in Nigeria and worldwide. President Trump expressed support for the sale of aircraft from the United States to President Trump thanked President Buhari for the leadership he has exercised in the region and emphasized the importance of a strong, secure, and prosperous Nigeria that continues to lead in the region and in international forums, i t added. Recall that a group, International Society for Civil Liberties and the Rule of Law (Intersociety) urged Nigerians not to believe the reported call between President Trump and his Nigerian counterpart, Buhari until the White House confirms it. The group insisted that it lacks credibility that Presidential media adviser Femi Adesina who is unaware of the presidents whereabouts to know the exact thing the two presidents discussed. t added.Recall that a group, International Society for Civil Liberties and the Rule of Law (Intersociety) urged Nigerians not to believe the reported call between President Trump and his Nigerian counterpart, Buhari until the White House confirms it.The group insisted that it lacks credibility that Presidential media adviser Femi Adesina who is unaware of the presidents whereabouts to know the exact thing the two presidents discussed. Post Reply I am a metro reporter on Gistmania, I have been publishing news materials for over 5 years Posted: at 16-02-2017 11:25 AM (5 years ago) | Hero bayonel3 at 16-02-2017 12:21 PM (5 years ago) (m) Ghanaian motorists otherwise known as okada group are calling on the NPP Government to intervene on their behalf over a ban on commercial motorcycles. Their cry follows a decision by the Driver, Vehicle and Licensing Authority (DVLA) and the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service, to kick against the proposed legalization of the commercial use of motorbikes known as 'Okada' operations.According to them, Okada operations is their only source of livelihood, notwithstanding helping ease traffic congestion in Ghana. Ghanaian motorists otherwise known as okada group are calling on the NPP Government to intervene on their behalf over a ban on commercial motorcycles. Their cry follows a decision by the Driver, Vehicle and Licensing Authority (DVLA) and the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service, to kick against the proposed legalization of the commercial use of motorbikes known as 'Okada' operations.According to them, Okada operations is their only source of livelihood, notwithstanding helping ease traffic congestion in Ghana. The Chairman of the Okada group, Morro, pleaded with the President Nana Addo not to ban the use of commercial motorcycles. 'We thought we were voting for change, now that the change is here Nana wants to ban Okada. Nana Addo please we are pleading with you, allow us to do our work in peace.' While Musah Adama, a motorist with the group also said the ban on commercial motorcycles will subject them to armed robbery. 'We are here helping people and easing traffic and DVLA wants us banned, no problem. We would just gather in front of banks and rob people to survive. I just dont understand why they won't leave us alone. When you go to Kumasi, you would see a lot of robbers there who have been left unarrested but here we are working and you claim you want to ban it. What is the reason?' He added. The Chairman of the Okada group, Morro, pleaded with the President Nana Addo not to ban the use of commercial motorcyclesHe added. Post Reply I scour the world wide web to bring you interesting stories from around the globe. +2348055557203 Posted: at 16-02-2017 12:21 PM (5 years ago) | Hero A 7-year old girl writes to Sundar Pichai seeking a job at Google, gets a response too News oi -Abhinaya Prabhu This is a cuteness overloaded letter. Have you ever dreamed of working for Google? Well, this 7-year old girl seems to be all set to work for Google. She has gone a step ahead by sending a cute handwritten letter to the company's CEO Sundar Pichai. This cuteness overloaded letter was not written with the intention to get a reply from Pichai, but he has read and responded to her. 7-year old Chloe Bridgewater-based in the U.K. has addressed him as Google Boss in her letter seeking a job at Google. She has mentioned her interests and about her younger sister who is 5-year old as well in this letter. In a kind gesture, Pichai has replied to Chloe asking her to apply formally to Google after completing school. The Business Insider stated that she was encouraged by her dad to apply for a job at Google. She has also learned that there are go karts, bean bags and slides at the Google office. Google Home and Amazon Echo could soon make and receive calls We should say that this letter is cute as the girl has written it in her own way. She has mentioned that she wants to work not only at Google but also at a chocolate factory as well as swim at the Olympics. In the end, she has added that she wrote a letter to Father Christmas. Take a look at the letter written by Chloe from below. Pichai's response was shared by Andy Bridgewater on LinkedIn and he further added that the same has added more confidence to the girl, who was knocked down by a car a few years back. He has further stated that he would encourage her to develop the necessary skills and focus more on her studies to attain her goal and work at Google. Best Mobiles in India Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications AKAI: We plan to launch feature loaded LED TVs priced as low as Rs. 12,000 in India News oi -Rohit AKAI has plans to launch LED TVs, washing machines, refrigerators, home theaters, air purifiers and even solar inverters in the coming months in India Japanese tech giant AKAI is planning a big comeback in the Indian market. The company is all set to launch its entire range of consumer durables including LED TVs, washing machines, refrigerators, home theaters, sound bars, air purifiers and even solar inverters in the coming months. We at Gizbot interacted with Anurag Sharma, Director, AKAI India to find out about company's roadmap for the Indian market in the year 2017, and how it will fight the likes of Chinese and domestic companies who are selling feature loaded affordable products. Here's what we found out. What took so long for AKAI to re-enter the Indian market? We were selling products in India till 2010. Post that there were some brand licensing issues that we have now dealt with to re-enter the market. We didn't want to launch just one product but the entire range of consumer durables to build an ecosystem in India for consumers. The last few months went into setting up the infrastructure, service-centers, offline portals and the toll-free numbers to make sure that the consumers get the best-in-class customer service when they invest in AKAI products in the coming months. Now when the mandatory things are in place, we will be holding a launch event towards the end of March 2017 in India. What's in store for Indian market in the year 2017 in terms of products? We are coming out with the entire range of consumer durables this time, starting with the LED TVs, washing machines, refrigerators, the air-purifiers, home-theatres and sound bars. We also plan to introduce solar inverters and hybrid ACs in the next financial year. How to plan to fight the likes of Chinese and domestic manufacturers who are offering feature loaded affordable Smart TVs in India? SEE ALSO: Blackberry files a lawsuit against Nokia for patent infringement AKAI is one of the few brands to offer Smart TVs with 1GB RAM + 8GB ROM configuration that differentiates the company's big screen products from the competition. Our LED TV range comprises of models ranging from 24-inch to 55-inches featuring Ultra HD 4K panels. These TVs run on Android Smart TV (Version 6.0) OS and will also feature AKAI Store that allows users to install a variety of apps to stream music, videos, games, etc. right in their living room. We tend to offer quality products at super affordable prices. Our feature packed LED TVs start from as low as Rs. 12,000 for the 24-inch variant to Rs. 60,000 for the bigger 55-inch variant. Besides, we will also introduce the latest range of our 'Slim' LED TVs in the Indian market to offer the perfect match of style and performance. We don't want to compromise on quality and after service support. AKAI products will come with three-year warranty and we are also developing a mobile app where consumers can directly reach AKAI for customer support. Besides, we have a plan to spend somewhere around 100 cr in the year 2017 on marketing, brand building and improving the infrastructure. How you plan to sell the products in Indian market in your new innings? We are holding discussions with the leading e-commerce platforms and soon we will announce our partnership to sell our products online. We also plan to open AKAI's exclusive stores- 'Akai Home-stores' once the entire range is here in India, possibly by the end of 2017. We are investing heavily in the offline market and will ensure that all of our partners will get the required support to showcase our products to the tech-savvy consumers in India. We are working on to establish a network of 200 distributors, 2000 dealers and 400 service centers across the country by the year 2017. Do you plan to manufacture products in India? We are planning to set up a manufacturing plant in India next year (2018). Until then, we are fetching components from AKAI's homegrown market and will assemble the products in India. IoT is considered as the next big thing and Chinese companies are betting big on IoT products. Do you have any plans to step into IoT segment? IoT is still evolving but with the introduction of affordable internet we believe that the year 2018 will see huge developments and innovations in IoT ecosystem in India. We at AKAI don't want to miss the opportunity and you will see a slew of IoT based products for consumers from AKAI in India in the coming years. What's our take? Based on our conversation with Anurag Sharma, Director, AKAI India, we believe that the tech major can tap a huge market if their products manages to match the likes of brands such as Samsung, LG and Sony who are the leaders in consumer durables market. A lot depends on how AKAI ensures that the product quality is maintained and customers get the required after sales service support, which serves as a major stepping stone to win in price conscious markets like India. The company will soon hold a launch event in India where we expect to see some affordable feature loaded products in a number of categories mentioned in the interview. Stay tuned for more updates on AKAI on GIZBOT. Click Here for New Smartphones Best Online Deals Best Mobiles in India Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications Impatient Motorola fans can buy these smartphones instead of waiting for Moto G5 Plus Features oi -Harish Kumar Moto G5 rivals you can choose to buy. With just a few more days left for the MWC 2017 event to commence in Barcelona, the upcoming smartphones are hitting the tech headlines continually. One such smartphone is the Lenovo's Moto G5. The same will be unveiled along with the Plus variant on February 26. In the meantime, we have been coming across a lot of leaks and speculations related to this smartphone. The Moto G5 renders, specifications, price, and even wallpapers and ringtones were leaked before the official launch. While the announcement will happen later this month, the release will take another month or two. Whatever it is, this flagship smartphone is definitely worth the wait. These smartphones are screaming to come out of the box at the MWC 2017 If you are not patient enough to wait for the release of the Moto G5, you can consider purchasing any other mid-range smartphone that could be a challenger to this flagship from Lenovo owned Motorola. Take a look at the potential rivals from below. Before scrolling down, we would like to inform you that there are reports tipping that the Moto G5 could be priced relatively cheaper than its predecessor - Moto G4 and that it would be one of the best smartphones to be launched in 2017. Motorola Moto G4 Plus Buy At Price of Rs 12,499 Complete Specs Moto G4 Plus Key Specs 5.5-inch (1920 x 1080 pixels) Full HD display with Corning Gorilla glass 3 protection Octa-Core Snapdragon 617 (4 x 1.5GHz + 4 x 1.2GHz) processor with Adreno 405 GPU 3GB RAM with 32GB internal memory 2GB RAM with 16GB internal storage expandable memory up to 128GB with microSD Dual SIM Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow) 16MP rear camera with dual-tone LED flash 5MP front-facing camera Fingerprint sensor, Water repellent nano-coating 4G LTE with VoLTE 3000mAh battery with Turbo Charging Motorola Moto G4 Buy At Price of 10,499 Complete Specs of Moto G4 Key Specs 5.5-inch (1920 x 1080 pixels) Full HD display with Corning Gorilla glass 3 protection Octa-Core Snapdragon 617 (4 x 1.5GHz + 4 x 1.2GHz) processor with Adreno 405 GPU 2GB RAM 16GB internal memory expandable memory up to 128GB with microSD Dual SIM Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow) 13MP rear camera with dual-tone LED flash 5MP front-facing camera Water repellent nano-coating 4G LTE with VoLTE 3000mAh battery with Turbo Charging Motorola Moto E3 Power Buy At Price of Rs 7,999 Complete Specs of Moto E3 Power Key Specs 5-inch (1280 x 720 pixels) HD IPS display 1GHz Quad-core MediaTek MT6735P processor with Mali-T720 GPU 2GB RAM 16GB internal memory expandable memory with microSD Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) OS Dual SIM 8MP rear camera with LED Flash 5MP front-facing camera 4G VoLTE 3500mAh battery with fast charging Motorola Moto M Buy At Price of 15,999 Complete Specs of Moto M Key Specs 5.5-inch (1920 x 1080 pixels) Full HD Super AMOLED display 2.2 GHz Octa-core MediaTek Helio P15 processor with Mali T860MP2 GPU 3GBRAM/32GB internal memory 4GB RAM/64GB internal memory expandable memory up to 128GB with microSD Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow) Hybrid Dual SIM (nano + nano/microSD) 16MP rear camera with dual-tone LED flash 8MP front-facing camera Fingerprint sensor 4G VoLTE 3050mAh battery with Turbo charging Motorola Moto G4 Play Buy At Price of 8,999 Complete Specs of Moto G4 Play Key Specs 5-inch (1280 x 720 pixels) HD display 1.2 GHz quad-core 64-bit Snapdragon 410 (MSM8916) processor with Adreno 306 GPU 2GB RAM with 16GB internal memory expandable memory up to 128GB with microSD Dual SIM Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow) 8MP rear camera with LED flash 5MP front-facing camera with f/2.2 aperture 4G VoLTE 2800mAh battery with Quick Charge Best Mobiles in India Nokia's re-entry may force these phones to recall tough times they had back then Features oi -Harish Kumar How about these phones for some nostalgia? HMD Global, is all set to launch its first flagship with Nokia branding at the MWC 2017 event in Barcelona, Spain late this month. Alongside the flagship handset, the company is also believed to launch a bunch of other phones including the successor of the good old Nokia 3310. But Nokia isn't the only brand we are nostalgic about. There are a few phones from the likes of Apple, Samsung, Motorola which we wish were re-launched to meet the needs of current generation smartphone users. That's exactly the reason why we have collated this list which includes some of the iconic phones from the past. Take a look at them below. Nokia 3310 launched in the year 2000 Key Specs 113 x 48 x 22 mm, 97 cc Dimension Weight , 133 g (Standard battery) GPRS No HSCSD No EDGE No 3G No WLAN No Bluetooth No Infrared port No 1000 mAh Li-Ion (BLC-2) Battery Motorola RAZR V3 launched in the year 2004 Key Specs 2.2 inches TFT Screen 5.5 MB Internal Memory Removable Li-Ion 680 mAh battery (BA700) Apple iPhone 3G launched in the year 2008 Key Specs 3.5 inches TFT capacitive touchscreen] iOS, upgradable to iOS 4.2.1 8/16 GB, 128 MB RAM 412 MHz ARM 11 CPU Non-removable Li-Ion battery Samsung Galaxy Note launched in the year 2011 Key Specs 5.3 inches Super AMOLED capacitive touchscreen Android OS, v2.3.5 (Gingerbread), upgradable to v4.1.2 (Jelly Bean) Dual-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A9 8 MP Rear Camera 2MP Font Camera Removable Li-Ion 2500 mAh battery Samsung Galaxy S II Key Specs 4.3 inch Super Amoled Plus Screen Android OS, v2.3.4 (Gingerbread), v4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich), upgradable to v4.1 (Jelly Bean)1GB RAM 16 And 32 GB Variants 1.2 GHZ Samsung Dual Core Processor Removable Li-Ion 1650 mAh battery Nokia 5130 XpressMusic Key Specs 2.0 inches Screen 3.5 Mm Connector Digital Music Player Dedicated Music Keys 2 Mega Pixel Camera EDGE Bluetooth MicroSD Up To 2GB 1 GB Card Included Removable Li-Ion 1020 mAh battery (BL-5C) Nokia N95 Key Specs 2.6 inch 16M color TFT, 240320 resolution 5 megapixel w/ Carl Zeiss optics Camera QVGA videocall camera 160MB, microSD memory slot Li - Ion 1100 mAh Battery Nokia 1600 Key Specs 68.00 x 68 pixels Screen Resolution 4 MB internal Memory 0.3 MP Primary Camera Li - Ion 900 mAh Battery Nokia 5200 Key Specs 2.0 inches Screen microSD, up to 2 GB (dedicated slot) 5 MB internal Memory Removable Li-Ion 760 mAh battery (BL-5B) Nokia 6600 Key Specs 2.1 inches Screen Symbian OS v7.0s, Series 60 v2.0 UI 6 MB Internal Memory Removable Li-Ion 850 mAh battery (BL-5C) Nokia 1100 Key Specs 96 x 65 pixels, 4 lines Resolution Screen, Monochrome graphic Predictive text input SMS to many Calculator Stopwatch Xpress-on front and back covers Picture messaging Removable Li-Ion 850 mAh battery (BL-5C) Sony Ericsson W910i Key Specs 2 megapixel camera with 2.5x digital zoom Video camera - Capture/Playback/Streaming Audio - MP3, AAC formats Display: TFT LCD, 262,144 colors, 240 x 320 pixels FM radio RDS/Speakerphone/Sound recorder MegaBassTM/ TrackIDTM/ PlayNowTM Ringtones - Polyphonic / MP3 Messaging: SMS, MMS, Email Memory: 35 Mbytes plus Memory Stick MicroTM support (up to 4 Gbytes) Connectivity: Bluetooth, USB Best Mobiles in India Asus Zenfone 3 Zoom official pricing revealed News oi -Chakri Kudikala The Asus Zenfone 3 Zoom is already up for sale in Taiwan. The Asus Zenfone 3 Zoom, which was announced last month at the CES 2017 event has now got official pricing. Asus revealed the pricing of their phone in Taiwan, the companys homeland saying that the phone will be up for sale for TWD 14,990, which is equivalent to $489 (approx. Rs. 32,731). Asus also said that the phone will be made available in North America by the end of Q1 2017 and will carry a price tag of $399 (approx. Rs. 26,707). That said, there are official pricing for India, as of now. But looking at the Asus Zenfone Zoom arrival in India, the Taiwanese brand will surely launch the phone in India as well. Xiaomi Mi MIX II to have higher screen-to-body ratio, confirms CEO The Asus Zenfone 3 Zoom is the companys first take on the dual-camera space. The Zenfone 3 Zoom comes with a 12MP dual rear camera with 2.3x optical zoom and has support for 4K video recording as well. Another interesting aspect of the phone is the 5000mAh battery, which can last easily for two days with the help of Snapdragon 625 SoC. Best Mobiles in India Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications Blackberry files a lawsuit against Nokia for patent infringement News oi -Samden Sherpa BlackBerry has just filed a patent infringement lawsuit against the Finnish company. Nokia has just made its comeback to the smartphone world with the introduction of Nokia 6 and while things seem to be going well for the company, BlackBerry has just filed a patent infringement lawsuit against the Finnish company. According to the lawsuit, Nokia's mobile products most commonly Flexi Multiradio base stations, radio network controllers, and Liquid Radio software were making use of patents that BlackBerry had developed. More significantly, the lawsuit also involves products and services that make use of the LTE networks. Nokia 5, Nokia 3 and high-end Nokia 3310 to launch at MWC 2017: prices and specs leaked BlackBerry also says that some of the patents Nokia used were those it acquired in 2011 as part of a group that bought Nortel's patents for $4.5 billion after the company's bankruptcy. However, BlackBerry has accused Nokia of using standard compliant products without receiving a license or the approval to do so from BlackBerry. On the other hand, BlackBerry is demanding some compensation from Nokia for the unauthorized use of their technology. However, the lawsuit doesn't specify the amount that the company wants from Nokia. Source Best Mobiles in India Spains ruling Popular Party (PP) will establish an inner-party commission for discipline inspection to tackle its numerous corruption scandals. One expert guessed that the idea was drawn from Chinas anti-corruption efforts. The decision was announced during the PP's three-day 18th National Congress, which concluded on Feb. 12. The congress focused on anti-corruption campaigns and approved several measures to ensure the elimination of party corruption, including the establishment of an office of peoples supervision, the Xinhua News Agency reported. Chinas achievements in politics, economics and social affairs have impressed the Spanish government. The idea of a peoples supervisory office was borrowed from the Communist Party of Chinas anti-graft campaign, and serves as a Spanish version of a discipline inspection organ, Julio Rios, director of the Spanish think tank Galician Institute of Analysis and International Documentation, told Xinhua. According to Rios, the offices main task is to supervise PP members income and financial activities, with an emphasis on high-ranking officials and public servants. Valero, a PP spokesperson, stated that it was necessary to set up an organization to prevent corruption, and that the establishment of the office would be a crucial part of PPs anti-graft plan. PP has been involved in several major corruption scandals in recent years, which have severely damaged the partys image and popularity. In October 2016, 37 people, including leading members of the PP, were accused of involvement in a massive corruption network. The resultant trial was Spains largest corruption trial in years. Xiaomi might setup exclusive brand retail stores in India soon News oi -Vigneshravi Xiaomi awaits license to set up brand retail stores in India to target the offline market and improve foothold in the market. Chinese electronics giant and mobile manufacturer Xiaomi, is now targeting the offline market and is aiming at gaining a strong foothold in the highly lucrative Indian market. And as we say this, the company has applied for license to set-up and operate brand retail stores in an attempt to increase its offline distribution. Xiaomi Country Manager and India Head, Manu Kumar Jain, at launch of the company's latest product, Redmi Note 4, said that the company had applied for the license in March-April last year. The company had specifically applied for single brand retail license, under the category of cutting edge technology. SEE ALSO: Xiaomi launches Smart Ukulele Musical instrument with Companion App Further, he confirmed that the company's application has been approved by the DIPP butit was yet to be cleared by the Finance Ministry and other offices involved in the approval process. "Our application is pending with the government. What we understand is that it has been approved by Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, but finance ministry and others still have to clear it," SEE ALSO: Xiaomi to launch military grade protective glasses on February 16 While it is still pending, Jain has revealed that the single-brand store will be part of the company's marketing strategy to increase offline presence. Moreover, he has said that the company will be adopting Direct to Retail model to limit the number of wholesalers. "We plan to set up offline base. We will start with 4-5 cities in the next few months, and will be in Ahmadabad in next 5-6 months," Jain told BGR. "We will have one partner in every city and will give directly to them, in order to part benefit to users." Xiaomi aims to get 25-30 percent share offline by the end of this year. Source: Best Mobiles in India Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications Xiaomi's Redmi 4A to be made in Indonesia along with few others News oi -Vigneshravi Xiaomi to manufature the Redmi 4A and several others at Batam in Riau Islands Xiaomi recently launched its latest Redmi 4A, 4G smartphone slated to release at the end of February. This model from the Chinese smartphone company is the first generation of smartphones, following its debut in November last year, to be made in Indonesia. The company has an array of products which are slated to be manufactured in Batam in Riau Islands. This move comes with the collaboration between Xiaomi and PT. Erajaya Swasembada, PT. Sat Nusapersada and TSM Technologies. With regard to the exterior design of the Redmi 4A, the device's casing is polycarbonate with a smooth matte surface, which makes it easier to hold onto. The device weighs around 131.5 grams, making it one of the lightest smartphones, despite it's fairly large 3120 mAh non-removeable battery. The battery will enable users to effortlessly run some apps, watch videos or even play games, the battery's average stand by period is said to near seven days. Xiaomi Redmi 4 and Redmi 4A Launched: Here are the Top 5 Features Worth Looking at According to dailysocial.id , the device is said to come Xiaomi's latest operating system MIUI 8, which is based on Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow and runs on a 64 bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 processor and Adreno 308 graphic processor, resulting in seamless gaming experience. The dual SIM smartphone comes well equiped with a 5MP selfie shooter and a 13MP primary camera. The Redmi 4A will be available in gold and rose gold colors. via Best Mobiles in India Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications ZUK Edge || Special Edition images surfaced with dual-curved display and dual-camera setup News oi -Prajith Dual-curved display is going to be the norm these days and ZUK Edge || Special Edition seems to be no exception. ZUK, Lenovos sub-brand had unveiled its flagship handset, the ZUK Edge back in December last year. It has been only a couple of months since then, and we already have leaks pointing at its successor. In fact, the rumors suggest that the company is readying a Special Edition model similar to what Xiaomi did with the Redmi Note 4 Hatsune Miku Limited Edition. Now, given that the ZUK Edge itself hasn't been made available, the possibility of ZUK Edge || Special Edition calls for some serious suspicion. Which is exactly why the following information is to be taken with a (huge) pinch of salt. Also Read: Lenovo ZUK Edge With Slim Bezels, Snapdragon 821 SoC and 6GB RAM Goes Official The Special Edition model seems to be dedicated Luo Tianyi, a popular Chinese Vocaloid character. As you can see from the above image, the Special Edition model comes with a blue hue and a dual-camera setup at the back. Apparently, the device will come with a dual-curved display with very thin bezels which is definitely a good thing. The leaked images reveal a black color variant as well indicating that the phone will be launched in multiple color variants including Blue and Black. Sadly, that's everything we know so far about the device. However, with time, more details of the phone should surface online. Until then keep looking at this space for more information. Source Best Mobiles in India Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications A vegetable production base on the Yongle Islands has begun to provide fresh vegetables to residents of the islands in South China Sea, ending the historical reliance on produce brought in by ships. The Yongle Islands consist of 13 islands, which are located 40 nautical miles southwest of Yongxing Island, the seat of Sansha. In 2016, the Sansha military garrison proposed building a vegetable production base on the islands. Thanks to the joint efforts of military and civilian leaders, a greenhouse covering 567 square meters was built on Jinqing Island, the administrative center of the Yongle Islands. The greenhouse was built with materials that resist wind, sun and erosion. Solar panels were installed on top of the greenhouse to absorb excessive heat inside the structure. In addition, an intelligent system was installed to maintain the proper temperature. At present, workers are growing tomatoes, amaranth and water spinach in the greenhouse. More vegetables will be planted in the future, with an eventual weekly yield of 200 kilograms anticipated. Trump blames intelligence leaks by NSA, FBI for Flynn's resignation Iran Press TV Wed Feb 15, 2017 3:25PM US President Donald Trump has blamed leaks by US intelligence agencies, including the FBI and NSA, for the resignation of his national security adviser Michael Flynn. Flynn stepped down on Monday after mounting evidence suggested that he had discussed former President Barack Obama's anti-Russia sanctions with Russia's ambassador to the US, well before Trump's inauguration. Trump reacted to the news by drawing attention to what he called "illegal leaks" coming out of the White House. "The real scandal here is that classified information is illegally given out by "intelligence" like candy. Very un-American!" he said in a tweet on Wednesday morning. "Information is being illegally given to the failing New York Times and Washington Post by the intelligence community (NSA and FBI?). Just like Russia," he said in another tweet. "Very serious situation for USA," Trump warned, while commending a Bloomberg journalist for criticizing the NSA and the FBI for interfering in politics. Reports of Flynn's contacts were first relayed by the Washington Post. After Flynn's resignation, The New York Times published a new report, claiming that the Trump team was constantly in contact with Russian officials prior to his election victory on November 8. Similar accusations were made against Trump before the presidential election. The New York billionaire's Democratic rival Hillary Clinton and other officials in the Obama administration said Russia was trying to influence the outcome of the vote in his favor. Trump pointed this out in another tweet, saying that the "Russian connection" was intended to cover up similar accusations against him during the presidential election campaign. "This Russian connection non-sense is merely an attempt to cover-up the many mistakes made in [former secretary of state] Hillary Clinton's losing campaign," he wrote. In his resignation letter, Flynn said he had given incomplete information to Vice President Mike Pence, who went on live TV and denied the allegations against the retired US Army general. According to reports, the Justice Department warned President Trump last month that Flynn lied regarding his communications with the Russian ambassador to the US and was potentially vulnerable to blackmail by Moscow. Flynn's discussion of sanctions with Russia's envoy would have amounted to a breach of law against private citizens engaging in foreign policy. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NSA Top Secrets Theft Suspect Harold Martin Pleads Not Guilty to Charges Sputnik News 05:50 15.02.2017 Former US National Security Agency (NSA) contractor Harold Martin pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to stealing 50 terabytes of top secret intelligence in a federal court in Baltimore, Maryland. WASHINGTON (Sputnik) If convicted on all 20 counts he could spend the rest of his life in a federal penitentiary. Martin was indicted by a jury last week in what officials allege is the biggest theft of classified information in US history. The authorities arrested martin in August 2016 at his home after federal agents discovered a number of confidential materials saved on his personal devices. According to investigators, Martin stole approximately 50 terabytes of data while being employed by the NSA and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. Martin held security clearances up to Top Secret and Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) at various times, and worked on a number of classified, specialized federal projects. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Officials Provide Details of Latest Strikes in Syria, Iraq From a Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve News Release SOUTHWEST ASIA, Feb. 15, 2017 U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and Syria terrorists yesterday, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today. U.S. Central Command continues to work with partner nations to conduct targeted airstrikes in Iraq and Syria as part of the comprehensive strategy to degrade and defeat the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, or ISIS. Officials reported details of the latest strikes, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports. Strikes in Syria Attack, bomber and fighter aircraft conducted 17 strikes in 21 engagements in Syria: -- Near Abu Kamal, seven strikes destroyed seven oil refinement stills, five oil storage tanks and three oil wellheads. -- Near Dayr Az Zawr, six strikes destroyed five oil pumpjacks, five oil wellheads, three oil storage tanks, two oil refinement stills and an oil tanker truck. -- Near Raqqa, four strikes destroyed an ISIS headquarters and damaged two supply routes and a bridge. Strikes in Iraq Fighter aircraft and rocket artillery conducted five strikes in 21 engagements in Iraq, coordinated with and in support of Iraq's government: -- Near Kisik, two strikes damaged a tunnel. -- Near Mosul, three strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed three vehicle bomb facilities, two improvised explosive device facilities, a weapons facility, an ISIS-held building, an excavator, a supply cache and a command-and-control node; damaged five supply routes and a supply cache; and suppressed three mortar teams. 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 ISIS 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 ISIS 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 ISIS terrorist group and the threat they pose to Iraq, Syria, and the wider international community. The destruction of ISIS 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address ISIS Losing Fighters, Leaders, Resources, Inherent Resolve Spokesman Says By Cheryl Pellerin DoD News, Defense Media Activity WASHINGTON, Feb. 15, 2017 The deputy commander of Operation Inherent Resolve briefed the media here via videoconference from Baghdad this morning, discussing progress in Syria and Iraq and updating stabilization efforts that set conditions for normality to return once the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria is defeated. Beginning with the counter-ISIS fight in Syria, British Army Maj. Gen. Rupert Jones said the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Syrian Arab Coalition continue to pressure and isolate Raqqa. "Since they started the operations on Nov. 5, they've liberated more than 3,900 square kilometers of territory as they advance from the north-northwest and now northeast of Raqqa liberating tens of thousands of people from ISIS," he said. Arab forces are doing most of the fighting and many more are being recruited and trained as they march south, Jones added, noting that ISIS is defending robustly but they're losing fighters, leaders and resources. Coalition Strikes The coalition continues conducting strikes in support of its partners in Syria, he said, destroying 16 command-and-control facilities and more than 30 supply and logistics nodes that the enemy used to store weapons, ammunition and supplies. "We're increasing coalition airstrikes against ISIS in and around Raqqa," Jones said, "targeting their leaders and command -and-control architecture. The enemy is under pressure on all fronts." In Bab, to the west of Raqqa, the general said that Turkey and their partner forces are squeezing ISIS out of the city and the coalition continues to support them with air strikes. "As they advance they're discovering a vast tunnel network beneath the city, a tactic we've seen in other areas the enemy has controlled. Soon we expect to see the city fully liberated after weeks of heavy fighting," Jones said. Liberating Mosul In Iraq, the Iraqi forces continue preparing to liberate western Mosul. The 16th Iraqi Army Division supported by police and thousands of tribal forces moved into the east side of the city, the general said, to provide security to the population and keep the enemy from reinfiltrating or using sleeper cells. "The enemy has tried unsuccessfully to infiltrate back into the east of the city and has indiscriminately fired mortars, rockets and artillery into liberated areas on more than 300 occasions in the last week." Jones said, "with characteristic disdain for human life." The general said that tactic and their use of commercial-off-the-shelf drones is all they have left to attack the east "as they await their fate." The ISIS use of drones is an increasingly insidious threat in Iraq, he added, noting that they're used for surveillance but also to drop grenades and other explosive munitions on innocent civilians in east Mosul and elsewhere. "While this is a typically inhumane and indiscriminate weapon by [ISIS]," Jones said, "it's not a game-changer. We've got technical defenses to mitigate against it." ISIS still holds about 750,000 people in western Mosul and must now be dealt with, he added. "Soon, and at a time of their choosing, the Iraqi security forces will move in to start the liberation of west Mosul," the general said. The fight for Mosul will not be easy, he warned. "The tight streets and alleyways of the old city will be tough to clear. But the Iraqi forces have adapted to ISIS's tactics and they will drive back the enemy whose finite resources wane with each passing day." After the Battle Reflecting on what will follow the battle for Mosul, Jones said that in 2016, Iraqi forces retook from ISIS an area the size of New Jersey. This returned freedom to about 2 million Iraqis and Syrians. But scars will remain long after the battle, the general said. During their occupation by ISIS, cities like Ramadi and Fallujah suffered major infrastructure damage -- areas were riddled with explosive devices and booby traps were hidden in homes, schools and hospitals, all meant to kill and maim innocent civilians, Jones added. Since its liberation last year about 26,000 kilograms of explosives have been removed from Ramadi, he said, letting 80 percent of the population to return to their homes. In Fallujah, about 200,000 people have returned and across the whole of Anbar, where ISIS banned education, more than 1,200 schools now are open and more than 300,000 children and 16,000 teachers are back in the classroom, he said, noting that all this follows great efforts of the government of Iraq, the United Nations, and a host of international organizations. "It's tough, grinding work," Jones said, "and for the people who've been traumatized by ISIS's campaign of terror, the work can't be done soon enough." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Mattis, NATO Counterparts Discuss Counter-ISIS Efforts By Lisa Ferdinando DoD News, Defense Media Activity WASHINGTON, Feb. 15, 2017 Defense Secretary Jim Mattis met today with his counterparts at NATO headquarters in Brussels to discuss efforts to defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. Appearing with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg ahead of the closed meeting, Mattis underscored the importance of the bloc. "The alliance remains a fundamental bedrock for the United States and for all the transatlantic community, bonded as we are together," Mattis said. President Donald J. Trump has strong support for the alliance, he said. It is a fair demand, Mattis said, that all who benefit from the best defense in the world carry their proportionate share of the necessary cost to defend freedom. "We should never forget ultimately it is freedom that we defend here at NATO," he said. The defense secretary said he plans to have an "open conversation among friends and allies about where we're going and our shared level of commitment." The defense ministers, he said, will also be discussing the "course of the alliance and the future." NATO faces challenges that are the "most complex and demanding in a generation," according to Stoltenberg. Those challenges, he said, cannot be tackled alone by either Europe or the United States. "A strong NATO is good for Europe; a strong NATO is good for North America," Stoltenberg said, adding he welcomes the "U.S. commitment to the transatlantic bond." After today's meeting, Mattis travels on to Germany, where he is to attend the Munich Security Conference on Friday, according to a Defense Department release. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Mattis Highlights U.S. Commitment to NATO, Warns of 'Arc of Insecurity' By Lisa Ferdinando DoD News, Defense Media Activity WASHINGTON, Feb. 15, 2017 Defense Secretary Jim Mattis highlighted the U.S. commitment to NATO today, stressing the alliance's importance in regional and global security while calling on nations to meet their military funding commitments. "For seven decades the world has watched NATO become the most successful and powerful military alliance in modern history," Mattis said in prepared remarks to a NATO defense ministerial meeting in Brussels. He told the assembled defense leaders that NATO, with its members' shared commitment, will remain what President Dwight D. Eisenhower described as a "valuable, necessary, and constructive force." Evolving Security Challenges Mattis, who as a Marine Corps general served as NATO's supreme allied commander for transformation, noted how the security landscape has changed in recent years, to include threats from Russia as well as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. "The year 2014 awakened us to a new reality: Russia used force to alter the borders of one of its sovereign neighbors, and on Turkey's border ISIS emerged and introduced a ruthless breed of terror, intent on seizing territory and establishing a caliphate," he said. While some in the 28-member alliance "have looked away in denial of what is happening," he said, NATO needs to adapt to meet the changing security situations. "For despite the threats from the east and south, we have failed to fill gaps in our NATO Response Force or to adapt to modem threats, or increase the readiness of much of our force structure," he said. The transatlantic alliance is built on the common defense of its members, Mattis pointed out. It arose out of strategic necessity and now must now evolve for that same reason, he said. "Our community of nations is under threat on multiple fronts as the arc of insecurity builds on NATO's periphery and beyond," he said. "We must act in the interests of our 'democratic islands of stability' if we are to live up to our responsibilities as guardians for our nations and sentinels watching for threats." The transatlantic bond is "essential to countering Islamic extremism, to blocking Russia's efforts to weaken democracies, and to addressing a more assertive China," he said. NATO, he said, must tighten its decision cycle both in determining the actions of the alliance and in resourcing those decisions with robust and interoperable capabilities, he said. Balancing Collaboration and Confrontation: Russia How the alliance responds to threats and provocation is "not lost on any nation, not least the nation to our east, nor on its leader," Mattis said. "While the United States and the alliance seek to engage Russia, we must at the same time defend ourselves if Russia chooses to act contrary to international law," he said. The United States, the defense secretary said, remains willing to keep open political channels of cooperation and de-escalate tensions. "We remain open to opportunities to restore a cooperative relationship with Moscow, while being realistic in our expectations and ensuring our diplomats negotiate from a position of strength," Mattis said. "We are not willing, however, to surrender the values of this alliance nor let Russia, through its actions, speak louder than anyone in this room," he said. The United States will stand firm against the threats, the defense secretary said. "We will buttress this alliance and defend ourselves, even as we watch for a Russia that lives up to its commitments in the NATO-Russia Founding Act," Mattis said. He added, "Balancing collaboration and confrontation is admittedly an uncomfortable strategic equation." Meeting Two Percent Defense Target Mattis called on alliance members to meet the goal of spending two percent of their respective country's GDP on defense. Only Britain, Estonia, Greece, Poland and the United States have done so, the defense secretary said. The American taxpayer must not continue to carry a "disproportionate share of the defense of Western values," Mattis said. "Americans cannot care more for your children's future security than you do," he said. "Disregard for military readiness demonstrates a lack of respect for ourselves, for the alliance, and for the freedoms we inherited, which are now clearly threatened." Immediate and steady progress toward the goal of meeting the two-percent target must become a reality, if NATO is to remain a credible alliance and able to adequately defend itself, the defense secretary said. US Commitment in Europe The United States under U.S. Operation Atlantic Resolve, he pointed out, is moving armored units into the Baltic States, Poland, Romania and Bulgaria to support and supplement NATO's commitment to deterrence. The United States will soon join the Britain, Canada and Germany in leading combined and enhanced forward presence defensive forces in Poland and the Baltic States, the defense secretary said. "In so doing our nations are demonstrating the trans-Atlantic bond, standing up for our values, and recognizing that the freedoms we hold dear are worth defending," Mattis said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Enlisted Leaders Ask Congress to Maintain Military Readiness, Fund Credentialing Program By Shannon Collins DoD News, Defense Media Activity WASHINGTON, Feb. 15, 2017 In testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee yesterday, the military's top enlisted advisors and the acting assistant secretary of defense for manpower and reserve affairs discussed the importance of single service member and military family readiness programs. "Our Navy is at optimal potential when sailors are fully focused on the mission. Taking care of our sailors is key to ensuring the Navy's military readiness," said Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Steven S. Giordano. "Providing them the ability to devote their full attention and capabilities to the mission at hand is an important factor in successfully executing our design for maintaining maritime superiority, specifically our line of effort to strengthen our Navy team for the future." He, along with the other service chiefs, said they met with thousands of service members and their families who serve alongside them. "I've listened and spoken with many of our sailors and their family members, and I'm awed by their high morale and devotion to duty and to one another," Giordano said. "My wife and I have visited thousands of airmen and family members over the past year, and we have listened to their concerns and witnessed firsthand their passion for service," said Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody. "We both can affirm the impact the current environment and uncertainty has had on our force." Military Readiness Sgt. Maj. of the Army Daniel A. Dailey asked Congress to continue making military readiness a top priority. "After visiting and talking with thousands of soldiers and families over the past year, I believe their quality of life is okay but it's not great," he said. "If we want to continue to retain and attract quality people under the current end strength of an all-volunteer force, we must continue sustainment efforts, as was the case in last year's Congress." He said this includes not only appropriations for equipment, training and manpower but also a consistent and predictable budget that supports benefits and services throughout the life cycle of a soldier from recruitment, retention to transition and then veteran status. "Fiscal uncertainty will result in loss of confidence in our institution and ultimately degrade our ability to retain and recruit," he said. Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps Ronald L. Green said the Marine Corps will continue its commitment to being an expeditionary force. "The Marine Corps continues to maintain its commitment to the nation, remaining forward deployed and ready to respond in crises around the world with the dynamic pace of current and future demands our nation's leaders require and the American people expect your Marines to answer the call to win and fight. The Marine Corps has always been the nation's expeditionary force in readiness," he said. He said the average age of a Marine today is 25. Sixty-five percent of Marines are under 25 years old and 56 percent are single, Green added. Because of this, the Corps is focusing on initiatives for families and single Marines and sailors under their commands to enhance morale and professional development as well as to improve force readiness and retention. To meet global demands, Cody said the Air Force is increasing its active-duty end strength up to 321,000 by the end of 2017 and up to 350,000 over the next seven years. "To do this, we must address mission and readiness demands, increase our accessions and strengthen our retention while never sacrificing quality over quantity," he said. He also said part of the fiscal year 2017 National Defense Authorization Act considers potential changes to compensation in the form of basic allowance for housing and this "would reverse nearly 20 years of deliberate legislation action to ensure service members are appropriately compensated for their service and that their salaries remain competitive with the demand for their talent and acknowledge their service and sacrifice," he said. "While we remain mindful of the current budget pressures across the Department of Defense, cost savings needs to be tempered by the need to retain our talent which is truly a national asset." Families Serve "Our nearly 3 million military family members may not wear a uniform but they do serve, and they do sacrifice. We believe that our single service member and military family programs are absolutely essential to maintaining the readiness of our armed forces and with your support, we back that belief with an investment of effort, of ingenuity and dollars," said Stephanie Barna, acting assistant secretary of defense for manpower and reserve affairs. She said her office is having the military services conduct a review of all assignment and relocation policies and the effect those policies have on military stability and quality of life. "We want to ensure we are optimizing the use of existing authorities and resources," she noted. The DOD officials testified alongside the executive director of the National Military Family Association as well as the chief executive officer of Blue Star Families, Kathy Roth-Douquet, who told the committee that her organization conducts a nationally recognized annual military lifestyles survey with active duty, veterans and their families. She said the results show families need both parents to have income to maintain their lifestyle and create opportunities for their children. It also showed that the top issues military families faced were childcare, healthcare and spouse employment. "Two thirds of military families don't have childcare to meet their needs," Roth-Douquet said. Joyce W. Raezer, executive director of the National Military Family Association, said military spouses also said they had trouble with healthcare. "Nothing is more important to our military families, to their readiness, than access to quality healthcare," she said. "In a recent survey of 9,000 military spouses, 30 percent who use a military hospital reported they rarely or never get an acute care appointment within the 24-hour access standard, a finding reinforced by the Defense Health Agency's own transparency data. "Service members can't focus on the job if their spouse can't get a job, their sick child can't get a doctor's appointment or if there's not quality childcare available," she added. Childcare "is a huge concern for us," Dailey said. "One of the key things that enable our family members and a lot of our spouses to seek employment is childcare. It's the number one resourced function within [morale, welfare and recreation] in the United States Army by size and scope. It's critical to our success, and it's something we have to continue to invest in for the future." He said the Army is working on the backlog on background checks and is off setting the cost for soldiers to seek childcare costs off post. The Army's main issue is it needs additional space on some of its installations, he said. Credentialing, Transitioning As for spouse employment, one of the issues brought before congress was the continued need for work on the credentialing process for transitioning service members and spouses with professional credentials as they move from one state to another. "It's going to require a collaboration between the states. We did this with education when we came up with the Military Coalition Act," Cody said. "We have a responsibility to help with the costs of these licensing and credentialing across state lines. It makes it cost-prohibitive when you're talking about a two- to three-year move ratio." "My wife is a registered nurse. Her license across the state lines has changed a number of times throughout the years, and it presents a challenge for her every time she's had to get a new license and pay for that licensing," Giordano said. "We've taken great steps to try to mitigate that in the services working with the Department of Labor and our State processes, and we appreciate all those efforts." "The Defense State Liaison Office in the DoD has made tremendous strides on working with states to address issues like unemployment compensation for mobile military spouses and working the licensure issue. There are improvements in licensure transferability; we've seen progress but there's still a lot more to do to help our spouses and transitioning service members launch their careers because of these state barriers. We have something to build on," said Raezer. Barna said her office is working with the Transition to Veterans Program Office and Department of Veterans Affairs to help transitioning service members translate their job skills into learning credits and to help them find jobs seeking "essential skills" such as leadership skills, team building and problem solving. "We have found that these are exactly the skills, no matter the occupation, that employers everywhere continue to crave," she said. "It's why our service members are doing so well in all the states as they enter the job market. We have received incredible support for our transitioning service members." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address (Xinhua) 20:03, February 16, 2017 The Republic of Korea (ROK) has agreed to return more remains of Chinese soldiers killed in the 1950-53 Korean War, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said Thursday. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said at a press briefing that the ROK will transfer the remains of some 20 soldiers on March 22. Since 2014, the ROK has handed over the remains of 541 Chinese volunteer soldiers killed in the war. The latest agreement was reached in a meeting between China and the ROK in Seoul on Wednesday. Every year they consult on the handover of remains of Chinese soldiers found in the ROK, with the transfer usually taking place before Tomb-sweeping Day in early April. "This year will witness the fourth handover," Geng said. "China will continue consultation with the ROK on the issue." The Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) fought alongside the Democratic People's Republic of Korea army in the Korean War against the South Korean army and U.S.-led UN forces between 1950 and 1953. Almost 200,000 CPV soldiers have been confirmed to have been killed in the war, with most buried on the Korean Peninsula. Germany, Romania and the Czech Republic deepen defence ties NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation 15 Feb. 2017 Today (15 December 2017), Defence Ministers from Germany, Romania and the Czech Republic signed arrangements to deepen defence ties. As part of this, the Czech Republic's 4th Rapid Deployment Brigade and Romania's 81st Mechanized Brigade will work closely with Germany's 10 Armoured Division and Rapid Response Forces Division. Under NATO's Framework Nation Concept, smaller armies can integrate their capabilities into an organizational structure provided by a larger 'framework' nation. "With these two arrangements, the Czech Republic and Romania each agree to contribute a brigade to a German-led multinational division," said NATO Assistant Secretary General for Defence Investment Camille Grand during the formal signing ceremony. He added that the Framework Nations Concept brings a new dimension to the way NATO approaches multinational cooperation and capability development. The three Allies will begin their cooperation through joint training and exercises starting this year. The new initiative is part of a broader drive to expand European defence cooperation in the margins of the meeting of NATO Defence Ministers in Brussels this week. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Mattis speaking of a 'fair demand' in Brussels Iran Press TV Wed Feb 15, 2017 8:56PM US Defense Secretary James Mattis reiterates President Donald Trump's NATO policy, signaling that allies should pay up if they want American support. Trump has been a staunch critic of US alliances, including with members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, arguing that other members are not paying their fair share for the alliance while some of them are the ones causing most of the trouble for the bloc. Mattis, who is in Europe's de facto capital, Brussels, defended "the American taxpayer" in prepared remarks on Wednesday. "No longer can the American taxpayer carry a disproportionate share of the defense of Western values," warned the general, known in the US military as the "Mad Dog," while speaking at NATO headquarters on Wednesday. "If your nations do not want to see America moderate its commitment to this alliance, each of your capitals need to show support for our common defense." The retired Marine Corps general further tried to highligh the idea that the US is actually committed to NATO, arguing that "It's a fair demand that all who benefit from the best defense in the world carry their proportionate share of the necessary cost to defend freedom and we should never forget that ultimately it is freedom that we defend here at NATO." 'Americans are right!' Defense officials in Europe reacted to Mattis' remarks, German Defense Minister, Ursula von der Leyen backing the American general's comments. "The Americans are right. It's a question of fairness that we Europeans together also make an effort and the burden is not too much on the Americans. We have committed to wanting to reach our contribution gradually and that's what we are working on. We are working on that," she said, citing a rise in the German defense budget, which has increased by 8 percent for 2017. "It is an enormous sum but it has to continue," she added. 'Don't get Americans wrong!' NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg did not seem to agree with the idea that the US wants Europe to increase military spending, asserting that that is not what Mattis wants. "This is not the US telling Europe to increase defense spending," he said, stressing that the whole bloc members should attest to the necessity of an increase. "This is about implementing something which 28 heads of state and government has agreed that we will do together. And of course I welcome all pressure; all support to make sure that happens." Speaking after meeting Mattis, Stoltenberg defended what he referred to as a "strong US commitment to NATO." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israeli premier describes Trump as greatest supporter of Tel Aviv Iran Press TV Wed Feb 15, 2017 7:25PM Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has described US President Donald Trump as the greatest supporter of the Tel Aviv regime. During a joint press conference with US President Donald Trump at the White House on Wednesday, Netanyahu said there was "no greater supporter of" Israel and Israelis "than President Donald Trump." "Let us seize this moment" to further the Israeli agenda in the Middle East, Netanyahu told Trump. The Israeli premier renewed his threats against Muslims, saying that he believed reversing the "rising tide of radical Islam" was possible with Trump leading the United States. In his remarks, the US president supported the relocation of the US embassy from Tel Aviv to the occupied Jerusalem al-Quds. Trump, however, said Washington was "looking at it with great care." Trump also responded to a question about his position on Israeli settlements. He urged Netanyahu to "hold back on settlements for a little bit." Emboldened by the pro-Israeli rhetoric of the Trump administration, the Tel Aviv regime has announced 5,000 new permits for Israeli settlement units in the occupied Palestinian territories. Regarding the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Trump said if the two sides found an alternative that they liked better for the settlement of the conflict, he would support them. A senior White House official said on Tuesday that Trump would not pursue decades of US policy in favor of the so-called two-state solution in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has underlined the need for pursuing the so-called two-state solution, saying there is "no alternative" to that option. The Israeli prime minister is in the United States for a reset of relations with Washington following a period of tumultuous relations under the administration of former US President Barack Obama. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN chief backs two-state solution after US ditches support Iran Press TV Wed Feb 15, 2017 4:47PM United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has underline the need for pursuing the so-called two-state solution to the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict, saying there is "no alternative" to that option. "There was a complete agreement" that a resolution of the conflict needs the "two state-solution and that everything must be done to preserve that possibility," Guterres said after meeting Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in Cairo on Wednesday. For decades, successive US administrations have supported the so-called two-state solution, under which a Palestinian state would be formed. However, an unnamed White House official said on Tuesday that Washington would not insist on that option as the only solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. "A two-state solution that doesn't bring peace is not a goal... Peace is the goal, whether it comes in the form of a two-state solution, if that's what the parties want, or something else," said the official, speaking anonymously. The comments marked a significant shift in the US foreign policy on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Those seeking other options 'apartheid' In response, Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Secretary General Saeb Erekat denounced attempts on behalf of the Tel Aviv regime "to bury the two-state solution and eliminate the idea of the State of Palestine." "Those who believe that they can undermine the two-state solution and replace it with what I call one state, two systems - maintaining the status quo now, are apartheid - I don't think in the 21st century they will get away with it," he said. France stresses commitment to two-state solution Separately on Wednesday, French Ambassador to the UN Francois Delattre described his country's commitment to the two-state solution as "stronger than ever." Referring to the Middle East Peace Conference held in Paris last month, he emphasized that the summit had reaffirmed support for a settlement that would see the creation of a Palestinian state. The developments come as US President Donald Trump, a pro-Israel figure, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are expected to meet later on Wednesday for the first time since the US presidential election in November last year. Palestinians are seeking to create an independent state in the territories of the West Bank, East Jerusalem al-Quds and the Gaza Strip, with East al-Quds as its capital. In November 2012, the UN General Assembly voted to upgrade Palestine's status from "non-member observer entity" to "non-member observer state" despite strong opposition from Israel. Palestine's flag was also hoisted for the first time at the UN headquarters in New York in September 2015. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Somalia 'plans to file legal complaint against UAE' over Somaliland base Iran Press TV Wed Feb 15, 2017 10:43AM Somalia's internationally-backed government is reportedly planning to file a legal case against the rulers of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for setting up a military base in the unrecognized breakaway republic of Somaliland. The Somali government's Auditor General Nur Jimale Farah announced Mogadishu's plans to file the complaint against the UAE on charges of violating international law for entering a deal with the Somaliland government to establish the military installation in the port of Berbera. Farah said Emirati officials had bribed officials in Somaliland to get the deal through. He accused senior officials in Somaliland and the government of Somalia's former President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of approving the deal for the sake of "illegitimate private gains." He further challenged the right of the internationally unrecognized Somaliland which considers itself independent from Somalia to enter an official agreement with the UAE. "The deal has none of the legal provisions needed and did not go through Somalia's legitimate public procurement, financial institutions, and the parliament. Therefore, it is corrupted and illegal," Farah said. He also blasted the UAE for violating Somalia's national and territorial integrity, demanding that the Persian Gulf state withdraw from the deal. "UAE has already violated our national sovereignty and airspace because of its plans to come to Somaliland without paying air space tax and without the permission of Somalia's legitimate government," Farah said. "We ask UAE to respect the international code of conduct." The UAE, which is part of a Saudi Arabian-led military coalition waging war on Yemen since 2015, intends to use the Berbera base for its anti-Yemen operations. The Saudi-led war on Yemen has so far killed at least 11,400 Yemenis. Somaliland's president Ahmed Mohamed Silanyo has reportedly told lawmakers in the self-declared republic that the military deal with the UAE would help create jobs. Last year, Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991, signed a 442-million-dollar deal for a Dubai-based firm to upgrade the port of Berbera, which mainly exports livestock to the Middle East. The UAE already has a military installation in Eritrea's Assab port for use in the Saudi-led war on Yemen. The Berbera base, which is only 90 kilometers from the shores of Yemen, will help UAE forces to tighten a blockade that is already in place against Yemen. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Trump team had 'repeated contacts' with Russia before election: NYT Iran Press TV Wed Feb 15, 2017 6:5AM Members of Donald Trump's presidential campaign had "repeated contacts" with senior Russian intelligence officials before the November election, according to a report. US law enforcement and intelligence agencies intercepted phone calls around the same time they were investigating whether Russia was interfering in the presidential election by hacking into the Democratic National Committee, current and former officials told The New York Times on condition of anonymity. However, the alleged communications indicated no evidence that the Trump campaign was colluding with Moscow to influence the outcome of the election, the newspaper said. The officials told The Times that Paul Manafort, who was Trump's campaign chairman for several months, was picked up on the intercepted calls. Manafort left the campaign after he came under fire over his reported business ties in Russia and Ukraine. Manafort denied having any contact with Russian officials. "This is absurd," he told The Times. "I have no idea what this is referring to. I have never knowingly spoken to Russian intelligence officers, and I have never been involved with anything to do with the Russian government or the Putin administration or any other issues under investigation today." The Times' sources would not name any other associates captured in the communications. The revelations come at a time when the White House is trying to contain the fallout from Michael Flynn's resignation as national security adviser over improper contacts with Russian officials. The resignation on Monday, and the circumstances leading up to it, has become a major crisis for the White House and has put the first significant strain on relations between the new administration and an increasingly restive Congress. Pressure is growing on Trump himself to explain his relationship with Moscow after it emerged that the president had been aware that his embattled national security adviser was being misleading in his account of his contacts with Russia "weeks" before he was forced out. Flynn had reportedly discussed sanctions with the Russian ambassador before Trump's inauguration. White House spokesman Sean Spicer raised more questions Tuesday when he inadvertently confirmed that the president knew for weeks that Flynn had misled Vice President Pence and other officials about his dealings with Moscow. Spicer said Trump "instinctively thought" that Flynn did not act illegally after he was informed of the top adviser's contacts with Russia, adding that the president felt his trust in him had "eroded." Democrats in Congress are calling for an independent investigation into possible links between the Trump team and Moscow, including when the president first learned of Flynn's contacts. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S. Defense Chief Urges Allies To Increase Defense Spending RFE/RL February 15, 2017 U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has told Washington's NATO allies that the United States will "moderate its commitment" to the alliance unless they boost their defense spending. Mattis told NATO defense ministers gathered at NATO headquarters in Brussels on February 15 that U.S. taxpayers could no longer carry "a disproportionate share of the defense of Western values." Mattis told the ministers that if their countries "do not want to see America moderate its commitment to this alliance," each of their capitals "need to show support for our common defense." Earlier on February 15, Mattis said the NATO alliance "remains a fundamental bedrock for the United States and for all the transatlantic community." "As President Trump has stated, he had strong support for NATO," Mattis told reporters in Brussels ahead of his meeting with NATO defense ministers -- his first since being sworn in on January 27 as the defense chief in President Donald Trump's cabinet. NATO members have voiced concern about Trump's attitude toward the alliance, which he referred to as "obsolete" during the 2016 U.S. presidential election campaign. NATO allies have also expressed concerns about Trump's campaign statements suggesting he may take a softer approach toward Russia than his predecessor. Trump has also criticized NATO members that fail to meet the alliance's defense spending target of 2 percent of their gross domestic product (GDP). Mattis told reporters on February 15 that it was "a fair demand that all who benefit from the best defense in the world carry their proportionate share of the necessary cost to defend freedom." German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen supported the U.S. position of February 15, telling reporters ahead of the NATO ministers meeting that it was a "question of fairness that we Europeans together also make an effort and the burden [of defense spending] is not too much on the Americans." In 2014, the year Russia seized Crimea and backed separatists in a war that has since killed more than 9,750 people in eastern Ukraine, NATO leaders committed to halt defense spending cuts and move to raise their military budgets to 2 percent of GDP within a decade. Twenty-four of the 28 members have stopped cutting defense spending. Stoltenberg has said the United States, Britain, Poland, Greece, and Estonia are "already meeting the 2 percent target," while Latvia, Lithuania, and Romania are getting close. The ministers said they will also aim to send a clear signal of unity. "I'm absolutely certain that the message of this meeting will be a message of transatlantic unity, of the importance of that we stand together and protect each other, and a very strong commitment of the United States to NATO," NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told journalists before the meeting. The fight against terrorism, in particular against the extremist group Islamic State (IS), was also expected to be high on the agenda during the two-day meeting. The ministers were set to decide to establish a coordination center in Naples, Italy, where intelligence from countries such as Libya, Syria, or Iraq would be analyzed. "This will help us to coordinate information on crises...and help us address terrorism and other challenges stemming from the region," Stoltenberg said. With reporting by Rikard Jozwiak in Brussels, Reuters, AFP, and dpa Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/us-mattis-nato-defense- spending-bedrock-west-russia/28311262.html Copyright (c) 2017. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S. Condemns South Ossetia Name-Change Referendum RFE/RL February 15, 2017 The U.S. Embassy in Georgia has condemned plans by separatist authorities in South Ossetia for a referendum on a proposed name change for the Russia-backed breakaway region. Along with a presidential election on April 9, the separatists who control South Ossetia plan to hold a plebiscite on a proposal to rename the region the Republic of South Ossetia -- the State of Alania. In a statement on its website on February 14, the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi said the United States would not recognize the results of an "illegitimate" referendum conducted "without the explicit consent" of the Georgian government. "Such provocative actions erode trust and confidence and undermine the Geneva International Discussions," it said -- a reference to talks to ease tension that persists years after Russian forces invaded Georgia in a brief war over South Ossetia in 2008. South Ossetia's separatist leader, Leonid Tibilov, signed a decree on February 6 scheduling the referendum. Georgia considers the proposed name provocative because it echoes the name of a neighboring Russian region that is also populated mainly by ethnic Ossetians, the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania, seeming to suggest the two should be unified. Tibilov stopped short of calling for referendum on a merger of South Ossetia and North Ossetia, an idea he floated a few years ago. Russia recognized South Ossetia and another separatist region in Georgia, Abkhazia, as independent countries after the 2008 war. It has kept thousands of troops in the regions, deployments that NATO says violate the EU-brokered deal that ended the fighting. The United States and all but a handful of countries consider South Ossetia or Abkhazia to be parts of Georgia and do not recognize the results of elections held in the two regions. With reporting by civil.ge Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/u-s-condemn- south-ossetia-name-change-referendum /28310987.html Copyright (c) 2017. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Trump Again Criticizes Iran Nuclear Deal, Asks Israel To 'Hold Back' On Settlements RFE/RL February 15, 2017 WASHINGTON -- U.S. President Donald Trump has again vowed to keep Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and has criticized the landmark nuclear deal between Tehran and six world powers. Speaking at a February 15 news conference alongside visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump also criticized statements at the United Nations and other international bodies that he said were treating Israel "very, very unfairly." Netanyahu's visit to Washington was his first since Trump took office on January 20. During the election campaign, Trump criticized the Iran nuclear deal that was implemented in 2016 -- lifting international sanctions against Iran in exchange for curbs on its nuclear program meant to ensure Tehran cannot develop nuclear weapons. Earlier in February, Trump imposed new sanctions on Iran in response to its recent ballistic-missile tests. During the February 15 news conference, both Trump and Netanyahu denounced the nuclear accord, which Trump's predecessor, Barack Obama, saw as one of the principal foreign-policy achievements of his eight years in office. "One of the worst deals I've ever seen is the Iran deal. My administration has already imposed new sanctions on Iran, and I will do more to prevent Iran from ever developing -- I mean ever -- a nuclear weapon," Trump said. The two leaders presented a largely united front on a range of issues at the news conference, with Netanyahu praising Trump as a friend to the Jewish people. Trump has pledged stronger backing for Israel and the Netanyahu government, which clashed repeatedly with Obama. A flashpoint in the final month of Obama's presidency was Washington's decision to abstain from a UN Security Council vote condemning expanded settlements in the West Bank pushed by Netanyahu's government. The decision to abstain was a small, but remarkable shift after decades of U.S. policy toward Israel. While denouncing what he called "unfair" treatment of Israel in the United Nations, Trump told Netanyahu that his government should "hold back a little bit" on the building of new settlement housing in the occupied West Bank, which has been criticized by Palestinian authorities. Trump added that Washington "will encourage a peace and really a great peace deal" between Israel and the Palestinians. "We will be working on it very, very diligently.... But it is the parties themselves who must directly negotiate such an agreement," he said. In his public remarks, Trump also avoided any explicit endorsement of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. That effort, which calls for negotiating firm borders between Israel and a future Palestinian state, has been a bedrock of U.S. Middle East policy for years. Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/us-israel-iran- trump-netanyahu-nuclear-deal-two- state-solution/28311873.html Copyright (c) 2017. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Congress Moves To Probe Russian Contacts With Flynn, Other Trump Advisers RFE/RL February 15, 2017 Congressional leaders said they will investigate growing questions over contacts between Russia and top advisers to U.S. President Donald Trump in the weeks and months before he took office. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on February 14 that he expects the Senate Intelligence Committee will interview Michael Flynn, the White House national security adviser who was pushed out on February 13 over his undisclosed pre-inaugural conversations with Russia's ambassador to the United States. The calls for inquiries in Congress came as U.S. media reported that Trump associates and staff had numerous contacts with senior Russian intelligence officials in the year before the November 8 presidential election, though no evidence of collusion was reported. And it came as the White House conceded that Trump knew for weeks that Flynn, his ousted security adviser, had misled the White House about his contacts with Russia. Flynn was not forced out until news reports came out last week saying he had discussed Russian sanctions with Ambassador Sergei Kislyak, undercutting public statements by both Flynn and Vice President Mike Pence that the conversations did not involve sanctions. Flynn: 'No Lines Crossed' Flynn told the Daily Caller on February 14 that "there were no lines crossed" in his conversations with Kislyak. He said they spoke only about the 35 Russian diplomats expelled by the Obama administration on December 29 as part of a final round of sanctions against Russia. That same day, the Obama White House sanctioned Russia's intelligence agencies for their roles in allegedly hacking the U.S. presidential election. "It wasn't about sanctions. It was about the 35 guys who were thrown out," Flynn said. "It was basically: 'Look, I know this happened. We'll review everything.' I never said anything such as, 'We're going to review sanctions,' or anything like that." But Reuters reported that phone transcripts show that Flynn told Kislyak that if Russia did not to respond in kind to the Obama sanctions as it had when sanctions were announced in the past, that could smooth the way toward a broader discussion of improving U.S.-Russian relations once Trump took power. After the U.S. sanctions were announced, Russian President Vladimir Putin took the uncharacteristic step of announcing he would not respond in kind, and instead he invited U.S. diplomats in Moscow to join Christmas celebrations at the Kremlin. The growing questions about Russia's relations with the Trump administration prompted U.S. lawmakers, including some leading Republicans, to call for a deeper inquiry into not just Flynn's actions but broader White House ties to Russia. Representative Adam Schiff, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said Trump only moved against Flynn because he was attracting to so much news media attention. "The reason they lost faith or trust in General Flynn only last night when they knew for weeks that he had been lying was that it became public," Schiff told MSNBC. FBI Interview The White House confirmed on February 14 that the FBI interviewed Flynn about his conversations with Kislyak as part of its investigation into Russian influence in the U.S. election and the Justice Department notified the White House about discrepancies between Flynn's public and private accounts of the conversations shortly after Trump took office. But White House press secretary Sean Spicer insisted there were no legal problem with Flynn's conversations, but rather the way the matter was handled undermined Trump's and Pence's trust in him as an adviser. But the White House explanations satisfied few in Congress. Two leading Senate Republicans, Bob Corker and John Cornyn, agreed with McConnell that the Senate Intelligence Committee should investigate Flynn's contacts with Russia. McCain, a leading Republican voice on foreign relations, said Flynn's resignation raised questions about the administration's intentions toward Putin's Russia. Meanwhile, congressional Democrats called for aggressive independent investigations into the matter and demanded to know how much Trump knew about his aides' Russia ties. U.S. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer called for an investigation of potential criminal violations surrounding the resignation of Flynn. "What I am calling for is an independent investigation with executive authority to pursue potential criminal actions," to be led by newly installed U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions or White House lawyers, Schumer said. With reporting by AP, Reuters, and New York Times Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/congress-moves -probe-russian-contacts-flynn-other-trump-w hite-house-aides/28310518.html Copyright (c) 2017. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 16 Trend: Over the past 24 hours, Armenias armed forces have 45 times violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry told Trend Feb. 16. The Armenian army was using 60-millimeter mortars and large caliber machine guns. The Azerbaijani army positions located in the Gaymagli village and on nameless heights of Azerbaijans Gazakh district underwent fire from the Armenian army positions located in the Barekamavan village of the Noyemberyan district and on nameless heights of the Ijevan district of Armenia. Meanwhile, the Azerbaijani army positions located in the Aghbulag and Kokhanabi villages of Azerbaijans Tovuz district were shelled from the Armenian army positions located in the Chinari village of Armenias Berd district. The Azerbaijani army positions located on nameless heights of Azerbaijans Gadabay district also underwent fire from the Armenian army positions located on nameless heights of Armenias Krasnoselsk district. Moreover, the Azerbaijani army positions were shelled from the Armenian army positions located near the Armenian-occupied Goyarkh village of the Tartar district, Yusifjanli, Javahirli and Marzili villages of the Aghdam district, Garakhanbayli, Horadiz and Ashagi Seyidahmadli villages of the Fuzuli district, as well as from the positions located on nameless heights of the Goranboy, Tartar, Khojavand, Fuzuli and Jabrayil districts of Azerbaijan. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. Trump Blasts Media Over Flynn Coverage, Suggests Obama Was Soft On Moscow RFE/RL February 15, 2017 WASHINGTON -- U.S. President Donald Trump has accused the media of treating Michael Flynn, "very, very unfairly" in its coverage of the former White House national security adviser's conversations with a Russian diplomat. Trump's denunciation at a February 15 news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu came two days after Flynn's abrupt resignation amid an uproar over phone calls he held with Russia's ambassador to the United States prior to Trump's inauguration on January 20. The circumstances have triggered mounting calls in Congress for investigations into potential ties between Trump's associates and the Russian government. The White House, meanwhile, has moved to portray itself as firm on Moscow, with Trump tweeting earlier on February 15 that Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula was "taken by Russia" and suggesting his predecessor, Barack Obama, was "soft on Russia." Speaking alongside Netanyahu at the White House, Trump called Flynn "a wonderful man." "I think he has been treated very, very unfairly by the media. As I call it, the fake media, in many cases. And I think it's really a sad thing that he was treated so badly," he said. Trump also criticized those who leaked information about the issue to the media, calling it a "criminal act." Trump's administration announced late on February 13 that Flynn resigned after media reports said U.S. intelligence agencies discovered Flynn had discussed the issue of U.S. sanctions on Russia with Moscow's ambassador, Sergei Kislyak, while Obama was still in office. The White House insists Flynn didn't violate a U.S. law against private citizens engaging in U.S. diplomacy, saying that Flynn was asked to resign because he misled Vice President Mike Pence and others about the nature of his conversations. The FBI reportedly interviewed Flynn on the subject just days after Trump took office. Trump's fresh criticism of the media followed a February 14 report in The New York Times that quoted current and former U.S. officials as saying members of Trump's campaign and other associates had contacts with Russian intelligence officials in the months before the November 2016 presidential election. Both Trump and Putin have expressed hope that relations between the United States and Russia will improve during Trump's administration, and both have called in particular for closer cooperation against terrorism. Ties have been badly strained by rancor over issues including Russia's interference in Ukraine, its role in the war in Syria, and what U.S. intelligence agencies say was a hacking and propaganda campaign to meddle in the U.S. presidential election with the aim of undermining the United States, discrediting Democratic Party candidate Hillary Clinton, and helping Trump. Amid the furor that surrounded Flynn's resignation, the Trump administration has pushed back against suggestions that Trump could pursue a one-sided deal favoring Moscow in pursuit of detente. The White House has seized on the issue of Ukraine's Crimea territory, which Russia annexed in March 2014 after sending in troops and staging a referendum that has been denounced as illegal by the United States and a total of 100 countries in the UN General Assembly. Trump said on Twitter on February 15 that "Crimea was taken by Russia" during the Obama administration and added, "Was Obama too soft on Russia?" White House spokesman Sean Spicer said a day earlier that Trump has "made it very clear" that he expects Russia to "return Crimea" and reduce violence in eastern Ukraine, where a war between government forces and Russia-backed separatists has killed more than 9,750 people since April 2014. Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman responded to that remark in a conference call with reporters on February 15, saying that Moscow will not discuss the return of Crimea to Ukraine with the United States or any other country. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov referred to Crimea as Russian territory, saying that "Russia never discusses issues related to its territories with foreign partners, including the United States." Peskov said that Trump did not raise the issue of Crimea in his January 28 telephone conversation with Putin. He also dismissed The New York Times report that said Trump associates had contacts with Russian intelligence officials ahead of the U.S. election, claiming it was "not based on any facts." "Let's not believe anonymous information," Peskov said. Flynn told the news site Daily Caller on February 14 that "there were no lines crossed" in his conversations with Kislyak. He said they spoke about the 35 Russian diplomats expelled by the Obama administration on December 29 as part of sanctions imposed on Russia by Obama's administration over the alleged meddling in the U.S. election and harassment of U.S. diplomats. "It wasn't about sanctions. It was about the 35 guys who were thrown out," Flynn said. "It was basically: 'Look, I know this happened. We'll review everything.' I never said anything such as, 'We're going to review sanctions,' or anything like that." But Reuters reported that phone transcripts show that Flynn told Kislyak that if Russia did not to respond in kind to the Obama sanctions as it had when sanctions were announced in the past, that could smooth the way toward a broader discussion of improving U.S.-Russian relations once Trump took power. After the U.S. sanctions were announced, Putin took the uncharacteristic step of announcing he would not respond in kind. The growing questions about Russia's relations with the Trump administration prompted U.S. lawmakers, including some leading Republicans, to call for a deeper inquiry into not just Flynn's actions but broader White House ties to Russia. Senator John McCain of Arizona, an influential Republican, said Flynn's resignation raised questions about the Trump administration's intentions toward Moscow, "including statements by the president suggesting moral equivalence between the United States and Russia despite its invasion of Ukraine, annexation of Crimea, threats to our NATO allies, and attempted interference in American elections." Flynn's resignation is "a troubling indication of the dysfunction of the current national security apparatus," he said in a statement. The leading Democrat in the Senate, Charles Schumer of New York, called for an independent investigation into whether Flynn or other Trump administration officials may have committed crimes. "What I am calling for is an independent investigation with executive authority to pursue potential criminal actions," Schumer told reporters. "There are potential violations of law here by General Flynn and potentially others." Trump hit back in another February 15 tweet, writing: "The fake news media is going crazy with their conspiracy theories and blind hatred. This Russian connection non-sense is merely an attempt to cover-up the many mistakes made in Hillary Clinton's losing campaign." In addition to the sanction imposed in December, the Obama administration has imposed successive rounds of sanctions on Russia over its seizure of Crimea and actions in eastern Ukraine. Trump suggested during the election campaign that he would consider easing sanctions and possibly even recognizing Crimea as Russian, but members of his administration have said since his inauguration that Crimea belongs to Ukraine. His ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, said on February 3 that the United States "continues to condemn and call for an immediate end to the Russian occupation of Crimea," and that "Crimea-related sanctions will remain in place until Russia returns control over the peninsula to Ukraine." Speaking on February 15, Kremlin spokesman Peskov also responded to U.S. media reports that quoted U.S. officials as saying Russia had deployed cruise missiles in violation of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, a 1987 pact between Moscow and Washington. "Russia has been and remains committed to its international commitments, including to the treaty in question," Peskov said. "Nobody has formally accused Russia of violating the treaty," he said. More broadly, Peskov said that it was too early to talk about the "normalization" of ties between Russia and the United States while Trump's administration was still being built. With reporting by AP, Reuters, Interfax, TASS, The New York Times, and CNN Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/trump-russia- connection-blasts-media/28311313.html Copyright (c) 2017. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Montenegrin Parliament Votes To Strip Opposition Leaders Of Immunity RFE/RL's Balkan Service February 15, 2017 PODGORICA -- Montenegro's parliament has voted to strip two opposition leaders of immunity over their suspected involvement in what authorities say was a foiled coup meant to undermine the country's bid to join NATO. The two leaders of the pro-Russian Democratic Front, which opposes NATO membership, are suspected of involvement in the alleged October 16 coup attempt that prosecutors say included plans to kill the then-prime minister and seize power. Several hundred opposition supporters have protested outside the parliament building on February 15 as lawmakers from the ruling coalition unanimously approved the motion against Andrija Mandic and Milan Knezevic. Prosecutor Milivoje Katnic has accused the two politicians of "establishing a criminal organization" and threatening "the constitutional rule and security of Montenegro." Mandic and Knezevic, who can now be arrested, have dismissed the plot allegations as "fiction." Mandic has made several recent visits to Moscow, where he received support from the Kremlin for his anti-NATO position. He has warned of civil war in Montenegro over the issue of NATO membership. But Markovic's government remains committed to forging ties with the West. Montenegro in October arrested about 20 people -- including two Russian citizens -- in connection with the alleged coup plot. Most of the others arrested in October are pro-Russian citizens of Serbia. The Kremlin has denied involvement, but has actively supported local groups that oppose Montenegro becoming a NATO member. Twenty-four of NATO's 28 members have approved Montenegrin membership, which was endorsed by NATO leaders at a Warsaw summit in July 2016. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on February 14 that it was not clear when the remaining four NATO members will ratify Montenegro's accession protocol. But Stoltenberg said the alliance was "on a good track to have the membership of Montenegro relatively soon." The United States is one of the four countries yet to formally approve Podgorica's NATO bid. Stoltenberg on February 14 said "there has been no sign that the U.S. administration is not supporting the ratification." "It has a strong bipartisan support in the Senate and the [Senate] Foreign Relations Committee has supported it, so I think it is also on a good track in the U.S.," Stoltenberg said. However, U.S. President Donald Trump's description of NATO during the 2016 presidential campaign as an "obsolete" organization and his calls for improved relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin have worried many in Montenegro that Trump may try to block Podgorica's membership bid. With reporting by AP and AFP Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/monetenegro- parlaiement-immunity-stripped-mandic -knezevic/28311339.html Copyright (c) 2017. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Vucic Makes 'Continuity, Stability' Early Themes Of Serbian Presidential Bid Gordana Knezevic February 15, 2017 It's not official yet, but the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) appears set to make Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic its candidate for president. The party leadership's decision was announced late on February 14, and the move is expected to be confirmed by the party's general assembly on February 17. "I accepted the candidacy only because I believe it is important for the continuity and stability of Serbia," Vucic told public broadcaster RTS. "There is nothing that I would not do for that cause." Vucic added that he did not rule out the prospect of early parliamentary elections, and said a decision would be forthcoming soon. The SNS statement suggests Vucic will "continue talks" with President and fellow SNS member Tomislav Nikolic in an effort to avoid any split within the party's ranks. Nikolic is regarded by many observers as a hard-liner who has played an undersized role on the Serbian political stage as president. However, he recently made waves by saying in the aftermath of the "promo train" dispute between Belgrade and Pristina that he was ready to go to war "to defend Serbs in Kosovo." The train's planned crossing into Kosovo from Serbia -- plastered with the message "Kosovo is Serbia" -- threatened to further sour relations between the two countries, and Nikolic's statement did nothing to defuse the tension. After a January 15 meeting of his National Security Council, Nikolic told journalists: "We don't want war, but if it is necessary to protect Serbs from being killed, we will send an army to Kosovo. We will send soldiers; we'll all go. I'll go, and it won't be the first time that I go [to defend Serbs]." At the time, his critics interpreted the statement as the opening salvo of a reelection campaign. Yet Nikolic has repeatedly said he won't run again for president without his party's backing. "Defending Serbs outside Serbia" is no longer a winning ticket, it seems. The most recent national poll shows that 73 percent of Serbs would not go to war for Kosovo, with 17 percent undecided and only 10 percent saying they would respond favorably to a call to arms like the one issued by Nikolic. Recent polls also suggest that those most inclined to take up arms identified themselves as supporters of the Serbian Radical Party, while the majority of those who expressed a preference for the peaceful resolution of political problems said they would vote for the governing Progressives, a party founded by former Radical Party members Vucic and Nikolic. It thus appears that Progressive leader Vucic's repeated statements in favor of diplomatic solutions resonate more among the party's supporters. One of Vucic's potential rivals for the presidency is Serbian Radical Party leader Vojislav Seselj, no doubt adding color to the campaign. Seselj spent 11 years in UN detention while on trial before the International Criminal Tribunal (ICTY) for alleged ethnic cleansing. He was acquitted in 2016 on all counts, pending appeal, and returned to Serbia in time for the elections that year, when he led his Radical Party to 23 seats in the national parliament. Seselj has been President Nikolic's most outspoken critic, whereas he has never had a major public dispute with Vucic. He is, however, opposed to Vucic's pro-European policy and is strongly in favor of closer relations with Russia. Another pro-Russian candidate in the looming presidential vote is Bosko Obradovic, the president of the Dveri (Door) party. A former Serbian foreign minister and onetime president of the UN's 67th General Assembly, Vuk Jeremic, is selling himself as a European politician but he is very close to Moscow. In the opposition camp, the only clearly pro-European candidate is former Serbian ombudsman Sasa Jankovic, who made his name fighting corruption and defending the rule of law in Serbia. None of the opposition candidates is currently considered much of a match for Vucic, who is widely expected to secure more that 50 percent of the popular vote, enough for outright victory in the first round. The official start of the Serbian presidential race is set for early March, with the election expected a month later, in April, although no date has been finalized. The Serbian Constitution gives limited powers to the president, and incumbent Nikolic has been seen by many as a marginalized figure in Serbian politics. But with Vucic in office, that could change, in no small part because of his personal clout with the electorate and among the country's international partners. If elected president, Vucic might well seek to maintain his balancing act between Moscow and Brussels. And while he might continue to purchase weapons in Russia or Belarus, he has been assertive in implementing a European agenda. Importantly, he is seen by EU leaders as a reliable partner. But above all, Vucic appears eager to pin his campaign's hopes on an ability to deliver what his Balkan country needs most at the moment: stability. The views expressed in this blog post do not necessarily reflect the views of RFE/RL Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/serbia-vucic- presidential-race-to-continue-straddling -eu-russia/28311834.html Copyright (c) 2017. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Beijing Warns US Against Planned Maritime Patrols in South China Sea Sputnik News 22:13 15.02.2017(updated 03:18 16.02.2017) On Wednesday China responded to rumblings about the US planning fresh naval patrols in the South China Sea by warning Washington not to impose on their sovereignty. The Navy Times reported on Sunday that officials with the Pacific Command and US Navy were considering having the Carl Vinson carrier strike group, based in San Diego, conduct freedom of navigation patrols in the waterway. Geng Shuang, spokesman for China's Foreign Ministry, said that tensions in the disputed area had eased due to cooperation between Beijing and countries in Southeast Asia, and the presence of foreign nations could threaten this. Geng told a news briefing, "We urge the U.S. not to take any actions that challenge China's sovereignty and security." October 2016 was the last time a US vessel conducted a freedom of navigation patrol in waters claimed by Beijing when the USS Decatur, a guided-missile destroyer, sailed near the Parcel Islands. China denounced the operation as "illegal" and "provocative." The last three of these movement have all come within 12 miles of areas claimed by Beijing. "The Carl Vinson Strike Group is on a regularly scheduled Western Pacific deployment as part of the US Pacific Fleet-led initiative to extend the command and control functions of the US 3rd Fleet," said Dave Bennett, Carrier Strike Group One spokesman. He added that "US Navy aircraft carrier strike groups have patrolled the Indo-Asia-Pacific regularly and routinely for more than 70 years." Washington has criticized China installing anti-missile and anti-aircraft weapons on some of it's man-made islands in the region, with the The Center for Strategic and International Studies releasing a report in December 2016 suggesting that "Among other things, (the armaments) would be the last line of defense against cruise missiles launched by the United States or others against these soon-to-be-operational air bases." In January US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said that the US would try to stop China from accessing those islands, but Bonnie Glaser of the CSIS recently told Navy Times, "I doubt it it's possible to compel China to withdraw from its newly built islands in the Spratlys. But the U.S. could develop a strategy aimed at preventing more land reclamation, capping militarization and deterring China from using its new outposts to intimidate and coerce its neighbors." China's Defense Ministry has defended the weapons as "legitimate and lawful." About $5 trillion in trade passes through the South China Sea each year, with China laying claim to most of the area. Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Brunei and Malaysia have claims as well. In July 2016 the Hague ruled that China had legal right to claim such a large portion of the South China Sea. Beijing balked at the decision, calling it "null and void" and a "farce." Chinese President Xi Jinping boycotted the proceedings, saying at the time that "China will never accept any claim or action based on those awards." Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UK Defense Secretary Urges NATO States to Increase Defense Spending Sputnik News 17:23 15.02.2017 The UK defense secretary urged NATO member states to step up their spending to ratchet up the military bloc's might. MOSCOW (Sputnik) UK Defense Secretary Michael Fallon called on NATO members on Wednesday to increase their defense spending, as well as step up funds on new equipment to strengthen the alliance's capability to combat modern challenges. "NATO has been a guarantee of mutual security for more than half a century. Britain is now calling for our partners to step up and share burdens on spending and help it become more agile in dealing with new threats including cyber and terrorism," Fallon said following his first meeting with US Defense Secretary James Mattis at the NATO Ministerial, as quoted in the statement published on UK government website. Fallon pointed out that it was necessary to back up NATO's "operational and exercise commitments with investment in new equipment" to deal with security threats. Fallon's call on defense budget increase came a day after the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) issued a report, saying that the United Kingdom was not meeting the NATO requirement to spend two percent of GDP on defense. The report also pointed out that only two European states, namely Greece and Estonia, met the requirement, while the United Kingdom was spending about 1.98 percent of GDP due to its economy growing faster in 2016, than its defense spending. The UK Defense Ministry refuted the IISS report, stressing that NATO statistics "clearly showed" that the country was spending over 2 percent of its GDP on defense. According to the ministry, the UK defense budget was considered to be the second largest in NATO and was steadily growing every year. In January, UK Prime Minister Theresa May promised US President Donald Trump, who repeatedly called for alliance's fair funding and warned of decreasing US support to the bloc, to encourage other European allies to meet the defense spending target. NATO set a two-percent target of defense spending in 2006. Last year only five out of 28 NATO member-states met the alliance's spending goal the United States, the United Kingdom, Greece, Estonia and Poland. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address India Advances Talks on Missile Sale to Vietnam Despite China's Caution Sputnik News 14:14 15.02.2017(updated 14:31 15.02.2017) India has decided to go ahead with missile sale to Vietnam despite red flagged by China. Beijing had warned both New Delhi and Hanoi that it will not sit quite if deal goes through. New Delhi (Sputnik) India is in advanced stage of talks with Vietnam for the sale short range surface-to-air missiles Akash. This could be India's first missile sale overseas. Apart from Vietnam, New Delhi has offered sale of Akash missiles to other countries including Indonesia. "We are talking to countries, one of them is none other than Vietnam" said S. Christopher, chairman of government owned Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO). India is also considering the sale of BrahMos supersonic missile for which Russia's approval is required. DRDO chief did not elaborate the stage of talks regarding BrahMos. "India and Vietnam share a strategic partnership. Defense cooperation, including supply of defense equipment, is an important aspect of this partnership. Both countries have held discussions on range of issues in this regard, "replied Subhash Bhamre,India's Minister of State for Defense to a query by parliamentarians earlier this month when asked whether the Government proposes to sale indigenously developed Akash-surface-to-air Missile System and Brahmos missiles to Vietnam. Of late, India is attempting to become major supplier to Hanoi to beef up defense which is considered as a step to raise formidable alliance to counter China in the region. Last year, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced a $500 million special loan to Vietnam to buy defense equipment, on top of a $100 million given previously to help it buy patrol boats. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NATO must improve agility and spend, Defence Secretary urges 15 February 2017 NATO must become more agile and share burdens if it is to tackle growing threats, the Defence Secretary will say today during his first meeting with his American counterpart. Sir Michael Fallon is pressing NATO members to step up defence spending during a two-day defence ministerial at NATO's HQ in Brussels, following his first meeting with US Defense Secretary James Mattis. Reflecting the strength of the UK-US Defence relationship, Sir Michael was the first minister Secretary Mattis called after his appointment and their hour-long meeting at NATO's HQ was the first bilateral working session today. During their recent phone call, shortly after Secretary Mattis' confirmation, both ministers agreed on the need for NATO to be more agile and responsive so it can respond faster to new threats including cyber and terrorism. In July NATO confirmed that the UK meets the two per cent spending target, which includes a 178bn equipment plan and rising defence spending every year of this parliament. The Defence Secretary spoke to fellow ministers to call for other states to spend both 2% overall and to spend 20% of that on new equipment to help tackle threats. In his face-to-face meetings with Secretary Mattis Sir Michael reassured him that the UK stands shoulder to shoulder with the US in calling for NATO to be more agile to meet new threats in the fields of cyber warfare and counter terrorism. Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said: "NATO has been a guarantee of mutual security for more than half a century. Britain is now calling for our partners to step up and share burdens on spending and help it become more agile in dealing with new threats including cyber and terrorism." "As leading player in the Alliance we recognise the importance of backing up our operational and exercise commitments with investment in new equipment to deal with threats to our security." Sir Michael is discussing the UK's leadership in NATO. The UK's Enhanced Forward Presence deployment to Estonia is gathering momentum, seen this week in a 600-strong exercise in Sennelager in Germany which features British personnel from the Battle Group for 5 RIFLES. Hundreds of British troops including 5 RIFLES personnel from Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire have spent the last week exercising with four Challenger II tanks, Warrior Armoured Fighting Vehicles and Jackals alongside Estonian, French and Danish troops. The deployment of 800 British personnel to Estonia under EFP is part of a package of measures that the UK is leading in NATO this year. These include leading the land element of NATO's Very High Readiness Joint Task Force with 3,000 British troops ready to deploy rapidly to threats wherever they arise in the Alliance, and committing RAF Typhoon aircraft to the NATO Southern Air Policing mission to offer reassurance to in the Black Sea region. Over the two-day ministerial, defence leaders will discuss issues such as protecting NATO's southern border, developing NATO's deterrence and defence posture, and strengthening the transatlantic bond. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address In Cairo, UN chief Guterres underscores political solutions to ease tensions in regional hotspots 15 February 2017 United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres today reiterated his commitment to fighting terrorism but underlined also the importance of political solutions to the crises in Syria and the wider region, and put his weight behind the intra-Syrian negotiations expected to begin later this month in Geneva. Speaking to reporters in Cairo after meeting Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the Secretary-General praised Egypt as a "central player" and an "absolutely essential contributor" to finding a solution to regional problems. He referred to the international talks on Syria held earlier this month in the Kazakh capital of Astana which resulted in an agreement on how to monitor the ceasefire effort started in December 2016. "The Astana talks were an important contribution because they led to a ceasefire and we hope that the ceasefire will be maintained," Mr. Guterres said, "but we consider that without a political solution, not only ceasefires cannot hold, but more than that the fight against terrorism will not be effective." "That is why we are so committed to make sure that the political process moves on and I hope that Geneva will be an important step in that direction," he added in a press conference alongside the Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry. Mr. Guterres also made reference to the Security Council, saying that it was "very important to recognize that the United Nations will be what Member States allow it to be." He stressed his personal commitment echoing comments in Dubai days earlier to reform the UN Secretariat and help to create "effective coordination and accountability" in the different UN bodies to strengthen the reputation of the United Nations at a global level. During the press encounter, the Secretary-General also stated that there was "no Plan B" to the two-state solution between Israelis and Palestinians: "Everything must be done to preserve that possibility." He also noted the situations in Libya and Yemen, calling for effective reconciliation and reconstruction to aid the people and the stability of the region. Turning to Syria, Mr. Guterres noted that he has consistently said that the countries of the region that have been receiving so many Syrian refugees, as well as those from Iraq and from many other crises, the countries of the region Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Egypt have not had enough support from the international community in general, from Europe in particular, both in relation to the refugees themselves and their living conditions and in relation to the host communities that share with them sometimes resources that are quite meagre. Stressing that refugee protection is not only the responsibility of neighbours, but of the entire international community, The UN chief said it would be important to substantially increase the number of refugees that are resettled into Europe and other parts of the world in order to show effective solidarity with the countries of first asylum. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Broader Talks Sought on Stabilizing Afghanistan By VOA News February 15, 2017 A second round of international talks in Moscow on the stabilization of Afghanistan ended Wednesday with participating countries calling for Central Asian nations to be included in future discussions. Representatives from Afghanistan were included in the talks for the first time, joining those from Russia, Pakistan, China, Iran and India. "In the context of possible broadening of this negotiation format, [an] understanding was reached to develop regional efforts to stabilize the situation in Afghanistan by involving at the next stage the potential of other countries, primarily from Central Asia," Russia's Foreign Ministry said after the meeting, according to Russia's Interfax news agency. Russia has said it wants stability and cooperation to fight extremist groups, including the Islamic State, which is gaining ground in Central Asia. But Afghan officials are not happy with Russia's direct talks with the Taliban, which U.S. officials say are aimed at undermining their efforts. The United States was not invited to participate in the talks. The exclusion of Afghanistan from the first round of discussions raised concerns among officials in Kabul as well as in the United States. While the United Nations says the Taliban is responsible for five times as many deaths and injuries, Islamic State group attacks are on the rise in Afghanistan, with a tenfold growth in 2016. U.S. officials say Russia's contacts with the Taliban, along with Iran's and Pakistan's, lend them legitimacy and support while undermining the Afghan government and NATO efforts to fight the extremists. The top U.S. commander in Afghanistan says thousands more U.S. troops are needed there to train Afghanistan's forces to better handle threats to security. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Trump, Netanyahu Project Unity, But Back Away from Two-State Solution By William Gallo February 15, 2017 U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu projected a message of unity during a White House meeting Wednesday, even as Trump suggested he was open to alternatives to a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Trump's suggestion that the U.S. could back a single state as a long-term solution for the region potentially upends decades of international diplomatic efforts aimed at creating an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel. "I'm looking at two-state and one-state and I like the one that both parties like," Trump said during a news conference with Netanyahu. "I can live with either one. I thought for a while the two-state looked like it might be the easier of the two, but honestly, if Israel and the Palestinians are happy, I'm happy with the one they like the best." During the news conference, Trump also asked Netanyahu to "hold back for a little bit" on expanding settlements in Palestinian territory, while the White House works on efforts to revive the Middle East peace process. "I think we're going to make a deal," Trump said. "It might be a bigger and better deal than people in this room understand." For his part, Netanyahu also refused to commit to a two-state solution. He said he planned to discuss settlements with Trump later, so that the U.S. and Israel don't keep "bumping into each other." "I believe that the issue of the settlements is not the core of the conflict, nor does it really drive the conflict," Netanyahu said. "I think it's an issue that has to be resolved in the context of peace negotiations." Trump firm on Iran The meeting, the two leaders' first since taking office, follows a period of rocky U.S.-Israel relations during the past eight years. Former President Barack Obama and Netanyahu clashed frequently clashed over issues including Israeli settlements and the Iran nuclear deal. Trump and Netanyahu highlighted areas of cooperation, including on opposing radical Islamic terrorism and ensuring that Iran does not obtain nuclear weapons. "My administration has already imposed new sanctions on Iran. And I will do more to prevent Iran from ever developing -- and I mean ever -- a nuclear weapon," Trump said. Netanyahu praised what he said was Trump's "great clarity and courage in confronting" the challenge from Iran. Eytan Gilboa, a public diplomacy professor at Bar-Ilan University in Tel Aviv, told VOA he believes Netanyahu no longer seeks to push the United States to reject the Iran nuclear deal something he lobbied the U.S. Congress to do last year, without success. "Netanyahu and Trump already agree that the deal was a bad one and that it's not going to accomplish its intended goal," Gilboa said. "Now, there are other issues on the table that concern both leaders, namely Iran's experiments with long-range missile capabilities as well as Iranian sponsorship of terrorist groups in the region." Close relationship Trump and Netanyahu's close relationship strengthened during the U.S. presidential election campaign, when they bonded over similar hard-line stances -- not only on Iran but also on immigration and terrorism. In his campaign speeches Trump slammed Obama for making his feuds with Netanyahu public, and vowed there would be "no daylight" -- no difference in basic policy -- between the U.S. and Israel during his administration. Since taking office last month, however, possible areas of disagreement have emerged. Earlier this month, the White House cautioned Israel against building more settlements, saying they were not "helpful" to peace efforts. Trump also has not followed through on a campaign promise to relocate the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, following warnings from Arab leaders that the move could provoke violence. On Wednesday, Trump said he would still like to see the embassy moved. "We're looking at that very strongly and looking at it with great care, great care, believe me," he said. Two states? But Trump's comments on the one-state solution will likely draw the most attention. Observers were mixed on just what the comments meant. "I think it's a mischaracterization to see this as a dramatic break with past U.S. policies," said Yousef Munayyer, director of the U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights. Munayyer is open to the creation of a single, democratic state between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, with equal rights for Israelis and Palestinians. But he questions whether that is what Trump was actually referring to. Instead, he thinks Trump may have been signaling support for the status quo, in which Israel continues to occupy the West Bank, as it has since 1967. "What we're hearing from Trump today is that he's open to that, and that he doesn't expressly reject the status quo," Munayyer told VOA. Jonathan Adelman, who teaches at the University of Denver, also does not think Trump was referring to a single, democratic state -- an idea he says is unrealistic. "The one-state solution won't work because what would happen is that the Arabs would eventually have the majority in the one state. The Israelis are not going to agree to that. They didn't fight for Israel for the last 74 years to have an Arab state," Adelman said. Two-state solution Even before Trump and Netanyahu met, a senior White House official signaled the U.S. was backing away from its long-standing commitment to a two-state solution. "Peace is the goal, whether it comes in the form of a two-state solution -- if that's what the parties want -- or something else," the official said. Palestinian officials reacted negatively Wednesday to suggestions that the U.S. would abandon the effort to reach a two-state solution. "The only alternative to two sovereign and democratic states on the 1967 border is one single, secular and democratic state with equal rights for everyone, Christians, Muslims and Jews, on all of historic Palestine," said Saeb Erekat, secretary-general of the Palestine Liberation Organization. Speaking in Cairo, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also reiterated support for the two-state solution. "There is no Plan B to the situation between Palestinians and Israelis but a two-state solution, and everything must be done to preserve that possibility," he said. Whatever the eventual outcome, Trump has designated his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, to head up Middle East peace efforts. Reports have suggested the White House will attempt to advance the talks by involving Arab states, specifically those that have increasingly warmed to Israeli leaders in recent years. During his news conference, Trump confirmed that he would pursue a so-called "outside-in" strategy to Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. "It's actually a much bigger deal much more important deal in a sense," Trump said. "It would take in many, many countries and would cover a very large territory." It's unclear how the administration intends to advance that deal, or which Arab states if any would agree to make peace with Israel or pressure the Palestinian leadership to do so. William Quandt, a former member of the U.S. National Security Council who was involved in negotiations that led to the Camp David Accords and the Egypt-Israel peace treaty, doubts whether Arab states would put enough pressure on the Palestinians to come to an agreement. "They're not going to do it. They have other priorities. They're relatively weak regimes in terms of fundamental legitimacy," he told VOA. Political pressure unlikely Quandt also is skeptical that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas would respond to political pressure. "I mean, Abu Mazen [Abbas] is in the 14th year of his four-year term," Quandt said, referring to Abbas. "What's he going to do if people pressure him? He's going to say: 'We don't accept.' That's his legitimacy: to say no." The University of Denver's Adelman thinks there is room for an "outside-in" approach. He noted that Arab leaders across the region are more open to the idea of using improved ties with Israel as a counter-balance against their rival, Iran. "You take Saudi Arabia. They've always hated, hated, hated Israel. The last couple years there's been a number of articles about senior people in Saudi Arabia talking positively about Israel. Why would they do that?" "The bottom line is," he says, "There's a deal out there." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 16 By Elchin Mehdiyev Trend: Representatives of foreign countries diplomatic missions and heads of international organizations, accredited in Azerbaijan, were shocked by Armenian atrocities in the Jabrayil districts Jojug Marjanli village liberated from the Armenian occupation, Kamal Hasanov, head of the Jabrayil district, told Trend Feb. 16. Ambassadors and representatives of international organizations saw first-hand that the village was turned into ruins in just 5-6 months of the Armenian occupation, Hasanov said. In their speeches, the ambassadors admitted they didnt expect to see such atrocities. The head of the Jabrayil district stressed that the diplomats familiarized themselves with reconstruction and de-mining processes in the village after its liberation, adding that they also visited the only family living in the village. 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. Burundi Peace Talks Appear on Shaky Ground By Frederic Nkundikije February 15, 2017 Talks to end Burundi's political crisis are slated to resume Thursday, but there is renewed and widespread doubt the talks will help bring peace to the unsettled central African country. Opposition and civil society groups say the facilitator of the talks, former Tanzanian president Benjamin Mkapa, is dooming the process by welcoming politicians who tried to overthrow President Pierre Nkurunziza in a 2015 coup attempt. It was not clear Wednesday whether the Burundian government will even send a representative to the talks in Arusha, Tanzania. The opposition coalition CNARED initially said it will demand that Mkapa remove himself as facilitator but changed its position, saying Wednesday it will attend the talks without conditions. Burundian political analyst Deogratias Nkinahamira is not expecting a breakthrough from the scheduled three days of talks. "I don't think the list of participants is reassuring," he told VOA's Central African service Tuesday. "You have politicians who have been caught red handed, plotting to topple the government and you have feuds and factions within some of the political parties and within the opposition alliance CNARED. It is going to be hard for these politicians to agree on anything, let alone the agenda." His comments were echoed by Njangwa Becho Gilbert, the head of a Burundian election observer organization. "The mediator's office has made a mistake in inviting former ruling party leaders who have betrayed their party by joining those who were planning to topple the government, as well as the real coup plotters," he told a Bujumbura news conference. Njangwa said he was speaking on behalf of 11 other civil society groups. He predicted the consultations are going to be rocky and fruitless at best. Attempts to resolve the crisis have been held up by the government's refusal to talk with coup supporters and the insistence by some opposition figures that Nkurunziza is not a legitimate president. CNARED called on Mkapa to resign as facilitator in December, after he told journalists that politicians who consider Nkurunziza illegitimate are "out of their minds." Ahead of the talks this week, Burundi's top prosecutor asked Tanzania to arrest and hand over all politicians invited to the talks who have a pending arrest warrant against them. The prosecutor issued a new list of 32 politicians and leaders of civil society groups who are wanted by Burundian authorities. Former Burundian President Sylvestre Ntibantunganya said this week that time is of the essence, and politicians need to stop arguing over who will be allowed to participate and who will not. "It is a sign of democracy that party and civil society groups leaders can voice out their opinion over participants to the consultations; however we have to keep in mind that the mediator is the regional trusted leader who is working tirelessly to help Burundians get out of the political imbroglio they have been in for over a year and half now," he said. Hundreds of people died in protests and violence sparked by Nkurunziza's decision to run for a third term in 2015. Critics said the president was violating term limits in Burundi's constitution. The violence prompted hundreds of thousands to flee the country. As of today, the United Nations estimates the number of refugees has grown to 380,000. Last week, the U.N. refugee agency reported that the number of Burundians fleeing political violence is expected to reach 500,000 this year, and said the U.N. is seeking more land for refugee camps in neighboring countries. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Trump Defends National Security Adviser He Ousted By Ken Bredemeier February 15, 2017 U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday staunchly defended the national security adviser he ousted earlier this week, saying Michael Flynn was the victim of illegal leaks from the country's intelligence community detailing his conversations with Russia's ambassador to Washington and had been "treated very, very unfairly by the media." Trump, speaking at a White House news conference alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, made no mention of why he forced Flynn's resignation after just 24 days on the job, for what the White House described Tuesday as the president's "eroding trust" in the former Army general. "I think it's really a sad thing he was treated so badly," Trump said. "I think, in addition to that, from intelligence papers are being leaked, things are being leaked. It's criminal action, criminal act. And it's been going on for a long time, before me. But now it's really going on." He suggested that officials leaking the documents about Flynn's calls with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak were "trying to cover up for a terrible loss that the Democrats had under Hillary Clinton," the former U.S. secretary of state Trump defeated in the November election. Trump turns to Twitter Trump spokesman Sean Spicer said Tuesday that Flynn had misled Vice President Mike Pence and other officials in the weeks before Trump's January 20 inauguration in telling them that he had not talked with Kislyak about sanctions imposed on Moscow by former President Barack Obama in retaliation for Russia's meddling in the presidential election to help Trump win, when U.S. intercepts of their conversations showed that he had. Trump's defense of Flynn came hours after he launched similar broadsides about the White House drama in a string of comments on his Twitter account. "The real scandal here is that classified information is illegally given out by 'intelligence' like candy. Very un-American!" Trump said. The president, in office for less than a month, suggested news articles detailing links between him, his campaign aides and Flynn and Russian officials were aimed at undermining his victory over Clinton. In one tweet, Trump said, "This Russian connection non-sense is merely an attempt to cover-up the many mistakes made in Hillary Clinton's losing campaign." He said, "The fake news media is going crazy with their conspiracy theories and blind hatred." He said two U.S. cable news outlets, MSNBC and CNN, were "unwatchable," while describing the Trump-friendly talk show "Fox & Friends" as "great." At the same time, the president claimed that "information is being illegally given to the failing" New York Times and Washington Post "by the intelligence community," the National Security Agency and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, "just like Russia." Russia dismisses report The Post last week was the first newspaper to publish details about the phone conversations between Flynn and the Russian ambassador before Trump took office, while the Times in Wednesday's editions said Trump aides and associates had repeated contacts with senior Russian officials during the 2016 campaign. The new president also attacked Obama, saying, "Crimea was TAKEN by Russia during the Obama Administration. Was Obama too soft on Russia?" Obama often rebuked Moscow for its unilateral 2014 annexation of Ukraine's Crimean peninsula and the United States, along with the European Union, imposed sanctions against Russia. But the West did not intervene militarily and Crimea remains under Russian control. Russia dismissed the Times' report that members of Trump's campaign and other associates were in contact with senior Russian intelligence officials before the November U.S. election. Accounts called 'absurd' The Times cited four current and former U.S. officials as saying law enforcement and intelligence agencies intercepted calls and had phone records involving Trump's one-time campaign manager, Paul Manafort, and several other unnamed associates. Manafort called the accounts "absurd," the Times said. He also denied a similar CNN report that Trump associates, including Manafort and Flynn, were regularly communicating with Russian nationals before the election. In Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the report "is not based on any facts," while Russian media quoted the country's foreign intelligence service saying reports about the contacts were unfounded. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a briefing that Russian envoys acted within normal practice for diplomats of all countries. Flynn was ousted Monday after information became public about contacts he had with Kislyak ahead of Trump's assumption of power. Evaluation preceded Flynn's resignation The White House said Tuesday that Trump, based on intercepts of Flynn's calls with Kislyak, was advised nearly three weeks ago that Flynn had misled Pence. White House spokesman Spicer said the president and his close advisers had been "reviewing and evaluating" that information on a "daily basis for a few weeks" before Trump forced Flynn's resignation. Before Trump's inauguration, Pence told CBS News' Face the Nation that Flynn and Kislyak did not discuss the U.S. sanctions against Russia over Ukraine. Pence also said Flynn and Kislyak "did not discuss anything having to do" with the Obama administration's decision in late December to expel dozens of Russian diplomats. The Russians were sent home in response to allegations of Russian cyber-spying against Clinton's campaign chief during the 2016 presidential campaign. Loss of trust Responding Tuesday to reporters' questions about the 18-day gap between the January 26 Trump briefing and Flynn's departure on Monday, Spicer said, "The president concluded he no longer had trust in his national security adviser." Spicer also said the White House decided there was "nothing wrong" that Flynn had talked with the Russian diplomat, even though Flynn was a private citizen at the time. Flynn acknowledged in his resignation letter that he had "inadvertently briefed" Pence and others with "incomplete information" regarding his phone calls with Kislyak. Kellogg joins Trump staff Key opposition Democratic lawmakers, and some Republicans, are calling for expanded investigations into links between Russia and key Trump aides. Trump named another retired Army general, Keith Kellogg, as his acting national security adviser. Also Wednesday, the Trump administration was said to have offered the job to Vice Admiral Robert Harward, two U.S. officials familiar with the matter told Reuters. It was not immediately clear if Harward, a former deputy commander of U.S. Central Command who has Navy SEAL combat experience, had accepted the offer, the sources told Reuters. A White House spokesperson had no immediate comment. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address "The problem is that Italy is only paying 1.1 percent, instead of the mandated 2 percent, which, by and of itself, is a low number. It should be probably 4 percent. Anywhere from 4 to 5 percent. Only 8 of the 28 NATO countries are paying the 2 percent, meaning 20 of the countries are delinquent in the payment to NATO. And they have been for many years. Germany is at 1.3 percent, at most, depending on calculations. Spain is at less than 1 percent. Turkey, believe it or not, is almost current, almost paid up. And I want to just thank Secretary General Stoltenberg because he is going around saying that President Trump was able to raise over $100 billion last year, which is true. But its still only a large fraction. Its a still a large fraction of the amount of money thats owed by many of the countries that arent paying their dues." Trumps remarks during joint press conference with Italys president October 16, 2019, "Germany owes vast sums of money to NATO & the United States must be paid more for the powerful, and very expensive, defense it provides to Germany!" Donald Trump - 18 March 2017 "Many NATO countries have agreed to step up payments considerably, as they should. Money is beginning to pour in - NATO will be much stronger." Donald J. Trump - 27 May 2017 NATO - Defense Spending NATO's collective agreement in 2014 was for its 28 member countries to spend at least 2 percent of their gross domestic product on defense spending by 2024. By 2017 only Britain, Estonia, Greece, Poland, and the United States were doing so. All efforts to build up NATO conventional forces to adequate levels failed. The Lisbon goal of 1952, which envisioned the creation of 96 divisions in 2 years, fell far short of the mark. Although the adoption of the flexible response doctrine in the 1960s called for a boost in conventional strength, the plan's force requirements were never achieved. In the late 1970s, NATO allies agreed to a 3 percent per annum increase in defense spending, but this was slowed by a recession. On 18 March 2017 Trump reiterated his claim that member states do not contribute the required share. Many nations owe vast sums of money from past years and it is very unfair to the United States, he said. These nations must pay what they owe. Trump asserted the United States must be paid more for the powerful, and very expensive, defense it provides to Germany. Germany currently spends 1.2 percent of GDP and remains reticent on defense matters due to its wartime past. Ivo Daalder, the US permanent representative to NATO from 2009 to 2013, responded to Trump: Sorry, Mr President, thats not how NATO works, he wrote. The US decides for itself how much it contributes to defending NATO. This is not a financial transaction, where NATO countries pay the US to defend them. It is part of our treaty commitment. All NATO countries, including Germany, have committed to spend 2 percent of GDP on defense by 2024. So far five of 28 NATO countries do. Those who currently dont spend 2 percent of their GDP on defense are now increasing their defense budgets, he said. Germany's Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel also hit back at Trump's comments. "A sensible security policy is not just buying tanks, driving defense spending to insane heights, and escalating the arms race... A reasonable policy means crisis prevention, stabilization of weak states, economic development and the fight against hunger, climate change and water scarcity." U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis told NATO member countries 15 February 2017 they must increase defense spending by the end of the year or the U.S. might "moderate its commitment" to the alliance. Mattis said NATO must agree on a plan that would see governments increase military spending to 2 percent of GDP. "No longer can the American taxpayer carry a disproportionate share of the defense of Western values," Mattis said. "If your nations do not want to see America moderate its commitment to this alliance, each of your capitals needs to show support for our common defense." During the presidential campaing, Trump called NATO "obselete," and he has also suggested the United States might not continue to contribute as much to the alliance if other members did not pitch in more funding. Since taking office on 20 January 2017, Trump has been less critical of NATO, although he has continued to criticize some member nations for failing to make "full and proper financial contributions" to the alliance. With the exception of the United States and Britain, only three other nations - Estonia, Poland, and Greece - meet the threshold. German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen said Washington was making a fair demand and called on Germany to increase its defense spending. In 2006, the NATO Allies agreed to commit a minimum of two per cent, as a percentage of GDP, to spending on defence. The United States spends well over 3 percent, even with recent budget cuts. Many American taxpayers feel that the European allies and partners are getting a free ride. NATOs members account for more than half the worlds gross domestic product and collectively spend nearly $1 trillion on defense. This spending level dwarfs that of any possible opponent or combination of opponents. But given declining European budgets and the fact that the United States represents nearly three-quarters of NATOs defense spending, the current model unbalanced and sustainable over time. NATO Allies also agreed that at least 20 per cent of defence expenditures should be devoted to major equipment spending,3 a crucial indicator for the pace of modernisation. In 2012 only five Allies spent more than 20 per cent of their defence budgets on major equipment expenditure; among the 22 Allies that spent under 20 per cent in critical investment in future capabilities, nine Allies spent less than ten per cent. The investment across the Alliance as a whole in major equipment has risen from 2003 to 2012, mainly as a result of increases in spending by the United States. The result of these disparities in investment is two-fold: an ever greater military reliance on the United States, and growing asymmetries in capability among European Allies. This has the potential to undermine Alliance solidarity and puts at risk the ability of the European Allies to act without the involvement of the United States. Cuts in European equipment procurement could also weaken Europes defense. NATO has turned into a two-tiered alliance where some members are willing to do the soft tasks and others the hard combat missions. While France, Germany and the United Kingdom together represent more than 50 per cent of the non- US Allies defence spending, more recently their defence spending has come under increasing pressure. The share of the other European Allies together fell from 8.8 to 7.5 per cent. The combined wealth of the non-US Allies, measured in Gross Domestic Product (GDP), exceeds that of the United States. However, non-US Allies together spend less than half of what the United States spends on defence, and in the decade since 2001 the year of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States their annual increases in defence spending have been significantly less. Since 2008, defence spending by most non-US Allies has declined steadily. The allocation of burdens and responsibilities within NATO hasbeen a contentious issue since the formation of the alliance. In the 1980s deficits in the US current account and the federal budget moved the burden-sharing issue to the front burner of American politics: many Americans believed that US economic problems resulted from or were exacerbated by the spending burden assumed by the United States for the defense of Western Europe. By thelate 1980s the U.S. spent 6.5 percent of its gross national product on defense, Britain was next highest at 4.8 percent, more thana quarter below the .. level. Germany spent 3.2 percent; Denmark and Canada came up with a mere 2 percent each. Allies should hold the line on defence spending and look for ways to close the gaps in their capabilities, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said as he launched his second Annual Report on 31 January 2013. Overall, NATO investment in modern capabilities has risen in recent years, and most Allies have significantly improved their ability to deploy and sustain forces. However, the development has been uneven, and while total defence spending by the Allies has been going down, the defence spending of emerging powers has been going up. If these trends continue, we could face serious gaps that would place NATOs military capacity and political credibility at risk, Mr Fogh Rasmussen stressed. The Alliance faced three tasks, the Secretary General said. The first is to hold the line on defence investment: there is a lower limit of how little we can spend on defence, while living up to our responsibilities. The second is to start closing the gaps, as our economies start to recover. And the third is to build our strength in depth, he said. "Hard power will remain essential if we want to keep our populations safe and retain our global influence. This is why NATO Allies must hold the line on defence spending in 2013. We must also do more to get the most out of the funds and resources that we do have; multinational solutions will be vital for minimising our costs and our Alliance will be vital for maximising our capabilities. Then, as soon as our economies improve, we should consider increasing our investment in defence so that we can close the gaps." NATO must have a sustained presence in countries that feel vulnerable to Russia, US President Barack Obama said 26 March 2014 at a meeting with EU leaders in Brussels. He added that neither Ukraine nor Georgia was currently being considered for NATO membership. Obama insisted that contingency plans had to be examined and updated to guarantee that we do more to ensure that a regular NATO presence among some of these states that may feel vulnerable is executed. However, Obama expressed concern that defense spending in Europe had fallen in several countries across the continent. If we have collective defense it means everyone has to chip in, and I have concern about diminished efforts by some in NATO, he said. Our freedom isn't free, he said, adding that it was necessary to pay for the assets, the personnel, the training... for deterrent force. Decreasing defense investments in Europe further enlarges the asymmetry of defence effectiveness and military capabilities between the USA and its European allies. Reductions in defense budgets also imply the risk of weakening interests to maintain a strong transatlantic defense link from the American perspective. While once the USA covered 50 percent of total NATO defense expenditures, its share has increased to nearly 75 percent today. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Cyber teams throw virtual effects, defend networks against ISIS By Sean Kimmons February 15, 2017 WASHINGTON (Army News Service) -- Soldiers in new cyber teams are now bringing offensive and defensive virtual effects against Islamic militants in northern Iraq and Syria, according to senior leaders. "We have Army Soldiers who are in the fight and they are engaged [with the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria]," said Brig. Gen. J.P. McGee, the Army Cyber Command's deputy commander for operations. Once the cyber mission force teams stand up, McGee said they're going straight into operational use. "As we build these teams, we are putting them right into the fight in contact in cyberspace," he said at a media roundtable last week. The general declined to discuss specific details, but said the majority of the effort involves offensive cyberspace effects being delivered from locations in the United States and downrange. The Army is responsible for creating 41 of the 133 teams in the Defense Department's cyber mission force. Of the Army's teams, 11 are currently at initial operating capability, with the rest at full operational capability, according to Brig. Gen. Patricia Frost, director of cyber for the Army's G-3/5/7. She expects all of the Army teams will be ready to go before the October 2018 deadline, she said. The teams have three main missions: protect networks, particularly the Department of Defense Information Network; defend the U.S. and its national interests against cyberattacks; and provide cyber support to military operations and contingency plans. This spring, Army Cyber also plans to continue the cyber electromagnetic activities (CEMA) support to a Corps and Below pilot that is testing the concept of expeditionary CEMA cells within training brigades. The 1st Infantry Division's 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team is slated to take part in the pilot's sixth iteration, which is being held at the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, California. In the training, Soldiers will map out cyber and electromagnetic terrain in a simulated battlefield in order to defeat the enemy. "Where are the wireless points, cell phone towers? What does that look like? How do you figure out how to gain access to them to be able to deliver effects?" McGee said, detailing the challenges Soldiers will face. In one example McGee described, a CEMA cell could shut down an enemy's internet access for a period of time to allow a patrol pass safely through a contested area. The CEMA cell could then turn internet access back on to collect information on enemy activities. "We're innovating and trying to figure this out," he said. McGee also envisions cyber Soldiers working alongside a battlefield commander inside a tactical operations center, similar to how field artillery or aviation planners give input. "A maneuver commander can look at a team on his staff that can advise him on how to deliver cyber and electromagnetic effects and activities in support of his maneuver plan," he said. Until then, the Army has created a cyber first line of defense program, which trains two-person teams to actively defend the tactical networks of brigades, Frost said. Each team consists of a warrant officer and an NCO who are not specifically in the cyber career field, but who can still help brigades operate semi-autonomously in combat. "[We] look at putting two individuals that will come with cyber education and tools to be that first line of defense," Frost said. "It allows a brigade commander to be able to execute mission command." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address IS Propaganda Switches from Utopian Caliphate to Battlefield Reality By Henry Ridgwell February 15, 2017 As the terror group Islamic State loses more and more territory in Iraq and Syria, its propaganda has undergone a significant change, according to analysts. Many of the recent videos produced by the group have focused on the battle for the Iraqi city of Mosul with a decreasing emphasis on calls for foreign fighters to join the group. Charlie Winter of the London-based International Center for the Study of Radicalization has been tracking Islamic State's propaganda for several years. One of the latest videos put out by the terror group, he says, shows suicide bomb attacks on Iraqi forces in Mosul. "There's been a big shift away from this idea of an Islamic utopia towards something around warfare," he said. "This video, and videos like it, are all geared towards showing that, yes, the Islamic State may be losing territory, but it's making the defense of that territory as expensive to the enemy as possible." When the Islamic State group was at the height of its strength, many of the videos focused on the utopian dream of an Islamic caliphate showing peaceful landscapes and little fighting. They often called on Muslims to travel to the group's territory in Syria and Iraq. "The group is still trying to communicate with foreign fighters, but in a qualitatively different way," Winter said. "It's no longer calling for people to make hijrah to migrate, that is to Iraq and Syria. It's saying, 'Stay in your home countries and attack from there.'" Islamic State still promotes its utopian ideal. One recent video titled Building Blocks purportedly shows the terror group running public services in Raqqa, Syria, including a fire service, schools and hospitals. There is even a smiling policeman directing traffic. But the tone of the video is different, says Winter. "It's almost preemptively nostalgic, as if the group is recognizing that its territorial hold on places, even like Raqqa, which is one of its strongholds, is becoming more contested," he said. "When their morale is flagging, they can look to these videos and think, 'That's how it was back in the day when the Islamic State was territorially coherent.'" Winter notes that Islamic State continues to produce ultra-violent material, but broadcasters now rarely choose to air the videos, a change that analysts say has further weakened Islamic State's media presence. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Soldiers warned over loose talk near military bases People's Daily Online (Global Times) 13:27, February 15, 2017 China's military authorities have warned soldiers and officers not to leak military secrets as they go about their daily life, especially when ordering food, sending packages and using social media applications. An article titled "Be vigilant for 'eyes' around military camps" published in Zhongguo Guofangbao (China's National Defense) on Monday said that some soldiers are in close contact with vendors and businesses near their bases, and inadvertently reveal details of their military schedules. The newspaper said that officers from a troop in Xiamen, East China's Fujian Province, began to pay close attention to security after hearing gossip from nearby residents. It said that when an officer walked around the camp, he heard that a store owner had told others that the army would soon hold a drill and he would stock up on groceries in case the soldiers needed them. After talking with his subordinates, the officer found that some soldiers are "old friends" of the shopkeepers, and they would ask them for help when they needed to buy something. During their exchanges, details of their military lives spilled out. In recent years, reports about officers who accidentally leaked military secrets, especially through using online services, have made a splash across Chinese social media. In December 2016, a military instructor in a navy troop in Fujian military command found an officer had inadvertently leaked the location and landmarks in his base as he posted his running route on his WeChat moments, thepaper.cn reported. The incident caught the attention of the authorities and their investigation into officers' social networking applications showed that 43 percent of officers posted similar routes on WeChat. According to a report in the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Daily in December 2015, China is developing the first intranet shopping platform to offer soldiers a better online shopping experience without risking leaks of sensitive military-related information. Since the instant messaging application WeChat has become ubiquitous on smartphones, in April, the PLA Daily urged military wives not to spill secrets when chatting on WeChat groups, after finding that strangers were seeking information about the troop through the chat group. The PLA Daily also called on troops to be wary of free Wi-Fi services as people might intercept and tamper with information on phones connected to unsecured wireless networks. In 2015, the country passed its first counter-espionage law. The law states that national security agencies are entitled to seize devices, funds, venues, supplies and any other property found to be related to espionage activities. This stipulation was added after lawmakers suggested that electronic devices like smartphones could also be used in espionage, the Xinhua News Agency reported. According to the law, anyone who deliberately or accidentally leaks national secrets can be detained for up to 15 days, and in severe cases, may even be charged with a criminal offense. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Malaysian police arrest female suspect related to death of DPRK man People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 18:56, February 15, 2017 The Malaysian police said Wednesday that a female suspect was arrested in the investigation related to the death of a man from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). National police chief Khalid Abu Bakar said in a statement that the suspect was arrested at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport's second terminal, where the man looked for help after feeling unwell on Monday. He died on the way to hospital. The female suspect, who was carrying a Vietnamese passport, was identified from the surveillance video footage at the airport, Khalid said, adding that the suspect was alone at the time of arrest. The Malaysian police said earlier that the 46-year-old man who died Monday was holding a DPRK passport under the name Kim Chol. But South Korean media reported that the man was Kim Jong Nam, the elder half-brother of DPRK's top leader Kim Jong Un. His body was taken to a hospital in Kuala Lumpur Wednesday for postmortem to ascertain the cause of his death. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address North Korea rejects UNSC condemnation of missile test Iran Press TV Wed Feb 15, 2017 10:32AM North Korea has rejected the United Nations Security Council (UNSC)'s condemnation of its recent missile test launch, citing a "sovereign right" to such tests. The North Korean Foreign Ministry defended the recent test-launch of the intermediate-range ballistic missile in a statement on Wednesday. "We flatly reject the UN Security Council statement that raises issues with a sovereign state's right to self-defense," the statement read. "We do not accept the resolution by the UN Security Council that bans our nuclear test and missile launch test, and we never will." In an emergency meeting on Monday, the UNSC called on its 15 member states to "redouble their efforts" to fully implement the sanctions already imposed on North Korea for its missile and nuclear programs. US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley also called on the members states to "hold North Korea accountable not with our words, but with our actions." A spokesman for the UN secretary-general also denounced the North's missile launch, saying the move was "a further troubling violation of Security Council resolutions." After the test, the North's leader, Kim Jong-un, "expressed great satisfaction over the possession of another powerful nuclear attack means, which adds to the tremendous might of the country." The North already faces international pressure to abandon its arms development and nuclear program. Yet, it says the programs aim to protect the country from US hostility. The US has military forces in South Korea and is planning to deploy an advanced missile system there in response to perceived threats from the North. The US also occasionally deploys nuclear-powered warships and aircraft capable of carrying atomic weapons in the region. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Who Hired Deadly Assassins to Slay N Korean Leader Kim Jong-Un's Half-Brother? Sputnik News 17:17 15.02.2017(updated 18:14 15.02.2017) Speculation is rife on who was behind the death of Kim Jong-nam, half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, who was killed in Malaysia on Monday. The half-brother of North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un was assassinated on Monday at a Malaysian airport, media reported, citing a source in the South Korean government. 45-year-old Kim Jong-nam was the eldest son of North Korea's late leader Kim Jong-il and actress Sung Hae-rim, who passed away in 2002. Kim left the country long ago and resided in Macau, where he had a business. Before leaving the country, he was considered the main candidate for succeeding Kim Jong-il. According to Yonhap News Agency, the broadcaster Chosun said on Tuesday that Kim Jong-nam had allegedly been killed by two unidentified women with poisoned needles at an airport in Malaysia. The police reportedly suspect the killers of having links to North Korea. Meanwhile, Malaysian authorities have detained a woman in the low-cost terminal of Kuala Lumpur International Airport; she is thought to have been linked to the assassination team that killed Kim Jong-nam, according to The Telegraph. Earlier on Wednesday, South Korean Acting President Hwang Kyo-ahn convened a meeting of the country's national security council following the death of Kim Jong-nam, who some say could have been assassinated by Pyongyang's security agents, while others mention the China factor as a reason. There's little doubt, given that China has always perceived the political instability in North Korea as its own security problem that something prompted Beijing to keep a watchful eye on the developments related to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. In an interview with Sputnik Korea, Shin Jong-dae, Vice-President of the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, said that under Kim Jong-il, there was open speculation about Kim Jong-nam becoming his successor in the event of an emergency, a scenario that was also considered by China. "Beijing sees any signs of instability or aggravation in the situation in North Korea as a matter for its own security, bracing for consequences that may arise as a result of Kim Jong-un's possible illness, a coup or other force majeure situations," Shin Jong-dae said. "It is unlikely that they used some kind of political engineering so that Kim Jong-nam could become the North Korean leader, but in any case they bore his possible nomination in mind in the event of an emergency", he said. In contrast, Cheong Seong-chang, Director of the Department of Unification Strategy Studies at Sejong Institutein South Korea, remained skeptical about the allegations that China considered Kim Jong-nam an alternative successor to Kim Jong-il. The assertion that China allegedly supported Kim Jong-nam holds no water, Cheong Seong-chang said. "Of course, China could not but give kudos to Kim Jong-nam as the son of Kim Jong-il, but no more than that," according to him. "I would describe as irrational the allegations that Kim Jong-nam, who actually had no clout in North Korea, received informal political support that went beyond formalities," Cheong Seong-chang concluded. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia Ready to Increase Licensed Production of Su-30MKI Fighter Jets in India Sputnik News 21:53 15.02.2017(updated 21:56 15.02.2017) Russia is willing to ramp up the licensed production of its Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets in India, the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC) told Sputnik on Wednesday. BENGALURU (Sputnik) India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited is currently producing Su-30MKI super-maneuverable fighter jets in India under the license from Russian Sukhoi aircraft manufacturer. "If the Indian side expresses willingness to increase the licensed production, then the Russian side is ready to supply means of production to build as many jets as the Indian partners need," Vladimir Drozhzhov, the FSMTC deputy director said. Currently, the Indian Air Force has a fleet of over 200 Su-30MKI fighter jets that were built in India under the license, according to Sukhoi's parent company. Earlier on Wednesday, CEO of Russian United Engine Corporation Alexander Artyukhov said that the Indian version of Su-30MKI after modernization will get the AL-41F turbofan engines designed for 4++ generation aircraft currently being installed on the Su-35 fighters. Moscow and New Delhi have enjoyed mutually beneficial relations, especially in the field of defense and military cooperation, since the Soviet times. Russian military export to India amounts to more than $4,5 billion annually. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 16 By Anakhanum Hidayatova Trend: Aurelia Bouchez, ambassador of France to Azerbaijan, told Trend Feb. 16 that she was impressed by the reconstruction work being carried out in the Jabrayil districts Jojug Marjanli village. The village was previously under Armenian occupation, and got later liberated by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces. It shows the scale of the reconstruction effort announced by President Ilham Aliyev Jan. 24, 2017, she said. It also shows how important and urgent it is to reach a peaceful solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. France as co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group does its utmost to achieve this aim, she added. Representatives of foreign countries diplomatic missions and heads of international organizations accredited in Azerbaijan visited the Jabrayil districts Jojug Marjanli village Feb. 15. The delegation became acquainted with construction and reconstruction work carried out in the village. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @Anahanum India's BEL Details Remote Controlled Air Defense Gun for MBT Arjun MK II Sputnik News 17:20 15.02.2017 Indian Army has argued that Indian made Main Battle Tank Arjun is too heavy to move quickly in desert and hilly roads. Army had also demanded 73 modifications in Mark I version of Arjuna. However, most of the notions of Indian Army were disapproved during comparative trials done by Israel Military Industries. New Delhi (Sputnik) India has unveiled a remote controlled weapon station (RCWS) for 12.7 mm Gun of MBT Arjun Mk II at Aero India 2017 in Bengaluru. It enables the soldier to aim and fire at aerial targets from the safe interiors of the battle tank. Presently, the 12.7 mm guns of all tanks are manually operated. The RCWS is armed with the 12.7 mm Russian NSVT heavy machine gun. Other weapons like 7.62 mm MG can also be fitted with the system. "RCWS integrated on MBT Mk II has successfully completed tank integration and firing trials in September 2015. RCWS has also been developed for use in Armed Repair and Recovery Vehicle (ARRV). It can also be mounted on hovercraft / fast moving boats for the Coast Guard," said official of Bengaluru based government owned firm Bharat Electronic Ltd. The RCWS is designed to engage air and ground targets and is stabilized on two axes platform, with automated target tracking, a fire-control system and ballistic corrections. The ammunition box is fitted on the right side of the system and the target acquisition and tracking module is located to the left. The optical sensors include a day camera, Thermal Imager and a Laser Range Finder integrated on a single housing. The system has a provision for the operator to do automatic loading and firing of the gun. "The system can position the turret with an angular travel of 360 deg and elevate the gun in 60 to 5 degree elevation. The sight has a freedom of +/- 17 degree in azimuth and in elevation it can move from 5 to +60 degree," reads statement released by Bharat Electronics. Recently, DRDO had detailed new requirements for the MBT design, which is intended to replace the Indian Army's fleet of T-72M1 'Ajeya' MBTs. DRDO had decided to armed 125mm gun and third generation anti-tank guided weapon. Intended design suggests that India will deploy its MBT in the Himalayan region at altitudes of up to 16,400 feet and temperatures as low as 20 Celsius. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address India Approves $203 Million to Ramp up Production of Indigenous Combat Aircraft Sputnik News 14:46 15.02.2017 Indian Air Force is continuing with 11 Squadrons of MiG-21 and MiG-27 aircrafts which are due to retire by 2024. New Delhi (Sputnik)- To meet the shortage of Fighter Jets in Indian Air Force, Narendra Modi led government has approved $203 million for another production line of its light combat aircraft Tejas. India needs to increase its domestic production capacity to at-least 16 fighters per year which is currently as low as eight fighters per year. India needs 300-400 more fighter jets of different types over the next decade. "We are fully committed to the LCA. In another three months, work on the second line will start," Manohar Parrikar, India's Minister of Defense told reporters on the sidelines of India's biggest air show, where the home-grown fighter was showcased. Government owned Hindustan Aeronautics limited had already set up second production line for series production of Tejas in December 2016 at Aircraft division in Bengaluru. Sources told Sputnik that HAL engineers are integrating Tejas SP-5 at second production line. HAL will set up third production line at Nekkundi in areas of 30,000 sq meters. India expects to produce 16 Tejas aircraft per year from 2019-20. New Delhi is also trying to export Tejas to cost-conscious countries in Asia which are already shown interest. India had symbolically formed the first squadron of Tejas in July last year with two aircraft. India may receive the prototype of the most advanced version of indigenously developed Tejas in 2019 a decade after the project was sanctioned at a cost of $370 million in year 2009. The Indian Air Force had to accept a stepped-down version of Tejas due to the delay in getting the MK2 project off the ground. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Trump accuses Iran of seeking to develop nuclear weapons Iran Press TV Wed Feb 15, 2017 6:47PM US President Donald Trump has once again accused Iran of seeking to develop nuclear weapons, arguing that he would prevent Tehran from ever gaining nukes. "I will do more to prevent Iran from ever developing, I mean ever, a nuclear weapon," Trump said on Wednesday during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House. He also called Iran's atomic program a threat to Israel, which is believed to possess the only nuclear arsenal in the Middle East. "The security challenges faced by Israel are enormous, including the threat of Iran's nuclear ambitions, which I've talked a lot about," he said. Trump's anti-Iran rhetoric comes as the longstanding Western dispute over Tehran's nuclear program was settled after the conclusion of a landmark nuclear agreement in 2015. UN Security Council Resolution 2231 also endorsed the nuclear deal, which went into effect in January 2016. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has also confirmed Iran's commitment to the terms of the nuclear agreement, dubbed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Trump also called the landmark nuclear agreement with Iran as "one of the worst deals I've ever seen," saying that his administration has already introduced fresh sanctions against Tehran over its missile tests. Iran and the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council -- the United States, France, Britain, Russia and China -- plus Germany started implementing the JCPOA on January 16, 2016. The deal limited parts of Iran's peaceful nuclear program in exchange for the complete removal of all sanctions against the country. Earlier this month, however, Trump undermined the multilateral deal by introducing a new round of sanctions against Iran following the country's successful test-launch of a ballistic missile, which Washington said was a breach of the JCPOA. Iran rejected the US claim, reiterating the right to develop its defense capabilities. Israel welcomed the sanctions, calling on the US and its allies to form a "united front" against Iran to ensure Israel's security. Underscoring Washington and Tel Aviv's "unbreakable" bond, Trump promised Netanyahu that his country was committed to Israel's security. Netanyahu traveled to Washington on Wednesday for talks with Trump and an opportunity to improve US-Israeli ties after a frequently combative relationship with Trump's Democratic predecessor, Barack Obama. "With this visit the United States, again, reaffirms our unbreakable bond with our cherished ally, Israel," Trump said. The United States and Israel agreed in September on a record new package of at least $38 billion in US military aid over a 10 year period. Israel is the largest cumulative recipient of US foreign assistance since World War II. America's military assistance to Israel has amounted to $124.3 billion since it began in 1962, according to a US congressional report last year. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran dismisses Erdogan's allegations of Tehran's interference in Iraq, Syria Iran Press TV Wed Feb 15, 2017 5:38PM Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi has dismissed recent anti-Tehran remarks by the Turkish president, stressing that promoting security in the region has been among the Islamic Republic's main foreign policies. "Iran's top priority in the region is [to help] stability and security," Qassemi said on Wednesday, adding that calm would not be restored in the region unless positive players were distinguished from those who seek chaos and support terrorists. In a recent visit to Bahrain, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reportedly accused Iran of seeking to destabilize Iraq and Syria. The Iranian official said that Tehran had been assisting Baghdad in its fight against Takfiri terrorist groups at the official request of the Iraqi government. "Supporting terrorist groups..., using them as a tool, and failing to respect the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of neighboring countries have caused concern and prolonged instability in the region," he noted. Iran has been providing advisory military support to both Iraq and Syria in their campaign against terrorism at the request of the two countries' governments. The Islamic Republic was among the first countries to help Iraq when the Daesh terrorist group unleashed a campaign of death and destruction in the northern and western parts of the Arab country in 2014. Iran has also played a significant role in the Syrian military's gains against the terrorists. Following the full liberation of the strategic city of Aleppo in December last year, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said the victory was not just for Syria, but also for the Arab country's allies, including Iran and Russia. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Rouhani to discuss Persian Gulf states' message in Oman, Kuwait Iran Press TV Wed Feb 15, 2017 8:45AM Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says his talks in Oman and Kuwait will focus, among other issues, on a message recently relayed to Tehran by Kuwait City on relations between the Islamic Republic and the Persian Gulf Arab countries. Ahead of his departure for the Omani capital, Muscat, on Wednesday, Rouhani said Iran welcomed the message, in which the six littoral states of the Persian Gulf had expressed their willingness for the resolution of misunderstandings and promotion of ties through dialogue. On January 25, Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah al-Khalid al-Hamad Al Sabah traveled to Tehran, bearing a letter from the country's emir on behalf of the Persian Gulf littoral states seeking to fix ties with Tehran. The visit was the first one to take place by a senior official from the region since early 2016, when ties between Iran and several Arab monarchies started to suffer amid the confrontational approach taken by the new Saudi rulers vis-a-vis the Islamic Republic. Rouhani further touched on his trip to Oman and Kuwait, saying he is set to discuss the message with officials of the two nations, which are members of the [Persian] Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The situation in Iraq, Syria and Yemen is also on the agenda of the talks in Oman and Kuwait, said the Iranian president, adding the Persian Gulf Arab states can play a significant role in helping end the bloodshed in the three states, particularly Yemen. "The Islamic Republic of Iran's policy is based on good-neighborly relations and security of the Persian Gulf. Iran has never been after invasion, neither [has it sought] intervention in the internal affairs of [another] country or imposition of its religious and political beliefs," he said. Rouhani reiterated Iran's position that the security of Persian Gulf should be protected by the regional countries without the "detrimental" presence of outsiders. He called for a stronger unity among Muslim nations and the elimination of "the gap fabricated by the big powers between Shia and Sunni [Islam]," adding Shias and Sunnis have peacefully coexisted for centuries. Ties between Iran and the Persian Gulf states deteriorated in January 2016, when Riyadh cut off ties with Tehran following angry protests in front of its diplomatic premises in the Islamic Republic against the execution of a top Saudi Shia cleric. Tehran-Riyadh relations had already been strained due to a deadly human crush during the Hajj rituals in Mina, near Mecca, in September 2015. About 465 Iranian pilgrims lost their lives in the incident, which Iran blamed on Riyadh's incompetence to run the Hajj. Following Saudi Arabia's severance of relations with Iran, certain Persian Gulf Arab countries cut off or downgraded ties with Iran. Bahrain followed the Saudi lead and cut off ties with Iran, while Qatar recalled its ambassador to Tehran and the United Arab Emirates announced a partial downgrade in diplomatic relations with the Islamic Republic. Oman, however, criticized Riyadh's move as unwise and incorrect. Iran has already voiced readiness to cooperate with the countries in the region, including Saudi Arabia, to ward off the challenges gripping the Middle East. In late January, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, that Tehran and Riyadh could work together to help end regional conflicts provided that Saudi Arabia saw the realities on the ground before relations between the two sides could go back to normal. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN Alarmed by Reports of Military Forces' Attempts to Derail Libya Peace Process Sputnik News 00:06 16.02.2017 UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) head Martin Kobler claimed that formation parallel military forces in Libya could derail peace process in the war-torn country. UNITED NATIONS (Sputnik) The efforts to form parallel military forces in Libya that could hinder the implementation of the country's peace process are a cause of concern, Kobler said in a statement on Wednesday. "Attempts to create parallel bodies and obstruct the implementation of the Libyan Political Agreement (LPA) will generate further disorder and insecurity," Kobler stated. Kobler called in the statement for a United Libyan Army to provide "security for all Libyans" under civilian control and with a clear chain of command. He also called for police and security forces being promptly activated to ensure safety of all Libyans. Moreover, Kobler expressed full support for the legitimate Libyan authorities and for a "reinvigorated political dialogue" to implement the LPA. Eralier it was reported, that the leaders of rival Libyan governments agreed to hold both the presidential and parliamentary elections in the crisis-torn country in 2018, a spokesman of the Egyptian Armed Forces said Wednesday. The United Nations Support Mission for Libya is a special political mission created in 2011 by the UN Security Council at the request of the Libyan authorities to aid the country's newly established transitional government created after six months of armed conflict. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Six killed in multiple bomb blasts in Pakistan Iran Press TV Wed Feb 15, 2017 3:4PM Multiple bombings in a time span of three days have rocked Pakistan, with the latest attacks claiming the lives of six people in the northwest. On Wednesday, an assailant riding a motorbike attacked a van transporting a judge in the city of Peshawar. Senior police official Sajjad Khan said the driver of the van was killed and five people, including the judge, were injured. The Peshawar bombing came hours after two attackers hit a government compound in the tribal area of Mohmand near the Afghan border. Hamidullah Khattak, a local administration official, said three policemen and two passers-by died in the attack. "One attacker came by foot and started firing at forces while the other was on a motorbike and rammed into the main gate of the complex," media outlets quoted Khattak as saying. On Monday, a deadly bombing rocked Lahore, the capital of Punjab province, killing over a dozen people. The Pakistani Taliban faction Jumaat-ul-Ahrar claimed responsibility for the attacks in Lahore and Mohmand. Pakistan summons Afghan diplomat over terror attacks In reaction to the recent deadly blasts, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry on Wednesday summoned Afghan Deputy Head of Mission Syed Abdul Nasir Yousafi in protest. Tasnim Aslam, a Pakistani career diplomat who earlier served as a foreign ministry spokesperson, raised the "grave concern [Pakistan has] about the continuing terrorist attacks on Pakistani soil by the terrorist outfit Jumaat-ul-Ahrar (JuA) [operating] from its sanctuaries inside Afghanistan," a statement by the foreign ministry said. Afghanistan and Pakistan blame each other for the Taliban violence plaguing both countries. The two neighbors have accused each other of allowing militants to shelter in the border regions and launch bloody attacks that threaten regional stability. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pakistan Considers Expanding Mi-35 Contract With Russia - Military Official Sputnik News 10:09 15.02.2017(updated 10:14 15.02.2017) According to a high-ranking military official in Pakistan, Islamabad is considering the expanding of the contract on the delivery of the Mil Mi-35 helicopters from Russia. KARACHI (Sputnik) Islamabad is considering the expanding of the contract on the delivery of the Mil Mi-35 helicopters from Russia, a high-ranking military official in Pakistan told Sputnik. "Pakistan considers expending the existing Mi-35 helicopters contract with Russia, a number of additional machines will depend on our budget. According to the existing contract, Russia will supply 4 pieces to Pakistan," the official said. The Mi-35 is a modern multipurpose attack helicopter, equipped with the latest navigation and avionics technology, capable of operating in high temperatures and in mountainous terrain. It can also be used for medical and transportation purposes. Moscow and Islamabad concluded a contract on the delivery of 4 such helicopters in August 2015. Pakistan may consider purchase of different types of Russia's military equipment including its advanced S-400 air defense systems, a high-ranking military official in Pakistan said. "Russia has good tanks, helicopters, electronic equipment, air defense systems that Pakistan may consider. S-400 is a big ticket number and it will all depend on our budget," the official said. The S-400 Triumf is Russia's next-generation air defense system, carrying three different types of missiles capable of destroying aerial targets at a short-to-extremely-long range. The weapon is capable of tracking and destroying all existing aerial targets, including ballistics and cruise missiles. By now, the contract on systems' delivery has been finalized only with China. Islamabad has no plans to purchase Russia's Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets at the moment, a high-ranking military official stated. "As of today, Pakistan has no plan to purchase Russia's Su-35 fighter jets," the official said. The Su-35 is a 4++ generation aircraft employing technologies of the fifth generation, designed by the Sukhoi Aviation Holding Company, which belongs to the United Aircraft Corporation. The fighter jet (NATO reporting name Flanker-E) is an upgraded version of the Su-27 multirole fighter. It was first introduced to a foreign audience at the 2013 Paris Air Show. In September 2016, Shahab Qadir Khan, deputy director of export promotion services in the Pakistani Defense Export Promotion Organization, told Sputnik that Pakistan was negotiating a deal on Su-35 and Su-37 jets with Russia. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pakistan's PM Stresses Importance of AMAN-17 Naval Drills for World's Stability Sputnik News 02:28 15.02.2017 Large participation of foreign navies in Multinational Exercise AMAN-17 is a testament to the confidence of world navies in Pakistan, Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif said Tuesday, after witnessing sea maneuvers and a fleet review in the north of the Arabian Sea. KARACHI (Sputnik) The navies of 37 countries, including Australia, China, Indonesia, Turkey, Russia, Sri Lanka, the United Kingdom, the Unites States and Japan, took part in AMAN-17 drills, were comprised of two stages, the harbor phase and the sea phase. "The Prime Minister underlined that successful conduct of Exercise AMAN-17 is a manifestation of Pakistan's policy of constructive engagement with the comity of nations for peace and stability in the maritime commons", the Pakistan Navy's press office said. Guests including, among others, Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah, Sri Lankan Naval Chief, National Security adviser to the Prime Minister, ambassadors, consuls general and diplomats saw different exercises conducted at sea by participating naval ships, helicopters and fighter jets. These drills included transferring men and supplies from one ship to another, depth charge rockets firing and surface-to-surface firing on pre-determined targets, flybys by various aircraft and helicopters. At the end of the exercises, all participating ships went by Pakistani Navy ship Nasr with the Prime Minister on board in a column formation and saluted the dignitary. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia denies US claims of unsafe flybys in Black Sea Iran Press TV Wed Feb 15, 2017 6:5AM Russia has denied claims of "unsafe" encounters between Russian military jets and a United States destroyer in the Black Sea. The US Defense Department had earlier claimed that several Russian jets buzzed a US Navy ship three times on February 10 the last day of a ten-day maritime drill by NATO in the Black Sea near Russia. According to Danny Hernandez, a Pentagon official and a spokesman for the US European Command, three separate incidents occurred in the day, involving two Russian supersonic Su-24 attack jets along with an IL-38 maritime patrol aircraft and the US destroyer USS Porter. However, a spokesman for the Russian Defense Ministry, General Igor Konashenkov, said on Tuesday that no such incidents had occurred. Konashenkov said all Russian "flights were conducted and are being conducted over the neutral waters of the Black Sea in accordance with international rules and safety requirements." "If the US destroyer, as the Pentagon official claims, conducted a 'regular' patrol mission in the vicinity of Russia, tens of thousands [of] miles away from their own shores, it is strange to be surprised about the no less regular flights of our aircraft over the Black Sea," he said. Hernandez, the US official, had said the three Russian aircraft flew in high speed and low altitude. "USS Porter queried all aircraft and received no response," he claimed. "Such incidents are concerning because they can result in accident or miscalculation." This is not the first time Washington is accusing Moscow of flying its military jets "dangerously" close to US warships patrolling near Russian borders. Back in April last year, the US Navy said two Russian aircraft flew simulated attack passes near a US guided missile destroyer in the Baltic Sea. Russia has been concerned by years of NATO military buildup on its borders. The Western military alliance, a Cold War-era adversary of Moscow, is itself brandishing threats of Russian aggression to pile up military forces and hardware near Russia. Moscow has warned that it would take unspecified measures to respond to the increased activities. Relations between the West and Russia have particularly soured since the Ukrainian conflict began in 2014. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 16 By Anakhanum Hidayatova Trend: Armenias holding a "referendum" in Azerbaijans Nagorno-Karabakh region, which it holds under occupation, is a step away from possible agreement on a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Sergey Markov, co-chair of the National Strategic Council of Russia, political scientist, told Trend. He made the remarks commenting on the referendum on making changes to the illegal regimes constitution, scheduled for Feb. 20. Markov added that this is also a sign of reluctance of the Armenian side to negotiate. Azerbaijans Foreign Ministry has earlier said the illegal referendum, planned to be held in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan, is a clear violation of the countrys constitution, as well as norms and principles of international law and, therefore, has no legal effect. Armenias attempts to change the name of Nagorno-Karabakh region, an integral part of Azerbaijan, is yet another clear manifestation of the fact that Armenia is not interested in seeking a political settlement of the conflict, said the ministry. I do not think the upcoming "referendum" will be welcomed by the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Markov said. 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. Karelia Governor Is Fifth To Resign In Russia In Recent Days RFE/RL February 15, 2017 The governor of Russia's northwestern region of Karelia, Aleksandr Khudilainen, has become the fifth regional leader to step down in recent days. Khudilainen told journalists on February 15 that he had submitted his resignation in order to give a candidate to be proposed by President Vladimir Putin time "to show himself in Karelia" before an election in September. The Kremlin said hours later that Putin accepted Khudilainen's resignation and appointed the director of the federal bailiffs service, Artur Parfyonchikov, as acting governor of the region bordering Finland. Khudilainen's resignation comes a day after the governor of the Ryazan region, Oleg Kovalyov, announced about his resignation. On February 13, the Novgorod region's governor, Sergei Mitin, resigned. Last week, the governors of Buryatia and the Perm Krai, Vyacheslav Nagovitsyn and Viktor Basargin, stepped down. The five governors' resignations are widely believed to have been submitted at the request of the Kremlin, which oversees political processes nationwide. Regional elections in September will be the last before a presidential election due to be held in March 2018. Analysts say the Kremlin is seeking to bolster support and increase control ahead of the presidential vote, in which Putin is widely expected to seek a fourth term. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on February 14 that the resignations were part of "a routine rotation process" and called on journalists not to seek hidden motives. With on reporting by RIA, Interfax, and TASS Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/russia-karelia- governer-resigns/28311097.html Copyright (c) 2017. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia Won't Discuss Crimea, Dismisses Report Of Contacts With Trump Team RFE/RL February 15, 2017 Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman says Moscow will not discuss the return of Crimea to Ukraine with the United States or any other country. Dmitry Peskov spoke on February 15, a day after White House spokesman Sean Spicer said that U.S. President Donald Trump has "made it very clear" that he expects Russia to "return Crimea" and reduce violence in eastern Ukraine. The Kremlin spokesman referred to Crimea as Russian territory, saying that "Russia never discusses issues related to its territories with foreign partners, including the United States." Russia seized control of Crimea in March 2014 after sending in troops and staging a referendum denounced as illegal by the United States and a total of 100 countries in the UN General Assembly. Peskov said that Trump did not raise the issue of Crimea in his January 28 telephone conversation with Putin. He also dismissed a February 14 report in the New York Times that cited current and former U.S. officials as saying members of Trump's campaign and other associates had contacts with Russian intelligence officials in the months before the November 2016 presidential election, claiming it was "not based on any facts." "Let's not believe anonymous information," Peskov said in a conference call with reporters. The Kremlin spokesman also responded to U.S. media reports that cited U.S. officials as saying that Russia has deployed cruise missiles in violation of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, a 1987 pact between Moscow and Washington. "Russia has been and remains committed to its international commitments, including to the treaty in question," Peskov said. "Nobody has formally accused Russia of violating the treaty," he said. More broadly, Peskov said that it is too early to talk about the "normalization" of ties between Russia and the United States as Trump's administration is still being built. Trump has repeatedly said he hopes relations between the United States and Russia will improve during his administration. Ties have been badly strained by rancor over issues including Russia's interference in Ukraine, its role in the war in Syria, and what U.S. intelligence agencies say was a hacking and propaganda campaign to meddle in the U.S. presidential election with the aim of undermining the United States, discrediting Democratic Party candidate Hillary Clinton, and helping Trump. With reporting by Interfax, TASS, and Reuters Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/russia-won-t- discuss-crimea-u-s/28311014.html Copyright (c) 2017. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia Said To Deploy Cruise Missile That Violates Arms Control Treaty February 15, 2017 U.S. media are reporting that Russia has deployed a new cruise missile that the United States contends is in violation of an arms control treaty. The AP news agency and The New York Times said Moscow has secretly deployed a ground-launched cruise missile that contravenes the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty in southwest Russia. The Times said Russia has two battalions of the missiles, which became operational late last year. The Obama administration previously accused Russia of violating the treaty by testing the missile. The treaty bans ballistic missiles with a range of between 500 and 5,500 kilometers. But Russian President Vladimir Putin has defended the missile program, arguing that the United States is also in breach of the treaty and new missiles are needed to maintain the balance of power.. The alleged treaty violation may arise when U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis attends his first NATO meeting in Brussels on February 15. The deployment has stirred concern in Congress, where Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain called it a "significant military threat to U.S. forces in Europe and our NATO allies." McCain said the timing of the deployment suggests Putin is "testing" President Donald Trump. Based on reporting by AP, AFP, and New York Times Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/russia-said-deploy -cruise-missile-violates-1987-arms- control-treaty/28310379.html Copyright (c) 2017. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia's Navalny Plans to Run for President Despite Legal Hurdles By Danila Galperovich February 15, 2017 Russian opposition leader and anti-corruption blogger Alexei Navalny did not fall into despair after a court in Kirov on February 8 upheld his guilty verdict in the Kirovles embezzlement case. The court's ruling, which almost to the letter reiterated the verdict reached in a 2013 trial, has created a formal barrier to Navalny registering as a candidate in Russia's presidential election, to be held in March 2018, given that Russian law bars those convicted of grave crimes from running for office. Navalny was found guilty of embezzlement and received a five-year suspended jail sentence in the Kirovles case, which he and his supporters says was a politically motivated prosecution. Despite the verdict, he believes his constitutional right to participate in elections remains in effect, and is confident that public support will help make it possible for him to run in next year's presidential vote. The opposition leader is trying to organize a wide support network, and he says he is already starting to open campaign offices for the March 2018 election. In an article and In an interview and with VOA's Russian service, Navalny discussed various issues, including where he will open campaign offices in the near future, whether he feels personally safe, and how he feels about being compared to U.S. President Donald Trump. What plans do you have to open campaign offices? We have already opened a campaign office in St. Petersburg. Next week, we will open campaign offices in Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk meaning, first of all, in cities. Our goal is to open campaign offices in Russia's 77 largest cities. Has there been any kind of reaction to these plans from the Russian regional authorities in the cities you are talking about? Well, so far we haven't seen any big reaction. Understandably, one cannot speak of any support, but thus far we have not seen any significant resistance. I think it's simply that no serious signal has yet reached the regions. In St. Petersburg, we saw that (the ruling) United Russia (party) demanded that our campaign office be closed. I think the opening of the first five campaign offices will tell us more about what the Kremlin has planned for us. Politicians say that you are being "proactive," relying on a social movement which, one way or another, will put pressure on the Russian government to recognize you as a legitimate contender. Is that the case? I would say more broadly that there are simply people who need a new candidate. I appeal to the people, and the people, in fact, understand that this is all legal tricks. They see that there is a person, and that he has the right to participate in elections. Therefore, I appeal to the people in order to exert the necessary pressure on the Kremlin to force it to register me. There is no other way to do it. What form do you see this pressure taking? Any setting up campaign offices, propaganda work, shaping public opinion on the streets and on the internet all available methods. And will a class-action suit be filed? Because you say it is about the conflict between the constitutional right to participate in elections and restrictions in the law. We do not exclude that. It is more time-consuming work. And, given the situation with our courts, it is clear what the result will be. However, we will move in different directions simply because people want to do different things. There are some who like to sue. We will be suing together with them, too. Do you feel that anything changed in terms of your and your families' personal security since the first verdict in the Kirovles case in 2013? Well, if you compare Russia in 2013 and in 2017, it is simply a different country. It is absolutely a different country! Since that time, Boris Nemtsov was murdered. Attacks on people happen practically daily. Chechnya has become a fascist state, where people are tortured and killed. It is therefore impossible to compare the dynamics; it is two different countries. Of course, it's much worse now. But that does not, in general, change our approach to what needs to be fought for. Have the threats to you personally increased? Various objects are thrown at me more often; people lie in wait for me near the office, but not so often that it is highly noticeable. No, there aren't such (threats) specifically against me. But we see them against people connected to me. During Donald Trump's presidential election campaign, Russian media compared you to him, finding some similarities. How do you feel about this comparison? I don't know where that came from. Journalists constantly need to compare me to someone. Fortunately, they stopped comparing me with Julian Assange, but began comparing me with Trump. If you just look at our political agendas and political views, there are quite a few differences. But in today's political society, probably, this is somehow ignored. For example, Trump and Putin very much love each other, although their political views are simply 100 percent diametrically opposed. In Europe, there is now fear of the impact of Russian propaganda on elections. This propaganda is associated with the growth of populist sentiment, with candidates tossing out slogans like "Tomorrow, I will give you everything!" to the crowds, and people beginning to follow them. Do you see the danger of populism? Do you think that there is a clear line that separates you from populism? I don't see the danger of populism. I think it's exaggerated. What is populism? Someone says things that are popular. In fact, these things are not always particularly extremist. I'm an adherent of the view that politics develop like a swinging pendulum. We have seen a long liberal trend; it has been the last two decades in world politics. Now, obviously, there is a correction of this trend, or even a trend in the opposite direction. I don't think that will last long. Overall, it seems to me that over long stretches of time we will, as before, continue to see a liberal trend in European politics. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Actions Seen as Challenging Trump Administration By Steve Herman February 15, 2017 A secret deployment of a new nuclear-capable missile in apparent violation of an arms control treaty. Russian spy ships lurking 50 kilometers from a U.S. East Coast submarine base while Moscow's jets buzz an American Navy destroyer in the Black Sea. These actions are being seen by some as a test of how the new Trump administration will react at a time when it faces heat for taking what critics call a suspiciously soft line toward the Russians. "I don't think they do these things by accident," said Dmitry Gorenburg, senior research scientist at The Center for Naval Analyses. "Given the disorder in Washington, they're just doing some things knowing there will be no reaction." Others see a more benign explanation. "We should not try to read too much into this without more evidence," said political science professor Brian Taylor at Syracuse University. He told VOA it is not necessarily "part of some coordinated test" by Russia. The first high-level face-to-face meetings between Russian officials and representatives of the Trump administration are to occur Thursday. The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, U.S. Marine Corps General Joseph Dunford, sits down with Russian General Valeriy Gerasimov in Azerbaijan, a meeting Dunford has sought for months to discuss Syria and Ukraine. And Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is scheduled to talk with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at the G-20 meeting in Bonn, Germany. Treaty violation It is expected the U.S. officials will raise the alleged violation of the 1987 Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces treaty caused by the deployment of two Russian battalions armed with the SSC-8 ground-launched cruise missile. In Moscow, presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia "remains committed to its international commitments, including to the treaty in question." Senator John McCain, who chairs the Armed Services Committee, said Russian President Vladimir Putin is "testing" the Trump administration. He also said Congress has made it clear Russia's treaty violations require "a meaningful response." But "what can the U.S. do?" asked Gorenburg, who also is an associate of Harvard University's Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies. "How do they punish this violation, or do they even punish this violation?" As for the Trump White House's view of Russia, "not much is coming into focus due to a rather chaotic transition" while things "are fairly stable on the Russian side," Taylor, who is writing a book on Putinism, told VOA. Trump's distractions The Trump administration, in power for less than a month, is distracted with other Russia troubles. Seven members of Congress three Republicans and four Democrats on Wednesday called for the right to review any attempt by the president to ease sanctions on Russia, two days after his national security adviser was forced out. Michael Flynn, a former director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, was asked to resign after it was revealed he discussed sanctions with the Russian ambassador before Trump was inaugurated. Flynn's ouster is a setback for the Russians because his successor is likely to be someone with a more skeptical view of Moscow, in line with the policy of past administrations, predicts Taylor, a specialist on Russian politics. Senator Bob Corker, the Republican chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, told a television talk show that he wants a congressional investigation of Flynn and the administration's ties to Russia. "The base issue is getting to the bottom of what the Russian interference was and what the relationship was with associates of the Trump effort, and so that is the big elephant in the room that has got to be dealt with in the most appropriate way," Corker said on the MSNBC cable channel. Intelligence information leaked to reporters Tuesday indicated that several Trump associates linked to his campaign team and businesses were in repeated contact with Russian intelligence operatives during the presidential race. A federal investigation is under way to determine whether the Russian government sought to influence the November election, in which Republican Trump emerged as the surprise victor over the Democratic Party nominee, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The president on Wednesday, during a joint news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, denounced as "conspiracy theories" any relationship with the Russians, blaming "illegal" news leaks for forcing Flynn out of his administration. "It's a criminal act," Trump said. "And it's been going for a long time before me. But now it's really going on." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address HNC says seeks direct talks with Damascus in Geneva Iran Press TV Wed Feb 15, 2017 6:12PM Syria's main foreign-backed opposition group says it seeks face-to-face negotiations with Damascus in the upcoming round of peace talks due to be held in Geneva on February 23. On Wednesday, Salim al-Muslit, the spokesman for the so-called High Negotiations Committee (HNC) that includes militant groups and opponents of President Bashar al-Assad, said he supported direct talks between the HNC and the Syrian government. "We want direct talks, I mean direct negotiations, just to save time and save lives because every day is costly for Syrians," the Syrian opposition figure said. Muslit, however, said the opposition had yet to receive an agenda for the upcoming negotiations. Elsewhere in his remarks, Muslit said the HNC sought to start the negotiations by discussing a governing body to oversee what he said was a transition of power. United Nations' Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura has already made clear that the agenda of the peace talks in Geneva will not be changed. De Mistura says the talks will be in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2254 aimed at ending the conflict in the Arab country. The resolution, which was unanimously adopted in December 2015, aims to establish governance and come up with a new constitution. "That is the agenda and we will not change it, otherwise we open up a Pandora's box," said de Mistura. This is going to be the first time delegations of the Syrian government and opposition will return to Geneva since the talks were suspended in 2016. For nearly six years, Syria has been fighting foreign-sponsored militancy. United Nations Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura estimated in August last year that more than 400,000 people had been killed in the crisis until then. The UN stopped its official casualty count in the war-torn country, citing its inability to verify the figures it received from various sources. Future of Syria decided by people: Assad Also on Wednesday, President Assad said taking any step pertaining to Syria's future is up to the Syrian people, Syria's official news agency SANA reported. The Syrian president made the remarks while speaking during a meeting with religious figures and Islamic preachers from all Syrian provinces. Assad also said religious concepts had to be rethought in order for a more effective fight against extremism to take place. In December, the Syrian president denounced Wahhabism as "the core problem" which creates extremist terrorists across the world. He said, "If you want to deal with the issue of terrorism permanently, you have to deal with the pillar of that terrorism, which is the Wahhabi ideology." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US strikes, Daesh sabotage on key dam threaten floods in Syria: UN Iran Press TV Wed Feb 15, 2017 2:44PM The United Nations has warned of a humanitarian catastrophe in Syria due to deliberate acts of sabotage by Daesh terrorists targeting a key dam and US-led coalition air raids on the facility. In a report seen by Reuters on Wednesday, the UN raised alarm about high water levels in the Tabqa dam, commonly known as the Euphrates dam, an earth-filled facility on the Euphrates River located 40 kilometers upstream from the Daesh-held Syrian city of Raqqah. Water levels on the river have risen by some 10 meters since January 24 due mainly to the Daesh opening of three turbines of the dam and partly as a result of heavy rainfall and snow, the report said. "As per local experts, any further rise of the water level would submerge huge swathes of agricultural land along the river and could potentially damage the Tabqa dam, which would have catastrophic humanitarian implications in all areas downstream," the UN report further said. It also noted that the US-led aerial attacks had already damaged the entrance to the dam. "For example, on 16 January 2017, airstrikes on the western countryside of Raqqah impacted the entrance of the Euphrates dam, which, if further damaged, could lead to massive scale flooding across Raqqah and as far away as Dayr al-Zawr," the report added. The US-led coalition has been carrying out air raids against what are said to be Daesh positions inside Syria since September 2014 without any authorization from Damascus or a UN mandate. Analysts have assessed the strikes as unsuccessful as they have led to civilian deaths and failed to counter terrorism. Last month, Russia accused the US-led coalition of "systematically" bombing Syria's economic infrastructure rather than oil production facilities seized by Daesh. The UN report also accused retreating Daesh elements of having deliberately destroyed vital Syrian infrastructure, including three water stations and five water towers, just in the first three weeks of January. Daesh "has reportedly mined water pumping stations on the Euphrates River which hinders the pumping of water and residents are resorting to untreated water from the Euphrates River," it said. Syrian army soldiers and allied fighters have been fighting against different foreign-backed terrorist groups wreaking havoc in the Arab country since 2011. Over the past few months, the Syrian forces have made sweeping gains against the Takfiri terrorists, who have lately increased their acts of violence in revenge for the blows they have been suffering on the ground. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Syria peace talks in Astana delayed by one day: Kazakhstan Iran Press TV Wed Feb 15, 2017 6:27AM Kazakhstan says a new round of Syria peace negotiations, which was slated to open in Astana on Wednesday, has been delayed until tomorrow. "The beginning of the next high-level session, within the framework of the Astana process on the Syrian settlement, has been moved to noon of February 16, 2017," the Kazakh Foreign Ministry's press service announced on Wednesday. The statement came hours after Syria's state-run television network reported that the opening of the negotiations between Damascus and opposition groups had been put off until Thursday, because the delegations of the armed opposition and Turkey had not arrived in Kazakhstan's capital yet. The fresh round of Astana talks on the Syria conflict were originally scheduled to be held on February 15 and 16 and in a behind-closed-doors format, followed by a joint news conference with representatives from the participating delegations in attendance. Delegations from Russia, Iran, Syrian government and the UN have already arrived in the host country. The negotiations will be mediated by Tehran, Moscow and Ankara. Damascus has confirmed that it will be represented by its Permanent Representative to the United Nations Bashar al-Ja'afari. Moscow has sent Russian President Vladimir Putin's special envoy on Syria Alexander Lavrentiev, while Tehran has dispatched Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Jaberi Ansari. Russia's Sputnik news agency, citing the spokesman for the US Embassy in Kazakhstan Wren Elhai, reported that officials from the diplomatic mission will represent the United States as an observer state in the Astana peace talks on Syria. Meanwhile, Jaberi Ansari held talks with Ja'afari in Astana late on Tuesday. The pair exchanged viewpoints on the latest issues surrounding the forthcoming negotiations on the Syria conflict resolution. The first round of Astana talks in January brought together representatives of the Damascus government and opposition groups for the first time during nearly six years of conflict. Russia, Iran and Turkey agreed at the end of the talks to establish a mechanism aimed at monitoring the ceasefire that took effect across Syria on December 30, 2016. Syria's warring sides are also set to hold a separate round of talks in the Swiss city of Geneva on February 20 under the United Nations auspices. Syria has been fighting foreign-sponsored militancy since March 2011. UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura estimated in August last year that more than 400,000 people had been killed in the Syrian crisis until then. The UN has stopped its official casualty count in Syria, citing its inability to verify the figures it receives from various sources. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Syrian Airstrike Kills Daesh Warlord Near Syria's Deir Ez-Zor Sputnik News 23:39 15.02.2017 One of warlords of Daesh terror group was eliminated on Wednesday by the Syrian airstrike south of the northern Syrian city of Deir ez-Zor, media reported. DAMASCUS (Sputnik) The airstrike eliminated the warlord known as Abu Zubair Tunisi, his aide as well as several other Daesh terrorists, the Al Manar broadcaster reported. Tunisi is said to have been a brutal commander executing soldiers from his own units, who retreated during fighting against the Syrian army. On Tuesday, the Syrian army reportedly destroyed a tunnel, through which Daesh militants tried to enter the besieged city. On February 8, the Syrian Army killed two senior Daesh commanders, including Abu Muhammed al-Adnani who was in charge of the group's drone attacks and field commander Abu Walid al-Tarablusi near Deir ez-Zor. In January, Daesh encircled the Deir ez-Zor military airfield. The base remains the Syrian Army's last line of defense on the way to the city, which has been besieged by the militants for three years with food and ammunition being delivered to residents only by air. Lt. Gen. Sergei Rudskoy, chief of the Russian General Staff Main Operational Directorate, warned that should the base and the city fall, civilians trapped there will be killed. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Any Syria Settlement Meetings Excluding Kurds Doomed to Fail Turkish HDP Party Sputnik News 21:42 15.02.2017(updated 21:44 15.02.2017) Any negotiations on the Syrian crisis settlement without the involvement and participation of the Kurds are doomed to failure and will not give any progress, Turkish parliament member from the pro-Kurdish opposition Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) Osman Baydemir told Sputnik on Wednesday. MOSCOW (Sputnik) Earlier on Wednesday, the co-chair of the Democratic Union Party (PYD) Asya Abdullah said that the Syrian Kurds were ready to take part in the conference on Syria in Geneva, but had not received an invitation to the event so far. "Unfortunately, the meetings in Astana and Geneva are incomplete. Everyone should clearly understand that without the participation of the Kurds in all negotiations on Syria, the talks are doomed to failure and will not be successful. Unfortunately, Turkey plays a big role [in Syria settlement] and does not allow the Kurds to sit at the negotiating table," Baydemir said. Baydemir, who earlier in the day represented Turkish Kurdistan at the pan-Kurdish event, titled "The struggle for influence in the Middle East: the current state and possible outcomes," hosted by Russia's Federal National-Cultural Kurdish Autonomy, called on Russia to ensure Kurds' participation in all Syria peace negotiations. The representatives of the Syrian Kurds are not participating in second round of Astana talks on Syria crisis settlement between the Syrian government and the armed opposition which started earlier on Wednesday and is expected to last through Thursday. On Tuesday, UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura's spokeswoman Yara Sharif confirmed that the UN-brokered intra-Syrian negotiations in Geneva would begin on February 23. Kurds did not attend the latest round of Geneva talks since Turkey and Syrian opposition have refused to allow them join the discussions. Russia has repeatedly urged the participating sides in the intra-Syrian talks to involve Kurdish representatives in the settlement process. "We have a big request to Moscow to play an important role in the consolidation of peace in the whole Middle East region and also play a significant role in Kurds achieving equal rights and justice. [We have] a big request to Russia to play a positive role in resumption of peace talks between Kurds and the Turkish government, to play an active role and influence their renewal," Baydemir told Sputnik. Last successful peace negotiations between Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and Turkish government took place in 2013 and led to ceasefire for two and a half years. Tensions between Ankara and the Turkish Kurds escalated in July 2015 when a ceasefire between Turkey and PKK collapsed over a series of terrorist attacks, allegedly committed by the Kurdish organizations, considered as terrorist groups by Ankara. In March 2016, Russia's Foreign Ministry called on Ankara to resume dialogue with Kurds to find a political solution to the crisis. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 16 Trend: The OSCE monitoring held at the border of Azerbaijan and Armenia passed without incidents, the press service of Azerbaijans Defense Ministry told Trend Feb. 16. The monitoring was held Feb. 16 near the Kokhanabi village of Azerbaijans Tovuz district under the mandate of the OSCE chairperson-in-office personal representative. On the Azerbaijani side, the monitoring was held by field assistants of the OSCE chairperson-in-office personal representative, Ghenadie Petrica and Peter Svedberg. On the Armenian side, the monitoring was held by field assistants of the OSCE chairperson-in-office personal representative, Jiri Aberle and Hristo Hristov. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. Turkish Aircraft Destroy Four PKK Targets in Southern Country's Region Sputnik News 04:43 15.02.2017(updated 07:47 15.02.2017) The Turkish Air Force destroyed four targets of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in the Amanos Mountains located in the country's south, local media reported. MOSCOW (Sputnik) The Daily Sabah newspaper reported Tuesday citing a security source that the aerial operation started at 9:05 p.m. local time (18:05 GMT). The news outlet added that at least one Turkish serviceman was killed earlier on Tuesday in the same region in clashes with the PKK militants. The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization in Turkey, as well as in a number of other countries, including the United States. The tensions between the sides intensified in 2015 as Ankara launched a military operation in the country's southeastern regions mostly populated by Kurds. Turkey was hit by dozens of terrorist attacks throughout 2016 carried out by Daesh terrorist group outlawed in Russia, and PKK listed as a terrorist organization in Turkey. The majority of terrorist attacks were directed against Turkish security forces engaged in violent clashes with PKK militants in eastern parts of the county striving to create their own independent state, as the Kurds represent the largest ethnic minority in the country. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia tells White House it will not return Crimea to Ukraine Iran Press TV Wed Feb 15, 2017 5:16PM Russia has rejected US calls to "return" Crimea to Ukraine, saying that the strategic peninsula in the Baltic Sea [sic. ed. Black Sea] is part of Russian territory. "We don't give back our own territory. Crimea is territory belonging to the Russian Federation," Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told a news briefing on Wednesday. Crimea declared independence from Ukraine on March 17, 2014 and formally applied to become part of Russia following a referendum, in which 96.8 percent of participants voted in favor of the move. Following the region's unification, the US and its allies in the European Union imposed sanctions against Russia, plunging relations with the Kremlin to a historic low. On Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said US President Donald Trump "expects the Russian government to de-escalate violence in the Ukraine and return Crimea." Trump repeated the call in a tweet on Wednesday morning, as he tried to contain the damage caused by the resignation of his national security adviser, Michael Flynn, over ties to Russia. "Crimea was TAKEN by Russia during the Obama Administration. Was Obama too soft on Russia?" he said, as he blamed Flynn's resignation on spy agencies. When asked about Spicer's remarks, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the matter was not negotiable and Russian President Vladimir Putin had already explained why Crimeans turned to Russia. "The theme of returning Crimea will not be discussed... Russia does not discuss its territorial integrity with foreign partners," Peskov told reporters. Vyacheslav Volodin, speaker of the State Duma, the lower house of Russia's parliament, echoed the same stance, telling lawmakers that any talk of Crimea's status challenges Russia's territorial integrity. Russia's UN ambassador, Vitaly Churkin, had said earlier this month that "the people of Crimea quite clearly expressed their will in a referendum." Trump's remarks on Crimea came days after Putin called for the restoration of relations between Moscow and Washington, following a five-year period of "degradation." In their phone conversation in late January, Trump and Putin both said they would like to try to mend battered US-Russia relations. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN Food Agency to Help 220,000 People in Eastern Ukraine Amid Rising Prices Sputnik News 21:30 15.02.2017 The UN World Food Program (WFP) will continue to support 220,000 food-insecure people in conflict-affected areas of eastern Ukraine throughout 2017, according to official statement. UNITED NATIONS (Sputnik) The UN World Food Program (WFP) will provide food to 220,000 most vulnerable residents in eastern Ukraine amid rapidly increasing prices, the agency said in a statement on Wednesday. "As the conflict has continued, many Ukrainians have become more vulnerable due to the lack of sufficient social benefits to cover food and other living expenses," the statement said. "WFP will continue to support 220,000 food-insecure people in conflict-affected areas of eastern Ukraine throughout 2017." According to WFP, an estimated 3.1 million people in Ukraine are in need of humanitarian assistance. The UN food agency stated it urgently needs over 30,000 million US dollars to provide much the needed food aid. In the spring and summer, the WFP plans to implement small-scale early recovery projects to help local population ensure a more stable livelihood. The eastern Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Lugansk have been in turmoil since April 2014, when authorities in Kiev launched a military operation against Donbass militia. In February 2015, the conflicting sides agreed to a ceasefire after talks brokered by the Normandy format. Both sides, however, have consistently accused each other of violating the ceasefire terms. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Warring Sides in Donbass Agree to Withdraw Banned Weapons by February 20 Sputnik News 20:31 15.02.2017 Conflicting parties in Donbass reached an agreement on withdrawing the banned weapons from the contact line by February 20, Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office to the Trilateral Contact Group Martin Sajdik said on Wednesday. MINSK (Sputnik) He pointed out that the intensity of shelling in Donbass significantly decreased within the last two weeks, which improved the situation for civilians. Sajdik added that the next session of the Contact Group would be held in Minsk on March 1. The Donbass conflict erupted in April 2014 as a local counter-reaction to the West-sponsored Maidan coup in Kiev that had toppled legitimate President Viktor Yanukovych in February. Residents of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions held independence referendums and proclaimed the People's Republics of Donetsk and Lugansk. Kiev has since been conducting a military operation, encountering stiff local resistance. In February 2015, Kiev forces and Donbass independence supporters signed a peace agreement in the Belarusian capital of Minsk. The deal stipulates a full ceasefire, weapons withdrawal from the line of contact in Donbass, as well as constitutional reforms that would give a special status to the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics. Despite the agreement, the ceasefire regime is regularly violated, with both sides accusing each other of multiple breaches, undermining the terms of the accord. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 'Russia Does Not Return Its Territories' - Moscow on WH Statement on Crimea Sputnik News 11:32 15.02.2017(updated 15:31 15.02.2017) Russia does not return its territories, Russian Foreign Ministry spokewoman Maria Zakharova said commenting on the White House statement that US President Trump is expecting Moscow to return Crimea to Kiev. MOSCOW (Sputnik) Russia does not intend to return Crimea, a Black Sea peninsula that voted to secede from Ukraine and join Russia in early 2014, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Wednesday. "We do not return our territories. Crimea is Russian territory," Zakharova said at a weekly briefing, reaffirming Moscow's longstanding position that the issue is permanently closed. On February 14, the White House spokesman said that US President Donald Trump expects Russia to "return Crimea" to Ukraine. "President Trump has made it very clear that he expects the Russian government to deescalate violence in the Ukraine and return Crimea," White House spokesman Sean Spicer said at a daily news briefing. "At the same time, he fully expects to and wants to get along with Russia." Crimea rejoined Russia after a 2014 referendum, when almost 97 percent of the region's population voted for the reunification. Sevastopol, which has a federal city status, supported the move by 95.6 percent of votes. During the election campaign Trump claimed he would "consider" recognizing Crimea as part of Russia following the referendum in the peninsula, adding that the Crimeans wanted to live in Russia. Donald Trump has repeatedly advocated establishing a political dialogue with Moscow, particularly in regards to the fight against terrorism, and expressed readiness to build positive relations with Russia. Moscow has long been promoting the idea of fruitful cooperation with Washington. After the leaders' phone talks on January 28, the Kremlin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the presidents had noted the importance of respect in relations. Commenting on the claim that US President Trump is expecting Moscow to return Crimea to Kiev, a Russian lawmaker said that the peninsula is an integral part of Russia and cannot be "subject of bargaining" between Russia and the United States. "The issue of Crimea return is absolutely clear it is part of Russia and it cannot be subject of bargaining between Russia and the United States, no matter what is at stake," Viktor Ozerov, chairman of the defense committee in the Russian upper house of parliament, told Sputnik on Tuesday. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN emergency food agency to feed some 220,000 people in conflict-affected Ukraine 15 February 2017 Access to food is becoming harder in eastern Ukraine as prices are outpacing incomes, the United Nations emergency food agency today said, warning that without longer-term intervention, more people will need humanitarian aid in the months and years to come. "Food prices are increasing at a time when household incomes are impacted by unemployment, and we see many families resorting to negative coping strategies in the face of economic hardship," said the World Food Programme (WFP) in Ukraine, Dorte Ellehammer. The UN agency said there are about 70,000 people in eastern Ukraine considered "most vulnerable." This group includes the elderly, families headed by a single mother, people with chronic illnesses or disabilities, and people who do not receive other humanitarian aid. In addition, there are up to 150,000 people considered "moderately food-insecure," meaning that they struggle to find or buy enough food on a daily basis, according to WFP. "As the conflict has continued, many Ukrainians have become more vulnerable due to the lack of sufficient social benefits to cover food and other living expenses," the agency said in a press release. To help Ukrainians cope, WFP said that it would scale up its use of cash-based transfers in areas where the banks are functioning properly and there is food in the stores. During the coming spring and summer, the agency said that it plans to implement small-scale early recovery projects to increase incomes, diversify crops and help to inject some money into local businesses. WFP has urgently requested more than $30 million to provide much-needed food aid to eastern Ukraine through the end of 2017. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Canada Reviewing Ukraine Military Needs to Lend 'Best Support' to Kiev Sputnik News 00:14 16.02.2017(updated 00:43 16.02.2017) The Canadian government is assessing military needs of Ukraine to determine best ways to assist the country, Canadian Department of National Defense spokesperson Evan Koronewski told Sputnik. WASHINGTON (Sputnik) Koronewski said that Ottawa is currently looking into chances to contribute to the future of Ukraine. "The Government of Canada is currently reviewing Ukraine's needs and is exploring options to inform the decision on how Canada can best support Ukraine and provide the greatest impact into the future," Koronewski said on Wednesday. Canada began training members of Ukraine's military in summer 2015. Within the framework of its training mission, Operation UNIFIER, Canada has 200 military personnel in Ukraine until March 31, 2017. The Canadian personnel will "continue to help develop and deliver military training and capacity building programs for the Ukrainian Armed Forces," Koronewski noted. The spokesperson added that the soldiers are "prepared to react to any eventuality going forward concerning mission timelines." Koronewski also said the Canadian Armed Forces have trained more than 2600 Ukrainian soldiers since the start of the mission in September 2015. Canada is not the only country to provide assistance for the Ukrainian army. The United States will advise on training up to four battalions in Ukraine throughout 2017. Since 2014, Washington has provided Kiev with $600 million in military assistance, including training, equipment and reform advisory effort, according to the US Department of Defense. The United Kingdom is providing training for the Ukrainian military. More than 5,000 Ukrainian personnel will have been trained by the UK advisers by Match 2017. London also gifted Kiev 1 million pound ($1.25 million) worth of non-lethal military equipment. In April 2014, Ukrainian authorities launched a military operation against pro-independence militias in the Donbas. In February 2015, the sides reached a ceasefire deal after talks brokered by the leaders of Russia, France, Germany and Ukraine in the Belarusian capital of Minsk. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Edge data centres will account for most of the telecom server market growth and is projected to reach US$14 billion by 2026 according to a new report from DellOro Group. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 16 Trend: Senator Chris Back, during his speech in Australias Parliament, drew special attention to the Khojaly massacre, committed by Armenians against Azerbaijani civilians. In two weeks time the people of Azerbaijan will remember the 25th anniversary of what has been one of the more bloody events in their countrys history, when more than 600 civilians, including women and children, were killed, said the Australian senator. This event took place on 25 and 26 February 1992, when the forces of the Armenian side, with the support of troops of the then-USSR, seized the town, a town of some 23,000 people. On February 25-26, 1992, the Armenian armed forces, together with the 366th infantry regiment of Soviet troops, stationed in Khankendi, committed an act of genocide against the population of the Azerbaijani town of Khojaly. As many as 613 people, including 63 children, 106 women and 70 old people were killed as a result of the massacre. Eight families were totally exterminated, 130 children lost one parent and 25 children lost both. A total of 487 civilians became disabled as a result of the onslaught. Some 1,275 innocent residents were taken hostage, while the fate of 150 people still remains unknown. This is a humanitarian crisis of the worst form. We know that without successful mediation, ceasefire violations and renewed tensions will continue to threaten to reignite a military conflict in this place, as it will in others, between these countries and in this particular case that will only serve to destabilize the Caucasus region, Back noted. The area is now controlled by Armenia, and obviously ethnic Azerbaijanis believe they should have the opportunity to reside in this place, he said. The deaths that occurred were desperately unfortunate children, women, elderly people and people were taken hostage. It behooves all of us through the UN and other agencies to try and stop events of this type, added the Australian senator. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 16 By Elmira Tariverdiyeva Trend: Historic meeting between Joseph Francis Dunford, chairman of the Joint Committee of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, US Marine Corps general, and Valery Gerasimov, Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, on Feb. 16, 2017 in Baku, must be somewhat disturbing for Armenia, at least for the following reasons. The fact that the heads of the armed forces of the two biggest world powers have chosen Baku as venue for the talks isnt surprising. Azerbaijan has long become one of the most important geopolitical centers of the South Caucasus region. Baku has repeatedly become a venue for holding major international events ranging from the numerous forums to mull the major challenges to discussions on transport initiatives and major energy issues. However, the fact that top military officials of the US and Russia are meeting today, on Feb. 16, in Baku, also says that both countries rely on Azerbaijan as the host country and consider it the most successful platform for important negotiations. This is beyond doubt that the negotiations of the Russian and US sides are important. The fact is that unlike ordinary protocol meetings, the meeting between Dunford and Gerasimov that has been prepared for a long time hasnt been announced. In general, this is a historic meeting, which marks the beginning of direct contacts, since Washington and Moscow suspended the cooperation in the military sphere in 2014. The two countries senior military officials havent met since that time. After a long break, Gerasimov and Dunford are meeting in Baku. By the way, one of the proofs of the host countrys highest professionalism is the fact that the information was leaked before the meeting just by the US and then the Russian media, not by Azerbaijani media. The subject of the discussions seems to be several topical issues of military cooperation between the two countries that today defines the situation in the whole region. Today, one of the main issues is the establishment of direct and consecutive contacts between the servicemen of both countries to prevent potential failures. While abstracting from the comprehensive agenda of relations between the two powers and taking into account the venue of the meeting, it becomes clear that Yerevan must think about Bakus image in the international arena. The international partners trust Baku, while Yerevan can not even dream about such trust. After the escalation of the situation on the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops in April 2016, Yerevan was not supported by any member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), where Armenia is a member-state. Moreover, after several attempts the CSTO member-states failed to find a new secretary general instead of Nikolai Bordyuzha due to a lack of the quorum required to vote for the candidate. The fact is that Russia, in accordance with the rotation principle, promised the post of secretary general to Armenias representative. However, Kazakhstan and Belarus maintain close relations with Azerbaijan and were not ready to accept the Armenian candidate as the next secretary general of the CSTO. This is not the only refusal of partners to deal with Yerevan. It is significant how fast Kazakhstan, now presiding in the Eurasian Economic Union, initiated the cancellation of the Yerevan meeting, scheduled to be held just at the height of Armenian aggression. Kazakhstan said that due to the war, the meeting of prime ministers of the EEU member counties in Armenia is undesirable, and it would be better to hold it in Moscow. This is a clear message that Kazakhstans prime minister would not enter the Armenian territory while there are still hostilities with Azerbaijan the country Kazakhstan has friendly relations with. Against the background of total humiliation of Yerevan on all fronts, the trust of the US and Russias military bodies to Baku must be a terrible disappointment for Armenia. Though, it would be strange if the US and Russian senior military officials or any other international institutions and their representatives decided to meet in the territory of the occupant country. Virginia gubernatorial candidate Tom Perriello apologized Wednesday after video surfaced of the former Democratic congressman comparing President Donald Trumps victory to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The election of Donald Trump was a little bit like, you know, a political and constitutional September 11 for us, if I can be honest, Perriello said in a video circulated on state conservative blog Bearing Drift and other right-leaning news outlets. Perriello made the remark Friday at a campaign event in Nelson County. The nine-second video clip was uploaded to a YouTube account that appears to focus on opposition research against Democratic governors. Perriello, who has said he was inspired to run largely to combat Trump, quickly apologized for the comment. Still, the analogy drew bipartisan condemnation from Republicans and Perriellos Democratic primary opponent, Lt. Gov. Ralph S. Northam. Those are certainly not the words I would use, and I think the analogy is awful and offensive, Northam said in a written statement from his campaign. However, Donald Trumps first month is proof his policies will hurt Virginias families. From the outrageous Muslim ban to his promise to defund Planned Parenthood and attacks on womens reproductive rights, his administration has been nothing short of an unmitigated disaster. The two Democrats had largely avoided criticizing one another, but Northams response Wednesday is another signal the lieutenant governor is prepared to crank up the heat on Perriello. Republican Party of Virginia Chairman John Whitbeck said Perriellos comment shows Democrats have become unhinged, over Trump, and denunciations from GOP gubernatorial contenders came fast and furious. #DopeyTom is at it again. Always putting his foot in his mouth, Corey Stewart, chairman of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors, said on Twitter. This statement could only be made by someone without any perspective grounded in loss and sacrifice for our great nation, distillery owner Denver Riggleman said in a written statement. To compare democratically elected Donald Trumps election to the mass murder of 3,000 Americans by terrorists is absurd, said state Sen. Frank W. Wagner, R-Virginia Beach. Tom Perriellos 9/11 comparison is offensive, Ed Gillespie, a former Republican National Committee chairman and the front-runner in the GOP primary, said on Twitter. His calculated outrage is becoming increasingly outrageous. I apologized for my comment, Perriello tweeted in response to Gillespie. Still waiting on your apology for supporting Trumps immoral and unconstitutional Muslim ban. Perriello, a Charlottesville native who represented the central 5th congressional District for one term before losing his first re-election bid in 2010, joined the Virginia governors race unexpectedly last month after working as a U.S. State Department diplomat under the Obama administration. Perriello has pitched himself as a bold option for progressives who want to make Virginia a firewall against Trump. Northam, a former state senator and pediatric surgeon backed by Gov. Terry McAuliffe and the Democratic establishment, is running as the steady hand while trying to establish anti-Trump bonafides. Both parties will choose their nominees for governor in June 13 primaries. /NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES/ VANCOUVER, Feb. 15, 2017 /CNW/ - eCobalt Solutions Inc. (TSX: ECS; OTCQB: ECSIF) (the "Company" or "eCobalt") is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement with a syndicate of underwriters led by Canaccord Genuity Corp. (the "Underwriters") pursuant to which they have agreed to purchase, on a bought deal basis, 13,000,000 Units of the Company (the "Units") at a price of C$1.00 per Unit (the "Offering Price"), for aggregate gross proceeds of C$13 million (the "Offering"). Each Unit shall consist of one common share of the Company and one-half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole common share purchase warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant shall entitle the holder thereof to purchase one common share at an exercise price of C$1.50 for a period of twenty-four (24) months following the Closing Date. The Warrants are subject to an acceleration clause such that, if the closing price of the common shares is equal to or greater than C$1.80 per share for a period of ten consecutive trading days, the Company shall have the option, but not the obligation, to effect for an accelerated expiration date that shall be 20 calendar days from the issuance of a notice of acceleration. In addition, the Company has granted the Underwriters an option (the "Over-Allotment Option"), to purchase up to 1,950,000 additional Units at the Offering Price for a period of 30 days after and including the closing date. In the event that the option is exercised in its entirety, the aggregate gross proceeds of the Offering to the Company will be C$14.95 million. The Units will be offered by way of a prospectus supplement and an accompanying short form base shelf prospectus of the Company, in all of the provinces in Canada, other than Quebec, in certain offshore jurisdictions, and in the United States on a private placement basis pursuant to applicable exemptions under the U.S Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Offered Securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and they may not be offered or sold in the United States or to a US person unless and exemption from registration is available. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell the Offered Securities in the United States or to US persons. The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering for advancing the development of the Company's Idaho Cobalt project and for general working capital purposes. Closing of the Offering is expected to occur on or about February 28, 2017. About eCobalt Solutions Inc. (www.ecobalt.com) eCobalt Solutions is a well-established Toronto Stock Exchange listed company committed to providing a unique opportunity for consumers to acquire an ethically sourced, environmentally sound, transparent supply of battery grade cobalt salts, essential for the rapidly growing rechargeable battery and renewable energy sectors, produced safely and responsibly in the United States. eCobalt Solutions Inc. "J. Paul Farquharson" J. Paul Farquharson President & CEO Cautionary Statement on Forward Looking Statements Cautionary Statement on Forward Looking Statements This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Statements in this news release pertaining to expected financings, filings, uses of proceeds or project completion dates are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such projections are and will inevitably always be dependent on assumptions about future mineral prices and development costs which will be subject to fluctuation due to global and local economic and industry conditions. Further information regarding risks and uncertainties which may cause results to differ from those contained in forward-looking statements is included in filings by the Company with securities regulatory authorities and is available at www.sedar.com. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Although the Company has disclosed that the Idaho Cobalt Project remains the sole, near term, environmentally permitted, primary cobalt deposit in the United States and offers a unique potential for North American consumers to secure an ethically sourced, environmentally sound supply of battery grade cobalt chemicals, there is no guarantee that the Company will attain commercial production of such cobalt chemicals for use in the rechargeable battery sector. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that are contained herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. The statements contained in this news release in regard to eCobalt Solutions Inc. that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including eCobalt Inc.'s beliefs, expectations, hopes or intentions regarding the future. All forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and are based on information available to eCobalt Solutions Inc. as of such date. It is important to note that actual outcome and the actual results could differ from those in such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include risks and uncertainties such as technological, legislative, corporate, commodity price and marketplace changes. SOURCE eCobalt Solutions Inc. Vancouver - Kings Bay Gold Corporation (TSX.V: KBG), (FSE: KGB1), operating as Kings Bay, a mining exploration and development company based in Vancouver, is pleased to announce that, subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange, it has entered into an agreement dated February 6, 2017 with Gary Lewis, Nigel Lewis and Unity Resources Inc. (collectively the Vendors), to acquire a 100% title and interest in the North Trump Island copper-cobalt property in north-central Newfoundland. Kevin Bottomley states, The Trump Island acquisition fits in with our commitment to advancing high grade copper-cobalt properties in Newfoundland & Labrador. The fact that there has been historical mining on the island adds a new dimension to our property portfolio. Property Overview The North Trump Island Property consists of 8 mineral claims encompassing an area of 2 square kilometers and is located 7 kilometers south of the town of Twillingate, Newfoundland and Labrador. The property is accessible by boat 1.5 kilometers east from the nearest boat launch at Tizzards Harbour on NL Hwy 345. The propertys history dates back to the mid 1860s when a 20-foot (6.1 m) shaft was sunk on a mineralized zone of massive chalcopyrite. At the bottom of the shaft, it was reported that the mineralized zone expanded with depth but, due to limited technology, no further excavation could be safely continued. Follow up grab sampling in 1999 by G. Lewis, an experienced local prospector, revealed mineralization assaying up to 3.80% Cu, 0.30% Co, 2.90 g/t Au and 10.9 g/t Ag near the old Clymo mine shaft. The property has not been drilled to date. The compilation of the recent 1998-99 field work done by Lewis suggests that a more detailed exploration program is warranted. Exploration History In 1863 Nicholas Clymo, a miner of Cornwall, United Kingdom visited the area and sunk a pit to a depth of 20 feet (6.1 m) which followed a 3 feet (0.9 m)wide mineralized zone that was said to increase in thickness with depth. He reported that a shipment of high grade copper-cobalt ore was shipped to Swansea, England as documented in the Newfoundland Provincial Mineral Rights Database. This shipment was said to be worth 40 pounds per fathom (Clymo, 1863). In 1953, J. Kalliokoski of the Newfoundland Geologic Survey headed up a mapping and prospecting program for Newmont Mining Company in the area but no sample assays were reported. In the 1990s, G. Lewis conducted prospecting and limited rock and soil grab samples and filed a first-year assessment report in 1999 with the Newfoundland and Labrador Mineral Titles Branch. Regional Geology The Trump Island Group lies near the southeast boundary of the Notre Dame Subzone of the Dunnage Zone in the Central Mobile Belt, locally marked by the Chanceport Fault. The Central Mobile Belt represents the boundary of Laurentia and Gondwanaland at the start of the Appalachian-Caledonian Orogeny. The oldest unit in the Twillingate area is the Cambrian Sleepy Cove Formation mafic pillow flows and breccias mixed with minor silicic volcaniclastics. The Twillingate Granitoid, a high-soda trondjhemite characteristic of ophiolite assemblages intruded the mafic formation. Zircon age-dates place the granitoid as Late Cambrian (510 m.y.). Amphibolite dykes intrude the granitoid and mafic units with Lower Ordovician zircon ages. The ophiolite assemblages in the Notre Dame Subzone host a number of copper-rich deposits that have been mined in west-central Newfoundland. Local Geology The property claims cover the majority of North Trump Island and includes mainly Sleepy Cove mafic pillow basalts and breccias which have been retro-metamorphosed to chlorite-sericite-epidote schist foliated subparallel with the contact with the Twillingate granitoid. Mineralisation, as is currently known, occurs as chalcopyrite, pyrite, and pyrrhotite in quartz vein networks and high-sulphide lenses (Clymo Shaft). Exploration Program The initial exploration program will include additional sampling from the historic shaft area along with geological mapping and local scale electromagnetics. Based on successful results from these works, a drilling program would be planned for summer, 2017. Purchase Consideration In consideration for the purchase, the Company will issue to the Vendors an aggregate of 200,000 common shares at a deemed value of $0.195 per common share on the closing date. The Property is subject to a 2.0% net smelter return royalty payable by the Company to the Vendors. NI 43 101 Disclosure Edward Lyons, P. Geo. supervised the preparation of the technical information in this news release and is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43 101. About Kings Bay Kings Bay is focused on the exploration of cobalt and other high tech metals in North America. The Company believes in this emerging fast growth sector and will continue to seek out and evaluate properties that show promise for development. Kings Bay Gold Corp is operating as Kings Bay. On Behalf of the Board Kevin Bottomley CEO, President For Investment Inquiries please contact: Brad Hoeppner Director O: 604 681 1568 E: Brad@kingsbayres.com Forward Looking Statements Statements in this press release that are not historical facts can be considered forward looking statements. Forward looking statements in this press release include that we can develop high grade copper-cobalt properties in Newfoundland & Labrador, that we will acquire the Trump Island property, that an exploration program will include sampling from the historic shaft area along with geological mapping and local scale electromagnetics, and that a drilling program would be planned for summer, 2017. These forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. Risks that could change or prevent these statements from coming to fruition include the Exchange not approving the acquisition or issuance of shares, that the Company may not raise sufficient funds to carry out our plans, changing costs for mining and processing; increased capital costs; the timing and content of upcoming work programs; geological interpretations based on current data that may change with more detailed information; potential process methods and mineral recoveries assumption based on limited test work and by comparison to what are considered analogous deposits that with further test work may not be comparable; the availability of labour, equipment and markets for the products produced; and despite the current expected viability of the project, that the minerals on our property cannot be economically mined, or that the required permits to build and operate the envisaged mine cannot be obtained. The forward-looking information contained herein is given as of the date hereof and the Company assumes no responsibility to update or revise such information to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law. VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Feb 16, 2017) - Strongbow Exploration Inc. (TSX VENTURE:SBW) ("Strongbow" or the "Company") is pleased to report the results of an independent Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") of its 100%-owned South Crofty tin project, located in Cornwall, UK. The PEA was completed by P&E Mining Consultants Inc. of Ontario, Canada in accordance with guidelines found in National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"). All amounts quoted are in USD unless specified otherwise. The PEA indicates that the project is potentially economically viable and technically feasible. Richard Williams, Strongbow's President and Chief Executive Officer commented: "The completion of a PEA for South Crofty is another significant step in advancing the project to a production decision. The outcome of this PEA, coupled with the strong potential to materially add to the Lower Mine tin Mineral Resource, supports our belief that South Crofty can become an operating mine once again. "We now have a project that not only shows it is potentially economic under the PEA parameters, but also benefits from a mine permit valid until 2071, planning permission to construct a new process plant, and strong community support. "The next step for the Company is to complete the current water treatment trials by the end of February 2017 and submit an application to the Environment Agency for a permit to commence dewatering the mine." PEA Highlights After-tax Net Present Value ("NPV") of $130.5 million (CDN$170.7 million using an exchange rate of 1.308, at a 5% discount rate) and an Internal Rate of Return ("IRR") of 23.4%, at assumed metal prices of $10.00/lb Sn, $2.65/lb Cu, and $0.90/lb Zn; Estimated pre-production capital cost, including contingency, of $118.7 million with payback of 3.8 years and Life of Mine ("LOM") sustaining capital costs of $83.8 million; Average LOM total cash cost of $3.36/lb SnEq metal recovered and a LOM all-in sustaining cash cost ("AISC") of $4.44/lb.; Potential to create approximately 110 new jobs during the 24-36 month dewatering and construction period (excluding construction personnel and contractors); A mine at South Crofty would have the potential to directly employ approximately 275 people in permanent positions; South Crofty will be operated using modern, trackless, mechanized underground mining methods and best-in-class processing, based on over 40 years of experience processing South Crofty mill feed through both the former on-site and Wheal Jane mills. The thickened tailings from the process will be used to backfill part of an 8-million cubic metres void space currently in the mine as well as providing ground support for modern mining operations; The mineralized material mined in the PEA is 2.575 million tonnes containing 88 million pounds of SnEq (tin equivalent) at an average grade of 1.55% SnEq; Operating mine life is over an 8-year period using average process recoveries of 88% for tin, 85% for copper, and 70% for zinc; A technical report prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 will be filed on SEDAR within 45 days of this announcement. The PEA was prepared by P&E Mining Consultants Inc. of Ontario, Canada. P&E is an established Canadian geological and mining consultancy that has undertaken over 300 precious and base metals resource estimate and mine engineering projects globally since 2004. P&E has a diverse current client base which it services from its Toronto area and Vancouver offices. Disclosure of a scientific or technical nature in this press release was prepared under the supervision of Owen Mihalop, CEng. MIMMM, the Company's Chief Operating Officer, and Eugene Puritch, P.Eng. and Andrew Bradfield, P.Eng., of P&E Mining Consultants Inc. Messrs. Mihalop, Puritch and Bradfield are "Qualified Persons" as defined in NI 43-101. Project Growth Opportunities There are numerous opportunities to further enhance the South Crofty tin project including: Increase in mine life: The PEA has concentrated on the four main mining areas that were in production when the mine ceased operating in 1998. There are numerous other mineralized zones and production areas that are developed and accessible but have yet to be included in an NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate. Strongbow is currently working to define the Mineral Resources in these areas and will potentially bring them into the mine plan in due course. In-mine exploration potential: The South Crofty mine has significant exploration potential, whereby all the main lode systems in production when previous mining stopped remain open along strike and at depth. Near mine exploration and development potential: The South Crofty mine is one of three former operating mines within Strongbow's mining permission area. The Dolcoath and Carn Brea mines, which are located adjacent to South Crofty mine, remain available for further exploration and re-development activities and could share the same surface and underground infrastructure. The reader is cautioned that Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. The mineralized material mined in the PEA differs from the Mineral Resource Estimate of May 2016 due to mine planning access considerations, higher SnEq cut-off grade, higher Sn price, dilution, mine recovery factor and production scheduling logistics. NPV and IRR Pre-Tax and After-Tax (US$ Millions) Pre-tax After-tax NPV @ 5% discount rate at $10/lb tin $165.9M $130.5M IRR 27.4% 23.4% Payback (years) 3.5 3.8 All figures are reported on a 100% equity project basis valuation. Capital payback is calculated based on start of production. Cash Flow Over Initial Three Years and Life of Mine (US$ Millions) Pre-production Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 LOM Total Revenue 81.1 100.5 107.3 776.5 Total Operating Cost 27.9 31.6 34.9 260.9 Transport, Refining and Royalties 5.6 6.8 6.9 50.4 EBIT 30.6 42.4 43.1 288.5 Capital Costs 118.7 19.4 18.8 18.8 202.6 Working Capital 4.7 5.3 5.8 43.4 Corporate Taxes 2.5 7.2 7.3 48.2 Undiscounted Cash flow After-Tax 21.8 35.5 38.8 214.4 The cash flow model is based on an assumed price of $10.00/lb for tin, $2.65/lb for copper, and $0.85/lb for zinc, and a U.S. Dollar / Sterling exchange rate of $1.25. Tin Price Sensitivity The project sensitivity analysis shows that a $1/lb variation from the $10/lb base-case tin price had the following impact on the project after-tax economics. BASE CASE $9.00/lb $10.00/lb $11.00/lb NPV @ 5% discount rate 83.7 130.5 177.7 IRR 17.5% 23.4% 28.8% Payback (years) 4.5 3.8 3.3 Economic Benefits to the UK and Local Communities The PEA indicates that the development of South Crofty could provide substantial economic benefits at the local and county levels, including: During the 24-36 month construction period the project is anticipated to generate direct employment of approximately 110 people, an increase of over 95 compared to the current levels of employment at the mine. This figure excludes contractors to be employed in the construction of the surface and underground facilities, which are additional to the permanent employees; Once the mine is in operation, it could directly employ approximately 275 people in permanent positions, excluding contractors; The Company believes the project has the potential to generate several hundred indirect jobs with local suppliers of products and services to support mine operations. Studies by other mining companies have indicated that 3 to 4 indirect jobs are generated for every direct job, but Strongbow has yet to make a formal employment study for South Crofty; Based on a tin price of $10/lb, the project is anticipated to generate annual corporation tax payments totaling 38.5M (US$48.2M using an exchange rate of 1.25) over the LOM. Additionally, employee income tax and national insurance contributions will generate further government revenue; The Company will provide full training and skills development where necessary in order to maximize the employment of local residents at the project. The current and historical mining industry in Cornwall means that many of the skills required to operate the mine are already present in the local area and wider in-county; Development of the mine should form a fundamental part of the existing plans to re-generate the Camborne, Pool and Redruth area, by providing much needed, well-paid, permanent jobs as well as enhancing the visual impact of the mine site following decades of neglect and under-investment; Environmental benefits through taking control of the mine water, which currently discharges untreated directly into the Red River and finds its way downstream to Gwithian Bay, one of Cornwall's premier tourist beaches, and providing a long-lasting sustainable solution to mine discharge water for the future; Support for and enhancement of existing cultural development programs within the UNESCO World Mining Heritage Area. PEA Details The mineralized material mined in the PEA indicates that 2,575 kt at an average grade of 1.55% SnEq is amenable to mining which is based on the NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate published by Strongbow in May 2016 is detailed below. Resource Category (cut-off grade 0.6% SnEq) Tonnes Sn % Cu % Zn % SnEq % Contained SnEq (tonnes) Upper Mine (polymetallic) Indicated 257 0.70 0.79 0.58 0.99 2,540 Inferred 464 0.67 0.62 0.63 0.91 4,220 Lower Mine (tin only) Indicated 1,660 1.81 0.00 0.00 1.81 30,050 Inferred 738 1.91 0.00 0.00 1.91 14,100 Total Indicated 1,917 1.66 0.11 0.08 1.70 32,590 Inferred 1,202 1.43 0.24 0.24 1.52 18,320 * Metal prices used for the SnEq Mineral Resource Estimate are US$8.50/lb Sn, US$2.75/lb Cu and US$0.90/lb Zn based on the approximate LME 2-year trailing averages at March 31, 2016. Process recovery assumptions are 88.5% for Sn, 85% for Cu and 70% for Zn. The SnEq% calculation includes metal price and recovery: SnEq% = Sn% + (0.311 x Cu%) + (0.084 x Zn%). For the Lower Mine Mineral Resource Estimate, only tin analyses are available, therefore only Sn% is reported. The May 2016 NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate was calculated by P&E Mining Consultants Inc, of Brampton, Ontario.Mr. Eugene Puritch, P.Eng was the lead author, and is a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101. Mineralized Material Mined The mineralized material mined contains Mineral Resources classified in the Inferred category and therefore cannot be considered a Mineral Reserve, however, the PEA demonstrates that approximately 83% of the Mineral Resources are demonstrated to be potentially extracted under the mine plan supported by the PEA. The PEA is preliminary in nature, and includes Inferred Mineral Resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as Mineral Reserves. There is no certainty that the preliminary economic assessment will be realized. The South Crofty mine is expected to be accessed via the existing New Cook's Kitchen shaft which will serve as the primary access to the mine for personnel and materials and for transporting mill feed to the plant site. The existing Tuckingmill decline will be extended in the second half of the mine life and eventually provide an alternative haulage route from the upper levels as well as access and ventilation. The existing New Roskear shaft will provide ventilation and secondary egress during development and early mine life. Annual mill feed of up to 350,000 tonnes (1,000 tonnes per day) is planned, primarily using sub-level longhole mining. Delayed thickened tailings will be used as backfill to support some mining areas. Mining blocks will be approximately 60m along strike and 20m to 30m high. Mineralized material will be removed from the stopes using 3.5 tonne load-haul-dump vehicles (LHDs) and transported to the existing shaft hoisting infrastructure using 20 tonne trucks. All development and re-habilitation work will be conducted using single boom hydraulic jumbo drills to widen the existing access development from 2.4m x 2.4m to 3.0m x 3.5m to enable trackless mining. Processing South Crofty mill feed is expected to be processed using a crush, grind, gravity and flotation flowsheet to recover tin and later in the mine life, copper and zinc when mining the lower grade upper mine stopes. Historical processing operations up to 1998, plus more recent testwork on the polymetallic material, have demonstrated that recoveries of between 88% and 90% can be expected over the LOM. Coarse tin is recovered by gravity separation following primary grinding with finer tin plus copper and zinc recovered through flotation following re-grinding of the gravity tails. Tailings from the flotation circuit will be thickened and placed underground in voids created during the previous mining operations and also in the newly-mined stopes, where required for support. All process water will come from mine dewatering and will be treated prior to discharge. Both mine water and process water will be treated using the High Density Sludge ("HDS") process to remove heavy metals prior to discharge. Where possible, process water will be re-circulated to minimize environmental impact. Capital and Operating Costs The pre-production capital cost of the South Crofty project is estimated to be $118.7-million. The LOM sustaining capital is estimated to be a further $83.8-million, comprising mine capital development and mill sustaining capex. Pre-Production Capex Cost ($M) Pumping, Shaft Refurbishment, Hoisting and Underground Infrastructure 34.0 Mining Equipment and Ventilation 3.6 Mine Development 4.2 Sub-surface Loading Pocket and Conveyor to Mill 6.0 Level Development Rehab 2.8 Surface Processing Plant 37.7 Thickened Tailings Plant & Tailings Disposal 11.0 Site Infrastructure 7.5 Owners Costs 1.3 Contingency @ 15% 10.6 Total Capital Cost 118.7 Note: The process plant contains a separate 35% contingency and is not included in the overall 15% contingency. The LOM operating cost estimate is $101.35 per tonne of mineralized material (totals may be approximate due to rounding). Operating Cost Unit Cost $/t Total Cost $M Mining 66.65 171.6 Processing 24.30 62.6 G&A 7.33 18.9 Closure Cost 3.06 7.9 Total 101.35 260.9 Infrastructure & Permits The South Crofty project, being a former mining site, is already serviced with good infrastructure. Three deep vertical shafts will provide personnel and material access, mineralized material and waste hoisting and ventilation for the underground mine. There is a partly completed decline from surface and the Company owns sufficient freehold surface land with full planning permission to build new processing facilities. The project has a Mine Permit, valid through to 2071, and also benefits from planning permission to mine by underground methods to a depth of 1,500m across approximately 1,500 hectares of land surrounding the surface facilities. The only outstanding permit required to commence operation from South Crofty is a mine waste permit with water discharge consent. This permit is required to pump out the mine and discharge treated water into the local river system. A water treatment trial is currently underway to demonstrate that the mine water can be treated to a sufficient quality standard to permit discharge into the Red River (please see Strongbow news release dated November 17, 2016 for details of the water treatment trial). This trial is supported by the Environment Agency and a permit application for the full discharge consent will be submitted on completion of the trial, which is expected to conclude near the end of February, 2017. Next steps Complete water treatment trials and apply for discharge consent; Conduct drilling program in order to update Mineral Resource Estimate, and increase mineral inventory and mine life; Commence engineering study for the water treatment plant to ensure pumping can begin within as short a time as possible following receipt of the discharge consent; Commence Feasibility Study; Commence dewatering the mine; Underground drilling program to delineate Measured Mineral Resource and increase the Indicated Mineral Resource once access to the underground workings is obtained; Basic and detailed engineering; and Construction of process plant and underground facilities. Independent Qualified Person Mr. Eugene Puritch, P. Eng., lead author of the NI 43-101 Technical Report and an independent "Qualified Person" as defined in NI-43-101 has reviewed and approved the contents of this news release. The Company will publish a Technical Report, prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 guidelines, within 45 days of this news release. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Richard D. Williams, P.Geo Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release contains "forward-looking statements" including but not limited to statements with respect to Strongbow's ability to obtain an increase to the water discharge permit for the South Crofty tin project, the potential to increase the Mineral Resource Estimate, its ability to deliver a positive Feasibility Study on the project, the commencement of commercial production from the South Crofty tin project and the estimated future net present value of the South Crofty tin project, the availability of financing for future cash payments, ongoing maintenance costs and future development work at the South Crofty tin project, in addition to the estimation of a mineral resource and the success of exploration activities. The Mineral Resource Estimate figures referred to in this press release are estimates and are therefore insufficient to allow meaningful application of the technical and economic parameters to enable an evaluation of the technical or economic viability and no assurances can be given that mining of the South Crofty project will be technically viable or that the indicated levels of tin will be produced. Such estimates are expressions of judgment based on knowledge, mining experience, analysis of drilling results and industry practises. Valid estimates made at any given time may significantly change when new information becomes available. While the Company believes that the resource estimates included in this press release are well established, by their very nature, resource estimates are imprecise and depend, to a certain extent, upon statistical inferences which may ultimately prove unreliable. If such estimates are inaccurate or are reduced in the future, this could have a material adverse impact on the Company. Forward-looking statements, while based on management's best estimates and assumptions, are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: risks related to receipt of regulatory approvals, the successful integration of acquisitions; risks related to general economic and market conditions; risks related to the availability of financing; the timing and content of upcoming work programs; actual results of proposed exploration activities; possible variations in Mineral Resources or grade; failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; accidents, labour disputes, title disputes, claims and limitations on insurance coverage and other risks of the mining industry; changes in national and local government regulation of mining operations, tax rules and regulations. Although Strongbow has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Strongbow undertakes no obligation or responsibility to update forward-looking statements, except as required by law. GBM Resources Ltd. (GBM) and WCB Resources Ltd. (WCB) have executed a Binding Heads of Agreement (HOA) to merge resulting in a substantial ASX listed gold development and exploration Company focussed in Australia and Papua New Guinea. The merger combines the advanced stage gold assets of Mt Coolon in Australia and the Misima Gold Project in Papua New Guinea in addition to the extensive exploration assets of both companies. The merged entity will have an impressive resource base comprising: Measured Resources of 114 Kt @ 1.7 g/t Au for 6,200 ounces Indicated Resources of 3,993 Kt @ 1.4 g/t Au for 173,800 ounces Inferred Resources of 2,415 Kt @ 1.7 g/t Au for 134,800 ounces Indicated Resource of 36 Mt @ 1.1 g/t Au for 1.3 million ounces Inferred Resource of 11 Mt @ 1.1 g/t Au for 0.4 million ounces Importantly significant growth opportunities for discovery of additional resources exist within both the Mt Coolon and Misima Island Projects. The immediate focus of the group will be Reopening and development of the Mt Coolon Gold Mine which will enable the group to be funded moving forward. Completion of a gold resource update to include recent surface extensions and controls on mineralisation, pit optimisation sensitivity and financial studies followed by drill testing for resource extension, geotechnical and metallurgical parameters at Misima. Under the HOA each WCB shareholder will receive 8 GBM ordinary shares for every WCB common share. The HOA is conditional on GBM completing the AUD$10.0 million Loan Agreement (AUD$8.5million to be completed) and the parties executing a formal Arrangement Agreement before 31 March 2017. The Board of Directors of each company have unanimously given support for the merger and major shareholders have indicated support for the merger in the absence of a superior proposal. WCB President and CEO, Mr Cameron Switzer, will join the Board of the merged entity. GBM Resources (ASX:GBZ) Mineral Resources are calculated on information compiled by Kerrin Allwood who is a member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and The Australian Institute of Geoscientists. Mr Allwood is a full time employee of Geomodeling Limited. Mr Allwood has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity which he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves. Mr Allwood consents to the inclusion in the report of the matters based in his information in the form and context in which it appears. WCB Resources (TSX VENTURE:WCB) Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resource estimate has been reviewed and approved by Mr Peter Stoker an Honorary Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and a Chartered Professional, and full time employee of AMC Consultants Pty Ltd who is a "qualified person" as defined by the National Instrument 43-101. Further details pertaining to the resource estimate are located following the resource table below. The creation of an Australasian focussed gold development company with an attractive and complementary gold portfolio of near term production, development and exploration assets. The combined entity will have an impressive gold resource base comprising: GBM's Measured Resource of 6,200 ounces of Au, Indicated Resources of 173,800 ounces of Au and Inferred Resources of 134,800 ounces Au across all projects (see resource summary table); and WCB's Misima Island project containing an Indicated Resource of 1.3 million ounces of Au plus an additional 0.4 million ounces of Inferred gold Resource. The new entity will be fully funded to achieve gold production at Mt Coolon in 2017 and support the ongoing exploration strategies of both the Misima and Mt Coolon Gold Projects. Both Misima and Mt Coolon have the potential to be mid-tier gold production assets with significant discovery upside. Both companies have Pan Pacific Co., Ltd (PPC) as their joint venture partners. Both Boards are known to each other and both companies have support from their respective major shareholders. A strong board and management team with significant depth of technical and corporate expertise of delivering value through the successful discovery, development and operation of gold projects. Strong market re-rating opportunity for the merged entity with project diversification and increased scale. Deposit OXIDE RECLASS Cutoff g/t Au Tonnes Mt Gold g/t Au Silver g/t Au Au Moz Ag Moz Umuna Oxide Indicated 0.37 4.2 0.71 11 0.10 1.6 Inferred 0.37 2.5 0.94 21 0.07 1.6 Primary Indicated 0.45 32 1.1 4.3 1.2 4.4 Inferred 0.45 4.9 1.2 8 0.19 1.3 Sub-Total Indicated 36 1.1 5.1 1.3 6.0 Inferred 7.4 1.1 12 0.27 2.9 Ewatinona Oxide Inferred 0.37 0.54 0.78 3.6 0.013 0.063 Primary Inferred 0.45 3.1 1.0 2.9 0.10 0.29 Sub-total Inferred 3.7 0.97 3.0 0.11 0.35 Misima Total Indicated 36 1.1 5.1 1.3 6.0 Inferred 11 1.1 9.2 0.38 3.3 Rounding may cause apparent computational errors Reported at USD1200/oz gold price USD20/oz silver price within an optimised pit run at USD1400/oz gold price USD20/oz silver price and costs provided by WCB. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Publication of Eugenia Heap Leach Scoping Study showing potential economic viability. Recovered gold ounces total 32,588 at a C1 cost of $813 per ounce, capital estimated at $8.3 million. Free cash flow generated will be allocated to accelerate expanding the open pit resources within known mineralising systems with the aim to build the Mt Coolon Gold Project inventory to a level that will support the commissioning of a CIL plant. During 2016 the Koala Gold resource increased by 135% to 1.5Mt averaging 2.6 g/t Au containing an estimated 125,300 ounces. The Koala Gold Deposit now has an identified gold endowment (past production and current resources) containing an estimated 378,000 ounces with significant exploration upside. Currently completing mining studies (including pit optimisation) and the commencement of the review and assessment of environmental factors for EA approval. Drilling is in progress to upgrade the geological and geotechnical information of the Koala Gold underground workings and open cut. The Deposit currently hosts a Resource estimated at 154,000 tonnes averaging 7.5 g/t Au containing 37,200 ounces of gold. This high-grade Deposit remains open at depth, and exploration along strike does not appear to have penetrated the shallow cover that obscures the extensions to the mineralisation. Currently completing drilling for metallurgy, geotechnical and waste characterisation testing. GBM's ResourcesincludeWCB's Misima Island ResourcesNoteVANCOUVER, Feb 16, 2017 - WCB Resources Ltd. (TSX VENTURE:WCB) and GBM Resources Ltd. (ASX:GBZ) are pleased to jointly announce that they have executed a binding HOA to merge the two companies which is to be structured as an Arrangement Agreement under Canadian law. Each WCB shareholder at the record date will receive 8 ordinary shares of GBM for each common share of WCB they hold in consideration for the transfer of those WCB shares to GBM (Merger).The Merger will allow the companies to create a new Australasian focussed gold development and exploration group.Upon completion of the Merger, WCB shareholders will hold 36% and GBM shareholders will hold approximately 64% of the merged entity.Both companies have major shareholder support and the directors of both companies unanimously support the Merger in the absence of a superior proposal.The Boards of GBM and WCB consider that the combination of the two companies will provide significant strategic and financial benefits to both sets of shareholders.Executive Chairman GBM, Peter Thompson said:"The complementary nature of the two companies' projects creates a strong platform for both companies' shareholders to benefit from a substantial value uplift from a significant increase in combined gold resources at Misima and Mt Coolon, and the ability to step up exploration within the group's extensive landholding.GBM's board believes that this transaction is in the best interest of GBM and unanimously recommends it to our shareholders, in the absence of a superior proposal.We also look forward to welcoming WCB President and CEO, Mr Cameron Switzer to the Board of the combined entity as an Executive Director, where his strong, long-term understanding of the Misima Gold Mine will prove invaluable."Mr Cameron Switzer, WCB President and CEO said:"The Board of WCB considers this merger to be an outstanding opportunity for existing shareholders. The attractiveness regarding the focus on near term production and cash flow from Mt Coolon underpins the group moving forward. The significant exploration upside identified at both the Misima and Mt Coolon project has the potential to ensure that the merged company has an exciting future with significant growth optionality moving forward".The Merger is subject to both Australian and Canadian regulatory approvals. In Canada the Arrangement Agreement is a statutory process under Division 5 of Part 9 of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) which will involve WCB shareholder and Canadian court approval. In Australia shareholder approval will be required for the Merger transaction.The HOA includes a commitment by WCB not to solicit alternative transactions to the Merger. Each of the directors of WCB have agreed to vote in favour of the Merger, in the absence of a superior proposal. Major shareholder of WCB, Sandfire Resources NL (holds 38%) has also indicated their support of the Merger in the absence of a superior proposal.On satisfying the condition precedents under the HOA and the formal Arrangement Agreement being executed, a full copy of the Arrangement Agreement will be filed in accordance with applicable securities laws and will be found on the WCB profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.Following completion of the Merger, Mr Cameron Switzer (the current WCB President and CEO) will join the merged entity as Executive Director - Misima Gold Project. Cameron Switzer was previously one of the founding directors' of GBM. The non-executive directors of WCB will retire on completion of the Merger.Once GBM has secured the required debt funding of AUD$8.5million, then WCB and GBM will execute the Arrangement Agreement.In addition to other customary conditions and regulatory approvals, the Arrangement Agreement is conditional upon GBM obtaining all necessary shareholder and regulatory approvals.The Merger is subject to the approval of both GBM and WCB shareholders. Pursuant to the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia), the Merger will require the approval of 66 2/35 of the votes cast by WCB shareholders. A special shareholder meeting for each company to vote on the Merger is likely to be held in May 2017 with the completion of the Merger expected in June 2017, at which time WCB would be delisted from the TSX-V.Further information regarding the Merger for holders of GBM ordinary shares will be contained in a notice of meeting that GBM will prepare and mail to its shareholders in connection with the meeting of GBM shareholders to be held to consider matters in connection with the Merger.In due course, WCB's shareholders will receive a comprehensive Information Circular that will contain full details of the proposed Merger, including the basis for the WCB board's recommendation that WCB shareholders approve the proposed Merger.Upon signing the HOA GBM will advance AUD$150,000 to WCB. If the conditions precedent to the HOA are not satisfied before 31 March 2017 then the HOA will terminate and shall be deemed to be at an end. If the HOA is terminated then the Parties have agreed that the AUD$150,000 will be converted into fully paid common shares of WCB at a conversion price of CAD0.05, subject to approval of the TSX-V.The Company was incorporated under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) on March 2, 2007 and was listed on the TSX-V and called to trade on October 10, 2007. The Company completed its Qualifying Transaction under the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange on April 8, 2010. As a result, the Company is a Tier 2 mining issuer on the TSX-V.Misima is a large bulk mineable disseminated gold (Au) and silver (Ag) deposit spatially related to a potentially significant porphyry copper (Cu) gold (Au) system at depth.Placer Pacific (owned by Placer Dome) commissioned the Misima Gold Mine in 1988 and was operated by Misima Mines Pty Ltd (MMPL), a subsidiary of Placer to 2004. The mine produced 3.7 Moz Au and 22.2 Moz Ag during this 14 year period. Historic production prior to this period was estimated at 240,000 ounces.WCB signed a farm-in JV Agreement with Pan Pacific to test for Cu and explore Au on Misima in 2011. PPC is a global mining, smelting, refining and international copper producer. Under the terms and conditions of the Agreement, WCB can obtain up to a 70% interest in EL1747 Misima and currently has earned 49%.Systematic exploration completed by WCB resulted in the completion of a series of deep drill holes up to 800m in depth targeting the porphyry Cu Au mineralisation whist also understanding the upside and potential of the superimposed Au Ag base metal mineralisation.An initial inferred resource was completed in 2013 and further upgraded to inferred / indicated in 2015 over the Umuna region where the majority of the historic mining activity has been completed. All resources are quoted within optimised pit shells.Key Strategy is to move to a 70% interest in the Misima Project by 2018 and complete mining feasibility studies by end calendar year 2019.The disclosure of the Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resource estimate has been reviewed and approved by Mr Peter Stoker an Honorary Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and a Chartered Professional, and full time employee of AMC Consultants Pty Ltd who is a "qualified person" as defined by the National Instrument 43-101. GBM Resources Ltd. (ASX:GBZ) is an Australian resource company that listed on the ASX in 2007, headquartered in Perth WA, with exploration operations in Victoria and Queensland and holds equity in a Malaysia gold company listed on the Singapore exchange.The Company's primary focus is the development of key gold and copper-gold assets in Australia. GBM is on track to become a gold producer in 2017 with the Company's flagship Mount Coolon Gold Project.GBM tenements cover an area greater than 2,600 square kilometres in eight major project areas in Queensland and Victoria.The Mount Coolon Gold Project is located within Queensland's Drummond Basin, a prolific Gold Province which has an identified gold endowment in excess of 7.5million ounces. Deposits already identified and exploited in this province include examples of high grade vein style and large tonnage stockwork epithermal gold systems. GBM's tenement package has three identified deposits with published gold resources. In addition, the project hosts a number of advanced exploration targets including; Bimurra, Conway, Verbena Sinter and South East silica Zone, each of which will be further investigated with a high probability of significantly adding to the already growing resource base.A summary of key points relating to the known deposits is provided below. For further detail the reader is referred to the GBM Annual Report 2016 and company announcements.To view the Mount Coolon Resource Table, please visit the following link:http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/Mount-Coolon-Resource-Table.jpg.Table: Mount Coolon Gold Project Resource Summary (Refer ASX:GBZ announcement 23 August 2016).Mineral Resources are calculated on information compiled by Kerrin Allwood who is a member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and The Australian Institute of Geoscientists. Mr Allwood is a full time employee of Geomodeling Limited. Mr Allwood has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity which he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves. Mr Allwood consents to the inclusion in the report of the matters based in his information in the form and context in which it appears.Eugenia Gold Deposit (refer (ASX:GBZ) announcement 23 August 2016)The Project assessments of these deposits are well advanced and it is planned that Koala, Glen Eva and the Eugenia heap leach will commence gold production in sequence by the end of 2017. The Company is targeting end March 2017 to commence feasibility studies on these deposits.GBM has an investment in value Singapore Stock Exchange Listed Anchor Resources Limited (Anchor). Anchor's principal asset is the Lubik Mandi Gold Project located in Malaysia. GBM's equity holding is 35 million shares in Anchor which represents 12.5% of that company's issued capital.Exploration assets including the Mount Morgan Copper Gold Project (Queensland, Australia): Consists of 11 granted leases with targets identified associated with significant geochemical anomalism.Brightlands and Milo Iron -Oxide Copper -Gold (IOCG) and REE Project (Queensland, Australia): Consists of an IOCG breccia pipe system in the Mt Isa Inlier with an inferred resource containing 97,000 tonnes of copper, 14 million pounds of U3O8 and 108,000 tonnes of TREEYO (ASX:GBZ 29February 2012) with significant exploration upside.Malmsbury Gold Project (Victoria, Australia): Large intrusive related Gold System (IRGS) with 104,000 ounces of gold in historic inferred resources with significant exploration upside (ASX:GBZ 19January 2009).Mr. Cameron Switzer, BSc (Hons), MAIG (3384), MAUSIMM (112798), President and Chief Executive Officer of WCB Resources, is a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. He is responsible for quality control of exploration undertaken by WCB. Mr. Switzer has reviewed and approved the technical information in this release.Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.Forward Looking Statements: This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, including, without limitation, statements potential mineralization, the estimation of mineral resources, the realization of mineral resource estimates, interpretation of prior exploration and potential exploration results, the timing and success of exploration activities generally, the timing and results of future resource estimates, permitting time lines, metal prices and currency exchange rates, availability of capital, government regulation of exploration operations, environmental risks, reclamation, title, and future plans and objectives of the company are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include failure to obtain necessary approvals in respect of a transaction, unsuccessful exploration results, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, results of future resource estimates, future metal prices, availability of capital and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business conditions, risks associated with operating in foreign jurisdictions, uninsured risks, regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of personnel, materials and equipment on a timely basis, accidents or equipment breakdowns, delays in receiving government approvals, unanticipated environmental impacts on operations and costs to remedy same, and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the company with securities regulators. Mineral exploration and development of mines is an inherently risky business. Accordingly the actual events may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on the Company, investors should review their annual filings that are available at www.sedar.com. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.The Company relies on litigation protection for "forward looking" statements. Actual results could differ materially from those described in the news release as a result of numerous factors, some of which are outside the control of the Company.Cameron Switzer, President and CEO+61 7 3212 6212 or +61 4 2777 2111cswitzer@wcbresources.com Vancouver, February 16, 2017 - The Board of Directors of Lovitt Resources Inc. (TSXV: LRC.H) (the "Company") is pleased to announce that its wholly owned subsidiary, the Lovitt Mining Company Inc. ("LMC"), sold a building in Wenatchee, WA for net cash proceeds of US $424,000. The building was built for fruit storage in 1962 for US $22,000 when the company owned apple orchards in the area. About half the proceeds will be used to reduce long term debt with the balance allocated to working capital, mineral property acquisition, and exploration and development of the Lovitt gold mine property. LMC owns the Lovitt Gold Mine on patented land in the Wenatchee, WA area and 250 acres surrounding the mine property. Equity dilution has been avoided since 2012 by selling real estate surplus to the requirements of the mine. Ten acres of land are currently for sale for US $300,000, and if a sale is made, the proceeds should be adequate to fund the company through 2017. Most of the landholdings of the company were purchased in the 1950's for $ 50-60 per acre. The Lovitt Gold Mine, located in central Washington State, suspended operations in 1966 after producing 420,000 oz of gold and 620,000 oz of silver over the previous sixteen year period, with an average grade of 0.40 oz of gold per ton (or 13.7 gm Au/t). The directly adjoining Cannon Mine to the northwest produced 1,200,000 oz of gold and 1,900,000 oz of silver between 1984 and 1995 at an average grade of 0.30 oz Au/ton (or 10.3 gm Au/t). When the Cannon Mine hit significant gold mineralization in a diamond drill program prior to production, over seventy companies acquired mineral rights in the surrounding area. Teck Corporation was instrumental in the success of Lovitt Resources Inc., formerly Grange Gold Corporation, acquiring control and ultimately ownership of the Lovitt Mine. In a regional diamond drill exploration program Cannon Mine geologists discovered significant gold intersections along a NE-SW strike of seven miles, with the Lovitt and Cannon Mines in the center of the known trend. This news release was reviewed and approved by our Director James M. Proudfoot, P Eng., a qualified person under NI 43-101. For more detailed information, please refer to the website of the Company at: http://www.lovittresources.com email: info@lovittresources.com or call the Company at (509)668-8170. The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this News Release. WARNING: The Company relies on litigation protection for `forward looking" statements. Actual results could differ materially from those described in the news release as a result of numerous factors, some of which are outside the control of the Company. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act') or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 16 Trend: Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev congratulated Dalia Grybauskaite, president of Lithuania, on the occasion of the countrys national holiday. I extend my most sincere congratulations to you and your people on the occasion of the national holiday of the Republic of Lithuania, said President Aliyev in his congratulatory letter. I believe that Azerbaijan-Lithuania friendship and cooperation, our constantly developing political, economic and cultural ties will further contribute to prosperity of our peoples, the president said. On this remarkable day, I wish you robust health, success in your activities and the friendly people of Lithuania lasting peace and prosperity, Ilham Aliyev added. Details added (first version posted on 11:25) Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 16 Trend: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has received a delegation led by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the US Department of Defense Joseph Dunford. The successful development of bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and the US in the military, political, economic, energy security, defense, and security fields was stressed during the meeting. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the US Department of Defense Joseph Dunford highly appreciated Azerbaijans role in the international peacekeeping operations and the countrys significant contribution to cargo transportation to Afghanistan. They expressed confidence that the visit of the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the US Department of Defense to Azerbaijan will contribute to strengthening defense cooperation. The sides also noted that friendly relations between the two countries will continue to develop. Jordan Bell-Masterson is an analyst in research and policy for the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, providing support for the department's research programs and initiatives. He previously worked on SEO solutions for Cappex.com, an online college search and matching engine based in Highland Park, Ill., and served his senior year as station manager for the radio station at Grinnell College, where he graduated in 2012 with a dual B.A. in English and economics. A federal judge this week rejected an effort by a group of residents and former Gov. Pat Quinn to force the city to adopt an elected school board.In a lawsuit filed in October, Quinn and his fellow plaintiffs argued that a mayoral-appointed board violated the group's constitutional and civil rights, and that the board raises the issue of taxation without representation.The lawsuit included a demand that the city and Chicago Board of Education create a plan allowing for the election of school board members.U.S. District Court Judge Elaine E. Bucklo rejected those claims in a 31-page opinion issued Monday."Plaintiffs have no fundamental right to vote in school board elections as a matter of law, and the fact that residents of other Illinois jurisdictions have the privilege of voting in such elections in their districts does not confer such a right upon residents of Chicago," Bucklo wrote.Quinn and the community members filed a similar complaint in the fall with the Cook County Chancery Division, alleging their inability to vote for school board members violated their rights under the Illinois constitution.That case is still pending. A judge is scheduled to hold a hearing on a request to dismiss the case later this month. Special legislative elections generally don't matter much, but that won't be the case in two states this month and another state later this year.In both Connecticut and Delaware, the state senates are currently tied. Special elections being held on Feb. 25 in Delaware and Feb. 28 in Connecticut could break those ties.What's more, Republicans have a chance of taking control of chambers in what have long been sapphire blue states."There are some members of the state Senate who were there 40 years ago when the Democrats took over," said Greg Lavelle, Republican whip in the Delaware Senate. "We think it's time for some change."In Connecticut, Republicans are hoping voters will use their ballots to protest the policies of Gov. Dan Malloy, who has the lowest approval ratings of any Democratic governor."Many, many people in the state recognize the failure that is Dan Malloy and the Democratic Party," said J.R. Romano, who chairs the Connecticut Republican Party and criticized the governor for enacting a series of tax increases.Democrats are similarly hoping that the races will serve as referenda. Only they hope voters will use the occasion to register discontent with President Trump."Connecticut Republicans have remained absent from the discussion about President Trump," said Michael Mandell, executive director of the Connecticut Democratic Party. "There are residents who are concerned that Republican legislators are serving as a validator for President Trump's agenda."But the likelihood of change in Connecticut is a longshot.Two seats are in play there, one Republican and one Democratic, and each district is likely to remain in the hands of the incumbent party. In both cases, the seats became vacant when senators were appointed to positions in state government.The greater chance for change is in Delaware. A single seat is at stake, left vacant by Bethany Hall-Long, who was elected lieutenant governor in November.Hall-Long is a Democrat, but her district had been represented by Republicans prior to the last round of redistricting. In 2014, Republican John Marinocame within 267 votes of unseating Hall-Long."I've said from day one the difference could be 200 votes," said Earl Jaques, a Democrat whose state House district overlaps with the Senate seat in play.Marino, a realtor and former police officer, is once again the GOP's nominee. He faces Stephanie Hansen, an environmental attorney. She has derided Trump for "hate speech" and misogyny, arguing that a local victory will help sow the seeds for eventual Democratic victory over the president.Special elections generally have low turnout, with only the most dedicated voters even aware they're occurring."In ordinary circumstances, you would think that would help Marino," said Paul Brewer, a pollster at the University of Delaware. "On the other hand, the election of Trump may have energized people on the left."There's one other state where a special election might result in a change of party control this year. In Washington, Republicans have a one-seat edge in the state Senate. GOP state Sen. Andy Hill died last October. He represented a district that Hillary Clinton carried easily.Democrats are hopeful about making a pickup, but they'll have to wait. Under state law, when a legislator leaves office, he or she is replaced by a member of the same party until a special election is held in November.In addition, two GOP state senators have been appointed to posts in the Trump administration. Brian Dansel resigned his seat, while Doug Ericksen has not.Like Hill, Dansel has already been replaced by another Republican. Unlike Hill, Dansel's seat will be considered safe in November. Ericksen's seat, however, is more competitive, which may be one reason he hasn't left office.As with most legislative elections these days, it's unusual for specials to be competitive. When one party starts to make real gains, it's an early indicator that that party has real momentum heading into the next general election.But there usually aren't many special elections that change the partisan makeup of a chamber."It is usually pretty rare to have a special decide control of the chamber," said David Beaudoin, editor of the blog Local & Special Elections . "The number of chambers that are up for grabs is becoming smaller and smaller, and the number of seats anywhere in the country that are up for grabs is smaller and smaller." Democratic state lawmakers on Wednesday gave Maryland's attorney general broad authority to bypass the governor and sue the federal government on a range of issues, an unprecedented expansion of power for the office.The action allows Democratic Attorney General Brian E. Frosh to challenge the administration of Republican President Donald J. Trump without first obtaining approval from Republican Gov. Larry Hogan or the Democrat-led General Assembly.Lawmakers, spurred by what they say is the unique threat posed by Trump, are now weighing whether to give Frosh's office an additional $1 million a year and five more attorneys to fight the federal government.Other Democrat-controlled states have mounted legal challenges to Trump's executive orders, including the ban on visitors from seven predominantly Muslim countries. Washington state successfully halted that ban with a lawsuit this month.Before Trump's inauguration last month, California hired former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to challenge the federal government for $25,000 a month.The Maryland General Assembly moved in less than two weeks to expand the authority of the state's top lawyer for the first time since 1864, when the job was re-established in the Maryland Constitution.The legislature used its constitutional authority to direct the attorney general to grant blanket approval to sue the federal government at the attorney general's discretion on a wide range of issues."In these uncertain times, I think it's important for us to be armed and ready to respond," said Frosh, a former state senator who spent 28 years in the legislature before becoming attorney general in 2015.Addressing lawmakers Wednesday, he said "I really hope we don't have to use the authority you all granted us."The action is not subject to a veto by the governor.Frosh had sought Hogan's permission to challenge the constitutionality of Trump's travel ban. The governor did not respond to the request.GOP lawmakers objected to the legislature granting what they called unchecked power to the attorney general. At a time of great uncertainty, they warned, it could sabotage Hogan's ability to negotiate with the Trump administration."This is a good governor. He cares for the people of the state," House Minority Leader Nic Kipke said during floor debate. "It undermines his ability to work for what we have in Maryland."Kipke warned that once such powers are granted, they're rarely revoked. He said a future attorney general could attempt to heighten his political prominence by using state resources to file publicity suits against the federal government.Democrats were undeterred and at times impassioned about what they viewed as unacceptable moves by the three-week-old Trump administration."Our communities are in fear, across the state, and it is our duty as members of the General Assembly to fight for our constituents," said Del. Marice I. Morales of Montgomery County.The House of Delegates passed the "Maryland Defense Act" on a strict party line vote Wednesday, 89-50. The Senate approved the same measure last week, 29-17, with three Democrats joining the chamber's 14 Republicans in voting against it.Frosh sought Hogan's authority to contest the constitutionality of Trump's travel ban on Feb. 1, but the governor has not responded. Lawmakers had announced their plan to give Frosh permission to sidestep the governor the day before.A spokeswoman for the governor said Hogan's attorneys requested additional information about the merits of Frosh's proposed lawsuit and were reviewing it.Spokeswoman Amelia Chasse criticized the legislature for spending "more than two hours speculating and philosophizing over what might or might not happen in Washington, D.C. -- instead of focusing on Maryland."Until Wednesday, the governor and General Assembly reserved the right to decide when to sue the federal government. Maryland was one of nine states that did not grant autonomy to the attorney general through common law.In Oklahoma, for example, state attorney general Scott Pruitt created a "Federalism Unit" in 2010 to challenge federal regulations, and used the office to sue the Environmental Protection Agency repeatedly on behalf of the oil-rich state.Trump nominated Pruitt to lead the EPA.Maryland lawmakers said they modeled the proposal to give Frosh more resources and attorneys after the size and scope Pruitt's five-attorney unit. That proposal, if enacted, would not take effect until July 2018.In the meantime, Frosh said he would use existing resources in his agency's $30 million budget to evaluate potential lawsuits against the federal government. Already, he said, lawyers with other responsibilities are taking on extra assignments to research the constitutionality of some of Trump's executive orders.The joint resolution allows Frosh to initiate a lawsuit against the government for a long list of action or inaction that the attorney general deems an infringement of Marylanders' rights to health care, civil liberties, economic security, environment, immigration or international travel.It took effect Wednesday afternoon after Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller and House Speaker Michael E. Busch, both Democrats, signed the resolution.While putting his pen to the resolution, Busch quipped, "This is my Donald Trump moment." Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 16 By Anakhanum Hidayatova Trend: Armenia should fulfill the UN Security Councils resolutions calling for withdrawing the Armenian troops from the Azerbaijani territories rather than carry out "referendum" in the occupied Nagorno-Karabakh region, Levente Kozma, the former Hungarian senior foreign policy advisor, told Trend Feb. 16. Kozma was commenting on the illegal referendum on constitutional changes, scheduled for February 20. Earlier, Azerbaijans Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the illegal referendum on constitutional changes planned to be held in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan is a clear violation of the countrys constitution, as well as the norms and principles of international law and, therefore, has no legal effect. Kozma encourages and endorses regular meetings of the Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents and high level politicians under the aegis of OSCE Minsk Group to resolve the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict on the basis of international law is of utmost importance for the sake of the region's stability and prosperity, he added. The expert suggested Azerbaijan and Armenia to follow the European norms in the conflict settlement, namely, observance of territorial integrity, human rights, rights of minorities and democratic election. 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. Making Texas the first state to throw its weight behind President Donald Trump's embattled travel ban, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Wednesday filed a brief of support with a federal appeals court saying the immigration order is lawful.The travel ban was blocked last week by a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, but a judge on the appeals court has called for the wider court to review the decision.Paxton's support comes even as the Trump administration weighs its next step: After first suggesting he would appeal the stay to the Supreme Court, Trump has held off as he considers issuing a new executive order or preparing for another hearing before the San Francisco-based 9th Circuit judges.The order indefinitely prohibited Syrian refugees from entering the United States, suspended all refugee admissions for 120 days and blocked citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States for 90 days. Those seven countries are Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.Attorneys general in at least 20 states, led by those in Washington and Minnesota, have filed briefs opposed to the possible reinstatement of the order.The order's abrupt roll-out soon after the inauguration transformed major airports into protest zones. Trump, cheered by his supporters, has said the order was necessary to keep the country safe; its many critics said the order amounted to an unconstitutional Muslim ban, harms businesses, turns a cold shoulder to desperate refugees and makes America less safe by antagonizing hearts and minds abroad."The law makes it very clear that the president has discretion to protect the safety of the American people and our nation's institutions with respect to who can come into this country," Paxton said in announcing the filing of the amicus brief. "The safety of the American people and the security of our country are President Trump's major responsibilities under the law."Attorneys general of Washington and Minnesota took the opposite tack in their challenge to Trump's order, citing Trump's own campaign claims that he wanted to bar Muslims from the country to say his order amounted to an unconstitutional religious test. The states,joined by a raft of companies, said the order harmed individuals, businesses and universities in their states.The judges said Justice Department lawyers presented no evidence that anyone from the seven countries on the banned list was responsible for a terrorist attack in the United States and that they didn't see "an urgent need" for the ban's reinstatement.Paxton told the American-Statesman he was "surprised" by the 9th Circuit ruling because, he said, the judges had missed important parts of the law giving the president discretion on national security matters.Asked about the wide range of opposition to the ban, Paxton said: "Our primary concern is the safety of our citizens" and that the law doesn't require the president to provide proof of a security threat.He said it was wrong to say the ban is a religious test because many Muslim-majority countries weren't included in the order.Paxton's brief didn't address the potential effect on Texas businesses or universities, as the 9th Circuit challenge did.In late January, shortly after the order's signing, University of Texas President Gregory L. Fenves told students and faculty that the direct impact on members of the UT community "is unclear."The note from Fenves said the university has 110 students, faculty members and scholars who are citizens of the seven affected countries."The talents that brought them to UT are deeply valued, and their perspectives represent an essential part of the university," the note said.Texas Association of Business spokesman Robert Wood said his group hasn't taken a position on the travel ban. Some companies with an Austin presence have voiced opposition.Before the judges' ruling last week, National Instruments CEO Alex Davern told the Statesman the company was working with employees affected by the executive order and was adjusting their work responsibilities so they wouldn't be traveling outside the United States."This travel ban didn't accomplish what it set out to do," said Austin immigration attorney Mehron P. Azarmehr, whose firm represents a variety of businesses. "Instead it's been a source of confusion, and led to losses of productivity, creating uncertainty in the business community."Paxton's brief "doesn't really make sense," he said. "It's not a wise use of legal resources to support a ban, frankly, that was poorly drafted."Azarmehr said the travel ban hampered the work of tech companies that have grown by "getting the best talent from all over the world.""This runs counter to everything Austin's been doing in the last 20 years to become a technology hub," he said.Paxton and Gov. Greg Abbott in 2015 sued to block the arrival of refugees from Syria, claiming the new arrivals could include terrorists, but a federal judge in Dallas declined to halt their flow. On Thursday, in the afternoon, at Parliament House, His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC presided at a meeting of the Executive Council of Queensland. Following, at Government House, the Governor and Mrs Kaye de Jersey received Dr Paul Mocanu, Consul-General of Romania in Sydney and Mrs Roxana Mocanu. In the evening, at Government House, the Governor and Mrs de Jersey hosted a reception in recognition of outstanding Queensland contributors where His Excellency addressed guests. Description GIS - 16 February, 2017: In line with Governments policy to encourage aquaculture, two floating cages were handed over yesterday to fishermen of cooperative societies at Grande Riviere Sud Est Fisheries Post. The ceremony was held in the presence of the Minister of Ocean Economy, Marine Resources, Fisheries, Shipping and Outer Islands, M. Premdut Koonjoo. In line with Governments policy to encourage aquaculture, two floating cages were handed over yesterday to fishermen of cooperative societies at Grande Riviere Sud Est Fisheries Post. The ceremony was held in the presence of the Minister of Ocean Economy, Marine Resources, Fisheries, Shipping and Outer Islands, M. Premdut Koonjoo. Ten floating net cage structures of 12 metres in diameter and cage nets of around Rs 1 million each have been recently acquired. These cages will enable production of fish for the local market whilst ensuring the least risk to fishermen since they would not be required to venture at sea. Technical guidance for the successful implementation of the project will also be provided by the Ministry. In his address, Minister Koonjoo recalled that Government aims to transform Mauritius into an ocean State by promoting the ocean economy as one of its main pillars of development. The Ministry is endorsing all ocean-related activities of economic value and one such major activity is aquaculture, he said. He pointed out that the stocking of the lagoon with fingerlings remains at the high end of policy. To that effect, the Ministry is pursuing with the marine ranching programme. For year 2016, 155 000 sea bream juveniles have already been released in different lagoons across the island. Speaking about the effective and efficient enforcement of the law to protect our seas and ensure a sustainable livelihood for the next generation, Mr Koonjoo appealed to the National Coast Guard to work in close collaboration with the Fisheries Protection Service to ensure that there is a proper mechanism in place to enforce laws aimed at protecting the marine environment and the resources. Aquaculture in Mauritius Following initiation of small scale floating cage culture in Mauritius and subsequent encouraging results obtained from the pilot phases, eight floating cages were set as follows: one at Grand Gaube, one at Trou dEau Douce and six at Quatre Soeurs. A total of 12 150 cordonnier were stocked in cages at Grand Gaube, Trou dEau Douce and Quatre Soeurs in 2013. Some 13, 000 cordonnier and 1,000 gueule pave have been stocked at Quatre Soeurs. A first partial harvest of about 350 kg at Quatre Soeurs was carried out two years ago, indicating that the yield per cage was estimated to be about 1.2 tons. Description GIS 16 February, 2017: Government has taken note of the Public Sector Business Transformation Strategy, prepared with the technical assistance of the Commonwealth Secretariat. The Strategy purports at setting out the vision of Government for the transformation of the Public Sector while emphasising a collective response to the business of Government, as well as themes of national importance, and creating a joint ownership model for implementation, action and results. A Ministerial Committee chaired by the Minister Mentor, Minister of Defence, Minister for Rodrigues, Sir Anerood Jugnauth, has been set up to examine the proposals contained therein and make recommendations. Vievu, a police body camera and video evidence firm, is suing Taser over a contract dispute with the city of Phoenix.The company is alleging that Taser caused the city to go back on a contract it was planning on awarding Vievu for police body cameras. Vievu scored more points than the other bidders on the contract, and Phoenix announced in September that it would award the contract to the company.But the city decided to scrap the $3.6 million deal and go out to re-bid on the contract in January, according to AZcentral.com. The city maintains that the move was done to give a new police chief a say on the contract, but Vievu is alleging that Taser employees and Chief Executive Officer Rick Smith approached Phoenix officials repeatedly to sway them from Vievu.Its the second such tussle between the two companies this year. Vievu also beat out Taser for a $6.4 million contract with the New York Police Department, but recently the citys comptroller decided not to proceed on the deal. Vievu has blamed Taser for that roadblock as well, but has yet to go to court over the incident.Taser is largely dominant in the police body camera space, but Vievu has been winning local government contracts lately in several places, including Miami-Dade County and Aurora, Colo The Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) bears a heavy burden when it comes to cyber. Its responsible for the digital security of state and local government, and also works to ensure the cybersafety of the private sector. MEMA broadcasts a daily, color-coded cyberthreat update and is an integral partner in the state fusion center, the Maine Information and Analysis Center (MIAC).All this is more than the agency can handle on its own. I was fortunate to be able to create a new position a year ago a cybersecurity coordinator but he is also my continuity of operations officer. Hes responsible for business continuity and for disaster recovery planning, said MEMA Director Bruce Fitzgerald. There is absolutely no way he can do it all.The agency has found a way to lighten the load in recent months by teaming up with students from Thomas College. The Waterville, Maine, school has offered a degree in cyber since 2012 and was looking for a place where students could hone their skills in a practical environment.About 20 students have been working with MEMA largely to help towns and cities around the state bring their municipal cyberpractices up to snuff. For the emergency management agency, municipal cyber-readiness could help to ease some of the pressure that has been building as the pace of cyberattacks nationwide continues to rise.Government clearly is in the crosshairs for cyberattackers. In a survey of 24 federal agencies released mid-2016, the General Accounting Office found that between 2006 and 2015 the number of cyberattacks on government climbed 1,300 percent from 5,500 to over 77,000 a year.Government IT executives are struggling in this environment. In a recent KPMG survey, 59 percent of federal cyberexecutives said their agencies struggle to understand how cyberattackers could breach their systems, and just 67 percent believe their agencies can appropriately respond to a cyberincident.Bring this down to the municipal level, where resources are even more scarce, and the peril only becomes more pronounced.We have very small local government here in Maine. It may be a part-time clerk or an office that is only open a few days a week, Fitzgerald said. They dont have the resources to address the emerging cybersecurity threat.After a rash of ransomware attacks locked multiple Maine police and sheriff's departments out of their records management systems, calls started coming into MEMA from towns seeking guidance. Fitzgerald needed a force multiplier to meet the demand and he turned to the college for help.Its good for our students, said professor of information technology managementFrank Appunn. They get hands-on experience dealing with smaller and larger municipalities. They get to use their skills in the real world.The student team has delivered resources to help MEMA in its efforts to bring municipalities up to speed.They have developed a brochure outlining basic cyberpractices and distributed it to some 700 municipalities. It addresses backup, which is so important when towns are struggling with ransomware threats, Appunn said. We also looked at how to do wireless, because there are just so many things that can go wrong. And we talked about the users role, about having an acceptable use policy so that town workers and officials dont do things that inadvertently open the door to the bad people.Last fall the students hosted a training session in person and online. The effort attracted about 60 officials from municipalities, utilities and others in the public realm. It offered a high-level overview of cyber best practices.Now MEMA has its eye on a weekly help desk event, wherein students would work directly with municipalities to address pressing issues. As we envision it, towns or police departments could either email in a question or call to get help. Its a way to provide them with more of a technical resource than we could otherwise provide, Fitzgerald said. And they would be under the supervision of faculty, so its not like we are just turning college kids loose.In addition to the Thomas College effort, MEMA also collaborates with the Maine Cyber Security Cluster (MCSC), an academic and research center located on the Portland campus of the University of Southern Maine. Given the complex nature of a cyberthreat, Fitzgerald said he is eager to keep open as many lines of communication as possible.There is a wealth of information from the [Department of Homeland Security] and other sources, and we dont want to duplicate something that is already available, he said. We want to make sure we arent setting up the colleges to be working in identical directions. We want them to complement each other and not step on each others toes.In addition to coordinating cyberefforts in the near term, MEMAs ties to academia could help secure the states long-term digital security posture. We hope these kids will come out of school and that they will want to stay in Maine. There is a huge need, and we just hope they wont get whisked off to Boston or other places, Fitzgerald said. He suggested that undergraduate encounters with FEMA and municipal leaders could encourage students to keep their talents close to home.Looking ahead, Appunn said students will be helping local leaders take their basic understanding of cyber to a deeper level.Now we are rolling out a couple of items a month where we dive deeper into a particular aspect of cyber, he said. Students are producing white papers addressing detailed cyberimplementations and will be doing one-on-one outreach to municipal leaders.They will be going out to the towns to talk about what, specifically, the towns are seeing and what they can do about it. We want to talk about how they can protect their networks and protect their citizens, he said.This could enable MEMA to make best use of its limited cyberassets. It provides feedback to us about what the common questions are, what the common issues are that people are reporting, Fitzgerald said. That in turn helps us target our resources. (TNS) -- Google Fiber has a new boss, fewer headquarters employees and a future thats becoming harder to predict.The company aimed to reassure customers Wednesday in its first-ever market that the TV subscriptions and internet connections it sells wont be going away.Google Fiber loves Kansas City and is here to stay, the company said in an email. We just announced our expansion into Raymore last week.The statement comes after Access, the company division that includes Google Fiber, hired Gregory McCray to oversee the sale of internet service in markets such as Kansas City and the companys exploration into other ways to deliver online connections besides fiber optic cables.McCray is the former CEO of broadband service company Aero Communications Google Fiber has been instrumental making the Web faster and better for everyone something Ive been passionate about my entire career, McCray said in a statement issued Wednesday by the company.His hiring, first reported by Business Insider, fills a vacancy that had been open for months after Craig Barratt left the company. Barratts departure is one of a handful of signs thats had analysts wondering if Google will stay in the business of selling broadband.Reports in The Information Fortune and other publications in the tech trade press have explored the likelihood of whether Alphabet the parent company to Googles search division that has created hundreds of billions in stock value would sell Google Fiber.A source who asked to be described as familiar with the matter said the company has no plans to sell. In an October 2016 earnings call, Alphabet chief financial officer Ruth Porat was asked about the companys commitment to Google Fiber.Theres a sizable opportunity given the need for abundant connectivity and we do continue to be committed to that vision, she said.Analysts see a sale as at least plausible. Google Fiber was created, executives said when it launched the project in Kansas City almost six years ago, to make much faster internet available to home consumers. Thats happened.Most dramatically in markets such as Kansas City where Google Fiber built networks, consumer internet connections rocketed to speeds previously available only to large businesses and institutions like hospitals and universities.Average home internet speeds in the country ran about 5 megabits per second when Google Fiber said in 2011 it would build in Kansas City. Now the company sells internet hookups in nine markets . Its internet service moves a gigabit per second, or 200 times faster than the previous norm.Other telecommunication and cable companies responded, selling far faster internet connections than before. Spectrum, for instance, doubled speeds without raising prices in Kansas City.Google Fiber accomplished their objectives, which is to get the telcos and cable providers to greatly increase their speeds, said Glen Friedman of the Ideas & Solutions broadband consulting firm.Meantime, Googles Mountain View, Calif., headquarters has put increasing emphasis on its core business the search functions that made it a tech giant.When Google Fiber was created, it pulled employees away from some of those functions. Now, hundreds of Google Fiber workers at the California headquarters will be shifted out of the division.The internet service division last year paused expansion into new markets. Instead, its exploring still-developing wireless technology to beam broadband to homes.Google Fiber remains focused on our customers and cities, the company said in an email. We want to bring Google Fiber to customers faster, so were focused on making deployment more efficient and less intrusive.The companys new approach, in part, reflects the daunting cost of building a fiber optic network that reaches all the way through residential neighborhoods.Just being in Kansas City and fewer than a dozen other markets is an interesting experiment. But if you really want to move the dial, you have to be national, said Larry Gerbrandt, a cable industry analyst at Media Valuation Partners. Its a massive undertaking to wire the country. Is this where they want to put their money?The job of hoisting wires on utility poles or burying them under streets and lawns is one of the most capital-intensive things you can do, he said. Its infrastructure. And thats really expensive.Analysts said its hard to speculate about who might want to buy what Google Fiber has already built. A cable company such as Spectrum, formerly Time Warner Cable, might be reluctant to purchase the customer contracts and physical networks in markets where it can already sell service. Other companies might be reluctant to buy a network to compete so directly with Spectrum.Yet analysts said the company has likely invested billions in Google Fiber assets across the country that would be valuable in a sale. Outcome-driven policy in many ways seems like common sense: setting measurable objectives for policies gives government a much better chance of making meaningful change than implementing reforms with no clear means of tracking success. Working towards quantifiable goals not only gives policies more direction, but also allows governments to monitor the success of their programs and reform them if need be.Decembers Summit for State and Local Government , co-hosted by the White House and behavioral science company ideas42, emphasized the need for increased adoption of outcome-based policies to create economic opportunity and build stronger communities. Cities and counties shared lessons learned with the hope of galvanizing effective outcome-driven policies in local government. However, representatives from non-profits, think tanks and local governments alike agreed that implementing outcome-driven policies is not always as simple as it may appear. Many of the attendees made it clear that determining what policies to implement and whether or not they are working often requires a great deal of nuance.One of the principal takeaways for outcome-based programs was the need to develop and implement metrics that direct city energy in a useful way. A city can devote a great deal of time and money to tracking and achieving some quantifiable goal, but if the goal isnt the right one, the citys efforts will be for naught.For example, Third Sector Capitala non-profit that partners with governments to deliver funding for service delivery projectsdiscussed its project with Santa Clara County in California to address the countys homelessness problem. While Santa Clara County was committing a great deal of its budget to building homeless shelters, the county had the fifth-largest homeless population in the country. The problem was not in how much funding the county was providing, but where it was allocating this funding; instead of directing funds to put people in permanent homes, the county had focused on the goal of providing beds in homeless shelters. While these shelters provided temporary relief, they did not offer a permanent solution for homeless citizens, many of whom would end up back on street after spending a night in a shelter. To resolve the problem, Third Sector Capital reworked many of the countys contracts with service providers, prioritizing putting people in permanent homes, rather than shelters.Yet while the number of people placed in permanent homes is a fairly obvious metric to use for homelessness initiatives, the process of determining how to actually collect this information can be more difficult. In the case of homelessness, it is often difficult to track homeless individuals over long periods of time to determine whether or not they have secured permanent housing, as they often have no address or phone number. A homelessness study in Minneapolis used a number of strategies to improve the responsiveness of its participants, including hiring individuals familiar with the homeless to contact them, collecting names and addresses of friends, relatives, and agencies who would be likely to know of their whereabouts, and distributing postcards for participants to send in every few months. The study also paid participants as an incentive to respond, but still saw high attrition rates, meaning that innovative techniques for this kind of long-term outcome tracking are still needed.In some cases, determining what metrics to use can also be complicated. For example, if the goal is to improve education in a community, how might a city measure this? Should the metric be improved test scores for students? Or perhaps longer-term measures, like admissions to college or employment, would be more relevant. Engaging members of a community can help service providers choose both the most pressing problems to address and the right goals for resolving those problems. In many cases, the solutions developed by academics or non-profit boards may not align with the priorities of local communities. In the education example, school boards may see test scores as a useful representation of educational achievement, while it is possible that a community may be more concerned with how education helps residents secure employment in the future. Understanding the problems that really plague a community requires putting people on the ground and facilitating conversations with those that will be affected. Hearing what results they value and implementing metrics that reflect their priorities can ensure outcome-driven policies are human-oriented and caring reforms.Relatedly, it is important for policymakers to keep in mind that the goal of outcome-driven policy is not to produce an impressive stat a city can publicize, but rather to improve economic opportunity, social justice, or services for citizens. The incentive to take part in cream-skimming targeting those easiest to serve can be a problematic temptation built into outcome-driven policies. When the goal is measurable success, service delivery providers may be tempted to turn to those with whom their reform is most likely to succeed. For example, if the goal is to maximize the number of former prisoners who find jobs, a provider may target those who could have gotten a job without help in order to produce the best success rate.In order to prevent this selective service, outcome-driven goals must emphasize value added: for instance, how many ex-offenders that would not have found a job on their own succeeded thanks to the intervention. In order to best assess value added, cities may employ data analysis to determine those in greatest need of intervention and those likely to succeed without government aid. This data may be derived from randomized control trials, which test interventions on a random sample of the population and track their effectiveness on some metric. By comparing the success rates of those who did and did not receive intervention, cities can determine where to best allocate attention: to those groups unlikely to succeed without intervention but likely to succeed with intervention.Once a local government has selected metrics and collected data, it must then monitor this data to produce actionable insights. Many local governments have accomplished this by implementing performance measurement systems: structured processes for tracking data that often involve regular meetings where attendees analyze data and organize interventions.Importantly, these outcome-based policies do not necessarily need to involve costly implementation and data collection efforts by governments. At the Summit, representatives from the Laura and John Arnold Foundation emphasized the need to start small and cull data from already available sources. This is exactly what the foundation did with its Bottom Line program for low-income students, which provides one-on-one counseling to help students get into college and then support them while in college. The program used a randomized lottery to determine which students would receive the service, which, while limiting the number of participants, allowed the organization to conduct an inexpensive trial of effectiveness so it can evaluate and build upon the test in the future. Moreover, the program used data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, which collects education data to inform practitioners and policymakers about student pathways. Leveraging existing data allowed Arnold to avoid costly independent data collection, freeing up funds for more substantive intervention. Governments may also renegotiate existing contracts with service providers, building in data collection requirements so service providers help with collection work.Local governments may also use Pay for Success (PFS) contracts and Social Impact Bonds (SIBs) to mitigate the financial risks associated with outcome-driven programs. Under PFS contracts, governments agree to pay for a program only when the service delivery providers achieve an agreed-upon result. Often these PFS Contracts are paired with SIBs, in which private investors provide the upfront capital for service delivery and are repaid only if the providers achieve the desired outcomes. This scheme not only reduces the financial risk for governments intent on introducing outcome-driven reforms, but also spreads accountability for programs success among governments, service providers, and private investors. As a piece of its homelessness initiative, Santa Clara County introduced a Pay for Success project called Project Welcome Home. Thanks to $6.9 million in upfront investments, the county and housing services provider Abode Services intend to serve 150-200 chronically homeless individuals with clinical services and housing options. The county, which also invested $4 million of its own money, will repay Abode and the programs other funders based on the number of months that participants achieve continuous stable housing. Santa Claras ultimate goal is for 80 percent of the participants to achieve 12 months of continuous stable tenancy, at which point the county would fully repay its funders.Outcome-driven policy has immense potential to bring pointed and accountable solutions to the most compelling social problems facing local governments. Focusing on outcomes forces government to be more direct in its policymaking as well as more accountable for its performance, often at little cost. However, it is important that policymakers take a cautious approach, engaging with communities and ensuring their reforms address those in greatest need. To implement outcome-driven policy that significantly benefits citizens, a human touch is key. (TNS) -- Silicon Valley is rightly focused on President Donald Trumps immigration order. But it should be gearing up for another fight thats vital to both tech companies and their customers.Net neutrality is in the crosshairs again. Ajit Pai, the new chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, has made it clear that hes no fan. Hes already halted a net neutrality-related investigation launched by his predecessor and recently reaffirmed his belief that, one way or another, the days are numbered for the Open Internet rules.Pai was not available for comment, but advocates on both sides of the net neutrality debate believe its only a matter of time before he tries to undo the rules.If the courts or Congress dont overturn them, Pai will, said Berin Szoka, president of Tech Freedom, a group that advocates against regulations affecting the technology and telecom industries, at a forum in Menlo Park, Calif., on net neutrality last week.Its no mystery what Ajit is going do, he said.How exactly Pai will go after the rules is an open question, said Craig Aaron, CEO of Free Press, a consumer advocacy group that lobbied for them.But he added, I think hes making it pretty clear that hes not interested in enforcing them and that he would welcome pretty much any opportunity to undermine or defang them.The net neutrality rules say that internet service providers shouldnt unreasonably discriminate against particular internet sites or services. That has been spelled out in three big prohibitions: broadband providers are barred from blocking, throttling or prioritizing for a fee access to particular sites and services. Under the rules, providers are also required to disclose how they manage their networks.The threat that those rules might be overturned should be of utmost concern to Silicon Valley and the broader tech industry. Tech companies including Google, Facebook, Netflix and Apple have thrived in an environment ruled by the principles of net neutrality, where they dont have to worry about whether theyll be able to reach their customers over the internet or whether broadband providers might slow down access to their sites, services or apps.Without the net neutrality protections, larger companies likely will be forced to pay broadband providers to guarantee their customers will be able to access their sites and services. Not only could those fees be significant, they almost certainly will be passed along to consumers in the form of higher costs. Meanwhile, smaller companies could easily lose out by being unable to afford to pay such premiums. That could have obvious effects on competition and innovation.There are lot of companies that benefit from having well-repaired roads, said John Bergmayer, a senior staff attorney at Public Knowledge, a consumer advocacy group that long pressed for strong net neutrality rules. Similarly, he added, broadband access is such basic infrastructure. Everyone needs it.Right now, though, Silicon Valley doesnt seem particularly engaged on this issue, at least not publicly. The immigration fight is gobbling up a lot of attention. Many in the tech industry, particularly the big companies, have been hopeful that the Trump administration will push forward on a tax reform that would slash or eliminate the taxes they owe on their overseas profits. And like many Americans, many seem to be trying to get their bearings amid all the rapid changes.I think a lot of them are stumbling a little bit, Aaron said. Like many people inside and outside Washington, theyre trying to figure out what it means to operate in the Trump administration.But Pai isnt sitting still. Earlier this month, in one of his first actions as chairman, he shut down an inquiry his predecessor had launched into so-called zero-rating plans. Under those plans, broadband providers allow consumers to access particular sites and services without using any of their limited buckets of data bandwidth.Consumer advocates have charged that such plans can violate the principles of net neutrality, because they can distort the market by allowing providers to give preferential treatment to their own sites and services or those of paid partners. The FCC under Tom Wheeler, Pais predecessor, found reason to believe that two such plans, one each from AT&T and Verizon, did fall afoul of the Open Internet rules. Instead of pursuing the investigation, which was launched toward the end of Wheelers tenure, Pai gave a green light to AT&T and Verizon to continue their plans and to other providers to create their own.Other actions could be coming up. Last year, a federal appeals court panel upheld the Open Internet rules. But opponents of the rules are seeking to have the entire court rehear the case and will likely appeal to the Supreme Court if it doesnt. Under Pai, the FCC could choose to stop defending the rules.Some congressional Republicans have been seeking to overturn the net neutrality rules and to strip the FCC of much of its authority. Pai could press them to go forward. Or he could simply launch a new rulemaking effort in the FCC itself to overturn the rules.Those rules were the result of years worth of lobbying by advocates, companies and individual citizens. All three are going to be needed to defend them now that they are in place. Silicon Valley companies in particular could play an important role through public advocacy, private lobbying and the funding of opposition efforts.Advocates think internet users who flooded the FCC with comments in support of net neutrality played the key part in getting the rules in place and will play a crucial role in defending them. But they are hopeful the tech industry will have their backs.The tech companies have a responsibility, in my opinion, to not only stand up for their users, in terms of their policy positions, but to fight for them, said Evan Greer, a campaign director at Fight for the Future, a consumer advocacy group that focuses on internet issues. SAN FRANCISCO The veritable flood of cybersecurity legislation in recent years has, on the surface, targeted malicious actors and consumer interests. But from the viewpoint of some operating in and around the cyberspace, many of the laws have also posed significant dangers to new innovations and ultimately the safety of networks.Whether the limitations imposed by legislation relate to things like the ability to comprehensively test networks or devices for security flaws, or were simply written by lawmakers without a complete sight picture, the ramifications undeniably affect the technology realm.Experts from academia, policy and the security industry outlined the complex and frequently overlapping issues and what is at stake during a Feb. 15 panel conversation at the 2017 RSA conference.From the perspective of those in the legal space, legislation like the the 2016 Burr-Feinstein bill, was written in such a way that would have done away with encryption and would have had other unintended consequences, according to Nate Cardozo, senior staff attorney with the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF).If you read it literally, it would have outlawed general purpose computing, Cardozo said. When you look at it, that might have been a great boon for cybersecurity because if you just make computers illegal, then we have perfect cybersecurity.Though the intent behind the legislation may have been to make the jobs of intelligence and law enforcement agencies easier though backdoor device access, it failed to address these critical issues, he said.University of California, Davis, Professor Matt Bishop agreed, adding that the legislation would have also inadvertently opened the door to the nasty folks when the government was unable to protect the tool.In my experience saying, Nobody except this population can use this piece of equipment, is a good way to get it out very, very quickly to the general population, he said.In addition, the professor argued that legislation can have a chilling effect on research and information sharing. He said his own experiences have solidified the importance of open information sharing and innovative research.My interest essentially in these laws is I dont want them to restrict us understanding better what the threats are," Bishop said, "in us understanding better what the dangers are and us understanding better how to protect against their exploitation.With the bulk of the cybersecurity research done in the private sector and academia, Bishop argues that the impacts of limiting legislation would not only hurt overall network security, but also state and federal actors.Government and state organization themselves dont do all the security research. In fact, in most cases, they do very little, he said. So, the information that is discovered is fed back into them. I would even argue that these laws would weaken the country and the government, as well as other things.Panelist Matt Heine, principal software engineer with Raytheon, said one of the problems with many attempts to legislate technology is a general lack of understanding on the part of those writing and proposing the bills.The results, he said, are often counter to the original intent. Almost every technology bill seems to go through a period in which theres some sort of added step by people who simply dont understand the technology involved. It isnt even wrong; its just completely orthogonal to what it professes to be trying to do.The panel agreed that education and leveraging subject matter experts was the first step toward more comprehensive and less restrictive legislation around technology and cyber.Part of it is actually defining what cybersecuity is, Bishop argued, adding that the definition would be different for individual organizations.The discussion also traveled to the topic of artificial intelligence and the autonomous code. While concerns about a piece of code running rampant on the worldwide stage might spark the fear that ultimately prompts legislaiton, the panelists seemed to settle on the need for taking care rather than legal solutions.Certainly developing protocols and a way to ensure that we are doing what we think we are doing would help avoid a lot of accidents, Heine said. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 16 By Anakhanum Hidayatova Trend: Holding the meeting of chiefs of US, Russian general staffs in Baku demonstrates that Azerbaijan has become a platform for international dialogue, Sergey Markov, co-chair of the National Strategic Council of Russia, political scientist, told Trend. He added that it also emphasizes the importance Moscow attaches to Baku as its ally. Markov noted that the meeting in Baku was proposed by the Russian side, as Russia always advances its allies. During the meeting, the sides will discuss cooperation against the Islamic State terrorist group (IS), exchange data and mull the further prospects of military cooperation, according to him. "We will probably soon witness joint missions of the US and Russian air forces against IS," Markovsaid. Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Joseph Dunford and Chief of the General Staff of Russias Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov are meeting in Baku on Feb. 16. Paul Hembery has denied an early flaw with Pirelli's 2017 tyres may already have been uncovered. In 2013, F1's official supplier came under a bright spotlight when several tyres 'exploded' during the British grand prix. Pirelli's Mario Isola said this week: "The incident at Silverstone was a single episode, the cause was identified and we fixed the problem in seven days." But now, Pirelli has developed tyres that will have to go through corners up to 40kph faster, to accompany the radical aerodynamic rule changes for 2017. Last week at Ferrari's own Fiorano circuit, Sebastian Vettel was testing the 2017 rain tyres when he slid into a barrier at speed. Pirelli F1 chief Paul Hembery told the German broadcaster RTL: "It was very cold on that day -- it was extremely abnormal conditions that made testing very difficult and delicate. "It was only 4 degrees, which is unusual," he added. Asked if the tyre had suffered a problem, Hembery answered: "Again, to get the tyres to work in those temperatures is the problem." (GMM) Pirelli has developed a range of 'backup' tyre compounds for 2017. The F1 tyre supplier has said designing its significantly bigger, faster and less degrading slicks has been difficult due to a lack of testing. "Even the modified 2015 cars could not simulate the downforce of this year, so we've had to rely on simulations," Pirelli chief Paul Hembery said. He told the German broadcaster RTL: "The biggest challenge for us is not having seen the new cars. We'll probably only see if our data corresponds to reality on Saturday night in Melbourne." Hembery's Pirelli colleague Mario Isola explained: "In the first five races, we will only use the basic compounds. "We developed them on the basis of the information collected from our testing and the simulations. "But some elements are difficult to predict, so we have prepared five reserve compounds that can be used if the real track data does not coincide with what we simulated," he said. (GMM) Valtteri Bottas has played down reports that he is already a big financial winner in 2017. A report has emerged claiming the Finn's annual earnings are leaping from EUR 3 million with Williams to a cool 8 million for 2017 after signing with Mercedes. The Finnish media says the 27-year-old now earns more than his countryman Kimi Raikkonen, but Bottas insisted: "I don't know where those numbers come from and I don't like talking about it. It's not public information though. "It is just the usual speculation," Bottas told the Finnish news agency Suomen Tietotoimisto. He also played down reports that Mercedes team chairman Niki Lauda has given Bottas only four races to get up to speed in 2017 as an effective replacement for the retired Nico Rosberg. "I have not been told of any schedule," Bottas insisted. "Of course, the team expects good results from me, and I have to deliver." Mercedes has signed just a one-year contract with Bottas, with Lewis Hamilton's father Anthony Hamilton warning that his son is a "career killer". Bottas responded: "Many people think this is a risk for my career, but I see it exactly the other way around. For me it's just a ridiculously good opportunity. It is the first time I have got the chance to prove what I can do. "Nico has already showed that it is possible to beat Lewis. Of course he (Hamilton) is a triple world champion and I haven't won any races, but I don't see any reason why we can't be evenly matched." (GMM) McLaren has denied that the secret about its new, predominantly orange livery for 2017 is already out. Team boss Eric Boullier has confirmed that the Honda-powered team will change colour, but a spokesperson denied that images circulating on the internet are "leaked". "We've seen these fake MCL32 pics," the team said on Twitter. "It's not our car. "You'll have to wait a bit longer for the real thing." It has been a busy winter for McLaren, with long-time supremo Ron Dennis leaving and new chief Zak Brown having alarmingly declared the team will not win a race in 2017. "Do not pay attention to everything that is published," team boss Eric Boullier told the Spanish daily Marca. As for rumours McLaren is preparing a technical "surprise" with its 2017 car, the Frenchman added: "There are no surprises, just a great job done by the whole team. Stop talking about rumours." Boullier admitted, however, that Brown's comments may not have been wide of the mark. "McLaren is ready to win, but Honda may not be," he is quoted as saying. "We have already started the engine, Fernando Alonso will be in the car from day one and expectations are always high," Boullier added. Meanwhile, it is rumoured that Toro Rosso will also have a new livery for 2017. "And no, I don't know if it will be orange," Auto Motor und Sport's Tobias Gruner joked on Twitter. Rumours indicate the car will be light blue, to promote the sugar-free Red Bull drink. (GMM) Insiders are playing down rumours Ferrari's 2017 campaign is already in trouble, long before a single winter testing lap. Eyebrows were raised in Turin earlier this week, when representatives of other F1 teams attended a launch event by tyre supplier Pirelli. Maurizio Arrivabene was conspicuously absent. "I am not far from Maranello, but I could not come because we have a lot to do," Italian media reports quote Arrivabene as explaining by video message. It triggered rumours that Ferrari has fundamentally erred with the design of its 2017 car, amid a battle with Mercedes and Red Bull over alleged 'trick' suspension systems. What is clear is that Ferrari is having an extremely low-profile winter period, having brashly declared a year ago that it would challenge for wins and the title in 2016. "I do not think Ferrari is as bad as it is being painted," an Italian media source told the Spanish daily Marca. Also being played down are rumours of aerodynamic problems with the 2017 Ferrari. According to the rumour, the team is already working on a 'B' car for Barcelona. "It is not a B chassis," the Marca report insisted, "but rather an important evolution as they discover the possibilities of the new aerodynamics." Ferrari spokesman Alberto Antonini said: "It would be inappropriate to talk about expectations. The regulations have changed and the car will be completely different. "We know our abilities and what kind of car we have built. In the team the results are in line with expectations, but we need to wait for the tests in Barcelona to compare with the others," he added. (GMM) Rival city Sydney could use F1's Liberty Media buyout to launch a bid to poach the Australian grand prix. That is the claim of Andrew Westacott, boss of the Melbourne race that is preparing to host its 22nd edition at Albert Park next month. US media giant Liberty recently bought the sport and ousted Bernie Ecclestone, and Westacott said Sydney could use the occasion to try to take over from Melbourne. "It wouldn't surprise me," he told the Herald Sun newspaper. "The world of events is very competitive." But Westacott said there is no doubt the current contract, running until 2013, will run its course. However, he said he is keen to show Ecclestone's successor Chase Carey next month that Melbourne is one of the best F1 hosts on the calendar. "I would expect the new owners will be here to see how we do it and have a look at one of the very best formula one events in the world," said Westacott. (GMM) F1's governing body has hit back at reports a "conflict of interest" could be set to trigger a full European investigation into the sport. The European parliament this week voted through calls for an investigation into governance, income, and the fact a 1 per cent shareholding netted the FIA a $80 windfall after approving the Liberty Media buyout. In a statement on Thursday, the FIA said it "has been made aware of certain declarations and comments, clearly inaccurately informed or made maliciously, relating to this (sale) process." The reports had alleged the FIA's dual role as a regulator and a co-owner violated an earlier agreement that could now see F1's commercial contracts declared illegal. But the FIA said "there is no conflict of interest", adding that it would "be happy to demonstrate the absence of any conflict of interest to any competent authority that may so request". (GMM) Details added (first version posted on 12:21) Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 16 Trend: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has received a delegation led by the Minister of Justice of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mostafa Pourmohammadi. Noting that relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Islamic Republic of Iran successfully develop in all areas, President Ilham Aliyev said there are good opportunities for cooperation in law enforcement field. The head of state expressed his confidence that the negotiations, exchange of views to be conducted by the Iranian delegation led by Mostafa Pourmohammadi with their Azerbaijani counterparts will open new opportunities for cooperation. President Ilham Aliyev said the two countries have recently had much contact at different levels, stressing the importance of the meetings held at the level of presidents. President Ilham Aliyev emphasized the significance of arranging reciprocal visits in terms of strengthening the relations. The head of state expressed his confidence that this visit of the delegation led by the Minister of Justice of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mostafa Pourmohammadi would contribute to the expansion of relations between justice authorities. Minister of Justice of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mostafa Pourmohammadi said he visited Azerbaijan approximately 23 years ago, adding that he is deeply impressed with the great changes that have taken place in the country ever since. Mostafa Pourmohammadi said the foundation of the ongoing development in Azerbaijan was laid by national leader Heydar Aliyev. The Iranian minister paid tribute to the national leader, and noted that great statesman Heydar Aliyev attached great importance to expanding Azerbaijani-Iranian ties. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 16 By Anakhanum Hidayatova Trend: Chiefs of general staffs of the US and Russia are likely to mull cooperation in Syria against the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group, Matthew Bryza, former deputy assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs, former ambassador to Azerbaijan, told Trend Feb. 16. Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Joseph Dunford and Chief of the General Staff of Russias Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov are to meet in Baku on Feb. 16. The sides will discuss all details of cooperation in order to avoid incidents in the future, according to Bryza. Baku is the most suitable place to hold a meeting, he noted. Azerbaijan is not a member of the Eurasian Economic Community and is not a NATO member, he said, adding that Baku has good relations both with Russia and the US. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 16 Trend: The US highly appreciates Azerbaijan's participation in the fight against terrorism and high professionalism of Azerbaijani peacekeepers in Afghanistan, said Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Joseph Dunford. He was addressing a meeting with Azerbaijans Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov in Baku Feb. 16. General Dunford said he was well aware of the successful reforms implemented in the Azerbaijani Armed Forces, press service of the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reported. Colonel General Hasanov in turn said that military ties between the two countries are developing successfully. He spoke about military cooperation between Azerbaijan and the US, including activities of Azerbaijans Armed Forces within NATO programs. Hasanov also noted Azerbaijans contribution in the Resolute Support non-combat mission in Afghanistan. Touching upon the military and political situation in the region, Hasanov noted the importance of resolving the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict within international law. During the meeting, the sides discussed security in the Caspian Sea, non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, expansion of the bilateral military ties, as well as military education. Dunford expressed deep gratitude to the Azerbaijani government for assistance in holding the bilateral meeting with Russias Gen. Valeriy Gerasimov in Baku. The final injection head will eventually be the core of the new L75 liquid propellant rocket engine (LPRE), intended to propel a Brazilian small launch vehicle in the future. The engine delivers 75 kN thrust, fueled with liquid oxygen and ethanol, with a burn time of up to 400 seconds. (For comparison, Space Xs Falcon 9s second stageused to place large payloads into orbitis powered by a single Merlin engine with 934 kN thrust. Falcon 9s first stage delivers 7,607 kN at sea level.) The burn test series for the upper stage engine was completed within the framework of a German-Brazilian partnership established in 2011. The German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum fur Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) and the Brazilian aerospace agency Agencia Espacial Brasileira (AEB) have successfully completed the first burn tests for two newly designed injection heads enabling the development of a new rocket that is fueled with oxygen and alcohol. Top: L75 flow schematic. A Thrust Chamber Assembly (TCA) employs a regenerative combustion chamber and dump-cooled nozzle extension, both cooled by the fuel. The turbo pump assembly (TPA) comprises an oxidizer pump, a fuel pump and a supersonic axial-flow turbine with partial admission, all assembled on a single shaft. Combustion gases from a LOX-ethanol gas generator (GG) feed the turbine. The main propellant valves have pyrotechnical actuation, and the two regulation valves are servo-actuated. Pyrotechnic igniters are used in the TCA and the GG. A pyrotechnic gas generator provides spin start for the turbo pump. Bottom: 3D rendering of the L75. Soares de Almeida et al. (2016) Click to enlarge. In order to find the optimum technology for the propulsion of a future German-Brazilian rocket, two injection heads based on different concepts were developed in parallel. In this first series, we have achieved all our major test objectives. A total of 42 ignitions were successfully carried out over a period of 20 days. During these tests, we were able to closely analyze, among other things, the ignition behavior and stability of the system during ignition and start-up of the thrust chamber. From this we have gained important insights for further engine development. Lysan Pfutzenreuter, project manager at the DLR Space Administration The L75 thrust chamber has three main sub-assemblies: the injection head, the cavity ring and the combustion chamber. For testing, the three su-assemblies are bolted together, allowing for easy exchange of combustion chambers and injection heads. Soares de Almeida et al. (2016) Click to enlarge. The tests took place at the P8 test facility of the DLR Institute of Space Propulsion at the Lampoldshausen site between July and December 2016. The two injection heads differ in how the fuel is sprayed into the combustion chamber and mixed. One system was developed by the Instituto de Aeronautica e Espaco (IAE) in Brazil; the other developed and built in Germany by Airbus Safran Launchers as part of the SALSA project (system design of an alcohol LOX propulsion as a substitute for storable fuels). The new technology makes it possible to use ethanol as fuel. Ethanol, like methane, is being considered as a greener alternative that is more environmentally friendly and has less adverse health effects than the hydrazine compounds generally used for space travel. In addition to these positive effects, these new fuels can also significantly reduce the cost of space travel, since the cost for safe storage and handling of these substances is significantly lower than that for hydrazine. In Europe, how long hydrazine will continue to be approved as a fuel under the REACH regulation (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals) is questionable. This European Union regulation has been controlling the authorization and use of chemical substances since it came into force in 2007. In Europe, there is only one facility for testing engine components for orbital rocketsi.e. rockets that can transport a payload into orbitwith ethanol fuel: the P8 test facility at the DLR site in Lampoldshausen. The test facility had already been extended with a high-pressure ethanol supply in the spring of 2016. This means that another green fuel is available on the P8 alongside the existing oxygen, hydrogen and methane fuels. For Europe, the P8 covers almost the entire range of the current fuel combinations of interest for the technology development and thrust chamber testing for launchers. Jan Alting, SALSA project manager at Airbus Safran Launchers GmbH The burn test series is part of a German-Brazilian partnership that was initiated in 2011 between the German Aerospace Center and the Brazilian space agency Agencia Espacial Brasileira (AEB). It focuses on cooperation in the areas of engine development, high-altitude research rockets and research into weightlessness. The L75 engine and one of the two injection heads were developed, built and financed by the Instituto de Aeronautica e Espaco in Brazil. The planning, execution and evaluation of the test series, as well as the production of the second injection head, were coordinated by Airbus Safran Launchers GmbH on behalf of the DLR Space Administration and carried out with funding from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi). Resources Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 16 Trend: Azerbaijani Defense Minister, Colonel-General Zakir Hasanov met with Deputy Defense Minister, Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, Army General Valery Gerasimov Feb. 16, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said Feb. 16. Hasanov said that cooperation between the two countries is based on friendship and mutual trust, adding that the relations are constantly developing. As for the military-political situation in the region, Hasanov stressed that the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict poses a major threat to regional stability and it is necessary to achieve the conflict settlement within the norms of international law. Gerasimov recalled that the relations between the two countries are based on historical roots. Russia is an important partner of Azerbaijan, he added. Gerasimov once again stressed the need of organizing and holding mutual meetings with senior military officials in terms of expanding cooperation in military and military-technical spheres. Then the sides discussed the current state of cooperation in the military sphere and exchanged views on other regional issues of mutual interest. In conclusion, Gerasimov thanked for organizing a bilateral meeting with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the US Department of Defense Joseph Dunford in Baku and expressed his gratitude to the Azerbaijani leadership for the hospitality. GR home needed sandbags While some portions of the state are experiencing flooding from increased precipitation, flooding in Green River isnt a concern. According to data from the National Weather Service, Sweetwater County received between 1 and 2 inches of precipitation in the last 60 days, with the Green River municipal area receiving between 2 and 4 inches. On average, 10 inches of snowfall is calculated as 1 inch of liquid precipitation, though the ratio can change depending on the type of snow falling as powdery types of snow have less water content that usual. At the Fontenelle Reservoir, upstream from... Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 16 By Anakhanum Hidayatova Trend: Israels Ambassador to Baku Dan Stav has told Trend that he was deeply saddened to see the level of destruction in the Jojug Marjanli village of Azerbaijans Jabrayil District. I joined the visit in Jojug Marjanli village, organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, as I strongly believe that first-hand impression is important in order to have better understanding of the ground situation in one of the central issues on the agenda and that is the lingering conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Stav said. The Jojug Marjanli village of Azerbaijans Jabrayil District was liberated from the Armenian occupation in April 2016. I was deeply saddened to see the level of destruction. At the same time, I am hoping that quite soon people will be able to return to the rebuilt village and fully cultivate the fertile land around it, Stav said. It was heartwarming to meet members of the family who have been continuously living in the village since 1994 and to see how well the family is doing. The visit also serves as a reminder of the need for peaceful resolution of this conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. In this regard, based on Israels own experience as well as the moral desirability of peace between people and states, Israel supports the efforts by the co-chairs of the [OSCE] Minsk Group to bring about peaceful resolution of the conflict as these efforts are acceptable to both sides. Israel supports the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, Ambassador Stav added. A few Sweetwater County School District No. 2 board members are feeling frustrated at how the legislative session in Cheyenne is going. Board chair Brenda Roosa said shes disappointed and believes legislators have already made up their minds regarding school funding, which could receive a cut of up to $91 million from school spending. School board members were prohibited from giving testimony in person during hearings, which board member John Malone said is the reason they go to Cheyenne. Roosa did say shes happy with representation from Sweetwater County. Theyre on our side, t... Divers helped recover the body of a Utah resident at Anvil Draw Sunday morning who died after falling through the ice. The incident occurred Saturday when 59-year-old Rebecca Weston of Plain City, Utah, fell through the ice while riding an ATV. According to a release from the Sweetwater County Sheriffs Office, Weston was part of a family group ice fishing at the Flaming Gorge. She was a passenger on the ATV with three other family members, all of whom escaped falling through. Due to limited daylight, the recovery dive did not take place until Sunday morning. The Green River Fire Departme... We now have a new administration. In January, I became chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. President Trump announced his nominee to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. The Senate also started the process of rolling back punishing regulations from the Obama administration. Supreme Court Nomination On Jan. 31, President Trump announced his nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch to serve as associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. Our next justice will make decisions that impact our country for generations. Thats why its important to confirm someone who will apply... The County Historical Museum will have a chance to shine on the international stage. Curator Amanda Benson recently had a research paper accepted by the International Conference on Disaster Management and Human Health, which will host its conference in Seville, Spain in June. Bensons topic focuses on museum employees returning to workplace normalcy after a disaster. Benson presented the paper in 2016 during a convention in Washington, D.C. Benson said museums typically dont prepare for natural disasters as they happen infrequently and are caught unprepared when something does occur. B... Two years after states around the country passed an unprecedented number of police reforms after the killing of George Floyd, some are struggling to make the new policies stick. The momentum for change has slowed from its earlier frenetic pace. Some of the reforms have been rolled back or at least tweaked after police complained that the new policies were hindering their ability to catch criminals. Legal experts say police killings of Black people over the last decade epitomized by Floyds killing have altered the trajectory of policing. But change has come about unevenly in thousands of police departments across the U.S. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 16 By Azad Hasanli Trend: Istanbul will host the 5th Turkey-Azerbaijan-Georgia business forum Feb. 17, Azerbaijans Economy Ministry said in a message Feb. 16. Prospects for economic cooperation and expansion of relations will be discussed at the trilateral business forum, said the message. Presentations of economies, business and investment opportunities of Azerbaijan, Turkey and Georgia, as well as bilateral meetings between the businessmen of these countries will be held during the event. Azerbaijani Economy Minister Shahin Mustafayev, Turkish Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci and Georgian Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Giorgi Gakharia will take part in the forum organized with the support of Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Foundation (AZPROMO). Trump says it's smart to get along with Russia (Videos) President Trump's firm commitment to a one- or two-state solution, whatever, and the whole Trump-Netanyahu meeting yesterday seemed to bewilder the Israeli press, Ilan Ben Zion writes in The Times of Israel. Welcome to Trump world, Israel. It's amateur hour in the White House but, on the other hand, can things get worse than they already are? "Donald Trump wants to make a deal," Ben Zion quotes Israel Hayoms Boaz Bismuth. "How exactly hell do that, he still doesnt know. And perhaps thats actually good: we saw where all the experts in peace brought us to. Yet, there's a reason U.S. policy has favored a two-state solution, meaning creation of a separate and independent Palestinian nation. "Richard Haass, president of the Council on Foreign Relations and once said to be in the running for a Trump State Department job, tweeted, 'Maybe Pres Trump can live with a 1 state "solution" but Israel could not if it wanted to remain democratic, Jewish, secure & prosperous,' Emily Tamkin reported for Foreign Policy. One state means Israel absorbs all the land that today is nominally Palestinian territory. Jewish settlements already encroach deeply into those areas, and more are being added. Significantly, Trump asked for a halt. We'll see how that's received. If all the West Bank becomes officially part of the Israeli state, the question is whether Palestinians would be afforded the rights of citizenship, i.e., could they vote? If so, that would be the end of any right-wing Israeli government and Benjamin Netanyahu's leadership. Conceivably, in time, you could see Palestinians elected to rule Israel. Which, of course, would be unthinkable. The alternative is to not grant citizenship rights to Palestinians in a single state, which would put Israelis in a position like that of the white rulers in South Africa during apartheid. That's also unthinkable. A two-state solution, meanwhile, depends on the willingness of both sides to live peacefully as neighbors and for pulling back the settlements. No one should blame Trump for not having the answer or even for not staking out a clear position. The situation presents an intractable problem. Yet, if he pretends Israelis and Palestinians can just make a deal as if this is nothing more than a real-estate transaction, he will be proven wrong. The N.C. House of Representatives approved separate bills Thursday morning to protect people whose property has been condemned by a public agency and to give school systems more leeway in determining class sizes. House Bill 3 would change the North Carolina Constitution to prevent any government agency from taking private property for anything other than roads and other projects that provide a public service. It would formally require the agency to pay the private-property owner just compensation and allow the owner to challenge the amount in a jury trial, a right currently enshrined in state law but not the state constitution. The constitutional amendment proposed in House Bill 3, if approved by the voters, will make it crystal clear that private property may only be condemned for public uses, like schools, roads or utility easements, said state Rep. Chuck McGrady (R-Henderson), the bills lead sponsor. The proposed constitutional amendment would protect private-property rights while guaranteeing a jury trial and just compensation in all condemnations. The school bill, House Bill 13, loosens restrictions passed by the General Assembly last year on class sizes for students in their first four years of elementary school. School officials statewide protested that if enforced, the student-per-classroom caps would cost them heavily up to $16.6 million for Guilford County Schools alone and force them to sharply limit instruction in such areas as arts and physical education. Both bills passed handily on their third and final readings, the condemnation bill by a margin of 104-9 and the school bill with a unanimous vote of 114 in favor. The bills now go to the N.C. Senate for additional review. The Great Wall is by the same man who orchestrated the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympics; and hes working off a budget of over $150 million so its no surprise that Zhang Yimous The Great Wall is visually bewitching. Blending a knack for spectacle and showmanship, the Chinese filmmaker pulls out all the stops in his first (predominantly) English-language movie. Unfortunately, while adhering to the tried-and-true action movie template, the film often lacks dramatic depth. The first half is tediously inert, and it only fitfully gains momentum from then on. Heres the plot: During the reign of an ancient dynasty, a couple of mercenaries (Matt Damon and Pedro Pascal) on the trail of a cache of gunpowder then a valuable new invention are captured and held hostage by an elite faction of the Chinese army. Barricaded behind the Great Wall, they join forces to ward off attacks from thousands of mythical beasts. Lavish colour-coded costumes, impeccable production design and nifty special effects make it eminently watchable, thanks in part to cinematographers Zhao Xiaoding and Stuart-Dryburg and the New Zealand-based Weta Workshop. There is a particularly poignant interlude involving hundreds of airborne white lanterns released in tribute to a recently fallen general. As the ace archer, Damon displays characteristic agility. But the rest of the characters are thin. The Chilean-born Pascal, in the role of sidekick, strives to provide comic relief. The Chinese cast members, including Tian Jing in the role of a skydiving commander and teen boy-band member Wang Junkai as the effete emperor, are saddled with superficial parts. Overall, The Great Wall may not rank among Zhang Yimous emotionally weighty masterworks such as To Live (1994) or The Road Home (1999), but as a visual extravaganza, it nevertheless merits a viewing. Relationship therapists Harville Hendrix and Helen LaKelly Hunt will present their daylong Safe Conversations workshop from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at UNC-Greensboro. A blend of lecture, demonstration and practice, the interactive couples workshop will teach individuals how to talk in a way that makes conversations safe and achieves connection. The workshop, a introductory event of the Guilford County Healthy Relationships Initiative, is offered free to Guilford County residents. Although the workshop is designed for couples, people who attend without a partner will have opportunities to practice the workshop exercises with other participants. Registration is required; visit https://goo.gl/niXXiV. Ex-POW to visit UNCG to talk about ordeal Retired U.S. Navy Cmdr. Porter Halyburton will give UNC-Greensboros Health and Human Sciences Lawther Lecture at 4 p.m. Monday in the auditorium of the schools Elliott University Center. Captured by the North Vietnamese after ejecting from his plane, Halyburton spent more than seven years as a prisoner of war. In his talk, he speaks about his experiences at the infamous Hanoi Hilton and other prison camps. He is the author of Two Souls Indivisible. For information, call (336) 334-5744. Girls Scouts to explain summer camp options The Girl Scouts Carolinas Peaks to Piedmont council is sponsoring a summer camp kickoff from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday at LeBauer Park, 208 N. Davie St. in Greensboro. The session will provide information about resident and day camps. Girls will make smores, an edible campfire and a horse craft, as well as play minute to win it games. For information, call (800) 672-2148 or visit www.camplikeagirl.org. IS LOVE IN THE AIR? Polar bears Nikita (left) and Anana are together for the breeding season at the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro. Zoo officials are hoping for cubs later this year. In the wild, polar bears are solitary animals. Even at the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro, the bears are kept apart most of the year for their safety, zoo keepers say. But its breeding season, and the zoo staff is doing some matchmaking. Expectations were high when Nikita, a male, arrived at the zoo from the Kansas City Zoo last January. The Association of Zoos and Aquarium Species Survival Plan recommended him as a potential mate for Anana, but the two didnt hit it off last season. Nikita is a 10-year-old, 1,203-pound fellow who loves to swim and hulk smash his toys. Hes also doing his best to woo Anana, a 17-year-old, 739-pound princess who enjoys naps in their ice cave on fresh straw and considers herself the queen bee of bears, says Sally Adams, a polar bear keeper. This time, they seem to be showing all the right signs, Adams says. Nikita tracks his would-be mate, and Anana lets him near her sometimes. But sometimes she just walks away, Adams says. Time will tell whether the two will mate. Breeding season is roughly January to March or April, the keepers say. If they do successfully breed, twin cubs could be in the zoos future. Two thirds of polar bear births are twins, according to the North American Bear Center. GREENSBORO Although seriously injured, the condition of a toddler mauled by two dogs is improving, a family friend said Thursday. Also Thursday, authorities said the dogs owner faces several citations and one misdemeanor in the attack. And test results returned Thursday showed neither dog had rabies. The 19-month-old boy has been at Brenners Children Hospital in Winston-Salem since the attack Tuesday. The baby is doing much better, said Alice Stewart, whose Greensboro church has been helping the boys Syrian refugee family after they moved here in August. They have moved him from the intensive care unit to the immediate care unit. Stewart, a member of College Park Baptist Church, said the boy was in surgery for six to eight hours Tuesday night. Hes going to need additional procedures. Its going to be a fairly lengthy process before hell be 100 percent well, she said. Hes going to be fine. She said the boys parents are quite relieved at how hes recovered. Stewart said late Thursday night that the boys family is grateful for the support it has received from the community, particularly the Islamic community. Earlier Thursday, animal control officers cited the dogs owner. Roderick Hale Adams Jr. of 1212 Valley View St. received four citations in connection with violations of city ordinances and a citation of attack by dangerous dog, a misdemeanor, according to court officials. Guilford County Animal Services Director Drew Brinkley said animal control officers cited Adams on Tuesday with two counts of allowing a dog to run at large and two counts of public nuisance, violations of city ordinances. Each of those violations is punishable by a fine of $100, he said. Under the dangerous dog statute, the owner of a dog that attacks a person and causes injuries requiring treatment costing more than $100 has committed a Class 1 misdemeanor. A conviction carries a jail sentence of up to 120 days and a fine. Adams male and female pit bulls attacked the 19-month-old boy about 9:10 a.m. Tuesday on Valley View Street, police said. A responding Greensboro officer shot the male dog, and the female ran off. An animal control officer captured the female a short time later and it was euthanized. Both dogs were tested for rabies and results returned Thursday were negative, Brinkley said. A GoFundMe account set up to help the family with medical expenses had raised more than $31,000 by early Thursday night. GREENSBORO N.C. A&T police arrested a 20-year-old man Wednesday in connection with a series of Jan. 27 armed robberies. Reggie DeShawn Tatum, of 4685 Chapel Ridge Drive is held in the Guilford County jail under $500,000 bail. Tatum threatened people with a semi-automatic handgun during the robberies, according to arrest warrants. University police sent out an email through the Aggie Alert System about 4:45 a.m. Jan. 27, warning students that a robbery had happened earlier that morning at Aggie Suites. The victims in the robbery were not injured, according to the email. Police have not verified that this is the incident in which Tatum is accused. He took a book bag, iPhone, debit card, windbreaker and keys from a man at gunpoint, warrants state. He also took a messenger bag, Bluetooth speaker, wallet, debit card and school supplies from a woman at gunpoint, according to warrants. Tatum took keys, a cell phone, an asthma inhaler and a wallet from another man, $50 from a third man and $300 from a second woman, according to warrants. He conspired with at least two other men in the robberies, warrants state. Tatum faces these charges: Eight counts of conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon Four counts of attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon Two counts of robbery with a dangerous weapon, and Two counts of second-degree kidnapping. He remains in the jail. His first court appearance is scheduled for Thursday. Caspian European Club (Caspian Business Club) and Caspian American Club held the first CEO Lunch in Baku on Feb. 15. First Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Caspian European Club (Caspian Business Club) and Caspian American Club Telman Aliyev stated that CEO Lunch would be held every third Wednesday of month. Informal communication between the heads of government agencies, representing the economic bloc of the government, and top managers of CEIBC member companies was arranged within the framework of the CEO Lunch which took place at Holiday Inn Hotel. Problems facing entrepreneurs were discussed in an informal environment. Issues concerning their business doing in different regions of the country, as well as proposals on expansion of cooperation in different sectors of the economy were addressed. In the course of the event AZAL Vice President Eldar Hajiyev informed the event participants about possibilities of expansion of cooperation with AZAL, spoke about the business of the air company and also about forth-coming plans. Companies which entered and continued its membership in CEIBC presented information about their activity. Executive Director of Barattson School of Business & Finance Elshan Rahimov, Air Astanas Country Manager Daken Shement and General Director of Eurodesign Teymur Tagiyev made presentations for meeting participants. Telman Aliyev reminded that the Caspian European Club (Caspian Business Club) was established in June 2002 under support of the largest oil-gas companies operating in the Caspian-Black Sea region. His Excellency Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, is the Chairman of the Caspian European Club (Caspian Business Club). Telman Aliyev noted that the initiative of creation of the Caspian American Club also belongs to the President of Azerbaijan. According to him, since the moment of establishment Caspian European Club (Caspian Business Club) has been promoting attraction of oil industry revenues towards the development of the non-oil sector. Caspian European Club (Caspian Business Club), which brings together over 5,000 companies and organizations, operates in 50 countries of the world, carries out an active work to maintain the dialogue between the government agencies and the private sector. Caspian Energy, Caspian European Club, Caspian Business Club, Caspian American Club and CEO are registered trademarks owned by Caspian Energy International Media Group. Representatives from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Russia, Turkey and EU took part at CEO Lunch. GREENSBORO Investigators have released photos of men sought in connection with armed robberies of two Metro PCS businesses that happened about 20 minutes apart. In the first robbery, two men entered the 2101 E. Market St. store about 6:50 p.m. Tuesday and took an undisclosed amount of cash. About 7:10 p.m., the same men entered the store at 2103 E. Cone Blvd. and took cash before running toward Utah Place, according to a police news release. No injuries were reported in either robbery. Anyone with information is asked to call Greensboro/Guilford County Crime Stoppers at (336) 373-1000 or text the tip to 274637 using the keyword badboyz. A cash reward of up to $2,000 is available for information leading to arrests or indictments of the people involved. ASHEBORO A Randolph County man wanted on sex offense charges was found in Oklahoma. Skylar Lamont Billie, 35, is accused of committing offenses with a child younger than 15, according to a Randolph County Sheriffs Office news release. Deputies received a report of the incident on Feb. 4 and developed Billie as a suspect. They took out arrest warrants on charges of statutory rape of a child under 15 and first-degree statutory sex offense, according to the release. But when they tried to serve the warrants, Billie was gone. Detectives developed leads that Billie had traveled to Hughes County in Oklahoma, where he has family. Local sheriffs deputies there were preparing to serve the Randolph County warrants when they were notified of a medical emergency at the address where Billie was believed to be hiding. Authorities have not said what medical condition Billie had, but he was flown to a hospital for treatment. Extradition proceedings have started, according to the news release. WINSTON-SALEM Police charged a Winston-Salem man today in connection with a shooting that left a 19-year-old man in critical condition Wednesday afternoon. Antonio Rodriguez, whose age wasnt available, of 4146 Tise Ave. faces charges of discharging a firearm into an occupied dwelling and possession of a firearm by a felon, according to a police news release. Officers were called about 1:10 p.m. to 11 Timlic Ave., where they found Kenan Orlando Balderas of 217 W. 23rd St. with an apparent gunshot wound to his mouth, police said. He was taken to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. Rodriguez remains in the Forsyth County jail. His bail is $80,000. Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Crime Stoppers at (336) 727-2800. AZALJET (low-cost brand of Azerbaijan Airlines) will launch regular flights from Moscow Vnukovo Airport to Azerbaijani regions - Ganja and Gabala starting March 15. Moscow-Ganja flights will be operated on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and Moscow-Gabala flights - on Thursdays by Airbus A320 aircrafts. Departure from Vnukovo International Airport (VKO) - at 15:10 local time, arrival at Gabala International Airport (GBB) and Ganja International Airport (KVD) at 20:30. The return flights from Gabala and Ganja will depart at 20:30, arrive in Moscow - at 22:20 local time. Airfare starts from 49 euro (one way). The cost of baggage per kilo will be 2 euros. Air tickets can be booked on the website of the company www.azal.az, purchased at AZAL sales offices and official sales agencies. Passengers can take advantage of AZAL Miles frequent-flyer program on these flights. Detailed information about AZAL Miles frequent-flyer program is available at: www.miles.azal.az. Online registration is available for those who are not a member of the program yet. Points for the flight may be credited automatically in case AZAL Miles member unique number will be entered in the appropriate filed while purchasing online. To purchase tickets and for more information, please contact: + (99412) 598-88-80; *8880 E-mail: [email protected] Questions regarding AZAL Miles frequent-flyer program can be sent to [email protected] or through the contact form on the website: www.azal.az. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 16 By Elena Kosolapova Trend: The possibility of transit of Kazakh oil through the Aktau port via Azerbaijan in the future will depend on its economic feasibility, Kazakhstans Ministry of Energy told Trend. The Kazakh oil was not exported via this route in 2016, according to the ministry. Kazakhstan has previously transported its oil through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, as well as by rail from Baku to the Black Sea ports of Georgia. From the results of the developed long-term balance of production and distribution of oil in Kazakhstan, it was concluded that there will be a need for the project of the Kazakhstan Caspian Transport System (KCTS) by the start of implementation of the Phase 2 of Kazakhstans Kashagan field development. The KCTS is expected to consist of the Eskene-Kuryk oil pipeline in Kazakhstan and Trans-Caspian Oil Transport System, comprising an oil loading terminal in Kuryk port on the Kazakh coast of the Caspian Sea, tankers and other vessels, an oil discharge terminal on the Azerbaijani coast of the Caspian Sea, as well as facilities connecting it to the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline. Further, oil must be transported to international markets through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and/or other oil transportation systems located in the territory of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey. The energy ministry said the forecast says that the capacity of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium pipeline, via which Kashagan oil is now being exported, will be increased within the expansion project currently being implemented. At the same time, the energy ministry noted that it does not yet hold talks with the Azerbaijani side on the KCTS. Kashagan located in the north part of the Kazakh sector of the Caspian Sea is one of the biggest oil fields opened in the last 40 years. Its recoverable oil reserves are assessed at 9-13 billion barrels. Oil production at Kashagan was launched in autumn 2016 and Kazakhstan plans to produce 8.9 million tons of oil and 5.6 billion cubic meters of gas from this field in 2017. It is planned to increase production to 13 million tons of oil and 9 billion cubic meters of gas per year in subsequent years. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @E_Kosolapova Something went wrong, please try again later. Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. Sign up to the Grimsby Live newsletter for daily updates and breaking news CLEETHORPES will soon be home to the UK's official best fish fryer when the 'world's biggest' fish and chip restaurant opens its doors at Cleethorpes Pier. The award for the best fish fryer in the country was handed to Papa's Fish and Chips chef, George Papadamou, at the National Fish and Chip Awards finals. He will be the man at the head of the kitchen at the soon-to-be revamped Cleethorpes Pier, which was bought by the Papa family in December. The ceremony, held in London last month, looks to recognise the very best in the British fish and chip trade and saw Papa's pick up the award for marketing innovation. The announcement that popular regional fish and chip franchise Papas, which has two restaurants in Hull and one in Scarborough, is coming to Cleethorpes was greeted with excitement by promising to "bring the pier back into its heyday" and serve up the "best fish and chips you have ever tasted". Over 100 new jobs will be created and when the huge restaurant, capable of hosting around 500 at a time, opens its doors. Since taking over, the Papa family have run the Pier in its current format, with the tea room, bar and function room staying open alongside the new fish and chip restaurant. But the transformation of the Pier from what we know it as now, an image that saw it crowned Pier of the Year 2016 by the National Piers Society, to a state-of-the-art fish and chip restaurant, has already begun. Dino Papa, son of head of the family business, Sid, has confirmed that the new restaurant will open its doors no later than April 9, if not before, just in time for the Easter holidays and the start of the tourism season in Cleethorpes. New equipment, decor and kitchen fittings are being installed over the next few weeks and locals are urged to keep an eye out for signs of the re-brand taking shape. Dino said: "Work is well underway and we are pushing to confirm an actual opening date. "The reception we've had since we arrived has been fantastic. We have had a lot of people visiting us in Hull from Cleethorpes so they know what to expect. "People seem really excited and we are just as excited as them. "To be completely honest we regret not coming to Cleethorpes sooner. It really has been overwhelming." The family have pledged their dedication to creating a family-orientated resort icon that will attract thousands of people from all over the world. They purchased the Pier after buying out the Huxford family, who announced their intentions to sell the pier in September. He reopened the pier in summer 2015 after a mammoth 4.7 million transformation taking two years. Look out for behind the scenes photos of the transformation to Papa's Fish and Chips in the coming weeks. Apple is closer than ever to the no-home-button phone. Latest reports suggest we should expect three devices in 2017, including an OLED screen-packing iPhone 8 with no physical buttons on the front. It will sport a 5.8 OLED with 5.15 display area, while the other part is going to be reserved for function area, the report suggests. According to the KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the next iPhone will come with other biometric technologies that replace the current fingerprint recognition technology. Theres no word to what other technology could be used by the Cupertino company. Recently Apple struck a deal with Samsung Display for 60 million OLED displays and it looks like this device is the recipient of these panels. According to KGI Research, the device will have similar dimension to the 4.7 LCD iPhone 7 but the whole front will be a 5.8 OLED display. The display area will be 5.15 with 2436 x 1125 px resolution. Kuo also said the next iPhone will probably cost over $1000, corroborating previous reports. An artistic impression of the next iPhone Source | Via These are the best offers from our affiliate partners. We may get a commission from qualifying sales. Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Feb. 16 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: Turkmenistans President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has signed a decree pardoning 828 Turkmen citizens. Under the decree, the pardoned people are exempt from further serving their main and additional punishments, the Turkmen government said in a message. Berdimuhamedov signed the pardon decree in honor of the State Flag Day celebrated Feb. 19. Local administrations were instructed to take care of the employment of the pardoned citizens. Haiti - Politics : Jovenel Moise in South America Wednesday, President Jovenel Moise left the country to Georgetown, Guyana, to take part in the 28th Intersessional Meeting of the CARICOM Conference of Heads of State and Government, on 16 and 17 February. At the end of the day, President Moise and his wife Martine were warmly welcomed by David A Granger, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana (former British Guiana). This conference will be, inter alia, an opportunity for President Moiseto take stock of relations between the Republic of Haiti and Cuba, whose President is the special guest of this meeting and the organization of regional integration. It will also enable the Head of State to strengthen the ties of Haiti with the other member countries of this organization. The President of the Republic is expected to return home on Thursday 16 February 2017. HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - NOTICE : BHDA scholarships, call for applications For the fifth consecutive year, the Haitian Copyright Office (BHDA) is launching an application for the granting of scholarships of 100,000 Gourdes, to Haitian law students who write their thesis on copyright. Eligibility criteria : - Have a certificate of completion of legal studies awarded by a recognized Faculty of Law; - Submit a note transcript; - Have a Director of Memory; - Present a validated thesis project; - Having chosen a subject of copyright (having to do with collective management) and not having been treated yet - Commit to support the memory by 30 September 2017 at the latest - Commit to give five copies of the memory to the BHDA Library. Applications must be forwarded to the BHDA (31, Rue Cheriez, Canape-vert) Limit Date for submission March 17, 2017 For further information, contact the BHDA : By phone at 2811 5626 By email to : bhda.gouv@gmail.com HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Culture : A Haitian-Canadian finalist at Miss Canada Tuesday, at the Consulate General of Haiti in Montreal, Consul Justin Viard, accompanied by members of the Cultural Affairs and Communication Section, received Liliane Ulysse, finalist in the Miss Canada 2017 competition, currently ranked 5th. Of Haitian origin, Liliale Ulysse arrived in Canada at the age of 12 years. She is a graduate student in Sociology and International Development at the Universite du Quebec en Outaouais (UQO). She defines herself as a determined, positive, responsible, dynamic, ambitious and persevering woman. Open-minded and naturally curious, she always seeks to meet new people and discover new cultures. She is a source of inspiration and motivation for young people in Canada and around the world. The Consulate General of Haiti in Montreal unreservedly supports the candidacy of Liliane Ulysse and asks the Haitian Community of Montreal and all the compatriots around the world to regroup behind her so that her dream becomes reality and that vibrates again the Haitian pride on a global scale. The Consular Mission invites all to vote for her on the website www.misscanada.org/liliane-u/ before the final Grand Gala which will be held on Saturday, March 4, 2017, from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm, at the Sheraton Hotel in Laval. After Raquel Pelissier, 1st runner-up at Miss Universe, it is the turn of our beautiful and brilliant Liliane Ulysse to covet the title of Miss Canada. S/ HaitiLibre Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Feb. 16 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: Turkmenistans President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Pakistans Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif emphasized the importance of construction of the transnational Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline during their phone talk, the Turkmen government said in a message. The sides noted the existence of great potential of bilateral cooperation in various spheres of economy, first of all, in the fuel and energy sector, transportation and communication spheres. Pakistan attaches great importance to the comprehensive development of relations with Turkmenistan, which achieved big success in all spheres, said Nawaz Sharif, according to the message. President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov invited the Pakistani prime minister to visit Turkmenistan. During the talks, the sides also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest. Construction of the Turkmen section of TAPI was launched on Dec. 13, 2015. The annual capacity of the gas pipeline will reach 33 billion cubic meters. The total length of the TAPI pipeline will be 1,814 kilometers. A 214-kilometer section of the pipeline will run through Turkmenistan, a 774-kilometer section will run through Afghanistan and an 826-kilometer section will run through Pakistan. Haiti - NOTICE : Next Karavan Tek-Tek in Jacmel The General Directorate of the Executive Body of the National Telecommunications Council (CONATEL) informs the general public that it will organize the 2nd edition of the "Karavan Tek-Tek" on Friday 17 and Saturday 18 February 2017 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm In the Southeast Department, at the Convention Center in Jacmel. The objective of this initiative is to share with the population and consumers of telecommunications services the various technologies and associated services available in Haiti, the procedures in force at CONATEL and information on the role of the main players in the sector. On this occasion, participants will have the opportunity to attend a series of conferences on topics related to information and communication technologies and to have free access to the Internet. CONATEL together with the main players in the sector will establish a point of presence: DIGICEL, NATCOM and ACCESS HAITI will be available to welcome visitors. CONATEL is counting on the presence of the entire Jacmelian population for the success of these two days. HL/ HaitiLibre Published on 2017/02/15 Another name has been added to the casting rumors around "Chicago Typewriter" as Kwak Si-yang is in talks to join the cast of the fantasy romance comedy about a best-selling writer, his anti-fan, and his ghost-writer. Advertisement "Chicago Typewriter" is set to start filming at the end of February and go to air at the end of March, but has yet to nail down any of the main cast. Yoo Ah-in was offered the lead role of best-selling writer, Han Se-joo, but has yet to confirm, and given the news of his health problems, he may decline entirely. Lim Soo-jung is also still up in the air to play the lead female role, Han Se-joo's anti-fan, a role that was first offered to Park Shin-hye, who rejected it. Details are still sketchy (much like the casting situation), but if Kwak Si-yang accepts, he'll be taking on the role of Baek Tae-min, a novelist. Go Kyung-pyo was also associated with the project at one point, and I'm not sure, but it sounds like he's out of the running in favour of Kwak Si-yang, unless there are more than two male leads. Kwak Si-yang last appeared in "The Second Last Love" and "Mirror of the Witch", both times as the second lead. Neither of those was as memorable for me as his minor role in "Oh My Ghostess" as the laid back chef, Joon. "Chicago Typewriter" is supposed to be a comedy, so if this casting goes ahead, we can probably expect to see more of Kwak Si-yang's dimples. "Chicago Typewriter" is set to air on tvN at the end of March in Friday-Saturday time slot, following "Tomorrow With You" Love, Only of Noonas Over Forks Published on 2017/02/15 United Artists' Agency has confirmed that Yoo Ah-in was diagnosed with a bone tumor, following the release of an unauthorized story in the press. Advertisement Since the news broke of the bone tumor, details have remained sparse. The agency refused to confirm or deny that the tumor was serious to one news outlet, expressing concern for the actor's privacy. Meanwhile, another news outlet was told that the tumor was benign and that Yoo Ah-in would enlist as soon as he was cleared for duty. The agency has promised that more detalis will follow as soon as more information is available. There has been a lot of speculation regarding the long delay in Yoo Ah-in's enlistment for military duty. While some assumed that the actor was attempting to avoid serving altogether, others pointed to a shoulder injury he sustained while filming "Tough as Iron" in 2013, which was further exacerbated in 2015 while filming "Veteran". Yoo Ah-in was put on hold again at his last physical examination for army duty in December of 2016. Yoo Ah-in is currently up for the lead role in tvN's "Chicago Typewriter", a drama about writers from the 1930s who are reincarnated in the present as a bestselling author in a slump, his anti-fan, and his ghostwriter. Whether his casting will be affected by the news is unclear, but either way, here's hoping he recovers quickly. Love, Only of Noonas Over Forks Login or sign up to follow actresses, movies & dramas and get specific updates and news Login Sign Up New Ad-free Subscriber Login Email Password Password Username Your E-mail will only be used to retrieve a lost password. Stay logged in Help Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Feb. 16 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: Ashgabat hosted a meeting of Belarusian Deputy Foreign Minister Evgeny Shestakov and his Turkmen counterpart Berdiniyaz Myatiyev, said the Belarusian embassy in Turkmenistan in a message. During the meeting, the sides discussed topical issues of multi-aspect cooperation of the two countries and noted the high level of strategic partnership both in bilateral format and in international arena. The Belarusian delegations visit will last until Feb. 18. The Turkmen Foreign Ministry also said in a message that the Belarusian and Turkmen deputy foreign ministers exchanged views on prospects of trade and economic partnership and noted the recent tendency of growth of mutual trade turnover. The two countries hold regular negotiations on increasing the supplies of Belarusian agricultural equipment to Turkmenistan. One of the main joint projects is the construction of an ore-dressing and processing enterprise in Turkmenistans Lebap Province. The enterprise, which is being built by Belgorhimprom JSC of Belarus, is expected to produce 1.4 million tons of potash fertilizer per year. Total cost of the sides contract nears $1.1 billion. The foundation of the enterprise, which is planned to be put into operation on March 31, 2017, was laid in June 2009. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 16 By Khalid Kazimov Trend: An Iranian MP has expressed concerns over the procedure of the implementation of Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA/ nuclear deal) at the Fordo nuclear site, warning against the volume of uranium stockpiled in the country. Abolfazl Hasanbeigi, the deputy head of Iran's Parliament National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, has said that some measures taken at the Fordo nuclear site may cause suspicion at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Mehr news agency reported. Saying that under the JCPOA Iran is entitled to keep 300 tons of nuclear materials (presumably uranium), he added that in some cases the Islamic Republics stockpiled volume of nuclear materials has surpassed the authorized amount by 10-20 kilograms which may cause trouble for the country. The MP further said that the failure to keep nuclear materials at the authorized level may be carried out on purpose in order to cause problems for the implementation of the countrys nuclear deal. The MP noted that his commission is concerned over those officials appointed to implement the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action in Iran. Hasanbeigi said that Ali-Akbar Salehi, the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), should be involved in appointing officials in charge of the implementation of the nuclear accord. The Fordo nuclear site is located 32 km northeast of the Iranian city of Qom. Iran and the world powers in 2015 reached the historic deal on the country's nuclear program removing sanctions on the Islamic Republic in exchange for curbing Tehran's nuclear activity. URINE FREE ZONES HELP THOSE WHO CAN'T HELP THEMSELVES News Release from Office of Rep Gene Ward February 16, 2017 Honolulu, Hawaii Today, Rep. Gene Ward (R-Hawaii Kai) released the following statement in response to over a week-long discussion in the media about his Urine-Free Zones legislation. "Currently, there are no laws on the books that allow for the involuntarily commitment of individuals who are mentally ill or drug addicted or alcoholic, who are not breaking the law, into rehabilitation programs where they can receive the help they desperately need. HB1595 adds to the penal code in order to gain the voluntary compliance necessary to provide for the mental and medical treatment for those who desire it, Ward explained. The main point of this legislation [HB1595] is to allow the chronically homeless who are incapacitated and unable to help themselves to seek treatment instead of paying a fine or going to jail. Urinating in public is just one symptom of these conditions, and this measure helps address these concerns, Ward explained. After a week long discussion of this legislation, Im discouraged that some in the media miss the compassionate part of the bill and how it will make treatment of the homeless, legal. As long as there is no legal way to involuntarily commit a person to get treatment, a bill like this and others are necessary. The vast majority of the chronically homeless are simply unable to help themselves and the government must express some tough love with a bill like this, Ward concluded. *** HB1595: Text, Status Creates the offense of urinating or defecating in a urine free zone. Designates certain public places as urine free zones. Establishes fines or completion of a court approved drug, alcohol, or mental health treatment program as consequences for a violation. Author Dan Pink is an advocate of flip-thinking, and claims that it melts calcified thinking and leads to solutions that are simple to envision and to implement. Organisations that are disrupting entire industries have often flipped the conventional wisdom. Theyve taken age-old beliefs and turned them upside down. Pink writes: What theyre doing, and what Im advising based on their success, represents smarter advice despite (perhaps because of) running counter to what many others believe. In addition to flip-thinking, Murfet has several tactics for dealing with change. She outlined to HC four change tips for dealing with disruption: Plan, check, plan, check and repeat. Before implementing the change plan, use the concept of what I call the red team, which consists of people who are not involved directly in the change. Run through the change plan and get their feedback on what youre missing. What are your blind spots? Have you addressed everything? Provide everyone with crystal clear direction on what the change is and how youre going to get there. For me its critically important to paint a clear picture of what it looks like when you get there. Its often missed, dismissed as we need to make this change because of People get caught up in their own process of change. But I think if you can paint a picture of what the future looks like the destination that helps sell the whats-in-it-for-me element. Script all of your critical moves and dont have too many choices. It creates ambiguity and can cause change fatigue. Find the feeling. Find the feeling to motivate people to understand, accept and help drive the change. That again ensures you paint the picture of what itll look like when people get there. Also understand that each person is on their own particular journey and some will get there very quickly and others wont get there at all and youll have a lot of people in the middle. Baku, Azerbaijan Feb. 16 By Dalga Khatinoglu Trend: An official with the US Department of State in an exclusive interview with Trend has accused Iran of undermining regional security, urging the Islamic Republic to cease provocations. Irans continued ballistic missiles development and support for terrorism are provocative and undermine security, prosperity, and stability throughout the region, said the US Department of State official. We call on Iran to cease such provocations. The United States is committed to the full implementation of United Nations Security Council resolution 2231, which calls upon Iran not to undertake any launches of ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering a nuclear weapon and which expressly prohibits the transfer of Missile Technology Control Regime items and related support to Iran's ballistic missile program. It should not be of any surprise to Iran that we would take actions against companies and individuals that attempt to further Irans support for terrorism or aid its ballistic missile program, added the US State Department official. Officials from Iran and the US have recently exchanged sharp criticism over several reports on the Islamic Republics missile tests. Iranian officials over the past month have confirmed that the country has carried out at least one successful missile test. The Iranian officials argue that the countrys missile tests are neither against the nuclear deal, reached between Tehran and the world powers in 2015, nor the UN Security Council Resolution 2231. Are you looking for ways to lose weight and achieve your weight-loss goals? One way is by changing (HedgeCo.NET) The Securities and Exchange Commission today charged a California-based penny stock company and four corporate officers with misleading investors about the research, development, and profitability of their purported business to manufacture power generation products such as fuel cells. The SEC alleges that while raising approximately $7.9 million from investors in Terminus Energy Inc., the company and its officers claimed to have a viable prototype capable of being sold and earning revenue. According to the SECs complaint, Terminus did not have the fuel cell technology or the funding to match their claims, and the officers were instead converting substantial amounts of investor funds to their own use. According to the SECs complaint, the company failed to disclose to investors that Terminuss operations manager George Doumanis is a convicted felon who went to prison for securities fraud and was secretly acting as an officer of the company despite being barred from participating in penny stock offerings. Emanuel Pantelakis served on the Terminus board of directors despite having been permanently barred by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. Also charged in the SECs complaint are Terminuss CEO Danny B. Pratte and its former president, director, and legal counsel Joseph L. Pittera. Terminus also allegedly used unregistered brokers to sell its securities and paid them more than twice as much in commissions than was disclosed to investors in offering documents. Joseph Alborano is charged in the SECs complaint with soliciting and selling investments for which he received more than $1 million in commissions. As alleged in our complaint, these company insiders spent massive, undisclosed amounts of investor funds and left the company with no realistic chance of developing a fuel cell product, said Eric I. Bustillo, Director of the SECs Miami Regional Office. In a parallel action, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York today filed criminal charges against Pratte, Doumanis, and Pantelakis. The SECs complaint seeks disgorgement of ill-gotten gains plus interest and penalties as well as officer-and-director bars and penny stock bars. Turkey has played a major role in the Syrian conflict that started in 2011. It has armed and financed various Sunni Islamist and jihadi groups, with the Al Qaeda affiliate Ahrar al-Sham being the most significant Turkish proxy army fighting against the Syrian government forces. A new phase began in August 2016 with a direct military operation called Operation Euphrates Shield. At the start of the operation, Turkey had approximately 350 men stationed in Syria. With regard to international law, Turkey is now an occupying force in a sovereign neighbor country. Together with various groups under the Free Syrian Army banner, Turkey currently occupies around 2000 square kilometers of land in Syria. Turkey and Syria conducted pragmatic and even friendly relations before 2011, but once Turkish leaders failed to convince the Syrian government of the need for political reforms, Turkey quickly embarked on a regime-change policy. Within this, all groups declaring that they would fight against the Syrian government forces were seen as worthy of Turkeys support. This meant that Turkey started to arm and finance not only Sunni militants loosely gathered under the banner of the Free Syrian Army, but also various jihadi factions that soon took the leading role in anti-Assad armed insurgency. From 2011 to August 2016, Turkey had three main priorities in Syria: 1) ousting the Syrian government by arming the Islamist and jihadist insurgency; 2) helping the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood to power; and 3) preventing the formation of the PKK-affiliated (the Kurdistan Workers Party, designated as a terror organization by Turkey, the USA and the EU) autonomous Kurdish state in northern Syria. In addition to these three aims, a fourth aspect has emerged since June 2015 when Turkey finally, after protracted US pressure, allowed the international coalition bombing the Islamic State (Isis) to use Incirlik air base in its operations. This changed the relationship between Isis and Turkey rather dramatically, since from then on Isis declared Turkey to be one of its main targets. Turkey was subsequently forced to take the terrorist group seriously. This situation has now escalated and led to Turkeys military invasion of Syria in August 2016. Operation Euphrates Shield has three main goals: firstly, ridding the border areas of Isis militants; secondly, ensuring that the areas cleared of Isis will not end up in the hands of Syrian PKK-affiliated groups the Democratic Union Party (PYD) and its armed wing, YPG; thirdly, and especially, maintaining a Turkey-dependent Syrian Sunni Islamist force capable of future operations. One can argue that the first phase of the military operation, accomplished within five months, has been more or less successful in that the areas in question have been cleared of Isis, and the formation of a continuous Kurdish enclave along the Turkish southern border is now blocked for the time being. However, the second phase, the attempt to conquer the strategically important town of Al-Bab, is yet to be accomplished due to heavy Isis resistance. At the time of writing, Turkeys leadership seemed to be on the verge of abandoning the Al-Bab operation and concentrating instead on building pro-Turkish Syrian forces in the areas already under control. While the situation emerging in Syria is increasingly complex, at least one thing is certain: Turkey is going to do everything it can in order to prevent the formation of an autonomous Kurdish state in northern Syria. The PKK, with its four decade-long campaign to destroy the Turkish state by armed insurgency, is perceived as an existential threat by the Turkish authorities. What is currently developing in northern Syria is therefore fundamentally linked to Turkeys own Kurdish issue, which after some positive developments a few years back, is now again on a trajectory of Turkey-PKK warfare with no end in sight. As long as the PKK-affiliated PYD/YPG are the dominant Kurdish forces in northern Syria, the Turkish government will perceive these areas as an extension of the terrorist PKK on the Syrian side of the border, and thus claim they are a legitimate target of Turkish counter-terrorism operations. However, Turkeys changed stance on Syria has recently turned out to be a possible game changer. In other words, if Turkey completely abandons its previous regime-change agenda and thus abandons its Islamist proxies, it is very likely that other regional supporters of the Sunni insurgency, like Saudi Arabia, will gradually refrain from making new and extensive investments in Syria. Further, for a long time now, Turkey has had severe problems in justifying its anti-Kurd actions to its main nominal ally, the USA, which for its part perceives the PYD/YPG as its main ally against Isis jihadis. Whereas the new US administrations Syrian policy is still unclear, Turkeys government representatives have now publicly stated that their Syrian policy was a failure from the start, and that Turkey can no longer realistically demand Assads departure. There is considerable disagreement over what the Syrian Kurdish enclave (Rojava) represents. For Turkey, the answer has always been clear: it is the PKK state being erected on the Syrian side of the border, with considerable foreign (American) help. Now it seems that Turkey has mainly abandoned its regime-change policy, is trying to keep some of the Syrian Sunni forces under its influence for possible future circumstances, but most of all is concentrating on blocking the emergence of an autonomous Kurdish state. All of this results in a foreign policy that is unpredictable and in which Turkeys alliances may change almost overnight. With some over-simplification, it would not be amiss to conclude that from now on Turkeys Syrian policy is all about the Kurds, and that this will determine which settlement Turkey comes to support. Background From 2011 to August 2016, Turkey aimed for a regime change in Syria by arming various Islamist and jihadi factions, without direct military intervention. The direct military intervention that began in August 2016 is designed to block the continuous enclave of PKK-affiliated Syrian Kurds, and to clear the border areas of Islamic State (Isis) militants. It also serves to establish a sanctuary for Turkey-backed Syrian Islamist rebels. Turkey is keen on limiting the military intervention both temporally and territorially if the Syrian government resolves to take a harsh stance against Kurdish autonomy in Rojava, Turkey is likely to make a de facto deal with the Syrian government. If the Syrian government allows Kurdish autonomy within a federal state structure, Turkey will try to use both conservative Syrian Kurdish groups and proxy Islamist groups in order to destroy such an autonomous PKK-affiliated state structure next to its border. Regarding Syria, Turkey is now returning to the long-held republican strategic culture that refrains from regime-change attempts in other countries. Toni Alaranta Finnish Institute of International Affairs Edited by Dan Anderson Helsinki Times The full report can be read here The member associations will continue to honour the current central-level agreements until their expiry, according to a press release from EK . The Confederation of Finnish Industries (EK) has announced that it will withdraw from central-level collective bargaining to enable its member associations to negotiate sector-specific collective agreements. EK revised its internal rules in the first half of last year to prohibit itself from participating in central-level collective bargaining and signing agreements on a number of key labour market issues. It points out that the fact that some of the 22 central-level agreements have already been replaced with sector-specific agreements is proof that collective agreements are in need of revisions to reflect sector-specific needs. Both the central administration and trade unions were notified of its decision in advance, according to the press release. Service Union United (PAM) has nevertheless voiced its dismay with the decision, with its chairperson, Ann Selin, describing the decision as an irresponsible attempt to erode the decision-making culture of Finland. Selin has also expressed her doubts about whether or not the decision has the support of all member associations of EK. Agreements between central organisations constitute a key component of the labour market system, she argues in a press release. Does EK really want to declare war in a situation where there is finally light at the end of the tunnel for the Finnish economy? PAM also reminds that the decision will also undermine the holiday wage agreement, the consultative negotiations agreement and the general agreement. Agreements between central organisations have been a platform to agree on consultative negotiations and the rights of shop stewards. It is impossible to imagine how trade unions would be able to agree on any efforts to increase local bargaining after these agreements have been scrapped, warns Selin. The central administration and employer organisations have both sought to promote local bargaining. Selin estimates that the upcoming round of collective bargaining will consequently be extremely difficult, with union-specific interests being set to override common interests. EK's decision destroys any hope of the upcoming union-specific bargaining round being conciliatory. Every single union will begin the negotiations with their own objectives, including [objectives regarding] issues laid out in central-level agreements. EK's member associations will have to take responsibility for the decision in the negotiations, she states. Aleksi Teivainen HT Photo: Handout / PAM Source: Uusi Suomi The Ministry of Education and Culture assigned a steering group to design short and long-term measures to promote the educational attainment of young people of immigrant background in late 2015. The steering group draws in its final report particular attention to the need to improve the Finnish and Swedish skills of immigrant pupils and students. Sanni Grahn-Laasonen (NCP), the Minister of Education and Culture, has been presented with a report detailing over 40 measures to respond to the education needs arising from the growing number of immigrants and asylum seekers in Finland. Studies indicate that language learning has a clear association with other learning, said Grahn-Laasonen. Going forward we have to integrate language learning into all aspects of education, especially into vocational and on-the-job training: it has to be possible to learn the language while learning other skills, or else the journey to education and the working life becomes too long. A change, she said, is consequently required in both the attitudes and ways of operating in Finland. The Finnish Government should according to the steering group begin supporting the efforts of foreign-language speakers to learn Finnish or Swedish already in early-childhood education. The objective, it adds, should be to ensure all foreign-language children participate in early-childhood education at least on a part-time basis. The proposal would cost an estimated four million euros a year. The steering group proposes that the maximum eligibility period for state subsidies for organising language courses to learners of immigrant backgrounds be raised from six to eight years to ensure the subsidies also cover possible general upper-secondary education. The proposal is estimated to cost 3.54 million euros a year. The steering group also proposes that the general language skill requirements for vocational education be abolished, while increasing Finnish and Swedish teaching in vocational education. It points out that 13 per cent of people of immigrant origin completing basic education and 75 per cent of participants in integration training currently fail to satisfy the language requirements for vocational education. The risk of exclusion from education and working life is high in such circumstances, the steering group writes. The most expensive measure, with an estimated annual cost of 5.1 million euros, set forth in the report is the removal of participation fees to liberal adult education as of 2018. The Government would thus have to cover 100 per cent, instead of the current 57 or 65 per cent, of the costs of liberal adult education. Supporting Immigrants in Higher Education in Finland (SIMHE), a programme launched to improve the access of immigrants and asylum seekers who have already participated or are eligible to participate in higher education, should be developed further, according to the steering group. The report was presented to Grahn-Laasonen at the Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, one of the six institutional participants in SIMHE, on 15 February, 2017. The steering group also lays out concrete measures to prevent cultural conflicts in education. It proposes, for example, that joint after-school activities be organised for immigrant and native-born children and that the dialogue between different religious groups be promoted. The incidence of hate speech, racism and aggressive online behaviour has increased in our daily lives. Attitudes have hardened. That is not part of a civilised society, commented Grahn-Laasonen. The steering group reminds in its report that a total of 32,400 asylum seekers, including more than 3,000 unaccompanied and a total of 8,500 underage asylum seekers, arrived in Finland in 2015. The unprecedented influx of asylum seekers immediately posed challenges within the administrative purview of the Ministry of Education and Culture. The number of arrivals dropped to roughly 5,700 in 2016 but remains considerably above the levels recorded in previous years. Aleksi Teivainen HT Photo: Roni Rekomaa Lehtikuva Source: Uusi Suomi Prime Minister Juha Sipila (Centre) announced yesterday that the revenues generated by the taxes will, according to the latest calculations, fall short of initial estimates and that the preparatory work has been suspended at the request of Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini (PS). The Finnish Government has called off its plan to levy a tax on motorcycles and pleasure boats. The proposed tax revisions had come under notable criticism even from some members of the ruling parties due what were believed to be optimistic revenue estimates. The Finns Party has expressed its delight with the decision to abandon the proposed tax on motorcycles. Related posts: - New year brings changes to tax rates (02 January, 2017) We are delighted that our proposal to abandon the tax on motorcycles was successful. We did not propose the motorcycle tax, but we fended it off, Sampo Terho, the chairperson of the Finns Party Parliamentary Group, stated in a press release on Wednesday. The Finns Party was reportedly in favour of continuing the preparatory work on the tax on pleasure boats, but the other two ruling parties the Centre and the National Coalition were adamant that the two taxes were parts of the same package. Terho explains that calling off the motorcycle tax was a more important objective for the party than introducing the pleasure boat tax. Soini had been a particularly vocal advocate of the tax on pleasure boats. He proclaimed in a press conference six months ago that the Finns Party has succeeded in introducing a tax on pleasure boats and yuppie scooters a term he coined and later said refers to water scooters. Terho admitted yesterday that calling off also the pleasure boat tax was justifiable because several calculations indicated that the tax would not have replenished state coffers to the extent that was initially estimated. The Ministry of Finance began circulating its draft tax bills for comments in December. Aleksi Teivainen HT Photo: Martti Kainulainen Lehtikuva Source: Uusi Suomi More than 5000 Brits living in the EU, Norway, Switzerland and Iceland participated in the survey, which was carried out by the European branch of the British Liberal Democrat party. Almost 83% of respondents said that they were very concerned about the impact Brexit could have on their rights and benefits as an EU citizen. Less than 4% claimed to be not at all concerned. Most British expatriates living in the European Union are concerned that Brexit will limit their automatic right to live in their country of residence, according to a new survey. The most common worry among participants was the possibility of losing their right to reside without permission. Other concerns were the automatic right to work, freedom of movement and continued access to healthcare and pension benefits. Over 58% of respondents also said they didnt plan to return to the UK. The UK government has consistently said it will not act unilaterally to guarantee the right of 3 million EU citizens to remain in the UK until the EU 27 will agree to do the same for the estimated 1.3 million UK nationals living in the EU. In response to this situation, Liberal Democrat MEP Catherine Bearder accused the Conservative government of playing fast and loose with the lives and families of Brits living elsewhere in the EU. She goes on to say the government is using expatriates as bargaining chips. The surveys publication follows last weeks UK House of Commons vote, which authorized the British government to begin the formal Brexit process by triggering Article 50. There was a further blow to Brits in the EU after Lib Dem and Labour amendments, which would have required the government to act proactively, (e.g. by guaranteeing state pension increases and S1 healthcare contributions) were either defeated or not called. The bill has now passed to the House of Lords, where opposition peers will re-table the amendments on UK nationals in the EU 27 and EU citizens in the UK. Dan Anderson Helsinki Times Photo Lehtikuva / AFP Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 16 By Khalid Kazimov Trend: A judiciary official has said that the court ruling to execute Iranian businessman billionaire Babak Zanjani has been postponed. Iran's Attorney General Mohammad Jaafar Montazeri has said that the tycoon will not be executed unless all of the money he owes to the country is paid back, ILNA news agency reported. According to the official, a large part of money he owes to the country is held abroad, therefore he will not be hanged for as long as the debts are not paid back to the treasury. Babak Zanjani was arrested in December 2013 after accusations that he withheld billions of oil revenues, channeled through his companies. Zanjani at the time denied the accusations. Iranian judiciary has previously announced that the 42 year-old businessman was sentenced to death, pronouncing him guilty of fraud and economic crimes. During the former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejads term, Zanjani reportedly played a key role in helping the country to bypass Western-imposed sanctions against Iran restricting the countrys oil exports. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has criticized the death penalty saying the execution of the billionaire will mask the identity of senior officials who supported him. Two cousins shot dead at a Dublin petrol station in a case of mistaken identity had gone to the shop to buy sweets, an inquest heard. Two cousins shot dead at a Dublin petrol station in a case of mistaken identity had gone to the shop to buy sweets, an inquest heard. Coroner Dr Myra Cullinane described the deaths of Mark Noonan (23), of Rathborne Drive, Cabra, and Glen Murphy (19), of Drumalee Drive, North Circular Road, as an "indescribable tragedy". The two young men left Mr Noonan's partner's apartment to buy snacks and cigarettes on the night of November 23, 2010, Dublin Coroner's Court heard. Soon after pulling into the Tesco Clearwater petrol station in Finglas they were shot. Both sustained multiple gunshot wounds and died at the scene. Tesco worker Mary O'Brien said a grey car pulled up to the service hatch at around 11.40pm and a man got out. "He asked for 20 John Player Blue. With that I heard a bang. He fell on his back on the ground," she said. Ms O'Brien ran to call security. "When I heard the bang I realised straight away someone had been shot and I panicked. It was only afterwards I found out about the second man." Mark Noonan's partner, Antoinette Kiernan, said she had given him her phone and bank card to pick up provisions. She and Mr Murphy's partner stayed behind and received a call from Mr Murphy to say the card was not working. That was the last they heard from them. Security worker Feliks Adrianov said he spotted six to seven bullet holes in the windscreen of a Toyota Avensis car and a body lying across the front seats. He saw a second man lying on his back on the ground near the shop counter. Motive Another security worker saw a dark BMW 5 Series approach the filling station and heard shots before the car sped off. Det Insp Des McTiernan said 300 witnesses were interviewed and two people were arrested as part of the garda investigation, which remains "very much open". "As to motive, we still have an open mind but we know for certain that Mark and Glen were innocent victims in a case of mistaken identity," he said. The jury returned two verdicts of unlawful killing by a person or persons unknown. Haqi Ismael Aued al-Hadidi, Daesh head of military police in Mosul, was killed by a US-led coalition strike on the Iraqi city of Mosul on February 14, Sputnik reported. According to the Kurdistan Region Security Council, al-Hadidi, also known as Abu Ahmed, was killed along with his aide in west Mosul. "Our CT [Counter-Terrorism] Department confirms a targeted coalition airstrike on 14 Feb[ruary] killed ISIL's [Daesh] head of military police in Mosul, Haqi Ismael Aued al-Hadidi," the Kurdistan Region Security Council said in a Twitter message on Wednesday. Mosul, Iraqs second largest city, was captured by Daesh in June 2014. Last October, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Abadi announced the start of the military operation to retake Mosul from Daesh militants. Iraqi troops and their allies, including local Sunni militias and the US-led coalition against Daesh, are involved in the offensive. Iraqi and US-led coalition forces liberated the eastern part of the city in late January 2017. However, the citys western part remains under control of the terrorist group. The US-led coalition of 68 nations is conducting airstrikes against Daesh in Syria and Iraq. Daesh is outlawed in the United States, Russia and numerous other countries. A mother-of-four caught with drugs and a stun gun in her home after being "preyed on" by dealers has avoided jail but is set to lose her house. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard eviction proceedings had been brought by the county council against Aisling Clarke (44) and it was anticipated that she would lose her home following a hearing next month. Clarke, of Meadowlands Avenue, Mounttown, Dublin, pleaded guilty to possessing drugs and a stun gun on November 10, 2015 at the home she shares with three of her children. Clarke, who has no previous convictions, told gardai after her arrest that she had had issues with heroin addiction in the past but had been clean for several years at the time of the offence. Judge Melanie Greally said gardai accepted that Clarke had been "preyed on" by a third party and was holding the items for someone higher up the pecking order in the drugs trade. She noted reports handed into court were largely favourable and all the indications were that she was doing her best to be a good mother to her children. Judge Greally imposed a three-and-a-half year sentence which she suspended in full on condition that Clarke engaged with the Probation Service. Tablets Garda Ivor Scully told Fiona McGowan BL, prosecuting, that gardai found 1,480 MDMA tablets, with a street value of 14,480, in various places around the house. They also discovered a Taser stun gun in the kitchen and a number of grinders used for preparing cannabis. Gda Scully agreed with Ronan Prendergast BL, defending, that Clarke had been holding the items for another person and she was not the "prime mover". Clarke was receiving 50 in cash or cannabis a week for her role. Gda Scully said he did not believe she was the type of person who would come to garda attention again once she stayed on the straight and narrow. Mr Prendergast told the court that the county council had brought eviction proceedings against Clarke. He said the "likely consequence" would be a "significant punishment". He said Clarke had her first child at a very young age and later moved to London where she became involved in drug use. She was no longer using heroin at the time of the offence but had been using cannabis following the death of her father in 2014, for whom she had been an unofficial carer. A Taser like the ones being used by the burglars Members of Ireland's most notorious burglary gang are using Tasers to threaten and attack their victims. Gardai raids carried out as part of Operation Thor have led to dozens of stun guns being seized in several counties, including Dublin and Limerick, in recent weeks. The number-one target for detectives is a 200-strong gang previously led by slain crimelord 'Fat' Andy Connors. In a recent operation, gardai discovered a number of Tasers when they arrested an infamous Ballyfermot criminal. Similar weapons have also been seized from halting sites in Labre Park, Ballyfermot. A Taser is a single shot device designed to temporarily incapacitate a person with an electric current. Terrified Despite being illegal in Ireland under the Firearms Act, they are easily available on legitimate websites for as little as 50. The gang formerly led by Connors has been using Tasers to attack terrified homeowners. The 45-year-old father-of-six was shot dead in front of his wife and children at their newly-built home in 2014. No arrests have been made in conection with the murder. Connors' extended Traveller gang, which has more than 200 members, was the chief target of Operation Fiacla and other large investigations, but his murder did not end his gang's nationwide crime spree. Gardai believe Connors may have been killed by the Irish National Liberation Army after he refused to bow to its extortion demands. They are also looking into a dispute he was involved in with a high-profile south Dublin businessman. Another high-priority of local and national garda units is a burglary gang led by a 31-year-old criminal from south Dublin. The criminal grouping has been a prime target by gardai under Operation Thor and is suspected of being involved in the theft of a PSNI officer's handgun in the North. The gang's leader has been arrested several times for burglary-related offences. He has also been arrested for threatening gardai and is currently before the courts in relation to other matters. Gardai have identified key members of the gang, who are mainly in their late teens and early 20s and from Dublin and Wicklow, who operate from a halting site in south Dublin. Garda believe the 31-year-old leader is the gang's driver, who "ferries" the younger criminals across the country to carry out robberies and aggravated raids. One gang that gardai have dealt a significant blow to is a Coolock-based outfit, some of whom were jailed for the shocking aggravated burglary of the Corcoran family in Burnchurch, south Tipperary, in November 2013. A member of the ruthless gang - 27-year-old Patrick Gately - was recently attacked in Mountjoy Prison by one of his own gang for "mouthing off". The heartbroken sister of missing Esra Uryun has said her quest to find her has become even more urgent after their mother was diagnosed with cancer. Mother-of-one Esra (38) was last seen leaving her home in Clondalkin, west Dublin, on February 23, 2011. Her older sister, Berna Fidan (51), has since led a tireless campaign, travelling to Ireland from her London base in a desperate bid to find clues. However, Berna, who will return to Dublin early next week to mark the sixth anniversary of Esra's disappearance, said she was more desperate than ever to find answers so that her seriously-ill mother, Neriman Fidan (73), can "have closure before she dies". Stroke "My mother is in a bad way at the moment and she's just been diagnosed with breast cancer," said Berna, an English woman of Turkish descent. "She already had quite a lot of health issues before, including a stroke, diabetes, blood transfusions and problems with her liver. What this means is that chemo is out of the question. "We don't know how much time she has left - it could be months, it could be more than that, but she's trying to keep going so she can find out what happened to Esra. "She cries constantly and is literally holding on to find out what happened to her baby. "So it's more urgent than ever that we get some answers. "I often think my mum wouldn't be suffering so badly with her health had Esra not disappeared. It's taken a terrible toll on her." Esra's family believe she was abducted at some point between the time she set off from her home and the discovery of her car in Bray a few hours later. Although the vehicle, a grey Renault Twingo, was captured on CCTV being driven towards a car park in the town, efforts to identify the driver - who the family believe to be Esra's abductor - have been unsuccessful because the footage is too grainy. However, determined Berna said she refuses to give up hope and will spend her time in Dublin next week meeting with gardai and putting up flyers and posters in a bid to finally get a breakthrough. "It's been a very frustrating year, and unfortunately no one has yet come forward with any information," she said. "Efforts to enhance the CCTV footage haven't worked, but I have to keep going." The US State Department said on Wednesday that it's too early to lift anti-Russia sanctions, stressing that Washington is expecting Brussels to support measures that had been agreed on by the sides, Sputnik reported. The United States is looking for solidarity with Europe regarding sanctions on Russia and thinks it is too early to lift the measures, US Department of State senior official said in a briefing. "We are looking for President [Donald Trump] himself has said that its too early to talk about lifting sanctions, so we are looking for solidarity with Europe on these series of measures that weve agreed," the official told reporters on Wednesday. At the same time, the official said that US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will hold an official bilateral meeting in Bonn, Germany on Thursday, during which they will discuss possible areas for collaboration. "Theres obviously a whole world of a whole global agenda for them to discuss and I wouldn't want to preview that ahead of time. I think its pretty clear that were going to look for areas for cooperation, but also honoring commitments," the official said on Wednesday. Since 2014, relations between Russia and the European Union and the United States, deteriorated amid the crisis in Ukraine. Brussels, Washington and their allies introduced several rounds of sanctions against Russia on the pretext of its alleged involvement in the Ukrainian conflict, which Moscow has repeatedly denied. In response to the restrictive measures, Russia has imposed a food embargo on some products originating in countries that have targeted it with sanctions. Since then, NATO has been building up its military presence in Europe, particularly in eastern European countries bordering Russia, using Moscow's alleged interference in Ukraine as a pretext. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is ready to support Syrian peace talks in Astana, Sputnik International reported. "Tillerson expressed willingness to support this process [peace negotiations on Syria in Astana]," Lavrov said. Speaking to journalists after a meeting with his US counterpart, Sergei Lavrov said that Russia and the US confirmed common interest on fight against terrorism. The Russian top diplomat also said that the meeting with Rex Tillerson was productive. Moscow ready to establish contacts with the US, Lavrov said. "We agreed that we would continue contacts. We will have a number of opportunities [to do so] within the next few months," Lavrov said after talks with Tillerson in Bonn. We assume that Trump-Putin meeting will take place, he added. However, the two diplomats did not discuss anti-Russian sanctions. "The issue of sanctions has not been discussed. We do not discuss sanctions, we believe that this is an anomaly, and those who resorted to sanctions should, in general, assess for themselves how effective it is, to which extent it corresponds to the normal communication between the states. And to which extent the artificial desire to politicize this issue meets the interests of the states that resort to this," Lavrov told reporters. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US State Secretary Rex Tillerson met Thursday on the sidelines of the G20 forum in Bonn to discuss the prospects of Russia-US relations, a Sputnik correspondent reports. It is the first personal high-ranking contact between Russian and Trump administration officials. "We have many issues to discuss. Primarily, these are topics previously discussed in a phone call between our presidents. I hope that we can outline parameters of our future work on each of these issues," Lavrov said ahead of the meeting. A suicide bomber attacked a crowded Sufi shrine in southern Pakistan on Thursday, killing at least 72 people and wounding dozens more in the deadliest of a wave of bombings across the South Asian nation this week, Reuters reported. Islamic State, the Middle East-based militant group which has a small but increasingly prominent presence in Pakistan, claimed responsibility for the attack, the group's affiliated news agency AMAQ reported. Senior police officer Shabbir Sethar told Reuters from a local hospital that the death toll was likely to rise. "At least 72 are dead and over 150 have been injured," Sethar said by telephone. The attack on the famous Lal Shahbaz Qalandar shrine in the town of Sehwan Sharif comes as the Pakistani Taliban and other rival Islamist militant groups carry out their threat of a new offensive. The violence has shattered a period of improving security, underscoring how militants still pose a threat to stability in the nuclear-armed country of 190 million people. The high death toll at the shrine makes it one of the worst attacks in Pakistan in recent years. In August last year, at least 74 people, mostly lawyers, were killed in a suicide bombing of a hospital in the southwestern city of Quetta. Both a faction of the Pakistani Taliban - Jamaat-ur-Ahrar - and Islamic State claimed responsibility for that atrocity. Jamaat also said it was responsible for a bombing in the eastern city of Lahore earlier this week that killed 13 people. ADS ADS In late January during the week of Haute Couture in Paris, Chanel launched its new high jewelry collection titled Coco Avant Chanel. With a familiar title reminiscent of the beautiful 2009 biographical film written and directed by Anne Fontaine, the new collection plays out like a movie storyboard. Storytelling is what Chanel does best. This time, the story took us back to 1913. Against a background of a pre-war, angst-ridden Europe, Gabrielle Chanel, then known to some as Coco, had just opened a second hat shop in the seaside resort town of Deauville. Aged 30 and unencumbered by either spousal or maternal responsibilities, Coco threw herself heart and soul into a creative adventure that would last her entire lifetime, one that would both lift her out of her youthful penury and revolutionize womens fashion. This is a period of Gabrielle Chanels life that is not well know and has been rarely referenced in our jewelry lines, explained the Maison Chanel. At the time, Coco Chanel had a marked taste for lace and the simplicity of ribbon. Those motifs would later become a signature of her fashion and jewelry lines, and continue to be so today. Mademoiselle Chanels love affair with lace and ribbon was clearly deployed in her iconic 1932 jewelry collection, titled Les Bijous de Diamants, and returns today at the heart of Chanels high jewelry and watch collection. Back in her hat shop, Coco Chanel gave free rein to her vision of a modern style for women, marked by its clean lines, a sparse color palette inspired by her days in the Aubazine convent, loosely-tied knots and a masculine edge, all expressing the fresh and cavalier attitude of the burgeoning designer against corsets, elaborate hats and bourgeois convention. This is the time when Gabrielle Chanel transformed the stylistic silhouette of women, shortened dresses, let out their waistlines, and cut her own hair very short, said the Maison Chanel. With the blunt cut of her sharpened scissors, Mademoiselle Chanel discarded the strict codes of the Belle Epoque and ushered in 20th century modernity. Coco Chanel did away with the conventional ways of wearing ornaments and went for the essential, said the Maison Chanel who has sought to capture the spirit of the renegade Coco in the new pieces heavily inspired by the motifs of her youth. That radical spirit is encapsulated in the high jewelry watch lines presented just ahead of Baselworld. The good news for Chanel watch lovers, incidentally, is that the Maison plans to include a watch line in every future high jewelry collection. There have been watches in our past high jewelry collections but not systematically, announced the Maison Chanel. Whether as a secret watch or a straight-forward jeweled watch, watches will now be shown in all of our high jewelry lines. Chanels bejeweled watches, typically one-of-a-kind pieces, do not just feed the narrative of the Maison, they are a feat of craftsmanship. Case in point, last November, Chanel received its third award at the GPHG for its stunning garnet secret watch that featured a 52.61-carat carmine garnet on a quilted diamond setting, one of the more specular jewelry watches of the capsule collection known as Les Eternelles de Chanel collection. The new high jewelry collection, comprised of eleven new jewelry sets each bearing the name of women who influenced the life of Gabrielle Chanel before 1920, included three watches that each evoke her youthful freshness with asymmetrical shapes, a largely monochromatic palette, and the sparse use of colored stones limited across the collection to morganite, pearls, spinels, moonstones and Padparadscha sapphires set on a bed of white diamonds. The Gabrielle is a secret watch where a simplified and stylized lace motif appears to be printed with camellias, a favorite flower symbolizing Gabrielles youthful love affair with Boy Capel. The Gabrielle secret watch is produced in 18 carat white gold set with 3 round-cut diamonds for a total weight of 0.77 carat, and 629 brilliant-cut diamonds for a total weight of 13,95 carats. Another watch in the collection is the Jeanne, named after Jeanne Dirys, a theater actress and silent movie star frequently seen sporting a Chanel hat. She was also the first wife of Paul Iribe, an influential illustrator and art deco jewelry designer who became Mademoiselle Chanels lover in the 1930s. The Jeanne watch in 18-carat white gold is set with two marquise-cut diamonds for a total weight of 0.84 carat, two pear-cut diamonds for a total weight of 0.46 carat and 500 brilliant-cut diamonds for a total weight of 10.53 carats. Finally, the Emilienne watch bears the name of Emilienne Alencon, a famous courtesan of the 1890s who met Gabrielle Chanel through Etienne Balsan, the cavalry officer and textile heir who would give Mademoiselle Chanel her first entry into society. Emilienne had also worn some of Chanels first hat creations. The Emilienne fine jewelry watch is made of 18 carat white gold and set with a pear-cut diamond of 0.70 carat, a marquise-cut diamond of 0.50 carat, 11 round-cut diamonds for a total weight of 3.80 carats, eight fancy-cut diamonds for a total weight of 2.95 carats, 76 round-cut diamonds for a total weight of 0.18 carat and 215 brilliant-cut diamonds for a total weight of 9.31 carats. Immortalizing the days of Coco before Chanel, the high jewelry watch collection at Chanel illustrates a quest for freedom, levity and timeless style that remain fundamentals in Chanels vocabulary. Les Eternelles de Chanel enriched In addition to the high jewelry collection, the Maison Chanel took the opportunity last January to preview three stunning and high versatile, multi-wear, one-of-a-kind pieces that augment Les Eternelles de Chanel collection. First, a secret pendant watch in 18-carat white gold set with a pear-cut 5.32 carat fancy light yellow diamond, an Indonesian cultured pearl, 26 Japanese cultured pearls, a pear-cut crystal and 587 brilliant-cut diamonds for a total weight of 29.26 carats. The secret of this watch is actually that it reveals itself as a watch when you turn it over, otherwise it can just be worn as a sautoir whose design was inspired by the Coromandel panels in Mademoiselle Chanels apartment, explained the Maison Chanel. The second is also secret necklace watch transformable into a bracelet made in 18-carat white gold set with a round-cut fancy brown yellow diamond of 10.02 carats, 75 Indonesian cultured pearls and 502 brilliant-cut diamonds for a total weight of 5.99 carats. Finally, a third serpentine, wrap-around watch that is also a one-of-a-kind secret piece made in 18-carat white gold set with a pear-cut diamond of 5 carats, 7 fancy-cut diamonds for a total weight of 2.37 carats and 1361 brilliant-cut diamonds for a total weight of 30.47 carats. The Maison Chanel has promised that additional timepieces will be unveiled at Baselworld as part of the Eternelles de Chanel collection. X-37B. (Photo : USAF) The U.S. Air Force has shot down rumors its hush-hush X-37B spaceplane (spy plane?), which has been orbiting the Earth since on May 20, 2015, will land any time soon. It also didn't say what this spaceplane is doing and why it's still up there. The only thing the air force said about X-37B is that this robot spaceplane is now nearing two years in orbit, and "is not preparing for landing as some reports have suggested." Advertisement "The X-37 is still on-orbit. The program is conducting a regularly scheduled exercise this week," said the Air Force in a statement. Rumors claimed the X-37B was to have landed on Feb. 14 at the Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility. Since the X-37B is still spinning about the planet, this means the spaceplane will certainly shatter the world space endurance record by a spacecraft on March 25 when it exceeds the current record of 674 days in orbit to reach 675 days. The X-37B is also known as the Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV). Its latest mission, called OTV-4, blasted-off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on May 20, 2015 aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket. As with the previous three OTV missions, the Air Force remained tight-lipped about the purpose of this latest mission. Speculation abounds, however. There are persistent reports the Air Force is testing a working version of the controversial EmDrive electromagnetic thruster aboard the OTV-4 mission. If true, the report of an EmDrive aboard the X-37B might help explain why the spaceplane remains in orbit well past its announced mission life of 200 days. Also called a radio frequency (RF) resonant cavity thruster, an EmDrive or Em Drive uses no reaction mass and emits no directional radiation to generate thrust. British aerospace engineer Roger Shawyer designed the EmDrive in 2001 and has promoted the idea through his company, Satellite Propulsion Research. While the Air Force hasn't confirmed speculation an EmDrive is being tested aboard the spaceplane, what is certain is the X-37B is testing a prototype "Hall Effect Thruster" (HET) in support of the Air Force's Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) communications satellite program. Two images of Saitama depicting a bald and haired "One Punch Man" hero. (Photo : YouTube/ Mundunico Entertainment) "One Punch Man" Season 2 release date has been highly anticipated by anime fans. To go along with its confirmed release this year, a possible new look of Saitama has been reported online. The Japanese hit anime is scheduled for release this year, according to Anime News Network. It was announced during the "One Punch Man Fall Festival" event back in 2016. However, despite the release confirmation, exact air date is yet to be confirmed. Thus, paving ways for speculations and rumors to proliferate online. Advertisement Based on a separate report, it was highlighted that "OPM" could potentially be released in the mid-year. To somehow substantiate the claim, the previous release date of the anime's English dub was in July 2016. Thus, strengthening the mid-year release projection. Moreover, various social media platforms and forum sites have also mentioned of a potentially drastic change to the main character of the "One Punch Man." As most speculations online would suggest, Saitama will be putting down his old iconic yellow costume over something else. The costume is yet to be presented online. However, suggestions of fans vary from an inclusion of wig or sort of a hair piece, down to a more futuristic costume. Meanwhile, other fans have expressed their excitement and enthusiasm for "OPM" and other animes through parodies. The vast imagination of fans and enthusiasts led to the creation of Goku vs. Saitama, now dubbed as Anime War, according to Comic Book. In the said parody video, Saitama was seen fighting Goku in order to gain the A-rank hero. The battle started with a fist fight, which later on turned into a duel of speed and super strength. The match progressed with Saitama having the upper hand, while Goku was pushed towards his limits. Thus, leading the great Saiyan warrior to question whether Saitama is even a human. Watch here below the fight between Goku and Saitama: PLA Field Testing New Combat Uniforms with better Camouflage and Comfort PLA's current Type 07 uniforms. (Photo : PLA) The People's Liberation Army Ground Force (PLAGF) is testing a new family of combat uniforms that will likely replace the existing Type 07 family of military uniforms issued to Chinese infantry 20 years ago. Soldiers of the Western Theater Command, which borders India and which faces civil unrest in the Muslim-majority province of Xingiang, are field testing 26 new-generation combat uniforms at the Karakoram Range, said the website of the People's Liberation Army (PLA). Advertisement The PLAGF combat uniforms being tested are to be used for winter combat and general-purpose combat. Also being tested are other gear such as combat boots; thermos bottles; thicker winter coats; load carriers with waterproof liners and double-layer sleeping bags. The Central Military Commission's Logistics Support Department said the PLA's new generation combat uniforms include five different versions; one each for the army, navy, air force, rocket force and special forces. The new uniforms concentrate on better camouflage, protection and comfort. The current Type 07 military uniforms for the PLAGF and the Rocket Force features a colder pine green color with better material and cutting for a more stylish but professional appearance. Its camouflage version, the 07 Universal Camouflage, features green, brown and black on a grey background. The PLA said this pattern is suitable for semi-urbanized terrain. China Special Forces troops used for special operations are clad in the 07 Special Force Camouflage uniforms or the Type 07 Hunter Digital Camo, a pixelized pattern also used by PLAGF reconnaissance units. The PLA said that from 2011 to 2015, its armed services have been equipped with more than 100 types of uniforms, including camouflage uniforms for various environments such as the ocean, city, forest and snow. There have also been mosquito and insect resistant outfits, identification and protective outfits for aircraft carrier deck crews and work clothes for submariners. AG600 seaplane. (Photo : AVIC) The People's Liberation Army (PLA) will soon receive its first AVIC AG600 -- the world's largest seaplane -- that will facilitate the process of supplying its far flung garrisons spread out among China's man-made islands in the disputed South China Sea. The AG600, which can carry 50 passengers or soldiers, will make its maiden flight before the first half of the year, said China Aviation Industry General Aircraft Company (CAIGA), the seaplane's developer, which is also a subsidiary of aerospace firm the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC). Advertisement CAIGA said AG600 deliveries of the seaplane will begin in 2021. Its engineers are carrying out final tests on the AG600 before the plane's first flight. The company said 46 out of 53 tests have been completed. After the tests are completed, pilots will train aboard the two test aircraft and practice maneuvers. Certification procedures are expected to be completed by 2020. CAIGA said the first plane will be delivered to the State Forestry Administration, which will use it to fight forest fires. The biggest user of the AG600, however, is expected to be the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), which is expected to receive most of the first 17 planes to be made. CAIGA launched the AG600 project in September 2009 to fill the gap in China's lack of amphibious aircraft, which is now more acute given the military situation in the South China Sea. The AG600 will have a maximum takeoff weight of 53.5 metric tons and an operational range of about 4,500 kilometers. This will be more than enough to cover the 1,600 km distance from the southernmost Chinese island of Hainan to James Shoal, which China illegally claims is the southernmost part of its territory despite this feature being within Malaysia's exclusive economic zone. James Shoal is only 80 km northwest of the town of Bintulu in Malaysia as against 1,600 km from Hainan. CAIGA said the AG600 will play an important role in fighting forest fires, maritime search and rescue, the transportation of military passengers and supplies to islands and law enforcement. The AG600 will give China the ability to more quickly reinforce the military garrisons on its man-made islands in the South China Sea. The Permanent Court of Arbitration on July 12, 2016 declared China has no legal rights to claim most of the South China Sea. The same court also found China had infringed on the Philippines' territorial rights. China has unilaterally dismissed the ruling. A logo sits illuminated outside the Nokia pavilion on the opening day of the World Mobile Congress at the Fira Gran Via Complex on February 22, 2016 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo : Getty Images/ David Ramos) After the recent success of Nokia 6's launch in China, HMD Global is preparing to release another slew of devices that will continue to target mid and budget price segments. Fans can expect four more phones in the Nokia showcase event at the MWC 2017 event. After owning exclusive rights to market phones under the Nokia brand, HMD global is expanding is portfolio of mid and budget phones through the launch of Nokia 3, Nokia 5, Nokia 6, and the modern version of the historic Nokia 3310. Advertisement To start, the Nokia 5 is rumored to be named "Nokia Heart." It features a 5.2-inch HD display with a resolution of 720 X 1080 pixels. Under the hood, the smartphone is armed with 1.4 GHz quad-core Snapdragon 430 processor, which is paired with Qualcomm Adreno 505 graphic processor, 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage, The Mobile Indian reported. In the optics department, the Nokia 5 features a 13-megapixel primary rear camera with LED flash, as well as an 8-megapixel front-snapper perfect for selfies and video conferencing. The smartphone will ship the Android 7.0 Nougat operating system and will include Bluetooth, NFC, WiFi, Accelerometer, Light sensor, Pedometer, and Proximity support. Furthermore, the Nokia 3 will serve as the entry-level smartphone for the next-gen flagships. Under the "Nokia E1" moniker, the smartphone brings a 5.2 or 5.3-inch HD display with a resolution of 720x1280 pixels. It will be powered by a 1.4 GHz quad-core Snapdragon 425 processor, coupled with Adreno 308 GPU, 2GB of RAM, and 16GB of internal storage. On the camera front, the smartphone features a 13-megapixel rear camera with LED flash and a 5-megapixel front-snapper. It will also run the Android 7.0 Nougat OS. The Nokia 3 and Nokia 5 are packed with lower specs and prices compared to Nokia 6. According to Softpedia News, the Nokia 5 is pegged at a price of $211 (199), while the Nokia 3 will be offered at about $158 (149). To the uninitiated, the Nokia 6 exclusively launched in China is offered at CNY 1,699. It offers a 5.5-inch full HD display in 1080p resolution, with 2.5d curved display and Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection. Under the hood, the device is packed with an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 processor along with Adreno 505 GPU. Nokia 6 brings 4GB of RAM and 64GB internal storage, which can be further expanded up to 128GB via microSD. It also houses a mamooth 6000 mAh battery and fingerprint scanner in its home button. One of the unexpected phones that will be launched in the Nokia event will be the modern Nokia 3310. Launched 17 years ago, the new handset might still boast its big battery life and strong frame build. The new handset is said to feature a price tag of $63 (59). Russia's upper house of parliament speaker said Cairo has improved most security issues to allow for safe Egypt-Russia flights, but Moscow believes that a few details remain problematic. "Cairo has improved most security aspects providing for safe Egypt-Russia flights, but Moscow believes that a few details remain problematic," Speaker Valentina Matvienko said Wednesday evening. "The work on this project is almost finished; most items on the agenda for the improvement of security on flights from Egypt have been carried out. However, there are a number of details that we are not satisfied with," Matvienko said. Matvienko stressed that Russia's stance on the matter had not changed and that the security of its citizens remains a priority. The upper house speaker confirmed that she would go to Egypt in the beginning of March on a planned official visit, unrelated to the flight security issues. Russia has carried out a series of security checks at Egyptian airports after a Russian passenger plane crashed soon after it took off from Sinai's Sharm El-Sheikh airport in October 2015. The Airbus A321 crash over the Sinai desert killed 224 people aboard. The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) classified the air disaster, the deadliest in Russian and Soviet history, as a terrorist attack. Egyptian investigations have not yet determined the cause of the crash. Russia grounded flights to and from Egypt in November 2015. Transport Minister Maxim Sokolov said in January that the February inspection would likely be the last and suggested that restrictions could be lifted in the near future. However, the latest inspection showed that some details still had to be improved. Search Keywords: Short link: This domain has expired. If you owned this domain, contact your domain registration service provider for further assistance. If you need help identifying your provider, visit https://www.tucowsdomains.com/ Voters faithful to the Samajwadi Party (SP) display a sense of ownership or entitlement towards chief minister (CM) Akhilesh Yadav. It is as if he is one of their own someone whom they trust and have anointed to govern. This is apparent in the manner in which they refer to the chief minister in their day-to-day conversations. During my travels to the state for poll coverage, I discovered that while voters had diverse opinions about the claims of development made by the SP and the possible spiralling affects of the feud in the First Family on voting patterns, none of the people I met referred to the CM as Akhilesh ji or mukhyamantri or mananiya Akhilesh ji. No salutation, meant to convey reverence or authority is attached before the chief ministers name. For the elderly, he is Akhilesh, hamara Akhilesh or apna Akhilesh. And for the youth, he is simply Akhilesh bhaiyya. Not very different from how they would refer to the boy next door. In that sense, the CM has been successful in cultivating a son of the soil image. He ranks high on the emotional quotient of voters. As chief minister, particularly in the last two years, his decisions (such as not giving tickets to lumpen elements), demeanour (not a single word uttered against his father or uncle during the family feud) and the publicity blitz in the run-up to elections sent out the message to the people of Uttar Pradesh that he is a man out to deliver on the promises he made. And that he is not a mere extension of his fathers brand of politics. Read: UP polls: Victory songs, loud cheers at Rahul-Akhileshs first joint campaign Samajwadi Party members told me that part of the credit for Akhileshs messaging should go to the CMs own style of functioning and the rest to a conscious image-makeover, the brainchild of Steve Jarding, Public Policy professor at Harvard. Juxtapose this with how voters in UP and even in the Congress pocket boroughs of Amethi, Rae Bareli and Sultanpur, perceive party scion Rahul Gandhi. He is Rahul ji for people, cutting across regions, age groups and economic divide. For them, Rahul is a visitor of sorts. Or, the VIP guest from New Delhi who does them a favour by giving them an audience: akin to the prince of a royal family. I got a first-hand experience of RaGas disconnect while covering the UP assembly elections in 2012. I met Shivkumari, a Dalit woman in Semra, a hamlet in Amethi. In January 2009, Rahul Gandhi spent a night at Shivkumaris shanty, promising her all the help she needed. The Congress vice president never returned, nor was there any follow-up from his team. On the contrary, with fellow villagers taunting her about his disappearance, the visit turned into a curse of sorts. Five years on, I discovered that Rahuls perception as an outsider who occasionally visits Uttar Pradesh, has not changed. Even this time round, the people I met in the constituencies of Western Uttar Pradesh and Central Uttar Pradesh view him in the same reverential, albeit formal light. Read: Rahul Gandhis Bareilly rally shows Congress needs to do lot more to win UP election Rahul is seen as an outsider in spite of the fact that the core constituencies particularly Amethi and Re Bareli -- have remained dedicated to the Congress. Even to them, Rahul reminds them of a son who is now settled abroad and occasionally visits his family here in India. This is in sharp contrast with Akhilesh Yadav who has a more informal and intimate direct connection with the people. Rahul Gandhi is still Indiras grandson or Rajivs son. Still, there is a sense of gratitude. The people cannot thank the Congress and Rahul Gandhi enough for getting them basic amenities such as road, water and power. But on the ground and in UP lingo, Akhilesh is still UP ka ladka and Rahul, the prince from Delhi. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Lets start with a disclosure. Im sympathetic to the fauj and to all men in fatigues who serve in conflict zones. It is far from easy to work in Kashmir where you are alienated from your own people; where you are seen as an oppressor and are constantly told that youre an Indian dog. But even for me and I have fauji blood in my veins the words used by the army chief jarred. They should, actually, make most of us cringe. General Bipin Rawat, while speaking to the media after saluting the dead bodies of his own men, said that stone pelters in Kashmir would be treated as aides of the jihadis. He said a lot more: That those who try to disrupt terror operations in the state would be treated as over ground workers of terrorists and would be fired on. It is understandable that no General likes to see his men in coffins and he may, therefore, have been overwrought. It is also completely understandable that as the leader of one of the largest armies, he was trying to motivate his men, who have taken two quick knocks in the Valley in the past week. Read: Will use weapons on locals interfering in anti-terror ops: Army chief Rawat What is difficult to stomach, however, is the fact that Rawat as the senior- most army officer did not think of what impact his words would have on the people of Kashmir, particularly after last years uprising that followed the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant commander, Burhan Wani. The stone pelting youth brought the Valley to a complete standstill. Boys aged nine to 15 took over the streets and were unafraid of walking up to armed garrisons that dot the landscape of a Valley. The Valley limped back to a semblance of tenuous normalcy after an intense phase of stone pelting in the summer of 2016 but the signs of another hot summer are visible even before the snows have melted. Neither Rawat nor anyone from his organisation have tried to soften or even clarify the tough words that had almost the same lethal force as the pellet guns. The General, in so many ways, articulated a policy that was being practised in the Valley, particularly during the summer of 2016, when hundreds were maimed, blinded and killed. Were they all aides of the jihadis and overground workers of terrorists? Read: Rijiju backs Army Chiefs comment on tough action against hostile locals in J-K Rawat is partially right when he says that locals sometimes prevent the army from conducting their operations. There are several instances of a large group of Kashmiri women shouting slogans while the troops are out on operations. Is Rawat now going to shoot at women who dare to vent their frustration because they are tired of living wretched lives in a militarised zone? The army has been a part of the protracted Kashmir problem for over two decades. As the head of an organisation that has lost ranks and officers at the hands of terrorists and sometimes because jawans have turned their guns on their own colleagues Rawat should be asking some basic questions. Rawat, who superseded two competent officers, to don the mantle of the chief mainly because of his experience in dealing with counter-insurgency operations (so we were told) should be asking these questions in particular. Why are the youth so enraged? Why are they unafraid of dying? Why are the women unafraid? Why is the Valley back in a phase where local Kashmiri militants outnumber the foreign terrorists? Why is an entire population alienated? The answers are obvious. Rawat, for the sake of his own men who dont deserve to be in coffins should be gently nudging the government towards a political resolution of the problem. There is already a report, painstakingly put together by interlocutors, available with the home ministry. The unfortunate bit is that Rawat sounds like the government in Delhi. Rajnath Singh promised to review the use of the pellet guns but stopped short of banning them and now his deputy, Kiren Rijiju has endorsed the Generals stance saying, There should be action against the stone pelters and whoever works against national interest as national interest is supreme. The national interest would be better served in engaging with the Valleys youth. For the sake of the Kashmiris, our nation and of course, our soldiers, I fervently hope the General does not carry through with the threat of opening fire. The author tweets as @shammybaweja SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17 1) Food and drink: Gourmet lunch: Gorge on soups such as chilled gazpacho and curry laksa, and mains such as watermelon sashimi, miso glazed sweet potato, hand torn buratta, tea smoked tofu, and kale papdichaat. Where: TAG GourmArt Kitchen, Kamala Mills, Lower Parel; Call: 2497 2424 Price: Rs 1,800 for two people; When: 12 pm to 3 pm Gourmet lunch. 2) Art: The Eternal City of Benaras: Using shades of black, brown and white, with hints of blue and red, artist Ashif Hossain brings to life the spiritual city of Varanasi. Where: Studio3 Art Gallery, Nagin Mahal, Nariman Point; Call: 9819344839 Entry: Free ; When: 11 am to 6 pm he Eternal City of Benaras. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18 3) Theatre: The Magic Flute: Whats better than an opera? An opera-inspired puppet show. Complete with a typical fairy-tale a prince who recuses a damsel in distress the story progresses through traditional string puppets with voice overs and songs. Where: Canvas Laugh Club, Palladium, Lower Parel; Call: 90046 03115 Tickets: Rs 500 onward; When: 6pm Read more: Strings attached: How puppetry reinvented itself for a modern audience The Magic Flute. 4) Music: Krishna Ke Taal: Pt Anuradha Pal will walk the audience through the stories of Krishnas affairs with his consorts Radha and Rukhmini through percussion. Expect tabla with sufi poetry. Where: Hall of Culture, Nehru Centre, Worli; Call: 2496 4676 Tickets: Rs 200; When: 6.30pm Read more: Meet Stree Shakti, Indias first all-women classical band 5) Food and drink: Modern European: Spend the weekend tasting a new menu, curated by noted chefs Ashay Dhopatkar and Neha Lakhani. Dig into their signature dishes such as pomme mousseline, passion fruit and chilli spheres, panned braised lamb, and raspberry nitro lollipops. Where: Magazine Street Kitchen, near Britannia Company, Byculla (E) Call:2372 6708; Price: Rs 4,200 onward per person; When: 7.30pm Chefs Ashay Dhopatkar and Neha Lakhani. 6) Travel: Turtle Festival: Head to Velas beach in Ratnagiri for the annual gathering of Olive Ridley turtles. Be there to see eggs hatch, and newborn turtles head out into the sea. Where: Dadar TT, near Khodadad Circle (assembly point. Head to Velas by bus) Call: 8692055777; Price: Rs 3,000; When: 10pm (assembly point) Turtle Festival. SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19 7) Screening: Amadeus: Catch the screening of the critically acclaimed opera, by director Peter Shaffer. The story is a fictionalised account of the lives of legendary Austrian composers Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Salieri. Where: Godrej Dance Theatre, NCPA, Nariman Point; Call: 6622 3737 Tickets: Rs 500 onward; When: 2pm and 6pm Amadeus. 8) Workshop: Ink Doodle: Know all about using ink to create intricate doodles for DIY gifts and frames. Work with ink pens and try your hand at calligraphy. Where: Raasta Bombay, Ram Krishan Nagar, Khar (W); Call: 86550 00811 Price: Rs 1,850; When: 4pm Read more: Urban youth is consciously cutting off from all things digital. Heres why Ink Doodle. 9) Vegan indulgence: Dig into an all-new vegan menu with strawberry cheesecake smoothie, Italian pesto almond torte with pizza crackers, Moroccan tomato zucchini salad, burgers with cashew mayonnaise and raw cacao brownie. Where: 212 All Good, High Street Phoenix, Lower Parel; Call: 6221 6020 Price: Rs 1,000 for two people; When: 9am to 11.30pm Vegan indulgence. 10) Theatre: Laughter in the House 2: A sequel to a comedy play that paid tribute to Parsi theatre personality Adi Marzban, the play promises drama and dance in addition to the signature cultural comedy. Where: Tata Theatre, NCPA, Nariman Point; Call: 6622 3737 Tickets: Rs 200 onward; When: 7pm Friendly contests on four out of 10 seats of Rae Bareli and Amethi appear to be keeping Priyanka Gandhi Vadra away from campaigning in the Gandhi bastions. Priyanka, who was one of the key architects of the alliance between the ruling Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Congress, has not yet addressed any rally in any of these constituencies despite requests from the local party leaders. The Congress and the SP are locked in what is termed as a friendly contest in Unchahar and Sareni under Rae Bareli and Amethi and Gauriganj under Amethi parliamentary constituency. Priyankas mother and Congress president Sonia Gandhi represents Rae Bareli in the parliament while her brother and party vice-president Rahul Gandhi represents Amethi Lok Sabha seats. Priyanka used to be at the forefront of the campaigning in the areas in the past, spending at least a day in each of the assembly constituencies. Read: Smriti Irani accuses Priyanka of not campaigning in Amethi to avoid queries Party sources said she is apparently finding it little embarrassing to campaign for the Congress in the seats where two allies are contesting against each other. It will also not be easy for her to selectively campaign in rest of the six seats avoiding the four constituencies, they said. She initially wanted to hold closed-door meetings of party workers in Rae Bareli and Amethi. But the workers instead wanted her to lead the campaign. But as there is no final word from her yet on campaigning, partymen are hoping she may change her mind and decides to campaign soon. We are requesting Priyankaji to give her campaign schedules. So, far we have not received any positive response from her, said Rae Bareli district Congress committee (DCC) president VK Shukla. Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to address a public meeting in Rae Bareli on February 17 and in Amethi on either February 23 or 24. Sonia Gandhi has also been urged to hold a joint public meeting in Rae Bareli and Amethi on February 20. Party workers are hoping Priyanka may also share the dais with Rahul or Sonia. UPCC president Raj Babbar and Congresss Rajya Sabha MP Pramod Tiwari will address a public meeting in favour of the partys candidate in Unchahar, where UP minister and SP leader Manoj Kumar Pandey is also in the fray. The SP has projected Pandey as a Brahmin leader. By roping in Tiwari for campaigning against Pandey, the Congress is eyeing to cut into his Brahmin votes in the constituency. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav said Uttar Pradesh had seen progress and unprecedented development works on several fronts, but it was the so-called experienced leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) who refuses to see these changes happening here in the last five years. Akhilesh and his wife Dimple Yadav, an MP from Kannauj, were talking to Hindustan Times senior resident editor Sunita Aron in a Facebook live event at their residence in Lucknow on Thursday. Talking about the achievements of his government, Akhilesh listed out the 19 lakh laptops distributed to students, pension funds expanded to 50 lakh recipients, the big boost to tourism in the form of the world-class Gomti riverfront in Lucknow and the completion of the Lucknow-Agra Expressway and the Lucknow Metro in record time . Inclusive and balanced growth of the state was the agenda of the SP government. We will distribute bicycles to meritorious girls of class 10th and class 12th if we come back to power, he said. Read: UP election: Akhilesh, not Rahul, has struck a chord with UPs voters Responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modis criticism that Akhilesh had gone and allied with a party (Congress) that had plotted to eliminate his father and SP patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav in 1984, the UP chief minister said Modi need not have gone that far back in history to provoke him. If he really wanted to provoke me, he should have just raked up the Firozabad elections when some Congress leaders ensured the defeat of my wife Dimple, he added. Akhilesh was upbeat about the first two phases of polling in the state, adding that the crestfallen demeanour of the opposition was evidence of their poor performance. Defending the SPs poll alliance and joint rallies with Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh said the BJP was rattled with this tie-up and was using all the tricks to break this alliance. On the issue of demonetisation, he said the PM had no idea how much the common man suffered because of the move. They have to tell the country how much black money they recovered from this drive. About the Yadav family feud and its impact on the partys prospects, Akhilesh said, There were some people who wanted to snatch away the cycle, but I prevented that. Read: Dimple takes a dig at Modi, says Akhilesh does kaam ki baat not mann ki baat Talking about her campaign in different constituencies, Dimple said, We have very little time left. So I am campaigning at places wherever the party wants me to go in the elections. She said she was getting a fantastic response. I feel welcomed and loved at different rallies. On a lighter note, asked for his views on new US president Donald J Trump, Akhilesh said, I am quite away from US politics. I am not into it. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said his country considers Egypt a key player in the maintenance of security and stability in the Middle East Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed claims by one of his ministers that the PM planned to discuss an Egyptian proposal to establish a Palestinian state in Sinai during a meeting with US President Donald Trump Wednesday, state news agency MENA reported. On his twitter account the day before the meeting, Israeli Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Ayoub Kara said that Netanyahu and Trump would discuss a plan to establish a Palestinian state in Gaza and the Sinai Peninsula, excluding the West Bank -- reviving an idea long rejected by the international community. Kara said the two would give their support to the idea, allegedly proposed by Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi. "This idea was not even a point of discussion during the meeting; everything mentioned in this matter are false claims," Netanyahu said, speaking to reporters in Washington on Thursday. The Israeli Prime Minister said his country considers Egypt a key player in the maintenance of security and stability in the region. Earlier this week, several international news reports said the staff of Israel's embassy in Cairo had been ordered by Tel-Aviv security services to stay at home due to security concerns. Both the Egyptian and Israeli foreign ministers declined to comment. Israel's Channel 2 television confirmed after these reports that for three months, ambassador David Govrin and his staff have been working from Jerusalem. Search Keywords: Short link: Samajwadi Party (SP) patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav on Wednesday appealed to voters to support his chhoti bahu (younger daughter-in-law Aparna Yadav) in the Uttar Pradesh assembly election. He was speaking at his first public meeting for Aparna Yadav, the Samajwadi Party candidate from Lucknow Cantonment constituency. She is pitted against Rita Bahuguna Joshi, the BJP candidate who won the seat in the 2012 assembly election on the Congress ticket. Addressing a gathering near Carriage and Wagon Workshop in Alambagh here, the senior Yadav said: It is a matter of prestige for me. Aparna is my younger sons wife. Please vote for her. He pleaded with people to keep his honour intact. Appealing to traders to support his younger daughter-in-law, he said: At the request of traders, I had ended octroi and sales tax (when he was chief minister). He made the appeal four days before Lucknow goes to poll in the third phase on February 19. He once again justified his decision to allow the police to open fire at kar sewaks in Ayodhya in 1990. I had to save the mosque to give a message to the Muslims that they were safe in the country, said Mulayam Singh Yadav. The mosque was demolished two years later on December 6, 1992 when the BJP was in power in Uttar Pradesh. The SP founder did not miss the opportunity to attack Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Modi had promised to deposit Rs 15 lakh is every account. He has failed to do so. If not Rs 15 lakh, then he should at least have deposited Rs 5 lakh or Rs 2 lakh in every account, said the SP leader. An unkept promise is just like corruption, he said. He asserted that he had always kept all the promises made to voters. As the Lucknow Cantonment constituency has a large Sikh population, he listed steps taken by his previous government for Sikhs of Pilibhit and those living in Uttarakhand, when the hill state was part of Uttar Pradesh. Mulayam has had three terms as UP chief minister from 1989-91, 1993-95 and 2003-07. I had allotted land to Sikhs in Pilibhit and Uttarkhand (in undivided UP) who were devoid of ownership even after several years of cultivating land, Mulayam Singh Yadav said. He also assured railway employees that all their concerns would be addressed. Prominent leaders of railway employees unions were present on the stage with Mulayam and Aparna. The constituency has a large number of railway employees. Targeting Rita Bahuguna Joshi, Aparna Yadav said: One who cannot remain loyal to a party cannot be loyal to voters either. Hitting out at PM Modi on demonetisation, Aparna said: Answer note bandhi with vote bandhi. She attacked the union government for doing little to keep the Ganga clean. Over 7.5 lakh drains are discharging sewage into the Ganga. One who is not loyal to Ganga, how will he remain loyal to you? she asked. Read| UP elections: From drama to dialogue, Rajnath strikes a chord with his audience SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON From Hazratganj, the shopping destination of the elite, to Aminabad, the favourite market for wholesalers, retailers and middle-class shoppers, Lucknow Central assembly constituency forms the commercial hub of the state capital. The constituency serves as cash bowl for the commercial tax department. Despite being a revenue generator, the constituency is grappling with host of problems. Erratic power and water supply, undisposed garbage and traffic congestion figure among the problems plaguing the constituency. Traffic jams have become a routine affair in Hussainganj, Murli Nagar, Kaisarbagh, Aminabad and Nazirabad markets. Dangling power cables and encroachments in Mumtaz market and Aminabad hinder smooth movement of traffic and is a major problem in emergency situation. Illegal multi-storey apartments have mushroomed in narrow lanes and bylanes of a number of localities. Commuting has become a nightmare for us. Traffic congestion was always a problem and the ongoing metro rail work has aggravated the situation. We have to think twice before moving out of the house even on a rickshaw, says homemaker Rashi Srivastava, a resident of Hussainganj. Read more: Its Yadav familys chhoti bahu vs veteran Bahuguna in Lucknow Cantt seat Traffic movement in our area eases only after 9.30 pm. Marriage halls on main roads on the Odeon Cinema road have added to traffic snarls. During marriage season, traffic movement remains affected till late night hours, she adds. Dangling power cables in the constituency. (HT Photo) Rashmi Chaudhary of Hussainganj complained of inadequate water supply in the area. Areas under Lucknow Central seat have become a favourite destination for builders. Residential apartments have come up flouting norms. Even in narrow lanes one could find a multi-storey apartment with inadequate parking facility. Illegal apartments have come up in Murli Nagar, Aminabad, Hussainganj, Nazarbagh and other areas of the constituency, said Sharad Gupta, who resides on Odeon Cinema road. Pharmacists and suppliers of surgical goods in Aminabad also complain of erratic power supply and traffic jams. We give so much revenue to the government but our problems are not solved. Power supply is a big issue here. There is no power supply in the market for several hours at a stretch, says Puneet Sharma, a leading supplier of surgical goods in Aminabad. Read more: A biggie, a rebel and a woman make the contest interesting Unloading of consignment from a truck is no less than an ordeal even after the closure of the market, Sharma added. Kaiserbagh is known for traffic jams and the roundabout is chock-a-block with traffic most of the time. An intriguing contest in the offing A party hopper, a loyalist and a defiant make the contest in Lucknow Central assembly constituency intriguing. After holding a press conference on January 29, SP president Akhilesh Yadav and Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi took out their first-ever joint road show in Lucknow Central. Now, days before the city goes to poll on February 19, Lucknow Central has Congress rebel Maroof Khan challenging sitting Samajwadi Party MLA Ravidas Mehrotra. Khan has turned down the partys official request to withdraw his candidature and is campaigning aggressively. Senior party leaders will also campaign for me, Khan told HT. Lucknow Central is predominantly an urban constituency which comprises of prominent markets Aminabad, Hazratganj, Nazirabad, Kaiserbagh and Murli Nagar. The constituency is set to witness a faceoff between Congress and SP and it will not be a friendly contest. A number of Samajwadi Party corporators from various wards in Lucknow Central are rallying behind the Congress candidate. Former BSP MP Brajesh Pathak is now a BJP candidate from Lucknow Central while Bahujan Samaj Party has fielded Rajeev Srivastava. Ramesh Chandra of the RLD and Mohammad Irfan of the AIMIM are among 17 candidates in fray. Pathak, a two-time BSP MP and once a loyalist of BSP president Mayawati, changed his loyalty before assembly elections and joined the BJP. Pathak got elected to 14th Lok Sabha from Unnao on a BSP ticket and was also nominated to Rajya Sabha after he completed the Lok Sabha term. Constituency Profile Polling centres 83 Polling booths 329 Male voters 1,96,750 Female voters 1,69,553 Third gender 2 Total voters 3,66,305 A former president of the Lucknow University Students Union (LUSU), Pathak was once a protege of Vinay Shankar Tewari, son of Hari Shankar Tewari, a mafia-turned politician. As Pathaks political career skyrocketed, he parted ways with his mentor and charted his own course. Ravidas Mehrotra, who is a loyalist of both chief minister Akhilesh Yadav and party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav, is fighting against odds as Congress candidate Maroof Khan is playing spoilsport. I have the approval of Ghulam Nabi Azad and state Congress president Raj Babbar. I am getting overwhelming support from the people in my constituency, said Khan. BSP candidate Rajeev Srivastava, who is trying his luck for the second time, is banking on Dalit and Muslim support. From 1989 to 2007, BJP has represented this constituency for six times in a row. The BJP stronghold was breached in 2012 in the first assembly election after delimitation when Ravidas Mehrotra of Samajwadi Party defeated BJPs Vidya Sagar Gupta. Before the announcement of final list of candidates by chief minister Akhilesh Yadav, nine corporators of the Samajwadi Party from Lucknow Central went to meet him demanding revocation of the candidature of Ravidas Mehrotra, but to no avail. A prominent Muslim corporator of the Samajwadi Party wanted the ticket and his supporters are now supporting Maroof Khan. Read more: Lucknow East constituency, citys business hub, wants political parties to create jobs SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati addressed two rallies barely at a distance of 15km from each other in Barabanki district, which has a sizeable presence of Muslim voters that both parties are eyeing. In terms of composition and crowd size both the rallies, however, presented a contrasting picture. Rahuls rally at Zaidpur (reserved seat), much to the Congresss delight, drew a large number of Muslims. BSPs mainstay, Dalits dominated the Mayawati-show at Badel in Barabanki assembly constituency. Her rally though attracted a bigger crowd. The Congress sources said there could not be a comparison between the two rallies as Rahul was campaigning for the partys lone candidate from Barabanki district Tanuj Punia, son of Congress Rajya Sabha member PL Punia. Mayawati on the other hand was seeking votes for party candidates contesting in all the six assembly constituencies in the district. Poll analysts say a division of Muslim votes between BSP and SP-Congress alliance could benefit BJP in the assembly elections in the countrys most populous and electorally crucial state. There is no question of a division of Muslim votes barring in the seats where BSP has fielded candidates from the community. Muslims are strongly behind the the Congress-SP alliance, said Mohammad Hamza, resident of Zaidpur. Read | UP elections: BSP goes all out to woo Muslims, gets backing of clerics Mohammad Khalid, resident of Dariyabad assembly constituency in the district, agrees. Muslims are with the BSP only in the seats where the party has fielded a candidate from the minority community, he said, adding, Barabanki is a stronghold of the Kurmis. A sizeable number of them are now turning to the BSP. BSP sources are claiming that even Rakesh Verma, son of former union minister and SPs Rajya Sabha MP Beni Prasad Verma has come out openly in support of the party. Beni Prasad is a prominent Kurmi leader in the state. Tone and tenor in the two rallies were also different. Read | Uttar Pradeshs Muslim vote-bank: A myth or reality? Rahul directed his tirade primarily at the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, over demonetisation of high-value currency, which, he said, caused lots of hardship to the poor. The Narendra Modi government has completed two-and-a-half years in office. He has delivered long addresses to the people. What has he done for them? Narendra Modiji can lecture the people. But he cannot work for them, Rahul said amid loud applause. The Congress leader said the alliance will form the next government and it will focus on creating avenues for the youths. Rahul did not utter a word against Mayawati or her party. The BSP chief did not hold any punch against the Congress. She said the party has given up on its ideology by joining hands with the anti-minority SP. The SP rule has become a symbol of goondaraj, she said. She also hit out at chief minister Akhilesh Yadav, saying the SP chief was giving more publicity to the BSPs poll symbol than campaigning for his own party. She also flayed the BJP, saying the party is following the RSS agenda. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Before leaving for his day-long campaign trail from Choudhury Charan Singh airport here, Union home minister Rajnath Singh had a chance meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was heading towards Kannauj, the parliamentary constituency of Dimple Yadav, wife of chief minister Akhilesh Yadav. They briefly discussed Nagaland developments and partys prospects in UP. Rajnath Singh, who along with the prime minister and BJP president Amit Shah is shouldering major responsibility to end partys 14-year-long exile from power in UP, exuded confidence and said, We are heading for absolute majority. It is, however, easier said than done even though winning UP is crucial to BJPs national plans. Singh has over 100 meetings lined up till the last phase of elections. Read more | UP election: How BJP changes its narrative within 50 kms, from Hindutva to secularism But todays rallies were particularly crucial as they were held in the assembly segments of his Lok Sabha constituency Lucknow. Winning all of them obviously is a prestige issue for him. The Union home minister started the day from Haidergarh in Barabanki , which had elected him to the Vidhan Sabha twice after he had become chief minister. He grew nostalgic while addressing the responsive crowds. He invoked patriotism by dramatically referring to the surgical strikes and his visit to Pakistan. Evidently not sure if it could fetch votes in the ensuing polls, he skirted the issue of demonetisation. However, in all his speeches -- Bakshi Ka Talab, Sarojininagar, Rajajipuram, Gomti Nagar and even Mohanlalganj, from where alliance partner RK Choudhary of RSP is contesting-- Rajnath was both articulate and forceful. Read more | UP election: Star campaigner Varun Gandhi missing in his own constituency While highlighting the clean image of union ministers and former chief ministers of UP, he wanted to know from the crowds, How can anyone with corruption charges demand support in elections and seek votes. I would prefer to quit politics if I ever have such a blot. Applause followed. Then he told the BJP candidates not to make promises but seek blessings of the people in elections and went on to remind them the work he had done for the state and the farmers as the CM and the Union agriculture minister. Mein aankhon mein ankhen dal kar rajniti karta hun, na ke aankhon mein dhul jhonkar( I do bold and forthright politics, I do not engage in politics of deceit). His words again drew overwhelming applause. Slogans like Vande Matram, Bharat Mata ki Jai and Jai Sri Ram followed. Without taking name of Rahul Gandhi, he asked people if they had heard of a Congress leader who had done some innovative public meetings called the khat sabhas. Read more | UP elections: Why a hung assembly cant be ruled out in this battleground state We use khats (charpoys) for sleeping and not for doing politics. Naturally, the campaign failed; so he jumped onto Akhilesh Yadavs cycle, which Mulayam had already punctured, he told the audience amid claps. Taking a dig at Akhilesh, he said, The chief minister has already accepted that his party is weak. But what surprises me is that he has opted for weak crutches. How can he sail the turbulent waters with the help of a dying Congress. He asked people to raise their hands in response to his queries on the work done by the SP government in the last five years. As he listed out issues from power to school, jobs to roads, people shouted in chorus, Nahin, Nahin. A contented Rajnath Singh then announced, We are forming the government, vote for the party and not the candidate. In other words, he told the BJP leaders to brush aside their differences and contest the election unitedly. Read more | Uttar Pradesh election: RLD turncoat says dont vote for me, pick BJP The BJP on Thursday said huge voter turnouts in the two phases of the Uttar Pradesh assembly election meant that the people of the state have rejected the ruling Samajwadi Party. The turnout shows that people have rejected the SP. The BJP will form the next government and provide an atmosphere of peace, development and prosperity in the state, senior BJP leader and Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said. The first and the second phases of the seven-phase assembly election were held on February 11 and February 15. The turnout was 64% in the first phase and 65% in the second phase. He said the SP-Congress tie-up for the crucial polls was an alliance of crime and anarchy of SP and corruption of Congress. A businessman is killed in Meerut and another businessman Sharvan Sahu is killed in Lucknow. In Sultanpur, an SP MLA is named as accused in a rape and murder case, he said, alleging that chief minister Akhilesh Yadav was protecting that accused legislator. This is the condition of anarchy and paralysed law and order situation in the state. The Dial 100 service of UP Police has failed in the state. After the model code of conduct for the assembly election came into force, we thought that the law and order situation will improve, but ironically it is the worst now, he said. The goons of SP and criminals are creating nuisance in the elections, he alleged, adding that the irony was that Akhilesh still claims Kaam bolta hai (work speaks). In fact, criminal activities of SP goons are speaking, he added. Taking a jibe at the SP-Congress alliance, Prasad said, If UP likes the alliance of SP-Congress (as claimed by the two parties), why did they stop joint rallies of Rahul and Akhilesh? I think Akhilesh has realised that the rally of Rahul will ensure the defeat of their candidates. The Congress doesnt like the company of anyone other than those belonging to the Nehru-Gandhi family. On the BSP, Prasad said its supremo Mayawati has accepted her defeat and is ready to sit in the opposition. He was referring to the remarks of Mayawati that her party would sit in the opposition rather than joining hands with BJP to form the government. On the issue of triple talaq, Prasad said this was an issue of women equality, women self-respect and women honour. More than 20 countries of the world have amended this system of triple talaq. Muslim women are fighting for their rights. The government will ensure justice to the Muslim women of India, he said. In the city of Tata and Godrej, theres no Parsi in BMC poll fray The only Parsi in the existing civic house, which will be dissolved after February 21 elections, Noshir Mehta, is serving his fourth term. He isnt not contesting as his ward has been reserved for OBC candidates after delimitation. Read BMC polls: BJP, Congress summon national leaders to promote candidates in Mumbai While Union ministers Nitin Gadkari, Purushottam Rupala and MP Manoj Tiwari will be campaigning for BJP candidates, Congress has roped in Digvijay Singh, Jyotiraditya Scindia and Khushboo. Read IIT-Bombay: Fewer job opportunities in second phase of placements A total of 11 companies have visited the campus since the last three weeks, out of which nine have offered jobs to 33 students, while two others have not made a single job offer. Read In Mumbai: 18-yr-old held for raping, uploading minors nude photos on social media On December 27,the accused took her to a lodge in Central Mumbai on the pretext of having a party. Here, he spiked her drink and raped her. He also recorded a video and clicked her nude photos. Read Mumbai civic polls: 630 polling stations declared sensitive While 613 polling booths are likely to be exposed to malpractices, police and SEC vigil will be higher at the 17 hypersensitive polling stations. Read Tata Consultancy Service, or TCS, Indias largest IT services firm is considering a share buy back, the company informed the National Stock Exchange. We will like to inform you that the Board of Director will consider a proposal for buyback of equity shares of the company at its meeting to be held on February 20, the company said in its letter to the bourses. TCS decision of share buyback comes at a time when the IT industry is under pressure of losing revenue from its clients in the US, which makes for 65% of revenue of $155 billion industry, under American president Donald Trumps protectionism measures. Earlier in the week, Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran, who is the former CEO of TCS, told a television channel the decision of buyback came from suggestions from investors to distribute large amount of cash to its shareholders. TCS has a cash pile of Rs 43,100 crore, which is nearly 10% of the companys market capitalisation. The firms decision of buyback comes in quick succession of rival Cognizant announced that it would return $3.4 billion to its shareholders over the next two years. Share buyback and paying to shareholders in form of dividends helps in two things. It stabilises the stock price, and shows the management and owners confidence in the company, especially during a slowdown. After the news, TCS stock price picked moment, and was trading 1.48% up, while the Sensex had a muted growth of 0.56%. TCS and Cognizant are not the only two companies. Infosys has also faced pressure in the past for share buyback. Former Infosys employees TV Mohandas Pai and V Balakrishnan had tried to buyback $1.8 billion of Infosys shares in 2014, just after Vishal Sikka took over the reigns of the company as its CEO. The IT industry is already under pressure of finding business outside of the US. According to Nasscoms chairman CP Gurnani, who is also the CEO of Tech Mahindra, the industry might grow between 6% to 10% in 2017-18. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The US President Donald Trump wants to Make America great again and this is widely believed to impact the offshore business model of Indian IT companies. But, Mukesh Ambani, chairman of Reliance Industries is not worried. The world might want to build walls around. It is important for us not to be influenced by those developments he said, on Wednesday, at the Nasscoms leadership summit. The Indian IT industry is reeling under pressure of the US government clamping down of H1-B visas, reduce influx of Indian software engineers going to America, and work for much lower salary compared to what a local would get. Ambani said that Trumps stand can be a blessing in disguise. Meanwhile, the domestic IT industry, made of companies such as Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services and Wipro, can focus on solving problems right here, which is a huge market. That might not be all that easy. To put things in context, the US makes for 65% of $155 million IT revenue. The domestic market is a third of that. According to Nasscoms older estimates, the exports business was growing at 10.3%, while the domestic business was growing at 3.2%. Meanwhile, the industry lobby has said that in 2016-17 the growth in IT revenue will be 8.6%, which is in the lower band of its guidance of 8% to 10%. However, the industry failed to forecast growth of 2017-18. According to CP Gurnani, chairman of Nasscom and CEO of Tech Mahindra, the range of growth can vary between 6% and 10%, due to political uncertainties. According a London-headquarters publishing house, between 2012 and 2015, TCS, Infosys and Wipro and Infosys submitted over 150,000 visa applications. The median salary for the applicants was $69,500. That would be 30% to 40% lower than what companies would pay the locals. Trump plans to double the minimum wage for H1-B visa holders, in an attempt to bring back lost American jobs. Indias IT revenue has grown on the back of global outsourcing. R Chandrashekhar, president of Nasscom added that uncertainties also come currency fluctuations, political volatility, stagnant discretionary spending by banking, financial and insurance services clients. Ambani believes that the India is at the cusp of a technology revolution. He has pumped in close to Rs 2,00,000 crore into his telecom venture, Reliance Jio, as he expects data to become the next big frontier for Reliance Industries, which has a market capitalisation of Rs 3.45 trillion. Ambani said that while some of the developed countries are focusing on protectionism, the Indian IT industry should strengthen its domestic capabilities. We have a very big advantage in this new world of digitization we should continue to be open and never think whatever the world changes, he said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Major Satish Dahiya of the 30 Rashtriya Rifles was cremated with full state honour on Wednesday at his native village Banihari in Mahendragarh district. He was among the four soldiers killed in two separate encounters in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday night. A pall of gloom descended in his village when the family heard news of his death on Tuesday night. Meri do saal ki beti ne uska pita de diya desh ko..bas isse zada aur nai hai dene ko..(My two-year-old daughter has given her father in nations service...we dont have anything left to give), said his wife Sujata. She had received her Valentines Day gift sent by Major Dahiya via courier after the news of his death on February 14. February 17 was our wedding anniversary. He had sent me a card, cake and flowers. He wrote I love you Sujata, you are my inspiration. Since morning he was telling me on phone that I will receive a surprise..I did, after receiving a call that he was no more. Major Dahiya was the only son of his parents and was commissioned in 2009. The Army said he was a gallantry award winner and had been part of several operations. He laid down his life while leading an operation in Handwara, Jammu and Kashmir, wherein three militants were also gunned down. Major Satish Dahiya with his daughter Priyansha. The mortal remains of Major Dahiya reached Narnaul at around 6 pm on Wednesday in an army chopper. He was then taken to his native village and was cremated with full state honours. Major Dahiya completed his schooling from Uttar Pradesh and pursued higher studies from Rajasthan University. He is survived by his parents, wife Sujata and a two-year-old daughter Priya. His uncle Bhoop Singh, also a retired sepoy, said he loved playing with his daughter and had joined duty on January 6, after completing a 20-day holiday with his family. Khattar, Abhimanyu mourns Maj Dahiyas death Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Wednesday expressed grief over the demise of Major Satish Dahiya. He also mourned the death of three other soldiers who were killed in another encounter at Hajin in Bandipora district, the same day. In a condolence message Khattar said the brave soldiers were always ready to sacrifice their lives to safeguard the nations honour. Paying tributes to Major Dahiya, Haryana finance minister Captain Abhimanyu tweeted: Salute to Major Satish Dahiya, who made supreme sacrifice for the motherland at Handwara, JK. The complicated and controversial notion of a Muslim vote bank stretches back to the first general elections in 1952. The post-Partition face of the Indian Muslims, Maulana Azad, was keen to contest an election from a constituency with a sizeable Hindu population to prove his secular credentials when Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru insisted he contest from Muslim-majority Rampur district instead. Nehru didnt want to take a risk with the electoral fortunes of one of his key lieutenants. A reluctant Azad eventually agreed, and although he managed to have his way by contesting from Gurgaon in the 1957 elections, the die had been cast: a Muslim politician in UP was seen to need the crutches of his co-religionists to win an election. Azad at least had the stature to be seen as a genuine ambassador of Hindu-Muslim unity. Azam Khan, the Samajwadi Partys (SP) most-prominent Muslim face and its MLA from Rampur, typifies a dangerous brand of aggressive Muslim-first politics masquerading as secularism. His strident rhetoric is designed to consciously appeal to his Muslim constituency: Rather than speak of how he intends to lift the community from the morass of under-development, his focus is on stoking their worst fears and insecurities. In the Azam Khan worldview, the way to win elections is to portrait Narendra Modi as an ogre, someone Muslims should be very frightened of. Read: My India My Vote: Uttar Pradesh And yet, despite his abominable public utterances (one of the worst was when he suggested that the Kargil war was won by Muslim soldiers), the SP has chosen to stick with Khan because it suits their political agenda of wooing the states 18% Muslim vote. The partys original vote bank was built in the early 1990s on a Muslim-Yadav (MY) alliance, with Mulayam Singhs shoot-at-sight orders against kar sevaks at the height of the Ram Mandir movement conferring him the honorific Maulana Mulayam. The standing joke in Lucknow was that if any influential Muslim cleric approached Mulayam, he would be rewarded with an official post. Truth is, the SP has failed to offer the UP Muslim genuine security or social uplift: Patronage of Muslim elites or donations to madrasas have had almost no impact on the lives of citizens. The numerous small and large riots that have occurred in UP in the last five years are indictments of the claim to have ensured communal peace: The worst example being the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots where the local administration clearly failed to act swiftly or in a non-partisan manner. Perhaps, sensing an opportunity, the BSP leader Mayawati has attempted to challenge the MY alliance with her own DM (Dalit-Muslim) social engineering. By giving tickets to 100 Muslims including mafia dons like Mukhtar Ansari, Mayawati has made an attempt to break the Yadav stranglehold over the Muslim vote. There have been previous attempts to create a Dalit-Muslim unity, most notably in Maharashtra, but never has it been tried on the scale that Mayawati is now seeking. It is this fear of a divided Muslim vote rather than any principled commitment to secular values that has spurred the Samajwadi-Congress alliance. Read: UP elections: Why a hung assembly cant be ruled out in this battleground state The BJPs response is even more troubling. Despite the PMs promise of sabka saath, sabka vikaas, on the ground there has been a concerted attempt by the local BJP leadership to identify issues that will create a Hindu-Muslim polarisation. If in 2014, the party exploited the Muzaffarnagar riots, this time, issues like a proposed ban on slaughter-houses, a national debate on triple talaq, the alleged flight of Hindus from Kairana in western UP, have been raked up on election eve with the sole intent of consolidating a Hindu vote. The pernicious love jihad campaign of Gorakhpur MP Yogi Adityanath and the hate speeches of BJP MPs like Sakshi Maharaj and MLAs like Sangeet Som expose their bigoted mindsets. Trapped then between the opportunistic politics of the so-called secular parties and the demonisation by Hindutva forces, the average UP Muslim voter is left feeling angry and frustrated. They dont want to embrace the self-appointed thekedars of the community like the Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid who pops up just before elections despite his growing political irrelevance. They may be attracted to a more articulate leader like Asaduddin Owaisi but are also acutely aware that the Hyderabad MP is only a spoiler at election time. Indeed, if the Muslim voter prefers the SP-Congress alliance today, its because of a visible lack of options, and the fear that he will be soon left without any political voice in the state when confronted with the Sangh parivar juggernaut. Remember the 2014 Lok Sabha elections was the first when not a single Muslim was elected MP from UP. Read: Why UP matters: Can Indias most populous state decide the fate of Delhi? The answer to the Muslim dilemma does not lie in the growing radicalisation of the young who want to express themselves in more violent terms. Nor is it in seeking sops from the state, which are seen as token appeasement. It must lie, at the very core, in the recognition of the economic inter-dependence of communities: A Jat land owner in a sugarcane field in Baghpat must make common cause with the Muslim agricultural labourer as must a Muslim weaver in Banaras with a Hindu sari shop owner for mutual benefit. This can only be enabled by a leader with vision and credibility who enjoys the trust of both communities: Uttar Pradesh is crying out for a 21st century Azad and Nehru. Post script: In the aftermath of the post-Ayodhya riots, Lucknow was remarkably free of any bloody communal conflict. An elderly gent explained it to me with a poetic touch: In this city, Hindu and Muslim are like taala and chabi (lock and key), one cannot do without the other. What Lucknow thinks today, hopefully India will think tomorrow. The writer is senior journalist and author rajdeepsardesai52@gmail.com SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Members of Libya's High Council of State have agreed to meet a delegation from the Libyan House of Representatives in Cairo as part of talks hosted by Egypt to reach a political settlement to the Libyan civil conflict, according to Egypt's army spokesman. Egypt's Army Chief of Staff Mahmoud Hegazi, who is mediating talks between Libyan factions, received on Thursday the delegation from Libya's High Council of State with the attendance of Egyptian foreign minister Sameh Shoukry. The Libyan High Council of State is an advisory body formed under the terms of the UN-brokered Skhirat agreement of 2015. Talks were held on Monday and Tuesday between the chairman of the Libyan Presidential Council Fayaz Al-Sarraj, who is based in the capital Tripoli in the west of the country and is recognised by the UN as the country's president, and Field Marshall Khalifa Haftar and Parliament Speaker Aguila Saleh, who both represent the House of Representatives in eastern Libya's Tobruk. Attendants of the meeting expressed their appreciation for the Egyptian role to reach a solution to the Libyan crisis, calling on Libya's House of Representatives to make use of this opportunity to save the situation in the country. Over the past months, Cairo has held meetings with different Libyan political factions, where Egypt has stressed the need for a political consensus to end the crisis in the country. In December, Egyptian officials and representatives from multiple Libyan factions issued a declaration of principles and five proposed amendments to the Skhirat agreement during a meeting in Cairo. The December conference concluded by underscoring four main principles to be respected in Libya's transition: the preservation of a united Libyan territory, support for national institutions, non-interference by foreign bodies, and the maintaining of a civil state. Search Keywords: Short link: It was a busy Saturday evening two days ahead of Diwali. Sarojini Nagar market was lined with vendors selling crackers, Laxmi-Ganesha statues, earthen lamps and electric lights. The market was brimming with people and many complained that there was hardly enough space to stand. At 5.56pm, a high intensity blast plunged the area into darkness. Minutes before Sarojini Nagar, similar blasts had shaken Paharganj and Govindpuri. The serial blasts in 2005 left 60 dead and 210 injured. The blasts were so strong that bodies of several people could not be recovered. In Sarojini Nagar, identity of five victims had to be established with a DNA test while seven others remain unidentified. What followed was a long and painful journey to justice and normality. Vinod Poddar, who had come to the market with his two children lost his seven-year-old son Karan in the blast. His daughter, Diksha, who was 11 at that time was grievously hurt. Vinod himself was injured in the left leg. Diksha had to undergo plastic surgery while Vinods leg had to be amputated knee below. After waiting for nearly two years, the Poddar family received a compensation of Rs 1 lakh from Delhi government. The compensation amount, Vinod says, sufficed only for an artificial limb. The family received Rs 4 lakh as compensation for Karans death. The limb, which cost me around Rs 1 lakh, was of good quality. I could ride a scooter with its help and even climb a mountain. I had got my life back because of it, he says. But, 10 years after the incident, the prosthetic limb has become non-functional and with no support from the government for a new one, Poddar fears he would be forced to live paralysed a life. I dont have the money for a new limb. The old one has almost stopped working, he says. Vinod Poddar lost his leg in the blast at Sarojini Nagar. With some financial help from Sarojini Nagar Mini Market association, Poddar got his prosthetic limb repaired two years ago but that only served to make it last a little longer. Vinod says the doctors are now referring a limb that wouldnt allow him ankle movement. When I asked the doctor of a prominent city hospital to recommend a new limb, he denied saying that when you can walk with the help of a limb that would cost around Rs 10,000, why do you want a limb worth lakhs, he said. Poddar has now written to the ministry of health but has got no response so far. For survivors like us, every moment is agony. Each time I hear of a blast, I just pray that the survivors dont go through those things that I did, he said. 10-year-battle for compensation There are others too, whose bodies could not be recovered after the blasts and whose families had to fight a decade long battle for compensation. Take for example Ram Jeewan who worked as a salesman at one of the shops in Sarojini Nagar. Two to three days after the blast Ram Jeevans brother Ram Kishore came to Delhi to meet him but came to know from the shopkeepers that his brother had died in the blast. Kishore went to the authorities to claim the compensation but had to return empty handed as his brothers body had not been recovered. He ran from pillar to post for several years and finally decided to move court in 2012. Ram Kishore lost his brother Ram Jeevan in the blast at Sarojini Nagar . (Hindustan Times) After a three-year-long case, the court recently ordered that the victims family be given the compensation along with interest which amounted to Rs 8,67,000. Similar is the case of Ganeshan, who was at Sarojini Nagar at the time of the blast. Ganeshans body could not be recovered and his mother too fought a long battle in the court to be finally awarded a compensation like Ram Kishore. We had to run from pillar to post to prove that my son was not missing but was killed in the bomb blast. Only after the courts intervention, we were given the compensation. I will now use the money to get my daughter married and invest the rest for my younger sons future, Palaniammal, 56, said. Kuldeep Singh , a DTC bus driver, saved 70 people but lost his eyesight and hearing ability in the blast at Govindpuri. (Hindustan Times) Forgotten heros At Govindpuri bus depot, driver Kuldeep Singh along with conductor Budh Prakash saved 70 lives that day. Singh and Prakash took the bus in which a bomb had been planted to a less crowded area in Govindpuri and evacuated it. When they carefully opened the bag, they found wires inside. Kuldeep did the first thing that struck him he flung the bag away. It exploded mid-air, wounding five bystanders and cost Kuldeep his eyesight and hearing. Kuldeep was promised a house which he has not got till date. I live in a government flat in Shadipur for which I am paying rent. I had thought the house was given to me permanently but later turned out that rent is being charged and I will have to evacuate the house once I retire from my job in the DTC depot. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A court sentenced a man to 10 years in jail on Thursday for Delhis worst terrorist attack and freed two others, triggering allegations that police botched up investigation into the serial blasts that killed 67 people and injured 200. Three separate explosions ripped through crowded spots in the heart of the Capital on October 29, 2005, when thousands of people were out shopping before Diwali, leaving a trail of mangled bodies and metal strewn across markets. Police charged the three with murder, conspiracy, collecting arms and waging war against the state which carried a maximum sentence of death. But the court observed Delhi Police miserably failed to prove the charges. Tariq Ahmad Dar was convicted on minor charges. Mohammed Rafiq Shah and Mohammed Hussain Fazili were acquitted. Dar has already served 11 years in jail more than his sentence -- but wont walk out free because of he hasnt got bail in a related money-laundering case. In the absence of any evidence regarding Dar being involved in the conspiracy behind these blasts, none of the charges framed against him are made out, the court said. It, however, convicted him on charges not initially framed by police. The verdict enraged families of the victims who said they would appeal the decision and that justice was both delayed and denied. Either the police picked the wrong men or they failed to gather the necessary evidence, said Kuldeep Singh, a bus driver who lost his sight while saving scores of lives by evacuating passengers when he found a bomb. Others were angry that Shah and Fazili were acquitted. I never got my sons body. My daughter-in-law and grandson were cut into two. I wont let the guilty go unpunished, said 68-year-old Saleena Das. She said her family would approach the Delhi high court. In court, police suffered several setbacks as key pieces of evidence turned out to be duds or were rejected. For instance, Shah was found to have been writing his MA examinations at Kashmir University on the day of the blasts. A mobile phone recovered from Fazili which was touted as a key piece of evidence -- was found to have been used only twice, that also for recharge. An intercept of a purported phone conversation didnt mention the blast sites clearly as claimed by police, said Bhavook Chauhan, counsel for the accused. Dar was working as a sales representative of a multinational firm when he was arrested by Delhi Polices special cell from Srinagar on November 10, 2005. A father of two girls, Dar was returning from work to his pregnant wife when four men in civilian clothes stopped him and whisked him away before formally arresting him. Delhi Police accused the BSc graduate of serving as the spokesperson, finance manager and conspirator of the Lashkar-e-Taiba. Shah an MA student at Kashmir University was also arrested from Srinagar on November 22. Though the court didnt convict Dar on charges framed by police but said he was found guilty for other offences --- being a part of a terrorist organisation and providing support to such an outfit under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. These charges werent originally framed by police. The first blast took place at Paharganj, near the New Delhi railway station at around 5.38 pm on October 29, 2005. Police later said the bomb was planted on a two-wheeler parked outside a chemists shop. Teeming with usual evening crowd of shoppers and bag-packers, the blast left the area littered with blood, glass shards and twisted metal of destroyed bicycles and two-wheelers. The second explosion blew up a bus in south Delhis Govindpuri area, injuring several passengers. The passengers travelling in the bus later recalled a man boarding the bus carrying a bag and refusing to buy a ticket. He then got off quickly, leaving behind the bag. The alert driver and conductor asked the passengers to disembark. The conductor took hold of the bag and threw it out when the bomb in it exploded. The driver and conductor were among the few people injured. The third explosion at 6.05pm tore through the rush-hour evening crowd at south Delhis Sarojini Nagar market and caused maximum casualties. Police said the explosive device was placed in a in a Maruti van near a vendor using a gas cylinder, which also exploded. At least 45 people were killed. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Twelve years after 67 people lost their lives in three serial blasts that ripped throught the national Capital, a Delhi court said the police miserably failed to prove charges against the accused. Of the three accused of plotting and carrying out the terror strikes, two Hussain Fazili and Rafiq Shah were acquitted of all charges. Tariq Ahmad Dar, who the police claimed was the alleged mastermind, could not be convicted of conspiracy in the absence of any evidence. Additional sessions judge Reetesh Singh, in a judgment running into 140 pages, said several leads in the investigation were not properly verified before reaching a conclusion. Read: 2005 Delhi serial blasts: Court awards 10-year jail term to mastermind, 2 acquitted The judge said the prosecution has not been able to prove any link between Dar, Fazili and Shah. The court said in the absence of any evidence regarding Dar being involved in the conspiracy behind these blasts, none of the charges framed against him are made out. Even though no charge was framed against Dar for the offences under sections 38 and 39 of Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), the ingredients of the offences (38 and 39 UAPA) are very much made out, the court said. Hence for the reasons recorded above, Dar is found guilty of the offences under section 38 and 39 of UAPA, it added. However, Dar will walk free since he has already served two years more than the 10-year-prison term awarded to him. The police had accused the three of waging war against the state, conspiring, collecting arms, murder and attempt to murdercharges which, if proven, entail life imprisonment or even death. Case rested on a phone number The court noted that Shah, a student of Kashmir University in the year of the blast, was found to be in class on that day as per the attendance register, and witnesses had identified him as being present there. Read: Who is 2005 Delhi serial blasts mastermind Tariq Ahmad Dar? The prosecution has been unable to prove that it was he who had placed a bomb in the DTC bus. Thus, in any event, he deserves to be acquitted, it said. The police investigation heavily relied on a mobile phone number that Shah allegedly used. However, the records from the telecom service provider and the police could not establish that he was using that number. A call that was never made The phone that police claimed Fazili used to hatch the conspiracy of the blasts had only been used to call 123 thrice on October 31, 2005 to check or recharge balance, the court observed. There is no other use of the number, the order noted. The solitary piece of evidence cannot lead to any inference that he (Fazili) was part of the conspiracy which was behind the blasts, the judge said. The court also reprimanded the police for not producing Fazili before a magistrate in Srinagar even though he was arrested there on November 22, 2005. The prosecution heavily relied on phone calls and transcripts. However, the court observed that there is a discrepancy in the time and duration of the calls when compared with the calls in the intercepted conversation. Read: 2005 Delhi serial blasts: What happened that day It was also pointed out that the intercepts that the prosecution relied on does not refer to the blasts. They only referred to markets in Delhi which do not have CCTV cameras to capture images for identification process, the court said. Holes in probe In the case of Dar, the prosecution had claimed that he was actively involved in receiving and distributing money for terrorist activities. The bedrock of the case against Dar were intercepted conversations on November 1, 2005 and November 4, 2005 as well as records of his financial transactions which, as per the prosecution, revealed that he had considerable unexplained inflow of funds, including foreign remittances while his income from his job as a medical representative was minuscule. The court noted that Dar, during the course of his employment with a pharma company, had performed exceedingly well and earned several awards. The fact that he had other sources of income was not investigated or verified, the judge said. There were also allegations that Dar had received Rs 14 lakh through hawala. But, the court said there was nothing on record to show that these funds were used for terrorist acts. Read: IM executed 2005 Delhi blasts Referring to the calls and intercepts during November 1 and 4, 2005, the court said both took place post the blasts. The prosecution had submitted the two as proofs of conspiracy since they mentioned Diwali ka tohfa. The court, however, said that since the blasts had already taken place and reported, there was a possibility that the tohfa referred to something else than the blasts. Delayed recording of statements The court observed that the witnesses recorded their statements four years after the incident in 2009, which also weakened the prosecutions case. It has been held in the above cases that after the lapse of considerable time, a witness cannot be expected to dispose with mathematical precision. The gap between the time of incident and the date on which the statement of the witness was recorded was four years. In one witnesss case, the incident is of November 2005 whereas one of the prosecution witness was recorded in January 2016, said Sushil Bajaj, counsel for one of the accused. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON October 29, 2005. With Diwali just two days away, Delhis markets were choc-a-bloc with shoppers. The festive spirit was in the air till 5.30 when terrorists triggered a series of blasts, leaving a trail of destruction, death, blood, limbs and fear. The first blast took place at 5.38pm in front of the Chhah Tooti Chowk in Paharganjs Nehru Market. The market was full of Diwali shoppers when the bomb went off near a jewellery shop. Police said those who were near the bomb were blown to pieces. Windows were shattered, doors and pillars collapsed. Raghunath Sikka, who ran a cosmetic shop, just across the blast site had a heart attack. Several people charred in the flames that erupted after the blast. Fourteen minutes later, at 5.52pm, Budh Prakash the conductor of a Bahri Mudrika (DTC buses than run on the Outer Ring Road route noticed a suspicious bag lying under a seat near Okhla Phase I, Govindpuri. There were nearly 50 passengers with him in the bus. He immediately alerted driver Kuldeep Singh and asked him to stop the bus. Showing exemplary courage, Singh picked up the bag and it went off as he was throwing it away. Singh suffered severe burns and lost his eyesight. Though Singh was able to save several lives in Okhla, the deadliest of the bombs went off four minutes later at 5.56pm at Sarojini Nagar one of the favourite shopping destinations in Delhi. It was here that the maximum casualties, 37, were reported. Police said the bomb was hidden inside a bag left near a juice-cum-chaat stall. A boy noticed the bag and picked it up and was asking around whose bag it was. The bomb went off, blowing up the boy. The intensity of the blast was such that some buildings around the blast spot developed cracks. It also triggered a fire, leading to a cylinder going off which further aggravated the fire. Local shopkeepers said it was like people were walking in flames. Most of the burns patients were rushed to Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in central Delhi. There was so much chaos at the hospital that the police had to close the gate to keep the onlookers out. Inside the hospital compound, PCR vans and ambulances were rushing in one after another. Sixty-eight persons injured in the Sarojini Nagar and Govindpuri blasts were rushed to Safdarjung, while 29 were taken to AIIMS. A total of 67 people were killed and more than 200 others were injured in the three blasts. The same year in May, twin blasts had rocked the Liberty and Satyam Cinema halls. Nine students from a Delhi government school were admitted to hospital after a dead rat was found in the mid-day meal served to them on Thursday. Teachers from Government Boys Senior Secondary School, Deoli, said a dead rat was found in the mid-day meal after it was served to some students. Nine students were rushed to a nearby hospital. The food was being served to the students when someone found the dead rat. The situation in the government school is very bad despite the tall claims made by this government, said a teacher, on condition of anonymity. The dead rat was found in the mid-day meal after it was served to students. Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia said the government is filing an FIR against the supplier and blacklisting it as well. A rat was found in a Delhi government school. Nine students have been taken to hospital. Talked to students and doctor. All kids are fine, he tweeted. Sisodia also tweeted, Doing an FIR against the mid-day meal supplier. We will blacklist him as well. Such irresponsibility in case of children will not be tolerated. Sisodia said that a rat was found in a utensil full of curry and then an announcement was made that no one should eat the food. Meanwhile some students had eaten a bit and they were rushed to hospital. Our officers will remain in the hospital, he said. He said that on Friday, food will be prepared under the watch of government officials. Dr R Chugh, medical superintendent of Madan Mohan Malviya hospital said, Nine kids have come to the hospital with abdominal pain. They are stable and are being observed. They will be discharged in a while after symptomatic treatment. Directorate of Education (DOE) officials said the supply of mid-day meal in the school was being done by a private firm. As the minister has already announced, the firm will be blacklisted. A show-cause notice has also been served, officials said. Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken alleged conspiracy behind shutdown of the Delhi government website on its second anniversary. He tweeted that this is to ensure that false claims by his government remain unchallenged. Delhi government officials, however, said their server had been down and was fixed by Thursday afternoon. .@ArvindKejriwal ensured that on 2nd Anniversary of AAP Delhi.gov.in is down. Why? So that false claims go unchallenged Maken tweeted on Wednesday. .@ArvindKejriwal ensured that on 2nd Anniversary of AAP https://t.co/hkIFhvgVN5 is down Why? So that false claims go unchallenged- But... pic.twitter.com/D328XTxG2B Ajay Maken (@ajaymaken) February 15, 2017 By Thursday morning, #KejriShutsGovtWebsites had started trending on Twitter. Aam Aadmi Party government completed two years in Delhi on February 14. The Congress leader said he would expose why the government shut down its website on Friday afternoon. .@ArvindKejriwal, Why shut down the DelhiGovt web site? Tomorrow-1PM at ConstitutionClub Press Conf-I will expose! #KejriShutsGovtWebsites, Maken posted in a series of tweets on Thursday morning. A Delhi government official said, There was some technical problem and IT department fixed it. Websites are run by different departments and there is no need for the government to shut down its websites, said a government official. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Bihars RJD leader Mohammad Shahabuddin may find it hard to have his way in Tihar jail where he is expected to be moved next week. The prison authorities have decided to keep him in a high-security ward and do away with the alphabetical system of lodging prisoners to keep his activities under check. Senior officials at Tihar Jail had swung into action soon after Supreme Court ordered on Wednesday that Shahabuddin be moved to the jail in the national capital to ensure free and fair trial in the cases pending against him. We will be hand picking a few security personnel and other jail staff with unquestionable track record so that they are not influenced or intimidated by Shahabuddin, a senior jail official told HT on Thursday. Over a dozen security men from Tamil Nadu Special Police (TSP) will be deployed to keep an eye on the activities of Shahabuddin and other inmates of the high-security ward. Most of these security personnel are not fluent in Hindi and it is expected that language barrier will deter any attempts by Shahabuddin to influence them. Shahabuddin is known to gather other inmates and threaten jail staff. His activities will be monitored round the clock. The world will be monitoring his stay in Tihar, we will not take any chances, the official said. Initially, Shahabuddin will not be allowed to interact with other prisoners. The high-security wards come with bathroom facility and inmates are served food inside. The wards also have courtyards where inmates can take a stroll at certain timings. We will observe his activities over a period of time. If he does not indulge in activities for which he is notorious, he may be allowed access to other inmates over a period of time, another officer said. As per rules governing prisoners lodged in high-security wards, Shahabuddin will be allowed to make two phone calls, of five-minutes each, every week. Meeting his relatives or lawyers will be permitted twice a week. Inmates in Tihar are generally allotted jails as per an alphabetical system. To put him in a sub-jail where he cant wield his political power or influence, we will bypass the alphabetical system if need be, the official said. Since Shahabuddin is undergoing trial in some cases, he will be lodged in any of sub-jail numbers one, three, four, seven or eight which lodge undertrials as well as convicts. Sub-jails two and five are reserved for convicts and six is for women prisoners. Each of the sub-jails at Tihar is capable of arranging videoconferencing, so holding pending trials against the RJD leader will not be an issue. Sudhir Yadav, director general (Delhi Prisons), said Shahabuddins transfer to Tihar will be handled well as the jail has lodged politicians, dreaded gangsters and terrorists without any problems. We are still awaiting certain details about his transfer to Tihar, but I can assure you that he will receive no preferential treatment here, Yadav told HT. Your cabin luggage may be less than 7kg, but if its in multiple bags, it may not be allowed on board. The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has asked airlines to strictly enforce rules restricting the number of bags allowed per person. We had a meeting with the representatives of airlines and have told them to impose the rule. It takes more time to clear multiple baggage, CISF DG OP Singh said. As per the rule, each passenger is allowed one cabin bag (measuring about 25x35x55cm depending on the aircraft) weighing up to 7kg, besides a personal item like purse or laptop bag. However, officials say that passengers have a tendency to carry multiple baggages. The average number of bags carried in flight comes to 1.8 per passenger excluding laptop or purse, sources say. The move follows an internal CISF report that most people carry two hand bags, other than a personal item, leading to delay in security check. The throughout rate of X-ray machine is 300 bags per hour during ideal conditions. Since passengers carry more than one luggage, the clearance rate by CISF is almost double. This is a grave security risk. Ideal time to clear one passenger is 20 seconds but due to overload, we are barely able to give 5-7 seconds per passenger, a CISF official said. Over one lakh passengers use the Delhi airport every day. Around two years ago, the CISF had prepared an internal report Speedy clearance at the cost of security following increasing congestion at terminal 1D of Delhi airport. The report stated that the space for frisking booth was inadequate and the conveyor belt to dispense luggage was too small. Airlines allow 7kg in hand baggage but they failed to impose one baggage rule. They often charge for extra weight but never charge for two or more baggages. Our staff is deployed keeping the rule in mind that passenger will carry one hand baggage. For optimum use of our staff, we need cooperation of airlines and passengers, the official said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Two doctors have been struck off Delhis state medical register for six months for operating on the wrong foot of a patient and then fudging hospital records to cover up their negligence. With their medical licences suspended, orthopaedic surgeons Dr Ashwini Maichand and Rahul Kakran cannot practice medicine anywhere in the country for six months. The disciplinary committee of the Delhi Medical Council (DMC) found the doctors negligent for operating on 24-year-old Ravi Rais left ankle instead of the right one that needed a surgery at Fortis, Shalimar Bagh. He was taken to the hospital after taking a fall from a staircase on June 19. When Rai woke up after the surgery with his left leg plastered instead of the right on June 21, he sent a photograph of his foot to his parents from the recovery room. We immediately contacted the surgeons. They just apologised and said that it happened by mistake. And reassured us that it was a simple procedure and they would just have to remove the screws from the left leg and put it in the right one, said his father Ramkaran Rai. The hospital sacked the doctors after an internal inquiry confirmed negligence. After the names of the doctors are removed from the state medical register, they will not be eligible to practice medicine in Delhi or anywhere else in the country, said Dr Girish Tyagi, member, DMC. There have been only two or three instances in which a Delhi doctors name has been struck off from the medical register for six months, he added. On being questioned by the disciplinary committee, the doctors said that they planned to operate on the less swollen left leg, as the right was too swollen to operate upon. However, the committee found enough evidence to suggest otherwise. The doctor on questioning informed that weight bearing would be allowed on the left side with doubtful hairline fracture after eight weeks whether the surgery is performed or not. This statement contradicts the advantage of early surgery in an undisplaced fracture on the basis of which it (surgery on the left leg) has been claimed to have been performed, the order read. (Raj K Raj/HT Photo) The injured area only in the right leg was marked before the surgery, however, in the checklist the doctors have ticked that there were markings on the left leg as well. This appears to be due to tampering of the case records and marking it later, because if it had been marked pre-operatively then as per the checklist consent for the surgery on the left should have been taken, the order said. The committee also noted instances of words being struck off in the hospital records, which could be attempted tampering of records, it said. The doctors prescribed Laser Interferential Therapy for pain management in the left foot. The treatment should never be given in a fracture that needs surgery. They had no intentions of any plan surgery, the order said. Another instance of negligence on part of the doctors was that they did not communicate the suspicion of a spine fracture to the anaesthetist who used a spinal anaesthesia. The same should have been avoided especially when the patient had suspicion of spine fracture, the committee observed. The doctors also allowed the physiotherapist to put weight on Rais left lower limb and make him stand on the fractured foot because she had not been informed about the other fractures. Fortis Hospital administration refused to comment saying the two doctors had been sacked after the negligence. Not interested. Thank you, said Dr Maichand, Kakran could not be reached for a comment. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A Delhi court on Thursday pronounced Tariq Ahmad Dar guilty of funding serial blasts in the Capital on October 29, 2005 that killed at least 60 people and left over 90 others injured. Delhi Police had accused Dar of serving as the spokesperson, finance manager and conspirator of Lashkar-e-Taiba. Police said he was the mastermind of the blasts and the man who had called up the office of Kashmir News Agency to deny that LeT had any role in the attack. Dar had pleaded innocence and accused the prosecution of implication and torture. Though the court has awarded him 10 years imprisonment, Dar now walks free as he has already served 12 years in jail. Dar had joined a multinational pharmaceutical company in 1997 and was working as its sales representative when he was arrested by Delhi Polices special cell from Kashmir on November 10, 2005. A father of two girls, Dar lived in Solina in Srinagar and was returning from work in his Maruti 800 when he was stopped by a few men in plain clothes. They told him his cars tyre was about to come off. He was then taken away and formally arrested for involvement in Delhi serial blasts. His family and relatives later staged a demonstration accusing Delhi Police of kidnapping Dar and implicating him in the triple blasts case. As per the prosecution Tariq Dar was part of the conspiracy which led to the blasts. The prosecution also claimed that Dar was actively involved in receiving and distributing money for terrorist activities. The bedrock of the case against Dar were intercepted conversations on November 1, 2005 and November 4, 2005 as well as records of his financial transactions which as per the prosecution revealed that he has considerable unexplained inflow of funds including foreign remittances while his income from his job as a medical representative was minuscule. The court acquitted two others charged with involvement in the blasts that rocked Paharganj, Sarojini Nagar and Govindpuri 12 years ago. Then a postgraduation student at Kashmir University, Mohammad Rafique Shah was arrested from Srinagar on November 22. He had claimed that he was in Srinagar and attending classes on the day of the Delhi serial blasts. But Delhi Police accused him of planting explosives in a DTC bus in South Delhis Govindpuri. An eyewitness identified him as the one who left the bag containing explosives in the bus. A narco-analysis on him confirmed that he knew co-accused Tariq Ahmad Dar from before the blasts. However, the police could not prove the charges in the court. The police also accused Mohammed Husain Fazili, a shawl vendor in Srinagar, of being an operative of Lashkar-e-Taiba and a link between Dar and Shah. He too has been acquitted by the court. Related Who's who: Meet the Egyptian cabinet's fresh faces Egypt's Prime Minister Sherif Ismail told reporters a new governors' resuffle will include five governorates out of 27 and the appointment of a woman to occupy such a post for the first time, Al-Ahram Arabic website reported on Thursday. The governorates included in the reshuffle are El-Wadi El-Gedid, El-Qalioubiya, EL-Daqahliya, Alexandria and Beheira. The details of the governors' reshuffle are to be announced later on Thursday, before the governors are sworn in before President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, along with the newly appointed ministers. On Tuesday, Egypt's parliament voted in favour of a much-anticipated cabinet reshuffle, approving the appointment of nine new cabinet ministers, mainly in ministries related to public services and the economy. The reshuffle included new ministers for the portfolios of agriculture, parliamentary affairs, local development, planning and administrative reform, education, higher education, and transport. The ministries of investment and international cooperation were merged. Search Keywords: Short link: A two-day-old baby boy was abandoned by a woman, who handed him over to a stranger in a train at Delhis Nizamuddin railway station on Wednesday night. The woman, who is suspected to be the infants mother, quietly slipped away from the railway station and has not been identified till now. It was around 9pm on Wednesday when the woman approached the crowded general compartment of a train set to depart for Bhopal from Nizamuddin railway station. Through the emergency window of the compartment, the woman handed over the baby to a student sitting on the lower side seat. She told him she would take back the child once she managed to enter the crowded compartment, said a police officer. But the woman was nowhere to be seen even 20 minutes later, prompting the student to get impatient. Just as the train was about to leave the platform, the student got off the train with the child and contacted the railway police. Having explained the situation to a police team, the student handed over the baby to them before boarding the train. A hunt for the woman, presumed to be the childs mother, was launched immediately. Police also tried to look out for CCTV cameras on the platform in a bid to identify the woman, but realized that the place where the handover took place was not covered by cameras. The baby was sent for a medical examination and then to a childrens home in Safdarjung Enclave. The child is in good health. The childrens home is capable of looking after him, said the officer. The police have made a diary entry in this connection. Apart from trying to identify the childs mother, police are also probing the possibility of a kidnapping gang abandoning the child out of the fear of being caught. Tamil Nadu has been in the medias focus for about six months now and it has mostly been for the wrong reasons. The most prominent and long-running has been the political crisis the ruling AIADMK has been facing. Since September 22, when the late chief minister J Jayalalithaa was admitted to a private hospital in Chennai, the state government has been on tenterhooks. Such was the level of secrecy surrounding her health that this in itself led to much unwanted speculation for a party that was visibly dependent on one leader the vacuum was debilitating. It has seen the taking over of O Panneerselvam, Jayalalithaas demise, VK Sasikalas political emergence, Mr Panneerselvams resignation to clear the way for Sasikala, the revolt between the two leaders, Sasikalas conviction in a DA case and now Edappadi K Palaniswamis swearing-in as chief minister. This is excessive even by the standards of Indian politics. In addition to this political mayhem, Tamil Nadu has seen a cyclone, the Jallikattu protests, a severe drought, and an oil spill. Read | Here is how Tamil Nadu chief minister Edappadi Palaniswami will impact BJP, Delhi Now Tamil Nadu needs to get back to normalcy, and for that it is vital that a functioning, stable government is in place. It is up to Mr Palaniswami to deliver that. There are many challenges but there is also promise that things will soon stabilise. What he inherits is not the strong AIADMK that broke a 30-year anti-incumbency cycle and came to power in May. Instead, the AIADMK today has different factions that could further destabilise the party. The fact that Mr Palaniswami has retained most of the ministers in the Panneerselvam cabinet shows that it would take little time for the new team of ministers to get back to governance. Also the fact that majority of the party MLAs are with the new CM (the faction that backs Sasikala) increases the chances for a stable government. That, however, will be proved when the floor test is conducted. Read | Panneerselvam camp defiant, says fight for Tamil Nadu CMs post not over yet Much of the confusion and political uncertainty could have been avoided had Governor C Vidyasagar Rao not delayed swearing in the next CM soon after Mr Panneerselvam resigned. No official reason has been given for this delay of more than 10 days. Mr Rao has given the new CM a fortnight to show the required numbers on the floor of the House. Now it is for the Speaker of the assembly to call for a floor test at the earliest, because, going by the events of the past week, political uncertainty could extend till then. Read | Sasikala convicted, now focus on governance Mr Palaniswami is the eighth person to take the oath as Tamil Nadus CM and if he wins the floor test he has the opportunity to bring about a much-needed change in the way politics is conducted in the AIADMK and Tamil Nadu. The question is: Will he be his own man, or, as many allege, take orders from Sasikala who is in jail in neighbouring Karnataka? The Indian Bank on Thursday released the admit card (call letter) of the online main examination for filling 324 probationary officer (PO) vacancies in the bank on its official website. The admit card will be available for download until February 28, 2017. Steps to download admit card for main examination: 1) Visit the Indian banks official website 2) Click on the link for Careers on the top of the page 3) Click on the link for downloading call letter for online main exam 4) You will be directed to a login page 5) Enter details as required registration number/roll number and password/date of birth 6) Enter the captcha code 7 Click on login and call letter will be displayed on the screen. Or click here to directly go to the login page. The online main examination will be conducted on February 28, 2017. Candidates should check the admit card to know details about date and venue. They must carry the admit card to the examination centre. Candidates who clear the online main examination will be called for an interview. Successful candidates will go through a nine month course (campus programme) at Manipal Global Education Services, Bangalore followed by a three months internship at any of the Indian Bank Branches. On successful completion of the course, candidates will be appointed as probationary officer in any branch of the Indian Bank. Note: Candidates are advised to regularly keep in touch with the official website for details and updates. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON While making his epic monster movie The Great Wall, actor Matt Damon did not believe that the conversation would centre around Donald Trumps border wall at the time of its release. The 46 year-old recently said in an interview that he is not a believer in walls and slammed Donald Trumps intention to build a wall between Mexico and USA, reports People Magazine. Im not a believer in walls. I believe that history belongs to the cooperators and nor am I of a mind that Mexico is going to pay for our infrastructure anymore than were going to pay for their highways, you know what I mean?, said Damon. The Martian star also believes that the wall is never is going to happen. Thats just not going to happen but, thats where we are and well see how it all plays out, he said. The actor gave an assurance to the people of Mexico that a majority of USAs population doesnt believe in putting up any walls. Weve got to watch, but hopefully the people of Mexico understand that the people of our country, the majority of them dont believe that we should be putting any walls up, the actor said. Follow @htshowbiz for more Despite declaring that their 2016 tentpole film Batman v Superman was a piece of s#!t, Mel Gibson is reportedly being courted by Warner Bros to direct Suicide Squad 2. The Hollywood Reporter says, Warner Bros. is courting the actor-director to helm Suicide Squad 2 and the sides are early in talks. No official offer has been made nor has any commitment. This image released by Summit shows director Mel Gibson, centre, and actor Vince Vaughn on the set of the film, Hacksaw Ridge. (AP) The report adds that Gibson isnt the only director on the list, which also includes Daniel Espinosa (Snabba Cash, and the upcoming Life). These are two dissimilar choices. Gibson is known to be a visionary filmmaker (he is nominated for Best Director at the Oscars for Hacksaw Ridge, which has made $164 million worldwide), while Espinosa hasnt really broken out after his hit Swedish crime movie Snabba Cash, and its sequel. According to THRs sources, Gibson is familiarising himself with the project before making a decision. The Mad Max stars reputation took a hit after much-publicised controversies in the 2000s. But post the success of Hacksaw, he is being flooded with offers, including a sequel to the hit Will Ferrell-Mark Wahlberg comedy Daddys Home. Actor Mel Gibson arrives at the Hollywood Film Awards in Beverly Hills. In September, Gibson slammed superhero movies, especially Batman v Superman. Its a piece of s**t. Im not interested in the stuff. Im not interested in the stuff. Do you know what the difference between real superheroes and comic-book superheroes is? Real superheroes didnt wear spandex. So I dont know. Spandex must cost a lot, Gibson told Deadline. 2016s Suicide Squad was directed by David Ayer, who is currently prepping Gotham City Sirens (which will focus on the female villains in Batmans rogues gallery) for Warner Bros. Follow @htshowbiz for more In tax returns filed a year before they were elected, 72% Bharatiya Janata Party and Congress members of parliament (MPs) and members of legislative assemblies (MLAs) claimed they earn less than Rs 10 lakh, according to an IndiaSpend analysis of affidavits of 4,848 (of 4,910) MPs and MLAs. As many as 75% of MPs and MLAs nationwide declared annual incomes less than Rs 10 lakh, the analysis found. Around 35% of lawmakers said their annual income is less than Rs 2.5 lakh while 40% have declared annual income between Rs 2.5 lakh and Rs 10 lakh. As many as 1,141 (24%) MPs and MLAs claimed exemption from income tax or have no income at all. We can conclude that we are largely a tax non-compliant society, finance minister Arun Jaitley said, sarcastically, during his budget speech on February 1, 2017. Sharing income tax data, Jaitley said that of 37 million individuals who filed tax returns in 2015-16, 9.9 million (27%) declared annual incomes below the exemption limit of Rs 2.5 lakh; 19.5 million (53%) declared annual incomes between Rs 2.5 lakh and Rs 5 lakh, while 7.6 million (20%) declared annual incomes of more than Rs 5 lakh. If the annual incomes of family (incomes of spouse and dependents, as declared in their respective tax returns) are added to the incomes of MPs and MLAs, 62% legislators households have an income less than Rs 10 lakh. About half (2,410) of Indias MPs and MLAs have declared household assets (movable and immovable assets of the elected member, spouse and dependent/s) of more than Rs 2 crore, of which 912 (38% of 2,410) declared family incomes of less than Rs 10 lakh. Of 1,843 MPs and MLAs with family incomes of more than Rs 10 lakh, 106 declared household assets of less than Rs 1 crore. Only quarter of 4,848 MPs/MLAs declare income more than Rs 10 lakh Only 25% (1,236 of 4,848) of MPs and MLAs declared in tax returns that their annual incomes were more than Rs 10 lakh; 35% (1,676 of 4,848) declared incomes less than Rs 2.5 lakh. Among regional parties, 83% Samajwadi Party (SP) MPs and MLAs, 78% of All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), 68% of Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and 80% of Biju Janata Dal (BJD) lawmakers reported incomes of less than Rs 10 lakh. While 63% Lok Sabha MPs declared annual incomes of less than Rs 10 lakh, only 13% Rajya Sabha MPs declared annual incomes of less than Rs 10 lakh. Among states, over 80% of MLAs in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Odisha declared annual incomes less than Rs 10 lakh. 24% legislators declared no income As many as 1,676 (35%) elected representatives declared annual incomes less than Rs 2.5 lakh. Of these, 1,141 (24%) reported to the Election Commission that they were either exempt from income tax on various grounds, such as being a farmer, being from an area mentioned in the sixth schedule of the constitutionsuch as the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripuraand so exempt from income tax, or have no income at all. Total family income of MPs and MLAs Only 38% (1,843 of 4848) legislators said they had annual family incomes (income of an MP or an MLA and incomes of family, such as spouse and dependents/s), more than Rs 10 lakh; 28% (1,343 of 4,848) declared family incomes less than Rs 2.5 lakh. Half of all MPs/MLAs declared household assets of more than Rs 2 crore Half of Indias elected representatives declared household assets of more than Rs 2 crore; 28% more than Rs 5 crore. As many as 70% of MPs and MLAs had assets more than Rs 1 crore. Although assets are supposed to be declared by elected representatives at market price, immovable assets are grossly under valued, Indian Express reported in December 2013. A former Election Commissioner said the law was not being used to value assets by lawmakers accurately and urged people to go to court to force lawful evaluations, Indian Express reported in December 2013. Correlation between assets and incomes of MPs and MLAs How long will we overlook facts that stare us in the face? Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on December 31, 2016. I wish to share some information with you, which will either make you laugh, or make you angry. According to information available with the government, only 24 lakh people in India accept that their annual income is more than Rs 10 lakh. If we look at any big city, it would have lakhs of people with annual income of more than Rs 10 lakh. Do you not feel that for the good of the country, this movement for honesty needs to be further strengthened? In some way, the Prime Minister drew a correlation between assets and income declared to tax authorities. We found a weak correlation existed between the assets and incomes of MPs and MLAs. 38% (912 of 2,410) legislators with assets more than Rs 2 crore declared family incomes of less than Rs 10 lakh. Of 1,079 lawmakers with assets in the range of Rs 2 crore and Rs 5 crore, only 44% (474) declared incomes more than Rs 10 lakh. 22% (255 of 1,651) with assets between Rs 2 crore and Rs 10 crore declared incomes less than Rs 2.5 lakh. 41% (891 of 2,155) with assets between Rs 2 crore and Rs 30 crore declared incomes less than Rs 10 lakh. Of 156 lawmakers with household assets more than Rs 50 crore, 10 declared incomes less than Rs 10 lakh. Of 75 legislators with assets more than Rs 100 crore, four reported incomes less than Rs 2.5 lakh. 7% (106 out of 1,470) with assets less than Rs 1 crore declared annual incomes more than Rs 10 lakh. As many as 2,410 elected representatives (MPs/MLAs) declared household assets of more than Rs 2 crore, of which 912 (out of 2410, 38%) disclosed family incomes less than Rs 10 lakh. MPs/MLAs with incomes more than Rs 10 lakh Of 1,843 (38% of 4,848) elected representatives who declared family annual incomes more than Rs 10 lakh, 345 (19% of 1,843) declared assets less than Rs 2 crore. As many as 903 MPs and MLAs declared family incomes between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 20 lakh; 410 declared more than Rs 50 lakh. (Note: All data sourced from affidavits filed by the MPs and MLAs with the Election Commission of India, and correspond to the year preceding their election.) The Centre asked the Supreme Court on Thursday to decide whether the practices of triple talaq, nikah halala and polygamy among Muslims were protected under the fundamental right that allows one to propagate his or her religion. The governments proposition to the court was part of a list of four questions it had drafted for the top courts consideration. The document was prepared after a bench headed by Chief Justice JS Khehar asked the contesting parties on February 14 to narrow down the topics for argument in court. The top court said it would refrain from venturing into the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) but remarked that triple talaq was a human rights issue. This is the first time that the Centre has opposed in the top court the regressive practices among Muslims on grounds like gender equality, secularism and binding international covenants. After perusing the Centres document, the CJIs bench noted that the questions raised constitutional issues and would be dealt with by a five-judge bench. The court has already indicated that it would begin hearing the petitions challenging the practices on May 11 and would conclude it within a week. The government wants the court to give a judicial ruling on whether the right to practice and propagate religion was subject to other equally important rights, such as right to equality and right to life. Referring to Article 13, which says a law is void if it does not conform to the constitutional scheme, the Centre said the court must also decide whether Muslim law was amenable to this provision or not. The fourth issue, framed for the consideration of the apex court, said these practices were compatible with Indias obligations under international treaties and covenants to which the nation is a signatory. In a detailed affidavit, the government questioned the validity of the three practices and said they were against the principles of gender justice and perpetuated inequality in the name of right to protect religion. Mainstream politicians as well as separatists in Kashmir have criticized army chief General Bipin Rawats statement warning local youth against creating hurdles during anti militancy operations even as the government came to his defence. Both the camps said that such a statement would fuel a spurt in militancy in the state. The opposition National Conference expressed disappointment and dismay over the belligerent remarks of the army chief and said such posturing would compound the situation and increase the hostility in the Valley. Youth rushing towards encounter sites and incidents of stone-pelting on the forces during encounters are worrying and alarming signs of the sense of alienation and disenchantment in Kashmir, NC Spokesperson Junaid Azim Mattu said in a statement. The need of the hour is to understand and acknowledge the deep sense of isolation in Kashmir and deal with it with statesmanship and magnanimity. Threatening and warning youth who are already anguished and irrational to the sense of caring little for their lives will be of little consequence but would only push them farther from reconciliation, the NC statement said. Read: General Rawat, hold your fire. All Kashmiri youth are not aides of jihadis The ruling People Democratic Partys criticism of General Rawats statement was expectedly oblique. PDP general secretary and vice-chairperson of Horticulture Development Board Nizamuddin Bhat told a news channel that the army must exercise restraint. This has not happened today, there have been occasions in the past also. That is why we say in any circumstances, a disciplined force observes restraint. This is a welfare state and we are committed to certain principles, Bhat said. General Rawat on Wednesday said that people interfering during anti-militancy operations in Jammu and Kashmir will be considered anti-nationals and will face action. His tough talk came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and he paid last respects here to three of the four soldiers, including a Major, who were killed in two separate encounters in Kashmir on Tuesday. A trend has emerged lately in Kashmir valley where local youth flock encounter sites during raging gun fights to help militants flee. Referring to the statement of the army chief, hardline Hurriyat chairman Syed Ali Geelani said Indias arrogance and stale thinking is the basic reason for continuous bloodshed and political uncertainty in state. People of state and particularly the youth are up against this hegemony and suppression, said Geelani. Militant turned separatist and chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) Yasin Malik termed the statement of army chief as a case of political immaturity. He said that Indian army chiefs statement amounts to direct threat to the whole Kashmiri nation. Indian army chief must realize that he cannot scare a nation that has sacrificed more than a hundred thousand of its men, women, youth and children during ongoing resistance movement. This statement may add to the miseries of Kashmiris but it will also push many youth to the wall and, drive them towards arms struggle and hence promote violence in this region, said Malik. Moderate separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said that instead of issuing threats, it would be prudent for the Indian army chief to accept the ground realities in Kashmir. Indian military and political leadership had no other option but to come to the grips of the reality that Kashmir issue cannot be dealt with military might or with threats of war but by involving all parties to Kashmir dispute in a meaningful and result-oriented dialogue process, which could also help end political uncertainty in entire South Asia, he said. Read: Rijiju backs Army Chiefs comment on tough action against hostile locals in J-K Independent MLA Engineer Abdul Rashid said General Rawats statement was a confession that the state has lost the control in Kashmir. While New Delhi doesnt get tired claiming Kashmiris as its own people, the threat given by General Rawat has exposed the claim. The threat is a confession that militants have mass support and calling them terrorists is not the solution. His warning can be his professional compulsion but New Delhi must see and analyse it beyond that, he said. The Government defended the Army Chief, saying his statement was in national interest. There should be action against the stone pelters and whoever works against national interest as national interest is supreme, union minister of state for home Kiren Rijiju told reporters in Delhi. Whatever the Army Chief has said, he has said that in national interest. There is no need to misinterpret it. There is nothing wrong in the army chiefs statement, he added. The Congress was guarded in its response. It said action must be taken against such elements irrespective of their political dispensation. Yes the army chief is correct. It is therefore important for the army chief to go and arrest and take action against whoever may be, whether he is from political dispensation or he is from civil authorities. Action must be taken against every anti-national, Congress leader Tom Vadakkan said. (With inputs from Kumar Uttam in New Delhi) Indias satellite-launch record has been noticed. The Chinese media in a backhanded compliment hailed the feat but not before reminding India it had the worlds largest number of poor and its space technology lagged China by miles. The state-run Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Wednesday launched 104 satellites in one go, a triumph that underlines the credibility of the countrys frugal but effective space programme. India should be proud of its achievements, Chinese state media said on Thursday, pointing out gaps such as lack of a manned mission. On the whole, Indias space technology still lags behind the US and Chinas. It has not yet formed a complete system, the nationalist tabloid Global Times wrote. India should remember it had the largest number of poor people in the world and a weak foundation for all-round national development, it said. India didnt have rockets powerful enough to support large-scale space exploration. There is no Indian astronaut in space and the countrys plan to establish a space station has not started, the editorial said. China launched its sixth manned mission in October. The first was in 2003. The October launch was part of the long-term mission to have a permanent space station by 2020. In 2013, China became the third country after the US and the former Soviet Union to successfully soft land a spacecraft on the Moon. Officially, the Chinese government remained silent on Indias feat, which overhauled Russias record of 37 launches in 2014. This is perhaps the first widely followed world record India has made in the field of space technology. The Indians have reason to be proud, the influential state-run daily said. Indias Achilles heel is its relatively small economic scale and a weak foundation for national development. As a hierarchical society, it has both world-class elite and a largest number of poor people. Many lessons could be drawn from India, which as a rising power had done a good job. It is ambitious but pragmatic Indias political and social philosophy is worth pondering, it added before quickly moving to puncture the balloon. However, the space technology race is not mainly about the number of satellites at one go. Its fair to say the significance of this achievement is limited. The write-up also compared the money spent by other countries on space missions to argue that even if India was spending less money than China, it worked out to be the same because Indias GDP was a fourth of that of China. ISRO takes pride in its frugal innovation and it is because of its cost-effective models that India is emerging as a serious player in a crowded launch market. Its a hard-won achievement for India to reach current space technology level with a relatively small investment. It offers food for thought for other countries. India launched a lunar probe in 2008 and ranked first among Asian countries by having an unmanned rocket orbit Mars in 2013, the Global Times said. India spends a little over $1 billion a year on its space programme compared with US budget of about $19.3 billion for 2017. China spent $6.1 billion in 2013, the write-up said. Watch video of the PSLV launch here: After facing the National Green Tribunals wrath earlier this month for failing to clean the Ganga, minister for water resources Uma Bharti announced that a committee of secretaries would be set up to expedite the process. MC Mehta, a Delhi-based lawyer, was not impressed. The long-winded saga of Gangas clean-up has had as many turns as the river itself, with Mehta witnessing them all. He had filed a public interest litigation (PIL) with the Supreme Court in 1985 for cleaning the river. A few months later, then prime minister Rajiv Gandhi launched the first Ganga Action Plan. Two action plans have been completed and hundreds of crores of rupees spent since then, but the river still remains heavily polluted. Not a single drop of the Ganga has been cleaned so far, the green tribunal noted at a hearing in January. Mehta says the only things that changed under the Narendra Modi government are ministries, names and budgets. Cleaning the Ganga was one of the cornerstones of Modis campaign in the 2014 elections, when he fought and won from Varanasi one of the holiest sites located on the banks of the Ganga. Read | Saving the Ganga is not an election issue in UP The call to revive a river that is sacred to the Hindus, and a lifeline for almost 40% of the countrys population, helped propel him to power. His administration made a promising start. In his first year, Modi launched the Namami Gange programme with a whopping budget of 20,000 crore for a five-year period ending 2020. This was at least 20 times more than what had been spent on Ganga rejuvenation projects since 1985. However, as his government nears the three-year mark, it is becoming increasingly clear that lack of funds was never the problem. An RTI reply from the PMO last year revealed that about 20% of the Rs 3,700-crore funds allocated in the first two years of the programme was not utilised. The committee formed by Bharti is part of the latest in a series of steps taken at the central level to reinvigorate the programme. Under the banner of the Namami Gange programme, the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) tasked with the overall planning, implementation and monitoring of the project was transferred from the ministry of environment and forests to the ministry of water resources (renamed as the ministry of water resources, river development and Ganga rejuvenation). Then the NGRBA itself was replaced by the National Council for River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Protection and Management) or the NCRG. An empowered task force was set up in 2016. The newest committee has been formed under the aegis of this task force. For a mechanism as elaborate as this, the government seems woefully unprepared to even diagnose the problem leave alone implement solutions. The people implementing the project know nothing. They dont know how many polluting industries are there, what is the length of the polluted stretches, or the number of villages dependent on the river, said Mehta. According to documents submitted to the court by the Centre, the number of grossly polluting industries (GPIs) affecting the Ganga was 764 in 1985. In 2017, government officials were still listing the number of GPIs as 764. There is lack of clarity on the number of major drains that discharge pollutants into the Ganga and its main tributaries. While the CPCB pegs the number at 30, the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board claims that at least 150 directly join the Ganga and its tributaries. A man looks at river ganga as he sits near the garbage thrown in the river in Kanpur. (Priyanka Parashar/ Mint) Government data is often ill-founded, and it hardly reflects ground realities, a green tribunal panel observed when an expert group presented its findings in December 2016. The group, comprising IIT professors, cited multiplicity of authorities as a major stumbling block for the programme. RM Bhardwaj, a senior scientist at the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), blamed lack of coherent information about the rivers condition on the ministrys over-reliance on state governments for data. Now, these things are emerging only during the judicial process, he said. CPCB is the agency charged with monitoring water quality. The Ganga basin, the largest river basin in the country, serves Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi, and parts of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal. Lack of coordination between the Centre and state governments have also been blamed for poor implementation of Modis pet project. Our regulatory system is not strong, said Bharadwaj. The industry is not honest, and there is no culture of owning up to ones mistakes. If we are able to take care of the major industries, it will be a big achievement. Earlier this year, the Supreme Court had entrusted the green tribunal with hearing the petition for cleaning the Ganga. The apex court directed the tribunal to submit progress reports on the case every six months. The tribunal held a hearing this week. The National Green Tribunal ordered a CBI inquiry into the setting up of sewage treatment plants and network in the Garhmukteshwar area in Uttar Pradesh as part of the clean Ganga programme. People like you sit on your chairs and waste public money, Ganga is what it is because of people like you, Justice Swatanter Kumar, who heads the bench, lashed out at the officials. However, Mehta, who was present at the hearing, said it does not matter which arm of the judiciary handles the petition. When it was pointed out that the green tribunal would pronounce its verdict on the PIL this month, he simply asked: The courts can keep passing orders, but who is implementing them? The Modi government had promised the country a clean Ganga by 2020. The water resources minister set an even more ambitious deadline of 2018. With just a year to go, the country should be pardoned if it doesnt hold its breath. Read | Politically incorrect: Saving the Ganga is nobodys business in UP SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Nine newly-appointed Egyptian ministers and five governors, including Egypts first female governor, were sworn in on Thursday before President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi in Cairo as part of a cabinet reshuffle. The reshuffle, which mainly involves ministries related to public services and the economy, was approved by parliament on Tuesday. The reshuffle included new ministers of agriculture, parliamentary affairs, local development, planning and administrative reform, education, higher education, and transport. The ministries of supply and of internal trade and industry were merged, as were the ministries of investment and international cooperation. The ministers Minister of investment and international cooperation Sahar Nasr Minister of supply and commerce Ali El-Sayed Moselhi Minister of local development Hisham El-Sherif Minister of education Tarek Galal Shawki Minister of transportation Hesham Arafat Minister of planning Hala Helmi El-Said Minister of higher education Khaled Atef Abdel-Ghaffar Minister of parliamentary affairs Omar Marwan Minister of agriculture Abdel-Moneim Abdel-Dawoud Mohamed El-Banna The governors Beheira governorate Nadia Ahmed Abdou Saleh, an engineer and former deputy governor of Behiera. Alexandria governorate Mohamed Ali Sultan, a doctor who served as head of the Health and Medical Services Department at the Ministry of Health. Qalioubiya governorate Army General Mahmoud Abdel-Ghaffar Afifi, the former governor of El-Wadi El-Gedid. El-Wadi El Gedid Former Army General Mohamed Salman Moussa El-Zamlot, the former commander of the Northern Military Zone. Menoufiya governorate Ahmed Ali El-Shaarawy, the governor of Daqahliya governorate and former head of the National Liver Institute in Menoufiya. Egypt witnessed the last cabinet reshuffle in March 2016, when 10 new ministers were appointed, including the ministers of finance, investment and tourism. Prime Minister Sherif Ismail has been leading the cabinet since 2015. Political temperature in BJP-ruled Gujarat is set to rise over the alleged gang rape of a woman in Naliya town of Kutch district, with the opposition Congress deciding to step up its protest to corner the saffron party whose four local leaders are named as accused by police. In a bid to highlight the plight of the victim, the Congress will organise a vehicle yatra from Naliya on February 18. The rally will culminate at Gandhinagar on February 20, the first day of the Budget session of the assembly, to be addressed by governor OP Kohli. The Congress will also lay siege to the assembly building on February 20, said state Congress president Bharatsinh Solanki, while demanding a probe into the incident by a sitting high court judge. Addressing reporters in Ahmedabad, he termed the 2016 gang rape incident an organised crime. Just like an organised crime network, the woman was gang-raped by several persons over a period of one year. To highlight the plight of the victim, we will take out the yatra from Naliya, he said. Apart from Solanki, leader of opposition Shankersinh Vaghela and Shaktisinh Gohil will also join the yatra. When the budget session commences on February 20, we will gherao the assembly building. We want the government to transfer the inquiry (into the rape case) to a sitting high court judge, as we have learnt the victim has been pressurised by some elements to withdraw her FIR, Solanki alleged. He said a Congress delegation would call upon governor Kohli on Friday, seeking his intervention for appropriate action. Vaghela said, (However), in absence of any assurance, we will tell the governor that Congress MLAs will not let him address the House on February 20. Meanwhile, the opposition leader announced he was ready to hand over the CDs, which he claimed to contain videos of at least 12 persons involved in the gang rape, to deputy chief minister Nitin Patel. Vaghela had earlier claimed he was in possession of the electronic evidence against the 12 accused in the form of CDs. Responding to Patels statement in which he had dared the Congress leader to make the videos public, Vaghela said, If Patel wants, I am ready to hand over these CDs to him. But, he must not leak these videos, as I do not believe in character assassination. In her FIR, the 24-year-old married woman claimed she was raped by at least nine persons on different occasions last year. She claimed the accused were running a sex racket in Kutch district and had blackmailed many women by shooting their obscene videos. Kutch police had arrested eight persons in connection with the Naliya incident. The accused included four local BJP leaders, who were subsequently suspended from the party. ATMs across the country continued to battle cash crunch even 100 days after the demonetisation announcement with nearly 30% of the 2.2 lakh machines across India still running dry. The Rs 12,000 crore cash pumped into the economy, which was lower than the Rs 13,000 crore provided before the note ban, proved to be inadequate to meet the demand for liquid cash. Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) were facing more acute shortage, which according to the sources was an outcome of a substantial pile of cash being directed towards Uttar Pradesh, where assembly elections are currently taking place. Sources in the banking sector said the number of complaints about ATMs running dry in and around Delhi have increased in the last one week. One of the reasons (for cash crunch in Delhi) could be the UP state elections. We see no other reason that could have led to a cash shortage once again. Apart from Delhi-NCR, cash situation is more or less normal, a senior executive of a private sector bank told Hindustan Times on the condition of anonymity. However, a banking official played down the cash crunch development, stating, There could be a gap in refilling off site ATMs outside banking hours. The officer said the relaxation of the withdrawal limits might be a reason for the recent queues outside ATMs. While the RBI has pumped in over Rs 10 lakh crore in new currency, it is still not enough to meet the requirement as Rs 15.44 lakh crore had been sucked out of the system after November 8. A report by the SBI indicated that 78-88% of the total value of currency taken out of markets would be pumped back in only around February end. RBI must give clear figures on how much cash has been put back into the economy. The citizens have the right to know why cash crunch is continuing even after 100 days, CH Venkatachalam, general secretary, All India Bank Employees Association said. . SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Fake Rs 2,000 bills are entering India through Bangladesh, three months after the newly minted banknote was introduced as an upshot of the Narendra Modi governments demonetisation drive to fight corruption, counterfeiting and terrorist funding. But multiple confiscations of counterfeit Rs 2,000 notes over the past three weeks have undermined the shock recall of 500- and 1,000-rupee notes last November, wiping out 86% of the money in circulation in a cash-driven economy. The demonetisation exercise has been called a watershed for a country saddled with counterfeiters pushing millions of fake notes into the Indian economy from neighbouring Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal. Terrorists and governments hostile to India use the bogus cash to weaken the economy. The latest attempts to restart the vicious cycle after the notes ban have set off alarm bells in the security establishment. Read | Forgers getting better? NIA says fake Rs 2000 notes identical to the original On the night of February 14, security forces foiled an attempt to smuggle a consignment across the fence on Indo-Bangladesh border. This was the latest and biggest in a series of attempts over a short span of time. A Border Security Force (BSF) patrol seized a bundle of 100 counterfeit notes that was thrown across the fence for miscreants waiting on the Indian side. The criminals escaped, leaving behind the bundle. Our enemies across the border will not stop bothering us. They will continue to poison our economy pushing fake notes is the best method to do it. It was just a matter of time that they copied the new notes, said Arun Chaudhary, former Intelligence Bureau special director and former chief of Sashastra Seema Bal that guards the Indo-Nepal border. The Bangladesh border is a preferred route because it is porous. Of the 17 security features on the Rs 2,000 note printed by the Reserve Bank of India, 10 were found on the seized notes, according to intelligence sources. More details would be known once they get the forensic report in a couple of weeks. Preliminary inquiries by the BSF revealed that counterfeiters have managed to copy six front features including the see-through register where the numeral 2,000 can be seen when held against light; the Devanagari inscription, portrait of Mahatma Gandhi, and the Ashoka pillar emblem. Read | BSF in talks with RBI to train jawans to identify fake notes They have copied four back features, including the year of manufacturing (2016), the Swachh Bharat logo, the value written in 16 languages, and the motif of Mangalyaan. The counterfeit notes appear to of a better quality, said RPS Jaswal, the BSF deputy inspector general of the South Bengal Frontier. The opposition Congress called the confiscations a vindication of its argument that the notes ban would not stop counterfeiting. It has been established now that Prime Minister Narendra Modi fooled the people of India. The recovery of fake notes has exposed Indias economic instability. Terror outfits, apart from economic offenders, are making hay and thanking the Modi government for this unprecedented bonanza, said party spokesman Ajoy Kumar. The first sample of fake Rs 2,000 notes was seized on January 23 by West Bengal police from a Malda village. On February 4, state police found two more notes in the area, and a stash of 40 four days later from a smuggler in Murshidabad. On February 13, Umar Faruq, another Malda native, was picked up with three such samples. Based on his information, BSF foiled Wednesdays attempt. What sets these notes apart was that these look more like the original than those seized during raids in Bengaluru, Gujarat and Haryana, which were essentially colour copies printed on laser or inkjet printers. There is human as well as technical intelligence that samples of fake notes were printed in Pakistan and pushed into India to see whether they can gain currency without raising suspicion, a National Investigation Agency official said. Read | Fake Rs 2,000 banknotes already? Unsuspecting Karnataka farmer falls victim Speaking in a public rally in Goa, a few days after announcing demonetisation on 8 November, 2016, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had asked for 50 days from the people of India for note-ban related hardships to end It has been 100 days since Modi announced the scrapping of 86% of Indias currency in circulation. With a large number of ATMs still running dry, there seems to be no end to peoples difficulties even now. Despite governments claims of remonetisation being complete, latest data (till 20 January, 2017) shows that currency with public is still 40% less than what it was a year ago . An even more important question is, how successful has demonetisation been in achieving its stated objective? Purging black money It was argued by the supporters of demonetisation that a large amount of money in circulation would not come back to the system, as holders of illicit wealth would be wary of prosecution by tax authorities. More than a month after the completion of deadline for depositing old notes with banks, the RBI claims that it is still counting the money which has been returned. Unless final figures are released there would not be any clarity on the amount of money which has been flushed down the pit or found to be counterfeit currency. However, a part of finance minister Arun Jaitleys budget speech suggests that hopes of unearthing a significant amount of black money might not materialise. Calculations based on Jaitleys budget speech show that Rs 10.38 trillion, almost two-thirds of the value of demonetised currency, had come back in deposits which were more than Rs 2 lakh. Out of this, Rs 4.89 trillion has come in deposits of Rs 80 lakh or more. It is likely that those who have made such high value deposits are confident of dealing with tax departments queries, which diminishes hopes of a windfall in unearthing of black money. On the other hand, governments reply to a parliament question suggests that only Rs 19.5 crore has been seized in fake currency since the demonetisation decision. Collateral damage There is a broad based consensus on the fact that liquidity squeeze after demonetisation would have an adverse effect on economic activity. Indias GDP growth is expected to come down by 20 basis points in 2016-17 from 2015-16 according to first advanced estimates released by central statistical organisation. Industry is expected to suffer the biggest setback in terms of growth rate in this financial year. Read | Demonetisation impact: IIP contracts to 4-month low of 0.4% in Dec Data on rural wages, which is released by the RBI, shows that non-agricultural wages have done much worse in comparison to agricultural wages in the months of November and December. RBIs quarterly consumer confidence survey, carried in six metropolitan cities, shows that negative perception about employment was at its highest level in December quarter since Modi government assumed office in 2014. These statistics suggest that demonetisations recessionary impact might have been more severe in the non-farm economy. Prima facie, it appears that demonetisation has failed to achieve its stated objectives of purging black money and fake currency from the Indian economy and would inflict significant costs even if transient in nature on the Indian economy. None of this seems to be bothering PM Modi though, who claimed in a UP rally that BJPs victory in all polls after note ban shows that the poor are overwhelmingly supporting this policy. There is nothing surprising about the fact that 100 days after note ban, people are more concerned about results of ongoing polls than exact count of notes which have returned to the RBI. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Pakistans former president General Pervez Musharraf has demanded JuD chief Hafiz Saeeds release from house arrest, claiming that the Mumbai attack masterminds outfit was a very fine NGO engaged in relief activities. Hafiz Saeed should definitely be freed. They are not terrorists, they run a very fine NGO, they contribute to relief activities in post earthquake and post floods periods in Pakistan. They run great welfare organisations, he said. Musharraf told a Pakistani TV channel that Saeeds Falah-e-Insaniyat Foundation (FIF) charity - a front for Jamaat-ud Dawah - was engaging religious youth in relief and welfare activities, according to a report in Dawn. In my opinion, they are against Taliban (in Pakistan), they did not commit any terrorism in Pakistan or anywhere in the world. So they should be dealt separately, he said. The government last month included Saeed on Exit Control List, barring him from leaving the country. He was also put under house arrest for 90 days for engaging in activities prejudicial to peace and security. When asked about recent developments regarding JuD, he said, We (as a nation) remain confused on terrorism, like we are confused in respect to JuD and Hafiz Saeed. India is against them because their supporters go voluntarily to Kashmir to fight the Indian army, he said. Musharraf also admitted he had received millions of US dollars from Saudi Arabian King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in 2009 to buy apartments in London and Dubai, the report said. However, Musharraf did not disclose the details, calling it a private affair. He also said that Pakistans Punjab province has become the stronghold of militancy. Two months after the Rajasthan high court struck down a quota for them, Gujjar leaders in the state have warned of re-launching their agitation for job reservation and have accused the BJP government in the state of stabbing them in the back and backtracking on the issue. The BJP governments decision to give five per cent reservation in government jobs to Gujjars and four other communities under Special Backward Classes (SBC) category was struck down by the Rajasthan high court in December 2016 because it exceeded the 50% reservation ceiling. The court noted that data had not been properly collected to establish the backwardness of the five communities. The Gujjars and other communities were earlier covered under the Other Backward Classes category but in 2015 the government placed the five communities under the SBC category and granted them 5% separate quota. Following the high court order, the community will not get any benefit of either category. On Wednesday, furious Gujjar leaders boycotted a meeting with the cabinet sub-committee handling the issue of reservation. Gujjar leader Col Kirori Singh Bainsla warned that if the community was not given reservation under the SBC quota they would re-launch their agitation. The Gujjar Arakshan Sangharsh Samiti has called for a mahapanchayat on February 25 in Karauli. In Sikandra in Dausa district, Bansur in Alwar district and Kusali village in Sawai Madhopur district, Gujjars have already launched dharnas. In predominantly Gujjar inhabited villages in Ajmer district, the community is angry and blames the Vasundhara Raje government for failing to protect the communitys interest. The government has cheated us, said Ramawtar Tanwar, a community elder in Pinglod village, 10km from Ajmer. Believing chief minister Vasundhara Raje and her partys election manifesto promise that Gujjars would get 5% reservation, Gujjars voted en bloc for the BJP in the 2013 assembly and 2014 Lok Sabaha elections helping BJP win all the 8 the eight assembly seats in Ajmer region and the Lok Sabha seat of the district, he said. The communitys youth are angry with Vasundhara Raje for allegedly mishandling the reservation quota issue in the high court. The future of hundreds of community youth is at stake. Appointments in government jobs of those who cleared competitive exams under SBC category have been withheld and we are apprehensive if we will ever get a job if the present impasse continues in court, said Mahendra Bhadana of Bidkichiyawas village who is preparing for competitive exams. A cousin who was selected as a government teacher in SBC category was denied appointment as a result of the court verdict, he claimed. Students preparing for the Rajasthan Administrative Service (RAS) mains examination are also despondent. We have been left hanging in mid-air. We dont have our status now, said Om Prakash Gurjar who cleared the preliminary RAS exam under the SBC category. India on Thursday said Mumbai terror attack mastermind and Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed was an internationally proscribed terrorist and needed to be brought to justice soon. Our view on Hafiz Saeed is very well-known. He is an internationally proscribed terrorist who is engaged in numerous terror acts of terrorism not just at India but also at Indias neighbour... and he needs to be brought to justice as soon as possible, ministry of external affairs (MEA) spokesperson Vikas Swarup said while addressing the media in New Delhi. On February 3, Pakistans interior ministry included the names of Hafiz Saeed and 37 others, who are affiliated with JuD or Lashkar-e-Taiba, in the Exit Control List (ECL). The ministry has sent letters to all the provincial governments and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). The move, which bars the 38 individuals from leaving Pakistan , comes days after the authorities placed Saeed under house arrest along with four others -- Abdullah Ubaid, Zafar Iqbal, Abdur Rehman Abid and Qazi Kashif Niaz. The JuD has already been declared as a foreign terrorist organisation by the US in June 2014. Saeed also carries a reward of $10 million announced by the US for his role in terror activities. Swarup also said Saeeds request for removal of his name from a list that bars him from leaving Pakistan was a matter concerning him and his handlers there. It is between Hafiz Saeed and his handlers in Pakistan, Swarup said. In a letter to Pakistans interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Saeed, the mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attack in which 166 people died, asked the Pakistan government to immediately remove his name from a list that bars him from leaving the country, claiming he was neither a security risk nor his outfit ever engaged in terrorist activities. Watch out for the following news: Court to rule on 2005 Delhi blast case A court in Delhi will deliver its verdict in the 2005 Delhi serial blasts case which killed over 60 people. Tariq Ahmed Dar, Mohammed Hussain Fazili and Mohammed Rafiq Shah are facing trial in the case. The court framed charges against Dar, the alleged mastermind, and the other two for waging war against the state, conspiring, collecting arms, murder and attempt to murder. The Delhi Police chargesheeted Dar, mentioning his call details that allegedly proved he was in touch with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operatives. Endgame in Tamil Nadu With AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala in jail, the focus now shifts to governor C Vidyasagar Rao. Reports say that Edappadi K Palaniswami and 4 MLAs will meet the governor at 11:30 AM. Major civic polls in Maharashtra Nearly 100 million voters will exercise their franchise in a two-phased election to 10 municipal corporations, 26 Zilla Parishads and 283 Panchayat Samitis across Maharashtra on February 16 and February 21. The polls will cover 25 of the states 36 districts and involve nearly 85 percent of the electorate in 246 out of 288 assembly segments. The results will be declared on February 23. Delhi High Court to hear Arvind Kejriwals plea in defamation case Delhi High Court will hear chief minister Arvind Kejriwals plea to quash the defamation complaint filed against him by Amit Sibal, son of former Union minister Kapil Sibal. Sibal filed the defamation complaint against Kejriwal, deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia and lawyer Prashant Bhushan for alleging a conflict of interest on his part. Kejriwal alleged in May 2013 that Sibal appeared in the court for a telecom firm when his father was the communications minister. PM Modi to address Jharkhand Global Investments Summit Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address via videoconference the Global Investments Summit being held at Ranchi. The February 16-17 Global Summit is being organised to attract investors and has about 2,500 from around the world participating, including teams from China and Australia. Around 12-15 Union ministers and 40 industrialists are expected to attend the summit. Jat agitations spread in Delhi The agitation for quota reservation by Jats, which was confined to Haryana so far, has started spreading to parts of Delhi. The Jat community organised a peaceful protest in Najafgarh on Tuesday and proceed to Rohini today, Burari on February 18 and Bijwasan on February 20. More political drama in Washington There has not been a dull day in Washington since Donald Trump took over. After the resignation of Michael Lynn as national security adviser following revelations of his calls to Russias US ambassador, Trump moved quickly and reportedly offered the job to retired vice admiral Robert Harward, a former deputy commander of US Central Command. The admiral has not yet accepted the position. Calls in Washington for a deeper investigation of Russias involvement in the US election are growing louder. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has said that an investigation by the Senate Intelligence Committee into Flynns dealings with Russia was highly likely. G20 ministerial and Rex Tillersons meeting with Sergei Lavrov The foreign ministers of G20 nations meet in Bonn today and tomorrow. Improving cooperation with Africa will be the focus of the meeting. This will be the first foreign outing for Rex Tillerson as the new US Secretary of State. He is expected to meet his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov today, a meeting that assumes significance in the context of the controversy over Russias alleged involvement in the US presidential election and because of changes expected in Washingtons approach to Moscow during a Trump presidency. Parliamentary panel to quiz Niti Aayog on Friday on backward area development Niti Aayog is likely to be questioned by a Parliamentary panel on the role it has played to promote welfare of tribals and in augmenting development work in the backward regions of the country. The Standing Committee on Finance, headed by Congress leader Veerappa Moily, will also seek oral evidence from the Ministries of Corporate Affairs, Statistics and Programme Implementation with regard to demands for grants for 2017-18. Worlds largest handicrafts and gifts fair opens More than 3,000 exhibitors will be showcasing products in 14 different categories at the 43rd edition of worlds largest handicrafts and gifts fair that opens in the capital today. Around 6,500 buyers from more than 80 countries are expected to participate in the B2B event. You may also want to read: Big gains for BJP in Odisha panchayat elections Prime Minister Narendra Modis BJP is emerging as the principal opposition party in Odisha politics with impressive gains in panchayat elections in the state. The BJP won 71 of the 188 zilla parishad seats that voted in the first phase on Monday, according to trends and estimates after counting of votes. Its a 10-fold jump compared to seven seats that the party had won in 2012 in the first round. Trends show that the BJP has continued the winning streak in second phase of polling on Wednesday. The BJP won just 36 of the total 854 zilla parishad seats in 2012. The BJD won 656 and the Congress 126 seats. The results will be officially declared on February 25. From drama to dialogue, Rajnath Singh strikes a chord with his audience Union home minister Rajnath Singh, who along with PM Modi and BJP president Amit Shah is shouldering major responsibility to end partys 14-year-long exile from power in UP, exudes confidence and says, We are heading for absolute majority. In his speeches he invokes patriotism, skirts the issue of demonetisation but is articulate and forceful. Two Fortis doctors operate on wrong foot, lose license for 6 months Two doctors have been struck off Delhis state medical register for six months for operating on the wrong foot of a patient and then fudging hospital records to cover up their negligence. With their medical licences suspended, the orthopaedic surgeons cannot practice medicine anywhere in the country for six months. The elevation of Sasikala loyalist EK Palaniswami as Tamil Nadu chief minister on Thursday may redefine the relation between the AIADMK-ruled southern state and the Centre, where the BJP-led NDA is in power. Live updates on Palaniswamis swearing-in Here are four ways how Palaniswami, if he wins the trust vote in 15 days, can impact politics between Chennai and New Delhi: 1. Palaniswami in the hot seat removes any trace of certainty in the relationship that the NDA government had with the Tamil Nadu government under former AIADMK supremo and chief minister, the late J Jayalalithaa. She, however, had largely backed the economic agenda of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, barring her objection to the goods and services tax (GST). Read: Panneerselvam camp defiant, says fight for Tamil Nadu CMs post not over yet 2. The BJP does not have much at stakes in Tamil Nadu, but it did not want the situation to crystallize in favour of VK Sasikala, who was seen hobnobbing with the Congress. Palaniswami is a Sasikala nominee and it will be difficult for him to step out of her shadows immediately, when the AIADMK general secretary holds a sway over the MLAs. 3. Between O Panneerselvam and Sasikala, the BJP favoured the former. It does not have a direct link with Palaniswami and developing cordial relations with him would be a challenge. 4. Sasikala holds the BJP responsible for putting up roadblocks in her way of becoming the chief minister. If she keeps nursing that grudge, it may upset the BJPs calculations for the presidential election. Also, it will have a bearing on the governments strength in the Rajya Sabha, where the ruling NDA does not have the numbers to push through key policies, reforms and bills. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON India and China will hold their first Strategic Dialogue on February 22 in Beijing during which the two sides will discuss key issues of mutual concern and interest including friction points such as Masood Azhar and NSG. Foreign secretary S Jaishankar and executive vice chairman of China hang Yesui will co-chair the meet to discuss all issues of mutual interest in bilateral, regional and international domain, external affairs ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said on Thursday. Acknowledging that there are friction points in India-China ties, Swarup said the dialogue will strive for a holistic view of the relations between the two countries and see to what extent they can accommodate each others concerns and interests. India and China share a close development partnership and there are number of issues also between the two countries. While there are collaborative activities, there are also some friction points. The idea is that through the mechanism of this strategic dialogue, the foreign secretary from our side and his Chinese counterpart can take a holistic view of India-China relations and see to what extent the two sides can accommodate each others concerns and interests, he said. Maintaining that the upcoming Strategic Dialogue, which was set up during the visit of Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi in August last year, was a new mechanism, Swarup said it is a more comprehensive forum. India-China ties have witnessed strain following Beijings rigid stand on issues crucial to India such as membership to the Nuclear Suppliers Group and designation of JeM chief and Pathankot attack mastermind Masood Azhar as global terrorist by the UN. Not only China scuttled Indias membership bid at the meeting of NSG last year, it also opposed banning of Azhar by the UN, apparently at the behest of its all-weather friend Pakistan. On Wednesday, the Chinese foreign ministry also said it has lodged a protest with India for hosting a Taiwanese parliamentary delegation and asked it to deal prudently with Taiwan-related matters. New Delhi dismissed the protest saying no political meanings should be read into such trips. Nadia Ahmed Abdou is the first female to be appointed governor in Egypt after she was sworn into office on Thursday as the head of the Nile Delta Governorate of Beheira. Abdous appointment is part of a limited cabinet reshuffle of nine ministers and five governors. Abdou graduated from the Faculty of Engineering and Chemistry at Alexandria University in 1965. She is the mother of two sons, both of whom also graduated from the same faculty. Abdou was appointed deputy governor of Beheira in 2013 by the then-governor for her role in development and innovation in the governorate. She founded the Arab Countries Water Utilities Association (ACUWA) and is a member of the general assembly of the World Water Council. Abdou also headed the Egyptian Holding Company for Water and Wastewater from 2002 till 2012, and is a member of the National Council for Women (NCW) and the Businessmen Association in Alexandria. Abdous political career began in 2010, when she won a seat in parliament with the now-defunct National Democratic Party (NDP). The NDP, which is believed to have been responsible for election rigging, was dissolved during the events of 25 January 2011 uprising that toppled the former long-time ruling president Hosni Mubarak. Search Keywords: Short link: India ranked a dismal 143rd in an annual index of economic freedom by a top American thinktank, behind its several South Asian neighbours including Pakistan, as progress on market-oriented reforms has been uneven. The Heritage Foundation in its Index of Economic Freedom report said despite India sustaining an average annual growth of about 7 per cent over the past five years, growth is not deeply rooted in policies that preserve economic freedom. Where does India stand India was ranked 143rd, a slip from its previous 123rd position last year. It has been put in the category of mostly unfree economies Nepal (125), Sri Lanka (112), Pakistan (141), Bhutan (107), and Bangladesh (128) surpassed India in economic freedom. Among South Asian countries, only Afghanistan (163) and Maldives (157) were ranked below India. Hong Kong, Singapore and New Zealand topped the index. Despite annual growth of 7 per cent , the number is not deeply rooted in policies that preserve economic freedom. However, the think group credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi with reinvigorating Indias foreign policy. The annual index was released by a conservative US political thinktank, the Heritage Foundation. Putting India in the category of mostly unfree economies, the conservative political thinktank said progress on market-oriented reforms has been uneven. It said the state maintains an extensive presence in many areas through public-sector enterprises. A restrictive and burdensome regulatory environment discourages the entrepreneurship that could provide broader private-sector growth. Also, Indias overall score of 52.6 points is 3.6 points less than that of last year, when India was ranked 123rd. Hong Kong, Singapore and New Zealand topped the index. Among South Asian countries, only Afghanistan (163) and Maldives (157) were ranked below India. Nepal (125), Sri Lanka (112), Pakistan (141), Bhutan (107), and Bangladesh (128) surpassed India in economic freedom. The thinktank, however, credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi with reinvigorating Indias foreign policy. It said Modi, who in June 2016 made his fourth visit to the US in two years, has bolstered bilateral ties, particularly in defence cooperation. India has technology and manufacturing sectors as advanced as any in the world as well as traditional sectors characteristic of a lesser developed economy. Extreme wealth and poverty coexist as the nation both modernises rapidly and struggles to find paths to inclusive development for its large and diverse population, it said. India is a significant force in world trade, the report noted, but corruption, underdeveloped infrastructure, and poor management of public finance undermine overall development. China with a score of 57.4 points - an increase of 5.4 points compared to previous year - was placed at 111 position. The United States was ranked 17 with 75.1 points. The world average score of 60.9 is the highest recorded in the 23-year history of the index. Forty-nine countries - the majority of which are developing countries, but also including countries such as Norway and Sweden - achieved their highest-ever index scores. Gopal Baglay, the diplomat who heads the division dealing with Pakistan, could soon become the foreign ministrys new spokesperson as incumbent Vikas Swarup has been appointed the high commissioner to Canada. Baglay, who belongs to the 1992 batch of the Indian Foreign Service (IFS), has handled media in his previous stint as press counsellor at the embassy in Kathmandu as well as a director in the external publicity division of the ministry of external affairs (MEA). He served as deputy high commissioner to Pakistan and, at present, heads the foreign ministrys territorial division of PAI, which stands for Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran. Swarup, a 1986-batch officer, is expected to join his new assignment shortly. He is popular as the author of the novel, Q&A, which was adapted as Slumdog Millionaire, the Danny Boyle film that was adjudged the best film in the 2009 Oscars. The diplomat-author has written two more novels Six Suspects, and The Accidental Apprentice. Swarup had replaced Syed Akbaruddin, the ministrys popular voice on social media. He had served as joint secretary (UN-political) at the ministry, and was posted in Turkey, the US, Britain and South Africa. He joined the IFS after studying history, psychology, and philosophy at Allahabad University. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Prime Minister Narendra Modis claim that the Congress tried to kill Samajwadi Party (SP) patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav in 1984 is the latest in a series of remarks targeted at the main opposition party and its leaders. Criticising Akhilesh Yadav for the poll alliance with the Congress, Modi said the Uttar Pradesh chief minister had joined hands with the party that had once plotted to kill his father Mulayam Singh, repeating a charge made by the SP patriarch in 1984. From personal to political, Modi has been unsparing in his attacks on the Congress, at home as well as abroad. Here are some of the digs and accusations he has made after taking over as the prime minister in May 2014: May 16, 2015: At a reception hosted by the Indian community in Shanghai, China, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a dig at Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi for going on a two-month vacation earlier that year. I had said I will work hard. Have I let up? I have not taken any vacation and (I) work day and night, Modi said. September 10, 2015: Yeh hawalabaazon ki jamaat (this party of hawala operators) is creating obstructions in a democracy because the ground beneath their feet is slipping. I know what is bothering them. Its the law on black money, Modi said in Bhopal. In his address to party workers, the Prime Minister blamed the Congress for the stalemate during the monsoon session of Parliament. September 28, 2015: Congress president Sonia Gandhis son-in-law Robert Vadra was at the receiving end when Modi addressed the Indian community at San Jose, California. In our country it doesnt take much for allegations to come up against politicians... Someone made 50 crores, someones son made 250 crores, (someones) daughter made 500 crores, (someones) damaad (son-in-law) made 1,000 crores... he said, in a not-so-veiled reference to corruption charges against Vadra. March 3, 2016: Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Modi went three years back to attack Rahul. Some people learn with age but some dont, he said. Modi talked about how Rahul had in September 2013 publically torn a copy of an ordinance that the Congress-led UPA government was planning against convicted lawmakers. Some people have given up on respect and regard of elders. The nation will never forget the day a decision taken by Manmohan Singh and his cabinet was insulted. The Prime Minister was in the US, and here someone publicly tore apart that cabinet decision.... Please learn to respect elders, he said. December 22, 2016: Modi again mocked Rahul at a public meeting in Varanasi, his Lok Sabha constituency. Now that their young leader has spoken, we have seen what the earthquake is all about. I am happy that the Congress vice-president has learnt to deliver public speeches, he said. Modi was talking about Rahuls claim that if he was allowed to speak in Parliament an earthquake would come, as the government and opposition slugged it out over demonetisation. February 4, 2017: At a poll rally in Uttar Pradeshs Meerut, Modi asked the people to rid the state of SCAM Samajwadi (party), Congress, Akhilesh (Yadav) and Mayawati. February 7, 2017: The quake remark was back in play. So, finally, the earthquake has come, Modi said in the Lok Sabha, referring to the tremors felt in Delhi and parts of north India the previous night as he took another jibe at Rahul. February 10, 2017: There is this Congress leader known for his childish acts. If you Google, you will see the number of jokes on him. No other leader is the target of as many jokes as this Congress leader, Modi said at a poll rally in Bijnor, questioning Akhilesh Yadavs wisdom in joining hands with the Congress for Uttar Pradesh elections. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The long-running womens quota row in Nagaland threatens to cost chief minister TR Zeliang his post as an overwhelming majority of lawmakers in his Naga Peoples Front (NPF) wants him out. He left for New Delhi on Thursday to meet central leaders in a bid to save his chair after 42 of 49 NPF legislators in the 60-member assembly supported party president Shurhozelie Liezietsu as his replacement. This follows an ultimatum from patriarchal tribal organisations to the legislators to resign by Friday or face boycott in next years assembly elections. These organisations are spearheading a stir, which began two months ago, against urban local body polls in the state because 33% of the seats across 32 municipal agencies were reserved for women. Read: In Nagaland, its a long march for womens quota in local governments These outfits argue that the quota for women was against the provisions of Article 371(A) that guarantees protection of Naga customary laws and rights. The NPF is an ally of the BJP in the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland government of which Liezietsu, 81, is the chairman. The MLAs met at the initiative of Nagalands lone Rajya Sabha member KG Kenye on Wednesday night and projected Liezietsu as their chief minister to tide over the crisis arising out of the violent opposition to holding urban civic polls in the state. Read: Nagaland: Tribal bodies begin total shutdown demanding CM Zeliangs ouster Kenye said in Kohima that Liezietsu was reluctant to take charge. But he gave his consent to the decision of the MLAs. The lone issue confronting us now is the publics demand for his (Zeliangs) resignation. So, we thought it is best for him to step down, even if for some time, he said and asserted there was no internal crisis in the NPF. A Zeliang aide informed that the chief minister would meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Rajnath Singh in the national capital. Also read: Womens reservation in politics will lead to corruption: Nagaland tribal leaders The organisations had been pushing for Zeliangs ouster, holding him responsible for throwing life out of gear with the decision to go ahead with the urban polls despite protests. They had imposed indefinite shutdown since February 1, the day the polls were scheduled but not held. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The year is 1961. A charismatic new president John F Kennedy has just taken oath in the United States, the Soviet Union has put the first man in space and a little-known band called the Beatles is playing its first show in England. But something equally momentous is happening in Pakistan, where globally renowned physicist Abdus Salam is convincing president Ayub Khan to set up a national space agency, the first in the subcontinent. In September that year, Salam sets up the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) headquartered in Karachi a full eight years before neighbour India formalises its own space agency. The initial years of the agency are buoyed by hope. Four top scientists are sent to the Nasa to study space technology and Salams growing stature in the scientific world he would win the Physics Nobel Prize in 1979 help attract talent to the nascent organisation. In 1962, Suparco launches its first rocket, Rehbar I, from a range off the Karachi coast with help from Nasa, a year before Indias first rocket would blast off from the Thumba launching station. Pakistan becomes the third Asian country to launch rockets after Israel and Japan. But despite its head start, the Suparco today is decades behind the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in both mission success and technological prowess. ISRO broke a world record by sending 104 satellites to space Ron Wednesday in contrast, Suparco is not expected to have indigenous satellite launching and producing technology for at least two decades and the target it has set itself is 2040. India plans to reach Venus and revisit Mars by then, if not more. But what happened to the subcontinents oldest space agency? The answer lies in a concoction of government apathy, poor education funding and an overarching military leadership dictating scientific goals. In the 1970s, ISRO accelerates its technological and scientific intake in the run up to the first satellite launch Aryabhatta-I in 1975. But Suparco is already falling behind as the government shifts attention to the atomic bomb project, shifting key resources and scientists out of the space agency. The only high point of the decade is a visit by Apollo 17 astronauts. Pakistan would launch its first satellite, Badr I, only in 1990 with Chinese assistance. But the real fall comes in the 1980s and 1990s. First, President Zia-ul-Haq cuts off funding to major projects, including the flagship satellite communication launch. Then, military generals are placed atop the organisation, replacing scientists and the focus of the agency becomes countering India, rather than independent research. At the same time, the government disowns Salam for being Ahmadiyya and shuns all assistance that one of 20th centurys most important theoretical physicists could have offered. This affects the production of indigenous technology that is the backbone of ISRO or any modern agency, and makes Suparco dependent on foreign doles. In contrast, ISRO launches its first communications satellite, starts technology sharing programmes with several countries and unveils a remote sensing satellite system that is now the largest in the world. The agency is also successful in attracting talent, helped by its autonomy and scientists at the helm. Today, Suparco continues to hurt, mainly from crunched education funding that is the lowest in south Asia and continued military supervision. Its current chairman -- Qaiser Anees Khurrum is a former top general. The agency has suffered a series of embarrassing failures in recent decades. It has had to give up orbital slots because it couldnt launch in time, its first satellite was leased from the US and its second was launched in as late as 2011. The agency is now pinning its hopes on a Mission 2040 by when it aims to have indigenous satellite making and launching capabilities but whether it will meet its target is anyones guess. Watch video of the PSLV launch here: (The author studied the space exploration history as part of a masters course in astrophysics and space science. He tweets @dhrubo127) SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Ahead of the presidential election, the AIADMKwith or without Sasikala is of utmost importance for the BJP. The election for Pranab Mukherjees successor is due in July this year. The BJP-led NDA, which does not have a majority in the electoral college that comprises votes of MPs and MLAs, is looking at the AIADMK to help it bridge the gap. For the BJP, outside support from parties like AIADMK and BJD are critical in case there is a contest between the BJP-backed candidate and an Oppositions nominee. As on date, the BJP is short of 1,70,000 votes while the NDA is short of 75,000 votes from the majority mark. AIADMK, with its 58,984 votes, can considerably help the ruling alliance to bridge the gap. Not surprisingly, the BJP leadership had taken a keen interest in the internal affairs of the AIADMK. Acting chief minister O Panneerselvam, is believed to have met at least one senior BJP minister before taking on Sasikala. Now the dice is turning. Even as Sasikala is cooling her heels in the Bangalore Central jail, her loyalist E Palanisami has been sworn in as the new chief minister. The BJP now has to swiftly adjust to the changing dynamics within the AIADMK. It was this Dravidian party along with BJD, that had first announced the name of PA Sangma as the presidential candidate in 2012. The BJP eventually, had to support Sangma against the UPAs Pranab Mukherjee. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Tamil Nadu got a new chief minister on Thursday EK Palaniswami, a loyalist of convicted AIADMK leader VK Sasikala. But the common mans choice for the post appears to be the man he replaced, O Panneerselvam. For the men and women on the streets, Panneerselvam also known as OPS continues to be the peoples chief minister. People have not taken kindly to Sasikalas attempts to grab power from him. OPS has a clean image in politics. And he is a simple man and has handled administration well after the death of Jayalalithaa. Why should he be removed when he is doing well? said Raju, a Chennai cab driver. Panneerselvams popularity peaked when he successfully negotiated an arrangement to circumvent a court ban on Jallikattu, the popular bull-taming sport that triggered a mass movement in the state in January. People also give credit to his administrative capabilities in the way he handled the Vardah cyclone crisis. You cannot find a better loyalist to Jayalalithaa than Panneerselvam. Sasikala might be closer to Amma, but has no respect among the people, Raju said. Wilson, the proprietor of a medical shop at Pondy Bazar in Chennai, held similar views, He said Sasikala was interested in money, not peoples welfare. We do not know much about Palaniswami, but since he is a Sasikala loyalist, he might carry the bad name. Compared to him, Panneerselvam is better. Also, people believe that if Panneerselvam cannot become the chief minister, then DMK leader Stalin can be an option. Given a choice, Stalin is a better candidate than Palaniswami, said Ramesh, an autorickshaw driver. Palaniswami was elected leader of the AIADMK legislature party when the Supreme Court on Tuesday sent Sasikala to four years in prison in a two-decade-old corruption case, dashing her hopes of becoming the chief minister. Read: Here is how Tamil Nadu chief minister Edappadi Palaniswami will impact BJP, Delhi The loyalists elevation was a masterstroke that Sasikala played to keep bete noire Panneerselvam out of power, capping a high-voltage drama in which she corralled more than a hundred MLAs into a luxury resort that was turned into a heavy guarded fortress. Thereby she ensured Palaniswami had the numbers to stake claim to form the government. Panneerselvam became chief minister after former AIADMK supremo and chief minister J Jayalalithaa died of a cardiac arrest last December. Like in the past, when he had stood in for Jayalalithaa twice as chief minister, his third stint was cut short by Sasikalas ambitions. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON As part of its efforts to bring teenagers back into the national mainstream, Jammu and Kashmir police is counselling the misguided Valley youth to prevent them from falling prey to anti-national propaganda. Going beyond its mandate of normal policing, J&K Police transforming hearts and minds by instilling national pride in the youth of the Valley, Director General of Police S P Vaid said in a tweet. The police has achieved some success as well in the recent time as a group of children who had participated in a parade held on Pakistans independence day later took part in the Republic Day parade this year in Shopian district of south Kashmir. Vaid also posted a video which showed the children, dressed in Pakistans green-and-white and holding a Pakistani flag, marching past a life size hoarding of slain Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani at Nagbal in Shopian district on August 14 last year. The latter half of the video shows the same kids taking part in the Republic Day parade, braving snowfall. We have identified the children vulnerable to inimical propaganda and started counselling them in small groups so that these kids do not fall prey to militancy, Vaid told PTI. He said this programme has been launched in all 10 districts of the Valley and the results have been encouraging. Read: General Rawat, hold your fire. All Kashmiri youth are not aides of jihadis The police initiative comes against the backdrop of reports that nearly 100 youngsters, mostly teenagers or youth in their early 20s, have joined militant ranks in the aftermath of the violent protests in Kashmir last year. Protests broke out across Kashmir Valley on July 9 last year, a day after Wani was killed in an encounter with security forces. 85 people were killed while thousands others were injured in the clashes between protestors and security forces in nearly four months after Burhans killing. A new trend -- of youth storming the encounter sites to help militants escape by engaging the security forces in stone pelting -- has the security grid worried as Army Chief Bipin Rawat issued a stern warning to those indulging in such acts. General Rawats warning came on Wednesday after he paid homage in Delhi to three of the four soldiers, including a Major, who were killed in two separate encounters in Kashmir on Tuesday. The army chief said if they do not relent and create hurdle in the operations of the security forces, then we will take tough action. Read: Rijiju backs Army Chiefs comment on tough action against hostile locals in J-K The political potboiler in Tamil Nadu ended on Thursday with the swearing-in of jailed AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikalas proxy, Edappadi K Palaniswami, as the chief minister. Palaniswami retained almost all the ministers in the O Panneerselvam government, barring the ousted chief minister as well as education minister MF Pandiarajan who have rebelled against Sasikala. Governor C Vidyasagar Rao administered the oath of office to the chief minister and his 30-member council at a function in which Sasikalas family members took the front row, leaving no room for guesswork as to where the party leaders draw their strength from. The governor invited Palaniswami to form the government after he presented a list of 124 AIADMK lawmakers supporting him. The new chief minister will have to take a floor test in the assembly in a fortnight to prove that he enjoys support of the majority of legislators. The AIADMK posted on its twitter handle that the trust vote will be held on Saturday. Senior party leaders said the leadership wanted to get it done without delay lest some of the legislators changed their mind and crossed over to the Panneerselvam camp that has vowed to fight the wrongdoing. Until then the MLAs would remain at Golden Bay resort at Kuvathur, 80km from Chennai, where they have been staying since Sasikala corralled them there last Wednesday night to stop them from switching loyalties. Panneerselvam backers were confident about several legislators joining their side. During the floor test, even if seven MLAs switch sides, the government will be in a minority. Wait and see what happens, former education minister Pandiarajan said. Tamil Nadu chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami at Jayalalithaa's shrine at Marina beach after the swearing-in ceremony in Chennai on Thursday. (PTI Photo) The Panneerselvam camp requested the election commission to nullify the election of Sasikala as the AIADMK general secretary, alleging that the process violated the party constitution. Freeing the party from the control of Sasikala is the larger battle and this is a step in that direction, said Rajya Sabha member V Maitreyan, who went to poll panel with the request in New Delhi. The 61-year-old Sasikala a long-time confidante of former AIADMK supremo and chief minister J Jayalalithaa had been anointed as the late leaders successor by the ruling party and was due to be sworn in last week. But she was pulled into a bruising power struggle by Panneerselvam, who alleged he was forced to resign. Since then, he has been backed by several MPs and MLAs who have switched sides but a majority of the party lawmakers is said to be behind Sasikala. Her hopes were dashed when the Supreme Court sent her to prison for four years in a two-decade-old corruption case, prompting her to name Palaniswami as her successor and brought two nephews into the party who were expelled by Jayalalithaa. The conviction disqualifies her from holding a public office and contesting elections for the next 10 years. She is now lodged in Bengaluru central jail as prisoner number 9324, but political analysts said she would wield the remote control with a proxy heading the government. Panneerselvam, also known as OPS, vowed to free the state from the clutches of Sasikala and her family. We will defeat them in the assembly, he told his supporters outside his home in Chennai. But for now, the initiative appears lost in the rebel camp. Sasikala supporter and senior minister OS Manian was confident that the government would complete its term, a little more than four years to the next assembly elections. Most of the MLAs with OPS will return to us. You wait and see, he said, hinting that the cabinet would be expanded after trust vote. The lawmakers would prefer to complete their term, rather than going for fresh elections without their charismatic leader, Jayalalithaa, and with the burden of an ugly power spat. The fear of facing the ballot will bind the AIADMK legislators, political analysts said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Edapaddi Palaniswami will be sworn in as the new chief minister of Tamil Nadu on Thursday, the Raj Bhavan said, potentially ending a bitter power struggle that had pushed the ruling AIADMK to the verge of a split. He has been asked to prove his majority within 15 days. A Raj Bhavan communique said governor C Vidyasagar Rao has invited Palaniswami, 62, to form the government. AIADMK sources said the swearing is likely at about 5 pm. The governors decision came a day after AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala was sent to jail after the Supreme Court convicted her in a 20-year-old corruption case. The invitation to Palaniswami also dashed the hopes of acting chief minister O Panneerselvam who had launched a high-stakes revolt against Sasikala, just days after resigning as legislature party leader, to pave the way for her to take the top job. The governors decision was announced shortly after he met Palaniswami at the Raj Bhavan. Sources said the governor was convinced by Palaniswamis claim of enjoying the support of 124 MLAs. Palaniswami was elected as the legislature party leader by Sasikala after the top court verdict left her with no other option but surrender which she did in Bengaluru on Wednesday. Sasikala, a former video rental shop owner who became former chief minister J Jayalalithaas most-trusted aide, will serve a four-year sentence. The special envoy to Libya appointed by the Arab League Salah Al-Din Al-Jamali told Al-Ahram on Wednesday that he will visit the war-torn country soon for talks with the Libyas various political rivals. I will visit several cities including Tripoli, Benghazi and Tobruk to support the Arab effort to reach a political solution in Libya, Al-Jamali told Al-Ahram, adding that coordination between Libyas neighbours and other Arab countries should contribute to achieving peace in the country. The Tunisian ambassador Al-Jamali was appointed by the Arab League as its special envoy to Libya in November. Al-Jamali welcomed and praised Egyptian efforts to bridge the gap between the different positions of Libyan factions during meetings held earlier this week in Cairo. Hopefully the pressure by Egypt, Algeria and Tunisia on the brothers in Libya will result in a political solution to end the conflict, as a military solution is not an option, Al-Jamali said. Earlier this week, Cairo witnessed a new round of talks between Libyan political rivals with Egyptian officials above them the president and the Egyptian chief of staff. Talks were held on Monday and Tuesday between the chairman of the Libyan Presidential Council Fayaz Al-Sarraj, who is based in the capital Tripoli in the west of the country and is recognised by the UN as the country's president, and Field Marshall Khalifa Haftar and Parliament Speaker Aguila Saleh, who both represent the House of Representatives in eastern Libya's Tobruk. Over the past months, Cairo has held meetings with different Libyan political factions, where Egypt has stressed the need for a political consensus to end the crisis in the country. In December, Egyptian officials and representatives from multiple Libyan factions issued a declaration of principles and five proposed amendments to the Skhirat agreement during a meeting in Cairo. The December conference concluded by underscoring four main principles to be respected in Libya's transition: the preservation of a united Libyan territory, support for national institutions, non-interference by foreign bodies, and the maintaining of a civil state. Search Keywords: Short link: The Supreme Court on Monday threatened to pass strictures against the Telangana government if it failed to give plausible explanation as to why a man charged with stealing five saris in Hyderabad was detained for a year under a law meant for bootleggers, dacoits, drug offenders and land grabbers. The man, through his wife, had moved the Supreme Court against his illegal detention. Let us say he has stolen one saree, two saree or three sarees. But, for that you arrest a person under prevention detention? What kind of people you are all? This way you will start arresting everybody, said CJI. Shocked at the arrest, a bench headed by Chief Justice JS Khehar said, Preventive detention, for theft of five saris? Should we pass strictures? Whats going on in the state of Telangana? Let us say he has stolen one sari, two saris or three saris. But, for that you put a person under prevention detention? What kind of people you are all? This way you will start arresting everybody, the CJI asked the state counsel. Telangana is a good state, he told the lawyer, giving him two weeks to explain. The accused, Ch Eliah, has been in custody since March 19 last year under the Andhra Pradesh Prevention of Dangerous Activities of Bootleggers, Dacoits, Drug Offenders, Goondas, Immoral Traffic and Land Grabbers Act 1986. As per the law, a habitual offender is kept in custody for a year without any trial after the state advisory board confirms the detention. In his brief submission, Telanaganas counsel said Eliah was involved in three such incidents in a span of six months. The advisory board, headed by a retired judge of the state high court, had approved his detention, he added. Eliah approached the top court after the high court refused to interfere with the boards order. On the lawyers submission that the accused was a habitual offender, the bench noted that none of the FIRs on alleged thefts named Eliah. There were no witnesses who identified him. Yet, on the basis of three verbal FIRs you arrest and detain people? Is there some political rivalry? Whats happening?, the CJI remarked. The Siwan district administration has got down to serious brainstorming after the Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the shifting of incarcerated RJD strongman Md Shahabuddin from Siwan divisional jail to Tihar central jail, like any ordinary prisoner. The challenge, according to police sources, is to maintain law and order in the district and at the same time respect the apex court order to shift Shahabuddin. Though there are over eight trains from Siwan for New Delhi, the administration is still not sure if that would be the best option to shift him. Security was beefed up in Siwan and adjoining areas as soon as the news of the SC order reached the town through electronic media. We may try to shift him overnight so that people dont get a wind of it, else there could be security problems, said a police officer, recalling previous instances when it had become a challenge. When he was taken to All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) New Delhi for treatment, he was taken by Rajdhani Express from Naugachia in Bhagalpur district, but there was huge security arrangement. There were 30 policemen accompanying him, he added. The Siwan police has already enhanced security cover of three vulnerable persons trader Chandrakeshwar Prasad alias Chanda Babu, Asha Ranjan, wife of slain Hindustan journalist Rajdeo Ranjan, and family members of slain Srikant Bharti, former BJP leader. It is alleged that Shahabuddin had a hand in the killing of Chanda Babus three sons, Ranjans husband and Bharti. The Supreme Court passed the order on the petitions of Babu and Ranjan. Siwan SP Saurabh Kumar Sah said, We have alerted all police stations, as it is a high-profile case. Patrolling has been intensified in the district, especially in areas where vulnerable people reside. He directed the SHOs of police stations concerned to be on alert till Shahabuddin was shifted, as the RJD leader was believed to wield a huge clout in the area. Shahabuddin was granted bail after 11 years in prison on September 7, 2016 and was released from Bhagalpur jail on September 10, 2016. However, it created a furore, with the Opposition BJP blaming the Nitish government for facilitating Shahabuddins release under pressure from its ally RJD, but within a few days he was back in prison. Even in prison, his clout remained undiminished, as visitors kept meeting him and there was an uproar when a new profile picture of Shahabuddin went viral on social media, said a police officer. Siwan district magistrate Mahendra Kumar assured prompt compliance on getting the SC order. Meanwhile, three guards have been assigned for the security of Chanda Babu. On Wednesday, additional forces and policemen of Muffasil police station as well as Mahadeva police outpost were also deployed around his residence. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs of India, Vikas Swarup, has been appointed as Indias next High Commissioner to Canada. Swarup has been serving as the spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs since April 2015. Prior to that, he was Joint Secretary incharge of the United Nations Division of the Ministry of External Affairs. An officer of the 1986 batch of the Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Swarup has previously served in Turkey, the United States, Ethiopia, the United Kingdom, South Africa and Japan. He is best known as the author of the novel Q & A, adapted in film as Slumdog Millionaire, the winner of Best Film for the year 2009 at the Academy Awards, Golden Globe Awards and BAFTA Awards. Residents of Govindpura colony have to think twice before venturing out of their homes these days. A stray dog, which has bitten more than 20 people in the locality within a span of just three days, has spread fear in this part of the city. My one-and-a-half-year-old niece was bitten on Wednesday morning. She was playing in front of the house where the black dog bit her. She sustained major injuries on her face and was rushed to the SMS Hospital, said Damodar Sharma, a resident of the colony. When the number of dog bite cases rose rapidly, the residents contacted the Jaipur Municipal Corporation (JMC). I called the JMC control room on Wednesday and they sent a team to catch the dog. But even after trying for almost three hours, they couldnt find the animal, said Rakesh Kumar Sharma, another resident. One reason behind the civic bodys failure to curb the menace is they have no dedicated system to catch stray dogs. We used to catch stray dogs and sterilise them and inject them with anti-rabies vaccine. But it has been a year since the contract for this has expired and since then it hasnt been renewed. At present, we have a staff crunch and dont have adequate facilities to carry out sterilisation and vaccination, said a senior JMC official on condition of anonymity. The JMC used to pay the contract between 500 and 600 for catching a dog and sterilising and vaccinating them. After a dog is caught, its taken to a dog house for sterilisation and vaccination. After the process is complete, the animal is released in the same locality. The three people who had come from JMC couldnt find the dog as it possibly was hiding in a wheat field next to the colony. a few hours after they left, it came back and bit three more people, said Vishnu Sharma, another resident. Many of the victims are children who were playing outside their homes. After receiving the complaint, we had sent a three-member team to catch the dog but they couldnt find the animal. Locals have said that they will inform us once they spot the dog again so that we can take action, said Moinuddin Khan, in-charge of the dog house run by JMC. Veterinarian Tapesh Mathur thinks that the dog might be injured or suffering from an infection to demonstrate such violence. Generally, stray dogs dont bite people and in most such cases there are specific reasons behind their actions. If the dog is suffering from an infection such as tick and rabies, it might bite people. In this case, the dog has bitten more than 20 people so there is enough reason to suspect rabies, he said. Mathur added that if a dog is teased or attacked, it might develop a habit of biting people. A ban on tobacco in Rajasthan will be a stupid decision because it will cause revenue loss, state health minister Kali Charan Saraf said on Thursday, drawing flak from activists. Ruling out tobacco ban in the state, Saraf said, If ban has to be imposed, then it should be done at the country level. He was replying to reporters questions after a meeting with a Sri Lankan delegation, which is in the state to study the implementation of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003. According to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey 2010, tobacco use causes one million deaths in India every year, which means 2200 deaths in a day. In Rajasthan, 50,000 deaths are attributed to tobacco use every year -- 136 deaths every day. Anti-tobacco activists fumed over the ministers statement. I really pity him and do not feel angry, as the minister does not know what he is saying, said Dharamveer Katewa, secretary of the Indian Asthma Care Society. If he is talking about revenue loss by banning tobacco, then he should know that 1160 crore is spent on treating diseases caused by tobacco use. By banning tobacco, minister can save peoples expenses on tobacco, treatment of tobacco-related diseases and, importantly, the families from losing their members, he said. The minister should not give an irresponsible statement sitting on a responsible position. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Virendra Singh said Rajasthan was the first state to ban gutka and got the Centres praise for steps to curb tobacco use. Banning tobacco is the most effective way to prevent cancer and it should be done in view of increasing head and neck cancers and the resulting deaths, said Pawan Singhal, patron of the Voice of Tobacco Victims. If the government cannot ban tobacco, then it should impose heavy taxes on it, which will discourage its consumption and the government will earn more revenue. Running Shaadi Cast: Amit Sadh, Taapsee Pannu, Arsh Bajwa Director: Amit Roy Rating: 2/5 The name of Runningshaadi.com was changed to Running Shaadi when a matrimonial site objected to the films title. The makers probably didnt realise how much it would eventually hurt the films flow. It feels like a party pooper and ruins the viewer experience every time the word .com is bleeped. But this isnt the only flaw that dogs Running Shaadi. After he gets fired from his job, Bharose (Amit Sadh), a Bihari migrant in Amritsar, zeroes in on the idea of opening a website where he can help lovers elope and get married. His close friend Cyber (Arsh Bajwa) fuels his ambitions and his former boss daughter Nimmi (Taapsee Pannu) lends her credit card to buy a domain name. It was supposed to turn into a mad caper from here on, but a clogged screenplay reduces it to an average fare with occasional comic relief. What begins in Punjab and looks like a subtle film about the problems faced by a migrant ends up travelling to Bihar where loud actors and forced scenes expend most of the novelty. Running Shaadi has a strong female protagonist. Bharoses role initially evokes sympathy because he is trying to make it big as an underdog in an alien land. Casual chemistry between Bharose and Nimmi also works fine as an idea. At least, Nimmi is someone who is not judgmental. The best thing about Running Shaadi is that characters seem to rise above the boundaries of caste and creed. Though Amit Sadh keeps faltering in switching accents and Taapsee Pannu talks like Bollywoods now stereotyped Punjabi girl, their characters have been written with some depth. Amit Sadh fails to switch between accents. Taapsees character is unapologetic about her body and desires. She buys condoms and has an opinion about abortion and love, something Bollywood shies away from showing because it still wants its heroines in a particular mould which suits the family audience. Similarly, Amit Sadhs Bharose shows a progressive attitude, but remains rooted. A mixture of what we are and what we want. But the second half of the film gets bogged down by an influx of an army of actors with distinct traits. Led by Sinha Jee (Pankaj Jha), these actors talk in many dialects including Maithili, Bhojpuri and chaste Hindi. As parts of a well-knit Bihari society, they churn out some intriguing moments, but fail to do it seamlessly. Director Amit Roy may have unnecessarily stretched the film to 114 minutes. Running Shaadi has its moments, but they are too few to keep you engrossed. Interact with Rohit Vats at Twitter/@nawabjha ott:10:ht-entertainment_listing-desktop SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Four days to go for the civic polls in Mumbai, and more than 11 lakh Mumbaiites have pledged to vote on February 21, under a campaign initiated by the Maharashtra State Election Commissioner (SEC) and NGOs. The campaign asked citizens to give a missed call and pledge to vote. Citizens can still do so on: 9029901901. Ruben Mascarenhas, the CEO (operations) from Operation Black Dot, an NGO working with the SEC, said the numbers were a good start. People have taken the first step, which is good news. The numbers are only going to increase. Apart from the SEC campaign, an initiative run by college students has also got a decent response. Vote for Mumbai, a social-media campaign by youngsters includes an event page on Facebook, where 1,700-2,000 citizens pledged to vote. Following a massive voters induction drive in 2016, 2.39 lakh new voters registered themselves in the city, taking the count to 91,80,635, out of a population of 1.24 crore. But while more than 70% of the citizens are registered voters, turnouts in Mumbai have remained poor over the years not crossing even the 50%-mark. The voter turnout is an important factor to decide who will rule the countrys richest civic body. The BMC and SEC are leaving no stone unturned to spread awareness. Apart from roping in more than 100 colleges, the SEC has also created a chatbot, is running campaigns on social media and reaching out to housing societies. Various NGOs are also running campaigns to increase voter awareness. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Bombay high court on Thursday said that in the case of adopted children, the names of their adopted fathers cannot replace that of the biological fathers in their birth records on the basis of only a registered adoption deed. The division bench of Justice Abhay Oka and Justice Anuja Prabhudessai said that the change cannot be made unless the registered adoption deed is accompanied by an order of a competent court. The consequences of allowing deletion of the biological fathers name and replacing it by the adoptive fathers in the record of birth of a child, without order of a competent court would be disastrous, said the bench. The court was hearing a petition filed by a couple from Mira Road, mother of a 13-year-old girl and her second husband. The woman and her first husband, the biological father of the girl, got a divorce and the permanent custody of the child was granted to the mother. She later remarried and her husband adopted the child while the biological father of the girl was a party to the adoption deed. The couple got it registered and on the basis of the registered adoption deed sought a change in their daughters birth record. They approached the high court after the local deputy registrar of births and deaths rejected their plea in August 2016. Advocate Archit Jaykar, who represented the petitioners, argued that the deputy registrar should not have rejected the application on the basis of registered adoption deed. In support of his contention, Jaykar pointed out section 16 of the Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956 which lays down what whenever any registered document is presented before a court, the court should presume that the adoption is done in accordance with provisions of the Act. The judges, however, rejected the contention observing that section 16 lays down a rule of evidence and the presumption will be available only when the document is placed before a court of law. Registrar of births and deaths is not a court and cannot adjudicate whether the adoption is legal or not, the bench said rejecting the petition. The judges also expressed doubts as to whether changes such as altogether deleting names of biological fathers of adopted children and replacing it with their adoptive ones can at all be made in the birth record, as it will be contrary to the purpose for which record is created. They, however, clarified that they have not dealt with this aspect of the matter, and the registrar of births and deaths is bound to make appropriate changes in birth record in accordance with order of a competent court, if any such order is issued and produced before them. Also read: HC directs state to list steps taken to rehabilitate Victoria owners Unidentified persons on Thursday smashed the windscreen of BJP MP and actor Manoj Tiwaris car in Mumbai, and warned him to stay away from campaigning in the city, a party leader said. The incident took place around 5pm when Tiwari, the Delhi BJP chief, was about to leave his house in suburban Andheri, said Amarjeet Mishra, general secretary of Mumbai BJP. A stone was hurled at his car, followed by a piece of paper tied to another stone. On the paper, it was written Abhi to kanch toda hai, jyada prachar karoge to muh tod denge (now its only windscreen, if you campaign further we will smash up your face), Mishra said. An FIR would be registered regarding the incident, he said, adding that people of the city would teach a lesson on polling day to those who were behind the attack. Civic polls will be held in Mumbai on February 21. Tiwari, the Lok Sabha member from Delhi North-East, is holding campaign rallies to woo the citys sizable north Indian community. Mishra also said, without naming any party, that the attack showed fear and anxiety in the opposition camp. Referring to the incident at a rally in suburban Sakinaka later in the evening, Tiwari said, I am a soldier of Narendra Modi army. I am not going to be deterred in anyway. With voter turnout traditionally low in Mumbai, a not-for-profit organisation, Mumbai First, along with the state election commission (SEC) looks to do its bit to increase it on February 21 polling day. As part of its Vote4Mumbai campaign, the NGO has roped in corporate houses who will ask their employees to vote and also create a competition around it. First, the organisation will record the number of registered voters in each team of a company. A circular will be sent out in the company, giving employees two hours in the morning of February 21 or their evenings free, even re-scheduling their meetings. On February 22, the employees come back to the organisation and report if they have voted. Mumbai First has asked organisations to hold employees accountable if they fail to vote. The organisations have also announced incentives for teams who register a 100% turnout from their team. The challenge is created for individuals, housing societies and colleges. Around 100 institutions are participating in the challenge, including the Mahindra group, ICICI bank, Vodafone, Godrej, Reliance, Paytm among others. We have not stopped at just asking people to pledge that they will vote. Organisations with the highest percentage of voters stands to be invited to chalk out Mumbais development map, said Shishir Joshi, Mumbai First. The voter turnout during the civic elections has not been more than 44% over the past many years. A ward, known for its active citizen participation and comprises areas like Colaba, Churchgate and CST, registered the lowest voting turnout during the 2012 civic polls. Of the 24 administrative wards, A ward saw its voting percentage for the 2012 polls at 34.10% . While there were 1.54 lakh voters, only 52,628 turned up at voting booths. As all the major parties are contesting separately. the voter turnout will be an important factor to decide who will rule the countrys richest civic body. At present, 4,12,738 individuals have pledged to vote on Vote4Mumbai website. Whats the plan? As part of its Vote4Mumbai campaign, Mumbai First, an NGO, has roped in corporate houses who will ask their employees to vote and also create a competition around it. How? First, the organisation will record the number of registered voters in each team of a company. A circular will be sent out in the company, giving employees two hours in the morning of February 21 or their evenings free, even re-scheduling their meetings On February 22, the employees come back to the organisation and report if they have voted The organisations have also announced incentives for teams who register a 100% turnout from their team. Around 100 institutions are participating in the initiative, including the Mahindra group, ICICI bank, Vodafone, Godrej, Reliance, Paytm among others Read: BMC Polls: Maharashtra government declares holiday on February 21 In the city of Tata and Godrej, theres no Parsi in BMC poll fray Cartoon shorts, comic strips to help BJP reach out to Mumbai voters on Facebook, Twitter SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Syrian President Bashar Assad lashed out at his French counterpart on Thursday, accusing Francois Hollande of sponsoring terror in Syria and encouraging Western nations to reset their relations with his pariah government, after six years of civil war. The comments, which came in an interview with to French media outlets Europe 1 and TF1, were the latest in a string of Assad's public remarks aimed at revamping his image in the West in the wake of military victories on the ground in Syria. In the interview, Assad said the French president's policy is tantamount to "supporting terrorists" in Syria, adding that he would prefer someone who is "not a warmonger" to be the next French president. Assad's government has labelled all armed opposition to his rule including the Western-backed rebels as "terrorists." French voters are going to the polls to elect a new president on April 23. Outgoing Hollande maintained former President Nikolas Sarkozy's position to support Syria's 2011 uprising against the Assad family rule. The revolt descended into all-out civil war, sparked by the government's brutal crackdown on demonstrations. Hollande pushed hard for an international intervention in 2013, after more than 1,000 people were killed in a sarin gas attack in a Damascus suburb. Several Western nations and human rights groups subsequently accused Assad's government of carrying out the attack. Hollande argued that Assad's unchecked brutality fostered terror in the region. France subsequently suffered from a number of attacks claimed by the Islamic State group, including the horrific multi-pronged Paris attack in November 2015 that killed over 100 people. The intervention ultimately failed to materialize, with U.S. President Barack Obama securing a guarantee from Assad's sponsor Russia that Damascus would give up its chemical weapons stockpiles. In the interview, which aired on Thursday, Assad took particular issue with Hollande's ardor for a military intervention in Syria. "Hollande himself said it was a mistake not to launch a war in 2013," Assad said. The interview comes on the heels of Assad's remarks last week to Yahoo News, in which the Syrian president said he would welcome U.S. troops on the ground in Syria, to join the battle against "terrorists" as long as it is in cooperation with his government and respects his country's sovereignty. Syria's six-year civil war has killed more than 300,000 people and displaced half the country's population. The country is shattered and the chaos has enabled the rise of the Islamic State group, which has managed to seize a substantial chunk of Syrian territory for its self-styled caliphate. Search Keywords: Short link: Taking a cue from iconic Hollywood studio Metro-Goldwyn-Mayers mascot, Leo (the roaring lion that preceded several cartoons and films) and replacing it with a tiger, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has released its own Khau Sena cartoon shorts for the upcoming Mumbai civic polls. The Khau Sena (corrupt Sena) series that takes a dig at friend-turned-foe Shiv Senas alleged corruption in the Mumbai civic body, is a part of the partys online arsenal for these elections. The series launched unofficially by BJP workers (read the party) features senior and junior tiger, indicating without naming Uddhav and Aditya Thackeray and takes on Senas mismanagement and corruption in BMC. All these video clips make fun of the Senas mascot, tiger, who is shown taking bribes, filling potholes, conniving with corrupt engineers, losing money post demonetisation and taking hafta (extortion). This is just one among the several social media series, currently released by the BJP on its many poll-related Twitter handles, Facebook pages, You tube, and WhatsApp groups. Some of the other official and not-below-the belt series include a series titled Ata Parivartan Honarch (Change is now Inevitable), Our CM, our hero, Chanakya talks. Our campaigns focus on chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, development and the massive corruption in the BMC. In one of the series, on change, we have tried to bring to the fore concerns and the helplessness of common citizens over the state of Mumbai. Our themes range from desilting to bad roads and poor services. The idea is to connect with citizens, especially the youth and conve our message to them, said a member of the BJPs in-house social media cell, which has designed all of these series. The Our CM, our hero series, which is still relatively new is in the form of comic strips that takes inspiration from Fadnavis performance. So, Operation Jaldoot of this series, talks of how Fadnavis got water to Latur via a train with the inspiration clearly from the Bal Narendra strip that tells childhood stories of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The series also has sound bites from residents, who talk about the BJPs governance. The Chanakya series features actor Manoj Joshi, who also acted in the TV serial on Chanakya, talking about the Fadnavis governments transparency agenda. So, even as a high-decibel campaign is played out in rallies every day, the BJP has also taken the battle to the virtual world. And, while the verdict is still out on how it will win the battle for Mumbai, the social media round seems to have to gone to the BJP. The opposition parties, Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) seem to be struggling with their social media campaigns. And, the Sena, which had initially taken the lead on social media campaigning is now largely focusing on mainstream campaigns, billboards and attacking the BJPs online campaigns with its support base on social media. With reach of mobile phones in Maharashtra highest in the country (92,761 cell phones per 1 lakh people and 4.30 crore people with an internet subscription), virtual campaigns are expected to gain as much if not more traction as mainstream media, at least with youngsters in the state. Thats also why the partys social media cell is reaching out to all of its nearly 2,000 candidates contesting the upcoming civic polls, including in ten big cities and 25 district councils that will also go to polls next week. We are offering social media assistance to all our candidates, so this includes ready-to-use templates of posters, campaign material that can be tweaked with their photographs in their constituencies, besides video clips. We are also sending out CMs direct video messages to them if they have not be able to reach out to him, said another senior BJP functionary, working with the cell. Read Armed with PhDs, these BMC poll candidates throw in their hats SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Shiv Sena-BJPs 20-year reign over the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) was solely responsible for the pathetic condition of Munbais infrastructure,Congress MP from Guna, Madhya Pradesh, Jyotiraditya Scindia said on Thursday. Scindia said Mumbai has the potential to become a world-class city, but the saffron alliance, responsible for corruption and scams, lost the opportunity. Scindia was part of a road show across the areas of Sagbaug Naka, Marol Maroshi, JB Nagar and Jogeshwari for the Congress candidates contesting the polls on February 21. During the rally, he said the Modi-government had made life of the common people miserable by announcing demonetisation, and the BJP-led Maharashtra government was acting against the poor. Scindia said the government had demolished many slums in the city and taken action against hawkers. Had the Sena-BJP used the huge funds available to it for the development of the city, it (Mumbai) would have been among the most beautiful cities in the world, but they were involved in the misuse of the funds of the cash-rich civic body, he said. Scindia said while the saffron partners were resorting to fake tussles during the election, the Congress has the potential to provide the city with efficient rule in the civic body of Mumbai. The partys national spokesperson, Manish Tewari, while addressing a press conference in Mumbai on Thursday, claimed the Congress effectively drove the growth engine of Mumbai during its regime, by bringing in the Monorail and Metro rail projects and constructing the Eastern freeway, among other infrastructure projects. He called the 20-year rule of the Sena-BJP a sorry tale, and alleged the BJP has been pumping in money for its candidates in the fray illegally. Will bitter BMC elections lead to a better Mumbai? In the city of Tata and Godrej, theres no Parsi in BMC poll fray SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A father-son duo was recently arrested from Indore by the Economic Offences Wing for allegedly duping more than 18,000 investors from all over the country of Rs172 crore on the pretext of creating fixed deposit accounts. The EOW has attached their properties to recover the money. The arrested accused, identified as Shashikant Patel, 73, and his son Chirag Patel, 44, are directors of Plethico Pharmaceutical Ltd, an Indore-based company that is listed in NSE and BSE. In 2011, 2012 and 2013 they took fixed deposits from people to the tune of Rs172 crore. After 2013, they did not return the principal amount with interest. The duo had promised an interest of 11% to 12.75% on the principal amount but they used the money as capital for their business. A source said that out of the 18,455 investors, the medicine manufacturers duped from the country, 7,000 were from Maharashtra. The duo faced heavy losses in their business and could not repay the money as promised. The investors waited for two years but when they realized that they will not get the money back they decided to take the legal recourse. In October 2015, they approached the MIDC police station and registered an FIR under IPC sections of cheating and criminal breach of trust and relevant sections of Maharashtra Protection of Interest of Depositors (MPID) Act. About 130 investors have come forward. The duo was arrested last week and produced before a sessions court that remanded them in police custody. They were granted bail by a court on Thursday and will be released from Arthur Road jail on Friday. Their two plants in Indore and a flat in Santacruz have been attached. READ MORE EOW arrests Mumbai builder for cheating business partner EOW arrests real estate developer for cheating, forgery in Mumbai The second phase of placements at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT-B) is underway, but seems to be going at a slow pace. A total of 11 companies have visited the campus in the last three weeks, of which nine have offered jobs to 33 students. Two of them have not hired anyone. Like every year, the second round of placements will go on till July . We have confirmation from another 20 companies, especially from core sectors like the chemical industry. We are also approaching other PSUs to see if they are up for interviews for the second phase, said an official from the IIT-B placement team. These companies are offering jobs in a variety of fields, including software, digital solutions and technology services, automotive industry, financial consultancy as well as public sector undertakings (PSUs). Companies like Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) have offered five jobs each in the second phase as of now, and students are hoping to see more PSUs show up on campus with job offers. PSUs are also offering very good packages to students, so many are keen on joining, said a student who did not wish to be named. Last year, PSUs had re-entered IIT placements, after the Madras high court ordered a stay on them hiring from private institutes. While they were missing from the first phase of placements in December 2015, the second phase saw three companies, including Coal India and HPCL, offering over 20 jobs to students with base salaries of Rs10 lakh to Rs12 lakh per annum. Placements in the second phase at IITs across the country takes place at a slow pace and this year is no different. While the number of companies confirming their presence is less as of now, we are expecting it to rise by March, said a senior professor from IIT-B. Last year, the second phase that started in February, went all the way to July 20, 2016, where over 80 companies had found their way into the campus and offered 128 jobs. Students from the placement committee at IIT-B are hoping to see over 50 other companies visit the campus again this year to offer jobs in the second phase. More than 1,500 students had registered for placements in 2016-17 at IIT-B, of which 1,013 were offered jobs in the first phase (plus pre-placement offers). The rest are hopeful of bagging offers in the second phase. BOX: Placements at IIT-BPhase II:- *11 companies have already visited the campus out of which nine companies have offered 33 jobs *Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) like IOCL and HPCL have offered five jobs each in the second phase *Technology consultancy firm Capgemini has offered jobs to 12 students, highest from a single company as yet, in the second phase *Close to 20 other companies have already confirmed their presence in the second phase Also read: Money alloted in budget not sufficient, say IIT Bombay officials SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON An 18-year-old man was arrested for allegedly uploading an obscene video and nude pictures of his 17-year-old girlfriend on social media after she refused to give into to his demands. Cops said the accused and the victim were in a relationship for the last few years. On December 27,the accused took her to a lodge in Central Mumbai on the pretext of having a party. Here, he spiked her drink and raped her. He also recorded a video and clicked her nude photos. A police officer said, The accused once again forced her to come with him to the lodge. Realising that he was trying to exploit her, the girl tried to snap all ties with him. When she refused to go with him, he showed her the video and the photos, and threatened to post them on social media. Cops said the accused then raped her twice in the same lodge on January 2 and 13. However, he circulated a minute-long video and the photos on WhatsApp after the girl refused to give into his demands. He also uploaded them on Facebook after creating a fake profile in her name. The girl immediately informed her parents after learning about the fake profile on February 13. She also discovered that the accused had allegedly shown the content to his friends before uploading it on social media. The parents then approached the police and filed a complaint on February 14, based on which the accused was booked under sections 376 (rape), 506 (criminal intimidation), 328 (causing hurt by means of poison with intent to commit an offence) of the India penal Code and under relevant sections of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act . The accused was traced and arrested the same day. An officer said, He was arrested and produced in the sessions court, which remanded him in police custody till 20 February. The girl comes from a poor family and her father is a labourer. She has four siblings. The National Investigating Agency (NIA) on Thursday told the Bombay high court that the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squads (ATS) probe into the 2008 Malegaon blasts case was incoherent and riddled with gaps or loopholes. NIAs counsel Sandesh Patil told the court that though the ATS theory of terrorism was correct, its probe wasnt conducted properly. It was not coherent and thus, we (NIA) tried to fill those gaps when we took over the probe. We couldnt accept the ATS probe report as it was. Advocate Patil was responding to the courts query on the need to re-examine ATS witnesses when it took over the investigation on the Centres directive. He said that the NIA had re-examined 504 witnesses, of which 149 were new witnesses. A bench of Justices Ranjit More and Shalini Phansalkar-Joshi had asked the NIA whether it conducted a fresh investigation under the pretext of carrying out further probe or not. As per law, only a high court or the apex court has the power to order a fresh investigation in a case before or after the charge sheet is filed and the central government can only order a more detailed probe into a case. The court was hearing a plea filed by Shrikant Purohit, an accused in the case, challenging a lower court order rejecting his bail. Purohit has sought bail on the grounds that he has been in custody for eight years, and that the investigative agency did not secure proper sanction for prosecution under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). Purohit argued that at the time of his arrest, the UAPA mandated that the investigative agency must secure a sanction from the central government and not the state government for the prosecution of an accused person under UAPA. Patil, however, told the court that the state government was well within its powers to issue a sanction. He also argued that there was no denying the fact that NIA had a sanction. However, whether or not it was from the appropriate authority, can be tested only at the time of trial and not at the time of bail. The NIA is likely to conclude its arguments in the case on Friday. Also read: 2008 Malegaon blasts: Witness claims ATS tortured him, others SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Change begins with one person, and Palghar-based Shailesh Bhatt took this seriously when he decided to take it upon himself to provide better security to the people in his area. Armed with a few powerful searchlights, Bhatt, 45, a contractor, patrols the streets of Palghar from midnight to dawn everyday the past decade to alert police on suspicious activities and protect the residents. For these efforts, Prashant Burdhe, Inspector General (IG), Konkan Range recently felicitated him with a certificate of appreciation. Bhatt has helped Palghar police tackle hundreds of crime, including a daylight bank heist, cattle theft, kidnapping and other cases. Being victimsed himself, was what motivated Bhatt to help others. He was a victim of a dacoity in December 2007 when he was waylaid by thugs on a bike and assaulted. That is when I decided to help the police in tackling crime.At that time, police patrolling was not much in the interiors of the city, and so I decided to take up the job of night patrolling and got permission from the then DSP, Thane Rural, Virendra Mishra, said Bhatt. I usually start patrolling the area around midnight and continue till the first Virar-Surat shuttle arrives at Palghar, at around 4.30am, he added. He sleeps for a few hours to do his main job as he professionally provides labourers to industrial units in Palghar and Boisar. I always carry a kit with different sizes of searchlights (each costing a minimum Rs4,000), a long rope, life jacket and other equipments. If any person needs help, my kit is ready, he said. Sharda Raut, SP, Palghar is all praises for Bhatt and has appreciated his efforts in detecting crime. In fact, we have given him permission to accompany the Palghar police team on night patrol duty, said Raut. This is one way Bhatt can live his childhood dream of becoming a police officer that he remained unfulfilled. The State Election Commission (SEC) declared 74 polling stations in Chembur as sensitive prone to law and order situation. Similarly, 58 sensitive polling station were earmarked in Govandi and Deonar. The SEC also identified 17 hypersensitive areas in south Mumbai, where extra security forces will be deployed on February 21 the voting day. A total of 630 polling areas across Mumbai have been declared sensitive by the SEC. While 613 polling booths are likely to be exposed to malpractices, police and SEC vigil will be higher at the 17 hypersensitive polling stations. After a lengthy exercise of analysing the past incidents of bogus voting, rioting or any unlawful incident on voting day was carried out by the returning officers appointed across the 24 administrative wards, for which help was sought from the police department. There are a total of 7,304 polling stations that are set up across 1,300-odd polling locations. The election proceedings in BMC wards A to E, comprising areas such as Colaba, CST, Masjid Bunder, Malabar Hill, Byculla and Tardeo, are handled by the returning officers appointed by the SEC. It is these officers that have asked for extra police personnel be deployed in these areas, as the hyper sensitive and sensitive wards are listed in these wards. A civic official, associated with the election department, said, The areas where law and order situation can arise on the basis of the history of the polling station are usually guarded by the additional police personnel. In addition, SEC will also be deploying 750 BEST buses on election duty, along with 290 mini and regular private buses. It also plans to hire 3,052 taxis, of which 1,375 alone will be used February 21. The hired vehicles will be used for transporting election material and ferrying officials. Also read: Mumbai civic polls: Corruption rules these leaders out, but families take their place SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON It took time for people to digest that I am a Shiv Sena candidate now, said Mukesh Karia, the partys only Gujarati face in Mulund, an area dominated by the community. Karia is among the dozen Gujarati faces the Sena is fielding this time to retain control of some key wards that have so far been BJP strongholds. The party has roped in old-timers, newcomers and former BJP leaders, all to woo the Gujaratis. But whats causing this frenzy? Until this year, the Sena left most Gujarati, Marwadi and Jain areas to its former ally in the civic body, the BJP. Contesting for the first time in over two decades without its partner, the Gujarati vote will be crucial to both parties with 15 lakh Gujarati voters in Mumbai, the community is bound to tilt the scales. The Sena is also hoping to cash in on the resentment among the citys traders over the BJP-led Centres demonetisation decision. Karia will fight BJP MP Kirit Somaiyas son Neil from ward 108. A former BJP functionary, Karia moved to the Sena recently after the BJP ticket was given to Neil. It took some time for the Gujarati supporters to accept that I am now a Sena candidate, but I have been in this ward for 48 years. The people know me well, he said. Karia said while the ward is known to be dominated by Gujaratis, ward 108 has 18,000 Maharashtrian voters, only 7,000 Gujarati voters. Another candidate, Biren D. Limbachiya, said PM Narendra Modis demonetisation move not only hurt the trader community, but affected everybody adversely. The demonetisation issue alone will play a role in the elections as the people are still licking the demonetisation wound. In the past two-and-a-half years, the BJP government has disappointed people thrice. The jeweller (Soni) community faced harassment after the government proposed excise duty on non-silver jewellery, and they went on a stir for 45 days. Then, because of demonetisation, several people were harassed at the hands of I-T officials. It was an ill-planned move, The community is deeply hurt, the businessman-turned-politician said. The Sena also parachuted Patidar community leader Hardik Patel last week to woo Gujarati voters. Patel campaigned for Limbachiya in ward 55, which comprises Jawahar Nagar, Unnat Nagar, MG Road, Shashtri Nagar and areas of Goregaon (West). Limbachiyas ward has traditionally been a Sena stronghold. He said, Of the total 54,870 voters, there are 22,000 Gujaratis and 18,000 Marathi voters in the ward. So, its a good mix. Sena candidate Mangal Bhanushali is another former BJP member. Bhanushali was heading the Gujarati cell for the BJP until recently. He will contest from Ghatkopar, ward 131. Gujaratis can never forget the Sena protected them during riots. They also respect Balasaheb Thackerays ideology, he said. A former corporator, Bhanushali will fight BJP heavyweight Bhalchandra Shirsat. In my ward, 55% are Marathi voters, only 35% are Gujarati voters, Bhanushali added. First-time candidate Jayshree Anil Mistry from ward 21 (Charkop/R-South), said the Sena was synonymous with BMC. Her party, Mistry said, has an edge over BJP as it has a strong base. The Sena has a strong presence at the grassroots. Not just Marathi leaders, there have been many Gujarati leaders in the shakhas for many years. I am sure the community will rally around me, said Mistry, who was a school teacher. The 58-year-old candidate said there are 10,000 Gujarati voters in her ward, which covers Poisar, Charkop in Kandivli. READ MORE Pawar, Uddhav fuel talk on fate of Fadnavis govt Over the next week, assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh and elsewhere are also-rans as Mumbai elects its next municipal corporation. The magnificent Gothic building in Sobo, where the BMC is headquartered, will be the focus of attention. Given its Rs35,000 crore budget more than that of most states the BMC, is the richest civic body in the country. Not just that, whichever party wins these elections virtually has the run of the city. This in turn allows it greater leverage in state affairs, so its a real big deal. And the battle this time is intense. Driving into the city from the airport on Thursday, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis popped up every now and then on hoardings, exhorting Mumbaikars to vote for his party. The BJPs adversaries have been less in-your-face, but the attempt to reach out to voters has been no less robust. This is particularly true of the Shiv Sena. Apart from high decibel public meetings and editorials in its mouthpiece Saamana, it came out with an eight-page supplement on Thursday extolling its own work in the corporation. A footnote on the last page of the supplement caught my attention: It said 2,00,000 copies were printed, which is a heck of a big print run in these times and shows the Shiv Sena has pulled out all stops to retain pole position in the BMC. In the past couple of weeks since the BJP and Shiv Sena decided to part ways, their bitter battle has held centre-stage: covered with dollops of irony as they remain allies still at the state and the Centre. The two parties have run the BMC together for three consecutive terms but have split for this election after protracted bickering that saw claims and counterclaims of unexpected and extreme hostility. The BJPs main plank has been ridding the BMC of corruption. Initially this seemed like an oblique way of keeping the Shiv Sena in check where sharing of seats is concerned, but soon it became no holds barred. The Sena, on the other hand, has run a long and intriguing campaign against the BJP, against chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and extended this even to prime minister Narendra Modi. Party chief Uddhav Thackeray, his son Aaditya and Saamana have been scathing about demonetisation, non-return of black money etc which have got more traction than sanitation, garbage and roads. Interestingly, the Sena is putting up several Gujarati candidates rather than only Marathi manoos and also appears to be tweaking its idea of what makes a son of the soil to be seen as more inclusive. Now this also means someone who has lived in Maharashtra and worked for Maharashtra, not just a Maharashtrian by birth. Whether this is a radical policy change or mere political expediency remains to be seen. Given the overall tenor of campaigning, it never ceases to amaze me how at election time (at all levels) parties dole out all kinds of promises and freebies. Whoever says that India is a poor country if so much money is so readily available! All told, this seems a municipal election being fought with a national perspective. For Maharashtras politicians, in many ways it is a pointer to the next assembly elections, possibly also a forerunner to general elections. It would be imprudent to say that BMC elections are essentially restricted to two parties. Poll predictions are hazardous and best left to those intrepid enough to risk foot-in-mouth consequences. A wag told me, facetiously, that the best time to hold municipal elections in Mumbai would be one month into the monsoon. The reason is obvious: the only time Mumbaikars remember that the BMC is in charge of roads is when the roads become potholes. But that age-old apathy needs to be shrugged off. For the citys denizens, this is an opportunity to push for better facilities from the municipal corporation. This is possible through study and analyses of candidates and post elections holding them to their promise. Between these two activities, of course, comes the most crucial one. Casting the vote. We must. Read: BMC polls: BJP, Congress summon national leaders to promote candidates in Mumbai In the city of Tata and Godrej, theres no Parsi in BMC poll fray Cartoon shorts, comic strips to help BJP reach out to Mumbai voters on Facebook, Twitter In Mumbai: HSC exams clash with Maratha morcha, students worried A Swedish court has sentenced a Syrian man to life imprisonment for participation in the 2012 mass execution of seven government troops in Syria. The Stockholm District Court ruled that 46-year-old asylum-seeker Haisam Omar Sakhanh joined the armed group Suleiman Company in early May 2012, and shot a person dead with an assault rifle. In its Thursday ruling, the court said Sakhanh said he had been ordered to do so by a superior, which the court rejected. Judge Tomas Zander said the victim, who was not identified, was shot dead along with six others "under particularly cruel circumstances." Sakhanh had sought asylum in Sweden in 2013 and has been held in pre-trial custody since March. Search Keywords: Short link: A youth from Sindhudurg district was arrested when he was about to sell the skin of a barking deer worth Rs1 lakh at Mumbra in Thane on Thursday. The accused, identified as Sangam Sakharam Ghogre, 20, is a resident of Kudal village in Sindhudurg district. As per police officers, during the investigation, they found that Ghogre had come to Thane through train and then he travelled to Mumbra to look for a prospective buyer for the animal skin. He kept the selling price at Rs50,000 but the actual market value is more than Rs1 lakh, said a police officer from Mumbra police station. Senior police inspector from Mumbra police station R Tayade said, We rushed to a sport near railway tracks in Diva soon after we got a tip off about Ghogre. He was there calling out passers-by to make a sale around 1am. We caught him and found two barking deers skin packed in a plastic bag with him. We have arrested the youth and remanded him in police custody. When questioned about the skin, he said that he had hunted the deer down in a forest. said deputy commisioner of police from zone -1, Abhishek Trimukhe while adding that they also seized the skulls of the deer. We are investigating the matter in Sindhudurg to know if he had hunted the animals or someone had handed the skin over to him, added Trimukhe. The skin will be sent to forensic lab and the forest department was alerted soon after the seizure. Ichchant Kambli, range forest officer from Thane, said, It seems to be the skin of barking deer and we are investigating the case. Its a schedule -3 species, we want police to tell us the exact location so that we can investigate more on this case and know if there is a supplier or hunter in that area or someone running a racket. Read: Wild animal skin smuggling racket busted in MP Tiger skin, Rs 2 crore in cash seized from Assam forest officials house SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested a close confidante of Zakir Naik, Aamir Gazdar, on Thursday under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Gazdars arrest is the first in the case and he has apparently been in constant touch with the televangelist even after Naik fled the country. ED sources stated that Gazdar, 55, managed the transaction of illegal cash for Naik. A lot of the money that came to India from abroad was managed by Gazdar. He has been actively involved with Naik. He pretended to be the director of six firms that were used as dummy companies, said a senior ED officer. Investigations revealed that Gazdar was constantly in touch with Naik even after the latter fled the country, said sources. He has been arrested but he is not co-operating with the probe, said the senior officer. Gazdar will be produced before a special PMLA court on Friday. The central agency has filed an enforcement case information report (ECIR) against Naik. The agency is probing whether his funds came from those who were inspired by his speeches or not. Gazdar also hold 10% shares in Longlast construction, the firm that was used to purchase several properties in the country. Ninety percent of its shares are owned by Naiks sister Nailah Noorani, said the officer. After a ban on the foundation, the NIA registered a case against Naik and the IRF on charges of inciting Muslim youth to indulge in violence and promoting enmity on the basis of religion and race. The FIR has accused him of delivering speeches that spread communal harmony. The agency also charged Naik with indulging in activities that are prejudicial to national integration. Naik has not been in the country ever since reports emerged that his sermons influenced a few of the Bangladeshi attackers who targeted an eatery in Dhaka on July 1. Bangladesh has banned Naiks Peace TV stating that it incited the attack in which 22 people were gunned down. Also read: Money laundering: ED issues fresh summons to Zakir Naik SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Twelve-year-old Archie Yadav who went missing from her Indirapuram residence on February 13 has been traced to Dharamsala in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. The police said they got a call from their Dharamsala counterparts after they found the girl on Thursday evening. The girl has been traced to Dharamsala and we have despatched our teams to bring her back. Women constables are also accompanying the team and the girl is safe. Once we bring her back, she will be able to tell us about the incident, Salmantaj Patil, officiating senior superintendent of police, Ghaziabad, said. According to the police, the girl was spotted by a person in a bus stand, who then informed the local police. The police questioned the girl and she said that she was from Indirapuram in Ghaziabad. The girl is a student of a private school in Vaishali. Since she went missing, her family lodged a missing complaint at Indirapuram police station and even staged a protest, alleging police laxity. On the day of the incident, Archie was seen running out of her home in a CCTV camera footage. Her mother had locked the flat from the outside as she went to fetch her other daughter from school. After she returned about 20 minutes later, she found the girl missing and the keys of the house on the staircase. We have heard that a woman had taken her along, but this is not confirmed. We have not spoken to her yet but the police officials have spoken to her. We are leaving for Dharamsala and will get in touch with her to know what actually had happened. We are happy that she is safe... everyone at home is awaiting her return, Subhash Yadav, Archies father, said. The Ghaziabad police had roped in the crime branch and spanned out the search to every city in Delhi-NCR. Archies parents had taken out candle march procession and have pasted posters across the city. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Around 50 women and their family members met Ghaziabad district administration officials on Thursday and submitted a written complaint against an NGO for allegedly duping them of money by promising to provide facilities under schemes launched by the Central government. The women from village Galand in neighbouring Hapur said the NGO had an office at Nandgram in Ghaziabad. The group has submitted related documents to additional district magistrate (ADM), city, Priti Jaiswal, who has ordered an inquiry in the matter. People from the NGO had come to our village and promised houses, medical facilities and money for girls of marriageable age. They said the scheme is floated by PM Modi and they have been authorised to enroll people for providing money. We paid Rs400 for forms and another Rs970 on some other accounts and were given a receipt, said Lata Kumari, one of the groups members. After we arrived at their (NGOs) office, they threatened us and told us to approach the police. We went to the Nandgram police post where the NGO members threatened us in front of the police. Our complaint was not registered and our money is also not being returned, said Savita, another woman. We went to the office of the NGO. They have kept bouncers and security persons who drive us away each time, said Bunty, another woman from the group. The group of women also submitted the receipts and other related documents to the ADM and complained about the alleged lax attitude shown by the Nandgram police post personnel. I have spoken to the superintendent of police to conduct an inquiry into the matter and into the activities of the police post personnel. The claims made by the NGO will now be inquired into in detail. In earlier instances too, we have found that many people have been duped by a gang of frauds in the name of providing relief under the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao scheme, Jaiswal said. According to officials, they have also come to know about some private organisations that are making money on the pretext of providing facilities and benefits to residents under Central government schemes and selling forms for the same. In one such instance, we identified around 80 people who were cheated. Legal action was initiated against the fraudsters. We suspect that a gang is behind this and is making money from residents on false promises, she added. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The police and the cash collection company have cast doubts over the veracity over the claims of a cash collection agent who said he was robbed at gunpoint of Rs15 lakh in cash by bike-borne men in Kavi Nagar. The police on Thursday conducted a reconstruction of the crime and found the incident suspicious. Sumit Thakur, the collection agent, said he had picked up around Rs15 lakh on Wednesday from a customer company at Kavi Nagar and was robbed of the cash by two bike-borne men thereafter. The alleged incident took place around 7.35pm on Wednesday and police was also informed. We recreated the entire incident and found that the sequence of events as told by the collection agent does not add up. There were also many contradictions in his statements to the police. We are still investigating, but the matter seems to be highly suspicious, said Salmantaj Patil, officiating senior superintendent of police. We suspect that he handed over the cash to someone and faked the robbery incident, he added. Upon information of the alleged robbery, senior officials from the cash collection company lodged an FIR against unidentified persons at Kavi Nagar. However, they are also suspicious about the incident. As per the procedure, our agent was supposed to call up the cash van immediately after he collected cash from the customer, but he did not do so. Further, he checked out from the customer premises around 7.35pm and made a call to the police at 7.36pm. This is absolutely not possible considering armed robbery and that the scene of crime is around 800 metres from the customer premises, said Captain (retired) RP Singh, the senior risk manager from the cash collection company. Further, there is absolute laxity on his part as it was a huge amount of cash and he himself took it on his bike and did not call up the cash van, Singh added. According to Thakur, the incident took place near Diamond Flyover. He had alleged that two armed robbers came on a bike and snatched the cash bag from him. A 25-year-old man was sentenced to six years of rigorous imprisonment for enticing a minor girl in 2014 and taking her to Bihar. The police had recovered the girl after nine days and arrested the accused, Sapan Mandal. Mandal is a married man and has two children. The district court has awarded five years rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs5,000 to accused Sapan Mandal under IPC section 363, and six years imprisonment and a fine of Rs6,000 under IPC section 366. The jail terms will run concurrently, DSR Tripathi, senior prosecution officer, said. The court found that Sapan Mandal belongs to Malda district of West Bengal, where the complainant is also from. The complainant was living with his family in Noida and the accused was also living nearby in Sector 9 jhuggi cluster. The accused used to visit the complainants house. The accused took advantage and enticed the complainants 14-year-old daughter on the promise of marriage and took her to Bihar, Tripathi said. As per prosecutions version, the complainant had lodged an FIR on August 12, 2014, stating his 14-year-old daughter who studies in class 6 had left home on August 9, 2014, for school when Mandal enticed her and took her with him. The girls uncle had seen her going with Mandal. When they could not trace them, an FIR was lodged against Mandal under sections 363 and 366 of the IPC and section 12 of Posco Act. On August 15, 2014, the girl was rescued by the police and Mandal was arrested. The girl was handed over to her parents after her statements were recorded. After the court found Mandal guilty, he pleaded for minimum punishment as he has two children and was the only breadwinner of the family. Mandal said the victim has also been married to someone else. The assistant district government counsel told the court that he had forgotten his marital status and children while enticing a minor. He pleaded that Mandal should be given a punishment that will set an example and prove a deterrent for others, Tripathi said. Noida police on Thursday trailed 26.74 crore deposited in three bank accounts belonging to Webwork Trade Links Pvt Limited an online social trading company that is being investigated for allegedly duping thousands of investors. The money is deposited in two banks in Noida and one in Delhi. An amount of 15.09 crore was deposited in Webworks account with ICICI bank in Sector 18 of Noida and 1.51 crore was found deposited in the companys account with the Axis Bank in Noida. We had frozen the accounts of Webwork in these two banks on Wednesday. We got the details of the funds in the accounts today (Thursday), Dr Gaurav Grover, assistant superintendent of police, Noida, said. He said that the police have also asked for the details of Webworks accounts from the Citibank and Yes Bank in Noida. The details are awaited, Grover said. Grover said that the police also found 10.14 crore deposited in Webworks account with Vijaya Bank in its Barakhamba Road branch in Delhi. The Delhi bank account has also been frozen, he said. Police suspect that the company worked on the lines of Ablaze Info Solutions Private Limited and paid people 6 per like on published advertising content on social media. The alleged Ponzi scheme came to light when AK Jain, an insurance agent from Ghaziabad, complained to the police that he was cheated by Webwork. The police lodged an FIR in the matter on February 12. The Sector 2 office of the Webwork was sealed on Wednesday by a cyber crime team of the Noida police. Police sources said the addresses of two directors Anurag Garg and Sandesh Verma and few senior officials in the human resources department were obtained from the Webwork office before sealing it on Wednesday. However, the police are yet to get a hold of the two directors. Grover said the police are getting all the details and trying to find out the exact nature of the business and the way Webwork worked. The huge amount of money deposited in various banks makes us suspicious about the business. What kind of business could give such profits and how were so many people investing in it? he said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Even 100 days after the Central government had banned 500 and 1,000 notes, residents said that there seems to be no end to the cash crisis in Noida as ATMs dispense cash for only two hours a day. Long queues were seen outside ATMs in prominent markets of Noida on Thursday morning. The cash van visits Ganga market almost every day to fill the ATMs but the cash gets over in two hours. Post noon, none of the ATMs in Ganga, Brahmaputra and Jaipuria markets dispense cash, Shailja Pandey of Sector 27 said. Several ATMs in prominent marketplaces of Noida sectors 18, 27, Brahmaputra, Ganga, Nithari, Jaipuria, sectors 55 and 60 are running without cash. The district lead bank manager, AK Singh, said that an ATM is loaded with 5 lakh on an average each time. With the maximum amount being increased to 24,000, it does not take very long to withdraw 5 lakh. The situation will improve once the entire process of demonetisation ends and there is more clarity, Singh said. Suppose a bank gets 20 lakh per day, it stores 5 lakh in its ATMs while the rest is for the banks customers, Singh said. Brahmdev of Sector 16 said, Today, I had to withdraw 500 and I visited more than 25 ATMs in Sector 18 market but couldnt get cash from any of them. I finally found a working ATM in Ganga market but there was a long queue. Taking cognizance of repeated complaints of cash shortage, the district magistrate NP Singh had said that the administration will soon direct all regional managers of Noida-based bank branches to ensure that there is sufficient cash in ATMs. However, residents are not convinced that the increase in withdrawal cap is the cause for the cash crunch. Many also pointed out that cash shortage has worsened post the election day in the district. Cash supply was regular till 15 days ago. Since February 12, it has worsened in our area with all ATMs rendered useless. It makes us wonder whether the cash supply was forced due to elections, Bhawesh Kumar of Mamura said. Experts said that lack of management by banks is the main cause of cash crunch. Banks have cash but they store more for their own customers and allocate a meagre amount for the ATMs. The government is providing cash regularly but bankers lack efficiency and management, PS Jain, the president of the confederation of NCR residents welfare association (CONRWA), said. Jain suggested that regularisation of ATMs should be introduced as a measure by the Central government to end the cash crisis. 5 lakh for each ATM is peanuts, considering the demand. The government should regularise ATMs so that banks are made to store maximum cash in the machines, Jain said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The two groups involved in an altercation inside the complex of the ancient Dudheshwar Nath Temple in Ghaziabad on February 14 have lodged FIRs against each other. The FIRs also name the temples coordinator, mahant Narayan Giri and mahant Yati Narsimhanand, the coordinator of the famous Dasna Devi temple, also in Ghaziabad. According to the police, the FIRs were lodged under sections for rioting, voluntarily causing hurt and criminal intimidation. In the incident, men from two groups who had arrived for an event ended up clashing with each other. According to temple authorities, arms were also used to inflict injuries. One of the FIRs names mahant Narsimhananad and five others while the other FIR mentions mahant Giri, two others and 20-25 unidentified persons, police said. They have named me in the FIR. They had planned to kill me. Some men used weapons and three rounds were also fired. I had gone there with just two persons who also sustained injuries while protecting me. I suspect that a senior police official had connived with the other group and wanted to get me, said mahant Narsimhanand, claiming that the incident was a bid on his life. I am the mahant of 12 under-construction temples and people say the property is worth around Rs1,000 crore. I suspect that this could be one of the many reasons behind the incident. I was invited to the event and went with only two others. I want a fair investigation, he added. However, mahant Giri said his name was being unnecessarily dragged into the controversy. I have no role whatsoever in the incident. Even Yati Narsimhanand was sitting quietly and had no role. Why would anyone plan an attack inside a place of worship like a temple? It was a verbal altercation that led to the incident, he said. However, police said they would also add sections for violation of prohibitory orders that had been already promulgated and were in force till February 15. The case and IPC sections were lodged on the basis of complaints forwarded to us. We will check any videos or pictures related to allegations of firing during the incident. It will be a part of the investigation. However, had there been any firing, it should have been mentioned in complaints, said Salmantaj Patil, officiating senior superintendent of police. Police is being accused as we pressed for action since the incident had assumed larger proportions. After the incident, they were trying to reach a compromise and end the matter. This is why police is being accused in the entire incident, he added. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Three Munnabhais (impersonators) were arrested on the second of the Bihar School Examination Boards (BSEB) intermediate (Class 12) examinations, being held at 1,274 centres across the state. BSEB chairman Anand Kishor said alert invigilators caught two Munnabhais in Arwal district and one in Gaya during the language papers of arts stream on Wednesday. Kishor said all the three imposters were handed over to the police. The BSEB, which has adopted zero tolerance policy against the use of unfair means in the examination, expelled 204 more students on Wednesday. With this, the total number of expelled students soared to 471 in two days. On the first day, 267 students were expelled using unfair means. The highest number expelled students was from Bhojpur (28), followed by 20 in Jehanabad and 14 each in Gaya and Munger. The BSEB has introduced a series of corrective measures since its credibility took a hit when interviews last May by TV news channels of persons declared toppers in various streams of its intermediate examination did not possess even basic knowledge of subjects in which they had topped. It was also revealed that 222 rank holders belonged to one college. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Tunisia is set to host on 1 March a much-anticipated tripartite meeting with the foreign ministers of Egypt and Algeria to discuss resolving the Libyan crisis, Tunisian Foreign Minister Khamis Alaghinawa announced. In an interview broadcast by state-owned Tunis Afrique Presse on Tuesday, the Tunisian minister said the purpose of the meeting is to prepare for a tripartite summit between the presidents of the three states, discuss what each country is doing to communicate with rival Libyan factions, and generate a comprehensive vision for the war's resolution. According to Tunisian government sources, the presidential summit will be held in Algeria due to the fragile health of Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, whose condition bars him from leaving the country. A date for the summit has not been announced. Alaghinawa said Tunisia supports calls by Egypt and Algeria to find common ground between rival sides in the war stricken country and overcome impediments to unifying the government. He added that the doors for discussion in Tunisia were open to all Libyan sides, and that his country extends invitations to all of them for talks. Among the factions Alaghinawa named were Libyan army commander Khalifa Haftar, who the minister described as a "patriotic man and a crucial element in any agreement that aims to end the Libyan crisis." Field Marshall Haftar, along with Tunisian Parliament Speaker Aguila Saleh, represents the country's parliament in the eastern city of Tobrouk, and is opposed to the Tripoli-based government of Presidential Council Chairman Fayaz Al-Sarraj, who is recognised by the UN as the country's legitimate president. Early last week, sources in the foreign ministry told Ahram Online that preparations for Haftar's first-time visit to Tunisia have yet to begin, adding that there would be no objection from Tunisia to his visit. Tunisia and Algeria will join Egypt, which has played an ongoing role, in mediating between the Libyan sides to find a solution to the crisis. On Thursday, Egypt's Army Chief of Staff Mahmoud Hegazi, who is mediating talks between the Libyan factions on behalf of Cairo, received a delegation from Libya's High Council of State. This was the latest visit by officials from Libya to discuss a way forward with Egyptian officials. On Tuesday, the Egyptian reconciliation committee, which includes Hegazi and Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, said it had found common ground between the various parties during talks in Cairo, which could form the foundation of a political settlement. The talks, which took place Monday and Tuesday, were attended by Al-Sarraj, Haftar and Saleh, although Al-Sarraj did not meet directly with the latter two. The meeting was the first time the Al-Sarraj and Haftar had travelled to Cairo for talks at the same time. The committee said the "common ground sensed" between the rivals could be translated into steps towards a resolution, including preparations for presidential and parliamentary elections in 2018 and other "areas of agreement." Search Keywords: Short link: The finance department (FD) of Punjab government has decided to reopen the case of a mismatch of Rs 31,000 crore between the worth of grains procured by the state and the cash credit issued by the Centre for the procurement. The state government had earlier sought to essentially bury the matter by converting the gap into a 20-year loan. Top government sources told the Hindustan Times that the finance department has sought the advice of the food and civil supplies department on whether or not a third-party audit should be conducted. Also, it has sought details on six points from managing directors (MDs) of all state-run procurement agencies by Friday, about the reasons behind this gap in stocks that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had flagged. The decision to kick-off this exercise has the potential to ruffle the feathers of food minister Adaish Partap Singh Kairon, son-in-law of chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, who has been running the department since the Shiromani Akali Dal(SAD)-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alliance came to power in March 2007. And the move comes also after a February 8 report in HT Punjab seeks nod to float Rs 31k-cr bonds to fix grain loan mismatch -- flagged the issue. Simply put, at the core of the issue is that the value of physical food stocks in the godowns should match the money that the Centre sanctions through banks for procurement of foodgrains under the Cash Credit Limit (CCL). Punjab was unable to account for payments in previous years. The mismatch came to light last year when the RBI directed the lending banks to classify Rs 12,000 crore given to Punjab as bad loan. The state has been repaying that loan since last year. Now, it is seeking the Centres approval for issuing Rs 31,000 crore in bonds to repay the loan in easier instalments over 20 years. Bonds are long-term loans raised from the market. What finance dept wants to know Procurement agency-wise gap in Cash Credit Limit Details of items and factors causing the CCL gap CCL gap specifically of 2015-16 and 2016-17 Action plan for cutting the losses Receivables not allowed by Union government A third-party audit Who did it? Opposition parties hopeful of replacing the SAD-BJP in power have red-flagged the effort to hide the scam and burdening the states people and the next government, ahead of the March 11 results of the recently-held assembly polls. However, the state governments stand has been that the stocks matched and that the decision to return the Rs 31,000 crore is part of settling a 20-year-long CCL dispute. On the other hand, former state chief secretary KR Lakhanpal said the then Congress government (2002-07) had covered the CCL gap of about Rs 4,500 crore in 2004 by raising a clean loan, of which more than half had been repaid by March 2007, when the Akali Dal-BJP combine assumed power. According to Lakhanpal, the issue of food account was squared up in 2004, and the loan raised for it was fully repaid by the end of the 2009 fiscal. Something amiss How did this colossal gap re-emerge then? Thats the troubling question that the Badal government has been ducking by using the term legacy issue. Initially, the government claimed that the Centre owed this money to Punjab. But its agreeing to repay it points towards the Centre not accepting Punjabs plea. Thats being seen as a clear indication that something is amiss in the manner Punjab has used the procurement loan. What now? Now, sources said, the finance department has sought information of agency-wise CCL gap; details of items and the factors that led to the CCL gap; the gap since 2015; and the support given by the state government to cover it. It has also asked the MDs of the agencies to furnish action plan for cutting the losses, besides asking the food department to place on records documents if the issue was examined in detail at various levels, an official of one of the procurement agencies, who did not want to be identified, said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON In the first major breakthrough in the Akansh murder case, co-accused Harmehtab Singh Rarewala alias Farid (32) was arrested from Haridwar at 3am on Thursday. Rarewala was in the passenger seat of the BMW that ran over cafe owner Sen in the wee hours of Thursday (February 9). The main accused Balraj Singh Randhawa (31) of Sohana, who is alleged be on the wheel, is absconding. Addressing a press conference at the police head-quarter in Sector 9, SSP Eish Singhal said, A crime branch team nabbed the accused while he was heading to an ashram in the wee hours of Thursday. He was alone when arrested. Also read | Akansh Sen, complainant attacked me with baseball bats: Rarewala Also read | BMW hit-and-run: Chandigarh court rejects bail plea of accused He added that Rarewala took care not to use credit or debit cards and mobile phone, all of which would have given away his location to the police. Rarewala travelled to Bangalore, Gurugram and Delhi. We are yet to arrest the second accused and we will question him to his whereabouts and also on the BWW used in the crime, the SSP added. Police claimed that after partying at various clubs in the city, a group of 11 people including girls gathered at the house of Deep Sidhu. Also read | BMW hit-and-run: Friends deny being witness to crime We are presuming that a few were drunk and investigating this angle. The root cause of the murder seems to be an old enmity of Shera Singh alias Shera (deceased Sens friend) with Rarewala. Previously, they quarreled twice. On February 9, they met through common friends and again entered into an heated argument at Deep Sidhus house. We are investigating if any of the group members was carrying a pistol, he added. This angle is being probed as Rarewala has emerged that the has told the police that the deceased Sen was carrying a pistol that he allegedly pointed at him (Rarewala). Rarewala has also claimed that Akansh was hit once and that Randhawa did not reverse the car. Meanwhile, police claimed that 27 raiding parties have been sent to all possible hideouts of Randhawa, the main accused. On February 9, Akansh Sen (28), nephew of the wife of Himachal Pradesh chief minister Virbhadra Singh, was crushed after a BMW driven by accused Randhawa ran over him outside the house of national shot gun shooter Deep Sidhu in Sector 9. A two-member team of the Election Commission (EC) of India inspected strongrooms that house the electronic voting machines (EVMs) used in the February 4 Punjab assembly elections, in Jalandhar on Thursday, and expressed satisfaction at the arrangements. The EVMs of the districts nine assembly segments have been kept in the buildings of the District Land Record Society and the State School for Sports. Similar inspections were held at Ludhiana earlier in the day, and later at Tarn Taran. The inspections are being conducted particularly after the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) met the chief election commissioner in Delhi to express apprehensions about EVMs security ahead of the March 11 counting of votes. On Wednesday, the team had checked arrangements at Patiala, and found AAPs allegations of shifting of EVMs baseless. The team comprising Narender Chauhan, chief electoral officer (CEO) of Himachal Pradesh, and Rajesh Kumar, additional CEO of National Capital Region, Delhi, accompanied by district electoral officer Kamal Kishor Yadav, police commissioner Arpit Shukla and returning officers, visited the strongrooms in Jalandhar. Before this, the team also held a meeting with representatives of political parties, including the Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and others.Chauhan said adequate force has been deployed for security of the strongrooms: Other necessary measures have also been taken. In Ludhiana, too, the team first conducted a meeting with officials of the local administration and the 14 returning officers of the district, besides representatives of parties. The inspection after it was conducted for nearly 20 minutes mainly at the strongroom of Gill constituency at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), as local AAP leaders had alleged that on February 6, returning officer Gagandeep Singh Virk had entered the strongroom along with some people and tampered with the EVMs. DC-cum-district electoral officer Ravi Bhagat and additional DC Apneet Riyat also joined the team and got the EVMs seals checked. The security camera footage of the room was also checked. Bhagat said, The official report of the inspection will be submitted to the EC directly by the team, but they have confirmed to us that they saw no issues in the storage and security of the EVMs. After questioning Maur resident Kulvir Singh in connection with the twin blasts that occurred in the town on January 31, the police on Wednesday quizzed a Barnala resident, Gursewak Singh, for three hours before letting him off. Brought to office of crime investigation agency (CIA), Bathinda, from a village in Barnala, Gursewak was charged and acquitted, in 2015, in the case of murder of Suraj Muni in February 2012 in Hanumangarh district of Rajasthan. Earlier, Kulvir had surrendered before the police on Tuesday and was let off on Wednesday after questioning. Gangster Vicky Gounder, one of the six criminals who fled the high-security Nabha jail in November last year, had reportedly used stolen a Hyundai Verna car to run away from Moga with his three accomplices before the police arrested his four other aides from an NRIs house at Dhudike village on Sunday. Those accompanied Gounder have been identified as Amandeep Singh Dhotian, who had escaped from Nabha jail with him, and two gangsters, Harry Chatha and Prema Lahoria. The Punjab Counter Intelligence Team (PCIT) on Sunday had arrested jailbreak mastermind Gurpreet Singh Sekhon and his three aides his cousin Manvir Sekhon of Makhu village; Rajwinder Singh Raja, alias Sultan, of Mangewal village in Moga; gangster Kulwinder Sidana, brother of gangster Surinder Sidana from a house at Dhudike village of Ajitwal town in Moga. Had entered Punjab a day after polling A senior police official seeking anonymity said eight people were staying at the house of an NRI, Kultar Singh Goldy. They had come from Kota in Rajasthan on February 5, a day after voting for the Punjab assembly elections took place. The stay at the house of Goldy was arranged by Gurwinder Singh Gori, formers friend and a relative of Sekhon. After entering Punjab on February 5, they had stolen two Verna cars, one from Ludhiana on February 6 and another from Zira on February 8, a police official said. He said that Sekhon and his aides had decided to stay back at the house, while Gounder and his aides left a day or two days before the raid in the car stolen from Zira. Sources said before the arrest of a Nabha jail escapee Kulpreet Singh Neeta Deol, all the eight were staying at Indore in Madhya Pradesh (MP) from where the former was arrested and after that, all of them fled to Kota in Rajasthan. Meanwhile, assistant inspector general (AIG), PCIT, Gurmeet Singh Chauhan, couldnt be contacted for a comment despite repeated attempts by this correspondent. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Reacting strongly to reports of the arrest of Nabha jailbreak mastermind from the house of an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) worker, Punjab Congress president Captain Amarinder Singh has demanded a thorough probe into Arvind Kejriwals nexus with militants and gangsters. In a statement issued here, the Congress chief ministerial candidate expressed serious concern over the arrest of Gurpreet Singh Sekhon from an AAP activists house, just two weeks after Kejriwal himself courted controversy by staying at an ex-militants house in Punjab. Capt said Sekhon was arrested from the house of Goldy Gill, an NRI who had been actively engaged in campaigning for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Also Read | AAP harbouring criminals, militants in Punjab: BJP There is apparently a strong nexus between AAP and militants as well as gangsters; posing a major threat to the states security and safety, said Captain Amarinder, demanding an independent investigation, preferably by a central agency, into the partys dangerous links. With the links of Maur bomb blasts also being traced to KLF and Kejriwals stay at KLF terrorist Gurwinder Singhs house, the situation warranted a detailed inquiry into what appeared to be nefarious links between AAP and anti-social elements, the PPCC chief said. Jharkhands mascot for the Global Investors Summit (GIS) -a flying red elephant- has become the talk of the town, with many taking to the social media questioning what the mascot symbolizes. After all, how can an elephant fly? AdFactor, a public relation and advertising company based in Mumbai, which designed the unconventional red elephant did not have an elephant as the first choice for a mascot. The company had initially thought of using Palash flowers, found in abundance here as the mascot. Later, the creative team also had discussions on using a tiger for the purpose. But eventually, they zeroed in on the elephant. Mrinal Sapre, account director of the company told Hindustan Times that the elephant was chosen as the mascot since it was the state animal and also an unconventional choice for a mascot at the same time. As seen in the TV commercials featuring former team India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the red flying elephant has green wings and also Sohrai art work on the body. The red colour represents minerals, green wings symbolize forest cover, while Sohrai art depicts the fact that Jharkhand doesnt want to ignore its indigenous art forms and customs, said Sapre. But why is the elephant flying? It is impossible to even move an elephant. The flying elephant shows that it was time to forget about Jharkhands past, which was heavy and stagnant. It shows that with new policy decisions and change at the helm, the Jharkhand state is now ready to take off, despite the weight of the past, Sapre replied. The two-day global investors summit (GIS), which will see participation of over 9500 foreign and domestic delegates, will begin at Ranchis Khelgaon on Thursday. The Momentum Jharkhand mascot was showcased at major road shows prior to the event and is also a part of posters, hoardings and advertisements for the GIS. The elephant also represents strength, youthfulness and dreams to be fulfilled. There is no question on the strength of an elephant. If you notice, this elephant looks young and it is flying to fulfil its dreams, said an official of the creative team of the company. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Tourist spots in and around Ranchi are geared to greet visitors participating in the states first Global Investors Summit (GIS) slated on Thursday and Friday. With more than 9,500 domestic and foreign delegates participating in the event, state tourism department is leaving no stone unturned to cash in on the opportunity to showcase Jharkhands scenic beauty, flora and fauna. The department has hired two air-conditioned buses for the guests to take them on a tour of sites of natural beauty, in and around Ranchi. We have focused on two natural and popular waterfalls-Hundru and Dasham falls. They have been decorated and safety arrangements put in place , said Jharkhand tourism development corporation (JTDC) general manager Rajiv Ranjan. He said the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) would decide the schedule and the corporation would made arrangement accordingly. The registration for tourists has begun from Thursday morning for two days-February 17 and February 18, Ranjan said. State police department has also identified important tourist spots including Patratu Dam, Hundru and Dasham Falls, Kanke Dam and Deori Temple, where Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel have been deputed. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON After playing an ardent devotee of Lord Balaji in his Telugu release Om Namo Venkatesaya, actor Akkineni Nagarjuna will be playing a mentalist in horror-thriller Raju Gari Gadhi 2. His character has been designed in such a way that it will be a treat for his fans. He plays a mentalist. He will be seen riding a fancy bike in the film. He will be in a very different avatar and, contrary to rumours, he is not playing an extended cameo, said a film unit source. Being directed by Ohmkar, the film is a sequel to his own 2015 sleeper hit Raju Gari Gadhi. The sequel also stars Seerat Kapoor, Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Shakalaka Shankar. The source clarified that Samantha and Nagarjuna are not paired together. No, theyre not playing a couple. Also, Samantha is not playing the ghost... She will be seen in a very emotional role. Nagarjuna will commence shooting in March. The film is being produced by PVP Cinema and has music by SS Thaman. Follow @htshowbiz for more ott:10:ht-entertainment_listing-desktop Tunisia has extended for another three months a state of emergency in place since a 2015 Islamist militant attack, the president's office announced Thursday. President Beji Caid Essebsi has decided "to extend the state of emergency for three months from 16 February", his office told AFP. The state of emergency has been in place since a November 2015 Islamist militant bombing in Tunis that killed 12 presidential guards on a bus. The Islamic State (IS) militant group claimed the attack as well as bombings earlier in 2015 at the Bardo National Museum and at a beach resort that killed 59 foreign tourists and a Tunisian guard. They were part of an ongoing Islamist militant insurgency since a 2011 revolution toppled long-time dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. The government has repeatedly renewed the state of emergency despite its assurances that security has improved in the North African state. The state of emergency grants emergency powers to the police and in theory grants authorities the right to prohibit strikes and meetings likely to provoke "disorder". It also allows measures "to ensure control of the press". Prime Minister Youssef Chahed told local radio station Mosaique FM on Wednesday that the state of emergency would be "definitively lifted in three months". Defence Minister Farhat Horchani added that there had been a "major improvement" in the security situation. "But as long as our situation is linked to Libya and as long as Libya does not have a government that is in control of the situation... the threat exists," he said. Tunisia shares a 500 kilometre (310-mile) border with Libya, a country plagued by chaos since the 2011 fall of its longtime dictator Muammar Gaddafi. Islamist militant groups including IS have taken advantage to set up operations in ungoverned areas of the country. Search Keywords: Short link: Montreal has dethroned Paris to take the title of worlds best student city for 2017. After enjoying a five-year streak, the City of Light was knocked off its perch by a different French-speaking city in the fifth edition of the QS Best Student Cities Ranking, which classifies the worlds top 100 student destinations. The reasons for Pariss fall and Montreals rise are many: Montreal is emerging from a period of economic stagnation and looking ahead to positive growth for 2017, analysts note. Likewise, the citys innovation and dynamism are being noticed around the world. Last year, Montreal was named the worlds most intelligent city by global research think tank the Intelligent Community Forum. The win also points to a larger trend of Canadas growing appeal among young people, with four Canadian cities climbing the ranking. The latest honour coincides with Montreals 375th anniversary this year. As for Paris, which has been beleaguered with continuing terrorist threats, the city dropped to second place after falling in categories such as affordability and desirability. Interestingly, the survey results also showed that despite the Brexit fallout, London has grown in popularity among students, rising from fifth to third place in this years list. A scan of the top 10 list, meanwhile, reveals the conspicuous absence of US cities, with the highest-ranking US destination, Boston, taking the eighth spot a result that can be traced back to affordability issues, notes the report. Despite the Brexit fallout, London has grown in popularity among students. (Shutterstock) The same could be said of Australia, which emerged one of the biggest losers this year: All seven of its ranked cities plummeted, with Sydney dropping from fourth to 14th place, and Melbourne falling from second to fifth position in 2017. The highest-ranking Asian city is Seoul (4). The results are based on the responses of 18,000 students who evaluated cities on five key categories: university rankings, student mix, desirability, employer activity and affordability. A new student view indicator was also introduced this year, polling graduates and current students about their experience in a particular city. Here are the top 10 cities for students 2017: 1. Montreal 2. Paris 3. London 4. Seoul 5. Melbourne 6. Berlin 7. Tokyo 8. Boston 9. Munich 10. Vancouver Follow @htlifeandstyle for more Once American director Michael Moore bashed President George Bush through his fiery documentary, aptly titled Fahrenheit 9/11 - and even walked away with Cannes top prize, Palm dOr. Now we have Danish helmer Lars Von Trier all set to make a film that has been inspired by the present US President, Donald Trump. The movie will have a fairy tale title, The House That Jack Built, and has on board no less an actor than Matt Dillon playing the lead. Dillion will essay a man that Von Triers camera will follow over a dozen years to reveal how he turns into a serial killer. The celebrated Danish auteur -- with such works as his very early Europa Europa, his extremely critical look at religious bigotry in Breaking the Waves, his The Idiots, where actors actually performed sex, and his equally pornographic Nymphomaniac 1 and 2 - told the media the other day: The House That Jack Built celebrates the idea that life is evil and soulless, which is sadly proven by the recent rise of the Homo trumpus - the rat king. This was one of Von Triers rare press briefings - something which he had been wary of doing ever since his huge scandal at a media conference in Cannes 2011, following the screening of his Melancholia. He joked in the presence of tens of international journalists that he was a Hitler sympathiser. His star, Kristen Dunst, sitting next him looked at him in utter disbelief, and half the world was infuriated. Cannes had no option but to declare him persona non-grata. He was asked to leave the city. He has not gone back to Cannes since then, though the festival pardoned him the very next year. A scene from Melancholia starring Kristen Dunst. Von Trier - who suffers from a flying phobia that keeps him confined to the European continent - has even earlier been in the eye of the storm - sharing a kind of love-hate relationship with journalists. In one of the media conferences, when a reporter wanted to know how he could have possibly set some of his films in America (Dogville, Manderlay), he quipped: Did they go to Morocco to make Casablanca? Of course, not. The 1942 Humphrey Bogart-Ingrid Bergman Casablanca - which went on to become a great, great classic, was shot in a studio in the US. But Von Trier did not quite endear himself to the media with that quip. But he does not care. For some years after the Cannes incident, he went around with a black band across his mouth - indicating that he would no longer speak. He even wore a T-shirt with words: Persona Non-Grata. Well, that is Mr Von Trier for you, and he will now tell us all about The House That Jack Built. Or, Trump built? Follow @htshowbiz for more ott:10:ht-entertainment_listing-desktop Twenty-seven US lawmakers are travelling to India next week in two separate groups for a visit that officials say reflects a growing interest in India. The bipartisan group of 19 members of the House of Representatives is being taken there by the Aspen Institute, a think tank, and another bipartisan group of eight led by the House Judiciary Committee chair Bob Goodlatte will be travelling on their own. Aspen took a larger delegation of 21 lawmakers to India three years ago, but together with the second delegation of eight others, this will be the largest group of US Congressmen in India at the same time together. At an event in Capitol Hill earlier this week, Indian ambassador to the US Navtej Sarna described the upcoming visit as a very important milestone and demonstrative of the high degree of interest in India, and the strong bipartisan support for the India-US relationship, based on shared democratic values and converging strategic interests. Read: Insightful, historic: US lawmakers praise Modis address, get autograph The Aspen visit had been in planning for months and the second one came together in recent days. This is actually a good time for a visit because Congress goes into recess after a busy opening session, an official said. We are always keen to have them visit India and see things for themselves, he added. Both delegations will start their respective visits to India from Delhi on February 20. They are expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ministers and officials, the schedules for which are being worked out. The Goodlatte delegation will leave Delhi for Bangalore with their focus on IT and immigration. The Aspen group of 19 lawmakers will also visit Hyderabad for two days. At least 72 people were killed and more than 150 others injured when a suspected suicide attacker blew himself up at a Sufi shrine in Pakistans southern Sindh province on Thursday, the latest in a string of terror attacks in the country this week. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack at the shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalander situated in Sehwan, 132 km from Jamshoro and around 140 km from Hyderabad. At least 72 are dead and over 150 have been injured, senior police officer Shabbir Sethar told Reuters, adding that the death toll was likely to rise. A map showing location of Sehwan, where 72 people were killed in a bombing at a Sufi shrine. (AFP) The IS claimed responsibility for the bombing, the terror groups news agency Amaq reported. The suicide bomber attacked at the time of Dhamaal, when devotees remember the saint through music and dancing. Some Muslims sects consider dhamaal to be an anti-Islamic practice. A spokesman for medical charity Edhi said the attacker appeared to have targeted the womens wing of the shrine, and around 30 children accompanying their mothers were dead. We were there for the love of our saint, for the worship of Allah, a wailing woman told Dawn News television channel outside the shrine, her headscarf streaked in blood. Who would hurt us when we were there for devotion? Large crowds frequent the famed shrine, which has the mausoleum of Sufi saint Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, on Thursdays. Thursdays are important days for local Sufis. Hospital staff in Karachi make arrangements outside an emergency ward for the victims of the suicide bombing. (AP) A statement from the Sindh police spokesman said the bomber entered the shrine as crowds massed on Thursday. Many wounded were ferried in private cars to hospitals. The incident took place outside the mazar (shrine) where Golden Gate is located, Hyderabad commissioner Kazi Shahid Parvez told the media. An emergency has been declared in hospitals across Dadu, Sehwan and Hyderabad. Eyewitnesses described gory scenes in the shrines compound where human body parts were seen scattered. Some bodies were also seen lying on the floor. Several injured are stated to be in a critical condition, state-run Radio Pakistan reported. Television footage showed army and paramilitary medical teams reaching the site and injured people being taken to nearby hospitals in ambulances and a military helicopter. Following the attack, chaos overtook the area as rescue teams were unavailable to cope with the flood of victims. Scores of people died in the courtyard of the shrine for want of medical attention. Sehwan does not have a proper hospital and the nearest medical facility is in Hyderabad where ambulances finally took the victims. Protests erupted at the bomb site as relatives of those killed voiced their anger over the absence of any medical assistance. Mairaj Ahmed, in-charge of Edhi Foundation, said, Ambulances from Hyderabad and Jamshoro have been sent to Sehwan. The town has a taluka hospital but it is not equipped with a trauma centre to deal with emergency cases. According to the media, there were unconfirmed reports about a female suicide bomber involved in the brutal incident. In the latest wave of terror gripping the country, more than 100 people have lost their lives in the eighth such violent attack in the past five days. Pakistan Armed Forces spokesperson Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor tweeted that army and Rangers have been deployed to the site for medical support. Each drop of the nations blood shall be revenged, and revenged immediately. No more restraint for anyone, army chief Qamar Bajwa said in a statement. Students in Karachi light candles to condemn the attack on the Sufi shrine. (AP) Pakistan Air Forces C 130 planes will lift injured from Nawab Shah airport and Navy helicopters will take victims from Sehwan and surroundings, he said in the tweet. Recent terrorist attacks are being carried out on directions from hostile powers and from sanctuaries in Afghanistan. We shall defend and respond, he said. This was the fourth major terror attack in the country in five days. Shortly after the blast, the army announced it was closing the border with Afghanistan with immediate effect for security reasons. On Wednesday, seven people were killed when suicide bombers targeted a van carrying judges in Peshawar and a government compound in the restive Mohmand region. Those attacks came two days after a suicide bombing in Lahore, the capital of Punjab province, killed 13 people and injured dozens. The Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, a faction of the Taliban, claimed the attacks in Mohmand agency and Lahore while the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan claimed the attack in Peshawar. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and army chief Gen Qamar Bajwa have vowed to fight the new wave of terrorism, which broke a relative lull across the country in recent months. The manner in which the attacks are taking place suggests that the country's fight against terrorism is not yielding results. Sharif condemned the bombing, decrying the assault on the Sufi religious minority. He vowed to fight Islamist militants, who target the government, judiciary and anyone who does not adhere to their strict interpretation of Sunni Islam. The past few days have been hard, and my heart is with the victims, Sharif said. But we cant let these events divide us, or scare us. We must stand united in this struggle for the Pakistani identity, and universal humanity. In a similar attack last year, at least 45 people, including women and children, were killed in an explosion that struck Dargah Shah Noorani in Khuzdar district of Balochistan. Sufism has been practised in Pakistan for centuries. Lal Shahbaz Qalander is Pakistans most revered Sufi shrine, dedicated to a 13th-century saint whose spirit is invoked by devotees in ecstatic daily dancing and singing rituals in Sehwan Sharif. Most of Pakistans radical Sunni militant groups -- including the Pakistani Talibans various factions and Islamic State loyalists -- despise Sufis, Shiite Muslims and other religious minorities. (With inputs from Reuters) Americans are becoming warmer towards various religious groups, including Hindus and Muslims, than they did a few years ago, a new survey has found, months after the presidential polls that had polarised the nation. The Pew Research Center survey asked Americans to rate a variety of groups on a feeling thermometer ranging from 0 to 100, with US adults giving nearly all groups warmer ratings than they did in a June 2014 survey. The survey found that while Americans still feel coolest toward Muslims, ratings for the community increased from a chilly 40 degrees to a more neutral rating of 48. Jews and Catholics continue to be among the groups that receive the warmest ratings -- even warmer than in 2014. Evangelical Christians, rated relatively warmly at 61 degrees, are the only group for which the mean rating did not change since the question was last asked in 2014. Most groups rate Buddhists and Hindus fairly warmly, it said, adding that Americans feelings toward Mormons and Hindus have shifted from relatively neutral places on the thermometer to somewhat warmer ratings of 54 and 58 respectively. However, the mean ratings given to particular religious groups still vary widely depending on who is being asked. Young adults aged 18 to 29 expressed warmer feelings toward Muslims than older Americans did. These are among the main findings of the Pew survey of 4,248 adults conducted from January 9 and 23, just around the time of the inauguration of US President Donald Trump. The survey also finds wide variation in the ratings that US religious groups give one another. While for the most part Jews and Christians tend to rate each other warmly, atheists and evangelicals continue to view each other in a negative light. The report added that both Democrats and Republicans now express warmer views toward a variety of groups than they did in June 2014, but large gaps remain between partisans in their views of a few of these groups. Democrats and those who lean toward the Democratic Party express somewhat warm feelings toward Muslims, giving them an average rating of 56 on the feeling thermometer, up from 47 in 2014. Republicans and those who lean Republican, meanwhile, rate Muslims at a much cooler 39 degrees, though this is up 6 degrees from 2014. PTI YAS AMS AKJ AMS US president Donald Trump is expected to name Alexander Acosta as his nominee for the position of labour secretary, making him the first member of the Hispanic community in his cabinet after his earlier pick Andrew Puzder bowed out. The president was also reported to be planning to ask a billionaire friend from New York to conduct a broad review of US intelligence that has seemed to be at odds with him. But that appointment was not expected immediately. Acostas nomination was to be announced shortly. Read: Michael Flynn resigns as US national security adviser after reports he misled Pence over Russian contacts The president is also said to have offered the position of National Security Adviser, which fell vacant on Michael Flynns ouster, to Vice-Admiral Robert Harward, who according to some reports, has asked for time to consider. Puzder, a food-chain owner, withdrew his nomination facing opposition from some Republican senators, which seemed to have made his confirmation difficult. The problem: an undocumented immigrant he employed as housekeeper. The New York Times reported on Thursday the president was planning to ask Stephen A Feinberg, a co-founder of Cerberus Capital Management, a private investment firm, to conduct the review and stay on for a large role in the intelligence community. The president has blamed Flynns exit on leaks from the intelligence community and has railed against it in a string of posts on Twitter against illegal classified leaking and low-life leakers. Read: Trump faces calls for probe after National Security Adviser quits over Russia talks New York Times reported there was considerable disquiet in the intelligence community over this development; even Trumps nominee for the position of Director or National Intelligence Dan Coats was upset. More than 20 million people greater than the population of Romania or Florida risk dying from starvation within six months in four separate famines, UN World Food Programme chief economist Arif Husain says. Wars in Yemen, northeastern Nigeria and South Sudan have devastated households and driven up prices, while a drought in east Africa has ruined the agricultural economy. In my not quite 15 years with the World Food Programme, this is the first time that we are literally talking about famine in four different parts of the world at the same time, he told Reuters in an interview. Its almost overwhelming to comprehend that in the 21st century people are still experiencing famines of such magnitude. Were talking about 20 million people, and all this within the next six months, or now. Yemen is now, Nigeria is now, South Sudan is now, he said. Somalia, when I look at the indicators in terms of extremely high food prices, falling livestock prices and agricultural wages, its going to come pretty fast. The global humanitarian system is already struggling with a historic surge in migration, huge operations in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan, and serious situations in Ukraine, Burundi, Libya and Zimbabwe. Then you have places like DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo), CAR (Central African Republic), Burundi, Mali, Niger, where people are chronically food insecure but...theres just not enough resources to go around. Humanitarian aid is at record high levels but demand is growing even faster, creating a huge gap. In northeast Nigeria were feeding more than 1 million people and just a few months ago we didnt even have an office there, Husain said. There is a glimmer of hope that Somalias drought will not be as severe as feared, but in the capital Mogadishu food prices have already risen by a quarter since January and forecasts for the rainy season from March to May are not optimistic. Too late In 2011, Somalia suffered a famine that killed 260,000 people. The famine was declared in July, but most people had already died by May. When we declare famine, it means many lives have already been lost, Husain said. If we wait to find that out for sure, people are already dead. Moreover, the 2011 famine followed a good agricultural season. This years drought follows two bad seasons that have already sapped peoples resources. In Yemen and South Sudan, economic collapse means people simply cannot afford the food that is available. Prices in South Sudan have risen two to four times in a year, and traders from Uganda and Kenya consider the local currency valueless. Yemenis, whose family wealth may be stored in gold or silver or weapons, are being forced to sell off those assets. I was in Yemen just a couple of weeks ago. There is food in the markets. But people have not been paid, especially the urban population, which is about a third of the total population, Husain said. Once theyve lost their economic assets, its almost impossible for them to recover, and that just perpetuates long-term poverty. Yemen is officially still classed as an emergency, but famine could be declared within about three months, Husain said. In Nigerias Borno state, where millions of people have fled Boko Haram militants, there is simply no commerce, no markets and no movement, leaving people dependent on emergency aid. They survive outside in camps, 50 degree Centigrade temperatures, living in huts with metal sheets on top, with one water point, with communal kitchens, with one meal per day, Husain said. And theres no end in sight. When the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched a record-breaking 104 satellites atop a single rocket on Wednesday, the world sat up and took notice. The launch made it to the headlines of most news publications around the world, with global media hailing ISROs frugal, but successful space mission. The launch was another success for the Indian Space Research Organisation, which is rapidly gaining a reputation globally for its effective yet low-cost missions, The Washington Post said, noting that India has already sent up dozens of satellites, including 20 at once last year. The New York Times said that by sending a flock of 104 satellites into space within minutes, nearly tripling the previous record for single-day satellite launches and establishing India as a key player in a growing commercial market for space-based surveillance and communication. The launch was high-risk because the satellites, released in rapid-fire fashion every few seconds from a single rocket as it traveled at 17,000 miles an hour, could collide with one another in space if ejected into the wrong path, the paper noted. Forget the US versus Russia. The real space race is taking place in Asia, CNN commented. Londons Times newspaper reported that by todays feat, India has reinforced its ambition to join the elite space- faring nations. Many of Indias landmark missions have cost far less than their equivalents in Russia, Europe and the US. Isros Mars mission cost USD 73 million, compared with Nasas Maven Mars launch, which came in at USD 671 million, the British paper pointed out. UK newspaper, The Guardian, commented that the record- breaking space launch will help India to cement its place as a serious player in the burgeoning private space market. India, which became just the sixth nation to launch its own rocket in 1980, has long made space research a priority. The Indian government has increased the budget for its space programme this year and also announced plans to send a mission to Venus, the British paper said. The BBC, quoting observers, said todays space success was a sign that India is emerging as a major player in the multi-billion dollar space market. The successful launch is yet another feather in the cap of Indias ambitious space programme that has earned a reputation of offering a reliable low cost alternative to existing international players, it said. Over the past two decades, India has become a key player in the lucrative commercial space market offering a low-cost alternative, the British public broadcaster said. Chinas state-run media took note of Indias success in the space sector. India created history by successfully launching 104 satellites in a single space mission, breaking the previous record of 37 satellites launched by Russia in 2014, Xinhua news agency reported. But some Chinese media couldnt resist but pay India a backhanded compliment. On the whole, Indias space technology still lags behind the US and Chinas. It has not yet formed a complete system, the nationalist tabloid Global Times wrote. Jamaat-ud Dawah chief Hafiz Saeed has asked the Pakistan government to immediately remove his name from a list that bars him from leaving the country, claiming he was neither a security risk nor his outfit ever engaged in terrorist activities. In a letter to interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, the mastermind of 2008 Mumbai terrorist attack, in which 166 people died, said: A memorandum issued on January 30, 2017 placing 38 individuals should be withdrawn forthwith. The government last month put Saeed and 37 other leaders of JuD and his Falah-e-Insaniyat charity on Exit Control List. It also put Saeed and four other leaders of the organisations under house arrest for 90 days for engaging in activities prejudicial to peace and security. Additionally, the interior ministry put JuD and FIF on a watch-list for six months. But Saeed contended the government decisons saying: The JuD has never been involved in any terrorist activity in Pakistan and no incident of any terrorism or destruction of property was ever alleged against the organisation. He argued that no material has ever been produced by federal or provincial governments against him in a court of law. He cited an observation of a full-bench of the Lahore High Court in a 2009 case against him. The court had said: In the present case the government is not in possession of any evidence that the petitioners are risk to the security of Pakistan and merely on the basis of the UN Resolution their liberty cannot be curtailed. Health inspectors found cockroaches in the kitchen of a popular Indian restaurant in Britain, prompting diners to leave their half-eaten meals and forcing the restaurant to close. Britain has a long history of links with Indian food and the industry is estimated to be worth 4 billion pounds, but instances of unhealthy practices are not unknown, particularly those related to health inspectors finding major deficiencies in kitchens, such as mouse droppings and cockroaches. The latest such example is the Sands of Glenfield restaurant in Leicester in the east Midlands, which has a large population of Indian origin. It was shut on the spot when inspectors were tipped off by a member of the public and found dead and live cockroaches on its premises earlier this month. The inspectors, from Blaby District Council, also noted that large quantities of open and uncovered food were left out on kitchen surfaces, and that there was food debris, grease and grime on many surfaces, according to reports in the local press. A spokeswoman for the council told Leicester Mercury: "A resident of the district made us aware that a pest control company had been visiting Sands. We served a hygiene emergency prohibition order on Sands of Glenfield for a cockroach infestation. "The business is now formally closed as a food business until our environmental health team are satisfied that the health risk condition no longer exists. We are working closely with representatives of the business and their pest control company to advise them about the steps they need to take in order for this to be achieved. The reports said the restaurant posted a notice: "We regret to inform you that a problem has been highlighted in the building containing Sands Restaurant and the Sumi Heights apartments. Because of the importance of food hygiene, and our responsibility to our customers, this has resulted in the restaurant closing until the problem is completely resolved." SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Arab League chief Ahmed Abul Gheit said on Thursday resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict would require a two-state solution, a day after Washington signalled it would drop that demand. Abul Gheit affirmed that the conflict "requires a comprehensive and just peace based on a two-state solution with an independent Palestinian state," a statement said after he met UN chief Antonio Guterres in Cairo. His comments came a day after US President Donald Trump met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and suggested a two-state solution was not necessary. Guterres had also called for a two-state solution on Wednesday in a speech in Cairo, saying there was "no Plan B". The Arab League statement said he and Abul Gheit "agreed that the two-state solution remains the real way to achieving" peace. For the better part of half a century, successive US governments -- both Republican and Democrat -- have backed a two-state solution. Palestinian Liberation Organisation secretary-general Saeb Erekat said the PLO remained committed to two states and would oppose any system that discriminated against Palestinians. Search Keywords: Short link: A massive car bomb ripped through a used car market in southern Baghdad on Thursday, killing at least 55 people and wounding more than 60 in the deadliest such attack this year, Iraqi officials said. Interior ministry spokesman Brig Gen Saad Maan confirmed the toll from the attack, which took place in the mainly Shiite al-Bayaa neighborhood. The Islamic State group claimed the bombing in an online statement circulated by its Aamaq news agency. The Sunni extremist group said it was targeting Shiites. Mobile phone footage circulated on social media showed charred bodies and extensive destruction in the Bayaa neighbourhood where the explosion went off around 4.15pm. Earlier, in a statement, a spokesman for the Baghdad Operations Command said a terrorist car bomb attack struck near car dealerships in Bayaa and resulted in the deaths of at least 45 people. An interior ministry official said the emergency services were struggling to cope with the scope of the attack and warned that the death toll may rise. The explosion occurred in the same Bayaa neighbourhood where a car bomb blast killed at least four people on Tuesday. Another four attacks in and around Baghdad on Thursday killed eight people and wounded around 30, police and medical officials said on condition of anonymity. At least 11 people were also killed in a suicide car bomb attack claimed by the IS on Wednesday in a northern neighbourhood of the Iraqi capital. Baghdad was rocked by a wave of deadly suicide bombings during the first days of 2017 but relatively few explosions had been reported since then until this week. Malaysian authorities announced two more arrests on Thursday in connection with the murder of Kim Jong Nam, the half brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, whose apparent assassination this week unleashed a wave of speculation and intrigue: A pair of female assailants, a broad-daylight killing and a dictator-sibling out for blood. Investigators were still piecing together details of the case, including the widespread assumption that the North Korean leader dispatched a hit squad to kill his estranged half brother. Known for his love of gambling and casinos, Kim Jong Nam had lived abroad for years, aware he was a hunted man. Three suspects two women and a man were arrested separately on Wednesday and Thursday. The women were identified using surveillance videos from Kuala Lumpur International Airport, where Kim Jong Nam, who was 45 or 46, suddenly fell ill on Monday morning. Malaysian officials said he died on the way to a hospital after telling medical workers at the airport that he had been sprayed with a chemical. Multiple South Korean media reports, citing unidentified sources, said two women believed to be North Korean agents killed him with some kind of poison before fleeing in a taxi. One of the female suspects had Vietnamese travel documents and was picked up Wednesday at the budget terminal of the airport, the same place where the attack took place. The other woman held an Indonesian passport and was arrested early on Thursday. Indonesian diplomats met with the suspect and confirmed she is an Indonesian citizen, officials said. Authorities identified her as Siti Aisyah, 25, originally from Serang in Banten, a province that neighbours the Indonesian capital Jakarta. Indonesian immigration office spokesman Agung Sampurno said officials from the Indonesian embassy in Kuala Lumpur met with the woman in Selangor state, where she is being held, and ensured she is in safe condition. They were allowed to see her but cannot make any questions, said Sampurno. However, the team can confirm that Aisyah is Indonesian. News of the third arrest came on Thursday afternoon. The police said they had detained a Malaysian man who was believed to be the boyfriend of the Indonesian suspect. Medical workers also completed an autopsy on Kim Jong Nam, but the results have not been released. The findings could reveal whether he was actually poisoned. North Korea had objected to the autopsy but Malaysia went ahead with it anyway because the North did not submit a formal protest, said Abdul Samah Mat, a senior Malaysian police official. On Thursday, Malaysian deputy home minister Zahid Hamidi said security was a top priority for the government and the authorities had acted swiftly and efficiently. Asked why Malaysia failed to protect Kim Jong Nam, Zahid said, What do you mean? Do we have to engage a bodyguard and usher him everywhere? No. Kim Jong Nam was estranged from his younger half brother Kim Jong Un and had been living abroad for years. He reportedly fell out of favour when he was caught trying to enter Japan on a false passport in 2001, saying he wanted to visit Tokyo Disneyland. Kim Jong Nam was the son of Kim Jong Il, North Koreas second leader, and Sung Hye Rim, an actress who analysts say was forced to divorce her first husband to live in secret with the future leader in 1970, a year before their son was born. He was reportedly educated in Geneva and Moscow in his early teens and became fluent in English, French and Russian. After Kim Jong Ils death in 2011, Kim Jong Nam complained that Kim Jong Un, the countrys new leader, was failing to treat him with respect and send him enough money, according to Cheong Seong-Chang, an analyst at South Koreas Sejong Institute. However, Kim Jong Nam refrained from openly criticising the North and kept a low profile after Kim Jong Un executed his uncle and former protector Jang Song Thaek, once considered the countrys second-most powerful person, in 2013. Since taking power, Kim Jong Un has executed or purged a number of high-level government officials. The National Intelligence Service said North Korea had been trying for five years to kill Kim Jong Nam, and that he had sent a letter to Kim Jong Un in April, 2012, begging for the lives of himself and his family. Officials from South Koreas spy agency, the National Intelligence Service, told lawmakers that Kim Jong Nam leaves behind two sons and a daughter with two women living in Beijing and Macau. Malaysia will return the body of the half-brother of North Koreas leader Kim Jong-Un at Pyongyangs request, although there are procedures to be followed, the deputy prime minister told reporters on Thursday. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi confirmed Pyongyang had made the request when questioned by journalists following a meeting with regional business leaders, footage from the event showed. We will facilitate the request by any foreign government although there are procedures to be followed. Our policy is that we have to honour our bilateral relations with any foreign country, he said. He also confirmed the man who was killed at Kuala Lumpur airport on Monday was Kim Jong-Nam, the estranged sibling of Kim Jong-Un. Malaysian police have referred only to a Korean male in their official statements on the matter. He carries two different identities, probably this is an undercover document and this is an authentic passport, Zahid added. Kim, 45, was believed to have been in Malaysia on a passport bearing the name Kim Chol, a known alias, according to South Korean media. South Korean intelligence chiefs say he was poisoned by agents from the North as he walked through Kuala Lumpur International Airport on his way to board a flight for Macau. Read| Female agents, hidden motive: The who and why of Kim Jong-Nams assassination The World Relief refugee resettlement group will lay off more than 140 employees because of President Donald Trumps order barring refugees from entering the United States, the non-profit organisation said. The Baltimore-based group said the layoffs were due to the closure of five offices, or a fifth of its US total, that have resettled more than 25,000 refugees over the past four decades. Our staff at each of these locations have served diligently and sacrificially - some of them for many years - and we are deeply saddened to have to make this difficult decision, World Relief President Scott Arbeiter said in a statement on Wednesday. The shuttered offices are in Boise, Idaho; Columbus, Ohio; Miami, Florida; Nashville, Tennessee; and Glen Burnie, Maryland. World Relief works with local churches to resettle people referred to it by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, according to its website. Trump last month put a four-month hold on allowing refugees into the United States, and indefinitely barred those from Syria. He also temporarily barred travellers from seven Muslim-majority countries, saying his order would help protect Americans from terrorist attacks. About half of Americans backed the ban, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll, but it triggered protests across the country and caused chaos at some US and overseas airports. A Ninth Circuit appeals court panel has put the travel ban on hold, and legal challenges are going ahead in the appeals court and in federal court in Seattle. The Trump administration has signalled it was considering issuing a replacement order. A South Korean passenger plane that exploded off the coast of Southeast Asia. Army officers lured into sexual encounters. A secret agent spirited back to North Korea in a tiny submarine. North Korea has a long history of dispatching female spies on some of its most dangerous and deadly assignments. The arrests of two women in connection with the apparent killing this week of an exiled member of North Koreas ruling family has helped fuel suspicions that the North was involved in the mysterious death. South Koreas intelligence agency believes that two women poisoned Kim Jong Nam, the half brother of North Koreas ruler, as he stood in a shopping area at the Kuala Lumpur airport. But authorities have so far revealed very little information about Kims death or the women. Here is a look at some of North Koreas most famous female spies. KIM HYON-HUI In November, 1987, two North Korean agents posing as a father and daughter left a time bomb on a South Korean jetliner when it stopped in Abu Dhabi during a flight from Baghdad to Seoul. The plane exploded off the coast of Myanmar, killing all 115 people aboard, South Korean investigators say. Former North Korean spy Kim Hyon-hui. (AP Photo) When the two, who were travelling with fake Japanese passports, faced arrest at a Bahrain airport, the 72-year-old male agent killed himself by biting a cyanide-tipped Marlboro cigarette. But the woman, Kim Hyon-hui, was stopped just before taking the poison. After being extradited to Seoul, Kim, then around 27, told investigators that the bombing was intended to disrupt the Seoul Summer Olympics, set to begin 10 months later. Kim was sentenced to death but was eventually pardoned on the grounds that she was duped by North Koreas leaders. She has written several best-selling books and married a former intelligence officer. WON JEONG-HWA Won Jeong-hwa, who entered South Korea around 2001 by posing as a defector from the North, was arrested and sentenced to five years in prison in 2008. South Korean authorities said she used sex to extract sensitive information from South Korean military officers and plotted to kill other officers. The South Korean media quickly dubbed her North Koreas Mata Hari after the exotic dancer sent to obtain military secrets in World War I. Won Jeong-hwa in South Korea. (AP Photo) After her release from prison, Won said her Mata Hari image had been exaggerated by officials and the media, and that she had used sex as a spying tool only once. She said she had fallen in love with a junior army officer. Won also said she disobeyed orders to kill two of her South Korean military intelligence sources with poison. Won struggled to make a fresh start after her release from prison, amid allegations that she was just a low-level informant whose role was inflated by South Korean prosecutors. Won, however, insists she was a highly trained spy. LEE SUN-SIL In October, 1992, South Koreas intelligence agency announced it had arrested 62 people for establishing a secret southern branch of North Koreas ruling Workers Party. Spearheading the underground political party was 75-year-old Lee Sun-sil, a North Korean woman who Seoul officials say had operated in the South for 10 years. Lee, reportedly ranked 22nd in the Norths political hierarchy, avoided arrest because she had already returned to North Korea by the time the underground party was broken up. A former North Korean agent captured in a separate case in the mid-1990s said he had escorted her to the North in 1990 on board a submersible. The captured agent said North Koreas founding leader Kim Il Sung, the grandfather of current leader Kim Jong Un, met Lee twice at one of his villas, awarding her an honorary title and giving her a gold watch engraved with his name. Lee, who also was a member of the Norths rubber-stamp parliament, died in 2000 and was buried at Pyongyangs patriots cemetery, the ex-agent said. Pakistan on Thursday accused India of planning to sabotage the ambitious $46 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), as well as endangering regional peace through it military buildup. We are aware of Indian (governments) plans to sabotage CPEC, ministry of foreign affairs spokesperson Nafees Zakaria said during a weekly briefing, adding that Indias interference in Pakistan is not concealed. He added that Indias nuclear weapons were a threat to peace in South Asia. He also said that massive purchase of weapons by India could lead to instability in the region. According to Zakaria, even Kulbhushan Yadav -- the alleged Indian spy arrested in Balochistan -- had admitted to making an attempt to affect the work on the CPEC. Zakaria said the CPEC was not only beneficial for Pakistan, but for the entire region as it was an economic project. He also condemned Indian firing on the Line of Control, saying three Pakistani soldiers had died due to it. Pakistan also accused India of endangering regional peace through it military buildup. Indian defence buildup is not in the interest of the region, Zakaria said. It is a matter of grave concern and endangering the peace in the region and disturbing the strategic balance. Zakarias comments came days after Pakistan claimed that India was building a secret nuclear city and has accumulated a stockpile of nuclear weapons which threatens to undermine the strategic balance of power in the region. Speaking at the weekly news briefing, Zakaria also alleged that Indian atrocities against Kashmiris were continuing unabated. Zakaria said Pakistan was committed to the Kashmiris legitimate movement for self-determination. He accused India of violating ceasefire on the Line of Control and Working Boundary resulting in loss of precious civilian lives. He said Pakistan has repeatedly lodged protests with India in this regard. Pakistani security forces raided a hideout of Taliban-linked suspected Islamic militants on Thursday, killing 6 of them, a counter-terrorism official said. The raid in the central district of Khanewal was based on intelligence that the militants were planning an attack, said the official Mohammad Saleem. Explosives, assault rifles, hand grenades and maps of some installations were seized at the scene, he said. The raid came on heels of a series of suicide bombings this week by a breakaway Pakistani Taliban faction the Jamaat-ul-Ahrar or Freedom Movement following an almost three-month lull. The group carried out three suicide bombings this week, killing 19 people. Also, two of its bombers were killed before they could set off their explosives and another blew himself up prematurely before reaching his target. Pakistan has for over a decade fought Islamic militants, who have killed thousands of people. Similar raids and search operations were underway in other Pakistani urban centres and security was put on alert in major cities across the country, said Rana Sanaullah, a provincial law minister. Meanwhile, the office of Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said he convened a meeting of top civilian and military officials and ordered a tough response to the militants. US defence secretary James Mattis bluntly warned NATO allies Wednesday that Donald Trumps administration would moderate its commitment to the transatlantic alliance unless members met their spending pledges. Mattiss no-nonsense message to his counterparts in Brussels follows years of calls by Washington for allies to spend at least two percent of their GDP on defence, a goal that only a handful meet despite agreeing on it at a summit in 2014 Americans cannot care more for your childrens future security than you do, retired Marine general Mattis said. It packs extra weight as it comes after Trump has said US help for NATO members -- already worried by the threat from Russia in the east -- might depend on how much they have paid. Americans cannot care more for your childrens future security than you do, retired Marine general Mattis said in prepared remarks to defence ministers at NATO headquarters. If your nations do not want to see America moderate its commitment to this alliance, each of your capitals need to show support for our common defence. Mattis called for milestone dates this year that would track NATO member contributions. Read| US President Trump to meet NATO leaders for first time on May 25 Very firm message NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg denied that Mattiss words amounted to a threat, saying it was a firm message and that his colleagues agreed that they would do more to contribute. Secretary Mattis conveyed a very firm message to all Allies. That message is about the importance of fair burden-sharing. It reflects a political reality in the United States, Stoltenberg told a press conference. Currently, only the United States, Britain, Estonia, Greece and Poland have hit or surpassed the two percent figure. Secretary Mattis conveyed a very firm message to all Allies. That message is about the importance of fair burden-sharing. It reflects a political reality in the United States, NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg said. The call for more funding comes as NATO mounts its biggest buildup since the Cold War, strengthening its eastern flank following Russias annexation of Crimea in 2014. British Defence Secretary Michael Fallon told reporters that he had called on laggards to at least increase spending annually to demonstrate good faith. NATO said its member countries spent a total of $892 billion (842 billion euros) in 2015, with the United States accounting for $641 billion. Russian military spending in 2015 rose to 66 billion dollars, the SIPRI institute in Stockholm said. Despite lambasting some NATO partners spending, Mattis hailed NATO as the fundamental bedrock of transatlantic security as he sought to reassure allies about Trumps commitment to the alliance. Since his inauguration, Trump has taken a more orthodox stance on NATO and reaffirmed long-standing US commitment to the alliance that Mattis has previously served. Trump, who is set to meet NATO leaders in Brussels in May, had previously said the alliance was obsolete. Russia scandal Mattiss visit to NATO, his first trip to Europe since being sworn in last month, comes amid a growing scandal at the White House following the resignation of Trumps national security adviser Michael Flynn. Flynn quit over allegations he had discussed US sanctions with Russias ambassador before taking office. Mattis and Stoltenberg both insisted the Flynn scandal was not a cause for concern for the alliance, which has underpinned transatlantic security since the aftermath of World War II. But NATO partners are worried about possible ties between other officials on Trumps campaign team and Moscow, which has alarmed former communist countries with its belligerent stance since the Crimea annexation. During the previous Barack Obama administration, NATO agreed to send four multinational battalions to Poland and each of its three Baltic state members. Also hanging over the meeting was a New York Times report that Moscow had deployed a new type of cruise missile, raising fears it would violate the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty. Stoltenberg said any non-compliance with the treaty was of serious concern while Mattis said NATO would defend ourselves if Russia chooses to act contrary to international law. Prodded by the new Trump administration, NATO is also stepping up efforts to counter terrorist threats from North Africa and the Middle East. NATO will set up as soon as possible a hub with 100 staff at the alliances Joint Force Command in Naples, Italy, which will coordinate intelligence on crisis countries like Iraq and Syria, Stoltenberg said. The alliance will also deploy surveillance drones in Sicily to get a better intelligence picture. Read| After Flynn resignation, Trump fires tweets against intel agencies over Russia row President Bashar al-Assad on Thursday said Raqa is not a priority target for his forces, saying his goal is to retake every inch of Syrian territory. Raqa is a symbol, Assad said in an interview with French media, while asserting that jihadist attacks carried out in France were not necessarily prepared in the Islamic State group (IS) stronghold in Syria. You have ISIS close to Damascus, you have them everywhere, Assad said, using another acronym for IS. Everywhere is a priority depending on the development of the battle, he said, as a new round of peace talks was set to kick off in the Kazakh capital Astana. They are in Palmyra now and in the eastern part of Syria, he said in the interview in Damascus with Europe 1 radio and the TF1 and LCI television channels. For us it is all the same, Raqa, Palmyra, Idlib, its all the same. The Syrian leader said it was the duty of any government to regain control of every inch of its territory. After a string of major losses in both Iraq and Syria, the jihadists two main strongholds of Mosul and Raqa are both under attack from forces backed by a US-led coalition. After a massive, four-month campaign, Iraqi forces are tightening the noose on Mosul, while in Syria, an Arab-Kurd alliance, the Syrian Democratic Forces, has begun advancing on Raqa. Also in the interview, Assad categorically denied that his government practices torture and reiterated his rejection of recent allegations by Amnesty International of executions and atrocities perpetrated at a prison near Damascus. Assad said Amnestys childish report contained not a single fact (or) evidence to support allegations that some 13,000 people were hanged at the Saydnaya prison between 2011 and 2015. A street vendor sells coffee outside Aleppo's ancient citadel, as posters depicting Syria's President Bashar al-Assad are seen in the background, in Syria February 1, 2017. (Reuters) Winning hearts They said they interviewed few witnesses, who are opposition and defected. So its biased, the Syrian president said. Regarding torture, he said, We dont do this, its not our policy, adding: Torture for what? ... For sadism?... to get information? We have all the information. He argued: If we commit such atrocities its going to play into the hands of the terrorists, theyre going to win. Its about winning the hearts of the Syrian people, if we commit such atrocities... we wouldnt have (popular) support (through) six years of war. Concerning international negotiations to end the conflict that has claimed more than 300,000 lives, Assad said Western countries had lost their chance of achieving anything in Geneva twice. While Turkey, Russia and Iran take the lead in the talks in Astana, the West has become passive, he said, denouncing the coalition for supporting those groups that represented the terrorists against the government. They did not want to achieve peace in Syria. Russia and Iran have helped turn the tables on the ground with their military backing for Assad, while Turkey has supported rebels fighting to oust the strongman. A new round of the Astana talks was set to kick off on Thursday after a one-day delay for technical reasons. The talks -- pushed by key Assad supporter Moscow -- are viewed as a warm-up for UN-led negotiations that are due to begin in Geneva on February 23. The meeting in Geneva, the fifth time negotiators have gone to Switzerland, has been pushed back twice already, in part to give the opposition more time to form a unified delegation. US President Donald Trumps defence secretary said on Thursday he did not see the conditions for military collaboration with Russia, in a blow to Moscows hopes for repairing ties with the United States following Trumps election. We are not in a position right now to collaborate on a military level. But our political leaders will engage and try to find common ground, James Mattis told reporters after talks at Nato headquarters in Brussels. Asked whether he believed that Russia interfered in US presidential elections, Mattis said: Right now, I would just say theres very little doubt that they have either interfered or they have attempted to interfere in a number of elections in the democracies. Mattis remarks came shortly after his Russian counterpart, Sergei Shoigu expressed readiness to resume cooperation with the Pentagon and the same day Russian President Vladimir Putin said it was in the interests of both nations to restore communications between their intelligence agencies. Its in everyones interest to resume dialogue between the intelligence agencies of the United States and other members of Nato, Putin said, addressing Russias Federal Security Service (FSB). Its absolutely clear that in the area of counter-terrorism all relevant governments and international groups should work together. Mattis told a closed-door session of Nato on Wednesday that the alliance needed to be realistic about the chances of restoring a cooperative relationship with Moscow and ensure its diplomats could negotiate from a position of strength. That prompted a terse reply from Russias defence minister Sergei Shoigu. Attempts to build a dialogue with Russia from a position of strength would be futile, Shoigu was quoted as saying by news agency TASS. Mattis shot back: I have no need to respond to the Russian statement at all. Nato has always stood for military strength and protection of the democracies and the freedoms we intend to pass on to our children. The back-and-forth was the latest indication from the Trump administration that rebuilding US ties with Moscow could be more difficult than Trump might have thought before his election. US intelligence agencies concluded that Russia hacked and leaked Democratic emails during the presidential campaign as part of efforts to tilt the vote in the November 8 election in Trumps favour. Concerns over the extent of Russian interference have been magnified since Trump forced out national security adviser, Michael Flynn, on Monday. Flynn resigned after disclosures he had discussed US sanctions on Russia with the Russian ambassador to the United States before Trump took office, and that he later misled vice-president Mike Pence about the conversations. Congressional inquiries into alleged Russian interference in the US elections are gaining momentum as Capitol Hill investigators press intelligence and law enforcement agencies for access to classified documents. The FBI and several US intelligence agencies are investigating Russian espionage operations in the United States. They are also looking at contacts in Russia between Russian intelligence officers or others with ties to President Vladimir Putins government and people connected to Trump or his campaign. A massive car bomb ripped through a used car market in the south of Iraq's capital Thursday, killing more than 50 people in the deadliest such attack this year, security officials said. The Amaq propaganda agency linked to the Islamic State militant group (IS), which has claimed nearly all such attacks recently, reported the blast and described it as targeting "a gathering of Shias". The explosion, which sent a thick plume of dark grey smoke billowing into the sky above Bayaa neighbourhood, sowed carnage and caused extensive destruction. "A terrorist car bomb attack struck near car dealerships in Bayaa," a spokesman for the Baghdad Operations Command said in a statement. An interior ministry official gave a death toll of 52 and said that more than 50 other people were also wounded. Hospital officials confirmed the figures. He said the emergency services were struggling to cope with the scope of the attack, which ripped through the busy car market at around 4:15 pm (1315 GMT), and warned that the death toll may yet rise. Security officials could be seen inspecting the site before the sun went down, while some distressed civilians searched for relatives and others took pictures with their mobile phones of the large crater caused by the blast. "There are so many victims, not just one or two," said Nasser, a young man wearing blood-stained surgical gloves who was near the site of the explosion and rushed to the scene to help the wounded. "There was one here, we carried him," he said, pointing to a spot behind him. "We found a hand here, a leg and heart over there, everything." The site of the bombing is an open space used as a second-hand car market where hundreds of private sellers park their vehicles and wait all day to discuss prices with prospective buyers. "Just the cars, you can be sure of that, there's always two or three people standing next to each car," Nasser said, explaining the high toll. The explosion occurred in the same neighbourhood where a car bomb blast killed at least four people on Tuesday. At least 11 people were also killed in a suicide car bomb attack claimed by IS on Wednesday on the edge of Sadr City, a northern neighbourhood of the Iraqi capital that has been repeatedly targeted. Baghdad was rocked by a wave of deadly suicide bombings during the first days of 2017 but relatively few explosions had been reported since then until this week. More than 30 people were killed in a suicide car bomb attack on a busy square in Sadr City on January 2. Thursday's blast was the deadliest to hit Baghdad since a huge truck bomb attack claimed by IS set two shopping arcades in the Karrada district on fire and killed more than 320 people in July last year. IS militants are currently defending the west bank of the northern city of Mosul, their last major urban stronghold in Iraq, against a huge offensive by the security forces. Four months into the broad military operation, Iraq's largest in years, elite forces have retaken the eastern side of the city and are preparing for an assault on the part of Mosul that lies west of the Tigris River. The Islamist militants have carried out diversionary attacks, such as raids in other towns and cities as well as bombings in Baghdad and elsewhere, in an apparent bid to stretch federal security forces and capture headlines. Search Keywords: Short link: President Donald Trumps nominee for labour secretary abruptly withdrew his nomination Wednesday after Senate Republicans balked at supporting him, in part over taxes he belatedly paid on a former housekeeper not authorised to work in the United States. Fast-food executive Andrew Puzder issued a short statement abandoning the effort, saying he was honoured to have been considered by President Donald Trump to lead the Department of Labor. White House spokesman Sean Spicer declined to comment on possible replacements, but said late Wednesday that the White House had seen the writing on the wall. We know how to count, he said. Read | Trump travel ban: Over 680 held in immigration raids; rights groups alarmed Puzders nomination became part of a streak of contentious confirmation battles and haphazard White House actions, including a botched rollout of Trumps executive order on refugees and the ouster of national security adviser Michael Flynn. Senator Lamar Alexander, who would have chaired Puzders confirmation hearing on Thursday, issued a terse statement saying the nominee would have made an excellent labor secretary, but I respect his decision to quit pursuing the post. Puzder spokesman George Thompson said his boss was a victim of an unprecedented smear campaign. What troubled majority Republicans most of all was Puzders acknowledgement that he had not paid taxes on the housekeeper until after Trump nominated him to the Cabinet post December 9 five years after he had fired the worker. Puzders spokesman said the nominee had paid the taxes as soon as he found out he owed them. But the discrepancy remained a growing political problem for Republicans and the Trump White House, which has taken a hard line on immigration and taxes. Thompson said in an e-mail that Puzder informed the White House of the housekeeper matter after the nomination. People interviewed during the transition period said they were not asked by Trumps team to provide vetting information, raising questions about the level of scrutiny. Ultimately, Republicans made it clear that Puzder did not have the votes for confirmation. Democrats and their allies welcomed Puzders withdrawal, saying his corporate background and opposition to such proposals as a big hike in the minimum wage made him an unfit advocate for American workers at the top of an agency charged with enforcing protections. They had already made it clear that Puzders statements about women and his own workers would be major issues at his confirmation hearing. Puzder was quoted in Entrepreneur magazine in 2015 as saying, I like beautiful women eating burgers in bikinis. He said the racy commercials for Carls Jr., one of his companies, were very American. Democrats also said Puzder had disparaged workers at his restaurants by calling them the best of the worst. He was quoted by Business Insider as saying he wanted to try robots at his restaurants, because Theyre always polite, they always upsell, they never take a vacation, they never show up late, theres never a slip-and-fall, or an age, sex or race discrimination case. One GOP senator, speaking on condition of anonymity because the conversations were private, said six senators had asked the White House to call off Puzders Thursday hearing because they couldnt see themselves voting for him. That would have put the nomination in jeopardy, since Senate Republicans have only a 52-48 majority and Democrats are solidly opposed. United Nations secretary-general Antonio Guterres warned on Wednesday against abandoning the idea of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, saying there was no alternative. There is no alternative solution for the situation between the Palestinians and Israelis, other than the solution of establishing two states, and we should do all that can be done to maintain this, he said during a visit to Cairo. The idea of a Palestinian state living side-by-side with Israel has underpinned Middle East peace efforts for decades, though the last US-brokered negotiations broke down in 2014. But a senior White House official said on Tuesday peace did not necessarily have to entail Palestinian statehood, and US President Donald Trump would not try to dictate a solution. Trump, at a Washington news conference held after Guterres spoke, left the question open, saying he would work to bring about peace between Israel and Palestinians, but it would be up to the parties themselves ultimately to reach an agreement. Before the two leaders met, Palestinians warned the White House not to abandon their goal of an independent state. For Palestinians, who seek a state in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, East Jerusalem and in the Gaza Strip, even the notion of a US retreat from the internationally backed goal of a future Palestine existing alongside Israel was alarming. If the Trump Administration rejects this policy, it would be destroying the chances for peace and undermining American interests, standing and credibility abroad, said Hanan Ashrawi, a senior member of the Palestine Liberation Organisation. Speaking later in the day at Cairo University, Guterres stressed once again the need to pursue a two-state solution. We should not forget the mother of all conflicts is the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, he said in a wide-ranging speech. It is important to stress that, in my opinion... there is no plan B other than the two-state solution. Guterres earlier this month condemned the Israeli parliaments move to legalise thousands of settler homes in the occupied West Bank, saying it goes against international law and will have legal consequences for Israel. Under Israeli law, the move retroactively legalises about 4,000 settler homes built on privately owned Palestinian land. Guterres also defended this week the choice of former Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad as the UN envoy to Libya, after the United States raised objections and said the United Nations was biased against Israel. US Congress on Wednesday sent President Donald Trump legislation blocking an Obama-era rule designed to keep guns out of the hands of certain mentally disabled people. On a vote of 57-43, the Senate backed the resolution, just one of several early steps by the Republican-led Congress to undo regulations implemented by former President Barack Obama. The House had passed the measure earlier this year. The White House has signalled Trump will sign the legislation. The Obama rule would have prevented an estimated 75,000 people with mental disorders from being able to purchase a firearm. It was crafted as part of Obamas efforts to strengthen the federal background check system in the wake of the 2012 massacre of 20 young students and six staff at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. Adam Lanza, a 20-year-old man with a variety of impairments, including Aspergers syndrome and obsessive-compulsive disorder, shot and killed his mother at their home, then went to school where he killed the students, adults and himself. He used his mothers guns in the attack. The Obama administration rule required the Social Security Administration to send in the names of beneficiaries with mental impairments who also have a third party manage their benefits. But lawmakers, with the backing of the National Rifle Association and advocacy groups for the disabled, opposed the regulation and encouraged Congress to undertake a rarely successful parliamentary tool designed to void regulations that Congress takes issue with. With a Republican ally in the White House, the GOP has moved aggressively on several fronts to rescind some of the Obama administrations final regulations on the environment, financial reporting and now guns. Under an expedited process established through the Congressional Review Act, a regulation is made invalid when a simple majority of both chambers pass a joint resolution of disapproval and the president signs it. The House also voted to repeal three Labor Department regulations Wednesday, including a rule that established when states could require drug testing for certain laid-off workers seeking unemployment insurance. Critics seeking the repeal said the department crafted the regulation so narrowly that it undermined congressional intent to give states more leeway to use drug testing in their unemployment insurance programs. On the gun rule, Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, spearheaded the repeal effort, saying the regulation unfairly stigmatizes the disabled and infringes on their constitutional right to bear arms. He said that the mental disorders covered through the regulation are filled with vague characteristics that do not fit into the federal mentally defective standard prohibiting someone from buying or owning a gun. Grassley cited eating and sleep disorders as examples of illnesses that could allow a beneficiary to be reported to the background check system if they also have a third party to manage their benefits. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said he didnt know how he could explain to his constituents, including those in Newtown, that Congress was making it easier rather than harder for people with serious mental illness to have a gun. If you cant manage your own financial affairs, how can we expect that youre going to be a responsible steward of a dangerous, lethal firearm, Murphy said. Gun rights groups werent the only organizations upset about the Obama administrations regulation. The American Civil Liberties Union criticized it, too. The ACLU said the rule advanced a harmful stereotype that people with mental disabilities, a vast and diverse group of citizens, are violent. More than a dozen advocacy groups for the disabled also opposed the Obama administrations regulation. This heartless resolution puts the most vulnerable Americans at risk, countered Dan Gross, president of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. Make no mistake, this vote was really about deepening the gun industrys customer pool, at the expense of those in danger of hurting themselves or others. On the labor rule, Mississippi, Wisconsin and Texas are among the states seeking more flexibility in using drug tests in their unemployment insurance programs. Republicans complained that the Obama administration regulation undercut that flexibility and congressional intent. I am pretty certain that the people who I am privileged to represent would be very upset if they thought somebody was receiving unemployment compensation while they were on drugs, because they think that is going to make it pretty hard for that person to ever get back into the workforce, and they want to be able to identify that, said Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla. Democrats argued that Republicans were simply enabling states to intimidate people from seeking unemployment benefits. The legislation that we are debating today has nothing to do with fighting drug abuse, said Rep. Richard Neal, D-Mass. Its about allowing states to put one more time-consuming, humiliating obstacle in the way of Americans who work hard, and were laid off from their jobs and need unemployment insurance to pay the bills while they look for new jobs. US president Donald Trump on Thursday denied any one in his campaign had been in touch with Russian intelligence, slammed intelligence leaks as criminal, rubbished reports of turmoil in his White House and accused news media of reporting fake news. And, he repeatedly claimed he had inherited a mess. Addressing his first solo news conference after assuming office, Trump gave vent to his frustration with unfair and hateful media coverage, anger with Democrats for delay in confirming his cabinet nominations and with courts for striking down his travel ban order. He was angry, but insisted he was not raving or ranting and claimed he was enjoying himself. The news briefing came just days after he fired his National Security Adviser Michael Flynn for losing his trust over calls to the Russian ambassador to the US, and amid calls for investigations into his campaign aides reported links to Russian intelligence, pressed by lawmakers from both parties. There have been reports also of dysfunction in the White House with apparently no one seemingly in charge with competing power centers trying to pull each other down and of a wary intelligence community not willing to share sensitive information with him because of his seemingly warm embrace of Russia. I turn on the TV, open the newspapers and I see stories of chaos chaos, Trump said. Yet it is the exact opposite. This administration is running like a fine-tuned machine, despite the fact that I cant get my Cabinet approved. He listed out shortly steps take by him to cut regulation, pull the US out of Trans-Pacific Partnership and others and previewed those in the pipeline. There has never been a presidency thats done so much in such a short period of time, he said, adding, And we have not even started the big work yet. On Thursday, however, all he wanted to do was fight back anyway he could in a 75-minute news briefing. The very first question he took set the tone. The reporter questioned his credibility if he continued to mislead the country, and the world, on the scale of his victory he has claimed his electoral college victory margin is the biggest since Ronald Reagans. Presidents George HW Bush and Barack Obama did much better, the report pointed out. Trump just shrugged: thats what he was told. And, incredibly, he said that while the leaks he was angry about, and which he had asked to be investigated by the justice department, were real, the news based on them was fake news. And he stuck by it to repeated questions. The briefing was initially called to announce Trumps new nominee as labour secretary its Alexander Acosta, a Hispanic lawyer from Florida but he used it to address all major issues that have been in the headlines lately, and have been agitating him enough to tweet about them, multiple times. Chiefly, Russia, and media coverage of him, his staff and his administration. He flatly denied anyone he knew in his campaign had been in touch with Russian intelligence as has been reported, and re-asserted he himself had had no dealings in Russia, and he doesnt own assets there. Russia is a ruse, he said many times, insisting he would be tougher with Moscow than his Democratic rival for the presidency Hillary Clinton, who was mentioned many times, more than necessary, probably. While claiming he was not raving or ranting, which he is how the news briefing will be reported, he did indeed rave and rant against media, repeatedly using the phrase fake news, and named outlets he believe have been unfair to him. Critics on the left, described him as looking and behaving unhinged, frustrated and angry. But conservatives were happy, as an editor of right-wing publication told HT, Im happy he used the conference to try and list off what hes done and whats going on, as opposed to simply flipping out over the insane and, frankly, scary leaks from the Deep State. That was a good sign, and he covered it all. The US senate on Thursday narrowly confirmed South Carolina congressman Mick Mulvaney to serve as White House budget director in a 51-49 vote that largely followed party lines. Underscoring the rocky reception that US President Donald Trumps cabinet nominees have had on Capitol Hill, the vote came as Republican senator John McCain opposed Mulvaney along with 46 Democrats and two independents. McCain, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said on Wednesday he was concerned about Mulvaneys opposition to defense spending. Read: Trump taps conservative leader Mick Mulvaney as budget chief An outspoken budget hawk who has been branded by Democrats as a threat to popular social programs including Social Security and Medicare, Mulvaney entered the House of Representatives as a Tea Party candidate in 2011 and is a member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus. Democrats have also criticised him for failing to pay more than $15,000 in taxes related to a household employee until after he was nominated. Mulvaney was narrowly approved earlier this month by both the Senate Budget Committee and the Senate Homeland Security Committee, where McCain provided a crucial yes vote to move the nomination forward. President Vladimir Putin on Thursday called for Russian intelligence agencies to bolster ties with their US counterparts in the fight against terrorism. Restoring dialogue with the special services of the United States and other Nato members is in our mutual interest, Putin told the countrys FSB intelligence agency in a televised speech. Its not our fault that it stopped and is not developing. Its absolutely obvious that in the sphere of anti-terrorism all responsible states must cooperate. Putins comments come as Moscow is hoping new US leader Donald Trump makes good on his pledge to improve tattered ties with Russia and seek cooperation in the fight against the Islamic State jihadist group. Even a simple exchange of information about the channels and sources of terrorists, about people implicated in or suspected of terrorism seriously raises the effectiveness of our joint efforts, Putin said. Trumps administration is currently facing heat over reports of its ties to Moscow -- which follow allegations from the US intelligence community that Putin ordered a hacking and influence campaign to help get Trump elected. Trumps predecessor Barack Obama slapped sanctions on Russias FSB domestic agency and the GRU military intelligence over accusations they were involved in cyberattacks against the US. In his speech, Putin still lashed out at Nato over its expansion around Russias border -- a perennial bugbear for the Kremlin -- and said the US-led bloc was constantly provoking Moscow. They are always trying to provoke us, constantly provoking and trying to drag us into confrontation, he said. Attempts to intervene in our internal affairs with the aim of destabilising the social and political situation inside Russia itself do not stop. He said that last year Russian authorities blocked the activity of 53 foreign intelligence officers and 286 agents of overseas agencies. As far as Pros the obvious reasons are being able to to get across the creative vision of the song and creating dope visuals. I don't really see any cons. Maybe someone could argue that Pablo Escobar was responsible for a lot of crime and death in his country but at the end of the day that's what makes being an artist beautiful. We paint the pictures it's up to the ones consuming the art to create their own perception. The now-classic film had real power as an affirmation of Americas goal in going to war The first time I saw Casablanca I was 20 years old, with a date on my arm and hope in my heart. Unsurprisingly, I watched it through the lens of romance. So too, for at least the first five viewings, should anyone watch this most beloved of American films. The journey of its central character, Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart), from a deep bitterness about love at the beginning of Casablanca to a noble sacrifice of love at its end, is one of the most compelling plots in the history of cinema. But after that, it is permissible to reflect on Casablancas political content, as film critics have been doing for more than 70 years. If you have never seen Casablanca, then stop reading this column and get hold of the DVD, and return after youve watched it. The rest of us may reflect on the film as it would have appeared to moviegoers during its initial run. Casablanca debuted at New Yorks Hollywood Theater on Thanksgiving Day 1942, not quite a year after the United States entered World War II. By February 1943 the film was playing in more than 200 moviehouses across the country. At one level, of course, Casablanca is indeed an extraordinary romance. It centers on Ricks Cafe Americain, whose clientele comes to drink, gamble, and attempt to buy and sell escape from Casablanca, in French Morocco, to Lisbon, in neutral Portugal, and departure to freedom in the New World. French Morocco is under the control of Vichy France, the authoritarian, pro-German rump state established in 1940 after France signed a humiliating armistice with Germany. Rick himself is hardened and bitter. It transpires that he came to Casablanca from Paris, where he loved and lost the beautiful Ilsa Lund (Ingrid Bergman). Ilsa suddenly appears in the company of her seeming new lover, resistance leader Victor Laszlo (Paul Henreid). Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, Rick later glooms in a fog of liquor, she walks into mine. Laszlo is among those trying to escape to Lisbon, closely pursued by the menacing Nazi Major Heinrich Strasser (Conrad Veidt). In Casablanca, Laszlo enjoys a fragile safety, thanks to Vichys juris diction. But Vichy is virtually a German satellite, and sooner or later Strasser will find a way to seize him. Laszlo is saved only because Rick ultimately decides to discard his cynicism and, in an intricately planned gambit, ensure Laszlos escape. Few could miss Casablancas references to prewar American foreign policy. Early in the film, Rick rebuffs an overture by the black marketeer Ferrari (Sydney Greenstreet) to go into business together. My dear Rick, Ferrari chides the cafe owner. When will you realize that in this world today isolationism is no longer a practical policy? The Vichy police prefect Captain Louis Renault (Claude Rains) warns Rick not to intervene on behalf of the weasel-like Ugarte (Peter Lorre), suspected of murdering two German couriers carrying letters of transit priceless to anyone seeking to flee Casablanca. I stick my neck out for nobody, Rick responds. A wise foreign policy, Renault says. Based upon those lines in the film, and its overall trajectory, some have theorized that Warner Brothers intended Casablanca as an argument in favor of American intervention in the war. But that is an untenable interpretation. Filming only began in May 1942, five months after Pearl Harbor, and when the cameras started rolling the script was still far from being complete. Working at white heatscreenwriter Howard Koch remembered feeling that the camera was a monster devouring my pages faster than I could write them the writers scarcely had the time to craft a subtle propaganda film. And director Michael Curtiz scarcely had the intention: he simply wanted to make a love story. But as an affirmation of Americas goal in going to war, which was nothing less than to save the world from evil, Casablanca had real power. The film establishes early on that Rick once waged his own war against evil, running guns into Ethiopia and fighting in the Spanish Civil War, acts redolent of Americas intervention against Imperial Germany in World War I. But then, as the United States had after the Armistice, Rick retreated into a disillusioned isolation ism: I stick my neck out for nobody. Yet despite Ricks initial refusal to facilitate Laszlos attempt to escape Strasser by flying to Lisbon with Ilsawho turns out to be Laszlos wifeby the end of the film Rick has done exactly that, notwithstanding the fact that in doing so he is giving up Ilsa, the great love of his life. Welcome back to the fight, Laszlo says. This time I know our side will win. To protect Laszlo and Ilsa from being captured before their flight can lift off, Rick shoots Strasser. Then, with the plane safely aloft, Rickjoined by Renault, who has also recovered his idealismwalks off into the night to make his way to the Free French garrison at Brazzaville. Louis, Rick says, in one of cinemas great lines, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship. The arc of the film, then, is an unmistakable journey from isolationism to intervention. But audiences would also have viewed Casablanca in more personal terms. After explaining to Ilsa why he has decided that she should leave with Laszlo rather than remain with him, Rick continues, Im no good at being noble, but it doesnt take much to see that the problems of three little people dont amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world. Like Rick, millions of Americans were making sacrifices on behalf of the greater good, either by leaving loved ones to go to war or by watching loved ones depart. And if by horrible chance the loved ones failed to reunite, then, like Rick, they could console themselves with their own equivalent of Ricks declaration to Ilsa: Well always have Paris. Originally published in the June 2014 issue of World War II. To subscribe, click here. I VE NEVER FOUND it easy to warm up to General Douglas MacArthur, and I know Im not alone. A haughty aristocrat in a nation that prefers home spun heroes, an aloof figure with a Messiah complex who couldnt speak respectfully even to the President of the United States, and a commander whose arrogance led him to underestimate his enemies, often with disastrous effect: MacArthur was a problematic figure at best, and a threat to civilian control of the military at worst. And yet, for all his maddening flaws, the man knew how to operate. If you doubt that, check out the fighting on New Guinea in 1943. A classic example of a forgotten campaign, that action deserves better. Consider the scale. New Guinea is almost four times the size of Great Britain. The fighting there was not so much island warfare as a continental-scale land campaign, replete with the most difficult weather and terrain imaginable. Indeed, it was the sheer size of islands like New Guinea that led the Joint Chiefs of Staff to organize the Pacific Ocean into two gigantic commands. The Southwest Pacific Area, which included New Guinea, was an army domain, with MacArthur in command; the Pacific Ocean Area was the navys responsibility, with Admiral Chester Nimitz in the chair. It is easy to criticize that split-ticket decision, and a lot of analysts have. It reeks of interservice rivalrythe bane of U.S. military operationsand violates the ancient precept of unity of command. But keep an open mind. The Pacific Ocean is no mere military theater. It is one-third of the globes surface. Operating in the Central Pacific, a vast emptiness dotted with a handful of tiny islands, was different from the Southwest Pacific, where giant islands abound and heavy ground-pounding was necessary. Putting New Guinea under the navy would have been as sense less as placing carrier operations in the hands of the army. The Southwest Pacific required a commander able to think big, and Operation Cartwheel, launched on June 30, 1943, was Mac at his big-thinking best. The objective was Rabaul, the vast Japanese air-naval base on the island of New Britain, east of New Guinea. Assaulting Rabaul frontally was out of the question, so MacArthur drew up a plan to flank that bastion to the east and westthat is, from the Solomon Islands and New Guinea. He would command one of those two drives, in a classic campaign of airborne and amphibious maneuver in New Guineas Huon Peninsula. He began by secretly building an airstrip in the grassy valley at Tsili Tsili, 60 miles west of the main Japanese positions at Lae and Salamaua. Next, he launched a series of carefully sequenced air raids on the Japanese base to the northwest, at Wewak, that gutted the Japanese Fourth Air Army. With the enemy stripped of air cover, he launched amphibious landings near Lae and an airdrop at Nadzab, just to the west. MacArthur hit the Japanese every which way, in other words, bewildering and eventually paralyzing them. By November Allied forces had overrun the Huon Peninsula. All in all, Cartwheel involved no fewer than 10 landings within eight months. Ringed tightly by Allied bases and subject to unremitting air attack, Rabaul was no longer a safe haven, and the Japanese navy had to evacuate its fleet to Truk, 800 miles north. It was a brilliant campaign and a pinnacle in MacArthurs careerindeed, anyones career. You want to run MacArthur down? Fine. December 8, 1941, in the Philippines. Bataan and Corregidor. The Chinese counterattack along the Chongchon in Korea. The blow-up with President Harry S. Truman, a conflict generated largely by the generals own arrogance. The man had a checkered record. I get that. Just be sure to include Cartwheel in your appraisal. Originally published in the April 2014 issue of World War II. To subscribe, click here. To preserve the Anzio beachhead against a massive German counterattack, Allied troops resorted to a brutal ground game. There was total silence. No clank of tank tracks, no drone of aircraft engines, no thunder of distant artillery. All across the stalemated Anzio beachhead, stretching some 15 miles from east to west, it was unnervingly quiet in the early hours of February 16, 1944, as if the Germans and the Allies were in their corners, taking a deep breath and steeling themselves before the clang of the bell and the first round. Dawn broke, a faint light spreading across the battlefield. With it came the whine of shells, followed by a metallic scream and the crumple of explosions. The air filled with sound and it seemed that immense trains were hurtling overhead, then crashing on top of one another. Men from the 157th Regiment of the 45th Thunderbird Infantry Divisionholding positions about five miles inland, along a 2,000-yard front flanking a road connecting Anzio to Romewere bounced around their foxholes. Dozens died from the concussive effect of nearby blasts that burst soldiers lungs and tore away their muddied field jackets. After an hour, the shelling ceased. A few miles north, across a no-mans-land of shallow ditches and draws, thousands of German soldiers checked their weapons one last time and stepped forward. Operation FischfangCatch Fishaimed at destroying the Allied beachhead, had begun. Not since the blitzkrieg of spring 1940, when the Germans had rolled to Paris in less than six weeks, had so large an attacking force gathered to do battle in the west. The path to victory lay along the crucial route to Romethe Via Anziate which bisected ugly scrubland, marshes, and woods. If Wehrmacht armor could advance south along that route, the Germans would be able to push the Alliessome 100,000 meninto the Tyrrhenian Sea. A flare soared, bathing the landscape in an eerie green. Another deafening symphony began, this time of machine guns, rifles, and mortars. In his dugout a few yards east of the Via Anziate, E Companys commander, Captain Felix L. Sparks, picked up his field glasses and scanned the front. The tall, wiry Arizona native had first seen action in Sicily before fighting his way up Italys jagged spine. Now, at age 25, he was a canny veteran of three amphibious invasions and a superb company commander, much respected by his men. He was also surprisingly calm in combat. But what Sparks saw tested his composure. Several mottled gray Mark IV and Mark V Panther tanks, spewing clouds of exhaust, were about a mile away, trundling down the roadbed toward his company. Behind the lumbering 25-ton behemoths of the 3rd Panzergrenadier Division came hundreds of gray-uniformed men, some drunk and drugged, screaming guttural orders, blowing whistles, barking encouragement to one another. Some were singing beer hall songs learned in the Hitler Youth. They belonged to the first wave of assault troops from the experienced 715th Infantry Division. The division was part of the German Fourteenth Army, under the command of the highly capable general Eberhard von Mackensen, who answered to master strategist Field Marshal Albert Kesselring, commander of German forces in Italy. As far as the attacking Germans were concerned, Sparkss company occupied the Schwerpunkt: the crucial point at which to concentrate their energies to break through. Their officers had correctly told them that the Americans standing in their way were a National Guard outfit. The 45th Infantry Division had been formed from the Oklahoma Army National Guard. The officers also correctly noted that many in the unit were Native Americans. One German report called these GIs racially inferior people who had no love of the white man and probably wouldnt fight. The German troops could taste victory. They didnt have far to push, either: just five miles and the Allies would be back in the Mediterranean. Sparks peeked out of his foxhole again. Three Panzer IVs were on his left flank, avoiding the Via Anziate. Their commanders knew that if they took the road American artillery fire would zero in and destroy them. The tanks were coming fast, only 200 yards away. Machine guns blinking streams of bullets, they sliced through one platoon of Thunderbirds like a scalpel. Two M10 tank destroyers were nearby. Get them! Sparks called to the crew. The officer in charge of the tank destroyers hesitated. Are those British tanks? he asked. Hell, notheyre German tanks! shouted Sparks. Shoot them! The M10s fired. Two of the enemy tanks exploded, their inch-thick armor shredded. The third tank pulled back. One M10 moved 30 yards to the east of the Via Anziate and stopped near Sparkss foxhole. Sparks figured its commander wanted to gain a better line of fire. A shell shrieked, exploded, and the M10 erupted, killing its crew and sending flames shooting into the sky. To avoid being burned, Sparks had to jump to another foxhole. He looked north, along the Via Anziate. Hundreds of German soldiers were closing on E Companys positions. Sparks gave the order to fire. Machine guns snarled. Snipers picked off German officers. M1 rifle fire crackled, interrupted by barely audible pings as soldiers emptied their magazines. Sparkss machine gunners soon had mowed down most of the first wave. Germans fell in agony, their bodies piling so thickly in places that American marksmen could not see to shoot. A few Germans survived the hail of fire, including one who got within yards of Sparkss foxhole. An American sergeant had strapped himself to a tank destroyers .50-caliber machine gun mount. The sergeant opened up, killing most of the attackers. But one remaining German, armed with a submachine gun, crawled toward the tank destroyer. There was a brrrrrp sound. Dust flew from the back of the sergeants field jacket as bullets riddled his chest. Another American put the German out of action. Several corpses lay at the edge of Sparkss hole; the sergeant had saved his life. Again shellfire erupted, hitting another M10, which burst into flames. Explosions ripped through E Company, killing a platoon leader and an entire 12-man rifle squad and knocking out the companys antitank guns. More German tanks closed in, blowing Sparkss troops from their holes at close range. Medics! men cried. Medics! The situation seemed hopeless. Sparks faced a tough decision. He could stall the German attack by ordering his own artillery to fire on his positions. Some of his men might be killed, but pulling the chain, as it was called, was his only option. Even so, it was a desperate move. The 158th Artillery responded, shells exploding with devastating power among the Thunderbirds and forcing German tanks and infantry to withdraw. But elsewhere along the front the enemy advance continued, breaking through Allied lines. To the west, the 179th Infantry Regiment pulled back, unable to hold the rushing waves of Germans. In the east, British forces from the 56th Division also withdrew. Seven enemy divisions were pushing south across the Anzio plain, an area the Italians had grimly called Campo di CarneField of Meat. The Thunderbirds, who manned a six-mile sector of the front, had borne the brunt of the attack. The three Thunderbird regiments took unprecedented lossesespecially along the Via Anziate. At dawn, Sparks had commanded 230 men; now he had fewer than 130. In his headquarters 50 miles to the north in Rome, Albert Kesselring studied dispatches and reports from Anzio that evening and noted how fast the battle was consuming arms and assault units. He ordered von Mackensen, Operation Fischfangs commander, to commit his reserves. The Germans had to split the 45th Infantry Division in two. Smiling Albert did not want to have to inform the Fuhrer that his forces had failed to break through. An hour before dawn on February 17, German flares suddenly turned the skies above the Anzio beachhead as bright as day. An ominous drone followed, and then Allied troops heard the offbeat throb of bombers engines. Jaw-jolting explosions destroyed mortar emplacements and machine-gun nests along the Allied front, hitting the 157ths command post and demolishing a house occupied by headquarters staff, severing communications with the 2nd Battalion command post. More German planes hit the rear, dropping thousands of antipersonnel butterfly bombs, whose brightly colored fins whirled as they fell. Kesselring was emptying his arsenal at the battered Allied lines. Panzers coughed to life, filling the chill air with black fumes. German soldiers shouldered their weapons, and in the early light set out along the Via Anziate, determined to destroy what was left of the Thunderbirds lines. But to Sparkss astonished relief, the Germans did not try to storm his position. Instead, with tanks in support, the enemy troops moved west, where they broke through the 179th Infantrys lines. They didnt even shell us, Sparks recalled. But they were [soon] all around us and in back of us. They had already learned that if they did attack, wed bring in artillery fire. So they gave our position a wide berth. All that morning, Germans poured past, a seemingly unstoppable flow of force. It looks like a parade, one man said. The remnants of E Company were stranded, with only two M4 Sherman tanks left. There was also a lone bazooka. A corporal named George Holt had carried the antitank weapon all the way from Salerno and never had an opportunity to fire it, much to everyones amusement. Around noon, Sparks sent a runner to the 2nd Battalion command post, about a mile to the south. The command post was sheltered in an extensive centuries-old warren of caves and man-made tunnels big enough to drive a truck through. (See Return to the Caves, page 41.) The caves were also the base for the 158th Artillerys radio crew. The runner informed the 2nd Battalions recently appointed commander, Lieutenant Colonel Laurence C. Brown, that E Companys current position was untenable. Withdraw and set up on the battalion right flank on the highway, Brown responded. On the map Sparks held, he could see a small rise to his rear, roughly 400 yards down the Via Anziate. The two Shermans would attract enemy fire, so he ordered the tank crews to wait until he and his men pulled back before making their break. Just as the withdrawal began, Sparks saw a German Mark IV moving along the road. It turned and headed down a dirt track, directly toward his command post. Then he remembered Holt and his bazooka. Holt was in a foxhole 10 feet away. Holt, get that tank! Holt fired and missed. The tank wheeled, its massive tracks clanking, and pulled back. Sparks shouted for Holt to reload. There was no reply. Had Holt heard him? Sparks sprinted to the corporals foxhole. Holt had collapsed. He was bleeding from the nose and appeared to be suffering from an exploding shells concussion. Sparks ordered Holt and other wounded men evacuated. Then he and the remaining 18 members of E Company set out south along the Via Anziate. They tried to stay low, but the enemy quickly spotted them; 50 Germans attacked from the rear. The Thunderbirds kept moving, kept firing, and were down to their last clips when, once more, the Germans backed off. Exhausted, Sparks and his men stumbled up a small rise to the west of the shell-pocked road and dug in. They had no choice but to leave the badly wounded behind. Sparks knew every one of those men by name. Dusk settled. One of Sparkss men spotted about 200 heavily armed German soldiers heading toward the 2nd Battalion command post. Sparkss communications sergeant, Fortunato Garcia, quick-crawled toward the caves as the last of the daylight faded. He managed to get there in time to issue a warning. Seconds later, German grenades exploded in the caves entrances, killing a soldier and destroying a radio. Thunderbirds near the caves replied with M1s, machine guns, and grenades. Men inside also fired back, every rifle shot echoing through the underground chambers like cannon fire. But the Germans kept coming. The defenders ran so low on ammunition they resorted to stripping rounds from discarded machine-gun belts to fill M1 clips. The battalions liaison officer for the 158th Artillery, Captain George Hubbert, called artillery fire onto the caves. Several batteries gun crews, blackened from cordite powder and almost deaf from incessant firing, loaded more shells into their howitzers waist-high breeches and fired, tossing the brass casings onto small hills of spent shells as ginger-colored smoke drifted though nearby trees. Allied white phosphorous shells, landing around the caves for 30 minutes, added to the mayhem, stunning those inside but killing most of the attackers. All night dying Germans, surrounded by torn and bullet-riddled comrades, moaned and cried. Kamerad, Kamerad, voices cried out. Dont shoot; Im your friend, others cried in English. Near the caves, a Thunderbird machine gunner spotted a wounded German trying to crawl to safety. Theres a Heinie, he told a rifleman. Pick him off. I dont see him. Where is he? Gimme your rifle and Ill show you. The rifleman handed over his M1. The machine gunner aimed and fired. Now I see him! said the rifleman. He just moved. Yeah, the machine gunner said. I just moved him. At noon on February 18, 3rd Division commander Major General Lucian Truscott arrived in the wine cellar in the village of Nettunothree miles northeast of Anziothat served as headquarters for the Allied forces there. A situation map showed the extent of German penetrations in the last 48 hours. Kesselring, spending his reserves at a rapid rate, had pushed only as far as an overpass on the Via Anziate called the Flyover, two miles to Sparkss rear. Truscott, clad in a leather jacket and tankers boots, examined the map. Lines in red showed German advances; the Allied positions were in blue. Redrawn many times, the map was badly smudged. In the center was a blue circle around the caves, where the remnants of the regiments 2nd Battalion were surrounded. All afternoon the battle raged across the beachheads perimeter. But nowhere was the fighting as savage and critical as it was in the 45th Divisions sector at the center of the Allied line. In one 40-minute spell, an incredible 600 rounds of enemy artillery landed around E Companys isolated position beside the route to Rome, shells exploding every four seconds. The barrage killed three men, leaving Captain Sparks and 15 others huddled in foxholes, hands over ears, hearts racing. Still, most Thunderbirds held steady into the evening and through the long night. By the next morning, February 19, interlocking American machine-gun fire from a ridgeline near the caves had killed a cluster of Germans by one of the entrances their bodies falling, macabrely, in the shape of a cross. Allied artillery, which had outfired the enemy by a factor of 10, finally halted Kesselrings forces. Shell-shocked Germans began surrendering in droves. In one sector, German officers ordered machine-gun and mortar units to fire on any fellow soldier trying to give up without a fight. Under interrogation, POWs later confirmed the horror of the Allied shelling. Germans told of making attacks starting out in battalion strength, one Thunderbird recalled, but then being whittled down to less than the size of a platoon by our artillery before reaching our forward positions. In a large map room at Adolf Hitlers Wolfs Lair headquarters in East Prussia, the Fuhrer seethed with frustration. Operation Fischfang was not going according to plan. The Allies had not been pushed back into the sea. The abscess below Rome had yet to be lanced. He began to rant about his generals in Italy. They were the problem, not his brave troops. After a 20-minute tirade, his voice grew calmer. Another all-out attack might do the trick. And if his useless generals failed again, he would command the battle himself. Before dawn on February 20, Captain Sparks sent a runner to the caves to find out what the 2nd Battalion planned to do next. He and his men were out of supplies and low on water, scavenging for ammunition on the ground. Sparks had not eaten for days. When the runner returned, he reported that some 500 men from the British 2nd Battalion of the Queens Royal Regiment of the 56th Division were to relieve the 2nd Battalion the night of February 21. Sparks thought that was one of the stupidest things he had ever heard. He and his battalion were surrounded, yet hundreds of British troops were being sent to relieve them. How could relief troops get to the caves, let alone hold out once they arrived? The sensible course was to pull back and reinforce the regiments new front linenot waste yet more good men in the defense of a hopeless position. The runner also told Sparks to prepare to pull back to the caves, now about three-quarters of a mile away. Once the British arrived, he and the surviving Thunderbirds in the 2nd Battalion were to make a break for the regiments forward lines, two miles further to the rear. The British set out after dark on February 21, moving anxiously forward, rifles slung, beneath the brilliant green light of seemingly constant enemy chandelier flares. A German plane swooped and dropped butterfly bombs. They made hideous popping sounds as they exploded in blinding orange and white splashes, and left dozens of British troops dead and more wounded. By the time the hundred or so soldiers who survived reached the caves, they were without most of their weapons, armor, and supplies. But to the Thunderbirds amazement, the British insisted on taking over the Americans positions. Later that night, two British rifle squads set out from the caves to relieve Sparks and company; fewer than a dozen men made it to the Americans position. Sparks said they could borrow his last machine gun, emphasizing that he would come back for it. To stand a chance of crossing no-mans-land, he would need all the firepower he could carry. Around dawn on February 22, Sparks and his men departed for the caves, slithering on their stomachs and crawling through icy puddles in the darkness back to the command post, where help awaited. Inside, a veritable Hades greeted them. At every turn, men with terrible wounds, heavily drugged to stop their screams, lay on bloody stretchers; medics and the battalion surgeon, Captain Peter Graffagnino, worked tirelessly, but stocks of morphine spikes, bandages, and water were running low. First Sergeant Harvey E. Vocke and a few others dared to fetch water from a nearby stream that was clogged with dozens of decaying enemy corpses. The Germans opened fire, and machine-gun bullets knocked water cans from Vockes hands. Others were more successful. They filled their canteens and returned to the caves, where they boiled the bloody water and shared it with the wounded. It was time to move out. Around 1:30 a.m. on February 23, able-bodied survivors from the 2nd Battalion shouldered arms, said last prayers, and formed a line leading to the mouth of the caves. Captain Graffagnino and several medics volunteered to stay behind with the wounded. What lay ahead, the departing men understood only too well, would be the greatest test of their lives: crossing more than two miles of enemy territory dotted with German machine-gun nests. As Sparks prepared to leave the caves, he heard fighting outside and remembered the machine gun he had left with the British. He found the 2nd Battalion commander near the entrance and told Colonel Brown he was going to get the gun. The battalions planned escape route led across a bridge that spanned a deep draw; Ill meet you at the bridge, Sparks said. Then he slipped out, taking only his .45 sidearm, groping in the dark through draws and gullies 400 yards north to his old position near the Via Anziate. To his shock, no one was there. The rise had been abandoned; his machine gun was gone. Spooked, Sparks worked his way back and eventually rejoined a group of about 50 departing Thunderbirds. Among them was Sergeant Garcia, who days earlier had warned men in the caves of the oncoming Germans. Sparks decided to lead the way. Terrified men, several of them walking wounded, followed him in single file, stumbling over brambles, discarded equipment, and corpses old and new. Sparks reached the bridge and led some of the men across it. Others lagged, and Sparks returned to make sure the stragglers got across. Then he moved forward once more, down a supply trail. The ravenous Sparks spotted some biscuits and a canteen that a British soldier had dropped; he stuffed his mouth full of dry pastry and washed it down with the clean water. When he came across a rifle he grabbed that as well. A cold rain fell, soaking Sparkss dirty, slicked uniform. Garcia volunteered to scout ahead and took off into the darkness. He did not return. Sparks heard the distinct sound of a German machine gun like fabric being torn close to his ear. Then the night fell silent. He stood stock-still for a few moments, listening, before crawling forward again. When he caught up with the column, he saw that several men had been cut down. Others had scattered. A few lay nearby, frozen with fear. A machine gun sounded again. Bullets cracked through the cold air. Fire back! Fire back! Sparks ordered. Several men did. Everybody follow me! he shouted. He crawled forward with a few men behind him. He knew there was a canal nearby where they could take cover. The steep banks were matted with vegetation. Sparks dropped into the foul, shin-deep water. Others scrambled down after him. He took a head count. A few minutes ago, he had been leading about 40 men. Now there were just 12, none of them from E Company. He figured the rest were dead or captured. Sparks started forward again, moving along the canal toward German lines, which had shifted two miles closer since the enemy counteroffensive began. He sensed danger in one direction, trusted his instinct, and led the survivors down another path. They tried to be as silent as possible, but soon German voices cried out and grenades exploded nearby, fountains of earth cascading into the sky. But the Germans still could not see them, and no one was hurt. They scrambled through the German lines and into no-mans-land. In the gloom Sparks could see figures ahead: British troops. He had no password. If he called out would they open fire? The artillerymen spotted him and, to his astonishment, fled into nearby woods, horrified by the sight of mud-coated madmen emerging from the murk. Dawn had broken by the time Sparks finally reached his regiments headquarters. He could barely stand as he reported to the 157ths commanding officer, Colonel John Church, on the battle by the Via Anziate and the subsequent breakout. Sparks was still carrying his pistol and salvaged rifle when he finally lay down in a foxhole. There he slept, undisturbed, for more than 24 hours. The Thunderbirds had saved the Anzio beachhead, but suffered mightily to do so. The division lost half its strength in only 36 hours. The 157ths 2nd Battalion endured 75 percent casualties. On February 16, it had numbered 713 enlisted men and 38 officers; now there were 162 men and 15 officers. Ninety of these men needed immediate hospitalization. Many had lost their hearing because of the constant din of artillery fire and the echo-chamber effect of the caves. Several had trench foot so severe they could not walk and had to have legs amputated. The British battalion that relieved the Thunderbirds in the caves fought against all odds for three more days before being all but destroyed. Surgeon Peter Graffagnino and the medics who stayed behind with the wounded in the caves spent the rest of the war as POWs in Germany. Felix Sparks awoke believing he was E Companys sole survivor, until he learned that another E Company man, Platoon Sergeant Leon Siehr, had survived as wellmaking them only two of 231 men in their unit that February to make it back to Allied lines from what became known as the Battle of the Caves. Originally published in the April 2014 issue of World War II. To subscribe, click here. Libya's UN-backed government has sent NATO an official request to help improve its security and defences, the alliance said Thursday. NATO agreed at a summit last year in Warsaw to offer support, if requested, to the Government of National Accord, which it wants as a bulwark against migrant flows and terrorism. "Last night, I received a formal request from Libyan Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj requesting NATO's advice and expertise in the field of defence and security institution building," NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg told a press conference in Brussels. The 28-nation transatlantic alliance, which is holding a meeting of its defence ministers, will discuss how to respond to the request as soon as possible, Stoltenberg said. During talks earlier this month in Brussels with Sarraj, Stoltenberg offered to help Tripoli to build up its navy and coast guard in concert with EU efforts to curb migrant smuggling from the north African country to Europe. Stoltenberg said NATO could also offer advice to the Tripoli government on establishing a modern ministry of defence, a joint military staff and security and intelligence services under civilian control. Sarraj's government is locked in a power struggle with a rival administration in eastern Libya as it seeks to end years of lawlessness following the 2011 overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi. The EU is still waiting for the Libyan government to give permission for its naval operation Sophia to enter the chaos-wracked country's waters to expand on its missions to stop migrant smuggling to Europe. Search Keywords: Short link: Focused on the Photos I would like your help in identifying the rifle on page 40 of Phil Sterns story Still Focused, (November/December 2013). A Ranger is taking aim with what appears to be a rifle with a Springfield 1903/1903A3 action and stock, but whose shortened barrel ends in what looks like a compensator from a Thompson submachine gun. Was this a custom-made weapon? Thanks for producing a first rate magazine! Harry D. West Barryton, Mich. The soldier at right on page 40-41 appears to have a German dagger. Can you identify? You have a great magazine, which I en joy as a student of history and the son of a World War II vet. Keep up the good work. Richard A. Fultz Wamego, Kans. I am fascinated by Phil Sterns photo of landing craft and floatplanes on page 45. I think the aircraft could be Latecoere 298s. Who was operating them? I would be interested in any info regarding the aircraft in the photo and/or Free French forces in Sicily. My Dads twin was in the first wave of the Canadian First in that invasion. Joe Skaptason Overland Park, Kans. That odd-looking rifle muzzle extension seems to be an M1 grenade launcher adapter, which allowed a rifleman to fire an M2 grenade and use his M1903 in its normal capacity. The dagger is a British-made Fairbairn-Sykes fighting knife, probably obtained while training in Scotland. Rangers had leeway in weapons choice, and many supplemented assigned gear based on a particular task or personal preference. The patrolling floatplanes are indeed French-built Latecoere 298s, which after Operation Torch were operated by Free French naval forces in conjunction with RAF Coastal Command. A caption on page 40 of Still Focused states that Pattons 1st Infantry Division entered Arzew. Arzew was part of the landing at Oran in Algeria and the 1st Infantry Division was then commanded by Major General Terry Allen, under Major General Lloyd Fredendall. Patton was in command of the Western Task Force, which invaded Morocco. Patton did not take command of the 1st Division until after the Kasserine Pass disaster, when Ike fired Fredendall. William Doll Amherst, N.H. Well Always Have Munich The final sentence of your November/December What If section says it all: The failure to stand firm at Munich was thus even more calamitous than most students of World War II appreciate. The article de scribes Neville Chamberlain and Edouard Daladier flying to Munich to impose a solution upon the hapless Czech government. The real What If is what would have happened if the Czech leaders had massed their army and some of the worlds best tanks and told Hitler the only way he was getting any Czech territory was to fight for it. Would Hitler have risked war, casualties, and the inevitable delays to his other plans over the Sudetenland? Czech leaders had the sole obligation to defend their country, not France or Britain. What we should take from Munich is that countries are responsible for their own defense. David Husar Arlington, Va. Sunken Sister In the November/December 2013 issue, John Prados (Goliath Unleashed) dis cusses the Japanese vessel Yamato. Claiming its crew of 2,800 was the largest in the Imperial Japanese Navy, he very briefly alludes to the Musashi, Yamatos sister ship. However, he does not state that the Musashi was essentially the same size in crew (2,800) and armament as the Yamato. George R. Muller Lambertville, N.J. As the article notes, superbattleships Yama to and Musashi were identical sister ships. However, when the article begins, the Mu sashi has been sunk, leaving the Yamato as the Imperial Navys largest vessel. Czech Chassis A caption in the story City of Darkness (November/December 2013) misidentifies a self-propelled gun as a Wespe. That vehicle actually is a Marder III with a 75 mm Pak 40 antitank gun on a Czech-built Panzerkampfwagen 38(t) chassis. Variants used captured Russian 76.2 mm antitank guns. The Wespe and the Marder are good examples of the German practice of repurposing obsolete tank chassis. I continue to enjoy World War II magazine and read every issue cover to cover. Ken Kirk Dickinson, Tex. Corrections A sentence in Time Travel (November/ December, 2013) should have read, proportionately, except for Iwo Jima, no battle of the Pacific War involved more troops or spilled more blood. The word proportionately was deleted due to an editors error. In the same issue, a photo of the Pentagon on page 39 dates not to 1942 but the late 1940s. Originally published in the April 2014 issue of World War II. To subscribe, click here. BILL CHAMBERS SPENT THE war in the Merchant Marine, arguably the least appreciated of the American wartime services: it offered no military benefits and suffered the highest death rate. On his maiden voyage, Chambers reached Pearl Harbor only days after the Japanese attack; on his next trip, three ships that he was on sank. But now, at 92 and beset by dementia, he remembers none of this. Fortunately, in 2004 his daughter Kay (above) interviewed him for the Library of Congress Veterans History Project (loc.gov/vets/). As the World War II generation fades, we at World War II magazine strongly urge readers to help veterans they know participate in this oral history program. Otherwise, remarkable tales like Chamberss, here condensed from the original, will be lost. How did you train for the work you did in the Merchant Marine? I attended the Pennsylvania Nautical School from October 1939 to October 1941. Cadets trained on the school ship Annapolis, a combination sailing and steam vessel built in 1897 and quite cramped; cadets slept in hammocks. After graduating I became a deck officer. On December 7, 1941, I was at sea on the SS Steel Maker, en route from the East Coast via the Panama Canal to Honolulu. What was that trips purpose? We were on a commercial voyage. One morning the captain came into the officers saloon after receiving a radio mes sage from the navy: Japan had attacked Pearl Harbor a few hours earlier, and we were to follow sealed orders he had received in Panama. Arriving in Honolulu on December 15, we only heard rumors about what had happened. We were not allowed to see the damage or any other parts of the waterfront. The longshore men were Japanese, under military guard. We were allowed off the ship, but only on the pier and in the very near vicinity. We were not allowed to go into Honolulu. On December 30, we were shelled by a Japanese submarine in Kahului Harbor, Maui. Then we sailed to San Francisco in a convoythe first convoy I experienced. Where did your next convoy go? Across the North Atlantic. The SS Steel Worker departed Philadelphia on March 26, 1942, for Murmansk, Russia, loaded with cargo, including 250 tons of explosives in the number five hatch at the stern. From May 25 to May 31 we were under continuous air attack. Eight ships were sunk; many were damaged from near hits. Three were hit and made port. The ship was armed with machine guns to be used by the merchant seamen; there was no U.S. Navy Armed Guard on board, as there would be later. Four enemy planes were destroyed, and many were damaged. What happened at Murmansk? We unloaded the explosives straight away. On June 3, 1942, on our way to discharge the remaining cargo at another berth in the Kola Inlet, a heavy explosion hit the number five hatch, where the explosives had been. The ship may have struck a mine. It sank in half an hour. We abandoned ship, and a British escort vessel picked us up and took us to the SS Alcoa Cadet. My first wristwatch, which I got when I was in high school, and my sea mans papers went down with the ship. Russian divers were able to salvage much of the military cargo, because the ship sank in less than 100 feet of water. Then the Alcoa Cadet sank. On June 21, 1942. It had discharged its cargo and was waiting for orders. I was standing beside my desk in my cabin when the ship blew up. The British said it was a mine; the Russians said it was a torpedo. I was rescued from a life raft along with the ships captain by a Russian patrol craft and transferred to a Russian military barracks across the river from Murmansk. Six days later, you set off for home. Those of us who survived transferred to the SS American Press, sailing in a convoy to Hoboken, New Jersey, via Iceland. On July 5 at 9 p.m. off Icelands west coast, we were attacked by subs or hit a minefield, its not clear; six ships were sunk. The convoy scattered. One ship was hit but made Reykjavik. We turned and headed for Akureyri, in a fjord on Icelands north coast. Eventually we reached Reykjavik and joined a convoy to the United States. What was your longest voyage? On December 30, 1942, the SS Robin Sherwood sailed from New York for the Panama Canal and ultimately Iran. We were loaded with supplies to be trans shipped overland to southern Russia the safest way for them to go. We took a circuitous route from the Canal Zone to Freemantle in western Australia; it took 28 days, with no land or any other ship ever sighted. To avoid the Japanese, we sailed an indirect route from Freemantle to the Persian Gulf. We discharged military supplies for Russia in three Iranian ports, then we sailed from the Persian Gulf south on the East Africa coast, stopping to load commercial cargo at Mombasa, Kenya; Dar es Salaam, Tanganyika [now Tanzania]; and Beira, Mozambique. We stopped at Durban and sailed around South Africa before we headed across the South Atlantic toward South America. When we got back to New York on July 23, 1943, we had sailed 36,000 miles. Next you sailed on a Liberty ship. The SS Charles J. Folger. The crew was flown in a DC-3 to New Orleans to join the vessel. We sailed to Cuba, where we loaded sugar, and headed for New York, where we joined a North Atlantic convoy to bring the sugar to Scotland and Wales. The early voyages along the coast were unescorted by navy vessels or airplanes, and were easy prey for U-boats; many ships were sunk. It was better after the U-boats were transferred to the North Atlantic to join wolf packs there. When was your last voyage? After the war was over in Europe, on the SS Thomas J. Walsh; I was Master of the vessel. We were not in a convoy. We left Charleston, South Carolina, on May 24, 1945; the journey lasted until January 18, 1946. We sailed to Gibraltar, then to ports in Italy and France. In Marseille, we loaded military vehicles and armored cars for the Far East and headed to the Panama Canal. While we were en route, the atomic bomb was dropped. We arrived in Japan in October 1945 and stayed in Yokohama Bay for a month, though we never unloaded our military supplies. Eventually we sailed back through the Panama Canal to Philadelphia, then to Norfolk, where the military supplies were unloaded. Did you get any citations? The Merchant Marine Emblem, the Atlantic War Zone Bar, the Pacific War Zone Bar, the Mediterranean Middle East War Zone Bar, the Victory Medal, the Combat Bar with two stars, the Honorable Service Button, and the Presidential Testimonial Letter by President Harry Truman. In 1995 I was awarded a Russian commemorative medal called the 50th Anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War. After the war, you went to MIT. Did the GI Bill cover that? No. Merchant Marine seamen were not included in the GI Bill. In 1988 a law was passed that finally gave us official discharge papers and access to Veterans Administration medical care. Originally published in the April 2014 issue of World War II. To subscribe, click here. Half Moon Bay, CA (94019) Today Intervals of clouds and sunshine in the morning with more clouds for later in the day. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 58F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers late. Low 47F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch. The US media and intelligence community have been lashed out by President Trump, after new reports of contacts between members of his team and Russia. Trump accused the National Security Agency (NSA) and FBI of giving out information illegally. Some US media say that important Trump aides were in constant communication with Russian officials in the campaign. Intelligence officials previously declared they believed Russia tried to influence the vote in favour of Trump. Moscow has dismissed the claim, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the latest reports of contacts with Trump aides were not based on facts. On Thursday Rex Tillerson is due for his meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, at a G20 gathering in Germany. Trump attacked the intelligence services and the Democrats The latest allegations reignited tensions between the US president and his own intelligence services. They come a day after National Security Adviser Michael Flynn resigned amid reports he discussed US sanctions with Russia before Trump took office. Trump attacked the NSA and the FBI for what he described as leaks to the media. "Information is being illegally given to the failing @nytimes & @washingtonpost by the intelligence community (NSA and FBI?)," Trump tweeted. In another tweet Trump suggested that the reports were "non-sense" produced by the Democratic opposition. The intercepted communications were between Trump campaign officials and other associates, and Russian intelligence and government officials. Flynn and Trump's former campaign manager, Paul Manafort, were said to be among those mentioned by the officials. Manafort declared that he has never spoken to Russian intelligence officers, and that he has never been involved with the Russian government. As well as an FBI investigation, the Senate and House intelligence committees are examining Russian involvement in the US election. It is unclear if the latest claims will be included in their scope. @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. On Wednesday, President Trump suggested that the U.S. intelligence community could be "illegally" leaking sensitive information in order to hurt his administration. This effectively ended a brief detente with agencies that he had previously accused of working against him. According to Fox News, The discussion regarding the government leaks occurred during Trump's joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Trump said that intelligence as well as papers were being leaked. "Things are being leaked. It's a criminal action -- criminal act -- and it's been going on for a long time. Before me. But now it's really going on." The leaks caused the resignation of National Security Adviser Michael Flynn on Monday night. This occurred succeeding The Washington Post's reports about his discussions about sanctions with a Russian official within the transition period. Flynn himself told Vice President Pence that the exchange did not occur. Trump took to Twitter to highlight the incident and wrote "This Russian connection nonsense is merely an attempt to cover up the many mistakes made in Hillary Clinton's losing campaign. Information is being illegally given to the failing @nytimes & @washingtonpost by the intelligence community (NSA and FBI?). Just like Russia." Previously Trump had mocked the intelligence community. He believed they were responsible for leaked information that led to reports in the past about supposed connections tying his campaign with the Russian government. Additionally, Trump initially refused to claim Russia responsible for a series of pre-election hacks of Democratic emails. He eventually, however, conceded the Kremlin was probably behind it. Trump has also been widely criticized for his attempts at seeking a better relationship with Vladimir Putin, the Russian President. On Wednesday morning, Julian Assange, WikiLeaks head, also took to Twitter from his newly activated personal account and framed the battle between the intelligence community and Trump. Alongside his anti-secrecy organization, Assange played an important role amidst the presidential election, where WikiLeaks released a bunch of emails that were politically damaging to Clinton. @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is constantly trying to draw Russia into a confrontation, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said. He also stated that members of the alliance continue to interfere in the domestic affairs of Russia and that they want to create chaos. The accusations came as the Russian leader addressed senior members of the local intelligence agency FSB on Thursday. Putin declared that over the last years the global security situation has worsened, he added that many existing threats have become more serious lately. NATO with its "newly-declared official mission to deter Russia" has become the real threat against Russia according to Putin. He added that this is the real goal behind the expansion of NATO, Putin declared that it happened in the past but now they have found a new justification which they believe to be serious. Foreign intelligence agencies are meddling in Russia "In fact, they are constantly provoking us, trying to drag us into a confrontation," Vladimir Putin declared. The Russian leader added that NATO members are continuing their efforts to meddle in the domestic affairs of Russia and they want to destabilize the social and political order in the country. Vladimir Putin added that foreign intelligence agencies keep advancing with intensive operations in Russia. He said that in the past year 53 foreign intelligence operatives and 386 agents from foreign intelligence services were busted. Putin regrets the lack of cooperation The Russian President also expressed regret about the lack of cooperation between Russia and Western nations. He stated that they are no longer coordinating efforts to fight against common foes such as terrorist groups. Vladimir Putin stated that is is in everyone's interest to resume conversations between the intelligence agencies of US and other members of NATO. Western countries and Russia have had problems related with terrorism or fundamentalism. @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Huawei, the Chinese tech giant and the third largest contributor of smartphones in the tech market is ready to give tough times to the current ruling tech giants Apple and Samsung. Huawei Technologies Co. is reported to give a clear rivalry in the world of the digital assistant as it is developing its own voice-powered service similar to that of Siri, Alexa, Google Assistant and Microsoft Cortona. It is an era of digital assistants for the Smartphone users. The first digital Assistant from Apple in its iPhone revolutionized the Smartphone industry. The recently unveiled Google Assistant has put forward the tech giant in the race of digital assistants. Now, Huawei is planning to arrive with its own digital assistant that can talk to the people which Apple iPhone and Google Pixel does. According to Bloomberg, Huawei has reportedly formed a team of more than hundred engineers who are working at the early stages of developing the technology and the engineers are located at Huawei's Shenzhen, China offices. It is also reported that one of the people said that the efforts are extensive and are aimed take Apple's Siri, Amazon's Alexa, and Google Assistant, and the not smaller players in the tech market. Huawei, the company who has loaded huge number smartphones in the tech market is planning to set itself apart and similar to that of Samsung and Apple by giving amazing features that other Smartphone manufacturers do not give. It is reported that Huawei's assistant would communicate in Chinese languages and target domestic users. Also, another person said that the company will continue to work with Google and Amazon's Alexa service outside China as per the reports. Samsung's announcement on developing a first voice assistant based technology was made on November 2016. Samsung acquired Viv - an artificial intelligence firm run by Dag Kittlaus, who is behind the creation of Apple's Siri. Samsung plans to release the first devices with this new technology later this year. Stay tuned for more updates. @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Mobile World Congress (MWC) is what the tech enthusiasts are waiting for. MWC 2017 will showcase tremendous developments in the tech market and it is a combination of the world's largest exhibition for the mobile industry and a conference featuring prominent executives representing mobile operators, device manufacturers, technology providers, vendors and content owners from across the world Location and Date: Mobile World Congress takes place each year in the Mobile World Capital Barcelona, Spain, at two venues: Fira Gran Via and Fira Montjuic. MWC occurs at the end of February each year and this year event will begin on Monday, February 27 and continue up to Thursday, March 2, 2017. It is reported that the general event opening hours are from 9:00 to 19:00. Tech Companies: According to Mirror UK, Mobile World Congress 2017 will witness biggest tech brands including Sony, LG, Samsung, Motorola and Huawei are expected to unveil their new flagship smartphones. The other companies are expected to arrive with innovations in areas such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and virtual reality. "Over the past three decades, mobile has evolved from an emerging communications technology to a phenomenon that is now at the foundation of everything we do," said Michael O'Hara, chief marketing officer at the GSMA, which runs MWC. It is reported that more than 2,200 companies will exhibit at Mobile World Congress 2017, including the major tech giants Google, HTC, Huawei, Intel, Lenovo, LG, Microsoft, Nokia, Samsung, and Sony. Also, it is reported that there will be the presence of O2 and Vodafone mobile operators and few car manufacturing companies include Ford, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen. It is reported that MWC 2017 will be hosting a series of lectures, keynote speeches and round-table discussions with industry bigwigs along with the device launches. The Keynote speakers in MWC 2017 show include John Hanke, founder, and CEO of Niantic, Reed Hastings, founder and CEO of Netflix , and Rajeev Suri, President and CEO of Nokia. Press Conference Date: BlackBerry (TCL) press conference will be on Saturday, February 25 (time TBC), Huawei press conference is on Sunday, February 26 (2 pm CET), LG press conference is on Sunday, February 26 (12 pm CET), Moto (Lenovo) press conference is on Sunday, February 26 (4:30 pm CET), Nokia (HMD) press conference is on Sunday, February 26 (4:30 pm CET), Samsung press conference Is on Sunday, February 26 (7 pm CET) and Sony press conference is on Monday, February 27 (8:30 am CET). Stay tuned for more updates. @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman on Thursday warned Hamas of a tough response to "provocation", after a projectile fired from Gaza saw Israel retaliate with force. Lieberman also said Israel would turn the Gaza Strip into a prosperous territory if its people toppled the enclave's Islamist rulers, or if the militant group changed its ways. His remarks came 10 days after a rocket fired from Gaza hit southern Israel without causing any casualties, triggering retaliatory tank fire and air strikes that wounded three Palestinians. While Israel was not seeking a new war, "any provocation will be met with a powerful response," Lieberman said, quoted by the website of COGAT, the defence ministry body responsible for coordinating Israeli activities in the Palestinian territories. Israel has maintained a blockade of the enclave for the past 10 years, limiting the entry of goods and crippling the economy in a move it says is necessary to contain Hamas, with which it has fought three wars since 2008. Lieberman said Hamas was responsible for the dire economic situation in Gaza, and vowed to help the territory if it ceased preparations to attack Israel, or if Gazans ousted the Islamists. "The moment Hamas gives up on tunnels and rockets, we will be the first ones to invest and build them a seaport, an airport, and industrial zones by Kerem Shalom and Erez crossings," he said. "We can be partners to turning Gaza into the Singapore of the Middle East, but for that to happen the residents of Gaza need to get rid of the Hamas leadership." Search Keywords: Short link: President Trump declared his support for the Jewish state, he backs off the principle that the solution to the Israeli-Palestinian deal will come via a two-state solution. Instead, he referred to the possibility of an Arab-backed peace process, an idea that's been floating around since the beginning of this century. Asked whether he was abandoning the idea of a two-state solution, Trump declared, "I'm looking at two-state and one-state, and I like the one that both parties like." He also stated that both sides will have to make compromises. After that, turning to Netanyahu, Trump added a question: "You know that, right?" UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, speaking in Cairo, stressed that the Palestinians and Israelis must not abandon a commitment to a two-state solution. He added that there is no Plan B to the situation between Palestinians and Israelis but a two-state solution. The PLO and Netanyahu give their opinions The night before Netanyahu's arrival at the White House, administration officials have doubts on the two-state solution. PLO (Palestinian Liberation Organization) Executive Committee Member Hanan Ashrawi said that if Trump was trying to create alternative realities, then, Trump should spell out what the options are. A one-state solution would require equal rights and citizenship for all the people, unless he is advocating an apartheid state. There are questions about whether a two-state solution is even possible because of Israel's continued settlement building, said Diana Buttu, a former spokeswoman for the PLO who now teaches at Harvard University. Since Trump became President, Israel has announced 6,000 new settlement homes and it has also legalized settler outposts in the West Bank. Netanyahu declared that he wanted to avoid "labels" and talk substance: He believes that Palestinians have to recognize Israel as a Jewish state. Netanyahu also believes that Israel must have overriding security control. @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. MWC 2017 will showcase many innovative devices from various tech giants. The Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2017 will be held at Barcelona, Spain, at two venues: Fira Gran Via and Fira Montjuic. The event will begin starting from Monday, February 27 and continue up to Thursday, March 2, 2017 The Mobile World Congress is the event which will be the greatest platform for the mobile manufacturing tech giant to showcase and launch the new devices. Various press conference invites have already been surfaced by biggest tech brands which include Sony, LG, Samsung, BlackBerry, Nokia, LeEco, Motorola, Huawei and many others. The other companies are expected to arrive with the innovations in areas such as artificial intelligence, robotics and virtual reality. According to Mirror UK, Mobile World Congress 2017 is expected to witness more than 2,200 companies along with major companies in the field of mobile operators and Automobile. MWC 2017 will be seen with the presence of O2 and Vodafone mobile operators and few car manufacturing companies includes Ford, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen. Samsung: The South Korean tech giant has already sent out the invites for the press conference which will be held on Sunday, February 26, 2017. The Smartphone company head DJ Koh has told Reuters that Galaxy S8 will not be launched at the MWC 2017 event, even though the launch of Galaxy S Smartphone has been the old tradition from the company. Also, recent reports Surfaced that the Samsung will announce the launch date of Galaxy S8 flagship on February 27, 2017. There are reports popped up on internet that Galaxy Tab S3 is the device that is expected to be launched in the MWC 2017 against the current best tablet device Apple iPad Pro. Also, the invites sent out by Samsung hints the Galaxy Tab S3 arrival. LG: LG has also sent out the invites for the press conference which will be held on February 26, 2017. The presence of LG at MWC 2017 hints that the company will launch the most awaited LG G6 Smartphone in this event. The LG G6 is expected to be featuring bezel free edge to edge display with 18:9 aspect ratio. Also, a recent report claimed that LG G6 will be powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 821 processor, as Samsung will be swiping off the first lot of the Snapdragon 835 chipsets for its upcoming Galaxy S8. The processor manufacturing tech giant, Qualcomm has already collaborated with Samsung for the mass production of Snapdragon 835 chipsets which is speculate to be featured in the Samsung Galaxy S8 Smartphone. Sony: Sony is reportedly planning to unveil five new smartphones at MWC 2017 including a new flagship with a 5.5-inch 4K display, optimized for virtual reality. Sony press conference will be held on Monday, February 27, 2017. Huawei: The press conference will be held on Sunday, February 26, 2017 at 2 pm CET. It is speculated that the company will launch the Huawei P10 Smartphone with Leica dual camera system. Nokia: Nokia is now owned by the Finnish company HMD Global which outsources its manufacturing to Chinese consumer electronics company FIH Mobile and the company has scheduled its press conference at 4:30pm CET on Sunday February 26, 2017. Nokia is expected to launch 18.4-inch screen Android Nougat powered tablet, other smartphones including the most reliable and beloved 3310 handset. Motorola: Motorola has sent it invites for the press conference at 4:30 pm on Sunday, February 26, 2017. The most awaited flagships Moto G5 and Moto G5 Plus are the smartphones that are expected to be launched at the MWC 2017 event. Apple: The best smartphone manufacturer in the world won't be attending MWC 217. The iPhone maker prefers to hold its own launch events, so there are no reports of Apple arriving at the MWC 2017 event. @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Related Top Trump aide Flynn resigns over Russia contacts President Vladimir Putin on Thursday called for Russian intelligence agencies to bolster ties with their US counterparts in the fight against terrorism. "Restoring dialogue with the special services of the United States and other NATO members is in our mutual interest," Putin told the country's FSB intelligence agency in a televised speech. "It's not our fault that it stopped and is not developing. It's absolutely obvious that in the sphere of anti-terrorism all responsible states must cooperate." Putin's comments come as Moscow is hoping new US leader Donald Trump makes good on his pledge to improve tattered ties with Russia and seek cooperation in the fight against the Islamic State jihadist group. "Even a simple exchange of information about the channels and sources of terrorists, about people implicated in or suspected of terrorism seriously raises the effectiveness of our joint efforts," Putin said. Trump's administration is currently facing heat over reports of its ties to Moscow -- which follow allegations from the US intelligence community that Putin ordered a hacking and influence campaign to help get Trump elected. Trump's predecessor Barack Obama slapped sanctions on Russia's FSB domestic agency and the GRU military intelligence over accusations they were involved in cyberattacks against the US. In his speech Putin still lashed out at NATO over its expansion around Russia's border -- a perennial bugbear for the Kremlin -- and said the US-led bloc was "constantly provoking" Moscow. "They are always trying to provoke us, constantly provoking and trying to drag us into confrontation," he said. "Attempts to intervene in our internal affairs with the aim of destabilising the social and political situation inside Russia itself do not stop." He said that last year Russian authorities "blocked the activity" of 53 foreign intelligence officers and 286 agents of overseas agencies. Search Keywords: Short link: T hrough the window of the shop his great-grandfather founded in 1870, Paul Gardner has a front-row view of the new face of Spitalfields: Costa Coffee, Ted Baker and Urban Outfitters are ranked opposite. Gardners Market Sundriesmen is thought to be Commercial Streets oldest family business and Paul is the fourth Gardner to run the shop, which sells bags and packaging. Gardners survived two World Wars and numerous recessions as Spitalfields evolved from being the centre of Englands silk weaving industry to one of its top hip tourist attractions. In the next few weeks, however, Paul will receive a brown envelope which could end the family tradition of shop-keeping. His business rates, already a hefty 8,500 a year, could double after a revaluation of shop premises across the UK. The bills are expected to arrive in April and areas such as Spitalfields, where property values have soared in the last decade, will see the highest increases. Along with rising rent, it may well close down Gardners. I dont think Ill be able to cling on: Paul Gardner faces a doubling of his business rates (SusannahIreland) / Susannah Ireland I would like to see myself continuing until Im 100 and then passing it on to my children, but the rates are going to be horrendous, says Paul. I dont think I will be able to cling on. Half the businesses around here will go, I reckon. Author Jeanette Winterson, who owns Verde & Company cafe and deli in Brushfield Street, also in E1, agrees business rate rises will cause a species wipeout among independent London shops, including her own. Already retail experts fear the worst. Mary Portas describes the shake-up as short-term business thinking which could double rates in parts of London. The New West End Company also opposes the new rating system. But the Department for Communities and Local Government says the revaluation was necessary as current rates are based on outdated property values, and the new figures will be fairer. A LONDON PROBLEM Three quarters of UK businesses will not see increases and some could end up paying less, says the department. But the Government hasnt calculated the impact on London specifically. A spokesman says that for the first year, increases are capped at five per cent to protect small businesses, and adds that councils could apply for funding to offer rebates to small shops. Londoners prize the character and contribution to community of independent shops and their owners who care, chat and take part far above chain stores. A string of owner-occupied, colourful, friendly shops can drive up house prices, and their importance cannot be overestimated. James Hyman, partner and head of residential agency at Cluttons, says: These shop owners create an area. They drive interest, they make an area a destination, then somewhere to live. Key examples include Ladbroke Grove, Westbourne Grove, Borough and Bermondsey, where property values have been transformed on the back of the small businesses which made their names. When an areas stock rises, though, it comes back to bite them, as major chains move in. Hyman says: Northcote Road used to be full of quirky little shops that have been driven out of the street, which is now full of Cath Kidstons and Petit Bateaus. It is a great loss to the community when the little man goes. VINTAGE VINYL MECCA FACES THE MUSIC The prospects of higher business rates and a rent increase have pushed shopkeeper Jason Gore into a life-changing decision. Facing closure: Lucky Seven record shop in Stoke Newington Church Street / Susannah Ireland The founder of Lucky Seven in Stoke Newington Church Street is selling up. His little gem of a shop is a mecca for people who can happily spend hours rummaging through stacks of vintage vinyl and old books, spurred on by the unpredictable possibilities offered up by its groaning shelves. Lucky Seven opened its doors almost eight years ago. However, the streets transformation in that time, from cute little road of vintage shops and neat cafes to full-fledged challenger to Islingtons urban village crown, might end up being Lucky Sevens downfall. This summer, Gores rent is set for review, which he fears can only mean an increase. He started out paying 16,000 a year, later increased to 23,000. Selling up: Jason Gore, the founder of Lucky Seven (SusannahIreland) / Susannah Ireland The shop is on the market, and Gore hopes to find someone to take it over. Either way, by August he will be gone from Church Street. A lot of the smaller vintage-style shops have already disappeared, he says. He feels it is deeply unfair that small outfits like his and Gardners are expected to pay the same business rates as major chains. BROOKLYN, NEW YORK -- 1 Hotels, the mission-driven luxury lifestyle hotel brand, today opens the doors of its third property and first ground-up development, 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge. Remaining true to 1 Hotels founder, Barry Sternlicht, core philosophy, "The world around us is beautiful, and we want to keep it that way." The property cultivates the best of eco-conscious design, sustainable architecture, cause-oriented partnerships, and unrivaled service. Situated at Pier 1, just south of the iconic Brooklyn Bridge, in Brooklyn Bridge Park with sweeping waterfront views of the Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty, 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge was developed by a joint venture partnership between Starwood Capital Group and Toll Brothers City Living, and it was designed by New York-based architecture studio, INC Architecture & Design. The property features 194 guest rooms, including 29 two- to six-bedroom suites and The Riverhouse, its Presidential Suite, with most rooms offering panoramic views of the East River, the Brooklyn Bridge and the New York City skyline. The project also includes the adjoining new condominium, Pierhouse, which consists of 106 townhome-style residences spread across two waterfront buildings and is sustainably and beautifully designed by Marvel Architects. The lobby of 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge opens to a dramatic 25-foot green wall, featuring steel grating covered in hand-placed plants and creeping vines that will evolve over time, created by landscape architecture firm, Harrison Green. A two-story industrial spiral staircase is punctuated by a sculpture of obsidian rock boulders wrapped in hand-dyed rope by Rachel Weiss. The dwellings are complemented by a 4,000 square-foot rooftop, nine-treatment room Bamford Haybarn Spa (opening in June 2017), a state- of-the-art fitness center, a yoga and barre studio operated by POE Yoga, two restaurants, an intimate 10th floor lounge, a 50-seat screening room, and lobby cocktail service. "Confronted with how far Americans were lagging behind in changing our consumption habits, I created 1 Hotels to show sophisticated travelers that they can do good, live well, and connect with both the world and the community around them," said Barry Sternlicht, 1 Hotels Founder and the Chairman and CEO of Starwood Capital Group. "Today, with the opening of 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, my vision is now realized. We were able to select every material and develop mindfully, yet the space's main purpose remains to serve, entertain and inspire with some of the best amenities found in the New York hospitality market." Narrated by Nature The 10-story hotel occupies Pier 1 in Brooklyn Bridge Park, an 85-acre beautification project that stretches 1.3 miles along the East River waterfront. The hotel project originally began in late-2011, however when Hurricane Sandy hit the East Coast in 2012, 1 Hotel's architectural drawings for the Brooklyn Bridge property had just been completed. Due to the damage and destruction, the team was informed the waterfront zoning had changed, requiring 1 Hotels to raise the building by three feet along with other code changes such as relocating mechanical equipment to the roof. Meanwhile, they could not raise the overall height of the building, which triggered a massive redesign effort. Rather than whitewashing the delay and changes caused by Sandy, the 1 Hotels team opted to honor the force of nature by tapping Olivie Ponce, an artist and creator in Bushwick, Brooklyn, to paint a watermark in remembrance of Hurricane Sandy along the walls of the corner suites. Committed to sustainability and preserving the environment, 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge was built under LEED guidelines and underscores the following efforts: The design of the hotel features a 54 percent ratio of regional and reclaimed materials, including original heart pine beams from the former Domino Sugar Factory, walnut from the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens and pine flooring from the Old Crow Distillery in Kentucky. The hotel will eventually boast a LEED Dynamic Plaque which will measure and display the building's eco-conscious practices in real time. 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge operates a rain-water reclamation system that will reduce storm water runoff into neighboring water streams by more than 50 percent prior to the site development. The water collected will irrigate the park during summer months. (Roughly 5,000 cubic feet of water is projected to come from the hotel.) The property uses 100 percent wind power energy. The hotel features low-energy light bulbs, a Triple Clear water purification system, in-room recycling bins, and fresh dining offerings. 1 Hotels has committed to donating a percentage of sales from in-room dining and goodthings (the hotel's mini bar) to Action Against Hunger, a global humanitarian organization that takes decisive action against the causes and effects of hunger. The hotel features a nature-driven art collection, including a textured rubber sculpture, "All OVEREACHOTHER," created by Jarrod Beck from massive rubber pieces of roofing that were stripped from a big box retailer's roof during a tornado that touched down unexpectedly in Utica (Upstate New York) in the summer of 2014. Rooms & Suites with a Lady Liberty View The interiors of the 194 guest rooms and suites were designed to honor the historical significance of one of world's busiest waterwaysthe East River. The most stunning feature is a sleek floor-to-ceiling sliding window that transforms the guestroom into an open-air den with skyline views of Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty. Furnishings include a porous stone-looking table of composite wood, leather chairs and pendant leather lampshades. Many of the design details in the rooms are by local artisans, from the "crate" inspired, open-slatted wood closets, corrugated leather headboards, to the Fresnel glass light fixtures. Other room amenities include: Custom hemp-blend mattress by Keetsa wrapped in 100% organic cotton sheets Triple Clear filtered water On-demand meditation content by Biet Simkin, Meditation Leader for 1 Hotels Marble rain showers with a 5-minute, hour-glass timer to remind guests to conserve water A green moment - living plants and trees by leading landscape team, Harrison Green LCD 55-inch smart television Riverview hammocks (Skyline Suites and Riverhouse only) Complimentary Wi-Fi In-room yoga mats Cozy socks to take home Goodthings & (not so) goodthings which consists of curated refreshments and local experiences Family-friendly amenities available through the Seedlings program In addition, the hotel amenities include a fresh farm stand in the lobby, botanically driven cocktail program by Arley Marks, complimentary rides in Tesla premium electric vehicles, and valet parking for bicycles. Guests also have 24-hour access to the Field House fitness center. 1 Hotels properties are pet friendly with special amenities and no fees for visiting pets. Brooklyn Bites + Concoctions: Neighbors Located on the ground level, 1 Hotels presents Neighbors, a picnic-fare cafe offering seasonal, fresh items from local Brooklyn purveyors. The menu includes fresh fruit smoothies and super food salads. The cafe is open from6am to 10pm each day, and during the warmer seasons, the space opens to Brooklyn Bridge Park with outdoor seating. Located on the ground level, 1 Hotels presents Neighbors, a picnic-fare cafe offering seasonal, fresh items from local Brooklyn purveyors. The menu includes fresh fruit smoothies and super food salads. The cafe is open from6am to 10pm each day, and during the warmer seasons, the space opens to Brooklyn Bridge Park with outdoor seating. 1 Hotel Lobby From4pm to 11pm daily, guests and residents of Brooklyn can sip on cocktails and freshly brewed coffee while hosting an impromptu meeting or working from their laptop. From4pm to 11pm daily, guests and residents of Brooklyn can sip on cocktails and freshly brewed coffee while hosting an impromptu meeting or working from their laptop. Signature Restaurant 1 Hotel's main restaurant will be opening later this spring. Details to be disclosed soon. Rooftop Pool & Bar Debuting in May 2017, the rooftop will welcome hotel guests and locals to a 4,000-square-foot urban retreat with unrivaled views of the East River, Brooklyn Bridge Park, and the Manhattan skyline. Brooklyn's newest day life hotspot will feature a 3-foot lounge pool, full-service bar, fire pits and seating spaces made from reclaimed railroad ties where up to 350 guests can relax and sip craft cocktails. The rooftop will be available for private events and small weddings. 10th Floor Lounge One floor below the rooftop, a dark, ashy wood 2,800-square-foot lounge space, surrounded in floor-to-ceiling windows, and it is expected to become New York's most coveted hideaway. The cozy den will feature a functioning fireplace and black silica furniture created by Brooklyn artist Fernando Mastrangelo. The space can seat 60 for private events, and it will open in May. The Screening Room 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge features a 50-seat screening room on the cellar level of the hotel. The 1,250-square-foot space features an 84"x140" screen with full HD-digital projection. Available for private film or television viewing events, the screening room is the ideal venue for a private gathering. Event & Meeting Spaces 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge counts more than 20,000 square feet of flexible meeting, social and event space with high-tech audio/visual equipment, featuring sliding floor-to-ceiling windows and tree-line or Skyline views. The Meadow Rue event space, located on the ground floor, opens onto the park, designed with a full wall of collapsible doors and windows to accommodate up to 1,000 guests. All spaces are named after native plants, grasses, trees and shrubbery found in the park. Wellness Amenities Anchored in the vital necessity of connection to nature, human interaction, mindfulness and movement, 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge offers wellness amenities, culling from experienced leaders in healing, mediation, nutrition, astrology and more. Guests can opt for experiences, including POE Yoga, a yoga and barre studio with infrared heat; Biet Simkin, offering mediation and wedding officiant services; and Dark Sky ceremonies/Full Moon parties that honor the cycle of our night sky and include reflective workshops, tarot card readings and Brooklyn-based DJ performances. Location & Accessibility Guests can easily access 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge by the East River Ferry, a two-minute drive over the Brooklyn Bridge or the MTA (three different subway lines). A novel amenity in the New York City area, the property also offers 300 valet parking spaces located under the hotel and universal charging stations for electric and hybrid vehicles. The property is 10 miles from LaGuardia Airport and 25 miles from John F. Kennedy International Airport. Opening Offer Available until April 16, 2017, guests who book the opening offer, "Hello Brooklyn," will receive a complimentary upgrade to the next available room type, a $25 credit towards food & drinks, and a $10 Lyft credit or two ferry passes. Rates from $350. To reserve, visit 1hotels.com/brooklyn-bridge/offers or call 877.803.1111. About Starwood Capital Group Starwood Capital Group is a private investment firm with a core focus on global real estate, energy infrastructure and oil & gas. The Firm and its affiliates maintain 13 offices in five countries around the world, and currently have approximately 4,000 employees. Since its inception in 1991, Starwood Capital Group has raised $45 billion of equity capital, and currently has in excess of $60 billion of assets under management. The Firm has invested in virtually every category of real estate on a global basis, opportunistically shifting asset classes, geographies and positions in the capital stack as it perceives risk/reward dynamics to be evolving. Over the past 27 years, Starwood Capital Group and its affiliates have successfully executed an investment strategy that involves building enterprises in both the private and public markets. Additional information can be found at starwoodcapital.com. It looks like you've reached a page that doesnt exist (anymore). Please use the navigation or search above to find content on Hospitality Net. Go back to home US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Thursday said his country will work with Russia if doing so benefits Americans, as Moscow pressed the Trump administration to live up to its promises of improving ties. The cautious statement came after Tillerson's first meeting with Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov on the sidelines of a G20 gathering in the German city of Bonn. "The United States will consider working with Russia when we can find areas of practical cooperation that will benefit the American people," Tillerson told reporters after the talks. "Where we do not see eye to eye the United States will stand up for the interests and values of America and her allies." For his part, Lavrov stressed the common ground between Washington and Moscow. "We cannot solve all problems... but we have a mutual understanding that where our interests coincide, and there are many such spheres, we must move ahead," Lavrov said in comments televised in Russia. Tillerson was in the global spotlight as he made his debut as America's top diplomat after President Donald Trump promised to put US interests first while also offering a softer line on Moscow. But the closely watched encounter with Lavrov took place as Washington reels from the shock resignation of national security adviser Michael Flynn over contacts with Moscow's ambassador and allegations of Russian meddling in Trump's election last year. For his part, Lavrov told Tillerson that Moscow does not meddle in other countries' internal affairs. "You should know we do not interfere in the domestic matters of other countries," he told reporters. But in Moscow, the Kremlin voiced impatience over the lack of progress in bolstering ties since Trump moved into the White House. Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov said the two countries were "wasting time," especially when neither on their own could solve pressing world problems. Separately, President Vladimir Putin called for restoring links between US and Russian intelligence agencies, saying "even a simple exchange of information" could strengthen the fight against terrorism. In an apparent rebuttal, US Defence Secretary James Mattis said at a NATO meeting in Brussels that Washington was not ready "right now" for military collaboration with Russia. Both Tillerson and Mattis were making their diplomatic debuts in Europe, with their counterparts eager to find out what Trump's "America First" policy means for the rest of the world. The US billionaire had alarmed allies by signalling he might reconsider sanctions against Russia and calling the NATO alliance into question, at a time when member states are nervous about a resurgent Moscow. But both Mattis and Tillerson, who has rarely addressed the media since taking office, appeared to ease those concerns on their maiden European visits, signalling no major shift in policy. British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, who also had a sitdown with Tillerson in Bonn, welcomed the measured stance. "You have got to engage with Russia but you have got to engage in a very guarded way," he told the BBC. "We don't want to get into a new Cold War. That's something London and Washington are completely at one on. But nor do we want Russian behaviour to continue as it is. Rex Tillerson has been very clear about that." Ties between the West and Russia have plunged to a post-Cold War low over Moscow's 2014 annexation of Crimea and its support of pro-Moscow rebels in the Ukraine conflict. Tillerson, a former ExxonMobil chief executive known for his close business ties to Russia, on Thursday urged Russia to adhere to the Minsk peace accords, following a flare-up in fighting in eastern Ukraine. "As we search for new common ground we expect Russia to honour its commitment to the Minsk agreements and work to deescalate the violence in Ukraine," Tillerson said. He made no mention however of Trump's campaign pledge to review US sanctions against Russia. Lavrov said the issue had not been discussed. The G20 gathering runs until Friday. Host nation Germany billed the two-day meeting as a chance for the club of leading and developing economies to discuss how to work together on global challenges from climate change to the conflicts in Ukraine, Yemen and Syria. The meeting serves as a prelude to the G20 summit in July, likely to be the first time Trump will meet Putin in person. Search Keywords: Short link: MIDLAND At the dawn of 2015, as the shale boom started to turn sour, a 25-year-old engineer at Occidental Petroleum named Jenny James was backpacking in Chile, with her mind back in Texas. Layoffs were spreading through the oil industry, claiming friends back home. With less than two years at Occidental, she worried her career would be over almost as soon as it began. "I just kept checking my phone for oil prices," she recalled. But when James returned, the layoffs never came. Occidental, as part of strategy to hold onto talent, instead put her and other young engineers to work supervising drilling rigs, replacing outside contractors. Now, Occidental has the staff in place to ramp up quickly and make the most of rising oil prices even as competitors that slashed head counts scramble to convince people to come back. Occidental's experience backs up the counterintuitive theory that companies resort to layoffs too quickly in times of crisis, focusing on the short-term when a longer view however difficult to take would serve them better. With oil prices back over $50 a barrel and expected to continue their slow march upward, analysts say the deep job cuts made by energy companies will slow the industry's recovery as many companies deal with labor shortages. Oil, gas and services companies slashed 100,000 jobs in Texas alone over the course of the two-year oil bust, with many workers moving on to health care, finance and other sectors as the downturn dragged on. And for an industry like energy, which demands specialized skills, recruiting and training new workers is neither easy nor cheap. Occidental Oxy for short avoided this problem by committing to keep employees employed, putting newer hires to work on projects that would expand their knowledge and skills, and veteran employees on ways to help the company operate more efficiently. It wasn't easy to come up with the money as revenues plunged with oil prices. The company, which employs 11,000, cut capital spending, capped bonuses and sold land holdings in North Dakota, Colorado, and the Middle East "Oxy stands alone in a very small group of companies who made a commitment to their employee base and were actually able to deliver on it," said Chad Hesters, Houston office director of Korn Ferry, a global recruiting consultant. It also wasn't easy for Jenny James, who relocated from Houston to a man camp in Pecos for 16 months, where she worked on rigs in intense heat and cold, sometimes late into the night. But she thinks she benefited from the experience, and might remember her employers commitment if another company comes calling giving Oxy another advantage in the battle for talent. "I'd been working for an oil and gas company for two years at that point, worried about skills being non-transferable to other industries," James said. "I feel like I have a lot of loyalty to Oxy for sending me out to the field." Ups and downs Oil is a cyclical industry, subject to waves of layoffs when markets go south, and Occidental Petroleum didn't always eschew pink slips. The company ousted 2,000 workers in 1986, for example, and another 1,000 in 1998 during periods of sustained low oil prices. That volatility has long created a workforce development challenge for oil companies, which have to recruit like crazy when times are good, and convince people they won't be left high and dry when prices inevitably recede even though they often are. Eric van Oort, a professor of petroleum engineering at the University of Texas at Austin, said that's discouraged young people from going into the field. "I am very concerned and disappointed with what I have seen in the industry, this knee jerking, " van Oort said. "It doesn't show a good commitment to their workforce." During 2013 and 2014, as the energy boom peaked, many companies struggled to attract enough qualified workers, and Oxy decided it would have to create them. To do so, it put $7 million into a new training center in Midland, offering classes in all aspects of rig operations for roustabouts and production engineers. It broke ground in late 2014, just as oil prices fell off a cliff. Oxy, which lost $7.8 billion in 2015 and $574 million last year, could have let people go and mothballed the training center to cut down on overhead. Instead, it kept running employees through courses, operating the center for 340 days in its first year. Preparing for the inevitable rebound was part of the calculus behind Oxy's decision break with its past of handing out pink slips during downturns. "It's hard on the organization, obviously there's very individual impact for folks," said Jody Elliott, president of Oxy's North American operations. "When the cycle returns, the implications of rebuilding the organization, growing talent, is difficult." Oxy decided to keep people around, but that requires giving them something to do. The company put experienced engineers to work on projects meant to boost efficiency tweaking oilfield processes to shorten the time from discovery to production and squeeze the most out of each well. Those efforts, Elliott said, accounted for 70 to 80 percent of the company's progress in cutting the cost of production from about $60 per barrel in 2014 to under $30 in 2016. In Oxy's first quarter earnings call last year, chief executive Vicki Hollub boasted that efficiency gains offset the costs of keeping people on the payroll. "We not only have a commitment from our management to keep our staff," she said, "our staff has more than paid for that decision by their delivery and their performance." Since then, Oxy's finances have been improving, though the company has yet to return to quarterly profits. Sending early-career engineers out to manage drilling operations yielded more subtle dividends. Cody Carpenter, another young recruit who rotated to the Permian Basin, said the assignment helped advance his knowledge, build his confidence and increase his contributions by allowing him to get to know people face-to-face and handle everything from balancing budgets to ordering parts. "Before I went to the field, when somebody called to ask a question, I'd say 'What do you think? You've been doing this for 20 years, I don't know,'" said Carpenter, who is scheduled to come back to Houston this spring. "Now I'm able to have more intelligent conversations with them, and suggest things on my own." Eventually, it rains The philosophy of keeping workers on to avoid the high costs of turnover, recruitment and training isn't new. Germany has long had policies supporting "work sharing," or reducing hours during tough times to keep everyone employed. Some states, such as California and Massachusetts, have created programs that allow for partial unemployment insurance benefits if employers cut hours rather than lay people off. The approach pays dividends to both business and society, helping people to maintain skills that will keep them employed over the long-term and companies to ramp back up quickly when conditions improve. Donald Wood, vice president for institutional effectiveness at Odessa College in Midland's neighbor, Odessa, said that message has finally started to sink in: The companies that keep some money in reserve for the down times are the ones that survive "The mindset of getting rich quick, a lot of those companies are disappearing, for good reasons," Wood said. "They have to understand the cost of hiring and training is huge." For Oxy, there may not be as many efficiencies to gain during the next downturn, or assets to sell off in order to make payroll. Given that, Elliott can't promise that the era of layoffs is over. But he thinks the experiment paid off. "It takes a while for a new individual to be productive," he said. "As we pull people back from these projects, they can hit the ground running." Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan was in town this week to meet with clients, investors and employees from some of the company's 113 local branches. His visit comes at a time when the future of traditional bank branches is on the minds of industry executives as they respond to dramatic changes in technology and consumer banking habits. Moynihan took half an hour to discuss those issues, and to give his early impressions of the new presidential administration, with the Chronicle. Following are excerpts, condensed and edited. Q: What new things can we expect in Houston? A: We continue to invest in business bankers and commercial bankers and small-business bankers here in Houston. Over the next three or four years, all the branches get redone (nationwide), and Houston will have its share of that. Q: What should we expect at these redone branches? A: You go from what would look more like a traditional bank branch to a place where you have Merrill Lynch, U.S. Trust and business banking all around the same location. You have mortgage loan officers and small-business bankers there, too. The teller lines are one or two positions, and there's a ton more technology, tablets to interface with. It just looks very different. They're destination centers as opposed to convenient transaction centers. That's the major thing. So when people come to see us, they'll come longer distances for very important matters. What they won't do is come long distances to deposit checks. Q: Why is it important that Bank of America invests in mobile banking? More Information Bank of America CEO: Brian Moynihan Houston market president: Hong Ogle National branches: 4,600 Local branches: 113 Local deposits: $20.5 billion as of June 30 Sources: Bank of America, Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. See More Collapse A: If I took your phone away from you, you'd be lost, right? You conduct your life through your phone or through your digital interfaces, maybe a computer or an iPad, and our goal is to really be there for the clients. And the amount of activity represented by the mobile platform today is the same, if you think about it in terms of depositing checks, that 900 branches do. It's had a big impact. Q: How is Bank of America's energy exposure? A: The credit quality has improved over the four quarters of 2016. Late '15, prices fell. The issues started to emerge. By the end of first quarter of '16, we peaked in terms of charge-offs, and it has been coming down ever since. That being said, the exposure and the nonperformers in that area are still higher than we want, so we expect that to keep improving during 2017. Q: Would you say the banking industry is undergoing a period of change driven by technology and President Donald Trump's administration? A: It will always be changing because customers change. Customer behaviors change, customer needs change, the markets change, the competitive sets change. Is it a particularly changing time? I'd say maybe, but frankly we'll figure that out 10 years from now when the next changing time will be. We are not standing still. We are driving this company to be the best it can be across eight lines of business and the products and capabilities they have. Q: How does Bank of America feel about President Trump's executive order to begin rolling back Dodd-Frank regulations? A: After the economic crisis and financial crisis, there were a lot of things put in. You had a series of choices that were made that regulated different activities that we believe were the right things, brought everybody under the tent. Everybody was regulated who made mortgage loans as opposed to just the banks, etc. And then there's a fair debate on: Are some of the things more than might be needed? Q: How do you feel about the Trump administration overall? A: If you look at the statistics about consumer confidence or business confidence, they've risen since the election. That enthusiasm is just a good thing because consumers are doing more. We saw consumers in January 2017 spend 5 percent plus more than they did in January 2016. We're seeing that continue into February. In the early part of this quarter, the companies are borrowing more. We're seeing good activity. And the markets there's just very strong activity. Largely because people are optimistic that there will be pro-growth, lower tax, low-regulation policies. At the end of the day, what's good for America is going to be good for Bank of America. We benefit from the same trends. A pipeline explosion in Refugio County shortly after midnight Wednesday sent flames shooting high into the sky, creating a spectacle that was visible from well more than 50 miles away and drew additional attention to a pipeline industry that's become the target of environmentalists. No one was injured after the natural gas pipeline, owned by Houston-based Kinder Morgan, ruptured in a remote area between Victoria and Corpus Christi, but the explosion shook slumbering residents. "It lit up the sky, and it seemed like it was daylight," Refugio County Chief Deputy Sheriff Gary Wright said. The fire, which broke out at about 12:15 a.m., was extinguished less than two hours later. The pipeline is part of Kinder Morgan's Tejas system that wraps around much of the Houston area as it runs from North Texas to the Mexican border. Wright said the explosion occurred at an apparent weak point in the pipeline that must have required maintenance, he said. Kinder Morgan disputed there was a "weak point." Spokeswoman Melissa Ruiz said the company recently excavated the section in preparation for maintenance, but the upgrade work had not yet begun. There's no evidence yet to link the work and the incident, she said, and an investigation will eventually determine the cause. More Information 2016 pipeline accidents vs. the 20-year average 2016 Significant pipeline incidents: 297 Average significant incidents: 284 2016 serious incidents (someone killed or hospitalized): 37 Average serious incidents: 42 2016 fatalities: 16 Average fatalities - 16 2016 injuries: 80 Average injuries : 65 Source: U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration See More Collapse Pipelines have gained a lot of attention in recent years as environmentalists, concerned about climate change and other environmental damage, have tried to block projects such as the Dakota Access Pipeline in North Dakota. There, the Standing Rock Sioux, supported by activists from around the nation, said the pipeline, which would run under the Missouri River, threatened water supplies as well as culturally sensitive areas. The explosion in Refugio County underscored such threats, said Luke Metzger, director of Environment Texas, an advocacy group. "If pipeline operators can't stop these accidents and threats to health, safety and the environment, they need to get out of the business," Metzger said. Several pipeline accidents have occurred in recent months. Last week, a worker was killed and two others injured in Louisiana when a Phillips 66 natural gas liquids pipeline burst and caught fire. In November, an explosion in the Colonial Pipeline system in Alabama killed one worker and injured several others, and cut off gasoline to much of the Southeast. Earlier in the fall, Houston-based Enterprise Products Partners Seaway system leaked more than 7,600 barrels of oil in Oklahoma. A Sunoco Logistics pipeline spilled nearly 9,000 barrels of oil west of Abilene near Sweetwater. Across the U.S., nearly 300 pipeline accidents occur each year, or less than one a day, according to the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. Sixteen people were killed in pipeline accidents last year, about the same as the 20-year average. The most pipeline fatalities occurred in 2000, when 38 people died. Brandon Blossman, an energy analyst for Houston investment banking firm Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co., emphasized that shipping petroleum products and natural gas pipeline is safer and cheaper than putting the fuels an trucks or trains. Advancing monitoring technologies have improved safety, Blossman said, but "accidents will happen." This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate More than 272,000 Texans could lose access to mental health and substance abuse treatment if one of the lesser known guarantees of the Affordable Care Act goes away with the law's repeal and is not replaced. In Texas alone, 65,559 people with the most serious types of debilitating mental illnesses, such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, are now covered by individual plans offered under the health care law, according to a data analysis released this week by the Harvard Medical School and New York University. Another 53,539 receive coverage for less serious mental health conditions, while 152,971 Texans have gained coverage for treatment of substance abuse, including alcoholism and opiate addiction, the study shows. Nationally 4 million people with a serious mental health illness or who struggle with substance abuse could lose some or all of their coverage, according to the findings. Under the current law, behavioral health coverage is required in individual and small group plans under a provision known as the "essential health benefits." It remains unknown if such a guarantee will survive in the yet-to-be-unveiled Republican replacement plan for the law known as Obamacare. U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady, R-The Woodlands, is among House Republicans leading the charge to repeal the law and replace it with a more streamlined version. He did not respond directly to an emailed question Wednesday about whether the replacement plans being discussed include comparable coverage for mental health and substance abuse treatment. Instead, he replied in a statement that "we're focused on reforms that will encourage innovation and competition - so there are more health care options to meet the unique needs of different individuals and families." Richard Frank, a Harvard Medical School health economics professor and co-author of the study out this week, worried that removing the requirement for insurers would hit an especially vulnerable population hard. "We don't want to make access harder, we want to make it easier," Frank said in an interview. "These are things that should be worrying us." They certainly worry Alice Brink. Before the ACA, the 63-year-old Houston communications consultant was unable to get mental health coverage as part of her health plan because insurers discovered she had been seeing a therapist to help manage stress. She was not on medication and did not have a specific diagnosis of a mental illness. But the visits alone were enough to trigger the red flag of pre-existing condition and a denial. Coverage limited Brink, who has two years until she is eligible for Medicare, said she is more fearful for her two adult sons. They have both been treated for mental health conditions in the past and one also for substance abuse. That pairing is not unusual as people with mental illness often turn to alcohol or drugs to self-medicate. Before the ACA, one son was uninsured and the other had coverage only occasionally. Brink worries that without guaranteed coverage, both will be considered uninsurable. In the past, without insurance, they paid out of pocket for treatment. Sometimes they skipped medication or doctor visits when money got tight. The treatment gaps only worsened their conditions. "All three of us have policies on the exchange," she said. "It terrifies me that my sons in their 30s could have to go for the next 30 years without insurance unless they get the kind of corporate jobs that will give them coverage." Both the Republican-led Congress and President Donald Trump have called the ACA a "disaster" and an untenable financial burden on Americans. Last month the House and Senate began the framework to quickly gut the law. Trump, within hours of being inaugurated, signed a sweeping executive order directing federal agencies to lift or ignore its regulations, presumably taking aim at some of the mandates. That could include the essential health benefits. The Washington Post has reported the new Trump administration is considering allowing insurance companies to strip down or eliminate some of the essential health benefits as a way to cut costs. Typically, large group and employer-sponsored health plans offer mental health and substance abuse coverage, although its breadth can vary. Frank, who worked for the U.S. Health and Human Services during the Obama administration helping to develop strategies to combat opiate addiction, said he is especially concerned about the lack of specifics in Republican replacement plans. "I've not seen anything in the repeal and replace discussion that indicates (mental health and substance abuse coverage) will be preserved," he said. Just looking at what it was like before the mandated coverage offers a glimpse of what is at stake: In Texas, for instance, one in three individual insurance plans did not include addiction treatment. Between 15 and 20 percent of individual plans did not include mental health coverage, Frank said. Then there were the uninsured. Before the ACA, about 26 percent of Texans were without coverage. Even today, the state still leads the nation with about 4.6 million residents who do not have coverage. Frustrations mount Frank added that before mandated coverage, the mental health and substance abuse coverage in Texas was often skimpy, allowing only 20 visits per year and putting a tight limit on in-patient care. "That meant if you were really sick, even if you had insurance, you were at risk for a very large financial hit," he said. Greg Hansch, public policy director for the National Alliance on Mental Illness Texas, said going backward would not only erase the progress but also could create hardships on entire communities. "It would mean a lot more people ending up in the ERs and jails if they don't have coverage on the front end," he said. During the presidential campaign, Trump promised to address the opiate epidemic and expand access to drug treatment. He won in many of the states staggering under the crisis, including Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia. But those states also expanded Medicaid, under the ACA, which helped provide funding for treatment. Funding for Medicaid expansion could also fall under dismantlement plans. Thirty-one states expanded Medicaid. Texas is one of 19 that did not. Late last year, with strong bipartisan support, Congress passed the 21st Century Cures Act that includes a host of health-related initiatives including $1 billion to expand drug treatment. Money will be allocated to states, especially those with the highest needs. Still, some behavioral health advocates worry that will not be enough and programs could become out of reach if people lose insurance coverage or it becomes too limited. For people like Brink, who has fought hard for mental health coverage for herself and her family, the politics are frustrating. "It's like watching a souffle that you put together so carefully," she said, "and then someone comes along and slams the oven door shut." This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The developer who helped make splash pads a standard feature of local master-planned communities plans to add a Caribbean touch to his next project, a suburban subdivision with an artificial lagoon that covers 1 acres and includes a sandy beach. Al Brende, owner of Houston-based Land Tejas, is betting the private lagoon will entice people to buy houses in the forthcoming Balmoral community in northeast Harris County. A company spokesman said Brende has a history of offering cutting-edge amenities, including the kid-friendly splash pads he started adding in 2004. "He was one of the first in Houston to build splash pads," said Tim Johnson, Land Tejas' director of community sales and marketing. "Now, any master-planned community has a splash pad." The Balmoral lagoon, plus a similar one near Dallas, will be the first two to open in Texas. They represent the latest in developers' quest for superior amenities - from hike-and-bike trails and recreation centers to elaborate playgrounds with educational elements - that can distinguish a suburban community, attract residents and boost home prices. "It's so unique, it just blows me away," said David Jarvis, senior vice president at John Burns Real Estate Consulting, about the planned lagoon. "Everybody in the industry will go to take a look." Other developers will be looking to see if the hefty pioneering investment pays off. "That's the pattern with master-planned communities: It's so competitive that there are always new amenities being considered," said Blake Coleman, principle at TBG Partners. "If there's one that's found successful, then it's likely to be replicated." The technology for the lagoon at Balmoral, to be built near Atascocita, comes from Florida-based U.S. Crystal Lagoons Corp., the U.S. arm of the company that built the world's largest swimming pool in Algarrobo, Chile, in 2006, then built a bigger one in Sharm-el-Sheikh, Egypt, in 2015. The company has 15 current U.S. projects, including one at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas, Crystal Lagoons U.S. CEO Uri Man said. "We believe Texas should be one of our biggest markets," Man said. He cited a sonic-water-filtration system designed to keep the lagoon crystal clear while using 50 percent less water than a park of the same size. He said the lagoons use a fraction of the chemicals of a conventional swimming pool, and sport 400 sensors measuring water parameters in real time. The material lining the lagoon also is made of proprietary technology, he said. "It's a game changer for the Houston master planned community market," Man said. "Instead of getting on a plane and flying to the Caribbean, you can get in your car and drive to Crystal Lagoon." Plans for Balmoral sprouted in fall 2015, at a meeting of the Urban Land Institute in Cabo, Mexico, where Man led developers, including Brende of Land Tejas, on a tour of a lagoon project there. Afterward, he said, Brende expressed interest in working with Crystal Lagoons and its 15 in-house architects. That project will be dwarfed, however, by an 8-acre lagoon east of Dallas, scheduled to begin construction in March. In Balmoral, lagoon construction is expected to begin by late summer or early fall, with a targeted summer 2018 opening, said Jeff Sheenan, director of community affairs and amenity development for Land Tejas. Home construction will start in late April or early May of this year, and people are expected to start moving into finished houses in the third quarter. When the project is built out, within 10 to 12 years, it will have 1,700 home sites. In January, Land Tejas also announced a second project in collaboration with Crystal Lagoons: an 8-acre lagoon, more than 35 times the size of an Olympic swimming pool, slated to begin construction by year-end in an undisclosed location. Carol Christian contributed to this story. Since founding Lamik Beauty in 2004, Kim Roxie has greatly relied on African-American shoppers to support her Houston-based enterprise. "We wouldn't be in business if it weren't for conscious shoppers," she said this week. Now, in an effort to build more such support for more of its business community, the Greater Houston Black Chamber is launching a yearlong campaign to encourage people to shop at black-owned businesses. The effort includes a #HouBuyBlack hashtag to promote more than 500 vetted businesses in a variety of industries. Participating companies can also be found in the chamber's new Buy Black directory online and in print. Things kick off this weekend. "There was an outcry for this," chamber vice chair Joi Beasley said. Last year, Roxie suggested to the chamber something along the lines of Small Business Saturday to help with the effort. Better yet, she said, the group could take a page from "Our Black Year," in which author Maggie Anderson recounts her experience frequenting only businesses owned by African-Americans. "I knew we could do something like that here at home," Roxie said. More Information What: 7th Annual Black Leadership Forum When: 6-8 p.m. Thursday Where: University of Houston campus, 4455 University Dr. Speaker: "Our Black Year" author Maggie Anderson Host organizations: Greater Houston Black Chamber, National Black MBA Association More information: (713) 660-8299 See More Collapse On Thursday night, Anderson, CEO of the Empowerment Experiment Foundation, will keynote the Greater Houston Black Chamber's annual Black Leadership Forum. The chamber cites statistics showing what is at stake: African-Americans control $1.1 trillion in U.S. buying power, but only 2 cents of every dollar an African-American spends in the U.S. goes to black-owned businesses. Anderson, who now tours the country promoting buy-black initiatives like the one getting under way in Houston, said more than statistics need to change. "I know, because I see it, how great our businesses are and how much they defy every negative force or stereotype," Anderson said by email. "I am a part of a movement, just like my ancestors and elders were, taking a stand, linking arms with good people who care, and together we are proving our love for our people and our history." Anderson acknowledged that many in the African-American community may feel there are greater issues - crime, poverty and gentrification - but she said supporting black-owned businesses can combat African-American unemployment and raise up a local community in the long run. "If you are black and you care about your community, you should have an account at a black-owned bank and get your hair and beauty products from black firms," she wrote. "You do it because it's right, natural, you are supposed to." For Anderson and Roxie, the Greater Houston Black Chamber's leadership role in launching the local Buy Black initiative adds a level of professionalism to the effort. It also gives Roxie a chance to meet one of her idols. "Maggie is like a rock star to me," she said. "It'll be like meeting Beyonce or Oprah." Aaron Bisher's most memorable experience as a competition-barbecue cook happened in a field in Kemah a couple of years ago. As he stood at his barbecue trailer preparing his smoked-meat entries for judging at a local cook-off, the skies opened up and a "rain bomb" - all too familiar to Houstonians - instantly flooded the field. "We were standing in ankle-deep water, under a tarp meant for light rain," Bisher says. "But we kept cooking, turned in our entries and had one of our best showings ever." "Now when we plan to attend a cook-off and it's supposed to rain, I consider that a sign of good luck." However, Bisher and his wife, Paige, who compete in barbecue cook-offs across Texas as the After Party Pit Crew, have had little time to attend competitions in the past few months. That's because they opened their own barbecue joint on a farm-to-market road in Magnolia and have been working continuously to establish The Feedlot BBQ as a smoked-meat destination in the increasingly crowded barbecue scene of Houston's northern reaches. Making the jump from competition to retail barbecue is nothing new in Houston. Pappa Charlies Barbeque near downtown and Tin Roof BBQ in Atascocita are examples of competition-barbecue families who have successfully made the transition from weekend barbecue warriors to celebrated brick-and-mortar joints. More Information The Feedlot BBQ Hours: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays Where: 28542 FM 2978 in Magnolia Information: thefeedlotbbq.com See More Collapse Bisher's story is similar to other competitive cooks who make the jump to professional pitmaster. It was a change born of necessity. He grew up in Spring Branch and worked in the oil patch for the past nine years. When he was laid off after the downturn in oil prices, he and Paige wondered where the next paycheck would come from. They'd spent most of the past two years competing in cook-offs every weekend, with good results, and decided they would make a go of it as nascent barbecue entrepreneurs. They opened The Feedlot BBQ on Aug. 10. Like most Houston barbecue start-ups, they began in a trailer - in this case, in the parking lot of a lawnmower store on a busy stretch of road that connects Magnolia and The Woodlands with Tomball. They invested most of their personal savings to build a custom trailer equipped with a full kitchen, then had local pit manufacturer Pitmaker install two "Mega Vault" vertical smokers. Unlike other competition cooks who change their recipes to appeal to a broader audience, Bisher is embracing his competition recipes and even bills The Feedlot BBQ as "fueled by After Party," his competition team. In general, competitive barbecue uses bolder and spicier ingredients and techniques to flavor the barbecue. For instance, a typical Central Texas-style barbecue joint often will use only salt and pepper to flavor a brisket. Competition briskets, to stand out with judges, might include many more flavors, such as paprika and garlic. Indeed, Bisher's brisket features a more complex seasoning, or "rub." Like many competition-style barbecue joints, the stand-out menu item is the pork ribs. Pork ribs are a fiercely fought category at any cook-off, and Bisher's ribs reflect his years of testing and adjusting his recipe. Recently, at a cook-off in San Antonio, Bisher placed sixth out of more than 300 entries. Bisher serves the same ribs at his barbecue joint as those he cooks for competitions. He starts with a "3 and down" (referring to the weight in pounds) slab of pork ribs with a St. Louis-style cut (most of the bones are trimmed off). He adds his own proprietary rub and glaze and smokes the ribs for about four hours using post oak and hickory. They are meaty, smoky, sweet and spicy all at the same time. Of course, making the jump to retail has been a challenge. The sprawl of this area of Magnolia can make it difficult to get the attention of would-be customers driving by. The Bishers have added banners and created colorful and welcoming seating to attract interest. And there is the weather, a thorn in the side of any burgeoning barbecue-trailer operation. Though Bisher may consider rain good luck for his competitive endeavors, a weekend of bad weather can all but kill business for a retail operation. It's just one more adjustment that must be made when making the jump from competition to retail barbecue. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Beekeeper Randy Verhoek makes his living renting bee colonies to farmers around the country whose crops need a boost from the mighty pollinators. Recently, someone stole 300 hives - $90,000 worth - that Verhoek had tucked away in a pasture in Manvel. Outside the bee-keeping business, it's the sort of heist that begs the question: Why? Why steal bees? The answer is complicated. It involves the economics of beekeeping, the precarious lives of honeybees, the beekeeping community and, of course, California. Verhoek, who lives in Danbury, had rented the land in Manvel where the three wooden boxes, painted white and branded "HHI," were packed up on a truck and stolen sometime in mid-December. Hives are often placed in out-of-the-way areas, so thefts can go undetected. "They could be anywhere," Verhoek said. "They could be 50 miles from here, or in another state." Many beekeepers say bee thievery, especially in Texas, is more of a nagging problem than a growing one, but it does happen. Texas is the sixth-largest honey-producing state, with an output of more than 9 million pounds in 2014. (North Dakota is far and away the largest honey producer.) Some in the state's bee community don't even want to discuss hive theft for fear of encouraging the crime. If it's going to happen, it will probably be this time of year. The reason is almonds. Some 80 percent of the world's almonds are grown in California's Central Valley on one million acres. Almond trees have to be pollinated by bees, and each acre of almond grove requires two hives. The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that commercial beekeepers own about three million colonies, so the math is clear: At least two-thirds of the commercial hives in the U.S. have to be trucked to California every February, to be rented out for a few weeks at rates up to $200 a colony. "If you own a big truck and a forklift, it's easy to get 10 pallets and then take off," says Kim Flottum, the editor of Bee Culture magazine and a 45-year beekeeper. A pallet holds four hives. Bee theft isn't for the uninitiated. "To steal bees, you've got to know bees," Flottum says. "It's people familiar with the bee business - I'm not going to say beekeepers." Al Ford sells insurance to beekeepers through Texas Insurance & Financial Services, out of the Georgetown office. He can sell a policy that will cover the physical hives, but not the bees or the honey, if it hasn't been extracted yet. "With disease and colony collapse disorder and cold weather, it's hard to put a value on the bees throughout the year," he says. That means that someone like Verhoek can't recoup the loss from a theft, even with insurance. (Verhoek says he had no insurance.) This is especially rough on beekeepers. "Think of it as like killing a pregnant cow," Flottum says. "You lose the cow, the calf and the milk." Bee thieves take advantage of a gamble some almond growers take, says Chris Moore, a beekeeper from Kountze and president of the Texas Beekeepers Association. Many growers will sign contracts in advance with bee providers, but some bet that they can get bees at a lower price if they don't. This, Moore says, plays into the thieves' hands. In California, they can pick up a batch of ill-gotten hives, drive down the road and rent them at a cut rate to another grower. Once they get the money, they may simply leave the hives and never return. Chris Hiatt, a beekeeper from Washington state who has been the victim of rustling, says law enforcement has a hard time handling such cases owing to lack of experience. In his case, the thief - an older beekeeper, he says - was caught, but also got only "a slap on the wrist" as punishment. (Flottum says the California Beekeepers Association is "very vigilant.") Theft is only one of the problems facing commercial beekeepers today, Moore says. Thirty years ago, a keeper could expect to lose 10 percent of bees each year. By 1999, it was 20 percent. Now it's more like 40 to 45 percent, he says. When Moore started his business, he made his money by selling honey. But the influx of cheap imported honey - it's a global product - threw off the economics, he says. Starting in 2011, Moore has made more money from renting out his bees for pollinating. "The dynamics have changed," he says. "Every year you have to do more pollinating to make a living, and you have to make multiple incomes off the same hives." Moore sends hives to the almond groves in February, then brings them back to produce honey until mid-June, when Texas flowers dry up. They then go to West Texas to pollinate watermelons and Wisconsin for the cranberries. "The bees are on a truck crossing state lines a half-dozen times a year," Moore says. Bee colonies have been moved for thousands of years, but not to this extent. In every new venue, the bees may be exposed to fungicides or pesticides, not to mention other bees who may be diseased. This leads to sick, stressed, exhausted bees who are more likely to die. Moore, who calls himself his own bee veterinarian, now has to feed his bees protein through the winter so the queen will continue to make eggs and replenish the colony. (Not all beekeepers use this model: Moore said he sees growing interest in bees from non-commercial, small-batch honey producers. Texas alone has 40 local clubs. "These small-scale beekeepers are not stressing out their bees," he says.) In addition, those weakened bees find themselves subject to the same issue as other species: loss of habitat. Sprawl, Moore said, has shrunk wild spaces and made competition for acreage more intense. Hives must be placed in isolated areas, which makes bee theft nightmarishly difficult to prevent. You can't, after all, brand a bee. Some, like Verhoek, brand the hives. Flossum says others paint their hives odd colors or put special markers inside. Others put expensive GPS trackers on the pallets. Some almond growers hire guards. Security cameras are a possibility, but Moore knows of a case where the rustler cut down the tree where the camera was placed and stole the camera. Verhoek remains mystified by his loss. He'd like to tell the rustler what's on his mind. "My question is: why? Why did you feel the need to steal from me and my family?" The City of Houston is in violation of the Civil Rights Act. Though the recent federal investigation and finding of noncompliance is a rare and significant event, the conditions that led Houston to this point are not unique. As fair housing and civil rights advocates, we know all too well the harms to which low-income families of color are subjected by persistent racial segregation. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Title VI investigation and finding against the City made clear what we have known and what many Houstonians of color have experienced for a long time: Houston, like many places across our land, suffers from a legacy of segregation in all aspects of individual and community life. From schools to public facilities to public safety to healthy environments, the unequal distribution of and access to resources and opportunities is due to discrimination and residential segregation. And the inequality that damages too many communities of color is easy to perpetuate as long as those neighborhoods remain separate. Texas Low Income Housing Information Service Our government excludes "those people" from access to the opportunities found in areas that have historically benefited from the unequal distribution of resources, using policies that keep affordable housing out of whiter, more affluent areas. In the past, Houston's communities of color were legally denied basic municipal services like street lights and drainage and amenities like parks and up-to-date educational services. Even after the courts struck down overt Jim Crow segregation, its patterns and effects remain in place. Myriad local, state and federal policies, to this day, result in those neighborhoods bearing an undue burden of the city's failing schools, environmental hazards, crumbling infrastructure and service disinvestment. Reporter Lydia DePillis: State lawmakers take aim at low-income housing And while the passage of the Fair Housing Act and improved economic conditions have allowed many individual people of color to break the color line imposed by official segregation, local, state and federal housing policies have ensured that almost no choices exist for low-income families to move to well-resourced areas of greater opportunity and that the areas where they most often live suffer from segregated conditions. Since the inception of subsidized housing in the Jim Crow era, nearly all affordable units in Houston have been located in high-poverty, African-American or Hispanic areas. That hasn't changed: As HUD noted in its finding against the City, in the past four years, 91 percent of the developments that City Council considered for housing tax credits were located in majority-minority Census tracts. The Houston Housing Authority has never affirmatively invested in a majority white, low-poverty neighborhood a situation they attempted to remedy with the Fountain View development, which was then blocked by the City, causing the federal investigation. At the same time, the neighborhoods where subsidized housing is overwhelmingly concentrated lack the basic services and investment that majority white neighborhoods take for granted. Eighty-eight percent of the city's open drainage ditches are located in neighborhoods with a non-white majority. Census block groups where at least three-quarters of the population is non-white bear an absurd proportion of the city's pollution: 78 percent of closed landfills, 84 percent of carcinogen emitters and 88 percent of hazardous waste sites. Texas Low Income Housing Information Service And, as of 2014, just 6 percent of schools that received an A grade from the educational nonprofit Children at Risk were located in majority-minority neighborhoods, compared with the 43 percent of schools that received an F. Texas Low Income Housing Information Service Segregation can be truly remedied only by addressing its dual harms separate and unequal. The daily, lived inequality in communities of color must be excised by policies and practices that provide real choice and real access to opportunity. This must mean assessing and addressing what segregation has caused. It's fairly straightforward: If an area has all the benefits and resources historically afforded to white neighborhoods, but has no housing affordable to low-income people of color, then the legacy of segregation must be addressed by creating affordable housing. If an area has a disproportionate amount of affordable housing options, but lacks the same type and degree of services and benefits historically afforded to white parts of Houston, then the legacy of segregation requires that these services and benefits be made available to residents through public investment. Equalizing services will require a comprehensive plan and hundreds of millions of dollars in dedicated public funding. In short, any city with Houston's history must address both the exclusion of low-income people of color from well-resourced areas and the unequal conditions to which people of color living in segregated areas are subjected. We are very familiar with the kind of political opposition to integration that's been seen in Houston. The reaction of some neighbors to the Fountain View development, and the overall picture of separate and unequal conditions painted by the HUD finding, did not particularly surprise us. These are tried-and-true methods of exclusion that play out over and over again around Texas and the country. The deeper and longer-standing the vestiges of racial segregation are in a community, the harder they are to expunge. Unfortunately, it's also very familiar to see politicians defending themselves by pitting the victims of historic segregation against each other suggesting that standing up for the rights of the excluded is inconsistent with doing all that is necessary to make historically segregated minority neighborhoods equal and inclusive. It's not an either-or situation: Both are required to address the constitutional and statutory violations that segregation involves. The idea that complying with the federal integration order would somehow force people to move or take funding away from investment in communities of color is not based in fact. It is a fundamental misinterpretation of fair housing and civil rights. We urge the City of Houston to dismantle the dual legacies of housing segregation in Houston, root and branch. This will require finally allowing affordable housing options like Fountain View in the areas from which they have always been excluded and a real plan and committed funding for equalizing infrastructure and public services in Houston's traditional neighborhoods of color. There is no other way forward. Elizabeth K. (Betsy) Julian served as HUD Deputy General Counsel for Civil Rights and HUD Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity in the Clinton administration. She has practiced poverty and civil rights law for more than 40 years and is currently Founder/Senior Counsel at the Inclusive Communities Project. Ann Lott was President and CEO of the Dallas Housing Authority from 2001 to 2008 and is now Executive Director of the Inclusive Communities Housing Development Corporation. Demetria McCain is President of the Inclusive Communities Project. She previously worked as an attorney at the National Housing Law Project and the Neighborhood Legal Services Program in D.C. Chrishelle Palay is the Houston co-director of Texas Low-Income Housing Information Service and formerly specialized in multifamily architecture design and development. It's fairly straightforward. Bookmark Gray Matters. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate As federal officials continue to scrutinize Texas for apparently under-serving its special education students, a new bill could leave some Harris County independent school districts scrambling to maintain the programs these students now receive. Texas lawmakers have proposed barring county-wide education departments from collecting property taxes if a county has more than 3.3 million residents - a threshold that would only affect the Harris County Department of Education. But about one-third of the department's tax revenue is spent hiring special education workers, who provide 53 percent of all special education therapies across Harris County. The bill - SB 646 - was filed by state Sen. Paul Bettencourt, a Republican who represents a swath of northwest Harris County, including parts of Cypress-Fairbanks, Houston, Tomball and Spring. The legislation would not affect the department of education for Dallas County, which has some 2.5 million residents, according to Census estimates. But Bettencourt said Harris County DOE Superintendent James Colbert Jr.'s testimony in Austin weeks ago focused on how the department uses money for its cooperative purchasing program. The agency works with businesses across the country to provide bulk deals to districts on everything from laptops to counseling services - a use of money that the senator says should be scrutinized as Harris County home values rise and homeowners pay more in taxes. "Do we really want to be in this business of subsidizing a government entity to be supporting private business?" Bettencourt asked. Bettencourt said Colbert Jr. hardly mentioned the department's work with special education therapy during recent testimony. In fact, educational programs, services and support represent the majority of the Harris County DOE's work, said Jimmy Wynn, special assistant to the superintendent. "If you look at the core of who we are, the value we give districts is helping serve incredibly vulnerable special education students," Wynn said. "I don't see a way for us to provide the services we provide without that tax revenue." Homeowners whose properties have a tax value of $250,000 would pay $10.40 in property taxes to the department if they claim a homestead exemption, according to the Harris County DOE's website. In fiscal year 2015, the department had about $87.6 million in revenue, with about $21 million coming from local property taxes. Much of the other funding comes from government grants for specific programs such as the Head Start pre-school program and GED classes, as well as contracts with local school districts. Thirty percent of the department's tax revenue flows directly to special education therapy work across the county. The department provides 100 percent of special education therapy services to the Houston, Cypress-Fairbanks, Spring, Spring Branch and Katy school districts. The U.S. Department of Education began questioning Texas' special education services in October after a Houston Chronicle investigation found that the state had placed an artificial cap on the number of special education students that districts could serve. While about 13 percent of students nationwide receive special education services, the Texas Education Agency encouraged districts to provide such services to no more than 8.5 percent of their students, The Chronicle found Another 20 percent of the tax revenue of the Harris County DOE goes to direct and ancillary teaching services provided to districts, including teacher training, grant writing and safe-school initiatives. The remaining 50 percent of the department's tax revenue, or about $10.5 million, goes to the department's business services, the purchasing program and infrastructure. Guy Sconzo, executive director for the Fast Growth School Coalition, said that even if the tax money given to the Harris County Department of Education were divvied up among the county's districts, it would be nearly impossible to duplicate the services the office provides. Sconzo added that he did not think the Region 4 Education Center could pick up the slack, either. "They don't get better than Region 4 in my experience, but their resources are also very limited." Bettencourt disagreed. He said the special-education, teacher-support and other services provided by the Harris County DOE are meaningful, but that its board should take a closer look at how much tax money it's spending on administration and its cooperative purchasing program. "The purpose of the bill is to ask: What are you doing with the public money?" Bettencourt said. AUSTIN -- The state's latest legislative battle over reproductive rights kicked off Wednesday with the Senate Health and Human Services Committee's first public hearings on three abortion-related bills that would regulate medical procedures, along with the use and disposition of fetal remains. The bills under consideration are Senate Bill 8, which would impose a state ban on the already federally-outlawed procedure known as "partial birth" abortions, as well as prohibit all sales and many donations of fetal tissue; Senate Bill 415, which would ban the practice of dilation and extraction, the most common second-trimester procedure that abortion opponents have dubbed "dismemberment"; and Senate Bill 238, which would require the burial or cremation of fetal remains in all cases of abortion and miscarriage that occur in medical facility. Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, led the most pointed questioning of the bills' authors on Wednesday morning, repeatedly asking how the proposed bills relate to the health and safety of pregnant women. That did not appear to be a significant motivation behind the proposed legislation. "A healthy woman is not the target of SB 415," said its author, Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock. That bill would require the fetal heartbeat to be stopped through an additional procedure prior to extraction. Health and Human Services Committee Chairman and SB 8 author Sen. Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown, said the proposed restrictions on the use of fetal tissue are a response to the series of undercover videos produced by anti-abortion group Center for Medical Progress, which alleged that Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast profited from tissue sales and altered its abortion procedures to maximize the amount of tissue collected. A subsequent investigation by the Harris County District Attorney's office found no wrongdoing by Planned Parenthood. Schwertner's bill would only allow fetal remains from non-elective abortions to be donated by authorized medical facilities to universities for research. The vast majority of Republican senators have signaled their support for SB 8, with 17 of the 19 signing on as authors and co-authors of the bill. Sen. Don Huffines, R-Dallas, who introduced SB 238, said that the intent of his legislation is only to protect "the dignity of the unborn" by ensuring that fetal remains are not treated as medical waste. Catholic charities plan to cover the expenses of the fetal burials in "common graves," in which a number of fetuses would be placed in separate containers within a single casket, according to Jennifer Carr Allmon, executive director of the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops. Huffines' bill would codify a 2016 rule adopted by the Texas Department of Health that has been halted by a federal judge pending a legal challenge by abortion rights groups. The committee heard three hours of public testimony in the afternoon, with both supporters and opponents of the bills speaking in often heated and emotional terms. A number of witnesses who opposed the bills said they did not go far enough in outlawing abortion entirely. SB 415 "does not do justice to the unborn," said Abigail Allison, who identified herself as coming from Senate District 4, near Houston. "Why are we stopping at banning dismemberment?" Legal experts on both sides of the abortion debate voiced concerns that the restrictions imposed by that bill would not be upheld in court. "We do not believe that this would survive a federal court challenge," said Joe Pojman, executive director of Texas Alliance for Life. Last year, the Supreme Court held in Whole Women's Health v. Hellerstedt that state restrictions on access to abortion must show "a legitimate interest in protecting women's health." Tricia Trigilio, staff attorney for the ACLU Texas, argued that SB 415 would be unconstitutional because requiring a woman to undergo an additional procedure to terminate a fetal heartbeat prior to extraction would create an additional and unnecessary health risk. The bills were left pending in committee. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Created by a teen who only took art class because band wasn't working out, the watercolor caught the eye of La Porte High School teacher Mary Gagneaux. The work by junior Brittany McWhorter shows a cow skull surrounded by blooming plants with two sunflowers growing out of the eye sockets. Its title: "Beautiful Inevitability." Gagneaux, who teaches in the school's visual arts department, was a judge for this year's student rodeo art at the campus level. McWorter's work is one of two to represent La Porte ISD in the high school category in the student art show at this year's Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. "She has her own style, adds her own elements and really pulls a lot of own creativity into her work," Gagneaux said of McWhorter, 17. Before taking the class, McWhorter was used to putting pen to scraps of paper or painting Beatles murals on her bedroom wall. "I never really thought it was anything special," said McWhorter of her talent. "I just did stuff at home." McWhorter used her uncle's ranch and a skull as inspiration for her entry and took themes that resonated with her. The skull represents death, but by using various techniques, McWhorter wanted to show how something beautiful can come from loss or decay. "There is the inevitability of death ... but then in nature - when things are recycled or decomposition - it can make other things can grow," she said. "This is just showing how beautiful things can come from nature or death in nature." McWhorter is one of six La Porte ISD students whose work was selected to be on display to visitors at the livestock show at NRG Arena. Every year, students from Houston's surrounding area districts earn spots at the Houston show. Color, texture, line quality, originality, creativity, spacing, balance and subject matter - these are some of the aspects that separate the best from the rest, according to Gagneaux. "With Brittany, hers was so original because a lot of people will just take a picture of something and just copy the photograph," Gagneaux said. "We see a lot of the same themes, and this was something that had not been done." The selection process for the district's Rodeo Art Show began early in the school year, with Gagneaux and fellow teacher Christina Todaro selecting approximately 30 students out of both their classes. During the district's Rodeo Art Show on Jan. 12, the six, who also include La Porte High School freshman Fatima Adame, Lomax Middle School eighth-graders Perla Quintana and Edyamin Hinjosa, College Park Elementary School fourth-grader Tyler Harmon and La Porte Elementary School first-grader Valentina Suarez, made the cut to have their work displayed for the duration of the livestock show and rodeo. The students had a month to come up with their ideas and complete sketches, said Gagneaux. Teachers were not allowed to have any part of the pieces - even the slightest change or contribution by a teacher would be grounds for disqualification. "As a teacher we could give them feedback, but we were very adamant about not touching their work," she said. McWhorter and the other student winners will attend an awards show on Mar. 11 at NRG Center. "I don't see it as that much of a big deal yet," she said. Gagneaux, who studied art and made a living from it before coming to La Porte ISD to teach, predicts the experience will soon become a big deal. I think when she sees it there presented with all this other work (from other districts)," she said. "As an artist myself, that's exciting. When you hear people commenting on your work, you start getting the outside point of view. Artists never think their work is as good as it is." McWhorter is happy with her skull piece, but as with all her art, she's always trying to find new ways to make ideas come to life. "I got some new watercolors for Christmas and I would have used those, but it was too late," she said. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Seventy-five years ago, after the Imperial Japanese Navy attacked the U.S. Naval base at Pearl Harbor and led America into World War II, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a decree that many Americans may have deemed necessary to national security. With Executive Order 9066, more than 120,000 people of Japanese descent living on the West Coast - 62 percent of whom were U.S. citizens - were forcibly relocated to 10 detention camps across the country in 1942. They lived in barracks with minimal rations and curfews, some performing hard labor until the last camp was closed four years later. That chilling chapter of history, a flagrant violation of civil liberties, inspired Core Dance's "Life Interrupted," an hourlong show coming to the Asia Society Texas Center's theater Friday and Saturday. Artistic director Sue Schroeder said she and her dancers were initially concerned with "how not to appropriate" from a culture other than their own - none of them are Japanese or even lived during the World War II era. The idea surfaced nearly a decade ago during a break from another project at the University of Central Arkansas, where Core frequently collaborates. On their way to see the Crystal Bridges museum, Schroeder and professor Gayle Seymour passed near one of the former camps. "Life Interrupted" premiered in Arkansas in 2015 as "Gaman" - drawing its title from a Japanese word for accepting what happens to you with grace and dignity. More Information 'Life Interrupted' When: 8 p.m. Friday, 7 p.m. Saturday Where: Asia Society Texas Center, 1370 Southmore Tickets: $20; 713-496-9901; asiasociety.org/texas See More Collapse It might have ended there, but the dance company was at the Little Rock airport that November when news broke that terrorists had attacked a concert hall, stadium and restaurants in Paris, adding fuel to their own era's wave of Islamaphobia. They realized all the ways their show, which incorporates visual art and a commissioned score, would resonate. "It has a broader message than the Japanese internment camps," Schroeder said. "And it's escalated. The urgency has changed." With visual art by Nancy Chikaraishi, an architecture professor at Drury University, a set by Scott Silvey, sound by German composer Christian Meyer, lighting by Gregory Catellier, and costumes and projections by D. Patton White, the show is also deeply researched. Schroeder hired dramaturg Erin Weller Dalton to mine archives for oral histories that would provide culturally sensitive anecdotes and suggest movement possibilities. Ultimately, "Life Interrupted" shares multiple points of view, through multiple artistic disciplines, to open a dialogue about how we define and treat the "other" in our society," Schroeder said. Core, founded in Houston in 1980, has free rehearsal space in Atlanta but still performs frequently at "home" and tours internationally. They head next to France to present their meditative outdoor show "walk," originally created for the Freedman's Town Labyrinth with Houston artist Reginald Adams and storyteller Jay Stailey. During the process of building that piece, the dancers created movement inspired by a text exercise involving the Pledge of Allegiance. The show "walk" invites participation from viewers, and it, too, now seems more overtly political. In the southern French city of St. Antonin Noble Val, Core will employ "walk" to help show other artists ways to work with refugees. Then, in Toulouse, Syrian refugees will participate. "We don't create in bubbles," Schroeder said. "Art has the possibility of igniting empathy. "We've finally hit a place where we don't have time to waste. We've been doing socially activated work a long time, and now it's like we have to do it." At his first State of the Schools address since becoming Houston ISD's superintendent in September, Richard Carranza told stories of students who overcame significant odds to achieve success. There was Nataly Degollado, who was accepted to Texas Southern University and the University of Houston-Downtown two years after having a baby. He mentioned Nhedrick Jabier, the fourth grader from Crespo Elementary who won this year's annual Martin Luther King Jr. Oratory competition after moving to Houston from Puerto Rico. But he said such outcomes will become more difficult to repeat if the state continues to inadequately fund public education and if the district must surrender millions to Texas through a controversial funding allocation process called "recapture." "I ask the Legislature to look at public education as an investment, not an expense," Carranza said Wednesday. "It's an investment in children, an investment in the future for our city and state and nation." More than 2,000 people crowded the Hilton Americas Hotel ballroom in downtown Houston to hear Carranza and others address the successes and challenges that the district faces. The event, hosted by the HISD Foundation, also recognized distinguished alumni with awards. Recipients included Roland Martin, a journalist and former CNN analyst who graduated from Yates High School, and Aleida Rios, a Milby High graduate who is now BP's vice president of operations for the Gulf of Mexico. But the focus of the luncheon was Carranza's assessment of the district and his plans. Among the biggest issues facing the district, Carranza said, is state funding and specifically "recapture," under which districts with higher property values give money to the state to help fund property-poor districts. Houston ISD fell into that property-rich category for the first time this school year, but in November about 60 percent of Houston voters decided against paying the then-$162 million in recapture fees. After the vote, the Texas Education Agency said it would detach about $8 billion worth of commercial property from Houston ISD so that it could use the tax revenue from it instead. Since the vote, the Texas Senate has formed a work-study group to look into overhauling the state's finance system. The TEA also reduced HISD's recapture fee to $77.5 million after it recognized half of the local homestead exemption, along with adjustments made to student enrollment and property value figures. Carranza cited those actions as triumphs. "With that 'no,' we helped force a conversation in Austin that has long needed to happen," Carranza said. "You helped to create a movement, and now because of that, there is the slightest glimmer of potential movement on the capital." A second referendum will be put to Houston voters in May asking again whether or not the district should back "recapture." But Carranza said that regardless of the second referendum's outcome, he will keep pushing for an improved school-funding system to replace the current one held together by "Band-Aid after Band-Aid." He again called for more centralization in the district by moving from "a confederation of independent schools to an independent school district." "Now, I don't want you all to think that a one-size-fits-all approach is what I want or what our schools, our students, and our communities need," Carranza said. "That notion couldn't be farther from the truth." He cited the district's Literacy by 3 program, a district-wide literacy initiative aimed at getting students reading and writing on grade level by third grade. The district is also implementing a similar district-wide program for middle school students, about 60 percent of whom are currently reading below grade level. The push trained all middle-school teachers on best practices for literacy and emphasizes reading and vocabulary in classes such as science and math, and provided all middle schools with more books. Similar district-wide changes are coming to computer sciences, said Carranza, who pledged to double the district's number of computer teachers in the next two years and to expand computer classes to all district high schools by the end of 2017. Carranza also announced a plan to better provide students and their families with government, nonprofit and other resources through what he called "Community in Schools." "Almost 80 percent of our students are living in poverty, many in decaying neighborhoods. Many are homeless. Many move from school to school each year based on the cheapest apartment their family can find," Carranza said. "It's hard to imagine how a child can be motivated or focus on school when their social, medical and basic needs are not being met - no matter what amount of resources or money you throw at a school." He proposed creating an "umbrella of supports" by partnering with local nonprofits and agencies to help identify students in need and steer them and their families toward the right resources. For example, if a school learns that a student is homeless, it cannot do much itself because it likely does not employ a housing services coordinator on campus. But if a district coordinator could work with other nonprofits to get that student and his family the services they need, schools could help resolve many out-of-classroom issues faced by students. Said Carranza: "I've never seen a community that is better positioned to do that kind of collective impact work than Houston." In the last two weeks, 10 Texas police departments rushed to belatedly file reports on fatal officer-involved shootings as required by a ground-breaking 2015 state law. Two weeks ago, the Houston Chronicle and the American Statesman published stories about how those reports which law enforcement agencies must submit to the Texas Attorney General's office when an officer is shot or shoots someone else had not been filed by a dozen departments in accordance with state law. The stories are part of an on-going series on the shootings of unarmed Texans called Point of Impact. Just two reports on fatal shootings remain missing as of Feb. 16. All shootings occurred since Sept. 1, 2015, when the reporting requirement took effect. The reports were discovered to be missing after comparing the state's database of shootings with media stories, a database of custodial deaths and data on officers killed in the line of duty.When contacted about missing reports earlier this month, only a few Texas agencies responded. Others simply sent in reports after receiving a phone call. Harris County Sheriff's Office spokesman Deputy Thomas Gilliland said due to an "oversight on the investigator's and division's part," a report on the shooting death of Jeray Chatham by a deputy in November of 2015 had not been filed under the administration of a previous sheriff. It was sent to the state Feb. 7. Without providing a comment, Dallas Police Department on Feb. 8 reported to the state the shooting of Micah Xavier Johnson, who was killed last July after he ambushed officers at a protest, killing five. Johnson was shot prior to being killed by an exploding device. Still missing from the database is a report from the shooting death of Marlin Police Chief Darrell Allen, killed while working a private security job Nov. 10, 2015. A spokeswoman for Attorney General Ken Paxton's office confirmed that if an officer is shot while performing an official duty, the report must be filed. The department, which serves a rural area southeast of San Antonio, has not responded to emails and calls about the missing report. There is no penalty for departments that fail to report their shootings, although State Rep. Eric Johnson, a Dallas Democrat, is working to change that. A Texas man with a lengthy criminal history and possible gang affiliation is facing a capital murder charge in the 2016 death of a 58-year-old man who was found burned in the back of a pickup bed in southeast Houston, police said Thursday. Nearly a year after the brutal crime, police tracked down Jason Gates and arrested him for the March 6 murder of Tony Iwu. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump's new health secretary took office Friday after becoming the latest Cabinet nominee to eke out a confirmation victory in the bitterly divided Senate. Vice President Mike Pence administered the oath of office to Tom Price, of Georgia, at the White House hours after the Senate confirmed him 52-47 in a party-line vote. That roll call came in the dead of night, thanks to Democrats' tactic of forcing prolonged debates to broadcast their opposition to Trump and his team. Pence said Price, an orthopedic surgeon, is "uniquely qualified" for the job and playing a leading role in helping the Republican-controlled Congress achieve its top priority of repealing and replacing the Obama-era Affordable Care Act. Pence called Price "the most principled expert on health care policy" in Congress. Price served seven terms in the House. As head of the Health and Human Services Department, Price will take center stage as the administration and congressional Republicans try delivering on their pledge to scrap President Barack Obama's health care law and substitute their own programs. After years of trying, they finally command both the White House and Congress but have so far struggled to craft a plan with enough votes to win approval. Price is likely to play a lead role both in shaping health care legislation and issuing department regulations aimed at weakening Obama's statute. "Having Dr. Tom Price at the helm of HHS gives us a committed ally in our work to repeal and replace Obamacare," House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., said Friday. Democrats focused on the legislation Price once sponsored, including efforts to kill Obama's law. He's also sought to reshape Medicare's guarantee of health coverage for seniors into a voucher-like program, cut Medicaid, which helps poor people afford care, and halt federal payments to Planned Parenthood because it provides abortions. Sen Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., conceded that Price had experience but added, "It's the kind of experience that should horrify you." That battle won, Republicans were preparing to next win Senate confirmation for financier Steven Mnuchin to be Treasury secretary. He was expected to get the chamber's approval Monday, along with Trump's choice to head the Department of Veterans Affairs, David Shulkin. Republicans have lauded Mnuchin's long career in the finance and banking worlds. As they did with Price, Democrats are attacking Mnuchin's background, such as criticizing OneWest bank, which he led, for not protecting thousands of homeowners from unnecessary foreclosures. They also said he failed to disclose nearly $100 million in assets on forms he filed with the Senate. Price's nomination is part of a larger clash in which Republicans want to quickly enact priorities long blocked by Obama. Democrats, with few tools as Congress' minority, are making a show of resistance, stretching some floor debates to the maximum 30 hours that rules allow. His close confirmation was the fourth consecutive Senate clash over a Cabinet nominee that closely followed party lines. Attorney General Jeff Sessions was confirmed 52-47. Betsy DeVos became education secretary by 51-50, thanks to a tie-breaking vote by Vice President Mike Pence. Former Exxon-Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson became secretary of state by 56-43. Those close tallies are a departure from most Cabinet votes, in which the Senate usually grants overwhelming approval in a show of deference to letting presidents choose their teams. Just four of 31 votes for Obama's Cabinet vacancies drew at least 40 "no" votes, as did only two of 34 votes for Cabinet positions under President George W. Bush. WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump's ouster of national security adviser Michael Flynn and the circumstances leading up to it have quickly become a major crisis for the fledgling administration, forcing the White House on the defensive and precipitating the first significant breach in relations between Trump and an increasingly restive Republican Congress. Even as the White House described Trump's "immediate, decisive" action in demanding Flynn's resignation late Monday as the end of an unfortunate episode, senior GOP lawmakers were buckling under growing pressure to investigate it. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said Tuesday that it was "highly likely" that the events leading to Flynn's departure would be added to a broader probe into Russian meddling in the U.S. presidential election. Intercepts showed that Flynn discussed U.S. sanctions in a phone call with the Russian ambassador - a conversation topic that Flynn first denied and then said he later could not recall. McConnell's comments followed White House revelations that Trump was aware "for weeks" that Flynn had misled Vice President Mike Pence and others about the content of his late December talks with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak. White House counsel Don McGahn told Trump in a briefing late last month that Flynn, despite his claims to the contrary, had discussed U.S. sanctions imposed on Russia by the Obama administration in late December, press secretary Sean Spicer said Tuesday. That briefing, he said, came "immediately" after Sally Yates, then the acting attorney general, informed McGahn on Jan. 26 about discrepancies between intercepts of Kislyak's phone calls and public statements by Pence and others that there had been no discussion of sanctions. Trump brought in senior strategist Stephen Bannon and White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus to join the discussion with McGahn, said two officials familiar with the conversations who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. McGahn then conferred with Yates again the following day, Jan. 27, to try to glean more information, these two officials said. Within the White House, the matter was viewed skeptically and Trump, Bannon, Priebus and McGahn for several days remained among the few people briefed, they said. Over the next two weeks, the officials said, Flynn was asked multiple times about what exactly he had said. He brushed aside the suggestion that he had spoken about sanctions with the ambassador - denials that kept him afloat within the White House even as he was being actively evaluated, they said. It was not until a Washington Post report last Thursday, in which Flynn was quoted as saying that he had no "recollection" of discussing sanctions but couldn't be sure that he hadn't, that the downward slide culminating in Monday's firing began, several administration officials said. "We've been reviewing and evaluating this issue with respect to General Flynn on a daily basis for a few weeks, trying to ascertain the truth," Spicer said at the daily White House press briefing. He emphasized that an internal White House inquiry had concluded that nothing Flynn discussed with the Russian was illegal, but that he had "broken trust" with Trump by not telling the truth about the talks. When asked whether Trump told Flynn to talk to Kislyak about sanctions, Spicer responded: "No, absolutely not." Administration assurances Asked why Trump had waited nearly three weeks to act after what Spicer called a "heads-up" from the Justice Department, he said once the question of legality was settled, "then it became a phase of determining whether or not (Flynn's) action on this and a whole host of other issues undermined" Trump's trust. He declined to specify the "other issues." In an interview conducted early Monday and published Tuesday by the Daily Caller, Flynn said that he did not specifically discuss sanctions with Kislyak, but rather then-President Barack Obama's simultaneous expulsion of 35 Russian diplomats. He said he told the ambassador that "we'll review everything" following Trump's inauguration. Current and former U.S. officials have said, however, that much of the conversation was about sanctions, and that Flynn suggested that Moscow not respond in kind to the expulsions - advice that Russian President Vladimir Putin took in declining to take retaliatory action. Various accounts of the Flynn saga offered by White House officials recently have added to confusion about how the administration viewed Flynn's actions, who knew what and when they knew it. News accounts about a Flynn-Kislyak conversation in late December - the day before Obama announced new sanctions related to Russian election interference - first surfaced in a David Ignatius column in the Washington Post on Jan. 12. Three days later, Pence told CBS' "Face the Nation" that Flynn had assured him personally there was no conversation about sanctions. Spicer offered similar assurances in a subsequent White House briefing. On Jan. 24 or 25, based on discrepancies between comments by Pence and Spicer and what they knew from regular intercepts of Kislyak's calls, FBI agents interviewed Flynn. Details of that interview, first reported Tuesday by the New York Times, are unknown but they could expose Flynn to possible charges if he denied that he had discussed sanctions with Kislyak. That interview was followed by the Justice notice to McGahn, who immediately informed Trump and others, officials said. Made aware of inquiry After Trump ordered McGahn to review the matter, Spicer said, he quickly concluded that Trump's "instinctive" conclusion that the discussions were not illegal was correct. But some in the White House who had long distrusted Flynn began to contemplate his departure. CIA Director Mike Pompeo and Keith Kellogg, the National Security Council chief of staff, began attending intelligence briefings with Flynn. "The president was sort of like: Until this matter is sorted out, I want buttressing," said the senior official, one of several who discussed the sensitive matter on the condition of anonymity. "The idea was ... if the president decides to pull the trigger, we need to make sure that we have some options." Flynn was eventually made aware of the White House investigation, which led to alarm among senior Trump aides when he initially told the Post, in a Feb. 8 interview, that there had been no discussion about sanctions. He revised his remarks to the paper the next day, saying through a spokesman that "while he had no recollection of discussing sanctions, he couldn't be certain that the topic never came up." The two accounts were published by the Post on the evening of Feb. 9. "His story remained the same until that night," Spicer told reporters in his office on Tuesday evening. "There was a story in the Post where there's a White House official that says that he could not recall. ... Whatever that quote was is what matters. ... His story remained the same until that night." Pence spokesman Marc Lotter told reporters that the vice president first became aware of the "incomplete information" Spicer had provided him by reading the same newspaper account. Flynn was then questioned by McGahn, Pence and Priebus, who the official said was so frustrated that his tone became more that of a litigator than a colleague. Asked Friday aboard Air Force One about the Post reporting that Flynn allegedly had not told the truth about the calls, Trump said he was not familiar with it. "I don't know about that. I haven't seen it. What report is that? I haven't seen that. I'll look into that," Trump said. Spicer said Tuesday that Trump was responding only to a question about the Post report and was not speaking about the overall issue of Flynn's contact with the Russian ambassador and his discussion of sanctions. After discussing the situation throughout the weekend at Trump's Florida resort, a final decision was made on Monday night by Trump, along with Priebus and senior advisers Bannon and Jared Kushner, to tell Flynn to resign, officials said. US President Donald Trump vowed Thursday to catch those responsible for intelligence leaks that led to the ouster of his national security advisor over contacts with the Russian ambassador to Washington. "The spotlight has finally been put on the low-life leakers! They will be caught!" Trump declared in an early morning tweet, the latest in a series of Twitter attacks that have portrayed the leaks as part of a campaign to undermine his administration. "Leaking, and even illegal classified leaking, has been a big problem in Washington for years. Failing @nytimes (and others) must apologize!" The president on Wednesday decried the treatment of his ousted national security advisor, Mike Flynn, even though Trump himself fired the retired general for misleading Vice President Mike Pence about conversations he had had with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak. Instead Trump lashed out at the leaks, specifically pointing the finger at the National Security Agency and the FBI as a possible source of the leaks and suggesting that the intelligence agencies were seeking to undermine him. "It's criminal actions, criminal act, and it's been going on for a long time -- before me," Trump said at a White House news conference with Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu. "But now it's really going on, and people are trying to cover up for a terrible loss that the Democrats had under Hillary Clinton." Despite Trump's harsh tone on the leaks, White House officials have confirmed that Flynn discussed US sanctions against Russia with Kislyak on the same day that former president Barack Obama was announcing the expulsion of 35 Russian diplomats. But they said Flynn was not fired for the call to Kislyak, but for misleading Pence about the nature of the discussions. US intelligence agencies concluded in January that Russia had intervened in the US elections to try to favor Trump, who went on to win in an upset against Clinton. The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday that US intelligence officials have withheld sensitive information on sources and methods from the president out of concern it could be leaked or compromised. A White House official rejected the report, saying "there is nothing that leads us to believe that this is an accurate account of what is actually happening." Search Keywords: Short link: President Donald Trump on Thursday aired his grievances against the news media, the intelligence community and his detractors generally in a sprawling, stream-of-consciousness news conference that alternated between claims that he had "inherited a mess" and the assertion that his fledgling administration "is running like a fine-tuned machine." "To be honest, I inherited a mess," Trump said, in a news conference that lasted more than an hour and was at times rambling, combative and pointed. "It's a mess. At home and abroad, a mess. Jobs are pouring out of the country." Yet moments later, the president seemed to acknowledge the widespread reports of turbulence and upheaval emanating out of his West Wing, only to claim that his White House - which so far has been marred by staff infighting, a controversial travel ban, false statements and myriad leaks - was operating seamlessly. "I turn on the TV, open the newspapers and I see stories of chaos - chaos," he said. "Yet it is the exact opposite. This administration is running like a fine-tuned machine, despite the fact that I can't get my Cabinet approved." Asked about recent reports that Mike Flynn, his former national security adviser who resigned Monday evening, had improperly discussed Russian sanctions with the Russian ambassador to the United States before Trump was sworn in, the president defended Flynn as a "fine person," saying he had done nothing wrong in engaging the Russian envoy. But, Trump said, Flynn had erred by misleading government officials, including Vice President Pence, about his conversations, which is why the president ultimately demanded his resignation. "He didn't tell the vice president of the United States the facts," Trump said. "And then he didn't remember. And that just wasn't acceptable to me." Trump made clear he had no problem with Flynn discussing the sanctions imposed on Moscow by the Obama administration with the Russian ambassador even if he was not directly told to do so by Trump, saying it was Flynn's job to reach out to foreign officials. "No, I didn't direct him, but I would have directed him if he didn't do it," he said. Trump was asked several times about whether his campaign had contact with Russia and grew testy as reporters pushed him for a yes-or-no answer. He said he certainly hadn't and that he was not aware of such contacts during the campaign. "I can tell you, speaking for myself, I own nothing in Russia," Trump said. "I have no loans in Russia. I don't have any deals in Russia. President Putin called me up very nicely to congratulate me on the win of the election. He then, called me up extremely nicely to congratulate me on the inauguration, which was terrific. But so did many other leaders, almost all other leaders from almost all of the country. So that's the extent." Trump also used the questions to press his case that the United States would be well-served by a better relationship with Russia and to mock his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton, for her efforts to "reset" the relationship between the two countries while she was secretary of state. Trump derisively referred to that "stupid plastic button that made us all look like jerks," a reference to the red "reset" button that Clinton presented to the Russian foreign minister early in the Obama administration. The news conference was ostensibly billed as a chance for Trump to announce his new pick to head the Labor Department - Alexander Acosta, who would be the first Latino in Trump's Cabinet - after Andrew Puzder, his original choice, withdrew from consideration Wednesday amid mounting opposition on Capitol Hill. But for one hour and 17 minutes, the president offered the verbal equivalent of the brash and impetuous early morning tweets that have become the alarm clock for much of Washington, taking aim at everything from "illegal immigrant violence" to the "criminal leaks" within his intelligence community. Trump said he would use his remarks to bypass the "dishonest media" and speak directly to the American people about the "incredible progress" his administration has made. "The media is trying to attack our administration because they know we are following through on pledges we made, and they're not happy about it for whatever reason," he said. Though the president began on a subdued, almost melancholy note, looking down repeatedly to read from prepared remarks on his lectern, he became more fiery and animated - joyful, even - when he began to banter and joust with the assembled reporters. At times, he seemed to reprise some of his favorite themes from the campaign trail, complaining about Clinton and criticizing President Barack Obama's policies, from his Affordable Care Act to his failed reset with Russia. Trump repeatedly lambasted the "fake news" media - which at one point he upgraded (or downgraded) to the "very fake news" media - while promoting some dubious claims and fake news of his own. Pressed on his incorrect assertion that he had the largest margin of victory in the electoral college since President Ronald Reagan, Trump blamed faulty facts. "I was given that information," he said. "Well, I don't know, I was given that information." On a substantive note, Trump said his administration would subject a replacement plan for the Affordable Care Act in early to mid-March and should have a tax reform package around the same time. "Tax reform is going to happen fairly quickly," Trump said. "We're doing Obamacare. We're in final stages." During the news conference, Trump alternated between showering the media with scorn and taking a more playful tone. At one point, he insisted he was enjoying himself. "I'm not ranting and raving - I love this," he said. "I'm having a good time doing this." Trump's Thursday performance seemed an acknowledgment, by the president, that he may be his own best press secretary and adviser, and allowed him to appear both confident and comfortable. While many of his comments, as well as the sometimes disjointed nature of his delivery, are certain to alarm official Washington, they are also the sorts of red-meat talking points that delighted his base during the campaign and helped propel him to victory. "I won with news conferences and probably speeches," he told the assembled reporters. "I certainly didn't win by people listening to you people." This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Mayor Sylvester Turner drew attention to Houston City Council's approval Wednesday of 11 subsidized housing developments - many in affluent areas - as the city continues to fight a federal accusation that its housing policies perpetuate segregation. The city routinely signs off on such projects to little fanfare, but Turner pointed to Houston's role in backing proposed projects in so-called high-opportunity neighborhoods as indicative of its commitment to providing housing opportunities citywide. "The whole intent is to bring affordable housing to the city. There are a number of people that need it, and it needs to be throughout the city of Houston," Turner said. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development last month found Houston in violation of the Civil Rights Act for "blocking and deterring affordable housing proposals in integrated neighborhoods." The agency specifically faulted Turner for rejecting a subsidized housing project in the wealthy Galleria area, determining his decision was based in part on "racially motivated opposition." Turner reiterated Wednesday that he disagrees with HUD's findings and plans to ask the agency to withdraw its letter, though a HUD spokeswoman said the city has yet to formally respond. Elizabeth Julian, a former HUD assistant secretary for fair housing, said a withdrawal would be "highly unusual." "Ordinarily, issues or concerns about any of the specific findings are the subject of negotiations that work themselves out in the terms of a voluntary compliance agreement," Julian said. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act prohibits recipients of federal funding from discriminating based on race, color or national origin. In the shadow of HUD's investigation, Houston's housing de partment developed new criteria this year for reviewing projects seeking competitive Low Income Housing Tax Credits. It favored renovation projects with large units that are located in low-poverty neighborhoods with good schools. Two of the 11 projects approved Wednesday would be located within Loop 610, and the remainder would be further west, three within city limits and six just outside.Their average neighborhood poverty rate is roughly 14 percent, according to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, and all but one is considered high-opportunity. Turner highlighted Heritage Apartments, a proposed 112-unit complex 1.4 miles from the Houston Housing Authority's project at 2640 Fountain View that he nixed last year. Fountain View would have been the agency's first development in a low-poverty, low-crime neighborhood with good schools and access to jobs - a scenario that research has shown benefits children long-term. Amid vocal community and political opposition, however, Turner declined to bring the project to a City Council vote, citing "costs and other concerns." Heritage Apartments at 2666 Marilee, proposed by a private developer, involves rehabilitating existing apartments rather than building new and is projected to be less expensive than Fountain View: $187,000 per unit compared with $240,000. It, too, is zoned to Briargrove Elementary, although the area's poverty rate is more than double Fountain View's rate of 7 percent. Fair housing advocate John Henneberger, who has pressured Houston to remedy its pattern of concentrating low-income housing in minority neighborhoods, applauded City Council's move to back the 11 apartment complexes as an "important first step." However, he also urged the city to allow Fountain View to move forward and to allocate funds for projects in high-opportunity neighborhoods. "Houston must do more than simply not stand in the way of housing integration," Henneberger wrote in an email. "The city needs to take concrete action to permit available federal funds within its control to be used to build affordable housing in low-poverty neighborhoods where none is now available." City Council reviews developments applying for competitive tax credits annually and has signed off on 42 projects from 2014 through 2016, according to records provided by the city's housing department. Last year's approved developments were in neighborhoods with an average poverty rate of about 10 percent. Proposed Houston-area developments must be in census tracts where the poverty rate is below 20 percent to be considered high-opportunity. The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs ultimately decides which projects are awarded tax credits. A state district judge denied a request Thursday to temporarily block the Uptown Development Authority from spending money and issuing additional bonds ahead of a full hearing on a lawsuit over the authority's constitutionality. Restaurateur Russell Masraff and condominium resident Jim Scarborough alleged in a lawsuit filed Wednesday that Uptown and the tax increment reinvestment zone that feeds it were created in violation of the Texas Constitution, arguing that the west Houston neighborhood did not qualify as "blighted, undeveloped or underdeveloped" when the city formed the economic development zone in 1999. "This TIRZ was established in order to create a pot of money to revitalize infrastructure in an area that was not only not blighted, but was an economic generator," plaintiffs' attorney Joe Larsen said, asking District Judge Dan Hinde to suspend Uptown's future payments and ability to issue another $65 million in debt. City Council delayed a vote Wednesday on authorizing Uptown's bond issuance, which would support widening Post Oak Boulevard and adding dedicated bus lanes, as well as improving Memorial Park. Assistant City Attorney Lucy Anderson said the plaintiff's constitutional challenge was not "sufficiently articulated" and added that other questions about the legality of Uptown's creation would have needed to be raised within the required three-year window for challenging city ordinances. Anderson also cited the potential for disruption if a temporary restraining order were to be authorized. "We're just paying for an obligation that we've already undertaken. Construction is already underway," she said. Kelly Sandill, an attorney representing Uptown, pegged the cost of delaying bond issuance and halting and resuming Uptown's work at roughly $1.5 million. She also emphasized that economic development zones may be created in undeveloped or underdeveloped areas, not just blighted ones. The city argued in forming the Uptown TIRZ that the area "substantially impairs and arrests the sound growth of the City" because it lacked adequate streets and sidewalks. "I think the plaintiffs like to focus on the blighted concept because it sounds more dramatic," Sandill said. A subsequent hearing in the case has yet to be scheduled, Harris County District Clerk records show. AUSTIN - A decade after Texas reformed its programs for juvenile offenders, state lawmakers are poised to do it all over again. The state's juvenile justice system is failing, some lawmakers say. Facilities still are plagued by reports of assaults and bullying. And too many kids who are released fall back into trouble as spending per teenage offender is spiraling upward. "After all the hundreds of millions of dollars we've spent since 2007, it's still broken and out of control," said state Sen. John Whitmire, an architect of many of the previous reforms and a member of the Senate Finance Committee that is now considering reforming the reforms. Several legislative leaders are exploring restructuring the Texas Department of Juvenile Justice to improve conditions and programs within the five state-run lockups. The juvenile justice department has about 1,000 kids in its care, more than half of them 17- or 18-year-olds who have committed serious crimes. Lawmakers say the agency should be getting more from its $650 million budget and annual spending per youth of $161,000. Juvenile justice officials counter that they are making progress to improve care and results, emphasizing recidivism rates and assaults within the agency's lockups have decreased in recent years. Further, they say, new treatment options are leading to broader rehabilitation for a challenging population of teenage lawbreakers. "We've had a number of really positive outcomes and successes," said Jim Hurley, the agency's communications director. Ten years ago, a sex-abuse and cover-up scandal sparked top-to-bottom reforms of Texas' juvenile-justice system, along with hundreds of millions of dollars in additional funding touted as a fix-all by state leaders. Every two years since, lawmakers have tweaked those reforms to address gang violence and disturbances in the state-run lockups that have forced cancellation of school programs and caused one of the highest turnover rates among employees at any state agency. "The agency has done a lot to improve the system, and while they have a whole lot of challenges ahead of them, it would be completely counterproductive to solve those problems by starting over," said Michele Deitch, a University of Texas juvenile justice expert who has been involved in reform policy issues for years. "The Legislature needs to invest in the best practices, not look at ways to cut funding to programs. That will turn the institutions into warehouses." Looking to cut costs Whitmire and other members of a special budget work group created last week to consider changes to the system said they are looking at limits on how many youths can be housed at each state lockup. Capping the population would help curb violence, allow staff to assert better control and could reduce the costs of incarcerating youths for taxpayers, they said. At $161,000 a year, it now costs more than seven times as much to house a juvenile offender than an adult prison inmate, according to Legislative Budget Board figures. Whitmire, the veteran chair of the Senate Criminal Justice Committee, also wants to cut the size of the agency's central office staff, which he said is too large for the size of the agency. The debate on the possible changes could thwart a push by criminal justice advocates to raise the age of adulthood in Texas from 17 to 18, lawmakers suggest. Though most of those 17-year-old are now in probation programs, such a change would move those that end up in a specialized adult prison, where assaults and recidivism are low, to the youth lockups where Whitmire and others say those rates are much higher. Members of the Senate working group said this latest review of juvenile justice is intended to better focus taxpayer dollars on programs that get the best results for incarcerated Texans. Senators said Tuesday their intent is to put any savings back into specialized treatment initiatives. For several years, other advocacy and parent groups repeatedly have complained that state youth lockups need to provide better security, closer supervision of youths and better treatment and school programs to combat the influences of gangs, bullying and aggressive behavior that plague several sites. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, said enough questions were raised during an initial hearing on juvenile justice spending to warrant a deeper look at more significant changes to correct issues. She said the work group is to "develop recommendations to make sure we are making the best use of funds and achieving good outcomes. She said the members "are to look at everything," and will make recommendations in the coming weeks as part of the budget-writing process. Half of lockups closed At present, the state houses just over 1,000 youths in five youth lockups in Gainesville, Brownwood, Giddings, Edinburg and Mart, near Waco, far fewer than the 5,000 that were in state lockups in 2007. More than half of those lockups have been closed. State statistics show while the recidivism rate of the youths who go back behind bars within five years has dropped from 45 to 41 percent, problems with the growing population of violence-prone offenders continue, a significant change from years past when youths served time for misdemeanors and property crimes. Those youths now are sent to community-based programs operated by local probation departments, where the recidivism rate has dropped from 29 to 22 percent in five years. Agency officials attribute the high cost-per-youth to an employee pay hike approved by the Legislature and to high staffing levels and the downsizing of the number of lockups mandated by lawmakers several years ago. Instead of operating more than a dozen lockups in 2007, the state now has five. Lawmakers in the House have indicated they want to study many of the same issues to see if workable improvements to the system can be incorporated into legislation this spring. "From where I sit, the problems we're looking at now are the same ones we had two years ago and two years before that," said Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas, a member of the work group. "The real issue with juvenile justice is that either we pay now or we pay later. Do we do more for prevention and intervention to keep these kids from ever coming into the system, or do we continue to spend on money after they get in trouble? We know what causes the problems - single head of households, dropping out of school, things like that - and those are the issues we really need to address. But that's going to require additional money." AUSTIN - Texas became the first state in the nation to back President Donald Trump's travel ban Wednesday, throwing Attorney General Ken Paxton's weight behind an executive order on immigration that is now tied up in court. Paxton filed a 45-page amicus brief with the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals supporting the U.S. Department of Justice and the Trump administration, arguing the president has the authority to suspend certain people's entry into the United States to safeguard the country. "The law makes it very clear that the president has discretion to protect the safety of the American people and our nation's institutions with respect to who can come into this country," Paxton, a Republican, said in a statement. The brief filed with the San Francisco-based appeals court follows legal wrangling there and across the country over the president's executive order to ban travelers from seven Muslim-majority nations from entering the United States. A three-judge panel of the circuit court upheld a lower court's decision to temporarily halt the ban, although the court is mulling whether to permit a larger group of judges to reconsider its decision. The case is likely to reach the U.S. Supreme Court. In its filing, the Texas attorney general argues the panel's refusal to reverse the lower court ruling constitutes an "intrusion" into the president's powers related to national security, foreign affairs and immigration, blocking Trump from "having the latitude necessary to make policy judgements." Citing national security, the president signed an executive order nearly three weeks ago to indefinitely ban Syrian refugees from resettling in the U.S. and impose a 90-day ban on people coming here from Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. Texas so far is the only state to emerge in support of the travel ban. Eighteen states have voiced opposition by supporting the states of Washington and Minnesota challenging Trump's executive order on the basis that it violates the Establishment Clause in the First Amendment by showing preference for one religion over another and the Equal Protection Clause by discriminating based on religion and national origin. Critics have argued in court that Trump sought to ban Muslims from entering the country, although Texas' filing counters that the president's executive order fails to mention Islam or whether travelers are Muslim. Trump's executive order has sparked rallies at the nation's airports, where refugees and other travelers learned upon landing they would be detained and separated from their families. Even some supporters of the ban have complained about the way it was implemented after authorities turned away people with visas and green card holders who have lawful permanent residence in the United States. During the Super Bowl, a sprawling Marriott Marquis ballroom was host to a private performance by Elton John for Patriots owner Bob Kraft. The crowd was much larger the next weekend, when it was filled with around 1,600 students, business leaders, politicians and Israel supporters of all stripes for the annual AIPAC dinner. There's a cautious hope among this pro-Israel crowd that a new president will ease the tension that existed under the Obama White House. However, there's reason to fear that change won't be for the better. Trump has already started on the wrong foot by nominating David Friedman as his ambassador to Israel. Friedman, who faces the Senate Foreign Relations Committee today, lacks the diplomatic experience and policy chops necessary to fill this important role. His credentials start and stop with his time spent as Donald Trump's personal bankruptcy attorney. He simply does not have the credentials necessary for this key position in our nation's foreign service. The special relationship between the U.S. and Israel is too important to give away as some campaign-season reward. Israel deserves a U.S. ambassador who understands the historic geopolitics of the region and knows how to do the job on day one. That's why Democrats and Republicans alike have routinely filled this seat with career diplomats. Trump should follow their example. Friedman has already been condemned in Israeli newspapers for holding an overly simplistic view on the Middle East. Much of the criticism hinges on his opposition to a two-state solution in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinians. Friedman's idea of a single state encompassing Israel and the Palestinian territories risks undermining Israel's democracy, its security and its Jewish character. Trump himself even backed away from a two-state solution at a press conference Wednesday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. For the past 50 years, Republican and Democratic administrations have all opposed settlements as contrary to the prospects for peace. Retreating from decades of foreign policy consistency on a whim will only foment chaos and weaken our nation's position on the international stage. Friedman has also been scrutinized by Israeli pundits for his personal financial support of a controversial West Bank settlement outside Ramallah. Netanyahu and the U.S. State Department both fear what would replace the status quo in the West Bank. Yet Trump has picked a man who makes no secret about his desire to smash the fragile balance in the Palestinian territories. The loudest voices against Friedman echo from America's own Jewish community. More than 600 American rabbis and dozens of Holocaust survivors have written letters to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee objecting to Friedman's nomination. Friedman has done little to win over Jewish support stateside. Just last year he wrote a column comparing J Street, a pro-Israel advocacy group that focuses on a two-state solution, to kapos - Jews who worked in concentration camps during the Holocaust. It is hard to imagine a diplomat with a less diplomatic personality. Trump is already learning that Israel is more complex than he anticipated. Promises of moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem on day one have been quietly rolled back. The United States should send an ambassador who fully grasps this challenge. Otherwise, hopes for a just and lasting peace between Israel and Palestinians will flicker away, as the Elton John song goes, like a candle in the wind. The introduction of school choice in Texas, by means of a tax-credit scholarship program, will give opportunities to families in need across the state to access the best education for their children. It's little wonder, then, that school choice is one of the most-discussed policy topics this legislative session. Private schools in Texas are ready and willing to participate in such a program. Here's how it would work: As proposed in Senate Bill 542 and House Bill 1184, tax-credit scholarships would provide money to parents who move their children from traditional public schools and enroll them in private schools. The legislation also calls for businesses that contribute to the program to receive tax credits, as well. A recent survey conducted by EdChoice, in partnership with the Texas Private Schools Association and the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops, found that most accredited private schools in Texas are eager to serve more students. Of the 840 private, accredited, nonprofit schools in Texas, 333 schools participated in this survey. There are an estimated 30,000 open and available seats within these particular schools. The projected estimate for Texas's total accredited private school sector is 127,000 open seats for K12 students. Legislative proposals for school choice would provide Texas families who qualify for a tax-credit scholarship of approximately $7,300 to help cover the cost of tuition at an accredited private school. The survey found that half of private schools for which combined tuition and fee data are available charge less than $6,000 for elementary, $6,500 or less for middle school and $8,800 or less for high school. The funds from a tax-credit scholarship program could significantly assist Texas families with offsetting the cost of private school tuition or cover the cost completely. Millions of scholarship dollars are provided annually to private school families by schools and philanthropic organizations. These scholarship dollars will go farther - and to more families - when combined with a school choice program. For many students, school choice is the opportunity they need to succeed in the classroom. Families that qualify for this proposed program must have children in public school and have demonstrated financial and academic need. Students could also be a foster child, a military dependent or have special needs that are not adequately being met by their local public school. Under the tax-credit scholarship program now being considered, families who opt to stay in the local public school can qualify for assistance with tutoring or transportation to optimize their academic opportunities. Tax-credit scholarships are about improving education for everyone. Studies have shown that in states with this particular school choice program, such as Florida, public schools have improved as children are allowed to access an educational setting that fits their unique circumstances. Private schools come in all shapes and sizes, from rural schools that serve fewer than a hundred students to large independent schools located in major metropolitan areas. Some of the available spaces in these schools might be the perfect solution for students and families who need an alternative. Let's allow that choice to families in Texas looking for more educational opportunity. Allmon is executive director of the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops, which represents 256 Catholic Schools and 76,000 students in Texas. Colangelo is the executive director of Texas Private Schools. "School choice" is only the latest euphemism for programs that divert public tax dollars to subsidize private and home school education. They go by many names: education savings accounts and tuition tax credits are the two pseudonyms of Senate Bill 3 sponsored by Senate Education Chair Larry Taylor and prioritized by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. But, Texans know how to call something by its real name: private school vouchers. Voucher policies have come before the Legislature numerous times in the past. Each time, the proposals have been defeated. Why? Because conservative Texans can smell a government entitlement and expansion program a country mile away. Full funding for our public schools is a public trust of God's common good. As Pastors for Texas Children, we believe education is a gift from God for all children. Not just children who can afford it, or children from stable families, or children whose parents are engaged in the schools, but all children. The founders of our great state encoded this moral principle in Article 7, Section 1 of the Texas Constitution: "A general diffusion of knowledge being essential to the preservation of the liberties and rights of the people, it shall be the duty of the Legislature of the State to establish and make suitable provision for the support and maintenance of an efficient system of public free schools." There is not one single constitutional syllable about private schools. The Legislature has absolutely no authority over them. Such private voluntary assemblies are commonly religious in purpose and curriculum. For the state to insinuate itself into these spaces is egregious government overreach and violation of the religious liberty we cherish in this state. Why is the Texas Senate once again pushing a policy that the people of Texas have repudiated so many times before? If it had the general support of Texans, why would it be masquerading under the deceptive moniker of "school choice?" The answer is this: Texans love their neighborhood and community public schools, honor the dedicated public schoolteachers who sacrificially serve our children, endorse public education as a cornerstone of our American democracy, and oppose privatizing it for the financial gain of a few. Common sense says that no government voucher will begin to pay for a private education - or at least one that even approximates the quality of most public schools. So, who will benefit from the voucher? Not poor families, but rather those financially stable enough to afford the private educational subsidy that the voucher will provide. Importantly, where is the necessary public oversight for an education savings account paid for by tax dollars? Would a monthly car payment be a justified educational expense if children were transported to a private school? How much expanded and additional government bureaucracy would be required to handle tuition tax credits? Will the state require the rigorous testing and assessment that private school families seek to avoid in the first place? These are common-sense questions that "school choice" vouchers cannot answer. "School choice" vouchers are not a real "choice" at all for the overwhelming majority of our children. It is unfair policy that benefits the few at the expense of the many. Let us reaffirm our moral and constitutional obligation to support the public education of our children. Let us cease manipulating our children's education as a political issue. Let us come together as a unified Texas community to "make suitable provision" for God's gift of education to all Texas children. Rev. Johnson, of Fort Worth, is founder and executive director of the nonprofit Pastors for Texas Children. Forty British companies showcased their portfolios at an oil and gas event in Cairo this week The UK is committed to deepening cooperation and supporting Egypt's economic growth, the British Embassy in Cairo said in a statement following a visit by the country's ambassador and a trade envoy to an oil and gas industry event on Tuesday and Wednesday in Cairo. "Energy investment is what will revive Egypt's economy in 2017," Ambassador John Casson was quoted as saying, following the visit. Forty British companies showcased their portfolios in the event, Casson said, including two of Britain's four biggest companies in the oil and gas sector. UK's Head of Department for International Trade for Egypt said the British companies at the event were "visiting Egypt for the first time to witness for themselves the market potential." Egypts natural gas production is currently estimated at around 4.4 billion cubic feet per day (bcfd), and is expected to increase by 1.5 bcfd by the end of 2017. In May 2016, the country's petroleum ministry predicted that production would rise to a range of 5.5 to 6 bcfd by the end of 2019. Search Keywords: Short link: As an existing print subscriber it is easy to get FREE access to all our online content. When you click get started below it will walk you through creating an online account to attach your print subscription number to. After your account is created it will ask you to either add a subscription for online access or click on the print subscriber button. Click the print subscriber button header and it will open a dropdown, now click on get started. The page will reload and you will be prompted to enter an account number and a zip code. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO USE THE NUMBER OFF OF THE MOST RECENT ISSUE OR ANYTHING AFTER JANUARY 28, 2019 TO GAIN ACCESS! OLD ACCOUNT NUMBERS WILL NOT WORK The account number and zip code are easily available on your most recent issue of the High Plains Journal or Midwest Ag Journal in the address fields as is shown here. Sometimes the account number has extra zero's in front of it, just ignore those. Ali Osman Alhaj was the conductor of Al-Nour Wal Amal orchestra for visually impaired and blind women Ali Osman Alhaj, Sudanese contemporary classical music composer and the conductor of Al-Nour Wal Amal (Light and Hope) Orchestra has died, the orchestra has revealed. Alhaj was based in Egypt since he came from Sudan to attended the Cairo Conservatory in 1978. He served as conductor of Cairos Al-Nour Wal Amal Orchestra for blind girls since 2001. He returned to the conservatory as a lecturer of music composition, theory, analysis, counterpoint, and harmony in 2002. As a researcher, his specialty was music from Sudan. He held a Masters degree and a PhD on the subject of "Arabic Rhythmic Patterns and their Role in Constructing Melody in Traditional Arabic Music." Alhaj also lectured at the Academy of Arts in Egypt in 1990, and at The High Institute of Arabic Music till 2014. From 2006 to 2008 he was artistic director of the Cairo Opera House Library. Among his honours are Third Prize in the competition Abu Bakr Khairat of the Ministry of Culture in Cairo (1995, for Song for Chamber Orchestra) and a scholarship from the organisation Pro Helvetia (2000). His music has been performed in Austria, Egypt, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, and the UK. For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture Search Keywords: Short link: Subscribing to our services is a three step process. First you have to create an account and then you have to pick if you want to subscribe to digital and or print. Some people only want to be a digital subscriber to get access online and others want to also receive the print edition. If you are already a print subscriber and want online access, it is free, you simply have to create an online account and then attach your print subscription account number to the online account you create. While the jump in listings signals growth for employers, it also means organisations will have to increase their efforts if they want to attract new recruits. When job hunters have more choice, employers need to step up, they need to put in more effort to stand out, sometimes reset their expectations and we expect them to increasingly look outside the square to find the people they need, said Wade. I think employers need to be ready to invest in training, especially if they cant get exactly what they need in the job market, he added. Sometimes attitude and work ethic are more important than prior experience. Unsurprisingly, Trade Me Jobs isnt the only site to have noticed a significant boost in listings Jason Walker, managing director at Hays New Zealand, said demand had exploded in the second half of January. December was quieter than usual, which I put down to the Kaikoura earthquake which rightly diverted many employers attention, but since January 16 theres been an enormous spike in activity from our clients, he said. Its been bigger than any year that I can remember. Stuart McLeans listeners didnt know much about him personally, but they felt close to him, because his warm voice piped through the radio so regularly and for so many years. The beloved CBC broadcaster and author died Wednesday at age 68 following a battle with melanoma, after pausing the Vinyl Cafe to focus on treatment back in December. Advertisement McLean was arguably one of the best storytellers of his generation, and his legacy will be those rich, believable stories, featuring Dave, Morley, Sam, Stephanie and all of their various neighbours and friends. Theyll continue to be played and read because of the joy they brought Canadians. In his honour, weve decided to round up some of our favourite Vinyl Cafe tales. Dave Cooks the Turkey This may be an obvious pick, but it's so absurd. Our favourite detail has to be when Dave applies gravy to the light fixtures. But it also has a wonderful message about the true meaning of Christmas spending time with those you love most. Advertisement Arthur the Dog Dave and Morley come head-to-head with the family dog in this very domestic tale. Polly Anderson's Christmas Party Only McLean could turn a yarn of children getting hopelessly drunk into one that makes everyone's stomachs hurt. Toilet Training the Cat In this story, we learn Dave has a lot of faith in himself, and that cats can be terrifying. Rashida, Amir and the Great Gift-Giving We love this fish-out-of-water story, especially because it showcases just how absurd some Canadian rituals seem to immigrants to this country. Advertisement Christmas on the Road Stephanie's boyfriend Tommy Nolan makes the unwise decision to join her, Sam, Dave and Morley on a family road trip. There are farts involved. Follow Huffington Post Canada Living on Pinterest, Facebook and Twitter! Also on HuffPost After 12 months of restoration, Stoppelaere House is to be opened with a view to developing it into a cultural and scientific centre for heritage. Minister of Antiquities Khaled El-Enany and Swiss Ambassador Markus Leitner will open the house Friday. The house is a fully restored masterpiece of 20th century architecture by Egypt's pioneer architect Hassan Fathy. The restoration was part of the Theban Necropolis Preservation Initiative launched in 2008 by the Ministry of Antiquities in collaboration with the University of Basel and the Factum Foundation for Digital Technology in Conservation. Mahmoud Afifi, head of the Ancient Egyptian Antiquities Department, said that Stoppelaere House is an example of Fathy's mature approach to mud brick architecture. It was built in 1950 for Alexander Stoppelaere after the completion of the village of New Gourna, a visionary housing project of the late 1940s. The restoration was funded by Factum Foundation for Digital Technology in Conservation, Madrid, and the work was carried out by the Waly Centre for Architecture and Heritagein Cairo with a team of local craftsmen. Tarek Waly, one of the leading heritage architects working in Egypt, worked with Fathy for many years and has a deep understanding of his aims and intentions. Great attention has been paid to preserving the building while also making it serve a new function as a state of the art 3D scanning, archiving and training centre. Adam Lowe, founder of Factum Foundation for Digital Technology in Conservation, explained that the new centre at Stoppelaere House will bring 3D scanning technologies (including medium/long range survey scanning, close range high-resolution surface scanning, composite photography and high-resolution photogrammetry) to Luxor. High-resolution recording and documentation provides a cost effective solution for heritage documentation that will benefit the local community. He pointed out that in 2016, Factum Foundation began training local operators under the supervision of Aliaa Ismail, a specialist in architecture and Egyptology, who will run the centre. The first two local operators are already fully trained and as the centre becomes fully equipped, the number of people receiving training in data recording, processing and archiving will increase, Lowe said. He added that the restoration of Stoppelaere House and the Theban Necropolis Preservation Initiative Training Centre are one of the central elements of the Theban Necropolis Preservation Initiative (TNPI), a project initiated in 2008. The TNPI gained prominence in 2014 for installing an exact facsimile of the tomb of Tutankhamun on the site near Howard Carters house. Lowe continued that high-resolution recording and documentation are transforming the ways in which we protect, monitor, study and communicate the importance of vulnerable cultural heritage sites like the Valley of the Kings. Now the initiative is focused on the tomb of King Seti I. Upon the discovery of the tomb 200 years ago by the explorer Giovanni Battista Belzoni, a facsimile was made of the tombs wall to put them on show in London. Regretfully, Belzonis facsimile was made by casting the walls, which caused significant damage to the tomb. Belzoni and others also removed sections of the tomb that are now in international museums and collections around the world. Stoppelaere House will become the symbol of a new approach, whereby such scattered fragments are analysed and reintegrated into a whole by way of new technologies. During 2017 there will be a significant transfer of skills and technology in order to facilitate the recording of sites in and around Luxor. Salima Ikram, professor of Egyptology at the American University in Cairo, describes the training programme as a fantastic idea. It will provide Egyptians with the most up-to-date technologies that will allow them to preserve and document their cultural heritage accurately and completely. This shows how international cooperation can further the preservation of heritage, not just for Egypt, but for the world," she said. Search Keywords: Short link: Let's face it: Winter. Sucks. Although we're in the middle of cold weather season, were already dreaming of summer days. Unfortunately, for most of Canada, that won't happen for a while. But there is some good news: Although you might not be able to take a trip down south, you can still pop open a book that will make time go by a bit quicker. To help ease your winter blues, check out the 10 books below that will help you get through these trying times. Whether it be a new sci-fi read, a thrilling mystery or a laugh-out-loud memoir, these books will carry you through to warmer days. Advertisement Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth From the author who gave us the "Divergent" series comes a new sci-fi fantasy series where people in a distant galaxy develop a currentgift a power that can shape the future. For Akos and Cyra however, their currentgift makes them vulnerable to others' control, putting their lives in danger. Together, they must defeat their enemies and reset the balance of power in their world. How To Murder Your Life by Cat Marnell A former beauty writer who once worked at all the best New York glossies and co-founded xoJane, discusses her life (so far) and all its so-not-chic moments. From her many drug addictions, to her hard-partying ways to her bulimia, Marnell doesn't hide a thing. Funny thing is, her unconventional life still sounds ultra glamorous. Advertisement The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware In this gripping thriller, Lo Blacklock is travelling on a luxury liner, and while at first it seems like the best trip of her life, it quickly becomes terrifyingly dark after she witnesses a woman being thrown overboard. Trouble is, all the passengers seem to be accounted for. And so, the journalist tries to uncover the mystery. Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly It's the book that sparked a million dreams and an Oscar-nominated film. Based on the true story of the black female mathematicians at NASA whose work helped American men get into space, the book, and the lives of these women, has inspired girls and women around the world to think among the stars. Born a Crime by Trevor Noah Advertisement Told with humour and grace, the "Daily Show" host recounts his life from growing up during apartheid South Africa to that famous desk, starting with his birth, which was in itself a crime. Noah was born to a white father and a black mother during a time when such an act was punishable by prison. Here, Noah documents the struggle of his family and their ultimate way to freedom. Books for Living by Will Schwalbe In his follow-up to the bestseller The End of Your Life Book Club, the author looks for the answers to the big and small questions about how to live his life, and tries to figure out how to make sense of the world in a time of so much noise and connectivity. Each chapter focuses on one book and how he finds meaning within it to understand his part in the world. My Not So Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella Perfectly timed for this social media-obsessed world, the bestselling author's new book explores why the grass is always greener on the other side especially if that other side is using the perfect filter. Protagonist Katie Brenner longs to live a better life, in particular, the life of her boss, Demeter Farlowe. While Farlowe's glam life looks picture perfect, Katie struggles with her mundane existance, until her boss suddenly fires her, and Katie is forced to move back home to her family farm, where she helps set up a luxe "glamour camping" business. Advertisement The Undoing Project by Michael Lewis A celebration of the collaboration between Israeli psychologists, Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky, this book explores the lives and work of two fascinating men who not only revolutionized science and medicine, but created a whole new field of economics. The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood Even though this Canadian classic was published in 1985, it's just as timely now. In a dystopian world, women are not allowed to work, read or have friends. The "Handmaids" only have one job: breed. One such handmaiden, Offred, can't let go of her old life and starts thinking about rebellion. Swimming Lessons by Claire Fuller Advertisement Britax is recalling 36,000 "Click & Go" receiver mounts in Canada that attach car seats to strollers because they can unexpectedly detach and cause car seats to fall. The recall applies to the Britax B-Agile and BOB Motion models. Advertisement The company has received 118 reports of customer incidents in Canada, including one case where a child suffered a head injury, according to Health Canada. The company is also recalling 676,000 of the products in the United States, where there have been another 25 injuries reported, including cuts, bruises, scratches and bumps to the head. The recalled strollers were sold from May 1, 2011 to Feb. 15, 2017. The company recommends customers stop using the stroller-car seat combination immediately, but says the products are safe when used individually. Advertisement Model numbers for the relevant strollers can be found on the inside of the stroller's metal frame near the right rear wheel for single strollers, and in the front middle underside of the frame on double strollers. More information on the recall is available at Health Canada. With files from The Associated Press. Also on HuffPost Kevin Kwans bestselling book Crazy Rich Asians is getting a movie adaptation, with Constance Wu as its leading lady. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the film will be directed by Jon M. Chu and will feature an all-Asian cast. Advertisement Constance Wu attends The 22nd Annual Critics' Choice Awards on December 11, 2016 in Santa Monica, California. As the title eludes, the film is about wealthy Chinese families. The story follows Chinese-American professor Rachel Chu, who agrees to visit her boyfriend Nicks hometown in Singapore for the summer so that she can meet his family. However, upon arriving, Chu is surprised to discover that her boyfriend is the heir to a massive fortune and is one of Asias most eligible bachelors. Variety reports that Warner Bros. is currently in negotiations with Wu to play Rachel in the romantic comedy. Advertisement Director Chu revealed his excitement on Wednesday, tweeting: #StarringConstanceWu #literally blown away how talented &amazing this woman is. And we get 2make history together! #StarringConstanceWu#literally blown away how talented &amazing this woman is. And we get 2make history together! https://t.co/UqvV11ZI8c Jon M. Chu (@jonmchu) February 16, 2017 Wu has proven shes a leading lady thanks to her stellar performance as Jessica Huang in the TV series Fresh Off the Boat. The 34-year-old actress has also been very vocal about whitewashing in Hollywood, so a chance to star in a movie with an exclusively Asian cast is right up her alley. On Twitter, fans are going wild for the studios casting choice for the lead role. Advertisement @ConstanceWu@THR I don't know her personally, but I have so much & respect for this woman. SUPER excited for this! It's about time! Pim W. (@PimKaprao) February 16, 2017 In response, Wu tweeted to her fans: Some very exciting news for y'all. So much love and gratitude for this. Some very exciting news for y'all so much love and gratitude for this https://t.co/OVBCgKaNvx Constance Wu (@ConstanceWu) February 16, 2017 Conservative leadership candidate Deepak Obhrai has challenged fellow contender Kevin O'Leary to a one-on-one debate on Canadian democracy. UPDATE: Feb. 17, 10:30 a.m. ET O'Leary's campaign says he is declining Obhrai's challenge. Obhrai issued a press release Thursday accusing the businessman of being "confused" by the nuances between U.S. and Canadian democracies. Advertisement "This is not surprising considering his past record of supporting American parties, but not Canadian ones," the release states. A spokesman for O'Leary, who officially entered the Conservative leadership contest in January after months of speculation, told The Huffington Post Canada on Friday he will not be accepting Obhrai's challenge. Instead, O'Leary will focus on speaking to party members and selling memberships. "Mr. OLeary does however, look forward to working with Mr. Obhrai once Mr. OLeary becomes Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada," said Ari Laskin in an email. Advertisement Obhrai charges in his release that O'Leary "insulted" Canada's democracy by saying he would not rush to seek a seat in the House of Commons should he win the Tory leadership. In an interview with The Globe and Mail last month, O'Leary described running for a federal seat after winning the leadership as a "waste of time." Obhrai told The Huffington Post Canada O'Leary's refusal to immediately seek a seat goes against the norms of Canada's democracy. "The guy keeps on making statements, just like Donald Trump keeps making statements, without thinking [of the] consequences," Obhrai said. O'Leary bashed at first debate The Tory leadership race has been a crowded one, with 14 candidates currently vying to replace interim leader Rona Ambrose. O'Leary drew criticism from his opponents before he officially entered the race. At his first debate with the leadership contestants earlier this month, he was bashed for being opportunistic and having no political experience. Advertisement He was also under heavy flak for sharing a video of himself at a gun range on the day of a funeral service for three victims of the Quebec City mosque massacre. The celebrity investor was accused of being insensitive. "(He) had the audacity to post that video on the very same day we were burying the victims of one of the worst mass shootings in Canadian history,'' leadership candidate Michael Chong said at the debate. "That video will cost us the next election.'' The next leadership debate takes place in Edmonton on Feb. 28. The Conservatives choose their new leader in May. With files from The Canadian Press Also on HuffPost Conservative Leadership Candidates See Gallery U.S. President Donald Trump turned a Thursday press conference originally meant to announce his nominee for labour secretary into a two-hour unwieldy open mic set roasting Hillary Clinton and institutions designed to keep politicians in check. Trump's labour secretary nominee, former U.S attorney Alexander Acosta, received a brief mention before the president accused specific news outlets of being dishonest, and praised unnamed organizations of being honest and fantastic. Advertisement Trump made 11 references to Clinton, the former Democratic presidential candidate who won the popular vote. The president presented a hypothetical situation if his campaign were given previews of debate questions last year to suggest a double standard. Can you imagine seriously can you imagine if I received the questions? It would be the electric chair. OK, he should be put in the electric you would even call for the re-institution of the death penalty. President makes two false claims Trump also used his time to brag about his victory four weeks into his presidency and more than three months after the election. Advertisement I wasn't supposed to get 222. They said there's no way to get 222, 230's impossible. 270 which you need, that was laughable, he said. We got 306 because people came out and voted like they've never seen before so that's the way it goes. I guess it was the biggest electoral college win since Ronald Reagan. Trump actually received 304 electoral votes, not 306 as stated. His claim his electoral college win was the biggest since Reagan is also not true. I guess it was the biggest electoral college win since Ronald Reagan. President Donald Trump making claim later debunked Records show Barack Obama and Bill Clinton received higher electoral votes in each of their elections than the number Trump won last year. Advertisement Its the third time in a week the president has brought up Novembers election results at news conferences. A day earlier, Trump was asked to comment about a possible connection between his administration's perceived xenophobic and maybe racist tones to a spike in anti-Semitic incidents. Standing next to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the president responded by talking about the electoral college victory months earlier. And during a joint news conference with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday, Trump was asked to comment on the difference between how Canada and the U.S. treat Syrian refugees. He responded by boasting about how he won a very, very large electoral college vote. Advertisement Trump dont speak to people from Russia On the subject of Russia, Trump denied Thursday that his campaign had contacts with Russian officials during the course of the election, dismissing the story and the allegations as a ruse. Russia is a ruse. I have nothing to do with Russia. Haven't made a phone call to Russia in years. Don't speak to people from Russia. Not that I wouldn't. I just have nobody to speak to. said Trump. Trump then repeated an earlier remark, acknowledging that hes spoken to Russian President Vladimir Putin twice in recent months. We had a very good talk, especially the second one, lasted for a pretty long period of time, he said. Also on HuffPost When Trudeau Met Trump See Gallery All hail the gorgeous Halima Aden. The 19-year-old Somali-American model made her New York Fashion week debut on Wednesday wearing a hijab on the Yeezy Season 5 runway. #yeezy #nyfw2017 A post shared by Halima Aden (@kinglimaa) on Feb 15, 2017 at 9:52pm PST Advertisement But while the stunning Aden pretty much stole the show, it's the visibility she's trying to create for Muslim women that makes her a star to watch. Born in a Kenyan refugee camp and later relocating to Minnesota, the fashionista made headlines last year when she competed in Minnesotas Miss USA competition proudly rocking a hijab and a burkini for the swimsuit portion of the show. And although she is now working as a model, her vision is more focused on the bigger picture of shifting fashion's typical beauty ideals. Shout out to Modanisa for this Burkini and Shout Out to BRENDA for doing my makeup so beautifully A post shared by Halima Aden (@kinglimaa) on Dec 1, 2016 at 8:45pm PST Advertisement I didnt really have modelling in mind," Aden shared with Business of Fashion on Wednesday. "I wanted to spread a positive message about beauty and diversity, and to show other young Muslim women that there is room for them." It seems as though staying true to herself and her faith has paid off as she just signed a major contract with IMG models. "I found that she was just so brave to stick to what she really believed in and yet go after the American dream of being in a beauty contest," IMG president Ivan Bart told BOF. @crfashionbook family Shot by the one and only , the ICONIC @mario_sorrenti A post shared by Halima Aden (@kinglimaa) on Feb 15, 2017 at 7:10pm PST Aden recently shared her advice for other women who are looking to break the mould in fashion with Vogue. Advertisement Always stay true to who you are," she told the fashion pub. "Barriers can and will be broken! So inspiring! Also on HuffPost Two Newfoundlanders walk into a blizzard with a snowblower and a car... Sounds like the setup to an ultra-Canadian joke, right? Bethany Loveman captured a truly Canadian life hack Wednesday, when her dad and fiance got creative while blowing snow from their Botwood, N.L. driveway. (Watch their trick in the video above.) Loveman told The Huffington Post Canada that it was the pair's first time testing out the method and that "it worked, but they only done it for the duration of the video," before going back to more conventional snow removal techniques. Advertisement Storm-stayed East Coasters are finding ways to entertain themselves after back-to-back storms this week have dumped huge amounts of snow on the Atlantic provinces, and shut down transit, schools, and many businesses. One New Brunswick man even resorted to plowing snow in a bikini just to get a laugh. Follow The Huffington Post Canada on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Also on HuffPost On Saturday, February 11, a Canadian veteran suicided. Sadly, that story has become routine. This soldier did it in front of police. That, too, is becoming an old story. This veteran was fighting for help from Veterans Affairs. That story is so common that we barely notice anymore; we assume every veteran is fighting with VAC. The veteran from Edmunston, NB was Bombardier Carl Jason Dunphy, of the 5e Regiment d'artillerie legere du Canada. He served three tours in Afghanistan. He had short-term memory problems from the multiple concussions he received from roadside bombs. He also had PTSD. He may even have had other injuries which haven't been reported. He'd been appealing -- begging -- Veterans Affairs for help for his problems. On the morning of his death, Carl posted on Facebook: Advertisement "It's eating away at my resources and my strength. It's not up to friends and spouses to deal with this because a government organization doesn't act." Within hours, apprehended by the Surete du Quebec in St-Louis-du-Ha!-Ha!, Carl got back in his car and shot himself. That's how Canada handles these sort of things. Carl is yet another delayed casualty of the war in Afghanistan. Canada lost 158 troops over there. By 2014, we had lost 160 Afghanistan veterans to suicide back here. The count is much higher now, but we stopped officially keeping track. Frequently, we don't even give their rank, denying the fallen even token respect. Pay close attention to government -- or any civilian -- discussion of veterans' suicide. You will hear a whole lot of statistics tossed around, especially ones comparing the incidence of mental illness between veterans and the civilian population. You will see comparisons of the suicide rates between those groups. There will be a lot of victim blaming, couched in statements like "we are there for veterans who ask for help." You will witness much hand-wringing by authorities, a lot of talk about how sad this is, and loads of implied shrugs and "What are ya gonna do?" Then, as soon as Carl is buried, or sooner if public attention can be distracted, everyone will go back to whatever they were doing. Advertisement That's how Canada handles these sort of things. We have shown it time after time. Even after the horrific murder-suicide of Lionel Desmond last month -- another veteran begging VAC for help -- we went back to ignoring the wounded. At the end of the news cycle, Canada simply doesn't care about these veterans. We do everything in our power to ignore these deaths. We don't want to think about them, because we want the war to be over, because we want the victims to be responsible for their fate, because we refuse to accept our responsibility to those who serve. It's easy to see that at work: just look at how we compare veterans and civilians. It's like comparing apples and fire trucks -- other than being red, there's no commonality. Veterans and civilians are both people, but that's the end of the similarity. We conveniently forget the rigorous screening of applicants done by the Forces. Applicants are not only selected based on physical fitness; they are also screened for mental health. Before basic training starts, recruits are the healthiest people around. Training weeds out those who cannot achieve even greater fitness; that's the whole point of the rigors of basic. By the time recruits have passed and become full members of the Forces, the graduates are strong and fit in all respects. How can we possibly compare these elite-screened and trained individuals to the rest of us? On average, Canadians are not particularly fit and healthy. The incidence of mental illness in the general population is largely due to the random factors which drive all disease; we haven't been screened. One doesn't compare the rate of heart disease among Olympic athletes to the rest of us fast-food eating, coffee swilling, smoking, lazy arses. Why are we comparing the mental health of soldiers and civilians? Because we want to duck our responsibility. Advertisement We call it a tragedy, like some Greek or Shakespearean drama, blaming the gods or fate or some vagary. The truth is this: we take people who are in top condition physically and mentally, and we break them in body and mind. We send them off to do the dangerous and dirty jobs us civilians can't face. We push them out front, to face the horrors and uglies, to put their flesh and minds between us and harm. We use them like tools, working them until they break. Then we chuck them aside and make them fight us for their benefits, until we break their spirit. We ignore their cries for help, even as we declare help is available. When they suicide, we call it a tragedy, like some Greek or Shakespearean drama, blaming the gods or fate or some vagary. The true fault lies not in the stars, but in ourselves -- our sanctimonious, excuse-making, sniveling, victim-blaming selves. We may call ourselves civilians, and thereby suggest that we are generous and caring and somehow better than these dupes we dispatch to do our dirty work. There's nothing civil or enlightened or even humane in how we treat our veterans. We cannot continue to hide from the truth. We broke them; we owe them. No amount of re-framing will change that fact. If these veterans made it home from a war, then we should be able to stop them being further casualties. Instead of stalling, delaying, demanding more proof of injury, blaming bureaucracy, and permitting Veterans Affairs and the Forces to point the finger of responsibility at each other, we need to react as quickly as Canadians do in times of crisis. We need to dive in and make things work. We need to grab on to the wounded, saying "It's going to be OK." And we have to make it OK. CORRECTION: An earlier version of this blog incorrectly identified the first image as Bombardier Carl Jason Dunphy. It has been updated to an image of the veteran. Advertisement Follow HuffPost Canada Blogs on Facebook Also on HuffPost: The federal government's announcement that it will provide $372.5 million to Bombardier in repayable loans is good news, and a smart investment in the future of this country and its people. Criticisms of the deal are not only short-sighted, but just plain wrong. The fact is, Canada needs to invest in aerospace if it wants to be a player in that industry -- an industry that provides good jobs across the country and is the basis of much of the research and development work done in Canada. Advertisement To say that Bombardier should be allowed to "crash and burn," as some have, is not only heartless for the thousands of workers and their families who would be left in desperate straits as a result, it is bad economic policy. It is important to remember that Bombardier is one of Canada's largest employers with more than 24,000 workers across Canada -- and those jobs create another 40,800 jobs at and by the suppliers used by Bombardier, as well as through the spending of its well-paid workers. The real job growth begins as production jobs are created to meet demand for the airliner. Bombardier is also a world leader in research and innovation. Much of the money announced last week will go to the Global 7000 business aircraft program, scheduled to go into commercial service next year. The rest would go to the CSeries passenger jet, an innovative Bombardier aircraft that marks a major advance in aviation technology worldwide. Bombardier's first entrance in the lucrative single-aisle commercial aircraft segment -- the CSeries -- puts it in the same market as the Boeing 737 and Airbus 319. The CSeries is an innovative airliner that uses 20 per cent less fuel than comparable jets. Supporting its development not only helps spur research in this country and create good jobs, but it contributes to developing a green economy. Advertisement With the CSeries now moving from design to production, the real job growth begins as production jobs are created to meet demand for the airliner, both at Bombardier and at suppliers across Canada. Just getting to this stage has involved more than 200 suppliers in the CSeries project, creating jobs right across the country. It's not just me saying this. Karl Moore at McGill University's Desautels Faculty of Management told the CBC that "If you want to play in the big leagues in this industry -- different than many other industries -- you need government support." He said that the federal government's investment and earlier investments by the Quebec government are "what's necessary and appropriate in this particular industry." A complaint from Brazil to the World Trade Organization over the federal loan is more bravado that substance. We need to remember that the Brazilian government provides preferential loans to Embraer, its country's airliner producer, as well as infrastructure concessions and defence contracts. It even holds a small stake in the company. Advertisement Brazil, like other jurisdictions with significant aerospace sectors, makes such investments for the same reason Canada announced its loan to Bombardier last week: it's a good investment in the future of the country and its economy. Developing a new aircraft takes years and years of research and development. During that time, money flows out of the company and into the rest of the economy at a rapid rate. While that can be good for the suppliers and subcontractors getting some of that money, it can be a real drain on the company itself. The work is necessary, however, if aerospace companies are going to continue to develop the products that will keep them competitive in the market, and creating jobs here at home. Investments such as last week's loan are meant to help companies such as Bombardier get over those humps. It is beyond me how anyone could consider a repayable loan of $372.5 million anything but a great investment. Once a new airliner is developed and put into production, it can create good jobs for decades as new jets keep rolling off the production line. It is then that we see the real return on the investment. Consider that in 2015, the total taxes collected as a result of Bombardier operations were $1.6 billion, including business and property taxes, pay-roll contributions, social charges and income taxes paid by employees. As well, Bombardier's operations accounted for 0.7 per cent of Canada's Gross Domestic product, or $12.4 billion, and the aerospace sector as a whole accounted for 10 per cent of all research and development spending in Canada in 2015. With numbers like that, it is beyond me how anyone could consider a repayable loan of $372.5 million anything but a great investment. Follow HuffPost Canada Blogs on Facebook Also on HuffPost: Advertisement MICHAEL KLIMENTYEV via Getty Images Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during a meeting of the Federal Security Service's board in Moscow on February 16, 2017. Putin on February 16 called for Russian intelligence agencies to bolster ties with their US counterparts in the fight against terrorism. / AFP / Sputnik / Michael Klimentyev (Photo credit should read MICHAEL KLIMENTYEV/AFP/Getty Images) Russia will not discuss returning Crimea to Ukraine with its foreign partners. Kremlin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed its government will not discuss its territorial issues with foreign partners. "As for Crimea's return, this issue will not be discussed as it cannot be discussed. Russia does not discuss its territorial issues with foreign partners," Peskov said. Advertisement The comment issued by Peskov follows a White House statement that US President Donald Trump expects Russia to return Crimea to Ukraine. In the same statement, White House spokesman Sean Spicer said Trump "fully expects to and wants to get along with Russia." Last month, President Trump and Putin held a phone conversation and there was no discussion on Crimea's status. Last July, Sputnik News reported that Trump told ABC News he would consider recognizing Crimea as part of Russia if he was elected as the next US President. "The people of Crimea, from what I've heard, would rather be with Russia than where they were [Ukraine]," Trump told ABC News in an interview. Advertisement Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakarova was clear on Crimea's status and that the issue was permanently close: "We do not return our territories. Crimea is Russian territory." Crimea officially rejoined Russia after the 2014 referendum where more than 97% of the region's population were in favour of reunification. In 2014, more than 65% of the Crimean population was Russian compared to 15% for Ukrainians. The reunification was based on protecting the Russian-speaking population, especially since the Ukrainian government has been pushing hard to eliminate the Russian language from being a second official language. The fact that Russia is willing to protect Crimea is justified. Whether it is for the majority of the Russian population or its strategic interest in the emplacement of the Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol, it was predictable. Crimea was transferred to Ukraine in 1954 to commemorate the 300 anniversary of the reunification of Ukraine and Russia according to the Treaty of Pereyaslav signed in 1654. Since 1954, the Russian ethnic population never decreased in numbers and most of the population always felt an attachment to Russia. Advertisement One of the main reasons why Crimea reunified with Russia is simple: to protect the Black Sea Fleet's installation in Sevastopol from a NATO-oriented Ukrainian government. That said, although the Ukrainian government passed a law back in 2010 barring Ukraine to join any military alliance, the former Soviet country was approached by NATO on many occasions. Moving the Fleet to Sochi would be impossible due to the lack of installations and with the majority of the Crimean being Russian, President Vladimir Putin knew he would have the support of the population. Russia was leasing the Port of Sevastopol from Ukraine for approximately $98 million a year and many Russian politicians were worried that Ukraine would cancel the lease and request the Black Sea Fleet to move from Sevastopol. As I said, Sevastopol is the only port ready to host the Black Sea Fleet in the region thus making it a vital region for Russia. The decision to move Iskander missiles to the Crimean Peninsula is a clear sign of the strategic importance of the region. The Iskander missile has also been deployed to Kaliningrad, another major strategic region for Russia. The fact that NATO has been expanding eastward since the fall of the Soviet Union is also a reason why Russia wanted reunification with Crimea. Since 1991, NATO welcomed the Baltic States countries to the Alliance and other former Soviet Union countries. Advertisement NATO's expansion is definitely a threat to Russia's sovereignty, especially since the Alliance was created to defend itself from the Soviet Union. Although the mentality of NATO has been evolving toward a partnership with Russia, the older generation of the Alliance sees Russia as a threat for no reason. With their influence, NATO kept moving eastward under the pretext of protecting themselves and offering the same to former Soviet countries. The seven months of turmoil at the Ontario Medical Association (OMA) is enough to make anyone's head spin. Doctors and patients in Ontario have been inundated with competing narratives about what is happening in an endless stream of emails, blog posts, tweets and news articles. One thing has become increasingly clear though: the moderate voices at the OMA have been silenced and the push now is for physicians to take job action. The doctors pushing for job action continually draw a link between a new physician contract and improved patient care, a link that is tenuous at best and a sly marketing tool at worst. A physician contract is about physician income. If doctors take job action, it will be to increase the amount they are paid by tax payers. Additionally, patients will likely view any job action negatively as physicians' average take-home income exceeds that of 95 per cent of Canadians. Advertisement What might job action look like? 1. User fees There have been increasing calls on various social media platforms to institute user fees or increase those in place. This is the thin edge of the wedge. Carefully crafted to not be in contravention of the Canada Health Act, they supplement physician income. There is no question that insured services need significant review. However, unfettered, these fees disproportionately impact those who can least afford to pay and will keep those who need care from seeking it in the first place. 2. "Emergency services-only" days Services such as non-urgent, clinic-based patient care and elective surgeries would not be offered on specific days -- for example, "Furlough Fridays." The irony is that those pushing for job action insist that wait times and standing-room only emergency waiting rooms are part of the problem -- a problem that this type of job action would exacerbate. With no alternative, patients whose family doctors' offices are closed would flock to the nearest emergency department. There is no question that the health-care system is struggling 3. Abandonment of teaching responsibilities Doctors train in an apprenticeship model, with physicians in training working under supervision for up to eight years. Abdicating this responsibility would ransom the future of medical students and residents, meaning they might miss critical learning required for them to care for their future patients. 4. Slower diagnostic services Doctors with primarily diagnostic practices are uniquely positioned to gum up the gears of health care. Rather than read X-rays on arrival or look at pathology specimens, non-urgent studies could be put off for several days before reports are issued, again slowing patients' journeys through the health-care system, delaying their care and potentially putting them at risk. Advertisement 5. Decreased participation in planning and committee work Rather than provide physician input at the local level, some physicians argue they should not participate at all. This, despite their contention that physician input is critical to system and patient care improvements. In this setting, government will simply look to those who will say what it wants rather than face the reality of what is needed, while doctors are excluded, looking left out and out of touch with patient needs. Perilous course for the OMA There is no question that the health-care system is struggling, with its obligations to provide care outstripping the province's ability to pay for it. Physician payments make up approximately 20 per cent of the health-care budget and, with an already unpopular government focused on eliminating the deficit before the next election, Minister Eric Hoskins and Premier Kathleen Wynne see little or no upside to caving to the demands of high-earning doctors. In fact, they are likely to use the megaphone of Queen's Park to amplify the impact of job action on patients and the earning power that physicians already have. Well-funded doctors' groups, as well as grassroots groups, have established a no-holds-barred, take-no-prisoners approach to bargaining. They point blank refuse to allow the OMA to go back to the bargaining table without first getting binding arbitration -- using lawsuits and threats of general members' meetings to bully the OMA leadership. This, despite the knowledge that this government and future governments are unlikely to grant arbitration unless terms are negotiated at the bargaining table or through a court order that the OMA is already pursuing. Each side will need to compromise on some things to achieve their broader goals. This strategy is a mistake. A way forward The right strategy is to step back from the brink and find a way forward that achieves our goals without harming our patients. Most doctors want to provide excellent care for their patients and to be compensated fairly. To this end, a group of physicians came together after the failed contract vote last year to identify positive and solutions-focused principles to move the profession forward. Advertisement A unified voice for the medical profession at the bargaining table A fair and binding arbitration process to resolve compensation disputes A medical profession engaged in system stewardship A commitment to addressing inequities in physician compensation A restatement of our commitment to the principle of equity Added to this, it is essential that physician leaders, both within and outside the OMA, begin to separate negotiations of physician compensation from the broader health-system reforms that are essential to its sustainability. Physicians, like all groups that collectively bargain, need a fair and equitable agreement with the government. The best way to achieve this is at the bargaining table where, as in all negotiations, each side will need to compromise on some things to achieve their broader goals. Abandoning our patients through job action, in the hopes that an intransigent government will suddenly deliver more money for doctors and binding arbitration, is a fool's errand. Doctors will look greedy, government will have ready-made advertising to show they are holding the line on spending, and our patients will continue to wait, helpless to intervene. Follow HuffPost Canada Blogs on Facebook Also on HuffPost: Vladone via Getty Images Canadian flag waving on the wind with blue sky and white clouds on the background, Quebec, Canada While the main output of the ongoing battle for the Conservative Party of Canada's leadership has been a deluge of candidates, a few interesting policies have also surfaced. The nation's most famous libertarian, Maxime Bernier, has unsurprisingly come out with the most provocative propositions: the abolishment of supply management in the dairy & poultry industries, the deregulation of the telecom sector, and an end to what he calls the "Maple Syrup Cartel". Michael Chong, a more progressive candidate focused on expanding the party's base, wants to privatize the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, create a revenue-neutral carbon tax (accompanied by a major tax overhaul with large cuts to both corporate and income taxes), and substantially curtail the power of the very same Prime Minister's Office he aspires to eventually occupy. Advertisement Policies put out by many of the other candidates have been less inspiring. Steven Blaney is talking about banning women from wearing niqabs in particular contexts - despite a remarkably similar law being struck down by the judiciary just two years ago. Kellie Leitch, aroused by the belligerent new occupant of the White House, has called for some form of "Canadian Values" screening for any newcomers to the country. In a salute to the status quo, Brad Trost has publicly declared that marijuana laws should remain as they stand - despite a large majority of Canadians favoring legalization. Bar Chong and Bernier, the people vying to become the leader of the opposition and potentially Prime Minister, have generally failed to demonstrate anything resembling an enhanced vision to move the nation forward. Yet with calling out the protectionism inherent in supply management, the ineptitude of our current environmental policy, and the excessive concentration of power in the PMO qualifying as not only daring but controversial within our political system, there seems to be little room for policies that can bring about substantial change. On the other hand, take a look at a country like India. Despite being a good many years behind us developmentally, they've proven themselves far more willing to (seriously) consider bold new ideas. Advertisement Prime Minister Narendra Modi's implementation of a radical demonetization policy, which saw almost 90% of the nation's currency lose its value overnight (in an effort to combat mammoth corruption, tax evasion, and counterfeiting), may well be the most glaring example. With Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen having called the policy a "despotic action", and the distinguished University Professor of Economics and Law at Columbia University, Jagdish Bhagwati, having called the very same policy "a courageous reform", the merits (or demerits) of this policy will continue to be debated for some time to come. A better example, which has, unfortunately (albeit understandably), received less attention from the media, was seen in the annual Economic Survey put forward by India's Chief Economic Advisor, Arvind Subramanian. Released on the 31st of January, the document paid a great deal of attention to the viability of Universal Basic Income in the Indian context. It called for a roll-out of UBI across the country, initially targeted at the poor, and went on to acknowledge that "even if not ripe for implementation, [the idea of UBI] is ripe for serious discussion". Meanwhile, most Canadian political parties persist in resisting a frank and open discussion about issues ranging from our archaic protectionist structures to the ever-increasing concentration of power within the executive. Victor Hugo famously said, "On resiste a l'invasion des armees; on ne resiste pas a l'invasion des ideesic". Bernier and Chong are offering a chance for innovative ideas to finally infiltrate our political system's fortress of perpetual complacency. Whether or not this rare opportunity will be seized upon, or allowed to slip by unheeded, will ultimately be up to you and me. Canada is at a critical turning point for the 4.9 million people in this country who are living in poverty. For years, civil society organizations like Canada Without Poverty (CWP) have been calling for a national anti-poverty plan and now Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, has taken the first steps toward creating Canada's first poverty strategy. Advertisement The reality is that there is no panacea to poverty. To some it may seem that the path to an anti-poverty strategy is a long and overly-bureaucratic process -- but the reality is that there is no panacea to poverty. When we look at the success of provinces and territories, it becomes clear that the road to poverty eradication is long-term and multi-faceted. Every year CWP produces our signature publication: thirteen Poverty Progress Profiles. With the dismantling of the National Council of Welfare in 2012, Canada lost its primary mechanism for measuring poverty and social assistance in each province and territory, creating a major gap in vital information. Some organizations tried to fill this void. The Caledon Institute's Canada Social Report, for example, examines social assistance across all regions. But what's lost is the impact and insight of a funded council at arms-length from the government tasked with both providing in-depth analysis of poverty in Canada as well as reporting to people in power. Advertisement The chasm left by the National Council of Welfare is even more problematic when one considers that Minister Duclos has written that he will be "drawing on the expertise" of provinces and territories for the Canadian Poverty Reduction Strategy. This will prove challenging, as many provinces and territories are failing in their efforts to end poverty. British Columbia is likely the province most cited as failing on ending poverty. In a review of our Poverty Progress Profile on BC, statistics illustrate the stark reality across the province. One in five children in the province live in poverty; this is coupled with the worst record of housing affordability in Canada. Despite all of this, B.C. does not have, and has never had, a provincial poverty reduction strategy. Prince Edward Island is another example of a province where efforts have become static. Despite being host to high rates of food insecurity, unemployment and low minimum wage, the province's poverty strategy, which expired in 2015, has not been renewed. Many provinces and territories are failing in their efforts to end poverty. In contrast, there are a few examples of provinces and territories who have met with success. Newfoundland and Labrador, for example has gone from one of the highest rates of poverty among provinces and territories to the lowest rate. While this success has been attributed to initiatives such as indexed support payments and increases to minimum wage, it's also the result of the province making poverty a high priority for all decisions made within the government as well as efforts to include people with lived experience in decision-making. Advertisement Quebec was the first province or territory to create both a poverty reduction strategy and an Act to accompany the strategy. Importantly, Quebec is also the province that has most overtly recognized that poverty is a violation of human rights by expressly citing international human rights instruments in both their first strategy in 2004 and most recent poverty strateg. The Northwest Territories strategy has taken critical steps to ensure it does not become a stagnant document. It undergoes a review process with annual consultations with civil society -- in particular with indigenous governments -- who provide feedback that informs an updated annual version of the plan. Each of these elements in successful plans point to a holistic process more familiar in the international community, namely, a human rights-based approach to poverty. This framework requires particular steps, including: Making explicit reference to international human rights obligations; Ensuring human rights training for those involved in the strategy; Including those with lived experience of poverty in the development, monitoring, and implementation of the strategy; Developing measurable goals and timelines; Making the strategy a budget priority; Monitoring and reporting on the process and implementation of the strategy; Developing accountability and review mechanisms; and Providing claiming mechanisms to ensure rights holders have a place for their concerns to be heard. The overall conclusion from our in-depth analysis of each poverty reduction strategy is this: for a poverty reduction strategy to be successful, it takes time, political momentum, dedicated resources and an understanding that governments must consider the lived realities of poverty in every single policy decision they make. Advertisement We can learn from those who have already been successful and follow the common threads of success. This means we need strong political will, a willingness to genuinely include those first voices of people living in poverty, and a firm commitment to re-think existing systems with the understanding that poverty is foremost a violation of human rights. Follow HuffPost Canada Blogs on Facebook Also on HuffPost: Best To Worst Poverty Rates In Canada See Gallery Rawpixel via Getty Images ***NOTE TO INSPECTOR: This airplane is our own 3D generic designs. It does not infringe on any copyrighted designs.*** In recent days, concerns around the impact of Bill C-23 (also know as the Preclearance Act, 2016) have been back in the news. In 2015, the Canadian and US governments signed an agreement to expand border preclearance. Proponents say preclearance will facilitate the flow of people and goods between the US and Canada. Under preclearance, a traveller passes through US customs in Canada, so they do not need to do so once they enter the US, and vice-versa. There are US preclearance areas in eight Canadian airports, along with some train and ferry crossings in BC, and plans to expand this to more Canadian airports and train stations. Canadian preclearance zones would also be established for the first time in the United States. Advertisement There are serious concerns, though, that such preclearance zones give foreign officers too much power in both Canada and the US. This ranges from compelling answers from travellers, to sharing the information collected with multiple branches of government, to denying permanent residents direct entrance to their country. Bill C-23, introduced by current Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale in June 2016, would replace the 2001 version of the Preclearance Act. While it may speed up border crossing for some, it poses threats for others. Regarding US preclearance areas in Canada The right to withdraw from preclearance The Preclearance Act, 2001, allows individuals to withdraw from the preclearance process at anytime. They would not be allowed to enter the United States, but neither would they be required to remain in the preclearance area, answer any further questions or provide a reason for withdrawing. There are many reasons why people would want to withdraw. For example, if a border guard begins asking personal, leading or offensive questions (as many Muslims and people of color have already reported at the border), one could simply decide to leave the pre-clearance area. Advertisement Under Bill C-23, however, travellers who wish to withdraw would be compelled to continue answering questions, including the reason for requesting to withdraw from the process. A traveller who has not yet presented photo ID before requesting to withdraw would be forced to either provide photo ID, or agree to have their photo taken. The bill says that such questioning should not unreasonably delay the traveller (to avoid them missing their flight, for example), but "reasonable" is not defined in the law and such discretionary power could lead to abuse. The new legislation also removes a provision stating that a decision to withdraw is not grounds for suspicion of wrongdoing. Instead, an act of withdrawal would now be almost by default viewed as suspicious and justification for further questioning. At any point, should the preclearance officer suspect an offense (say, simply because you asked to withdraw), they would be able to frisk or strip-search an individual, and visually inspect (although not enter) the vehicle they are traveling in. If officers then believe there has been an infraction, they can detain the individual -- even if they no longer wish to enter the United States - and transfer them to Canadian authorities. Privacy Changes to language around privacy protection are also of concern. Under previous legislation, there were stronger rules specifying that passenger information must only be used in the enforcement of the Preclearance Act; that the information must be destroyed within 24 hours after an officer obtains it (unless the information is "reasonably required" for the enforcement of the law); and that a preclearance officer must take "reasonable measures" to protect passenger information from unauthorized use or disclosure (Section 32.1 and 32.2) However, the new legislation removes these rules, and simply states that: 33 (1) No person is permitted to disclose or use information obtained from a traveller after their withdrawal from preclearance except for the purpose of maintaining the security of or control over the border between Canada and the United States or as otherwise authorized by law. While this appears to set limitations, under Bill C-51 new rules were established allowing for much greater sharing of information related to national security between Canadian government agencies. So a caveat such as "otherwise authorized by law" opens the door for collected information to be shared widely. For Canadian preclearance in the US Travellers must comply Travellers in a Canadian preclearance area in the United States would also be required to answer any questions a preclearance officer has for them, including the reason for withdrawal, and must "comply with any other direction made by a border services officer that such an officer is authorized to make" under US law. Just as Canada sets the rules regarding what actions US preclearance officers can take, the US can set the rules of what is required when someone withdraws from a Canadian preclearance area. In Canada, but not in Canada Under C-23, when you enter a Canadian preclearance area, you have entered Canada for the purpose of customs and duty. However, it doesn't count as entering Canada for the purpose of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, including applying for asylum. Those looking to apply for asylum will continue to need to apply upon entry into Canada, and current agreements do not allow for a refugee to apply for asylum in Canada from a US-Canada port of entry, unless under exceptional circumstances (i.e. having family already in Canada). Denying permanent residents re-entry The new law would also allow preclearance officers to deny permanent residents re-entry into Canada. If a permanent resident seeks to return to Canada via a preclearance area, the officer could deny them entry based on regulations to be set by the Prime Minister and Cabinet. The permanent resident would then be required to proceed to a land crossing to enter Canada. This could mean, for example, that a permanent resident who intends to fly from Arizona to Canada would now need to find ground transportation to the Canada-US border (after having already purchased a plane ticket). Advertisement Conclusion Preclearance may appear as a way to facilitate and speed up cross-border travel. Current provisions of Bill C-23, though, would lead to the erosion of rights of people travelling both to the United States and Canada. Already, the ill-fated US Muslim ban and restrictions on refugees have lead to a tightening of the US border. Muslim and Arab Canadians have reported multiple instances of being refused entry at the border. To force individuals to stay when they wish to withdraw, to remove the presumption that withdrawal is not grounds for suspicion, and to remove privacy protections threaten the rights and freedoms of travellers all the more. In line with that, the possibility that permanent residents of Canada would be turned away when trying to take a flight home from the United States, especially at a time when travellers in the United States are facing significant discrimination, should be seen as a violation of a permanent residents' fundamental rights. Special thanks to the work of the Canadian Bar Association, S.K. Hussan of No One is Illegal, Safiah Chowdhury of the Islamic Society of North America and my colleague Anne Dagenais Guertin, whose comments on C-23 helped shape this piece. Follow HuffPost Canada Blogs on Facebook Asifa Lahore is the UK's first out Muslim drag queen. In this vlog for HuffPost UK Lahore discusses the importance of LGBT+ allies in the fight for equality and the remaining responsibility of LGBT+ people in the battle for worldwide rights. The Huffington Post UK is releasing a series of vlogs for LGBT+ History Month, which this year marks the 50th year since the decriminalisation of the Sexual Offenses Act (England & Wales). We have invited campaigners and speakers to share their stories and reflect on the past, present and future of LGBT+ rights. In addition, as part as our ongoing coverage of the month, HuffPost UK is proud to be supporting National Student Pride as a media sponsor Protection of Critical Infrastructure has become a priority issue for states, in reaction to the growing risks posed by terrorism. All governments recognize now that terrorism is an enduring threat which requires a sustained and coordinated response, and since 11 September 2001 most countries have developed national strategies to protect their critical infrastructure. It is generally accepted that at the national level, if destroyed, degraded or rendered unavailable, critical infrastructure would significantly affect the social and economic wellbeing of a nation, or affect its ability to ensure national defense and security. Terrorist attacks against passenger trains in Madrid in 2004 and, more recently, those on the international airports in Brussels and Istanbul in 2016, contributed to raise awareness about the vulnerabilities states have and the impact of such attacks. Critical infrastructure systems include banking and finance, telecommunications, emergency services, air, maritime and rail transportation, healthcare, food, energy and water supplies. Attacks on these systems can cause chaos in societies and disruption of public services. Usually, the supply of one component of critical infrastructure is dependent on the availability of other component. For instance, food supply is dependent on transport, telecommunications are dependent on electricity, and healthcare may be simultaneously dependent on electricity, water and emergency services. Therefore, critical infrastructure protection is indispensable for the functioning of social and political life of a country. Advertisement It is in this context that the UN Security Council held on 13 February 2017, at the initiative of Ukraine (which holds the monthly presidency of the Council), an open debate on the protection of critical infrastructure against terrorist attacks. The Council also adopted a resolution (Romania was a co-sponsor) calling upon UN member states to explore ways to exchange information and to cooperate in the prevention, protection, mitigation, investigation, response and recovery in cases of such attacks. Discussions focused on the tools countries have in place to improve safety and security of vulnerable critical infrastructure, how to improve the response and resilience to terrorist attacks and how to increase the public-private partnership because in many cases critical infrastructure is in private property. It was a good opportunity to evaluate how the United Nations can further contribute to countering terrorism through the implementation of UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. It was pointed out that vulnerability is increased by the rapid progress in information and communication technology that interlinks many of the critical infrastructure systems. Indeed, cyber-attacks against critical infrastructures are becoming increasingly prevalent, with surveys from the security sector indicating that they are expected to increase in scale, and to be more accurate and precise. As one participant to the Security Council debate said: "We are already under attack when we are unable to detect and stop the planning of attacks online, as well as the propaganda of terrorist groups on the Internet". The debate revealed the need for a closer coordination between states, international organizations, public and private sectors to secure and improve prevention, response, and recovery, as the consequences of attacks against critical infrastructure in a country may affect neighboring states. Sharing best national practices has become essential for an efficient prevention, and the UN Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate has an important role in advising member states on the development of integrated counter-terrorism strategies. Advertisement Every country has the duty and the right to protect its territory and population against terrorists and extremists, and in 2011 Romania has adopted a National Strategy for Critical Infrastructure Protection. As the experience has proven that the most serious threats have a mixt nature, allowing the cyber-attacks to have a direct impact on physical infrastructures, in 2013 the Romanian government adopted the Cyber Security Strategy and the National Action Plan, a governance roadmap for cybersecurity. Prevention is at the core of this approach. As a result, Romania has never been confronted with the phenomenon of foreign terrorist fighters and Romanian citizens or residents on our territory have never been recorded traveling to conflict zones with the goal to join terrorist organizations. Terrorists try to disrupt our way of life and countering them also requests an efficient international legal framework. Here, the role of the UN may be crucial. International conventions to prevent terrorist attacks and protect the infrastructure already exist for civil aviation, maritime security and nuclear weapons. The adoption by the Security Council in 2016 of resolutions on the international judiciary cooperation and on the protection of medical personnel in armed conflicts, as well as the General Assembly resolution on the cooperation with the Interpol, are equally important tools. It is by no coincidence that far right activist Jack Buckby, used his opportunity on Channel 4 to stir up shocking comments against Barbara Ntumy, telling her "I hope you don't get raped" by a Syrian refugee, live on air on Channel 4 news. Gasps of exasperation could be heard as Ntumy looked shell-shocked at the verbal violation of her body, but also against at the inflammatory nature of the statement. This is precisely how such far-right extremists use news platform opportunities to play to the fears and insecurities within sections of populations, as a means of reaching out to the angry, vulnerable and conspiratorial mindsets that go onto to make up their follower base. Far Right Liberty GB activist Jack Buckby has previously been described as the 'heir apparent' to BNP leader, Nick Griffin. A young man who uses shocking statements to generate publicity, he once stated that the "Labour Party has blood on its hands" after the extremist murder of Batley and Spen MP, Jo Cox. He also stood for the Batley and Spen seat for the far-right party, Liberty GB, which has used the Rotherham Grooming scandal to post social media graphics, one of which stated, "are you an English girl living in a Muslim area - stay safe, stay away from Muslim men." This graphic was circulated through Facebook and was a clear alarm call along racial and religious lines at a time when the Rotherham grooming scandal was causing real tensions on the ground in Rotherham. Other postings by this extremist far right group have involved a focus on 'genetics' and 'breeding' of Muslims and with Islam being promoted as an 'ideology' that is a 'wolf in sheep's clothing' - further expounding the view that Muslims cannot be trusted and have some form of secret agenda, tropes that have previously used against Jews over millennia by groups who attempted to push them to the margins of society. Advertisement Heading up this far right group, has been Paul Weston, who has previously claimed in a speech in 2013 that, "if you go into schools in London, very rarely do you see white children these days." Moving back onto the issues of demographics within that 2013 speech, (which should send a real shudder down the spine of all reasonable minded people given the background of this group), he stated, "But we only have between one to one point three children each. The Muslims are having four children each. If 10% of the population has four children, that 10% becomes 40%. If 80% of the population has only one to one point five child, they get down to fifty-five, fifty, forty percent very quickly. Within one generation we are going to be looking at comparable numbers of people aged twenty to thirty, and that's a big problem because that age group are capable of inflicting violence." Not to be outdone by such alarmist talk, Weston also has previously spoken at Pegida gatherings in the United Kingdom, (for example in Newcastle) and compared Islam's prophet, Muhammad, to Jihadi John and to Mohammed Emwazi, who was responsible for the beheading of several Western hostages. The themes that far-right ideologues like Buckby throw out reek of white nationalism, where they attack 'diversity', talk about 'genetics', 'breeding' and 'demographics' and where they pander to the bizarre and twisted notion that the 'white race' is on the verge of extinction. Here for example, is a tweet from Buckby saying that "Pakistanis in Britain have a huge inbreeding problem". He goes onto add that the "Muslim world is fond of inbreeding", promotes dangerous inflammatory views that the "West is at war with Islam" and believes that Trump should just ban all Muslims from entering the United States. Advertisement Furthermore, demonstrating how marginalised and extreme fringe thinking is perceived to have moved to the mainstream, Buckby tweeted in January 2017 that, "In 2009, I was an outcast and ostracised for my 'crazy' political views. In 2017, the world is waking up & we're winning." Within the same month he had tweeted that, "The left are kidnapping & beating special needs people. Muslims are raping women and kids." The consequences of YouTuber PewDiePie's odious anti-Semitic prank continue to reverberate, with YouTube dropping him from their premium ad programme, and Disney-owned Maker Studios severing ties completely. "Although Felix has created a following by being provocative and irreverent, he went too far in this case and the resulting videos are inappropriate," reads the official statement from Maker Studios. A little background: last month, PewDiePie (aka Felix Kjellberg) published a video in which he used freelancer site Fiverr to pay two men in Sri Lanka known as Funny Guys to hold up a sign which read "Death to all Jews." Fiverr have since suspended the Funny Guys' account, which they claim has threatened their livelihood. Kjellberg maintains that he didn't think they would go through with the prank, while they have stated that the language barrier prevented them from fully understanding the meaning of the sign. Advertisement In a video responding to the controversy, Kjellberg deflects blame onto "clickbait media." He begins by launching into a lengthy description (three whole minutes) of what clickbait is, just in case anybody is tuning in from 2005, and repeatedly criticises online news outlets for publishing misleading headlines (although in this instance, the headlines were all accurate). The whole point of the video is to distance himself from responsibility. It's the media's fault, he claims, for taking his funny little joke out of context. "It's 2017 now, we're going to have to start separating what is a joke and what is actually problematic," he says, seemingly appointing himself the arbiter of this distinction. "It might just be my crude sense of humour," he continues, "I don't think there's any actual anti-Semitic thing about it." He goes on to reference the "political correct police" and insists that anyone who is offended just doesn't get his sense of humour. Here's the thing. If enjoyment of your work is dependent on conditions, if somebody has to be personally familiar with you and your style of comedy in order to not find something offensive, then the odds are you're not actually that great a comedian. "Context matters," Kjellberg keeps saying. But the context here is exactly as it appears; he thought that an extreme, public statement like "Death to all Jews" was innately funny. Frustratingly, Kjellberg fails to grasp why people are upset. It's not that anyone truly believes he's a neo-Nazi, as he seems to think (although the Wall Street Journal has uncovered Nazi imagery in a number of his videos). It's that in his rush to put out content, and generate the same ad revenue which he condemns online news sites for earning, he didn't think twice about using the Holocaust as a punch line, and then as soon as he was called on it, he began attributing blame elsewhere. Advertisement His response is also symptomatic of a broader problem when it comes to how straight, white, cisgender people in the West talk about minorities. The tendency to qualify remarks, the insistence on context, the simple refusal to admit wrongdoing, all reeks of straight/white/male (seriously, pick one) privilege. But when you're the highest-paid star on YouTube, that's just not good enough. You can expect your actions to have consequences. And when you're the king of the influencers, you shouldn't be surprised when you actually have, you know, influence. YouTube's decision to limit Kjellberg's earning potential on their platform is especially significant; he's the jewel in the site's crown, after all, the highest-paid YouTuber in the world. By taking a stand and penalising Kjellberg for his defamatory "joke," YouTube is deterring other would-be shock jocks. Stoking outrage on the internet is the easiest way to get clicks, but if those sweet views stop bringing in the money, creators will have to go back to posting content that isn't racist. BBC The media is certainly not a stranger when it comes to the scrutiny of its lack of diversity. The latest programme to take the spotlight, The Moorside, a popular BBC One two-part drama has quite rightly come under fire for its whitewashing of the story. The programme sought to dramatise the sad story that surrounded missing schoolgirl Shannon Matthews, who went missing from Dewsbury in 2008. Critics of the programme were upset to find out the documentary features hardly any Asian faces despite the Asian community coming together to support the search effort. Some people might say, why does it matter? Everyone knows it's not real. It does matter when the few occasions we do see people of colour they're often portrayed negatively and it certainly matters when British television shapes the way people view certain communities with clear and direct consequences. There are huge swaths of people out there who honestly believe that the people of colour in their communities offer nothing to their neighbours, even in times of need, and it's not hard to see why, when they're given little reason to believe otherwise by the media. Advertisement In this case, the drama was meant to portray the disappearance of Shannon, who was later found to have been kidnapped by her mother Karen Matthews and Michael Donavan. How can the BBC honestly broadcast a story that shocked the entire country without accurately portraying a core part of the story, the communities efforts to find Sharon? More than seven million people reportedly watched the documentary on BBC One when it concluded, and a record-breaking 9.9 million people tuned into the first episode. It's safe to say the impact of that story will be far reaching, and the BBC's failure to see that is naive at best and neglectful at worst. The anger has been focused on the on-screen diversity but I'm inclined to pause and look at the production team behind the drama. No team can effectively produce high-quality programmes without a diverse team who are conscious of these issues and have some personal grounding and stake in illustrating them accurately. This is where a strategy has to become more than some empty words on a piece of paper. Last year the BBC published its diversity strategy, I would argue it wasn't far-reaching enough in the first place. It avoided the challenge they have of ensuring there's diversity within teams that have an editorial and creative influence on programmes and news. If the BBC want to avoid criticism it's critically important they get this right. Britain continues to be a multicultural, and the effects of the media's portrayal of the country may not appear to be putting people in danger but it all contributes to the narrative that often creates hostility and violence on our streets. The evidence that diversity both off-screen and on-screen impacts the quality of television programmes has been available for years, but now it's becoming harder to avoid in an age where diversity is now just expected. It would be crazy not the acknowledge the huge amounts of changes I've witnessed in my lifetime but it's still extremely obvious that diversity still isn't where it should be. In the past, it's easy to see that the public has been largely focused on the diversity of fictional drama, however, factual documentaries or dramas re-enacting real-life events have increasingly gained the spotlight too and reasons are pretty compelling. I think people tend to think that diversity is just a nice thing that the so-called 'PC Brigade' go on about, but it's important we remember the huge impact it has for people of colour living in the UK. Advertisement The President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders yesterday submitted their resignations to President Trump. The main reason: Trump's policies that have adversely affected Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Six other Commissioners--Nina Ahmad, Lian Cheun, Diane Narasaki, Shekar Narasimhan, Bo Thao-Urabe, and Paul Watanabe--had resigned last month. "We had significant concerns about the Trump Administration's policies regarding issues crucial to AAPI communities such as immigration, health care, and education," said Dr. Tung Nguyen, former Chair of the Commission. "As a practicing physician, I saw how much good the Affordable Care Act (ACA) did for patients. Under the ACA, which the Administration seeks to repeal, over 2 million AAPIs obtained health insurance. Now, there is so much anxiety about not being able to get health insurance or treatment for severe illnesses." "February 19, 2017 will be the 75th anniversary of the signing of Executive Order 9066 which led to the incarceration of 120,000 Japanese Americans during World War II. Protecting civil rights and fighting against bullying were pillars of our Commission's work. We cannot serve under an administration that seeks to exclude members of our society or take away their rights, especially the Muslim community, which is very much part of our AAPI community," stated former Commissioner Maulik Pancholy. Advertisement Below is their open letter to President Trump. February 15, 2017 The Honorable Donald J. Trump President of the United States The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20500 Dear President Trump: We, the undersigned, members of the President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) resign from our appointments effective immediately. We sent to you a letter on 1/13/17 stating the goals and principles that defined our work as Commissioners but have received no response. Although the Commissioners' term ends 9/30/17, we can no longer serve a President whose policies aim to create outcomes that are diametrically opposite to our principles, goals, and charge. Under Presidents Clinton, Bush, and Obama, the charge to Commissioners has been to help the federal government better serve AAPIs by engaging our communities, identifying our needs and priorities, and increasing access to our government. The Commissioners have engaged with AAPIs throughout our country, from all walks of life, and across the political spectrum using the following principles that are fundamental to our work: Advertisement Protecting the civil rights of all those living in our country, including the most vulnerable; Respecting the unique attributes of all individuals and communities; Promoting family values by keeping families together and reuniting those separated by immigration; and Ensuring linguistic, cultural, and financial access to health care as well as economic and educational opportunities for all. We firmly believe these principles are fundamental to our nation and need to be implemented and enforced at all times. Since your Inauguration, the Executive Orders you have issued and policies you promulgated have greatly impeded the ability of the federal government to serve all who live here. Specifically, your actions have had the following deleterious consequences for AAPIs and for all Americans: Proposals to cut federal resources to sanctuary cities will harm all residents of those cities by reducing support for critical municipal services such as police, fire, health, and emergency services. These actions will fuel tensions between native-born Americans and immigrants--regardless of their status. Two out of three AAPIs are immigrants. Advertisement Bans on refugees and those coming from the seven predominantly Muslim countries have torn families apart, have created confusion about our immigration and visa policies, and have created tension with countries that we need to better understand. By singling out individuals, families and communities for their religious beliefs, your actions create a religion-based test for entry into our country and threaten freedom of religion, a fundamental constitutional right. Banning Muslims bans members of our AAPI community. Increased border and immigrant enforcement, as well as building a wall between Mexico and the United States, will not improve the security of our country. Rather, it will split working families apart, severely impact companies and their workforce, and exacerbate tensions with a key ally and trading partner. Many AAPI individuals and businesses depend on good international relations for personal and economic reasons. Repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) will harm at least 20 million Americans who were previously uninsured, two million of whom are Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, along with millions more who benefited from key provisions of the ACA. In addition to these actions, we object to your portrayal of immigrants, refugees, people of color and people of various faiths as untrustworthy, threatening, and a drain on our nation. The fact is that Native Peoples, immigrants from all parts of the world, and people of color have built this country. Among the Commissioners, there are immigrants, refugees, and descendants of those who have experienced systematic discrimination. We, and the communities that we represent, have worked diligently to make America great and have fought to keep it free. We have and will always strive to ensure that America, our America, will never go back to the days of exclusion, segregation, and internment - all policies which have severely impacted AAPIs. AAPIs are an integral part of the mosaic of our great country and have been since the 1500s. We share the same dreams as other Americans for a stronger, brighter and more inclusive America. We urge you and every member of your Administration to respect all Americans by protecting civil rights and civil liberties for everyone, promoting broader dialogue and understanding, and keeping the federal government accessible to all people living in the United States - regardless of their status as citizens, immigrants or refugees. Sincerely, Advertisement Tung T. Nguyen, MD, Chair. Vietnamese American, San Francisco, California Mary Okada, Co-Chair. Chamorro American, Guam Michael Byun, Commissioner. Korean American, Akron, Ohio Kathy Ko Chin, Commissioner. Chinese American, Oakland, California Jacob Fitisemanu, Jr., Commissioner. Samoan American, Salt Lake City, Utah Daphne Kwok, Commissioner. Chinese American, Annandale, Virginia Dee Jay Mailer, Commissioner. Native Hawaiian, Honolulu, Hawaii Maulik Pancholy, Commissioner. Indian American, Brooklyn, New York Linda Phan, Commissioner. Vietnamese American, Austin, Texas Sanjita Pradhan, Commissioner. Nepalese American, Des Moines, Iowa Jeff Sessions is a longtime friend of mine and I am very happy to see President Trump select him as his nominee for Attorney General of the United States. Make no mistake, though - while I am personally delighted for my friend, I am much more pleased as an American to have a man of impeccable qualifications and integrity about to take the reigns as the nation's top law enforcement officer. His resume reads like a roadmap to the Attorney General's office: Six years as an assistant U.S. Attorney, 12 more as U.S. Attorney in Alabama, two years as Alabama Attorney General, and two decades in the United States Senate. During his time in those posts, the Senator has been a constant champion of Law and Order. He has pushed for strenuously controlling our borders, something that will unquestionably take center stage during a Trump administration. But despite his penchant for tough enforcement of laws and wealth of experience, there have been a lot of complaints about Jeff Sessions supposedly being a racist. He is not. For starters, as I stated above, Jeff and I have been friends for years. I know him very well and can personally attest to the fact that he doesn't have a racist bone in his body. After all, this is a man who pushed to desegregate Alabama schools and helped prosecute KKK leader Henry Francis Hays, who received the death penalty for abducting and killing a black teenager named Michael Donald. He later saw to it that Hays' accomplice and father were brought up on federal charges related to the murder. Some have said he only prosecuted a voter fraud case because of racial motivations, but the son of Albert Turner - the main defendant in that case - disagrees and has endorsed Jeff Sessions for the position of Attorney General. Said Albert Turner Jr., "I have known Senator Sessions for many years, beginning with the voter fraud case in Perry County in which my parents were defendants. My differences in policy and ideology with him do not translate to personal malice. He is not a racist. As I have said before, at no time then or now has Jeff Sessions said anything derogatory about my family. He was a prosecutor at the Federal level with a job to do. He was presented with evidence by a local District Attorney that he relied on, and his office presented the case. That's what a prosecutor does. I believe him when he says that he was simply doing his job. With its dreamy natural landscapes, hospitable people and tasty food -- Oman is one of the most fascinating countries to visit in the Middle East. I had the opportunity to visit Oman at the tail end of my trip around the G.C.C. (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries of Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and UAE. Without question, Oman was my favorite place out of the bunch and I think the country doesn't get nearly as much hype or credit as it deserves. Tucked away on the Southeastern corner of the Arabian Peninsula and sandwiched between Saudi Arabia and Yemen, Oman is a true paradise for outdoorsy people - tropical beaches, high mountains and sand dunes all within a few hours reach of its capital city, Muscat. This photo below is the Bimmah sinkhole which is 20 meters deep. Advertisement There's a place called Wadi Shab (near the sinkhole) that should be number 1 on your bucket list in Oman. It's a conglomeration of huge canyons, boulders, and steep cliffs engulfed by cold fresh water that you can swim in. I went cliff jumping and climbed waterfalls all day long at Wadi Shab it was fantastic (more on that below). Here are 5 more reasons why you should visit Oman: 1. It's Safe Oman is a very safe place and you can freely wander the streets at night without having to worry. In the capital city of Muscat, basic crime such as getting robbed, mugged or kidnapped is virtually unheard of (but always take normal precautions just to be safe). If you get lost, Omani people will offer their assistance even if they don't know you. To get around, you can either take buses, private cars or even hitchhike, which is popular option amongst travelers. 2. Try a New Cuisine Omani food is a fusion between Iranian, Indian, Mediterranean and African cuisines, but also offers several unique dishes to the land. You can try the national dish called "shuwa" which is goat meat roasted in a special over that's a pit underground. The meat is flavored with a variety of spices, and then wrapped in sacks made of dry leaves, which are in turn placed into the oven. For desert, get your hands on some "halwa" which is a dense, sweet candy eaten after meals. 3. Experience the Sand Dunes The Omani desert may be the most beautiful part about the country. Specifically the Wahiba sand dunes, which are a 3 hour drive from Muscat, are worth a visit. We took an overnight trip where we camped in tents, cooked burgers over a fire, and woke up at 5:30AM to one of the most breathtaking views I've ever seen. Advertisement I also met a bedouin guy who lives with his family in a hut on the sand dunes. He invited me inside his home for a cup of tea, and despite not speaking a word of English, we somehow communicated and it was very touching. 4. Discover Omani Hospitality Every person I met in Oman went out of their way to make sure I was okay. People I met on the streets offered me some karak (hot milk tea) in their house. My new Omani friends insisted to pay for all my food. I always felt welcomed, safe, and like someone was watching my back at all times. The people are perhaps the biggest reason that's drawing me back for a second visit to Oman. 5. Learn a Different Side of Muslim Culture The Omani people have developed their own strand of Muslim culture, known as Ibadhism, where they dress and pray slightly differently than other Middle Eastern Countries. The men dress in ankle-length, collarless rown (robe) with long sleeves and a white hat with different patterns on it. The national dress for women include a dress worn over trousers (sirwal) and a headdress. Their attire is notably colorful flashy. It was really interesting to witness and learn about these little things about Omani Culture. Protest in front of the Japanese National Diet Building. The obvious question I've been asked when someone learns I'm attending the Women's March on Washington is "why?" Why would hop on a bus, presumably crammed with estrogen fueled feminists for an uncomfortable 12 hour ride (each way) only to attend the Women's March? What could I possibly care about that would possess me to devote my time, money and energy to this cause? Some scoff at the march, which takes place the day after the inauguration, as a protest of the election itself. Some zealous Trump supporters have dismissed the march as a bunch of crybaby liberals showing what sore losers they are. The march has frequently been called an anti-Trump protest. Advertisement This is so much more than a Trump protest. I would be remiss not to acknowledge how detrimental this past election year has been to women. We listened to one candidate frequently degrade women, actually boast about sexual assaulting women, bully the most vulnerable and then watch our fellow Americans dismiss his abhorrent behavior. We believed we were better than this. Then we elected him to our nation's highest (and formally most dignified) office. It was not a good year for women. We're not delusional dreamers. We're not even disputing the results of the election, despite its many discrepancies. We know Donald Trump will become our president on January 20. We also know that if his previous behavior is any indication of how he'll lead, we know the fight isn't over--it's just begun. Will a president who censors the press uphold our first amendment rights? Will a president who verbally admitted to sexual assault help reduce the prevalence of sexual violence on college campuses? Will a president who entertains the idea of banning Muslims be a defender of religious freedom? Will a president whose rhetoric deeply divided our nation truly become a president for all Americans? These questions haunt us. We don't want to see Trump dramatically fail, as we know we'll all suffer. We love this country and want to peacefully demonstrate, staying true to our American values and what really makes America great. Advertisement When I faced the harsh reality that Donald Trump would be the next president of the United States, frankly, I was devastated. The next day, I dried my eyes and cuddled up with my one-year-old daughter to watch Hillary Clinton's concession speech. I heard Clinton say, "To all the little girls watching this, never doubt that you are valuable and powerful and deserving of every chance and opportunity in the world to pursue and achieve your dreams." As Clinton's powerful words echoed through my living room and my daughter watched with wide-eyed innocence and beauty, I knew the time to be sad was over. Now it was time to act. Obviously I wasn't alone. The Women's March began as a small, grassroots effort to advocate for the causes and values so many of us hold dear. Now, hundreds of thousands of women are planning to attend. Two hundred buses are headed to the inauguration. Around 1800 are headed to the Women's March the following day. Allies are standing in solidarity in sister marches all over the world. The incredible success of the march and the organizers' ability to inspire so many is truly a testament to the power of American women. Historically, marches have had major impact on our political process and the lives of the activists who fought so valiantly. The legendary March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963, where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his inspirational "I Have a Dream" speech in front of the Lincoln Memorial was one of the largest political rallies and is considered the catalyst for the Civil Rights Act of 1965. Advertisement With the support of notable partners such as the ACLU, Planned Parenthood, GLAAD, Human Rights Campaign, the Southern Law and Poverty Center, Amnesty International, NAACP, the National Resources Defense Council and dozens others, the Women's March has built a fierce network committed to advocacy. Partners and attendees want to be part of much more than a demonstration. They want this march to be a spark that fuels the fire of a movement. The Women's March has the potential to influence policy and positively impact the lives of so many Americans, much like marches of the past. The world is watching and wants to know how we feel about the current state of our country. One day my daughter will grow old enough to ask what her mother was doing during such a tumultuous era in our nation's history. Marginalized groups desperately need support. The time in your life to stand on the right side of history is now. Will you join us? Since the Tylenol poisonings in 1982, I've worked both as a researcher and consultant in the modern field of Crisis Management. Indeed, I am greatly honored that I'm regarded as one of the field's principal founders. One of the earliest findings of my colleagues and I was that there were direct organizational counterparts to each of the Freudian Defense Mechanisms. (If Freud had accomplished nothing more than his discovery of Defense Mechanisms, it would have been more than sufficient to assure his lasting fame.) For every one of the classic Defense Mechanisms that Freud discovered that individuals used to protect themselves from realities that were too painful to face, there was a corresponding form that organizations used to protect their collective psyches from unpleasant realities as well. Most important of all was the finding that there was a powerful correlation between the numbers of Defense Mechanisms an organization used and the attention it devoted to Crisis Management. In brief, the more that an organization denied that something bad could happen to it, the far less money and time it gave to Crisis Management. As a result, it didn't do nearly as well in responding to major crises, which were inevitable, than those organizations whose denial was significantly lower. Further, because they acknowledged the all-too-real possibility of major crises, those organizations that took Crisis Management seriously picked up problems and fixed them before they became major crises. As a result, they were significantly more profitable. In short, Proactive Crisis Management is not only the right, ethical thing to do to protect an organization, its employees and surrounding communities from harm, but it's supremely good for business as well. Advertisement The point is that while Defense Mechanisms were originally discovered as a phenomenon that applied solely to individuals, they are not confined to individuals alone. They apply as much, if not more, to organizations and whole societies. Seven basic types of Defense Mechanisms are as follows: 1.Denial 2.Disavowal 3.Idealization 4.Grandiosity 5.Projection 6.Intellectualization 7.Compartmentalization. Denial most often occurs when people are subject to severe traumatic events such as the sudden and senseless death of a child, violent sexual attacks, war, etc. The event is typically so painful and threatening that the mind shuts down completely and refuses to acknowledge it at all. Disavowal is when the mind acknowledges a painful and threatening event but reduces its scope and magnitude such that it's bearable. Thus, a large, threatening wildcat becomes a small, tame kitten. Idealization occurs when the mind convinces itself that good people don't face serious threats. Therefore, the wildcat can't really be there. Grandiosity is the feeling that one is superhuman and can meet any threat. Projection is when one blames others for something bad. Therefore, someone deliberately put the wildcat there. Intellectualization is when one believes that there are no valid reasons for the wildcat to be there. Compartmentalization is when one part of the mind sees the wildcat, and other parts smell and even feel it, but all of the various parts are not put together, for if they were then one would have to acknowledge a threat that one is powerless to overcome. Advertisement In organizations, Denial takes the form, "We're invulnerable; nothing bad can happen to us." Disavowal is, "Whatever happens, its impacts are negligible." Idealization takes the form, "Good organizations don't have major problems." Grandiosity is the feeling, "We're too big and powerful to be taken down by anything!" Projection is, "Someone else is to blame for our problems." Intellectualization assumes the form, "The probabilities of something bad happening to us are too small to worry about." Compartmentalization is the feeling, "Something bad cannot affect our whole system; in other words, it can be contained." In the case of Trump, the Defense Mechanisms are shared between him and his followers. Denial is prominent in Trump's refusal to believe the assessments of the national intelligence agencies that the Russians hacked the Democratic Party and that it played a part, however small, in the election. Denial is also present in his supporters' refusal to acknowledge that Trump is in every respect unfit to be president. It's present as well in the persistent inability to accept that old-line manufacturing jobs and industries are not coming back. Disavowal is paramount when his followers minimize the dangers of a Trump presidency. Grandiosity and Idealization are prominent in Trump's persistent claims that only he and he alone can fix our enormous problems. Projection is a persistent aspect of Trump's character in that he blames everyone but himself for any problems. And, Intellectualization occurs when Trump and his followers explain away all of his awful comments as things not to be taken seriously. This is not to say that Trump's opponents didn't engage in their own forms of Defense Mechanisms when all along they denied that he would ever get the nomination, let alone be elected. And, living as I do in California, we are in denial by believing that we somehow live in a protected bubble, even though we are greatly dependent on federal funds, which Trump could play a major role in cutting off. Advertisement But most of all, one is in deep denial if one believes that facts alone will cause someone to face reality. This is a prime case of Intellectualization. No, impersonal facts alone cannot do the job. Instead, calm, trusted voices are needed to make unpleasant facts and realities palatable. Whether formally trained or not, trusted voices are in effect society's therapists. We've never needed them more than we do now. [This blog is the transcript of a talk delivered by Jeff Olivet in San Francisco on October 17, 2016 at the kickoff of the Center for Social Innovation's national racism and homelessness initiative, SPARC (Supporting Partnerships for Anti-Racist Communities)] When I began as a street outreach worker two decades ago, I was told that homelessness was a problem of affordable housing. It certainly is that. I was also told it was a problem with access to mental health care, addiction treatment, and healthcare for all. In some ways, it certainly is that also. The impression we got was that homelessness was somehow a type of person, a personal failing, or a choice...all of the stereotypes that each of you hears in your everyday work. It soon became very clear to me that there is something more going on. When I looked around the streets of Albuquerque and the shelters of drop-in centers of Boston, what I saw was something you all see everyday: the disproportional representation of people of color in homeless shelters, motels, and on the streets across the United States. Advertisement You start questioning that, and you start saying, "What is going on here?" The answer you often receive is "poverty." You hear that people of color are more likely to be poor and are therefore more likely to become homeless. But you have heard the numbers: the proportion of African Americans experiencing homelessness in the United States is about three times that of the general population. For Native Americans, it is 2 to 1, and for Latinos, we know that we are dramatically under counting the number of Latinos experiencing homelessness in this country every day. Then you start saying, "What is going on? There is a problem and we are not talking about it." In my 20 plus years working in the homelessness arena, few people have been talking about this, and even fewer still have connected the dots between homelessness and racism. It seems there are two conversations going on: there is national conversation about race that has to do with police shootings and racial tension in communities, residential and educational segregation. That is a critical conversation. And then over here, we have conversations about how to end homelessness. We talk about providing more supportive housing, and outreach and engagement. All critical conversations, but it's time we bring those two conversations together, and that is what tonight is about. It is about beginning to see the intersection between racism and homelessness. What I would like to suggest to you is that it is no accident that people of color are more likely to become homeless. This is not something that can be solved by culturally competent programs--a valid concept, but no solution to institutional and structural racism. This is not something to be sugar-coated and talked about in euphemistic terms like "disproportionality" (even though I just said that a few minutes ago), or "health disparities," also kind of a sanitized term. It is time to strip away the sugar-coating and call it what it is. Homelessness is driven by structural and institutional racism in this country, and it always has been. This is not a relic of the past. It is happening right now. And what we see over and over again in communities all over the country is discrimination in housing, healthcare, education, and criminal justice driving large numbers of people of color into homelessness. No, it's no accident. We like to talk about how broken our systems are. You know how we say that the systems are broken and we need to fix the systems? I would argue that the systems are performing exactly how they were designed to perform. It is no accident that people of color are more likely to become homeless in this country than white folks are. It didn't happen by accident and it wont solve itself accidentally. Advertisement So let's talk for a minute about what that means for us. So what? You are going to hear some great speakers tonight wrestle with white privilege, with bias, with the underlying structural stuff. The question is: So what? What are you going to do about it? What are we going to do about it? One way that we like to talk about this in our work is in concentric circles. If you think about one circle being yourself, your personal attitudes and biases, your heart and soul and who you are in the world. The second circle is nearby friends, family, organization--the circles you run in every day, your work life, your home, your church, your friendships, your people. The last big concentric circle is the community in which we live. If we are going to solve this travesty of racism and homelessness, this deep connection, we are going to have to be working on all of those levels all the time at the same time. You can't simply get your own house in order and wait to act publicly. You have got to be doing both, as messy as that is. For me as a white man, that means owning, naming, and unpacking my own white privilege--all the things that have helped me in my life to be where I am now in ways that I don't even have to think about. My colleague Marc Dones and I were in a discussion a couple weeks ago at a conference in Tulsa, where there was some space for people to wrestle with the recent police shootings. A member of my small group said, "I wake up every day wondering if I am going to be next." And as white guy, I don't. And that is part of white privilege. It's not the only part, but it's some of it, and I need to own it, understand it, and deal with my own implicit biases. You know the implicit bias tests that Harvard has going? They are fantastic. I take those things from time to time and feel like I am getting more enlightened...then I realize, not so much. As much as we try to fight our own biases, they are with us. We need to own that, name it, and continue striving for self-improvement and understanding. As a white person, I have to learn to shut up and listen and ask my brothers and sisters of color what they are experiences have been--learn not to be the first person to talk at every meeting and the last person to talk at every meeting. Now when we go to the next circle: How do we change our agencies, our families group, and our friendship groups? Do something! There are a hundred things we can do. We can integrate discussions of racial equity into our organizations, into our staff meetings, into our community conversations and all of the groups we are part of, and equip ourselves for courageous conversations about race. As long as we keep these conversations hidden, nothing will ever be solved. We have got to open up a dialogue even if it's hard, even if its painful, and we've got to figure this out together. Now we move to the question of the larger circle, of how we change the world. How do we change the city of San Francisco, how do we change the Bay area, how do we change the state, the country? And how do we dismantle racism in all of those levels? These become the hard questions. If you look around this room with some 800 people in it, you will see that you are an army. My team and I are in rooms like this all over the country beginning these conversations. We are in ten cities now doing very focused work. San Francisco is going to be one of those over the next year. We are talking about thousands, tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands of people fighting this fight together. Black people, white people, brown people, Asian people, Native American people coming together to be a spearhead for change in the conversation about race and homelessness. Bringing those two conversations together and saying, "Not only is there a problem...not only is racism at the root of who becomes homeless...we can come together and do something about it." Advertisement Recently, a conservative, Christian family member of mine posted to Facebook an interview with James Franco on the Daily Beast where the actor expressed his feelings of depression since Trump's election. Since most members of my family are Christian and conservative, their comments that followed expressed cynicism for Franco's feelings, claiming that someone so out of touch with most of society had no place to complain about how trump's election would affect him. Other comments claimed that millennials like Franco who feel sad at the recent turn of events politically are unable to cope with not getting their way, and these feelings of "depression" are really just pouting. This emotionally coddled generation is, according to the respondents of this Facebook post, unable to deal with even the easiest of life's challenges. Reactions to an article in the University of Miami Hurricane offer a good example of how conservatives respond to new outlets like intellectual safe spaces, which are meant to provide a neutral zone to individuals experiencing the senses of anxiety and stress brought on by living in a place where one can experience hostility as a reaction to their race, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or even political outlook. Franco is not alone. I and others I know are experiencing a real sense of sadness about the effects of Trump's policies on other people and the environment, which will, eventually, also affect people who will lack the resources to deal with the forthcoming environmental degradation. I argue, however, that these feelings are not the feelings of a sore loser. This sense of sadness comes from a deep concern for the well-being of others. We are empathizing with those in our society who have become seriously endangered because of trump's destructive policies and, perhaps most dangerous, the condoned expressions of hate against those who disagree with these policies. Advertisement I am no psychologist or theologian. I study religion, but from a social science perspective. I cannot even claim that I am Christian. I do, however, know what Christians believe, though perhaps I should say that I know what Christians are supposed to believe based on what my Sunday School teachers taught me. I was taught that Christians are supposed to love everyone, even if their beliefs differ from my own and even if they look differently than I do. Above all, Christians are supposed to be kind to and help others. Christians are supposed to have empathy for the suffering of other human beings. I am frustrated that millennials, and I myself am proud to be a millennial, are so often dismissed as being lazy and spoiled. Rather, I think that millennials, including James Franco, are notably more empathic than my parents' generation. I think that the millennial generation has fully grasped the values that many of us were taught by our conservative, Christian parents: be kind, help others, love others. We live in a nation legislated by people who claim to be Christians. A Christian identity is honored here even by donald trump, who has extended an exception to Christians living in nations affected by the recent refugee ban. So why do these Christians not care for others? A recent Pew Research Center poll shows that evangelical Christianity in the United States is hemorrhaging membership, mainly through the abandonment of this form of religion by millennials. Is it any wonder that it is difficult to remain faithful to a religious tradition that does not actually practice the teachings of its core religious text? How are we supposed to reconcile this cognitive dissonance? 21 January 2017. The Women's March on Washington...and at least 673 other cities around the world. Three hours behind the East Coast, I woke in the morning and took to the Internet in search of coverage. The first people I saw: Nona Hendryx joining Toshi Reagon (daughter of the iconic Sweet Honey in the Rock founder Bernice Johnson Reagon) and her band, BIGLovely, followed shortly thereafter by friend and executive director of the Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice J. Bob Alotta, doing what she has done for as long as I've known her: speak truth to power as a queer woman and stand strong for the pivotal word of the day, representation. Toshi Reagon and Nona Hendryx at the Women's March on Washington I kept watching, through all the WiFi disruptions and my stomach informing me it was time for breakfast. Saturday was going to be a day for the ages, but on a much more prosaic level, what it also meant was my weekly shot of testosterone. I thought, wow, is today really the day to do this, a day filled with Women's Marches and acres of estrogen around the world? Then I thought, yeah, today is exactly the day because in doing so, I acknowledge not only that I control my own body but that I stand with my sisters' right to do so as well. Today is exactly the day to do this because we need more men to call themselves feminists, because men of the world, we need to do better for the women in our lives...and for the women who aren't in our lives, for the women who voted for Trump and those who voted for Hillary and even for women who didn't vote at all, though I hope we can all agree that voting is crucial to a functioning democracy. Advertisement One man who understands just how much empowered women boost the quality of life for all of us is Mr. Van Jones. After hearing him say that opponents had bashed the idea of the #LoveArmy he began building last year, I had to see for myself what made the idea so terrifying. Was it their suggested resolutions: to stand with the most vulnerable? listen with empathy and expect to learn? or act out of love, not fear or hate? To me, energy spent hating on love is about as useful as a screen door on a submarine because the truth is, if we can't find a way to love each other, we're all going down together. Love Trumps Hate, the Hillary Clinton campaign slogan, is in fact a call to action. Especially now, believing in the transformative power of love requires us to work through these miles of anger, frustration and disappointment armed with nothing more than compassion. It doesn't tell us not to have anger, frustration, or disappointment, but it does call on all of us to turn those feelings around without harming others. As a man, that's another way to stand up for women and a teachable moment for our sons and brothers to learn respect for the other 50% of the human race. People have said to me--and probably to you--just give him a chance, but I'm here to report that peaceful protest and resistance to hateful rhetoric don't mean we aren't giving Trump a chance. They mean we're holding him accountable as a civil servant; so I say, give democracy a chance and remember, Donald, that you now lead a country by the people, for the people. What makes us truly great in America is not an assimilation of kind or mind but the ability to assimilate our diverse needs into workable solutions within a government that shouldn't get to pick and choose who it's going to represent. When I travel abroad using my newly gender-accurate US passport, I owe it to an administration that made sure I could do so. I also owe it to my LGBTQ sisters and brothers who fought for legal protection because we don't get to take for granted that we have the ear of the civil servants who make policies and change laws. We understand that although we all deserve a voice in D.C., we have to work--and work together--to have that voice heard. Advertisement Because here is something I don't understand, not even from this eponymous perspective: why isn't "white male" considered an "identity" in politics, and why is it a national tragedy when some people feel forgotten but not others? I have to wonder if the Trump voters who felt neglected realize that the reason "people like us" get any attention from politicians is that our forebears inconvenienced themselves for justice. When we feel forgotten, we organize. We make phone calls and stand in the rain at rallies and run for office and create national organizations and movements and love armies and remember the words of the poet, Audre Lorde: Your silence will not protect you...And we have done this not just during an election cycle but all year, every year, for decades. Shaan Dasani and Naazneen Diwan on their way to the Los Angeles Women's March Yes we can learn from each other, of that I am convinced, but don't tell me that giving Trump a chance means not taking radical action. In fact, it means the opposite. It means caring enough about the fate of this country that we are willing to take time out of our lives to fight for the attention of politicians, attention that too many people who voted for Trump must feel is their--and only their--due. Maybe if you've never had to fight for your rights, you can't see that asking for equal treatment under the law doesn't take anything away from you. What we are trying to do is add: to the conversation, to the community, and to the promise and the soul of this country, which belongs equally to all of us. I watched Gloria Steinem, Angela Davis, Janet Mock, America Ferrara, Alicia Keys, and so many others who may not be household names but for sure held the entire house's attention in D.C., and each in her own way reminded us of the crucial feminist belief that the personal is political. I know that injecting myself with testosterone won't of itself change the world, but it changes me. It is a personal act of power, of standing up politically with others--today, particularly with women--whose identities are too often used against them: my trans sisters, my lesbian and bisexual sisters, my black and brown sisters, my religious and my atheist sisters, my sisters with disabilities, my elder sisters, in fact all my XX and XY sisters, as well as my actual sister. We all have a part to play, and on this day, a shot of testosterone reminds me of the responsibility I have to be the kind of man who isn't afraid to make the rights of women a priority. Meditation is often associated with spirituality, being an important aspect of spiritual traditions such as Buddhism and Hinduism. But meditation has also grown in popularity among a more diverse range of people, spreading from a largely spiritual practice into fairly widespread use in the secular world. The secular benefits of meditation on the body and mind have been widely documented in science, and plenty of people are taking up meditation as a hobby for health or enjoyment nowadays rather than any kind of religious practice. Some of the benefits of meditation include stress reduction, a stronger immune system, better mood, and improvements in memory. Meditation has also been shown to increase willpower to help people meet their goals. Don't get me wrong, you shouldn't consider meditation to be a magic bullet that will magically solve all of your problems. But with all of these benefits, it is definitely worth giving a try. Advertisement Much like exercise, which trains the body, the training of the mind through meditation is most effective when done regularly. The hardest part of doing this is establishing it as a regular habit. So what are some good ways to get into the habit of meditating? How to Meditate The first thing you need in order to get into the habit of meditating is obviously to know how to meditate. While some readers may already know how, let's cover this for those who may not. There are numerous ways to meditate, Buddhism alone has about 40 different techniques described in the Visuddhimagga. Don't let that number frighten you though, a lot of these techniques aren't practical nowadays, for example some involve encouraging worldly detachment by focusing on some kind of rotten object such as a skeleton. There are just a handful of popular practical meditation techniques so don't sweat the number of different ways to meditate. Not only that, most meditation organizations will provide instructions on how to do their meditation technique online for free, so finding a good practical technique doesn't take much effort. You can even learn to meditate from watching a TED Talk. Advertisement Probably one of the more popular meditation techniques is breathing meditation, or mindfulness of the breath. Other common techniques include loving-kindness meditation and walking meditation. There are also some more specific techniques such as the recently popular Vipassana meditation and the famous Chakra Meditation. My personal favorite is a meditation technique called Dhammakaya, which is closely related to breathing meditation. The focus is on 7 points within the body largely along the path of the breath, its main point of focus however is a point in the center of the stomach just above the navel called the "7th base of the mind". You can also find this point by taking a deep breathe and finding the point where you feel your breathe end. One reason I like this method of meditation is that it's easy to do when you're doing other tasks besides sitting still. All you have to do is gently place your mind at the 7th base while carrying on normal activities. This technique of course, is my own personal preference and you are free to try any technique you feel most comfortable with. If you are curious about it however, you can find instructions here. A good tip to keep in mind is that experiences change with circumstances. For instance, while Dhammakaya meditation is my preferred, I have had sessions where I get a better experience using breathing meditation instead. Another nice meditation tip is keeping a meditation journal to write down your experiences. It's a great way to track your progress and make use of any tips that might come in handy later. You should note that each time you meditate, you shouldn't hold on to expectations based on past experiences or ambition. The key is not to force, but to allow your mind to be peaceful and joyous. Set a Daily Goal A prominent meditation master was once asked, "How many times a day do you meditate?" This was his answer: "I meditate twice a day. Only twice. I meditate when my eyes are open. And I meditate when my eyes are closed." This is, to say the least, probably the ultimate goal one would like to reach in getting into the habit of meditating. Since you can be present and aware at any time, meditating all the time is indeed possible, but starters should probably begin with smaller goals at first. Much like the exercise schedules of the modern era, a good way to develop a meditation schedule is to ease your way into it with increasing increments. If you are starting from no meditation at all, you can start with maybe 10 minutes of sitting meditation a day and then increase by increments of 5 minutes or so every week. Once you reach a solid amount of daily sitting meditation, an hour or so would be a good benchmark, you will likely notice some positive feelings not just during meditation, but before and after also. From there you can focus on incorporating meditation into your daily life. The most efficient way to maximize benefits from meditation is to not just focus on sitting meditation, but to do walking meditation and other forms of meditation while doing other activities also. Whether it is staying aware, repeating a mantra, or gently keeping your mind at the 7th base at all times; there are plenty of ways to integrate meditation with your daily tasks. Meditating with your eyes open is not much more difficult than meditating with your eyes closed. Find a Regular Time The best way to get into the habit of meditating is to make it a habit to meditate following your routine tasks. Meditating right after work or class for example is a great way to develop your meditation routine and ensure you never neglect the practice. Another good one is meditating right before you go to sleep or right after you wake up. Meditation has been known to help with sleep, and the mind tends to be very quiet right after waking up. Another advantage of meditating before and after bed is that humans need to sleep everyday (for the most part), and if you make it a habit to meditate at such times it ensures you are training your mind consistently. Meditating before or after other daily tasks such as meals would also work. Advertisement Measuring meditation doesn't have to be restricted to time either, those who use mantras to aid with meditation can count mantras in their free time throughout the day and set mantra count goals. The mantra I use is "Samma Arahung", a Pali mantra, but there are plenty of other good ones you can use even in English such as "inner peace" or "clear and bright". Mantras are great for meditators to calm their mind and clear it of any chit-chat or wandering. You can count mantras yourself, for instance "inner peace one, inner peace two, inner peace three etc...", or use tools like a tally counter. Simple tally counters can be bought online or in thrift stores for pretty cheap, and it's great to use if you want to do mantra meditation while doing other activities. Getting to a few thousand mantras in a day isn't as hard as it looks, you can get several hundred in just waiting for your late friend or waiting to be seated at a restaurant. Enlist the help of technology A great way to help with getting into the habit of meditating regularly is using technology. There are plenty of great apps you can find online to help you with the practice. For those looking for a simple meditation timer, there are quite a few good ones that have standard features like reminders, a timer and progress tracking. Meditate Free Meditation Timer from Mindcore covers these basic features. Insight Timer provides guided meditations, music to go along with your meditation, as well as a pretty unique system where you can see who and how many are also meditating with the app. A great way to develop a habit of meditation if you respond to social feedback well and have some interested friends. For those looking for a program to get started with, there are apps for those also. Calm has a pretty extensive range of meditation programs available for those interested in trying out lots of different methods and the more famous Headspace has a 10 part series for free on its app. There's even an app called Simple Habit, designed to help incorporate meditation into your daily life. Advertisement I'm an old fashioned kind of person so I tend to just stick to the more basic meditation timers, but just mentioning these programs for those who may be interested. Go on a Retreat Like all routines, whether it be working out, training for the olympics or practicing an instrument; the hardest part is getting started. Once the the power of habit kicks in, following through is pretty easy. A good way to get started on, or to improve your habit of meditating is to go on a meditation retreat. Thanks to the power of habit, immersing yourself in nothing but meditation for a few days is a great way to catapult yourself into a solid routine if you are serious about later developing one at home. What's also great is that meditation retreats tend to be reasonably cheap for reputable meditation organizations. A few that I know of are S.N. Goenka's Vipassana meditation course which consists of a ten day retreat, and the Middle Way Meditation Retreat for those who don't mind traveling. Many Hindu or Buddhist temples will also allow guests to stay overnight and meditate with the monastics or would host retreats at little or no cost. This would only be an option for those who don't mind the religious rules and customs integrated with being at a monastery. If you are okay with such a circumstance, you can always try to contact a local Buddhist or Hindu temple to see if such programs are offered. President Trump has declared that negotiating an Israeli-Palestinian agreement would be the "ultimate deal." Recently, he suggested adding the moderate Arab nations, saying: "Maybe there is even a chance for a bigger peace than just Israel and the Palestinians." I have negotiated with Mr. Trump and he is certainly an able deal-maker. But I have also seen how difficult reaching that deal can be, having watched the mixed emotions of the late Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin when I was with him the day that the Oslo Accords between Israel and the Palestinians was announced in 1993 and having met with Yasser Arafat and the heads of most Arab states pursuing the elusive peace. To be sure, the circumstances are different now than in 2002 when then Crown Prince Abdullah of Saudi Arabia (later King) created the Arab Peace Initiative after I suggested to him that he communicate directly with the Israeli public. Israel and the Arab Sunni states have a common antagonist in Iran that helps bind them together. President Trump can begin his peace making effort when he meets Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu on February 15. He needs to understand, however, that there is a battle underway with nothing less at stake than the security and soul of Israel. Advertisement On one side are aligned the religious nationalists who plan to annex the West Bank, which they call Judea and Samaria, and make them part of Greater Israel, the land they believe God promised to the Jewish people in the Bible. A strategic element of their plan is to expand West Bank settlements in such a way as to make it impossible for the Palestinians to have a contiguous working state, thereby precluding a two-state solution. Once that becomes impossible, they will argue that those territories will have to be incorporated into Israel proper to protect the settlers. The leader of this group of nationalists is Naftali Bennett, the head of the Jewish Home Party, which together with its far right political fellow travelers represent a majority of Netanyahu's governing coalition. Bennett is planning legislation that would annex the settlement bloc of Ma'ale Adumin and its environs, situated east of Jerusalem, effectively bisecting the West Bank and sharply restricting connections between East Jerusalem, home to some 320,000 Palestinians and which is the anticipated capital of a future Palestinian state, and the West Bank. On the other side are those who are convinced that annexing the territories into Israel would be a disaster for Israel, undermining its commitment to democratic principles and threatening its security and existence as a Jewish state. The total population of Israel today is about 8.6 million, of which 6.4 million are Jewish and 1.8 million are Arab. Annexing the West Bank would add some 2.5 million Palestinians. This would bring the number of Palestinians to a high proportion relative to the number of Jews in Israel. Treating the Palestinians as full and equal citizens would burden Israel with enormous costs for education and other social services. Moreover, in view of the Palestinian birth rate compared to the Jewish, giving the former full voting power would lead Israel to lose its character as a Jewish state. Advertisement Of course, the annexationists do not intend to treat the Palestinians as equal citizens. Their stated plan would result in governing the Palestinians as second-class non-citizens -- the definition of apartheid. But the reality is that they intend to forcefully transfer the Palestinian population out of the area altogether. Under either scenario, Israel would lose its democratic character and quickly become the target of overwhelming Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) activity from large parts of the world. The United States, Israel's long-time consistent supporter, would find it difficult to continue that support, especially if the violent reaction from Palestinians and their Arab cohorts, encouraged by Iran and its proxies, strikes not only at Israel but at its main ally - the United States. Israel's security would be at risk. Understanding this risk, a group of some 250 retired Israeli Defense Force generals, heads of Mossad and Shin Bet and police commissioners have joined together in Commanders for Israel's Security (CIS). They recognize the need to reach a permanent agreement with the Palestinians and security arrangements with the pragmatic Arab states to secure Israel as the democratic state of the Jewish people. They have just begun a campaign to explain to the Israeli public the terrible risks of annexation. Though the time is not ripe for a two-state deal now, CIS argues it would be a mistake for Israel to undertake settlement activities that preclude a future two-state resolution and open the door to annexation. President Trump has delivered mixed messages on this subject. In appointing attorney David Friedman as Washington's ambassador to Israel, he has chosen a strong supporter of expanded settlements who argues that annexation is not illegal. At the same time, Mr. Trump has stated: "I would love to be the one who made peace with Israel and the Palestinians, that would be such a great achievement." And he has announced that he is appointing his son-in-law Jared Kushner as a mediator to carry out such negotiations. Just recently a White House spokesman made an ambiguous statement that "we don't believe that the existence of settlements is an impediment to peace," but "construction of new settlements or the expansion of existing settlement beyond their current borders may not be helpful in achieving" peace. That was followed most recently by Mr. Trump's statement that "there is limited remaining territory. Every time you take land for a settlement less territory remains. I am not someone who believes that advancing settlements is good for peace." During my negotiations with Mr. Trump over his first deal in Atlantic City when he acquired and leased land from my partner and me to build the Trump Plaza Hotel-Casino in a business relationship that lasted several years, I found him to be a very effective negotiator. It appears from the recent statement that he has decided to leave himself room for negotiating his "ultimate deal." But unless he can convince Prime Minister Netanyahu that settlement expansion into the Palestinian territory must stop and annexation restrained, he will have nothing to negotiate about. Mr. Trump has an opportunity to show the world his talents for deal-making and save Israel from those actions that would destroy it. What does it take to die with dignity? If one looks at the website of the "Death with Dignity National Center" and "Death with Dignity Political Fund," one will assume that a death with dignity involves certain standard components, among them: the absence of debilitating pain, the ability to care for one's personal needs, and the ability to avoid placing a financial and/or emotional burden on family and friends. I believe that euthanasia laws are wrongheaded for a variety of reasons, but that is not my concern here. As a pastor and a former Hospice Spiritual Care Coordinator, I'm bothered by the idea that a person's death will lack dignity unless she short-circuits the dying process by artificial means. The implication is that people who die in great pain and those who live without the ability to handle their personal care have lost their dignity. I think of a red-headed kid named Farmer in our school. He was a few years older than me. He went off to Vietnam and died there, probably in the jungle somewhere, in pain and gasping for breath. They sent his body home in a box. But is anyone going to say that he died without dignity? Advertisement Over the years, I have been with many people during the last few hours of their lives on earth. I've prayed for them in the struggle. Occasionally I've closed their eyes when they've died. There was the mother and grandmother, surrounded by family and friends, who whispered her love to all while she still could. An hour or so later, she died. There was my friend who died in the hospital, with her children and grandchildren around her bed. She was restless and agitated when I arrived. I encouraged her family, as I often have done, to tell stories about how they grew up, especially stories about their mom and grandma. It was a beautiful thing to see: the family laughing, crying, sharing one story after another for perhaps forty minutes. I kept looking at my friend. I saw her quiet down. Her breathing became regular, and then softer. She slipped into eternity in the presence of her family, to the accompaniment of their stories of love. Then there was the man who, when I first met him, treated me like the harbinger of death. But in time he came to accept me and to accept the fact of death's approach. He began to laugh again. He told friends how he'd overcome his fears. He died in his own home, surrounded by the people who loved and cared for him, in peace. I think of others. The man who died from complications related to the AIDS virus. The man who smoked a filter-less cigarette, maybe an inch long, around his oxygen hose. Occasionally, the cigarette would flare, and I thought we were all going to meet our Maker. But he listened attentively to the story of God's love and died a day or two later in peace. Advertisement There was my own dad: a two-fisted Marine who never backed down from a fight, but couldn't beat the lung cancer that attacked him. After coming to faith, he had become gentler and kinder, but he remained as strong as ever. When, a few days before he died, I asked him if he was afraid, he answered (in words I'd heard many times growing up): "I can do this standing on my head." There was my own mother, who lingered in her final illness. I asked God to spare her, but her trial continued. And yet she never lost faith or hope. Nor did she lose her sense of humor. She was joking with the Hospice nurse on the day she died. He said his personal motto is "eye for an eye." He unrepentantly declared he doesn't ask for forgiveness. He said he wants to bomb half of the Middle East until there's "nothing left." He proposed a tracking system to monitor immigrants. And a wall to keep them out. And laws to keep more of them out. He exploited the poor to build his empire. He pathologically lied. He said it was fine to consider his daughter "a piece of ass." And bragged about his ability to sexually assault women. None of that is reconcilable with the Christian faith. And that was just the campaign. Yet, none of these deeply anti-Christian things stopped 81% of evangelical Christians voters from casting their ballot for Donald Trump. In trying to defend their spiritual adultery, they told us - shamed us would probably be more accurate - to give him a chance as if we were just supposed to ignore literally everything he had said and done before the election, as if a vain, temperamental, 70-year old demagogue would magically and radically change who he is, how he behaves, and what he believes the moment he was sworn into office. We did not owe him a chance, but even if we did, he's proven after less than a week in office that he didn't deserve it. Advertisement Now that he is in office, he's putting his egregious promises into action. In just under a matter of days, he's made lying a fundamental part of his public policy. He's signed orders to build a wall to keep immigrants out. And is working on another order to keep out refugees. Created a criminal watchlist for immigrants already in our country. And dehumanized them into nothing more than "removable aliens." Once again, he's exploited lesser mortals to increase his own wealth. And attacked communities that offer sanctuary to the least of these. None of that is reconcilable with the Christian faith. And that's just been his first week in office. There's a fascinating passage in Matthew 6 - although chilling might be the more appropriate adjective - in which Jesus issues a warning which sounds almost as if Matthew recorded the words just yesterday. The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light; but if your eye is unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. Now, that first half of the passage is often designated as a prohibition against lust. "Look at porn and it will ruin you from the inside out," that sort of thing. Don't get me wrong. That's a totally legitimate reading of what Jesus is saying here. I'm not dismissing it at all. But that sort of interpretation is just the tip of the iceberg and like an encounter with a real iceberg, misses everything that's going on underneath. Advertisement The key to understanding what Jesus is saying is right there in the first sentence "The eye is the lamp of the body." That sort of luminous language sound familiar? It should...and not just because of the famous passage from Psalm 119, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." In a world bereft of electricity, lamps were an incredibly important tool in ancient times and really up until the last century or so. They offered light in dark places allowing people to work and read and move about at night when they otherwise would have been groping blindly in the dark. As the psalmist declared, lamps served as guides in the darkness. It's for this reason Jesus said, You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. Jesus expected his followers to be incarnated lamps, to be God's light in the dark corners of the world guiding people to the Truth. Light enters the body through our eyes. It's how we see and that sight is what allows us to be the guides God calls us to be. But if what we take in through our eyes is distorted, it will in turn distort how we live and act in the world and in turn wreck our ability to guide others to the Truth. Advertisement The problem with so much of American Christianity is that we have become bad lamps. Over the past several decades, we've allowed so much propaganda, dogma, ideology, and, yes, alternative facts to enter our eyes through partisan news and preachers-cum-politicans that we can't see where our faith ends and our patriotism begins. It didn't happen overnight with the election of Donald Trump. It's been a long slow process of exchanging Christian teachings with the comforting dogma of nationalism and patriotism in an ever-changing and sometimes scary world. The darkness - that is to say, those things that oppose the life and teachings of Christ - has slowly and subtly sneaked its way inside us, convincing us that with just a bit of flexibility we can serve two masters - God and empire. But Jesus - to whom as Christians we owe our sole allegiance - is quick to remind us that serving two masters is utterly impossible, no matter how hard we try. And as American Christian history has shown us since the days of the Moral Majority, boy have we tried. But what's of particular importance to us now that we live in Donald Trump's America is the eerily relevant statement Jesus makes at the end of this passage: "You cannot serve God and mammon." The Greek word mammon, as you well know, is often translated in our English language Bibles as "wealth" or "money," but medieval writers had a slightly different interpretation of mammon. For them, mammon was seen as the name of the devil of covetousness - a fitting demonic power for our age if ever there was one. It goes without saying that Donald Trump is a covetous man. He covets power, wealth, prestige, and women - regardless of whether or not either he or they are already married. Advertisement Perhaps it was this covetous kinship that allowed so many conservative evangelicals to feel comfortable throwing their support behind this modern incarnation of mammon. For more than anything, conservative American Christians seem to covet their lost power, their lost standing and lost prestige in America that allowed them to impose their worldview on their neighbors whenever they saw fit. But regardless the reason why 81% of evangelical voters cast their ballot for Donald Trump, Jesus makes one thing clear: trying to have it both ways - that is to say, trying to follow Jesus and support a master who's shown time and time again that his ways are fundamentally antithetical to the ways of Jesus - is simply impossible. To put it simply, following Jesus and supporting Donald Trump at the same time is utterly irreconcilable. Now, there are many would-be peacemakers in the Church, well-intentioned folks who are trying to build bridges between Trump supporters and those who see an emperor without his clothes, as if doing so is some sort of Christian calling. But this is a tragic mistake. Yes, we are called to be peacemakers, but we are called to make real peace and real peace is not possible without justice, compassion, and care for the least of these, things Donald Trump has not only shown no interest in, they are things he is actively working against. Advertisement Yes, Jesus called us to be peacemakers, but not at the expense of our calling to follow him. In fact, that very act of following Jesus said, would be a divisive, not unifying one. Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and one's foes will be members of one's own household. Does this mean we should actively seek division amongst ourselves? As Paul would say, "by no means!" But it does mean we have a choice to make between following Jesus and following a would-be Caesar who daily embodies everything our Lord stood against. It's not a choice between political parties. You can absolutely be a Republican or a Democrat or Libertarian or a member of the Green Party and still follow Jesus faithfully. Donald Trump transcends political boundaries (and norms) by doing and saying things even his own party is forced to denounce due to their utter reprehensibleness. This isn't about picking political sides. It's about choosing whether to be a light that shines out the gospel to the world or embrace a growing darkness that will eventually, but inevitably consume us all from within. Advertisement In the age of Donald Trump, we cannot afford to be Republican Christians or Democratic Christians. We must simply be Christians; Daniels in Babylon, united as one and standing together, not just for the sake of our religious principles, but on behalf of our neighbors against this new Caesar who seems hell-bent on ostracizing, marginalizing, and oppressing them every chance he gets. Yes, we can and should still pray for Donald Trump. Praying for him is most certainly reconcilable with our Christian faith, but that is primarily because we are not called to support our leaders, but rather to pray they will come to know the Truth. But we must do more than utter mere words in the quite corners of our houses. We must act. We must be light incarnated in the darkness, shining the way towards the Truth in a world of fear and alternative facts. We must be a beacon of hope and a port of rescue in a sea of oppression. We must double down on our commitment to following Christ by seeking justice, defending the orphan, and caring for the least of these as their enemies work to ensnare them on all sides. We must choose a master: either Christ or Trump. Because we cannot follow Jesus while also supporting someone who, in the most literal sense of the word, is anti-Christ. Advertisement Please Wait - Uploading.... Why you should be at the OGA Conference February 21-22, 2017 Feb 16th, 2017 4:42 AM Why YOU need to be at OGA Conference February 21-22, 2017: Spotlighting Geothermal Energy On February 14th, Ontario Minister of Energy Glenn Thibeault shared with the CBC that his Ministry is "rapidly" getting a new geothermal grant program ready for roll out. See News Story This is the tip of the iceberg.Will this development be good or bad for the industry? It might be bad if the government acted independently and wasnt talking to industry and engaging with your representatives. Fortunately, as you may know, thehas been working diligently on your behalf with the Ministry of Energy (MOE), theMinistry of Environment and Climate Change (MOECC), the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) and the Premiers Office to show how geothermal heating and cooling can and should play an important role in reducing energy costs for Ontarians and helping to reduce carbon emissions.If you are actively involved in the geothermal heating and cooling sector, or even just curious about the growth and development of this market, you really need to be at this conference. Why? Minister of Environment and Climate Changewill discuss his view of the role of geothermal in his Climate Change Action Plan. At the OGA conference last year, Minister Murray sketched out his vision for a carbon-free Ontario. This year he will talk about what hes done to make the vision a reality., from NIBE, will talk about how a vision similar to that of Ministry Murray and the Government of Ontario was brought to life over several decades in Sweden. NIBE is now the largest geothermal heat pump manufacturer in North America following its purchase of ClimateMaster, WaterFurnace, Enertech and others., Egg Geothermal, will present a keynote address positioning geothermal aswill outline Enbridges plans for entering the geothermal business under a utility model that includes a partnership with the OGA and HRAI., Vice-President, Conservation at the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) will discuss how geothermal is becoming more central to the IESOs energy conservation plans for the province.Plus, you will hear about new product developments, some successful geothermal initiatives that have been introduced recently as well as a report on what the OGA has done for you in the past year. This is also your chance to have some say in the future direction taken by the OGA!Register today: www.ontariogeothermal.ca/oga-conference-2017.html BMG Awarded $8M More From Cox In $25M Music Piracy Battle A federal judge has ordered Cox Communications to pay BMG more than $8 million in legal fees on top of $25 million in copyright damages already awarded in a lawsuit over music downloading. ______________________________________ A federal judge has ordered Cox Communications to pay BMG RIghts Management more than $8 million in legal fees in a music downloading case that has already netted $25 million in damages. The judge said that the award would encourage others to take on willful infringers with deep pockets. U.S. District Judge Liam O'Grady said that without such an award, the cost of suing a company like Cox would deter other potential plaintiffs from seeking to enforce their rights. The judge also scolded Cox. In a hard-fought litigation battle such as this one, discovery disputes and fierce briefing are to be expected, and they should not be held too harshly against either party, the Judge said. Nonetheless, there are a few instances in which Coxs advocacy crossed the line of objective reasonableness. In particular, both Coxs attempts to obscure its practice of reinstating infringing customers, and its subsequent assertions of a deeply flawed DMCA defense evince a meritless litigation position that Cox vigorously defended. David Israelite, President of the National Music Publishers Association (NMPA) of which BMG is a member, welcomed the courts decision. As defenders of music creators, we applaud BMG for standing up to mass music piracy enablers like Cox, and we echo Judge OGradys words that awarding legal fees rewards plaintiffs like BMG for facing up against willful infringers with deep pockets, Israelite said. The Courts firm renouncing of Coxs conduct serves as a stern warning to web providers who turn a blind eye to music theft. Share on: Who Will Actually Contribute To Your Music Crowdfunding Campaign? In this helpful how-to article, we look at the proper actionable steps to take when it comes to launching a successful crowdfunding campaign and how, as an artist, you can work to target those who will actually donate to your project. ___________________________ Guest Post by Ian Anderson on DIY Musician This article was adapted from An Artists Guide to Crowdfunding Domination, by Ian Anderson, M.S., (Launch and Release, 2017). The eBook teaches musicians how to get backers and crush your campaign by using six specific, actionable steps that will eliminate your campaigns risk of failure while maximizing the amount raised. Releasing music: simultaneously your Job and your Joy. Its what excites you the most and keeps you dreaming. And paying for it is what keeps you up at night. Crowdfunding is a fantastic way to finance your creative endeavors without dragging yourself, your family and/or the owners of the couch that you sleep on through the depths of financial despair that so many starving artists fatefully encounter. Contemplating a crowdfunding campaign and subsequent release is exciting as heck and most people are rightly optimistic! But a few other accomplices will also join the party: uncertainty, fear, anxiety How exactly should I do this? Will anybody pledge? What if my campaign fails? To answer these questions, youre likely to do what any reasonable person would do What Youll Learn When You Google Crowdfunding You Google crowdfunding tips and tricks or how to do a Kickstarter and you dive in. The front few pages of Google results will give you article after article of tips, hacks, ultimate guides and essential steps. The information in these articles will be more or less true but in a mostly superficial and TOTALLY IN-ACTIONABLE manner. Consider the top three tips youll most often see: Solve a problem! Have a great video! Promote, promote, promote! Yeah, no kidding. Thank you, Captain Obvious. Closely following these pearls of wisdom are the ever-present nuggets of advice such as: Build a community, Build your audience and Build an email list Use all social networks to promote your campaign and Dont forget your personal network Engage your community and call on your community None of this advice is wrong per se but it is often misinterpreted and confuses the issue of where backers come from. What I want to do today is to help you understand 100% and in no uncertain terms just precisely where backers come from and what the implications are for a music crowdfunding campaign. Because the truth of the matter is that you can get plenty of backers whether you have no following or you have thousands of fans signed up to your email list. You dont need extensive marketing knowledge, you dont need a PR department, and you sure as hell dont need to go spend a couple thousand of your hard-earned dollars hiring some consultants that will promise you exposure. The Crowdfunding Myth of Exposure & Going Viral Most crowdfunding newbies assume their primary concern is to get more exposure. The assumption is that a campaign will get more backers by getting in front of more people through social media shares, blog placement or even mainstream media coverage like newsprint, radio, or television. But the probability of deriving any significant amount of backers from these sources is dismally low; as a musician, youll be more likely to add zero backers to your campaign than to break single-digits. Assuming your primary mission is to get more exposure is a huge mistake. Exposure through social, digital or traditional media is NOT the primary means of gaining backers for most campaigns and you can tell just by looking at the facts of the crowdfunding landscape. Kickstarter Stats Paint the Picture I recently scraped data from a couple thousand successful Kickstarter campaigns for publishing, video & film, fashion, food and music. I removed the extreme campaigns that had over 1000 backers or more than $130,000 raised. Campaigns with backers and funding above these levels are generally small companies or people with large, established customer/fan-bases to market to. And, even though there are very few of them, maybe 1-2% of successful campaigns, they bear almost no resemblance to the other 98% of us. So how does the other 98% look? The average successful Kickstarter campaign raised just over $10,500 from about 116 backers and over 85% of Kickstarter campaigns raise less than $20,000 from less than 200 backers. If you have limited crowdfunding experience, these numbers may be surprisingly low. Most people think of crowdfunding as having much greater potential than this. This is true for 2% of campaigns or less. But for the other 98% of campaigns, stop and think for a moment where do the vast majority of these 100-200 backers come from? (Well answer this really soon, I promise.) P.S. This data is just for successful campaigns. Over half are NOT successful and their primary mistake is almost always looking for help in all the wrong places. Where Crowdfunding Backers Actually Come From My dad, who has the hugest mullet ever, used to say, Quiz for duck! (Sidenote: I never did win a duck and I have no idea what dad was talking about but here is the quiz.) Most backers and funding for crowdfunding campaigns come from: Scattered people around the globe who have never heard of you but who have access to the Internet. People living in your hometown or people who are interested in music who happen to watch the news, read the newspaper or listen to the radio. Friends of your moms friends on Facebook or your best friends little sisters Twitter followers or your college roommates girlfriends Instagram followers. People on the internet who have demonstrated interest in other music and who have seen hundreds, if not thousands, of similar ideas over the past year. People who know you and have an interest in you and what you do: your fans, friends and family. Hopefully you sniffed out at least some sarcasm here because this list could be rewritten as: Complete, random strangers. Most traditional media consumers: strangers who live near your or who happen to be music fans, none of whom have knowledge of you specifically. Most social media users: primarily strangers who have no direct connection to you. Most readers of blogs and websites: strangers who like things similar to your music. People who know you and have an interest in what you do: your fans, friends and family. Indeed, the correct answer should be obvious (and is the only one in bold). Fans. Friends. Family. Remember these three Fs, theyll be the ones who contribute the vast majority to your crowdfunding campaign typically 95% of your funding! Call it want you want community, audience, list, social networks, personal networks, etc. but the people most likely to back your campaign are the people most likely to get your back. Why Chasing PR and Exposure is a Mistake So am I saying that PR or exposure are bad? Yes, mostly. Your chances of converting this traffic into backers is so dismally low that: At best, youll get a few backers but probably no more than 5% of your overall total. At worst, chasing after these opportunities (press, PR, blog coverage, etc.) will be a complete waste of your time and could put your campaign in substantial jeopardy by preventing you from reaching out to those who are most likely to pledge to your campaign. (I have observed this directly with the campaigns Ive worked with.) Many people have a mistaken analysis of what might happen: If you are from a big city like New York or Los Angeles, well, if you could get media placement, youd be in front of a lot of people, so wouldnt you get a lot of backers? Or if you are from a small town, the people who would see your media coverage would be rooting for the hometown hero and would back your campaign, right? Or if you could just get coverage in that popular blog, wouldnt those readers be likely to back your campaign? Or if you could simply get featured by Kickstarter, then youd be in front of people who are already proven campaign backers and who are just waiting to find the next cool thing to pledge to, right? Unfortunately for the vast majority of campaigns (see the statistics above), the answer is NO. So the lesson here is that spending all of your precious time focusing on PR and exposure is a big mistake that will cost your campaign. But before we go on, a very important aside: The 3 Conversion Rates You Must Know Before You Campaign Definition: conversion rate is the percentage of users who take a desired action. Your campaigns conversion rate is the percentage of people who hear about your campaign that actually become a backer. Online marketers are obsessed with conversion rates because it helps them improve their overall sales and revenue. There are people out there who charge a ton of money to help increase conversion rates and there are definitely people who will pay it! This is worth noting. There are literally hundreds of thousands of people, probably millions, whose only mission is to bump up conversion rates. With that in mind, what are typical conversion rates? Here are some estimates: Conventional wisdom says that a good conversion rate [for a website] is somewhere around 2% to 5%. ~ wordstream.com experts agree that an average conversion rate for email marketing is 1% 5%, while conversion rates on social media and SEO are very difficult to measure because they rely so much on what happens on your website. ~ teknicks.com social media represented a conversion rate of less than three-quarters of one percent (.71%) ~ convinceandconvert.com From what Ive seen, these numbers will be about right for your crowdfunding campaign. Those are pretty low numbers. But, after the big fuss about fans, friends and family up above, you are hopefully wondering what the conversion rate is for them. A conservative estimate is 25-40% of the people who you tell about your campaign will become backers. It can be a little higher but probably not much OR it can be lower, a lot lower it depends a lot on how you handle telling people about your campaign and how hard you try. Now back to our story What Social Media CAN DO For Your Campaign word of mouth is part of 80% of all purchase funnels. At least some of this word of mouth is occurring via social media ~ convinceandconvert.com In other words, it still makes sense to do social media work. Encouraging people to share your campaign, especially after they pledge to it or comment on it, should be standard operating procedure and will take a few minutes each day during your campaign. Making value-added posts (not spam, be certain its engaging and not just shouting about your campaign repeatedly) to your social media channels should be a part of every campaign and standard operating procedure. This should also take a few minutes a day but should definitely not eat up hours of your time. Altogether, these actions should account for only 5-10% of your effort during your campaign. Beyond that, direct and personal interactions should take up the vast majority of your time. Just look at the big-ol conversion rate up above, 25%-40%, and think about racing to 100 backers. This tells you where to focus your time and effort. Do not make the mistake of assuming or even hoping that its all about exposure or going viral it will lead you down the path towards uncertainty and even campaign failure. P.S. If I (or anybody else) knew how to make your campaign go viral, you and I (or anybody else) would both be millionaires pretty damn fast ~ beware of anybody who claims they can help you do this. Now, on to the good news Debunking the Myth of Exposure: Kickstarter Campaigns That Crush Their Goal Most of the risk and uncertainty surrounding a crowdfunding campaign can be dealt with through good planning and execution. Take a look at the funding curves for these Kickstarter campaigns: Jay Stolar: The Happiness and Connection Project Kevin Keller: La Strada Brett Randell: Rise Jim Campilongo & Honeyfingers Peter Su: Into The Sea What do they have in common? They hit at least 75% of their goal in the first three days of their campaign. They broke their goal amount (or came within a breath of breaking it) during the first week. They almost doubled and, in one case more than tripled, their goal amount. But the most significant commonality is that each of these campaigns used the Pre-Load Technique which does not rely on exposure, PR or going viral. Jumpstart Your Campaign With The Pre-Load Technique The Pre-Load Technique matches the style of Jeff Walkers Product Launch Formula and is quite similar to the Kickstarter case study presented on Tim Ferriss blog, 4 Hour Workweek. It is widely used by internet gurus such as the legendary Tony Robbins and Seth Godin and by digital marketers everywhere! Pre-loading is a method to build early support, momentum and the ever-critical social proof for your campaign by building awareness with the people most likely to back your campaign prior to launch. These people are usually some of the first backers to your campaign. Its like seeding the tip jar or chumming the waters. Anybody can do it regardless of the size of your fanbase, email list, or social media followers. It works equally well whether you have a big old email list or you are just starting out and dont have too many fans. Pre-loading is amazingly powerful and amazingly simple. Follow Up With Your Fans, Friends, and Family Once your campaign is off to a great start, focus on contacting your people! Dont just post to Facebook and assume that people will see it. Dont even assume that people who have seen your campaign know what is really going on. Send texts and emails explaining yourself. Make phone calls to people who will want to know that a project of this significance is going on in your life. Crowdfunding isnt about looking cool. Its about authentically sharing your dreams and goals with the people who care about you the most and giving them a chance to help out in that process. My rule of thumb is roughly 10-20 people per day where you literally interact with them. This is in addition to contacting your mailing list if you have one and engaging your social media audience. Take this advice and you will significantly increase BOTH the probability of hitting your goal AND the amount that you raise by engaging the people most likely to give and who will give the most because they are invested in the outcome. If you are interested in the Pre-Load Technique and other strategies to get backers and crush your goal, check out my book An Artists Guide to Crowdfunding Domination where we get specific and in-depth. Share on: Great Barrington Police Investigating Bank Robbery; Suspects Arrested Police issued an arrest warrant for Eric James Sheridan who allegedly robbed the Salisbury Bank & Trust earlier this week. (Courtesy Photo) Update: Eric J. Sheridan, 36, of Connecticut and a woman, Rachelle Winter, 30, of East Providence, R.I., were arrested Wednesday after allegedly being involved in a bank robbery in Fall Village in the town of Canaan, Conn. Both suspects are being treated at Sharon ( Conn.) Hospital after crashing their 2014 red Fiat 500, the same vehicle seen fleeing from Monday's robbery of Salisbury Bank in Great Barrington. Sheridan had allegedly passed a note to a teller at Salisbury Bank demanding money. He then fled with an undisclosed amount of cash in the Fiat, which has Rhode Island plates Posted Feb. 15 at 2:31 p.m.: GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. Police have issued an arrest warrant for a suspect allegedly involved in a bank robbery that occurred Monday at Salisbury Bank & Trust Co. Eric James Sheridan, 36, of Danielson, Conn., is wanted on charges of unarmed robbery and larceny more than $250. On Monday, Feb. 13, Great Barrington Police responded to Salisbury Bank, 210 Main St., for a report of a robbery. Upon arrival, officers were informed that a man, later identified as Sheridan, entered the bank and passed a note to a teller demanding money. Sheridan then fled with an undisclosed amount of cash in a red 2014 Fiat 500 with Rhode Island license plates, according to police. Chief William Walsh said police are continuing to search for a second suspect who is believed to have been a passenger in the vehicle. Although no weapon was shown during the robbery on Feb. 13, Sheridan should be considered armed and dangerous. This investigation is being conducted by Great Barrington Police and the Berkshire County Law Enforcement Task Force, including state police detectives assigned to the Berkshire County district attorney's office. Anyone who has information regarding this incident, or who may have seen anything suspicious in the area at the time of the robbery, should immediately contact Great Barrington Police at 413-528-0306. Posted Monday, Feb. 13, 8:31 p.m.: GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. Chief William Walsh reports that the Police Department is investigating a bank robbery that occurred Monday afternoon. Police responded at about 3:30 p.m. to the Salisbury Bank branch on Main Street. Upon arrival, officers were informed that a man entered the bank and passed a note to a teller demanding money. The suspect fled with a quantity of cash southbound on Route 7. Police believe that a second suspect was waiting for him in a getaway vehicle. The primary suspect is described as a white man in his late 20s or early 30s, between 5-foot-7 and 5-foot-9, with a thin build, weighing about 150 pounds. He was wearing sunglasses and a gray sweat shirt. No weapon was shown, and no one was injured. The Great Barrington Police Department is investigating the incident with assistance from the state police. If anyone saw anything suspicious in the area, they are urged to call Great Barrington Police at 413-528-0306. Trustees are concerned about safety and structural issues at the North Adams Public Library. North Adams May Seek Funds For Library Repair Mayor Richard Alcombright and Building Inspector William Meranti met with the library trustees last week after concerns surfaced about the condition of the historic building. NORTH ADAMS, Mass. The mayor told the library trustees last week that the city is aware of the public library's maintenance needs. Mayor Richard Alcombright and Building Inspector William Meranti attended the trustees meeting last Wednesday to quell concerns about deferred building maintenance. "I got a sense ... that there is a certain amount of angst on the board over what we might call deferred maintenance that is currently here and angst that the administration is really not paying attention," Alcombright said. "I want you to know we are." Over the past few months, the trustees have aired some grievances about internal issues in the building and structural problems that they felt the city was brushing to the side. Alcombright acknowledged there are issues but said they needed to dial in the actual problems and quantify their urgency. He said Meranti will continue to meet with architect Thomas Bartels to discover what the structural issues really are. He said in early conversations with Bartels, Meranti believes the issues to be less urgent than originally implied. "What Bill has told me is that he does not get the same level of angst from Tom [Bartels] that might have been reported," he said. "Not to say that that gives us time to ignore things, it just gives us a different way to react." The mayor said the city, in conjunction with the trustees, must form a list of prioritized building issues and nail down costs associated with them. He said this is incredibly important when addressing structural issues if they want to solicit the Massachusetts Historical Commission for repair funds. "If they give us $50,000 and I have to find $50,000 to match, we are in a little better position to do that now," he said. "So if we can get solid numbers I am pretty sure I can go to [City] Council and get their support for a Mass Historic matching grant." Trustee Rich Remsberg said some of his own concern came from his fear that the city was unaware of the condition of the building and he did not want the city to oversee the Mass Historic grant deadline. Alcombright said City Hall has been aware but there are issues to address in all public buildings. "If the trustees feel ignore, I apologize for that but we have significant building issues in really any building we look at in the city," the mayor said. "But please know we want to make this commitment." He added that with solid numbers, the city may be able to get some repair projects going under the Notre Dame Church's emergency repair project. He said these emergency funds can be applied for any time. Library Director Mindy Hackner said a lot of her irritation came from ongoing problems inside of the building, such as dead lights that have not been replaced. Alcombright said the city may be able to address the lighting issue now that it has been designated as a Green Community. The state is expected to provide funding that could be used to install efficient lighting in the building. Trustee Donald Pecor said he was less concerned about cosmetic issues and more about safety issues, such as the parking lot lighting. Currently, only two lights work in the parking lot. Alcombright said he can relay the work to the Department of Public Works. Trustee Hulda Jowett said her biggest fear was the leaking gutters that have not been cleaned out in years. Meranti said a lift was scheduled to clean them out after it was used at Notre Dame and the Armory but it never made it to the library and had to be rescheduled. He added cleaning the gutters is not the issue, but that a seam that has let go. He said this is somewhat of a difficult thing to fix. The leak is not doing the building any good but there is no immediate danger of something falling off the building and hurting someone, the mayor said. Jowett said that was not necessarily their concern, but they feared the ice accumulation near the return box could cause someone to slip. Alcombright said the building department will compile a list and promised that the trustees and the administration will stay on the same page. "This is the heartbeat of this community," he said. "It is a lovely building and we need to preserve it." Board of Selectmen Chairman Andrew Hogeland served on a six-person working group that looked at broadband internet access. Williamstown to Propose Engineering Study to Look at Broadband WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. Voters likely will be asked at May's annual town meeting to fund an engineering study to look options for providing broadband Internet access in the town. Board of Selectmen Chairman Andrew Hogeland presented his colleagues on Monday with the report of an ad hoc working group that spent the last year on "a conceptual analysis on costs, benefits, and options for deciding whether [the] town should pursue generally available broadband access." The committee recommended three avenues for the town to direct its efforts: press Charter Communications to see whether the cable company can improve on the speeds it needs to offer customers under terms of the regulatory approval of its takeover of the former Time Warner Cable; pursue a Technical Assistance Grant through the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission with other underserved towns like Williamstown that do not qualify for funds from the commonwealth's Massachusetts Broadband Initiative; and develop a budget for an engineering study to look at the town's demand and estimate the cost of potentially meeting that demand through, for example, a fiber-optic network. "We will be at a competitive disadvantage to the 44 towns that can access the MBI program," Hogeland said. "There are other Berkshire County cities and towns that share that situation North Adams, Pittsfield, Great Barrington. "This would be a way to get these four municipalities working to share information and maybe do some lobbying down the road." Hogeland and Town Manager Jason Hoch, who also served on the broadband working group, said the application for the Technical Assistance Grant has been filed. But Hogeland and other members of the group explained that there are questions that need to be answered on a municipal basis, and those are the questions to be addressed in the study, which is estimated to cost anywhere from $10,000 to $25,000. "This work will have to be done in Pittsfield, Williamstown, North Adams and Great Barrington," said Donald Dubendorf, who served on the six-person working group. "You've really got to begin with that engineering work." Hogeland put it another way. "It's short money to pay, but it will tell you how high the mountain is that you need to climb and then you can decide whether you want to climb it," he said. Part of the study that the group hopes town meeting approves will look at whether there is broad community support for broadband internet service. In other words: Are enough people in town dissatisfied with their current upload and download speeds? There certainly have been a number of proponents who have been pushing the issue for years, and the town's Economic Development Committee listed broadband service as a priority because of the documented relationship between internet access and business activity. "We're walking into this in a deliberative, slow, measured way," Hogeland said. "We might have high cost and low demand, and then we're done. If we get over the hurdle that it's something people really want and will pay for, then ... ." Selectman Jeffrey Thomas, who chaired the EDC, thanked the working group for its efforts to advance one of the suggestions in the EDC report but sought to clarify that the engineering study is not the only path the town will follow. "Path 2 [the Technical Assistance Grant] is applied for and in motion," Hoch said. "Path 1 [lobbying Charter] is going to happen," Hogeland said. "It's no cost to the town. It's a bunch of phone calls." And Path 3, Hoch noted, could help the town in its efforts to put pressure on the cable giant. "A positive vote at town meeting saying we're interested in getting into this market on our own might get our phone call returned quicker," Hoch said. In other business on Monday, Hoch told the board it can expect to hear some good news when he goes over his proposed fiscal 2018 budget, set to be presented to a working session on Wednesday morning. Hoch said that he has been able to bring the town's budget increase in at a little less than 2 percent over FY17. That was by design. "We've been trying to bring forward as much stability as we can can on the town side because we expect some more challenging budget decisions coming from the school," Hoch said. That said, he told the selectmen he also was encouraged from what he heard in a Monday meeting with the interim schools superintendent. While Mount Greylock Regional School's draft FY18 budget is up by about 5 percent an increase driven entirely by the school building project the town's assessment from Williamstown Elementary School looks to be coming in below what Hoch feared, he said. "I projected higher increases for operations from both schools and then aligned our numbers to make them work," he said. "The fact that we're seeing better numbers [from the schools] helps." Hoch also informed the board that thanks to a grant from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, the town hopes to have its Code Red reverse-911 notification system online some time in March. Initially, landline telephone numbers from public lists will be included in the system, but Hoch said residents will be able to add cell phones and email addresses to the system, which allows the town to send out notifications of road closures, power outages and other emergencies on either a townwide or neighborhood-specific basis. Haiti - Ounaminthe : A merchant shot dead Tuesday, at about 1am, a merchant, Massilot Belton (37), a father of five, was shot dead on the banks of the Massacre River separating the two countries at the official Ouanaminthe-Dajabon border crossing. According to testimonies collected and reported by Mireille Pierre, representative of the Group of Support to the Returnees and Refugees (GAAR) for this zone "The victim would have received a call from a Dominican national before walking on the edge of the Massacre River where armed and hooded civilians on the other side of the border have shot at him [...]" Still according to what is reported "although touched by several bullets on the arm and the leg the victim still lived when a man crossed the river to finish and strip him of his property..." GARR strongly condemns this crime and calls on the Haitian authorities to demand from the Dominican State an investigation to identify the perpetrators of this crime and bring them to justice. IH/ iciHaiti iciHaiti - Petit-Goave : Teachers on strike, high school students on the street since over one month Due to a prolonged strike by some teachers https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-19888-haiti-flash-high-school-students-in-the-streets-violence-in-petit-goave.html , of Petit-Goave Public Schools such as Petit-Goave EFACAP, Faustin Soulouque High School, and the Nissage David National School have not functioned since January. The situation is deteriorating day by day, even private schools are affected and paralyzed by this crisis. High school students remain in their position "no other school in the city will be able to work as long the high school students are without classes." https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-19902-haiti-flash-second-day-of-violence-in-petit-goave.html On their side, the parents complain and do not know to which saint to devote and are discouraged "It is a year almost lost" they lament. It is time that the government authorities concerned act to put an end to this crisis... See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-19902-haiti-flash-second-day-of-violence-in-petit-goave.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-19888-haiti-flash-high-school-students-in-the-streets-violence-in-petit-goave.html IH/ iciHaiti / Guyto Mathieu (Correspondant Petit-Goave) Christian Leaders Tour Israel with The Fellowship The Fellowship | February 16, 2017 Christian Leaders Tour Israel with The Fellowship Over the past couple years, The Fellowship has worked to build bridges between Christians and Jews and strengthen Christian support for Israel by hosting Christian leaders in the Holy Land. The Jerusalem Posts Benjamin Glatt reports on the latest such tour, which finds 14 Baptist leaders from the U.S. visiting the Jewish state: We are honored to welcome these outstanding Baptist leaders in Israel, said Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, founder and president of The Fellowship. This important mission will not only strengthen the powerful connection between Christians and Jews, but will remind Israel and the Jewish people of the unconditional love and support we receive from our Christian friends. In recent years, The Fellowship has been reaching out to the African-American Christian community, building bridges and solidifying ties based on historic relationships forged in the Civil Rights era. Primarily, they have been working together to advocate for the Jewish state against the anti-Israel boycott, divestment and sanctions movement, and they have jointly protested instances of antisemitic activity They have been here since February 14, and will be returning February 20, touring Jewish and Christian holy sites. Their stops included the Mount of Beatitudes and the Sea of Galilee, the Western Wall and the Old City of Jerusalem, and archeological sites such as Caesarea, Mount Tabor, and Megiddo. The church group also visited Fellowship projects that support Ethiopian-Israeli immigrants and the elderly, and visit Yad Vashem, Israels memorial to the victims of the Holocaust, and the Holocaust History Museum. Steven T. Mack, the senior pastor of the historic Little Rock Baptist Church in Camden, New Jersey, has been documenting some of the groups day trips on Facebook. Upon seeing the locations that he would regularly speak about the pulpit he couldnt contain his excitement. I have often preached from 1 Kings 18:16-45. This is the view from Mount Carmel, where Elijah stood against the prophets of Baal! he wrote. Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the IndyArts email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Fifty Shades of Grey author EL James has left Piers Morgan red-faced on Twitter after the British broadcaster was humiliated in front of millions by JK Rowling last weekend. Morgan engaged in a Twitter feud with the Harry Potter author after she praised Australian comic Jim Jefferies for telling Donald trump supporter Morgan to f*ck off on US talk show Real Time with Bill Maher. Following the high-profile back and forth, Morgan has since been trolled by many including an account who is sending the entire Harry Potter book transcript to him line by line in tweet form (that's 32,567 tweets). Recommended JK Rowling systematically humiliates Piers Morgan in front of millions Morgan has now embroiled James asking her if she'd mind tweeting him one of her books stating he needed a break from the Harry Potter bombardment. James' reply has left the majority of Twitter users fist-pumping the air in delight - she replied with a line from what he would have assumed to be one of her Fifty Shades novels. In a follow-up tweet, however, she revealed it was a quote spoken by self-promoting slimeball Gilderoy Lockhart, a character in Rowling's Harry Potter series. The adaptation of James' sequel Fifty Shades Darker - starring Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan - is in cinemas now with a post-credits scene teasing final instalment Fifty Shades Freed. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Last season, Muslim fashion designer Anniesa Hasibuan made headlines as she became the first ever designer to feature hijabs in every outfit of her collection. Now, at a time when what Muslim women choose to wear is causing debate and multiple brands are deciding to make political statements via their shows, Hasibuan is making history once again. Recommended Debenhams becomes first major department store to sell hijabs Unveiling her second collection amid controversy over US President Donald Trumps recent order on immigration, the Muslim designer decided to cast her show entirely with immigrants and second-generation children of immigrants. Hasibuan, however, claims that her work is first and foremost geared toward Muslim women and not a reaction to politics. Hasibuan says her shows prove that fashion is for everybody (Getty) I'm here bringing the beautiful voice of the Muslim women, the peace and the universal values that fashion can offer, she told AFP. In just two seasons, the Indonesian Muslim designer has successfully made the hijab her trademark, bringing it into the mainstream and insisting that fashion is for everybody. There is beauty in diversity and differences , something we should not be afraid of, she added. Hasibuan isnt the only designer looking to break down stereotypes in the fashion industry though. For Yeezy Season 5, Kanye West cast hijab-wearing Somali-American model Halima Aden to make her runway debut at New York Fashion Week. Recommended CoverGirl names Muslim beauty blogger Nura Afia as newest ambassador The 19-year-old first made headlines back in November after competing in Minnesotas Miss USA competition while wearing a hijab and proudly modelling a burkini for the swimsuit portion. Now, shes breaking the boundaries of beauty and perception and is fast becoming an icon within the industry. Sign up to IndyEat's free newsletter for weekly recipes, foodie features and cookbook releases Get our Now Hear This email for free Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the IndyEats email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A parrot named Murphy is to blame for Gerald Fowler becoming obsessed with chillies. In the mid-1990s, his uncle gave his father the parrot and a chilli plant to feed him, because the birds cant feel the heat. We took some seeds out chili and grew a plant and advertised them on the Internet and went from there, Fowler, from Cumbria, tells The Independent. More than two decades later, he is still running The Chilli Pepper Company. The firm grows around 50 varieties of chili, including the gnarled Carolina Reaper which in 2013 was named the worlds hottest, by reaching 2.2m on the Schoville Scale (SHU). They also stock the Naga Viper chili which hits 1.3m. As well as selling seeds to growers, the company also offers extreme chilli products, from sprays to a vial of pure capsaicin which has a heat of 16 million. Clients range from those addicted to hot sauce, to gym-goers looking for an endorphin rush before a heavy workout, or those with chronic pain looking to sooth their aches. Fowler explains that stress is the key to growing extremely hot chili peppers. He uses a greenhouse to exert the perfect levels on his plants. The plants main purpose is to reproduce and sew its seeds, so if you put them under stress the hotter the chilli gets reacts to that. They like being cool at night and getting plenty of sun and warmth. If you restrict the watering that puts the plant under stress. If you pick the flowers and thin the plant out then it gets stressed." As part of the process, plants are bothered to the extent that they droop and fall over. Fowler compares the resulting leaves to an elephants ear. The team might then overwater the plant, and will leave it until it dries out. Then next day we give them a bit of water, and they get straight back up," he says. Its about getting into the brain of the chilli that somethings attacking and not right so lets start producing something hotter. The world's biggest food fights Show all 11 1 /11 The world's biggest food fights The world's biggest food fights La Tomatina, Bunol, Spain Biel Alino/AFP/Getty Images The world's biggest food fights La Tomatina, Bunol, Spain Biel Alino/AFP/Getty Images The world's biggest food fights La Tomatina, Bunol, Spain Biel Alino/AFP/Getty Images The world's biggest food fights World Custard Pie Championship, Kent Funk Dooby/Flickr The world's biggest food fights World Custard Pie Championship, Kent Funk Dooby/Flickr The world's biggest food fights La Merengada, Vilanova i la Geltru, Spain Ajuntament de Vilanova i la Geltru The world's biggest food fights La Merengada, Vilanova i la Geltru, Spain Ajuntament de Vilanova i la Geltru The world's biggest food fights Battle of the Oranges, Ivrea, Italy Giuseppe Cacace/AFP/Getty Images The world's biggest food fights Battle of the Oranges, Ivrea, Italy Giuseppe Cacace/AFP/Getty Images The world's biggest food fights Clean Monday, Galaxidi, Greece Louisa Gouliamaki/AFP/Getty Images The world's biggest food fights Clean Monday, Galaxidi, Greece Louisa Gouliamaki/AFP/Getty Images Chilies have perfect flowers, meaning they have both male and female, but need to be segregated in the greenhouse to ensure the seeds are pure. "They are remarkable, says Fowler. And after all this time, he still eats chillies nearly every day. I cant think outside of chill to be honest. I like a steak and pasta but with chili in. If I have a fried breakfast Ill have chili on it. In the morning I might have chili honey and toast, chili marmalade and strawberry jam with chili. But even he struggles to handle the hottest varieties, like the Carolina Reaper. It is, however, possible to build up a tolerance to a certain extent, but not without a lot of sweating and enduring bizarre side-effects. It does take a few years to train yourself, says Fowler. When you are eating something hot, your body is telling your brain this is hot so it starts trying to reject it. When you sweat and sneeze, thats your body trying to cool itself down. A lot of people have ringing in their ears when they try the hottest varieties, he says with a laugh. Chili pros, says Fowler, are able to pick out the fruity notes between different varieties before the heat takes over. "The Carolina Reaper has chocolate and raspberry notes, but he admits: Ive never been able to pick up notes, just the heat." I ate a chocolate Carolina Reaper and I had to eat three bananas and a pint of milk after. The burning takes over your brain and you start panicking. But then you get the endorphin rush. If someone has something hot a couple of seconds later theyre smiling. Sign up to IndyEat's free newsletter for weekly recipes, foodie features and cookbook releases Get our Now Hear This email for free Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the IndyEats email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The classic Italian dessert affogato is a popular way to end a meal around the world. And it looks like the pudding is soon to become much more commonplace as Starbucks is adding the coffee and ice cream concoction to its menus. Affogato - a scoop of vanilla ice cream drowned in a shot of hot espresso - is being given a slight makeover by Starbucks, who are adding a touch of demerara syrup and a dusting of cinnamon. Alongside their classic affogato, the coffee behemoth is introducing a Shakerato Affogato (espresso shots shaken to an icy froth, poured over ice cream and finished with vanilla syrup and a mint sprig), a Cold Brew Float (Starbucks Cold Brew coffee poured over ice cream), and a Cold Brew Malted Shake (Cold Brew blended with ice cream, malt, and bourbon barrel-aged bitters). Described as affogato-style experiences, Starbucks says: The simplicity of pouring hot espresso over cold ice cream not only offers a rich creaminess at first taste, but exposes the nuanced flavours unique to each espresso. (Starbucks (Starbucks) Having announced that the first Starbucks in Italy would be opening just last year, it remains to be seen how Italians will react to the news that the coffee behemoth is taking on one of their most famous creations. The affogato beverages will join Starbucks cold coffee menu in Los Angeles, Boston and Washington, DC this week, before eventually being rolled out in over 100 stores across the US. We asked British Starbucks whether there are any plans for the ice cream drinks to hit the UK market but are yet to hear back. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A town in the Netherlands is trialling special pavement lights designed to help smartphone users cross the road safely. The LED strips have been embedded into the ground at a pedestrian crossing in Bodegraven, close to three schools. The hope is that theyll catch the eye of pedestrians who are too distracted by their smartphones to bother looking at the road, telling them when to cross and when not to cross by either glowing green or red, depending on the traffic light signals. Gadget and tech news: In pictures Show all 25 1 /25 Gadget and tech news: In pictures Gadget and tech news: In pictures Gun-toting humanoid robot sent into space Russia has launched a humanoid robot into space on a rocket bound for the International Space Station (ISS). The robot Fedor will spend 10 days aboard the ISS practising skills such as using tools to fix issues onboard. Russia's deputy prime minister Dmitry Rogozin has previously shared videos of Fedor handling and shooting guns at a firing range with deadly accuracy. Dmitry Rogozin/Twitter Gadget and tech news: In pictures Google turns 21 Google celebrates its 21st birthday on September 27. The The search engine was founded in September 1998 by two PhD students, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, in their dormitories at Californias Stanford University. Page and Brin chose the name google as it recalled the mathematic term 'googol', meaning 10 raised to the power of 100 Google Gadget and tech news: In pictures Hexa drone lifts off Chief engineer of LIFT aircraft Balazs Kerulo demonstrates the company's "Hexa" personal drone craft in Lago Vista, Texas on June 3 2019 Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures Project Scarlett to succeed Xbox One Microsoft announced Project Scarlett, the successor to the Xbox One, at E3 2019. The company said that the new console will be 4 times as powerful as the Xbox One and is slated for a release date of Christmas 2020 Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures First new iPod in four years Apple has announced the new iPod Touch, the first new iPod in four years. The device will have the option of adding more storage, up to 256GB Apple Gadget and tech news: In pictures Folding phone may flop Samsung will cancel orders of its Galaxy Fold phone at the end of May if the phone is not then ready for sale. The $2000 folding phone has been found to break easily with review copies being recalled after backlash PA Gadget and tech news: In pictures Charging mat non-starter Apple has cancelled its AirPower wireless charging mat, which was slated as a way to charge numerous apple products at once AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures "Super league" India shoots down satellite India has claimed status as part of a "super league" of nations after shooting down a live satellite in a test of new missile technology EPA Gadget and tech news: In pictures 5G incoming 5G wireless internet is expected to launch in 2019, with the potential to reach speeds of 50mb/s Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Uber halts driverless testing after death Uber has halted testing of driverless vehicles after a woman was killed by one of their cars in Tempe, Arizona. March 19 2018 Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures A humanoid robot gestures during a demo at a stall in the Indian Machine Tools Expo, IMTEX/Tooltech 2017 held in Bangalore Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures A humanoid robot gestures during a demo at a stall in the Indian Machine Tools Expo, IMTEX/Tooltech 2017 held in Bangalore Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Engineers test a four-metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Engineers test a four-metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures The giant human-like robot bears a striking resemblance to the military robots starring in the movie 'Avatar' and is claimed as a world first by its creators from a South Korean robotic company Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Engineers test a four-metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Waseda University's saxophonist robot WAS-5, developed by professor Atsuo Takanishi Rex Gadget and tech news: In pictures Waseda University's saxophonist robot WAS-5, developed by professor Atsuo Takanishi and Kaptain Rock playing one string light saber guitar perform jam session Rex Gadget and tech news: In pictures A test line of a new energy suspension railway resembling the giant panda is seen in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A test line of a new energy suspension railway, resembling a giant panda, is seen in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A concept car by Trumpchi from GAC Group is shown at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China Rex Gadget and tech news: In pictures A Mirai fuel cell vehicle by Toyota is displayed at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A visitor tries a Nissan VR experience at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A man looks at an exhibit entitled 'Mimus' a giant industrial robot which has been reprogrammed to interact with humans during a photocall at the new Design Museum in South Kensington, London Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures A new Israeli Da-Vinci unmanned aerial vehicle manufactured by Elbit Systems is displayed during the 4th International conference on Home Land Security and Cyber in the Israeli coastal city of Tel Aviv Getty Social media, games, WhatsApp and music are major distractions in traffic, said councillor Kees Oskam. We may not be able to change this trend, but we can anticipate problems. The system, called +Lichtlijn (+Lightline), was developed by local firm HIG Traffic Systems, and has attracted criticism from the Dutch Traffic Safety Association, VVN. It's not a good idea to help mobile phone users look at their phones, said VVNs Jose de Jong. We don't want people to use phones when they're dealing with traffic, even when walking around. People must always look around them, to check if cars are actually stopping at the red signals. According to DutchNews, a VVN spokesman accused the system of rewarding bad behaviour. HIG plans to roll +Lichtlijn out more widely if the trial proves successful. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A new report from the UNs International Labour Organisation (ILO) has found that working remotely can lead to insomnia and increased stress levels. The study, titled Working anytime, anywhere: The effects on the world of work, analysed the working habits of people from the UK, Belgium, France, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Argentina, Brazil, India, Japan and the US. It made distinctions between three groups of workers: those who work from home regularly, highly mobile employees who work in various locations away from the office and those who split their time between the office and home. Gadget and tech news: In pictures Show all 25 1 /25 Gadget and tech news: In pictures Gadget and tech news: In pictures Gun-toting humanoid robot sent into space Russia has launched a humanoid robot into space on a rocket bound for the International Space Station (ISS). The robot Fedor will spend 10 days aboard the ISS practising skills such as using tools to fix issues onboard. Russia's deputy prime minister Dmitry Rogozin has previously shared videos of Fedor handling and shooting guns at a firing range with deadly accuracy. Dmitry Rogozin/Twitter Gadget and tech news: In pictures Google turns 21 Google celebrates its 21st birthday on September 27. The The search engine was founded in September 1998 by two PhD students, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, in their dormitories at Californias Stanford University. Page and Brin chose the name google as it recalled the mathematic term 'googol', meaning 10 raised to the power of 100 Google Gadget and tech news: In pictures Hexa drone lifts off Chief engineer of LIFT aircraft Balazs Kerulo demonstrates the company's "Hexa" personal drone craft in Lago Vista, Texas on June 3 2019 Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures Project Scarlett to succeed Xbox One Microsoft announced Project Scarlett, the successor to the Xbox One, at E3 2019. The company said that the new console will be 4 times as powerful as the Xbox One and is slated for a release date of Christmas 2020 Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures First new iPod in four years Apple has announced the new iPod Touch, the first new iPod in four years. The device will have the option of adding more storage, up to 256GB Apple Gadget and tech news: In pictures Folding phone may flop Samsung will cancel orders of its Galaxy Fold phone at the end of May if the phone is not then ready for sale. The $2000 folding phone has been found to break easily with review copies being recalled after backlash PA Gadget and tech news: In pictures Charging mat non-starter Apple has cancelled its AirPower wireless charging mat, which was slated as a way to charge numerous apple products at once AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures "Super league" India shoots down satellite India has claimed status as part of a "super league" of nations after shooting down a live satellite in a test of new missile technology EPA Gadget and tech news: In pictures 5G incoming 5G wireless internet is expected to launch in 2019, with the potential to reach speeds of 50mb/s Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Uber halts driverless testing after death Uber has halted testing of driverless vehicles after a woman was killed by one of their cars in Tempe, Arizona. March 19 2018 Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures A humanoid robot gestures during a demo at a stall in the Indian Machine Tools Expo, IMTEX/Tooltech 2017 held in Bangalore Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures A humanoid robot gestures during a demo at a stall in the Indian Machine Tools Expo, IMTEX/Tooltech 2017 held in Bangalore Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Engineers test a four-metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Engineers test a four-metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures The giant human-like robot bears a striking resemblance to the military robots starring in the movie 'Avatar' and is claimed as a world first by its creators from a South Korean robotic company Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Engineers test a four-metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Waseda University's saxophonist robot WAS-5, developed by professor Atsuo Takanishi Rex Gadget and tech news: In pictures Waseda University's saxophonist robot WAS-5, developed by professor Atsuo Takanishi and Kaptain Rock playing one string light saber guitar perform jam session Rex Gadget and tech news: In pictures A test line of a new energy suspension railway resembling the giant panda is seen in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A test line of a new energy suspension railway, resembling a giant panda, is seen in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A concept car by Trumpchi from GAC Group is shown at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China Rex Gadget and tech news: In pictures A Mirai fuel cell vehicle by Toyota is displayed at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A visitor tries a Nissan VR experience at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A man looks at an exhibit entitled 'Mimus' a giant industrial robot which has been reprogrammed to interact with humans during a photocall at the new Design Museum in South Kensington, London Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures A new Israeli Da-Vinci unmanned aerial vehicle manufactured by Elbit Systems is displayed during the 4th International conference on Home Land Security and Cyber in the Israeli coastal city of Tel Aviv Getty All three groups were found to be more prone to negative health and wellbeing consequences than employees who either always or regularly worked in an office. This report shows that the use of modern communication technologies facilitates a better overall work-life balance but, at the same time, also blurs the boundaries between work and personal life, depending on the place of work and the characteristics of different occupations, said the ILOs Jon Messenger, who co-authored the report. Recommended Over four million Britons favour working from home It found that 42 per cent of highly-mobile and regular home workers dealt with insomnia, compared with 29 per cent of regular office workers, and 41 per cent of highly-mobile workers complained of stress, as opposed to 25 per cent of office workers. It is particularly important to address the issue of supplemental work performed through modern communications technology, for example additional working from home, which could be viewed as unpaid overtime, and also to ensure that minimum rest periods are respected, in order to avoid negative effects on workers health and wellbeing, said Oscar Vargas from EU living and working conditions body Eurofound, which was also behind the report. The ILO recommends addressing the disparity by promoting formal part-time remote working, which would help employees maintain relationships with their co-workers, and by cutting back on informal ICT-mobile work. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Yahoo is warning customers that hackers may have been able to break into their accounts without even stealing their passwords. The attack, which has been attributed to the same state-sponsored hackers that were blamed for breaking into over a billion Yahoo accounts last year the biggest hack in history was effective between 2015 and 2016. It was first disclosed by the company last year, but users have been receiving notifications about it this week. Gadget and tech news: In pictures Show all 25 1 /25 Gadget and tech news: In pictures Gadget and tech news: In pictures Gun-toting humanoid robot sent into space Russia has launched a humanoid robot into space on a rocket bound for the International Space Station (ISS). The robot Fedor will spend 10 days aboard the ISS practising skills such as using tools to fix issues onboard. Russia's deputy prime minister Dmitry Rogozin has previously shared videos of Fedor handling and shooting guns at a firing range with deadly accuracy. Dmitry Rogozin/Twitter Gadget and tech news: In pictures Google turns 21 Google celebrates its 21st birthday on September 27. The The search engine was founded in September 1998 by two PhD students, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, in their dormitories at Californias Stanford University. Page and Brin chose the name google as it recalled the mathematic term 'googol', meaning 10 raised to the power of 100 Google Gadget and tech news: In pictures Hexa drone lifts off Chief engineer of LIFT aircraft Balazs Kerulo demonstrates the company's "Hexa" personal drone craft in Lago Vista, Texas on June 3 2019 Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures Project Scarlett to succeed Xbox One Microsoft announced Project Scarlett, the successor to the Xbox One, at E3 2019. The company said that the new console will be 4 times as powerful as the Xbox One and is slated for a release date of Christmas 2020 Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures First new iPod in four years Apple has announced the new iPod Touch, the first new iPod in four years. The device will have the option of adding more storage, up to 256GB Apple Gadget and tech news: In pictures Folding phone may flop Samsung will cancel orders of its Galaxy Fold phone at the end of May if the phone is not then ready for sale. The $2000 folding phone has been found to break easily with review copies being recalled after backlash PA Gadget and tech news: In pictures Charging mat non-starter Apple has cancelled its AirPower wireless charging mat, which was slated as a way to charge numerous apple products at once AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures "Super league" India shoots down satellite India has claimed status as part of a "super league" of nations after shooting down a live satellite in a test of new missile technology EPA Gadget and tech news: In pictures 5G incoming 5G wireless internet is expected to launch in 2019, with the potential to reach speeds of 50mb/s Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Uber halts driverless testing after death Uber has halted testing of driverless vehicles after a woman was killed by one of their cars in Tempe, Arizona. March 19 2018 Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures A humanoid robot gestures during a demo at a stall in the Indian Machine Tools Expo, IMTEX/Tooltech 2017 held in Bangalore Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures A humanoid robot gestures during a demo at a stall in the Indian Machine Tools Expo, IMTEX/Tooltech 2017 held in Bangalore Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Engineers test a four-metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Engineers test a four-metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures The giant human-like robot bears a striking resemblance to the military robots starring in the movie 'Avatar' and is claimed as a world first by its creators from a South Korean robotic company Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Engineers test a four-metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Waseda University's saxophonist robot WAS-5, developed by professor Atsuo Takanishi Rex Gadget and tech news: In pictures Waseda University's saxophonist robot WAS-5, developed by professor Atsuo Takanishi and Kaptain Rock playing one string light saber guitar perform jam session Rex Gadget and tech news: In pictures A test line of a new energy suspension railway resembling the giant panda is seen in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A test line of a new energy suspension railway, resembling a giant panda, is seen in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A concept car by Trumpchi from GAC Group is shown at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China Rex Gadget and tech news: In pictures A Mirai fuel cell vehicle by Toyota is displayed at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A visitor tries a Nissan VR experience at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A man looks at an exhibit entitled 'Mimus' a giant industrial robot which has been reprogrammed to interact with humans during a photocall at the new Design Museum in South Kensington, London Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures A new Israeli Da-Vinci unmanned aerial vehicle manufactured by Elbit Systems is displayed during the 4th International conference on Home Land Security and Cyber in the Israeli coastal city of Tel Aviv Getty Our outside forensic experts have been investigating the creation of forged cookies that could allow an intruder to access users' accounts without a password, reads the companys message. Based on the ongoing investigation, we believe a forged cookie may have been used in 2015 or 2016 to access your account. Forged cookies can allow a hacker into an account without having to re-enter a password. Yahoo says it invalidated the cookies when it discovered the hack, but hasnt yet revealed how many users were affected by it. The investigation has identified user accounts for which we believe forged cookies were taken or used, said a Yahoo spokesperson. Yahoo is in the process of notifying all potentially affected account holders. Recommended Yahoo to change name of major part of its business Its the latest serious blow to the companys reputation. In 2016, it announced that cybercriminals breached over 500 million accounts in 2014, only to follow that up with news of the billion-account hack, which took place in 2013. The company is in the process of being sold to Verizon, which reportedly wants to reduce the agreed $4.8 billion fee by around $250 million. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The long-awaited sixth and final season of HBOs Girls graced our screens on Monday, but grace may not be the first word youd associate with the series creator and showrunner, Lena Dunham. As the series draws to a close, it will leave in its wake controversy and debate: over its mainstreaming of gross-out femininity; its intermittent and sometimes cack-handed attempts to comment on contemporary issues such as race relations or lack of opportunities for young people; and especially the problems for social engagement posed by its ethnically homogeneous, middle-class Brooklyn milieu. Theres no denying that Dunhams choice to tell stories connected to her own experience as a white, female, millennial New Yorker limits the scope of the shows potential in some ways. She makes no bones about the autobiographical nature of all her work, any more than does her Girls character Hannah when she attends a prestigious creative writing programme in season four. Like many of Girls critics, classmates dismiss Dunhams/Hannahs art as nothing more than the stories of a privileged girl. Indeed, the echoes between Girls, Dunhams earlier low-budget films such as Tiny Furniture and her bestselling collection of personal essays Not That Kind of Girl are so loud that spotting them could get fans through a world without Girls. Its apt, then, that season six opens by focusing on Dunhams controlling presence, zooming in on Hannahs hands and facial features as she types a story. Certainly, the shows representation of non-normative identities leaves something to be desired. Although its gay character Elijah (Andrew Rannells) evolved from catty best friend stereotype to emotionally vulnerable protagonist by season five, early episodes of season six suggest a backwards move. And watch out for the second episode, where the issue of opioid addiction and associated domestic violence are reduced to a horror movie parody (think The Shining framed by giggling girls). Then there are the dislikeable, self-serving characters and the wistful, not to say self-indulgent aesthetics including a whiny teen-angst score. Even Dunham admits Hannah is a version of herself who has yet to mature. But Dunhams very active Twitter feed suggests that she takes critiques of Girls on board and has broadened its repertoire. For instance, the inclusion of Hannahs African-American boyfriend in the first two episodes of season two appears to attempt inadequately but genuinely to, as scholars Meredith Nash and Ruby Grant note, reveal the difficulty of initiating an honest discourse on race, even if it is between two educated metropolitan twentysomethings amidst a presumed post-racial America. Full-filled: Lena Dunham tackles issues close to her heart in Girls Fans of Girls have meanwhile hailed it precisely for its rejection of the inanely slick sensibility of its predecessor series Sex and the City, whose trailblazing installation of a variety of idiosyncratic female characters on international screens it mimics. While the girls friendships in Dunhams show may be far from problem-free, these relationships get more air time than is customary for much mainstream television. And theres an appealing honesty to the imperfect characterisation of the leads. As Hannah puts it to Marnie (Allison Williams) in season sixs second episode: it can be pretty hard to have observations about other people when youre only thinking about yourself I would know. Girls offers a rare combination of physical and verbal comedy with a serious undertone. At its best, it is unparalleled on contemporary television in its attention to human rhythms, its virtuoso casting, direction of actors and skewering of outdated social mores. Jemima Kirke (left) and Allison Williams in Girls Fear of the female body is first and foremost among the latter, as hostile reactions to the appearance of Dunhams imperfect body on screen only demonstrate in spades. The shows main characters engage in grotesque activities such as masturbation, urination or leaving snot in the bathtub. And who can forget Hannah threatening to pollute her hostile, dysfunctional, buttoned-up cousin Rebecca with her chachie hands, or blithely to spread her underwear-less crotch all over a chair in the apartment she shares with Elijah? If you dont like it, Dunham tells viewers loud and clear, the problems all yours. Even more bravely, the third episode of season six offers a reflection on the difficult issue of sexual coercion that is as subtle and thought-provoking as the much discussed narration of possible college date rape experienced by Dunham in her memoir Not that Kind of Girl. Critics may write off the achievement of Girls as mere fiddling while Rome burns some even credit Dunham, who campaigned for Clinton, with an unwitting role in establishing a new order based on the mistrust of progressive politics as defined by an elite group. But, in a fast-changing world, the show speaks best to those issues closest to its creators heart. More importantly, elitism is a charge that can be levelled at most feminist movements historically, thanks to the sociological fact that the upper classes typically lead changes in the gendered private sphere. And it demonstrates a failure of imagination to ignore the broader relevance of exploring issues of power imbalance. Limited vision belongs less to Girls than to its detractors. Mary Harrod is an assistant professor in French film at the University of Warwick. This article first appeared on The Conversation (theconversation.com) Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Virgin is working with parents and campaigners to develop autism-friendly holiday packages, The Independent can reveal. Jo-Ann DCosta-Manuel, founder and director of charity Autism Parent Empower, said she was in talks with Virgin Holidays about a number of new initiatives to make holidays easier for families with autistic children. These include giving staff in selected locations special training and providing detailed information about what to expect so families and children can be as prepared as possible, she said. Were looking at more than one hotel, in various locations, Ms DCosta-Manuel told The Independent. Id love to be able to see in their brochures that they have a little icon that identifies where is autism-friendly. Families can pick destinations and know theres lots of things in place to support them while theyre there. Virgin Holidays said it wanted to enhance our provisions for families with autism throughout their entire holiday and was considering various initiatives to assist families with autism who wish to travel. Around 700,000 people in the UK 1.1 per cent of the population have a form of autism, a developmental disability which affects communication, social interaction and how someone experiences the world around them. Ban on term time holidays should be scrapped - London Live Tesco has launched a quiet hour scheme to make the shopping experience more comfortable for customers with autism. And the Civil Aviation Authority has said airports should stage open days to ease anxiety for passengers with dementia, autism and mental health problems, who can familiarise themselves with what can be a challenging environment. Richard Bransons airline Virgin Atlantic already invites families to visit their training rig, which resembles the interior of a real plane and a check-in area, so they can get used to the unfamiliar environments before they fly. Ms DCosta-Manuel said a horrendous experience on a flight when her son Jaden was very young had made her realise the difference staff training on different types of disability can make. The seatbelt signs came on because there was turbulence. But he didnt understand that, so he started furiously kicking the seat in front of him, she said. There was an elderly passenger in front, and I called the stewardess over and said, Excuse me, would you mind just letting the passengers know in front and behind that were travelling with our son who has autism? She said no worries, and went to them and said, Just to let you know, the passenger behind you has autism, and these children are really naughty. Once hed calmed down and fallen asleep, I called her back over and said, Our children arent naughty. He cant speak, he doesnt know where hes at or whats going on, its a new environment, were trying to strap him in when all he wants to do is get out, but the last thing hes being is naughty. The 13 cheapest destinations for a beach holiday in Europe Show all 13 1 /13 The 13 cheapest destinations for a beach holiday in Europe The 13 cheapest destinations for a beach holiday in Europe 13. Menorca, Spain 74.40 The 13 cheapest destinations for a beach holiday in Europe 12. Corfu, Greece 72.26 The 13 cheapest destinations for a beach holiday in Europe 11. Marmaris, Turkey 70.81 The 13 cheapest destinations for a beach holiday in Europe 10. Kefalonia, Greece 68.49 Shutterstock The 13 cheapest destinations for a beach holiday in Europe 9. Porec, Croatia 65.19 The 13 cheapest destinations for a beach holiday in Europe 8. Zante, Greece 64.65 The 13 cheapest destinations for a beach holiday in Europe 7. Crete, Greece 63.16 The 13 cheapest destinations for a beach holiday in Europe 6. Costa Blanca, Spain 62.29 The 13 cheapest destinations for a beach holiday in Europe 5. Gijon, Spain 61.01 The 13 cheapest destinations for a beach holiday in Europe The 13 cheapest destinations for a beach holiday in Europe 3. Limassol, Cyprus 51.82 The 13 cheapest destinations for a beach holiday in Europe 2. Algarve, Portugal 47.04 The 13 cheapest destinations for a beach holiday in Europe 1. Sunny Beach (Slanchev Bryag), Bulgaria 41.55 Deborah Brownson, who has two children with autism aged 10 and 14, said specific training on autism was necessary because it was such a wide-ranging condition. She told The Independent she tended to avoid hotels as its too stressful. I want my son to be able to be himself and not have people staring at us, thinking hes being too loud. But it would be lovely to be able to integrate with other people, because for children who struggle socially, to have a forced social isolation doesnt help, said Ms Brownson, who has written a book about understanding autism called Hes Not Naughty. Recommended Barack Obama holiday pictures released by Richard Branson Ms Brownson is also working with the travel company, who have begun to develop resources for parents and teachers known as social stories, a clear narrative with lots of information, to use with children to prepare them for an unfamiliar event. The more information you can give autistic children, the more prepared they are and the better the experience will be, she said. The stories let them know in advance whats it going to look like, hows it going to work, whos going to be there about the bedding and the furniture, which might not look exactly the same, about luggage storage on the plane. At the moment, the focus has been on holidays to Florida, based around a trip to Disney World, because America is a lot further advanced than this country with autism awareness, said Ms Brownson. Ms DCosta-Manuel said she was also set to travel to Mexico to discuss possibilities with the companys representatives there. She said successful holidays could bring significant benefits to children with autism and their families, citing the example of one child who spoke for the first time after swimming with dolphins. Theres research to show every time youre exposed to a new smell, sound or sight, it helps create new neural pathways, she said. Its just not about mum and dad having a rest, but can be brilliant for a child with a neural disability. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Lisa Dyer did not get a Valentines Day card or gift from her husband this year but that, she says, is OK. Knowing that Im loved more than I ever dreamed is the best Valentines Day gift I could ever have, explains the 47-year-old from Virginia. This year, Lisas husband, Fred, 42, was in solitary confinement at Indian Creek Correctional Centre, Virginia, where he has 17 months left to serve for credit card fraud and theft. I would not replace the love I feel in my heart or his with a restaurant or chocolates, she says. Usually he sends special cards if he is able, but this year he was in the hole so had no resources. Lisa is just one of many thousands of people who were separated from loved ones on Valentines Day because their partners are imprisoned in US state or federal correctional facilities. While the end is in sight for her challenging time apart from Fred, there are other women and men who are having to accept that they might never get to spend a single holiday, let alone Valentines, together again. Facing that stark reality is Amanda Herricks, 22, from Muskego, Wisconsin. Her boyfriend, 32-year-old Jamie Bowens, is currently serving a life sentence without parole plus 10 years in the New Lisbon Correctional Institution for first degree intentional homicide a conviction he is currently appealing. She was hoping for a contact visit on Valentines Day, but had to make do with speaking to her boyfriend through a video link. I was hoping he would be out of the hole, she says. But he wasnt, so it was on the TV screen. It sucks. I miss his hugs and kisses so much. The couple met through Jamies brother just more than a year ago. Amanda sometimes struggles with the separation. She says they both hold hopes of being able to be together outside of the prison environment, and keep their love alive with frequent phone calls, lots of phone sex and weekly visits. I miss him everyday and I dont even know what its like to really have him here, she explains. I dream of him often being out. I imagine him being with me all the time. I send him pictures of everything I do, so its like hes here too. Elle Cotterill says men inside make it so special with handmade cards and gifts The lack of Valentines Day intimacy is difficult for some of the women, but they came up with unique and imaginative ways of overcoming the physical barriers to ensure they still shared the day with their loved ones. Misty Rosas and her boyfriend of four years, Sam Nice, who went to Utah State Prison for robbery last year and is due for release in February next year, share tender moments together through sex letters and poems. She also sends him sexy pictures and the lovers are creating a journal together, called Separated by prison, united by conviction. Misty, 35, does admit though that she feels lonely without having her soul mate around and often stays clear of other people on Valentines Day. Tammy Light was able to have photos taken when she visited her husband, Kevin Light-Roth, in prison this Valentines Elle Cotterill, 21, strongly believes that you can have intimacy without sex. Her case is particularly unique as she lives in Kent, UK, while her fiance of nearly two years, Jordon Conner, 30, is serving time for robbery and burglary with firearms in Airway Heights Corrections Centre, Washington, where he has between five and eight years left to serve. They met on a pen-pal website called meetaninmate.com in January 2015 and were engaged by the May. UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 5 November 2022 Demonstrators with placards calling for a General Election march near the Houses of Parliament AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 4 November 2022 A peacock is seen in the early winter sunshine in the Dutch Gardens in Holland Park AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 3 November 2022 A villager cooks roti bread at the site of the annual Camel Fair in Pushkar, in India's desert state of Rajasthan AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 2 November 2022 A red squirrel gathers nuts in Pitlochry, Scotland Reuters UK news in pictures 1 November 2022 Englands Tara-Jane Stanley scores their sides seventh try against Brazil during the Womens Rugby League World Cup group A match at Headingley Stadium, Leeds PA 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 Elle travels to the US as often as she can for visits, and they have video visits and daily phone calls to keep their relationship strong. The pair are also preparing for marriage and plan to tie the knot this year. She found Valentines Day especially hard but says men inside make it so special. Jordan does everything to make me feel loved, she explains. I got a hand-drawn card, he made me roses from paper and I got a sweet phone call. We also had a coffee date, where we both drank coffee, ate and watched a programme at the same time while speaking on the phone together so we knew we were doing the same thing. The moments the average couple take for granted are the moments I long to share with him. Elle travels from Kent to Washington to see her fiance as often as she can Relying on traditional, and what some might consider antiquated, forms of showing affection and romance, such as love letters, poetry and drawings, is a huge part of making a success of a relationship with someone in prison. Elle has so far managed to fill three A4 folders with cards and notes from Jordan. As hard as it is, the little gifts we [partners of prisoners] get are so thoughtful, she says. Imagine getting letters, emails and drawings saying how wonderful you are all the time. At least my relationship isnt based upon sex and its my company and personality he loves. However, even sending letters has proved hard for some of the women. Brittany Jones, 27, from West Virginia met her boyfriend, Phillip Shane Poling, 31, while they were both incarcerated at Tygart Valley Regional Jail. She asked if her cellmates boyfriend, who was also inside, could find her a pen pal. The boyfriend picked Shane. He then wrote her a letter, which he had to send by three-way mail because writing inmate to inmate is prohibited. Brittany received the letter about two weeks later in March last year and it went from there, with regular secret letters and phone calls that saw them forming a strong bond. They have yet to meet in person. We fell in love over the phone and through letters, she says. I told him I loved him first because he would always tell me hes falling so hard for me. Eventually someone at the jail in my pod told on me for doing illegal phone calls so it was back to writing to each other. Brittany Jones did a boudoir photo shoot and sent the pictures to her boyfriend in prison this Valentines Brittany, who says they saved each other from a life of drug addiction and crime, was released on parole in October 2016, but is unable to visit Shane at the prison. Felons cant see felons, she explains. They will meet face-to-face for the first time when he is released in August this year after doing five years for burglary. To celebrate Valentines Day, Brittany did a boudoir photo shoot and sent the pictures to Shane. One woman who is also going to be able to see her partner this year is Tammy Light, but they will not be reunited outside of the prison walls, rather inside when they will be allowed family visits for the first time from November. Tammy, 37, met Kevin Light-Roth, 33, who is serving a 25-year sentence for second degree murder in Stafford Creek Corrections in Aberdeen, Washington, on the pen-pal website writeaprisoner.com in May 2014. Within three months of writing to each other, Tammy had moved from her home in Tennessee to be nearer to Kevin and she now lives in Port Orchard, Washington. The first time we met in person I was anxious but excited, she says. I walked into the visit room and saw him stand up. I went to hug him and he gave me a kiss. Id never felt more love for anyone. Hes my best friend and I just immediately felt comfortable. They married at the prison six months later. Although they speak on the phone daily and Tammy visits for nine hours each week, the couple are counting down the days until the family visits, which will allow them to spend 24 to 48 hours together alone in a duplex in the prison grounds. Well finally be able to be intimate after nearly three years of marriage. [During the visits] the officers dont bother us except for during count. I cant wait; its been a long time coming. Since we are in our mid to late thirties, we plan on having kids. In the meantime its just intimate phone calls and the closeness we share during visits. The camaraderie among the women in a similar situation is also extremely strong and often what keeps them focused on the positives. Tammy set up a dedicated Facebook group, called Confessions of a prison wife in June 2016, which has grown to almost 700 members. Tammy and Elle then joined forces in January this year to set up a new group, Secret life of a prison wife, which already has nearly 400 members. Besides the daily chat and support, the women in the group celebrated Valentines Day with a secret cupid, where they sent gifts to one another. But above all of the things keeping these women going is the dreams they have for when their partners are released. Some yearn for the familiarity of everyday life and plan to do normal things. For Misty and Sam that will be a steak dinner and hanging out with their kids, while for Lisa and Fred it will be real life. She says: It will be him singing to me like he does, but also him getting a job. We will do whatever we need to do to see that he never goes back inside. Others, meanwhile, have romantic plans and want to spend a few quiet days alone together, either getting to know each other or rekindling their passion ahead of the next chapter of their stories. We will have two weeks to just us two and no one else, Elle says. That blissful moment of knowing its our time, our fresh start and a beginning to a long happy life in each others arms. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A former RBS employee has said the bank systematically forged documents in order to cover up its own misconduct. Mark Wright began working at NatWest in 1988 until he took redundancy in 2013. NatWest was taken over by RBS in 2000. He told BBC Radio 4s World Tonight programme that the banks compliance unit made up complaints from five of his customers and then falsified transcripts of phone calls. I had five individual customers who all came forward to me stating that the wording and conversations with this member of staff from group compliance were not their words, so effectively the telephone transcripts didnt reflect what the customer was saying, Mr Wright said. He said he was suspicious of the conduct of some RBS employees between 2005 and 2012. Retired Metropolitan Police sergeant Andy Keats told the programme that RBS destroyed his security business in 2007 and then doctored written correspondence. The bank also made more than 1,000 changes to the transcript of a phone call in order to cover its wrongdoing and cast Mr Keats in a bad light, he said. The whole of that transcript makes me look like I am uneducated. It manipulates things like was and were. Every reference to the official valuation of Mr Keats property by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors was removed, he said. The bank has been accused by many customers of undervaluing their assets so that it could buy them from business customers in distress at rock-bottom prices. RBS acknowledged in a statement to the BBC that its transcript does not constitute a word-for-word account of the conversation. The bank said it had found no evidence to support these customers allegations and categorically deny manipulating or falsifying customer records to suit our purposes. Builder Clive May said the bank pushed his company into insolvency in 2011 before fraudulently applying for a government loan for which his business was not entitled. Mr May also alleges that the bank falsified correspondence with him. The bank disputes this. Biggest business scandals in pictures Show all 20 1 /20 Biggest business scandals in pictures Biggest business scandals in pictures Volkswagen emissions scandal VW admitted to rigging its US emission tests so that diesel-powered cars would looks like they were emitting less nitrous oxide, which can damage the ozone layer and contribute to respiratory diseases. Around 11 million cars worldwide were affected. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures Martin Shkreli and Turing Pharmaceuticals Martin Shkreli became known as the most hated man in the world after his drug company, Turing, increased the price of a 62-year-old drug that treated HIV patients by 5,000% to $750 a pill. He was charged with illegally taking stock from Retrophin, a biotechnology firm he started in 2011, and using it pay off debts from unrelated business dealings. Shkreli, who maintains he is innocent, and says there is little evidence of fraud because his investors didn't lose money. Biggest business scandals in pictures Panama Papers: Millions of leaked documents expose how worlds rich and powerful hid money - April 2016 Millions of confidential documents have been leaked from one of the worlds most secretive law firms, exposing how the rich and powerful have hidden their money. Dictators and other heads of state have been accused of laundering money, avoiding sanctions and evading tax, according to the unprecedented cache of papers that show the inner workings of the law firm Mossack Fonseca, which is based in Panama. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures Google's tax avoidance Google reached a deal with the HM Revenue and Customs to pay back 130 million in so-called back-taxes that have been due since 2005. George Osborne championed the deal as a major success. But European MEPs have since called for the Chancellor to appear in front of the committee on tax rulings to explain the tax deal. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures Rogue trader A French court cut the damages owed by rogue trader Jerome Kerviel from 4.9bn (4.2bn) to just 1m (860,000). The court ruled on that Kerviel was partly responsible for massive losses suffered in 2008 by his former employer Societe Generale through his reckless trades. Kerviel has consistently maintained that bosses at the French bank knew what he was doing all along. AP Biggest business scandals in pictures Barclays CEO under investigation for trying to identify whistleblower - Monday Paril 10 Authorities have launched an investigation into Barclays chief executive officer Jes Staley for trying to identify a whistleblower, the bank said on Monday. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) are both investigating Mr Staley after the bank notified them that Mr Staley had tried to identify the author of two anonymous letters, which were sent to the board and a senior executive in June 2016. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures UK to crack down on bank money laundering after reports of 65bn Russian scam, City minister says - March 2017 The Economic Secretary to the Treasury has vowed that the Government will crack down on money laundering practices, after several of the UK's biggest banks were accused of processing money from a Russian scam, believed to involve up to $80bn (65bn). Reuters Biggest business scandals in pictures Former HBOS bankers convicted of bribery and fraud over 245m loan scam - February 2017 Two former HBOS bankers were among six people found guilty of bribery and fraud that cost customers and shareholders hundreds of millions of pounds, the BBC reports. Lynden Scourfield, 54, a manager at HBOS, forced struggling clients to use the services of his friends David Mills, 60, and Michael Bancroft, 73. In return, the two businessmen arranged sex parties, cash and lavish gifts. On Monday, the three were convicted at Southwark Crown Court on accounts including bribery, fraud and money laundering. Mark Dobson, another manager at HBOS, Alison Mills, and John Cartwright were also convicted. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures Lloyds chief apologises for damage caused by affair allegations - August 2016 Antonio Horta-Osorio, the chief executive of Lloyds Bank, has broken his silence over allegations about his private life admitting he regrets any "damage done to the group's reputation". In a message sent to the bank's 75,000 employees, the banker said that anyone can make mistakes while insisting that staff had to maintain the highest professional standards. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures Christine Lagarde faces court over 340m Bernard Tapie payment - July 2016 The head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Christine Lagarde, must stand trial in France over a payment of 403 million (now 340m, then 290m) to tycoon Bernard Tapie, a France's highest appeals court has ruled. The court rejected Ms Lagarde's appeal against a judge's order in December for her to stand trial over allegations of negligence in her handling of the affair. Ms Lagarde could risk a maximum penalty of one year in prison and a fine of 15,000 euros if convicted. Reuters Biggest business scandals in pictures HSBC senior manager arrested in FX rigging investigation at JFK airport in New York - July 2016 A senior executive at HSBC has been arrested at New York's JFK airport for his alleged involvement in a conspiracy to rig currency benchmarks, according to reports. Mark Johnson, global head of foreign exchange cash trading in London, was reportedly arrested on Tuesday. He will appear before a federal court in Brooklyn on Wednesday charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, Bloomberg said. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures Former PwC employees found guilty in 'Luxleaks' tax scandal - June 2016 Two ex- PricewaterhouseCoopers staffers were found guilty in Luxembourg of stealing confidential tax files that helped unleash a global scandal over generous fiscal deals for hundreds of international companies. Antoine Deltour and Raphael Halet face suspended sentences of 12 months and 9 months and were ordered to pay fines of 1,500 (1,230) and 1,000 (822) for their role in the so-called LuxLeaks scandal. Despite the minimal sentences, the ruling was described by Deltours lawyer as shocking and a terrible anomaly. The ruling puts on guard future whistle-blowers, Deltour told reporters.The LuxLeaks revelations sped beyond Luxembourg, causing European Union regulators to expand a tax-subsidy probe and propose new laws to fight corporate tax dodging, while EU lawmakers created a special committee to probe fiscal deals across the 28-nation bloc. Reuters Biggest business scandals in pictures Goldman Sachs dealmakers lavished Libyan officials with prostitutes to win contract - June 2016 A former Goldman Sachs dealmaker trying to persuade Gadaffi-era Libya to invest $1 billion with the investment bank procured prostitutes and invited Libyan officials to lavish parties in the hope of winning the business, the High Court heard on Monday June 13.The Libyan Investment Authority sovereign wealth fund is suing Goldman Sachs for inappropriately coercing its naive staff into giving its sovereign wealth fund cash to the bank to invest in products they did not understand. The products were designed to generate big profits for Goldman, the LIA claims.Goldman denies wrongdoing and says the LIA was treated as an arms-length customer Reuters Biggest business scandals in pictures Former boss of BHS said his life was threatened - June 2016 Darren Topp, the former boss of BHS, has said former owner Dominic Chappell threatened to kill him when he challenged him over a 1.5 million transfer out of the business. MPs on the Business, Innovation and Skills Committee asked Mr Topp about a 1.5 million transfer Mr Chappell made from BHS to a company called BHS Sweden. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures Sports Direct founder Mike Ashley admits paying workers below the minimum wage - June 2016 Mike Ashley admitted paying Sports Direct employees below the minimum wage at a hearing in front of MPs. The company founder said that workers were paid less than the statutory minimum because of bottlenecks at security in an admission that could result in sanctions from HMRC. Reuters Biggest business scandals in pictures Mitsubishi admits improper fuel tests - April 2016 Mitsubishi has admitted to using false fuel methods dating back to 1991. The scale of the scandal is only just coming to light after it was revealed in April that data was falsified in the testing of four types of cars, including two Nissan cars. AP Biggest business scandals in pictures Quindell, the scandal-ridden insurance firm Quindell was once a darling of AIM but its share price fell in April 2014 when its accounting practices were attacked in a stinging research note by US short seller Gotham City. In August the group was forced to disclose that the 107 million pre-tax profit it had reported for 2013 was incorrect, and it had in fact suffered a 64million loss. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures Toshiba Accounting Scandal The boss of Toshiba, the Japanese technology giant, resigned in disgrace in the wake of one of the countrys biggest ever accounting scandals. His exit came two months after the company revealed that it was investigating accounting irregularities. An independent investigatory panel said that Toshibas management had inflated its reported profits by up to 152 billion yen (780m) between 2008 and 2014. Biggest business scandals in pictures FIFA Corruption Scandal Fifa, football's world governing body, has been engulfed by claims of widespread corruption since the summer of 2015, when the US Department of Justice indicted several top executives. It has now claimed the careers of two of the most powerful men in football, Fifa President Sepp Blatter and Uefa President Michel Platini, after they were banned for eight years from all football-related activities by Fifa's ethics committee. A Swiss criminal investigation into the pair is ongoing. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures Libor fraudster City trader Tom Hayes, 35, has become the first person to be convicted of rigging Libor rates following a trial at London's Southwark Crown Court. Hayes worked as a trader in yen derivatives at UBS before joining the American bank Citigroup in Tokyo. He was fired from Citigroup following an investigation into his trading methods. He returned to the UK in December 2012 and was arrested following a two-and-a-half year criminal investigation by the SFO. Getty RBS is accused of crushing thousands of businesses during and after the financial crisis to increase its own profits, leaked documents show. Internal emails handed to BuzzFeed News and the BBC in October 2016 show the bank implemented a plan to squeeze customers facing financial difficulty and gave bonuses to staff for identifying struggling firms. RBS then bought assets at rock-bottom prices once companies hit difficulties, often selling them at a profit. It also hit them with large fees, driving many into the ground and boosting its own bottom line, according to the documents. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The Austrian defence ministry has said that it will sue the European aircraft manufacturer Airbus over alleged corruption and bribery. A spokesman for the countrys defence ministry, speaking to AFP, said that the findings into an investigation of a 2003 deal under which Airbus sold 15 fighter jets worth 2bn to the government, would be presented later in the day. The Austrian Press Agency said that the probe had found that Airbus had falsely inflated prices during the transaction. Recommended Airbus set to test flying cars before the end of 2017 Prosecutors in Vienna and Munich have also been investigating whether officials were paid millions of euros through advisory firms to secure the contract, AFP reports. The agency says that the initial decision to complete the deal had been struck in 2000, when the countrys far-right entered a coalition government with the conservative Peoples Party. Biggest business scandals in pictures Show all 20 1 /20 Biggest business scandals in pictures Biggest business scandals in pictures Volkswagen emissions scandal VW admitted to rigging its US emission tests so that diesel-powered cars would looks like they were emitting less nitrous oxide, which can damage the ozone layer and contribute to respiratory diseases. Around 11 million cars worldwide were affected. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures Martin Shkreli and Turing Pharmaceuticals Martin Shkreli became known as the most hated man in the world after his drug company, Turing, increased the price of a 62-year-old drug that treated HIV patients by 5,000% to $750 a pill. He was charged with illegally taking stock from Retrophin, a biotechnology firm he started in 2011, and using it pay off debts from unrelated business dealings. Shkreli, who maintains he is innocent, and says there is little evidence of fraud because his investors didn't lose money. Biggest business scandals in pictures Panama Papers: Millions of leaked documents expose how worlds rich and powerful hid money - April 2016 Millions of confidential documents have been leaked from one of the worlds most secretive law firms, exposing how the rich and powerful have hidden their money. Dictators and other heads of state have been accused of laundering money, avoiding sanctions and evading tax, according to the unprecedented cache of papers that show the inner workings of the law firm Mossack Fonseca, which is based in Panama. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures Google's tax avoidance Google reached a deal with the HM Revenue and Customs to pay back 130 million in so-called back-taxes that have been due since 2005. George Osborne championed the deal as a major success. But European MEPs have since called for the Chancellor to appear in front of the committee on tax rulings to explain the tax deal. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures Rogue trader A French court cut the damages owed by rogue trader Jerome Kerviel from 4.9bn (4.2bn) to just 1m (860,000). The court ruled on that Kerviel was partly responsible for massive losses suffered in 2008 by his former employer Societe Generale through his reckless trades. Kerviel has consistently maintained that bosses at the French bank knew what he was doing all along. AP Biggest business scandals in pictures Barclays CEO under investigation for trying to identify whistleblower - Monday Paril 10 Authorities have launched an investigation into Barclays chief executive officer Jes Staley for trying to identify a whistleblower, the bank said on Monday. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) are both investigating Mr Staley after the bank notified them that Mr Staley had tried to identify the author of two anonymous letters, which were sent to the board and a senior executive in June 2016. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures UK to crack down on bank money laundering after reports of 65bn Russian scam, City minister says - March 2017 The Economic Secretary to the Treasury has vowed that the Government will crack down on money laundering practices, after several of the UK's biggest banks were accused of processing money from a Russian scam, believed to involve up to $80bn (65bn). Reuters Biggest business scandals in pictures Former HBOS bankers convicted of bribery and fraud over 245m loan scam - February 2017 Two former HBOS bankers were among six people found guilty of bribery and fraud that cost customers and shareholders hundreds of millions of pounds, the BBC reports. Lynden Scourfield, 54, a manager at HBOS, forced struggling clients to use the services of his friends David Mills, 60, and Michael Bancroft, 73. In return, the two businessmen arranged sex parties, cash and lavish gifts. On Monday, the three were convicted at Southwark Crown Court on accounts including bribery, fraud and money laundering. Mark Dobson, another manager at HBOS, Alison Mills, and John Cartwright were also convicted. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures Lloyds chief apologises for damage caused by affair allegations - August 2016 Antonio Horta-Osorio, the chief executive of Lloyds Bank, has broken his silence over allegations about his private life admitting he regrets any "damage done to the group's reputation". In a message sent to the bank's 75,000 employees, the banker said that anyone can make mistakes while insisting that staff had to maintain the highest professional standards. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures Christine Lagarde faces court over 340m Bernard Tapie payment - July 2016 The head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Christine Lagarde, must stand trial in France over a payment of 403 million (now 340m, then 290m) to tycoon Bernard Tapie, a France's highest appeals court has ruled. The court rejected Ms Lagarde's appeal against a judge's order in December for her to stand trial over allegations of negligence in her handling of the affair. Ms Lagarde could risk a maximum penalty of one year in prison and a fine of 15,000 euros if convicted. Reuters Biggest business scandals in pictures HSBC senior manager arrested in FX rigging investigation at JFK airport in New York - July 2016 A senior executive at HSBC has been arrested at New York's JFK airport for his alleged involvement in a conspiracy to rig currency benchmarks, according to reports. Mark Johnson, global head of foreign exchange cash trading in London, was reportedly arrested on Tuesday. He will appear before a federal court in Brooklyn on Wednesday charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, Bloomberg said. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures Former PwC employees found guilty in 'Luxleaks' tax scandal - June 2016 Two ex- PricewaterhouseCoopers staffers were found guilty in Luxembourg of stealing confidential tax files that helped unleash a global scandal over generous fiscal deals for hundreds of international companies. Antoine Deltour and Raphael Halet face suspended sentences of 12 months and 9 months and were ordered to pay fines of 1,500 (1,230) and 1,000 (822) for their role in the so-called LuxLeaks scandal. Despite the minimal sentences, the ruling was described by Deltours lawyer as shocking and a terrible anomaly. The ruling puts on guard future whistle-blowers, Deltour told reporters.The LuxLeaks revelations sped beyond Luxembourg, causing European Union regulators to expand a tax-subsidy probe and propose new laws to fight corporate tax dodging, while EU lawmakers created a special committee to probe fiscal deals across the 28-nation bloc. Reuters Biggest business scandals in pictures Goldman Sachs dealmakers lavished Libyan officials with prostitutes to win contract - June 2016 A former Goldman Sachs dealmaker trying to persuade Gadaffi-era Libya to invest $1 billion with the investment bank procured prostitutes and invited Libyan officials to lavish parties in the hope of winning the business, the High Court heard on Monday June 13.The Libyan Investment Authority sovereign wealth fund is suing Goldman Sachs for inappropriately coercing its naive staff into giving its sovereign wealth fund cash to the bank to invest in products they did not understand. The products were designed to generate big profits for Goldman, the LIA claims.Goldman denies wrongdoing and says the LIA was treated as an arms-length customer Reuters Biggest business scandals in pictures Former boss of BHS said his life was threatened - June 2016 Darren Topp, the former boss of BHS, has said former owner Dominic Chappell threatened to kill him when he challenged him over a 1.5 million transfer out of the business. MPs on the Business, Innovation and Skills Committee asked Mr Topp about a 1.5 million transfer Mr Chappell made from BHS to a company called BHS Sweden. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures Sports Direct founder Mike Ashley admits paying workers below the minimum wage - June 2016 Mike Ashley admitted paying Sports Direct employees below the minimum wage at a hearing in front of MPs. The company founder said that workers were paid less than the statutory minimum because of bottlenecks at security in an admission that could result in sanctions from HMRC. Reuters Biggest business scandals in pictures Mitsubishi admits improper fuel tests - April 2016 Mitsubishi has admitted to using false fuel methods dating back to 1991. The scale of the scandal is only just coming to light after it was revealed in April that data was falsified in the testing of four types of cars, including two Nissan cars. AP Biggest business scandals in pictures Quindell, the scandal-ridden insurance firm Quindell was once a darling of AIM but its share price fell in April 2014 when its accounting practices were attacked in a stinging research note by US short seller Gotham City. In August the group was forced to disclose that the 107 million pre-tax profit it had reported for 2013 was incorrect, and it had in fact suffered a 64million loss. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures Toshiba Accounting Scandal The boss of Toshiba, the Japanese technology giant, resigned in disgrace in the wake of one of the countrys biggest ever accounting scandals. His exit came two months after the company revealed that it was investigating accounting irregularities. An independent investigatory panel said that Toshibas management had inflated its reported profits by up to 152 billion yen (780m) between 2008 and 2014. Biggest business scandals in pictures FIFA Corruption Scandal Fifa, football's world governing body, has been engulfed by claims of widespread corruption since the summer of 2015, when the US Department of Justice indicted several top executives. It has now claimed the careers of two of the most powerful men in football, Fifa President Sepp Blatter and Uefa President Michel Platini, after they were banned for eight years from all football-related activities by Fifa's ethics committee. A Swiss criminal investigation into the pair is ongoing. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures Libor fraudster City trader Tom Hayes, 35, has become the first person to be convicted of rigging Libor rates following a trial at London's Southwark Crown Court. Hayes worked as a trader in yen derivatives at UBS before joining the American bank Citigroup in Tokyo. He was fired from Citigroup following an investigation into his trading methods. He returned to the UK in December 2012 and was arrested following a two-and-a-half year criminal investigation by the SFO. Getty Not long after the deal was clinched, however, allegations began circulating that politicians and others involved in the deal were receiving kickbacks, AFP writes, adding that a probe was set up in 2007 to look into possible bribes, but came to no concrete conclusion. Five years later, Austrian and German authorities launched a fresh corruption inquiry. Prosecutors in Munich are set to finish their preliminary proceedings later this year, according to AFP. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The Government's business secretary, Greg Clark, said on Thursday that General Motors had reassured him over the future of Vauxhall's UK operations. Mr Clarke arranged an emergency meeting with GM's president Dan Amman on Thursday after the company announced it was in talks to sell its European subsidiary, Opel, which includes Vauxhall. The business secretary told reporters after the meeting that Mr Amman said GM would not "rationalise" Vauxhall's UK production operations. GM's plan to sell the business to PSA, the maker of Peugeot and Citroen cars, has alarmed politicians in Britain and Germany, where there are fears that a sale could lead to heavy job losses. Vauxhall employs 4,500 people at its Ellesmere Port and Luton plants. But Mr Clark said he had held constructive talks with GM on Thursday. There is some way to go in discussions between GM and PSA but I was reassured by GM's intention, communicated to me, to build on the success of these operations rather than rationalise them, Clark said in a statement. We will continue to be in close contact with GM and PSA in the days and weeks ahead. Business news: In pictures Show all 13 1 /13 Business news: In pictures Business news: In pictures Flybe collapses Airline Flybe has collapsed. All future flights on the Exeter-based airline have been cancelled leaving more than 2,300 staff facing an uncertain future, and wrecking the travel plans of hundreds of thousands of passengers. The chief executive, Mark Anderson, said: Europes largest independent regional airline has been unable to overcome significant funding challenges to its business. AFP via Getty Business news: In pictures Future product placement will be 'tailored to individual viewers' Marketing executives say that product placement in films and televison shows on streaming services such as Netflix may be tailored to individuals in future. For instance, if data shows that a viewer is a fan of pepsi, a billboard in the background of a shot would host an advert for pepsi, while for a viewer known to have different tastes it could be for Coca-Cola Paramount Business news: In pictures Corbyn wishes Amazon a happy birthday In a card sent to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos on the company's 25th birthday, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn writes: "You owe the British people millions in taxes that pay for the public services that we all rely on. Please pay your fair share" Business news: In pictures No deal, no tariffs The government has announced that it would slash almost all tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit. Notable exceptions include cars and meat, which will see tariffs in place to protect British farmers Getty Business news: In pictures Fingerprint payment NatWest is trialling a new bank card that will allow people to touch their hand to the card when paying rather than typing in a PIN number. The card will work by recognising the user's fingerprint NatWest/PA Wire Business news: In pictures Mahabis bust High-end slipper retailer Mahabis has gone into administration. 2 Jan 2019 Mahabis Business news: In pictures Costa Cola Coca-Cola has paid 3.9bn for Costa Coffee. A cafe chain is a new venture for the global soft drinks giant PA Business news: In pictures RIP Payday Loans A funeral procession for payday loans was held in London on September 2. The future of pay day lenders is in doubt after Wonga, Britain's biggest, went into administration on August 30 PA Business news: In pictures Musk irks investors and directors Elon Musk has concluded that Tesla will remain public. Investors and company directors were angry at Musk for tweeting unexpectedly that he was considering taking Tesla private and share prices had taken a tumble in the following weeks Getty Business news: In pictures Jaguar warning Iconic British car maker Jaguar Land Rover warned on July 5, 2018 that a "bad" Brexit deal could jeopardise planned investment of more than $100 billion, upping corporate pressure as the government heads into crucial talks AFP/Getty Business news: In pictures Spotif-IPO Spotify traded publically for the first time on the New York Stock Exchange on Tuesday. However, the company isn't issuing shares, but rather, shares held by Spotify's private investors will be sold AFP/Getty Business news: In pictures French blue passports The deadline to award a contract to make blue British passports after Brexit has been extended by two weeks following a request by bidder De La Rue. The move comes after anger at the announcement British passports would be produced by Franco-Dutch firm Gemalto when De La Rues contract ends in July. The British firm said Gemalto was chosen only because it undercut the competition, but the UK company also admitted that it was not the cheapest choice in the tendering process. Business news: In pictures Beast from the east economic impact The Beast from the East wiped 4m off of Flybes revenues due to flight cancellations, airport closures and delays, according to the budget airlines estimates. Flybe said it cancelled 994 flights in the three months to 31 March, compared to 372 in the same period last year. GM said in a written statement after the meeting that it had "no definitive news to report at this time", adding that it would be "exploring opportunities with PSA Group to build on the success of Opel Vauxhall and to put the business and the operations in the strongest possible position for the future. We look forward to engaging with our stakeholders as part of these ongoing discussions, the company said. The chief executives of both PSA and GM went on a charm offensive on Wednesday to counter a raft of criticism from trade unions. PSA and GM have declined to say what cuts they would make to jobs, plants, production capacity or research and development under the deal being discussed. Additional reporting by Reuters Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Disgraced former doctor Andrew Wakefield has reportedly appeared at a secretive screening of an anti-vaccine documentary at a private university in London. Mr Wakefield was struck off the medical register after his controversial 1998 research paper, claiming to show a link between the MMR vaccine and autism, was found to be fraudulent. The 60-year-old conspiracy theorist, who now lives in Texas, attended the UK premiere of Vaxxed, a film in support of his discredited study, reported The Times. He has not been seen in the UK since 2010, when he was found guilty of serious professional misconduct over methods used in the Lancet study that caused vaccination rates to plummet and led to a rise in measles outbreaks. The event, organised by the Centre for Homeopathic Education, took place at Regents University London, which said it was unaware of the details of the screening. The name and content of last nights film was not disclosed to us, as a result we are re-vetting all clients and acting accordingly, said a post on the universitys official Twitter account. Subsequent studies into the MMR controversy, including a comprehensive 2014 review using data from more than 1.2 million children, have exhaustively concluded there is no relationship between vaccination and autism. However, many parents still choose not to vaccinate their children, with around 24,000 children in England each year at risk of measles, mumps and rubella because they have not been immunised against the diseases, according to Public Health England. National Polio Immunisation Day in New Delhi, India The Times reported 350 people attended Tuesday evenings film, in which Mr Wakefield alleges US health officials have deliberately covered up data in support of his discredited study. The former medical researcher is said to have taken part in an hour-long Q&A session following the screening. The Curzon cinema in Soho and the European Parliament were previously lined up as venues for the event, according to the newspaper, but these were abandoned following criticism and attendees were told to make their way to Regents University London hours before it began. Mr Wakefield has become a prominent voice in the US anti-vax movement, whose ideas appear to be shared by President Donald Trump. At a White House meeting with parents and teachers, Mr Trump expressed concern about a tremendous increase in autism rates an argument commonly made by anti-vaccine campaigners, but disputed by autism experts. He asked the principal of a special education centre in Virginia whether she had seen an increase in autism cases at her school. Whats going on with autism? When you look at the tremendous increase, its really, its such an incredible its a really horrible thing to watch, the tremendous amount of increase. he said. Health news in pictures Show all 40 1 /40 Health news in pictures Health news in pictures Coronavirus outbreak The coronavirus Covid-19 has hit the UK leading to the deaths of two people so far and prompting warnings from the Department of Health AFP via Getty Health news in pictures Thousands of emergency patients told to take taxi to hospital Thousands of 999 patients in England are being told to get a taxi to hospital, figures have showed. The number of patients outside London who were refused an ambulance rose by 83 per cent in the past year as demand for services grows Getty Health news in pictures Vape related deaths spike A vaping-related lung disease has claimed the lives of 11 people in the US in recent weeks. The US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has more than 100 officials investigating the cause of the mystery illness, and has warned citizens against smoking e-cigarette products until more is known, particularly if modified or bought off the street Getty Health news in pictures Baldness cure looks to be a step closer Researchers in the US claim to have overcome one of the major hurdles to cultivating human follicles from stem cells. The new system allows cells to grow in a structured tuft and emerge from the skin Sanford Burnham Preybs Health news in pictures Two hours a week spent in nature can improve health A study in the journal Scientific Reports suggests that a dose of nature of just two hours a week is associated with better health and psychological wellbeing Shutterstock Health news in pictures Air pollution linked to fertility issues in women Exposure to air from traffic-clogged streets could leave women with fewer years to have children, a study has found. Italian researchers found women living in the most polluted areas were three times more likely to show signs they were running low on eggs than those who lived in cleaner surroundings, potentially triggering an earlier menopause Getty/iStock Health news in pictures Junk food ads could be banned before watershed Junk food adverts on TV and online could be banned before 9pm as part of Government plans to fight the "epidemic" of childhood obesity. Plans for the new watershed have been put out for public consultation in a bid to combat the growing crisis, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said PA Health news in pictures Breeding with neanderthals helped humans fight diseases On migrating from Africa around 70,000 years ago, humans bumped into the neanderthals of Eurasia. While humans were weak to the diseases of the new lands, breeding with the resident neanderthals made for a better equipped immune system PA Health news in pictures Cancer breath test to be trialled in Britain The breath biopsy device is designed to detect cancer hallmarks in molecules exhaled by patients Getty Health news in pictures Average 10 year old has consumed the recommended amount of sugar for an adult By their 10th birthdy, children have on average already eaten more sugar than the recommended amount for an 18 year old. The average 10 year old consumes the equivalent to 13 sugar cubes a day, 8 more than is recommended PA Health news in pictures Child health experts advise switching off screens an hour before bed While there is not enough evidence of harm to recommend UK-wide limits on screen use, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health have advised that children should avoid screens for an hour before bed time to avoid disrupting their sleep Getty Health news in pictures Daily aspirin is unnecessary for older people in good health, study finds A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine has found that many elderly people are taking daily aspirin to little or no avail Getty Health news in pictures Vaping could lead to cancer, US study finds A study by the University of Minnesota's Masonic Cancer Centre has found that the carcinogenic chemicals formaldehyde, acrolein, and methylglyoxal are present in the saliva of E-cigarette users Reuters Health news in pictures More children are obese and diabetic There has been a 41% increase in children with type 2 diabetes since 2014, the National Paediatric Diabetes Audit has found. Obesity is a leading cause Reuters Health news in pictures Most child antidepressants are ineffective and can lead to suicidal thoughts The majority of antidepressants are ineffective and may be unsafe, for children and teenager with major depression, experts have warned. In what is the most comprehensive comparison of 14 commonly prescribed antidepressant drugs to date, researchers found that only one brand was more effective at relieving symptoms of depression than a placebo. Another popular drug, venlafaxine, was shown increase the risk users engaging in suicidal thoughts and attempts at suicide Getty Health news in pictures Gay, lesbian and bisexual adults at higher risk of heart disease, study claims Researchers at the Baptist Health South Florida Clinic in Miami focused on seven areas of controllable heart health and found these minority groups were particularly likely to be smokers and to have poorly controlled blood sugar iStock Health news in pictures Breakfast cereals targeted at children contain 'steadily high' sugar levels since 1992 despite producer claims A major pressure group has issued a fresh warning about perilously high amounts of sugar in breakfast cereals, specifically those designed for children, and has said that levels have barely been cut at all in the last two and a half decades Getty Health news in pictures Potholes are making us fat, NHS watchdog warns New guidance by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), the body which determines what treatment the NHS should fund, said lax road repairs and car-dominated streets were contributing to the obesity epidemic by preventing members of the public from keeping active PA Health news in pictures New menopause drugs offer women relief from 'debilitating' hot flushes A new class of treatments for women going through the menopause is able to reduce numbers of debilitating hot flushes by as much as three quarters in a matter of days, a trial has found. The drug used in the trial belongs to a group known as NKB antagonists (blockers), which were developed as a treatment for schizophrenia but have been sitting on a shelf unused, according to Professor Waljit Dhillo, a professor of endocrinology and metabolism REX Health news in pictures Doctors should prescribe more antidepressants for people with mental health problems, study finds Research from Oxford University found that more than one million extra people suffering from mental health problems would benefit from being prescribed drugs and criticised ideological reasons doctors use to avoid doing so. Getty Health news in pictures Student dies of flu after NHS advice to stay at home and avoid A&E The family of a teenager who died from flu has urged people not to delay going to A&E if they are worried about their symptoms. Melissa Whiteley, an 18-year-old engineering student from Hanford in Stoke-on-Trent, fell ill at Christmas and died in hospital a month later. Just Giving Health news in pictures Government to review thousands of harmful vaginal mesh implants The Government has pledged to review tens of thousands of cases where women have been given harmful vaginal mesh implants. Getty Health news in pictures Jeremy Hunt announces 'zero suicides ambition' for the NHS The NHS will be asked to go further to prevent the deaths of patients in its care as part of a zero suicide ambition being launched today Getty Health news in pictures Human trials start with cancer treatment that primes immune system to kill off tumours Human trials have begun with a new cancer therapy that can prime the immune system to eradicate tumours. The treatment, that works similarly to a vaccine, is a combination of two existing drugs, of which tiny amounts are injected into the solid bulk of a tumour. Nephron Health news in pictures Babies' health suffers from being born near fracking sites, finds major study Mothers living within a kilometre of a fracking site were 25 per cent more likely to have a child born at low birth weight, which increase their chances of asthma, ADHD and other issues Getty Health news in pictures NHS reviewing thousands of cervical cancer smear tests after women wrongly given all-clear Thousands of cervical cancer screening results are under review after failings at a laboratory meant some women were incorrectly given the all-clear. A number of women have already been told to contact their doctors following the identification of procedural issues in the service provided by Pathology First Laboratory. Rex Health news in pictures Potential key to halting breast cancer's spread discovered by scientists Most breast cancer patients do not die from their initial tumour, but from secondary malignant growths (metastases), where cancer cells are able to enter the blood and survive to invade new sites. Asparagine, a molecule named after asparagus where it was first identified in high quantities, has now been shown to be an essential ingredient for tumour cells to gain these migratory properties. Getty Health news in pictures NHS nursing vacancies at record high with more than 34,000 roles advertised A record number of nursing and midwifery positions are currently being advertised by the NHS, with more than 34,000 positions currently vacant, according to the latest data. Demand for nurses was 19 per cent higher between July and September 2017 than the same period two years ago. REX Health news in pictures Cannabis extract could provide new class of treatment for psychosis CBD has a broadly opposite effect to delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main active component in cannabis and the substance that causes paranoia and anxiety. Getty Health news in pictures Over 75,000 sign petition calling for Richard Branson's Virgin Care to hand settlement money back to NHS Mr Bransons company sued the NHS last year after it lost out on an 82m contract to provide childrens health services across Surrey, citing concerns over serious flaws in the way the contract was awarded PA Health news in pictures More than 700 fewer nurses training in England in first year after NHS bursary scrapped The numbers of people accepted to study nursing in England fell 3 per cent in 2017, while the numbers accepted in Wales and Scotland, where the bursaries were kept, increased 8.4 per cent and 8 per cent respectively Getty Health news in pictures Landmark study links Tory austerity to 120,000 deaths The paper found that there were 45,000 more deaths in the first four years of Tory-led efficiencies than would have been expected if funding had stayed at pre-election levels. On this trajectory that could rise to nearly 200,000 excess deaths by the end of 2020, even with the extra funding that has been earmarked for public sector services this year. Reuters Health news in pictures Long commutes carry health risks Hours of commuting may be mind-numbingly dull, but new research shows that it might also be having an adverse effect on both your health and performance at work. Longer commutes also appear to have a significant impact on mental wellbeing, with those commuting longer 33 per cent more likely to suffer from depression Shutterstock Health news in pictures You cannot be fit and fat It is not possible to be overweight and healthy, a major new study has concluded. The study of 3.5 million Britons found that even metabolically healthy obese people are still at a higher risk of heart disease or a stroke than those with a normal weight range Getty Health news in pictures Sleep deprivation When you feel particularly exhausted, it can definitely feel like you are also lacking in brain capacity. Now, a new study has suggested this could be because chronic sleep deprivation can actually cause the brain to eat itself Shutterstock Health news in pictures Exercise classes offering 45 minute naps launch David Lloyd Gyms have launched a new health and fitness class which is essentially a bunch of people taking a nap for 45 minutes. The fitness group was spurred to launch the napercise class after research revealed 86 per cent of parents said they were fatigued. The class is therefore predominantly aimed at parents but you actually do not have to have children to take part Getty Health news in pictures 'Fundamental right to health' to be axed after Brexit, lawyers warn Tobacco and alcohol companies could win more easily in court cases such as the recent battle over plain cigarette packaging if the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights is abandoned, a barrister and public health professor have said Getty Health news in pictures 'Thousands dying' due to fear over non-existent statin side-effects A major new study into the side effects of the cholesterol-lowering medicine suggests common symptoms such as muscle pain and weakness are not caused by the drugs themselves Getty Health news in pictures Babies born to fathers aged under 25 have higher risk of autism New research has found that babies born to fathers under the age of 25 or over 51 are at higher risk of developing autism and other social disorders. The study, conducted by the Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment at Mount Sinai, found that these children are actually more advanced than their peers as infants, but then fall behind by the time they hit their teenage years Getty Health news in pictures Cycling to work could halve risk of cancer and heart disease Commuters who swap their car or bus pass for a bike could cut their risk of developing heart disease and cancer by almost half, new research suggests but campaigners have warned there is still an urgent need to improve road conditions for cyclists. Cycling to work is linked to a lower risk of developing cancer by 45 per cent and cardiovascular disease by 46 per cent, according to a study of a quarter of a million people. Walking to work also brought health benefits, the University of Glasgow researchers found, but not to the same degree as cycling. Getty Jane Quenneville, the principal, replied that one in 66 children are diagnosed with autism, figures in line with the most recent government report on the matter. Its gotta be even lower than that, which is just amazing, said Mr Trump, adding: well, maybe we can do something. The President has previously indicated he believes vaccines can cause autism. He tweeted in 2014: Healthy young child goes to doctor, gets pumped with massive shot of many vaccines, doesn't feel good and changes - AUTISM. Many such cases! The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported last March that about one in 68 school-aged children have autism or related disorders about the same as in 2014. While the rate does appear to have increased since the year 2000, when CDC figures show around one in 150 children had the disorder, experts say this is to do with better awareness of the disease and changes in the way it is diagnosed. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} An aggressive multimillion-pound development in Manchester city centre backed by Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville will damage the city's historic core, a Government heritage agency has warned. Historic England issued an objection to Manchester City Council over The St Michael's scheme, saying its design - featuring two skyscrapers - will dwarf some of the best buildings in the country and involve the demolition of an important pub. The former Manchester United stars said the development would deliver the biggest statement in architecture the city has seen in modern times and promised to create 1,000 jobs when they unveiled the plans. However Historic England said the city deserves better and their application shows how aggressively the proposed buildings would jar against the grand civic buildings which define this part of Manchester. The 700,000 square foot (sq ft) scheme includes a 200-bed five-star hotel, 153 apartments, 135,000 sq ft of Grade A offices and a synagogue. The site will also include 30,000 sq ft of retail and leisure space, including two new sky bars/restaurants, in the 31-storey Number One St Michael's, while Number Two St Michael's will be a 21-storey office tower. Historic England said the design, height and colour of the development on Jackson's Row will dominate the Deansgate and Peter Street conservation area and dwarf the nationally-important Central Library and Grade I listed Town Hall. Meanwhile an online petition to save the Abercromby pub - said to be the inspiration for the pub in BBC's Life On Mars - has over 4,500 supporters. Catherine Dewar, Historic England's planning director for the north west, said: We are deeply concerned about how this scheme would affect some of Manchester's most precious heritage. It would have an impact on people's appreciation and experience of the stunning town hall and library but it would also erase different layers of this area's history, irreparably damaging the special character of the surrounding conservation area. A dynamic city like ours needs to fully embrace development but this scheme is not good enough to justify the damage it would cause to the streets around the site and to the setting of the city's most important buildings and spaces. UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 5 November 2022 Demonstrators with placards calling for a General Election march near the Houses of Parliament AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 4 November 2022 A peacock is seen in the early winter sunshine in the Dutch Gardens in Holland Park AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 3 November 2022 A villager cooks roti bread at the site of the annual Camel Fair in Pushkar, in India's desert state of Rajasthan AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 2 November 2022 A red squirrel gathers nuts in Pitlochry, Scotland Reuters UK news in pictures 1 November 2022 Englands Tara-Jane Stanley scores their sides seventh try against Brazil during the Womens Rugby League World Cup group A match at Headingley Stadium, Leeds PA 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 It threatens Manchester with the loss of historic places that have soul and tell important stories about our city's past. The development was designed by Make Architects, which has delivered some of the most prominent buildings in the country. Speaking at Manchester Town Hall in July former England full-back Neville, 41, said he wanted the development to become the new landmark in the city. Neville, who is director of Jackson's Row Developments, said: Our vision is to deliver the biggest statement in architecture and development that Manchester has seen in modern times. PA Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Britain must not be better off outside the European Union after Brexit, an eight-month inquiry by the French Senate has concluded. The 51-page document also says Theresa Mays keynote Brexit speech at Lancaster House was a mixture of veiled threats and pledges of goodwill a likely reference to the Prime Ministers threat to take Britain out of the EU with no deal, rather than a bad deal. The report adds that the EUs four freedoms goods, people, services and capital are inseparable and it must not be possible for Britain to segment access to the tariff-free single market for certain sectors. It is on this issue that the Senate will be very vigilant, the report warns. The report suggests that the divorce terms of Brexit have to be completed before negotiations over Britains future trading relationship with the EU commence. But the UKs final agreement must not place it in a better position outside the EU, it adds. Last week Jean-Pierre Raffarin, a former French premier who chaired the inquiry, said: From a European point of view ... the new agreements cannot be better than the old ones which might be difficult for the United Kingdom side to accept while at the same time protecting the EUs joint interests, notably on security and defence. The report says that Brexit is a shock to European cohesion but the process, which it claims is now inevitable, must not take the European project hostage and says unity of the 27 other EU states is a priority. It comes after a senior German politician warned that Britains exit from the EU will be mission impossible and create a lot of damage for the UK. MEP Manfred Weber, leader of the European Peoples Party, the largest political group in the European Parliament, said the process of Brexit would not be an easy task. How Brexit affected Britain's favourite foods from Weetabix to Marmite Show all 8 1 /8 How Brexit affected Britain's favourite foods from Weetabix to Marmite How Brexit affected Britain's favourite foods from Weetabix to Marmite Weetabix Chief executive of Weetabix Giles Turrell has warned that the price of one of the nations favourite breakfast are likely to go up this year by low-single digits in percentage terms. Reuters How Brexit affected Britain's favourite foods from Weetabix to Marmite Nescafe The cost of a 100g jar of Nescafe Original at Sainsburys has gone up 40p from 2.75 to 3.15 a 14 per cent risesince the Brexit vote. PA How Brexit affected Britain's favourite foods from Weetabix to Marmite Freddo When contacted by The Independent this month, a Mondelez spokesperson declined to discuss specific brands but confirmed that there would be "selective" price increases across its range despite the American multi-national confectionery giant reporting profits of $548m (450m) in its last three-month financial period. Mondelez, which bought Cadbury in 2010, said rising commodity costs combined with the slump in the value of the pound had made its products more expensive to make. Cadbury How Brexit affected Britain's favourite foods from Weetabix to Marmite Mr Kipling cakes Premier Foods, the maker of Mr Kipling and Bisto gravy, said that it was considering price rises on a case-by-case basis Reuters How Brexit affected Britain's favourite foods from Weetabix to Marmite Walkers Crisps Walkers, owned by US giant PepsiCo, said "the weakened value of the pound" is affecting the import cost of some of its materials. A Walkers spokesman told the Press Association that a 32g standard bag was set to increase from 50p to 55p, and the larger grab bag from 75p to 80p. Getty How Brexit affected Britain's favourite foods from Weetabix to Marmite Marmite Tesco removed Marmite and other Unilever household brand from its website last October, after the manufacturer tried to raise its prices by about 10 per cent owing to sterlings slump. Tesco and Unilever resolved their argument, but the price of Marmite has increased in UK supermarkets with the grocer reporting a 250g jar of Marmite will now cost Morrisons customers 2.64 - an increase of 12.5 per cent. Rex How Brexit affected Britain's favourite foods from Weetabix to Marmite Toblerone Toblerone came under fire in November after it increased the space between the distinctive triangles of its bars. Mondelez International, the company which makes the product, said the change was made due to price rises in recent months. Pixabay How Brexit affected Britain's favourite foods from Weetabix to Marmite Maltesers Maltesers, billed as the lighter way to enjoy chocolate, have also shrunk in size. Mars, which owns the brand, has reduced its pouch weight by 15 per cent. Mars said rising costs mean it had to make the unenviable decision between increasing its prices or reducing the weight of its Malteser packs. iStockphoto Speaking at a news conference in Strasbourg alongside the European Parliaments chief Brexit negotiator, Guy Verhofstadt, the German MEP said: When I have a look at the content and the topics on the table, for me it is still mission impossible ahead of us but we can manage this. Mr Weber added: This will create a lot of damage, especially for the Brits, for sure, nobody had the wish to do this but it is the reality. We have to start to recognise this. This will not be an easy task ahead of us, especially having in mind to defend the interests of the European Union. It will be a mirror, from my point of view, to show the people in the European Union that it is much more better to reform the European Union than to destroy the European Union. It will show what Europe is all about. None of the British politicians ever explained to people in Great Britain what is Europe, nobody. And with Brexit everybody will understand this, in a negative way. Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The Irish Government has begun identifying possible locations for checkpoints along the border with Northern Ireland, as fears grow of a hard Brexit. Preparations are underway for the return of a hard border despite Theresa Mays insistence that the move will not be necessary even after EU withdrawal is completed. Internal documents uncovered by the Irish Examiner showed officials in Dublin fears that full red and green channel customs points may be needed. Those checks would be introduced in Louth, Monaghan, Cavan, Leitrim, and Donegal, with the M1 motorway between Dublin and Belfast also likely to be a focus for customs officials. The move was then confirmed by Michael Noonan, the finance minister, in evidence to an Irish parliamentary committee. Mr Noonan pointed out that both London and Dublin said they did not want to introduce a hard border, but that would require the agreement of the EU as well. Even though it is the intent of the two jurisdictions involved, we still have to get it across the line in Europe and that might be five or six years down the line, he said in a later interview. The customs are looking at contingency, in the event of where the negotiations may land, Mr Noonan added. One minister told the Irish Examiner: No one is aiming for a soft Brexit anymore, it is now about preparing for the worst. And Pearse Doherty, a Sinn Fein representative in the Irish Parliament who lives in the North, told the BBC checkpoints would be devastating. He added: This will absolutely crush certain sectors, particularly sectors along the border region. It will have a devastating impact in terms of the North. The documents pointed to a lack of clarity coming from Downing Street as the reason why the Dublin Government could not be more certain about the possible return of a hard border. When negotiations start, Ireland will be ready. We will negotiate hard and fair, one stated. Only one day earlier, Enda Kenny, Irelands Prime Minister, vowed to fight any attempt to create a fortified frontier, warning success was vital for the Republic. But Mr Docherty suggested Mr Kenny was unaware of the contingency plans being made by his own officials. The border in the island of Ireland has long been recognised as one of most problematic Brexit issues, with the potential to revive the tensions of the past. During The Troubles, there were only 20 crossings, but there are now thought to be as many as 250 after the peace settlement brought the reopening of huge numbers of roads. The Prime Ministers determination to pull out of the EUs single market and its customs union have raised the prospect of border checks becoming necessary. A spokesman for the Northern Ireland office said the aim was to achieve as frictionless a land border as possible with no return to the hard borders of the past. Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Britain will be weaker after Brexit, the European Commission President has said, insisting the European Union is beautiful to many people across the world. Jean-Claude Juncker also criticised Theresa Mays bid to be a bridge to Donald Trump, saying: To put it brutally, we dont need the United Kingdom Government to organise our relations with the US. However, Mr Juncker backed the Prime Minister by agreeing the controversy over the rights of EU citizens and Britons in other EU countries will be resolved quickly. The former Prime Minister of Luxembourg gave a combative interview to Time magazine, within days of announcing he will step down when his current term ends in 2019. At this months EU summit in Malta, Ms May attempted to convince other EU leaders that her coup in becoming the first world leader to meet the US President made her a link between the two continents. But Mr Juncker rejected that offer, adding: In fact, according to President Obama, Britain is weaker being outside the European Union than being a member of the European Union. That is the case. The Commission President also rejected Mr Trumps prediction that other countries will leave the EU after Britain, saying: I dont think anyone else is tempted to take the same route. That was highly unfriendly and not helpful at all. And he turned his fire on Ted Malloch, the US Presidents reputed pick to be his ambassador to the EU, who has likened the bloc to the Soviet Union and suggested it needed taming. Mr Juncker said: If he wants to be an ambassador for the US in the European Union, he has to improve his knowledge and watch his words from time to time. He added: The unity of Europe is a precondition for a better organised world and, if the European Union would fail or decompose or other members left, the US would have a more difficult role to play in the world. Mr Juncker also mounted a fierce defence of the EUs record, in the face of a rise in anti-EU populists, saying: We are not proud enough of what we have achieved. This was a continent of divisions, of wars, of conflicts, of divergences, differences. When I am in Asia, in Africa, people admire what we have managed to do. Europe is beautiful seen from other continents. The fate of EU citizens and British expats will be at the forefront of attempts to amend the Article 50 bill when it is debated in the House of Lords next week. Opposition peers will attempt to force the Government to give an immediate, unilateral guarantee that the rights of three million EU citizens in the UK will be protected after Brexit. A threatened Tory rebellion in the Commons melted away when Amber Rudd, the Home Secretary, insisted nothing would change without MPs consent. Meanwhile, a leaked EU document warned of a backlash against the 1.2 million Britons living in the EU because of Ms Mays failure to offer a secure future for EU nationals in the UK. But Mr Juncker said: I cant imagine that we would punish European citizens living in Britain, or that we would punish British citizens living in Europe. They are friends. Im not in a punishing mood. I am quite confident that we will easily resolve this problem. Sign up to the Inside Politics email for your free daily briefing on the biggest stories in UK politics Get our free Inside Politics email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Politics email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The UKs four childrens commissioners have written to Home Secretary Amber Rudd to express their deep concern over the decision to end a scheme to bring lone child refugees to the country. The Home Office unexpectedly announced the scheme would end after 350 children were offered sanctuary in the UK under the so-called Dubs amendment far lower than the figure originally promised. Last year, it was widely thought that Government would take 3,000 lone children from European refugee camps after Lord Alfred Dubs forced the Government to accept an amendment on the matter when the Immigration Act passed through Parliament. The commissioners of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have told of their deep concern about the decision and urged Ms Rudd to "consider carefully the plight of the many thousands of lone child refugees in Europe who are currently at risk of exploitation and trafficking". They said: "The Government made a welcome commitment through the scheme to taking some of the most vulnerable lone child refugees who are rootless in Europe. "The number that have been brought to the UK under the scheme thus far falls significantly short of expectations and we consider that, as a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, the UK should play a far greater role in both offering protection and security to lone child refugees in Europe and in resolving the crisis that children are facing in Europe, especially in Greece and Italy. "We urge the Government to act humanely and responsibly, and to maintain a positive commitment to the Dubs scheme within a comprehensive strategy to safeguard unaccompanied child refugees within Europe." The letter is signed by Anne Longfield, Children's Commissioner for England, and Tam Baillie, Sally Holland and Koulla Yiasouma - her counterparts in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland respectively. 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 It follows mounting anger over the premature end to the scheme and the claim that they were shelving the plan because local authorities could not accommodate the children something which has been rejected by several councils who said they were happy to accept more. The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby, and the head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, Cardinal Vincent Nichols have also called for the Government to reverse its decision. Lord Dubs, who was himself a child refugee having arrived in Britain as part of the Kindertransport just before the Second World War, has vowed to fight against the closure of the scheme. A legal challenge is expected to reach the High Court in May. A Government spokesperson said: " We are committed to supporting vulnerable children who are caught up in conflict and danger. Thanks to the goodwill of the British public and local authorities in the last year alone, we have provided refuge or other forms of leave to more than 8,000 children. "Our commitment to resettle 350 unaccompanied children from Europe is just one way we are helping. We have also committed to resettle up to 3,000 vulnerable children and family members from the MENA region and 20,000 Syrians by the end of this Parliament. We have a proud history of offering protection to those who need it and children will continue to arrive in the UK from around the world through our other resettlement schemes and asylum system. "The Government has significantly increased the funding it provides to local authorities who look after unaccompanied asylum-seeking children. It's vital that we get the balance right between enabling eligible children to come to the UK as quickly as possible and ensuring local authorities have capacity to host them and provide them with the support they will need. Sign up to the Inside Politics email for your free daily briefing on the biggest stories in UK politics Get our free Inside Politics email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Politics email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The Home Secretary is to unveil a 40m plan aimed at preventing a repeat of the child sexual exploitation scandals seen in Rotherham, Rochdale and Oxford. Amber Rudds cash injection will be used in part to set up a National Centre of Expertise for Preventing Child Sexual Exploitation to assist police forces in such investigations in the future. 20m of the fund will go to the National Crime Agency and 2.2m to charities working to protect children at risk of trafficking. The Home Secretary Amber Rudd said the plan would improve the UKs ability to fight such crimes. Children should be able to grow up free from the horrors of sexual abuse, exploitation and trafficking, she wrote in an article for the Mumsnet website. Since 2010, the Government has done more than any other to tackle these horrific offences. We have increased support for victims of sexual abuse, invested in training and technology to improve law enforcement's response to abuse both on and offline, and brought in a tougher inspection regime to ensure all front-line professions are meeting their child protection duties. But there is more to do. The measures I am announcing today will further improve our ability to protect children and under my watch I am determined to bring those that would try to steal their childhood to justice." UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 5 November 2022 Demonstrators with placards calling for a General Election march near the Houses of Parliament AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 4 November 2022 A peacock is seen in the early winter sunshine in the Dutch Gardens in Holland Park AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 3 November 2022 A villager cooks roti bread at the site of the annual Camel Fair in Pushkar, in India's desert state of Rajasthan AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 2 November 2022 A red squirrel gathers nuts in Pitlochry, Scotland Reuters UK news in pictures 1 November 2022 Englands Tara-Jane Stanley scores their sides seventh try against Brazil during the Womens Rugby League World Cup group A match at Headingley Stadium, Leeds PA 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 Richard Watts, chairman of the Local Government Association's Children and Young People Board, welcomed the investment. The measures announced today will make sure that we have the best evidence we can about preventing, tackling and helping victims to recover from child sexual abuse and exploitation, he said, and much-needed investment in services will help partners work together to keep more children safe." Sign up to the Inside Politics email for your free daily briefing on the biggest stories in UK politics Get our free Inside Politics email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Politics email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Around 350 businesses in Britain have been named and shamed by the Government for underpaying thousands of workers a total of nearly 1m. It is the biggest ever list of the national minimum wage and living wage offenders produced by the Business Department since the policy of naming and shaming was announced in 2013. Excuses for underpaying workers included using tips to top up pay, docking wages to pay for Christmas parties, and making staff pay for their own uniforms. Across the UK, 360 companies underpaid their employees a total of 995,233, with employers in the hairdressing, hospitality and retail sectors the most prolific offenders. Among the offenders high street retailer Debenhams was accused of failing to pay almost 135,000 to just under 12,000 workers. The company said it made a technical error in its payroll calculations, which resulted in an average underpayment of around 10 per person to affected workers in 2015. Business minister Margot James said: Every worker in the UK is entitled to at least the national minimum or living wage and this government will ensure they get it. That is why we have named and shamed more than 350 employers who failed to pay the legal minimum, sending the clear message to employers that minimum wage abuses will not go unpunished. The Business Department added that more than 1,500 cases are being worked on by HM Revenue and Customs, with more firms set to be named. Unions welcomed the announcement, but called for more prosecutions there have been 13 since 2007. Theresa May backs away from 'workers on company boards' plan TUC general secretary Frances OGrady said: This should be a wake-up call for employers who value their reputation. If you cheat your staff out of the minimum wage you will be named and shamed. The national minimum hourly rate ranges from 3.40 for apprentices and 4 for under 18s to 7.20 for people aged 25 and over. Rebecca Long-Bailey, Labours Shadow Business Secretary, said: It is frankly disgraceful that a record number of employers have failed to pay their workers the basic minimum wage and hopefully the repercussions of being publicly named and shamed will act as a deterrent for other unscrupulous employers. However, the fact remains that the current so-called National Living Wage is that in name only. The Chancellor even announced a cut in the rate at the Autumn Statement last year, leaving 2.7 million people over 1,300 worse off by 2020. Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The president of the Supreme Court has warned that its judges will end up being picked for their political or religious views if they are vetted by MPs before appointment. Right-wing politicians including Iain Duncan Smith and Ukips Suzanne Evans called for Parliament to scrutinise Britains judges, following the furore over their Article 50 rulings. The former Conservative Cabinet minister pointed to United States as a model, where would-be justices undergo gruelling hearings in the Senate which pore over every aspect of their legal opinions and personal lives. Recommended Davis indicates Britain unlikely to invoke Article 50 at EU summit But Lord Neuberger fiercely criticised the idea, saying: Would you want to know what their religious beliefs are, what their political beliefs are? Lord Neuberger, who will retire later this year, acknowledged he had a pretty good idea how many of his colleagues on the Supreme Court bench voted. But he added: One or two Ive discovered which way they have voted in the past and I was surprised. In practice, I do not think that our political views influence our decisions in any way. I think intruding into somebodys political views, religious views, social views is not going to help and will end up, I fear, politicising the judiciary in a way which, mercifully, has not happened at all in this country. The president spoke out as he also accused sections of the British press of "undermining the rule of law" in coverage of the Article 50 case. In an apparent reference to Justice Secretary Liz Truss, he said politicians could have been quicker and clearer in defending the judiciary after the High Court ruling that the consent of MPs was required to start the Brexit process. The November ruling sparked vitriolic coverage in some newspapers, with the Daily Mail branding the three judges Enemies of The People in a now-notorious front-page headline. Ms Truss then came under fire for failing to speak out to defend them against that abuse, including an accusation that her silence broke the law. Lord Neuberger did not single out any politicians or newspapers, but told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: We were certainly not well treated. One has to be careful about being critical of the press, particularly as a lawyer or judge, because our view of life is very different from that of the media. I think some of what was said was undermining the rule of law. Asked whether politicians responded quickly enough to defend the judiciary and rule of law, he said: I think they could have been quicker and clearer. But we all learn by experience, whether politicians or judges. It's easy to be critical after the event. They were faced with an unexpected situation from which, like all sensible people, they learned. The response had been much swifter when the President and his colleagues at the Supreme Court rejected a Government appeal against the ruling last month, he said. Lord Neuberger was speaking as the process was launched to appoint three new judges to the Supreme Court, including his successor as president. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Omar Bongo was so successful at the art of holding on to power that by the end of his life there was no one left in his country with enough authority to pronounce him dead. It took more than 24 hours for the death of the 73-year-old president of Gabon to be confirmed, during which time there were no less than three official denials from the West African nation. The final word eventually came yesterday afternoon from Gabon's prime minister Jean Eyeghe Ndong, who confirmed the president had died of a cardiac arrest in a Barcelona hospital. This was just hours after the same official had held a press conference at the clinic to say he had seen his president "alive and well". Africa's longest serving leader would have probably enjoyed the confusion. It was certainly a tribute to his extraordinary ability to sideline rivals and ensure no competitor, either individually or institutionally, could construct a power base to challenge him. "President Omar Bongo's greatest legacy is the political stability he was able to achieve and maintain throughout his time in office," said Tara O'Connor, managing director of Africa Risk Consulting. "Unlike neighbouring Congo-Brazzaville and Cote d'Ivoire where the elite's resistance to democracy ultimately provoked civil war, President Bongo met the challenge and later artfully co-opted his opponents into high government office." Albert Bernard Bongo was born in 1935, the 12th son of a farmer who died when he was seven years old. His official website boasts that "he didn't come into the world on a hospital bed, and he didn't have a cot or a nanny". In 1973, six years after taking over from Gabon's first post-independence leader, he converted to Islam, taking the name El Hadj Omar Bongo. By the time of his death, his name was Omar Bongo Ondimba, after he added a pre-colonial traditional name, reclaimed to underline his African credentials. There was very little that the man who wore platform shoes to disguise his short stature would not do to get an edge. And this played no small part in the fact that when he died, he was one of the richest men in the world. Although no clear figure of his net worth has been confirmed, the scale of his plundered riches had begun to emerge thanks to a court case in Gabon's former colonial master, France. Mr Bongo was one of three African leaders accused this year of embezzlement by the French wing of corruption watchdog, Transparency International. Also under investigation are Republic of Congo leader Denis Sassou-Nguesso, a close ally and father-in-law of Mr Bongo, and Teodoro Obiang Nguema of Equatorial Guinea. The trio have been accused of looting state coffers. Their extensive portfolio of French properties, worth many multiples of their stated official earnings, have been cited as evidence of corruption. Throughout his four-decade stint in office which began with the death of his predecessor Leon M'ba in 1967 in a French hospital, former army officer Bongo displayed an acute understanding of the importance of relations with Paris. "Gabon without France is like a car with no driver. France without Gabon is like a car with no fuel," is how the former French air force lieutenant liked to describe the bond. When French oil giant ELF was looking for a base of operations in the 1970s, Mr Bongo made sure it was Gabon to which they turned first. The Paris trial in 2003 of former Elf chairman Loik Le Floch-Prigent revealed the extent of the corruption and shady dealings in the resultant oil boom where the company was allowed to operate as a "state within a state" in a manner that foreshadowed companies like Royal Dutch Shell in their later dealings with Nigeria. The Gabonese president shrugged off revelations of huge kickback payments to his personal accounts, dismissing them as a "French matter". Prior to the current suit brought by Transparency International, a police investigation into French real estate owned by the president and his family uncovered 33 properties in Paris and on the Riviera worth an estimated $190m. A decade ago, a US Senate probe into private banking operations at Citibank estimated that the president held $130m in personal accounts and concluded that there could be "no doubt that these financial assets were sourced in the public finances of Gabon". Through a shrewd disbursement of this vast wealth, collected from oil, the farmer's son maintained friendships with French politicians of every ideological hue that sustained him almost until the end. "He was a great figure of Africa," a "man who had influence", said French Defence Minister Herve Morin when told of his death. The special relationship had become strained, though, under the presidency of Nicolas Sarkozy whose government is considering dismantling its 1,000-strong army base in Libreville. The current frostiness was demonstrated by the ailing autocrat's decision to seek treatment last month in Barcelona, rather than a French hospital. Amid rumours that he had cancer, Gabon officials insisted he was having a "routine check-up". Even after his death, the West African country's prime minister insisted that Mr Bongo had died of a "cardiac arrest", making no mention of cancer. In Libreville one of the favourite jokes was that the quickest way to become a millionaire was to set up an opposition party. The experience of Pierre Mamboundou, leader of the Union for the People of Gabon who until recently was considered the president's main challenger is proof that it was more than a joke. Mr Mamboundou, the veteran of two bruising and ultimately unsuccessful presidential contests with Mr Bongo, enjoyed a reputation as an uncompromising free speaker prepared to go to jail for the strength of his convictions. Since 2006 he has gone politically quiet and has since revealed that Bongo offered to give him $21.5m for the development of his constituency. If his case illustrates the carrot used by the farmer's son, then Joseph Rendjambe reveals the stick. The opposition leader died in mysterious circumstances in 1990, the very year the president finally bowed to pressure to scrap the one-party state and bring in multi-party democracy. Only there was no one to lead the opposition. Rendjambe's death sparked riots that rocked Gabon for weeks and presented a rare threat to the regime. The reality of the Bongo years meant that while Gabon missed the worst of the instability that hit West Africa, it also missed the opportunities to transform itself as a country with the same per capita wealth as Portugal could have done. A small elite were the closest that Gabon came to fostering a middle class and many in the rural areas remained untouched by the oil money. While the country has almost 900 miles of oil pipeline, it has less than 600 miles of paved roads. The passing of one of Africa's more memorable "Big Men" caused confusion and fear in Libreville, where many shops and businesses have been closed since reports first emerged in French media on Sunday night. For the vast majority of the tiny nation's 1.4 million people, the diminutive farmer's son was the only president they had known, having been in charge for 41 years. "We closed the restaurant since the announcement," said one waiter. "People are scared." Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} An organisation set up by the actor Ashton Kutcher has identified 2,000 child victims of trafficking in the past six months. The Hollywood star gave an emotional speech to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday, as he called for more to be done to tackle child sexual abuse. The 39-year-old co-founded Thorn: Digital Defenders of Children, which builds software to fight human trafficking, with his ex-wife Demi Moore in 2009. In total, the tool had identified 6,000 victims of modern slavery in six months, he revealed. The visibly emotional actor, who has two young children with actress Mila Kunis, said: As part of my anti-trafficking work, I've met victims in Russia, I've met victims in India, I've met victims that have been trafficked from Mexico, victims from New York and New Jersey and all across our country. "I've been on FBI raids where I've seen things that no person should ever see. "I've seen video content of a child that's the same age as mine being raped by an American man that was a sex tourist in Cambodia. "And this child was so conditioned by her environment that she thought she was engaging in play." Kutcher said his team received a call from the Department of Homeland Security asking for help to find a seven-year-old girl after footage of her being sexually abused was "spread around the dark web". Anti-Slavery Day: One victim of child sex trafficking is one too many Show all 2 1 /2 Anti-Slavery Day: One victim of child sex trafficking is one too many Anti-Slavery Day: One victim of child sex trafficking is one too many 6462-000039.jpg Getty Creative Anti-Slavery Day: One victim of child sex trafficking is one too many chart.jpg "She'd been abused for three years and they'd watched her for three years and they could not find the perpetrator, asking us for help," he said. "We were the last line of defence. An actor and his foundation were the potential last line of defence. "That's my day job and I'm sticking to it." In a more light-hearted moment at the hearing, Kutcher blew a kiss towards Republican senator and former US presidential candidate John McCain. It came after McCain told the actor: "Ashton, you were better looking in the movies." Additional reporting by PA Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has celebrated a controversial trade deal with the European Union. Addressing the EU parliament a day after the pact was formally approved, Mr Trudeau said the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (Ceta) deal would create jobs and boost the middle class on both sides of the Atlantic. He said trade that is free and fair means that we can make the lives of our citizens more affordable. Mr Trudeau, who is widely admired and recently made headlines for attracting the eye of Ivanka Trump, praised the deal, which critics fear gives too much power to multinational companies and will undermine the EU's environmental, labour and consumer standards. He presented the pact as a "blue-print" for future trade deals and said it was the outcome of Europe and Canada's shared history and values. Ceta will eliminate most tariffs for business between the EU's economy of half a billion people and Canada's 35 million. In 90 seconds: Trump and Trudeau differ over border control The EU Parliament approved the deal with a wide margin of 408, 254 against and 33 abstentions. Hundreds of protesters gathered at the European Parliament building in Strasbourg ahead of the vote. Mark Dearn, senior trade campaigner at anti-poverty charity War on Want, warned the deal would "worsen inequality and increase social tensions across the continent." He said: Worse still, Cetas corporate court process destroys equality before the law and will give big business new powers to sue [the UK's] government." Why we should all go to Canada Show all 8 1 /8 Why we should all go to Canada Why we should all go to Canada The great outdoors You might spot a moose, for goodness' sake Mark Rowland/Flickr Why we should all go to Canada Road trips You can drive through some of the most incredible scenery MaxGag/Flickr Why we should all go to Canada Maple syrup It's available in almost any form, including maple taffy - heated syrup that's been dropped on to ice to cool and turned into a kind of chewy lollypop Marcio Cabral de Moura/Flickr Why we should all go to Canada Friendly Cities The likes of Montreal, Vancouver and Toronto are not only cool, but welcoming too Getty Images Why we should all go to Canada Arctic cruises You can float between icebergs - enough said Shutterstock Why we should all go to Canada Skiing and snowboarding Resorts such as Whistler are world class Getty Images Why we should all go to Canada Real winter Canada really embraces the cold, with everything from igloo raves to husky rides EveryDamnNameIsInUse/Flickr Why we should all go to Canada Wine They make a pretty good tipple here Nomade Moderne/Flickr Laurens Ankersmit, a lawyer for environmental law organisation ClientEarth, warned the European Parliament had placed a greater value in business interests than a commitment to the rule of law. He added: Unfortunately, Ceta is not a progressive agreement. It offers businesses a great deal, including the ability to sue governments without any strings attached. "There are no obligations for investors, the commitments in the environmental chapter are not enforceable and the exceptions clauses necessary to safeguard decision-making in the public interest are completely outdated. Mr Trudeau went on to compliment the EU, telling the parliament: "You are a vital player in addressing the challenges we collectively face. "The whole world benefits from a strong EU." Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} China has awarded Donald Trump a 10-year trademark for construction services in his own name, a decade after the businessman began his attempts to have the measure approved. It is thought to be the first trademark awarded to Mr Trumps real-estate business since he was elected. It comes days after the US President said he would stick to the countrys One China policy, ending weeks of speculation he could break four decades of foreign policy by addressing Taiwan directly rather than as part of One China. Mr Trump previously stirred up diplomatic concerns after he arranged a phone call with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen shortly after the 2016 election. The call was the first by a US president-elect or president since Jimmy Carter switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 1979. Following the phone call, China lodged a protest with US officials. But last week, the White House confirmed that after a lengthy phone call with China President Xi Jinping, the White House said that the two discussed numerous topics and President Trump agreed, at the request of President Xi, to honour our One China policy. Mr Trump won the legal dispute over the right to use his name in China shortly after he was elected US President. The trademark, which aims to provide real-estate-agent services in commercial and residential properties in China, was then provisionally approved after a year-long legal fight, The Wall Street Journal reports. The reasons for Mr Trumps victory in the case are unclear and come more than 10 years after Mr Trump first registered his trademark in China, in 2006. The U-turn over Mr Trump's trademark shortly after his election has raised questions about the extent to which his political status may be helping his family business. He has 49 pending trademark application in China and 77 have already been registered in his own name, most of which will come up for renewal during his term. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty The US President critics say these business interests could be used by foreign government as leverage over Mr Trump. This would violate the first article of the Constitution, which bans holders of public office from receiving financial benefits from foreign governments unless explicitly approved by Congress. Any special treatment from China would mean Mr Trump was effectively accepting gifts from Beijing. Chief White House ethics lawyer under President George W Bush, Richard Painter, said: "A different conclusion might be reached if Trump had been treated like everyone else seeking a trademark, but the evidence does not point in that direction." Alan Garten, chief legal officer of the Trump Organisation, said Mr Trump's trademark activity in China started well before his election and that Mr Trump handed over the management of his company to his children and a team of executives to remove himself from his business and its trademark. China's State Administration for Industry and Commerce, which oversees the Trademark Office, and the foreign ministry could not be reached for comment. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Donald Trump has suggested he is open to the idea of a one-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, breaking with two-decades of US commitment to an eventual two-state solution. Speaking at a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanhayu, the US President said he was looking at two states and one state, and was happy with the one both parties like, to laughs from reporters. This is the 70-year-olds statement on Israel in full: Thank you very much. Thank you. Today I have the honour of welcoming my friend, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to the White House. With this visit, the United States again reaffirms our unbreakable bond with our cherished ally, Israel. The partnership between our two countries built on our shared values has advanced the cause of human freedom, dignity and peace. These are the building blocks of democracy. The state of Israel is a symbol to the world of resilience in the face of oppression. I can think of no other state that's gone through what they've gone, and of survival in the face of genocide. We will never forget what the Jewish people have endured. Your perseverance in the face of hostility, your open democracy in the face of violence, and your success in the face of tall odds is truly inspirational. The security challenges faced by Israel are enormous, including the threat of Iran's nuclear ambitions, which I've talked a lot about. One of the worst deals I've ever seen is the Iran deal. My administration has already imposed new sanctions on Iran, and I will do more to prevent Iran from ever developing - I mean ever - a nuclear weapon. Our security assistance to Israel is currently at an all-time high, ensuring that Israel has the ability to defend itself from threats of which there are unfortunately many. Both of our countries will continue and grow. We have a long history of cooperation in the fight against terrorism and the fight against those who do not value human life. America and Israel are two nations that cherish the value of all human life. This is one more reason why I reject unfair and one-sided actions against Israel at the United Nations - just treated Israel, in my opinion, very, very unfairly - or other international forums, as well as boycotts that target Israel. Our administration is committed to working with Israel and our common allies in the region towards greater security and stability. That includes working toward a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians. The United States will encourage a peace and, really, a great peace deal. We'll be working on it very, very diligently. Very important to me also -- something we want to do. But it is the parties themselves who must directly negotiate such an agreement. We'll be beside them; we'll be working with them. As with any successful negotiation, both sides will have to make compromises. You know that, right? I want the Israeli people to know that the United States stands with Israel in the struggle against terrorism. As you know, Mr Prime Minister, our two nations will always condemn terrorist acts. Peace requires nations to uphold the dignity of human life and to be a voice for all of those who are endangered and forgotten. The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Show all 9 1 /9 The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the media White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer takes questions during the daily press briefing Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Trans-Pacific Partnership Union leaders applaud US President Donald Trump for signing an executive order withdrawing the US from the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations during a meeting in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington DC. Mr Trump issued a presidential memorandum in January announcing that the US would withdraw from the trade deal Getty The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Mexico wall A US Border Patrol vehicle sits waiting for illegal immigrants at a fence opening near the US-Mexico border near McAllen, Texas. The number of incoming immigrants has surged ahead of the upcoming Presidential inauguration of Donald Trump, who has pledged to build a wall along the US-Mexico border. A signature campaign promise, Mr Trump outlined his intention to build a border wall on the US-Mexico border days after taking office Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and abortion US President Donald Trump signs an executive order as Chief of Staff Reince Priebus looks on in the Oval Office of the White House. Mr Trump reinstated a ban on American financial aide being granted to non-governmental organizations that provide abortion counseling, provide abortion referrals, or advocate for abortion access outside of the United States Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Dakota Access pipeline Opponents of the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines hold a rally as they protest US President Donald Trump's executive orders advancing their construction, at Columbus Circle in New York. US President Donald Trump signed executive orders reviving the construction of two controversial oil pipelines, but said the projects would be subject to renegotiation Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and 'Obamacare' Nancy Pelosi who is the minority leader of the House of Representatives speaks beside House Democrats at an event to protect the Affordable Care Act in Los Angeles, California. US President Donald Trump's effort to make good on his campaign promise to repeal and replace the healthcare law failed when Republicans failed to get enough votes. Mr Trump has promised to revisit the matter Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Donald Trump and 'sanctuary cities' US President Donald Trump signed an executive order in January threatening to pull funding for so-called "sanctuary cities" if they do not comply with federal immigration law AP The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the travel ban US President Donald Trump has attempted twice to restrict travel into the United States from several predominantly Muslim countries. The first attempt, in February, was met with swift opposition from protesters who flocked to airports around the country. That travel ban was later blocked by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The second ban was blocked by a federal judge a day before it was scheduled to be implemented in mid-March SANDY HUFFAKER/AFP/Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and climate change US President Donald Trump sought to dismantle several of his predecessor's actions on climate change in March. His order instructed the Environmental Protection Agency to reevaluate the Clean Power Plan, which would cap power plant emissions Shannon Stapleton/Reuters Those are the ideals to which we all, and will always, aspire and commit. This will be the first of many productive meetings. And I, again, Mr Prime Minister, thank you very much for being with us today. Mr Prime Minister, thank you. Responding to a question on Iran and the issue of Israeli settlements, Mr Trump said: Michael Flynn, General Flynn is a wonderful man. I think hes been treated very, very unfairly by the media - as I call it, the fake media, in many cases. And I think its really a sad thing that he was treated so badly. I think, in addition to that, from intelligence - papers are being leaked, things are being leaked. Its criminal actions, criminal act, and its been going on for a long time - before me. But now its really going on, and people are trying to cover up for a terrible loss that the Democrats had under Hillary Clinton. I think its very, very unfair whats happened to General Flynn, the way he was treated, and the documents and papers that were illegally - I stress that - illegally leaked. Very, very unfair. As far as settlements, Id like to see you hold back on settlements for a little bit. Well work something out. But I would like to see a deal be made. I think a deal will be made. I know that every President would like to. Most of them have not started until late because they never thought it was possible. And it wasnt possible because they didn't do it. But Bibi and I have known each other a long time - a smart man, great negotiator. And I think we're going to make a deal. It might be a bigger and better deal than people in this room even understand. That's a possibility. So lets see what we do. Responding to questions about the notion of a two-state solution and whether the US embassy could be moved to Jerusalem, Mr Trump said: So Im looking at two-state and one-state, and I like the one that both parties like [laughter]. Im very happy with the one that both parties like. I can live with either one. I thought for a while the two-state looked like it may be the easier of the two. But honestly, if Bibi and if the Palestinians - if Israel and the Palestinians are happy, Im happy with the one they like the best. As far as the embassy moving to Jerusalem, Id love to see that happen. We're looking at it very, very strongly. We're looking at it with great care - great care, believe me. And well see what happens. Okay? Responding to comments from Mr Netanyahu about a possible regional approach involving our newfound Arab partners to the conflict, Mr Trump said: And we have been discussing that, and it is something that is very different, hasn't been discussed before. And it's actually a much bigger deal, a much more important deal, in a sense. It would take in many, many countries and it would cover a very large territory. So I didn't know you were going to be mentioning that, but that's - now that you did, I think it's a terrific thing and I think we have some pretty good cooperation from people that in the past would never, ever have even thought about doing this. So we'll see how that works out. On a question about more specific compromises the President had in mind to help broker a peace deal, Mr Trump said: It's actually an interesting question. I think that the Israelis are going to have to show some flexibility, which is hard, it's hard to do. They're going to have to show the fact that they really want to make a deal. I think our new concept that we've been discussing actually for a while is something that allows them to show more flexibility than they have in the past because you have a lot bigger canvas to play with. And I think they'll do that. I think they very much would like to make a deal or I wouldn't be happy and I wouldn't be here and I wouldn't be as optimistic as I am. I really think they -- I can tell you from the standpoint of Bibi and from the standpoint of Israel, I really believe they want to make a deal and they'd like to see the big deal. I think the Palestinians have to get rid of some of that hate that they're taught from a very young age. They're taught tremendous hate. I've seen what they're taught. And you can talk about flexibility there too, but it starts at a very young age and it starts in the school room. And they have to acknowledge Israel -- they're going to have to do that. There's no way a deal can be made if they're not ready to acknowledge a very, very great and important country. And I think they're going to be willing to do that also. But now I also believe we're going to have, Katie, other players at a very high level, and I think it might make it easier on both the Palestinians and Israel to get something done. Okay? Thank you. Very interesting question. Thank you. Mr Trump was finally asked for his response to alleged rising anti-Semitism across the US since his election, and accusations his administration was playing with xenophobia. He said: Well, I just want to say that we are very honoured by the victory that we had - 306 Electoral College votes. We were not supposed to crack 220. You know that, right? There was no way to 221, but then they said theres no way to 270. And theres tremendous enthusiasm out there. I will say that we are going to have peace in this country. We are going to stop crime in this country. We are going to do everything within our power to stop long-simmering racism and every other thing thats going on, because lot of bad things have been taking place over a long period of time. I think one of the reasons I won the election is we have a very, very divided nation. Very divided. And, hopefully, Ill be able to do something about that. And, you know, it was something that was very important to me. As far as people - Jewish people - so many friends, a daughter who happens to be here right now, a son-in-law, and three beautiful grandchildren. I think that youre going to see a lot different United States of America over the next three, four, or eight years. I think a lot of good things are happening, and youre going to see a lot of love. Youre going to see a lot of love. Okay? Thank you. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Donald Trump has announced Alexander Acosta as his new Labour Secretary, the first Hispanic cabinet member, after fast food restaurant businessman Andy Puzder stepped down. The new "establishment" pick became the Dean of Florida International University College of Law after resigning as attorney for the Southern District of Florida in 2009. He was reportedly considered for President of the new school, but UCLA law professor Stephen Bainbridge, he was rejected due to negative reactions to his roles in two cases in which a lawyer's conversations were secretly recorded. At a press conference President Trump said Mr Acosta had a "tremendous career". "I wished him the best. We just spoke. I think he will be a tremendous Secretary of Labour." The President said he was also a "great student", who graduated from Harvard Law School and clerked for Judge Samuel Alito on the Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit for a year before going to work at the Washington DC law firm Kirkland & Ellis. Former President George W Bush appointed him to the National Labour Relations Board for about a year between 2002 and 2003, where he claimed he authored more than 125 opinions. He later worked as assistant attorney general for the US Department of Justice's civil rights division, the first Hispanic person to work in such a position and again appointed by Mr Bush. In 2004, he was criticised for his decision to notify a federal judge that the Justice Department did not object to Republicans plan to place challengers at some polling places during the election. Democrats argued the move was discriminatory as these people were placed in mostly black neighbourhoods. He resigned in 2005. Donald Trump's controversial cabinet Six years later, he testified before Congress about the rights of protecting Muslim Americans. He said "we are a nation build [sic] on principles of freedom, and high on the list of freedoms is freedom of religious expression. Indeed, as is well known to this Committee, this freedom pre-dates our Constitution." Mr Acosta met with the President on Wednesday evening just a few hours after Mr Puzder decided to step down from the role, after allegations of domestic abuse resurfaced via a decades-old old Oprah Winfrey tape which was handed to the ultimate Senate committee. The fast food executive's own employees had also testified against him in the Senate, claiming they had not been paid for overtime work. Support for Mr Puzder quickly evaporated with seven Republicans refusing to stand for him, and he needed 50 out of 52 to vote for him. His withdrawal was the first cabinet pick casualty and a large set back for Mr Trump after former national security adviser Michael Flynn was forced to resign following revelations he misled Vice President Mike Pence about his calls with the Russian ambassador last year. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The number of hate groups specifically targeting Muslims in the US has nearly tripled in the past year with Islamophobic hate crime soared, according to a new report. Researchers The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) attributed the dramatic spike to Donald Trump's campaign, saying his success energised the radical right. The number of anti-Muslim organisations known to be operating in the country rose from just 34 in 2015 to 101 in 2016, according to the left-leaning non-profit's Annual Census of Hate Groups and Extremist Organisations. The total number of hate groups in the United States also rose for a second year in a row, but less steeplyfrom 892 to 917. The organisation reported a rash of crimes targeting Muslims, including an arson that destroyed a mosque in Victoria, Texas, just hours after the Trump administration announced an executive order suspending travel from seven majority-Muslim countries. The latest FBI statistics show that hate crimes against Muslims grew by 67 percent in 2015, the year in which Mr Trump launched his campaign. The survey, contained in the spring 2017 issue of the SPLCs Intelligence Report, includes a 'Hate Map' showing the names, types and locations of hate groups across the country. Map showing, by location, all anti-Muslim hate groups in the United States (Southern Poverty Law Center) (Southern Poverty Law Center (screenshot)) It shows a cluster of anti-Muslim groups on the East Coast, and dozens of others dotted across the US. 2016 was an unprecedented year for hate, said Mark Potok, senior fellow and editor of the Intelligence Report. The country saw a resurgence of white nationalism that imperils the racial progress weve made, along with the rise of a president whose policies reflect the values of white nationalists. In Steve Bannon, these extremists think they finally have an ally who has the president's ear. The SPLC added they believe Mr Trumps "incendiary rhetoric", including his campaign pledge to ban Muslims from entering the United States, had combined with anger over terrorist attacks, such as the June massacre of 49 people in a gay nightclub in Orlando, to fuel the rise in anti-Muslim hate. The organisation also pointed to several high profile jobs in Mr Trump's administration awarded to people with "anti-Muslim, anti-LGBT, and white nationalist sympathies". "Trumps run for office electrified the radical right, which saw in him a champion of the idea that America is fundamentally a white mans country," said Mr Potok, citing as part of the problem the appointment to senior posts of retired general Mike Flynn, who has described Islam as a malignant cancer and tweeted that [f]ear of Muslims is RATIONAL, and Mike Pompeo who is close to some of the countrys "most rabid anti-Muslim extremists". The researchers added that the recorded number of hate groups probably understated the actual level of organised hatred in America, as a growing number of extremists operate mainly online and are not formally affiliated with hate groups. Although the FBI have not yet released statistics for hate crimes against Muslims for 2016, the SPLC said they had measured an increase in other ways. In the first 10 days after Mr Trump's election, the SPLC documented 867 bias-related incidents, including more than 300 that targeted immigrants or Muslims. In a post-election SPLC survey of 10,000 educators, 90 per cent said the climate at their schools had been negatively affected by the Trump campaign. "Eighty per cent described heightened anxiety and fear among students, particularly immigrants, Muslims and African Americans," the organisation said. "Numerous teachers reported the use of slurs, derogatory language and extremist symbols in their classrooms." Activists protest Donald Trump's proposed Muslim ban Show all 11 1 /11 Activists protest Donald Trump's proposed Muslim ban Activists protest Donald Trump's proposed Muslim ban People listen to speakers at a demonstration against racism and conservative presidential candidate Donald Trump's recent remarks concerning Muslims on December 10, 2015 in New York City. Dozens or demonstrators and activists converged at Columbus Circle to denounce the politics of Trump and the treatment of Muslim refugees both in America and Europe. Spencer Platt/Getty Activists protest Donald Trump's proposed Muslim ban People listen to speakers at a demonstration against racism and conservative presidential candidate Donald Trump's recent remarks concerning Muslims on December 10, 2015 in New York City. Dozens or demonstrators and activists converged at Columbus Circle to denounce the politics of Trump and the treatment of Muslim refugees both in America and Europe. Spencer Platt/Getty Activists protest Donald Trump's proposed Muslim ban People listen to speakers at a demonstration against racism and conservative presidential candidate Donald Trump's recent remarks concerning Muslims on December 10, 2015 in New York City. Dozens or demonstrators and activists converged at Columbus Circle to denounce the politics of Trump and the treatment of Muslim refugees both in America and Europe. Spencer Platt/Getty Activists protest Donald Trump's proposed Muslim ban People listen to speakers at a demonstration against racism and conservative presidential candidate Donald Trump's recent remarks concerning Muslims on December 10, 2015 in New York City. Dozens or demonstrators and activists converged at Columbus Circle to denounce the politics of Trump and the treatment of Muslim refugees both in America and Europe. Spencer Platt/Getty Activists protest Donald Trump's proposed Muslim ban People listen to speakers at a demonstration against racism and conservative presidential candidate Donald Trump's recent remarks concerning Muslims on December 10, 2015 in New York City. Dozens or demonstrators and activists converged at Columbus Circle to denounce the politics of Trump and the treatment of Muslim refugees both in America and Europe. Spencer Platt/Getty Activists protest Donald Trump's proposed Muslim ban People listen to speakers at a demonstration against racism and conservative presidential candidate Donald Trump's recent remarks concerning Muslims on December 10, 2015 in New York City. Dozens or demonstrators and activists converged at Columbus Circle to denounce the politics of Trump and the treatment of Muslim refugees both in America and Europe. Getty Activists protest Donald Trump's proposed Muslim ban People listen to speakers at a demonstration against racism and conservative presidential candidate Donald Trump's recent remarks concerning Muslims on December 10, 2015 in New York City. Dozens or demonstrators and activists converged at Columbus Circle to denounce the politics of Trump and the treatment of Muslim refugees both in America and Europe. Spencer Platt/Getty Activists protest Donald Trump's proposed Muslim ban People listen to speakers at a demonstration against racism and conservative presidential candidate Donald Trump's recent remarks concerning Muslims on December 10, 2015 in New York City. Dozens or demonstrators and activists converged at Columbus Circle to denounce the politics of Trump and the treatment of Muslim refugees both in America and Europe. Spencer Platt/Getty Activists protest Donald Trump's proposed Muslim ban People listen to speakers at a demonstration against racism and conservative presidential candidate Donald Trump's recent remarks concerning Muslims on December 10, 2015 in New York City. Dozens or demonstrators and activists converged at Columbus Circle to denounce the politics of Trump and the treatment of Muslim refugees both in America and Europe. Spencer Platt/Getty Activists protest Donald Trump's proposed Muslim ban People listen to speakers at a demonstration against racism and conservative presidential candidate Donald Trump's recent remarks concerning Muslims on December 10, 2015 in New York City. Dozens or demonstrators and activists converged at Columbus Circle to denounce the politics of Trump and the treatment of Muslim refugees both in America and Europe. Spencer Platt/Getty Activists protest Donald Trump's proposed Muslim ban People listen to speakers at a demonstration against racism and conservative presidential candidate Donald Trump's recent remarks concerning Muslims on December 10, 2015 in New York City. Dozens or demonstrators and activists converged at Columbus Circle to denounce the politics of Trump and the treatment of Muslim refugees both in America and Europe. Spencer Platt/Getty Mr Trump has denounced some racist groups, but been evasive when asked to call out others. At a meeting with the New York Times in November he said: If they are energised, I want to look into it and find out why. Asked at a news conference on Wednesday about a spike in anti-Semitic threats, Mr Trump told reporters: We are going to do everything within our power to stop long-simmering racism and every other thing thats going on. I think one of the reasons that I won the election is because we have a very, very divided nation, the president added. Very divided, and hopefully, Ill be able to do something about that. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Americas defence minister has said that the US was not in a position right now for military collaboration with Russia - a blow to those in Moscow who may wish for a speedy strategic realignment following the election of Donald Trump. Speaking at NATO headquarters in Brussels, US defence secretary Jim Mattis said Washington would continue to engage politically with Russia, in an effort to try and find areas of agreement. But in words that appeared to put an end to the prospect of the two countries working more closely to battle Isis in Syria, he said military cooperation was not yet possible. We are not in a position right now to collaborate on a military level, he said, according to Reuters. But our political leaders will engage and try to find common ground. US Defence Secretary James Mattis (REUTERS/Yuri Gripas) The US stopped military-to-military relations with Russia in the wake of the 2014 annexation of Ukraines Crimea region. During the election campaign, Mr Trump repeatedly praised Russian president Vladimir Putin and suggested the two countries may be able to work together against Isis. At the moment, the US and Russia military communicate in Syria about air sorties, to avoid mid-air collisions, but do not cooperate further than that. Mr Putin on Thursday called for increased intelligence cooperation with the US and NATO. It's in everyones interest to resume dialogue between the intelligence agencies of the United States and other members of NATO, Mr Putin said, addressing Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB). Donald Trump says General Mattis and him disagree on torture Its absolutely clear that in the area of counter-terrorism all relevant governments and international groups should work together. In Brussels, the Russian defiance minister, Sergei Shoigu, also expressed a willingness to resume cooperation with the Pentagon. But Russias proposals come at a fraught time for the US administration. Mr Trump was obliged to get rid of his national security advisor after it emerged he had lied about the content of a call he made to a Russian diplomat. Meanwhile, senior Democrats have called for an independent inquiry into what links Mr Trump may or may not have to Russia. This comes against a backdrop of alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election to try and benefit Mr Trump. Mr Trump has repeatedly downplayed US intelligence claims of Russian interference, and claimed he and his administration are the victims of illegal leaks and fake news. As it was Mr Mattis, had little problem saying he believed Moscow had tried to interfere in the election. Right now, I would just say there's very little doubt that they have either interfered or they have attempted to interfere in a number of elections in the democracies, he said, He reportedly told a closed-door session of NATO on Wednesday that the alliance needed to be realistic about the chances of restoring a cooperative relationship with Moscow and ensure its diplomats could negotiate from a position of strength. That prompted a terse reply from Mr Shoigu. Attempts to build a dialogue with Russia from a position of strength would be futile, Mr Shoigu was quoted as saying by Russias TASS news agency. Mr Mattis replied: I have no need to respond to the Russian statement at all. NATO has always stood for military strength and protection of the democracies and the freedoms we intend to pass on to our children. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Donald Trumps father ordered an employee to get rid of blacks in an apartment block and to avoid renting out flats to them, a newly released FBI dossier has claimed. The potentially damaging allegations of racial discrimination relate to 1973 when Fred Trump was chairman of the Trump Management Company and his son Donald was heavily involved in the family firm as its 27-year-old president. They are contained within a 389-page dossier that has just been made public by the FBI at a time when the US President is already tweeting furiously about how classified information is illegally being given out by the intelligence community like candy. The ex-Trump employee who said he was fired after annoying Trump Sr by proposing changes that involved his company spending money told an FBI special agent that in December 1973: Fred Trump told me not to rent to blacks. He also wanted me to get rid of blacks that were in the building by telling them cheap housing was available for them [elsewhere] at only $500 down payment, which Trump would offer to pay himself. Elsewhere in the FBI dossier, a former doorman at a Trump property in Brooklyn claimed that a supervisor told me that if a black person came to 2650 Ocean Parkway and inquired about an apartment for rent, and he was not there at the time, that I should tell him that the rent was twice as much as it really was, in order that he could not afford the apartment. The dossier, which has just been published on the FBIs freedom of information page, also contains allegations of black people being told no apartments were available for rent, while whites later sent to check on the same properties found they were available. It appears to contain all the FBIs documents relating to an investigation conducted between 1972 and 1974 into allegations that the Trump Management Company had discriminated against applicants for apartment rentals on account of their race. Many of the documents, which are redacted in places, consist of interviews in which people connected to Trump properties insist they were unaware of any discrimination at all. It is, however, extremely unlikely that President Trump will welcome the release of the FBI dossier when he is already under fire for his attempted Muslim ban on people entering the US and campaign statements about immigrants that accused many of them of being criminals, rapists or bad hombres. The release of the dossier also comes two days after Trumps security adviser Michael Flynn had to resign over a phone call to Russias ambassador to the US. This has already caused Trump to rail against the illegal handing over of information by intelligence agencies including the FBI in a series of frustrated tweets. It was not immediately clear why the FBI had released the dossier at such a potentially sensitive time, but it will now remind the US public of what in the 1970s was one of the biggest federal housing discrimination suits ever brought. In October 1973, the Civil Rights Division of the US Justice Department filed a lawsuit against the Trump Management Company, and Donald and Fred Trump, alleging that African-Americans and Puerto Ricans were systematically excluded from apartments. In a press release the Justice Department accused the company which owned 39 buildings, containing a total of more than 14,000 apartments of violating civil rights laws by: refusing to rent and negotiate rentals with blacks, requiring different rental terms and conditions because of race, and misrepresenting that apartments were not available. Donald Trump, then just five years out of business school, responded in typically pugnacious style, holding a news conference at the New York Hilton in December 1973 and railing against the outrageous lies of the US government. The Trumps retained Roy Cohn, former aide to Senator Joseph McCarthy, to defend them and counter-claimed against the government, seeking $100m in damages for defamation with no success. It was the first time Donald Trump had come to national prominence. He rejected all suggestions of racial discrimination and signed an affidavit saying: I have never, nor has anyone in our organisation ever, to the best of my knowledge, discriminated or shown bias in renting our apartments. Instead, he accused the US government of trying to force the family company to lease apartments to people on welfare, arguing that if that happened: There would be a massive fleeing from the city of not only our tenants, but communities as a whole. Donald Trump's most controversial quotes Show all 14 1 /14 Donald Trump's most controversial quotes Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Isis: "Some of the candidates, they went in and didnt know the air conditioner didnt work and sweated like dogs, and they didnt know the room was too big because they didnt have anybody there. How are they going to beat ISIS?" Getty Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On immigration: "I will build a great wall and nobody builds walls better than me, believe me and Ill build them very inexpensively. I will build a great, great wall on our southern border, and I will make Mexico pay for that wall. Mark my words." Reuters Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Free Trade: "Free trade is terrible. Free trade can be wonderful if you have smart people. But we have stupid people." PAUL J. RICHARDS | AFP | Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Mexicans: "When Mexico sends its people, theyre not sending their best. Theyre sending people that have lots of problems. Theyre bringing drugs. Theyre bringing crime. Theyre rapists." Getty Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On China: "I just sold an apartment for $15 million to somebody from China. Am I supposed to dislike them?... I love China. The biggest bank in the world is from China. You know where their United States headquarters is located? In this building, in Trump Tower." Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On work: "If you're interested in 'balancing' work and pleasure, stop trying to balance them. Instead make your work more pleasurable." AP Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On success: "What separates the winners from the losers is how a person reacts to each new twist of fate." Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On life: "Everything in life is luck." AFP Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On ambition: "You have to think anyway, so why not think big?" Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On his opponents: "Bush is totally in favour of Common Core. I don't see how he can possibly get the nomination. He's weak on immigration. He's in favour of Common Core. How the hell can you vote for this guy? You just can't do it." Reuters Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Obamacare: "You have to be hit by a tractor, literally, a tractor, to use it, because the deductibles are so high. It's virtually useless. And remember the $5 billion web site?... I have so many web sites, I have them all over the place. I hire people, they do a web site. It costs me $3." Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Barack Obama: "Obama is going to be out playing golf. He might be on one of my courses. I would invite him. I have the best courses in the world. I have one right next to the White House." PA Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On himself: "Love him or hate him, Trump is a man who is certain about what he wants and sets out to get it, no holds barred. Women find his power almost as much of a turn-on as his money." Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On America: "The American Dream is dead. But if I get elected president I will bring it back bigger and better and stronger than ever before and we will make America great again." GETTY The case ended with a settlement involving the Trumps signing a consent decree in June 1975. This included the standard disclaimer that the settlement was in no way an admission of a violation" of the rules. In his 1987 autobiography, Trump characterised this as: In the end the government couldnt prove its case, and we ended up making a minor settlement without admitting any guilt. Others, however, have interpreted things rather differently. As reported by The Washington Post in January 2016, the Justice Department claimed victory, calling the consent decree one of the most far-reaching ever negotiated. It explicitly barred the Trumps from discriminating against any person in the terms, conditions, or privileges of sale or rental of a dwelling. It also ordered the Trumps to thoroughly acquaint themselves personally on a detailed basis with the Fair Housing Act. And it required them to place adverts telling ethnic minorities they had an equal opportunity to seek housing at Trump properties. Some newspaper headlines from the time appeared to reflect the view of a Justice Department victory. The New York Amsterdam News ran with: Minorities win housing suit. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The Justice Department will not fight for Donald Trump's Muslim ban executive order which was struck down by a federal court - the President will file a revised travel ban instead. Mr Trump said the new order would be "tailored" to the federal court decision in Washington state, which struck down the original order eight days after it was signed. He did not provide any more details about how the ban would differ to the first one. "The only problem we had [with the order] was a bad court which gave us what I consider, with all respect, to be a very bad decision," he said. After 27 January, when the travel ban was signed, nearly all travellers from seven Muslim-majority countries were temporarily halted from coming to the US and Syrian refugees were suspended indefinitely. Recommended Major talent agency cancels party and makes ACLU donation instead Confusion was caused in these countries as well as in Mexico and Canada. Visa and green card holders, as well as dual citizens, were caught up in the ban. His unelected chief strategist, Steve Bannon, was reportedly behind the ban and had overruled members of the Department of Homeland Security who objected to certain aspects. Judge James Robart struck down the order nationwide, and Mr Trump's emergency appeal was denied. The President had threatened to take the case to the Supreme Court, but the Justice Department has decided to revise the original order and re-file it. New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban Show all 27 1 /27 New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban Ethnic Yemenis and supporters protest against President Donald Trump's executive order temporarily banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen on February 2, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. At least 1,000 Yemeni-owned bodegas and grocery-stores across the city shut down from noon to 8 p.m. today to protest the order. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Bryan R. Smith/AFP/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban Men pray during a protest by ethnic Yemenis and supporters over President Donald Trump's executive order temporarily banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen on February 2, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. At least 1,000 Yemeni-owned bodegas and grocery-stores across the city shut down from noon to 8 p.m. today to protest the order. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban Ethnic Yemenis and supporters protest against President Donald Trump's executive order temporarily banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen on February 2, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. At least 1,000 Yemeni-owned bodegas and grocery-stores across the city shut down from noon to 8 p.m. today to protest the order. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban Men pray during a protest by ethnic Yemenis and supporters over President Donald Trump's executive order temporarily banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen on February 2, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. At least 1,000 Yemeni-owned bodegas and grocery-stores across the city shut down from noon to 8 p.m. today to protest the order. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Bryan R. Smith/AFP/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People gather for evening prayer at a rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Bryan R. Smith/AFP/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Bryan R. Smith/AFP/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally with flags at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Bryan R. Smith/AFP/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally with flags at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Bryan R. Smith/AFP/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally with flags at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Bryan R. Smith/AFP/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally with flags at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Bryan R. Smith/AFP/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Bryan R. Smith/AFP/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally with flags at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Bryan R. Smith/AFP/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Bryan R. Smith/AFP/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban A Yemeni business owner places a sign on the gate of his store February 2, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Across the city, Yemeni owned bodega and grocery-stores will shut down from noon to 8 p.m. to protest President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen. It is expected that over 1000 stores will be closed in protest with workers and owners participating in an afternoon rally in Brooklyn. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban A Yemeni business owner places a sign on the gate of his store February 2, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Across the city, Yemeni owned bodega and grocery-stores will shut down from noon to 8 p.m. to protest President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen. It is expected that over 1000 stores will be closed in protest with workers and owners participating in an afternoon rally in Brooklyn. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 02: Yemeni business owner Musa closes the gate to his store February 2, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Across the city, Yemeni owned bodega and grocery-stores will shut down from noon to 8 p.m. to protest President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen. It is expected that over 1000 stores will be closed in protest with workers and owners participating in an afternoon rally in Brooklyn. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban A Yemeni business owner closes the gate to his store February 2, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Across the city, Yemeni owned bodega and grocery-stores will shut down from noon to 8 p.m. to protest President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen. It is expected that over 1000 stores will be closed in protest with workers and owners participating in an afternoon rally in Brooklyn. Spencer Platt/Getty The President said he signed the original order to fight terrorism, yet nobody from these seven countries killed a single American in US soil as part of a terrorist attack since 2001. He was also asked about the immigration programme for lone children refugees, called the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals programme. "It's a very tough subject. We have to deal with Daca with heart," he said. "The Daca situation is a very difficult thing to me. I love these kids. I have kids, grandkids. I find it doing very hard what the law says I have to do." Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Donald Trump is holding another rally in Florida, his first campaign-style event since he toured the country before Christmas to say thank you to his supporters. "Join me in Florida this Saturday at 5pm for a rally at the Orlando-Melbourne International Airport!" he tweeted. Mr Trump suggested hosting the rally himself, according to Politico. The White House did not respond to request for comment. Recommended Donald Trump blamed for massive spike in Islamophobic hate crime Returning to his old stomping ground in he sunshine state, near to his Mar-a-Lago estate and where he cruised to victory over Hillary Clinton, could be a reassuring breather in the schedule given his record-low popularity ratings and his record-high number of executive actions. It is also familiar territory for a President who continued to use the same campaign-style language, promising to fight Isis and crime and rip up the Nafta trade deal, in his Inauguration speech on Capitol Hill. Mr Trump, who obtained support and validation through rallies and near contact with his supporters, has been isolated from such support in the White House, where he is surrounded by a small team of staff and who are embroiled in a string of controversies. Donald Trump's inauguration speech was very similar to Bane's in The Dark Knight Rises The event also gives Mr Trump the chance to be the centre of attention on stage, after he had to share the podium several times this week with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu. The President has engaged in a bitter attack upon the media, with his unelected chief strategist Steve Bannon declaring that the media were the "opposition". Michael Flynn was forced to resign this week as nationals security adviser after it was leaked that he phoned the Russian ambassador last year to reassure them about sanctions and misled Vice President Mike Pence about it. The nomination for Labour Secretary, fast food restaurant owner Andy Puzder, also dropped out after allegations of domestic violence resurfaced and Republican support evaporated amid claims of worker abuses. Upon entering office, Mr Trump was the least popular President in modern political history, and a Gallup poll showed he had only 42 per cent approval whilst in office. The rally in Florida follows the Presidents trip to Charleston, South Carolina, to attend the roll-out of the new Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said that Washington was willing to work with Russia, but only in instances that would benefit the US and its allies. The newly minted American diplomat made his international debut at a G20 foreign ministers gathering in Bonn, Germany, during which he took a more cautioned approach with regards to Russia amid questions of the White Houses relationship with the country. Mr Tillersons remarks to Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov send mixed signals from the White House, as President Donald Trump has pledged to work with President Vladimir Putin but is consistent with the administrations controversial America First doctrine. The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Show all 9 1 /9 The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the media White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer takes questions during the daily press briefing Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Trans-Pacific Partnership Union leaders applaud US President Donald Trump for signing an executive order withdrawing the US from the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations during a meeting in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington DC. Mr Trump issued a presidential memorandum in January announcing that the US would withdraw from the trade deal Getty The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Mexico wall A US Border Patrol vehicle sits waiting for illegal immigrants at a fence opening near the US-Mexico border near McAllen, Texas. The number of incoming immigrants has surged ahead of the upcoming Presidential inauguration of Donald Trump, who has pledged to build a wall along the US-Mexico border. A signature campaign promise, Mr Trump outlined his intention to build a border wall on the US-Mexico border days after taking office Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and abortion US President Donald Trump signs an executive order as Chief of Staff Reince Priebus looks on in the Oval Office of the White House. Mr Trump reinstated a ban on American financial aide being granted to non-governmental organizations that provide abortion counseling, provide abortion referrals, or advocate for abortion access outside of the United States Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Dakota Access pipeline Opponents of the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines hold a rally as they protest US President Donald Trump's executive orders advancing their construction, at Columbus Circle in New York. US President Donald Trump signed executive orders reviving the construction of two controversial oil pipelines, but said the projects would be subject to renegotiation Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and 'Obamacare' Nancy Pelosi who is the minority leader of the House of Representatives speaks beside House Democrats at an event to protect the Affordable Care Act in Los Angeles, California. US President Donald Trump's effort to make good on his campaign promise to repeal and replace the healthcare law failed when Republicans failed to get enough votes. Mr Trump has promised to revisit the matter Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Donald Trump and 'sanctuary cities' US President Donald Trump signed an executive order in January threatening to pull funding for so-called "sanctuary cities" if they do not comply with federal immigration law AP The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the travel ban US President Donald Trump has attempted twice to restrict travel into the United States from several predominantly Muslim countries. The first attempt, in February, was met with swift opposition from protesters who flocked to airports around the country. That travel ban was later blocked by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The second ban was blocked by a federal judge a day before it was scheduled to be implemented in mid-March SANDY HUFFAKER/AFP/Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and climate change US President Donald Trump sought to dismantle several of his predecessor's actions on climate change in March. His order instructed the Environmental Protection Agency to reevaluate the Clean Power Plan, which would cap power plant emissions Shannon Stapleton/Reuters The United States will consider working with Russia when we can find areas of practical cooperation that will benefit the American people, he said after meeting with Mr Lavrov. Where we do not see eye to eye, the United States will stand up for interests and values of American and her allies. Much speculation has circled Mr Tillerson regarding sanctions imposed on Russia following their invasion of Ukraine and illegal annexation of the Crimean peninsula. As chief executive of Exxon Mobil, Mr Tillerson brokered an estimated $500bn deal with Russia that was frozen by the 2014 sanctions. But the Secretary urged Russia to meet the Minsk ceasefire commitments in the region. Mr Tillersons somewhat firmer position on relations with Russia followed Defence Secretary James Mattis comment that the US is not in a position for military collaboration with the Kremlin. We are not in a position right now to collaborate on a military level, Mr Mattis said at Nato headquarters in Brussels. But our political leaders will engage and try to find common ground. The US stopped military-to-military relations with Russia following the 2014 sanctions. But President Trump had repeatedly praised Russian President Vladimir Putin during his campaign, and suggested the two countries would work together to fight Isis. At the moment, the US and Russia military communicate in Syria about air sorties, to avoid mid-air collisions, but do not cooperate further than that. Mr Putin on Thursday called for increased intelligence cooperation with the US and NATO. It's in everyones interest to resume dialogue between the intelligence agencies of the United States and other members of NATO, Mr Putin said, addressing Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB). Its absolutely clear that in the area of counter-terrorism all relevant governments and international groups should work together. In Brussels, the Russian defence minister, Sergei Shoigu, also expressed a willingness to resume cooperation with the Pentagon. But Russias proposals come at a fraught time for the US administration. Mr Trump was obliged to get rid of his national security advisor, Michael Flynn, after it emerged he had lied about the content of a call he made to a Russian diplomat. Meanwhile, senior Democrats have called for an independent inquiry into what links Mr Trump may or may not have to Russia. This comes against a backdrop of alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election to try and benefit Mr Trump. Mr Trump has repeatedly downplayed US intelligence claims of Russian interference, and claimed he and his administration are the victims of illegal leaks and fake news. As it was Mr Mattis, had little problem saying he believed Moscow had tried to interfere in the election. Right now, I would just say there's very little doubt that they have either interfered or they have attempted to interfere in a number of elections in the democracies, he said. Meanwhile in Bonn, Mr Lavrov denied that Russia had any involvement in meddling in US affairs. You should know we do not interfere in the domestic matters of other countries, he said. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Donald Trump has suggested the American people want him to blow up a Russian spy ship that is lurking 30 miles off the US coast. The President said everyone in this country would say, ohh, its so great if he shot the Viktor Leonov, a Russian intelligence gathering ship, which lies off the coast of Connecticut. The 70-year-old property-magnate-turned-politician was attempting to distance himself from claims of links to Vladimir Putin and Russia, during his 90-minute-long press conference. But at the same time, Mr Trump argued that a good diplomatic relationship with the Kremlin was crucial. The greatest thing I could do is shoot that ship thats 30 miles offshore right out of the water, he said. Everyone in this country is going to say, ohh, its so great'. Thats not great. Thats not great. I would love to be able to get along with Russia. Now, youve had a lot of presidents who havent taken that tack. Look where we are now, look where we are now." He added: So, if I can. I love to negotiate things. I do it really well. Ive done all that stuff. But its possible I wont be able to get on with Putin. Maybe it is. At least one US official has admitted that one of Russia's naval vessels, which conducted similar patrols in 2014 and 2015, sits off the coast of Delaware. The Vishnya-class vessel is believed to be kitted out with high-tech spying equipment and is designed to intercept intelligence signals. The US Navy is keeping a close eye on the ship, according to CNN, and it is believed to be the furthest north the Russian vessel has ever ventured. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A woman from El Salvador who was jailed for 30 years after suffering a miscarriage in a field, has been pardoned by the courts - the latest sign of change in a nation known as the worst place in the world for womens reproductive rights. Sonia Tabora was just 20 when she went into premature labour at seven months and gave birth alone in a coffee plantation. Her family found her collapsed and bleeding, and the baby was born dead or died soon afterwards. Her family took her to a health centre, fearful for her life. But doctors there accused of carrying out an abortion, something is strictly illegal in El Salvador. She was shackled to her bed and the police were called. With the support of campaigners trying to fight anti-abortion laws that make no exception for rape, incest or the health of the mother, Ms Tabora was freed from jail in 2012. However, at the end of 2014, her case went for a second review by a court panel to determine whether she would go back to prison or remain free. This week, the Centre for Reproductive Rights, reported that Ms Tabora had been pardoned by the courts, drawing a line under a trauma that began 12 years ago.The court condemned the Salvadoran government for her wrongful imprisonment and ordered that the government provide reparations for the harm she has suffered. Ms Tabora is one of dozens of women who have suffered at the hands of the court in the strictly Catholic country, one of just a handful of nations that permits no exceptions for abortion. It is estimated that between 1998 and 2013 more than 600 women were jailed after being accused of having had an abortion. Those still serving such sentences have been nicknamed Las 17. Salvadorean activist gives her thoughts on Donald Trump The situation in El Salvador, was not always so drastic. Up until 1998, the law permitted abortions in cases of rape, incest or in which the health of the woman was threatened. But the legislation was changed under pressure from conservatives in the government and with the support of the Catholic church. The reproductive rights situation in El Salvador started to receive international headlines in 2013. Then, a young woman initially identified only by her first name, Beatriz, suffering from lupus and several months pregnant with her second child, was told that the foetus was diagnosed with anencephaly, meaning the baby would be born with no brain or with a significant part of it missing. She was told the child would not survive. Doctors said her medical condition made carrying the baby to term a threat to the mothers life. Her case was appealed all the way to the countrys supreme court, which ruled doctors could not terminate her pregnancy. Eventually, as her health became ever more precarious, she was given a caesarean section when the foetus was 27 weeks. The baby lived for five hours. El Salvador's jails are notoriously overcrowded (Getty) Another women, Guadalupe Vasquez, was imprisoned for more than seven years after losing the baby she conceived when she was raped at the age of 17. She was was sentenced 30 years in 2008, but was pardoned and freed in 2015. Maria Teresa Rivera, who was for 40 years after being convicted of aggravated homicide, was released in 2016 after serving five years. Sonias case, like Guadalupe and those of Las 17, all demonstrate how the countrys extreme hostility towards abortion has led to laws that repeatedly send innocent women to prison, said Natalia Garzon, a spokesperson for the Centre for Reproductive Rights in Washington. She said the Salvadoran Congress to announce how it it will proceed with a bill that if passed, would legalise abortion in limited circumstances. Last week, Ms Vasquez gave testimony to a United Nations committee about the mistreatment of pregnant women in El Salvador and the human rights abuses resulting from its extreme abortion ban. I spoke today for Las 17 and in hopes that our stories will not be repeated in El Salvador, said Ms Vasquez. Its time that my country end the persecution of pregnant women. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Donald Trumps presidency is likely to be the second shortest ever, a leading historian and author has claimed. Professor Ronald L Feinman predicted that the former reality TV star will stay in the top job "between the 31 days of William Henry Harrison in 1841", who died pneumonia and the "199 days of James A. Garfield in 1881", who died 79 days after he was shot by an assassin "after terrible suffering and medical malpractice". Even if his time in office is "dragged out", Professor Feinman predicted that Mr Trump is unlikely to last the 16 months and 5 days of 12th president Zachary Taylor, who died of a digestive ailment while Head of State in 1850. Donald Trump is fact-checked over claim he won the biggest electoral college victory since Reagan The 20th century American history professor, who recently published a book about the unfortunate fates of US leaders, added that he thought the Pence Presidency was inevitable. He was referring to Mr Trump's Vice President, Mike Pence, who would take over if Mr Trump was to leave the leadership. In a blog post, he added that he thought it was likely that Mr Trump will be impeached or forced to resign in a matter of weeks. His prediction comes shortly after the White House admitted the President was told several weeks ago that his National Security Adviser Michael Flynn had not told the truth about a telephone call with a Russian diplomat. The news fuelled broader concerns about his closeness to Russian President Vladimir Putin and the role his country may have played in helping Mr Trump's election. Professor Feinman, who teaches at Florida Atlantic University, suggested the businessman turned politician is more generally unsuitable for office. Vice-presidents: Behind every good candidate... Show all 8 1 /8 Vice-presidents: Behind every good candidate... Vice-presidents: Behind every good candidate... pg-32-romney-1-getty.jpg Getty Images Vice-presidents: Behind every good candidate... pg-32-romney-2-ap.jpg AP Vice-presidents: Behind every good candidate... pg-32-romney-3-getty.jpg Getty Images Vice-presidents: Behind every good candidate... pg-32-romney-4-ap.jpg AP Vice-presidents: Behind every good candidate... pg-32-romney-5-ap.jpg AP Vice-presidents: Behind every good candidate... pg-32-romney-6-ap.jpg AP Vice-presidents: Behind every good candidate... pg-32-romney-7-getty.jpg Getty Images Vice-presidents: Behind every good candidate... pg-32-romney-8-ap.jpg AP Many foreign policy professionals are shaking their head at Trumps inappropriate behaviour and language every time he speaks in public, or issues a Twitter comment, and his instability and recklessness, he said, citing Mr Trump's decision to hold a security meeting over the North Korean missile test in a public space in earshot of other people as a sign of his failure to act responsibly. The fact that Vice President Mike Pence played a major role in pushing Flynn out is a sign that Pence is already asserting himself with Trump he said, adding the vice President often appears uncomfortable with Mr Trumps freewheeling and careless behaviour. No US president has ever been successfully impeached and removed from office. Although attempts were made to remove Bill Clinton and Andrew Johnson both were acquitted by the Senate. Richard Nixon also resigned before he could be impeached for serious wrongdoing in the Watergate scandal. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Immigrants across the US are set to launch a mass boycott as part of a strike that promises to bring businesses in several cities across the country to a standstill. The strike, dubbed "A Day Without Immigrants", is a reaction to the xenophobia encapsulated by President Donald Trump's move to increase the deportation of immigrants living in the country illegally. Organisers expect thousands of people to participate or show solidarity with workers in cities including Philadelphia, Washington, Boston, Houston, Chicago and New York, by walking out of schools and offices. Donald Trump's Mexico wall: At what cost, and how long? Mr Trump campaigned on building a wall along the US-Mexico border, and has blamed high unemployment on immigration. Since becoming president, he has called for a ban on people from seven Muslim-majority countries from coming into the US. He has also expanded the powers of immigration agents, with some analysts estimating that up to eight million illegal immigrants now face deportation. Recent reports of an "enforcement surge" in four US states have sparked further concern among immigration advocates and families. The strike is expected to shut down dozens of restaurants in Washington and several more in New York as part of an attempt to illustrate just how crucial America's vast immigrant population is to both its economy and infrastructure. "From doctors to dishwashers, immigrants are integral to daily life in the US," Janet Murguia, president of National Council of Latino advocacy group La Raza, tweeted. The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Show all 9 1 /9 The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the media White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer takes questions during the daily press briefing Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Trans-Pacific Partnership Union leaders applaud US President Donald Trump for signing an executive order withdrawing the US from the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations during a meeting in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington DC. Mr Trump issued a presidential memorandum in January announcing that the US would withdraw from the trade deal Getty The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Mexico wall A US Border Patrol vehicle sits waiting for illegal immigrants at a fence opening near the US-Mexico border near McAllen, Texas. The number of incoming immigrants has surged ahead of the upcoming Presidential inauguration of Donald Trump, who has pledged to build a wall along the US-Mexico border. A signature campaign promise, Mr Trump outlined his intention to build a border wall on the US-Mexico border days after taking office Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and abortion US President Donald Trump signs an executive order as Chief of Staff Reince Priebus looks on in the Oval Office of the White House. Mr Trump reinstated a ban on American financial aide being granted to non-governmental organizations that provide abortion counseling, provide abortion referrals, or advocate for abortion access outside of the United States Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Dakota Access pipeline Opponents of the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines hold a rally as they protest US President Donald Trump's executive orders advancing their construction, at Columbus Circle in New York. US President Donald Trump signed executive orders reviving the construction of two controversial oil pipelines, but said the projects would be subject to renegotiation Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and 'Obamacare' Nancy Pelosi who is the minority leader of the House of Representatives speaks beside House Democrats at an event to protect the Affordable Care Act in Los Angeles, California. US President Donald Trump's effort to make good on his campaign promise to repeal and replace the healthcare law failed when Republicans failed to get enough votes. Mr Trump has promised to revisit the matter Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Donald Trump and 'sanctuary cities' US President Donald Trump signed an executive order in January threatening to pull funding for so-called "sanctuary cities" if they do not comply with federal immigration law AP The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the travel ban US President Donald Trump has attempted twice to restrict travel into the United States from several predominantly Muslim countries. The first attempt, in February, was met with swift opposition from protesters who flocked to airports around the country. That travel ban was later blocked by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The second ban was blocked by a federal judge a day before it was scheduled to be implemented in mid-March SANDY HUFFAKER/AFP/Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and climate change US President Donald Trump sought to dismantle several of his predecessor's actions on climate change in March. His order instructed the Environmental Protection Agency to reevaluate the Clean Power Plan, which would cap power plant emissions Shannon Stapleton/Reuters Spanish-born celebrity chef Jose Andres is among those who have announced public support for the protest. Mr Andres is already embroiled in a legal battle with the President after he pulled out of a restaurant deal at his new Washington hotel over offensive comments he made about Mexican immigrants Yet it is unclear which group initiated or is overseeing the protest, meaning the day of action may not be as cohesive as campaigners had hoped. Maria Fernanda Cabello, from an immigrant advocacy group Cosecha, has said Thursday's efforts would help it prepare for an action it was planning on 1 May. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Donald Trump is definitely receiving classified intelligence briefings - but they are much shorter and less complex than those presented to past Presidents. According a classified memo obtained by Mother Jones, agents who compiled the Presidents daily briefing on global security threats were advised to keep it short and without nuance. The briefing given to the President covers no more than three topics, with about one page per issue. That is a quarter of what former President Barack Obama received and also less information than other predecessors. It also contains room for a short update about matters presented in other briefings. The Office of the Direction of National Intelligence, which is responsible for producing the daily briefing, did not respond to The Independent. The guidance states that topics should be presented from one viewpoint in all briefings, which means the President is not presented with conflicting views from one day to the next. The New York Times previously reported that Mr Obama was presented with conflicting views, and preferred option papers that were between three and six single-spaced pages. The daily briefing is independent of the National Security Council, on which Steve Bannon sits. It is prepared by US intelligence agencies and is typically either handed over and presented to the President themselves or given to the President via a national security adviser. Donald Trump says he doesn't need daily intelligence briefings as President because he's 'smart' Michael Flynn, his national security adviser, was forced to resign this week after it was revealed he had held calls with the Russian ambassador last year to reassure them about sanctions and had misled Vice President Mike Pence about it. Mr Flynn would have been responsible for handing over and often presenting the briefing, and discussing it with the President afterwards. He has been replaced by retired Army General Joseph Kellogg Jr. David Priess, a former CIA official and author of The President's Book of Secrets: The Untold Story of Intelligence Briefings to America's Presidents From Kennedy to Obama, told The Independent that there would be no use in producing a 20-page report every day if Mr Trump did not want to read it. "On the issue of the briefing's length, it varies widely - there were some Presidents who received just one or two pages but there were times when it was dozens of pages," he said. "Having a shorter briefing than other Presidents is not alarming. The main point is that the intelligence community tailors the format and presentation to the style and preference of each person in the Oval Office." Trump receiving intelligence briefings from 'number of sources' Over the last few months, Mr Trump has disparaged the intelligence community, dismissing reports from the FBI and CIA that Russia exerted a "campaign of influence" on the election to spread fake news and sabotage Hillary Clinton. Mr Trump said he respected the CIA during his first pit stop as President to the agencys headquarters, but spent most of the speech in front of the memorial wall talking about the crowd size at his Inauguration. Mr Priess told The Independent that there were few Presidents who did not have some level of tension with the intelligence community. It was "outright toxic" under Richard Nixon, he added. "But in terms of it [Trumps relationship with intelligence] being played out in public, that is unusual," he said. Former CIA official Paul Pillar, who served during the Obama administration, told Mother Jones that Mr Obama was given reports that were typically between 12 and 14 pages, with videos, maps and charts, which he tended to read on a tablet. He would write down follow-up questions, a strategy that was similar to Bill Clinton. George W Bush reportedly liked oral reports from professionals. President-elect Trump said in December that he did not need daily intelligence briefings. The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Show all 9 1 /9 The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the media White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer takes questions during the daily press briefing Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Trans-Pacific Partnership Union leaders applaud US President Donald Trump for signing an executive order withdrawing the US from the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations during a meeting in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington DC. Mr Trump issued a presidential memorandum in January announcing that the US would withdraw from the trade deal Getty The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Mexico wall A US Border Patrol vehicle sits waiting for illegal immigrants at a fence opening near the US-Mexico border near McAllen, Texas. The number of incoming immigrants has surged ahead of the upcoming Presidential inauguration of Donald Trump, who has pledged to build a wall along the US-Mexico border. A signature campaign promise, Mr Trump outlined his intention to build a border wall on the US-Mexico border days after taking office Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and abortion US President Donald Trump signs an executive order as Chief of Staff Reince Priebus looks on in the Oval Office of the White House. Mr Trump reinstated a ban on American financial aide being granted to non-governmental organizations that provide abortion counseling, provide abortion referrals, or advocate for abortion access outside of the United States Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Dakota Access pipeline Opponents of the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines hold a rally as they protest US President Donald Trump's executive orders advancing their construction, at Columbus Circle in New York. US President Donald Trump signed executive orders reviving the construction of two controversial oil pipelines, but said the projects would be subject to renegotiation Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and 'Obamacare' Nancy Pelosi who is the minority leader of the House of Representatives speaks beside House Democrats at an event to protect the Affordable Care Act in Los Angeles, California. US President Donald Trump's effort to make good on his campaign promise to repeal and replace the healthcare law failed when Republicans failed to get enough votes. Mr Trump has promised to revisit the matter Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Donald Trump and 'sanctuary cities' US President Donald Trump signed an executive order in January threatening to pull funding for so-called "sanctuary cities" if they do not comply with federal immigration law AP The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the travel ban US President Donald Trump has attempted twice to restrict travel into the United States from several predominantly Muslim countries. The first attempt, in February, was met with swift opposition from protesters who flocked to airports around the country. That travel ban was later blocked by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The second ban was blocked by a federal judge a day before it was scheduled to be implemented in mid-March SANDY HUFFAKER/AFP/Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and climate change US President Donald Trump sought to dismantle several of his predecessor's actions on climate change in March. His order instructed the Environmental Protection Agency to reevaluate the Clean Power Plan, which would cap power plant emissions Shannon Stapleton/Reuters "I don't have to be told the same thing in the same words every single day for the next eight years," he said. The same month, Fox News reported he was getting one briefing per week, instead of seven. Mr Trump said: "I get it when I need it." In January he told Axios: "I like bullets or I like as little as possible. I don't need, you know, 200-page reports on something that can be handled on a page. That I can tell you." The Obama administration left Mr Trump two things: nearly 1,000 pages of classified material on North Korea, Isis, the South China Sea disputes and other threats, as well as a hand-written letter from Mr Obama. Mr Trump commented several times on the "beautiful letter" but it was not clear whether he or his team had read the 275 briefing papers. He was also criticised for allegedly attacking Nordstrom on Twitter for dropping his daughters fashion line 21 minutes after a White House briefing was officially supposed to start. Mr Priess disputed the accuracy of the claim, as he said the White House schedule was not always followed to the letter, and briefings in person could last less than 20 minutes. "Theres a myth that intelligence exists in a bubble and nothing can happen outside of it. Many Presidents have phoned foreign leaders during a briefing," he said. How Mr Trump handles a briefing and what he does throughout, "is the prerogative of the President", he added. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Human rights icon Martin Luther King Jrs daughter has suggested ways in how to oppose the Donald Trump administration. Bernice King recommended people use the presidents name sparingly so as not to detract from it. The 53-year-old also ruled out arguments with Mr Trump's supporters because it doesnt work. Writing in a Facebook post, Ms King who followed her father's footsteps into the ministry of the Baptist Church, amended a similar message that had been circulating on social media. Use his name sparingly so as not to detract from the issues, said Ms King, who was five-years-old when her father was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee. I believe that everyone, regardless of their beliefs, deserves the dignity of being called by their name. However, this is a strategic tactic. In pictures: Martin Luther King Jr's campaign for civil rights Show all 10 1 /10 In pictures: Martin Luther King Jr's campaign for civil rights In pictures: Martin Luther King Jr's campaign for civil rights 4510050.jpg AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Martin Luther King Jr's campaign for civil rights 4608656-low_res-martin-luther-king-and-the-march-on-washington.jpg BBC In pictures: Martin Luther King Jr's campaign for civil rights martin-luther-king-6.jpg Getty Images In pictures: Martin Luther King Jr's campaign for civil rights martin-luther-king-7.jpg Getty Images In pictures: Martin Luther King Jr's campaign for civil rights georgiamlk.jpg In pictures: Martin Luther King Jr's campaign for civil rights malcom-x-and-martin-luther-king.jpg Library of Congress/ Wiki Commons In pictures: Martin Luther King Jr's campaign for civil rights martin-luther-king-8.jpg Getty Images In pictures: Martin Luther King Jr's campaign for civil rights 359983.bin AP In pictures: Martin Luther King Jr's campaign for civil rights 4260367.jpg AP In pictures: Martin Luther King Jr's campaign for civil rights MLKAFP.jpg AFP/Getty Images This is not the first time Ms King has been critical of Mr Trump. Ms King said last month, that her father would have tried to meet and talk with Mr Trump to debate with him head on. However, her older sister Alveda King, 65, has previously admitted that she voted for Mr Trump. Ms B Kings Facebook post also recommended people refer to The Republican Administration instead of naming Mr Trump. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A fire alarm rang out moments before indicted former pharmaceutical executive Martin Shkreli was to speak at Harvard University, briefly delaying an appearance that also was disrupted by student protests. The former CEO of Turing Pharmaceuticals, who was widely criticised for hiking up the price of a drug used by AIDS and cancer patients to fight parasitic infections, was invited by the Harvard Financial Analysts Club to discuss investing at the Wednesday night event. But a few minutes before it began, someone pulled a fire alarm and police evacuated the building. When the event did start, protesters kept interrupting Shkreli's presentation, chanting and calling him names before walking out. There were no reports of any violence. One student group said the appearance promotes and glorifies murderous financial practices. It organised a rally and an alternate teach-in to discuss pharmaceutical price-gouging while Shkreli's event was taking place. The Boston Globe reported that most of Shkreli's presentation focused on his experience in hedge fund management and health care. Toward the end of his discussion, he said he had a solution for the high price of prescription drugs. Trump should start a drug company, he said. I would be proud to help implement this. The 33-year-old New York resident is free on $5 million bail pending his federal securities fraud trial in an unrelated case. He has pleaded not guilty. A judge earlier this month approved his request to travel to Massachusetts. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty In January, a joint appearance by Shkreli and far-right commentator Milo Yiannopoulos at the University of California, Davis, was cancelled after heated protests erupted. Shkreli is scheduled to speak at UMass-Boston on Thursday. AP Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Michael Moore has made an impassioned plea for Donald Trump to stand down and America to hold another election. The Oscar-winning documentary maker, who in July accurately predicted Mr Trump would win, argued a re-election was needed because the President did not win the popular vote. Mr Trump gained nearly three million fewer votes than his Democrat rival Hillary Clinton. The margin of 2.86 million ballots was the biggest popular vote disparity in US history for a candidate who has gone on to become President, significantly greater than the 544,000-vote gap between George W Bush and Al Gore in 2000. Moore agreed with a New York Times story claiming members of Mr Trumps presidential campaign team had multiple interactions with senior Russian officials in the year before the election. The President has dismissed unconfirmed allegations over Russia as "conspiracy theories" fed to the media by intelligence agencies. But Moore, who has emerged as a leading critic of the President, went a step further than the piece. It's what we all suspected. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out what was going on: Trump colluding with the Russians to throw the election to him, he said in a scathing Facebook post. Moore then outlined a four point plan to move forward, which starts with calling for the billionaire property mogul to be impeached. I and tens of millions of Americans demand that the weak and spineless Democrats bring Congress to a halt until investigative hearings are held and impeachment charges are filed, he said. The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Show all 9 1 /9 The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the media White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer takes questions during the daily press briefing Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Trans-Pacific Partnership Union leaders applaud US President Donald Trump for signing an executive order withdrawing the US from the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations during a meeting in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington DC. Mr Trump issued a presidential memorandum in January announcing that the US would withdraw from the trade deal Getty The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Mexico wall A US Border Patrol vehicle sits waiting for illegal immigrants at a fence opening near the US-Mexico border near McAllen, Texas. The number of incoming immigrants has surged ahead of the upcoming Presidential inauguration of Donald Trump, who has pledged to build a wall along the US-Mexico border. A signature campaign promise, Mr Trump outlined his intention to build a border wall on the US-Mexico border days after taking office Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and abortion US President Donald Trump signs an executive order as Chief of Staff Reince Priebus looks on in the Oval Office of the White House. Mr Trump reinstated a ban on American financial aide being granted to non-governmental organizations that provide abortion counseling, provide abortion referrals, or advocate for abortion access outside of the United States Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Dakota Access pipeline Opponents of the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines hold a rally as they protest US President Donald Trump's executive orders advancing their construction, at Columbus Circle in New York. US President Donald Trump signed executive orders reviving the construction of two controversial oil pipelines, but said the projects would be subject to renegotiation Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and 'Obamacare' Nancy Pelosi who is the minority leader of the House of Representatives speaks beside House Democrats at an event to protect the Affordable Care Act in Los Angeles, California. US President Donald Trump's effort to make good on his campaign promise to repeal and replace the healthcare law failed when Republicans failed to get enough votes. Mr Trump has promised to revisit the matter Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Donald Trump and 'sanctuary cities' US President Donald Trump signed an executive order in January threatening to pull funding for so-called "sanctuary cities" if they do not comply with federal immigration law AP The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the travel ban US President Donald Trump has attempted twice to restrict travel into the United States from several predominantly Muslim countries. The first attempt, in February, was met with swift opposition from protesters who flocked to airports around the country. That travel ban was later blocked by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The second ban was blocked by a federal judge a day before it was scheduled to be implemented in mid-March SANDY HUFFAKER/AFP/Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and climate change US President Donald Trump sought to dismantle several of his predecessor's actions on climate change in March. His order instructed the Environmental Protection Agency to reevaluate the Clean Power Plan, which would cap power plant emissions Shannon Stapleton/Reuters The filmmaker followed this up by calling for Attorney General J Beauregard Sessions to immediately appoint a Special Prosecutor to investigate these potentially treasonous acts. So-Called President Trump could save the country a lot of time, money and pain by stepping down tonight, he said. But Moore was insistent Mr Trump should not under any circumstance be replaced by Vice President Mike Pence. Instead the documentary-maker, who has enjoyed a renaissance since Mr Trump declared his presidential bid, argued Republicans should not be able to hold on to power by default. Somehow, our judicial system has to find a way to make restitution to this country. Pence can't be president as he, too, was elected under this same fraud, Moore said. The court has to rule either that the President is the winner of the popular vote OR the election must be held over. The Republicans - the beneficiaries of this treason - cannot be allowed to hold on to the power by default. If it turns out there's a traitor in the White House, the judicial branch must find a fair, peaceful way to un-do and then re-do the election of 2016. Moore previously positioned himself as a Bernie Sanders supporter, but after the news that Mr Sanders had dropped out, he announced he would vote for Ms Clinton in order to keep Mr Trump out the White House. He has called on Americans to transform their anger at Mr Trumps victory into action via protests and civil disobedience. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The Senate has confirmed fiscal hawk Mick Mulvaney as the new director of the Office of Management and Budget, adding to Donald Trumps cabinet picks who distrust the media and have expressed anti-Muslim views. The South Carolina Republican was voted in 51 to 49, escaping opposition from Democrats and Republican Arizona Senator John McCain, who accused Mr Mulvaney of being anti-military for proposing spending limits on the Defense Department. He has suggested that welfare programmes like Medicaid should be reviewed, which would target many people who rely on such aid and who also voted for Mr Trump. As director of the Office of Management and Budget, he will oversee the creation of Mr Trums federal budget plan and he will also be in charge of efforts to improve government management. He last tweeted in September after watching a debate between Mr Trump and Hillary Clinton, questioning if anyone "trusted the media". "One key takeaway...NBC's Lester Holt gave us a birther question, a Trump tax return question, only 20 seconds on Hillary's emails and nothing on immigration. Is it any wonder nobody trusts the media anymore?" He has also expressed anti-Muslim views, supports school choice, which could divert federal funds from free schools, and has questioned laws that target voter suppression. A sub-committee in his state Senate passed a bill last month where Syrian refugees would have to register with the state, and their contact information would be posted online for the public to see. "If you let in the wrong IrishmanIm fourth generation if you let in the wrong Irishman the downside is really not that serious, okay, he said. "You let in the wrong Syrian refugee, one, then people can die as a result." Not one Syrian refugee has been charged with even the intent of carrying out a terrorist attack on US soil for more than four decades, according to a Cato Institute report. The new cabinet member's views will feed into an anti-Muslim and anti-refugee inner circle. Mr Trump has called the media "dishonest" for months, accusing CNN and Buzzfeed, the New York Times and the Washington Post of spreading fake news. His chief strategist and founder of Breitbart, Steve Bannon, said the mainstream media was now the "opposition" to the government. House Speaker Paul Ryan has advocated government efforts to "investigate" intelligence agency leaks to the media, citing national security concerns. Donald Trump's controversial cabinet Mr Mulvaney was confirmed on Thursday despite failing to pay $15,000 in payroll taxes for the babysitter he employed after he and his wife had triplets in 2000. He made the admission to the Senate Budget Committee, and said he would pay any penalties or interest to make up the loss. Similar gaffes have derailed nominees, but Mr Mulvaney has sailed through the confirmation process relative to obstacles faced by the likes of education secretary Betsy DeVos. Democrat Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer responded: "When other previous Cabinet nominees failed to pay their fair share in taxes, Senate Republicans forced those nominees to withdraw from consideration." Last month Mr Mulvaney diverged from the White House stance, however, by admitting that Mr Trumps crowd size did appear smaller than that of Barack Obama in 2009. "I'm not really sure how this ties to OMB," Mr Mulvaney said. He added that "from that picture, it does appear that the crowd on the left-hand side [for Mr Obama's 2009 inauguration] is bigger than the crowd on the right-hand side." Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The Pentagon is reportedly considering sending conventional ground troops into northern Syria for the first time to accelerate the fight against Isis. Only small teams of US special operation forces are currently authorised in the country and the decision to send ground troops would be in the hands of President Trump, who recently ordered his defence secretary, James Mattis, to draft a new proposal to fight the terror network within 30 days. "It's possible that you may see conventional forces hit the ground in Syria for some period of time," one defence official told CNN on Wednesday. US officials told the network that the idea is merely a point of discussion rather than a formal proposal. Its currently unclear exactly what the mission would be but one reported goal would be to reassure Turkey that Kurdish forces arent a threat to their interests. In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Show all 30 1 /30 In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria A Syrian family arrives at a checkpoint, manned by pro-government forces, at the al-Hawoz street roundabout, after leaving Aleppo's eastern neighbourhoods Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria A Syrian woman, fleeing violence in the restive Bustan al-Qasr neighbourhood, reacts as she stands with her children in Aleppo's Fardos neighbourhood, after regime troops retook the area from rebel fighters Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian pro-regime fighters, gesture as they drive past resident fleeing violence in the restive Bustan al-Qasr neighbourhood, in Aleppo's Fardos neighbourhood Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian rebels withdrew from six more neighbourhoods in their one-time bastion of east Aleppo in the face of advancing government troops, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian rebels withdrew from six more neighbourhoods in their one-time bastion of east Aleppo in the face of advancing government troops, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian residents, fleeing violence in the restive Bustan al-Qasr neighbourhood, arrive in Aleppo's Fardos neighbourhood , after regime troops retook the area from rebel fighters Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian pro-regime fighters, gesture as they drive past residents fleeing violence in the restive Bustan al-Qasr neighbourhood, in Aleppo's Fardos neighbourhood Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian residents, fleeing violence in the restive Bustan al-Qasr neighbourhood, arrive in Aleppo's Fardos neighbourhood, after regime troops retook the area from rebel fighters Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian residents, fleeing violence in the restive Bustan al-Qasr neighbourhood, arrive in Aleppo's Fardos neighbourhood Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria A Syrian pro-regime fighter speaks with a child, as residents flee violence in the restive Bustan al-Qasr neighbourhood. Syrian rebels withdrew from six more neighbourhoods in their one-time bastion of east Aleppo in the face of advancing government troops AFP/Getty Images In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Smoke rises as seen from a governement-held area of Aleppo, Syria Reuters In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian soldiers targeting rebels-held areas in the eastern neighborhoods in Aleppo, Syria. According to media reports, the army is now holding on 99 percent of Aleppois eastern neighborhoods EPA In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian pro-government forces patrol Aleppo's eastern al-Salihin neighbourhood after troops retook the area from rebel fighters Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian soldiers rest following the battle at al-Sheik Saeed neighborhood in Aleppo, Syria EPA In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria A Syrian pro-government fighter walking past closed shops in the Bab al-Nasr district of Aleppo's Old City. Once renowned for its bustling souks, grand citadel and historic gates, Aleppo's Old City has been rendered virtually unrecognisable by some of the worst violence of Syria's war Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria The crucial battle for Aleppo entered its 'final phase' after Syrian rebels retreated into a small pocket of their former bastion in the face of new army advances. The retreat leaves opposition fighters confined to just a handful of neighbourhoods in southeast Aleppo, the largest of them Sukkari and Mashhad Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian civilans arrive at a checkpoint, manned by pro-government forces, at the al-Hawoz street roundabout, after leaving Aleppo's eastern neighbourhoods. Syria's government has retaken at least 85 percent of east Aleppo, which fell to rebels in 2012, since beginning its operation Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian civilians flee the Sukkari neighbourhood towards safer rebel-held areas in southeastern Aleppo Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrians celebrate in the government-held Mogambo neighbourhood of the northern Syrian city of Aleppo, after rebel fighters retreated into a small pocket of their former bastion in the face of new army advances Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrians celebrate in the government-held Mogambo neighbourhood of the northern Syrian city of Aleppo, after rebel fighters retreated into a small pocket of their former bastion in the face of new army advances. The fall of Aleppo would be the worst rebel defeat since Syria's conflict began in 2011, and leave the government in control of the country's five major cities Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria A Syrian refugee camp in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, close to the Syrian border PA wire In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian refugee Aliya inside the tent where she lives with her husband and ten children in a camp in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, close to the Syrian border PA wire In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian refugee women and children outside the entrance to their tents in the refugee camp in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, close to the Syrian border PA Wire In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria A Syrian refugee camp in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, close to the Syrian border PA wire In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria A Syrian refugee camp in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, close to the Syrian border PA Wire In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria A Syrian refugee woman outside the entrance to the tent where her family live, in the refugee camp in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, close to the Syrian border PA wire In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria A vehicle drives past a mosque at night in Idlib, Syria. Picture taken with a long exposure Reuters In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Damaged buildings stand in the rebel-controlled town of Binnish in Idlib province, Syria Reuters In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria The night sky is seen through damaged windows in the rebel-controlled town of Binnish in Idlib province, Syria Reuters In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Damaged buildings stand in the rebel-controlled area of Maaret al-Numan in Idlib province, Syria Reuters Another unnamed official explained that the 30-day review is still underway and no options have been presented to President Trump. "It's way, way speculative," the official told Reuters, responding to the report. There are currently 5,262 US troops allowed in Iraq with hundreds of others who are temporarily assigned to the country and not counted under the ceiling, CNN reports. Defense Secretary Mattis previously said at his confirmation hearings that he separate himself from the Obama administrations policies to fight jihadists in Syria and Iraq. "I think it's getting there as rapidly as possible, he said, where it would be a more accelerated campaign. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Robert Durst, the real estate scion tied to several slayings explored in HBO's series The Jinx, faced an old friend on Wednesday who testified in Los Angeles that before Durst's wife disappeared in 1982 she told him she was afraid of her husband. Nick Chavin, 72, a New York advertising executive, in an unusual arrangement testified with two police officers in the court serving as his protection detail. Chavin's identity was kept secret until he took the stand on Wednesday. Prosecutors have said he feared his life may be put in danger by testifying. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mark Windham has allowed Chavin and one other witness to testify on videotape in case either of them dies before Durst's trial. Durst, 73, is charged with first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of a writer and longtime confidante of his, Susan Berman, in December 2000. Berman was found slain execution-style in her Los Angeles home not long after police in New York had reopened an investigation into the disappearance and presumed killing of Durst's spouse, Kathleen, two decades earlier. Prosecutors in Los Angeles say they suspect Durst killed Berman, 55, because of what she knew about his wife's unsolved demise in 1982. Chavin testified he met Durst in New York around 1980 and the two soon became close friends, with Durst eventually serving as a best man at Chavin's wedding. The two men shared a mutual friendship with Berman. Chavin said he also knew Durst's wife, Kathleen, and described the Dursts' relationship as strained. She said she was afraid of him. She never said he would hurt her but she was afraid of him, Chavin testified. Chavin is scheduled to testify again on Thursday. Durst has pleaded not guilty in Berman's killing. He was questioned in the probe of his wife's disappearance but has not been charged, and her body has never been found. Durst at Wednesday's hearing walked haltingly into court wearing khaki pants and a light-blue collared shirt. He stopped briefly to look over the audience of reporters and spectators. His ties to both cases, and his 2003 acquittal in the killing and dismemberment of a Texas neighbour, were chronicled in the popular multi-part HBO documentary The Jinx last year. 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 An 85-year-old retired dean of the New York City medical school attended by Durst's wife before she vanished was permitted to testify under similar conditions as Chavin on Tuesday due to his advanced age. Durst was formally charged with the Berman killing a day after HBO aired the final episode of its series, in which Durst was recorded muttering to himself off-camera: What the hell did I do? Killed them all, of course. Durst told authorities after his arrest that he smoked marijuana daily and was high on methamphetamine during his appearance on The Jinx, according to court records. Although Durst has long been estranged from his New York family and their significant real estate holdings, prosecutors have put his estimated net worth at some $100 million. Reuters What was in Kim Jong-nam's mind when he asked a Japanese journalist Yoji Komi of Tokyo Shimbun in October 2010 to "get my thoughts in good order and publish them at a suitable time?" It was immediately after his half-brother Jong-un was named as successor of his now deceased father Kim Jong-il. North Korea experts have been abuzz after what are said to be e-mails from North Korean leader Kim Jong-il's eldest son surfaced in a book by a Japanese journalist. Some feel the candid e-mails criticizing the North Korean regime are an attempt by Kim Jong-nam, who was passed over for the leadership, to position himself as an alternative to the regime. One researcher at a South Korean think tank said on Tuesday, "We should pay attention to the fact that Kim Jong-nam said he fell out of favor because he insisted on reform and market opening when he spoke to his father. It seems that Jong-nam is trying to establish himself as an icon for reform." He added, "If North Korea's economy deteriorates to a point where it can no longer prop up the regime, especially before the new regime under Kim Jong-un is firmly established, the calls for reform and opening will get stronger both within and outside of North Korea. Kim Jong-nam may be trying to say that he can be an alternative for the latent group of supporters for reform and opening if internal strife in North Korean politics breaks out." Kim Jong-nam was exposed to Western ideas during his education in Switzerland. The late Hwang Jang-yop, a former chairman of the North's rubber-stamp parliament and the highest-ranking North Korean ever to defect to the South, once said, "If Kim Jong-nam comes to power, it's possible that the country would move towards reform and open door policy." Regarding Kim's comment that he is "still maintaining good relationship and is dearly loved by his aunt Kim Kyong-hui and uncle Jang Song-taek," some believe he was in fact trying to get them to read the book. A South Korean intelligence officer said, "North Korea is virtually being ruled by Kim Kyong-hui and Jang Song-taek as regents, with Kim Jong-un as a figurehead. Kim Jong-nam knows that better than anyone else and seems to be trying to show off to his aunt and uncle." But others say Kim was acting out of pique. Kim "is not a meticulous planning type but rather an emotional figure who tends to act in a fit of spleen," one source said. And Kim Yong-hyun, a North Korea expert at Dongguk University, said, "No matter what the real intention was, Kim Jong-nam is raising his profile. He is not challenging the Kim Jong-un regime, but may feel that if he does not get the spotlight now he will be forgotten." Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The US former ambassador to Russia has accused Donald Trump of emulating Vladimir Putins autocratic style in his opening weeks in office. Michael McFaul, who was Barack Obamas envoy to Moscow between 2012 and 2014, said the Presidents warm statements over his Russian counterpart were worrying. I know what kind of a leader Putin is and hes an autocratic ruler, so I dont want to see that replicated here, he told BBC Radio 4s Today programme. Im not against getting along with Russia, I worked very hard to try to do that when I was in the Obama administration for five years, but getting along cannot be the goal of US foreign policy. Michael McFaul (right) leaves the Russian Foreign Ministry headquarters in Moscow in 2013 (Getty) Mr McFaul, who was placed on the Kremlins sanctions list and banned from entering Russia last year, drew comparisons between Mr Trumps conduct and that of Mr Putin during his first presidential term in the early 2000s. When [Mr Trump] calls the press the enemy, for instance, that reminds me of Vladimir Putin in 2000 when he declared that the press was the enemy and went after them, he said. When President Trump questions our rule of law, our judges, that reminds me of an earlier period of Russian history in the early Putin years when over time the judiciary became more subservient to the presidency. But Mr McFaul, now a Stanford University professor, said he was optimistic that Americas democratic institutions are much more robust than Russias when Mr Putins presidency started in 2000. He pointed to a judges suspension of Mr Trumps executive order banning migration from seven Muslim-majority countries and the national security advisers resignation as encouraging signs of an independent judiciary and free press. But Mr McFaul cautioned that people must remain vigilant as Mr Trumps aims towards Russia remain unclear as tensions over its backing for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, involvement in the Ukrainian war and disputes with Nato continue. Despite his complimentary statements towards Russia and vows to improve relations, the White House said the President was incredibly tough on Russia and would maintain sanctions, as well as demanding it deescalates violence in Ukraine and withdraws from Crimea. Trump Inauguration protests around the World Show all 14 1 /14 Trump Inauguration protests around the World Trump Inauguration protests around the World Activists from Greenpeace display a message reading "Mr President, walls divide. Build Bridges!" along the Berlin wall in Berlin on January 20, 2017 to coincide with the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United State Getty Trump Inauguration protests around the World An activist holds up a sign at the "We Stand United" rally on the eve of US President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration outside Trump International Hotel and Tower in New York on January 19, 2017 in New York Getty Trump Inauguration protests around the World Protesters burn a U.S. flag and a mock flag with pictures of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump outside the U.S. embassy in metro Manila, Philippines Getty Trump Inauguration protests around the World Filipino protestors hold placcards during a protest rally in front of the US embassy in Manila, Philippines, 20 January 2017. On the eve of President-elect Donald Trump's inaguration as the 45th president of the United States, Filipinos and Fil-Americans held a protest in front of the US embassy in Manila to denounce the incoming US president. Getty Trump Inauguration protests around the World Hong Kong police officers and security guards look on as an anarchist protester belonging to the Disrupt J20 movement sits after using a heavy duty D-lock and motorcycle lock to chain himself to a railing at the entrance gate to the Consulate General of the United States of America in Hong Kong to protest the inauguration of United States President-elect Donald Trump, Hong Kong, China, 20 January 2017. Two activists were arrested and taken away by Hong Kong police during the demonstration. Getty Trump Inauguration protests around the World A banner is unfurled on London's Tower Bridge, organised by Bridges Not Walls - a partnership between grassroots activists and campaigners working on a range of issues, formed in the wake of Donald Trump's election, which aims to build bridges to a world free from hatred and oppression. Getty Trump Inauguration protests around the World Protesters chain themselves to an entry point prior at the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump in Washington, DC, U.S. Getty Trump Inauguration protests around the World Bridges Not Walls banner dropped from Molenbeek bridge in Brussels, Belgium, 20 January 2017, in an Greenpeace action part of protests Wolrd protest in solidarity with people in the US, the day Donald Trump sworn in as the 45th President of the United States. Getty Trump Inauguration protests around the World A woman holds an anti-U.S. President-elect Donald Trump placard during a rally in Tokyo, Japan, Getty Trump Inauguration protests around the World A Palestinian protester holds a placard during a demonstration against the construction of Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank and against US President-elect Donald Trump, on January 20, 2017, near the settlement of Maale Adumim, east of Jerusalem Getty Trump Inauguration protests around the World Banners on North Bridge in Edinburgh as part of the Bridges Not Walls protest against US President Donald Trump on the day of his inauguration Getty Trump Inauguration protests around the World Russian artist Vasily Slonov (L) and his assistant carry a life-sized cutout, which is an artwork created by Slonov and titled "Siberian Inauguration", before its presentation on the occasion of the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, in a street in Krasnoyarsk, Russia Getty Trump Inauguration protests around the World A woman holds a banner during a march to thank outgoing President Barack Obama and reject US President-elect Donald Trump before his inauguration at a park in Tokyo, Japan, 20 January 2017. EPA Trump Inauguration protests around the World Palestinian demonstrators protesting this week against a promise by Donald Trump to re-locate the US embassy to Jerusalem Reuters The Russian government responded to the statement by saying it would not return Crimea to Ukraine, describing the occupied peninsula as our territory after annexing it in 2014. Sergei Shoigu, the Russian defence minister, later reacted angrily to comments by his American counterpart James Mattis after he spoke of the need to negotiate with Russia from a position of strength. "We are ready to restore cooperation with the Pentagon, he said. But attempts to build dialogue from a position of strength with regard to Russia is futile. The statement came just hours before General Joe Dunford and General Valery Gerasimov, the US and Russian chiefs of staff, were to hold talks in the former Soviet republic of Azerbaijan in the first meeting between the two countries' senior members of the military since Mr Trump was elected. The public dispute set the stage for an unexpectedly frosty meeting due later on Thursday between Russias foreign minister and US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who was awarded the Russian order of friendship by Mr Putin in 2013. Mr Tillerson, who will meet Sergey Lavrov in the German city of Bonn, had close business ties with Russia through his former post as CEO of the oil giant Exxon Mobil. The Secretary of State has yet to comment publicly on Russias alleged meddling in the 2016 presidential election or its actions in Syria and Ukraine, which sparked continuing US sanctions against Moscow. Mike Pence claims there was no contact between Russia and Trump campaign Revelations that former national security adviser Michael Flynn gave incomplete information over the contents of his phone calls to the Russian ambassador during the transition forced his resignation earlier this week. Both Republicans and Democrats have called for an independent investigation into the scandal and whether it violated laws preventing civilians engaging in diplomacy. Fresh allegations then emerged that members of Mr Trumps campaign team had repeated contacts with Russian intelligence officials during the year leading up to the November vote. The President responded by accusing the fake news media of going crazy with their conspiracy theories and blind hatred. He tweeted: The real scandal here is that classified information is illegally given out by intelligence like candy. Very un-American! The Russian government dismissed the allegations as not based on any facts, despite deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov previously saying there had been communication between the Russian government and members of Mr Trumps political team. There were contacts, he told Interfax in November. We are doing this and have been doing this during the election campaign. Hope Hicks, the spokesperson for the Presidents campaign, issued a denial at the time saying members had no contact with Russian officials. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A stranger and his friends have built a custom ramp for a disabled girl after seeing her mother struggling to lift her wheelchair. Mechanic Thomas Mitchell offered to design and build the ramp for Verna DeSpain and her 10-year-old daughter Lydia free of charge, after he saw how much difficulty they had getting out of the house. Mr Mitchell, from Clarksville, Tennessee, occasionally works as a substitute bus driver for the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System (CMCSS). He was collecting a group of disabled children when he saw Ms DeSpain lugging Lydias wheelchair down the steps of their front porch. He told the school district, which posted the story on Facebook, that he could not get the image out of his head afterwards. There was just hardly any room for her to manoeuvre this wheelchair, Mr Mitchell said. It just didnt seem right for somebody to have to struggle like that. A few days later, Mr Mitchell telephoned Ms DeSpain, who is a single mother, and offered to build a special ramp for Lydia. I was just so shocked, Ms DeSpain told CBS News. I got a call from him out of the blue. The ramp took several months to design and plan. Mr Mitchell gathered tools, recruited four friends, including a construction worker, to help and persuaded a local home improvement store to donate the necessary materials. On a Sunday last month, the group assembled the wooden ramp, complete with a small fenced deck, in less than three hours. I thought it was going to be all day, so when he told me we were done I was just shocked and actually very impressed, said Ms DeSpain. They went above and beyond what we were expecting. For more than a year, Ms DeSpain told CBS news, she had to guide her daughter down the steps in reverse using a basic portable ramp because it was all she could afford. It worked better than not having one at all, but we had to put it on the second step and it was flimsy, Ms DeSpain said. It wasnt the best or the safest. She added that a few months before Mr Mitchell intervened, she had hurt her shoulder carrying her growing daughter. Getting about London in a wheelchair Show all 10 1 /10 Getting about London in a wheelchair Getting about London in a wheelchair James Moore traveling Getting about London in a wheelchair James Moore traveling Getting about London in a wheelchair James Moore traveling Getting about London in a wheelchair James Moore traveling Getting about London in a wheelchair James Moore traveling Getting about London in a wheelchair James Moore traveling Getting about London in a wheelchair James Moore traveling Getting about London in a wheelchair James Moore traveling Getting about London in a wheelchair James Moore traveling Getting about London in a wheelchair James Moore traveling As Lydia gets bigger, the ramp is likely to become even more vital to the family. Im every thankful and grateful, said Ms DeSpain. Its a major blessing. This is the best year my children and I have ever had. Mr Mitchell said he is just happy to have helped. Everybody should be helping out their neighbour, and so many people just drive by, he said. So many people comment, you know, that its such a great thing. I challenge them to do the same. Theres no greater feeling. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Donald Trumps Deputy Assistant has angrily denied being anti-Semitic after he was spotted wearing a military medal associated with Hungarian Nazi sympathisers. Sebastian Gorka, who is of Hungarian descent but was born and raised in the UK, was pictured wearing the controversial badge at an inaugural ball for Mr Trump and several other events. According to the LobeLog blog, the medal was given to Mr Gorkas father by the group Vitezi Rend meaning Order of Heroes - that consisted of supporters of Miklos Horthy, the former ruler of Hungary, who collaborated with the Nazis during World War Two. The US State Department lists the group as being directed by Nazi Germany. Horthy, who served as Regent of The Kingdom of Hungary between 1920 and 1944, was a self-declared hater of Jews. In 1940 he wrote: Concerning the Jewish problem, for all my life I have been an anti-Semite. I have never had contact with Jews. I have considered it intolerable that here in Hungary everything, every factory, bank, large fortune, business, theatre, press, commerce, etc. should be in Jewish hands, and that the Jew should be the image reflected of Hungary, especially abroad. To replace the Jews, who have everything in their handsrequires a generation at least. Despite the controversial history of the medal, Mr Gorka said he wore it in memory of his family and the suffering they endured. He said his father has been tortured and imprisoned by Hungarian communists in the late 1940s after he founded underground organisations of pro-democracy, anti-Communists to work about the Soviet dictatorship. In a video released by far-right website Breitbart News, he said: In 1979 my father was awarded a decoration for his resistance to dictatorship and, although he passed away 14 years ago, I wear that medal in remembrance of what my family went through and what it represents today to me as an American. Milo Yiannopoulos defends Breitbart headlines as 'satire' The medal reminds me of what they suffered under the Nazis and under the communists, he said. Im a proud American now and I wear that medal now and again. Why? To remind myself where I came from, what my parents suffered under both the Nazis and communists and to help me in my work today, because as far as Im concerned groups like the Islamic state, like Al-Qaida, theyre just another kind of totalitarian. The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Show all 9 1 /9 The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the media White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer takes questions during the daily press briefing Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Trans-Pacific Partnership Union leaders applaud US President Donald Trump for signing an executive order withdrawing the US from the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations during a meeting in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington DC. Mr Trump issued a presidential memorandum in January announcing that the US would withdraw from the trade deal Getty The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Mexico wall A US Border Patrol vehicle sits waiting for illegal immigrants at a fence opening near the US-Mexico border near McAllen, Texas. The number of incoming immigrants has surged ahead of the upcoming Presidential inauguration of Donald Trump, who has pledged to build a wall along the US-Mexico border. A signature campaign promise, Mr Trump outlined his intention to build a border wall on the US-Mexico border days after taking office Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and abortion US President Donald Trump signs an executive order as Chief of Staff Reince Priebus looks on in the Oval Office of the White House. Mr Trump reinstated a ban on American financial aide being granted to non-governmental organizations that provide abortion counseling, provide abortion referrals, or advocate for abortion access outside of the United States Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Dakota Access pipeline Opponents of the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines hold a rally as they protest US President Donald Trump's executive orders advancing their construction, at Columbus Circle in New York. US President Donald Trump signed executive orders reviving the construction of two controversial oil pipelines, but said the projects would be subject to renegotiation Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and 'Obamacare' Nancy Pelosi who is the minority leader of the House of Representatives speaks beside House Democrats at an event to protect the Affordable Care Act in Los Angeles, California. US President Donald Trump's effort to make good on his campaign promise to repeal and replace the healthcare law failed when Republicans failed to get enough votes. Mr Trump has promised to revisit the matter Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Donald Trump and 'sanctuary cities' US President Donald Trump signed an executive order in January threatening to pull funding for so-called "sanctuary cities" if they do not comply with federal immigration law AP The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the travel ban US President Donald Trump has attempted twice to restrict travel into the United States from several predominantly Muslim countries. The first attempt, in February, was met with swift opposition from protesters who flocked to airports around the country. That travel ban was later blocked by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The second ban was blocked by a federal judge a day before it was scheduled to be implemented in mid-March SANDY HUFFAKER/AFP/Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and climate change US President Donald Trump sought to dismantle several of his predecessor's actions on climate change in March. His order instructed the Environmental Protection Agency to reevaluate the Clean Power Plan, which would cap power plant emissions Shannon Stapleton/Reuters Theyre not communists, theyre not Nazis but they will enslave or kill you if you disagree with them. Thats my story. Mr Gorka reportedly has his own allegiance to Vitezi Rend. He has been known to sign his name, including on his PhD dissertation, as Sebestyen L. v. Gorka. Experts have said the initials L.v are used by those granted membership of the order and, when they die, by their oldest son. Before joining Mr Trumps team, Mr Gorka worked as a professor at the Institute of World Politics in Washington and as national security editor of Breitbart. He was arrested in January 2016 after trying to board a plane with a 9mm pistol, charged with a weapons offence and is set to appear before a judge later this month. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Americas ambassador to the United Nations has said the US absolutely supports a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, directly contradicting comments made by Donald Trump just a day ago. The US President told reporters after a meeting with the Israeli Prime Minister Bejamin Netanyahu that his administration was no longer wedded to the creation of a Palestinian state. The remarks signalled a departure from America's decades-old approach to Middle East foreign policy. But Nikki Haley, Mr Trump's appointment for ambassador to the UN, said the US remained committed to a two-state solution. She said anyone who believed the US was abandoning the policy did so in error. The UN envoy said: "We are thinking out of the box as well, which is: What does it take to bring these two sides to the table? What do we need to have them agree on? "We absolutely support a two-state solution." The development came as senior figures involved in the Middle East peace process voiced their concern at Mr Trump's apparent U-turn. Saeb Erekat, chief negotiator and Secretary-General of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO), warned that Mr Trumps vision was akin to apartheid". Palestine's chief negotiator warns Trump against one-state solution He said the only alternative to a two-state solution in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict would be one single secular and democratic state with equal rights for everyone, Christians, Muslims and Jews, in all of historic Palestine". He called for concrete measures in order to save the two-state solution". Mr Trumps media conference with Mr Netanyahu on Wednesday continues to send shock waves throughout the region and the wider Muslim world. The two leaders mainly talked about the threat of Iran and the cherished relationship between their respective countries. The new US Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, waits to address the Security Council on the situation in Ukraine (EPA) However, when asked by reporters whether the US will continue its policy of support for the creation of a Palestinian state alongside Israel as was suggested by an anonymous White House official a day earlier Mr Trump was equivocal in his answer. Im looking at two-state and at one-state, and I like the one that both parties like... I can live with either one, he said, in what would be a momentous break from what has been a cornerstone of US policy in the Middle East peace process since Bill Clintons administration. Trump: Im looking at two-state and at one-state, and I like the one that both parties like I thought the two-state [solution] looked easier for a while, he added, before reaffirming he would let Israeli and Palestinian negotiators take the lead on the issue. Mr Netanyahu also dismissed what he said were just labels such as one-state and two-state, saying he would rather focus on a peace deal with the Palestinians of substance. Israel: From independence to intifada Show all 7 1 /7 Israel: From independence to intifada Israel: From independence to intifada 26973.bin Israel: From independence to intifada 26974.bin Israel: From independence to intifada 26975.bin Israel: From independence to intifada 26976.bin Israel: From independence to intifada 26977.bin Israel: From independence to intifada 26985.bin Robert Capa/Magnum Israel: From independence to intifada 26986.bin Robert Capa/Magnum The UN and the Arab League have since issued a joint statement reiterating their support for the creation of a Palestinian state, exposing a widening rift with Mr Trumps stance. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Arab League Chief Ahmed Aboul-Gheit told reporters in Cairo on Thursday that a two-state solution is "the only way to achieve comprehensive and just settlement to the Palestinian cause". The international community generally supports a two-state solution in order to preserve the Palestinian identity and Israels unique status as a Jewish-majority state. However, increasing Israeli expansion in the West Bank which shows no sign of slowing under President Trump and the rise to power of Hamas in Gaza has led the two-state peace process to stumble in the last decade. The Israeli political landscape has also swung to the right in recent years. Many prominent hardline politicians in Mr Netanyahus coalition government are against any form of Palestinian statehood. A new EU-funded poll released on Thursday found that the number of Israelis and Palestinians who support the establishment of an independent Palestinian state has dropped recently but more people continue to prefer a two-state solution overall. 55 per cent of Israelis and 44 per cent of Palestinians currently support a two-state arrangement, but just 24 per cent of Israelis and one-third of Palestinians prefer a single binational state, the poll jointly conducted by Tel Aviv University and the Palestinian Centre for Policy and Survey Research found. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Scientists fear the United States under Donald Trump could become like the Soviet Union, in which the prevailing political ideology was so powerful that science was unable to contradict it with hard evidence. Speaking at the beginning of the American Association for the Advancement of Sciences annual meeting in Boston, its president, Professor Barbara Schaal, and chief executive, Dr Rush Holt, both expressed concern about the use of the phrase alternative facts by Trump administration officials. Professor Schaal also criticised the proposed hardline immigration ban on seven majority-Muslim countries, saying it would damage vital collaboration between scientists. She said people should protest if Mr Trump, who has described global warming as a hoax and appointed a string of sceptics to key positions in his cabinet, cut government climate science projects. But becoming overly political would be a mistake, she added, as it would allow science to be discounted. In totalitarian regimes like the former Soviet Union and North Korea, academics are unable to go against the prevailing political orthodoxy. And Dr Holt said the situation in the US was leading some scientists to fear the same could happen here. When officials use the phrase 'alternative facts' without embarrassment, we know theres a problem, he said. Ive actually heard scientists recently, talking about the need to defend the conditions in which science will thrive they brought up the subject of Soviet agriculture, where scientists were led to believe things that just werent so for political reasons. The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Show all 9 1 /9 The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the media White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer takes questions during the daily press briefing Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Trans-Pacific Partnership Union leaders applaud US President Donald Trump for signing an executive order withdrawing the US from the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations during a meeting in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington DC. Mr Trump issued a presidential memorandum in January announcing that the US would withdraw from the trade deal Getty The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Mexico wall A US Border Patrol vehicle sits waiting for illegal immigrants at a fence opening near the US-Mexico border near McAllen, Texas. The number of incoming immigrants has surged ahead of the upcoming Presidential inauguration of Donald Trump, who has pledged to build a wall along the US-Mexico border. A signature campaign promise, Mr Trump outlined his intention to build a border wall on the US-Mexico border days after taking office Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and abortion US President Donald Trump signs an executive order as Chief of Staff Reince Priebus looks on in the Oval Office of the White House. Mr Trump reinstated a ban on American financial aide being granted to non-governmental organizations that provide abortion counseling, provide abortion referrals, or advocate for abortion access outside of the United States Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Dakota Access pipeline Opponents of the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines hold a rally as they protest US President Donald Trump's executive orders advancing their construction, at Columbus Circle in New York. US President Donald Trump signed executive orders reviving the construction of two controversial oil pipelines, but said the projects would be subject to renegotiation Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and 'Obamacare' Nancy Pelosi who is the minority leader of the House of Representatives speaks beside House Democrats at an event to protect the Affordable Care Act in Los Angeles, California. US President Donald Trump's effort to make good on his campaign promise to repeal and replace the healthcare law failed when Republicans failed to get enough votes. Mr Trump has promised to revisit the matter Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Donald Trump and 'sanctuary cities' US President Donald Trump signed an executive order in January threatening to pull funding for so-called "sanctuary cities" if they do not comply with federal immigration law AP The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the travel ban US President Donald Trump has attempted twice to restrict travel into the United States from several predominantly Muslim countries. The first attempt, in February, was met with swift opposition from protesters who flocked to airports around the country. That travel ban was later blocked by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The second ban was blocked by a federal judge a day before it was scheduled to be implemented in mid-March SANDY HUFFAKER/AFP/Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and climate change US President Donald Trump sought to dismantle several of his predecessor's actions on climate change in March. His order instructed the Environmental Protection Agency to reevaluate the Clean Power Plan, which would cap power plant emissions Shannon Stapleton/Reuters Ive seen it in Burma as well, where wishful thinking about how plants should grow or or how fertilisers should work has contaminated the study of how plants actually grow and fertiliser actually works. Looking at the philosophy of science is not idle ivory-tower thinking, its very important. He said the usual complaints from scientists were about a lacking of funding, but this had recently changed. What I hear now are concerns that are an extension of what I would call an ongoing trend that goes back many years or decades, where ideology and ideological assertions have been crowding out evidence in public and private debates and in policymaking, Dr Holt said. Its reached a point where people are truly troubled by what this means for the practice of science and the ability of science to bring its benefits to the population at large. He said the March for Science a series of protests planned to take place in April across the US and the world in response to Mr Trumps election was a sign of the concern about defending the process of science. The event appeared to be gathering considering support, Dr Holt said. The T-shirts are selling fast, Im told. Professor Schaal also hit out at another controversial Trump policy the ban on immigration into the US from countries like Iran, Libya, Syria and Sudan. In order for science to flourish we need to have a great deal of communication between governments and scientists and across borders, she said. The US has been extraordinarily privileged to have many, many international scientists. Anything that restricts that flow of individuals is of great concern. She added that the Trump administrations moves to prevent some US government scientists including those working at the Environmental Protection Agency from speaking out publicly about their work had been very chilling. Were also worried about the use of evidence in making policy. The fact there could be a conversation about alternative facts is deeply concerning. We need to base policy on facts, she said. This kind of conversation where evidence is discarded, where it is modified, where its discounted, is very, very concerning. Asked what scientists should do if the Trump administration cut government programmes about climate change, Professor Schaal said: I think protest. But she added: This is a very difficult situation we are butting right up against a political concern. It is critical that we be very firm about the state of science and the importance of climate science, but not get to the point where we are overly political. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A third person has been arrested in connection with the assassination of the North Korean leaders half-brother Kim Jong-nam, Malaysian police have said. The suspect was reportedly detained on Thursday morning and is believed to be the boyfriend of one of the two women already arrested. Police said he provided information that led to the arrest of a woman who was using Indonesian travel documents. The latest arrest follows the detention of two female suspects who were arrested separately on Wednesday and Thursday, one of whom held a Vietnamese passport and the other an Indonesian passport, although there was no immediate way to determine whether the IDs were genuine. The women were identified using CCTV footage from Kuala Lumpur airport, where they are suspected to have sprayed a poisonous liquid into the face of Mr Kim on Monday as he prepared to board a flight to Macau, causing him to suffer a mild seizure and die shortly afterwards. Still photos of the CCTV video, which circulated widely across the internet on Wednesday, showed the woman in a skirt and long-sleeved white T-shirt with LOL an acronym for laughing out loud emblazoned across the front. The third arrest comes as it emerged that Mr Kim had pleaded with his half-brother, Kim Jong-un, to spare his life following an alleged assassination attempt four years ago. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Kim Jong-uns brother had begged the North Korean leader to spare his life before he was assassinated in Malaysia, intelligence officials have revealed as police arrested a second and third suspect in connection with the death. Kim Jong-nam, 45, wrote a letter to his brother in 2012, who took power after their father Kim Jong-il died in 2011, pleading with him to withdraw a standing order for his assassination, according to lawmakers who were briefed by South Koreas spy agency. It comes following two further arrests in connection with Mr Kim's death, thought to have involved a poisonous liquid being sprayed into his face at Kuala Lumpur international airport on Monday as he prepared to board a flight to Macau, causing him to suffer a seizure which led to his death. A second woman holding an Indonesian passport that identified her as 25-year-old Siti Aishah was detained on Thursday, while the third suspect, believed to be the boyfriend of one of the arrested women, was reportedly arrested on the same day but has not yet been named. The first suspect, who held Vietnamese documents bearing the name Doan Thi Huong, aged 28, was arrested on Wednesday after she was positively identified from the CCTV footage at the airport and was alone at the time of arrest. Both female suspects have reportedly been remanded in custody in Malaysia for seven days. Lee Byung-ho, head of the National Intelligence Service, told MPs in Seoul on Thursday that the North Korean intelligence services had been consistently preparing for the killing of Mr Kim, who had previously referred to the North Korean regime as a joke and predicted that it would soon collapse. It was a command that had to be pulled off, no matter what. The [North Korean] spy agency had consistently been preparing for the killing and they accomplished it this time, Mr Byung-ho said A member of the parliamentary intelligence committee in South Korea, Kim Byung-kee, said that there had been an assassination attempt against Mr Kim five years ago, according to The Times. CCTV shows woman arrested in connection with Kim Jong-nam murder wearing LOL t-shirt In April 2012 Kim Jong-nam sent a letter to Kim Jong-un, begging for mercy for him and his family and saying they had no place to hide, and they understood very well that the only way to escape was to commit suicide, said Mr Byung-kee. MPs were told by intelligence officers the North Korean leader had said: "I just hate him, so get rid of him." The letter from Mr Kim addressed to his brother reportedly read: We have nowhere to go, nowhere to hide. We are well aware that the only way to escape is suicide. CCTV footage circulating the internet on Wednesday showed a woman suspected to be one of the attackers in Kuala Lumpur airport wearing a short skirt and a long-sleeved shirt with the letters LOL an acronym for laughing out loud written across it. A post-mortem examination carried out at a hospital in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday despite objections from diplomats at the North Korean embassy, who had requested the examination did not take place at that the body be released immediately. It is not clear when the results of the post-mortem will be made public. Inside the daily life in North Korea Show all 19 1 /19 Inside the daily life in North Korea Inside the daily life in North Korea People reading a newspaper at the metro station Inside the daily life in North Korea Thoughts of the leaders on the tram. They have about a dozen of these on every tram, all with different thoughts Inside the daily life in North Korea Young people training for a big upcoming festival Inside the daily life in North Korea People at the Pyongyang's annual marathon Inside the daily life in North Korea Many stars on one of the trolleys in Pyongyang Inside the daily life in North Korea An intimidating poster in a primary school in North Korea. Inside the daily life in North Korea Solar panels installed on a street lamp. Inside the daily life in North Korea A poster on the window next to one of the venues we visited in Pyongyang Inside the daily life in North Korea Kids playing football next to the Arch of Triumph. After a while tourists were allowed to join, so some of us did Inside the daily life in North Korea Class in an educational center in Pyongyang (where people over 17 years old can attend any classes they choose after school, for free) Inside the daily life in North Korea People waving at me during the Pyongyang marathon Inside the daily life in North Korea People having a great time dancing at a public park Inside the daily life in North Korea A metro driver in a metro station in Pyongyang Inside the daily life in North Korea Fireworks to mark the birthday of the Eternal President Kim Il Sung on our last night in Pyongyang Inside the daily life in North Korea My wonderful tour guide at a public park Inside the daily life in North Korea One of the parks in Pyongyang Inside the daily life in North Korea A person rowing some boats for the day at a river in Pyongyang Inside the daily life in North Korea The National War Museum Inside the daily life in North Korea Public park in Pyongyang Police added yesterday that he had been grabbed from behind and sprayed or splashed in the face with an unidentified liquid. Just prior to his death, Mr Kim felt like someone grabbed or held his face from behind, according to a Malaysian police official, before he suffered a mild seizure subsequently died in an ambulance on the way to hospital. There has reportedly been no mention of Mr Kim's killing in North Korea's official media. Mr Kim was estranged from his younger brother and lived with his wife and two children in Macau on the south coast of China. He had previously spoken out against his family's dynastic control of North Korea. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Kim Jong-nam may have been tracked down by alleged assassins because of his careless use of social media, an intelligence official has suggested. The half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un died in suspicious circumstances after falling ill at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Monday. Malaysian police said the man was carrying a passport in the name of Kim Chol, a pseudonym linked to the North Korean exile for several years. CCTV shows woman arrested in connection with Kim Jong-nam murder wearing LOL t-shirt A Facebook account under that name appears to carry photographs of Kim Jong-nam travelling around China, Europe and in Macau, where he lived after fleeing Pyongyang with his family. The pages authenticity could not be verified but it has been linked to Mr Kim in news reports dating back to 2012 and contains photographs dating back almost a decade as well as matching autobiographical details. Sources told NK News the profile was real, including pictures of his pet dog and messages to friends around the world. Cha Du-hyeogn, the former intelligence secretary to South Koreas President, said Mr Kims choice to post photos showing his location showed a remarkable lack of concern over threats to his life. Open activities like these do not look like they are coming from a person who is constantly under the death threats, he added. I think it is possible that Kim was careless, leading to his unsuspecting death. A photo believed to show Kim Jong-nam in Shanghai, posted in Facebook in 2010 The Facebook page shows a man thought to be Kim Jong-nam posing alone in locations including Macau, Shanghai, Geneva and on a boat with a friend in Europe. Known as something of a playboy, he was snapped outside casinos in Macau, one of the worlds largest gambling centres. Living Las Vegas in Asia, said a status posted in 2010. I miss Europe, read another comment posted in 2013. The last public activity on the account was in November 2015, when Kim Chol overlaid his Facebook photo of a squirrel with a French flag as a tribute to the victims of the Paris attacks. An eclectic range of Facebook likes include a comedy page impersonating Kim Jong-un, Playboy magazine, Vladimir Putin, the Prime Minister of Singapore, an American soldier who lived in North Korea, Boo the dog and several nightclubs. The eldest son of North Koreas former leader Kim Jong-il, he was educated at the International School of Geneva and Lycee Francais Alexandre Dumas in Moscow. A photo believed to show Kim Jong-nam in Geneva, posted on Facebook in 2010 He was considered to be in training as North Koreas next supreme leader during the 1990s but fell out of favour with his father after being caught with a fake passport in Japan in 2001, claiming he wanted to visit Tokyo Disneyland. The incident made global headlines, worsening Mr Kims stance in North Korea, where his birth was already considered shameful because his father and mother, actress Sung Hye Rim, were unmarried. He went into exile and was known to be living in Macau from around 2003, but also had relatives including at least three children with three different women two wives and one mistress living in Beijing according to South Koreas intelligence service. He had been spotted at a hotel in Macau in 2010, then at Beijing International Airport in 2012, identifying himself when questioned by South Korean tourists, and in Singapore later that year. After his fathers death, Mr Kim complained that his younger half-brother and the countrys new leader, was failing to treat him with respect and send him enough money, according to Cheong Seong-Chang, an analyst at South Koreas Sejong Institute. However, he refrained from openly criticising the North and kept a low profile after his uncle and former protector Jang Song-thaek, once considered the countrys second-most powerful individual, was executed in 2013. Kim Jong-un has executed or purged a number of high-level government officials and had been attempting to kill his brother for five years, according to South Koreas National Intelligence Service. Inside the daily life in North Korea Show all 19 1 /19 Inside the daily life in North Korea Inside the daily life in North Korea People reading a newspaper at the metro station Inside the daily life in North Korea Thoughts of the leaders on the tram. They have about a dozen of these on every tram, all with different thoughts Inside the daily life in North Korea Young people training for a big upcoming festival Inside the daily life in North Korea People at the Pyongyang's annual marathon Inside the daily life in North Korea Many stars on one of the trolleys in Pyongyang Inside the daily life in North Korea An intimidating poster in a primary school in North Korea. Inside the daily life in North Korea Solar panels installed on a street lamp. Inside the daily life in North Korea A poster on the window next to one of the venues we visited in Pyongyang Inside the daily life in North Korea Kids playing football next to the Arch of Triumph. After a while tourists were allowed to join, so some of us did Inside the daily life in North Korea Class in an educational center in Pyongyang (where people over 17 years old can attend any classes they choose after school, for free) Inside the daily life in North Korea People waving at me during the Pyongyang marathon Inside the daily life in North Korea People having a great time dancing at a public park Inside the daily life in North Korea A metro driver in a metro station in Pyongyang Inside the daily life in North Korea Fireworks to mark the birthday of the Eternal President Kim Il Sung on our last night in Pyongyang Inside the daily life in North Korea My wonderful tour guide at a public park Inside the daily life in North Korea One of the parks in Pyongyang Inside the daily life in North Korea A person rowing some boats for the day at a river in Pyongyang Inside the daily life in North Korea The National War Museum Inside the daily life in North Korea Public park in Pyongyang Kim Jong-nam sent a letter to the leader in April 2012 pleading for the lives of himself and his family. I hope you cancel the order for the punishment of me and my family, the letter said. We have nowhere to go, nowhere to hide, and we know that the only way to escape is committing suicide. Mr Kim was waiting for a flight to Macau when he collapsed at Kuala Lumpur international airport on Monday. He died on the way to the hospital, after telling medical workers at the airport that he had been sprayed with a chemical, although conflicting media reports have claimed a needle or other device was used to administer suspected poison. Three suspects two women and a man have been arrested after being identified on CCTV footage that showed one of the suspects wearing a T-shirt with LOL written across the front. There were claims two women carried out the suspected assassination before fleeing in a taxi, while the man detained is believed to be a boyfriend of one of the suspects. Medical workers have completed an autopsy on Mr Kim, despite an objection from North Korea, but the results have not been released. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} More than a million kangaroos are expected to be killed in Australia this year as the country launches a mass cull of the creatures in an effort to protect endangered grasslands and wildlife. Wildlife groups have criticised the plans and warned that the illegal killing of the creatures by farmers and hunters, combined with the government-sanctioned cull, could see their numbers rapidly deplete. An Office of Environment and Heritage spokesperson for the New South Wales government insisted the quotas were sustainable in the long term. But Brad Smith, secretary of the Upper Hunter Valley Wildlife Aid group, told The Independent that he feared kangaroos could soon become extinct if the level of culling continues. If you take into account the numbers of kangaroos shot each year and the numbers hit and killed by cars, its running into millions and millions per year," he said. Australias national parks allocate tags to property owners who wish to cull kangaroos on their land, which they are then required to attach to any kangaroo they shoot as a way to mark that it was a legal kangaroo shooting. But this doesnt happen often enough, said Mr Smith, who has been running the group from his home in southern Australia for 10 years. A person who wants roos culled from their property has to contact the national parks, who will then give them a tag for every kangaroo they are allowed to shoot. But that very rarely happens, not nearly enough, he added. Around 160 joeys are rescued by Upper Hunter Valley Wildlife Aid each year from their dead mothers pouches (Upper Hunter Valley Wildlife Aid) Often farmers will just shoot them for their dogs to eat. Its illegal but if its on a farmers property, whos going to see it? Youve got all sorts of people who just go out and shoot away, killing as many as they can. Upper Hunter Valley Wildlife Aid works specifically to rescue and rehabilitate injured or orphaned kangaroos and other animals, and Mr Smith and his wife are currently caring for 13 joeys in their home. The group rescues around 160 orphaned joeys each year and receives around 2,000 calls during that time from people who have found the young creatures in need of rescuing. Mr Smith explained that they are rescued in all sorts of situations, including where their mothers have been hit by cars and caught in fences as well as after they have been shot dead. The Smiths are currently caring for and rehabilitating 13 orphaned joeys in their home (Upper Hunter Valley Wildlife Aid) When they shoot a kangaroo they either leave the joey in the pouch to die where it will eventually starve, freeze, cook or get eaten by some sort of predator or they just grab the animal by the ankles and smash its head on a rock or a tree, he said. That is classed by the national parks as the humane way to kill a joey: blunt force trauma to the head. And joeys dont even count in the numbers that are allowed to be killed. Mr Smith said he believed around 60 per cent of joeys born in Australia today do not reach adulthood, with most deaths caused by human actions. Joeys being fed after being rescued from their dead mothers pouches (Upper Hunter Valley Wildlife Aid) Official statistics show that more than 1.5 million kangaroos were killed in 2015, and while the figures for 2016 are not yet available, it is estimated to be in a similar region. But Mr Smith believes the true numbers are higher. There are official stats, but they dont know the full number killed each year because its so often done illegally, he told The Independent. Mr Smith says around 60 per cent of joeys born in Australia today do not reach adulthood, with most deaths caused by human actions (Upper Hunter Valley Wildlife Aid) I know that in some parts of the country kangaroos are in plague proportions, while in other parts of the country they arent. But this doesnt stop shooters shooting. Who knows whats going to happen in the future? They may become extinct. They do breed like flies, but as I said only 40 per cent get to adulthood, and as populations in towns grow, the kangaroos are also losing their habitat, which is only putting them at more risk of being killed. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A penguin has been found decapitated near a car park after being stolen from a German zoo. The young bird went missing from the Luisenpark in Mannheim on Saturday, sparking a police investigation. A passer-by found the penguins body on Thursday morning, mounted on a fence on the edge of a nearby car park. A spokesperson for Mannheim Police told The Independent the Humboldts head had been removed. Investigators are now hunting for the perpetrators, having found no evidence the penguin could have escaped its enclosure alone or been attacked by a wild animal. The penguin, identified by the number 53 on its wing, is being examined by veterinary surgeons before the results are passed to the commissioner for animal protection. In pictures: Penguins in jumpers Show all 6 1 /6 In pictures: Penguins in jumpers In pictures: Penguins in jumpers The Penguin Foundation The Penguin Foundation on Phillip Island in Victoria saves the lives of penguins - by putting them in jumpers In pictures: Penguins in jumpers The Penguin Foundation When penguins are caught in oil spills, their feathers become matted, making it hard for them to stay warm or hunt for food In pictures: Penguins in jumpers The Penguin Foundation Until they can be cleaned, the jumpers help to keep the penguins warm and also stops them from ingesting oil in attempts to clean their feathers with their beaks In pictures: Penguins in jumpers The Penguin Foundation Once the penguins are treated, they are released back into the wild in their birthday suits In pictures: Penguins in jumpers The Penguin Foundation The Penguin Foundation has some dedicated volunteers who knit the jumpers, including 95-year-old Merle Davenport, who has knit over 1000! In pictures: Penguins in jumpers The Penguin Foundation But they always need more. You can contribute a jumper by downloading a pattern on the Penguin Foundation website. Get as creative as you like! If you cant knit, you could always 'adopt' a penguin to help fund the rescue and rehabilitation operations Mannheim prosecutor's office has opened an investigation against unknown persons, a spokesperson said, launching a police appeal for witnesses. Joachim Koltzsch, the director of Luisenpark, said: The incident with our missing penguin could not have had a more tragic outcome. Our employees and visitors had an emotional attachment to the animal. All of us, especially the zookeepers who took care of the animal every day, are shaken by the death and also by the way such little respect was given for a living creature. National Intelligence Service chief Won Sei-hoon on Monday denied rumors that late North Korean leader Kim Jong-il's eldest son has defected to a third country, and that South Koreas intelligence was involved in the defection. "The NIS will not meddle in such a thing," Won was quoted as saying by Rep. Jung Cheong-rae of the National Assembly's Intelligence Committee. At a National Assembly audit, Won also denied suspicions that the NIS is stirring up trouble and inciting fear of North Korea to benefit the ruling Saenuri Party, which traditionally benefits from cross-border tension, ahead of the presidential election. "Rumor has it that Kim Jong-nam is being persuaded to defect to [South Korea] in order to sway votes in the presidential election," Won admitted, but he denied the NIS has a hand in this. Kim Jong-nam, who was passed over for the succession in favor of his younger brother, has disappeared from the radar for the last few months. Won said Kim is not in Macau, where he had previously been living a playboy life. Won declined to comment on media reports that North Korean security raided Kim Jong-nam's home in Pyongyang. The NIS chief was also grilled about a bizarre story involving an ostensible transcript of a secret conversation between Kim Jong-il and former president Roh Moo-hyun, in 2007, which suggested that Roh was willing to redraw the de facto maritime border between the two Koreas. Won was asked if the NIS has the audio recording which a South Korean lawmaker claims to have obtained from North Korean officials. He said to his knowledge no such record exists. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} There will be no military cooperation with Russia and Vladimir Putins government must show that it is ready to abide by international law, Americas Defence Secretary has declared, as he accused the Kremlin of interfering in a series of elections in democratic states. The combative stance taken by General James Mattis at a Nato summit in Brussels appeared to contradict that of Donald Trump, who has declared that he wanted to cooperate with Mr Putin, a man he has repeatedly praised on counter-terrorism, especially against Isis in Syria. The US President has only belatedly acknowledged that Moscow carried out hacking operations in the election which brought him to power, after a long period denying that was the case. Mr Putin raised the issue of security today, stating that it was vital to have cooperation with the US and Nato. Its in everyones interest to resume dialogue between the intelligence agencies of the United States and other members of Nato. It is absolutely clear that in the area of counter-terrorism all relevant government departments and international groups should work together, said the Russian President. Speaking soon afterwards, Mr Mattis made it clear that there was a trust deficit with Moscow. Asked whether he believed that Russia interfered in the American presidential elections, Mr Mattis answered: There is very little doubt that Russia has interfered, or attempted to interfere, in a number of elections in democracies. On joint military action with Moscow in Syria, he was adamant: We are not in a position right now to collaborate on a military level. Political talks will take place, said the US Defence Secretary, to seek a way forward where Russia, living up to its commitments, will return to a partnership of sorts here with Nato. But, Russia is going to have to prove itself first, he said. The Nato summit hosted discussions on counter-terrorism, but most of the agenda was designed to counter alleged Russian aggression ranging from conventional military to cyber attacks. Several member states in eastern Europe have said they have been targeted in hacking operations. Earlier in the week, Ciaran Martin, the head of the UKs new National Cyber Security Centre, revealed that political parties in Britain asked for help following cyber attacks during the 2015 UK general election and the hacking of Democratic Party emails in the US elections. Nato military units are continuing to be deployed in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland and the naval presence will be increased in the Black Sea region. Russia has complained that the build-up of troops at its borders is in breach of past pledges by the alliance, and spurious threats were being manufactured in the Black Sea region to justify an enlarged Western presence there. Natos Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, insisted at the summit: Our aim is to prevent conflict, not to provoke it. We will not match Russia soldier for soldier, tank for tank, plane for plane. Our deployments are defensive and measured. Our presence in the Black Sea will in no way aim at provoking any conflict or escalating tensions. Mr Mattis has demanded that Nato raise their defence spending to alleviate the disproportionate contribution being made to the alliances budget by the US. This would, in part, help Nato to negotiate from a position of strength, he held. The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Show all 9 1 /9 The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the media White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer takes questions during the daily press briefing Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Trans-Pacific Partnership Union leaders applaud US President Donald Trump for signing an executive order withdrawing the US from the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations during a meeting in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington DC. Mr Trump issued a presidential memorandum in January announcing that the US would withdraw from the trade deal Getty The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Mexico wall A US Border Patrol vehicle sits waiting for illegal immigrants at a fence opening near the US-Mexico border near McAllen, Texas. The number of incoming immigrants has surged ahead of the upcoming Presidential inauguration of Donald Trump, who has pledged to build a wall along the US-Mexico border. A signature campaign promise, Mr Trump outlined his intention to build a border wall on the US-Mexico border days after taking office Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and abortion US President Donald Trump signs an executive order as Chief of Staff Reince Priebus looks on in the Oval Office of the White House. Mr Trump reinstated a ban on American financial aide being granted to non-governmental organizations that provide abortion counseling, provide abortion referrals, or advocate for abortion access outside of the United States Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Dakota Access pipeline Opponents of the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines hold a rally as they protest US President Donald Trump's executive orders advancing their construction, at Columbus Circle in New York. US President Donald Trump signed executive orders reviving the construction of two controversial oil pipelines, but said the projects would be subject to renegotiation Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and 'Obamacare' Nancy Pelosi who is the minority leader of the House of Representatives speaks beside House Democrats at an event to protect the Affordable Care Act in Los Angeles, California. US President Donald Trump's effort to make good on his campaign promise to repeal and replace the healthcare law failed when Republicans failed to get enough votes. Mr Trump has promised to revisit the matter Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Donald Trump and 'sanctuary cities' US President Donald Trump signed an executive order in January threatening to pull funding for so-called "sanctuary cities" if they do not comply with federal immigration law AP The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the travel ban US President Donald Trump has attempted twice to restrict travel into the United States from several predominantly Muslim countries. The first attempt, in February, was met with swift opposition from protesters who flocked to airports around the country. That travel ban was later blocked by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The second ban was blocked by a federal judge a day before it was scheduled to be implemented in mid-March SANDY HUFFAKER/AFP/Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and climate change US President Donald Trump sought to dismantle several of his predecessor's actions on climate change in March. His order instructed the Environmental Protection Agency to reevaluate the Clean Power Plan, which would cap power plant emissions Shannon Stapleton/Reuters This led to another spat with the Russian defence minister, Sergei Shoigu, saying that attempts to build a dialogue with Russia from a position of strength would be futile. The US Defence Secretary hit back: I have no need to respond to the Russian statement at all. Nato has always stood for military strength and protection of the democracies and the freedoms we intend to pass on to our children. However, dialogue was taking place with the US Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, and Russian foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, meeting in Germany, and the military chiefs of the two countries, US marine General Joseph Dunford and the Russian General Valery Gerasimov in Azerbaijan. Mr Lavrov repeated Russias denial of hacking during the American election. You should know we do not interfere in the domestic matters of other countries, he said. The Kremlin continued to refuse to comment publicly on the turmoil which has enmeshed the Trump administration, with Michael Flynn, the Presidents national security advisor, being forced to resign over clandestine contact with the Russian ambassador to the US and an investigation under way into links between the Trump election team and Russia. But Konstantin Kosachyov, the head of the international affairs committee in the Duma, protested that even a readiness for a dialogue with Russians is seen in Washington as a thought crime. Either Trump has not found an independence he was looking for, and is being gradually cornered, or Russophobia has infected the new administration top down. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Anti-police protests in Paris descended into violence last night as a wave of demonstrations gripped the country, following accusations a police officer anally raped a young black man with a baton. Protesters clashed with riot police after they lit piles of rubbish and bins on fire in the streets of the 18th arrondissement in the north of the French capital. The riot police threw tear gas canisters at the protesters, which were in turn thrown back at them. A shop was also looted and windows were smashed. Hundreds of people, some wearing hoods to hide their identity, travelled to the Barbes Metro station to protest against police brutality. The protests, which have been contained to the suburbs in recent weeks, erupted in Paris after a 22-year-old man known as Theo, was allegedly raped with a truncheon during a routine police check earlier this month. A policeman has been placed under formal investigation for the alleged rape and three others are under investigation for violent conduct during Theos arrest in Aulnay-sous-Bois. An initial investigation concluded there was insufficient evidence to support the mans claim that he was deliberately sodomised and police claimed the rape was an accident. Theo, a youth worker, whose surname has been withheld, remains in hospital with injuries to his anus and head. Demonstrations have taken place across France since the alleged incident happened on 2 February and a total of 200 people have been arrested so far. Some of the signs held during the protest in Paris read Justice for Theo, Faced with police impunity lets be uncontrollable and Police, rapists, assassins. Police estimated around 400 people took to the streets in protest on Wednesday night. The incident involving Theo has drawn attention again to alleged police brutality in the French suburbs, where police officers are accused of abusing their position of authority, particularly against young black people. The tensions have brought back memories of the violence that erupted in north Paris and across France in 2005, when 6,000 people were arrested during weeks of riots. The protests began after two teenage boys climbed a fence in an electricity substation and were electrocuted when trying to escape from police. The French authorities were forced to declare a state of emergency and by the time tensions were appeased, 10,000 cars had been burnt and 300 buildings destroyed or vandalised. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} At least 48 people have been killed in a car bombing in Baghdad that has been claimed by Isis, the Iraqi Interior Ministry has said. A vehicle packed with explosives struck a busy street in Baghdad's southwestern al-Bayaa neighbourhood shortly before sunset Thursday, targeting market stalls and car dealerships. Officials initially reported a death toll of at least 15, but security and medical sources revised the number of deaths up to more than 48, with at least 60 others injured. Iraq: Frustration mounts as Baghdad residents dismiss faulty bomb-detection devices Mobile phone footage reportedly from the scene showed charred bodies lying in the road, with car alarms and sirens screeching in the background. Isis claimed responsibility for the attack through its Amaq news agency, adding that that the Sunni organisation had targeted Shia Muslims. Another four attacks in and around Baghdad on Thursday killed eight people and wounded around 30, police and medical officials said. Two other bombs have hit different Shia neighbourhoods of the city in the last two days. In pictures: Mosul offensive Show all 40 1 /40 In pictures: Mosul offensive In pictures: Mosul offensive A doctor carries an Iraqi newborn baby at a hospital in Mosul, Iraq July 18, 2017. Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi girls play at a yard of a school in Mosul, Iraq July 18, 2017alal Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive A woman on crutches who is a relative of men accused of being Islamic State militants is seen at a camp in Bartella, east of Mosul, Iraq July 15, 2017. Picture taken July 15, 2017. Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive A displaced girl, who fled from home carries a doll at Hamam al-Alil camp south of Mosul, Iraq July 13, 2017. Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi federal police members and civilians celebrate in the Old City of Mosul on 9 July 2017 after the government's announcement of the "liberation" of the embattled city. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's office said he was in "liberated" Mosul to congratulate "the heroic fighters and the Iraqi people on the achievement of the major victory" AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive A picture taken on 9 July 2017, shows a general view of the destruction in Mosul's Old City. Iraq will announce imminently a final victory in the nearly nine-month offensive to retake Mosul from jihadists, a US general said Saturday, as celebrations broke out among police forces in the city. AFP In pictures: Mosul offensive Members of the Iraqi federal police raise the victory gesture as they ride on a humvee while advancing through the Old City of Mosul on 28 June 2017, as the offensive continues to retake the last district held by Islamic State (IS) group fighters. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive Smoke billows as Iraqi forces advance through the Old City of Mosul on 26 June 2017, during the ongoing offensive to retake the last district held by the Islamic State (IS) group. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive An Iraqi man wearing the green scarf of the Shi'ite faith kisses an Iraqi Army soldier on safely reaching the Iraqi forces position as Iraqi civilians flee the Old City of west Mosul where heavy fighting continues on 23 June 2017. Iraqi forces continue to encounter stiff resistance with improvised explosive devices, car bombs, heavy mortar fire and snipers hampering their advance. Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive A picture taken from the inside of an Iraqi forces armoured vehicle shows residents walking through a damaged street as troops advance towards Mosul's Old City on 18 June 2017, during the ongoing offensive to retake the last district still held by the Islamic State (IS) group. Military commanders told AFP the assault had begun at dawn after overnight air strikes by the US-led coalition backing Iraqi forces. They said the jihadists were putting up fierce resistance. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi Army soldiers advance in a destroyed street after an Iraqi forces airstrike targeted an Islamic State sniper position 17 June 2017 in al-Shifa, the last district of west Mosul under Islamic State control. IS snipers, as well as car and suicide bomb attacks continue to hinder the Iraqi forces efforts to retake the final district. A series of airstrikes by Iraqi helicopter gunships attempted to hit multiple Islamic State sniper positions in al-Shifa. Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive An Iraqi soldier frisks a displaced Iraqi man at a temporary camp in the compound of the closed Nineveh International Hotel in Mosul on 16 June 2017 which was recovered by Iraqi troops from Islamic State group fighters earlier in the year. A screening centre set up in the compound's fairgrounds sees a constant stream of Iraqis fleeing the battle for Mosul, awaiting their turn to be checked by the Iraqi forces who are searching for suspected Islamic State (IS) group members. The small fairground lies at the end of a pontoon bridge across the Tigris recently opened to civilians that is the only physical link between the two banks of the river. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqis staying at the al-Khazir camp swim in a river near the camp for internally displaced people, located between Arbil and Mosul on 11 June 2017. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi government forces drive on a road leading to Tal Afar on 9 June 2017, during ongoing battles to retake the city from Islamic State (IS) group fighters. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive An Iraqi policeman carries a poster bearing an image of Mosul's iconic leaning minaret, known as the "Hadba" (Hunchback), on 22 June 2017. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqis stand in line to receive food aid in western Mosul's Zanjili neighbourhood on 7 June 2017, during ongoing battles as Iraqi forces try to retake the city from Islamic State (IS) group fighters. Living conditions in Mosul have again deteriorated since the start of the Iraqi government's offensive on the city in October in which they retook a large part of the west of the city. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive Displaced Iraqis carry lightbulbs and sacks as they evacuate from western Mosul's Zanjili neighbourhood as government forces advance in the area during their ongoing battle against Islamic State (IS) group fighters on 13 May 2017 AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive A member of the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) flashes the victory gesture as he patrols in western Mosul's al-Islah al-Zaraye neighbourhood on 13 May 2017 AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi army soldiers from the 9th armoured division on a truck flash the sign of victory as they drive back from Mosul to the town of Qaraqosh (also known as Hamdaniya) Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive Members of Iraqi forces flash the sign of victory on their vehicle as they advance towards Hammam al-Alil area south of Mosul Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive A member of Iraqi security forces gestures in Hammam al-Alil, south of Mosul, Iraq Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi children, one flashing the sign of victory, greet Iraqi army's soldiers from the 9th armoured division in the area of Ali Rash, adjacent to the eastern Al-Intissar neighbourhood of Mosul Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive Peshmerga forces look at a tunnel used by Islamic State militants near the town of Bashiqa, east of Mosul, during an operation to attack Islamic State militants in Mosul, Iraq Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive An Iraqi soldier takes a photograph with his phone as his comrade stands next to a detained man, whom the Iraqi army soldiers accused of being an Islamic State fighter, who was fleeing with his family in the Intisar disrict of eastern Mosul, Iraq Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive Iranian Kurdish female members of the Freedom Party of Kurdistan (PAK) hold a position in an area near the town of Bashiqa, some 25 kilometres north east of Mosul Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi families, who fled their homes in Hamam al-Alil, gather on the outskirts of their town Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive Displaced people walk past a checkpoint near Qayara, south of Mosul, Iraq AP In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi families who were displaced by the ongoing operation by Iraqi forces against jihadists of the Islamic State group to retake the city of Mosul, are seen gathering in an area near Qayyarah In pictures: Mosul offensive A boy who just fled Abu Jarbuah village is seen with his family at a Kurdish Peshmerga position between two front lines near Bashiqa, east of Mosul, Iraq Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive An Iraqi child eats a pomegranate upon the arrival of Iraqi forces in the village of Umm Mahahir, south of Mosul Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive People who just fled Abu Jarbuah village sit as they eat at a Kurdish Peshmerga position between two front lines near Bashiqa, east of Mosul, Iraq Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive A couple who just fled Abu Jarbuah village are escorted by Kurdish Peshmerga soldiers Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive Women carry a boy over a wall as civilians flee their houses in the village of Tob Zawa, Iraq AP In pictures: Mosul offensive An Iraqi soldier and a civilian ride a motorbike as smoke rises behind them, on the road between Qayyarah and Mosul Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive A member of Iraqi forces, wearing a skull mask, waits at a checkpoint for people fleeing the main hub city of Mosul Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive An Iraqi soldier sits at a checkpoint in an area near Qayyarah Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi men prepare food portions for Iraqi forces deployed in areas south of Mosul Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi forces celebrate upon the arrival of vehicles bringing food to them Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi childen smoke cigarettes upon the arrival of Iraqi forces in the village of Umm Mahahir, south of Mosul Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive A member of Iraqi forces distributes drinks to children in the village of Umm Mahahir, south of Mosul Getty The extremist group has carried out frequent attacks in both Baghdad and other areas of Iraqi since US-backed Iraqi coalition forces began a major operation to oust Isis from the northern city of Mosul in October. The suicide and car bombings are designed to show the group is still capable of inflicting death and destruction, distracting from their military setbacks. In 2016 the extremists lost more than a quarter of the territory they control across Iraq and Syria, analysis from IHT Markit shows. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} One of Frances most wanted jihadis is thought to have been killed in a US air strike near the Isis-controlled city of Mosul in Iraq, both the Pentagon and social media channels used by Isis have confirmed. Rachid Kassim, born in Roanne in 1987 to an Algerian mother and Yemeni father, was a high profile recruiter for the extremist group, encouraging attacks and linking up radicalised teenagers via his Telegram and Facebook accounts. The French authorities suspect him of coordinating the 2016 knife killings of a French police officer and his wife in their home, and the beheading of a priest. He has been connected to several other failed plots. An audio recording which appears to have been made in December, designed to be released after his death spread through social media channels late on Wednesday. In the message, Kassim says he has been asked to carry out a suicide attack, but condemns Isis' leaders for sending their men to the front lines, while not volunteering for fighting or suicide missions themselves. He also implores fellow fighters to treat the wives of those killed in action better. Donald Trump open to working with Moscow to fight Isis in Syria In July last year - just after the Bastille Day attack in Nice which killed 86 people - Kassim appeared in a propaganda video in which he beheaded a captive and called for more attacks against French citizens. A lot of us are jealous of brothers who attack in dar ul-kufr [non Muslim countries], he told Jihadology, a blog which tracks Islamic extremism, in November. We believe that even a small attack in dar ul-kufr is better than a big attack in Syria. As the door of hijrah [migration] closes, the door of jihad opens. If I stayed in dar ul-kufr, I would do an attack there. In pictures: Isis' weapons factories Show all 11 1 /11 In pictures: Isis' weapons factories In pictures: Isis' weapons factories A mortar round fin manufactured by Isis in Gogjali, Mosul, November 2016 Conflict Armament Research In pictures: Isis' weapons factories Isis rocket components discovered in Gogjali, Mosul, Iraq in November 2016 Conflict Armament Research In pictures: Isis' weapons factories Isis mortars discovered near Karamlais, Iraq, in November 2016 CAR In pictures: Isis' weapons factories An Isis rocket launch frame in Qaraqosh, November 2016 Conflict Armament Research In pictures: Isis' weapons factories A memo from Isis' COSQC on quality control at a manufacturing facility in Gogjali, Mosul, November 2016 Conflict Armament Research In pictures: Isis' weapons factories Electrically-operated initiators manufactured by Isis in forces Gogjali, Mosul, November 2016 Conflict Armament Research In pictures: Isis' weapons factories Isis mortar tubes at a manufacturing facility in Karamlais, November 2016 Conflict Armament Research In pictures: Isis' weapons factories An Isis mortar production facility discovered in Gogjali, Mosul, in November 2016 Conflict Armament Research In pictures: Isis' weapons factories An Isis weapons manufacturing facilities near Mosul in November 2016 Conflict Armament Research In pictures: Isis' weapons factories Stocks of French-manufactured Sorbitol, Latvian potassium nitrate and Lebanese sugar at an Isis weapons factory in Iraq Conflict Armament Research In pictures: Isis' weapons factories A destroyed Isis weapons facility in Qaraqosh, Iraq, November 2016 Conflict Armament Research The fighter was the target of a US coalition strike near Mosul in northern Iraq last week, the Pentagon said on Friday. Both the US and French police sources have since confirmed that Kassim was killed in the February 8 strike. French media said DNA matching the fighter's was recovered from a truck hit in the drone strike. In Paris, a high-ranking official involved in counter-terror operations told AFP there was not absolute confirmation of his death, but that the probability was high. Kassim became radicalised after travelling to Algeria in 2011, the Counter Terrorism Project reports. On his return to France, he was barred from his local mosque for violent rhetoric, and turned instead to music, writing rap songs with titles such as Im a terrorist. He left France for Syria in 2012, taking his wife and three children with him. While his social media accounts have been quiet since October, his last message implored "brothers in France" to "wake from their coma and attack." Approximately 240 people have been killed in France by Isis-inspired attacks since the beginning of 2015. The country is a major part of the US-led coalition operations to drive Isis out of their territory across Iraq and Syria. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A young Syrian girl and her father, arrested by religious police in Idlib province, have been freed after vociferious protests from her classmates. Several male members of Idlibs al-Hisba, or religious police, reportedly visited al-Orouba School for Girls without prior warning at the end of last month to inspect whether the girls clothing was sharia-compliant. According to eyewitnesses, five girls whose overcoats whose hems were more than 5cm from the ground were ordered to leave. Cristiano Ronaldo offers children of Syria a message of hope When one challenged the police, she was arrested as was her father when he arrived at the school. However, after an impromptu brave protest in defence of their friend, al-Hisba were cajoled into letting the pair go without charge. Female students know what it means to wear sharia-appropriate clothing, and they were already dressing modestly. Women here wear long clothing. Its not tight fitting. But the religious police have such exacting standards that its ridiculous, one student, speaking anonymously, told Syria Direct. In pictures: Children play underground in Syria Show all 8 1 /8 In pictures: Children play underground in Syria In pictures: Children play underground in Syria A child plays in the ball pit at the 'Land of Childhood,' an underground playground in a besieged town in Syria Unicef In pictures: Children play underground in Syria Abdulaziz, 10, plays in the 'Land of Childhood' underground playground in Syria Unicef In pictures: Children play underground in Syria Boys look through a show window inside the tunnel that provides a safe passage for children between the two basements that form the 'Land of Childhood' in a besieged town in Syria Unicef In pictures: Children play underground in Syria Children play at the underground 'Land of Childhood' in a besieged town in Syria Unicef In pictures: Children play underground in Syria Two girls play at the 'Land of Childhood' underground playground in a besieged town in Syria Unicef In pictures: Children play underground in Syria Children on the ride on a ferris wheel at the 'Land of Childhood', an underground playground in a besieged town in Syria Unicef In pictures: Children play underground in Syria Seven-year-old Massa at the "Land of Childhood" underground playground in a besieged town in Syria Unicef In pictures: Children play underground in Syria Children wait in line to buy sweets at the 'Land of Childhood,' an underground playground in a besieged town in Syria Unicef The war has made just getting by extremely difficult, and most families dont have the money to buy their daughters more clothing. So its not the fact that the girls object to wearing sharia-appropriate clothing but rather the ridiculous, excessive way that they have gone about it. They dont have any consideration for the position that families are in and the ways theyve been affected by poverty. Al-Qaeda affiliated rebels have controlled Idlib city and much of the surrounding province since 2015. In Idlib city itself, women must abide by strict conservative dress standards in all public spaces. The area is where civilians were bussed to by the regime after fall of Aleppo in December. At the time, non-extremist activists forced to leave for Idlib warned that they would still be at risk from both al-Qaeda related rebel forces, and continued Russian and Syrian government air strikes. One senior European diplomat said at the time that people fleeing Aleppo had a choice between surviving for a few weeks in Idlib or dying in Aleppo. For the Russians its simple. Place them all in Idlib and then they have all their rotten eggs in one basket, the source added. There have been several protests against the implementation of sharia law in Idlib province, and particularly clothing regulations, in recent months. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The common thinking is that North Koreas nuclear programme poses a threat to global peace and diverts economic resources from an impoverished population. North Korean leaders are depicted in the Western media as a cabal of madmen who wont be satisfied until Washington, Seoul, or some other enemy city is turned into a sea of fire. Successive US governments have used a range of carrots and sticks to entice or pressure the North Korean leadership to give up its nuclear programme. The Norths missile launches and nuclear tests last year make plain that these efforts have failed; in short, the West has to accept that it is now a nuclear power and focus instead on limiting the risks a nuclear North Korea presents. But it also pays to consider what sounds like a perverse question: could a North Korean bomb actually benefit both the countrys people and the world at large? First, a reality check: the North Korean nuclear programme is less a madcap scheme than a clear and deliberate strategy. Its leaders have closely watched whats happened to other countries that have backed away from nuclear arsenals, and two in particular: Ukraine and Libya. Ukraine gave up its massive Soviet-era nuclear arsenal in 1994 when it signed the Budapest Memorandum with Russia, the US and the UK, on whose terms it traded nuclear weapons for a formal reassurance to respect its sovereignty; 20 years later, Moscow invaded and annexed the Crimean peninsula, and a pro-Russian insurgency in the east is still rumbling. As for Libya, Muammar Gaddafi renounced his weapons of mass destruction programme as part of an opening to the West only to be forcibly removed from power by the same countries some eight years later. Along with the Iraq War, these spectacles taught the North Korean regime that its hard for a relatively small, isolated country to survive without the military hardware to guarantee it. Pyongyang has duly shown great diplomatic skill in drawing out nuclear negotiations, buying itself both time and financial aid as its programme moves forward. View from the North: Kim Jong-un allegedly inspecting the latest missile test (Getty) (Getty Images) In 2016 alone, it tested two nuclear weapons, sent a satellite into orbit, and made advances in both submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM) and intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) technology. In his New Years address at the start of 2017, Kim Jong-un emphasised that the countrys nuclear forces are central to its self-defence capability: We will defend peace and security of our state at all costs and by our own efforts, and make a positive contribution to safeguarding global peace and stability. A nuclear North Korea obviously worries the international community for several reasons. Kim might in theory actually use nuclear weapons on his enemies, a threat he periodically makes. His countrys admission into the nuclear club might spark a regional arms race. It could share or sell technologies of mass destruction to hostile states. And then theres the danger of a full-blown nuclear accident with all the attendant regional repercussions. Testing times: news of the missile launch reaches passengers at a Seoul railway station (Reuters) These risks arent trivial, but they should be viewed with some perspective. For starters, a nuclear attack from Pyongyang appears highly unlikely. The government is fully aware that it would incur an overwhelmingly destructive military response from the US and South Korea. Its also worth remembering that while the programme has been underway for 25 years, there is still no sign of a regional nuclear arms race. As for proliferation or accidents, these demand not isolation but cooperation and communication. Keeping Pyongyang cut off from the world will not help; if its nuclear facilities are to be kept safe and their products not used to bring in illicit foreign revenue, they must be properly monitored rather than kept hidden. Meanwhile, a nuclear North Korea might well see fit to downsize its enormous and costly conventional military forces, which are among the worlds largest. As it transitions away from what it calls a military first policy to something more deterrent-centric, it makes sense to encourage it to reduce its conventional military forces. (Better still, if it did, heavily-armed South Korea might follow suit.) Kim supposedly meets soldiers of the Korean Peoples Army at the test site on Sunday (Getty) (Getty Images) With a smaller conventional military to maintain, Pyongyang might be able to channel scarce state funds away from defence and towards raising the standard of living for ordinary North Koreans. This point is in line with its stated strategy of growing the economy and developing the nuclear deterrent in parallel, a policy known as the byungjin line, and with Kims mooted five-year economic plan. His plans demand dramatic shifts in North Korean state policy, which could destabilise the regime. The calculation is that the security provided by nuclear capabilities would offset the shock of sudden domestic change. Recommended North Korea fires security chief over corruption and abuse of power Most paradoxically of all, North Koreas nuclear arrival might make for a positive turn in inter-Korean relations. International efforts to eliminate North Koreas nuclear programme isolated the country, in turn greatly undermining the chances of a rapprochement with the South, whose efforts to defrost relations have lately come to nothing. The pace of the Norths nuclear development meant that the now-impeached President Park Geun-hyes policy of reconciliation trustpolitik was doomed before it began. As far as Pyongyang is concerned, its militaristic strategy has worked: It has kept the Kim government internally stable, the population dependent on the government, and the countrys enemies at bay. Accepting the countrys nuclear status, rather than trying to head it off with sanctions and threats, could bring it back to the diplomatic bargaining table. Markus Bell is an anthropologist and lecturer in Korean and Japanese studies at the University of Sheffield. Marco Milani is a postdoctoral scholar at the Korean Studies Institute, University of Southern California. This article first appeared on The Conversation (theconversation.com) For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} London has been named the third best student city in the world, coming top for student desirability, according to latest global rankings. The Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Best Student Cities list highlighted Montreal, Canada, as the number one location this year, pushing Paris into second place. The table ranks 125 cities on a number of measures, including student satisfaction, affordability, university rankings, employer activity, student mix and desirability. Analysts highlight that UK cities have improved year-on-year, suggesting the country is holding its place against international rivals despite negative projections in the wake of Brexit. Eight British cities made the top 50 this year with Edinburgh rising to from 33rd to 18th place, and Manchester moving up 13 places to 23rd. Based on the QS rankings indicator reflecting the range and quality of higher education institutions situated in each of the 125 cities analysed no city has superior variety and quality of universities to London. This view was echoed by analysts at The Atlantic this week, who marked London as the best city in the world for universities by reputation. One of the main reasons for Londons success in the QS rankings is its fifteen-rank rise for affordability, reflecting the post-referendum weakening of the pound against the US dollar. Despite a three-rank decrease for student mix, London also remains one of the worlds most diverse student cities, coming in 10th place for this category. Only Tokyo and Seoul rank above London for Employer Activity, suggesting that the quality of universities offered by London will ensure that it remains a desirable hunting-ground for the worlds employers. Student news in pictures Show all 34 1 /34 Student news in pictures Student news in pictures South Korean policemen detain a student demonstrator during a protest against South Korean President Park Geun-Hye EPA Student news in pictures South Korean policemen detain student protestors during a protest against South Korean President Park Geun-Hye outside the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea. The protesters demanded that the parliament takes steps to impeach President Park Geun-Hye EPA Student news in pictures Filipino demonstrators face off with anti-riot police during a protest near the US Embassy in Manila, Philippine EPA Student news in pictures Hundreds of protesters including Indigenous People, students and militant groups marched towards the US Embassy to protest against the presence of US military troops and condemning the violent dispersal which left at least forty people hurt including twenty police officers and three people who were run over by a police van EPA Student news in pictures A federal judge in Mexico has ordered that a once-fugitive police chief be held on charges of kidnapping in the disappearance of 43 students Student news in pictures A man holds up a photograph of a missing student with a caption reading 'We are missing 43,' during a meeting marking the 25-month anniversary of the disappearances of 43 students in the southern state of Guerrero, in Mexico City. A federal judge in Mexico has ordered that a once-fugitive police chief be held on charges of kidnapping in the disappearance of 43 students AP Student news in pictures Miguel Perez, an intern student from the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, puts away his cell phone before walking into the operating room at the Dr. Isaac Gonzalez MartInez Oncological Hospital in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Once they complete their general surgery training, many residents are moving to the United States in search of better wages, one of the main factors linked to the current shortage of specialists in the Island Student news in pictures Fewer EU students have applied to start university courses in the UK next autumn. There was a 9% fall in the numbers who had applied for courses, according to admissions service UCAS. PA wire Student news in pictures University students protest against President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas, Venezuela. Masses of protesters jammed the streets of Venezuela's capital on the heels of a move by congress to open a political trial against Maduro, whose allies have blocked moves for a recall election AP Student news in pictures University students protest against President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas, Venezuela AP Student news in pictures Thousands, most of them high school students, march during a demonstration in Madrid, Spain, on a one day strike to protest about the country's education law that increases the number of annual exams AP Student news in pictures Students gather on the west mall to confront the Young Conservatives of Texas student organization over a controversial bake sale on The University of Texas campus in Austin, Texas. The Young Conservatives of Texas chapter at the University of Texas-Austin sparked the protest with an affirmative action bake sale. The club encouraged students to buy a cookie and talk about the disastrous policy that is affirmative action Student news in pictures Donald Parish Jr, right, confronts Electrical and Computer Engineering senior Dewayne Perry over a controversial bake sale on The University of Texas campus in Austin, Texas. The Young Conservatives of Texas chapter at the University of Texas-Austin sparked the protest with an affirmative action bake sale. The club encouraged students to buy a cookie and talk about the disastrous policy that is affirmative action AP Student news in pictures Brigham Young University announced that students who report sexual assault will no longer be investigated for possible violations of the Mormon-owned school's strict honor code that bans such things as alcohol use AP Student news in pictures Students of secondary education march to protest against the final examinations and LOMCE (The Improvement Quality Education Law) law, after a call by trade unions, in Murcia, Spain EPA Student news in pictures South African police have used stun grenades and rubber bullets to disperse hundreds of protesters who had marched to the parliament building to call for free university education, where the finance minister was giving a budget speech AP Student news in pictures Police break up student protests outside the parliament in Cape Town, South Africa Reuters Student news in pictures South African Policemen fire rubber bullets at student protestors in Cape Town, South Africa AP Student news in pictures A student protestor is hit by a rubber bullet in Cape Town, South Africa AP Student news in pictures An injured student is helped by colleagues during protest outside the parliament during South African Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan's medium term budget speech in Cape Town, South Africa Reuters Student news in pictures Plaintiffs and bereaved families of elementary school students killed in the tsunami that followed a major earthquake in northeastern Japan in 2011, show banners that say 'victory in a suit filed with the Sendai District Court' in Sendai. A Japanese court ordered municipalities to pay $13.7 million dollars to families of school children who were swept away to their deaths by the 2011 tsunami Getty Student news in pictures A group of student at Ewha Womans University calls for a thorough investigation into those involved in years of engagement with state affairs backstage by Choi Soon-sil, a personal confidante of South Korean President Park Geun-hye, at the school's front gate in Seoul, South Korea EPA Student news in pictures Students raise placards during a strike action called by the student union, in Madrid against university entry exams Getty Student news in pictures Libyans throw a newly graduated student into a fountain as they celebrate during the graduation ceremony for students from the Faculty of Pharmacy at the Al-Arab University in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi Getty Student news in pictures Libyans celebrate as they attend the graduation ceremony for students from the Faculty of Pharmacy at the Al-Arab University in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi Getty Student news in pictures Libyans celebrate as they attend the graduation ceremony for students from the Faculty of Pharmacy at the Al-Arab University in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi Getty Student news in pictures Thousands of Thai Catholic students take part in mourning tributes and in singing the Thai Royal Anthem to honour late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej at Saint Dominic School in Bangkok, Thailand EPA Student news in pictures Students of Silpakorn University paint portraits of the late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej at the university campus in Bangkok Getty Student news in pictures A student of Silpakorn University paints a portrait of the late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej at the university campus in Bangkok Getty Student news in pictures St Andrews University students take part in a foam fight known as Raisin Monday in the Lower College Lawn behind St Salvator's Quadrangle following the Raisin Weekend PA wire Student news in pictures St Andrews University students take part in a foam fight known as Raisin Monday in the Lower College Lawn behind St Salvator's Quadrangle following the Raisin Weekend, an annual tradition where student 'parents' inflict tasks on the unfortunate first-years they have adopted as 'children' as part of a mentoring scheme PA wire Student news in pictures Students at the Cuba's National Ballet School (ENB) in Havana, Cuba Reuters Student news in pictures Students at the Cuba's National Ballet School (ENB) take part in a practice in Havana, Cuba Reuters Student news in pictures Students at the Cuba's National Ballet School (ENB) wait in line to enter a classroom in Havana, Cuba Reuters The British capital does fall eight places for desirability, however, reflecting recent news of a dramatic fall in EU applicants in the wake of Brexit. For the first time this year, QS included a "student view" indicator in the ranking, based on a survey of 18,000 international students about their desire to study in, and their student experiences in, the worlds cities. London was selected by students as the city in which they would most like to study. However, when participants were asked about their personal experiences in London, and whether they intended to remain in the city after graduation, responses were less favourable, leaving the city in 23rd place behind Nottingham (6th place), Edinburgh (12th), and Glasgow (13th). Responding to the results, Michele Glemaud, Admissions Director at the Universite de Montreal, said Montreal is both multicultural and affordable, as well as being a modern, young and vibrant city which is both a great place to study and to live. She added her thanks to the students, who for the first time, had a say in the ranking. Montreal has two universities, both of which are international leaders. McGill University is ranked as 30th in the world and offers courses in English. Universite de Montreal offers courses in French, and is ranked 126th globally. The city's success comes after higher rates of immigration to Canada compared to other Western countries and following concerns over entry to the US. A spokeswoman for the city of Montreal told the BBC that there had been a huge increase in international student number, especially from China and India. With tuition fees for an international student master's at CAN$ 7,971 (4,895) and the monthly cost of living estimated at CAN$ 1,225 (750) the affordability of studying in Montreal is as attractive as its vibrant student life and promising job opportunities, Ms Glemaud added. Concerns have been raised over rising tuition fees and the increasing cost of living for students in the UK, with British students leaving university with the highest debt levels in the English-speaking world. International student numbers could also be cut by as much as half at UK universities, following threats from the Home Office to reject thousands of visa applications in a bid to reduce immigration numbers, it was reported last year. The Government has already pledged to reduce the number of international students- costing the UK as much as 2bn per year according to Higher Policy Education institute forecasts. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for weekly expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Simon Calders Travel email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Flights begin on 24 June, and operate four times a week. On the launch date, Wizz Air is charging 241 including a return flight a week later. The lowest rival fare, on easyJet, is 201. On the following Tuesday, Wizz Airs return fare is down to 177 80 below easyJets rate. Monarch and the Israeli carrier, El Al, also fly from Luton to the Israeli city. Many passengers are members of the Jewish community in north London. In addition to the four airlines competing at Luton, Tel Aviv is also served from Heathrow by British Airways and El Al, using long-haul aircraft. Monarch and easyJet compete from Manchester to Tel Aviv, and easyJet also has a route from Gatwick. The new link will be served by Wizz Airs first Luton-based aircraft. The airline has flown to the Bedfordshire airport since 2004, but always using planes based at various Eastern European airports. The Luton-based aircraft will also fly to Pristina in Kosovo and Kutaisi in Georgia the only non-stop connection between the UK and the former Soviet republic. It will leave early evening from Luton and arrive after midnight in Georgia. Passengers will be able to connect in Kutaisi for Baghdad, a 90-minute flight away. Wizz Air is only about one-quarter the scale of Ryanair and one-third the size of easyJet, but is the second-largest airline at Luton behind easyJet. The airlines chief executive, Jozsef Varadi, said: Todays announcement once again underlines Wizz Airs commitment to the UK. Separately, British Airways has announced new services to Milans Linate airport from London City and Stansted airports. From late April, there will be 12 flights a week from London City and two a week from Stansted. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for weekly expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Simon Calders Travel email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} In restaurants in Britain, I strive to tip adequately. In eateries with a 10, 12.5 or even 15 per cent suggested gratuity, I always comply with the recommendation and try to pay it in cash, rather than adding the amount to the credit card total, to increase the chances the money will go to the hard-working staff. To pay less than the proposed amount would be a statement that the service was not up to scratch; its better to explain the problem and invite the restaurant to solve it, rather than just make a point when the bill arrives. At that great Thai culinary institution, Maries Cafe in the skirts of Waterloo station on Londons South Bank, I rarely leave less than 20 per cent on the grounds that the prices are way too low, which explains the near-constant queue. Besides, its an economical way to persuade someone that I am not always a parsimonious misery. Across the Channel and the Atlantic, the tipping points are different. Travellers who have been told that 10 per cent is the correct amount to tip worldwide are sadly misguided almost everywhere. In most parts of the world including our European favourites of France, Spain, Portugal, Italy and Greece a 5 tip on a 50 bill is too much. A couple of euros is ample, and if you feel the pathetic pound has slumped too low for comfort then feel relaxed about not tipping: staff are zero-tolerant. I always apply the 0 per cent principle in Switzerland (though the further sterling sinks, the more I am to be found foraging for picnic fare in a supermarket or stretching out a single cup of coffee in the Jugendstil branch of McDonalds outside Basels main railway station; tipping is not expected in either environment). In Japan and Korea, leaving cash in the dish may be regarded as overpaying, with the waiter pursuing you to hand back the cash. In the US, though, if a waiter is chasing you down the street that is because you have either neglected to tip, or (possibly even more offensive) added only 10 per cent. Fifteen per cent is the least you should ever tip in America. That is partly because of a minimum-wage waiver for tipped employees: bars and restaurants can pay as little as $2.13 per hour to waiting staff and bartenders. Some states insist on higher levels, but even in enlightened Massachusetts, the $11 per hour state-wide minimum drops by two-thirds for tipped staff to just $3.75. Customers who fail to help make up the difference are effectively awarding themselves a discounted meal at the expense of the waiting staff. Pay less than 15 per cent only if you wish to make a statement that the service was lousy. In other settings in which a tip is expected, dont rely on official advice. Even though the Nevada Taxicab Authority says Tips or gratuities to taxi drivers in Las Vegas are optional and not required, I suggest you aim for a minimum 15 per cent (and at that level expect a scowl rather than a smile). On most cruise ships, passengers are strenuously encouraged to tip, typically by having a stipulated amount around 10 per person per day added to their on-board account. While American cruisers, in my experience, are perfectly happy with this arrangement and often pre-pay for service they have yet to experience, British passengers are not. I am one of them. The expected gratuities comprise a thinly veiled extra charge that pushes up the cost of the trip by as much as 10 per cent. By declining to pay it, and instead rewarding crew members individually, you support the contention that paying tips at a set amount in advance is a ridiculous principle, and it would do everyone a favour if the charges were included in the headline fare as enlightened cruise lines such as Thomson, Saga and Silversea already do. The cruise industry really ought to stick to the spirit of the law; if they push their luck on pricing, they might find more questions being asked about the VAT-free status of UK voyages. Just saying. Calling it a "great moment" for the Indian Space Research Organization, Associate Project Director B Jayakumar said, "as you know doing something new in an innovative way, successfully is always a passion for ISRO people." Besides a 714 kilogram earth observation satellite, the others were mostly nano satellites -- those weighing up to 10 kilograms. A majority of these small satellites came from customers in the United States, others from countries such as Kazakhstan, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates. The launch also marked a milestone in the country's efforts to emerge as a serious contender in the multi-billion dollar global commercial space industry by slashing costs. An Indian rocket blasted off Wednesday morning from Sriharikota in eastern India putting a record 104 satellites into space in a single launch, surpassing Russia's previous feat of launching 37 satellites one year ago, according to India's space agency. Low-cost Program India's space program has focused heavily on low-cost access to space. The ability to put a larger number of satellites in space in a single launch brings down the cost significantly, which could help the country grab a larger slice of the commercial launch market, analysts say. "Doing record-breaking launches in one go does clearly highlight India's advancement as well as the sophistication to do a lot more maneuvering in India's space program," said Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan, a space analyst from New Delhi's Observer Research Foundation. Pointing out that it will inspire more confidence in Indias space program, she said "A lot many more countries could be approaching India to do their own space launches." The growing demand for more high-tech communication by countries, as well as by private telephone, Internet and other companies, has hugely boosted the demand for such launches. Last year, India launched 75 satellites for foreign customers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted "This remarkable feat by ISRO is yet another proud moment for our space scientific community and the nation. India salutes our scientists." India increased the budget for its space program this year and allocated resources for a potential second mission to Mars and its first to Venus in the coming years. Mars Mission India's ambitious space program got international attention after a successful mission to Mars in 2014, whose price tag of $74 million, compared to $670 million outlay of NASAs Mars mission a few months later, was hailed as an indication that its frugal space program has achieved technological prowess. ISRO plans to send a second mission to study the surface of the Moon next year and is also eyeing a second mission to Mars and its first to Venus in the years to come. Many see India's foray into interplanetary missions as part of its ambitions to be seen as one of the worlds leading countries. "One of the factors is also Asian nationalism and the competition. There are also lot of things being planned to also show that India is an advanced technology power in this regard," said Rajagoplanan. While India has developed the capability of putting smaller satellites in space, it still has some way to go before it can launch heavier ones, according to scientists. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} It was almost as funny to listen to the experts on US channels trying to summarise Donald Trumps ravings on the Middle East as it was to listen to his original gobbledegook at his press conference with Bibi Netanyahu. Unable to understand what the Presidents inanities actually meant, the lads and lasses of the satellite channels were telling us that he was not as committed as his predecessor to the two-state solution but might favour a one-state solution yet wasnt ruling out a two-state solution. Oh yes, and hed like Bibi to hold back on settlements. Most of the experts chose to leave out the pathetic Trump addendum for a little bit because they had no more idea than Trump what this actually meant. The most lamentable quotation looks even worse on paper than it did when first uttered opposite a clearly nonplussed Israeli Prime Minister: So Im looking at two states and one state. And I like the one that both parties like. Im very happy with the one that both parties like. I can live with either one. I thought for a while that two states looked like it may be the easier of the two. To be honest, if Bibi and the Palestinians, if Israel and the Palestinians are happy Im happy with the one they like the best. After the second sentence, most transcripts and you could hear it clearly at the Washington press conference inserted the word LAUGHTER. Indeed there was laughter. Not because this was an intended joke by Donald Trump, but because his words were so flippant, so careless, so ignorant, so utterly deplorable, that laughter was the only psychological human release available to sane men and women after such tragic frivolity. An entire Arab people, a future Palestine I notice the word itself was actually avoided lies under the longest military occupation in modern history and the best the President of the United States could do was say that, heck, hed go along with one state or two states or maybe three, for all we knew. The idea that one state might either be a secular Israel/West Bank state for Jews and Arabs with an Arab majority goodbye Israel or one state for Jews only but including a non-voting Arab majority apartheid Israel was simply neither here nor there. No wonder Bibi how charming the old reprobate seems now beside Trump, almost moderate you might say kept his mouth shut for longer than usual in the press conference. Trump has some nasty anti-Semites among his supporters, and Netanyahu preferred to keep his throwaway hygienic gloves on during this particular performance. Trump waffled on about Palestinian hate, and the hate-filled Palestinians (poor Hanan Ashrawi, Saeb Erekat and the rest) later preferred to take Trump more seriously, which given that their homes might soon be stolen from them in their entirety by love-filled Israelis was only to be expected. The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Show all 9 1 /9 The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the media White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer takes questions during the daily press briefing Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Trans-Pacific Partnership Union leaders applaud US President Donald Trump for signing an executive order withdrawing the US from the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations during a meeting in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington DC. Mr Trump issued a presidential memorandum in January announcing that the US would withdraw from the trade deal Getty The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Mexico wall A US Border Patrol vehicle sits waiting for illegal immigrants at a fence opening near the US-Mexico border near McAllen, Texas. The number of incoming immigrants has surged ahead of the upcoming Presidential inauguration of Donald Trump, who has pledged to build a wall along the US-Mexico border. A signature campaign promise, Mr Trump outlined his intention to build a border wall on the US-Mexico border days after taking office Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and abortion US President Donald Trump signs an executive order as Chief of Staff Reince Priebus looks on in the Oval Office of the White House. Mr Trump reinstated a ban on American financial aide being granted to non-governmental organizations that provide abortion counseling, provide abortion referrals, or advocate for abortion access outside of the United States Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Dakota Access pipeline Opponents of the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines hold a rally as they protest US President Donald Trump's executive orders advancing their construction, at Columbus Circle in New York. US President Donald Trump signed executive orders reviving the construction of two controversial oil pipelines, but said the projects would be subject to renegotiation Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and 'Obamacare' Nancy Pelosi who is the minority leader of the House of Representatives speaks beside House Democrats at an event to protect the Affordable Care Act in Los Angeles, California. US President Donald Trump's effort to make good on his campaign promise to repeal and replace the healthcare law failed when Republicans failed to get enough votes. Mr Trump has promised to revisit the matter Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Donald Trump and 'sanctuary cities' US President Donald Trump signed an executive order in January threatening to pull funding for so-called "sanctuary cities" if they do not comply with federal immigration law AP The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the travel ban US President Donald Trump has attempted twice to restrict travel into the United States from several predominantly Muslim countries. The first attempt, in February, was met with swift opposition from protesters who flocked to airports around the country. That travel ban was later blocked by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The second ban was blocked by a federal judge a day before it was scheduled to be implemented in mid-March SANDY HUFFAKER/AFP/Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and climate change US President Donald Trump sought to dismantle several of his predecessor's actions on climate change in March. His order instructed the Environmental Protection Agency to reevaluate the Clean Power Plan, which would cap power plant emissions Shannon Stapleton/Reuters But it was instructive to recall beyond all this nonsense just how the very foundations of any modern discussion of an Israeli-Palestinian solution have for decades been built on a pile of journalistic and political semantic trash which has now become so normal a part of the Palestine story that we have come to accept it as genuine. We all invented alternative facts in the Middle East when Trump was still at school. Lets start with settlements, the one word which both the sane Bibi Netanyahu and the insane Donald Trump felt happy to use. And theres a problem here. Because there are no such objects as settlements on the Arab-Palestinian West Bank. They are colonies for Jews and Jews only on Arab land, stolen immorally, as well as, in many cases, illegally under international law from their rightful owners. The Jews who live on them are colonialists. This word is forbidden by all parties especially journalists for obvious reasons. Which is why Bibi, more anxious about the encroachments of the anti-Israel boycott campaign than he cares to admit, was waffling on about how Jews are called Jews because they come from Judea (the Israeli name for the occupied West Bank) and thus Jews are not foreign colonialists in Judea. Alas Palestinians are called Palestinians because they come from Palestine and that part of Palestine which the Israelis call Judea is not within the border of the territory of the internationally recognised Israeli state (of which Bibi is Prime Minister). But this is far, far too much to grasp for Donald Trump. Better keep to those friendly settlements and the hate-filled Palestinian communities who in some reports surround the settlements. Weve long ago settled on a vocabulary of lies to support these alternative facts. Media reports often speak not of settlements, but of Jewish neighbourhoods as if these examples of land theft are modern versions of Milton Keynes, harmless little state-sponsored suburbs whose Jewish people just want to live in peace with their neighbours (the hate-filled Palestinians) whose territory they have stolen. Similarly, the wall mercifully unmentioned by Trump and Netanyahu is still often referred to as a security fence, or even just a fence. The late Ariel Sharons alleged purpose in building this monstrosity was to prevent Palestinian suicide bombers from entering Israel or Israel Proper, as we have taken to calling it, to distinguish it, I suppose, from Israel Improper, which is the bit to the east of Israel inhabited by settlers but also by the hate-filled Palestinians. I might be more persuaded to accept Sharons explanation if it was not for the fact that the so-called fence higher and longer than the Berlin Wall encroaches on Palestinian territory which does not belong to Israel; and thus is part of the Israeli land-grab from the Arabs. The story, needless to say, goes on and on. Talk of occupied territories in other words, the West Bank (we shall speak not here of Golan) is an absolute no-no these days in all respectable Western/American/Israeli conversation because the occupied territories, filled with hate-filled Palestinians, cannot be occupied if they are the lands of the Jews who are not (ergo Bibi) colonialists. And thus we have devised another phrase: they are disputed territories. This expression has two advantages. Firstly, it avoids as it did for Trump and Netanyahu all talk of occupation. Secondly, dispute suggests a little local disagreement about land deeds, something which might be resolved over a cup of coffee or a chat between two lawyers. Anyone who tries to resolve such a dispute by throwing stones or protesting must therefore obviously be generically violent which accounts for all those hate-filled Palestinians. And thereby we have to conclude. Pack them all into one state, Israel and the West Bank both Israel Proper and Israel Improper and youve got an Arab state. The Peacock, Gaddafi of Libya, almost as cracked as Trump, once proposed to call this Israel-tine. Im not sure what it would be called if all its people had equal human rights. But it wouldnt be Israel. Then theres the Jewish state called I suppose Israel, with no rights for the Arab majority and therefore an apartheid state, though one not much different from other Middle East nations in which minorities rule over majorities. So Im looking at two states and one state, Trump told the world. And I like the one that both parties like I can live with either one. The trouble is that the Israelis and the Palestinians cannot live with either one. But Im happy with the one they like the best, quoth Trump. Cue: LAUGHTER! Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} As Canadas Prime Minister celebrated his countrys controversial trade deal with the European Union on Thursday, starstruck MEPs seemed to be more concerned with getting the perfect shot of Prince Charming look-a-like Justin Trudeau. Politicians whipped out their mobile phones to capture the moment, as the Prime Minister hailed the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (Ceta) deal as a blueprint for future negotiations, promising that it would create jobs and boost the middle class on either side of the Atlantic. Nevermind the hundreds of protesters who marched outside the European Parliament to oppose the deal, which critics have warned will worsen inequality and increase social tensions across the continent. Of course, elected members of the European Parliament wouldn't be the first to get caught basking in the glow of the Prime Ministers sunny ways. Memes abounded when pictures of Ivanka Trump supposedly swooning over Trudeau during his visit to the White House earlier this week, surfaced. Get you someone that looks at you the way Ivanka Trump looks at Justin Trudeau, one Twitter user quipped. Those memes dominated the news cycle, overshadowing the fact that the photos were ironically captured at a roundtable discussion about women and equality in the workforce. The roundtable itself was seen as an opportunity for the Trump team to leverage Canadas self-proclaimed feminist Prime Ministers presence to improve the US administrations dreadful optics when it comes to womens issues.There are very few politicians living or dead who can hold a flame to Canadas Prime Minister. Justin Trudeau has, at least for the time being, mastered the power of symbolic politics. From the very beginning, he set the tone, making history as the first Canadian Prime Minister to name a diverse cabinet made up of equal parts men and women. The phrase, "because its 2015 Trudeaus simple, yet striking response when asked to explain his push for gender parity became a meme in and of itself. But as much as Trudeaus admirable aesthetics and shrewd symbolism might be a tonic against right-wing populism, as a Canadian, its hard to forget that Trudeau owes his country more than a good meme. We must not lose sight of our responsibility to hold him accountable when he fails to deliver on his vow to defend human rights at home and abroad. Despite lofty promises to prioritise the Canadian governments relationship with the countrys Indigenous peoples, an internal report card from the countrys Privy Council Office gave the Trudeau administration a failing grade for meeting its objectives on Indigenous and northern affairs, the National Post has reported. Of course, now that Donald Trump has resurrected plans for the Keystone XL pipeline, a cross-border project that Trudeau has championed himself for years, the Canadian Prime Minister risks further diminishing his governments already rocky relations with indigenous communities that will be affected by the pipeline. Keystones construction will also draw into question Trudeaus position as a climate leader. The Obama administration blocked the project in a bid to protect the environment and the Prime Ministers refusal to do the same will shine a light on where his priorities truly lie. Trudeau will also have to own the legacy of seeing Canada become the second largest exporter of arms to the Middle East, after his government upheld a C$15bn deal inherited from the previous government to sell arms to Saudi Arabia. Last month, a bid launched by members of a Montreal university law faculty lost a court bid to block the arms deal, CBC News reported. The group rightfully argued that Canada has no business entering an arms deal with a country with such a poor human rights record. Dont get me wrong I enjoyed watching my countrys Prime Minister masterfully trump the US President at his own game of handshake power plays as much as the next Canuck. But where the leader will draw the line on other promises, including his commitment to fighting climate change and recognising the rights of Indigenous communities, remains to be seen. And Donald Trump will surely be the one to put both of those vows to the test. But ultimately, it will be up to Trudeau to prove his politics are more than symbolic. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Grabbing the attention of the world is North Koreas strong suit. Its leader, the 33-year-old Kim Jong-un, rivals Donald Trump in his appetite for international approval and his intolerance of criticism, from any quarter. In the last few days he has used two headline-dominating events a ballistic missile launch and the dramatic alleged assassination of his half-brother Kim Jong-nam to assert his personal authority and to demonstrate his countrys ability to challenge the security of those individuals or countries that oppose him. What do the latest provocations tell us about the stability of the regime and the options for the international community in limiting the Norths disruptive influence? The 12 February Pukgusong-2 missile launch, while not a strategic game changer, represents a significant improvement in Pyongyangs military capabilities. A solid-fuel rocket, it can be launched in minutes, undercutting the ability of neighbouring countries to pre-emptively defend themselves against an attack. Although Kim bragged, as recently as last month, that the country is on the point of launching an ICBM, the missile reportedly has a limited range of 1,200km not enough to strike at the continental United States. But, this is at best partial comfort given the progressive improvement in the Norths capabilities and Kims resolve to push ahead aggressively with his military modernisation campaign. Abe and Trump condemn North Korea's latest missile launch The worry is that in a matter of a year or two, five at the most, Pyongyang may be able to credibly target a nuclear-armed missile at South Korea, Japan and US territory, whether in Guam, Hawaii, Alaska, or as far afield as California. Missile launches and the two nuclear tests of 2016 are an easy and immediate way of demonstrating the strength of the regime, and help to bolster Kims legitimacy in the eyes of his public, particularly among Pyongyang residents, who are receptive to the image of a technically advanced and militarily increasingly self-confident North Korea. The benefits of a suspected targeted assassination are less clearcut when it comes to enhancing Kims political authority at home. Although no charges have yet been brought against the three people arrested over his killing, and North Korea has made no statement on his Kim Jong-nams death, South Koreas intelligence agency had told lawmakers in the past that there was a standing order from the North Korea leader for Kim Jong-nams assassination, and that there had been a previous failed attempt. Showing the power and reach of the Norths security apparatus may help to instil fear in the minds of potential opponents of Kim or those minded to pursue a better life overseas a valuable benefit to the regime given recent high-profile defections, including that of Thae Yong-ho, the former deputy ambassador to the UK, in August 2016. However, fear is a blunt instrument, and the recent spate of executions and political purges (reportedly Kim has killed upwards of 360 officials since assuming power in December 2011) may be as much a sign of his political weakness and vulnerability rather than proof of unchallenged authority. Moreover, in a society where a residue of Confucian respect for family loyalty and kinship still applies, the suspected contract-style killing of the leaders half-brother may (much like the very public humiliation and execution of Jang Song-taek, Kims uncle in 2013) discredit and undermine (albeit privately) the leader in the eyes of his people. For the Trump administration, combating the North Korean threat is an urgent priority. So far, however, Washingtons response has not inspired confidence. The public image of an improvised policy huddle between US and Japanese officials at Trumps Mar-a-Largo dinner with Prime Minister Abe, in response to the missile launch, has underscored the impression of chaotic and ad hoc decision-making and the absence of knowledgeable national security staff within the White House an image amplified by the surprise resignation of General Michael Flynn as Trumps National Security Adviser. The President must get a grip quickly and demonstrate that he has a coherent strategy for confronting the North. Some in Washington are calling for a new round of economic sanctions, including secondary sanctions targeting third-parties (most notably Chinese banks), as a means of starving the regime and people close to Kim of the hard currency that funds their sometimes lavish and privileged lifestyles. However, Beijing would almost certainly push back sharply against such an approach and Trump would be unwise to upset ties with China just after mending fences in the wake of his early provocative remarks over Taiwan. Inside the daily life in North Korea Show all 19 1 /19 Inside the daily life in North Korea Inside the daily life in North Korea People reading a newspaper at the metro station Inside the daily life in North Korea Thoughts of the leaders on the tram. They have about a dozen of these on every tram, all with different thoughts Inside the daily life in North Korea Young people training for a big upcoming festival Inside the daily life in North Korea People at the Pyongyang's annual marathon Inside the daily life in North Korea Many stars on one of the trolleys in Pyongyang Inside the daily life in North Korea An intimidating poster in a primary school in North Korea. Inside the daily life in North Korea Solar panels installed on a street lamp. Inside the daily life in North Korea A poster on the window next to one of the venues we visited in Pyongyang Inside the daily life in North Korea Kids playing football next to the Arch of Triumph. After a while tourists were allowed to join, so some of us did Inside the daily life in North Korea Class in an educational center in Pyongyang (where people over 17 years old can attend any classes they choose after school, for free) Inside the daily life in North Korea People waving at me during the Pyongyang marathon Inside the daily life in North Korea People having a great time dancing at a public park Inside the daily life in North Korea A metro driver in a metro station in Pyongyang Inside the daily life in North Korea Fireworks to mark the birthday of the Eternal President Kim Il Sung on our last night in Pyongyang Inside the daily life in North Korea My wonderful tour guide at a public park Inside the daily life in North Korea One of the parks in Pyongyang Inside the daily life in North Korea A person rowing some boats for the day at a river in Pyongyang Inside the daily life in North Korea The National War Museum Inside the daily life in North Korea Public park in Pyongyang More targeted measures might be used to restrict the economic opportunities for the 50,000 or so North Korean labourers working overseas, again to restrict financial flows back to Pyongyang. Washington might also consider focusing more aggressively on the Norths human rights abuses by re-listing the North as a State Sponsor of Terror, a designation that was lifted in 2008 when the Bush administration was seeking to broker a nuclear deal with the DPRK. Such a re-listing would likely be warmly welcomed by Japan, where both the government and public opinion have long battled, unsuccessfully, to resolve the fate of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s. Above all, the US needs to work with international partners, in the United Nations and regionally, to develop a coordinated approach. Alongside China, which, as the provider of considerable economic aid to the North, has the potential to exert pressure on Kim, South Korea is a key actor. Yet, the political deadlock in Seoul over the impeachment of an embattled President Park is unlikely to be resolved rapidly, and at some point this year we can expect a new presidential election in which a progressive politician (precisely who at the moment is unclear) is likely to be victorious. The future ROK president is expected to push for renewed talks with the North and a reinvigorated inter-Korean dialogue. This opens the door for a radical reset of Washingtons North Korea policy and a comprehensive set of talks on diplomatic recognition and a peace treaty ending the Korean War, in return for a possible freeze of the Norths nuclear and missile programme. Critics will label this as unrealistic and tantamount to appeasement, but for a President Trump who wishes to distance himself from his predecessors policy of strategic patience, a fresh start may prove appealing. Such an approach will need to be delicately calibrated, involving the selective and carefully timed combination of pressure and dialogue (an approach first articulated by Prime Minister Abe). If successful, this could not only offset the Norths provocations and enhance regional security, but also help dispel the image of policy disorder and bureaucratic confusion in a White House that, for now a least, seems to be the victim rather than the master of strategic events. John Nilsson-Wright is a senior research fellow with the Asia Programme at Chatham House, and a senior university lecturer in Japanese Politics and International Relations at Cambridge University, as well as an official fellow of Darwin College, Cambridge Speculation is mounting that Enda Kenny's days at the helm of a fragile and minority coalition government are numbered Enda Kenny is coming under deepening pressure from within his own ranks to name the date when he will stand down. Amid criticism over his handling of allegations of corruption in policing and after almost six years as Taoiseach, speculation is mounting that Mr Kenny's days at the helm of a fragile and minority coalition government are numbered. One of the favourites to replace him, Social Protection Minister Leo Varadkar, described Mr Kenny's leadership as "fabulous". But he added: "The events of this week showed a timeline for a general election is now shorter than we might have thought. "The Taoiseach has said he won't lead us into the next general election and I've absolutely every confidence that he will know when the right time is for himself and the party and the country to step aside." Another of the frontrunners to replace him is Simon Coveney, Housing Minister, while rising star Simon Harris, the Health Minister, has also been named in some circles as a potential candidate. Mr Kenny had already committed to stepping down as leader of his Fine Gael party ahead of the next election. His supporters and colleagues will now be looking for a candidate to fill his sizeable reputation on the European stage as Brexit looms and Ireland needs someone at the helm of government to keep issues affecting relations with Britain, such as the border, customs, trade and travel, front and centre throughout negotiations. Finance Minister Michael Noonan echoed that sentiment. He said another election was closer but added that Mr Kenny has a "skill set that is very valuable for the country". The move against the Taoiseach was sparked when he was forced to correct responses over what he knew and when about a smear campaign against a whistleblower, allegedly being orchestrated by senior Garda officers, and the compiling of an unfounded and false report of child sex abuse against the whistleblower. The leadership issue reared its head at a Fine Gael parliamentary party meeting on Wednesday evening as the Taoiseach faced down a motion of no confidence in the Government. Focus will now switch to whether Mr Kenny is willing to set a date for his departure and whether colleagues will give him space to attend the traditional St Patrick's Day celebrations in the White House. Voters last went to the polls last February but had to endure two months of painstaking negotiations for a minority government to be agreed. The coalition only took power thanks to a handful of independents, three of whom got cabinet seats, and the support of Fine Gael's traditional rivals in Fianna Fail. First elected to the Dail in 1975, Mr Kenny has been leader of the centre right Fine Gael party since 2002. After years languishing in the opposition benches he led colleagues to a landmark general election success in 2011 when Fianna Fail was decimated at the ballot box for their stewardship of the country as it descended into bankruptcy. But while Mr Kenny declared a "democratic revolution" six years ago he failed to sustain the electoral momentum. An inquiry will investigate the use of "files containing allegations of criminal misconduct" against rank and file gardai who alleged wrongdoing in the force A public inquiry into allegations that Garda chiefs orchestrated a smear campaign against a high-profile whistleblower has been extended to cover other officers who exposed wrongdoing. The tribunal will also investigate the State child and family agency Tusla for its role in the scandal, relating to its file containing false allegations of sexual abuse against Sergeant Maurice McCabe. In terms of reference, agreed by the Cabinet, the inquiry will also look at allegations of "inappropriate contacts" between the force and Tusla in relation to garda Keith Harrison and other officers. It will investigate any "pattern of the creation, distribution and use by Tusla of files containing allegations of criminal misconduct" against rank and file gardai who alleged wrongdoing in the force and of the use of the files "knowingly" by top brass to discredit whistleblowers. Supreme Court judge Peter Charleton, who will head the tribunal, will have to issue an interim report within three months. He previously worked as senior counsel to the Morris Tribunal, which spent years examining corruption and negligence among some gardai in Donegal in the 1990s. Superintendent Dave Taylor made the allegation of a smear campaign against Mr McCabe in a protected disclosure last year. He returned to work on Tuesday after being suspended for almost two years while a separate investigation ran into the alleged leaking of information to the media. Mr Harrison, who has been on extended sick leave from the force, claims he and his girlfriend endured covert and overt Garda surveillance, referrals to Tusla and that they were the victim of rumour, innuendo and malicious falsehoods. The officer, who was previously nominated for a Scott Medal for bravery, was stationed in Athlone when he stopped a colleague on suspicion of drink-driving in 2009. He also raised concerns about drug-dealing investigations. The terms of reference also mandate the new inquiry to: :: investigate if Mr Taylor, former head of the Garda press office, was ordered by former Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan or his successor Commissioner Noirin O'Sullivan to brief journalists against Mr McCabe, including on the false allegations. :: find out whether Mr Callinan and Ms O'Sullivan, along with other Garda chiefs, knew of the claims being peddled against Mr McCabe and whether they used them to discredit him. :: investigate whether senior members of the force attempted to entrap or falsely accuse Mr McCabe of criminal misconduct. :: probe contacts between gardai and journalists, politicians, the Health Service Executive and any other State bodies or persons deemed relevant to the investigation. The phone records of Mr Callinan, Mrs O'Sullivan and Mr Taylor between July 2012 and May 2014 will be examined. It will further look at whether Mrs O'Sullivan "influenced or attempted to influence broadcasts on RTE" on May 9 last year with briefing material " purporting to be a leaked account of the unpublished O'Higgins Commission Report, in which Sergeant McCabe was branded a liar and irresponsible." An alleged meeting between Mr Callinan and Fianna Fail TD John McGuinness in a hotel car park off the Naas Road in west Dublin on January 24 2014 will also be probed. The ongoing fall-out from the whistleblower controversy continues to rock both the policing and political establishment. In the Seanad, Michael McDowell, a former Tanaiste, Justice Minister and Attorney General, plied pressure on Ms O'Sullivan to step aside as the country's most senior ranking garda until the tribunal has investigated the affair. Mr McDowell, also a barrister who represented Mr McCabe during the O'Higgins Commission, said it is "totally inconceivable" that gardai should be asked in a public inquiry to accuse their chief of "grave misbehaviour". "There is no reason at all for the government to commit that the Garda commissioner should remain in position, and she must step aside temporarily for the duration of the tribunal until it has reported, or permanently," he said. Ms O'Sullivan issued a hard-hitting statement on Monday insisting she will not step aside and declaring: "I am innocent." The Policing Authority, which oversees the force, has voiced its confidence in the ability of Garda management to do its job. In a statement issued on Thursday afternoon, it added: " The Authority is mindful that terms of reference for the public inquiry are still being considered by the Oireachtas and other proposals have recently been announced. "In these circumstances the Authority has no further comment at this time." The Policing Authority is scheduled to cross-examine Ms O'Sullivan and her senior management team at a public meeting on February 23. It said "matters relevant to the Authority's remit will form part of the discussions on that day". The total has hit more than 700,000 euro and will allow the family to cover at least a year's potentially life-saving care An Irish teenager has broken a European record for the most successful appeal for money for cancer treatment. The dramatic cash boost following a viral post has helped pay for potentially life-saving therapy in the US for an "overwhelmed" Shauntelle Tynan. The total has hit more than 700,000 euro and will allow the family to cover at least a year's potentially life-saving care. Her delighted mother Leona Tynan said it was the most successful fundraising campaign ever run in Ireland and in the top 20 in the world. "It is the fastest amount ever earned in Europe as well," she said. "It is just incredible." Shauntelle Tynan, 18, has said she had been told by her Texas-based doctor that her chances of recovery depended on how long she could spend in the US. The money was raised for the Co Carlow woman on crowdfunding website gofundme.com in a matter of days. Before that, the family had spent more than a year trying to raise the money. Leona Tynan said: "To know that whatever she needs is there, there are no words to describe how we feel." The family is set to travel to the US soon and will be there for at least a year. Shauntelle Tynan said it had been an incredible experience. She told donors: "I would never have thought this support would be possible. "Everyone came together and helped me so much, I cannot thank you enough." Ms Tynan added: "I have been crying all morning. "I was not expecting half, even a quarter of the support I got." Ms Tynan was diagnosed nearly two years ago with a rare form of multi-system Histiocytosis X/Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH). Since her diagnosis the cancer has spread to her gastrointestinal system, colon and skin. Doctors in the US have said she needs to come to America for at least 12 months to survive. She said she would have to travel back to Texas for five years even after she was in remission. Her campaigning family and friends have used a motorbike run and other initiatives to raise money. But this huge lift in funds has dramatically changed her prospects. Ms Tynan used her Facebook account to thank those who contributed sums from a few euro to several thousand. She added: "I just wanted to say thank you so much to everyone for all of the support. "The last 38 hours has been a place of love and the people of Ireland have truly came together to help me get better, and for that I'm truly thankful. "There has been few haters but millions of lovers, and each person showing positivity helps us through each day and we are truly over the moon. The good always outshines the bad." An Taoiseach Enda Kenny pictured after speaking on the topic of Ireland at the Heart of a Changing European Union at the Institute of International and European Affairs, Round Room, Mansion House, Dublin. Photo: Damien Eagers Irish goods exports to Britain plummeted by almost half a billion euro last year as the Brexit vote took its toll. Imports from Britain also fell back by 1.36bn.However, overall exports hit a record of almost 117bn. The preliminary data from the Central Statistics Office are the first official figures showing the impact of the Brexit referendum on Ireland's crucial export sector. Businesses in the agri-food sector and those in Border areas have been hit particularly hard by the slump in the value of the pound in the wake of last June's vote. Meanwhile, the Government is preparing a 10-year national capital plan in response to Brexit. In a major speech focusing on the UK's EU exit, Taoiseach Enda Kenny said the plan would include funded proposals to complete the national road network, including links between Dublin, Derry and Donegal, and to accelerate delivery of public transport. Read more: Government to prepare 10 year capital plan in response to Brexit He said the Government would also publish a new trade and investment strategy before St Patrick's Day to boost exports. He promised measures including funding for companies hit hard by the Brexit vote. "Brexit is a serious, direct threat to Ireland's economic prosperity," Mr Kenny said in his speech, hosted by the Institute of International and European Affairs (IIEA). "The potential impacts are profound, right across the economy. Key sectors such as agri-food and fishing face particular risks and challenges." Mr Kenny said the National Competitiveness Council would carry out research to benchmark competitiveness with the UK, and there would be a new 10-year National Capital Plan. It will tap into Government resources, but also cheap loans from the European Investment Bank. "That new plan will show how we will invest in roads, in public transport, in energy, in water, in schools, in higher education and in hospitals and health facilities," he said There would be also a review of the State's industrial policy, Enterprise 2025, which would include a "medium-term stabilisation and adjustment plan" and measures for businesses hit hard by Brexit, backed up by Government funding. The Government would also make the case to Europe that Ireland needs support for Brexit-hit areas of the economy. On Northern Ireland, Mr Kenny said that with the collapse of power sharing, there was a very real danger that the region's concerns would suffer "even greater marginalisation" as the absence of political leadership there will lead to a retreat to "partisan debate". "The Brexit process will not wait for another round of lengthy talks in Stormont," he said. "When Article 50 is triggered, the world will move on, and it will move on quickly." Separately, in the Dail, Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan suggested calls for "special status" for Northern Ireland could give serious concerns to other European countries about precedents that might be set elsewhere. Read more: UK could breach Good Friday Agreement with U-turn over human rights, says Flanagan "This would risk undermining the Government's efforts to specifically address and mitigate the very real impacts facing our island - and the people of Northern Ireland in particular due to Brexit," he said. Ibec director general Danny McCoy welcomed the Taoiseach's focus on infrastructure. But he added: "That speech could have been made in December and been relevant, but now that Britain is actually moving away from the single market and possibly the customs union, I think the customs union aspect has become even more central even in advance of the common travel area and the Border issue, as important as they are." Simon McKeever, chief executive of the Irish Exporters Association, warned there was too much focus on the North, and not enough on trade. "We want Britain to have the status quo in terms of access to the European market, but what does that mean for Irish trade if they're outside the customs union?" Lloyd's of London ceo Inga Beale said Donald Trump's presidency and the UK's planned exit from the European Union are creating opportunities to sell insurance guarding commercial clients against disruptions in global commerce. "I wouldn't be surprised if we start seeing much more political risk insurance being bought all over the place," Ms Beale said in an interview in Miami. "Because we're such a specialist insurance, and we provide that type of insurance, you could say that could be seen as an opportunity." The coverage often involves smaller trading partners, rather than developed-market powers, but shifts in the US and UK could redraw the political risk insurance map, according to Ms Beale. She said Mr Trump's victory in November "is leading to quite a bit of uncertainty" and cited the possibility of a US border tax designed to encourage manufacturing in the US. Man-made hazards for businesses are on the rise, marked by an increase in global populism, the spread of terrorism and the threat of cybercrime. Lloyd's is the world's oldest insurance market, and is used by businesses seeking to guard against large or complicated risks. Setting prices on these policies can be difficult for insurers, however, as they don't have the benefit of the decades of data available on weather-related threats such as hurricanes. Evan Greenberg, ceo of Chubb Ltd, warned in July that it could be perilous for insurers to take on more risks at a time of uncertainty. The policies can protect customers against confiscation of property and include so-called contract frustration insurance. "Sounds like a brilliant time to get into that business," he said sarcastically of rivals. "I wish them a lot of luck because that's all they got going for them." Weeks after Mr Trump became president, Mr Greenberg said he was "concerned about our own country's potential trade and security posture". Ms Beale said it was too early to quantify demand. As a result of the UK's decision to withdraw from the European Union, Lloyd's of London is planning to open a subsidiary in continental Europe. Ms Beale said Frankfurt, Luxembourg and Dublin are under consideration, but that France is probably off the table. She estimates 95pc of business will be unaffected by Brexit. About 11pc of the marketplace's volume comes from non-UK European Union countries, but some of that will still be able to be underwritten from London, she said. (Bloomberg) China on Monday refused a large coal shipment from North Korea after the North tested a new ballistic missile. Sources in China say the southeastern city of Wenzhou rejected more than 16,000 tons of coal from North Korea, worth around US$1 million. The Chinese city cited the amount of mercury detected in the coal, which was higher than allowed. Considering the timing of the refusal, however, some experts say the move may be a reflection of Beijing's discontent with the North's missile launch last weekend. When asked about it, a spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry only said that Beijing consistently and accurately abides by UN Security Council resolutions. 'Nobody else eats Cheddar. It can't be diverted off to France' - Aidan O'Driscoll Brexit poses a particular challenge to Ireland's Cheddar makers who sell most of their cheese to the UK as "nobody else" eats it, TDs have been told. Agriculture Department secretary general Aidan O'Driscoll told the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) that the dairy sector is less exposed to the risk of Brexit than other areas, however, an exception is the Cheddar industry. He said 60pc of Irish Cheddar exports currently go to the UK. "Nobody else eats Cheddar. It can't be diverted off to France," he said. Mr O'Driscoll was responding to Fianna Fail TD Bobby Aylward who asked about the Department's contingency planning for Brexit. The Agriculture Department's top official said he views Brexit as the most important negotiations since the talks prior to Ireland joining the then-European Economic Community in the early 1970s. He said that 40pc of Irish agrifood exports go to the UK. Half of Irish beef exports go there, which Mr O'Driscoll said was particularly important as the UK beef market is the highest priced in the world. He also said the mushroom industry is very exposed by the threat of Brexit. In terms of the Department's preparations, Mr O'Driscoll said that the day Minister Michael Creed was appointed - more than a month before the Brexit vote - he was provided with briefing materials which included an extensive section on planning for the prospect of Britain leaving the EU. Mr O'Driscoll said his Department has been since engaged in "intensive" rounds of discussion with the European Commmission. He said Ireland is seeking to maintain "unfettered access" to the UK market "whatever happens". Mr Aylward said he was glad to hear that the Department is taking the threat of Brexit so seriously. A judge has issued a warning to all farmers as a man pleaded guilty to being in possession of a large quantity of unauthorised drugs. Judge Kevin P Kilrane issued the warning at last weeks sitting of Manorhamilton District Court the Leitrim Observer reports. He said "a message has got to be sent out that the unregulated administration of drugs to animals must be seen as a serious crime in convicting Keith Gilgunn of 15 MacNean Cresent, Glenfarne. It reported that Gilgunn appeared before the court charged with six counts of being in procession of animal remedies without an animal remedies authorisation. An inspector with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Brendan Daly, told the court that he visited Mr Gilgunns home on October 28, 2014, in relation to a parcel that had just been delivered. The package contained 15 bottles of unauthorised medicines which would be sufficient to treat 500 sheep and 100 cows, Mr Daly told the court. The court also herd Mr Gilgunn did not have a nerd number or cattle. Mr Daly also said that a large consignment of medicines was discovered in a shed to the rear of the house. The defendants was subsequently interviewed under caution with Mr Daly stating the Mr Gilgunn 'Wasnt very forthcoming'. Also addressing the court, Veterinarian Louis Reardon spoke said Misuse of antibiotics is widespread in agriculture. He added, "you cannot just walk into a chemist and help yourself to an antibiotic off the shelf". Judge Kilraine highlighted the large quantity of antibiotics found and said a message has got to be sent out that the unnecessary use if drugs to animal must be seen as a serious crime. Mir Gligunn pleaded guilty to procession of 500ml of Tylan, 100ml of Almaycin, 50ml of Ivomec, 100ml of Nuflor 300 (designated prescription only), 100ml of Flunixin Inj (designated prescription only), and 100ml of Resflor (designated prescription only). Deciding against a custodial sentence Judge Kilrane imposed fines of 300 in relation to each of the six charges. The Ornua Board has decided that no immediate reintroduction of the monthly Ornua milk levy will take place. The milk levy was suspended on the 1 May 2016. It was agreed at that time that the Ornua Board would reconsider the suspension of the milk levy when the Ornua Purchase Price Index returned to 103 (30.5 cpl incl. VAT) for three consecutive months. Will sheep farmers this week receive a Valentines card from their local factory boss with the message Sorry it was all a misunderstanding, we never meant to go below 5/kg. Love always. Your local sheep factory boss. Maybe, seems to be the answer as a tightening in supply sees quotes edge upwards by about 5-10c/kg. While no one is actively mentioning 5/kg, the indications are that the price is headed that way. Supporting this are a raft of price increases, which this week sees Kildare Chilling, Kepak and the two ICM plants and Moyvalley effectively close in on 4.70/kg when various bonuses are included. However, leading the pack is Kildare Chilling as they add 5c/kg to last weeks base of 4.60 to sit on 4.65 plus a bonus of 10c/kg. This give them an all in official quote of 4.75/kg - once all the weight and quality boxes are ticked. Bringing up the rear this week is Dawn Ballyhaunais. Despite quoting a flat of just 4.60/kg, no shrinking violet is suspected when it comes to taking on the other main players when the need arises. So while none of the factories are exactly Prince Charming to the farmers Cinderella they are at last appearing to act a bit more gentlemanly. The situation in relation to cull ewes is that official quotes as per the table below remain stuck at 2.50/kg across the board, with both IFA and ICSA reporting on the ground prices of 2.60-2.80/kg - with western plants reported as the most eager for supplies. Looking at the trade outside of the factory gate ICSAs John Brooks reflected the optimism of some mart managers. Factories have become easier to deal with. The weight limit that was touted by some factories as a line in sand a few weeks ago at 22.5kgs has edged up in some plants to 23kgs. He also highlighted that some factories are killing bigger numbers than normal. Marts Roundup 1 NEW ROSS THE question on auctioneer John Bushs mind before last weeks sheep sale was which would come first a general election or a factory sheep price rise? On the strength of his report it would appear that sheep prices are going up. John reported that 45-50kg lambs saw better trade with a sample being 46kgs making 104/hd. Cull ewes were up 10-20/hd on two weeks ago at prices of 70-100/hd. Factory hoggets sold 97-104/hd, with butcher types on 102-104/hd. 2 CASTLEBLAYNEY CASTLEBLAYNEY Mart also sensed a movement in sheep trade, with Connell Nugent reporting a 20/hd increase in the price of fat ewes last week. Prices here saw 62kg make from 82/hd up to 111/hd for 89kgs. Fat lambs from 44-55kgs made 92-103/hd, with store ewes of 28-35kgs making 52-66/hd. Ram lambs from 35-36kgs made from 64-66/hd. 3 BALTINGLASS TRADE at Baltinglass was steady to improved with heavy lambs up 1-2/hd at a top of 110/hd for 50-60kgs, with lighter lambs making 97-98/hd. Store lambs were also a good trade with 34-35kgs making 65-84/hd. Cast ewes went to 102/hd, but your lighter 50kg animal was typically 65/hd. Ewes with lambs at foot made from 140/hd to 180/hd. 4 BALLINASLOE THE story at Ballinasloe last Thursday was of smaller numbers and a weaker trade for hoggets with their prices averaging from 88/hd to 92/hd. Stag ewes also started on an average 88/hd but they topped out at 110/hd. Ewes in lamb made from 106/hd to 123/hd, while Suffolk cross ewes with Suffolk lambs at foot hit the top price on the day of 233/hd. The bottom of the this particular section of the market was 197/hd. 5 FERMOY YESTERDAYs sale at Fermoy saw more bite to the trade as manager Sean Ryan put it. That bite translated into an improved trade for hoggets, with the heavier 52-55kg animal on 107-113/hd, and the 48-52kgs trading from 101-107/hd, while the lighter 43-48kg animal was most in demand with prices running from 90-101/hd. Cull ewes were also a good trade selling from60-114. Numbers of ewes with lambs at foot remain small and in strong demand, Sean Ryan pointed out. Ireland's biggest residential landlord - property investment firm Irish Residential Properties (Ires) Reit - made a 47m profit last year, a 53pc increase on the amount it made in 2015. Many of its tenants could be hit with rent increases this year. The average monthly rent being charged by the firm for its thousands of properties, which are almost entirely fully let, was 1,427 last year compared to 1,372 in 2015. That's a 4pc increase but, releasing preliminary full-year results yesterday, Ires Reit said that its so-called stabilised average monthly rents for residential properties owned by it had actually risen 8.6pc between December 2015 and December 2016. Its occupancy rate was 98.8pc at the end of last December. Ires Reit, which is backed by Canada's Capreit, owns nearly 2,400 apartments and is planning to build more than 600. The company floated on the stock exchange in 2014 and is headed by chief executive David Ehrlich. "I truly feel badly for the Irish people," Mr Ehrlich said last year in an interview when asked about rising rents here. Yesterday, the company said: "Strong market demand and continued significant shortage of housing helps support the rental market", noting that rents can be hiked at a substantial number of its properties this year. The company said that it enjoyed "strong rental growth" in 2016 because of renewals and tenant turnover. "However, due to the rent legislation that came into effect on 4 December 2015, which allowed for rental increases every two years [instead of annually], a substantial portion of the portfolio is only up for rental increases on renewals in 2017," it added. Yesterday, Mr Ehrlich said: "The objective of Ires since we commenced operations in Ireland has been to bring a new positive experience to tenants by providing a professionally-managed product which meets the needs of the market while adequately rewarding our shareholders. "I believe we have delivered on both of these objectives to date. "We are long-term investors in the Irish market and we are playing an increasingly positive role in helping to address the serious shortage of rental accommodation in Ireland." Ires Reit said that its revenue from investment properties was 38.8m last year, compared to 24.7m in 2015. Its net rental income was 30.6m in 2016, a more than 50pc increase on the 20m it recorded in 2015. The company is paying a total of 20.4m in dividends to shareholders in respect of the 2016 financial year. The property investment firm acquired 763 apartments last year. It finalised a deal to buy 443 apartments in Tallaght, south Dublin, from Nama for 83m. The firm also agreed to pay 59m to buy 201 apartments at Elm Park, beside St Vincent's Private Hospital in the capital. Elm Park was developed in 2006 by Bernard McNamara, Jerry O'Reilly and David Courtney. Ires Reit said it has a "pipeline of future acquisitions to consider", taking into account the 4pc annual cap on rent increases imposed under new legislation, and "further development intensification opportunities". It added that it has 150m available to fund both development and acquisitions, based on target gearing of 45pc. Mr Ehrlich said yesterday that the firm will look at "accretive acquisitions". The company has just been told by Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council to resubmit plans for a proposed development of 492 apartments in Sandyford, south Dublin. The council said that the existing proposal would be "overbearing and monolithic". Anton Savage at the Dublin Tech Summit 2017 at the Convention Centre Aurelien DAquino looks at a humanoid robot called Robothespian at the Dublin Tech Summit Ireland's importance as a technology hub was underlined yesterday as 10,000 people flocked to the inaugural Dublin Tech Summit to learn from leading lights in the industry. The big theme was staying relevant in an era in which technology threatens to disrupt traditional business models in everything from banking to shoe sales. The implications are stark - including potentially making half of all jobs obsolete. Organisers DTS told the Irish Independent that there were 10,000 people at the conference, 48pc of them female. More than half of the delegates came from overseas, eager to gain insights from executives from leading firms such as Google, Intel, Microsoft, PayPal, Accenture, Adobe, Facebook, HPE, HubSpot and Salesforce. Highlights included Smashing Pumpkins drummer Jimmy Chamberlin discussing the link between tech and the arts with Pixar veteran Matthew Luhn. Mr Chamberlin has also moonlighted as ceo of LiveOne, a media company that focuses on audience engagement. Expand Close Gina London, an Emmy award-winning veteran CNN anchor at the Dublin Tech Summit 2017 at the Convention Centre / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Gina London, an Emmy award-winning veteran CNN anchor at the Dublin Tech Summit 2017 at the Convention Centre "The environment in which content is consumed is every bit as important as the content itself," he said. Mr Luhn said that long-term thinking that embraced a specific set of values was the best recipe for success in the tech sector. Accenture's global head of research and development, Marc Carrel-Billiard, introduced the audience to the world's first beer created by artificial intelligence. Technology is offering people the capacity to tailor their business and social lives in ways that were previously unimaginable, he said. Creativity expert Ben Jones infused a dystopian view of the future with what he views as humanity's best hope to survive the impending upheaval. "Half of the jobs that are around today won't exist by 2030. It's going to get worse. Or maybe it will get better. These jobs that are being created today are already defunct. Technology will not drive our success - honesty will," Mr Jones said. "The new world is going to be about augmented creativity. "We need to believe in our children. It's through them that the creativity will come through. "The people who get ahead in the world of creativity are the people who refuse to follow the f***ing rules", he added. While search engine giant Google is prompting fake news queries of its own these days, last year saw some game changers for paid search. Mediaworks' head of search and analytics, Shane Lyons, says right-hand side ads were removed, expanded text ads rolled out and, for many advertisers, it was the year that mobile overtook desktop traffic for the first time. Lyons sees four search trends emerging in Ireland. Firstly, Google Shopping will finally launch - a major step forward for Ireland's e-commerce stores. It opens the door to rich media ads on the search engine results page. Instead of just text ads, consumers can see the product and get a breakdown on specs. While it's still not known exactly when Google Shopping will arrive in Ireland, Lyons is telling clients to get set up with Merchant Centre and prepare product feed. That way, they can be up and running when the launch happens. Facebook ad revenue continues to grow, with 84pc of spend coming from mobile in the third quarter of 2016. Growth is partly due to new ad formats but mainly because it's still the best digital channel for using demographics. Advertisers can overlay their search campaigns by focusing on age and gender. However, Mediaworks' client trials found the results to be "underwhelming", due to the number of users in the unknown category. Google is trying to improve the functionality so audience targeting is more accurate. For advanced paid search, campaigns will become as much about audiences as they are about keywords. Search advertisers can reduce wasted clicks by using products such as Remarketing Lists for Search Ads, tackling irrelevant audiences and bidding higher for audiences with more lucrative leads. But Lyons isn't over-excited about 2017 being mobile's 'finest hour', as has been touted since 2014. Clients and search marketers need to think about landing pages, content and campaign set-up from a mobile-first perspective. Last year, mobile conversion rates improved and, as a result, consumers complete forms on their mobiles. Marketers should now build accounts knowing that most traffic growth will be from mobile. Expanded Text Ads mean mobile-specific ads don't need to be written. Using Google's device-specific bid modifiers, advertisers can run mobile-only campaigns. It will be key in speeding up slow mobile performance, in simplifying mobile page content and ensuring online forms and checkout processes are more streamlined. There's been much hype about voice search, with ComScore predicting half of all searches will be voiced by 2020. But Lyons says, while voice search will increase, there should be no let-up in consumers typing search queries. * One e-commerce retailer with plans to take advantage of Google Shopping is AppliancesDelivered.ie. Part of Denis O'Brien's Communicorp, the home appliances site says it now has a 10pc share of the 250m market after just a year competing with the likes of Currys, Harvey Norman and DID Electrical. Expand Close Cliona Hayes, Communicorp group marketing director / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Cliona Hayes, Communicorp group marketing director Communicorp's group marketing director, Cliona Hayes, says one reason AppliancesDelivered has excelled is that the old-style, bricks and mortar retailers haven't been able to fully crack the online market. "Buying such goods is a grudge purchase, so our brand promise is to take the hassle out of buying home appliances," Hayes told AdLib. "Consumers can go to the website and, in four clicks, can buy appliances from 9am to 8pm, seven days a week. They are assured of same or next day delivery in the greater Dublin area, installation and their old appliance taken away free of charge." Today FM presenter Dermot Whelan fronts the AppliancesDelivered ads. As well as Communicorp's Today FM, Newstalk, 98FM and Spin 1038, spots run on RTE Radio 1. After TV trials last May, Hayes saw a 63pc rise in online traffic. The TV ads were shot by Irish production companies Fail Safe Films and Along Came a Spider, with space buying by Core's ZenithOptimedia. Hayes hired Jonny Davis's Because experiential agency to create street stunts, with Mr Ireland showing up topless as 'Iron Man' to iron shirts on Grafton Street, much to the amusement of passers-by. Communicorp also invests in Google AdWords and paid search. Back in October, Ignite Research was hired to do brand tracking. After just nine months' trading, prompted awareness was at 42pc. Hayes hopes awareness will double by October. * Events agency Green Light has rebranded as Cogs & Marvel. Founded in 2006 by Roisin Callaghan and Jane Gallagher, the agency's first major gig was in staging Google's European sales conference in Seville. They have since handled projects for Failte Ireland, Matheson, MasterCard and Mason Hayes & Curran. Ex-Ogilvy boss Dave Smyth is Cogs & Marvel's ceo. Michael Cullen is editor of Marketing.ie; cullen@marketing.ie It is expected that Chill Money will create up to 50 jobs over the next 12 months. Insurance broker Chill.ie has branched out to offer loans, in a move that is set to put pressure on credit unions. Chill Money will market the loans, with Leitrim-based credit card provider Avant Card acting as the lender and servicer of the borrowings Avant Card, which used to be called MBNA, is regulated by the Central Bank to issue credit cards and provide loans. Loans of up to 50,000 are being offered, with repayment terms of between one and five years. The lending rate will be 12.9pc for amounts just under 10,000, and 11.5pc for loans of more than that, but less than 20,000. Loans of between 20,000 and 50,000 will have a lending rate of 8.9pc, when expressed in annual percentage rate (APR) terms. Chill Money claimed it was the first non-bank lender offering consumer loans to enter the market in the past few years. It claims it will be the first disrupter to the banks in Ireland. The move into personal lending is set to put pressure on the States 289 credit unions where the main source of income is member loans. Chill Moneys loans will only be available online. Applicants will have to upload documents to verify their personal details. These include a utility bill, a drivers licence, and bank statements. Applicants will have their credit record checked on the Irish Credit Bureau database. General manager of Chill Money Fergal Lynch said the move will spark life into the personal finance market in this country. We believe Chill Money will shake up the personal finance sector in Ireland as we once again champion user experience, accessibility and speed. He said consumer confidence is on the rise so people want to borrow again to fund purchases such as cars, home improvements or special events, like weddings. There will be a strong demand for Chill Money as people move away from long queues and lengthy applications by phone or in person. Our commitment to customers is that we will be nothing like a bank, Mr Lynch said. It is expected that Chill Money will create up to 50 jobs over the next 12 months. Insurance companies have been accused of failing to co-operate with Government attempts to bring in measures to slow down the rapid rise in motor premiums. Chairman of the Oireachtas Finance and Public Expenditure Committee John McGuinness this morning claimed that rather than easing up on drivers, insurers have hardened their attitude. He also criticised the regulation of the sector by the Central Bank. Mr McGuinness said drivers want action to cut the cost of premiums now. The Government has produced a report with 71 action points for easing pressure on premiums. And the Oireachtas Committee has also come up with a range of proposals to help reverse the string of rises in the cost of cover. The cost of motor premiums has been rising for more than two years, with hikes of up to 40pc on an annual basis last summer. Many drivers are being hit with much higher hikes. Last September the States competition watchdog said it was to probe suspected breaches of competition law by insurers. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) said it suspected that motor insurers were signalling price increases to each other before raising premiums. Read More This is seen as cartel-like activity - where players in a market who are supposed to be competing against each other instead act to regulate prices. Despite the huge focus on insurance costs, chairman of the Oireachtas Committee accused insurers of failing to co-operate with official efforts to tackle the surge in premiums. I have not seen any change in the attitude of insurers. The attitude from companies, I would say, has hardened. It is clear consumers are being ripped off, he told the committee, which was discussing motor insurance. Mr McGuinness also said the Central Bank was not doing enough to safeguard consumers and was falling short on its consumer protection role. But Junior Minister Eoghan Murphy, who is spearheading a Government taskforce on insurance reform, told the committee he feels insurers are co-operating with the attempts by the Government and the Oirteachtas Committee to bring in measures to bring the cost of premiums down. However, he said he has had to have robust discussions with the insurers representative body, Insurance Ireland. But there is a change in their attitude and they are co-operating with us in a very positive manner, Mr Murphy told the committee hearing. He said that he had always made clear that there could be no immediate fall in the cost of motor cover. People are looking for a 50pc reduction in premiums, but it is not going to happen, he added. He said it would take time for the 71 actions in the Governments 'Cost of Insurance Working Group Report' to effect the cost of premiums. It was difficult to put a timeline on when the measures would influence premiums cost, he said. A MAN who has spent two days queuing to secure a home for his retired father has said "this is the last roll of the dice." Dubliner Michael Ranaghan has been lining up with around twenty others in Baldoyle to view new accommodation at the new Silverbanks development. Michael, whose father is looking to buy a one-bed with lift access, hopes that today will be the day he finally delivers the good news. "He's on the phone every hour looking for updates. He wants to come down but it's too cold for him," he told Independent.ie. "A pal of mine gave me a bit of a dig out last night and held my place in the queue for three or four hours. It's hard to believe but this is real life. There are no investors here, just people looking for genuine homes." Many of the people queuing were in good spirits, excited at the prospect of potentially becoming a homeowner for the first time. Expand Close Homebuyers Catherine Ranaghan and Brendan Toolan queue outside the Silver Banks showhomes at Baldoyle yesterday. Photo: Colin ORiordain / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Homebuyers Catherine Ranaghan and Brendan Toolan queue outside the Silver Banks showhomes at Baldoyle yesterday. Photo: Colin ORiordain "We don't want to say anything in case we jinx it, we're so close now," another hopeful said. Her mother has been waiting by her side in the queue for the past two days and praised everyone's positive attitude. "Theres been a great community spirit here. Everyone has been having the craic and trying to make the best of the situation. Sure we know all the neighbours now! Well, hopefully," she added. The Silverbanks, The Coast development, which is still under construction, includes one to three-bed apartments, a three-bed duplex and two-bed and four-bed houses. With 20 properties available initially, prices will range from 155,000 to 380,000. A man whose daughter is desperately searching for a home queued up so she could be first in line to buy a new property in the area. Wicklow man Brendan Toolan arrived at 10.30am on Wednesday to save his 32-year-old daughter a place in the queue. Overnight There is a preview for people who have registered their interest today and another viewing on Saturday. The queue started forming in the early hours of yesterday morning as people desperately trying to get on the property ladder pulled out all the stops. Mr Toolan said his daughter Arianna "has been looking all over Dublin for months" so he queued on her behalf until she finished work yesterday afternoon. "She works in the city centre and when she comes in she will stay overnight for sure," he said. Mr Toolan said the people queuing were optimistic that they would secure a property because of the different types of accommodation available. "The worst thing about second-hand houses is the bidding war that can happen, but still the agents haven't firmed up on any prices to us," he added. "My daughter is still living at home with us, getting the train from Greystones into work so she has been looking for a one-bed apartment which has proved very difficult." Malahide resident Catherine Ranaghan (46) started queuing at 11.45am yesterday. "It is a good opportunity for an investment," she said. "I'm looking for a one-bed apartment and it would be quite handy to have it here as we are only up the road. "I have been living in Malahide for 12 years and we think the time is right for an investment like this but we have been looking for two months." Penthouse Most of those waiting in line yesterday did not want to be identified, but one 29-year-old said: "We were interested in the penthouse, but I've just been told that it's not for sale - it's private treaty. "They could have put that information on the website." A spokesperson for estate agent Savills told the Herald that the properties at the development were "on a first come, first served basis". The spokesperson said problems might arise in cases where all 20 people in the queue were interested in buying similar properties. "Although in this case the people who are queuing seem to want a variety of options," they said. Read more: 'I'm exhausted and sick because it was two degrees' - Couples camp in cars for two nights to buy homes Kim died on the way to hospital Monday after complaining to airport authorities that he felt dizzy after someone sprayed an unknown liquid on his face from behind. The 29-year-old traveling on a Vietnamese passport under the name Doan Thi Huong was arrested as she was roaming around Kuala Lumpur International Airport and has been positively identified from CCTV footage, police said. The suspect, who wore a white sweater with LOL printed on it in large letters, was captured on camera shortly afterwards waiting for a taxi at the exit. Malaysian police said the woman has confessed to killing Kim with another Vietnamese woman and four men with North Korean passports. A search for the others is under way. Reports said the six suspects all fled the scene and converged at a hotel just a 15-minute drive from the airport. The men apparently watched from a restaurant on the airport's shopping concourse as the two women attacked Kim. The woman who was arrested told police that all the other suspects fled and she was the only one left behind at the hotel. Malaysian police conducted a post-mortem on Wednesday. Local reports said the toxin used was "stronger than cyanide." The North Korean ambassador to Malaysia and other embassy staff watched the autopsy. The South Korean government identified Jong-nam's body on Monday. "He had foam in his mouth, which is a characteristic sign of poisoning," a government official here said. The suspect told police that she came to Malaysia to travel with the other woman and was approached by the four men, who told them to play a joke on Kim by spraying a liquid on his face, according to a local newspaper report. The IVCA figures claim that growth and expansion funding made up 92pc of total funds raised in Ireland last year. Photo: Reuters Ireland is undergoing a venture capital boom, with 888m in funding recorded here last year. New figures from the Irish Venture Capital Association (IVCA) claim that private finance companies pumped 70pc more cash into tech firms in 2016 than in 2015. The statistics also claim that 'seed' funding for early-stage startups has reached its highest level here, exceeding 70m. However, the figures may be interpreted as lopsided, with 11 companies taking 38pc of the year's VC haul. Of these, several are managed outside Ireland, with small headquarters based here for regulatory or tax reasons. Innocoll - based in Athlone for tax purposes but managed from the US and with a manufacturing facility in Germany - raised 37m in funding last year. Similarly, Circle Financial, a blockchain payments company largely run from Boston, raised 53m last year. However, some of the biggest funding rounds were for indigenous Irish companies. Dublin-based oncology firm Carrick Therapeutics raised 84m, while Dublin life sciences company Genomics Medicine raised 36m. Companies that straddle Ireland and the US also did well. Intercom, which operates its design in Dublin while its sales headquarters are in San Francisco, raised 44.2m. The figures show that there has been a surge of international interest in the Irish venture funding scene, with 548m of the 888m invested by international syndicate investors working with local partners. "This performance is particularly significant as venture capital activity in the US declined by 13pc in 2016 and by 4pc in the UK," said IVCA chairman Michael Murphy. "The figures demonstrate the continuing attraction of Irish tech firms by international investors." Life sciences companies continue to attract the biggest individual funding rounds. "The life-sciences sector was the star performer in 2016 with 52pc of funds raised," said IVCA director general Regina Breheny. "The life-sciences sector in Ireland is showing signs of maturity and is benefiting from the State's investment in research and development through Science Foundation Ireland." The IVCA figures claim that growth and expansion funding made up 92pc of total funds raised in Ireland last year. Mr Murphy said that, since the onset of the credit crunch in 2008, more than 1,400 Irish small to medium-sized firms have raised venture capital of 3.5bn. He said that these funds attracted over 1.7bn of capital into Ireland and "geared up" the State's investment through the seed and venture capital programmes by almost 16 times. The IVCA Venture Pulse survey, published in association with William Fry, is compiled using data from equity funds raised by Irish companies and other companies headquartered in Ireland from a variety of investors. The latest batch of State-funded start-ups from Enterprise Ireland shows variety and depth in what young tech companies are aiming for. From drones and gaming systems to medical devices and global online booking engines, there appears to be no shortage of industry among the country's new tech entrepreneurs. So are the 229 hopeful firms worth the 32m the State spent on them last year? Is "jobs created" the central metric of importance? Or should it be a cash return for the State on the investments themselves? How relevant are societal factors in investment criteria, such as the promotion of female entrepreneurs? On these pages today, we take a look at this year's crop of subsidised start-ups to see which ones might have the best chance of breaking through. We also look at some deeper issues around how our stimulus programmes are performing for wider ends. There is some progress being made. Enterprise Ireland claims that more than 19,000 new jobs (or 9,000 "net jobs") have been created over the last 12 months because of programmes such as its High Potential Start-ups (HPSU) and Competitive Start-up Fund (CSF) initiatives. It also claims that companies financially assisted by Enterprise Ireland now employ more than 200,000 people. This year's figures also show some other interesting trends. Of 229 funded companies, 63 (or 28pc) were female-led. While this is a significant increase in volume over the percentage of female-led funded firms five years ago (when it was just 8pc), it likely overstates the amount of money female-led firms received relative to their male-led counterparts. Because, while 28pc of the individual firms were female-led, only about 20pc of the State funding went to those firms. The 32m fund breaks down into a few different tranches. The vast majority (22.2m) goes to 101 individual HPSUs. Only 19 of the 101 firms that got this lion's share of the cash were female-led. Then there is 6.8m for CSF applicants. Female-led firms comprised 40pc of applications for this fund, which usually results in a 50,000 subsidy in exchange for a 10pc equity share. But women only made up 34pc (44) of the successful candidates for that funding mechanism. What's more, a third of those applicants were through a female-only round of CSF pitches. On its own, that share of the pot is pretty respectable. But set against the overall pot, it looks like female-led firms took around 6.5m of a 32m allocation for start-ups. That's still a damn site better than would have been the case some years ago. And it's far, far better than the imbalance that still exists in private venture circles, where as little as 3pc of available funding goes to female-led firms in Ireland. But there is still some distance to run - likely for all of us - when it comes to creating an environment where female entrepreneurs are getting on to the same degree of success as their male counterparts. There were some other interesting figures to come out of this year's Enterprise Ireland funding statistics. Start-ups have a 13pc chance of successfully getting through the application process, with 128 firms being funded out of the 975 who applied to the 50,000-for-10pc-equity CSF. The State occasionally strikes it rich, too, with the stakes it takes in the start-ups funded. Enterprise Ireland's most recent accounts show that a 25,000 investment in Dublin-based Logentries resulted in a 50-times return of 1.25m when the company was sold on for $68m in 2015. Just under half of the funded companies in today's list are from Dublin, which compares dramatically with figures from the private sector showing a much greater bias towards start-ups from the capital for venture funding. One interesting facet of successful applicants for funding is the rising number that come from overseas. Enterprise Ireland says that 17 of the 229 funder firms have come from abroad to win a funded spot in Ireland and to build their export-oriented companies here (this includes a handful of the companies we have picked out as ones to watch, below). There are also more firms with at least one founder who has come to Ireland in recent years. This message - that Ireland is becoming a country for firms to build companies and make their fortune - is hardly an unwelcome one. There is also plenty of activity emerging form third-level sectors, too. Fifteen of the subsidised Enterprise Ireland companies are spinout start-ups from third-level research. And 17 are start-ups specialising in financial technology. We will look again at HPSU firms, which comprise almost half the funded companies. But, for now, here is the cream of the CSF crop. Dublin media-technology start-up NewsWhip has raised $6.4m (6m) in a funding round to support development of the business. It is the second large fundraising in just a year for the company. The Dublin-based online media-aggregation startup founded by Paul Quigley and Andrew Mullaney relaunched, after an initial false start in 2010, as a service for publishers and public relations companies showing them which stories were trending, on which platforms and where. The idea is to help clients predict trends, track social media influencers and respond with targeted editorial strategies. The Series A funding round was led by existing investors Tribal Ventures and the Associated Press, with backing from clients of Cantor Fitzgerald in Dublin. Newswhip backers Enterprise Ireland, Matter VC, Social Starts, and AIB Seed Capital Fund and Japanese Publisher Asahi Shimbun also participated. A funding round in 2015of $1.6m (1.4m) was backed by Associated Press, AIB Seed Capital Fund and Tribal.vc and followed a 1m capital raising in 2013. NewsWhip is used by big players in the media world, including BuzzFeed, Bloomberg and the 'Daily Mail'. The company has a staff of 50 in two offices in Dublin and New York. The business had customers in 40 countries and millions in revenue, according to founder Paul Quigley. Subscribe to The Ready Business show, in association with Vodafone via iTunes or SoundCloud. Its not the strongest, fastest or richest that survive its the ones most adaptable to change that will be still around in the future says, this weeks guest on the Ready Business show, Kevin Mulcahy. Kevin is the co-author of The Future Workplace Experience and lectures in workplace trends and entrepreneurship at Babson College in Boston. If youre not always asking yourself what is it were going to change in our business this year, if youre not constantly trying or experimenting with new changes, youre not going to be a survivor, he explains. Businesses have to realise and recognise that forces are re-thinking and re-shaping the workplace says Mulcahy. You need to recognise that there is a shift in the expectations of employees and listen to what those expectations are. In the same way that you listen to your customers, listen with suspended disbelief to your employees. Just listen. If youre not experimenting or thinking about how to apply new technologies in your business over the next nine months and using the same technology in 2017 as you did in 2016, then youre not taking advantage of the transformative effects of technology. He also points to the shifting composition of the workforce in terms of gender, age and full time to contract workers as being vital. If youre not constantly changing up the workforce mix then youre not taking advantage of the newest source of diversity and different type of thinking thats going to help your business and youre going to be stuck in a box. You need to bring in new perspectives by age, gender and culture. Kevin Mulcahy will be speaking at the IMIs Talent Forum on Thursday 16th February. The Ready Business show, in association with Vodafone , is available via iTunes , SoundCloud and Stitcher or subscribe to the RSS feed of the Ready Business Podcast using your favourite podcatcher. You can check out the full Ready Business Podcast series here . In association with: The "Wolverine of mobile phones" - the Nokia 3310 - is making a comeback, 17 years after it was first launched. Finnish manufacturer HMD Oy Global, which has the rights to market the Nokia brand, is planning on announcing the return of the phone at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona on February 26. The Nokia 3310 became famous for its legendary durability and resilience - the screen didn't shatter if you dropped it on a dancefloor and there was no need to soak it in a bag of uncooked rice if it fell into a pint. This led some to dub the 'indestructible' 3310 the "Wolverine of mobile phones". To demonstrate the phone's durable nature, many vloggers uploaded videos of themselves trying to destroy it by putting it in an industrial shredder or hydraulic press. It also had a long-lasting battery - something modern smartphones lack. The phone also boasted a range of strangely addictive games including 'Snake II', 'Pairs II', 'Space Impact', and 'Bantumi'. Launched in 2000, the original 3310 was retired in 2005 having sold 126 million units, making it the world's best selling phone. The new 3310 model is likely to cost just 59. News that the mobile is making a comeback has been met with mixed reaction. While some are delighted to hear the reliable mobile phone is coming back, others believe the hardy phone is best left in the past along with Motorola flip phones and MP3 players. HMD will reveal other new mobiles - the Nokia 3, 5 and 6 - at the MWC event later this month. Melania Trump, wife of presumptive Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, addresses delegates on the first day of the Republican National Convention on July 18, 2016 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. The Republican Party opened its national convention, kicking off a four-day political jamboree that will anoint billionaire Donald Trump as its presidential nominee. / AFP / Robyn BECK (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images) Melania Trump has begun sharing a new hashtag on Twitter, and it has people very confused. Since Donald Trump's inauguration at the end of January, Melania Trump has had her fair share of viral moments on social media. When images of her emerged looking unhappy while watching the Super Bowl and a video showed her facial expression change dramatically at the inauguration, #FreeMelania began trending worldwide. However, the notoriously private First Lady has recently created her own hashtag that she adds to each of her tweets: #PowerToTheFirstLady. Thank you Mrs. Netanyahu for your friendship and dedication #PowerOfTheFirstLady pic.twitter.com/IiUjtTglOu Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) 16 February 2017 Since Melania began sharing the hashtag earlier this week, people have been expressing their confusion about what it actually means. "Can someone please explain what the #Powerofthefirstlady hashtag means?" said one user. "Powerofthefirstlady sounds like an ad tagline for antiperspirant," said another. "This #PowerOfTheFirstLady thing sounds a lot like what a teen girl in an anime cartoon would shout to transform into an adult." We are responsible for empowering our next generation with values #powerofeverychild #Powerofthefirstlady pic.twitter.com/L1FcuTNKwg Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) 11 February 2017 "Is it me or is Melania Trump's #PowerOfTheFirstLady thing kind of weird?" While she has ultimately kept her plans as First Lady under wraps as of yet, Melania has hired her Chief of Staff as Lindsay Reynolds, a former associate director of the White House Visitors Office during the George W. Bush administration, and is "putting together a professional and highly-experienced team". "It has been an honour to take on the responsibility of the position of First Lady, with its long history as an important representative of the President, our family, and the traditions of our nation around the world," she said in a statement released by the White House. "I am putting together a professional and highly-experienced team which will take time to do properly. I am excited to be organizing and bringing together such a dynamic and forward thinking group of individuals who will work together to make our country better for everyone." Expand Close This photo of Melania Trump watching the Super Bowl has #FreeMelania trending again. Image: Twitter / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp This photo of Melania Trump watching the Super Bowl has #FreeMelania trending again. Image: Twitter Video of the Day The White House insists Melania will be moving to Washington later this year, with senior adviser to the first lady Stephanie Winston Wolkoff saying: "Mrs Trump will be moving to D.C. and settling in to the White House at the end of the school year, splitting her time between New York and D.C. in the meantime. "Mrs Trump is honoured to serve this country and is taking the role and responsibilities of first lady very seriously. It has only been a short time since the inauguration and the first lady is going to go about her role in a pragmatic and thoughtful way that is unique and authentic to her." Irelands Dustin The Turkey during Dress Rehersals for the Eurovision Song Contest in Belgrade Serbia. KOBPIX The Eurovision song contest will "go ahead as planned," despite the resignation of 21 key staff members. A spokesperson for Eurovision told Independent.ie: "We can confirm that the Eurovison Song Contest will go ahead as planned and there has been no change in the dates." Eurovision 2017 is set to take place in Kiev on May 13. News emerged on Wednesday that 21 top level staff responsible for organising the event had resigned. The Ukrainian Eurovision team say they were side-lined and stripped of major responsibilities in December, when a new boss was appointed, it is reported. According to their resignation letter, they were "completely blocked" from making decisions about the show. An open letter penned by the former staff reads: "Hereby we, the Eurovision team, for whom this contest has become not only part of our work but also part of our life, officially inform that we are resigning and stopping work on preparations for the organisation of the contest." A statement from Eurovision regarding the resignations thanked the team for their "hard work." "Victoria Romanova, Oleksandr Kharebin, Iryna Asman, Denys Bloshchynski and his team and Oleksii Karaban informed the EBU on 10th February that they were resigning from their roles for the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest. The group felt they were not able to continue work on the project owing to staffing matters at UA:PBC, which the EBU cannot fully comment on. "The team have been instrumental in the planning for this years Eurovision Song Contest, and we thank them for their hard work. We have reiterated to UA:PBC the importance of a speedy and efficient implementation of plans already agreed, despite staff changes, and that we stick to the timeline and milestones that have been established and approved by the Reference Group to ensure a successful Contest in May. "Further information regarding the core team of the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest will be released in due course." Video of the Day This year Ireland's entry will be performed by Hometown member Brendan Murray, who will perform a yet-to-be-revealed song. Tickets for the Eurovison Song Contest went on Sale on Tuesday via Concert.ua for the designated dates. Dermot OLeary, general secretary of the NBRU, centre, accompanied by national executive members Sean Thunder, left, and Michael Kenefnic, arriving for the Oireachtas Transport Committee meeting at Leinster House. Photo: Tom Burke Bus passengers can breathe a sigh of relief after unions agreed to postpone an all-out indefinite strike which was due to begin on Monday. Bus Eireann's trade union group agreed to call off industrial action after the company said it would defer the imposition of pay cuts. But a resolution to the dispute still remains a long way off as the company is ultimately seeking 12m in payroll cuts as part of a 30m cost-cutting plan. Management has warned that it must present this plan to its board next month. Speaking after the talks broke for the night at the Work Place Relations Commission (WRC), the general secretary of the National Bus and Railway Workers' Union Dermot O'Leary said the threat of a strike was not gone. Further talks have been lined up at the WRC for tomorrow, Monday and Tuesday . However, it means that instead of strike action, Bus Eireann services will run as normal on Monday. The unions released a statement last night saying "we remain of the view that a multi-stakeholder involvement will ultimately be required to resolve this dispute". "In deference to the WRC, we are prepared to engage in this process to establish if we can achieve some progress towards an overarching and sustainable resolution." The threat of industrial action at Dublin Bus has also lifted. Unions have dropped plans to ballot their members for industrial action after Dublin Bus agreed to honour a deal to count new pay rises towards its workers' pensions. Earlier the main unions Siptu and the National Bus and Railworkers Union had warned that train services in at least five areas would be under threat if the bus strike went ahead. Mr O'Leary said it would not be "rocket science" to work out that if there was a picket on a gate and no-one passed it, a train would not move from that location. "Even though we in the trade union group are not in dispute with Iarnrod Eireann, and we have advised our members accordingly, there is absolutely no guarantee that rail staff will attend at work in locations such as Limerick, Tralee, Waterford, Galway, Sligo etc,"he told an Oireachtas Committee. Siptu divisional organiser Greg Ennis had also earlier told the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport that strike action was "very much avoidable" if the company changes its decision to unilaterally cut members' pay and terms and conditions. He said government transport policy had brought them to a place "where regrettably our rural and inter-city transport bus service could come to a grinding halt and where the risk of contagion is unfortunately growing by the day across other CIE companies". Bus Eireann's acting chief executive Ray Hernan has warned that payroll cuts will be imposed as part of a 30m cost-cutting plan as the company faces the threat of going out of business within 11 months following 9m losses last year. Monday's assassination of Kim Jong-nam was a "standing order" issued by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un when he took power five years ago, the National Intelligence Service here said Wednesday. The NIS told lawmakers that Kim Jong-nam sent a letter to the North Korean leader in April 2012 begging him to "spare his life and those of his family" after an assassination attempt the same year. But the spy agency denied that Jong-nam attempted to defect to South Korea. Lawmakers after the closed-door Intelligence Committee meeting quoted NIS chief Lee Byung-ho as saying, "We should not place too much significance on the timing of the assassination. It was the execution of a standing order that was issued a long time ago. Rather than a calculated move under the perception that Kim Jong-nam is a threat, it appears to be a reflection of Kim Jong-un's paranoid characteristics." THE former sexton and caretaker of St Catherines and St Jamess church and school, Dublin, was today given just under a fortnight to quit the house in which she has been living for the past 35 years. Barrister Ruth Cannon told the Circuit Civil Court that the Representative Body of The Church of Ireland had provided Eileen Walsh with a tenancy of 90 Elford Terrace, Donore Avenue, Dublin 8 in 1982. Ms Cannon told Judge Jacqueline Linnane that the church body had made an application to the Residential Tenancies Boards dispute resolution service in late 2011 and had been granted a termination order against Ms Walsh. David Ritchie, chief officer and secretary of the representative church body, stated in an affidavit that on 2nd September 2011 notice had been served on Ms Walsh terminating her employment on notice. She had been told her occupation of 90 Elford Terrace was dependent on her being sexton and caretaker of St Catherines and St Jamess Church and school. Mr Ritchie said an adjudication hearing had taken place and an order terminating the tenancy had been made by the Tenancies Board and served on Ms Walsh by the landlord in September 2011. Ms Cannon said the Tenancies Board had directed Ms Walsh and all persons residing in the dwelling, including her son David, to vacate and give up possession of the property. In 2015 Ms Walsh had appealed on a number of issues including that Dean Robert McCarthy was then no longer in office and no longer an agent authorised to act on behalf of the church body. Judge Linnane heard that a tenancies appeal tribunal had upheld the Boards decision as valid and directed that Ms Walsh and all residents should leave within 56 days. Ms Cannon said this period was now well expired and since Ms Walsh had not appealed further to the High Court and had continued to fail to comply with the terms of the termination the church body was asking the court to enforce the order. Judge Linnane directed that the Tenancies Board determination of November 2015 be enforced and ordered Ms Walsh and her son, and anyone else in occupation, to vacate within 10 days of service of her order on them. The judge also granted the church body an order for possession. She refused to make an order for legal costs against Ms Walsh. An attempt by Google to strike out a competition law claim by Ryanair, brought as part of the airline's action over alleged trademark infringement on the Internet, has been rejected by the Commercial Court. Mr Justice Brian McGovern rejected an application from Google Ireland and its parent, Google Inc, to strike out an amended part of Ryanair's statement of claim in the case. Ryanair launched proceedings last December against Google and "eDreams", a flight and hotel booking website, claiming they are infringing its trademark rights by directing people searching for the airline's flights to the eDreams site. The airline sought declarations and orders against the internet giant and against Vacaciones eDreams SL, a Barcelona, Spain, based firm which operates the eDreams website. Ryanair claims when someone searching for its flights enters one or more words on the Google search page, they are directed to the eDreams site and given the mistaken impression they are booking through the Irish airline. It says this arises out of a form of electronic targeted advertising, called the AdWords programme, whereby companies pay Google have their listing in a more prominent position than would be obtained through normal "organic or natural" search results. This, says Ryanair, infringes its registered trade marks and/or intellectual property rights. The claims are denied. Ryanair had amended its statement of claim to include a claim for breach of competition law under the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU, and under our 2002 Competition Act. Google then sought to have that amendment struck out claiming it was indistinguishable from the trademark infringement claim and was parasitic upon that infringement claim. It was also argued the amendment showed no reasonable cause of action and/or was frivolous/vexatious and/or bound to fail. Ryanair responded that the competition law issue was a "stand alone claim" which had been sufficiently outlined in the pleadings. Mr Justice McGovern said the issues raised in the strike out application should be dealt with at the hearing of the main case. If the judge hearing it finds the competition claim was indistinguishable and parasitic, then the judge could deal with it when awarding costs. He also did not see that, at this stage, the amended claim matters were bound to fail. Mr Justice Max Barrett made the comments when refusing RTEs application to halt defamation proceedings brought against it by businessman Declan Ganley (pictured). Photo: Frank McGrath A High Court judge has warned of the "chilling effect" for free speech if defamation cases are allowed become long and costly. Mr Justice Max Barrett made the comments when refusing RTE's application to halt defamation proceedings brought against it by businessman Declan Ganley, over his alleged failures to prosecute that case or make proper disclosure of documents. The judge refused Mr Ganley's own bid to have struck out RTE's defence to the case over its delay making discovery. He also agreed to permit the broadcaster to cross-examine Mr Ganley. Noting the defamation case was initiated in late 2011 and concerned a 'Prime Time' broadcast of November 2008, the judge said he wished to set a date in the next law term. It was not fair on Mr Ganley, who considered himself defamed, or on the relevant journalists if they did nothing wrong, to remain "mired" in proceedings for a long period. There were concerns as to the "chilling effect for free speech, a right of profound significance", if defamation proceedings were to become "enormously lengthy and hence enormously costly affairs". He adjourned the matter for a week to allow the parties consider his detailed judgment. In his action, Mr Ganley claims the 'Prime Time' programme defamed him in using words or innuendo which, he alleges, meant he had links to organised crime; had falsely claimed to be a paid adviser to the Latvian government; was somehow involved in the death of a man with whom he had a close business relationship; caused a fund to lose the life savings of thousands of Albanian pensioners and was covertly working for the CIA and/or "an ill-defined group known as Neocons". RTE denies defamation or that the words complained of mean what Mr Ganley alleges. Mr Justice Barrett was asked to decide three pre-trial motions, two by Mr Ganley and one by RTE. He refused Mr Ganley's application to have aspects of RTE's defence struck out, including its pleas Mr Ganley had a tendency to make false or exaggerated claims in business and other matters, which he denies. The judge said he would direct RTE to comply "forthwith" with a High Court discovery order of February 2015. He refused RTE's application to be permitted file an affidavit of discovery sworn by Katie Hannon, along with sealed documents to be opened only if the High Court ordered release of those to Mr Ganley on his making full and proper discovery. The judge said he would make orders giving RTE leave to cross-examine Mr Ganley over three affidavits of discovery sworn by him. But he would not grant RTE's application to dismiss Mr Ganley's case either for want of prosecution and/or failure to make discovery. The fishermen have denied charges before Cork District Court lodged following a Garda investigation into the use of migrant or non-EU workers within the Irish fishing industry. (Stock picture) Two Irish fishermen insisted they were assured by an overseas shipping agent that Filipino sailors would be in full compliance with regulations. Pat O'Mahony (51) and Leonard Hyde (63) both also told Cork District Court the Filipino duo were treated with every consideration and respect on the 'Labardie Fisher'. The trawler operators said they entered a contract with Diamond Marine for the supply of the two Filipino fishermen for a monthly fee of $1,075 each. "We couldn't get any Irish staff," Mr O'Mahony told gardai. "There are 90pc of the Irish boats . . . who cannot get enough Irish staff." In statements to gardai, Mr Hyde said Filipino national Demie Balbin Omol (40) got seriously ill just six weeks after arriving in Ireland. While the man was in hospital, he was visited, provided with cash, phone credit and even pyjamas. Expand Close Pat OMahony, co-skipper of the Labardie Fisher. Photo: Provision / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Pat OMahony, co-skipper of the Labardie Fisher. Photo: Provision Both men also insisted the Filipinos were provided with whatever food they liked, cash for groceries and sundries, phone credit, wifi, TV and regular time off. Both also had full control of their own passports and could leave the trawler at any time when berthed in Cork. The fishermen have denied charges before Cork District Court lodged following a Garda investigation into the use of migrant or non-EU workers within the Irish fishing industry. Mr O'Mahony, of Eltin's Wood, Kinsale, and Mr Hyde of Four Winds, Weaver's Point, Crosshaven, denied before Judge Aingeal Ni Chonduin a charge of knowingly facilitating the entry into the State on March 25, 2015, of a person whom they knew or had reasonable cause to believe was an illegal immigrant or a person who intended applying for asylum. They also deny employing a foreign national at Hugh Coveney Pier in Crosshaven on October 5, 2015, without having an employment permit issued by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. More than 30 Irish fishermen attended the court hearing to support the two defendants. Judge Ni Chonduin warned she had no option but to adjourn given the pressures on the court list. "I have to take public safety into account (because of possible over-crowding)," she said. Judge Ni Chonduin adjourned the case until March 8. Mr Justice Paul Gilligan heard the State was offering an unconditional apology and it was accepted gardai had made a mistake by calling to the wrong address. Stock picture The State has apologised to a family who claimed they were harassed and intimidated by gardai who called to their home several times asking about a person who didn't live there. The apology was made before the High Court to members of the Topolnicki family of Ashmount, Clonsilla, Dublin 15. Mr Justice Paul Gilligan heard the State was offering an unconditional apology and it was accepted gardai had made a mistake by calling to the wrong address. The family launched legal proceedings after gardai called to their home eight times over a three-year period. They said they were law-abiding, had no criminal convictions, and did not associate with criminals. They sought various reliefs including orders restraining gardai from entering or attending at their home unless they had a valid warrant. They also sought an order restraining gardai from watching, besetting, harassing or intimidating any member of the family, including brothers Marek and Patryk Topolnicki and their wives Malgorzata and Kinga. The family had sued the Garda Commissioner, the Justice Minister, Ireland and the Attorney General. The family claimed gardai first called to the house in 2014 looking for a person who may have previously resided there, and were told that person didn't live there. In March 2016, up to 12 officers banged on doors and windows. Marek Topolnicki said when he opened the door he was pushed inside and six to eight gardai forcibly entered and roamed around. He said they did not have a warrant. Following that incident, the family said their home was watched by gardai, who also called on other occasions. The family, originally from Krakow, Poland, have been living and working in Ireland for several years. Mr Justice Gilligan struck out the action with costs to the family. Dublin and the Midlands will effectively 'run out of water' within a decade unless a new supply from the River Shannon is developed. Stock Image Dublin and the Midlands will effectively "run out of water" within a decade unless a new supply from the River Shannon is developed. Irish Water managing director Jerry Grant has told the Dail Housing Committee that if the company replaced 2,000km of cast-iron mains in the capital to reduce leaks - instead of developing the new scheme - it would "paralyse" the city for up to a decade with works on the capital's streets. Mr Grant said that as much as 40pc of the River Liffey was abstracted to provide drinking water for the capital, which was "not sustainable". If supply was cut off, it would result in economic losses running to 78m a day. The planned pipeline from the Shannon will abstract 330 million litres of water a day from the Parteen Basin. Irish Water said it was committed to extensive public consultation, and hoped to seek planning permission for the 1.2bn project at the end of this year. A decade ago when I asked my classes who was thinking of going to third level, a small, but significant, minority would always indicate that they were more interested in entering the world of work or apprenticeship training. In 2006 and 2007, there were many such options to build rewarding careers. However, by 2010, and still today, when I ask the same question, nearly all students indicate that they wish to progress to third level. It has been suggested that this is a result of snobbishness among parents who only value third level education. While this may be true in some quarters, we must recognise that, for many years, school-leavers often had no other option. Jobs were far from plentiful and apprenticeships were practically non-existent. This is changing and, once again, opportunities are increasing for school-leavers who wish to explore their talents and abilities, through routes other than third level. Traditional apprenticeships were available in craft areas, and provided young people with on-the-job training as well as a qualification. There was a heartening 39pc increase in those registering for these between 2014 and 2016. The largest increases were in carpentry, electrical and motor mechanics. Opportunities for first-year apprentices can be found at any time of year by searching recruitment websites, as well as more specialised websites, such as the Construction Industry Federation's apprentices.ie. Spring is the time when many large organisations begin the recruitment process. The ESB is currently inviting applicants to register an interest for a recruitment drive that will begin in March. Other organisations that have recruited in the past include Iarnrod Eireann, Dublin Bus, Bus Eireann, Bord na Mona and Audi, to name a few. The Defence Forces have also begun recruiting regularly, including for apprentice positions. Global healthcare company GSK is currently recruiting for five apprentices: two in the traditional area of engineering for its Sligo plant, as well as a new business and supply chain apprentice in Cork and a pharmaceutical technical apprentice in both Dungarvan and Sligo. Small- and medium-sized employers have also begun recruiting apprentices again. These often do not advertise, so anyone interested should use all available contacts, including telling every adult who asks about post Leaving Cert plans exactly what they are hoping to do. You never know who may have a contact. A good CV and cover letter, and submitting it to employers, is also a good idea. If an applicant is having trouble finding an opportunity, starting in September, they could consider a further education/post Leaving Certificate (PLC) course, to gain basic skills in their chosen area as well as work experience. This could prove invaluable for gaining industry contacts and giving you a little extra appeal, when compared with other candidates. Further information on all apprenticeships can be found on the SOLAS website, apprenticeships.ie. I don't believe college is for everyone and we must provide young people with opportunities to learn and develop in ways which suit them if we wish to harness their talents. The return of traditional apprenticeships is to be welcomed. Perhaps, more interesting is the introduction of new apprenticeship models. These will allow students to gain qualifications in areas such as financial services, through paid work and study. We will explore this after the mid-term break. Aoife Walsh is a guidance counsellor at Malahide Community School, Co Dublin Important dates FEBRUARY 18 Continuing Education Open Day - NCAD Open House (11.30am-1.30pm) - American College Dublin Extended Registration Close (Extra Fee) - Mature Students Admissions Pathway FEBRUARY 20 Taster Day - IADT Dun Laoghaire Law Academy One Day Taster Sessions - UCC Science Workshop Week - UCD FEBRUARY 25 HPAT Ireland Test Extra Opens - UCAS Q. My son is interested in studying Agriculture at third level. Are there any Level 5/PLC routes into this area? A. Many agricultural science courses accept students who hold PLC qualifications. This includes Agricultural Science (DN250) in UCD, which accepts any laboratory technique (5M3807) or animal care (5M2768) courses. Waterford IT will consider applicants with any Level 5 award for its Agricultural Science (WD191) course. It is worth exploring the 'PLC/ further education' section of the qualifax.ie course finder. It may be helpful to search by county, which will give a more manageable list of results. Applications for a PLC are made directly to a college of further education. It is prudent to check that the college offers all subjects that may be required for entry to your chosen third level course. For example, in the case of UCD's DN250, any student who does not achieve the required Leaving Cert maths grade will be expected to present a distinction in C20139 or 5N1833 or C20174 or C20175, all of which are maths modules, for entry. Special education is expensive. Research by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) shows that the number of children with special educational needs in Irish schools is increasing year-on-year with one-in-four reported to have a special educational need. This growing population is diverse and includes children with physical and intellectual disabilities, emotional and behavioural difficulties and learning difficulties. How we support these children in mainstream schools has become a focus of attention for the Government in recent years, seeking a sustainable response to growing demands on resources. These efforts have resulted in a new model of resource allocation to schools being rolled out from September 2017. Chairman of the working group responsible for the design of this model, Eamonn Stack, described it as a "fairer and better way" to allocate resources to support children with special educational needs. So what will the new model mean for children with special educational needs? One of its most innovative features is that it removes the need for assessment and diagnosis in order for children to receive resources, a system which had been seen as unfair by disadvantaging those unable to pay for private assessments. So how will funding be allocated to students? Instead of individual assessments, all schools will receive baseline support with additional teaching resources allocated to schools based on a formula linked to a range of school factors including the numbers of pupils with complex needs in a school, the outcomes of standardised tests, the social mix of pupils, and gender mix. The use of a school's social characteristics such as disadvantaged status and gender-mix to target funding is important here. ESRI research has consistently shown that boys, and children from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds, are more likely to be identified as having special educational needs, with higher concentrations of children with special educational needs in disadvantaged (DEIS) schools. The new funding model will mean increased autonomy and flexibility for school principals to allocate resources on the basis of the needs they see in the classroom. Clive Byrne of the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals, welcoming this, described how the "new model of allocating resources, based on educational needs and the opinion of those at the coalface of teaching, will ensure that a pupil can access resources immediately". But where does this new model fit in terms of the Government's commitment to inclusive education? ESRI research shows that there is little clarity among principals and teachers about what inclusive education means and how it can be implemented at a practical level. How should resource hours be utilised to the benefit of individual students and the school as a whole? What is best practice in this area and how can we ensure true inclusion rather than a continued use of disability labels for resources? The lack of consensus on how inclusion works may result in variation in the nature of provision and an 'implementation gap' with discrepancies between policy intentions and school practices on the ground. Furthermore, there are no plans in the new model to monitor or audit how the funding is spent in terms of support for individual students. One interesting aspect of the new model is the focus on measuring student progress or outcomes through standardised test results. This measure sees a shift in focus towards school accountability for funding received but it may be problematic. An increased emphasis on testing may be to the detriment of the educational experiences of these students, since such tests can create anxiety for students. They may also act as a disincentive for schools to do better, as doing so will risk a reduction in funding. Test results may not have any real meaning for some students, whose progress is more appropriately measured in other ways. ESRI research shows that some children with special educational needs are not happy in school and more likely to report not liking school than their peers, have fewer friends and have more negative peer relations. Test results are important but as we look at this new and innovative funding model perhaps more subtle aspects of children's education can be taken into account. Dr Joanne Banks and Dr Selina McCoy of the ESRI presented research at the INTO Conference on Special Education Taoiseach Enda Kenny visited the crime hit North East Inner City in Dublin tonight to confirm a doubling of funds to 10m to begin regenerating the area. He confirmed the Government was backing the recommendations in a report compiled by Kieran Mulvey to boost the area economically and socially and strengthen the garda fight against drug lords and gang violence. The old Rutland Street school building will be renovated and developed as a community hub, despite a huge increase in the estimated cost of refurbishing it, he said. The premises in the future will show that this Government listened to the community, he said. Fitzgibbon Street garda station will be reopened and 30 extra guards will take up duty in the area by the end of this year, he said. Mr Mulvey was asked by Mr Kenny to compile a report and recommend measures to regenerate the area last June after a series of gangland murders. Mr Mulvey accompanied the Taoiseach and Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe to the Sheriff Youth Club to outline the Mulvey recommendations that are backed by the Government. Some 5m new funds will be ring-fenced for regeneration in addition almost 5m originally pledged to the regeneration project. The four priorities for action are : Tackling Crime and Drugs, Maximising educational / training opportunities / Creating Local Employment Opportunities, Creating an integrated system of social services, Improving the physical appearance of the streets with new trees, greenery and landscaping and tackling derelict site eye-sores. Mr Mulvey acknowledged the importance of community engagement in delivering on the actions set out in the Report. This is about how all of the passion, know-how and energy of the community and all existing providers can be best harnessed to deliver services that work. And if they dont work, having the confidence and courage to respond flexibly to try new ways to meet the community needs. Everyone needs to change if this is to work, said Mr Mulvey. The Taoiseach said Until the people of this community feel safe and confident walking their own streets; feel able to let their children play outside, we will not have achieved what we need to for this community. No one would talk on Wednesday at the eight-story apartment in Macau's old quarter where Kim Jong-nam lived with his family and at a high-rise condominium in another part of the territory where he also had a unit. The condo is just five minutes from the international school once attended by his son Han-sol, now 23, and daughter Sol-hui, now 18. Kim moved to the condominium around 2008 to make it easier for his children to attend the school but moved in 2011 because South Korean residents had found out where it was after Han-sol brought home a South Korean girlfriend. There were no signs of the family anywhere. Han-sol last year said he was heading to Macau as he left France, where he studies. But South Korean expats there said they have not seen him recently. Sol-hui, who graduated from school last September, has also not been seen. One friend of the family's said, "I tried to call Jong-nam's wife after learning about his assassination on the news last night, but her mobile phone was turned off. They probably had an action plan in case something bad happened to him." When asked about the possibility of Jong-nam's family defecting to South Korea, the friend said. "North Korean agents can't do whatever they want in Macau, which is Chinese territory. Macau may have been safer than South Korea." An investigation commissioned by the museum concluded the man kissed a woman and touched her buttocks on a number of occasions in the workplace. A member of staff at the National Museum who sexually harassed a colleague has been allowed to keep his job despite concerns about his behaviour towards female staff. An investigation commissioned by the museum concluded the man kissed a woman and touched her buttocks on a number of occasions in the workplace. During the course of the investigation the man admitted he had "problems with inappropriate use of the internet" and had developed "an obsession with tall women". He also admitted fantasising after seeing "tall schoolgirls" in the museum cafe one day. The man denied knowingly sexually harassing his work colleague, claiming if he had realised his behaviour was inappropriate, he would have stopped. But this was rejected by an investigation team. However, he admitted his work colleague had been "a foil for his fantasies". The man said he had been guilty of "unhealthy thoughts" while working with the woman and that his behaviour at times had been "out of order". An unpublished investigation report by consultants Conal Devine & Associates, who investigated the complaint, revealed that when the woman initially made an informal complaint about the harassment, the man was given other duties. But he was not told the real reason at the time. Some time after the investigation was completed the woman left the museum when her contract was not renewed. The man was then allowed to resume his earlier role. It is not clear what disciplinary action, if any, was taken against him and he remains employed by the museum. The woman did not make a criminal complaint and has not pursued civil proceedings against the museum. The Irish Independent learned the details of the case just a week after it emerged a workplace well-being report had found a fifth of staff at the museum believed they were often subject to bullying. One employee complained of having to deal with "bullies and perverts" and more than 40pc of staff were deemed to be at risk of developing anxiety or depression. According to the Devine investigation report, the woman began to feel uncomfortable around the man from her first day in the job. Complaint She alleged he would kiss her on the cheek and the forehead and displayed over familiarity and a lack of sense of personal space. The woman said he frequently put his arm around her or placed his hand on the small of her back when they were going on tea breaks. She alleged he touched her buttocks on two occasions while they were alone in a room together. The woman discovered that the man obtained her computer password while she was away and she could see from her internet history he had accessed sites containing pictures of scantily clad women. After she made an informal complaint she saw less of him, but still came into contact with him around once a month. His computer access was also monitored. A formal complaint was later made by the woman at the suggestion of a senior staff member. When questioned by the consultants, the man claimed he was a "naturally touchy feely" person and had not realised the woman's discomfort at his behaviour. He said he was told he was being reassigned due to increased workload. While there had been "a chat" with a more senior colleague at the time about his misuse of the internet and his behaviour with female staff, no names were mentioned. The man told investigators he had developed an obsession with tall women and when he saw some tall schoolgirls in the museum one day he wanted to "prolong the fantasy" by measuring the height of his female colleague. He said he had been attending counselling for 15 months and trying to get his life "back on track". The counselling had taught him he was a poor judge of appropriate behaviour. The National Museum's director, Raghnall O Floinn, declined to say what action was taken against the man. In a statement, he said: "The National Museum of Ireland takes all complaints seriously and these are dealt with under its dignity at work and disciplinary policies. The museum cannot comment on individual cases." Mr Trumps campaign team explicitly targeted the J1 programme, saying it would be 'terminated' in favour of a scheme to encourage employers to hire young Americans. Photo: AFP/Getty Images The annual summer exodus of young people to the US is on this year - despite fears that the J1 visa might be axed under the Trump regime. Far from being scrapped as had been threatened, the US State Department has allocated an extra 2,600 J1 summer visas. A statement from the US Embassy said that the 7,000 available visas would bring the number of J1 permits in line with 2015 figures. The "pre-placement policy", which means that people travelling have to secure a job in advance, is still in place. Numbers availing of a J1 dipped when the new stipulation was added in 2016. Mr Trump's campaign team explicitly targeted the J1 programme, saying it would be "terminated" in favour of a scheme to encourage employers to hire young Americans. But now it appears that the future of the programme is secure for the time being. It allows young people to soak up US culture while getting work experience on the other side of the pond. Anyone looking to secure a J1 visa is encouraged to begin the application process immediately. "The US Embassy in Dublin is fully committed to the success of the J1 programmes in Ireland. In addition to the popular Summer Work and Travel programme, Irish students can participate in the Camp Counsellor, Au Pair and Intern programmes. "The embassy is working with Irish Government representatives as well as US and Irish programme implementers to ensure Irish students continue to benefit from the J1 programmes," a statement from the embassy said. Scrapped The news will be welcome following concerns for the scheme after the election of President Trump. During the former reality television star's campaign he appeared to indicate that the scheme would be scrapped. He described it as a scheme for "foreign youths" and said he would prefer to see the jobs on offer given to inner city residents. However, last December the agreement between Ireland and the US in respect of the visas was signed for another three years. The J1 programme works in two ways, with both a 12-month visa and a four-month summer work visa. The extra allocation refers only to the four-month summer visas. Read more: The frontrunner to be the next Taoiseach remained cagey today Photo: Tom Burke Taoiseach Enda Kenny has refused to say when he will step down as leader of Fine Gael. Making his first public statements since the prospect of heave was raised, Mr Kenny said he was focused on his job. Politics is a vocation. It draws you into stormy waters as well as calm, he said. His refusal to even acknowledge that ministers are moving against him will cause alarm within the party who want a peaceful transition to a new leader. Today for me was a very ordinary working day, Mr Kenny said before giving reporters a long list of engagements he attended today. He said tomorrow would be equally busy and he is planning two Brexit related trips to Brussels in the coming weeks. Im focusing entirely on a really busy and challenging time ahead, he said. His party colleagues have said he deserves 'space' and will know when it is time to bow out. Backbencher Pat Deering, speaking on RTE'S Six One News, said he expected the Taoiseach to bring a timeline to the party's next parliamentary party meeting next week. Mr Deering said it was clear the party was not ready for an election. Despite his public interventions today, when he said that he would table a no confidence motion if Mr Kenny did not name his departure date Mr Deering has now said the Taoiseach "deserves time and space". A timeline of up to 12 weeks has been mooted by party sources and today Mr Kenny's expected successor said the party leader will know when he needs to step down. Largely considered the frontrunner to be the next Taoiseach the Social Protection Minister said Mr Kenny has been a fabulous leader of Fine Gael. Fresh from a "calm parliamentary" meeting last night where Mr Varadkar and his colleague Simon Coveney both warned TDs to be ready for a snap election Mr Varadkar refused to answer whether they coordinated their statements. Their statements were widely interrupted as a way of urging Mr Kenny to step aside. Arriving at an event in Dublin today, Mr Varadkar said: I think Enda Kenny has been a fabulous leader of Fine Gael for the last 15 years. The events of this week show that the timeline for a general election is now shorter than we might have thought. The Taoiseach has said that he wont lead us into the next general election but Ive absolutely every confidence that that hell know when the right time is for himself, the party and the country to step aside. He then walked away from reporters, refusing to answer any further questions. How will Fine Gael pick Kenny's successor? Fine Gael has recently overhauled its leadership selection process. This is what potential candidates are now facing: They must secure the backing of at least seven TDs, senators or MEPs. The 73 members of the parliamentary party will be key to victory as they make up 65pc of the vote. Councillors account for 10pc of the weighted vote, while ordinary members are 25pc of the Electoral College. Fine Gaels Executive Council will be responsible for picking a polling date, not later than 20 days after a vacancy in the position of leader arises. A candidate must be nominated in writing by members representing at least 10pc of the Parliamentary Party, not more than seven days after the vacancy arises. Hustings will be organised between day 10 and day 18. The regional meetings will provide an opportunity for the Party membership including the local Public Representatives to meet the candidates, the Fine Gael constitution states. The voting be by secret ballot with public representatives voting on the same day and at the same venues as the party membership. Parliamentary Party members shall cast their vote at a special meeting convened by party chairman. Finance minister Michael Noonan had "no hand, act, or part" in Nama's decisions regarding the sale of it's controversial Project Eagle portfolio. Education minister Richard Bruton made the remarks as he leapt to the defence of Mr Noonan at leader's questions in the Dail. He was responding to questions from Fianna Fail Dara Calleary who raised claims that it was "inappropriate" for the Finance Department to meet representatives of Cerberus - the ultimate buyer of Nama's Northern Ireland loan book prior to the sale. And he put it to Mr Bruton that if Mr Noonan was completely cut off from the process "why meet Cerberus the day before the deal on Project Eagle went through?" He claimed Mr Noonan sought to demure from a Commission of Investigation into Project Eagle that has been promised by the government and asked for a commitment that it would go ahead. He also said: "There are allegations that decisions in Nama were taken without adequate notes being taken, without proper management of the conflicts of interests which were apparent, that there was a flawed sales process, and basically an inability of Nama to show that they got the best value for money for the State." Mr Bruton defended Mr Noonan saying: "There is absolutely no question of the minister having acted inappropriately. "He met a former US Treasury Secretary who happened to be an employee of Cerberus. "He had no hand, act, or part in the decisions of Nama who are established independently under statute to make their decisions entirely on their own." He said that the it has been agreed in principle that a Commission of Investigation will be established. He said the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is examining a report on Project Eagle by the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) and that he thinks it's "appropriate" that the the outcome of that probe is published before the terms of reference of any Commission of Investigation are decided upon. Members of the PAC have been examining Project Eagle after a probe by the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) last year found that a probable loss of 190m (223m) was incurred in the 1.6bn 2014 sale. Nama has rejected this finding. The PAC is to meet this afternoon to continue the process of finalising its report. In the last 24 hours Mr Noonan himself has moved to defend himself amid criticism of him in a draft document on Project Eagle prepared for the PAC. He said he rebuts a proposed adverse finding against him in the strongest terms The working paper prepared for the PAC ahead of the drawing up of their report states that it was not appropriate for the Finance Minister to meet representatives of Cerberus the day before the bid closing date. It could have given the perception that Cerberus was benefiting from special treatment, the document states. Following media reports on the matter Mr Noonan raised concern that he was never questioned about the Cerberus meeting by the PAC as he appeared at the Oireachtas Finance Committee yesterday. He said he appeared voluntarily before the PAC and that what the newspapers are now saying is the basis for an adverse finding against me was never raised with me in five hours of evidence. Mr Noonan said the minutes of his meeting with Cerberus have been published online since 2015 and were sent to the PAC which didnt subsequently raise questions with him about it. As I understand due process an adverse finding cant be listed for anybody without giving them the right to reply. And the meeting that I had with Cerberus wasnt inappropriate in any way whatsoever, he added. He says that the PAC have legal advice saying that the functions of Nama and the functions of the Finance minister and the Department were entirely different. Mr Noonan said: I had no legal right or no authority and didnt interfere with the commercial decisions of Nama. Mr Noonan said he had written to PAC chairman Sean Fleming adding: so I hope hell straighten these things out. Fine Gael's new generation of ministers have signalled to Taoiseach Enda Kenny that it's time to step down as leader. The starting gun on a leadership race was fired at a private party meeting last night where Leo Varadkar, Simon Coveney and Simon Harris all spoke of the need to be "election ready". While they did not directly criticise Mr Kenny's performance over recent days, sources said "the message was clear". Ahead of a Dail debate on confidence in the Government, Mr Kenny asked TDs and senators to allow him the "opportunity to talk with the parliamentary party at a different time". This was widely seen as an acceptance by the Taoiseach that the growing unease over his leadership is coming to a head. Read more: FF leader Martin suggests Taoiseach misled him during phonecall this week Sources close to the three ministers insisted their contributions were not co-ordinated - although observers noted they were spotted together in the Dail bar the previous evening. Mr Varadkar was the first to speak, and began by defending Mr Kenny. "We've all been there. Who hasn't made mistake?" he asked. However, he went on to say Fianna Fail is preparing for an election and Fine Gael should do the same. Housing Minister Simon Coveney addressed the party immediately afterwards and echoed the election warning. Sources said the Cork TD spoke passionately about the issues facing the party that need to be addressed. And later Simon Harris, who is seen as an outsider in the leadership race but influential within the party, said they could "never have another week like this". He urged the party to "use all the talent available", "listen more to colleagues" and "stand up for our policy platform". Junior Minister Sean Kyne and Wexford TD Michael Darcy also expressed a view that the party needed to begin thinking about the next election. Three politicians, including Mr Varadkar, suggested another meeting today in order to continue the conversation. According to sources, Mr Varadkar said he was "happy to meet tomorrow or early next week". Urgency However, this was ruled out by party chairman Martin Heydon and they will not meet again until next Wednesday. One minister told the Irish Independent that Mr Varadkar's urgency to have another meeting showed "white-line fever". "I think that went against the mood of most people. We needed to get over the confidence vote and deal with other issues first," the minister said. Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald and Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe, who are also seen as potential contenders to replace Mr Kenny, did not mention an election in their contributions. Ms Fitzgerald spoke about her role in the recent controversies, saying that she was determined to "get to the truth of this for the McCabes", while Mr Donohoe said Fine Gael needed to start making the public aware of "all the good work that is being done". The party's deputy leader, Senator James Reilly, told the meeting: "When they are coming over hills to attack you, you turn your guns on them - not yourselves." As word filtered back to the Dail chamber about events at the Fine Gael meeting, a number of Opposition TDs speculated about Mr Kenny's retirement. Read more: 'Casual and stumbling' - Angry scenes in the Dail round off week of intense pressure for Enda Kenny, as Government win confidence motion Labour Party leader Brendan Howlin, who worked alongside Mr Kenny in the last government, said he took "no joy to see the position that you now find yourself in, Taoiseach". "There are many in this chamber, on your side of the House as well as mine, who are waiting for your time as Taoiseach to come to an end. "Some of them perhaps share the front bench with you. If this debate proves to be a tipping point that brings that end closer, Taoiseach, know that you have made a significant contribution to this State. "But know too that the events of the last week are not an acceptable way for a country to be governed," Mr Howlin said. Minister for Finance Michael Noonan speaking to media at the Corporate Tax: Fairness, Responsibility and Leadership Conference at Dublin Castle. Pic Steve Humphreys Finance Minister Michael Noonan said Taoiseach Enda Kenny's 'mea cupla' was simply an effort to correct the record and added; "What is the Taoiseach supposed to be guilty of?". Minister Noonan spoke as he arrived at a discussion on Corporate Tax at Dublin Castle this morning. He also confirmed the terms of reference for the public inquiry into the McCabe affair have been agreed unanimously by Cabinet. Asked if the Taoiseach should indicate when he would step down as leader of Fine Gael, Minister Noonan said Mr Kenny had indicated in the past that he would not lead the party into the next election. "I have no idea what the Taoiseach's intentions are," he said. "We had a parliamentary party meeting yesterday evening and no one mentioned that issue. "The issue that was raised was the preparedness or otherwise of the Fine Gael party for a general election. "It's been a very difficult week, there's no doubt about it, but the Government is very united. "The Independents in Government have fully participated in all discussions. It's very cohesive. "It's very early in the life of a normal Government and the Taoiseach has huge contacts internationally and an enormous amount of skill over his years as Taoiseach," he continued. "There are very trying times ahead, especially with Brexit in which he has a skill set that is important and valuable to the country at present. But it is entirely a matter for himself when he decides to fulfil the commitment he made to stand down as leader before the next election. "Of course it's still a minority Government, but Fianna Fail remain strongly in support as well and I understand Minister Frances Fitzgerald has had talks late last night and early this morning with Deputy Jim O'Callaghan and that Fianna Fail are in full agreement with the draft terms of reference of the tribunal," he added. When asked if he thought the Taoiseach had handled the McCabe controversy of the last week badly, the Finance Minister said that last Tuesday in the Dail Mr Kenny was being accused of things he wasn't guilty of. Read More "He has worked very, very hard that everybody would be treated fairly. On Tuesday there was a commission of inquiry agreed that has been raised to a tribunal of inquiry now. What is the Taoiseach supposed to be guilty of?" he said. Asked if Mr Kenny's 'Mea Culpa' was an embarrassment to the Government, Mr Noonan said he was correcting the record. "That happens frequently. The Taoiseach has such busy days that sometimes what happens in the evening things that happened in the morning are like things that happened weeks before," said Mr Noonan. "It's the same with a busy Minister. There are days when at nine o'clock in the evening when I think of what happened at ten in the morning, it's as if it were three or four weeks ago," he added. Asked by Independent.ie if someone who couldn't remember whether he had met someone personally at a vital meeting or had communicated through their staff should be running the country, let alone a political party, Mr Noonan said the Taoiseach had answered that in the Dail and he wasn't going to "reprise what he said" in relation to the meetings with Children's Minister Katherine Zappone. He said there was wide party agreement on the terms and that he hoped they would pass through the Dail "without too much controversy". "The portion of the inquiry which will deal with Sgt Maurice McCabe and respective garda commissioners will be completed in a nine month period," Minister Noonan said. "I think that the main business which the House is involved in is in setting up a tribunal of inquiry and ensuring that there is fair play on both sides, will be concluded in the Dail today and in the Seanad either tonight or tomorrow, and I would expect Judge Charlton to be conducting his hearing by next by next Tuesday. "The primary business is in hand and well under control, and on the politics of it every party will be looking at the situation now because there were a lot of TDs in all parties who are quite concerned that the date of an election has been brought forward, and I'm sure those discussions will go on at party level next week as they will go on in Fine Gael and other parties." On this week's show, Kevin Doyle was joined by Philip Ryan and Niall O'Connor as they look back on the week in Irish politics and talk to FG's Noel Rock about the future of Enda Kenny's leadership. Click here subscribe to the Floating Voter on iTunes. Fine Gaels Noel Rock was first out this week to call upon Enda Kenny to set out a timeline for stepping down and subsequent events have shown that he wasnt too early in his calls on the Taoiseach. However, speaking on this weeks Floating Voter, Rock has denied that Leo Varadkar was behind his outspoken views. No, not at all, said Rock. The situation was becoming increasingly unsustainable and it was clear we need a new leader. Ive told the Taoiseach why I said what I said. We shouldnt have blind, unquestioning loyalty to anybody. Im sure the message was received loud and clear and now theres a queue of people making the same call but more need to come out and say it for the public record. We need a timeline in the next two weeks. Rock told the show that sometime before the summer is what he has in mind for the new leader to be elected and says Leo Varadkar would be an obvious choice for the party. Floating Voter panellist, Philip Ryan, agrees. Leo Varadkar will walk it. He has the star quality Fine Gael needs. But is he the Bertie candidate, asks presenter, Kevin Doyle. Is Leo someone who is popular but is based around sound bites? As to how it will play out now for Enda Kenny, Niall OConnor says one must have sympathy for the Taoiseach. The heart of his legacy is he tried to do the best for the country. He wont allow a heave against him and will go in his own time. However, he should have gone after Christmas. The writing was on the wall then. Each week on the Floating Voter, INM's political team discuss the main issues affecting Irish politics, bursting the bubble around Leinster House. New episodes on Independent.ie every Thursday. Ireland is in breach of EU rules aimed at improving water quality by failing to impose domestic charges. The Dail Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services has been told by the European Commission that once the decision was taken to suspend charges last year, the State ceased to comply with the Water Framework Directive which aims to improve water quality. The question of whether Ireland must impose a charge to comply with EU law is central to the committee's discussions. Opposition TDs have claimed that charging is not "established practice", but the commission warned fines running to "tens of millions of euro" could be imposed unless drinking water quality improved, and wastewater was properly treated. Representative Aurel Ciobanu-Dordea insisted that Ireland no longer enjoyed a derogation on imposing a charge because in 2009 it told the commission that a tariff would be introduced, which later occurred under the EU/IMF bailout. However, member states could impose "social tariffs" for "vulnerable citizens" who might not be able to afford to pay. "Any water pricing policy must comply with cost recovery and polluter pays, but there is wide scope for application," he said. "There are objective elements to say that currently, Ireland is not complying with the Water Framework Directive once it has suspended the application of water charges." He also said that if it was decided to impose a charge for excessive usage of water, it should be set sufficiently high to be "dissuasive". Only by continuing the metering programme could the State assess what normal levels of usage were. But opposition TDs, including Fianna Fail's Barry Cowen and Paul Murphy of AAA/PbP, said that charges were not acceptable to a large number of people, with many households refusing to pay, and were therefore not "established practice". This meant the State could avail of the derogation which applied before 2009 and fund water services from general taxation. However, the commission said a derogation could only be sought where it did not compromise the objective of the Water Framework Directive which was to improve water quality. That boils down to an average of three calls a day before and two a day after Choi fled. In a discovery that could fatally undermine Park's defense that she was an innocent dupe of Choi's shenanigans, investigators on Wednesday said the two exchanged no fewer than 573 calls between April and October last year as the media still largely glossed over the first stirrings of the scandal, and another 127 times once Choi hotfooted it to Germany. President Park Geun-hye talked to her longtime friend Choi Soon-sil on the phone twice every day even after Choi went on the lam as the corruption scandal engulfed them both. The independent counsel investigating the scandal revealed the phone records Wednesday to stress the need to raid Cheong Wa Dae and salvage whatever evidence has escaped the shredder. Investigators obtained a search warrant from the Seoul Central District Court earlier this month but were physically pushed back at the doors by Cheong Wa Dae staff who cited "security concerns." Investigators said the calls were made using a phone in another person's name and procured by Cheong Wa Dae administrative staffer Yoon Jeon-choo. Yoon used to be a fitness trainer to the stars before she landed the job at Choi's recommendation. One Cheong Wad Dae flunkey last month testified that the entire presidential office had phones in false names, like a ring of ticket touts. The last calls came on Oct. 26, a day after the president made a half-hearted public apology in which she claimed she only let Choi look at "some materials" years ago but stopped consulting her once her secretariat was in place. They spoke 10 times over the course of those two days until the early hours of the morning. The independent counsel suspects that the president tried to discuss strategy with Choi and look for ways to get rid of evidence. Park then stopped taking Choi's calls. Instead, Choi told her niece Jang Si-ho to tell Choi's sister Soon-deuk to call the president from Yoon's phone. According to Jang, Park then told Choi Soon-deuk to tell Soon-sil to come back to Korea, which she duly did for days later. Kim Dae-hyun, an attorney on the independent counsel's team, said, "We're confident that there is evidence inside Cheong Wa Dae that can prove this." At a hearing in the Seoul Administrative Court on Wednesday, the independent counsel's team engaged in heated debate with Park's lawyers about the legality of forcing a search. Park's lawyers argued that by law the only parties that can sue Cheong Wa Dae are people who have suffered injustice from the state. The court is expected to reach a decision on Thursday. Three fire engine crews were attended a fire tonight in Walkinstown in Dublin. Dublin Fire Brigade was alerted at 8pm as a fire swept through sheds at the rear of a derelict premises at Bunting Road. 3 fire engines from Dolphin's Barn & Tallaght are currently dealing with cars/sheds on fire in Walkinstown #Dublin #fire pic.twitter.com/0ZMbMqtrYt Dublin Fire Brigade (@DubFireBrigade) February 15, 2017 Fire crews from Dolphin's Barn and Tallaght fought the blaze. A spokesman for the brigade said at 9.20pm the fire had been brought under control. He said the sheds were adjoining the old Crumlin Printing company property. No one was injured in the incident. Garda whistleblower Maurice McCabe is owed a "full and unequivocal apology" from the Government, Social Protection Minister Leo Varadkar said tonight. Mr Varadkar will say Sgt McCabes service to the State "has not just been distinguished, it has been heroic". In his speech the minister also indicated that belief in Fine Gaels position as "the party of law and order and a party of integrity in public office" by events of the past week. "But we can and will put things right," he said. His contribution made no mention of embattled party leader Enda Kenny who is fighting for his political career. Instead Mr Varadkar used his speech to praise whistleblowers and call on more to come forward. The minister famously intervened to defend Maurice McCabe after his actions were described as "disgusting" by former garda commissioner Martin Callinan in 2014. At the time he said "If I was to use one word, the word I would have used would be distinguished". On Wednesday he said: "I have absolutely no doubt in my own mind, from what I know and have heard, that Sgt McCabe was subjected to a scurrilous whispering campaign designed to discredit him. "What I do not know, is exactly who was involved and the extent to which it was organised." He argued that the public inquiry must get to the truth but that for that to happen others must come forward. "We now need to know whether similar campaigns were organised against other Gardai, against public figures and private citizens. "Tonight, I call on all those with information to come forward. In particular, I call on individual Gardai who spread rumours, passed to them by superiors, believing them to be true, to come forward and offer to give evidence to the public inquiry. You too were deceived and are not to blame," he said. "I believe the Government owes a full and unequivocal apology to Sgt McCabe for the appalling treatment he endured at the hands of Gardai, State agencies and government departments. We need to restore trust in these key institutions. We start by showing that we are willing to be contrite." Teenager Shauntelle Tynan told her siblings that the public raised more than 700k for her cancer-treatment Over the past three days, Ireland has come together to raise more than 700k for Carlow teenager Shauntelle Tynan after her emotional plea touched the hearts of the nation. Following her viral campaign, the 18-year-old now has the funds to support specialist treatment in Texas Childrens Hospital in her battle against a rare cancer, multi-system Langherans cell histiocytosis. Shauntelle took to her Youtube channel to thank more than 28k people who donated to the campaign since Monday and filmed the exciting moment she told her younger siblings Stephen (10) and Sophie (6) that she had raised more than 705k to go to Houston. In the heart-warming video, the siblings are visibly shocked when Shauntelle tells them how much was raised for their campaign. "Thats amazing, we only needed 500k, says an emotional Stephen. "Thank everybody so much. Im so happy. How did we get to that in one day," he asked, stunned. Expand Close Teenager Shauntelle Tynan told her brother Stephen that the public raised more than 700k for her cancer-treatment / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Teenager Shauntelle Tynan told her brother Stephen that the public raised more than 700k for her cancer-treatment The ten-year-old thanked everyone who donated to his older sisters life-saving campaign. "The amount of support is crazy. We had a goal of 500k and we got to 620k. I just have to thank everybody. Im in shock. Its really a happy Valentines Day," said Stephen. Since the video was filmed, donations have climbed to 705k, making it the largest ever European campaign to have ever been held on the crowd-funding platform Go Fund Me. On Wednesday, Shauntelle expressed her gratitude to the Irish public for raising the vital funds, as she does not qualify for government funding because she is seeking treatment in the US. "After that video it completely went viral. I wasnt expecting half of the support that I got. It was incredible, amazing. I cant believe it," she said. "Yesterday I thought it was amazing that we raised 80k, but today my Go Fund Me is more than 617,198. I am amazed. I would have never thought this would be possible. The huge chunk is raised and Im absolutely amazed. "Ive never been so happy in all of my life. Youve given me such a chance. Thank you." Shauntelle's mum Leona Tynan said they have been "blown away" by the support she's received. Expand Close Shan Tynan suffers from a very rare form of cancer / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Shan Tynan suffers from a very rare form of cancer Speaking on Kfm on Tuesday Leona said: "I haven't stopped crying, I haven't slept. We live in a mighty little country and I can't believe that people have been so good. "It's whatever people have. It hasn't stopped. We're nearly there. We're going to get her there and we can't believe it." On Monday, the teenager posted a video on her Youtube channel which was viewed thousands of times internationally. In the video, the 18-year-old hit out at the government as she does not qualify for the HSEs Treatment Abroad scheme and therefore is not entitled to financial support from the state. "Weve been emailing my government to get them to help us with costs but if you fly outside of Europe, they dont help with medical costs. Its ridiculous, 350k doesnt mean anything to our government and this is my life. Im an Irish citizen and I just wish theyd help. Its so sad that my life is being put on a number and how much money we need to make, she said. Expand Close Shan Tynan (17) with her mum Leona / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Shan Tynan (17) with her mum Leona Since her diagnosis in 2015, Shauntelles cancer has spread to the gastrointestinal system, colon and skin and the teen will travel to Texas on March 29 on her own to undergo treatment. "Recently we have learned that were going to have to move to Texas for at least a year, thats me on my own, thats not my family, thats me. "Thats because the cancer has just gotten so out of control. When it started off I had cancer in my ears, my skin and my pituitary in my brain. Now its all throughout my gastrointestinal area. Its in my colon, its in my skin its in my stomach. Its given me really bad side effects. The doctors in Texas have told me if I dont come for at least 12 months then they dont have a great chance of helping me survive." Shauntelles mum Leona has written several letters to the Minister for Health, pleading for government assistance with the massive costs of the treatment. "We have done everything in our power to get her life back and pleaded with the Minister for Health for support but because Shauntelle requires care outside of the criteria for the treatment abroad scheme as her treatment is not within Europe. We have been swamped with acts and legislation all coming down to a big no. "We now need to raise over 500k to get Shauntelle to Texas for a minimum of twelve months from March 29. We have managed to raise over 160k through Go Fund Me but need to raise another 350k. We cant do this alone, our community has already funded five trips to Texas." Expand Close Shan Tynan (17) with her mum Leona / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Shan Tynan (17) with her mum Leona The mum has given up her job to be Shauntelles full-time carer and said she is desperate to see her teenager return to full health and to live a happy life, cancer-free. "This is my daughters life to which she now has little quality of and I am a desperate mother trying everything possible to get my beautiful and inspirational daughter back to living the life she deserves before it is too late." To donate to Shauntelle's treatment costs visit www.gofundme.com Tourism Ireland has unveiled a dramatic new video featuring 5,000 years of heritage in Ireland's Ancient East. The timelapse film, by Dublin-based Crooked Gentlemen, features some mouthwatering footage shot from dawn to dusk in five sites. Glendalough, Newgrange, Castletown House, Hook Lighthouse and Kilkenny Castle look splendid in all kinds of light... we're smitten! The video hits devices just as Ireland's 2017 tourist season is set to crank up in earnest, with the ' Global Greening' initiative set to light up over 100 global landmarks and buildings over the course of St. Patrick's Day. In 2016, some 10.5 million overseas guests visited the island of Ireland, a figure the promotional organisation hopes to improve upon this year. Social media is playing an increasingly important role in its marketing, with almost four million fans now following Tourism Ireland on Facebook. Watch more: Premium John Downing Opinion New British prime minister Rishi Sunaks succession proves an important milestone in British political inclusivity There is an old saying in British politics that goes: The right looks for converts while the left seeks out traitors. It comes to mind when one reflects upon the election of Rishi Sunak as the UKs first non-white prime minister in a party traditionally seen as most opposed to mass immigration and the dilution of national identity via multiculturalism. In the months leading up to the May 2008 resignation of former taoiseach Bertie Ahern, the Fianna Fail leader embarked on a valedictory tour, addressing both the House of Commons and a joint meeting of the US Congress. The honour to address both houses was fitting for Mr Ahern, who led three coalitions and who played a critical role in the peace process that led to the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. Mr Ahern's lengthy valedictory period, marked by a series of controversies arising from the Mahon Tribunal, was a costly one, coinciding as it did with the then-burgeoning banking and financial crises that gave rise to the bank guarantee in September 2008. The constant debate surrounding the timing of Mr Ahern's departure was a distraction when the government's efforts were required to deal with the financial crisis that ultimately led to the EU/IMF bailout in November 2010. The same could be said of the controversy surrounding the tenure of the current Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, who is embroiled in a now seemingly terminal leadership crisis. It is a crisis aggravated by the egregious smear scandal against Garda whistleblower Sgt Maurice McCabe, which has led to the establishment of yet another tribunal of inquiry. Like Mr Ahern, Mr Kenny deserves credit. He has made history as the first Fine Gael leader elected taoiseach twice in a row. He also presides over the fastest-growing economy in Europe. However, Mr Kenny has failed to grasp the consequences of his clinging to power and its destabilising impact on the Coalition, Fine Gael and public confidence. In his resignation speech, Mr Ahern said that just as stability is important in a coalition government, it is even more vital in a political organisation. Mr Kenny should be mindful of that counsel and ensure next month's annual trip to the White House is his last as taoiseach to ensure an orderly transfer of power - for stability's sake. Number should be up for archaic libel law lottery Ireland's still archaic defamation laws have cast a long pall over freedom of speech and serve neither plaintiff nor defendant. By virtue of their cost and duration, Ireland's lottery-style libel laws are an affront to the public interest and freedom of expression. A High Court judge reminded us yesterday of that affront when he warned that lengthy and costly libel actions could be have a "chilling effect for free speech", a right he described as one of "profound significance" in a dispute involving State broadcaster RTE and businessman Declan Ganley. And that was before any consideration of our awards in libel actions that dwarf, by multiples, awards issued in Europe and in countries with whom we share a common law legal system. Mr Ganley alleges he was defamed in a November 2008 broadcast on RTE's 'Prime Time'. Legal proceedings were launched in 2011. It is now 2017 and the litigation has not yet even had a hearing date, mired as it is in pre-trial dispute over discovery (exchange of documents) between both sides. As Mr Justice Max Barrett observed, the long period between the alleged libel and the legal action is unfair to both Mr Ganley and the journalists who robustly deny he was defamed. We cannot afford such an unwieldy and offensive system where freedom of expression is the constant loser. (L to R) Saint West, television personality Kim Kardashian West, and North West leave their Midtown Manhattan hotel on February 1, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Raymond Hall/GC Images) Kim Kardashian is seen on February 15, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Team GT/GC Images) Saint West (L) and television personality Kim Kardashian West leave their Midtown Manhattan hotel on February 01, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Ray Tamarra/GC Images) Kim Kardashian seen out in Manhattan on January 16, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Robert Kamau/GC Images) Kim Kardashian seen out in Manhattan on January 16, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Robert Kamau/GC Images) Kim Kardashian is seen Soho on February 14, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Raymond Hall/GC Images) Kanye West and wife Kim Kardashian West are seen on February 14, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Marc Piasecki/GC Images) Kim Kardashian knows a good thing when she sees it. The reality tv star (35) stepped out in an all-black ensemble for date night in New York with husband Kanye West and ensured her look was one of a kind by buying vintage. And when you're one of the most photographed women in the world, every day is a fashion show. Kardashian's stylist sourced her black velvet Escada skirt dated back to the '80s from Irish start-up company Open for Vintage for 408 (yes, she buys). Expand Close Kim Kardashian is seen Soho on February 14, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Raymond Hall/GC Images) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Kim Kardashian is seen Soho on February 14, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Raymond Hall/GC Images) Co-founder Sarah Kate Byrne (32), from Tullow, Co Carlow, said that they were approached by Kim's stylist during a recent trip to London, where she is now based, as she was scouring boutiques and vintage stores for unique looks for her client. "We took a call from her stylist who heard about it and she said she was looking for a variety of different clients. When she said she was looking for Kim Kardashian, those were the magic words," she told Independent.ie Style. "In this instance, she went through our site with a fine tooth comb and picked everything she wanted. "It's a one of a kind piece, no one else will have this skirt. She sees the value in that. We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference "There's no risk of someone else wearing it. Yes, someone will go and knock one off but she'll benefit from that again because it's superior quality." Even more impressively, the mother-of-two, who is inundated with fashion freebies, purchased the three pieces herself, which Sarah Kate says adds to why the family is so "well respected". Video of the Day "The real thing is that she buys. She bought her three items and lo and behold..." "Like everyone, you want to wear your new things straight away," she added. Expand Close Kim Kardashian is seen on February 15, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Team GT/GC Images) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Kim Kardashian is seen on February 15, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Team GT/GC Images) "It was styling a proper, quintessential vintage piece, not a fashion following choice. "For us, this is amazing. Publicity is fantastic but especially were representing small boutiques. We want to give it the best opportunity to sell." Byrne, who is a graduate of Law in Trinity College , founded the company last year with two Dubliners Colin Saunders and James Loftus and they are now plans to "ramp it up to another level" in 2017. U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump wait to greet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara Netanyahu at the South Portico of the White House on February 15, 2017 in Washington, D.C. U.S. first lady Melania sits in the Oval Office during a meeting between President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on February 15, 2017 in Washington, D.C. U.S. first lady Melania Trump arrives at the East Room of the White House prior to a joint news conference February 15, 2017 in Washington, DC. President Trump hosted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for talks for the first time since Trump took office on January 20. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) U.S. first lady Melania Trump arrives at the East Room of the White House prior to a joint news conference February 15, 2017 in Washington, DC. President Trump hosted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for talks for the first time since Trump took office on January 20. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) WASHINGTON, U.S. first lady Melania Trump arrives at the East Room of the White House prior to a joint news conference February 15, 2017 in Washington, DC. President Trump hosted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for talks for the first time since Trump took office on January 20. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) TOPSHOT - US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump welcome Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, as they arrive at the White House in Washington, DC, February 15, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / SAUL LOEBSAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images US First Lady Melania Trump welcomes Israeli First Lady Sara Netanyahu at the White House in Washington, DC, February 15, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / MANDEL NGANMANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images US President Donald Trump (L) and First Lady Melania Trump are seen inside the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, February 15, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / SAUL LOEBSAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images Sara Netanyahu(L) and Melania Trump arrive for the press conference by their husbands Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump in the East Room of the White House on February 15, 2017 in Washington, DC First lady Melania Trump walks into the White House after touring the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture with Sara Netanyahu, wife of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington, DC U.S. first lady Melania sits in the Oval Office during a meeting between President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on February 15, 2017 in Washington, D.C. Melania Trump has made her first visit to the White House since her husband Donald Trump's presidential inauguration. Amid reports the US First Lady is "miserable" with the direction her life has taken, she is going to great lengths to prove otherwise. It was claimed on Wednesday that the former model is "deeply unhappy" with her life rooted in politics as evidenced by her remaining in New York instead of moving to the White House. And while she has been keeping a low profile sine January 20, she has made more public appearances in the last week than she has in her first month as first lady. Expand Close U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump wait to greet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara Netanyahu at the South Portico of the White House on February 15, 2017 in Washington, D.C. / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump wait to greet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara Netanyahu at the South Portico of the White House on February 15, 2017 in Washington, D.C. Melania returned to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue to host the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's wife Sara during their visit to Washington. The mother-of-one opted for a white military dress suit with peplum detail by Karl Lagerfeld for the occasion, finished off with a pair of killer white Christian Louboutin heels. Us Weekly previously reported that Melania had "no intention" of ever moving to the White House with her husband, who is living in their private quarters alone. However, Melania has hired her Chief of Staff as Lindsay Reynolds, a former associate director of the White House Visitors Office during the George W. Bush administration, and is "putting together a professional and highly-experienced team". Expand Close TOPSHOT - US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump welcome Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, as they arrive at the White House in Washington, DC, February 15, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / SAUL LOEBSAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp TOPSHOT - US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump welcome Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, as they arrive at the White House in Washington, DC, February 15, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / SAUL LOEBSAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images "It has been an honour to take on the responsibility of the position of First Lady, with its long history as an important representative of the President, our family, and the traditions of our nation around the world," she said in a statement released by the White House. "I am putting together a professional and highly-experienced team which will take time to do properly. I am excited to be organizing and bringing together such a dynamic and forward thinking group of individuals who will work together to make our country better for everyone." Video of the Day The White House insists Melania will be moving to Washington later this year, with senior adviser to the first lady Stephanie Winston Wolkoff saying: "Mrs Trump will be moving to D.C. and settling in to the White House at the end of the school year, splitting her time between New York and D.C. in the meantime. "Mrs Trump is honoured to serve this country and is taking the role and responsibilities of first lady very seriously. It has only been a short time since the inauguration and the first lady is going to go about her role in a pragmatic and thoughtful way that is unique and authentic to her." Expand Close US President Donald Trump (L) and First Lady Melania Trump are seen inside the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, February 15, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / SAUL LOEBSAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp US President Donald Trump (L) and First Lady Melania Trump are seen inside the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, February 15, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / SAUL LOEBSAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images The 123-story Lotte World Tower, the capital's tallest building, is awaiting its grand opening on April 3. But on Wednesday, some of the more exclusive parts were unveiled for the first time, including the royal suite in the hotel, which costs a cool W20 million per night, and the ultra-fast elevator (US$1=W1,141). The Seoul Metropolitan Government finally gave the final green light to the building's opening last week. With just 40 days to go, staff were still busy putting the finishing touches to the skyscraper. An observatory on 118th floor has a sky deck with a vertiginous transparent glass platform 477.63 m above the ground. It is made with toughened 45 mm-thick glass "and it will not break even if an elephant stands on it," according to a press release. Visitors look down from the glass observation deck at Lotte World Tower in Seoul. The royal suite in the "six-star" Signiel Seoul hotel on the 100th floor will be the most expensive hotel room in Korea at 25 to 30 percent more than equivalent rooms in other hotels. It has a lavishly decorated reception, a meeting room and separate rooms for accompanying staff. The hotel swimming pool on the 85th floor has two 20-m lanes. The ultra-fast elevator takes just one minute and five seconds from the first basement level to the 118th floor. Ears popped, but otherwise it was a smooth ride. Then there is the "Premier 7" luxury office space. One company can use the whole of each floor. Ailing Lotte Group founder Shin Kyuk-ho is reportedly going to be moved to the 114th floor, while Lotte chairman Shin Dong-bin is planning to move into the 70th and the 71st floors, the highest floors of the Signiel Residence serviced apartments that mainly target rich people from the Persian Gulf. Lotte corporate headquarters will move into floors from 14th to 38th. Lotte Corporation will move to the 19th floor, and Lotte Chemical will also move in sometime in the first half of this year. On the 22nd floor, there is evacuation safety zone big enough to accommodate 1,680 people in an emergency. There are 1,680 gas masks and 1,680 LED flash lights, and two automated defibrillators and CPR machines, and two sets of heat proof clothes. There are similar safety zones on 40th, 60th, 83rd, and 102nd floors, making it possible to reach any of them within 15 minutes from any part of the building and enough for 6,200 people. For the sake of structural safety there are 509 sensors with cutting-edge technologies that monitor changes or unusual signs within the building through information delivered by GPS in real time. The control center has a dozen staff present around the clock to check fire safety, security, and the smooth running of machines. The tower is also designed to withstand earthquakes and typhoons of the magnitude of the 1995 Kobe earthquake or hurricane Katrina. Hospital staff in Pakistan make arrangements outside an emergency ward for the victims of suicide bombing (AP/Shakil Adil) An Islamic State suicide bomber has targeted worshippers at a famous shrine in southern Pakistan, killing at least 75 people and wounding more than 200 others, officials said. Three security officials confirmed the death toll, saying those killed included 20 women and nine children. They said the suicide bomber walked through a gold-plated door and entered the main hall of the shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar before setting off his bomb amid a gathering of worshippers. The Islamic State group claimed the attack in a statement circulated by its Aamaq news agency, saying it had targeted a "Shiite gathering". The Sunni extremist group views Shiites as apostates and has targeted Pakistan's Shiite minority in the past. Raja Somro, who witnessed the attack, told a local TV network that hundreds of people were performing a spiritual dance known as the Dhamal when the bomber struck. "I saw bodies everywhere. I saw bodies of women and children," he said. Ghazanfar Shah, the custodian of the site, said security was lax at the shrine, which is entered through two gold-plated doors. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif vowed that security forces would track down the perpetrators of the attack, according to Pakistani state TV. "Each drop of the nation's blood shall be avenged, and avenged immediately," Pakistan's army chief, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, said in a statement. "No more restraint for anyone." Thursday's attack was the deadliest in Pakistan since December 16 2014, when militants assaulted an army-run school in Peshawar, killing 154 people, mostly schoolchildren. Pakistan has been at war with the Taliban and other extremist groups for more than a decade. In recent years it has launched major offensives against militant strongholds in the tribal regions along the border with Afghanistan, but insurgents have continued to carry out attacks elsewhere in the country. The Islamic State group has been expanding its presence in Pakistan in recent years and has claimed a number of deadly attacks, including a suicide bombing at another shrine in November 2016 that killed more than 50 people. AP A cafe owner in Vienna is billing customers who take their time over drinks while charging their mobile phones A cafe owner in Vienna has warned customers who take their time over drinks while charging their mobile phones that they will have to pay up. Galina Pokorny said that instead of complaining when they see a charge on their bills, customers should read the menu, which includes the line "Electricity, one euro". Ms Pokorny said that a quick plug-in remains free at Terassencafe, and that the charge is meant for people "who come in and sit for hours while charging their phones". She spoke after Austrian media reported complaints from two women who were billed for charging over wine spritzers. She thinks the fuss will die down and other establishments will follow her example. Ms Pokorny noted the complaints that greeted cafes starting to charge for serving a glass of water with coffee a few years ago were short-lived. AP Kim Jong-nam wrote to his half-brother Kim Jong-un in 2012 asking the recently anointed dictator of North Korea to spare his life and that of his family, the head of South Korea's National Intelligence Service revealed yesterday. It comes as new pictures of a woman, wearing a shirt with the letters 'LOL', alleged to have been linked to the assassination team that killed Kim Jong-nam in Kuala Lumpur have been released by Malaysian media. Mr Kim (45) died on Monday after collapsing at Kuala Lumpur International Airport while waiting to board a flight back to Macau, where he was living in exile. Malaysian authorities have detained a woman in connection with the investigation. The woman, in her 20s, was detained in the low-cost terminal of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Bernama news agency reported. There are two female suspects and four male, police sources said. "One of the girls was told to hold a handkerchief on the face of the victim after he'd been sprayed by the other girl," an unnamed senior police officer said. "She held it there for 10 seconds. She said she thought spraying him had been a 'prank'." "One female suspect seen on CCTV was found wandering in the airport," police said. She had apparently been "left behind" by the other assailants. The suspects were both Vietnamese and North Korean, police sources said. Grainy CCTV images published online show a woman wearing a white shirt bearing the letters 'LOL' and a blue skirt. She is carrying a small handbag over one shoulder. The image emerged amid conflicting reports over the fate of the two women believed to have killed Mr Kim. Sources in Japan suggested that the two women were also dead, potentially having committed suicide. A taxi driver, who is in his 30s, was also arrested soon after CCTV footage had been analysed. "We have already looked through the CCTV footage, hence we managed to arrest the taxi driver who had taken the two women who carried out the assassination," said the senior police official who asked not to be named. The women are thought to be agents of a foreign country, he said, refusing to speculate if they were hired by Kim Jong-un, the North Korean leader, who is suspected of ordering the murder. The North Korean government has sent a senior diplomat to Malaysia, the officer stated, and asked that a post-mortem examination of the body does not take place. The request was denied. Lee Byong-ho, the director of the agency, told a meeting of the government's Intelligence Committee that Mr Kim had been murdered with poison and that he had survived at least one previous attempt on his life, Yonhap News reported. After that assassination attempt, in 2012, Kim Jong-nam wrote to his brother and asked that no further attacks be directed at him or his family. Telegraph Media Group Limited [2022] A helicopter dumps fire retardant on wildfires near Christchurch on New Zealand's South Island Credit: Reuters Firefighters in New Zealand's second-largest city were able to halt a wildfire's advance on suburban homes Thursday after it burned down 11 houses in the hill suburbs and forced hundreds of people to evacuate. Civil defence officials declared a state of emergency in the South Island city late last night as two blazes that had been smouldering for days merged into a single giant fire-front. John Mackie, the civil defense controller for Christchurch, said about 130 firefighters on the ground assisted by more than a dozen helicopters had stopped the fire from encroaching further into the city. He said the plan was to let it burn itself out, and that a forecast of rain over the weekend would help. He said the fire was spread over about 2,000 hectares (5,000 acres) in Christchurch's Port Hills. A helicopter pilot who was a decorated soldier died in a crash while fighting the blaze earlier this week. Christchurch City and adjacent Selwyn District declared a state of emergency Wednesday. Selwyn Mayor Sam Broughton said changing winds had made the fire unpredictable. He said the region had been unusually dry for three years and the grass in the hills had turned brown over the Southern Hemisphere summer. Police ordered the evacuation of about 400 homes while many others nearby were choosing to leave. Broughton said displaced residents were staying at evacuation centers or with relatives. "They need to look after one another, and make sure they have a place to go," he said. Phil Claude told Radio New Zealand he and his family ran down a grass track to escape the fire, which destroyed their home. "I could see that the smoke and the flames were being blown right up toward our house," he said. "And I just yelled 'Get out. Get out!'" A new mountain bike park, the Christchurch Adventure Park, was threatened by the fire. New Zealand's military was providing water tankers and engineering equipment as well as firefighters and other personnel. The helicopter pilot who died while fighting the fire, Cpl. David Steven Askin, won one of the country's top awards for bravery for his actions in Afghanistan. Askin was a member of the elite Special Air Service and his identity was kept secret when he won the Gallantry Star medal in 2014. He was cited for efforts that included helping save guests during the 2011 siege of the luxury Inter-Continental Hotel in Kabul that left at least 20 people dead. A young woman pulls her suitcase as she walks by the barrels that block a road from the Greek Cypriot-controlled area to the Turkish Cypriot north in Nicosia (Petros Karadjias/AP) A feud over Cyprus's troubled history has led to the abrupt halt of reunification talks between the ethnically split island's rival leaders, with confusion over who walked out on whom. It is unclear what this means for the 21-month-long process that has made significant headway on a deal reunifying the small island as a federation. Tensions have been running high this week following strong Turkish Cypriot protests against new legislation making the annual commemoration of a 1950 vote for union with Greece compulsory in Greek Cypriot schools. Cyprus gained independence from British colonial rule in 1960 but was split 14 years later when Turkey invaded in the wake of a coup by supporters of union with Greece. An official said it was Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci who had first walked out of the talks. Mr Akinci, though, said Nicos Anastasiades, the island's Greek Cypriot president, stormed out of the meeting first and slammed the door behind him after stating that he had nothing more to say. Mr Akinci said the talks have not collapsed but it is up to the Greek Cypriots to get negotiations back on a solid footing. "We've reached this point, but I don't want to close all the doors to the negotiations," Mr Akinci told reporters. Mr Anastasiades told reporters he would speak on the matter later. Turkish Cypriots see the Greek Cypriot bid for union with Greece that culminated in a 1955-59 guerrilla campaign against British colonial authorities as being the root of the island's current woes. Mr Akinci said the legislation on commemorating the event, proposed by the far-right party ELAM, "sowed the seeds of division" among young people and called on United Nations secretary-general Antonio Guterres to intervene and get the legislation rescinded. Mr Anastasiades rebuffed Mr Akinci's claims, saying a "mere reference to historical fact" in no way signalled a change in Greek Cypriot policy to reunify Cyprus as a federation. More than 95% of the majority Greek Cypriots voted in favour of union with Greece in the 1950 plebiscite. Some Greek Cypriot politicians criticised the new legislation as badly timed during sensitive peace talks, adding that it was unnecessary because the vote is already being taught in schools. Greek Cypriots celebrate the start of the 1955-59 guerrilla campaign each year with school parades on its April 1 anniversary, which is also a public holiday. AP An essay discovered buried in an American archive shows that Winston Churchill was convinced that aliens existed. Photo: AFP/Getty Images He is acknowledged as Britain's greatest war-time prime minister and one of the 20th century's most celebrated orators. But an essay discovered buried in an American archive shows that Winston Churchill was also convinced that aliens existed, believing the universe contained other "living, thinking creatures". Most scientists now agree that some form of extra-terrestrial life exists in such a vast universe, but Churchill was writing in 1939, more than 50 years before the discovery of the first planet outside our solar system. He also identified that any planet capable of supporting life must orbit in an area of space which is neither too hot nor not too cold for liquid water to flow, which scientists today call The Goldilocks Zone. The essay was unearthed in the National Churchill Museum in Fulton, Missouri, which passed it on to Dr Mario Livio, an American astrophysicist and author. "At a time when a number of today's politicians shun science, I found it moving to recall a leader who engaged in it so profoundly," said Dr Livio. A sign for Cuttle Hill Farm in Fife where a three-year-old boy was killed after being knocked down by a tractor. Andrew Milligan/PA Wire A general view of Cuttle Hill Farm in Fife where a three-year-old boy was killed after being knocked down by a tractor.Andrew Milligan/PA Wire A general view of Cuttle Hill Farm in Fife where a three-year-old boy was killed after being knocked down by a tractor.Andrew Milligan/PA Wire A general view of Cuttle Hill Farm in Fife where a three-year-old boy was killed after being knocked down by a farm vehicle.Andrew Milligan/PA Wire A three-year-old boy has died following a farm accident in Fife, Scotland. The young child, named as Stuart Nelson, was killed after he was knocked down by a reversing forklift tractor. The incident occurred on Tuesday at approximately 5.10pm on the Cuttle Hill Farm. Police have now investigating the death, according to the BBC. A Police Scotland spokesman said: "Police in Fife are investigating after a child was killed during a collision on a farm in Fife. A three-year-old boy sustained fatal injuries." The child's uncle paid tribute to his nephew on Facebook, writing; "Life is so so short. For those of you with kiddies please give them an extra hug tonight. Devastated." French paratroopers patrol near the Eiffel tower in Paris A 16-year-old girl, her boyfriend and another man have been charged with terrorism offences over what police suspect was a plot to attack the Eiffel Tower. The girl, named only as Sara, and her 20-year-old boyfriend, Thomas Sauret, both converts to Islam, were charged with making and possessing explosives found at the couple's home. They were also charged with criminal association for terrorist purposes, along with Malik Hammami (33), a convicted drug dealer and thief who is suspected of helping them. Police believe their arrests in the southern city of Montpellier on Friday foiled an "imminent" attack. Sara reportedly told investigators she regretted her involvement and broke into tears during questioning. She claimed Mr Sauret had insisted she take part as a condition for marrying her, sources close to the investigation said. The couple had planned an Islamic wedding ceremony before he blew himself up at the Eiffel Tower or another tourist site. Sara was then to have travelled to Syria to join Isil as a "martyr's widow", using a fake passport supplied by Hammami. She told psychologists that she converted to Islam because her Croatian father, who fought in the war against Bosnia, hated Arabs, according to a court-ordered assessment in 2014. It was carried out as her parents, who were divorcing, fought a court battle over custody of the teenager. She spent long hours on the internet and first contacted Mr Sauret online. He appeared on the intelligence radar as a potential security risk after the 'Charlie Hebdo' attacks in 2015. Then working in eastern France, he said he wanted to join the jihadist movement and go to Syria to discover "real life". Acquaintances said he stopped drinking and smoking cannabis. After a failed attempt to leave France for Syria, carrying little more than a Koran, a prayer mat and 1,300, he was placed under house arrest at his father's home in December 2015. After his release last year, he joined Sara in Montpellier. The girl's mother refused to accommodate him. Unemployed by then, he slept in the cellar of her building for a time before moving into a flat lent by an acquaintance, where the couple were arrested. Sara's mother insisted that the teenager was innocent. "He (Mr Sauret) manipulated us all. He introduced himself into our lives," she said. The couple, who reportedly tried to recruit 10 other people for the attack, had been under close surveillance for several weeks. After Sara posted a video pledging allegiance to Isil and they were spotted buying ingredients for explosives last week, police moved in. Hammami, a father of two estranged from his wife, was also under surveillance after posting extremist messages online. Daily life in Mogadishu, as the UN is warned that famine may cause the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people in Somalia Hundreds of thousands of people in Somalia may die in the next few months if urgent action is not taken to address the threat of famine, Britain's envoy for the Horn of Africa has warned. Sir Nicholas Kay told a United Nations briefing that the British Government is organising a conference on Somalia in London in May, but he said that "action is needed immediately". He said: "If by the time the conference in May happens we are having to sound the alarm and discuss the famine issue, that is going to be too late. There may be hundreds of thousands of people dead or about to die." Somalia faced famine in 2010-2011 and is now experiencing a nationwide drought. The UN says five million people need humanitarian assistance. AP A Russian model has sparked controversy after she dangled off a skyscraper in Dubai for a dramatic photoshoot. A male assistant held Viktoria Odintsova's hand as she leaned back off a 1000ft roof building, and then dropped off the ledge. The model (22) posted the video and pictures on her Instagram account. She wrote; "I still cant believe I did it. Every time I watch the video my palms go sweaty." The photo has amassed over 70,000 likes and more than 380,000 people have 'liked' the video. However, many have criticised the model's move for being reckless. , . You didn't believe? Watch the new videolink in bio! @a_mavrin #MAVRIN #MAVRINmodels #vikiodintcova A post shared by Viki Odintcova (@viki_odintcova) on Jan 26, 2017 at 6:55am PST How can you disregard your life like that?" one comment stated. If I was your parent I would smack both you and the guy with the beard! Another wrote; "A very bad example for the youth." And someone else added; Crazy! looks like god gave you beauty, but seems like he forgot to grace you with a brain." The photo has been reported on by several global publications. It was taken at the top of the 73-storey Cayan Tower, which was the world's tallest building when it opened in 2013. White House advisors (L-R) Stephen Miller, Steve Bannon and Jared Kushner listen during a news conference by U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington, U.S., February 16, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Barria U.S. President Donald Trump faces a news conference at the White House in Washington, U.S., February 16, 2017. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque Donald Trump, in an extraordinary press conference, has launched a stinging attack on the media, his predecessors and confirmed a replacement for his Muslim travel ban next week. Mr Trump insisted that his team was running "like a fine-tuned machine" and lampooned the mainstream media that he said was peddling "fake news". I open the paper and I see stories of chaos, chaos, he said. Its the exact opposite. This administration is running like a fine-tuned machine, despite not being able to get my cabinet approved. He also defended the roll-out of his travel ban and said that he would be issuing a new order next week. He called the roll-out "very smooth" and "perfect" but says it ran into "a bad court". He said he would be issuing an order next week aimed at keeping the American people safe, as his temporary ban on travel from seven Muslim-majority countries remains kept on hold by a federal court. "We will be issuing a new and very comprehensive order to protect our people," Trump said. He clarified that it will be tailored to recent court rulings. Pres. Trump: "This country was seriously divided before I got here... This isn't Donald Trump that divided a nation" https://t.co/fS7RKtur56 CNN (@CNN) February 16, 2017 Separately the US Justice Department has said in Trump intends in the near future to rescind travel ban and replace it was a new "substantially revised" order, according to a court filing. The Justice Department said that given the upcoming replacement, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals should not reconsider an earlier ruling that suspended Trump's January 27 order. "In so doing, the President will clear the way for immediately protecting the country rather than pursuing further, potentially time-consuming litigation," the Justice Department said in its filing. Read More Meanwhile, Mr Trump also used the wide-ranging press conference to attack his predecessors in the White House. Expand Close U.S. President Donald Trump takes questions during a news conference at the White House in Washington, U.S., February 16, 2017. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp U.S. President Donald Trump takes questions during a news conference at the White House in Washington, U.S., February 16, 2017. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque The former reality star insisted that he had inherited a "seriously divided" country. He said that "this isn't Donald Trump that divided a nation": During the conference he said: I don't think there's ever been a president elected who in this short period of time has done what we've done," he says, in between swipes at the news media for not reporting on him fairly. Reading from prepared remarks he says the press represents special interests and not the people, and has become "so dishonest". "The level of dishonesty is out of control," he says, adding that he needs to find out what's going on and will not "let it happen" because he'll take his message "straight to the people". He went on to say: I inherited a mess. At home and abroad. A mess.... no matter where you look, a disaster... we'll take care of it. I just wanted to let you know- a mess. President Donald Trump: "I'm really not a bad person, by the way. I do get good ratings" https://t.co/6R0oltnk93 CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) February 16, 2017 And we havent even started the big work that starts early next week. He added, Were just getting started. During the press conference he also declared that leaks from his adminstration were real but stories about them were fake: "The leaks are absolutely real, the news is fake because so much of the news is fake," he said. His criticism of the media, during the 77 minute session, also extended to the future coverage of the ongoing conference. "Tomorrow, they will say: 'Donald Trump rants and raves at the press,'" Trump said. "I'm not ranting and raving. I'm just telling you. You know, you're dishonest people. But I'm not ranting and raving. I love this. I'm having a good time doing it." Trump also addressed concerns about his Russian links. He said said reports in the media about his administration's relationship with Russia may make it difficult for him to strike a deal with Vladimir Putin to ease tensions between Washington and Moscow. "Putin probably assumes that he can't make a deal with me any more because politically it would be unpopular for a politician to make a deal," he said. Mr Trump argued that "nobody that I know of" on his campaign staff contacted Russian officials. He repeatedly denied having links with Russia, a claim he deemed "fake news". Takeaway moments from an extraordinary press conference: 1. 'Are they friends of yours?' An awkward moment as Mr Trump is asked whether he will meet with the Congressional Black Caucus to discuss urban issues. He joked that the reporter, who is black, should set up the meeting and said, "are they friends of yours?" 2. 'I'm having a great time up here' Tomorrow they will say, 'Donald Trump rants and raves at press conference', I'm not ranting and raving. I'm actually having a good time. Mr Trump is also clarifying why he always refers to negative coverage of him as "fake news". Apparently, it's all about tone. "I know what's good, I know what's bad. When they make something that should be good negative" that's when i have a problem. 3. 'The leaks are real but the news is fake' Mr Trump was asked whether the news reports he is criticising are "fake news" or based on leaked secrets. It would appear that they could not be both. The president disagrees. The leaks are real but the news is fake 4. On false claims on margin of victory: 'I was given that information' After an extended diatribe about "fake news" coming from prominent news outlets, Mr Trump was confronted with the fact that he has repeatedly claimed to have won the presidency by the largest margin since Ronald Reagan, despite the fact that that is nowhere near true. "I was given that information," he said. "I don't know, I was given that information. I've seen that information around. It was a big margin." 5. Trump: Russia links are fake news Donald Trump has denied that his senior aides were in "constant contact" with Russia during the campaign. "The good thing is it's starting to turn. People are starting to focus on the illegal giving out classified information." He says the reports surrounding links between his allies and Russia are "fake news" and that leakers should be ashamed of themselves. Additional reporting by agencies Telegraph Media Group Limited [2022] Demonstrators hold signs during a "Muslim and Jewish Solidarity" protest against the policies of U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Grand Central Terminal in New York City, U.S., February 15, 2017. REUTERS/Mike Segar A woman holds a sign during a "Muslim and Jewish Solidarity" demonstration protesting the policies of U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Grand Central Terminal in New York City, U.S., February 15, 2017. REUTERS/Mike Segar A man argues with demonstrators holding a "Muslim and Jewish Solidarity" protest against the policies of U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Grand Central Terminal in New York City, U.S., February 15, 2017. REUTERS/Mike Segar A demonstrator holds a sign during a "Muslim and Jewish Solidarity" protest against the policies of U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Grand Central Terminal in New York City, U.S., February 15, 2017. REUTERS/Mike Segar A demonstrator holds a sign during a "Muslim and Jewish Solidarity" protest against the policies of U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Grand Central Terminal in New York City, U.S., February 15, 2017. REUTERS/Mike Segar Demonstrators (C) take part in a "Muslim and Jewish Solidarity" protest against the policies of U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Grand Central Terminal in New York City, U.S., February 15, 2017. REUTERS/Mike Segar President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meet in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) President Donald Trump on Wednesday dropped a U.S. commitment to a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the longstanding bedrock of Washington's Middle East policy, even as he urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to curb settlement construction. In the first face-to-face meeting between the two leaders since Trump's victory in the 2016 election, the Republican president backed away from a U.S. embrace of the eventual creation of a Palestinian state, upending a position taken by successive administrations and the international community. "I'm looking at two states and one state, and I like the one both parties like," Trump told a joint news conference with Netanyahu. "I can live with either one." Trump vowed to work toward a peace deal between Israel and Palestinians but said it would require compromise on both sides, leaving it up to the parties themselves ultimately to decide on the terms of any agreement. Expand Close A man argues with demonstrators holding a "Muslim and Jewish Solidarity" protest against the policies of U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Grand Central Terminal in New York City, U.S., February 15, 2017. REUTERS/Mike Segar / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A man argues with demonstrators holding a "Muslim and Jewish Solidarity" protest against the policies of U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Grand Central Terminal in New York City, U.S., February 15, 2017. REUTERS/Mike Segar But he offered no new prescription for achieving an accord that has eluded so many of his predecessors, and Palestinian anger over his abandonment of their goal of statehood could scrap any chance of coaxing them back to the negotiating table. Dropping a bombshell on Netanyahu as they faced reporters just before sitting down for talks, Trump told him: "I'd like to see you hold back on settlements for a little bit." Expand Close A demonstrator holds a sign during a "Muslim and Jewish Solidarity" protest against the policies of U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Grand Central Terminal in New York City, U.S., February 15, 2017. REUTERS/Mike Segar / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A demonstrator holds a sign during a "Muslim and Jewish Solidarity" protest against the policies of U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Grand Central Terminal in New York City, U.S., February 15, 2017. REUTERS/Mike Segar The right-wing Israeli leader appeared momentarily startled. It was a rare concession sought by Trump as the two leaders tried to set a new positive tone after eight years of friction under Trump's Democratic predecessor, President Barack Obama. Netanyahu insisted that Jewish settlements were "not the core of the conflict" and made no public commitment to reduce settlement building in the occupied West Bank. He later told reporters traveling with him that he hoped to "reach an understanding" with Trump on settlements. Expand Close A demonstrator holds a sign during a "Muslim and Jewish Solidarity" protest against the policies of U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Grand Central Terminal in New York City, U.S., February 15, 2017. REUTERS/Mike Segar / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A demonstrator holds a sign during a "Muslim and Jewish Solidarity" protest against the policies of U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Grand Central Terminal in New York City, U.S., February 15, 2017. REUTERS/Mike Segar Trump echoed Netanyahu's calls for Palestinians to recognize Israel as a Jewish state - something they have refused to do - and to halt incitement against Israelis. But even as Trump promised to pursue peace, saying "it might be a bigger and better deal than people in this room even understand," he made no effort to address the deep distrust and other obstacles that have prevented any substantive negotiations since 2014. Expand Close Demonstrators (C) take part in a "Muslim and Jewish Solidarity" protest against the policies of U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Grand Central Terminal in New York City, U.S., February 15, 2017. REUTERS/Mike Segar / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Demonstrators (C) take part in a "Muslim and Jewish Solidarity" protest against the policies of U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Grand Central Terminal in New York City, U.S., February 15, 2017. REUTERS/Mike Segar Setting an initially chummy tone, Trump greeted Netanyahu on a red carpet rolled out to the White House driveway. The two leaders smiled, shook hands and chatted amiably before heading inside, accompanied by first lady Melania Trump and Netanyahu's wife, Sara. Among the questions that figured prominently on the agenda was the future of the two-state solution - the idea of creating a Palestine living peacefully alongside Israel. Foreshadowing Trump's policy shift, a senior White House official said on Tuesday that peace did not necessarily have to entail Palestinian statehood. Palestinians responded by warning Trump that such a move would seriously damage U.S. credibility. Giving a meandering response to a question on the issue, Trump suggested that he could abide by whatever path the two sides decided. "I'm happy with the one they like the best," he said. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas seized on Trump's settlements comment to demand a complete halt to such building - which Palestinians see as meant to deny them a viable state - and said he remained committed to "the two-state solution and to international law." United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned against abandoning the idea of a sovereign Palestinian state alongside Israel, saying there was "no alternative." Netanyahu committed, with conditions, to the two-state goal in a speech in 2009 and has broadly reiterated the aim since. But he has also spoken of a "state minus" option, suggesting he could offer the Palestinians deep-seated autonomy and the trappings of statehood without full sovereignty. At the news conference, he never ruled out a two-state solution, but also made it sound like an almost impossible ideal. He said it would require preconditions, including the Palestinians' recognition of Israel as a Jewish state and Israel's retaining security control "in the area west of the Jordan River" - which would encompass all of the West Bank. Netanyahu and Trump shared several warm handshakes during the news conference, especially after Trump's opening remarks, when he said the United States was Israel's greatest friend. But Trump also managed to catch Netanyahu off guard, at one point saying that if a solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict was going to be reached "both sides will have to make compromises." The president then turned to Netanyahu and said: "You know that, right?" Netanyahu replied with a chuckle, "Both sides." The two leaders agreed that there was an opening for enlisting Israel's Arab neighbors - which share its concerns about Iran - into any future peace efforts. But a retreat from the principle of Palestinian statehood would cast doubt on the chances for cooperation from the broader Arab world. Martin Indyk, a former Middle East negotiator under Obama and now at the Brookings Institution think tank in Washington, said of the possibility that Washington might ditch its support for an independent Palestinian nation, "It's another nail in the coffin of the peace process, which already had a lot of nails in it." The one-state idea would be deeply problematic for both sides. One concept would be two systems for two peoples, which Palestinians would see as apartheid. Another version would mean equal rights for all, including for Palestinians in an annexed West Bank, but that would compromise Israel's Jewish character. Palestinians have expressed fear that their leadership will be frozen out by Netanyahu's close bond with Trump. But CIA director Mike Pompeo met Abbas in Ramallah on Tuesday, U.S. and Palestinian officials said. For Netanyahu, the talks with Trump are an opportunity to reset ties after a frequently combative relationship with Obama. The prime minister, under investigation at home over allegations of abuse of office, wanted no visible gaps between U.S. and Israeli thinking during his visit. Trump, who has been in office less than four weeks and whose foreign policy apparatus is in disarray following the forced resignation of his national security adviser Michael Flynn, brings with him an unpredictability that Netanyahu's staff hoped would not impinge on the discussions. The two leaders, who seemed to strike up an emerging "bromance" in social media exchanges since the U.S. election, sought to demonstrate good personal chemistry face-to-face as well. Meetings with Obama were at best cordial and businesslike, at worst tense and awkward. In one Oval Office encounter in 2011, Obama grimaced as Netanyahu lectured him in front of the cameras on the suffering of the Jewish people through the ages. Donald Trump is waging war on his own intelligence agencies over "un-American" leaks that revealed his campaign aides had been in regular contact with Russian intelligence officials and led to the resignation of his national security adviser. Mr Trump claimed agents with a political vendetta against him are intent on undermining his presidency. He laid the responsibility for "criminal leaks" firmly at their feet. "It's a criminal act and it's been going on for a long time before me, but now it's really going on. People are trying to cover up for a terrible loss that the Democrats had under Hillary Clinton," Mr Trump said during a press conference with Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister. Mr Trump also defended Michael Flynn, who had been among his top advisers before it emerged he had misled the White House over the nature of his conversations with the Russian ambassador to the US. "General Flynn is a wonderful man. I think he's been treated very, very unfairly by the media, as I call it - the fake media, in many cases. And I think it's really a sad thing that he was treated so badly," he said. Mr Trump's spokesman had said that the president had demanded Mr Flynn resign because his trust in him had been "eroding". Expand Close First lady Melania Trump leads the way for Sara Netanyahu at the White House / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp First lady Melania Trump leads the way for Sara Netanyahu at the White House The president also lashed out at US intelligence on Twitter yesterday, saying the "real scandal" was not communication between top campaign aides and Russia, but the repeated leaks of classified information emerging from the US government. He cited the FBI and National Security Agency as possible sources of "illegal" information provided to the "failing 'New York Times' and 'Washington Post'". He accused US media outlets of "conspiracy theories and blind hatred" in an apparent reference to reports on ties between his aides and Russia. Robert Harward, a retired vice-admiral, was reportedly offered the national security adviser post following Mr Flynn's resignation. He was expected to accept the position after initially hesitating, and plans to overhaul Mr Trump's national security team, according to 'Foreign Policy' magazine. Distance Mr Harward is an ally of James Mattis, the Pentagon chief, having served under him as deputy commander of US central command. He was a member of George W Bush's national security council and a former CEO of Lockheed Martin, the defence contractor. Meanwhile, Mr Trump's administration issued an ultimatum to Nato members yesterday, demanding they start increasing defence spending or Washington will "moderate its commitment" to them. James Mattis, the Pentagon chief, said the new "political reality" in America meant it was unacceptable for Washington to continue carrying the burden of defending European states. Low-spending countries were in denial and had turned their back on the threat posed by Russia and Isil, the newly-appointed US defence secretary said. Mr Mattis said the alliance must set out a timetable for when members will hit the Nato target of spending 2pc of gross domestic product on defence. Nato sources at a meeting of defence ministers in Brussels said they were waiting to see how the new US administration will tackle Russia. At the White House, Mr Trump said that he was open to a "one-state solution" to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict - appearing to distance himself from a decades-long US commitment to supporting a separate Palestinian state alongside Israel. Speaking next to Israeli prime minister Mr Netanyahu ahead of their meeting, Mr Trump was asked if he supported a two-state solution or a one-state solution to the long-running conflict. "I'm looking at two-state and at one-state and I like the one that both parties like," Mr Trump said. "I can live with either one. I thought for a while the two-state looked like it may be the easier of the two, but honestly if [Mr Netanyahu] and if the Palestinians, if Israel and the Palestinians are happy, I'm happy with the one they like the best." Mr Trump's openness to a one-state solution is a break from the policies of Barack Obama, George W Bush and Bill Clinton, all of whom tried to broker a peace deal that would lead to the creation of two separate states. Read More Telegraph Media Group Limited [2022] Restaurants and other businesses around the United States shut their doors on Thursday and thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of cities across the country in a walkout aimed at protesting President Donald Trump's policies. Activists called on immigrants to stay home from work, avoid shopping and skip classes in "A Day Without Immigrants," an effort to highlight the vital role they play in American society. About 13 percent of the U.S. population, more than 40 million people, are foreign born, according to census data. "I told my English teacher that I wasn't going to school, and she said she understood," said Rosa Castro, a 13-year-old U.S. citizen in Detroit, who marched with her 26-year-old sister, one of several undocumented family members whose future she is concerned about. The protest was prompted by Trump's vows to crack down on illegal immigration and his executive order, which was put on hold by federal courts, that temporarily banned travel to the United States from seven Muslim-majority countries. Immigrant rights' groups expressed alarm after federal raids last week in which more than 680 people illegally in the country were arrested. Trump will replace the suspended executive order in the near future, according to a court filing by the U.S. Department of Justice. The nature of Thursday's protests made it difficult to ascertain how many immigrants were participating or to measure the economic impact. Lists compiled from local news outlets and social media each totaled dozens of closed restaurants in cities including Minneapolis and Boston. In Washington, D.C., more than 50 restaurants were closed, including high-end eateries run by the celebrity chef Jose Andres, who is embroiled in a legal dispute with Trump after backing out of a deal to open a restaurant in the president's new Washington hotel. At the Pentagon, about half a dozen food outlets were forced to close after staff members joined the protest, including a Starbucks, a Taco Bell and a Burger King, according to a Defense Department spokesman. Sympathy marches and rallies were also held in cities including Raleigh, North Carolina and Austin, Texas. Thousands joined demonstrations in Chicago and Detroit. Fast-food workers in cities including Kansas City took part in support rallies, according to the "Fight for $15" campaign backed by the Service Employees International Union, which advocates for a higher minimum wage. The union said it was not officially involved in organizing the action. "Most people who come to America are just working," said Fernando Garcia, who was born in the United States but closed his Chicago-area solar fan business in support of his employees. "They can deport the criminals, but that's a very small portion of people who come here." The protests were the latest in a series of actions by women's groups, immigrant groups and other activists since Trump took office. "We add to the economy and society," said Kia Allah, 32, a teacher who is Muslim and described herself as half Puerto Rican and half black and joined a rally in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina. "Sometimes people don't listen until it hits their pockets." Chicago police investigate the scene of a fatal shooting near Ogden and Kostner avenues in the Lawndale neighborhood Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2017. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune via AP) Police are examining dramatic video that captured a shooting that killed a toddler and a man who is believed to have been the intended target. The video, streamed live on Facebook, was taken from inside a car driven by a young woman who was wounded in the shooting in Chicago. The man and two-year-old Lavontay White were also in the car. The woman and man can be seen listening to rap music before more than a dozen shots ring out. Screaming is heard as the footage becomes jumbled but shows the woman exiting the car and running toward a house. The video goes to black, but the audio continues and people can be heard yelling, "Oh my God," ''I can't breathe," and "Please, no, no". Police suspect the 26-year-old man, identified by the Cook County Medical Examiner's office as Lazarec Collins, was the target of a gang hit. He was Lavontay's uncle and a documented gang member with an extensive criminal history. Expand Close Chicago police investigate the scene of a fatal shooting near Ogden and Kostner avenues in the Lawndale neighborhood Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2017. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune via AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Chicago police investigate the scene of a fatal shooting near Ogden and Kostner avenues in the Lawndale neighborhood Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2017. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune via AP) According to the Illinois Department of Corrections, Collins was convicted of burglary and armed robbery and was released on parole last June. Police have confirmed the authenticity of the video and it is part of their investigation, spokesman Frank Giancamilli said. No arrests have been made. He said the woman, who is pregnant, was shot in the stomach. Both she and the foetus were expected to survive. Lavontay was one of three children shot dead in Chicago in recent days. On Tuesday morning, an 11-year-old girl who was shot in the head over the weekend died. Hours after Takiya Holmes died, a 19-year-old who was being sought by police turned himself in. Antwan Jones was charged with first-degree murder, and at a hearing on Wednesday, a judge ordered Jones to be held without bond. Chicago police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said Jones has an extensive juvenile arrest record. He also has a record as an adult that includes an arrest on a charge of aggravated assault after allegedly attacking a teacher. Jones spotted three people outside his home, decided they did not belong there and went inside and got a handgun, police said. He came outside and started firing, striking Takiya but no-one else, said Brendan Deenihan, a commander of the detectives' unit handling the investigation. Police found Jones by contacting people in a video of the shooting. No gun has been recovered. The Cook County medical examiner's office said late on Wednesday that Kanari Gentry-Bowers, a 12-year-old girl also shot over the weekend, had died. She had been on life support since the shooting. Also on Wednesday, Chicago police said five people were shot, three fatally, in a flat on the city's Southwest Side. Roman Polanski's lawyer has asked a Los Angeles judge to unseal testimony given by a former prosecutor who handled the fugitive director's sexual assault case. It is Polanski's latest bid to bring an end to case that has been hanging over him for nearly 40 years. Harland Braun wrote the letter to the judge, made public on Thursday, asking him to unseal the letter because it is crucial to attempts to resolve Polanski's case. The Academy Award-winning director pleaded guilty in 1977 to unlawful sex with a 13-year-old girl but fled to France in 1978 when the now-deceased judge in the case suggested in private remarks that he would renege on a plea bargain and sentencing agreement. Los Angeles prosecutors have repeatedly sought Polanski's extradition but have been rebuffed by courts in Switzerland and Poland, two of the countries where the Oscar winner has been able to safely travel. The director has alleged that he was mistreated by a judge and prosecutors, but subsequent judges have ruled the Oscar winner must return to Los Angeles for the case to be resolved. Mr Braun's letter seeks the unsealing of testimony from retired deputy district attorney Roger Gunson, who handled Polanski's case. Mr Gunson gave the testimony over three days in 2010 in case he was unable to testify at any future proceedings in the case. Mr Braun contends Mr Gunson's testimony might help Polanski's argument that he has already served his time in the 1977 case by spending more than 300 days in jail and house arrest in Switzerland during a failed extradition effort in 2010. Los Angeles Superior Court Scott Gordon, the presiding judge over criminal matters in Los Angeles County, set a hearing for February 24. Polanski will not attend, Mr Braun said. Switzerland refused to extradite Polanski because it was not allowed to review Mr Gunson's testimony. Polanski's lawyers sought to unseal the testimony, but prosecutors objected to unsealing the transcripts, and a judge agreed. In a 1977 deal with prosecutors, Polanski pleaded guilty to one count of statutory rape for having sex with the underage girl during a photo shoot in Los Angeles. He was ordered to undergo a psychiatric study at the state prison in Chino, where he served 42 days. Mr Gunson and Polanski's lawyer have said they understood from a private conversation with the judge handling the case that the time in the prison would serve as Polanski's punishment. However, lawyers for the Polish-born director said the judge later reneged on the agreement and suggested Polanski would go back to prison. Polanski then fled to France, and his travel has been restricted to Poland, Switzerland and France ever since. Polanski sought a dismissal of the case in 2008, but his motion was denied in a ruling that was upheld by an appellate court. A judge in 2014 rejected Polanski's request of a new hearing. His victim, Samantha Geimer, who has publicly identified herself in court filings, interviews and a memoir, has said she forgives Polanski and has repeatedly called for the case against him to be dismissed. Polanski won an Academy Award for best director for his 2002 film The Pianist and was nominated for 1974's Chinatown and 1979's Tess. AP Pictured in 2007, a man believed to be Kim Jong Nam is surrounded by the media at Beijing airport (Kyodo News via AP) Kim Jong Nam was estranged from his North Korean relatives and had been living abroad for years (AP) Malaysian authorities have made two more arrests over the death of the North Korean leader's half-brother, who was reportedly poisoned by a pair of female assassins as he waited for a flight in Kuala Lumpur. Investigators are trying to piece together details of the death, which set off a torrent of speculation over whether Kim Jong Un dispatched a hit squad to kill his estranged older sibling, Kim Jong Nam. Known for his love of gambling and casinos, Kim Jong Nam had lived abroad for years, aware he was a hunted man. Three suspects - two women and a man - were arrested separately on Wednesday and Thursday. The women were identified using surveillance videos from Kuala Lumpur International Airport, where Kim Jong Nam, who was 45 or 46, suddenly fell ill on Monday morning. Malaysian officials said he died on the way to hospital after telling medical workers at the airport that he had been sprayed with a chemical. Multiple South Korean media reports, citing unidentified sources, said two women believed to be North Korean agents killed him with some kind of poison before fleeing in a taxi. One of the female suspects had Vietnamese travel documents and was picked up on Wednesday at the budget terminal of the airport, the same place where the suspected attack took place. The other woman held an Indonesian passport and was arrested early on Thursday. Indonesian diplomats met with that suspect and confirmed she is an Indonesian citizen, officials said. Authorities identified her as Siti Aisyah, 25, originally from Serang in Banten, a province that neighbours the Indonesian capital, Jakarta. Indonesian immigration office spokesman Agung Sampurno said officials from the Indonesian embassy in Kuala Lumpur met with the woman in Selangor state, where she is being held, and ensured she is in a safe condition. "They were allowed to see her but cannot make any questions," said Mr Sampurno. "However, the team can confirm that Aisyah is Indonesian." News of the third arrest came on Thursday afternoon. Police said they had detained a Malaysian man who was believed to be the boyfriend of the Indonesian suspect. Medical workers also completed a post-mortem examination on Kim Jong Nam, but the results have not been released. The findings could reveal whether he was actually poisoned. North Korea had objected to the post-mortem examination but Malaysia went ahead with it anyway because the North did not submit a formal protest, said Abdul Samah Mat, a senior Malaysian police official. On Thursday, Malaysian deputy home minister Zahid Hamidi said security is a top priority for the government and the authorities had acted swiftly and efficiently. Asked at a news conference why Malaysia failed to protect Kim Jong Nam, Mr Zahid said: "What do you mean? Do we have to engage a bodyguard and usher him everywhere? No." Kim Jong Nam was estranged from his younger half-brother, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, and had been living abroad for years. He reportedly fell out of favour when he was caught trying to enter Japan on a false passport in 2001, saying he wanted to visit Tokyo Disneyland. Kim Jong Nam was the son of Kim Jong Il, North Korea's second leader, and Sung Hye Rim, an actress who analysts say was forced to divorce her first husband to live in secret with the future leader in 1970, a year before their son was born. He was reportedly educated in Geneva and Moscow in his early teens and became fluent in English, French and Russian. After Kim Jong Il's death in 2011, Kim Jong Nam complained that Kim Jong Un, the country's new leader, was failing to treat him with respect and send him enough money, according to Cheong Seong-Chang, an analyst at South Korea's Sejong Institute. However, Kim Jong Nam refrained from openly criticising the North and kept a low profile after Kim Jong Un executed his uncle and former protector Jang Song Thaek, once considered the country's second-most powerful person, in 2013. Since taking power, Kim Jong Un has executed or purged a number of high-level government officials. South Korea's spy agency, the National Intelligence Service, said North Korea had been trying for five years to kill Kim Jong Nam, and that he had sent a letter to Kim Jong Un in April 2012, begging for the lives of himself and his family. Officials from the National Intelligence Service told politicians that Kim Jong Nam leaves behind two sons and a daughter with two women living in Beijing and Macau. AP Jim Mattis said the US will continue to engage politically with Vladimir Putin's government to try to find common ground (Virginia Mayo/AP) The US is not ready to collaborate militarily with Russia, defence secretary Jim Mattis said, appearing to close the door for now on any effort to work more closely with Moscow in the fight against Islamic State militants in Syria. His blunt rejection came after Russian President Vladimir Putin called for increased intelligence co-operation with the US and Nato, and it makes such co-ordination less likely, at least in the near future. Mr Mattis followed his dismissal with a sharp assessment of Russia's alleged election meddling, saying there is "very little doubt that they have either interfered or they have attempted to interfere in a number of elections in the democracies". His comments raised questions about the Trump administration's policies on Russia. As a candidate, President Donald Trump repeatedly praised Mr Putin, saying he wanted a new era of co-operation with Moscow. Speaking at a meeting of Nato defence ministers, Mr Mattis said the US will continue to engage politically with Mr Putin's government to try to find common ground. Political leaders, Mr Mattis said, will seek "a way forward where Russia, living up to its commitments, will return to a partnership of sorts here with Nato. But Russia is going to have to prove itself first". The US ceased military-to-military relations with Russia in the wake of Moscow's 2014 annexation of Ukraine's Crimea region. But last year, the Obama administration considered plans to co-operate militarily with Russia as part of a ceasefire deal in Syria. Senior defence department leaders opposed the plan, and it quickly fell apart as the ceasefire collapsed. Also on Thursday, US secretary of state Rex Tillerson met with Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov in the highest-level face-to-face contact between the two countries since Mr Trump took office. Mr Lavrov was asked if Russia is concerned about turmoil in the Trump administration. He repeated Moscow's standard line that Russia "does not interfere in the domestic matters of other countries". Mr Tillerson did not speak at the meeting on the sidelines of a conference of foreign ministers of Group of 20 major powers in Bonn, Germany. AP KANNAPOLIS The Kannapolis Fire Department recently held its annual Awards and Appreciation Banquet at the Laureate Center in the Kannapolis City Hall. Over 260 fire personnel, family member and guests attended the event. Top honors were given to Senior Captain Greg Summitt; recipient of the Larry C. Phillips Fire Officer of the Year Award and Senior Firefighter Stephen Overcash; recipient of the Danny E. Scott Firefighter of the Year Award. Retired Kannapolis Fire Chief Phillips assisted with the presentation of these awards. Senior Captain Summitt is a nine-year veteran of the fire department and has served as a captain for four years. He serves as a training captain and as a member of the Special Operations Team. He is currently assigned to Ladder 14, C Shift. Senior Firefighter Overcash has been with Kannapolis Fire Department for four years and is currently assigned to Engine 31 in the Royal Oaks area. Both of these individuals are highly respected by others in the department as is shown by their selection for these awards by their peers, stated Emergency Services Chief Tracy Winecoff. An official badge pinning ceremony was conducted to honor new firefighter recruit class graduates and those promoted during the past year including: Recruit Class Graduates - Jeremi Carter, Cody Harrison, Tyler Karriker, Michael Lanning, Jonathan McCaskil, Kris Reeder Promotions: Senior Firefighters - Dan Brown, Don Gray, Daniel Jenkins, Ben Preddy Engineer - Blake Overcash, Clay Sellers Senior Engineers - Ashley Armstrong, Jonathan Corriher Captains- Chris Barbee, Scott Smith, Luke Osborne Senior Captains- Craig Miller, Chris Morris, Greg Summitt During the evening Kannapolis Fire Chief Ernie Hiers commented, It is an honor to work with these dedicated men and women and I appreciate what they do daily to provide excellent fire and emergency services to our citizens. Will President Donald Trump remember George Washington when we celebrate Presidents Day next week? Here is some help for him with thoughts from a column I wrote earlier. When I was growing up, February 22, Washingtons Birthday, was a major holiday. Its replacement, Presidents Day, just does not have the same personal connection. There are no longer cherry pies or axes to help us remember the legends of his honesty and character. Washington's name is still everywhere. In a general way, we remember that he was great. Our nation's capital is named after him. His face is on dollar bills and quarters. He has been made an important character in the Broadway production, Hamilton. Like some people's God, Washington is worshiped in an institutional way, but is not known very well. That is a shame. His leadership skills, military successes, common sense, wisdom, and willingness to sacrifice merit our admiration. This country's government works thanks to his management of the Constitutional Convention. His even-handed administration bound this country together in its first days. He was a genuine hero. George Washington's many successes are important to remember. We should be grateful for them. They should inspire us to higher standards of service to our country. But I am not thinking so much of those successes today. More important to me now are his failures and disappointments. There were many. In romance. In his military service. In politics. Miss Betsy Fauntleroy rejected him twice. She was not the only one who broke Washington's heart. He also fell in love with Sally Fairfax, the wife of his friend, and he suffered because she could only be a good friend. He began his military career in embarrassment. In the frontier country claimed by both the French and the British before the French and Indian War, Washington was put in charge of a force of British Colonials. He had a fort built to defend his troops -- in a creek bottom surrounded on three sides by higher ground. It was a stupid mistake. Soon the French had him surrounded. He surrendered after a short siege, and was tricked into signing a confession that his forces had "assassinated" a French officer who had been killed in an earlier skirmish. When this became known, he was demoted and lost his command. In politics, he started out as a poor public speaker and never got much better. His first election to the Virginia House of Burgesses in 1758 came only after he treated voters to rum, wine, brandy, beer, and "cider royal." Why think about these failures and disappointments? Why not focus on Washington's accomplishments? Why? Because Washington's successes were built on the foundations of these disappointments and failures. The lesson of his life should not be that he was a perfect person who never failed at anything. All of us, Washington included, have terrible disappointments in romance, in our work, and in our attempts to lead others and persuade them to do the right thing. What made Washington special was his strength in getting past those tough times. His broken heart in romance did not stop him from finding a happy marriage to Martha. His early military reverses did not prevent him from becoming a great general. He worked around his political deficiencies and became our countrys most successful political leader. What we should remember about George Washington is that he overcame his disappointments. So, the next time somebody breaks your heart, or you make a bad mistake in your career, or you have problems persuading people to do the right thing, or when there is some other roadblock in your path, just remember, it happened to George Washington, too. So, President Trump, think about Washington these next few days and learn from him. And dont forget that cherry tree story. D.G. Martin hosts North Carolina Bookwatch, which airs Sundays at noon and Thursdays at 5 p.m. on UNC-TV. Preview the upcoming program on Preview the upcoming program on UNC-TVs North Carolina digital channel (Time Warner #1276) on Fridays at 8 p.m. By Koushan Das India will adopt the General Anti-Avoidance Rules (GAAR) with effect from April 1, 2017. GAAR is an anti-avoidance regulation that allows tax authorities to deny tax benefits on transactions conducted with the purpose of avoiding taxes. While tax avoidance regulation in India is currently governed by the Specific Anti-Avoidance Rules (SAAR), it was not considered comprehensive enough by the government, leading to the formulation of GAAR. However, SAAR regulations will continue to be applicable in addition to GAAR provisions: GAAR will cover those avoidance cases which fall short of SAAR regulations. Similar tax regulations exist across several countries to discourage tax avoidance practices. GAAR is applicable in Canada, China, South Africa, and Australia while SAAR exists in China and Australia to check the abuse of tax treaties and transfer pricing. RELATED: International Tax Planning Services from Dezan Shira & Associates What is GAAR? GAAR equips Indian tax authorities with the power to scrutinize any type of transaction that may be executed to avoid paying taxes via shell companies, tax haven countries, loopholes in tax laws, or other means. Before applying GAAR, the Principal Commissioner of Income Tax or Commissioner of Income Tax will vet the proposal, which is followed by the decision of an Approving Panel headed by a High Court judge. GAAR will not be applicable on income arising from the transfer of investments done before April 1, 2017. Are there any exemptions for GAAR? The government has clarified that GAAR does not seek to discourage investors, nor will it interfere with the right of the taxpayer to select a method of implementing a transaction. Also, the taxpayers residency in a tax friendly jurisdiction with taxes lower than India will never be the sole reason for tax authorities to apply GAAR norms. Further, GAAR provisions will not apply to the following cases: Transactions where the tax benefits are less than US$448,263 (Rs 30 million) in a financial year Convertibles or securities such as compulsorily convertible debentures, compulsorily convertible preference shares, foreign currency convertible bonds, and global depository receipts Shares received on the split or consolidation of holdings or bonus for shares obtained before April 1, 2017 In case of any tax associated with an arrangement sanctioned by the Court or National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) With respect to tax treaties, if any case is already addressed in the Limitation of Benefits (LOB) clause in the treaty, GAAR will not be invoked. LOB states the conditions that allow benefits in a double taxation avoidance agreement (DTAA). For example, GAAR will not override treaties with Mauritius and Singapore as both have LOB clauses, while agreements with Cyprus and Netherlands will come under the GAAR scope as they do not have an LOB provision. RELATED: Tax Compliance Services from Dezan Shira & Associates Who will be affected by GAAR? GAAR will affect Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) investing in India through countries with lower tax rates. Earlier, around 80 percent of FPI investments came from Mauritius and Singapore, allowing investors to avail tax benefits. This led India to amend its tax treaties with both countries, only allowing investments held before April 1, 2017 to avail treaty benefits without invoking GAAR. Both treaties allow a two-year transition period wherein the tax rate will be only 50 percent of the prescribed rates. From the financial year 2019-2020, the full domestic rates will be applied. Investors believe GAAR will not have a significant effect on portfolio investments as they have sufficient time to adjust to the regulation and change their investment methods. In anticipation of GAAR, many investors have begun using alternate investment routes, such as through the US and Luxembourg, while equity investments from Mauritius declined in 2016. Hedge funds and exchange traded funds (ETFs) investing in India have also begun to adapt their practices in anticipation of GAAR. Media reports indicate that hedge funds and ETFs have advised investors to invest now to avail the GAAR exemption window, which expires on March 31, 2017. Finally, GAAR provides tax authorities a legal framework to address indirect transfer issues. However, several observers in the private sector feel the government should provide further clarity on the scope of this legal framework as they fear it grants arbitrary powers to tax authorities. Consistency on tax evasion Following their victory in the 2014 election on the back of widespread anti-corruption sentiment, the government has steadily sought to close tax loopholes and encourage tax compliance. The governments adoption of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Developments (OECD) Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) Action Plan, treaty amendments, Common Reporting Standard (CRS), the Benami Property Act, Automatic Exchange of Information (AEOI), Place of Effective Management (POEM) norms, and GAAR hopes to effectively address the issue of tax evasion and avoidance. About Us Asia Briefing Ltd. is a subsidiary of Dezan Shira & Associates. Dezan Shira is a specialist foreign direct investment practice, providing corporate establishment, business advisory, tax advisory and compliance, accounting, payroll, due diligence and financial review services to multinationals investing in China, Hong Kong, India, Vietnam, Singapore and the rest of ASEAN. For further information, please email india@dezshira.com or visit www.dezshira.com. Stay up to date with the latest business and investment trends in Asia by subscribing to our complimentary update service featuring news, commentary and regulatory insight. Dezan Shira & Associates Brochure Dezan Shira & Associates is a pan-Asia, multi-disciplinary professional services firm, providing legal, tax and operational advisory to international corporate investors. Operational throughout China, ASEAN and India, our mission is to guide foreign companies through Asias complex regulatory environment and assist them with all aspects of establishing, maintaining and growing their business operations in the region. This brochure provides an overview of the services and expertise Dezan Shira & Associates can provide. An Introduction to Doing Business in India 2017 An Introduction to Doing Business in India 2017 is designed to introduce the fundamentals of investing in India. As such, this comprehensive guide is ideal not only for businesses looking to enter the Indian market, but also for companies who already have a presence here and want to stay up-to-date with the most recent and relevant policy changes. JMC Projects India secures new orders of Rs2,277 crore; Stock gains 2.6% JMC Projects (India) Limited (JMC), a leading Civil Engineering and EPC Company has secured new orders of Rs2,277 crores. The details are as follows: Water Projects in India of... November 04, 2022 | 04-11-2022 2:08 pm Lupin receives USFDA tentative approval for Drospirenone Tablets Global pharma major Lupin Limited (Lupin) has announced that it has received tentative approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its Abbreviated New Drug ... November 04, 2022 | 04-11-2022 1:26 pm Bloomberg Report: Pegatron Corp starts production of iPhone 14 in India Pegatron Corp., a Taiwanese contract manufacturer for Apple Inc., has begun producing the most recent iPhone 14 model in India. Pegatron is now the second Apple supplier to manufacture th... November 04, 2022 | 04-11-2022 12:48 pm JMC Projects India allots NCDs for Rs100 crore; Stock rallies over 3.5% The Management Committee of the Board of Directors of JMC Projects (India) Limited at its meeting held on November 04, 2022 has allotted 1000 Repo Rate, Unsecured, Rated, Listed, Rede... November 04, 2022 | 04-11-2022 12:34 pm Nykaa receives shareholders' approval for bonus issue and ESOP; Stock down 1% The Board of the lifestyle retailer FSN E-Commerce Ventures Limited (Nykaa), on October 3, 2022, approved Bonus Issue of Equity Shares in the proportion of 5 (Five) fully paid-up Equity Sh... November 04, 2022 | 04-11-2022 12:03 pm Members of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus are concerned that a proposed judicial selection process would limit the diversity of Marion Countys superior court judges. In the past, Democrats and Republicans conducted elections to nominate judicial candidates. The process was deemed unconstitutional by a federal judge because judges who won primary elections were essentially guaranteed a win in the general election. House Bill 1036, authored by Rep. Gregory Steuerwald (R-Avon), aims to establish a 14-member merit-selection committee. The committee will nominate judges, one of which will be chosen by the governor to serve on Marion Countys superior court. This bill, which has recently passed through the Indiana House of Representatives and is now moving to the Senate, has many Black legislators alarmed because it would make Marion the fifth Indiana county to make judges appointed rather than elected. Black lawmakers point out that the bill does not require the selection committee to create a diverse bench. Senator Greg Taylor (D-Indianapolis), says the bench should reflect the community. When you look at Marion County, we have a highly diverse community. When you look at the makeup of the community they would use to select these judges you only have one sure thing, the Marion County Bar Association would likely choose someone of color. I think its important that we do what we can to make sure the bench reflects the community. If you dont have diversity of thought on the bench there is no reason to have the courts, said Taylor. The Marion County Bar Association is a group comprised of African-American law professionals. It was founded in 1942 because of the exclusionary policies of white law associations. Steurwald, who authored the bill, says representing the makeup of Marion County and balancing the responsibilities of courts is a key goal of the bill. At press time, Steurwald was not available to speak and e-mailed the following statement to The Recorder: As home to the state capital, Marion Countys courts are unique in that they have certain jurisdiction in cases that come from all over Indiana, he said. The commission created through this legislation would help ensure a diverse, qualified bench while limiting the influence of either political party. Aiming for a judiciary that represents the makeup of Marion County while also balancing the distinct responsibilities of these courts is a key goal of this bipartisan bill. Steurwald also added that all 36 judges have arrived at a consensus and are in support of the bill. State Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis) disagrees. The notion that they all agree is not accurate. They were told not to speak out against the bill publicly. I have yet to see a document with 36 signatures indicating their support, she said. Roxana Bell, former president of the Marion County Bar Association, says this bill is very similar to Senate Bill 352, a bill the Marion County Bar Association opposed last year. I am speaking as a Marion county resident, because I cant speak for the organization anymore. I will say that we chose to oppose a very similar bill last year. The opinion was that (if the bill was passed) voters would have no meaningful vote. To turn around and propose a new bill that takes away the vote entirely doesnt help these concerns, said Bell. In this new version it says they are encouraged to consider diversity. The fact that there is no requirement and its just something to be considered doesnt have the same teeth to it. Its a very small step in the right direction, but I dont see any justification for treating Marion County any differently than counties that have direct election. Members of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus agree that a fair way to appoint judges would be allowing the public to vote for them in an election. Eighty-seven counties in Indiana vote on their judges. Instead of taxpayers voting on who they want their judges to be, why are we being told by a committee that these people will be your judges? said Pryor. Allen County, Lake County, Marion County and other counties with a significant number of minorities dont get to select our judges, and majority white and Republican counties do. Indianas desperate need for more diversity in our court system is at the heart of this debate. It wasnt long ago that Justice Robert Rucker, the only Black member of the current Indiana Supreme Court, announced his retirement. Now the highest court in Indiana will likely be void of minorities. We have to make sure we actually put people in place who represent the community and what that community looks like, then we will have a good indication as to what the diversity on the bench would look like. I think its important that we do what we can to make sure that the community is represented, said Taylor. Pryor says the fight for diversity has been a power struggle. This is about the disenfranchisement of both minority and Democrat voters. One of the reasons I think there is significant pushback is because if Marion County were to vote on their judges the way other counties do we would have more Democrat judges, and Republicans do not want that. said Pryor. Thats not a good enough reason to take away peoples right to vote. There is a power struggle, and our democracy and right to vote should not be taken away because a political party wants to control the process. Various faith leaders in Indianapolis have united to announce their support for fellow Hoosiers negatively impacted by recent presidential orders restricting immigration. On Sunday hundreds of Christian, Muslim and Jewish faith leaders gathered at St. Phillip Neri Catholic Church for the Public Action for a City of Inclusion event, sponsored by the Indianapolis Congregation Action Network, also known as IndyCAN. They voiced their concerns about new executive orders from President Donald Trump requiring the federal government to ban immigration from seven predominantly Muslim countries. The orders have also ramped up enforcement efforts against individuals whose immigration status may be questionable. Event organizers say that so far, the new immigration policies have opened the door to increased discrimination against immigrants of all backgrounds, but especially Muslims and people of color. As a faith organization, our clergy and leaders are compelled to oppose unjust, racist and harmful policies that are designed to separate families, said Rev. Linda McCrae, pastor of Central Christian Church and an IndyCAN member. Faith leaders and human rights activists shared their concerns with Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett, who was in attendance and told them that he will make every effort to ensure that the city is welcoming to everyone who wants to live in peace and work to make a better life for themselves and their families. I vow that no one in our city will be stripped of privileges that are rightly secured to them as members of this community, he told the crowd of more than 500 in the packed church. Hundreds more gathered outside the church in a display of solidarity. To rousing cheers, Hogsett added that he would work alongside IndyCAN and the City-County Council for a resolution that would prohibit city and county resources from being used to help enforce the new federal policies, which have been challenged by federal courts as unconstitutional. That was important to those in attendance because it means that although state law prohibits Indianapolis from declaring itself a sanctuary city, it can still join Cincinnati, Nashville, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Birmingham and over 600 other jurisdictions that have promised to avoid using local resources to enforce what some say are unconstitutional requests by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain non-citizens who not charged with any crime. IndyCAN has particularly spoken out against a practice known as ICE holds, where local jails are asked to hold immigrants after they are supposed to be released, even if there is no warrant to justify them having been detained in the first place. Federal courts have declared the practice illegal and a violation of the 4th and 5th amendments to the U.S. Constitution. We will challenge, at every turn, any policy by the Trump administration that is contrary to our faith and values, McCrae said. We will create dozens of rapid response teams, train our members on their constitutional rights on bystander intervention and generally be a public witness for justice. Indiana has an estimated 93,000 undocumented immigrants, according to the Migration Policy Institute and nearly 64 percent of those of working age are employed. IndyCANs response to the federal executive orders is part of a growing debate taking place among faith leaders across the state on how religious organizations should respond. In Richmond, a city in the eastern part of the state, another multi-racial group of pastors spoke out about the executive orders this time in support of them. Last week, the pastors spoke out against Mayor Levar Stoneys directive ordering city police to continue its practice of not checking the immigration status of people they come across. We are here to help everyone who comes and asks for help, but we are also citizens who have to abide by the laws of the land, said Bishop Leon Benjamin of Richmonds New Life Harvest Church. Benjamin and the other pastors expressed concern about the safety of the citys legal residents and the possibility of Richmond losing vital federal funding. However, a group of faith leaders in Columbus, the home city of Vice-President Mike Pence, stood with IndyCAN in support of people who could face discrimination due to changes in immigration policies. In a letter to the citys main newspaper, the diverse group of pastors wrote that in light of biblical and religious teachings that encourage them to love our neighbor as ourselves, they condemn in the strongest possible terms Trumps order banning refugees from majority-Muslim countries. Recently, the pastors welcomed a family who arrived from war torn Syria, and they called on the president and Congress to not use the legitimate need for national security as a cover to promote ethnic and religious discrimination. They wrote, We call on everybody in the United States, whether one has lived here for generations or just a few days, to see the image of God in one another, for we are all children of God called to live in peace. IndyCAN has launched a 40-day Santuary and Solidaity movement during the Lent and Passover season that will involve at least 30 member congregations taking some kind of action everyday to protect vulnerable communities from racial profiling, mass deportation and adverse changes in healthcare. Roadiesworld.com Sexy siren Kim Kardashian looked nothing short of amazing when she arrived wearing a burgundy get up for husband Kanye Wests Yeezy Season 5 show in New York recently. The 36-year-old who usually opts for nude tone outfits, got a drastic makeover, by opting for a shocking colour. Twitter Whats more shocking or maybe not, is that Kim K arrived at the venue bra-less. The mother of two has been flaunting her fit body and ensured all eyes were on her during the show. As we all know, this is not the first time, Kim opted for sheer clothing. So heres taking a look at 5 times Kim Kardashian has rocked that hot bod and gone bra-less like a BOSS! Instagram/INF Photo.com The casual sheer look Kim Kardashian looks chic as she nails the denim shorts and a sheer cream coloured high neck top. She teamed up her outfit with stunning boots. We love how this look can be formal yet so casual. Twitter The Little Black Sheer Dress Its wonderful to see with how much ease Kim can carry a bra-less look without looking vulgar. We love how she has gone classic with black and gold. Twitter The Informally Formal look This is by far my favourite look. Just when you thought, a formal look is boring and drabby, Kim K defines formal look in a never seen style and we are more than glad. Celeb buzz Sexy and I know it look If you are bold and love to experiment, maybe you could opt for this SOMETIMES in your life, obviously out of India. Kim Kardashian/Facebook The grunge look We have to admit that Sheer is the new black and Kim has to be given credit for being a trendsetter. Kim has the poise and the style and we cant help but call her a true fashion diva. One of a kind. Yes, it's that time of the year again when lovers of all ages, couples of all ages and confectioners of all countries prepare for their yearly rituals in grandeur. But not in India, here it's a time of meticulous planning and rampant fear of public admonishment for young couples. YouTube This is the time when the beasts of India's collective conservative cultural conscience emerge from their saffron shadows wielding weapons of hatred, misogyny, political support and off course absolutely no respect for other people's choices. Before we begin, let's have a reality check, though. In the past few years, these Anti-valentine day squads have become lazy. Youtube They have sort of given up on their favourite yearly fiesta which earlier used to mean more to them than Jallikattu did to Tamils. In fact last year, Bajrang Dal and Shiv Sena urged their followers 'not to' go after young couples! But there are still many places where preparations of these proportions go ahead: So in case, you're into oiling up those lathis (no freaking pun intended), stalking couples (no lawsuits involved) or simply can't see other people happy, why don't you join these great guardians of their beloved 'Indian culture' - one which almost sounds alien to educated urban Indian youth. In fact, someone has come up with their own version of a joining form for these 'Anti-valentine Dals' and you can try signing up here. We did fill up the form on the behalf of one of our beloved comrades (see what we did there) and found these really fun facts: snapshot These questions may look absurd but if you read closely, these definitely are the best questions to ask for this kind of a position. We also checked out the entries made on the form and here's our analysis. Most of the people who signed up for this (we are sure most are trolls but we can't be 100% correct) are male but a whopping 20.7% were females too! While some IITians did sign up we also saw participation from Hawas University, Budbak Vishwavidyalay, Jhumdi tallaiya institute of penis management and College of 'Applied' Narcotic Sciences. 100% of the participants were single ( I am sure the married ones will not be able to avoid nagging wives on V-Day) 65% of respondents were jealous of couples, 65.4% were angry with them ( We are 100% sad for anyone who is serious about this) 80% of them have no clue about popular love spots in the city which seems rather odd for single people! And here is the best of savagery and violence they shared: I did try beating up random people in a park, turned out they were watching a movie, but who cares, a boy and a girl can not, should not, and must not sit together. Also, I support violence against love birds to the moon and back. Bharat mata ki jai. (Jai Hind to you too brother!) -- when my sister ate the last tolblerone (at least he's not a grammar nazi) -- Once I saw a couple sitting under a tree in a park. I told them they can continue to sit there only if they eat a packet of groundnuts diced with extra chillies. I was thrilled to see tears rolling out of their eyes while they were munching the super spicy nuts. (Savage bro, really brutal) -- I was Airtel Customer Support (O.o) -- Killed a fly. Brutally. (he's the chosen one) Whatever be your taste, you can make it. Remember you're not being abusive or violent. You're just making them like you - alone, bitter and rage-filled single people! Because if you don't do it, maybe the cops will: YouTube Until you read about a felony that has already been committed, your mind never allows you to sit on the idea that could be done. Who would have thought that someone would kill his wife and then sleep with the corpse for 3 days? AKCITY (Also read: Delhi Girl Stabbed 35 Times For Raising Voice Against Eve Teasers) Yes, that happened. The 40-year-old Subodh Kumar, who's a plumber bludgeoned his wife to death, cut the body into pieces with a saw and hung the head from a peg in his room in Madhu Vihar locality. The accused was having an affair and has already married the other woman 6 months ago. According to the police, his wife came to know about the affair and this is why he killed her. He used to live there with her 2 daughters, whom he had already sent to his in-law's house, before committing this crime. beingindian "We had often found them fighting and Subodh often thrashed Manisha and his daughters," said Aarti, a neighbour. The police has registered a case of murder and attempt to destroy evidence against Subodh. But hey, he's not the only one to do such a thing. 1. The guy who kept his girlfriend's body in a cemented box At the onset of 2017, we heard about this man from Bhopal, who killed his girlfriend by strangulating her. He then placed her body in an iron trunk, filled it with cement, and later constructed a platform over it. He even started sleeping on that platform, with the body, literally under him. 2. A love affair that ended with sex- exploitation post death Last year, on June 4, an inebriated man killed his 23-years-old wife out of insecurity, distrust and regret. He also sexually exploited her body and then slept beside it till late in the morning. It took five days for the police to nab the 25-year-old murderer. (Also read: Stalker Slits Throat Of A Beautician At Gurugram's MG Road Metro Station) Pratyush Nalam a software professional who graduated from IIT Mumbai, suffers from a congenital disorder called spinal muscular atrophy due to which he cant walk. The only thing that helps him get around is his motorised wheelchair. Facebook/Pratyush Nalam The 23-year-old techie recently got a job with Microsoft in Seattle, and he flew from Chennai to New York via Delhi on two Air India flights. But when he landed at the John F Kennedy international airport in New York on February 12, he was shocked to learn that his wheelchair was left at the Delhi airport. Outraged by the incident, Nalam took to Facebook to express his anger over Air Indias unprofessional service. The security personnel at the Delhi airport did not allow the wheelchair on board because it contained batteries. This was at the cost of leaving Nalam immobile and stranded at the New York airport. That motorized wheelchair is the only way I travel from Point A to Point B. It is more than a persons legs for me. Do you leave behind your aircrafts landing gear because it didnt clear security? Try to use some empathy before you take such decisions next time, he wrote. Facebook/Pratyush Nalam He also said that the airport authorities did not give him any prior notification. Soon after this post, the Air India authorities informed Nalam that his wheelchair has been loaded on the next flight and would reach him the following day, but without batteries. In another Facebook post Nalam refuted saying, Those are dry, non-spillable, gel batteries. Perfectly allowed under domestic and international civil aviation rule. Frustrated with the ordeal he was going through Nalam wrote, Disabled passengers are not second class citizens. Neither are we a liability. We live fulfilling lives and the least you could do is to treat us and our equipment with dignity and respect. After a lot of struggle with the management, on February 13 his wheelchair was finally delivered and sent to a service centre for repair. The service centre informed him that not just the battery but the wire that connects to make it work were also missing. But as Nalam wrote in a fresh post, Mr Jeff got a set of custom wiring to be made for my wheelchair so that I can be mobile again. He took special care and treated it as an emergency and this reaffirms my faith, that good people, are still left in this world. Yesterday, ISRO smashed all records by becoming the first to launch 104 satellites into orbit. What you probably didnt know was that 88 of these satellites will be tuned into us all the time. Weighing less than 5 Kgs, these satellites, known as Doves work in concert with existing satellites to beam down high-resolution images and other data back to Earth. Several scientists and activists are using this data to map our available resources, as well as air pollution. We live in startling times where in countries like China citizens receive air quality alerts regularly the way the Indian government plans to send out Tsunami alerts. Citizens are encouraged to approach factories and pressure them into not polluting. Things got so bad, in 2013, the Chinese government pledged $270 Billion to fight pollution and followed it up with an additional $121 Billion. But the government had still failed to meet its 2014 target of reducing the average annual concentration of tiny particulate matter, known as PM2.5 to 5%. It managed only 4%, but at the same time levels of large particulate matter, PM10 increased dramatically to 7.1 per cent. The Mayor of Beijing was forced to declare his city unliveable, an unprecedented admission of failure by any Chinese official. People have already begun buying cleaner air. A National Bureau of Economic Research working paper shows that, on average, Chinese people are willing to pay $5.46 to remove one microgram per cubic meter of pollution out of the air they breathe for five years. 10-15 per cent of households own air purifiers and almost everyone owns a face mask. Companies importing clean air from the hills of the UK are booming at $115 per bottle of pure air. Clean-air tourism is now a thing, with Chinese flocking to visit parts of the world where the air is still fit to breathe. Back home in Delhi, already the most polluted city in the world, we are witnessing the biggest health crisis in India today. Eight people die in Delhi every day from pollution. Bengaluru is not very far behind. And not a single Indian city meets our own clean air benchmark set by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), leave alone the standards prescribed by the World Health Organization (WHO). Never in the history of India have so many people suffered from respiratory diseases at one time. Its no coincidence that were also felling of trees at the fastest rate in history. We have roughly 3 trillion trees left in the world. 35 billion of them are in India. That's 1.2 per cent of the world's green cover for 17 per cent of the world's population. In the last 30 years, weve lost 46 per cent of our tree cover, an area that is roughly 70 times the size of Delhi. Bengaluru is periodically in the news for tree felling. The government is mulling a steel flyover project expected to uproot over 2244 trees, an elevated corridor expected to cost a further 30,000 trees and various other projects that will see Bengaluru lose close to 50,000 trees over the next 2-3 years, all this while adding nearly 2000 polluting vehicles a day to the road. The city is expected to be unliveable in the next 4-5 years. According to the Indian Institute of Science, to breathe clean air, we need approximately 8 trees per person within close proximity. In Bengaluru, we have 8 people per tree. In Delhi, the numbers are worse. As a land mass, Canada and Brazil have between 8,000 and 9,000 trees per person. In India, its less than 30. The problem is so bad, the Government of India will be the first government in history to pass a law allowing $6 Billion to be spent on creating new forests where none existed before while allowing existing forests to be plundered by a cesspool of resource mafias from timber to precious metals. Trees aren't just a source of clean air. Each tree provides nearly $100,000 worth of services annually for free, not including the value of its timber or produce. These services include carbon sink, storm water management, air conditioning, etc. Mumbai and Bengaluru alone have spent nearly 5000 Cr. each on building artificial stormwater drains - a service provided for free by nature. Amazon and Flipkart are full of offers on face masks and air purifiers being sold as subscriptions. Dettol recently got in on the act with its branded line of face masks. Delhi is effectively paying to breathe. Within a year, Bengaluru may follow along with other high-risk cities. Expect to shell out between INR 8000 - 10,000 per month, just to breathe through facemasks and maintain our air-purifiers. Weve come to accept paying for drinking water already over the last 2 decades. The RO system that's replaced the water well in your house, makes the cost of water over 500 times what it was when your parents were growing up. Similarly, air will be subjected to the laws of demand/supply and the right to breathe clean air will lie with those who can afford it. BCCL Kerala had last year launched 'Pink Police Patrol' last year with an aim to "enhancing the safety for women and children in public places." They were tasked with patrolling both public and private stage carriers and will be present at bus stops, schools, colleges and other public places and assist women, children and senior citizens travelling on buses. Read more here Here are 5 more stories for you: 1. From Almost Being Tamil Nadu CM To Making Candles In Jail, This Is The Rise & Fall Of Sasikala BCCL For decades, she was arguably one of the most influential people in the corridors of power in Tamil Nadu. Sasikala, the longtime aide of former chief minister J Jayalalithaa was poised to take over the party and the throne of the state chief minister following the death of the later, last year. Everything went as planned for her, that was until caretaker chief minister O Panneerselvam revolted against her. Making things worse was the impending verdict in the two decades old disproportionate assets case.Read more here 2. 7-Year-Old Girl Asks Google For A Job, Gets A Personal Response From CEO Sundar Pichai! businessinsider Kids these days are way smarter than we were at that age. They're driven by technology, they are well aware of what is happening, they are motivated, and have a fair idea of what they want to do with their lives. But some kids even go a step further to beat the usual crowd. Meet Chloe Bridgewater, a 7-year-old who lives in Hereford, UK, who has a little more drive than your average kid. Chloe applied for a job at Google after her fascination for Kindle Fire tablet and robots drove her crazy. Smitten by the technology, she dug a more about the life at Google and the idea of working somewhere with bean bag chairs, go-karts, and slides compelled her even more. Read more here 3. Mumbai Woman Seeks Ban On Porn Sites After Her Husband Gets Addicted To Pornography Reuters/representational image At a time when the Supreme Court is examining the menace of child pornography websites and exploring ways to block them, a woman has approached the court telling how addiction of pornography is destroying the matrimonial life of people. In a petition filed in the Supreme Court, the Mumbai-based lady said that her matrimonial life had been destroyed as her husband became addicted to online pornography and pleaded the court to direct the Centre to take immediate steps to ban such obscene sites. She contended that if her husband developed the addiction despite being a well-educated person and in his advancing years, the impact of pornography sites would be much more harmful to the youth. Read more here 4. It Was An Abandoned Plan From 2009, But Passenger Plane Saras Got A #MakeInIndia Revival Saras, the ambitious project to build a homemade multipurpose passenger plane which almost ended in 2009 is all set for a comeback. BCCL/ File National Aeronautics Limited (NAL) is all set to revive the project after several rounds of meetings with the Indian Air Force on holding flight trials. We are about to revive the Saras project, Air Vice Marshal Sandeep Singh, Commandant, Aircraft Systems and Testing Establishment of IAF, said. Read more here 5. German Police Say Claims Of Mass Sexual Assault By Refugees In Frankfurt 'Completely Baseless' Representational image/Reuters In Frankfurt, prosecutors are investigating two people who allegedly concocted stories of a mass attack by Arab migrants. On New Years, German tabloid claimed that a sex rioting mob of around 50 men assaulted a group of women. The story insinuated that the attackers lived at a refugee shelter in Central Hasse. The tabloid has since then unpublished the story. Their claims were supported by a chef who runs a restaurant in the vicinity as well as a 27-year-old woman. He alleged that dozens of Arab men entered his restaurant, stole diners items and also sexually assaulted women.Read more here Hundreds of Rohingya girls in order to escape persecution, violence, possible rape and death in Myanmars Rakhine state at the hands of Myanmars forces are now marrying in Malaysia to men who are much older than them. And its not their families that are selling them. Its the alleged human traffickers who are first abducting them from the riot-torn areas and then selling them to men from different countries especially Malaysia in the name of marriage. AFP "The (trafficking) agent said I had been sold to a man and I asked, how could do they do that?... My heart was heavy and I was scared, a 12-year-old girl said in an interview in Kuala Lumpur. This girls story is just one among the hundreds like her who have been sold to strangers and their families too didnt object as they didnt have much choice left. Rohingya Muslims, a minority group in Myanmar who are regarded by the nation's government as illegal migrants from Bangladesh, entitled only to limited rights and have been victims of the alleged atrocities from Myanmar forces. Reuters Since 2012, communal clashes between Rohingyas and local population have seen hundreds of Rohingyas dead while tens of thousands have fled seeking refuge in neighbouring countries such as Bangladesh, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia. In the most recent crackdown, security forces and police committed mass killings and gang rapes and burned villages in northern Rakhine, a UN investigation published earlier this month found. Though its quite common for Rohingya women to marry Rohingya men who fled Myanmar and currently living in neighbouring countries, arranged by families, the right group said. Some of these arranged marriages would be for underage girls. AFP But the number of girls being sold by human traffickers to Rohingya men as bridges are also on rising. But a growing number are becoming victims of human traffickers who sell women and girls to Rohingya men as brides. Matthew Smith, executive director of the Southeast Asia-based migrant and refugee protection group Fortify Rights, said the group had seen a significant rise in the number of child brides following increased violence in Rakhine. However, there have been no official statistics pertaining to the girls who are being sold as bridges. But in 2015, the UN high commissioner for refugees said in a reports that it had identified 120 child brides in Malaysia, but it was unclear how of many of them were trafficking victim. According to UN statistics, some 56,000 Rohingya are living in Malaysia, although migrant groups say the number is much higher as many are undocumented. For Rohingya men living in Malaysia, getting a bride is difficult, but now the crisis has given them the opportunity to buy Rohingya women at ease. The lack of eligible women in Rohingya communities in Malaysia has created a demand for brides, while some families see marriage as a way to reduce their financial burdens, Belal Hossain Shamia, 32, a Rohingya father of three in Kuala Lumpur whose sister was a child bride told Reuters. A former trafficking agent, a Rohingya man identified only as Ali, told Reuters there is a growing demand for Rohingya brides. Smuggling syndicates can get up to 7,000 ringgit (1,249) for each girls release to their family or sale to a man. Reuters Ali kept guard at a jungle trafficking camp near the Thai-Malaysian border. He said women and girls travelling alone or whose families were unable to pay the release fees were sold. "There were girls there who were about 15 or 16. They have no choice..." he said. At least 40 people have been killed and 100 injured when a suicide bomber attacked the shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar in Sindh's Shewan. Twitter The incident happened on Thursday evening while hundreds had assembled for performing Dhamal a Sufi ritual. The incident has taken place outside the mazar (shrine) where Golden Gate is located," a senior official told Pakistani media. Twitter The death toll is likely to go up as many more injured are being brought to local hospitals. There was no immediate claim of responsibility. However Sunni terrorist groups including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi have in the past have targeted Sufi centers. Screengrab In a similar attack last year, at least 45 people, including women and children, were killed in an explosion that struck Dargah Shah Noorani in Khuzdar district of Balochistan. In Frankfurt, prosecutors are investigating two people who allegedly concocted stories of a mass attack by Arab migrants. Representational image/Reuters On New Years, German tabloid claimed that a sex rioting mob of around 50 men assaulted a group of women. The story insinuated that the attackers lived at a refugee shelter in Central Hasse. The tabloid has since then unpublished the story. Their claims were supported by a chef who runs a restaurant in the vicinity as well as a 27-year-old woman. He alleged that dozens of Arab men entered his restaurant, stole diners items and also sexually assaulted women. The 27-year-old woman told Bild, They grabbed me under my skirt, between the legs and on my breast everywhere. The police, however, did not find enough evidence to believe their allegations and even said one of the purported victims of the alleged attack was not in Frankfurt at the time of the purported crime, they said. Representational image/Reuters The police told German daily Frankfurter Rundschau, Interviews with alleged witnesses, guests and employees led to major doubts with the version of events that had been presented. One of the alleged victims was not even in Frankfurt at the time the allegations are said to have taken place. Representational image/Reuters Finally, they said, Masses of refugees were not responsible for any sexual assaults in the Fressgass over New Year. The accusations are completely baseless. At a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Wednesday, Ashton Kutcher offered solutions on how to put an end to modern slavery and also delivered a passionate speech on child trafficking. The co-founder of Thorn, an organisation that uses technology to fight the sexual exploitation of children around the world, was seen getting emotional a few times during the speech. Reuters Heres an excerpt from his speech: I am here today to defend the right to pursue happiness. It's a simple notion the right to pursue happiness. It's bestowed upon all of us by our Constitution. Every citizen of this country has the right to pursue it, and I believe that it is incumbent upon us as citizens of this nation, as Americans, to bestow that right upon others, upon each other, and upon the rest of the world. But the right to pursue happiness, for so many, is stripped away. It's raped. It's abused. It's taken by force, fraud, or coercion. It is sold for the momentary happiness of another. This is about the time that I start talking about politics and the internet trolls tell me to stick to my day job. Reuters So I'd like to talk about my day job. My day job is as the chairman and co-founder of Thorn. We build software to fight human trafficking and the sexual exploitation of children. That's our core mission. My other day job is that of the father of two a 2-month old and a 2-year-old. And as part of that job that I take very seriously, I believe that it is my effort to defend their right to pursue happiness and to ensure a society and government that defends it as well. As part of my anti-trafficking work, I've met victims in Russia. I've met victims in India. I've met victims that have been trafficked from Mexico. Reuters "I've met victims in New York and New Jersey and all across our country. I've been on FBI raids where I've seen things that no person should ever see. I've seen video content of a child that's the same age as mine being raped by an American man that was a sex tourist in Cambodia. And this child was so conditioned by her environment that she thought she was engaging in play. I've been on the other end of a phone call from my team, asking for my help because we had received a call from the Department of Homeland Security telling us that a 7-year-old girl was being sexually abused and that content was being spread around the dark web, and she had been being abused and they had watched her for three years and they could not find the perpetrator, asking us for help. We were the last line of defence, an actor and his foundation are the potential last line of defence. That's my day job, and I'm sticking to it. Here's the 16-minute speech in full: The European Investment Bank (EIB) on Thursday announced that it has agreed to provide 50 million euros to support financing by Pancretan Cooperative Bank towards eligible projects undertaken by small and medium sized enterprises and midcaps in Greece. New Declassified CIA Memo Presents Blueprint for Syrian Regime Collapse By Brad Hoff February 15, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - " Libertarian Institute " - A newly declassified CIA document explored multiple scenarios of Syrian regime collapse at a time when Hafez al-Assads government was embroiled in a covert dirty war with Israel and the West, and in the midst of a diplomatic crisis which marked an unprecedented level of isolation for Syria. The 24-page formerly classified memo entitled Syria: Scenarios of Dramatic Political Change was produced in July 1986, and had high level distribution within the Reagan administration and to agency directors, including presidential advisers, the National Security Council, and the US ambassador to Syria. The memo appears in the CIAs latest CREST release (CIA Records Search Tool) of over 900,000 recently declassified documents. A severely restricted report The memos cover letter, drafted by the CIAs Director of Global Issues (the report itself was prepared by the divisions Foreign Subversion and Instability Center), introduces the purpose of presenting a number of possible scenarios that could lead to the ouster of President Assad or other dramatic change in Syria. It further curiously warns that, Because the analysis out of context is susceptible to misunderstanding, external distribution has been severely restricted. The reports narrowed distribution list (sent to specific named national security heads, not entire agencies) indicates that it was considered at the highest levels of the Reagan administration. The coming sectarian war for Syria The intelligence reports contents contain some striking passages which seem remarkably consistent with events as they unfolded decades later at the start of the Syrian war in 2011: Although we judge that fear of reprisals and organizational problems make a second Sunni challenge unlikely, an excessive government reaction to minor outbreaks of Sunni dissidence might trigger large-scale unrest. In most instances the regime would have the resources to crush a Sunni opposition movement, but we believe widespread violence among the populace could stimulate large numbers of Sunni officers and conscripts to desert or munity, setting the stage for civil war. [pg.2] The second Sunni challenge is a reference to the Syrian governments prior long running war against a Muslim Brotherhood insurgency which culminated in the 1982 Hama Massacre. While downplaying the nationalist and pluralistic composition of the ruling Baath party, the report envisions a renewal and exploitation of sectarian fault lines pitting Syrias Sunni population against its Alawite leadership: Join with over 100,000 people in more than 140 countries, who place people before profit Get Our Free Daily Newsletter Sunnis make up 60 percent of the Syrian officer corps but are concentrated in junior officer ranks; enlisted men are predominantly Sunni conscripts. We believe that a renewal of communal violence between Alawis and Sunnis could inspire Sunnis in the military to turn against the regime. [pg.12] Regime change and the Muslim Brotherhood The possibility of the Muslim Brotherhood spearheading another future armed insurgency leading to regime change is given extensive focus. While the documents tone suggests this as a long term future scenario (especially considering the Brotherhood suffered overwhelming defeat and went completely underground in Syria by the mid-1980s), it is considered one of the top three most likely drivers of regime change (the other scenarios include Succession Power Struggle and Military Reverses Spark a Coup). The potential for revival of the Muslim Brotherhoods militant faction is introduced in the following: Although the Muslim Brotherhoods suppression drastically reduced armed dissidence, we judge a significant potential still exists for another Sunni opposition movement. In part the Brotherhoods role was to exploit and orchestrate opposition activity by other organized groups These groups still exist, and under proper leadership they could coalesce into a large movement young professionals who formed the base of support for the militant faction of the Muslim Brotherhood; and remnants of the Brotherhood itself who could become leaders in a new Sunni opposition movement [pp.13-14] The Brotherhoods role is seen as escalating the potential for initially small Sunni protest movements to morph into violent sectarian civil war: Sunni dissidence has been minimal since Assad crushed the Muslim Brotherhood in the early 1980s, but deep-seated tensions remainkeeping alive the potential for minor incidents to grow into major flareups of communal violence Excessive government force in quelling such disturbances might be seen by Sunnis as evidence of a government vendetta against all Sunnis, precipitating even larger protests by other Sunni groups Mistaking the new protests as a resurgence of the Muslim Brotherhood, the government would step up its use of force and launch violent attacks on a broad spectrum of Sunni community leaders as well as on those engaged in protests. Regime efforts to restore order would founder if government violence against protestors inspired broad-based communal violence between Alawis and Sunnis. [pp.19-20] The CIA report describes the final phase of an evolving sectarian war which witnesses the influx of fighters and weapons from neighboring countries. Consistent with a 1983 secret report that called for a US covert operation to utilize then US-allied Iraq as a base of attack on Syria, the 1986 analysis says, Iraq might supply them with sufficient weapons to launch a civil war: A general campaign of Alawi violence against Sunnis might push even moderate Sunnis to join the opposition. Remnants of the Muslim Brotherhoodsome returning from exile in Iraqcould provide a core of leadership for the movement. Although the regime has the resources to crush such a venture, we believe brutal attacks on Sunni civilians might prompt large numbers of Sunni officers and conscripts to desert or stage mutinies in support of dissidents, and Iraq might supply them with sufficient weapons to launch a civil war. [pp.20-21] A Sunni regime serving Western economic interests While the document is primarily a theoretical exploration projecting scenarios of Syrian regime weakening and collapse (its purpose is analysis and not necessarily policy), the authors admit of its purposefully provocative nature (see PREFACE) and closes with a list desired outcomes. One provocative outcome describes a pliant Sunni regime serving US economic interests: In our view, US interests would be best served by a Sunni regime controlled by business-oriented moderates. Business moderates would see a strong need for Western aid and investment to build Syrias private economy, thus opening the way for stronger ties to Western governments. [pg. 24] Ironically, the Syrian government would accuse the United States and its allies of covert subversion within Syria after a string of domestic bombings created diplomatic tensions during the mid-1980s. Dirty tricks and diplomacy in the 1980s According to Patrick Seales landmark book, Asad of Syria: The Struggle for the Middle East, 1986 was a year that marked Syrias greatest isolation among world powers as multiple diplomatic crises and terror events put Syria more and more out in the cold. The year included the Hindawi affaira Syrian intelligence sponsored attempt to hijack and bomb an El Al flight to Tel Avivand may or may not have involved Nezar Hindawi working as a double agent on behalf of Israel. The foiled plot brought down international condemnation on Syria and lives on as one of the more famous and bizarre terror conspiracies in history. Not only were Syria and Israel once again generally on the brink of war in 1986, but a string of dirty tricks tactics were being utilized by Syria and its regional enemies to shape diplomatic outcomes primarily in Lebanon and Jordan. In March and April of 1986 (months prior to the distribution of the CIA memo), a string of still largely unexplained car bombs rocked Damascus and at least 5 towns throughout Syria, leaving over 200 civilians dead in the most significant wave of attacks since the earlier 79-82 war with the Muslim Brotherhood (also see BBC News recount the attacks). Patrick Seales book speculates of the bombings that, It may not have been unconnected that in late 1985 the NSCs Colonel Oliver North and Amiram Nir, Peress counter-terrorism expert, set up a dirty tricks outfit to strike back at the alleged sponsors of Middle East terrorism. * Consistency with future WikiLeaks files The casual reader of Syria: Scenarios of Dramatic Political Change will immediately recognize a strategic thinking on Syria that looks much the same as what is revealed in national security memos produced decades later in the run up to the current war in Syria. When US cables or intelligence papers talk regime change in Syria they usually strategize in terms of exploiting sectarian fault lines. In a sense, this is the US national security bureaucracys fall-back approach to Syria. One well-known example is contained in a December 2006 State Dept. cable sent from the US embassy in Syria (subsequently released by WikiLeaks). The cables stated purpose is to explore Syrian regime vulnerabilities and weaknesses to exploit (in similar fashion to the 1986 CIA memo): PLAY ON SUNNI FEARS OF IRANIAN INFLUENCE: There are fears in Syria that the Iranians are active in both Shia proselytizing and conversion of, mostly poor, Sunnis. Though often exaggerated, such fears reflect an element of the Sunni community in Syria that is increasingly upset by and focused on the spread of Iranian influence in their country through activities ranging from mosque construction to business. Another section of the 2006 cable explains precisely the same scenario laid out in the 1986 memo in describing the increased possibility of a self-defeating over-reaction on the part of the regime.: ENCOURAGE RUMORS AND SIGNALS OF EXTERNAL PLOTTING: The regime is intensely sensitive to rumors about coup-plotting and restlessness in the security services and military. Regional allies like Egypt and Saudi Arabia should be encouraged to meet with figures like [former Vice President Abdul Halim] Khaddam and [younger brother of Hafez] Rifat Asad as a way of sending such signals, with appropriate leaking of the meetings afterwards. This again touches on this insular regimes paranoia and increases the possibility of a self-defeating over-reaction. And ironically, Rifat Asad and Khaddam are both mentioned extensively in the 1986 memo as key players during a speculative future Succession Power Struggle. [p.15] An Islamic State in Damascus? While the 1986 CIA report makes a case in its concluding paragraph for a Sunni regime controlled by business-oriented moderates in Syria, the authors acknowledge that the collapse of the Baath state could actually usher in the worst of all possible outcomes for Washington and the region: religious zealots might seek to establish an Islamic Republic. The words take on a new and special importance now, after the rise of ISIS: Although Syrias secular traditions would make it extremely difficult for religious zealots to establish an Islamic Republic, should they succeed they would likely deepen hostilities with Israel and provide support and sanctuary to terrorists groups. [pg.24] What continues to unfold in Syria has apparently surpassed even the worst case scenarios of intelligence planners in the 1980s. Tinkering with regime change has proven itself to be the most dangerous of all games. * Seale, Patrick. Asad of Syria : the struggle for the Middle East (Berkeley, CA : University of California Press, 1989)p.474. Two Uninspiring Choices Government sometimes seems the employer of last resort By Philip Giraldi February 15, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - " Unz Review " - We live in a political environment where nothing is any longer real. Allegedly apolitical Amnesty International issues a 48 page report stating that 13,000 political prisoners have been hanged in Syrian government prisons a crime against humanity and then it is revealed that the document was fabricated in London based on unconfirmed rebel sources and that its graphics were computer generated simulations. The mainstream media is uncritically promoting the allegations and the author of the report has been marketing the claims as if they are factual while beating the drum for military intervention and regime change in Syria. The American government similarly should be regarded as a terra incognita if one is in search of the truth. If there is one thing I learned from more than twenty years of moving in and around the vast federal bureaucracy it is that one should never believe anything appearing in the media regarding elected officials or senior managers. If one were to accept uncritically everything being said about people at or aspiring to be at the top of the government one would have to believe that our country is led either by geniuses or idiots depending on your political point of view. Washington is either completely bad or completely good depending on ones perspective and you should always triple check the sources. In reality, even Vice Presidents and Secretaries of Defense brush their teeth every morning just like everyone else and they are commonly no more or less ethical or intelligent than most people in the general run of the population. To be sure, we have had our share of completely incompetent and politically corrupted senior staff under President Barack Obama, to include Eric Holder, Ash Carter, Loretta Lynch, Samantha Power, Arne Duncan and Susan Rice while the list of President George W. Bush and Bill Clinton appointees is so dreadful that it is best not to even try to recall who did what and to whom, though I do feel compelled to drop two names Sandy Berger, best known for stuffing national archive documents down his trousers and Madeleine Albright who thought killing 500,000 Iraqi children through sanctions was worth it. Join with over 100,000 people in more than 140 countries, who place people before profit Get Our Free Daily Newsletter And if any readers out there are concerned lest the high-minded patriots that make up successive cabinets have been in some way held accountable for the damage they did to the country I am pleased to report that not one of them has suffered in any way. Those who are still alive all occupy well remunerated sinecures and pop up occasionally at presidential libraries where they can share their days of glory with the slick willies who hired them in the first place. That all means that Donald Trump is not exactly unique in his attempt to satisfy all the GOP and national constituencies who are seeking to be validated by having one of theirs in a prominent position. We are now entering into the final stages of the transition process to name the last few political appointees who will take senior positions in the new Administration. A number of layabouts and scallywags have surfaced during the process and some have even made it to the top levels. That those like John Bolton did not make the final cut, apparently due to his moustache and the principled opposition to his candidacy mounted by Senator Rand Paul, has the entire world breathing a sigh of relief. Others, to include Michael Flynn the National Security Advisor and Nikki Haley as U.N. Ambassador unfortunately did manage to squeak through and will presumably be well placed to wreak havoc over the next four years. But truly the most ghastly candidate who almost made it through the screening process , in this case to become number two at the Department of State, had to be Elliot Abrams. Abrams had the support of Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Chief of Staff Reince Priebus and Principal Adviser Jared Kushner. Abrams was reportedly nixed by Trump himself due to his sharp criticism of the GOP candidate during the campaign against Hillary Clinton. The American people and the rest of the world really dodged a bullet when Abrams was denied as he was the neoconservative candidate par excellence and might be regarded as the potential enabler of a neocon reentry into government. Predictably his buddies rallied around to praise him in defeat, with CNN quoting an unnamed Republican source who mourned This is a loss for the State Department and the country and, for that matter, for the President. Another said Abrams did not get the position because of Donald Trumps thin skin and nothing else, which is manifestly a ridiculous comment as Rand Paul was clearly sending a signal that he would also work hard to block the appointment. Tillerson, however, reportedly pushed for Abrams because he felt he needed his foreign policy experience Excuse me? Abrams foreign policy experience is largely negative and some would even suggest criminal. He was an odd choice in any event, only explicable due to his still powerful neocon network pushing him forward. He had written an opinion piece in May in The Weekly Standard entitled When You Cant Stand Your Candidate after Trump had obtained enough support to become the Republican nominee. The first line of the Abrams article reads The party has nominated someone who cannot win and should not be president of the United States in part because of his complete ignorance of foreign policy and it goes on to question Trumps character and fitness to be commander in chief. He advocated purging the GOP of Trump supporters after the expected victory of Hillary Clinton. And this man actually expected to be appointed to high office by Donald Trump? Abrams is a close associate of leading neocons Bill Kristol and Robert Kagan. He was a founding co-signer of their Project for a New American Century, led the charge to invade Iraq after calling for regime change, and has endorsed military interventions in Libya and Syria as well as Iran. He withheld information from Congress in the Iran-Contra scandal, was convicted, and later pardoned by George H. W. Bush. Elliot Abrams has received considerable media coverage since his name surfaced as possible Deputy Secretary of State but none of it has focused on his close attachment to the state of Israel and his belief that Jews should not marry non-Jews. He is a regular speaker on the so-called synagogue speaker circuit and is cited frequently in the Jewish media both in the U.S. and in Israel. He called Chuck Hagel an anti-Semite when Hagel was up for confirmation as defense secretary because Hagel had been mildly critical of Israel and the Israeli Lobby while a Senator. Abrams was and presumably still is opposed to U.S. pressuring the Netanyahu government to bring about a peace settlement with the Palestinians, telling Bill Kristol in an interview that tensionis growing between the U.S. and Israel over this. Because we are constantly asking in my view for Israeli concessions, to kind of oil this mechanism of peace. And the Israelis are getting tired of it. And they think, you know, this is not the way an ally should act. His sagacious view is a clear misrepresentation of the actual facts to ignore real American interests and favor the Israeli point of view. It should have been a disqualifier for a senior post at State but for the established fact that only Israel Firsters need apply for any positions at Foggy Bottom that deal with the Middle East. The other uninspiring appointee that unfortunately made it through the vetting process is Gina Haspel, who was named as Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency on February 2nd. She was reportedly involved in the rendition and torture programs ca. 2003-4 and actually was senior officer in charge of one of the overseas prisons located in Thailand, which was the epicenter of the enhanced interrogation program and the site where al-Qaeda prisoner Abu Zubaydah was waterboarded 83 times, tortured so brutally that at one point he appeared to be dead. In 2005 she also ordered the destruction of the video tapes made of the interrogations to avoid providing evidence to any congressional inquiry into what had gone on. The appointment of Haspel is a sign that torturing people can be career enhancing if one works for the United States government. Her promotion was endorsed by the usual suspects including Director of National Intelligence James Clapper and former Acting CIA Director Michael Morell, who has recently advocated assassinating Iranians and Russians to send a message that the United States is serious. If one needs more evidence that many in the United States government at senior levels should be locked away somewhere to protect the rest of the world I would point both to Haspel and also to last weeks reaction to what was an eminently sensible comment by Donald Trump. Trump was asked by interviewer Bill OReilly why he respected a killer like Vladimir Putin and responded You got a lot of killers. What, you think our countrys so innocent? He added that Putin is a leader of his country. I say its better to get along with Russia than not. For drawing what was described as a moral equivalency between Russia and the U.S., Trump was blasted by The New York Times, The Washington Post, a gaggle of Republican senators led by the lugubrious Mitch McConnell, sundry Democrats and late night television hosts. Yet Trump was, if anything, too nice. The United States has unleashed far more havoc on the world than Putin and yet it persists in describing itself as the Leader of the Free World and the planets greatest democracy. Abrams is intent on regime changing most of the Arab world to benefit Israel while Haspel does torture. Both are described as respected members of the foreign policy establishment and are lauded by the media and political chattering class for their service to their country. America's Spies Took Down Michael Flynn. That is Deeply Worrying By Damon Linker February 15, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - " The Week " - The United States is much better off without Michael Flynn serving as national security adviser. But no one should be cheering the way he was brought down. The whole episode is evidence of the precipitous and ongoing collapse of America's democratic institutions not a sign of their resiliency. Flynn's ouster was a soft coup (or political assassination) engineered by anonymous intelligence community bureaucrats. The results might be salutary, but this isn't the way a liberal democracy is supposed to function. Unelected intelligence analysts work for the president, not the other way around. Far too many Trump critics appear not to care that these intelligence agents leaked highly sensitive information to the press mostly because Trump critics are pleased with the result. "Finally," they say, "someone took a stand to expose collusion between the Russians and a senior aide to the president!" It is indeed important that someone took such a stand. But it matters greatly who that someone is and how they take their stand. Members of the unelected, unaccountable intelligence community are not the right someone, especially when they target a senior aide to the president by leaking anonymously to newspapers the content of classified phone intercepts, where the unverified, unsubstantiated information can inflict politically fatal damage almost instantaneously. The real story here is why are there so many illegal leaks coming out of Washington? Will these leaks be happening as I deal on N.Korea etc? Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 14, 2017 President Trump was roundly mocked among liberals for that tweet. But he is, in many ways, correct. These leaks are an enormous problem. And in a less polarized context, they would be recognized immediately for what they clearly are: an effort to manipulate public opinion for the sake of achieving a desired political outcome. It's weaponized spin. This doesn't mean the outcome was wrong. I have no interest in defending Flynn, who appears to be an atrocious manager prone to favoring absurd conspiracy theories over more traditional forms of intelligence. He is just about the last person who should be giving the president advice about foreign policy. And for all I know, Flynn did exactly what the anonymous intelligence community leakers allege promised the Russian ambassador during the transition that the incoming Trump administration would back off on sanctions proposed by the outgoing Obama administration. Join with over 100,000 people in more than 140 countries, who place people before profit Get Our Free Daily Newsletter But no matter what Flynn did, it is simply not the role of the deep state to target a man working in one of the political branches of the government by dishing to reporters about information it has gathered clandestinely. It is the role of elected members of Congress to conduct public investigations of alleged wrongdoing by public officials. What if Congress won't act? What if both the Senate and the House of Representatives are held by the same party as the president and members of both chambers are reluctant to cross a newly elected head of the executive branch who enjoys overwhelming approval of his party's voters? In such a situation our situation shouldn't we hope the deep state will rise up to act responsibly to take down a member of the administration who may have broken the law? The answer is an unequivocal no. In a liberal democracy, how things happen is often as important as what happens. Procedures matter. So do rules and public accountability. The chaotic, dysfunctional Trump White House is placing the entire system under enormous strain. That's bad. But the answer isn't to counter it with equally irregular acts of sabotage or with a disinformation campaign waged by nameless civil servants toiling away in the surveillance state. As Eli Lake of Bloomberg News put it in an important article following Flynn's resignation, Normally intercepts of U.S. officials and citizens are some of the most tightly held government secrets. This is for good reason. Selectively disclosing details of private conversations monitored by the FBI or NSA gives the permanent state the power to destroy reputations from the cloak of anonymity. This is what police states do. [Bloomberg] Those cheering the deep state torpedoing of Flynn are saying, in effect, that a police state is perfectly fine so long as it helps to bring down Trump. It is the role of Congress to investigate the president and those who work for him. If Congress resists doing its duty, out of a mixture of self-interest and cowardice, the American people have no choice but to try and hold the government's feet to the fire, demanding action with phone calls, protests, and, ultimately, votes. That is a democratic response to the failure of democracy. Sitting back and letting shadowy, unaccountable agents of espionage do the job for us simply isn't an acceptable alternative. Down that path lies the end of democracy in America. Damon Linker is a senior correspondent at . He is also a consulting editor at the University of Pennsylvania Press, a former contributing editor at The New Republic, and the author of The Theocons and The Religious Test. The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Information Clearing House. He Will Die in Jail By David Edwards February 15, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - " Raw Story " - U.S. national security officials are reportedly ready to go nuclear after President Donald Trumps latest attack on the intelligence community. In a series of tweets on Tuesday and Wednesday, Trump insisted that the real scandal was not that former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn lied about his contact with Russia. Instead, the president blasted what he said were un-American leaks that led to Flynns ousting. The real story here is why are there so many illegal leaks coming out of Washington? Will these leaks be happening as I deal on N.Korea etc? Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 14, 2017 Information is being illegally given to the failing @nytimes & @washingtonpost by the intelligence community (NSA and FBI?).Just like Russia Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 15, 2017 The real scandal here is that classified information is illegally given out by "intelligence" like candy. Very un-American! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 15, 2017 On Wednesday, former NSA intelligence analyst John Schindler provided some insight into the reaction of national security officials. Now we go nuclear, he wrote on Twitter. [Intelligence community] war going to new levels. Just got an [email from] senior [intelligence community] friend, it began: He will die in jail.' US intelligence is not the problem here, Schindler added in another tweet. The Presidents collusion with Russian intelligence is. Many details, but the essence is simple. US intelligence is not the problem here. The President's collusion with Russian intelligence is. Many details, but the essence is simple. John Schindler (@20committee) February 15, 2017 Now we go nuclear. IC war going to new levels. Just got an EM fm senior IC friend, it began: "He will die in jail."https://t.co/e6FxCclVqT John Schindler (@20committee) February 15, 2017 Join with over 100,000 people in more than 140 countries, who place people before profit Get Our Free Daily Newsletter The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Information Clearing House. While Elites Played Empire, America Fell Apart Dear Imperial America: the lifestyle you ordered is permanently out of stock. By Charles Hugh Smith February 15, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - Our extraordinary misallocation of national treasure and political power has set a banquet of consequences that few are willing to face, much less address head-on. If we had to sum up this vast misallocation, we might start by characterizing it as the result of a multitude of elites playing Empire with money borrowed from future generations. We can start the list of extraordinary misallocations of national treasure with the Neocon's endless wars of choice. Ten years ago, estimates of the total cost of the Iraq misadventure were $3 trillion: Cost of Iraq War: $3 Trillion; Cost of Solar Plants to Power all 105 million U.S Households: $500 Billion (April 10, 2008) (Yes, I know solar energy is not "the solution" due to intermittency, lack of storage, fossil fuels are needed to build and maintain the solar infrastructure, etc.--but the point is: would we be better off if we'd invested 20% of the money squandered on the Iraq misadventure on alternative energy, even with all its limitations?) But this does not exhaust the list of extraordinary misallocations of treasure. Universities have found the funds to build grand edifices on campus (never mind the trillion dollars in student loan debt that funded the delusions of grandeur) while much of the rest of our educational infrastructure crumbles as deferred maintenance takes its inevitable toll. Public transit systems such as the San Francisco Bay Area's BART always find the funds to pay for hefty raises and gold-plated benefits for employees and managers, meanwhile the system's core has crumbled due to--you guessed it--hundreds of millions of dollars in long-deferred maintenance. While employee wages, benefits and pensions dominate local government outlays, maintenance is funded by selling bonds, which cost twice as much over the long run due to interest and other costs. Where cities and counties once funded school maintenance and filling potholes out of tax receipts, now many locales demand taxpayers approve tens of millions of dollars in new bonds to pay for these basic infrastructure maintenance projects. Join with over 100,000 people in more than 140 countries, who place people before profit Get Our Free Daily Newsletter It has reached the point that even maintaining city parks requires borrowing millions. Political elites have found that promising the impossible--lower taxes and increased benefits/entitlements--keeps them in power , and as long as the credit spigot of new government borrowing is wide open, there are no limits on how many more trillions of dollars in future interest payments can be promised to win re-election today. The fact that this sets a toxic banquet of consequences for future taxpayers and beneficiaries--no worries, some future politico will have to sit down at that banquet: Political and financial elites have lined their own pockets and insured the continuity of their own power by deferring boring, unsexy, you-get-no-votes-for-this maintenance. Want to be "popular" and win re-election? Ram through sexy new projects such as "affordable" housing (i.e. costly housing subsidized by taxpayers), extensions in mass transit lines, fancy new stadiums and student-services buildings-- and pay for it all with borrowed money and by slashing boring, unsexy maintenance work. The drama of the Oroville Dam is tied directly to the deferral of rountine maintenance: What You Need To Know About The Oroville Dam Crisis (interview with a civil engineering expert and Chris Martenson) While we must ask cui bono (to whose benefit?) of scare-mongering estimates of deferred maintenance (one person's "required infrastructure" could be another person's pork-barrel project awarded as payback for political contributions), many of us can see a crumbling empire of deferred maintenance with our own eyes. I can personally attest to city streets that were potholed 20 years ago that finally got repaved--but only after taxpayers agreed to pay double by borrowing millions for routine street maintenance that was previously paid out of tax revenues. I see spalling concrete (concrete falling off due to rusting rebar) at major international airports, university buildings that are flooded due to poor drainage that should have been addressed decades ago, water mains that burst, sewer lines that are decades past their replacement date--the list is truly endless. Dear Imperial America: the lifestyle you ordered is permanently out of stock. The banquet of consequences has already been served, and will only become more distasteful the longer we put off facing our skyrocketing debt, runaway elites and delusions of grandeur head-on. Charles Hugh Smith - For more, please visit the OTM essentials website . NATO Accuses Russia of Fake News, While Hysterically Warning of WWIII By Finian Cunningham February 15, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - " RT " - News media organizations in NATO member countries have no qualms about repeating unfounded, reckless claims of an imminent invasion of Europe by the Russian military, even threatening to ignite World War Three. Yet when it comes to Russian media presenting valid alternative perspectives on a range of international issues, the Western alliance chokes up with accusations of Russian fake news. NATO says it sees a sharp rise in fake Russian news since the seizure of Crimea, reported Reuters recently, ignorant of the fact that its own headline was itself purveying fake news. Such ignorance is rampant among Western media and symptomatic of massive group-think demonizing Russia. For a start, Russia did not seize Crimea, as is routinely stated in Western media as if fact. The people of the Crimean Peninsula voted in a legally constituted referendum in March 2014 to join Russias jurisdiction. But Reuters in the above headline uses the words seizure of Crimea without any qualification as if the historic referendum to join Russia was airbrushed out of history. This is just one example of the daily distortion about Russian relations that is perpetrated in the Western media. If any side is guilty of peddling fake news, it is the Western news media of the NATO military alliance. And on an industrial scale. For instance, earlier this month, CNNs Christiane Amanpour conducted an interview with Marine Le Pen, the French leader of the Front National. Amanpour was aghast when Le Pen expressed the view that Russia did not annex Crimea and that the Maidan protests in Kiev in February 2014 were a coup detat against an elected government. Amanpours shocked demeanor was understandable because she has on countless occasions asserted the opposite, as well as claiming Russia has invaded Ukraine. In each case, it can be argued the CNN celebrity journalist is wrong in her assertions about Russia-Ukraine relations, which means that she and her cable news employer are guilty of habitually churning out fake news. Another instance of casual fake news presented as professional journalism was the BBC program GMT presented by Stephen Sackur on 3 February. Sackur, like Amanpour, is another celebrity journalist with preening self-importance. His program was reporting on the surge in violence in eastern Ukraine. Specifically, the report aired by the BBC implicated pro-Russian rebels in Donetsk region for shelling the town of Avdeevka. The insinuation was that Russia was stoking the violence. But only days before, the BBC broadcast video footage showing tanks belonging to the Kiev regimes military taking up positions near homes in Avdeevka in violation of the Minsk ceasefire. Furthermore, the BBCs Sackur then ran an interview with Kievs former prime minister, Arseniy Yatsenyuk, in which he was permitted to spout claims purporting as facts without ever being challenged. Those claims included: Russian aggression in Ukraine and Russia shot down the Malaysian MH17 civilian airliner in July 2014 over eastern Ukraine." Again, the point here is just how casually, and routinely Western mainstream media commit acts of fake news, which are presented as if fact by their star journalists. Whatever Russian news media are accused of regarding fake news it is incomparable to the massive, systematic scale of fabrications and distortions churned out by the news media in NATO member countries. Join with over 100,000 people in more than 140 countries, who place people before profit Get Our Free Daily Newsletter NATO claims that it has listed over 30 myths the Russian news media have published. Unhelpfully, the NATO list does not provide links to original Russian news articles where the alleged myths are said to have been published. But a cursory reading of the list quickly shows that the so-called myths are nothing more offensive than Russian counter-arguments or what may be deemed as counter-perspective. Is NATO saying that to have a different point of view is somehow illegitimate? For example, NATO counts Russian fake news to include claims that: NATO tried to drag Ukraine into its membership; NATO provoked the Maidan protests; NATO is trying to encircle Russia; NATOs operation in Afghanistan was a failure; NATOs operation in Libya was illegitimate; These points and more besides are not falsifications or baseless propaganda. They are serious contentions that can be substantiated with documented facts and legal argument as well as maps of proliferating NATO military bases on Russias borders. Indeed, such perspectives completely confound the stereotype views that are promulgated on a daily basis by the Western media. But that in no way qualifies the contrarian Russian view as fake. Moreover, one can say that such views presented by Russian media are vital to proper public interest and understanding. It is an astounding reflection of Western hubris and indoctrination that NATO members news media have published the following news stories which are patently false or turn reality on its head. For instance, Russian and Syrian forces were allegedly committing wholesale slaughter of civilians in the city of Aleppo. For weeks the Western news media were screaming about the alleged massacre, only for the Syrian city to be eventually liberated from Western-backed illegally armed militants, including proscribed terrorist groups. No such civilian massacre occurred, and Western media have not bothered since to visit Aleppo to report on the return to normal civilian life thanks to the liberation by Russian and Syrian forces. Another instance of rampant fake news carried in Western media is that Russian hackers subverted the US presidential election to get Donald Trump into the White House. No proof of these tendentious claims has ever been presented. Yet the same claims are now being aired over alleged Russian interference in European elections even though German state intelligence recently reported there was no evidence of interference. Lets put the issue into perspective. Over the past year, British news media have published story after story claiming Russia was about to invade Europe and start World War III. The Daily Express ran three such stories in June, July, and September. It wasnt just throw away tabloids that indulged in such reckless scaremongering. The supposedly more serious Independent ran at least two stories in May and September citing top military officials claiming that nuclear war could break out in 48 hours with Russia because of the latters secret invasion plans. In November, the Guardian and other British news outlets, including the Daily Mail, Daily Telegraph, BBC, and Sky, echoed the view of MI5 chief Sir Ian Parker that Russia is a growing threat to the UK. If British media reports were to be believed, then Europe and the whole northern hemisphere should have gone up in nuclear smoke several months ago. Dealing in false news by NATO members media, as exemplified above, is not just wildly erroneous and unethical. It is illustrative of an orchestrated propaganda campaign to demonize Russia and recklessly create an atmosphere for global war. In this context, to accuse Russian news media of fake news is a flagrant inversion of reality. Home Sign up for our FREE Daily Email Newsletter The Dangerous Precedence Of The Hunt Against Flynn ... And Trump By Moon Of Alabama Kicking Flynn out of his office has hurt Trump. His standing is diminished. The efforts against Flynn, mainly by the "deep state" in the intelligence agencies, were designed to change Trump's declared foreign policy aims. They worked. Yesterday the White House spokesperson said: President Trump has made it very clear that he expects the Russian government to deescalate violence in the Ukraine and return Crimea. Today Trump tweeted: Donald J. Trump Verified account @realDonaldTrump Crimea was TAKEN by Russia during the Obama Administration. Was Obama too soft on Russia? 4:42 AM - 15 Feb 2017 That is a position Trump had not preciously taken. "Return Crimea" is a no-no to any current and future Russian government. If Trump insists on this the prospective detente is already dead. Several writers along the political spectrum point out that this show of raw power by the "intelligence community" is a great danger. Damon Linker in The Week: The whole episode is evidence of the precipitous and ongoing collapse of America's democratic institutions not a sign of their resiliency. Flynn's ouster was a soft coup (or political assassination) engineered by anonymous intelligence community bureaucrats. The results might be salutary, but this isn't the way a liberal democracy is supposed to function. ... In a liberal democracy, how things happen is often as important as what happens. Procedures matter. So do rules and public accountability. The chaotic, dysfunctional Trump White House is placing the entire system under enormous strain. That's bad. But the answer isn't to counter it with equally irregular acts of sabotage or with a disinformation campaign waged by nameless civil servants toiling away in the surveillance state. Robert Perry at Consortium News: Flynns real offense appears to be that he favors detente with Russia rather than escalation of a new and dangerous Cold War. Trumps idea of a rapprochement with Moscow and a search for areas of cooperation and compromise has been driving Official Washingtons foreign policy establishment crazy for months and the neocons, in particular, have been determined to block it. ... The neocons and liberal hawks also hated Flynn because as director of the Defense Intelligence Agency he oversaw a prescient 2012 analysis that foresaw that their support for the Syrian insurgency would give rise to a declared or undeclared Salafist principality in eastern Syria. ... Flynns resignation and its acceptance by Trump also prove that these tactics work and that tough-guy Trump is not immune to them. ... The so-called permanent government of Washington and its complicit mainstream media what some call the Deep State have taught Trump a lesson and have learned a lesson, too. They now can be expected to redouble their march toward war and more war, ironically with progressives and leftists in tow. Justin Raimondo at Antiwar: Flynn was in the crosshairs of the War Party because hes the most prominent of those around Trump who advocated for detente with Russia. Also, his somewhat loopy belief that Islam, per se, is a pernicious political ideology rather than a religion, made him a natural enemy of the pro-Saudi faction within the intelligence community, which had long worked with Riyadh to, among other things, overthrow the government of Syrian strongman Bashar al-Assad. ... Join with over 100,000 people in more than 140 countries, who place people before profit Get Our Free Daily Newsletter The Flynn resignation is just the beginning. As one Politico writer put it, it wont stop there. Theyll move on to new targets, and they wont rest until theyve bagged their real target: the President of the United States Eli Lake for Bloomberg: [F]or a White House that has such a casual and opportunistic relationship with the truth, it's strange that Flynn's "lie" to Pence would get him fired. It doesn't add up. ... A better explanation here is that Flynn was just thrown under the bus. ... Normally intercepts of U.S. officials and citizens are some of the most tightly held government secrets. This is for good reason. Selectively disclosing details of private conversations monitored by the FBI or NSA gives the permanent state the power to destroy reputations from the cloak of anonymity. This is what police states do. ... In the end, it was Trump's decision to cut Flynn loose. In doing this he caved in to his political and bureaucratic opposition. Nunes told me Monday night that this will not end well. "First it's Flynn, next it will be Kellyanne Conway, then it will be Steve Bannon, then it will be Reince Priebus," he said. Put another way, Flynn is only the appetizer. Trump is the entree. Trump will now cave in on foreign policy: on Russia, on Syria and everywhere else the borg demands it. He has been put "on notice" and will either do as he is told to do or he will be the prey in an even bigger hunt. It is alarming that the so-called left part of the U.S. policy is lauding the "deep state" for this open attack on the elected government. They are now justifying the methods that will one day be turned against themselves. Why do they fail to see this? The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Information Clearing House. Click for Spanish , German , Dutch , Danish , French , translation- Note- Translation may take a moment to load. What's your response? - Scroll down to add / read comments Please read our Comment Policy before posting - It is unacceptable to slander, smear or engage in personal attacks on authors of articles posted on ICH. Those engaging in that behavior will be banned from the comment section. A 24-year-old Indian man allegedly murdered his 21-year-old friend for not dancing during the birthday party they had organised for a common friend. The incident occurred in the wee hours of Tuesday in Andheri (East), a surburb of Indias most populous city, Mumbai. The accused has been arrested and will be produced in a magistrates court on Wednesday. According to the Andheri police, the incident took place around 4am outside a lottery shop in Gundavali. The deceased and the accused were identified as Ankush Jadhav and Ketan Shirvadkar, respectively. While Jadhav worked and lived inside the shop, Shirvadkar was unemployed. Former residents of Andheri pump house, the Shirvadkars had recently shifted to Thane. On Tuesday, a group of five friends, including Jadhav and Shirvadkar, decided to celebrate their friends birthday following which a party was organised. As the party progressed, Jadhav and Shirvadkar downed a few glasses of beer. It was here that Shirvadkar asked Jadhav to dance, but the latter denied. Livid at Jadhavs denial, Shirvadkar started arguing with him and it snowballed into a fight during which he hit a wooden plank on Jadhavs head. Though Jadhav was rushed to Trauma Care hospital, he scummed to the injuries at 6am following which the Andheri police were informed. Based on the prima facie investigation, Shirvadkar was arrested and booked under Section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) helicopter carrying personnel on medical outreach was on Thursday attacked by members of the dreaded terrorist sect, Boko Haram. The helicopter it was gathered, was traveling from Maiduguri to Gwoza a local government in Borno State for a 2-day medical outreach programme when it came under attack. Confirming the attack, the NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Group Captain Ayodele Famuyiwa, said the Mi-17 helicopter was shot at several times by the insurgents however, there was no casualty except for an airman that sustained bullet wound Nevertheless, he added, the pilot was able to fly the helicopter safely to and from its destination to enable the outreach programme continue uninterrupted. Following the attack, the NAF immediately scrambled a fighter aircraft and helicopter gunship to the location between Bama and Gwoza to neutralise the threat. The militarys counter-attack led to the death of scores of Boko Haram members, the spokesperson said. Commander General of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Abdullahi Gana Muhammadu has said that its operation in about 25 states of the federation is being threatened as the state governors harass the organisation over unpaid rent. The Commandant General also said the corps intends to recruit about 3500 personnel in 2017 to meet demand emanating from the Ministry of Solid Minerals and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. According to him, troops will also be deployed to Railway Cooperation, Water Resources and the North East to protect lives, properties and public infrastructures. Abdulahi made these known while presenting the agencys 2017 budget of N61.4 billion before the House of Representatives Committee on Interior. The unpaid rents which amounts to about N400 million is for structures housing the office activities of the organisation in the states. According to him, in a particular state, the agency had been issued one week ultimatum to vacate adding that State Commandants who are also living in rented apartments face similar threats. We have debts of only fueling of operational vehicles of over N150 million; I have accumulated rents over N400 million I do not know where to get money to pay. You can see some state Governors harassing our officers, I do not want to mention the states here, to the extent that they gave our staff one week to vacate, he said Abdulahi added that I have such cases in more than 25 states where we are living in rented apartments; our state commandants are living in rented apartments. Source: Leadership The Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, on Wednesday visited the headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Finance and demanded the release of the states N1.1bn budget support facility for the month of January. Fayose visited the ministry and requested to see the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, over the non-payment of the allocation but was told that the finance minister was at the Presidential Villa attending the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting. Addressing journalists at the ministry, Fayose claimed that Ekiti was the only state that had yet to receive its January allocation. The governor said that he received a text message from the Central Bank of Nigeria recently that the money had been paid only to be informed again by the apex bank that Ekiti was not included on the list of payment. This, according to him, was unacceptable as many workers in the state are currently suffering the negative impact of the delay in releasing the fund. He said, I believe I should do a follow up today (Wednesday) to meet with the minister of finance for an update, but she actually called me on Tuesday that she just got back but she was going to look into it today (Wednesday) and have it resolved as soon as possible. You will however appreciate that Ekiti civil servants are restive, having spent money during Christmas and there is no money in January, obviously there will be challenges. By the time I got here, the minister has already gone for the Federal Executive Council meeting, but I met the Special Adviser, who assured me that the matter will be resolved when the minister is back. What we are talking about is a part of the monthly allocation and the budget support fund which is about N1.1bn that have not been paid. I believe this should be done immediately and I want to believe also that it was a mix up and not political. But if it is political, they will have a lot of questions to answer why it should be so. If they want to fight Fayose, they should fight Fayose, not the civil servants of Ekiti, but I appreciate her promise to resolve the matter. The governor said if the promise of the finance minister was not quickly implemented, he would have no other option but to continue to raise the alarm by bringing the issue back to the public domain. He said, It is only Ekiti that is involved and this is the second time and that explains why I was suspicious and have to act fast. I got a text from the Central Bank of Nigeria that the money has been paid and later I learnt that there is a withdrawal of that instruction that Ekiti was not included in the list out of the entire federation. So, naturally when it happened that it was just Ekiti State alone, I have to be suspicious. The minister has given me her word, at her level as a minister, that is good enough. If the promise of the minister to resolve this issue as quickly as possible is not adhere to, I will have to bring it back to the public domain. We are all in the court of the public opinion where the public is able to judge whether justice is served at all times. Governance is beyond all of us but I want to believe that they will do it. Source: Punch A man has been handed the ultimate punishment by law after doing untold harm to his own wife in the calm city of Jos. A 37-year-old man, Benjamin Toma, has been sentenced to death by hanging for killing his wife, Vicky. His sentence was handed down by a Plateau High Court sitting in Barkin-Ladi on Thursday. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justice Samson Gang, in a 68-paged judgement, pronounced Toma guilty of a one-count charge of culpable homicide, punishable with death, under section 221 of the penal code. Going by the findings of this court, you, Benjamin Toma, mercilessly and in a calculative manner, took the life of your wife in cold blood. You have not shown any remorse for your reprehensible act at the time of the incident and throughout the entire trial. You were exhibiting such character traits that seem to suggest your deep conviction about the justness of your wicked and calous act. In all of this, your two children are the ultimate losers, but the law shall nonetheless take its course; the offence for which you are being charged, does not contemplate a plea in mitigation. The sentence of this court upon you is that you, Benjamin Toma, will be hanged until you are dead, Gang declared. NAN reports that Toma was arraigned on Oct. 13, 2014, to answer a one-count charge of culpable homicide punishable with death, under section 221 of the penal code. He was said to have committed the crime on March 4, 2014. Toma was specifically accused of using an iron rod to kill the wife, and also using a rope to tie her neck before hanging her in the store, to give the impression that she killed her self. When the suspect appeared in court, he however, pleaded not guilty to the allegation of killing his wife, and claimed that she took her life by hanging herself. But while standing in court as a prosecution witness, Sgt. Sunday Abu, who investigated the case, however told the court that Toma, in a confessional statement, had said that on the said date (March 4), he demanded for sex from his wife, at about 1 a.m. He (Toma) further confessed that his wife refused to grant his request, and declared that Vicky had persistently rejected that demand for more than one year on the suspicion that he had HIV/AIDS. Toma said that because of this wifes allegation, he went to the hospital and confirmed he had hepatitis and not HIV. He told investigators that on that night, he struggled with his wife and later used an iron rod to hit her. He said that when she fell, he left her there for two hours, and later took her out of the room and used a rope to hang her in a bid to conceal his action. Abu, who submitted the confessional statement in court as evidence, quoted Toma as saying that he acted alone without any help, adding that even the children were fast asleep and did not know what was happening. Toma promptly owned up to this statement that bore his thumb-print. He said he was not under duress when he made the two confessional statements, first at the Barkin-Ladi Divisional police headquarters and later at the state CID, all of which contained his acceptance of the deed. Late Vickys mother, Ngo Titi Sambo, who also appeared as a prosecution witness, told the court that she heard people crying at her daughters matrimonial home and branched over only to discover the body of her daughter hanging from the roof. Sambo said she called her son, one Captain, who observed that the table the accused claimed Vicky stood on, to commit the said suicide, was very far away from her. Captain also noticed some lacerations and wounds on her, which prompted him to invite the police as he suspected foul play. Speaking to NAN after the judgement, Mr. David Adudu, defense counsel, said that the judgement was right in view of the evidence presented in the court. Justice is a two-way traffic; justice for the state, the accused and the victim. However, there is a window for the convict to appeal. We shall study the judgement and know what steps to take, but for now, we are satisfied with the judgement, he said. After spending four days in the kidnappers den, a Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) officer, Oluwafemi Ojo, and his wife, Yemi, who were abducted along Ogotun-Igbara Odo road in Ekiti State on Saturday have been set free by their abductors after paying N1.5 million ransom. The kidnappers initially demanded N20 million, but the abductees breathed the air of freedom on Thursday through the intervention of community leaders from Ekiti Southwest Local Government in conjunction with some top federal workers in the state. A family member, who craved anonymity, revealed that the kidnappers handed over the couple to the representatives of the family in a thick bush located between Igbara Odo and Ikere where they were moved after being seized. He said: Femi and his wife were released after the family paid N1.5 million to the kidnappers. The money was raised in cash and delivered to them to secure their release. Details later Source: Thisday Guys who get carried away once they see a lady showing off bress on social media, be careful A Delta state big girl, arrested by the police in Lagos last week Tuesday for allegedly drugging and robbing a man she met through social media, has several identities she operates with. 37yrs old Mitchel Harrold from Warri, was nabbed by men of Rapid Response Squad, RRS, of the Lagos Police Command in Agbor, Delta State. She had allegedly drugged the man, a medical doctor, in a hotel room in Ojodu area of Lagos and made away with his car, laptop and mobile phone. Police traced her through a car dealer in Lagos, whom she had engaged to perfect import papers for the stolen Volkswagen Passat Wagon. In a statement on Sunday, the police said the suspect and the medical doctor had on January 19 at about 5:30 p.m. checked into an hotel in the Ojodu Berger area of Lagos with the plan to spend the night together. I went in to take a bath and when I returned, she had gone to buy some drinks. I took the malt drink and yoghurt and I slept off. I slept off at 6:00 p.m. and woke up around 2:00 p.m., he said. He realised his gadgets and car had been taken away when he woke up from a drug-induced sleep. According to the victim, he met the accused on a social media dating site, Badoo, about a year ago, where she introduced herself as Aisha Ibrahim. He only became aware of Ms. Harrolds real name after her arrest. Apart from her Badoo account, checks by PT reveal that she has two accounts, Harrold Mitchel and Otite Mitchel. Pictures from the two social media accounts confirmed the same face and tattoos (crucifix on the right arm) as those of the suspect when she was arrested. In the account she posted as Otite Mitchel, she claims to live in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt; studied at University of Lagos and worked at First Battallion Regiment in the United States. Investigation on Mukoro Okpako revealed the double identity of Ms. Harrold online. The police said Okpako is Mitchels brother and accomplice who was to assist her in perfecting custom papers for the stolen car two days before she was arrested. Police say she earlier refused to cooperate, but they will get all the car shes stolen. Source: Facebook A call has gone out to officials of the Nigeria Police Force, especially officers in the various gender units of the police divisions and other relevant stakeholders in the protection of childrens rights to internalise the provisions of the Lagos State Child Rights Law. Making the call yesterday at a one-day workshop and training programme for police officers and relevant stakeholders on children matters, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youths and Social Development, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, said the state government will continue to equip police personnel, stakeholders and NGOs involved in children protection with necessary tools and information needed for them to practice optimally. According to him, the training was meant to strengthen the executive order of the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration on its newly signed guidelines and policies called Lagos State Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy. He added that the policy was aimed at intensifying the protection of individuality and uniqueness of every child and it gives clear and concise directions to all child-centred organizations, correctional homes among others on various roles to play when contact exists with children. Speaking on the role of the Nigeria Police Force on childs right protection, Inspector Okafor Kenneth Ewemethafor, a facilitator from Ikeja Police Training College, pointed out that all police divisions have established Juvenile Welfare Centre (JWC) mainly assigned to handle cases involving different types of child abuses ranging from emotional, physical, sexual, neglect, and domestic violence amongst others in the state. He added that the Juvenile Welfare Centre are provided with the necessary equipment and well-trained officers on the best steps in case of incidences of child abuse, adding that the Childs Right Law and Domestic Violence Law, which is already operational in the state would help to penalize perpetrators and protect the right of victims. Ewemethafor implored Lagosians to report all abuse cases to the nearest police station as there are provided instruments for specialized personnel under JWC unit in safeguarding the interest of victims. Source: Guardian The Nigerian Navy on Thursday, February 16, said plans were underway to set up three bases in the Lekki-Epe, Ikorodu and Takwa Bay areas of Lagos State. The Flag Officer Commanding, (FOC) Western Naval Command, (WNC), Rear Adm. Fergusson Bobai, spoke of the plan during the visit of some course participants of German Armed Forces General Staff College (GAFGSC) to the command headquarters in Apapa, Lagos. According to him, the development, which has been approved by the Naval Headquarters (NHQ), is part of the efforts to curtail rising cases of kidnapping and other maritime crimes bedevilling the region. A Forward Operation Base (FOB) would be established around the Lekki Free Trade Zone (FTZ) to ensure that all vessels sailing beyond Takwa Bay are monitored. The NHQ has approved a Forward Operation Base (FOB) towards Epe axis, a base at Takwa Bay and one at Ikorodu. The importance of the three naval bases within that vicinity is that if you are going to sea, you must pass Takwa Bay. Sailing onward, you must pass the Lekki Free Trade Zone; essentially, all the sea routes have been factored in. Now, we have to open up these units with patrol boats and maybe in the nearest future with bigger capital ships, he said. The German Defence Adviser to West Africa (DA), Col. Thomas Brilli-Sawa, said Germany had promised to donate some Epenal boats to the Nigerian Navy, as well as train some of its engineers. When asked if Germany had plans to assist the navy in refitting Nigeria Navy Ship (NNS) ARADU, which was bought in that country over 30 years ago, Brilli-Sawa said a German team had been sent to carryout assessment of the vessel. He, however, said Germany was considering the option of assisting the Nigerian Navy to get another capital ship. The leader of the delegation, Col. Manfred Ertl, said:We are here to see Africa security architecture. Some of these participants have spent one year on the course, with focus on European security structures. So, we decided to show them other structures, especially in Africa, as the region is the future of military stabilisation. We are visiting two countries in Africa Nigeria, being the regional power of the region because they are major troops contributor to the United Nations, and Ghana because of the Kwame Nkrummah Security Institute. Bobai later spoke with journalists on the visit, commended the drive by the visiting team to explore security architecture of other continents. On anti-piracy operations of the navy, especially within the Gulf of Guinea Zone E arrangement, Bobai said information was shared between sister navies. We share information and there is synergy between navies in the zone. In the arrangement, the navy with the most capabilities tends to take the lead, especially those with more capital platforms, and in this case, Nigeria, he said. Bobai, who spent a year in Germany during his General Staff College Course, welcomed the team in Dutch, eliciting smiles from the delegation. Source: NAN Nigerian newspaper headlines February 16, 2017. Punch There are indications that former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and a former Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido, are making moves towards clinching the presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party for the 2019 election. Guardian The Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions yesterday reviewed the ugly details that crippled the operations of Arik Air and submitted that the intervention announced by the Federal Government last week was late and belated. Vanguard Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday said the quest by the country to achieve energy security can no longer be left for the Federal Government to address alone, just as he revealed plans by the State to attain 24-hour power supply through generation of 3000megawatts of electricity by 2022. The Nation President Muhammadu Buhari last night thanked Nigerians for their prayers and kind wishes on his health. Thisday Some Nigerian returnees from Libya have narrated their experiences in the hands of Libyan officials. The Sun The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has written an open letter to new American president, Donald Trump, requesting the return of $500 million of stolen funds, which it claims, are being held by the US. Leadership Members of the Katsina State House of Assembly yesterday impeached the speaker of the House, Aliyu Sabiu Muduru, and replaced him with Abubakar Yahaya Kusada, member representing Kusada constituency. Premium Times American President, Donald Trump, has provided details of his telephone conversation with his Nigerian counterpart, Muhammadu Buhari. The Commandant General of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Abdullahi Gana, says the agency plans to recruit additional 3,500 personnel in 2017. Mr. Gana, who made this known on Wednesday while presenting NSCDCs 2017 budget of N61.4 billion before the House of Representatives Committee on Interior in Abuja, said this is to enable the corps meet the demands from some MDAs. The MDAs include the Ministries of Solid Minerals, Agriculture and Rural Development, Water Resources, Nigeria Railways Corporation and the protection of lives and property in the Northeast region. Mr. Gana said the recruitment would cost N2 billion and urged the committee to appropriate more fund to the organisation. He said the corps was facing operational as well as accommodation challenges which requires urgent attention. We have debts of only fuelling of operational vehicles of over N150 million; I have accumulated rents of over N400 million. I do not know where to get money to pay. You can see some state governors harassing our officers, I do not want to mention the states here, to the extent that they gave our staff one week to vacate. I have such cases in more than 25 states where we are living in rented apartments; our state commandants are living in rented apartments. The commander general, however, commended some states government that have been very supportive of the agencys effort of securing lives and property across the country. Senate President on Wednesday led a legislative team to hold a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari in London. Also present at the meeting which it was gathered started at about 8:00 pm Nigerian time at the Abuja House in London were Hon Yakubu Dogara and Senator Ahmed Lawan. Deputy Speaker, Hon Lasun Yusuf who was among the 4-man delegate team was however, absent at the meeting due to some reasons not known yet as the time of filing this report The alleged mastermind of the kidnap of Lagos Isheri North Estate Secretary, Dayo Adekoya, Joseph Omoni, has been arrested. He was arrested by operatives of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Intelligence Response Team (IRT), led by Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Abba Kyari. The 38-year-old suspect, who hails from Ajapa community, Ese in Ondo State, was arrested in Century Village, Ogijo town, in Ogun State. The suspect was alleged to have also participated in the kidnap of the Nigerian Turkish school girls and officials and also the December kidnapping operation at Ikorodu, where a popular TV presenter, Aisha Ali-Balogun, was killed. The suspect confessed that he only got N250,000 from the ransom paid for the release of the Isheri North estate secretary. I got N250,000 from the ransom because the sum paid was too small, but for the Nigerian Turkish International College, I got N2 million. I was also involved in the kidnap on Ikorodu Road, where Aisha Balogun was killed. We didnt know her until we read in the papers that she was a TV presenter. I got about N1 million from that ransom. I cannot say what really happened during the Isheri North kidnap. Though we exchanged fire while escaping with the man, but we read in the papers that three security men were killed. Well, I cannot say that I regret everything because I was able to build houses with the money I got from the Nigerian Turkish school. I bought tiles, windows and other accessories to complete my house at Century Village, in Ogijo community, he said. In another development, abductors of the two members of Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) and five farm workers of Eliasa Livestock farm, who were kidnapped in Igbodu area of Epe on Tuesday have demanded the sum of N50 million as ransom from families of their victims. The gunmen, it was learnt, contacted the manager of the farm using the phone of one of the victims yesterday and asked for a whooping N50 million for their seven victims. According to the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 2 command, Mr. Kayode Aderanti, we are going to rescue the victims alive. We are doing everything to police that area; but the major problem in that part of the state is that the area is porous. It gives room for kidnapping to thrive. We will police that area 24 hours every day but my advice to business owners and school operators is that they should be security conscious and do their background checks on anybody they want to employ. We are also going to do our own job to see to the release of the victims without paying a dime to the abductors, he said. A senior police officer, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said: On February 14, around 4a.m. after unrelenting follow up by IRT with technical intelligence unit, one of the Isheri Estate secretary and Turkish school kids kidnappers, Joseph Omoni, was arrested. The police officer said one kingpin simply identified as chairman has also been identified to be hiding in the same Century Village at Ogijo, but assured that he would soon be arrested as detectives has condone off the area. He said the police were making effort to apprehend other members of the gang. Source: Guardian The Ekiti State Police Command on Wednesday arrested a man, Tosin Oluwatosin with a human head in Ifaki-Ekiti, Ido/Osi Local Government Area of the State. The Police linked the suspect with his brother David Oluwatosin who is currently at large to series of rituals in the state. The severed head according to the police, was the third discovered within three weeks. It belongs to a 12 year-old victim, whose identity has not been revealed. The first two severed heads were recorded in the heat of the Ayede-Itaji land dispute. The Police spokesman confirmed that Tosin was arrested with the head, following an intelligence report from an unidentified source. One of the suspects is on the run. The victim is about 12 years old. We are still looking for the severed body and we are also on the trail of the one at large. After investigation, the suspects will be charged to court, he said. The police spokesman, who decried incessant cases of beheading in the state, said the police would also investigate if the two brothers were involved in the first two incidents. Police in Spain have uncovered a gang that had been converting old Toyotas into fake Ferraris and Lamborghinis. The Spanish National Police detained three people for operating a workshop in the town of Sils, where they modified the vehicles and sold them to unsuspecting customers on the internet. Police found badges, stickers and body kits designed to transform the vehicles into replicas of the Ferrari F430. A total of 14 vehicles were discovered in various stages of transformation, including four Ferraris that were already prepped for sale. Desmantelado taller clandestino en el que fabricaban replicas de #Ferrari y #Lamborghini para vender en Internet. 3 detenidos #Girona pic.twitter.com/YFnGQePDvK Policia Nacional (@policia) February 12, 2017 Police managed to track down the warehouse after one of the replica vehicles was placed for sale in Benidorm for 40,000 Euros. Senate President Bukola Saraki, who led a team of National Assembly leaders to visit President Muhammadu Buhari in London, said at the end of the visit: there is no cause for alarm His statement was meant to douse apprehensions and speculations in Nigeria about President Buharis health. And after meeting the President today, Saraki declared: The president I saw today is healthy, witty and himselfhe is doing well, was cheerful and in good spirits. With Saraki on the trip were the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara and the majority leader in the Senate, Ahmed Lawan. Myself, Rt Honorable Speaker, Yakubu Dogara and leader of Senate, Senator Ahmed Lawan paid a visit to President Buhari in Abuja House in London. We were delighted to see that President Buhari is doing well, was cheerful and in good spirits. The president I saw today is healthy, witty and himself. The presidents absence and imminent return shows that there is no vacuum in government and our system of democracy is working with all organs of government fulfilling their mandate. And let me use the time tested cliche, there is no cause for alarm! Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane singled out Toni Kroos for special praise after his sides Champions League win over Napoli last night. Napoli took the lead through Lorenzo Insigne after just eight minutes at the Bernabeu. But Real bounced back thanks to goals from Karim Benzema, Toni Kroos and Casemiro to claim an impressive 3-1 win. They now have one foot in the quarter-finals and are on track to retain Europes premier trophy. And Zidane was particularly pleased by the performance of Kroos, who put the holders ahead in the second-half. He told UEFA.com: Kroos likes to arrive late in the box and we spoke about it recently. He has the capacity to run more both defensively and attacking. He has brilliant feet and can score from those kind of positions and Im very pleased for him. Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State on Thursday said the huge unemployment crisis in the country was worrisome. The governor made the remark at the 1st Annual Lecture of Freedom Online Media with the theme Unemployment: How Do We Tame This Monster Obaseki who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr Taiwo Akerele, said his administration had started making huge investments in technical and vocational education to empower the youth. He said that the step was part of efforts to address the problem and create more jobs. We realised that with the right skills and technology, the problem of unemployment can be addressed and the Edo State Government has put in policies to create 200, 000 jobs within four years, Obaseki said. His Lagos State counterpart, Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode, said it was essential for people to acquire appropriate skills and vocational training. Ambode who was represented by his Deputy, Dr Idiat Adebule, said hid administration was also taking steps to achieve the objective. The Lagos State Government has been providing windows of opportunities in this regard through various vocational skills acquisition centres in parts of the state, he said. Ambode, commending organisers of the lecture, described the media as the conscience of the people. Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State in his keynote address said that unemployment was a socio-economic problem that led to increase in crime. Ikpeazu, who was represented by his Deputy, Mr Ude Oko-Chukwu, identified several factors that led to the rate of unemployment. He listed wrong education policy, epileptic power supply, corruption, ghost workers syndrome, neglect of agricultural sector, high importation and lack of access to capital funds as some of them. We need to discuss the issue of unemployment as a matter of urgency because it is fundamental to the progress and development of the country. There must be a reformation of the education system where practicals and skills are taught to empower people. Government has a lead role to play by creating the enabling environment and the unemployed must acquire skills to make them productive, self-reliant and employable, Ikpeazu said. A former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel urged government at all levels to employ the services of indigenous companies rather than contract foreigners to carry out projects. According to him, this will create jobs as well as circulate wealth in the country. In a goodwill message, Chief Bode George, South-West Leader, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) called for decentralisation of power so that states would manage and use their resources to develop their states. Mr Gabriel Akinadewo, Owner, Freedom Online Media, said it was sad that Nigeria, with all her natural endowments was faced with the looming monster Unemployment. Akinadewo said there was the need to reorder the nations value system. Source: Guardian The United States president, Donald J. Trump has asked the Israelis to show new flexibility, if they hope to achieve peace in the troubled region. Trump made this call yesterday during a press conference with the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu. Trump said, he is open to either one state or two state solutions as part of any peace deal. He said, there is no way they can be peace if the state of Israel is not recognised. He reaffirmed his promise to relocate the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, Mr. Trump said, Id love to see that happen. Were looking at it very, very strongly. Were looking at it with great care. Responding, Netanyahu said that there are two requirements for a peace deal with the Palestinians, which is that they must recognize the Jewish state and that Israel must be able to keep security control of the West Bank. The prime minister is the reason why they dont have peace is because Palestinians consistently call for the destruction of Israel. Netanyahu said that hes interested in a regional approach from involving our newfound Arab partners in pursuit of a broader peace and peace with the Palestinians. Both leaders were asked about their positions on Flynn and their positions on West Bank settlements. Mr. Trump called Flynn, who resigned as his national security adviser on Monday night, wonderful and that he was treated very, very unfairly by the media, which he then called the fake media. The president said that he asks Israel to hold back on settlements for a little bit. Netanyahu said, Well try, and Mr. Trump said that didnt sound too optimistic. Netanyahu said, Israel has no better ally than the United States and I want to assure you that the United States has no better ally than Israel. Our alliance has been remarkably strong, but under your leadership, Im confident it will get even strong, Netanyahu said he hopes to work closely with the U.S. on enhanced security and cyber programs. He said that both of their nations are under attack by radical Islamic terror and that Mr. Trump has shown great courage in confronting that problem. Under your leadership, I believe we can reverse the rising tide of radical IslamIsrael stands with you and I stand with you, Netanyahu said. The president said he has welcomed his friend Netanyahu to the White House. He said his visit represents their nations unbreakable bond and that their shared values have advanced freedom and peace. The state of Israel is a symbol to the world of resilience in the face of oppression, Mr. Trump said. We will never forget what the Jewish people have endured. The president said that the security challenges Israel faces are enormous including Irans nuclear ambitions, calling the nuclear deal one of the worst deals hes ever seen. Our security assistance to Israel is currently at an all-time high, he said. We have a long history of cooperation in the fight against terrorism and the fight against those who dont cherish human life. Mr. Trump said that the U.S. rejects one-sided actions by the United Nations against Israel as well as boycotts against Israel. He expressed his desire to work toward a peace agreement between the Israelis and Palestinians. The president made it clear that both parties must the ones who negotiate and that both sides must make compromises. Source: Leadership Two brothers from the same parents, suspected to be ritualists are in trouble with the law after they were found to be in possession of a fresh human head in Ado Ekiti. The gallant operatives of the Nigerian Police Force in Ekiti state, have arrested one of two blood brothers of the same parents suspected to be ritualists with a fresh human head. Speaking to correspondents, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Adeyemi Alberto, gave the names of the suspects as David Oluwatosin and Tosin Oluwatosin, adding that David is at large. The latest beheading was the third within three weeks. The first two were beheaded in the heat of the Ayede-Itaji land dispute. Alberto, who confirmed the incidence to journalists in his office in Ado Ekiti yesterday, said Tosin was arrested with the fresh head in Ifaki Ekiti, in Ido-Osi local government of the state around 3.35pm on Tuesday, February 14, following an intelligence report from unnamed source. He said, One of the suspects is on the run. The victim is about 12 years old but we are still looking for the severed body and we are also on the trail of the one at large. After investigation, the suspects would be charged to court. The PPRO, who decried incessant beheading in the state, said the police would also investigate if the two brothers had hand in the first two beheading. Just a day after U.S President, Donald Trump had a phone conversation with Nigerias President Muhammadu Buhari, Power Africa, an initiative by the US government to light up Africa, on Tuesday said it was planning to invest about one billion dollars on the power sector in Nigeria, Vanguard reports. The programmes coordinator, Mr Andrew Herscowitz announced this in Abuja at a news conference on strengthening the power sector in Nigeria. He further said; Since Power Africa was launched, the U.S. Trade Development Agency has committed approximately 6.5 million dollars in funding for 10 activities supporting Nigerias energy sector, which could leverage up to 2.7 billion dollars in investment. It has advanced 50 million dollars in financing from the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) to Lumos, a Nigeria-based solar energy company, to scale up its off grid solar power service to about 200,000 Nigerian homes and businesses. Power Africa has supported power companies in the country to the tune of 100 million dollars capital expenditure credit enhancement facility with a corresponding 6.5 million dollars in technical assistance, he added. Source: EnergyMixReport Customs agents in New York, USA said a man arriving from Guyana was found to be smuggling 4 pounds of cocaine inside six pairs of shoes. U.S. Customs and Border Protection said Amaziah Hohenkirk, a Guyanese citizen, was stopped after arriving at John F. Kennedy International Airport from Georgetown, Guyana, via Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. Officers searched Hohenkirks luggage and discovered six pairs of shoes that contained hidden stores of white powder that tested positive for cocaine. Customs officials said the cocaine weighed about 4 pounds and is worth an estimated $67,000 on the streets. This latest seizure demonstrates the vigilance of our CBP officers, and their excellence in detecting those who would try to smuggle these illegal substances, said Robert E. Perez, Director of Field Operations New York for CBP. Hohenkirk is facing federal narcotics smuggling charges brought by the U.S. Attorneys Office in the U.S. Eastern District Court of New York. U.S. ECONOMY IS IN TROUBLE Alpine Trading - Sat Nov 5, 4:35PM CDT Never Mind the nonsense, here is the RISK-OFF trade of the YEAR! Power blackouts hit Ukraine amid heavy Russian shelling AP - Sat Nov 5, 3:57PM CDT Ukraines state electricity operator has announced regular scheduled blackouts in Kyiv and seven other regions of the country in the aftermath of Russias devastating strikes on energy infrastructure... $SPX : 3,770.55 (+1.36%) $DOWI : 32,403.22 (+1.26%) $IUXX : 10,857.03 (+1.56%) November Rain Sidwell Strategies - Sat Nov 5, 2:31PM CDT US elections Tuesday; USDA reports Wednesday Climate activists block private jets at Amsterdam airport AP - Sat Nov 5, 7:48AM CDT Hundreds of climate protesters have blocked private jets from leaving Amsterdams Schiphol Airport in a demonstration on the eve of the COP27 United Nations climate meeting in Egypt $SPX : 3,770.55 (+1.36%) $DOWI : 32,403.22 (+1.26%) $IUXX : 10,857.03 (+1.56%) Two self-storage projects are under development along U.S. Highway 321 in Lenoir City, Tenn. One is a conversion of a former boat dealership, while the other is a newly built site. Volunteer Storage, which operates six properties in East Tennessee, is converting the Great Wakes boat dealership at 1272 Highway 321 N. into a storage facility containing 3,200 square feet of interior vehicle storage as well as 80 interior climate-controlled units and more than 100 outdoor vehicle-parking spaces, according to the source. The property, which is nearing completion, will be open 24 hours a day and include a wash bay and security cameras. The conversion included tearing out 9,000 square feet of finished space in the existing building and transforming the kitchen and office areas to storage units. The propertys firewalls remained intact, the source reported. The facility will also serve residents from Farragut and West Knoxville, Tenn., said Buddy Brackfield of Brackfield & Associates, which owns the Volunteer Storage brand. Obviously, the growth for Lenoir City is northbound, he added. And were on the northbound side of [Interstate 40]. Weve got easy access across [Highway] 321, and so it makes good sense where we are for this location. The ground-up facility, Secure Pack Storage at 1325 Highway 321, is slated to open in April. Owned by Mark and Shirley Vaughan, the property will comprise 350 storage units, with more than half being climate-controlled, as well as 40 vehicle-parking spaces. The site will also contain a conference room and a retail store that sells moving and packing supplies. One of the Vaughans goals for the facility is to appeal to female customers. The property will feature upbeat music, wrought-iron fencing and video cameras, Shirley Vaughan said. Although the Loudon County Planning, Zoning and Development Commission questioned whether it was a good idea to have two similar facilities in proximity, both owners said the sites will complement one another. I said, McDonalds and Wendys, arent they side-by-side? And CVS and Walgreens [are] side-by-side? So, I dont see that as an issue, Brackfield said. Mary Jo White, who stepped down as chairwoman of the Securities and Exchange Commission in January, is returning to Debevoise & Plimpton to become the law firms senior chair. At Debevoise, White will focus on counseling boards of directors and representing clients, including companies affected by government investigations, according to a statement Wednesday from the law firm. White chaired its litigation department from 2002 to 2013 before being nominated by former President Obama to head the SEC. Simply put, Mary Jo is a giant in the legal profession, Michael W. Blair, Debevoises presiding partner, says in the statement. Few, if any, other lawyers have garnered the respect and admiration that Mary Jo has throughout her distinguished career. In nearly four years as chair of the SEC, White is one of the longest-serving leaders of the agency. During her tenure, the SEC added more protection for mutual fund investors and brought more enforcement actions than any other three-year period in SEC history. Before joining Debevoise in 2002, White served as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, the only woman to have held the post. Her return makes her the second former SEC official to return to Debevoise this year. In January, the law firm said that Andrew Ceresney, who served under White as director of the SECs Division of Enforcement, was rejoining the law firm to become co-chair of the litigation department. Allocators surveyed by J.P. Morgan dont plan on dropping hedge funds but nearly all expect lower fees in 2017. Hedge funds largely fell short of investor performance targets last year even as allocators scaled back return expectations. Two-thirds of investors surveyed by J.P. Morgan said they set a return target of below 10 percent for their hedge fund portfolios in 2016, an increase from the 46 percent who did so in 2014. Yet returns continued to disappoint, with three-quarters of respondents reporting that hedge funds did not meet their return targets last year, up from two-thirds in 2015. The latest edition of the annual survey collected responses from 234 institutional investors including pensions, endowments, and funds-of-funds who invest a combined $750 billion in hedge funds. The survey found that disappointing performance remained the primary cause of hedge fund redemptions. Of investors surveyed, 80 percent withdrew from at least one hedge fund in 2016. Three-quarters of these respondents cited performance as the reason, while just over half wanted to reduce their exposure to a particular strategy. Hedge funds as an industry earned 5.57 percent in 2016, according to the HFRI Fund Weighted Composite Index. The Standard & Poors 500 stock index, by comparison, gained 11.23 percent. Roughly a third of investors attributed the low returns to crowding specifically, too many managers chasing the same limited trading opportunities. Just under a quarter said underperformance was likely the result of macroeconomic factors. Still, 67 percent of investors said they planned to maintain their allocation to hedge funds in 2017, while an additional 20 percent intended to invest more in the asset category. Three-quarters said they would reallocate to different managers, while roughly half planned to switch up the strategies they invested in. Global macro, distressed credit, and fundamental long-short equity were chosen as the top three strategies most likely to outperform this year. Across the board, investors said they expected fees to decrease in 2017, with 90 percent of respondents anticipating lower fees up from 60 percent in 2016 and 2015. Over the course of last year, 40 percent of investors said they had negotiated fee rates with hedge fund managers. Few still paid the traditional 2-and-20, with 94 percent of respondents paying an average management fee of below 2 percent. More than 80 percent said their performance fees averaged below 20 percent. In addition, 57 percent of respondents predicted higher implementation of hurdle rates by hedge fund managers in 2017, while 40 percent expected improvements in transparency. Goldman Sachs Asset Management is purchasing the portion of Veruss outsourced chief investment officer business that is focused on large pension plans. Verus, based in Seattle, will transfer $21 billion in assets under supervision to GSAMs outsourcing business, which provides customized asset allocation, portfolio construction, and risk management to corporate pensions, endowments, foundations and insurers. Delta Air Liness pension plan is one of the large clients being transferred to GSAM, according to a person with knowledge of the deal. The purchase, expected to be announced as soon as today, should close by the middle of the year. A GSAM spokesman declined to comment on any Verus clients. Jeffrey Scott, who is CIO of Verus and runs its strategic partnership business, will be joining GSAM, whose outsourcing business represents $93.5 billion in client assets. Veruss deputy CIO Omer Tareen, Scott Day, a managing director, and several supporting portfolio management staff and analysts will also join GSAM. Scott, the former CIO of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp., joined Verus in 2011. Verus will continue to provide outsourcing services to mid-market institutional clients with assets below $5 billion. Jeffrey MacLean, the firms CEO, says its large plan business required technical and operational support that was not key to its core business of mid-market plans. This transaction allows Verus to go back to our original strategy, which is to focus on OCIO opportunities that are more in keeping with where we believe the market is: plans that are smaller than $5 bill and have no internal staffs, MacLean says. Verus will also keep its traditional consulting, risk management and private markets consulting businesses. Goldman recently made a similar acquisition. GSAM announced in 2015 a deal to buy Pacific Global Advisors, a provider of investment and risk management services to large pension plans, from Pacific Life Insurance Company. The business had more than $18 billion of assets under supervision at the time. After a stormy 2016 that culminated in a takeover bid from a global insurance giant, the head of Australia's largest travel insurer is looking forward to a stronger 2017. Cover-More Group CEO Mike Emmett has revealed that the company's growth plans are focused around increasing its distributors around the world. "We've said we're not going to be limited by the geographies we operate in, so we are targeting distribution partners in the airline industry around the world," Emmett told Australian Financial Review. The insurer is planning to double the number of its airline partners over the next two years. It is currently partners with five airlines Air New Zealand, Malaysia Airlines, Virgin Australia, Hong Kong Express, and Go Air, India. It is also seeking to forge deals with global travel agencies, banks, and insurers. Speaking about the surprise $741 million bid by Zurich for the travel insurer in December last year, Emmett said its success will be a boon for the company. "There are clearly going to be opportunities for us, there will be occasions where Zurich have existing relationships with large airlines that we wouldn't have targeted because of scale or credibility," he told AFR. Want the latest insurance industry news first? Sign up for our completely free newsletter service now. Cover-More posted an adjusted EBITDA up 2% to 20.8 million in the period to December 31, and confirmed its earnings guidance for full year 2017 at between $54 million and $57 million, the report said. Net profit after tax rose 5.4% to $8.6 million. The insurer did not declare an interim dividend, but intends to declare a $0.05 per share special dividend if the Zurich deal gets approved by shareholders. "In our view, the 2017 half-year results reflected the fact the company is very much in strategy reset mode as it moves from a geographic based business model to an industry vehicle model," Bell Potter analyst John O'Shea told AFR. "Integration costs now, with benefits to flow from full year 2018." The company had a busy 2016, having acquired Travelex Insurance Services in the US, signed a new underwriting agreement with Berkshire Hathaway, and reduced operating costs. The Cover-More head expressed optimism over the company's future earnings potential. "I'm positive and optimistic in terms of the progress we've made over the last few years to continue to improve the business. The earning forecast we've made for the full year is a significant improvement on last year's EBITDA," he told AFR. Related stories: Zurich announces $741 million acquisition Cover-More Group makes US acquisition An award-winning specialist insurance law firm has announced the promotion of two lawyers in its Adelaide office. Gilchrist Connell has promoted associates Anita Filleti and Rachel Teh to senior associates, following the announcement that employment practices liability and management liability specialist, Joel Zyngier, was appointed principal of the firms Melbourne office. Both Filleti and Teh joined the company in 2009. They handle a variety of cases, from professional indemnity, casualty, and CTP. Filleti also has experience in employment practices liability claims. Want the latest insurance industry news first? Sign up for our completely free newsletter service now. Its a great perk of my job to help support the careers of highly talented individuals like Anita and Rachel, said Richard Wood, managing principal. Their promotions are fully deserved and I look forward to their continued achievements and success with us congratulations. Gilchrist Connell won the Australian Law Awards' Insurance Team of the Year in 2016. Related stories: Gilchrist Connells EPL/ML national head promoted to principal Gilchrist Connell makes six senior promotions In its pre-budget submission, a major industry body has urged the Federal Government to re-consider its decision to not go ahead with a $200 million a year disaster mitigation funding. The Insurance Council of Australia has proposed to increase federal mitigation spending to $200 million a year, as recommended by the Productivity Commission Report into Natural Disaster Funding Arrangements. ICA CEO Rob Whelan said insurers were concerned about the striking imbalance between the government funding for preventing and mitigating disasters, to the amount spent on recovering from their aftermath. Whelan said: In June last year, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull stood on the rebuilt levee system that shielded Launceston from severe flooding, and noted the need for a greater focus on natural disaster mitigation. Yet less than six months later, the government announced it would not boost mitigation funding to the level recommended by the Productivity Commission. He said May's budget presents the Turnbull Government with the opportunity to rethink the decision for protecting communities against natural disasters. Want the latest insurance industry news first? Sign up for our completely free newsletter service now. Lifting federal mitigation spending to $200 million a year, matched by the states, will save significantly greater sums over time by reducing the need to repeatedly rebuild communities after disasters hit, Whelan said. It will also spare many vulnerable communities the distress of seeing homes, business and other treasured possessions destroyed, and improve their long-term viability. Whelan said that athough last May's budget saw the increase in federal funding for the National Partnership on Natural Disaster Resilience from $13.4 million to $52.2 million in 2016-17, there is still more to be done. The Productivity Commission found funding for reconstruction and recovery consumed 97% of disaster funding in Australia, compared with only 3% that went towards mitigation and community resilience measures, he said. With predictions that the annual cost of natural disasters will rise from $9 billion today to $33 billion by 2050, starting to reverse this funding approach will save lives, property, and money. At a time when parts of Western Australia are under water and much of NSW is burning, its important to recognise that prevention is better than cure when it comes to disasters. Related stories: Actuaries highlight climate change risks in report Climate change driving more risks than ever before Global insured disaster losses hit four-year high The use of autonomous technology in cars could help the insurance industry save lives and money, an expert has said. While fully autonomous cars may be making headlines the world over for the impact they will have on roads and the insurance industry, other aspects of autonomous technology that are already available could see dramatic reductions in both injuries and insurance claims. Autonomous emergency braking (AEB) alone could see a 25% reduction in injuries and potentially a 10%-15% drop in overall insurance costs, IAG head of research, Robert McDonald believes and this is just the beginning. In Australia alone, the industry spends about $400 million on low speed breaking and reversing claims, McDonald told Insurance Business. Part of that AEB, in conjunction with automatic parking, has the potential to reduce or eliminate that cost. Want the latest insurance industry news first? Sign up for our completely free newsletter service now. McDonald noted that as the technology becomes more widespread in vehicles of all price brackets, the technology itself becomes smarter, cheaper and more effective. This will help the insurance industry lower costs. With further steps towards full automation, McDonald said that the insurance industry will still have a key role in the all-important motor market. As domestic and commercial vehicles move towards automation, repair costs in the event of a crash will become more expensive, as will repairs following adverse weather or technical faults. This means that insurance will still be needed. McDonald said that the trucking industry could be one of the first to see large scale automation on highways. City environments are proving to be more difficult for autonomous driving but technology already exists that could help the trucking industry lower costs through long-distance automation. For brokers, autonomous upgrades in trucking could impact their businesses with lower insurance costs. However, McDonald noted that the full impact of autonomous technology on the industry could take several years to fully develop. Related stories: Insurance has key part in driverless future IAG calls for more autonomous tech London insurance fraud detectives have arrested a 45-year-old woman who allegedly faked her own death to obtain insurance money. According to the insurance fraud enforcement department (IFED) of the City of London Police, the unidentified woman faked her own death in Zanzibar, Tanzania to enable her family to make a 140,000 false life insurance claim in her name. Want the latest insurance industry news first? Sign up for our completely free newsletter service now. The womans son and his guardian made the insurance claim in May 2016, saying she had died in a car crash in Zanzibar. They provided documents including a death certificate and road traffic accident reports. The insurance company tried to verify the womans death, but found the documents to be suspicious. They then decided not to pay the claim and referred the case to IFED, which launched an investigation. Detectives arrested and interviewed the son, aged 18 and from Walsall, who admitted that his mother was alive and living in Canada. The police then contacted the woman and asked her to return to the UK. She was arrested at Perry Barr police station in Birmingham. The woman and her son have been bailed to return to the police station in April. The sons guardian aged 24 and also from Walsall was interviewed under caution. Related stories: The Nevada Attorney Generals office is seeking stiffer penalties for insurance fraudsters who stage fake traffic accidents to collect payouts.Assembly Bill 15, filed on behalf of Attorney General Adam Laxalt by the Assembly Committee on Commerce and Labor, proposes to hike the jail term for convicted insurance fraudsters from one to four years, to two to 10 years.These staged accident rings operate like organized criminal enterprises, Laxalts bureau chief for criminal justice Jeffery Segal, was quoted as saying in a Las Vegas Review Journal report. Segal further told the publication that these rings entrap unwitting motorists into paying with cash or filing false injury claims.Furthermore, the bill fielded a proposed increase of fines from the current limit of $5,000 per offense to $10,000 per offense.However, opponents of the bill were sceptical that the new measures would yield the desired effect and instead proposed investments in the training of police and prosecutors to combat the problem. Brokers should know drone insurance is available through many means including specialist aviation policies and on-demand apps, as well as the limited expansion of commercial general liability policies, according to an aerospace insurance companys executive risk manager.Global Aerospace, the leading provider of aerospace insurance, announced a new online portal for Unmanned Aircraft Systems, allowing clients to buy coverage with their credit card on Wednesday, and offered insight on the market.One of the things weve heard a lot recently is people rely on their standard general liability policy to provide them with a coverage in some limited way, Chris Proudlove, Global Aerospaces senior vice president and manager of UAS Risks.We dont fully understand how other language in those policies may affect drone writeback. We would certainly recommend a specific policy taken out with the aviation market.Insurance Business reported earlier this year on Orlando, Florida becoming the most recent jurisdiction to require drone operators of all kinds take out coverage.There appears to be no federal appetite for that in the US but that doesnt mean that states and other local jurisdictions wont adopt their own rules, Proudlove said.Its mandated in Europe for commercial operators.Though its not the greatest of vulnerabilities, a potential risk drone operators run involves traditional aviation interference.Were yet to see any proven cases of a drone colliding with an airliner or getting close enough to bring one down, but certainly that risk exists, Proudlove said.Theres also a risk not just physically, but with radio signals getting mixed up with airline traffic or other infrastructure.Proudlove maintained that its enthusiasts accidentally flying drones into pedestrians that poses the largest exposure.The primary risk is to people who may be close to where the drone is operating. Property damage is also a hazard as well as business interruption, Proudlove said.Lots of our clients insure their drones for repairs but mostly its legal liability. Capital BlueCross, a health solutions and insurance company headquartered in Harrisburg, Penn., has announced Susan Hubley as the companys new vice president of corporate social responsibility. Hubley was most recently the director of community affairs at Highmark Blue Shield in Camp Hill, Penn. Hubley brings nearly 30 years of community relations experience to Capital BlueCross. She will lead a team focused on strengthening outreach initiatives and the corporate giving process. This includes community partnerships and events, as well as expanding growth and relationships. Hubley will lead the companys volunteer strategy, driving the Capital BlueCross mission of engaging employees and supporting communities. Additionally, Hubley will work to raise awareness and grow the companys participation in the Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP) through education and community outreach in the Capital BlueCross service area. As a partner in the communitys health for nearly 80 years, Capital BlueCross offers health insurance products, services and technology solutions for consumers and promotes health and wellness for customers. The company delivers solutions through a family of diversified businesses in an effort to create a healthier future and lower health care costs. Among these solutions are patient-focused care models, leading-edge data analytics and digital health technologies. Additionally, Capital BlueCross is growing a network of Capital Blue stores that provide in-person service to help people reach their health goals. Capital BlueCross is an independent licensee of the BlueCross BlueShield Association. Source: Capital BlueCross Topics Pennsylvania A Haitian man has admitted in federal court he was involved in a scheme to stage dozens of car crashes in Connecticut and collected up to $30,000 per wreck by submitting bogus insurance claims. Jacques Fleurijeune, also known as Magic, pleaded guilty on Monday to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud. He faces up to two decades in prison. The 27-year-old Fleurijeune, who last resided in New London, admitted he was personally involved in a staged crash in Norwich in October 2013. A fellow participant crashed a vehicle and Fleurijeune replaced the person in the drivers seat. He then told law enforcement officers he was driving and swerved into a tree to avoid a deer. Prosecutors say Fleurijeune and others plotted to stage about 50 crashes in the state. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Connecticut Following the completion of its acquisition of Bluefin earlier this year, Marsh announced that it had appointed a new management team for its combined Jelf and Bluefin business. Led by Phil Barton as CEO, the new management team is drawn from across Jelf, Bluefin and Marsh, the company stated. In line with its ambition to become the UKs leading community broker and client adviser, Marsh said the business will be centered around the client under a combined regional model. Barton will lead the Scotland & The Lakes region in addition to his role as CEO. Jerry Wilson from Jelf becomes managing director for the South East of England region; Mike Owen from Bluefin becomes managing director for the South West, Midlands & South Wales region; and Simon Bland of Jelf becomes managing director for the North of England region. Claire Hunt of Bluefin is appointed HR director, and Graeme Lalley, also of Bluefin, becomes chief information officer of the combined business. Marshs Oranye Emembolu is appointed chief financial officer. Duncan Carter will remain managing director, Direct & Partnerships, which includes the companies broker networks; affinity; personal lines; and specialist businesses, including Sport & Professions; as well as SME Insurance Services. All of those appointed will report to Barton. With these appointments, we have moved fast to integrate Jelf and Bluefins leadership into a single team reflecting the best talent across the whole business, said Mark Weil, CEO of Marsh UK & Ireland. Over recent weeks, I have spent time with Jelf and Bluefin colleagues who clearly share our vision of enabling clients to manage risk more effectively by drawing on the combined capabilities of Marsh, Jelf and Bluefin. I am excited about what we can achieve together for our clients and cannot think of a better team to work with to transform clients ability to manage risk, Weil added. Our business will always be at the heart of the communities we serve, commented Barton. By moving to a regional model for our combined Jelf and Bluefin business, we will be able to deliver our whole proposition, including employee benefits, commercial and personal insurance as well as our full range of specialist services to all of our clients across the UK. As part of the changes, Rob Organ, formerly CEO of Bluefin, will leave the business. Weil said: We thank Rob for his tremendous contribution to Bluefin over the last few years and wish him well in his future endeavors. Related: Topics New Markets Human Resources Ukraine on Wednesday accused Russian hackers of targeting its power grid, financial system and other infrastructure with a new type of virus that attacks industrial processes, the latest in a series of cyber offensives against the country. Oleksandr Tkachuk, Ukraines security service chief of staff, said at a press conference that the attacks were orchestrated by the Russian security service with help from private software firms and criminal hackers, and looked like they were designed by the same people who created malware known as BlackEnergy. Russias Federal Security Service (FSB) could not be reached for comment. Moscow has repeatedly denied accusations from Kiev that it has been waging a cyber war on Ukraine since relations between the two countries collapsed following Moscows 2014 annexation of Crimea and the outbreak of Russian-backed separatist fighting in Ukraines Donbass region. The allegations are the latest sign that Russias behavior in conflict areas has not changed markedly since Donald Trump became U.S. president last month, calling for warmer relations between Washington and Moscow. The new attacks caused some of Ukraines cyber defenders to cancel plans to attend this weeks RSA cyber security conference in San Francisco, according to one Western expert familiar with the situation. If the allegations are confirmed, that could help Ukraine further its case for the United States to help coordinate a multi-national effort to counter the threat of Russian cyber warfare. There is a global cyber war of Russia against (the) whole world, President Petro Poroshenko told Reuters in an interview in January at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Ukraine said Russia made 6,500 cyber attacks on it in November and December alone. Ukraine blamed hackers for knocking out part of Kievs power grid in December, and for attacks on the defense and finance ministries and the State Treasury. Tkachuk said at Wednesdays press conference that malicious software used in the campaign was designed to attack specific industrial processes. As an example, he said that the code included modules that sought to harm equipment inside the electric grid. Russian hackers and infobots become an important tool of the aggression against our country, Tkachuk said. He said the attacks employed a mechanism dubbed Telebots to infect computers that control infrastructure. Slovakian cyber-security firm ESET used the same name in December to identify the hacking group responsible for attacks on Ukraines financial sector and energy industries. ESET said it believed that Telebots had evolved from BlackEnergy, a hacking group that attacked Ukraines energy industry starting in December 2015. ESET researcher Cameron Camp said that the latest attack software sounded like a modest adaptation of an program his firm had published a report on in December. Both campaigns were carefully targeted, opened back doors, sent out certain types of files to unknown masters, and downloaded tools that can wipe out those files. Without directly attributing the attack to the Russians, Camp said If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, its duck-like. Separately on Wednesday, cyber security firm CyberX said that it had uncovered a separate espionage operation in Ukraine that had compromised more than 60 victims. Victims of the malware included an energy ministry, a scientific research institute and a firm that designs remote monitoring systems for oil & gas pipelines, according to CyberX. CyberX Chief Technology Officer Nir Giller said he was not sure who was behind the operation, but suspected it was conducting reconnaissance for launching further attacks. (Writing by Matthias Williams and Jim Finkle; additional reporting by Joseph Menn and Dustin Volz in San Francisco; editing by Dominic Evans and Grant McCool) Related: Topics Cyber Russia Kyle Orndorff has been promoted to lead insurance broker in IMA Inc.s Wichita, Kan., operations. He will oversee a team of nearly 200 employees and manage IMAs service to clients in the greater Kansas area. Formerly chief people officer for the IMA Financial Group Inc., Orndorffs accomplishments includes creating a 700-employee work environment that has been recognized by Fortune Magazine as a Top Place to Work for Parents, establishing training programs to retain 97 percent of clients and managing talent that has helped IMA regularly outpace industry growth benchmarks. He joined IMA in 2004. To accompany Orndorffs promotion, Valerie Metcalfe has been promoted to vice president and director of human resources for IMA Financial Group, the parent company of IMA Inc. She has been with IMA for 11 years and previously managed multiple functions within the HR department. Source: IMA Inc. Topics Human Resources About 20 employees from a manufacturing plant in Kansas Reno County were sent to the hospital on Feb. 13 after being exposed to carbon monoxide in the workplace. SYT USA official Alex Birkenfeldt tells The Hutchinson News that employees were suspicious something was wrong when they began complaining of headaches at the plant. They were all evacuated a couple of hours later. Birkenfeldt says the hospitalizations are a precautionary measure after emergency medical personnel conducted evaluations on-site. The employees conditions were not immediately available. While firefighters at the scene said carbon monoxide levels were high, Birkenfeldt says the exposure was due to a leak in one of the gas heaters. The heater has since been shut down. SYT USA manufactures fiberglass parts and composite parts.15 Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Kansas In a blow to President Donald Trump as he tries to assemble his administration, his nominee for labor secretary, Andrew Puzder, withdrew his name from consideration on Wednesday amid concerns that he could not garner enough Senate votes to be confirmed. Puzders decision to withdraw is yet another setback this week for a White House still grappling with fallout from Monday nights abrupt resignation of national security adviser Michael Flynn, after less than a month in the job. Puzder, the chief executive officer of CKE Restaurants Inc., which franchises fast-food chains including Hardees and Carls Jr, has been at the center of a swirl of controversies, complaints and potential conflicts. He admitted earlier this month that he and his wife had employed an undocumented person as a housekeeper. He faced a flurry of complaints and legal cases brought in recent weeks and months by workers against his business and its franchises. Most recently, a decades-old Ophrah Winfrey tape raising allegations of domestic abuse by his ex-wife resurfaced, though those allegations had been withdrawn. After careful consideration and discussions with my family, I am withdrawing my nomination for Secretary of Labor, Puzder said in a statement. Puzders withdrawal came one day before his scheduled confirmation hearing. At least seven Republican senators, including Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, declined to publicly back Puzder in advance of the confirmation hearing. For weeks now, Republican senators have been telling Senator John Cornyn, the second-highest ranking Republican, that they believed some of their colleagues would join Collins and Murkowski in opposing Puzder, according to a senior Senate Republican aide. DEMOCRATS CHEER The Labor Department oversees compliance with federal laws that mandate safe working conditions, a minimum hourly wage, overtime wages and prohibit employment discrimination. As labor secretary, Puzder would have shaped the departments approach to these issues, including whether to defend an Obama administration rule expanding overtime pay to millions of workers that has been challenged in the courts. Earlier this month, Puzder admitted he and his wife had employed an undocumented person as a housekeeper and had to pay back taxes as a result. Workers at some of CKEs restaurants have filed claims in recent weeks alleging they were victims of wage theft or victims of sexual harassment in the workplace. Another possible problem were allegations dating back to 1986 that Puzder had physically abused his now ex-wife, Lisa Henning, now known as Lisa Fierstein. Fierstein filed for divorce in 1987 and later retracted her allegations, but not before appearing anonymously as a victim of domestic abuse on The Oprah Winfrey Show. Last week, the OWN Network released a copy of that tape to the Senate committee so both Democratic and Republican members could view it, according to an aide. Democrats on Wednesday cheered over the news of Puzders withdrawal. From the start, its been clear that Puzder is uniquely unqualified to serve as secretary of labor, said Patty Murray, the ranking member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. (Additional reporting by Timothy Ahmann, Richard Cowan, Robert Iafolla and Amanda Becker; Editing by Linda Stern and Leslie Adler) Topics Politics An Arkansas Senate committee has advanced a proposed constitutional amendment that would ask voters to limit some attorneys fees and punitive damages in court cases. The Senate State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee voted on Feb. 14 to advance the proposal to the full Senate. The panel did so after Arkansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Dan Kemp testified against the measure. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports that the resolutions sponsor, Republican Sen. Missy Irvin of Mountain View, says she will ask the Senate to vote on her proposal today. She says the measure would reduce legal judgments against healthcare providers, which would lead to a decrease in medical malpractice insurance rates. Lawmakers can propose up to three constitutional amendments this session for voters to consider in the 2018 general election. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Arkansas A townhome community in Mount Pleasant, S.C., has won a $7 million verdict against an Atlanta builder for what the townhome owners said was inferior work. The Post and Courier of Charleston reported a jury returned the verdict for the Waverly at Hamlin Plantation Townhome Association for faulty construction. The homeowners sued John Wieland Homes and Neighborhoods of the Carolinas in 2013 over claims of rotting front porches, building code violations and defects in roofing, siding and window installation. Keith McCarty said his clients are happy with the verdict. Homeowners association president Stephen Denby said the award will allow members to repair their homes. Defense attorney Teddy Manos says the builder is considering an appeal. Manos would not comment further about the verdict. The homes were built between 2005 and 2009. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Lawsuits Homeowners Construction South Carolina A federal judge in Alabama is refusing to dismiss an environmental groups lawsuit over alleged chemical contamination in the Tennessee River. The Decatur Daily reports U.S. District Judge Abdul Kallon wont throw out claims in a lawsuit filed by the Tennessee Riverkeeper organization. The lawsuit names 3M Co., BFI Waste Systems of Alabama and the city of Decatur. The environmental group claims companies knowingly discharged hazardous chemicals into the Tennessee River and contaminated drinking water. Federal agencies say the chemicals may cause cancer and other health problems, with infants and young children most at risk. The companies and the city deny doing anything wrong. They asked the judge to dismiss the lawsuit for multiple reasons, including cleanup work thats continuing at 3M. The judge refused to end the suit. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Lawsuits Legislation Tennessee Alabama A federal jury in Sacramento, Calif. has convicted a hacker accused of breaking into more than 100,000 of American Express accounts and handing off funds to Russia. The Sacramento Bee reported that 37-year-old Mihran Melkonyan on Tuesday was found guilty of 26 counts of wire and mail fraud. Prosecutors say Melkonyan and two other defendants compromised the American Express accounts of 119,000 customers all over the U.S., making off with $300,000 and $400,000 through phony online businesses created with identities stolen from Sacramento-area high school students. Melkonyans attorney argued his client wasnt a major player and that his two co-defendants were in charge of the operation. Ruslan Kirilyuk disappeared Feb. 7 while awaiting trial and Aleksandr Maslov is being examined for his mental competency. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics California Prior to joining Hogan Lovells, Howard was a partner at Linklaters. Howard focuses his practice on counseling corporate clients on tax planning and structuring , and transactional matters. Earlier in his career, he served as special counsel to the IRS Chief Counsel, where he assisted in developing regulations and other administrative guidance involving corporate, partnership and international tax matters. The parliamentary event at the 61st Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) will be held in New York on 17 March 2017. The event, entitled Empowering parliaments to empower women; Making the economy work for women, is hosted by the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women). The event will focus on the paramount role parliaments can play in identifying and addressing obstacles to womens economic empowerment, in ensuring that social and economic policies answer men and womens needs, and in monitoring their implementation and actual impact. The morning session will focus on measures to lift the barriers to womens economic empowerment. It will look in particular at how discrimination in customary and legal norms related to marriage, inheritance, land, property and personal status, and the lack of measures to combat violence against women, constitute major obstacles to womens economic empowerment and how to tackle them. Two sessions will take place in the afternoon. The first, on empowering women at work, will focus, among other items, on what policies have proven most useful in ensuring gender equality at work and addressing sexual harassment; what policies, laws and programmes can best contribute to sharing unpaid care work more equally among men and women. The second session will focus on parliaments role in promoting the financial inclusion of women, including but not limited to, contributing to mapping out womens needs; regulating the financial sector and ensuring that a gender perspective is applied in the design and implementation of fiscal and budget policies. Finally, the meeting will provide an opportunity to contribute to the debates at the CSW whose priority theme this year is Womens economic empowerment in the changing world of work. N.B. The ECOSOC Chamber has interpretation facilities and interpretation in Arabic, English, French and Spanish will be provided. In addition to the parliamentary meeting, the IPU is organizing in the following side events: Sexism, harassment and violence against women MPs on 14 March 2017, 3-5 p.m., at Uganda House (336 E 45th St, New York), organized by IPU and the Permanent Mission of Canada Rising Extremism, Macro-Economic Policies, and the Relevance of Gendered Analysis on 16 March 2017, 9 to 10:45 a.m., at Uganda House (336 E 45th St, New York), organized by UNDP, IPU, the Permanent Mission of Denmark and ICAN Equality in politics: another 50 years to reach 50-50? on 16 March 1:15 to 2:30 p.m., in Conference Room A - Conference Building, United Nations Headquarters, New York, co-organized by Trinidad and Tobago, the IPU and Un Women Gender Equality in Nationality Laws on 16 March 2017, 2:45-4:15 p.m., at Uganda House (336 E 45th St, New York) New York, NY 10017, organized by IPU and UNCHR Breaking the Cycle of Violence against Girls and Boys: The Role of Parliamentarians , on 16 March 2017, 2:45-4:15 p.m., Danny Kaye, UNICEF House, (3 UN Plaza, East 44th Street 336 New York), organized by UNICEF, the Permanent Mission of Bulgaria to the UN, the Permanent Mission of Panama to the UN and the Inter-Parliamentary Union Violence against women in politics : Name it, investigate it, eliminate it on 16 March, 4:45 to 6 p.m., Conference Room A - Conference Building, United Nations Headquarters, organized by the IPU N.B. The conference rooms do not have interpretation facilities and these side events will be held in English only. We are also launching the 2017 edition of the Women in Politics map at a press conference on 15 March, 12:15 to 12:45, at the News Conference Room, UN Secretariat Building, United Nations Headquarters, New York. The Late Late Show is pulling out the big guns tonight with Hollywood A-lister Eric Bana joing Tubs on the show. The Australian actor will be taking to the leather couch to discuss working with Irish director Jim Sheridan on his upcoming movie The Secret Scripture. The star, who has previously acted in hit movies such as Hulk, Munich and The Time Traveller's Wife will also talk about his career and starting out as a comedian and chatshow host. Also on the show will be The Saturday's Una Healy who will be telling Tubs all about her new solo material and returning to her country roots. Una will also be treating the audience to a performance of her latest single. One of Ireland's most famous priests, Fr Brian D'Arcy is another guest on tomorrow night's show. He will be reflecting on his clashes with the Vatican as well as looking to the future and his views on the Church and Irish politics. Olivia O'Leary is another guest on this Friday's Late Late and she will be giving her thoughts on the turmoil engulfing Leinster House as well as an Irish perspective on Brexit and the Trump presidency. 13-year-old Megan Halvey-Ryan, one of the many people stuck on hospital waiting lists across the country will be sharing her story with the nation. Megan suffers from Scoliosis and is waiting for the help she needs, despite being diagnosed more than two years ago. Gavan Hennigan , an Irish rower, will also be in studio discussing his recent achievement. Gavan became one of the few people to row solo across the Atlantic, setting a new Irish record and becoming the fastest solo competitor in the history of the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge. Gavan will also be talking about overcoming addiction and struggles with his sexuality as well as revealing his next adventure. And if all that wasn't enough, there will also be music from country favourity Mike Denver. The Late Late Show is on RTE One at 9.35pm on Friday. Settle down for the night lads, this could be good. Officials blamed the sun and a sudden spike in temperatures for melting the ice enough for it to detach. The four climbers killed in Italy were scaling a waterfall in Gressony-Saint-Jean, in the Val d'Aosta region near the border with Switzerland, when part of the ice wall gave way. A couple have won damages after complaining that their baby son was unfairly taken from them as a result of decisions made by council social services staff. Bosses at Kirklees Council, which has offices in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, admitted breaching the human rights of mother, father and child. A High Court judge has awarded damages totalling more than 11,000. Mr Justice Cobb analysed the case at a private family court hearing in Sheffield earlier this month and announced his decision in a ruling published on Thursday. He said the couple could not be identified. The boy, now aged 15 months, was placed with grandparents by a family court judge in Huddersfield when a week old after social services staff raised concerns about his parents' ability to care for him, Mr Justice Cobb said. Social workers agreed to him returning to his parents about 10 weeks later. Mr Justice Cobb said he had lived "successfully" at home since then. The couple, who are in their 20s and have mild learning difficulties, said they had been unaware of the Huddersfield family court hearing. They said their human rights to a fair trial and to respect for family life had been infringed, as had the human rights of their son. Council bosses accepted that staff had not informed the couple of the court hearing. Mr Justice Cobb said the couple and their son had been given legal aid to fund damages claims. He said the case would see taxpayers picking up a bill of more than 130,000. Reliance Bearing and Gear Company is the largest technical distributor of MRO spares for all industries in Ireland, with three branch locations and a combined warehousing space of 40,000 sq ft. It exclusively represents many world-leading manufacturing brands, and the agriculture industry accounts for half its business. Reliance, which is a fourth-generation Cork family-owned business that started out from the back of a Model T truck in 1921 by Horace Rhodes-Kenworthy, held an open day for customers at its base in Eastgate Business Park in Little Island, Co Cork, yesterday. His great grandson, Peter Creighton, is managing director today. Having diversified over the decades as business changed and evolved in Ireland, Reliance is also a leading provider of automation and robotic solutions with a unique range of solutions dedicated to assist manufacturers to become more efficient and productive. The Reliance sales team consists of seven external technical sales engineers and 12 internal customer service team representatives. Collectively, the staff of Reliance represents over 1,000 years experience. Mr Creighton said: We have 40 excellent staff whose ability and aptitude for educating and training to respond to our customers needs means weve been able to evolve as Ireland has evolved. We adapted when Ireland became more agricultural, and when Irelands landscape changed towards the end of the 20th century with a lot of traditional manufacturing leaving, we turned to the likes of bio-pharma needs. Because the needs of the bio-pharma industry became bigger, Reliance became known for robotics and automation. A stated company aim is to also continually introduce beneficial new technologies to both manufacturing and agricultural sectors. It has partnered with Australian company Bare-Co as the exclusive distributor for Bare-Co power take-off (PTO) shafts, guards and spares in Ireland, which has established itself as one of the new standards for PTO safety. Reliance will also distribute in Europe. At its open day, Reliance had a demo van equipped with a range of newly developed components from Japanese giant SMC. Pneumatics specialists were on hand to discuss the vast array of products SMC manufacture. There was also a range of working robotic demos on display with in-house automation engineers. Mr Creighton said: We value our customers above all, it was great to see so many. The CSO figures published yesterday may be evidence the sharp drop in the value of sterling against the euro since Britain voted to leave last June is already hurting certain types of Irish firms, and agricultural products and food firms, in particular. However, the uneven pattern of falls and then rises in exports to Britain on which many jobs in Irish indigenous firms dependclouds making definitive statements about the Brexit and currency effects on Irish trade for the time being. Exports to Britain fell by 496m to 13.31bn in 2016, and imports shed 1.35bn to 15.54bn, according to the CSO figures. Particularly marked were the falls for exporting firms which are particularly exposed to the movements of the euro against sterling, with exports of food and live animals to Britain falling by 217m. Unexpectedly, the value of imports in food and live animals and animal and vegetable oils from Britain also fell last year, despite imported goods ostensibly being cheaper because of the strength of the euro. The annual drop is the largest since 2014 when exports to Britain fell by 650m. The largest drop recorded was during the financial crisis when exports collapsed by 2.1bn, in 2009. In 2015, exports to Britain had increased 1.7bn. Overall, exports of goods to all parts of the world hit a new high of 116.9bn last year, an increase of 4.5bn from 2015. Exports of electrical machinery and appliances and organic chemicals rose strongly in the year, while imports of fuels and lubricants fell sharply. The CSO figures for the single month of December showed goods exports fell by an overall 646m from November. Exports of medical and pharmaceutical goods and exports of office machinery both fell in the month, while exports of electrical machinery and appliances increased. The CSO said imports of vehicles, organic chemicals, as well as medical and pharmaceutical products fell in the month Pulling off a deal to sell the Opel division to Frances PSA Group, which owns Peugeot, will prove a deep-seated obsession with being the biggest is long gone, as GM will likely drop outside the top three among the worlds biggest automakers. It also will demonstrate Ms Barra, a company lifer, isnt wedded to the past. Kudos to her for making the right decision, said Maryann Keller, an independent auto industry consultant in Connecticut, and a longtime critic of GMs management. Opel hasnt made money in decades. This flies in the face of the cliches weve always heard that you have to be in Europe and have German engineering to be a global carmaker. Since leaving bankruptcy in 2009, Detroit-based GM has lost about $9.1bn (8.6bn) in Europe. The automaker racked up losses of a similar magnitude in the decade leading up to bankruptcy. Management struggled for years to stem the red ink in a market where the automaker lacks a reputable luxury brand or leading position in any particular country, suggesting there was no obvious way to render the business a reliable profit contributor. An exit from Europe would be the most significant yet under Ms Barra and GM president Dan Ammann to drop money-losing businesses and concentrate on profitable markets. It started in 2015, when GM shuttered production in Thailand and Indonesia, where Mr Ammann said the company posted poor results and lacked a clear path for improvement. That same year, GM largely abandoned Russia, which was reeling amid political turmoil and a sinking economy. It was a bold move considering the Renault-Nissan alliance and Ford Motor both were expanding there. GM appeared to be waving a white flag when others were staying the course. At the time, Mr Ammann said GM was perfectly willing to make the tough decision and move on if there wasnt a good business case to invest. Selling the Opel division, which also operates the UKs Vauxhall, would be far more significant than leaving Russia, where GM sold just 189,000 cars in 2014 before deciding to pull out. The company delivered 1.2m vehicles in Europe last year. Hiving off Opel would render GM a seller of fewer than 9m cars annually worldwide, after years of approaching the 10m-unit threshold crossed by Toyota and Volkswagen. GM probably would fall behind the Renault-Nissan alliance, which now includes Mitsubishi in its global tally. This is a big market to exit, so they would not be a truly global automaker, said David Whiston, an auto analyst with Morningstar. But this is indicative of the new GM that really wants to focus on returns. Exiting Europe also would signal Ms Barra is more interested in investing in North America, where GM derives most of its profits, and in China, the companys biggest and fastest-growing market of late. GM sold 3.9m cars and trucks in China last year, an increase of 7% from 2015. Management sees that market as an ideal one to achieve economies of scale for several models. Its also profitable: GMs joint ventures in the country earned nearly $2bn in equity income last year. The decision to exit is Business Strategy 101 move resources away from unattractive markets with weak completive positions, toward attractive markets with strong positions, Brian Johnson, an auto analyst at Barclays, noted. Ms Barra has said shes most focused on posting strong profits. Even with its North America business slipping a bit in the fourth quarter, GM reported a record return on invested capital of 28.9% last year. Adjusted earnings before interest and taxes climbed to a record $12.5bn. This is a very different company, one that is more focused and more disciplined, Ms Barra told analysts at a January conference in Detroit. We have changed from a culture that once was a best-efforts company to a culture that is accountable for delivering results. Ms Barra isnt the first GM executive to try to dump Opel, which the company has controlled for almost 90 years. In 2009, former CEO Fritz Henderson had an agreement with Canadian auto-parts maker Magna International to sell a majority stake. The board backed out of the deal, reckoning GM needed a presence in Europe, both to be truly global and to have the scale to defray the massive costs of investing in new models and technology. The trouble is, GM sells mostly to Europes crowded mass market, where price competition keeps margins thin. With limited sales from Cadillac, the company lacks a luxury business to generate the fatter margins made by Volkswagen, BMW and Daimler. GM lacks a captive home audience like PSA and Renault, which rely on market share in France to keep profits afloat. And Ford has a very profitable commercial-truck business that contributes to its bottom line. Bloomberg Its a risk that would be amplified by the hard Brexit the country seems to be heading for, especially if a hard Brexit increases reliance on non-EU countries for food. However, readers of the UKs Sun newspaper will be happy enough with a hard Brexit, if only to spite the Spanish supermarkets which the newspaper told them hoarded vegetables while British shoppers faced rationing. The Sun complained that the impact was mainly being felt in the UK, of the bad weather on the continent which devastatated vegetable crops. It showed pictures from Spanish shops with no shortage of fresh produce, alongside empty supermarket shelves in the UK, where shoppers were panic buying vegetables. It reported UK supermarkets restricting the number of vegetables for each customer, and stopping online sales of vegetables. Spanish growers responded, by saying they had no such complaints from buyers. They confirmed that floods in December and snow in January had reduced their crops, such as their lettuce, a major import item for the UK. Whatever about allegations of Spain hoarding vegetables, it is a fact that 38% of all foods in the UKs shops is imported. It is also a fact that drought, flooding and freezing conditions severely affected growers in southern Spain, while poor conditions also hit farmers in Italy, Greece and Turkey. Horticultural production in Spains Andalucia, Murcia and Comunidad Valenciana regions fell 20-30% in recent weeks, compared to 2015. In outdoor production, losses were concentrated in crops such as lettuce, broccoli, celery, cabbage, artichoke and endive. New plantings will be necessary of many of these crops. Plants did better in greenhouses, so these crops can be revived without new plantings. Growers expect output to recover within a few weeks. But the supply shortage led to record farm-gate price increases in the south of Spain, of 50-200% (the highest price rises were for courgette and aubergine). The price of ready-to-eat salads made by processing companies increased more than 100%. The British market is estimated to import nine out of ten of its lettuces from Spain. But vegetable prices soared also in France, and sales of vegetables throughout the European supermarket industry are believed to have fallen by millions of euros. Lithuania, for example, had sharp price rises also. French consumers saw some fresh fruits and vegetables double or triple in price. Therefore, market forces are a much more likely explanation for a shortage of vegetables in the UK, than alleged hoarding in Spain. But where would the UK, and other countries feeling the shortage, get enough vegetables, if they had not been EU members, trading freely with the Mediterranean countries which are the big all-year-round producers of fruit and vegetables ? That is the prospect facing the UK, if it goes ahead with its plan to go it alone in trade, looking to do a stand-alone deal with the EU. Its a real possibility that no trade deal is agreed between the UK and the EU. At the very least, trading costs will rise significantly. At the moment, vegetables on sale in Europe include lettuce from the Arizona desert, imported at high cost due to airfreight charges, import duties, and the strength of the dollar. Its not the first time. Europe also imported some US vegetables in 2005 and 2013. Occasional shortages are inevitable because food depends on changing climatic conditions down on the farm. Many in the industry expect the vegetable shortage to become even worse in March. It could be a taste of the future for the UK, unless it can secure a deal with the EU giving it good access to the Unions huge food production. Lee Henry from Primrose Grove in Darndale, Dublin 17 died on October 22 2016. Garda inquiries into the incident are continuing and a file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). Numerous family members attended an inquest into the young man's death which opened at Dublin Coroner's Court. The teenager's father Paul Henry gave evidence of how his son had been killed. "Lee was killed following a hit and run incident on the N32 at 9.40pm on October 22 2016. That night his mother called and told me to go straight to Temple Street Children's Hospital," Mr Henry said. A postmortem examination conducted by Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster the day after Lee's death gave the cause of death as traumatic brain injury due to a road traffic collision. Inspector Colm Healy applied for a six month adjournment of the inquest as a Garda investigation continues. "There is a forensic collision report being compiled in relation this incident and that will be of great assistance to the DPP in making a decision," Insp Healy said. Lee was rushed to hospital where he was later pronounced dead. The car involved did not stop immediately but was located shortly after by Gardai. The teen was a second year student at Donahies Community School on Streamville Road in Dublin 13. In tributes following his death the teenager was described as intelligent, kind and caring. He had been crossing the road near the entrance to Belcamp House in Clonshaugh when he was fatally injured. Coroner Dr Myra Cullinane sympathised with the family and adjourned the inquest until August 22 2017 for mention. "This is a very difficult process for you all," the coroner told relatives. Figures provided by the Department of Children also showed 56 notable incidents were recorded at Oberstown Children Detention Campus last year, including two ranked as an emergency. The Impact trade union has confirmed representatives from it will be meeting management today to discuss the findings of the report. In the data provided under Freedom of Information, 12 young people were injured last year in the north Dublin facility, and 88 staff were injured. Staff had indicated they were going on an all-out strike but in December that proposed action was deferred. Impact said it had secured an independent review on the introduction of personal protective equipment for staff working at there. Violence against staff at the centre in Lusk had been cited as the main reason for the proposed industrial action, and the figures provided to the Irish Examiner show of the 88 staff injured last year, 34 had been assaulted by a young person. Another 31 staff members were injured while trying to restrain a young person, and 23 were injured due to an accident on campus. According to the response from Irish Youth Justice Services children detention school unit: A total of 1,668 rostered days were missed as a result of injuries. This equates to 6.95 staff unavailable for work per week. The medical treatment which staff required included: physiology treatment, consultant appointments, medical surgery and continued support from clinic to hospital attendance including post support counselling. The number of work days lost as a result of stress was unavailable. Of the 12 young people injured last year, six were involved in recreational activities, three were hurt by peers, one during a restraint, and three in an accident. All 12 received medical attention on site and two were treated in hospital. Oberstown rates notable incidents across three categories: Emergency, critical, and significant. There were two grade one emergency incidents which involve the potential for imminent death and/or closure of sections of the campus. There were 41 critical incidents and 13 incidents deemed to have been significant. The response also notes that five young people absconded from the centre last August, with the longest absence for four hours 15 minutes. In August last year, serious disturbances at the centre resulted in a major fire breaking out. In a bulletin issued to its members last week, Impact said an independent report had recommended the limited use of personal protective equipment, along with other measures to improve health and safety at Oberstown. The study, commissioned from Tom Beegan and Associates in response to union concerns, called for the full implementation of a safety, health and welfare management system on the campus. The report had an even higher number of injuries logged than the figures provided by the department, showing 137 assault or restraint-related injuries to staff in 2016, resulting in a total of 1,826 days lost up to November. The total number of days lost to injury-related absences between 2014 and 2016 was 5,285. Dr Robert OConnor, head of research at the society, said information on the vaccine circulated via social media was post-truth and that parents should talk to health professionals rather than accepting what they read online. It is absolutely vital that people understand the importance of this vaccine in preventing cervical cancer, he said. It has been endorsed by thousands of regulatory bodies, the US Centre for Disease Control, and the World Health Organisation, he added. Dr Brenda Corcoran said the drop in uptake was of serious concern to public health officials. Everyone involved in cancer control is very concerned about this, she said. With initial figures for the 2016/2017 year indicating a drop to 50% in the uptake rate, down from 87% in 2014/2015, the HSE has written to parents offering their daughters a catch-up opportunity when the immunisation teams return to secondary schools next month to administer the second dose of the vaccine to first-year students. For girls who did not avail of the September dose, Dr Corcoran said they can be given a second catch-up dose later in the year. She warned girls could miss out on other vital vaccines if they did not present for the HPV vaccine as a tetanus booster is administered with the first dose and a meningococcal C booster with the second. Dr Corcoran blamed the drop-off in uptake rates on lobby groups claiming that the vaccine caused serious health problems despite a lack of scientific evidence to back their claims. She said sometimes health issues surfaced in girls as they entered puberty, and that hormonal changes were to blame, rather than the vaccine. There is no increase in the rate of any long-term medical conditions in girls who have been vaccinated compared to those who havent got the vaccine, she said. Each year in Ireland, around 300 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and 90 die from the disease. More than 6,500 women are diagnosed with precancerous abnormalities of the cervix caused by HPV. For more information see www.hpv.ie The jury found Michael Lynch, aged 26, who was living at Tir na Spiteoga, Inchigeelagh, Co Cork, guilty by a majority of 11-1. The victim testified that at one point he boiled water and threw it on her. What the jury at Cork Circuit Criminal Court were not told was that Lynch was serving a sentence for a separate case where he held another ex-girlfriend captive. On that occasion, he poured boiling water and sugar over her leg, causing extensive damage. Judge Sean O Donnabhain suggested that a psychiatric report on Lynch might be helpful before sentencing. He remanded him in custody until the May sessions of Cork Circuit Criminal Court for that purpose. Yesterday, the eight men and four women of the jury found Lynch guilty to falsely imprisoning Katie Nugent on November 19, 2015, at his rented home. Ms Nugent testified that she had been in a relationship with Lynch for two or three weeks but the relationship was over on November 19, 2015. She met him that night and asked him to drive her home but he drove her to his own home. Ms Nugent said: I kept asking him to bring me home. He started hitting me. He got a knife and started running towards me with a knife, it was like a bread knife, a big long knife. He was running towards me laughing. Anytime I put my hands up he would get the wall behind me... I was lying down crying. I wanted to go home. He came in with a machete and hit it off my hip. He hit me with the back of it, not the sharp side of it. He ripped the picture with the machete, a Marilyn Monroe picture. He said that is what he would do to me. It was hanging in the bedroom. He was running at me with the knife. I thought I was never going to get out of the house. I just wanted to go home and see my kids. She said that the landlord, Con OSullivan, who lived nearby, called to collect the rent and that Lynch went to the front door and spoke to him. Ms Nugent then climbed out the window, ran to the landlords house, and called the gardai. The deficiency can cause rickets, a softening of the bones, that can lead to skeletal deformities. However, when researchers followed up with the babies, there was no sign of rickets. Lead author Mairead Kiely said this was in all probability down to the diligence of mums complying with the national supplementation policy during the first year of an infants life. HSE policy is that all infants, whether breastfed or formula fed, be given a daily supplement of the vitamin. Prof Kiely, principal investigator of the maternal and child nutrition research programme at Infant, said if the deficiency had not been corrected through adherence to this policy, in all likelihood, some children would have been at risk of poor bone health. The co-director of the Cork Centre for Vitamin D and Nutrition Research said babies most at risk were those who were vitamin D deficient from birth, where it was not corrected and who were calcium deficient as well. Such cases were very rare in Ireland. At a lower level of risk, were newborns who were vitamin D deficient which was not corrected by use of supplements or where the baby continued to be breastfed after six months, instead of being weaned on to solids. If they are not weaned on to solid food until eight months, the baby is at risk of iron deficiency which can cause growth failure. She said occasionally mothers put their babies on a vegan or macrobiotic diet, and this was not appropriate. Prof Kiely said that, while there are national supplement policies and infant food guidelines for the first year of life, and healthy eating guidelines for children aged five upwards, there was a big gap for two, three and four-year-olds. There was also no policy for mums a previous study which Prof Kiely led found one in six mothers-to-be were deficient in the sunshine vitamin. If you put policies in place that are clear, parents can make the right decision. Prof Kiely is working on providing the evidence to make pregnancy-specific recommendations for vitamin D to prevent deficiency in mothers and babies. Findings from the study, published in the Journal of Steroid Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, will feed into the EC Odin project which is working to develop solutions to prevent vitamin D deficiency using a food-first approach. Prof Kiely is a co-ordinator of the Odin project. The US National Academies of Sciences and Medicine recommended that, with rigorous oversight, human gene-editing clinical trials could be allowed for serious inherited conditions. The President of the Irish Fertility Association and medical director of Cork Fertility, Dr John Waterstone, does not believe human gene-editing is ethically acceptable. It is opening a Pandoras box. It is fundamentally tampering with the genetic blueprint of life, and I think that is a step too far, said Dr Waterstone. It is a profoundly radical step for the human race to take and I am shocked that the national academies have given it the green light. I am surprised that they did not just say no, this should not happen ever. The national academies report points out that technology is advancing very rapidly making heritable genome editing a realistic possibility that deserves serious consideration. Although heritable germline genome editing trials must be approached with caution, it does not mean prohibition, the study committee said. At present, altering human germline (reproductive cells) is not allowed in the US and a number of other countries have signed an international convention that prohibits it. Many oppose it on the grounds that permitting even unambiguously therapeutic interventions could start us down a path towards non-therapeutic genetic enhancement. If restrictions are removed, and for countries where germline editing would already be permitted, the committee recommends stringent criteria that would need to be met before going forward with clinical trials. Dr Waterstone said Cork Fertility had been able to screen embryos to see which ones are free from a genetic disorder. We do preimplantation genetic diagnosis which some people would have ethical concerns about but I think it is very acceptable and at least its safe. Preimplantation genetic diagnosis is another stage within in vitro fertilisation (IVF), the process by which an egg is fertilised by sperm outside the body. So we can get around the genetic problem by choosing an embryo that will hopefully produce a baby that is not affected by the condition, but we are not interfering with the fundamental genetic code, said Dr Waterstone. The Department of Health is drafting legislation on assisted reproduction and had been working on it for some time and is aware that the planned legislation will have to address issues like human germline editing. Certainly a position about the ethical acceptability of human germline editing will need to be taken when we do have legislation to cover this whole area, said Dr Waterstone. Using human germline editing to create babies in actual clinical practice is a terribly radical thing to suggest. I would imagine that a lot of people will come out and say this is going too far and we need to be more cautious. IRELAND: Finance Minister Michael Noonan has said the Maurice McCabe crisis has brought the idea of a General Election centre stage. IRELAND: The ASTI say a decision not to hold parent-teacher meetings outside school hours has nothing to do with them. IRELAND: An Irish fertility expert says he is shocked scientists in the United States has effectively given the green light to creating genetically-modified babies. WORLD: The mystery of what happened to the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as he waited for a flight in a Malaysian airport only deepens. WORLD: Syrian President Bashar Assad has hit out at his French counterpart, accusing Francois Hollande of sponsoring terror in Syria. BUSINESS: Cork comes bottom of eight regions nationally for labour participation in an economic study released by Ibec but scores the highest in the country for the most IDA-supported jobs. SPORT: Youd think beating their Champions League last-16 opponents 5-1 would be enough for Bayern Munich, but their social media team proved just as ruthless after the game. ... SOME DISTRACTION FEATURE: An exhibition of postcards allows Irish women to anonymously post a confession SHOWBIZ: Coronation Street scriptwriters have been chastised by fans after Wednesday nights episode suggested the character Mike Baldwin may be alive, after being killed off 11 years ago. VIRAL: A seven-year-old girl who loves robots and computers got something of a shock when Google chief Sundar Pichai responded personally to her job application. The Government has also been accused of major inconsistencies in its account of how ministers managed the whistleblowers warnings of health and safety issues in the Air Corps. It comes after the Irish Examiner revealed details of a damning health-and-safety report on working conditions at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel. Speaking in the Dail, Sinn Feins Aengus O Snodaigh alleged that military authorities at Casement Aerodrome did not take the required steps when it was highlighted to them that dangerous chemicals existed. Questioning the Minister of State with Special Responsibility for Defence, Paul Kehoe on when he first became aware of the health and safety concerns, Mr O Snodaigh said that it appeared that there is a cover-up here. I have seen health and safety reports going back as far as 1995, all of which pointed specifically to the issues that were addressed in the Examiner newspaper and which a number of deputies in this house have been raising with you. So this is not a new issue, this is a cover up because the military authorities in Casement Aerodrome did not take the required steps when it was highlighted to them that dangerous chemicals existed they didnt take those steps, Mr O Snodaigh claimed. Casement Aerodrome Citing investigations published by the Irish Examiner, Fianna Fails Lisa Chambers said quite a horror story had been revealed in the Air Corps. Its very clear that major inconsistencies that have emerged in the Governments account in how it managed the warning received in relation to concerns over Air Corps technicians health. Ms Chambers pointed to details of texts between chief whip Regina Doherty and a whistle-blower who warned the Government of exposure. Ms Chambers said Ms Doherty undertook to contact the then Minister for Defence, Simon Coveney, after this and in January 2015 she told the whistleblower that Mr Coveney would make contact the following day. However, Mr Coveney claimed he was unaware of this. Ms Chambers said the chief whip and the then Minister for Defence, Simon Coveney seem to be at loggerheads as to who said what and when. Mr Coveney says he unaware that the whistleblowers wanted to meet with him personally the chief whip says otherwise. She added: We are already seen a lot of turmoil about the treatment of other whistleblowers in another arm of the State, have we learned nothing, Minister? she asked. Mr Kehoe said he would wait for the full independent review as it would be totally incorrect of me to jump to any conclusions. Leonard Hyde, aged 62, of Four Winds, Weavers Point, Crosshaven, Co Cork, and Pat OMahony, aged 51, of 69 Elton Wood, Kinsale, Co Cork, each faced the same two charges. They both denied the charges, believing they were in full compliance with regulations. The first charge states that on October 5, 2015, at Hugh Coveney Pier, Crosshaven, he did employ a named non-national in the State other than in accordance with an employment permit issued by the Minister for Enterprise, contrary to sections of the Employment Permits Act 2003. The second charge states that on March 23, 2015, within the State, he did knowingly facilitate entry into the State of a person whom he knew or had reasonable cause to believe was an illegal immigrant or a person who intended to seek asylum contrary to section 2 of the Illegal Immigrants (Trafficking) Act 2000. Both accused said two Filipino nationals were treated with every consideration and respect while working on the Labardie Fisher. Mr Hyde told gardai that when Demie Balbin Omol, 40, got seriously ill six weeks after arriving in Ireland he was visited in hospital, provided with cash, credit to phone home, and pyjamas. Both men told gardai the Filipinos were provided with whatever food they liked, cash for groceries and sundries, phone credit so they could call home, wifi, TV services, and regular time off. Both had full control of their passports and could leave the trawler at any time when it was berthed in Cork, the court heard. The trawler operators said they had entered a contract with a shipping agent, Diamond Marine, in 2015 for the supply of the two trained Filipino fishermen for a monthly fee of $1,075 per worker. The agent paid an agreed amount of this money to the mens families in the Philippines. Both trawler operators also paid the agent an upfront fee. We couldnt get any Irish staff, Mr OMahony told gardai. They said this was true of nine out of ten Irish boats. The investigation was launched following allegations in a series of articles two years ago by The Guardian in the UK. Inspector John Deasy said the charges followed a visit to Crosshaven pier by Det Garda Maureen Moriarty of the Garda National Immigration Bureau on October 5 2015. David Browne, defending, told the court that both men had been guaranteed by the agent that all paperwork was in order for the two Filipino nationals. He said one of the workers, who had to return to the Philippines because of the controversy, was heartbroken to leave the job and begged to be allowed to stay. Both Filipinos returned home from Ireland. More than 30 fishermen from Castletownbere, Dunmore East, Kinsale, Ballycotton, and Crosshaven attended the court hearing to support the two defendants. The case was adjourned until March 8. Demanding Enda Kennys head on a plate and that of Garda Commissioner Noirin OSullivan were also given considerable consideration in recent days as the Alliance had a number of very serious meetings to decide their future. However, they received assurances that a root and branch investigation of the gardai headed up by an independent international expert will now take place. While the five members of the Independent Alliance made it clear that they were comfortable supporting the motion of confidence in the Government in the Dail last night, they failed to express confidence in Enda Kenny. After meeting with Mr Kenny yesterday evening the Alliance said they were still unsatisfied with his version of events on the whistleblower controversy. Transport Minister Shane Ross said the group had told Mr Kenny that they were very disappointed with a lot of confusion that had occurred in government in recent days and added that they found it unacceptable. Asked if they still have confidence in the Fine Gael leader, another member of the Alliance said: We have confidence in the Government to do their business and that is as far as we could go. Speaking about the Taoiseach he added: The man is damaged, seriously damaged and he should come to a natural conclusion as a result of that. He has shorted his lifespan as Taoiseach by his actions. Noirin OSullivan: The Independent Alliance considered demanding the Garda Commissioners head on a plate . Picture: Gareth Chaney Asked if a withdrawal from Government was an option Mr Ross said: We considered it. When Mr Ross was asked if the Alliance have confidence in Mr Kenny he said it would not be appropriate in this situation where we are putting down a motion of confidence in the Government to suggest that we have no confidence in the Taoiseach. He stressed that the Alliance went into minority Government in good faith and that is greater than any individual or personality within it and we are committed to delivering on the promises we made when we took office. The Alliance went into the meeting which was described as frank and open with a number of demands, including changes to how cabinet works and the establishment of an investigation headed up by an independent, international, policing expert. The Tanaiste approved the investigation into wider issues of public concern within the gardai. A number of names were mentioned to lead the investigation during the meeting. It is understood it was decided that someone of the calibre of former Deputy Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, John Stalker, or Denis Bradley former vice-chairman of the police board for the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) be chosen. Finian McGrath said root and branch reform was required to restore confidence and trust in the force. We are going to weed out people who are involved in any bad practices in any situations, he added. The bill passed through its final stage in the Seanad on Tuesday evening but the Ombudsman for Children said there were inconsistencies in how a child is defined in the legislation. I am, however, somewhat disappointed at the inconsistencies in addressing the definition of a child within this piece of legislation. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) defines a child as a person under 18 years of age, said Dr Niall Muldoon, Ombudsman for Children. However, in various sections of this act (the new sexual offences bill), a child is defined as a person under 15, under 17 and under 18, he added. Dr Muldoon described this as a missed opportunity to definitively address inconsistencies in how we see children in legislation. Inclusion Ireland also said the newly passed legislation missed an opportunity. Inclusion Ireland has long advocated for a change in this law (from the Sexual Offences Act 1993), but it is regretful that an opportunity to adopt a disability-neutral approach to the criminal law has been missed, read a statement from the body yesterday. The predecessor to the new legislation, the 1993 act, made sexual intercourse with a mentally a impaired person illegal. Inclusion Ireland said yesterday it was disappointed that the new bill would continue to treat people with a disability in an unequal way. Through our advocacy work, Inclusion Ireland has seen the chilling effect of the legislation with educators and advocates afraid to provide support to individuals with disabilities or provide education for fear of encouragement of law-breaking, said their head of policy and campaigns, Sarah Lennon. This bill was an opportunity to remove the restrictions on the rights of persons with disabilities and repeal an act that does nothing to protect persons, instead it is replicating many aspects of that act, added Ms Lennon. However, Ombudsman for Children Dr Muldoon did commend the newly-passed bill for several reasons, such as the recognition of new forms of sexual abuse and exploitation of children like child grooming. A safeguard against criminalisation of peer to peer consensual acts has been included, as has our recommendation to include the term sexual act with a child, rather than defilement. These changes were long overdue, said Dr Muldoon. The Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016, announced before Christmas, aimed to bring a greater level of predictability to the rental market. However, confusion remains for both tenants and landlords. Housing Minister Simon Coveney last month announced an extension of the existing list of rent pressure zones (RPZs). The list now includes most of Galway City as well as 23 smaller commuter towns, including Cork City suburbs such as Douglas and Ballincollig. While tenants will welcome the new measures in a climate of rapidly rising rents, many landlords see them as curtailing their potential rental income and their ability to manage their properties. What does it mean if I live in a RPZ? For those properties now located within a RPZ, rent rises are capped at 4% per year for three years. There is also a set formula which landlords must use when calculating the reviewed rent. This cap doesnt apply if the property was vacant (before the current new letting), and was not let at any time in the 24 months before the area became an RPZ. The cap also wont apply where there has been a substantial change in the nature of the accommodation since the rent was last set. For example, if major refurbishment works have been undertaken which would change the market rent applicable for that property. How often will landlords be able to review rents? The Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2015 had restricted a landlords ability to review rents to once every two years, so many tenants may now be confused as to when their rent can next be reviewed. The new legislation means that, in the case of existing tenancies within RPZs, the cap on rent rises will apply when the next rent review falls. So, if you are currently within a rent review freeze, the RPZ designation will become relevant once those two years are up. When that next review occurs, rent reviews will then be allowed annually, rather than every two years. What happens when I have rented a property for six months or more? Once you have lived in a property for more than six months, a part 4 tenancy occurs, entitling you to remain for a further three-and-a-half years. This right is separate to any lease agreement with the landlord, so even if you have a one-year lease, after six months, you also have part 4 tenancy rights. After four years, if you remain in the property, a further part 4 tenancy begins. The landlord can only terminate a part 4 tenancy on certain specific grounds, for example, if they require the property for their own use, for that of a family member, or if they plan to substantially refurbish the property. Two main changes have been introduced to give tenants greater security of tenure. The first is the extension of the cycle from four to six years, for tenancies that began after December 24, 2016. For any part 4 tenancy beginning before that date, a four-year cycle remains but, as soon as that ends, the further part 4 tenancy will be a six-year cycle. The second change relates to how a part 4 tenancy can be terminated. Previously, once the first cycle was up, a landlord was entitled to terminate the tenancy at any time in the first six months of the further part 4 tenancy, without needing to fall within one of the above termination grounds. That six-month window has now been removed. For all tenancies, which began after December 24, 2016, once the further part 4 tenancy commences, the stated reason for termination must also be one as set out in the legislation. This is expected to be extended shortly, to tenancies which commenced on or before that date. Landlords who wish to avoid having to give specific grounds will need to time the termination correctly so that it falls before a further part 4 tenancy begins. To achieve this, they will have to serve notice before the current part 4 tenancy ends, with the notice period expiring on, or after, the tenancys end-date. This ensures that a further part 4 tenancy does not occur. Anything else we should know? A further provision, which has not yet commenced, is a restriction on landlords seeking to terminate tenancies on the grounds of intention to sell. This is where they propose to sell ten or more units within the same development, either at the same time or within a six-month period. This will be of interest given recent media attention around vulture funds buying up loans from banks. As they now wish to sell off properties they hold as security, these vulture funds are serving notices on multiple tenants within the same development of intention to sell. Landlords will soon only be able to rely on these grounds if they can prove that selling the property with the tenant still remaining will reduce the market value by 20% below what it would be, if sold with vacant possession. They also need to prove it would cause undue hardship on the landlord. Marguerite Gallagher is a senior associate of OFlynn Exhams Solicitors, specialising in property and banking law New to market with agents Savills is 4.3 acres of cleared, brownfield development land by the N20 Cork-Limerick road through Blackpool, and adjoining the Blackpool Retail Park and Atrium office development. It has, says James ODonovan of Savills, a positive planning history (now lapsed) after planning was granted in 2010 to developers Rothbury Estates for the development of a large mixed-use retail and office scheme in excess of 400,000 sq ft: reported development value at the time in 2010 was put at c 100m. The well-located site is immediately adjacent to Blackpool Retail Park, and can be accessed from its northern end as well as from the N20, and from the Redforge Road where the balance of the former Sunbeam plant, factory and offices was located for decades, and which is now in mixed uses. The cleared site portion now for sale was used for textile manufacturing by a company Reffond until a devastating fire in September 2003, one of the largest in Cork city in decades: it led to the loss of 103 textile jobs, after damage to the old buildings was put at excess 5 million. It also has close proximity to the West Link Business Park on the old Mallow Road and Northpoint Business Park to the north west, which was a springboard for John Cleary Developments and which has 250,000 sq ft of business space, as well as light industrial and showroom occupiers. Theres also a sizeable office development at the Shipton Group-developed Atrium, by the Blackpool Retail Park near where fast-growing cloud-based business management applications company Teamwork took 16,000 sq ft of refurbished offices at Park House. In what was one of the largest office deals on Corks northside in 2016, the company spent most of 2016 fitting out its new offices (at a quoted rent of 15 psf in a deal done by HWBC with Savills and DTZ), pledging to grow employee numbers from 70 to 120 by the end of 2017. Meanwhile, large scale retailers in this section include Woodies DIY, Maplin, Next Home and Boots in the retail park, plus an Aldi and multi-screen cinema, while Dunnes Stores and Carphone Warehouse are all located within the shopping centre on the city side of the retail park. Peter OMeara and James ODonovan of Savills say the site is ideally suited to a mixed-use scheme, similar to that previously granted, and interest in the office space should be strong given the shortage of grade A office space in the city. We anticipate strong levels of interest in the site. It is well located close to Blackpool Retail Park, an area that is fast becoming a popular hub for large office space. The positive planning history certainly adds value by way of eliminating uncertainty surrounding the site. The 2010 permission was for 41,000 sq m of retail, office and commercial development, across several tall buildings, with a two-level basement car park for 576 vehicles and included links to the spine road from Blackpool Retail Park, the creation of a new road linking Commons Road and Redforge Road, and realignment of portion of the River Bride. Details : Savills 021-4271371 The Apple Worldwide Developers Conference will take place on June 5 to June 9 at the McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, California. Apple typically uses the event to showcase the latest versions of MacOS and iOS, and you should expect to see updated versions of WatchOS and tvOS alongside the better known operating systems. SINCE Russias annexation of Crimea in early 2014, its political and military relations with the West have deteriorated sharply. Russian military redeployments, exercises, and threats have increased insecurity across Europe. Nato has responded by increasing its military presence in Central Europe, fuelling fears of encirclement in the Kremlin. To head off the risk of an arms race or military confrontation, both sides must urgently agree to reciprocal measures to limit military capabilities and engage in arms control. Of course, Russia and Nato have very different ideas about a peaceful and stable European security order. But the same was true during the Cold War, and the two sides made progress by using arms-control instruments to manage their relationship and mitigate the risk of war. Today, however, there is substantial disagreement among Nato members about the preconditions, content, and format of possible arms-control talks with Russia. Last August, German foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier suggested that all interested countries in Europe should attempt to relaunch arms control in Europe as a tried and tested means of risk reduction, transparency, and confidence building between Russia and the West. Such a structured dialogue, argued Steinmeier, should move beyond existing agreements. Six weeks later, the US robustly rejected that proposal, asserting that, as long as Russia remains on its current course, there is simply no basis for new arms-control talks. Instead, argued the US, existing agreements should be revitalised. Germanys proposal may be too ambitious. But Americas proposal is not ambitious enough, and, perhaps more important, it ignores the failure of past attempts to modernise key accords like the Treaty on Conventional Forces in Europe and the Open Skies Treaty. A better approach more feasible than Germanys and more effective than Americas would be a push by both countries for Steinmeier-style arms control in just one European region: The Baltic rim. Since Russias 2014 annexation of Crimea, mistrust between Nato and non-Nato members in the Baltic region has intensified, making that region particularly vulnerable to conflict. Nato now must strike a balance between, on one hand, meaningful reassurance for its own Baltic and Central European members and deterrence vis-a-vis Russia, and, on the other hand, continued co-operation and dialogue with Russia. In this sense, the Baltic Sea region could become a proving ground for political strategies to ease tensions between Nato and Russia. Nato has always considered deterrence and arms control to be two pillars of a strategy for maintaining European stability. For this reason, relaunching arms control for the Baltic Sea region need not affect existing deterrence measures, including the rotating presence of four Nato battalions in the Baltic states and Poland. Unilateral troop reductions are not where the arms-control negotiation process should begin. Instead, that process should begin with a structured conversation on topics of concern for regional actors. After all, dialogue is not only a soft policy instrument for handling matters like trade or environmental co-operation; it is also essential to any security policy that looks beyond deterrence. The goal should be confidence-building measures and agreed limits on military capabilities. Arms control depends on transparency. Fortunately, Nato, as an actor with a defensive conventional-force posture in the Baltic region, has plenty of reason to support transparency. The aggressor gains an advantage from concealment and secrecy hallmarks of the hybrid warfare that the Baltics have feared, particularly since Russias invasion of Ukraine. Against this background, Nato should pursue a new arms-control dialogue with the goal of boosting transparency concerning military capabilities relevant for unconventional warfare and providing early warning of destabilising moves that are not quite acts of war. Efforts to promote sub-regional arms control would enhance European security in general, complementing efforts to establish the parameters of a new comprehensive security system for Europe. What works in the Baltic region could be adjusted and applied on a larger scale. Arms control is not an imperative for tranquil times or a reward for reassuring behaviour; it is a tool for building or rebuilding trust between adversaries. To use it effectively, each side must first gain some insight into the others perspective and intentions an effort in which semi-official talks can play an important role. Because Russian reticence about engaging in a dialogue would point to a desire to rely on military surprises in the future, even a failed dialogue would benefit Nato and the Baltic states. It would certainly be better than nothing. Volker Perthes is director of Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik, the German institute for international and security affairs. Oliver Meier is the deputy head of the international security research division at SWP. Copyright: Project Syndicate The Indian Space Research Organization made history as it launched 104 satellites simultaneously in about 18 minutes. Each of the satellites launched released into space travelled at a speed of over 27,000 km per hour. This is 40 times faster than an average passenger airline. This marks the 39th mission of India's workhorse rocket PSLV-C37. Among the launched satellites, PSVL is said to be the heaviest with an estimated weight of 320 tons and height of 44.4 meters. Cartosat 2 series satellite is the main passenger weighing at about 714 kg. Most of the satellites belong to international customers. However, smaller units belong to Switzerland, Israel, Kazakhstan, United Arab Emirates, Netherlands and the U.S., which owns 96 of the satellites. Meanwhile, more than 90 small satellites named Doves are owned by a San Francisco-based company, Planet Inc. The Dove constellation will provide a much affordable system to help image the earth, according to NDTV. It also added that there are two ISRO-made Nano satellites also owned by international customers. Each weighs about 1,378 kg. After the Cartosat-2 was first launched, 103 co-passengers followed into the polar Sun Synchronous Orbit, estimated at about 520 km from the Earth. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended her congratulations to all the scientists who made the successful launch possible. According to Newsweek, India was able to set a new world record with the launch of the satellites. In 2014, the Russian Space Agency has launched 37 satellites in one go. This is ISRO's second successful attempt. The first was the launch of 23 satellites in a single rocket in June 2015. There are many countries who are planning venture into launching their own space explorations like China and Japan show both laid out bold plans in their space missions being beefed up for this year. This buzz caused speculations among science circles that the real space race is in Asia. About a month ago, HTC introduced its next generation of smartphones, the U Ultra and U Play, to the world. And while there was already hype about the devices then, the company failed to reveal details about their pricing and could not commit to the release in some markets. Since then, however, the company has gone on the record to fill in the information gaps. As NDTV Gadgets as reported, both smartphones are already available for order via the company's online store and authorized third-party retailers. Officially, the U Ultra is priced at about GBP 649 and the U Play is priced lower at GBP 399. This roughly translates to about US$800 and US$500 respectively. The price difference between each model is significant and the reason for which is described further below. Shipment of both models will begin on March 1. More specifically, HTC's president of global sales, Chia-Lin Chang confirmed that shipments to Asia will begin within the week and in parts of Europe by March. However, C|Net reported that the handhelds are physically available in Taiwan, where the company is based. The biggest selling point of the U Ultra and the U Play is that HTC added a new Sense Companion. This feature is an artificial intelligence-based system that learns a user's daily patterns in order to make its own suggestions. The handhelds also feature HTC USonic earphones, which supposedly analyses and learns the shape of the user's ear in order to provide utmost comfort without sacrificing audio. Both handhelds also feature a 16 megapixel front camera with UltraPixel Mode and a curved glass design. Straight out of the box, both models will run on Android 7.0 Nougat, which is partnered with the company's Sense UI customization. But beyond these things, there are some notable differences between the U Ultra and the U Play. For one thing, the U Ultra has a Dual Display, which acts a secondary display. Moreover, it has a 5.7 inch Super LCD display with a 1440 x 2560 pixel resolution. Its secondary display, however, is only 2 inches and has a pixel resolution of 1040 x160. It is powered by a 2.15Hz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. The flagship will run on 4GB of RAM, has a 12 megapixel rear camera and a 3000 mAh battery with Quick Charge 3.0 feature. The U Ultra is available in 64Gb and 128 GB offerings. Meanwhile, the HTC U Play has a smaller 5.2 inch HD display and is available in 3GB RAM/32GB internal storage and 4GB RAM/64GB built in storage options. It is powered by an octa-core MediaTek Helio P10 processor. It also has a smaller 2500 mAh batter. HTC has a lot riding on the U Ultra and the Up Play as the company has failed to regain its hold of the smartphone market. The likes of Apple and Samsung have proven to be tough competition in the high-end tier of the industry, while Chinese companies have taken a hold of the lower-end market. Nevertheless, the new handhelds from HTC have a lot of potential. Artificial intelligence is not just a thing of the future anymore, the technology is already in the hands of billions of people around the world. And in the homes of thousands, there lies either the Alexa-powered Amazon Echo or the Google Home, which acts pretty much like a digital assistant. And while the technology is focused on moving forward, both Amazon and Alexa is now looking to the past for inspiration. According to Engadget, Amazon and Google are looking to add a new calling skill into their respective smart speakers. Theoretically, users will be able to make and receive calls on the platforms, but how it will do is still unclear. Both companies do, however, have the potential to make it a reality. As the publication continued to report, Amazon already has existing communication platforms, such as the videoconferencing tool Chime. On the other hand, Google has Hangouts, Duo and Google Voice. Of course, there is the possibility that both companies will add other third-party services to their lineup. Another possibility is that the Echo and Google Assistant could be fitted with their own numbers, or the ability to sync with an existing one. Adding a call skill, however, poses its own set of problems. For instance, Alexa and Google Home both have always on microphones in case owners will shout out commands. But more than these, the smart speakers are constantly recording. Amazon will only reportedly keep tabs on call metadata, but it is unclear how Google will go about everything. The exclusive use of voice commands also poses as a problem. If making and ending a call is done through voice commands, it is possible that a call will be started or will be stopped prematurely in the course of conversation. Evidently, both Amazon and Google will need to think things through thoroughly before actually releasing the skill to its smartspeakers. At the very least, it will be an interesting battle to watch. Ever since Google Home entered the market, there have been questions about whether or not it will ever or has already taken reign of the smartspeaker-sphere, an area that has long been controlled by the Amazon Echo. There is debate about the same and how each company decides to go about the new calling feature will also be a point of discussion. At this point, however, Observer has reported that the Amazon Echo has more tricks up its sleeve than Google Home. The logical reason for this is that Alexa has been on the market an entire two years before Google Assistant began to roll out. But as the publication argued, Google is already arguably smarter than its biggest competition. Numbers aside, Google Home has the ability to provide information because Google has a hand in most individuals' lives in a way that Alexa nor Amazon do not. Google's cloud is the reason for this, as consumers make appointments and note birthdays on platforms beyond Google Home. But because of the cloud, the same information is transferred anyway. The publication went on to state that it might not be long until Google Home catches up to the Echo. Likewise, Amazon is under pressure to keep improving its device. And the race to add a calling feature might just be the finish line - for now, anyway. When the search engine giant released the Pixel and Pixel XL handhelds, many marveled at them not just because of their specs and design, but because of its software. At the time, the company also released Google Assistant, a new AI that was exclusive to the handhelds. But with recent Android updates, it is clear that the exclusivity is no longer a priority. As noted by News Factor, upon the release of Google Assistant, it was exclusive to Google-made devices, such as Google Home, the Pixel and Pixel XL. At its launch, CEO Sundar Pichai described Assistant as a vital part of the company's future plans. That is, that it would help the company transition to a smarter and more personalized service. Because it was released exclusively, the move was thought to be an intentional one. But that might not be the case, as figured by a few users of the Google App beta channel. Some individuals were notified of a v6.13 alpha update, which allowed them to use Google Assistant on their non-Pixel phones. Not all phones were provided the AI, however, and it seemed limited to the newer Nexus 6P, Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and Xiaomi Redmi Note 3. However, these users were also quick to note that Google Assistant also quickly disappeared from their handhelds. It is unclear at this point whether or not the move was intentional, or if it will become permanent in the future. The publication quoted software engineer Cody Toombs as saying the AI cannot possible remain exclusive forever, so the spread is at the very least a possibility. Moreover, it is expected that upcoming releases of Android smartphones, the LG G6 in particular, will debut Google Assistant on non-Pixel phones as well. This is all just hearsay at this point, but the same might be confirmed at the Mobile World Congress later this month. The event is scheduled for February 27 to March 2. Currently, however, there is no question that Google Assistant is still exclusive to the Pixel and Pixel XL smartphone. As CNet has reported, the virtual assistant is capable of doing the expected, such as noting down an appointment or providing reminders. There are, however, a few others that will make the use of the smartphones more unique. For example, users can make phone calls and send text and emails. What makes it even more special is that the Assistant works not just with built-in applications, but with third party apps as well. So if users would prefer to send messages via Telegram, they are able to do so. At this point, not all third-party applications are compatible, but Google is reportedly working continuously to expand its range of partners. Users can also set timers, reminders, and alarms by just saying so. "Set a timer for 10 minutes" is a common command, as is "Set an alarm for weekends at 10 in the morning," but there is also the simple "Cancel all timers and alarms." Pixel and Pixel XL owners can also easily control music and camera, although the default applications will be Google's built-in applications. Whether or not the same set of skills will be made available to non-Pixel phones is unclear. The newest legal drama called Doubt starring Katherine Heigl has just kicked off this week. The showrunners of the highly acclaimed series, Greys Anatomy are also the ones behind the making of this new legal drama series. They have gone on an interview talking about how Doubt came into and how it is to work with Heigl again. After doing a medical procedural drama series with Greys Anatomy, showrunners Tony Phelan and Joan Rater has moved on to make a new drama in a whole new different fielda story that is cloaked with legal jargon and more. Phelan admitted that they wanted to make their own show and they wanted to move away from anything medical so they turned to law. Rater elaborated that they wanted to create a new series that was still procedural but still a story that talks about the personal lives of the characters. They shared that working on Greys Anatomy especially with all the countless characters have given them tons of storylines to work with but with the new legal drama, Doubt, they delved into the relationship between a client and their legal counsel. They pushed through with the drama after they thought about the 9/11 incident wherein there has been a lot of shows being aired about prosecutors catching the bad guys and they were intrigued when they tried to see it on the other side of the coin. They wanted to delve into the situation of having to look for someone to reach out to when one is accused of a crime and they see that as a fresh ground for a story. Doubt premiered on CBS on Feb. 15 and it starred Katherine Heigl, who once worked with Phelan and Rater on Greys Anatomy. They confessed that they wanted Heigl for the role and when they heard she was available, they instantly jumped on that opportunity to cast her. They had this sort of epiphany, realizing that the main character they have been writing was made for Heigl. They said Heigl is funny, smart, vulnerable, and relatable that she perfectly fits the role. In addition to Java, Oracle has been focusing lately on cloud, chatbots, and APIs. InfoWorld Editor at Large Paul Krill met with Oracle's Amit Zavery, senior vice president of Oracle Cloud, at this week's DeveloperWeek conference in San Francisco to talk about the company's technology directions. InfoWorld: How are microservices and chatbots driving enterprises to an API-first strategy, the notion of which was posed in a description of your upcoming presentation? Zavery: Chatbots are really an API-driven way of interacting and building using the underlying technology associated with chatbots. As a developer, you shouldn't have to worry about the intent and all the algorithms and the AI and the neural network technology, which they use inside the chatbot in many cases. You want an ability to take your development APIs and say, this is an application I want to have interaction points from, and then underlying it could be a mobile app. It could be a chatbot-based interaction through messenger services like Facebook Messenger, V-chat, WhatChat. As a developer, you shouldn't have to worry about using chatbots as long as you have the right kind of interface to it. InfoWorld: Does Oracle have a story in AI and machine learning? Zavery: We've been using a lot of machine learning-based algorithms underneath the covers for the products for many years, and if you look at some of the things we're doing on the application side, we've been adding capabilities to do a lot of intelligent applications. What we're now doing is exposing a lot of the neural network and ML algorithms through our interfaces and applications so as the developer, you don't have to worry about learning how those things are built but you're getting the advantage of it when you try using some of the platform pieces from us. For example, if you're doing data cleansing, the way to do data cleansing and data inference as well as data blending has to be done a lot more intelligently than just doing a rule-based thing and that's where ML and AI stuff happen. InfoWorld: Oracle has gone from Larry Ellison's famous "what the hell is cloud computing?" remark to trying to become a major player in cloud. Why should enterprises go with Oracle instead of Google, Microsoft Azure, Heroku, or other platforms? Zavery: There are many differentiations. One is, we've been very clearly working on this for many years. Irrespective of whatever the perception might be, we have been investing in the cloud for 10-plus years. If you add all the things we've been doing over the last six or seven years, we have a full track record of having a full-blown cloud platform available to thousands of customers using it today. It's a full, integrated stack all the way from apps to platform to infrastructure, so it's a well-thought-out modern architecture. We're using a lot of open source technology, a lot of standards-based technology, and we've kept it flexible enough for customers to deploy this in the cloud or their own data center. As a customer, you are not locked into one way of doing things. InfoWorld: What does Oracle provide as a way to move to another cloud? Zavery: We allow you to move data very easily. All the applications and the business logic are standards-based so we can support other databases in our cloud. We have the ability to take the full stack we have on our cloud and run it at a customer site if you choose, so you're not completely beholden to running it in the public cloud. InfoWorld: What's next for Oracle's cloud push? Zavery: The big thing we are doing is really making sure we can support all the different use cases and workloads customers have. No doubt we can run all the Oracle workloads on the Oracle Cloud ,where you can bring in our applications, the database, and all those things as well as now we're supporting a lot of third-party workloads. You can bring in an application built on MongoDB, an application built on Cassandra, you're running some other data integration technology or whatever else may be the thing you have chosen, and you can run those applications and the workloads. We provide easy migration moving the data into it as well as connecting those applications together. InfoWorld: Do you see a day when Oracle's behind-the-firewall software goes away? Zavery: If you look today at the Oracle database, the first release we do on it is in the cloud now. The ability to provide new releases in the cloud is much faster than on-prem. [But] if a customer wants to use this behind the firewall, we are going to support them and continue to help them run their businesses. We don't want to completely say, "Hey, shut down your business and move to one model only," because I think it's hard for Oracle to dictate what a customer model should be other than helping them support the journey they want to be on. Our goal has always been that if you want to take your workload and move it to the cloud, we'll support you in the journey. But I don't want to throw away your investment completely. We do believe in the long term the cloud-first mentality is becoming prevalent across our customer base as well as new customers we speak to, but there is also a need for connectivity into the existing infrastructure, existing investment customers have made. If you can connect that together and provide that ability to move workloads seamlessly, move capacity seamlessly as well as supporting their journey, I think that's a win-win for us and the customers as well. We want to have hybrid mechanisms support existing investments while providing a cloud-first, native experience as well. InfoWorld: This is shifting gears a bit but I think it will be in your territory. There was lot of controversy and criticism over Oracle allegedly neglecting Java EE. Then the company unveiled a plan to retool EE for microservices and cloud, with the two versions of EE to come out. Has the criticism died down since then? Zavery: Needless to say, the Java community is a passionate community and we are a part of the community. It's part of the evolution of working through what the next-generation plans are. As part of the community process we have for Java, we have a lot of other non-Oracle members, of course, and a lot of companies who participate and work together to figure out what the next-generation releases will be. I think we have a very good dialog with our community partners. Where we are today I think is very win-win, in terms of delivering a next-generation platform. InfoWorld: How are you defining community partners? Is that customers? Vendors? Zavery: It's a combination; some heavy users as well as a lot of vendors. IBM is a part of the community. There are a lot of other companies who are providing Java-based technologies in the industry like Red Hat. They are part of the discussions. InfoWorld: There has also been a MicroProfile that has come out for Java and another Java microservices framework, java-micro. Are you seeing this proliferation of Java microservices technologies aside from what Oracle is doing? Zavery: No. Oracle is right in the center of building out and delivering a Java-based next-generation platform. We are quite aggressive in terms of making sure we support all the Java adoption in the industry. Today, if you look at Java, the community is very strong as well as if you look at a lot of the evolution and innovation happening. It's a lot of interesting stuff going on and we are very much part and parcel of that. InfoWorld: The CEO of Heroku, Adam Gross, just mentioned that if you have code that's older than three years old, you're probably reconfiguring it for microservices. What advice does Oracle have for companies moving to microservices? Zavery: The reality is microservices is not a brand new concept. People used to talk about service-based architectures and SOA for many, many years. The evolution is natural where modular-based programming, building non-monolithic applications and building an API-based interface is Computer Science 101. We believe that. Folks, when they started writing the applications, a lot of the technology and the platform didn't support some of the standards and ability. Now I think the platform from Oracle and a lot of other vendors are starting to really support that ability to write it in many languages, deliver that as a service-based component with very well-defined APIs and multiple languages again. The developers now have to throw out choices in terms of we build it and how you deliver it as long as you adhere to some of the standards-based interfaces. Our advice to a lot of customers and developers is to really design it right with APIs in mind first, build associated services after you define the APIs and deliver this in a microservices way so that it can be adopted and changed very quickly. InfoWorld: Aside from Java EE, what else is Oracle doing in the microservices space? Zavery: We have on our Oracle Cloud platform today full-blown support for microservices deployment. You can build a microservice you can define the APIs associated with the microservice through the API design, the whole lifecycle for that, and take those microservices and have a runtime for it. We have polyglot-based programming support underneath. You can run it on Node, you can run it on Ruby, you can run it as Python, PHP. When you deploy this on a Docker container as a service and any other app container, which can run multiple languages, we've provided the full infrastructure for doing orchestration, devops for it as well as we provide you the capability to scale it out and have a highly available system as well and deploy it in multiple data centers globally. The whole runtime, the devops and all that stuff for microservices is all provided in our cloud platform today. 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. The police found that the crime that led to the murder was committed at the accused Greeshma's house at Ramavarmanchira, which comes under Palugal station of Tamil Nadu police. Feds laud $83M to better Pell Bridge The congressional delegation of Rhode Island was in Jamestown to celebrate an $82.5 million grant to upgrade the bridge that connects Conanicut Island to Newport. U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, a... Local author, illustrator collaborate on book A local woman has turned her digital cross-country teatimes with her granddaughter into a childrens book. Tuesday Tea, written by Debby Furness Saletin and illustrated by Maryann England, both of... Local group asks for rental rules changes A group of residents is expected to present its recommendations on how to improve the ordinance that governs short-term rentals. Member Ron Ratcliffe said the item is scheduled to be... Despite Israels 5th election in four years, it remains a beacon of democracy and freedom The Israeli elections are fast approaching. On November 1, Israelis go back to the polls for the fifth round of elections in less than four... What is a Jew? Israeli museum attempts an answer JERUSALEMI was on a short visit to Israel and spent time with a friend with whom I have been engaged in a 30-year argument. Elli... Email Links to our top local news stories of the day, Monday through Saturday. Hanes Geo Components has taken its expansion strategy closer to its parent company, this time opening an office in the St. Louis market. The Winston-Salem company, not affiliated with Hanesbrands Inc., has made at least 12 purchases in the past 12 years. Hanes Geo has its main operations at 600 Northwest Blvd., where it had 152 employees at last count. It operates as a unit of Hanes Cos., which is a division of Leggett & Platt Co. Inc. of Carthage, Mo. Hanes Geo said the St. Louis office will help it better cover the Midwest marketplace, along with an office it opened in Kansas City, Mo., in August. This location is a continuance of our ongoing strategy to develop a North American distribution network for geosynthetics and erosion-control products, said Jerry Greene, the president of Hanes Cos. Hanes Geo now has 40 North American distribution locations. Hanes Geos last purchase came Jan. 9 when it entered the Canadian market when it bought Terrafix of Toronto for an undisclosed price. Terrafix is the Canadian market leader in the manufacturing and distribution of geosynthetic products, such as geosynthetic clay liners. In August, the company stretched the national reach of its erosion-control products through acquiring Hill Country Site Supply of Dallas. Other recent deals include its August 2014 purchase of ERO-TEX, a leading distributor of geotextiles and erosion-control materials in the Illinois and Wisconsin markets. In January 2014, it acquired the manufacturing and distribution of ScourStop transition mats from Landmark Earth Solutions. In November 2013, Hanes Geo acquired A&R Geosynthetics Inc. of Dundas, Ontario, while it bought CSI Geosynthetics of Vancouver, Wash., in August 2012 and Price & Co. of Detroit in August 2011. By Scott Sexton Winston-Salem Journal LEXINGTON The name fairly leaped off the computer screen, almost as if itd been highlighted in neon yellow and framed in a pyramid. About the only thing missing was a skull-and-crossbones, the international symbol for poison. How could it not? The mere mention of Gerald Hege still conjures up a wide range of reactions, pro and con, in Davidson County, a place tainted by his legacy. Heges name is popping up these days on social media, where a video about unsolved killings in Davidson County has been circulating. Wake up Davidson County! Six unsolved killings. Will you or your children be next? Killers among you? Gerald Heges reputation lingers. Hes standing in Davidson Countys canoe and rocking it hard. Checkered history One Facebook post starts off this way: If you have a love (sic) one who was a victim in one of Davidson Countys six brutal unsolved murders please read the following . I am putting together a short movie on each case if you are interested in providing photos of your love one or providing information I would like to hear from you I am not a private detective in my career, I never had a unsolved murder case. My services are free. The last we heard of Hege, in a public way, he had run in 2010 in the Republican primary for sheriff, a job hed been forced to resign six years earlier after pleading guilty to a pair of felony obstruction of justice charges. Hege got his rear-end kicked in that primary. A large majority of the countys Republican voters (75 percent) who cast ballots backed either Sheriff David Grice or a former state trooper named Terry Price. Voters remembered that Hege had actually been indicted on 15 felony counts, including embezzlement, obtaining property by false pretenses and obstruction of justice. The voters remembered, too, that those charges resulted from a sweeping investigation of Heges office that included affidavits from more than 20 deputies and former employees who outlined theft, racial profiling and endangering the public. Still, despite the guilty pleas and the stench of disgrace that followed Hege, he still managed to con 24 percent of Republican primary voters that he was up to the job. No wonder the state approved a constitutional amendment prohibiting felons from running for sheriff after that primary. Anyhow, Hege largely avoided a larger public spotlight after that while still collecting a $1,500 monthly pension from the Local Government Employees Retirement System. Until now. The first of Heges videos debuted in the past couple of days. It highlights the murder of a Lexington business woman who was killed during a robbery in January 2013. A plastic bag was over her head, and her legs and hands had been bound with zip ties. The video, which runs for about 1 minute, features photos of the victim, the crime scene and series of statements and questions, which include: Local female business owner tortured to death Davidson County, NC, the murder factory . Sheriff has no clue despite $100,000,0 (sic) reward. Public service or ego trip? Until he turned into a cartoon character, Hege had his moments. His constituents loved him and enjoyed the notoriety that came with his antics. Who could forget the pink jail cells, an office decorated to look like a military bunker and the souped-up Spider patrol car? Or his crackdown on TVs and smoking in the county jail? I dont know what happened to him. Early on, he had some good ideas, said Wayne Alley, a member of the Lexington City Council, in 2010. Alley became a ferocious critic of Hege after Hege injected politics into the investigation of the 2002 disappearance of Alleys nephew. I dont know, but it sure seems like his ego took over. Maybe it was the show on Court TV. Or Hege barbecue sauce. Or the die-cast toy cars. Nobody but Hege knows. And for my purposes at least, he isnt saying. Emailed questions sent to the address posted at the end of the video werent answered. The video, as of Wednesday afternoon, had been viewed on Facebook more than 5,500 times. A lot of the comments attached showed support. We need OUR sheriff back . He was and will be the best Sheriff Davidson County has ever had. If the purpose of the video is merely to help renew interest in an unsolved murder and drum up new leads, so be it. Tips, informants and fresh leads are helpful no matter where theyre generated. But if the purpose is to use the pain of victims families for self-aggrandizement or to criticize Sheriff David Grice, then its just another disgraceful chapter in a life filled with public shame. Yeah, I saw it. Typical of somebody who got his clock cleaned (by the justice system), Grice said. He cant reconcile no longer being sheriff . Hes exercising his First Amendment rights. Sometimes a guy gets so enthralled with a job you cant reconcile the fact youre no longer doing the job, I suppose. GREENSBORO The owner of two pit bulls will now face criminal charges after the dogs attacked a 19-month-old boy at his home in Greensboro this week. Guilford County Animal Control officials confirmed they reversed the initial decision to not charge the owner. Drew Brinkley, the director of Animal Control, told WGHP/FOX8 the dogs owner violated the North Carolina dangerous dog statute. The owner faces a Class 1 misdemeanor charge, which carries a maximum of 120 days in jail. Brinkley said the owner was also charged with four civil citations on Tuesday, which includes two counts of animals running at large and two counts of a public nuisance. The owner must pay $400 for those four citations. Brinkley said both dogs were also tested for rabies after biting the 19-month-old child. Both dogs tested negative for the disease. The victim was in serious condition in the hospital as of Wednesday. A Forsyth District Court judge increased the bond to $100,000 Wednesday for one of the high school students accused of brutally beating a homeless man in mid-January. Tremayne Butler is charged with felony assault inflicting serious bodily injury in the Jan. 16 beating of Bill Bloxham. At Wednesdays hearing, Judge Victoria Roemer referenced the 18-year-olds history with police, including a 2015 incident in which he was alleged to be involved in the beating of another homeless man. Butler, who has no prior convictions, had previously admitted to being part of a group of eight juveniles connected to the assault of a homeless man in August 2015, but denied participating in the assault and was not charged. In September 2015, Butler was charged in a separate incident with assaulting a 47-year-old man in an unprovoked attack, but was not convicted, Assistant District Attorney Jonathan Friel said. Butler was taken into custody Wednesday, a day after the bond amounts also were increased for his younger brother, Treshawn Plater, 17, and friend Decorus Roundtree, 16, who are also charged with felony assault inflicting serious bodily injury in Bloxhams beating. Bail for Butler and Roundtree was initially set at $6,000 each. Bail for Plater, who is already on probation for an earlier assault charge, was set at $15,000. All three were free after posting the initial bonds. The bond amount is grossly inadequate, given the nature of the allegations and extent of Mr. Bloxhams injuries, Friel said Wednesday in arguing for a higher bond. After a month in the hospital, he remains in pretty poor shape. Bloxham, 59, suffered a fractured vertebra and ribs, a punctured lung, bleeding to the brain, a shattered orbital socket and dislocation of the lens on his eye, requiring surgery that was completed last Friday. Bloxham, who was found under the Glade Street bridge, remains in intensive care at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. On Tuesday, Platers bond was raised to $100,000 and Roundtrees bond was set at $35,000. All three are in custody. If you go up to $100,000, its not to ensure (Butler will) appear, its to punish him, Butlers defense attorney, Eric Ellison, told the court Wednesday. Ellison disputed the states motion to raise the bond for his client, saying it was his understanding a juvenile wearing thick boots had inflicted most of the damage. Mark Randolph, the attorney for Plater, also said Tuesday that one of the juvenile suspects stayed behind and continued to kick Bloxham. Bloxham told police he was sleeping under the bridge, but Ellison said his client claimed the homeless man may have initiated the incident with a racial slur. Its my understanding, the homeless man called his younger brother, Treshawn, the N-word which led to a tussle, Ellison said. I believe my client hit the homeless man two times in the chest to get him off his younger brother. The five suspects, later identified by surveillance footage, were having a sleepover at Butler and Platers residence near 11th and Thurmond streets and left to get a snack at a gas station near Reynolds High School, he said. The judge questioned why the five students were out at 4 a.m. and whether there was a closer gas station than the one on First Street, which is about a 30-minute walk from where they were staying. Ellison also presented the judge with Butlers report card, which listed what Ellison deemed somewhat decent grades, but also behavioral problems in one class, the judge noted. Attorneys for the three said the young men have been suspended and havent returned to school since their arrest Jan. 25. Friel discounted Butlers account of the incident and said the group of teens was heard laughing around the time of the early morning attack near Hanes Park. Police were called to check under the Glade Street bridge after a report of what witnesses said sounded like teens having a party and throwing rocks. Instead, police found Bloxham rocking back and forth on the river bank at about 4 a.m., disoriented but repetitively trying to communicate that someone had a hold on him, Friel said. Bloxhams shoes were in the river, his pants were on the ground beside him and the contents of his wallet strewn around the riverbank. His glasses were found the next morning. Its my opinion that if someone hadnt called in, they wouldve found his body the next morning, Friel said. Given Mr. Bloxhams age and current condition, its questionable whether he will ever be the same or ever leave the hospital. Friends and family members have described Bloxham, a graduate of UNC-School of the Arts, as a smart, kind and quiet man who frequented the Reynolda Manor Branch of the Forsyth County Library. An online fundraiser has raised nearly $25,000 for Bloxham. The two juveniles will be tried in juvenile court. Butler, Plater and Roundtree are scheduled to appear in court March 23. Deputies in Forsyth County could see a little more money in their paycheck as soon as April. County staff and commissioners discussed Thursday how to implement a raise for deputies and detention center officers in Forsyth County Sheriffs Office that would keep the department competitive with other law enforcement agencies. The countys local competition, the Winston-Salem Police Department, drives the local market for law enforcement pay and it is expected to increase its base pay to $36,250. The county is looking to match. The county typically uses a scale to implement raises and is considering a rate of increase of between 1 percent and 4 percent. The sheriffs office does not recommend the 1 percent option because a majority of sheriff office employees would lose money by eliminating a shift differential of 65 cents per hour, Chief Deputy Brad Stanley said. Those officers, which is about 77 percent, would lose money, he said. Several commissioners agreed that spending the $250,000 for the 25 percent cost would be a move that could be seen as bad for morale. Most commissioners supported giving current employees a 2 percent raise. Stanley said the pay increase will help with recruitment and retention. There is a demand and a limited supply, he said. Forsyth Tech had people planned to take BLET but right after the Dallas police shooting, people started withdrawing. Stanley said that there are about 65 openings in the sheriffs office, 43 of which are at the countys detention center. Interest in law enforcement has decreased statewide, he said. In 2013, about 2,800 people applied and began Basic Law Enforcement Training programs in the state. Last year, that number fell by about 54 percent with about 1,060 applying to the training. Id attribute (the decrease) to societal feelings toward law enforcement, the number of officers assaulted and killed in the line of duty, and the availability and accessibility of information, he said. Ten or 20 years ago, I wouldnt know about a police shooting right away, but now its breaking news and I can see it on my phone. The sheriffs office is working on other programs that will increase morale. The department also is starting a program for trainees that looks more like the citys. The county will now pay for a trainees BLET program and pay the trainee while he or she is in training. Stanley said that acknowledgement helps morale and the office made a move to a tiered promotional system. Prior to the change, the next step up from deputy would be the supervisor role of corporal. Stanley said that many deputies didnt want to be supervisors but they still deserved promotions. Now the department has Deputy I, Deputy II and Deputy III positions that come with a raise and insignia for his or her uniform. People were asking themselves, is the risk of doing this job worth the reward? he said. Were working toward the point where the answer is yes. Winston-Salem could declare itself a welcoming city for refugees and immigrants -- regardless of their citizenship status -- if a resolution put forward Tuesday gains steam. Council Member Dan Besse made his proposal at Tuesdays general government committee meeting in response to calls from some people to declare Winston-Salem a sanctuary city for people living in the U.S. illegally. North Carolinas sanctuary ordinances law says that cities cant put into place policies that prevent law enforcement officers from collecting citizenship or immigration status, or restrict the enforcement of federal immigration laws. Besse plans to bring his resolution back for discussion at the March meeting of the citys general government committee, which on Tuesday heard from both advocates and opponents of sanctuary status. Besse said his resolution would put the city on record as opposing any measure that would target populations within our diverse community for legal scrutiny or other challenges based on race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or gender identity. Besses resolution doesnt specifically mention unauthorized immigrants but says that Winston-Salem recognizes that our whole community is safer when victims and witnesses of domestic violence and criminal activity feel safe in contacting our police for assistance without fear regarding their immigration status. Besse said his resolution is intended to cover unauthorized immigrants but that he believes other groups are also threatened in the current political climate. The resolution says Winston-Salem should reaffirm that it welcomes everyone who comes for a peaceful new beginning, including escaping war, disaster or persecution abroad. The discussion here comes even as the N.C. General Assembly considers legislation that would impose financial penalties on cities that fail to comply with state immigration laws. A bill introduced Wednesday and sponsored by state Rep. Debra Conrad, R-Forsyth, would allow private citizens to take cities and counties to court if they think they are violating state immigration law. At the federal level, the Donald Trump administration has issued an executive order calling for withholding federal money from sanctuary jurisdictions. Another Trump executive order banning refugees from certain countries is tied up in court. Angela Carmon, the city attorney, said the city has never directed police to refrain from gathering immigration status, but warned council members that the city could lose money if it attempts some kind of sanctuary action. In a letter to the city council brought to the committees attention, Police Chief Barry Rountree said that Winston-Salem does not place limits on helping federal immigration officers, and that the department honors federal immigration detainers and warrants. In the same letter, Rountree stressed that his department engages in efforts to improve community policing regardless of citizenship. He said police partner with the citys Human Relations Department on initiatives specific to immigrant populations, such as Building Integrated Communities, the Faith in Action ID drive and Fiesta International Village. Rountree said Winston-Salem police do not ask immigration status, initiate immigration roundups, or gather immigration status information during the course of providing law enforcement services. Besses proposed resolution doesnt contain the word sanctuary, which Besse called a phrase that has been politically misused. He said his resolution would express the citys commitment to non-discrimination. Council Member Robert Clark suggested Tuesday that anything the council passed could be perceived as wandering into sanctuary territory. There is no definition of sanctuary city, Clark said. There is a lot of noise at the federal level. I would suggest we do nothing, no resolution, no documents, nothing. Council Member D.D. Adams took a stance sympathetic to the sanctuary advocates, but indicated she was not willing to put the city at financial risk. City officials estimate that under a measure currently before the General Assembly Winston-Salem could lose $6 million in state revenue if it were found to be a sanctuary city. Conrads latest bill would allow a superior court judge to fine a city or county up to $10,000 per day plus attorney fees if the city or county is found to have violated state immigration law. Opponents of sanctuary status outnumbered advocates on Tuesday when people watching the committee meeting were allowed to speak. Most opponents called attention to the financial penalties the city could face through a sanctuary city declaration, although some also expressed opposition to illegal immigration. Im concerned about violence Im concerned about gang violence, Richard Miller said. Im concerned about ISIS. I think a majority of the people in Winston-Salem would not support a sanctuary city. Will Cox, one of those behind the effort to declare sanctuary city status here, said he thought the opponents didnt represent the majority. The idea that any of you could be in trouble for assisting and helping someone is wrong, Cox said. This is a question of right and wrong. Referring to Clarks do nothing stance, Cox said the safest way to go is the history of the South. Another speaker, Reggie Reid, said following the law has got nothing to do with racial profiling. Illegal is not a race, Reid said. People using historical connections like Jim Crow and slavery ... is a shame and a disgrace. Council Member Derwin Montgomery, who chairs the committee, said the discussion is taking place to allow comments on both sides. WASHINGTON Michael Flynns resignation as national security adviser is shifting the balance of power between President Donald Trump and Congress, with Republican senators vowing to more aggressively exercise oversight of the new administration and Democrats seizing an opportunity to ask pointed questions about Trumps ties to Russia. On Wednesday, Senate Democrats convened an emergency meeting to plan their next steps in probing the circumstances that led to Flynns departure. While significant disagreement remains among Democrats and between the parties on the path forward, Senate GOP leaders affirmed their commitment to conducting a far-reaching investigation through the Senate Intelligence Committee that is already examining allegations of Russian meddling in the 2016 elections. It is now readily apparent that General Flynns resignation is not the end of the story. It is merely a beginning of a much longer story, Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said on the Senate floor. Since Trump was elected, Capitol Hill Republicans have tread carefully when it comes to the new administration. They have deflected calls for probes into Trumps potential conflicts of interest related to his sprawling business interests and only recently asked for information from the White House about security protocols at Trumps Florida resort, Mar-a-Lago. But after allegations that Russia intervened in the election to favor Trump, both the House and Senate intelligence committees launched examinations. Amid reports of contacts between Trump aides and Russian officials during the election, congressional leaders are reasserting their authority. You know, everybody looks at last years election and says it was a change election, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said on MSNBCs Morning Joe. Well, it was in the presidential race, but in the Senate races, it was not a change election. McConnell reiterated that the Senate Intelligence Committee will take the lead in investigating the Flynn issue. I dont think we need to go through setting up a special committee, said McConnell. But we are going to look at Russian involvement in the U.S. election. Its a significant issue. Senate Democratic leaders largely agreed with that approach Wednesday, even as some rank-and-file lawmakers said they didnt trust Republicans to conduct an evenhanded examination of their own partys White House. The majority party has broad powers to determine the course of an investigation in a Senate committee. For Democrats, the growing controversy offered an opportunity to renew public scrutiny of Trumps relationship with Russia, an issue that has hovered over him since the campaign. But they faced their own political quandary as some voices including party strategists outside Congress called for the creation of an independent commission over which lawmakers, especially Republicans, would have less control. However, Democrats conceded they did not have the support they needed for such a move primarily, backing from McConnell and decided to press for a full-throated investigation by Congress instead. After meeting Wednesday, Schumer, Sen. Mark Warner, Va. the top Democrat on the Intelligence Committee and Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Calif. the ranking Democrat on the Judiciary Committee demanded a comprehensive and bipartisan investigation of Trumps ties to Russia, demanding that lawmakers be committed to making their findings as public as possible. Warner insisted that he has faith in Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burrs commitment to pursue the investigation fairly, adding that, if at any point were not able to get the full information and were not pursuing the information to where the intelligence leads, that well look at other options. Burr, R-N.C., promised the investigation would be wide-ranging. Im not sure the Intelligence Committee has tight parameters on it. Weve said were going to go anywhere the intelligence leads, Burr said. Once we know more about what went on, well make a determination. Today Rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers in the afternoon. High 72F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch. Tonight Cloudy. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 61F. Winds light and variable. Tomorrow Intervals of clouds and sunshine. Near record high temperatures. High around 80F. Winds light and variable. British Museum | Portrait of a young woman; single-page painting mounted on album folio. A woman beats a drum slung over her shoulder. She wears an orange blouse, a green skirt and a grey flowered jacket. A mauve veil is suspended from a head band adorned with a feather and a jewelled ornament. Album contains 19 paintings of Persian costumes. Ink and opaque watercolour on paper. Album bound in green leather with gold gilt trim, with pages of gold trim. Includes loose letter (in French) on thin blue paper describing contents and addressed to recipient. Reddit Email 114 Shares By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | The Trump-Netanyahu Show on Wednesday was par for the course in American and right wing Israeli discourse about the Palestinians. Nobody brought up that the British colonialists conquered Palestine during World War I and instead of preparing it for statehood, as they promised the League of Nations they would do, they set the Palestinians up for destruction as a people. These actions contrast with Iraq, e.g., which the British did bequeath to the Iraqi nation. No one brought up that 60% of Palestinian families were kicked out of their homes in 1948 by militant European Jewish colonialists brought there by colonial Britain, and that these families are still homeless and stateless whereas the Israeli perpetrators have never paid a dime in reparations for the billions of dollars worth of property they stole from the Palestinian people. No one brought up that Europeans who committed the Holocaust have not borne the cost of that monstrous crime against humanity but rather the innocent Palestinians have. The fact is that by about 1300 AD there were virtually no Jews in Palestine. And yes, there was a Palestine a recognized geographical concept, coins with Filistin written on them, diaries of Palestinian travelers who said they missed Palestine; and a distinctive Palestinian dialect of Arabic. The people who lived there were almost all Christians and Muslims, 1300-1850. My recollection is that the French found about 3,000 Jews there in 1799 when Bonaparte invaded, when the general population must have been around 200,000. No one brought up that the Palestinians are the largest stateless group in the world, lacking basic human rights and lacking rights of citizenship. Their private property is daily and brazenly stolen from them by Jewish squatters coming over into Palestine from Israel proper. This grand larceny on a cosmic scale is secretly encouraged and sometimes even funded by the Israeli government. Militant armed settlers have murdered dozens of Palestinians and routinely commit sabotage against their olive orchards and crops. Israeli propaganda depicts Palestinians as violent, but Israelis killed nearly 7,000 Palestinians 2000-2014 whereas Palestinians in that period were responsible for about 1,000 Jewish deaths. Given what is being done to the Palestinians by the far right wing squatters, they have reacted with amazing forbearance and peacefulness. The only resolution of the conflict is for Palestinians to attain the rights of citizenship in a state and the right firmly to own property and to control their land, air and water. Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has pledged that the Palestinians will have no such rights as along as he is prime minister. So what is Trump going to do about this human rights travesty? Here is what he said: TRUMP: As far as settlements, Id like to see you hold back on settlements for a little bit. Well work something out but I would like to see a deal be made, I think a deal will be made. I know that every president would like to most of them have not started till late because they never thought it was possible and it was impossible because they didnt do it but Bibi and Ive known each other a long time. Smart man, great negotiator, and I think were going to make a deal. It might be a bigger and better deal than people in this room even understand. Thats a possibility so lets see what we do. I predict that Netanyahu will not in fact pause land theft by the Israeli squatters. I also predict that Netanyahu will keep his campaign promise to keep the Palestinians stateless and little better than prisoners in their own land. The only deal to be had from Netanyahu is to screw the Palestinians over even harder than ever before. Then a journalist posed a question: QUESTION Thank you very much. Mr. President, in your vision for the new Middle East peace, are you ready to give up of the notion of two-state solution that was adopted by previous administration? And will you be willing to hear different ideas from the prime ministers as some of his partners are asking him to do, for example, annexation of parts of the West Bank and unrestricted settlement constructions? . . . And Mr. Prime Minister, did you come here tonight to tell Mr. the president that youre backing off the two-state solution? Thank you. DONALD TRUMP So, Im looking at two-state and one-state and I like the one that both parties like. Im very happy with the one that both parties like. I can live with either one. I thought for a while the two-state looked like it may be the easier of the two but honestly, if Bibi and if the Palestinians if Israel and the Palestinians are happy, Im happy with the one they like the best. We know that Netanyahu, who has boasted about destroying the Oslo Peace accords and has pledged no Palestinian state, does not actually want a two-state solution. But Netanyahu does not want a one-state solution in the sense of having to give Palestinians citizenship rights in Israel. He wants a continuation and expansion of the status quo, with the Palestinians under the Israeli jackboot and helpless and stateless. So for Palestinians, a no-state solution. I.e. he wants Apartheid. Just as the white nationalists of South Africa took citizenship rights away from the Black African majority and tried to consign them to artificial Bantustans, so Netanyahu wants to keep Palestinians in Bantustans. In offering to relinquish a two-state solution, Trump shredded decades of American policy. But since there isnt going to be a two-state solution, it is just as well. Realistically, there is no place to put a Palestinian state any more. What Trump was really offering was some polite fiction where the Palestinians could be parceled out to Jordan, Egypt and Israel itself, even as they remain stateless, and economic investments would seek to depoliticize them and improve their per capita GDP. The white nationalists in South Africa tried something like that with their Black African population. It didnt last. In other words, it would be Apartheid, but an attempt would be made to implicate Egypt and Jordan in it. I predict failure in that regard. Later on, the Israeli prime minister said this: NETANYAHU I told you what are the conditions that I believe are necessary for an agreement. Its the recognition of the Jewish state and Israels Israels security control of the entire area. Otherwise, were just fantasizing. Otherwise, well get another failed state, another terrorist Islamist dictatorship that will not work for peace, but work to destroy us, but also destroy any hope for a peaceful future for our people. So there you have it. Netanyahu insists on Israeli security control of neighboring Palestine, insists that the Palestinians be kept stateless, and even goes so far in typically racist fashion to allege that Palestinians are congenitally incapable of erecting a state. And since Trump seems to believe whatever the last person he talked to alleged, likely Netanyahu will win out. The only problem is that there is no scenario in which millions of Palestinians are kept under martial law and deprived basic citizenship rights and go on being stolen from there is no scenario in which this story ends well. Juan Cole ====== Related video: Trump, Netanyahu Hold Joint Press Conference Reddit Email 0 Shares TeleSur | Countries opposed to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad will meet on Friday for the first time since Donald Trumps U.S. administration took office. The U.S. Defense Department may recommend that the United States deploy regular combat troops to Syria to fight Islamic State group militants, CNN reported on Wednesday. The idea is one of several ideas the Pentagon is considering after President Donald Trump gave defense officials until the end of the month to come up with proposals to speed up the war against the Islamic State group. A U.S. official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the United States already had a small number of special operation troops in Syria. The official added that the review was still underway and no options had been presented to Trump. Its way, way speculative, the official said of the report. Countries opposed to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad will meet on Friday for the first time since Donald Trumps U.S. administration took office, to seek common ground ahead of U.N.-backed peace talks in Geneva next week. The talks on the sidelines of a G20 foreign ministers meeting come as Assad, backed by Russia and Iran, is in his strongest position since the early days of the war, and as Trumps policy on Syria remains unclear. Via TeleSur Related video added by Juan Cole: Wochit News: Pentagon Considering Proposing Combat Troops In Syria Reddit Email 0 Shares By Jody Mashek | (Otherwords.org) | Ive seen firsthand how the White Houses cruel ban is impacting moms and kids here in the United States. Legal challenges to Donald Trumps Muslim ban are multiplying. Federal judges have suspended the order, which blocks immigration from seven Muslim-majority countries and suspends refugee settlement from everywhere, while federal cases wind their way through the courts. Meanwhile, confusion and uncertainty continue. Ive seen it firsthand. Im a legal director for the American Friends Service Committee, which means I regularly work with Muslim families on their immigration cases. My heart is breaking from the stories Ive heard from children worried that their families will be split up, and from parents in the U.S. who are trying to bring their children here. To be clear, this ban applies to kids, too. After a five-year old was detained at Washingtons Dulles airport, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer had the audacity to defend the practice of targeting children. To assume that just because of someones age or gender or whatever that they dont pose a threat would be misguided and wrong, he claimed. immmigration-muslim-ban-protest (Photo: Wikipedia Commons) In other words, the White House now assumes every man, woman, and child from the seven banned countries even a five-year old is a threat. Rumors and misinformation were percolating across immigrant communities before the ban was even signed. One day, I heard some kids wondering which members of their family would be deported. Their extended family is from an African country, and all are citizens or legal permanent residents. Unless one of them commits a deportable offense or the ban is expanded exponentially, theyre all going to remain in the United States. When I told them this, they started jumping up and down out of happiness and relief. But those kids were in fourth and first grade. No kids that young should ever have to have this kind of conversation. But I also work with people whose lives may be irrevocably changed by the ban. I have clients from Somalia and Iraq in particular who are trying to get their children to the U.S., and Im worried about them. Even before the ban, they expressed concern about how long it would take to get their kids here with them. And now they could wait even longer, with no guarantee that their day will ever come. The process was already a long one, because all migrants and refugees are subjected to rigorous vetting despite what were being told about the current vetting being insufficient. These families cases have been in process for two years or longer. Theyre trying to bring their children as follow-to-join refugees, which is a process that Trumps order suspended for at least four months. And that four-month stoppage could in reality create years of delays. Because the children are Iraqi and Somali both countries on the ban list Im deeply concerned about what will happen. When I talked to the Somali mom, I felt physically ill telling her that I dont know how long it will take for her children to come to the U.S. I cant really describe the sheer desperation and sense of defeat I saw in her. Im scared that shell throw everything away here and return to her family in a refugee camp abroad. Ive had distressingly similar conversations with other parents, too. The biggest ray of hope comes from the hundreds of thousands of people across the country whove taken to the streets, written letters, and called their representatives to assert loudly and clearly that refugees should be welcomed. I hope that those in power and everyone who has a role in carrying out these decisions will hear their plea for humanity. The ban must be ended. Jody Mashek directs legal services for the American Friends Service Committees Immigrants Voice Program in Des Moines. Distributed by OtherWords.org. Via Otherwords.org Related video added by Juan Cole: The Young Turks: How Trumps Deportations Are Breaking Up Real Families The Alabama House of Representatives [official website] approved a bill [text, PDF] on Tuesday that would block funding for state colleges and universities that have sanctuary policies and do not abide by state and federal immigration laws. Sanctuary policies are designed to protect certain immigrants from deportation. The bill, referred to as Americans First Act, was passed by a 72-28 vote. The bill authorizes the attorney general to block funding to colleges and universities that violate the Beason-Hammon Alabam Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act [text, PDF] and federal law. The bill has now been passed on to the Alabama Senate. Since the election of US President Donald Trump, some states and cities have proposed legislation to crackdown on sanctuary policies while some cities continue to stand behind their policies [JURIST op-ed]. In January the New York Attorney General proposed model language [JURIST report] for immigration laws and policies in sanctuary cities. In February the Mississippi Senate approved a bill [JURIST report] forbidding public universities and local governments from implementing a policy that grants any person the right to lawful presence or status. That same month San Francisco filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over an executive order that would cut federal funding [JURIST report] from sanctuary cities. Back in January, San Franciscos police chef was sued by an undocumented El Salvadorian over the citys sanctuary protection laws [JURIST report]. In February Texas Senate approved a bill targeting sanctuary cities [JURIST report] by requiring them to comply with federal immigration law. The EUParliament [official website] on Wednesday approved [press release] the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between Canada and the EU. CETA was passed by 408 votes to 254, with 33 abstentions. The deal, which , has been under negotiation since May 2009could come into force as early as April. The deal will remove tariffs on most traded goods and services and also provides for the mutual recognition of certification for a wide range of products. Citizens of the EU have expressed concerns that the deal gives too much power to multinational companies and that the respective governments will not be able to legislate to protect health, safety, or the environment and measures in the deal itself have been incorporated to alleviate fears that CETA will give too much power to big business. The ratification of CETA [BBC info video] has been a multi-year controversy. Last October representatives from the EU and Canada signed provisional CETA documents [JURIST report] before it was brought for wider ratification. Last August three German organizations, Campact, foodwatch and Mehr Demokratie [JURIST report], submitted a complaint against the CETA to the Federal Constitutional Court. With more than 125,000 signatures, the activists claimed the complaint to be the largest public suit in the nations history. In a press release, foodwatch stated that the trade agreement violates Basic Law in four different respects. The trade agreement between the EU and Canada was reached [JURIST report] in 2013. At that point, CETA had been in negotiation for four years. The alliance would provide Canada with greater reach into the European market and eliminate as much as 98 percent of all tariffs. The EU has endorsed the notion that CETA will comply fully with European standards for workers and safety. A judge for the US District Court for the Western District of Washington [official website] on Tuesday denied [text] a motion for a temporary restraining order seeking to halt the seizure and destruction of the property of unhoused people living the city of Seattle. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) [advocacy website] filed the case on behalf [MyNorthwest report] of The Episcopal Diocese, Real Change and two homeless individuals who claim to have lost property after the city confiscated and disposed of it without due process. The plaintiffs seek protection under the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments [text]. ACLU of Washington Legal Director Emily Chiang said [Seattle Times report] her organization will continue to press the suit and seek class-action status for an estimated 20,000 homeless people. Homelessness continues to be an issue [JURIST op-ed] faced by many domestic and international cities. The National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty (NLCHP) [advocacy website] released a report [JURIST report] in November finding an increased criminalization of homelessness in cities across the US despite a lack of housing options. In March a lawsuit was filed against the city of Los Angeles for endangering the homeless [JURIST report]. Also in March the UN reported that homelessness will spread [JURIST report] globally due to general government inaction. In August 2015 the US government challenged [JURIST report] an Idaho ordinance that criminalized sleeping in public. The Department of Justice [official website] released a condemnation of the law, claiming it acted as a criminalization of homeless status in violation of these citizens Eighth Amendment rights. JURIST guest columnist Azariah Jelks of Valparaiso University Law argued [JURIST op-ed] in December 2015 that affordable housing must become a reality, due to the mass increase in housing cost, forcing many people out into the street. A judge for the Court of Appeals [official website] in Kenya on Wednesday ordered the release of seven officials of the Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) [official website] who were jailed earlier this week due to an ongoing strike. The decision of the court also mandates [East African report] that they resume negotiations with the government to be presented to the court on February 23. The doctors want the government to honor agreements the government made in 2013, including [DW report] a 150 to 180 percent increase in salaries, better working conditions, and to address under-staffing in hospitals. The leaders of the doctors union were sentenced [JURIST report] on Monday to one month in prison over the ongoing strike. The strike began in December over pay and service conditions. In January a Kenyan court ordered doctors to end the strike [JURIST report] or risk being sent to jail. Kenya has faced criticism for its treatment of protesters, though this strike has been peaceful. In November a group of UN human rights experts condemned reported violence [JURIST report] against anti-corruption protesters and journalists in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi. Two members of the Montenegrin parliament were stripped of their immunity [press release] Wednesday after facing accusations of involvement with an attempted coup. The lawmakers, Andrija Mandic and Milan Knezevic, are part of the Democratic Front (DF), a pro-Russian group that has firmly opposed the countrys plan to join NATO. The decision faced public backlash and was subject to protests [RT report]. A press release for parliament stated that the session was conducted in a lawful manner, in full compliance with applicable regulations, and that any other interpretation represents the most brutal form of political manipulation. On October 16, about 20 Serbian citizens were arrested [JURIST report] in Montenegro and accused of attempting a coup against the government on election day. The plan itself was to attack the police outside of Parliament, break into the Montenegro parliament, kill Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic, and declare a pro-Russian coalition the party in power. The Chief Special Prosecutor later accused [Balkan Insight report] Russian nationalists of plotting against the government. Evidence has yet to show that Russia aided the coup in any way. In the months leading to the October election, Djukanovic stated that voters would be deciding whether Montenegro joins the West or becomes a Russian colony. Djukanovic expressed his belief that the thwarted, terrorist coup was intended to prevent further westernization of the Balkan country. While his party, the Democratic Party of Socialists, won the October election, their failure to win an overall majority may hinder plans to create further Western ties. [JURIST] The Supreme Prosecutors Office of the Republic of Korea [official website] on Wednesday announced that it added charges to Samsung Vice President Jay Y Lees indictment alleging collusion between Lee and President Park Geun-hye [Forbes profiles]. Seoul Central District Court Judge Cho Eui-yeon denied prosecutors an arrest warrant in January, stating that the evidence did not support the charges. Prosecutors then summoned [JURIST reports] Lee for further questioning earlier this week, in an attempt to gather further evidence in a case alleging that Lee colluded with impeached-president Park. Lee, who governs Korean business giant Samsung in his fathers absence, is alleged to have donated a total of USD $36.42 million to secure the 2015 merger of Samsung C&T and Cheil Industries to non-profit organizations run by Choi Soon-sil, a close friend of the Park, while Park was president. In October Park proposed [JURIST report] to amend the countrys constitutional provision that limits presidents to one term in office. In November the Parliament of South Korea appointed a special prosecutor [JURIST report] to investigate Park for allegedly allowing individuals to influence state affairs. In November two of the presidents former aides and a close friend were indicted on corruption charges [JURIST report]. Accused of sharing confidential information and extorting millions of dollars from large corporations with a personal friend, Park was impeached [JURIST report] by an overwhelming vote in December. Parks powers are temporarily suspended while the Constitutional Court considers whether to remove her permanently from her position. The Stockholm District Court on Thursday sentenced [press release] a former Syrian rebel fighter to life in prison for his participation in a mass execution of seven men in 2012. The defendant, who had permanent residence in Sweden, argued that the executions were carried out in accordance with the court-ordered death sentences issued for the men. Those executed were soldiers under the Syrian regime. The Swedish court struggled with the notion of legitimate, non-governmental courts being created under the conditions of an armed-conflict. However, the imposed life sentence was ultimately determined based on the proximity of the initial capture of the men to the subsequent execution. The soldiers were killed two days after their capture. The court ruled that the defendant had committed serious crimes in violation of international law because the soldiers could not have received a fair trial in a matter of days. A number of war crimes have been alleged during the Syrian Civil War. Earlier this month Human Rights Watch alleged that the Syrian government had conducted coordinated chemical attacks [JURIST report] on the rebel controlled portions of Aleppo. Also in February Amnesty International claimed that the Syrian government has hanged more than 13,000 prisoners in extrajudicial executions [JURIST report] over a five-year period at Saydnaya prison. In January the Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council stated that the interruption of water that has left millions of Syrians without clean access to water constitutes a war crime [JURIST report]. Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Nils Muiznieks [official profile] on Wednesday urged Turkey [press release] to change course and to display the responsibility and tolerance expected in a democratic society. The commissioners document [text, PDF] comes amid increased scrutiny of Turkeys treatment of journalists and other members of Turkish society, allegedly leading to the repression of free speech and self-censorship. Muiznieks said that Turkey has lost the ground it achieved concerning media freedom and freedom of expression in cooperation with the Council of Europe and that the state of emergency blanketing the country must be limited and the power of the executive checked: A first step is to lift the current state of emergency and reverse the numerous unacceptable infringements of freedom of expression, and in particular media freedom and academic freedom, that it engendered. In addition, the Turkish authorities must completely overhaul the Criminal Code and the Anti-Terrorism Law so as to align law and practice with the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights. Beyond these deficiencies, it is crucial to change a judicial culture where judges and prosecutors interpret and apply laws in a way that consistently undermines freedom of expression and media freedom in Turkey. The Turkish government responded [text, PDF] by expressing strong disagreement with certain observations but affirmed its commitment to freedom of expression. Since a failed coup attempt in July, where Turkish military forces tried to overthrow the government, the Turkish government has taken several controversial steps to strengthen its power. At the end of January a judge for the UN Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals ordered the release of a Turkish judge [JURIST report] who was involved in adjudicating a Rwandan genocide case and had been incarcerated since July. Earlier in January the Turkish Parliament approved a plan [JURIST report], which, if approved by vote later this year, would increase presidential power within the country and would allow President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to stay in office until 2029. In November Turkey significantly restricted the activities of NGOs like human rights organizations and childrens groups and arrested opposition party leaders [JURIST reports] alleging they were connected to terror organizations. In October Human Rights Watch warned [JURIST report] that the emergency decrees put in place after the failed coup had resulted in serious human rights violations. In July Amnesty International condemned [JURIST report] Turkey for attacking the freedom of the press by issuing arrest warrants for 42 journalists. Victims of sexual violence in Ukraine are not being provided with adequate access to justice or services in the country, according to a UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) [official website] report [text, PDF] released Thursday. The report noted in particular that there is a prevailing impunity for cases of sexual violence in the country. As of December, only three criminal cases alleging sexual violence had been undertaken. Furthermore, the mission found that, the established practice in the investigation and prosecution of sexual violence, environment of fear and intimidation, makes it difficult to bring perpetrators to justice and deters victims from seeking justice. The report indicates that lack of capacity in law enforcement and the legal sector contribute to the inadequate access to justice. The situation in Ukraine has steadied in recent time, however, people continue to be subject to abuses by both sides of the conflict. In January Ukraine filed a case [JURIST report] in the top UN court claiming Russia is funding terrorism in the region. Monitors in Ukraine have been monitoring rights abuses for year. In December the UN released a report detailing the suffering of citizens [JURIST report] after the breakdown of the Minsk Agreement [PDF]. In August advocacy groups released statements condemning the use [JURIST report] of secret detention facilities by both sides of the conflict. NEWSLETTER Sign up Tick the boxes of the newsletters you would like to receive. Just Drinks Daily News The top stories of the day delivered to you every weekday. Just Drinks Weekly News A weekly roundup of the latest news and analysis, sent every Monday. Just Drinks Magazine The industry's most comprehensive news and information delivered every quarter US dairy cooperative CROPP is preparing to launch the first organic product in the UK under its Organic Valley brand a new protein milk shake as a springboard for future sales of the product across Europe. Free Report Unilever- A Deep-dive into Product Launches and Advertising Strategy Track product launches by FMCG companies to get an understanding of the product-level strategies including geographic concentrations, innovation types, product claim, category focus and more Monitoring the advertising strategies of various brands and gain insights into channel focus, regional focus, and more Perform company-level analysis to understand business model, size, and geographic focus Dont miss out on key market insights that can help optimize your next investment read the report now. Unilever product advertising is mainly through mainstream TV channels. Out of the products advertised so far at least 50% (over 850) of ads have been run on TV, while print media comes second with 496 ads. Unilever also utilizes social media platforms for advertisement. Unilever products are categorized by innovation ratings and tags in our product launch database. The North American region consists of almost 74 products with innovations related to the formulation of the product. Europe and other regions also have more products categorized under formulation-related innovation, followed by the packaging and positioning of the products. Most Unilever products are tagged with High Vitamins, Recyclable, and Natural tags to understand what the product differentiator is from other products available in the market. The majority of products belong to the personal care industry with a total of 5,788 products to date. This report, through the Unilever Example, illustrates how GlobalData Explorer enables you to:Dont miss out on key market insights that can help optimize your next investment read the report now. by GlobalData Enter your details here to receive your free Report. 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Visit our privacy policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address. Thank you.Please check your email to download the Report. Eric Newman, CROPPs vice-president of sales, told just-food today (15 February) the new Organic Fuel 26g high-protein shake will be launched soon, although he declined to give details. Organic Fuel is such a new product we are still finalising the design of the packaging, but I can confirm it will be launched in the UK this year, Newman revealed on the sidelines of the Biofach organic food trade fair in Nuremberg, Germany. Organic Fuel is designed as a protein beverage for athletes containing three times the protein that can be found in regular milk drinks. The new product will also be available in powder form, initially in the UK too, before both the liquid shake and powder variants also go on sale across countries in the European Union. Newman added: We want to make sure everything to do with the product is going well following the launch in the UK before we move into the rest of the EU. The new product, which Newman said is CROPPs first to be sold in any country carrying the EUs organic compliant label, will initially be sold in natural food stores in the UK such as Whole Foods Market and Holland & Barrett. However, Newman said the cooperative had an eye on eventually expanding into mainstream retail. We do not rule that out, he said. In terms of sales, Newman said he would expect Organic Fuels overall sales across the EU to be at least US$20m annually within the next three years. CROPP has longstanding links with the UK, in terms of its partnership with the UK-based Organic Milk Suppliers Cooperative (OMSCo). Under that partnership, the cooperatives produce organic cheeses under the Kingdom brand. Kingdoms organic, sharp cheddar was the first to launch in the range and is available in natural and speciality cheese stores around the US. In an update on Organic Valleys US operations, Newman said a 50-50 joint venture deal with Dean Foods, to expand distribution of the brand, has gone smoothly. Newman said the venture is now set to start processing and shipping Organic Valley products in April, instead of mid-to-late 2017 as estimated previously. The real push for Dean Foods to be bottling at their plants will begin in July, but we have done other business with Dean Foods before and we are building on that legacy relationship, Newman said. However, Newman expressed concern about possible policies of the new administration of President Donald Trump, including pulling out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). We are concerned about this and the Presidents America First policy because we believe in global trade, Newman said. For example, the decision on TPP is disappointing for us from a dairy point of view because we would, for example, have gained in markets such as Japan in terms of reductions in tariffs. Related Companies FRANKLIN A former Riverton village clerk accused of stealing money from the village was sentenced to probation and fined Monday in Franklin County Court. Kelly Jackson, 31, of Riverton, was found guilty in November of theft by unlawful taking or disposition, a Class I misdemeanor. The charge was reduced in a plea deal from theft by unlawful taking or disposition, a Class III felony. Jackson began six months of probation Monday. She is also expected to pay $1,000 to the court. According to court records, an audit by the Nebraska State Auditors office between Oct. 1, 2013, and Jan. 31, 2015, alleges that Jackson paid herself $15,830 more than her monthly approved income of $400. Additionally, court records say, several former and current board members told law enforcement that the village board chairman signed blank checks so Jackson could pay city bills; however, Jackson allegedly wrote checks to herself. KEARNEY Utah State University professor Jason Gilmore will be at the University of Nebraska at Kearney from 7-9 p.m. Feb. 23 to present The Whole World is Watching: American Exceptionalism in the Trump Era, a discussion about the role American exceptionalism and patriotism play in politics. Gilmores presentation will discuss the origins and historical importance of the notion that America is a shining City Upon a Hill and beacon for the rest of the world to follow. Gilmore will explore how these ideas have been strategically communicated under both the Obama and Trump administrations. Gilmore was the recipient of the 2016 College of Humanities and Social Sciences Deans Giraffe Award for innovation and risk taking and the 2016-2017 Utah State Presidents Faculty Diversity Award recipient for championing issues of diversity and inclusion. His research examines the strategic creation, dissemination and effects of ideas linked to American national identity. The Feb. 23 event will be in UNKs Copeland Hall Room 142 and is free and open to the public. LINCOLN The Nebraska Supreme Court has disbarred former state Sen. Brenda Council of Omaha for using campaign donations to support a gambling addiction. We find that because respondents misconduct involved misappropriation, misrepresentation, the violation of Nebraska law and abuse of public office, she should be disbarred, the court wrote in an opinion released Friday morning. The case stems from Councils misappropriation of more than $63,000 in campaign funds, which she spent at casinos over a 2-year period. Her misuse of the funds came to light last year when Attorney General Jon Bruning filed state charges. Professional disciplinary charges were filed against Councils license based on two misdemeanor convictions in state court for abuse of public records. She pleaded guilty and was fined $250 on each charge. In October, felony wire fraud charges were filed in U.S. District Court. In a plea deal, she was fined $500 and put on probation for three years. John W. Steele, assistant counsel for discipline, told the high court in May that a felony conviction for wire fraud should cost the former Omaha senator her law license. I dont think we should have felons practice law, he said during oral arguments before the Supreme Court. Lincoln attorney Vince Powers, who represented Council, said the court should take into account his clients long record of public service and professional accomplishment. He argued for the one-year suspension recommended by a court-appointed referee who reviewed the case. What does it say if one of the most accomplished attorneys in the state who has done so much is not allowed to practice law? Powers asked. Fremont attorney Thomas Thomsen, the court referee, had recommended that her law license be suspended for one year and that she be given two years probation. In his report, Thomsen praised Councils record of service and her willingness to tackle her gambling addiction. She has since repaid the funds and has participated in a 12-step program to help overcome her addiction. Council was elected to north Omahas District 11 legislative seat in 2008, after serving on the Omaha school board and the Omaha City Council. She got her law degree from Creighton University in 1977. Despite the charges, she sought a second term in the Legislature but was defeated. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, Dominic LeBlanc, right, looks at a boom used to contain oil spills while being given a tour of environmental response equipment by Michael Martens, left, Canadian Coast Guard Acting Senior Environmental Response Officer, after an announcement at the Sea Island Canadian Coast Guard Base, in Richmond, B.C., on Wednesday February 15, 2017. Canada's largest commercial fishermen's union says the creation of a new marine protection area off British Columbia's north coast will result in lost jobs and higher prices for seafood. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck Canadian Defense Minister Harjit Singh Sajjan, right, speaks with Croatian Defense Minister Damir Krsticevic, center, and Bulgarian Defense Minister Stefan Yanev, left, during a meeting of the North Atlantic Council at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017. U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Wednesday told NATO ministers that the alliance is "a fundamental bedrock for the United States" while at the same time demanding an increased financial commitment from the 27 other alliance members. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Virginia Mayo Tra fish exports not greatly affected by Carrefour Concerning Carrefours decision to stop selling Vietnamese tra fish (pangasius) in some of their markets, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) said the export of the fish to Europe may be affected but not seriously. Talking to the Daily, VASEP General Secretary Truong Dinh Hoe said that after a Spanish TV station had aired video footage containing false information about the domestic tra fish industry, a group of people made use of this to broadcast propaganda against Vietnams tra fish. A certain group of people seeks to take advantage of this environmental incident to inflate the story and assist the sale of domestic fish, instead of imports from Vietnam, he said. What was reflected in the footage does not represent Vietnams tra fish industry. It is not the standard process of tra fish production, but just a phenomenon that has been exaggerated to defame the pangasius fish industry of Vietnam, Hoe said. Following this incident, Carrefour, Europes largest retailer, said they would stop selling Vietnamese tra fish, although they had been selling just a small quantity of this item. It is unknown how much they sell a year since they do not buy directly from us but through importers. However, the information from a number of importers shows that the percentage of tra fish sold by Carrefour is negligible, Hoe said. Nevertheless, the consumption of Vietnamese tra fish may go down due to this case, but the impact will not be serious, as production activities at home still meet the environmental and food safety requirements. Vietnam still offers Europe the products that meet all the conditions of this market such as ASC (the worlds leading certification and labeling program for responsibly farmed seafood), Global GAP (good agricultural practices)..., he remarked. The Global Aquaculture Alliance (GAA) has affirmed Vietnamese tra fish is produced responsibly according to the stringent food safety standards, so consumers can totally rest assured, said Vo Thi Thu Huong, deputy general secretary of the Vietnam Pangasius Association (VN Pangasius). On fis.com, Simon Bush, professor of environmental policy at Wageningen University, said: Our analysis shows that the vigorous claims made about pangasius do not match the very limited safety risk and limited environmental impact observed in scientific studies. Meanwhile, Ghent University Professor Emeritus Patrick Sorgeloos stressed research of Dutch scientists showed that the contribution of the pangasius industry to pollution in the Mekong River is negligible. GAAs BAP Coordinator Dan Lee pointed out that any fish species, whether in a natural or a farm setting, will interact with its environment. Pangasius is no exception and the interactions arising from production systems in Southeast Asia do have the potential to generate localized negative impacts. Hoe of VASEP believed the libelous behavior as described above serves none other than the purpose of trade protection and unfair competition. Therefore, the local tra fish industry must further improve their quality, pursue sustainable farming and provide more products meeting international standards so that consumers may feel more confident. SGT There is something to know If you are looking to cross into Mexico this Saturday morning. The annual Abrazo Ceremony will be taking place, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection is making sure the event takes place smoothly and safely. This is why all vehicular and commercial bus traffic will be stopped at the Lincoln-Juarez Bridge from 5:00 am until 9:00 am. However, the Gateway to the Americas International Bridge's pedestrian and bicycle lanes will be open for the public. The Colombia-Solidarity Bridge will begin its operations on this day at 5:00 am in order to accommodate more travelers. The City of Laredo meets with representatives of a Mexican port city to negotiate an agreement to use our town as their new port of entry. According to Mayor Pete Saenz - Manzanillo, Colima and the city are working on a Memorandum of Understanding to use Laredo ports to bring in goods to the central and eastern United States. Saenz says the distance from Manzanillo to Laredo was the major factor in the agreement between both cities. "We've been discussing possibly a trip [in] September, October of this coming year so we can sign that Memorandum of Understanding and possibly even sign a Sister City arrangement, " Saenz said. "We can also bring something in other then commerce. We can bring culture, education, the arts and that sort of thing." Manzanillo imports goods such as fruits, vegetables and perishables. Manzanillo used to import through the state of California. 1 of 5 A death defying photoshoot goes viral This is the hair-raising moment a stunning Russian model posed for a death-defying photoshoot on top of one of the world's tallest skyscrapers. Viki Odintcova, 23, was held up only by the hand of a male assistant as she leaned out into thin air from the 1,004-foot tall Cayan Tower in Dubai in a bid to get the perfect Instagram shot. The Russian model first tilted backwards over the huge drop, before dangling high above the ground from the arm of her bearded helper. The Instagram queen, who has more than three million followers on social media, admitted that she was a bit nervous before the stunt. Read More... Cancer remains the main cause of death and illness in Kilkenny, according to Irish Life. Irish Life Insurance has published its annual claims report for its business confirming that it paid out 2 million to customers and their families in County Kilkenny who were affected by illness and death during 2016. In 2016, the average age of Life Insurance claims in Kilkenny was 65 years, while the average age of those with Specified Illness claims was 54 years. The results of the claims book show that Irish Life paid 1.4 million for 28 Life Insurance claims in County Kilkenny and a further 583,000 for 13 Specified Illness claims. Cancer was once again the main cause of both Life Insurance and Specified Illness claims in Kilkenny, followed by heart-related conditions as the second biggest cause of claims. Martin Duffy, Head of Underwriting & Protection Claims, Irish Life Retail, is worried over how young, many of the claimants are both in Kilkenny and around the country based on the analysis of the data. He commented "None of us can predict the future, however, our 2016 report highlights how important it is that the people of Kilkenny protect themselves against any financial difficulties caused by unexpected illness or death. This is shown by the fact that accidents were the second biggest cause of life insurance claims for people under 40 years, while nearly 40% of our Specified Illness claims were for people under 50 years, which are startling figures. The analysis of all the data, however, produced some worrying results and figures Overall, the number of people dying from cancer in Ireland is continuing to rise, as the claims data showed that over half of women (51%) and 41% of men died from cancer, up from 48% and 39% respectively in 2015. Waterford's Sinn Fein TD has refused point blank to say whether or not he supports the unwanted boundary extension by Waterford into south Kilkenny. He accused the Kilkenny People newspaper of sensationalism and said he would not be forced into making a public statement on the matter until the matter is clarified by Sinn Fein at national level. In a feisty interview, David Cullinane TD, said that the Kilkenny People would find out his and his party's position when the party was ready and not beforehand. This is in stark contrast to the position of his ex-wife and Sinn Fein TD for Kilkenny, Kathleen Funchion. She has defied the party hierarchy and come out fighting in defence of her native county. The heritage and identity of our people in South Kilkenny must be defended, protected and respected. The community, parish and county in which we live and with which we identify is critically important to all of us, she said. It not only concerns the people of South Kilkenny but the entire county. We as a Nation have had enough of borders being drawn against the will of the majority. It is time to bring a halt to this exercise which is causing so much unnecessary worry and concern to our people, she said. She pointed out that local authorities regularly cooperate with each other where their interests "over lap" without trying a landgrab. Deputy Cullinane did tell the Kilkenny People that he had an opinion on the proposed annexation of 5,000 acres and 5,500 people from South Kilkenny to Waterford but would not be making it public - instead he would be sharing it within the party as the party came to an official position on the matter. He did reveal that he had helped to write an Oireachtas report entitled 'South East Economic Development Strategy' which proposed the expansion of Waterford city. He said he would not be making any more comments until the party's consultation process had been completed and a decision reached on the boundary committee recommendation. HANOI, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Here's a snapshot of Vietnamese dong exchange rates in the official and unofficial markets, indicative SJC gold prices in Hanoi and interbank offered rates at 0416 GMT. Feb 16 Feb 15 USD/VND mid-point 22,234 22,236 USD/VND interbank 22,770/22,790 22,720/22,790 USD/VND unofficial 22,800/22,820 22,800/22,820 SJC gold (mln dong/tael) 36.75/37.07 36.67/36.99 Interbank offered rates Overnight 4.0-4.9 3.3-4.7 1 week 4.1-4.8 3.3-4.7 1 month 4.5-4.9 3.7-4.9 3 months 4.6-5.0 4.2-4.9 NOTES: As of Jan. 4, 2016 the State Bank of Vietnam has begun setting the mid-point rate on daily basis, allowing dollar/dong transactions to move in a band of +/- 3 percent around the mid point. The dong's exchange rate against other currencies is not restricted by a band. Interbank offered rates are the latest indicative bid/ask prices, quoted from market sources. One tael is equivalent to 37.5 grams or 1.21 troy ounces. SJC gold prices are quoted by state-owned Saigon Jewelry Co. For more interbank rate fixings released at 0400 GMT, click on . For Vietnam market overview click on: Vietnam's bonds market auctions: Bonds auction results: (Compiled by Hanoi Newsroom) Cobalt prices have increased by more than 47% year-over-year, one of the largest gains in the entire metals spectrum. The rise comes as the markets for electric vehicles and electronic devices continue to grow rapidly around the world, nourishing fear of a cobalt supply shortage. The majority of the cobalt, 90%, produced today is tied to copper and nickel production and therefore tied to other markets. Because of that, a downturn in other parts of the economy frequently leads to production adjustments or shutdowns of mines as we have seen in recent past, reducing the amount of cobalt supply. One company having predicted this development early on is Global Energy Metals of Vancouver, Canada. Mitchell Smith, president and CEO of GEM, explained these trends to Tech Metals Insider. Current projections suggest that, by 2020, 75% of all Li-Ion batteries in the world will contain cobalt, said Smith. The main focus will be on increasing energy density which will make batteries smaller, and devices lighter. We are on the edge of an energy revolution which is driven by electric vehicles and energy storage (the Tesla Wall etc.). How likely is it that cobalt will be substituted by, for example, Lithium-Iron as used by BYD of China in their electric vehicles? Smith: Li-Ion batteries vary in cobalt content from between 9 -12% in electric vehicles to up to 30% in some electronic devices. In terms of material weight, the electric vehicle market will be driving force for growth in the cobalt market. There is room for different technologies such as BYDs Li-iron batteries but cobalt is critical to the ability for batteries to increase energy density, and to hold their charge over time. Lets not forget that the first rechargeable batteries were only introduced by Sony in the 1980s. Development since then has been expensive and quite slow; it is hard to conceive that the various Giga Factories going up all over the world will change their direction and chemistry in the near or medium term future, he added. The supply of cobalt has come under significant scrutiny. Groups like Amnesty International have made consumers and producers aware that there are issues with some parts of the mining industry, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Smith puts this into perspective: There are many large copper mining operations in the DRC, the majority of which are mining in an ethical manner. Unfortunately, given the poverty in this country there is unsafe labor by children hand-mining the cobalt in more artisanal operations requiring such scrutiny of the entire supply chain. Global Energys aim is to provide just that: ethically produced cobalt. Global Energy Metals was founded by a group of individuals with significant experience in the cobalt space. Our aim is to aggregate cobalt focused properties, assets, supply and offtake partners, Smith elaborated. The first project that we hold today is in northwest Ontario. It has an operational history as a cobalt producer and is in the process of resource evaluation. So to us, its still an exploration project that is not in operation yet although it is one of the most well-understood primary projects of cobalt production in Canada, if not North America. We are using this project as a starting point and as a lever to go out and do further acquisitions in the cobalt space. We have been in discussions with the Exchange for quite some time and expect to get listed on the TSXV in the very near future, Smith added. Will recent changes in the US government, including talks of exiting the NAFTA agreement, have an effect on GEMs business? Smith: The main intermediate users of cobalt come out of the Asian market. They then supply the battery groups like Samsung or Panasonic with their cobalt material. Most of Chinas cobalt is currently supplied from the DRC. Our aim is to fill the niche of diversified supply outside of the DRC by offering cobalt from politically stable parts of the world such as Canada or Australia. Several US projects such as the one Idaho are already very far down the development route and have a very good handle on the American market, meaning they dont compete with GEMs current plans. Strong and sustained market growth, a developing supply shortage and ethical alternatives to former sources add to cobalts allure to investors; prices went from US$ 10,80 / lb to $13,40 at the end of 2016 and are presently moving towards $ 16. Some experts predict we will see $20 and more soon. Is the secret ingredient in battery materials turning into the markets shining star? By Bodo Albrecht, www.bodoalbrecht.com Follow me on Twitter @BodoAlbrecht Czech central bank governor says moderate price growth likely to continue PRAGUE, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Moderate price growth in the Czech economy is likely to continue and a suitable time will come for the central bank to exit safely from its weak crown policy, the bank's governor, Jiri Rusnok, said on Thursday. He reiterated that the central bank would not abandon the crown cap, set at 27 crowns per euro, before the second quarter and that forecasts point to mid-2017 as the likely time when the bank could let the crown strengthen beyond the cap level. (Reporting by Robert Muller; Editing by Louise Ireland) Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in precious metal products, commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication. kitco news All work has stopped at Freeport-McMoRan Inc's giant copper mine in Indonesia and its workers are planning a demonstration against the government's move last month that halted exports of copper concentrate to boost domestic industries, a union said. A prolonged stoppage at the world's second-biggest copper mine would support copper prices, near 21-month highs this week, but would also deny the Indonesian government desperately needed revenue from one of its biggest taxpayers. Freeport had said the Grasberg mine would have to slash output by 60 percent to approximately 70 million pounds of metal per month if it did not get an export permit by mid-February, due to limited storage. But a strike at Freeport's sole domestic offtaker of copper concentrate, PT Smelting, expected to last at least until March, has limited Freeport's output options, and Grasberg's storage sites are now full. "Everything has stopped completely. It's just maintenance now," Freeport Indonesia worker union chief Virgo Solossa told Reuters on Thursday, stopping short of saying how many of an estimated 33,000 workers had been sent home. Thousands of workers plan to stage a demonstration on Friday in Timika, Papua, the province where the mine is located, to demand the government makes "a wise decision" regarding their situation, Solossa said. "If they aren't careful, this has and will impact (Freeport operations), both for workers as immediate beneficiaries and the broader community as recipients of benefits from Freeport's presence." Solossa added further action would be considered following the demonstration on Friday. When asked about the stoppage, Freeport Indonesia spokesman Riza Pratama referred to the domestic smelter strike, and told Reuters that Grasberg's production was now being "managed to supply PT Smelting when their operations return to normal." He noted Freeport did not have any plan to announce a force majeure yet. "We are continuing to cooperate (with the government) so that our exports of concentrate can return to normal," Pratama said. Freeport estimated in January that sales of copper from Grasberg would reach 1.3 billion pounds in 2017, up from 1.05 billion pounds in 2016, assuming operations were normal. Coal and Minerals Director General Bambang Gatot declined to comment on the work stoppage and planned demonstration, but said the company had not applied for an export permit yet. "Let's see what happens tomorrow," he said. Indonesia introduced rules earlier this year requiring Freeport and some other miners to shift from their current 'contracts of work' to so-called 'special mining permits', before being allowed to resume exports of semi-processed ores and concentrates. Phoenix, Arizona-based Freeport has said it will only agree to a new mining permit with the same fiscal and legal protection in its current contract. The company has made direct contributions of more than $16 billion to Southeast Asia's biggest economy in taxes, royalties, dividends and other payments between 1992 and 2015, according to company data. Copper was down 0.7 percent at $6,027 a tonne on Thursday, holding near a 21-month high of $6,204 touched on Monday.[MTL] (Editing by Joseph Radford and Mark Potter) * Tie-up lacks obvious cost-saving overlaps - investors * Shoprite to inherit 'problematic businesses' - shareholder * Push back could complicate tycoon Wiese's plan By Tiisetso Motsoeneng JOHANNESBURG, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Minority investors in South Africa's Shoprite are worried they're getting a raw deal in the supermarket chain's potential tie-up with international furniture and household goods merchant Steinhoff to create an African retail giant. Under the proposed deal, Steinhoff will sell its African assets to Shoprite in return for a controlling stake in the $8 billion grocery chain, and Steinhoff will exchange its shares for those of Shoprite's top two shareholders. If approved, it will allow Steinhoff to hive off its struggling African assets - made up mainly of clothing, shoe and textile company Pepkor - into a new, separately listed merged entity called Retail Africa and possibly prompt a higher investor rating for its fast-growing European businesses. But three minority shareholders in Shoprite that spoke to Reuters are not in favour of a merger they say will short-change them and benefit Steinhoff investors and Christo Wiese, a top shareholder in both companies and the architect of the estimated 180 billion rand ($14 billion) proposed deal. The push back, although not enough to torpedo the deal at this stage, could complicate it if their views spread, and could test the retail billionaire's determination to bring more of his assets under one roof. At the heart of the Shoprite investors' complaints are a lack of obvious cost savings from overlaps between Pepkor's shoe, furniture and clothing chains and grocery retailer Shoprite and exchanging a stock with bigger potential for what they called inferior businesses. "It's a good deal for Steinhoff shareholders but it's not a great deal for Shoprite shareholders," said Tota Tsotsotso, managing director at Bataung Capital, a Shoprite shareholder. He declined to disclose the stake the fund holds in the company. "Through this deal, Shoprite will inherit some problematic businesses in Steinhoff while Steinhoff will add a defensive, fast-growing supermarket chain to its portfolio." Steinhoff's African businesses, which include furniture store JD Group and electronics brand Incredible Connection, have been a drag on earnings due to weak consumer spending, slowing economies and faltering currencies. Operating profit at those businesses grew just 1 percent last year, compared with a 16 percent rise at Steinhoff's European chains and almost double in Australasia. SHARES UNDER PRESSURE The deal has depressed Shoprite's stock price. It booked its worst one-day fall in more than a decade on Dec. 14 when the talks were announced and has extended losses to about 15 percent at around 175 rand since then as of this week. Zwelakhe Mnguni, chief investment officer at Benguela Global Fund Manager, a Shoprite investor, said a merger could further dampen a stock that has big upside potential because Shoprite's store and supply chain network outside its maturing home market had reached a stage where it can be scaled up. Shoprite's shares should be trading at 205 rand, or nearly 20 percent higher that the current level, based on its most likely earnings growth trajectory, according to Thomson Reuters Starmine intrinsic valuation model. "Our assessment is that this deal is not in the best interests of our clients," said Mnguni, whose firm owns nearly 1 billion rand ($75 million) worth of Shoprite shares. "There are no obvious synergies in the deal, so the idea of creating an African retail giant doesn't make sense." Shoprite and Steinhoff have said the deal will not lead to job cuts. Another fund manager, who owns shares in Shoprite, said the takeover appeared tailored to benefit Wiese, who told Reuters in September a merger would be a "natural development" as he continued to look for ways to consolidate his assets. "I can't see either party adding value to each other. It's obviously in Christo Wiese's long-term interests and doesn't mean it's in other shareholders' interests," said Evan Walker, a fund manager at 360ne Asset Management. Wiese, who initiated the tie-up along with the Public Investment Corporation (PIC), has 16 percent in Shoprite and 23 percent in Steinhoff and is a board member in both. Government-owned pension fund PIC is the second-biggest investor in Shoprite and Steinhoff with 11 percent and 8 percent, respectively. The companies have not disclosed the exchange ratio of the all-share deal but one retail banker expected the two businesses to be combined at around 12 times Shoprite's estimated 2017 core earnings, or EBIT, and closer to 15 times Steinhoff's African retail assets. That multiple values the combination at more than 180 billion rand ($13.52 billion). "Pepkor might fetch a higher valuation than Shoprite. They are both affected by weak economies in Africa but Pepkor boasts higher margins," the retail banker, who declined to be named, said. 'SPAZA SHOP' The transaction would require the backing of 75 percent of both companies' shareholders to go through. It could be a sure thing if Wiese and the PIC are allowed to vote their shares. Besides his direct Shoprite holding, Wiese owns another 35 percent in deferred shares, which carry the same voting rights, through his investment vehicle, Thibault Square, meaning he controls about 50 percent of Shoprite's voting rights. Given that Wiese and PIC, led by Chief Executive Dan Matjila, are the architects of the tie-up and significant shareholders in both companies, experts say they could possibly be barred by the Takeover Regulation Panel from voting their shares, giving minorities a bigger say in the fate of the deal. The two companies said last month they were still in exclusive talks. Wiese did not respond to emailed requests for comment but other investors in Steinhoff said there was scope for cost-savings between Shoprite and Pepkor. "There may be some synergies between food and clothing even though it does not seem obvious at first glance," said Nino Frodema, portfolio manager at Vunani Fund Managers, holders of Steinhoff shares. He cited Shoprite rival Pick and Pay's clothing business, which had been "growing quite well in a predominately food supply chain infrastructure". A top 10 investor, who owns shares in both companies, said his fund was in favour of the potential tie-up because it would create a diversified African retailer that could take on the likes of U.S. company Wal-Mart , clothing chain Zara and UK grocer Tesco . "You cannot do it with a spaza shop," the investor said, referring to local 'mom and pop' stores found in South African suburbs. ($1 = 13.0844 rand) (Editing by Susan Thomas) * Large stocks of nickel could deplete quickly * Indonesian nickel ore exporters face hurdles * China credit growth to fuel metals demand (Recasts, adds comment, changes dateline from Melbourne) By Pratima Desai LONDON, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Nickel prices rose to two-month highs on Thursday on escalating concern about supplies after the suspension of mines in top ore producer the Philippines and its decision to cancel contracts for undeveloped mines. Benchmark nickel on the London Metal Exchange was up 0.1 percent at $10,930 a tonne by 1033 GMT. Earlier the stainless steel ingredient hit a high of $11,055. The Philippines this week ordered the cancellation of 75 mineral production-sharing agreements as developing them would threaten water supply. That came after the closure or suspension of 28 of the country's 41 mines. "Stocks of nickel are still fairly large, but they could come down pretty fast," said SP Angel analyst John Meyer. "Indonesia did partially relax the ban, but it may not make a difference to ore supplies." Indonesia eased a three-year ban on nickel ore exports in January. However, analysts say the rules accompanying the relaxation on using local smelter capacity to process low-grade ore is a hurdle that some firms may not be able to jump. Stocks of nickel in LME-approved warehouses stand at around 380,000 tonnes, while those in warehouses monitored by the Shanghai Futures Exchange total 89,000 tonnes. They account for more than 20 percent of global consumption estimated at roughly 2 million tonnes this year. Elsewhere copper was down 0.5 percent at $6,036 a tonne, holding near a 21-month high of $6,204 touched this week. Its gains have been fuelled by a strike at BHP Billiton's Escondida mine in Chile and a lack of permits for exports from Freeport McMoRan's Grasberg mine in Indonesia. Also supportive is the idea of stronger demand in top consumer China, where banks extended 2.03 trillion yuan in net new yuan loans in January, the second-highest monthly tally on record. "We find that credit demanded by China's metals intensive 'old-economy' has been remarkably strong over the past two months, with bullish implications for Chinese fixed asset investment, PMIs and the commodity complex," Goldman Sachs analysts said in a note. "The resulting acceleration in metals demand is expected to push the copper market, as well as other metals such as nickel and zinc into deficit, leading to inventory draws ... and higher prices", Goldman said. Aluminium was down 0.9 percent at $1,895, zinc slipped 0.5 percent to $2,856, lead lost 0.9 percent to $2,307 and tin gained 0.5 percent to $19,975. PRICES Three month LME copper Most active ShFE copper Three month LME aluminium Most active ShFE aluminium Three month LME zinc Most active ShFE zinc Three month LME lead Most active ShFE lead Three month LME nickel Most active ShFE nickel Three month LME tin Most active ShFE tin (Additional reporting by Melanie Burton; Editing by David Holmes) By Terrence Edwards ULAANBAATAR, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Mongolia plans to nationalise a 49 percent stake in a copper mine sold to a domestic private firm last year, bringing one of Asia's biggest copper producers under full control in a move its former Russian owner said could deter foreign investors. The country's parliament voted to nationalise the Erdenet mine last week after a probe by lawmakers concluded the June 2016, $400 million sale by state-owned Russian holding company Rostec to little-known Mongolian Copper Corp (MCC) was unconstitutional as it was agreed without lawmakers' approval. Erdenet, which produces 530,000 tons of ore annually, is one of Asia's biggest copper and molybdenum mines and a top tax contributor to the country's $12 billion economy. The sale to MMC was sanctioned by former prime minister Chimed Saikhanbileg. The parliament's intervention comes as Mongolia, sandwiched between Russia and China, struggles to take advantage of vast mineral wealth, with investors deterred by inconsistent laws and tax rules. Russia has been involved in the mine since 1978, but sanctions imposed after its annexation of Crimea have encouraged it to liquidate overseas assets. The country has been involved in a spat with miner Rio Tinto over the giant Oyu Tolgoi copper deposit. Mongolia was also forced to pay $70 million compensation to Canada's Khan Resources after international arbitration ruled it had illegally revoked a uranium licence. A parliamentary working party concluded the sale violated financing laws because of the involvement of multiple shell corporations controlled by Mongolia's largest private lender, Trade and Development Bank (TDB), and its staff. The working party said the deal placed too much risk on the bank, violating banking laws, and also used borrowed funds from the central bank. Both MCC and TDB deny wrongdoing. The bank's chief executive officer Onon Orkhon said it only provided underwriting services, in addition to "partial financing" referring to a $75 million bridge loan to MCC. M. Munkhbaatar, MCC's chairman, said in a statement emailed to Reuters that no domestic or international laws had been violated during the purchase. The parliament's actions represented "increased state intervention in the economy," he said. Meanwhile a letter addressed by Sergei Chemezov, the chief executive of Rostec, to the country's prime minister said any decision to intervene in the sell-off could damage Mongolia's reputation, warning any move to challenge his firm's sale could end up in court. "Any efforts to change the deal could result in claims for damages and court costs in the Singapore international commercial court," Chemezov wrote in the letter, dated the day before last week's vote and reviewed by Reuters. A Rostec spokeswoman would not confirm or deny the veracity of the letter when contacted by Reuters. The spokeswoman said the deal was completed in accordance with international law and the firm had already received payment. A spokesman with Mongolia's Foreign Affairs Ministry denied knowledge of the letter, adding that a visit to Moscow by foreign minister Tsend Munkh-Orgil this week had no connection with Erdenet. (Reporting by Terrence Edwards in ULAANBAATAR; Additional reporting by Gleb Stolyarov in MOSCOW; Editing by David Stanway and Kenneth Maxwell) Nigerian advisory body demands urgent review of central bank's forex policy ABUJA, Feb 16 (Reuters) - A Nigerian government advisory body on Thursday demanded an urgent review of the central bank's foreign exchange policy. "(National Economic) Council members generally expressed concern over the current situation of the exchange rate and called for an urgent review of the current forex policy, especially the gap between interbank and the parallel market rates," Silas Ali Agara, deputy governor of Nasarawa state, after the council met. (Reporting by Felix Onuah; Writing by Ulf Laessing; Editing by Louise Ireland) Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in precious metal products, commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication. kitco news (Corrects 2015 earnings to profit not loss) JOHANNESBURG, Feb 16 (Reuters) - South African bullion producer Gold Fields on Thursday announced a rise in profits and a long-awaited plan to make its South Deep mine profitable, with a production target of 500,000 ounces a year. * Gold Fields posted normalised earnings of $191 million for the year ended December 2016 compared with normalised earnings (not losses) of $45 million for the year ended December 2015. * This was in line with what the company had flagged to the market, primarily driven by an increase in the US$ gold price (8 percentYoY) and lower net operating costs in local currencies as well as the impact of converting these costs at weaker exchange rates. * South Deep, a mechanised operation that is Gold Fields' last South African asset, generated net cash flow of $12 million and the company said it had a plan in place to wring profits from the mine, which has had a series of set-backs. * Gold Fields, which scrapped production targets for the mine of 700,000 or more ounces a year three years ago to focus on getting it to break even, said it was changing mining methods at South Deep to eliminate cumbersome steps in the production process. (Reporting by Ed Stoddard) BUCHAREST, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Romania's President Klaus Iohannis signed the 2017 budget bill into law on Thursday after parliament has given its overwhelming backing last week, but criticised the framework for being overly optimistic. The two-house parliament, where the ruling leftist Social Democrats rely on a two-thirds majority, approved this year's budget law with a shortfall of 3 percent of gross domestic product. Three percent is the maximum deficit allowed under European Union rules but the estimate is based on a growth projection of 5.2 percent, which analysts and central bankers say is high. The European Commission sees GDP growth at 4.4 percent this year and analysts polled by Reuters expect Romania's economy to expand 4.1 percent. Missing the fiscal deficit target would expose Romania to a risk of sanctions from Brussels. "Romania needs a budget and the government that had committed to execute it now has the chance to prove this," Iohannis told reporters. Iohannis, who described the "budgetary approach as hyperoptimistic," has repeatedly criticised it for its revenues estimates and huge spending. He also said that it set unprecedentedly high loan commitments of 50 billion lei. The budget presumes revenue of 31.2 percent of gross domestic product, up from 29.5 percent in 2016 but significantly below the EU's average of 45 percent. Analysts have questioned the estimated revenue growth given the slew of tax cuts implemented this year, including a one percentage point cut in value added tax. The budget has to accommodate increases in public sector pay, the minimum wage, state pensions, transport subsidies and other stimulus measures in a country that is also in dire need of investment in infrastructure and basic services. (Reporting by Radu Marinas; Editing by Toby Chopra) JOHANNESBURG, Feb 16 (Reuters) - South African banks accused of rigging rand currency dealing should be punished if a report by the competition watchdog is true, the National Treasury said on Thursday. "We view this matter in a very serious light and welcome any steps taken against wrong-doing by any financial institutions," the treasury said in a statement. The Competition Commission said on Wednesday it had found the banks, including U.S., European, Japanese and Australian lenders, had colluded to coordinate their trading activities when dealing in the South African and U.S. currencies. (Reporting by Mfuneko Toyana) Feb 16 (Reuters) - Snap Inc, the owner of the popular messaging app Snapchat, has set a valuation range for itself of $19.5 billion to $22.2 billion in its initial public offering, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing sources. The valuation range, which represents $14 to $16 per share, is close to the lower end of the expected range of $20 billion to $25 billion, the Journal reported. A Snap Inc spokesman declined to comment. Snap Inc filed its IPO registration statement in early February and was expected to record the biggest valuation in a U.S. technology IPO since Facebook Inc . The company had confidentially registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission late last year for an IPO. Snap, which launched itself in 2012 with an app that sends disappearing messages, rebranded itself last year as a camera company and started selling $130 video camera glasses. It generates the majority of its revenue from advertising, seeking to challenge the dominance of existing internet giants. (Reporting by Sangameswaran S in Bengaluru; Editing by Amrutha Gayathri) South Africa's Zuma says govt will act against banks accused of forex rigging JOHANNESBURG, Feb 16 (Reuters) - South Africa's President Jacob Zuma told parliament on Thursday the government would come down hard on the local banks accused in a report by the competition watchdog of rigging the rand currency. "This matter is still under investigation... government is ready to act against market abuse, price fixing and collusion in the private sector in order to protect our country's economy," Zuma said in a speech. (Reporting by Mfuneko Toyana; Editing by James Macharia) Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication. kitco news (Adds details on annual surplus figure) ROME, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Italy posted a record global trade surplus last year, data showed on Thursday, driven by higher exports to Japan and China and a decrease in imports from Russia. In 2016, Italy posted a global trade surplus of 51.566 billion euros ($54.84 billion), the highest since the data series was established in 1991, national statistics office ISTAT said. In 2015, Italy had a surplus of 41.807 billion euros. Exports to Japan jumped almost 10 percent last year, while those to China climbed 6.4 percent. In December, exports to China and the largest South American economies leapt 20 percent. Imports from Russia, which has been hit by EU sanctions, fell 26 percent in 2016 from a year earlier. The data offer a ray of hope to the euro zone's most chronically sluggish economy, which grew at about half the rate of its partners in the 19-nation bloc last year. Excluding energy products, Italy would have had a surplus of 77.981 billion euros last year because the country depends heavily on foreign countries for its energy needs. In December, the trade surplus with the rest of the world totalled 5.798 billion euros, rising from a surplus of 5.586 billion euros in the same month of 2015. With European Union countries, Italy registered a December trade surplus of 124 million euros, compared with a deficit of 301 million euros in the same month last year, national statistics office ISTAT said. According to Eurostat, Italy registered the third highest trade surplus in the European Union last year, with Germany recording a surplus of 257.3 billion euros and the Netherlands a surplus of 59.9 billion. Britain was at the bottom of the table, with a trade deficit of 204.5 billion euros. ($1 = 0.9404 euros) (Reporting by Steve Scherer; Editing by Crispian Balmer) (Adds details, background) ABUJA, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Nigeria's top state advisory body on Thursday demanded an urgent review of the central bank's foreign exchange policy. The naira fell to a record low on the parallel market this week, trading at 507 a dollar. That compares with the official rate at around 305, a gap that is discouraging investment from overseas and leaving Nigeria starved of foreign currency. Financial institutions have argued that Nigeria must allow its currency to float freely to solve its foreign exchange woes, a measure which has met opposition from President Muhammadu Buhari. "(National Economic) Council members generally expressed concern over the current situation of the exchange rate and called for an urgent review of the current forex policy, especially the gap between interbank and the parallel market rates," Silas Ali Agara, deputy governor of Nasarawa state, after the council met. He added the central bank governor had told the body, which comprises Nigeria's 36 federal states, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and other ministers, that patience was needed but that the situation was under control. The NEC's decisions are not binding but with all states, key ministers and the central bank governor assembled, government and parliament usually take into account their recommendations. Finance Minister Kemi Adeosun, who also took part in the meeting, also said Nigeria's excess crude account, a rainy day fund, stood at $2.46 billion as of Feb. 15, in line with figures previously reported by the government. Adeosun said to the council had decided inject $250 million from the account to the country's sovereign wealth fund, the Sovereign Investment Authority (SIA) which had been established in 2011 with $1 billion of capital in an effort to manage oil export revenues. The fund is split into three components, a "Stabilisation Fund" to act as a buffer against economic turbulence, an Infrastructure Fund and a Future Generations fund. (Reporting by Felix Onuah; Writing by Ulf Laessing; Editing by Alison Williams) * J&J and rival bids about equal but J&J gave more certainty * Rival bidder went back on initially higher offer - filing * Sources have identified rival bidder as Sanofi * J&J's $280 per share tender offer to start March 3 (Recasts with rival offer, adds background throughout) By John Miller and Ludwig Burger ZURICH, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Swiss biotech company Actelion , days before agreeing to a $30 billion bid by Johnson & Johnson , found a rival offer to be as attractive but went with J&J because its offer provided more certainty, a filing showed on Thursday. Relations had already soured with the rival bidder, identified previously by sources familiar with the situation as French drugmaker Sanofi , after it went back on an initially higher bid, according to the J&J filing formally setting out details of the offer. J&J's agreement on Jan. 26 to buy Actelion in an all-cash deal marked the biggest European drugs takeover in 13 years. Although people close to the talks had told Reuters that Sanofi had gained a seat at the negotiating table, the French group has consistently declined to comment. Some investors have expressed frustration at Sanofi's failure to land a big deal. J&J's prospectus for its tender offer revealed the rival bidder, identified only as "Company A", had made a written proposal on Dec. 12 for a takeover price in cash that outbid J&J's and which resulted in the U.S. healthcare group quitting talks. But just a week later, the rival bidder became unwilling to proceed with talks unless Actelion considered a lower price. "Company A indicated that it would only be willing to proceed with a transaction on the basis of a price lower than its previously communicated offer price and on different terms," the prospectus said. On Jan. 23, Actelion's board discussed the merits of the competing offers and decided the financial terms of the two proposals would deliver approximately equivalent value to shareholders. GREATER CERTAINTY However, the filing said the board concluded: "J&J's proposal offered significantly greater transaction certainty because the transaction documentation was nearly final and because J&J had already completed the required due diligence". The filing said the tender offer for the Swiss biotech company's shares would run from March 3 to March 30. Shares of the new research and development company being spun out of Actelion for a Swiss listing will be distributed to Actelion shareholders as a stock dividend prior to settlement of the tender offer, it said. The prospectus also set out these details on the deal: * Actelion will pay the bidder a $500 million break fee if the offer is not successful or does not become unconditional in certain circumstances * The minimum acceptance rate is 67 percent * J&J has agreed to make a 10-year convertible loan worth 580 million Swiss francs to the R&D pipeline company being spun off; the loan will be convertible, in two tranches, into up to 32 percent of the shares of R&D NewCo. * R&D NewCo will be financed by the convertible loan, cash on hand of 420 million Swiss francs provided by Actelion, and a credit facility of the franc equivalent of $250 million to be provided by the bidder * Shares of R&D NewCo are expected to be admitted to listing on the SIX Swiss Exchange on the same day as the Actelion deal settlement * J&J intends to delist Actelion and plans a squeeze-out if needed (Additional reporting by Ben Hirschler; Editing by Jason Neely and David Holmes) * Net profit falls below forecasts * Organic sales growth slows to 3.2 pct * Lowers 2017 target to 2-4 pct growth * New CEO says not right time for big M&A (Adds fresh CEO, analyst comments, shares) By Silke Koltrowitz VEVEY, Switzerland, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Nestle's new chief executive scrapped the food company's long-standing sales target as it reported disappointing annual results on Thursday, echoing rivals by striking a cautious tone in an uncertain environment. Nestle is the biggest player in a packaged food industry hit by a slowdown in emerging markets, falling prices in developed markets and consumers demanding fresher, healthier products. The maker of Kitkat chocolate bars and Nescafe coffee is aiming to increase underlying sales by 2 to 4 percent this year, below its "Nestle Model" that called for growth of 5 to 6 percent. It posted weaker-than-expected 3.2 percent growth for 2016 and a drop in profits. CEO Mark Schneider, who joined Nestle only last month, forecast a return to "mid-single-digit" growth by 2020, which analysts interpreted as the new boss backing away from a target the company has missed for four successive years. "In a more turbulent environment, to narrow it specifically to 5 to 6 percent is probably not the right thing, but the underlying message is the same: there's nothing better than healthy organic growth," Schneider said at Nestle's Vevey headquarters. Analysts estimated that underlying earnings assumptions could be reduced by around 3 percent. In his first public appearance at Nestle, Schneider, responsible for a string of deals at German healthcare company Fresenius , also played down the chances of any big acquisitions. Valuations were too high and Nestle planned to keep its credit rating in the near term, he added. He did, however, say Nestle's portfolio review was ongoing. In recent years, the company has sold several underperforming brands and formed a joint venture for its ice cream business. Analysts and bankers often speculate about other businesses that could be sold, such as its confectionery or U.S. frozen meals businesses. Asked about Nestle's 23 percent stake in French cosmetics firm L'Oreal , Schneider said any moves would have to be done "very prudently". Nestle's shares were down 1.9 percent at 71.75 Swiss francs at 1240 GMT. NEW BOSS, SAME PROBLEMS Since his surprise appointment last year, analysts and investors have wondered how Schneider would reignite Nestle's growth and whether he would accelerate the recent push into higher-margin nutrition, health and wellness products. Schneider said he was fully committed to the health drive and would stick to the two-fold strategy of making Nestle's core food products healthier, such as by cutting sugar, while building up its health science and skin health businesses. RBC Capital Markets analysts said Schneider's initial observations "were carefully thought through and to the point". Jefferies analyst Martin Deboo said Nestle capped a subdued earnings season, with average organic growth for the big four food and personal care companies -- Nestle, Unilever , Danone and Reckitt Benckiser - slowing to a weaker-than-expected 2.1 percent. "We expect ... investors to continue to ask whether 'the model is broken' on the back of this," he said about the sector. European consumer goods companies face challenges from local rivals in emerging markets, weaker earnings potential and more aggressive cost-cutting from American companies pressurised by the growing presence of private equity firm 3G Capital. European food and beverage stocks fell 12 percent from October to December, underperforming the broader European market by 15 percent. They have not fallen further during the reporting season, suggesting that those challenges are priced in. Unilever cited problems in Brazil and demonetization in India, while Danone pointed the finger at tough conditions in China. In 2016, Nestle's net profit fell to 8.5 billion Swiss francs, well below forecasts, and sales rose less than expected to 89.5 billion Swiss francs ($89.3 billion), up 3.2 percent on an organic basis. Schneider said already accelerating volume growth was encouraging and he also expected pricing to improve this year. The company forecast a "stable" trading operating profit margin in 2017, due to expectations for increased restructuring costs of around 500 million Swiss francs ($498 million). It proposed to increase its dividend to 2.30 francs per share, after 2.25 francs last year. ($1 = 1.0038 Swiss francs) <^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ BREAKINGVIEWS-Nestle tweaks its recipe, gingerly ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^> (Additional reporting by Martinne Geller, Angelika Gruber; Editing by Michael Shields/Keith Weir) New Trial' Hyun-woo (Kang Ha-neul), who is the only witness to a scandalous murder, gets falsely accused and spends 10 years in jail. Jun-yeong (Jung Woo), a lawyer, encounters Hyun-woo's case and tries to help him. Directed by Kim Tae-yun. Manchester by the Sea Lee (Casey Affleck) returns to his hometown to meet his terminally ill brother. However, his brother dies before he arrives, and Lee becomes the guardian of his young nephew, Patrick (Lucas Hedges). Directed by Kenneth Lonergan. My Little Brother' Seong-ho (Jung Man-sik) and his sisters avoid each other because they are busy handling their own troubles. When the long-lost youngest brother Nak (Jeong Jun-won) returns, the siblings begin to fix their relationships. Directed by Ma Dae-yun. A Cure for Wellness' An aspiring young executive, Lockhart (Dane DeHaan), goes to a "wellness center" located in the Swiss Alps in order to bring back his company's CEO. As he tries to uncover the secrets of the center, mysterious incidents happen. Directed by Gore Verbinski. Confidential Assignment' To catch a criminal who fled to the South, North Korea dispatches a detective, Cheol-lyeong (Hyun Bin) to Seoul. Jin-tae (Yoo Hae-jin), a South Korean detective, gets to keep an eye on him under the government's order. Directed by Kim Sung-hoon. Thissen's 2014 picture of Gaya Land shows the Ferris wheel overgrown with vegetation. / Courtesy of bobthissen.com Children ride the merry-go-round after Gaya Land's reopening in 2016. / Courtesy of Gaya Land By Lee Han-soo and Jon Dunbar Employees at Gaya Land, an amusement park in Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province, were surprised to see articles had gone viral describing their workplace as "spooky," "abandoned" and "the stuff of nightmares." The park, which closed in 2011, reopened under new management on April 2, 2016. Now, all facilities have been refurbished and all rides are once again running. So it came as a surprise that stories of the park's abandoned state spread online as news and clickbait sites, including Express, The Daily Star, The Sun and The Daily Mail, picked up on it years later. "I was aware of the fact that pictures of past amusement parks were uploaded to the Korean online community, but I did not know they were published overseas," said Kim Hye-jin, who works at Gaya Land. Pictures showing the park in an abandoned state were taken between 2011 and the park's 2016 reopening. The park originally opened in 1991. The pictures going viral were taken by Bob Thissen, an urban explorer from the Netherlands who has documented his visits to abandoned places all over the world on bobthissen.com and his YouTube channel "Exploring the Unbeaten Path." He visited Korea in September 2014 with plans to visit four abandoned amusement parks across the country, as well as other abandoned sites. "I did some research on South Korea and found out there were quite some cool abandoned amusement parks," Thissen told The Korea Times in an interview. "I was really glad to find out this park was still intact. A lot of other theme parks were already partly dismantled by the time we got there, so that was a bit of a bummer." He said he made two visits to Gaya Land. "We went in during the evening in the dark," he said. "Dogs started to bark but we continued walking to the main entrance. Suddenly a man appeared with a flashlight and he blew his whistle. We ran like crazy and disappeared in the dark. The next morning we took another entrance and explored the park on tiptoe. This time the dogs didn't seem to bother and there was no security at all strange." His pictures, distributed online by Caters News, show an untended park overrun with vegetation and covered in a blanket of dust, yet not a trace of vandalism. Many of the syndicated articles likened the scene to the post-apocalyptic setting of the 2007 film "I Am Legend." As to why the pictures only popped up recently, over two years later, Thissen blames his busy travel schedule and sensitivity concerns. "I only recently started to upload pictures," he said. "I have been underground for many years and am now uploading some of the locations I have been to." During Thissen's 2014 visit to Gaya Land, he climbed the roller coaster for a bird's-eye view of the abandoned theme park. / Courtesy of bobthissen.com The same Ferris wheel as the picture above is lit up at night after Gaya Land's reopening. / Courtesy of Gaya Land Kim said the park hasn't seen any disadvantages from the articles, adding that most visitors to the park are Korean, while the few foreigners they do see are from Southeast Asia. While the park is still picturesquely set in a valley overlooking Gimhae, visitors looking for photogenic ruins should go elsewhere. Urban explorers based in Korea have put out the word that the park is reopened, instead directing people toward Seoul's Yongma Land, a closed amusement park where the owner lets photographers peek around for 5,000 won a head. "I am not afraid people will suddenly go to visit Gaya Land," Thissen said. "I guess they will do their homework too! It's the same with Okpo Land. It is still covered a lot in the media while the park is gone for many years already." Okpo Land, demolished in 2011, was another well-known abandoned amusement park, located on a hilltop overlooking Okpo-dong on Geoje Island. Korea has seen many of its remote amusement parks close up and sit abandoned, partly as a consequence of upgraded transportation infrastructure allowing better access to the bigger parks, according to urban explorers. Visit gaya-land.com for more information. By Lee Hyo-sik SK Group exited the scandal-ridden Federation of Korean Industries (FKI), Thursday, joining Samsung and LG that have already severed ties with the 55-year-old chaebol lobby set up after a military coup by former President Park Chung Hee. Korea's third-largest family-controlled conglomerate said that SK Innovation and SK Telecom sent a letter of membership withdrawal to FKI, adding the remaining 18 affiliates will soon follow suit. During the National Assembly's hearing last December, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won told lawmakers that the business group would give up its FKI membership. "SK Innovation and SK Telecom filed the necessary documents to formalize their withdrawal from FKI," a SK Group official said. "The other 18 group units will soon do the same." Among Korea's top four business groups, which account for 77 percent of FKI annual membership fees, only Hyundai Motor Group has yet to formally abandon the FKI membership. But the country's largest automaker is widely expected to join its peers in the near future and it demonstrated such a stance by deciding not to take part in the FKI board meeting today. In 2015, the FKI collected 49.2 billion won ($43.1 million) in membership fees from 600 companies. Among the amount, units of Korea's top four conglomerates paid 37.8 billion won. SK's latest exit deals another severe blow to the lobby group, which is increasingly heading toward dissolution. FKI, which represents the interests of the country's conglomerates, has been facing growing calls for dismantlement, following revelations that it pressed 19 business groups to donate a total of 77.4 billion won to the Mir Foundation and the K-Sports Foundation, which was established and controlled by President Park Geun-hye's confident, Choi Soon-sil. The lobby group has been trying to find new management over the past few months as its Chairman Huh Chang-soo, who is also the GS Group chief, and Vice Chairman Lee Seung-cheol expressed intent to resign from their posts by holding themselves responsible for the Choi scandal. But none of the heads of business groups are willing to succeed them. The lobby group has been seeking to organize the board of directors' meeting to pass its overhaul measures and appoint new leaders. However, it wasn't able to do so because heads of its member firms refused to attend. The FKI plans to hold the board meeting today and a general meeting Feb. 24. If it fails to organize the meeting again due to low attendance, it would likely be left with no other choice but to dissolve itself. By Kim Jae-kyoung SINGAPORE North Korea is losing it status in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the wake of a series of missile launches and its alleged assassination of Kim Jong-nam, the estranged half-brother of current leader Kim Jong-un, in Malaysia This is likely to further undermine credibility of the reclusive country in the international community because ASEAN is one of the few regions that Pyongyang has had low-key but stable diplomatic ties with. In a joint statement Tuesday, the 10 foreign ministers from ASEAN expressed their "grave concern" over North Korea's intermediate-range ballistic missile test, which flew into waters off its east coast Sunday. They said that the launch posed a menace to regional peace, security and stability. "The conducting of the test violates the relevant resolutions of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC)," they said in the statement. "In this regard, ASEAN strongly urges North Korea to comply with these UNSC resolutions in the interest of maintaining peace, security and stability in the region and the world." The latest joint statement has significance in two aspects. First, it was ASEAN's first joint statement against the launch of mid-range missiles. Second, it came just one day after the launch, a much faster reaction than before. In the past, ASEAN issued joint statements only when Pyongyang test-fired long-range missiles or conducted nuclear tests. "It was an exceptional and firm resolution," a senior ASEAN diplomat based in Jakarta told The Korea Times, asking not to be named. "I think that ASEAN tried to send a strong message to North Korea this time," he added. "Another noticeable point is that they removed phrases regarding six-party talks that have always been included in the past." The murder of Kim Jong-nam is also expected to sour North Korea's relations with Malaysia. He was killed in Kuala Lumpur International Airport, one of the most crowded places in the capital of the Southeast Asian country. Malaysia is one of the ASEAN countries that have had friendly ties with North Korea. The two opened embassies in their respective capitals in 2003 and established an air route in 2011. Malaysians are allowed to visit North Korea without a visa. On Tuesday, Malaysian police rejected a request by North Korea for the body of Kim Jong-nam to be released without a post-mortem and handed over to them. A series of malicious actions by Pyongyang are likely to make other ASEAN member states keep their distance from the rogue state led by the young, unpredictable leader. "If the assassination is proven to have been carried out by North Korea, Kuala Lumpur may change its stance toward Pyongyang, which I believe will include reducing ties between the two countries," said a source based in Singapore on condition of anonymity. "North Korea wants to become ASEAN's dialogue partner but these incidents will make it much more difficult for Pyongyang to win that status." Currently, ASEAN, consisting of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam has six dialogue partners, including South Korea, Japan and China. Experts said that Kim Jung-un's strategies of nuclear brinkmanship and purges of his family members will not help him strengthen his grip on power and improve relations with the U.S. and China. They expect such actions will only draw international condemnation driving the reclusive regime into further isolation. "Kim Jong-nam appeared to be no real threat to Kim Jong-un, thus killing him was gratuitous, and like the execution of Jang Song-taek, just reinforces his reputation for brutality," said Korea expert Marcus Noland, a director at the Peterson Institute of International Economics. "I don't think shooting off a missile while Abe was visiting Trump, and now killing his brother is the message he wants to send if he is interested in improved relations with the U.S.," he added. "Probably not China, either." By Jun Ji-hye Speculation is rampant on why North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's older half-brother, Kim Jong-nam, was killed in an apparent assassination suspected of having been ordered by the young leader. One of the mounting rumors is that Kim Jong-nam was killed because of a conflict with his younger brother over money the former had inherited from their father, Kim Jong-il, as well as secret funds controlled by their uncle and former No. 2 man, Jang Song-thaek. "North Korean trade workers in China have called Kim Jong-nam a big player in Macau," a source was quoted as saying by Yonhap New Agency, Thursday. "After Jang was purged in December 2013, his secret overseas fortune was handed over to Kim Jong-nam." The source also said the oldest son of the late leader had also inherited "no small sum of money" as the father felt pity for Kim Jong-nam who had been living in foreign countries for years after being ousted from the race to succeed him. Women from multicultural families try making rice cake dough in a cultural experience event celebrating the Chuseok Thanksgiving Day holiday season, at the Seongdong-gu Office in Seoul in August 2014. / Korea Times file By Ko Dong-hwan Municipal authorities supporting multicultural families across Korea are hiring "marriage migrants" to teach others about their culture. It is part of the nation's effort to help Koreans and others understand the cultural backgrounds of female migrants who came here to marry Korean men. The Health Family Support Center at the Sejong Government Complex is hiring 20 marriage migrants who have lived five years or more in Korea. The authority is accepting applications until Feb. 27. It plans to train the women in March and April on why understanding multicultural families matters, instruction methods and case studies for different countries. Support centers in Dalseong-gun district in the city of Daegu are hiring marriage migrants specifically from China, the Philippines, Russia, Uzbekistan and Mongolia. Those selected will work at the city's childcare facilities from April until December. Seoul's western Gangseo-gu district is accepting applicants until Feb. 20. It will select 20 women and train them on Feb. 21-23, teaching them about their roles, how to develop class content and how to deliver effective storytelling. Nam-gu district in the city of Ulsan wants to train 50 teachers and is accepting applications until Feb. 24. By Kim Bo-eun The government's plan to introduce its state-authored history textbook at schools has virtually collapsed, with only three schools applying for the pilot program, Wednesday. The education ministry plans to provide the textbooks to other schools to use if they want to. According to the regional education offices, only three schools based in the traditionally conservative North Gyeongsang Province applied on the last day Munmyeong High School in Gyeongsan, Osang High School in Gumi and Gyeongbuk Aviation High School in Yeongju. This is only 0.06 percent of the 5,249 middle and high schools nationwide. Even when narrowing down the schools to only those that have put history in first-year courses, the three schools only account for 0.19 percent. No middle schools applied for the pilot program. Only 21 schools put history in the spring semester curriculum for first-year students, and all of the schools opted for textbooks of private publishers. The education ministry had expected around 20 percent of schools to take part in the pilot program. However, the ministry said earlier it would push forward with the pilot program "even if only one school applies." However, a group against the state-authored history book plan criticized the government for refusing to give up. "The education ministry must accept the demands of teachers, parents and students and halt its plan," the group said in a statement, Thursday. The group is comprised of three opposition parties, 485 civic groups and 13 liberal regional education superintendents. The nation's largest teachers' union said the Gyeongsangbuk-do Office of Education had ignored the guideline which states the schools can only apply with at least 80 percent support from teachers, in an apparent bid for more applications. The union said this makes the three schools' applications invalid. Even the schools that applied made the decision amid opposition. Parents and Gyeongsan residents gathered in front of Munmyeong High School to protest the decision, Thursday. The provincial education office will review the schools' applications and decide whether they will be part of the ministry's pilot program by today. The government had initially decided in 2015 to introduce a single state-authored history textbook at middle and high schools starting this year. However, the plan met with strong opposition from liberal historians, civic groups and regional education offices, who claim the book glorifies the achievements of former President Park Chung-hee, the father of President Park Geun-hye. Continued resistance led the education ministry to recently alter its plan, to allow both state-authored and private publishers' textbooks at schools in 2018, after the state-authored textbook is voluntarily employed at schools in a pilot program this year. A Japanese atlas made in 1876 illustrates Japanese territory in yellow and purple, with Korean territory including Dokdo and Ulleungdo uncolored. / Courtesy of Shim Jeong-bo By Chung Hyun-chae Japanese geography textbooks used in the late 19th century described Dokdo, Korea's easternmost islets, over which Japan claims sovereignty, as belonging to Korea, a study showed Thursday. According to research conducted by Shim Jeong-bo, a professor of geography education at Seowon University in North Chungcheong Province, Japan, recognized Dokdo as Korean territory in its geography textbooks for elementary and middle school students during the Meiji Restoration era (1868-1912). Shim cited Japanese geography books including an elementary school textbook titled "Koukokuchirisyo," which he believes is Japan's oldest geography book that mentioned Dokdo, and a middle school textbook titled "Kaisei nihonchishi youryaku." The former was published in 1874 and the latter in 1886. "The Koukokuchirisyo stated that Japanese residents had to get permission from the Japanese government to fish near Dokdo and Ulleungdo, also one of Korea's territories in the East Sea, meaning that Japan recognized the two islands as foreign territories," Shim told The Korea Times. A Japanese geography textbook titled "Koukokuchirisyo" published in 1874 provides evidence that Japan recognized Dokdo as belonging to Korea. / Courtesy of Shim Jeong-bo "The latter also stated that Japan's highest administrative body in 1886 announced that Dokdo and Ulleungdo were parts of Joseon," he added. The professor also cited atlases including a complete map of Japan called "Dainihonzenzu" which was published in 1892 and a local map titled "Sanindounozu" made in 1876. On those maps, Japanese territories were colored, with Korean territories including Dokdo and Ulleungdo left uncolored. Shim said he found those books in libraries in Japan. "Given that textbooks reflect the situation of that time, in all times and places, the textbooks and maps I found are important resources that are reliable to refute the Japanese territorial claim over the sovereignty of Dokdo," Shim said. Located about 160 kilometers northwest of Japan's Oki Island, Dokdo is a set of volcanic outcrops abundant in fishing resources and minerals, of which ownership has been disputed between Seoul and Tokyo over the past several decades. Japan incorporated Dokdo in its Shimane Prefecture, opposing its previous proclamation in 1877 of the Japanese Council of the State that Japan has nothing to do with the islets and that they belong to Korea. Yeungnam University's Dokdo Institute will hold a symposium today to refute the Japanese claim on Dokdo with study results including Shim's. The institute has held the symposium since 2006 to criticize "Takeshima Day," proclaimed by Shimane Prefecture in 2005 to highlight its territorial claim to the island. "I hope the symposium could serve as a venue that exposes the fallacies in Japanese territorial claims," said Choi Jae-mok, director of the Dokdo Institute. A lower court on Thursday sentenced a 51-year-old Chinese man to 25 years in prison for murdering a South Korean woman who was praying at a church on the country's southern resort island of Jeju last year. Chen Guorui attacked the 61-year-old woman, identified only by her surname Kim, in September when she was praying inside the Catholic church alone. The victim was rushed to a nearby hospital, but was pronounced dead a day after the incident took place. The defendant was nabbed some 40 kilometers away from the scene a few hours after the crime. Chen told police he killed her because Kim reminded him of his former wives who ran away after having extramarital affairs. But during questioning by the prosecution, he changed his statement and said he committed the crime to be jailed here and not go back to China. "The defendant took away the valuable life of the victim for a reason that cannot be understood," the Jeju District Court said in a statement. "He did not show any signs of remorse or offer an apology." The court said it took into consideration that the defendant has been mentally ill for the past five to six years, according to a psychiatric evaluation. Chen entered the country through a visa-free program for Chinese tourists less than a week before he committed the crime and was scheduled to leave a few days later. The case has sparked a public outcry along with a series of other crimes committed by Chinese tourists on the island, leading to growing calls for a toughened visa policy. (Yonhap) By Lee Han-soo A Grammy-nominated British DJ was found guilty of smuggling drugs into South Korea last year. The Seoul Central District Court sentenced the DJ, 53, to a year in prison, suspended for two years. A Korean-American was fined 20 million won for buying and using the drugs. The Briton was arrested at a customs checkpoint at Incheon International Airport last June. He had a 1.5-liter bottle of gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), also known as the date-rape drug, in his baggage. The court said he smuggled GHB into the country four times -- in January, March, April and June. "As GHB can have a negative impact on both society and the individual, the crime cannot be taken lightly," the court said in a ruling statement. "However, we made the ruling after taking into consideration that the amount of GHB he smuggled in was not large and he had no intention of profiting from the GHB." The DJ's lawyer told The Korea Times he would not appeal. The convicted musician is in Korea preparing to leave the country. The British DJ is known as one of the first to bring rave culture to the U.S. Park Young-soo, the independent counsel leading the investigation into the influence-peddling scandal involving President Park Geun-hye and her confidant Choi Soon-sill, enters the team's office in Daechi, southern Seoul, Thursday. / Yonhap Gov't body ineligible to file suit' By Lee Kyung-min The Seoul Administrative Court refused Thursday to give permission for the independent counsel team to search Cheong Wa Dae. The team's plan for face-to-face questioning of President Park Geun-hye over the influence-peddling scandal involving her confidant Choi Soon-sil has also become problematic, as the team cannot now secure evidence from a search of the presidential office. The court dismissed the request without deliberation, saying the independent counsel team was not eligible to file a lawsuit. It also denied the team the right to appeal citing the same reason. The court said Cheong Wa Dae refusal to allow the counsel team to search the presidential office was a legitimate action under criminal law. It added that it was unnecessary for the counsel to file a suit claiming "exception" as the court's rejection did not restrict his team's authority in exercising its other rights as an investigative body. "Given that this is a dispute between two government bodies, the case should be settled by the law governing such bodies," the court said. "However, this law does not allow any government body to file a suit against a rejection to comply with a search warrant by figures in charge of premises that handle classified military and civil information. This issue should therefore be resolved through legislative means," it added. Even if the court had granted the request, it would not have meant it had ordered Cheong Wa Dae officials to allow the search. It would have only suspended the rejection, meaning the counsel team would have had to seek approval from the officials again, the court added. The ruling comes a day after the court heard arguments from both sides, at 10 a.m., Wednesday. The tour gives a bird's eye view of the beautiful beach line of Yeosu from a Cessna 208B, also known as the Grand Caravan. / Courtesy of Twitter By Lee Han-soo A local airline will provide Korea's first sky tour, in Yeosu, South Jeolla Province, from Feb. 25. Shinhan Airline said it will set up its main hub at Yeosu Airport. The tour gives a bird's eye view of the beautiful beach line of Yeosu from a Cessna 208B, also known as the Grand Caravan. The 30-minute tour will include Mogae Island, Sa Island, the lighthouse on Baekya Island, Hyangil-rock, Ohdong Island and Yeosu New Harbor. There will be three to four trips a day. But the airline said it will expand this to 10 to 15 trips soon. The plane can take eight tourists and flights will cost 59,000 won ($51) a person. Another four tourist routes will be added soon, the airline said. By Kim Rahn President Park Geun-hye President Park Geun-hye offered her first public apology for a brewing scandal involving her confidant Choi Soon-sil in a tearful statement, Oct. 25. It was one day after cable channel JTBC broke shocking stories about a tablet computer belonging to Choi, which contained state secrets and texts of presidential speeches. At the time, Park sobbingly said she asked for Choi's opinions about state affairs during the early days of her presidency, but stopped this after the presidential secretariat was fully staffed. But this turned out to be a blatant lie. According to the independent counsel team, Park spoke with Choi, who was hiding in Germany, numerous times just before and after the statement. They were using mobile phones registered under the name of a presidential aide, which is illegal. The counsel team said Wednesday that it confirmed 570 conversations were made using the phones from April 18 to Oct. 26 in 2016. Choi Soon-sil Especially after Sept. 3 when Choi left for Germany, 127 calls were made about 2.2 calls per day. Choi's stay there was a de facto attempt to escape from the scandal, after media reports about it began to pour out from September and the prosecution launched an investigation in October. Choi returned to Korea on Oct. 30 saying she would undergo questioning. Leading presidential contender Moon Jae-in speaks during an inauguration ceremony for an advisory group for foreign policies at the Korea Press Center in Seoul, Thursday. / Yonhap By Choi Ha-young Leading presidential contender Moon Jae-in of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) launched an advisory group for foreign policies composed of 24 former diplomats, Thursday. Calling himself a "prepared candidate," Moon said this is to chart a diplomatic policy roadmap amid uncertainties surrounding North Korea, if elected. Observers say the advisory group reflects Moon's efforts to quell concerns among some voters about his stances on North Korea and the United States. According to Moon's spokesman, Rep. Kim Kyoung-soo of the DPK, Moon asked the experienced diplomats to join hands to prepare a diplomacy roadmap right after the election, since the next president cannot afford to organize a transition team, if the Constitutional Court backs impeachment of President Park Geun-hye. A former Ambassador to Geneva and Israel Chung Eui-yong heads the group, while Hwang Won-tak, senior secretary to ex-President Kim Dae-jung; Ra Jong-yil, senior national security advisor to President Kim; and Lee Tae-sik, former Ambassador to the U.S., will serve as main advisers. Diplomacy has been an Achilles' heel of the liberal candidate, who has garnered over 30 percent on popularity polls. The ruling Liberty Korea Party (LKP), formerly the Saenuri Party, again criticized Moon's "pro-North" inter-Korean policy, Thursday. "The DPK and Moon should awaken themselves from their dream of the Sunshine Policy," Rep. Kim Sung-won, spokesman of the LKP, said in a statement. Moon, former chief of staff to ex-President Roh Moo-hyun, has been dogged by the conservatives for the liberal administration's soft-line policy toward Pyongyang, focusing on inter-Korean cooperation. Regarding the deployment of the controversial U.S. anti-missile system in South Korea, Moon was under fire for "flip-flopping." He originally opposed deployment, but after President Park Geun-hye was impeached, he said the next president should make a decision. "As I've said repeatedly, the next administration should deal with it," he affirmed after the discussion with the panels. "I have a scheme in my mind, as well as the confidence to resolve the conflict involving China." In line with his previous remark to resume the Gaesong Industrial Complex and enlarge it, if elected, he emphasized recovery of the inter-Korean relationship as soon as possible. "Dialogue is a premise of the inter-Korean relationship," Moon told reporters. Moon also took precautions against North Korean factors' negative impact on the liberal bloc. "Abuse of security issues for certain parties' interests is a deep-rooted evil we should clean up," he said. Ahead of the April general election, President Park was suspected of bringing 13 North Korean defectors in a hurry, seeking favorable results of the ruling party. Meanwhile, Moon's campaign team will launch a security advisory group soon, as well as another group focusing on journalism, Rep. Kim Kyoung-soo said. On Tuesday, Moon revealed around 60 former ministers and vice ministers in support of him. By Lee Kyung-min The Constitutional Court set Feb. 24 as the final date of the impeachment trial of President Park Geun-hye, Thursday. Acting court President Lee Jung-mi said the judges would hear closing arguments from both the National Assembly prosecutorial panel and defense attorneys representing Park. "Both sides are to submit written arguments on Feb. 23 and prepare for closing arguments the next day," Lee said. The court decision is expected around March 10, given that it takes up to 14 days for deliberation. The schedule for an early presidential election and other necessary political events will follow afterward if the impeachment is upheld. Park's defense attorneys vehemently opposed the court's plan, saying it puts them under a severe time constraint. "If the ruling is made within the court-designated timeframe, it is bound to lack a full deliberation. It is too dangerous," said Lee Joong-hwan, one of the defense attorneys. However, Kang Il-won, one of the presiding judges said it was unlikely for the court to withdraw the announced plan just because of their opposition. Rep. Kwon Seong-dong of the rthe Bareun Party, a new conservative party which broke away from the Saenuri Party, said the prosecutorial panel would comply with the court's order. "We will convene an impeachment committee to fully deliberate the motion and submit our report to the court on Feb. 23, as requested," Kwon said during a press conference at the National Assembly. By Kim Se-jeong Korea's Air pollution is far worse compared to that in other OECD developed countries, according to a U.S. non-profit organization. According to the Health Effects Institute (HEI)'s recent report, "State of Global Air," Korea's annual average concentration of fine particulate matter PM 2.5 _ 2.5 nanometers in diameter _ increased from 26 micrograms per cubic meter in 1990 to 29 micrograms in 2015. In that year, the 35-state OECD average was 15 micrograms. Fine dust is a big pollutant. Among other Asian countries, Korea's air pollution was better than China and North Korea _ 58 and 34 micrograms, respectively _ but worse than Japan which had 13 micrograms. The level of ozone concentration in Korea also worsened over the the same period _ from 66 micrograms to 68. The OECD average went down to 60 from 61 micrograms. "We're seeing increasing air pollution problems worldwide, and this new report and website details why the air pollution is a major contributor to early death," Dan Greenbaum, president of HEI said. "The trend we report shows that we have seen progress in some parts of the world _ but serious challenges remain." Researchers from the University of Washington and University of British Columbia contributed to the story. The Korean government's effort to curb fine dust emissions includes subsidizing obsolete diesel-run vehicles and the purchase of electric vehicles and shutting down old coal-fired power plants. Vehicles and coal are believed to be the main source of fine dust. Earlier this week, the government also announced a plan to restrict the number of cars on the highways. By Mehmet Fatih Oztarsu In South Korea, there are a lot of historical buildings that are important symbols of the capital, Seoul. One of them is Gwanghwamun, the main and the largest gate of Gyeongbok Palace, originally built during the Joseon Kingdom. The gate has been damaged several times and rebuilt over the centuries. It was to be deconstructed and moved southeast to a new location during the Japanese occupation of Korea (1910-45). Japanese officials decided to create an administration building on its spot to demonstrate the power of Japan. The Japanese General Government Building, completed in 1926, was built on palace grounds after demolishing most of the historical complex. It was designed by the German architect Georg De Lalanda. Its removal began in 1995, amid criticisms. According to some, this building was an important vestige of Japanese imperialism to show the next generation. Others were excited to demolish this symbol of colonialism. Relocating it was costlier than demolishing it. As a result, the people decided to reclaim the considerable historical area of Gyeongbok Palace. The process started on the day of independence on Aug. 15, 1995, and was completed in 1996. The Japanese General Government Building was a major symbol of colonialism, invasion and domination. Interestingly, a similar process was held in the late period of the Ottoman Empire. Turkish Style of Destruction The Great Russo-Turkish War between 1877 and 1878 ended after the Russian army reached Istanbul. It was shameful Russian soldiers were not stopped from entering the city. Although the Treaty of San Stefano (later changed to the Treaty of Berlin) was signed, the Russian Empire pursued a way to create sustainable dominance over the Ottoman Empire. Russian officials demanded a monument be built in Istanbul's neighborhood Yesilkoy (also known as Ayastefanos) where the Russian army stopped during the war, to the memories of Russian soldiers who died in the war. Istanbul accepted the proposal after numerous impositions from Russian officials. During construction in 1895, the Ottomans figured out the Russians were trying to establish a symbolic and tremendous memorial, rather than just an ordinary monument for their soldiers. In 1914 when the Ottoman Empire entered World War I, Ottoman leader Enver Pasha decided to demolish this memorial. Although some protests were held, the destruction was completed. Ottoman officials tried to shoot a film of the destruction. Fuat Uzkinay, a third lieutenant, was assigned to fulfill this mission. The first Turkish movie in history, it was titled "The Destruction of the Russian Monument at Ayastefanos." Ottomans gave a symbolic response to Russia's symbolic construction. Turkey and Korea both have their historic parallels. The Japanese General Government Building at Gwanghwamun and the Russian monument at Ayastefanos are important examples to understand the common destiny of the two countries. Writer is a Turkish journalist in Seoul. Write to oztarsu@gmail.com. By Doug Bandow Kim Jong-nam, older half-brother of North Korea's young leader, Kim Jong-un, died at Kuala Lumpur airport while preparing to fly to Macau. He reportedly was injected or sprayed with poison by two unidentified women, presumed to be North Korean agents. If true, it seems Kim Jong-un is tying up loose ends, eliminating a family heir who might have been used to legitimize a successor regime. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea always has looked a bit like the Ottoman Empire with the plethora of "royal" children and other close relatives competing for power. Until Kim Jong-un, however, family members might lose authority and disappear from public view, but they were not murdered, as was common by Ottoman sultans. Kim Il-sung was selected to be the Soviet Union's man in Moscow's occupation zone in the aftermath of World War II. For a time Kim's brother looked like the heir apparent. But he was superseded by Kim's eldest son, Kim Jong-il. However, the younger Kim's rise was not certain; after his mother died Kim Il-sung had another family. Kim Jong-il reportedly bonded with his sister, Kim Gyong-hui, over their fear of being discarded by their father. On taking power Kim Jong-il kept half-brother Kim Pyong-il in effective exile, far from the power centers at home, as an ambassador to various Eastern European nations. Kim Jong-il also had more than one wife (or consort, since it is not known which if any relationships were formalized). His oldest son, Kim Jong-nam, once thought to be heir apparent, apparently fell from favor in 2001 after attempting to enter Japan on a forged passport to visit Disneyland (really!). The latter ended up in gilded exile, living mostly in Macau. The eldest of Kim Jong-il's other two (known) sons, Kim Jong-chol, reportedlyof course, like much else in North Korea, verification is impossiblewas thought by his father to be effeminate. So the mantle of leadership fell upon Kim Jong-un, apparently just 29 when he succeeded his father in December 2011. Time to fully brace for all possible contingencies Monday's assassination of Kim Jong-nam, the exiled half-brother of North Korea's young leader, leaves room for questions. Given that he has hardly posed an existential threat to Kim Jong-un, Pyongyang appears to have had no reason to kill him, particularly now. What is almost certain is that the North was behind the killing and that the decision to get rid of his elder brother was made by the young dictator. Malaysian police reportedly arrested a second woman Thursday following its detention of a first suspect a day earlier. There are high expectations that the whole picture behind the killing will be uncovered soon. Unsurprisingly, the assassination has displayed the brutality of the Kim Jong-un regime to the world once again. According to Seoul's National Intelligence Service, North Korea has tried to kill Kim Jong-nam, the first son of the North's late leader Kim Jong-il, for five years. He sent a letter to his half-brother in Pyongyang, begging for the lives of himself and his family, but to no avail. Even before this incident, Kim Jong-un's "reign of terror" has been proven through the execution of generals and ruling Workers' Party officials, including Jang Song-thaek, his uncle and the North's former No. 2. Our concern runs deep, given Kim's paranoia that is serious enough to kill his half-brother; there is no knowing what he will get up to next. This is why our intelligence agency and police must be on high alert against possible terrorist attacks on noted North Korean defectors, including Thae Yong-ho, the former deputy minister in the North's London embassy who defected to Seoul last year. By Donald Kirk Kim Jong-nam showed the warm and human face of North Korea's dynastic family. You had to like the guy, judging from sightings in the gambling enclave of Macao, across the Pearl River estuary from Hong Kong off China's southeastern coast. One time he was spotted in a Macao bus. Another time he was seen at a doorway with a funny little smile on his face. Then, for a while, he dropped out of the news. Speculation was he'd been told to keep his mouth shut and stay out of sight after making disparaging comments about his younger half-brother, "Respected Leader" Kim Jong-un. He had had the nerve to say he doubted if the kid would last long in power. You can't imagine any offense much worse than suggesting the man on the throne might be deposed. Perhaps it was a case of sour grapes. Kim Jong-nam, at 45 a dozen years older than Kim Jong-un, had been cast aside as a potential heir by their father, Kim Jong-il, after trying 16 years ago to enter Japan on a fake Dominican passport. Apparently, the "Dear Leader" didn't care for the excuse that his oldest son, born of an actress who died in Moscow, had yearned to visit Disneyland Tokyo with his kid. From then on, Jong-un, not Jong-nam, was destined as Kim Jong-il's successor, and he's been ruling with an iron fist since taking over after his father's death more than five years ago. Not content with knocking off his uncle-in-law, Jang Song-thaek, married to his father's younger sister, Kim Jong-un methodically ordered the executions of all those connected with Jang plus many of their family members. That word comes from an authoritative source, Kang Chol-hwan, who recounts his own tale of imprisonment and escape from North Korea in his classic, "The Aquariums of Pyongyang." Perhaps Kim Jong-nam was lucky to have lived as long as he did. He survived an assassination attempt seven years ago a staged car "accident" similar to any number in which North Korean have been killed in "accidents" after falling out of favor. Now it seems Kim Jong-nam has met his fate the victim of chemicals smeared on his face, presumably at the behest of North Korean agents, by at least one woman identified as Vietnamese at Kuala Lumpur International Airport outside the Malaysian capital. Seems the chubby fellow, cut off from funding by his half-brother, had been moving now and again around the region, partly for fun, partly to evade agents who were out to get him. The demise of Kim Jong-nam is another of many innumerable tragedies that have befallen those on the wrong side of power in Pyongyang. What could be sadder than that of the hundreds of thousands consigned over the decades to the country's vast prison camps? And what about the hundreds of South Koreans who've been captured or kidnapped or otherwise fallen into the clutches of the regime? Considering the ferocity of Kim Jong-un's rule, we may be pretty sure he's not going to show the quality of mercy by freeing any of these poor souls, mostly fishermen whose boats had strayed into North Korean waters. One who seems destined never to get out is Hwang Won, a TV producer who was on a Korean Air plane hijacked over South Korea in December 1969 and forced to land near the North Korean east coast port of Wonsan. His son, Hwang In-cheol, who was two at the time, has no idea why his father was among 11, including the pilot and co-pilot, whom North Korea refused to send home after freeing 39 passengers on Valentine's Day, February 14, 1970. At the gates of the unification ministry in central Seoul on the latest Valentine's Day anniversary, Hwang read an impassioned statement protesting the reluctance of Korean officials to press for his father's release. They politely sympathize, then tell him there's nothing they can do and advise him to cool it. You wonder what's in it for North Korean rulers to display such cruelty. Was it totally coincidental that Kim Jong-un ordered the firing of an advanced model of a mid-range missile the day of his brother's murder? Kidnapping South Koreans to the North and killing foes of the regime such individual tragedies show the harsh insecurity of a regime that survives on chest-beating rhetoric while squandering resources on nukes and missiles. Donald Kirk, www.donaldkirk.com, has been covering war and peace in Asia for decades. He's at kirkdon4343@gmail.com By Nam Hyun-woo Hanjin Shipping will be declared bankrupt today, after suffering from snowballing debt amid a slowdown in the global shipping market. Seoul Central District Court is expected to declare bankruptcy of the shipper, following a two-week period for appeals. Following the declaration, a bankruptcy trustee will be appointed to lead the sale of Hanjin Shipping's remaining assets to pay off debts to creditors. The declaration would be the end of the 40-year history of the world's former No. 7 shipper, which once boasted more than 1,300 employees and a massive fleet of 97 container ships and 44 bulk carriers. As of Thursday, Hanjin Shipping pulled down all pages on its website, including investor relations and company overview, leaving only a bulletin board for creditors. The company had left the website fully open even after the court decided to end the company's receivership process on Feb. 2, in a belief that it may avoid liquidation. Back then, the court said "the firm's liquidation value would be worth more than its value as a going concern." According to Samil PricewaterhouseCoopers, which did the calculations on behalf of the court, the firm's liquidation is expected to fetch 1.79 trillion won ($1.57 billion), while it is unable to calculate the company's going concern value because of uncertainties. The closure of the website is interpreted as the company's recognition that it cannot salvage itself. Though there are several cases in which endangered companies have annulled bankruptcy declarations through appeals, observers say that will not be the case for Hanjin, because almost every function of the company has stopped. The question is whether the company has assets left for sale. It previously sold its Asia-North America shipping route to Samra Midas Group and its 20 percent stake in International LLC, a U.S. port terminal operator, to domestic rival Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM). Its only remaining assets are terminal managing company Hanjin Pacific Corp. and some overseas offices. Though the Hanjin debacle will be wrapped up with the declaration, its fallout still threatens Korea's shipping industry, which had been driven by the country's two shipping giants of Hanjin and HMM. One of the threats is a large-scale reshuffle of global shipping alliances. In April, the members of four major alliances -- 2M, Ocean Three, G6 and CKYHE Alliance -- will realign themselves into three alliances of 2M, Ocean and THE. Currently, HMM is a strategic partner of 2M, though it is not a member of the alliance. Should HMM fail to cope with the massive changes in the industry, it may incur the same fate as Hanjin Shipping, observers say. Also, the continuing increase in tonnage provided by shippers is still causing an oversupply, weighing on the global shipping industry. IBK Research Center expects the sluggishness in the industry will likely continue until 2018. Observers say those factors may be mixed up and deal a serious blow to Korea's shipping industry in June. The government on Wednesday said it will pour 750 billion won into HMM to help it normalize its business. HMM also underwent massive restructuring last year and survived. Students take a vow against underage drinking at Whimoon High School in southeastern Seoul, right after taking the college entrance exam last Nov. 17. / Courtesy of Oriental Brewery By Park Jae-hyuk Korea's heavy drinking culture has long been regarded by many as an obstacle to economic and social growth. Government data shows the country annually suffers 700 billion won ($613 million) in losses over drunk-driving accidents and 1 million cases of violence caused by people under the influence of alcohol. Oriental Brewery (OB) said Thursday it is promoting healthy and responsible drinking as experts pick them as the key for the country's social and cultural improvement. The nation's leading brewery has carried out a campaign every year called "Global Beer Responsible Day" in the country's major cities since 2014 to reduce the side effects of excessive drinking and establish a healthier drinking culture. Anheuser-Busch (AB) InBev, the parent company of OB, first suggested the campaign in 2010, and now famous international breweries such as Carlsberg and Heineken also conduct the campaign in 71 countries. Last year, OB employees conducted a campaign against drunk-driving in Gangnam, southern Seoul. They warned alcohol sellers and consumers about the risks of drunk-driving. OB has also conducted other campaigns to prevent teenagers from drinking. Since 2009, the Seoul-based company has persuaded students on the day of their college entrance exam not to drink alcohol. Along with the Korea Scout Association, the company received online pledges from students taking the college entrance exam promising not to drink alcohol until age 19 at several test venues in Gangnam last year. In 2015, OB began to run a play named "Family Talk" to prevent adolescent drinking, depicting a conversation between parents and children to discourage teen drinking. OB said the realistic plot and helpful advice have contributed to the play's immense popularity with parents and teenagers. The brewery signed a memorandum of understanding last October with KoRoad and began a nationwide campaign against driving under the influence. At that time, OB employees donated gifts to police officers in recognition of their efforts as well. In January, OB and KoRoad have awarded 15 police officers who have clamped down on drunk drivers on dangerous roads. "As the nation's leading brewery, we have tried to establish a mature drinking culture in Korea," an OB official said. "We will try to make a better world where we can resolve social problems and enable growth of both companies and local communities." Established by Doosan Group in 1952, OB was purchased by AB InBev in 1998. The company was sold to an affiliate of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. in 2009, but rejoined AB InBev in 2014. Currently, it produces Korea's most popular beverages including the OB, Cass and Cafri lager brands. Ads for 11street are put on a metro station in Bangkok, Thailand, in this file photo. / Courtesy of SK Planet By Park Jae-hyuk SK Planet has launched 11street in Thailand, becoming Korea's first business to open an online marketplace in the Southeast Asian country, the company said Thursday. Korean actor Song Joong-ki and Thai actress Mew Nittha the two official models of the e-commerce platform attended the opening ceremony held on the same day at Central World in Bangkok. Korea's leading e-commerce firm has put ads up at busy streets in Siam and Phrom Phong, and plans to broadcast TV commercials there as well. Thailand is the fourth overseas market where the SK Telecom unit has opened its online mall. The platform debuted in Turkey in 2013 as n11, in Indonesia in 2014 as elevenia, and in Malaysia in 2015 as 11street. The latest opening in Thailand gives SK Planet the opportunity to operate in three major Southeast Asian nations, helping the firm expand its presence in the region populated by 600 million people. The Seoul-based company plans to introduce its unique mobile shopping environment, which is so far unprecedented for the local market. Based on its accumulated experience running 11st in Korea, 11Street Thailand will offer millions of trendy high-quality products at competitive prices. The firm will also provide a 360-degree view of products for consumers to check the goods through their mobile devices. In addition, SK Planet will offer offices and photo studios in Bangkok to support 9,000 local sellers. Through such efforts, the outfit aims to beat its competitors, such as Lazada, iTrueMart and WeLove Shopping. "11Street will be a leading e-commerce firm that promotes the Korean wave in retail industry," 11Street Thailand CEO Jeon Hong-cheol said. "We expect our entrance to Thailand will stimulate Korean manufacturers and ICT firms to make their presence felt in Southeast Asian markets." The size of the e-commerce market in Thailand which is populated by 68 million people is projected to more than double from $1.5 billion in 2016 to $4 billion in 2020. Plus, mobile shopping will likely occupy 45 percent of the country's e-commerce market in 2020. Last year, SK Planet topped in Turkey's e-commerce market in terms of sales. The total turnover of the company's three overseas platforms grew by 72.5 percent year-on-year in 2016. Photos of T.O.P and Junsu, members of K-Pop boy bands Big Bang and JYJ respectively, has just surfaced today, Feb. 15. T.O.P and Junsu can be seen wearing military fatigues along with their comrades. First photos of T.O.P and Junsu have surfaced today, Feb. 15, wearing their berets and military fatigues, reports Soompi. The pictures were taken on Feb. 9, the date when the duo enlisted. On Thursday, Feb. 9, T.O.P and Junsu enlisted in the military to comply with South Korea's mandatory service for men, reports Koreaboo. But despite their efforts of keeping it "low-key", hundreds of fans were already at the Nonsan Army Training Center in Chungcheong province. They prepared banners, and waited since 5 a.m. just to bid T.O.P and Junsu goodbyes. T.O.P and Junsu will be training inside the Nonsam Army Training Center for a month of basic military training. T.O.P is then expected to continue his military career and will be stationed in Seoul's Metropolitan Police Department. Junsu, on the other hand will be stationed at the Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency as a police officer. Prior to enlisting, T.O.P posted a photo on Instagram with his group Big Bang, with the caption saying he won't be meeting with the group before joining the military, and expressing that he will miss his "brothers" so much once he sees their face. T.O.P is the first Big Bang member to join the military: He will then be followed closely by G-Dragon and Taeyang this year, while Daesung and Seungri will enlist in 2018 and 2019, respectively. T.O.P and Junsu's service in the military will last for 9 months, ending on November 8, 2017. T.O.P and Junsu will also be given short breaks in their military service so they can be with their friends and family. La Jolla Community Planning Association (LJCPA) re-affirmed its request that an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) be filed for the La Jolla Heights Reservoir Project, during its Feb. 2 meeting at La Jolla Rec Center. The board initially heard about the reservoir replacement project in March 2015. The three-pronged project entails demolishing the existing above-ground La Jolla View Reservoir in La Jolla Heights Natural Park and decommissioned Exchange Place reservoir/pump station near the corner of Country Club Drive and Pepita Way; constructing one 3.1 million gallon underground tank to replace the two that will be demolished; and replacing the current 16-inch Country Club Drive pipeline with a 30-inch pipe. It is expected that 300 truckloads will come and go to excavate the area and maneuver on a temporary access road to be built through the park over two years. The project is paid for through water rate payers and once complete, the La Jolla Heights Natural Park will be re-vegetated with native plants. Reflecting on the last time it was discussed, LJCPA vice-president Helen Boyden said, We didnt want to hear it again until there had been an Environmental Impact Report drafted. However, LJCPA president Cindy Greatrex explained that, The City of San Diego Department of Public Works has asked us to hear this again as an action item where trustees, if they so choose, have the ability to request the action that an EIR is created. Arguing for that action, trustee Patrick Ahern made a presentation on behalf of Friends of La Jolla Heights Natural Park (of which he is a founding member) to showcase the questions that could be answered with an EIR, and which have not otherwise been addressed. An EIR identifies and examines the likely environmental effects of a proposed project, and proposes measures to avoid, mitigate or offset them. This is an important project and there are different ways of looking at it. What were wondering is, is this necessary? We recognize that it probably is, but is this the best way to go about it? he opined. Ahern went on to cite that the La Jolla Community Plan shows La Jolla Heights Natural Park (perched atop Encelia Drive near the La Jolla Country Club) is a dedicated park, and therefore should be preserved as open space without disruption. Our Community Plan advocates for protecting environmentally sensitive habitats, which this is, he said. Our guidelines and the Citys guidelines for making decisions for the community (of La Jolla) suggest the City should ensure, to the fullest extent possible, natural resources such as shrub and chaparral, and the critters that live there, are protected. He suggested that with an EIR, these issues and how they would be mediated, would have to be explored. Other questions that arose from the room and board included restriction of access to public spaces and environmental impacts on the community, such as traffic mitigation; street safety and noise remediation. We want all this to be looked at and decided upon with input from this group (all EIRs have a public comment period) and the general public, he said. The Citys position has been that potential environmental impacts could be easily resolved and the project would therefore only need a Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND), which suggests there would not be major impact, or lesser environmental review. Attempting to prove this point, City Public Works Department project manager Ed Fordan answered questions piecemeal, and through an informational video. The video explained that due to their age and condition, the City maintains the reservoirs have reached the end of their service lives and need to be replaced to protect water quality and provide appropriate water storage volume for water supply and fire protection. The project is 100 percent designed, and construction is expected to begin in 2018, and be finished by summer 2020. Fordan explained the reservoirs were built in 1949 and 1962 respectively, and are no longer able to keep up with water usage demands. During construction, there will be dust control, erosion control and noise limits that the contractor will need to adhere to. And we have City inspectors who will ensure contractor compliance, he said. One meeting attendee noted the unpleasant history with the City contracting process (referencing the infrastructure work in La Jolla Shores that has taken three years off and on), and asked what guarantees they have that this City project would be done right. Fordan replied, We are going to hire a construction management firm (to partner with) the City, so construction goes smoothly. As for the Exchange Place pump station property which many have advocated be converted into a park Fordan explained that its owned by the City Public Utilities Department and its not known what would happen to the property. At this point, our direction is to demolition the pump station and replace it with native vegetation. Lastly, he said a temporary access road would be built to accommodate the trucks excavating the dirt to limit the number of trips on City streets, and that flag-men would help facilitate traffic, and plans were in development to fix any damage to the roads after the fact. All said, LJCPA moved to re-affirm its recommendation that an EIR be required for the La Jolla View Reservoir Project in the La Jolla Heights Natural Park, in accordance with the requirements of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and the City of San Diegos Multiple Species Conservation program due to the potentially significant adverse impacts of the project on sensitive natural resources, and residential neighborhoods. The motion carried unanimously. La Jolla Community Planning Association next meets 6 p.m. Thursday, March 2 at La Jolla Rec Center, 615 Prospect St. lajollacpa.org The recent La Jolla-based Citizens for Odor Nuisance Abatement (CONA) appeal, which argued that the City of San Diego is responsible for the sea lion stench at La Jolla Cove and requested the City clean up the sea lion excrement therein, has been denied. In an opinion filed Feb. 9, the Fourth Appellate District Court of Appeal affirmed the ruling of Judge Timothy B. Taylor that the City is not responsible for the odors. The opinion states, We sympathize with CONA, but agree with the trial court that any resolution likely lies in the political sphere. Oral Arguments in the appeal were delivered Jan. 10 by La Jolla Shores-based attorney Norm Blumenthal, who has been representing CONA since it filed the lawsuit in December 2013. Blumenthal argued for an appeal of the trial courts ruling, which granted the City summary judgment and dismissed the CONA case. In March 2015, CONA filed claims against the City of San Diego for what they viewed as public officials failure to rid La Jolla Cove of its pervasive odors from bird and marine mammal waste. The judge ruled the City doesnt have a duty to control any nuisance caused by wild animals, and that the City isnt the cause of the odor. This months appeal ruling confirmed this decision. As an alternative source of action, Blumenthals office recommends concerned citizens call the County Air Pollution Control District at (858) 586-2650 and lodge a complaint about the air quality. Hundreds rally in La Jolla to support refugees More than 800 people gathered at Congregation Beth El in La Jolla Feb. 2, for a demonstration of solidarity and alliance by the Jewish community in support of refugees and immigrants. Organized by four San Diego Jewish nonprofits the Anti-Defamation League of San Diego County, Jewish Family Service of San Diego, Jewish Federation of San Diego and Leichtag Foundation attendees heard from prominent religious and community leaders about taking action against the recent travel ban, and were reminded of the Jewish communitys history as refugees and immigrants. Speakers included Rabbi Yael Ridberg from Congregation Dor Hadash, Rabbi Nadav Caine from the San Diego Rabbinic Association, Rabbi Scott Meltzer from Ohr Shalom Synagogue, Rabbi Avi Libman from Congregation Beth El, City Council member Barbara Bry and California State Assembly member Todd Gloria. Bry said the event, brought together hundreds from different backgrounds to condemn the misguided executive order banning some refugees from our country and added that she attended because as a mother and grandmother, I want to leave the world a better place for the next generation. I want my children and grandchildren to know that I stood with refugees in these uncertain and divisive times. After the speeches, attendees worked their way around the room filling out postcards, learning about Senate Bill 54 that prevents the use of California resources for mass deportations, getting the facts on the refugee screening and resettlement process in the U.S. and learning about volunteer opportunities. Jewish Family Service of San Diego (JFS) CEO Michael Hopkins said, We resettle refugees from war zones around the world not because theyre Jewish, but because we are. There are 129 people who were already positioned to be resettled by JFS and have had their immigration process halted. Postal service station at The Shops on the move The U.S. Postal Service will move the La Jolla Village Station services to a new location within the same shopping center in early March. The La Jolla Village Station will close on Friday, March 3 and reopen 9 a.m. Monday, March 6 at the new location, 8861 Villa La Jolla Drive, Suite 505 in The Shops at La Jolla Village. Post Office (P.O.) Box numbers will remain the same, but customers will be issued new keys. Keys will be available for pick up at the current location Feb. 27-March 2. Identification will be required to receive new P.O. Box keys. Monarch Arrendon gallery changes address Monarch Arredon Contemporary art gallery has moved to a new, smaller Village location at 862 Prospect St., Suite A, and will fully transition by March 1. This new location will support the gallery in its 2017 goal of expanding into national art shows, collaborating with online venues and organizing installations outside the gallery walls. Owner Elsie Arrendo added, For the last several years our focus has been on the La Jolla and broader San Diego market with particular attention to our locals. We have built a strong community of collectors this way and believe it is now time to expand our reach. Our new showroom is a smaller space which will allow us to be more flexible from both an operational and financial perspective. The current, 7629 Girard Ave. location will remain open until Feb. 28, exhibiting Conducting a Symphony: A Rhythm of Visual Perception by Lei Tang. The first exhibit in the new location will be, Dancing Shadows by Randy and Carol Cooper, open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday-Sunday and by appointment Monday-Wednesday. (858) 454-1231. monarchfineart.com Library seeks family photos for next art exhibit The La Jolla Library Art committee is accepting entries for its third single-subject photo show, Families. The entry deadline is April 14. Artists may submit up to five images, in black and white or color, with image sizes no smaller than 8x10 or larger than 30x40. All accepted photos must be framed simply in black or wood frames. According to committee reports, Families exist in broad interpretations, from a pet rabbit adopted by a cat, to a night shift group of dedicated nurses, or a neighborhood of families established over years! There are no other image requirements or expectations, only that the word families is interpreted personally by each photographer. Entry forms and show description are available at the library and also online at lajollalibrary.org/your-library/art-exhibits/ Six candidates up for La Jolla Planning Association election The La Jolla Community Planning Association (LJCPA) will hold its yearly trustee election to fill six vacant trustee seats, 3-7 p.m. Thursday, March 2 at the La Jolla Recreation Center, Irving Gill Room, 615 Prospect St. The following five candidates will run for re-election and are on the March 2 ballot: Bob Collins, Cindy Greatrex, Sheila Palmer, Bob Steck and Brian Will. Although it was previously reported that James Ragsdale would re-run, he retracted his candidacy during the LJCPAs Feb. 2 meeting. That same night, La Jolla Shores resident Dave Gordon announced his candidacy, and will be listed on the ballot. Write-in candidates are allowed at the Special Election but must meet eligibility requirements pursuant to the LJCPA bylaws. Only active LJCPA members will be allowed to vote. If you have a question regarding your membership status, e-mail info@lajollacpa.org or visit lajollacpa.org The last opportunity to attend a meeting and maintain membership (and eligibility to vote in the election) was the Feb. 2 LJCPA meeting. In the March election, after polls close at 7 p.m., the ballots will be counted, and the tally will be presented to the president who will certify and announce the results that evening. A challenge to the elections must be filed within one week of the announced results. The newly elected trustees will be seated at the beginning of the April meeting. La Jollan appointed Convention Center Corporation board chair La Jolla resident Candace Carroll has been elected chair of the 2017 San Diego Convention Center Corporation board of directors. Carroll is an appellate lawyer with more than 40 years experience handling appeals in the federal, state and bankruptcy appellate courts. She has served on the San Diego Convention Center Corporation board of directors since 2014; in 2016, she served as vice-chair. She has also chaired the boards of the San Diego County Bar Association and California Women Lawyers. The Corporations mission is to generate economic benefits for the greater San Diego region by hosting national and international conventions and trade shows in the world-class facility. Bloodmobile drive at Koi Wellbeing, Friday The San Diego Blood Bank will accept blood donations from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 17, at Koi Wellbeing, 5632 La Jolla Blvd. Donors must be age 17 and older, weigh at least 114 pounds and be in good health. A photo ID must be presented upon signing up to donate. Donors are encouraged to schedule an appointment, but walk-ins are also welcome. (619) 469-7322. sandiegobloodbank.org Have a La Jolla news tip? Call the La Jolla Light at (858) 875-5950 E-mail details to editor@lajollalight.com Historic ties of north Meck span throughout region Though the north Mecklenburg area didnt see significant population growth until a few decades ago, its rich history dates back to the Revolutionary War. That was the basis of... An easier-than-expected first mammogram experience HUNTERSVILLE Scheduling a cancer screening probably ranks somewhere on your to-do list between "clean out the garage" and "donate those clothes that don't fit." Sure, you'll get to it at... Lady Legend harriers take fourth at ECIC meet The young Lancaster girls cross-country team built on its strong regular season with a fourth-place finish at the ECIC Championships... This article appears in the February 17, 2017 issue of Executive Intelligence Review. AMID PROMISING STRATEGIC CHANGES European Politicians Still Blinded by Geopolitics by Helga Zepp-LaRouche, chairwoman of the German political party Civil Rights Movement Solidarity (BuSo) [Print version of this article] Feb. 11Among the great powersthe United States, China, Russia, Japantotally new alliances based on mutual advantage are being built, which will potentially establish a higher level of reason and can effectively usher in a new era in history. In Europe, however, it has not yet been noticed by either the neocons and neoliberals or most of the left wing, and certainly not by the Greens, who are all so busy hyperventilating in various ways against U.S. President Donald Trumps victory, that they are numb to the major changes occurring on the political world stage. Even such apparently staunch Atlanticists as Finance Minister Wolfgang Schauble, faced with the new President of the United States, suddenly see hope in Chinas role an almost delightful irony. The followers of the geopolitical doctrine in Europe are in a frenzy. They dont understand the world anymore. The Pippi Longstocking principletwo times three is four, plus three make nine! I make the world the way I like itno longer works. The shock caused by the failure of the axioms of unipolar geopolitics is somewhat comparable to the superseding of the Copernican heliocentric conception of the world by Johannes Keplers idea of a harmonic and complex universe. After Trumps letter to Xi Jinping, followed by a further telephone conversation, which was described by the White House as lengthy and extremely cordial, and during which Trump supported the One China policy of the United States, the perspective for constructive cooperation between the United States and China is developing. Indeed, with the Trump Administration, there is a chance that the United States will accept Chinas offer of a new type of power relations, which was deliberately ignored by Obama. This new model of relations is based on the absolute recognition of sovereignty, respect for different social and political systems, noninterference in internal affairs of others, and mutually beneficial cooperation. So there should be no contradiction between Trumps America First and Xi Jinpings Chinese dream. Japan Offers Infrastructure The visit of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to the United Stateswho brought with him, among other items, an investment package that would create 700,000 jobs in the infrastructure sectorneed not conflict in any way with the improved U.S.-China relations. Abe spoke of Japans international expertise in building modern infrastructure, and offered to build a maglev line between Washington and New York, which would allow President Trump to go from the White House to Trump Tower in Manhattan in only one hour. When a Japanese reporters question implied that Trump would not defend Japan from Chinese aggression, Trumps reply demonstrated that he would not be lured into the geopolitical trap: I had a very, very good conversation, as most of you know, yesterday with the President of China. It was a very, very warm conversation. I think we are in the process of getting along very well. And I think that will also be very much of a benefit to Japan. . . . We have conversations with various representatives of China, I believe, that that will all work out very well for everybodyChina, Japan, the United States, and everybody in the region. In addition, Jack Ma, the president of the Internet ecommerce firm Alibaba, and President Trump have already discussed Chinese investments of a trillion dollars, and there is great interest in further investments in the upgrading of American infrastructure. Another indication of the new strategic orientation is that Prime Minister Abe intends to travel to Russia twice this year, and has reached an agreement with Russian President Putin for close collaboration in the economic development of the disputed Kuril Islands. This cooperation, along with significant investments by Japan in Russias Far East, should strengthen trust, and create the preconditions for the signing of a peace treaty between the two nations. Among these investments are the intensification of cooperation in the development of crude oil and natural gas, the construction of new airports and ports, the modernization of agriculture, and the construction of urban infrastructure, water systems and canals, and a medical center. The Trump White House, moreover, made known through a senior Administration official that the United States has nothing against the growing cooperation between Japan and Russia, but fully understands that these two neighbors want to improve their bilateral relations. Also, President Trumps repeated declaration that he wants to establish a good collaborative relationship with Russia, is finding a positive echo from the Russian side. In an interview with Izvestia published Feb. 10, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov expressed confidence that the forging of a constructive and mutually beneficial relationship between the two countries would be very advantageous for the Russian and American peoples, and thus have a positive effect on the whole world situation. Meanwhile, the Russian ambassador to China, Andrei Denisov, let it be known that President Putin would participate in the major summit on the Belt and Road Initiative that China will host in Beijing in May. China is preparing this summit, which aims at consolidating the policy of the New Silk Road, with great intensity. Senior diplomat Yang Jiechi stressed to China Daily that twenty heads of state have already agreed to attend, among whom, according to Professor Wang Yiwei, author of a book on the New Silk Road, is President Trump; this is a visit which the Chinese eagerly anticipate. To the degree that the large Asian countries and the United States overcome previous geopolitical conflicts, the chances will improve for other regions of the world, regions that have had proxy conflicts, to attain a positive outlook on the future. Thus Tim Collard, a columnist for the official Chinese government portal site, China.org.cn, suggested that with the rise of China as a global economic powersupported by the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the Belt and Road Initiativeits willingness to engage, for example, in the Middle East, also will increase. This could create an entirely new dynamic in the region. The New York Times was even obliged, for a change, to publish an objective and positive article on Feb. 7 with the headline, Joyous Africans Take to Rails, with Chinas Help, in which it not only described the newly opened rail line from Djibouti to Addis Ababa, which China financed and built, but also other projects in Africa. The new rail linesthe first step toward the long dreamed-of trans-African routes from the Indian Ocean to the Atlantichave already changed the total dynamic, according to Aboubaker Omar Hadi, head of the port in Djibouti. China has vision. Germanys Awesome Opportunity Apparently Minister-President of Bavaria Horst Seehofer (CSU) has sensed which way the new wind is blowing. According to media reports, he is working on arranging a meeting with Trump and plans another visit to Putin. Chancellor Merkel on the contrary appears to be absorbed in her new role as defender of the free West. She has just expressed, together with Polish Prime Minister Beata Szydlo, her opposition to any easing of the sanctions against Russia. The support of the Berlin government for the regime in Kiev is a scandal. Unfortunately, the SPDs candidate for Chancellor, Martin Schulz, who as President of the European Parliament until very recently, is the representative of the EU establishment, has not shown any inclination to present a real alternative to Merkel in his geopolitical view of Russia and China. Wikimedia Commons/Freud In the upcoming campaign for the Bundestag, the BuSo will make every effort to point to the enormous potential Germany could actualize by cooperating with the United States, Russia, China, Japan, and many other countries, above all in the economic development of Southwest Asia and Africa. Germany now has the awesome opportunity to devise a foreign policy which is both in the best interests of Germany, and in harmony with what Xi Jinping calls the community of common destiny for mankind. Germanys inventive spirit and engineering expertise, and the productivity of its Mittelstandits small and medium-size industrial enterprisesare exactly what the development of the world requires, and its participation in the projects of the New Silk Road and in international scientific cooperation would massively improve the range of jobs available domestically. That means leaving behind low salaries and unproductive jobs to create highly skilled, productive employment, and thereby a higher living standard for all. CC/Ralf Roletschek This article appears in the February 17, 2017 issue of Executive Intelligence Review. President Trump Launches War on Drugs, But Must Target Drug Banks by Michael Billington [Print version of this article] Feb. 10President Donald Trump has launched a deadly serious War on Drugs. On Feb. 8, in a speech before the Major Cities Police Chiefs Association (MCCA) in Washington, the President said that the drug scourge was destroying the potential of Americas youth and Americas future, and must be crushed, naming the newly installed Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Gen (ret.) John Kelly, as the man to lead the effort. The following day, Trump issued an executive order naming the newly confirmed Attorney General, Jeff Sessions, to be head of a new Task Force to focus on destroying transnational criminal organizations and drug cartels, with a 120-day mandate to report on transnational criminal organizations and subsidiary organizations, including the extent of penetration of such organizations into the United States. This is the first serious call for combatting the drug scourgenow devastating every community and millions of families in the United Statessince Lyndon LaRouche first coined the term War on Drugs in 1980. The LaRouche organization then formed the National Anti-Drug Coalition and launched the magazine War on Drugs. The one problem with the Trump War on Drugsand a potential Achilles Heel, if it is not correctedis the failure to identify and target the actual core of the international drug cartel, the banks which facilitate this business. The publication by EIR in 1978 of the first edition and reprints of Dope, Inc. and the half-dozen subsequent editions and re-issues of that blockbuster expose, documented in great detail how the illicit drug businessthe biggest business in the worldis controlled entirely by the British and Wall Street banks, since the time of the British Opium Wars against China, and continuing through to today. The identification of the too-big-to-fail banks in London and New York as the headquarters of Dope Inc., will also provide yet another motivation for the immediate restoration of the Glass-Steagall Act, to stop the criminal money laundering and speculation which has brought the trans-Atlantic financial system to ruin. President Trump is fully aware that the drug issue is central to the future of the nation, as was clear in his remarks to the Major Cities Police Chiefs Association Winter Conference in Washington on Feb. 8. He emphasized that every child in America should be able to play outside without fear, walk home without danger, and attend a school without being worried about drugs or gangs or violence. . . . So many lives and so many people have been cut short. Their potential, their lives have been cut short. So much potential has been sidelined. And so many dreams have been shattered and broken, totally broken. Its time to stop the drugs from pouring into our country, Trump continued. And, by the way, we will do that. And I will say this: Generalnow SecretaryKelly will be the man to do it. He continued: Its time to dismantle the gangs terrorizing our citizens, and its time to ensure that every young American can be raised in an environment of decency, dignity, love, and support. You have asked for the resources, tools, and support you need to get the job done. We will do whatever we can to help you meet those demands. The President noted that he had brought a number of law enforcement officials to the White House, and asked them what impact do drugs have in terms of a percentage on crime? They said, 75 to 80 percent. Thats pretty sad. Were going to stop the drugs from pouring in. Were going to stop those drugs from poisoning our youth, from poisoning our people. Were going to be ruthless in that fight. We have no choice. . . . And were going to take that fight to the drug cartels and work to liberate our communities from their terrible grip of violence. Dope Inc.: Run by British Banks President Trumps War on Drugs is to be highly commended, and to be supported in full by all those anywhere in the world who treasure the human mind and human spirit, but it will fail if it does not go after the heart of the beastthe British banks, headed by HSBC, and its Wall Street subsidiaries. Under its earlier namethe Hong Kong and Shanghai BankHSBC ran the opium trade in Asia during the Opium Wars of the 19th Century, and more recently ran the money laundering for the Mexican drug cartels into the United States. When HSBC was caught in this crime, the Obama Administration, busy promoting drug use and the legalization of drugs across the United States, ruled that no bankers should be criminally prosecuted for drug money laundering, just as none were to be prosecuted for the massive crimes in their derivative scams leading to the 2007-08 near collapse of the western banking system. Obamas ties to George Soros, the notorious funder and promoter of virtually every international effort to legalize drugs, are well-documented. swiss-image.ch/Michael Wuertenberg President Trump is now positioned to correct this crime. He promised during his campaign to implement the Glass-Steagall Actthe Franklin Roosevelt law which separated commercial banks from investment banks, offering government support only to the former, which were forbidden to participate in speculative activities. President Trump must be held to account for that promise. If the Glass-Steagall Act is implemented, the drug money operations of the too-big-to-fail banks will be dried up virtually overnight, and the drug cartels can be mopped up relatively easily. EIRNS/Dean Andromidas It is not only Lyndon LaRouche who has identified the role of the banks in the global drug trade. In 2009, after the 2008 near-collapse of the western banking system, Antonio Maria Costa, then the head of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, pointed out that the international banks had become drug dependent. He said: In many instances, the money from drugs was the only liquid investment capital. In the second half of 2008, liquidity was the banking systems main problem, and hence liquid capital became an important factor. Inter-bank loans were funded by money that originated from the drug trade and other illegal activities. . . There were signs that some banks were rescued that way. Viktor Ivanov, the Director of the Russian Federal Narcotics Service from 2008 until 2016, speaking in Washington in 2011, said: Drug money and global drug trafficking are actually not just valuable elements of, but as donors of scarce liquidity, a vital and indispensable segment of the whole monetary system. In order to shut this down, he said, Russia and the United States must work in tandem to effect a drastic transformation of the international financial system. . . . To a certain extent, we are observing a revival of the logic of the Glass-Steagall Act, adopted in the U.S. in 1933 at the height of the Great Depression, which separated the deposit and investment functions of banks. However, he added, restrictions to prevent the attraction of criminal money are required even more. In other words, liquidation of the financial bubble alone will not be enough. . . . The key way to liquidate global drug trafficking, is to reformat the existing economy and shift to an economy that excludes criminal money and provides reproduction of net liquid assets, i.e., to an economy of development, in which decisions are based on development projects and long-term targetted credits. Trumps Executive Order vs. Dope, Inc. Trumps executive order of Feb. 9 is powerful and clear: Transnational criminal organizations and subsidiary organizations, including transnational drug cartels, have spread throughout the nation, threatening the safety of the United States and its citizens. . . . These groups are drivers of crime, corruption, violence, and misery. . . . In particular, the trafficking by cartels of controlled substances has triggered a resurgence in deadly drug abuse and a corresponding rise in violent crime related to drugs. . . . A comprehensive and decisive approach is required to dismantle these organized crime syndicates and restore safety for the American people. This executive order came at the same time as the confirmation by the U.S. Senate of Jeff Sessions as U.S. Attorney General. Sessions has been one of the fiercest opponents of the drug legalization policy implemented by Barack Obama. It is also relevant that Gen. (ret.) John Kelly, the former head of U.S. Southern Command, who is now Secretary of Homeland Security, emphasized the importance of a layered approach that extends far beyond our shores, throughout the hemisphere, in partnership with our neighbors to the South and North, when he testified before the Senate in January. If the drugs are in the United States, weve lost, he said. He estimated that 99% of the heroin that enters the United States is produced in Mexico. Poppies used to manufacture heroin are grown in Mexico and Guatemala, and then the drug is shipped to the United States. He emphasized the importance of a partnership with Mexico, saying the United States would like to help them get after the poppy production. . . after the production labs. . . after the heroin, methamphetamine. . . before it gets to the border. It should be added that the destruction of the Mexican economy since NAFTA has left many of its youth with nowhere to go but the drug trade. There must be economic development. On the U.S. side of the border, Kelly said the demand for drugs must be drastically reduced. Youre never going to get to zero, he said, but we know how to do this. Weve done it before with other drugs and other things that were bad for our society. Speaking of the Bush and Obama years, Kelly added: Were not even trying. Join the Fight President Trumps War on Drugs provides yet another stark reason for the hysterical campaign by Londons Dope, Inc. to bring Trump down. A destabilization like the color revolutions run by drug-pusher George Soros against nations across Europe, Africa, the Mideast, and South America, is now being waged against the government of these United States, led by the City of London, its Wall Street subsidiaries, and their whorish presses. The means to defeat this evil is to mobilize the American people, and people around the world, to induce President Trump to carry out his pledge to enact the Glass-Steagall Act, and restore the American System of Hamiltonian banking, capable of directing credit into national infrastructure, industrial and agricultural growth, and restoring the nations dedication to advancing the frontiers of scientific knowledge, through fusion power development and space explorationLaRouches Four Laws. The President has demonstrated that he is willing to work with the great nations of the worldRussia, China, Japan, and a restored Europe and Americato create an era of Peace Through Development, as with Xi Jinpings win-win policy of the New Silk Road. By restoring Americas role as a nation builder, and protecting the future of our children as productive and creative human beings, America can and must, once again, stand as a Temple of Hope and a Beacon of Liberty for the entire world. PRESS RELEASE Drought and Pest Attacks Threaten Famine All Over East Africa Feb. 15, 2017 (EIRNS)The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has declared that millions of citizens in the Horn of Africa face food shortages. Owing to a persistent lack of rainfall between October and December, as many as 11 million people across Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia are in dire need of food assistance, Al Jazeera reported on Feb. 14. Added to the drought crisis is the arrival of fall armyworms, agricultural pests that have decimated staple crops such as maize in southern Africa. Public Financial International (PFI) newsletter in its article today said a regional emergency meeting kicked off today in Zimbabwe to decide how to deal with these pests, as its arrival will exacerbate the impact of a severe drought in the region and spread elsewhere on the continent. PFI added that the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) said that, in addition to the crisis in the Horn, "In the conflict-hit South Sudan today, another 2.8 million people are in need of urgent food assistance. At the same time, 18 million people are in need in war-torn Yemen, and approximately 5.1 million are acutely food insecure in north eastern Nigeria." PFI continued, "Somalia, where two seasons of drought led to failed harvests, left three-quarters of the countrys livestock dead and more than half of its population in acute need of food, is perhaps the worst hit." The FAO said on Feb. 14 that grain prices in some market towns in Somalia doubled in January from a year earlier, with weather forecasts predicting another poor performance in the next rainy season. "Maize prices have also doubled in Arusha, Tanzania, since early 2016, and are 25% higher than 12 months earlier in the countrys largest city, Dar-es-Salaam. In South Sudan, food prices are between two and four times higher than a year earlier, and maize is up by 75% in Uganda and 30% in Kenya. The price of livestock has also risen by between 30% and 60% in the past twelve months in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia," PFIs Emma Rumney wrote. "This is the worst situation we have seen in the region since 2011. We have an opportunity to prevent suffering of a similar scale, but only if we act now," said IFRCs, regional director for Africa, Fatoumata Nafo-Traore, Rumney quoted her as saying. "Conflict, as in the ... countries above, and the super strong El Nino weather event of the past two years, which caused severe drought across numerous African nations, are the main drivers of the crisis," Rumney wrote interestingly, not blaming the omnipresent anthropogenic climate change hoax. PRESS RELEASE Former U.K. Ambassador to Syria Slams Amnesty Internationals Lies on Supposed Syrian Prison Murders Feb. 15, 2017 (EIRNS)In remarks to Sputnik published today, the former British ambassador to Syria, Peter Ford, scathingly attacked Amnesty International, for its claim that the Bashar al-Assad regime had carried out mass hangings and extermination of 13,000 prisonersalleged opponents of the governmentat the Saydhaya prison outside of Damascus. These allegations, Ford said, do not stand up to scrutiny. Ford, who was ambassador to Syria from 2003 to 2006, pointedly asked why it was that Amnesty chose to release its report on Feb. 7, just two months after Syrian forces liberated the city of Aleppo. Moreover, the witnesses cited were anonymous, and no evidence was provided. While Amnesty claims that the prison held 10,000-20,000 prisoners at a time, Ford explained that the prison was far too small to hold that many prisoners at one time. At best, he said, Saydhaya could hold 10% of that number. Recall, Ford added, that this is the same Amnesty that during the 1990 Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, made "sensationalist" charges that Iraqi soldiers had stolen incubators from Kuwaiti hospitals and left babies to die on the floor. "It was a total fabrication.... They used it to justify the Iraqi war." The reality, the former ambassador asserted, is that Amnesty International is the PRESS RELEASE San Francisco Review of Books Publishes Excellent Interview with Lyndon LaRouche, a Living Historical Monument Feb. 15, 2017 (EIRNS)The recently-relaunched San Francisco Review of Books just published the first of a two-part interview with statesman Lyndon LaRouche, conducted in January by Joseph Ford Cotto. In his introduction to the interview, Cotto speaks highly of LaRouche, as follows: "People have said a great many things about Lyndon LaRouche over the years. "To be fair, he has shared more than a bit about his own viewsand why not? At 94, he has a lifetime of experience in traversing the maze of politics, economics, science, and cultural pursuits that makes our world go round. "While LaRouches claim to fame is principally of a fiscal naturehis LaRouche-Reimann Method is perhaps the most accurate economic forecasting model yet devisedthe man has delved into so many different facets of the human experience that one can legitimately elevate him to polymath status. "Whether one should read his views on classical music or space technology, it is a wonder that a single fellow is capable of holding so much knowledge about such a diverse array of topics. Even in the case that his views are found to be disagreeable, it must be admitted that he knows his stuff. "The child of an independent-minded New England Quaker family who served in World War II, LaRouche was imbued with a deep sense of purpose from a young age. Having interviewed the man on several occasions and reviewed his biography, it seems clear to me that, for the immense complexity of his lifes work, the overarching goal is raising the bar of civilization so as many people as possible enjoy a more-than-decent standard of living. "Of course, certain voices will point out that he ran into a financial snafu with the federal government, for which he did some jail time, or that the LaRouche organization is run with military-like efficiencysomething starkly unusual for civilian politics. "I say that nobody is perfect. I also say that, given his age and multitude of life lessons, he should be deemed a living historical monument. Special emphasis is due the word living as LaRouches movement is arguably stronger than ever, thanks to the Internet, and the finely-tuned publishing empire he built ensures that his views will remain in circulation for quite awhile. "LaRouche spoke with me about several timely issues. Some of our conversation is included below." Cotto: A few years ago, certain political forecasters claimed that the future of Americas center-right belongs to libertarians. Since the 2012 presidential election, protectionism has surged in both major parties. Now, in the age of Trump, libertarianisms once-ascendant nature seems a distant memory. Would you say that right-libertarian politics have any serious potential under Trump? Lyndon LaRouche: The point is the support for Trumps .... presidency, that is the key. Right wing libertarian politics per se are not important. It is Trump and his role which is important. It is a new, improved practice. Trump has promised to invest $1 trillion in urgently needed infrastructure and promised the implementation of a 21st century Glass Steagall Act. If he implements his infrastructure promise he will need that reform to finance it. Cotto: More than anything else, why are protectionist economics transforming the American conservative movement? LaRouche: Trump!! Trumps method. Trumps way of dealing with the people. Protection, the issue is to make the economy work with real measures as I just mentioned. It is a buoying up on Trumps efforts. It is not that the Alt Right are no longer important, but is the question of bringing together a more novel way, not doing the same old thing. Ronald Reagan conservatives would surely find something interesting in Donald Trump. Absolutely! We had a president who was taken out of action [the attempt on Reagans life] but he came back in. It was not a simple thing because I was one of the victims of that thing. What was done to him was that. Reagan survived the attack on him. He had a long period, extended period, an inability to function but he got back into that function and he tried to build up more and more what he had as his intent, and I had been one of the key figures of his administration. But were talking about Trump. Really were talking about Trump on the basis that he is now the new leader for the United States. He has promised to build up the American economy again, and there are great precedents of American presidents using the American System of Economy as it was developed by Alexander Hamilton, explicitly in contrast to the British System of Free Trade. That is the system that worked in the past, and it will work again. Now, what Trump has done by his success, here, is to build up the possibility of a revival of the U.S. economy. The Los Angeles Times will debut a new print magazine, DesignLA, on May 21 with a second issue planned for the fall. The glossy premium edition will be delivered to Sunday Times subscribers with a digital version available online. Drawing on the diverse landscapes and distinctive architectural traditions of Southern California, the magazine will present the state of design in one of the worlds largest creative marketplaces with an eye to the future. Weve arrived at a transformative moment, when our famously sprawling city is getting increasingly vertical, said Times Editor-in-Chief and Publisher Davan Maharaj. Our readers are very interested in the people who are making Los Angeles the center of innovation, design and architecture. That is one of the main themes DesignLA will explore. Michael Wollaeger, previously editor-in-chief of Interiors and Western Interiors and Design and executive editor of Architectural Digest, is editor-in-chief of DesignLA. The editorial coverage will be bylined from a mix of L.A. Times staff writers and contributing editors with features on a range of subjects including residential and commercial architecture, interior and landscape design, individuals and institutions moving the art and fashion worlds forward, and restorations and innovations within the local environment. Los Angeles Times subscribers and advertisers have a strong affinity for well-made print products, added Chris Argentieri, Times senior vice president and general manager. We see DesignLA as a companion to our regular Saturday, Hot Property and Image sections a seasonal reference for visionaries, trends and style resources that readers may return to throughout the year, on their coffee tables and in their bookshelves. Advertisement For more information about how to subscribe to DesignLA or place an ad, visit latimes.com/Subscribe to sign up for Sunday home delivery or latimes.com/MediaKit for advertising details and contacts. Next month, the National Book Critics Circle will present its 2016 book prizes in six categories; these are the five finalists in nonfiction. Each book deserves to be read for years to come, but every one of them seems to speak urgently about this particular moment a time of economic inequality and political turmoil, and of new attention to long-simmering conversations about race, history and violence. Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City Matthew Desmond Crown: 432 pp., $28 Even in the most desolate areas of American cities, evictions used to be rare, Matthew Desmond writes. They used to draw crowds. Even in the worst years of the Depression, far fewer people were evicted from their homes than are today (one in eight renting families nationwide, the author says). Desmond, a sociologist at Harvard, looks at the rise in evictions as both a public and private disaster a cataclysm for each family being evicted, a symptom of an economy plunging into ever deeper inequality. Here, he immerses himself in the lives of eight families in Milwaukee, all of them reeling from eviction and its rippling after-effects. Losing a home sends families to shelters, abandoned houses, and the street, he writes. It invites depression and illness, compels families to move into degrading housing in dangerous neighborhoods, uproots communities, and harms children. Eviction reveals peoples vulnerability and desperation, as well as their ingenuity and guts. Advertisement Desmond renders their heartbreaking stories in clear and plainspoken prose. Tenants move into apartments beset with mold, mildew and insects. Evicted, they lose everything: clothing, furniture, photographs. Finding another place, especially with young children, is nearly impossible. America is supposed to be a place where you can better yourself, your family, and your community, he writes. But this is only possible if you have a stable home. The people whose lives he chronicles here have lost that anchor, and some of their struggles and mistakes are nearly unbearable to read about. Still, Desmond reminds us, [p]overty has not prevailed against their deep humanity. Stamped From the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America Ibram X. Kendi Nation Books: 596 pp., $32.99 I was taught the popular folktale of racism: that ignorant and hateful people had produced racist ideas, and that these racist people had instituted racist policies, writes Ibram X. Kendi in the preface to his monumental study of the history of racism. But, he argues, we are confusing cause and effect, misunderstanding the way the mechanism works. Racism isnt rooted in hatred, its an idea used to spawn hate as a cover and a justification for economic, political, and cultural self-interests, from European dreams of empire to Americas need to justify slavery, Jim Crow and mass incarceration. Blending deep research and analysis with a powerfully intimate and personal voice, Kendi lays out the stakes at the books very beginning: Every historian writes in and is impacted by a precise historical moment. My moment, this books moment, coincides with the televised and untelevised killings of unarmed human beings at the hands of law enforcement officials. Kendi grounds his argument in the present moment, citing the killing of Trayvon Martin and the birth of Black Lives Matter as heartbreaks that are a product of Americas history of racist ideas a history he then narrates through the lives and works of five individuals: Cotton Mather, Thomas Jefferson, William Lloyd Garrison, W.E.B. DuBois and Angela Davis. By anchoring the book on these five historical figures each of them brilliant, complicated and fascinating Kendi renders this work of intellectual history as compelling as the juiciest biography. Dark Money: The Hidden History of the Billionaires Behind the Rise of the Radical Right Jane Mayer Anchor: 576 pp., $17 paper Sometimes conspiracy theories are true. In Jane Mayers extensively researched, masterfully written Dark Money, she traces the multi-generational story of a small, rarefied group of hugely wealthy, archconservative families that for decades poured money, often with little public disclosure, into influencing how Americans thought and voted. The book expands on a 2010 New Yorker article on the Koch brothers, Republican kingmakers from Wichita, Kan., and it digs even deeper into the web of think tanks, publications and other institutions founded and financed by the Kochs and others (including the DeVos family, in-laws of the new secretary of education). The two prominent Koch brothers Charles, 81, and David, 76 inherited a vast family fortune their father had built on gas and oil (including work he did for Hitlers government in the late 1930s). Passionate about protecting their financial interests, influenced by rabidly anti-government ideas, they briefly tried electoral politics (David ran for vice president on the 1980 Libertarian Party ticket, which got 1% of the vote), but found it more effective to [use] their fortune to impose their minority views on the majority by other means. For the Kochs, this meant donating hundreds of millions of dollars, to weaponize their philanthropic giving in order to fight a multifront war of influence over American political thought. Mayer follows the money as it funds countless battles against taxes, environmental regulation, labor unions, scientific research and civil rights efforts. The paperback edition, just published, contains a new preface updating the story in light of the election of Donald Trump. Its impossible to avoid the impression that the new president stands as a kind of end result of the long history Mayer recounts; for readers distressed by Trumps victory and the early days of his administration, this book will feel both revelatory and unbearable. Nothing Ever Dies: Vietnam and the Memory of War Viet Thanh Nguyen Harvard University Press: 384pp., $27.95 This is a book on war, memory, and identity. It proceeds from the idea that all wars are fought twice, the first time on the battlefield, the second time in memory, writes Viet Thanh Nguyen in this gorgeous, multifaceted examination of the war Americans call the Vietnam War and which Vietnamese call the American War (this war suffers from an identity crisis, he remarks). Nguyen, born in Vietnam and raised in the United States, is a professor at USC, one of The Times Critics at Large and winner of the Pulitzer Prize for his 2015 novel, The Sympathizer. As a writer, he brings every conceivable gift wisdom, wit, compassion, curiosity to the impossible yet crucial work of arriving at what he calls a just memory of this war. Art is one way to look at and begin to construct a way to remember a war, and Nguyen is a smart critic of the jingoism, sentimentality and other sins of the American film industry in looking at Vietnam. He expands the conversation to include movies from Korea, which had its own Vietnam War, and to the war memorials erected throughout Southeast Asia. In looking at the literature inspired by the war, he ponders just what makes a good war story. As intellectually sophisticated as Nguyens work is, its also intensely personal. He ends his book lighting incense at his grandfathers tomb, thinking of how his own father refuses to discuss the war. Perhaps some things will never be remembered, he writes, and yet also never forgotten. Writing to Save a Life: The Louis Till File John Edgar Wideman Scribner: 208 pp., $25 John Edgar Widemans Writing to Save a Life begins as the authors attempt to grapple with the story of Emmett Till, the 14-year-old Chicago boy murdered in Mississippi in 1955. Wideman was 14 himself, growing up in Pittsburgh, when he saw the photographs of Tills mutilated face and bloated corpse, published in the pages of Jet magazine at the request of his mother. Reading about the trials of Tills killers, Wideman stumbled upon a mention of Louis Till, Emmetts father, conjured like an evil black rabbit from an evil white hat, himself killed in Italy in 1945, hanged by the United States Army, in which he served. What follows is an act of literary conjuring, an intensely imagined and deeply felt speculative biography, an impressionistic examination of black boyhood and manhood. Wideman imagines the elder Till in the military prison, perhaps jailed near enough to Ezra Pound to work his way into the poets writings. Wideman, who has written in memoirs about his brother and his son, both of whom were imprisoned for murder, here works in a hybrid mode quasi-fictional accounts of Louis, Mamie and Emmett Tills experiences, blended with lyrical memories of his own summer in 1955. He saw Emmetts face in Jet, he made love for the first time, he watched his boxer father for clues about black manhood. The adult Wideman, pondering the Till file hes sent away for, finds it full of lies, then looks at it another way. The file writes fiction, Wideman says. To mimic reality, the Till file writes fiction. Tuttle is a member of the board of the National Book Critics Circle and founding director of the Decatur Writers Studio. More than 117,000 visit mourning altars set up across Seoul for Itaewon victims More than 117,000 people paid their respects at mourning altars set up across Seoul for the victims of the Halloween crowd crush that killed at least 156 people in the city's night... 1 rail worker killed, another injured while working One railway worker was killed and another injured after being struck by a cargo train in Uiwang, just southwest of Seoul, officials said Sunday. The accident occurred at 8:20 p.... The U.S. attorneys office is exploring whether Fox News settlement payments for sexual harassment claims should have been reported to the shareholders of parent company 21st Century Fox. Fox News said in a statement issued Wednesday that it has been in discussions with the office for months regarding the matter, adding that no one in the company has been subpoenaed by federal prosecutors. The information first surfaced during a court hearing in which Judd Burstein, the attorney for Fox News personality Andrea Tantaros, said another one of his clients had recently been subpoenaed to discuss the matter. He did not reveal which client. Advertisement Tantaros, who until last April had been a co-host on the Fox News daytime show Outnumbered, is suing her employer, claiming she was removed from her on-air role in retaliation for making a sexual harassment complaint against her former boss, Roger Ailes. Burstein said in court that he was told there was an ongoing criminal investigation related to the sexual harassment allegations that plagued Fox News last year, according to the New York Daily News, which covered the hearing on whether Tantaros case should go to arbitration. Bursteins comment in court led Fox News to issue a statement acknowledging that it has been in touch with the U.S. attorneys office. The court granted Fox News motion to send Andrea Tantaros case to arbitration, where it always belonged, and rejected her counsel Judd Bursteins histrionics, a Fox News representative said. Apparently one of Mr. Bursteins other clients has received a subpoena. Neither FOX News nor [21st Century Fox] has received a subpoena, but we have been in communication with the U.S. attorneys office for months we have and will continue to cooperate on all inquiries with any interested authorities. Former Fox News chairman Ailes was ousted in July after sexual harassment allegations mounted against him following a lawsuit from former anchor Gretchen Carlson. The case was eventually settled with a $20-million payment that was announced by the company. After Carlson filed her suit, an internal investigation revealed a pattern of similar behavior from Ailes, as more than 20 employees, including Fox News Channels biggest female star, Megyn Kelly, came forward to describe inappropriate actions by their former boss. It was revealed that Fox News had settled other sexual harassment claims made against Ailes, including one that gave a former employee a $3.15-million payout in 2011. The employee, Laurie Luhn, had said she had been harassed by Ailes over a period of 20 years. The payment never appeared in any financial filings or earnings for Fox News parent company, then known as News Corp., and was first revealed in a New York magazine story about Luhn. Ailes has denied all sexual harassment claims made against him. stephen.battaglio@latimes.com Twitter: @SteveBattaglio ALSO Former Fox News anchor Greta Van Susteren joins MSNBC Tucker Carlson will take Megyn Kellys time slot at Fox News Channel Fox News paid to make a sexual harassment allegation against Bill OReilly go away Cybersecurity experts at this weeks RSA security conference are warning people to take steps to prevent hackers from stealing their W-2 forms and other sensitive tax documents. The warning follows several incidents in which hackers sent company officials what appeared to be legitimate requests for copies of their workers W-2s. Such phishing attacks are increasing and can be avoided, said Kevin OBrien, chief executive of GreatHorn, a Boston-based security company. Advertisement In an interview, OBrien discussed the problem and what to do about it. Traditionally, Americans have received their W-2 forms via snail mail. Do they also have the option to get them electronically? How are hackers getting involved in this aspect of our lives? Most companies today have digitized their tax forms. Organizations, for the sake of efficiency, often default to sending electronic copies of W-2s, even when they also send paper copies in the mail. Whats more concerning here is that these documents are almost always stored in digital form by the companies themselves. That makes these files a ripe target for attackers because there are multiple people who can access, share and ultimately breach employee data over any number of channels. Is this emerging as a significant problem? The Internal Revenue Service published a warning last year on this, and re-flagged it as being more sophisticated earlier this month. The W-2 scam is a highly effective way that ordinary Americans are seeing their most sensitive data lost to attackers. If you read the IRS advice, its largely about what to do when a business user recognizes one of these attacks. Sadly, relying on folks who are just doing their jobs and who are likely under pressure as tax season rolls around to somehow identify sophisticated spoofing attacks and then flag them is a fools errand. The reality is that even with strong, foundational security in place, nearly 1% of all emails that get around existing security tools businesses invest in have indicators of fraud within them. That sounds small until you realize that by the end of this year, over 132 billion emails will be sent every single day. Thats a lot of malicious messages that could trick someone into giving up your familys most private data. The key problem here is cognitive load, which refers to the total amount of mental energy that someone can expend. If you take the typical [human resources] or finance professional, heads-down on getting all of the end-of-year financial data required assembled prior to sending out staff W-2s, youll see that they have a very high overall mental load going on. Theres a limit to how much anyone can hold in working memory at any given time, which is why even with training on these types of threats, attackers who understand social engineering and psychology can still trick companies into giving up W-2s and other sensitive data. What is the most common mistake people make that exposes their information to hackers? The most common mistake we see is in thinking along the lines of, Oh, we can just tell people to be careful! The challenge is that many people underestimate cybercriminals. These arent kids living in their parents basements any longer. While there was a time when that may have been a [somewhat] accurate portrayal of the state of cybercrimes, todays hackers are most commonly either career cybercriminals backed by international crime syndicates or foreign nation states and military groups. So long as we think of cybercrime as being somehow less of a threat than it is, well make poor decisions about how to respond. What are best ways to prevent hackers from getting peoples tax details? There are steps that can be taken to minimize the kinds of threats described above simple things like automatic warnings that flag that a message is a fraud, for example. The essential step here is in being willing to spend the time, money and effort to go beyond simple feel-good actions and dedicate risk-appropriate resources to solving this problem. W-2 scams can be stopped. It requires dedicated technology and a keen understanding of just how hard it is to rely on intuition when it comes to spotting and safeguarding threats to sensitive data relying on old-school network-based tools to scan email or, worse yet, training programs that are proven time and again to be ineffective. As private citizens, we need to learn to demand that our employers take appropriate measures to safeguard this information. Ask your company how its responding to the IRS warnings; dont accept brush-off answers or the fallacious it wont happen to us reasoning that so many organizations fall victim to. Statistically, 91% of all data breaches begin with a simple phishing attack. If your company cant point to specific and measured defenses against these types of threats, your tax information has a bright target painted on it for cybercriminals. gary.robbins@sduniontribune.com ALSO How to track down an old retirement account Why your IRS tax refund may be delayed this year Column: Trumps IRS stages a stealth attack on Obamacare You might own Snaps non-voting stock soon, like it or not The new shares of stock that Snapchat parent Snap Inc. priced at $17 apiece Wednesday dont have the voting rights that customarily come with public company stock. If you dont like that arrangement and many big investment firms dont you can simply choose not to buy Snap shares when they start trading on Thursday. But you probably wont be able to avoid non-voting Snap stock for long. Not today, and not this month, but eventually, many investors, even ones who bristle at Snap Inc.s share structure, will wind up owning a piece of the Venice company. Snap is so large and so valuable that, barring an immense decline in its share price, it will almost certainly be included in many of the stock indices that determine where retirement savers and other passive investors put their money. That means that if you have a 401(k), an IRA or a pension plan, you will own some Snap shares, even if youd rather not. Take, for instance, the California State Teachers Retirement System. The massive pension fund one of the nations largest is a member of the Investor Stewardship Group, a new coalition of pension and investment firms that advocates for, among other things, shareholder voting rights. Aeisha Mastagni, a CalSTRS investment officer, doesnt like that Snap shares have no voting power, but she also acknowledges that, because CalSTRS invests much of its assets in index funds, the pension giant will wind up owning some Snap shares anyway. We dont want to encourage this kind of bad behavior, Mastagni said, referring to Snaps non-voting share structure. But at the end of the day, CalSTRS will ultimately own Snap if it ends up in the index. Snap could be added to indices managed by London Stock Exchange operator FTSE Russell as early as June. Snap will have a market capitalization large enough to be part of the widely followed Russell 1000 and Russell 3000 indices, which track the nations largest 1,000 and 3,000 public companies, respectively. S&P Global, the company that manages the benchmark S&P 500 index, generally waits at least a year and often longer to add newly public companies to its stock indices. Companies must be worth at least $5.3 billion to be added to the S&P 500, so as long as Snap shares dont tank over the next year or two, the company could be in line to join the index sometime in 2018. When companies are added to big indices, their stocks tend to gain as investment funds that track those indices must buy shares, boosting demand. SpaceX scrubbed its launch of a space station supply mission seconds before liftoff Saturday morning, citing a possible problem with the second stage of its Falcon 9 rocket. The Hawthorne space company said it would try to launch again Sunday at 6:38 a.m. Pacific time from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral, Fla. For the record: A previous version of this story described SpaceXs rocket as the Dragon rocket. The companys rocket is called Falcon 9. A hold was called about 13 seconds before the launch. John Federspiel, a lead mechanical design engineer, said on the companys launch webcast that the call was made out of an abundance of caution so the company could look into an issue with the thrust vector control system on the rockets second stage. Advertisement SpaceX said in a tweet shortly afterward that it was standing down to take a closer look at positioning of the second-stage engine nozzle. The companys chief executive, Elon Musk, gave some more detail in another tweet. All systems go, except the movement trace of an upper-stage engine steering hydraulic piston was slightly odd. Standing down to investigate, he wrote. If this is the only issue, flight would be fine, but need to make sure that it isnt symptomatic of a more significant upstream root cause, Musk tweeted later. Saturdays issue was not obviously related to the very tiny helium leak he had tweeted about on Friday. But, he said on Twitter, it was also not out of the question. Musk said the possible problem was 99% likely to be fine, but that 1% chance isnt worth rolling the dice. Better to wait a day, he tweeted. This will be SpaceXs second launch since one of its Falcon 9 rockets exploded on a Florida launch pad in September. SpaceX is set to launch almost 5,500 pounds of science experiments, supplies and research equipment for NASA to the International Space Station. This will be the first launch from Pad 39A since the last space shuttle mission in 2011. The historic launch pad played a role in both the Apollo and space shuttle programs. After launch, SpaceX will attempt to land its first-stage rocket booster on land. The Dragon capsule will deploy from the second stage about 10 minutes after launch and is expected to reach the space station two days later. Last month, SpaceX launched 10 satellites from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California for satellite operator Iridium Communications Inc. The company landed that first-stage rocket on a floating platform in the Pacific Ocean. samantha.masunaga@latimes.com @smasunaga ALSO ABC sells all its Oscar ad time; advertisers brace for political speeches Big Pharma really, really doesnt want you to know the true value of its drugs Ocwen will pay $225 million to settle allegations it violated mortgage servicing rules UPDATES: Feb. 18, 8:15 a.m.: This article was updated with information about the issue in the rockets second stage. Feb. 18, 7:35 a.m.: This article was updated with the launch being scrubbed. This article was originally published on Feb. 16 at 3:20 p.m. All-you-can-fly membership airline Surf Air plans to begin offering commuter service between Hawthorne Municipal Airport and San Diegos Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport. Although the Santa Monica-based airline is confident the expanded service will begin sometime in this years second quarter, it is not ready to commit to a definite start date. As we move forward and see what demand looks like, we will confirm a date, but based on the research and interest were getting, I dont see it not happening, said Barry Holmes, Surf Airs chief revenue officer. Advertisement The planned move to offer business travelers with as many as five daily flights to Hawthorne from San Diego and as many as five in the opposite direction was fueled by increasing inquiries from both existing and prospective members, Holmes said. Surf Air currently operates one daily flight to Hawthorne out of Carlsbad in San Diego County. The airlines network of destinations also includes Burbank, Santa Barbara, Palm Springs, Napa, Monterey and Lake Tahoe. For frequent fliers, the appeal of Surf Air is the all-you-can-fly model that requires a one-time payment of $1,000, plus a monthly membership fee of $1,950. Members can fly whenever and wherever the airline goes, and without the hassle of security lines. Still, there are already plenty of commuter options out of San Diego International Airport, where American Airlines and Delta operate five nonstop flights a day to Los Angeles and United operates six. Holmes said Surf Air will be able to reassign aircraft it already has to the San Diego-Hawthorne route. The airline is currently offering what its calling a pre-sale on its website, taking deposits to gauge interest for planned flights between Hawthorne and San Diego. A schedule hasnt been finalized, but the website shows five departures out of San Diego, beginning at 6 a.m. and ending at 8:40 p.m., and five out of Hawthorne, beginning at 7:05 a.m. and ending at 9:45 p.m. We havent marketed additional frequencies between L.A. and Carlsbad, so we havent been able to realize the demand thats there, Holmes said. We quickly realized last year that the best strategic move was to open the L.A./San Diego route. lori.weisberg@sduniontribune.com ALSO: JetBlue joins American Airlines in scaling back service to Cuba Lost luggage rates hit record low and canceled flights drop to 22-year low TSAs own files say its program to stop terrorists is unreliable, ACLU says President Trump said Thursday that he would nominate former Justice Department official R. Alexander Acosta as Labor secretary, opting for a more conventional choice after the withdrawal of his first pick, outspoken Southern California fast-food executive Andy Puzder. If confirmed, Acosta would be the only Latino in Trumps Cabinet. I think hell be a tremendous secretary of Labor, Trump said in announcing the nomination at a White House news conference. Advertisement After the problems faced by Puzder, a flamboyant businessman whose comments on immigration, restaurant automation and other issues inflamed conservatives and liberals, Trump turned to a nominee with a long government history, said Gary Chaison, a labor relations expert, I think hes going to be much more of a traditionalist, low-profile administrator, Chaison, a professor of industrial relations at Clark University in Worcester, Mass., said of Acosta. Hes got a perfect background for this. The Miami native and son of Cuban immigrants was a member of the National Labor Relations Board from 2002 to 2003. He began his legal career specializing in employment and labor issues in the Washington, D.C., office of the Kirkland & Ellis law firm. He went on to serve as assistant attorney general for the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division under former President George W. Bush from 2003 to 2005. Acosta was the first Latino to serve as an assistant attorney general. He then became U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Florida, holding the job until 2009. Among his most high-profile cases was the prosecution of Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff on conspiracy and wire fraud charges. Abramoff pleaded guilty and served 43 months of a five-year, 10-month sentence. Since 2009, Acosta has been dean of the law school at Florida International University in Miami. He has had a tremendous career, Trump said, noting that Acosta has been confirmed by the Senate three times before. In a brief written statement, Acosta said he was eager to work tirelessly on behalf of the American worker. Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, which will consider Acostas nomination, praised the pick and promised to schedule a confirmation hearing promptly. Mr. Acostas nomination is off to a good start because hes already been confirmed by the Senate three times, Alexander said. He has an impressive work and academic background. A quick confirmation would be a sharp contrast with Puzder, chief executive of Carpinteria, Calif.-based CKE Restaurants Inc., parent company of the Carls Jr. and Hardees chains. He withdrew abruptly Wednesday after several Republicans opposed him because of a series of controversies, including decades-old allegations of spousal abuse and an admission that he had for years employed a housekeeper who was in the United States illegally. Puzders views on immigration also were a major problem with some Senate Republicans. He was sharply criticized by conservative outlets Breitbart News and the National Review for advocating in the past for providing legal status but not citizenship to the millions of immigrants in the country illegally. Those views contrasted with Trumps hard-line immigration stance. Puzder had said massive deportation was not a practical option and that the Republican resistance to broad-based reform was hurting the party. In a 2013 Politico opinion column, Puzder wrote the fact is that there are jobs in this country that U.S. citizens, for whatever reason, are reluctant or unwilling to perform. We need realistic and enforceable reform. Acosta hasnt spoken publicly nearly as much on immigration. But at a 2012 Hispanic Leadership Network Conference, Acosta urged the passage of comprehensive immigration reform. He said that immigrants in the country illegally provide workers for construction and agricultural jobs. You cannot address immigration without answering, what you do with the individuals that are already in the United States? Acosta said according to a video of the event on C-Span. Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies, a think tank in Washington that advocates for lower immigration levels, said Acostas comments raised concerns. Thats bad, Krikorian said. Obviously his views on immigration are contrary to those of the administration. But Krikorian said Acosta seemed a little less bad on the issue than Puzder because immigration did not appear to be as high a priority. Puzder was out there lobbying for reform that would provide legal status to immigrants in the country illegally, Krikorian said. Also, as a former prosecutor, Acosta is likely to be a little more serious about compliance to the law, Krikorian said. The Labor Department oversees workplace immigration issues, including requirements for visa holders and guest workers. If confirmed by the Senate, Acosta would lead a department that also includes the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. and Bureau of Labor Statistics, which tracks and reports on job growth, wages and unemployment benefits. Under the Obama administration, the Labor Department was aggressive about protecting workers through new rules and enforcement actions. The Trump administration is expected to take a much different approach. In January, the administration froze a regulation that would have extended overtime pay to 4 million more workers. This month, Trump issued a memo to the acting Labor secretary calling for a review of a pending rule affecting retirement advisors. Known as the fiduciary rule, it requires investment brokers who handle retirement funds to put their clients interests ahead of other factors, such as their own compensation or company profits. Republicans and key players in the financial industry have opposed the rule, saying it would drive up the cost of investments by forcing asset management firms to spend money on implementation and make it more difficult for average Americans to get retirement advice. Wade Henderson, president of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, said the Senate needed to conduct a thorough review of Acosta after Puzders failed nomination. Our next secretary of Labor must fully respect our laws designed to protect American workers, Henderson said. Democrats, unions, workers rights advocates and civil rights groups strongly opposed Puzders nomination because of labor law violations at his restaurants as well as opposition to a significant increase in the minimum wage and other regulations. One issue from Acostas past that Democrats could jump on is a voting rights case in Ohio shortly before the 2004 presidential election. As assistant attorney general, Acosta filed a brief that supported the rights of citizens to challenge the eligibility of voters. A civil rights lawyer representing the plaintiffs said at the time the letter was highly irregular. Bush narrowly won the state, which determined the outcome of his race with Democrat John Kerry. jim.puzzanghera@latimes.com Twitter: @JimPuzzanghera ALSO: Andy Puzder withdraws as Labor secretary nominee amid Republican opposition The U.S. labor forces guy problem: Lots of men dont have a job and arent looking for one How Trump could use the presidency to help his own business interests UPDATES: 1:50 p.m.: This article was updated with additional details and analysis and comments from Gary Chaison of Clark University and Mark Krikorian of the Center for Immigration Studies. This article originally was published at 10:45 a.m. It is said that there are two types of homeowners: those who own an Eichler, and those who do not. Such is the ethos of the famously cultish brand created by Joseph Eichler, who built 11,000 of his smartly spare homes between 1949 and 1974, mostly in Bay Area tracts. Forty years later, in 2015, Eichlers rose again on the baked sands of Palm Springs, the mecca of modernism. Using original blueprints, Troy Kudlac has built five Desert Eichlers, the latest two of which will debut during Modernism Weeks Eichler Day, on Feb. 18. Advertisement I always ask, Why didnt Eichler build in Palm Springs? said Kudlac, founder of Palm Desert-based KUD Properties. The architecture suits the area so well. Hopefully, these homes will spur others. Kudlacs Eichlers have proved popular the first sold for $1.29 million within seven hours of being listed two years ago, just before a Mad Men-themed bash thrown at the house in celebration of Modernism Weeks first Eichler Day. This years event will include home tours and an Eichler documentary produced by Monique Lombardelli, who in 2013 secured permission to license 60 Eichler blueprints from the international firm Stantec, which owns the designs. They said that people had no interest in the plans, said Lombardelli, a veteran Eichler agent based in Palo Alto. I was shocked. Lombardelli licenses the full working drawings, modified to code (that was a nightmare) for $10,000 each. KUD and a firm in Austin, Texas, are the sole builders of a reconstituted Eichler. Kudlac purchased three plans from Lombardelli: A-frame and gallery models created by architect Claude Oakland, and a flat-roof model designed by Anshen and Allen. Eichler employed those architects and others, including Los Angeles-based A. Quincy Jones, Raphael Soriano, and Jones and Emmons. Three Eichler tracts exist in Southern California: in Thousand Oaks, Granada Hills and Orange; three homes are in New York. Kudlacs two new homes, each priced at $1.199 million, are next to two other KUD Eichlers, which sold for $1.1 and $1.125 million, about half a mile from downtown. The median price of an original Eichler is $2.5 million, Lombardelli said. Bowing to the deserts hellish summers, Kudlac further modified Eichlers designs, adding concrete floors. He also ditched the wood siding. The sun would rot the wood, said Kudlac, who works with contractor Shields Residential to build the homes. We use a stucco application but keep a linear aspect by adding horizontal metal strips. KUD homes are 90% accurate to original Eichler designs, he said. Mary K. Humfeld and her partner Sonia Manganaro bought Kudlacs initial South Palm Springs four-bedroom, four-bathroom home in 2015. When I first walked into this house, it felt like I was entering a church, said Humfeld, who spends summers with Manganaro in their Greenwich Village apartment. I can stand in the middle of the house, look up, and see mountains and stars. And the atrium is totally funky. I love it. Most Eichlers include glass atriums, affording ethereal, sky-high views as well as breezy cross ventilation. The exposed post-and-beam homes edged with thin roofs have open floor plans as well as a built-in value system. Eichlers philosophy of inclusion was underscored by tract-built community centers, parks and pools. Eichler homes became, and continue to be, a lesson in civic ideals, given Eichlers staunch fair-housing practices in an era when minorities seeking housing were shunned. Current Bay Area homeowners share tight bonds, holding block parties and parades in their Eichler tracts. Iconoclast Eichler a former butter and egg salesman turned improbable low-cost-home builder was the marketing dynamo that powered the modernist movement. His functional, mass-produced minimalist designs were said to be transformational postwar-paradigm busters that inspired owners to become good citizens. hotproperty@latimes.com MORE FROM HOT PROPERTY Modern house gets a chic redo in hipster Silver Lake Soap star Katherine Kelly Lang puts hip Glassell Park home up for sale Modern Familys Eric Stonestreet gets his price (and slightly more) for Studio City home New musicals are never finished, only abandoned, director Christopher Ashley quipped by phone a few days before flying to New York for the start of rehearsals for Come From Away, the musical with an upbeat 9/11 (yes, you read that right) story to tell. The line, a rephrasing of French poet Paul Valerys famous remark on poems, comes in handy in theater circles. Ashley, a Tony-nominated director who has helped usher many new works to Broadway in his role as artistic director of La Jolla Playhouse, knows as much as anyone about the challenges of readying a production for New Yorks dangerous shoals. Pam MacKinnon, who made her name directing plays by male dramatists with pugnacious styles (Edward Albee, David Mamet and Bruce Norris), is learning all about this fight with the clock as she preps her first musical, Amelie, for its Broadway unveiling. Still digesting the recent run at the Ahmanson Theatre with the shows authors (Craig Lucas, Daniel Messe and Nathan Tysen), MacKinnon said shes approaching the task much like she does a new play, which is to say shes homing in on the storytelling. Advertisement Both Come From Away, which premiered at La Jolla Playhouse in 2015, and Amelie, A New Musical, which debuted at Berkeley Repertory Theatre in 2015, made favorable first impressions on me despite their shortcomings. Come From Away, by the married writing team of Irene Sankoff and David Hein, overcame its style hiccups with humble emotion. The cavernous Ahmanson magnified some of Amelies problems, but I still have a soft spot for this offbeat charmer based on the 2001 film starring Audrey Tautou. Broadway, however, isnt likely to be as forgiving in a busy spring season that will see a traffic jam of new musicals opening before the Tony Award cutoff date at the end of April. In addition to the fall hits Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 and Dear Evan Hansen, both of which look like awards front-runners, there will be a retooled version of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Groundhog Day and Anastasia. For Come From Away and Amelie to have a fighting chance, the shows will have to make significant leaps from their California tryouts. Amelie, A New Musical at the Ahmanson Theatre in L.A. in December. (Mariah Tauger / For The Times) Needs Improvement is no longer a grading option. But how often do profound improvements actually happen? After more than a decade of tracking new musicals as they make the trek from the West Coast to Broadway, I have yet to see a clunker transform itself into a hit. More surprising, I cant remember the last time I saw a promising show overcome whatever it was that was keeping it from realizing its full potential. Musicals en route to New York receive an enormous amount of tinkering, polishing and sharpening. Rarely, however, does all this primping smooth over structural cracks in the book or holes in the score. A Broadway-bound show in need of a major overhaul is like a new car with engine trouble that the dealer tries to assure you only needs a good wax job. Major overhauls are, of course, expensive. But money isnt necessarily the biggest stumbling block. Identifying whats wrong with a show can be tricky. (Is it the songs or the story or the synergy between them?) Finding a workable artistic solution can be trickier still. Critics are used to seeing their advice ignored. But the pileup of all-too-predictable Broadway casualties can make you wonder about the business sense (never mind the artistic acumen) of producers, the real cockeyed optimists. Center Theatre Group has contributed its share of Broadway lemons (recall the holy mess Leap of Faith). But the list of duds that opened in San Diego and subsequently fizzled on Broadway is especially impressive. The Times They Are A-Changin, A Catered Affair and Bright Star, all launched by the Old Globe with a yawn from me, came to relatively swift ends in New York. Cry-Baby, Bonnie & Clyde, Chaplin and Doctor Zhivago, greeted by me with a wan smile when they debuted at La Jolla Playhouse, traced similar trajectories in their failed bids to conquer the Great White Way. Many of these shows had promise. A few found appreciative critics. But none was able to figure out a winning formula in that window of time between California and New York. To be fair, works like the bluegrass Bright Star and the country-and-western Hands on a Hardbody (another La Jolla Playhouse musical that crashed on Broadway despite some glowing reviews) werent ideal fits for the flashy New York marketplace. But marketing challenges aside, is there any hope for a musical still working out its kinks? New shows dont always bend toward progress, Ashley said. A musical can take five to 10 years to reach Broadway, without any guarantee of success. Memphis, the Tony winner he directed, took about 10 years, he said. Come From Away, which has had a number of readings, workshops and full-scale and concert productions, has taken roughly six. Something was learned from each outing of Come From Away, which has its official Broadway opening at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre on March 12. An intimate black-box venue tells you something very different from an 800-person house, where you find out whether the show can hold that larger space, Ashley said. We knew that audiences in Washington, D.C., were going to have strong feelings about a show that takes place during the week of 9/11. We did shows for survivors of the Pentagon attack to see if we were stepping on nerves that we didnt know about. New York will be a new test. Set in a forgotten Canadian backwater, where airlines were rerouted after American airspace was restricted after the terrorist mayhem, Come From Away is a warmhearted, folksy affair that might seem a natural for Broadway given its gentle approach to a story that is still emotionally difficult for New York theatergoers. But the scale of the work (containing just enough drama for a one-act) and its mild-mannered appeal struck me in La Jolla as better suited to a more modest off-Broadway venue, where audiences dont expect to be surfeited with glitz. Ashley says its impossible to predict what will work on Broadway these days. He detects an openness to untold stories and new modes of storytelling, but the economic perils have only grown more fearsome. Complicating the calculus, audiences arent as homogeneous as they once were and Broadway is no longer a local phenomenon. Out-of-towners are buying a greater share of tickets. A show with a 9/11 angle might seem to be an obvious lure for New Yorkers, but Ashley said his conversations with folks at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum have led him to understand that tourists are the ones who are flocking to Ground Zero. The importance of marketing isnt lost on him. There are no marquee names in Come From Away, and 9/11 musical could create a misleading impression for a show about a small Canadian town rising to the challenge of housing, feeding and comforting strangers from across the world who were stranded by the events of a dark day. The objective is to communicate as honestly as you can about the nature of the show, he said. This is a warm musical that explores the necessity for generosity and for taking care of each other. This description has guided him as a director. The show has evolved immensely but the scale of the production has remained remarkably consistent, he said. I tried to add more glitz, tricks, production stuff and the show itself has resisted. There has, however, been an October surprise. (Yes, Broadway shows apparently have them too.) The Trump administration has created a second lens for viewing our show, Ashley said. As you and I are speaking, people are protesting at airports. Were telling a story that takes place in an airport. This new lens is one that we would never have known when we were working on the show in 2012. All of the rewrites of the past four years have been about sharpening the edges and offsetting the warm tones with a richer depiction of individual struggle. (The absence of conflict and suspense is the reason this compact musical occasionally felt sluggish in La Jolla.) One of the characters, a Muslim man, is now subjected to a strip search. The tension is heightened around a woman whose son is a firefighter in New York. Ashley said his role in the revisionary process has been to coordinate and create coherence. MacKinnon described herself as a nonwriting writer on her team and the keeper of the story. Ive worked a lot on new plays and usually Im brought in when theres a full draft, she said. I started working on Amelie on the heels of a project I did with Craig Lucas. At the time there were only about five songs and 12 pages of treatment. Having started so early in the process, I feel this huge sense of ownership. Its like Im sitting on the shoulders of the writers as opposed to sitting next to them. Phillipa Soo and the cast of Amelie in Los Angeles last year. (Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times) MacKinnon isnt worried that the whimsical musical at times seemed adrift at the Ahmanson. The Walter Kerr Theatre (where Amelie has its official opening April 3) is closer in size to Berkeley Rep, she said. The journey for her parallels that of Clybourne Park, Norris Pulitzer Prize-winning drama that began at off-Broadways Playwrights Horizons and eventually went to the Mark Taper Forum (another tricky house) before landing (quite successfully) on Broadway. Like Ashley, MacKinnon is grateful to have had the opportunity to work with the same group of actors over an extended period of time. The biggest change has been in the casting of Amelie herself. But Phillipa Soo, who was starring in Hamilton when the show opened at Berkeley Rep with Samantha Barks, had played the part in workshops and so her entry was something of a homecoming. Between Berkeley Rep and the Ahmanson, the focus was on developing Amelies voice. (Three new songs were introduced in L.A. to sharpen our understanding of her point of view.) MacKinnons primary concern now seems mostly about storytelling nuance and character complexity the fine points rather than the foundation. I just want to see how deep we can go, she said. I want to learn more about the core of this title character. The intimacy of the Walter Kerr will help us, but I feel really fortunate that we have 2 weeks of rehearsals before previews. Not all of the performances had dropped in by the time the show opened at the Ahmanson, but that changed by the end of the run. That work will continue. SIGN UP for the free Essential Arts & Culture newsletter There comes a point in the journey of a new musical when the focus has to shift from creating the best version of the show to presenting the best version of the production. Figuring out this cutoff is one of the toughest calls to make in Broadway producing. The show that handled this best in my experience is Fun Home, the Tony-winning musical based on Alison Bechdels graphic memoir. I admired Fun Home at the Public Theater, but the off-production was still finding its legs. It wasnt until director Sam Gold reworked his staging for an in-the-round presentation at Broadways Circle in the Square that the musicals layered handling of time, the daring architecture of the piece, lucidly came to life. (The touring production of Fun Home opens Wednesday at the Ahmanson Theatre, and I hope the return to a more traditional house doesnt reverse-engineer the improvements.) William Goldmans oft-quote remark about the movie business, Nobody knows anything, is tempting to apply to Broadway musicals. But it might be more accurate to say that in addition to talent and luck, educated guesswork is what leads to success. Its a crapshoot, but the sharpest theatrical minds are prepared to do whatever it takes to shorten the odds. charles.mcnulty@latimes.com Follow me @charlesmcnulty Moises Kaufmans 33 Variations, now playing at the Actors Co-ops David Schall Theatre, glows with the kind of radiant intellectualism that might seem showy if not for its resonant humanity. The central character is a brilliant academic, Katherine Brandt (Nan McNamara), who is suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. As she slides into decline, Katherine travels to Bonn to research why Beethoven devoted so many years to his famous Diabelli Variations the subject of her monograph and the operative metaphor behind Kaufmans play. As the action segues back and forth between the early 19th century and the present, we witness both Beethoven (Bruce Ladd) and Katherine as they race against mortality to complete the tasks that have obsessed them. Advertisement SIGN UP for the free Essential Arts & Culture newsletter Obsessions dont leave much room for personal connection, and thats certainly the case with Katherine and her daughter, Clara (Greyson Chadwick). Wrongfully dismissed as mediocre by her meticulous mother, Clara joins Katherine in Bonn, hoping to win the approval that may never come. McNamara, Ladd and Chadwick are all superb. The balance of the ensemble including Brandon Parrish as Claras new admirer, Stephen Rockwell as the composer of the waltz that so obsesses Beethoven, John Allee as Beethovens faithful acolyte and Treva Tegtmeier as a German scholar who belatedly befriends the failing Katherine are equals in technique and craft. In 2009, Variations earned Tony nominations for Kaufman and star Jane Fonda, who subsequently reprised the role of Katherine at the Ahmanson in L.A. The production at Actors Co-op is an opportunity for an intimate reassessment of the play. Director Thomas James OLeary exploits every inch of the small playing area in his authoritative staging. The design elements Andrew Schmedakes lighting, David B. Marlings sound, Vicki Conrads costumes and, most particularly, Nicholas Accianis scenic and projection design set an impressive standard. Dylan Price provides the live piano music that enlivens the action and makes the variations accessible to even the most musically untutored in the audience, who may not exit the theater humming the score but will certainly go away with a new perspective on the fulminations of genius. 33 Variations Where: Actors Co-op David Schall Theatre, 1760 N. Gower St., Hollywood When: 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 2:30 p.m. Sundays, ends March 19; additional performance 2:30 p.m. March 18 Cost: $30 Info: (323) 462-8460. www.ActorsCo-op.org Running time: 2 hours, 30 minutes Follow The Times arts team @culturemonster. ALSO Come From Away, Amelie and the long, bumpy road from West Coast to Broadway 946: The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips: Alls bouncy on the home front Alfred Molina, Jane Kaczmarek and the slow burn of a Long Days Journey Into Night Al Pacino and the role that pulled him to the Pasadena Playhouse stage Zoot Suit: How Latino theater born in the farm fields changed L.A. theater You are young, say, 10 years old, and you live in downtown Los Angeles near the intersection of East 1st and South San Pedro streets. You were born in this neighborhood, a three-mile radius that houses the largest Japanese American community in the U.S. You play stickball in the streets and walk your dog along the cracked, uneven sidewalks. It is home. Today, however, Saturday, May 9, 1942, there is no stickball. You are given instructions, simple but devastating: Pack only what you can carry and abandon everything else, even the dog. Your family is to be shipped to an internment camp, where you will live in barracks, behind barbed wire, for the duration of World War II. You will never see the dog again. A new exhibition at the Japanese American National Museum, Instructions to All Persons: Reflections on Executive Order 9066, revisits the internment experience through a specific lens. The museum has acquired, on loan from the National Archives, President Franklin Roosevelts original Executive Order 9066 calling for the incarceration of about 120,000 people of Japanese descent, most American citizens. On Saturday, the museum will open an exhibition commemorating the 75th anniversary of Roosevelts signing of that document, a somber day known as the Day of Remembrance. Advertisement The exhibit is particularly relevant today, curator Clement Hanami says, as new executive orders roll out regularly and after Trump signed an executive order, since halted, temporarily prohibiting citizens of seven predominantly Muslim countries from entering the U.S. Its haunting to see this kind of executive order being issued, Hanami says. The story of the incarceration of Japanese Americans resonates today in the parallels between what happened to Japanese Americans then and what is happening to Muslim Americans now, after 2001. We felt compelled to stand up for these individuals, knowing that what happened to us could happen again. The hand-typed executive order, featuring Roosevelts black ink signature, will be on display for the first time on the West Coast. The document has been shown publicly just three times prior, all in Washington, D.C., exhibits. It will appear alongside the National Archives original Presidential Proclamation 2537, which is considered a precursor to the 9066 order, as it called for the registration of immigrants from enemy countries. The original documents will be on view until May 21, at which point they will be replaced by replicas. The Japanese American National Museum exhibition was primary funded by the Broad Foundation. My wife, Edye, and I are old enough that we know what can happen when the political climate treads dangerously close to policies that seek to lock people up because of their religion or ethnicity, Eli Broad says via email. Weve been here before. We must remember the past, or we are condemned to repeat it. We have a generation of students and young people and even those who are not as young who are not familiar with what happened 75 years ago. Thats why this exhibition is so important. The 75th anniversary of Roosevelts signing of Executive Order 9066 is significant, Broad adds, for the simple reason that history holds [importance] for the present, especially now that executive orders are very much in the news. We cannot forget the tragedies they can inflict. America was founded on religious and ethnic freedoms, on the belief that all people, regardless of the color of their skin or their ancestry or their political views or their religion, have value and deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. In addition to marking the Day of Remembrance, the exhibition is intended to broach broader themes of civil rights, democracy and justice. Rounding out the exhibition, the museum will present other World War II-era government documents, some originals and other re-creations. That includes about 100 Civilian Exclusion Orders, which were posted publicly to notify Japanese Americans that they soon would be evacuated, along with so-called loyalty questionnaires issued to camp internees. The museum also will display documentary video clips from the 1981 hearings of the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians, a government study of the Japanese American internment. A wall timeline charts history from the bombing of Pearl Harbor to 9/11. Hanami says its really important for people to have spaces where they could decompress and contemplate the enormity of the experience. So the museum will display artworks by L.A.-based Mike Saijo and Wendy Maruyama of San Diego as visual pressure-release valves. Saijo created mixed-media drawings of Japanese Americans over pages from notable books, such as Jean-Paul Sartres play No Exit and the New Testament. Maruyama worked with volunteers to re-create about 30,000 camp identification tags, which she turned into a sculptural installation. Bundles of the tags hang from the ceiling, like the shaggy arms of a weeping willow tree. Seeing the sheer numbers of tags would be visually compelling, Maruyama says. Each grouping of tags would slowly turn, just rustle and murmur as people would pass by them, like the many voices of the individuals who were torn away from their livelihoods and homes. A series of performances will be staged in the exhibition galleries, a partnership with the theater company East West Players. Two actors will play three characters a Japanese American, a Native American and a Muslim American in short vignettes about cultural injustices. A goal of the theater pieces is to create connections among audience members, no matter their ethnicity, and to spark dialogue about human rights. I think the exhibition will be quite powerful for people who are concerned about America today, Hanami says. Our goal is to create solidarity among all people, not just Muslim Americans. What Instructions to All People illustrates is, even if we feel like something wont directly affect us, we all need to stand up for each other. Instructions to All Persons: Reflections on Executive Order 9066 Where: Japanese American National Museum, 100 N. Central Ave., L.A. When: Saturday to Aug. 13 (the original Executive Order 9066 on view until May 21) Information: (213) 625-0414, www.janm.org deborah.vankin@latimes.com Follow me on Twitter: @debvankin ALSO A chilling moment to mark the 75th anniversary of the executive order that led to Japanese American internment George Takei is giving 70 years of his belongings to a museum. Heres a sneak peek Hollywood Bowls 2017 lineup: Harry Potter, Misty Copeland, Mamma Mia! and more Al Pacino and the role that pulled him to the Pasadena Playhouse stage How the Trump travel ban is already impacting L.A. arts institutions and artists Revisiting a dark period in American history. Examining the role of women in a key artistic movement. And an installation made up of some very suggestive words. Plus: a conversation with a Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist and photographs of Nazi bunkers. Theres a whole lot of art action happening all over the Southland. Here are 10 exhibitions and events to check out in the coming week: Instructions to All Persons: Reflections on Executive Order 9066, at the Japanese American National Museum. At a time when executive orders are transforming U.S. society, its probably a good time to study one of the most notorious ones: President Franklin D. Roosevelts Order 9066, which allowed for the incarceration of more than 120,000 Japanese Americans living along the West Coast of the U.S. and placed them in austere prison camps during World War II . This exhibition brings together historical ephemera from this dark period in U.S. history, as well as works of art and performance that reflect on the issue of internment. Beginning on March 24, the museum will present Moving Day, a nightly public art piece in which exclusion orders will be projected on the side of the building at night. Opens Saturday and runs through Aug. 13. 100 N. Central Ave., downtown Los Angeles, janm.org. Jason Rhoades, Installations, 1994-2006, at Hauser Wirth & Schimmel. The Los Angeles artist known for sprawling, ribald installations made with everything from neon to cardboard to peas often touched on issues of religion, sex and commerce in his work. This show, his first comprehensive survey in Los Angeles, brings together six of his most significant installations, including a tribute to sculptor Constantin Brancusi and a massive, sexually charged piece that features 240 neon words that describe female genitalia a temple-like set-up where the viewer is invited to lay down and be wildly seduced. Opens Saturday at 6 p.m. and runs through May 21. 901 E. Third St., downtown Los Angeles, hauserwirthschimmel.com. Tijuanatanjierchandelier, 2006, by Jason Rhoades, part of a survey of the artists works at Hauser Wirth & Schimmel. (The Estate of Jason Rhoades / Hauser & Wirth and David Zwirner) In Focus: Jane and Louise Wilsons Sealander, at the Getty Museum. For roughly three decades, twin sisters Jane and Louise Wilson have created large-scale photographs inspired by important events in European history capturing everything from the nuclear site at Chernobyl to the former headquarters of the East German secret police. In the series on view at the Getty, they turn their attention to the brutal concrete bunkers deposited by Adolf Hitler along the French coast during World War II. Through July 2. 1200 Getty Center Dr., Brentwood, Los Angeles, getty.edu. Environmental Communications: Contact High, at LAXArt. In the 1960s, a group of architects, photographers and psychologists began to create extensive slide libraries that they sold to academic and cultural institutions as a way of infiltrating student consciousness. These often contained hundreds of images that captured the design and other forces that shape the vernacular city, from gas stations to fast-food outlets to the facades of commercial buildings. The show captures the groups process through images, videotapes and other ephemera. Opens Saturday at 6 p.m. and runs through April 1. 7000 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood, laxart.org. A 1973 slide by Roger Mona Webster, part of the group Environmental Communications, whose projects are on view at LAXArt. (Environmental Communications) Junot Diaz: Conversations, at Redcat. The renowned novelist, known for his collection of short stories, Drown, and the Pulitzer Prize-winning The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, is this years Katie Jacobson Writer in Residence at CalArts. He will be at Redcat to discuss his work. Couldnt get a ticket? Redcat will stream the talk in its lobby and on its Facebook page. Friday at 8:30 p.m. 631 W. 2nd St., downtown Los Angeles, redcat.org. April Bey, Comply, at Coagula Curatorial. An installation of art, paintings and multimedia works explore the demands of womanhood in particular that of black women. Among the objects on view is a series of portraits produced by the artist that features celebrities as well as everyday women she met during a residency in Ghana. Opens Saturday at 7 p.m. and runs through April 2. 974 Chung King Rd., Chinatown, Los Angeles, coagulacuratorial.com. Comply (Borg Feminism), 2017, by April Bey, part of the artists solo show at Coagula Curatorial. (April Bey / Coagula Curatorial) (Reuben E Reynoso / ) Escape Attempts: Curated by Kathy Battista, at Shulamit Nazarian. The gallery is debuting its new Hollywood location with a group show that features artists who are tangling with the legacy of minimalism. This includes figures such as Carmen Argote, Virginia Overton, and Naama Tsabar engaging the clean lines and formal qualities of minimalism, but grounding it in the cultural references of our era. Opens Saturday at 6 p.m. and runs through April 1. 616 N. La Brea, Hollywood, shulamitnazarian.com. The Birth of Motion Pictures: An Illustrated History of Silent Cinema, 19101929, at the City of Brea Art Gallery. With the Academy Awards just around the corner, the City of Brea Art Gallery is devoting an exhibition to silent film specifically, 60 original silent movie posters and a very rare Silent Oscar (one of only 15 ever awarded) from the private collection of Dwight Manley. Included in the show will be original posters for the Charlie Chaplin films A Dogs Life (1918) and The Kid (1921), as well as a Spanish-language poster from the lost mystery flick London After Midnight (1927), which starred Lon Chaney as a vampiric inspector. Opens Friday and runs through April 14; an opening reception will be held on Saturday at 6 p.m. One Civic Center Circle, Brea, breagallery.com. Posters from the age of silent film, on view at the City of Brea Art Gallery. (Collection of Dwight Manley) Echo Location, at Eastside International. A group show at this Eastside space brings together a disparate group of artists who participated in a series of talks hosted at the Inglewood studio of artist and exhibition curator Lisa Soto. This includes sculpture, painting and video by the likes of Nery Gabriel Lemus, Zeal Harris and Cindy Rehm, among others, as well as an opening performance by Amitis Motevalli. Opens Saturday at 1 p.m. and runs through March 18. 602 Moulton Ave., Lincoln Heights, eastsideinternational.com. Women of Abstract Expressionism at the Palm Springs Museum of Art. The Abstract Expressionist movement has been widely regarded as a boys club, one bursting with the macho antics of painters such as Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning. But the movement included a healthy number of women, and this groundbreaking exhibition gathers works by some of the key female artists of the era, including Helen Frankenthaler, Jay DeFeo, Elaine de Kooning, Grace Hartigan, Lee Krasner and Joan Mitchell. In other words, its a fresh look at a history we think we know so well. Also, starting this weekend, the museum is hosting Rob Pruitts itinerant artist Flea Market as part of the upcoming Desert X biennial, so bring some cold hard cash to pick up some artsy odds and ends. Opens Saturday and runs through May 28. 72-567 Highway 111, Palm Desert, psmuseum.org. Bullfight, 1959, by Elaine de Kooning, part of the exhibition Women of Abstract Expressionism. (Estate of Elaine de Kooning / Denver Art Museum) (Jeff Wells / ) Last chance Sam Durant, Build Therefore Your Own World, at Blum & Poe. With a title drawn from an essay by Ralph Waldo Emerson, this exhibition of new works by the L.A. artist takes elements inspired by the transcendentalists (Emerson, Henry David Thoreau) and remixes them with objects drawn from the lives of African and African American thinkers. This might consist of a 3-D rendering of Emersons writing chair mashed up with poet Phyllis Wheatleys desk, or the walking stick of Jack Garrison (once enslaved) with Thoreaus pencil objects that tell the intersecting tales of American history. Through Saturday. 2727 S. La Cienega Blvd., Culver City, blumandpoe.com. Harry Callahan and Robert Heinecken, Figures in Transformation, at Marc Selwyn Fine Art. This exhibition pairs two key artists who worked with images: Callahan, the 20th century photographer renowned for the ways in which he captured the human figure, and Heinecken, the Los Angeles appropriationist known for his subversive works of installation and collage. The show looks at how the two approached the female figure, pushing the boundaries of what is considered photography in the process. Through Saturday. 9953 S. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, marcselwynfineart.com. The Human Beast: Art of Maxine Kim Stussy & Jan Stussy, at WUHO Gallery. A midcentury art couple who first met at UCLA in the late 1940s, Maxine Kim and Jan Stussy became known in Los Angeles for figurative works that revel in the animalistic. Organized by independent curator Michael Duncan, the show gathers 20 sculptures, paintings and works on paper by the artist pair. The show contains some beautiful, surprising works. Do not miss. Through Saturday. A closing reception will be held on Saturday at 6 p.m. 6518 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, wuho.architecture.woodbury.edu. Untitled (carcass), circa 1964, by Jan Stussy, from an exhibition at WUHO Gallery in Hollywood. (Woodbury University) Patrick Martinez, All Season Portfolio, at Charlie James. Martinez has become known in recent months for paintings that take the iconography of the Pee-Chee folder, but use it to tackle a variety of issues, including figures in popular culture and police brutality. This show features works from that series, as well as neon text sculptures that reference hip-hop lyrics and L.A. vernacular signage. Through Saturday. 969 Chung King Rd., Chinatown, Los Angeles, cjamesgallery.com. In the Land of Sunshine: Imaging the California Coast World, at the Pasadena Museum of California Art. Covering a period that begins in the mid-19th century and spans to today, this exhibition covers beach culture up and down our states more than 800-mile coast from playful abstractions of the shoreline to expressive watercolors that will make you practically taste the salt air. Through Sunday. 490 E. Union St., Pasadena, pmcaonline.org. Merion Estes, Lost Horizons and Cooling Trend, and Emily Davis Adams, Somewhere Between, at CB1 Gallery. From 2007 to 2011, painter Merion Estes produced a series of works on paper inspired by vanishing natural landscapes and the 1937 Frank Capra film Lost Horizon, about the hidden mountain paradise Shangri-La. She will be showing these works, along with a work that draws its intense color palette from our ever-warming climate. Also on view at CB1 will be an exhibition of new works by Emily Davis Adams: a series of paintings inspired by constructions made from paper and other materials that toy with how the viewer perceives color and light. Through Sunday. 1923 S. Santa Fe Ave., downtown Los Angeles, cb1gallery.com. Peter Saul: From Pop to Politics: Paintings, Drawings, Sculptures, 1957-1967, at CB1 Guest Gallery. Organized by George Adams Gallery in New York, this exhibition brings together works from Sauls early development as a painter in the 1950s to his transition to pop in the following decade. It also features his turn to topical issues such as Vietnam and civil rights in the work of the late 1960s. Make it a must-see. Through Sunday. 1923 S. Santa Fe Ave., downtown Los Angeles, cb1gallery.com. Ease of Fiction, at the California African American Museum. The museum has launched a new slate of shows. This includes Ease of Fiction, a group exhibition that features work by four African artists exploring the fine line between the invented and the real, as well as the debut museum exhibition of Los Angeles artist Genevieve Gagnard, whose photographs question notions of blackness and whiteness. There is also a beguiling room-sized installation by Hank Willis Thomas that recasts the symbols of the Confederate flag in the colors of black nationalism and projects them in tune with a soundtrack of spoken-word audio (a piece that Times art critic Christopher Knight describes as enthralling.) Through Sunday. 600 State Dr., Exposition Park, Los Angeles, caamuseum.org. Genevieve Gaignards identity-bending Extra Value (After Venus), 2016, at the California African American Museum. (Genevieve Gaignard / Shulamit Nazarian) (Genevieve Gaignard / Shulamit Nazarian ) Ongoing Exhibitions Truc Anh: Vacuphilia, at Varola. The first exhibition by the Vietnamese-French artist at Varola has paintings and installations that feature bodies and body parts inhabiting an abstracted world of black and white. Through Feb. 24. Pacific Design Center, 8687 Melrose Ave., Suite B256, West Hollywood, helenvarola.com. Tastemakers and Earthshakers: Notes on Los Angeles Youth Culture, 1943-2016, at Vincent Price Art Museum. A multimedia exhibition organized by the museums new director, Pilar Tompkins Rivas, looks at eight decades of youth culture from the pachucos and pachucas of the 40s, to the connections between Los Angeles and British youth culture, to the emergence of social spaces geared at youth. In addition to work by more than 35 area artists, the exhibition also features documentary photography, video and other cultural ephemera. Through Feb. 25. East Los Angeles College, 1301 Cesar Chavez Ave., Monterey Park, vincentpriceartmuseum.org. Still from Sr. Tereshkova, 1975, by Humberto Sandoval, part of the group show Tastemakers and Earthshakers at the Vincent Price Art Museum. (Humberto Sandoval / Vincent Price Art Museum) (Humberto Sandoval / VPAM) Theaster Gates, But to Be a Poor Race, at Regen Projects. When writing his seminal work, The Souls of Black Folk, civil rights activist W.E.B. Du Bois created a series of data visualizations about black advancement in the United States including circular charts that show taxable property owned by African Americans and other graphics that tracked city-versus-rural populations. Now Gates, a Chicago-based artist, has created a series of paintings inspired by Du Bois elegant graphics: bright color field canvases that are as much an homage to the sociologists work as they are to recent art history. The show includes various works of sculpture, too. Dont miss. Through Feb. 25. 6750 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood, regenprojects.com. Mark Verabioff, Civil Piss War and Quorum: Organized by Regina Rex Gallery NYC at the Pit. The Glendale gallery has a pair of exhibitions. The first features the work of Verabioff, who is known for large-scale collages that incorporate black and white portraits, magazine imagery and even chewing gum. Quorum, in the meantime, is a group show organized by Regina Rex gallery, an artist-run space in New York City. Through Feb. 26. 918 Ruberta Blvd., Glendale, the-pit.la. Creepy Crawl These Days: Raymond Pettibon Flyers, at These Days. This exhibition gathers 130 punk handbills from the 1970s and 80s created by Pettibon, now renowned as a high-profile painter, for bands such as Black Flag, Minutemen, Throbbing Gristle and the Circle Jerks. Through Feb. 26. 118 Winston St., 2nd Floor, downtown Los Angeles, thesedaysla.com. Early punk fliers by Raymond Pettibon at These Days. (These Days) Guerrero: Calder and Nevelson, in Their Studios, at Edward Cella Art + Architecture. Guerrero made a name for himself as a photographer when he was hired to document Frank Lloyd Wrights architecture at Taliesin West in the early 20th century. A pair of providential assignments connected him with artists Alexander Calder and Louise Nevelson, whom he would devotedly capture in their environments in ways that are both poetic and frank. Through March 4. 2754 S. La Cienega Blvd., Culver City, edwardcella.com. Pulped Fictions, at the Torrance Art Museum. A group exhibition features works created from that most pliable of materials: cardboard. This includes large-scale installations and small, intimate wall-hangings by artists such as Ann Weber, EVOL and Dani Tull. Through March 4. 3320 Civic Center Drive, Torrance, torranceartmuseum.com. Llyn Foulkes, Old Man Blues, at Spruth Magers. The Los Angeles artist, known for his assemblages of scavenged objects that explore dark corners of the American cultural psyche, is having his first show at Spruth Magers. On view are a series of new works made since the retrospective of his work organized by the Hammer Museum in 2013. Some of these are informed by U.S. electoral politics; others consist of the large-scale tableaux that, with their deep layering of materials, create startling plays on depth and perspective. Also on view at the gallery is a two-man show featuring Jon Rafman and Stan Vanderbeek, inspired by the pairs interest in cinema, animation and video games. Through March 4. 5900 Wilshire Blvd., Mid-Wilshire, Los Angeles, spruethmagers.com. To L.H., 2014, by Llyn Foulkes. (Llyn Foulkes/ Spruth Magers) Jacob Hashimoto: Another Cautionary Tale Comes to Mind (but immediately vanishes), at Mixografia. The legendary Los Angeles print shop shows works by the New York-based artist, known for his wild installations crafted from rice paper and fishing wire. The prints on view take their point of inspiration from these forms, showing what appear to be delicate kites hanging from a tablet made of wood. Through March 7. 1419 E. Adams Blvd., Los Angeles, mixografia.com. Allan Sekula, Early Works, at Christopher Grimes Gallery. The gallery has gathered a number of early works by the photographer and theorist, including preliminary versions of some of his documentary pieces, which tackled issues of labor and politics, as well as never before exhibited prints. Also on view are well-established works such as Long Beach Notes and the video Reagan Tape, which mashes up pieces of Reagans early films with footage from his political career. Through March 11. 916 Colorado Ave., Santa Monica, cgrimes.com. Unique and Singular, at Cirrus Gallery. A group show at the venerable print studio features works by the likes of Mark Bradford, Ruben Ochoa, Mary Weatherford and Lita Albuquerque and explores the ways in which artists manipulate multiples to create works that are one-of-a-kind. Through March 11. 2011 S. Santa Fe Ave., downtown Los Angeles, cirrusgallery.com. Incarceration, at the Orange County Center for Contemporary Art. Featuring works by almost four dozens artists from Southern California and beyond, this new exhibition explores the burning issue of incarceration in U.S. society a shadow nation, hidden and forgotten. Through March 11. 117 N. Sycamore, Santa Ana, occca.org. Pop for the People: Roy Lichtenstein in Los Angeles, at the Skirball Cultural Center. A new exhibition of the pop artist looks at more than 70 works spanning four decades, many of which are connected to Los Angeles and the artists collaboration with important print studios here including Gemini G.E.L. and Tamarind Lithography Workshop. Through March 12. 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Brentwood, Los Angeles, skirball.org. Cole Case: Everything Was Beautiful and Nothing Hurt, at Chimento Contemporary. This exhibition the first solo show by Case at Chimento brings together eight new oil paintings by an artist who is obsessed with landscape of the decidedly non-pastoral kind: Airport flight paths, harbors and sporting arenas. Through March 18. 622 S. Anderson St., #105, Boyle Heights, chimentocontemporary.net. Nocturnal Airplanes, 2017, by Cole Case, at Chimento Contemporary. (Cole Case / Chimento Contemporary) Toba Khedoori, at the L.A. County Museum of Art. This is the first major museum survey of the L.A.-based artist, known for her painstaking draftsmanship and enigmatic drawings and paintings. Her works often feature architectural elements, landscape, smoke and flame in ways that play with negative space and toy with meaning. Through March 19. 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Mid-Wilshire, Los Angeles, lacma.org. Becoming America: Highlights from the Jonathan and Karin Fielding Collection, at the Huntington Library. The Huntington has just redone its American art galleries and now features a new expansion by architects at Frederick Fisher and Partners that adds eight rooms for display. Up first is an exhibition devoted to the Fielding Collection, featuring more than 200 works of 18th and early 19th century American art, including paintings, furnishings and decorative art. While youre at the museum, pop in to see the show Real American Places: Edward Weston & Leaves of Grass, which features the portfolio of photographs that Weston made to accompany Walt Whitmans seminal poem. Becoming America runs indefinitely; Weston runs through March 20. 1151 Oxford Rd., San Marino, huntington.org. Chambliss Giobi, Arcadia, at 101/Exhibit. Inspired by the Greek region, an icon of the pastoral ideal, this show features a series of works that explore the nostalgic and the idealized in nature including a large Mobius strip sculpture made from some of these very elements. Through March 25. 668 N. La Peer Dr., Beverly Grove, Los Angeles, 101exhibit.com. Ursula Schulz-Dornburg: Bricks and Mortals, at Gallery Luisotti. The German photographer has long been intrigued by transitory pieces of architecture from her studies of brutalist, Soviet-era bus stops in Armenia to her images of ruins in Syria. Her first exhibition at the gallery gathers the early bus stop pictures, as well as later series that document a nuclear test site in Kazakhstan, the abandoned Hejaz Railroad in Saudi Arabia and an 8th century chapel in Spain. Through March 25. Bergamot Station, 2525 Michigan Ave., Santa Monica, galleryluisotti.com. I-B2-N5, part of a series on the Hejaz Railroad in Saudi Arabia by Ursula Schulz-Dornburg at Gallery Luisotti. (Ursula Schulz-Dornburg / Gallery Luisotti) Edgar Arceneaux: Library of Black Lies, at the Main Museum. First exhibited in Paris, this installation by the Los Angeles artist explores themes of African American progress through the selection and modification of books in a library of Arceneauxs creation. At a time when questions about the fake and the real occupy the media, the piece looks at the complex, in-between stories that shape our current moment. Through March 26. 114 W. 4th St., downtown Los Angeles, themainmuseum.org. Non Fiction, at the Underground Museum. An emotionally charged exhibition curated by the late Noah Davis in collaboration with the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles brings together works that explore issues of race and violence. This includes important works from MOCA s permanent collection by artists such as Robert Gober, Kara Walker, Henry Taylor and David Hammons. Through March. 3508 W. Washington Blvd., Arlington Heights, Los Angeles, theunderground-museum.org. Rachel Lacowicz, Lay Back and Enjoy It, at Shoshana Wayne Gallery. The Los Angeles-based artist has created a large-scale installation modeled after structures from Clint Eastwoods 1973 western High Plains Drifter two of which she has covered in red lipstick. Its a look at the ways in which male power imbues our societys governing institutions not to mention the architecture that represents them. Through April 1. Bergamot Station, 2525 Michigan Ave., B1, Santa Monica, shoshanawayne.com. Frank Uwe Laysiepen, Ulay the Animist, at the Depart Foundation. Its the first West Coast presentation of the performance artist known as Ulay former collaborator of Marina Abramovic. The show includes works from his early Polaroid works from the 70s to his large-scale experimental photographic projects from the 1990s, as well as documentation of his various performances. The exhibitions title refers to the artists 1995 film, The Animist, which incorporated ritual and other elements, to determine the boundaries of reality. Through April 1. 9105 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, departfoundation.com. An image from the triptych, SHe, 1973, by Ulay. (Ulay / Gnyp Gallery and MB Art Agency) For Your Information We The People Are All Immigrants, at Gavlak Gallery. A group show brings together works by women, feminists and artists that identify as LGBTQ in an effort to promote human rights and issues of equality. This includes work by Lisa Anne Auerbach, Betty Tompkins, Marnie Weber, Judie Bamber and others. Through April 1. 1034 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood, gavlakgallery.com. L.A. Exuberance: New Gifts by Artists, at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. This exhibition brings together more than 60 works of art donated by artists to the museum, including pieces by photographer Catherine Opie, light and space master Larry Bell, multimedia artist Analia Saban, photographer James Welling and conceptualist Mario Ybarra Jr. Through April 2. 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Mid-Wilshire, Los Angeles, lacma.org. Between Words and Silence: The Work of Translation, at the Armory Center for the Arts. A group exhibition featuring the works of artists such as Gala Porras-Kim, Sid M. Duenas and Naotaka Hiro explores the ideas of communication and understanding. This includes works that reference Zapotec whistle codes, the transactions between Chinese and Mexican businessmen and the parallel realities occupied by Brazilian and American children. Through April 2. 145 N. Raymond Ave., Pasadena, armoryarts.org. Forms of Identity: Women Artists in the 90s, at the Orange County Museum of Art. A show drawn entirely from OCMAs permanent collection focuses on works by 16 women whose art in the 1990s underwent a transformation, from overtly political to something more poetic and personal. This includes works by photographer Laura Aguilar, sculptor Jacci Den Hartog, light and space artist Helen Pashgian and installationist Polly Apfelbaum, among others. Through April 2. 850 San Clemente Dr., Newport Beach, ocma.net. Arne Quinze, Jungle Cities, at Denk Gallery. This is the debut show for the new Los Angeles gallery, which has kicked off its program with an exhibition by the Belgian sculptor known for his wild architectural installations. Quinze has created a new series of metal sculptures and wall hangings that play with the idea of disappearing nature. This includes a standing sculpture that evokes a wild creature and a work that resembles a log full of growths and other bits of wild nature but is actually a piece of cast bronze. Through April 15. 749 E. Temple St., downtown Los Angeles, denkgallery.com. John McLaughlin Paintings: Total Abstraction, at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. One of the most important artists of SoCals postwar period, McLaughlin is known for quiet, minimalist works that explore total abstraction: geometries and lines that explore ideas of shape and space, but not representation. This exhibition gathers 52 paintings and a selection of collages and drawings representing the first major museum retrospective of the artists work. Times critic Christopher Knight says this is the show he has been waiting 40 years to see. Do not miss. Through April 16. 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Mid-Wilshire, lacma.org. Breaking News: Turning the Lens on Mass Media, at the Getty Center. An exhibition that couldnt be timelier: Curator Arpad Kovcs has put together a show that looks at the ways in which artists have turned bucolic magazine images and fragments of news programming into sharp political statements against events such as the Vietnam War and the so-called war on terror. The show features work by Martha Rosler, Alfredo Jaar, Catherine Opie and Robert Heinecken. Through April 20. 1200 Getty Center Drive, Brentwood, Los Angeles, getty.edu. Jimmie Durham, At the Center of the World, at the Hammer Museum. For the last 20 years, Durham, who was born in Arkansas, and who came of age as an artist in New Yorks downtown scene in the 1980s, has chosen to show primarily outside the United States. (He is of Cherokee descent.) This makes his first North American retrospective all the more special. Gathering his works from the 1970s to the present, the show features wry assemblages and wall sculptures that combine natural and discarded elements, riffing on classical architecture, the nature of portraiture and colonization. While youre there, dont miss the exhibition featuring drawings by French artist Jean Dubuffet, a figure who turned the graffiti-like gesture into high art. Through May 7. 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood, Los Angeles, hammer.ucla.edu. A still from Stoning the Refrigerator, 1996, by Jimmie Durham, on view at the Hammer Museum. (Hammer Museum) (Hammer Museum ) Picasso and Rivera: Conversations Across Time, at the L.A. County Museum of Art. This exhibition compares the artistic trajectories of two of the 20th centurys most towering Modernists: Pablo Picasso and Diego Rivera. This covers the period from the 1920s to the 50s as they explored Cubism, classical forms and ancient cultures in innovative ways. The shows features 150 paintings, etchings and watercolors. Through May 7. 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Mid-Wilshire, Los Angeles, lacma.org. Masculine Feminine, at the Beall Center for Art + Technology. A group show that gathers the works of 12 artists, including Cassils, Micol Hebron, Julie Heffernan and Danial Nord, explores issues of gender and sexuality sometimes playing with the malleability of these identifiers, at other times eliminating them completely. Through May 13. UC Irvine, 712 Arts Plaza, Irvine, beallcenter.uci.edu. Dreamland: A Frank Romero Retrospective, at the Museum of Latin American Art. The first museum retrospective of the storied Los Angeles painter brings together more than 200 works from throughout his career pieces that frequently contend with various aspects of the urban experience, in particular that of L.A. The show covers all periods of his more than five-decade-long career, including his early works, pieces from his time with the collective Los Four in the 1970s and 80s, his large-scale paintings and murals, as well as his more recent work in neon and ceramics. Through May 21. 628 Alamitos Ave., Long Beach, molaa.org. The Arrest of the Paleteros, 1996, by Frank Romero at the Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach. ( Cheech Marin ) Aaron G. Green and California Organic Architecture, at the Palos Verdes Art Center. Green was an architect inspired by the complex patterns and rugged textures found in nature, and this exhibition, curated by architectural historian Alan Hess, gathers rare photographs, along with original architectural renderings and other materials, to show a school of modernism that turned away from the glass box in favor of more organic forms. Through May 28. 5504 West Crestridge Road, Palos Verdes, aarongreen.org and pvartcenter.org. Moholy-Nagy: Future Present, at the L.A. County Museum of Art. This sprawling exhibition examines the career of the influential Bauhaus artist and teacher, known for stripping art down to fundamentals of color and shape. Moholy-Nagy was a polymath who worked in painting, printmaking, photography and industrial design and the show gathers more than 250 works of his in all formats. Moreover, it will also feature his installation Room of the Present, a concept for an exhibition space that was never realized in his lifetime. Through June 18. 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Mid-Wilshire, Los Angeles, lacma.org. Chinese Ceramics from the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, at the Vincent Price Art Museum. Part of a new series of partnerships that will take LACMA works to other organizations around L.A., this show represents an overview of Chinese ceramics from the museums permanent collection that take the viewer from c. 2500 BC to the 19th century as well as the museums own long history as a collector of Chinese ceramics. Through July 22. East Los Angeles College, 1301 Cesar Chavez Ave., Monterey Park, vincentpriceartmuseum.org and lacma.org. Islamic Art Now: Part 2 at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Contemporary works from LACMAs permanent collection by 20 artists who live in or have roots in the Middle East look at questions of society, gender and identity. Runs indefinitely. 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Mid-Wilshire, lacma.org. Loris Greaud, Sculpt, at the L.A. County Museum of Art. The entire theater has been taken over by the European artist for a film that screens to only one person at a time. The nonlinear picture follows a man about whom we know very little, who seems to be constantly developing the concept of what experiencing beauty, thought, or obsession can be, according the write-up. Times critic Christopher Knight describes it as pretentious and uninvolving. A good hate-watch, maybe? On view through a yet to be determined date. 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Mid-Wilshire, Los Angeles, lacma.org. Sign up for our weekly Essential Arts & Culture newsletter carolina.miranda@latimes.com Twitter: @cmonstah The first time audiences see Meryl Streep portraying real-life New York heiress Florence Foster Jenkins, shes dressed in a lavish, white satin winged-angel costume, suspended in the air during a performance one could graciously call awkward, though no one dared. Costume designer Consolata Boyle earned her second Oscar nomination for making that surreal world come alive in director Stephen Frears Florence Foster Jenkins, a comedic take on the wealthy, music-loving New York socialite who ingloriously sang once at Carnegie Hall. Advertisement If you entered into her world, you had to keep to the rules. Everyone was part of the conspiracy that kept her going and convinced that she could sing. The musical world of New York benefited hugely because she supported so many young musicians as well as her own performances, Boyle said. Jenkins combination of delusion, naivete and gobs of money allowed Boyle to match the heiress real-life flamboyance with equally outrageous costumes. It was really a joyous project to do from a costume point of view, said Boyle, speaking from her home city of Dublin. We did masses of research in the New York Public Library, Carnegie Hall and all the social magazines and social sections of newspapers of the periods. She struck costume gold. The historic images let Boyle lavish her leading lady with childlike pastels, furs, flowers, ruffles, elaborate hats, massive amounts of costume jewelry and much more. She invested a lot of money in the fabrics, particularly for her performance outfits. There were a lot of pure silks and metallics gold, silver, tulle in those costumes, Boyle said. The angel was one of Jenkins favorites and, added Boyle, a very typical Florence outfit. It says everything about her. Boyle, who earned her first Oscar nomination for The Queen, says the costumes helped Jenkins function as the royal ruler of her own, luscious world. I thought, like many women of that period, that she would have had dressmakers. She would have contributed hugely to how she dressed. And the gloriously amateurish costumes she would have been very, very closely involved, and made some of it herself, Boyle said. The story, and the clothes, explore a tension between fact and fiction, a dynamic that Boyle examined with Streep, who earned her 20th Oscar nomination with the role. We spoke for many hours in advance of starting work, discussing the character and every nuance, the complexity of the woman that Florence Foster Jenkins was, Boyle said. Everything [Streep] said was wise. She understands the process and knows how to wear a costume. We continued speaking the whole way through about every single aspect of the costumes we were doing. In recognition of Streeps command of costume language, she will be given the Distinguished Collaborator award at the 19th Costume Designers Guild Awards on Tuesday in Beverly Hills. Some of the costumes also are displayed at the Art of Motion Picture Costume Design exhibit at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising Museum in downtown Los Angeles. Boyle has worked with Streep before, dressing her for the actress convincing turn as Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady. In both projects, the designer found Streep to be a willing risk taker, even if the choices were unflattering or dangerously comic. For Florence, Streep wore mounds of body padding to portray the food- and fashion-loving New York socialite. Florence herself was quite a well-built, solid woman. There werent any curves, said Boyle. Excess plays well on-screen, in the right hands. You can sense Streeps delight in her costumes, especially the stage wear. Florence was always embellishing, decorating; it was just part of her, Boyle said. She loved pieces that moved, like the kind of trembling headdress and scarves that floated. Meryl loved that as well. Now Boyle has another dressing challenge ahead what shell wear to the Oscar ceremony. Shes selected Irish designer Louise Kennedy to make her outfit. Its very simple because my life is spent surrounded by costumes clothes, accessories, Boyle said. So I always ask for something very pared back and simple. Thats the way I try to control things. See the most read stories this hour calendar@latimes.com ALSO: Heres the story of the real Florence Foster Jenkins Review Florence Foster Jenkins screams out for a participation award Hugh Grant brings the charm and the energy to Florence Foster Jenkins Awards are flying off the shelves left and right these days -- nods for expensive special effects and heartfelt performances, confident helming and clever producing. But even so, we here at The Envelope feel there are plenty of trophy-worthy moments in films going unrecognized. So lets remedy that with our annual Envy Awards spotlighting those examples of greatness that otherwise go overlooked. After all, if you cant honor teeth, logorrhea and the end of the world, what else are awards for? Best Dance Number Justifying a Whole Film (Tie) Another Day of Sun (La La Land) and No Dames! (Hail, Caesar!) Channing Tatum. (Ken Fallin / For The Times) (Ken Fallin / For The Times) There are a lot of good things to say about La La Land, but we have a sneaking suspicion that the thing everyone loved so much was the sheer joy in its primary-color-splashed, vibrantly choreographed opening number, because really do you need more? Meanwhile, Channing Tatums tongue-in-cheek bar tap dance from the On the Town-esque sailor suit number in Caesar is worth watching again and again, even if the rest of the movie falls a little short. Best Logorrhea James Martins introduction, Love & Friendship Tom Bennett. (Ken Fallin / For The Times) (Ken Fallin / For The Times) You dont expect guffaws from a Jane Austen adaptation, but thanks to Sir Martins (Tom Bennett) delightfully nervous, loquacious and tone-deaf way of rattling on even when he should have shut up minutes ago (and then going on and on beyond that), the film proves to be far more than a delightful comedy of manners. Its downright hilarious. Silence Is Golden Award Moonlight On the opposite end of the gab spectrum, Chiron isnt much of a talker throughout the film, which instead frames his quiet reactions to the difficult life around him through his eyes and face. And its his quiet that speaks volumes toward the end of the film with Trevante Rhodes in the role when hes reunited with his childhood friend and onetime lover Kevin (Andre Holland) in a diner. As the two men work toward the things they want to say, they let the song on the jukebox Barbara Lewis Hello Stranger do all the talking. Its intimate and magic all at once. Sexiest Use of Teeth in a Film The Handmaiden Chan-wook Parks thriller features at its heart a great love between a worker and her mistress, but before the two have even had sex theres a heated exchange between them that proves theyre not far from the bedroom: While helping her lollipop-sucking mistress (Kim Min-hee) bathe, the handmaiden in question (Kim Tae-Ri) helps her with a jagged tooth by rubbing it smooth, and the silent exchange between them and excellent use of heavy breathing gets viewers nicely steamed up. Best Use of Voice Natalie Portman , Jackie Jackie. (Ken Fallin / For The Times) (Ken Fallin / For The Times) Portman may not look a whole lot like post-JFK assassination Jacqueline Kennedy, but once she opens her mouth that hardly matters. Capturing Kennedys childlike, controlled-yet-breathless voice that mixes both patrician accents with Long Island regional tones is not an easy task, yet once she speaks we all know precisely who she is: the First Widow. See the most read stories this hour Most Unexpectedly Moving Apocalyptic Sequence Scarifs end, Rogue One Having accomplished their mission, Jyn (Felicity Jones) and Cassian ( Diego Luna ) are left to face the looming Death Star, which takes aim at the citadel and basically obliterates it along with both our heroes and villains. But its the scene of the pair left alone, holding one another, facing their doom head-on, that resonates and provides a startlingly moving last-moments image that stays with you long after the picture has ended. Best Opening Credits That Are Nearly Better Than the Movie Itself Deadpool Ryan Reynolds . (Ken Fallin / For The Times) (Ken Fallin / For The Times) The Ryan Reynolds-starring super-meta, fourth-wall-breaking movie proved surprisingly strong over awards season and not without cause, starting with the Juice Newton Angel of the Morning-fueled opening sequence, which weaves audiences through a supersonic car crash paused in midflight and features satiric credits (Reynolds is Gods Perfect Idiot as his Sexiest Man Alive People cover slides by). Perfection. calendar@latimes.com Roman Polanski is reportedly taking another run at wrapping up his statutory-rape case without doing more time behind bars, according to a report out Thursday. A victory would theoretically lay the groundwork for ending the Chinatown directors fugitive status. Polanski lawyer Harland Braun is asking an L.A. Superior Court judge to unseal testimony from a prosecutor in the case accusing the Polish-born director of raping a 13-year-old girl in March 1977, according to TMZ. After striking an open plea deal later that year a deal that left sentencing up to the judge Polanski, who was 44 at the time, pleaded guilty to engaging in unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor. Advertisement According to court records, he admitted having had sex that March with the girl at actor Jack Nicholsons Mulholland Drive home. As part of the plea deal, Polanski agreed to undergo 90 days of psychiatric evaluation at a state prison (he was released after serving 42 days); prison officials advised the judge that test results showed his sentence should not include additional incarceration. However, in early 1978, a day before sentencing, he fled the United States to avoid what he feared would be serious prison time. . According to TMZ, in regards to the latest move, the Oscar winners team believes the sealed testimony supports Polanskis contention that the judge reneged after signing off on the plea deal and intended to sentence him to additional time in prison. For years, the directors attorneys have been pressing to get the case dismissed. Judicial and prosecutorial misconduct was alleged in 2008, and again in 2014. Since 1978, Polanski, now 83, has primarily lived in countries that wont extradite him to the U.S., despite attempts that were rejected as recently as December 2016. I pleaded guilty. I went to prison. I have done my penalty. The case is closed, Polanski told the Associated Press in 2015 after a victory in a Polish court. He was apparently referring to the 42-day pre-sentencing diagnostic testing he went through at the California state prison in Chino before he fled. In a 2009 extradition attempt, Polanski was detained by police at the Zurich Airport after trying to enter Switzerland to attend a film festival there, then spent nearly a year under house arrest at his chalet after posting $4.5-million bail. Swiss authorities decided in mid-2010 that they would not extradite him to the U.S., and he was free to go. The director still hasnt collected the Oscar he won in 2003 for helming The Pianist. In a 2013 memoir titled The Girl, Samantha Geimer, nee Gailey, gave her account of what happened in 1977. Im all right, she told the Los Angeles Times when the book was released. I was not all right the year after it happened ... but Im OK now. In other Polanski news, Sony Pictures Classics announced Tuesday that it had acquired North American distribution rights to Polanskis French-language film Based on a True Story, which stars Emmanuelle Seigner and Eva Green and recently wrapped production in Paris. cdz@latimes.com @theCDZ ALSO Where are they now? Charles Mansons family, four decades after horrific murder spree Audrey Hepburns sons are in a legal dispute over the use of her Givenchy gowns and image for charity Roman Polanskis supporters sending wrong message about rape, minimizing directors crimes, critics say The Great Wall is poised to take a great fall, creating the kind of mess not seen since Humpty Dumpty sat on a similar structure. All the kings horses and all the kings men (and there are a lot of them here) wont be able to put this snore of a movie together again. Starring Matt Damon, the veteran Andy Lau and a host of Chinese stars and directed by the esteemed Zhang Yimou, The Great Wall was supposed to be a game-changer, proof that the burgeoning Chinese film industry could make a blockbuster that would be successful on Western screens. Not this time. As the presence of gifted actors like Damon and Lau, not to mention a budget estimated to be in the $150-million range testify, this misbegotten movie, the largest ever shot entirely in China, didnt happen because things were done on the cheap. Advertisement Rather The Great Wall is a failure of the imagination, a reliance on a god-awful core idea of a fight to the death against supernatural monsters in ancient China and a narrative where each moment is more preposterous than the last, each plot point flimsier than the one that came before. If ever a film was made with more money than sense, this is it. As with the casting, this didnt happen because The Great Wall stinted on writing talent. The respected team of Edward Zwick & Marshall Herskovitz has a story credit, and the gifted Tony Gilroy, who wrote four of the Jason Bourne scripts, shares screenplay credit with Carlo Bernard & Doug Miro. The originating intelligence here is likely Max Brooks, who has the first story-credit position and whose background as the creator of World War Z jibes with the fact that The Great Wall is basically a swarming zombie story set in northern China around AD 1100, with mythological creatures called the Tao Tei standing in for the legions of the undead. Before we meet these glum creatures we are introduced to a group of Europeans fleeing roving bandits in Chinas vast outback. Top dog is the hardened mercenary William Garin (Damon) and his battle-scarred Spanish buddy Pero Tovar (Pedro Pascal). They are in country hoping to pilfer gunpowder, a.k.a. the weapon of our dreams, and sell it to the highest bidder back home in Europe where the destructive substance is as yet unknown. Gigantic as the Great Wall of China most definitely is, big enough to be seen from outer space, its existence somehow comes as a shock to these two when they literally stumble on it while on the run. And more shocks are very much in store. Inside the structure is the Nameless Order, an army so huge it is broken up into nifty color-coded regiments. The archers wear red, the cavalrymen don purple, the combat soldiers make do with black, and then there are the all female Cranes, dressed in blue as they do elaborate swan dives into battle. Really. All this is a reminder that director Zhang, despite his start with thoughtful films such as Red Sorghum and Raise the Red Lantern, has devolved into a director known (witness his work on the opening and closing Beijing Olympic ceremonies) for spectacle more than anything else. Add to that the fact that The Great Walls dialogue, in a bow to the realities of the international marketplace, is mostly in English and you get negligible emotional connection here, a situation that hampers Damon and Willem Dafoe, who plays a random European skulking around the fortress, most of all. In charge of the Nameless Order is a very capable group of Chinese. Aside from Lau as Strategist Wang, there is Gen. Shao (Hanyu Zhang) and the redoubtable Commander Lin (the quietly effective Jing Tian), the head of the photogenic but deadly Crane Corps. Garins skill with a crossbow comes in handy, but because this is a Chinese film he is presented as simply one of many heroes and someone who has a lot to learn (mostly from Commander Lin) about the importance of fighting for a cause not yourself. See the most-read stories in Entertainment this hour The first thing Garin learns, however, is why all those soldiers are stationed on the wall in the first place. Preposterous as it sounds, theyre there to combat the velociraptor-type Tao Tei, a heaven-sent scourge who appear like clockwork every 60 years to do their worst. All teeth and nasty attitude, the Tao Tei are, despite the best efforts of hoards of visual-effects technicians, more tedious than anything else, and presenting them in clumsy 3-D simply makes things worse. Despite all the work that went into it (13,140 costume pieces! More than 20,000 props including over 1,000 pieces of pottery for one banquet alone!) The Great Wall is not worth anyones time. Commander Lin isnt referring to the film when she says at one point, It would be better if you had never seen it, but it sure feels like she is. MPAA rating PG-13 for sequences of fantasy action violence. Running time: 1 hour, 43 minutes. In general release. Movie Trailers kenneth.turan@latimes.com @KennethTuran MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS With Dirty Projectors, Dave Longstreth lights his own path Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon on bringing the female-driven Big Little Lies to life The mad puzzle of Gore Verbinskis A Cure for Wellness Everybodys awake: Watch Susan Sarandon defend her Bernie Sanders vote and scold MSNBCs Chris Hayes John Steinbecks In Dubious Battle chronicles a brief, intense labor strike by migrant apple pickers in Depression-era California, at a time when agricultural workers across the state were getting hit hard by wage cuts. Published in 1936 under a title inspired by Paradise Lost, it was the first book in the authors celebrated Dust Bowl trilogy and the first to garner him a reputation as a champion of the proletariat. That reputation would deepen further with Of Mice and Men and The Grapes of Wrath, but even in the context of this early work, it feels both fully earned and a tad reductive. Whats remarkable about In Dubious Battle is how adroitly it balances sympathy and ambivalence for its characters cause; it acknowledges both the desperation that drove some men to revolt and the transparent manipulations of the political leaders who spurred them into action. Although faithful in broad outline, James Francos new film adaptation the latest in the actor-directors consistently inconsistent literary tour of 20th century America cant help but dispense with much of the books moral and dramatic complexity, and along with it any real capacity for fresh insight or surprise. The mere possibility of subtext is obliterated by the workmanlike approach of Matthew Ragers screenplay, which plucks key scenes from the book and rearranges them into flurries of exposition and montage, leaning heavily on Francos not-inconsiderable visual craft to bring this musty agrarian snapshot to life. Advertisement There is some theoretical merit in this approach. In Dubious Battle is a taut and compulsively readable piece of fiction, and considerably more accessible to a filmmakers camera than the unfilmable Faulkner doorstops that inspired Francos As I Lay Dying (2013) and The Sound and the Fury (2014). There is something innately cinematic even in the way Steinbeck filters his story through the perspective of a naive, impassioned young outsider who finds himself caught up in and severely disillusioned by events well beyond his control. That outsider is Jim Nolan (Nat Wolff, Paper Towns), the newest recruit of what is referred to simply as the Party. He is taken under wing by Mac McLeod (Franco), a quick-witted Party organizer who decides to infiltrate the ranks of fruit pickers in Californias (fictitious) Torgas Valley, where daily wages have been slashed from $3 to $1. Mac and Jim set themselves to earning the workers trust, something they accomplish with persistence, luck and considerable daring. At one point, Mac feigns medical experience and winds up delivering the baby of a young woman (Selena Gomez), endearing himself to locals in the process. Gradually they fan the flames of discontent, setting in motion a clash between the increasingly desperate workers and a tightfisted landowner, Bolton (Robert Duvall), which will begin as a smartly organized effort before spiraling into violence, retaliation and chaos. Duvall isnt the only well-known actor in a cast that includes Vincent DOnofrio as London, whom Mac and Jim shrewdly position as the leader of the strike, and Sam Shepard as Anderson, who reluctantly agrees to let the workers camp on his property (and pick his apples for free). Ed Harris lurches unsteadily through his few scenes as Macs older colleague Joy, who has sustained major bodily and mental injury over his many years working on the Partys behalf. Francos ability to wrangle actors of this caliber is impressive but distracting, as is his decision to cast himself as the storys most intriguingly complicated figure. The surfeit of familiar faces is a poor substitute for Steinbecks psychological astuteness, his rich understanding of the way human beings respond, individually and collectively, when they are backed into a corner. Its that perceptiveness that gives such emotional force to the novels blow-by-blow account of how determined, idealistic men, while trying to effect sweeping social change, can be thwarted from both without and within. The lovely physical realization of California apple country shows the continued (ahem) ripening of Francos visual gifts; for all its modesty of means, this may be the smoothest picture hes directed yet. I dont mean that entirely as a compliment. As a filmmaker, Franco thrives on challenge: Faulkner forced him to experiment, boldly if not always successfully, and Child of God, his 2013 Cormac McCarthy adaptation, captured something of that novels compelling abrasiveness. In Dubious Battle, by contrast, plods dutifully along, embracing the noble, well-meaning pieties about workers rights that Steinbeck had the wisdom to look beyond. These are hardly antiquarian concerns; a more vital, engaged film adaptation might well have bridged the gap between the union struggles of the Depression and those of our present, ever-divided moment. Almost certainly it would have foregone the sort of dryly educational closing text that tends to confine even the most exciting stories to the margins of history. The movie ends with a bang, but mostly a whimper. ------------ In Dubious Battle MPAA rating: R, for some violence and brief sexuality Running time: 1 hour, 54 minutes Playing: Arena Cinelounge, Hollywood See the most-read stories in Entertainment this hour Movie Trailers justin.chang@latimes.com @JustinCChang Strong lead performances and a startling twist juice up the found-footage exercise VooDoo, which squeezes unexpected novelty from an exhausted subgenre. Writer-director Tom Costabile brings real imagination to the form, producing something that fright fans might appreciate for being a little different. After a disorienting, blood-spattered prologue, VooDoo introduces a pair of cousins, Dani (Samantha Stewart) and Stacy (Ruth Reynolds), as they pass a video camera back and forth during a jaunt around Los Angeles. Costabile shoots in and around the citys landmarks the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Venice Beach, etc. as Dani dishes to Stacy about the busted relationship and angry voodoo priestess she left back home in New Orleans. Stewarts Louisiana accent is inconsistent, but otherwise she and Reynolds bring vivacity to their stock scream-queen roles, even when theyre not being plagued by hell-spawns. Advertisement When Danis witchy romantic rival shows up in town, VooDoo takes an abrupt turn best left unspoiled. Suffice it to say that the last third of the film consists of one long trip through the heroines worst fears, rendered in a way thats less like a home movie and more like a sick voyeurs POV. Even gore-hounds may find the movies nightmarish final half-hour excessively violent. But at least Costabile steps outside of the shaky-cam-and-shadowy-monster norm for found-footage, creating a real sense of place as inhospitable as it may be. ------------- VooDoo Unrated Running time: 1 hour, 24 minutes Playing: Monica Film Center, Santa Monica See the most-read stories in Entertainment this hour Movie Trailers calendar@latimes.com Movie recommendations from critics Kenneth Turan, Justin Chang and other reviewers. Click title for full review. Arrival Amy Adams stars in this elegant, involving science-fiction drama that is simultaneously old and new, revisiting many alien-invasion conventions but with unexpected intelligence, visual style and heart. (Kenneth Turan) PG-13. Elle Paul Verhoevens brilliantly booby-trapped thriller starring Isabelle Huppert is a gripping whodunit, a tour de force of psychological suspense and a wickedly droll comedy of manners. (Justin Chang) R. Advertisement The Founder Michael Keaton gives a performance of ratty, reptilian brilliance as Ray Kroc, the American salesman who turned a California burger stand into the global fast-food behemoth that is McDonalds, in John Lee Hancocks shrewd and satisfyingly fat-free biopic. (Justin Chang) PG-13. I Am Not Your Negro As directed by the gifted Raoul Peck, this documentary on James Baldwin uses the entire spectrum of movie effects, not only spoken language but also sound, music, editing and all manner of visuals, to create a cinematic essay that is powerful and painfully relevant. (Kenneth Turan) NR. La La Land Starring a well-paired Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, writer-director Damien Chazelles tuneful tribute to classic movie musicals is often stronger in concept than execution, but its lovely and transporting all the same. (Justin Chang) PG-13. Land of Mine Explosive devices that can detonate at any moment are intrinsically dramatic, and this Danish World War II film makes good use of that plot mechanism, but it has a whole lot more going for it as well. (Kenneth Turan) R. Manchester by the Sea Powerful, emotional filmmaking that leaves a scar, Kenneth Lonergans drama starring Casey Affleck and Michelle Williams is both heartbreaking and heartening, a film that just wallops you with its honesty, its authenticity and its access to despair. (Kenneth Turan) R. Moonlight Superb filmmaking and an exceptional level of emotional honesty universalize a very specific coming-of-age experience, that of a gay black man growing from child to adult starting in 1980s Miamis crack cocaine epidemic years. (Kenneth Turan) R. The Red Turtle A prize-winner at Cannes, this immersive, meditative, stunningly beautiful animated feature that is concerned with the rhythms of the natural world and the mysteries and wonders of ordinary life. (Kenneth Turan) PG. Silence Martin Scorseses wrenching adaptation of Shusaku Endos 1966 novel, about 17th century Portuguese priests experiencing a crisis of faith in feudal Japan, ponders the dogmas and mysteries of Christian faith with astonishing rigor and seriousness. (Justin Chang) R. Toni Erdmann Sandra Huller and Peter Simonischek give splendid performances as a high-strung businesswoman and her screw-loose dad in this magnificently unpredictable comedy from German writer-director Maren Ade. (Justin Chang) R. 20th Century Women Mike Mills lovingly fictionalized snapshot of his late-1970s adolescence belongs to Annette Bening and her marvelously suggestive and layered performance. (Justin Chang) R. Tanna Beautifully shot on a tiny, Eden-like Pacific island, this is the surprisingly convincing story of the forbidden love between two young people and how it plays out in a traditional South Seas culture. (Kenneth Turan) NR. See the most-read stories in Entertainment this hour Movie Trailers calendar@latimes.com Theyre mostly rich. Theyre mostly white. They day drink, go to yoga and eye each other suspiciously each morning at school drop-off. And, maybe, they kill people. Theyre the women at the center of Big Little Lies, an engrossing but glib murder mystery-cum-social satire set among the moneyed mommies of Monterey, Calif., debuting Sunday on HBO. In the grand tradition of Divorce and The Affair, this seven-part miniseries is the latest premium-cable tale of middle-aged Caucasians having torrid sex, not always with their spouses, in multimillion-dollar waterfront homes. And it comes with all the prestige TV trappings. Written by human Emmy magnet David E. Kelley, whose many credits include Ally McBeal and the more recent Goliath, the series is adapted from a bestselling novel by Liane Moriarty and directed by Jean-Marc Vallee of Wild and Dallas Buyers Club fame. Its cast includes not only two lead actress Oscar-winners, Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon, but one of Hollywoods most in-demand younger stars, Shailene Woodley. Advertisement In short, Big Little Lies is as glossy and superficially well-packaged as the very community it aims to skewer but ultimately guilty of the same corrosive emptiness. Though highly bingeable and at times bitingly funny, the series is also patently ridiculous and riddled with pernicious stereotypes of henpecked husbands and scheming mean-girl mothers who use their children as pawns. Fitting comfortably in a growing subgenre of bloody domestic thrillers like Gone Girl and Girl on the Train, Big Little Lies is about murder as much as marriage. The mystery it explores isnt just whodunit, but who is happy, who is not and what happiness even means in a decades-long union. The various bourgeois couples it depicts are each different on the surface but alike in the shared contrast between the public facade and the private reality. The engine driving all the drama is Madeline McKenzie (Witherspoon), a mostly stay-at-home mother of two aptly described as an itty bitty ball of rage. Always immaculately turned out with her buttery blond hair and flowered dresses, she also has a flair for inventive use of the F-word. She works part time at a community theater and is married to Ed (Adam Scott), who works from their palatial, oceanfront home at a stand-up desk doing something vaguely Internet-related. (Extravagant wealth is a given in this world, but details are scant.) Though Ed is cute, bearded and supportive, Madeline still hasnt moved on from her ex-husband, Nathan (James Tupper), who is now married to a gorgeous, much younger yoga instructor (Zoe Kravitz). And she constantly compares herself unfavorably with best friend Celeste Wright (Kidman), a fragile beauty trapped in a Seemingly Perfect Marriage to a handsome banker who, it turns out, is an abusive creep (Alexander Skarsgard). En route to dropping off her daughter at first-grade orientation, Madeline befriends Jane Chapman (Woodley), a young, working-class single mother. Newly arrived in town, she has a mysterious past and a sweet 6-year-old, Ziggy (Iain Armitage), who is accused of trying to choke a classmate who happens to be the daughter of Renata Klein (Laura Dern), a high-powered tech executive and Madelines arch-nemesis. Motivated by altruism as well as a compulsive need to meddle, Madeline rallies around Jane and against Renata. Their rivalry culminates in a fatal confrontation at a school fundraiser teased in the opening minutes of the first episode. The specter of this crime, the details of which are kept a mystery for some time, provides a rather irresistible hook for viewers who otherwise might be turned off by characters who are frequently this monstrous. Miserable marriages are a staple on TV these days, and weariness can set in while watching yet another privileged couple seethe through therapy sessions. Big Little Lies will almost certainly be accused of indulging white people problems and uses half-hearted satire to try to neutralize such critiques, but they still apply. Theres a fierce showdown over a trip to Disney on Ice that recalls the scathing humor of Alexander Payne, but these moments seem at odds with the intense melodrama of other subplots, including Celestes tediously tempestuous marriage and Janes traumatic backstory. The line between the intentionally ridiculous and the accidentally ridiculous is dangerously blurry. Also problematic is a device interweaving commentary from various peripheral characters, seemingly as if being questioned by police. Their ongoing testimony is supposed to be a reminder of the sniping gossip that pollutes this small community. But their observations are facile and contrived, playing like heavy-handed interjections from the screenwriter. Jane just didnt fit here, kind of like a dirty old Prius parked outside of Barneys, says one character. Its enough to make anyone a little homicidal. Big Little Lies Where: HBO When: 9 p.m. Sunday Rating: TV-MA (may be unsuitable for children under the age of 17) See the most-read stories in Entertainment this hour meredith.blake@latimes.com Follow me @MeredithBlake At last, you can wear your Nambe ware without resorting to stringing a napkin ring on a cord. The cult-collectible home decor and tabletop company has launched an exclusive jewelry collection with Macys that capitalizes on the sleek, sinuous curves of the iconic bowls. A made-in-America womens jewelry collection of 26 sterling silver and gemstone pieces launched at Macys stores last fall at attainable luxury prices. Stud earrings that look as if waves washed across their surface are $120, while a chain-link bracelet with intricate braid detail on the reverse tops out at $550. A selection of $225 rings is set with large semi-precious gems such as smoky quartz and mother-of-pearl, echoing the organic materials such as glass, acacia wood and concrete that now appear throughout the brand. Founded in 1951 outside Santa Fe, N.M., Nambe gained a loyal following that appreciated the functional sculptures top-secret metal alloy that retains heat or cold for hours. Yet the brand had made only limited attempts to branch into jewelry, said Nambe Chief Executive Bill Robedee. Advertisement When Robedee joined the company two years ago, he saw unexplored potential, particularly as demand was surging for Midcentury Modern style. The designs truly had a place in fashion the sculptural look, and the midcentury aesthetic was a natural fit for a jewelry collection, he said from the companys New York showroom. Though the sleek, sinuous shapes recall other iconic designers such as Elsa Peretti, Paloma Picasso and Robert Lee Morris, the company found a designer who lived and breathed the Nambe essence Carolyn Pollack. For decades, Pollack and her husband, Bill, have designed and manufactured Southwest-influenced sterling silver jewelry collections from their Albuquerque headquarters. Carolyn really got it what Nambe is and translated the artistic aesthetic into jewelry. She understood that it was not Southwest jewelry. The first round of sketches we got from her convinced us she was the right person, Robedee said. People who love Nambe know its timeless. And Ive really tried to incorporate silhouettes that I know women love to wear. Designer Carolyn Pollack Pollack has lived in Albuquerque for 27 years and has collected Nambe for just as long. That is what was so exciting about this. I cook with it. I decorate with it, she said. I love that it is contemporary, but there is still a spiritual quality with it. Pollack sat surrounded by new and archival Nambe pieces in the New York showroom to soak up inspiration. The jewelry shares its contemporary, fluid and organic forms, rounded edges and mirror finish looks with the tableware and home decor. She translated the iconic butterfly bowls upswept lines into a ring and imbued pendants with the fluid, curvy lines of the signature platters and bowls. As both designer and manufacturer, Pollack came to appreciate the precise skill required to achieve the Nambe look. She used a labor-intensive, lost-wax casting method to shape the sterling silver pieces, which are plated in rhodium and hand polished to a glossy sheen. With Nambe making its first appearance in the fine jewelry department, its reaching customers unfamiliar with the brands history. People who love Nambe know its timeless. And Ive really tried to incorporate silhouettes that I know women love to wear, Pollack said. Now that shes immersed in creating Nambe, the designer sees potential in every element. Shes got her eye on the twinkly surface in the brands Dazzle collection, a look shell replicate in an upcoming collection. If you cant wait, theres a set of four Dazzle napkin rings to consider. image@latimes.com @latimesimage ALSO Tiffany Trump takes in New York Fashion Week Raf Simons debut collection for Calvin Klein pays homage to America Its a run for the roses during day one of New York Fashion Week Ivanka Trumps fashion brand is getting a lot of attention not to mention free advertising from her fathers presidential counselor Kellyanne Conway but all the hubbub isnt translating into full-price sales online. Discounting is rife online for the brand, with 44 percent of all Ivanka Trump products being sold at prices that are on average 49 percent off, according to Edited. WWD asked the fashion-focused big data firm, which tracks more than 90,000 brands and retailers worldwide, to dig into the brands online standings given all the media attention it has received over the last few weeks. Advertisement Katie Smith, senior fashion and retail market analyst at Edited, said the brand has low market penetration, with almost half the goods that arrived in the online market between the start of 2015 and mid 2016 ending up being discounted by 60 percent or more. On average, 10 percent of goods in the U.S. see such steep price cuts. Ivanka Trump doesnt rank highly on the lists of most-stocked brands at department stores Jessica Simpsons brand out-stocks it, for example, Smith said. The Ivanka Trump line is not such a high performing brand that retailers will forfeit large profits by scrapping it. Its too early to tell if the brand will struggle due to the recent boycotting and thats in part because its now linking to its stockists via its own web site, which it was not back in October. The Shop page on the Ivanka Trump web site links out to merchants such as Dillards, Lord & Taylor, Amazon, Macys, Zappos and more. Editeds data showed that 15 merchants still carry the brand online. Hudsons Bay and Lord & Taylor, corporate siblings at Hudsons Bay Co., carry the largest assortments. Thirty-five percent of Hudsons Bays offering of the brand is marked down, by an average of 53 percent, and 60 percent of Lord & Taylors assortment is on markdown, by an average of 46 percent. Elitify in India and El Corte Ingles in Spain have stopped carrying the brand from a year ago and in the U.S., Rue La La and Nordstrom-owned HauteLook in the U.S. have dropped the label. Nordstrom, which recently said it will drop the collection, saying it wasnt performing, has only two products online from the brand. Nordstroms decision set off a firestorm of controversy, with President Trump tweeting, My daughter Ivanka has been treated so unfairly by @Nordstrom. She is a great person always pushing me to do the right thing! Terrible! The brand was further defended by Conway in a TV appearance a defense that has gotten the presidential insider into ethical hot water. The first daughter as taken a formal leave of absence from her company and the Trump Organization and has decamped to Washington where her husband, Jared Kushner, serves as senior adviser to the president. And the brand appears to be adjusting to her absence. New arrivals from the Ivanka Trump brand over the past month were down 32 percent from a year ago. While the labels biggest categories online are accessories and footwear, the brand now seems to be pushing more tops, a category thats seen the number of new product offerings rise 79 percent from a year earlier. Editeds Smith predicted that the brand would most likely pivot and will better harness the attention and find ways to sell direct to its shoppers. ALSO Ivanka Trumps book on women and work is running late Trump slams Nordstrom for dropping daughter Ivankas clothing and accessories line Nordstrom denies pro-immigration email is linked to dropping Ivanka Trumps brand So there I was, a guy in my early 30s, recently separated, having made the solo journey back to Los Angeles from Nashville. Broke and in debt from the experience, I had the war-torn heart of a man who dearly missed his 4-year-old daughter ... yet I was liberated from a failed relationship. My ex was bright, cheery, blond and needy. Sure, I knew she was a bit immature, but I thought she would grow wiser and that we would grow together. Things unraveled directly after our daughter was born. We had the usual fights. Money was tight, career ambitions challenged. I should have known that our 98% compatibility results from our Catholic premarital classes was no guarantee of success. I had moved back to Los Angeles to pursue my goals in Hollywood. I was dealing with a custody battle, but I was also finally feeling ready to rejoin the ranks of the available. Not that I had much spare time. I was working on a feature film and bartending on the weekends to whittle down my mountain of bills. Advertisement Are you a veteran of L.A.'s current dating scene? We want to publish your story I wasnt meeting eligibles with a lot of promise. Among other forgettables I met a woman who produced a cop show. She had earrings shaped like handcuffs; admittedly intriguing. We went out a couple of times, but I noticed she had a habit of keeping her eyes wide open when we kissed. I was mired in work when my friend John called me with a save-the-date. A mutual, former employer Phil was turning 50 and was hosting a birthday bash at his swanky house in the Hollywood Hills. Phil always had an open bar, and I knew there would be more men than women. I figured the odds were in my favor. It was a great party, lots of people I hadnt seen in years, tray-passed hors doeuvres, and did I mention the open bar? More L.A. Affairs columns While waiting my turn for a refill, I took in the twinkling lights of Hollywood and there she was. A raven-haired vision of loveliness. I remember her being perfectly rim-lit by the party lights, a halo appearing around her head. She had a confident stride as she approached the bar and ordered a margarita. Nice choice Im having tequila myself, I said, emboldened by agave. We struck up a nice conversation, and since she only knew a couple of the guests, I offered to show her around. Eventually we found her friends. I tried to stick around but realized I was coming off as overly enthralled with Darby (and I was). So I mingled onward. Later in the evening, my ride, John, wanted to cut out. But I wanted to circle back to Darby. She agreed to give me a lift, and when we arrived at my place I invited her in with modest ulterior motives, but things went downhill rather quickly. For some inexplicable reason I read her my dating profile. Why? I dont know. To signal my availability? Or show her I could turn a phrase on paper? She practically beelined outta there. I followed her to her car and asked for her number. Not having paper she found her head shot and with a faulty pen gave me part of the numerals and the rest scratched into the semigloss. As she drove off, I figured Id seen the last of her. The next day I was looking for my billfold, in which I carried a small photo of my daughter, Abby-Rose. I turned the place upside down. Finally, I found the billfold but not my treasured pic. Then it hit me. Darby, the voice-over actress, the raven-haired beauty. I had shown her the picture in her car. I found her head shot and the phone number in partial ink / partial scratch. Holding it up to the light, I tried a few digits till I got it right and she finally answered. We made a plan to meet at a play that she was interested in, a commedia dellarte at the Mark Taper Forum called Changes of Heart. While negotiating this date, Darby made it clear that she was really only interested in being my friend, to which I replied that I was interested in more. The gauntlet thrown, we met outside the doors to the theater. As the performance about star-crossed lovers unfolded, Darbys vibe was intoxicating. I found myself wanting to put my arm around her, hold her hand. Anything. Id been smitten before, but this was different. I was literally squirming in my seat. I followed her back to her place, as she said her night driving wasnt her strength. She wouldnt let me in, but we talked at her door awhile. I asked if I could see her again. Considering me with her lovely green eyes, she smiled and said, Well, I like to go to the beach on Sundays. She leaned in and gave me the smallest, sweetest kiss (eyes closed) that knocked me on my behind. On the bluffs of Point Dume in Malibu, after an epic day on the sand and surf, I produced a nice bottle of red and some cheese and crackers, while Darby told me the qualities of a man that she would likely marry. Thats me! I replied to every one. We married on Valentines Day in 1997, the ceremony done at Phils swanky house. People say our son, Sky, is a perfect combination of us. Darby told me later that when I spoke of my love of my folks, grandparents and daughter that she knew the promise of the play we had just seen was fulfilled. Changes of Heart, indeed. The author lives in Eagle Rock and works in set decoration for HBOs Silicon Valley and the channels upcoming new comedy, Room 104. L.A Affairs chronicles love in and around Los Angeles. If you have comments, or a true story to tell, email us at LAAffairs@latimes.com. MORE L.A. LOVE STORIES I got caught on AshleyMadison.com 8 lessons I learned about being single in L.A. I finally asked her: Are we dating, or just hanging out? home@latimes.com Insisting he would love to get along with Russia, President Trump strongly defended his attempts to seek warmer ties with Moscow on Thursday even as three top advisors raised major caution flags about cooperating with President Vladimir Putins autocratic government and military. Questions about his administrations controversial outreach to Russia dominated a sometimes-raucous White House press conference, and Trump denied that he had any investments, debts or even contacts there, saying at one point, Ive done nothing for Russia. I have nothing to do with Russia, he said. I have no deals there. I have no anything. Advertisement But he was less definitive when repeatedly pressed to say whether members of his campaign team or other associates had been in contact with Russian intelligence officials during last years presidential race, an issue now under FBI investigation. Nobody that I know of, the president said. He called questions about the issue a ruse and fake news. After mixed signals from the White House, Trump confirmed that he had asked National Security Advisor Michael Flynn to resign this week after it became clear the retired Army general had lied about his phone calls to Russias ambassador. He didnt tell the vice president of the United States the facts. And then he didnt remember. And that just wasnt acceptable to me, he said. He also blamed what he called fake news for perhaps ruining chances to improve relations by reducing his negotiating room. I think Putin probably assumes he cant make a deal with me anymore, he said. Trumps comments are unlikely to dispel the storm of criticism on Capitol Hill and bipartisan calls for congressional investigations into whether Trump knew about Flynns calls, or if anyone else was improperly communicating with Russian authorities. Several top advisors offered less enthusiastic praise for Russia in a flurry of high-level diplomatic and military meetings overseas that showcased the conflicting messages emerging from the new administration. Speaking to reporters at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Secretary of Defense James Mattis appeared to push back against Trumps calls to join forces with Moscow in the war against Islamic State, saying Russia needs to prove itself first before the Pentagon would collaborate with Russian forces. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson separately held his first meeting with Russias foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, at a G-20 forum in Bonn. Tillerson said he urged Moscow to withdraw its troops from Ukraine, noting that the two countries dont always see eye to eye. Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, sat down with his Russian counterpart in Baku, Azerbaijan, the first such meeting since Russia seized Crimea and began backing an armed insurgency against the U.S.-backed government in Ukraine in 2014. Concerns about Trumps strategy on Russia, especially since the FBI and CIA concluded that Russian intelligence services interfered in the U.S. presidential campaign in an effort to help Trump win, have overshadowed much of the administration agenda. Trump has fed those concerns because he has consistently praised Putin, and has continued to challenge or disregard U.S. intelligence and military assessments on the Kremlins role in the U.S. election, Syria, Ukraine and elsewhere. Last week, Trump cast doubt on whether Moscow is backing armed separatists in eastern Ukraine who have escalated their attacks in recent weeks. He thus appeared to side with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has long denied involvement in the conflict. Although most U.S. officials do not doubt Russia has provided arms and fighters to the insurgents, Trump said he was not concerned by the renewed fighting, adding, we dont really know exactly what that is. Dunfords discussion with Gen. Valeriy Gerasimov, Russias top officer, was thus notable. Pentagon leaders have not met with their Russian counterparts since the Obama administration imposed sanctions on Russia in 2014. Since then, Russia sent its military to help Syrian President Bashar Assads forces regain the upper hand in the countrys bitter civil war. But U.S. officials say Russian backed-forces repeatedly attacked schools, hospitals and other civilian sites, and have not targeted Islamic State positions. Dunford, who rose through the ranks during the Cold War, is known to have deep-seated concerns about broad U.S. collaboration with Russias military. But the Pentagon is also worried about the increasingly crowded skies in northwest Syria, where U.S. and Russian aircraft have had several close calls on their bombing runs. He and Gerasimov discussed improving military-to-military communications to avoid an air accident, according to a statement by Dunfords office. Whether they will signal the start of a thaw with Russia, or simply tweak the tightly constrained communications, remains to be seen. In recent weeks the U.S. military has alerted Russian commanders to U.S. airstrikes on the besieged town of Al Bab to avoid hitting Russian ground forces working with Syrian troops. But communication is limited to an insecure phone line and a commercial Google email account, U.S. officials said, between a Russian-speaking U.S. Air Force colonel in Qatar and a Russian officer. The Pentagon is considering elevating the dialogue to formalized conversations at the three-star general officer level. Putin, in a televised address Thursday to the Federal Security Service intelligence agency, said it was mutually beneficial to restore communications between the two nations. Its in everyones interest to resume dialogue between the intelligence agencies of the United States and other members of NATO, Putin said. Its absolutely clear that in the area of counter-terrorism all relevant governments and international groups should work together. Speaking in Brussels, Mattis said that wasnt possible given Russias military incursion in Ukraine and its humanitarian violations in Syria. They have to live by international law just like we expect all mature nations to do, Mattis said. We will engage politically. Were not in a position to engage on a military level. For now, the military is wary of Russias increasingly aggressive actions, including an incident last week when a Russian warplane buzzed a U.S. Navy destroyer in the Black Sea and the sighting of a Russian spy ship about 30 miles off Virginia. U.S. officials also say Russia violated a 1987 treaty by deploying an intermediate-range missile, which was considered highly destabilizing during the Cold War because of its ability to strike with no early warning. The Russians deny the allegation. For his part, Tillerson described his meeting with the Russian foreign minister as productive. The United States will consider working with Russia when we can find areas of practical cooperation that will benefit the American people, he said. Where we do not see eye to eye, the United States will stand up for the interests and values of America and her allies. In contrast to Tillerson, Lavrov took a question from a reporter, who asked if he was concerned about turmoil in Washington, which stems in part from CIA and FBI warnings that Russian intelligence services sought to help swing the election to Trump. You should know we do not interfere in the domestic matters of other countries, Lavrov said, with no visible hint of irony. william.hennigan@latimes.com Twitter: @wjhenn ALSO: Climate change is real: Just ask the Pentagon Overweight, tattooed, stoned? The Pentagon may still want you Captured battlefield cellphones, computers are helping the U.S. target and kill Islamic States leaders The frantic effort over the last few days to lower water levels at Oroville Dam after the structures two spillways became damaged is part of a larger drama playing out as California rapidly shifts from extreme drought to intense deluges. Large swaths of the region are on track to experience their wettest winter on record, with many areas having already surpassed their average precipitation for an entire year. And all that water is putting new strains on the network of dams, rivers, levees and other waterways that are essential to preventing massive flooding during wet years like this one. Advertisement The biggest danger zone lies in the Central Valley at the base of the Sierra Nevada, whose tall peaks can wring the skies of huge amounts of rain and snow. The area is essentially one giant floodplain that would be easily transformed into an inland sea without man-made flood control. At 400 miles long and 40 miles wide, it has only a tiny bottleneck from which to drain a one-mile opening at the Carquinez Strait at San Pablo Bay before water heads into the San Francisco Bay. LIVE UPDATES: Oroville reservoir level continues to drop amid new rain storms Heres a look at how the Lake Oroville emergency happened. Live updates >> You got this big bathtub water doesnt flow out of it very quickly, said Jeffrey Mount, senior fellow at the Public Policy Institute of California and former director of the UC Davis Center for Watershed Sciences. As the site of the nations tallest dam and the main storage for the State Water Project that sends water to the Southland, Lake Oroville has commanded national attention as the crippled spillways forced the evacuations of more than 100,000 downstream. But smaller water systems are also under intense pressure. Sixteen reservoirs, ranging from small to the biggest in the state, were above 90% full as of Wednesday morning. Among them is the Don Pedro Reservoir, the sixth-largest in California and located near Yosemite National Park. As of Wednesday afternoon, it stood at an elevation of 827.4 feet, just shy of its 830-foot capacity, the Turlock Irrigation District said in a statement. The district continued to make releases to the Tuolumne River, which flows through Stanislaus County and into urban centers such as Modesto. Forecasters predict about 4.7 inches of precipitation could fall in the watershed over the next six days. Although the irrigation district said it does not anticipate an overflow, it advised residents of Stanislaus and Merced counties to register for emergency notifications. In the Sacramento Valley, Shasta Dam, the spigot for Californias largest water storage lake, and Keswick Dam both released large volumes of water for multiple days into the Sacramento River. George Skelton: Dam officials shouldve listened to those warnings about Oroville. Now were stuck paying the price The National Weather Services California Nevada River Forecast Center warns that the San Joaquin River at Vernalis in San Joaquin County will surge into the danger stage this weekend, the first time this winter that the center has made such a warning. That could put the town of Lathrop, south of Stockton, at risk. Earlier this week, evacuation orders were issued for Tyler Island, a small farming tract in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, after a compromised levee posed a risk of flooding. To water experts, its a pattern that plays out in years of heavy rains. Lakes pushed to capacity have placed tremendous strain on levees, some of which were built long ago and were weakly constructed. Perceived as fail-safes, experts say levees were meant to reduce the frequency of floods, not stop them altogether. Theyre really the No. 1 defense against floods, and theyre not very good at it, Mount said. Levees are kind of unreliable partners in flood management. Hoping to avoid the situation faced by Lake Oroville, officials are planning large releases of water from reservoirs. But that could further strain the hundreds of miles of levees that line the Central Valleys vast river networks, built to protect homes, businesses and farms from floods. The series of storms that slammed the area in December 1996 and lasted for a week caused numerous levees to collapse. Widespread flooding that inundated 300 square miles led to extensive damage and evacuations of 120,000 people, as well as nine deaths. While the states reservoirs are built to release water slowly, officials are forced to quicken the pace of releases when they are at capacity. Water from brimming reservoirs is guided into nearby rivers. If those rivers are full, water can seep over and under levees, or through hidden cracks, leading to erosion. More expected storms this season and a massive snowpack likely to run off into the summer has officials grappling with their options. After several years of drought, now weve got too much all at once, said Jeremy Hill, a civil engineer who is part of the Department of Water Resources flood operations team. Hill said the threat of floods would be a lasting concern until the end of spring. Levees were not designed to be stressed for extended periods of time and they require constant supervision, said Joseph Countryman, a member of the Central Valley Flood Protection Board and former head of reservoir operations for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for Northern California, Nevada, Utah and Colorado. Even without major rainstorms, the magnitude of the volume of water flowing through the system will still create tremendous seepage in the levees, potentially weakening them. And significant flows are to be expected through June, he said. The longer the water is on levees, the more potential they have to become saturated and develop problems they have never before exhibited, he said. State water officials said despite the record rainfall, they remain confident the flood control systems will hold up. Theres a lot of water moving around and everythings full and everybodys going to have plenty of water, said Bill Croyle, the acting director of the Department of Water Resources who was at incident command headquarters for the Oroville Dam. I dont think its testing the system. Even as rain began to fall Wednesday, Croyle said the storms forecast over the next few days will not be enough to test the integrity of the Oroville Dam or its two damaged spillways. He said the public wont see a blip in the reservoir levels, now dropping about 8 inches an hour. Officials at the dam said their biggest worry wasnt the weather but the damage done to the dams already compromised main spillway during days of sustained pounding from heavy releases of water. When the emergency spillway began to fail Sunday, officials sent massive amounts of water down the main spillway despite the damage in a desperate effort to reduce the water level in the reservoir. Its holding up really well, Croyle said of the main spillway. But he added continued mass water releases could be causing hidden damage to the rocky subsurface adjacent to the concrete chute. St. John reported from Oroville, Lin from San Francisco, and Knoll and Stevens from Los Angeles. Times staff writers Veronica Rocha and Joseph Serna contributed to this report. ron.lin@latimes.com paige.stjohn@latimes.com matt.stevens@latimes.com corina.knoll@latimes.com ALSO These graphics explain what is happening at the Oroville Dam Oroville reservoir level continues to drop amid new rain storms Dam officials shouldve listened to those warnings about Oroville. Now were stuck paying the price President Trump told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday that he is willing to abandon the long-standing search for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, signaling a major shift in U.S. policy in the Middle East. The two-state solution has been the goal of U.S. efforts to achieve peace in the region for decades, and Trumps willingness to consider a new policy pleased Israels right wing, which strongly supports a single state encompassing disputed Palestinian lands, and sparked widespread criticism among diplomats. Trump also appeared to catch Netanyahu off-guard when he criticized the Israeli governments recent sharp expansion of housing settlements in the occupied West Bank, land claimed by the Palestinians. Advertisement Appearing at a joint news conference before a White House summit, Trump turned to Netanyahu, who stood at the next podium, and said, Id like to see you hold back on settlements for a little bit. Netanyahu looked surprised and countered that settlements could be discussed as part of a final peace deal, but added they were not the core of the conflict. After years of chilly relations between Netanyahu and President Obama like a bad marriage, their meetings often featured awkward body language and bitter sniping the Israeli leader and Trump were all broad smiles, warm handshakes and gushing praise at their first get-together since the presidential election. That may have been the point for a month-old presidency that appears in chaos, and for Netanyahu, who is battling allegations of corruption back home and needs to show Israelis he is back in good graces at the highest reaches in Washington. For both sides, the primary objective of this meeting is to change the political theater of the relationship, said Michele Flournoy, a Defense official in the Clinton and Obama administrations. To change the vibe, the feeling, the perception [to show] that ...you know, its all kumbaya. Indeed, Trump and Netanyahu appeared in sync on most issues, especially on the elusive search for a long-term Mideast peace deal through a two-state solution. For years, U.S. and Israeli leaders, as well as most of the international community, have advocated the vision of two nations, one Israeli and one Palestinian, living side by side, as the key to peace. A day after an anonymous White House official told reporters that Trump was no longer committed to that approach, the president made it official. Trump said he wanted to forge a really great peace deal and would support whatever solution that Israelis and Palestinians wanted. Im looking at two-state and one-state, and I like the one both parties like, Trump said. I can live with either one. Netanyahu, who has formally supported the two-state solution in the past, dodged the question. Israels far right increasingly has pushed the idea of a single Israeli state of both Arabs and Jews, and control of the disputed West Bank, Golan Heights and other areas captured by Israel during the 1967 war. Palestinians see much of that land as theirs, and insist on a separate sovereign state. Other critics, including former Secretary of State John F. Kerry, note that Palestinians would soon outnumber Jews in a single-state scenario. They could use the ballot box to take control unless Israel abandons its democracy and restricts their rights the way South Africa once barred blacks from voting under apartheid. During the campaign, Trump indicated he would be in lockstep with Netanyahu on Israeli policies, and rarely even mentioned the Palestinians. But since his inauguration, the new president has moderated some of his positions. Trump was asked Wednesday, for example, about his campaign pledge to relocate the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a move considered provocative because both Israel and the Palestinians claim Jerusalem as their capital. Trump said he would love to see that and was thinking about it very carefully, but would not commit to a move date. Jordans King Abdullah II recently warned the White House that moving the embassy would spark widespread unrest that could threaten his government, a major U.S. ally in the region. As expected, Netanyahu and Trump were highly critical of the landmark arms-control deal, negotiated by six world powers including the U.S. and Iran in 2015, which eased sanctions against Tehran in exchange for Iran destroying or freezing its nuclear development programs. Trump vowed to do more to prevent Iran from ever developing -- I mean ever -- a nuclear weapon. But he did not repeat his campaign promise to rip up the deal. Netanyahu strongly defended Trump when asked about the xenophobic and anti-Semitic sentiments unleashed by some of Trumps supporters during the presidential race last year. There is no greater friend of Israel, Netanyahu said of Trump, then singled out the presidents son-in-law, Jared Kushner, as a lifelong, family friend. Kushner, a 36-year-old observant Jew with no formal diplomatic experience, has been tapped by Trump to lead U.S. negotiations with Israel and the Palestinians. His chances for success are difficult to gauge. Kushner certainly has the presidents ear and will be able to project authority in any talks. But Palestinians will be suspicious of his ties to Netanyahu, and as a newcomer, he may struggle with the endless complexities of the enduring conflict. But Trump and Netanyahu said several Arab countries now see Iran and radical Islam as their primary enemies, not Israel. They said Saudi Arabia and other Arab states could be recruited to help negotiate a peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians. Previous administrations have tried enlisting Arab states to craft a diplomatic solution, an approach known as outside-in, without evident success. It stands in contrast to the inside-out strategy, which argued that resolving the conflict directly through the two-state solution would lead to peace in the broader Middle East. Getting Arab states to agree to cooperate would be difficult without offering concessions to the Palestinians and without recognizing the two-state solution, diplomats said. It will be hard to tap dance there for long, Daniel Shapiro, a former U.S. ambassador to Israel, said on Twitter. Palestinians and Arabs cant live with [a] walk back from the two-state solution, he added. Outside-in approach has no chance on this basis. Another former U.S. ambassador to Israel, Daniel Kurtzer, was also critical of Trumps policy shift. If they think theres a solution other than the two-state outcome, then they have not done their homework, he told CNN. In Israel, right-wing members of Netanyahus government celebrated Trumps distancing himself from a two-state policy. A new era. After 24 years, the Palestinian flag was lowered today from the staff and replaced by an Israeli flag, tweeted Education Minister Naftali Bennett, the head of the pro-settlement Jewish Home party and a rival to Netanyahu. The positions expressed by the president are evidence that the two state solution is not the only solution to reach peace, and that the moment has arrived to change the equation and exert pressure on the Palestinian side, Israeli Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan agreed on Twitter. The Palestinian leadership reacted cautiously, with one official, Mustafa Barghouti of the Palestine Liberation Organization, saying Trumps policy shift seemed a work in progress. Netanyahus visit comes at a delicate time for him back home, where he faces multiple investigations for alleged corruption, weakening his political position. He has denied the allegations. He also faces heavy right-wing pressure to impose tougher anti-Palestinian measures, including annexation of large swaths of the West Bank, essentially wresting it from Palestinian control. Special correspondent Joshua Mitnick in Tel Aviv contributed to this report. tracy.wilkinson@latimes.com For more on international affairs, follow @TracyKWilkinson on Twitter ALSO Andy Puzder, Trumps pick for Labor secretary, drops out Trump is showing a reluctance to take responsibility for White House chaos What you need to know about the firing of Michael Flynn and why it matters for Trump UPDATES: 5:10 p.m.: This report has been revised for additional details and for clarity. This report was originally posted at 4:20 p.m. USC names retired aerospace executive Wanda Austin as acting president, announces Nikias departure By Harriet Ryan USC appointed a retired aerospace executive as interim president and laid out a detailed plan for selecting a permanent leader Tuesday, ending speculation about whether outgoing President C.L. Max Nikias might remain in the post. Nikias, embattled over his administrations handling of a campus gynecologist accused of sexually abusing patients, relinquished his duties after a meeting of USCs board. The trustees tapped one of their own, Wanda Austin, an alumna and former president of the Aerospace Corp., to temporarily run the university. The trustees also approved the formation of a search committee and the hiring of firm Isaacson, Miller to coordinate the selection of a successor. A second search company, Heidrick & Struggles, will also advise trustees. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Ex-student sues elite Brentwood School after teacher is charged with sexually abusing him By Richard Winton A former student sued the elite Brentwood School on Monday in the wake of a female teacher being charged with repeatedly having sex with the minor, alleging that other faculty members encouraged the unlawful behavior and failed to report it to authorities. The lawsuit accuses the private school, whose students include the children of many of Hollywoods elite and L.A.s powerful, of acting negligently and allowing Aimee Palmitessa to abuse and batter the teenager sexually. The suit alleges that the student was abused in summer 2017 after one of the schools counselors offered words of encouragement to the then-17-year-old, identified in the suit as only John Doe, to engage in an illegal relationship with the teacher. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Civil jury vindicates fired Montebello school executives in whistleblower case By Howard Blume The Montebello school district is in dire straits at risk of insolvency and under apparent criminal investigation. An outside audit in July found some teachers earning more than $200,000 a year, as well as improper raises, excess paid vacation time and inappropriate overtime, sick leave and car allowances. Fixing the district and pinpointing blame could take time. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print L.A. schools fall short on safety measures, new report warns By Howard Blume After the mass shooting at Floridas Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in February, Los Angeles school officials reassured parents that much had been done to keep local schools safe. California had tougher gun laws, after all, and the school district paid close attention to students mental health. But a new report issued Monday by a panel convened to take a close look offers some cause for concern, flagging inconsistent campus safety measures, thinly spread mental health staff and inadequate coordination between the school district and other public agencies. With the stakes this high, we must strive to do better, said L.A. City Atty. Mike Feuer, who assembled the panel. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement L.A. school district says more are graduating, but rate may not show it By Howard Blume The L.A. Unified School District has hopes of continuing its winning streak this year with another record graduation rate, but the official numbers may not show it. A senior district administrator warned the board Tuesday that graduation rates were likely to decline 2% to 3% across the state, even though L.A. Unified is likely doing better than ever in producing graduates, he said. The issue is that the state will now count high school students who transfer to adult school as dropouts, said Oscar Lafarga, who heads the districts office of data and accountability. Previously, schools treated these students as though they had simply enrolled in another high school, he said. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Betsy DeVos to California: Not so fast on that federal education plan By Joy Resmovits In April, Californias top education officials breathed a sigh of relief. After months of debate and back-and-forth with Betsy DeVos staff, they had finalized a plan to satisfy a major education law that aims to make sure all students get a decent education. The state focused on aligning its plan to fulfill the requirements of the federal Every Student Succeeds Act with Californias Local Control Funding Formula, which gives extra money to districts to help students who come from low-income families, are in the foster system or are English learners. But this week, DeVos team said not so fast. Jason Botel, the U.S. Department of Educations principal deputy assistant secretary, sent California education officials a letter asking for more information in such areas as measuring student progress, graduation rates and English learners. In an unsigned statement, the California Department of Education declared itself surprised and disappointed because officials thought after a meeting with federal officials in Washington that they were on the right track to get approval. Now the Every Student Succeeds Act plan will be up for discussion once again at the July meeting of the State Board of Education. The U.S. Department of Education has already approved most state plans. Every Student Succeeds is the Obama administrations 2015 replacement for the No Child Left Behind Act. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print L.A. school board sets a new goal: prepare every grad to be eligible to apply for Cal State or UC By Sonali Kohli Last month, Los Angeles school board president proposed a spate of highly ambitious mandates aimed at ensuring that every district graduate be eligible to apply to one of the states public four-year universities by 2023. By the time the L.A. Unified school board unanimously approved the resolution Tuesday, the original language had been watered down. The goal is no longer that in five years 100% of students meet the long list of benchmarks, which include not just college eligibility for graduates but first-grade reading proficiency and English fluency by sixth grade for all students who enter the district in kindergarten or first grade speaking another language. The original college-readiness goal, for example, called for 100% of all high school students to be eligible to apply to one of the states four-year universities. Now the goal seems to offer more wiggle room: Prepare all high school graduates to be eligible to apply to a California four-year university. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement We have been hurt. More women say they were mistreated by USC gynecologist By Richard Winton USC student Anika Narayanan says she vividly recalls her first appointment with Dr. George Tyndall at the campus health center, alleging that he made several explicit comments during an examination she felt was inappropriate and invasive. When she came back for a second visit in 2016 after a nonconsensual sexual encounter, he allegedly chastised her, she said in a civil lawsuit and at a press conference Tuesday. He asked me if I had forgotten to use a condom again, said Narayanan, 21. At one point, she said, Tyndall asked if I did a lot of doggy style, she said. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print L.A. Unified gives inspector general brief contract extension By Howard Blume The Los Angeles school board on Tuesday extended the contract of Ken Bramlett, its inspector general, by three months, though his job is far from secure and questions remain about the future direction of his watchdog office. Board members also unanimously promoted Vivian Ekchian, who had been the runner-up for the superintendents job, to deputy superintendent the districts No. 2 position. Both moves had elements of peacemaking between different factions on the board. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print USCs handling of complaints about campus gynecologist is being investigated by federal government By Harriet Ryan The U.S. Department of Education announced Monday that it has launched an investigation into how the University of Southern California handled misconduct complaints against a campus gynecologist, the latest fallout in a scandal that has prompted the resignation of USCs president, two law enforcement investigations and dozens of lawsuits. In revealing the inquiry by the departments Office of Civil Rights, officials rebuked USC for what they alleged was improper withholding of information about Dr. George Tyndall during a previous federal investigation. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, who has been criticized for taking a less vigorous approach to examining sexual misconduct than predecessors, called for a systemic examination of USC and urged administrators to fully cooperate. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Judge to sentence woman and her boyfriend for the murder of an 8-year-old that led to L.A. child welfare reforms By Marisa Gerber A woman and her boyfriend are expected to be sentenced Thursday for the torture and murder of an 8-year-old boy whose killing in 2013 provoked public outrage, prompted sweeping reform of Los Angeles Countys child welfare system, and led to unprecedented criminal charges against social workers who handled the childs case. Pearl Sinthia Fernandez, 34, faces life in prison without the possibility of parole for her role in the death of her son, Gabriel. A jury decided last year that her boyfriend, Isauro Aguirre, 37, should be executed. When paramedics arrived at the boys Palmdale home in May 2013, Gabriel had slipped out of consciousness. He had a fractured skull, broken ribs, burned skin, missing teeth and BB pellets embedded in his groin. A paramedic would later testify that every inch of the boys small body had been abused. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print L.A. Unifieds spending out of step with similar school systems, task force says By Howard Blume The Los Angeles school district is out of step with similar school systems, spending more on teachers pay and health benefits and less on activities that could enhance student learning, according to a new report by an outside task force. The L.A. Unified School District Advisory Task Force did not make specific recommendations, but instead posed a series of questions it said the district needs to answer to make sure its funding is aimed at providing a full opportunity for all students to succeed. What were trying to say is: Lets put the data on the table. Lets look at the truth. Lets be transparent and here are the numbers, said task force member Renata Simril. This is not to say that we should cut teachers salaries. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Top USC medical school official feared dean was doing drugs and alerted administration, he testifies By Paul Pringle A former vice dean of USCs Keck School of Medicine testified Tuesday that he feared the schools then-dean, Dr. Carmen A. Puliafito, could be doing drugs and expressed concerns about his general well-being to the universitys No. 2 administrator before Puliafito abruptly left his job in 2016. Dr. Henri Fords testimony at a hearing of the state Medical Board marks the first suggestion that any USC administrator had suspicions about Puliafitos possible drug use before he stepped down. A Times investigation in 2017 found Puliafito led a secret second life of using illegal drugs with a circle of young criminals and addicts. Puliafito testified about his behavior at the hearing Tuesday, saying he took drugs with one young woman on a weekly basis. Ford said that he decided to alert USC Provost Michael Quick after receiving reports in early 2016 that Puliafito was partying in hotels with people of questionable reputation, and that he came to worry about his mental stability. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Why L.A. Unified may face financial crisis even with a giant surplus this year By Jessica Calefati With more than half a billion dollars socked away for next school year, the Los Angeles Unified School District hardly seems just two years from financial ruin. Its a scenario that is especially tough to swallow if youre a low-wage worker seeking a raise or a teacher who wants smaller classes. But budget documents show that todays $548-million surplus cannot be sustained and that even basic services face steep, seemingly unavoidable cuts because of massive problems barreling the districts way. Theres a disconnect between the rosy short-term picture and what we know is coming, said board member Kelly Gonez. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print We have failed: Top USC officials try to reassure students amid gynecologist scandal By Joy Resmovits Top administrators at USC are reaching out to students in the wake of misconduct allegations against the universitys longtime gynecologist, acknowledging failings and vowing reforms as they try to address growing outrage over the revelations. Several USC deans have sent out messages trying to reassure students and faculty that the university is committed to changing. We have failed, wrote Jack H. Knott, dean of USCs Sol Price School of Public Policy, in a May 24 letter. What happened is antithetical to everything we know is right. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Rick Caruso is named chair of USCs trustees, vows swift investigation of gynecologist scandal By Thomas Curwen The University of Southern Californias board of trustees has elected mall magnate Rick Caruso to be the new chair of the board, giving fresh leadership as the university navigates a widening scandal involving a longtime campus gynecologist. The move marks the latest effort by USC to address the case, which has sparked a criminal investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department and dozens of civil lawsuits. More than 400 people have contacted a hotline that the university established for patients to make reports about their experience with Dr. George Tyndall. In his first act as chairman, Caruso announced that the white-shoe L.A. law firm OMelveny & Myers would conduct a thorough and independent investigation into the gynecologists conduct and reporting failures at the clinic. He set an ambitious timeline for the review, pledging it would conclude before students return for the fall semester. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print UC Berkeley students persistence helps win more liberal rules for in-state tuition By Teresa Watanabe Ifechukwu Okeke thought shed be a shoo-in for in-state tuition when she was admitted to UC Berkeley for fall 2016. She had moved to the United States from Nigeria in 2012 to go to Chaffey College in Rancho Cucamonga. By the time she got her acceptance to transfer to UC to study molecular and cell biology, she had lived in California four years. She had a California drivers license, bank account and rental records as proof. UC Berkeley, however, ruled she was a nonresident which meant she would have to pay nearly $27,000 more. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement State medical board calls former County-USC doctor a sexual predator, suspends his license By Matt Hamilton A UCLA cardiologist has been temporarily stripped of his medical license after state regulators described him as a sexual predator who assaulted three female colleagues when he was working and training at L.A. County-USC Medical Center. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Global California 2030 aims to get more students learning more languages By Joy Resmovits Tom Torlakson (Andrew Seng / Associated Press) Outgoing state Supt. of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson on Wednesday announced a new statewide effort to encourage students to learn more languages. Called Global California 2030, its goal is to help more students become fluent in multiple tongues. Torlakson said that by 2030, he wants half of the states 6.2 million K-12 students to participate in classes or programs that lead to proficiency in two or more languages. By 2040, he wants three out of four students to be proficient enough to earn the State Seal of Biliteracy. Torlakson announced the initiative at Cahuenga Elementary School, which offers a dual-language immersion program in English and Korean. Californias public school students speak more than 60 languages at home, and 40% come to school with knowledge of a language other than English. Torlakson called his plan a call to action that invites parents, legislators, educators and community members to pool resources to expand language offerings in schools and get more bilingual teachers trained. He said the state already is working with Mexico and Spain to expand a teacher-exchange program. Fluency, the plan argues, can help students succeed economically and language acquisition can help their overall critical thinking. The initiative builds on Proposition 58, a ballot initiative passed in 2016 that undid an earlier requirement that English learners be taught in English-immersion classes unless their parents signed waivers. Torlakson recently visited Mexico and met with that countrys education secretary. They later signed a pact to increase collaboration, particularly in language education. This [Global California 2030] is great follow-through on Toms part and very important, Patricia Gandara, a UCLA education professor who hosted the Mexico meeting, said in an email. It hands over a plan to move forward in an area in which California has a unique advantage, but must seize the opportunity. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Jury convicts man of murder in 2015 slaying of UCLA student found inside her burning apartment By Marisa Gerber A jury on Tuesday convicted a man in the 2015 slaying of a UCLA student found dead inside her burning apartment a gruesome stabbing case that led to a fierce rebuke of the police response amid concerns that the killing could have been prevented. The panel deliberated for about six hours before finding Alberto Medina, 24, guilty of murder, arson, burglary and animal cruelty. On Sept. 21, 2015, firefighters found the charred body of Andrea DelVesco inside her apartment after responding to the complex a block from campus. The 21-year-old student an Austin, Texas, native known to her sorority sisters as a fearless giver who befriended others with ease was stabbed at least 19 times, authorities said. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print LAPD begins sweeping criminal probe of former USC gynecologist while urging patients to come forward By Adam Elmahrek The Los Angeles Police Department said Tuesday it is investigating 52 complaints of misconduct filed by former patients of USCs longtime campus gynecologist as detectives launch a sweeping criminal probe into the scandal that has rocked the university. LAPD detectives also made an appeal for other patients who feel mistreated to come forward, noting that thousands of students were examined by Dr. George Tyndall during his nearly 30-year career at USC. More than 410 people have contacted a university hotline about the physician since The Times revealed the allegations this month. Tyndalls behavior and practices appear to go beyond the norms of the medical profession and gynecological examinations, said Asst. Chief Beatrice Girmala. We sincerely realize that victims may have difficulty recounting such details to investigators. We are empathetic and ready to listen. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print At L.A.'s only school for the deaf, parents want leaders who speak the same language By Anna M. Phillips Ever since her son was 6 months old, Juliet Hidalgo has been bringing him to the Marlton School, a low-slung building in Baldwin Hills that for generations has been a second home for deaf and hard-of-hearing students in Los Angeles. Marlton staff taught Hidalgos brother and sister, both of whom are deaf. The school was where her deaf son learned to make the signs for milk and food. Hidalgo had planned to enroll her daughter, taking advantage of a popular program that allows hearing children to learn American Sign Language alongside their deaf siblings. But after more than a decade of involvement, she and other family members are considering withdrawing their children. They are not alone. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Fueled by unlimited donations, independent groups play their biggest role yet in a California primary for governor By Ryan Menezes An unprecedented amount of money from wealthy donors, unions and corporations is flowing into the California governors race, giving independent groups unrestricted by contribution limits a greater say in picking the states chief executive than ever before. The groups have already spent more than $26 million through Thursday, the most ever spent by noncandidate committees in a gubernatorial primary, according to a Times analysis of campaign finance reports. California elections have always been expensive, and the future is even more expensive, said Jack Pitney, a political science professor at Claremont McKenna College and a former state Republican leader. The stakes are very real. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 2 hurt in Indiana middle school shooting; suspect in custody, authorities say By Associated Press Authorities say two victims in a shooting at a suburban Indianapolis school are being taken to a hospital and the lone suspect is in custody. Bryant Orem, a spokesman for the Hamilton County Sheriffs Office, said in a news release that the victims in Friday mornings attack at Noblesville West Middle School are being taken to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis and their families have been notified. He says no other information is available about the victims. Orem said the suspect is believed to have acted alone and was taken into custody. No additional information about the suspect was made public. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print For new L.A. schools chief Austin Beutner, some key unions are giving no honeymoon period By Howard Blume In the less than two weeks since Austin Beutner took charge of Los Angeles schools, unions representing teachers and administrators have staged a job action and a protest. Theyve made it clear that they will not give the new superintendent the traditional honeymoon period, and they are bashing him for his wealth and lack of experience running either a school or a school district. Beutner is a billionaire investment banker with zero qualifications, local teachers union President Alex Caputo-Pearl told members in a phone alert urging them to participate in a Thursday afternoon rally in Grand Park. The board is saying that billionaires who made their money blowing institutions up and making money off it know best not the education professionals who have dedicated our careers to working with students. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Pressure grows on Board of Trustees amid USC gynecologist scandal By Paul Pringle USCs large and powerful Board of Trustees is coming under growing pressure to provide a stronger hand as the university faces a crisis over misconduct allegations against the campus longtime gynecologist that has prompted calls for President C.L. Max Nikias to step down. Allegations that Dr. George Tyndall mistreated students during his nearly 30 years at USC have roiled the campus, with about 300 people coming forward to make reports to the university and the Los Angeles Police Department launching a criminal investigation. USC is already beginning to face what is expected to be costly litigation by women who say they were victimized by the physician. So far, the trustees to whom Nikias reports have expressed sympathy for the women who have come forward and launched an independent investigation while also publicly backing the president. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print UC regents approve leaner budget for Janet Napolitano By Teresa Watanabe University of California regents on Thursday unanimously approved a leaner, more transparent budget for President Janet Napolitano, moving to address political criticism over the systems central office operations. The $876.4-million budget for 2018-19 reflects spending cuts of 2%, including reductions in staffing, travel and such systemwide programs as public service law fellowships, carbon neutrality and food security. Napolitano shifted $30 million to campuses for housing needs and $10 million to UC Riverside to support its five-year-old medical school. She also permanently redirected $8.5 million annually to help enroll more California students, as required by the state. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print USCs Academic Senate calls on university president to resign after a series of scandals By Matt Hamilton The body that represents USCs faculty called on President C.L. Max Nikias to resign Wednesday in the wake of relevations that the universitys longtime gynecologist faced years of accusations of misconduct by students and colleagues at the campus health clinic. The Academic Senate took the vote late Wednesday afternoon after a fiery town hall meeting attended by more than 100 faculty members, many of whom voiced outrage over Nikias and the Board of Trustees leadership. The vote came a day after the trustees executive committee stood firmly behind Nikias, saying it has full confidence in his leadership, ethics and values. At the town hall meeting, Senate President Paul Rosenbloom said he did not think Nikias or Provost Michael Quick committed wrongdoing but that the university president deserved criticism for a lack of transparency. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Californias public universities on the way to getting a big longed-for boost in funding By Teresa Watanabe The University of California and California State University systems are poised to get major funding boosts that will help them enroll thousands of additional state students and eliminate the need for tuition increases in the coming school year. A key Assembly budget panel on Wednesday approved $117.5 million in new funds for the UC. A Senate panel approved a similar sum last week. The same committees recently approved even more funding for the Cal State system. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement UC regents to scrutinize Janet Napolitanos office budget in a step toward stronger oversight By Teresa Watanabe University of California regents this week plan to scrutinize the budget of President Janet Napolitano, whose office came under political fire last year for questionable spending and murky accounting. Regents will vote on the proposed $876.4-million budget for 2018-19 during their two-day meeting, which starts Wednesday, at UC San Francisco. They also will discuss state funding, financial aid, online education and transfer student policies. Board Chairman George Kieffer said regents are stepping up to exert stronger oversight of the presidents office after a blistering state audit last year found financial problems including an unreported $175 million budget reserve. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print State legislative panels approve major funding boost for Cal State By Teresa Watanabe After months of intensive lobbying, Cal State University has convinced two key legislative panels to approve funding to enroll nearly 11,000 more students, hire more faculty and expand housing aid to those without shelter this fall. An Assembly budget panel on Tuesday approved $215.7 million more for Cal State, adding to Gov. Jerry Browns proposed $92.1 million general fund increase. A Senate budget panel approved a similar increase last week. The extra funding which went beyond Cal States own request to the Legislature of $171 million is still subject to final budget negotiations with Brown. But the actions by the Senate and Assembly panels amount to a demand from Democrats that the governor hike higher education spending. Cal State University is the workhorse undergraduate university serving hundreds of thousands of Californians, said Assemblyman Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento), who heads the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance. We need more graduates for the California workforce and higher education is the ticket to the middle class. Cal State Chancellor Timothy P. White hailed the actions, but said it was too soon to celebrate. The CSU has a singular focus on helping students earn high-quality degrees sooner, and the entire university community has rallied to reinforce that message to our states lawmakers, he said in a statement. The actions taken thus far by the Assembly and Senate are promising and show that our message is being received, but there is still work to be done. Funding for the University of California was not taken up Tuesday as originally scheduled. McCarty would not comment on sticking points but said he was confident that a resolution would be reached this week. Were looking to provide resources above whats in the governors budget, but negotiations are ongoing, he said in an interview. State per-student funding is not what it once was, leaving both Cal State and the UC in a tough financial squeeze. Both systems raised tuition last year after a six-year freeze on higher costs. For this year, Cal State had asked for funding to enroll an additional 3,621 students, but both the Senate and Assembly panels approved three times that amount. Cal State, the largest public university system in the nation, turned away 32,000 eligible students last year because its campuses werent able to accommodate them. The panels asked that at least $50 million of the extra funding be used to hire more tenure-track faculty to help boost graduation rates. The Assembly panel also approved one-time funding of $5 million to ease hunger on campuses and $14 million for rapid rehousing pilot projects at three campuses, offering needy students rental support and short-term case management. Other items approved include $5 million to support the CSU Long Beach Shark Labs research on sharks and beach safety and $2 million for equal employment opportunity practices. This post has been updated to include comments from Assemblyman Kevin McCarty and Cal State Chancellor Timothy P. White. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Faculty members call for USC president to step down: He has lost the moral authority to lead By Matt Hamilton Two hundred USC professors on Tuesday demanded the resignation of university President C. L. Max Nikias, saying he had lost the moral authority to lead in the wake of revelations that a campus gynecologist was kept on staff for decades despite repeated complaints of misconduct. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Gun battle, negotiations lasted 15 minutes before Texas school shooter was apprehended, sheriff says By Molly Hennessy-Fiske Minutes after a school shooter opened fire in an art class last week, killing 10 people and wounding 13, including a local police officer, fellow officers returned fire in a protracted gun battle before isolating the suspect, the local sheriff said Monday. Galveston County Sheriff Henry Trochesset praised first responders as well as Santa Fe Police Officer John Barnes, who was working as a resource officer at the school the day of the shooting. Their actions, he said, prevented the attack from spreading to other classrooms and potentially claiming additional victims. As officials continue to probe last Fridays shooting at Santa Fe High School, students are worried about returning to the scene of the attack when classes resume next week. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 6 women sue USC, alleging they were victimized by campus gynecologist By Richard Winton Six women filed civil lawsuits Monday alleging that a longtime gynecologist at the University of Southern California sexually victimized them under the pretext of medical care and that USC failed to address complaints from clinic staff about the doctors behavior. One woman alleged Dr. George Tyndall forced his entire ungloved hand into her vagina during an appointment in 2003 while making vulgar remarks about her genitalia, according to one of the lawsuits. Another woman alleged that Tyndall groped her breasts in a 2008 visit and that later he falsely told her she likely had AIDS. A third woman accused the doctor of grazing his ungloved fingers over her nude body and leering at her during a purported skin exam, the lawsuit states. The wave of litigation comes as USC continues to grapple with the scandal, which legal experts said could prove costly to the university as scores of former patients come forward about their experiences with the gynecologist. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Fatalities reported in Texas high school shooting; suspect arrested, officials say By Associated Press Houston-area media citing unnamed law enforcement officials are reporting that there are fatalities following a shooting at a local high school Friday morning. Television station KHOU and the Houston Chronicle are citing unnamed federal, county and police officials following the shooting at Santa Fe High School, which went on lockdown around 8 a.m. The Associated Press has not been able to confirm the reports. The school district has confirmed an unspecified number of injuries but said it wouldnt immediately release further details. Assistant Principal Cris Richardson said a suspect has been arrested and secured. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print This student followed the new L.A. schools chief on his first-day tour Melissa Barales-Lopez, a senior at Garfield High School followed Supt. Austin Beutner on his first day on the job, as he toured a variety of programs around the Los Angeles Unified School District. Heres what she took from the experience. LAUSD students and staff alike are looking for a personal champion, someone who will address and improve the difficulties afflicting their education. What LAUSD students need is someone whos willing to listen and learn, someone who can understand the current issues affecting their schools and act to efficiently amend them, someone who can unlock the full potential of LAUSD students and enable them to reach their goals. During the entirety of his first day, superintendent Austin Beutner did indeed demonstrate a willingness to learn. Posing questions to teachers and students, Beutner engaged with the student communities he encountered to gain a better comprehension of the minutiae and nuances that distinguish each school inside an overwhelmingly large district. From inquiries about Grand View Boulevard Elementary Schools dual language program to questions regarding the services of LAUSDs after-school program, Beyond the Bell, Beutner revealed he has a lot to learn about the system. But, Beutner also showcased a willingness to tackle challenges head-on on his first day. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print USC let a gynecologist continue treating students despite years of misconduct allegations By Matt Hamilton For nearly 30 years, the University of Southern Californias student health clinic had one full-time gynecologist: Dr. George Tyndall. Tall and garrulous with distinctive jet black hair, he treated tens of thousands of female students, many of them teenagers seeing a gynecologist for the first time. Few who lay down on Tyndalls exam table at the Engemann Student Health Center knew that he had been accused repeatedly of misconduct toward young patients. The complaints began in the 1990s, when co-workers alleged he was improperly photographing students genitals. In the years that followed, patients and nursing staff accused him again and again of creepy behavior, including touching women inappropriately during pelvic exams and making sexually suggestive remarks about their bodies. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Cal State trustees to discuss Browns latest budget proposal, which they say still falls $171 million short By Joy Resmovits Just how much money does California State University need to serve its students? In recent years, this question has been front and center for the nations largest public university system. Cal States leaders say that to keep their campuses quality from slipping, they need much more money than the state is giving them. This year, theyre also at odds with Gov. Jerry Brown on the question of whether any extra money should come in one-time bursts or be ongoing. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print On his first day as L.A. schools chief, Beutner plans a day of visits across the district By Howard Blume L.A. Unifieds new superintendent, Austin Beutner, will kick off his first day of work on Tuesday with a choreographed tour of the nations second-largest school district, from the San Fernando Valley to Carson. His day is scheduled to begin at 5:15 a.m. at a school bus depot and end more than 12 hours later at a parent meeting at Garfield High School. Along the way, Beutner is expected to be joined by school district administrators, L.A. Unified board members and the vice president of the union that represents school bus drivers. Though he will be covering a lot of ground, Beutners tour has him skipping Tuesdays school board meeting, when board members are expected to discuss labor negotiations in closed session. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Cal State trustees to discuss Browns latest budget proposal, which they say still falls $171 million short By Joy Resmovits Just how much money does California State University need to serve its students? In recent years, this question has been front and center for the nations largest public university system. Cal States leaders say that to keep their campuses quality from slipping, they need much more money than the state is giving them. This year, theyre also at odds with Gov. Jerry Brown on the question of whether any extra money should come in one-time bursts or be ongoing. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Why a handful of rich charter school supporters are spending millions to elect Antonio Villaraigosa as governor By Ryan Menezes California voters have seen a barrage of sunny television ads in recent weeks touting former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosas record on finances, crime and education, aired by Families & Teachers for Antonio Villaraigosa for Governor 2018. But the group is, in fact, largely funded by a handful of wealthy charter-school supporters. Together they have spent more than $13 million in less than a month to boost Villaraigosas chances in the June 5 primary at a time when his fundraising and poll numbers are lagging. Reed Hastings, the founder of Netflix, jump-started the group with a $7-million check, by far the largest donation to support any candidate in the election. Their efforts are part of a broader proxy war among Democrats between teachers unions longtime stalwarts of the party and those who argue that the groups have failed low-income and minority schoolchildren. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Talking schools with L.A. Unifieds new superintendent By Anna M. Phillips Austin Beutner, who officially starts Tuesday as the new superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, is taking on a famously difficult job at a particularly difficult time. The school board is divided and did not back him unanimously. The nations second-largest school district has deep-seated problems, including declining enrollment, lagging academic achievement and rising pension and healthcare costs that eat away at its budget. The 58-year-old former investment banker and former L.A. Times publisher has years of experience in the financial world but none as an educator. Earlier this week, he sat down with the Times education team to discuss the challenges facing the district, which has about 60,000 employees and 500,000 students in traditional public schools. He did not talk about his plans saying repeatedly, stay tuned but he spoke in broad terms about his mindset in approaching the tough decisions ahead. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Suspect detained, authorities search campus after reports of armed man at Palmdale high school By James Queally One person has been detained after a report of an armed man at a Palmdale high school sparked a massive law enforcement response Friday morning. The suspect was spotted at 7:05 a.m. on the campus of Highland High School in Palmdale, according to Sheriffs Department spokeswoman Nicole Nishida. The person was detained in a nearby parking lot, according to Nishida, who did not know whether that person was an adult or juvenile. Deputies at the scene are clearing the school methodically, and students will be transported home via school buses once the campus is deemed safe, Nishida said. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement The education of Bertha Perez: How a UC Merced custodians disenchantment led to a political awakening By Robin Abcarian Its the third day of a three-day strike, and UC Merced custodian Bertha Perez is taking a break from a picket line at the universitys unremarkable entrance, an intersection with stop lights. Photos from other UC campuses this week have shown big crowds of striking service workers members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees marching and chanting pro-labor slogans as they try to force the University of California back to the negotiating table. But here, at UC Merced, whose handful of big buildings rise from a flat expanse of farmland, the picket line is tiny, maybe two dozen workers and a few students. Its not a big-city-style show of force. Then again, a union sympathizer is banging relentlessly on a snare drum, so its noisier than youd expect. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Ref Rodriguez resigns from teacher credentialing commission By Howard Blume Ref Rodriguez appears during a court appearance. (Al Seib/Los Angeles Times) Los Angeles school board member Ref Rodriguez has resigned from the states Commission on Teacher Credentialing, which oversees the integrity and quality of Californias teachers. Rodriguez faces felony and misdemeanor charges for political money laundering. Separately, his former employer, a charter school organization, has accused him of improperly authorizing checks to a nonprofit under his control. Rodriguez has denied wrongdoing. Rodriguezs resignation from the state body was effective May 4, days after he cast a crucial vote as part of a narrow majority that voted to authorize contract negotiations with Austin Beutner to become superintendent of the L.A. Unified School District. Beutners first official day on the job is Tuesday. Rodriguez remains in his $125,000-a-year position on the Los Angeles Board of Education. The mission of the state body is to ensure integrity, relevance, and high quality in the preparation, certification, and discipline of Californias teachers. Critics had questioned Rodriguezs continued service on the commission, given that teachers can be suspended from work if they face criminal charges. They also can lose their jobs for lapses in personal behavior, such as excessive drinking, with the potential to affect their performance. Police in Pasadena arrested Rodriguez on a Friday afternoon in March for public drunkenness. He was not charged in the incident and has apologized. The state commission reviews teacher discipline cases and can take action to remove a teachers credential to work in a California classroom. The commission has 15 members. Rodriguezs departure was disclosed in a one-sentence announcement on the agencys website. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print School board members request for restraining order against blogger is rejected By Priscella Vega An Orange County Superior Court judge on Wednesday denied a school board members petition for a permanent restraining order against a Huntington Beach blogger. Attorney Jeffrey W. Shields filed the petition on behalf of Ocean View School District trustee Gina Clayton-Tarvin, 46, who alleged in court documents that Charles Keeler Johnson, 56, has threatened her on social media and at school board meetings, causing her to fear for my own safety and for that of my immediate family members. Johnson, who goes by Chuck and publishes HBSledgehammer.com, said the trustee tried to stifle his freedom of speech. He also contended that Clayton-Tarvin took his blog posts and Facebook comments too seriously and out of context, saying anyone who is afraid of metaphors has serious issues. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Deal with workers averts one-day strike that could have shut down L.A. schools By Howard Blume Los Angeles school district and union officials announced a contract agreement Tuesday night that averted a one-day strike planned for next week. The pact, which runs through June 2020, removes one labor problem from the desk of incoming Supt. Austin Beutner whose first day on the job would have coincided with the strike. Plenty of other challenges remain. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print UC labor strike expands with show of support from more unions By Teresa Watanabe Fong Chuu is a registered nurse who has assisted with countless liver transplants, kidney surgeries and gastric bypasses during 34 years at UCLA. Working with her are scrub technicians who sterilize equipment, hand medical instruments to the surgeon and dress patient wounds. They are a team, Chuu says, which is why she walked off her job Tuesday in support of those technicians and other members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299. The 25,000 member AFSCME local, the University of Californias largest employee union, launched a three-day strike Monday. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print We are humans too: Voices of UCLAs striking custodians, hospital aides and imaging technicians By Joy Resmovits Demonstrators parade in front of Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) This week, thousands of UC employees are staging a three-day strike for better pay and working conditions. On Monday, more than 20,000 custodians, cooks, lab technicians, nurse aides and other members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299 walked off their jobs. By Tuesday, two more unions joined in sympathy strikes. The union and UC reached a bargaining impasse last year. The university has said it wont meet the workers demands. The strikers said they wanted better pay, more equity in the allocation of work, stable healthcare premiums and an end to the universitys use of contract workers. These are their stories. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Massive UC workers strike disrupts dining, classes and medical services By Joy Resmovits A massive labor strike across the University of California on Monday forced medical centers to reschedule more than 12,000 surgeries, cancer treatments and appointments, and campuses to cancel some classes and limit dining services. More than 20,000 members of UCs largest employee union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299, walked off their jobs on the first day of a three-day strike. They include custodians, gardeners, cooks, truck drivers, lab technicians and nurse aides. Two altercations involving protesters and people driving near the rallies were reported at UCLA and UC Santa Cruz. At UCLA, police took a man into custody Monday after he drove his vehicle into a crowd, hitting three staff members. They were treated for minor injuries at the scene and released, said Lt. Kevin Kilgore of the UCLA Police Department. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Sen. Kamala Harris to skip UC Berkeley commencement in support of striking workers By Teresa Watanabe California Sen. Kamala Harris has canceled plans to deliver UC Berkeleys commencement address this weekend in support of UC workers who are on strike over wages and health benefits. Due to the ongoing labor dispute, Sen. Harris regretfully cannot attend and speak at this years commencement ceremony at UC Berkeley, said a statement from Harris office issued Monday. She wishes the graduates and their families a joyous commencement weekend and success for the future. They are bright young leaders and our country is counting on them. UCs largest employee union, the 25,000-member American Federation of County, State and Municipal Employees Local 3299, launched a three-day strike Monday and had earlier called for a speakers boycott. The union and university reached a bargaining impasse last year and subsequent mediation efforts have failed to produce an agreement. The union is asking for a multiyear contract with a 6% annual pay increase while the university is offering 3% annual increases over four years. UC Berkeley Chancellor Carol Christ will deliver the keynote address instead, the university announced. About 5,800 students are expected to participate in the ceremony Saturday. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement School mural depicting Trumps bloody, severed head sparks controversy By Gary Warth A Chula Vista school mural that depicts the bloody, severed head of President Trump on a spear sparked a controversy that prompted officials to cover it and issue a response distancing themselves from the work. The statement also said the artist will alter the painting. We understand that there was a mural painted at the event this past weekend that does not align with our schools philosophy of non-violence, read the statement from MAAC Community Charter School director Tommy Ramirez. We have been in communication with the artist who has agreed to modify the artwork to better align with the schools philosophy. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print New blackface incident at Cal Poly prompts calls for state investigation By Kim Christensen Cal Poly San Luis Obispo officials have asked the state attorney generals office to investigate after a new photo of a white student in blackface surfaced on a fraternity groups private Snapchat. I am outraged, Cal Poly President Jeffrey D. Armstrong said in a video address Friday to the campus. These vile and absolutely unacceptable acts cannot continue. We must not allow these acts to define us as an institution. Armstrong said the latest photo was intended to imitate an incident last month in which a white member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity was photographed at a party wearing blackface. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print More than 50,000 UC workers set to strike this week but campuses will remain open By Teresa Watanabe More than 50,000 workers across the University of California are set to strike this week, causing potential disruptions to surgery schedules, food preparation and campus maintenance. The systems 10 campuses and five medical centers are to remain open, with classes scheduled as planned. UCs largest employee union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299, plans to begin a three-day strike Monday involving 25,000 workers, including custodians, gardeners, cooks, truck drivers, lab technicians and nurse aides. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement New L.A. schools chief Beutner pledges to listen, learn and take action By Howard Blume New Los Angeles schools Supt. Austin Beutner proved Wednesday that hes a quick learner even without an education background. Like countless public officials before him, he appeared at an important event his first speech and news conference with a photogenic background of students. His message that he would put those students first seemed heartfelt if hardly original. Nor was it a huge surprise that he pledged to push cooperatively but unflinchingly to improve the districts academic performance and stabilize its finances. As an introduction, Beutner, a former investment banker who made a fortune on Wall Street, offered little flash, but that was partly the point. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print In a school lockdown, one student takes stock of the stressful scene At the beginning of lunch one day late last month, Duarte High School, Northview Middle School, and California School of the Arts-San Gabriel Valley were advised by the Los Angeles Sheriffs Department to go into lockdown mode due to police activity in the immediate area. Phalaen Chang, a junior at the California School of the Arts, wrote a series of notes on her iPhone while she sat in a room with her classmates. By the time the lockdown ended an hour later, she wrote, she knew which of her friends would hold open the door for others, be the ones calming others down, be the ones barricading the doors. She knew that all of them have the potential to be such strong people. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Tale as old as time: L.A. Unified superintendent pick follows a historical pattern of outside-the-box choices By Joy Resmovits L.A. Unified has long gone back and forth between picking insiders and outsiders to run the nations second largest school district. The choice of Austin Beutner, announced Tuesday, places the district squarely back in the outsider camp months after a consummate insider, Supt. Michelle King, announced that she had cancer and would not return to the job. Check out this timeline of former L.A. superintendents to see how the school board members have changed their minds, sometimes favoring leaders who come from the world of education and sometimes executives from elsewhere, recruited to shock the system into change. At one point, the district hired someone from the military retired Navy Vice Adm. David L. Brewer III, who served as superintendent from 2006-2008. In hiring Brewer, board members had opted for a non-educator largely because they sought a fresh thinker, unwedded to the bureaucracy, unafraid to make bold, even unorthodox moves, reads a 2008 Times story. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Austin Beutner named superintendent of Los Angeles schools By Howard Blume Austin Beutner, a philanthropist and former investment banker, on Tuesday was named superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, the nations second-largest school system. His selection was the biggest move yet by a Los Angeles school board majority elected with major support from charter school advocates. The decision came after lengthy public testimony, most of it in support of the other remaining finalist, interim Supt. Vivian Ekchian, who is well known within the school system. Beutner, 58, has no background leading a school or school district. Less than 2 years ago, a school board with a very different balance of power named Michelle King, a former teacher who rose through the district throughout her career, to L.A. Unifieds top job. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Hearing delay gives both sides more time in Ref Rodriguezs potential trial By Howard Blume Ref Rodriguez and his attorneys will have more time to prepare their defense against charges of political money laundering, a judge ruled Monday. The preliminary hearing in the case had been scheduled to begin May 9, but that date will now be pushed back to July 23 per the ruling from L.A. Superior Court Judge Deborah S. Brazil. Rodriguez, 46, faces three felony charges of conspiracy, perjury and procuring and offering a false or forged instrument, as well as 25 misdemeanor counts related to the alleged campaign money laundering. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement L.A. school board poised to name Beutner as superintendent By Howard Blume The Los Angeles Board of Education is poised to select philanthropist and former investment banker Austin Beutner to be the next superintendent of the nations second-largest school system. Barring a last-minute development, the only mystery is whether Beutner emerges with four or five votes from the boards seven members. Terms of his contract already have been under discussion, according to sources close to the process who requested anonymity because they are not authorized to speak. The selection of Beutner, 58, who has no experience managing a school or a school district, would be a signal that the board majority that took control nearly a year ago wants to rely on business management skills instead of insider educational expertise. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Teacher walkouts in Arizona and Colorado continue national debate on money for schools By Michael Livingston Following the lead of teachers who walked off the job in other states in recent weeks, thousands of teachers and their supporters took to the streets in Arizona and Colorado for the second day in a row to demand better pay and more funding for education. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Three decades before the #MeToo movement, UC San Diego led the way against sexual assault By Teresa Watanabe When Nancy Wahlig first started her fight against sexual assault, one company was marketing a capsule for women to stash in their bras and then smash to release a vile odor. Because of the very nature of society, the only person who can prevent rape is the woman herself, read a 1981 advertisement for the Repulse rape deterrent. Ideas about how to prevent sexual violence have come a long way since then, and Wahlig has helped lead that evolution on college campuses. In 1988, she started UC San Diegos Sexual Assault Resource Center (SARC), the first stand-alone program at the University of California. Today, she remains the systems most senior specialist. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Andres Alonso withdraws from consideration for L.A. schools job By Howard Blume Andres Alonso, believed to be one of three remaining finalists to lead the Los Angeles school system, has withdrawn from consideration. The remaining known candidates in the confidential search are former investment banker Austin Beutner and interim Supt. Vivian Ekchian. Alonso, 60, announced his decision on Twitter on Thursday night, saying he had notified the L.A. Unified School District on Monday. The exit of Alonso, the former Baltimore schools chief, seems to solidify the front-runner status of Beutner, who also was a former L.A. Times publisher and a Los Angeles deputy mayor. He held each of those positions for about a year. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Heres why the apparent increase in autism spectrum disorders may be good for U.S. children By Karen Kaplan The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder among American children continues to rise, new government data suggest. And that may be a good thing. Among 11 sites across the U.S. where records of 8-year-olds are scrutinized in detail, 1 in 59 kids was deemed to have ASD in 2014. Thats up from 1 in 68 in 2012. Normally, health officials would prefer to see less of a disease, not more of it. But in this case, the higher number is probably a sign that more children of color who are on the autism spectrum are being recognized as such and getting services to help them, according to a report published Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print UC shelves tuition increase for now, in hopes of getting more state funding By Teresa Watanabe University of California regents will not vote on a tuition increase next month, shelving the plan for now in hopes that state lawmakers will come through with more funding. Raising tuition is always a last resort and one we take very seriously, UC President Janet Napolitano said Thursday in a statement. We will continue to advocate with our students who are doing a tremendous job of educating legislators about the necessity of adequately funding the university to ensure UC remains a world-class institution and engine of economic growth for our state. Last week, Cal State Chancellor Timothy P. White said the 23-campus system no longer would consider a plan to raise tuition for the 2018-19 academic year. But unlike Cal State, UC officials have not taken a tuition increase off the table entirely. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement A chemical spill, unchecked eyewash stations, poor training: Audit details Cal States lax lab safety By Joy Resmovits In May 2016, two bottles tumbled off a poorly supported shelf and broke, leading to a chemical spill in a Sacramento State University lab. The liquid got onto one students legs and soaked anothers feet. Five employees cleaned up the mess, even though no one knew for sure what it was and whether it was dangerous. They called fellow employee Kim Harrington, their union representative, to let her know what happened. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print After blackface incident, minority students at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo say they dont feel welcome By Hailey Branson-Potts Aaliyah Ramos was walking through the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo campus last year when a prospective student approached her. Ramos was the only black person, the young woman said, that she and her mother had seen that day. They asked about the quality of education and the diversity of the student body. Ramos, a mechanical engineering student, didnt want to sugarcoat the truth: Cal Poly long has been predominantly white. But she told the young woman who also was black that she didnt want to discourage her from applying, because that wouldnt help with diversity at a school where only 0.7% of students are African American the lowest percentage of any university in the California State system. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement El Camino Real Charter High School in Woodland Hills wins the 2018 U.S. Academic Decathlon By Carlos Lozano El Camino Real Charter High School in Woodland Hills has won the 2018 U.S. Academic Decathlon, officials said. The winner was announced early Saturday at a ceremony in Frisco, Texas. More than 600 students from the U.S., Canada, China and the United Kingdom gathered there over the last three days to compete in the 37th annual U.S. Academic Decathlon. Congratulations to El Camino Real Charter High School for another impressive victory, said Vivian Ekchian, interim superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District. Your academic stamina and competitive spirit to win is remarkable. The entire L.A. Unified family is so proud of you. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Anticipation mounts as L.A. school board meets over superintendent selection By Howard Blume The Los Angeles Board of Education is reconvening in closed session Friday at noon as anticipation mounts about the choice of the next leader of the nations second-largest school system. The presumed front-runner is former investment banker and philanthropist Austin Beutner, but interim Supt. Vivian Ekchian and former Baltimore Supt. Andres Alonso also are in the running. Most district insiders appear to be rooting for Ekchian, who has spent her entire career in education within the school system. After her 10 years as a teacher, her roles have included head of human resources, chief labor negotiator and regional administrator for campuses in the west San Fernando Valley. Shes managed the district since September, when then-Supt. Michelle King went on medical leave and chose Ekchian to fill in for her. King, who is battling cancer, never returned and announced her retirement in January. Numerous influential civic leaders have urged and pressured the board to select Beutner. Also lending their weight have been advocates for charter schools, which are independently operated, growing in number and competing for students with district-operated campuses. Four of the seven board members enough to control the outcome were elected with major financial support from charter supporters. Beutner has two ongoing connections with the L.A. Unified School District. The first is his leadership of an outside task force that is making recommendations on how to improve the school system. The second is his charity, Vision to Learn, which supplies glasses to low-income students. The charity and the school system are in a dispute at the moment over who is responsible for delays in providing services to students as part of a $6 million contract, half of which is paid for by L.A. Unified. Unlike Ekchian and Buetner, Alonso, who currently teaches at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, has no deep-seated local constituency, but the prospect of his selection has generated some excitement. While in Baltimore, Alonso was recognized for pushing for progress at low-performing schools, and for being willing to take strong action. While in Baltimore, he also weathered a test-score cheating scandal and occasionally rocky relations with the teachers union. But by the time he resigned, after six years, he and union leaders seemed to be working together without rancor. Leaders of some community groups have split from the pro-Beutner camp. They worry that Beutners approach to confronting the districts financial problems could shut out their voices or involve severe economic cutbacks that would undermine programs that are helping students. Some prefer Ekchian; some Alonso. Theyve been reluctant to speak out publicly because theyll have to work with whoever is selected, but they have tried to get the ear of board members. On Friday morning, one leader of a community group decided to come out in favor of Alonso. L.A. Unified has the opportunity to bring in an instructional leader of color with a history of success, said Alberto Retana, president and chief executive of Community Coalition, which works on behalf of low-income students and families in South Los Angeles. If we have a shot at that, we should go for it because its in the best interests of our kids and of our community. Retana said his statement was not meant to criticize Beutner or Ekchian but to alert board members that there also is community support for Alonso. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Cal State leader shelves proposed tuition hike: Its the right thing to do, but its not without risk By Joy Resmovits Cal State, the nations largest public university system, will no longer consider a plan to raise tuition for the 2018-19 academic year, Chancellor Timothy P. White announced Friday. The decision is a bet that Sacramento will come through in the end. If Cal State loses that bet, it could mean cuts to campus programs. White said in an interview that Californias economy is strong enough that families should not be shouldering the burden of higher college costs. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print L.A. students to participate in national walkout activities on Friday By Joy Resmovits Students are taking to the streets again Friday to protest gun violence on the 19th anniversary of the Columbine school shooting. Starting at 10 a.m., students at many schools will spend 13 seconds honoring the 13 people 12 students and one teacher killed on that day in Littleton, Colo. After that, theyll participate in a host of different activities. Within L.A. Unified, one school is having an open-mic event for students to talk about school violence, and lawmakers are visiting campuses to hear students thoughts. According to a central hub for organizing the protests written by the students of Ridgefield High School in Connecticut the walkouts are intended to drive the political change necessary to curb school violence. The day is also a time for students to interact on an elevated platform they have never had before, the site states. It is a day of discourse and thoughtful sharing. Bringing together communities and students to get a national discussion rolling. Organizers have suggested using the event to convey the importance of curbing gun violence to legislators. They are encouraging students to push legislation that would ban assault weapons and tighten up rules around who can buy guns and how. Over 2,500 schools nationwide are expected to participate. In L.A., some students at campuses including Eagle Rock High School, the Ramon C. Cortines School of Visual and Performing Arts and Bravo Medical Magnet plan to walk out. Students from various schools expect to join area marches, including those in Santa Monica and Huntington Park. Other schools are hosting career days and voter registration drives. At 1 p.m., students plan to start a rally in front of L.A. Unified headquarters. For the record: An earlier version of this article stated that 12 teachers and one student were killed in the Columbine shooting. The opposite is true: twelve students and one teacher died. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Stabbing of popular student devastates South El Monte High School; teen friend suspected in slaying By Sonali Kohli When administrators at South El Monte High School called Jeremy Sanchezs parents to say he never showed up for class Wednesday, his father began to worry. It was unusual for the 17-year-old junior to miss school, so his father filed a missing persons report and assembled two of Jeremys close friends to look for the popular student-athlete. Their search took them to a scenic stretch of the San Gabriel River Trail, where one of the friends a 16-year-old boy made a tragic discovery. Among the bushes in the riverbed near Thienes Avenue and Parkway Drive was Jeremys body, punctured with stab wounds, according to Lt. John Corina of the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Racist fliers spark outrage at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo By Alene Tchekmedyian Soon after Neal MacDougall arrived on the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo campus Tuesday, the professor noticed university police standing outside a restroom near his office. A racial slur against African Americans had been scrawled in red marker on a stall wall. Later, he discovered a series of racist fliers pinned up next to his door. Someone had also slashed posters hed hung outside his office supporting students in the country illegally. The discovery was the latest controversy on the prestigious campus which the president said is less than 55% white that MacDougall said demonstrates a culture of racism at the university. Last week, photographs emerged of white fraternity members, including one in blackface, flashing gang signs. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement The superintendent waiting game, paying for L.A.'s College Promise, Princetons slave history: Whats new in education By Joy Resmovits Acting LAUSD superintendent Vivian Ekchian is a finalist for the permanent job. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) In and around Los Angeles: The L.A. Unified school board spent 10 hours interviewing and discussing candidates for superintendent. When they adjourned after 10 p.m., they said they would reconvene on Friday. Who is paying for Mayor Eric Garcettis much-touted College Promise, a program that promises two years of community college for LAUSD grads? In California: The Legislature is considering a proposal that would boost K-12 education funding for black students. When the cost of living is taken into account, California has the highest rate of child poverty. Nationwide: The families of two children killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School are suing Alex Jones and Infowars for saying the school massacre never occurred. Princeton will name two spaces an arch and a garden after slaves who lived or worked on the campus. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print L.A. school board meets privately with finalists and debates choice for school district leader By Howard Blume The Los Angeles Board of Education adjourned late Tuesday after spending more than 10 hours interviewing candidates and trying to reach a decision on who would be the next leader of the nations second-largest school system. When the meeting finally recessed at 10:11 p.m., a spokesman announced only that the school board would reconvene Friday at noon. Going into the days meetings, there were apparently four finalists, according to sources who could not be named because they were unauthorized to speak. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Two Sandy Hook families sue Alex Jones and Infowars for saying the school massacre never happened By David Altimari Families of two children killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School have filed lawsuits in Texas against controversial radio host Alex Jones for continually claiming the massacre never happened. Neil Heslin, the father of Jesse Lewis, and Leonard Pozner and Veronique De La Rosa, whose son Noah Pozner died in the massacre, filed separate lawsuits late Monday in Travis County, Texas. The lawsuits allege that Jones defamed the parents by constantly calling them crisis actors and insisting the shooting was a false flag operation; they also claim Jones accusations have led to death threats against the Sandy Hook families by Jones followers. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Beutner emerges as a top pick for L.A. schools superintendent amid last-minute jockeying By Howard Blume Austin Beutner has emerged as a leading contender to run the Los Angeles school district, with backers saying he is smart enough and tough enough to confront its financial and academic struggles. Though he does not have a background in education, the former investment banker has in the last year examined some of the districts intractable problems, serving as co-chair of an outside task force with the support of then-Supt. Michelle King. Sources inside and outside the school district said Beutner appears to have more support on the seven-member board than other finalists, and his name could come up for a vote as early as Tuesday. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Challenge at Chicago school construction site: Watch for 38,000 unmarked graves By Nereida Moreno A 15-year effort to build a school in Chicagos Dunning neighborhood is underway with an unusual complication: Construction workers are taking careful steps to avoid disturbing human remains that may lie beneath the soil. The $70-million school is to be built on the grounds of a former Cook County Poor House, where an estimated 38,000 people were buried in unmarked graves. Among the dead are residents who were too poor to afford funeral costs, unclaimed bodies and patients from the countys insane asylum. There can be and there have been bodies found all over the place, said Barry Fleig, a genealogist and cemetery researcher who began investigating the site in 1989. Its a spooky, scary place. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Oklahoma teacher walkout winds down despite lawmakers failure to meet demands By Washington Post Oklahomas largest teachers union has announced an end to a walkout that has drawn thousands of educators out of classrooms and to the state Capitol demanding greater investment in the states schools, which have endured the nations steepest funding cuts. The announcement Thursday from the Oklahoma Education Assn. does not necessarily end the protests at the Capitol, as teachers not affiliated with the union vowed to stay longer. Instead of a walkout, the union and school districts across the state have said they plan to send delegations of teachers to Oklahoma City to keep the pressure on lawmakers. Teachers and their supporters have also promised to push education issues to the forefront of November elections, when the state chooses a new governor. As school districts begin to reopen, the protests may lose steam. The Legislature is not in session Friday, and observers are waiting to see what happens Monday, when lawmakers return. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Most Californians are worried about school shooting threats and oppose arming teachers, survey finds By Joy Resmovits Hamilton High School student Aiyana Dabriel holds a sign during a March 14 walkout in support of the Parkland shooting victims. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) Most Californians are worried that a school shooting like the one that occurred in Parkland, Fla., in February could shed blood closer to home, a new survey found. Some 73% percent of adults and 82% of public school parents said they were very concerned or somewhat concerned about school shootings. The Public Policy Institute of California surveyed 1,704 adults in the state by phone just after the March for Our Lives protest against gun violence. Latino and black respondents were significantly more likely to be concerned about school violence than white or Asian respondents, the institute found. Two-thirds of adults and public school parents said they opposed letting more educators carry weapons in school. The response differed across party lines, with 86% of Democrats and 69% of independents voicing their opposition, while 60% percent of Republicans said they would support a measure to arm educators. The poll, which had a margin of error of 3.2% in either direction, also asked Californians about school funding, educational issues in the governors race and the impact of immigration enforcement on students. You can find the full results here. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Californias largest virtual charter school network agrees to contract with its teachers By Anna M. Phillips Nearly four years after teachers at Californias largest online charter school voted to unionize, they have reached a deal to increase pay and create job protections, according to a spokesman for the California Teachers Assn. The contract, which is still tentative and subject to ratification, is a victory for the teachers union. Although charter schools are publicly funded, most are privately managed and their employees arent protected by labor contracts. Under the terms of the contract the result of years of negotiation and legal wrangling approximately 500 teachers working for California Virtual Academies will no longer be at-will employees who can be dismissed for almost any reason. Their average salary will rise to just over $45,000, according to union estimates, a figure that remains far below the norm for traditional public school teachers. Still, it is an improvement over the previous average of $38,000. The accord also places a limit on the number of students each teacher is responsible for monitoring in online homeroom classes. Were very satisfied with the gains we made, said teacher Brianna Carroll, president of California Virtual Educators United. I think were going to see some extraordinary changes in our schools. According to Carroll, teachers at California Virtual Academies better known as CAVA had grown frustrated with the organizations foot-dragging and were making preparations to go on strike when CAVAs leadership agreed to the deal. CAVA and K12, the Virginia-based for-profit company linked to its schools, did not immediately respond to an email Tuesday asking for comment. The network currently operates nine virtual charter schools across California. In 2016, the charter network agreed to pay $8.5 million to settle claims of false advertising, misleading parents and inadequate instruction. The state attorney generals office had also accused K12 of controlling the charters for its own financial benefit. Neither CAVA nor K12 admitted to wrongdoing in the settlement. A year later, the state imposed a $2-million fine on CAVA after an audit found that it had misspent public funds. The network disputed the findings. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement School board approves a new formula for funding high-need schools By Sonali Kohli L.A. schools will soon get more money if they are located in neighborhoods with such problems as high levels of gun violence and asthma. The Los Angeles Unified school board voted unanimously Tuesday to adopt a new formula to determine how to dole out some funding to schools, based not only on the characteristics of the student populations but on the traumas that affect the communities around campuses. The new formula will be applied to $25 million in funding next fiscal year and about $263 million annually in future years a small part of the districts $7.5 billion annual budget. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Protesters demand Ref Rodriguez resignation outside school board meeting By Sonali Kohli Students, parents, teachers and UTLA marching outside the board meeting chanting "Ref resign" pic.twitter.com/W0LRWZSIXY Sonali Kohli (@Sonali_Kohli) April 10, 2018 A few dozen parents, students and teachers marched outside the Los Angeles Unified School Board meeting Tuesday, some calling for board member Ref Rodriguez to resign the week after news broke that he was taken into custody on suspicion of being drunk in public at a Pasadena bar and restaurant. Rodriguez was not cited or charged in that incident, but was held for more than five and a half hours before being released. The school board member faces felony and misdemeanor charges for political money laundering. He is accused of getting more than two dozen people people to donate to his campaign for his school board seat with the understanding that he would reimburse them. He stepped down from his post as school board president after he was charged last fall, but he did not give up his seat on the board. He has pleaded not guilty to three felony counts of conspiracy, perjury, and procuring and offering a false or forged instrument, as well as 25 misdemeanor counts related to the alleged campaign money laundering. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May. He cant give his full focus to our students, said Rebecca LaFond, a Highland Park parent whose three children marched with her as she chanted, Ref resign. One daughter marched in front of her, using a drum stick to hit the bottom of a gallon-size empty water jug. Our kids deserve someone who has the utmost ethical standards representing them, LaFond said. The protests continued into the board meeting, where some addressed Rodriguez directly, calling on him to step down during public comment portions of the meeting. Rodriguez, through his chief of staff, declined to comment. Some parents outside the board meeting did not know about the charges against Rodriguez but came out to protest the possibility of sharing their school campuses with charter schools. Protesters also oppose colocation not all of the parents are here to ask Ref Rodriguez to step down pic.twitter.com/1Co8zQ9zSi Sonali Kohli (@Sonali_Kohli) April 10, 2018 Cynthia Martinez said her son, who goes to Christopher Dena Elementary School in Boyle Heights, has been bullied in the past by students from a charter school sharing the campus. She said she didnt know who Rodriguez was. Some parents and teachers are worried about losing computer labs, robotics rooms and fitness centers if they are required to share their campus with charter schools, said Ilse Escobar, a parent community organizer for United Teachers Los Angeles. The issues of Rodriguez and colocation are related, Escobar said. Rodriguez is part of a majority on the school board elected with financial backing from charter school supporters, and many parents, she said, feel that the school board is compromised if he is a part of it. Staff reporter Howard Blume contributed to this post. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Delaine Eastin tries to gain momentum in the California governors race, one voter at a time By Seema Mehta Delaine Eastin was a sophomore in high school when a drama teacher urged her to try out for a part in The Man Who Came to Dinner. She hesitated until he told her: This is a metaphor for your whole life. If you never try out, you will never get the part. Eastin auditioned and won the role. Decades later, the advice sticks with the former state schools chief, this time in her unlikely run for governor. Despite calls for more women in leadership roles in state politics following sexual misconduct allegations in Sacramento, Eastin has been largely overlooked in the race, lagging far behind her Democratic rivals in fundraising and the polls. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Arizona high court rejects in-state tuition for DACA recipients By Associated Press Young immigrants granted deferred deportation status under a program started by President Obama are not eligible for lower in-state college tuition, the Arizona Supreme Court ruled Monday. The unanimous ruling will affect at least 2,000 students attending the states largest community college district and hundreds more at other colleges and the states three public universities. The Maricopa County Community Colleges District and state universities said they would begin raising tuition immediately for the coming school year. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print New York high school students injured when bus strikes overpass By Associated Press A charter bus carrying teenagers returning from a spring break trip Sunday night struck a bridge overpass on Long Island, seriously injuring six passengers and mangling the entire length of the top of the bus. The crash happened shortly after 9 p.m. Sunday on the Southern State Parkway in Lakeview, according to New York State Police. One of the six injured passengers had very serious injuries, said State Police Maj. David Candelaria. Thirty-seven other passengers suffered minor injuries. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Some good news for California in national student test scores By Joy Resmovits Every two years, the nations fourth- and eighth-graders are tested in math and reading and newly released results from last years tests give California at least a little reason to be pleased. The 2017 results out Monday night were mostly flat nationwide compared with 2015, though the average score in eighth-grade reading went up. But while that improvement largely came from the increased scores of the highest-performing students, California eighth-graders showed some reading progress from the lowest levels to the highest. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Under state control, Inglewood school districts financial picture worsened By Anna M. Phillips When Eugenio Villa agreed to return to the Inglewood schools for a second tour last summer, he knew the district remained one of Californias most troubled. Inglewood Unified had been nearly insolvent when it was taken over by the state Department of Education in 2012. Six years later, its enrollment was still declining. Its school buildings were tired some edging into decrepitude. Its test scores and graduation rates were still below the state average. And the public was out of patience. Still, Villa, who had signed back on as the districts chief business official, was shocked at what he found when he arrived in June 2017. Two years earlier, he had left the school system on what he thought was firm ground. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Charter school group drops two lawsuits against L.A. Unified By Howard Blume A charter schools advocacy group last week announced that it would end two long-running lawsuits in which it was seeking more classroom space and construction money from the Los Angeles school district. The decision, the California Charter Schools Assn. said, reflects better relations between charter schools and the L.A. Unified School District. But the move also suggests that the litigation, which already contributed to significant gains for area charters, was unlikely to produce much more. It takes time, money and effort to litigate, said Ricardo Soto, general counsel for the charter group. Maybe its better to see if we can find the time and opportunity for collaboration. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print L.A. school board member Ref Rodriguez is arrested on suspicion of public intoxication By Richard Winton Los Angeles school board member Ref Rodriguez was arrested recently on suspicion of being drunk in public at a Pasadena restaurant, the latest trouble for an elected official who faces political money-laundering charges. Pasadena police took Rodriguez into custody on March 16, according to city spokeswoman Lisa Derderian. Officers arrested Rodriguez at about 4:30 p.m. at the Yard House restaurant and bar at the Paseo Mall and held him in jail for more than five-and-a-half hours. Rodriguez was ultimately released without being cited or charged, Derderian told The Times. Other details about the arrest were not available, she said. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Kentucky teachers rally at Capitol over state budget By Associated Press Thousands of Kentucky teachers filled the streets near the state Capitol in Frankfort on a cold, overcast Monday to rally for education funding. Teachers and other school employees gathered outside the Kentucky Education Assn. a couple of blocks from the Capitol chanting, Stop the war on public education and holding or posting signs that say, Weve Had Enough. Were madder than hornets, and the hornets are swarming today, said Claudette Green, a retired teacher and principal. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy L Feb. 17, 2017, 3:04 p.m. During Oroville evacuations, authorities say these people tried to exploit the emergency Although Butte County sheriffs officials say there were no reports of looting during recent evacuations below Ororville Dam, there were a handful of burglaries and robberies that targeted fleeing residents, officials said. The incidents began Sunday night, hours after authorities ordered more than 100,000 people to flee to high ground, according to the Butte County Sheriffs Office. About 6:30 p.m., deputies said, Cody Bowles, 27, and Lucia Ripley, 31, carjacked the vehicle of an Oroville resident who was packing it to flee. The resident left the car running and was moving in and out of the house with items when the couple jumped into the vehicle, officials say. When the resident confronted the pair, they ran him over, seriously injuring him, officials say. Authorities are looking for the pair. About half an hour later, authorities said, Teran Washington 25, and a 16-year-old boy used a shotgun to blast through the front door of a local market and tried to ransack the business before they were confronted by neighbors. Though the two got away, deputies later searched their home and say they found the shotgun and arrested Washington and his young accomplice. The next morning, Michael Matlock, 31, was seen riding an ATV in Gridley and towing a gun safe, authorities say. Tailed by state Department of Water Resources employees who became suspicious, Matlock ran away when his vehicle got stuck on railroad tracks, investigators said. The ATV, the trailer and the gun safe had all been stolen, officials said. Matlock was identified as the ATV driver and arrested on suspicion of burglary, vehicle theft and looting during an emergency, officials said. Feb. 17, 2017, 1:51 p.m. 150,000 cubic yards of debris stand in the way of Oroville Dams hydroelectric plant restart Helicopters ferry sand and rocks from a staging area to the Oroville Dams emergency spillway repair project. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) Officials at Lake Oroville reduced the rate of water release once again Friday as workers continued make repairs to a damaged spillway and clear debris from a hydroelectric plant. State Department of Water Resources engineers will decrease the flow of water in the Oroville Dams main spillway from 80,000 cubic feet per second to 60,000 by Saturday morning, giving crews space to dredge debris from a pool at the bottom of the spillway, said DWR acting director Bill Croyle. Engineers had been pumping water out of the lake at 100,000 cfs for several days to make room for incoming storm runoff and to keep the lake from overflowing like it did over the weekend. That overflow badly eroded an emergency spillway and sent debris flowing into a pool at the bottom, forcing the closure of an underground hydroelectric plant. This reduction in flow will allow us to work on the debris pile in the spillway, Croyle told reporters at a news conference. He estimated that 150,000 cubic yards of sediment and debris were in the pool. The other focus by workers at the dam is the eroded emergency spillway, Croyle said. Rain began falling again in the area on Thursday and its not expected to stop until the middle of next week at the earliest. The heaviest showers are expected Monday and could drop up to 10 inches of rain onto the mountains and foothills that drain into the reservoir, the National Weather Service said. The storms arent likely to produce enough runoff to exceed the lakes capacity, Croyle said. Hundreds of thousands of tons of rocks and concrete slurry have been dropped into four fissures that threatened a retaining wall of the emergency spillway on Sunday. They were 50%, 75%, 90% and 100% full, respectively, Croyle said. Rain falling onto the slurry and a small stream that had formed on the hillside Friday did not worry DWR engineers, he said. Feb. 16, 2017, 8:51 a.m. OROVILLE New worry for Oroville Dam: a storm next week that could dump a lot of rain Its raining in the Oroville Dam area, though officials have said they are confident their efforts will prevent any problem. But now another storm is set to hit Monday. Heres a look at whats to come: ca_state2 95e1612 0.01 0.1 0.25 0.5 0.75 1 1.25 1.5 1.75 2 2.5 3 4 5 7 Legend Source:NOAA Projected at 2 a.m. Thursday 0.1 1 2 3 4 5 7+ @latimesgraphics Projected peak 11.3 inches Lake Oroville Sacramento 5-day forecast Cumulative inches of precipitation Feb. 17, 2017, 7:19 a.m. Reporting from Sacramento The crisis at the Oroville Dam could become a catalyst for change Reconstruction continued Wednesday in a race to shore up the emergency spillway, left, at the Oroville Dam. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) Jeffrey Mount, a leading expert on California water policy, remembers the last time a crisis at the Oroville Dam seemed likely to prompt reform. It was 1997 and the lake risked overflowing, while levees further downstream failed and several people died. If this doesnt galvanize action, I dont know what will, Mount said he thought at the time. But spring came, the waters receded and no changes came to pass. Now another threat looms in Oroville, where deteriorating spillways forced widespread evacuations, and more heavy rain is around the corner. State officials have remained focused on quick fixes at the dam needed to prevent catastrophic flooding, but some already are thinking about how the crisis could spur long-term shifts in policy. Its a conversation thats gaining momentum in think tanks and government offices from Sacramento to Washington, and it touches on climate change, infrastructure spending and statewide water policy. Wade Crowfoot, a former advisor to Gov. Jerry Brown who now leads the Water Foundation, a nonprofit research organization in Sacramento, compared the situation to the states years-long drought. This is a wake-up call, he said. The drought reminded us we need to use water more wisely. Oroville reminds us that we need to upgrade our infrastructure and our management to move water more wisely. Read more Feb. 16, 2017, 6:14 p.m. Flood warning for Oroville Dam lifted The National Weather Service has canceled the flash-flood warning issued Sunday, when officials worried the emergency spillway at Lake Oroville might collapse. Feb. 16, 2017, 1:35 p.m. As storm moves in, engineers reduce outflow from Lake Oroville to clean up debris Spillway repairs continue at Oroville Dam on Wednesday. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) Confident that a series of incoming storms wont overwhelm the Oroville reservoir a second time, state officials said Thursday that they would slow drainage of the lake so they can do work on an adjacent power plant. The reservoir exceeded its capacity over the weekend, which sent water overflowing into an unlined, emergency spillway. That overflow sent soil, rock and forest debris into the Feather River below. With the reservoirs water level down more than 30 feet since Sunday and getting lower, state Department of Water Resources acting director Bill Croyle said at a news conference Thursday that engineers will slow the flow down the Oroville Dams damaged main spillway from 100,000 cubic feet of water per second to 80,000 cfs over a period of several hours. The reduction will allow crews to move into the concrete channel to clear out trees, branches and other debris that has clogged the spillway and forced the downstream hydroelectric plant to go offline, Croyle said. There was no estimate on when the power plant would be back up and running, but it will probably not be before Monday, Croyle said. Meanwhile, the Herculean effort to reinforce the emergency spillway before more rain arrived used a caravan of helicopters and trucks to fill three deep fissures in the dirt hillside with rocks and cement. As of Thursday, repairs on one erosion site was completed, the second was 25% filled and the third was 69% filled, Croyle said. As long as the lake doesnt reach capacity the emergency spillway wont be used, Croyle said. The incoming storm system is weaker than the one that overwhelmed the lake last week after the dams main spillway eroded to the point of fracture, Croyle said. More than 100,000 residents south of the dam remain under an evacuation advisory and should be prepared to flee to higher ground should the dam overflow and the spillways collapse, authorities said. Feb. 16, 2017, 11:14 a.m. Storm headed to Oroville Dam area could bring 10 inches of rain, revised forecast warns Friends Johnny Eroh, from left, Cody Balmer, Kristien Bravo and Jerel Bruhn hang out by the swollen Feather River in Oroville. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) Spillway repairs at the troubled Oroville Dam will get their first major test this weekend after meteorologists revised their forecast and are now predicting a much wetter and warmer storm outlook for the region. Light to moderate rain began falling across Northern California early Thursday and will probably continue for several days, according to the National Weather Service. However, the situation will change substantially Sunday, when a larger storm arrives at Oroville and the Feather River basin. It looks like its going to be a pretty good rainmaker, said NWS meteorologist Mike Smith. Youre looking at 10 inches from Sunday night to Monday night. Read more Feb. 16, 2017, 10:40 a.m. Oroville Dam flooding risks keep schools closed McKenna Harvey, 9, left, Kylie Atteberry, 11, and Brooklyn Atteberry, 7, hold signs thanking workers for the repair efforts at the Oroville Dam. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Time) Several schools remain closed in communities affected by the Oroville Dam emergency. All school districts except for Chico and Paradise in Butte County will be closed through Friday. Wheatland High School, Yuba College and the Marysville Joint and Wheatland Elementary school districts in Yuba County also will be closed. We believe this gives our families and staff sufficient time to make longer-term plans, said Supt. Craig M. Guensler of the Wheatland Elementary School District. Most school districts in Butte County will resume classes Tuesday. Monday is a holiday. Guensler said the district could reassess school closures next week. The safety of our staff and students is our largest priority, and we will continue to make sure we keep our schools safe, he said. Feb. 16, 2017, 6:17 a.m. Oroville reservoir level continues to drop amid new rain storms In the hours since a series of storms in Northern California began dropping rain on the damaged Oroville reservoir, data shows that state water officials continue to drain the lake faster than the storms are filling it. Less than a tenth of an inch of rain has fallen in Oroville since the first of the storms arrived early Thursday, the National Weather Service reported. The area and surrounding foothills are expected to receive several inches of rain through the weekend. But that shouldnt be enough to fill Lake Oroville back up to capacity, when the lake reaches 900 feet, the Department of Water Resources said. The lake is draining water at 100,000 cubic feet per second, enough to drop the lake a foot every three hours. Meanwhile, runoff from the current and previous storms is sending water into the lake at only a fraction of that pace. The lake has dropped more than 30 feet since it overflowed during the weekend and damaged an emergency spillway that had never been used. If it drops another 30 feet by Sunday, officials hope, the reservoir should have enough space to catch water from rain and melting snow without overflowing the rest of the year. Feb. 15, 2017, 8:31 p.m. OROVILLE No looting but some burglaries during Oroville evacuation, sheriff says Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea repeated his insistence Wednesday that there had been no looting while Oroville was under mandatory evacuation orders, but he conceded that the town had seen burglaries. Certainly weve had burglaries, he said, adding that there are burglaries every day. Honea drew a firm distinction between the two forms of theft. Looting, he said, is a massive and organized stealing of everything within a structure, and is very rare. Honea urged residents returning to the area to be prepared to leave again if necessary. This is an ongoing situation. He said the state has agreed to post National Guard units in the region, part of what he called staging of resources should another emergency arise. Feb. 15, 2017, 3:49 p.m. Community puts on Valentines Day wedding for couple evacuated in Oroville emergency Leotta Litke and Henry Rueda had planned a romantic Valentines Day wedding at their community church in Olivehurst. But on Sunday, the couple was forced to evacuate their home after a hole developed in an emergency spillway at the Oroville Dam. The couple went to an evacuation center at the Placer County fairgrounds in Roseville and had been staying there through Tuesday. It appeared their dream of a Valentines Day wedding was crushed. That was until shelter workers found out about their wedding plans and decided to help them get hitched. So Placer County workers spread the word on Facebook, asking for help: We have one last, very special donation request for our Oroville emergency evacuees, workers wrote. This young couple, Leotta and Henry, planned to be getting married today at their home church in Olivehurst. Instead, theyll be honoring us today at our evacuation shelter. To help Leotta and Henry. To make this day as special as it should be, we need a wedding dress and suit ASAP! Message us if you can help, and please join us in wishing them congratulations! Soon after the call went out, donations from residents and area businesses began pouring into the fairground, according to workers. By the end of the day, the bride was given a beautiful white gown and the groom a black tux and a large tree was converted into a wedding altar. Surrounded by a large group of evacuees who remained at the shelter for the night, Litke walked down the grassy aisle to an acoustic version of the Elvis Presley hit Cant Help Falling In Love. The couple had been together 10-years before deciding to tie the knot, they said. I want to thank everybody, Litke told CBS Sacramento. I am happy to be Mrs. Rueda. To cap off the night, a limo and hotel room were also donated, KTXL-TV reported. Its hard to imagine a better way to celebrate Valentines Day than the surprise wedding we were honored to witness tonight at the Placer County shelter for Oroville spillway emergency evacuees, county workers wrote on Facebook. Feb. 15, 2017, 1:33 p.m. reporting from OROVILLE, Calif. Officials confident Oroville Dam will withstand new rainstorm: Its holding up really well Reconstruction continues in a race to shore up the emergency spillway, left, at Oroville Dam on Wednesday. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) Even as rain began to fall in Northern California on Wednesday, state officials said the storms forecast over the next few days will not be enough to test the integrity of the Oroville Dam or its two damaged spillways. Bill Croyle, acting director of the state Department of Water Resources, called the storms fairly small and said the public wont see a blip in the reservoir levels, now dropping about eight inches an hour. Croyle said it was not the weather he was concerned about so much as the damage done to the dams already compromised main spillway during days of sustained heavy releases of water. Its holding up really well, Croyle said, but continued mass water releases could be causing hidden damage to the rocky subsurface adjacent to the concrete chute. A swarm of trucks and helicopters dumped 1,200 tons of material per hour onto the eroded hillside that formed the dams emergency spillway. One quarry worked around the clock to mine boulders as heavy as 6 tons. An army of workers mixed concrete slurry to help seal the rocks in place. At the main spillway, a different and riskier operation was underway: Despite a large hole in the concrete chute, officials have been sending a massive amount of the swollen reservoirs water down the spillway to the Feather River in a desperate attempt to reduce the lakes level. The objective is to lower the level enough so that the lake can accept runoff from the upcoming storms without reaching capacity. If the reservoir filled up again, water would overflow into the emergency spillway, which on Sunday appeared to be nearing collapse, forcing the evacuation of more than 100,000 people downstream. Croyle said there were plans to begin to taper off the water discharges at the end of the week. Data from the Department of Water Resources shows Shasta Dam discharges began to be sharply increased on Feb. 10 and have increased substantially every day since that. Federal emergency officials and the Trump administration approved Gov. Jerry Browns requests for presidential disaster declarations for the Oroville Dam and for the 34 counties struck in January by major winter storms that caused mudslides and power outages. I want to thank FEMA for moving quickly to approve our requests, Brown said in a statement from his office. At a news briefing Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said President Trump has been keeping a close eye on the situation at Oroville. The situation is a textbook example of why we need to pursue a major infrastructure package in Congress, Spicer said. Dams, bridges, roads and all ports around the country have fallen into disrepair. Feb. 15, 2017, 12:54 p.m. Rio Linda Sikhs opened their temple doors to Oroville Dam evacuees and strangers came pouring in Evacuees and Sikhs chat at Shri Guru Ravidass temple in Rio Linda, Calif., north of Sacramento. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) Each morning before the break of dawn, Nirmal Singh makes his way to a small stage at the Shri Guru Ravidass Temple, adorned with roses and silk. There, the priest sits and reads prayers from a centuries-old Indian text to open the day. Its usually a quiet affair, with words spoken in Punjabi to an empty hall the size of a large backyard a solemn start at the small Sikh temple that sees few people outside of weekend services. But this week, Singh had company. Bodies shuffled under blankets in front of him. On Tuesday a Mexican couple and their kids woke up to his right, revealing the head scarves they wore in respect of Sikh traditions. In a nearby room, an African American man was also was getting up to the sounds of prayer. As tens of thousands fled low-lying regions on the Feather River this week amid warnings of flooding from the rapidly filling Lake Oroville, Sikh temples across in the Sacramento area opened their doors to evacuees. Read more Feb. 15, 2017, 2:05 p.m. As new storms approach Lake Oroville, authorities warn residents to remain vigilant Although officials say the risk of flooding below Oroville Dam has dropped substantially since the weekend, Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea warned area residents Wednesday that they remained in an emergency situation. During an afternoon news conference, Honea urged residents to maintain vigilance as dam operators continued to drain Lake Oroville before a string of storms began soaking the region again Wednesday evening. They need to pay attention, Honea said of residents. Its important for people to be prepared. This is an opportunity for them to get things together, so that if the risk level increases and there is a need for us to issue an evacuation order, theyll have the things they need and theyll be able to do that quickly and efficiently. The sheriff also asked residents to start making travel plans should they need to evacuate. On Sunday, when erosion of the lakes emergency spillway triggered a sudden evacuation order, area roads quickly suffered gridlock. That was an incredibly chaotic situation, and I was aware of it, Honea said. Sundays emergency order was lifted Tuesday afternoon, allowing more than 100,000 residents and business owners to return to their communities. Honea said that during the evacuation order, Oroville had seen some thefts, but he insisted there was no widespread looting of properties. Certainly weve had burglaries, he said. Looting, the large-scale and organized theft of property from a structure, is very rare, the sheriff said. Honea also said that the state has agreed to post National Guard units in the region, part of what he called staging of resources should another emergency arise. Feb. 15, 2017, 11:54 a.m. Graphic: Lake Oroville water levels dropped dramatically After exceeding capacity this week, Lake Oroville has seen water levels drop significantly in the last three days. The charge above shows the story, as officials bumped massive amounts of water through the damaged main spillway. Feb. 15, 2017, 11:48 a.m. L.A. County dams to be inspected in wake of Oroville crisis The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has ordered inspections of all county dams, spillways and other flood control infrastructure. The move was sparked by the emergency at Lake Oroville in Northern California over the last week, when failures of two spillways used to lower the lakes water level prompted mandatory evacuations. Supervisor Kathryn Barger called for the inspections on Tuesday, and her motion was unanimously approved by the board. The supervisors have asked the countys Department of Public Works to provide a report on the condition of the dams within 30 days and to develop a list of priority flood-control infrastructure projects that need to be completed. The Oroville situation reminds us of the need to proactively evaluate our countys risk with regard to dams and other facilities which may be prone to failure from storms, earthquakes or other foreseeable events, Barger said in a statement. Read more Feb. 15, 2017, 11:01 a.m. Rep. Doug LaMalfa says Oroville Dam looks stable for now Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) said Wednesday that officials will investigate what went wrong at the Oroville Dam once the emergency situation is over. In a Facebook post, LaMalfa wrote that Oroville Dam looks stable for now. LaMalfa said officials are focused on providing support to residents who were evacuated Sunday night. Residents were allowed to return home Tuesday afternoon after officials said the risk of flooding had diminished. Speaking on the House floor Tuesday, LaMalfa said the soil in front of the emergency spillway must be stabilized with rock and concrete. It looks good, he said. I think things are stable for now. We also need prayer for no more rain for a while. After meeting privately with emergency officials on Tuesday, state Sen. Jim Nielsen (R-Gerber) said he was told the repairs were temporary. This cannot be a case of put rocks in the spillway and it is taken care of, he said. Feb. 15, 2017, 10:20 a.m. Kangaroos, zebra and deer, oh my! Woman sheltered wild animals during evacuation Before evacuees returned home Tuesday afternoon, a woman cared for kangaroos, zebras and other animals left behind by residents. California Highway Patrol officers were checking on abandoned properties in the affected areas on Tuesday morning, when they came across the exotic animals at Tamara Archer Houstons family farm in Sutter County, said Officer Chad Hertzell, a spokesman for the California Highway Patrol in North Sacramento. It was like Wow, a zebra, he said. Archer Houston and her family had been collecting animals left during the rush to evacuate, according to the CHP. We had fun, she said in a video on Facebook. It was good. Among the rescued animals were two kangaroos named Kenzie and Dottie, Archer Houston said in the video, filmed by CHP officers. Kenzie actually sleeps inside with her owner every night in her bed in her diaper, so this has to be a whole new deal for her, she said. The sight was a rare treat for officers. We are thankful for the random acts of kindness we find out in the community, the CHP wrote on Facebook. Everyone seems to be coming together to take care of each other. This is what makes California so special. More than 100,000 people were ordered to evacuate from communities downstream of Lake Oroville on Sunday night after the emergency spillway at the dam developed a hole, prompting fears it could collapse. Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea lifted the mandatory evacuation order Tuesday and changed it to a warning. Although residents and business owners were allowed to return to their communities, he urged them to be prepared to evacuate again at a moments notice should new problems arise. Feb. 15, 2017, 9:59 a.m. Oroville Dam operators now hope to lower Lake Oroville by 60 feet in preparation for rain and snowmelt Even after Lake Orovilles water level is reduced by a targeted 50 feet, water managers intend to further drain the reservoir so that it can absorb major rain storms and spring snowmelt, according to state planning documents. The most recent 10-day forecast calls for water levels to be dropped 60 feet below the lakes maximum of 901 feet, which would give it the ability to hold nearly 1 million acre-feet of water before overtopping a damaged emergency spillway that is still undergoing temporary repairs. A joint plan created by the Department of Water Resources, Cal Fire and the Butte County Sheriffs Office calls for the reduction of water releases down the reservoirs main spillway later in the week. Water has been coursing down the damaged spillway at a rate of 100,000 cubic feet per second but will taper off to a third of that by late Friday, according to the plan. A new series of storms forecast to arrive late Wednesday is expected to last through the weekend. Likewise, a cooling trend will drop more snowfall in the Sierra. Officials hope to reduce the lake level to below 840 feet by next Wednesday. That level falls below what engineering documents show is normally required for flood control in wet weather. The biggest surge in water reaching the lake from the Feather Basin is forecast to arrive Tuesday, according to the planning documents. With the mandatory evacuation order for the Feather River lifted, life in Oroville is returning to normal. As a result, the Gold Country Casino and Hotel which has served as housing for emergency work crews is now asking contract workers to leave by Friday so the hotel can honor prior reservations. The workers can return Monday. The state also is operating a less luxurious emergency base camp nearby with meals provided by inmates on state firefighting crews. Elias Ortiz was eager to join the boycott. On Thursday morning, however, he went to the corner of State Street and Florence Avenue and did the one thing that guaranteed him $65 at the end of the day. He threw on his blue gorilla costume and worked, waving a red and white sign to promote a nearby insurance business. It hurts my heart, the Mexican immigrant said about not joining the boycott, but he couldnt afford to lose his job. Advertisement Like Ortiz, many immigrants in Los Angeles rooted for a Day Without Immigrants, a protest that shut down down restaurants, construction sites and businesses nationwide to highlight the contributions immigrants make to the U.S. economy. But most couldnt risk skipping a day of work. The demonstration was directed at President Trump and his plans to crack down on immigration, including building a border wall, stripping sanctuary cities of federal funding and potentially deporting millions of immigrants without documentation. In Los Angeles, traffic felt lighter, some restaurants closed and several thousand students stayed home from school. But overall, life seemed to tick along as usual, even in neighborhoods made up entirely of immigrants. It was a lukewarm response from the countrys second-largest city, compared to places such as Detroit, Washington, D.C. and Texas, where protesters emptied out bustling business corridors and marched in the streets. Many immigrant organizations in Los Angeles did not help organize the boycott, said Angela Sanbrano, executive director of the Mexican Network. She didnt feel comfortable endorsing it because it would have put immigrants at risk. If we make the call and ask people to risk possibly losing their job, we have a responsibility to help them, Sanbrano said. After closing their restaurant for the day, Monica May watches while her partner Kristen Trattner hung a sign above their Nickel Diner in Downtown Los Angeles in solidarity with a national Day Without Immigrants. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times) Some groups such as the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles kept their doors open because people are in dire need of their services, given recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement sweeps, said spokesman Jorge-Mario Cabrera. Families, anxious and afraid, lined up at their office, starting at 5 a.m. Some waited to become citizens, others needed legal advice. We felt it was our duty to be open now for families, Cabrera said. The fact that the boycott began online, rather than with long-standing organizations, was a refreshing change, but it also limited its reach, said Roberto Hernandez, an assistant professor of Chicana and Chicano Studies at San Diego State University. It is too early to tell what will come from it, he said, and a lot depends on how this was organized, whether top-down from restaurant bosses, or bottom-up from the people themselves. Nationwide, restaurants, which reportedly initiated the boycott, got creative in their response. They canceled long-standing reservations, served limited menus and donated proceeds of the day to the American Civil Liberties Union. Some posted big banners outside their eateries. The Nickel Diners in downtown read: We are all immigrants. Kreation Juice, with locations across Los Angeles, shut down its factory and 14 businesses for the day, but still planned to pay employees. Ortiz, who dressed like a gorilla for work, said he tries to participate in most immigrant marches. This one was particularly important, he added, because the president is crazy. You dont know what he might do. The 63-year-old hurt his back last year and lost his job as a gardener. He tried to find jobs in plumbing, gardening and electricity, but had no luck. He eventually lost his apartment and now lives in his car. The mascot job is the most stable work hes found. Like Ortiz, many immigrants showed their support in other ways though they had to work. Maria Rios, 39, of Maywood said she and her husband planned to honor the day by not making any purchases. Were going to the bank to make a deposit and thats it, Rios said. This is something we have to support all the way. Meanwhile, groups of students turned out in force. At L.A. Unified schools, about 3,000 students more than usual were absent. And in the Long Beach School District, the countys second-largest, about 9,000 students skipped school triple the amount of the day before. At Santee Education Complex just south of downtown L.A., Jose Lara, the dean of students, didnt expect many absences on Thursday. Hed only seen a flyer circulating on social media, and he knew many advocacy groups would not take part. But when he got to campus Thursday morning, close to 600 children didnt show. The high school, which has about 2,000 students, is known for its activism and large immigrant population. It just shows that people are anxious, Lara said. That people want to raise their voices in opposition to Trumps policies, and theyre not OK with what hes been pushing ... Theyre going to have their voices heard one way or another. Some teachers considered showing up at school a form of protest. Darius Fequiere, a special education teacher at New Open World Academy in Koreatown, said he was proud of his students for boycotting, but he wanted them to truly understand their actions. He spent Thursday talking to his class about the protest, with a third of his students absent. Everyone can go and walk out, Fequiere said. But my students ability to understand why theyre doing things and having the information to protect themselves and protect their families I think that is the ultimate form of protest. Fequiere showed his class a video that explained what to do during an immigrant raid. Many of his students live between Westlake and Pico Union, home to large immigrant populations. They show up to school, wanting to talk about immigration round-ups and deportation. Some are afraid to leave home. Its a lot for them to handle and its a lot for them to process, Fequiere said. These are the things that they face every day. Andrea Castillo contributed to this report. esmeralda.bermudez@latimes.com ruben.vives@latimes.com sonali.kohli@latimes.com melissa.etehad@latimes.com On Thursday, thousands of immigrants skipped work and school to participate in a day without immigrants, a protest highlighting the contributions immigrants make to restaurants, businesses and the nations overall economy. In Los Angeles, where immigrants are part of everyday life, the message resonated, but participation was lukewarm compared with places like Detroit, Washington, D.C., and some Texas cities. Many immigrant organizations said they had not been informed about the protest and were busy handling the needs of families threatened by President Trump s immigration crackdown plans. Many immigrants said they simply couldnt afford to miss a day of work. After closing their restaurant for the day, Monica May watches while her partner Kristen Trattner hangs a sign above their Nickel Diner in Downtown Los Angeles in solidarity with a national Day Without Immigrants. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times) Patricia Ortiz from the Esperanza Immigrant Rights Project said her organization kept its doors open because its services were essential to the community. The people who come today are coming because they have pressing needs and might be deported, she said. Im sure they would love to participate and they agree with the ideology, but its hard to do when youre worried about basic needs and issues. The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA) said it decided to keep its doors open for business Thursday because it felt people needed its services now more than ever because of the instability and confusion spawned by recent ICE sweeps. We decided we would be open for them, communications director Jorge-Mario Cabrera said. We have 29 people today waiting to become citizens. And we have about 35 other folks who are seeking legal counseling. The protest was directed at President Trump and his plans to build a border wall, strip so-called sanctuary cities of federal funding and potentially deport million of immigrants in the county without documentation. In the heavily immigrant communities of Maywood, Cudahy, Bell and Lynwood, business was as usual. Flower shops, beauty salons and taquerias were open, as were coin laundries and car washes. Placing her mannequins outside her tiny store in Maywood, Ana Maria Aguilar, owner of Ruby's Alterations, said she had forgotten about the boycott, and then started closing her shop back down. The co-owners of the Nickel Diner, Kristen Trattner (left) and Monica May closed their restaurant for the day in Downtown Los Angeles and hung a large sign over the door in solidarity with a national Day Without Immigrants. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times) "I just came back from Mexico and totally forgot," she said. "We need to support this movement. We need to stay united." She then began lifting the mannequins and placing them back inside the store. "If we don't sell anything because we're closed today, it's OK," she said. "I want to send the president a message that he needs to have more self-awareness about what he says about immigrants." Not far away, Maria Rios, 39, was standing in the driveway of her Maywood home talking to a neighbor. She said she and her husband already had the day off but planned to support the boycott by not purchasing anything all day. "We're going to go the bank to make a deposit and that's it," she said. "This is something we have to support all the way." In Bell, Richard Choi, 62, sat quietly reading a document behind the cash register of his pet store. He said he felt bad but he couldn't participate in the boycott because he couldn't afford not to open. "I'm going out of business," Choi said in a soft voice. "I've been opening my store seven days a week. I'm exhausted." "I can't close," he added. Choi, who has owned his pet store for 17 years, said he supported the immigrant boycott, even if it hurt his business. He said he didn't like how the president wanted to aggressively go after Latinos in the country illegally. Farther down, Rosie Garcia, 40, dragged two heavy trash bins. Her oversized blue gloves went past her wrists. "I'm the kind of person that doesn't miss work," she said. "I show up because I want my boss to know I'm reliable." She said missing a day of work was not an option for her. She could support the boycott, but she can't. "I work out of necessity," she said. "I have three children. [If] I don't work we won't have enough for rent and food." A Mexican immigrant, Garcia, said she also made her kids go to school Thursday. "I didn't agree with the notion that they shouldn't go to school," she said. "I mean, how does that benefit children? They're going to be sitting at home watching TV, doing nothing. It's like setting them back." Garcia said she works seven days a week and has been a janitor at the business plaza in Bell for three years. She and her husband came to the U.S. in the 1990s for a better life, she said. "We struggled, yes, but we worked hard so that we never found ourselves in a position where we couldn't provide food or a roof for ourselves and our children," she said. "I'm poor, but we work. That's why I'm working today." Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti accused the backers of a controversial ballot measure of a dirty trick Wednesday after they used his image in a campaign message. They are well aware I strongly oppose Measure S, Garcetti said. The Yes on S Campaign should cease and desist from any suggestion that my position on Measure S is anything but a strong no. Measure S would impose a number of restrictions on real estate development, including barring city lawmakers from approving changes to the General Plan a document that governs development across Los Angeles in order to allow individual projects in areas where they would otherwise not be permitted. Advertisement Backers say it would thwart oversize projects that displace residents and ruin neighborhoods, while opponents counter that it would eliminate jobs and ramp up rents. Garcetti has come out against the ballot measure, arguing it would undermine efforts to house the homeless. In a recent message emailed to supporters, the Measure S campaign included an image of a smiling Garcetti next to the words, Exceptions to the General Plan must become the rare exception to the rule... I agree. Below the Garcetti quotation was the campaign logo for Yes on S. The Garcetti quotation nearly mirrors the wording of a September letter the mayor sent to ballot measure supporter Michael Weinstein, president of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation. In that letter, Garcetti said that he shared the goal of a fair and transparent planning process and agreed with many of his concerns. But the mayor urged Weinstein to forego a costly and potentially divisive ballot measure campaign, arguing that the city was already making changes that would accomplish their goals. Garcetti campaign adviser Yusef Robb said the quotation was being used way out of context, giving the false impression that Garcetti backs a ballot measure that he firmly opposes. This is clearly and unequivocally an attempt to deceive voters, Robb said. Ileana Wachtel, a spokeswoman for the Yes on S campaign, initially said the Garcetti letter showed that he agrees with Measure S. When a reporter pointed out that the letter urged Weinstein to abandon the ballot measure, Wachtel replied, Were saying Mayor Garcetti agrees that exceptions to the General Plan must become the rare exception to the rule. Thats all. Wachtel added that the mayor and other city leaders had failed to follow through on promised reforms, such as banning private communications between real estate developers and his appointees on the Planning Commission. The Garcetti campaign said he is still planning to do that; a similar proposal by City Councilman David Ryu has not yet been heard in committee. This was just a friendly reminder on what these City Hall insiders promised and what theyve yet to deliver to the voters of Los Angeles, Wachtel said. She did not answer questions about how many people had received the message and whether the campaign would continue to use the image of Garcetti. The Yes on S campaign put up a blog post Wednesday stating that Garcetti had agreed with key reforms it had proposed, though it also noted that the mayor was a vocal critic of the measure. Measure S will go before voters on March 7. emily.alpert@latimes.com Twitter: @LATimesEmily The strongest storm to hit Southwest California in several years is expected to bring torrential rain, flash flooding and powerful winds on Friday, forecasters say. The storm is expected to dump up to 6 inches of rain on Los Angeles County beaches and valleys and 5 to 10 inches on south-facing foothills and coastal mountain slopes, according to the National Weather Service. A flash flood watch has been issued for Santa Barbara, Ventura and Los Angeles counties from Friday morning through Saturday morning. Much of that rainfall is expected to fall within a short time Friday afternoon and evening, with rain potentially falling at a rate of more than an inch an hour, forecasters said. Advertisement The Friday morning commute is definitely going to be wet, but the rain is just going to get heavier as the day progresses, said Kathy Hoxsie, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard. The afternoon commute is going to be a mess, Hoxsie said. Hopefully people can take a half day off. Being a Friday, I know a lot of people do that anyway. The evening is shaping up to be nasty. The storm is likely the strongest to hit the region within the last six years, according to the weather service. Rainfall began falling on the Central Coast early Thursday and is expected to move into Southern California overnight, Hoxsie said. Wildfire burn scars in Duarte and Azusa are particularly vulnerable with this storm, she said. The system also is bringing powerful southerly winds that will increase dramatically on Friday, with gusts up to 60 to 70 mph likely over high elevations in Ventura, San Luis Obispo and Los Angeles counties, as well as the Channel Islands and Santa Catalina Island, according to the weather service. Damaging wind gusts are also possible in the Antelope Valley. Its going to be blowing really well, Hoxsie said. Were trying to tell folks, dont just do your usual preparation for rain, but also, if youve got anything outside that could be moved into the garage, this would be the storm where you should do that. Snow levels are anticipated to be at 8,000 feet Friday night, lowering to 6,000 feet on Saturday, according to the weather service. Because of the heavy precipitation, 1 to 2 feet of snow could fall above 8,000 feet in Los Angeles and Ventura counties, and 6 to 12 inches are possible above 6,000 feet. Coastal waters will be dangerous Friday night and through the weekend, Hoxsie said. Swells of 6 to 9 feet are expected off the coast of Los Angeles County on Thursday, and the waves are expected to peak Saturday at 8 to 13 feet, she said. After a brief respite Sunday, another storm system is expected to move into the region early next week, bringing several more days of rain, forecasters said. The storm door stays open for a while, Hoxsie said. hailey.branson@latimes.com Twitter: @haileybranson L.A. Unified is urging students not to join in any walkouts or demonstrations planned for Thursday as part of a national Day Without Immigrants being marked across the country. The nations second-largest school district contacted parents and employees via voicemail on Wednesday evening with a recording by Alma Pena-Sanchez, LAUSDs chief of staff. While we respect everyones right to have their voices heard and to participate in civic action such as protest, all students and staff are encouraged and expected to come to school, Pena-Sanchez said. Advertisement A Day Without Immigrants actions are expected to take place in Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles and other cities with large immigrant populations. Activists are encouraging immigrants to skip work, avoid shopping and otherwise withdraw from the economy for a day to make clear the roles they play in American society. The protest action was prompted by the policy goals voiced by President Trump, who has vowed to ramp up deportations of those in the country illegally and build a wall between the U.S. and Mexico. Schools and universities across the nation have been the centers of protests, walkouts and unrest. A week after the election, L.A. Unified, which is 74% Latino, saw thousands of students stream from classrooms and gather at Boyle Heights Mariachi Plaza and Lincoln Park in Lincoln Heights before marching to City Hall. To alleviate anxiety among students and parents, the district has set up a hotline and offered extended support sites, with a full list of resources on a website for post-election resources. In her message on Wednesday evening to the LAUSD community, Pena-Sanchez said that the various campuses offer a safe and productive forum where students can express their thoughts and feelings. I urge students and staff not to disrupt learning by participating in protest or walkouts during the instructional day, Pena-Sanchez said. Organizers of the national event say some businesses will close their doors as part of the protest. But some immigrant rights groups in Los Angeles said they decided not to participate. matt.hamilton@latimes.com Twitter: @MattHjourno ALSO Man drowns in aqueduct while trying to rescue his dog L.A. Unified urges students and teachers not to join A Day without Immigrants protests L.A. area braces for what could be biggest storm of the season; flooding, mudslides possible UPDATES: 10:45 a.m.: This post was updated with some immigrant rights groups in Los Angeles saying they decided not to participate. 7:50 a.m., Thursday: Updated with more details about the protest. This post was originally published at 11 p.m. Wednesday. Spillway repairs at the troubled Oroville Dam will get their first major test this weekend, as meteorologists have revised their forecast and are now predicting a much wetter and warmer storm outlook. Light to moderate rain began falling across Northern California early Thursday and will likely continue for several days, according to the National Weather Service. However, the situation will change substantially Sunday when a larger storm arrives at Oroville and the Feather River basin. Advertisement It looks like its going to be a pretty good rainmaker, said NWS meteorologist Mike Smith. Youre looking at 10 inches from Sunday night to Monday night. Overall, forecasters have predicted a series of four storms, with the first arriving Thursday, the second arriving Saturday, the third on Sunday night and the fourth on Wednesday of next week. The largest of that train of storms will be the one arriving Sunday night. Much of the water falling across the local mountains and foothills is expected to flow directly into the reservoir. This comes at a time when Lake Oroville is at 88% of capacity and the ground and surrounding foothills are saturated from one of the wettest winters on record. The Department of Water Resources hopes to drain up to a third of the lake to make room for rain and snowmelt and has been sending water down its damaged main spillway and into the Feather River at a rate of 100,000 cubic feet per second. Forecast confidence is increasing that this early next week storm could be the warmest, wettest and pack the strongest winds on this series of storms, states a briefing memo from the National Weather Service. Warm is not good because it means the rain could also melt snow stockpiled in the basin. Incident plans from the DWR, Cal Fire and Butte County Sheriffs Department call for water releases to begin to taper on Saturday, settling Sunday to around 60,000 cubic feet per second. A spike in incoming water is expected with the third storm. The inflow forecast has been adjusted up to more than 80,000 cubic feet per second, meaning lake levels are expected to rise for a day, and resume falling by Wednesday. An updated action plan shows that DWR officials hope to lower the water level to 820 feet 30 feet lower than what department director Bill Croyle said was his goal. At that level, the lake will have capacity to absorb 1.1 million acre feet of water. By 9 a.m. Thursday, the water level was at roughly 868 feet. joseph.serna@latimes.com For breaking California news, follow @JosephSerna on Twitter. The father of one of the 14 people killed in the 2015 San Bernardino terror attack angrily criticized a plea deal between prosecutors and the man who purchased two rifles used in the shootings, telling a court on Thursday that the agreement was too lenient. Gregory Clayborn said he didnt understand why authorities agreed to a plea bargain that didnt call for Enrique Marquez Jr. to spend the rest of his life in prison. For the record: San Bernardino terror plea: An article about a plea deal for Enrique Marquez Jr. in the Feb. 15 A-Section incorrectly said federal prosecutors would seek some leniency for Marquez. The agreement would not change the amount of time he serves in prison. If he had not provided those weapons, we might not be here, said Clayborn, whose daughter Sierra was among the victims. My daughter, she didnt deserve this. I just dont think its right, this plea bargain. Advertisement Clayborn spoke at a hearing in federal court in Riverside where Marquez, 25, pleaded guilty to charges of conspiring to provide material support to terrorists and making false statements in connection with the purchase of a firearm. The hearing was attended by dozens of family members of victims of the attack. But Clayborn was the only one who spoke in court. Others will likely have a chance to address the court before Marquezs sentencing, which is scheduled for Aug. 21. The combined maximum sentence allowed for the two charges is 25 years in prison. Marquez, a close friend of gunman Syed Rizwan Farook, was not accused of taking part in or having advance knowledge of the shootings, but he quickly emerged as a key figure in the investigation after the Dec. 2, 2015, attack at the Inland Regional Center, which also left 22 people wounded. According to a plea agreement filed in court, Marquez admitted plotting two terror attacks with Farook in the years before the San Bernardino shootings. Those attacks were never realized. He also bought for Farook two of the weapons that were later used at the regional center. Marquez was the only person formally charged in connection with the shootings. Farook and his wife, Tashfeen Malik, died in a gun battle with police hours after the assault. Marquez, who cried during parts of the hearing, appeared to have a difficult time understanding some of the questions posed to him by the judge and had to ask his attorney for clarification a number of times. At one point, when the judge asked what level of education he had achieved, Marquez paused. Thats a bit difficult to answer, he said. Im a high school dropout, and Im a college dropout too. He told the judge he is being treated by a psychiatrist and has been taking lithium. He did not know his diagnosis. Sister-in-law of San Bernardino terror attack shooter pleads guilty in marriage fraud case As part of Marquezs plea deal, the government agreed to also dismiss two fraud charges against him that stemmed from his bogus marriage to a Russian woman, Mariya Chernykh, whose sister is married to Syed Raheel Farook, the shooters older brother. Chernykh, her sister and the elder Farook all pleaded guilty to marriage fraud charges this year. Marquez met and became friends with Syed Rizwan Farook in 2005 after moving next door to him in Riverside. Years later, he and Farook began attending a mosque together and were secretly amassing weapons, discussing radical Islam and plotting attacks, prosecutors alleged. Marquez and Farook planned to launch an assault on the 91 Freeway in Corona and at Riverside City College in 2011 and 2012, but both plots were aborted, according to the plea agreement. At Riverside City College, where Marquez and Farook had been enrolled as students, they drew up plans to hurl pipe bombs onto a cafeteria from the floor above and identified the escape route they would use to carry out more attacks elsewhere on the school grounds, Marquez admitted in the plea agreement. For victims of San Bernardino terrorist attack, conflicting views about Trump policy in their name Marquez and Farook also made plans to to lay siege to a stretch of the 91 Freeway that has no exits, according to the agreement. The plan called for Marquez to fire on people from the hills overlooking the freeway as Farook threw pipe bombs from the side of the road and then shot people at close range. In late 2011 and early 2012, Marquez bought two rifles and claimed in federal paperwork that they were for himself when in reality they were for Farook, who paid Marquez for the weapons, according to the plea. The men believed Marquez could buy the rifles more easily than Rizwan and would receive less scrutiny than Rizwan, prosecutors said. The agreement also detailed plans the men hatched for making improvised explosive devices for their attacks. Following the hearing, U.S. Atty. Eileen M. Decker said that she sympathized with Clayborn, the father who objected to the deal, but that prosecutors did not have evidence to charge Marquez with more serious crimes. My heart continually goes out to him, Decker said. But, she added, my job is to follow the law. Thats what weve done. Investigators have found no evidence to suggest that Marquez was involved in planning the Dec. 2, 2015, attack, Decker said. However, she said, when Marquez conspired with Farook years earlier to attack Riverside City College and drivers on the 91 Freeway, it laid a foundation for the San Bernardino shootings. Decker added that the investigation into the San Bernardino attack is not over. We will continue this until we can say weve turned over every stone, she said. Times staff writer Joel Rubin contributed to this report. paloma.esquivel@latimes.com For more Inland Empire news follow me @palomaesquivel UPDATES: 4:35 p.m.: This article was updated with comments from Decker and some additional details about the hearing as well as background about the terror attack and plea deal. 10:25 a.m.: This article was updated with details from the court hearing. This article was originally published at 10:10 a.m. The Orange Coast College student who secretly video-recorded a professors classroom comments calling President Trumps election victory an act of terrorism is being suspended for violating campus policy. In a Feb. 9 letter, interim dean of students Victoria Lugo informed Caleb ONeil of the suspension for one primary (fall/spring) semester in addition to the summer and other disciplinary actions including that he submit a written apology to professor Olga Perez Stable Cox, along with a three-page essay explaining why he filmed the class, how he felt about his footage going viral and his reaction to its causing damage to Orange Coast College students, faculty and staff. The letter did not specify when the suspension would begin, and said ONeil had the right to appeal. If you choose to appeal, your sanctions will be deferred until the outcome is determined, it said. Advertisement Lugos letter, posted on the conservative-leaning higher education news site CampusReform.org, said ONeils actions violated the student code of conduct because he filmed Coxs class without her knowledge or consent. The human sexuality course syllabus also stated that in-class recording is not permitted. OCC spokesman Juan Gutierrez declined to comment Wednesday on whether Cox is facing any disciplinary action over her comments. ONeil, 19, a freshman business student, previously had not been identified. According to his attorney, William Becker, in a notice of appeal to the college, the sanctions imposed on Caleb are both excessive and discriminatory. Soon after the Nov. 8 election, Cox spoke to her class about Trump and now-Vice President Mike Pence, saying, Our nation is divided. We have been assaulted. Its an act of terrorism. One of the most frightening things for me, and most people in my life, is that the people committing the assault are among us, she said. It is not some stranger from some other country coming in and attacking our sense of what it means to be an American and the things that we stand for. Cox, who is gay, referred to Trump as a white supremacist and to Pence as one of the most anti-gay humans in this country. In the notice of appeal letter, ONeil detailed his account of what happened in the class on Nov. 15: She ... went into how terrible the election was and how our nation had just been attacked. After two minutes of this, I pulled my phone out and started recording because I was terrified that my grade would drop to a B because I had missed the last Tuesday class for the election. ... I felt as if all the eyes in the room were on me because in the past I have worn Trump gear and my signed Trump. ONeil shared his video with the Orange Coast College Republicans club, whose president at the time, Joshua Recalde-Martinez, posted it online. News of the video spread quickly, sparking a nationwide debate between those who said Cox had the academic freedom to express her views in a private setting and those who argued that her statements went too far. Attempts to reach Cox for further comment Wednesday were unsuccessful. Zint, Chan and Priscella Vega write for Times Community News. bradley.zint@latimes.com | Twitter: @BradleyZint alexandra.chan@latimes.com | Twitter: @AlexandraChan10 ALSO So many emotions: Thousands attend L.A. naturalization ceremony High-end California restaurant reaches six-figure settlement with prosecutors over tilapia dish L.A. City Council votes unanimously to decriminalize street vending As CEO of Exxon Mobil, one of the worlds largest oil companies, Rex Tillerson was accustomed to giving orders and brokering multibillion-dollar deals around the globe. Now he leads a State Department that was largely sidelined by President Trumps disruptive phone calls with leaders in Mexico and Australia, provocative comments about NATO and China, and the subsequently blocked order suspending travel from seven Muslim-majority nations. Secretary of State Tillerson made his debut on the global stage Thursday at a G-20 summit in Bonn, Germany, saying little in public but working behind the scenes to reassure a dozen or so foreign ministers that U.S. foreign policy was nothing to fear. Advertisement Tillerson faced a barrage of questions from his foreign counterparts on whether Trump administration policy would hew to traditional lines or follow Trumps sometimes ad hoc pronouncements. The diplomat mostly stuck to a handful of carefully crafted policy statements. He described his first formal meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov as productive, and avoided any mention of the FBI investigation back home into whether Trumps campaign team or associates had improper contacts with Russian officials. Tillerson apparently has the presidents ear. After he spoke to Trump, the White House issued a mild rebuke for the first time to Israel for expanding settlements in the disputed West Bank. Trump repeated the criticism Wednesday at a joint news conference with visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. And Tillerson is winning over skeptics at State who questioned his lack of government experience. Several officials who have briefed Tillerson say he asks questions and listens patiently. His predecessor, John F. Kerry, a garrulous former U.S. senator with vast diplomatic experience, tended to pontificate rather than listen, these officials said. Still, with Trumps foreign policy very much a work in progress, Tillerson has kept an usually low public profile since he was sworn in Feb. 1. Except for a folksy introduction to State Department staffers, he has yet to give a speech, appear on a TV talk show or hold a news conference. Americas top diplomat was mum when the Trump administration slapped new sanctions on Iran for launching a ballistic missile. He also was silent when North Korea launched a mid-range ballistic missile last week, letting the White House respond instead. He has said nothing in public about renewed violence by Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine, or the sighting of a Russian spy ship in international waters off the coast of New England. One reason, perhaps, is Tillerson still doesnt have the full team of advisors and aides who normally report to the secretary of State including a deputy secretary of State, the official who runs day-to-day operations. Tillerson reportedly favored Elliott Abrams, a controversial neoconservative who had served in the Reagan and George W. Bush administrations. He met with Trump last week, but Abrams told CNN on Monday he was rejected for the job. Abrams pleaded guilty in 1991 to misleading Congress about the Iran-Contra scandal, although President George H.W. Bush later pardoned him. More importantly to Trump, apparently, Abrams wrote an article during the campaign last year titled When You Cant Stand Your Candidate. Since taking office, Trump has toned down some of his more provocative foreign policy positions. Whether Tillerson influenced Trump in all of them is unclear, but the shifts put Trump closer to the positions the Texan staked out at his confirmation hearing. Trump had infuriated Beijing after the election when he took a call from the president of Taiwan and suggested he might renegotiate the one China policy that has been the backbone of U.S.-China relations since the 1970s, for example. Last week, after Tillerson and others reportedly urged him to reconsider, Trump backed down in a long-delayed phone call with Chinas president, Xi Jinping. Similarly, after repeatedly deriding the NATO military alliance as obsolete, causing anxiety across Europe, Trump did an about-face and vowed support. Tillerson had called the North Atlantic Treaty Organization vital. Critics worry about Tillersons friendship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, an issue that dominated his confirmation hearing, and whether he will convince Trump that the Russian autocrat frequently acts against U.S. interests. It is not unusual for the White House to control foreign policy either through the National Security Council or a small group of advisors, and to marginalize the State Department. President Obama relied on a key aide, Ben Rhodes, to conduct the secret diplomacy that led to the historic rapprochement with Cuba, keeping the State Department in the dark, for example. During his first term, Obama appointed special envoys for the Middle East peace process, and for dealing with Afghanistan and Pakistan, reducing the role of his first secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, in key areas. Trump similarly has suggested he would put his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, in charge of resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict what Trump has called the ultimate deal a task that has frustrated U.S. presidents and diplomats for decades. Kushner, 36, who has no formal diplomatic experience, has become the primary White House point of contact for foreign leaders. He has held talks with numerous foreign ministers and diplomats a job normally handled by the State Department. Sharon Burke, a former State and Defense official in the Obama and George W. Bush administrations, suggested that Tillerson has room to maneuver as a diplomat because Trumps relatively mild actions overseas so far dont match his incendiary rhetoric. They want [policies] to look like a sharp break from the past, even if they arent, said Burke, now a senior fellow at the New America Foundation think tank. White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said Trumps shifting foreign policy is deliberate, meant to keep his adversaries off guard. Trump doesnt like to telegraph his options, Spicer told reporters. tracy.wilkinson@latimes.com For more on international affairs, follow @TracyKWilkinson on Twitter ALSO Trump is showing a reluctance to take responsibility for White House chaos Andy Puzder withdraws as Labor secretary nominee amid Republican opposition What you need to know about the firing of Michael Flynn and why it matters for Trump UPDATES: 1:55 p.m.: This article was updated with details from Tillersons meetings in Germany. This article was originally published at 6 a.m. Jeanette Vizguerra knew she had an appointment with immigration officers, as she had many times in the past. But this time, she didnt show up. Shed heard about the Phoenix woman who was taken into custody days earlier by federal immigration officers. Like her, the woman was in the country illegally. Vizguerra also got word of the 23-year-old Dreamer who was arrested near Seattle; like her oldest daughter, he had been protected under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. Instead of appearing for her check-in, Vizguerra sought refuge inside a Denver church, where she plans to stay indefinitely to avoid being separated from her family and her home of two decades. Advertisement In my heart, I knew that today was different than in the past, she told reporters Wednesday in Spanish. Theyve made it clear that check-ins are not a place that you can count on to be safe and to negotiate. Vizguerras decision highlights growing fears among immigrant communities across the country that the Trump administration may target hundreds of thousands of immigrants in the country illegally who were previously subject to deportation but deemed low priorities. Hans Meyer, the lawyer for Jeanette Vizguerra, addresses supporters and the news media as Vizguerra seeks sanctuary at First Unitarian Society in Denver on Feb. 15. (Marc Piscotty / Getty Images) She has a very realistic fear of forced detention, said Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.), who has supported Vizguerras path to legal resident status for nearly four years. My priority as a representative is to help keep this family united so she could be a good mother and support her three American children. Vizguerra had faced deportation under the Obama administration which expelled more immigrants than under any other presidency after she was caught with fake documents. But like many people with relatively minor violations, she was allowed to stay. Trump has vowed to take a more aggressive enforcement approach. Last week, federal immigration agents detained an undocumented immigrant in a Texas courthouse, where shed just received a protective order alleging she was a victim of domestic violence, the El Paso Times reported. The prosecutor said ICE agents may have been tipped off by the womans alleged abuser. Vizguerra left Mexico City on Christmas Day 1997. She settled in Colorado, where she had three children Luna, 12; Roberto, 10; and Zury, 6 and became a staunch advocate for immigrant rights. As a founder of the Metro Denver Sanctuary Coalition, Vizguerra helped Arturo Hernandez, an immigrant who was in the country illegally, resist deportation by living in the same church where shes now found a home. He stayed there for nine months. I never thought that I would be the one who would need it, Vizguerra said. A growing number of religious leaders nationwide are opening their doors to immigrants who fear deportation. Since the November election, the number of worship centers participating in the sanctuary movement has doubled to 800, according to Jennifer Piper, interfaith organizer for the American Friends Service Committee. Its not comfortable, Piper said. But its better than being separated from your family by a whole country and a wall. Vizguerra caught the attention of Immigration and Customs Enforcement in February 2009, when she was pulled over for having expired registration tags, said Julie Gonzales, a representative of Vizguerras legal team. She was arrested for presenting fake documents, and after spending 23 days in jail, she pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of possessing a forged instrument, Gonzales said. Vizguerra has been in deportation proceedings since then. A judge ordered her deportation in November 2011. According to ICE, shes been granted six stays of removal, which are typically issued to allow immigrants to prepare their departures. In 2012, she left Colorado to visit her ailing mother in Mexico. Her mother died before she arrived. When Vizguerra returned to Denver several months later, she was arrested for entering the country illegally, Gonzales said. She was detained until she pleaded guilty to the charge and was let go with one year of unsupervised probation, Gonzales said. ICE spokesman Shawn Neudauer said Wednesday that Vizguerra is considered a priority because of her two misdemeanor convictions. Vizguerra, who was a victim of a violent crime, also applied for a U-visa, which offers relief to undocumented immigrants who are victims of or witnesses to a crime and cooperate with police. That request has been pending for a year. On Wednesday, Vizguerras attorney, Hans Meyer, with her pastor by his side, marched into an ICE field office seeking an answer to a request, filed Dec. 6, for another stay of deportation. It was denied. The agency had to follow enforcement priorities set in Washington, Meyer said he was told. Meyer stepped outside and called Vizguerra to deliver the news. She broke into tears. Today, they showed that the trust has been broken, she told reporters in Spanish, as someone held a bullhorn next to the phone. Shortly thereafter, she settled into her new home: the basement of the First Unitarian Society of Denver. Federal policy states that immigration officers should avoid enforcement actions at sensitive locations, which include schools, churches and hospitals, unless they have prior approval or identify exigent circumstances. Thousands of activists including the congressman have rallied behind Vizguerra. An online petition asking that she be protected from deportation has collected more than 4,000 signatures. Late last month, Polis introduced a private bill requesting permanent resident status for Vizguerra. While largely ceremonial, he said the move lets ICE know that Vizguerras case is on his radar. Its a waste of taxpayer money to forcibly deport her, Polis said. It deprives three American kids of their mom, and it would make our country less secure and less prosperous if she were forcibly removed. alene.tchekmedyian@latimes.com Follow me on Twitter @AleneTchek ALSO An heiress wanted her Palm Beach villa to become a winter White House. With President Trump, her wish for Mar-a-Lago comes true Why tens of thousands of kids from El Salvador continue to flee to the United States They said he might never walk. Now he cant stop running UPDATES: 3:05 p.m.: This article was updated with additional details on Vizguerra and the sanctuary movement. This article was originally published at 11:15 a.m. Federal immigration agents say they arrested a Seattle man who came to the the U.S. illegally when he was 7 years old, despite his protection from deportation under an Obama administration program, because he admitted to several connections with street gangs. In a court brief filed Thursday, officials said such an association is considered a violation of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program that can result in deportation. For that reason, and not because of a change in policy under the Trump administration, Justice Department officials said, authorities detained 23-year-old Daniel Ramirez Medina. He now faces a hearing Friday over his status and possible removal from U.S. soil after 16 years, though he claims his arrest was unconstitutional. Advertisement According to the brief filed by Jeffrey Robins, an assistant director in the U.S. Office of Immigration Litigation, Ramirez was asked by federal agents about a gang tattoo on his forearm, to which he responded that he used to hang out with the Surenos in California, referring to a gang. Ramirez added that he fled California to escape from the gangs, and that he still hangs out with the Paizas in Washington State. Ramirez was arrested Feb. 10 after being awakened at his familys apartment in suburban Des Moines, Wash., where U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents had arrived in the early morning with an arrest warrant to take Ramirezs father into custody as a prior-deported felon. Ramirezs brother also was present but not taken into custody. Neither the brother nor father were named in court documents. Ramirez, who was born in Mexico, is being held at an immigration detention center in Tacoma, Wash. Robins, in the brief responding to questions posed earlier by the courts chief magistrate, said the father indicated that his adult sons were here illegally, and gave ICE officers permission to enter his apartment. When questioned by ICE officers, Petitioner [Ramirez] answered that he was born in Mexico and answered yes to the question whether he was illegally in the United States. In addition, when asked whether he had ever been arrested, Petitioner answered yes. Ramirezs attorneys say that both he and his brother thought they were protected from deportation under DACA, created by President Obama to temporarily shield immigrants brought illegally to the U.S. as children, as the brothers were. They have current DACA credentials, the attorneys say, that allow them and an estimated 750,000 other Dreamers, as such young people are known, to work and stay in the U.S. if they renew their status every two years and do not commit significant crimes. Ramirezs attorneys say he has no criminal record and had recently moved to Seattle from California to find work and support his 3-year-old son, an American citizen, who lives with his mother. In a lawsuit filed Monday seeking Ramirezs release, his attorney, Mark Rosenbaum, said Ramirez unequivocally denies being in a gang and that he was repeatedly pressured by agents to falsely admit to a gang affiliation. On Thursday, Rosenbaum called the claims in court documents that Ramirez did confess gang ties false. Mr. Ramirez did not say these things because they are not true. And while utterly implausible and wholly fabricated, these claims still would not be sufficient evidence that Mr. Ramirez is a threat to the public safety or national security, he said. Outcry over the incident has since grown into nightly demonstrations by DACA supporters outside the detention center shouting, Shame, shame; spawned a viral #FreeDaniel hashtag linking to rallies in New York and other cities; led to 25,000 signatures on a petition to release Ramirez; and generated international debate over the immigration plans of President Trump. The case has raised questions: Was Ramirezs detention, as the government says, a routine arrest of someone who posed a threat to the U.S. because of his alleged gang ties? Or was it, as attorneys and civil rights advocates argued, the first time a valid, card-carrying Dreamer had been detained by agents serving notice of a new Trump approach? There are no clear answers yet, but some may come out of Fridays hearing. The Department of Homeland Security said Dreamers are subject to program revocation if they are considered threats to national security or public safety, and such revocations are not rare. In the past four-plus years, an estimated 1,500 Dreamers have lost their DACA status because of gang links or serious crimes. Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), one of a dozen federal and local officials working to free Ramirez, said that because of extensive background checks required for DACA, if there had been evidence he had been a gang member, he would not have been afforded entry into the program. In court papers, Ramirezs attorneys claim their client was grilled and threatened by ICE to admit to gang links. The agents who arrested and questioned Mr. Ramirez were aware that he was a DACA recipient, yet they informed him that he would be arrested, detained and deported anyway, because he was not born in this country. The attorneys said the arrest constituted unlawful seizure and denial of due process. Robins, the U.S. official, noted in his brief that DACA protection is not an absolute. DACA is an exercise of prosecutorial discretion and deferred action may be terminated at any time, with or without a Notice of Intent to Terminate, at DHSs discretion, he wrote. Although Trump has called for greater border security and a more vigorous approach to deportations, he also has indicated some willingness to take a different approach with Dreamers. In a recent interview with ABC, the president said of Dreamers, They shouldnt be worried. I have a big heart, were going to take care of everybody. Anderson is a special correspondent. David Friedman, President Trumps nominee to be ambassador to Israel, had barely started his opening remarks at his Senate confirmation hearing Thursday when the protests began. Palestinians will always be in Palestine, shouted a man waving a red, green and black Palestinian flag. For the record: A previous version of this article stated that Sen. Charles E. Schumer endorsed the 2015 deal on Irans nuclear program. Schumer voted against it. You do not represent us! an American Jew in a kippa shouted a few minutes later. Advertisement After guards escorted the hecklers out, Friedman faced tough questioning from members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee who are skeptical he can conduct diplomacy given his harsh pro-Israel views and incendiary insults. In recent years, Friedman has called President Obama, other Democratic leaders and critics of Israeli actions anti-Semitic. He likened liberal American Jews to Holocaust-era kapos, Jews who collaborated with the Nazis in concentration camps. He once said the entire State Department had been anti-Jewish for the last half-century. On Thursday, Friedman said he regretted his heated language. I cannot justify these hurtful words, which I deeply regret, said Friedman, a bankruptcy lawyer who has worked for Trump. I have rejected and I continue to reject the inflammatory comments. Friedman, the son of a rabbi, said he was qualified to be ambassador because of his deep knowledge of Israeli history, born of a life of study and more than 50 visits. He also cited his close friendship with Trump and his fluency in the Hebrew language. Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.) called on the Trump administration to withdraw the nomination, saying Friedman was completely unfit for the job. He also introduced a letter from five former ambassadors to Israel from Republican and Democratic administrations who objected to the nominee. We need a steady hand in the Middle East, not a flame thrower, Udall said. Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin of Maryland, ranking Democrat on the committee, said he was especially distraught over Friedmans characterization of Sen. Charles E. Schumer of New York, the Senate minority leader, as having capitulated to terrorism for comments made during the heated debate on the 2015 deal that blocked Irans ability to produce nuclear weapons. Im having difficulty understanding whether you really can be a diplomat, Cardin said. Friedman is a financial backer of expanding Jewish settlements in the West Bank, land claimed by the Palestinians. He also has dismissed as unworkable the proposed two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The diplomatic strategy, which envisions an Israeli nation and a Palestinian nation existing side by side, has been the cornerstone of U.S. policy since the Clinton administration, although Trump said Wednesday that he is willing to abandon it if Israel and the Palestinians can produce a better plan. Friedman told the committee he would be delighted to see Israeli and Palestinian states coexist but questioned whether that was feasible. He also is a strong advocate of moving the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a shift sure to inflame Palestinians who also consider Jerusalem their capital. No other country has put their embassy in Jerusalem because the issue is so sensitive. During the campaign, Trump vowed to relocate the embassy, but he said Wednesday at a news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the proposed move is still under study. In response to questions, Friedman said Israels annexation of the Golan Heights from Syria during the 1967 war had worked out quite well. But he said he does not support calls by Israels right wing to annex the West Bank in an effort to block creation of a separate Palestinian state. Friedman repeated the Israeli argument that a major impediment to peace is that the Palestinians dont have leaders with whom Israel can negotiate. The Gaza Strip is controlled by the radical Hamas organization, while the West Bank is controlled by the more moderate Palestinian Authority. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who introduced Friedman, acknowledged the nominee had made some offensive comments, but backed him as experienced and passionate. I believe he is the right guy at the right time, Graham said. Hell be Trumps voice. Other Republicans on the GOP-led committee also appeared supportive, meaning he probably will be confirmed. tracy.wilkinson@latimes.com For more on international affairs, follow @TracyKWilkinson on Twitter Los Angeles City Council District 13 is the smallest, most densely populated district, with some of the most desirable real estate in the city. Perhaps because of that, the district, which stretches from Hollywood to Silver Lake and Atwater Village to Koreatown, has become ground zero for the anti-development movement, and that sentiment pervades Councilman Mitch OFarrells race for reelection. OFarrell was an early voice in City Hall warning about the citys housing crisis, and hes been a consistent advocate for boosting the supply of homes by building houses and apartments more densely and on more underutilized properties near transit stops a strategy that the Times Editorial Board supports as well. Yet he represents communities that are often adamantly opposed to increasing the density of development, worried about gentrification and furious about snarled traffic. OFarrell faces several strong challengers. Doug Haines, Bill Zide and David de la Torre are longtime community activists who are deeply concerned with development and gentrification. Sylvie Shain has become a vocal advocate for tenants rights. And Jessica Salans wants a Bernie Sanders-style overhaul of local government. But OFarrell has proved himself to be a thoughtful, committed representative who has his eyes on the long-term needs of the city. He deserves a second term. Advertisement If reelected, OFarrell will have to attempt to bridge the community divide on development. He must be a nonstop advocate for updating crucial city planning documents to reflect current needs and hell have to honor those plans going forward in order to end the distrust among district residents that has made development such a battle. OFarrell has had mixed results in moving important citywide policies. He has pushed for two years to create a special financing district along the Los Angeles River to help fund restoration projects and affordable housing, and that may become a reality this year. But other efforts havent panned out. In 2014, for example, he proposed that the city require developers to provide affordable housing when they receive exemptions from land-use rules that increase the value of their projects. It was a good idea, but his council colleagues sat on it for months. (A similar rule was ultimately included in Measure JJJ and passed in November. But that initiative also forces at least some developers to pay higher wages, which may end up defeating its purpose by deterring housing construction.) And last year OFarrell proposed an effort to streamline permitting for restaurants and small businesses, but there has been little action so far. If reelected, OFarrell needs to do a better job building a coalition of colleagues to turn his good ideas into good policy. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook The recent crackdown in Los Angeles on people living in their cars and recreational vehicles got me remembering what it was like to be homeless. I lived out of my truck for 6 years from 2002 through 2008. There is no easy solution to homelessness, but criminalizing it isnt the answer. Thats essentially what L.A.s new ban does: It prohibits parking for habitation purposes in residential neighborhoods and bumps the homeless to commercial and industrial streets, many of which have parking restrictions or meters. I feel for those people. I marvel that I survived something similar and finally got out of it. Advertisement I was lucky. I never pushed a shopping cart, had mental or drug problems, begged for money or stayed in a homeless shelter. I had an old pickup with a camper shell to sleep in and a little income, but not enough to rent an apartment. I mostly paid to stay at county, state and federal campgrounds in the desert and at the beach in Southern California, and in cooler northern states in the summers. When campgrounds didnt have showers, I had to make do with bathrooms in shopping malls and fast-food restaurants. During the day, I went into town to use library computers to get work doing freelance writing assignments for newspapers and corporations. My clients had no idea I was homeless. One challenge was finding places to clean up. When campgrounds didnt have showers, I had to make do with bathrooms in shopping malls and fast-food restaurants, where I usually ate dollar sandwich deals. Once I qualified for early Social Security in 2005, at age 62, my plight eased somewhat. I was already on waiting lists for government-subsidized apartments, but it took years due to the demand. Building more permanent housing for the homeless, as L.A. plans to do with the proceeds of its recent $1.2-billion bond issue, is a crucial but long-term solution. Homelessness is an immediate problem. Shelters help. Some businesses allow overnight RV and car stays in their parking lots. In Santa Barbara, a nonprofit runs a program for the city that includes case management with an overnight-only parking spot in certain lots, which revert to their regular uses every morning. More cities need such programs. Chula Vista, San Francisco, Santa Rosa, Sacramento and others have an answer for the bathroom problem too. They set up mobile showers and toilets, some with washers and driers for the homeless. Thats a lot better than trying to wash your hair in a bathroom sink at a fast-food place. I thought my homeless days were over in December 2008, when I finally got a subsidized apartment in Rancho Mirage, and then in Palm Desert. However, in the summer of 2014, I took a chance, put my stuff in storage and gave up my apartment in order to look into moving back to my home state of Montana. I couldnt afford both the rent and the trip. In Missoula, Mont., I was en route to a Forest Service campground, but it was late so I checked out a Walmart parking lot where RV and car camping was allowed. I went into the store. When I came out, two men running with loaded shopping carts stopped me and one slugged me several times in the chest. A third came up from behind, put my head in an armlock and pounded my right eye. I was permanently blinded. The police told me the trio had been on a shoplifting spree. All three eventually pleaded guilty; the one who blinded me was sentenced to 20 years in prison with five years suspended. It took the monetary help of friends and strangers for me to recuperate in a motel after eye surgery and then return to Southern California. After three more months of cheap-motel living I found another subsidized senior apartment. Now I hope my homeless days are behind me forever, but I know nothing is certain in life or the economy. A year ago Christmas, the priest at my church in Palm Desert gave me $100 to give out to homeless people as I wished. I broke it down into $10 bills. I didnt have any trouble on Christmas Day finding men and women in need outside fast food restaurants, resting at a bus stop, pushing a shopping cart down a sidewalk and in a parking lot at a Walmart. I had already decided the money should go to the first 10 homeless people I saw: no judgments. It wouldnt matter if they were drunk, on drugs, able to work, whatever. Their eyes all lit up. They got a $10 bill, so much better than a buck, and it made me feel good. Try it sometime, maybe with the next homeless person you see pushing a shopping cart or sleeping in a vehicle on your block. Les Gapay is a retired journalist in Southern California. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook MORE FROM OPINION Kremlingate: What did President Trump know and when did he know it? Democrats are copying Republican obstruction tactics. This wont end well for the U.S. Trump just casually demolished the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict No is a word used too often by legislators. Faced with a tough vote, its easy to explain why youre holding out for a different, better, competing idea. Maybe you object to a single provision. Maybe you hope that a more perfect bill will emerge after the next election. A no today protects you from having to take responsibility for controversial decisions tomorrow. The problem, of course, is that our form of governance requires give and take, and solving big problems necessarily requires leaders to take political risks. The Constitution guarantees that competing interests have a role in crafting legislation. And for more than two centuries except for the Civil War Americans have showed that collaboration works best in the service of perfecting the union. Ronald Reagan and Tip ONeill. Bill Clinton and Newt Gingrich. Bipartisan cooperation has sustained American peace and prosperity. That tradition, and with it our democracy, is now at risk. Were hardly the first to decry the rampant polarization and partisanship in Washington and across the country. But the anger and alienation that began under President George W. Bush and worsened under President Obama has reached a fever pitch early in the Trump administration, and has us both asking though from different parties the same question: Advertisement With every denunciation and caustic tweet from Capitol Hill and the White House, the possibility of substantive progress ... grows more distant. How can this possibly end well for the U.S.? Obstruction worked well enough for Republican politicians under Obama; they now control the executive and legislative branches. It may work well enough for Democratic politicians under Trump; perhaps theyll take back the executive and legislative branches. But what then? Wont the cycle just continue? With every denunciation and caustic tweet from Capitol Hill and the White House, the possibility of substantive progress on critical issues like putting Americans to work, fixing our tax code or rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure grows more distant. Both sides seem to believe that if they stand firm, yelling no with sufficient fervor, the opposition will eventually back down or lose so many seats that their opinions wont matter. Many voters, apparently, endorse this approach, taking to the streets and storming town halls to encourage ideological purity. At a moment of fantastic possibility, when technological, scientific and medical advances offer to make life better for everyone, our political system has degenerated into dysfunction. There is one way out of this mess. Somehow, someway, leaders need to stand up and say, Enough. They need to confront the angriest and most intransigent voices in their own party and say: Your politics of division and anger is getting America nowhere. Either help find a solution or get out of the way. We cant take our democracy for granted. We cant assume there is no cost to the bitter partisanship that is turning into tribalism. Its both odd and heartening that, despite the bickering in Washington, the substantive challenges facing the United States are not unsolvable. Policy ideas abound that could help create jobs, balance the budget, secure retirements and achieve energy security ideas supported by majorities of the American people in nationwide polling. Just for example, 74% of Americans want to enforce current tax laws to close the $400-billion annual gap between legally owed taxes and taxes paid. And 83% want to modernize the electric grid. There is common ground out there, if only our leaders would look for it. Theres even a hopeful sign that some in Congress are ready to rise above the partisan mud and start focusing on doing the peoples business. Last week saw the formation of a Problem Solvers Caucus in the House with nearly 40 members from both sides of the aisle [who] will be fighting for common sense principles that impact all Americans. One of the greatest accomplishments of American democracy, is that throughout our history, the nations leaders have usually risen to the occasion when it was absolutely necessary. Even when it wasnt politically expedient, courageous public servants have fought for their principles and reached across the aisle. When they realized that there were limits to what they could accomplish on their own, they sat down with their political opponents and compromised. They hardly ever loved the result in its entirety. But, for the sake of the greater good, they got themselves to yes. Jon Huntsman is a former governor of Utah. Joe Lieberman is a former U.S. senator from Connecticut. They are national co-chairs of No Labels. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook The argument unfolding today in the United States between free traders and protectionists is nothing new, in kind or intensity. Long before President Trump called for tariffs to halt the departure of American companies, Alexander Hamilton called for the same to insulate American infant industries, especially cotton textile manufacturing, from the crushing superiority of British competition. Neither is it new for opponents of protectionism to lethally underestimate the day-to-day economic anxieties of workers left behind by free trade. Indeed, the force of workers immediate fears was critically miscalculated by one early anti-protectionist not a free trader, but rather capitalisms most influential critic: Karl Marx. As a young philosophy student in the early 1840s, Marx engaged in a number of debates taking place among radicals at the time criticism of religion in Germany, campaigns for universal male suffrage in Britain and France, and new ideas about history as class struggle put forward by French liberals. He had not publicly discussed the matter of free trade when, in 1845, he attempted to review the economist Friedrich Lists newly published defense of protectionism, The National System of Political Economy, which drew on American arguments, first made by Hamilton, for the shielding of infant industries. Advertisement Marxs social democratic vision of change was submerged by the wars and revolutions of the 20th century, but it is newly relevant ... today. Intoxicated by the prospect of a world uprising, Marx accepted Lists warning about the pauperizing effects of free trade, but actually welcomed them as harbingers of revolution. Protectionism, he said, was merely an artificial means of manufacturing manufacturers, and of forcibly abbreviating the transition from the medieval to the modern mode of production. In January 1848, a month before he completed his Communist Manifesto and two months before revolution broke out across Europe, Marx concluded: The free trade system hastens the social revolution. In this revolutionary sense alone, gentlemen, I am in favor of free trade. But as Marx would observe, widespread rebellion will not achieve wholesale societal change if revolutionaries remain preoccupied with short-term working conditions. The 1848 uprisings began promisingly, with the proclamation of a French Republic and the triumph of crowds over absolutist monarchies in Prussia and Austria. Within a few months, however, the old monarchies re-gained ground, in part because the wage-earner rebels were more focused on daily pressures than a visionary, communist mission. Efforts to channel Germanys popular movement into a Jacobin-style political organization were a spectacular failure. Hopes that radical ideas might shape a great collective transformation were shattered. In August 1849, Marx went to London and took a job as a European correspondent for the New York Daily Tribune. He was soon given another reminder of the day-to-day economic insecurities keeping workers from lofty revolutionary goals, very much including the early ills of globalization. The American economist Henry Carey, who would later serve as an advisor to President Lincoln, sent Marx a copy of his newly published book, The Slave Trade, Domestic and Foreign: Why It Exists, and How It May Be Extinguished. In it, Carey cited Marxs Tribune articles in support of his argument to protect American industry. Free trade privileged Britains status as the workshop of the world, Carey argued, but forced other countries to specialize in agriculture. Factory slavery in Britain perpetuated plantation slavery in the United States, he said, exacerbating the wealth gap in both countries. Then as now, there was an uncomfortable overlap between the concerns of socialism and protectionism. Marx was shocked to be linked with protectionist sentiment. But he could not ignore the fact that his articles depicting English society aligned closely with the papers portrayal of the effects of free trade on American workers. Though he was slow to accept the new political climate after 1848, by the mid-1860s, Marx had adapted his outlook. The way to challenge protectionism and therefore hasten a transition to socialism was not to shrug off workers fears, but to offer a principle of hope. Workers could promote their well-being through participation in the polity pressure from without, as it was called at the time. True revolution would not be achieved by a spectacular event like the storming of the Bastille, but through a more piecemeal process. After all, the transition from feudalism to capitalism had taken more than two centuries. The transition to socialism would be a similarly multifaceted progression, one that would require cooperative production, new forms of joint-stock companies, political reform that enfranchised working classes, legislation to limit the working day, and the legal recognition of trade unions. Marxs social democratic vision of change was submerged by the wars and revolutions of the 20th century, but it is newly relevant in the uncertain world of today. The grievances and discontents that drew so many to Donald Trump and attracted so many young people to Bernie Sanders should not be dismissed. Rather, the priority must be to re-energize democratic institutions by encouraging a greater participation by these voters. Only then will the appeal of crude protectionism be diminished. Gareth Stedman Jones is a professor of history at Queen Mary University in London, the director of the Center for History and Economics at the University of Cambridge, and the author of Karl Marx: Greatness and Illusion. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook When a politician holds a news conference, he or she normally has a specific message to deliver. But Donald Trump is no conventional politician and his operatic, free-form, hour-and-a-quarter-long news conference on Thursday showed it. (Not that more evidence was needed.) The ostensible purpose was to announce the name of Trumps new choice as secretary of Labor after his initial nominee withdrew amid a torrent of embarrassing charges (hiring undocumented immigrants, spousal abuse). The larger goal, presumably, was to push back against the growing narrative of a White House in chaos after Trump fired his national security adviser, Michael Flynn. I turn on the TV, open the newspapers and I see stories of chaos. Chaos! Trump said. Yet it is the exact opposite. This administration is running like a fine-tuned machine. Advertisement The way to prove that case, for a conventional politician, would be to list all the campaign promises hes fulfilling: jobs created, immigration rules toughened, economic programs introduced, Obamacare replaced. And Trump did that, reciting the list of companies that have announced plans to add jobs in the United States since his inauguration. There will be many, many more, he promised. But on most of his priority list, he didnt have much to report. His immigration order has been blocked by federal judges. His economic proposals havent been unveiled. Obamacare has been neither repealed nor replaced. Then there was the problem he had to handle: His decision to fire Flynn, and what it said about his campaigns purported relationship with Russia. Russia is a ruse, he said. I have nothing to do with Russia. To the best of my knowledge, no person that I deal with does. So were the leaks about Flynn and his contacts with Russia fake news? The leaks are absolutely real, he said. The news is fake, because so much of the news is fake. And almost any question served as a signal for the president to inveigh against his favorite targets: Democrats, leakers and his critics in the media. Asked about racist comments and protest signs, he said many of them were written by our opponents to discredit him. It wont be my people, he said. It will be the people on the other side to anger people like you. And he gave a correspondent for his least-favorite television network, CNN, a lengthy disquisition on unfairness and ratings. I watched this morning a couple of the networks. And I have to say, Fox & Friends in the morning, theyre very honorable people, the president said. But when it comes to CNN, he said, the tone is such hatred. You look at your show that goes on at 10 oclock in the evening, the viewer in chief said, referring to CNN Tonight with Don Lemon. The panel is almost always exclusive anti-Trump. The good news is he doesnt have good ratings. Tomorrow, they will say, Donald Trump rants and raves at the press. Im not ranting and raving. Im just telling you. You know, youre dishonest people, he said. Im not ranting and raving. I love this. Im having a good time. And that, in the end, was the message: Your president is not ranting and raving no matter what they say. doyle.mcmanus@latimes.com @doylemcmanus Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook Its no fun to live in a house with a leaky roof, so it must be a major pain to live in a house the White House that leaks from every crack and corner. Leaks appear to be tremendously infuriating to the new occupant at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. On Wednesday, during a news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, when he wasnt recalling the mythic proportions (and I do mean mythic in the fictional sense) of his electoral victory, President Trump was complaining about the leaks that brought down his national security advisor, retired Gen. Michael Flynn. Characterizing leaks from intelligence and law enforcement agencies, as well as his own White House, as criminal acts, Trump expressed sympathy for his departed aide and blasted the recipients of the leaked information, the news media. Advertisement Gen. Flynn is a wonderful man, Trump said. I think hes been treated very, very unfairly by the media as I call it, the fake media in many cases. The tone of Trumps latest tirade undermined the official version of events surrounding Flynns departure. On Tuesday, Press Secretary Sean Spicer said Trump had acted decisively to oust Flynn once he learned the general had lied about the content of his meetings with Russian officials. Judging by the presidents remarks, he was not really all that upset with Flynn and would not have let him go if details of Flynns actions had not been made public. Trump is discovering what he should have known when he first decided to become a candidate for president: running the country is not at all like running a real estate business or playing the part of a brilliant businessman on TV. He cannot just spit out orders and make everyone do his bidding. He cannot hide the unsavory side of his activities. And he cannot avoid accountability and tough questions. In response to Trumps latest attack on the fake media, CNNs Jake Tapper attempted to school the fledgling commander in chief. The media, of course, did not fire Gen. Flynn. President Trump did, Tapper said on his program Wednesday. Now, what the media did do was reveal to the nation that Gen. Flynn had lied to the Trump team including Vice President Pence when he claimed he never discussed Obamas sanctions on Russia with the Russian ambassador. President Trump knew this at least as early as Jan. 26. But he did not act on this until media revealed the truth to you [the public], and, as it turns out, Vice President Pence. 1 / 51 la-1491523602-y7ephyarj1-snap-image (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 2 / 51 la-1491368625-0bgh58ihw8-snap-image (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 3 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 4 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 5 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los angeles Times) 6 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 7 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 8 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 9 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 10 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 11 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 12 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 13 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 14 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 15 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 16 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 17 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 18 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 19 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 20 / 51 Trump inspires millions to take to the streets -- to oppose him. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 21 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 22 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 23 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 24 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 25 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 26 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 27 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 28 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 29 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 30 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 31 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 32 / 51 Cartoon caption contest winner at the DENT conference in Sun Valley, Idaho: Jon Duval, executive director of the Ketchum Community Development Corporation. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 33 / 51 Old radicals and big media descend on Selma (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 34 / 51 Horsey imagined the creation of the Ann Coulter phenomenon in this cartoon from 2007. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 35 / 51 This David Horsey drawing is a reconfiguration of a cartoon he first published in 2006. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 36 / 51 Donald Sterling, owner of the L.A. Clippers, should give Cliven Bundy a call. After Sterling loses his NBA franchise and the deadbeat Nevada rancher loses his cattle, the two old racists will both need a buddy. Maybe they can team up together and open an all-white rodeo. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 37 / 51 Besides sending a chill up the spine of the international community, Vladimir Putin has accomplished one other thing by seizing Crimea and threatening the rest of Ukraine: Putin has brought back the bear. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 38 / 51 The right-wing insurrection at the Bundy ranch in Bunkerville, Nev., has taken another weird turn with new revelations about the family history of Cliven Bundy. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 39 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 40 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 41 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 42 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 43 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 44 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 45 / 51 David Horsey / Los Angeles Times (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 46 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 47 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 48 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 49 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 50 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 51 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) Tapper went on to explain the difference between conspiracy theories and real news to Trump. The stories about Flynn were news because they were based on facts provided yes, leaked by officials with real information. Conspiracy theories are different. Theyre false, theyre crackpot, theyre nonsense, Tapper said, going on to give two examples: the falsehood that President Obama was born in Kenya and the bogus claim that Texas Sen. Ted Cruzs father was involved in the plot to kill President Kennedy. Trump should be familiar with those two crackpot theories since he was the one pushing them. It is not likely the president is going to gain a new appreciation for facts, though. That is not how his mind works. He perceives the world in starkly simple terms in which only one thing matters: who is with him and who is against him. Any other truth is irrelevant. David.Horsey@latimes.com Follow me at @davidhorsey on Twitter MORE FROM OPINION Kremlingate: What did President Trump know and when did he know it? Democrats are copying Republican obstruction tactics. This wont end well for the U.S. Trump just casually demolished the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict Former President George W. Bush says his recent remarks have been misconstrued as criticism of Trump (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) Former President George W. Bush on Wednesday pushed back at the notion that his recent remarks about the media were criticisms of President Trump. Im asked the question, Do I believe in free press? and the answer is absolutely, I believe in free press because the press holds people to account, he said. Power is very addictive and its corrosive if it becomes central to your life and therefore there needs to be an independent group of people who hold you to account. And so I answered that question and of course the headlines were, Bush criticizes Trump. And so therefore I needed to say, There should be a free and independent press, but it ought to be accurate. Bush made the remarks at the Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley during an hourlong question-and-answer session promoting Portraits of Courage, his new book that features his paintings of veterans. While doing media interviews about the book in recent days, he has raised eyebrows by making comments about the media, immigrants and allegations of Russian interference in the November presidential election that were widely viewed as criticisms of the new president. He said that he decided once he left the office not to second-guess his successor, former President Obama, and that the same holds true for Trump. Doing so would undermine the office, Bush said, adding that he wants all of his successors to succeed because it is good for the nation. I dont want to make the presidents job worse, no matter what political party it is. Its a hard job, Bush said. Sometimes my remarks can be construed as criticism. Theyre certainly not meant to be, and after I finish this book tour you probably wont hear from me for a while. But he was willing to offer advice to those who follow him. Know what you dont know and find people who do know what you dont know and listen to them, he said. My advice is that the job is different once you get in. It looks one way and then you get in the Oval Office and it looks different. Trust me. Bush also made an implicit criticism of Obamas foreign policy when asked whether the world is more dangerous than it was four years ago. This may be taken as criticism of one of my successors and I dont really mean it to be. There is a lesson however when the United States decides not to take the lead and withdraw, he said. Vacuums can be created when U.S. presence recedes and that vacuum is generally filed with people who dont share the ideology, the same sense of human rights and human dignity and freedom that we do. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) Aside from a handful of serious moments, Bush was jovial and self-effacing as he described how he became an oil painter after leaving the White House. Seeking ways to fill his time, he said he read an essay by Winston Churchill about painting. I basically said, What the hell, this guy can paint, I can paint, Bush said. He hired an instructor and started painting a cube and a watermelon before moving on to portraits. Former First Lady Laura Bush was not pleased with his depiction of her, so when he painted his mother, former First Lady Barbara Bush, he decided to depict her from behind. Barbara Bush and former President George H.W. Bush are doing well despite their recent hospitalizations, the younger Bush said. Theyre both great given their limitations. Dad cant walk, hes confined to a wheelchair and yet his spirit is joyful, Bush said. Moms doing fine. Shes shrinking, and as she does, her voice gets louder. But shes a, shes a piece of work is what she is. Bush has been reclusive since leaving office, but said he wrote the book and is publicizing it to raise money for veterans and to draw attention to the invisible wounds many of them suffer. I think when you read [their stories] youll be moved by stories of courage, injury, recovery willingness to help others, he said. Ive got a platform its not as big as it once was and I intend to use it to help our veterans for the rest of my life, and this is one way to do so. Asked for the first time publicly to address the dismissal of Michael Flynn, his national security advisor, President Trump was clear Wednesday in his frustration. But the presidents target was not Flynn, a retired Army lieutenant general, nor his conduct. Gen. Flynn is a wonderful man, Trump said. I think hes been treated very, very unfairly by the media as I call it, the fake media in many cases. Advertisement Trumps answer in which he also blamed intelligence officials for illegally leaking information that prompted Flynns ouster marked the most prominent example to date of his reluctance to publicly shoulder the responsibility for missteps at the White House. Nearly a month into his first term, Trumps instinct seems to be to instead return to the role hes shown he is more comfortable in: fighting back against treatment he views as unfair to him or to those close to him. And rather than putting controversy to rest, his approach has generated even more turmoil. After Trump pointed his finger at the media and the intelligence and law enforcement communities, Press Secretary Sean Spicer endured a barrage of questions from reporters not just on Flynns dismissal, but also about a New York Times report that Trump campaign officials were in direct contact with Russian intelligence officials, long denied by Trump aides. Spicer echoed Trumps stated concern over leaks to reporters, which the president called a criminal act. The idea that theres been zero attention paid to an issue of that sensitivity should be concerning and alarming, Spicer said. Trump also skirted accountability at the news conference, and at two others in the last week, by choosing to take questions mostly from reporters at conservative-leaning outlets who tended to skip queries about the most glaring problems facing him. The White Houses focus on attacking the media did little to quell questions about whether Trump fired Flynn only once it became clear that evidence would be made public that Trump had known for weeks that Flynn had misrepresented himself to other top administration officials, including Vice President Mike Pence, about his discussions in December with the Russian ambassador over U.S. sanctions. The administrations strategy further confounded even fellow Republicans, who are eager to press ahead with an ambitious policy agenda that includes tax reform, repealing the Affordable Care Act and a regulatory overhaul. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) offered rare public criticism of the president, telling the Weekly Standard that Trumps approval ratings would be 10 to 15 points higher if he allowed himself to stay on message. Any president, by the nature of the office, is the most criticized person in the world, McConnell said, advising Trump not to respond to all criticism to avoid generating a multi-day story. What hes saying makes everything harder, the majority leader said. Trump memorably proved during the campaign that few criticisms were too small for him to dwell on, feuding with a sitting judge, a Gold Star family and even Pope Francis. As Trump avoided answering personally for the Flynn case, calls grew for a more expansive congressional inquiry. The top Democrats on six key committees wrote to the White House counsel seeking further information on its internal probe of Flynn. The Democrats noted that Trump had personally remained silent in the face of increasingly vocal calls for more information, and questioned whether the president would have dismissed Flynn had additional information not been made public through the media. He was OK with Flynn being dishonest. He was OK with the vice president misrepresenting the truth to the country.... I suppose what bothers him is being forced to act, Rep. Adam B. Schiff (D-Burbank), the top Democrat on the Intelligence Committee, told MSNBC. Asked whether he could point to a president whose tenure started with similar unrest, longtime Republican strategist Ed Rollins went back more than a century. You may have to go back to our 16th president, who had nine states leave the union, he said of Abraham Lincoln. Trumps attempts to shield himself from the deepening controversy were all the more striking because he flouted White House attempts to portray him as in command of the situation. Spicer maintained Wednesday that the president was decisive in dismissing Flynn for misrepresenting his conversations with the Russian diplomat. Its in part why the president was elected, Spicer said. Later Wednesday, after Spicer said Trump would address Andrew Puzders withdrawal from consideration as Trumps nominee for Labor secretary, Spicer had to backtrack when an aide told him Trump would not be issuing a statement. Rollins attributed some of the administrations troubles to a problem that has dogged many presidencies early on, but that seems especially pronounced in Trumps case. Historically, when a campaign ends on election day, you shift to a policy side. This president chose not to do that, he said. Obviously youre going to be more effective as a team over time. This is the fourth week of a term that lasts 212 weeks. So theres plenty of time. In the face of plummeting approval ratings Trump took office at a historically low 45%, according to Gallup, and has sunk to 40% the president is further embracing his campaign mode. He will attend a rally Saturday in Melbourne, Fla., that the White House said was being organized by his campaign. An apparent reelection campaign is unheard of at this early stage of a presidents first term. michael.memoli@latimes.com Twitter: @mikememoli ALSO: Andy Puzder withdraws as Labor secretary nominee amid Republican opposition While Congress struggles to replace Obamacare, the Trump administration is moving to reshape health insurance on its own White House backs away from two-state solution in Israeli-Palestinian conflict Climate change did not produce Californias winter flooding that abruptly ended a devastating drought. That weather swing is just how California works. California has endured rotating cycles of wet and dry periods throughout its history. If there are weeks of deluge, a severe drought is on the way. It happens every decade or so. But climate change will bring more frequent and robust cycles of extreme weather. Bet on it. Advertisement All of our climate change calculations suggest wetter wets and drier dries, says Jeffrey Mount, a water expert at the Public Policy Institute of California. Hes also founding director of the Center for Watershed Sciences at UC Davis. The amount of precipitation will stay basically the same, Mount says. But therell be less snow and more warm rain, and thus more rapid runoff into swollen rivers. The recent soaking, he continues, is a window into the future. Were going to have wild swings in weather. Former state water director Lester Snow agrees. Well move very dramatically from historic drought to historic precipitation a protracted dry period followed by a record storm, Snow says. This will increase the need for off-stream and underground water storage. We need to take a comprehensive look into how we operate our dams, Mount says. Thats an understatement after the near-catastrophe last weekend at Oroville Dam, the tallest dam in the nation and keystone of the State Water Project. It forms Californias second largest reservoir. With the lake level rising rapidly and water being released into the Feather River as quickly as possible, a giant crater was carved by erosion in the main spillway. Then water began eroding a nearby emergency spillway that was unlined and had never previously been used. Was it bad design or bad maintenance? We dont know. The evidence has been washed away. Jeffrey Mount, Public Policy Institute of California Officials feared a 30-foot wall of water could burst out of the reservoir. So they ordered more than 100,000 people living downriver to flee their homes. Fortunately, no deaths were reported. And two days later the evacuees were allowed back. Turns out, environmentalists had warned dam officials more than a decade ago that the emergency spillway was vulnerable and should be lined with concrete. It wasnt. Government officials went into denial mode. Pouring concrete would cost lots of money. No one leaped forward with their checkbooks. Last weekend, what environmentalists feared could happen did. And it was compounded by the main spillway starting to break apart. We need some forensic engineering to find out what happened on the main spillway, Snow says. Was something wrong with the concrete? Did something happen underneath? People speculate it might have dried out underneath because of the drought. If we cant rely on the main spillway, we cant ever fill Oroville again. Updates from Sacramento Mounts take: Its an emergency, so its finger-pointing time. Someone has to hang for all this. Theyre out trying to find someone to hang. They might want to dig up the engineers who designed it and hang them, but theyre dead already. Was it bad design or bad maintenance? We dont know. The evidence has been washed away. The crime scene has been wiped clean. Repairs to both spillways could cost $200 million or more. Spend whatever money it takes whether its $150 million or $500 million, Snow says. Water districts have to pay. Thats my take. Its the water users obligation. That means primarily the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Theres bound to be squabbling about whether the repairs are mostly for storing and transferring water or controlling floods. The answer will largely determine whether its the water users who pay such as farmers in the San Joaquin Valley and urbanites in Southern California or everyone in the state. Im with Snow. Charge the water users. A spillway wouldnt be needed at all without a dam to store water for farms, industry and homes. But politicians and government would much rather build something new than fix what already exists. Like automobiles, dams need to be periodically serviced to stay operational. But unlike autos, you cant just trade in a dam on a new one. Theres another problem with Californias waterworks. They were built for a much smaller population. When Oroville Dam was approved by voters in 1960, fewer than 16 million people lived in California. Now the population is approaching 40 million. Theres increasing demand for water not only by people, but corporate growers who keep planting more nut orchards in the parched southern San Joaquin Valley, even during a drought. Meanwhile, Californias salmon fishery has suffered as the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta is used as an unnatural holding pond for water pumped south, confusing and chomping up young fish trying to reach the ocean. Agriculture gulps 80% of Californias developed water. At some point and were long past it California should start zoning for types of crops in the driest parts of the state. We zone for shopping malls, waste dumps and residential neighborhoods. Why not crop types? There was one ray of sunshine from the Trump administration Tuesday. White House spokesman Sean Spicer said the Oroville Dam breakdown is a textbook example of why we need to pursue a major infrastructure package in Congress. Gov. Jerry Brown asked President Trump to pitch in with federal aid to deal with the Oroville emergency and flooding throughout California. The governor quickly got a positive reply. No tacky political games. Now if Trump could just join Brown in fighting climate change. george.skelton@latimes.com Follow @LATimesSkelton on Twitter ALSO An aggressive, proactive attack to prevent disaster at the Oroville Dam California lawmakers are stuck on Trump, but theres a problem at home that needs attention: dirty water Trump says California is out of control. State lawmakers should make sure they dont prove him right As the healthcare vote looms, Trump sees opposition from conservatives, both on Capitol Hill and in the media By Kurtis Lee Its a really important vote in President Trumps fledgling first term. Will House Republicans pass a bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act a promise from Trump on the campaign trail or reject it? (House Speaker Paul D. Ryan rushed to the White House on Friday morning for a last-minute meeting with Trump as both attempted to corral enough votes.) Trump spent much of the week trying to win support from members of the Freedom Caucus, among the most conservative lawmakers, some of whom are holdouts because they believe the bill does not go far enough. After seven horrible years of ObamaCare (skyrocketing premiums & deductibles, bad healthcare), this is finally your chance for a great plan! Trump tweeted Friday. But even some in conservative media arent all that thrilled about the bill. Here are some of Fridays headlines: Polls: Ryancare even more unpopular than Obamacare and Hillarycare (Breitbart) So, its been clear in recent weeks that the right-wing website Breitbart does not like the new healthcare proposal. The news site has dubbed the current bill Obamacare-lite or Ryancare an homage of sorts to Ryan, who helped craft the legislation and argued it does not go far enough in its overhaul. Most conservatives want to repeal the Affordable Care Act, nicknamed Obamacare, they just differ on what the replacement should look like. For example, some on the far right want to see so-called essential health benefits, such as maternity and newborn care, stripped from the bill.) This piece highlights several of the dismal polls the legislation has received. Among them: A recent Fox News survey that showed 54% oppose the bill, compared with 34% who support it. The article also references an analysis of polling and data by FiveThirtyEight.com, which shows the GOP legislation is more unpopular than Obamacare and President Bill Clintons healthcare reform bill were when they were first introduced. A modest immigration proposal (Weekly Standard) Trumps recent immigration orders have left many immigrants on edge. Through social media and pop-up legal clinics, immigrant rights groups have doled out around-the-clock assistance, as families fear being separated. In this piece, Irwin Stelzer notes that at some point, our border will be secure, resistance to deporting felons will collapse, and we will have accepted the fact that Dreamers will be allowed to stay in this country, probably on a path to citizenship. He lays out his views of immigration reform, citing, among other things, setting an annual immigration limit and adopting a system that has the effect of enriching our citizens by filling that annual quota with immigrants who are likely to increase the well-being of the existing citizenry. Jeff Sessions is Rip Van Winkle on drug policy (American Conservative) Its clear from polls that most Republicans oppose marijuana legalization, while Democrats support it. However, libertarian-leaning Republicans often tend to support legalization. This piece highlights Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions recent comments in opposition to states legalizing pot. The attorney general regurgitates simplistic cliches right out of the 1970s and 1980s about marijuana use. I dont think America is going to be a better place when people of all ages, and particularly young people, are smoking pot, Sessions told reporters on February 26, the author, Ted Galen Carpenter, writes. He adds, Such comments confirm that critics may be right when they label him a drug war dinosaur. He seems either oblivious or scornful about the trend in public opinion regarding marijuana. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print FCC Chairman Pai wants to halt Internet privacy rules before they begin taking effect this week By Jim Puzzanghera (Nicholas Kamm / AFP/Getty Images) The nations new top telecommunications regulator wants to halt tough Internet privacy rules before they begin taking effect this week, arguing they would unfairly impose tougher requirements on broadband providers than on websites and social networks. Privacy advocates and a key Senate Democrat vowed Monday to fight the move as well as a separate effort in Congress to overturn the regulations, which were approved in October on a party-line vote by the Federal Communications Commission when it was controlled by Democrats under President Obama. Following President Trumps inauguration, control of the commission passed to Republicans and Ajit Pai took over as chairman. All actors in the online space should be subject to the same rules, and the federal government shouldnt favor one set of companies over another, a spokesman for Pai said Friday. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Trump says Hollywoods obsession with him led to best picture Oscar gaffe By Michael A. Memoli (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) President Trump is often loath to accept responsibility when things go wrong, but in the case of Sundays Oscars broadcast, he made an exception. As he explained it Monday, it was Hollywoods obsession with attacking him that contributed to the botched best picture announcement, calling the embarrassing episode sad, of course. Accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers has apologized for the mix-up that led Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway to announce La La Land as the winner of the top Academy Award prize, instead of Moonlight. But in Trumps eyes, the blame falls more broadly on an entertainment industry so preoccupied with politics that they didnt get the act together, he told Breitbart News. It took away from the glamour of the Oscars, Trump told a reporter from the website, which was once led by his chief White House strategist, Stephen K. Bannon. It didnt feel like a very glamorous evening. Ive been to the Oscars. There was something very special missing, and then to end that way was sad, he added. The ceremony did contain a number of slights at Trump during its telecast, some more subtle than others. Host Jimmy Kimmel openly at one point begged the president to weigh in by tweeting at him. Trump spent part of Sunday night hosting a black-tie dinner at the White House honoring the nations governors, who were visiting Washington for their annual winter meeting. But it appears from excerpts of the Breitbart interview that he may have spent at least part of the evening watching. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Justice Department shifts course in closely watched Texas voter ID case By Del Quentin Wilber The Trump administration has scaled back its assault on a strict Texas voter identification law that federal courts have ruled discriminated against minorities, portending a shift in how the Justice Department plans to pursue allegations of voter suppression. The government revealed its decision in court papers filed in federal court Monday, dealing a blow to civil rights advocates who have relied on federal support to help them knock down the controversial Texas statute. Its a very concerning signal to American voters about the Department of Justices commitment to enforcing the Voting Rights Act, said Danielle Lang, deputy director of the voting rights unit of the Campaign Legal Center, which is suing Texas in the case. The administrations partial retreat in the dispute highlights how Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions, a conservative Republican who has championed voter identification measures, is expected to handle such cases. The Obama administration had joined civil rights groups in aggressively challenging the Texas law and other such measures around the country. At issue in the case was how the Justice Department would proceed in a federal lawsuit that alleged the Texas legislature discriminated against minority voters when it enacted the strict voter identification law in 2011. Known as SB 14, the measure requires voters to present a specific form of government-issued photo identification - such as a drivers license, military ID card, U.S. passport or citizenship certificate - to be permitted to cast a ballot. The Obama administration and civil rights groups argued the state pushed the law, in part, to suppress the power of the states minority voters, who frequently dont drive or have a passport. State officials and lawmakers countered that the law was aimed at preventing voter fraud, though there is scant evidence that the problem exists. The law was challenged in court by civil rights groups and the Justice Department under provisions of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, which was intended to help overcome legal barriers erected at the local and state level to keep African-Americans from the polls. Last July, a federal appeals court ruled that the Texas law had a discriminatory impact on minority voters. It told U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos to craft a temporary remedy in time for the November elections. Ramos subsequently ordered Texas to permit voters to present other forms of documentation to verify their identities. The judges order is expected to remain in force until she imposes a permanent remedy or Texas addresses the judges concerns. According to the court papers filed Monday, the Justice Department will continue to work with civil rights groups to address those issues but will seek to withdraw from another important aspect of the suit. In the same decision that found the Texas law had a discriminatory impact, the appeals court reversed Ramos finding that Texas legislators had intended to harm minority voters. It ordered Ramos to reconsider the evidence of that finding. If the judge determines discriminatory intent in crafting the voter ID requirements, she could throw out the entire law. Civil rights groups will continue to press that claim. In its court filing, the Justice Department asked Ramos to permit it to withdraw its claim that Texas acted with intent, arguing that it is best to give the Texas legislature time to address the matter. With the loss of their key ally in court, civil rights groups will argue on their own in an effort to prove that Texas acted with a discriminatory purpose in passing the law. A hearing is scheduled for Tuesday. Voting advocates complained that the Trump administration was backing away from a key safeguard of voting rights. The Justice Department decision defies rationality and stands diametrically opposed to positions they have taken at every stage of this litigation, Kristen Clarke, president of the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, said in a statement. This reversal of position was taken despite years of work and effort that the government has invested in fighting the Texas Voter ID law, one of the most discriminatory voting restriction of its kind. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement House Intelligence Chair Devin Nunes warns against witch hunt over Trump-Russia ties By Sarah D. Wire House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes (R-Tulare) talks to reporters about his committees Russia investigation. (Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images) House Intelligence Committee Chairman Rep. Devin Nunes said on Monday he has seen no evidence from the intelligence community that there was contact between Russia and the Trump campaign. I want to be very careful, we cant just go on a witch hunt against Americans because they appear in a news story, said Nunes (R-Tulare). We still dont have any evidence of them talking to Russia. He said the committee has been briefed on the highlights of what the intelligence community has found, but is still collecting evidence. The committees ranking Democrat, Adam B. Schiff (D-Burbank), quickly responded, saying the committees investigation is in its infancy and its too soon to reach conclusions about the evidence. We havent obtained any of the evidence yet, so its premature for us to be saying weve reached any conclusion about the issue of collusion, Schiff said. The most that weve had are private conversations, the chair and I with intelligence officials. Thats not a substitute for an investigation. The House and Senate Select Intelligence Committees are conducting separate investigations into Russias reported attempts to influence voters in 2016 in an effort to curtail Hillary Clintons chances and boost Donald Trumps. A leaked U.S. intelligence report on the attempts did not look at whether the effort succeeded. The House committee has expanded a previous ongoing investigation of Russia cyberhacking to include a look at efforts to interfere in the 2016 election, Nunes told reporters Monday. Though it is still in its early stages the leaders of the committee are still discussing the investigations scope Nunes said he expects the findings to be made public. Schiff and Nunes spoke separately to reporters Monday. Schiff said the two agreed privately that they would jointly address reporters about the investigation going forward. Nunes, who served as a member of Trumps transition team, said he continues to be concerned about leaks of classified and sensitive information from the White House and intelligence communities. The leaks one of which resulted in a report about the FBI investigating Trump campaign officials will be part of the committees investigation. A government cant function with massive leaks at the highest level, Nunes said. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Appeals court denies Justice Department request to put appeal of travel ban on hold By Jaweed Kaleem (Evan Vucci / Associated Press) The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has denied the Justice Departments request to pause proceedings in an appeal of President Trumps travel ban. The court in a filing Monday said its schedule for the governments appeal of a lower courts halt on the travel ban will proceed, with the first brief due to the appeals court on March 10. In early February, the Justice Department appealed a Seattle-based federal district judges order blocking enforcement of Trumps executive action. which established a series of immigration and refugee restrictions aimed at preventing potential terrorists from entering the country. Last week, government lawyers asked the appeals court to stop proceedings in the case because the president planned to issue a new executive order and rescind the original one. A three-judge panel of the court previously denied a request from the government to reverse a nationwide stay on the travel ban. The same panel on Monday ruled that the appeal will proceed. Trump has said he will sign a new executive order tailored to deal with court decisions that have largely gone against him. On Monday, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said he expected the order to be issued mid-week. Spicer has said Trump wants to fight for the current order while also issuing a new one, but the Justice Department has said in multiple court filings that the the current order will be undone after a new one is issued. The states of Washington and Minnesota, which brought the case in Seattle now under review, have pushed for courts to move forward on a review of the constitutional issues. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print No random ICE stops on streets of America, Homeland Security chief tells governor By Lisa Mascaro Gov holds closing media briefing on Capitol Hill to wrap up @NatlGovsAssoc Winter Meeting. pic.twitter.com/3mZMBA4S0o Ralph Northam (@GovernorVA) February 27, 2017 President Trump received some unsolicited advice at dinner with the nations governors when Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe told him he needs to do a better job explaining his policies regarding deportations. McAuliffe, a Democrat and chairman of the National Governors Assn., told the president that there has been a chilling effect going on as businesses stay away from his state and as immigrants fear being rounded up. If theyre not going to be deported, we need to hear that from the president, McAuliffe said, recounting his conversation from the governors Sunday night dinner with Trump. What I told the president is these actions are hurting us. McAuliffe, a longtime ally of Hillary Clinton, said Trump agreed in large part. McAuliffe also met privately with Homeland Security Secretary John F. Kelly, and said the secretary assured him during an hourlong talk that Trumps enforcement actions were only targeting criminals -- despite widespread reports of otherwise law-abiding immigrants being detained for being in the U.S. illegally. He assured me there will be no random ICE stops on the streets of the United States of America, McAuliffe said, referring to the raids being conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. If thats the case, McAuliffe said, Trumps policy does not sound much different than the operations under former President Obama, whose administration deported more immigrants than its predecessors. Obama, however, explicitly put a priority on deportations of criminals, a distinction the Trump administration has done away with as part of the presidents executive action. My advice to him was he needs to let the American public know what theyre doing, McAuliffe said. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Trump: I havent called Russia in 10 years By Brian Bennett President Trump rejected calls for an independent investigation of his ties to Russia, telling a group of business leaders Monday that he hasnt called Russia in a decade. At the start of a White House meeting with healthcare executives, a reporter asked Trump whether a special prosecutor should be assigned to investigate allegations of Russian meddling during the election. In response, Trump mouthed the word no to the executives. As reporters were led out of the room, Trump said: I havent called Russia in 10 years. Democratic lawmakers have ramped up their calls for additional investigations into allegations that Trump allies had been in contact with Russian officials during the election and inappropriately discussed U.S. sanctions against the Moscow regime during the transition. White House officials have denied reports that Trump associates were frequently in touch with senior Russian intelligence officials during the election. U.S. intelligence agencies concluded last year that Russian leader Vladimir Putin had authorized an operation to damage Hillary Clintons campaign and tilt the 2016 election in Trumps favor. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Trump: Nobody knew that healthcare could be so complicated By Michael A. Memoli View Twitter post President Trump promised the nations governors Monday that his yet-to-be-revealed replacement plan for the Affordable Care Act would give states greater flexibility and thanked some Republicans in the room who advised him on healthcare. Its an unbelievably complex subject, he said. Nobody knew that healthcare could be so complicated. The remark likely surprised state leaders; spending on Medicaid alone was the second-biggest driver of increased state general fund spending, according to the 2016 Fiscal Survey of States conducted by the National Assn. of State Budget Officers. And it was just eight years ago that Washington dove head-first into a raging debate over healthcare reform under President Obama, which simmered long after his signature health law was enacted. But the finer points of healthcare policy are likely new to Trump, who is immersed in discussions with Republican leaders and his senior staff on that and other subjects ahead of his high-profile address Tuesday to a joint session of Congress. Trump offered no hint as to the details. Republicans have vowed to repeal and replace Obamacare, but their effort has stalled as they debate how to do so and await word from the White House on what Trump wants to do. The president seemed keenly aware of the political ramifications of whatever steps he takes. As soon as we touch it, if we do the most minute thing, just a tiny little change, whats going to happen? Theyre going to say its the Republicans problem, Trump said after telling the governors the easiest thing for him to do would be nothing, and, in his view, watch Obamacare collapse. But we have to do whats right because Obamacare is a failed disaster. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Trump wants to add $54 billion to defense budget while slashing domestic spending and foreign aid By Brian Bennett President Trump is proposing a massive increase in defense spending of $54 billion while cutting domestic spending and foreign aid by the same amount, the White House said Monday. Trumps spending blueprint previewed a major address that he will give Tuesday night to a joint session of Congress, laying out his vision for what he called a public safety and national security budget with a nearly 10% increase in defense spending. We never win a war. We never win. And we dont fight to win. We dont fight to win, Trump said Monday in remarks to the nations governors. So we either got to win or dont fight it at all. Trump noted that the U.S. has spent nearly $6 trillion on fighting wars since the Sept. 11 attacks but said that cutting military spending was not the answer. Instead, the increase he is proposing would be offset by cuts to unspecified domestic programs and to foreign aid, which would in turn be made up for in part by demanding that other countries pay more for security alliances that have historically been underwritten by the U.S. This budget expects the rest of the world to step up in some of the programs that this country has been so generous in funding in the past, an official from the Office of Management and Budget said, demanding anonymity to discuss the presidents spending plans. Foreign aid makes up about 1% of the budget. This budget speaks for itself, the official said. I dont think this budget has anything to do other than putting Americans first. Trumps call for deep cuts to spending at home is likely to set up major battles on Capitol Hill, where Democrats and even House Republicans will likely be reluctant to pass a spending bill that includes such major reductions in programs for their constituents. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Trump says businesses cant borrow because of Dodd-Frank. The numbers tell another story By Jim Puzzanghera President Trump was preparing the first step in a key campaign promise dismantling the 2010 DoddFrank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act when he repeated a frequent criticism of the law. We expect to be cutting a lot out of Dodd-Frank because, frankly, I have so many people, friends of mine that had nice businesses, they cant borrow money, Trump told leading corporate chief executives, including Jamie Dimon of JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Larry Fink of money management giant BlackRock Inc., meeting at the White House earlier this month They just cant get any money because the banks just wont let them borrow it because of the rules and regulations in Dodd-Frank, Trump said. Shortly afterward, he ordered a wholesale review of the landmark act, which was passed in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis. But a main reason for dismantling Dodd-Frank often cited by Trump and critics of the law that its slew of tougher financial regulations have significantly restricted bank lending isnt borne out by the data. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Another Trump nominee withdraws nomination to top national security post due to business interests By W.J. Hennigan Philip M. Bilden, President Trumps pick for Navy secretary, withdrew from consideration late Sunday, becoming the second White House nominee to bail on a top Pentagon position due to problems untangling his financial investments. After an extensive review process, I have determined that I will not be able to satisfy the Office of Government Ethics requirements without undue disruption and materially adverse divestment of my familys private financial interests, Bilden said in a statement. He did not detail the issues but he said he fully supported the presidents agenda to modernize and rebuild our Navy and Marine Corps. Bildens withdrawal comes after billionaire investor Vincent Viola dropped out from becoming Army secretary after he decided his extensive financial holdings would hamper his ability to win Senate confirmation. The White House shot down reports that surfaced two weeks ago that Bilden was considering stepping down. Just spoke with him and he is 100% commited [sic] to being the next SECNAV pending Senate confirm, White House spokesman Sean Spicer tweeted on Feb. 18. Bilden, a venture capitalist and Army veteran, was a surprise selection from Trump but had the backing of Defense Secretary James N. Mattis. This was a personal decision driven by privacy concerns and significant challenges he faced in separating himself from his business interests, Mattis said in a statement. While I am disappointed, I understand and his respect his decision, and know that he will continue to support our nation in other ways. Bilden served ten years in the U.S. Army Reserve as a military intelligence officer from 1986 to 1996. He then co-founded private equity firm HarbourVest Partners LLC and spent 25 years there, mainly in the companys Hong Kong headquarters. He also serves on the board of directors of the United States Naval Academy Foundation and the board of trustees of the Naval War College Foundation. Mattis said he intends on recommending a replacement nominee to Trump in the coming days. The withdrawal marks another setback for Trumps national security team, which has struggled to find its footing since the fledgling administration began. Earlier this month, National Security Advisor Michael Flynn was forced to resign after it became public that he held secret talks with a Russian ambassador and then misled Vice President Mike Pence about it. Army Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster took the job last week after Trumps first choice to replace Flynn, retired Navy Vice Adm. Robert Harward, passed on the opportunity. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement New DNC chairman Tom Perez ridicules Trump tweet over rigged vote By Laura King Former Labor Secretary Tom Perez was chosen to lead the Democratic Party over a congressman backed by the progressive wing. (Branden Camp / Associated Press) President Trump claimed Sunday that the race for Democratic National Committee chairman had been rigged -- drawing a quick riposte from Tom Perez, who narrowly won the partys leadership race. Trump insinuated that Perezs DNC victory on the second ballot at a party conference in Atlanta on Saturday was because Hillary Clinton had backed Perez, a former Labor secretary in the Obama administration who was seen as representing the partys establishment forces. Clinton did not make a formal endorsement, but Perezs rival, Rep. Keith Ellison of Minnesota, was backed by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and the partys more liberal wing. Bernies guy, like Bernie himself, never had a chance, Trump tweeted early Sunday morning. Clinton demanded Perez! Perez, appearing on CNNs State of the Union on Sunday, told host Jake Tapper that he and Ellison got a good kick out of that, adding: Donald Trump, up in the morning tweeting about us. Sanders, appearing on the same show, said Trump doesnt have a point about the DNC vote. Moments after Perez beat Ellison by 35 votes out of 435 cast, he named Ellison as the deputy chairman of the party, leading to widespread applause. Perez is the first Latino to lead the Democratic Party, and he faces the challenge of trying to rebuild a party that suffered devastating losses in the 2016 election. Republicans now control not only the White House and Congress, but 33 governorships and dozens of state legislatures. In his CNN interview, Perez sarcastically suggested that Trump should address questions about Russian interference in the 2016 presidential campaign rather than concerning himself with the DNC leadership battle. Frankly, what we need to be looking at is whether this election was rigged by Donald Trump and his buddy Vladimir Putin, he said. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print White House again bats away call for special prosecutor on Russia By Laura King A White House spokeswoman said Sunday that it was too soon to say whether a special prosecutor should look into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential campaign, while President Trump again inveighed against coverage of Russia-related queries as FAKE NEWS. Calls have grown louder from Democrats in Congress for U.S. Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions to recuse himself from the issue because of his role as a prominent Trump supporter during the campaign, and to appoint an independent special prosecutor to carry out a Russia probe. A few Republicans have joined in that chorus some reluctantly. Rep. Darrell Issa of Vista, appearing on HBOs Real Time with Bill Maher, voiced support Friday for naming of a special prosecutor to probe the Russian connection, though he also said congressional intelligence committees should continue their work. He also said he considered Sessions a friend, but pointed to his role as a political appointee who had worked on the Trump campaign. Issa, who narrowly won reelection, was a vociferous critic of the Obama administration during his former tenure as head of the House Oversight Committee. In that post, he spearheaded an array of investigations on topics from Benghazi to bank bailouts. Some Republicans pushed back against the notion of Sessions needing to recuse himself. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., said on NBCs Meet the Press that he had seen no credible information about contacts between the Trump campaign and Russians and no allegations that rose to the level of criminal activity. If we get down that road, thats a decision that Attorney General Sessions can make at the time, said Cotton, who is a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee. U.S. intelligence agencies have concluded that Russian intelligence agencies hacked Democratic Party computers and used other tactics last year to interfere with the election. The FBI is separately investigating whether anyone on Trumps campaign had improper contacts with Russian authorities during the campaign. On Sunday, White House Deputy Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said congressional investigations on Russia and the campaign should be allowed to go forward before a special prosecutor appointment was considered. I dont think were there yet, Sanders said on ABCs This Week. Lets work through this process. Echoing the previously stated White House stance, Sanders said the Trump campaign had not colluded in any Russian meddling. We had no involvement in this, she said. The president is known to keep a close eye on surrogates performances on the talk shows, and Sanders repeated a prime administration talking point: that questions about possible Trump campaign contacts with Russia amounted to Democratic excuses for losing the election. If Democrats want to continue to relive their loss every single day, by doing an investigation or review after review, thats fine by us, she said. We know why we won this race. Its because we had the better candidate with the better message. Trump himself underscored that notion with an afternoon tweet denouncing media coverage of the ongoing Russia investigations as FAKE NEWS put out by the Dems, and played up by the media, in order to mask the big election defeat and the illegal leaks! Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Whose news is fake? Heres the latest in Trumps war with the press By Kurtis Lee Every president since 1981 has attended the annual White House Correspondents Assn. dinner. That year, President Reagan missed out. The reason? He needed to recover after a would-be assassin fired a bullet into his chest a few weeks earlier. On Saturday, President Trump announced he will not be attending the annual dinner in April, long considered the premier social event of the Washington press corps and typically an evening of good-natured bantering between presidents and the Fourth Estate. Trumps announcement added to the ratcheting tensions between his administration and the media. Almost daily, in speeches or on Twitter, he calls particular news outlets fake, disgusting or dishonest and news organizations have responded by digging in, standing united and devoting more resources to covering a president who has branded the press the enemy. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Crucial group of Americans like Trumps stands, not him, poll finds By David Lauter Trump still gets dismal ratings on temperament but is above water on economy, decision-making, promises of change. pic.twitter.com/Md0H096n9m Carrie Dann (@CarrieNBCNews) February 26, 2017 With the public deeply split in its views of President Trump, one potentially key group stands out -- those who dislike the man, but approve of the direction in which hes moving. Thats a central finding of a new nationwide survey by NBC News and the Wall St. Journal. The new poll confirms what other major surveys have shown: Trump starts his administration with less support than any president in the seven decades of presidential polling. Asked if they approve or disapprove of the job Trump is doing, 44% approve, 48% disapprove. No previous president has begun his tenure with a net negative job approval. Trump has held onto the support of his ardent backers. At the other end of the spectrum, he gets almost no approval from Democrats. In the middle, the poll found, are many Americans -- just over a third of those polled -- who either voted for Trump with reservations, voted for a third party candidate or did not vote at all in 2016. Just over half of that group gives Trump positive marks, the poll found. Their support is enough, currently, to keep Trumps standing from collapsing, and holding them is likely key to his future. Just under one third of Americans say they like Trump and approve of his policies, the poll found. Another one in six approve of most of his policies even though they dislike him. Well over half, 59%, said they did not like him personally. On a separate question, only 43% of those surveyed have a positive view of Trump -- up from the low points of the campaign, but still far below the standing of most new presidents. By contrast, 86% agreed with one of the central lines of Trumps inaugural speech, that government insiders had reaped the rewards of government, while the people have borne the cost. On other issues, the public is more closely divided. The public splits evenly, for example, on Trumps proposed temporary ban on travel from seven mostly Muslim countries. Just over half of those surveyed, 52%, said that the problems Trump has encountered in his first month were unique to this administration and suggest real problems; 43% said they were growing pains similar to those other administrations have had. And by 51%-41%, the public thinks the press has been too hard on the new administration. The NBC/WSJ poll, run by a bipartisan team of two polling firms, was taken by phone, using cell phones and landlines, Feb. 18-22 among 1,000 American adults. It has a margin of error for the full sample of 3.1 percentage points in either direction. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Trump appears to think Perez at head of Democratic National Committee is good news for Republicans By Evan Halper Congratulations to Thomas Perez, who has just been named Chairman of the DNC. I could not be happier for him, or for the Republican Party! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 25, 2017 The Democratic Party put its faith in its old guard Saturday to guide it out of the political wilderness, choosing as its new leader an Obama-era Cabinet secretary over the charismatic congressman backed by the progressive wing of the party. Tom Perez, a former secretary of Labor with strong ties to unions, persuaded the spirited assembly of party delegates in Atlanta that he can best help harness a grass-roots outpouring of anti-Trump protest and anger into a Democratic resurgence at the ballot box. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Trump to Washington reporters: Not going to your dinner By Kurtis Lee I will not be attending the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner this year. Please wish everyone well and have a great evening! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 25, 2017 The annual White House Correspondents Assn. dinner will be missing a key guest this year: President Trump. On Saturday, Trump tweeted he will not attend the April 29 dinner, considered the premier social event of the Washington press corps -- and typically an evening of good-natured bantering between presidents and reporters with a mix of celebrities watching. His announcement comes amid growing tensions between his administration and the media. Trump has decried stories he doesnt like as fake news, and described unnamed news groups as an enemy of the people. A day earlier, the White House barred reporters from several major news organizations, including the Los Angeles Times, the New York Times, CNN and Politico, from attending an off-camera press briefing. In a sign of the growing rift, several media organizations that traditionally sponsor lavish parties around the black-tie dinner had announced they would not do so this year. At the annual dinner, the president usually delivers self-deprecating jokes and often is roasted by a high-profile comedian. The president also greets students who win journalism scholarships and awards, a major part of the evening. Trump has been a frequent guest of media organizations at the dinner in the past, but he always sat at a table in the crowded ballroom, not up at the front dias. President Obama singled Trump out during the dinner several years ago, mocking Trump for raising doubts about whether Obama was born in the United States. This year, as we do every year, we will celebrate the First Amendment and the role an independent press plays in a healthy republic, the White House Correspondents Assn. said in a statement earlier this month about the upcoming dinner. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Former Labor Secretary Tom Perez named Democratic Party leader By Evan Halper Newly elected Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez (Branden Camp/Associated Press) The Democratic Party put its faith in its old guard Saturday to guide it out of the political wilderness, choosing as its new leader an Obama-era Cabinet secretary over the charismatic congressman backed by the progressive wing of the party. Tom Perez, a former secretary of Labor with strong ties to labor unions, persuaded the spirited assembly of party delegates in Atlanta that he can best help harness a grass-roots outpouring of anti-Trump protest and anger into a Democratic resurgence at the ballot box. We are suffering from a crisis of confidence, a crisis of relevance, Perez told delegates before they chose him in a down-to-the-wire contest with Rep. Keith Ellison of Minnesota, whom the Bernie Sanders wing of the party had rallied round. We need a chair who can not only take the fight to Donald Trump. We also need a chair who can lead a turnaround and change the culture of the Democratic Party, Perez said. The ascendance of an establishment liberal is certain to renew tension between veteran party stalwarts and the unruly progressive movement aligned with Sanders and Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, both of whom backed Ellison. Some Ellison supporters erupted in protest as the final vote was announced. Perez quickly sought to unite the party by naming Ellison his deputy chair, a move unanimously approved by the 435 assembled delegates, who had supported Perez 235-200. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Trump chastises media for not reporting minor dip in national debt By Del Quentin Wilber President Trump took to Twitter on Saturday morning to blast the news media for not highlighting a minor dip in the national debt. The media has not reported that the National Debt in my first month went down by $12 billion vs a $200 billion increase in Obama first mo., he tweeted at 8:19 a.m. The media has not reported that the National Debt in my first month went down by $12 billion vs a $200 billion increase in Obama first mo. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 25, 2017 Trumps tweet came shortly after Herman Cain, who ran unsuccessfully for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012, made a similar comment on Fox News. While the numbers are accurate, Trumps tweet suggests he deserves credit for something that is largely beyond his control, especially since he hasnt yet given Congress any proposals to change tax laws or the financial industry. Considering that Trump hasnt enacted any fiscal legislation, its a bit of a stretch for him to take credit for any changes in debt levels, Dan Mitchell, a libertarian economist at the Cato Institute, told the fact-checking website Politifact. President Obamas first month in office in 2009 was largely taken up with spending bills aimed at easing the massive recession that he had inherited. Trump inherited an economy with low inflation, low unemployment and a booming stock market. The national debt, which stands at just under $20 trillion, is expected to rise by more than $500 billion in the fiscal year ending in September. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Mexico rejects U.S. plan to deport Central Americans to Mexico By Patrick J. McDonnell Mexico has informed the Trump administration that it cannot accept non-Mexican nationals whom U.S. authorities arrest along the border and seek to remove from U.S. territory, the nations internal security chief said Friday. Earlier this week, the Trump administration rolled out a broad immigration crackdown that included a proposal to send non-Mexican detainees apprehended along the U.S.-Mexico border back to Mexico while their immigration cases were pending in the United States. The vast majority of non-Mexican nationals detained along the U.S.-Mexico border are Central Americans. They often travel overland through Mexico to reach the United States. In a fact sheet released Tuesday, the Department of Homeland Security said that releasing detained, third-country nationals to the foreign contiguous territory from which they arrived would save on detention and adjudication resources. The idea would be to keep them out pending their hearings on deportation, the fact sheet said. However, Mexican authorities have reacted coolly from the outset to the notion. Now, they appear to have formally nixed the idea. On Friday, Mexicos interior secretary, Miguel Angel Osorio Chong, told a radio interviewer than Mexican authorities had informed a pair of visiting U.S. Cabinet officers Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Homeland Security Secretary John F. Kelly that Mexico could not oblige the U.S. request. We told them that our legal framework doesnt allow this, Osorio Chong told Radio Formula, referring to the visit this week of the two Trump Cabinet officials. We told them it is impossible. There is no way, legally, nor is there capacity. In recent years, non-Mexicans, mostly Central Americans, have become a larger proportion of illegal immigrants apprehended along the Southwest border as the relative number of Mexican nationals has declined. In fiscal year 2016, according to U.S. Border Patrol statistics, agents recorded apprehensions of almost 191,000 undocumented Mexican citizens along the Southwest frontier. In the same fiscal year, the Border Patrol said it registered 218,000 detentions of non-Mexican nationals, most of them Central Americans. Cecilia Sanchez of The Times Mexico City bureau contributed to this report. An earlier version of this blog post misspelled Miguel Angel Osorio Chongs name as Osorio Chung. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Trump blasts FBI over Russia leaks after a brief Twitter hiatus By Kurtis Lee (Alex Wong / Getty Images ) After several days of relative silence on Twitter, President Trumps feed came alive Friday with a direct attack on the FBI. Yes, hes done this before. But recent news reports that suggest his administration pressed the FBI to quell claims that members of his campaign had contact with Russians throughout the 2016 election appear to have inspired a response. The FBI is totally unable to stop the national security leakers that have permeated our government for a long time, he tweeted. And conservative news was all over it. Here are some of todays headlines: Trump blasts FBI leakers (Fox News) Trump has assailed everyone from Democrats to intelligence officials for the leaks which he often refers to as fake news about his ties to Russia. Reports from several news outlets this week, citing anonymous sources, claim Trumps chief of staff, Reince Priebus, asked FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe to publicly dispute media reports that Trumps campaign advisors frequently were in touch with Russian intelligence agents during the election. While some reports made it appear Priebus had contacted McCabe, this piece disputes that. Fox News has learned that McCabe indeed had initiated the conversation, asking to speak with Priebus for a few minutes at the end of an intelligence meeting last week, their article reports. Ed Schultz at CPAC: Trump promised Americas heartland a deal (Daily Caller) He was once among the top liberal voices in the country. Now, Ed Schultz, the former MSNBC anchor, is speaking glowingly about President Trump. Between covering high-profile speeches at the Conservative Political Action Conference from Trump and his aides, the Daily Caller popped into a panel at which Schultz provided commentary. Shultz, who now works with the Russian government-funded RT television network, blasted the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal, asserting that Trumps claim that it would cost U.S. jobs was a game changer in the 2016 election. Trump went into Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan and Wisconsin and he took down the progressive firewall, because he talked to the American people about a deal, Schultz said. It was a Wall Street deal, it was not a Main Street deal, he said, referring to the TPP. Trump is about blowing up Washington as it exists (Rush Limbaugh) Remember when Trump talked about draining the swamp? Since he entered the White House, some conservatives have wondered if Trump means business. Many members of his cabinet including Priebus and Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions are the ultimate Washington insiders. Still, Rush Limbaugh, one of the firebrand conservatives out there, is certain the president will blow up traditional Washington. Whats Trumps No. 1 obstacle? I have concluded that the media is the No. 1 obstacle because of the success they have, he said on his radio show this week. The people in Washington, media is every bit as big a part of the establishment as anybody else is. He added: The media is creating this narrative, if you will, and this picture this series of pictures, this overall image that Trump is stalled, that everybodys opposing him, that his agenda is backlogged. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print After Trump calls media an enemy of the people, White House bars many news outlets from briefing By Noah Bierman Fridays White House press briefing, normally an on-camera affair open to all reporters with press credentials, was turned into an exclusive event for certain outlets hand-picked by the administration. The action came after President Trump on Friday described the media and what he terms fake news as the enemy of the people."On the list were Trump-friendly outlets such as Breitbart News, the Washington Times and OANN, a conservative television network that employs former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski as a commentator. Off the list were some of Trumps favorite targets, including the New York Times and CNN. The Los Angeles Times was also excluded. The off-camera briefing with Sean Spicer, the press secretary, was not solely for conservative outlets. Several mainstream reporters were also allowed in, including the three major broadcast networks and wire services, such as Bloomberg News. Also allowed in were pool representatives who transmit news events to a far larger group of reporters. The Associated Press and Time magazine were also invited but declined to participate in solidarity with other news organizations that were denied entry. The White House Correspondents Assn. protested, as did editors at several of the organizations that were excluded. In a statement, Times editor Davan Maharaj said that it was unfortunate that the Los Angeles Times has been excluded from a White House press briefing today. The public has a right to know, and that means being informed by a variety of news sources, not just those filtered by the White House press office in hopes of getting friendly coverage, Maharaj said. Regardless of access, The Times will continue to report on the Trump administration without fear or favor, he added. 12:30 p.m.: This post was updated with a statement from Times editor Davan Maharaj. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Its a Russian flag! Trickster strikes CPAC before Trumps speech By Matt Pearce Crowd at CPAC waving these little pro-Trump flags that look exactly like the Russian flag. Staffers quickly come around to confiscate them. pic.twitter.com/YhPpkwFCNc Peter Hamby (@PeterHamby) February 24, 2017 As the crowd waited to hear President Trump speak at the Conservative Political Action Conference, little red-white-and-blue flags appeared without warning, handed down the aisles by a man with a green bag, according to a witness. The flags said Trump. They also happened to be the flag of the Russian Federation. He was dressed like any one of us, said Tyler Dever, 20, a student at the University of South Florida in Tampa, who was wearing a suit. He passed them to me and was like, Pass them down, pass them down. Dever, caught up in the moment, passed them down, before someone sitting next to him said, Oh, its a Russian flag! CPAC staff quickly recollected the flags. If it was just a red-white-and-blue flag, I would have picked it out, Dever said. He said it was his first time attending an event like CPAC and was surprised to see a provocateur in the audience, especially beyond the cordon set up by the Secret Service. Someone tried to victimize me, Dever said. You have Secret Service out here, and Id expect it to be fully screened. ... Thank God someone noticed. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Trump still loves the USC/L.A. Times poll: What it got right and what it got wrong By David Lauter Throughout the fall campaign, then-candidate Donald Trump and his allies loved the USC/L.A. Times Daybreak poll -- the only major survey that consistently showed him winning. A couple polls got it right. I must say Los Angeles Times did a great job, shocking because, you know, they did a great job, Trump declared in his speech this morning at CPAC, the annual gathering of conservative activists. But did the poll get it right? In the simplest terms, no, and after considerble analysis, we know why. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print A celebration, and wake, for a campaign legend and a Republican Party that is no more By Mark Z. Barabak (Steve Lopez/Los Angeles Times) It was a cool and rainy day when elders of the Republican tribe recently gathered to honor one of their own. The honoree, Stuart K. Spencer, was unmistakable in his white duck pants and a lime-green sport coat so bright it almost hurt to see. A reformed chain-smoker, he snapped merrily away on a wad of chewing gum. The event marked Spencers 90th birthday, but the mood beneath the surface conviviality was unsettled and gray, like the clouds fringing the mountains outside. If the occasion was intended as a personal celebration, it also had the feel of a wake for a time in politics long passed. Along with former Vice President Dick Cheney and former California Gov. Pete Wilson, veterans of the Reagan years turned out in force. It was Spencer, more than anyone, who took a political long shot and washed-up B-movie actor and helped transform him into the Reagan of legend. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print CPACs reaction to President Trumps speech: Two thumbs up By Matt Pearce Supporters cheer President Trump as he speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference in National Harbor, Md., on Friday. (Alex Brandon / Associated Press) President Trump loves CPAC, and CPAC loves Trump. As hundreds of Conservative Political Action Conference attendees spilled out into the hallways Friday after Trumps speech to the group, they had glowing reviews of the man who has been tormenting Democrats and the media and transforming the Republican Party. It was fantastic, unbelievable, absolute truth, said Shia L. Lome, 84, a retired Air Force colonel from Deerfield Beach, Fla., appraising Trumps remarks. If he carries through [his promises], this will be the greatest country ever. Lome added that there is no question about it, Trump is his own type of Republican. Whether its conservative or whatever you want to call it, Lome said he is happy as long as [Trump] causes the Democrats heartaches. Kayne Robinson, 73, a former chairman of the Iowa Republican Party, said Trump was simply taking the party in the direction that people want it to go. I think the party is every bit as united behind him as it was behind either of the Bushes, Robinson said. Trump led a revolution in the party, very much like Reagan. ... I think Trump is doing just fine. Frank March, a 50-year-old Army retiree from Fairfax County, Va., emerged from the ballroom at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center wearing a red Make America Great Again cap, which carried Trumps jagged signature on the bill. Marchs daughter had gotten the hat signed when she previously met Trump, and he proudly showed off photos of that event. I recognize the signature! a woman exclaimed as she saw the hat. March praised Trumps follow-through and his commitment to workers as incredible. Hes bringing in new people to the party, March said. The hope is, by his follow-through, doing what he said he was going to do, then the non-Republicans who voted for Trump will stick. Helping workers will be one of the ways Trump can make that happen, he said. In politics, youre supposed to help people, March said. Workers are the people. Theyre people who earn money to take care of their families. Republicans should support those people because theyre the ones who make America run. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Donald Trump shows up at conservatives most prominent gathering and defines a new GOP By Noah Bierman President Trump shows up at conservatives most prominent gathering and defines a new GOP. President Trump made one of his strongest pitches Friday to unite the Republican Party and the conservative movement behind a nationalist, anti-globalist ideology that until recently would have been unthinkable for many Republicans. There is no such thing as a global anthem, a global currency or a global flag, Trump said to great applause from thousands of conservatives. Im not representing the globe. Im representing your country. He echoed ideas he has espoused in the past -- denouncing trade deals as the antithesis of economic freedom, warning that the great cities of Europe have been ruined by mass immigration, denouncing intervention in the Middle East by both parties. But while many of the words were familiar, the venue and the passion made Fridays speech remarkable. The comments came at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference, just outside of Washington, D.C., the most prominent gathering of right-leaning groups and activists in the country. Such a speech would have been shocking from a conservative, much less the president, at almost any other time in the conferences history. Trump has been popular at CPAC in the past. He credits a speech there with launching his political career. But he snubbed last years event amid a heated primary in which many conservatives rejected his tone and the direction he was trying to move the GOP. I would have come last year, but I was worried that I would be at that time too controversial, Trump said in his speech, which lasted nearly an hour. Trump, the first president since Ronald Reagan to address the group during his first year in office, made clear that he is moving those once controversial ideas to the movements center. In addition to his usual critiques of the media and frequent references to his electoral success, Trump spoke directly of his ambition for reshaping the Republican Party to attract blue-collar voters, the forgotten men and women who helped propel his electoral victory. Im here today to tell you what this movement means for the future of the Republican Party and for the future of America, Trump said. The core conviction of our movement is that we are a nation that [must] put and will put its own citizens first. Later, he added that the GOP will be from now on also the party of the American worker. While Trump tried to unite conservatives, the speech made little effort to bridge the countrys larger political divide. For example, Trump dismissed people who have shown up at town halls around the country to protest reversal of Obamacare. Theyre not you, he said. Theyre the side that lost. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Justice Department rescinds order phasing out use of private prisons By Del Quentin Wilber Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions has jettisoned an Obama administration order to phase out the use of private prisons to hold federal inmates. The new order reverses one issued by former Deputy Atty. Gen. Sally Yates in August that sought to eliminate the departments use of private for-profit prisons, which hold just over 10% of the current prison population. The Obama administration order changed long-standing policy and practice, and impaired the bureaus ability to meet the future needs of the federal correctional system, Sessions wrote Thursday to announce the reversal. Civil rights and prisoner rights groups decried the Sessions decision, saying private prisons are not as cost-effective or as safe as government-run facilities, citing numerous abuses in the past. The Bureau of Prisons houses about 21,000 of its 190,000 inmates in a dozen private prisons, including one near Bakersfield. Atty. Gen. Sessions has shown that he is not taking the mass incarceration crisis seriously, said Wade Henderson, who heads the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. Continuing to rely on private prisons for federal inmates is neither humane nor budget conscious, Henderson added. We need a justice system that can work better for all people. Yates order did not affect facilities used to detain people in the country illegally. The use of private prisons is expected to surge under President Trumps promised crackdown on illegal immigration. Trump has signed an executive order calling for expansion of immigrant detention facilities and authorized the use of private contractors to construct, operate, or control facilities. Stocks in private prison companies have jumped on Wall Street since Trump won the presidential election, and they continued their rise on news of Sessions order. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print CPAC and conservative media prepare for Trump By Kurtis Lee The future path of the Republican Party is being debated in the halls of the Conservative Political Action Conference in Maryland this week. Will it be the party of Donald Trump, an outsider of the GOP establishment, or House Speaker Paul D. Ryan, the definition of establishment? Or, perhaps, of Richard Spencer, a white nationalist leader of the so-called alt-right movement? (Spencer was kicked out of CPAC on Thursday.) Trump is set to address the conference on Friday, and the conservative media are ready for the much-anticipated address. Tomorrow it will be TPAC when hes here, Kellyanne Conway, a senior advisor to Trump told reporters Thursday. Here are some of todays headlines: Go Big, Go Bold: Walker, at CPAC, pushes GOP to carry out agenda as party controls Congress, White House (Fox News) Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, once a Trump foe, is urging conservatives to use the November election as a mandate. Do what you said you were going to do, Walker said to attendees. In the Fox News piece, which leads its website, it notes that leaders at the conference are hoping to use it to strategize about what they can accomplish and to better articulate their values at a time when the very definition of conservatism has seemed to waver. Sweden Democrats: Trump was right (Fox News) Remember last weekend when everyone including many Swedish politicians were really confused about Trumps comments at a recent rally? You look at whats happening last night in Sweden, Trump, at a rally in Florida on Saturday, said about the Scandinavian country that has accepted large numbers of refugees. Sweden. They took in large numbers. Theyre having problems like they never thought possible. Actually, not much happened in Sweden on Friday night. Trump said later that he had been referring to a broadcast on Fox News on that night. Still, recent riots in the country were covered extensively by conservative media. This post notes a recent op-ed penned by Jimmie Akesson and Mattias Karlsson, both leaders of the Sweden Democrats, in the Wall Street Journal on Wednesday supporting Trumps characterization of a Muslim immigrant-led crime crisis in Sweden. In it they write, Trump did not exaggerate Swedens current problems. If anything, he understated them. Trump Is Letting DREAMers Stay, And Rush Is Fine With That (Daily Caller) Hes an immigration hard liner, and, apparently, hes OK with Trump allowing DREAMERs to remain in the country. This piece highlights comments by Rush Limbaugh this week. A lot of people think that Trumps caving because if you allow the DREAMers to stay, were talking 750,000 DREAMers, kids, who each have two parents who could come in. Look, this is a-no-win, Limbaugh said this week. Nobodys gonna win anything by deporting a bunch of kids that we let in. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Trump advisor Steve Bannon rails at corporatist, globalist media By Noah Bierman Steve Bannon to the #CPAC crowd: "If you think they're going to give you your country back without a fight, you're sadly mistaken" pic.twitter.com/ryw7iO0Snr POLITICO (@politico) February 23, 2017 The two men with the most heavily dissected relationship in President Trumps White House held a rare public appearance together Thursday and agreed on one common enemy: the media. Reince Priebus, the chief of staff who is often described as embattled, said he has grown conditioned to the media counting Trump out: during the presidential campaign, the transition and the first month of the presidency. The biggest misconception is everything that youre reading, Priebus said. Steve Bannon, Trumps chief strategist, framed his complaint as an ideological war. He consistently called the media the opposition party throughout a 20-minute joint interview on stage at the Conservative Political Action Conference just outside of Washington. Its not only not going to get better, it gets worse every day, Bannon said. Theyre corporatist, globalist media that are adamantly opposed to an economic nationalist agenda like Donald Trump has. If you think theyre going to give you your country back without a fight, he added. You are sadly mistaken. Bannon, former executive chairman of the far-right Breitbart News, seldom speaks in public. His nationalist rendering of Republican ideology is often seen in contrast to Priebus, the former chairman of the GOP, who is viewed as the more mainstream conservative advocate within the White House. The two men said the tension between them portrayed in the media is inaccurate. But as they praised each other, the men made clear that Bannon sees his role as dominant in shaping Trumps policy. Bannon praised Priebus for doggedly keeping the trains running -- one of the toughest jobs Ive ever seen in my life. Bannon talked about being in the first inning of shaping a new political order and beginning the deconstruction of the administrative state. Priebus used more prosaic language and spoke of Bannon as the one who pushes Trump to maintain his bold vision. He is very dogged in making sure that every day the promises that President Trump made are the promises were working on, Priebus said of Bannon. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print In Mexico, Homeland Security chief says there will be no mass deportations of people in U.S. illegally By Patrick J. McDonnell Homeland Security Secretary John F. Kelly, left, and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in Mexico City on Thursday. (Ronaldo Schemidt / AFP/Getty Images) Homeland Security Secretary John F. Kelly, on a visit to Mexico, said Thursday that there will be no mass deportations of people living in the U.S. illegally. Kelly also said U.S. military forces would not be used in deportation efforts and that any deportation cases would go through the U.S. legal system. No. Repeat, no use of military force in immigration operations, Kelly said at a news conference at the Foreign Relations Ministry in Mexico City. None. Well approach this operation systematically, in an organized way, in a results-oriented way, in an operation and and in a human dignity way. Kelly and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson are in Mexico City to discuss a wide variety of issues, including immigration and security, with Mexican government officials. Kellys remarks came the same day President Trump called recent raids in the U.S. an unprecedented enforcement effort. You see whats happening at the border. All of a sudden for the first time, were getting gang members out, he said. Were getting really bad dudes out of this country, and at a rate that nobodys ever seen before. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Mexico bracing for long battle with Trump administration, foreign minister tells lawmakers By Patrick J. McDonnell Mexico Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray (Brian Smialowski / AFP/Getty Images) Mexico is preparing for a long battle with the administration of President Trump, its foreign minister reportedly told lawmakers in private comments, adding that the country was prepared to retaliate with new tariffs if necessary. We are here preparing for a battle that is going to be long, Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray told federal deputies Wednesday, according to the newspaper La Jornada, which said it had obtained a copy of the comments. This is not going to be resolved in three days. In the reported remarks, Videgaray said Mexico was prepared to retaliate with new tariffs on U.S.-made goods should the Trump administration follow up on its threats to slap an export tax of 20% or more of goods imported from Mexico to the United States. There was no official response from the Mexican Foreign Ministry on Videgarays reported remarks. Videgaray was among the Mexican officials, including President Enrique Pena Nieto, who met this week with a pair of visiting White House Cabinet members, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Homeland Security Secretary John F. Kelly. The private remarks were apparently made on Wednesday, when the two Trump envoys were scheduled to arrive in Mexico City. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Homeland Security tried to downplay immigration raids as routine. Now Trump says theyre unprecedented By Michael A. Memoli (Evan Vucci / Associated Press) After nationwide immigration raids this month in which more than 680 people were arrested, the Department of Homeland Security issued a nothing-to-see-here statement downplaying the sweeps as strictly ordinary. ICE conducts these kind of targeted enforcement operations regularly and has for many years, the agency said last week, referring to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. But President Trump had a different take Thursday, labeling the raids an unprecedented enforcement effort. You see whats happening at the border. All of a sudden for the first time, were getting gang members out, he said before a roundtable on manufacturing. Were getting really bad dudes out of this country, and at a rate that nobodys ever seen before. Under President Obama, deportations peaked at 400,000 people in 2012, touching off widespread criticism from immigration advocates, which prompted Homeland Security to scale back deportations. Last year, deportations fell to 240,000 as the Obama administration focused on targets similar to what Trump described in the raids conducted under his authority: criminals, repeat immigration violators and recent arrivals. Trump also called the sweeps this month a military operation, even though no military resources were involved and the White House has pushed back aggressively on reports that the administration was considering seeking National Guard forces to assist in deportations. Homeland Security said the raids were conducted by ICE agents, U.S. marshals and state and local law enforcement agencies. What has been allowed to come into our country, when you see gang violence that youve read about like never before, and all of the things much of that is people that are here illegally, Trump said. Theyre rough and theyre tough, but theyre not tough like our people. So were getting them out. Of the 680 arrests last week, 161 occurred in Los Angeles and surrounding counties. Three-quarters of those detained in the Los Angeles-area sweeps were from Mexico. Trump noted that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Homeland Security Secretary John F. Kelly traveled to Mexico this week on a tough trip. We have to be treated fairly by Mexico, Trump said. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print White nationalist leader Richard Spencer booted from Conservative Political Action Conference By Matt Pearce Reporters surround white supremacist Richard Spencer during the first day of the Conservative Political Action Conference on February 23, 2017. (Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images) One of Americas most prominent white nationalists, Richard Spencer, was kicked out of the Conservative Political Action Conference on Thursday after conference organizers gave him credentials to attend and then wavered on whether to let him stay. Spencer, who coined the term alternative right to describe his far-right views on separating the races, came to CPAC to attend a speech that was critical of the alt-right. CPAC organizer Matt Schlapp took pains to distance CPAC from the fringe Spencer represents. The alt-right does not have a legitimate voice in the conservative movement, said Schlapp, adding that nobody from that movement is speaking at CPAC. Read More Just talked to CPAC organizer Matt Schlapp. Said he didn't endorse Richard Spencer's ideas but won't kick him out of the conference. Matt Pearce (@mattdpearce) February 23, 2017 Basically their line on this is, if they actually agreed with his ideas, they'd put him on stage, but they don't, and it's a free country. Matt Pearce (@mattdpearce) February 23, 2017 Change of plans. Richard Spencer just got kicked out of CPAC. Matt Pearce (@mattdpearce) February 23, 2017 Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Obamacare 101: Are health insurance marketplaces in a death spiral? By Noam N. Levey (Don Ryan / Associated Press) Its been a rocky few months for the health insurance marketplaces created by the Affordable Care Act. Even if youre not one of the roughly 11 million Americans who rely on these online markets to get your health insurance, youve probably seen the headlines about rising premiums and insurance companies pulling out of the system. Last week, national insurance giant Humana announced it would stop selling plans on the marketplace. Aetnas chief executive claimed the marketplaces are in a death spiral. Republicans say the marketplaces are Exhibit A that Obamacare is collapsing. So whats the real story? Are these things really kaput or can they be fixed? Heres a rundown of where things stand. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Trump administration wants tax reform done by August, Mnuchin says By Jim Puzzanghera The Trump administration wants to overhaul the tax code by August, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Thursday, laying out an aggressive timetable in his first significant public comments since taking office last week. Our economic agenda, the No. 1 issue is growth, and the first most important thing that will impact growth is a tax plan, Mnuchin said in an interview with CNBC. So we are committed to pass tax reform, he said. We want to get this done by the August recess. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Loud and angry, protesters turn congressional town halls into must-see political TV By Mark Z. Barabak (Bill Pugliano / Getty Images) They came by the hundreds, in big cities and rural hamlets, to heckle, plead, badger and, in some instances, to protest the protests themselves. Congress is in recess this week, and a citizenry suddenly spurred to action used the opportunity to let their returning lawmakers know just how they feel about the tempestuous last month in Washington. Winners make policy and losers go home, a taunting Mitch McConnell, the Republican Senate leader, told an invitation-only gathering in his home state of Kentucky, as about 1,000 protesters gathered outside. Not exactly. The town hall meeting, a throwback to a time of more intimate connection, has become a political organizing tool in the social media age a piece of performance theater and a worldwide stage. Obamacare, immigration, environmental regulation, Social Security, Russian meddling in the 2016 election and Trump, Trump, Trump all poured forth this week in the form of questions, loudly and heatedly. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Trump administration rescinds guidelines on protections for transgender students By Michael A. Memoli The Trump administration rescinded an Obama-era directive Wednesday aimed at protecting transgender students rights, questioning its legal grounding. Under the guidelines, schools had been required to treat transgender students according to their stated gender identity, and either allow access to restrooms and locker rooms for the gender they identify with or provide private facilities if requested. The Obama administration had said that students gender identities were protected under Title IX requirements, which prohibit federally funded schools from discriminating on the basis of sex. But officials in the Education and Justice departments said that their predecessors failed to make their case, citing significant litigation spurred by the policy. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Americans in Mexico protest Trumps inflammatory rhetoric during Tillerson visit By Kate Linthicum A group of Americans living in Mexico is planning a protest Thursday to send a message to visiting U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. Their gripe? President Trumps inflammatory rhetoric. Thats according to a draft of a letter that several groups organizing the protest hope to deliver to Tillerson, who is in town along with Homeland Security Secretary John F. Kelly for talks with top Mexican officials. The letter, which will be cosigned by the Mexican chapter of Democrats Abroad, as well as other groups, complains about Trumps hostile attitude toward Mexico, which it says is engendering nationalistic sentiments in Mexico. Among Trumps hostile acts, the letter says, is Trumps vow to build a border wall and force Mexico to pay for it. The idea of building a wall ... frames Mexico and Mexicans as foreign invaders, the letter says. It also criticizes Trump for pledging to renegotiate NAFTA, saying, The U.S. and Mexico are deeply connected economies and it is in the interest of the United States to strengthen the regional production network to boost manufacturing employment in the U.S. and ensure the long-run competitiveness of manufacturing in the region. There are more than a million U.S. citizens living in Mexico, and many have been vocal since Trumps election. Last month, thousands turned out for a womens march outside the American Embassy that saw crowds chanting anti-Trump slogans. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Mexico will never accept unilateral American immigration rules, foreign secretary says By Patrick McDonnell Mexican Foreign Secretary Luis Videgaray said defending the rights of Mexican immigrants is the first point in the agenda for talks with U.S. officials. (Christian Palma / Associated Press) Mexico will reject any unilateral effort from the United States to impose immigration or other policies on the Mexican government, the countrys foreign secretary said Wednesday. I want to make clear, in the most emphatic way, that the government of Mexico and the Mexican people do not have to accept measures that, in a unilateral way, one government wants to impose on another, Foreign Secretary Luis Videgaray said in public comments. That we are not going to accept. He spoke a day after the Trump administration unveiled tough new measures to enforce immigration laws and deport people who are in the country illegally proposals that were widely portrayed in the Mexican media as a prelude to massive deportations. On Wednesday, two top Trump administration cabinet members Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Homeland Security Secretary John F. Kelly were arriving in Mexico for talks with that nations officials, including Videgaray. Immigration, trade and law enforcement issues were expected to be discussed at a tense moment in U.S.-Mexican relations. In his reported comments, the Mexican secretary did not single out any specific U.S. proposal as objectionable. Mexican officials have acknowledged there is little they can do to counter U.S. immigration policies. Among other things, the Trump administration has proposed sending non-Mexican citizens detained along the U.S.-Mexico border back to Mexico. Mexican officials would presumably have to sign off on such a plan. Mexico already detains and deports thousands of Central Americans annually who cross Mexican territory with the hope of entering the United States illegally via the U.S.-Mexico border. U.S. authorities have worked with their Mexican counterparts to halt the Central American influx. The Mexican foreign secretary made it clear that immigration would be at the top of the list of items to be discussed during meetings with the U.S. Cabinet secretaries. Defending the rights of Mexican immigrants is the first point in the agenda, said Videgaray. He also said Mexico could take the issue of the rights of Mexican immigrants to the United Nations and other international agencies. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Both in power and in turmoil, conservatives head to Conservative Political Action Conference to see whats next By Matt Pearce Josh Platillero (Matt Pearce / Los Angeles Times) The eyes of men in crisp blazers darted toward passing faces and identification badges, looking for a familiar face, a famous name. As Fox News host Sean Hannity prepared to broadcast a live show from a ballroom, a brief chant burst out from the audience: U-S-A! U-S-A! Its that time of year again: Hundreds of Republicans began arriving Wednesday at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in Oxon Hill, Md., just south of Washington, for the annual Conservative Political Action Conference. CPAC, as its best known, is a place for conservative political figures and activists to gather, schmooze, hammer out new ideas and audition for starring roles in the Republican Party. And this year, CPAC attendees have a lot to talk about. Their party is in control of Congress, the White House and dozens of state governments across America, and yet not at all at peace with itself. President Trump is expected to address the conference later in the week after winning on a platform of populist nationalism that some conservatives have accused of not being conservative at all. Breitbart News, the brash rising star of right-wing media, is one of the conferences top promoters, but one of its staffers, Milo Yiannopoulos, lost his speaking slot at CPAC and resigned from the news organization after video circulated showing him appearing to promote pedophilia. Some conservatives had backed Yiannopoulos and cried censorship when the provocateur offended liberals at college speaking events, but now they had become offended themselves. Still, as CPAC began on Wednesday, the mood was upbeat. This was a victorious movement, after all. Many new guests were greeted by the sight of Josh Platillero, 23, wearing a cartoonishly large stovepipe hat and a suit the colors of the American flag. I love networking, said Platillero, who recently lived in Knoxville, Tenn., before moving to the D.C. area to work with a conservative nonprofit, the Leadership Institute. Its his second year attending CPAC, and he was excited about the lineup of speakers, which include some of the White House staff. I think our new president is not perfect, but I think hes doing good things, he said. Ariel Kohane, 45, who came from the Upper West Side in Manhattan, stood in the lobby holding signs that read, Jews for Trump, in both English and Hebrew. I love the fact that I can get together with many of my fellow conservative friends and colleagues and we can all be very proud of ourselves with all our accomplishments and the fact that we get to strategize and plan ways to further expand conservatism across America and across the whole world, Kohane said. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Pence condemns Jewish center bomb threats and visits desecrated cemetery in Missouri By Jaweed Kaleem (Michael Conroy / Associated Press) Visiting Fenton, Mo., on Wednesday, Vice President Mike Pence condemned a string of bomb threats against Jewish community centers around the nation and the desecration of a St. Louis-area Jewish cemetery over the weekend. Speaking just yesterday, President Trump called this a horrible and painful act. And so it was. That along with other recent threats to the Jewish community centers around the country, said Pence, who was visiting the headquarters of the Fabick Cat machinery company. He declared it all a sad reminder of the work that still must be done to root out hate and prejudice and evil. We condemn this vile act of vandalism and those who perpetuate it in the strongest possible terms. The vice president said it was inspiring how the people of Missouri have rallied around the Jewish community with compassion and support. Among those showing solidarity with the Jewish community is a group of Muslims who launched an online fundraising campaign to help repair the cemetery. Donors had pledged more than $90,000 by Wednesday afternoon. Pence later visited the Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery in University City, Mo., where nearly 200 tombstones had been toppled over the weekend. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Trumps move on transgender bathroom access sparks interest By Kurtis Lee (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) For President Trump, commenting on social issues such as same-sex marriage and abortion has never seemed much of a priority. Indeed, throughout the campaign, Trump hardly discussed the topics. When asked about transgender bathroom access at a town hall in April 2016, Trump said people should be able to use whichever bathroom they choose. He then moved on from the question, offering little else. Now it appears his administration is set to wade into the controversy. Its a topic the conservative media loves to explore. Here are some of todays headlines: Return to normalcy: Trump readies reversal of transgender bathroom lunacy in public schools (Daily Caller) What will the Trump administration do about transgender bathroom access? The Caller highlights White House Press Secretary Sean Spicers pronouncement on the issue: This is a states rights issue and not one for the federal government, Spicer told reporters. The lunacy referred to is the federal guidance President Obama issued prior to leaving office directing schools that receive federal funding to allow transgender students to use restrooms and other facilities that match their gender identities. Several states filed suit to overturn the directive, and a federal judge issued a temporary injunction barring its enforcement, which remains in place. Several states, following the lead of North Carolina, are seeking to implement legislation that bans transgender people from using the bathrooms of the gender with which they identify. 66 percent of Trump voters change the channel when awards shows get too political (Daily Caller) When Meryl Streep criticized President Trump last month in her Golden Globes speech, he replied quickly. Meryl Streep, one of the most over-rated actresses in Hollywood, doesnt know me but attacked last night at the Golden Globes, Trump tweeted. Well, Trump can probably expect more barbs as actors (in overwhelmingly liberal Hollywood) take the stage at the Oscars on Sunday. Lots of Trump voters can be expected to change the channel, according to this piece, which highlights a new poll on the subject. The Hollywood Reporter says that 66% of Trump voters said they have stopped watching an awards show because a celebrity started talking about politics while accepting an award. By contrast, only 19% of Hillary Clintons supporters have done so. Trump talks tolerance, decries anti-Semitism, but media remain skeptical (Fox News) Well, Trump finally did say something to condemn the anti-Semitic vandalism and threats that have taken place since his presidential victory. Anti-Semitism is horrible, Trump said in an interview with MSNBC on Tuesday. In the Fox News piece, Howard Kurtz argues the media should give the president more credit for speaking out. I always think its unfair to blame a political leader for violence or vandalism carried out by people who support him, he writes. I felt the same way about critics who blamed Barack Obama for urban riots or shootings of police officers. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Among Republicans, Trump is more popular than congressional leaders By David Lauter Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) walk together. (Matt Rourke / Associated Press) Amid strain between the Trump administration and the Republican-controlled Congress, the White House holds the high ground, a new survey indicates. Among Republicans, President Trump has greater popularity than the partys congressional leaders. Asked specifically who they would trust if the two sides disagreed, most Republicans chose Trump over their partys leadership. The findings, from a new survey by the nonpartisan Pew Research Center underscore Trumps continued sway with the Republican congressional majority. Although the president has historically low job approval ratings among the public at large, he remains highly popular among Republican partisans and in Republican districts. As for Democrats, theyre strongly in an oppositional mood. Asked if they were more worried that Democrats in Congress would go too far in opposing Trump or not go far enough, more than 70% of Democrats said they feared their party would not go far enough. Only 20% said they worried the party would go too far. Republicans in Congress have eyed Trump warily on several fronts. His positions on trade and entitlement reform break with years of the partys positions. His reluctance to criticize Russian President Vladimir Putin has generated tension. And the administrations lack of clarity on healthcare and tax policy have Republican leaders guessing which way to turn on major issues. But Republican partisans have fewer reservations than their elected representatives. Eighty-six percent to 13%, those who identify as Republicans or as independents who lean Republican have a favorable view of Trump, the Pew survey found. By comparison, 57% have a favorable view of Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the majority leader, with 22% unfavorable and 21% having no opinion. House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wisconsin is slightly better known, with 65% of Republicans holding a favorable view, 23% an unfavorable view and 13% having no opinion. Asked who they would trust if the two sides disagreed, 52% of Republicans said they would side with Trump and 34% with the Republicans in Congress. Republicans younger than 40 were the only major exception; 52% to 36%, they said they would side with Congress. At the same time, Republican partisans now have a warmer opinion of their party leadership than they had during most of President Obamas tenure. Republicans' approval of their congressional leaders has more than doubled since 2015 https://t.co/KSo1hRMhJj pic.twitter.com/WHTHxCNEFq Pew Research Center (@pewresearch) February 22, 2017 During the Obama years, GOP partisans tended to be frustrated that their side could not reverse the presidents initiatives, even with a majority in the House, starting in 2010, and then in the Senate for Obamas last two years. Their view of the GOP leadership has rebounded strongly since the election. Democrats view of their congressional leadership has been more stable. And both sides widely dislike the other partys leaders. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Supreme Court rejects use of racial stereotypes in death penalty cases By David Savage The Supreme Court rejected the use of racial stereotypes in death penalty cases Wednesday, reopening the case of a black man in Texas who was sentenced to die after his jury was told African Americans are more likely than whites to commit crimes. Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. said this testimony had no place in a sentencing hearing and appealed to the racial stereotype that black men are prone to violence. Our laws punish people for what they do, not for who they are, the chief justice said in the courtroom. The 6-2 decision faults Texas authorities for refusing to give a new sentencing hearing to Duane Buck, a Houston man who was convicted of shooting and killing his ex-girlfriend and seriously injuring her new boyfriend in 1995. Buck was found guilty of murder, but when his jury was debating his fate, his court-appointed defense attorney put on the witness stand an expert who cited statistics showing blacks are more likely to commit future crimes than whites. After hearing this testimony, the jury decided to sentence Buck to death. Years later, Texas state attorneys set aside the death sentences for six other black defendants whose juries heard similar testimony, but they refused to reopen Bucks case. In Buck vs. Davis, the high court said that was a mistake. The jury was deciding the question of life or death, and this is no place for the introduction of a particularly noxious strain of racial prejudice, Roberts said. The court sent the case back to judges in Texas to reconsider the death sentence. Justice Clarence Thomas dissented, along with Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. Thomas said Buck was properly sentenced to die for a brutal murder, and he insisted the court should not have heard the case for procedural reasons. Having settled on a desired outcome, the court bulldozes procedural obstacles and misapplies settled law to justify it, he wrote. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print At Rep. Tony Cardenas town hall, Democrats worry about what Donald Trump may do By Kurtis Lee (Kurtis Lee/Los Angeles Times ) They arrived with soggy jackets, hats and umbrellas. The topic was supposed to be the Affordable Care Act. But many who attended Democratic Rep. Tony Cardenas town hall meeting Tuesday night in a crammed auditorium at the Cesar E. Chavez Learning Academies came with a question: What can we -- as Democrats -- do to help you? Show up and vote, said Cardenas, who represents a slice of the staunchly liberal San Fernando Valley. (Hillary Clinton defeated Donald Trump in this district by nearly 60-percentage points in the fall election.) Sign people up, get people involved, he said. At times the meeting had the feel of a therapy session for Democrats, wondering aloud how to function under a Trump administration. Where is the anger among Democrats? asked one man. I want to see more anger. Cardenas, standing at a lectern on an elevated stage, offered a stern look and nodded in agreement as rain could be heard splattering on the roof above. The complaints included Republicans efforts to repeal Obamacare and Trumps new immigration mandates. Trust me, Im pissed. Im upset, Cardenas said. But we have to act constructively. We have to be responsible. Last month, Trump signed executive orders directing the Department of Homeland Security to prioritize the removal of people in the U.S. illegally who have criminal convictions. In addition to speeding up the deportation of convicts, Trumps orders also call for quick removal of people in the country illegally who are charged with crimes and waiting for adjudication. And in recent days, a handful of people who have received protection under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) have been arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents nationwide. Cardenas said that for him, the issue is personal. His parents were immigrants from Mexico, who lived in the San Fernando Valley for decades, raising 11 children, he said. Today his district is nearly 70% Latino. Im going to fight for you, he said. Im going to fight for the people who are my immigrant father. When a young man, a DACA recipient, asked him, via Twitter, if hell be safe in the weeks ahead, Cardenas seemed at a loss. I pray that [Trump] doesnt go after you, he said. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Killing with kindness, GOPs McClintock faces down hostile questioners as town hall goes into overti The scientists who first harnessed the powerful gene-editing technology known as CRISPR suffered a major defeat Wednesday in their long-running quest to control the rights to their invention. UC Berkeley biochemist Jennifer Doudna and her European collaborator, Emmanuelle Charpentier, have racked up a slew of awards for their work, which makes it very easy to alter the DNA of living things. But their efforts to patent their discovery have been hung up by a competing claim from Feng Zhang at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard. Advertisement On Wednesday, the federal Patent Trial and Appeal Board sided with the Broad Institute and against UC Berkeley. The board, part of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, ruled that Zhangs patent claims do not interfere with those put forth by Doudna and Charpentier, and they allowed his patent to stand. Patent battles are usually dull, but this one has captivated the scientific community. Its not an exaggeration to say it may be one of the greatest life science inventions ever, said Robin Feldman, director of the Institute for Innovation Law at the UC Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco. CRISPR is a gold mine, and thats why you are seeing a gold rush. Read on to learn more about whats going on, and why. What is CRISPR anyway? CRISPR is a powerful and relatively new gene-editing system that has revolutionized scientists ability to make precise changes in DNA. It has been used in labs to correct for the mutation that causes sickle cell disease, create mosquitoes that can fight malaria in their bodies, and make crops more resistant to disease and drought. You can learn more about CRISPR and how it works here. Who invented it? Technically, bacteria. They and other single-celled organisms have been using the combination of a guide RNA and a scissors-like protein, called Cas9, to chop up the DNA of unfriendly viruses for hundreds of million of years. However, the first paper to demonstrate CRISPRs ability to edit DNA in the lab was published by Doudna and Charpentier in Science. That was back in the summer of 2012. Did UC Berkeley file a patent for the invention? Yes. In March of 2013, UC Berkeley and the University of Vienna, where Charpentier worked at the time, filed for a U.S. patent that included 155 claims to the general CRISPR-Cas9 technology. If the patent is issued, it means a biotech company that wants to use this CRISPR system would have to get a license either from the Berkeley group or from a company that has already licensed the technology from them. Where does the Broad Institute come in? Doudna and her team were the first to show that the CRISPR system could be used to alter genes in prokaryotic cells. But Zhang, a biologist at the Broad Institute, was the first researcher to show that CRISPR could be used to alter genes in eukaryotic cells, which are the types of cells in plants and animals. The Broad Institute filed a patent for his findings in October 2013, a few months after the Berkeley group filed its patent. Because the Broads patent had fewer claims, it was eligible for an accelerated approval process. Its patent was issued on April 15, 2014. The Berkeley groups patent has not been issued. Are the two patents different? Yes. The Berkeley patent application is much more broad than the Broad patent. On Wednesday, Doudna explained that the University of Californias patent encompasses the use of CRISPR in all cells, while the Broads patent only applies to the use of CRISPR in eukaryotic cells. However, the most lucrative applications of CRISPR are likely to be in eukaryotic cells, since those are the ones involved in human health. So what exactly was this ruling about? After the Broads patent was issued, the Berkeley group filed whats known as an interference, arguing that the Broads patent should never have been granted. The Berkeley group claimed it was obvious for someone with a reasonable amount of scientific skill to go from the gene-editing applications of CRISPR that Doudna and Charpentier outlined in their 2012 paper to similar applications in eukaryotic cells. If that is indeed the case, the Broad Institute would not be deserving of a distinct patent. The Broad argued that these applications were not obvious, and therefore the two patents represent different patent claims. As part of their argument, lawyers for the Broad cited Doudnas statements that her group was having trouble getting CRISPR to work in eukaryotic cells. The Patent Trial and Appeal Board agreed with the Broad. So where does the case stand now? When the Berkeley group filed the interference, it put its own patent process on hold. That will now go forward. If it goes through, as expected, its possible that companies that want to use CRISPR in eukaryotic cells will have to get licenses from both the Broad and the Berkeley group. Overlapping patents are not unheard of in patent law. However, legal experts expect the Berkeley group will appeal the boards decision to a federal appeals court. It is also likely that there will be further lawsuits over how far each patent can reach. The boards decision suggests that Zhangs work represented an appreciable step forward from Doudnas work, but Berkeley could still argue that they pioneered the broader invention, so what happens next is going to depend on Berkeleys strategy and how it is received either by the patent office or the federal court, said Jacob Sherkow, a professor at New York Law School. Tell me why this matters again? Money. Whoever wins the rights to the CRISPR patent will have the opportunity to make extraordinary amounts of money from licensing fees. Some observers estimate the rights are worth billions of dollars. Its also possible that the ultimate patent holder will have a monopoly on the technology, and try to cash in on that. The patent gives you the right to exclude others from making, using or selling your inventions. So if you can exclude everyone else from the market and develop a viable product, you are the only game in town, Feldman said. That is a very valuable right to hold, particularly for a revolutionary technology like CRISPR. It should be noted, however, that neither party seems particularly territorial in this case. Both the Broad and Berkeley have been generous about letting people use CRISPR for pure academic research, said Jorge Contreras, a professor of law and human genetics at the University of Utah. But researchers who want to use it commercially will need a license and will have to pay. Could the Broad and Berkeley settle? In theory, they could reach a settlement and divide up the spoils of their inventions. But experts say thats not likely to happen in this case. Theres too much bad blood between the parties and too much money at stake. When you have economic implications of this magnitude and this level of animosity, it pushes people to fight to the death, Feldman said. deborah.netburn@latimes.com Do you love science? I do! Follow me @DeborahNetburn and like Los Angeles Times Science & Health on Facebook. MORE IN SCIENCE Extraordinary levels of pollution have contaminated even the deepest parts of the Pacific Ocean To prevent serious medical conditions, scientists should be able to edit peoples DNA, panel says El Nino triggered unprecedented erosion across Californias coast Think about the great California artists of the 20th century. Some names might pop up, like William Wendt, Granville Redmond, Edgar Payne, Guy Rose, Millard Sheets, Richard Diebenkorn, Wayne Thiebaud and John Baldessari. Women are not always part of the conversation. But an exhibition at the Irvine Museum aims to change that. Independent Visions: Women Artists of California 1880-1940" spotlights the achievements of female artists who created impressive paintings and sculptures in a variety of styles but often worked in the shadows of more famous men. The group show of about 40 works runs through Jan. 21. The paintings range chronologically from Eliza Barchus majestic, realist oil on canvas, Three Brothers, Yosemite (1890), to Ruth Peabodys edgy Abstract Composition, an oil on canvas created around 1936. As Jean Stern, executive director of the Irvine Museum, puts it, many of the female artists had the same education and artistic training as the men. But, like women in other fields, they were caught in the inequities of their time. They were not afforded the same economic opportunities as the men, Stern said. Therefore, it was a double-edged sword, because the men artists generally found a dealer, they found a market and they painted in essence the same painting over and over again to meet the market demands. The women artists it was unseemly for a woman to earn a living. They didnt have the same availability to the marketplace as the men, so they werent tied to one style, so they were free to explore. Take Donna Schuster, for example. The longtime Los Angeles and Orange County resident has a couple of female portraits in the exhibit that are typical of American Impressionist work. Yet, she also has a couple of later paintings, Still Life with Blue Bowl and Los Angeles Harbor, that are more akin to Post-Impressionism and utilize the bright, bold colors of the Fauvists. You could easily map out five different periods in her art, where there were distinctly different styles, Stern said. The women were the big experimenters. Independent Visions features watercolor paintings by Marion Kavanagh Wachtel, who is now considered one of the most gifted watercolorists of her time. She was married to Elmer Wachtel, also a highly regarded artist whose favored mediums were oil and pen and ink. Marion didnt want to compete with her oil-painting husband, so she largely avoided that medium, but she took watercolors to new heights. Large, tropical paintings by Jessie Arms Botke kick off the show. They once decorated the ballroom at the Oaks Hotel in Ojai, part of a gigantic mural that was on display from 1953 to 1992. In 1992, the hotel underwent a renovation and donated the Botke work to the newly formed Irvine Museum. The Irvine exhibit also features works by Anna A. Hills, an important figure in Orange County art history. She was one of the founding members of the Laguna Beach Art Assn. in 1918, and served as its president from 1922 to 1925 and again from 1927 to 30. Under her leadership, the association purchased land at Pacific Coast Highway and Cliff Drive and built a gallery that would become the Laguna Art Museum. Were getting a lot of really great feedback, said Dora James, the museums curator of education, about the current exhibition. Sometimes it seems like women artists never existed before. They did struggle for a long time to get recognized. I remember when I was studying art, in the textbook on page 599, there was Georgia OKeeffe. That was about it. Here, people are surprised we have a whole exhibit with just women. Other artists in the show include Mabel Alvarez, Loren Barton, Elanor Colburn, Meta Cressey, Euphemia Charlton Fortune, Mary Hobart, Grace Carpenter Hudson, Evelyn McCormick, Louise Nimmo, Elsie Palmer Payne, Henrietta Shore, Julia Bracken Wendt, Blanche Whelan and Edith White. The works on view are from the museums permanent collection, the Irvine family collection, and from other private collectors, including Janet and Mark Hilbert, who are supporting a museum of California art at Chapman University that is expected to open on a temporary basis in February. Founded by Joan Irvine Smith, the Irvine Museum is on the ground floor of the 17-story Airport Tower, an office building located in an otherwise nondescript, business sector of Irvine. The museum used to be on the 12th floor of the building but relocated to the more spacious ground floor in 2002. The private, nonprofit museum does not receive any government funding and is supported by a foundation whose chairwoman is Irvine Smith and president is her son, James Irvine Swinden. The free museum sponsors school tours and pays for bus transportation. The museum also offers tours every Thursday at 11:15 a.m. and provides private tours for groups of 10 or more. Stern hopes this exhibition of womens art will travel to other venues. This is so popular, he said. People love this show. * IF YOU GO What: Independent Visions: Women Artists of California 1880-1940" Where: 18881 Von Karman Ave., Suite 100, Irvine Hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays Cost: Free Information: (949) 476-0294 (for general information and to book group tours); irvinemuseum.org Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Costa Mesa) says activists involved in a scuffle that injured a staff member and resulted in a 2-year-old girl being knocked on the head with a door at his Huntington Beach office Tuesday were engaged in political thuggery, but constituents say they were trying to get their congressional representative to hear them out. Just before the incident, activists were gathered on the street outside Rohrabachers office in an effort to persuade him to meet with them to discuss what they believe are vexing issues, including the recent travel ban on people from seven countries, the future of the Affordable Care Act and President Trumps alleged ties to Russia. Indivisible OC, a group opposed to Trump and political extremism in Orange County, said constituents have been trying to meet with Rohrabacher, who has shown support for the president, and other local Republican representatives for three weeks. They said theyve been met with silence from elected officials. On Tuesday, about 15 activists stood in the hallway outside Rohrabachers office at 101 Main St. and slid Valentines Day cards under the door asking him to hold a town hall meeting. Huntington Beach resident Megan Blash and her 2-year-old daughter, Lola, bent down to place an envelope under Rohrabachers office door when a staff member opened the door and it hit the child on the head. She fell backward and began to cry, according to a video of the incident posted on social media. One of the activists tugged at the door in an effort to keep it open while the staff member tried to close it. The struggle caused the staffer, identified by Rohrabachers office as 71-year-old Kathleen Staunton, to fall, according to police. They were jammed outside the door, and the moment Kathleen cracked the door, someone yanked it open, Rohrabacher spokesman Kenneth Grubbs said in an email. Officers responded to the scene, but no one was arrested. Staunton was treated by paramedics and taken to a hospital after falling into unconsciousness, according to a statement from Grubbs. She had a 2-inch bump on her head, Grubbs said. Aaron McCall, a Costa Mesa resident and member of Indivisible OC, said the 2-year-old and Staunton did not appear to be hurt. She was completely conscious, McCall said of Staunton. She was fine. Lola has a small red mark on her cheek but is otherwise uninjured, Blash said Wednesday. Rohrabacher, who was in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, blasted the activists in a statement, saying he was outraged beyond words. Deliberate or not, the incident came as part of a mob action, and the group engaged in political thuggery, pure and simple, he said. Indivisible OC fired back with a statement on social media, saying members want to engage in democracy and be heard by their representative. It is a shame that Rep. Rohrabacher has refused repeated requests to hold a town hall meeting for his district and holds particular contempt for engaged citizens by characterizing their civic duty as political thuggery, the statement said. For all we know, the only political thuggery we see is his Twitter behavior. hannah.fry@latimes.com Twitter: @HannahFryTCN benjamin.brazil@latimes.com Twitter: @benbrazilpilot Who was Frank Lanterman? A man whose passion for playing the organ inspired him to abandon his studies at USC weeks before graduation? Or a state assemblyman whose work on behalf of people with disabilities is still evident 40 years later? Or perhaps he was a bit of a recluse the never-married grandson of La Canada Flintridge founding father Jacob Lanterman who rubbed elbows with Americas elite but spent the final years of his post-retirement life in close quarters with brother Lloyd, surrounded by organ mechanisms, tools, machines and countless boxes of personal and political memorabilia. A new exhibit at Lanterman House museum aims to shed a new light on the man known to friends as Uncle Frank, and affectionately labeled by fellow lawmakers the workhorse of Sacramento, using never-before-seen photos and audio elements to impart Lantermans indelible impact on California life. Join the conversation on Facebook >> Opened on Tuesday and running through Dec. 21, The Legacy of Frank Lanterman offers insight into the life and times of the Republican lawmaker who not only authored the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Act passed in 1977, but served as adviser and friend to iconic California leaders during the decades he was in office. Politicians of all stripes respected him and thought of him as a mentor I cant think of many California politicians who have that kind of reputation, Lanterman House Executive Director Melissa Patton said Tuesday in a walk-through of the exhibit. With the help of exhibit designer Jerry Campbell and Lanterman archivist Tim Gregory, Patton sifted through dozens of Lantermans old neckties looking for one shown in a display photo of the politician addressing the state Assembly sometime near his 1978 retirement. That same year, Lanterman would receive an honorary doctorate from USC, nearly a half-century after he walked away from finals during his senior year to accompany the university mens choir on a national tour. Were trying to bring out different aspects of his life, Gregory said. He could be very nice to some people if he liked them. But he could be very fierce, too. In addition to a series of events and lectures planned for later in the year, the room-by-room exhibit highlights Lantermans early years and notable friendships. It continues through his 28-year tenure in the state Assembly, where he authored some 400 bills. Upon his retirement, announced to protest funding cuts proposed by then-Gov. Jerry Brown, Lanterman received a standing ovation on the Assembly floor. Other accolades followed, including the 1980 dedication of the Frank D. Lanterman Regional Center for people at risk for developmental disabilities and their families. Patton said the exhibit is intended not only for people who know little about Lanterman, but for those who think they know him. He really was a model politician, someone whose interest in the citizens of the state of California came first, above any political ideology and above his own political career, Patton said. He did have plenty of ego, she qualified, but that came second. -- The Legacy of Frank Lanterman runs through Dec. 21 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 to 4 p.m. Lanterman House is located at 4420 Encinas Drive in La Canada. For information, visit lantermanfoundation.org or call (818) 790-1421. -- Sara Cardine, sara.cardine@latimes.com Twitter: @SaraCardine As Southern California cedes to the Central Coast at the Gaviota Tunnel, most travelers stick to the 101. Next time take the exit to Highway 1, a mile or so past the tunnel, and cruise 20 miles through oak-dappled hills and past scattered ranches to Lompoc. Lompoc isnt a faux-Scandinavian burg, nor is it a cow town gone Hollywood. Its a small, hard-working community painted with brightly colored murals, surrounded by fields and minutes from the beach and some of the most acclaimed vineyards in the world, with true all-year weather. The tab: Vineyard View Ranch rents for $385 a night, not including taxes, and a $175 cleaning fee; $70 for dinner for two at Sissys; $25 for lunch for two at Toms; Rotary wine tasting $50 per person. The clean air is free. Advertisement The bed A Lompoc escape takes a big stride toward luxury with a stay at Vineyard View Ranch (1833 Vineyard View Lane, Santa Rita Hills) just east of town. Theres room to sleep eight in three bedrooms (and on a convertible queen sofa), a kitchen most of us would love to have at home and stunning vineyard, farm and Santa.Rita Hills views from the house and property. Outside there are 10 acres with two barbecues, chimenea, bocce ball court, horseshoes, putting green, 6,000-square-foot turfed play and leisure space and Guinness and Finley, two super-friendly goats. The meal Bright colors, warm hearts and an expansive and fairly priced wine list greet guests at Sissys Uptown Cafe (112 S. I St.; [805] 735-4877). Pinot pairs perfectly with this protein, so order the coconut-tamarind salmon. Every meal must conclude with any of the homemade pies and cobblers. Dont expect fancy, but do expect fanciful in the burger selections at Toms Burgers, home of the educated hamburger (115 E. College Ave. No 13; [805] 736-9996, ). Have an X with turkey, bacon and Swiss, or a U with tangy cole slaw. Or my go-to hybrid, the cream cheese and black olives of the W with the jalapenos of the G, grilled. The find There arent many secrets left when it comes to Sta. Rita Hills wine, not with the acclaim from casual fans and aficionados. Although the compact nature of the American Viticultural Area makes tasting logistically easy, pare that even more by attending the Lompoc Rotary Clubs Annual Wine Tasting & Auction on Feb. 26 (tickets $50). Support a worthy charity, nosh on appetizers, bid on auction items and, most important, sidle from winery to winery three dozen or so in the Veterans Memorial Building with your Fitbit barely taking note. The lesson learned Geography makes communities, and in Lompocs case that means agriculture. Sure theres all that wine, but Lompoc is berries and beans, artichokes and asparagus, and a whole lot more. There are farmers markets downtown every Friday evening and late-morning Sundays in Vandenberg Village. In season, the Campbell Ranch farm stand on Highway 246 in view of La Purisima Mission is a many-times-a-week-stop for locals. Wine is not the only thing you should take home with you. travel@latimes.com MORE WEEKEND ESCAPES Los Poblanos is a blissful weekend escape on the outskirts of Albuquerque. Just ignore the peacocks A weekend escape to Carefree, Ariz., is just that Did Al Capone sleep here? Never mind: You can rest easy at Two Bunch Palms, a peaceful desert escape South Korean special prosecutors investigating a sprawling corruption scandal that led to the presidents impeachment arrested the heir apparent to Samsung Electronics on Friday. Prosecutors in recent weeks accused Lee Jae-yong of several crimes, including bribery, embezzlement and perjury. A court ruled early Friday that they had produced enough evidence to arrest and detain him a stunning decision that reverses the same courts denial a few weeks ago. Based on the newly gathered criminal charges and evidence, the cause and necessity for arrest has been acknowledged, Judge Han Jeong-suk said. Advertisement The allegations against the Samsung Electronics vice chairman, one of South Koreas most powerful men, are connected to the influence-peddling scandal that ensnared South Korean President Park Geun-hye. A separate court process is deciding whether to make her impeachment by the National Assembly in December permanent. The company flag of Samsung Electronics flutters next to the South Korean national flag in Seoul. (Lee Jin-man / AP) The prosecutors argued that Lee, 48, diverted millions of dollars to a presidential confidant, Choi Soon-sil, in an effort to boost support for a controversial merger between two Samsung affiliates. The deal was seen by some as an effort to solidify Lees dynastic control over the larger Samsung group. We will do our best to ensure that the truth is revealed in future court proceedings, said a Samsung spokeswoman, Rhee So-eui. In addition to Lee, numerous influential South Koreans, including the president and two of her top aides, a Cabinet minister and the head of the nations pension service, have been implicated. The whole affair has led to massive but peaceful street rallies in recent months. The scandal has roiled presidential politics. The special prosecutors, whose 70-day window to investigate the case is winding down, sought to arrest Lee a month ago on similar charges. But the court had denied that request. On Thursday, they asked the countrys acting president, Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn, for an extra month to investigate. This week, the prosecutors brought Lee back amid a press spectacle for questioning at their office, saying they had new evidence. I will again in good faith tell the truth during the special prosecutors interrogation today, Lee told reporters before entering the office. Lee, reportedly worth about $6 billion, left 15 hours later. Lees father, Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee, has remained hospitalized since mid-2014 after suffering a debilitating heart attack. Prosecutors said they made sufficient preparations this time around and hoped they would succeed in jailing the younger Lee, whose late grandfather was Samsungs founder. Among the allegations this time were two new charges: concealing gains from a criminal act and diverting funds overseas. Samsung officials werent immediately available for comment. The new charges relate to about $38 million diverted to companies managed by Choi, the presidential confidant, including $7 million shipped to Germany, perhaps without the proper foreign transaction notices, prosecutors said. It was unclear Friday when the case would proceed and how long Lee would remain jailed. Lees father, who headed Samsung for nearly three decades, was accused of financial wrongdoing in 2008. But he never served time in jail. Parks predecessor, Lee Myung-bak, pardoned him. Samsung, the worlds top smartphone manufacturer, is South Koreas largest conglomerate, or chaebol, the hugely influential businesses here. Many of their reclusive executives have faced questions relating to the scandal, but Lee is the first and most powerful to face criminal charges. Choi, who remains jailed, is accused of using her influence with the president to gain access to sensitive government documents and to extort South Koreas powerful conglomerates for donations. The prosecutors believe Park played a role in the scheme. This investigation is about civilians, including Choi Soon-sil, meddling in state affairs, the prosecutors spokesman, Lee Kyu-chul, said. There are allegations that Choi used her personal ties to President Park or possibly even colluded with the president to receive money and valuables from Samsung. Thats why we are investigating the conglomerate. We are not targeting the conglomerate. Prosecutors on Wednesday said the president talked to Choi nearly 600 times last year, including more than 120 times after Choi left South Korea for Germany. Also on Thursday, a Seoul court denied a request to force a search at the Blue House, the presidential complex known for its distinctively colored tile roof. Prosecutors were recently denied access to the building to seize presidential records, prompting a dramatic five-hour standoff, because of a law that limits searches of locations with military secrets. Prosecutors said they hope to get more time to finish the investigation. They need approval from Hwang, a Park ally, so the extension was far from certain. Unlike previous investigations, this one has so many more people and branches, said Lee, the prosecutorial spokesman. Were making the request now because it wont be possible to complete the investigation by [Feb.] 28, and the acting president will need time to review the request before making any decisions. They have repeatedly sought to question Park, who had planned to sit for an interrogation last week. The deal between her lawyers and prosecutors fell apart, however, after reports of their arrangements were aired in the media. Park remains immune from standard criminal charges, even while her duties as president are suspended. If the court rules her impeachment was justified, however, prosecutors would be free to seek a criminal case against her. Stiles is a special correspondent ALSO Two more arrests in Malaysia in mysterious death of North Korean leaders half brother By testing a missile, North Korea was probably also testing Trump, experts say Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has kept a low profile so far. On Thursday, he spoke up UPDATES: 3:05 p.m.: Updates with Samsung comment. This article was originally posted at 2:50 p.m. A car bomb at a Baghdad auto dealership killed at least 51 people and wounded more than 60 on Thursday, Iraqi officials said. Ministry spokesman Brig. Gen. Saad Maan confirmed the toll from the attack, which took place in the southwestern Bayaa neighborhood. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the bombing in an online statement circulated by its Aamaq news agency. The Sunni extremist group said it was targeting Shiites. Advertisement The extremist group has carried out near-daily attacks in Baghdad despite suffering military setbacks elsewhere in the country, including in the northern city of Mosul, where U.S.-backed Iraqi forces have been waging a major operation since October. The U.S. State Department condemned the attack at the car dealership, saying such attacks show the extremist groups utter contempt for human life and its efforts to sow discord and division among the Iraqi people. Four other attacks in and around Baghdad on Thursday killed eight people and wounded around 30, police and medical officials said. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief reporters. ALSO Why tens of thousands of kids from El Salvador continue to flee to the United States Tillerson heads on first overseas trip for Trump, trying to find his voice Poison suspected in death of North Korean leaders half brother and rival UPDATES: 10:30 a.m.: This article was updated with the latest death toll. This article was originally published at 8 a.m. Malaysian authorities Thursday detained two more people in connection with the mysterious death of Kim Jong Nam, the half brother of North Koreas leader, Kim Jong Un. Police in Kuala Lumpur, the Malaysian capital, said they had arrested a woman carrying Indonesian travel documents and a local man, both suspected to have connections to the apparent assassination. They said they identified the woman from closed-circuit television footage of the fatal encounter with Nam, who fell ill Monday morning while waiting at Kuala Lumpur International Airport for a flight to Macau. Another woman, also said to have been identified from the video, was arrested Wednesday. Authorities said she had a Vietnamese passport. Advertisement Kim, aged 45 or 46, is believed to be the eldest son of the late North Korean leader Kim Jong Il. He died en route to a hospital after seeking help from airport officials. A man poses for a photo as people watch a fireworks display near the Taedong river, on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the birth of Kim Jong Il, in central Pyongyang, North Korea, on Feb. 16, 2017. (Ed Jones / AFP/Getty Images) The Malaysian authorities, who along with their South Korean counterparts suspect poisoning, said an autopsy had been completed Wednesday. Toxicological details were not yet available. On Thursday, officials across several countries were still trying to piece together facts about the bizarre death, which the South Korean government suspects was a brazen public assassination carried out by agents working for the North Korean regime. This is just fascinating stuff, and its full of psychological drama, said Michael Madden, a visiting scholar at Johns Hopkins University who heads NK Leadership Watch, an analysis website focused on North Korea. Kim was once thought to be a possible dynastic successor to his father, but he fell from grace after Japanese authorities caught him entering their country under falsified documents in 2001. He said he wanted to take his 4-year-old son, Kim Han Sol, to Tokyo Disneyland. Kim, known to frequent casinos and travel around Asia, had been living in the Chinese region of Macau, where members of his family reside. He was waiting to return home when the incident occurred. Police said he traveled using an apparently legitimate North Korean passport with the name Kim Chol. A Malaysian police official, Fadzil Ahmat, told local reporters that one of the women seen on camera covered Kims face with a cloth that had been laced with a liquid. He said Kims eyes suffered burns as a result of the liquid. Intelligence agents in South Korea, who try to closely monitor North Korean officials in and outside the peninsula, quickly determined that Pyongyang was responsible. North Korea is no stranger to assassination of those perceived to threaten the Kim regime. Since taking power five years ago, Kim Jong Un has executed or purged several top regime officials, including his own uncle. If the murder of Kim Jong Nam were proven to be committed by the North, that would clearly depict the brutality and inhumanity of the Kim Jong Un regime, said South Koreas prime minister, Hwang Kyo-ahn. According to some intelligence reports, North Koreas leader had a standing order for years to assassinate his half brother. Its unclear whether the two men, born to separate mothers and educated overseas, knew each other well or ever even met. South Korean intelligence officials say the elder brother wrote the North Korean leader in 2012 asking that he and his family be spared. Their spy agency had consistently been preparing for the killing, and it just turned out to have been accomplished this time, South Koreas spy chief, Lee Byung-ho, told lawmakers in Seoul. The details of the death are far from certain. North Korea watchers note that Kim Jong Nam was overweight and was believed to have suffered from diabetes. But most signs suggest homicide, authorities in Malaysia and South Korea say. The police are now holding two women: Doan Thi Huong, 28, who had Vietnamese travel documents; and Siti Aishah, 25, whose papers listed her as Indonesian. They can be held for at least seven days as the investigation continues. The third suspect, Muhammad Farid Bin Jalaluddin, 26, was arrested Thursday evening. Police said he was romantically involved with the woman carrying Indonesian travel documents and detained to assist in investigations into Kims death. Authorities were also looking for four men who seemed to accompany the women at the airport just before Kim fell ill. North Korean diplomats, who enjoy good relations with Malaysia, have reportedly been eager to retrieve Kims body from the hospitals forensics ward. Malaysias deputy prime minister, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, told reporters that the government would cooperate with such requests after the investigation concluded. Once the police and medical procedures are done, we may release the body, he said. He insisted that the high-profile incident shouldnt reflect poorly on safety in Malaysia or its airports, whose closed-circuit television network apparently helped identify the women, and potentially others, who were involved. Safety is a main priority here, he said. This is a very isolated case. Stiles is a special correspondent. ALSO Why tens of thousands of kids from El Salvador continue to flee to the United States Tillerson heads on first overseas trip for Trump, trying to find his voice Poison suspected in death of North Korean leaders half brother and rival UPDATES: 8:20 a.m.: Updates throughout with staff reporting. This article was originally posted at 4:40 a.m. A massive suicide bomb ripped through a revered Sufi shrine in southern Pakistan on Thursday, killing at least 72 people and wounding more than 250 in one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in Pakistan in years, police officials said. The blast occurred as devotees gathered for a dhamal, a dancing ritual central to the mystical Sufi tradition of Islam, at a renowned shrine about 100 miles north of the southern city of Karachi. Witnesses said that at least 500 devotees were inside the shrine when an explosion occurred as they were performing the ritual. Advertisement Khadim Hussain Rind, a senior police official in Sindh province, said that 72 people were killed and 50 more were in critical condition. The South Asian affiliate of Islamic State, the militant organization based in Iraq and Syria, claimed responsibility for the bombing in a message to news media. It was the latest in a series of attacks claimed by the Sunni militant group against smaller religious sects and traditions in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Pakistani soldiers cordon off the shrine of 13th century Muslim Sufi Saint Lal Shahbaz Qalandar after a bomb blew up in the town of Sehwan in Sindh province on Feb. 16, 2017. (Yousuf Nagori / AFP/Getty Images) The shrine to Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, a 13th-century Sufi preacher, is located in the town of Sehwan Sharif, dozens of miles from the nearest hospital, in a remote, hilly region with few ambulances. The scene was chaotic as the Pakistani army dispatched C-130 cargo planes and helicopters to ferry the wounded to hospitals, while locals carried bodies away from the blast site in three-wheeled rickshaws, residents said. I couldnt see even a single person without blood, Raja Somroo, a resident of Sehwan Sharif who entered the shrine after the bombing, said by phone. There were body parts everywhere. Only a few seconds back, they all had been dancing outside. They had come inside to say prayers. There were kids, women, old and young. Attendance at the shrine was highest on Thursdays, a fact the assailant had clearly exploited, residents said. They attacked our heart and the most sacred shrine in Pakistan, Somroo said. Police officials said the attacker entered through the eastern gate of the shrine. They were investigating whether the assailant was a woman, as there was greater damage to the side of the shrine reserved for females. The Sufi tradition was pivotal in the growth of Islam in modern-day Pakistan, and important Sufi shrines are scattered across the southern belt of the country in Sindh and Punjab provinces. Sufi devotees embrace a personal approach to Islamic belief, which contrasts sharply with the fundamentalism espoused by Islamic State and Taliban militants, who often have targeted members of the group with violence. In November, Islamic State claimed responsibility for a bombing at a Sufi shrine in the restive southwestern state of Baluchistan, killing more than 50 people. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said in a statement that Thursdays bombing was an attack on the whole of Pakistan. The Sufi people predate Pakistans history and played an important part in the struggle for its formation, Sharif said. Sindh province until now had been insulated from a wave of terror attacks in Pakistan, including in the eastern city of Lahore and the northern tribal belt. The Pakistani government has blamed militant groups based in neighboring Afghanistan and summoned the Afghan ambassador in Islamabad this week demanding that his government take action against militant sanctuaries. The countries share a long, porous border including mountainous areas that are home to members of Islamic State in Khorasan, as the groups South Asia affiliate has dubbed itself. The U.S. military last year stepped up the use of airstrikes against the groups hideouts in the eastern Afghan province of Nangarhar, which lies on the border with Pakistan. Special correspondent Ali reported from Peshawar, Pakistan, and special correspondent Sahi from Islamabad. Times staff writer Shashank Bengali contributed to this report from Mumbai, India. ALSO Top U.S. general in Afghanistan said thousands more troops needed for fight against Taliban The elaborate ceremony that says everything you need to know about India-Pakistan tensions Bomb kills at least 14 at pharmacists protest in Lahore, Pakistan, police say The death threats started last spring. Sixteen-year-old Mauricio Gomez answered a phone call from an unknown number and heard a nasal voice on the line. Give me $400 by the end of the week, the gangster warned, or Ill kill you and your family. Do you understand me? the voice continued. We can cut you into pieces. Mauricio, a lanky high school student who wore thick-framed glasses, hung up the phone, shaking. He had no idea who the gangster was, and he didnt have $400. He had to flee, Mauricio decided, but unlike the thousands of unaccompanied minors from Central America who braved the trek to the U.S. border in hopes of winning asylum, he applied for an Obama administration program that would allow him just possibly to join family in the United States. But would the program take him? And could he survive the gangs until it did? Although a fierce military crackdown on El Salvadors two main warring gangs has chipped away at violent crime in the last year, this tiny Central American nation remains one of the most dangerous places on Earth, with a per capita homicide rate more than 15 times that of the United States. Children as young as 9 are recruited for gang membership. Extortion is rampant, with gangs squeezing street vendors, restaurant owners and even grandmothers for cash. Last year, nearly 1 in 4 people were victims of a crime, according to a poll conducted by Central American University, which also found that more than 40% of Salvadorans hoped to leave the country within a year. In certain areas, such as Mauricios hometown of Sonsonate, located on a strategic drug route on the Pacific Coast, many people rarely venture out after dark. The specter of violence is driving increasing numbers of asylum seekers to nearby countries, such as Costa Rica and Mexico, while thousands of others attempt the perilous 2,000-mile journey to the U.S. A record 17,512 unaccompanied Salvadoran children were apprehended at the U.S. border in the fiscal year that ended in September, according to the Department of Homeland Security. It was an 87% increase over the year before. On-going struggle to keep the peace in El Salvador. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) More than 27,000 minors or adults traveling in family units also were apprehended; that was a 150% increase. After the threatening phone calls continued, and menacing-looking men started loitering outside the house, Mauricio and his family decided last summer to test the new program created by President Obama that allows Central American children with at least one parent living legally in the U.S. to apply for refugee status while in their home country. More than 10,000 young people have applied for the program, which was designed to protect children from the risks of the migrant path and help stop the flow of unauthorized migrants north. Immigrant advocates have hailed the effort as a small but important step toward recognizing the violence in El Salvador and neighboring countries. Mauricio endured months of vetting. He was asked to play recordings of the death threats for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services officers. He submitted DNA samples, underwent background checks and stripped off his clothing in front of a doctor to prove he was free of infectious disease. Last month, he received a letter saying he had been granted refugee status, and the international body that helps administer the program had booked him a seat on a flight to Los Angeles on Feb. 9. The family wept with joy. But a new U.S. president with deep doubts about the countrys refugee programs was about to complicate things. El Salvadors gang violence made it the murder capital of the world in 2015. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times ) Top: El Salvador's gang violence made it the murder capital of the world in 2015. Bottom left: At the national morgue, victims of suspected violence remain unidentified. Bottom right: A gang member with the tattoo XIII XIII (for 13) on his arm was shot execution style. Over the last four decades, violence has become as much a part of life in El Salvador as muggy summers and periodic eruptions of the countrys active volcanoes. The civil war, which pitted leftist guerrillas against the U.S.-backed right-wing government, raged for 12 years, killed 75,000 people and caused millions to flee. An estimated 2 million people of Salvadoran origin now reside in the United States, according to the Pew Research Center, about 700,000 of them illegally. Mauricios father, Max, left San Salvador for Los Angeles in 1981, after he said he was targeted by the military for speaking out in favor of leftist leaders. He and his wife, Alicia, received green cards after President Reagan signed a bill in 1986 granting amnesty to many people living in the U.S. without permission. After a peace treaty ended the war in 1992, Max returned to El Salvador, where Alicia gave birth to Mauricio. He worked as a criminal lawyer, occasionally representing members of gangs, such as Mara Salvatrucha and Barrio 18, that formed in Los Angeles in the 1980s and were introduced to Central America by large numbers of U.S. deportees. The government has estimated that nearly half a million people are now connected to the gangs in a country of slightly more than 6 million. Since 2003, the government has taken what it calls an iron fist approach to criminal groups, sending soldiers armed with automatic weapons and dressed in black balaclavas into gang-controlled areas. Recently, federal prosecutors have accused law enforcement officials of going too far of disappearing young men and residents of some neighborhoods have complained of extrajudicial killings. Many people, including Mauricio, know someone who has been slain. The father of one of his friends was shot by a gangster not long ago after taking money out of an ATM. Its getting worse, he said. We are in a war. An armed soldier checks a man for gang-related tattoos. The military and police are working together to curb the gang problem, routinely stopping and frisking people. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times ) His father and mother fled to Los Angeles for a second time several years ago after gangsters started demanding that Max represent them in court for free. Mauricio remained at the familys pretty red stucco home in Sonsonate, a colonial-era city with cobblestone streets lined with vendors frying tortillas and pupusas. They became one more transnational family in El Salvador, where as many as 40% of young people grow up without one or both parents because of migration. For children like Mauricio, having parents living in the United States was a boon and bane: They sent money for nice things, but occasionally you were robbed of those nice things, like when gangsters with knives jumped Mauricio as he got off his school bus in 2015 and demanded that he hand over his new sneakers and wristwatch. The phone calls were different than being randomly targeted on the street. They were incessant, for one. The gangsters called so many times, even after Mauricio changed his phone number, that for a short time he thought that joining the gang might be his only way out. Mauricio lived alone, looked after by a housekeeper and his older sister, who lived with her own family. They installed boards on the front windows of the house after Mauricio spied a man peering in. The housekeeper quit, saying she was afraid, and Mauricio started sleeping in an upstairs bedroom that was harder to reach from the outside. He stopped going to school for several weeks afraid hed be jumped on the long bus ride and transferred to a closer school guarded by armed security officers. Leave here, leave here, you have to leave, he remembers thinking. He just had to hang on until Feb. 9, the day he was to leave for Los Angeles. His father flew down to help him pack and to close up the house. They canceled the Internet and the power. Then, 14 days before he was supposed to leave, President Trump issued an executive order calling for the immediate suspension of all refugee admissions to the U.S. for 120 days. That included Mauricio, who received a second letter, this one telling him the program was on hold. He and his father wept again. Mauricio spoke to his brother and sister in the U.S., both citizens, who apologized for having voted for Trump. Then he unpacked his bags. Mauricio and his father considered their options. Should he go to Mexico to seek asylum there? Or maybe to Italy, where they had extended family? But they didnt have that kind of money. Father and son slunk around the neighborhood, trying not to attract attention. And then, last weekend, came beautiful news: A federal judge issued an injunction on Trumps ban, freeing migrants to travel. An appeals court upheld the injunction Thursday. That same day, Mauricio and Max boarded a plane for LAX. Mauricio was met there by a brother and his mother, who gathered him in her arms. They went to celebrate at a doughnut shop and then took in a movie. He was taken aback by how nice people in the U.S. were, and how pretty Los Angeles was. The best part, he said, was that he felt safe. kate.linthicum@latimes.com Twitter: @katelinthicum All material is subject to strictly enforced copyright terms & conditions and cannot be repurposed or reproduced. 19882022 Latin American Financial Publications Inc. Climate Change Forced Half Of Mammal Species On Verge Of Extinction staff@latinoshealth.com By partha das Feb 16, 2017 01:18 PM EST Nowadays climate change is not a normal phenomenon. A Current study discovers that a huge number of species of the mammals and birds are suffering badly from this change. New Scientist reported that almost climate change is harming almost 700 species that includes mammals and birds. A new research study warns about the global warming because it is one of the important causes of the change. The research includes 136 studies that were published between 1990 and 2015. The research also includes the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Red List. The list contains half of the terrestrial mammal species and the quarter of the bird species. Shockingly, all of them are already suffering from the negative impact of climate change. Lee Hannah, a conservation ecologist has opined that climate change has already produced the outbreak of insects that ultimately killed a huge number of trees in the North America. Also, the increasing temperature due to this environmental change has killed corals in the oceans. The research study clearly reveals that a good number of species are standing on the verge of extinction. Michela Pacifici, the lead author at the Sapienza University of Rome says that their research also indicates such threats that are coming out from climate change. The author utters that most of the affected species are residing in the highly developed or populated areas. So the initial need is to monitor those locations and to control the excessive use of the natural resources by human society. The research team has assessed the risk to the mammals depending on some key traits. The traits include population number, body mass, reproductive rate, survival rate and the geographic range. The team clearly points out that climate change has already hampered the traits and the animal population that mainly includes mammals is facing severe challenges in life. The popular journal Nature Climate Change reported that the research model shows that 47 percent of the 873 mammal species are indicating the sign of extinction. Primates, elephants, and marsupials bear the sign of the bad impact of climate change. Even 23.4 percent of the 1272 bird species are bearing the signs of harm. A good number of mammals are struggling to survive as the temperature of the environment is increasing very fast. Birds, living at the higher altitude, are facing the same consequence. Climate change is truly a matter of concern as mammals are the key component of the ecological balance. Subscribe to the latinos health newsletter! Malaysian police have identified a second woman believed to be connected to the death of Kim Jong Nam. On Thursday, the Malaysian government has confirmed the detention. According to CNN, the investigation committee said, two Asian women were suspected of killing Kim Jong Nam. The second woman was detained Wednesday at Malaysia's Kuala Lumpur international airport carrying a Vietnamese travel document. The police report said, on Wednesday, a woman carrying Vietnamese travel documents bearing the name of Doan Thi Huong was arrested at the International Airport of Malaysia. Police are also hunting for further suspects. ALJAZEERA has reported, after suddenly falling ill at Kuala Lumpur Airport, Kim died on Monday. He had been on his way to the Chinese territory of Macau. He was reportedly living under China's protection. Kim is believed to have been poisoned, South Korean National Assembly Intelligence Committee has stated on Wednesday. Though, the investigators are awaiting the results of an autopsy on his body. Police are investigating all the possible way of this murder. South Korea's spy agency suspects that two female North Korean agents assassinated Kim. The local media has reported, police and authorities were working with diplomats from North Korea and Vietnam to confirm whether or not the suspect is a Vietnamese citizen. Kim was the most public of all Kim Jong 11's sons before half brother Kim Jong UN took power. The report has suggested he lost favor with his father after he used a forged document to try to visit Tokyo Disneyland in 2001. Kim Jong UN was the son of Kim Jong 11 and Song Hey Rim, one of the late rulers' favored mistresses. Kim Jong UN, the youngest son, was born to another mistress, Ko Yong Hui. Meanwhile, the North Korean government has sent a senior diplomat's team to Malaysia for the further investigation of this murder case. It was recently revealed that there is Super-Earth existing in the solar system and discovered that there are 60 new planets. The report by a team of international scientists in the Lick-Carnegie Exoplanet Survey and confirmed that aside from the discovery of 60 new planets, there are over 56 potential planets that can support life as these planets were claimed to be Earth-like. The discovery was led by astronomers' Steve Vogt, Geoffrey Marcy and Paul Butler. The team has discovered a total of 114 new planets wherein there are 60 new planets and 54 potential planets out the solar systems. According to the scientists, there are several planets that are Earth-like and can support humanity, Fox News has reported. The Super-Earth planet is named Gliese 411-B. Super-Earth Gliese 411-B claimed can support the humanity, the hot exoplanet is the 4th nearest to the solar system and has a rocky surface. Scientists got the idea that super-Earth can support life due to the fact that these planets found orbiting all stars close to the sun. Scientists are very open to the possibility and expecting that the Earth-like condition might support alien life. USA Today reported that with the help of Hawaii's Keck-I telescope, Butler stated that their discovery was a crowning glory as an astronomer as the newly discovered planets further understands and enhances the processes in planetary formations and for the effortless imaging planets in the future. The survey made a big contribution to the scientists in a better understanding of the planets in the past 2 decades by tracking the movements of the nearby stars. For detecting any signs that signify a life beyond Earth, NASA develops a technology that more effective than the device used by spaceship Mars Curiosity rover. In a paper published, one of the NASA researchers suggested a laser-provoked fluorescence recognition. It is by blazing a mixture of organic molecule to point and identify amino acids, and in detecting a remote planet's habitability and NASA recently developed a new model. The exoplanet Proxima Centauri b is not habitable as the planet were tested and found that it is a dead world. Geneva LIVE: Ferrari 812 Superfast Mar 8, 2017, 11:16am ET The 812 packs the most powerful V12 engine Ferrari has ever built, delivering 789 horsepower without help from forced induction. Ferrari has introduced its most powerful and fastest car yet, the 812 Superfast, serving as a replacement for the F12berlinetta. Engineers developed a new 6.5-liter V12, slightly increasing displacement from the 6.3-liter unit that powers the F12verlinetta and F12tdf. The larger mill delivers 800 cv (789 horsepower) at 8,500 rpm and 718 nm (530 pound-feet) of torque at 7,000 rpm. The company suggests the 812 is the first high-performance vehicle to integrate a 350-bar (5,076 psi) direct-injection system, paired with variable geometry intake tracts inspired by naturally aspirated F1 engines. Power is delivered via a dual-clutch transmission, with different gear ratios and shorter up- and down-shift times compared to the F12's gearbox. The 812 is the first Ferrari to utilize electric power steering (EPS), allowing the steering system to integrate with the electronic vehicle dynamics controls. The company has updated its drift-focused Side Slip Control, while Virtual Short Wheelbase 2.0 builds upon technology used in the F12tdf. Exterior styling evolves from the F12 and other front-engined V12 Ferraris. The silhouette has been tweaked to evoke the high tail of the 365 GTB4 that debuted in 1969. Owners should expect to launch from a standstill to 60 mph in just 2.9 seconds, eventually topping out at more than 211 mph. The company has not yet announced pricing details or a launch date for the 812 Superfast. Live photos by Ronan Glon. Feb 16, 2017, 2:05pm ET GM's Maven adds Chevy Bolt to Los Angeles car-sharing fleet The pilot program has experienced average month-over-month growth of 56-percent since its October launch in Los Angeles. As expected, General Motors' 'Maven' service has begun to add Chevrolet Bolt EVs to its car-sharing fleet. The company will eventually operate more than 100 for-hire Bolts in Los Angeles. The Cars will be available both to Maven customers and via Lyft Express Drive, a weekly rental program for Lyft drivers. Maven's Los Angeles operations have achieved an average month-over-month growth of 56 percent since launching in October. The automaker suggests the car-sharing Bolt fleet could eventually account for up to 250,000 all-electric miles each month. GM is collaborating with partner companies and government agencies to pursue infrastructure projects that will encourage the use of EVs in the 'sharing economy.' Similar initiatives will likely be pursued in San Diego and San Francisco as Maven further expands Bolt availability. Maven is now available in 17 cities in the US and Canada, with more than 24,000 members and 27,500 reservations to date. Feb 15, 2017, 3:51pm ET GM's Opel selloff sparks new FCA merger rumors The rumors don\'t appear to be founded in truth, however. Rumors of a Fiat Chrysler-General Motors merger have resurfaced following GM's announcement that it's trying to sell its Opel and Vauxhall divisions to France's PSA Group. FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne has been vocal about his desire to merge with GM, but the executive backed off his positioning in 2015 after GM CEO Mary Barra made it clear that her company had no intentions of merging with FCA. However, GM's recent announcement that it might sell its European operations has rekindled rumors of an FCA merger. As the narrative goes, GM's departure from Europe sets the stage for a strategic alliance with Fiat Chrysler, which already has a secure foothold in the European market. Although there would be less overlap between the two companies with Opel and Vauxhall out of the picture, the deal still looks unlikely to get done. Even if GM loses Opel/Vauxhall's 1.6 million annual deliveries, company executives believe the automaker is large enough to absorb the hit. Moreover, a GM insider revealed to Bloomberg that the company is keen on using the money previously earmarked for Opel/Vauxhall for developing newer vehicles for the United States and China, as well as advanced autonomous technologies. Although there is no reason to believe that GM has had a change of heart when it comes to a merger with FCA, expect to hear plenty of rumors to the contrary in the coming weeks and months. Feb 15, 2017, 4:57pm ET Judge allows Chevy Cruze Diesel emissions lawsuit to proceed Plaintiffs have been allowed to move forward with claims of deceptive advertising, but claims related to breach of contract have been dismissed. A judge has allowed a Chevy Cruze Diesel emissions lawsuit to proceed, though some claims have been dismissed. A group of owners filed the lawsuit last year, claiming that General Motors used a defeat device in the Cruze Diesel to circumvent emissions regulations. The system allegedly reduces emissions when the vehicle is being tested but deactivates when the vehicle is operated in real-world conditions. Judge Thomas L Ludington of the US District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan partially sided with GM, dismissing breach-of-contract allegations, but upheld claims related to deceptive advertising and fraudulent concealment, according to The Detroit News. "We're pleased with the ruling because the court found that many of the legal theories put forward by the plaintiffs don't hold water," GM spokesman James Cain said in a statement. "We're confident their remaining claims will eventually fail as they are baseless." The lawsuit appears to accuse GM of the same illegal cheat that has cost Volkswagen billions in penalties and repair costs. The Environmental Protection Agency has not accused GM of violating emissions laws, however, and GM claims its Cruze Diesel is compliant with all EPA and California Air Resources Board regulations. Feb 16, 2017, 11:50am ET Model S sacrificed to save another driver; Tesla offers repairs The Model S owner intervened after noticing another car cruising down the highway with an unconscious driver behind the wheel. Tesla has offered free repairs for a Model S owner who used his expensive EV to stop another car that was piloted by an unconscious driver. Manfred Kick was driving on a highway near Munich when he noticed the other driver "tipped forward and hung motionless," according to a Merkur report that speculates the motorist may have suffered a stroke. "I had to stop his car somehow, otherwise it would have continued forever," he said. "And it was clear that the driver needed urgent help." Kick passed the runaway vehicle and maneuvered his Model S in front, apparently causing a soft rear-end collision has he braked to bring both to a stop. Police have reportedly praised him for the action, but it created an unclear circumstance for insurance coverage. "Congrats to the Tesla owner who sacrificed damage to his own car to bring a car with an unconscious driver safely to a stop!" Tesla CEO Elon Musk wrote on Twitter. "In appreciation, Tesla is providing all repair costs free of charge and expedited." Image by Feuerwehr Munchen. By John Frayler When the American colonies declared their independence from Great Britain, the infant nation was in no position to defy British rule of the seas. Britains navy in 1776 was the worlds most powerful. States individually outfitted vessels of war and Congress established a navy, but it was a slow beginning. At no point in the conflict did the American naval forces have adequate resources to confront the Royal Navy on its own terms. The Royal Navyonce the protector of American shippingnow made every effort to suppress and destroy it. The Americans responded to the situation with the time-honored practice of privateering. American privateering activity during the American Revolution became an industry born of necessity that encouraged patriotic private citizens to harass British shipping while risking their lives and resources for financial gain. European governments regularly issued documents known as Letters of Marque and Reprisal to legitimize privately outfitted men-of-war. In a tradition dating back to the Middle Ages, under highly regulated conditions, these documents authorized private parties to attack enemy vessels. Without the documentation, these same activities were considered acts of piracy and subject to prosecution. If a privateer captured an enemy ship (known as a prize), an admiralty prize court had to approve the seizure. Then, the proceeds from the sale of the prize and its cargo were shared among the owners and crew of the privateer according to a pre-arranged contract. Privateering encompassed two levels of participation. A Letter of Marque authorized armed merchant ships to challenge any likely enemy vessel that crossed its path during the course of a commercial voyage. A Privateer Commission was issued to vessels, called privateers or cruisers, whose primary objective was to disrupt enemy shipping. The ideal target was an unarmed, or lightly armed, commercial ship. With the passage of an act on March 23, 1776, the Continental Congress formalized the commissioning process, and uniform rules of conduct were established. Owners of privateers had to post monetary bonds to ensure their proper conduct under the regulations. Although the documentation is incomplete, about 1,700 Letters of Marque, issued on a per-voyage basis, were granted during the American Revolution. Nearly 800 vessels were commissioned as privateers and are credited with capturing or destroying about 600 British ships. Vessels of every size and description were pressed into service as privateers. At the upper end of the scale was the 600-ton, 26-gun ship Caesar of Boston. At the other end was the 8-ton boat Defense of Falmouth, Massachusetts. Crews ranged from a few men in a whaleboat to more than 200 aboard a large, fully equipped privateer. Two-masted schooners and brigantines were most often used in privateering, reflecting the kind of vessels available to American seamen. Homeports for vessels operating as privateers and Letters of Marque included Portsmouth, New Hampshire; Boston, Salem, Beverly and Newburyport in Massachusetts; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Baltimore, Maryland; New London, New Haven, Norwich and Wethersfield, Connecticut; Providence, Rhode Island; and Richmond, Virginia. Privateers achieved the best results if they could bluff an opponent into believing opposition was futile. When this failed the result was often vicious combat with unpredictable results. Many privateers were captured or sunk when the odds were against them. In spite of all the risks and hazards, the overall effort to cripple Britains commercial fleet was highly effective, and fortunes destined to finance the new republic were made. It is estimated that the total damage to British shipping by American privateers was about $18 million by the end of the war or just over $302 million in todays dollars. Compiled and edited by Kathy Weiser/Legends of America, updated December 2020. Also See: American Revolution Index American Revolution Timeline Causes of the American Revolution Initial Battles for Independence Heroes and Patriots of America By John Frayler, Salem Maritime National Historic Site, National Park Service dewey fire Dewey Fire Company #1, in Hellertown. (Sarah Cassi | lehighvalleylive.com) A former Hellertown borough councilman has been charged with stealing from a borough fire company after allegedly improperly filing time cards. John M. Bate, 57, of 1600 Ilona Drive, was arraigned Thursday morning on theft and related charges stemming from the pay and stipend he received from Dewey Fire Co. Bate previously served as ambulance captain with the fire company at 502 Durham St. He is free on $5,000 unsecured bail in the case. "The man built the Dewey rescue squad ... as a volunteer for years and years," defense attorney Erv McLain said. "He's understandably upset about this. We will absolutely defend the case vigorously." Bate was appointed last year to fill a vacant seat on Hellertown Borough Council. Borough Solicitor Michael Corriere said Bate submitted a letter of resignation on Wednesday. He also resigned as the borough's emergency management coordinator. Borough council will have to formally accept the resignations at its next meeting on Tuesday. Police allege from Jan. 2, 2011, through October 2015, Bate filled out time cards to cover times when he handled administrative duties for the fire company, but was not present and on shift. At the same time, Bate received an annual stipend of $1,500, in monthly payments, to cover administrative duties as ambulance captain, police said. Over the four years, Bate improperly claimed 2,810 hours on his time card, totaling $38,427, prosecutors allege. In an interview with police on Jan. 2, Bate told police the time card entries were for instances where he handled administrative duties. Bate was responsible for submitting the ambulance service's payroll, including his own. There was no organizational oversight or audit, which allowed the alleged thefts "to occur for an extended period of time," police said. Police said they began their investigation into the alleged thefts on July 29, 2016. Four days before, Bate was cited for harassment, following an argument with Dewey Fire Co. President Michael Malone at the fire company's hall, records show. Bate followed Malone as Malone tried to leave an argument, the citation states. Bate was found guilty in absentia of summary harassment. Financial blows to fire company Last November, the fire company's former treasurer was charged with stealing more than $395,000 from Dewey. McLain said to his knowledge, that investigation was separate from the one involving Bate. Agnes Patterson was treasurer since 2002, and she was the only person to have access to those financial accounts. Patterson spent the money on illegitimate purchases and to fund a gambling habit, prosecutors allege. Patterson is awaiting trial in her case. Her next Northampton County Court date is April 3. Hellertown Borough Council President Thomas Rieger said officials will appoint a replacement for Bate under procedures spelled out in the borough code. Without specifying, he said procedures also are in place for temporary coverage of the emergency management coordinator job until a replacement can be appointed. Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. It seemed like whenever disabled veteran Wendy Brunell took a step forward, something would occur in her life to force two steps back. Serving in the U.S. Army from 1991 to 2001, 44-year-old Brunell, of Hellertown, talks candidly today about her battle with post-traumatic stress disorder. She found a "rock" in boyfriend, Larry Wismer, also of Hellertown, in helping her overcome it, she said. But then this past August, the single mother of two lost her job unexpectedly at a lighting corporation. A few days later, the engine went on her car -- the repairs for which was expected to cost thousands on a vehicle worth only hundreds. Brunell fell on harder times when she didn't have transportation to get to medical appointments, the grocery store or laundromat. But what bothered her even more was not being able to do such things as watch her daughter play softball. Brunell said she had too much pride to ask for help, but knew not to give up. "I just kept fighting because I have a family," she said. "I said, 'I can't give up.'" On Wednesday, Brunell was told by the Northampton County American Legion that her struggle in finding new wheels was over. She was handed a set of car keys to a white pre-owned Toyota Camry -- a surprise donation by the 25 th Street Auto Sales dealership in Wilson Borough. The car is worth $3,500, according to the dealership. "We just want to help any of the vets out there in need," said David Daiello, legion commander. "Some gave all -- the ultimate sacrifice for our country. It is my job as legionnaire and every veteran's job to help our fellow brothers and sisters in arms even after service to our country. "And for some, the battle and struggle still carries on," he continued. Vets in need The act of kindness was shared through the "Veterans in Need" fund, which was started by Daiello in 2014. Daiello, a disabled U.S. Navy veteran himself, wanted to find a way to help more veterans in need through donations by Lehigh Valley residents, corporations and businesses. In the past, Daiello has secured donations from The Home Depot and Lowe's for handicapped-accessible projects, food donations from supermarkets, clothing from department stores and toiletries from the Valor Clinic Foundation. The American Legion also has hired clowns and magicians to visit veterans at the Gracedale nursing facility in Upper Nazareth Township. But this was the first car Daiello ever received from a dealership for a veteran, he said. Daiello bought several cars in the past from 25 th Street Auto Sales and asked Ralph Tromba, sales manager, if he would be willing to help with his veterans' support efforts. Tromba said he instantly was willing. "We are here to support our vets who have supported us," Tromba said. Daiello said the American Legion has even more events on tap to raise money for veterans, including a June clambake fundraiser and a program for the homeless. He's hoping more people will pay it forward. "We're hoping the kindness spreads and more people catch on who are willing to help -- kind of like a snowball effect," Daiello said. "All it takes is a few good men and women." 'It's a godsend' Brunell said she was "overwhelmed" by the donation and it restored her faith when so many doors previously closed on her. She has found a new "military family" in the American Legion, she said. Besides American flags on and stationed around the Toyota, Brunell stood Wednesday with Wismer, family members and American Legion veterans in salute. "It's been so exciting because we've gone through so many hard things," Brunell said. "It's wonderful," Wismer added. "It's a godsend." Brunell said if any lesson could be learned through her hardships, it's not to be afraid to ask for help. Wismer added those who have fallen on hard times need to keep trying. "There's a lot of people who try and there are walls they run into," Wismer said. "They get tired of trying, but they should never stop. Look how long it took us. Just don't give up." Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. Easton Hospital generic building 6506.jpg Easton Hospital in Wilson Borough will be sold in the second quarter of 2017. (File photo) ( ) Easton Hospital is changing hands. An agreement announced Thursday will see the Lehigh Valley facility and its assets -- along with seven other hospitals in three states -- acquired by Steward Health Care LLC. The physician-led Steward operates nine hospitals in eastern Massachusetts, along with Steward Medical Group and Steward Health Care Network, totaling about 3,800 physicians, according to a news release. Steward plans to offer jobs to all employees in good standing and continue privileges for medical staff, officials said. With about 1,000 employees, 196-bed Easton Hospital is Wilson Borough's largest employer. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2017, pending approvals. The pending ownership change does not come by surprise. Rumors swirled last fall that Tennessee-based Community Health Systems, the publicly traded for-profit company that has owned Easton since 2001, was exploring a possible sale. Easton Mayor Sal Panto Jr., who serves on the hospital's advisory board, said he saw the sale as a positive development. "I don't think this is a surprise to anyone and we're hoping Steward can give us the direction and assistance we need," he said, adding he only learned of the sale Thursday afternoon. "Easton Hospital has made a number of capital improvements and we've had a very good round of specialists and surgeons recruited in the last 18 months. I think the hospital was headed in the right direction and we can work with Steward, and they'll really see the value of a community hospital." The other CHS hospitals involved in the deal announced Thursday are the 258-bed Sharon Regional Health System in Sharon, Pa.; 119-bed Wuesthoff Health System-Melbourne in Melbourne, Fla.; 298-bed Wuesthoff Health System-Rockledge in Rockledge, Fla.; 154-bed Sebastian River Medical Center in Sebastian, Fla.; and ValleyCare Health System of Ohio, with 355-bed Northside Medical Center in Youngstown, 311-bed Trumbull Memorial Hospital and 69-bed Hillside Rehabilitation Hospital in Warren. Under CHS, Easton Hospital has seen tens of millions of dollars in expansion investments, fights against several high-profile lawsuits, frequent changes in local leadership and efforts to expand its footprint in the Lehigh Valley. It competes in a market dominated by two big players -- St. Luke's University Health Network and Lehigh Valley Health Network. In 2011, CHS lost out on a bid to acquire then-Warren Hospital in Phillipsburg. That hospital would later merge with St. Luke's. In a Bloomberg report last fall, analysts said that CHS would likely have trouble finding a buyer because of its debt load. The company said Thursday that it will use money from the sale to pay down debt. "This transaction is a significant step in our strategic work to optimize our portfolio and operations for the future," Wayne T. Smith, CHS chairman and chief executive officer, said in a prepared statement. "These hospitals play an important role in their communities and can benefit from Steward Health Care's community-based care model going forward." In December, Easton Hospital CEO John Zidansek resigned. He had led the facility since 2013. At the time, hospital officials did not elaborate on the circumstances behind his departure. In Thursday's news release, hospital officials said Damon Brown had been appointed interim chief executive officer in January. "Steward Health Care will help us maintain our position as a key institution and employer in the community," Brown said in a statement. Michael Callum, Steward's executive vice president for physician services, promised to continue a "strong community focus" and a smooth transition for patients and staff. Easton Hospital celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2015. It opened with 11 beds in Easton in 1890 and moved in 1930 to Wilson Borough, where it has been a community fixture. Tony Verenna, borough council president in Wilson, said he had only learned of the sale Thursday afternoon and wasn't clear what impact, if any, it might have on the borough. He said Wilson relies heavily on tax revenues from hospital buildings and operations. Any change in that could have significant impacts on the borough, which this year enacted a 13 percent borough property tax increase. "It could really affect us, especially after the problems we had this year," he said. Panto said he was relieved to see that the buyer is a for-profit entity, because a nonprofit hospital doesn't pay property taxes. Such a change could cripple Wilson Borough, which collects property and other taxes from CHS. Easton Hospital was a nonprofit hospital until its acquisition by CHS in 2001. "Everyone, especially older people like me, really attach themselves to the community hospital," said Panto, who was an Easton Hospital patient last year. "The staff and the medical team there are very talented. "Easton Hospital has been a fixture in Wilson Borough and in the city for a long time. I think all in all the hospital will do well." Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @type2supernovak and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. John Brown, Northampton County executive Northampton County Executive John Brown, seen here in the fall, is a Republican and former Bangor mayor who announced Feb. 16, 2017, that he will seek a second term as county government leader. (lehighvalleylive.com file photo) Northampton County Executive John Brown is running for re-election. Brown, a Republican who ran an unsuccessful campaign for Pennsylvania auditor general in 2016, ended any speculation about his future in county government Thursday when he announced he would seek a second term. "Serving as Northampton County executive is a tremendous honor," he said in a prepared statement. "Working together we have overcome deep financial challenges and I am excited about the positive results accomplished over the past three years. "While we have made great strides, I know our county can do even better. I will work to continue what we started by seeking to strengthen, bolster and reform our county's services to ensure they are both more effective and cost efficient." Brown is a former Bangor mayor and graduate of Bangor Area High School and Notre Dame University. The primary election is May 16. Four years ago, he defeated former Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan, a Democrat, to win the county office. He was the first Republican elected county executive since 1997. Brown said he has cut the county budget by $40 million and cut spending at Gracedale, the county nursing home. Under his leadership, Brown said, Gracedale's $6.7 million taxpayer-funded operating loss was erased and the facility in Upper Nazareth Township was returned to profitability while improving care. It has had "zero deficiencies" over the past two years in Pennsylvania Department of Health surveys and earned a four-star rating for the first time, according to his statement. He also touted the county's plan to repair and replace 33 bridges over the next four years in a public-private partnership endorsed by the Pennsylvania Department off Transportation as one of the few of its kind. Brown pledged to "protect taxpayers by aggressively eliminating waster, fraud and abuse in government." the news release said, citing his "financial and business experience." He launched a bid for state office but was defeated last November in the general election by Democratic incumbent Eugene DePasquale. Brown and wife Tina have a son, Zachary. He is the first Republican to announce a bid for the county's top elected office. In January, former county councilman Lamont McClure, an attorney from Bethlehem Township, announced he would seek the Democratic nomination for county executive in the May primary. Jim Deegan may be reached at jdeegan@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @jim_deegan. Find lehighvalleylive on Facebook. South Whitehall Township police say a medical issue may have led a woman to crash into three other vehicles, injuring herself and one other person. Dorothy Frey was driving a 1999 Oldsmobile on Monday morning on Walbert Avenue in South Whitehall Township. Police said Frey drove around a 2003 Chrysler driven by Sherwood Ohlinger, also of Allentown, as Ohlinger was stopped at the red light at the intersection with Route 309. Frey then hit the Chrysler, and kept traveling into the intersection, according to police. Frey struck a 2010 Subaru driven by Kathleen Dimmich, of Orefield, and then a PP&L service truck driven by employee Gyavira Bewayo, police said. Frey's car became wedged underneath the PP&L truck, police said. Frey and Dimmich were taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital in Salisbury Township for treatment of their injuries, police said. Police are investigating the possibility that Frey suffered a medical emergency while she was driving. The crash is under investigation. Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. trump netanyahu.jpeg President Trump speaks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyau at the WHite House Wednesday. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) After meeting Wednesday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Donald Trump said the U.S. may drop its support for the creation of a Palestinian state in the search for a peaceful solution to conflict in the Middle East. Trump's position marks a change in U.S. foreign policy, which has backed a "two-state" solution since the Clinton presidency. The Obama administration criticized Israel's policy of allowing the growth of settlements in the West Bank, seeing it as an obstacle to an accord between Israel and Palestinians. Trump, who said he could live with either a one-state or a two-state approach, asked Netanyahu to hold off on new settlements for a while, saying he thinks a peace agreement could be reached. What do you think? Is Trump right to back off the two-state solution? Have a say in our informal poll, and feel free to join the conversation in the comments section. After attending a friends civil wedding ceremony and seeing how poorly prepared the celebrant was, Will Flanagan decided he could do better. There was a definite lack of sincerity expressed by the celebrant, Will told the Leinster Express. She seemed disinterested and detached, like she didnt really care. My friends deserved better! Originally from Derrylamogue, Co. Laois, Will decided his affable personality along with experience in acting and public speaking provided the perfect foundation for a career as a celebrant. Will, who hails from a farm, embarked on a training course with the Irish Institute of Celebrants, where he, and fellow course mates formed Alternative Weddings Ireland, a group whose common goal is to help couples create the wedding of their dreams. Also a teacher in Dublin, Will sailed through his assessment in January 2017 and is now an accredited celebrant. He is fully qualified to help with weddings, vow renewals, naming ceremonies and also funerals. If youre looking for help with choosing the perfect readings, heartfelt vows or music that will make your wedding unforgettable, Im here to help, he said. Wedding ceremonies appeal to everyone and couples like to add those special touches that make their celebration personal. This is where Will works his magic. He says he ensures that the little things that matter to a couples beliefs, stories and personalities, are included. Ill bring sincerity, joy and humour to your wedding day. Guaranteed! Will declared. Those of us who are married might recall how, prior to our wedding day, discussions revolved around venues, catering, dates, rings, clothes and so on. In all likelihood, the heart and soul of the day, namely the celebration, was overlooked. Imagine then, having a dedicated professional like Will, whose sole task is to help you, the couple, channel energy into that one, very special aspect. Ireland is a magical place and theres a whole lot of mysticism in some of the ancient rites and rituals celebrated here, says Will. To give you an example, we have the Celtic knot fasting ritual, which is where the term tying the knot comes from. Imagine entwining a couples hands with traditional burlap and ribbons that theyve chosen for the occasion. How romantic is that? Will's parents still live on the family farm in Laois. He splits my time between there and Dublin where he works Monday - Friday as a secondary school teacher in Dalkey. If you and your significant other long to experience a truly memorable ceremony, why not contact Will to help make it happen. You can find him on www.weddingsbywill.org or the Alternative Weddings Ireland website http://alternativeweddingsireland.com/ A female prison officer has been left devastated after a man serving a sentence for rape made threats to kill her. Before last weeks district court was George Arundel (30), with an address at Mayfield, Cork. Detective Garda Padraic Ryan gave evidence that the accused made threats to kill a female prison officer, at the Midlands Prison, on December 17, 2015. The accused made admissions to the offence to the prison chaplain the next day, said Det Ryan. Det Ryan said the prison officer was aware of the accuseds history and the incident had a devastating effect on her life. A longterm relationship fell apart and the woman had to take medication, he said. Shes in fear of this man, said Det Ryan. The accused had 33 previous convictions, including false imprisonment, rape, and sexual assault. He also had a previous conviction for making threats to kill. He is serving a ten-year sentence, for rape and false imprisonment. Defence, Ms Josephine Fitzpatrick said that hearing his previous convictions was a huge shame to the accused. She said the accused had anger issues and was seeing a psychiatrist or psychologist while in custody. He has been an alcoholic since he was nine and spent time in care. She said the accused wished to offer a sincere apology to the prison officer, and he had been used banned substances at the time and was very agitated. Ms Fitzpatrick said that the prison officer is still working, but not in the same prison. Judge John King said it was a terrible thing which had destroyed the prison officers life. The judge said given the nature of the offence it would normally warrant a custodial sentence, but he said he would wait for a psychiatric evaluation of the accused. The matter was put back to this Thursday, February 9. A Mountmellick woman who behaved aggressively when her boyfriends car was being seized by the gardai has been given the benefit of the probation act, after making a donation to the Garda Benevolent Fund. Samantha Keenan, Manor Road, Mountmellick, was convicted back in October of threatening or abusive behaviour, at Cooltaderry, Portarlington, on May 24 last. Detective Garda Derek Barnett gave evidence that the gardai received a report of a suspicious car at the local leisure centre and went to seize the vehicle. Keenan, a passenger in the car, came out of the leisure centre and tried to stop the vehicle being seized. She became very agitated and tried to leap into the car, and also hopped onto the bonnet. Det Barnett said she was extremely aggressive, and there were a lot of people about at the time. The accused had no previous convictions, and later apologised to the gardai. Telling the accused that the gardai had a difficult job to do, Judge Catherine Staines ordered the accused to donate 200 to the Garda Benevolent Fund and the matter was put back to February 9 this year. When the case returned to the district court last week, the accused paid the money and Judge Staines applied the probation act, section 1.1. Lots of excited new contestants for the 2017 Laois Rose competition have already signed up, after a busy information day at Laois Shopping Centre last Friday. A delighted Sinead O'Neill, 23, from Clonaslee, cannot wait for her moment to shine as a Rose contestant, at the final in Portlaoise Heritage Hotel on April 30. When I was little I used to dress up in my communion dress and watch it with my cousins, we'd be lined up on the couch all dressed up, she said. Her sponsor is Fallons Pub in Clonaslee, and she joined up after the co-ordinators called in to Born boutique in the Shopping Centre where she works. I had thought about it before but never applied. My mother is just delighted, and my father is telling everyone, she said. A lifetime Irish dancer who hopes to one day open her own school, Sinead will be performing on stage in the Laois Final at Portlaoise Heritage Hotel in April, but organisers insist that party pieces are not necessary. A lot of girls coming up to us ask us if they need a talent, but you are not required to do a piece at all. We are just looking for modern warm confident women who are ambitious, intellectual, socially responsible and proud of their Irish heritage, said Lyn Moloney from Laois Rose Centre. There is lots of interest today and we have had several girls sign up, she said. Laois Rose Kate Hyland was there to offer advice for new contestants. It's an incredible contest. Where else would you get the chance to travel Ireland with 64 strangers, and end up being such good friends? You have the ability to bring awareness to issues close to your heart, as well as having a bucket load of craic along the way, she said. Shortly off to volunteer in Belarus with a group of Roses, she will end her year by taking part in the New York St Patrick's Day parade representing her county proudly. I've had an unbelievable year, one that has given me many opportunities. I feel I've been able to help certain causes and bring awareness to many areas, she said. Watching the Laois Rose contestants pose for photos at Laois Shopping Centre was young Mary Grehan, 12 from Derrylamogue NS, with her auntie Carmel Lynch. I always stay up to watch it. I actually thought they were picking the Laois Rose today. I watched the parade when it was in Portlaoise, and I met all the Roses after, they were lovely and friendly, said Mary, who wants to enter herself when she turns 18. Sarah Dunne, 25, from Portarlington works as a pharmacy technician in Boots chemist and is still working on finding a sponsor. I hope it will increase my confidence and be a way of meeting new people, and I'd be proud to represent my county. When I was growing up i always wanted to do it, it's kind of a dream come true, said Sarah, who hopes her macra on-stage training will stand to her for the live interview on Selection night. Also at the launch was Phillippa Allan, aged 19 from Raheen, studying healthcare in Portlaoise College. I always watched it, then my cousin Sarah Jane went for it two years ago, and she told me to go for it. I am actually so excited now I can't wait, she said. There is still time to apply for the chance to represent Laois at the International Rose of Tralee this August. To enter: log on to www.roseoftralee.ie/apply and fill out the application form or contact Lyn or Steve at the Laois Rose Centre or find them on facebook. They are inviting clubs, societies, associations, businesses, family or friends to nominate a contestant. Contact Lyn on 083 4631611 or Steve on 086 2505791 Email Laoisroseoftralee@gmail.com or steve@roseoftralee.ie Dumpers are being caught live in action on mobile cameras used by Laois County Council to in the campaign to tackle illegal dumping. Laois County Council is also set to double the number of cameras used to catch fly tippers in the act after a successful pilot programme underway since last September. Senior council official Michael Rainey told county councillors that the council plans to ramp the campaign against illegal dumping after a spike in the problem around the county in the past year. In a response to Cllr Paddy Bracken at the Borris-in-Ossory / Mountmellick Municipal District Meeting over problems on the Bay Road, Mountmellick, Mr Rainey told councillors that the use of mobile cameras will be expanded. "Our intention is to buy more cameras. What we did last year in a pilot phase last September is we bought two types of cameras. Based on (the success of) that we are going to buy two additional cameras. The advantage of these cameras is that they send live photos to the litter warden of dumping in a particular area," Mr Rainey told councillors. The cameras cost between 500 and 1,000 each but their success so far has proven their worth. There are currently 50 black spots for litter in Laois where CCTV is deployed but the council plans to up the number. However, under Data Protection rules governing CCTV, the council has to increase the number of CCTV in operation signs to warn the public that they are being filmed. Mr Rainey says footage gathered can be used in in court as part of prosecution of litter. He said the primary aim of the cameras is to deter people. The official also asked councillors to warn the public about unlicensed waste collectors. He said there are just four licensed collectors in Laois and their names are available on Laois County Council's website. Public consultation takes week in Laois on the controversial Barrow Towpath Development planned for the River Barrow. Waterways Ireland is holding the final in a series of public consultation meetings on Friday, February 17 from 3pm - 7pm Vicarstown Inn, Vicarstown on what will be known as the Barrow Blueway. The agency says engineering, environmental and marketing staff will be in attendance so that everyone has the opportunity to be fully aware of what is planned before submitting their comments to the planning authorities. Waterways Ireland describes its project as "upgrades" that will provide a multi-use shared leisure route connecting Lowtown in Co Kildare through Laois to St Mullins in Co Carlow. It says the proposal will further improve access to the Barrow Way-marked Way to everyone including walkers, cyclists, wheelchair users and families. While there has been little reaction to the project in Laois, there has been extensive opposition in other counties. One of the big bones of the contention is the plan to resurface existing grass pathways with a permanent gravel surface. Some believe this will destroy the natural environmment and beauty of the river and its habitat. However, others believe the path has huge potential to create a big tourist attraction by making the river more accessible. A small part of the trail will pass through the Laois in the area of Vicarstown. Of the 115km route 16kms is in Laois. Other towns on the route include: Rathangan, Monasterevin, Athy, Carlow, Leighlinbridge, Bagenalstown, Goresbridge, Graiguenamanagh and St. Mullins. A formal submission for planning permission has been made to Kildare, Laois and Carlow County Councils. Waterways Ireland submitted the planning application to the councils on Friday, January 27. The public can submit their submissions on the planning application to the Laois County Council on or before Thursday, March 2. Extensive plans have been submitted to Laois County Council. For details of the application as submitted to Laois County Council click here The Holton family presented cheques worth 26,300 to two charities in Johnstownbridge last night. The money was raised by the North West Kildare family when they got into the Guinness Book of Records last October for having the most siblings ploughing simultaneously. The event was an idea of - and in memory of - Paddy Holton, a member of the family who was diagnosed with primary brain cancer in January 2015 and died 10 months later. From the Holton familys experience, brain cancer research has had very little advancement over the past 30 years. Paddys father Willie died back in 1988 from the same cancer glioblastoma, aged 61, and from diagnosis to his death he only survived 10 months. Paddy was also 61 when he passed away and only survived the same length of time. A total of 15 Holton siblings took part in the ploughing event at Kilglass, Broadford on October 2 last. Speaking at the cheque presentation, another of the siblings Frank explained that as per Paddys wish, the money would go to Brain Tumour Ireland and the Ross Nugent Foundation. Paddy would have been so so proud of everyone that day, Frank said, referring to the day of the record last October 2. Everyone could sense the sense of achievement. Paddys wife Bernie explained how Frank had approached shortly after her husbands passing. I wasn't in great shape at the time, she admitted, but added that work began soon after that to organise the event. And she relayed how Paddy came to be aware of the work of the two charities during his time in treatment in Beaumont Hospital. Frank spoke of the support and help of the Shamrock Car & Machinery Club who helped to organise the event, and he thanked them for that. The whole thing might have stalled without their help, he admitted. This was typical of what we found - we went to people for something and we came away with a lot more. A whole community that pushed us along. Ned Dunne chairman of the Shamrock Club said they were absolutely delighted to be involved in it. And he predicted, it would be a long time before the record is broken again! Dawn Holton spoke of how the success of the event completely blew all their expectations. We were thrilled with generosity of the community and local businesses. She said that when they opened an account in the local credit union, they joked that it would be nice to make 20,000 from the event, so they were very surprised when the total turned out to be 62,000. After 6,500 of expenses, the family were in a position to present 26,300 to each of the two charities. Jimmy Doyle of Brain Tumour Ireland, Dawn Holton and Alice Holton, Paddy's daughter. Jimmy Doyle of Brain Tumour Ireland admitted that as a city boy who thinks that milk comes from cartons I was blown away by the event. He said that all of the money would go into research being carried out in Beaumont. Most importantly tonight, let's remember Paddy whose idea it was and who during his illness was thinking of others. Don Nugent, of the Ross Nugent Foundation, Dawn Holton and Edward Holton, Paddy's son. Don Nugent, of the Ross Nugent Foundation explained how his son had been diagnosed with Ewings Sarcoma and had noticed, while receiving treatment, that Beaumont Hospital was lacking in some equipment. At his request, his parents fundraised and started to buy pieces of equipment and to date have brought 220 pieces of equipment for the oncology wards. At the time of his treatment, we'd sleep on the floor in the hospita. We didn't mind, but it broke his heart, Don said of his late son. As of last Wednesday night, the charity has 80,000 of equipment on order. They have been asked to fit-out a room in the oncology ward and money from the ploughing day will go towards that. Don thanked the Holton family for making he and his wife Sandra so welcome on the day that they were thinking of moving to the area! It was a sad day in many ways, he noted, but it felt so positive, he said. Eddie OLeary of Gigginstown House Stud, leading amateur jockey Katie Walsh and Robbie Power, recent winner of the Stan James Irish Gold Cup on Sizing John, will be amongst the panel for a Cheltenham Preview Night to be held on Thursday February 23 at the Westgrove Hotel in Clane. The MC for the night is Mark Costello of The Irish Field with bookmaker Daragh Fitzpatrick calling the odds. The Cheltenham Preview Night starts at 7.30pm and costs 20 per person which includes entry to a free draw with prizes such as a private visit to champion trainer Willie Mullins yard, a stable tour with trainer Henry de Bromhead, a day at the races with jockey Denis ORegan, signed photos and many more. Attendees can pay at the door on the night. The event will provide those interested in the upcoming Cheltenham Festival valuable insights from those with the intimate knowledge of the runners and riders. Gigginstown House Stud owner Michael OLeary is expected to send his strongest ever selection of horses to the Festival and the audience will have the opportunity to ask questions of Eddie, his brother and racing manager. The event is organised by a student in Clongowes Wood College to raise funds for the Malealea Development Trust, a charitable organisation based in Malealea, Lesotho. The Trust works with the local community on a range of socio-economic and environmental programmes. Later this year 20 students from Clongowes Wood College will travel to Lesotho to provide hands on support for the organisation. Sinn Fein TD for Sligo-Leitrim, Martin Kenny has described yesterdays passing of the CETA deal in the European Parliament as a devastating blow for Irish agriculture, farming families, and rural Ireland. Deputy Kenny said that Irish beef farmers are facing a very bleak future because of what he desccribes as the failure by Fine Gael MEPs to stand up and vote against this "disastrous deal". Canada has been approved to supply the EU with 50,000 tonnes of beef which equates to hundreds of thousands head of cattle. Irish beef prices are only going to go one way and that is down," noted the Sinn Fein TD. An EU Commission study has predicted a steep drop in beef meat prices by between 8-16% as a result of CETA and similar trade deals. It will be the farmer producing weanlings and store cattle who feel the price cuts first and the factories will use it as an excuse to drive the prices down. Small farmers in the west of Ireland will not be able to compete with this and will no doubt go under as a result. All farm organisations need to come out in strong opposition to this deal and when this deal comes before the Dail, my colleagues in Sinn Fein and I will strongly oppose it. While Fine Gael MEPs shamefully chose to support CETA over the interests of Irish farmers, I hope this Government has the guts to stand up and reject this deal and ensure the survival of the Irish Agri-sector. An open verdict was delivered into the cause of death of a man from Navan, Co. Meath in Carrick-on-Shannon last year. The Deputy Coroner stated the death should not have happened and questioned the culture of drink and drugs in this country. The non-jury Coroner's Court held in Carrick-on-Shannon last Thursday, February 9, heard evidence into the death of Colm Boylan, Neilstown, Bohermeen, Navan, Co. Meath. The 33-year-old father of three was attending a stag party in the town at the time of his death. His body was recovered from the River Shannon on Tuesday, July 19, 2016. The court heard evidence from the post mortem investigation which showed evidence of benzodiazepines and cocaine in Mr Boylan's system. The ethanol (alcohol) reading was 264 mcgs which the Deputy Coroner described as very, very high. A deposition from Peter Brady was read out in court which said they were a group of about 40 men on a stag party in Carrick-on-Shannon on Saturday, July 16, 2016. They arrived in the town at 5.15pm and had a few pints before checking into their apartments. They went into town at 9pm and drank in two or three pubs where Mr Boylan was drinking pints of Budweiser. Five of them went to another pub and were drinking vodka and Lucozade. He said he had a missed call from Mr Boylan at 1.19am and he called him back at 1.20am and spoke to him for eight minutes. Mr Brady said Mr Boylan had lost his mother and father and was in a bad place. He said Mr Boylan had once said he felt like jumping into the Blackwater river near where he lived. Cathal McLoughlin gave evidence of searching for Mr Boylan the next morning before getting the bus back to Navan at about 2.30pm. He said Colm Boylan was in good form at the stag and was happy out and not too drunk. Garda David Murray gave evidence of being on duty on Tuesday, July 19 when a body was discovered close to the slipway at Cortober, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Roscommon at 12.35pm. The body was removed to the Emerald Star slipway where Mr Boylan's brother identified him. Dr. David Greene pronounced him dead at 2.06pm and found no signs of trauma to his face, hands or chest. The autopsy report concluded Mr Boylan may have had a sudden cardiac death and fell into the water. It is possible he entered the water accidently. Deputy Coroner, Fergal Kelly, described it as a very sad case that happened on what was meant to be a very happy occasion. It shouldn't have happened. Unfortunately, there was alcohol and drugs involved and if they were limited, we may not be here today, he said. Mr Kelly said in Ireland there is a culture of drink and drugs. When do we say enough is enough? he asked. Mr Kelly returned an open verdict in the case which he explained must be given when the cause of death can't be determined. Both he and An Garda Siochana expressed their sincere sympathy to the family of the late Colm Boylan. There are 37 Leitrim children on the waiting list for Autism Therapy in Sligo/ Leitrim according to the HSE. The issue of delay in the Early Intervention Team in Sligo Leitrim has been raised numerous times, but the issue with the Autism service has just emerged at the start of this year. Cllr Brendan Barry had brought up the issue in January and said local councillors had received an email informing them about long delays for assessment and then further long delays to see an Autism Therapist. He said, There are 35 families on the waiting list from Leitrim and combined with Sligo there are over 300. Following queries on the local service, the HSE told this paper there is no waiting list in place to begin the process of diagnostic assessment when a child is under the care of the team. The spokesperson for the HSE said, The pathway involves a comprehensive assessment by the multidisciplinary team and in different settings. Thus the process takes a period of time to complete and depends on multiple factors including the child's readiness for assessment. In 2016 a total of 21 children were assessed for Autism Spectrum Disorder by the Team. However the HSE did admit there are 37 patients on the waiting list for autism therapy. The Autism service is provided through an Autism Therapist with the support of a Consultant Psychiatrist who provides clinical direction to the Autism Team. 21 of the 37 waiting are currently under the care of the Early Intervention Team and the other 16 are over 6 years of age ie (school age). The HSE assures parents that whose on the waiting list can access the full multidisciplinary team, such as Speech & Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Psychology, if this is recommended within their childs care plan. The HSE Sligo/Leitrim Autism Service are continually striving to address this issue. The official figure for Autism in Ireland is 1 in 100. The number of young children coming into the system each year is significantly greater than in the past. Eleanor is thrilled to be hitting the Irish roads again for a series of dates including a local one in Gurteen. Eleanor Shanley will perform at the Coleman Music Centre, Gurteen, Co Sligo on February 18 at 8.30pm. Admission 18. Bookings (071) 9182599. She continued, 2017 is already shaping up to be a busy one. I am really looking forward to heading back to Denmark for live shows. I plan on some further Irish dates also, however, I will be heading back to studio to record my next album too. Its been a busy couple of years; I would not have it any other way. I love performing, but time in studio can also be relaxing and feels rewarding too when complete! Indeed planning for this is very exciting too, especially when paralleled with a busy gigging schedule! Eleanors new single to radio, double A side, Smile and Dragonflies signal the final singles to radio from Eleanors current album Forever Young ahead of the release of her new album in 2017. The album released in September 2015 continues to enjoy radio support across the country. The first single, the Thom Moore classic Gorgeous And Bright was the most played song on RTE Radio 1 last summer, it also enjoyed great levels of airplay at Independent local radio nationally. Sail Away To The Sea, sees Eleanors beautiful vocal being backed by the a stunning cocktail of melody that includes guitar, fiddle, accordion, percussion, double bass, dobro and Eleanor Quaine on backing vocals. Forever Young, features twelve beautifully arranged and performed tracks in Eleanors inimitable style accompanied by some of her musician friends including Paul Kelly (mandolin, fiddle), Eamonn De Barra (keys, whistle), Martin Brunsden (double bass), Jim Higgins (drums), Frankie Lane (dobro & backing vocals), Damien Mullane (accordion) with string arrangements by Gavin Murphy. The album was recorded with the stunning Donogh Hennessy in Dingle late 2014. Donogh also plays guitar on the record and Gavin Murphy added some beautiful string arrangements to a selection of tracks on the album. Eleanor was honoured as The Leitrim Person Of The Year Award, a title she is very proud Don't miss the show on February 18. Le Monde has organized an international competition to reward innovative solutions for improving urban life entitled the International Le Monde - Smart Cities Innovation Awards 2017. LE MONDE Le Monde newspaper is launching a call to reward European innovative solutions improving urban life. Private or public entities as well as associations, businesses or individuals from every country of the European Union may apply. Applications will close at midnight on February 19, 2017 to the email address : smartcities@lemonde.fr We are looking for innovative projects in the following categories : The Urban Innovation Award : technological and/or social innovation applied to the city. The Civic Engagement Award : a democratic, horizontal process whereby citizens play a role in developing and managing physical and virtual urban spaces and services. This award will be presented in partnership with the INTA - the International Urban Development Association. The Habitat Award : an innovative project in terms of urban living space (residential, offices, new materials, etc.). The Mobility Award : a project that facilitates movement around the city at a more human level and in a more economical way. The Energy Award : a project that seeks to reduce the carbon footprint of cities. The Cultural Action Award : a social and digital innovation with cultural and urban impact. To be selected, the project must include : A link to a video (three minutes maximum) that presents the solution; An introductory text (3,000 characters maximum) containing a description of the innovation, its aim(s), the type of innovation, the projected schedule, players, cost and funding. An international jury of qualified personalities will select the best project in each category, awarded of 1,000 each. Among the projects rewarded, the jury will select the winner of the Grand Prize Le Monde LAtelier BNP, who will receive 2,000, as mentioned in the terms and conditions of these awards. The awards will be offered to the winners in Lyon (France), on April 7, 2017. Le Monde Our place to talk an independent website for supporters of the Liberal Democrat party in the UK. The most-read independent website by and for Lib Dem supporters. Not paid for by trade unions or millionaires. THE FALLOUT from the Sergeant Maurice McCabe controversy will not bring down the Dail at least in the short term, Limerick deputies have claimed. Fianna Fail deputy Niall Collins said he has received zero communication from anyone calling for another general election. However, deputy Collins said that the Governments dealing of the crisis, which unfolded dramatically this week, has been very poorly handled. He said the Government has been incompetent and incoherent in its handling of the affair. There are far more important issues to be dealt with than calling for another general election. If you had an election in the morning youd probably have a pretty close configuration to whats in Dail Eireann, so what will that achieve, he told the Limerick Leader. He said he met with Maurice McCabe on several occasions in his role as Fianna Fail justice spokesperson, and has no doubt that there was a campaign against him. McCabe originally made a number of allegations of garda malpractice, including but not limited to, the cancelling of penalty points. He believes he was the subject of an organised campaign to discredit him by senior gardai as a result of the whistleblowing claims that he made. It has now emerged that of a file was created by Tusla, the States child protection agency, which contained false allegations of sexual assault against a child by Sgt McCabe. The agency has said this was a clerical error. I think a public tribunal of inquiry, despite all the reservations, is warranted and merited at this point in time, continued Collins. I am particularly concerned about the Tusla aspect of the case, and the fact that a file could be created about Maurice McCabe, who has been at the centre of political controversy for the last seven years, he said. Overall, he said, what has occurred beggars belief and is absolutely shocking. Fianna Fail deputy Willie ODea said its possible for the Government to survive, but I cant be sure at the moment. My philosophy about elections is quite simple you must always be ready for one at any time. Events of recent days have showed that an election could happen quite easily. What has happened to Maurice McCabe is an absolute outrage and Ive never seen anything quite like it. Its obvious there was a campaign to discredit him and thats extremely worrying; who exactly orchestrated that campaign will be a question for the commission. Asked if he supports the Taoiseach, Fine Gael Senator KIeran ODonnell, said: My priority at the moment is ensuring the commission of investigation gets established. That's the critical thing at the moment, and other matters cannot be a sideshow. Other matters are entirely a matter for the parliamentary party. Labour deputy and former Minister for Education, Jan OSullivan, said that she believes the Taoiseachs position has been weakened, and said shed be inclined to agree with the analysis that he probably will take a step back after the St Patrick's day visit to Washington. At this stage, things are moving so fast, it's hard to know what will happen. I think in looking at this [another election], you have to look at the interests of Fianna Fail primarily, as they are the ones who can pull the plug. My instinct would be they will try to go through another Budget. They are looking at how they might be perceived by the public if they pull the government down too quickly. It's not in any of their interests to go at the moment, said deputy OSullivan. Sinn Fein deputy Maurice Quinlivan said they are now on an election footing. I was asked how many posters I have left over from the last election, and how many I will need. Nobody wants an election, but if it comes, I'm ready for it. I really think the Taoiseach's position is untenable. I cannot see him being Taoiseach much longer. I think he is gone already in the party internally. THE jury in the trial of a man accused of murdering his flatmate at their home in the city, is expected to begin its deliberations this Thursday. Ms Justice Deirdre Murphy spent much of this Wednesday summarising the evidence which was heard during the course of the trial which began at the Central Criminal Court last week. Arnis Labunskis, aged 56, who has an address at Wolfe Tone Street, denies murdering 39-year-old Dainius Burba on April 21 or April 22, 2015. In his evidence to the jury, the Latvian national claimed he had acted in self defence. The accused man originally told gardai he had come home to find his flatmate with serious injuries but in evidence he told the jury that he was responsible for inflicting the injuries. The father-of-two testified that Mr Burba had called him into his darkened bedroom in the middle of the night and that he began swinging a wooden table leg at him. He said he managed to disarm him, but that Mr Burba continued to come at him with his fists. Mr Labunskis told the court he then swung the table leg at Mr Burba until he shouted stop. In his closing speech, Anthony Sammon SC, prosecuting described the tale of self defence as an insult to the jurys intelligence. The inference the prosecution asks you to draw is that this new version of events is a fabrication, a falsehood, he said. Michael Bowman SC, defending, asked the jurors to place themselves in the position in which his client had found himself, in a darkened room, knowing what he knew or believing what he believed. He pointed to an incident at their workplace in the East City Garage, which he described as an irregular place of employment, where drinking on the job was certainly not condemned. Ms Justice Murphy who began charging the jury of three women and nine men on Wednesday morning said she would continue summing up this Thursday morning before explaining certain matters of law. THE recipient of the 2016 Limerick Person of the Year award will be revealed this Thursday at a gala ceremony at the Clayton Hotel. There are 12 outstanding candidates for the prestigious award which will be announced at a lunchtime event in the Clayton Hotel. The sporting life of the late Anthony Foley will also be remembered at the ceremony. The Munster and Ireland legend is to be posthumously honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award. The Limerick Person of the Year awards cover a broad spectrum of accomplishments, ranging from excellence on the sporting field, to community endeavours which make a positive contribution to local society, to invaluable contributions to education and business in the Mid-West region. Eugene Phelan, managing editor of the Limerick Leader said that the annual ceremony is an opportunity to recognise the unsung heroes from the city and county, who work for the greater good of Limerick. Each of the 12 nominees have made a significant contribution to our city and county. They are a reminder of the importance of hard work, endeavour and the ability of the human spirit to overcome challenges. Each of them are, in their own unique way, a shining example of what the true spirit of Limerick is all about. The awards ceremony will be compered by RTEs Petula Martyn and Lorcan Murray. The awards are proudly sponsored by the Limerick Leader, media agency Southern and the Clayton Hotel. DEPUTY Patrick ODonovan launched a blistering attack on Sinn Fein and its president, Gerry Adams, in the Dail late last night. He said the organisation Deputy Adams has said he was never a member of was responsible for six gardai being put in early graves. Mr ODonovan was speaking during Sinn Feins motion of no confidence in the Government. The motion was tabled by a party on two issues related to An Garda Siochana. One relates to the garda, while the other relates to whistleblowers. In his opening remarks Deputy Gerry Adams had an anecdote about someone saying, "Give me another pint ... or go to Achill island." As he knows, the lucky gardai might have made it to Achill Island but thanks to an organisation - Sinn Fein's sister organisation - six gardai were put in early graves. One of them, Seamus Quaid who was from my constituency, was murdered by the IRA in Wexford. A woman was left widowed with a young family to be brought up. In my constituency Detective Garda Jerry McCabe was murdered by the IRA. For doing what? He was escorting social welfare payments to a post office in my constituency., said Mr Donovan, who accused Sinn Fein deputies of being on their high moral ground. However, when he [Deputy Adams] gets back to the high moral ground tonight - some of his commandants are also still knocking around - he might take the opportunity in the stillness of the night, when the light is switched off, to remember the faces of the dead gardai in whose graves he put them, with his organisation, earlier than their time, said Mr ODonovan. Mr Adams said: What he has said is untrue. He is accusing me of involvement in the killing of gardai. He should withdraw. The Minister of State [Mr ODonovan] talks about moral high horses, but this is about a smear campaign against a decent man doing his job. The Minister of State is engaging in exactly the same tactics, said Mr Adams. Mr ODonovan withdrew any suggestion or insinuation that Mr Adams was responsible for killing anyone. The organisation Deputy Gerry Adams has said he was never a member of was responsible for six gardai being put in early graves. When Sinn Fein deputies are on their high moral ground tonight, especially the younger Sinn Fein Deputies, they should ask themselves about the darkened vans in people were brought to so-called kangaroo courts on the Border. They should ask themselves about the whistleblower Maria Cahill, a brave woman who was placed in the Seanad by the Labour Party and who was vilified by Sinn Fein. They should ask themselves about Paudie McGahon. We know what was done to him. They should also ask themselves about the memory of Brian Stack, whose family have begged Sinn Fein for answers about what happened to their father. However, Sinn Fein deputies will not come forward and tell us what they know because they say there is a journey to truth and reconciliation. They are right, but let the journey begin here tonight, said a highly animated Mr ODonovan. When the country goes through what undoubtedly will be a difficult period with the tribunal that has to be set up - it is right that it has to be set up - Sinn Fein deputies will need to play their part once and for all and come clean on what happened to the six dead members of An Garda Siochana, the dead members of the Defence Forces and the dead members of the Irish Prison Service, who were put into early graves by an organisation the sole motive of which was to subvert the State and which never recognised the legitimacy of the Dail or the State. When they cast their votes tonight, especially the younger Sinn Fein Members, they should ask themselves who has led them to this and if they have confidence in him and his equals to lead them further. He has questions to answer with that generation of leaders of so-called republicanism, he continued. Really strong contribution from Minister Patrick O'Donovan raising Sinn Fein's history including murder of Garda Gerry McCabe Jan O'Sullivan (@JanOSullivanTD) February 15, 2017 Mr ODonovan said the true Republicans in this house are the ones who stand by the constitution, the defence forces and the garda. The deputy may well laugh at the memory of dead gardai, prison officers and members of the defence forces, but Sinn Fein's hypocrisy does not wash with the people of Ireland. Sinn Fein has a belated and new found interest in the garda, but, then again, it always had an interest in it. Some of its people wanted to know where gardai lived and worked and about their movements. We and the people know this and will not wear Sinn Fein's new found interest in the garda, said Mr ODonovan. People inside and outside this house are entitled to answers. Sergeant Maurice McCabe, Jerry McCabe's widow and Seamus Quaid's widow are entitled to answers and when those answers are being given, let everybody get theirs, he concluded. Something went wrong, please try again later. Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. Sign up to our free email alerts for the top daily stories sent straight to your e-mail Lincoln's Cornhill Quarter is undergoing a 70 million revamp which will rejuvenate the shopping and leisure offering in the city. To celebrate the project, Lincolnshire Co-op and the Echo are calling on readers to share their memories of the landmark city centre location. Paul Whitelam reports... From welcoming visiting royalty to being used for roller-skating, Lincoln's corn exchanges have been many things to many people ever since they first opened up in 1848. Now the landmark buildings stand on the cusp of another chapter, as a huge 70 million regeneration project gathers pace in the city centre. As businesses such as Cosy Club, Flying Tiger Copenhagen and Moss Bros prepare to take on new units in the redeveloped shopping area, landowner Lincolnshire Co-op is taking the opportunity to reminisce about the site's history. Today, the Co-op is launching its new Cornhill Memories campaign, which is urging the people of Lincolnshire to share their memories of shopping and socialising in and around the site over the years. From toy shopping at Ashleys to drinking in The Vaults, memories from all periods in history are being sought. Share your memories of the Cornhill and be in with a chance of winning 250 of Co-op vouchers by clicking here To launch the campaign, the Lincolnshire Echo has this week published a 24-page supplement which delves into our archives and celebrates some of the long-forgotten places and characters of The Cornhill. And this weekend, on Friday, February 17, and Saturday, February 18, an event will be held to allow families to experience life in this key part of Lincoln a century ago. Between 12pm and 4pm, at the end of Sincil Street (outside Imp Travel), an old-fashioned horse and cart will be giving free rides to families to recreate how people used to travel around the area. There will also be a free old fashioned photoshoot for children in a temporary studio set up in the unit opposite Imp Travel. Everyone can take away a free 5x7 photo on the day. Ursula Lidbetter, chief executive of Lincolnshire Co-op which is behind The Cornhill Quarter development, said: "We are pleased to be able to put on this event to reminisce about memories of the Cornhill and Sincil Street area of the city with the local community. "We hope the event will spark fond memories for the public and give the opportunity to create new ones. The Cornhill Quarter has an exciting future ahead with so much to offer Lincoln. The new completed development will create many more lifetime memories for residents and visitors of Lincoln. We are looking forward to seeing our vision for the area come to life." The Cornhill Quarter is the most significant refurbishment and new build retail development in the heart of Lincoln city centre in recent times. The Corn Exchange is the first phase of this 70 million investment and is well underway. The building dates back more than a century and gets its name from the sale of various cereals collectively known as "corn" which went on there. But that represented a mere fraction of the activities which took place. The original corn exchange, built by the Lincoln Corn Exchange and Market Company, stands to this day as the white building with the nice columns situated towards the back of The Cornhill. Nowadays, it houses Santander and Waterstones. This was converted into a shopping arcade of 13 shops in 1882-83 after the new corn exchange was completed in 1880. The old and new Corn Exchanges It is this later building which Lincolnshire Co-op is converting into a new shopping and restaurant complex due to open later this year. Co-op historian Beryl George said: "The corn exchanges in Lincoln have a long history of many different uses and I think the original developers would have approved of what is happening now. They also wanted a range of uses that were economically viable. "Back in the 1840s and before then you have a lot of corn merchants in Lincoln and basically they didn't want to be out in the cold. "At the corn exchange, business was conducted by dealers in booths but this only happened between noon and 2pm on Fridays. "All you would see of the grain you wanted to buy was a small sample, on which the price was decided. "Meanwhile, out in the Cornhill square, you would have market stalls selling cattle feed to farmers with equipment and hen houses being sold as well as wire netting and other farm supplies." Aside from the business of agricultural trade, it was also a meeting hall and place for social gatherings and the events diary for 1854 included the Mutual Improvement Society's Soiree and the Astec Lilliputians. And on November 8, 1875, a skating rink opened for daily use, except on Fridays and Sundays, with admission ranging from sixpence to two shillings. Beryl said: "Roller-skating was a huge new craze across the country at the time and the owners saw it as an extra use of the building outside of the trading day. Its popularity returned and over in the new building, the Skating Rink Company (London) opened a new rink in 1909." Electric lights were installed in the new exchange in 1904 but by 1911 the skating rink had shut while a cinema that had opened a year earlier continued to show silent movies. The Lincoln Kinema Ltd took over in 1919, followed by Denman Picture Houses Ltd in 1928, then the Exchange Kinema in 1931, when "talkies" became all the rage. The Astoria cinema was based here for a couple of years from 1955, and roller-skating returned between 1957 and 1966. Other uses in the latter half of the 20th century included bingo and auctions. In the early 70s the entire Cornhill area was nearly flattened to make way for a new shopping centre until a Government planning inspector stepped in. The Exchange Arcade was refurbished in 1976 and the Cornhill Vaults pub opened in a cellar underneath and closed in 2002. The Corn Exchange shops, that were developed around the second corn exchange, opened in 1984. But what of the original business of trading in grain? This ended in 1984-85 as conglomerates of corn merchants took over the trade. Beryl said: "There are only three or four people still alive that were involved in trading corn at the Cornhill. "We hope that the Memories project will build on the history we have already documented and help paint an even more colourful picture of life and times in this landmark location." Share your memories of the Cornhill and be in with a chance of winning 250 of Co-op vouchers by clicking here. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page. The asset case of Kochis royal amma While drama plays out in Tamil Nadu, I am reminded of happenings on the west coast many decades before, also featuring shadowy figures haunting the corridors of power /news/talking-point/the-asset-case-of-kochi-s-royal-amma-111646901268640.html 111646901268640 story Sasikala V.K., understandably, was condemned for years as a sinister influence around the late lamented Jayalalithaa, and efforts to park her in Ammas hallowed post in Tamil Nadu have come, at last, to naughtthe Supreme Court has identified a less gratifying location for the lady, famous mainly for possessing endless reserves of nephews, stout with rowdy power and stockpiles of oddly acquired wealth. Tamil Nadu, always a most fascinating political landscape, is now going through yet another interesting (and, I daresay, entertaining) phase, and O. Panneerselvam, a dutiful cipher if ever there was one, appears determined to carry the day. For whom is, of course, another matter. The weight of her disproportionate assets" has finally sunk Sasikala for the predictable future but while drama plays out on the east coast of India, I am reminded of happenings on the west coast many decades before, also featuring shadowy figures haunting the corridors of power. A century ago in Kochi, for instance, a raja succeeded to power. He was an intelligent man but age had blunted his previously sharp capacities. Within a few years into his reign, he grew ill and unable to exercise the power and judgement his position demanded. Some say he was more interested in the art of conversing with lizards, but more considered documents tell us that as the ruler retreated into fits of giggles and incoherence, his consort" picked up the sign manual. In matrilineal Kerala, the rajas wife was not his queenshe was only the consort, who could live in conditions of borrowed glory during the lifetime of her exalted spouse but had to retire to her original circumstances after his death. It was the rajas sisters and their children who succeeded him in the royal line, his own issue treated only as ordinary subjects. If a ruler were wise, he would make arrangements for his lady to carry on in comfort, if not opulence, and find his sons respectable vocations as contractors or doctors or lawyers. Either way, the wife and her household were the kings private affair, and they had no business or stake in matters of state and policy that concerned the matrilineal ruling dynasty. This particular consort, however, rose to fame as the real power in Kochi between 1914 and 1932, by which time her husband was practically senile. Parukutty V.K. wasnt a bad administrator, but brooked, evidently, no opposition to her ruling passion", which was the acquisition of wealth for her already wealthy family", in the words of the watchful British Resident at court. The land her husband gifted" her, for example, was sold back at a premium, after which it was leased" on a discount by the lady. None of this was strictly illegal but it was deemed singularly inappropriate. The rulers ministers objected, not to speak of the royal nephews, but the consort and a loyal palace manager controlled access to the decrepit raja and, in this fashion, retained their grip over the decisions he took and the orders he signed. This was hardly unprecedented. Further south in Thiruvananthapuram, the local prince had fallen in love with a very married commoner. Her husband, a low-level palace employee, relinquished her to his sovereign, compensated in return with the loftiest title in the land and permanent influence for decades. It didnt matter that he was publicly embarrassed in stiffly starched society as the former husband of the maharajas present wife". After all, he had also been installed as palace manager, which supplied a healthy consolation of bribes. It also didnt trouble him that local courts and newspapers excoriated his corruptionas a pillar of the rulers awkward domestic arrangements, his position was unassailable. Of course, when the rulers died, things changed. Parukutty in Kochi, for instance, had no chance of clinging to power since a royal nephew now succeeded as rulera nephew with a consort of his own to promote. But she spent the remainder of her days in style, holidaying in Europe and supervising her land holdings, tea factory, and other numerous possessions. In Thiruvananthapuram, too, the scoundrel favourite" (as a royal relative called him) withdrew the moment his patron departed, focusing on enjoying the vast fortune he had amassed, and even dispensing scholarships and aid to needy students from his caste. Perhaps Sasikala could have taken a leaf out of these Malayali books and quietly faded into the sunset (with all its material comforts) instead of seeking to seize so pointedly power to which she has no legitimate claim. Or, to be fairer, the least legitimate claim. It is, of course, another matter that wives and relations of monarchs could get away with a lot back in the daythat, after all, was the feature of the age in which they lived. Today, illicit hoarding from a lucrative career with a different kind of monarch can sink ships many years afterwardsthat, incidentally, is the point of what is called justice in a democracy. And Sasikalas greatest contribution may well be that she will go down as an example of this. Medium Rare is a weekly column on society, politics and history. Manu S. Pillai is the author of The Ivory Throne: Chronicles Of The House Of Travancore. He tweets as @UnamPillai Film Review | John Wick: Chapter 2 Keanu Reeves is back as everyone's favourite dog-loving assassin in this lethal, dazzling sequel /how-to-lounge/movies-tv/film-review-john-wick-chapter-2-111646901292491.html 111646901292491 story And they didnt even kill his dog this time. John Wick: Chapter 2 opens with a scene from a Buster Keaton film projected onto a building in New York City. It lasts just a few seconds before shots are fired and were whisked into the films first chase sequence, but the tribute is fitting. This may as well be a silent film for all the import words have here assassin Wick takes several seconds and multiple syllables to grind out lines like Yes." One of his rivals, played by Ruby Rose, is mute; when another, Cassian (Common), says, Consider this a professional courtesy", its as if he were offering a line of verse. Remember when Wick fell in love and left the whole assassin scene behind? Turns out his safe retirement was made possible through a blood debt one hes obliged to honour by the rules of whatever shadowy organization hotel owner Winston (Ian McShane) heads and Wicks a member of. The dapper Santino (Riccardo Scamarcio) comes to collect: he wants Wick to go to Rome and kill his sister, the head of the mafia. This sets up the films best joke; when Wick arrives in Italy, Julius (Franco Nero) inquires if hes working". When Wick assents, Julius asks, Is it the Pope?" John Wick 2 doesnt have the luxury of offering viewers quite so flimsy a storyline as the first film, but it tries its damnedest. The pleasure and this is a deeply pleasurable film if you can wince your way through moments the extreme violence isnt in where the plot takes us but in the ingenuity of the settings where Reeves must do battle, the eccentricities of his opponents, the almost satirical fetishizing of weaponry, and the brutal efficiency of the action choreography. Director Chad Stahelski, who co-helmed the first film with David Leitch, is a former stuntman, which might explain his knack for presenting, coherently, bodies in violent motion. The success of the first film has afforded Stahelski an expanded budget, which allows him to stage a long sequence in a dimly lit underground passageway underneath an old building hosting a party in Rome, and another in a dazzling hall of mirrors in a New York museum. Cinematographer Dan Laustsen (Crimson Peak) shoots the latter scene, with its echoes of Orson Welles The Lady from Shanghai, like hes trying to outdo Roger Deakins work in the Shanghai passage of Skyfall. And he does. Its strangely heartening to see the actors who made it out of the first film alive McShane, John Leguizamo, Lance Reddick, Thomas Sadoski turn up for cameos or slightly longer parts here. Rose continues the mini-tradition of lethal female assassins in John Wick films, and Scamarcio chews scenery very entertainingly as the petulant crime boss. Idiosyncratic performers turn up for a scene or two: Peter Stormare; Franco Nero, the original Django. I wouldnt want to ruin one of the films better surprises; suffice to say theres a meeting of two actors that should bring a fond smile to anyone who grew up watching films in the 90s. Rather embarrassingly, for this is a deeply silly film, I had a fond smile on my face through long stretches of John Wick 2. I could have done without so many headshots, and Im not sure seeing Wick actually kill men with a pencil is as much fun as hearing about it. But as far as precisely executed action is concerned, you wont find much better coming out of Hollywood today. And then theres Reeves, he of the halting delivery and one of the most classically beautiful countenances in cinema (in one scene, hes enclosed within a gilt frame). To use a title usually reserved for Buster Keaton, hes the Great Stone Face of his generation. Dancing Octopus (Image credit: Copyright Gabriel Barathieu/UPY 2017) During spring low tides in a lagoon of the Mayotte archipelago near Madagascar, there is very little water on the flats. This picture was taken in water at a depth of about 11 inches (30 centimeters). The photographer used a 14 millimeter, ultra-wide-angle lens and natural light. [Read more about the underwater photography contest] Out of the Blue (Image credit: Copyright Nick Blake/UPY 2017) Kukulkan Cenote on Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula is noted for spectacular light effects as the sun penetrates the darkness. By playing with the symmetry of the cavern and the natural light show, the photographer captured a stunning image. Oceanic in the Sky (Image credit: Copyright Horacio Martinez/UPY 2017) An amazing image resulted from the photographer's first Red Sea experience and first photo workshop while living onboard a vessel. On the last dive of the day, the artist ventured deeper in the water, and closer to a group of oceanic whitetip sharks. Thanks to the natural lighting, a dream-like image of a shark in the distance emerged. Orca Pod (Image credit: Copyright Nicholai Georgiou/UPY 2017) While freediving in Norway during the short winter days, the photographer encountered a pod of orcas that were bathed in light and color from the setting sun. Lion's mane (Image credit: Copyright Ron Watkins/UPY 2017) In Alaska last summer looking for salmon sharks, the photographer came across an enormous moon jellyfish bloom stretching several hundred meters. This image was captured as a lion's mane jellyfish rose to the surface. [Read more about the underwater photography contest] Interaction (Image credit: Copyright Edwar Hereno/UPY 2017) On an expedition aboard MV ONDINA visiting Indonesian waters, the team went on a dive to the sea mount Karang Paradise, which hosts a rich array of marine biodiversity. The photographer found an enormous coral field with different groups of fish, and set up his camera on a rock to capture the moment when he was surrounded by big-eye jack mackerel. Prey? (Image credit: Copyright So Yat Wai/UPY 2017) A mantis shrimp larva that caught the photographer's eye during a blackwater dive in Anilao in the Philippines resembles a scene from a science fiction movie. Though very small, the larva is a predator with raptorial appendages that it uses to hunt its even smaller prey. Graceful ballet (Image credit: Copyright Jenny Stromvoll/UPY 2017) This dive site at Mozambique consists of a sea pen forest at a depth of 111.55 feet (34 meters). It hosts a diversity of ocean life, such as shrimps and gobies. Precontinental dreams (Image credit: Copyright Andrey Narchuk/UPY 2017) "Precontinent," a site in waters near Sudan, was an ambitious project conceived in the 1960s by marine biologist Jacques Cousteau, to create an underwater village where people could live. Just a few of the structures remain today, inhabited only by fish. [Read more about the underwater photography contest] Your home and my home (Image credit: Copyright Qing Lin/UPY 2017) Clownfish live in anemones, but these three clownfish harbored "guests of their own parasitic isopods living inside the fishes' mouths. The photographer waited three days to take this photo, when all three of the clownfish opened their mouths at once, revealing the isopods lurking inside. Humpback whale feeding on krill (Image credit: Copyright Jean Tresfon/UPY 2017) Every summer, hundreds of humpback whales gather off the Cape Town, South Africa coast in a massive feeding aggregation. Working as part of a film crew, the photographer was a rare witness to this phenomenon, capturing one of the whales as it gaped wide to feed. A bird of prey on the hunt must be able to clearly see faraway objects while remaining aware of threats in its peripheral vision. In some cases, that's also true for a drone even one so small that its eye must fit on the tip of a ballpoint pen. Now, a team of engineers has developed a camera that could provide eagle-eye vision to micro-drones. The new camera could be used for medical procedures, such as endoscopies, or to build micro-robots specially designed to measure, explore or survey, the researchers said. Previously, the engineers used a technique called femtosecond laser writing to 3D-print miniature lenses directly onto an image-sensing chip. To create sharp images like an eagle's eye, the researchers used this process to print clusters of four lenses at a time. The lenses range from wide to narrow and low to high resolution, and images can then be combined into a bull's-eye shape with a sharp image at the center, similar to how eagles see. [Photo Future: 7 High-Tech Ways to Share Images] "This means that we still cover the whole object and get a better resolution in the center," said study lead author Simon Thiele, a scientist at the Institute of Technical Optics at the University of Stuttgart in Germany. "The drawback is that we lose information in the periphery." The goal is to optimize the flow of information, Thiele told Live Science in an email. The four lenses can be scaled down to a footprint as small as 300 micrometers by 300 micrometers (0.012 inches or 0.03 centimeters on each side), similar to a medium-size grain of sand. The researchers said the size of the entire camera setup could decrease with design tweaks to pack in or combine lenses, or as smaller chips become available. In the animal kingdom, creatures must balance their visual needs and their brain power. The solution in humans and many other vertebrates is known as "foveated" vision, with the sharpest image in the center and a wide range of lower-clarity vision at the edges. The top images are of a commonly used test image called "Lena." The foveated image shows increased detail around the womans eye. The bottom images demonstrate foveated imaging performance using a Siemens star test target. (Image credit: Simon Thiele & Kathrin Arzenbacher) "If you had the resolution of the fovea all over your eye, you'd have to carry the visual part of your brain around in a wheelbarrow," said Wilson Geisler, a vision scientist at the University of Texas at Austin, who was not involved in the new research. "If you've got the right application, this could be a very useful technology," Geisler told Live Science. The technology could be used in drones that face challenges similar to animals with foveated vision, with limitations on the bandwidth to send information, but the ability to control movement of the camera to focus on areas of interest, he said. Thiele said the next step in the research will be to print a lens array on the smallest available image sensors, measuring about 0.04 square inches (1 square millimeter), with the lenses covering more of the surface of the sensor. Details of the new technology were published online today (Feb. 15) in the journal Science Advances. Original article on Live Science. Scientists have announced they will conduct another set of radar scans of King Tut's tomb (shown here) to look for any hidden chamber. A group of archaeologists has said the tomb of Tutankhamun may hold a hidden chamber containing the tomb of Queen Nefertiti. So far, radar scans have failed to confirm such a chamber. Now, a physicist plans to lead a team conducting another series of ground-penetrating radar (GPR) scans as a last-ditch effort to find Nefertiti's burial site. In this method, high-frequency radio waves bounce off the ground and off of walls, and the reflected signals can reveal hidden treasures, or empty chambers.This is the third time that this method has been used in Tutankhamun's tomb and it is unclear how the new scans will be different than the others. The study leader, physics professor Francesco Porcelli at the University of Turin in Italy, told Live Science that he cannot say anything more about the upcoming scans without the approval of Egypt's antiquities ministry. The ministry did not return a message left by Live Science. [See Photos of King Tut's Burial and Radar Scans] In 2015, Nicholas Reeves, director of the Amarna Royal Tombs Project, proposed the idea that a hidden chamber inside King Tut's tomb contained the tomb of Queen Nefertiti. Ground-penetrating radar scans carried out by radar technologist Hirokatsu Watanabe supposedly showed evidence of two hidden chambers. Reeves published a paper presenting his theory in 2015. He did not return a request for comment from Live Science. Then, in May 2016, a National Geographic team conducted another set of ground-penetrating radar scans.Those scans showed no hidden chambers in King Tut's tomb. However, the National Geographic Society has barred members of that team from talking publicly about their research, said Dean Goodman, one of the leaders of the National Geographic team. The team signed a nondisclosure agreement with the society, which can't be waived unless the Egyptian antiquities ministry approves, a spokesperson for the society explained. While Goodman cannot speak publicly about his team's results, he expressed confidence in the Turin team, saying he knows several of its members well. The "King Tut research is in good hands," he told Live Science. Lawrence Conyers, an anthropology professor at the University of Denver who is a leading expert in the use of ground-penetrating radar in archaeology, has criticized the decision of Egyptian authorities to withhold data. He told Live Science that he thinks it is a good idea for the Turin team to do additional scans, but that he hopes Egyptian authorities will allow researchers to access the data, which he said they did not do previously. "Perhaps this time they will release the data to the GPR community and do a 'peer review' instead of holding it all secret and just releasing 'results' that have no basis in actual data!" wrote Conyers in an email, noting that the National Geographic team data has never been released to scientists. "I was not privy to the National Geographic dataset, and for some reason they would not let others look at it," he said. Conyers added that there is no way that archaeologists with expertise in ground-penetrating radar, who are not affiliated with the research, will ever support the idea of a hidden chamber or tomb in Tutankhamun's tomb unless the Egyptian authorities allow scientific data to be released for full scrutiny. "There is going to be no consensus by anyone knowledgeable on the subject until they do more than hold press conferences," he said. Other scientists, speaking to Live Science on condition of anonymity, have expressed similar concerns, noting that scientists who have data suggesting no such hidden chamber exists have been barred from speaking publicly. Those who advocate for the hidden tomb's existence have more freedom to talk to the media and write about their findings, these scientists have said. Egypt's tourism numbers plunged after the 2011 Egyptian revolution, leading to a loss of jobs and tourism revenue in the country, archaeologists familiar with the situation have said. This has led to concerns among scientists that Egyptian authorities are more interested in using the publicity surrounding the scans to help the tourism industry and that authorities do not want data to be published, or publicized, which shows that there is no hidden tomb. The Egyptian antiquities ministry did not return requests for comment from Live Science at the time this story was published. Original article on Live Science. A massive, 1-mile-long (1.6 kilometers) chunk of ice has broken off Antarctica's fast-changing Pine Island Glacier, and NASA satellites captured the dramatic event as the icy surface cracked and ripped apart. The Pine Island Glacier is one of the largest glaciers within the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, accounting for about 20 percent of the ice sheet's total ice flow to the ocean, according to NASA scientists. The immense glacier is also one of the least stable, and in recent years, the ice sheet has been quickly retreating and losing massive amounts of ice. Previously, icebergs the size of cities have broken off of the Pine Island Glacier. [Photo Gallery: Antarctica's Pine Island Glacier Cracks] The glacier's last major iceberg break an event known as calving was in July 2015, when an iceberg measuring almost 225 square miles (580 square kilometers) separated from Pine Island Glacier. The Earth-watching Landsat 8 satellite captured images of the latest iceberg event between Jan. 25 and 29, seeing the progression from the initial crack to the iceberg floating into the bay. Though this latest iceberg is about 10 times smaller than the 2015 event, measuring between 0.6 and 1.2 miles (1 to 2 km), NASA scientists said the recent break shows how fragile the ice shelf is. "I think this event is the calving equivalent of an 'aftershock' following the much bigger event," Ian Howat, a glaciologist at The Ohio State University, said in a statement. "Apparently, there are weaknesses in the ice shelf just inland of the rift that caused the 2015 calving that are resulting in these smaller breaks." More icebergs may break off of the Pine Island Glacier in the near future. NASA has previously photographed small rifts developing about 6 miles (10 km) from the ice front, and one such rift was observed on Nov. 4, 2016, during one of the agency's Operation IceBridge flights to monitor the region. Climate change and the warming ocean have been linked to the the retreat and melt of the world's ice. According to Howat, such "rapid fire" calving is generally unusual for the glacier, but West Antarctic glaciers are eroding due to the flow of warm ocean water beneath them. A recent study found that the warming ocean was melting an ice crevasse of the Pine Island Glacier at the bedrock level, melting the glacier from its center. These warmer ocean waters are causing the Antarctic ice shelf to break from the inside out. As such, scientists expect further calving along the glacier and have warned that the West Antarctic Ice Sheet could collapse within the next 100 years. Original article on Live Science. CHICAGO: Chicago Board of Trade soft red winter wheat futures leapt to a four-month high on Monday, underpinned by rising prices in rival exporters Russia and Ukraine, traders said. The most active CBOT soft red winter wheat futures gained 3-1/2 cents to close at $5.52-1/4 per bushel. The contract reached its highest price since April 20. December K.C. hard red winter wheat futures advanced 2 cents to $4.75-1/4 per bushel, while December MGEX spring wheat rose 1/4 cent to $5.39-1/2 per bushel. Russian wheat export prices rose sharply last week, while Ukrainian wheat export prices jumped $5 per tonne due to higher demand from importers. European wheat futures in Paris fell on Monday after hitting a six-week high, with chart resistance and a firm euro curbing support from a rally in US grains.-Reuters Currently Reading Restaurants and businesses closed for the Day Without Immigrants A northeast Houston subdivision will build a 1.5-acre artificial lagoon and sandy beach tailored to look like a Caribbean seashore thanks to patented technology from the Florida-based designer. The project in Balmoral, a community in the works near Atascocita in northeast Houston, will probably be the second such lagoon in Texas; another in Dallas is expected to open sooner. Laredo police have decided to no longer release booking photos of people they arrest. The Laredo Police Department has ceased to release booking photos since it is not part of required open records as per Texas Open Records law, reads an LPD statement. The combination of personal privacy protection and the unintended consequences that come along with it are some of the issues we have faced over the past several years. Police said they have studied the issue for over a year and cited a similar policy at the San Antonio Police Department. We have decided to follow other law enforcement agencies policies which do not release mugshots, unless the subjects are being sought or are a danger to society, the statement reads. Romana Lopez, SAPD public information officer, wrote in an email to Laredo Morning Times that the department does not release mugshots but the Bexar County Sheriffs Office does. Houston PD, on the other hand, does release mugshots unless investigators feel it would jeopardize an investigation. HPD spokesman Victor Senties said that if an incident is handled by the patrol division, they will release the mugshot. If investigators get involved, HPD talks to them to determine if a mugshot should be released or withheld because of further investigation, Senties said. LPD will continue to release a daily bulletin of arrests to local media. That bulletin, however, no longer contains mugshots. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate SAN ANTONIO A day after a massive manhunt locked down the area around North Star Mall, police and federal officials announced Wednesday they had made three arrests, fitting the mall incident into a four-day chain of shootings that began with the robbery of a mail carrier in Spring Branch last weekend. San Antonio Police Chief William McManus said a SWAT team, acting on information received Tuesday night, arrested two men and a woman at the Sunset Inn Motel at the intersection of Roosevelt and Steves Avenue. There was a relatively complicated saga between the (initial) shooting and today, McManus said. The suspects were identified as Bradley J. AHearn, 22, Sara Richford, 26, and Piper Allan Lee, 40. They were in federal custody pending a bail hearing set for Thursday morning, according to court records. RELATED: SAPD, DPS, feds surround North Star Mall during massive manhunt AHearn (who is listed in previous court cases as Ahearn) and Richford are charged with one count of assault of a federal agent, one count of carjacking, one count of interfering with commerce by violence, and one count of mail theft, the U.S. Attorneys Office said in a news release late Wednesday. Lee is charged with one count of aiding and abetting the assault of a federal officer. The news release said AHearn shot a female postal worker delivering mail at a cluster of mail boxes in Spring Branch, in suburban Comal County, when she wouldnt turn over her cell phone. AHearn stole the womans truck, which still had her purse, other property and mail she was delivering, followed by Richford, who was driving a maroon or brown Toyota Venza, the news release said. The letter carriers truck was found abandoned the same day. The woman was shot in the legs and remains in the hospital. READ MORE: Local, state law enforcement search for wrong-way driver who may have fired at trooper near Stone Oak On Monday, agents spotted the Toyota Venza near the scene and a postal inspector gave chase as the Venza raced south on U.S. 281 in the northbound lanes. According to witnesses and the news release, AHearn allegedly fired repeatedly at the postal inspector and at another agent and police whose vehicles joined the chase. The federal agents returned fire in a running gun battle, said several law enforcement source familiar with the investigation. The suspects eluded their pursuers in Stone Oak. On Tuesday, the news release said, agents were notified by employees of a local motel that they found a large amount of mail destined for Spring Branch, and a gun, in one of the rooms. That day, officers recovered the abandoned Toyota Venza, and learned the suspects were now using another vehicle, a yellow Volkswagen, the news release said. Agents watched the suspects leave the motel in the Volkswagen and called SAPD to stop them. The suspects fled instead and shot at police, the release said. The bullets hit a Jims Restaurant, a tire shop and a moving U-Haul vehicle near Broadway and Loop 410, sources said. Then, the suspects fled to North Star Mall, where the Volkswagen was abandoned in a multi-level parking garage, the news release said. Two male suspects could be seen on surveillance video entering JC Penney, but dont appear to have entered the rest of the mall. They fled the mall before the entrances and exits were secured by police and federal agents on Tuesday afternoon, law enforcement sources said. The mail carrier, meanwhile, is recovering well, said Michael Martinez-Partida, a spokesman for the U.S. Postal Inspectors Service. She has asked that her name not be released, and that her privacy be respected, Martinez-Partida said. Google Maps It was the second attack in two months on a postal carrier. On Jan. 10, another postal worker, Deborah Brimmer, 69, was beaten with a cedar post, allegedly by Daniel Thomas ODell. ODell also allegedly damaged her private vehicle she uses for mail delivery, and the vehicle of another resident along FM 473 north of Spring Branch. He remains in custody facing state aggravated assault charges and charges of damaging mail that Brimmer was carrying. Text "Breaking" to 48421 for breaking news alerts from mySA.com cdowns@mysa.com Twitter: @calebjdowns RECORDER REPORT KARACHI: Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) president Agha Shahab Ahmed Khan has said the announcement of increase in rates of electricity ranging from Rs.1.09 to Rs.2.80 has come as a shock to the industries based in Karachi. This is yet another blow to the trade and industry which is already suffering from losses as a result of lockdowns during Covid-19 pandemic and again due to devastating rainfalls in the city which has caused losses in billions of rupees. He rejected outright the ECCs decision to increase the rates of electricity by Rs1.09 to Rs2.89 per unit for various consumers of Karachi who are in dire financial straits due to torrential rainfalls and before that Covid-19 pandemic. He urged Adviser to Prime Minister on Finance & Revenue Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh to immediately withdraw this unjust and ill-timed hike in electricity tariff which would further aggravate the hardships for Karachiites who are struggling really hard to recover from devastating impact of coronavirus pandemic and subsequently the massive damage to their assets including buildings, warehouses, machinery and materials. The damage is yet to be assessed when the water is cleared and some normalcy is restored. He pointed out that ECC and higher authorities have shown utter disregard for the miseries and losses suffered by people of Karachi, by approving yet another electricity tariff hike because ECC had already imposed a tariff increase in July this year by Rs2.89 per with immediate effect. Before the industrial, commercial and residential consumers could absorb the tariff hike in July 2020, yet another increase was approved to further squeeze the consumers in a calamity hit city. On the one hand, the prime minister and army chief have shown their resolve to rescue the city of Karachi from complete destruction and economic fallout of natural as well as man-made disasters, while the ECC and honorable Advisors are taking decisions which are contrary to the commitments made by the Prime Minister and COAS, he opined. KCCI president while addressing the PM and COAS, appealed that For Gods sake, please have mercy on poor citizens and the anxious business & industrial community of Karachi which is battling for survival. Currently Reading President Trump's most significant tweets since he became president If you do not have a current print subscription to the Lodi News-Sentinel, but want to view unlimited articles for the month, please choose this option. The news is everywhere: Ireland is under-going a severe housing shortage. While most of the news focuses on the big urban centres like Dublin, Cork and Galway, the lack of appropriate and affordable housing impacts smaller towns and rural communities like Longford as well. The housing shortage has caught victims of domestic violence in the cross-fire. For one thing, many women and children are being treated as invisible in this crisis. The National Social Change Agency has warned that homeless figures are being greatly under-estimated because over 4,000 women and children being accommodated on a yearly basis in emergency refuge are not being counted and recognised as being homeless. When a victim of domestic abuse decides to leave a relationship, it may take her many years and many attempts to permanently escape the violence. The fewer obstacles to leaving, the more likely she will secure herself and her children a safe and happy future. A woman may be living in any number of housing arrangements. She may have a beneficial interest in the mortgaged family home. She might be fleeing rental accommodation, or perhaps she is leaving social housing to escape abuse. Whatever her situation, chances are the issue of housing is going to be a huge dilemma for her. Longford Womens Link Domestic Violence (DV) service has delved deeper into our statistics to ascertain exactly what is happening for women locally. In 2016, our DV service accompanied women to court 141 times and to the Gardai 45 times. This compares to 2014, when our service went to court with women 78 times and to the Gardai 5 times. Analysing these numbers, we realised that it wasnt because the number of women coming to our service had increased dramatically. Instead, the numbers suggest that more women are looking for help from the Gardai and the courts because the other option leave their abuser and find a new place to live was no longer available. Fewer of our women leave their family home. They were and are stuck in an abusive house. Several of our recent cases illustrate this dilemma. Last week, a mother of two children sought our help to get out of an abusive relationship: she was ready to move immediately from the violence and abuse. However, in Longford town, daft.ie showed only three properties suitable for a mother and three children in the private rental market costing 550, 650 and; 900 per month. Many of the women coming to our service require state assistance. The rental cap for state assistance for a family with 3 children is 450, making all three bedroom units too expensive. The only property for 450 is a one bedroom apartment. If this woman cannot find a house or an apartment for less than 450 per month, she is over the limit for state assistance and will have to pay the difference, which will eat into what she has for fuel, food, and living. If she has one child, she must find a place less than 400 a month. And there were no properties to rent for less than 400 that day. Nor would there be the day after that, nor the day after that. If a woman does find a property within or near the housing limit, she must hope the landlord will agree to sign up to the social housing programme. Because competition for scarce housing is so fierce, many landlords would prefer to wait for a tenant that is not in receipt of a social welfare payment. People assume a woman (and her children) could go to emergency refuge until she finds suitable housing. But according to the National Social Change Agency, almost 5,000 women and children last year were refused emergency refuge due to over-crowding. Locally, women who get into Longford and Westmeath emergency accommodation assume it will be a brief stop until permanent accommodation can be arranged. However, due to the chronic shortage of available housing, it takes anywhere from nine to eighteen months for families to find rental accommodation roughly in line with the rental caps. Refuge is turning into long-term emergency accommodation. Another common misconception is that it is easy to simply throw the abuser out of the house. Barring Orders are the legal mechanism to remove an abusive person from the home. However, the constitutional benchmark for legally removing anyone from their lawful domicile in Ireland is very, very high. Threat It is often the threat of past violence that is used to control a victim, and abusers are smart enough not to hurt their victims in ways that are easily seen. Domestic violence victims arent always believed, and are often met with suspicion and incredulity by everyone family, friends, Gardai, civil servants, and other professionals. This is difficult to comprehend given the verifiable and evidence-based national and international statistics. For example, Womens Aid reports that one in five Irish women who have been in a relationship have been abused by a current or former partner. In terms of female homicide in Ireland, 54% of women were murdered by a partner or ex-partner, and a total of 87% are murdered by someone they know. (Women's Aid Femicide Media Watch, November 2016). These issues, coupled with the desperate housing shortage, means getting out isnt easy. The DV victims feel pressurised to stay and deflated when they do try to leave and all the doors seem to shut against them. When housing becomes a seemingly impossible barrier to overcome, a woman will stay in an abusive home rather than be homeless. So what can be done? The housing crisis is certainly complicated, and requires a co-ordinated and sustained effort by multiple government agencies to resolve. But, in respect to the homeless requirements specifically of women and children attempting to leave a domestic abuse situation, Longford Womens Link has called on the relevant government agencies to take the following actions: Make explicit provision for victims of Domestic Abuse and their children as a vulnerable category of homeless client within the Housing Programme Work with flexibility and sensitivity when dealing with Domestic Violence clients at point of service delivery Commit to provision of an out of hours response to emergency housing needs. Commit to maintaining an adequate supply of emergency accommodation for victims of Domestic Abuse until there is a sufficient supply of appropriate long term housing Commit to negotiating/re-evaluating appropriate housing assistance payments (HAPs) with central government which reflect market forces in our local area Central to each of the above recommendations is the need to understand that the time a DV victim decides to escape is one of the most dangerous times for her and her children. Therefore it's critical that those agencies charged with providing housing and emergency accommodation recognise this danger and respond accordingly. Vandals who trespassed onto private property to carry out a string of indiscriminate acts of criminal damage have been branded disgraceful this week. Cllr PJ Reilly hit out at the culprits behind the incident which took place on his own lands and along the shores of one of Abbeylaras most scenic locations, Lough Derragh. The Fianna Fail councillor had been at home on January 27 last and preparing to go to bed when a neighbour phoned him shortly before midnight, alerting him to a possible fire on his land. Accompanied by his wife Fiona, the pair took off to investigate and were immediately stunned by what they saw. When I got there at first I thought it may have been a car that was set on fire but as we got closer you could see a bin was on fire and the fence was also alight, he said. The quick thinking local politician managed to stem the rising flames himself by throwing water onto the affected area before reporting the incident to local gardai. Less than three weeks on, Cllr Reilly said he still cannot come to terms with how or why vandals would want to target such an unspoilt and well utilised stretch of environmental beauty. This is private land and is a private right of way that people can access by consent of the owner. It really is disgraceful to see an incident like this in rural Ireland and in an area that the general public often use and yet you have this type of vandalism taking place, he said. To make matters worse, and in a separate incident a couple of weeks earlier a public tourism sign was ripped down and stolen while a second bin was forcibly removed and thrown into a ditch. The County Council Leas Cathaoirleach also revealed the eventual clean up bill, when summated, would not fall at his door but rather at the expense of the taxpaying public. Longford County Council provided the bins so unfortunately they will have to deal with that side of it. It just goes to show you that despite the fact this is private property and despite amenities being available for people to enjoy, the respect landowners do get." And while he has no clue as to the identity of those involved, Cllr Reilly gave a strong indication as to who he believed may have carried out the incident. This is what I would call petty crime, youngsters coming in a car to set something alight just for devilment, he said. Its not on and its just not right. Press Releases By Allison Gayne Published: February 16 2017 Commissioners from Plainview, Westbury, Oyster Bay, Hicksville, and West Hempstead Water Districts were recently elected to Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners Association (NSWCA) 2017 Board. February 14, 2017 - Williston Park, NY - At a recent Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners Association (NSWCA) meeting sponsored by the Jericho Water District, the Association elected a new board for the 2017 term, which runs through December 31, 2017. Commissioners Anthony J. Cincotta, Thomas A. Abbate and James Asmus represented the Jericho Water District along with Superintendent Peter F. Logan. The newly elected NSWCA 2017 board includes: New President Andrew N. Bader of Plainview Water District, who succeeds outgoing President Raymond J. Averna of Massapequa Water District; 1st Vice President Vincent Abbatiello of Westbury Water District; 2nd Vice President Michael F. Rich III of Oyster Bay Water District; Secretary William Schuckmann of Hicksville Water District; and Treasurer Kenneth P. Wenthen Jr. of West Hempstead Water District. Residents of Long Island have one of the greatest and most unique aquifer systems in the world, and the NSWCA is dedicated to preserving, conserving and utilizing it for the benefit of all communities, President Bader stated. Sustainability of this greatest natural resource will continue to be a top priority of the NSWCA in 2017. We intend to continue to reach out and, in some cases expand our reach, by educating the public regarding sustainability, conservation, water quality and water production. As always, our efforts will include scientific-based learning and full observance of all regulations for total governmental compliance. Organized and chartered in 1981, the Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners Association (NSWCA) is comprised of water commissioners from 21 Nassau County and Suffolk County water districts. The NSWCA is dedicated to promoting environmental excellence and best practices as well as maintaining the highest standards of water quality and supply. The NSWCA sponsors regular educational meetings on topics that include the environment, security, economics, rules and regulations, among other related issues. For further information: Agency Contact: Mr. Jamie Stanco, Progressive Marketing Group, Inc., phone: 631-756-7160, email: jpstanco@pmgstrategic.com NSWCA Contact: Mr. Andrew Bader, phone: (516) 931-6469, email: abader@plainviewwater.org # # # Pictured from left to right representing Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners Associations newly elected 2017 Board are: 2017 Treasurer Kenneth P. Wenthen Jr. of West Hempstead Water District; 2017 2nd Vice President Michael F. Rich III of Oyster Bay Water District; 2017 President Andrew N. Bader of Plainview Water District, who succeeds outgoing President Raymond J. Averna of Massapequa Water District; 2017 1st Vice President Vincent Abbatiello of Westbury Water District; and 2017 Secretary William Schuckmann of Hicksville Water District. Nature & Weather, Local News, Travel & Local Attractions, Press Releases By Long Island News & PR Published: February 16 2017 During a joint budget hearing in Albany, NYSDOT Commissioner Matthew J. Driscoll committed to a multi-million dollar plan to overhaul NY878. Long Island, NY - February 15, 2017 - Today, during a joint budget hearing in Albany, New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) Commissioner Matthew J. Driscoll committed to a multi-million dollar plan to overhaul NY878 when questioned by State Senator Todd Kaminsky. When Kaminsky asked Commissioner Driscoll whether NYSDOT was working on a plan for the constantly flooded and jammed roadway, the Commissioner responded that his agency would soon unveil a multi-million dollar plan to completely overhaul NY878. According to Commissioner Driscoll, an announcement will be coming soon that will reveal the timetable and scope of the project, but he confirmed that the tens of millions of dollars the state is willing to spend will be the largest and most comprehensive overhaul of the road to date. Senator Kaminsky issued the following statement: My office regularly receives complaints about the flooding and congestion that plague NY878, and I am thrilled to receive this major commitment from Governor Cuomos administration. As a major emergency evacuation route for tens of thousands of residents, NY878 is one of the most important roads on Long Island, and its overhaul is a much-needed safety upgrade. I look forward to hearing specifics on what this project will involve and will continue to push for the necessary improvements to ensure the safety of my constituents. Additionally, the following statements were issued: Hempstead Town Supervisor Anthony J. Santino: For years community leaders, government officials and neighbors have been united in the fight to rehabilitate the Nassau Expressway, also known as NY 878, stated Santino. I want to thank Senator Todd Kaminsky for securing a commitment from New York State to fund a major renovation project for this pothole riddled and flood-prone roadway. The road rehabilitation project will help reduce traffic congestion and make this thoroughfare safer for residents of the Five Towns and surrounding areas. Legislator Howard J. Kopel: I am delighted that New York State plans to spend some significant money to address problems with this critical infrastructure. I look forward to hearing more details, and I plan to work with Senator Kaminsky and state officials to ensure that the health and safety needs of our residents are met. Cedarhurst Mayor Benjamin Weinstock: DOT's commitment to begin the storm hardening work presently being engineered for 878 is a big step in the right direction for the residents of Cedarhurst and the surrounding South Shore areas. We depend on 878 and Peninsula Boulevard as our only coastal evacuation routes. This is long overdue and we hope that this will continue with the completion of the construction of the balance of 878 into Queens. Special mention must be made to former Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder for his years of advocacy on this project. Obtaining State funding for significant improvements to NY878 has been a top priority of Senator Kaminsky for years. Kaminsky has repeatedly requested the State overhaul NY878, including writing letters to the NYSDOT and publicly questioning the commissioner last year. Approximately 40,000 vehicles travel along NY878 daily, making it one of the South Shores major transportation arteries. In addition to connecting drivers to both New York City and New Yorks largest airport, John F. Kennedy International, NY 878 also serves as a designated evacuation route for ambulances, fire vehicles, police cars and South Shore residents in the event of a natural disaster. The roadway is one of only three points of evacuation for tens-of-thousands of residents of the Long Beach Barrier Island, and was heavily utilized during superstorm Sandy as an evacuation route as well as a throughway for emergency goods and services. You can view the video here. Crime, Press Releases By Long Island News & PR Published: February 16 2017 On February 15, 2017 at approximately 3:00 p.m., a NYS Trooper conducted a vehicle and traffic stop on a 2012 Honda Accord located on the Southern State Parkway. Hempstead, NY - February 15, 2017 - On February 15, 2017 at approximately 3:00 p.m., a New York State Trooper conducted a vehicle and traffic stop on a 2012 Honda Accord located on the Southern State Parkway, eastbound, west of exit 19, in the Town of Hempstead, Nassau County. During the traffic stop, the operator identified as Kyheem J. Kelly, age 29, of Jamaica, Queens New York drove off dragging the Trooper across all three lanes of traffic before striking the concrete center median. The Trooper sustained head injuries and is currently being treated at a local hospital. The Trooper, with the assitance of good samaritans apprehended Mr. Kelly at the scene. Mr. Kelly was charged with Aggravated Assault Upon a Police Officer (B-Felony), Assault 2nd (D-Felony), Reckless Endagerment 1st (D-Felony), Resisting Arrest (A- Misdemeanor) and Obstructing Governmental Administration 2nd ( A- Misdemeanor). Mr. Kelly is scheduled to be arraigned in Nassau County First District Court on February 16, 2017. Any witnesses to this incident please contact the State Police at (631) 756-3300. All calls will remain confidential. Nature & Weather, Local News, National & World News, Press Releases By Long Island News & PR Published: February 16 2017 AG Eric T. Schneiderman announced that his office sent a joint letter with 10 AGs to Senators Mitch McConnell and Charles Schumer urging opposition to the Commercial Vessel Incidental Discharge Act. Schneiderman: Congress should not serve as a rubber stamp for commercial shipping interests at the expense of the health of the waterways in New York and across the nation. New York, NY - February 15, 2017 - Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced that his office sent a joint letter with 10 Attorneys General to Senators Mitch McConnell and Charles Schumer strongly urging opposition to the Commercial Vessel Incidental Discharge Act, legislation that would dramatically weaken clean water protections by preventing New York and other states from limiting the discharge of biological pollution by commercial shipping vessels into their waters. The bill would also take the radical step of exempting these discharges from the federal Clean Water Act. This legislation would undercut the independence of states in fighting harmful biological pollution from commercial shipping, which causes serious damage to our environment and our economy in New York. Congress should not serve as a rubber stamp for commercial shipping interests at the expense of the health of the waters in New York and across the nation, said Attorney General Schneiderman. I will continue to join with other state Attorneys General in opposing efforts by this Congress or administration to undercut critical environmental protections. As my office has made clear, we will not hesitate to step in to defend the laws that keep our environment and our families safe and healthy. Commercial ships routinely dump ballast water containing non-native, aquatic invasive aquatic species that have severe ecological, health, recreational, and economic risks and impacts. The legislation would do away with the traditional authority of states to take actions necessary to protect their water resources by prohibiting states from adopting or enforcing any law or regulation pertaining to commercial vessel pollutant discharges, either aquatic invasive species-containing ballast water discharges, or incidental discharges. Aquatic invasive species, such as the zebra and quagga mussels, that clog water intake pipes of power plants and municipal drinking water facilities, can be extremely harmful to native ecosystems and associated commercial and recreational fisheries and are estimated to annually result in billions of dollars of economic losses nationwide. Further, the Commercial Vessel Incidental Discharge Act would take the radical step of exempting these vessel discharges from control under the Clean Water Act. By so doing, the bill relegates the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the federal agency with the greatest knowledge and experience in addressing water pollution to an advisory role, and vests the U.S. Coast Guard an agency mainly focused on homeland security with primary responsibility for controlling these discharges. The bill also adopts decades-old, inadequately protective standards for aquatic invasive species discharges and gives the Coast Guard wide latitude to forgo updating them. The Attorney Generals office has fought for years to defend New Yorks authority to protect its waters from biological pollution from commercial vessels. In 2008, New York, together with other Great Lakes states, successfully litigated to ensure that the control of vessel-discharged biological pollution, as required by the Clean Water Act, was enforced. Subsequently, the Attorney Generals office defended protections that New York added to the EPA-issued nationwide permit governing vessel pollution. In that case, the Office successfully defended the right of New York to add to the EPA permit further, New York-specific conditions that the State determined were necessary to ensure that waters would be protected from harmful, non-native aquatic species discharged by commercial vessels. In New York, aquatic invasive species introduced by dumping contaminated ballast waters pose a significant threat to environmental, recreational and economic value of a number of waters. For example: The Great Lakes now contain more than 180 non-native species, including the notorious zebra and quagga mussels and other invasive organisms which have radically altered the native ecosystem. Researchers have estimated that the establishment of aquatic invasive species in the Great Lakes results in annual economic losses up to $5 billion. More than 50 non-native species have been identified in the Long Island Sound. The presence of these species in the Sound can result in significant ecological, socioeconomic, and other costs, including harms to a commercial and recreational fishery that is estimated to contribute over $1 billion to local economies. One of New York's most valuable natural resources -- the Hudson River -- is now infested with more than 100 non-native species. It was estimated in 2005 that the total environmental and economic impacts of biological pollution in the New York State Canal and Hudson River systems is nearly $500 million per year. Joining Attorney General Schneidermans letter to the Senate leadership are the Attorneys General of California, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington. Read a copy of the letter here. A.G. Schneiderman has made clear that he stands ready to use the full power of his office to compel enforcement of our nations environmental laws. In January, he joined eight other A.G.'s in sending a letter urging members of the U.S. Senate Environmental and Public Workers Committee to reject the nomination of Oklahoma A.G. Scott Pruitt to lead the EPA. He also spoke out against President Trumps ordered freeze of EPA grants and contracts. In December, Schneiderman led a coalition of 19 states and localities calling on President-elect Trump to continue the federal governments defense of the Clean Power Plan and reject the misguided advice to discard the plan. In February, the Attorney General sent another joint letter to Senators McConnell and Schumer opposing a resolution that would void methane safeguards. A.G. Schneiderman has joined with states across the country to defend critical environmental and clean energy policies, including the Clean Power Plan, the Clean Water Rule, and EPA regulations to reduce emissions of methane in the oil and gas industry. Local News, Community, Charity & Cause, Press Releases By Long Island News & PR Published: February 16 2017 Suffolk County Leg. William R. Spencer, M.D. joined Temple Beth El of Huntington at a gathering of community members on Saturday, Feb. 3rd to discuss the current state of civil rights in the U.S. Huntington, NY - February 15, 2017 - Suffolk County Legislator William R. Spencer, M.D. joined Temple Beth El of Huntington at a gathering of community members on Saturday, February 3rd to discuss the current state of civil rights in the United States. The event drew in more than 640 residents, many of whom are very concerned about recent events nationally, to hear remarks from guest speakers Joseph J. Levin, Jr. of the Southern Poverty Law Center. At the event, Legislator Spencer was invited to address the crowd, Now more than ever, we must remain committed to our local efforts and continue to be engaged. We must stay true to our American principles, resist apathy, and take a stand for what is right for the sake of our communities, children and future. said Legislator Spencer. Two Women Arrested During Massage Parlor Raid in Huntington Crime, Press Releases By Long Island News & PR Published: February 16 2017 Suffolk County Police have arrested two women during a massage parlor raid conducted in Huntington yesterday. An investigation by Town of Huntington Code Enforcement officers revealed numerous occupancy and town code violations. The investigation is continuing. Huntington, NY - February 16, 2017 - Suffolk County Police have arrested two women during a massage parlor raid conducted in Huntington yesterday. In response to numerous community complaints, Suffolk County Police Second Precinct Crime Section officers, Suffolk County Police Second Squad detectives, Suffolk County Police Criminal Intelligence detectives, U.S. Homeland Security officers and Town of Huntington Code Enforcement officers conducted an investigation into illegal activities at Lucky Seven Spa, located at 585 W Jericho Turnpike. The following women were arrested at approximately 3 p.m. and charged with Unauthorized Practice of a Profession, a Class E Felony under the New York State Education Law: Jianping Qiao 33, of Flushing Jinjuan Gu 50, of Flushing An investigation by Town of Huntington Code Enforcement officers revealed numerous occupancy and town code violations. The investigation is continuing. The women are scheduled to be arraigned today at First District Court in Central Islip. A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The Islamic States Khorasan province claimed credit for todays suicide bombing at a Sufi shrine in Sindh province, Pakistan that killed at least 70 people and wounded scores more. The attack is the latest in a series of suicide bombings in Pakistan by an assortment of jihadist groups. The suicide bomber detonated his explosive-packed vest inside the Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, a Sufi shrine in the town of Sehwan, after he tossed a faulty hand grenade, Dawn reported. More than 150 people were reportedly wounded in the blast, with some in critical condition. The Islamic State claimed credit for the bombing in a statement released on Amaq News Agency, one of its official propaganda outlets. Amaq said that Usman Ansari was the martyr of the Islamic State, or the suicide bomber. In the past, the Islamic State and other jihadist groups have targeted Sufi shrines in Pakistan. Many Pakistani jihadist groups consider Sufi Muslims to be heretics for worshiping saints, maintaining shrines, and other religious practices that differ from their beliefs. Most recently, on Nov. 12, 2016, an Islamic State suicide bomber killed at least 52 people in a blast at the Shah Noorani shrine in Kuzdar. The Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan has targeted Sufi shrines as well. On April 3, 2011, a group killed 41 people in a double suicide attack on a Sufi shrine in Dera Ghazi Khan. Jihadist groups have not limited their operations to Sufis alone. Christians and Amadis, another religious section considered to be heretics by many Muslims in Pakistan, have been relentlessly targeted by jihadists groups. However, mainstream Muslims have bourn the brunt of the jihadists attacks. Jihadists on the offensive in Pakistan Todays suicide bombing is the latest in a series of similar operations by jihadist groups against the Pakistani military and civilian institutions. On Feb. 13, a suicide bomber killed more than a dozen people and wounded scores more after detonating his explosives outside of the Punjab provincial assembly building. Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, a dangerous faction of the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan, claimed that attack as part of Operation Ghazi, an offensive that is designed to target all facets of Pakistani society. Two days later, a Jamaat-ul-Ahrar suicide bomber killed three tribal policemen and two civilians in a blast in Mohmand agency. That same day, a Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan suicide bomber killed one person and wounded four more in an attack which targeted judges in the city of Peshawar. The Pakistani government has responded by blaming Afghanistan for sheltering Pakistani terrorist groups. On Feb. 15, Pakistans Ministry of Foreign Affairs chided the Afghan deputy head of mission for allowing Jamaat-ul-Ahrar to maintain sanctuaries inside Afghanistan. Afghanistan was urged to take urgent measures to eliminate the terrorists and their sanctuaries, financiers and handlers operating from its territory, according to a statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. While Jamaat-ul-Ahrar is known to operate on both sides of the Afghan-Pakistan border, its primary base of operations is in Pakistans tribal agencies. But the group maintains a strong presence in all of Pakistans provinces. Bill Roggio is a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and the Editor of FDD's Long War Journal. Are you a dedicated reader of FDD's Long War Journal? Has our research benefitted you or your team over the years? Support our independent reporting and analysis today by considering a one-time or monthly donation. Thanks for reading! You can make a tax-deductible donation here. Readers, we have a beautiful Irish wedding to share with you today, with a chic gown, a castle venue and just the right amount of blush pink and gold to add an elegant and glamorous touch to proceedings. Meet teacher Daryl and lawyer Aisling, who married at Kilronan Castle Estate and Spa in County Roscommon, Ireland on the 23rd of July 2016. I always loved the idea of a castle wedding. When we went to visit Kilronan I was really struck by the beautiful drive up to the castle and as soon as we walked through the front door, I was sold. Monica, the wedding planner at the hotel, was fabulous and a great help as we were living in England while we organised the wedding. We went with lots of blush and gold to tie in with the dresses and added some art-deco details as I love the glamour of that era. Photography by Sharon Kee Photography Aisling looked absolutely stunning in a bespoke cowl-backed gown made by Wilden Bride London, paired with a dramatic cathedral length veil, from Urban Veil Couture on Etsy. I had tried on lots of beautiful dresses but just hadnt found the one so I got in touch with Charlotte about a bespoke dress and I just knew from the first appointment that she was the perfect choice. We had so much fun and it was great to see be involved in the design process and see my dress materialise from a quick sketch at our first appointment. Invitations came from Vreeland Design on Etsy, while the cute personalised thank you cards for bridesmaids were also from Etsy. Daryl and I went to the same primary school and I always say that I havent been able to get rid of him since! We got together in 2008 and got engaged on our six year anniversary in January 2014. We had snuck off to Antwerp to choose the ring and then Daryl planned a weekend away at Carton House for the proposal. Even though I thought I knew what was was coming, I still got a surprise as Daryl had made me an itinerary and had planned a walk around the hotel grounds the next day. He had shipped me off to the spa and as I made my way back I was thinking to myself how awful the weather was going to be. When I opened the door to the room he had decorated it with candles and was down on one knee. On her feet Aisling wore a pair of Jimmy Choos, purchased from Flannels, while her hair comb, earrings and bracelet all came from The Lady Bride on Etsy. For scent, she chose Lolita Lempika. I have worn this perfume for years and Daryls mummy surprised me with new bottle as a gift before the wedding. Make up was by Grainne Moane and hair by Kate Cassidy from Hair Dimensions (no details). The bridesmaids looked lovely in pale pink dresses from Coast, with a neckline to match Aislings own, their own shoes, hair accessories from Bulledecristal and jewellery from Etsy . Daryl wore a blue suit with lighter blue design from SD Kells, Enniskillen, worn with a pink tie. The gorgeous flowers were produced by the talented hands of Mary of Howes Flowers, Tempo. Sadly, Aislings granny passed away a few days before the wedding and Mary incorporated one of her brooches into Aislings bouquet- a lovely touch. For readings, they chose Blessings for a Marriage by James Dillet Freeman and exchanged rings from Joaillerie du Centre. The orders of service were printed by The Print Factory Todays beautiful photos are the work of Sharon Kee Photography, a newcomer to Love my Dress and a very welcome addition to our pages. I would definitely recommend Sharon to any bride. She is really laid back with a great sense of humour which is exactly what you need on a busy wedding morning. I love Sharons style of photography and she made us feel so relaxed throughout the day- nothing felt forced. We had great fun and this really shines through in the photos. My favourite part of the day was having so many of our friends and family together in one place. We have moved around quite a bit, working in Belfast, Birmingham and Manchester before moving back to Ireland after the wedding, so we have met a lot of different people over the years. Having so many of them join us for our wedding was really special. A special word to Daryls groomsman Noel, who travelled from New Zealand to be with us on the day, and to another groomsman, Niall, who made us a video clip that included some messages from friends who werent able to make it. It was a lovely touch. The castle interior didnt really require any extra decor, so Aisling and Daryl just hired chiavari chairs from Completely Covered and added gold candelabras and sparkly gold runners to each table to add to the opulent look. Its an absolute picture. The marvellous cake was from Cannaboe Confectionery, who produced a bright and fun creation covered in coloured sprinkles. In the evening, guests danced the night away to music by The Rare Aul Stuff and the newlyweds had their first dance to an acoustic version of XO by Beyonce. Aisling was a Love My Dress reader during her planning and had some lovely words to say: I love the real weddings as I think there is a really great mix of brides and styles so there is something for everyone. I find with some blogs the coverage is very much geared to weddings that are very out there and different, whereas Love My Dress has a really good range of weddings, all with their own unique touches. Words of Wedded Wisdom Take a bit of time for yourself during the day. While our guests were being seated our wedding planner gave the bridal party a chance to sit down together with a glass of champagne and some nibbles. It was great to have a short break from all the bustle of the day. Thank you so much to Aisling and Daryl for sharing your gorgeous day with us, and of course, to Sharon Kee Photography for her beautiful images. I do love a castle wedding- the glamour and romance, the potential for turrets and sweeping staircases, sigh Take a peek here for some more beautiful castle nupitals that weve featured over the years. Much love, Shona x In a departure from the norm, Apple just announced the dates and location of its annual Worldwide Developers Conference. This year, the event will be at San Joses McEnery Convention Center instead of San Franciscos Moscone Center, though Apple is keeping its usual June time slot. Apple unveiled the dates and venue change in a Thursday press release. The company typically holds off on revealing WWDC details until much closer to the event, but Apple execs wanted to give developers plenty of time to make travel arrangements, according to The Loop. The convention center in San Jose is comparable in size to Moscone and will still be able to fit about 5,000 developers and 1,000 engineers, who flock to WWDC every year to learn about Apples latest updates to iOS, macOS, and now watchOS and tvOS, along with efforts like HealthKit, CareKit, SiriKit, and more. Apple San Joses McEnery Convention Center is hosting this years WWDC. Technology alone is not enough, Apple said in its announcement. Technology must intersect with the liberal arts and the humanities, to create new ideas and experiences that push society forward. This summer we bring together thousands of brilliant minds representing many diverse perspectives, passions, and talents to help us change the world. So why is Apple abandoning San Francisco? Well, its exactly not that unusual a move: San Jose hosted the first WWDC in 1988, and the company held it there every year until 2002. The last time Apple held the conference in San Jose, the iPod was a brand new device and Steve Jobs held a funeral for Mac OS 9. It feels like WWDC is going home, Phil Schiller, Apples senior vice president of marketing, told Daring Fireballs John Gruber. But Apple isnt the only tech giant to move its annual event to the South Bay. Googles annual I/O event moved from San Francisco to Mountain View last year and will be held at the Shoreline Amphitheatre again this year. Facebook is moving its developers conference, F8, from San Francisco to San Jose this year. Google, Facebook, and Apple are not based in San Francisco, so holding events closer to their own headquarters makes it easier for their employees to attend. San Jose is minutes away from Cupertino, while San Francisco is an hours drive. Tickets will be available through the customary lottery system, which opens March 27 at 10 a.m. Pacific. Ticket prices will be the same as usual. If you cant make it to this years event, Apple will live-stream conference sessions online and make them available to watch on-demand after WWDC ends. File photo of Liu Zhenyun [Photo/Chinanews.com] Officials have denied media reports that renowned Chinese author Liu Zhenyun won a so-called popular author's award in Morocco. Shi Yuewen, cultural counsellor at China's Embassy in Morocco, said there's no such award and that neither the prize announcement nor Liu's speeches upon receiving the award ever happened, though they were reported by the media. In one story, Liu was pictured receiving an award from an official alleged to be Morocco's vice minister of culture. In fact, it was a photo of Liu receiving an award at Morocco's 23rd international book fair in Casablanca from the president of the fair, Xinhua reported on Tuesday. The fair president said it was in recognition of Liu's efforts to promote cultural exchanges between China and Morocco. Organized by Morocco's Ministry of Culture on Feb 9-19, the annual book fair is attended by representatives from 54 countries with 100,000 books on display. Russian examiners did not favour confectionery. This does not mean that they are diabetics; they simply felt uneasy when an application came seeking protection for a confectionery patent for a utility model. That was application number 2014136036/13. By that time the law had been changed so that the application had to be examined in its substance not only for formal requirements. It was examined and rejected soon after. The applicant appealed against the decision of the examiner. The Board of Appeal of the Patent Office tested (tasted) it for patentability and came to a different conclusion. Why? The original claims of the utility model were worded in the following way: Confectionery article made of chocolate containing a base 3D figurative shape with protrusions and edible colour coating, the colour of the coating being different from the colour of the base characterised in that the edible coating is located on the protrusions, the portions outside the protrusions being free from coating. The article according to claim 1 characterised in that the surface covered by the edible coating constitutes less than 40% of the overall surface of the article. The article according to claim 1 characterised in that the reflection coefficient of the edible colour coating is greater than the reflection coefficient of the base surface. The article according to claim 1 characterised in that each colour coordinate of reflected light from the coated surface is different by more than 10% to the colour coordinates of the base surface. The article according to claim 1 characterised in that the edible colour coating is made adapted to enhance visual perception of the volume of the article and the surface irregularities because of the shade and light pattern by means of applying corrective coating on parts of the surface. The Patent Office examined the patent application and refused the grant of a patent arguing that the proposed solution is not a technical solution referring to a device and thus cannot be protected as a utility model. The applicant did not agree with the examiner and appealed the official action. The appeal board of the Patent Office examined the application again and found that the proposed utility model is different from the prior art in that the base of the shaped article is made with protrusions; the edible colour coating is located on the protrusions; and portions outside the protrusions are free from coating. The appeal board did not agree with the examiner in that the claimed feature "edible colour coating located on the protrusions reduces the consumption of edible colour agent and improves organoleptic properties of the article" is not essential. According to the appeal board the feature "the edible colour coating located on the protrusions" characterises structural elements in the form of protrusions, the portions outside protrusions are free from coating. Those features are essential for achieving a technical result because the coating located on the protrusions is quickly dissolved by the consumer's saliva, etc. The appeal board left without comment the statement of the examiner to the effect that the claimed subject matter is not a technical solution referring to a device. It may be assumed that the board of appeal did recognise the claimed confectionery as a technical device. The Patent Office regulations define a device as an article having no composite parts, or consisting of two or more parts connected by means of assembly operations and being in functional and structural unity. Formally, the confectionery article falls under that definition though the consumer will probably feel awkward realising that he eats a technical device. On the flip side of things and unrelated to the above, there was a patent application consisting of a traffic control camera and a distant computer. Both parts of the device were connected by wires or radio waves. The Patent Office refused to recognise it as an invention because there was no "structural unity" between the parts (in other words they were not in one box) which was somewhat strange. It seems formal considerations sometimes take precedence over common sense. Especially against the background of the confectionery patent. Or, as one of the observers said with regard to this last, members of the appeal board have a sweet tooth and they could not resist temptation. Vladimir Biriulin Gorodissky & Partners Russia 129010, Moscow B. Spasskaya Str 25, stroenie 3 Tel: +7 495 937 6116 / 6109 Fax: +7 495 937 6104 / 6123 pat@gorodissky.ru www.gorodissky.com The best in Philippine Contemporary Art - Art Fair Philippines happens on February 16-19, 2017 at The Link Carpark, Ayala Center Makati City. Founded in 2013, Art Fair Philippines is the premier platform for exhibiting and selling the best in modern and contemporary Philippine visual art. The fair aims to mirror the vibrant local art scene and continue to generate support for Filipino art practitioners. Set in an alternative urban venue, Art Fair Philippines makes art accessible to enthusiasts and to those who want to discover one of Southeast Asias most exciting art landscapes. P P ART FAIR PHILIPPINES 2017 5F / 6F / 7F / RoofDeck The Link Carpark Ayala Center, Makati City Fair Dates & Hours: Feb 16-19, 2017 Thursday - Sunday 10 am - 9 pm All Art Fair Philippines ticket holders who enter Ayala Museum will get a 20% discount on the regular museum admission price. All Ayala Museum ticket holders who enter Art Fair Philippines can avail of the concessionary rate of Php 200. Tickets must be presented at the Admissions counters of either Ayala Museum (during museum hours) or at Art Fair Philippines in The Link Carpark to avail of applicable discounts. Only tickets dated between February 16 19, 2017 are valid for this promo. Additional guests will be charged regular admission rates. Tickets are valid for adults and kids. Children under 2 years old can come in free of charge. There will be no refunds for unused portion of tickets. No replacements will be made for lost or stolen tickets. This offer may not be used in conjunction with other promos and discounts. TICKETS:250.00 | Entrance Fee50.00 | Students with valid IDsFREE | Makati Students with valid IDsFor more information, please visit:Check out also Art Fair Philippines & Ayala Museum Ticket Promo:Ayala Museum Hours: 9AM 6PM, Tuesday SundaysArt Fiar Philippines Hours: 10AM 9PM, February 16-19, 2017For inquiries and reservations, please call 759-8288 local 8272 or email: hello@ayalamuseum.org Editor's Note: MarketMinder does NOT recommend individual securities; companies referenced herein are merely cited as examples of a broader theme we wish to highlight. Here is a headline that may soon become endangered: "Big-Name Analyst Lowers Price Target for Widgets-R-Us, Cuts Rating to Sell." With new regulations coming down the pike and firms increasingly questioning whether these reports are worth the cost, banks and brokerage houses are starting to slash their armies of analysts. You might think this robs investors of informative analysis, but we wouldn't mourn the loss. While some genuinely good analysis makes the rounds now and then, a lot of it is marketing fluff, and very few reports are actionable for investors-even when the analysis is spot-on, markets usually discount them quickly. The reports in question are what's known as "sell-side research"-research produced by financial firms that sell securities, as opposed to "buy side," which consists of investment managers, hedge funds and other outfits that put investors' money to work. Buy-side firms generally do research in-house and keep it close to the vest, lest they surrender a competitive edge. Sell-side reports, however, circulate far and wide, often for free-by design. Why would anyone provide free knowledge? Well, even though they might not receive monetary payment, sell-side firms benefit plenty from their research circulating. This becomes clear when you identify sell-side research for what it is: marketing. Brokers use the reports to encourage retail clients to trade-for example, ditching Widgets-R-Us and buying WidgetMart instead, billing commissions in the process. Eyeball-catching reports generate media coverage, boosting visibility and improving search engine results. Favorable research can also help attract investment banking business from companies who need help with a merger, or issuing stock or bonds. Another consideration: A financial firm's institutional clients want access to corporate management teams-and positive reviews might make this easier to secure. But times are changing. Research is expensive to produce, and asset managers are increasingly reluctant to pay banks to do it for them. One report estimates asset managers spend $15 billion annually purchasing sell-side research-an amount that may fall by a third in coming years. Banks and brokerage firms, meanwhile, are steadily finding high-priced analysts too costly to employ. As a result, sell-side firms are cutting analyst headcount. Plus, new EU rules (taking effect in 2018) will force asset managers to pay investment banks directly for research, ending the old model where brokerages could provide it to buy-side firms in exchange for custodying client accounts there and placing trades through them. While these regulations apply only in Europe, many investment firms operate internationally, likely creating some global spillover. We're guessing, "Yah, but we sent that report to MegaManager's American arm, not Frankfurt," won't fly with EU regulators. If most sell-side research contained genuinely insightful, objective fundamental analysis, we might be inclined to shed a tear. However, an overwhelming body of evidence suggests this isn't so. Over 40,000 research reports are sent each week, and only about 6% of S&P 500 stocks get "Sell" or equivalent ratings. SEC rules require "that the views in the report accurately reflect [the analyst's] personal views," but opinions are squishy things, and incentives matter. If Widgets-R-Us needs an investment bank to handle a merger, who is it more likely to hire: The firm that issued happy "buy" ratings, or the one that screamed "sell!"? If Widgets-R-Us's management team is scheduling roundtable meetings with institutional investors, which firm has a better shot of getting invites for its institutional clients: The one with the glowing report or the scathing one? While the above centers on company-specific analysis, the same principles often apply to research on industries, sectors and countries. Consider JP Morgan's recent dust-up with Indonesia, where the bank does billions of dollars in business each year by organizing Indonesia's bond sales. On November 13 of last year, JP Morgan analysts downgraded Indonesian stocks from overweight to underweight. On January 3, the government contested the downgrade and announced it would do no further business with the bank. Two weeks later, JP Morgan upgraded Indonesian stocks to "neutral," carefully noting that their research is "independent" and the result of "extensive and objective analysis." JP Morgan had an incentive to relent and did.[i] Their experience reflects that of many banks operating globally, particularly in Asia, where government officials aren't shy about demanding positive reports or other measures to forestall capital outflows as a prerequisite to doing business. All of this underscores the increasingly widespread opinion that sell-side research is mostly marketing. Now, that perhaps paints things in too-broad brushstrokes. We've read our fair share of insightful fundamental analysis from sell-side firms. There are varying levels of quality, and we suspect that in a more competitive environment, the cream will quickly rise to the top. The most thoughtful and useful research should find a market and stick around-particularly higher-level analysis, rather than company-specific stuff. Still, investors shouldn't fret if sell-side research starts falling by the wayside-even the best, most insightful company-specific research reports are already priced into markets by the time you read them, diminishing any potential edge they might have provided. If anything, investors are arguably better off if the drip feed of individual stock price targets and "buy!" "sell!' "hold!" proclamations slows. Myopic analysis promotes myopic, short-term thinking-something long-term investors should avoid. Have a story idea or tip about something happening in the East Village? Or maybe a photo? Or several photos? Or video! We'd love to hear about it. Or see it. Or something. Please go here to submit a tip. TODAYS WORD is resonant (rez-uh-nuh-nt). Example: His commanding presence, mastery of diction and resonant voice made him an effective platform speaker. WEDNESDAYS WORD was luminous. It means full of or shedding light; bright or shining, especially in the dark. Example: Luminous beings are we, Yoda said, not this crude matter. Free meal Several local churches are inviting residents to come and share a meal over the next week. On Friday, Fieldale United Methodist Church, 36 Patrick Avenue, will have a free community meal from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. The meal will be dine-in only. Then coming up next week, there will be a free Neighbors Eating Together (NET) meal at Stanleytown United Methodist Church, 24 Maplewood Avenue. Thatll be on February 25 from 11:30 a.m. until 1 pm. The menu consists of baked pasta, salad, bread, desserts and drinks. If you have any questions, please call 629-2256. Budget hearing Do you want to weigh in on the budget for Martinsville City Schools? The School Board will hold a public hearing on Feb. 20, beginning at 6 p.m. at the school board offices. Thats over at 746 Indian Trail. TODAY IS: National Almond Day Almonds are not technically nuts; they are the seeds of the fruit of the almond tree, and they are in the same family as peaches, apricots and plums. Eighty percent of the worlds almonds are grown in California. According to research from Purdue University, almonds can help support weight management and counter weight gain, as eating almonds can help people feel satisfied for several hours. Altrusa meeting Altrusa International of Martinsville and Henry County will meet Saturday at 9 a.m., over at Calvary Christian Church. Thats at 515 Mulberry Road in Martinsville. Rummage Sale Gods Love Outreach Ministry, 1223 Chatham Heights Road, will have a Rummage Sale Saturday, February 18, from 7 a.m. until noon. Items will include clothing, jewelry, home decor, appliances, and lots of other miscellaneous goods. A fish fry will start at 11:00 a.m. TRIVIA QUESTION: What company is the worlds largest tire manufacturer? WEDNESDAYS TRIVIA ANSWER: What is seafaring cereal mascot Capn Crunchs full name? The answer is Horatio Magellan Crunch. In spite of his title, Crunch may not actually be a captain. The U.S. Navy uses bars on a uniforms cuff to signify rank. Crunch has only three bars on his uniform suggesting that hes actually a commander rather than the four bars a captain would wear. When this information first came to light in 2013, Lt. Commander Chris Servello, U.S. Navy spokesman and all-around good sport, said that Navy rolls showed no record of a Captain Crunch ever having served, but promised to pass the inquiry along to Navy Criminal Investigative Service to determine how to proceed. For his part, Crunch tweeted that he was indeed a captain (or Capn) and that its the Crunch not the clothes that make a man. tim kennedy Tim Kennedy will now oversee MassLive Media in addition to his current responsibilities as President of Syracuse Media Group. Randy Siegel, President of Advance Local, announced today that Allison Werder will step down as President of MassLive Media at the end of February and will be replaced by Tim Kennedy, who will now oversee MassLive Media in addition to his current responsibilities as President of Syracuse Media Group. "There are a lot of talented people in the MassLive Media organization and I look forward to working with them to accelerate the strong digital audience and revenue growth both companies have enjoyed in New York and Massachusetts," said Kennedy. "Our goal is to do good journalism and build an even larger digital footprint by leveraging our collective strengths in the communities we serve," he added. According to Kennedy, MassLive.com and Syracuse.com are two of the fastest growing properties in the entire Advance Local enterprise. "The ability to learn from each other and work together will create more opportunities for growth and innovation," he added. Kennedy was appointed President of the Syracuse Media Group in 2012 where he has led the transformation of The Post Standard newspaper and syracuse.com into a digitally focused and thriving media company. In the past four years, the Syracuse-based operation has doubled its audience and digital revenue and created NYup.com - the fastest growing website about Upstate New York. Prior to Syracuse, Kennedy lived in Pennsylvania where he led the startup of a website for the media company Rodale and he worked as the CEO of The Morning Call newspaper. "Allison has made extensive contributions to MassLive's success," said Siegel. "Under her watch MassLive has grown to over 4 million unique visitors* and expanded its readership beyond Western Massachusetts into Central and Eastern Mass. We are grateful for everything she has accomplished." "We've built an amazing team and brand at MassLive over the past few years. I'm proud of the growth we have achieved and quality of coverage and services we've provided for our readers and advertising partners," said Werder. "This opportunity to continue to expand this success across New York and New England is a testament to our successes and a great opportunity for continued growth at MassLive." "My friend Allison is a terrific talent and already has made significant impact during her time here, not only at MassLive but in the community," said George Arwady, publisher and CEO of The Republican. MassLive's relationship with The Republican will not be affected by the move and the newspaper will remain a stand-alone entity. Werder chairs the Homefield Advantage committee of the Economic Development Council of Western Massachusetts, where she led the marketing effort to launch a new brand strategy for the region. Among numerous other community boards, Werder serves with Valley Venture Mentors and River Valley Investors, which work with and fund start-ups, and as a trustee of Western New England University. *Burt analytics, January 2017, 4,198,134 unique visitors to MassLive.com A federal judge in Tampa has thrown out a $170 million lawsuit filed against William Shatner by a Florida man who claims the "Star Trek" actor is his father. Peter Michael Sloan, who has used the name Peter Shatner, filed his lawsuit in a Florida state court in March, but it was moved to federal court in Tampa last week. In an order filed in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida on Wednesday, the judge called Sloan's suit "a rambling recitation of various alleged meetings, letters, articles, radio transcripts and internet posts," according to WFTV, abc 9, in Orlando. "(The) complaint, even liberally construed, fails to comply with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and fails to assert any discernible basis for the relief sought against the named defendants." Sloan's mother is the late Canadian actress Kathy McNeil, who Sloan claims had a brief affair with Shatner. McNeil gave Sloan up for adoption five days after he was born. Sloan, 60, claimed that Shatner admitted to being his father when the two met on the set of Shatner's TV series "T.J. Hooker" in 1984. Sloan was seeking $90 million in punitive damages, $50 million for pain and suffering and $30 million in compensatory damages, saying Shatner has slandered, libeled and defamed him. The 85-year-old actor has publicly denied being Sloan's father. "All he has is denial," Sloan told the Tampa Bay Tribune. "I have proof, even if it is circumstantial." In dismissing Sloan's lawsuit, the judge gave him until Feb. 28 to file an updated complaint. Shatner, whose net worth has been estimated at $300 million, has three daughters from the first of his four marriages. OneRepublic will headline this summer's Honda Civic Tour with shows slated for both Hartford and the Boston area. The group comes to the Xfinity Theatre in Hartford on Aug. 2 and moves to the Xfinity Center in Mansfield, MA on Aug. 4. Fitz and the Tantrums along with James Arthur will serve as support acts for the tour. The Honda Civic Tour is an annual tour that began in 2001. Each year the tour headliner helps design a new Honda Civic that is given away to a fan. Tickets for the shows are on sale through Live Nation beginning Feb. 24 at 10 a.m. 2017 Restaurant and Chef Awards Several eateries and chefs operating in Massachusetts were named semifinalists for the 2017 Restaurant and Chef Awards by the James Beard Foundation. The annual awards recognize exceptional chefs and dining destinations across the country. Don't Edit Best New Restaurant SRV in Boston's South End is a semifinalist in the foundation's best new restaurant category. The restaurant is Boston's first Venetian-style Bacaro and wine bar, offering made-to-order risotto and an extensive wine list. Don't Edit Outstanding Bar The Baldwin Bar in Woburn was recognized this year for their canning knack for offering a good drink. The Baldwin's drink menu is constantly reimagined, featuring cocktails that mix mezcal, pineapple juice and chili tincture to a gin cocktail featuring Madagascar vanilla, lime and cinnamon. Don't Edit Outstanding Chef Chef Ana Sortun celebrates Arabic-inspired cuisine at Oleana in Cambridge. Her menu features dishes including Vermont Quail Kebob, with vaharat spice, barberries and pistachio to Duck Shish with beets, fig, smoked smoked wheat pilav & walnut-pinenut. Don't Edit Outstanding Pastry Chef Oleana's pastry chef Maura Kilpatrick is also being honored by the James Beard Foundation this year, making it to the semifinalists as one of the best pastry chefs in the country. The restaurant's dessert menu features an Egyptian-style pumpkin pudding with preserved lemon-white chocolate & hazelnut dukkah, a meyer lemon posset with sour cherry spoon sweets, rose-lemon sherbet & zoolbia and a baked Alaskan with coconut ice cream & passion fruit caramel. Don't Edit Don't Edit Outstanding Restaurateur Garrett Harker, who has created a restaurant empire in Boston, was recognized as a semifinalist in this year's awards for his work with Island Creek Oyster Bar, Row 34, Eastern Standard Kitchen & Drinks and other restaurants in Massachusetts. Don't Edit Outstanding Restaurateur Harker has some local competition in this category. Ken Oringer, a Boston-based chef known for Uni - a Japanese-inspired sashimi bar in - Toro, Coppa and others, has also been named a semifinalist. Don't Edit Outstanding Service Eastern Standard Kitchen & Drinks, offering European and New England cuisine in Boston's Kenmore Square has been recognized not only for its food, but also service. Don't Edit Outstanding Wine Program O Ya offers sweet and savory sushi and sashimi dishes near South Station in Boston. The restaurant was recognized this year for their wine pairings. O Ya's drink menu offers a wide selection, from a glass of Hideyoshi La Chamte Sparkling Sake available for $15 to a bottle of 2007 Jacques Prieur Grand Cru Le Montrachet for $880. Don't Edit Outstanding Wine, Beer, or Spirits Professional Chris Weld, the owner, founder and distiller at Sheffield's Berkshire Mountain Distillers, was recognized as one of the nation's top professionals in his field. Founded a decade ago, Berkshire Mountain Distillers offers a range of spirits: Ice Glen Vodka, Greylock Gin, Ethereal Gin, Ragged Mountain Rum, Berkshire Bourbon and New England Corn Whiskey. Don't Edit Don't Edit Rising Star Chef of the Year Juan Pedrosa, makes a visit to Yvonne's worth more than an Instagram perfect setting. The downtown hideaway offers a new take on American classics, in an opulent dining space. Don't Edit Rising Star Chef of the Year Pedrosa has local competition in the rising star category. Irene Li works with her sister and brother at Mei Mei, a sibling-run food truck and restaurant in Boston. The trio serve vibrant flavors in their Chinese-American fare. Don't Edit MassLive file photo Best Chef: Northeast Unmi Abkin of Easthampton's Coco & The Cellar Bar, has been named one of the best chefs in the Northeast this year by the James Beard Foundation. Abkin opened Coco & The Cellar Bar with her husband, Roger Taylor after they moved back to Western Massachusetts. The restaurant is named for their daughter, Coco. Don't Edit Best Chef: Northeast Chef Alex Crabb runs Asta with co-owner Shish Parsigian, serving upscale New American food at fixed priced, tasting menu sizes. Don't Edit Best Chef: Northeast Chef Cassie Piuma served a modern take on a Mediterranean meu at Sarma in Somerville. Don't Edit Don't Edit Best Chef: Northeast Susan Regis serves a small but flavorful menu at Shepard in Cambridge, from a chamomile ricotta, with rye cracker and honey to pork fat fried lobster with picked ginger and hot wax peppers. Don't Edit Best Chef: Northeast At Cambridge's Loyal Nine, Marc Sheehan offers an American menu and complex cocktails. MGM Springfield has no plans to open early, despite Springfield Chief Development Officer Kevin Kennedy's suggestion of that possibility during a press conference Thursday morning. At a press conference marking the downtown casino project's completion of half its construction, Kennedy said that ahead-of-schedule work on the I-91 viaduct reconstruction had opened the possibility for MGM Springfield to launch ahead of its planned September 2018 opening date. "MGM has not said this to us," Kennedy said. "But we know Interstate 91 is five or six months ahead of schedule and we know MGM is on schedule. There is a major insurance agent convention scheduled for Springfield in August 2018. So we never know what might happen." No MGM representatives were at the press conference. And in an interview Thursday afternoon, MGM Springfield's Michael Mathis said his company's opening plans remained the same, regardless of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation progress on the highway project. "We're making really good progress on our building, but we're committed to a September 2018 opening," Mathis said. "We want to open right, and if we have time in advance it just means we can move into that building better, train in our facilities longer." In August 2015, the company received approval to push back its opening from 2017 to September 2018 due to major work on the section of I-91 that lies adjecent to the casino site. Serious traffic congestion would have harmed the customer experience if the casino opened while work was ongoing, MGM officials said. Since then the project has remained on-schedule and major construction has taken place on the casino's 14.5 acre downtown footprint. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation has said that the $183.3 million I-91 project is ahead of schedule and under budget. Road work is expected to be largely completed by May of 2018. But Mathis confirmed that MassDOT's early completion date has had no effect on MGM Springfield's opening plans. "We don't have any intention to open early," Mathis said. Fire kills 2 at Malden home An elderly couple was killed on the evening of Valentine's Day after flames erupted in their Malden home on Perkins Avenue. An elderly couple was killed in a heavy fire at their Malden home on Valentine's Day. The fire sparked near the living room couch in their home at 30 Perkins Ave. around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday night, officials say. Malden Fire Chief Kevin Finn said flames broke out after smoking materials were not disposed of properly in the home. A statement released by Public Information Officer Jennifer Mieth reports the husband was killed in the fire, and the wife died later in the hospital from serious injuries. The District Attorney's Office has not yet released the names of the two victims. Chief Finn called the fatal fire a "terrible tragedy" for the victims' family and the surrounding Malden community. The couple's home was part of a multi-family structure with four individually-owned units, said Fire Chief Greg Cavalieri. He added that the entire four units could be "a loss" since they share walls with one another, and he referred to damages only as "expensive." State Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey said the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors were not working in the victims' unit. Fire Chief Finn urged Malden residents on Wednesday "not to go to go to sleep...unless all their smoke and CO alarms are working." Dangote Fertilizer Limited has entered into a long-term agreement with Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) for the delivery of Natural Gas from Chevrons supply portfolio to the fertilizer plant, which is poised to start operations soon. The contract, under the Gas Sale and Aggregation Agreement (GSAA) is part of International Oil Company (IOC)s gas obligation to the domestic market through the Gas Aggregation Company Limited (GACN). The signing ceremony, held at the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) office in Lagos, was executed on behalf of the parties by Group Executive Director, Strategy, Capital Projects & Portfolio Development, Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar Edwin; Chairman/Managing Director, Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), Jeffrey Ewing; Head, Gas Monitoring & Regulation Division, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Sanya Bajomo; and Managing Director/CEO, Gas Aggregation Company Nigeria Limited (GACN), Engr. Morgan Okwoche. Dangote Fertilizer Limited, which is ready to be commissioned before the end of this year, will produce 3.0 million metric tonnes per annum (mmtpa) of Urea. The fertilizer plant consists of twin train, with each single train having a capacity of 1.5 million tonnes per annum of Urea and Ammonia, which makes each of them the largest train available in the world. Hence the total capacity of the plant is 3 million tonnes per annum, and it sits on an area of 500 hectares. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Group Executive Director, Strategy, Capital Projects & Portfolio Development, DIL, Devakumar Edwin, commended the Managing Director of GACN for his role in the new business relationship between Dangote Fertilizer Limited and Chevron Nigeria Limited. He said the company is looking forward to having a long-term relationship with Chevron Nigeria Limited as well as synergies in other upstream and wider areas of operations in the oil and gas sector. Chairman/Managing Director, CNL, Jeffrey Ewing commended GACN, DPR for helping with the signing of the gas supply agreement. He said: We are looking forward to working with Dangote Fertilizer and maintaining a good relationship with the company. This agreement is very important for the country and Chevron is committed to Nigerias economic development. The Managing Director/CEO, GACN, Morgan Okwoche, expressed delight to be part of the domestic gas agreement. This is the beginning of fruitful relationship between Dangote Fertilizer Limited, Chevron Nigeria Limited and other parties. I am excited that this is happening during my term in office. You cannot imagine my satisfaction in having this contract signed at this time, he said. Head, Gas Monitoring & Regulation Division, DPR, Sanya Bajomo, said: I am glad that GACN, Chevron and Dangote have signed this gas supply agreement. I want to say that this gas supply agreement is an issue of national interest and what happened today is going to be transmitted to the presidency. I believe everybody is going to benefit from this agreement when the fertilizer plant starts operation. Partager et informez vous aussi...... 1 shares Share Tweet LinkedIn Articles similaires Africa Trade Desk is the latest member to join the Canada Africa Chamber of Business. Africa Trade Desk is a one-stop boutique consulting firm for Canadian and international companies, investors, and entrepreneurs that want to do business in Africa and vice versa. They believe that diversified trade is the key to a sustained post-pandemic economic recovery. In February 2023, Africa Trade Desk is hosting its inaugural East African Trade Mission to Nairobi, Kenya. East Africa has been the continents fastest-growing region in recent years and the only one in Africa (https://bit.ly/3dZzJSI) to have avoided a recession during the pandemic. Prior to the pandemic, projected GDP growth was above 5% , with several countries consistently ranking as the fastest-growing economies. Kenyas GDP accounts for more than 50% of the regions total and had a 7.5% growth rate in 2021. This growth has been fueled by an emerging middle class coupled with an increased demand for high-value goods and services. In the first quarter of 2022, the growth rate was 6.8% , with the region being predicted to have bullish growth rates into the future. The significance of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) also cannot be overstated. It is the worlds largest new free trade area since the establishment of the WTO and encompasses 1.3 billion people, with a combined GDP valued at $3.4 trillion USD . Kenya is one of the largest economies in the AfCFTA and your gateway to the newest emerging economies. Now is the time to grow your business and Kenya is your entry point to the region. Partager et informez vous aussi...... 0 shares Share Tweet LinkedIn Articles similaires A Statesville teen reportedly abducted early Wednesday was found safe in Virginia, authorities said. The 17-year-old boy was restrained and abducted around 11 a.m. Wednesday from a home on West Iredell Circle near Statesville, according to the Iredell County Sheriffs Office. The group left the area in a van with a Maine license plate. In a Facebook post, the sheriffs office originally called the situation a parental abduction. Authorities are working to determine what charges the suspects could face. This story will be updated as more information becomes available. WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump said Thursday that he will issue a new executive order on immigration by next week, and Justice Department lawyers asked a federal appeals court to hold off on taking action in the legal battle over his initial travel ban until that order is in place. In a news conference at the White House, Trump said the new order would "comprehensively protect our country," and he hinted that it might contain new vetting measures for travelers. Trump's first order temporarily barred refugees and citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the U.S., ostensibly so officials could review and tighten screening procedures. "Extreme vetting will be put in place, and it already is in place in many places," Trump said. He said the administration "had to go quicker than we thought" because a federal appeals court refused to lift the suspension on his travel ban. A new executive order would not necessarily end the litigation over Trump's travel ban - particularly if it were not a dramatic departure from the original directive. Justice Department lawyers, though, seemed to think it would have a major impact. In a court filing Thursday, they urged a federal appeals court to delay reconsidering a three-judge panel's decision to freeze the travel ban because a new order was coming. "Rather than continuing this litigation, the President intends in the near future to rescind the Order and replace it with a new, substantially revised Executive Order to eliminate what the panel erroneously thought were constitutional concerns," the lawyers wrote. "In so doing, the President will clear the way for immediately protecting the country rather than pursuing further, potentially time-consuming litigation." Trump could make clear that his order no longer applies to green-card holders - who probably have the strongest case to sue in U.S. courts - or he could craft an order that applies only to people who have not yet applied for visas. But a three-judge panel with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit said even those modifications would not necessarily convince them to lift a suspension on the ban, because such changes would not help U.S. citizens who "have an interest in specific noncitizens' ability to travel to the United States." Lee Gelernt, the deputy director of the ACLU's national Immigrants' Rights Project who is involved in another legal challenge to Trump's order in federal court in New York, said it was difficult to assess a new order without seeing it, "but I think any type of ban is going to be legally problematic, and I also don't think that the taint of religious discrimination is going to go away." Trump's executive order, signed Jan. 27, barred refugees from entering the country for 120 days; citizens of Iraq, Iran, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen and Libya for 90 days; and citizens of Syria indefinitely. A federal judge in Seattle first ordered Trump's ban be suspended Feb. 3, and the three-judge panel with the 9th Circuit last week unanimously rejected the administration's request to undo that freeze. That left Justice Department lawyers with two options in the short-run: rush immediately to the Supreme Court, or ask the full 9th Circuit to take up the matter in what is known as a rehearing "en banc." They had yet to make a choice when a judge on the 9th Circuit asked the judges to take a vote on their own, and the circuit's chief judge asked the parties to file by Thursday their positions on the matter. The Justice Department, representing the Trump administration, argued in their filing that the three-judge panel was wrong, but - given that a new executive order was coming anyway - the 9th Circuit should hold off on taking up the matter en banc. The states of Washington and Minnesota, which are suing over the ban, also argued against en banc consideration, but they asserted that the three-judge panel got it right. At issue so far has not been whether Trump's travel ban is ultimately legal - though that has been part of the consideration. The judges have only been asked to consider whether national security concerns necessitate an immediate restoration of the travel ban, when weighed against the economic and other harms Washington and Minnesota say it is imposing on their states. The president has broad authority to set immigration policy, but federal judges across the country have ruled against Trump's particular travel ban. This week, a federal judge in Virginia handed down perhaps the most stinging rebuke of the executive order, declaring that there was evidence that it was motivated not by national security concerns but instead by "religious prejudice" toward Muslims. Researchers at the University of British Columbia have developed an implantable device designed to release a drug when triggered by an external magnet. The amount of the drug thats the implant ejects into the body can be controlled by using different strength magnets. Such technology may be of particular use in treating localized conditions to prevent the drug from spreading too easily through the rest of the body. The device consists of a sponge made from silicone that has a coating made from magnetic carbonyl iron particles. A drug in liquid form is injected into the implant, which absorbs it and keeps it secure. After its implanted into the patient, a strong enough magnetic field can pull on the coating, squeezing the sponge within an releasing the drug. The dosage of the drug released during each treatment can be controlled by applying different magnets over the skin near the site of the implant. The new device is yet to be tested on humans, but so far in animal tissues it demonstrated accurate repeated drug delivery and subsequent effectiveness of the medication. Specifically, the team tested docetaxel, a chemo agent, showing that it works just as well coming out of the new implant as when delivered fresh. Heres a short video showing the implant in action: Study in journal Advanced Functional Materials: Active Regulation of On-Demand Drug Delivery by Magnetically Triggerable Microspouters Via: University of British Columbia by Philip Rosenstein , February 15, 2017 BHD, a Vietnamese broadcast and digital video company, has tapped SpotX to power the monetization of its content on a global scale. Through its partnership with SpotX, BHD advertisers will have the opportunity to buy inventory across BHDs portfolio both programmatically and through automated direct buys. BHD will sell inventory on desktop, mobile, set-top boxes and CTV. Further, BHD will be able to manage content placed across third-party sites. Programmatic will help us scale our operation significantly in the rapidly developing Vietnamese market as well as across global opportunities, stated a BHD spokesperson. Vietnam is quickly becoming one of the highest video-consuming countries in the Asia region. We will deploy advanced ad-serving techniques and programmatic enablement to decrease latency and maximize yield across the countrys rapidly growing online video audience. BHDs activities include production, cinema exhibition, paid TV channels and video-on-demand services. by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, February 15, 2017 Privacy compliance company Evidon has sold the ad-blocker Ghostery to the search engine and browser developer Cliqz GmbH, a German company owned by Hubert Burda Media and Mozilla. Evidon, which re-branded as Ghostery in 2014, is now resuming use of the Evidon brand name. The company intends to focus on helping businesses comply with privacy rules, including Europe's relatively tough General Data Protection Regulation, and upcoming e-Privacy legislation, as well as the U.S. ad industry's voluntary self-regulatory program. "We felt the best way for Ghostery to achieve its maximum value and Evidon, separately, to achieve its maximum value, was not to be owned by the same company any more," Evidon CEO Scott Meyer said Wednesday. "This lets Ghostery be inside a parent company that is 100% focused on business-to-consumer solutions, and is an opportunity for us to focus 100% on business-to-business." Mozilla purchased a minority stake in Cliqz last August. At the time, Mozilla stated that Cliqz's "privacy-by-design architecture technology guarantees that no personal data or personally identifiable information is transmitted or saved on its servers." Evidon will continue to serve as one of two companies that licenses the Digital Advertising Alliance's AdChoices icon -- the centerpiece of the industry's self-regulatory privacy program. The AdChoices licenses account for around 45% of Evidon's current enterprise business, Meyer says. Evidon's business-to-business enterprise services, including helping advertisers comply with global privacy rules, accounts for the other 55%. Privacy compliance currently appears to be a field ripe for growth, especially given Europe's relatively stringent data protection laws. Jules Polonetsky, CEO of the industry-funded think tank Future of Privacy Forum, says that some of the savviest companies are now "investing in the technologies needed for better data management and privacy compliance." Evidon retained ownership over a key piece of Ghostery's intellectual property -- its database of domains that serve third-party ads and trackers. Ghostery's ad-blocking extension relies on that script library to enable users to block ads and trackers. The Better Business Bureau's online accountability program, which enforces the industry's self-regulatory privacy code, also uses the script library to investigate companies' privacy practices. Evidon is licensing the script library back to Ghostery, but Cliqz is prohibited from using the database in anything other than Ghostery or Cliqz branded products, according to Meyer. "It can't be used in a Mozilla product or licensed out to anyone else," Meyer says. In the past, Ghostery licensed its domain database to the developer of ad blocker Peace -- a $2.99 app that skyrocketed o the top of Apple's paid app list after it was released in 2015. Several days after the app was released, the developer pulled it from the iTunes store. Meyer said at the time that Peace's approach "doesn't give the user the level of granularity and control that we think is consistently with the Ghostery brand." Ghostery also collects data from users who have opted in to the company's panel. The company will license that aggregated panel data back to Evidon, Meyer says. Ad requests containing location data are booming, new research suggests. From 2015 to 2016, such requests rose 170%, according to mobile ad exchange Inneractive, which based the findings on an analysis of its own mobile ad traffic. Last year, the firm also found a 20% increase in eCPM for ad requests that included GPS data, among five of its top publishers. In total, Inneractive said it examined their mobile ad traffic based on around 800 million unique monthly users, worldwide, and more than 2.5 million ad requests processed every minute. The company then considered parameters such as bid depth, win bid, clear rate and eCPM for five of its top publishers over the course of a year to measure ad performance. While promising, mobile ad location data remains a controversial subject. Late last year, ad industry veteran Jeff Devlin told Forbes that up to 90% of such data is inaccurate. Meanwhile, Inneractive found an increase of 133% in video ad requests, while banner ads remained popular -- with eCPM growing by 81%. The number of programmatic private deals created between April and December 2016 grew 500%, while revenue from private deals, during the same time period, grew 1,300, according to the ad exchange. Also of note, the number of bid requests in China grew by 33% and eCPM nearly doubled, as the rise in demand has allowed Chinese publishers to raise the prices for their traffic. by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, February 15, 2017 Siding with ABC, Yahoo and other media companies, a federal judge in Manhattan has dismissed copyright infringement lawsuits brought by a man who live-streamed his son's birth on Facebook. The decision, issued Wednesday by U.S. District Court Judge Lewis Kaplan, brings an end to a series of lawsuits filed by Kali Kanongataa. Last May, Kanongataa drew worldwide attention when he streamed his son's birth through Facebook Live. ABC's "Good Morning America" ran an item about the stream and showed a brief, 22-second excerpt of the 45-minute video. A snippet of the video also appeared on Yahoo (which has a partnership with ABC), NBC Universal and other companies. Kanongataa later said he thought his family in the Polynesian island Tonga would be able to view the video, but didn't expect it to be seen by the public at large. The media companies urged Kaplan to dismiss the complaints on the grounds that they had a "fair use" right to show a portion of the clip in conjunction with an item about the growth of live-streaming. "This case presents a textbook example of a fair use," ABC and Yahoo wrote in papers filed with Kaplan last November. "ABC reported and commented on a socially significant and newsworthy event: the phenomenon of a couple using the Facebook Lives program to publicly broadcast their sons birth on the Internet." Kaplan ordered the cases closed on Wednesday. He didn't spell out his reasoning in a written decision. by Ted McConnell , Featured Contributor, February 16, 2017 15 years ago, the Pew Research Center opined that there was no evidence of information bubbles. We had asked because we suspected that the human proclivity to select self-validating conversations would find fertile ground in (then-nascent) social media. 15 years on, the information bubble concept has found popular appeal as echo chambers. The idea is that as people define the filters on their communications using online channels, they inevitably filter out points of view they might disagree with. This includes who we friend or follow. The result, for each individual, is the illusion that society generally agrees with his or her worldview. From Wikipedia:In The Filter Bubble, [Eli] Pariser warns that a potential downside to filtered searching is that it closes us off to new ideas, subjects, and important information and creates the impression that our narrow self-interest is all that exists. My own news feed, for example, is an orgy of liberal self-validation, and I like it! For some reason, though, I am reticent to quibble publicly with points of view there. No one wants to alienate their tribe. It seems reasonable that, in a social context, the bubble does more than sharpen opinion; it seems also to dull dissent. Dialogue has devolved into infotainment. All this has implications for the dissemination of information in general, how it becomes public opinion, and the extent of peoples willingness to assimilate diverse points of view. Bubbles presumably impact how any communication is digested, including advertising. Education Education might be defined as a process for communicating ideas, and imbuing students with tools to evaluate them. The great thing about the ideas we get from our education is that they do not consider our bias. They reflect, instead, the bias of another person or process, ostensibly with our best interests in mind. In that sense, its editorial. Education injects information and ideas we did not ask for, and may not agree with. It imparts the ability to deconstruct and evaluate any idea. But critical thinking is like muscle memory, and living in a comfortable bubble of prepackaged, pre-validated reasoning surely engenders atrophy. News News is like education inasmuch as it packages facts and opinion, promulgated by an external party that ostensibly has the best interests of the reader in mind. However, unlike education, it suits the profit goal of a news outlet to write what sells media. So, pandering to an audience, even a high-minded audience, is part and parcel. With Web distribution, articles can be atomized, excerpted, and distributed to any audience by a third party. News gets coopted into any bubble it might reinforce, context notwithstanding. And social media is an amplifier with bad distortion. In hindsight, fake news was a predictable outcome of the infinite granularity of facts, fragmented news brands, and the universal ability to take any factoid out of context and distribute it. Advertising Advertising, like education, imparts information we didnt know and may not need. Unlike education, though, the agenda of the sender is to change a specific behavior. Also unlike education, advertising aspires to find and then contact specific bubble occupants. When the echo chamber lights up, we celebrate. However, in advertising we are required by law to be truthful. Can you imagine what would happen to social publishing or politics if all claims were held to that standard? Sure, we can load our messages with emotional (ergo unverifiable) subtext, but at least if we say it kills germs, the law says it must kill germs. Politics Political rhetoric, like advertising, aspires to change our behavior (vote). Politics, though, are comfortably amoral, inasmuch as the goal of the persuasion can be anything, and truth is not a legislated requirement. Actors can ruthlessly deploy the tools of advertising and persuasion, shape the perception, and push it into an echo chamber. Unbridled use of our tools is dangerous enough in the hands of those seeking power, but bubbles make it worse. Anyone can harvest, deconstruct, annotate, and distribute any fact. That blows up context, allowing for fact-based conclusions designed to resonate with a particular bubble. Like sound waves in a gym, time separates an event from its echo, leaving behind only random overtones as a version of what happened. Perhaps facts are not dead but distorted, because all we hear is the echo. MINNEAPOLIS Feb. 16, 2017 Minnesota Brian Beh Hooman Hakami Sharon Murphy Garber Russ Becker Charlie Maxwell, Jr. Irv Kessler Silver Bay Minnesota Theresa Pesch Brian Beh , President and Principal, First Light Asset Management Brian Beh initially became involved with Children's Minnesota nearly 17 years ago when his daughter was diagnosed with AML Leukemia at just 10 weeks old. She spent six months receiving inpatient care at Children's and went into remission after her first round of chemotherapy. Today, she is a healthy high school junior. Following this experience, Mr. Beh and his family helped raise funds for Children's through multiple events. More recently, Mr. Beh served on the Cancer and Blood Disorders task force which raised $2 million for the program. He also recently joined Children's investment committee. Professionally, Mr. Beh has 30 years of experience in the investment industry and currently serves as president and principal for First Light Asset Management, where he oversees the marketing and client services functions. Before joining First Light, Mr. Beh served as chairman and chief executive officer of Roxbury Capital Management, a $3 billion Minneapolis -based firm, where he was instrumental in making Roxbury a nationally recognized, multi-product, institutionally focused investment organization. Hooman Hakami , Executive Vice President, Medtronic Hooman Hakami is the executive vice president and group president of Medtronic Diabetes where he provides overall strategic direction and operational management of the Diabetes group's three global business units. He also serves as a member of Medtronic's Executive Committee. Mr. Hakami came to Medtronic after more than 20 years at General Electric where he last served as president and CEO of Detection & Guidance Solutions of GE Healthcare. In that role he led that company's business specializing in x-ray based technology solutions. Previously he served as president and CEO of GE's Interventional Systems business based in France , and the Global Clinical Systems Services for GE Healthcare. Sharon Murphy Garber , Community Volunteer Sharon Murphy Garber is a dedicated volunteer and supporter of Children's Minnesota . Over the past 27 years she has held a number of volunteer leadership roles. Ms. Murphy Garber currently serves as chair of Children's Pain, Palliative Care and Integrative Medicine task force. She also co-chaired Children's 2016 Shine Bright Bash, which raised funds for Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Program, and will co-chair the event again in 2017. Ms. Murphy Garber previously served as president and communications chair of The Children's Association Minneapolis , an organization dedicated to raising funds to support Children's Minnesota. Ms. Murphy Garber has also experienced Children's as a patient family as her son has been treated for severe asthma by the Pulmonary & Respiratory program at Children's for nearly two decades.In addition to her support of Children's, Ms. Murphy Garber is a board member of the Minnetonka Public Schools Foundation, vice president for the Midwest Interscholastic High School Sailing Association and board director for the National Interscholastic High School Sailing Association. She also volunteered for Como Zoo for more than 40 years. Russell Becker, chair Charles Maxwell, Jr. , vice chair , vice chair Irv Kessler , treasurer , treasurer J. Hayes Batson Brian Beh Karen Benz Gary Blackford Jay Cavanagh Michael Ciresi Shannon Evenstad Greg Frankenfield Lynn Freeman Scott Gill Greg Goven Hooman Hakami Steve Hockett Thomas Keller, III Matt Majka David Miller Sharon Murphy Garber Donna Roback Patrick Ryan Sharyl Sicoli Judith Wright Robert Bonar, Jr. , Dr. H.A. , Dr. H.A. Theresa Pesch Minnesota Minnesota the United States Minnesota Madeline Riggs Minnesota /PRNewswire/ -- Children'sannounced today that business and community leadersandhave joined its Foundation board, which is dedicated to raising funds to advance pediatric health care.Additionally, Children's announced new officers of its Foundation board:, CEO and president of APi Group, Inc., has been named chair;, chairman and CEO of Meristem Family Wealth, will serve as vice chair; and, chairman ofand partner of Provident Real Estate Ventures, will serve as treasurer.It has been five years since Children'sestablished its Foundation board to help generate philanthropic support for the hospital."It is an honor to add these exceptional individuals to the Children's Foundation board," said, president, Children's Minnesota Foundation. "We are excited to draw from their expertise and collaborate with them to continue to raise the standard for pediatric health throughout the region."With vast experience in their given professions, the new board members bring indispensable knowledge and expertise to the Children's Minnesota Foundation:With the new and renewing board members, the 2017 Foundation board includes the following members:Children's Hospitals and Clinics ofis the seventh largest pediatric health system inand the only health system into provide care exclusively to children, from before birth through young adulthood. An independent and not-for-profit system since 1924, Children's serves kids throughout the Upper Midwest at two free-standing hospitals, 12 primary and specialty-care clinics and six rehabilitation sites. Children's maintains its longstanding commitment to the community to improve children's health by providing high-quality, family-centered pediatric services and advancing those efforts through research and education. This work is made possible in large part by generous philanthropic and volunteer support from individuals and organizations throughout the state and region. An award-winning health system, Children's is regularly ranked by U.S. News & World Report as a top children's hospital. Please visit childrensMN.org., Children'sCell: 612-812-2539Madeline.riggs@childrensmn.org To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/childrens-minnesota-foundation-announces-new-board-members-300408918.html SOURCE Childrens Minnesota Israel Feb. 16, 2017 Paris, France February 15 February 16, 2017 10:10am The latest generation GlucoTrack algorithm, which compensates for the tissue-lagging effect relative to blood glucose changes post-meal intake, significantly improves GlucoTrack accuracy at different post-prandial (post-meal) states, and equalizes accuracy for pre- and post-meal glucose readings. GlucoTrack clinical accuracy as measured by Consensus Error Grid (CEG) showed 100% of the pre-prandial readings in the A+B zones, and 98.2% of the post-prandial readings in the A+B zones. February 15 GlucoTrack Model DF-F demonstrates consistent glucose measurement repeatability between different GlucoTrack devices and on each earlobe of the same subject. The repeatability of different GlucoTrack devices is similar at all tested glucose ranges and post-prandial time periods. The GlucoTrack mean precision absolute relative difference (PARD) of 8.2% is equivalent or better than the independently reported PARD values of commercially available continuous glucose monitoring systems (CGMs). Europe South Korea the United States December 31, 2015 March 30, 2016 Sami Sassoun ASHDOD,/PRNewswire/ -- Integrity Applications, Inc. (OTCQB: IGAP), maker of GlucoTrack, a noninvasive device for measuring glucose levels of people with Type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetics, announced that it is presenting this week at the 10th International Conference on Advanced Technologies & Treatments for Diabetes (ATTD 2017) inThe company presented findings from research that demonstrate the precision and accuracy of the GlucoTrack Model DF-F non-invasive glucose monitoring device.(A. Gal, A. Drexler et al., E-Poster #160, available from, 2017 and E-Poster Discussion Session, Exhibition Area,(A. Gal, A. Drexler et al., E-Poster #61, Exhibition Area, available from, 2017)The 10annual conference on Advanced Technologies and Treatments for Diabetes (ATTD) is expected to attract over 2,500 delegates from over the globe. The conference is attended by the world's leading researchers, clinical practitioners and industry/corporate professionals, and provides a forum for lively exchange of ideas and research relating to technologies, treatment and prevention of diabetes related illnesses.GlucoTrack is a non-invasive device that measures and displays an individual's glucose level in less than a minute without requiring a finger stick to draw blood.GlucoTrack features a small sensor that clips to the earlobe and measures the wearer's glucose level by taking measurements using three technologies. The measured signals are analyzed using a proprietary algorithm and displayed on a small handheld device the size of a mobile phone. The derived glucose measurement is also announced verbally, facilitating use by vision-impaired diabetes patients.GlucoTrack has received CE Mark and KFDA approvals for Type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetics, and is currently being commercialized inand other geographical areas.GlucoTrack is expected to begin clinical trials for United States FDA approval in early 2017. The product is currently experimental inand is limited to investigational use only.Integrity Applications was founded in 2001 and is focused on the design, development and commercialization of non-invasive glucose monitoring technologies for patients with diabetes and pre-diabetics. The company has developed GlucoTrack, a proprietary noninvasive glucose monitoring device designed to obtain glucose level measurements in less than a minute without the pain, incremental cost, difficulty or discomfort of conventional invasive finger stick devices. Integrity Applications operates primarily through its wholly-owned Israeli subsidiary, A.D. Integrity Applications, Ltd. For more information, please visit www.integrity-app.com and www.glucotrack.comThis news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements contained in this news release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, words such as "expect", "plan" and "will" are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned that certain important factors may affect Integrity Applications' actual results and could cause such results to differ materially from any forward-looking statements that may be made in this news release. Factors that may affect Integrity Applications' results include, but are not limited to, the ability of Integrity Applications to raise additional capital to finance its operations (whether through public or private equity offerings, debt financings, strategic collaborations or otherwise); risks relating to the receipt (and timing) of regulatory approvals (including FDA approval); risks relating to enrollment of patients in, and the conduct of, clinical trials; risks relating to its current and future distribution agreements; risks relating to its ability to hire and retain qualified personnel, including sales and distribution personnel; and the additional risk factors described in Integrity Applications' filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year endedas filed with the SEC onContact:, CFO Integrity Applications SamiS@integrity-app.com +972 (8) 675-7878 Ext. 400 To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/glucotrack-maker-presents-scientific-data-demonstrating-reliable-accuracy-and-precision-300408691.html SOURCE Integrity Applications, Inc. Advertisement Test Results After One Year Conclusion Tuberculosis The trial was conducted in a rural area outside Cape Town, where about 30,000 TB cases are reported every year.The trial involved 2,512 babies who were healthy and HIV-negative, with no known exposure to the disease.Half of the babies in the trial received the experimental vaccine and the other half received a placebo.The researchers in the trial used the, also known as QFT, to measure infection in the children. They were tested at the start of the trial and at one year and two years.The test is a type of interferon-gamma release assay, or IGRA, commonly used for TB screening. After exposing whole blood cells to the TB antigen, the assay measures the amount of interferon gamma, a type of cell-signaling protein, released by certain immune system cells.The person is considered negative for the bacteria, if the response measures less than 0.35 international units per milliliter, and a result higher than that value is considered to be positive.When the 2,512 children in the study were tested at a year, 172 of them or 6.8%, were found to be positive carriers of the bacteria, a very high rate of infection.Of these, 30 children had already been diagnosed and treated for the active disease.The research team more closely examined the remaining 142 children who tested positive but had not yet developed active TB.They found that if children had test results values between 0.35 and 4.0 international units per milliliter, only 2.5% developed the active disease.But among children with values greater than 4.0 international units per milliliter, around 28% developed active TB.Only 0.7% of those with a negative test developed TB."We found that as your value goes up, your risk goes up, and the risk really begins to accelerate after a value of 4," Andrews said.In high-risk countries like South Africa, where many young children die of the disease every year and where screening tests for TB in children are ineffective, this test could be useful."It could be highly valuable in determining which kids will develop TB disease," said Andrews, an assistant professor of medicine who is the lead author of the study."Given the high rates of TB and the difficulty of diagnosing it in kids, this can be something that could be done routinely in kids to identify the high-risk ones," he said. "You could imagine in a high-burden country that at a child's 12-month visit, they could also get a QuantiFERON test and, if it's high, they'd get aggressively investigated for TB."The World Health Organization(WHO) does not currently recommend use of this test in children, but the research team hope that these new findings will prompt changes in their decision."What we are hoping is that this will show the international community -- the WHO, CDC and those creating guidelines -- that QuantiFERON testing can be reliable in kids, and that the quantitative values may be important so we may need to look a different thresholds than we use in adolescents or adults," Andrews said.The only drawback of the test is the high cost and the requirement of well-equipped laboratory and trained personnel to perform. Though the test maybe viable in a country like South Africa, it may not be of much use in poorer countries."These new findings confirm that the IGRA test for tuberculosis infection performs differently in young children compared with adults," said Mark Hatherill, MD, senior author of the study and senior clinical researcher at the South African Tuberculosis Vaccine Initiative. "More importantly, we now know that the."The study is published online in the TB is a potentially fatal lung disease caused by. It is an airborne disease and is readily transmitted through droplets by coughing.According to infectious disease specialist Jason Andrews, MD, who has been studying the disease there for a decade, TB is the leading cause of death among adults and children in South Africa, accounting for some 8.5% of the nation's fatalities.Adults are commonly screened using sputum testing, and this method does not work in children, as they typically swallow their sputum after coughing.Children can become infected not only through parents but also through contact with other infected individuals on buses, in churches, schools or other public places.There is no effective screening tool for children, who are especially vulnerable to TB and who often show up in clinics at a later stage of the disease, when it is more difficult to treat. Around 20% of the children are infected by the bacteria developing the active disease.Source: Medindia Advertisement acute if its lasts less than four weeks subacute if it lasts from four to 12 weeks chronic is it lasts more than 12 weeks the aforementioned treatments have failed only if the potential benefits outweigh the risks for individual patients after a discussion of known risks and realistic benefits with patients reduction or elimination of low back pain improvement in back-specific and overall function, health-related quality of life, patient satisfaction reduction in work disability/return to work, global improvement, number of back pain episodes or time between episodes and adverse effects Nitin S. Damle et al. Noninvasive Treatments for Acute, Subacute, and Chronic Low Back Pain: A Clinical Practice Guideline From the American College of Physicians. Annals of Internal Medicine; (2017) DOI: 10.7326/M16-2367 Approximately one quarter of U.S. adults reported having low back pain lasting at least one day in the past three months.Low back pain is associated with high costs, including those related to health care and indirect costs from missed work or reduced productivity.In 2006, the total costs attributable to low back pain in the United States were estimated at $100 billion.Pain is categorized as:"Physicians should reassure their patients thatusually improves over time regardless of treatment," said Nitin S. Damle, MD, MS, MACP, president, ACP."Physicians should avoid prescribing unnecessary tests and costly and potentially harmful drugs, especially narcotics, for these patients." Dr. Damle added.The evidence showed that acetaminophen was not effective at improving pain outcomes versus placebo. Low-quality evidence showed that systemic steroids were not effective in treating acute or subacute low back pain.ACP recommends that for patients with, physicians and patients initially consider non-drug therapy with exercise, multidisciplinary rehabilitation, acupuncture, mindfulness-based stress reduction, tai chi, yoga, motor control exercise (MCE), progressive relaxation, electromyography biofeedback, low level laser therapy, operant therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, or spinal manipulation."For the treatment of chronic low back pain, physicians should select therapies that have the fewest harms and costs, since there were no clear comparative advantages for most treatments compared to one another," Dr. Damle said. "Physicians should remind their patients that any of the recommended physical therapies should be administered by providers with appropriate training."If non-drug therapy does not bring about the desired effect in patients with chronic low back pain, ACP recommends that physicians and patients consider treatment with NSAIDs as first line therapy; or tramadol or duloxetine as second line therapy.Opioids should be considered as a treatment option if only:"Physicians should consider opioids as a last option for treatment and only in patients who have failed other therapies, as they are associated with substantial harms, including the risk of addiction or accidental overdose," said Dr. Damle.The new guidelines are based on a systematic review of randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews published on noninvasive pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments of nonradicular low back pain.Clinical outcomes evaluated included:For radicular low back pain, the evidence was insufficient. Radicular low back pain is a result of severe nerve impingement and results in lower extremity pain, paresthesia, and/or weakness. Also the guideline does not address topical therapies or epidural injection therapies.The paper title "Noninvasive Treatments for Acute, Subacute, and Chronic Low Back Pain" is published inSource: Medindia Advertisement In place of gadolinium-based contrast agents, the researchers have found that they can produce similar MRI contrast with tiny nanoparticles of iron oxide that have been treated with a zwitterion coating. (Zwitterions are molecules that have areas of both positive and negative electrical charges, which cancel out to make them neutral overall.) The findings are being published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, in a paper by Moungi Bawendi, the Lester Wolfe Professor of Chemistry at MIT; He Wei, an MIT postdoc; Oliver Bruns, an MIT research scientist; Michael Kaul at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf in Germany; and 15 others.Contrast agents, injected into the patient during an MRI procedure and designed to be quickly cleared from the body by the kidneys afterwards, are needed to make fine details of organ structures, blood vessels, and other specific tissues clearly visible in the images. Some agents produce dark areas in the resulting image, while others produce light areas. The primary agents for producing light areas contain gadolinium.Iron oxide particles have been largely used as negative (dark) contrast agents, but radiologists vastly prefer positive (light) contrast agents such as gadolinium-based agents, as negative contrast can sometimes be difficult to distinguish from certain imaging artifacts and internal bleeding. But while the gadolinium-based agents have become the standard, evidence shows that in some very rare cases they can lead to an untreatable condition called nephrogenic systemic fibrosis, which can be fatal. In addition, evidence now shows that the gadolinium can build up in the brain, and although no effects of this buildup have yet been demonstrated, the FDA is investigating it for potential harm."Over the last decade, more and more side effects have come to light" from the gadolinium agents, Bruns says, so that led the research team to search for alternatives. "None of these issues exist for iron oxide," at least none that have yet been detected, he says.The key new finding by this team was to combine two existing techniques: making very tiny particles of iron oxide, and attaching certain molecules (called surface ligands) to the outsides of these particles to optimize their characteristics. The iron oxide inorganic core is small enough to produce a pronounced positive contrast in MRI, and the zwitterionic surface ligand, which was recently developed by Wei and coworkers in the Bawendi research group, makes the iron oxide particles water-soluble, compact, and biocompatible.The combination of a very tiny iron oxide core and an ultrathin ligand shell leads to a total hydrodynamic diameter of 4.7 nanometers, below the 5.5-nanometer renal clearance threshold. This means that the coated iron oxide should quickly clear through the kidneys and not accumulate. This renal clearance property is an important feature where the particles perform comparably to gadolinium-based contrast agents.Now that initial tests have demonstrated the particles' effectiveness as contrast agents, Wei and Bruns say the next step will be to do further toxicology testing to show the particles' safety, and to continue to improve the characteristics of the material. "It's not perfect. We have more work to do," Bruns says. But because iron oxide has been used for so long and in so many ways, even as an iron supplement, any negative effects could likely be treated by well-established protocols, the researchers say. If all goes well, the team is considering setting up a startup company to bring the material to production.For some patients who are currently excluded from getting MRIs because of potential side effects of gadolinium, the new agents "could allow those patients to be eligible again" for the procedure, Bruns says. And, if it does turn out that the accumulation of gadolinium in the brain has negative effects, an overall phase-out of gadolinium for such uses could be needed. "If that turned out to be the case, this could potentially be a complete replacement," he says.The research team included researchers in MIT's chemistry, biological engineering, nuclear science and engineering, brain and cognitive sciences, and materials science and engineering departments and its program in Health Sciences and Technology; and at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf; Brown University; and the Massachusetts General Hospital. It was supported by the MIT-Harvard NIH Center for Cancer Nanotechnology, the Army Research Office through MIT's Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies, the NIH-funded Laser Biomedical Research Center, the MIT Deshpande Center, and the European Union Seventh Framework Program.Source: Eurekalert Advertisement The NORwegian COR (NOR-COR) prevention project originates from the Department of Medicine at Drammen Hospital and is a collaboration between Drammen and Vestfold hospitals, and the Department of Behavioural Sciences in Medicine and Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo. It is investigating why patients fail to control risk factors including lipids and blood pressure after they have a cardiovascular event. This analysis examined the reasons why cardiac patients do not achieve the LDL cholesterol target.The study included 1,095 patients hospitalized with a first or recurrent coronary event or treatment (heart attack, coronary artery bypass graft, or coronary stent) who were identified from medical records at two Norwegian hospitals (Drammen and Vestfold). Sociodemographic, medical and psychosocial information was collected from medical records, an interdisciplinary self-report questionnaire, clinical examinations, and blood samples while patients were in hospital and at follow-up after two to 36 months.The impact of potential barriers on achieving the LDL cholesterol target was calculated with LDL as a dichotomous (above or below 1.8 mmol/l) and continuous variable.The researchers found that 57% of patients were not meeting the LDL target of 1.8 mmol/l at follow-up. Statin specific side effects (mainly muscle complaints), low statin adherence, and moderate- or low-intensity statin therapy were the main reasons for failing to meet the target.Patients with side effects were more than three times more likely to miss the cholesterol target than those without side effects. Those who did not take their statins were three times more likely to miss the target than patients who did take them. Patients prescribed moderate- or low-intensity statins were 62% more likely to miss the target than those prescribed high-intensity statins."We found the same three reasons for not meeting the target when LDL was analysed as a dichotomous or continous variable which confirms the strength of the associations," said Dr Munkhaugen. "Surprisingly, low socioeconomic status and psychosocial factors did not predict failure to control LDL cholesterol.""The findings show that the focus for interventions to improve LDL cholesterol control are statin side effects, and adherence to and prescription of sufficiently potent statins," he continued.Dr Munkhaugen said more research was needed on why side effects of statins had such a big effect on meeting cholesterol goals. "Patients who experience side effects are probably more likely to reduce or terminate statin use, or their doctor may prescribe a weaker drug or take them off statins altogether," he said. "Individual variations in how the body reacts to and uses the drug may also play a role."The links between non-adherence and intensity of statin therapy on LDL cholesterol are likely explained by the pharmacological effects of the drug. "Not taking the prescribed amount of statins or being prescribed a weaker statin means there is less drug in the body to act and lower LDL," said Dr Munkhaugen."The reasons for statin non-adherence are a complex interaction between factors related to the patient and the healthcare system," he added. "Interventions aiming to improve statin adherence have been a priority in recent years, but the success has been modest and short-lived."The study found that the use of high-intensity statins was significantly more frequent in patients who achieved the cholesterol target. But Dr Munkhaugen said: "The relationship with adherence and side effects needs to be clarified before advice can be given about the potency of statins that should be prescribed. Our findings point to the need for more research on ways to ensure adherence and prescription of sufficiently potent statins, while at the same time addressing side effects."Source: Eurekalert At the age of seven, while some of us were still eating mud, kids today are unlocking iPhones in seconds. While we were scraping glue from our palms, these kids are creating beautiful artwork. When we were jumbling words and making poems out of them, one girl was contemplating her career and dreaming of a job with Google. Well, there are no points for guessing that todays generation is way smarter than we were at their age. Twitter Chloe Bridgewater from Hereford, UK, might look like any other regular seven-year-old but her aspirations make her stand out from the crowd. Settling for nothing less than Google, she sent a letter to the Google Boss and her letter gives us an insight to all the big dreams she is housing in her mind. From working in a chocolate factory, swimming in the Olympics games to working with Google, her priorities are making us fall for her wit and charm. Twitter But, what happened next was something totally unexpected and amazing to say the least. Her letter reached the right destination and Chloe got a response from none other than Sundar Pichai, Googles CEO. Maybe we should try sending our resumes to him. Who knows he might accept it (or at least notice it). Facebook Chloes father, Andy Bridgewater shared Pichais post on LinkedIn and after his response, she is all the more pumped up about chasing her dreams and doing well in school. Its amazing to see how sorted kids today are when it comes to thinking about their career and future. When our professors asked us, What do you want to become in life? most of us had teacher or doctor as the preferred option. But this generation has their minds set on professions like astronauts, painters, musicians or even psychologists for that matter and this intellectual awakening is whats making us proud of our upcoming generation. Source: The Indian Express We unequivocally condemn the terrorist attacks carried out today in Baghdad and in the city of Sehwan, in southern Pakistan, causing the deaths of dozens of innocent civilians. We express our support and sincere condolences to the families of the victims. BAD AXE Farmers that sign up to have their property turned into commercial solar farms cannot keep that land in the states Farmland Preservation program. Rich Harlow, Farmland Preservation Program manager for the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development, told the Tribune on Wednesday that farmers would no longer be eligible for tax credits through Public Act 116 if they sign solar contracts. Meanwhile, Huron County officials are working to come up with a solar power ordinance to govern that particular land use. It would behoove us to have a good ordinance in place soon, Commissioner John A. Nugent told the Huron County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday. Questions that came up during the boards discussion included whether farms would be able to remain in the PA 116 program. Huron County ranks No. 1 in Michigan for acreage enrolled in PA 116 with 343,352 acres of the countys 535,040 acres of farmland enrolled. The state has 3.3 million acres enrolled, Harlow said. Huron County accounts for more than 10 percent of the states total PA 116 acreage. If a landowner wants to take their land out of PA 116 to turn it into a solar farm, they must pay back the past 7 years worth of tax credit, Harlow added in a telephone interview. The land for the solar farm would then have to be rezoned to commercial or industrial to accommodate that use, he said. They would also have to put a percentage of the farm on a permanent conservation easement if the PA 116 rezoning were recent. If 30 acres of a 100 acre farm were set aside for solar, 60 acres would have to be put on a permanent conservation easement, Harlow said. Board Chair Sami Khoury also asked what the taxable value of solar farms would be, and which depreciation schedule would be used. There are two 250-acre solar developments in the city limits of Lapeer. Nugent recently contacted Lapeer city manager Dale Kerbyson regarding the citys solar projects. Those projects, of which the city is the lease holder, will bring Lapeer and its schools millions of dollars in revenue over the life of the project, Nugent said. Officials have said that $800 an acre will be paid to farmers who sign solar contracts, which is more than they earn from farming. But officials warn that as with wind energy contracts, people need to be aware of what they are signing up for. The bottom line is, I told the people, if you dont want them, dont sign the agreement, Bodis said. If you sign an agreement, and it happens, and you dont like it, thats your problem. Numerous county residents have sought to opt out of their wind contracts. The Legislative Committee met after the regular board adjourned to further discuss the solar issue. Commissioner Steve Vaughan powers his home with solar energy. They say its worth X-number of dollars, Vaughan said to the committee. I know what it costs to build one. Are they going to build this, and then theyre going to come back in and say, Oh no. Its not worth $100 million. Its only worth 25 (million). Is that going to be an issue? Because I know how they have inflated the price of this stuff. He added that the taxation schedule will be based on what it costs per watt to build the facility. The committee discussed enlisting corporate counsel Steve Allen to write an ordinance, as well as the formation of an ad hoc committee consisting of citizens, planners and other officials. I think we need to put something together and then send it to the planning commission, Nugent said. I think we should have an ordinance fleshed out. We cant wait two or three years, Nugent said, referring to the process by which the county wind energy ordinance came about. County officials have a sample solar ordinance from Warren, which Vaughan called vague. Does anybody know how soon this company would like to develop? Vaughan asked. Nugent and the third committee member, David G. Peruski, each answered with a No. The company is Cypress Creek Renewables of Arizona. County Building and Zoning Director Jeff Smith informed the board last month that local landowners have signed contracts with Cypress. The company has requested that the county devise a large-scale commercial solar ordinance. Several landowners and their attorneys have reached out to Smith. Joseph V. Micallef is a best-selling military history and world affairs author, and keynote speaker. Follow him on Twitter@JosephVMicallef. Geography matters. Geography has always mattered. Technology can shape how military forces interact with geography to define the battlespace. Planes can fly over tall mountains, ships can cross great oceans, intercontinental missiles can do both. But technology notwithstanding, the geographic reality remains the same. The mountains are still tall, the oceans still broad. On Jan. 18, a train loaded with containers pulled into the Deutsche Bahn (DB) Cargo UK's London Eurohub terminal in Barking. It was one of dozens of freight trains that pulled into the Eurohub terminal that day. This particular train, however, had originated in Yiwu in the eastern Chinese province of Zhejiang. The train, loaded with textiles and consumer goods, had traveled the 7,200-mile route in 18 days -- half the time it takes to ship containers by sea via the Suez Canal. The train was operated by InterRail Group, a Switzerland-based, multinational transport operator, on behalf of China Railway. Along the way, various railroad companies handled the shipment. DB oversaw the shipment from its terminal at Duisburg to London via the channel tunnel. The containers had to be unloaded and reloaded multiple times on railcars due to the incompatibility of the railroad gauges along the route. The shipment, the first to reach London, was the latest example of Beijing's "One Belt-One Road" initiative to develop multiple transport corridors from China's coastal cities to Western Europe. To date, trains have been dispatched to Hamburg, Madrid, Kabul and Riga. Trains have also traveled from Hamburg to the Chinese province of Hefei. It is dubbed a 21st-century "Silk Road" in reference to the complex trade routes that connected East Asia with the Middle East and Black Sea during antiquity and the Middle Age. In 2016, about 40,000 containers were shipped by rail from China to Europe. That number is expected to increase to 100,000 by 2020. By comparison, in 2014, China shipped 5.75 million containers to Europe by sea. The "One Belt-One Road" initiative is a trade, investment and policy framework proposed by Chinese Prime Minister Xi Jinping in September 2013. It is designed to create efficient transportation channels between China's coastal cities and the rest of Eurasia. The program has two separate components: a broad, land-based transportation infrastructure program consisting of pipelines, roads and high speed rail links across Asia connecting the Pacific coast with Europe's already extensive transportation infrastructure. Dubbed the "Silk Road Economic Belt," it is paralleled by an equally extensive oceangoing "Maritime Silk Road," which is anchored by extensive new port development and expansion of existing ports throughout the Indian Ocean. The "Silk Road Economic Belt" in turn would consist of three distinct prongs. A northern belt runs through Central Asia, Russia to Europe. The central belt runs across Central and West Asia to the Persian Gulf and the Mediterranean. The southern belt runs through Southeast and South Asia to the Indian Ocean. The region covered by the two initiatives ranges from East Africa to Central, South and East Asia, and encompasses the northern Indian Ocean basin. There are around 60 countries that would be involved in the "One Belt-One Road" program. Beijing has estimated that the initiative would require between $4 trillion and $8 trillion of investment to bring to fruition. In the Indian Ocean and South Asia, Chinese investment is financing the development of high-speed rail links from China's coastal cities through Myanmar to the Indian Ocean. In the meantime, Beijing is heavily involved in the development or expansion of port facilities throughout the region. In Sri Lanka for example, China has supplied more than $5 billion in development aid and loans, and has pledged another $10 billion in investment over the next three years. China Merchants Port Holdings has acquired an 80 percent interest in Sri Lanka's port of Hambantota and leased for 99 years an additional 15,000 acres surrounding the port. China has also invested an additional $1.4 billion in developing infrastructure in Colombo's port -- Sri Lanka's capital city and main port facility. Additional Chinese investment includes $45 billion in various investments in Pakistan, the lion's share of which is devoted to the development of a new Indian Ocean port at Gwadar. China has also leased a small island in the Maldives for 50 years in return for a $4 million payment. More important, Beijing is building its first overseas base in Djibouti, East Africa, at the juncture of the Red Sea with the Indian Ocean. The initiative would integrate the Eurasian and Indian Ocean region into a cohesive economic zone by combining an extensive program of transportation infrastructure, resource development, cultural and political exchanges with expanded trade. Many of the countries in Central and Southeast Asia are already investors in the Chinese organized Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. The success of the Chinese initiative would pose far-ranging implications for the geopolitics of Eurasia and the Indian Ocean, and represent a significant shift in the economic balance of power in the world, with immediate consequences to the political and eventually military balance as well. China's "One Belt-One Road" initiative shows intriguing similarities to a geopolitical strategy first articulated by the British geographer and politician Sir Halford John Mackinder in 1904. Called the "Geographical Pivot of History" or the "Heartland Theory," Mackinder argued that the world's geography could be divided into a "world island" that consisted of the interlinked continents of Europe, Asia and Africa;" the "offshore islands" of Great Britain and Japan; and the "outlying islands," comprised of the island continents of Australia, North America and South America. The World-Island contained the bulk of the world's population and resources. It was the largest region and theoretically the richest. At the center of the World-Island was the Heartland, an area stretching from the Volga to the Yangtze and from the Himalayas to the Arctic Ocean. Per Mackinder, the development of railroads had made it possible, for the first time in history, for a single power to dominate the Heartland and, given the Heartland's resources and central position, dominate the World-Island. And by doing so, become the world's pre-eminent power. Mackinder believed that Eastern Europe was the key to controlling the Heartland. He summed up his strategic vision thus: "Who rules East Europe commands the Heartland;" "Who rules the Heartland commands the World-Island;" "Who rules the World-Island commands the world." The Heartland was impervious to sea power. Arctic ice in the north, mountains and deserts in the south shielded it. Prior to the development of railroads, the vastness of the Heartland had made it impossible for a single land power to dominate it. Throughout history, great empires had tried, the Persians under Cyrus and his sons, Greeks under Alexander, Arabs under the Abbasids and later dynasties, and the Mongols. For much of the 19th century, the Russian and British Empires sparred for control of this region in what historians have called the Great Game. Mackinder's geo-strategic theory was deeply rooted in the late 19th century's view of global politics. It was, in a sense, the "domino theory" of his time. Control of the Heartland would in time pave the way for global domination. The rising power of the new world was not yet manifest and still counted for little in global affairs. In Mackinder's view, Russia, or whomever controlled the Heartland, posed the greatest threat to the British Empire. Against such a formidable land power, British sea power would be insufficient to create a countervailing force. Continued Russian expansion across Asia would inevitably bring Russian control of the entire Eurasian continent. At the time, Mackinder saw three possible actors that could potentially dominate the Heartland. These were: Germany, by successfully first dominating Eastern Europe, the gateway to the Heartland, and by then conquering the Russian Empire. A German-Russian alliance. Historically this was not unprecedented. Catherine II (The Great) and Frederick of Prussia had, their personal animosities notwithstanding, forged an alliance and successfully dismembered the Polish-Lithuanian kingdom; in the process dividing between themselves most of Eastern Europe. A Sino-Japanese Empire that would expand westward, absorbing the Russian Empire in the process. Mackinder's thesis was in one sense obsolete from the beginning. The year after he published his theory, Great Britain and Russia signed the Anglo-Russian Convention, putting aside their differences to form, with France, an anti-German alliance. Nonetheless, Mackinder's theories enjoyed wide acceptance and influence for the next half-century. During the Second World War, Frank Capra's Oscar-winning documentary series "Why We Fight," which he produced for the U.S. government, drew heavily on Mackinder's theories to explain to U.S. GIs why the U.S. had entered the war against Germany, as well as why American aid to the Soviet Union was crucial to the war effort. Capra, using the exact vocabulary that Mackinder had used, explained how Nazi control of the Heartland was a threat to the United States and would lead to Berlin's control of the World-Island, and eventually global hegemony. Mackinder's theory, although it was never explicitly stated as such, was also part of the intellectual underpinnings of George Kennan's "Long Telegram," where he set out the strategy of "containment" of Soviet expansionism. The parallels between Mackinder's theory and China's "One Belt-One Road" initiative can be overdrawn. It's not as if Beijing has suddenly drawn inspiration from a long dead British geopolitical strategist. China's economic and diplomatic initiative is grounded in the need for Beijing to ensure its access to vital raw materials, as well as its access to foreign markets for its manufacturing output. The "Silk Road Economic Belt" and the "Maritime Silk Road" is a parallel, redundant strategy to ensure the success of that initiative. No, China is not looking to control or even dominate the World-Island, but the economic success of the "One Belt-One Road" strategy will likely presuppose a degree of political and diplomatic influence that China has not had in this region since the heyday of the Mongol Empire. It is a strategy that is incompatible with Russian interests and one that would pose, in time, a strategic threat to the U.S. as well. It also underscores the fact that, even now, a century later, notwithstanding successive technological revolutions and a complete reshuffling of the world's major powers -- geography still matters. -- If you would like to submit your own commentary, please send your article to opinions@military.com for consideration. If the Marine Corps gets its requested 12,000-troop boost to reach an end strength of 194,000, its elite special operations command will be growing too, the commander of MARSOC said Tuesday. And that growth could be the most significant manpower increase within U.S. Special Operations Command in some time. Speaking to an audience at the National Defense Industrial Association's Special Operations/Low Intensity Conflict conference near Washington, D.C., Maj. Gen. Carl Mundy III said the command needs to grow to sustain its deployment tempo and give operators adequate time at home. "We would call it getting healthy and fixing the force and getting MARSOC to a level commensurate to the original vision of where we need it to be," he said. "There are certain parts of the MARSOC community that are stressed more than others. We want that capability so we can get a little more balanced in our ability to provide forces downrange." The prospect of growth within SOCOM is significant as the entire command has been subject to a personnel cap of 69,700 that took effect in 2013 as part of the Budget Control Act. Lt. Gen. Thomas Trask, vice commander of SOCOM, said it had been on track to grow to between 72,000 and 73,000 troops and civilians when the troop caps took effect, essentially freezing topline growth for four years and counting. Still, Trask said, it was a better deal than was offered to the services -- a number of which, including the Marine Corps, had to shrink significantly. But of all the special operations component commands, MARSOC may be the best candidate to get bigger, he said. With an end strength of 2,742, including roughly 960 critical skills operators, MARSOC represents just 1.5 percent of the total Marine Corps Force, which stands today at 182,000. By comparison, as of fiscal 2014, the Navy's special operations component made up 2.6 percent of its military force; the Army's, 3.2 percent; and the Air Force's, 3.1 percent, according to a Government Accountability Office assessment. MARSOC, which at 11 years old is the most junior of the special operations service components, makes up about 3 percent of the SOCOM total force, but completes nearly 9 percent of the command's operations and deployments, command spokesman Maj. Nicholas Mannweiler said. Because of these factors, Trask said MARSOC is a strong candidate for growth. "We recruit for most of our specialties from the conventional services. And, in some cases, there's more recruiting ground than others, depending on the size of the service," he said. "We think our Marine Corps component is a much smaller by percentage component of their service than some of the other components. So we think there is some recruiting room inside the Marine Corps." "It's all pre-decisional," Mundy told Military.com, declining to specify what specialties are targets for prospective growth. "If the Marine Corps is going to [194,000], there is every likelihood that we would have our commensurate piece of that. We're all kind of dealing with what that would look like, what are our needs, what do we think the future requirements would be." -- Hope Hodge Seck can be reached at hope.seck@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at@HopeSeck. Camp Lejeune Town Halls Aim to Help Those Exposed to Toxic Water. Heres How You Can Go. Retired Marine Master Sgt. Jerry Ensminger made it his mission to tell the world that if they lived or served on Camp Lejeune... Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Thursday he wants to consult with allies before considering putting U.S. ground combat troops into Syria and Iraq to speed up the campaign against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. Mattis did not rule out the possibility but said, "I first want to talk to the other allies and we'll decide where we're going." Without input from the allies, Mattis said he is not "comfortable answering on my own at this point" on the issue of recommending to President Donald Trump that the U.S. commit conventional forces to Syria and Iraq. The consultations with Mideast allies are likely to begin this weekend following a security conference in Germany on Friday, Mattis said at a news conference at NATO headquarters in Brussels. "I'm going to fly from here into the Middle East," he said. "Once we know what we have in a mutual appreciation of the situation, then we'll go forward." Mattis was responding to questions on a possible option, first reported by CNN, being considered by the Pentagon to send ground troops into Syria. That option could be included in the plan to defeat ISIS that Trump directed Mattis to draw up within 30 days in an executive order signed Jan. 27. Trump has also speculated on the possibility of having the U.S. and Russian militaries coordinate efforts against ISIS in Syria, but Mattis said Thursday that Russia would have to "prove itself first" before joint military action could be feasible, The Washington Post reported. Mattis spoke after leading a defense ministers meeting at NATO headquarters in Brussels on speeding up the anti-ISIS campaign. He told defense reporters traveling with him, "We are not in a position right now to collaborate on a military level, but our political leaders will engage and try to find common ground or a way forward so that Russia, living up to its commitment, can return to a partnership of sorts here with NATO." The U.S. and Russian militaries essentially broke off contacts in 2014 after Russia annexed Crimea and began supporting separatists in eastern Ukraine. However, Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford was in Azerbaijan on Thursday to meet with his Russian counterpart, Gen. Valery Gerasimov, for the first face-to-face talks between the military leaders of the two countries since 2014. The CNN report that the Pentagon could be within weeks of announcing additional deployments of U.S. conventional troops to Syria came amid accounts from field commanders of increasing success against ISIS under the current strategy. The Iraqi Security Forces recently liberated eastern Mosul, the last remaining major stronghold of ISIS in Iraq, and are preparing assaults into western Mosul. In Syria, a combined Syrian Arab and Syrian Kurdish force under the banner of the Syrian Democratic Forces is making a steady advance against northeastern Raqqa, considered the ISIS capital. Last week, Army Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander of Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve, said he expects Raqqa and Mosul to be cleared of ISIS "within six months." However, CNN cited a defense official as saying, "It's possible that you may see conventional forces hit the ground in Syria for some period of time." Currently, there are about 5,000 U.S. troops in Iraq, mostly in a train, advise and assist role for local forces, and about 500 in Syria, mostly special operations troops who are also in a train, advise and assist role. The prospect of sending more U.S. troops into Syria raises the question of what their mission would be in a battlefield complicated by Syria's civil war and recent movements by the forces of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, backed by Russia, closer to areas where U.S.-supported rebel forces are operating. A possible mission for additional U.S. troops would be to police so-called "safe zones" for refugees, a long-standing proposal of Turkey. Trump has said previously that he would "absolutely do safe zones in Syria" as president, but Assad has rejected the idea. -- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com. Dr. David Shulkin used his first public statement as the new Veterans Affairs Department secretary on Thursday to pledge management reforms that would remove the VA from a government agency's "high risk list" for waste, fraud and abuse. "We will implement a plan that directly addresses these risks by building on the progress we have already made," Shulkin said in response to a Government Accountability Office report naming the VA as a "high risk" agency in its treatment of veterans, handling of claims and efforts to lower wait times. "VA has been working hard to function as an integrated enterprise," Shulkin said, "and I will continue to build upon the progress we've made since 2015 and accelerate the changes required to meet all of GAO's criteria for removal from the high risk list." The department was among a number of agencies, including the Defense Department, listed by government auditors as high risk because of a wide range of management issues. The GAO's biennial high risk report first listed the VA in 2015; the latest report cited a "lack of progress" by the department in implementing necessary reforms. The GAO report said improvements cited by the VA didn't go far enough to rate removal from the high risk list this year and noted ongoing issues with accountability, information technology, staff training, ambiguous policies and cost efficiency. The report raised concerns in the House and Senate on how the VA is allocating funding to initiate reforms. "While this information is not new, it certainly underscores that the Veterans Health Administration has not made enough progress towards providing quality care for our veterans," said Rep. Phil Roe, a Tennessee Republican and chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee. "As I've said time and time again, VA should have the resources necessary to serve veterans, but we must also take a close look at how the department is allocating the resources they've been entrusted," Roe said in a statement. Rep. Tim Walz, a Minnesota Democrat and ranking member of the panel, said, "It is imperative that VA and VHA leaders take this report seriously and act without delay to ensure veterans have the quality health care they expect and deserve." Sen. John McCain, an Arizona Republican and chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said the GAO report provides more evidence that veterans need the opportunity to choose private care over the VA. "This alarming report underscores the VA's inability to meet its core mission and why Congress must act to continue to allow every veteran to have a choice in their care," McCain said in a statement. In his Senate confirmation hearing, Shulkin said that full privatization of the VA would not happen "under my watch," but said he was open to providing more choice when it would improve care. In its report, the GAO said, "Every 2 years, we examine federal programs and operations that are especially vulnerable to waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement, or that need transformative change -- our High Risk List." In response to its initial designation as a high risk agency in 2015, "VA developed an action plan for addressing its high-risk designation, but the plan describes many planned outcomes with overly ambitious deadlines for completion," the GAO report said. "We are concerned about the lack of root cause analyses for most areas of concern, and the lack of clear metrics and needed resources for achieving stated outcomes," the GAO said. -- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis was urged by Turkey Wednesday to cut off U.S. support for the Syrian Kurdish militia known as the YPG, which is closing on the ISIS stronghold of Raqaa. On the sidelines of a NATO defense ministerial in Brussels, Turkish Defense Minister Fikri Isik met with Mattis to underline the long-standing position of his government that the YPG (Peoples Protection Units) was a terrorist offshoot of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which has been labeled a terror group by the U.S. Anti-terror operations cannot succeed in this way if the U.S. continues to back the YPG, Isik told Mattis, according to a Turkish defense ministry official cited by Turkeys Andalou news agency. "A terrorist organization cannot be preferred to another one." Mattis met with Isik as the YPG, widely considered the most effective rebel force in northeastern Syria, and a Syrian Arab militia fighting together as the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces continued their offensive to isolate Raqaa, the self-proclaimed capital of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. The U.S. has been arming the Syrian Arab militia but maintains that no weapons have been supplied to the YPG fighters. The U.S. and NATO-ally Turkey have been at odds on a range of issues since the failed military coup against the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan last July. Turkey has joined with Russia and Iran in attempting to negotiate a ceasefire in Syrias civil war and Turkey has continued to demand the extradition from Pennsylvania of Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, who has been blamed by Erdogan with organizing the failed coup in July. Despite Turkeys complaints, the YPG elements in the Syrian Democratic Forces were having success in the campaign against Raqaa, a U.S. coalition commander said Wednesday. In a video briefing to the Pentagon from Baghdad, British Army Maj. Gen. Rupert Jones, deputy commander of Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR), said that the YPG and the Syrian Arab militia were working hand in glove in pushing back ISIS. Were confident theyll be able to take Raqaa Jones said, despite Turkish warnings to the U.S. against allowing the YPG to enter the city on the northern bank of the Euphrates. In the separate campaign to liberate the northeastern Iraqi city of Mosul, Jones said the Iraqi Security Forces backed by the U.S. had succeeded in confiscating valuable intelligence material from ISIS in the battle for the eastern sector of the city. "I can tell you that in Mosul, a huge amount of material has been gathered," Jones said. He called ISIS a very bureaucratic organization. They keep records. It would be speculation at this stage as to what that material might lead to, but I think in all likelihood it will point to terror plots." -- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com. Navy's Warrior Transition to Include IA Reserve The U.S. Navy has expanded its Warrior Transition Program (WTP). All individual augmentees (IAs) serving in U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) or U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) will attend the Warrior Transition Program (WTP) in Sembach, Germany. Additionally, all IAs will now attend some form of WTP, either in Germany or Norfolk. The Expeditionary Combat Readiness Center (ECRC) in Sembach hosts a 3-5 day Warrior Transition Program-Third Location Decompression (WTP-TLD) program, which assists in an IA's reintegration into life out of the theater of operations. The program consists of instructional time, meeting with mental health and religious program professionals, liberty visits to local towns, and individual downtime. For more military transition tips and guides, visit the Military.com Transition Center. The Michigan Agency for Energy (MAE) has announced that nominations are now being accepted for the third annual Governor's Energy Excellence Awards. Organized by Michigan Saves, the Governor's Energy Excellence Awards honor Michigan organizations and individuals for their commitment to a brighter energy consumption future for Michigan. "This is an opportunity for someone who is committed to reducing energy waste to get highlighted," says Mary Templeton, executive director of Michigan Saves and chair of the awards steering committee. "We think it's really important to acknowledge the work because the high achievers in the state can be examples for other people who are doing good work." Nominations may be submitted online through March 31 for projects completed during 2016. There are eight award categories: Innovator of the Year--Recognizes innovation in Michigan's energy waste reduction (EWR) industry Best Communication, Education, or Program--Presented to an individual or entity committed to communicating the benefits of EWR Contractor of the Year--Presented to an EWR contractor Best Projects: Residential--Presented to a homeowner Best Projects: Agriculture--Presented to an agricultural operation Best Projects: Industrial/Manufacturing--Presented to an industrial/ manufacturing operation Best Projects: Commercial--Presented to owners or operators of commercial buildings Best Projects: Public--Presented to a public sector entity Winners will be announced in late summer. "Everyone can take steps to reduce their energy waste," says Templeton. "And it's really important because the cheapest and most effective energy we can produce is the energy that we never use." For a complete list of award rules and nomination criteria, visit: www.mienergyexcellence.org or call Michigan Saves at 517-484-6474. Click here to hear the Templeton/Heinze conversation. Greening of the Great Lakes airs every Sunday evening at 7:00 on News/Talk 760 WJR and around the state each weekend via the Michigan Talk Network. ANN ARBOR, MI - City Administrator Howard Lazarus says trying to reimburse Ann Arbor residents for the city-imposed property tax increases they incur when adding solar panels to their homes would be cumbersome. And not only that, he said, the city would lose money because a majority of the taxes collected from the increased property assessments are passed along to other entities such as the county, the library, schools and community college. So, even if the city offered rebates of some kind to residents paying solar taxes, the city still would continue passing along the majority of the taxes to those entities, and that would cost the city tens of thousands of dollars annually. And the city still isn't convinced it has leeway under state law to just not raise a residential property's assessed value when solar panels are added, even if other Michigan communities, including nearby Ypsilanti, do not. Ann Arbor officials argue the city's hands are tied by state law on the issue of solar taxes. At this point, the city's best option for removing the frustrating property tax hurdles for going solar appears to be seeking legislative change or clarification at the state level, Lazarus told the city's Energy Commission this week. "Certainly our goal is to make sure that we proceed fairly, equitably and help the state help us get to where we need to be," he said, making it clear the city does want to try to address the issue, but preferably at the state level. The administrator's remarks came as a disappointment to some who want to see the city take swift and decisive action at the local level to eliminate or offset the solar taxes that, at least in Ann Arbor, make going solar less financially appealing. "It was highly disappointing, to say the least," Mark Clevey, founder of the Ann Arbor Solar Users Network and vice chairman of the Energy Commission, wrote in an email to two City Council members on Wednesday, Feb. 15. "Gone was all talk of mitigating the negative effects of solar taxation. He noted that efforts to rebate solar taxes was too burdensome and that he was relying on the city assessor for guidance in this matter." City Assessor Dave Petrak points to a section of Michigan law that states "all property, real and personal, within the jurisdiction of this state, not expressly exempt, shall be subject to taxation." And he notes there currently is no exemption in Michigan law for solar panels on residential property. Others question whether solar panels, which might only last 25 years, should be treated as taxable property since they aren't permanent property additions. The issue has been extensively studied and discussed in recent months by members of the Energy Commission, a citizen advisory body appointed by the City Council. Clevey and others were hoping to hear some long-awaited good news from the administrator at Tuesday night's meeting. Clevey said unfortunately it seems now the city's approach will be business as usual, which means continuing to raise people's taxes for adding solar panels to their homes, with no relief from the city unless there's a change in state law. As for the hope of getting state property tax law changed to carve out a clear exemption for residential solar installations, Clevey thinks it's worth a shot, but he notes past attempts to do so have been unsuccessful in recent years. John Mirsky, another Energy Commission member who has worked with Clevey on the issue, noted now-former state Rep. Jeff Irwin introduced legislation in 2015 that went nowhere, so he doesn't expect to see different results anytime soon. Clevey said he's left feeling as if members of the Energy Commission wasted a lot of time and effort over the past year trying to help the city meet its Climate Action Plan goals, which include getting more residents to go solar. "I sense that local solar users and businesses will feel the same. This is a real gut-punch, to say the least," he wrote in an email to Jason Frenzel, the City Council's current liaison to the Energy Commission, and Chip Smith, who was the council liaison to the commission up until recently. Lazarus plans to take the issue to the City Council's policy agenda committee for discussion about lobbying for state-level changes or clarification. "While we always strive to be compliant, there is an opportunity for maybe a little bit of civil disobedience along the way," he said at one point Tuesday night. Lazarus noted the city already has taken some steps to make it easier for residents to get a permit for a solar installation in the city. "We've eliminated the need for separate building and electrical permits. Although permit holders are required to use appropriate contractors, you only have to apply for one permit," he said. "We have committed to turn those permits around in not more than 48 hours, and usually it's done within a day." He said the city also has waived or suspended permit fees for residential solar installations until the city can review its approval process, and the city has better coordinated its inspections to reduce wait times and costs while improving and clarifying the permit form to assist those seeking permits. "I think that puts us in a much better position and a lot friendlier to those who look to install systems," Lazarus said. The more complicated issue, Lazarus said, is the taxing of residential solar systems. He said the city assessor bases the assessment value on the size of the installation, specifically the rated kilowatts of installed capacity, and it works out to an increase in annual taxes of about $37 per kilowatt, or an extra $111 per year in property taxes paid by a homeowner with a 3-kilowatt rooftop array. Lazarus said he has heard concerns that the added taxes can extend the payback period to where it nearly matches the useful life of the panels and that can present a financial barrier for some residents. He said the city's staff has looked at several options to reduce the tax hurdle, most of which include collecting the taxes and then redistributing them through some mechanism. "I think those systems are cumbersome and they also put the city in the position of having to absorb the entire rebate," he said, again noting not all of the increased property taxes from solar installations go to the city. "Essentially where we are now is we have about 900 kilowatts of installed capacity, and the assessor captures an estimated $33,000 from those, but the city only benefits to the tune of $10,000," Lazarus said. "So if we were to do something where we would collect the tax and then make a rebate, we'd be responsible for the entire amount, including the assessment that goes toward schools, the county and others. So I think the best thing for us to do, and a preferable approach, is to get some relief from the state and make sure there is a consistency in how residential systems are assessed." Asked whether the city could start by rebating the $10,000 the city collects, Lazarus said that would have to go through the City Council. As for the city's limitations under state law with respect to solar taxation, Lazarus said he has not asked the city attorney for a legal opinion. "I have been guided by the advice of the city's tax assessor," he said, referring to Petrak, who argues the city has no choice but to tax solar panels. Lazarus said there are examples from other states, including Virginia, where municipalities can individually opt in to provide tax exemptions by adopting an ordinance and then not assessing the improvements. "I think that's the easiest way to go," he said. "I have spoken to a couple of our representatives. I've also spoken to people from the Michigan Municipal League and our lobbyist. And I think, from what I've heard ... there is potentially bipartisan support in the Legislature to support this approach." Over the long term, Lazarus said, that's the easiest and fairest way to remove the tax hurdles for residential solar installations. Whatever the solution, Mirsky said he thinks it's important for the city to look not only forward, but also backward to make sure residents who already had their taxes raised for going solar see some retroactive relief or rebate. "If there's something like the Virginia approach that would potentially be adopted here, we need to consider how that would be handled retroactively," he said. Clevey said commissioners are planning to go to Lansing to talk about the issue with other organizations, including the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association and the Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council. He said there have been communications with state Rep. Yousef Rabhi's office. Rabhi took over Irwin's seat representing Ann Arbor last month. "This is something that I will be looking at very closely," Rabhi said in December. "I need to learn more about this specific Issue, but ultimately one of my legislative priorities is to increase our state's renewable energy use." Clevey said the Michigan Conservative Energy Forum, led by Republican activist Larry Ward, also wants to do what's possible to increase renewable energy and is interested in better understanding the issue of solar taxation and potentially playing a role in seeking a bipartisan solution. "They seem to think an effort like this that is led from the conservative side of the House has a better chance," Clevey said. Mirsky noted more than 70 people have indicated an interest in installing solar panels on their homes through a new group purchase program announced by the city last month in partnership with the Clean Energy Coalition and a company called Geostellar, and six people have signed agreements already. Mirsky said the problem is residents who go to the program website to get custom estimates of the costs for adding solar to their homes, and the projected financial savings and payback periods, are not given information about the increase in property taxes to factor into the calculations or the possibility that their savings might be further eroded by a DTE Energy grid-usage charge of hundreds of dollars per year if state regulatory changes happen. So, Mirsky said, the numbers being provided to residents through the city-backed program are misleading and he argues that needs to be rectified. ANN ARBOR, MI - Every morning and every afternoon on school days, they're there to ensure students get across the street safely. Crossing guards are an important part of the equation when it comes to student safety around Ann Arbor schools, and they're in line for a decent pay raise. Police Chief Jim Baird presented a proposal at this week's City Council budget work session, showing nearly $86,000 in additional expenses for school crossing guards requested for next fiscal year, starting July 1. He said crossing guards make minimum wage right now, so their pay went up from $8.50 to $8.90 per hour as of Jan. 1 with the recent change in Michigan's minimum wage, which goes up again to $9.25 in 2018. Baird said there will be a resolution for City Council approval to take crossing guards up to $11 per hour starting March 5 through the end of the school year. If approved, he said, the proposed budget items for next school year are built off a rate of $12 per hour. The crossing guard positions are half funded by the police department and half funded by Ann Arbor Public Schools. "The purpose of this is to offer better compensation to a group of people that we entrust to keep our community's children safe," Baird said. "We're trying to be a little more competitive pay-wise with some of the other locations in the area." None of the additional expenses being proposed are to add more crossing guards around schools. That's not in the budget at this time. Just pay raises. The nearly $86,000 that is proposed includes $10,512 for compliance with minimum wage increases, another $49,621 on top of that for pay raises to help attract and retain crossing guards and make pay rates more competitive, plus $25,845 to adjust for the fact that an incorrect amount was budgeted before for the current number of crossing guards. The budget proposal shows the Ann Arbor school district would pay half of those costs, which works out to nearly $43,000. By state law, the Ann Arbor Police Department is responsible for hiring, training and managing school crossing guards within the city limits. Management of the crossing guard program is handled within the Special Services Unit of the AAPD and in cooperation with the school district. Last year, one permanent crossing guard and one substitute crossing guard were added to the program. There now are 17 permanent crossing guards and three substitute crossing guards stationed near Ann Arbor elementary and middle schools. AAPS Superintendent Jeanice Swift said the school district reached out to the city in previous meetings, discussing the topic of crossing guard pay and the school district's desire to increase pay rates for crossing guards. She said the district has been waiting for the City Council to approve the increase, which was agreed upon as a priority in committee discussions. Swift echoed the police chief's remarks about the new pay rates hopefully helping to attract and retain crossing guards. While no new locations for crossing guards are planned at this time, Swift said, as each school location is assessed for needs as part of coordinated efforts between the city and the school district, they will continue to monitor areas where crossing guards might be needed. Baird said the city has had recent discussions with the schools about potentially adding crossing guards in some locations. "However, these discussions are very preliminary right now," he said. "We have had some difficulty recruiting and filling our current positions, so additional locations would compound that problem. We're hoping that the pay increase will generate more interest." A recent school safety report given to the City Council by the city's staff showed two crossing guard positions vacant. Crossing guards are currently assigned near Allen Elementary, Angell Elementary, Ann Arbor Open, Ann Arbor STEAM at Northside, Bach Elementary, Bryant Elementary, Burns Park Elementary, Clague Middle School, Eberwhite Elementary, King Elementary, Lawton Elementary, Logan Elementary, Pattengill Elementary and Slauson Middle School. Angell, Ann Arbor STEAM, Bach, Eberwhite and King each have two crossing guards, while the rest each have one. There are no crossing guards for Ann Arbor's high schools, the thinking being that high school teenagers are old enough to cross the street without guards. A 16-year-old Community High School student was killed while crossing Fuller Road near Pioneer High School in October. That incident has prompted new discussions between the city and the school district about ways to improve student safety around schools, including designating school zones and lowering speed limits around school start and end times. As for the idea of adding crossing guards near high schools, Baird said the city has never done that, with the exception of the Fuller Road location recently while the city was waiting for new street lighting to be installed. Baird said there were only a handful of students crossing there each day. And, he said, high school students tend to cross where they want, as opposed to intentionally seeking out a location with a crossing guard. Zachary_Ackerman_021617_courtesy.JPG City Council Member Zachary Ackerman, joined by his canine pal Nate, pulled petitions to seek reelection at the Ann Arbor city clerk's office on Feb. 16, 2017. (Courtesy photo) ANN ARBOR, MI - While not everyone has fully recovered from 2016 yet, a new election cycle already is underway in Ann Arbor. The city will hold its final odd-year election this year before switching to a new system with four-year terms for the mayor and City Council members, who after 2017 will be up for reelection only in even years. City Council members with odd-year terms who are up for reelection this year are starting to announce their campaigns. Instead of the normal two-year terms, this time they're competing for three-year terms to put them on an even-year reelection schedule going forward. The primary takes place in August and the general election in November. Zachary Ackerman, who two years ago as a University of Michigan student pulled off a surprise win against incumbent Stephen Kunselman, pulled petitions at the city clerk's office Thursday, Feb. 16, to seek reelection to his 3rd Ward seat. He's running again as a Democrat and currently faces no opposition. He said there's still much work to be done. "We have a roads plan, but many streets remain dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists," he said. "We have rehabbed our public housing system, but we have done little to build new workforce housing -- housing for our teachers, retirees, restaurant workers, and young professionals. We have unrolled a new bus system, but have not meaningfully redesigned our major corridors to truly ease congestion. We have a stricter cleanup standard on 1,4-dioxane, but we still have a legal agreement with the polluter to win." Council Member Jack Eaton also has pulled petitions to seek reelection to his 4th Ward seat, running as a Democrat. Council Member Jack Eaton also has pulled petitions to seek reelection to his 4th Ward seat, running as a Democrat. Eaton said he thinks he has done a good job representing the priorities of 4th Ward residents, and his supporters encouraged him to run again. "I intend to continue to work on emphasizing the city's needs for well-maintained infrastructure and well-provided essential services," he said. "As the city faces ever-tightening budgets, we will need to carefully identify our priorities and work to protect the health, safety and welfare of our residents." Jaime Magiera, a 4th Ward resident who tried to unseat Eaton two years ago, is looking for a rematch and says he plans to run again this year. Diane Giannola, another 4th Ward resident who ran last year, said she's not running this year. Chip Smith, D-5th Ward, who unseated incumbent Mike Anglin to get a seat on council two years ago, also plans to seek reelection this year. Newly appointed 1st Ward rep Jason Frenzel, who recently filled a vacancy, also plans to run this year as a Democrat to keep his seat. Jane Lumm, an independent from the 2nd Ward, still hasn't announced whether she'll be seeking reelection this year. When she ran two years ago, she said it was going to be her final term, but she has since given some thought to running again. Asked recently whether she would, she still wasn't ready to give a decisive answer. Ann Arbor voters last November approved changes to the city charter that effectively double City Council terms from two years to four years and eliminate odd-year council elections, which typically see lower turnout. Ann Arbor's mayor and five council members elected in 2018 will be the first to serve four-year terms. The five council members who are elected in this year's final odd-year election will serve three-year terms, putting them up for reelection in 2020. And those who are elected in 2020 will serve four-year terms. City Council candidates who want to compete in the Aug. 8 primary must pull nominating petitions from the city clerk's office and collect at least 100 valid signatures from registered voters in their wards before returning the completed petitions to the city clerk's office by 4 p.m. April 25. So far, Ackerman and Eaton are the only two who have pulled petitions this election cycle. ANN ARBOR, MI - Three cars, including one belonging to the University of Michigan, were involved in the crash Wednesday, Feb. 15 that injured two on Huron Parkway in Ann Arbor. The crash was at 1:30 p.m. on Huron Parkway near Baxter Road in the UM north campus. Huron Parkway was closed for about three hours while police investigated the scene. Northbound Huron Parkway is closed again as of 11 a.m. Thursday for the investigation. Ann Arbor Police Sgt. Bill Clock said the drivers are a 23-year-old Ann Arbor resident, a 75-year-old Dexter resident, and a 57-year-old Chelsea resident. Huron Valley Ambulance took one person in stable condition and one person in critical condition to the hospital, said spokesman Chad French. Speed or alcohol do not appear to be factors in the crash, Clock said. The crash remains in the early stages of investigation, he said. DETROIT -- Businesses across the country closed their doors Thursday in an effort to highlight the economic and cultural impact of immigration in a demonstration dubbed "A Day Without Immigrants." And the impact was clear along one of Detroit's most vibrant business corridors, with restaurants, grocery stores, barbershops, auto shops, a dental office, a cellphone store and other shops along Vernor Highway shut down in support of the Thursday protest. Hundreds also gathered for a rally and march at Clark Park in Southwest Detroit. Freddy, Maribel and Francisco Villarreal, owners of event venue Las Manzanas Hall, said they joined the rally to show to support for Detroit's immigrant community. "I don't like discrimination," Maribel said. "I don't like anyone to disrespect us. We want to let them know we're there for them." She said the businesses that closed for the day in Southwest Detroit wanted to demonstrate their value to those who depend on their services and the broader business community. "We have to remember all of us are immigrants. We either came here as pilgrims or as slaves, or as recent immigrants, but everybody in America is an immigrant unless you're a Native American," said Adonis Flores of Michigan United, which took part in march organized by local store owner Maria Sanchez. "We cannot allow hate and racism to divide us." Thursday's "Day Without Immigrants" demonstration was not the first of its kind, but it took on a more urgent tone in response to President Donald Trump's more aggressive immigration policies. "We love America," Flores said. "We contribute to this country. We work hard. We pay our taxes. But people never notice that, only believe the lies ... We're hoping by doing this, they'll realize how similar we are to them, how much we love America and how important we are to American society." Flora Becerra of Romeo pulled her 15-year-old son Giovanni from school to rally with the Detroit crowd Thursday. "Regardless of citizenship or nationality, we are here to work to support our families," Flora said. "We're not here to kill. We're not here to steal anybody's job. We're here to make America great again. "We want to stay together. We want to fight together, we want our families to stay here, we want to work and we want to help to make America great again." MLive photographer Tanya Moutzalias contributed to this report. Harrisburgs-pep-grill-reborn-in-michigan-sign.png New bar owners Joe and Cari Vaughn in Hazel Park, Michigan, salvaged the Pep Grill's old sign, which now hangs proudly over their self-proclaimed 'dive bar' that is about to open. (Submitted PennLive photo) When Pennsylvania's state capitol lost its beloved Pep Grill in 2013, it also lost the iconic bar sign directing patrons inside with it. While those in Harrisburg won't be able to enjoy the sign, a new generation of bar-goers will work under the neon arrow sign straight out of another era. PennLive, an MLive sister company, has a story highlighting the sign's past in Harrisburg and its future at the soon-to-open "joebar" in Hazel Park. The sign comes from the former "Pep Grill," and joebar owner Joe Vaughn told PennLive the "sign is safe and fully restored." "I'm proud that the sign will breathe new life in an up and coming neighborhood in the Detroit area," he said. "The neon bar sign was the first purchase and set the inspiration for what we wanted joebar to be -- a place for the every Joe to converse and hear the local folklore." Joe and Cari Vaughn estimates that they paid $8,000 for the sign, and then $20,000 on top of that for proper restoration. The couple found the sign listed with an auction house, and used family connections in Harrisburg to connect with the sign's owners. "We were looking for a piece of history for our exterior," Cari Vaughn said. As for the joebar, the owner writes on Facebook they will open soon next to Mabel Gray in Hazel Park, a new Detroit area culinary favorite. For a full history lesson on the Pep Grill, click here. A 20-year-old college student on her way back home from Sierra Leone for a study abroad program is being treated at Metro Detroit's Beaumont Health for malaria. Alfiza Urmanova, a Russian-born U.S. college student, started to feel sick after landing at Detroit Metro Airport for a layover, according to a news release from Beaumont. She had symptoms of nausea, vomiting, dizziness and had even passed out a couple of times. "I don't really remember what happened on the plane," Urmanova said in the release. "When I got to Detroit, I blacked out." While first under care, the 20-year-old woman, fluent in Russian and English, was unable to communicate with the Beaumont staff. Staff ended up searching Urmanova's name on Facebook, which eventually led them to her host family in Wisconsin. Urmanova was born to Russian physicians, moved to Wisconsin to live with a host family and still attends college in the Badger State. Her host family immediately flew to Detroit, and connected her parents back in Russia. Beaumont reports her symptoms were so severe that medics at the airport were consulting with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Infectious disease physician, Hassan DaKroub, said he immediately suggested a malaria test based on the symptoms and trip to Africa. "Usually, the initial parasite count (parasitemia) is about three percent," he said in the release. "Her count was 19 percent in her red blood cells. This is very, very significant and very rare. You almost never see it. "Because she was diagnosed so quickly, we were able to start treatment immediately - and that's how we saved her life." Malaria is a life-threatening blood disease that is transmitted to the human body by exotic mosquitos. The parasites multiply throughout the host's body and organs, after infected, which infects and destroys the red blood cells, according to the CDC. "She was traveling alone, which added to the complexity of her illness and we weren't sure how to contact her family," John Cargill, trauma and emergency coordinator at Beaumont, said in the release. "As a parent myself, I didn't even want to imagine having a severely ill child out of the country and not knowing it. "She was a very sick young lady, and when I drove home that night, I prayed for her because I wasn't sure if she was going to survive. Later, I called back in to check on her and see how she was doing." Beaumont staff used medical translation phones to communicate with them. Once her parents landed in Detroit via Kazan, Russia, employees who spoke Russian were rounded up to help with the translation process. Urmanova's father, Renat Urmanova, is an anesthesiologist and presented questions "more detailed than most conversations communicated through the phone translation system, requiring an experienced medical translator." Russian-born general surgeon, Edward Mavashev, and RN Rasa Durigon served as a key link in translating, and for prescription instructions. With the help of the all-around staff effort, the 20-year-old woman has "recovered from the scare" and is enjoying some downtime with family before going back to school, Beaumont reports. "My next step is catching up with schoolwork," Urmanova said. "I work as a teacher's assistant in the Russian department, plus I am involved in a few extracurricular activities, such as helping organize events on campus with a committee." MT. MORRIS TOWNSHIP, MI -- The Michigan Court of Appeals ruled that statements made to police by a man who is accused of killing a Homer Township woman who was found strangled and beaten along the banks of the Flint River in 2015 cannot be used in the man's looming jury trial. John E. Barritt, 47, is charged with first-degree murder, carjacking, second-degree arson, fourth-degree arson and tampering with evidence in the April 15 slaying of Amy Wienski. Wienski, 44, was found dead May 4 at the bank of the Flint River at Lyman Street and Riverside Drive in Flint. A day earlier a vehicle she had rented was set on fire at Carpenter Road and Fulton Street in Mt. Morris Township. Mt. Morris Township police reached out to the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office to help with the investigation, and county sheriff's detectives went to Wienski's home in Homer Township with plans to interview her but were unable to locate her. While police were searching Wienski's home, Barritt showed up, according to court records. Wienski was dating Barritt at the time of her death. Police asked Barritt to go to a Calhoun County Sheriff's Department office for an interview. Barritt was transported to the facility in the back of a police cruiser, questioned by detectives for about 90 minutes, but was never given his Miranda warnings at any time, according to a Michigan Court of Appeals opinion published Tuesday, Feb. 14. A Miranda warning outlines a person right to remain silent when being questioned by police and to have an attorney present when being questioned by police. Barritt was handcuffed and transported to the custody of police in Genesee County and was later charged with Wienski's murder, according to court records. Barritt's attorney later filed a pre-trial motion to suppress Barritt's statements made to the Calhoun County deputies, arguing his client had been subject to interrogation before giving his Miranda warning. Genesee County Circuit Judge Geoffrey L. Neithercut granted Barritt's motion to suppress his statements. Michigan Court of Appeals judges Douglas B. Shapiro and Elizabeth L. Gleicher upheld Neithercut's ruling in a Feb. 14 published opinion. Prosecutors argued Barritt was not in custody and was free to leave during the interview. However, the appeals court ruled Barritt was involved in a custodial interrogation and was not properly Mirandized. "The prosecution points out that the door to the interview room was not locked," the court's published opinion reads. "However, even assuming that a reasonable person would have been aware of that fact, it is clearly outweighed by other circumstances: defendant was never told that he was free to leave, the officers were armed and in uniform, the questioning was at times aggressive and included repeated accusations of lying and demands that defendant change his statement." Appeals Judge Kirsten Frank Kelly, however, disagreed with the ruling, authoring a dissenting opinion of her own. "Because defendant was not in custody at the time of his statement, he was not entitled to a Miranda warning," Kelly wrote. MLive-The Flint Journal could not reach Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton or Barritt's attorney Jeffrey Skinner for comment. FLINT, MI -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has discovered the first genetic links between city water and patients diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease in Genesee County -- something researchers have sought throughout the Flint water crisis. But instead of closing the book on what caused the outbreak that killed 12 people in 2014 and 2015, the scientific matches instead raise new questions about whether Flint's water system was the source of the outbreak. Molecular testing by the CDC in late 2016 established the connection between a water sample taken from McLaren-Flint hospital and three sputum samples from patients who were diagnosed with Legionnaires', officials with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services told MLive-The Flint Journal. DHHS learned of a genetic match between the water and Legionnaires' patients only last month, and days later, notified McLaren and the Genesee County Health Department that each may be required to turn over additional water samples and other records to the state. But while the state has focused on McLaren since the genetic links were found, other experts say the three matches, including one victim who was never a patient at McLaren, suggest that Legionella thrived throughout the Flint water system, making it the real culprit in Legionnaires' deaths and illnesses in 2014 and 2015. Seventy-eight people in the county contracted the disease during those two years, during parts of which the city used the Flint River as its source of water without treating it to make it less corrosive to lead pipes and plumbing. "The presence of Legionella in Flint was widespread," said Dr. Janet Stout, a research associate professor at the University of Pittsburgh and a national expert on the disease. "The (laboratory) results show that strains (of the bacteria) were throughout the water system." On Tuesday, Feb. 14, the state ratcheted up pressure on the hospital, ordering McLaren to turn over information related to its Legionnaires' cases and releasing a letter from a hospital contractor that claimed "the supply water coming from the city of Flint is not contributing to the Legionella issues at McLaren and any issues are likely internal to the hospital system." Stout was hired by McLaren to assist the hospital in defending itself against a $100-million lawsuit and against state claims that its failings caused what the state calls the "largest healthcare-associated Legionnaires' outbreak known" in the United States. Amy Pruden, a Virginia Tech university professor and one of five authors of a July 2016 peer-reviewed study on Legionella in Flint water, said the three genetic matches could represent how widespread the bacteria was in city water. Pruden's study found Legionella levels up to 1,000 times higher than normal tap water in Flint, and said finding a patient who's clinical isolates -- or bacteria -- matched the McLaren water sample without having been hospitalized there "suggests that same strain may have been elsewhere." The state confirmed the CDC testing showed the lack of a connection between one of the three patients and McLaren, but the agency has not previously released details of that case. In contrast, MDHHS used the genetic matches between the hospital and the infected patients who stayed at McLaren as one reason for an order issued Feb. 14 that claims McLaren-Flint's water system "is a nuisance, unsanitary condition, or cause of illness" in the community. Angela Minicuci, a spokeswoman for MDHHS, said state medical officials were told of the CDC testing, which matched a clinical sample from from a November 2016 Legionnaires' patient to a water sample taken in August 2016 at McLaren. Clinical samples from two other Legionnaires' patients, both diagnosed in 2015, "were also highly related to the McLaren water sample," Minicuci said in an email to MLive-The Flint Journal. The CDC declined to answer questions about its testing, the results of which were turned over to DHHS in January, according to Minicuci. Dr. Eden Wells, the state's chief medical executive, said DHHS hasn't been able to determine with certainty how the Legionnaires' patient never hospitalized at McLaren was exposed to the same bacteria strain found in hospital water, calling it an open "medical detective case (that) requires a lot of sleuthing." "Do we know what the linkage is?" Wells asked. "Not at this time." Among the possible explanations for the genetic match, according to DHHS, are an association that was never identified during the case investigation, such as a visit to McLaren rather than a hospitalization or exposure to the hospital's cooling towers. "Cooling towers are always high on our list of concerns when trying to identify a potential Legionella exposure source," Minicuci said. "We don't have any indication or environmental samples to show that this strain is elsewhere in the community, though that's not impossible, but we do have two healthcare-associated cases over a two-year period that match the the McLaren sample, as well as this case strain." Clinical samples from all three patients came from the infected sputum -- their infected phlegm -- that's typically collected by a cough into a cup or obtained by a hospital from the throat or lung, after which it is cultured for routine bacteria with a specialized culture for Legionella, according to DHHS. A clinical isolate is a bacteria, or other infectious agent such as a virus or a parasite, that is isolated or grown from a patient's specimen. Pruden said even though the water sample matching the patient isolates was collected months after Flint discontinued use of the Flint River, the same strain of the bacteria can persist in plumbing even after Flint was switched back to Lake Huron water. The professor said the genetic matches are "very relevant to the continuing conversation of demonstrating whether or not switching to the Flint River water triggered the countywide spike in Legionnaires' and working toward figuring out exactly where and how the patients were likely exposed and infected with the disease." "Despite the difference in time, it shows that a strain that is native to McLaren plumbing matched the strains found in patients," Pruden said in an email. "It shows the that strains of Legionella living in Flint tap water matched with strains found in patients. However ... we don't know if this same strain is found widely in other parts of Flint." Pruden's report on Legionella and Flint last year studied both single-story homes and businesses in Flint and Flint Township and at Hurley Medical Center and McLaren, both of which are located in areas of the city where water is more likely to be stagnant. DHHS says McLaren was associated with 21 Legionella cases in 2014, 29 in 2015, and two in 2016; the vast majority of hospital-related Laegionnaires' cases; and 10 of 12 deaths from the disease. Although no Legionella was found in Flint Township, which never used Flint River water, the bacteria was found in Flint tap water at various locations, the study says, supporting the theory that interrupted corrosion control in Flint caused a release of iron, nutrients and depleted chlorine residual into the entire distribution system, driving the abundance of Legionella. Minicuci said the Flint water system should have been assumed to have Legionella, "and high-risk facilities should closely monitor the water coming into their facility and take steps to prevent exposures to their vulnerable patients." Hospitals and large institutional buildings are known to be particularly susceptible to Legionella colonization, according to Pruden's study. McLaren said in a statement Feb. 14 that the state "provided absolutely no support in 2014 and 2015" as evidence piled up that Legionella was a problem in Flint water. Not only was the city being run by a state-appointed emergency manager when the decision was made to change water source, special prosecutors also allege that employees from the state Departments of Environmental Quality and DHHS allowed problems with lead and Legionella to occur and continue by failing to do their jobs in accordance with state law. "Now that criminal charges have been made against several state and city employees and additional indictments are possible, the state is taking an aggressive role in retroactively casting blame for cases it knew about -- and did nothing about -- for years," McLaren's statement says. "Despite the fact that dozens of Legionnaires' disease cases have been reported in patients that have had absolutely no contact with our facilities, and despite the growing consensus among public health and infectious disease specialists that the city's use of the Flint River as a water source is the prime contributor to our community's Legionnaires' disease epidemic, the state refuses to broaden its perspective and hold itself and others accountable for the inaction of prior years," the hospital's statement says. Public health officials identified the Flint River as a potential source of the city's Legionnaires' outbreak as early as 2014, but city, county, state and federal officials never told the public until more than a year later. Gov. Rick Snyder also claimed he was left in the dark about the possible connection, and his emergency managers continued to use the river as a source of water until connections between spikes in lead levels and in the blood of Flint children were uncovered late in 2015. FLINT, MI -- An alleged confession from a man accused of beating a toddler and leaving the boy for dead should be kept out of court, his attorney says. Police say Benjamin James Bovee, 31, who faces charges of open murder and child abuse, confessed on video to beating his girlfriend's toddler son and holding him on a bed the night of the incident. Bovee's attorney, Philip Beauvais, however, says that his client did not understand his Miranda rights -- nor the process of signing them away on a waiver -- and that the alleged confession should be suppressed as evidence in court proceedings. In Genesee Circuit Judge Joseph Farah's courtroom on Wednesday, Feb. 15, Michigan State Police Detective Sgt. Bryce Willoughby described the night he took statements from Bovee. Willoughby said Bovee told him he could read and write and gave the trooper a chronological timeline of the day's events. "I usually tell them I will read the statement and if they don't understand something I'm reading to stop," said Willoughby, referring to reading the Miranda rights waiver. "He didn't stop me, no." Beauvais, however, referred to a report from the state's Center for Forensic Psychiatry, questioning Bovee's ability to understand his rights against self-incrimination. "I've watched the tape," said Beauvais. "I can see that my client was clearly advised of his Miranda rights, I can see that there is a signed form. I would not be bringing this motion if this issue hadn't been alluded to in the report ... from the experts at the forensic center that clearly states that Mr. Bovee did not understand his right against self-incrimination. Now, if he does not understand his right against self-incrimination, there is no way that he can knowingly and intelligently waive that right against self-incrimination. If he has no idea what it is, then he certainly can't waive it." In April 2015, Bovee was ordered to undergo testing at the state's psychiatric center to see if he could be found criminally responsible on allegations he repeatedly struck and suffocated 19-month-old Ethan Schott. Farah said the motion to suppress the confession is "under advisement" and that he will decide whether the evidence will be allowed in an oral opinion at a date to be determined. Officers were called March 30, 2015, to the 1000 block of Alvord Avenue, off Fenton Road, and found the child inside his crib. No cause of death was immediately given, but police at the scene said that the child's death was initially ruled suspicious due to his age. Bovee allegedly told police he checked on the child around 8:30 a.m. and the baby was fine. But, when he checked on the child later, the boy wasn't breathing, authorities said. However, when the medical examiner arrived on the scene, he told police the baby had been dead longer than the timeline given by Bovee and the child's mother, and that there were four bruises on the child's face. The mother allegedly told police the boy's twin had made the bruises, authorities said. Police allege Bovee beat and suffocated the boy by holding him down on a bed. Bovee allegedly then left the victim so he could smoke marijuana with his friend, according to authorities. He also allegedly told investigators he didn't call an ambulance because he didn't want to be charged with murder. The boy was found by police face-down and wrapped in a blanket in his crib. "I was not home when that happened," Bovee said during his arraignment. He faces up to life in prison without parole if convicted. FLINT, MI -- Mayor Karen Weaver says she is disappointed after meeting with Gov. Rick Snyder that the state won't budge on its decision to pull water relief credits and stop paying the city's $1.2 million monthly bill to the Great Lakes Water Authority. "In summary, the governor said that he was done with the credits and the state has met their obligation as far as the credits are concerned," Weaver said. "What I was told by the governor is Flint water quality meets the same as any other community in Michigan and meets all federal quality standards, and he feels he has upheld his end of the bargain." Weaver held a Wednesday press conference at Flint City Hall to brief the media and public on what happened in a Feb. 14 meeting with the mayor and Snyder. "We decided to agree to disagree," said Weaver. Snyder's office announced that funding would be pulled, pointing to findings from November 2016 sentinel site water testing showing Flint's water had a 90th percentile value of 8 ppb of lead and cited the outcome as its reason for discontinuing the funding. The federal lead action level is 15 ppb. The city received a letter Feb. 7 of the decision. The state initially said it would give water credits through March 31, but that promise ended with the last bout of testing results Weaver said. "Funding from taxpayers statewide that has been directed to Flint for water bill reimbursements is not ending because of any date or budget decision, but because the city's water now meets the same quality standards as other communities," said Gov. Rick Snyder, who signed the Flint water relief act on Feb. 26, 2016. "The commitment from state lawmakers and me to the city was to reimburse for water used when the city's water quality did not meet federal standards, and we have kept or word to Mayor Weaver and Flint residents." The disagreement is whether or not water coming from Flint taps are safe. City officials say it's not. "The water that we receive from GLWA definitely meets all standards," said Flint utilities administrator JoLisa McDay. "It's one thing to say everything is fine in the pipes in the ground but because of the damage that has happened the line on your refrigerator when you make ice cubes, the damage that has happened to the sink in your bathroom ... the damage that's happened at your shower head ... the damage that has happened in your premise plumbing we can't control ... You are still using a filter. So I would not stand here and tell you that your water is safe." Premise plumbing is the plumbing connected from buildings including schools, homes and hospitals that is connected to the main distribution line. Officials have used chemicals and disinfectants in hopes of regulating various bacteria, including legionella which has killed at least 12 people in Genesee County. Residents are still being advised not to drink the city's water unless it has been properly filtered. Flint officials say until all of the infrastructure and plumbing is replaced in every home in Flint, the water is not safe. "What the state is saying that is why they are giving us money and they are going to start a program to replace the fixtures," Weaver said. "We're a community whose water source was changed, corrosion control was not in place and as result that's how the fixtures in the home was damaged. That's why we're replacing these lead service lines ... This is an inconvenience for the people of the city of Flint to have to continue to have to use filters. I'm not going to tell anybody to drink the water without a filter ... Filters should be a choice." Both the city and state do agree that Snyder's promise said until the water is safe, but they do not agree on what defines safe for Flint residents. "That state has demonstrated a continued commitment to Flint's full recovery -- through actions and solutions," Snyder said. "Just last week I recommended an additional investment of $48.8 million dollars for the upcoming fiscal year, on top of the $247 million already appropriated." The Feb. 7 letter sent to the city announcing the end of the credits also noted the state would provide water filter to residents for three years while lead service pipes are replaced. Since the announcement of the state ending water relief credits and paying the city's water bill from GLWA, both local and state officials have spoken out against the decision. State Rep. Sheldon Neeley, D-Flint, sent a letter to Snyder sharing his opposition to the state's decision. "I am writing to you concerning the decision to discontinue the state's water credits for the city of Flint," Neeley wrote. "I believe this decision could consequently and unintentionally bring more harm to current predicament." In addition, Flint City Council members and residents also shared their disappointment in a Monday night meeting, even saying Flint is at "war" with the state over the decision to pull credits and water bill funds. "Gov. Snyder wants these people to pay for water that they feel is not safe to drink," said Councilwoman Jackie Poplar in the Feb. 13 meeting. "This is war. This is war ... there is money to cover these bills." Council members also say the city has meet demands of the state, including pushing to have a 70 percent utility bill collection rate that left some Flint residents facing water shutoffs and evictions over the last five months. "The same people who said the water was safe to drink back when we switched to the river are the same people that are saying your water is safe to drink now with a filter," said Councilman Scott Kincaid. "And the state challenged the city to do a 70 percent collection rate and they will continue this credit. We achieved that and now they are cutting us off early. So, again they lied to us." March bills will be the last to include the state water relief credits of 20 percent of commercial accounts and 65 percent for residential water customers. So far, city officials said more than $40.4 million in water relief credits have been applied to Flint water customer accounts. you are here: business Important to look beyond narrow issues of H1B visas: NASSCOM US president Donald Trumps view on H1B-visa is rattling the Indian information technology (IT) sector and the uncertain policies of the new president is making the IT players nervous. The pressure on the IT companies is building and industry lobby body Nasscom said the sector will grow at the lower end of its revised target in fiscal 2017. business Dr Reddy's gets unfavourable ruling in US over anti-nausea drug Dr Reddy's on Thursday said it received an unfavorable ruling in a US court regarding a patent infringement case over its anti-nausea injection Aloxi. It said the US Court for the District of New Jersey had issued its opinion regarding Helsinn Healthcare's patent infringement claims against Dr Reddy's proposed palonosetron product. business Stents to get cheaper by as much as 85% as drug body caps price NPPA capped the prices of bare metal stent at Rs.7260 and drug eluting stent (DES) and biodegradable stents at Rs.29,600. Both the prices were exclusive of value added tax. DES constitutes 95 percent of the market. politics Sasikala loyalist Palaniswami invited to form TN government Edapaddi K Palaniswami is set to be sworn in as the new Tamil Nadu Chief Minister on Thursday evening. business No plan for EGM; SEBI has asked Mallya to step down: UBL SEBI has passed an order asking Vijay Mallya to not be on the board till the order is stayed, said Shekhar Ramamurthy, MD of United Breweries. Rabbis installation at Keneseth Israel will get a boost of student creativity Testimony in the trial for Sierra LaMars suspected killer continued this week, with more witnesses from the Santa Clara County Sheriffs Office taking the stand to answer questions about the investigation that led to the arrest of Antolin Garcia Torres. On Feb. 14, sheriffs deputies and sergeants spent hours in court at the San Jose Hall of Justice offering details of their surveillance of Garcia Torres in the days after Sierra disappeared March 16, 2012. Santa Clara County Deputy District Attorney showed numerous video clips from a security camera outside Garcia Torres neighborhood, Maple Leaf RV Park in south Morgan Hill, from March 16 to March 18, 2012. The videos showed Garcia Torres coming and going in his red Volkswagen Jetta, as well as arrivals and exits of his mothers Toyota RAV4. Garcia Torres went on a ski trip with a friend all day March 18, a Saturday, defense attorney Al Lopez said. Other law enforcement officers testified about the GPS tracking device they attached to Garcia Torres vehicle shortly after he became a suspect in Sierras disappearance. Multiple agencies, including the FBI, assisted in the surveillance, which did not lead to the discovery of Sierras body. Sierra disappeared at the age of 15 while she was walking from her home in north Morgan Hill to her school bus stop at the intersection of Palm and Dougherty avenues. Garcia Torres is accused of kidnapping her that morning, and later killing her. He is also accused of three unrelated kidnapping attempts in 2009, in which investigators say he attacked three women in the parking lots of two Morgan Hill Safeway stores. Sierra was a sophomore at Sobrato High School when she disappeared. Her disappearance prompted hundreds of volunteers from throughout the Bay Area to spend thousands of hours searching private and public properties for her remains, which have not been found. Some of the frequent volunteer searches, including Al Perez of San Jose, have loyally attended the trial for Garcia Torres since it began Jan. 30. Perez said outside the courtroom Feb. 14 that he searched with fellow volunteers on properties not only in Santa Clara County, but also from Los Banos to Watsonville. He said he joined the search parties for the parents of Sierra. He and other volunteers also gained a welcome byproduct. We got to know each other like a big family, he said. Much of the testimony Feb. 15 centered around a handwritten message in one of Sierras school notebooks, recovered by investigators several days after she disappeared, according to various news reports. The message read, I hate my life no one ever sees this I will be in San Francisco by 3/16/12. Investigators have alleged this message was a prank by Sierras fellow students, who might have found the notebook after she disappeared. A handwriting expert for the DAs office testified Feb. 15 that the handwriting is not Sierras, according to news reports. Other testimony Feb. 15 included an arborist who said Garcia Torres worked for him for a brief period before Sierra went missing, according to news reports. He said he gave the defendant the piece of rope later found in his trunk by police, so that he could practice tying knots. Investigators have suggested the rope contained 58 hairs, including some of Sierras hair, based on DNA analysis. The trial for Garcia Torres is expected to last at least until June. If convicted, he faces the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole. Wilkes Community College will host the high school SkillsUSA Region 7 Conference and Career Showcase on Feb. 27. The public is encouraged to attend the event to witness the advanced professional skills demonstrated by the high school students. The event will begin at 9 a.m. at the Walker Center. The awards ceremony will take place at 1:30 p.m. I would love to have people come to watch the competitions, said Hardin Kennedy, the SkillsUSA advisor for Wilkes Community College who organizes the annual event. They will be impressed by the skills these high school students demonstrate based on the college-level classes they are taking. This is a great opportunity for business and industry to scout for new talent. These students are our future leaders for the business, industry, healthcare, advanced manufacturing, construction, agriculture and skilled labor workforce. All SkillsUSA members, advisors and career and technical education (CTE) students can participate in the annual educational and professional development activity. Many business and industry partners attend to participate in or view the contests to see the talent level of potential future employees. Educational partners attend to compare the skills level of other schools and to talk with other educators about best practices. Media outlets are welcome to cover the large event. The 2016 regional event included more than 400 high school student competitors and 300 career showcase participants from high schools in the 21 counties that make up Region 7, including Burke. Last year, more than 75 business and industry representatives attended and elected officials from the local, regional and state levels came to the event. For more information about the SkillsUSA program, contact Kennedy at 336-838-6219 or hardin.kennedy@wilkescc.edu. Maintaining independence and editorial freedom is essential to our mission of empowering investor success. We provide a platform for our authors to report on investments fairly, accurately, and from the investors point of view. We also respect individual opinionsthey represent the unvarnished thinking of our people and exacting analysis of our research processes. Our authors can publish views that we may or may not agree with, but they show their work, distinguish facts from opinions, and make sure their analysis is clear and in no way misleading or deceptive. To further protect the integrity of our editorial content, we keep a strict separation between our sales teams and authors to remove any pressure or influence on our analyses and research. Read our editorial policy to learn more about our process. Upstream deals for Delaware Basin acreage are not the only deals making headlines. Fresh off its acquisition of the Alpha Crude Connector system from Concho Resources and Frontier Midstream Solutions for $1.215 billion, Plains All American Pipeline is making a second acquisition. Plains All American and Noble Midstream Partners have entered into an agreement to form a 50/50 joint venture to acquire Advantage Pipeline LLC of Midland for $133 million, according to a press release from the companies. Founded in 2011, Advantage built and owns the Pecos River Pipeline, a 16-inch common carrier crude oil pipeline that originates 13 miles south of Pecos and ends 70 miles east in Crane. Advantage has a throughput capacity of 150,000 barrels a day, connecting with Magellans Longhorn Pipeline and 490,000 barrels of combined crude storage at three separate trucking stations. Noble will serve as operator of the pipeline, and company officials said there are no plans to change its status as a common carrier pipeline. After the acquisition closes, Noble plans to build a 15-mile pipeline to deliver crude oil to Advantage from its central gathering facility in the southern Delaware Basin. Plains will build a pipeline that connects its Wolfbone Ranch facility to the Advantage pipeline near Highway 285 near Pecos. These connections are expected to be completed in the second quarter. The Advantage pipeline will be supported by acreage dedication from Noble Energy and volume commitment from Plains Marketing. While the Alpha Crude Connector system supports production in the northern Delaware Basin, the Advantage Pipeline will support production in the southern Delaware Basin. The Plains All American-Noble Midstream joint venture was announced at the same time that Western Gas Partners, a partnership formed by Anadarko Petroleum, announced it will acquire 50 percent interest in a company that serves the Delaware Basin. Western Gas Partners will acquire 50 percent interest in a company that gathers natural gas in the Delaware Basin in exchange for $155 million in cash and one-third of Westerns stake in two gathering systems in the Marcellus Shale. The deal, with Williams Partners, consolidates ownership of Delaware Basin JV Gathering and helps Western grow its gas-gathering and processing capacity in the Permian Basin, Western CEO Don Sinclair said in a statement. President Donald Trump has overturned an Obama-era anti-corruption rule that would have forced oil, gas and mining companies to disclose payments to foreign governments, becoming the first president in 16 years to take advantage of a law that allows him to rescind a predecessors regulations. Trump on Tuesday signed a congressional resolution to repeal a Securities and Exchange Commission disclosure rule that was called for in the 2010 Dodd-Frank Act. Its likely just the start: Congress is considering a number of other measures, including ones to overturn Obama administration rules protecting streams from mountaintop mining and prevent people with serious mental-health problems from buying guns. This is one of many, Trump told reporters at a signing ceremony. We have many more left. And were bringing back jobs big league. These fast-track repeals are made possible by a little-used tool called the Congressional Review Act, which allows Congress to undo recent federal rules with a simple majority vote. Congress has used it successfully only once before: In 2001, then-President George W. Bush joined Congress in killing a Labor Department ergonomics rule adopted under the administration of President Bill Clinton. Overturning the SEC rule could benefit U.S. oil giants Exxon Mobil Corp. and Chevron Corp. Backers of the SEC regulation say forcing companies to disclose foreign payments would curb corruption in resource-rich countries, such as Nigeria. The oil industry says the rule would put U.S. companies at a competitive disadvantage compared to state-run enterprises, such as Saudi Aramco, which are not subject to the disclosure rules. The SECs rule forces U.S. companies to disclose proprietary information to its competitors while foreign entities do not. This can give some large industry players an advantage on future business projects, the American Petroleum Institute, an industry group, said in a statement. Some of the industrys biggest players, including BP Plc and Royal Dutch Shell Plc., are already required to report taxes, bonuses and other payments to foreign governments, per anti-corruption rules adopted by the European Union and U.K. That includes some state-owned oil companies. Russian companies like Rosneft are already reporting much more than Exxon, Daniel Kauffman, president of the Natural Resource Governance Institute, an international transparency watchdog, said before Congress voted on the repeal. While Republicans lawmakers have introduced at least a dozen resolutions for regulations they want to repeal, not all will make it to the presidents desk. The Congressional Review Act has some constraints. For one, the law applies to rules issued in the past 60 legislative days. Also, it stipulates that debate must happen before the vote, and with several nominations and appropriations bill to deal with, Congress may not have the time to deal with each measure. Congress in 2015 voted to repeal two Environmental Protection Agency rules limited carbon emissions from the power sector, but then-President Barack Obama vetoed the legislation. Eric Gay/Associated Press AMARILLO -- State Sen. Kel Seliger will be in Midland Feb. 24 on his tour of Distrct 31 associated with his role of Governor for a Day. Seliger will be meeting with constituents 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at MAC's Bar-B-Que & Catering, 2400 W. Indiana Ave. WASHINGTON (AP) The Latest on President Donald Trump (all times EST): 7:25 p.m. President Donald Trump is calling on Venezuela to let jailed opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez "out of prison immediately." The president tweeted the message along with a photo of himself, Vice President Mike Pence, Sen. Marco Rubio and Lilian Tintori, Lopez's wife, in the Oval Office Wednesday evening. The President and first lady Melania Trump are hosting Rubio and his wife for dinner at the White House. Trump's call for Lopez's release follows the administration's decision to slap sanctions on Venezuela's vice president for his alleged role as a major international drug trafficker. Lopez is serving a 14-year sentence for allegedly inciting violence against the government during a wave of anti-government unrest. ___ 6:45 p.m. The top Republican and Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee are asking the attorney general and FBI director for a briefing on the resignation of National Security Adviser Michael Flynn. Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa and Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California sent a letter late Wednesday to Attorney General Jeff Sessions and FBI Director James Comey requesting a briefing the week of Feb. 27. Congress is out of session next week for the Presidents' Day holiday. The senators also requested copies of the transcripts of Flynn's intercepted calls and the FBI report summarizing the intercepted calls referenced in the media. Flynn resigned Monday night following reports he misled Vice President Mike Pence about contacts with a Russian diplomat. ___ 5:05 p.m. First lady Melania Trump has taken her Israeli counterpart to one of Washington's hottest tourist attractions, the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Mrs. Trump and Sara Netanyahu, wife of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, were led on a tour by David Skorton, secretary of the Smithsonian, and Lonnie Bunch, the museum's founding director. Story continues Timed-entry passes to the museum, the newest on the National Mall, are snapped up almost as quickly as they become available. During the outing, the first ladies stopped at an interactive video exhibit about the Greensboro, North Carolina, lunch counter where blacks staged sit-ins in the 1960s to protest the lack of civil rights. They also visited a large waterfall display called the "Contemplative Court." ___ 4:15 p.m. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has expressed willingness to "resume a credible peace process" to resolve the conflict with Israel based on the two-state solution. Abbas issued a statement late Wednesday hours after the press conference in Washington with President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Both Trump and Netanyahu were evasive about endorsing a two-state solution with the Palestinians. That would create an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel and has been the international community's preferred solution for nearly two decades. Abbas reiterated the Palestinian position claiming the West Bank along with east Jerusalem for parts of a future state. He called on Netanyahu to cease building settlements in that territory. Trump asked Netanyahu to "hold off" with settlements at the press conference. ___ 3:40 p.m. Andrew Puzder says he is withdrawing as President Donald Trump's nominee for labor secretary. The fast food executive says in a statement provided to The Associated Press that he was "honored to have been considered by President Donald Trump to lead the Department of Labor and put America's workers and businesses back on a path to sustainable prosperity." Puzder says "while I won't be serving in the administration, I fully support the President and his highly qualified team." Puzder's confirmation hearing was scheduled for Thursday. But some Republicans had raised concerns about his failure to pay taxes for five years on a former housekeeper who wasn't authorized to work in the U.S. Puzder is CEO of CKE Restaurants Inc. ___ 2:45 p.m. President Donald Trump plans to hold one of his signature rallies in Florida this weekend. Trump is promoting the event with a tweet inviting people to join him at Orlando-Melbourne International Airport for the event at 5 p.m. Saturday. It'll be Trump's first rally since he took office and his first since he took a "thank you tour" in December through states that he won in the election the month before. That swing ended Dec. 17 in Alabama. Trump's large and raucous rallies were a key part of his unconventional campaign. ___ 12:35 p.m. President Donald Trump says his ousted national security adviser, Michael Flynn, is a "wonderful man" who has been treated "very, very unfairly" by the media. The White House says Trump fired Flynn late Monday following reports that Flynn had discussed sanctions with the Russian ambassador to the U.S. before Trump was sworn into office. Flynn and other administration officials originally denied the topic had been discussed. White House spokesman Sean Spicer said Tuesday that Flynn had lost the president's trust. But Trump says in a joint news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he thinks "it's really a sad thing" that Flynn "was treated so badly." He's also going after those who have leaked information to the press, describing it as a "criminal act." __ 11:05 a.m. President Donald Trump has told the heads of several of the largest U.S. retailers including Target, Best Buy and Gap that people will "love" his planned tax reforms. The president has provided scant details about his tax overhaul, but he assured retail CEOs Wednesday that tax rates would be lowered and simplified in a "massive" plan that "will be submitted in the not too distant future." "Other than H&R Block, I think people are going to love it," the president said. But during the public portion of the meeting, Trump provided no insight as to whether he still intends to levy a border tax on imports. Trump has threatened a border tax in order to protect U.S. factory jobs, but retailers have warned that it could cause higher prices for consumers. __ 10:40 a.m. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump plan to host Sen. Marco Rubio and his wife for dinner Wednesday. The White House said Rubio and his wife Jeanette are expected to join the Trumps at 6:30 p.m. The Florida senator was one of the large field of Republicans Trump beat out on his way to the White House. Trump famously dubbed him "little Marco" during the primary battle. Trump hosted another 2016 candidate Tuesday. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and his wife Mary Pat came to the White House for lunch. __ 9 a.m. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has called a meeting of Democratic senators to discuss President Donald Trump's former national security adviser and published reports about contacts between Trump's campaign and Moscow. Another leading Democrat, Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, is pressing the Democrats' case for an independent investigation. He and other Democrats say that's the best way to answer questions about the Trump administration's ties to Russia. Republican leaders continue to refuse to consider that option and say three congressional investigations underway are enough. Durbin tells MSNBC that it's a "graveyard" for investigations when congressional intelligence committees get involved because their work is largely done outside of public view. ___ 8 a.m. President Donald Trump appears to be faulting the Obama administration for being "too soft" on Russia, pointing to Russia's annexation of Crimea from Ukraine on President Barack Obama's watch. He tweeted, "Crimea was TAKEN by Russia during the Obama Administration. Was Obama too soft on Russia?" In that and a series of other morning tweets Wednesday, Trump appeared to be trying to distance himself from any appearance of close ties with Russia following published reports that U.S. agencies had intercepted phone calls last year between Russian intelligence officials and his 2016 campaign team. Trump denounced "this Russian connection non-sense" as "merely an attempt to cover-up the many mistakes made in Hillary Clinton's losing campaign." Trump's remarks come on the heels of the resignation of his national security adviser, Michael Flynn, after it was revealed that he'd reportedly discussed sanctions with Russia's ambassador to the U.S. before Trump was sworn in. ___ 6:45 a.m. President Donald Trump is renewing his attack on the "fake news media" amid the widening controversy surrounding the ouster of his national security adviser and talk of congressional investigations of purported Russian meddling in the U.S. presidential election last year. Trump posted a pre-dawn message on his verified Twitter account Wednesday complaining, "The fake news media is going crazy with their conspiracy theories and blind hatred." He said, "This Russian connection non-sense is merely an attempt to cover-up the many mistakes made in Hillary Clinton's losing campaign." He added in the post that "@MSNBC & @CNN are unwatchable. @foxandfriends is great!" The latest tweet follows a pattern of social media messages that Trump has sent, chastising news organizations both during his campaign for the White House and in the more than three weeks since his inauguration. __ 6:30 a.m. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is likening President Donald Trump to Andrew Jackson, saying he's what the American people wanted when they elected him. The Kentucky Republican tells MSNBC's "Morning Joe" that voters "wanted a different kind of president." He adds that "I like what he's doing," particularly his emphasis on lessening government regulation of business. McConnell also said he considers Neil Gorsuch, the man Trump picked to replace the late Antonin Scalia on the Supreme Court, to be "the single best circuit court judge in the nation." He did disagree with Trump, who has asserted that millions of illegal votes in the election caused him to lose the popular vote to Democrat Hillary Clinton. "There is voter fraud in the country," McConnell said. "But there is no evidence that there was significant enough vote fraud to affect the outcome of the election." "I'm more interested in what he's doing than what he's tweeting," McConnell said. __ 3:15 a.m. Just six days into his presidency, Donald Trump was informed his national security adviser had misled his vice president about contacts with Russia. Trump kept his No. 2 in the dark and waited nearly three weeks before ousting the aide, Michael Flynn, citing a slow but steady erosion of trust, White House officials said. Flynn was interviewed by the FBI about his telephone conversations with Russia's ambassador to the U.S., a sign his ties to Russia had caught the attention of law enforcement officials. But in the White House's retelling of Flynn's stunning downfall, his error was not that he discussed U.S. sanctions with the Russian before the inauguration a potential violation of a rarely enforced law but the fact that he denied it for weeks, apparently misleading Vice President Mike Pence and other senior Trump aides about the nature of the conversations. White House officials said they conducted a thorough review of Flynn's interactions, including transcripts of calls secretly recorded by U.S. intelligence officials, but found nothing illegal. By Phil Flynn February 16, 2017 Reprints Sometimes I get pop-ups when I am mentioned in a news article on Google or Facebook. A radio interview that I did one year ago to the day today on the Wall Street Journal radio network was a reminder on how far oil prices and the economy has come in just one year. Even as we fret about a recent build in oil inventory perhaps weakening the price of oil a bit, one year ago many were predicting oil at $20 a barrel and some were saying as low as $10. Many believed we were entering an era of perpetually low prices. Per the podcast, oil was trading around $30 at the time and we were talking about a breaking story of Saudi Arabia and Russia agreeing to a production freeze. Those first freeze talks were a thaw in Saudi/Russia relations that had become stressed over geopolitical issues. Those issues revolved mainly around Russias unwavering support for Saudi nemesis Iran that was in a proxy war with the kingdom as well as casing unrest with Saudi neighbor Bahrain. While many at the time dismissed the production freeze talks as nothing, I predicted that the talks would set the stage with a move to $40. I also said that the freeze talks were the first step to a production cut that eventually happened and is the reason that oil is now above $50 a barrel. The famous failed talks in Doha led to a major sell-off, but I expected that at some point they would try to put the cut back together. The deal was eventually done only to have Saudi Prince Salman pull out at the last minute because the Iranian oil minister failed to show up at production cut talks. That move angered Russia and many of the OPEC delegation that thought the meeting in Doha was a colonial signing of an agreement as opposed to a negotiation. There was diplomatic damage and long-time oil minter Ali al-Naimi was fired and the new Saudi oil minister Khalid al Falih made it his mandate to do whatever it would take to get a deal done. The deal was done, setting the stage for what is a generational bottom in oil and the upside is just getting started over the next few years. Story continues Of course, its hard to rally when you get another near record increase in weekly oil supply. The Energy Information Administration reported a massive 9.5 mb build even with exports of 881,000 barrels a day and oil production dropping by 100,000 barrels. Still, oil held tough! U.S. oil exports hit a record high top of 1.0 million barrels a day for the first time since the Energy Information Administration has been keeping records. U.S. oil exports are only going to increase and we will see a further drop in U.S. reliance on oil imports. The market also knows that U.S. refineries are running at a low rate as we are in refinery maintenance season. Next month runs should ramp up and we should start to see our seasonal run up in price ahead of the summer driving season. The crude oil market is also wondering why the Strategic Petroleum Reserve numbers remained unchanged even as the Department of Energy announced that it had already sold over 6.0 million barrels of oil to a private concern, and they announced another sale of 10 million more barrels of oil by the end of this month. We know there is mandatory reporting of inventory shifts by the oil companies but is the SPR on the same reporting schedule. At what point does the sold oil go into the commercial side of inventories? Do they report it as supply right away while the government lags? We have calls to the SPR and will report what we find out. My point, though, with bringing up oil prices from a year ago when most of the world thought we were entering an era of lower oil prices, was that they were wrong. Instead of looking at the big picture they got caught up in the emotion of the moment. That is the same reason that if you look at the big picture globally you might be more bullish oil and look beyond the current large increases in supply, globally inventories are already falling and we know oil imports in the U.S. will continue to fall at a time when exports will rise. Demand growth by any measure in 2017 and 2018 is expected to be above average. We may see demand growth hit a record as the world may buy more cars than ever before! Demand from India and Viet Nam and across Asia should be strong and the U.S. should start ramping up as well. Dont worry about the so-called drop in gasoline demand. Most of that is seasonal and weather related. We expect demand growth will hit another record in the U.S. this year. The EIA said that total motor gasoline inventories increased by 2.8 million barrels last week and are above the upper limit of the average range. Both finished gasoline inventories and blending component inventories increased last week. Distillate fuel inventories decreased by 0.7 million barrels last week but are above the upper limit of average range. Commercial petrol inventories increased by 11.1 million barrels last week. Total products supplied over the last four week period averaged about 19.4 million barrels per day, down by 2.0% from the same period last year. About the Author Senior energy analyst at The PRICE Futures Group and a Fox Business Network contributor. He is one of the worlds leading market analysts, providing individual investors, professional traders, and institutions with up-to-the-minute investment and risk management insight into global petroleum, gasoline, and energy markets. His precise and timely forecasts have come to be in great demand by industry and media worldwide and his impressive career goes back almost three decades, gaining attention with his market calls and energetic personality as writer of The Energy Report. You can contact Phil by phone at (888) 264-5665 or by email at pflynn@pricegroup.com. Learn even more on our website at www.pricegroup.com. MrTopStep Group https://mrtopstep.com Questions: info@mrtopstep.com Follow Us On Facebook and Twitter For More Intra-Day Market Updates! https://www.facebook.com/mrtopstep https://twitter.com/MrTopStep (@MrTopStep) Dont Forget To Subscribe To Our YouTube Channel! Sign Up Here: http://www.youtube.com/mrtopstepgroup Selena Gomez will always last Fred Armissen close to her heart. When the Murders Under Construction star had a kidney transplant in 2017, she knew she wanted to give her new organ a special name. "I named it after Fred Armisen because I A Project Loon balloon for broadcasting WiFi from high altitudes is seen on display at the Airforce Museum in Christchurch, New Zealand (AFP Photo/Marty Melville) (AFP/File) Mountain View (United States) (AFP) - Google parent Alphabet said artificial intelligence-infused navigation software has significantly sped up plans to deploy Project Loon internet balloons to serve remote regions of the world Word that being able to more smartly guide high-altitude baloons promised to improve coverage while curbing cost came as Loon hit headwinds in some locales where it has been testing the technology. "Out timelines are starting to move up on how we can do more for the world sooner," said Astro Teller, who heads the team at the Alphabet unit X, in charge of "moonshot" projects of the technology giant. "We are looking to move quickly, but to move thoughtfully," Teller told a small group of reporters inside a former Silicon Valley shopping center transformed into a "moonshot factory." The acceleration was credited to software leaps that allow internet-serving balloons to ride high-altitude winds to ideal locations or loop in patterns that create consistent webs of internet coverage in the sky. "We've been working to make the balloons smarter; almost like a game of chess with the winds," Teller said. He expected Loon to be partnering in coming months with telecom companies to provide internet to "real users," in a step up from tests done to see how well the high-floating technology works with networks on the ground. Teller declined to specify where Loon might first be integrated into telecommunications networks providing service to customers. "We are not going to all of a sudden be everywhere," Teller said. "We intend to be part of an ecosystem -- in any country where we are doing testing we would work with a local telco." Part of the money-making vision for Loon would be to get revenue from telecom operators for extending their reach. Teller said Loon is one of the more mature projects at X and that it "would be a natural state to graduate into its own company" but there were not plans at the moment for that to happen. Story continues - Grounded in Sri Lanka? - The peek inside X lab and word of speedy progress came the same day that the venture to beam the internet to the ground via balloon hit a legal snag in Sri Lanka that could see the project abandoned on the island. Project Loon uses roaming balloons to beam internet coverage and planned to connect Sri Lanka's 21 million people to the web, even those in remote connectivity black spots. But just a year after testing began in Sri Lanka regulators have been unable to allocate Google a radio frequency for the airborne venture without breaching international regulations. "There are lots of places excited to run experiments with us," Teller said. "We encourage that, but there are lots of agencies and we need to dot 'I's and cross 't's." He added that Loon planned to "do things by the book" in any country where it is active, using balloons to get internet signals far and wide, while local telecom companies tap into the network from the ground. The first public launch of Loon took place in New Zealand in 2013, when the project was in an early experimental phase. Alphabet recently told AFP that it gave up on its internet drone project, called Titan, about a year ago, to focus its resources on Loon where it saw more promise of success. The economics and technical feasibility of balloons are seen as a more promising way to connect rural and remote parts of the world to the internet, according to X. Leading online social network Facebook is continuing to develop an Aquila drone for beaming internet connection from the sky. Apple Inc. (AAPL) reached an all-time intraday high of $136.27 on Feb 15. The stock price also jumped for the third consecutive trading session to close a tad lower at $135.51. The momentum in Apples share price is not surprising as the company has outperformed the Zacks categorized Computer Mini industry in the last one year. While the stock returned 38.11%, the industry gained 37.14% over the same period. The recent upside can be attributed to the tech giants announcement of better dividend payouts and buybacks if the new government under Donald Trump lowers U.S. corporate tax rate. A lower tax rate will help the company to repatriate its offshore cash, which as per The Wall Street Journal was almost 91% of its total cash balance. Notably, since Trumps election win, Apples shares have gained 24.31% compared with the industrys growth of 15.22%. Moreover, legendary investor Warren Buffetts move to buy Apple shares have instilled confidence among investors who, not so long ago, had questioned the companys future. Whats Driving Apple? Riding high on the holiday season sales, this California-based company posted revenues of $78.4 billion in its first quarter fiscal 2017. Apples flagship product iPhone made a comeback with almost 78.3 million units sold in the quarter, an increase of 5% from the year-ago quarter. Revenues from iPhone grew 5.5 % to $54.4 billion (69.4% of total revenue) year over year. Apple Inc. Price Apple Inc. Price | Apple Inc. Quote Apples shares have been on the rise since its earnings announcement on Jan 31, 2017. Moreover, the company has inched past Samsung in terms of market share as per a latest report from Gartner, which is a positive. The future looks bright for Apple considering the increasing expectations for iPhone 8. Reportedly, the new iPhone will feature unique technological upgrades like augmented reality, OLED display and also support wireless charging. Furthermore, rumors of the upcoming models being equipped with an iris-scanner are also doing the rounds. All these are expected to revive revenue growth. Story continues The Trump Card However, Apple CFO Luca Maestri has expressed concerns regarding Trumps border tax on imports. Apple largely depends on manufacturing units in China, Mongolia, Korea and Taiwan and the tax is likely to increase its prices. The tax is likely to disrupt the iPhone makers plan to set up its first manufacturing and assembling unit in Bangalore, India. The companys decision to move to India is based on the growing per capita income of the countrys middle-class and rising smartphone users in the sub-continent. However, we believe that Apple can tweak its device selling policy to avoid a possible Trump tax on imports by selling the lower priced India-made product in the sub-continent and adjoining markets only. The comparatively lower-priced device will help Apple gain revenue share in the region. Moving Forward Apples Services business is expected to remain strong. Moreover, in the long run, Apple is expected to benefit from its robust cash position, strength in technology, the ecosystem that it has built and its loyal customer base. Further, its enterprise collaborations with the likes of Deloitte, IBM Corp. IBM, Cisco and SAP SE SAP are expected to be important long-term growth drivers. We believe that the buzz surrounding iPhone 8 should allay investors fear about iPhone sales trajectory and help its market performance. Moreover, Apple is likely to gain from its focus on the budding Indian market irrespective of Trumps import ban. Zacks Rank & Stock Movement At present, Apple has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). A better-ranked stock in the wider technology space is Oclaro Inc. OCLR, which carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. In the trailing four quarters, Oclaro recorded a positive average earnings surprise of 75.00%. Just Released Driverless Cars: Your Roadmap to Mega-Profits Today In this latest Special Report, Zacks Aggressive Growth Strategist Brian Bolan explores a full-blown technological breakthrough in the making autonomous cars. He also spotlights 8 stocks with tremendous gain potential to feed off this phenomenon. Click to see the stocks right now >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report International Business Machines Corporation (IBM): Free Stock Analysis Report Apple Inc. (AAPL): Free Stock Analysis Report SAP SE (SAP): Free Stock Analysis Report Oclaro, Inc. (OCLR): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research By Hugh Bronstein ROSARIO, Argentina (Reuters) - When a boat carrying soy oil destined for India ran aground on the Parana River near Buenos Aires in late January, ships loaded with most of Argentina's grains exports were blocked for hours. It was the latest accident on one of the world's great food highways, which is straining to carry rising volumes of Argentine agricultural products embarking on the first leg of the journey from the fields of the Pampas to the feeding troughs of cattle, pigs and chickens worldwide. Increasing congestion on the Parana, which carries 80 percent of Argentina's grains exports, could hamper President Mauricio Macri's efforts to expand farm output and pull the country out of recession. Macri wants Argentina to grow 25 percent more grains to boost rural income and has cut export taxes to attract more investment in the sector. But to haul all that grain to market, Macri needs the log jams on the river to end. The government is studying how to accommodate the growing flotilla plying the waterway without driving up shipping costs - which could cancel out the benefits of the export tax cut to farmers and agricultural businesses. "The entire river system is at its current limit," said Koen Robijns, Argentine operations manager for Jan De Nul, the privately-owned, Luxemburg-based company that operates the Parana and is responsible for dredging. The grounding in January made commerce grind to a halt, Robijns said in an interview aboard one of the company's dredging vessels near Argentina's main grains hub of Rosario, some 300 kilometers northwest of Buenos Aires. "Every ship behind it, all the way up to Rosario, had to stop or slow down for more than an hour," he said. Efforts to develop the waterway to carry more of Argentina's burgeoning exports, however, could be delayed by negotiations between the channel's operator and the traders that ship grain along it. Jan De Nul favors dredging the channel deeper. The firm declined to provide an estimate on how much that would cost, but the shippers say the bill would be billions of dollars. That would likely mean an increase in the toll, currently $3 per net tonne, which the shippers would pass on by paying the farmers less for their grains. The world's largest bulk grains traders Bunge , Cargill [CARG.UL], Louis Dreyfus Company [AKIRAU.UL] and ADM - who together ship much of the grain exported via the Parana - would prefer the less expensive option of widening the river at trouble spots, said two industry groups representing the shippers and traders using the waterway. The industry groups declined to give an estimate on how much cheaper it would be to widen rather than deepen the river. "Rather than dredging deeper, we need wider curves in places where vessels have run aground," said Guillermo Wade, a spokesman for the Rosario-based maritime chamber. Macri's government says it aims to cut the cost of exporting grains by 30 percent, including lowering tolls on waterways. But the government has not said yet which option it favours, and is unlikely to do so until a report on the project is completed. Bunge, Cargill and Louis Dreyfus declined to comment. ADM did not respond to requests for comment. PUSHING THE LIMIT Argentina is the world's top exporter of soymeal feed for animals, key to global meat production and meeting the protein needs of a global population growing towards 9 billion. The South American country is also the world's third-largest supplier of corn and soybeans and the seventh largest supplier of wheat. Macri's government expects farm output of 130 million tonnes this season, up from 123 million before he took office. Macri is targeting 150 million tonnes by the end of his first term in late 2019. Groundings are becoming more common as exporters, under pressure to haul as much grain as possible, often overload vessels. There were 15 groundings on the waterway last year, up from 12 in 2015 and nine the previous year, according to port data. The January accident took place in the Mitre section of the Parana, just north of the capital city Buenos Aires. The same vessel, the Theresa Success, ran aground near Rosario several days earlier. That time, it took longer for tug boats to pry the vessel loose, but traffic was able to move around the blockage as the river was wider there. Baltzer, the vessel's Rosario-based shipping agency, declined to comment on the groundings. Other incidents have seen ships stuck for days while floating cranes arrive to unload cargo until vessels are light enough to float. TOLLS AND TOP OFFS Jan De Nul has had the Parana concession since 1995. The contract ends in 2021, and the company wants to renew it. The toll it charges for plying the waterway is negotiated by Jan De Nul, the port terminal owners and the government. The Parana's shipping canal is maintained at 34 feet from the ocean to the port of San Martin, 35 kilometers north of Rosario, said Pieter Jan De Nul, an area manager for the company and son of its owner. The firm could easily dredge to 36 feet, he said. The additional two feet of depth would allow larger vessels carrying several thousand tonnes more cargo to load in Rosario before heading out to sea, he said. Larger cargoes would reduce shipping costs. Currently, traders have to load part of their cargo in Rosario and then stop to add more in deep-water Atlantic ports before heading into international waters. That means additional port and loading costs, as well as longer shipping times. The privately-owned Rosario Grains Exchange favours deepening, because larger ships could load and therefore fewer vessels would be needed to carry the rising volume of grains. "Everyone wins with the deepening of the Parana River," analysts for the exchange said in a report. Deputy Transport Secretary Jorge Metz said the service on the river needs to improve, as delays can cost shippers $40,000 to $50,000 a day, a cost that is eventually passed on to farmers. Decades of under investment in roads and rail have made transportation one of the biggest costs faced by growers, said Martin Fraguio, executive director of the Maizar corn industry chamber. "Argentina has the possibility of increasing its farm production enormously," he said. "We need the Parana to be as competitive as possible, as soon as possible." (Additional reporting by Caroline Stauffer; Editing by Simon Webb and Brian Thevenot) A billboard campaign in west Orange County urges residents to stop violence and take back their community. 2-month campaign featuring 12 billboards in west Orange County Urges residents to fight violence by speaking up when they see a crime Billboards feature murder victims, families The Take Back Our Community campaign will feature six murder victims with their families, saying enough is enough. Each victim will have their own design with a loved one holding their picture. When Raysean Brown saw one of the first images from Take Back Our Community campaign, his reaction was pure joy. "Honestly, I felt really excited," said Brown, who serves at the My Brother's Keeper Coordinator for the City of Orlando. (When) Gino got murdered, I was living in Kansas City, Missouri," Brown shared. Gino Nicolas was the previous coordinator for My Brother's Keeper. He was gunned down in a drive-by shooting last April. Brown quit his job and moved back home to Orlando to keep his best friend Nicolas' legacy alive. "Give back and do the same thing that he was trying to do and that's affect the community and bring about change of young men of color," Brown said. "So yeah, I uprooted my whole life. I packed all my stuff up and I moved back and I took on that responsibility, so yeah it did change. I went from being a Marketing Analyst to My Brother's Keeper Coordinator," Brown continued. "They inspired me," said Orange County Commissioner Victoria Siplin, who represents District 6. It's the strength, bravery and courage of those close friends and family members, that's behind the partnership with Clear Channel Outdoor. "The community and everybody working together, we can get some things done," Commissioner Siplin said. The two month campaign will feature 12 billboards in District 6 in Orange County, which includes West Orlando and Pine Hills. Siplin will be featured on one of the billboards, holding a picture with six murder victims: Some of these cases have been solved. Others haven't. "We want people to understand that we have to take back our community and if we see something, it is our obligation to say something," Commissioner Siplin said. "You have a billboard that's almost bigger than your house staring at you saying hey, help this kid out. This was somebody's brother or cousin, sister or uncle. I think that's great," Brown said. The final billboard designs will be unveiled on Friday. Hundreds of Brevard County residents can get free help in preparing their taxes, and others throughout Central Florida can get help too. United Way offering free tax preparation for low to moderate income families Tax help available with every United Way chapter in Central Florida The United Way of Brevard is once again offering the service for low to moderate income families, individuals and seniors with a total annual earnings under $59,000. More than 40 volunteers with tax training are helping out this year. There are several locations across the Space Coast. One client we spoke to in Palm Bay says his family is taking advantage of the service for the second year in a row. "They are taking the time to help others that can't help themselves. It's a wonderful thing," said Rainer Wareu. "It's hard work, but it's very rewarding. At the end of the day they are very grateful," said Morgan Bonilla with United Way of Brevard. Since the program's inception the free tax prep has saved $3.5 million for Brevard residents. The help is available until April 15 -- Tax Day. No appointment is necessary. Volunteers will help on a first come, first served basis. You can find United Way volunteers at the following locations: Mondays CareerSource Brevard, Rockledge 295 Barnes Blvd., Rockledge, 32955 12:00PM to 5:00PM Wednesdays CareerSource Brevard, Palm Bay 5275 Babcock St., NE, Palm Bay 32905 1:00PM to 5:00PM Thursdays CareerSource Brevard, Palm Bay 5275 Babcock St., NE, Palm Bay 32905 1:00PM to 5:00PM Saturdays The Salvation Army, South 1080 S. Hickory St., Melbourne 32901 9:00AM to 2:00PM Not in Brevard County? Find free tax preparation help with the following United Way chapters: Requirements to get service may differ depending on chapter. A 16-year-old girl walking to a school bus stop fought off a man trying to abduct her Thursday morning and police arrested him after a high-speed chase. Police: Man tried to abduct 16-year-old girl near bus stop Girl fought off man, bit him, police chief says Jonathan Buchanan in custody at Ponce Inlet Police Department According to the Ponce Inlet police chief, the girl was walking on Peninsula Drive at about 6 a.m. when 26-year-old Jonathan Buchanan tried talking to the girl, got out of his car and put his hands on her. The girl fought off the man and bit his hand. Police said Buchanan took off and after a chase during which speeds reached 70 mph, he was arrested by Daytona Beach Shores Police in a restaurant parking lot on Dunlawton Boulevard. Police said inside the four-door Buick LeSabre that Buchanan was driving they found a teddy bear and some kind of lotion. She just tried to walk away. He grabbed her hand. When she tried to pull away, he then grabbed her, wrapped one hand around her waist, another hand around her mouth and tried to drag her into his car," Police Chief Frank Fabrizio said. "She started trying to get away, bit at his hand, broke free, started screaming. That's when he ran back to his car. Tracey and Tom Conley live near the bus stop. Its a moms, all parents', single or together its everybodys worst nightmare, Tracey Conley said. Buchanan would not answer any questions as he was led to the Volusia County Branch Jail, charged with attempted kidnapping and assault. Police said he was uncooperative and needed a court order to see his hands, which they think had wounds from either from the girls teeth or braces when he put his hand over her mouth. Buchanan lives in Port Orange and police said he may have tried to abduct other women in the area. Police are looking at a report in Ormond Beach where he allegedly tried having sex with a young girl there. But he was never arrested because police there said he never stepped out of his car to make physical contact. The girl is shaken up but otherwise OK, police said. Police said they would increase patrols at bus stops. Wayland Baptist University held its annual Willson Lectures chapel service on Wednesday morning with Bruce Ammons serving as the guest speaker. Ammons, author of Conquering Debt Gods Way, offered a biblical world view of money management to those in attendance. Ammons, a 1985 graduate of Wayland, currently serves as a pastor at Sugar Creek Baptist Church in Sugarland near Houston. He has presented the live Conquering Debt Gods Way seminar at more than 500 churches in 24 states. On Wednesday, he gave students just a glimpse at how to deal with money management and debt. First, he wanted students to have a strong biblical foundation for money management, understanding that all things come from God and belong to God. He used 1 Chronicles 29 as an example in which David proclaimed that everything belonged to God 15 times in a few short verses. David set the example by giving of his own resources in order to build the temple. Whatever [God] has given you, be grateful for it. If He asks for some of it back, give it back, Ammons said. Guard against being prideful, even if you do well. Ammons encouraged students to be generous as a reminder that everything belongs to God. He encouraged them to set aside part of what they have to help others. Establish a generous heart now, with whatever you have, he said. If you can establish this truth in your heart now it all belongs to God and youre going to recognize that by taking action, by being generous off the top of everything God gives to you, it is going to set a foundation for your life that will have a ripple effect and continue to change lives years after youre dead and gone. He then gave student a practical application for personal money management. He explained the credit card trap that many young people fall into and how to avoid it by paying credit balances in full every month. Ammons said credit cards arent bad if used correctly, but credit card math can lead to tremendous debt if one is not careful. Following the chapel service, Ammons was available for a luncheon question-and-answer session at which time he touched more on personal applications for controlling debt. He explained the credit cycle and how credit scores worked and gave students some practical information on best practices in investing and saving. The Willson Lecture Series is held each year and was established in 1950 by gifts from Floydada residents James M. and Mavis Willson, successful business persons and active community residents. The Willsons grandson Blair and his wife Gayle were in attendance on Wednesday. Fifty-five Plainview ISD elementary students were among 150,094 Texas students in third, fourth, fifth and sixth grades to cast a vote to determine which childrens book would receive the coveted 2017 Texas Bluebonnet Award (TBA). The winning book is selected from a Texas Bluebonnet Award master list of 20 books chosen by the TBA selection committee and released at the Texas Book Festival each October. The nominated books, fiction and nonfiction, must have been written in the last three years by an author who resides and publishes in the United States. The committee also considers student interests, relevant content, reputable reviews and literary quality when selecting books to place on the nominating list. Once the books are selected, school librarians across Texas register to participate in the voting process and place the books in the campus libraries for students to access. According to Plainview ISD district librarian Susan Flippin, the award is a way to encourage reading for pleasure. Flippin adds that many students seem enthusiastic about participating in the voting and she hopes to see the program grow. I would love to see more voters as I believe these books represent a wide range of genres and there is interest for all. I am always looking for ways to challenge more to take up the Bluebonnet challenge and hope for the number of voters to climb each year in our schools, said Flippin. These books are for students in grades 3-6. I believe we could and should have 100 percent voting. That's the goal. Students qualify to cast individual votes by reading at least five books. The students have almost a year to read the nominated books and most students choose to read more than the required number. Each student keeps a reading map of the books they have read, said Flippin. They also either write a summary, take a reading quiz over the book, or answer questions asked by the library assistant at each campus. Voting for the Plainview students took place the week of Jan. 23-27. All voting has to take place by Jan. 31 so we wait until the last week of January to vote to give the students as much time as we can to read, explains Flippin. Votes are then submitted to the state committee for tabulation. Local students who participated in voting received certificates, a bluebonnet pencil, and a Texas-shaped bookmark at post-voting parties. These parties take place either at the time of voting or when the winner is announced depending upon the campus. Texas has many reading lists for different age groups, and there are programs planned for other grade levels, but the Bluebonnet Award is the oldest and the only one that students select the winner, Flippin said. Any author you talk to will tell you it is a coveted award because the kids chose, not the adults. Every author wants to win a Texas Bluebonnet Award. The title of the winning book, Roller Girl, was announced on Feb. 15. The Bluebonnet Award will be presented to the author, Victoria Jamieson, during the Texas Library Association Annual Conference each April. Flippin said some of the Plainview students this year voted for Roller Girl, but more of the local students had voted for various other titles. State-wide there were 18,841 votes for Roller Girl. Second place went to The Chicken Squad by Doreen Cronin and third place went to The Terrible Two by Mac Barnett and John Jory. I am thrilled with the students who participated in this years voting, said Flippin. I thank each one of them for their commitment to reading the Bluebonnet nominees. Those interested in reading this years nominated books can find a complete list of the books on the Texas Library Association website under the Reading List section. According to Flippin, the process of selecting next years winner is already under way. The 2017-2018 nominated books are ready for student consideration and students will begin reading as soon as reading maps are published by the Texas Bluebonnet committee. Steve Hackett will be bringing his skills to the Ridgefield Playhouse on Wednesday, Feb. 22. Hackett, the guitarist for the legendary rock band Genesis from 1971 to 1977, will release The Night Siren at the end of March. The guitarist joined the Record-Journals On the Record: Music podcast to talk about his years with Genesis, his upcoming tour and his new album. o o o Q: What songs can fans expect on the upcoming tour? A: Theres going to be two sets. We do a set to celebrate older classic things that I have done in the past, plus the new album The Night Siren. Then we do a set of Genesis stuff and most of that will center around the Wind & Wuthering album, my last one with the band. Q: Tell us about the new album. A: The Night Siren has 20 people on it from all around the world. We have Israel working with Palestine, Azerbaijan working with Iceland working with Hungry, Sweden, England all of that and many different styles. Its kind of world music album in a way, but its basically a rock album and the message is peace in troubled times. Q: What is your favorite Genesis album? A: I was very fond of Selling England by the Pound and I think Wind & Wuthering gave it a run for its money, it was different. I am looking forward to celebrating that and all the other Genesis albums I do something from each of them. Q: With Phil Collins heading back on tour, has there been talk about a possible Genesis reunion? A: Its mainly talk from other people, but I have always said that Id be up for (a reunion) ever since they approached me in 2005. I would say its possible but improbable because it hasnt happened yet. Q: When (Genesis) was creating music did you realize you were doing something that would inspire a new generation? A: I dont think anyone realizes that when they are doing something. Every band just does stuff to the best of their ability and they just hope that their record company is going to sign their contracts for their next album. I think we set the expectations low and in fact we were considered to be a bit of a problem for Charisma Records because we didnt have hit singles where Lindisfarne had a whole ton of hit singles and we went on tour with them. We used to feel like the runt of it but fortunes became reversed luckily for us. ppaguaga@record-journal.com 203-317-2235 Twitter: @PetePaguaga The Meriden Police Departments policy on the detention of undocumented immigrants has the support of its legislative delegation, albeit to mixed degrees. Reps. Hilda Santiago and Cathy Abercrombie, both Meriden Democrats, voiced the strongest support, saying they dont think the police department should be focused on immigration and the legal status of its residents. They need to concentrate on other issues dealing with crime and a better quality of life, Santiago said. Sen. Len Suzio, Meridens lone Republican state lawmaker, also supported the citys policy of only referring undocumented immigrants to federal authorities when they have committed a serious felony, as long as it complies with the federal policy. That is where the priority is right now and I dont think anyone can or does disagree with that, I dont care what side of the aisle youre on, he said about deporting undocumented immigrants who commit serious crimes. Rep. Emil Buddy Altobello, also a Democrat, said he didnt think he should instruct the police department on its policies and protocols. City and police officials last month fought back against being labeled as a sanctuary city, pointing out that the city has not officially adopted the title. The Center for Immigration Studies, a group that describes itself as low immigration, pro immigrant, identified Meriden as one of nine sanctuary cities statewide, and also labeled Connecticut a sanctuary state. Connecticut passed legislation in 2013 allowing municipalities to decide for themselves whether to comply with federal immigration orders. So far, four cities have adopted the sanctuary city title and prohibit police and other agencies from inquiring about someones immigration status or complying with federal orders, as Willimantic and Middletown recently joined New Haven and Hartford. Bridgeport is also considering doing so, but others, including Meriden and Manchester, have told media outlets that they are not sanctuary cities and have not adopted any formal policies ordering police officers or other employees to defy federal immigration orders. Meriden police officials have said their policy is to notify federal authorities when they take an undocumented immigrant into custody for serious felony charges, but not for lesser offenses or traffic stops. Police Sgt. Christopher Fry also told the Record-Journal last month that officers typically respond to extradition from other agencies, including federal authorities, and he is not aware of the department declining a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention. Suzio said this policy seems to fit with federal requirements, adding President Donald Trump hasnt yet moved toward his pledge for a more aggressive deportation effort. Suzio added law enforcement agencies need to focus resources on undocumented immigrants who commit crimes. Unfortunately theres enough of those around to keep us busy for the foreseeable future, he said, but added Meriden should remain in compliance with the law of the land should federal policy change. Santiago and Abercrombie were stronger in their support, saying the city should even fight against any changes in federal policy that call for broader scrutiny of residents immigration status and more ICE detentions. I think that were going down a slippery slope with this president right now that well be a country that may not come back from this, and that scares me to death, Abercrombie said. She also said the U.S. is a nation of immigrants, and she would continue to support the city even if the stance meant a loss of federal funding. Santiago, meanwhile, said she doesnt think local police departments should be focused on deportation. Unlike Suzio, though, she said its because undocumented immigrants make up a small portion of the city and commit so few crimes. Santiago said shed rather see the police department focus on other issues, pointing to residents concerns about public safety after a rash of shootings and other high-profile incidents in recent months. msavino@record-journal.com 203-317-2266 Twitter: @reporter_savino WALLINGFORD Bristol-Myers Squibb representatives say a change to the towns industrial zone regulations approved this week will prohibit the company from selling its 180-acre property to an unnamed boarding school. The Planning and Zoning Commission voted 4-1 Wednesday to eliminate religion, education and philanthropy as accepted land uses in the I-5 and IX industrial zones. The change will prevent Bristol-Myers Squibb, at 5 Research Parkway, from selling its property located in the IX industrial zone to a boarding school that has expressed interest in purchasing the property, according to Diane Whitney, an attorney representing Bristol Myers. Bristol-Myers, a global biopharmaceutical company, has tried to sell the property since 2014, when the company announced plans to close the Research Parkway facility in 2018 as part of a consolidation plan. Aside from the boarding school, the company has received no interest in the property despite robust marketing efforts, Whitney told the commission on Wednesday. Our objection to the proposed regulation change is that it reduces our ability to sell the property and therefore reduces its value, Whitney said. If this regulation goes in place, we would lose this sale and there is no one else waiting in the wings. The company was negotiating with the boarding school, Whitney said, adding the sale was very promising. Whitney didnt name the boarding school. About a half dozen Bristol-Myers representatives, who attended the Wednesday meeting, said they couldnt comment further. A spokesperson from Bristol-Myers didnt respond to questions Thursday. Commissioners James Seichter, James Fitzsimmons, JP Venoit and Rocco Matarazzo voted in favor of the zone change. Jeffrey Kohan opposed the change, calling it shortsighted and stating that the educational use is not clearly defined in the towns regulations. He raised concerns that a company could be deterred from moving to the industrial zones if it arguably has an educational use, such as professional training. The regulation change was proposed by Economic Development Specialist Tim Ryan and members of the Economic Development Commission, who said that allowing educational, philanthropic and religious uses in the zone could lessen the towns tax base because such uses are often tax exempt, unlike industrial businesses. Wallingford taxpayers have invested a significant amount of money, millions of dollars, in road and utility infrastructure in both zones in anticipation of a sustainable return through the payment of property taxes, Ryan said. Philanthropic, educational and religious uses do not represent entities obligated to pay taxes. Whitney said Wednesday the boarding school was for-profit and would have paid taxes on the Bristol-Myers property. In 2015, Bristol-Myers paid $2.3 million in taxes on the property, according to Assessor Shelby Jackson. At the end of the day, its not about whether its for-profit or nonprofit or pays taxes or doesnt pay taxes, Town Planner Kacie Costello said. From a regulations standpoint, this is about land uses. While municipalities can be reimbursed for revenue lost on nontaxable property through the states payment in lieu of taxes grant, Ryan said, the grant only makes up for a fraction of lost tax revenue and is a less predictable source of revenue. Ryan said town officials first seriously considered the change after Sacred Heart University purchased General Electrics former 66-acre facility in Fairfield for educational use. Town officials feared a tax-exempt school could similarly purchase industrial land in Wallingford. Town officials began informal discussions about the change before they learned of the potential Bristol-Myers property sale, Ryan added. Fitzsimmons, vice chairman of the commission, said the zoning change reflects the towns Plan of Conservation and Development, which states that Wallingford may need to adjust its economic development strategy and industrial use regulations to strengthen the local tax base and provide job opportunities. Seichter, the commissions chairman, said the change benefits industrial development in the zone. He noted the three uses were added in 1991 as an afterthought after little discussion because the I-5 and IX zones were the only zones in town that didnt allow education, religion and philanthropy as land uses. Whitney, an attorney specializing in real estate and land use, argued the commission doesnt have the power to make the change because it doesnt reasonably promote public health, safety, and welfare of the community. This change is only proposed to protect the tax base of the community, Whitney said. She added the change would be subject to challenge as outside the authority of the commission. Ryan said the change wasnt solely proposed to preserve tax revenue and that the town feels the three uses are inconsistent with the purpose of the industrial zones. Economic Development Commission Chairman Joe Mirra emphasized the change is not targeted at any specific property and is intended to promote long-term industrial growth in the zones. While a lot of focus is given to the Bristol-Myers property, Ryan said any property in the industrial zones could have been purchased for the three eliminated uses. Bristol-Myers property broker James Panczykowski said despite robust efforts to sell the property, he has received little interest. If this text amendment goes through as its proposed, Im worried about what might actually happen to that property, Panczykowski said prior to the commissions vote Wednesday. He said there are examples of similar facilities in Connecticut being demolished after failing to sell, including the former Aetna facility in Middletown, which was demolished and turned into a FedEx distribution center. Existing properties in the zone with educational, philanthropic and religious purposes will still be permitted under the change, effective Feb. 17, but could not expand on existing property. The High Road Academys BEST program, a private special education program housed at 29 Village Lane in the IX zone, had intentions to expand in the zone, program director Amy Fisher told the commission prior to the vote. With the regulation change, the program will not be able to expand for educational use. The program serves people with autism from ages 6 to 21. Fisher said the program wanted to expand its facility because its receiving a higher number of client referrals due to a dearth of similar autism education programs in the state. Our students have significant sensory motor needs, so having a larger space to allow them the space to explore and to acclimate would be huge, Fisher told the commission. The school is for-profit and pays property taxes, she added. mzabierek@record-journal.com 203-317-2279 An armed robber went to great lengths to disguise himself while holding up a Safeway in Pacifica on Wednesday, donning a full-head mask and glasses that made him appear to be a bald elderly man, police said Thursday. We believe the whole thing is a mask, that hes wearing a mask over his entire head, said Capt. Chris Clements of the Pacifica Police Department. Its pretty brazen and Im surprised more people didnt notice, [and say] Hey, thats weird; this guys walking around with a mask on, he added. The man entered the Safeway at the Linda Mar Shopping Center, and barged into the stores safe room brandishing a firearm, police said. He took an undisclosed amount of cash and headed toward Highway 1 on foot. Police were called to the Safeway around 9:40 p.m., just after the robbery, officials said. When reviewing stores surveillance footage, police discovered the man may have been wearing a lifelike, full-head mask with eyeglasses, Clements said. He also wore a gray or tan shirt and black pants, police said. Lifelike masks have been used in several high-profile robberies, including the 2012 Valentines Day robbery of a Pay-O-Matic in New York that closely emulated a robbery shown in the 2010 Ben Affleck heist drama The Town. The price of silicone and latex masks can run from around $40 for the most basic to thousands of dollars for more elaborate, handcrafted offerings and custom jobs. Police asked anyone with information related to the robbery to call them at (650) 738-7314. Filipa A. Ioannou is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: fioannou@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @obioannoukenobi Gary Fountain/For the Chronicle Frost bank celebrated the opening of its North Shore Financial Center at 13630 East Freeway, suite 300 on Wednesday. San Antonio-based Frost has 135 financial centers across Texas, including 32 in the Houston region. Its new location in east Houston offers a full range of financial services, including commercial and personal bankers as well as investment services. Johnny Hanson Lidl, the German discount grocer that was expected to launch stores in the Houston area this year, is eyeing sites in Pearland and League City, according to local news reports. The U.S. arm of the international company is looking at 16.84 acres of vacant land at the corner of FM 518 and Liberty Drive in Pearland, close to City Hall and Shadycrest Elementary School, Community Impact reports. (Adds details, background) BEIRUT, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Syria's President Bashar al-Assad said President Donald Trump's ban on Syrians entering the United States targeted terrorists, not the Syrian people, appearing to defend the logic of the measure in an interview broadcast on Thursday. Trump last month issued an executive order, since suspended by a U.S. district judge, that temporarily barred travellers from seven mostly Muslim countries including Syria, as well as imposing an indefinite ban on all Syrian refugees. "It's against the terrorists that would infiltrate some of the immigrants to the West. And that happened. It happened in Europe, mainly in Germany," Assad said in the interview with Europe 1 radio and TF1 television which was recorded on Tuesday in English. "I think the aim of Trump is to prevent those people from coming." It was "not against the Syrian people", he said. Trump said his order, which triggered protests at home and abroad and confusion at U.S. and international airports, was intended to prevent militants from entering the United States. His administration is challenging the suspension ruling, which was upheld last week by appeal court judges. Assad's government has often criticised Western states for their support for Syrian rebel groups, all of which are regarded by Damascus as terrorists, and has warned that such backing will lead to militant attacks around the world. Trump has not yet set out a clear policy on Syria but has indicated he could cut U.S. support for insurgent groups and has said he wants to mend ties with Russia, whose President Vladimir Putin is Assad's strongest international ally. Asked directly whether Trump's immigration policy was the right one, Assad did not answer. He also said he had not yet seen what Trump's Syria policy would be. (Reporting By Angus McDowall; editing by John Stonestreet) Bryan Sheffield isnt worried about a land-price bubble in West Texass booming Permian Basin oil field. Sheffield, chief executive of Austin-based Parsley Energy, just spent $2.8 billion on Permian land held by Fort Worths Double Eagle Energy. It was the second largest deal of the year so far, behind only Exxon Mobils $6.6 billion purchase of Bass family land in the Permians Delaware Basin. Parsley paid about $37,000 an acre and Sheffield says he wont pay more than $40,000 any time soon. But he argued that Permian sweet spots are so good theyll make money at $60,000 an acre which some have paid as long as the companies get rigs up and running on the land within a few months of purchase. Still, he warned, competition for services is now quickly tightening, and that will likely cut into profits. Hydraulic fracturing teams, drilling rigs and truck hauling crews are in such demand theyre firing clients who wont pay higher prices, or skipping jobs to find higher-paying work, he said. Its almost like 2011 again, he said in an interview after speaking at the winter NAPE conference at the George R. Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston. As the shale revolution was booming, when Parsley was much smaller, he was bringing frack companies breakfast. He even took oil field service executives to a World Series game Texas Rangers v. St. Louis Cardinals in Arlington that year, just so he could get on top of their waiting list. Its deja vu all over again, Sheffield said on Tuesday. The Double Eagle deal was Parsleys second of the year. The company spent $650 million in January for about 23,000 acres in the Delaware and Midland basins. Parsley is done buying land for the year, Sheffield said. But hes happy with the companys purchases. Were growing so fast, he said. I think were in the drivers seat. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate It's not yet clear how many Houstonians will participate in today's grassrootsy, unofficial "Day without an Immigrant" festivities, which have received lots of social media buzz and led a smattering of businesses to close their doors in protest of the Trump administration's hostile attitude towards immigration. It's becoming increasingly clear, however, that the U.S. would be weaker if immigration were to be cut off and those living here illegally expelled. The economy would suffer, especially in Texas, with fewer jobs available for native-born U.S. citizens, not more. Immigrants about half of whom are undocumented make up about 21 percent of Texas' workforce, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. The Pew Research Center estimates that there are 575,000 undocumented immigrants in Houston alone, and 475,000 in Dallas. Undocumented immigrants contributed $17.7 billion to the state's economic output, a 2006 analysis by the Texas comptroller's office found, and pay more in taxes to the state than they consume in services. Nationally, unauthorized immigrants contribute 3 percent of America's economic output a number that would rise if they gained legal status, according to economists, since it would give them access to better job opportunities. JOE KLAMAR/Staff Since the election, even more research has come out on the impact of immigration, legal and otherwise. One of the most interesting studies came from Michael Clemens of the Center for Global Development. He found that when Mexican braceros farm workers brought in to work for a defined period of time were suddenly expelled from the U.S. in the 1960s in an effort to raise wages for U.S. farm workers, nothing of the sort happened. Instead, farm owners invested in technology to do the work with fewer people. Wages stayed as low as ever. The end of the bracero program marked the beginning of the upswing in illegal immigration. Although the flow of illegal immigrants from Mexico has slowed dramatically in recent years more Mexicans now leave the U.S. than come in researchers from the Dallas Fed argued in January that the best way to reduce the flow further without disrupting the industries that rely on immigrants would be to liberalize visa programs and award more work permits. That's why in Texas, even politicians who talk tough on illegal immigrants tend not to crack down on employers, knowing the labor would be very difficult to replace. The impact of immigration, however, isn't just about farm workers and dishwashers. Researchers from the University of Chicago and Harvard Business School found that technology areas with greater involvement from foreign-born inventors generated more patents, suggesting that immigrants contributed more to innovation than U.S.-born citizens. Of course, it would help to have more data on how immigrants affect the Texas economy and finances. In that spirit, state Sen. Don Huffines , R-Dallas, has filed a bill that would require a biannual accounting of the costs to the state of illegal immigrants. "Texans deserve a formalized and ongoing process by which we can account for the costs taxpayers bear as a result of the federal government's failures to secure the border and to provide for a functioning system of legal immigration," Huffines said in a press release. Huffines is probably right that a functioning system of legal immigration would improve the productivity of immigrants as well as the state's finances. But even under the status quo, it's likely that ongoing studies would find immigrants in Texas to be a net benefit, not a cost. In fact, that appears to be why the comptroller's 2006 study hasn't been repeated since. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Without a script and only a "little, old Android" phone, a San Antonio comedienne has amassed a huge Facebook following who tune in to see what the chola (and her mega-fleek eyebrows) will do next. La Tiny's Facebook presence is the opposite of what her name implies. With more than 10 million views on a single video and more than 400,000 likes and followers combined, it's safe to say her online persona is a giant. Myra Alix, a 35-year-old legal assistant, said she thought up and began playing La Tiny in May 2016 after two friends suggested the idea. RELATED: Meet the S.A. mom who makes up to $1,600 a week from professional 'cuddling' "My character is a satire of the typical chola female and while most cholas are considered to be tough and mean, my chola character is quite the opposite despite her 'look,'" Alix explained. "She tends to be sweet, soft-spoken with a high-pitched voice and is completely unaware that her look is outdated." Alix, an improvisational comedienne, employs a "turn on and go" approach in producing her hit videos. "All of my videos are 100% improvised and shot on my little old Android," she added. "There is no script, there is no editing nor sound effects. It is usually just one take from start to finish if I have no interruptions." She said her first video, "Meet Gabriela AKA La Tiny," was intended solely for her friends' amusement and like many internet stars, she did not expect the attention that followed. The comedienne did have some experience. As a child, she was the on-hand talent for family parties. She realized her knack for making people laugh and her love for it from an early age. In 2014, she enrolled in classes at Performing Arts San Antonio. RELATED: San Antonio residents, stories that went viral in 2016 "My love for comedy grew instantly even more than before," Alix said. Alix eventually hopes to take La Tiny to stand up and is working with a local film maker on an upcoming web series. Most of the responses to the videos have been positive. The local social media star said chronically ill or depressed people have told her she's their comedic relief. "I was moved to tears when I read that my silly videos made them smile for the first time in a long time," she added. Some have taken offense to the videos, too. "(They) accuse me of giving Latina women a bad name," she said. "However that is not at all what my intention is. My goal is to make people laugh." mmendoza@mysa.com Twitter: @MaddySkye This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Adam Ant will always be remembered for Goody Two Shoes, the horn-driven early 80s hit that made him a star on MTV. On Wednesday, the New Wave icon played the Charline McCombs Empire Theatre and showed theres more to the story than a quasi-novelty hit and pre-Johnny Depp pirate fashion. OK, the swash buckling still goes on. But Ant did score musical points. For one, he's downright edgy. And his band plays loudly through Marshall and Ampeg amps. He came to deliver, top-to-bottom the seminal album Kings of the Wild Frontier, which came out in 1980 and was credited to Adam and the Ants. It established him as a glam star in Britain. The sound pounding drums, layered harmonies and odd hooks became a template for those who would follow a couple of years later. One listen to Duran Durans debut and its clear the group studied Kings of the Wild Frontier. The songs, Dog Eat Dog, Antmusic, Feed Me to the Lions, Los Rancheros, Ant Invasion and the rest dont exactly transcend time but they do reflect the same creativity and pop fun they did when it was first issued. Its not clear if Adam Ant is trying to prove he wasnt a one-hit wonder. But he owns it. And the pre-hit legacy is surely worthy of revisiting. Hundred of fans showed up to scream approval. Some dressed in pirate garb; many wore Adam Ant T-shirts. Its been more than 30 years since Ant played in San Antonio (He played at the Majestic Theatre on March 19, 1983; and many remember an outdoor show at Texas Rocks in 1982). Backed by two drummers, bass and guitar, Ant brought the rock noise, a perfect example of that early 80s sound, though much rawer. He remains slim and trim, and in full garb is a timeless figure. The show rocked hard, as hard as his contemporaries. But they werent cursed with a monster hit. Goody Two Shoes dwarfed everything. But not here. The screams were all too real on Wednesday, with most fans on their feet all night. This was more of a time capsule than nostalgia trip. The show was loud, raw and exciting. Ant was comfortable, whether behind his Gibson Les Paul electric guitar or simply working he microphone with those signature dance moves. Musically, the show rocked harder than Duran Duran or Psychedelic Furs in those bands modern incarnations. And if those acts owe a nod to Ant, so does the star of the show acknowledge the straight line from T. Texs Bang a Gong (Get It On) to Vive Le Rock. He played both. Its small wonder why those musicians wouldve watched from the wings. He was that good and still is. He cant help it if hes Adam Ant. hsaldana@express-news.net This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate STAMFORD Raphael Roberts was puzzled when he found the market where he plays the lottery almost daily closed on a sunny winter afternoon. But he quickly learned the reason from a sign outside that store and many others on West Main Street. Closed. Supporting the cause. One day without immigrants, the signs read, most of them in Spanish. It was one of at least 20 city businesses that didnt open on Thursday as part of a nationwide boycott called A Day Without Immigrants, aimed at demonstrating the contribution of foreign-born residents to the U.S. economy and drawing attention to thousands of undocumented immigrants in Stamford who fear deportation under President Donald Trumps administration. Roberts couldnt remember the last time C.O.N. Mini Market, at 190 West Main St., was closed. So for him, the message being sent was received. Basically, we cant get the stuff that we need, he said, glancing around at one immigrant-owned business after another in the heavily commercial stretch on West Main Street near Stillwater Avenue. If we didnt have immigrants, this whole strip would be closed, Roberts said. The daylong strike was organized and promoted mostly through social media and Spanish-language television. Rallies were also held in several cities across the country, including Bridgeport. On Stamfords West Side, which has a large immigrant population, customers found closed restaurants, barbershops and grocery stores. Most of them are owned by Hispanic families, although at least one Asian restaurant also was closed on West Main Street. Raymond Pichardo, a 30-year U.S. resident from the Dominican Republic, joined the protest by closing his Boost Mobile store downtown. We are part of the community, he said. We are not people who are doing bad things for the community. We pay taxes. We contribute. Mistreated Protest leaders also encouraged immigrants and citizens to refrain from shopping, going to work or sending their kids to school Thursday. Public schools in Stamford were closed Thursday for the winter recess. The American Civil Liberties Union, which has defended many of those affected by Trumps now-blocked executive order that banned immigration from seven mostly Muslim countries, supported the demonstration. However, the campaign appears to have spread on social media with the hashtag #DayWithoutImmigrants. We need to be heard, said William Lanfranco, who kept his West Side candle store closed on Thursday. We feel mistreated by this president. Trump has pledged to increase deportation of illegal immigrants and build a wall along the Mexican border. He also has blamed high unemployment on foreign-born workers. At a White House news conference on Thursday, Trump boasted of border security measures and immigration arrests the past week, saying, We are saving lives every single day. Since the end of 2007, the number of foreign-born workers employed in the U.S. has climbed by nearly 3.1 million to 25.9 million. They account for 56 percent of the increase in U.S. employment over that period, according to the U.S. Labor Department. The foreign-born who include American citizens, green-card holders and those working without legal authorization tend to be younger and to take jobs in fields that have been growing fastest, including restaurants, hotels and retail. Theyre hiring Thursdays boycott was just a sample of the impact that immigrants, regardless of their status, have on the citys economy, said Catalina Horak, executive director of Building One Community, an immigration resource center formerly known as Stamford Neighbors Link. We are so misled sometimes in thinking immigrants are a burden to our community, she said. Theyre hiring people, theyre purchasing products... Its a whole economic activity. Horak said the campaign does not aim to support breaking the law, but to advocate for comprehensive immigration reform. Pichardo agreed, noting that the current immigration system needs be fixed. We need to secure the border and screen whoever is here, he said. Were not against the president. Were against the way they treat immigrants. The Associated Press contributed to this report. noliveira@stamfordadvocate.com, 203-964-2265, @olivnelson STRATFORD - A former Federal Express employee was arrested after police said he stole cell phones destined for Yale University. Rudolph Bholanath, 22, of Boswell Street, was charged Thursday with second-degree larceny. He was released after posting $30,000 bond. Police said Yale University had purchased eight cell phones that were to be delivered to the school by Federal Express. However, when the boxes arrived they were empty. Police said officers watched the surveillance video from the Stratford Federal Express facility and saw Bholanath, a package handler, taking the cell phones out of the boxes at the facility and then resealing the boxes. He then took the cell phones to his car, police said. Officers checked the area pawn shops and discovered Bholanath had sold the phones at East Coast Pawn in Bridgeport for $1,970, police said. When they later confronted him, police said Bholanath denied taking the cell phones from the Federal Express facility and claimed they had in fact been, found property. He said he often attended parties at the University of Connecticut and would collect cell phones that had been dropped on the floor by students, police related. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Albany The popular "Cooking at Home'' with Dan Eaton, a daily recipe segment that airs on Time Warner Cable News in Albany and across upstate, is not being renewed. Eaton's contract expires at the end of February and he was informed by the parent media company, acquired last year by Charter Communications in a $67 billion deal, that his culinary skills were no longer needed. "It's unexpected, but it is what it is," Eaton, 58, said Thursday from his home in Rochester, where he taped more than 3,000 two-minute cooking segments in his family's kitchen since 2005 while building a large and loyal audience. A spokesperson from Charter Communications declined to comment. He was a cable TV celebrity of sorts, stopped on the street by fans who liked his simple recipes, reedy voice and a homespun style that was seen in nearly 5 million Time Warner Cable households in markets stretching from Florida to California, the Carolinas to Texas and all across the Empire State. He is a self-taught cook, with no formal culinary training. His ordinariness an Everyman behind the stove, which wasn't some fancy schmancy gourmet model either was one of his charms that connected him to his audience. Eaton's segments were the most-watched free video on demand segment in Time Warner Cable's Albany market, according to local station officials contacted for a 2010 article. "I guess they're moving in a different direction," Eaton said. "I'm looking at it as a chance to try something new. I don't have any ill will." The TV gig came along at the right time for Eaton, who spent 15 years of nights and weekends cooking in high-end Rochester restaurants. "I only saw my kids in the morning as they went off to school," he said of his children, who were 13 and 10 at the time when he started the TV job. "The timing was beautiful in my life and this job was a gift," he said. He was a hands-on father who worked at home during their teen years the job's greatest perk. His daughter, Lyla, 24, who has a Chinese language degree, now works in New York City for a firm that fosters business partnerships between Chinese and American companies. His son, Rider, 21, is a senior at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester who is finishing his degree in jazz bass performance. Father and son occasionally jam together. Eaton fronts The Dan Eaton Band, a rock quartet that plays at local farmers' markets and has released two CDs. "Rider left me in the dust with his skills," Eaton said. Eaton's wife, Martha O'Connor, teaches English as a New Language to refugee and immigrant adults in Rochester. Eaton said the TV assignment was the longest he had worked in one place, besides an eight-year stint at a restaurant. Before he got his first kitchen job, he worked as a drywall installer. His signature soul patch and tousled ginger hair has faded to gray over the past 12 years and he is unsure of what's next. "I'm still decompressing, letting it settle in and getting my feet on the ground," said Eaton, whose daily cooking segments were augmented by a 30-minute online segment on regional farmers and food producers that featured a recipe with those products. Eaton's next chapter may involve teaching cooking classes, creating pop-up cooking events, publishing a cookbook, producing his own cooking segments online and playing more gigs. "The possibilities are wide open, but it will involve food in some way," he said. On a personal note, Eaton's absence will be felt acutely in the Times Union newsroom. As in many offices, TVs at the paper are tuned to Time Warner Cable News as ambient background sound. Some reporters and editors perk up when Eaton comes on during his cooking segment, which gets repeated every three hours beginning at 7:25 a.m. We mimic his sign-on, "Hi, I'm glad you're here," and often discuss his ingredients, cooking methods and even his plating technique. This reporter makes his roasted Brussels sprouts recipe with carrots, onions and balsamic for office potlucks and it's invariably one of the first communal dishes spooned clean. "That's probably the recipe I get the most email comments on," he said. "People talk about how they hated Brussels sprouts, but that carmelizing effect with roasting changed everything." Eaton is a big fan of bacon and he used it in unexpected ways in several recipes. "Anything with bacon gets a nice reaction," he said. His departure will leave a void in the repertoires of many home cooks, but he will not miss having his home and kitchen invaded two times a week for a few hours at a time by a TV crew while they taped multiple segments. He doesn't plan to return to the late-night tyranny of a restaurant kitchen. "I've learned the value of balance in my life that I didn't have before," he said. "This job gave me balance and for that I'll always be grateful." pgrondahl@timesunion.com 518-454-5623 @PaulGrondahl AUSTIN -- Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, parroting President Donald Trump, has recently taken to calling news coverage he dislikes "fake news." As a distraction, it works. When it comes to transparency, the Texas Senate's recent moves to restrict media coverage are in line with Patrick's order to the Legislative Budget Board to suppress staff reports -- a move later thwarted by his LBB co-chair, House Speaker Joe Straus. Meanwhile, Gov. Greg Abbott, the "ethics" governor, has a new Secretary of State Rolando Pablos, who drew the ire of Republican and Democratic senators when he asked them this past week to sign nondisclosure agreements before he would share what he claims is evidence of voter fraud. Abbott, perhaps more Trump-like than Patrick in a legislative sense, has little if any relationship with the presiding officers of the House and Senate, and prefers to tweet rather than engage in conversations with those he will need to collaborate with to pass his priorities into law. Amid Patrick and Trump's accusations of "fake news" and the Secretary of State's demands for a veil of secrecy to discuss voter fraud, prosecutors seeking a change of venue argue that Attorney General Ken Paxton depends on a network of secretly-funded organizations directed by Tim Dunn and his allies posing as news outlets to taint the jury pool in Collin County for his felony trial. In their bombshell legal filing late last week, prosecutors said Watchdog.org, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, "has close ties to Dunn, a Midland oilman, a noted Paxton supporter who guaranteed a million-dollar loan for him in the darkest days of his 2014 runoff election" and pointed out that Dunn's Empower Texans PAC "gave Paxton a $100,000 campaign contribution" at that time. That's the same Empower Texans that tried and failed in applying for a media credential at the Texas Capitol, denying floor access to a group that routinely makes campaign expenditures and has a case of alleged illegal lobbying pending in the courts. None of that has stopped the Empower Texans "Scorecard" from dispatching one of their "correspondents" to Capitol press conferences to serve up softball questions to the likes of Dunn beneficiary Rep. Jonathan Stickland, R-Bedford. Another prime example of how all this works: An entity called Direct Action Texas gained a bit of notoriety last year by spreading allegations of voter fraud in Tarrant County and in the Texas House district represented by State Affairs Committee Chairman Byron Cook, R-Corsicana. Cook is one of the victims in the criminal case against Paxton and continues pushing to bring Dunn's political spending into the light through greater disclosure. Direct Action Executive Director Aaron Harris has aided Paxton in creating scenarios of alleged voter fraud for Paxton's office to investigate. Harris also filed the judicial complaint against the judge in the Paxton case and then wrote op-eds about it, appearing in newspapers like the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Missing from almost all news coverage of Direct Action Texas' accusations has been the fact that the group is actually a for-profit company, an LLC, founded by another major donor to Paxton, Dallas hotelier Monty Bennett. Bennett and Harris are business partners in the LLC called "Grassroots Groundgame" operating under the dba "Direct Action Texas." On its website, the company calls itself a "political advocacy organization in the DFW area." Bennett was also central to efforts during the last GOP primary cycle to oust Republican members of the Texas House who support Speaker Straus. Bennett joined with Texas Public Policy Foundation board members Dunn, Jeff Sandefer, Jim Leininger and others in spending more than $3 million against the Straus leadership team and the Speaker himself. In Dunn fashion, Bennett faces a longstanding pending complaint about his political activities before the Texas Ethics Commission. Bennett is accused of not disclosing an estimated $200,000 in local elections in Tarrant County. Bennett's Direct Action Texas led the charge claiming voter fraud in Rep. Cook's race in Hill County and local races in Tarrant County. Those claims were amplified by Watchdog.org. But Abbott's new Secretary of State Pablos, while refusing to publicly give evidence for voter fraud, did tell senators on the Nominations Committee that the controversy over Chairman Cook's did not seem to be voter fraud at all. As originally reported by QR's Kimberly Reeves, Pablos said the Hill County situation could be attributed to human error, "a failure to follow directions," and suggested better training. "I very quickly began to realize, particularly with Hill County, the Secretary of State's office is there to educate, train, support the counties. In the Hill County situation from what I understand, it was human error, failure to follow procedures," Pablos said. "We have mechanisms in place that help us identify potential situations like that early on, were able to look for patterns as they emerge, but sometimes that doesn't happen." Bias could be said to exist in all media, but that misses the point entirely. Watchdog.org, while flogging Rep. Cook with those allegations of voter fraud, also purchased political radio ads in DFW where AG Paxton's trial is scheduled to promote a lawsuit filed against Cook. All of this unfolding in Texas adds to the public's growing uncertainty about what constitutes "fake news." Given that, it is more important than ever that organizations are up front about who is bankrolling their efforts and how their resources are spent. Can there at least be broad agreement that news organizations do not make political expenditures supporting or opposing candidates and officeholders? Copyright 2017, Harvey Kronberg,http://quorumreport.com/index.cfm, All rights are reserved. This story is presented as part of the Houston Chronicle's collaboration with Quorum Report. For inside information on Texas politics and government and to sign up for real-time updates, go here. A critical step has been taken in moving the Northpark Drive Project forward in the Transportation Improvement Program application process. Stan Sarman, chairman of the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority and Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone 10, announced Feb. 9 that both the Houston Galveston Area Council's Technical Advisory Committee and its Transportation Policy Council agreed to include the proposed Northpark Drive overpass and expansion project in the Regional Transportation Plan during their December 2016 meetings. The redevelopment authority and city of Houston Public Works and Engineering Department commissioned a Kingwood Area Mobility Study in May 2015 to determine a list of mobility projects needed in the area. The Northpark Drive project was one of the project proposals that resulted from this study. It includes the construction of an overpass across Texas 494 Loop and the railroad tracks, as well as the widening of Northpark Drive to a six-lane boulevard from U.S. 59 to Woodland Hills Drive. Data collected for the Northpark Drive Mobility Improvement Project shows that as of Nov. 21, Northpark Drive is operating over capacity at approximately 40,000 trips per day. The existing capacity for daily traffic in 2015 was 27,200 trips. On average, the Northpark Drive improvements may save a regular commuter up to 66 hours annually and could reduce crashes by 15 percent. Sarman called the approval for inclusion in the Regional Transportation Plan an important step. The next step, he said, is to wait for the Houston Galveston Area Council to have a call for projects, anticipated to occur in fall 2017. "Then it will take a year for HGAC, and the process they go through, to come up with a short list of projects and that would be the fall of 2018," Sarman said. "Then it will take a year to do the final programming of the project, which will take until fall of 2019 to finish the construction (plans) because we can't really finish the construction plans until we've entered into an agreement with TxDOT and funding is available; that's a part of the programming." On the project's current track, Sarman's best estimate for the start of construction on the Northpark Drive project is the year 2020. "As we move along here, if we are made aware that there is some function or work that we can complete that will help us in moving us up the pecking order, then we will," Sarman said. "It's not a fast process, but there is a source of funding there." Sarman also delivered an update to the board regarding intersection improvement projects planned for the Kingwood area in the near future. Originally, three intersection projects were expected to move forward, including mobility improvements to West Lake Houston Parkway at Northpark Drive, West Lake Houston Parkway at Kings Crossing, and Hamblen Road at Forest Cove Drive. However, it was decided during the January Forest Cove Property Owners Association meeting that the Hamblen Road intersection mobility improvements would not move forward due to resident disapproval. The two remaining intersection improvement projects will move forward as a single project. According to sketches of general improvements proposed for the intersections provided by Houston Councilman Dave Martin's office, improvements for West Lake Houston Parkway at Northpark Drive include the addition of eastbound and southbound right turn lanes, the reduction of the intersection's west median, the realignment of the street right-of-way and the lengthening of the northbound left turn bays. At West Lake Houston Parkway and Kings Crossing Drive, intersection improvements include the addition of a westbound right turn lane, new ramps and sidewalk across the intersection's east median, and new curb ramps and sidewalk markings. "The other two projects, we're going to combine them together and put them out as one project," Sarman said. "The rough estimated cost of those two intersections is approximately $1.2 million." Walter P. Moore representative Bryan Brown said the two intersection projects were expected to receive city approval before the March redevelopment authority board meeting. After receiving city approval, the projects will be advertised for bid. "That would put us roughly on schedule to accept bids sometime in March, make a (contractor) selection and hopefully - what we've discussed is - it would be a good potential target to ask the contractor that's selected to start mobilizing on construction sometime after school gets out (around) late May, early June," Brown said. "As the traffic dies down a little bit, it will cause a little less pressure on these intersections during the construction." Brown estimated construction on the two intersection projects would take approximately 60 to 75 days. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A brownish drill rig barrels 20 feet into the earth behind River of Praise church off of Texas 249 and the intersection of the Grand Parkway and Boudeaux Estates Road, on a foggy Monday morning. Once the drill reaches the bottom, it begins to spin, gradually stripping caramel-colored clay from the planet's crust, carving the hole even deeper. In a matter of weeks, the posse of 16-wheel trucks and cranes in the church's parking lot will replace the 8-foot diameter hole with a soaring, white cross. Standing at 125 feet tall, the cross will be as much a local landmark as it is a manifestation of one couple's pain, love, and legacy. Honoring Paul Ryan Paul Whitaker was born in 1981. Described as a people-lover, Whitaker had "a heart as big as Texas" and the same honey-hazel eyes and downward-pointed nose as his mother, Paula. Having specialized in automotive technology, Ryan told his mother that he wanted to go back to school so he could study to become a nurse. In 2007, at 25, he opted for the early career shift because he said it would allow him to help people. Less than two weeks later, he died from medical complications while recovering from a work incident that left bulging disks in his vertebrae. "I miss him every day," Paula Whitaker said. "It felt like looking across the Grand Canyon with all your dreams for your grandchildren on the other side; Ryan was the bridge." Following his passing, Paula considered potential ideas for a memorial for her son. They felt his legacy would be best preserved doing the work he intended to do with his own life. They've cemented that legacy through a number of projects, utilizing what would've been his inheritance to support initiatives like the Shattered Lives Program, Kenya South Africa Missions, Salem Lutheran Ministries, Tomball Pregnancy Center, and the Tomball Rotary. The Ryan Paul Whitaker Nursing Scholarship Endowment was also created to provide nursing scholarships to two students, a program set to expand this year. TOMAGWA Health Care Ministries' medical center is also named in his honor. Still, that outreach felt incomplete for the couple. Southern cross While taking a road trip to the Smokey Mountains of Tennessee to relieve some of the grief and depression following Ryan's death, Paula said she spotted an enormous cross on a hill near her hometown, Chattanooga. Overcome with emotion, tears in her eyes, she persuaded Ken to turn around so they could better observe the structure. She and Ken stayed there for pictures and prayers for another hour or two. Paula said she felt the rush of the Holy Spirit uplift her during that visit. She'd see two more towering crosses on the way through North Carolina, a sign assuredly, she felt, that she'd eventually have to erect a similar one back home. Over the course of 10 years, Whitaker gradually researched the other crosses before reaching out and developing a relationship with the builder, James Potter, who's built 50 similar crosses throughout the country. She planned for the Tomball version to be crafted like the Groom cross in northwest Texas. Building a tribute Darrylinn Akerman and her husband, Mike, own M&D Industries, which is lending its services for the erection of the cross, free of charge. Akerman watches on with a mix of pride and attentiveness, as a crew of men empty what remains in the soon-to-be 35-foot-hole. For she and Mike - longtime friends of the Whitakers - working on this project was a no-brainer. For their employees, it was an opportunity to be a part of something special to their faith. It's also a bit extra-ordinary for the company, which typically does this type of work helping TxDOT to build bridges. "She called to ask if we knew anyone who could dig a hole," Akerman said, noting that she and Mike were excited to offer their help. "We feel honored to be a part of this." The cross was primarily funded by the Ryan Paul Whitaker Memorial Foundation. Its material, labor, and erection cost around $250,000-300,000 in sum. Upon completion, the cross will feature a quartz and limestone base with benches for prayer and meditation. It will also have a water baptistery in the front and LED lights that will reflect different colors upon the cross. It will officially be dedicated on Easter Sunday although it is now open to visitors. Whitaker said she wants the cross to be accessible to anyone, especially travelers who may spot the towering symbol and be inspired as she first was 10 years ago. Ostensibly, the cross is the capstone to Ryan's legacy, a symbol of everything Paula and Ken have poured into this world. If it serves to help and inspire others, as their son once did, it seems Ryan's legacy will last longer than the couple had hoped. Whitaker is standing about 30 feet away from the hole as the trucks slowly maneuver around it. She gently closes her eyes, remembering her son's face as the wind brushes past her cheeks. "This is something I've wanted more than anything else," she said. Johnny Hanson/Staff As part of its lead up to the rodeo, Tomball will host its annual trail ride reception on Feb. 28 from the Tomball Depot. "The Sam Houston Trail Riders have been stopping in Tomball for many years as they make their way into Houston," Tomball director of marketing and tourism, Mike Baxter, said in an email. "More than 100 trail riders are usually involved in the ride along with the horses, wagons, support vehicles and more." bill maher Bill Maher broke his silence about Jeremy Scahill's protest of the booking of controversial far-right journalist Milo Yiannopoulos on Maher's HBO talk show, "Real Time," and Scahill's decision to cancel his appearance on the show. Scahill, the founder of the journalism website the Intercept and a frequent "Real Time" guest, announced his decision to cancel his appearance on Maher's show on Wednesday over the booking of Yiannopoulos on the same episode airing Friday. In Scahill's lengthy statement, he said that he feared Yiannopoulos' appearance on the HBO show would be used by the writer and Breitbart editor to "legitimize his hateful agenda." Scahill also said that while he respects Maher, he finds some of the host's opinions "offensive," and said Maher's comments on Islam and Muslims "veer into vitriol." Why I will not appear this week on Real Time with Bill Maher. pic.twitter.com/SOoE3udrDr jeremy scahill (@jeremyscahill) February 15, 2017 In a statement issued late on Wednesday, according to Deadline, Maher responded to Scahill's critique of his comments surrounding Islam and Muslims, and the host argued that the journalist's decision not to engage in debate with Yiannopoulos is indicative of why "liberals will continue to lose elections." My comments on Islam have never veered into vitriol. Liberals will continue to lose elections as long as they follow the example of people like Mr. Scahill whos[sic] views veer into fantasy and away from bedrock liberal principles like equality of women, respect for minorities, separation of religion and state, and free speech. If Mr. Yiannopoulos is indeed the monster Scahill claims and he might be nothing could serve the liberal cause better than having him exposed on Friday night. Yiannopoulos has been at the center of several uproars surrounding his politics, which have been associated with the alt-right and white nationalism, though in an interview with Business Insider, he disowned the alt-right movement, saying he doesn't want to be associated with "fringe factions" that have "genuinely racist, anti-Semitic, and prejudiced leanings." Story continues Earlier this month, a violent demonstration on the University of California, Berkeley, campus led to the cancellation of Yiannopoulos' appearance there as part of a book tour. President Donald Trump threatened to pull federal funds from the university as a result. Editor's note: Milo Yiannopoulos has previously written columns published by Business Insider. NOW WATCH: 'NO FEDERAL FUNDS?': Trump threatens UC Berkeley after campus erupts in protests over Milo Yiannopoulos speech More From Business Insider Judge Phil Grant in the 9th state District Court issued a warning to Montgomery County residents about a recent phone scam. In the scam, the caller tells the victim Grant signed a warrant for their arrest for their failure to show up for a grand jury summons. The scam is an effort to try and get the victim to pay a fake fine over the phone. Grant refuted the scam in a post on Facebook and warned residents to not fall victim to it. "Your local judges are not going to issue warrants for your arrest for not showing up for grand jury or regular jury duty," Grant said. A real grand jury summons comes from the Montgomery County District Clerk's Office and is much like jury duty. Residents receive a summons through the mail and are instructed to show up to the courthouse in Conroe, where they are either selected for a jury or sent home. Residents can be fined for not showing up, Grant said, but judges seldom sign arrest warrants for doing so. A resident reached out to Grant when they received the phone call, which prompted Grant to post on Facebook. If residents get a call like this one, Grant urged them to contact their local law enforcement agency. Eden Vitoff, a 2016 Edwardsville High School graduate, spent his high school years advocating to protect the environment and had a special passion for fighting against climate change. Trained through Al Gores Climate Reality Project organization, Vitoff spoke at many environmental rallies including a Clean Jobs rally in Springfield last year. Vitoff recently learned that a portion of his Springfield speech has been included in Gores recently debuted movie sequel to An Inconvenient Truth. Several weeks ago I received an email on behalf of the producers of the film, which notified me that they were planning on using a small clip from a rally speech I gave in front of the Illinois State Capitol, Vitoff said. They did not tell me how long the clip would be, but I suspect it will be very brief. Even so, Im extremely excited and honored that my speech will be featured in this film at all. This is the sequel to 'An Inconvenient Truth,' a movie by Al Gore that helped inspire me and so many others to become active in the fight against climate change, Vitoff added. I couldnt be happier to be a part of this important movie, made by one of my heroes who first got me interested in environmental advocacy. Since the movie premiered at the Sundance Film Festival just a few weeks ago, Vitoff hasnt had an opportunity yet to see the film. I wont see it until its wide theatrical release later this year. I cant wait to see the film. It will follow Al Gore through the work he has done in the 10 years since 'An Inconvenient Truth' was released, Vitoff noted. Much of his environmental work is done through his nonprofit, the Climate Reality Project, which is dedicated to training people around the world to give presentations on climate change. As you recall, I had the opportunity to be one of those trainees when I was accepted in the Toronto training in 2015. Not only did Vitoff spend much of his time at EHS speaking out about environmental issues but he also helped join together other high school students across the state who shared in his environmental passions. He and 2015 EHS graduate Rebecca Laurent, created The GreenLYFE (Leading Youth For the Environment) Network in 2015. The duo created the network as a way to partner with other high school and college environmental groups to empower them to speak out against environmental issues like global warming as well as engage in environmental conversations with civic and political leaders. After graduating from EHS, Vitoff enrolled at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., where he has been equally active in both environmental and political issues since he arrived in the countrys capital this past fall. Especially with the election of Donald Trump, there has been no shortage of protests to attend in D.C., Vitoff said. Ive had the opportunity to speak at a few environmental rallies, against the Dakota Access Pipeline and against climate denier Myron Ebell when he was considered a front runner for EPA director. The students at GW have consistently been ranked the most politically active in the country, which is one of the reasons I chose to attend, Vitoff added. I love the political atmosphere on campus. Every day I wake up brainstorming how I can fight against some injustice. Among other political action groups, Vitoff is very involved in Fossil Free GW, a student organization focused on environmental justice. Currently we are working to convince our university administrators to divest from the fossil fuel industry, Vitoff pointed out. He noted that he and a group of his peers had planned a protest at the GW Board of Trustees meeting just last week to issue an ultimatum that if the university refused to divest its portfolio from the fossil fuel industry that the students would engage in further acts of civil disobedience. We are not afraid to stand up to our university administrators when they actively profit off of the destruction of our Earth and endanger our generations future, Vitoff said. I feel that whatever disciplinary repercussions are associated with these actions pale in comparison to the gravity of this issue. People will look back at these moments and understand that we, the students, were on the right side of history. As his first year at GW is nearing an end, Vitoff noted that he felt it had been a transformative year. It has helped me identify my inherent privilege as a straight, white male, he said. I was somewhat aware of it before, but its something I didnt think a lot about in Edwardsville, where the vast majority of my friends came from a similar economic and racial background. A big takeaway for myself this year is to take a step back, listen more to those who are different from me, and understand that I dont have all the answers. Vitoffs summer plans include hopefully securing a meaningful political or environmental internship. And when I get back to Edwardsville for a few months for break, I might dabble in some protest organizing as needed, he said. I dont plan on squandering any opportunity to educate and empower members of our community particularly young people on progressive issues." OROVILLE, Butte County Dam operators at Lake Oroville started reducing the amount of water gushing out of the reservoir Thursday as they begin crucial work to get the facilitys hydroelectric plant working again and to clear broken concrete and other debris out of the spillway system. The work began just as the first of a series of wet storms swept in, but state officials said they were sure they could keep the lake level low enough to prevent the kind of worrisome overflow that triggered massive evacuations Sunday. With the weather we are anticipating, I dont see it, Bill Croyle, acting director of the state Department of Water Resources, said when asked at a Thursday afternoon news conference if he saw trouble looming. He cautioned residents downstream from the reservoir the second-biggest in California to keep a close ear on developments in case the situation suddenly turns dangerous and evacuations again have to be ordered. But, he added, none of us want to do that. Nearly 200,000 people in Oroville and other communities had to flee Sunday when it appeared the dams emergency spillway might collapse and pitch a potentially deadly wave of water downhill. The mandatory evacuation order was reduced to a warning on Tuesday, and most people returned to their homes. Around 8 a.m. Thursday, officials began slowing the flow out of the reservoirs damaged but still-functioning primary spillway that has been releasing 100,000 cubic feet of water per second for days, and they expected to have it down to 80,000 cubic feet per second by late afternoon. That, Croyle said, would allow crews to get into the area below the spillway with heavy machinery to clear out concrete and other debris that broke loose and now clogs some of the waterway. Forecasters said a storm developing over the Pacific may bring more than 5 inches of rain and increase flood risks in the Feather River basin by Monday. But Coyle said he doesnt expect flows into the lake to exceed more than 45,000 cubic feet per second still far below what we are discharging through the spillway. The level of the reservoir had been reduced from 901 feet on Sunday to 868 feet by Wednesday afternoon, and Coyle said he hopes soon to have it down to 850 feet. San Francisco Chronicle staff writer Melody Gutierrez contributed to this report. Kevin Fagan and Evan Sernoffsky are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: kfagan@sfchronicle.com, esernoffsky@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @KevinChron, @EvanSernoffsky By Alwyn Scott and Harriet McLeod SEATTLE/NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (Reuters) - Boeing Co handily defeated a union drive by workers at the company's aircraft factory in South Carolina on Wednesday, as almost three-quarters of workers at the plant who voted rejected union representation. The secret ballot vote, conducted by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) at polling locations throughout the North Charleston plant, was the first for Boeing and a high-profile test for organized labor in the nation's most strongly anti-union state. The NLRB said 74 percent of the 2,828 workers who cast ballots voted against joining the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM). We will continue to move forward as one team, Joan Robinson-Berry, vice president in charge of Boeing South Carolina, said in the post. In a statement, IAM lead organizer Mike Evans said: Were disappointed the workers at Boeing South Carolina will not yet have the opportunity to see all the benefits that come with union representation. The results come just before U.S. President Donald Trump is due to visit Boeing's South Carolina plant on Friday, as the world's largest planemaker rolls out the first completed 787-10, the largest version of its Dreamliner. Any remarks Trump makes at the factory could bring into sharper focus his views on organized labor before he chooses appointees to fill vacant seats on the five-member NLRB. "I think he will cheer the 'no' vote," said Harley Shaiken, a professor at the University of California Berkeley specializing in labor and the global economy. "I think he's going to make the case that he wants to see the plant succeed and do everything to create a more competitive environment." MORALE BLOW The loss was not seen as a surprise in a state with a strongly anti-union culture. South Carolina is one of 28 states that bar unions from requiring workers to join up as a condition of employment, and has the lowest proportion of union workers, at 1.6 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. New York is highest with 23.6 percent. Story continues "It's a blow, but largely to morale more than anything practical," said Richard Aboulafia, an aerospace analyst at the Teal Group in Fairfax, Virginia. The vote preserves the status quo on the factory floor at Boeing in South Carolina and is unlikely to alter relations with the 30,000 IAM members at Boeing's factories near Seattle, Shaiken said. Boeing ran a hardball campaign against the IAM in South Carolina, which has been trying to organize about 3,000 workers at one of two plants where Boeing makes 787 Dreamliners. The other, in Washington state, has long been unionized by the IAM. The IAM canceled a vote at the Boeing plant in April 2015, claiming political interference from state officials. Former Governor Nikki Haley, who is now U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, was among those who voiced strong opposition to the union in 2015. "Haley said South Carolina doesn't want or need unions," said Shaiken. "That creates an atmosphere where to vote 'yes' - in the minds of many workers - puts them at risk." The 26 percent of workers who supported the union showed the IAM had established a foothold, he added. "Can they build on it? That will be their challenge going forward." Under NLRB rules, the union must wait a minimum of 12 months before petitioning for another election. Boeing said the union was not needed because it is divisive, picks fights with management, makes promises it cannot keep and leads workers out on costly strikes. President of the Seattle-area IAM local, Jon Holden, said Boeing's anti-union campaign was not a surprise and followed a strategy they had seen before. The Chicago-based company produced videos that aired heavily on local TV stations and were also shown in break rooms at the plant, mechanic Elliott Slater, 57, who supports the union, told Reuters in an interview. Boeing invested $750 million to build the South Carolina factory after a costly machinists strike in 2008 that shut down production in Washington. It spent $1 billion more to expand aircraft engine casing and interiors production. Its employment in the state peaked at 8,400 in 2014 and has since fallen by 10 percent. (Reporting by Harriet McLeod in Charleston and Alwyn Scott in Seattle; Editing by Bill Rigby) Although it wont be official until the auditors reports on areas of non-compliance receive a final review, the three-member team from the American Correctional Association congratulated Senior Warden Charles McDuffie and the staff of the Formby/Wheeler Prison Complex on Wednesday for a job well done. The professionalism and graciousness of the staff is plan to see, said lead auditor Laura Tafoya during a noon program Wednesday in the James and Eva Mayer Chapel on the Formby Unit grounds. It is obvious that this complex has a very close family setting, which is very hard to accomplish at all but the smallest units. You take a close interest in one another and strive to help out each other in accomplishing their assigned tasks. McDuffie drew laughter after an audible sigh of relief that this years audit was over. Were all happy that its over now, he acknowledged Wednesday. It has been a good audit, a challenging audit in a lot of ways, and our audit team has been most supportive throughout the process. That team included Marilyn McAuley, a retired corrections official from Wyoming; Anita Carnell, a retired clinical social worker from Louisiana; and Tafoya who is associated with the New Mexico Department of Corrections. Specifically, Tafoya reported that the ACA-Accreditation Audit lists 62 mandatory standards of which 58 were applicable to the Formby/Wheeler Complex. The team found all 58 standards to be acceptable, for a score of 100 percent. In addition, there are 463 non-mandatory standards that were audited. Of those, 40 do not apply to the local prison complex. Of the 423 remaining standards, the Formby/Wheeler Complex was found to be non-compliant on six for an overall score of 98.6 percent. This was an excellent score for a facility of this size, and its higher than your last audit, Tafoya told McDuffie, Assistant Warden Dessie Ware and the assembled staff and guests. This is a very impressive accomplishment. All three auditors praised the units cleanliness, landscaping and friendliness. They also noted the strong support the prison unit receives from the local community. You have 80 active volunteers coming in on a regular basis to work with the offenders, which shows that strong support, one auditor noted. Another congratulated McDuffie and the staff for promoting an overall feeling of well-being throughout the complex. Both the staff and the offenders feel safe, and thats something that you all deserve to receive applause. It shows by the high score on your audit. They also expressed appreciation for the openness and full access provided during their audit. We had access to everywhere we wanted to go, and were able to see every file was needed, along with every addition to those files. That openness shows that this is a very well run organization. Evan Sernoffsky/The Chronicle / / A suspect was arrested in the killing of a 34-year-old man who was shot dead near Eddy Street and Van Ness Avenue in San Francisco early Wednesday, officials said. Investigators quickly identified the alleged gunman as 37-year-old Dontae Allen and arrested him in Oakland around 11:30 p.m. Wednesday less than 24 hours after the slaying, said Sgt. Michael Andraychak, a San Francisco police spokesman. (Adds names of politicians, background) By Lisandra Paraguassu BRASILIA, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Brazilian police targeted the son of Senator Edison Lobao, a former energy minister and another prominent politician in search and seizure operations on Thursday, a source said, in an investigation of possible bribes paid during construction of the Belo Monte hydroelectric dam. Federal police said they were searching homes and offices on warrants issued by the Supreme Court judge handling a sweeping corruption probe known as "Car Wash," but did not disclose the names of the targets who were members of two political parties. A source with knowledge of the matter said the targets included former Senator Luiz Otavio Campos and Marcio Lobao, whose father was minister in the government of impeached leftist and former president, Dilma Rousseff. Campos and Senator Lobao are both affiliated with the ruling Brazilian Democratic Movement Party. The warrants were issued by Justice Edson Fachin based on evidence obtained during the Car Wash probe, Brazil's largest corruption investigation, police said in a statement. The targets face possible charges of corruption, money laundering and involvement in a criminal organization, based on evidence suggesting they were involved in political bribes paid by some builders of the massive Belo Monte dam in the Amazon rainforest, police said. Lobao senior was recently elected chairman of the Senate Constitution and Justice Committee, which confirms nominees for the Supreme Court. While the senator was part of the ousted Workers Party government, he is a leader of President Michel Temer's PMDB party and Thursday's police operations will not help efforts to distance the president's administration from the corruption scandal. The 26 billion reais ($8.5 billion) Belo Monte project started generating electricity last year and could become the world's third-largest hydroelectric dam when all its turbines come on stream by 2020. ($1 = 3.051 reais) (Writing by Silvio Cascione and Anthony Boadle; Editing by Gareth Jones and Bernadette Baum) Trumps plans to rebuild Americas infrastructure have sent industrial metals surging post-election. Most steelmakers remain optimistic about the outlook for 2017 in anticipation of rising investments in infrastructure and manufacturing in the US. About the Company Luxembourg-based ArcelorMittal (MT) is the worlds leading steel and mining company with about 114 million tons of annual production capacity and 210,000 employees across 60 countries. They are the largest producer of steel in North and South America, the EU and Africa and have a growing presence in Asia. They are also one of the largest producers of iron ore in the world with a global portfolio of 16 operating units with mines in operation or development. Encouraging Fourth Quarter Results The company swung to a profit in Q4. They reported a net income of $403 million compared to a net loss of $6.7 billion reported a year ago. The results in the previous year-ago quarter was hurt by impairment charges of roughly $4.7 billion. Adjusted earnings of $0.16 per share were ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.13. Revenues through up 1% year over year, were slightly shy of the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Total steel shipments increased 1.6% year over year while average selling prices went up 3.5%. As we enter into 2017, I see there is a positive momentum both in the business and the market, saidthe CEO Lakshmi Mittal. The CEO also hoped that current administration would take action to address the problem of rising cheap imports from China. Rising Estimates Analysts have been raising estimates for the steelmaker after much better-than-expected results. Zacks Consensus Estimates for the current and next year have surged to $0.73 per share and $0.71 per share respectively from $0.65 each, before the report. ArcelorMittal Price and Consensus ArcelorMittal Price and Consensus | ArcelorMittal Quote The Bottom Line In recent years, the company has taken a number of steps to improve its profitability through vertical integration, consolidation and geographical diversification. Rising demand for steel and higher prices and proposed anti-dumping action should continue to support the stock in the coming months. Story continues MT is currently Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stock. Further the Zacks Industry rank of 32 (out of 265) and Sector Rank of 4 (out of 16) also indicate the potential for outperformance in the short term. Now See Our Private Investment Ideas While the above ideas are being shared with the public, other trades are hidden from everyone but selected members. Would you like to peek behind the curtain and view them? Starting today, for the next month, you can follow all Zacks' private buys and sells in real time from value to momentum . . . from stocks under $10 to ETF and option moves . . . from insider trades to companies that are about to report positive earnings surprises (we've called them with 80%+ accuracy). You can even look inside portfolios so exclusive that they are normally closed to new investors. Click here for Zacks' secret trades >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report ArcelorMittal (MT): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Canada Goose, known for its pricey winter coats, files for an IPO Toronto-based luxury apparel maker Canada Goose is preparing to file for a U.S. initial public offering of up to $100 million, according to a filing made Wednesday with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In 2016, Canada Goose said it had revenue of $291 million, and $103 million of that revenue came from the U.S. The company reported a gross profit of $146 million and net income of $27 million for the same year. In going pubic, Canada Goose looks to expand globally. The Canadian clothing maker launched its national e-commerce platform in 2015 and then opened its first U.S. retail store in New York late last year. "We believe there is a large white space opportunity in other regions such as the Mid-Atlantic, Midwest and Pacific Northwest," Canada Goose said in a statement. The company also looks to grow its stronger markets of the United Kingdom, France, Japan and Korea. Lead underwriters of the offering include Canadian bank CIBC Capital Markets, Credit Suisse (Grey Market: CBSQF), Goldman Sachs (GS) and RBC Capital Markets (RBCI). Shares will be traded on both the NYSE and Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "GOOS." A Houston police officer shot a man who allegedly attacked him with a metal rod after breaking into his northwest-side home, authorities said. Officer B. Johnson had finished up his shift at HPD's South Central Patrol Division about 10:45 a.m. Thursday when his alarm company notified him that someone had broken into his home in the 6500 block of Yorkdale near Dalview, officials said. "He came home to find a suspect with items from his home," Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo. "Our officer actually engaged the suspect who began to engage the officer in a physical altercation." The man pulled out a heavy metal rod used in automotive repair work known as a "pickle fork" because of its resemblance to the smaller dining utensil. Acevado said it was clear the man intended to use it as a weapon against Johnson, who was in full Houston police uniform. "It can lead to serious bodily injury or death," Acevado said. HPD officials said Johnson fired "more than once" at the burglary suspect. Acevado warned against using a dangerous weapon on a police officer in uniform. "You can almost be assured you're going to get shot," he said. The suspected burglar, believed to be in his 30s, was taken to Ben Taub General Hospital for surgery. Acevado said the identity would not be released until after his family is notified. "Our hope is the suspect can recover from his gunshot wounds," Acevado said. The officer, a 22-year HPD vet, was not injured during the fight with the suspected burglar, police said. Johnson was in uniform but was not equipped with a body camera. Acevado said HPD detectives were interviewing at least three people who saw what happened. "It's a complex scene. This is an ongoing investigation," Acevado said. Johnson was placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. Detectives with HPD's internal affairs and homicide division are investigating. The Harris County District Attorney's Office also launched an inquiry - both are standard practices in officer-involved shooting. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Just one day after a "Most Wanted" fugitive turned himself in in Austin, the Texas Department of Public Safety has added Michael Christopher Sanchez, 32, to the Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitives list. Sanchez is wanted for a parole violation and engaging in organized criminal activity. He has been wanted since September 2015. His last known address was in Bryan and he has connections to Houston and Hearne, a small town northwest of Bryan. ODD STORY: Most wanted fugitive turns himself in for pepper-spray attack on 97-year-old woman The known member of the Latin King's gang has a criminal history, which includes burglary, assault and drug charges. He is considered armed and dangerous. Sanchez is 5-feet 8-inches tall and weighs approximately 150 pounds. He has tattoos on his back, chest, head, left leg and arms, and multiple scars on his face. Sanchez has prior work history as a skilled mechanic. Texas Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward up to $7,500 for any person who provides information that leads to an arrest of Sanchez or any of the other 10 most wanted fugitives. To see the 10 most wanted fugitives or sex offenders in Texas, click through the gallery above. RECENT LIST: Police on the hunt for Houston-area's most wanted fugitives To be eligible for the cash rewards, tipsters must provide information to authorities using one of the five following methods: -Call the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-252-TIPS (8477). -Text the letters "DPS" followed by your tip to 274637 (CRIMES) from your cell phone. -Submit a web tip through the DPS website by selecting the fugitive you have information about, and then clicking on the link under their picture. -Submit a Facebook tip by clicking the "SUBMIT A TIP" link (under the "About" section). -Submit a tip through the DPS Mobile App. The app is currently available for iPhone users on the Apple App Store and for Android users on Google Play. HOUSTON HUB: Fugitive last seen in Houston lands on most wanted list This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Predominately Hispanic San Antonio has been mostly quiet for todays Day Without Immigrants strike, part of a national grassroots effort to recognize immigrants economic impact on the United States. While numerous restaurants and other businesses in cities such as Los Angeles and Washington D.C. and even our neighbor Austin which also held a march downtown shut their doors in solidarity for the campaign, the minority-majority Alamo City made little to no noise, with only one business confirmed closed and reports of perhaps 100 domestic workers staying home. This seems in keeping with a city that, despite being able to organize the largest Martin Luther King Jr. march in the country every year, does not see much in the way of protests. On Aug. 29, 2013, a day of protests by low-wage workers across the nation, there was no San Antonio protest, but a group of nearly 50 San Antonio supporters rode a bus to Austin and joined about 200 other protestors walking along Guadalupe Street alongside the University of Texas at Austin in a rally promoted by the Service Employees International Union. And on May 15, 2014, a day when fast-food workers protested in favor of the $15 minimum wage in 150 U.S. cities, three fast-food workers held protest signs at a San Antonio McDonalds restaurant on Broadway near the San Antonio International Airport, an effort also organized by SEIU. Still, some San Antonio supporters of Day Without Immigrants tried to make their voices heard. Irasema Cavazos, organizer for Domesticas Unidas, the San Antonio organizing affiliate of the National Domestic Workers Alliance, said said around 100 of the groups 170 San Antonio members communicated they would not show up for work today. And while Cavazos said some were told they may not have a job to come back to, she was confident most had the support of their employers because, like most of those domestic workers, most of their employers are women. We support our communities, and whoever is being oppressed, she said. It doesnt really matter if they are Latino or female or Muslim or any community that is being oppressed, (including) our African-American community. We support, because we are for equality. Fellow domestic worker and Domesticas Unidas director Araceli Herrera was one of those who stayed home, as was her son, who skipped his roofing work, and her grandson, who didnt go to school. I hope this day impacts the politics, impacts the government to understand we are really important for the economy and everything in this country, Herrera said. The Day Without Immigrants rolled out in the wake of recent immigration directives out of the Trump Administration, which include more than 600 arrests by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in raids nationwide since Donald Trump became president, and a currently on-hold travel ban on citizens from several Muslim-majority countries. The strike, spurred by a social-media campaign, called for immigrants to not come into work, avoid spending money and not send their children to school. It spans across all businesses, but its the restaurant industry where immigrants make up nearly 23 percent of the national workforce, according to data compiled by the Institute for Immigration Research at George Mason University that seems to be affected most by the strike. Celebrity chef Jose Andres, an immigrant from Spain, announced on Twitter that he would close some of his restaurants in the Washington D.C. region because of the boycott: three Jaleo restaurants, Zaytinya and Oyamel. Andres backed out of a contract in 2015 with Trump to open a restaurant inside D.C.s Trump International Hotel after the then-presidential candidate called undocumented Mexican immigrants criminals and rapists. The two are still in the middle of a legal battle. Some schools and day-care centers around the U.S. also were closed, with teachers reporting low attendance numbers on social media. As for San Antonio restaurants proclaiming their Day Without Immigrants support, Cavazos made sure she picked up her food Wednesday from Bellas Mexican Restaurant on East Houston Street, which closed Thursday. At La Botanica, a restaurant and bar on North St. Marys Street, executive chef and co-owner Rebel Mariposa said she and her staff considered closing to recognize Day Without Immigrants, but were displaying an altar in memory of immigrants killed on their journeys. We have decided to stay open because we serve as a safe place for immigrants and migrants, she said. We honor, through our altar, all migrants and immigrants who have lost their lives traveling and attempting to cross borders all around the world. And Diego Galicia, co-owner of Mixtli restaurant and an immigrant from Mexico, said he couldnt close his restaurant because many of this guests had already paid for their dinners months in advance, but he supported the pro-immigrant efforts. In this country, if you dont know that its operated and maintained by immigrants, youre living under a rock, Galicia said. This country is a mixture of the best the world has to offer. All these amazing people from all over the world come here and elevate the country. Its all immigrant driven. Meanwhile social media out of San Antonio reflected a similar observant but relatively low-key response, with remarks pro-strike along the lines of I hope this has a huge impact and people realize just how important immigrants are to American society and anti-strike comments such as Nice-should be a very easy catch for ICE-what morons. Though a San Antonio tweet from Samles, @TheSamles appeared the most telling: My town is like 130 miles from the Mexican border, it said, and still didnt realize it was today #DayWithoutImmigrants . Staff writers David Hendricks and Edmund Tijerina and the Washington Post contributed to this report. rguzman@express-news.net This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Olga Hernandez, a San Antonio Independent School District board member, was arrested Thursday, a day after a federal indictment charged her with at least one count of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud. Hernandez allegedly took trips to Las Vegas, among other things, paid for by insurance brokers and consultants in an attempt to influence SAISD insurance contacts, federal sources said. Her lawyer, Alan Brown, confirmed her arrest. Shes innocent of these charges, Brown said. Shes a public servant and always did what was best for the district and the students. She was very conscientious about it. Brown said the charges stem from statements by Samuel Mullen, an insurance broker who pleaded guilty in November to a charge of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud, admitting he bribed a consultant for area school districts for inside information to help win insurance contracts. The consultant, William Haff, also has pleaded guilty to participating in the conspiracy, which lasted from 2007 to 2014, records show. A third co-defendant, Joshua J. Cerna, a former board member of Harlandale Independent School District, pleaded guilty to a wire fraud conspiracy charge for having a role in the scheme when he worked as vice president of strategic markets for Mullens firm, the Mullen Pension & Benefits Group. Hernandez now is being accused of having a role in that conspiracy, Brown said. A lot of this is meetings where she was sitting in (with Mullen or his associates) and listening to factual things to learn more about them and help the district and the children better, Brown said. Brown called Mullen an alcoholic and a liar. Check back for more on this developing story. gcontreras@express-news.net A New Jersey teen pleaded guilty on Wednesday in Midland federal court to charges in connection with bomb threats to Sul Ross State University and the Big Bend Regional Medical Center in Alpine and threats to a former state representative last September, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Western District of Texas. Nicholas Kyle Martino, 17, of Sewell, Washington Township, New Jersey, waived adult certification and will be prosecuted as an adult. He plaeaded guilty to four counts of interstate threats to injure persons, according to the release. KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) Malaysian police have arrested two women in the death of Kim Jong Nam, the half brother of North Korea's leader who was reportedly poisoned this week by a pair of female assassins as he waited for a flight in Malaysia, police said Thursday. The women were picked up separately Wednesday and early Thursday and were identified using CCTV footage from Kuala Lumpur International Airport, where Kim Jong Nam suddenly fell ill Monday morning before he died on the way to the hospital. The woman arrested Thursday was holding an Indonesian passport that identified her as 25-year-old Siti Aishah, a Malaysian police statement said. The other suspect held Vietnamese travel documents bearing the name Doan Thi Huong, 28. Still photos of the CCTV video, confirmed as authentic by police, showed her in a skirt and long-sleeved white T-shirt with "LOL" emblazoned across the front. There was no immediate way to determine if the IDs were genuine or if the women were believed to be the alleged assassins. Investigators are trying to shed light on a death that set off set off waves of speculation over whether North Korea dispatched a hit squad to kill a man known for his drinking, gambling and complicated family life. Medical workers completed an autopsy late Wednesday, but it was not immediately clear if or when Malaysia would release the findings publicly. North Korea had objected to the autopsy but Malaysia went ahead with the procedure anyway as the North did not submit a formal protest, said Abdul Samah Mat, a senior Malaysian police official. Kim Jong Nam, who was 45 or 46, was estranged from his younger brother, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, and had been living abroad for years. He reportedly fell out of favor when he was caught trying to enter Japan on a false passport in 2001, saying he wanted to visit Tokyo Disneyland. According to two senior Malaysian government officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the case involves sensitive diplomacy, the elder Kim told medical workers before he died that he had been attacked with a chemical spray at the airport. Multiple South Korean media reports, citing unidentified sources, said two women believed to be North Korean agents killed him with some kind of poison before fleeing in a taxi. Story continues Since taking power in late 2011, Kim Jong Un has executed or purged a number of high-level government officials in what the South Korean government has described as a "reign of terror." South Korea's spy agency, the National Intelligence Service, said Wednesday that North Korea had been trying for five years to kill Kim Jong Nam. The NIS did not definitively say that North Korea was behind the killing, just that it was presumed to be a North Korean operation, according to lawmakers who briefed reporters about the closed-door meeting with the spy officials. The NIS also cited a "genuine" attempt by North Korea to kill Kim Jong Nam in 2012, the lawmakers said. The NIS told them that Kim Jong Nam sent a letter to Kim Jong Un in April 2012, after the assassination attempt, begging for the lives of himself and his family. The letter said: "I hope you cancel the order for the punishment of me and my family. We have nowhere to go, nowhere to hide, and we know that the only way to escape is committing suicide." Although Kim Jong Nam had been originally tipped by some outsiders as a possible successor to his late dictator father, Kim Jong Il, others thought that was unlikely because he lived outside the country, including recently in Macau. He also frequented casinos, five-star hotels and traveled around Asia, with little say in North Korean affairs. But his attempt to visit Tokyo Disneyland reportedly soured North Korea's leadership on his potential as a successor. Kim Jong Nam had said he had no political ambitions, although he was publicly critical of the North Korean regime and his half brother's legitimacy in the past. In 2010, he was quoted in Japanese media as saying he opposed dynastic succession in North Korea. Among Kim Jong Un's executions and purges, the most spectacular was the 2013 execution of his uncle, Jang Song Thaek, once considered the country's second-most powerful man, for what the North alleged was treason. ___ Associated Press writers Hyung-jin Kim in Seoul, South Korea, and Tim Sullivan in New Delhi contributed to this report. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Josue Romero, a 19-year-old from Honduras who had received a work permit under former President Obamas deferred action program for young undocumented immigrants, was released Thursday evening after spending two days in custody. Romero called his family Wednesday night to tell them hed been arrested, his mother said. Romero was later transferred to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, online arrest records show. Romero came to the U.S. when he was 4 years old, said his mother, Norma Velasquez. He received a work permit under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA, which gives two-year reprieves from deportation to some young undocumented immigrants, and was waiting for a renewal, Velasquez said. Her son wants to be an architect. The family came to the U.S. to escape violence and lack of economic opportunity in Honduras, she said. Were afraid that theyre going to deport him because he came here when he was a very young and he doesnt know anything about Honduras, Velasquez said. Bexar County records show that Romero was arrested late Tuesday for possession of two ounces or less of marijuana, a Class B misdemeanor. Deferred action can be revoked for committing a significant misdemeanor, which in the case of drug charges usually involves allegations of trafficking or distribution. ICE wouldnt say why Romero was released and issued a brief statement Thursday evening. On Feb. 16, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement placed a detainer with Bexar County Jail on Josue Romero-Velasquez, from Honduras, The agency stated. He was later transferred to ICE custody. Romero-Velasquez was issued a final order of removal by an immigration judge Dec. 3, 2004. ICE remains focused on smart, effective immigration enforcement that prioritizes threats to national security, public safety and border security. President Trump last month signed an executive order that greatly expands who ICE can target for deportation, but he has not revoked the deferred action program. Romero is an alumni of the Say Si program that provides arts training to urban middle and high school students. Jon Hinojosa, Say Sis executive director, said he when he interviewed Romero to join the program nearly eight years ago, he was struck by the middle school students portfolio that included Lego models and detailed sketches of art pieces he wanted to create. Romero stayed with Say Si through high school and eventually mentored younger students, Hinojosa said. Hes an amazing sculptor, hes an amazing woodworker, metalsmith, all those things hes passionate about, Hinojosa said. Click here to read more about Romero jbuch@express-news.net Twitter: @jlbuch Two San Antonio police officers repeatedly had sex on duty, which sometimes affected the way they responded to 911 calls, police say. Officers Rebecca Martinez and Eman Fondren were both suspended indefinitely in April for disabling their GPS units and having sex with each other while on duty, according to suspension paperwork obtained by the Express-News through an open records request. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate SAN ANTONIO One suspect was killed Thursday after pulling a sawed-off shotgun on officers serving a narcotics warrant at a home on the Southwest Side, according to officials on scene. Units, including undercover officers, responded to the shooting at about 10:45 a.m. in the 700 block of Vickers Avenue. One of the people in the home pulled out a shotgun and pointed it at officers when police entered the residence, according to officials. An officer fired one round, fatally striking the victim in the chest. "EMS tried to work on him to bring him around," said San Antonio Police Chief William McManus. "They were unable to do so." READ ALSO: FBI, IRS raid state senator's San Antonio law office Undercover officers and uniformed officers were both involved in the operation, McManus said. "They were highly identifiable," according to McManus. There were about five people in the home at the time of the raid, according to officials, all of whom are being questioned by police. One person at the home, Justin Mark Brock, 33, was arrested on a charge of possession of a controlled substance. McManus declined to provide any details about the narcotics warrant the officers were attempting to serve. This is a developing story and additional details will be added as more information is available. Text "Breaking" to 48421 for breaking news alerts from mySA.com cdowns@mysa.com Twitter: @calebjdowns This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A teen who allegedly shot a homeowner who was filming him as he broke into a neighbors vehicle is also accused of shooting at another person during a botched drug deal. Shawn Christian Cain, 17, was already in jail when he was charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in separate incidents. His bail totaled $200,000. According to his arrest warrant affidavit, Cain and another unidentified accomplice were being filmed as they were breaking into a vehicle on Jan. 16 in the 5500 block of Timber Hawk. RELATED: NW Side homeowner shot after catching neighborhood car break-in attempt on camera The 37-year-old resident filming them confronted the pair as they approached his vehicle, investigators said in the affidavit. As he told the pair he had been filming them and that he called the police, one of the suspects shot him in both legs, police said at the scene. When investigators later showed the victim photos of potential suspects, he identified Cain as the who man shot him, according to the affidavit. In a separate incident on New Years Day, Cain is accused of being with two other teens waiting to begin a drug deal in the 2000 block of Bandera Road, according to another arrest warrant. Cain told investigators that when a 16-year-old boy drove up to sell them marijuana, he gave him $75 at the drivers side window. When the driver pulled away without giving him the marijuana, he fired several shots at the teens vehicle, according to the affidavit. The driver was shot in his pinky and ring fingers. Although one of Cains accomplices had a handgun, Cain admitted to detectives he was the only one firing shots at the vehicle. jbeltran@express-news.net Twitter: @JBfromSA A woman who was fatally stabbed, possibly by an acquaintance, while walking in the parking lot of a far West Side Walmart has been identified. Latosha Rich, 30, was pronounced dead at approximately 5:52 p.m. from a single stab wound to her chest, according to the Bexar County Medical Examiners Office. SAN ANTONIO A woman in her 70s was hospitalized Thursday after her son allegedly drove drunk straight into a Northeast Side bar, police said. Officers responded to the Make My Day Lounge in the 12100 block of Nacogdoches Road around 3:45 p.m. where they found a black Mazda sedan crashed into the outer wall of the establishment. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A trio arrested in connection with last weekends shooting of a postal carrier was able to avoid a police dragnet at North Star Mall days later with help from a friend who later turned them in, court documents reveal. Federal court records show one of the suspects, Sarah Richford, called a male friend, who drove her and her co-defendants, Bradley AHearn and Piper Allan Lee, away from the mall, where the trio had abandoned Lees vehicle in a parking garage Tuesday. Federal authorities say the trio robbed the letter carrier in Spring Branch, in Comal County, and say AHearn traded gunfire with pursuing officers on U.S. 281 on Monday and fired more shots Tuesday on the North Side before the trio fled to the mall. After picking them up Tuesday, Richfords friend took them to the Sunset Inn Motel south of downtown, where he checked them into a room under his own name, according to court documents. Shortly thereafter, the friend called law enforcement and led them to the motel, where a San Antonio police SWAT team arrested the suspects Wednesday. The friend was not charged and is now a confidential source, court records show. U.S. Magistrate Judge Henry Bemporad on Thursday ordered AHearn, 22, Richford, 26, and Lee, 40, held pending bail hearings in the coming weeks. When I was arrested, my head and face were slammed into the concrete, and I was kicked, AHearn told the judge. I lost consciousness. AHearn said he might not comprehend some of his proceedings, but the judge said his lawyer would explain his rights more fully. The judge appointed lawyers for all three. AHearn and Richford face charges of assaulting a federal officer, carjacking, mail theft and interfering with interstate commerce. They could face up to 65 years in prison if convicted and the sentences are stacked. Lee faces charges of aiding and abetting the assault of a federal officer, which carries a maximum of 20 years in prison. The court documents reveal that Richford told investigators that AHearn was the shooter in the robbery of the postal carrier and the subsequent police pursuits. Richford was with him during the three incidents, she told investigators. Lee, meanwhile, helped the suspects elude capture, the court documents say, after they ditched the Toyota Venza they were in and drove them around in his yellow Volkswagen, which had personalized license plates saying DOPEST. That was the vehicle that investigators found abandoned at the mall, court records show. Public records show Lees vehicle is registered to the same apartment on Henderson Pass that is listed as Richfords home address. Federal agents raided it Wednesday night. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 3 1 of 3 Courtesy/Hill Country Village Police Department Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Courtesy/Hill Country Village Police Department Show More Show Less 3 of 3 A man wanted in connection with multiple robberies in Hill Country Village was tracked down this week in a drainage tunnel with the help of multiple law enforcement agencies, according to police. Thomas Payne Pierce was arrested Feb. 12 by the Hill Country Village Police Department for an outstanding probation violation warrant, the police department said on its Facebook page. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate In a flurry of tweets Thursday afternoon, U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, accused President Donald Trump of putting a "mass deportation plan" into place. Castro's tweetstorm came shortly after an intense Trump press conference, during which the president discussed his electoral college win, Russia, former National Security Adviser Mike Flynn and the media, among other topics. Castro railed on questions that remain after a meeting with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. "After attending the ICE meeting it's hard not to conclude that President Trump has started his mass deportation plan," Castro tweeted. "Only dreamers with no offenses, including traffic tickets or perceived gang affiliations, seem exempt." He said ICE officials did not answer the following questions: How many new people are in detention centers? What is the breakdown of countries of origin of those detained? What is the breakdown of visa overstays versus "border-crossers?" At Trump's press conference, the president said DACA is a "very, very difficult subject" for him. "We're gonna deal with DACA with heart. I have to deal with a lot of politicians, don't forget and I have to convince them that what I'm saying is is right," he said. "And I appreciate your understanding on that. But the DACA situation is a very, very it's a very difficult thing for me because you know, I love these kids, I love kids. I have kids and grandkids. And I find it very, very hard doing what the law says exactly to do and you know, the law is rough." RELATED: One-time DACA recipient facing deportation in San Antonio In San Antonio, Josue Romero, a second-year student at the Southwest School of Art, called his family Wednesday night to tell them hed been arrested, his mother said. Thursday afternoon, Romero was transferred to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement immigration. He was later released. Romero came to the U.S. when he was 4 years old, said his mother, Norma Velasquez. He received a work permit under former the DACA program which gives two-year reprieves from deportation to some young undocumented immigrants, and was waiting for a renewal, Velasquez said. Her son wants to be an architect. RELATED: Joaquin Castro considering Senate run against Ted Cruz in 2018 The family came to the U.S. to escape violence and lack of economic opportunity in Honduras, she said. Were afraid that theyre going to deport him because he came here when he was a very young and he doesnt know anything about Honduras, Velasquez said. Jail records show that Romero was booked Wednesday for possession of two ounces or less of marijuana, a Class B misdemeanor. Deferred action can be revoked for committing a significant misdemeanor, which in the case of drug charges usually involves allegations of trafficking or distribution. Romero was released early Thursday evening. RELATED: Wild moments: Quotes from Donald Trump's press conference President Trump last month signed an executive action that greatly expands who ICE can target for deportation, but he has not revoked the deferred action program. Castro said ICE will "only be affected by how big their budget is." "For those who argue it's the same as previous (administrations), ICE fully agrees mandate to deport is broader and will ask for (a) larger budget," he said. Staff writer Jason Buch contributed to this report. kbradshaw@express-news.net Twitter: @kbrad5 AUSTIN The chairman of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee slammed his gavel so hard to end a witness's testimony against an anti-abortion bill that he cracked the thick glass atop the wooden table where the senators and witnesses were gathered. The action came as Maggie Hennessy, an intern with NARAL Pro-Choice Texas, was wrapping up her testimony against Senate Bill 415 by Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, which would prohibit certain "dismemberment abortions." Witnesses are given limited time to speak for or against bills, and Committee Chairman Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown, had been telling Hennessy her time was up. "I want to remind you all, especially the doctors on this committee, that a vote for this bill puts women's lives on the line," Hennessy said. Schwertner, an orthopedic surgeon, interrupted several times by stating her name, thanking her and saying, "Your time is done." But Hennessy kept talking, finally finishing, "I urge you all to stop playing with reproductive health care as if it's your own political puppet." At that, Schwertner brought the gavel down with a loud crack that shattered the glass. The incident drew attention when Alexa Garcia-Ditta, communications and policy initiatives director at NARAL Pro-Choice Texas, took a photo of the broken glass and tweeted it with the comment, "Schwertner hit the table so hard w/ his gavel demanding that our intern stop talking during her testimony that he broke the glass." Schwertner acknowledged he may have come down a bit hard. "I may need to dial it back to just one bowl of Wheaties in the morning," he said. pfikac@express-news.net Twitter: @pfikac A man who allegedly stole a womans purse Monday from an H-E-B in Round Rock then used the money inside it to buy tacos at Jack in the Box before using her keys to break into her home to return her items, according to court documents. Angel Negron Jr., 28, faces a felony charge of burglary of a habitation and a charge of theft. Police say Negron stole a woman's Kenneth Cole purse from her shopping cart at about noon on Monday at the H-E-B Plus at 1700 E. Palm Valley in Round Rock. RELATED: 3 arrested in connection with S.A.-area mail carrier shooting, crime spree The purse contained her current Texas drivers license with current address, numerous credit cards and her apartment key. The purse cost about $100 and also contained about $350 at the time it was stolen, an arrest affidavit said. The woman returned home after reporting the theft to police. Later, Negron allegedly entered the apartment using her key and got into an altercation with the womans husband. Police arrived and searched Negrons vehicle, finding numerous credit cards belonging to the victim. Negron admitting to taking them from the womans purse, which he threw in a dumpster. Prior to throwing out the purse, he allegedly took her drivers license, about $120 and her keys, according to the affidavit. RELATED: SAPD release disturbing photo of woman's charred tattoo, looking for leads in burned body case He then bought three tacos from a Jack in the Box restaurant using the money he had taken from the purse. Negron then told police he used the key he took from her purse to enter her apartment because he felt bad about the situation. He used the womans drivers license to find her apartment, the affidavit said. The investigators only found $22 in cash in Negrons wallet, and Negron said he did not know where the rest of the money was at, the affidavit said. RELATED: Police arrest man accused of shooting woman in mouth at South Side motel The suspect later allegedly told police he wanted to steal food from inside the womans apartment, which prompted his motivation to enter the apartment, the affidavit said. Text "Breaking" to 48421 for breaking news alerts from mySA.com twhite@mysa.com Twitter: @tylerlwhite Courtesy of Uptown Houston The city's Uptown Development Authority and the economic development zone that feeds it were created in violation of the Texas Constitution, two critics allege in a new lawsuit seeking to void all resulting actions and block Uptown from collecting or spending another dime. The Galleria-area agency's controversial, $200 million effort to widen Post Oak Boulevard and add dedicated bus lanes down the middle is a key focus on the lawsuit, filed Wednesday on behalf of Galleria-area restaurateur Russell Masraff and condominium resident Jim Scarborough, who also was a plaintiff in another, since-dismissed lawsuit seeking to block the bus plan. AUSTIN -- Embattled Attorney General Ken Paxton is expected to appear in court Thursday as his legal team attempts to convince a state judge to keep his criminal trial in Collin County. Special prosecutors and Paxton's defense team are due in court in McKinney for a pre-trial hearing, offering a sneak preview into the long-awaited securities fraud trial of the Collin County Republican accused of securities fraud. The speaker of the House recently announced member assignments for House committees. Now that both chambers have their organizational processes in place and bills are being referred, we are getting down to business. Here are five things happening at your Capitol this week: 1. Convention of States During his State of the State address, Gov. Abbott called for a convention of states to amend the U.S. Constitution and named it one of his emergency items for this session. A convention of states is a gathering of the state legislatures, for the purpose of proposing amendments to the U.S. Constitution. This is made possible through Article V of the Constitution, which was created to provide the states with a tool to stop potential abuses of power by the federal government. Two-thirds, or 34, of the state legislatures must pass similar resolutions for a convention to happen. This week, the Senate State Affairs Committee will begin to hear bills which call for a convention of states. These bills will establish the authority for the Legislature to determine the requirements and appoint delegates to attend the convention. They also focus on imposing fiscal restraints on the federal government, limiting the power and jurisdiction of the federal government and limiting the terms of office of federal officials and members of Congress. 2. Finance Workgroups Senator Jane Nelson, chair of the Senate Finance Committee, announced workgroup assignments for the committee. As the budget has 11 distinct parts, Nelson divided these up into four workgroups to ensure the members are able to fully examine the details of the budget. Each workgroup will present their findings to the committee as a whole. I have been named chairman of one of the workgroups that covers areas such as transportation, and regulating agencies like the Public Utility Commission and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality as well as natural resources. I am grateful to Nelson for giving me this opportunity for a second time and look forward to working with the members to determine the state's budget for the next two years. 3. Sunset Bill Assignments In previous columns, I have shared with you the Sunset process, where the Sunset Advisory Commission evaluates and renews the authorization for state agencies. After more than a year of hearings, the Sunset Advisory Commission makes recommendations which are incorporated into legislation for each agency. These bills will be divided among the members of the commission, in both the House and Senate. I will be sure to keep you updated as to which bills I will file soon. I encourage you to take part in the legislative process and come to the Capitol to testify on these or any other bills when they are heard in committee. 4. Transferability Workgroup As a way to save money, many students choose to take their core classes like math and science at a local community college before transferring to a four-year institution. However, many times when a student seeks to transfer these courses, they realize they will not work for their chosen degree program. This may cause a student to take more courses then they needed to originally, and in turn may cost them more than they anticipated. A special workgroup has been appointed in the Senate Finance Committee to address the problem of transferability between schools. The workgroup is meeting with community colleges and universities, as well as the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to find a solution to this problem. Helping students to succeed in their education is an important step towards ensuring the future of our great state. 5. Alabama-Coushatta Day This week, I had the pleasure of welcoming the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe to Austin for its very first legislative day at the state Capitol. The tribe, which is federally recognized, is descendants of both the historic Muscogee and numerous tribes of the Creek Confederacy. At the suggestion of Sam Houston, in 1853, the Tribe Chiefs held a meeting at the home of Samuel Rowe to express their interest in settling on land. In February 1854, the Texas Legislature passed the "Act for Relief of the Alabama Indians." This act, along with a donation of land, provides the tribe with the majority of the acreage on which they reside today in Polk County. I am honored to represent the tribe in the Senate, and look forward to continuing to work for and with them. Robert Nichols is state senator for District 3, representing part of North Montgomery County. Liberals and conservatives share a common tic when it comes to immigration enforcement: They each want to deport as many illegal immigrants as their cold hearts desire Democrats to protect union jobs, and Republicans to reverse what they see as the Latinization of America. But then, because neither wants to come off like the bad guy, they feel compelled to go out of their way to cloak the removals in boogeyman language. Former President Obama claimed that his record number of deportees was made up largely of gang-bangers 3 million of them. Who knew that America was so gang-infested? Those of us who covered this story know that after eroding the discretion of local and federal officers Obama deported scores of housekeepers, farmworkers, and old ladies selling tamales without a permit. Now President Trump, who prefers the scary term bad hombres, is borrowing Obamas falsehood and insisting that, of the 680 illegal immigrants rounded up in a dozen states and slated for deportation by his Department of Homeland Security, most were criminals. The administration claims that some even had criminal convictions. But in a disturbing development that reveals a profound misunderstanding of immigration law, a DHS official also said that the mere act of being in the country without documents was enough to characterize someone as a criminal alien. Wrong, it isnt. Immigration statutes are based in civil law Apparently, the messy and heartbreaking business of deportations with all those divided families, public protests and crying children is where Hope and Change intersects with Make America Great Again. Lefties got offended and pushed back against that comparison. But the facts were not on their side. CNN aired what must have been a parody where Univisions Jorge Ramos a partisan Democrat impersonating a journalist told Anderson Cooper that Trump changed the rules. According to Ramos, Obama only deported those who were convicted of crimes. Thats loco. Ramos whose daughter worked for Hillary Clintons campaign needs to get out of Miami and go to the front line of Americas immigration debate: the Southwest. When he gets to San Diego, Ill pick him up at the airport, buy him tacos and introduce him to the retired police lieutenant in a suburban city who told me that his squad room had a special desk for Obamas immigration agents. Suspects would be brought in for other crimes and, if they couldnt prove legal status, they would be scooped up by the feds. And shipped out. No paperwork, no mug shot, no nada. Remember three things. We dont know and we may never know if these were raids or targeted apprehensions as the administration claims, and whether they were the result of Trump pulling some trigger. David Marin, director for enforcement and removal operations in the Los Angeles field office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, told The Associated Press that the agency carries out such operations every few months. The United States has the right to protect its borders, enforce the law and deport the undocumented. For crying out loud, this is what Border Patrol agents about half of whom are Latino do for a living! Many of the undocumented are good people who make a big contribution. Still, some have become way too comfortable living somewhere they shouldnt be. They cant be surprised about whats happening. That said, as former ICE Director John Morton once told me, we cant deport our way out of our immigration woes. Just because we have the right to remove the undocumented doesnt mean we should always exercise that right. Mass deportations make lousy public policy. Our immigration problem has many components: a porous border, labor shortages in industries such as farming, lazy teenagers who wont do the jobs grandpa did, 11 million undocumented people, the fact that American employers are addicted to illegal labor, etc. Enforcement, however justified, isnt the cure-all. Beware of the spin. Americas immigration policy is under new management. But, below the masthead, its pretty much business as usual. ruben@rubennavarrette.com The U.S. Supreme Court last month rejected an appeal from Texas, which sought reinstatement of the states plainly discriminatory voter ID law. That, however, might not be the end of the story. Chief Judge John Roberts said this denial didnt preclude the high court from taking up the case once it has been completely reviewed by a lower court. And such review is underway though the Trump administration sought and got a 30-day delay. This delay is important because it could signal a change in position by the U.S. Justice Department, now headed by former Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions, who is on record supporting or being tolerant of voter ID laws. This Justice Department reversal, if it comes, will occur though federal courts have ruled that the states voter ID law discriminates against Texas minority voters in particular. Some 600,000 Texans about 5 percent of registered voters lack the identification the law required. Federal Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos in Corpus Christi struck down the law in October, saying it had been adopted with an unconstitutional discriminatory purpose. The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals said it didnt necessarily agree that legislators intended the discrimination, but agreed it had that effect. It remanded to the lower court another look at the legislators intent. It is not a slam dunk that Gonzales Ramos will rule that legislators purposely discriminated, but if she does, there will likely be another appeal and to a court expected to tilt more in Texas favor on voter ID. A Trump nominee to the high court is pending. The path to appeal if she doesnt rule that Texas intended to discriminate is less clear. Texas has never been able to make the case that its stated purpose for the law preventing voter fraud is valid. In-person voter fraud, the research demonstrates, is exceedingly rare. And this is true even if none other than President Donald Trump claims massive voter fraud. There is simply no evidence this happened, particularly on the scale Trump alleges 3 million to 5 million illegal votes. Such statements give the green light to states to enact even more voter suppression laws. Texas and all other states should be making it easier for people to vote, not harder. Suppressing the vote to stay in power means you shouldnt have been trusted with the power in the first place. The best possible result is that the courts denial of Texas appeal spells the end of the law. With Washington gripped by one crisis after another, it may seem strange for any Republican or Democrat - or voter - to appeal for civility and mutual respect. Yet it is at times like this when those qualities are needed more than ever. It's easy to get along when things are going well, when the person on the other side of the table is as pleasant as you. (Or as pleasant as you think you are.) But in the rough and tumble of politics at any level, those situations rarely exist. More often than not, the disagreements loom large and the debate is harsh. And right now, the national mood is pretty surly. The optimism that usually accompanies a new administration taking power is being drowned out by a lot of angry words. UC Berkeley scientists who discovered a revolutionary technique for editing the genes of living cells won the right Wednesday to seek patents on their system a decision that could speed advances in fighting human diseases and ultimately yield fortunes for the university, the scientists and companies seeking to commercialize the breakthrough technique. Jennifer Doudna, a UC biochemist, and her colleagues said nearly five years ago that they had made what is hailed as one of the greatest discoveries in the history of biology: a relatively swift, simple and easy method for altering the genes in the cells of any living organism, from bacteria to plants to humans. That discovery has given scientists a relatively straightforward way to edit DNA, much in the way computers can edit the words in documents or translate from one language to another. The discovery has also provoked major controversies both scientific and ethical around the world. The system is known by its acronym CRISPR-Cas9, and it is already creating a scientific revolution perhaps even more significant than the invention of genetic engineering otherwise known as recombinant DNA that started with researchers at UCSF and Stanford more than 40 years ago. Genetic engineering has since spawned major new drug industries, big advances in disease treatment, and controversies over issues like GMO foods. Billions of dollars are involved. Wednesdays ruling by the U.S. Patent Office in Washington did not grant a patent to the UC team, and it appeared to support an earlier patent on one aspect of the technique granted to scientists at Harvard, MIT and the prestigious Broad Institute in Cambridge, Mass. Doudnas team has collaborated with Emmanuelle Charpentier, now at the Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology in Berlin, who is also involved in the patent issue. At the Broad Institute, the principal scientist is bioengineer Feng Zhang, another early developer of the CRISPR system. The Broad group patented the use of CRISPR to edit genes only in eucaryotic cells, which make up all plants and animals. The Doudna groups patent application also covers the altering of procaryotic cells like the deadly streptococcus and Escherichia coli bacteria. A Doudna patent would apply to systems for editing all the genes in every known type of living organism not just the eucaryotes. As the legal dispute moves forward, my team will continue to focus on using CRISPR to deliver advances and solutions that can help solve our greatest challenges across human health, agriculture and the environment, said Doudna, in a statement Wednesday. And because Wednesdays ruling appeared to support the Broad Institutes patent for altering the genes in only one type of cells, the dispute has a long way to go. We will be carefully considering all possible legal options at this juncture, said Paul Alivisatos, an internationally known chemist and UC Berkeley vice chancellor for research. A major issue facing all scientists using CRISPR is that while it can be used to edit the genes involved in human diseases, it could also edit the genes in human embryos and in sperm and egg cells, with unpredictable effects on future human generations. Scientists in China have already experimented with that kind of controversial germ line editing in the embryos of monkeys. And a report on CRISPR issued Tuesday by the National Academies of Science and Medicine suggested that if a gene-editing system for germ cells is clearly safe and carefully regulated, altering human germ cells to prevent heritable disorders might eventually be approved. That idea could mark a slippery slope toward tinkering with human heredity, and many scientists oppose it strongly. Asked if her team is contemplating using CRISPR for anything like germ line editing, Doudna gave a flat no during a brief telephone press briefing Wednesday. David Perlman is The San Francisco Chronicles science editor. Email: dperlman@sfchronicle.com WASHINGTON Today, the House Education and the Workforce Committees Subcommittee on Workforce Protections will hold a hearing entitled Federal Wage and Hour Policies in the Twenty-First Century. This is the subcommittees first hearing of 2017. On Tuesday, the Subcommittee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions held a hearing entitled Restoring the Balance and Fairness to the National Labor Relations Board. More hearings on these topics are expected as the full committee embarks on a holistic review of federal interventions in the employer-employee relationship. Todays hearing is expected to largely focus on the currently stayed overtime rule issued by the Obama administrations Department of Labor (DOL) last year. That rule, which would more than double the salary threshold for the so-called white collar exemptions, was put on hold by a federal judge in the Eastern District of Texas just before it was scheduled to go into effect in December 2016. That hold remains in place pending the outcome of challenges to the rule as they wind their way through the court system. NACS partnered with SIGMA to submit testimony for the hearing record, which incorporated the comments NACS had filed with the DOL in 2015 on their proposed rule. While NACS and SIGMA both recognized that the rule is certainly prime for being updated, concerns remain that the DOL went much too far in its final rule in more than doubling the salary threshold. While NACS and SIGMA were supportive of DOLs objective to update the overtime salary threshold, we believe the final rule will have substantial adverse effects on the retail fuel industry, the testimony read in part. The final rule contained questionable methodology and lacked adequate economic analysis, especially with respect to the disparate impact the rule will have on small businesses, those in the retail industry, and those in rural areas. NACS government relations staff will monitor the hearing and report any significant developments. We will also continue to monitor any actions Congress takes on overtime or other federal actions in the wage and hour space on behalf of our members. ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. Starbucks is expanding ice cream to its Reserve bars, plus 100 regular locations, after a successful introduction at the Seattle Roastery, the Seattle Times reports. Yesterday, the Roastery Affogato menu, which has its roots in the Italian espresso-poured-over ice cream treat, debuted at the 18 Reserve bar locations across the country, as well as dozens of traditional stores in Orange County. The affogato items have been tested at the Seattle Roastery since June, and quickly became among the top five bestsellers. The affogato menu includes affogato, cold brew malted shakes and cold brew floats. All items will be made will ice cream from Mora Iced Creamery. Starbucks is using its Seattle Roastery as a place to try innovations and new menu items for the company. The company will evaluate customer response at these traditional and Reserve stores before rolling it out across all locations. In late January, Starbucks announced that its mobile ordering app had created long lines inside its stores, which might have turned other customers away. The coffeehouse indicated it is already working on a solution to that issue. OTTAWA, Ontario This week, the Canadian Fuels Association issued a warning that current climate change policies in Canada and the United States could impact Canadas fuel supply. Peter Boag, association president and CEO, thinks that the key to Canadas reliable fuel supply has been a healthy, competitive Canadian refining industrypart of Canadas critical energy infrastructurethat produces more than enough fuel to meet Canadians needs. Indeed, for years Canada has been a net exporter of fuels, with the United States being the countrys most important export market. In his February commentary posted on the associations website, Boag wrote that he sees diverging Canada-U.S. climate policies as a potential bump in the road that could change this situation, jeopardizing fuel supply reliability and making Canadians dependent on fuel imports by putting us at the mercy of a long supply chainmuch of it out of our control. He pointed out that Canadian refineries might have to contend with increased carbon taxes and regulations that could squeeze some out of business. When everything works right, it will be painless to Canadians (except for those whose refinery and related jobs have disappeared). But when unforeseen circumstances or events occur that disrupt the supply chain (geopolitical events, natural disasters, etc.) we wont likely be the top priority for our out-of-country suppliers. Add another bump in the road such as the potential for U.S. protectionist measures like a border adjustment tax, and our reliable domestic supply of essential transportation fuels could even more quickly become something from the past. In these uncertain times, Canadian political leaders need to balance their GHG reduction aspirations with the broader interests of Canadians, including reliable access to fuels. By Hubert Horan, who has 40 years of experience in the management and regulation of transportation companies (primarily airlines). Horan has no financial links with any urban car service industry competitors, investors or regulators, or any firms that work on behalf of industry participants Brad Stones new book The Upstarts, is subtitled How Uber, Airbnb, and the Killer Companies of the New Silicon Valley Are Changing the World,[1] is the first book-length treatment of these companies. Stone is senior executive editor for technology at Bloomberg News; his previous book was 2013s The Everything Store[2], a corporate history of Amazon. Stone relies heavily on published news stories and interviews with Uber CEO Travis Kalanick and Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky. The material in the book is split roughly evenly between the two companies, although the comments below will focus on its coverage of Uber. Does The Upstarts provide any new information or thoughtful arguments for people who have been following the Naked Capitalism Uber series, or who are interested in the wide range of issues raised by Ubers rapid ascendency? Unfortunately not. The major deficiencies in Stones argument illustrate why tech industry and mainstream business media coverage has not only failed to investigate seriously the reasons for Ubers unprecedented growth but also has abandoned any pretense of journalistic independence to become a de facto advocate for Ubers corporate interests. Stone openly admits he is not an independent, objective observer, but is out to tell the story Travis Kalanick wants told. Amazon executives declined to talk to Stone for his previous book, and Stone describes how he proactively sought the cooperation of Uber and Airbnb for this book. Airbnb readily agreed to cooperate, but Kalanick initially refused in early 2015 (Theres no way in hell Im cooperating with a book about Uber right now) and had to be wooed. Stone quotes himself (p.13) as telling Kalanick If you want people to embrace a radical future in which they give up their cars you have to allow journalists to explain and demystify your story. If you want to change the way cities work, Uber must be understood. Kalanick remains skeptical, so Stone goes on to describe a narrative featuring backward politicians and regulators protecting the big taxi guys while Uber struggles to roll out its innovative new product. Thus The Upstarts cannot be considered journalism; it is Stones personal contribution to Ubers ongoing propaganda program. This is not to say that Stone presents a whitewashed or otherwise warped depiction of events; numerous Uber criticisms and missteps are noted and Stones story would have no credibility if he hadnt. But Stone suggests criticism of Uber is overwhelming driven by vested interests protecting an inefficient status quo and each mention of Uber missteps (e.g. journalist harassment, lying about potential driver earnings) is immediately followed by emphatic claims about Ubers true virtues. Stone insists that the multiple reports about Uber harassment of journalist Sarah Lacy and Johanna Bhuiyan under the direction of executive Emil Michaels were all totally fabricated; Michaels only wanted to create a coalition for responsible journalism. (p.262). Stone elided the fact that Uber claims that its drivers made over $90,000 a year was willful dishonesty by suddenly focusing on how a Uber recruiter on Chicagos South Side was creating wonderful opportunities for people short on cash.(p319-21). Willful refusal to obey existing laws is honorable because those obstacles would prevent Uber from unlock[ing] the true potential of an on-demand transportation service. (p.299) As is often seen with writers whose stories are based on access to key insiders, they can help flesh out bits of the historical chronology, and provide some background color on the personalities and styles of those insiders. The Upstarts provides a perfectly good (and very readable) overview of the when and who aspects of the Uber (and Airbnb) stories, but is useless to any reader trying to better understand the why. Much of Stones story directly follows Ubers longstanding propaganda narrative The Upstarts endorses every aspect of Ubers propaganda narrative, without offering any hard evidence supporting any of the claims. Ubers growth was based on powerful technological innovation. [Uber and Airbnb] have scrawled in the annals of entrepreneurship the most memorable stories of a third phase of internet historythe post-Google, post-Facebook era of innovation that allowed the digital realm to expand into the physical one(p.7) The idea was this:..if you opened up the service to anyone with a car and allowed him to pick up passengers using a smartphone app? You could fill empty seats in cars, reduce the chronic congestion on Americas highways, and allow drivers to make money on the side. (p196). Because the brilliance of this seamless transaction [via Ubers App] is so widely accepted in the LCD-lit halls of Silicon Valley that it inspired a surge of similar businesses in the fields of food delivery, package pickup, babysitting services, and so on.(p.7). Stone makes absolutely no attempt to explain the underlying innovations, but wants readers to believe that the ability to order and track taxis on a smartphone was the most powerful innovation in transportation history. Since Stone does not care about cost competitiveness, he cannot explain whether these innovations had any material impact on productive efficiency, cannot explain why they have not made Uber profitable, and cannot explain why no other company in any other industry has been able to achieve major competitive or financial impacts from them. Stone simply ignores the question of whether Ubers growth might have been driven by predatory multi-billion dollar subsidies for uneconomical prices and service levels. Ubers ultra-powerful business model will work anywhere in the world and will eventually displace car ownership. Even Ubers most fervent supporters had not grasped the true potential of the business. Uber wasnt just taking passengers out of yellow cabs, it was growing the overall market for paid transportation. (p.251) Kalanick introduced a more inspirational articulation of the companys missionto offer transportation as reliable as running water, everywhere and for everyone (p.261). Uber was only halfway to its goals..(quoting Kalanick:) what if I said theres going to be no traffic in any major city in the US in five years? (p.330) Stone notes that Uber was forced to abandon China after suffering staggering losses, but instead of seeing that the business model might not be universally powerful, or emphasizing that it had burned a billion dollars of the investors cash, he cited Kalanicks characterization of the China venture as romantic and a chance to do something interesting and beautiful. Since Stone completely ignores Uber financial results, he does not consider the possibility that a business model that lost $2 billion in 2015 and $3 billion in 2016 might not ever earn sustainable profits in a lot of places other than China. He also does explain how Uber could ever lower their costs to the point of being cheaper than car ownership if after seven years of operations they are still billions of dollars away from being cheaper than Yellow Cab. Ubers survival depended on heroically fighting the big taxi cartel and corrupt regulators. Ubers expansion also measured the will of local governments to update antiquated transportation laws for a service that many of its own citizens desperately wanted. This was a litmus test for democracy, exposing whether regulators and legislators were more beholden to their own people or to powerful taxi interests and unions. (p.300) The meeting thrust Kalanick into the thick of the familiar battle between new technology and the old, outdated ways of doing things (p.122) As noted, selling this idea was part of Stones sales pitch to get Kalanicks cooperation on the book, and there are unsubstantiated anti-regulatory claims throughout the book. The idea that a company with $13 billion in funding from Silicon Valley billionaires had to wage a difficult battle with powerful taxi interests who were fragmented and struggling to survive is too absurd to consider seriously. Even though he acknowledges Ubers growing use of lobbyists, Stone fails to consider whether the question of whether local politicians and regulators might be more beholden to the interests of a rich, powerful company than the interests of their own people, and whether this might raise any questions about the nature of democracy. Stone tells his readers that unlike regulators, Kalanick was a dispassionate seeker of objective truth. Facts and intellectual arguments, not charm were his weapons, and he wasnt about to kiss any political rings. (p.191) However readers were then told that Kalanicks factual intellectual argument was that regulatory demands that Uber obey existing rules about insurance and safety was just like the decision making in the Soviet Union that led to the rationing of toilet paper. As with past startups, losses will soon give way to robust profits. Uber had discovered what startup gurus call the virtuous circle, the links between various parts of its business. Lower prices led to more customers and more frequent usage, which led to a larger supply of cars and busier drivers, which enabled Uber to further cut prices and put more pressure on competitors. (p.251). Stone has no evidence backing his assertion about superior driver utilization, or that overall Uber efficiency improved because of this virtuous circle, and the claim is directly contradicted by Ubers actual financial results. If Uber was achieving significant efficiency gains, operating profit margins would improve. Actual margins showed no improvement whatsoever between 2013 and 2015, and only increased in 2016 because Uber unilaterally reduced driver compensation. Stone explains much of Ubers growth by Travis Law which combines the powerful innovation and regulation is the enemy of progress themes: Our product is so superior to the status quo that if we give people the opportunity to see it or try it, in any place in the world where government has the responsibility to be at least somewhat responsive to the people, they will demand it and defend its right to exist. If true, this would strongly support the hypothesis that Uber was good for society but Stone has absolutely no interest in helping his readers understand whether it is actually true. Uber might be good for society if this alleged huge product superiority can be explained on the basis of huge efficiency advantages that allowed Uber to profitably produce superior service at lower cost, but Uber clearly is nowhere near profitability, and Stone completely ignores all questions of productive efficiency or competitive advantage. If marketplace competition has been badly distorted by the ability of Silicon Valley billionaires to subsidize billions in losses in order to drive more efficient producers out of business (as the Naked Capitalism series had documented in detail) than Uber is more likely bad for society, but Stone also ignores questions about subsidies and the pursuit of monopoly. Stone fails to ask, much less address many of the most important questions that have been raised about Uber Uber is the most highly valued private company in the world. While it has received more attention in the technology and mainstream business press than any previous startup, its finances and competitive economics are largely kept secret and poorly understood. Unfortunately Stone makes no attempt to even consider (much less present any hard evidence about) a wide range of critical economic questions including: Will Uber ever be profitable? Stone completely ignores all published evidence about Ubers multi-billion dollar losses, even though his Bloomberg colleague Eric Newcomer has been one of the main sources for these reports. Stone completely ignores all published evidence about Ubers multi-billion dollar losses, even though his Bloomberg colleague Eric Newcomer has been one of the main sources for these reports. Does Ubers $69 billion venture capital valuation reflect the type of growth and profit potential it might have in the future as a public company? Stone spends two sentences (p.296) mentioning that Ubers valuation had rapidly grown from $14 billion to nearly $70 billion but makes no effort to explain why Uber became the most highly valued private company in history, or to consider whether the unprecedented valuation is in any way related to unprecedented competitive power or profit potential Stone spends two sentences (p.296) mentioning that Ubers valuation had rapidly grown from $14 billion to nearly $70 billion but makes no effort to explain why Uber became the most highly valued private company in history, or to consider whether the unprecedented valuation is in any way related to unprecedented competitive power or profit potential Why did Uber raise $13 billion from investors, a staggering larger amount than any previous startup had ever raised? The only explanation Stone provides is a Kalanick quote citing the demands of operating globally (p.329). Although he has now written books about both companies, Stone never explains why Uber has required 1600 times as much pre-IPO funding as Amazon, which also competes globally. The only explanation Stone provides is a Kalanick quote citing the demands of operating globally (p.329). Although he has now written books about both companies, Stone never explains why Uber has required 1600 times as much pre-IPO funding as Amazon, which also competes globally. What did Ubers investors think would drive significant returns on that $13 billion investment? Stone reasonably places Ubers funding in the broader context of the post-Facebook tech startup investment frenzy. However, just as he fails to consider why Uber got so much more funding than other companies caught up in that frenzy, he makes no attempt to evaluate why those investors think Uber will produce massively greater returns than those other companies Stone reasonably places Ubers funding in the broader context of the post-Facebook tech startup investment frenzy. However, just as he fails to consider why Uber got so much more funding than other companies caught up in that frenzy, he makes no attempt to evaluate why those investors think Uber will produce massively greater returns than those other companies Why has Uber remained private much longer than past startups, and shown almost no interest in an IPO that might return cash to those investors? At several points Stone seems to presume that Uber had near-term plans to go public, but never explains why they have stayed private much longer than any previous tech unicorn At several points Stone seems to presume that Uber had near-term plans to go public, but never explains why they have stayed private much longer than any previous tech unicorn Are the major investor subsidies that fueled Ubers growth (by allowing it to offer more service at lower prices) justified by powerful growth economics? Stone completely ignores the fact that traditional taxis need to charge fares covering the actual costs of trips while Uber fares have been massively subsidized by Ubers billionaire investors. Hypothetically these subsidies might be justifiable if Uber could rapidly grow into profitability but he fundamentally ignores the question of how Uber might eventually become profitable, and never examines whether Uber has the growth economics that powered growth and rapid profit improvement at startups (like Amazon); issues such as scale economies are never mentioned. Stone completely ignores the fact that traditional taxis need to charge fares covering the actual costs of trips while Uber fares have been massively subsidized by Ubers billionaire investors. Hypothetically these subsidies might be justifiable if Uber could rapidly grow into profitability but he fundamentally ignores the question of how Uber might eventually become profitable, and never examines whether Uber has the growth economics that powered growth and rapid profit improvement at startups (like Amazon); issues such as scale economies are never mentioned. Will Uber provide drivers with higher pay and better conditions than traditional taxi operators? Ubers independent contractor drivers are integral to Ubers overall business model, but Stone makes no effort to consider whether drivers will be better or worse off in an Uber-dominated industry. Stone notes (p.185) that in 2012 when Kalanick was still focused on more-upscale black car services, he didnt think mass market taxi service would work if Uber took the same 20% it took out of black-car fares. But Stone ignores the fact (also first reported by a Bloomberg colleague) that Uber now takes 30% of all fares, suggesting that drivers are now worse off than they had been before Uber entered the market. Ubers independent contractor drivers are integral to Ubers overall business model, but Stone makes no effort to consider whether drivers will be better or worse off in an Uber-dominated industry. Stone notes (p.185) that in 2012 when Kalanick was still focused on more-upscale black car services, he didnt think mass market taxi service would work if Uber took the same 20% it took out of black-car fares. But Stone ignores the fact (also first reported by a Bloomberg colleague) that Uber now takes 30% of all fares, How is Uber similar to (or significantly different from) past Silicon Valley-funded unicorns that became profitable public companies? Any comparisons with past startups would depend on the issues that Stone completely ignores such as cost competitiveness, growth economics, profitability, sources of ROI. Stone makes no effort to explain Uber (or Airbnb) in the context of other companies. Any comparisons with past startups would depend on the issues that Stone completely ignores such as cost competitiveness, growth economics, profitability, sources of ROI. Stone makes no effort to explain Uber (or Airbnb) in the context of other companies. Is there evidence Uber could earn sustainable profits in competitive markets or does Uber believe that investor returns require the quasi-monopoly industry dominance it has been explicitly pursuing? In his epilogue Stone rejects the claim that Uber (and Airbnb) are merely replac[ing] one set of dominant companies with another but makes absolutely no effort to explain why readers should share his optimism. His quote misrepresents the situation. Uber is seeking quasi-monopoly dominance of an industry has been highly competitive for a hundred years. His history of Uber provides ample evidence that Kalanick and his investors have long been focused on complete industry domination, and have ruthlessly attacked any company, regulator or journalist that might possibly stand in the way of Uber dominance. Nonetheless Stone completely ignores the question of how Uber would behave with quasi-monopoly dominance, or whether the loss of meaningful competition could be justified on the basis of substantially better service at substantially lower prices. In his epilogue Stone rejects the claim that Uber (and Airbnb) are merely replac[ing] one set of dominant companies with another but makes absolutely no effort to explain why readers should share his optimism. His quote misrepresents the situation. Uber is seeking quasi-monopoly dominance of an industry has been highly competitive for a hundred years. His history of Uber provides ample evidence that Kalanick and his investors have long been focused on complete industry domination, and have ruthlessly attacked any company, regulator or journalist that might possibly stand in the way of Uber dominance. Nonetheless Stone completely ignores the question of how Uber would behave with quasi-monopoly dominance, or whether the loss of meaningful competition could be justified on the basis of substantially better service at substantially lower prices. Are driverless cars critical to Ubers future success? On what basis could one Uber to become a major, profitable player in a future driverless car industry? Stone usefully explains that Uber had never considered driverless cars until Google (an Uber investor) demonstrated their own development projects, and never thought to make serious investments in driverless cars until the Google-Uber relationship soured. But Stone does nothing to help readers understand whether driverless cars are now a secondary/incremental opportunity for Uber or (as Kalanick has said) an existential challenge, or to understand any of the issues that will affect how a driverless-car industry might develop. Stone does pose one of the most important questions about Uber, but fails to answer it, and fails to provide any of the evidence that might allow his readers to draw their own conclusions The central question considered in the Naked Capitalism series on Uber is whether the shift from the pre-Uber urban car service industry to one dominated by Uber would improve overall economic welfarewould overall industry efficiency be significantly greater, would consumers in cities across the world have significantly greater service at significantly lower costs, would the risks from reduced competition clearly be offset by other gains. Stone poses his own version of this central question about the impact on overall economic welfare. Did the benefits of their [Uber and Airbnbs] dominance outweigh the well-publicized drawbacks? What was their true impact on cities? Were they good for society or bad? (p.243). Stone clearly wants his readers to believe that Uber has been good for society, but he is unwilling to explicitly say so, unwilling to clearly lay out how he thinks the tradeoff between benefits and drawbacks should be calculated, and unwilling to explain why he thinks the evidence justifies a positive conclusion. It is impossible to answer Stones is Uber good for society or bad? question without hard evidence about all this issues that Stone steadfastly ignoresproductive efficiencies, the economics behind Ubers business model and expected investor returns, the sources and magnitude of competitive advantages over the operators Uber has been driving out of business, the sources and magnitudes of any scale or network economies, and evidence as to how Uber might at some point in the future be able to earn sustainable profits in competitive markets. The issues directly relevant to answering the is Uber good for society or bad? are readily quantifiablehow much more service can Uber profitably provide than traditional operators, how much lower are the prices that Uber can sustainably offer, how much did Ubers innovations reduce the cost of providing taxi service? Readers cannot draw their own conclusions from Stones evidence because he ignores all the major economic issues (Uber prices and services currently depend on massive subsidieswhat price and service levels could Uber offer on a sustainably profitable basis?), and the pro-Uber benefits he emphasizes are vague (people really like the convenience of Ubers ordering app) and/or totally unsubstantiated (Uber has reduced urban congestion). Stones objective in The Upstarts is to sell his readers on his own version of Ubers PR narrative, a propaganda story that is not supported by any hard, verifiable economic evidence. In Parts Six and Seven of this series, I presented a preliminary overview of longstanding Uber efforts to publicize a PR/propaganda narrative, and how it had enlisted a wide variety of outside journalists and tech industry observers to help them promulgate that story. Nothing in the Uber narrative was based on any objective evidence of actual industry economics, and every aspect of the narrative is contradicted by the industry economic evidence presented in Parts One through Four of this series, e.g. the lack of profitability, the lack of powerful competitive efficiency advantages; the spectacular failure of Uber China and Ubers limited penetration of other international markets; the dependence on massive predatory investor subsidies and so forth. Thus the focus of this series has shifted from What does the economic evidence tell us about the impact of Uber? to Ubers narrative and the question of Why has the public discussion of Uber almost completely ignored economic evidence. I have deliberately used propaganda (instead of terms such as marketing) to describe Ubers communication strategy, because one of Ubers key objectives is to frame public discussion around emotive tribal/ideological issues in a way that creates an us-against-then, good guys-versus-bad guys dynamic that blocks any attempts to investigate or debate issues based on objective economic evidence. Stones belief that he can explain the growth of Uber without using any objective economic evidence needs to be understood in that context. As discussed in Part Seven, one key element of Ubers effort to block objective economic analysis of its business model and competitive growth is its aggressive effort to suck tech industry analysts and journalists into this good guys-versus-bad guys dynamic so they will want to become active allies in Ubers fight against competitors and regulators. Uber has framed its market entry as a heroic battle between innovative technologists fighting to provide consumer a vastly superior product against a backward industry and the corrupt regulators protecting them from competition. This framing engages the tribal loyalty of many in the technology industries who see themselves as avatars of progress and economic growth. Stone and the analysts cited in Part Seven (to use an expression Stone uses multiple times) clearly seem to have drunk this industry Kool-Aid, and was eagerly enlisted in Ubers fight. Unlike those analysts, who are willing to consider outside viewpoints and often produce critical analysis, Stone is a committed Uber partisan. Stone uses extensive interviews with Uber (and Airbnb) executives to flesh out the company point of view, but his 335 pages do not include a single interview with anyone who has any understanding of urban transport economics or anyone who has critically examined any aspect of Ubers behavior. The Airbnb sections reflect the same tech enthusiast myopia and arroganceit is not just that you dont need to evaluate any economic evidence to conclude that Uber and Airbnb are the good guys, you dont even need to think about the history or cost structure or competitive dynamics of the industry they will inevitably disrupt. Stones book also suffers from the structural problems of access journalism. Journalists who focus on cultivating big-name inside sources (such as Kalanick and Chesney) will not get that access (and the cover stories and book contracts it makes possible) unless those sources have complete confidence that they will present the story that the sources want told. By not focusing on business model economics, Stone incorrectly implies that much of Ubers strategy was hastily improvised in reaction to unexpected threats In its early years Stone depicts Uber as strongly focused on developing a niche premium product that was not directly competitive with traditional cabs, and was ideally tailored for large, wealthy cities like San Francisco, New York and the capital cities of Europe. All of Ubers pricing (roughly double taxi fares plus surge markups on days like New Years Eve), product standards (Lincoln town cars) branding (Everyones Private Driver) and regulatory approach (we should be governed by limo rules, not taxi rules) supported a business model focused on establishing a higher-quality taxi/larger-quantity limo service. In less than two years Uber had clearly transitioned to a company that wanted to serve all urban car service customers everywhere, and totally displace all incumbent operators, and achieve global industry dominance. Stone, who has focused heavily on Kalanicks personality and style, and not attempted to explain the economics of Ubers business model, suggests these major changes in strategic direction were unexpected and haphazard, driven by Kalanicks sudden reaction to moves by regulators and competitors like Hailo, Zimride and Lyft. Stone also suggests that little of the early investment in Uber had much to do with the (constantly shifting) understanding of market opportunities, and was mostly an intuitive sense that someone with Kalanicks personality would remain obsessively focused on investor returns through whatever market challenges unexpectedly occurred. Stone is clearly correct that investors appreciated Kalanicks monomaniacal style, and that some investment may have been motivated by a sense of what was currently hot in venture capital circles. But Stones hypothesis that Uber lacked an underlying strategic vision and was winging it in reaction to sudden, unexpected threats is contradicted by a lot of the evidence he ignores (and even some of the evidence he presents). A company narrowly focused on providing limo service in a handful of big cities would not have gotten major attention from major Silicon Valley venture capital investors. That community can display herd mentality and is often guilty of the tech myopia/arrogance discussed earlier where the presumed power of disruptive innovation preempts the need to understand the economics of the industry you are trying to disrupt. But historical evidence strongly suggests they are extremely focused on possible sources of outsized returns, and would not have invested these staggering sums into a company unless its strategic vision was sharply focused on potential sources of outsized returns. Stones argument that the investors were simply wagering on Kalanicks style implies that business models and strategic visions are relatively unimportant and Kalanick would have been just as successful had he run Zimcar, Cabulous, Taxi Magic or any of the other failed ventures that preceded Uber. A much more likely hypothesis is that Kalanick and his investors always had a global dominance strategy in mind; the initial focus on the upscale niche was always a preliminary step that would avoid serious competitive and regulatory pushback before a stable market position could be secured. Stone even notes that Kalanicks initial reluctance to commit to Uber full time was because he thought the limo model was a good idea, just not necessarily a big one (p.7) quotes Kalanick as early as 2010 as saying Ill stop at nothing to see Uber go to every major city in the US and the world (p.123) and notes that by early 2011 he had expelled from his inner circle anyone he thought might stand in the way of Ubers manifest destiny to conquer the world.(p.153) The transition to a global, mass-market strategy may have been accelerated by those unexpected competitive moves, but was always part of the plan. Ubers early investors would have been strongly attracted by the profit potential of eventual quasi-monopoly market dominance, and the idea that Ubers smartphone linked software platform might serve as the basis of that market dominance. Sherwin Pishevar, formerly a managing director at Menlo Ventures, became an original investor in Uber because he believed the companys platform could provide the basis for sustainable rent-extraction and the companys model could scale globally. Uber is building a digital mesha grid that goes over the citiesOnce you have that grid running, in everyones pockets, there is a lot of potential for what you can build as a platform. Uber is in the empire-building phase.[3] By focusing on personalities instead of competitive economics, Stone misses the fact that Kalanick and his investors have always had a clear and strongly coherent focus on the outsized returns that would be possible if they achieved quasi-monopoly dominance of the global car service industry. Kalanick could not have made the rapid responses to new threats that Stone described unless the longer-term global mass-market strategy already had the full support of his major investors, and no company can grow this rapidly without strong strategic alignment between owners and senior management. By focusing on personalities instead of competitive economics, Stone misses much of the evidence showing that Ubers growth has not and will not be good for society. Kalanicks ruthlessness is not a mixed blessing that produced a series of damaging mistakes while the company was still an immature adolescent. Every one of those missteps (competitor sabotage, lying about driver salaries, journalist harassment, willfully disobeying laws, etc.) was fully aligned with Ubers overall efforts to defeat anything that might be an obstacle to its pursuit of global dominance. No Uber executive was ever disciplined and no Uber investor ever publically criticized any of these actions. They were all fully aligned with Ubers overall efforts to reframe public discussion around a heroic battle against the enemies of innovation and progress in order to block public discussion of Ubers extremely weak competitive economics. The Upstarts lays out a great deal of the history showing that quasi-monopoly industry dominance was always Ubers central strategic objective, and Stone fails to provide any credible evidence as why that outcome will not be bad for society. [1] Stone, Brad, The Upstarts: How Uber, Airbnb, and the Killer Companies of the New Silicon Valley Are Changing the World, Little, Brown 2017 [2] Stone, Brad, The Everything Store, Back Bay Books, 2013 [3] Uber doesnt just set passengers up with drivers. Its a company starting to dream of becoming a logistical nervous system for cities. Lagorio-Chafkin, Christine, Resistance Is Futile, Inc. Magazine, Jul 2013. Yves here. This post doesnt incorporate the Trump controversy of the day, namely, the escalation of remarkably thinly-sourced accusations about Trump campaign contacts with members of the Russian intelligence community. Aside from the fact that a careful reading of the stories reveals a yawning chasm between the headlines and the content, a Washington-savvy reader pointed out: If they had a smoking gun, theyd be presenting it to the intelligence committees and having hearings, not flogging it to the press. But he nevertheless thought that relentless hammering on the notion that Trump was in bed with Russia, no matter how thin the evidence, would eventually do real harm. A DC insider had a different perspective. He didnt regard the intelligence leaks as all that damaging, but thought that Trump was at sea in terms of getting things done inside the Beltway. Given the composition of his team, things were unlikely to get better on that front. Trump is sorely lacking in people who knew how to get the right players on board or at least somewhat placated. Thus Pence muscling aside Christie was a big loss; although Christie might not have taken the job, Christie would have been invaluable to Trump as a chief of staff and would have brought that expertise. Put it another way: Trump has too many billionaires on his team who like him dont know what they dont know. This is consistent with one of our occasional observations: that Trump would wind up being a blustery, hyperkinetic version of a Jimmy Carter: an outsider who got little done because he had far too few DC old hand in his Administration. Carter mistakenly thought Watergate gave him a mandate to do things differently; Trump owed too many favors to marginal players who were willing to back him early and had a hard time getting members of the GOP mainstream to sign on. This post has a key point toward towards the end: that Trump and the Republicans need to avoid looking mean spirited in delivering on their policies, by implication, the ones meant to increase wages and employment. Its hard to see how Trump can do that. His fabulous short temper means that pettiness is already part of his brand image. And that is already being exploited by the media. For instance, weve commented repeatedly on how bog standard transition moves that the press ignored under Obama are being depicted as sinister because Trump. Similarly, one of the big stories last weekend were ICE raids, which the articles insinuated were unusual and harsh. Yet a story we ran yesterday from Grist that was sympathetic to illegal immigrants included this factoid: The recent immigration enforcement surge has gotten a lot of media attention, but even if the government manages to deport everyone who was rounded up over the weekend, it would need to more than triple its pace just to match the Obama administration, which deported 409,849 people in 2012. By New Deal Democrat. Originally published at Angry Bear My post from two weeks ago, No, Trump isnt Imploding got picked up by a few other sites within the past few days, and I wanted to follow up because we have a fuller picture of public opinion now. Basically, Trump still isnt imploding. He is holding his base. In fact, there is a little economic evidence that they are putting their wallets where their mouths have been. BUT, on the other hand, the opposition to Trump is revealing itself as broad-based and intense, in a way that hasnt been seen in America since at least the 1960s (if not the 1930s or 1860s). Heres Gallups Presidential approval polling through yesterday: Three weeks after the start of his Presidency, Trumps last approval rating was 41%, down from 45% on his Inauguration Day. He has been between 41% and 43% for the last two weeks. Thats simply not an implosion. And his GOP base stands behind his controversial Executive Decrees. For example, heres the breakdown on support for his Muslim exclusion decree: While Democrats are almost universally opposed, the support by GOPers is similarly almost universal. But while Trump isnt imploding, the opposition to him is broad, as shown in the increase of disapproval ratings shown above from 45% on Inauguration Day to 53% in the past week. Moreover, the opposition is intense, as shown by the 45% support for Trump being impeached as evidenced by a PPP poll several days ago: In short, the mushy bipartisan-y center so worshiped by the likes of the late David Broder has all but disappeared. Red and blue America are at complete loggerheads. There is some evidence, by the way, that the optimism of GOPers, as shown in Gallups economic confidence survey: is showing up in real consumer spending. January is typically the month in which consumers spend the least. Two weeks ago I noted that so far spending was lackluster. Well, that has changed. In the last 21 days, consumers are spending close to 25% more than they did one year ago: This spending is at the highest level since before the 2008 recession. I have no way of knowing whether this spending is motivated in part by Trumps presidency, but the coincidence is there. In the short term, notice that the Congressional GOP has largely gone silent. No big statements by Paul Ryan or Mitch McConnell, and no big Congressional legislation being shepherded to Trumps desk so far. I think they are in a wait-and-see mode. There is nothing for them to gain with their base by opposing Trump now. But if he does implode, they dont want to be associated with that implosion. In the longer term, for Democrats, Trump and the GOP are going to be judged on whether or not they deliver the goods to a majority of Americans, and do it in a way that does not appear mean-spirited. That means, for example, deporting Illegals who have engaged in violent crimes or theft. It does not mean splitting up families by deporting the working parents of American children who have been here for several decades and whose only wrongdoing was using a false Social Security number. It also means delivering on jobs and wage growth something that I doubt very much Trump of the GOP will be successful in doing. While a number of statistical analyses of the 2016 election have pointed to the primacy of racial attitudes, as for example, shown in this graph: there is not a 100% correlation between that and Trump votes. In other words, while it may not have been the most common motivator, there were a significant percentage of white voters who did not take Trumps remarks about Muslims or Mexicans seriously, or for that matter that he was really going to repeal ObamaCare. This last group are the swing voters who can be persuaded back into the Democratic camp by candidates who reject Wall Street and embrace economic progressivism. Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, has long been loaded for bear as far as financial regulations in general and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) in particularly are concerned. So one would think given his long-standing antipathy that hed be able to make at least a semi-plausible case against Dodd Frank, particularly given that it is such a behemoth of a bill that it isnt particularly well crafted. Nope. In an an op-ed for the Wall Street Journal, Hensarling laid out his bill of particulars against the CFPB, which he called a rogue agency. In a new post at Credit Slips, Georgetown law professor Adam Levitin shows that the claims are demonstrably false. To the extent that there have been changes in bank behavior, they cant be attributed to Dodd Frank. Drawing on Levitins post, well put Hensarlings claims in two categories: utterly inaccurate versus trumped up. Utterly Inaccurate Claims Fewer free checking accounts. Hensarling made a claim that is sneaky: The number of banks offering free checking has drastically declined, to get readers to reach that conclusion. But even with the number of banks shrinking as consolidation continues (and the CFPB has squat to do with that), this assertion is bogus. None other than the American Association of Bankers shows the reverse, that the percentage of free checking accounts went up, from 53% of the total to 61%. Levitin points out that the CFPB cant take credit for this, since it has done almost nada with respect to checking accounts, and the one area it did touch, remittances, is so small relative to checking account activity (many banks dont even offer them) that it cant have had an impact on overall pricing. Higher bank fees. This one is particularly rich, since the CFPB is now in charge of overseeing banks for overdraft abuses, and the overall fee reductions there have to be so large as to offset anything else Hensarling might be trying to pin on the agency. Or is Hensarling weirdly trying to assert that because banks cant gouge consumers as much with their overdraft chicanery, they are raising the rack rate of other fees? The aggregate data refutes Hensarlings claim. As you can see, aggregate fees on deposit accounts are almost flat since the CFPB has been in operation. Levitin does not mention that retail deposits have grown significantly over this period, so the amount of fees consumers are paying on a percentage basis has actually fallen. Other sources not only confirm Levitins high level take, but contrary to what Hensarling is trying to sell, credits the CFPB with lowering fees and squeezing bank profits. Its not hard to discern that this is why Hensarling is at war with the agency, and not out of feigned concern for consumers. From Strategy + Business Autumn 2016 issue: Noninterest income has also been flat, due to a series of postcrisis legislative initiatives that adversely affected fee-based revenue in deposit taking, credit cards, and payments. Ongoing scrutiny from the newly created Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has driven down pricing and ancillary revenues in consumer-facing businesses such as mortgages, deposit banking, credit cards, student lending, auto lending, and unsecured lending. So in other words, the impact of the CFPB and other reforms has been not just to curb fee growth but even reduce it. And notice this isnt just account fees but mortgage charges and auto loans, which well turn to now. More costly auto loans. Levitin provides data consistent with the Strategy + Business analysis: The Fed has data on auto loan pricing. Guess what. Auto loans have gotten cheaper since the CFPB came on the scene. Thats true both in absolute terms and if one backs out the cost of funds (I used Fed Funds, perhaps a 5 year constant maturity Treasury would be better, but theres no directional difference here). In absolute terms a 48 month auto loan was at 5.89% when the CFPB went operational in Q3 2011. It was at 4.69% when the CFPB issued its indirect auto lending guidance at the end of Q1 in 2013. And it was at 4.45% at the end of 2016. The numbers excluding cost of funds are 5.81% in Q1 2011, 4.55% in Q3 2013, and 3.91% in Q4 2016. The same holds true for 60-month car loans from commercial banks. The story isnt quite as strong for new car loans from auto finance companies (excluding cost of funds): 4.37% in Q3 2011, 4.65% in Q1, 2013, and 4.57% in Q3 2016. In other words, no real change, but lending volumes have increased, up 12% between Q1 2013 and Q3 2016, suggesting that lenders have not be constrained by regulations. Moreover, increasing volume with steady prices would indicate that if demand were held constant, that prices would in fact be down. Look at the charts below for more details. The numbers dont lie. Jeb Hensarling is pushing a huge regulatory reform based on, um, alternative facts. (The first chart is unadjusted rates from Federal Reserve Statistical Release G.19. The second chart is adjusted rates that take the G.19 data and back out the end of quarter Fed Funds rate using FRED data. I did a shorter duration because Im lazy and things before 2008 dont really matter here.) Fewer banks, bankers and hiring in the economy. No joke, this is what Hensarling said: With consumer protection outside the democratic process, consumers were harmed by a reduction in competition. With fewer lenders serving fewer borrowers, fewer businesses employed fewer workers. This isnt even coherent. The argument kinda sorta seems to be that the CFPB constrained consumer borrowing, which in turn reduced business opportunities. But any look at the data shows growth in consumer credit post crisis. (Levitin thinks Hensarling is trying to make the Trump argument, that regulation hurt lending to businesses, but as he points out, the CFPB has nothing to do with business lending). As for the fewer lenders part, bank consolidation continues. Pretty much every expert thinks the US has and continues to have too many banks. As Levitin points out: Yes, the number of banks has declined over the past several years, but its done so at the exact same steady rate of 316 banks per year that it has done for the last twenty-six years.Theres no evidence of the CFPB resulting in a material decline in the number of financial institutions, and indeed, its pretty hard to point to any particular CFPB regulation that would have driven anyone but a bad apple out of business. In any case, even if the number of lenders declined, theres still plenty of lenders in the US and no shortage of lendable funds. Levitin bothered running a regression and got an R-squared of 95%. Trumped Up Claims Mortgages became more expensive. Huh? Again we have weasel-wording; Mortgage originationshave become more expensive for many Americans. How many is many? And given the typical compliant about post-crisis mortgage lending, that originators became restrictive. The big reason was that private label, meaning subprime, market, is just about totally dead, thanks to the originating side refusing to accept even modest reforms while investors wont touch the stuff without them. The lower-credit quality mortgages typically have more fees and costs than the higher credit quality ones. While Dodd Frank did impose a requirement that banks be sure that borrowers are likely to be able to repay their mortgages (what a concept!), the much bigger driver of increased origination hassle is meeting new Fannie Mae representations and warranties, plus having to cover the cost of default servicing. The CFPB has nothing to do with that. Most people would read Hensarlings claim as mortgages got more pricey. Thats nonsense: So harbor no illusions. The reason the CFPB is in the Republicans crosshairs has absolutely nothing to do with the impact on consumers. Its due to the fact that the agency has managed to curb some very lucrative bank misconduct and was en route to stymieing the use of mandatory arbitration agreements. Its now bizarrely accepted in the Beltway that major businesses should have the right to extract rents of all sorts. Trump, in attacking Dodd Franks tame reforms, is on board with that program. Sketching sensors with conducting polymer pen (w/video) (Nanowerk News) Two Northwestern Engineering graduate students are drawing circles around the competition. Daniel Hickox-Young and Luke Prestowitz developed a novel smart ink pen, which propelled them to the KAUST DIY Electronics Innovation Challenge, an international contest to encourage creative and inexpensive electronics. Called the PolySketch Pen, the patent-pending tool culminated from a course project in MSE 337: Introduction to Conducting Polymers, developed by Jiaxing Huang. Huang, associate professor of materials science and engineering, designed the class to include self-directed experiments that challenge students to use ordinary items to create their own innovative projects. PolySketch Pen Students in MSE 337 are encouraged to come up with a new idea and demonstrate the proof-of-concept, Huang said. They can do whatever they want as long as they can justify the connection to class. Hickox-Young and Prestowitzs pen contains a conductive polymer ink made from dispersed polyaniline nanofibers in water. The students also worked out the right additives to help the ink dry quickly and make writing smooth on paper. Huang enjoyed writing with it so much that he used it to grade the classs exams. Next, Hickox-Young and Prestowitz began exploring applications for their new tool. The pens conductive ink can be used to create chemical and mechanical sensors. They sketched a circuit with the pen and then connected it to an LED light. The light shined brighter in the presence of an acid and turned off in the presence of a base. They also used the PolySketch pen to color the fingertips in a pair of gloves, making them touchscreen compatible. Because its easy and safe to use, families and teachers can teach their kids and students basic scientific principles, Prestowitz said in a video about the project. The PolySketch pen impressed Huang so much that he encouraged Hickox-Young and Prestowitz to enter the DIY Electronics Innovation Challenge, hosted by the National Science Foundations Research Conference on Interactive Electronics in collaboration with the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia. This video was submitted to the DIY Electronics Innovation Challenge at KAUST, and has been selected by the organizing committee to be featured at the upcoming KAUST-NSF Research Conference on Interactive Electronics at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Saudi Arabia, from Jan 30 to Feb 1, 2017. The current version is based on the video report made by Daniel Hickox-Young and Luke Prestowitz on their final project "Conducting Polymer Pens" for MSE 337 (Fall 2016) "Introduction to Conducting Polymers", taught by Prof. Jiaxing Huang at the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University. The objective of the DIY Electronics Innovation Challenge is to encourage citizen science worldwide by making new electronic applications using daily materials, said Muhammad Mustafa Hussain, associate professor of electrical engineering at KAUST and the conference director who proposed the contest. The judging panel was impressed by Northwesterns submission. Not only did the judges select Hickox-Young and Prestowitz as one of just two winning projects, they awarded both students a trip to attend the three-day conference at KAUST. Luke Prestowitz and Daniel Hickox-Youngs video stood out among many others, said Boon Ooi, professor of electrical engineering at KAUST and the conferences program chair. Their project ideas are highly creative. They also did a great job in presenting their project. Their video is fun to watch and very educative and informative. During the conference, Hickox-Young and Prestowitz presented their PolySketch video to conference attendees as well as elementary school students and their teachers. The presentation was met with a positive response from audience members of all ages. The highlight of my trip was a visit to the KAUST School for Next-generation in Science and Technology, where Daniel and Luke presented their project to a room full of elementary school students, said Mark Lundstrom, the Don and Carol Scifres Distinguished Professor at Purdue University. Hands-on electronics projects are critical for conveying the excitement of electronics science and technology to young people. As Daniel and Luke demonstrated their smart ink pen, they made electronics cool to these kids. You could see it on their faces and from their questions afterwards. This is not the first innovative, DIY project to come out of Huangs MSE 337 class. Students in previous years thought up many new ideas, including a skin health indicator, polyaniline touch gloves, and a bad breath detector. Two years ago, an MSE 337 student team made chemical sensors out of flexible toy pencils and paper. Cheng Wei Lin (MS 13) and Zhibo Zhaos (BS 13) project received national press coverage and was published in the journal Scientific Reports in January 2014 ("Pencil Drawn Strain Gauges and Chemiresistors on Paper"). All are featured on Huangs YouTube channel, called NanoEducation. Students usually generate the best ideas when they connect the concepts in the course with a piece of their own personal experience, Huang said. Our videos dont just showcase Northwestern students accomplishments, they also inspire students and teachers elsewhere to do similar projects. In fact, that is exactly what has happened. Inspired by Huangs students polyanilene touch gloves, Nedal Y. Abu-Thabit, professor at Jubail Industrial College in Saudi Arabia, challenged his undergraduate students to design a similar project. The results were reported in a recent paper published in the Journal of Chemical Education ("Chemical Oxidative Polymerization of Polyaniline: A Practical Approach for Preparation of Smart Conductive Textiles"). Huangs approach to the class is two-fold: impart knowledge and inspire creativity. Physicists harness neglected properties of light (Nanowerk News) University of Toronto (U of T) researchers have demonstrated a way to increase the resolution of microscopes and telescopes beyond long-accepted limitations by tapping into previously neglected properties of light. The method allows observers to distinguish very small or distant objects that are so close together they normally meld into a single blur. Telescopes and microscopes are great for observing lone subjects. Scientists can precisely detect and measure a single distant star. The longer they observe, the more refined their data becomes. But objects like binary stars don't work the same way. That's because even the best telescopes are subject to laws of physics that cause light to spread out or "diffract." A sharp pinpoint becomes an ever-so-slightly blurry dot. If two stars are so close together that their blurs overlap, no amount of observation can separate them out. Their individual information is irrevocably lost. University of Toronto physics researchers Edwin (Weng Kian) Tham and Hugo Ferretti prepare to run a test in their quest to beat Rayleigh's Curse, by tapping into previously neglected properties of light. (Image: Diana Tyszko/University of Toronto) More than 100 years ago, British physicist John William Strutt - better known as Lord Rayleigh - established the minimum distance between objects necessary for a telescope to pick out each individually. The "Rayleigh Criterion" has stood as an inherent limitation of the field of optics ever since. Telescopes, though, only register light's "intensity" or brightness. Light has other properties that now appear to allow one to circumvent the Rayleigh Criterion. "To beat Rayleigh's curse, you have to do something clever," says Professor Aephraim Steinberg, a physicist at U of T's Centre for Quantum Information and Quantum Control, and Senior Fellow in the Quantum Information Science program at the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research. He's the lead author of a paper published today in the journal Physical Review Letters ("Beating Rayleighs Curse by Imaging Using Phase Information"). Some of these clever ideas were recognized with the 2014 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, notes Steinberg, but those methods all still rely on intensity only, limiting the situations in which they can be applied. "We measured another property of light called 'phase.' And phase gives you just as much information about sources that are very close together as it does those with large separations." Light travels in waves, and all waves have a phase. Phase refers to the location of a wave's crests and troughs. Even when a pair of close-together light sources blurs into a single blob, information about their individual wave phases remains intact. You just have to know how to look for it. This realization was published by National University of Singapore researchers Mankei Tsang, Ranjith Nair, and Xiao-Ming Lu last year in Physical Review X, and Steinberg's and three other experimental groups immediately set about devising a variety of ways to put it into practice. "We tried to come up with the simplest thing you could possibly do," Steinberg says. "To play with the phase, you have to slow a wave down, and light is actually easy to slow down." His team, including PhD students Edwin (Weng Kian) Tham and Huge Ferretti, split test images in half. Light from each half passes through glass of a different thickness, which slows the waves for different amounts of time, changing their respective phases. When the beams recombine, they create distinct interference patterns that tell the researchers whether the original image contained one object or two - at resolutions well beyond the Rayleigh Criterion. So far, Steinberg's team has tested the method only in artificial situations involving highly restrictive parameters. "I want to be cautious - these are early stages," he says. "In our laboratory experiments, we knew we just had one spot or two, and we could assume they had the same intensity. That's not necessarily the case in the real world. But people are already taking these ideas and looking at what happens when you relax those assumptions." The advance has potential applications both in observing the cosmos, and also in microscopy, where the method can be used to study bonded molecules and other tiny, tight-packed structures. Regardless of how much phase measurements ultimately improve imaging resolution, Steinberg says the experiment's true value is in shaking up physicists' concept of "where information actually is." Steinberg's "day job" is in quantum physics - this experiment was a departure for him. He says work in the quantum realm provided key philosophical insights about information itself that helped him beat Rayleigh's Curse. Wearable health monitor based on household paper (Nanowerk Spotlight) Paper electronics putting flexible electronic sensors and other circuits on regular paper have the potential to cut the price of a wide range of medical tools, from point-of-care diagnostic tests to portable DNA detectors. Scientists have already developed a fast, low-cost way of making paper sensors by directly printing conductive ink on paper. Other researchers have designed and demonstrated novel self-powered human-interactive transparent nanopaper systems, utilizing transparent nanopaper as base material. In new work, published online in Advanced Materials Technology ("Recyclable Nonfunctionalized Paper-Based Ultralow-Cost Wearable Health Monitoring System"), researchers have now shown an integration strategy to rationally design an ultra-low cost health monitoring device, a Paper Watch, using recyclable household materials: non-functionalized papers. "The unusual simplicity in manufacturing and in daily use gives our Paper Watch unprecedented edge compared to any previous demonstrations," Muhammad Mustafa Hussain, an Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), tells Nanowerk. "We integrate pressure, temperature and humidity sensors with flexible silicon integrated circuits on one singular platform." Hussain's team demonstrated reliability under physical deformation for their paper sensor device, which for the first time can sense the body vitals of the carrier (body temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, and skin hydration) simultaneously and in real-time. In a previous Nanowerk Spotlight we have reported on the team's use of household items aluminum foil, scotch tapes, sticky-notes, napkins and sponges to make a multi-sensory 'Paper Skin'. Following up on these studies, Hussain's lab now demonstrates a fully autonomous, low-cost and recyclable health monitoring system based on common, i.e. not functionalized, recyclable household paper. To build their sensory platform integrates pressure, humidity and temperature sensors the scientists integrated thinned down flexible bulk monocrystalline Si (100) based data processing units on paper substrates. Other resources used were post-it notes, double-sided adhesive tape, aluminum foil, and tissue wipes. A combination of such electrically conductive and insulating material can result in various capacitive and resistive elements. Read the above-mentioned Nanowerk Spotlight for details on this fabrication process. 1. Conceptual demonstration of 3D stacked paper-based autonomous healthcare monitoring system integration, capable of monitoring various critical bio signals from one singular point around the wrist. Each layer is fully printed on cellulose paper using silver ink for interconnects, and thinned down flexible Si-based chips for the active components of the circuitry where high performance processing using state-of-the-art technology is required. Beginning from the top, layer [1] represents the digital photo of an active RFID tag printed on paper with a flexible Si-based radio chip for wireless data communication; layer [2] shows the digital image of a power source printed circuitry; layer [3] displays the processing unit where a flexible Si-based microprocessor (P) die is integrated through flip-chip with the rest of the printed circuitry on paper; layer [4] illustrates the sensors readout circuitry fully printed on paper; and layer [5] is composed of the multifunctional healthcare sensory platform we are presenting in this work. As shown in the corresponding digital photo, the sensory layer needs to be in direct contact with the skin, essential for collection of bio signals from the surface of the skin. Finally, data collected from the sensors is wirelessly transmitted to a smartphone application where vital signs can be simultaneously interpreted and visualized in real-time. (click on image to enlarge) "Our vision towards an autonomous wearable device is to replace the flexible printed circuit board with printed stretchable metal-interconnects on a low-cost paper platform, where careful integration and alignment of flexible processing units is performed through flip-chip technique," explains Joanna Nassar, a PhD student in Hussain's lab and the paper's first author. "Compared to previous demonstrations, our system uses recyclable papers instead of chemically treated materials, displays a simpler and affordable integration approach, improved contact intimacy with the skin, and exhibits a smaller footprint on the environment." The team says that the accuracy of their paper watch falls within 5% of that of Apple Watch, Fitbit, Pebble or Samsung Galaxy Gear. But the cost? Without even high volume manufacturing, it is less than $25. The next stage of this research will be to add therapeutic capability and commercialize this technology. "Technologically, we look forward to ensure further sensitivity, accuracy, selectivity and responsivity," says Hussain. "We are developing a plug and play sensor interface to disrupt the status-quo. We are presently working with multi-national investors from China, USA and Saudi Arabia in that regard." evan spiegel When Chi-Hua Chien was a young associate for venture capital firm Accel Partners in 2005, he brought an exciting new company to his bosses. Soon after that the VC firm invested in Facebook, and the rest is history. Now Chien has his own firm, Goodwater Capital, and he and co-founder Eric Kim have set their sights on what many think could be the next hot internet IPO: Snapchat. The pair decided to write their own analysis of parent company Snap's IPO prospectus, doing a little bit of illustrative modeling to put Snap's future growth in perspective of other companies. To be clear, neither Kim or Chien are Wall Street analysts, and they're not issuing a "buy" or "sell" rating on Snap. But with investors and tech industry insiders just getting acquainted with Snapchat's business following the release of Snap's S-1 filing, Chien and Kim thought it would be good to simplify the filing's language into something startups and investors can understand and to add some of their own analysis and insight based on their experiences as early investors in tech companies. "There's a pretty big gap between how Silicon Valley thinks and how Wall Street thinks," says Kim, who was an early investor in Kakao Talk. Illustrating the future Should Snapchat follow the growth rates of other consumer startups, Goodwater Capital projects that the company will grow its overall gross revenue from $404 million in 2016 to $14.8 billion by 2027. At that rate, it'll take until 2020 for Snap Inc. to reach profitability. Pro Forma Analysis Goodwater Capital But none of this is guaranteed. "The crux of the issue here is how powerful is their ad unit," Kim told Business Insider. For one, Snapchat needs to prove that its advertising unit can siphon away the advertising dollars from television as it believes it will. There's also the question of demographics. A survey of more than 2,000 people performed by the firm showed that Snap hasn't broken into the over 30 crowd something Snap's S-1 confirms. Story continues In Chien's view Snapchat will face two major questions: Can it break meaningfully out of the under 30 demographic? Can it break into Asia? When Facebook went public at eight years old, there were signs that it was breaking into both markets, Chien says. Snapchat is still missing both of those ingredients, but it's also only five years old and much earlier in the company's revenue and growth stages, which means there could be a lot of runway left for investors. The other big debate is whether Snap will be the next Facebook or the next Twitter. The former would make Snap another rocketship with an advertising-based money-printing machine, while the latter could bring challenges in monetization and in growing the size of its audience. Snapchat's admittedly flat user growth doesn't help matters, though the healthy revenue growth Chien and Kim project is encouraging. For now, neither Chien nor Kim will say whether they think Snap will go the way of Facebook or Twitter. Instead, they defer to laying out the facts and projecting where it might go from here. You can read Goodwater's full breakdown of the company here. NOW WATCH: WPP CEO Sir Martin Sorrell on Snapchat becoming the 'third force' to Google and Facebook More From Business Insider Five Tipperary SPAR stores were awarded one of retails highest honours at the annual SPAR 5 Star Awards including the SPAR store on John Street in Carrick on Suir. SPAR retailers from across Ireland attended the awards ceremony which was held at Killashee House, Co. Kildare and hosted by BWG Foods, owners and operators of the SPAR brand in Ireland. The SPAR 5 Star Awards, held in association with the Excellence Ireland Quality Association, were given to SPAR stores that demonstrated outstanding industry excellence following a year of comprehensive inspections, visits from mystery shoppers and audits. The winners excelled in all areas of inspection, displaying exemplary standards across their stores. 194 stores received 5 Star Awards including; Heaphys SPAR John Street, Carrick-on-Suir Farrells SPAR Ballina Foleys SPAR Gortlandroe, Nenagh Harveys SPAR Thurles Heaphys SPAR Roscrea Colin Donnelly, SPAR Sales Director said, SPAR stores are renowned for demonstrating industry leading standards. The SPAR 5 Star Awards Scheme is one that retailers must be committed to year round. Maintaining the highest standards in customer care and food safety consistently on a daily basis is no easy feat and these retailers work extremely hard in order to achieve this. Im delighted to see five Tipperary stores achieve the mark this year and get the recognition they deserve. The SPAR 5 Star Awards Scheme is a rolling scheme where participants must undergo rigorous year long assessments across a range of categories including customer care, shop presentation, food safety and retailing innovation. Above - At the annual Spar 5 Star Awards were Colin Power, Spar Retail Operations Advisor; Zoltan Terenyi, Spar Roscrea; Louise Carmody, Spar Gortlandroe, Nenagh and Jamie Murphy, Spar, John Street, Carrick-on-Suir. A Carrick-on-Suir store was one of five Tipperary Spar stores that were awarded one of retails highest honours at the annual Spar 5 Star Awards. Heaphys Spar in John Street, Carrick received one of the awards presented to stores that demonstrated outstanding industry excellence following a year of comprehensive inspections, visits from mystery shoppers and audits. Spar retailers from across Ireland attended the awards ceremony held at Killashee House, Co. Kildare and hosted by BWG Foods, owners and operators of the Spar brand in Ireland. The awards were held in association with the Excellence Ireland Quality Association. The winners excelled in all areas of inspection, displaying exemplary standards across their stores. The other Tipperary stores among the 194 stores that received 5 Star Awards were Farrells, Ballina; Foleys, Gortlandroe, Nenagh; Harveys, Thurles and Heaphys, Roscrea. Colin Donnelly, Spar sales director said Spar stores are renowned for demonstrating industry-leading standards. The Spar 5 Star Awards Scheme is one that retailers must be committed to all year round. Maintaining the highest standards in customer care and food safety consistently on a daily basis is no easy feat and these retailers work extremely hard in order to achieve this. Im delighted to see five Tipperary stores achieve the mark this year and get the recognition they deserve. The awards scheme is a rolling scheme where participants must undergo rigorous year-long assessments across a range of categories including customer care, shop presentation, food safety and retailing innovation. A federal appeals court agreed Thursday to scrap an earlier ruling against the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's constitutionality, saying it will revisit the issue at a hearing on May 24, while also opening the door to discuss a new wrinkle in the case. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit said it agreed to consider the CFPB's petition on an "en banc" basis, allowing 10 judges to revisit a decision made last year by a three-judge panel of the court. The decision effectively wiped out that ruling, which found that the CFPB's single-director structure was unconstitutional and struck down the Dodd-Frank Act's provision that a CFPB director could only be fired "for cause." The decision was a victory for the CFPB, but it is far from out of the woods. Now it must convince a majority of the judges that Dodd-Frank provided appropriate checks and balances for the agency. It will also have to tackle a new, unexpected issue, according to questions asked by the appeals court in its decision Thursday. The court wants the two sides in the case PHH Corp. and the CFPB to weigh in on these issues: Is the single director structure consistent with the Constitution and, if not, what is the way to solve that problem? Can the court decide the case without weighing on the question of constitutionality? What happens if the court decides that the administrative law judge who initially decided the case is an "inferior officer" under the law rather than an "employee" of the CFPB? While the first two questions have previously been discussed, the last one is a surprise. It means the court is preparing to take up whether agencies can appoint their own administrative law judges or if they should be appointed by the president. The PHH case was initially decided by Cameron Elliot, an administrative law judge who worked for the Securities and Exchange Commission. Elliot recommended an enforcement action against PHH after the CFPB alleged in 2014 that the New Jersey-based mortgage lender took illegal kickbacks in violation of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act. Elliot ruled that PHH's reinsurance agreements violated RESPA's prohibition on kickbacks in exchange for referrals and ordered that PHH disgorge more than $6 million in damages. In 2015, CFPB Director Richard Cordray overruled that decision and ordered PHH to pay $109 million after expanding the scope of the allegations to date back to 2008, beyond the statute of limitations. The case is being closely watched because it could determine Cordray's fate. Although his term does not expire until July 2018, if the decision stands, President Trump could fire him at will. Republicans have been urging Trump to fire Cordray "for cause" even without a ruling. Consumer advocates and civil rights groups praised the D.C. Circuit's order. "The courts decision to hear the petition is a step in the right direction. We need a strong and independent CFPB agency and director now more than ever, said Mike Calhoun, president of the Center for Responsible Lending. But the victory may be short-lived. It is possible the full 10-judge court (Judge Merrick Garland recused himself) could reinstate the earlier court ruling or go beyond it. "It's a win at least temporarily for the CFPB," said Richard Horn, a former CFPB attorney. "This gives the bureau a very important additional time at bat." PHH Corp. has struck a deal with LenderLive to sell its private-label mortgage operations in Jacksonville, Fla., to the Denver-based mortgage services provider. The deal has received approval from the boards of directors at both PHH and LenderLive and is expected to close at the end of the first quarter. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. PHH announced back in November that it planned to exit the private-label mortgage origination business by the first quarter of 2018. The decision to do so came after the Mount Laurel, N.J.-based company lost Merrill Lynch as a client. When the deal closes, the Jacksonville facility will be rebranded as LenderLive. Additionally, LenderLive agreed to hire 250 to 300 of PHH's employees to work out of the facility after the deal closes. As part of the deal, PHH will outsource loan processing, underwriting and closing to LenderLive for remaining customers until those contracts are completed. For LenderLive, the acquisition has an added bonus: The Jacksonville facility has the capacity to support up to 700 employees. As a result, LenderLive will be able to expand its operations. "The arrangement accelerates our long-stated imperative of driving scale and operating leverage in our private-label mortgage solutions business," LenderLive CEO Rick Seehausen said in a news release. "We look forward to welcoming our new associates and demonstrating the benefits of our platform and business model to PHH clients. This is a win-win for everyone involved." PHH said in October that it would close its Williamsville, N.Y., facility in the second half of 2017, after losing HSBC Bank as a client and with it nearly a third of its subservicing portfolio. PHH reported that the New York closure would involve the layoff of 80 employees. Prior to that, the company said in September that it was laying off 91 employees. PROVO, Utah, Feb. 9, 2017 Simplifile, a leading provider of real estate document collaboration and recording technologies for lenders, settlement agents, and counties, announced it has added 43 counties and parishes across the Southern and Midwestern United States to its e-recording network. All of the counties, which span 18 states, joined Simplifiles network in the last quarter of 2016 or first quarter of 2017, with most signing on in just the last two months. E-recording saves counties and settlement service providers time and money while increasing borrower and lender satisfaction, said Paul Clifford, president of Simplifile. It is our pleasure to support these new jurisdictions as they transition from manual recording to an electronic process that is more efficient and beneficial for everyone involved. Aurora, Hanson, Hutchinson, Jones, Lawrence, Moody, and Union counties are the latest South Dakota jurisdictions to begin accepting electronically submitted documents following the states legislative authorization of e-recording last October. Other new counties across the South and Midwest include: Clark County, Ark. Howard County, Ark. Butts County, Ga. Carroll County, Ga. Cook County, Ga. Long County, Ga. Montgomery County, Ga. Paulding County, Ga. Wilcox County, Ga. Marion County, Ill. Williamson County, Ill. Pike County, Ind. Putnam County, Ind. Scott County, Ind. Plaquemines Parish, La. Washington County, Md. Jackson County, Miss. Rankin County, Miss. Holt County, Mo. Maries County, Mo. Ste. Genevieve County, Mo. Lee County, N.C. Renville County, N.D. Scotland County, N.C. Huron County, Ohio Ross County, Ohio Jackson County, Okla. Aiken County, S.C. Anderson County, S.C. Clarendon County, S.C. Dorchester County, S.C. Carroll County, Tenn. Montgomery County, Tenn. Waller County, Texas Isle of Wight County, Va. Washburn County, Wis. Effective immediately, settlement agents in these jurisdictions can scan and submit documents directly to the county recording office using Simplifiles secure, web-based e-recording service. In just minutes, the county recorder can review, stamp, record, and return documents to the settlement agent using the same electronic system. Settlement agents can also pay recording fees and associated payments securely through the Simplifile service, reducing payment errors and eliminating check-writing costs. More than 1,579 county recording offices throughout the United States now record deeds, mortgages, and other documents electronically using Simplifile. For an up-to-date list of all jurisdictions currently e-recording with Simplifile, visit https://simplifile.com/e-recording-counties. About Simplifile Simplifile, the nations largest e-recording network, was founded in 2000 to connect settlement agents and county recorders via its e-recording service. Today Simplifile has broadened its services to include collaboration tools and post-closing visibility for mortgage lenders and settlement agents working together on real estate documents. Through Simplifile, users can securely record, share, and track documents, data, and fees with ease. To learn more, visit https://simplifile.com or call 800.460.5657. ### Contact Info: Lindsey Neal Depth Public Relations, LLC 404.549.9282 Lindsey@DepthPR.com https://www.depthpr.com (Natural News) Since the political Left rose to power and fame on American college campuses in the 1960s, it has been using our institutions of higher learning to sort of rage against the machine ever since. While many an American and foreign-born youth have of course obtained top-flight educations at many schools, in the modern age much of what passes for curriculum is little more than Alt-Left Marxist indoctrination. Socialism good, free-market capitalism bad. Freedom of speech but only for certain points of view. The U.S. Constitution? An outdated, outmoded living, breathing document that must adapt to the times. And so forth. And, as reported by Lifezette, in the age of President Donald Trump, conformity with the rule of law is bad, while revolution is good. (RELATED: Read how George Soros plans to take down Trump at Soros.news) Though conservative criticism of President Obama was dismissed by the academic Alt-Left and those voicing it were told to sit down and shut up because they were only disagreeing because of racism and bigotry, liberal criticism of Trump is not only welcomed but is being nurtured and even transformed into outright militancy. Take Duke University, for example: There, in the heart of Durham, North Carolina, is the anti-Trump bandwagon, where a workshop is teaching students how to rail against the Trump White House, Lifezette reported. Parents of students who attend should certainly know their tuition money is going toward this endeavor, which is sponsored by the universitys program in gender, sexuality, and feminist studies, the site noted further. The workshop, titled Ideas for Activism in the Time of Trump, throws more shade on a billionaire Republican president for things he hasnt done nor has ever advocated for, its almost comical. Almost. According to Lifezette, the topics include Understanding the importance of the changing of hearts and minds and the changing of public policy in social justice movements, and How our North Carolina Moral Monday Movement can be a model of a diverse coalition that brings together social justice people to take a stand against the Trump Administration. Social justice is, of course, code language for the adoption of policies that actually elevate certain ethnicities and sexual identities above everyone else, out of some warped sense of entitlement. The Constitutions equality clauses notwithstanding, those who chant social justice from the rooftops are not railing against inequality per se, because legally and practically it no longer exists in America. But the academic Alt-Left has to pretend that it still does in order to remain empowered, so it creates boogeymen like Trump to prove the need for the movement. Its absurdity on steroids, but such techniques are tried and true and are effective at drawing in and brainwashing converts. (RELATED: Follow more news on the intolerant Left at Intolerance.news) Former graduates of Duke dont see progress (i.e. progressive liberalism), they see the destruction of founding principles. Founded by Methodists and Quakers, this university was supposed to offer the best education possible for young minds, a Charlotte, North Carolina, resident and 1973 graduate of Duke told LifeZette. I often wonder what they [the founders] would think about the knee-jerk activism and total hysteria going on today. Hysteria is right. The Lefts narratives about Trump and his closest advisors theyre racists, homophobes, bigots, and fascists are completely made up from bastardized versions of what the president has actually said while on the campaign trail. His comments about some Mexicans in our country illegally being rapists and killers, for example, was spot-on, but got Trump labeled a racist. Its insanity. (RELATED: Read how tolerant liberals plan to physically battle conservatives at Stupid.news) But this stuff is being taught as gospel on American college campuses by Alt-Left Marxist activist academics who hate Trumps politics and long for the good ol days of the 60s so they can remain relevant. Pathetic. Whats worse, the young people whose minds are being polluted are going to be part of the generation that leads the nation someday. Let that sink in. J.D. Heyes is a senior writer for NaturalNews.com and NewsTarget.com, as well as editor of The National Sentinel. Sources: Lifezette.com Bugout.news Freedom.news (Natural News) Amazon.com has fessed up to a potential violation of federal law. In its annual 10-K financial disclosure form for the fiscal year ending December 31 submitted to the U.S. Security and Exchange Commission, the Jeff Bezos-owned, massive e-commerce retailer revealed that certain transactions may have violated U.S. sanctions on Iran. Bezos also owns the Washington Post, otherwise known as the leader in fake news and full-on anti-President Trump propaganda outlet. Journalism at the WashPosthas devolved to the point where new fake stories are published to try to bolster the fabrications of old fake stories, Health Ranger Mike Adams, the founder of Natural News, wrote in December 2016. (RELATED: Read more about media fakery at Journalism.news.) The law in question is the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act, and Amazon apparently sold various consumers products to Iranian-controlled entities located outside of Iran during the January 2012-December 2016 time frame. Those entities were apparently subject to the provisions of the ITRA or other regulations governing export controls. In its filing, Amazon valued the cost of the goods sold at about $4,000. By the way, do you think those Iranian-affiliated individuals or groups were members of Amazon Prime? In 2012, President Barack Obama signed the ITRA to strengthen trade restrictions on Iran and try to persuade the country to stop its nuclear activities, Bloomberg Technology explained. Amazon, which indicated that it voluntarily reported the potential violations to the U.S. Treasury and Commerce Departments and is no longer doing business with those accounts. Amazon says it is conducting an internal review of the situation, intends to cooperate with government agencies, and acknowledges that possibility of the imposition of penalties after the feds complete their regulatory oversight. The U.S. State Department still considers Iran a state sponsor of terrorism, even though Obama gave away the kitchen sink, if not the entire store, in the flawed nuclear deal, which President Trump has described a total disaster. Why come clean now, and disclose violations that took place as far back as 2012?, the ZeroHedge website wondered about the Amazon revelations. Perhaps because Amazon, along with many other tech companies, was a key catalyst behind the recent successful lawsuit against the Trump administrations immigration executive order. While it is unknown if AG Sessions (or Trump himself) will retaliate against said companies, Jeff Bezos, who has a long history with Trump, decided not to take the chance. During the presidential campaign, Trump told FNCs Sean Hannity that Bezos was using the Washington Post to attack him because of Amazons huge antitrust problem. (RELATED: Read more about the Trump administration at Trump.news.) Earlier this month, Mike Adams separately warned about Amazon spying on customers buying behavior, paving the way for a psychological profile of each buyer for marketing purposes. Information could also be wrongly funneled to law enforcement in a further compromise of personal privacy. Devices such as Amazon Echo or the Kindle can function as multi-tasked surveillance interfaces in this context. It is the combination of all these data sets that is astoundingly dangerous because it profiles your mind without your consent, Adams noted. Mike discusses how Amazon became your Orwellian Big Brother in the video below. According to The Conservative Treehouse, the Washington Post is also the preferred conduit for CIA leaks from Obama holdovers. This kind of bureaucratic trickery may have led to the resignation of General Michael Flynn, President Trumps former National Security advisor, because of the controversy surrounding a telephone conversation with the Russian ambassador. Like Trump, Gen. Flynn is and was a critic of the Iran deal. This seems to suggest that Trumps foes in the intelligence community might hate Trump more than they oppose Americas enemies. Sources: SEC.gov Bloomberg.com ZeroHedge.com TheConservativeTreehouse.com Thursday, February 16, 2017 by: Ethan Huff Tags: Ben Shapiro , ferris state , transgenderism This article may contain statements that reflect the opinion of the author (Natural News) During a recent question and answer session at Ferris State University in Michigan, conservative commentator Ben Shapiro addressed a number of issues ranging from race relations to abortion to civil rights. But the one area that got him the most media attention was gender identity and transgenderism, which he described as being a fictitious concept invented by liberals. The free event put on by Ferris College Republicans saw more than 500 people in attendance, some of whom were there to challenge Shapiros right-leaning views, which more often than not are treated with disdain on todays college campuses. The purpose of the event, however, was to offer fresh insight into these views in order to open more minds to ideas outside the liberal narrative, one of these being the issue of transgenderism. (RELATED: Follow more news about gender identity at Gender.news) One such moment came when Shapiro was asked a question by a young woman about transgenderism, to which he responded that gender is in no way disconnected from sex. In other words, Shapiro believes, as most people do, that ones gender is a biological distinction that cant simply be changed on a whim it is an inherent part of who a person is, and cant be self-chosen. The young woman, though, did not agree and attempted to challenge Shapiro on his views. Up to the task, Shapiro stood his ground and began a discourse with the young woman that, despite being what some might consider politically incorrect, offered some fascinating parallels that hopefully got many of the other students in attendance to think more deeply about their own convictions. Let me ask you this, Shapiro said to the young woman, after visibly considering whether or not to actually proceed since it had to do with her age. I wont ask you how old I will ask you how old you are because youre young enough that its probably not insulting to ask, he joked, to which the young woman responded, sarcastically: Im 22, so Im probably a little bit naive, right? No, he continued, before proceeding to his point. Why arent you 60? Why arent you 60? Why cant you identify as 60? What is the problem with you identifying as 60? Its not the same as gender, she retorted, You cant just Youre right! Shapiro said back during the exchange, meaning that just as you are what age you, and that cannot be changed, you also cannot change your gender just because you want to. The 10-minute exchange can be viewed on YouTube here. Transgenderism is a mental illness, Shapiro argues The exchange went much further than this, as youll see. Shapiro wasnt about to be bullied, nor was he willing to back down from differentiating between boys and girls repeatedly emphasizing to the young woman that the two sexes are very different. There was a time, he explained, when such confusion was considered to be a pathology dubbed gender dysphoria and yet somehow, now, it is considered normal. It was a common-sense infusion into a room filled with individuals who are likely taught in some of their classes that they can be whatever they want boy, girl, cat, or whatever. But in the real world, boys are boys, and girls are girls: period. This was Shapiros point, and he defended it with purpose and reason. The underlying argument is that gender dysphoria is a condition that requires treatment, not acceptance by society as being normal. This is the point Shapiro was trying to make, and he did so in a way that really set the record straight on this commonly misunderstood topic. Emotional pleas for acceptance arent going to help someone with a mental illness: treatment will this being the crux of his position. Sources: DailyCaller.com FSUTorch.com YouTu.be Richard Sherley and Stephen Votier at the University of Exeter, UK, and their colleagues used satellites to track 54 juvenile African penguins (Spheniscus demersus; pictured) over a three-year period as the birds migrated in search of food. They found that the juveniles tried to feed in areas off the coast of Namibia and western South Africa that had cold surface waters and high chlorophyll levels, which are normally indicative of a healthy fish population. But fishing has drastically decreased sardine and anchovy populations in these regions, and climate change has caused the remaining fish to move southward, leaving the penguins caught in an ecological 'trap'. This could explain why penguin populations have been declining across western South Africa and Namibia. A beach in New Zealand has become a graveyard for pilot whales. According to reports, around 650 whales were stranded near Puponga, on the Golden Bay shore of Farewell Spit last week. The officers and volunteers tried to save as many whales as they could by refloating them back to the sea. Unfortunately, 400 of them did not make it. While whale stranding in New Zealand is not a new occurrence, the latest strandings are the largest the country has witnessed so far since the 19805. In an interview with BBC, a resident said whale carcasses have been a seasonal sight. "There's a lot of theories out there as to why it happens, but at the end of the day I think there's four or five hotspots where they strand [in New Zealand], and the one thing they all have in common is shallow water," Gary Riordan said. He added that whale stranding is seasonal and usually happens around January and February. Reuters reported that the New Zealand Department of Conservation (DOC) has issued a statement early this week, closing the beach and warning the public about carcasses that might explode on the beach. To address the situation, the workers started to pop the carcasses one by one using knives and needles to slowly release the internal gas pressure and prevent the bodies from exploding. Meanwhile, as of Tuesday, most carcasses had already been moved onto sand dunes. It would take several months before their bodies would rot and decompose. Other whales were left in the areas where they were because the excavation machine could not reach their location. New York Times notes that the reason for the massive stranding is still unknown and Massey University in New Zealand are planning to study some of the dead animals to learn how they had died. Two of Syria's most iconic structures have fallen down because of the Islamic State militants. The Russian Ministry of Defense has released a drone footage last week showing the damage at the ancient Roman-era site of Palmyra. Reports from Associated Press said the video showed the destruction brought upon by the group in the Roman-era theater and the Tetrapylon -- a set of four monuments with four columns each at the center of the colonnaded road leading to the theater. The video showed the theater in ruins and the Tetrapylon with only four columns left standing. Live Science reported that according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the militants are again using the archaeological site for mass executions, killing a group of 12 prisoners on Jan. 19. "One might interpret these destructions and the recent executions of prisoners, including civilians, at Palmyra as designed by Daesh to develop propaganda," said Michael Danti, a Boston University archaeologist and academic director of ASOR CHI, as quoted by the website. Aside from destroying the UNESCO heritage sites, they also destroyed 180 "infrastructure objects" and 15 ammunition depots. The Russian Ministry of Defense said the militants are planning more demolitions as they advance to claim the ancient city. CBS News cites that ISIS seized the town again in December after the Russian and Syrian government had driven them away in April 2016. During the time when the ISIS occupied the land, antiquities and ancient temples were destroyed and most of the residents were killed. UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova referred to ISIS' actions as a "new war crime" on Syria and for humanity. "This new blow against cultural heritage, just a few hours after UNESCO received reports about mass executions in the theater, shows that cultural cleansing led by violent extremists is seeking to destroy both human lives and historical monuments in order to deprive the Syrian people of its past and its future," Bokova said in a statement. A weed commonly found in Florida could stop the deadly superbug on its track. According to a research conducted by the scientists at Emory University, the compound found in the red berries of the Brazilian pepper tree disarms the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteria, preventing it from causing further damage. USDA's National Invasive Information Center cites that the Brazilian pepper tree or Schinus terebinthifolius is native to South America, but is also found in some parts of the U.S. It is considered invasive because it could produce chemicals that inhibit the growth of native species. However, in early times, traditional healers in the Amazon have used it to treat infections of the skin and soft tissues. Knowing this, the researchers tested if it can prevent MRSA in mice. MRSA is a perilous bacterium that has developed resistance to many of the commonly used antibiotics. It usually causes lesions in the skin, but in worst cases, can lead to an infection that shuts down the immune system. "We pulled apart the chemical ingredients of the berries and systematically tested them against disease-causing bacteria to uncover a medicinal mechanism of this plant," Cassandra Quave, lead author of the study, said in a statement. When the extract was given to mice infected with MSRA, they did not develop skin lesions. Those which were not administered the extract experienced the opposite. The extract is a mixture of 27 chemicals and is rich in flavonoid. It did not totally kill the bacteria but prevented the mice from developing sores by silencing the bacteria signaling system that facilitates its development. Science Alert noted that the researchers were also the ones who discovered that leaf extracts from the European chestnut tree could also have the potential to disarm MRSA bacteria. The researchers are yet to do pre-clinical trials to be able to pursue clinical trials under the FDA. The research is published in the journal Scientific Reports. One of the world's rarest boas, the Cropan boa, has evaded human contact for a total of 64 years - until now. According to a report from National Geographic, there was a public campaign in Sao Paulo, Brazil for locals to help find the elusive Cropan boa. Last Jan. 21, the campaign finally paid off as a group of farmers discovered a 5.5-foot female Cropan boa in the Ribeira Valley, part of the Atlantic Forest. Decades ago, there were several of them in this area, but photographer Jonne Roriz said that this has been the first live sighting of the mysterious species since 1953. One of the reasons of the Cropan boa's elusiveness is the potential danger snakes pose to people. Locals who come across one often opt to kill it, so scientists have only been able to study dead Cropan boas for the past several decades. As a result, little is known of this shy creature. The non-venomous boa is quite striking with a yellowish belly and black diamond patterns on its back, according to a report from Science Magazine. Deep sensory pits line its lips, and it likely eats small mammals and birds. Robert Henderson, curator emeritus of the Milwaukee Public Museum, described closely-related species of the boa as "rather bitey." He added, "The snakes have to drag their prey from the ground up into the tree where they eat it, so they need to be able to hold on and not drop their food." This recent discovery -- even just a single one -- gives scientists the opportunity to take a closer look at the little-known snake. It was inspected by scientists, then implanted with a radio tracker before being released back in the valley. Researchers are hoping this will provide them with new data about the life of the Cropan boa. What could be more frightening than an asteroid hurtling towards the planet? An asteroid that's bigger than the Empire State Building. A peanut-sized asteroid was discovered by a giant radio telescope in Puerto Rico. Its size suggests the potential hazards it entails, good thing it wasn't moving towards the planet. The Arecibo Observatory radio telescope built inside a Puerto Rican sinkhole spotted the space rock. The said telescope was built to detect signals for aliens, according to Business Insider. With its powerful radar station, the telescope is also capable of detecting passing objects by their ping and, in turn, film the echoes created by the moving object. Due to the size of the asteroid, it was easily detected by the Arecibo Observatory radio telescope. The telescope managed to capture a stunning video of the asteroid when it passed by the planet. With the help of the telescope, experts were able to conclude that the asteroid is shaped like a giant peanut. Experts say that asteroid 2015 BN509 is bigger than New York's Empire State Building. The asteroid just flew passed by the planet in the first week of February moving as fast as 44,000 mph. Its closest distance to Earth is about 14 times the space between the planet and the moon, according to a report. BN509 is dangerous with its size at 200 meters (660 feet) wide and 400 meters (1,310 feet) long. Although it missed the planet, some believe that it could still hit the Earth in the future. Due to the newfound use of the 1,000-foot-wide Arecibo Observatory radio telescope, some suggest that it could be the Earth's defense from a killer asteroid, according to Wired. NASA is also working towards securing the planet from alarming asteroid strikes. Last year, the OSIRIS-REx mission was launched to retrieve rock samples and perform surface mapping that will enhance the Earth's asteroid-detecting capabilities that could save lives in the future. Records from the Office of Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, from the U.S. Department of Labor reveal two companies working on the 41 Tehama St. construction site have a history of violations. Firefighters responded to the construction site on Wednesday to investigate reports of an unstable structure on top of the building. City records show Bovis Lend Lease is the general contractor that applied for the construction permit at 41 Tehama Street. The Investigative Unit reviewed OSHA inspection records for Bovis Lend Lease from the past decade and found nearly 40 violations at sites across the country. The company is one of the largest general contractors operating in the United States. It's unclear if that number of violations is considered high for a company that large. In 2008, OSHA cited the company for workplace safety violations at a structure in New York City. The company oversaw the demolition of a building that caught fire and killed two people. The Investigative Unit also uncovered new details about another company, Pacific Structures. According to its website, the company is in charge of concrete work at the San Francisco construction site. OHSA records show the company had six violations on projects across the country since 2013. OSHA accident records show that an employee was injured by pieces of falling drywall while he was working on a Pacific Structures construction site. The report says the drywall was not stacked properly. Some California middle school and high school students may get a little more sleep under a bill introduced by California Senator Anthony Portantino, D-La Canada Flintridge. Portantino introduced SB 328 on Monday, which would require middle schools and high schools in California school districts to start school days no earlier than 8:30 a.m. "Every year we discuss as parents, educators, and legislators, best practices and interests of the children and education? Well data is clear; starting the school day later improves the quality of education, health and welfare of our children. So lets do it," Portantino said in a statement. [2017 UPDATED 12/19] 2017 Southern California Images in the News In a statement Monday, Portantino referenced a policy statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics from 2014, in which the organization advised school districts to change start times to 8:30 in the morning or later. The lead author of the statement, pediatrician Judith Owens, said students who get enough sleep are less likely to be overweight, suffer from depression, become involved in car accidents, and are also more likely to experience positive effects including better grades and standardized test scores. During multiple studies at schools that delayed start times, at least nine benefits were observed, according to the American Psychological Association. Portantino said his favorite benefit was "increase in quality of student-family interaction." Another one of the benefits observed was increased attendance at schools that made the shift. Stemming from that observation, Portantino believes later start times will improve attendance at schools, and thus funding for those schools. If the current attendance rate were improved by one percent, the district would gain an added $40 million a year, Portantino said, citing the Los Angeles Unified School District. Increasing attendance by 1% means $40 million more in funding. #onthemoveLAUSD L.A. Unified (@LASchools) August 9, 2016 It is unclear how the bill could affect zero period classes, classes that meet before a school's typical start time. Portantino said they have not come to a conclusion about zero period, and said it was left out of the bill on purpose because they would like to hear from educators and school districts in the state before a decision is made. Water levels were at 32 feet below the emergency spillway at Oroville Dam, Thursday morning, dropping by six feet from the night before, state officials said, as a storm began raining down Thursday morning. The goal is to drop the Northern California reservoir's water level 50 feet overall by Sunday, which would mark a week after an emergency was declared at the nation's tallest dam due to a damage on both its spillways, prompting a massive evacuation. The damaged main spillway "has been stable for a number of days" and the immediate danger has passed for those living downstream of the damaged dam, Department of Water Resource acting Chief Bill Croyle said at a news conference. But he added that the cementing rocks in place at the nation's tallest dam is a "short-term and long-term fix." Croyle said the storms this week won't pose a threat to the emergency spillway other than to slow crews. "We're comfortable where we're at for the storms forecasted," said Chris Orrock, a spokesman for the Department of Water Resources. That is good news for the nearly 200,000 people who live in that area of Northern California who were allowed back into their homes Tuesday, but put on notice that they may be evacuated again. At a news conference on Thursday at noon, Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea said that the National Guard was "at the ready" only if an evacuation order is issued. The only job the Guard has been asked to do so far, however, is to remove cots that were set up in the temporary shelters. Crews from the DWR, CalFire and the Butte County Sheriffs Office have been working round the clock since Sunday, when the dams emergency spillway looked like it would crumble, possibly leading to a flood for the homes and business of residents who live below. Despite the inclement weather on Thursday, crews were preparing bags of boulders early in the morning to drop into the hole of the emergency spillway to shore it up. Thousands of tons of rocks have already been used. Barges and cranes were still removing debris and sediment from a diversion pool. Rain was in the forecast through at least Monday. While many residents returned to their home, others were too scared to chance it. "I tried to sleep here last night, and I just couldn't sleep," said Matthew Prumm, 34. He estimates that "there would be a 30-foot wall of water coming from the spillway" if there were a failure. He said Wednesday that friends kept sending text messages, including one that said: "If you're still in town, get the hell out because I know people who say it's going to breach if the storm is heavy enough.'" Prumm left home around midnight to stay with his parents, who live at a higher elevation. He's got a house in the mountains and will stay there at least until the upcoming storms pass. "I packed bins and loaded them into my car. I had to feed my chickens and tend to a few things. I'm not hanging out here for long," he said. Amanda Warren echoed the same sentiment. "It's just too unpredictable," she said. "Things can go wrong at any time." So Warren packed up her belongings on Thursday and moved to higher ground. "I'm trying to save what I can save because I'm terrified and feel I'm going to lose everything," she said. Warren is seeking a sense of "normal" for herself and her family, she admitted, just "not at home." NBC Bay Area's Jodi Hernandez contributed to this report. [Editor's note: An earlier version of this story included a tweet that has since been identified as one of 2,700 Twitter handles linked to Russian troll accounts, which appeared in over 11,000 news articles in the run-up to the 2016 election. The tweet has been removed.] In a show of protest with foreign-born workers across the United States, activists in the Bay Area joined forces by staying home and out of the workplace on Thursday in a national "Day Without Immigrants." The daylong action from coast to coast is meant to protest against the executive orders President Donald Trump has signed on immigration and show the country what it would be like if there were no immigrant employees in schools, flower shops, grocery stores, doctor's offices, restaurants and more. There are roughly 41 million immigrants in the United States; an estimated 11 million of those who may be undocumented. The hashtag #DayWithoutImmmigrants was trending on Twitter. Raquel Maria Dillon/NBC Bay Area The protest, which invites foreign-born people regardless of legal status to stop working for 24 hours, also hopes to demonstrate the economic impact of Latinos, in particular, in the United States. Studies indicate that if all undocumented people were deported, there would be losses of up to $551.6 million in just one year. The restaurant industry was leading up the civil rights protest, as many cooks, waiters, bus boys and others in the business, typically hail from other countries. NBC Bay Area Cory and Sylvia McCollow, who own Nido Kitchen and Bar in Oakland, closed the doors to their "farm-to-table Mexican cuisine," in order to participate in the protest. "We were torn about taking a day of work away from some of our employees," Cory McCollow said. "The hit to bottom line of revenue for today is outweighed by trying to do the right thing and stand up for a good cause, for our staff their families, who wanted to do this to send a message." Immigrant labor shouldn't be taken for granted from his wife and head chef Sylvia McCollow, who is the daughter of Mexican immigrants to the lowliest busboy, McCollow said. "Great food and drinks, going out and feeling fellowship all that depends on the talent, energy, and creativity of a workforce that's majority immigrant," McCollow said. In San Jose, the La Placita shopping center kept its doors closed throughout the day. NBC Bay Area "Although I'm legal here, I'm Mexican, it's my race," said Luciana Martinez, owner of a store in the center. Martinez said that the undocumented population is very important to the U.S. economy, since those immigrants pay taxes. In the Alum Rock neighborhood, more than 25 merchants closed shop Thursday as part of the protest Parents in San Jose also kept their kids home from school in a show of force. Absences in San Jose's Franklin McKinley School District nearly quadrupled. "It's concerning because it's a large number of students not in school today," Superintendent Juan Cruz said. The district averages 296 absences daily. On Thursday, absences jumped to almost 1,200, costing the district roughly $38,000 in state funds. The protest isn't just for Latinos. In Burlingame, the Michelin-rated Rasa, which serves "contempory Indian cuisine," also stayed shut. "There is no America without immigrants," said owner Ajay Walia. "Especially in our industry it is important to take a stand." NBC Bay Area In San Francisco, immigrant rights activists lined the steps of San Francisco City Hall, where Public Defender Jeff Adachi told the crowd he wants his office to be able to provide legal representation for any immigrant who is detained. At any given time, he said that 1,500 immigrants face deportation are in custody in San Francisco, most of them who do not have lawyers to help. "We have to bring the brave ones to come forward and support this legislation," he said, noting that the Board of Supervisors would need to approve his request. Public defender offices in New York and New Jersey provide that service to people there. The demonstrations are important but quite risky, said Victor Garza, chair of the La Raza Roundtable de California in San Jose. That's because even immigrants who are legal green card holders have been getting questioned, harassed and rounded up, mostly in Southern California by federal agents, Garza said. Early in the morning, Garza said he's not sure how many immigrants would actually shut down and show up. "It's very scary for people to go out there," Garza said. "Even if they are legal, they are still afraid. I don't blame them if they don't." That's why, he said, American citizens should be out there on behalf of everyone else. "It might be immigrants this time," he said. "Next time, it will be you." A San Mateo man at the head of a Bay Area prostitution ring that trafficked women from overseas has been sentenced to nearly four years in prison. The San Francisco Chronicle reported Wednesday that 60-year-old Allen Fong pleaded guilty to 32 counts, including racketeering and money laundering, for running day-to-day operations at a series of brothels in San Bruno, San Mateo and Santa Clara between 2006 and 2014. Fong was sentenced to 46 months in prison and ordered to pay a $5.3 million penalty for his role in the international trafficking enterprise. Prosecutors say Fong set up advertisements and acted as a landlord for the brothels. He would also transfer thousands of dollars to associates in Singapore. The trafficked women came from Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong. It's been more than a week since engineers at the nation's tallest dam noticed damage to an emergency spillway, starting a series of events that culminated with the two-day evacuation of nearly 200,000 California residents downstream from Oroville Dam. Here's what we know: THE DAM It straddles the Feather River about 70 miles north of Sacramento in rural Northern California. Construction was completed in 1968, creating Lake Oroville behind it. The lake is a major water supplier for farmers in the agricultural-rich Central Valley and Southern California residents. There are two primary ways dam workers drain water from the reservoir. They can control the flow of water downriver by opening a gate to the dam's main concrete spillway. They also can divert water through a nearby power plant. The dam also is equipped with an emergency spillway adjacent to the main dam. The emergency spillway is an earthen structure a big hill with a 30-foot concrete wall on top. It is several feet lower than the main dam, and water will flow over it uncontrollably when the lake is over capacity. Water had never flowed over the emergency spillway until Feb. 11. THE FIRST PROBLEM Engineers noticed an odd flow pattern on the main concrete spillway Feb. 7 and shut off the water to investigate. They discovered a large crater in the bottom of the channel. Despite heavy rain and melting snow, engineers slowed releases later in the week after the hole grew bigger. Compounding matters, concrete from the eroding hole clogged the power plant's exit channel and forced the plant's shutdown. Engineers determined the hole couldn't immediately be fixed and decided to keep using the damaged spillway, but with reduced flows. The following day, it rained harder than expected, and a day later, water was flowing in almost twice as fast as it was draining. THE SECOND PROBLEM Water started flowing over the emergency spillway at 8 a.m. Sunday when the lake reached capacity, but officials kept telling the public there was no threat until as late as noon Sunday. A few hours later, engineers determined the hillside was eroding faster than expected, undermining the 30-foot concrete wall. Officials feared it was about to collapse and cause a catastrophic flood. Around 4 p.m., authorities sounded sirens and ordered nearly 200,000 residents downstream from the dam to evacuate. THE EVACUATION Authorities turned nearby highways into one-way roads heading south. Still, massive gridlock occurred. Gas stations ran out of gas. Motels and hotels quickly sold out. Shelters swiftly opened. Officials boosted the flow through the damaged concrete spillway in a frantic bid to lower the reservoir. Lake levels fell enough that water stopped pouring over the emergency spillway about four hours after the evacuation order. Crews worked to dump and cement thousands of tons of rocks to shore up the damaged spillways. THE RETURN HOME Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea announced Tuesday afternoon that residents could return home. He conceded the evacuation was "chaotic" but defended the decision as "better safe than sorry." WHAT WENT WRONG? "I'm not sure anything went wrong," Department of Water Resources acting chief Bill Croyle said of the near-failure of the emergency spillway. "This was a new, never-happened-before event." Environmental groups demanded 12 years ago that the hillside be paved with concrete to prevent erosion. But federal regulators decided against ordering the paving after state water agencies argued that "armoring" the emergency spillway would cost too much for a structure that, at that point, had never been used. IS IT SAFE? Croyle said he's confident the dam and primary spillway can handle rainfall from three storms rolling into the region this week. He said more water is leaving the lake than entering it and there's enough capacity to handle storm runoff and melting snow. The emergency spillway also has been repaired enough to handle any overflow, Croyle said. The temporary fixes will last beyond snow melting this spring, and officials will then make long-term fixes, the water agency said. Nonetheless, the sheriff told residents to prepare for another evacuation if the situation worsens. Former Vice President Al Gore on Thursday said more attention must be paid to the dangerous health consequences of climate change, and he called on scientists, health officials and health care providers to work together to find solutions to the crisis. Gore made the comments Thursday during the Health and Climate Meeting at The Carter Center in Atlanta. Gore helped organize the conference after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention abruptly canceled its own conference on climate change and health. A number of CDC employees were attending, however, including Patrick Breysse, who leads the agency's efforts to investigate the relationship between environmental factors and health. CDC spokeswoman Kathy Harben said Breysse was there to represent the CDC but that some agency officials were attending on their own time. Officials from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the National Institutes of Health and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration were also attending. Public health experts have long said that climate change is a man-made problem that contributes to a range of health issues and illnesses, including heat stroke, respiratory illness and diseases spread by tropical insects. The problems are already here, the Noble Peace Prize Winner said in his keynote speech, noting infectious diseases like zika are now spreading to areas where they previously were not found. "It's hard to focus on some of these horrific consequences of the climate crisis on health, but hope is justified," Gore said. "We are going to win this. Gore also said the effects of climate change are falling hardest on the poor. Outbreaks of cholera, an acute intestinal illness caused by ingesting infected food and water, have in recent years struck places like Haiti and Niger. Cholera causes severe diarrhea and can lead to death by dehydration, sometimes within hours. "Cholera likes warmer water," Gore said. "There are lots of examples of temperature spikes with water that had high levels where cholera becomes much worse and much worse of a problem." In 2012, President Donald Trump tweeted that the concept of global warming was created by the Chinese to make U.S. manufacturing noncompetitive. He later said he was joking, but during the presidential campaign referred to global warming as "a hoax." Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt, Trump's pick to head the Environmental Protection Agency, has been met with opposition from environmental groups and some Republicans on Capitol Hill. Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine said Wednesday that she's going to vote against Pruitt because she has "significant concerns" over his active opposition to EPA policy and his lawsuits against the agency on policies important to Maine. "We are now facing a new headwind," Gore said of the situation in Washington. " ... This is not the first time that there has been an unexpected obstacle. We will win this." By Alexandra Ulmer and Alexandra Valencia QUITO, Feb 16 (Reuters) - An ally of leftist President Rafael Correa and a conservative ex-banker are battling to become Ecuador's next president in Sunday's election amid corruption scandals and a lackluster economy. Polls show 63-year-old former vice president Lenin Moreno ahead, but the ruling party candidate, who has used a wheelchair since being shot during a 1998 robbery, appears to be just short of the minimum needed to win outright in the first round. That would trigger an April 2 runoff, probably against opposition candidate Guillermo Lasso, a 61-year-old former executive president of Banco de Guayaquil. Disparate opposition factions in the oil-producing country of 17 million people, which stretches from the Andes to the Galapagos Islands, may then unite to support Lasso, giving him an edge over Moreno, analysts said. Lasso has promised to slash taxes, foster foreign investment and remove Wikileaks founder Julian Assange from the country's embassy in London, where he is avoiding extradition to Sweden over rape allegations. A Lasso victory would intensify the return of the right in South America, where Argentina, Brazil and Peru have all shifted away from leftist rule in the past 18 months as a decadelong commodities boom ended. Moreno, who wants to boost social welfare and has a more conciliatory style than the fiery Correa, has struggled to gain a decisive lead. Polls show he is unlikely to win more than 40 percent of valid votes and pocket a 10-point difference with his closest rival as required to avoid a runoff. Leading pollster Cedatos said this month that 32.3 percent of Ecuadoreans planned to vote for Moreno versus 21.5 percent for Lasso. "You must choose between continuity or change to live better," said Lasso, who is running for president a second time. "I have experience in creating jobs, I've done it in the last 40 years and I can do it for Ecuador." A corruption case at Ecuador's national oil company as well as the Latin America-wide scandal involving Brazilian conglomerate Odebrecht have weighed on Moreno, whose running mate is Jorge Glas, the country's vice president and former strategic sectors minister. Story continues UNDECIDED VOTERS To be sure, polls show a significant number of Ecuador's 12.8 million voters are undecided. While the ruling party has lost ground during a recession, some disenchanted Correa supporters, who tend to be poorer and more rural, balk at the thought of voting for a wealthy conservative banker. And another opposition candidate, lawyer and lawmaker Cynthia Viteri, is diverting votes away from Lasso, meaning Moreno might just win on Sunday. At Moreno's closing rally in a working-class part of capital city Quito on Wednesday night, supporters waving flags or dressed in traditional Andean clothes chanted: "Do it in one round!" After extolling social programs for the elderly, mothers and disabled people, and even breaking into song, Moreno vowed to crack down on corruption, although he did not discuss the Odebrecht or Petroecuador cases. "We're proposing major surgery to remove corruption," Moreno, a former motivational speaker and United Nations envoy on disability, said to cheers. "You don't steal from the fatherland!" There have been no polls on a hypothetical second round, but many analysts expect Moreno to be defeated, marking an end to a 10-year rule of Correa's Country Alliance party. "A Viteri or Lasso victory would be similarly market-friendly and would include both efforts to attract (Foreign Direct Investment) and an IMF program," consultancy Eurasia said in a note to clients. Lasso's pro-business policies have some fixed-income investors betting on a bonanza in Ecuador should he win. Still, the new president will face high expectations for economic improvements in the midst of low oil prices, a steep fiscal deficit, and onerous debts to top financier China. The next presidential term starts on May 24 and lasts four years. (Writing by Alexandra Ulmer; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne and Lisa Von Ahn) Mick Mulvaney gained a key Senate supporter Wednesday, clearing his path to confirmation to be director of the Office of Management and Budget. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, had been withholding backing for Mulvaney, a conservative member of the House from South Carolina, but she said Wednesday that she would support him, giving him the support of a majority of senators, NBC News reported. The Senate voted 51-49 to approve Mulvaney, with John McCain voting no. He'd said he opposes Mulvaney's desire to cut defense spending. House Democrats are demanding an investigation into recently resigned national security adviser Michael Flynn's contact with a Russian diplomat about sanctions, and when President Donald Trump knew about it. The Senate was next set to debate the confirmation of Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt to lead the Environmental Protection Agency. [NATL] Top News Photos: Pope Visits Japan, and More Mulvaney's confirmation vote comes the day after fast food chain chief executive Andy Puzder became the first Cabinet nominee to withdraw as his support, even among Republicans, waned. Five people, including three children, were hospitalized Wednesday night after a carbon monoxide leak at a home in Smithfield, Rhode Island. According to WJAR-TV, police responded to the home on Pleasant View Avenue at about 8:45 p.m. A witness told WJAR-TV that he saw first responders performing CPR on multiple people outside the house. The victims were taken to area hospitals where their conditions are unknown. One child has regained conciousness, according to authorities. Chief Robert Seltzer of the Smithfield Fire Department said that the leak may have been caused by a malfunction with the heating system in the home. Cook County Commissioner Richard Boykin called for help combating Chicago violence Wednesday in a letter sent to newly sworn in Attorney General Jeff Sessions asking for more federal money and boots on the ground. We must send a signal to these gang members and we must dismantle the gangsbottom line, Boykin said. We must dismantle them. But we also must bring resources in terms of job training and jobs. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel agreed with Boykin but says there is a need for action at the state level as well in passing and enforcing stricter gun laws. I would like these judges to finally hold these repeat offenders accountablenot do it only when the public is watching, Emanuel said. The public is always watching. Indeed, the public is watching as activists and community members describe outrage as politicians struggle to find the money to pay for programs and strategies that they say would curb the violence in their neighborhoods. While the governor and the speaker of the House [are] talking about his hope for a budget, Im just hoping we are not going to have to bury another child this time next week, Pastor Clarence Smith of New Life Impact Church said. Three children, 11, 12, and just 2-years-old have been fatally shot in less than a week in the city has residents demanding answers. His blood is now on the politicians and leaders hands and you or your kid is next, activist Jamal Green said of the 2-year-olds fatal shooting. So what are you going to do about it? Activists and ministers have pooled $3,000 in reward money for information leading to the arrest of the person or people responsible for the boys murder. A group of Congressional Democrats from Illinois are calling for an independent investigation into the resignation of former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, who stepped down Monday amid allegations of improper communications with Russias ambassador to the United States. Flynn allegedly misled Vice President Mike Pence about conversations he had with the ambassador regarding sanctions imposed by President Barack Obama for Russias role in the 2016 presidential election. Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth and Rep. Cheri Bustos are now calling for a probe into the controversy. According to the White House, President Donald Trump was aware that Flynn misled Pence about the conversations with the Russian ambassador, but waited nearly three weeks before ousting the retired Army Lietenant General. The Democrats now want to know what Trumps team knew and when. Following a meeting Tuesday with Trumps Supreme Court nominee, Neil Gorsuch, Sen. Durbin called for an independent commission to investigate the Flynn situation, as well as further ties between Trumps team and the Russian government. It is hard to imagine that he was acting alone in his decision to have this communication with the Russian ambassador and its hard to imagine that there werent previous communications between them, Durbin told reporters. How many, under what circumstances, whether they related to the campaign, we wont know until we have an independent study of this. Durbin said he doesnt expect Congressional Republicans, who hold a majority in the Senate and the House, to initiate an investigation. Rep. Bustos spoke on the House floor Wednesday, pushing for more information on the shady ties between Trumps camp and the Russian government. Three people who were affiliated with Trumps presidential campaign Carter Page, Paul Manafort and Roger Stone are currently being investigated by the FBI and the intelligence community for their communications with the Russian government, according to the New York Times. We still don't know President Trumps financial interests in Russia because he refuses to release his tax returns, she said. We still don't know the extent of Russias disturbing interference in our election because out calls for an investigation have been stonewalled. And we just learned that the Trump campaign was in regular conversation with Russian intelligence officials, the congresswoman added. In January, The U.S. Intelligence community confirmed that a covert Russian operation worked to undermine the presidential election and aid Trumps candidacy by hacking the Democratic National Committee and members of Hillary Clintons campaign. Obamas sanctions were handed down as a response to the attacks. Bustos said Trumps perceived coziness with Russian President Vladimir Putin is an urgent matter of national security. It is time for the Trump administration to truly put America first, rather than the Kremlin, Bustos told her fellow Congressmen. On Tuesday, Sen. Duckworth claimed Flynns actions betrayed our countrys interests before urging the Trump administration to disclose what they knew about the controversy. The American people deserve a full and transparent accounting of what President Trump and his top aides knew and when they knew it, Duckworth said in a statement. If the president cannot and will not provide those answers, Congress must use its authority as a coequal branch of government to fully investigate why." In addition, Republican Rep. Peter Roskam, who has stood by Trumps stifled travel ban, said he would be looking into this matter more closely Wednesday. Russian attempts to infiltrate and undermine democratic institutions across the western world are of grave concern to me, Roskam said in a statement. "Ive led solidarity missions to Ukraine and Georgia and spent time with their diaspora communities in Illinois and across the United States. We must stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our friends and allies who suffer the consequences of Russian aggression and intimidation." Im deeply troubled to learn former National Security Advisor Flynn misled the Vice President. He was fired and deservedly so, he added. Around 150 people gathered near the center of the University of Chicagos Hyde Park campus to protest an appearance by President Trumps former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski on Wednesday. Lewandowski spoke during an event called Inside Trumpism at the schools Institute of Politics, which hosts a series of events for students and the public under the leadership of director David Axelrod, political analyst and adviser to former President Barack Obama. Demonstrators said there has been a significant uptick in white supremacist activity on campus, and that inviting Lewandowski, and before him, White House press secretary Sean Spicer, only empowers those hate groups. Protesters, including students, professors, employees of the university and members of the general public, were also upset that the event was closed to the media in what they called a private conversation. It would be bad enough for them to be hosting these figures at all, associate professor of philosophy Anton Ford said in a release. But to have this event as a private, off-the record conversation means that Lewandowski is even less likely to be challenged and questioned publicly. The Institute of Politics pushed back on claims that Lewandowskis appearance represented tacit support for the Trump administration, reiterating in a statement that the organization is non-partisan. The University of Chicago Institute of Politics is non-partisan and since its inception has hosted hundreds of speakers from across the political spectrum, including supporters and vocal critics of the Trump administration, a spokesperson for the Institute of Politics said. With any administration, we would be remiss if we did not invite guests who could provide insights into the administrations thinking and approach to governing. In Wednesdays seminar, students will have the opportunity to question Corey Lewandowksi on these and many other topics related to the Trump campaign. Consistent with the values of the University and the IOP, people are free to contest, criticize, and protest views expressed on campus so long as they do not obstruct or interfere with the freedom of others to express their views. But protests continued outside the schools Quadrangle Club Library, with participants carrying signs reading No hate, Students against bigotry and even a large banner that said Trump/Pence Regime Illegitimate Fascist. I think the administration as it stands now is not interested in both sides of the aisle, student Zachary Sheldon said during the protest. Its interested in making it impossible for places like this to exist places that are diverse, places that are multicultural, places that are international. This is a free-thinking institution, added University of Chicago employee Patricia Grabovac. Anybody is welcome here, and we have the freedom to protest as well. Its been fourteen years since fire roared through the Cook County Administration Building at 69 West Washington, killing six people. But an examination of reforms enacted in the fires aftermath suggests no buildings have been penalized for failure to comply, despite what many consider a generous city ordinance and numerous extensions. And in at least one very high-profile case, even the City of Chicago has been unable to meet its own safety deadline. The fire in October of 2003 was traced to a faulty light fixture on the buildings 12th floor. The six victims were among more than a dozen employees who became trapped in a smoke-filled stairwell and were not found until 90 minutes after the initial alarm. A formal state investigation determined that the fire would likely have been extinguished by a single sprinkler, had the building been sprinkler-equipped. The investigations head, former FEMA director James Lee Witt, said the finding pointed to the need for sprinklers in all Chicago high-rises. The thing of it is, said Witt, if we dont start today, then it will never get done. Fourteen years later, it still have not been fully done. While other cities like Boston, Houston, and San Francisco have required sprinkler upgrades, the City of Chicago balked at requiring sprinklers in all high-rise buildings. While commercial buildings were required to retrofit, residential high-rises were given the option of other building upgrades called Life Safety Evaluations. Among those requirements, self-closing doors, two-way communications with all floors, and elevators which automatically returned to building lobbies during fires. The required upgrades can be cumbersome and expensive. But even after numerous deadline extensions, scores of Chicago buildings still have not complied with the citys mandates. Among 731 residential high-rises required to implement upgrades, 510 are now in full compliance, 86 opted to install sprinklers, and 81 have active court cases against them. Another 37 have final inspections scheduled this year. But the city could point to no cases where buildings have been fined for failure to comply with what was promised to be a rigid life-saving code. You have to understand, that the reason why they kept giving extensions and why it took so long, is this is not an easy thing to accomplish in a lot of older buildings, Chicago Building Commissioner Judith Freydland told NBC5 Investigates. If we have to babysit them to comply were going to do that. We want people to comply and be safe! Freydland argued that her office has not let buildings off the hook, and that it was more important to bring them into compliance than seek penalties. You cant just go in on the first court date and ask for a fine, she said. The reason we did this is to help public safety and thats what were getting. Were getting better and safer buildings. To be certain, some buildings have made substantial investments short of full installation of sprinklers. A visit to one 43 floor building on North Lake Shore Drive with over 600 units, showed an elaborate and expensive installation of two-way communications systems, new alarms, and apartments fitted with doors designed to repel fire for at least two hours. This is not just a matter of writing a check, Freydland argued. These are not easy fixes on older buildings. But if residential buildings are being dragged slowly into compliance, the City of Chicago concedes in response to an open records request by NBC5 Investigates that at least 20 commercial buildings have blown past the January 1 deadline to have sprinklers fully installed. Among those buildings is 121 N. LaSalle Street--- Chicago City Hall. The City has been diligently working to complete the sprinkler system installation in City Hall as well as the installation of important fire safety features, the Chicago office of Fleet and Facility Management said in a statement. The schedule was impacted by the need to minimize the impact to the public serving departments and operations. A spokesman said sprinkler installation has been completed on seven floors of City Hall, and the remaining portions of the building are expected to be completed later this year. While arguing that a sprinkler is not a magic wand, Freydland said her office will aggressively pursue any of the commercial buildings who are deemed to be flauting the law. Theyre going to be sent to circuit court, she said. Were in the process of working on fire and law now. Fire Department spokesman Larry Langford noted the majority of commercial high-rises have met the sprinkler deadline. There is a small number of buildings in various stages of meeting City requirements, Langford said in a statement. The Chicago Fire Department is working proactively to bring any remaining buildings into compliance. Celebrity chef Rick Bayless said Wednesday he would be closing four of his Chicago restaurants "out of respect" for his staff's decision to support a planned civil action in response to recent immigration issues. Out of respect for r staff's vote to support Thurs's immigrant civil action, we r closing Frontera Grill, Topolobampo,Xoco & Fonda Frontera Rick Bayless (@Rick_Bayless) February 16, 2017 Organizers in cities across the U.S. are telling immigrants to miss class, miss work and not shop on Thursday as a way to show the country how important they are to America's economy and way of life. The protests have been dubbed "A Day Without Immigrants." Bayless said Frontera Grill, Topolobampo, Xoco and Fonda Frontera will all be closed Thursday. [NATL] Top News Photos: Pope Visits Japan, and More President Donald Trump has pledged to increase deportation of immigrants living in the country illegally, build a wall along the Mexican border, and ban people from certain majority-Muslim countries from coming into the U.S. He also has blamed high unemployment on immigration. Immigrant advocates on Friday decried a series of arrests that federal deportation agents said aimed to round up criminals in Southern California but they believe mark a shift in enforcement under the Trump administration. Chicago's Best of the Best 2016: See the Best Donut, Pizza, Restaurant, Cocktail Bar (and More) of the Year Twitter users responded with support and criticism after Bayless made the announcement. "Good call. Some things are bigger than food," one user tweeted. "Actual citizens inconvenienced so illegals can protest against the laws of this country!!" another posted in response. A similar protest took place in Wisconsin on Monday. Thousands marched in a "Day Without Latinos" in response to Milwaukee Sheriff David Clarke's threat to crackdown on undocumented immigrants, NBC reported. A 13-year-old girl was killed and her grandmother critically injured when an SUV being chased by police in northwest Indiana slammed into their vehicle on Wednesday afternoon, authorities said. About 5 p.m., officers from East Chicago, Indiana, chased a Dodge Durango into neighboring Hammond, where their officers joined the pursuit, according to Indiana State Police. The Durango was going east on Gostlin Street when it crashed into the drivers side of a Chevrolet Equinox, which was being driven north at the intersection of Columbia Avenue and had the green light, state police said. The force of the collision sent the Equinox through a fence and into a grassy area off the side of the road. A 13-year-old passenger, Julianna Chambers, was taken to Franciscan Health in Hammond, where she died. Her 57-year-old grandmother, who was at the wheel, was taken in critical condition by helicopter to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn. They are from Whiting, Indiana. The 31-year-old Highland man driving the Durango was arrested by East Chicago police. His passenger, a 27-year-old woman from Danville in downstate Illinois, was taken to Northlake Methodist Hospital in Gary with minor injuries. Police said charges were being presented to the Lake County Prosecutor but they were unable to comment on those charges. "The Hammond Police Department would like to extend our condolences to the family of Julianna Chambers who lost her life in a traffic incident," Hammond police said in a statement. State police didnt say what prompted the police chase. An investigation remained ongoing Thursday. A 25-year-old Minnesota man has died a week after being shot by an Amtrak police officer outside Union Station. Chad Robertson was pronounced dead at 11:20 a.m. Wednesday at Stroger Hospital, according to the Cook County medical examiners office. His death comes a day after a federal lawsuit was filed on his behalf against the rail agency and the unnamed officer who shot him about 8:45 p.m. on Feb. 8 near Jackson and Canal. Chicago Police have said Robertson was unarmed. The two officers involved in the shotoing were reassigned to desk duty per Amtrak policy, spokesman Marc Magliari said. Amtrak is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Chad Robertson, Magliari said. Amtrak is cooperating fully with the Chicago Police Department and States Attorneys office as they conduct an independent investigation. During an hourlong layover on a Megabus trip from Memphis to Robertsons hometown of Minneapolis, the officers were aggressive when they walked up to him and two other riders inside Union Station, before following them as they walked outside to a restaurant, the suit says. The officers stopped them again and started searching them, the suit says. Robertson feared for his life and started running. One officer who has not been identified calmly dropped to one knee, removed his gloves, unsecured his weapon and fired a shot from about 30 feet away that missed, according to the suit, which says the second shot hit Robertson in the back. He was taken to Stroger Hospital in critical condition. The officer gave no commands but calmly stated, Its a gun out. Its a gun out,' the suit says. Chicago Police said Robertson was shot in the shoulder and that he was carrying cash and drugs. His attorney said he had an insignificant amount of marijuana, and that the father of two has no criminal record. Doctors werent able to remove the bullet from Robertsons spine, who was left quadriplegic in his final days, the suit says. When he found out about his condition from the doctors, he was heartbroken, his sister, Nina Robertson, said at a press conference last week. He just said, The police ruined my life. Magliari said Amtrak would review the suit but declined to comment Wednesday night. Chicago Police had no updates on the investigation. Robertsons family said his two companions who witnessed the shooting were set to appear before a grand jury last week. Representatives for the Cook County states attorneys office declined to comment. An autopsy on Robertson was scheduled for Thursday. The nine-count civil rights suit claims the officers used excessive force and searched Robertson illegally. The suit is seeking an unspecified amount in damages. President Donald Trump referenced the horrendous situation in Chicago Thursday as he touted the formation of a new federal task force targeting the nations violent crime. "There's one Chicago that's incredible, luxurious and all. And safe," Trump told reporters at the White House. "There's another Chicago that's worse than almost any of the places in the Middle East that we talk about, and that you talk about, every night on the newscasts." Although details on Trumps task force remain thin, the president noted that his administration aims to address crime, education and healthcare in American inner cities. Mayor Rahm Emanuel has said he is willing to work with the president's administration to combat Chicagos surging violence. Emanuel traveled to Washington this week to discuss the citys violent crime with Attorney General Jeff Sessions and other members of Trumps senior staff. The meetings, which were held at the mayors request, come on the heels of a highly publicized back-and-forth between Emanuel and Trump. After repeatedly bemoaning the dire situation in Chicago, on Twitter and at press conferences, Trump warned local authorities in January that he would send in the Feds if they cant get a handle on the citys ongoing carnage. Emanuel shot back earlier this month, urging Trump to "just send them." Send more FBI, DEA, ATF agents, Emanuel said. We dont have to talk about it anymore. Cook County Commissioner Richard Boykin also asked Sessions on Wednesday for federal assistance to help "dismantle" Chicago gangs. Trump on Thursday reiterated his vision for bolstering the countrys borders, which includes plans for a great wall on the Mexican border and a crackdown on sanctuary cities, like Chicago, that refuse to comply with federal and that harbor criminal aliens. However, the Republican president wouldn't give a clear answer about how his administration would handle DACA students, who came to the country as young children and applied for deferred action, a form of relief from deportation. Earlier this month, Trump faulted undocumented Chicago gang members for much of the citys crime. Weve begun a nationwide effort to remove criminal aliens, gang members, drug dealers and others who pose a threat to public safety, Trump said Thursday. We are saving American lives every single day. Court system has not made it easy for us. During Thursdays press conference, Trump also announced a new office within the Department of Homeland Security dedicated to the forgotten American victims of illegal immigrant violence. STRASBOURG (Reuters) - The European Union and Canada will kick-start a multi-billion dollar trade pact called the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) in the coming months after it secured approval from EU lawmakers on Wednesday. Parts of the deal, particularly concerning investment, will only come into force after clearance by more than 30 national parliaments and the assemblies of Belgium's regions. This process can take several years and approval is far from certain. Here are some of the details of the 1,598-page treaty: ECONOMIC BOOST Canada is the EU's 12th most important trading partner. The EU is number two for Canada, accounting for nearly 10 percent of its external trade in goods. A joint EU-Canada study forecast CETA would increase bilateral trade in goods and services by more than 20 percent. For the European Union, this could boost annual economic output by 12 billion euros ($12.7 billion) per year. Canada has put its economic gain at around C$12 billion ($9.18 billion). TARIFFS The European Union and Canada have agreed to eliminate tariffs on almost 99 percent of goods. The beneficiaries would include, for example, carmakers or the EU textile sector, for which Canadian duties can be up to 18 percent. AGRICULTURE Each party will reduce tariffs on just over 90 percent of agricultural products. So for example, an 8 percent EU duty on maple syrup will go. Tariffs will remain on poultry meat and eggs. For other items, quotas will apply. Canada will be able to increase its exports in stages to 80,000 tonnes of pork, 50,000 tonnes of beef and 100,000 tonnes of wheat free of duties to the European Union. EU dairy producers will be able to export more than double the amount of 'high quality' cheeses to Canada. Canada will also grant access for most processed agricultural products, for the EU notably wine and spirits. REGIONAL FOOD PRODUCTS Canada will protect the special status of certain EU agricultural products. Under EU rules, "geographical indications" may only come from a specific country or region, such as Prosciutto di Parma ham from Italy and Camembert cheese from France. Story continues MEDICINE PATENTS The trade deal aims to create a more level playing field between Canada and the European Union, the latter having complained that pharmaceutical patents are not sufficiently protected in Canada. PUBLIC PROCUREMENT Federal, state and municipal government in Canada have committed to open their markets for procurement to European suppliers, a first for Canada in any trade deal, for example in urban transport. Federal government contracts are estimated to be worth some C$15-19 billion per year and those of Canadian municipalities at around C$112 billion. CARS The European Union will eliminate its tariffs of 10 percent on cars and up to 4.5 percent on auto parts from Canada, while Canada will recognise a list of EU car standards that will make it easier to export vehicles to Canada. SERVICES The European Union sees around half of the overall GDP gains coming from liberalising trade in services - notably financial, telecoms, energy and maritime transport. The two partners will also mutually recognise professional qualifications, such as for architects, accountants or engineers, making it easier for them to offer their services. INVESTMENT Canada is the fourth largest foreign investor in the EU and the value of goods produced by its companies there is worth more than all of EU-Canada trade. The agreement aims to remove barriers to and enhance protection of foreign direct investment between the two parties, currently worth some 340 billion euros. The investment chapter also covers investment protection, the most controversial aspect of the treaty, which critics say will allow multinational companies to dictate public policy. Supporters say the investment court system fully answers those concerns. JUST BIG BUSINESS? By cutting tariffs on cars and auto parts, CETA could lead carmakers such as Ford (F.N) or Fiat Chrysler (FCHA.MI) to realign their operations, but CETA supporters, such as the European Commission, say it will benefit smaller businesses too. Indeed, they say smaller companies, not armed with subsidiaries and lawyers, are most constrained by tariffs and regulations. ($1 = 0.9456 euros) ($1 = 1.3067 Canadian dollars) (Reporting By Philip Blenkinsop; Editing by Gareth Jones) Aggrieved and spoiling for a fight, Donald Trump used a marathon encounter with reporters Thursday to denounce the "criminal" leaks that took down his top national security adviser and revived questions about his own ties to Russia. But he offered only a lawyerly denial that his campaign aides had been in touch with Russian officials before last fall's election. "Nobody that I know" he said in the first full-length news conference of his presidency. The 77-minute event amounted to a free-wheeling airing of complaints, with the new president attempting to find his footing after the rockiest launch in recent memory. Trump slammed a "bad court" of appeals judges for blocking his refugee and immigration executive order and denied that his White House was paralyzed by chaos and infighting among top advisers. "This administration is running like a fine-tuned machine," he boasted. With his signature hyperbole betrayed by reality, Trump said there has never been a president "who in this short period of time has done what we've done." He blamed any problems on the outgoing Obama administration "I inherited a mess at home and abroad" and the news media. Standing in the stately, chandeliered East Room, Trump lambasted the "out of control" media long his favorite foe. He appeared to delight in jousting with reporters, repeatedly interrupting their questions and singling out stories he disagreed with, well aware his attacks were sure to be cheered by loyal supporters who share his views. Polls show Trump retains support among Republicans, and solid majorities of Americans say he is following through on his promises and is viewed as a strong leader, according to a Gallup survey. But on other questions Americans express deep reservations. Majorities say he doesn't inspire confidence and is not honest and trustworthy. Trump's job approval rating is much lower than those of past presidents at the same point in their administrations. According to a Pew Research Center survey, 39 percent of Americans approve of his job performance while 56 percent disapprove. Trump's first month in office has been chaotic by any measure a flurry of self-inflicted wounds and poorly executed policy. On Monday, he demanded the resignation of his national security adviser Michael Flynn following revelations that Flynn misled Vice President Mike Pence about his contacts with Russia. The next day, The New York Times reported that multiple Trump advisers were in touch with Russian intelligence advisers during the election campaign. Trump panned the report as "fake news" and a "ruse," saying he had "nothing to do with Russia." "To the best of my knowledge no person that I deal with does," he added. That answer, couched with a caveat similar to one routinely used by witnesses on a trial stand, appeared to give him wiggle room. The president more clearly defended Flynn's calls with Russia's ambassador to the U.S. during the transition period after his November victory. He said that while he did not tell his adviser to discuss sanctions with the envoy, "I would have directed him if he didn't do it." The president said that while Flynn was "just doing his job," he was "not happy" that the adviser had misled the vice president. Trump knew for some time that Flynn had given Pence an inaccurate accounting of his discussions with Russia, but the president did not tell his No. 2 for about two weeks, according to a timeline supplied by the White House. The Washington Post reported Thursday that "current and former U.S. officials" say Flynn denied to the FBI, in its interview with him last month, that he talked about sanctions in his call with the Russian ambassador. The Post also notes "Some officials also said that bringing a case could prove difficult in part because Flynn may attemp to parse the definition of sanctions." The president has yet to announce Flynn's replacement. His top choice, Vice Admiral Robert Harward, turned down the job Thursday, largely because of family concerns, a White House official told NBC News. Trump repeatedly tried to steer questions away from his and his advisers' potential ties with Russia, saying attention should rather be focused on why a steady stream of classified information is making its way into news reports. He took a friendly posture toward Russia during the campaign and has spoken favorably about Russian President Vladimir Putin. He's yet to fully define what a better relationship between Washington and Moscow would look like, though he has said he wants to increase cooperation with Russia in the fight against the Islamic State. On Thursday, he seemed to lower expectations for the success, pre-emptively blaming media reports for hurting his chances of making good on campaign promises to build a better relationship. "If you were Putin right now, you would say, 'Hey, we're back to the old games with the United States, there's no way Trump can ever do a deal with us,'" he said. Trump vowed to move forward next week on his stalled plans to enact "extreme vetting" measures for people coming to the United States. He said he would sign a "new and very comprehensive order" aimed at addressing legal issues in his initial directive, which had temporarily halted the entire U.S. refugee program and all entries from seven Muslim-majority nations while the government worked on new vetting procedures. A federal appeals court rejected the measure, and Trump said his administration would be "appealing." Shortly after, the Justice Department announced it did not want a larger appellate panel to review the ruling and would instead replace the ban. The president took questions Thursday from 17 reporters, far more than at most presidential news conferences. His answers were often unwieldy, almost stream of consciousness, and some of his responses were startlingly strange. He said the "greatest thing" he could do was "shoot" a Russian spy ship lingering off the East Coast of the United States. He asked an African-American reporter whether she could help set up a meeting with the Congressional Black Caucus. He wrongly stated that his Electoral College victory had been the largest of any president since Ronald Reagan, then dismissed the inaccuracy, saying he'd been "given that information." But the former reality TV star often appeared to be in his element. He jousted with reporters, particularly those he knows by name from his constant consumption of television news. He jokingly told CNN's Jim Acosta that he had checked whether he was related to Alexander Acosta, the dean of the Florida International University law school who is his new pick to lead the Labor Department. Acosta's nomination was ostensibly the purpose of the news conference, though Trump dispensed with the announcement in a few brief sentences. The president's original choice to head the agency, Andy Puzder, withdrew his nomination on Wednesday, another blow to the new administration. AP writers Ken Thomas, Darlene Superville and Eric Tucker contributed to this report. U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met Thursday for the first time in the highest-level face-to-face contact between the two countries since President Donald Trump took office. Lavrov was asked if Russia is concerned about turmoil in the Trump administration. He repeated Moscow's standard line that Russia "does not interfere in the domestic matters of other countries." Tillerson did not speak at the meeting on the sidelines of a conference of foreign ministers of Group of 20 major powers in Bonn, Germany. Tillerson arrived in Germany late Wednesday. He will be playing defense amid the chaos and turmoil caused by the firing of national security adviser Michael Flynn for misleading officials about his contacts with Russia. Trump chose Tillerson for the job in part because of his business experience and relationship with Russia while he was CEO of oil giant Exxon Mobil. His meeting with Lavrov was the first test of whether that business acumen which led to great profits for Exxon and Russian President Vladimir Putin bestowing a friendship award upon him can translate into success in a high-stakes diplomatic arena. Tillerson has taken a low-key and reserved approach in his first two weeks on the job and declined the opportunity to speak with reporters traveling with him. As America's top diplomat, he has yet to comment publicly on developments with Russia, its alleged meddling in the 2016 presidential election or its actions in Syria and Ukraine. At his confirmation hearing last month, he voiced conventional concerns about Russia's behavior and said they should be addressed by projecting a forceful and united front. Like others in the administration, he hasn't been specific about how to repair damaged ties or whether doing so might involve lifting U.S. sanctions imposed on Russia after its 2014 annexation of Ukraine's Crimea region. U.S. officials accompanying Tillerson said they didn't expect him to stray from well-honed U.S. demands for Russia to abide by commitments it has made, along with appeals for cooperation in areas in which the two nations have common interests. These include the fight against the Islamic State group. Nonetheless, the eyes of many will be focused on Tillerson's meeting with Lavrov for clues as to how the Trump administration intends to deal with Russia, particularly given the revelations about Flynn and the various U.S. investigations into Russian activity before the presidential election. In Bonn, Tillerson will also meet privately and in small groups with the top diplomats of Britain, Turkey, Italy, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Japan, Argentina and Brazil. One meeting focuses on the worsening situation in Yemen, where a U.S.-backed, Saudi-led coalition is battling Shiite rebels believed to be supported by Iran. Another concerns Syria's violence. Tillerson will be hoping to reassure his European colleagues of the Trump administration's commitment to trans-Atlantic institutions like NATO and the European Union. It's a similar mission to that of Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, who is in Brussels and will attend a security conference in Munich this weekend. There, Mattis will be joined by Vice President Mike Pence. State police have identified the two suspects who crashed into a tree after allegedly robbing a bank in North Canaan, police said. North Canaan police responded to a robbery at the bank on Main Street in Falls Village at 2:52 p.m. on Wednesday, state troopers said. Troop B officers attempted to stop the suspect vehicle speeding off on Route 44 moments later. Police were able to locate the suspects after the driver lost control and struck a tree off the roadway, troopers said. A man and woman were transported to the hospital for minor injuries and subsequently taken into custody. Police said Thursday that the female suspect, identified as Rachelle L. Winter, 30, was released from the hospital and taken into police custody. She was charged with hindering prosecution, conspiracy to commit larceny and conspiracy to commit robbery. She was held on a $250,000 bond and scheduled to appear in court Thursday. The male suspect, identified as Eric Sheridan, 36, was released from the hospital Thursday. He was arrested on a violation of probation charge and held on a $100,000 bond. Police said charges in connection with the bank robbery are forthcoming. The investigation is ongoing. Police are investigating a bank robbery at a Bank of America branch in Hartford on Wednesday. Police responded to the Bank of America at 185 Asylum St. at 2:41 p.m. Wednesday after a hold-up alarm went off and officers met with the teller. She told officers that she handed over money after a man approached her and handed her a note that said he was a robber and to give him the money. The robber fled with $1,092 in $20s, $10s, $5s and $1s, according to Hartford police. Police have not been able to locate the robber and major crimes detectives have taken over the case. A Russian spy ship spotted off the Connecticut shore Wednesday is now headed south along the East Coast, according to U.S. officials. The U.S. Navy said yesterday that it was actively monitoring a Russian spy ship that has been operating in international waters along the East Coast of the United States, according to a senior United States official. Connecticut lawmakers responded yesterday to reports from several news outlets that the ship was loitering in the waters off the coast of Connecticut, near the submarine base. Groton is also home to Electric Boat, which designs and builds submarines. I think that clearly they like to track submarines. We know that they do," Gov. Dannel Malloy said yesterday about the ship's proximity to Groton. "This is not something that is brand new. Its getting a lot of coverage because, again, I think of other Russian stories related to the Trump administration. They seek to understand how we have the best submarines in the world. And theyre made here. The senior U.S. official said the Navy is monitoring the ship on its radar systems. NBC Connecticut has not independently confirmed the reports of the ship being off the shores of Connecticut. A U.S. defense official told the Associated Press that a Russian intelligence-collection ship has been operating off the East Coast, in international waters. Lt. Col. Valerie Henderson of the Defense Department released the following statement on the situation. "We are aware of the vessel's presence. It has not entered U.S. territorial waters. We respect freedom of navigation exercised by all nations beyond the territorial sea of a coastal State consistent with international law." If the ship is in international waters, it is legal for them to be there, and the action is not unprecedented. Malloy said Wednesday "the fact that we know that it's there is probably a good thing and I suspect that we have some of our ships in delicate places as well." "I think its getting a lot of coverage because of the Presidents changed policy towards Russia, which is very different than has been sustained by other administrations. Its not that we shouldnt be talking to the Russians, but we shouldnt necessarily be embracing everything they are doing. And quite frankly, now that we understand that they have recently been active in our own elections, we should be wary of that. But that there are spy ships in the world we shouldnt be surprised, Malloy said. The reports that the ship is near the submarine base in Groton also brought a response from many Connecticut congressional representatives, who by and large called the action aggressive and concerning. NBC Connecticut reached out to officials at the base, who said they dont have a comment and referred inquiries to the U.S. Department of Defense. Officials from the DOD have not yet responded. The White House didn't respond to a request for comment. U.S. Senator Chris Murphys office said that this is not unprecedented, but the senator is concerned this is part of a pattern of continued Russian boldness. Russia is acting like it has a permission slip to expand influence, test limits of reach, Murphy tweeted. Questions are obvious: does it, and if so, why? Russia is acting like it has a permission slip to expand influence, test limits of reach. Questions are obvious: does it, and if so, why? https://t.co/6Hsm7T2GO2 Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) February 15, 2017 "While this is not wholly unprecedented, its part of a series of aggressive actions by Russia that threaten U.S. national security and the security of our allies," Murphy said in a statement. "Just yesterday, news broke that Russia violated an Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. Coupled with escalating fighting in eastern Ukraine and Russian jets buzzing a U.S. Navy destroyer in the Black Sea, Putin clearly thinks the Trump administration has given him a permission slip to flex his muscles. President Trump and his administration must end their silence and immediately respond to these threats to our national security. U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal said in a statement that the presence of the spy ship "has to be regarded very seriously because Russia is an increasingly aggressive adversary." "It reflects a clear need to harden our defenses against electronic surveillance and cyber espionage. I am personally monitoring this situation and remain in close contact with both the Department of Defense and the U.S. Coast Guard," Blumenthal said in the statement. "The return of a Russian vessel is particularly concerning in the context of escalating Russian aggression - within days of the Russian's buzzing a U.S. Navy ship in the Black Sea, as well as deploying a cruise missile in violation of our arms control treaty - which only underscores the need for an independent investigation into possible collusion between the Trump administration and Russian agents." U.S. Rep. Jim Himes issued a statement saying residents should know that the presence of the ship does not present "a direct threat to our physical safety." "Its appearance is troubling, however, viewed in conjunction with the ongoing stories of Russian ties and interference in the Trump Administration and the recent deployment of a Russian cruise missile in apparent violation of international agreements," Himes said in a statement. "In my opinion, Russia is making a show of strength and pushing established boundaries and norms to gauge the reaction of a new administration in disarray. U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro tweeted that Russia is flexing its muscles. U.S. Rep. John Larson responded to the reports with a tweet as well. "This is a stark reminder of why we need a full account of Russia's influence in the White House & meddling in our election," Larson tweeted. U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney also responded to the reports in a statement. A Russian spy ship patrolling 30 miles from the Groton SUBASE underscores that the threats posed by a resurgent Russia are real, Courtney wrote. This unacceptable, aggressive action, combined with the buzzing of US Navy ships in the Red Sea yesterday are clearly testing the resolve of a new administration. While I have total confidence in our Navys vigilant, responsible readiness, the White House needs to move past their seeming infatuation with Putin and treat him like the serious threat to global peace and security that he has been for the last five years. Courtney also made a speech on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives about this ship. U.S. Rep. Elizabeth Esty also responded with a statement. Russias escalating aggression is a serious national security threat," Esty wrote. "Yet again, the Kremlin is testing the resolve of the Trump administration. It is long past time for the White House to stop making excuses for Vladimir Putin and respond to his acts of thuggery with the toughness our security demands. US officials said Thursday that the ship headed south. Its current location and destination are unknown. The mother of a severely autistic and emaciated 17-year-old Hartford boy was arrested Wednesday, days after her son died, according to police. Seventeen-year-old Matthew Tirado was pronounced dead at 5:15 a.m. Tuesday, hours after he was brought to the hospital, and the medical examiner reached out to police to report some suspicious findings, according to Hartford Police. "The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) contacted us here at the police department and said they wanted to show us some suspicious things with the victim," Deputy Chief Brian Foley told NBC Connecticut. Matthew Tirados mother, 33-year-old mother, Katiria Tirado, called 911 at 2:53 a.m. Tuesday and said her son was vomiting at an apartment on 519 Park Street and had gall stones, police said. Emergency crews responded to the home and brought Matthew to the Hartford Hospital. He was pronounced dead at 5:15 a.m. When the OCME called detectives, police began to investigate the incident as a possible homicide. Hartford Police learned the 5-foot-9 teen weighed approximately 88 pounds, was severely autistic and had cuts; bruises on his arms, face and chest; and broken bones, Foley said. Emaciated would be the word to describe the victim. Unfortunately again, numerous cuts and bruises to his arms face and chest broken bones as well as injuries not consistent with normal living, Foley said. The results of the autopsy are pending further studies. A 9-year-old girl living in the Park Street apartment was in "good health" and underwent evaluation, according to Foley. Katiria Tirado was arrested on Wednesday and has been charged with cruelty of a person. Her bond was set at $200,000 and she is due in court today. Tirado has outstanding motor vehicle-related arrest warrants in Wethersfield, but has no criminal history in Hartford, Foley said. High school students at a CREC Academy School in Windsor are showing off two projects they've built aimed at helping Syrian refugee's in our state. The 9th grade students were given an assignment after completing the immigration lesson in their U.S. History class and students had to create something that would impact Syrian refugees in Connecticut. "I wanted to make sure they understood immigration from a different standpoint " said History Teacher Parag Bhuva. One group created an adjusted Google Map which highlights mosques, restaurants and offices Syrian refugees could visit in Hartford. "When we all started putting all these layers and points i realized this is going to benefit everybody," said student Ethan Goodman. The second project is an app that helps refugee's understand American sayings. "If I were to type 'blue' into this, you would see it automatically pops up, 'I'm feeling blue,' and 'I have the blues'. I can click on feeling blue it would give you a basic definition of feeling blue is basically feeling sad," said student Ben Keilty. The students showed off their projects a room full of Syrian families. Student said the families enjoyed the projects. The Republican chairmen of two powerful committees in the House asked the Justice Department on Wednesday to investigate a series of leaks to the media relating to Michael Flynn and communications with Russia's ambassador to the United States, NBC News reported. Flynn resigned as President Donald Trump's national security adviser on Monday, days after The Washington Post, citing current and former administration officials, reported that he discussed sanctions with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak before Trump was inaugurated. National Security Adviser Michael Flynn resigned late Monday night. This morning, the White House is scrambling to replace him permanently. "According to some of the reports, the information may come from classified intelligence products," Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, chairman of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, and Bob Goodlatte, R-Virginia, chairman of the Judiciary Committee, said in a letter to the Justice Department's inspector general. [NATL] Seen in Trump's Orbit: Jared Kushner, Jack Ma "We have serious concerns about the potential inadequate protection of classified information here," they wrote. Five former U.S. ambassadors to Israel said Wednesday that the man President Donald Trump has selected for the post is unqualified and are urging senators to carefully consider his nomination. In a letter sent to members of the Foreign Relations Committee, the former diplomats said David Friedman has staked out "extreme, radical positions" and has derided the two-state solution as an "illusory" fix for a non-existent problem. "We believe the committee should satisfy itself that Mr. Friedman has the balance and the temperament required to represent the United States as ambassador to Israel," they wrote. The committee is scheduled to meet Thursday for Friedman's confirmation hearing. Trump, during a White House news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was evasive about endorsing a two-state solution with the Palestinians. That would create an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel and has been the international community's preferred solution for nearly two decades. The ambassadors, who served Republican and Democratic presidents, say Friedman accused President Barack Obama and the entire State Department of anti-Semitism. They say he's also characterized supporters of J Street, a liberal Jewish group, as "kapos," the Jews who cooperated with Nazis during the Holocaust. The State Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the letter from the former ambassadors. The son of an Orthodox rabbi, Friedman is a fervent supporter of Israeli settlements, an opponent of Palestinian statehood and staunch defender of Israel's government. The former envoys wrote that Friedman has said he does not believe it would be illegal for Israel to annex the occupied West Bank and has been active in supporting the settler movement. They said the committee should address the question of whether Friedman, if confirmed, would defend the established U.S. position that annexation of West Bank territory, without an international resolution, would be "counterproductive and a violation of international law." "The American ambassador must be dedicated to advancing our country's longstanding bipartisan goals in the region: strengthening the security of the United States and our ally Israel, and advancing the prospects for peace between Israel and its neighbors, in particular the Palestinians," the former ambassadors wrote. "If Israel is to carry on as a democratic, Jewish nation, respected internationally, we see no alternative to a two-state solution." The letter opposing Friedman's nomination was signed by Thomas Pickering, William Harrop, Edward Walker, Daniel Kurtzer and James Cunningham. Organizers in cities across the U.S. are telling immigrants to miss class, miss work and not shop on Thursday as a way to show the country how important they are to America's economy and way of life. "A Day Without Immigrants" actions are planned in cities including Philadelphia, New York, Washington, Boston and Austin, Texas. The protest comes in response to President Donald Trump and his 1-month-old administration. The Republican president has pledged to increase deportation of immigrants living in the country illegally, build a wall along the Mexican border, and ban people from certain majority-Muslim countries from coming into the U.S. He also has blamed high unemployment on immigration. A similar protest took place in Wisconsin on Monday. Thousands marched in a "Day Without Latinos" in response to Milwaukee Sheriff David Clarke's threat to crackdown on undocumented immigrants, NBC reported. Employers and institutions in some cities were already expressing solidarity Wednesday with immigrant workers. Washington restaurateur John Andrade said he would close his businesses Thursday, and David Suro, owner of Tequilas Restaurant in Philadelphia and a Mexican immigrant, said he also planned to participate. The Davis Museum at Wellesley College in Massachusetts said it would remove or shroud all artwork created by or given to the museum through Feb. 21. In New Mexico, the state with the largest percentage of Hispanic residents in the nation, school officials worried that hundreds of students may stay home on Thursday. "We respectfully ask all parents to acknowledge that students need to be in class every day to benefit from the education they are guaranteed and to avoid falling behind in school and life," principals with the Albuquerque Public Schools wrote in a letter to parents. Students who take part in the protest will receive an unexcused absence, Albuquerque school officials said. Organizers in Philadelphia said they expect hundreds of workers and families to participate. "Our goal is to highlight the need for Philadelphia to expand policies that stop criminalizing communities of color," said Erika Almiron, executive director of Juntos, a nonprofit group that works with the Latino immigrant community. "What would happen if massive raids did happen? What would the city look like?" Almiron said that while community groups have not seen an uptick in immigration raids in the city, residents are concerned about the possibility. Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney is among leaders in several cities nationwide who have vowed to maintain their "sanctuary city" status and decline to help federal law enforcement with deportation efforts. Many people who make the choice to skip work Thursday will not be paid in their absence, but social media posts encouraging participation stressed that the cause is worth the sacrifice. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is splitting with other states and defending President Donald Trump's ban on travelers from seven predominantly Muslim nations. Paxton filed an amicus brief, a document filed in courts of appeal by non-litigants with interest in a case, with the San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday asking the court to reconsider its decision not to immediately reinstate the ban. "The law makes it very clear that the president has discretion to protect the safety of the American people and our nation's institutions with respect to who can come into this country," Paxton said. "The safety of the American people and the security of our country are President Trump's major responsibilities under the law." Paxton said the ban is a legal exercise of presidential authority and cited 8 U.S. Code 1182, which states: "Whenever the President finds that the entry of any aliens or of any class of aliens into the United States would be detrimental to the interests of the United States, he may by proclamation, and for such period as he shall deem necessary, suspend the entry of all aliens or any class of aliens as immigrants or nonimmigrants, or impose on the entry of aliens any restrictions he may deem to be appropriate." A three-judge panel last Thursday refused to block a lower court decision that suspended the ban. The panel rejected the Trump administration's claim of presidential authority and concluded that the order was unlikely to survive the legal challenge mounted by the states of Washington and Minnesota. The 9th Circuit will decide whether to have a larger panel of judges reconsider that decision. NBC 5 political reporter Julie Fine spoke to Paxton and asked why he decided to file this brief. Texas is the first state to file support of the president's executive order. "The reason I decided to do this, we are already struggling with this issue under the Obama administration, so we have been involved in this issue for the last year or year-and-a-half. So when I saw the president do this, when we saw the law, we wanted to support this effort, because this is the first real effort to stop these people from coming in that potentially cause great security risk to our state," said Paxton. Fine also asked Paxton if he thinks there is a direct threat in Texas from refugees coming into the state. "I think the risk is high, because we don't know who they are. If we are going to let them in from terrorist countries, we ought to know who they are," he said. Mike Napoli is officially a Texas Ranger again. The team announced Thursday that the 35-year-old Napoli officially signed a one-year deal worth $6 million with an $11 million club option or a $2.5 million buyout in 2018. Napoli was seen at the Rangers' spring training facility in Surprise, Arizona, Wednesday, when took a physical. Napoli will likely be the team's first baseman and designated hitter in 2017, a role vacated when Mitch Moreland signed a free-agent deal with the Boston Red Sox and Prince Fielder was forced to retire due to a second neck surgery. The Rangers also lost big hitters Carlos Beltran and Ian Desmond as free agents. As a Texas Ranger, Napoli has hit .377/.381/.548 with 59 home runs in 256 games during three seasons. [[413956453,C]] Napoli spent his first five major league seasons with the Los Angeles Angles of Anaheim before being traded to the Rangers via the Toronto Blue Jays before the 2011 season. He had a career year in 2011 before his production tapered off in 2012. After the 2012 season, Napoli signed a three-year deal with the Boston Red Sox. Boston traaded him back to the Rangers just after the non-waiver trade deadline during the 2015 season. Napoli signed a one-year contract with the Cleveland Indians in 2016. His career-high 34 home runs helped the team reach the World Series, eventually losing to the Chicago Cubs in seven games. Texas already has room on its 40-man roster after putting first baseman Prince Fielder and reliever Jake Diekman on the 60-day disabled list this week. The pipes are calling for one and all to come out to the North Texas Irish Festival on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, March 3, 4 & 5th at Fair Park in Dallas. Bring the friends and the whole family to this North Texas favorite sponsored by the Southwest Celtic Music Association and NBC 5. To acknowledge the Lone Star States role in preserving, celebrating and furthering Irish culture in the U.S., this years theme is Texas Grown Irish Roots. Gracing the festival will be performers from around the world, including a band from the Isle of Man, who does Manx music, Barrule, and first North Texas Irish Festival appearance from Brian McNeill. The North Texas Irish Festival brings together a wide variety of exhibitors, workshops and demonstrations. Such as, delight performances from modern Irish dancers, culinary tricks for modern Irish cuisine, traditional Irish from Shanachie (storytellers), and much more. From highlighting true legends of Irish music to continuing the legacy through newer, young musicians emerging from the North Texas hotbed of Irish music, North Texas Irish Festival proves to be another rich, cultural experience that will have toes tapping and minds blown. So dont miss the North Texas Irish Festival! For more information and for a complete schedule, visit www.ntif.org. North Texas Irish Festival 2017 March 3 5 Fair Park Dallas www.ntif.org North Texas Irish Festival 2017 March 3 5 The pipes are calling for one and all to come out to the North Texas Irish Festival on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, March 3, 4 & 5th at Fair Park in Dallas. Bring the friends and the whole family to this North Texas favorite sponsored by the Southwest Celtic Music Association and NBC 5. To acknowledge the Lone Star States role in preserving, celebrating and furthering Irish culture in the U.S., this years theme is Texas Grown Irish Roots. Gracing the festival will be performers from around the world, including a band from the Isle of Man, who does Manx music, Barrule, and first North Texas Irish Festival appearance from Brian McNeill. The North Texas Irish Festival brings together a wide variety of exhibitors, workshops and demonstrations. Such as, delight performances from modern Irish dancers, culinary tricks for modern Irish cuisine, traditional Irish from Shanachie (storytellers), and much more. From highlighting true legends of Irish music to continuing the legacy through newer, young musicians emerging from the North Texas hotbed of Irish music, North Texas Irish Festival proves to be another rich, cultural experience that will have toes tapping and minds blown. So dont miss the North Texas Irish Festival! For more information and for a complete schedule, visit www.ntif.org. North Texas Irish Festival 2017 March 3 5 Fair Park Dallas www.ntif.org A big spike in absences at a DeSoto Pre-K program is being blamed on the flu. Twenty-two students missed school at Amber Terrace Discovery & Design Early Childhood Academy on Monday because of flu-like symptoms. On Tuesday, the number spiked to 64. On Wednesday, 63 students were absent with possible flu. "It's run through about 15 percent of our campus. We are aware of it, we are monitoring it very closely," said Beth Trimble, spokeswoman for the DeSoto Independent School District. Custodial crews have been working around the clock since Monday night, thoroughly scrubbing the school to keep the virus from spreading. "We've sent crews over during the day. We have additional staff that are over there wiping down surfaces all day long, just trying to really contain it at this point," Trimble said. The school sent a letter to parents Wednesday with tips on how to protect their children and keep them from spreading the flu. Trimble said fighting the virus in a school made up of nearly 400 four-year-olds is especially hard. "Sometimes these kids are bringing it from home and we're containing it at school. Help us out. Make sure your child is sneezing into the corner of their arm, using hand-sanitizer, not sharing drinks, not sharing food, utensils, that sort of thing," Trimble said. "All that can help contain it, so that we can keep the healthy kids healthy and make sure the kids that do have it get well and can come back to school." DeSoto ISD and the Dallas County Health and Human Services are monitoring the situation. The number of absent students is expected to stabilize over the next few days. Crews will continue their thorough cleanings through the weekend. If the situation worsens the district would have to decide whether to close the school temporarily. "Keep your child at home if they are sick," Trimble said. "In addition, we want to make sure that if they are not fever free, they have to be fever free 24-hours before they can return." The fight against homelessness is a year-round endeavor in North Texas. While making a routine outreach mission to a homeless camp in Fort Worth, John Ramsey found fish hooks hanging near a trail. He later learned a homeless man intentionally set the hooks to keep people away from his campsite. This led to a memo from the Fort Worth Police Department to officers with a warning about booby traps near homeless campsites. Ramsey said he does not fear for his safety when helping the homeless and the booby trap area is not a reflection of the entire homeless population. His group, Tarrant County Hands of Hope, meets these challenges with compassion. There is no quick fix, but it is how we react to it, he said. That is going to be through personal relationships with them and being able to make the connections. Ramsey said the homeless of Fort Worth have come from different areas. One client that we are working with originally became homeless during [Hurricane] Katrina. [She] moved to Houston to Dallas, he said. When they had the event in Dallas as far as closing the bridge over there, she hopped on the train and moved over here and we met her and her family. Hands of Hope gives essentials such as socks, toiletries and basic first aid kits to the homeless of Tarrant County. He encourages those with giving hearts to make donations in a smart way. One of the first things we try to do is educate the churches on a better way to give, he explained. If you are going to hand clothes out, take it to one of the shelters. Shelters distribute that by size and by need. Ramsey explained that much of the litter found near homeless camps is generated from discarded clothing that was donated but did not fit. I asked the city if I could get the weight of just the clothes at just one location. It was over a ton of clothes that was there, he said of one homeless camp cleanup. His group also works with the homeless to clean up the camps when someone is fined for panhandling or another minor infraction. That fine can range from $400 to $700 before it ever goes to warrant, he said. Hands of Hope then works with the courts. We assist them through community court and by going through community court, they send them back to us for community service, he said. Part of their community service with us is having them clean up their campsite. If there are 10 hours of community service, we want 10 bags of garbage picked up. An Allen man is on a mission to restore an historic African-American cemetery in McKinney. Ross Cemetery is located near Highway 5 and El Dorado Parkway and is near the well-known Pecan Grove Cemetery. Brooks, who is also an Allen City Council member, believes many don't know Ross Cemetery exists. "People don't know it's here," he said. It's the ones who do that concern him. Ross Cemetery is rich with history. Every headstone has a story. Slaves are buried there, along with mothers, fathers, families and at least three dozen African-American veterans, including a Buffalo Soldier. "There are a lot of people out here that have paved the way for me to be doing what I'm doing today. I mean, these are veterans, these are veterans. Our veterans should be honored all the time," Brooks said. More than 1,000 people are buried at Ross Cemetery, bound by a final resting place that has seen better days. Several headstones, he says, have been kicked over. Many graves are marked by rocks and shrubs, and at least one grave marker is being held together by duct tape. Brooks is now on a mission to spruce things up with the help of 84-year-old Allen historian Ken Byler. "I don't care what nationality you are, whether it's black white, yellow, whatever it is. American blood is all red," Byler said. Feeling the cemetery has been neglected for far too long, they plan to apply for grants and raise money for a fence and regular maintenance. They also hope the community will stop up to help restore history. Anyone who wishes to help can email rosscemeterytx@gmail.com. Ross Cemetery is privately owned. There is no fund to maintain it. Its only source of revenue is the sale of new grave sites. A New Jersey teenager has admitted he contacted authorities in Texas and made a series of threats to kill others, including calls that added to the chaos as law enforcement personnel rushed to a school shooting. Seventeen-year-old Nicholas Kyle Martino of Washington Township pleaded guilty Wednesday as an adult in federal court in Midland, Texas, to four counts of interstate threats to injure persons. Martino claimed a bomb was on the campus of Sul Ross State University in the West Texas city of Alpine. He also threatened to kill people at an Alpine hospital. The calls were made Sept. 8, the same day a freshman at Alpine High School shot and wounded a fellow student before killing herself. The teen had planned to shoot her stepbrother before shooting herself, but the plan was foiled. Two days later Martino used Twitter to threaten former U.S. Rep. Pete Gallego and his family. Sentencing is scheduled for May. Firefighters battled a fire at an apartment complex in Dallas Wednesday night. [[413930933,C]] Dallas Fire-Rescue crews arrived at the Richland Trace Condominiums in the 9800 block of Walnut Street at about 10 p.m. and found heavy smoke and flames. Residents had already made it out of the three-story apartment building as firefighters worked to control the fire, according to authorities. No residents or firefighters were reportedly injured. Arson investigators were called to the scene to investigate the cause of the fire. The American Red Cross responded to the scene to help the more than 50 displaced residents, according to Dallas Fire-Rescue spokesman Jason Evans. The Fort Worth Stockyards usually serves as a gateway to North Texas's western history, but this week it's also a gateway to another piece of American history. The Wall That Heals is currently on display in the parking lot of the Stockyards Museum. The wall is made of 24 aluminum panels and is an exact half-sized replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. The wall is brought by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund to about 40 different cities across the country every year. "There's a lot of people all over the country that, for whatever reason, can't make it out there [to Washington], so we bring it to your backyard," said wall manager Patrick O'Neill. The wall was escorted into the Stockyards Tuesday night by police and members of the Patriot Guard Riders. Several of the volunteers stationed at the wall's temporary home are local Vietnam veterans who were eager to help the Memorial Fund. For volunteer Bruce Anderson, of Carrollton, it was also a first opportunity to see the memorial that he's long put off visiting, as he heals his own emotional wounds from the war. "I didn't know what to expect and stuff, and there were times I got emotional," said Anderson. The wall will be on display in the 611-661 block of E. Exchange Avenue in Fort Worth, 24 hours a day until 3 p.m. Saturday when organizers will pack it up and move on to the next city. The Wall that Heals, and the actual Vietnam Veterans Memorial, contain the names of more than 58,000 service members that were killed or went missing during the war. MORE: The Wall That Heals - Fort Worth, TX - By James Li Hungarian-American fund manager George Soros (Trades, Portfolio) established the prestigious Quantum Fund, one of the top-performing funds in the world over its 26-year history. Soros invests in companies with the theory that prices of equities and fixed-income securities depend on the actions of traders, who usually act out on highly emotional reactions. Investors can find good opportunities by studying the market value of assets. The fund manager also focuses on the theory of "reflexivity," which is based on the premise that investor biases can affect market transactions. During fourth-quarter 2016, George Soros (Trades, Portfolio) gained a position in Key Energy Services Inc. (KEG), an energy company that has a positive 2017 outlook despite weak financial strength and profitability. Soros invested in 1,850,790 shares of Key Energy Services for an average price of $15.64 per share. As the energy company currently trades near $33.84 per share, Soros has a potential gain of approximately 116% on the stock. dd52b728a55a99876566eb735a43277a.png 1005313865.png Even though the company currently has a poor financial strength rank of 2 and a profitability rank of 3, Key Energy Services had historically strong financial strength and profitability over the past 11 years, especially from 2007 to 2009. Figure 1 illustrates the company's historical financial strength and profitability since 2006. Like all energy companies, Key Energy Services is directly affected by crude oil prices. A previous article discussed Halliburton Co. (HAL), a company Stanley Druckenmiller (Trades, Portfolio) invested in as the oil equipment and services company gave a positive outlook for 2017 after suffering a challenging 2016. Unlike Halliburton, whose share price seldom exceed $70, Key Energy Services traded at nearly $4,000 per share in 2011 before crashing down to nearly $10 per share during the 2016 oil crisis. Story continues 610673717.png The management at Key Energy Services gave a thorough detail of the company's financial restructuring plan in its Feb. 13 current report filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The new company, which was relisted on the New York Stock Exchange in January 2017, expects to deliver significant value to its shareholders through several restructuring reforms, including just $250 million in long-term debt, U.S. focused and geomarket organizational structure and an improved support cost structure. These structural changes expect to generate an adjusted EBITDA margin of 17.8% on a pro-forma basis. The company's management also enhanced its capital structure, including a $694 million long-term debt reduction through renegotiations and strong financial support from controlling shareholder Platinum Equity. The company also expects to exploit multiple growth drivers in 2017 as oil rig counts are expected to increase throughout 2017. The increase in oil prices allows Key Energy to generate conventional vertical well services opportunities throughout the U.S., increasing potential for high profitability in 2017 and beyond. As the company gave a positive outlook for 2017, the share price increased nearly $20 from Soros' transaction price. Soros currently has the largest stake in the company with 1,850,790 shares. Steven Cohen (Trades, Portfolio) and Richard Snow (Trades, Portfolio) also gained a stake in KEG, with the former purchasing 16,110 shares and the latter purchasing 63,583 shares. Disclosure: No positions. Start a free 7-day trial of Premium Membership to GuruFocus. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. A Texas sheriff whose state funding was halted in a "sanctuary cities" standoff may be softening her stance. Travis County Sheriff Sally Hernandez has refused to comply with some federal immigration detainers in Austin jails. Gov. Greg Abbott responded by blocking $1.5 million in funding. But Hernandez now tells the Austin American Statesman that she'll review detainer requests case-by-case. Federal authorities issue detainers for jailed immigrants accused of being in the country illegally. Hernandez opposes potential deportation for minor offenses and originally only planned to honor detainers for four serious charges, including murder. She'll now plan to comply on more than just those four charges, though. That follows Hernandez's staff not initially granting a detainer for a man accused of sexually assaulting a 9-year-old girl, though he wasn't freed. Local The latest news from around North Texas. President Donald Trump on Thursday announced law school dean R. Alexander Acosta as his new labor secretary nominee, one day after his original pick abruptly withdrew from consideration. Trump said Acosta, who did not appear with the president, "has had a tremendous career." He noted that, unlike Andrew Puzder, Acosta has been confirmed by the Senate three times and "did very, very well." If confirmed anew by the Senate, Acosta would become the first Hispanic member of Trump's Cabinet. He is now dean of the Florida International University law school. Puzder, a fast-food CEO, pulled out on Wednesday after it became clear he lacked the votes to win Senate confirmation. Trump said he had spoken with Acosta before coming to the East Room for the hastily arranged news conference, where he made the announcement. "I wish him the best," Trump said. At a White House event earlier, he had described Acosta without identifying him as a "star" and a "great person." Acosta has served on the National Labor Relations Board and as a federal prosecutor in Florida. He was named assistant attorney general for civil rights by President George W. Bush. Hispanic groups praised the nomination, and Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, a Republican who backed Puzder and will chair Acosta's confirmation hearing, said Acosta's prior Senate confirmations means the "nomination is off to a good start." Javier Palomarez, president and CEO of the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, called Acosta an "outstanding choice." "His record reflects a skill set and expertise both in the private and public sector which will serve the administration and the nation greatly," Palomarez said in a statement. He said the chamber looks forward to working with Acosta on a host of economic and labor issues. Puzder pulled out of the process on the eve of his confirmation hearing, which had been scheduled for Thursday, because Republicans balked at an array of personal and professional issues that dogged him. Puzder said he had employed and belatedly paid taxes on a housekeeper not authorized to work in the United States. Puzder's withdrawal was the latest example of the disorganized nature of the new administration, not known for thorough vetting of its people or its plans. Contentious confirmation fights, a botched rollout of Trump's refugee order and the ouster this week of National Security Adviser Michael Flynn have nearly paralyzed the administration. With regard to Puzder, Republicans grumbled about the stream of "distractions," including the torrent of criticism about his personal life and record as CEO of CKE Restaurants, Inc. What ultimately drained Puzder of enough Republican support for confirmation was his acknowledgment well after Trump had become president of employing a housekeeper who was not authorized to work in the U.S. Puzder said he had fired the employee about five years ago. But he did not pay the related taxes until after Trump nominated him on Dec. 9. Puzder said he paid the taxes as soon as he found they were owed, but there was no explanation of why he didn't know or pay for five years. Spokesman George Thompson said Wednesday that Puzder did not tell the White House about the housekeeper issue until after he had been nominated. It's unclear whether Trump's aides asked the immigration question before the nomination even though such issues have sunk past presidential nominees. Trump has also taken a hard line on people in the U.S. illegally. Individuals interviewed during the transition said Trump's team did not ask them to provide vetting information, raising questions about the level of scrutiny. Ultimately, Republicans made it clear that Puzder lacked the votes in a chamber narrowly split between Republicans and Democrats. Democrats, labor and other groups also had other reasons for opposing Puzder, including his corporate background and opposition to such proposals as a big hike in the minimum wage. They argued that that stance made him an unfit advocate for American workers at the top of an agency charged with enforcing worker protections. They rolled out stories from workers who said they were treated badly at Puzder's company. And they were ready to make women and his workers part of the confirmation hearing. Puzder was quoted in Entrepreneur magazine in 2015 as saying, "I like beautiful women eating burgers in bikinis." He said the racy commercials for Carl's Jr., one of his companies, were "very American." Democrats also said Puzder had disparaged workers at his restaurants. Some immigrants in Los Angeles joined a national "Day Without Immigrants" Thursday, a protest encouraging immigrants to effectively withdraw from the economy for a day to dramatize the roles they play in American society. "A Day Without Immigrants" actions were planned in Los Angeles, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and other cities with large immigrant populations, with activists urging immigrants to avoid work, school and shopping. The protest comes in response to President Donald Trump and his 1-month-old administration. The Republican president has pledged to increase deportation of immigrants living in the country illegally, build a wall along the Mexican border, and ban people from certain majority-Muslim countries from coming into the U.S. He also has blamed high unemployment on immigration. Early Thursday morning in the Los Angeles County city of Cudahy, at least two business was participating in the demonstration, with flyers posted on the windows noting the business would remain closed. Fred Melgar, who immigrated from El Salvador in the early 80s, kept his driving school closed on Thursday. "We want to let the government know. This is community," Melgar said. "We provide for the state, okay. Everybody pays taxes. We're here, and we came over here with a dream. And the dream is to be better." Javier Signeros said he wanted to support his friends and his people, but was on his way to work Thursday morning because he has to support his family and get food on the table. The Los Angeles Unifed School District left voicemails for parents and employees, urging them not to skip school, Wednesday night. "While we respect everyone's right to have their voices heard and toparticipate in civic action such as protest, all students and staff are encouraged and expected to come to school," Alma Pena-Sanchez, the LAUSD's chief of staff, told parents and employees Wednesday night in the voicemail. The LAUSD, the nation's second-largest school district, is 74 percent Latino. Pena-Sanchez said the district's campuses offer a "safe and productive forum where students can express their thoughts and feelings." "I urge students and staff not to disrupt learning by participating in protest or walkouts during the instructional day," she said. Toni Guinyard, City News Service and the Associated Press contributed to this report. California's Salinas Valley is referred to as the "salad bowl of the nation," best described in iconic pages when John Steinbeck, American author and son of the Monterey County community, put pen to paper in most of his classic writings. It's here in this region of sprawling fields about 100 miles south of San Francisco where Japanese immigrants found their American dream after World War II in the cut flowers business, evident even today. "A lot of these houses are Japanese-style houses," said Alicia, a cannabis properties realtor. With California's law legalizing marijuana poised to go into effect next year, Salinas enters a new chapter in its agricultural history. It could become the cannabis capital of the state. Alicia agreed to show us around the valley on the condition we don't share her last name. She specializes in the new green that's growing here, pointing out farms she says are now cannabis farms. "Look. Barbed wires, cameras," she said. Alicia works to sell, buy or manage what used to be properties housing the booming flower market, properties that have since fallen apart due to various free trade agreements over the years. She says ever since California legalized marijuana, there's new life breathing into the valley and sucking dry the idea of continuing with the cut flowers business, when owners can sell their properties for millions. "It wouldn't make sense to grow flowers, you know, at $5 million," she said. Under new California law, cannabis cultivators are banned from building new greenhouses, unless they are built in the footprint of old ones. So any "green" house in the state has the potential to evolve into a "grow" house. "California cannabis is its own brand, no different than California wine or anything else," Michael Williamson, the director of operations at Harborside, a leading cannabis grower and distributor in Northern California. He says his hairnet, white jumpsuit and gloves are a way to keep the product pure and free from human interaction. "When you look at our product and our plants, it's really not that different than a lot of the cut flowers market," he said. "Which makes this valley kind of the potential to be the Sonoma Valley of cannabis." Williamson wouldn't say how much Harborside makes on its product, adding that for now, it's grown solely for medical purposes. He said the company is eyeing Los Angeles for what's to come. "Our moral compass is always the same," he said. "We want to create a safe, consistent and hopefully potent cannabis." Growers in Monterey County say they take pride in more than just their product, but also what the industry is doing for the local workforce: the general contractors, green house manufacturers, security companies, fence installers, security camera installers and providers. "We feel that cannabis could be a $1 billion crop within the next 24 months in Monterey County," said Mike Bitar, the cofounder of Grupo Flor, a company that's been actively seeking out empty greenhouses to manage. "These greenhouses are getting a second life. Right now there are no empty greenhouses in Monterey County. They've all either been leased up or purchased in the last six months." The numbers are already massive. According to Arcview market research, a company specializing in the marijuana market, California accounted for 31 percent of the legal cannabis market in the U.S. last year. Locally that's only for medical use. Compare that with Colorado at 19 percent and Washington at 11 percent, where marijuana is legal for recreational use. "This industry has grown by leaps and bounds," said Daniel Yi, a spokesman for Medmen, a cannabis management and investment firm based in Los Angeles. The company has a cultivation site in Sun Valley and also runs a dispensary in West Hollywood. "LA plays a huge role in terms of what we've learned over 20 years of regulation, what we've learned in techniques and cultivation. We have a lot of experience and a lot of demand," he said. Yi says research is showing as states legalize marijuana for recreational use, more and more users are opting against the flowery buds for smoking and turning to products that come from extracting the oils from pot plants. "There are edibles, there are extracts, there are vape pens," he said. And with much of the state's demand coming from LA, it leaves the smaller towns up north with dreams of what that could do for them. "It'll be a pretty phenomenal crop going to LA, I'm sure, because their numbers are big," said Salinas Mayor Joe Gunter, adding his city is actively working to become a model for others in how to regulate the industry. "We have to embrace it because it's coming." For many, though, it's been here for decades. "Our industry has been testing cannabis, has been labeling cannabis and has been concerned to consumer safety long before the California legislature woke to this monster," said Salinas attorney Gavin Kogan who made cannabis law a specialty. But there's one thing that's keeping cannabis from growing greener across the country: the stigma of the drug the feds still say is illegal. "We're chipping away at it," Yi said. In a plea deal criticized by the father of a victim, a California man pleaded guilty Thursday to providing the high-powered rifles used to kill 14 people in the San Bernardino terror attack. Enrique Marquez Jr. appeared in federal court in Riverside with his hands cuffed and chained to his waist as a judge accepted his plea agreement with prosecutors. Gregory Clayborn, the father of one of those killed, opposed the deal in remarks to the judge before the hearing. "This man supplied these murderers with these weapons and he's going to get a slap on the wrist, your honor," Clayborn said, his voice cracking. "My daughter, she didn't deserve this," he said. Under the plea deal, Marquez could face up to 25 years in prison. A sentencing hearing before U.S. District Judge Jesus G. Bernal was scheduled for Aug. 21. In addition to purchasing the weapons, Marquez, 25, of Riverside pleaded guilty to conspiring with one of the San Bernardino shooters in earlier mass killing plots targeting a community college and a gridlocked Southern California freeway that were never carried out. In court, Marquez sounded choked up after the prosecutor described what he had done. Marquez told the judge he had dropped out of high school and college but understood the allegations and the consequences of pleading guilty. Victims' relatives were given tissue boxes ahead of the brief hearing. While Marquez was questioned, one sobbed. Another closed her eyes. Afterward, Clayborn told reporters he believes Marquez knew about the San Bernardino attack that killed his daughter. "To be surprised like this with what happened and this guy not being charged for the actual murders, it really made me angry," he said. During court, Clayborn stood up and told the judge Marquez should never get out of prison. "For him to get as light a sentence he got from the crimes that were committed based on what he provided to help that happen, it's a travesty and judicial system needs to fix it," he said. U.S. attorney Eileen M. Decker said she understands why victims' relatives may feel the sentence is insufficient due to the pain they have suffered, but explained that she is bound by the law and there is no evidence that Marquez participated in or had advance knowledge of the San Bernardino attack. But his purchase of the weapons and preparations with Farook for the attacks they never committed laid the foundation for the 2015 assault, she said. "These chilling plans could have inflicted mass casualties. These plans thankfully were not executed," she told reporters outside the courthouse. "But there are connections between their planning in 2011 and 2012 that we believe assisted in the horrible attacks that took place in 2015." Marquez was the only person criminally charged in the December 2015 attack that also left 22 people wounded at a meeting of San Bernardino County employees. Husband-and-wife assailants Syed Rizwan Farook and Tashfeen Malik were killed in a gunfight with authorities later that day. Prosecutors said Marquez acknowledged being a "straw buyer" when he purchased two AR-15 rifles that Farook later used in his attack on the meeting of his San Bernardino work colleagues. Prosecutors have said Marquez agreed to buy the weapons because the pair feared Farook's Middle Eastern appearance might arouse suspicion. Marquez also acknowledged plotting the college and freeway attacks with Farook in 2011 and 2012. He said he backed out of the plot after four men in the area were arrested on terrorism charges in late 2012, the FBI has said in court documents. Marquez and Farook met in 2005 after Marquez moved next door to Farook's family in Riverside, about 55 miles east of Los Angeles. Farook began educating his new friend about his Muslim faith and Marquez converted in 2007. The FBI said the two began discussing extremist views shortly thereafter. By late 2011, Marquez spent time at Farook's home reading magazines published by al-Qaida and studying radical material online, federal officials said. NBC4's Tony Shin and The Associated Press contributed to this report. A vendor selling shirts featuring the swastika symbol on the University of Southern California campus was asked to leave Wednesday. USC's campus Rabbi Dov Wagner said that students were "understandably upset" and saw students and the vendor arguing about the shirts designed with the emblem of the German Nazi Party. The vendor was asked to leave campus because the merchandise did not meet the university's community standards. "Art should not be a cover for hate," USC's campus Rabbi Dov Wagner wrote in a Facebook post. "Stuff like this should never be allowed to pass," he added. USC's media relations team released the following statement to NBC4: "A vendor was asked to leave because the items he was selling led to the vendor causing a disruption on campus. The merchandise the vendor was selling did not meet community standards, per USC guidelines for vendors who wish to sell goods and services on campus." The start of potentially big changes in Floridas refugee resettlement program begins today in Tallahassee. Today, the House Children, Families and Seniors subcommittee will take the state's first steps to end that program here. Even before President Trump's executive order on immigration, some Florida lawmakers kept busy on a plan of their own. One of the biggest supporters of the potential change is House Speaker Richard Corcoran - a vocal supporter of Trump's order to stop immigrants from seven mostly Muslim countries. That order is on hold because of a federal court ruling. Corcoran is also asked for more information on refugees headed to the state, saying he is worried about potential terrorist threats. According to The Cato Institute, between 1975 and 2015 only 20 refugees were involved in terrorism or planning attacks - and none of those attacks played out in Florida or were planned in the state. Even if the bill got fully approved, it would not do much to change things. Federal aid would just stop going through the state first and instead go straight to agencies helping those refugees. A Miami man is facing charges after police say he beat a dog with a chain then attacked the dog's owner when he tried to stop him. Yumisani Hernandez, 33, was arrested Tuesday on charges including battery, burglary, animal cruelty and resisting an officer with violence, according to an arrest report. Hernandez was booked into the Miami-Dade jail, where he remained without bond Thursday for a probation violation, records showed. Attorney information wasn't immediately available. The arrest report said Hernandez entered the yard of a home in the 2700 block of Northwest 26th Street Tuesday by removing a chain and lock on a gate. Hernandez then started beating a brown Labrador retriever with the chain and lock, hitting the dog multiple times, the report said. The dog's owner confronted Hernandez, who became enraged and attacked him, the report said. The owner suffered multiple abrasions on his back, knees, abdomen and side of his nose in the attack, according to the report. A witness who heard the dog crying and barking saw Hernandez attacking the man and called police. Officers arrived and as they were taking Hernandez into custody he became combative, spitting on an officer's back and trying to kick out a window in a police car, the report said. Hernandez was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital after suffering a broken nose and head abrasions before he was booked into jail. The report didn't give a possible motive for the attack. South Florida is in the national spotlight following President Donald Trump's nomination Thursday of R. Alexander Acosta, the current dean of the Florida International University Law School, to be the next secretary of labor. Its another step in the long and storied political career of the 48-year-old Miami native, who graduated from Gulliver Prep before attending Harvard University for both his undergrad degree and law school. After serving as a law clerk for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, Acosta worked for a private firm and taught law before moving on to serve on both the National Labor Relations Board and later as Assistant Attorney General under the administration of former President George W. Bush. Acosta eventually returned home to Miami and served as the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District, gaining notoriety for prosecuting cases of fraud, including gaining a conviction in the case of former lobbyist Jack Abramoff. He also gained convictions for several high profile drug cases and even the first case of torture to be prosecuted in the United States. He becomes just the fourth Florida native to hold a cabinet level position and the second from Miami, joining the late former Attorney General Janet Reno. "Throughout his career, Alex Acosta has been a passionate advocate for equal opportunity for all Americans," President Trump said in a statement. "His extensive experience has tremendously impressed me and my team and makes us confident that he will lead the Department of Labor with the utmost competence and determination to support the American worker." If confirmed, Acosta would be the first Hispanic member of Trump's Cabinet. "I know Alex Acosta well, and he is a phenomenal choice to lead the Department of Labor," Sen. Marco Rubio said in a statement. "Whether it was his distinguished service as U.S. attorney in Floridas Southern District or as dean of Florida International Universitys school of law, Alex has succeeded in all endeavors he has taken on, and managing the Department of Labor will be no different. I look forward to his confirmation hearing, where Im confident he will impress my colleagues and secure the support necessary to be the next secretary of labor." Acosta has been at FIU since 2009. "Alex Acosta is a thoughtful, conscientious American who is dedicated to excellence, integrity and public service. We are proud that he is the first Hispanic nominated to serve in President Trumps cabinet," FIU President Mark B. Rosenberg said in a statement. Government attorneys are pushing back against New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez's attempts to have his corruption indictment thrown out. They filed a response this week to the Democratic senator's filing seeking to have the U.S. Supreme Court hear his appeal. Menendez is accused of using his influence in exchange for gifts and political donations from wealthy Palm Beach eye doctor Salomon Melgen. Menendez has argued his actions were covered under the Constitution's "speech or debate" clause that protects lawmakers when they are performing legislative duties. In its brief this week, the government wrote that the clause is limited to acts that are "integral to the legislative process" and not to attempts to influence government agencies. If the Supreme Court declines to hear the case, a trial could take place this fall. A large perimeter was set in a Miami neighborhood Wednesday evening as police searched for two armed robbers behind a purse snatching. Officers tried to pull over the suspects after their Toyota SUV was spotted, but the dangerous duo bailed out at the intersection of Northeast 94th Street and 2nd Avenue. Two women who were also in the SUV were taken into custody for questioning. "We're trying to get info as to who these women are and what their relationship is to the two men that bailed from officers," said Kenia Fallat, Miami Police spokeswoman. Police were initially called to a purse snatching on Northwest 71st Street and 7th Avenue. A woman was pushed to the ground when the robbers approached her and stole her purse at gunpoint. SWAT team and K-9 units were searching for the two suspects. No other information was released. Fashion and the Holocaust. Two things not normally associated with each other. At the Jewish Museum of Florida/FIU, an exhibit called Stitching History from the Holocaust is tying the two together and teaching kids valuable lessons. "There were so many people killed for no reason, just because of their religion, said Beni Roberts, a 6th grader from West Miami Middle School. On this day, a field trip from the school to the museum in South Beach takes a bus load of students back in time, to 1939. "A lot of people with a lot of talent and they got persecuted for their beliefs, said 7th grader George Ramos, explaining how the exhibit brings history alive. The kids from West Miami Middle were immersed into the story of Paul and Hedwig Strnad, a Jewish couple from Prague who were desperately trying to escape the Nazi invasion of Czechoslovakia by immigrating to America. Paul wrote to his cousin Alvin in Milwaukee, asking him to help secure visas. Hedwig was a dressmaker with a thriving business in Prague, so Paul sent Hedwigs designs along to prove they could work in their adopted country and would not be a burden on the government. Fast forward to 1997. Alvin Strnads family found the letter and the dress designs and set out to uncover the story. They learned Paul and Hedwig were denied entry into the United States and died in the Holocaust, becoming two of the six million. "The main purpose of the exhibit is to personalize the experience of the Holocaust, said Jo Ann Arnowitz, the museums executive director. Arnowitz says its hard for anyone, especially school kids, to grasp what six million actually means, but focusing on two people really brings the experience to them on their level. "Its better than reading in a textbook what happened, they can really get the picture of what it was like, Arnowitz said. The Strnad family brought the artifacts to the Jewish Museum of Milwaukee, and the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre took the dress designs and recreated them. The fashions from 1939 look vibrant and current in 2017. "At the darkest period in history you have this woman who is creating something really lovely and in her way, making the world a better place, said FIU theatre professor Michael Yawney. As the kids walked through the exhibit, they learned not only about history, but also about the tragic tale of two refugees. That, of course, resonates today. "We didnt know when we started working on this how timely this would be, Yawney said. He and some colleagues wrote and produced a play which brings Paul and Hedwig to life. The students from West Miami Middle watched it on video. "This museum is not just about preserving the past but also giving direction and lessons for the future, Yawney said. Of course, evaluating the plight of refugees and how our country should respond to them is a complicated issue. At least for adults. "I think we should let them all in, said 6th grader Lynet Brito. Its much simpler for children who have just internalized a lesson from history. Stitching History from the Holocaust is on display at the museum through March 19th. President Donald Trump's choice to run the White House budget office cleared a Senate hurdle Wednesday, though a senior Republican says he won't support him. Rep. Mick Mulvaney is a tea party lawmaker from South Carolina who has attracted opposition from Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain, R-Ariz. McCain says Mulvaney's record of support for military operations in Afghanistan and the Pentagon budget generally is too soft. "Congressman Mulvaney's beliefs, as revealed by his poor record on defense spending, are fundamentally at odds with President Trump's commitment to rebuild our military," McCain said in a speech on the Senate floor. "And this record cannot be ignored in light of the significant authority exercised by the director of OMB (the Office of Management and Budget) over the federal budget." The Senate voted 52-48 along party lines to advance Mulvaney to a final, up-or-down vote Thursday, where the outcome no longer appears to be in doubt after another senior Republican grudgingly announced his support. Appropriations Committee Chairman Thad Cochran of Mississippi is supporting Mulvaney after expressing reservations Wednesday morning. "He's never been a friend of the Appropriations Committee," Cochran said earlier. "I don't think he's ever (liked) an appropriations bill." But Cochran's spokesman, Chris Gallegos, said Wednesday afternoon that the 38-year Senate veteran will vote for Mulvaney. The Senate is moving slowly on Trump's Cabinet. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell warned Wednesday that continued delays are putting the chamber on course to "working well into the weekend." Delays in processing Mulvaney's nomination appear to be contributing to a lag in producing Trump's much-awaited budget plan for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1. Trump's plans are unknown, but Mulvaney and a top staff aide bring staunchly conservative credentials to their posts. Mulvaney is reportedly eyeing sharp cuts to domestic agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency, but Trump has indicated he's not interested in tackling highly popular benefit programs like Social Security and Medicare. Four people were arrested Wednesday, accused of defrauding the city out of disaster relief funds by lying on their Build It Back applications after Sandy, authorities say. George Bonitsis of Brooklyn, John Holl of East Meadow and John Phelan of Syosset are accused of falsely claiming their summer homes in Breezy Point, Queens, as their primary residences and getting the city to pay for their renovations. They face charges of grand larceny and filing a false instrument. A fourth person, Donata Rea of Rockaway Park, is accused of filing a false application with Build It Back in connection with a larger scheme to take money from the state of a woman who died in 2011. The woman has pleaded not guilty. The arrests were the result of a Department of Investigation probe into the troubled city program. "These are defendants who are profiteering off a true natural disaster that befell New York City," said DOI Commissioner Mark Peters. Phelan pleaded not guilty. His lawyer Eric Franz said authorities "did a horrible investigation, never asked him for his side of what happened." "He was helping his mother, who was elderly and lived in the residence. And we'll prove that at trial," Franz said. Meanwhile, people living year-round in the Sandy-ravaged community have had challenges getting their own funding from Build It Back to restore their homes, as the I-Team has reported. Cursive handwriting instruction is returning to elementary school classrooms in New York City. Schools chancellor Carmen Farina has committed to include cursive writing in third-grade curriculum in city schools, according to Staten Island assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis, who has advocated for cursive instruction. Many schools have already started implementing the curriculum. The assemblywoman said it's important for young people to "know how to write a signature of their own to identify themselves, and have the ability to sign a legal document, check, or voter registration form." "Without knowing how to read script, students can't even read historic documents like the Declaration of Independence," she said in a statement Wednesday. Penmanship classes were dropped when the new Common Core educational standards were crafted. But some states have been fighting to restore cursive instruction. A Department of Education handbook for the 2016-2017 school year includes an instruction manual for cursive handwriting, and it addresses the question of whether print or cursive are still relevant in the digital age. "Evidence reveals an advantage for handwriting using pen and paper over keyboarding for students in grades 2 to 6 for amount written, rate of word writing, and number of ideas expressed," the DOE manual states. The manual continues: "Despite advances in computer technology, research supports the argument that todays students still need instruction in handwriting for two primary reasons. First, learning to form letters by hand improves perception of letters and contributes to better reading and spelling. Second, automatic letter writing promotes better composingboth amount written and quality of writing." The DOE says it's up to school leaders and staff to decide how to incorporate cursive and manuscript instruction, and cursive instruction is not mandated. What to Know Immigrants planned to miss work and school for a "Day Without Immigrants" Republican chairmen have called for an investigation into the leaks that led to the resignation of Michael Flynn Three people have been arrested in connection with the killing of Kim Jong Nam, half brother of the North Korean leader Get the top headlines of the day in your morning briefing from NBC 4 New York, Monday through Friday. Sign up for our newsletter here. Organizers Plan Day Without Immigrants Organizers in cities across the U.S. are asking immigrants to miss class, miss work and not shop on Thursday as a way to show the country how important they are to America's economy and way of life. The protest comes in response to President Donald Trump, who has pledged to increase deportation of immigrants living in the country illegally, build a wall along the Mexican border, and ban people from certain majority-Muslim countries from coming into the U.S. "A Day Without Immigrants" actions are planned in cities including Philadelphia, Washington, Boston, Houston and Chicago. A number of businesses in New York City have announced that theyll be taking part to show their solidarity. Protesters were ralling at Hunts Point before dawn. Chairmen Call for Investigation Into Flynn Leaks The Republican chairmen of two powerful committees in the House asked the Justice Department on Wednesday to investigate a series of leaks to the media relating to Michael Flynn and communications with Russia's ambassador to the United States. Flynn resigned as President Trump's national security adviser on Monday, days after The Washington Post, citing current and former administration officials, reported that he discussed sanctions with the Russian ambassador before Trump was inaugurated. "We have serious concerns about the potential inadequate protection of classified information here," the chairmen wrote. "Late Night" host Seth Meyers dove into the Trump Administration and its recent troubles. Arrests in Death of Kim Jong Uns Half Brother Two women and a man have been arrested in the killing of Kim Jong Nam, the North Korean leader's half brother who was reportedly poisoned this week by a pair of female assassins as he waited for a flight in Malaysia, police said Thursday. Investigators are trying to piece together the details of a death that set off a torrent of speculation over whether Kim Jong Un dispatched a hit squad to kill his estranged older sibling. An autopsy was finished late Wednesday, but the results have not been released. Kim Jong Nam, who was 45 or 46, was estranged from his younger brother. Yahoo Gives New Warning Following Breach Yahoo is warning users of potentially malicious activity on their accounts between 2015 and 2016, the latest development in the internet company's investigation of a mega-breach that exposed 1 billion users' data several years ago. Yahoo confirmed Wednesday that it was notifying users that their accounts had potentially been compromised but declined to say how many people were affected. Yahoo tied some of the potential compromises to what it has described as the "state-sponsored actor" responsible for the theft of private data from more than 1 billion user accounts in 2013 and 2014. Trump Labor Nominee Withdraws Nomination President Trump's nominee for labor secretary abruptly withdrew his nomination Wednesday after Senate Republicans balked at supporting him, in part over taxes he belatedly paid on a former housekeeper not authorized to work in the United States. Fast-food executive Andrew Puzder issued a short statement abandoning the effort, saying he was honored to have been considered. Meanwhile, Trumps budget chief pick, Mick Mulvaney, was set to be confirmed Thursday. Ashton Kutcher Testifies on Human Trafficking Actor and activist Ashton Kutcher testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday in a bid to educate and end modern slavery. Kutcher testified as a co-founder of Thorn, a tech organization that helps find child abuse victims. Kanye West at NY Fashion Week Kanye West did something unusual as a fashion designer: He kept good time Wednesday to unveil his Yeezy Season 5 collection, including new bulky, thick-soled Boost runners, as he projected models onto a huge four-sided screen in a dark boxy space, then sent out some to walk the regular way. Always highly anticipated during New York Fashion Week, this time around West stayed in town after last season's sweltering field trip to Roosevelt Island. What to Know The families gathered to protest Trump's order titled Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States" They say it makes reference to the 9/11 attacks to justify a ban on refugees and other people arriving from the Muslim-majority countries Trump signed the executive order on Jan. 27, sparking protests nationwide, but a federal judge imposed a temporary restraining order on it Family members of some of the victims of the Sept. 11 terror attacks gathered Thursday in Manhattan to protest President Trumps executive order temporarily banning people from seven countries. Dozens of relatives, who united at "The Sphere" in Battery Park, say the executive order titled Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States makes reference to the attacks to justify a ban on refugees and other people arriving from the Muslim-majority countries. We will not tolerate President Trumps use of 9/11 to defend his deplorable anti-American political agenda, the families said in a statement. They said that it was an outrage that refugees who have been vetted and approved now face grave danger and an uncertain future. One of the protesters was Talat Hamdani, mother of Mohammad Salman Hamdani, a Pakistani-American NYPD cadet who died racing to help at the World Trade Center after the attacks. Mohammad Hamdanis remains were found by the north tower, his mother said, and he was memorialized as a hero by the city. Im here fighting for my rights as an American citizen. This is a fight for the American soul, for the soul of America, and Im here to defend the Constitution, Talat Hamdani said. "How can they say they're going to protect me by taking away my rights? We have to speak up, we are speaking up and we will continue to speak up." Brendan Fay was there to honor his friend Mychal Judge, a Franciscan friar who served as a chaplain to the FDNY and the first recorded fatality of the 9/11 attacks. "Mychal Judge was a very proud New Yorker, he loved this city and would always talk about how this was a city built by immigrants," Fay said. "He was a great advocate for immigrants, and he would have been here today." Trump signed the executive order on Jan. 27, sparking protests nationwide, but a federal judge imposed a temporary restraining order on it. The Trump administration appealed against the order but it was upheld by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals last week. Trump said at a press conference Thursday that his administration would have a revised order next week. What to Know 78 percent of hotels used to house the homeless have 433 open violations, a January investigative report revealed Manhattan is the worst borough for hotel infractions, accounting for roughly 69% of all citywide violations As of November 2016, about 65,000 people are living homeless in New York City, according to Coaltion for the Homeless The city's Department of Homeless Services (DHS) says it will phase out the Bushwick Economic Development Corporation (BEDCO) as a service provider sheltering the city's homeless in hotels and cluster sites, the agency announced Thursday. DHS spokesman Isaac McGinnsaid they will eliminate or transition BEDCO's hotel and cluster site portfolio to other providers to work with the 2,132 New Yorkers living at these sites following a comprehensive review of its operations. The agency has negotiated an acquisition to secure new providers for all BEDCO-run cluster shelter locations. The agency said it will take other measure to phase out the nonprofit provider at homeless hotels for New Yorkers. "Wherever possible, we are working to kepe New Yorkers in their home and out of shelter though a prevention-first strategy," said Department of Social Services Commissioner Steven Banks. "For our homeless neighbors in shelter, we are making an unprecedented number of hcanges to dramaticall improve shelter conditions and services." Banks added that the city eliminated more than 10,000 shelter building code violations that had built up over several years. BEDCO wasn't immediately available to respond to a request for comment. Last year, DHS ended the use of two other nonprofit service providers with a history of noncompliance and shameful shelter conditions after a 90-day review of homeless services. Hundreds of the city's homeless are living in deplorable conditions that include peeling lead paint, malfunctioning toilets and mouse droppings, an investigative report by the Independent Democratic Conference (IDC) revealed Thursday. Top Tri-State News Photos New Yorkers were reminded of the dangerous conditions of these run-down sites when two sisters, ages 1 and 2, died after a radiator bursted in their apartment and scalded them with steam in December 2016. Nancy Peters, a resident at a BEDCO cluster site, told the I-Team in December that she wore a headlamp for weeks because her apartment was without power. She said she could see and smell the mold in her apartment, but that other cluster residents were living in worse conditions. Nearly 12,000 of the city's homeless are being housed in 3,200 units with nearly 13,900 open violations, according to DHS. A January investigative report revealed the deplorable conditions the city's homeless endured at cluster and hotel sites, including dirty walls, charred stovetops, bent and rusted latches on cabinets and refrigerators, moldy ceilings, and smoke detectors haphazardly covered in plastic bags. At at time where homelessness in New York City has exceeded levels unseen since the Great Depression of the 1930s, state senators are calling for a legislative solution to the city's homeless problem. "It is unconscionable to allow children and families to be forced to live in these violation-ridden hotels and cluster sites," said Democratic Senator Diane Savino, who represents Staten Island and Brooklyn. "These sites lack the basic services that homeless families should have access to and make living a normal life difficult, if not impossible." The IDC plans to enact a $488.6 million anti-homelessness program in 2017. The federally and state funded program will supplement rent payments for families and individuals facing eviction, are currently homeless, or who have lost housing due to hazardous conditions or domestic violence. [NATL] Top News Photos: Pope Visits Japan, and More What to Know Two officers were responding to reports of drug dealing in a stairwell of the South Jamaica Houses when they confronted three men An NYPD sergeant opened fire but no one was hit; one man was taken into custody Two of the alleged dealers escaped and police were searching for them Wednesday night Police swarmed the South Jamaica Houses in Queens on Wednesday night to search for two of three men who confronted the officers as they responded to a call about drug dealing in a stairwell, police said. An NYPD sergeant and an officer were approaching the three alleged drug dealers at 159th Street and South Road around 8 p.m. when at least one of the men turned toward the officers with a gun in hand, police said. The sergeant fired one shot, but no one was struck. One man was taken into custody and two imitation firearms were recovered, but two of the men ran off into the building, leading to a heavy police presence as the NYPD searched for them. They had still not been found shortly before midnight. The officer and sergeant were taken to an area hospital for ringing in their ears. No injuries were reported. Police continued to comb for evidence as the search for the men continued. A student club at a Long Island high school has been asked to curtail selling the pink knit hats that became popular during the women's march last month, after a parent complained about them to school officials. Students belonging to a new school club on women's issues at the Pierson Middle-High School in Sag Harbor began sporting the hats last month. After speaking with school officials, they decided to stop selling the hats during school hours, a spokeswoman said. Club member Allura Leggard said, "I wear this hat because I feel empowered. I feel like an empowered woman." But the wave of pink spells only distraction for Sag Harbor mother Janice D'Angelo, whose 12-year-old daughter attends middle school there. "The hats represent a political notion, and it shouldn't be brought into school," said D'Angelo. "During lunchtime, I don't want my daughter subjected to a political issue at school," she said. When she learned on Facebook that the student club was selling hats during school hours, she voiced her dissent to Sag Harbor school officials. Sag Harbor school officials had a discussion with the student club about selling the hats. A spokeswoman initially said the club was asked to stop selling the hats during school hours, but later clarified that it was the club's decision to do so. "It's not disappointing because we're fighting for what we believe in, and we won't be stopped," said Sarah Mac, another member of the student club. The schools superintendent said in a statement that the students' objective is to unify, and the district encourages their freedom of expression through positive actions. The cat-hat wearers say opposition to President Trump did help make the hats a symbol for women, but they say it's about more than politics. "The hat represents feminism and equality for all," said student Isabel Peters. "We have to put a spotlight back on women's issues, and this is one way to do it, in a nice, pretty pink way that keeps our heads warm," said Sag Harbor resident Kathleen Mulcahy. Eighteen-year-old Jordan Johnson was a star athlete at East Hampton High School -- until, last month, he was rushed to Southampton Hospital, nearly dead after suffering a drug overdose. "They brought us into a room and told us his kidneys were shutting down, and he was breathing on a ventilator," recounted his mother, Christine Moran. Jordan was placed in a medically induced coma until he stabilized. And then his parents learned how he ended up in the hospital, through social media. A Snapchat video posted around 8 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 29, shows a boy shouting through a megaphone into Jordans ear. Jordan does not appear to hear, and he lays motionless while his peers continue to use the megaphone directly in his ear. A caption on the video reads, "Why is he out still." Police say they did not receive a 911 call about this incident until 9:18 the following morning. "You could see that he was unresponsive and passed out," said Jordans father, Andre Johnson. "They didnt call anyone until the next day. He laid there for 12, 14 hours without no assistance, no ambulance, no calls, nothing. So thats how most of the damage came out." According to his parents and his friends, the Snapchat was posted by a girl who lived at the home where Jordan was. "He wasnt with any of his actual real friends," said Justin Napolillo, Jordans friend since childhood. The home, Napolillo says, was a known party house. "At the door, shell ask you for 10 dollars and theres usually a guy who waits outside the door who is her dads friend," said Napolillo. "Youll walk in and shell get you Xanax or Oxy from her father." But according to Jordan, who admits he took drugs that night, thats not what put him in the hospital. Speaking to NBC 4 New York's I-Team via Skype from his hospital bed, he said, "He told me it was cocaine but it ended up being morphine." Jordan says he was given 100 milligrams of morphine. It was a first for him, as was his experience afterwards. "It was a party, and I was ODing on the ground, throwing up on myself and they didnt call the ambulance," he said. East Hampton town police said they cannot comment on an open investigation but those familiar with the investigation confirm an adult was home at the time Jordan overdosed. Police said they have been called to the house numerous times before, for noise and parking complaints. "Something should have been done a long time ago before this incident," said Andre Johnson. A few days after Jordans overdose, friends and family say the girl posted an advertisement for yet another party on Instagram. It reads in part, "10 dollars at the door" and "if you have no drugs or alcohol or money you are not going in." "How many kids are going to have to have an overdose or alcohol poisoning before they say enough we got to shut this down?" said Johnson. For now, Jordan remains at the hospital, slowly relearning skills he took for granted, like walking and talking. While his parents fight to make sure this doesnt happen to any other teenager. "People dont want to see this," said Christine Moran. "Maybe some people are a little blind to it, but it is happening in the smaller communities. Its happening in the Hamptons." What to Know Immigrants are being asked to miss work and class and not shop on Thursday to raise national awareness of their impact on community Many restaurants posted plans about their closures on social media Bodega owners staged a similar demonstration last month, with thousands of owners shutting down en masse at noon on Feb. 2 Immigrants in the tri-state and across the nation stayed home from work and school Thursday to demonstrate how important they are to America's economy and way of life, and many businesses closed in solidarity. [NATL] Trump Immigration Order Triggers Protests Across US Called A Day Without Immigrants, the protest culminated in demonstrations outside Manhattan's federal immigration court. Scottie Lopez and his family, who came to the country undocumented and worked toward citizenship, own three Cafe Con Pon bakeries on Staten Island. All are closing Thursday; it's the first time in the company's 10-year history that the bakeries will shut their doors on an otherwise normal business day. "Through this boycott we hope to demonstrate what a day without all of our immigrant brothers and sisters working and spending to contribute to our economy would look like," the family wrote in a Facebook post. Lopez later told NBC 4 New York, "I love America with all of my heart and it pains me that people dislike us just for where we come from." [NATL] Top News Photos: Pope Visits Japan, and More The boycott was aimed squarely at President Donald Trump's efforts to crack down on immigration, legal and illegal, by such means as a wall at the Mexican border. Organizers said they expected thousands to participate or otherwise show their support. The day's activities also included rallies: Protesters were out in Hunts Point in the Bronx before dawn Thursday morning. The neighborhood is home to one of the largest food distribution centers in the world, and the protesters were believed to be workers. Richard Bryan Organizers appealed to immigrants from all walks of life to take part, but the effects were felt most strongly in the restaurant industry, which has long been a first step up the economic ladder for newcomers to America with its many jobs for cooks, dishwashers and servers. I've never been happier to have lunch plans frustrated #ADayWithoutImmigrants Solidarity! pic.twitter.com/p4AIMqzUpE Joseph A. Howley (@hashtagoras) February 16, 2017 In New York City, the Blue Ribbon restaurant group closed seven of its restaurants, and their 500 employees stayed home, according to Eater. Among them are Blue Ribbon Brasserie, Blue Ribbon Brooklyn, and Blue Ribbon Sushi. Restaurants like Dziupla in Williamsburg posted announcements to their customers on Instagram. Other restaurants, including La Contenta on the Lower East Side, Land Thai Kitchen on the Upper West Side, and Pure Thai Cookhouse in Hell's Kitchen notified their customers of plans to close in support of their workers. Other eateries, like Eataly in Flatiron and Fowler & Wells in Lower Manhattan, will remain open but anticipate a limited menu due to workers who will be protesting. Many patrons of the temporarily shuttered businesses took to Twitter to express support for the protest. One man said he was home with his son because the boy's daycare was closed for the day. Another said he had never been happier to have his lunch plans foiled. Susan MacLaury, turned away outside a Venezuelan restaurant in Chelsea by a sign in the window that said, "Sorry, we love America but Government doesn't love us," said she appreciated the message. "I'm sorry I'm not gonna get to eat here today but it's an important message to send," she said. "We are a country of immigrants." Other customers expressed concern the protest would only serve to hurt the businesses. They said they hoped owners would write to Congress and take action by other means as well. "A thousand letters, a thousand petitions, would mean a lot more than this," said Tom Wortmann of Port Richmond. "And they wouldn't be hurting themselves." But business owners say the locks say everything they can't: without immigrants, American neighborhoods would look like ghost towns. "If we don't take advantage and protect everybody as a group, as a whole, the city will fall," said Erick Leon of Port Richmond. Some other restaurants that have announced plans to close Thursday include: Families from overseas who now call America home are reacting to the new orders, and sharing the personal struggles they face, decades after settling here. Ida Siegal has the story of Ali Dogans family, whos now running a restaurant in the city. In New Jersey, restaurants, bodegas and cab companies were expected to take part. Wilda Diaz, mayor of Perth Amboy, wrote in a Facebook post that residents should have alternate means of transit to work or school. Bodega owners in New York City staged a similar demonstration last month, with thousands of owners shutting down en masse at noon on Feb. 2 and then rallying at Brooklyn Borough Hall that evening. They said they wanted to show how much they're part of the fabric of the Big Apple. Some told of how their families were stranded overseas as a result of Trump's travel ban. [NATL-NY] Photos: Yemeni Bodega Owners in NYC Protest Trump Travel Ban Since the end of 2007, the number of foreign-born workers employed in the U.S. has climbed by nearly 3.1 million to 25.9 million; they account for 56 percent of the increase in U.S. employment over that period, according to the Labor Department. The foreign-born - who include American citizens, green-card holders and those working without legal authorization - tend to be younger and to take jobs in fields that have been growing fastest, including restaurants, hotels and stores. Roughly 12 million people are employed in the restaurant industry, and immigrants make up the majority - up to 70 percent in places like New York and Chicago, according to the Restaurant Opportunities Centers United, which works to improve working conditions. An estimated 1.3 million in the industry are immigrants living in the U.S. illegally, the group said. Trump said Thursday he'll soon introduce a new travel ban that meets the requirements imposed by a judge, but he also acknowledged he's still undecided about how to handle the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) -- that is, illegal immigrants who are children. Immigrants across the nation are making their absences known by skipping work and school. Its all part of A Day Without Immigrants. Andrew Siff reports. "You have these absolutely incredible kids who were brought here, and that's why it's so tough," he said. "We are going to deal with it, with heart." The immigration fight coincided with a rare public appearance from Hillary Clinton, who helped the U.S. Postal Service unveil new stamps at Grand Central Terminal honoring Oscar de la Renta. The famed fashion designer is originally from the Dominican Republic. "Let there be many more immigrants with love of America that Oscar de la Renta exemplified every day," said Clinton. Authorities are investigating a collision between a freight train and taxi that killed a passenger in the cab and left two other people injured. A southbound CSX train crashed into the cab at the Doyles Lane crossing in Ulster County's Saugerties around 11:45 a.m. Thursday, the rail company said. Fifty-year-old Bertha Whispell, who was sitting in the back seat of the cab, was thrown from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. A 52-year-old man riding with her and the 43-year-old man driving the cab were treated at Kingston hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. The freight train, which had two locomotives and no cars, was making local deliveries to customers between Kingston and Selkirk at the time of the accident, the railway company said. No one one the train was hurt. Photos show a mangled blue car with nearly all of its windows blown out. The car's front right door hung on its hinges as firefighters probed the vehicle. Much of the side was mangled, as was the rear window and trunk. The crossing has no gates or warning lights. President Donald Trump said Thursday his administration has asked a New York-based private equity executive to lead a review of the U.S. intelligence community as he moves to crack down on "illegal leaks" of classified information. Trump told reporters that Stephen Feinberg, co-founder of Cerberus Capital Management, "is a very talented man, very successful man" who has offered his services. Trump added, "I think that we are gonna be able to straighten it out very easily on its own." Feinberg has been asked to make recommendations on improvements to efficiency and coordination between the various intelligence agencies, a senior White House official said earlier Thursday. Feinberg's position is not official until he completes an ethics review, the official said. The news emerged as Trump seeks to replace national security adviser Michael Flynn, who resigned at Trump's request this week. Feinberg was among the economic advisers for Trump's presidential campaign. Cerberus Capital Management, a firm with $30 billion in investments, is deeply rooted in the Republican establishment. Former Vice President Dan Quayle is the firm's head of global investment, and former Treasury Secretary John W. Snow, who served under President George W. Bush, is the firm's chairman. Democrats were less enthusiastic than Trump about the choice of Feinberg. "While we must always be open to improving organization and coordination among intelligence agencies, taken in concert with the large number of troubling statements President Trump has made denigrating our nation's intelligence professionals, I am extremely concerned that this appointment signals a desire by the administration to marginalize the role of the DNI or even take unprecedented steps to politicize intelligence operations," Warner said. The DNI is the director of national intelligence. Many intelligence professionals are viewing this as another slight by the Trump White House, according to a former senior U.S. intelligence officer who spoke only on condition of anonymity out of concern for putting former colleagues at risk. They already are worried about politicization of the intelligence product and fear this could be a way to hinder their ability to provide information that might contradict the White House's political views, the official said. Mike Hayden, former director of both the CIA and the National Security Agency, said the White House can review inefficiencies within the intelligence community but should not attempt to exert control over the agencies' findings. Hayden said in an interview that the proposed review of the 17 intelligence agencies could be an unsettling development for former Sen. Dan Coats, Trump's nominee for director of intelligence who is yet to be confirmed by Congress. Some current and former administration officials have raised concern over the extent to which Trump has empowered members of his inner circle on matters that are typically left to the intelligence agencies. The newly established Strategic Initiatives Group, headed by White House strategist Steve Bannon, includes a unit charged with counterterrorism intelligence, current and former senior officials say. The unit is headed by White House aide and former national security analyst Sebastian Gorka, who doesn't have appropriate clearance, they said something the officials expressed concern about given the sensitive mandate of the unit. The officials spoke anonymously because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly. Gorka and Bannon have not responded to multiple requests to discuss the matter. U.S. intelligence agencies have concluded that Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a hidden campaign to influence America's presidential election in Trump's favor over Democratic rival Hillary Clinton. Trump said at a news conference Thursday that "I have nothing to do with Russia" but that improved relations would be a good thing. He said, "nobody that I know of" on his campaign staff contacted Russian officials during the campaign. Trump is not the first president to square off with the intelligence community, but his predecessors weren't nearly as vocal about it. Former national security adviser Stephen Hadley, who served under President George W. Bush, told The Associated Press that Trump must avoid "witch hunts or inquisitions" if he is to gain the confidence of the intelligence community. "The president needs to embrace these permanent institutions and show that he respects and appreciates the role the intelligence community, military, diplomats and civil servants play," Hadley said. By Joshua Franklin ZURICH, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Wealthy clients in 2016 pulled out almost $30 billion of untaxed assets from three of the world's biggest private banks, UBS, Credit Suisse and Julius Baer, taking advantage of government programmes letting them pay tax on undeclared money. With tax amnesty programmes in countries like Argentina, Brazil and Indonesia, these so-called regularisation outflows come from clients taking money out of their accounts to pay taxes and penalties. Those who decline to participate in amnesty programmes often have to move their accounts. Swiss banks are still recovering from European and U.S. clients withdrawing tens of billions of dollars following a post-financial crisis clampdown on tax dodging The tax clampdown has eroded Switzerland's bank secrecy rules, which for decades pulled in money from the world's super-rich. UBS and Credit Suisse flagged further withdrawals in 2017 due to these amnesty programmes as well as the introduction of the OECD's Automatic Exchange Of Information, a financial data sharing initiative. "We expect Wealth Management's net new money growth rate to remain around the lower end of our 3 percent to 5 percent target range for 2017," UBS Chief Financial Officer Kirt Gardner said last month. Credit Suisse CFO David Mathers said on Tuesday the bank expected gross outflows of around 9 billion Swiss francs ($9.01 billion) in 2017, though part of this will also come from a pruning of relationships with external asset managers at its Swiss business. These outflows at Julius Baer should tail off in 2018, the bank's Chief Executive Boris Collardi said earlier this month. ($1 = 0.9987 Swiss francs) (Editing by Jane Merriman) Pennsylvania celebrated its first day of selling beer in Wawa Thursday morning with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by the company's CEO Chris Gheysens, Wawa staff and fans. The recently remodeled convenience store-- located on Naaman's Creek Road in Chadds Ford -- includes a walk-in beer cooler to keep alcoholic beverages cold and 30 restaurant-style seats. Wawa renovated the Delaware County store by adding the new features to comply with Pennsylvania's unconventional beer laws. However, Wawa implemented beer laws of their own. "Internally, we are allowing one beer per person when they sit and consume [in the dining area]," said Gheysens, the "lead goose" of the company.[[413963133, C]] Customers are only allowed to buy two 6-packs or one 12-pack from a wide variety of brew. The store provides a separate register for buyers to check-out-- where each person will get asked to show identification. Additionally, Wawa has rules about what time customers can purchase alcoholic beverages; on Mondays through Saturdays, beer can be bought from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. and from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Sundays. Wawa fans hoping for beers to hit the racks at their local stores are out of luck. The Delaware County store will be the only Wawa in the state to sell beer because of its size. "This is the largest store we have in our entire fleet of 750 Wawas," Gheysens said. "This was the only [Wawa in Pennsylvania] that allowed us to ... meet the license requirements." Beer sales aren't a new feature for Wawa; stores in Florida and Virginia already sell beer. A Montgomery County father faces charges that he beat his 24-day-old daughter. District Attorney Kevin Steele announced aggravated assault and child endangerment charges Thursday against Luis Bonanno of Harleysville. Towamencin Township police and county detectives began investigating Bonanno, 34, after the infants mother took the child to the hospital to have breathing problems the girl had poor oral intake and was exhibiting a licking noise while breathing in checked out on Sept. 12, 2016, the DAs office said in a news release. The girl was transferred to the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia where doctors found the baby had fractured ribs, a broken skull and other issues, the DA said. The county's children and youth office investigated the case. Investigators eventually found that Bonanno pressed on his daughters chest multiple times, the DA said. A judge arraigned Bonanno Tuesday and sent him to to county jail after he was unable to post $100,000 bail, court records said. Norristown-based attorney Frank Flick, who is presenting Bonanno, told NBC10 that he was still sorting through details of the case Thursday and couldn't comment further since he had yet to meet with his client. [[238427591, C]] Three former officials of a suburban Philadelphia fire company have been ordered to pay $35,000 restitution after no contest pleas to theft and conspiracy charges. The Delaware County Daily Times reports that 52-year-old former Colwyn Borough Volunteer Fire Company president Elizabeth Cellini entered the pleas Monday in Delaware County Court. She was sentenced to 60 weekends, 60 days on electronic home monitoring. Her boyfriend, 51-year-old Gary Brice, and her 27-year-old daughter, Lauren Cellini, were sentenced to two years intermediate punishment with 15 consecutive weekends at the county prison. Authorities said they wrote themselves checks and made cash withdrawals. Elizabeth Cellini's attorney said she cares for a sick mother. Brice's attorney said he regrets that his firefighting career ended this way. Lauren Cellini's attorney called her a "bad record-keeper." Organizers in cities across the U.S. are telling immigrants to miss class, miss work and not shop on Thursday as a way to show the country how important they are to America's economy and way of life. "A Day Without Immigrants'' actions are planned in cities including Philadelphia, Washington, Boston and Austin, Texas. The protest comes in response to President Donald Trump and his 1-month-old administration. The Republican president has pledged to increase deportation of immigrants living in the country illegally, build a wall along the Mexican border, and ban people from certain majority-Muslim countries from coming into the U.S. He also has blamed high unemployment on immigration. [[413936653, C]] Employers and institutions in some cities were already expressing solidarity Wednesday with immigrant workers. Washington restaurateur John Andrade said he would close his businesses Thursday, and David Suro, owner of Tequilas Restaurant in Philadelphia and a Mexican immigrant, said he also planned to participate. The Davis Museum at Wellesley College in Massachusetts said it would remove or shroud all artwork created by or given to the museum through Feb. 21. Organizers in Philadelphia said they expect hundreds of workers and families to participate. [[413911323, C]] "Our goal is to highlight the need for Philadelphia to expand policies that stop criminalizing communities of color,'' said Erika Almiron, executive director of Juntos, a nonprofit group that works with the Latino immigrant community. "What would happen if massive raids did happen? What would the city look like?'' Almiron said that while community groups have not seen an uptick in immigration raids in the city, residents are concerned about the possibility. Immigrants working in Philadelphia plan to take part in the nationwide Day Without Immigrants protest Thursday. NBC10s Aundrea Cline-Thomas has the details. Local businesses in Philadelphia are getting ready for the potential missing staff members Thursday. NBC10 Philadelphia's Rosemary Connors visited local Mexican restaurant El Azteca Wednesday afternoon where staff "fully support a day without immigrants." Betty Nunez, who works with the El Azteca staff, believes the day is an opportunity for immigrants to make a statement, even if it means lost wages and lost profits. "It's a sacrifice that we're willing to make," Nunez said. Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney is among leaders in several cities nationwide who have vowed to maintain their "sanctuary city'' status and declined to help federal law enforcement with deportation efforts. Many people who make the choice to skip work Thursday will not be paid in their absence, but social media posts encouraging participation stressed that the cause is worth the sacrifice. As the immigration debate continues nationwide, workers in the Philadelphia area are preparing to walk off the job Thursday. NBC10s Rosemary Connors spoke with restaurant owners who are willing to lose a day of business in order to let their voices be heard. A gunman shot and killed a teenager along a South Philadelphia street midday Wednesday. Gunfire rang out on S Bancroft Street near Tasker Street around 11:45 a.m. leaving 17-year-old Tyrese Johnson shot twice in his back, Philadelphia police said. Officers rushed the boy to Penn Presbyterian Hospital where doctors pronounced Johnson -- who lived a few blocks away on Cleveland Street -- dead a short time later, police said. As SkyForce10 hovered overhead, you could see investigators searching for clues. When identifying Johnson Thursday, investigators still didnt reveal a motive for the killing or name any possible suspects. [[238427591, C]] A man is in the hospital after he was shot several times by police officers in the West Oak Lane section of Philadelphia Wednesday night. Police say two plainclothes officers saw two men walk out of a known drug house near the 2100 block of East Chelten Avenue around 8:30 p.m. The men tried to get into a car but the alarm went off, according to investigators. The officers went over and frisked the two men. They then noticed that one of them had a gun, police said. That man then allegedly fled and pointed the gun toward the two plainclothes officers and one uniformed officer who had just arrived, according to investigators. The three officers then fired at the man and shot him several times. The unidentified man was taken to the Einstein Medical Center where he is in critical but stable condition. Police also took the second man into custody. Police say they recovered the man's gun at the scene. No officers were injured during the incident. They continue to investigate. Police say the block where the shooting occurred is a high crime area. In the past three months, there have been 37 violent crimes in that area, according to police data. It's easy to get lost in "Home for Home," the debut EP from San Diego "nu stargaze" experimentalists Vakoum. Unhindered by generic formats and formulaic pop constraints, the group oozes originality. Comprised of multi-instrumentalists/producers Kelli Rudick and Natalia Padilla (who initially met in New York City and began playing together in 2013), the duo's first proper release is the stuff that legendary careers are established on. While I don't want to get lost in hyperbole, it's not difficult to see the promise in "Home for Home." Each song is mind-scrambling complex -- featuring electronic accoutrements over razor-sharp live drums, plinking pianos, spacial synthesizers, bone-dry electric guitar, and the pair's angelic vocals (which are occasionally sampled into strange glitches and often harmonized together). While Rudick and Padilla count Cocteau Twins and Massive Attack as influences, they're called upon only remotely here. Tracks like "Still Ready" and "ICE" may head into atmospheric territories plotted by those iconic groups but Vakoum sidestep the easy pitfall of simply modeling their own music after their heroes -- instead, they swerve into stranger arrangements with even more eclectic instrumentation and increasingly odd time signatures. That's a tricky move for any artist, and it makes this EP all the more fascinating: "Home for Home" seems designed with precision accuracy (if you've seen the group live, that's very obvious) but at the same time, it's wholly propelled by true experimentalism -- like all four tracks were results of spontaneous mistakes that were somehow perfected into something new and glorious. What a breath of fresh air. Vakoum perform at Soda Bar on Feb. 22, with Mozart's Sister and Teen Daze. Their "Home for Home" EP is now available to purchase on iTunes here. Dustin Lothspeich books The Merrow, plays in Diamond Lakes, and runs the music equipment-worshipping blog Gear and Loathing in San Diego. Follow his updates on Twitter or contact him directly. Last week I kept talking about the three-day weekend, and then I realized that some people actually get Friday off instead of this past Monday, but either way, you're gonna want to get your weekend roll on early with all of these great shows on Thursday evening. At Blonde, our dear friends the Lulls (SoundDiego associate editor Rutger Rosenborg on guitar and vox) hope to capture your ears, while solo electronic music maker Computer Magic wants to thaw your digital heart at the Casbah. Our team is also excited about the sweet tunes of Weyes Blood at Soda Bar, and our friend Matt Lamkin of the Soft Pack is at the Hideout supporting Wyatt Blair. For those looking for a bigger party, Galactic return to the Belly Up and Bone Thugs are at the Observatory. Thursday, Feb. 16: The Lulls, Exasperation, BodySong @ Blonde Computer Magic, Chad Valley, Brett @ Casbah Weyes Blood, Fatal Jamz @ Soda Bar -- read our interview with Weyes Blood here Wyatt Blair, Matt Lamkin & the Previous Crush, Spooky Cigarette @ The Hideout DJ Ikah Love @ Bar Pink Galactic, the Bright Light Social Hour @ Belly Up Bone Thugs n Harmony @ The Observatory North Park Shell Shock @ The Holding Company 1502 The Roman Watchdogs, Pictographs, Bossfight @ Pour House Oceanside Christian Taylor Band, Jackson Price Solo @ Sycamore Den Peter Mulvey and Heather Maloney @ Brick 15 Eli Young Band @ House of Blues Kid Wilderness, Coral Bells, Oskar and Julia @ The Merrow Thursdaze @ U-31 Nashville Nights @ Crossroads, House of Blues (free) The Fabulous Ultratones @ Humphrey's Backstage Live Alive & Well, Luneaux, North By North, Super Buffet @ Tower Bar Spirit in the Room, the Great Sadness, Ultima Circo @ The Bancroft Expire (last San Diego show) @ Che Cafe Open Jam Session @ Winston's (6-9 p.m.) AceyAlone, Atlantis Rizing, Infinite Points, ID the Poet, Seancy @ Winston's DJMysonKing @ The Office Al of the Things with Lil Sus @ El Dorado DJ Yodah @ Henry's Pub Acid Varsity @ Kava Lounge Mercedes Moore @ Tio Leo's Ratt Black with Red Wizard @ Boar Cross'n Liquid Courage Karaoke @ 710 Beach Club Rosemary Bystrak is the publicist for the Casbah and writes about the San Diego music scene, events and general musings about life in San Diego on San Diego: Dialed In. Follow her updates on Twitter or contact her directly. Jason Chaffetz Jason Chaffetz, the Republican head of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, says he wants an investigation into classified intelligence leaks that have been causing an uproar in the Trump administration. Chaffetz asserted in a letter to the Inspector General published on Wednesday that the leaks could have "grave effects" on national security. Chaffetz cited details revealed in news stories about President Donald Trump's former national security adviser, Michael Flynn, and he pointed to conversations between a former deputy US attorney general and a White House lawyer who conferred over US Justice Department (DOJ) findings about Flynn's phone calls with a Russian ambassador. That story surrounding Flynn ultimately led to his resignation on Monday. Trump called the leaks "un-American." Democratic lawmakers earlier this week criticized Chaffetz for what they perceived as a lack of interest in looking at Flynn's associations with Russia, which the DOJ said last month could potentially compromise Flynn and make him susceptible to blackmail. Russia and its president, Vladimir Putin, have cast a pall over the Trump campaign and administration for some time. Chaffetz himself faced angry constituents in his congressional district in Utah last week. He was repeatedly shouted down during a raucous town hall meeting near Salt Lake City. People at the event grilled him over his responses to the Trump administration's early controversies, and at several points, alternated between chants of "do your job" and "your last term." NOW WATCH: 'Doesn't sound too optimistic': Watch Trump and Netanyahus awkward exchange over West Bank settlements More From Business Insider BUCKET LISTS... get a lot of play near the start of the year, in large part because our resolutions are so strongly tied to our future goals, must-dos, and dream accomplishments. And while the sort of day-to-day resolutions we make about our health, our sleep, our work, and our relationships obviously hold a lot of water, the visions we hold in our heart, and slightly out-sized daydreams, have a lot of resolution-based cred, too. And if travel-based articles regularly catch your attention like train trips that call upon major landmarks and adventurers who visit every state capitol over the course of a year perhaps it is time to mull over your get-out, see-America plans. And if one of those plans is to visit every national park (yep, that's a big one), or at least visit every national park in California, well, there are some very helpful days on the calendar to note. These are the... FEE-FREE DAYS, where well over 100 national parks, monuments, and historic sites tell at-the-gate fees "goodbye" and "so long," at least for a day or two. The first fee-free day of 2017 has happened it was on Jan. 16, in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day but the next is just ahead. It's Presidents Day, which falls on Monday, Feb. 20, and spots like Yosemite National Park and Joshua Tree National Park will waive fees and wave nature fans on through, no wallet-opening required. And if you really want to fell-swoop a few parks over a few days, for free (at least "for free" at the entrance), note that there are a full four free days coming up in April, in honor of National Park Week. They don't happen concurrently, but rather on April 15 and 16 and April 22 and 23, but bet you could get mighty bucket-list-y within that quartet of days, as far as finally visiting a slew of national parks goes. You can do it. This is your year. Break out the maps. At least eight different hate groups are active or headquartered in San Diego County, the lowest number in five years, according to the latest data from the Southern Poverty Law Center. The non-profit works to combat hate and discrimination and tracks hate groups across the country. In their latest report, the year 2016 is being called an unprecedented year of hate. According to the 2016 data, across the United States, the number of hate groups is on the rise and the organization cites the election of President Donald Trump and rhetoric during the campaign as partly responsible for the increase. Local attorney, and SPLC Board Member, James McElroy told NBC 7 Investigates the number of hate groups that are active in the San Diego region varies from year to year. In Southern California, San Diego, we have had a long history of extremism, he said. McElroy has spent more than 25 years taking on civil rights cases in San Diego. According to the latest data from SPLC, there are at least eight hate groups active throughout San Diego County. The groups are operating in San Marcos, Vista, City of San Diego, Poway and Lemon Grove. The groups include an anti-LGBT group, an anti-Semitic group, and black separatist groups. According to the SPLC, the latest data shows there is a total of 79 groups active in California. Eleven of those groups are active across the state but SPLC does not have information on specifically where the groups are based or if they are active in the San Diego region. Those groups include organized White Aryan and Neo-Nazi groups. The SPLC report shows the number of anti-Muslim hate groups saw the greatest rise. Nationwide, there were 34 groups in 2015. That number is now up to 101. In the report, the SPLC points to the latest FBI statistics from 2015 that show hate crimes against Muslims increased by 67 percent. Nationwide, the SPLC reports that hate groups rose from 892 organizations in 2015 to 917 last year. Click here to read more about the nationwide SPLC data. According to McElroy, there's been an increase in hate incidents in San Diego County, since the election of President Trump. From the anecdotal as well as some empirical evidence there has been quite an increase in hate incidents, he said. That includes hate crimes that are just characterized as harassment. NBC 7 Investigates reached out to the Trump administration for comment on the latest report from the SPLC but didn't receive a response. Wednesday, at a news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Trump was asked about the rise of anti-Semitism and racism in the U.S. The President didn't offer specifics but said, We are going to do everything within our power to stop long-simmering racism and every other thing that's going on." The increased activity of hate groups is something San Diego County Deputy District Attorney Oscar Garcia said he is seeing first hand. We have been receiving a lot more calls from police agencies, community-based organizations about hate incidents, he said. Garcia has headed up the San Diego County District Attorneys hate crimes unit for 11 years. He said hate incidents and crimes are not just limited to the people affected. It causes the disruption among the community as far as the social fabric, of certain groups not trusting other groups. Chula Vista voters approved a half-cent sales tax to raise funds for road repair and other city expenses. While the tax wont begin until April 1, the work began Wednesday with a $3 million advancement approved by the Chula Vista City Council. Streets will be upgraded because of Measure P. At Floyd and Berland, city crews kicked off the first project to be funded by the half-cent sales tax approved in the November election. In this neighborhood, roads are being re-paved. John Carter has lived in Chula Vista for 56 years and hes excited to see the work being done. Every street in every community needs to be repaired entirely and kept in good maintenance, Carter said. Jon Kennedy, who has lived in the neighborhood for 23 years said the roads really need repair. I drive off-road vehicles and its bumpy as heck for me. I can imagine people in really nice cars, its just got to be driving them up the walls, rattling their feelings going down the road, said Kennedy. Beginning April 1, the citys sales tax will be 8.25 percent. This additional half-cent tax will last over the next 10 years. The money from the tax is expected to raise $178 million that will go to improving parks and replacing failing infrastructure. "This measure is aimed at the infrastructure itself, it does not include soft costs or personnel costs," Chula Vista's City Manager Gary Halbert explained in a November interview. A driver failed to stop at a red light and collided with two people crossing Mira Mesa Boulevard Thursday, San Diego Police said. San Diego Police and San Diego Fire-Rescue crews were called to Marbury Avenue and Mira Mesa Boulevard just after 6 a.m. One of the pedestrians, 59-year-old Lilian Sta Romana Ramos of San Diego, died in the collision. Ramos was a married Filipino woman living with her husband and step-daughter in Mira Mesa, according to the Medical Examiner's office. Her husband, 64, was rushed to a nearby hospital with a broken bone and head injuries, police said. He is recovering. A 2011 Honda Sedan traveling eastbound on Mira Mesa Boulevard failed to stop for a red light at Marbury Avenue, investigators said. The driver, identified only as a 26-year-old man, stayed at the scene. Traffic investigators say the couple was crossing the street southbound in the west crosswalk. Family members say Ramos worked for Flagship Cruises and her husband worked for San Diego State. They say the couple parked near the location where they were hit everyday and took the bus to work. The location is near the U.S. Post Office, west of Interstate 15. Mira Mesa Boulevard was closed to traffic from Greenford to Black Mtn. roads. The section of road reopened before noon, according to police. A nurse who was driving in the area at the time stopped to help. She spoke with NBC 7 but asked not to be identified. The nurse was on her way to work when she stopped. The female victim wasn't moving, she said, so she began CPR. An officer with the academy stopped by to help as well, she said. It's unclear if the driver will be charged. A 15-year-old male was shot and killed by a homeowner during a Lemon Grove home invasion, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department. On Tuesday, deputies released the identity of the person killed in the shooting on Edding Drive on February 7. Initially, investigators described the person killed as 18 to 25 years old. Now, deputies have identified the person as 15-year-old Derrick Harris, Jr. Sheriff's homicide investigators said the homeowner used one of the intruders' guns to shoot Harris in the torso, killing him. The homeowner's son was also injured in the shooting. Investigators said Harris and a second suspect targeted the home. The suspects intentionally came to this home but we don't believe the victims knew the suspects," SDSO Homicide Detective Kenn Nelson said. Multiple home security cameras in the area, including a door bell camera, appeared to show that a second suspect fled in a car parked near the house. Sheriff's investigators said they do not have a description of the suspect or the car he was driving. But he is considered to be armed and dangerous. Anyone with information about this incident can call the Homicide Detail at (858) 974-2321/after hours at (858) 565-5200 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477. With a major winter storm forecasted for Friday and lasting into the weekend, City of San Diego crews have been busy clearing drain pipe in zones known to get backed up during heavy rain. According to the City of San Diego, over the past three weeks, city crews have been cleaning drain pipe to prepare San Diegos storm water infrastructure for more heavy rain. The City of San Diego said Thursday that during this time, crews have also inspected 24 channel locations and removed loose debris that could cause clogging. Urgent repairs and checks were completed at pump stations as well, and, according to a press release from the city, Crews performed spot repairs and replaced deteriorated pipe to improve drainage in problematic areas. At the Vactor work site located on the 3200 block of F Street in San Diego, City Public Information Officer Anthony Santacroce said crews were working to clear debris. "This is an issue area for us. What happens is large debris comes off the highway or is left thereclothes, cardboard, bits of furniture, things like that clog that big 42 inch diameter site," he said. "Were here weekly making sure it is unclogged." As the storm approaches, City officials say they are also checking pump stations and placing 'No Parking' signs in streets prone to flooding. "We have a big checklist of areas throughout the City we know to pay special attention to and make sure they're in optimal working condition to handle the storm," Santacroce said. Santacroce also shared tips on how residents can prepare their properties for the looming storm. "Citizens can do small scale what the city does large scale," he explained. That includes sweeping up debris on their property to avoid clogging drains, inspecting their property for trees or branches that may become an issue during the rain or wind, and securing objects that may blow away or fall over. NBC 7 spoke to some residents Thursday who said they aren't looking forward to the storm but will take precautions. I'm going to stay inside. I'm glad my daughters aren't going to school because of President's Day, Melissa Gamboa said. If residents see anything life-threatening, they are asked to call 911. Otherwise, when the storm hits, San Diegans are asked to report flooding and downed trees by using the Get It Done app. NBC 7 meteorologist Jodi Kodesh said light rain and a breeze early Friday will be replaced by intense rain and winds by 4 p.m. This is one of the most powerful storm systems weve seen in a really long time, she said. Please heed these warnings. Get First Alert weather updates from NBC 7 here. A 24-year-old woman is warning others to be careful when selling property online after she was robbed at gunpoint. Ann, who wished only to be identified by her first name, said she learned that lesson the hard way when she used Offer Up to sell her high-end electronics. Offer Up is a smartphone application that allows people to sell items to people in their neighborhoods. Ann said she arranged a meeting with a man in San Diego's Chollas Creek neighborhood at approximately noon Thursday, near 52nd and Oak Park. When the man arrived, he looked through her property in her duffel bag and then he showed her a gun tucked into his pants. "When I showed him the stuff, he pulled out a gun and threatened me," Ann said. "He was going to shoot me if I dont get out of here. That was his exact words, get out of here.'" The suspects took a computer, camera and headphones. Ann said the whole incident left her shaken. I was scared, I was frightened, I didnt know what to do, so I just backed off and I just told him to take the stuff because its just stuff, I cared more about my life," Ann said. The suspects have not been caught. Police are looking for two men last seen in a silver Dodge Charger fleeing the scene. The driver was described to be about 14 to 16 years old. The passenger in the car was described as approximately 20 years old with a gun. The victim told police they were doing a deal on the "Offer Up" app when the robbery occurred, according to SDPD Officer Billy Hernandez. Anyone with information is asked to call police. No other information was available. A clinical trial is underway on the effectiveness of marijuana for treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in veterans. The study was launched on Monday by the Multidisciplinary Association of Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), a non-profit research organization in California. According to officials, the study will focus on the effectiveness and safety of using marijuana at four separate potency levels. NBC 7 spoke to some local veterans on Wednesday who said they hope that if the results are positive, medical marijuana could help thousands of veterans living with PTSD. Kayla Carnevale, a Marine veteran served in Iraq in 2001, was diagnosed with PTSD by the VA. She told NBC 7, she recently began using medical marijuana regularly at night and said it has changed her life. "I feel good. I have a good night sleep and also I feel happier that I'm not waking up to bad nightmares as well," she said. She added that prior to using medical marijuana, she would wake up in the middle of the night in "excruciating pain". "They kept prescribing pill, after pill, after pill, after pill trying to figure out how to get rid of that and it was just as simple as the marijuana," she added. Carnevale said she knows many veterans who served in combat who have PTS and they, like her, also have a medical marijuana card. But the drug is not covered through the VA and can cost more than $100 a month. "Not all veterans can afford that," she said. A spokesperson with the San Diego VA medical center told us the VA cannot participate in marijuana research because they are banned by federal agencies. The VA has also been under pressure to prescribe less drugs, including pain killers because of addiction and overdoes issues. The study will be conducted on 76 veterans in two locations--Phoenix, Arizona and Baltimore, Maryland. Burglars broke into a home in the Talmadge area of San Diego in the middle of the day, taking off with thousands of dollars worth of things. David Fahselts home on the 4500 block of Euclid Avenue was burglarized on Feb. 9, in the middle of the day. "They stole a couple laptops, an iPad, various small things, some cash. Went into my wife's prayer area. I feel really violated with it all," Fahselt said. His neighbor's surveillance camera recorded the burglary. The video appeared to show two men jumping the back wall and then walking through the backyard to the home before breaking through a gate to get inside. Fahselt and his wife said they are left with the uneasy feeling of having complete strangers making themselves at home where they didn't belong. He added, kind of helpless and traumatized. I know my wife is more scared than I am. It takes a little while to get over it." The San Diego Police Department is investigating the incident, but so far, no arrests have been made. Fahselt used the app Nextdoor to post about the burglary and spread the word to his neighbors. He told NBC 7, he's hoping it could help keep his neighborhood safe. The Trump administration appears to be easing away from longstanding U.S. support for Palestinian statehood as the preferred outcome of Middle East peace efforts, which may please some allies of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel. But the alternatives are few, and each comes with daunting and combustible complications, including for Israel itself. The idea of two states in the Holy Land a Jewish Israel and an Arab Palestine rests on a particular logic: There are two quite different peoples of roughly equal size living between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River; each wants their own nation-state to control and dominate numerically; each has shown tenacity toward this goal. This would require Israel to let go of most and maybe all of the territory it captured in the 1967 war, when it completed its takeover of all the land that British colonizers abandoned in 1948. That includes the highly strategic West Bank, where there are now islands of Palestinian autonomy, scattered Jewish settlements and overriding Israeli military control; the eastern part of Jerusalem, which Israel has fully annexed and populated with Jews; and the coastal Gaza Strip, which was actually evacuated in 2005 and is now controlled by the Islamic militants of Hamas and blockaded by Israel and Egypt. Over the years many and probably most Israelis have come around to the idea of a partition largely because they want to be considered a democracy and do not want all the Palestinian future citizens that would come along with the territory. For almost two decades, U.S. policy has been to advocate a two-state solution. But over two decades of peace talks have failed to produce agreement on the details, and many on both sides consider it impossible without a major change in circumstances massive global pressure on Israel, more upheaval in neighboring Arab countries, perhaps tectonic shifts in the prevailing world order. Ahead of Wednesday's White House meeting between President Donald Trump and Netanyahu, a senior U.S. official suggested a two-state solution was optional, bringing condemnation from Palestinian officials. But many of them have for years been quietly preparing for an alternative strategy of a single bi-national state in the Holy Land. In his White House news conference with Netanyahu, Trump said he was hoped for a deal but could live with two states or one state whichever the sides prefer. Here's a look at the scenarios: ONE STATE For years this was the goal of the Palestine Liberation Organization, and for many Palestinians it is indeed the preferred option: a single democratic state, not defined as specifically Jewish or Arab, in the area of British colonial Palestine. Many prefer it anyway to the two-state notion whereby even if Israel gives up all the land it captured in 1967 it retains almost 80% of Palestine. The problem is that almost no one in Israel is arguing for the true extension of full rights to Palestinians in the currently occupied territories because even with Gaza excluded it would leave Arabs constituting close to half the country's population and that is clearly the end of the Zionist dream of a Jewish state. This is why Israel never annexed the West Bank and why the more sophisticated nationalists profess to support a partition albeit on terms the Palestinians aren't likely to accept. If the Palestinians formally drop the two-state strategy and demand incorporation into Israel it will put Israel in the awkward position of refusing to annex territories where it has been settling Jews for decades. Or it might annex the areas but continue to deny the Palestinians there Israeli citizenship, leading to an uproar among liberal Israelis. Down this path lie coercion efforts in the form of international sanctions on Israel or Palestinian violence. INTERIM AGREEMENT Many Israelis have concluded that a final peace agreement with the Palestinians is simply not possible because the Palestinians are asking for the moon as a result of a feeling that they hold the demographic cards. It is not just about territory: the Palestinians still in theory demand a "right of return" to Israel proper for millions of descendants of Palestinian refugees living around the region and the world, which the vast majority of Jewish Israelis reject. But perhaps a partial deal is possible whereby the Palestinians would not have to forego future claims but for now get their state on, say, 80 percent of the West Bank, with some sort of preferred access or new regime in the Old City of Jerusalem? Even the current nationalist Netanyahu government would probably accept such a thing, but the Palestinians have ruled it out, fearing the temporary would become permanent. To get them to agree would require massive global and Arab world pressure, and risks huge internal conflict among the Palestinians. JORDANIAN OPTION Jordan took over the West Bank and east Jerusalem during the 1948-1949 Arab-Israel war that followed the British pullout, lost the areas to Israel in 1967 and then gave up all claims to them in favor of the Palestinians in the 1980s. But Jordan is a country with a majority Palestinian-descended population, and some Israelis still think that it can play a role in satisfying Palestinian national aspirations while resuming control over only a part of the West Bank. But this would probably require a collapse of Hashemite rule, founded on Jordan's Bedouin population, and as such is anathema to the Jordanian monarchy, which is beloved by many israelis for making peace with them in 1994. Adding to the difficulties, the Palestinians reject it altogether as well. PARTIAL UNILATERAL PULLOUT Under these vexing circumstances many Israelis conclude no peace is possible, but they still want to be rid of the Palestinian population of the West Bank. In the mid-2000s the government of Ehud Olmert planned a unilateral pullout from most of the territory, to follow the 2005 withdrawal from Gaza. But those plans were upended when Gaza was taken over by Hamas militants and became a launching pad for rocket attacks on Israel, leading to several mini-wars. Few want to see that scenario repeated with the West Bank, which is much larger, very close to Israel's main cities and genuinely important for Israel's defense. Now talk grows of a pullout of settlers from some areas, to create a more convincing reality of partition, while the military stays for now, pending some future arrangement. NATO? A global or Arab peacekeeping force? Perpetual Israeli control? No one can say. STATUS QUO When the best that can be hoped for is the least bad option, the status quo looks attractive to some. But Israel is constantly changing the landscape by adding settlers already there are some 350,000 Israelis in the West Bank and a quarter million in East Jerusalem. This arrangement, brittle and loved by few, undermines Israel's democratic credentials by leaving millions of people without a vote for the government that has ultimate control over their fate. The Palestinians do not have a history of acquiescing for long: There were multi-year uprisings in the late 1980s and early 2000s and a spate of violence in late 2015 and early 2016. Down this path lies the very strong likelihood of more. A Seattle-area man who was brought to the U.S. illegally as a child but was protected from deportation under a policy by President Barack Obama is suing the federal government over his arrest and detention last week. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested 23-year-old Daniel Ramirez Medina on Friday at his father's home. Agents were there to arrest his father and took Ramirez into custody even though he has a work permit under Obama's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, court documents said. ICE spokeswoman Rose Richeson said in a statement that Ramirez told agents he was a gang member and based on those statements and being a "risk to public safety," he was taken into custody. Mark Rosenbaum, one of Ramirez's lawyers, responded that Ramirez "unequivocally denies being in a gang" and that the statement from Richeson is inaccurate. "While in custody, he was repeatedly pressured by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to falsely admit affiliation," Rosenbaum said. Northwest Immigrants Rights Project Legal Director Matt Adams told The Associated Press that Ramirez who was brought to the U.S. from Mexico when he was 7 has a job, a young son and no criminal record. Ramirez is being held in Tacoma, Washington. Adams said Ramirez is the first person he knows of with DACA status who has been detained. "This appears to be a complete one-off," Adams said. "We certainly haven't seen this with our other hundreds of clients who have DACA status as well." Attorneys for Ramirez argue the arrest violates his constitutional rights to live and work in this country without the fear of arrest and deportation so long as he satisfies DACA requirements. "Trust in our government depends upon the Executive Branch keeping its word," Rosenbaum, director of Public Counsel's Opportunity Under Law Project, said in a statement. "Bait and switch sullies the integrity of our nation's core values." Emily Langlie, a spokeswoman for the US attorney's office in Seattle, said Tuesday afternoon it would be premature to comment on the lawsuit. A hearing in the case has been scheduled for Friday in federal court in Seattle. Recent sweeps by U.S. immigration agents across multiple states have netted some immigrants with no criminal records, a departure from enforcement actions in the last decade. Under the Obama administration, agents focused more narrowly on individuals who posed a security or public safety threat. President Donald Trump made illegal immigration a cornerstone of his campaign, saying he will build a wall along the Mexican border and deport millions of people, although actual plans have yet to be revealed. He has said he wants to focus on people who have committed crimes. During an interview with Time magazine late last year, Trump expressed sympathy for the more than 740,000 people in the DACA program, which started in 2012. "We're going to work something out that's going to make people happy and proud," he told the magazine. Trump can withdraw the promised protection right away through an "operational memo" because Obama implemented it through one, William Stock, president of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, said previously. Adams said he believes Ramirez was apprehended by mistake. "I don't think this has to do with any change in policy; I just think it was an enforcement procedure gone wrong," Adams said. "Hopefully they're going to come to their senses." What to Know The new director of the lab responsible for tests in DC had the Zika test audited and found flaws. 409 specimens that tested negative for Zika between July and December were sent to CDC for retesting. Of the first batch of retest results, two of 62 specimens tested positive for Zika. Two pregnant women who tested negative for Zika virus last year retested positive after flaws were found in the testing, D.C. officials announced Thursday. D.C. is having all 409 specimens that tested negative between July and December retested by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention labs, D.C. Department of Forensic Sciences Director Jenifer Smith said. So far, 62 specimens have been retested, and two came back positive. Those results came in Wednesday. The patients' doctors have been contacted. The women have given birth, but the outcome of their pregnancies is unknown. Forensic Sciences hired Dr. Anthony Tran last year as director of its Public Health Laboratory, which handles all testing for the District. He had the laboratory's practices audited and learned of the flawed test, which was suspended Dec. 14. One of the problems was a mathematical error, he said. The laboratory is working with the CDC to correct the test and get it back in use. Of the 409 specimens, 294 were from pregnant women and 115 were from women who weren't pregnant or men. The majority of the specimens are being tested at a CDC lab in Fort Collins, Colorado. Smith anticipates more false negatives. It could take up to four weeks to get the rest of the results. In February 2016, the Department of Health confirmed three cases of Zika, including one in a pregnant woman. Each patient had traveled outside the United States, officials said. One patient who caught the virus in 2015 had visited South America. In the two cases stemming from 2016, including the pregnant woman, one traveled to South America and another traveled to Central America, according to health officials. Zika is transmitted from infected mosquitoes to people and from pregnant mothers to babies. The virus usually causes a mild illness, but babies born to mothers with the virus can have microcephaly, a condition associated with small, undeveloped brains. While the virus is not spread by casual human contact, health officials say it could be sexually transmitted. What to Know Detectives began to unravel the murder case due to another murder investigation, this one in Prince William County, Virginia. Authorities found video evidence suggesting a missing 15-year-old Maryland girl had been murdered during another homicide investigation, Fairfax County Police said Thursday. The body of 15-year-old Damaris Alexandra Reyes Rivas was found Saturday; she had been missing for two months. A total of 10 suspects have been charged in connection with the girl's abduction and death. Among them, five -- two adults and three teenagers -- are facing charges of murder, abduction and gang participation. Police have identified them as Jose Castillo Rivas, 18, of Springfield; Wilmer A. Sanchez-Serrano, 21, of no fixed address; and three 17-year-olds. Five more suspects -- Cindy Blanco Hernandez, 18, of Reston; Aldair J. Miranda Carcamo, 18, of Springfield, and three other teenagers -- have been charged with abduction and gang participation. Within the past week, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has lodged detainers on four of the suspects: Blanco Hernandez, Castillo Rivas, Miranda Carcamo and Sanchez-Serrano, a spokesperson for ICE said Thursday afternoon. Police believe everyone involved is acquainted or affiliated with one gang, Fairfax County Police 2nd Lt. Brian Gaydos said. "Somehow, some way the people are connected through acquaintances, through knowledge of the crimes or some other investigatory information that detectives have uncovered through speaking with a whole plethora of people," he said. Detectives began to unravel the murder of Reyes Rivas while attending a multi-jurisdiction briefing Jan. 25 led by Prince George's County Police, said Fairfax Police Chief Edwin Roessler during a press conference Thursday. During the January event, authorities determined that two missing juveniles from Fairfax County were "indirectly linked by association" to the 21-year-old victim of a recent homicide in Prince William County, Roessler said. That victim was Christian Sosa Rivas, Prince William County authorities said. His body was found Jan. 12 along the Potomac River in Dumfries, Virginia. Authorities discovered leads during the Prince William County investigation that suggested that Reyes Rivas had also been killed. This included video evidence suggesting the girl had been murdered in the Lake Accotink area of Fairfax County, Roessler said. After two comprehensive searches of the area, authorities found her body Saturday near an industrial park in the 7100 block of Wimsatt Road in Springfield, Virginia. She had been missing from her Gaithersburg, Maryland, home for two months. Police believe Reyes Rivas was held against her will, taken to Lake Accotink Park and assaulted before she was killed on or around Jan. 8, almost a month after she disappeared. Her devastated mother spoke about her daughter Tuesday at her home. "My daughter was a good person -- not because she was my daughter, but because she was truly good, sweet. She got along with everybody," she said in Spanish, asking that News4 withhold her name for her safety. She said her daughter told her MS-13 gang members began threatening her at school. In late November, just after she turned 15, she left home. She stayed in touch with her mom and eventually returned home. Then, on Dec. 10, she left again. "She told me, 'No, Mom, I want to see you, but I can't return,'" the teen's mother recalled. "'Why?' I asked her. "'No, Mom, I can't tell you.'" She heard from her daughter for the last time Jan 6. Two other teenage girls whom, police say, had contact with gang members also recently disappeared. Both teens returned home safe. Lizzy Colindres, 16, and her 5-month-old baby, Aiden, returned home to Springfield after they were missing for almost a month. Police had said they believed the teen mom and infant were in danger. They were seeking the child's father, Jose Castillo Rivas, who is now in custody in Reyes Rivas' death. Reyes Rivas' body was found not far from the neighborhood where Colindres lives. Venus Romero Iraheta disappeared Jan. 15, a day after Colindres and her baby vanished. Iraheta returned home Tuesday, saying she had been with friends. She told News4 she left in fear after the suspected murder of her boyfriend in Prince William County. "I'm really sorry because I know she was very scared about what could happen to me, and I love you, Mama," she said. She told News4 she'd heard about Colindres and her baby disappearing. "That's why I came, because I thought my mom would be so sad," she said. But police took her into custody a short time after her homecoming and said she was connected to Reyes Rivas' death. "She is in custody," Gaydos said. "We're looking at the extent of her involvement, but I couldn't get into the details of that." Iraheta told News4 that the friends she had been with while she was gone are not connected to MS-13 and that she did not see Colindres or Reyes Rivas during that time. Stay with NBC4 and NBCWashington.com for details on this developing story. Eight years after Pamela Butler disappeared without a trace, loved ones gathered Thursday at a memorial service to celebrate her life -- and for a degree of closure. The Environmental Protection Agency analyst was last seen Feb. 12, 2009, outside her home on Fourth Street in northwest Washington, D.C. She was 47 years old. Butler's family declared her legally dead in August because she had been missing for more than seven years, and her family wanted to settle her affairs and is accepting that she is gone, her brother Derrick Butler said. The declaration allows police to pursue murder charges if they make an arrest in the case. So on the eighth anniversary of her disappearance, her family paid tribute to her life instead of holding a vigil. The overall tone at Lane Memorial CME Church in Northeast Thursday was joyful. Her brother said she had a life filled with hope and possibilities. "I still have those trying times where I just break down," said her mother, Thelma Butler. Surveillance cameras at Pamela Butler's captured video of Butlers boyfriend at the time coming and going in the days following her disappearance. Her family believes he was involved with her disappearance. Police won't comment on that. Neither he, nor anyone else has ever been charged. D.C. police continue to pursue any new information in the case. Derrick Butler said he is frequently in contact with police. Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe says he wants an immediate briefing from the Department of Homeland Security after ICE agents arrested at least two men near a church shelter in Fairfax County. In a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly, McAuliffe said he is concerned that "ICE agents are detaining Virginia residents without cause or specific allegations of criminal activity." McAuliffe said in the letter Thursday that he wants to know how President Trump's administration is conducting immigration enforcement actions in the Commonwealth. McAuliffe's letter asks: "Have DHS and ICE increased operations, detentions and deportations in Virginia since the beginning of this administration? "Who at DHS or ICE is authorizing individual enforcement actions in Virginia and what guidance are officers receiving in advance of these operations? "Are ICE agents targeting places of worship, other sensitive locations or public spaces and detaining and questioning individuals without any actionable information about specific people and their cases? "If so, what are the criteria that ICE agents are using to determine which individuals are subject to questioning? "Will DHS and ICE continue to adhere strictly to the 2011 ICE policy, which limits immigration enforcement actions at places of worship, schools, medical facilities and other 'sensitive locations'?" Witnesses told News4 that ICE agents surrounded a group of Latino men and arrested six or seven of them across the street from Rising Hope Mission Church on Russell Road in the Alexandria section of Fairfax County. The group of men had left the church hypothermia shelter about 6:45 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 8 and crossed the street when the ICE agents ordered them to stand against a brick wall. Oscar Ramirez said the agents questioned all of them and scanned their fingers to find out if they had criminal backgrounds. Agents quickly cleared Ramirez, who has a green card, he said. But he and other witnesses said that about six Latino men were arrested and taken away in two vans that pulled up to the area where they had been stopped. "This is the first time I see something like that," Ramirez said. "It surprised me. I mean, I think it surprised a lot of people who seen it actually happen," said Marvin Roach, a guest at the church shelter. "They were clearly targeting the church because they knew that they stayed here in the hypothermia shelter. So they were waiting for them to cross the street and then jump on them," said Rising Hope Mission Church Rev. Keary Kincannon. An ICE spokeswoman said Wednesday the agency's "sensitive location" policy was followed. The policy requires agents to avoid arresting people at places of worship, schools and medical facilities. The spokeswoman emphasized the arrests took place across the street from the church and not on church property. At 98 years old, one of the three inspiring female African-American mathematicians the Academy Award-nominated film Hidden Figures is based still has a head for numbers and would like to be back in her chair at NASAs Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. The book and movie Hidden Figures tells the story of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughn and Mary Jackson, who were among the first African-American women to work for NASA during the space race in the 1950s and 1960s, when their job assignments in the segregated computers division at Langley were far beneath the heights they would eventually climb through excellent work and perseverance achieving equality. Johnsons first job at NASA was as a computer programmer in a segregated unit of all African-American women, where her brilliant math skills were recognized. I miss working, she says. I worked all my life, all kinds of jobs. The bigger challenge was overcoming racial prejudice. John Glenn trusted Johnsons telemetry calculations over those from computers that were relatively new at the time. Yes, he was like me, she said. He didn't trust the computers. He knew her equations done by hand had worked for some very high-stakes missions. So how did she feel about so much weight riding on her arithmetic? No problem. Math never stumped Johnson. She is a legend now at NASA, where a lot has changed since her 33 years there. She was a major catalyst for that change. Her brilliant mind for math led to great strides in the race to get to space and back. She says she was just doing her job, but her parts putting America out front in the pioneering days of the space race and bringing her race from the back of the bus when they rode to work both earned a place in history. The movie offers only a glimpse of Johnson's life away from NASA. The single mother of three daughters has a new husband who is still in her life. Christine Darden was hired as a computer programmer in 1967, two years before NASA put a man on the moon. As a trained mathematician, she eventually wanted to do more. Turned down by her immediate supervisors when she asked if she could work in an engineering group, she had the courage to go to a more senior supervisor because of the shoulders of women she stood on, like those of Katherine Johnson. We were enabled to move up in our jobs because of what they did and the way they worked, Darden said. She rose to the rank of supervisor and retired as head of the department of education and legislative affairs. Engineer Julie Williams-Byrd is one of the women NASA designated a "modern figure." Right now, NASA is looking at sending people to Mars. Thinking about sending humans to Mars, we start with a concept, right, we start visualizing, she says. Williams-Byrd has her name on the door at NASA, something Katherine Johnson may have dreamed of when she was creating trajectories in her head. Some are questioning the way Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials are handling arrests in Fairfax County after at least two men were arrested near a church shelter. Oscar Ramirez said he had just left the hypothermia shelter at Rising Hope Mission Church on Russell Road in the Alexandria section of Fairfax County, Virginia, when about a dozen ICE agents surround him and other Latino men. "'Stop right there. Stop right there. Stop right there. Stay by the wall, where we can see your hands,'" the agents said, according to Ramirez. The group of men had left the shelter about 6:45 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 8 and crossed the street when the ICE agents ordered them to stand against a brick wall. Ramirez said the agents questioned all of them and scanned their fingers to find out if they had criminal backgrounds. Agents quickly cleared Ramirez, who has a green card, he said. But he and other witnesses told News4 that about six Latino men were arrested and taken away in two vans that pulled up to the area where they had been stopped. "This is the first time I see something like that," Ramirez said. "It surprised me. I mean, I think it surprised a lot of people who seen it actually happen," said Marvin Roach, a guest at the church shelter. "They were clearly targeting the church because they knew that they stayed here in the hypothermia shelter. So they were waiting for them to cross the street and then jump on them," said Rising Hope Mission Church Rev. Keary Kincannon. An ICE spokeswoman said the agency's "sensitive location" policy was followed. The policy requires agents to avoid arresting people at places of worship, schools and medical facilities. The spokeswoman emphasized the arrests took place across the street from the church and not on church property. It seems like only yesterday we were watching her take a bottle, squawk adorably through a veterinary exam and tumble adorably down rocks. But now Bao Bao, the Smithsonian's National Zoo's 3-year-old giant panda, is headed back to China. Though we knew the return was coming, many in the D.C. region just aren't ready. "I'm so sad!" young Sammy Cronin, clutching his own stuffed panda, said outside the Giant Panda exhibit at the Zoo's Asian Trail. "Come back to Washington, D.C.," echoed Sammy's brother, Will. Bao Bao will return to China via a special 16-hour FedEx flight on Tuesday. She'll be accompanied by a zookeeper on the flight, who will stay in China for a while to make sure she acclimates. Many visitors, who clearly have watched Bao Bao and younger brother Bei Bei grow up, commented on Bao Bao's personality. "She's a spitfire," said Leslie Johnson, who was visiting the zoo Wednesday. "And funny. And just like her dad." [NATL-DC] PHOTOS: Our 10 Favorite, Fabulously Adorable Bao Bao Moments The zoo announced farewell celebrations for Bao Bao back in January. Five days of events begin Thursday at the zoo and online. Click here for a full schedule. Bao Bao is moving to China to enter the the country's panda breeding program, the National Zoo has said. "We know she's going to go to China, and hopefully have little Bao Baos or Bao Bao juniors or whatever you want to call them ... and fulfill her destiny of becoming a mom and adding to the population of pandas," Johnson said. All panda cubs born at the zoo must move to China before they turn 4. Bao Bao won't turn 4 until August, but the zoo has said it's better for pandas to travel in the winter months when it's cool. [NATL-DC] PHOTOS: Bao Bao Through the Years Bao Bao's older brother, Tai Shan, moved to a Chinese breeding center in February 2010. Bao Bao and Tai Shan's late grandfather, Pan Pan, was the Chinese breeding program's superstar. He fathered at least 32 cubs, and can count among his descendants about one-quarter of the world's population of captive-born pandas. Bao Bao is the second of three surviving cubs born to Mei Xiang during her time at the zoo. She and a stillborn female twin were born Aug. 23, 2013. Her birth was especially exciting because it had been years eight, in fact since the National Zoo had a surviving cub. Bao Bao now weighs 180 pounds and is classified as a "sub-adult." Pandas can begin breeding between the ages of 4 and 6. Tai Shan's Final Goodbye A man and woman have been charged with murder after police say they killed a man after getting into a dispute about money. Police believe Donvain Hodges, 24, of Fort Washington and Cessna Blow, 19, of Temple Hills shot Timothy Sherod, 28, as he sat inside his car in Accokeek, Maryland, Monday. The three were involved in a dispute over money prior to the shooting, police said Thursday. A neighbor found the soon-to-be father's body Monday morning. He was expecting a child, said Sherod's father, Henry Sherod. The child was expected yesterday, the same day he got killed. Hodges and Blow have been charged with first and second-degree murder. They are being held on a no-bond status. Families with children at Montgomery County Public Schools are being warned about a virtual kidnapping scam that has already impacted multiple people in the last week. Several schools in Montgomery County have sent home letters warning about virtual kidnappings, a type of phone scam that tries to convince victims that a loved one in this case a child has been kidnapped and will be harmed unless a ransom is paid. The scammer calls from an unfamiliar number, possibly from an international area code, according to a letter sent to parents. The caller then claims that they have the victims child and some victims have reported hearing screaming in the background. Scammers threatened a couple of families in the areas of Clarksburg and Damascus high schools, MCPS said. Police are currently investigating. Virtual kidnappings are nothing new. Scammers have been trying variations of the scheme for years, according to the FBI. The Washington area had several cases last year, including one in Leesburg, Virginia, where a mother believing her daughter was being held by deadly kidnappers wired a scammer almost $10,000. The mother realized the kidnapping was fake when her daughter texted her while she was still on the phone with the scammer. Police said that if you are contacted by a scammer, you should not wire any money. Instead, contact your childs school and then call 911. An Army ranger from the Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state has been charged with shooting a fellow soldier, who remains in critical condition. The Olympian reports (http://bit.ly/2klGBN1) that Spc. Thomas Patrick Popek was arraigned in court Monday on an assault charge. The 23-year-old victim from Hudson, New Hampshire, is in critical condition and unable to breath on his own. Court documents say the shooting took place Saturday in a Parkland apartment, about 40 miles south of Seattle. Popek reportedly told investigators he had been playing around with his gun while cleaning the weapon when he pointed it at the victim and pulled the trigger. He says he didn't know the gun was loaded. The two men had been preparing to go to a shooting range at the time. This snowy February could help turn around long-term drought conditions, which are affecting much of New England. Theyre little bitty flakes, but they add up over time, National Weather Service hydrologist Greg Hanson said on the impact melting snow can have in reversing drought. Hanson has been taking samples of the snowpack in Vermont, not to assess its depth, but rather, its water content. Theres six tenths of an inch of liquid water in that snow, Hanson said, pointing to a scale on which he placed a tube containing a six-inch plug of snow taken from the ground in South Burlington. Last summer and fall, we all remember reservoirs turning to deserts, drinking water wells drying up, and farmers suffering with parched fields as moderate and severe drought gripped most of the northeast. St. Anthony is the patron saint of lost things, so Im praying to find lost rain, farmer Mike Smolak of Smolak Farms in North Andover, Massachusetts said last August. Fast forward to today, and Hanson said the lingering precipitation deficit is starting to turn around, thanks in large part to snow. That deficit dates back to a snow shortage last winter. It takes a long time to get into a drought, and a long time to get back out, as well, Hanson said. All the snow in the valleys and the mountains will eventually melt, but Hanson says if it happens too quickly, or if the soil is too frozen to accept it, much of the runoff could just flow through rivers instead of soaking into the earth and replenishing the groundwater, where it really makes a difference. The longer it takes for the snow to melt, the better the ground recharge is, Hanson noted. While the snow is helping, the National Weather Service says what itll really take to turn around the long-term drought is regular, steady rain through the spring and summer. Gold Star father Khizr Khan spoke at the Kennedy School of Government and Politics at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on Wednesday night. Khan, who gained national attention for criticizing then presidential candidate Donald Trump at the 2016 Democratic National Convention, addressed Trump's recent travel ban and executive orders on immigration. He spoke for an hour to about a hundred people and answered questions from the audience. Khan is the man who has stood up for the Muslim American community and who has shared his story about his son who was a captain in the United States Army. Humayun Khan was killed in 2004 while trying to stop a suicide bomber during the Iraq War. Wednesday, Khan not only talked about his son, but listed reasons why he thinks the travel ban and executive orders by the president don't work. "Most of the Muslim community in the country feels alienated. When a community feels alienated it doesn't take a scholar to figure it out the bad, those who wish us bad, to infiltrate the community," Khan said. Khan went on to say that the travel ban has now contributed to a new fertile ground in certain Muslim countries for further recruitment for terror groups. But Kahn also gave a message of hope and asked Muslim communities to reach out to other faiths. "When you assimilate after all by choice we are Americans nobody forced us to be here when you adopt this as your country and you're ready to defend it, it and it's values you're much more powerful much more impactful," Khan said. Khan told the auditorium he was inspired by a 26 page letter from a retired World War II army nurse who told him to never stop speaking out and doing what he does. Love is standing the test of time for a Massachusetts couple celebrating their 70th marriage anniversary on Wednesday. "We grew up together and we've been together a long time," said Dorothy Doyle, of Natick, who's 91-years-old. Dorothy and William Doyle were married seven decades ago. The two grew up together in Manhattan and fell in love when they were just 14 and 16 years old. "We danced together and that started it all," said Dorothy. She and William, 93, shared their first dance together while at a school function. She says the butterflies in her stomach were uncontrollable. "She taught me how to dance the fox trot," said William. When asked to describe their first dance, William laughed and said it was "hazardous." He may have stepped on Dorothy's toes a bit, but she didn't mind. "I was so happy," she said. After grammar school, Dorothy went on to high school and William went off to war. He served on a submarine in World War II, separated from his love for 19 months. "We communicated by letters," he said. While home on leave during his service, the two went to a jewelry store in New York City and choose Dorothy's engagement ring. "We got engaged when I got back on leave," said William. "I knew I was going to marry him, and he knew he was going to marry me," Dorothy explained. "There wasn't much to say about it." "It was a forgone conclusion," William said with a chuckle. There they stood at the altar to become husband and wife on Feb. 15, 1947, during a 10 a.m. mass at a church on Long Island. Nine months later, they found out they'd be expecting their first child. "We just made it to nine months," Dorothy said laughing. They went on to have five more children. "We didn't have room for six children, but that didn't seem to matter. We just had them," said William. "And we loved them." "They were all good children," said Dorothy. "They gave us a few problems now and then, but nothing serious. They showed us a lot of love and they still are." In the early 1970s, they moved to Vermont after buying a country store and opening a bed and breakfast. By that time, their kids were in college and they found ways to keep busy and keep working. "We were on the beach one day and Bill was reading the Times and he said 'Oh look, a prominent family is looking for a couple to cook.' So I applied," said Dorothy. "It was for Ralph Lauren." They worked for the Lauren family for eight months and then returned home to Vermont. The Doyles have shared a wealth of knowledge with their six kids, 11 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. "They taught us to be progressive thinkers and they showed us those things by doing it themselves," said Anne Doyle, their fourth child. The two have also lived in and traveled to many places like Paris, London, Ireland and Italy. "My father had the ideas and my mother made them happen," said Anne. When asked what has kept them married for 70 years, William and Dorothy said honesty. "We just loved each other right from day one," said Dorothy. A Massachusetts man accused of stabbing a random stranger in broad daylight faced a judge Wednesday morning. Chad Michael Kirby, 36, of Quincy, was ordered to be held for 15 days and evaluated by a doctor during his arraignment after pleading not guilty to attempted murder and assault and battery charges. Kirby is accused of stabbing the victim, 53-year-old Alexander Tetradze, on Watertown Street around 12:30 p.m. Tuesday. "That was completely, completely unexpected," Tetradze said. "I didn't have time to think, frankly." He managed to stumble to a nearby CVS for help, where someone called 911 and others started assisting him. "Fortunately, there were nice people who helped me, held me and put paper towels on my head," Tetradze said. "I was bleeding profusely." Police said Kirby didn't run after the violent attack. He was arrested when officers arrived at the scene, which did not take long, since the department is just steps away. The victim is expected to be OK, and workers at a nearby Dunkin Donuts told NBC Boston Kirby is a regular customer who often asks people for money or cigarettes. It's not clear if Kirby has an attorney. After receiving many concerned reports, police in Westminster, Massachusetts, were called to a local pond on Wednesday to investigate a body lying on the ice. Luckily, the "person" was never alive to begin with. The police department posted photos of the dummy on its Facebook page because many local onlookers believed that it was a real person in trouble on Round Meadow Pond. From a distance, it is easy to see how the dummy, dressed in full winter gear, might look like a living human. "We responded to the area and found this laying in the snow on the ice upon walking out on the ice to check on the 'person' ... We absolutely thank those who called to report this potentially hazardous situation to us. We are also aware this was put on the pond by persons unknown sometime last week before the snowstorms," police said on social media. Police propped up the "person" back up, but asked the owner to either secure it or take it off the ice to prevent further calls from concerned onlookers. The department was soon notified that the dummy was part of a contest that the Westminster Historical Society is conducting as part of fundraiser. They are selling tickets all over town, asking the community to guess when the fake skier will fall in the water. The fundraiser is called the Ice Out Contest. 100 percent we feel so bad that it didnt get to them, Nadine Leger of the Westminster Historical Society said. We didnt say it beforehand like, Oh by the way, were putting a guy on the ice! Police said that they are working with a representative to find a safe resolution to the contest. If its something that starts creating a distraction, were going to have to deal with that, Lt. Mike McDonald of the Westminster Police Department said. Leger said the historical society will be doing more to secure the skier. They also plan on putting a sign up to notify the community about why he is there. Participants have until March 15 to enter the Ice Out Contest. An investigation is underway after a cab driver was badly injured in an accident at an auto body shop in Boston's Hyde Park neighborhood on Thursday afternoon. Police said the man's pelvis was crushed when a worker at C&V Automotive on Hyde Park Avenue hit him while backing a car into the auto shop. The injuries are not believed to be life threatening. The victim, Jean A. Thermora of Waltham, Massachusetts, is in surgery at Brigham and Women's Hospital, according to family. The worker who was moving a car didn't check the brakes before reversing and couldn't stop, relatives of Thermora said. Police initially said the victim was a worker. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Boston Fire and Boston Inspectional Services all responded to the scene. Police tape was seen covering the open garage door bay at the auto shop. Officials said the auto shop may not have had the proper permits and licenses and will be closed pending an investigation. Neighbors said an auto repair operation had been running out of the building for some time and a sign for the business just went up over the summer. A car that was involved in the accident was towed from the scene, along with about five others that were inside the auto shop. Police are asking for the public's help as they search for a missing 16-year-old girl who may be in the area of Lynn, Massachusetts. Amber Parks was last seen Feb. 5, according to Arlington police. She was wearing light blue jeans and a gray sweatshirt at the time. Parks is described as 5'3" and 180 pounds with blonde hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information should call Arlington police at (781) 316-3900. Numerous Boston-area restaurants are closed on Thursday as part of the national "A Day Without Immigrants" protest. Protests are being held in Boston to show opposition to President Donald Trump's immigration policies and demonstrate the importance of immigrants in our daily lives. The popular Mexican restaurant chain Anna's Taqueria tweeted on Thursday morning "Anna's Taqueria is closed today in recognition of the 'Day Without Immigrants.' Anna's success has been built around our loyal staff, many of whom are immigrants or come from immigrant families. We support our employees and value what they have brought to our Anna's community for over 20 years." Anna's Taqueria has seven locations in the Boston area. Shojo Boston, an Asian restaurant, posted on Instagram that it will be closed because "we are choosing to participate in solidarity with all immigrants as a reflection of our resolute belief in diversity." The Chubby Chickpea, a Boston food truck company, is also closed and tweeted "The Chickpea is only here because of a dreamer who immigrated to the US more than 40 years ago. We stand with immigrants everywhere tomorrow." Italian restaurant Erbaluce Boston said it is closed "to allow our staff to attend the national protest of foreign born and immigrant workers." Muqueca Restaurant in Cambridge and La Posada Restaurant in Somervile are closed as well. Eataly Boston tweeted that although it is not closing on Thursday, it is supporting "any employees participating in the strike" and apologizes for any delay customers might experience. Its message is #WeWereAllImported. Latitude 43 Restaurant and Sushi Bar is not closed but is giving employees a full day's pay if they chose not to come into work. Restaurants owned by the Wilcox Hospitality Group including Bukowski Tavern, The Lower Depths Tap Room, and the Tip Tap Room are offering specialty Latin-themed menus Thursday night and donating 20% of the sales to whichever charity or community cause their immigrant team chooses. Immigrant employees also have the option not to work tonight to attend the protest. The Purple Cactus restaurant in Jamaica Plain is staying open but donating 100% of Thursday's sales to the ACLU Massachusetts and LULAC Boston. Here are other businesses that are closed as well: A school bus and a car collided in Marlow, New Hampshire, on Thursday morning. According to New Hampshire State Police, a 1988 Dodge Dakota was traveling westbound on Route 123 attempting to make a sharp turn when it slid on the snow-covered road and hit a 2006 First Student School Bus. The bus was traveling eastbound, transporting 19 children to Keene Middle School and High School. None of the students nor the bus driver, identified as Jame French, age 67, of Keene, New Hampshire, were injured. The driver of the Dodge, Dylan Martin, age 18, of Greenfield, New Hampshire, was also uninjured. The children were safely escorted off the bus and taken to school by parents or another bus. There was front end damage to the bumper of the bus as well as front end damage to the car. Weather and speed were determined to be the cause of the crash and no charges were filed. Some students in Maine will be going to school until late June, due to the number of snow days in the last few weeks. In Lewiston, the district has had six snow days and several late starts this school year. It has had an ungodly impact on teachers, families, students because weve had no rhythm to education this week, or last week, said Superintendent Bill Webster. There have been five big storms in the last two weeks. According to measurements in Gray, Maine, this has been the snowiest February on record. Its definitely weird, said Lewiston senior Hannah Dickinson. The snow days have fallen so that she hasnt been to her core classes in two weeks. You learn something, and then its like 'I forgot what I learned!' she said. Lewiston called a two-hour delay Thursday, after the region received several inches of snow Wednesday night-Thursday morning. But because some back roads may not have been plowed, the superintendent told parents their children could have an excused absence if they stayed home due to weather. Webster said at this point, the last day of instruction should be on June 20. Without snow days, it would have been June 12. Its really going to be problematic if we have to go much further [into the summer], said Webster. Teachers are supposed to have workshops and professional development sessions after June 20. Officials in Stoughton, Massachusetts, are investigating more incidents of anti-Semitism at two schools. School administrators sent a letter to parents on Wednesday alerting them that a student stood up in class on Wednesday and made an offensive comment and a gesture in reference to Adolph Hitler. The incident happened in a special education classroom. Police were called and the students who heard the remark and witnessed the gesture were given counseling. School should be a place where everyone can feel safe, said sophomore Jenny Guzman. The incident is just the latest incident involving this type of behavior at the high school. It seems like they havent dealt with the problem, said parent Zaida Harris. In November, a swastika made of tape was found in a hallway. Days later, a swastika was used in a group chat among students. The administration has come under fire for the November incidents for not notifying parents until late January. Parents were told of Wednesday's incident immediately. I think it was one person trying to make a joke, said Stoughton High junior, Phil Guseynov. Ended up hurting a lot of students. Stoughton Public Schools also said Wednesday that a student at O'Donnell Middle School recently used anti-Semitic, hateful language, directed toward a classmate. That student, according to the school district, received "swift and severe disciplinary consequences," and the incident will be used as a teachable moment for other students. A letter to the school community was also issued in that incident. I think it's just kids being stupid, said Stoughton High School senior Jack Connelly. (It) needs to be put to rest as soon as possible. Police have arrested a suspect in connection to a shooting in an apartment complex in Randolph, Massachusetts last week. Romaine Sanchez, 19, of Brockton, Massachusetts turned himself in to police around 8 a.m. on Thursday. Back on Feb. 7, officers responded to 2 Chestnut West for reports of a person who had been shot. Upon arrival, they found a 32-year-old male victim who had been shot in the face and neck at close range. The victim was taken to a Boston hospital with serious injuries, but is expected to recover. Sanchez was also wanted for assault charges from a separate incident that occurred that same day at the same apartment complex. Earlier that day, he allegedly got involved in a fight with a different man over stolen property. He later came back with a handgun, threatened to shoot the man, and hit him in the head with the weapon before fleeing. He was charged with armed assault with intent to murder, carrying a firearm without a license, threats to kill, discharging a firearm in a building, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (striking a person with a firearm), assault by means of a dangerous weapon (striking a person with a firearm) and threatening to commit a crime. Sanchez was held at the Randolph Police Department pending his arraignment at Quincy District Court on Thursday. A New Hampshire mother is behind bars, accused of stabbing her own toddler daughter in the back. Evansgina Audy, 29, of Manchester, appeared before a judge Thursday morning. Police say the stabbing happened just before midnight Wednesday inside Audy's Candia Road home. Her neighbors can't believe it. "It's kind of heart wrenching, really," Said Tyler Eccleston. "Obviously a little disturbing," said Jennifer Lynch. "It's just appalling to me," said Ruth Broderick. Manchester police admit this is a difficult case to deal with. "It's tough to look at it, tough to read, but again, this is society we live in," said Lt. Brian O'Keefe. Police say Audy's husband called 911 after he woke up to find his child bloody and his wife holding a knife. When officers arrived, they found the little girl with a single stab wound to her back. They say Audy "didn't seem fazed" and at one point even "smirked and chuckled." According to court documents, Audy told officers she was startled awake, grabbed her husband's utility knife, "saw a shadow and overreacted." Outside the courtroom, NBC Boston met Audy's mother. She was sobbing and too distraught to go on camera, but tells us that her daughter, Evansgina, is mentally ill and was just released from a local psych ward a couple weeks ago. "It's no excuse at all," Broderick said. "I have three kids of my own, there's no excuse." Audy is undergoing a mental evaluation and will be back in court Friday morning. Her little girl is expected to make a full recovery. Russia has deployed a cruise missile in violation of a Cold War-era arms control treaty, a Trump administration official said Tuesday. A Russian intelligence-collection ship has been operating off the U.S. east coast in international waters, a U.S. defense official told The Associated Press. And NBC News reported that last week four Russian aircraft flew in an "unsafe and unprofessional" manner near a U.S. Navy destroyer in the Black Sea, according to the Pentagon. President Donald Trump, who has frequently praised Russian leader Vladimir Putin, has not publicly commented on these Russian actions. Instead, he used his Twitter account Wednesday to slam former President Barack Obama's foreign policy toward Russia and leaks to the media. In a series of tweets Tuesday, Trump attacked media reports that U.S. agencies intercepted phone calls last year between Russians and members of his presidential campaign team. "The fake news media is going crazy with their conspiracy theories and blind hatred. @MSNBC & @CNN are unwatchable. @foxandfriends is great!" Trump said. "This Russian connection non-sense is merely an attempt to cover-up the many mistakes made in Hillary Clinton's losing campaign," Trump went on, adding that "Information is being illegally given to the failing @nytimes & @washingtonpost by the intelligence community (NSA and FBI?).Just like Russia." He later added: "The real scandal here is that classified information is illegally given out by 'intelligence' like candy. Very un-American!" The news of Russian missile deployment came the day after U.S. National Security Adviser Michael Flynn resigned following reports he misled Vice President Mike Pence and other officials about his contacts with Russia. Trump was informed Flynn had misled Pence but the president kept his No. 2 in the dark and waited nearly three weeks before ousting the aide. Asked why Trump kept Flynn, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer told reporters Tuesday, "The irony of this entire situation is that the president has been incredibly tough on Russia. He continues to raise the issue of Crimea, which the previous administration allowed to be seized by Russia." Spicer continued, citing a statement from U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley before the U.N. Security Council on her first day denouncing the Russian occupation of Crimea: "As Ambassador Haley said at the time, 'The dire situation in eastern Ukraine is one that demands clear and strong condemnation of Russian actions.'" Trump tweeted Wednesday, "Crimea was TAKEN by Russia during the Obama Administration. Was Obama too soft on Russia?" He added, "The real scandal here is that classified information is illegally given out by "intelligence" like candy. Very un-American!" In his first public comments on Flynn's firing, Trump said during a White House news conference with Israel's prime minister Wednesday that it was "really a sad thing that he was treated so badly." Trump has been critical of numerous foreign leaders while on the campaign trial and after taking office, including U.S. allies Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto and Germany's leader Angela Merkel. He has refused to explicitly criticize Putin. Asked by Fox News's Bill O'Reilly earlier this month if he respects Putin, Trump said, "I do respect him, but I respect a lot of people. That doesn't mean I'm going to get along with him." Trump said he would appreciate any assistance from Russia in the fight against ISIS and would rather get along with Putin. "But, [Putin] is a killer," O'Reilly said. "There are a lot of killers," Trump responded, "We've got a lot of killers. What do you think? Our country's so innocent?" NBC has reached out to the White House for comment on Russia's deployment of a cruise missile and the Russian ship roaming off the U.S. east coast. The Russian spy ship Vicktor Leonov had made a port call in Cuba prior to moving north, where it has been monitored off the coast of Delaware Tuesday, the official told the AP. The ship was Wednesday spotted in international waters abut 30 miles south of Groton, Connecticut, Fox News reported, citing a U.S. official. Business Insider quoted a Defense Department spokeswoman as saying the Pentagon was aware of the vessel. "It has not entered U.S. territorial waters. We respect freedom of navigation exercised by all nations beyond the territorial sea of a coastal State consistent with international law," Lt. Col. Valerie Henderson told the news organization. According to the Military Times, the Pentagon said Gen. Joe Dunford will meet with his "Russian counterpart Thursday to discuss military relations & recent close encounters." The Obama administration three years ago accused the Russians of violating the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty by developing and testing the prohibited cruise missile, and officials had anticipated that Moscow eventually would deploy it. Russia denies that it has violated the INF treaty. U.S. intelligence agencies have assessed that the missile became operational late last year, said an administration official, who wasn't authorized to publicly discuss the matter and demanded anonymity. The deployment may not immediately change the security picture in Europe, but the alleged treaty violation may arise when Defense Secretary Jim Mattis attends his first NATO meeting in Brussels on Wednesday. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Wednesday that "compliance with arms control agreements is of great importance and especially when it comes to treaties covering nuclear weapons." He said that "any non-compliance of Russia with the INF Treaty would be a serious concern for the alliance." The deployment has also stirred concern on Capitol Hill, where Sen. John McCain, the Senate Armed Services Committee chairman, called on the Trump administration to ensure U.S. nuclear forces in Europe are ready. "Russia's deployment of nuclear-tipped ground-launched cruise missiles in violation of the INF treaty is a significant military threat to U.S. forces in Europe and our NATO allies," McCain, R-Ariz., said in a statement Tuesday. He said Russian President Vladimir Putin was "testing" Trump. The New York Times, which was first to report the missile deployment, said the Russians have two battalions of the prohibited cruise missile. One is at a missile test site at Kapustin Yar and one was moved in December from the test site to an operational base elsewhere in the country. The State Department wouldn't confirm the report. It noted that last year it reported Russia was in violation of its treaty obligations not to possess, produce or flight-test a ground-launched cruise missile with a range of between 500 and 5,500 kilometers, or to possess or produce launchers for such missiles. "The administration is undertaking an extensive review of Russia's ongoing INF treaty violation in order to assess the potential security implications for the United States and its allies and partners," State Department spokesman Mark Toner said. John Tierney, executive director of the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, said strategic stability on the European continent is at stake. "If true, Russia's deployment of an illegal ground-launched cruise missile represents a very troubling development and should be roundly condemned," Tierney said. Connecticut Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy in a statement Wednesday tied reports about the spy ship, treaty violation, buzzing of the U.S. Navy destroyer and fighting in eastern Ukraine as all part of "a series of aggressive actions." "Putin clearly thinks the Trump administration has given him a permission slip to flex his muscles," he said. "President Trump and his administration must end their silence and immediately respond to these threats to our national security. Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker says he doesn't have enough information to directly comment on a discredited theory offered by the Trump administration that busloads of Massachusetts voters crossed the state line to illegally cast ballots in New Hampshire. The Republican governor said Thursday on WGBH-FM that he doesn't know anything about New Hampshire and it bothers him when people in public life purport to know about things that they don't know about. Baker noted however that former Republican New Hampshire attorney general Tom Rath has called the allegations baseless. The governor said if Rath has dismissed the story, that's all he needs to know. Baker added that if someone has a concern with how votes were counted and tabulated there are ways to file a complaint and pursue a grievance. In New Hampshire, Republican Gov. Chris Sununu is drawing fire from U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen for not being more forceful in rebutting Trump's voter fraud allegations. Shaheen, a Democrat, told reporters Wednesday that it's disappointing that Sununu hasn't been stronger about pushing back. In October, Sununu alleged that liberal Massachusetts voters were routinely bused into New Hampshire. He now says he doesn't believe there has been widespread fraud, but wants to explore any evidence the Trump administration may have. Actual cases of voter fraud detected in New Hampshire have been in the single digits over recent elections. Wesminster police found a body lying on the ice on a local pond on Wednesday after receiving many concerned reports. Luckily, the "person" was never alive to begin with. The police department posted photos of the dummy on their Facebook page because many local onlookers believed that it was a real person in trouble on Round Meadow Pond. From a distance, it is easy to see how the dummy, dressed in full winter gear, might look like a living human. "We responded to the area and found this laying in the snow on the ice upon walking out on the ice to check on the 'person'[...] We absolutely thank those who called to report this potentially hazardous situation to us. We are also aware this was put on the pond by persons unknown sometime last week before the snowstorms," police said on social media. Police propped up the "person" back up, but asked the owner to either secure it or take it off the ice to prevent further calls from concerned onlookers. The department was soon notified that the dummy was part of a contest that the Westminster Historical Society is conducting as part of the Fishing Derby that was cancelled last weekend. Police said that they are working with a representative to find a safe resolution to their contest. Newbury Business Today enjoys a coffee with Caroline Billington The Interview with Caroline Billington, founder of Coffee Companions, CAROLINE Billington has had an eclectic working life, but there is one thread that clearly runs through everything she has done, and that is the desire to help others. This has led her from the NHS, through corporate life, via Oxfam, to running her own successful accountancy business and now heading up two large charitable organisations that aim to help alleviate social isolation. Born and raised in Nottingham, the 55-year-old left school unsure what she wanted to do as a career. She found herself studying speech therapy at University College, London. It was a really fascinating degree to do, she explains. I became a qualified speech therapist, but still didnt know what I really wanted to do. There was no sense of career opportunity and I was always looking for something else. Then in one of the roles I met an HR director and finance director who took me under their wings. They helped me learn a bit more about management and gave me the chance to develop beyond my role. That insight awakened an interest in business in her and, at the age of 28, Caroline decided to retrain as an accountant. It is terrible that we make children choose as teenagers what they want to do, she says. Why do you have to have a career for life? Being open-minded and keeping all your options open is good. It is good to rule things in and rule things out. That is exactly what she did. Although she qualified as an accountant, she soon realised she didnt actually want to work in an accountancy practice. She spent five years at the accountancy firm she trained at and says it was the time in her life when she really developed meeting some great people and getting to work in places like Moscow. After leaving there she went on to become an internal auditor at Thorn EMI, before being promoted to a finance manager within six months. It was there that her good organisational skills came to the fore and she worked as a project manager on the demerger of Thorn and EMI. Eventually she took redundancy from the company. Having the ability to move on fitted very nicely with what I wanted to do, she explains. It enabled me to explore other opportunities. I have been made redundant twice and it has always been a very positive thing for me. She then moved to Peoplesoft, a global software enterprise company, becoming finance director for its UK business, among other roles. In 2002 Caroline was made redundant from Peoplesoft and decided to take a years sabbatical. She went off travelling and volunteering in Australia, Honduras and China. Her year out ended up lasting three-and-a-half years, with some contracting in between volunteering stints. This volunteering work helped her realise that she couldnt go back in to the corporate world and she took a job at the charity Coeliac UK. She also volunteered at her local Oxfam shop and when the job of finance director for Oxfams International Tsunami Fund came up at the end of 2004, it seemed like the perfect role for her. I really felt like it used my core skills and my core beliefs, she says. And I was lucky enough to get the job. But co-ordinating an international relief effort was like walking through treacle, Caroline admits sadly. I put in a lot of processes, but I realised that I would have to leave to force the change that was needed there, she says. I thought it was my dream job, but it actually wasnt so I took time to take stock and realised I had to separate my work and personal life again; I needed to find that middle ground. So she set up a-count-a-bility, offering her finance director services and skills to small businesses on a freelance, part-time basis. This also allowed Caroline the time to work within the community and she began to ramp up her volunteering. She still works with a number of voluntary organisations in West Berkshire including driving the Handybus, working in the Oxfam shop and helping out at Loose Ends. She is also a volunteer steward at the Corn Exchange, Newbury, and plays the trombone with Watership Brass. In 2007 she drove the Handybus on Christmas Day, dropping elderly people off at St Georges Church in Wash Common for lunch. She was amazed by the difference in them when she picked them up later that day. They had all made some great friends and arranged to meet again soon. Over the next few years she got more involved in arranging the Christmas Day dinners and, in 2011, Community Christmas was born. It has a vision that no older person in the UK should be alone on Christmas Day if they dont want to be and Caroline realised, from that very first Christmas Day, that the connections people made then would change their lives throughout the whole year. The website, which was designed by WebSquared, created guidance to help people set up a community event in their area and details on where to go if you wanted some companionship. Last year around 628 opportunities nationwide were held on the Community Christmas database and Caroline had to temporarily give up her freelance a-count-a-bility work to concentrate on the charity. She decided to give up permanently in 2016. It is estimated that more than 2,350 people were helped directly by Community Christmas in 2016, with 15,100 helped indirectly. One thing led to another too and this years new initiative from Caroline to help combat social isolation is Coffee Companions. It is an expansion of her desire to ensure nobody is isolated at any time of the year not just at Christmas. She has devised the concept of Chat Mats a mat that can be put out while you are in a cafe or restaurant where one side indicates you would like someone to come and talk to you and the other side that says you are happy to be on your own that day. Caroline is in the early stages of Coffee Companions and hopes eventually that the Chat Mats will be given out at various places up and down the country, encouraging people to interact more. It is about addressing the social and health benefits this can bring too, Caroline adds. It is about instigating social change and it will help us, as individuals, take control of our environments. The Corn Exchange currently hosts a Companions Hour and the Chat Mats are available in the cafe there all of the time. They are already used in small pockets up and down the country, but Caroline will be relaunching the concept on a larger scale this spring. For more details on Community Christmas and Coffee Companions visit By PTI NEW DELHI: Scrip of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) today rose by nearly 3 per cent after the said its board will meet next week to consider share buyback. After a positive opening, shares of the company gained 2.55 per cent to Rs 2,477.50 on BSE. "We would like to inform you that the Board of Directors will consider a proposal for buyback of equity shares of the company at its meeting to be held on February 20, 2017," Tata Consultancy Services Ltd said in a BSE filing. Shares of the company were trading 1.16 per cent higher at Rs 2,443.80 on BSE NEW DELHI: Scrip of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) today rose by nearly 3 per cent after the said its board will meet next week to consider share buyback. After a positive opening, shares of the company gained 2.55 per cent to Rs 2,477.50 on BSE. "We would like to inform you that the Board of Directors will consider a proposal for buyback of equity shares of the company at its meeting to be held on February 20, 2017," Tata Consultancy Services Ltd said in a BSE filing. Shares of the company were trading 1.16 per cent higher at Rs 2,443.80 on BSE By Express News Service RANCHI : States in eastern India should strive to close the gap with other developed states in economic development, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said at the Momentum Jharkhand Global Investors Summit here on Thursday. Jaitley noted that Jharkhand is one of the few states, where revenue from the manufacturing sector is more than from the services sector. He said that if full potential of the mineral-rich state is exploited, its GDP will exceed Indias GDP by 4-5 points. Captains of industry including Ratan Tata, Kumar Mangalam Birla, Anil Agarwal, Naveen Jindal, and Shashi Ruia attended the Summit. Tata, chairman emeritus of Tata Sons, which pioneered industrialisation in the state, said that in spite of being mineral-rich, Jharkhand is yet to achieve its full potential and has immense scope for development. India is importing materials like copper, gold, aluminum and others, while there are huge reserves of minerals and materials in Jharkhand. While all over the world, 90 percent of minerals and materials are exploited, in Jharkhand, just 10 per cent of resources have been exploited. Industries should seize this opportunity. While we already have huge investments in the state, we are planning to work with start-ups and small and medium enterprises by pumping in more investments, pointed out Anil Agarwal of Vedanta Industries. Agarwal announced $1 billion investment in the state, part of it will go into setting up a one million tonne steel plant. Union Ministers M Venkaiah Nadu, Nitin Gadkari, Smriti Irani and Piyush Goyal were also present at the Summit. The World Bank has ranked us third in ease of doing business. It shows how committed the government has been towards setting up new industries in the state. We have 40 per cent of Indias natural reserves and a ready land bank of 2.1 million acres, said Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das highlighting the advantages of the state. He urged industrialists and corporates to invest and set up industries in Jharkhand. Union Coal and Mines Minister Piyush Goyal said the government plans to auction 30 mines in Jharkhand and the process would start this financial year. This year itself, we are hoping to auction at least 30 new mines in Jharkhand. RANCHI : States in eastern India should strive to close the gap with other developed states in economic development, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said at the Momentum Jharkhand Global Investors Summit here on Thursday. Jaitley noted that Jharkhand is one of the few states, where revenue from the manufacturing sector is more than from the services sector. He said that if full potential of the mineral-rich state is exploited, its GDP will exceed Indias GDP by 4-5 points. Captains of industry including Ratan Tata, Kumar Mangalam Birla, Anil Agarwal, Naveen Jindal, and Shashi Ruia attended the Summit. Tata, chairman emeritus of Tata Sons, which pioneered industrialisation in the state, said that in spite of being mineral-rich, Jharkhand is yet to achieve its full potential and has immense scope for development. India is importing materials like copper, gold, aluminum and others, while there are huge reserves of minerals and materials in Jharkhand. While all over the world, 90 percent of minerals and materials are exploited, in Jharkhand, just 10 per cent of resources have been exploited. Industries should seize this opportunity. While we already have huge investments in the state, we are planning to work with start-ups and small and medium enterprises by pumping in more investments, pointed out Anil Agarwal of Vedanta Industries. Agarwal announced $1 billion investment in the state, part of it will go into setting up a one million tonne steel plant. Union Ministers M Venkaiah Nadu, Nitin Gadkari, Smriti Irani and Piyush Goyal were also present at the Summit. The World Bank has ranked us third in ease of doing business. It shows how committed the government has been towards setting up new industries in the state. We have 40 per cent of Indias natural reserves and a ready land bank of 2.1 million acres, said Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das highlighting the advantages of the state. He urged industrialists and corporates to invest and set up industries in Jharkhand. Union Coal and Mines Minister Piyush Goyal said the government plans to auction 30 mines in Jharkhand and the process would start this financial year. This year itself, we are hoping to auction at least 30 new mines in Jharkhand. By Express News Service CHENNAI: In a move that could trigger a fresh trend in the sector, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) said on Thursday that its board would meet next week to consider a share buyback programme. The announcement comes days after rival Cognizant announced its $3.4-billion buyback plan and amid a market buzz that Infosys might follow suit with a `12,000-crore share buyback. TCS did not disclose the size of the buyback, though. Board of Directors will consider a proposal for buyback of equity shares of the company at its meeting to be held on February 20, 2017, it said in a BSE filing. Buyback is the purchase by a company of its outstanding shares, which results in reduction of the number of shares in the open market. Companies resort to buybacks to show the management and promoters have confidence in the business and to pare cash pile. Buybacks are also expected to boost the earnings per share of companies and stabilise stock price. According to Sebi norms, buybacks up to 10 per cent paid-up equity capital and reserves dont need shareholders approval. The decision by TCS, Indias largest IT services firm, comes in the backdrop of investors raising concerns over the huge cash pile that the company is sitting on. As of end-December 2016, TCS had `43,169 crore cash and investments on its book, which is roughly 10 per cent of its market capitalisation. On Thursday, Infosys hinted that it might also announce a share buyback in the near future. In an interview to a television channel, Infosys chief operating officer Pravin Rao said, We are not averse to buyback, the board is not averse to it. The second largest software services firm in India, is sitting on a cash pile of `35,697 crore or $5.25 billion as on December 31, 2016. Hailing TCS decision, former Infosys chief financial officer Mohandas Pai said, TCS buyback will help the company and the stock price. TCS has demonstrated that its leadership is not weak. After Cognizants buyback announcement, experts had said it would prompt other large IT firms to consider a similar action. In an interview to a television channel on Wednesday, TCS outgoing chief N Chandrasekaran had said the company had received suggestions from investors over the need for certainty on dividend policy along with share buyback to distribute the cash. These two comments have come from investors and we will discuss it in the board, Chandrasekaran had said. CHENNAI: In a move that could trigger a fresh trend in the sector, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) said on Thursday that its board would meet next week to consider a share buyback programme. The announcement comes days after rival Cognizant announced its $3.4-billion buyback plan and amid a market buzz that Infosys might follow suit with a `12,000-crore share buyback. TCS did not disclose the size of the buyback, though. Board of Directors will consider a proposal for buyback of equity shares of the company at its meeting to be held on February 20, 2017, it said in a BSE filing. Buyback is the purchase by a company of its outstanding shares, which results in reduction of the number of shares in the open market. Companies resort to buybacks to show the management and promoters have confidence in the business and to pare cash pile. Buybacks are also expected to boost the earnings per share of companies and stabilise stock price. According to Sebi norms, buybacks up to 10 per cent paid-up equity capital and reserves dont need shareholders approval. The decision by TCS, Indias largest IT services firm, comes in the backdrop of investors raising concerns over the huge cash pile that the company is sitting on. As of end-December 2016, TCS had `43,169 crore cash and investments on its book, which is roughly 10 per cent of its market capitalisation. On Thursday, Infosys hinted that it might also announce a share buyback in the near future. In an interview to a television channel, Infosys chief operating officer Pravin Rao said, We are not averse to buyback, the board is not averse to it. The second largest software services firm in India, is sitting on a cash pile of `35,697 crore or $5.25 billion as on December 31, 2016. Hailing TCS decision, former Infosys chief financial officer Mohandas Pai said, TCS buyback will help the company and the stock price. TCS has demonstrated that its leadership is not weak. After Cognizants buyback announcement, experts had said it would prompt other large IT firms to consider a similar action. In an interview to a television channel on Wednesday, TCS outgoing chief N Chandrasekaran had said the company had received suggestions from investors over the need for certainty on dividend policy along with share buyback to distribute the cash. These two comments have come from investors and we will discuss it in the board, Chandrasekaran had said. By Express News Service BENGALURU: From schoolchildren to senior citizens, over 200 residents of Whitefield launched a silent protest against the apathy of BWSSB and BBMP, and demanding the restoration of the road and civic amenities on Wednesday morning on Borewell Road, Nallurhalli. They formed a human chain to cover the 1.5 km stretch from Post Office to Ambedkar Statue in one hour. Bad roads, increasing pollution, garbage-strewn roads, fatal accidents due to rogue water tankers are some of the major issues the people face every day. The protest in Hagadur ward drew people from far and near. Led by a band of drummers, the protesters held placards, wore black and donned masks symbolising the pathetic condition of one of the Whitefields oldest roads. Children aged between 4 to 6 years were seen holding placards that read -- We need good roads to commute to school. Many residents stood outside their homes in support of the march and a few office-goers took half-day leave to take part in the protest. Everyday commuters and residents are suffering, especially, since BWSSB dug up the narrow road in August last year, added Pravir Bagrodia, a member of Whitefield Rising. Clare, a senior citizen and an Anglo-Indian residing at Whitefield for the last 20 years, said, I reside on Borewell Road and every structure, be it roads, streetlights, pollution or sewage system, they have all gone from bad to worse. This is why we all are on the streets today protesting the negligence meted out to this locality. Zibi Jamal a member of Whitefield Rising, said, Underground drainage work that started in August 2016 was supposed to be completed by October, but it is still going on even after repeated requests to BWSSB, BBMP and everyone concerned. Lack of footpaths and poor lighting further exacerbate the problems. BENGALURU: From schoolchildren to senior citizens, over 200 residents of Whitefield launched a silent protest against the apathy of BWSSB and BBMP, and demanding the restoration of the road and civic amenities on Wednesday morning on Borewell Road, Nallurhalli. They formed a human chain to cover the 1.5 km stretch from Post Office to Ambedkar Statue in one hour. Bad roads, increasing pollution, garbage-strewn roads, fatal accidents due to rogue water tankers are some of the major issues the people face every day. The protest in Hagadur ward drew people from far and near. Led by a band of drummers, the protesters held placards, wore black and donned masks symbolising the pathetic condition of one of the Whitefields oldest roads. Children aged between 4 to 6 years were seen holding placards that read -- We need good roads to commute to school. Many residents stood outside their homes in support of the march and a few office-goers took half-day leave to take part in the protest. Everyday commuters and residents are suffering, especially, since BWSSB dug up the narrow road in August last year, added Pravir Bagrodia, a member of Whitefield Rising. Clare, a senior citizen and an Anglo-Indian residing at Whitefield for the last 20 years, said, I reside on Borewell Road and every structure, be it roads, streetlights, pollution or sewage system, they have all gone from bad to worse. This is why we all are on the streets today protesting the negligence meted out to this locality. Zibi Jamal a member of Whitefield Rising, said, Underground drainage work that started in August 2016 was supposed to be completed by October, but it is still going on even after repeated requests to BWSSB, BBMP and everyone concerned. Lack of footpaths and poor lighting further exacerbate the problems. Saumya Chawla By Express News Service CHENNAI:Walk into her stall, and youre instantly taken by the glittering platforms and art deco wedges that are staring back at you. Try them on! Ana Boluda smiles and suddenly you feel like Cinderella who has finally found her glass slip-on. Ana is a consulting fashion designer, who is also an advisor in Spanish style for a couple of outlets in North India and she is also a quality controller. Her designs are contemporary and inspired by Indian weddings but with a Spanish touch. You can see the colours Ive used, lots of gold and silver, like a happy Indian wedding! she smiles and shows us some of her best sellers. All her shoes are handmade using natural materials, and made in Spain. Ana is part of a team of designers, and she fell into fashion out of pure love. That was 32 years back. While she didnt study fashion, her eye for style has taken her a long way. She has been working in India for the past three years and is a distributor of Spanish shoes and designs here. She lives literally outside the suitcase, travelling between the two countries. So why shoes in particular? Since Ive been coming to India, Ive noticed that they have everything. Gorgeous fabrics, beautiful colours, jewellery. But Indians dont have a good culture with shoes, she opines, saying that she saw an opportunity here. You have good materials, good technology, production and marketing in India. But you are missing out on important aspects like quality, finish and design. Brushing her curls, she talks excitedly. Unlike Spain, where we are very good with quality and price, here you either have cheap shoes, or expensive, branded items. There is nothing mid range, she says. Her shoes are modestly priced between `6,000 and 9,000. Trends are important but I put my personal style in them. She works with other designers and fabrics for different seasons, and regions, including leather and textiles, making each collection unique. You will not find these shoes in Spain, despite my brands presence. This collection is exclusive to India. The big plus of her design is comfort. These are platforms and wedges made from leather, and fit the arch perfectly! How is the style in India different from that in Spain? I think what works in Spain can work in India, but the other way around is a little more difficult, but India has more to grow. Its getting more contemporary now and is changing. Ana is working towards bringing Spanish designs that are not as commercial as Massimo and Zara into the retail market. For details visit:www.anaboluda.com CHENNAI:Walk into her stall, and youre instantly taken by the glittering platforms and art deco wedges that are staring back at you. Try them on! Ana Boluda smiles and suddenly you feel like Cinderella who has finally found her glass slip-on. Ana is a consulting fashion designer, who is also an advisor in Spanish style for a couple of outlets in North India and she is also a quality controller. Her designs are contemporary and inspired by Indian weddings but with a Spanish touch. You can see the colours Ive used, lots of gold and silver, like a happy Indian wedding! she smiles and shows us some of her best sellers. All her shoes are handmade using natural materials, and made in Spain. Ana is part of a team of designers, and she fell into fashion out of pure love. That was 32 years back. While she didnt study fashion, her eye for style has taken her a long way. She has been working in India for the past three years and is a distributor of Spanish shoes and designs here. She lives literally outside the suitcase, travelling between the two countries. So why shoes in particular? Since Ive been coming to India, Ive noticed that they have everything. Gorgeous fabrics, beautiful colours, jewellery. But Indians dont have a good culture with shoes, she opines, saying that she saw an opportunity here. You have good materials, good technology, production and marketing in India. But you are missing out on important aspects like quality, finish and design. Brushing her curls, she talks excitedly. Unlike Spain, where we are very good with quality and price, here you either have cheap shoes, or expensive, branded items. There is nothing mid range, she says. Her shoes are modestly priced between `6,000 and 9,000. Trends are important but I put my personal style in them. She works with other designers and fabrics for different seasons, and regions, including leather and textiles, making each collection unique. You will not find these shoes in Spain, despite my brands presence. This collection is exclusive to India. The big plus of her design is comfort. These are platforms and wedges made from leather, and fit the arch perfectly! How is the style in India different from that in Spain? I think what works in Spain can work in India, but the other way around is a little more difficult, but India has more to grow. Its getting more contemporary now and is changing. Ana is working towards bringing Spanish designs that are not as commercial as Massimo and Zara into the retail market. For details visit:www.anaboluda.com President Trump left official Washington flabbergasted with his latest press conference, a rambling sparring match with reporters that was the political equivalent of a professional wrestling smackdown. Trump mostly fulminated on leaks that have undermined his Cabinet nominees and other aides. But Trump made a passing reference to one important economic issuejobswhile taking credit for jawboning a handful of companies to invest more in the United States. Trump praised five companies by nameFord (F), General Motors (GM), Fiat Chrysler (FCAU), Intel (INTC) and Walmart (WMT)for committing to hire more Americans. If I didnt get elected, believe, me, they would have left and these things Im announcing never would have come here. Theres some debate about that. The automakers, to some extent, repackaged prior news to make it seem like they were making new investments in US plants that probably would have happened anyway. Intel and Walmart may or may not have ramped up US hiring without Trump. Trumps focus on jobs Donald Trump at his press conference on Thursday. Yahoo News Digest. But lets give Trump credit for this: He has made jobs the focal point of his economic plan and expressed an urgent need to create more of them. Just about all politicians do this, and Trump may turn out to be more talk than action. Still, it is certainly something new to see a president calling out companies by name and asking their CEOs what they plan to do to create more jobs. The list of accomplishments Trump reeled off during his press conference was overstated, but he highlighted one common sense thing that will play well in the heartland. When deciding to approve the construction of two oil pipelines President Obama had blocked, Trump decided to stipulate that they needed to be built with steel made in America. They build a pipeline in this country, Trump said, and we use the powers of government to make that pipeline happen, we want them to use American steel. Hard to argue with that. There are many risks to Trumps economic plan and his focus on jobs. The first is that Trumps penchant for controversy creates so much turmoil that it undermines his support in Congresseven among his fellow Republicansand wrecks his ability to get anything done. Given that some of Trumps controversies are self-inflictedcriticizing judges, bashing Nordstrom (JWN) for phasing out his daughters line of productsTrump could torpedo his own plan. No leaks required. Story continues Another big risk is that Trump has identified the wrong solutions, even if he accurately perceives the problem. Theres a lot of data showing a decline in certain middle-class jobs, and eroding living standards along with that. But punishing trade partners and keeping out immigrants, as Trump proposes, could do more harm than good. Better to focus on new ways to give more workers the skills needed for the jobs of the future. Still, Trump has now met with dozens of CEOs and apparently asked or told all of them to find ways to hire more US workers. CEOs undoubtedly think twice these days about closing American facilities and opening ones abroad. They might just be waiting Trump out, betting that his attention span will fade and hell grow tired of harping on jobs. But the rule regarding Trump is, dont underestimate him. Or lose sight of the method amid the madness. Confidential tip line: rickjnewman@yahoo.com Rick Newman is the author of four books, including Rebounders: How Winners Pivot from Setback to Success. Follow him on Twitter: @rickjnewman. Read more: Trump wants to block immigrant workers companies need Why Trump deserves extreme vettingfrom the press Heres the template for Trumps dealmaking on jobs Namita bajpai By Express News Service LUCKNOW: With the first two phases of polling over, the UP election bandwagon moved on to central UP. The third phase is crucial for it covers the Yadav country. It is home to the MSY family boroughs. When the Samajwadi Party swept the 2012 election, it was here that the party won 55 out of the 69 seats up for grabs. No wonder that Akhilesh Yadav spent the whole day in Etawah and Mainpuri on Thursday. But with many kinsmen in the audience, the young chief minister had but to address the topic most germane to them: the family feud within the Yadav family which he has just won. So in his rallies on Wednesday, Akhilesh sought to explain his political compulsions in defying his father Mulayam Singh and distancing his uncle Shivpal Yadav. As the occasion demanded, he played the good son. "I don't have any doubt as to whom this party belongs. It is Netaji's party in every sense and will always remain so," Akhilesh said. He wasn't quite so obsequious as regards Shivpal, referring to his uncle's faction only obliquely and alerting the audience of fellow Yadavs to the possibility of embittered adversaries scuttling the Samajwadi party even its pocket boroughs. "This is my home and I have come here to meet everyone but who knows? Some forces are working against the party to defeat its candidates defeat here," he said. Similarly backhandedly, he acknowledged Shivpal's efforts -- addressing the uncle in the rhetorical second person -- in building up the party to its present stature in UP: "I don't have a grudge against anyone. I accept that you (Shivpal) have put in your blood and sweat along with Netaji to build this party during the last 25 years. And now it is our responsibility to take this movement 25 years further." As regards the bitter fight over the party's family silver such as the bicycle symbol, Akhilesh bared his arms in a 'what could I do' gesture. He was compelled to what he did. "Had I not acted, I don't know what would have been my fate in the party," he said. While Akhilesh's day in the home land was spent explaining himself to clansmen, the old enemy was not forgotten, especially Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose barbs against Akhilesh have gotten sharper in the last two days due to the need to rally the Other OBC voters in the Yadav Land. Particularly pointed have been Modi's remarks that Akhilesh has chosen to make friends with the Congress forgetting that that party allegedly conspired in a murderous attack on father Mulayam back in 1984. Akhilesh, who would have been 10 years old at that time and must have some memory of that attack, replied on Thursday: "Modiji did not need to go back to 1984. If he wanted to pit me against the Congress party, he could have mentioned Firozabad which is much more recent. But this does not hit my tie-up with Congrees." That was a reference to the defeat inflicted by UP Congress chief Raj Babbar on Akhilesh Yadav's wife Dimple in a byelection to the Firozabad Lok Sabha seat in 2009. Some people put me through a very tough test. I can't imagine what would have been my stature in the party if I had the support of only 10 MLAs. -- Akhilesh Yadav LUCKNOW: With the first two phases of polling over, the UP election bandwagon moved on to central UP. The third phase is crucial for it covers the Yadav country. It is home to the MSY family boroughs. When the Samajwadi Party swept the 2012 election, it was here that the party won 55 out of the 69 seats up for grabs. No wonder that Akhilesh Yadav spent the whole day in Etawah and Mainpuri on Thursday. But with many kinsmen in the audience, the young chief minister had but to address the topic most germane to them: the family feud within the Yadav family which he has just won. So in his rallies on Wednesday, Akhilesh sought to explain his political compulsions in defying his father Mulayam Singh and distancing his uncle Shivpal Yadav. As the occasion demanded, he played the good son. "I don't have any doubt as to whom this party belongs. It is Netaji's party in every sense and will always remain so," Akhilesh said. He wasn't quite so obsequious as regards Shivpal, referring to his uncle's faction only obliquely and alerting the audience of fellow Yadavs to the possibility of embittered adversaries scuttling the Samajwadi party even its pocket boroughs. "This is my home and I have come here to meet everyone but who knows? Some forces are working against the party to defeat its candidates defeat here," he said. Similarly backhandedly, he acknowledged Shivpal's efforts -- addressing the uncle in the rhetorical second person -- in building up the party to its present stature in UP: "I don't have a grudge against anyone. I accept that you (Shivpal) have put in your blood and sweat along with Netaji to build this party during the last 25 years. And now it is our responsibility to take this movement 25 years further." As regards the bitter fight over the party's family silver such as the bicycle symbol, Akhilesh bared his arms in a 'what could I do' gesture. He was compelled to what he did. "Had I not acted, I don't know what would have been my fate in the party," he said. While Akhilesh's day in the home land was spent explaining himself to clansmen, the old enemy was not forgotten, especially Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose barbs against Akhilesh have gotten sharper in the last two days due to the need to rally the Other OBC voters in the Yadav Land. Particularly pointed have been Modi's remarks that Akhilesh has chosen to make friends with the Congress forgetting that that party allegedly conspired in a murderous attack on father Mulayam back in 1984. Akhilesh, who would have been 10 years old at that time and must have some memory of that attack, replied on Thursday: "Modiji did not need to go back to 1984. If he wanted to pit me against the Congress party, he could have mentioned Firozabad which is much more recent. But this does not hit my tie-up with Congrees." That was a reference to the defeat inflicted by UP Congress chief Raj Babbar on Akhilesh Yadav's wife Dimple in a byelection to the Firozabad Lok Sabha seat in 2009. Some people put me through a very tough test. I can't imagine what would have been my stature in the party if I had the support of only 10 MLAs. -- Akhilesh Yadav Namita bajpai By Express News Service LUCKNOW: With UP elections all set to enter the proverbial Yadav belt, the big guns have unleashed their firepower to the fullest. While Prime Minister Narendra Modi delved into the annals of contemporary political history to remind chief minister Akhilesh Yadav that he was allying with a party which conspired to kill his father, the latter targeted both the BJP and the BSP cautioning voters the two can join hands after elections. UP voters should not trust BSP as it might join hands with BJP after the Assembly elections, Akhilesh said in Unnao. Buaji (aunty - Mayawati) is saying she will sit in the opposition if she is unable to form government. Elections are not over yet, but she is ready to sit in the opposition. She cannot be relied upon. She can join hands with anyone, he stated. In a desperate bid to win over a large number of Muslim voters in Phase II, BSP chief Mayawati on Tuesday said she would rather sit in the opposition instead of joining hands with the BJP if her government is not able to win a majority. Speaking at a rally in Kannauj on Wednesday, Modi said Akhilesh had taken politics to its lowest level in UP by joining hands with the Congress, which conspired to kill his father Mulayam Singh Yadav on March 4, 1984. Kya raajneeti itni gir gayi hai ke kursi ke moh mein iss prakaar ke kaand kiye jaaye (has politics stooped to such level such a step should be taken to remain in power, Modi questioned. Recalling the incident, the Modi added, Fed up of attacks by Mulayam Singh as leader of the opposition in Vidhan Parishad, Congress got shots fired at him on March 4, 1984; but he survived. Calling the SP-Congress alliance an opportunistic tie-up, the PM referred to it as a pact between two political families which was stitched for political gains. This alliance will shatter all your dreams, Modi cautioned. Later, Akhilesh Yadav said it was an alliance, not between two families but between two youngsters who wanted to work for the development of the people of the state. However, both the Prime Minister and the BSP chief minced no words in attacking the Akhilesh government over poor law and order situation, lack of development and prevailing corruption, which, they claimed, had crossed all limits during the last five years. On the contrary, addressing a series of public rallies, BSP chief Mayawati launched a multi-pronged attack on the BJP and the SP indicating collusion between the two parties in the state. Calling the PMs dig at Akhilesh a mere hogwash, Mayawati was seen cautioning the UP voters. LUCKNOW: With UP elections all set to enter the proverbial Yadav belt, the big guns have unleashed their firepower to the fullest. While Prime Minister Narendra Modi delved into the annals of contemporary political history to remind chief minister Akhilesh Yadav that he was allying with a party which conspired to kill his father, the latter targeted both the BJP and the BSP cautioning voters the two can join hands after elections. UP voters should not trust BSP as it might join hands with BJP after the Assembly elections, Akhilesh said in Unnao. Buaji (aunty - Mayawati) is saying she will sit in the opposition if she is unable to form government. Elections are not over yet, but she is ready to sit in the opposition. She cannot be relied upon. She can join hands with anyone, he stated. In a desperate bid to win over a large number of Muslim voters in Phase II, BSP chief Mayawati on Tuesday said she would rather sit in the opposition instead of joining hands with the BJP if her government is not able to win a majority. Speaking at a rally in Kannauj on Wednesday, Modi said Akhilesh had taken politics to its lowest level in UP by joining hands with the Congress, which conspired to kill his father Mulayam Singh Yadav on March 4, 1984. Kya raajneeti itni gir gayi hai ke kursi ke moh mein iss prakaar ke kaand kiye jaaye (has politics stooped to such level such a step should be taken to remain in power, Modi questioned. Recalling the incident, the Modi added, Fed up of attacks by Mulayam Singh as leader of the opposition in Vidhan Parishad, Congress got shots fired at him on March 4, 1984; but he survived. Calling the SP-Congress alliance an opportunistic tie-up, the PM referred to it as a pact between two political families which was stitched for political gains. This alliance will shatter all your dreams, Modi cautioned. Later, Akhilesh Yadav said it was an alliance, not between two families but between two youngsters who wanted to work for the development of the people of the state. However, both the Prime Minister and the BSP chief minced no words in attacking the Akhilesh government over poor law and order situation, lack of development and prevailing corruption, which, they claimed, had crossed all limits during the last five years. On the contrary, addressing a series of public rallies, BSP chief Mayawati launched a multi-pronged attack on the BJP and the SP indicating collusion between the two parties in the state. Calling the PMs dig at Akhilesh a mere hogwash, Mayawati was seen cautioning the UP voters. By Express News Service NEW DELHI: India and China are set to hold their first strategic dialogue with foreign secretary S Jaishankar travelling to Beijing. India and China will discuss all issues of mutual interest in bilateral, regional and international domain. A ministry of external affairs (MEA) spokesperson said that the two countries would be discussing friction points. In the backdrop of China protesting India's hosting of Taiwanese legislators and New Delhi miffed at Beijing refusing to understand its sensitivities on the issues of entry to NSG and proscribing Masood Azhar, the two countries are set to hold their first strategic dialogue. "India and China share a close development partnership and there are a number of issues between the two countries. While there are collaborative activities, there are also some friction points, Swarup said. "The idea is that through the mechanism of this strategic dialogue, the foreign secretary from our side and his Chinese counterpart can take a holistic view of India-China relations and see to what extent the two sides can accommodate each other's concerns and interests," he added. The new, comprehensive mechanism was set up during the visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in 2016. The timing of India hosting Taiwanese legislators just before the dialogue cannot be overstated. Chinas observers contend that Beijing likes to negotiate from a position of strength and Indias assertive stand vis-a-vis Taiwan is seen as a way of getting back at the eastern neighbour. Jaishankar has on numerous occasions enumerated that China is expected to be appreciative of Indias interests especially when they are not in conflict with those of Beijing and that the two countries need to approach each other with a bit of strategic maturity. Categorically, in January 2017, Jaishankar made it explicit that China needs to respect other peoples sovereignty. China is a country which is very sensitive on matters concerning its sovereignty. So we would expect that they would have some understanding of other peoples sensitivity on their sovereignty, he said, noting there was no sign of any reflection from China on Indias concerns over CPEC project. Vikas Swarup to be Canada envoy Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer Vikas Swarup will be Indias High Commissioner to Canada, the government said on Thursday. The 1986-batch officer had served in several embassies, including the US and Turkey. NEW DELHI: India and China are set to hold their first strategic dialogue with foreign secretary S Jaishankar travelling to Beijing. India and China will discuss all issues of mutual interest in bilateral, regional and international domain. A ministry of external affairs (MEA) spokesperson said that the two countries would be discussing friction points. In the backdrop of China protesting India's hosting of Taiwanese legislators and New Delhi miffed at Beijing refusing to understand its sensitivities on the issues of entry to NSG and proscribing Masood Azhar, the two countries are set to hold their first strategic dialogue. "India and China share a close development partnership and there are a number of issues between the two countries. While there are collaborative activities, there are also some friction points, Swarup said. "The idea is that through the mechanism of this strategic dialogue, the foreign secretary from our side and his Chinese counterpart can take a holistic view of India-China relations and see to what extent the two sides can accommodate each other's concerns and interests," he added. The new, comprehensive mechanism was set up during the visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in 2016. The timing of India hosting Taiwanese legislators just before the dialogue cannot be overstated. Chinas observers contend that Beijing likes to negotiate from a position of strength and Indias assertive stand vis-a-vis Taiwan is seen as a way of getting back at the eastern neighbour. Jaishankar has on numerous occasions enumerated that China is expected to be appreciative of Indias interests especially when they are not in conflict with those of Beijing and that the two countries need to approach each other with a bit of strategic maturity. Categorically, in January 2017, Jaishankar made it explicit that China needs to respect other peoples sovereignty. China is a country which is very sensitive on matters concerning its sovereignty. So we would expect that they would have some understanding of other peoples sensitivity on their sovereignty, he said, noting there was no sign of any reflection from China on Indias concerns over CPEC project. Vikas Swarup to be Canada envoy Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer Vikas Swarup will be Indias High Commissioner to Canada, the government said on Thursday. The 1986-batch officer had served in several embassies, including the US and Turkey. Santwana Bhattacharya By Express News Service NEW DELHI:The polling exercise, in the eye of both analysts and the public, is mostly about voter turnouts and the usual statistics about Uttarakhand recorded a high at 65.5 per cent and UP higher at 68 per cent. Rarely is it about the ubiquitous polling officials. But on Wednesday, the Election Commission could not avoid marvelling at its foot soldiers the polling personnel who trekked for three days from Feb 11 to 14 carrying EVMs on mules to reach a couple of snow-bound polling booths in Chamoli and Ganshali of Uttarakhand, just to help 275 and 230 voters respectively to exercise their franchise. These were just two of the 803 snow-hit booths of the hills for which the polling squads had to make preparations for almost a month. For once, it was not the candidates or the political parties embroiled in a bitter contest, but these polling personnel clogs in the wheel who stood out. Otherwise polling in the politically crucial second phase of UP and in Uttarakhand took place with routine precision. While the Samajwadi Party and the Congress are trying to retain power in the respective states, the BJP is challenging them in both. BSP chief Mayawati is creating a quiet buzz around her party over the alliance of the underdog, the Dalit and the non-elite Muslims. This time the Uttarakhand voter turn-out has been the highest ever. The turnout was 68% at 5PM and in many polling stations there were long queues so it is likely to go higher. In the 2012 elections the turnout was 67.22% and 62.15% in the 2014 general elections, said Sandeep Saxena, deputy election commissioner. He added, Polling in Uttarakhand went by peacefully. There was no incident of violence and intimidation that was reported. In other interesting sidelights, in the run-up to the poll, cash worth Rs 3.38 crore and narcotics worth Rs 37.23 lakh were seized. Electorate in 69 assembly constituencies of Uttarakhand and 67 of UPs terai and its vicinity cast their votes to decide the fate of 628 and 720 candidates, respectively. Till 5PM, 65.5% voting was done. The tone has been set in the first and second phase and the EC will continue to conduct free and fair elections in the remaining phases as well, said Vijay Dev, Deputy Election Commissioner in charge of Uttar Pradesh. He added, There was a scheme to curb the influence of money and liquor in elections. Total cash seizure was Rs 16.52 crore. And 3.29 lakh litre liquor worth Rs 9 crore and drugs worth Rs 1.16 crore were seized. Uttar Pradesh registered a turnout of 64.22% in the first phase of polling for 73 constituencies of western UP. The 403 constituencies in the state are going to poll in seven phases. In Uttarakhand, chief minister Harish Rawat-led Congress party is in a direct contest with the BJP. Out of the total 70 assembly constituencies of Uttarakhand, polling in Karnaprayag seat is not taking place due to the death of BSP candidate Kuldeep Singh Kanwasi in a road accident on Sunday. NEW DELHI:The polling exercise, in the eye of both analysts and the public, is mostly about voter turnouts and the usual statistics about Uttarakhand recorded a high at 65.5 per cent and UP higher at 68 per cent. Rarely is it about the ubiquitous polling officials. But on Wednesday, the Election Commission could not avoid marvelling at its foot soldiers the polling personnel who trekked for three days from Feb 11 to 14 carrying EVMs on mules to reach a couple of snow-bound polling booths in Chamoli and Ganshali of Uttarakhand, just to help 275 and 230 voters respectively to exercise their franchise. These were just two of the 803 snow-hit booths of the hills for which the polling squads had to make preparations for almost a month. For once, it was not the candidates or the political parties embroiled in a bitter contest, but these polling personnel clogs in the wheel who stood out. Otherwise polling in the politically crucial second phase of UP and in Uttarakhand took place with routine precision. While the Samajwadi Party and the Congress are trying to retain power in the respective states, the BJP is challenging them in both. BSP chief Mayawati is creating a quiet buzz around her party over the alliance of the underdog, the Dalit and the non-elite Muslims. This time the Uttarakhand voter turn-out has been the highest ever. The turnout was 68% at 5PM and in many polling stations there were long queues so it is likely to go higher. In the 2012 elections the turnout was 67.22% and 62.15% in the 2014 general elections, said Sandeep Saxena, deputy election commissioner. He added, Polling in Uttarakhand went by peacefully. There was no incident of violence and intimidation that was reported. In other interesting sidelights, in the run-up to the poll, cash worth Rs 3.38 crore and narcotics worth Rs 37.23 lakh were seized. Electorate in 69 assembly constituencies of Uttarakhand and 67 of UPs terai and its vicinity cast their votes to decide the fate of 628 and 720 candidates, respectively. Till 5PM, 65.5% voting was done. The tone has been set in the first and second phase and the EC will continue to conduct free and fair elections in the remaining phases as well, said Vijay Dev, Deputy Election Commissioner in charge of Uttar Pradesh. He added, There was a scheme to curb the influence of money and liquor in elections. Total cash seizure was Rs 16.52 crore. And 3.29 lakh litre liquor worth Rs 9 crore and drugs worth Rs 1.16 crore were seized. Uttar Pradesh registered a turnout of 64.22% in the first phase of polling for 73 constituencies of western UP. The 403 constituencies in the state are going to poll in seven phases. In Uttarakhand, chief minister Harish Rawat-led Congress party is in a direct contest with the BJP. Out of the total 70 assembly constituencies of Uttarakhand, polling in Karnaprayag seat is not taking place due to the death of BSP candidate Kuldeep Singh Kanwasi in a road accident on Sunday. By PTI NEW DELHI: India and China will hold their first Strategic Dialogue on February 22 in Beijing during which the two sides will discuss key issues of mutual "concern and interest" including "friction points" such as Masood Azhar and NSG. Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar and Executive Vice Chairman of China hang Yesui will co-chair the meet to discuss "all issues of mutual interest in the bilateral, regional and international domain", External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said today. Acknowledging that there are "friction points" in Sino-China ties, Swarup said the dialogue will strive for a holistic view of the relations between the two countries and see to what extent they can accommodate each other's concerns and interests. "India and China share a close development partnership and there are a number of issues also between the two countries." While there are collaborative activities, there are also some friction points. "The idea is that through the mechanism of this strategic dialogue, the foreign secretary from our side and his Chinese counterpart can take a holistic view of India-China relations and see to what extent the two sides can accommodate each other's concerns and interests," he said. Maintaining that the upcoming Strategic Dialogue, which was set up during the visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in August last year, was a new mechanism, Swarup said it is a more "comprehensive" forum. India-China ties have witnessed strain following Beijing's rigid stand on issues crucial to India such as membership to the Nuclear Suppliers Group and designation of JeM chief and Pathankot attack mastermind Masood Azhar as the global terrorist by the UN. Not only China scuttled India's membership bid at the meeting of NSG last year, it also opposed banning of Azhar by the UN, apparently at the behest of its "all-weather" friend Pakistan. Yesterday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry also said it has lodged a protest with India for hosting a Taiwanese parliamentary delegation and asked it to deal "prudently" with Taiwan-related matters. New Delhi dismissed the protest saying no "political meanings" should be read into such trips. NEW DELHI: India and China will hold their first Strategic Dialogue on February 22 in Beijing during which the two sides will discuss key issues of mutual "concern and interest" including "friction points" such as Masood Azhar and NSG. Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar and Executive Vice Chairman of China hang Yesui will co-chair the meet to discuss "all issues of mutual interest in the bilateral, regional and international domain", External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said today. Acknowledging that there are "friction points" in Sino-China ties, Swarup said the dialogue will strive for a holistic view of the relations between the two countries and see to what extent they can accommodate each other's concerns and interests. "India and China share a close development partnership and there are a number of issues also between the two countries." While there are collaborative activities, there are also some friction points. "The idea is that through the mechanism of this strategic dialogue, the foreign secretary from our side and his Chinese counterpart can take a holistic view of India-China relations and see to what extent the two sides can accommodate each other's concerns and interests," he said. Maintaining that the upcoming Strategic Dialogue, which was set up during the visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in August last year, was a new mechanism, Swarup said it is a more "comprehensive" forum. India-China ties have witnessed strain following Beijing's rigid stand on issues crucial to India such as membership to the Nuclear Suppliers Group and designation of JeM chief and Pathankot attack mastermind Masood Azhar as the global terrorist by the UN. Not only China scuttled India's membership bid at the meeting of NSG last year, it also opposed banning of Azhar by the UN, apparently at the behest of its "all-weather" friend Pakistan. Yesterday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry also said it has lodged a protest with India for hosting a Taiwanese parliamentary delegation and asked it to deal "prudently" with Taiwan-related matters. New Delhi dismissed the protest saying no "political meanings" should be read into such trips. By PTI MUMBAI: The acrimony between allies BJP and Shiv Sena has dominated the campaign for civic elections in Mumbai and other cities of Maharashtra, relegating pressing civic issues to the background. With less than a week to go for the polls, it has turned into the battle of prestige for Devendra Fadnavis, heading the state's first BJP-led government, and Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray. Congress, which is plagued by infighting, has failed to take advantage of the BJP-Sena rift, according to political observers. The electoral scene is dominated by the trading of charges, especially in the case of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, Asia's richest civic body with an annual budget of Rs 38,000 crore. It has become all the more important for Shiv Sena to retain control over Mumbai, its political heartland ever since its formation in the 1960s, after its dominant role in state politics eroded when BJP emerged as the single largest party in the Assembly polls in 2014. BJP is now eyeing to wrest the BMC from the Sena, with which it has been ruling the Mumbai civic body for last 22 years. Shiv Sena did not take kindly to the ally's bid to "usurp" its authority in Mumbai and even threatened to chart out its independent political course. Watching the saffron battle gleefully, NCP chief Sharad Pawar has ruled out extending support to the BJP government in the event of Sena pulling the plug, saying his party would rather prefer mid-term polls. Justifying the outside support extended to the BJP after 2014, Pawar said it was to prevent fresh polls then, but the state could now go for mid-term elections. Congress, which has always been a divided house in the city, has failed to put up a united fight. Congress veteran Gurudas Kamat openly criticised city party chief Sanjay Nirupam and AICC general secretary Mohan Prakash over their style of functioning and not taking along all the leaders in decision-making. The bickering in the party unit forced AICC to rush Haryana leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda to the city to sort out the issues, following which Kamat relented. In the cacophony, larger civic issues like good roads, uninterrupted water supply, and other basic amenities which the common man looks for, have drowned, the observers feel. The elections, to be held on February 16 and 21, cover almost 80 percent of the state's electorate from 25 zilla parishads, 283 panchayat samitis and 10 municipal corporations. MUMBAI: The acrimony between allies BJP and Shiv Sena has dominated the campaign for civic elections in Mumbai and other cities of Maharashtra, relegating pressing civic issues to the background. With less than a week to go for the polls, it has turned into the battle of prestige for Devendra Fadnavis, heading the state's first BJP-led government, and Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray. Congress, which is plagued by infighting, has failed to take advantage of the BJP-Sena rift, according to political observers. The electoral scene is dominated by the trading of charges, especially in the case of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, Asia's richest civic body with an annual budget of Rs 38,000 crore. It has become all the more important for Shiv Sena to retain control over Mumbai, its political heartland ever since its formation in the 1960s, after its dominant role in state politics eroded when BJP emerged as the single largest party in the Assembly polls in 2014. BJP is now eyeing to wrest the BMC from the Sena, with which it has been ruling the Mumbai civic body for last 22 years. Shiv Sena did not take kindly to the ally's bid to "usurp" its authority in Mumbai and even threatened to chart out its independent political course. Watching the saffron battle gleefully, NCP chief Sharad Pawar has ruled out extending support to the BJP government in the event of Sena pulling the plug, saying his party would rather prefer mid-term polls. Justifying the outside support extended to the BJP after 2014, Pawar said it was to prevent fresh polls then, but the state could now go for mid-term elections. Congress, which has always been a divided house in the city, has failed to put up a united fight. Congress veteran Gurudas Kamat openly criticised city party chief Sanjay Nirupam and AICC general secretary Mohan Prakash over their style of functioning and not taking along all the leaders in decision-making. The bickering in the party unit forced AICC to rush Haryana leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda to the city to sort out the issues, following which Kamat relented. In the cacophony, larger civic issues like good roads, uninterrupted water supply, and other basic amenities which the common man looks for, have drowned, the observers feel. The elections, to be held on February 16 and 21, cover almost 80 percent of the state's electorate from 25 zilla parishads, 283 panchayat samitis and 10 municipal corporations. By Express News Service NEW DELHI: Sending a strong message to local Kashmiri people creating a hurdle by throwing stones at security personnel during anti-terror operations, Army chief General Bipin Rawat on Wednesday said they will be dealt with as anti-nationals and will face harsh action. He said if they do not relent and create hurdles in our operations, we will take tough action. Rawats reaction came after his discussion with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who landed at the Palam technical area to pay homage to three of the four soldiers, including a Major, killed in two separate encounter incidents in the Kashmir Valley on Tuesday. Modi, who landed at the Palam technical area in the evening after an election rally at Kannauj in Uttar Pradesh, made a surprise visit to the airbase, where the mortal remains of the soldiers were kept. The PMs visit was not scheduled. After seeing the mortal remains of the soldiers, he paid homage to them, said a senior officer. After paying homage to the deceased personnel, Rawat briefed the PM on the prevailing situation in the Valley. He also informed the PM that security forces operating in the Valley are facing higher casualties due to interference by the locals. Local population not only restricts the movement of the security personnel during operations, at times they even help the terrorists to escape, he said. We would now request the local population that people who have picked up arms, and they are the local boys, if they want to continue with the acts of terrorism displaying flags of ISIS and Pakistan, then we will treat them as anti-national elements and go helter-skelter for them... They may survive today but we will get them tomorrow. Our relentless operations will continue, said Rawat. The Army chief said those supporting terror activities are being given an opportunity. NEW DELHI: Sending a strong message to local Kashmiri people creating a hurdle by throwing stones at security personnel during anti-terror operations, Army chief General Bipin Rawat on Wednesday said they will be dealt with as anti-nationals and will face harsh action. He said if they do not relent and create hurdles in our operations, we will take tough action. Rawats reaction came after his discussion with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who landed at the Palam technical area to pay homage to three of the four soldiers, including a Major, killed in two separate encounter incidents in the Kashmir Valley on Tuesday. Modi, who landed at the Palam technical area in the evening after an election rally at Kannauj in Uttar Pradesh, made a surprise visit to the airbase, where the mortal remains of the soldiers were kept. The PMs visit was not scheduled. After seeing the mortal remains of the soldiers, he paid homage to them, said a senior officer. After paying homage to the deceased personnel, Rawat briefed the PM on the prevailing situation in the Valley. He also informed the PM that security forces operating in the Valley are facing higher casualties due to interference by the locals. Local population not only restricts the movement of the security personnel during operations, at times they even help the terrorists to escape, he said. We would now request the local population that people who have picked up arms, and they are the local boys, if they want to continue with the acts of terrorism displaying flags of ISIS and Pakistan, then we will treat them as anti-national elements and go helter-skelter for them... They may survive today but we will get them tomorrow. Our relentless operations will continue, said Rawat. The Army chief said those supporting terror activities are being given an opportunity. Prasanta Mazumdar By Express News Service GUWAHATI: It looks to be over for Nagaland chief minister T R Zeliang. He rushed to Delhi Thursday to meet central leaders to try and save his chair after 42 of 49 MLAs of his party, the Naga Peoples Front (NPF), switched support to the party chief Shurhozelie Liezietsu as the next CM. The Naga Peoples Front is an ally of the BJP and they both are constituents in the states ruling alliance. This development came a day after some tribal organisations asked NPF MLAs to resign by Friday or face a boycott by people in next years Assembly elections. The MLAs threw their weight behind Shurhozelie Liezietsu, who is 81 years old, at a meeting held on Wednesday night. Confirming the development, Nagalands lone Rajya Sabha MP, K G Kenye, told New Indian Express that Shurhozelie Liezietsu had accepted the offer. Liezietsu has given his consent to the decision and accepted the offer. Only the transition is awaited, Kenye said. Asked if the decision was aimed at normalizing the situation in the state, he said: That is the one and only reason. The only issue confronting all of us now is the publics demand for his (Zeliangs) resignation. So, we thought he has to step down even if it is for some time. Stating that there is no internal crisis in the NPF, Kenye, however, asserted that Zeliang might make a comeback in the near future. You cannot rule out his return because these things happen everywhere, he said. A source in the Nagaland chief ministers office told New Indian Express that Zeliang would meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Rajnath Singh in Delhi. The tribal organisations in Nagaland are going for the chief ministers scalp as they are upset with his governments decision to go ahead with urban local body elections with 33 per cent reservation of seats reserved for women. There have been statewide protests against the reservation with widespread arson in Kohima and Dimapur. The tribal bodies, which have been enforcing an indefinite bandh in the state since Monday, argue that quota will infringe upon Article 371(A) which commits to protect Naga customary laws and rights. The bandh has thrown life out of gear. The protestors are not allowing government offices to function and government vehicles to ply. GUWAHATI: It looks to be over for Nagaland chief minister T R Zeliang. He rushed to Delhi Thursday to meet central leaders to try and save his chair after 42 of 49 MLAs of his party, the Naga Peoples Front (NPF), switched support to the party chief Shurhozelie Liezietsu as the next CM. The Naga Peoples Front is an ally of the BJP and they both are constituents in the states ruling alliance. This development came a day after some tribal organisations asked NPF MLAs to resign by Friday or face a boycott by people in next years Assembly elections. The MLAs threw their weight behind Shurhozelie Liezietsu, who is 81 years old, at a meeting held on Wednesday night. Confirming the development, Nagalands lone Rajya Sabha MP, K G Kenye, told New Indian Express that Shurhozelie Liezietsu had accepted the offer. Liezietsu has given his consent to the decision and accepted the offer. Only the transition is awaited, Kenye said. Asked if the decision was aimed at normalizing the situation in the state, he said: That is the one and only reason. The only issue confronting all of us now is the publics demand for his (Zeliangs) resignation. So, we thought he has to step down even if it is for some time. Stating that there is no internal crisis in the NPF, Kenye, however, asserted that Zeliang might make a comeback in the near future. You cannot rule out his return because these things happen everywhere, he said. A source in the Nagaland chief ministers office told New Indian Express that Zeliang would meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Rajnath Singh in Delhi. The tribal organisations in Nagaland are going for the chief ministers scalp as they are upset with his governments decision to go ahead with urban local body elections with 33 per cent reservation of seats reserved for women. There have been statewide protests against the reservation with widespread arson in Kohima and Dimapur. The tribal bodies, which have been enforcing an indefinite bandh in the state since Monday, argue that quota will infringe upon Article 371(A) which commits to protect Naga customary laws and rights. The bandh has thrown life out of gear. The protestors are not allowing government offices to function and government vehicles to ply. Harpreet Bajwa By Express News Service CHANDIGARH: Harmehtab Singh alias Farid, great grandson of former chief minister of Patiala and East Punjab States Union ( PEPSU) Gian Singh Rarewale was finally arrested on Thursday by the Chandigarh Police on charges of allegedly murdering Akansh Senthe nephew of Himachal Pradesh chief minister Virbhadra Singh. Farid was accompanying Balraj Singh Randhawa who ran over Sen in a BMW car leaving him dead in Sector 9 on February 9. However, the main accused Randhawa is still at large. Highly placed sources said that Farid was arrested during a raid early morning on Thursday from his friends flat in Delhi. The police had rounded up his cousin, who led them to his location in Delhi. Farid has been brought to Chandigarh and is being interrogated at Crime Branch office by deputy inspector general Alok Kumar, senior superintendent of police Eish Singhal and other senior police officers. Twenty-Eight-year-old Sen who ran Boom Box cafe in Sector 9, was run over by the BMW car thrice and had suffered 13 grievous injuries which led to his death. We hope to arrest Randhawa soon, as now Farid is in our custody, said a police official and added that Randhawa is the resident of Sector 77 in Mohali. Chandigarh District and Sessions Judge Balbir Singh, while dismissing Farids pre-arrest bail plea on Wednesday, had called Sens murder as a heinous offence of serious nature, which leaves no ground for granting anticipatory bail. On the day of the incident, Akansh along with a friend had gone to a common friends place in Sector 9 where they had a party. Shera, a friend of the deceased had an altercation with the accused there. Akansh left for Sector 18 but came back fearing his friend might have a tiff with the accused and thus entered into an altercation. The accused then sat in the BMW and crushed the deceased under the wheels of the car. Akansh was rushed to the PGIMER where he was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). A case was registered in Sector 3 Police Station against Farid and Randhawa in an attempt to murder after Akansh succumbed to his injuries. Also Himachal Pradesh chief minister Virbhadra Singh has said that he will raise this issue with union home minister Raj Nath Singh. CHANDIGARH: Harmehtab Singh alias Farid, great grandson of former chief minister of Patiala and East Punjab States Union ( PEPSU) Gian Singh Rarewale was finally arrested on Thursday by the Chandigarh Police on charges of allegedly murdering Akansh Senthe nephew of Himachal Pradesh chief minister Virbhadra Singh. Farid was accompanying Balraj Singh Randhawa who ran over Sen in a BMW car leaving him dead in Sector 9 on February 9. However, the main accused Randhawa is still at large. Highly placed sources said that Farid was arrested during a raid early morning on Thursday from his friends flat in Delhi. The police had rounded up his cousin, who led them to his location in Delhi. Farid has been brought to Chandigarh and is being interrogated at Crime Branch office by deputy inspector general Alok Kumar, senior superintendent of police Eish Singhal and other senior police officers. Twenty-Eight-year-old Sen who ran Boom Box cafe in Sector 9, was run over by the BMW car thrice and had suffered 13 grievous injuries which led to his death. We hope to arrest Randhawa soon, as now Farid is in our custody, said a police official and added that Randhawa is the resident of Sector 77 in Mohali. Chandigarh District and Sessions Judge Balbir Singh, while dismissing Farids pre-arrest bail plea on Wednesday, had called Sens murder as a heinous offence of serious nature, which leaves no ground for granting anticipatory bail. On the day of the incident, Akansh along with a friend had gone to a common friends place in Sector 9 where they had a party. Shera, a friend of the deceased had an altercation with the accused there. Akansh left for Sector 18 but came back fearing his friend might have a tiff with the accused and thus entered into an altercation. The accused then sat in the BMW and crushed the deceased under the wheels of the car. Akansh was rushed to the PGIMER where he was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). A case was registered in Sector 3 Police Station against Farid and Randhawa in an attempt to murder after Akansh succumbed to his injuries. Also Himachal Pradesh chief minister Virbhadra Singh has said that he will raise this issue with union home minister Raj Nath Singh. By Express News Service NEW DELHI: The Army Chief sent out a strong warning to the Kashmiri youth. Those pelting stones at security personnel engaged in anti-terror operations would be treated as anti-nationals and would face harsh action, General Bipin Rawat warned on Wednesday. The reaction came after Rawats discussion with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who landed in Palam technical area to pay homage to soldiers killed in encounters on Tuesday. Modi made a surprise visit to the air base after attending a rally in Uttar Pradesh. Rawat briefed the Prime Minister on the prevailing situation in the Valley. Local population not only restricts the movement of the security personnel during operations, at times, they even help the terrorists escape, he is reported to have told the PM. We would now request the local population that people who have picked up arms, and they are the local boys, if they want to continue with the acts of terrorism displaying flags of ISIS and Pakistan, then we will treat them as anti-national elements and go after for them... They may survive today but we will get them tomorrow. Our relentless operations will continue, said Rawat. NEW DELHI: The Army Chief sent out a strong warning to the Kashmiri youth. Those pelting stones at security personnel engaged in anti-terror operations would be treated as anti-nationals and would face harsh action, General Bipin Rawat warned on Wednesday. The reaction came after Rawats discussion with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who landed in Palam technical area to pay homage to soldiers killed in encounters on Tuesday. Modi made a surprise visit to the air base after attending a rally in Uttar Pradesh. Rawat briefed the Prime Minister on the prevailing situation in the Valley. Local population not only restricts the movement of the security personnel during operations, at times, they even help the terrorists escape, he is reported to have told the PM. We would now request the local population that people who have picked up arms, and they are the local boys, if they want to continue with the acts of terrorism displaying flags of ISIS and Pakistan, then we will treat them as anti-national elements and go after for them... They may survive today but we will get them tomorrow. Our relentless operations will continue, said Rawat. Namita Bajpai By Express News Service LUCKNOW: Congress poll strategist Prashant Kishors slogan UP ke ladke-- Akhilesh Yadav and Rahul Gandhi-- pitted against outsiders Modi and Amit Shah appears to have struck a chord among youngsters as evident from the heavy turnout at the road shows and rallies of the duo. But, how far will this crowd convert into votes? The answer to this question will decide the fate of Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance. The idea--UP ke ladke--seems a bid to send a message that this is an alliance of youth power. The poster carrying the slogan and the pictures of the scions along with All India Congress Committee chief Sonia Gandhi and the SP patriarch is a crowd-puller at rallies and road shows. A large number of them are there just to watch a rare sight of Akhilesh and Rahul together. But will their coming together also instill a faith for the alliance? The jury is still out, says a political commentator. Political observers believe that the catchline conveys a non-serious youthfulness rather than portraying the two leaders as astute politicians who are ready to take command of the demographically biggest state of the country. It may dent brand Akhilesh which the SP scion has managed to build over a period of time through his Kaam bolta hai rhetoric as the UP ke ladke is seen compromising the political gravity of the alliance, says a political analyst. As the perception goes, before joining hands with the Congress, Akhilesh was focusing more on delving on the achievements of his government rather than resorting much to rivals opposition. Akhilesh had successfully cut out an image of a straight, unblemished and honest politician in the making for himself. But the latest slogans portray him more as a youngster having joined Congress vice-president who is perceived as the one who still needs a broader political orientation and better perspective of polity. The young allies need to shift their political rhetoric on burning issues rather than harping on note bandi in order to gain ground as two mature leaders, says another observer. Moreover, the catchline to sell the alliance portrays Congress leader piggybacking the incumbent SP CM who is believed to have earned goodwill through his development card. Rahul Gandhi is yet to arrive politically in UP though he has been a three-time MP from the state. As the stage was being set for Assembly polls, the Congress vice-president, in a bid to gain ground in the state, made some movements through his Kisan Khat sammelans in some parts of the state but failed to sustain the effect as he vanished from battleground UP for a considerable time. While Akhilesh justifies the alliance as a step to consolidate his partys prospects in the ensuing polls, Rahul is often found grappling with replies on his partys 27 saal UP behaal slogans which also included 13 years of SP government. Initially, Congress had contemplated to base its UP campaign on the issue of lack of development in the state during the last 27 years of non-Congress rule. But after tying up with the Samajwadis, Rahul, who has not been able to revive party in the state, finds it equally difficult to convince his voters that Akhilesh was not that bad a CM but he was not allowed by several conflicting forces to perform to the best of his abilities. However, now Akhilesh may also be identified with UP ke ladke slogan along with RahulGandhi, but Jiska Jalwa Kayam Hai, Uska naam Mulayam hai, (Mulayam shines) still holds water at least for the previous generation which makes a major chunk of voters in the state. LUCKNOW: Congress poll strategist Prashant Kishors slogan UP ke ladke-- Akhilesh Yadav and Rahul Gandhi-- pitted against outsiders Modi and Amit Shah appears to have struck a chord among youngsters as evident from the heavy turnout at the road shows and rallies of the duo. But, how far will this crowd convert into votes? The answer to this question will decide the fate of Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance. The idea--UP ke ladke--seems a bid to send a message that this is an alliance of youth power. The poster carrying the slogan and the pictures of the scions along with All India Congress Committee chief Sonia Gandhi and the SP patriarch is a crowd-puller at rallies and road shows. A large number of them are there just to watch a rare sight of Akhilesh and Rahul together. But will their coming together also instill a faith for the alliance? The jury is still out, says a political commentator. Political observers believe that the catchline conveys a non-serious youthfulness rather than portraying the two leaders as astute politicians who are ready to take command of the demographically biggest state of the country. It may dent brand Akhilesh which the SP scion has managed to build over a period of time through his Kaam bolta hai rhetoric as the UP ke ladke is seen compromising the political gravity of the alliance, says a political analyst. As the perception goes, before joining hands with the Congress, Akhilesh was focusing more on delving on the achievements of his government rather than resorting much to rivals opposition. Akhilesh had successfully cut out an image of a straight, unblemished and honest politician in the making for himself. But the latest slogans portray him more as a youngster having joined Congress vice-president who is perceived as the one who still needs a broader political orientation and better perspective of polity. The young allies need to shift their political rhetoric on burning issues rather than harping on note bandi in order to gain ground as two mature leaders, says another observer. Moreover, the catchline to sell the alliance portrays Congress leader piggybacking the incumbent SP CM who is believed to have earned goodwill through his development card. Rahul Gandhi is yet to arrive politically in UP though he has been a three-time MP from the state. As the stage was being set for Assembly polls, the Congress vice-president, in a bid to gain ground in the state, made some movements through his Kisan Khat sammelans in some parts of the state but failed to sustain the effect as he vanished from battleground UP for a considerable time. While Akhilesh justifies the alliance as a step to consolidate his partys prospects in the ensuing polls, Rahul is often found grappling with replies on his partys 27 saal UP behaal slogans which also included 13 years of SP government. Initially, Congress had contemplated to base its UP campaign on the issue of lack of development in the state during the last 27 years of non-Congress rule. But after tying up with the Samajwadis, Rahul, who has not been able to revive party in the state, finds it equally difficult to convince his voters that Akhilesh was not that bad a CM but he was not allowed by several conflicting forces to perform to the best of his abilities. However, now Akhilesh may also be identified with UP ke ladke slogan along with RahulGandhi, but Jiska Jalwa Kayam Hai, Uska naam Mulayam hai, (Mulayam shines) still holds water at least for the previous generation which makes a major chunk of voters in the state. By Express News Service HYDERABAD: The A K Bajaj Committee, after a three-day tour of the Telugu states, on Wednesday wriggled out of a difficult spot saying it was not its duty to allocate water to Telangana to compensate for the diversion of Godavari waters to the Krishna basin. The Committee is now awaiting the response of the Union Water Resources Ministry on the issue. However, Telangana officials pointed out that the terms of reference for the panel included the "allocation of Godavari waters being transferred to Krishna basin in accordance with Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal Award, 1980". TS Irrigation Advisor R Vidyasagar Rao said he would approach the Centre on the issue. "I will meet the Ministry of Water Resources secretary in Delhi on Friday and push for a temporary arrangement as compensation," he said. Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao termed the quarrel over 25 tmc to 50 tmc water between AP and TS meaningless, even as around 3,000 tmc of Godavari water flows into the sea. "It is meaningless to fight over water. Our aim is to protect the interests of Telangana farmers. It does not mean that the farmers in the neighbouring state should suffer. We have adopted a live and let live policy. We have been maintaining good relations with neighbouring states," the TS Chief Minister told the five-member A K Bajaj Committee. KCR explained to the committee that around 4,000 tmc of water was available in the Krishna and Godavari rivers for Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. "Both states have 3,000 tmc in Godavari and 1,200 tmc in Krishna. Telangana requires only 1,000 tmc for its agricultural operations. We have created irrigation projects to utilise 1,000 tmc water," he said. While wrapping up his tour, A K Bajaj said the panel was willing to make an arrangement. "We will make an arbitrary arrangement if the Water Resources Ministry wants us to," he said. The Bajaj Committee met Telangana Irrigation officials on Monday and AP officials on Tuesday and held a joint meeting of officials from the two states on Wednesday at Jala Soudha. During the discussions, the Telangana officials demanded that the Committee give it a 65 per cent share in 45 tmc of Krishna waters above Nagarjuna Sagar Project (NSP), in compensation for AP diverting 53 tmc of Godavari waters to the Krishna in the current year. However, Bajaj committee said it was not its duty to address their demands. "However, we will make an interim allocation of water, is the Centre wants us to," Bajaj said. HYDERABAD: The A K Bajaj Committee, after a three-day tour of the Telugu states, on Wednesday wriggled out of a difficult spot saying it was not its duty to allocate water to Telangana to compensate for the diversion of Godavari waters to the Krishna basin. The Committee is now awaiting the response of the Union Water Resources Ministry on the issue. However, Telangana officials pointed out that the terms of reference for the panel included the "allocation of Godavari waters being transferred to Krishna basin in accordance with Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal Award, 1980". TS Irrigation Advisor R Vidyasagar Rao said he would approach the Centre on the issue. "I will meet the Ministry of Water Resources secretary in Delhi on Friday and push for a temporary arrangement as compensation," he said. Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao termed the quarrel over 25 tmc to 50 tmc water between AP and TS meaningless, even as around 3,000 tmc of Godavari water flows into the sea. "It is meaningless to fight over water. Our aim is to protect the interests of Telangana farmers. It does not mean that the farmers in the neighbouring state should suffer. We have adopted a live and let live policy. We have been maintaining good relations with neighbouring states," the TS Chief Minister told the five-member A K Bajaj Committee. KCR explained to the committee that around 4,000 tmc of water was available in the Krishna and Godavari rivers for Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. "Both states have 3,000 tmc in Godavari and 1,200 tmc in Krishna. Telangana requires only 1,000 tmc for its agricultural operations. We have created irrigation projects to utilise 1,000 tmc water," he said. While wrapping up his tour, A K Bajaj said the panel was willing to make an arrangement. "We will make an arbitrary arrangement if the Water Resources Ministry wants us to," he said. The Bajaj Committee met Telangana Irrigation officials on Monday and AP officials on Tuesday and held a joint meeting of officials from the two states on Wednesday at Jala Soudha. During the discussions, the Telangana officials demanded that the Committee give it a 65 per cent share in 45 tmc of Krishna waters above Nagarjuna Sagar Project (NSP), in compensation for AP diverting 53 tmc of Godavari waters to the Krishna in the current year. However, Bajaj committee said it was not its duty to address their demands. "However, we will make an interim allocation of water, is the Centre wants us to," Bajaj said. By PTI CHENNAI: Ruling AIADMK appears to be caught in a web of its own making, struggling to explain why the party line of same person being both the party chief and the chief minister was not applicable now. The "one person for CM and AIADMK chief" slogan was pitched by party leaders to catapult V K Sasikala to the office of Chief Minister after she was named party General Secretary in December 2016. Party leaders, including AIADMK propaganda secretary and Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker M Thambidurai, had maintained that the leadership of both the party and government should be in the "same hands" to ensure goals like good governance and better implementation of welfare programmes. Highlighting this aspect, party leaders, including Thambidurai, had urged Sasikala to immediately become Chief Minister. Eventually, she "agreed" and was elected Leader of the AIADMK Legislature Party on February 5. However, she was not invited to form the government despite her staking claim. On February 14, she was convicted in the Disproportionate Assets case by the Supreme Court. Against this background, when reporters today asked Thambidurai if Edappadi K Palanisamy will be made the party General Secretary, he said, "That view will not be necessary now." However, when journalists pressed him on, he conceded that it had been indeed the party line before. "Now the situation is different. It is true that we had said so. Due to legal problems, since Chinnamma is not available, that view will not be necessary now," he said. Stressing that the present situation is "extraordinary," in an apparent indication of the incarceration of Sasikala, he said hence the previous view will not be applicable now. "Already the party has elected Chinnamma as General Secretary. That question does not arise now," he said. On Palanisamy being appointed Chief Minister, he said, "It is a happy news. An opportunity to do good for the people." To another query, he said, "There is no split in AIADMK. All are together. Together, Amma's party will continue to do good for people. Dharma has won. We will take forward the legacy of Amma." He said the new regime had the blessings of Chinnamma (Sasikala). Asked about the possibility of those like outgoing Chief Minister O Panneerselvam making a comeback, Thambidurai said, "He was expelled from the party and is no more a member of our party." CHENNAI: Ruling AIADMK appears to be caught in a web of its own making, struggling to explain why the party line of same person being both the party chief and the chief minister was not applicable now. The "one person for CM and AIADMK chief" slogan was pitched by party leaders to catapult V K Sasikala to the office of Chief Minister after she was named party General Secretary in December 2016. Party leaders, including AIADMK propaganda secretary and Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker M Thambidurai, had maintained that the leadership of both the party and government should be in the "same hands" to ensure goals like good governance and better implementation of welfare programmes. Highlighting this aspect, party leaders, including Thambidurai, had urged Sasikala to immediately become Chief Minister. Eventually, she "agreed" and was elected Leader of the AIADMK Legislature Party on February 5. However, she was not invited to form the government despite her staking claim. On February 14, she was convicted in the Disproportionate Assets case by the Supreme Court. Against this background, when reporters today asked Thambidurai if Edappadi K Palanisamy will be made the party General Secretary, he said, "That view will not be necessary now." However, when journalists pressed him on, he conceded that it had been indeed the party line before. "Now the situation is different. It is true that we had said so. Due to legal problems, since Chinnamma is not available, that view will not be necessary now," he said. Stressing that the present situation is "extraordinary," in an apparent indication of the incarceration of Sasikala, he said hence the previous view will not be applicable now. "Already the party has elected Chinnamma as General Secretary. That question does not arise now," he said. On Palanisamy being appointed Chief Minister, he said, "It is a happy news. An opportunity to do good for the people." To another query, he said, "There is no split in AIADMK. All are together. Together, Amma's party will continue to do good for people. Dharma has won. We will take forward the legacy of Amma." He said the new regime had the blessings of Chinnamma (Sasikala). Asked about the possibility of those like outgoing Chief Minister O Panneerselvam making a comeback, Thambidurai said, "He was expelled from the party and is no more a member of our party." Ramananda Sengupta By Express News Service CHENNAI: New Delhi will suffer losses if it plays Taiwan card. That stark threatening headline in the state-run Global Times is a clear indication of how upset Beijing is over the visit of a Taiwanese delegation to India. By challenging China over the Taiwan question India is playing with fire, says the editorial. The warning comes barely a week before foreign secretary S Jaishankars visit to China for the first India China Strategic Dialogue, finalised by external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj and her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi during the latters visit to New Delhi in August last year. Quizzed on Chinas official line, however, a foreign ministry spokesperson in Beijing said that Not all diplomatic activities are open to the public. All that I can tell you is that the Chinese side has lodged representations with the Indian side. In New Delhi, MEA spokesman Vikas Swarup played it down, saying that We understand that a group of Taiwanese academics and business persons, including a couple of legislators, is visiting India. Such informal groups have visited India in the past as well for business, religious and tourist purposes. I understand that they do so to China as well. There is nothing new or unusual about such visits and political meanings should not be read into them." China considers Taiwan a renegade province and insists that every country clearly endorses a one-China policy which prohibits diplomatic relations with Taiwan and recognises Tibet as an inalienable part of China. India, while publicly accepting the policy, hosts a trade delegation from the island nation. A startled China had voiced strident protests when newly elected Prime Minister Narendra invited the Tibetan Prime Minister-in-exile Lobsang Sangay as well as the head of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Center in India, Chung-Kwang Tien, to his swearing in May 2014. New Delhi has been quietly seething over Beijing repeatedly vetoing its bid to join the Nuclear Suppliers Group, scuttling its attempts to get Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar declared a terrorist, and building the multi-billion dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor through Pakistan-occupied Gilgit Baltistan, which India claims as its own. Recent events like allowing the Dalai Lama to visit Arunachal Pradesh and hosting the Taiwanese delegation are seen by many as an attempt by New Delhi to push back against Chinese intransigence. 'If Beijing does not respect India's sovereignty and concerns, should we not start questioning the One-China policy?" asked an academic who specialises in India-China relations. New US President Donald Trump, who evoked much consternation in Beijing after he accepted a congratulatory phone call from Taiwans new President Tsai Ing-wen after his election victory and subsequently inviting a Taiwanese delegation to his inauguration, was forced to publicly proclaim his endorsement of the One-China policy last week. CHENNAI: New Delhi will suffer losses if it plays Taiwan card. That stark threatening headline in the state-run Global Times is a clear indication of how upset Beijing is over the visit of a Taiwanese delegation to India. By challenging China over the Taiwan question India is playing with fire, says the editorial. The warning comes barely a week before foreign secretary S Jaishankars visit to China for the first India China Strategic Dialogue, finalised by external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj and her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi during the latters visit to New Delhi in August last year. Quizzed on Chinas official line, however, a foreign ministry spokesperson in Beijing said that Not all diplomatic activities are open to the public. All that I can tell you is that the Chinese side has lodged representations with the Indian side. In New Delhi, MEA spokesman Vikas Swarup played it down, saying that We understand that a group of Taiwanese academics and business persons, including a couple of legislators, is visiting India. Such informal groups have visited India in the past as well for business, religious and tourist purposes. I understand that they do so to China as well. There is nothing new or unusual about such visits and political meanings should not be read into them." China considers Taiwan a renegade province and insists that every country clearly endorses a one-China policy which prohibits diplomatic relations with Taiwan and recognises Tibet as an inalienable part of China. India, while publicly accepting the policy, hosts a trade delegation from the island nation. A startled China had voiced strident protests when newly elected Prime Minister Narendra invited the Tibetan Prime Minister-in-exile Lobsang Sangay as well as the head of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Center in India, Chung-Kwang Tien, to his swearing in May 2014. New Delhi has been quietly seething over Beijing repeatedly vetoing its bid to join the Nuclear Suppliers Group, scuttling its attempts to get Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar declared a terrorist, and building the multi-billion dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor through Pakistan-occupied Gilgit Baltistan, which India claims as its own. Recent events like allowing the Dalai Lama to visit Arunachal Pradesh and hosting the Taiwanese delegation are seen by many as an attempt by New Delhi to push back against Chinese intransigence. 'If Beijing does not respect India's sovereignty and concerns, should we not start questioning the One-China policy?" asked an academic who specialises in India-China relations. New US President Donald Trump, who evoked much consternation in Beijing after he accepted a congratulatory phone call from Taiwans new President Tsai Ing-wen after his election victory and subsequently inviting a Taiwanese delegation to his inauguration, was forced to publicly proclaim his endorsement of the One-China policy last week. By Express News Service CHENNAI:Even after party general secretary V K Sasikala was taken out of the picture on Wednesday following her surrender and subsequent arrest, the MLA count in the AIADMK rebel and caretaker Chief Minister O Panneerselvams camp struggled to cross double digits. Tuesday saw a late surge with Jayalalithaas niece Deepa Jayakumar teaming up with OPS. And on Wednesday actor Gautami Tadimalla, a strong critic of Sasikala, and popular villain Mansoor Ali Khan, visited Thenpennai, the official residence of OPS. But that was all that happened, though OPS was called by Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao at night to take the process of government formation forward. While the rebels on Tuesday aimed to storm the resort at Kuvathoor where Sasikala has herded the lawmakers, they were forced to give up the plan following police intervention. The drop in defections is being blamed on the Chief Ministers inability to get full support from the police force. Although OPS handpicked Inspector General (IG) of Police S Davidson Devasirvatham and gave him the charge of State Intelligence (Special Branch-CID), he is finding little support from the field officers. Prohibitory orders imposed around Kuvathoor on Wednesday too failed to work as the police force, sent in to evacuate the MLAs and their guards, made a half-hearted attempt and returned empty handed. CHENNAI:Even after party general secretary V K Sasikala was taken out of the picture on Wednesday following her surrender and subsequent arrest, the MLA count in the AIADMK rebel and caretaker Chief Minister O Panneerselvams camp struggled to cross double digits. Tuesday saw a late surge with Jayalalithaas niece Deepa Jayakumar teaming up with OPS. And on Wednesday actor Gautami Tadimalla, a strong critic of Sasikala, and popular villain Mansoor Ali Khan, visited Thenpennai, the official residence of OPS. But that was all that happened, though OPS was called by Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao at night to take the process of government formation forward. While the rebels on Tuesday aimed to storm the resort at Kuvathoor where Sasikala has herded the lawmakers, they were forced to give up the plan following police intervention. The drop in defections is being blamed on the Chief Ministers inability to get full support from the police force. Although OPS handpicked Inspector General (IG) of Police S Davidson Devasirvatham and gave him the charge of State Intelligence (Special Branch-CID), he is finding little support from the field officers. Prohibitory orders imposed around Kuvathoor on Wednesday too failed to work as the police force, sent in to evacuate the MLAs and their guards, made a half-hearted attempt and returned empty handed. By Express News Service CHENNAI:With the Supreme Court refusing to consider her request for four weeks time to surrender before the trial court in Bengaluru, AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala returned to Parappana Agrahara Central Prison to serve the prison term that she had managed to delay for over two years. Appearing for Sasikala before a Supreme Court bench, that comprised Justice Pinaki Ghose who delivered the verdict on Tuesday, senior advocate KTS Tulsi sought time for her to surrender and wanted the petition to be heard urgently. But in no mood to entertain the plea, let alone give it an urgent hearing, Justice Ghose made it clear that the word immediately meant just that. As that door remained tightly locked, Sasikala left for Bengaluru by road, but not before paying homage to her late leader, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa. En route to Bengaluru, Sasikala went to Jayas memorial at Marina. There, surrounded by faithful and media personnel, she slammed her hand on the tomb, prostrated and prayed, which she repeated twice more, whispering all along. The official social media handle of the party said she took a vow there, pledging to return from the crisis brought about by conspiracy and betrayal. Sasikala also visited party founder and former Chief Minister MG Ramachandrans memorial at Ramapuram before heading to Bengaluru to surrender before the court. There, the counsel representing Sasikala and the other two co-accused, nephew VN Sudhakaran and J Ilavarasi requested Class A special status for them. However, Special Judge Ashwathanarayana asked them to serve sentence like other ordinary prisoners. When they cited health reasons, including diabetes, the court pointed out that there were doctors in the prison to look after them. The judge also noted that as per the Supreme Court verdict, the trio should serve full sentence excluding the days they spent in jail while the case was pending before the courts. Sasikala was in jail for 35 days, while Ilavarasi and Sudhakaran had spent 22 days. CHENNAI:With the Supreme Court refusing to consider her request for four weeks time to surrender before the trial court in Bengaluru, AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala returned to Parappana Agrahara Central Prison to serve the prison term that she had managed to delay for over two years. Appearing for Sasikala before a Supreme Court bench, that comprised Justice Pinaki Ghose who delivered the verdict on Tuesday, senior advocate KTS Tulsi sought time for her to surrender and wanted the petition to be heard urgently. But in no mood to entertain the plea, let alone give it an urgent hearing, Justice Ghose made it clear that the word immediately meant just that. As that door remained tightly locked, Sasikala left for Bengaluru by road, but not before paying homage to her late leader, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa. En route to Bengaluru, Sasikala went to Jayas memorial at Marina. There, surrounded by faithful and media personnel, she slammed her hand on the tomb, prostrated and prayed, which she repeated twice more, whispering all along. The official social media handle of the party said she took a vow there, pledging to return from the crisis brought about by conspiracy and betrayal. Sasikala also visited party founder and former Chief Minister MG Ramachandrans memorial at Ramapuram before heading to Bengaluru to surrender before the court. There, the counsel representing Sasikala and the other two co-accused, nephew VN Sudhakaran and J Ilavarasi requested Class A special status for them. However, Special Judge Ashwathanarayana asked them to serve sentence like other ordinary prisoners. When they cited health reasons, including diabetes, the court pointed out that there were doctors in the prison to look after them. The judge also noted that as per the Supreme Court verdict, the trio should serve full sentence excluding the days they spent in jail while the case was pending before the courts. Sasikala was in jail for 35 days, while Ilavarasi and Sudhakaran had spent 22 days. By Express News Service THANJAVUR:A team from School of Law SASTRA University won the second NR Madhava Menon SAARC International Moot Court Competition held in Lloyd College, New Delhi, recently. SASTRA students with the trophy after winning the NR Madhava Menon SAARC International Moot Court Competition | Express As many as 12 teams from SAARC countries participated and the final round was held before an erudite panel of judges presided by Justice K T Chithrasiri, Judge, Supreme Court of Sri Lanka. The SASTRA Law School team, comprising M Kiran of 5th year BBA., LL.B (Hons.), B M Vikas, Harini V of fourth year BBA, LL.B. (Hons.) and S. Lakshmi Narasimhan of 4th year B.Com; LL.B (Hons.), defeated the team from University of Kathmandu, Nepal, in the finals. Kiran was also awarded the Best Law Student of the Year (Male) award and a USD 50,000 fellowship to pursue LLM in the Pennsylvania State University, a release from the University said. THANJAVUR:A team from School of Law SASTRA University won the second NR Madhava Menon SAARC International Moot Court Competition held in Lloyd College, New Delhi, recently. SASTRA students with the trophy after winning the NR Madhava Menon SAARC International Moot Court Competition | Express As many as 12 teams from SAARC countries participated and the final round was held before an erudite panel of judges presided by Justice K T Chithrasiri, Judge, Supreme Court of Sri Lanka. The SASTRA Law School team, comprising M Kiran of 5th year BBA., LL.B (Hons.), B M Vikas, Harini V of fourth year BBA, LL.B. (Hons.) and S. Lakshmi Narasimhan of 4th year B.Com; LL.B (Hons.), defeated the team from University of Kathmandu, Nepal, in the finals. Kiran was also awarded the Best Law Student of the Year (Male) award and a USD 50,000 fellowship to pursue LLM in the Pennsylvania State University, a release from the University said. By PTI LAHORE: The death toll in the Lahore suicide attack today rose to 14 with one more person succumbing to his injuries, as officials arrested a key facilitator of the blast which took place outside Pakistan's Punjab assembly. "One more injured of the Monday's Lahore Mall Road blast succumbed to his injuries rising the death toll to 14," Punjab Police spokesman Niyab Haider told PTI. He said the condition of over half-a-dozen injured was still very critical. Two senior police officers were among 13 people killed when a Taliban suicide bomber blew himself up during a protest rally outside Pakistan's Punjab assembly on Monday that also wounded more than 71 others. "Police have taken more than 50 suspects including some Afghans into custody in connection with the blasts and they are being interrogated," Haider said. A senior police officer has said that intelligence agencies have got a lead in the case and arrested a facilitator of the suicide bomber. "We are positive about getting the mastermind and other culprits through him. The facilitator/handler is being interrogated," the officer said. The Home Department has directed law enforcement agencies to ensure extreme vigilance and heightened security. "Combing operations [must] be conducted in all targeted areas, particularly where the Afghan/Pathan community is residing," it said in a statement. Meanwhile, the government has formed a Joint Investigation Team headed by Crime Investigation Department's Senior Superintendent of Police Muhammad Iqbal to probe the matter. Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah said the federal government will speak to Afghan government about action against Jamaat-ul-Ahrar. Jamat-ul-Ahrar faction of the outlawed Tehreek-i- Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has claimed responsibility for the attack. The group had claimed responsibility for a blast on March 27 last year at Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park in Lahore that left 75 people dead, mostly Christians who were celebrating Easter. Founded in August 2014 by a former TTP leader, the outfit has staged several attacks in Pakistan targeting civilians, religious minorities, military personnel and law enforcement agencies. "The only solution to end the continuing acts of terror seems to be an indiscriminate, immediate and ruthless operation against terrorists," Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had said. LAHORE: The death toll in the Lahore suicide attack today rose to 14 with one more person succumbing to his injuries, as officials arrested a key facilitator of the blast which took place outside Pakistan's Punjab assembly. "One more injured of the Monday's Lahore Mall Road blast succumbed to his injuries rising the death toll to 14," Punjab Police spokesman Niyab Haider told PTI. He said the condition of over half-a-dozen injured was still very critical. Two senior police officers were among 13 people killed when a Taliban suicide bomber blew himself up during a protest rally outside Pakistan's Punjab assembly on Monday that also wounded more than 71 others. "Police have taken more than 50 suspects including some Afghans into custody in connection with the blasts and they are being interrogated," Haider said. A senior police officer has said that intelligence agencies have got a lead in the case and arrested a facilitator of the suicide bomber. "We are positive about getting the mastermind and other culprits through him. The facilitator/handler is being interrogated," the officer said. The Home Department has directed law enforcement agencies to ensure extreme vigilance and heightened security. "Combing operations [must] be conducted in all targeted areas, particularly where the Afghan/Pathan community is residing," it said in a statement. Meanwhile, the government has formed a Joint Investigation Team headed by Crime Investigation Department's Senior Superintendent of Police Muhammad Iqbal to probe the matter. Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah said the federal government will speak to Afghan government about action against Jamaat-ul-Ahrar. Jamat-ul-Ahrar faction of the outlawed Tehreek-i- Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has claimed responsibility for the attack. The group had claimed responsibility for a blast on March 27 last year at Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park in Lahore that left 75 people dead, mostly Christians who were celebrating Easter. Founded in August 2014 by a former TTP leader, the outfit has staged several attacks in Pakistan targeting civilians, religious minorities, military personnel and law enforcement agencies. "The only solution to end the continuing acts of terror seems to be an indiscriminate, immediate and ruthless operation against terrorists," Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had said. By PTI WASHINGTON: Al-Qaeda has used America's "pre-occupation" with the Islamic State to regain strength in South Asia and prepare to spread its ideology in India from its "home" in western Pakistan, top US lawmakers have warned. "Al-Qaeda has never changed, and it still sees itself in what it conceives as an existential struggle against the West and against the United States in particular," Bruce Hoffman, Director Center for Security Studies at Georgetown University, told members of the House Armed Services Committee. "I think that it has taken advantage of our preoccupation with ISIS to rebuild its strength, particularly in South Asia, where again almost completely escaped notice when they created al-Qaeda in the Indian sub-continent which was designed simultaneously to reinvigorate its presence in Afghanistan," he told Congressman Mac Thornberry, chairman of the committee. During a Congressional hearing on terrorism and counter-terrorism strategies yesterday, Hoffman said al-Qaeda "had been preparing to spread its ideology to India", which has the world's second-largest Muslim population. "We already see its effectiveness in Bangladesh and in Burma (Myanmar)," he said. "But elements like the Khorasan group are an elite forward deployed special operations unit that is waiting for the proper time to take the struggle to the West and to the United States," Hoffman said. Michael Sheehan from the Combating Terrorism Center, West Point, told lawmakers in response to a question that the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) of Pakistan is the "home" of al-Qaeda central, which is traditionally America's biggest strategic threat. "They're the ones that blew up our embassies in Africa, at least an African arm of that, blew up the Cole in - in Yemen, an arm of the al-Qaeda central and are the people that are responsible for 9/11. They reside in Pakistan. Some of them are floating back in Afghanistan but it's difficult for them to operate in Afghanistan because we own the terrain around Afghanistan," Sheehan said. WASHINGTON: Al-Qaeda has used America's "pre-occupation" with the Islamic State to regain strength in South Asia and prepare to spread its ideology in India from its "home" in western Pakistan, top US lawmakers have warned. "Al-Qaeda has never changed, and it still sees itself in what it conceives as an existential struggle against the West and against the United States in particular," Bruce Hoffman, Director Center for Security Studies at Georgetown University, told members of the House Armed Services Committee. "I think that it has taken advantage of our preoccupation with ISIS to rebuild its strength, particularly in South Asia, where again almost completely escaped notice when they created al-Qaeda in the Indian sub-continent which was designed simultaneously to reinvigorate its presence in Afghanistan," he told Congressman Mac Thornberry, chairman of the committee. During a Congressional hearing on terrorism and counter-terrorism strategies yesterday, Hoffman said al-Qaeda "had been preparing to spread its ideology to India", which has the world's second-largest Muslim population. "We already see its effectiveness in Bangladesh and in Burma (Myanmar)," he said. "But elements like the Khorasan group are an elite forward deployed special operations unit that is waiting for the proper time to take the struggle to the West and to the United States," Hoffman said. Michael Sheehan from the Combating Terrorism Center, West Point, told lawmakers in response to a question that the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) of Pakistan is the "home" of al-Qaeda central, which is traditionally America's biggest strategic threat. "They're the ones that blew up our embassies in Africa, at least an African arm of that, blew up the Cole in - in Yemen, an arm of the al-Qaeda central and are the people that are responsible for 9/11. They reside in Pakistan. Some of them are floating back in Afghanistan but it's difficult for them to operate in Afghanistan because we own the terrain around Afghanistan," Sheehan said. Dr. Doom? Marc Faber says Trump will be good for Asia, but not for the reason you think U.S. President Donald Trump 's protectionist rhetoric will be good for Asia, pushing the region's stock markets to outperform, said Marc Faber , the publisher of the Gloom, Boom & Doom report. Trump may publish harsh tweets, but that'll only send the Asian markets down for a day or so, Faber, also known as Dr. Doom for his pessimistic views, told CNBC's " Squawk Box " on Thursday. "It is a Chinese-centric Asia nowadays," he said. "The exports of Taiwan, South Korea, to China are much more important than to the U.S. All the Asian countries for them, exports to China are the key, tourists from China are the key." During his campaign, Trump vowed to label China a currency manipulator for the purposes of a competitive trade advantage, even though the country has actually been propping up its currency. In other signs of a protectionist bent, last month, Trump formally pulled the U.S. out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), which would have created a 12-country Pacific Rim free-trade bloc. The TPP, which was negotiated during President Barack Obama's term in office, hadn't yet been voted on or ratified by Congress. Trump also signaled he planned to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), enacted in 1994, which eliminated most tariffs between Mexico, the U.S. and Canada. More recently, Trump has sent series of tweets complaining that the U.S. was being treated unfairly in trade deals. But Faber was unfazed on how that would affect Asian markets. "When you see Mr. Trump lambasting the exporting countries of Asia, calling China he hasn't declared it officially a currency manipulator and so forth, what is the reaction of the leadership in Beijing," he asked. "Everybody in Asia and around the world, including Mexico and the Europeans will say, 'the U.S. is no longer a reliable trading partner and no longer a reliable ally. We have to look after ourselves,'" he said. "So the Chinese are pushing essentially domestic-led growth." Story continues Faber pointed to the rise in exports from Taiwan and South Korea to China over the past three months, attributing it to Chinese domestic consumption rather than exports to the U.S. He said he expected Asia's stock markets would feel the benefit, with Hong Kong (Hong Kong Stock Exchange: .HSI) and Singapore (Singapore Exchange: .STI) markets potentially returning as much as 15 percent this year, including dividends. At the same time, Faber expected that U.S. markets might not perform as well as emerging markets, despite the "hoopla" over Wall Street's recent rally. He noted that the U.S. economic expansion and the bull market were now around 8 years old and getting "mature." By CNBC.Com's Leslie Shaffer; Follow her on Twitter @LeslieShaffer1 Follow CNBC International on Twitter and Facebook. More From CNBC By Associated Press MALAYSIA: Malaysian police arrested a second woman on Thursday in the death of Kim Jong Nam, the half-brother of North Korea's leader who was reportedly poisoned this week by two female assassins as he waited for a flight in Malaysia. Police chief Khalid Abu Bakar confirmed the latest arrest to the national Bernama news agency and said a statement would be released soon. Investigators are trying to shed light on a death that set off set off waves of speculation over whether North Korea dispatched a hit squad to kill a man known for his drinking, gambling and complicated family life. Medical workers completed an autopsy late on Wednesday, but it was not immediately clear if or when Malaysia would release the findings publicly. North Korea had objected to the autopsy and asked for Kim Jong Nam's body to be returned; Malaysia went ahead with the procedure anyway as the North did not submit a formal protest, said Abdul Samah Mat, a senior Malaysian police official. Also on Wednesday, police arrested the first suspect in the case, a woman carrying Vietnamese travel documents bearing the name Doan Thi Huong. She was picked up at the budget terminal of Kuala Lumpur International Airport, where Kim Jong Nam fell ill on Monday morning. It was not immediately clear whether the passport was genuine. She was identified using earlier surveillance video from the airport, police said. Still photos of the video, confirmed as authentic by police, showed a woman in a skirt and long-sleeved white T-shirt with "LOL" emblazoned across the front. Kim Jong Nam, who was 45 or 46, was estranged from his younger brother, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, and had been living abroad for years. He reportedly fell out of favour when he was caught trying to enter Japan on a false passport in 2001, saying he wanted to visit Tokyo Disneyland. According to two senior Malaysian government officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the case involves sensitive diplomacy, the elder Kim died en route to a hospital on Monday after suddenly falling ill at the airport's budget terminal. He told medical workers before he died that he had been attacked with a chemical spray at the airport, the Malaysian officials said. Multiple South Korean media reports, citing unidentified sources, said two women believed to be North Korean agents killed him with some kind of poison before fleeing in a taxi. Police said they were hunting for more suspects. No further details were released. Since taking power in late 2011, Kim Jong Un has executed or purged a number of high-level government officials in what the South Korean government has described as a "reign of terror." South Korea's spy agency, the National Intelligence Service, said Wednesday that North Korea had been trying for five years to kill Kim Jong Nam. The NIS did not definitively say that North Korea was behind the killing, just that it was presumed to be a North Korean operation, according to lawmakers who briefed reporters about the closed-door meeting with the spy officials. The NIS also cited a "genuine" attempt by North Korea to kill Kim Jong Nam in 2012, the lawmakers said. The NIS told them that Kim Jong Nam sent a letter to Kim Jong Un in April 2012, after the assassination attempt, begging for the lives of himself and his family. The letter said: "I hope you cancel the order for the punishment of me and my family. We have nowhere to go, nowhere to hide, and we know that the only way to escape is committing suicide." Although Kim Jong Nam had been originally tipped by some outsiders as a possible successor to his late dictator father, Kim Jong Il, others thought that was unlikely because he lived outside the country, including recently in Macau. He also frequented casinos, five-star hotels and traveled around Asia, with little say in North Korean affairs. But his attempt to visit Tokyo Disneyland reportedly soured North Korea's leadership on his potential as a successor. Kim Jong Nam had said he had no political ambitions, although he was publicly critical of the North Korean regime and his half brother's legitimacy in the past. In 2010, he was quoted in Japanese media as saying he opposed dynastic succession in North Korea. Among Kim Jong Un's executions and purges, the most spectacular was the 2013 execution of his uncle, Jang Song Thaek, once considered the country's second-most powerful man, for what the North alleged was treason. MALAYSIA: Malaysian police arrested a second woman on Thursday in the death of Kim Jong Nam, the half-brother of North Korea's leader who was reportedly poisoned this week by two female assassins as he waited for a flight in Malaysia. Police chief Khalid Abu Bakar confirmed the latest arrest to the national Bernama news agency and said a statement would be released soon. Investigators are trying to shed light on a death that set off set off waves of speculation over whether North Korea dispatched a hit squad to kill a man known for his drinking, gambling and complicated family life. Medical workers completed an autopsy late on Wednesday, but it was not immediately clear if or when Malaysia would release the findings publicly. North Korea had objected to the autopsy and asked for Kim Jong Nam's body to be returned; Malaysia went ahead with the procedure anyway as the North did not submit a formal protest, said Abdul Samah Mat, a senior Malaysian police official. Also on Wednesday, police arrested the first suspect in the case, a woman carrying Vietnamese travel documents bearing the name Doan Thi Huong. She was picked up at the budget terminal of Kuala Lumpur International Airport, where Kim Jong Nam fell ill on Monday morning. It was not immediately clear whether the passport was genuine. She was identified using earlier surveillance video from the airport, police said. Still photos of the video, confirmed as authentic by police, showed a woman in a skirt and long-sleeved white T-shirt with "LOL" emblazoned across the front. Kim Jong Nam, who was 45 or 46, was estranged from his younger brother, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, and had been living abroad for years. He reportedly fell out of favour when he was caught trying to enter Japan on a false passport in 2001, saying he wanted to visit Tokyo Disneyland. According to two senior Malaysian government officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the case involves sensitive diplomacy, the elder Kim died en route to a hospital on Monday after suddenly falling ill at the airport's budget terminal. He told medical workers before he died that he had been attacked with a chemical spray at the airport, the Malaysian officials said. Multiple South Korean media reports, citing unidentified sources, said two women believed to be North Korean agents killed him with some kind of poison before fleeing in a taxi. Police said they were hunting for more suspects. No further details were released. Since taking power in late 2011, Kim Jong Un has executed or purged a number of high-level government officials in what the South Korean government has described as a "reign of terror." South Korea's spy agency, the National Intelligence Service, said Wednesday that North Korea had been trying for five years to kill Kim Jong Nam. The NIS did not definitively say that North Korea was behind the killing, just that it was presumed to be a North Korean operation, according to lawmakers who briefed reporters about the closed-door meeting with the spy officials. The NIS also cited a "genuine" attempt by North Korea to kill Kim Jong Nam in 2012, the lawmakers said. The NIS told them that Kim Jong Nam sent a letter to Kim Jong Un in April 2012, after the assassination attempt, begging for the lives of himself and his family. The letter said: "I hope you cancel the order for the punishment of me and my family. We have nowhere to go, nowhere to hide, and we know that the only way to escape is committing suicide." Although Kim Jong Nam had been originally tipped by some outsiders as a possible successor to his late dictator father, Kim Jong Il, others thought that was unlikely because he lived outside the country, including recently in Macau. He also frequented casinos, five-star hotels and traveled around Asia, with little say in North Korean affairs. But his attempt to visit Tokyo Disneyland reportedly soured North Korea's leadership on his potential as a successor. Kim Jong Nam had said he had no political ambitions, although he was publicly critical of the North Korean regime and his half brother's legitimacy in the past. In 2010, he was quoted in Japanese media as saying he opposed dynastic succession in North Korea. Among Kim Jong Un's executions and purges, the most spectacular was the 2013 execution of his uncle, Jang Song Thaek, once considered the country's second-most powerful man, for what the North alleged was treason. By PTI DUBLIN: Ireland's fragile minority government has survived a no-confidence vote over a scandal involving the police, the state's child protection agency and the political establishment. Lawmakers voted by 57 to 52 in support of the government, with 44 abstentions, after the motion was yesterday tabled by opposition party Sinn Fein as criticism mounted of Prime Minister Enda Kenny and his cabinet's handling of a case involving a police whistleblower. The high-profile officer faced false allegations of child sexual abuse, which may have been a criminal conspiracy by senior members of the force. The vilification of police sergeant Maurice McCabe has engulfed the coalition government since the story emerged in national media last week, with ministers telling conflicting stories about what they knew about the affair and when. In a special parliamentary session on Tuesday, Kenny admitted he gave "wrong information" regarding a meeting with a senior cabinet minister on the matter as recently as last weekend. Despite the scandal the main opposition party Fianna Fail said it would not back the no confidence vote even though it has described the government management as "incoherent and shambolic". "I don't think the Irish people want a general election every few months but people are very, very angry about the way in which a good and decent person was treated," its leader Micheal Martin told a Cork radio station. The Independent Alliance, a junior coalition partner, said ahead of the vote it had secured Kenny's commitment to an external audit of the police force to be carried out by an international expert. The scandal has roots going back to 2006 when McCabe made a complaint against a colleague over misconduct. Another officer then made a complaint against McCabe of sexual abuse involving a six-year-old girl. This was investigated and he was completely exonerated. In 2013, the child protection agency opened another file on McCabe after receiving further allegations of sexual abuse but the following year it acknowledged this was an error. The agency did not inform McCabe of the allegations until December 2015. Given McCabe's high-profile campaign against police corruption, many people suspect the false accusations were made intentionally to discredit him. The government has agreed to set up a public inquiry to investigate whether it was an honest mistake or something more sinister. (AFP) EMY The high-profile officer faced false allegations of child sexual abuse, which may have been a criminal conspiracy by senior members of the force. The vilification of police sergeant Maurice McCabe has engulfed the coalition government since the story emerged in national media last week, with ministers telling conflicting stories about what they knew about the affair and when. In a special parliamentary session on Tuesday, Kenny admitted he gave "wrong information" regarding a meeting with a senior cabinet minister on the matter as recently as last weekend. Despite the scandal the main opposition party Fianna Fail said it would not back the no confidence vote even though it has described the government management as "incoherent and shambolic". "I don't think the Irish people want a general election every few months but people are very, very angry about the way in which a good and decent person was treated," its leader Micheal Martin told a Cork radio station. The Independent Alliance, a junior coalition partner, said ahead of the vote it had secured Kenny's commitment to an external audit of the police force to be carried out by an international expert. The scandal has roots going back to 2006 when McCabe made a complaint against a colleague over misconduct. Another officer then made a complaint against McCabe of sexual abuse involving a six-year-old girl. This was investigated and he was completely exonerated. In 2013, the child protection agency opened another file on McCabe after receiving further allegations of sexual abuse but the following year it acknowledged this was an error. The agency did not inform McCabe of the allegations until December 2015. Given McCabe's high-profile campaign against police corruption, many people suspect the false accusations were made intentionally to discredit him. The government has agreed to set up a public inquiry to investigate whether it was an honest mistake or something more sinister. DUBLIN: Ireland's fragile minority government has survived a no-confidence vote over a scandal involving the police, the state's child protection agency and the political establishment. Lawmakers voted by 57 to 52 in support of the government, with 44 abstentions, after the motion was yesterday tabled by opposition party Sinn Fein as criticism mounted of Prime Minister Enda Kenny and his cabinet's handling of a case involving a police whistleblower. The high-profile officer faced false allegations of child sexual abuse, which may have been a criminal conspiracy by senior members of the force. The vilification of police sergeant Maurice McCabe has engulfed the coalition government since the story emerged in national media last week, with ministers telling conflicting stories about what they knew about the affair and when. In a special parliamentary session on Tuesday, Kenny admitted he gave "wrong information" regarding a meeting with a senior cabinet minister on the matter as recently as last weekend. Despite the scandal the main opposition party Fianna Fail said it would not back the no confidence vote even though it has described the government management as "incoherent and shambolic". "I don't think the Irish people want a general election every few months but people are very, very angry about the way in which a good and decent person was treated," its leader Micheal Martin told a Cork radio station. The Independent Alliance, a junior coalition partner, said ahead of the vote it had secured Kenny's commitment to an external audit of the police force to be carried out by an international expert. The scandal has roots going back to 2006 when McCabe made a complaint against a colleague over misconduct. Another officer then made a complaint against McCabe of sexual abuse involving a six-year-old girl. This was investigated and he was completely exonerated. In 2013, the child protection agency opened another file on McCabe after receiving further allegations of sexual abuse but the following year it acknowledged this was an error. The agency did not inform McCabe of the allegations until December 2015. Given McCabe's high-profile campaign against police corruption, many people suspect the false accusations were made intentionally to discredit him. The government has agreed to set up a public inquiry to investigate whether it was an honest mistake or something more sinister. (AFP) EMY The high-profile officer faced false allegations of child sexual abuse, which may have been a criminal conspiracy by senior members of the force. The vilification of police sergeant Maurice McCabe has engulfed the coalition government since the story emerged in national media last week, with ministers telling conflicting stories about what they knew about the affair and when. In a special parliamentary session on Tuesday, Kenny admitted he gave "wrong information" regarding a meeting with a senior cabinet minister on the matter as recently as last weekend. Despite the scandal the main opposition party Fianna Fail said it would not back the no confidence vote even though it has described the government management as "incoherent and shambolic". "I don't think the Irish people want a general election every few months but people are very, very angry about the way in which a good and decent person was treated," its leader Micheal Martin told a Cork radio station. The Independent Alliance, a junior coalition partner, said ahead of the vote it had secured Kenny's commitment to an external audit of the police force to be carried out by an international expert. The scandal has roots going back to 2006 when McCabe made a complaint against a colleague over misconduct. Another officer then made a complaint against McCabe of sexual abuse involving a six-year-old girl. This was investigated and he was completely exonerated. In 2013, the child protection agency opened another file on McCabe after receiving further allegations of sexual abuse but the following year it acknowledged this was an error. The agency did not inform McCabe of the allegations until December 2015. Given McCabe's high-profile campaign against police corruption, many people suspect the false accusations were made intentionally to discredit him. The government has agreed to set up a public inquiry to investigate whether it was an honest mistake or something more sinister. Express News Service COLOMBO: Dr.Satoru Nagao, Lecturer in Security Studies at the Law Faculty of Gakushuin University in Japan, advices Sri Lanka to cultivate good relations with India and India-friendly countries like Japan, to counterbalance its relations with China which could cause tension in the South Asian region. Delivering a lecture on the impact of Chinas rise on Japan, US, India and Sri Lanka at the Institute of National Security Studies here on Wednesday, Dr.Nagao said: As Sri Lanka is increasingly accepting Chinese support, it should also increasingly emphasize cooperation with India. Sri Lanka should also enhance cooperation with other countries that are friendly to India like Japan. Japan has a strong will to support Indias rise and at the same time, Japan has been a stable supporter of Sri Lanka for years, he said. He went on to suggest that Japan, India and Sri Lanka would be ideal partners to counterbalance Chinas aggressive strategic moves in the region disguised as economic development cooperation. If Japan and India collaborate to establish a maritime communication network system in Sri Lanka that would serve the entire Indian Ocean, it would be easy for the three countries to be aware of what occurs in the Indian Ocean. These collaborative projects are preferable to accepting Chinas support, which would create strategic difficulties. Under Japan-Sri Lanka-India cooperation, a win-win situation can be created. Dr.Nagao said. Indias Responsibility The Japanese scholar said that with the US presence in the Indian Ocean declining and Chinas power rising, Japan and India will have to shoulder the responsibility of seeing that there is no undue power imbalance or aggressive action by China to dominate the sea lanes violating the rules, as it does in South China Sea. India will the most influential sea power to fill the power vacuum in the Indian Ocean region in the near future, Dr.Nagao told the Sri Lankan audience. Indias sea borders are larger that its land borders (7517 kms and 6100 kms respectively) he pointed out. India is acquiring 100 more warships in the next decade to have a fleet of 200 ships. It already has 55,000 naval personnel. The navys share of the Indian Defense Budget had gone up from 12.7% in 1990 to 15.8% in 2015. The Cholas of the 12 th.Century had shown that India could be a sea power in South and South East Asia, the Japanese scholar pointed out. Unlike China, India will be a responsible naval power, Dr.Nagao contended. While India accepted the UN Arbitrators award on the India-Bangladesh Sea Boundary dispute in 2014, China rejected a ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016, he pointed out. As a result, is seems that Japan and the United States would wish India to exhibit a more positive role in the Indian Ocean. India rise helps lower the heavy burden on Japan and the US in the Indian Ocean and helps them concentrate naval and air military resources towards areas around Japan and the South China Sea, Dr.Nagao said. In a friendly warning to Sri Lanka, which might be believing that Chinese development activity in the island is innocent and benign with no security implications for it, the Japanese scholar said that China has always used development assistance as a point of entry and then used the influence gained to push its geo-political strategic-political agenda. Chinas Aggressive Instinct Historically, China has quickly moved to fill a political-strategic vacuum in an area of its interest, Dr.Nagao said. When France withdrew from Vietnam in the 1950s, China occupied half of the Paracel Islands. China occupied the other half of the Paracel Islands in 1974 immediately after the Vietnam War ended and the US withdrew from the region. After the Soviet Union withdrew from Vietnam, China attacked the Spratly Islands controlled by Vietnam in1988. Along similar lines, after the US withdrew from the Philippines, China occupied Mischief Reef, which both the Philippines and Vietnam claimed, he said. Japan An Economic Alternative Asked if India and Japan can fill the huge financial gap which will arise in Sri Lanka if China is curbed, Dr.Nagao said Japan can fill the gap and the Japanese executed projects will be of better quality too. Asked if Japan could supply weapons like submarines to match the Chinese, Dr.Nagao said that Japan has a policy of not selling sub-standard products to any country and said that the eight submarines sold to Pakistan and the two to be sold to Bangladesh are of poor quality. COLOMBO: Dr.Satoru Nagao, Lecturer in Security Studies at the Law Faculty of Gakushuin University in Japan, advices Sri Lanka to cultivate good relations with India and India-friendly countries like Japan, to counterbalance its relations with China which could cause tension in the South Asian region. Delivering a lecture on the impact of Chinas rise on Japan, US, India and Sri Lanka at the Institute of National Security Studies here on Wednesday, Dr.Nagao said: As Sri Lanka is increasingly accepting Chinese support, it should also increasingly emphasize cooperation with India. Sri Lanka should also enhance cooperation with other countries that are friendly to India like Japan. Japan has a strong will to support Indias rise and at the same time, Japan has been a stable supporter of Sri Lanka for years, he said. He went on to suggest that Japan, India and Sri Lanka would be ideal partners to counterbalance Chinas aggressive strategic moves in the region disguised as economic development cooperation. If Japan and India collaborate to establish a maritime communication network system in Sri Lanka that would serve the entire Indian Ocean, it would be easy for the three countries to be aware of what occurs in the Indian Ocean. These collaborative projects are preferable to accepting Chinas support, which would create strategic difficulties. Under Japan-Sri Lanka-India cooperation, a win-win situation can be created. Dr.Nagao said. Indias Responsibility The Japanese scholar said that with the US presence in the Indian Ocean declining and Chinas power rising, Japan and India will have to shoulder the responsibility of seeing that there is no undue power imbalance or aggressive action by China to dominate the sea lanes violating the rules, as it does in South China Sea. India will the most influential sea power to fill the power vacuum in the Indian Ocean region in the near future, Dr.Nagao told the Sri Lankan audience. Indias sea borders are larger that its land borders (7517 kms and 6100 kms respectively) he pointed out. India is acquiring 100 more warships in the next decade to have a fleet of 200 ships. It already has 55,000 naval personnel. The navys share of the Indian Defense Budget had gone up from 12.7% in 1990 to 15.8% in 2015. The Cholas of the 12 th.Century had shown that India could be a sea power in South and South East Asia, the Japanese scholar pointed out. Unlike China, India will be a responsible naval power, Dr.Nagao contended. While India accepted the UN Arbitrators award on the India-Bangladesh Sea Boundary dispute in 2014, China rejected a ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016, he pointed out. As a result, is seems that Japan and the United States would wish India to exhibit a more positive role in the Indian Ocean. India rise helps lower the heavy burden on Japan and the US in the Indian Ocean and helps them concentrate naval and air military resources towards areas around Japan and the South China Sea, Dr.Nagao said. In a friendly warning to Sri Lanka, which might be believing that Chinese development activity in the island is innocent and benign with no security implications for it, the Japanese scholar said that China has always used development assistance as a point of entry and then used the influence gained to push its geo-political strategic-political agenda. Chinas Aggressive Instinct Historically, China has quickly moved to fill a political-strategic vacuum in an area of its interest, Dr.Nagao said. When France withdrew from Vietnam in the 1950s, China occupied half of the Paracel Islands. China occupied the other half of the Paracel Islands in 1974 immediately after the Vietnam War ended and the US withdrew from the region. After the Soviet Union withdrew from Vietnam, China attacked the Spratly Islands controlled by Vietnam in1988. Along similar lines, after the US withdrew from the Philippines, China occupied Mischief Reef, which both the Philippines and Vietnam claimed, he said. Japan An Economic Alternative Asked if India and Japan can fill the huge financial gap which will arise in Sri Lanka if China is curbed, Dr.Nagao said Japan can fill the gap and the Japanese executed projects will be of better quality too. Asked if Japan could supply weapons like submarines to match the Chinese, Dr.Nagao said that Japan has a policy of not selling sub-standard products to any country and said that the eight submarines sold to Pakistan and the two to be sold to Bangladesh are of poor quality. By PTI LAHORE: Jamaat-ud Dawah chief Hafiz Saeed has asked the Pakistan government to immediately remove his name from a list that bars him from leaving the country, claiming he was neither a security risk nor that his outfit ever engaged in terrorist activities. In a letter to Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, the mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks in which 166 people died, said: "A memorandum issued on January 30, 2017 placing 38 individuals should be withdrawn forthwith." The government last month put Saeed and 37 other leaders of JuD and his Falah-e-Insaniyat charity on Exit Control List. It also put Saeed and four other leaders of the organisations under "house arrest" for 90 days for engaging in activities "prejudicial" to peace and security. Additionally, the interior ministry put JuD and FIF on a "watchlist" for six months. But Saeed contended the government decisons saying: "The JuD has never been involved in any terrorist activity in Pakistan and no incident of any terrorism or destruction of property was ever alleged against the organisation." He argued that no material has ever been produced by federal or provincial governments against him in a court of law. He cited an observation of a full-bench of the Lahore High Court in a 2009 case against him. The court had said: "In the present case, the government is not in possession of any evidence that the petitioners are risk to the security of Pakistan and merely on the basis of the UN Resolution their liberty cannot be curtailed." LAHORE: Jamaat-ud Dawah chief Hafiz Saeed has asked the Pakistan government to immediately remove his name from a list that bars him from leaving the country, claiming he was neither a security risk nor that his outfit ever engaged in terrorist activities. In a letter to Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, the mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks in which 166 people died, said: "A memorandum issued on January 30, 2017 placing 38 individuals should be withdrawn forthwith." The government last month put Saeed and 37 other leaders of JuD and his Falah-e-Insaniyat charity on Exit Control List. It also put Saeed and four other leaders of the organisations under "house arrest" for 90 days for engaging in activities "prejudicial" to peace and security. Additionally, the interior ministry put JuD and FIF on a "watchlist" for six months. But Saeed contended the government decisons saying: "The JuD has never been involved in any terrorist activity in Pakistan and no incident of any terrorism or destruction of property was ever alleged against the organisation." He argued that no material has ever been produced by federal or provincial governments against him in a court of law. He cited an observation of a full-bench of the Lahore High Court in a 2009 case against him. The court had said: "In the present case, the government is not in possession of any evidence that the petitioners are risk to the security of Pakistan and merely on the basis of the UN Resolution their liberty cannot be curtailed." By Associated Press STRASBOURG: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Thursday hailed a new trade pact with the European Union, telling the EU parliament that the deal they approved this week will create jobs and boost the middle class on both sides of the Atlantic. In his address, the first by a Canadian leader to the European parliament, Trudeau said that "trade that is free and fair means that we can make the lives of our citizens more affordable." He presented the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement as a "blue-print" for future trade deals and the outcome of Europe's and Canada's shared history and values. The deal was approved Wednesday amid strong opposition from free-trade critics who fear it gives too much power to multinationals. They hope that it will be blocked by national and regional parliaments in the EU even after its provisional entry into force foreseen for April. Trudeau sought to allay their concerns, stressing that "trade needs to work for people" and that the agreement aims to do just that and includes provisions that will allow governments to protect their citizens and workforce. "If we are successful, CETA will become the blueprint for all ambitious, future trade deals," he said. "If we are not, this could very well be one of the last." The deal removes barriers on all traded goods and services, with a few restrictions for agricultural products and in the sectors of audiovisual, transport and public services. The trade agreement connects markets of 500 million Europeans with 35 million Canadians. If fully implemented, it could boost trade between the two by 20 percent from its 2015 level of 63.5 euros. Backers of the deal hailed it as victory of openness over protectionism and stagnation at a time when many, including the U.S. administration, are heading that way. It comes at a time when populist movements are on the rise making the future of the EU uncertain. Trudeau's address came just days after he met U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House. "My message Monday in Washington is the same as my message here in Strasbourg," Trudeau told journalists. "We have to work as governments and in between governments to create jobs for the middle class. and opportunities for those trying to join them." While the Canadian prime minister acknowledged there may be differences in perspectives on how to approach that and denounced the politics of fear at a time of great anxiety across the world, he made no criticism of Trump. "What I saw from the American president, was a focus on getting things done," he said. Trudeau's visit to Washington also focused on trade and ended on a relatively positive note, with Trump hailing the U.S. relationship with Canada as outstanding and suggesting only a few tweaks would be made to the North American Free Trade Agreement. Trudeau is expected to continue his pro-trade campaign with an address to business leaders Friday in Germany. STRASBOURG: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Thursday hailed a new trade pact with the European Union, telling the EU parliament that the deal they approved this week will create jobs and boost the middle class on both sides of the Atlantic. In his address, the first by a Canadian leader to the European parliament, Trudeau said that "trade that is free and fair means that we can make the lives of our citizens more affordable." He presented the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement as a "blue-print" for future trade deals and the outcome of Europe's and Canada's shared history and values. The deal was approved Wednesday amid strong opposition from free-trade critics who fear it gives too much power to multinationals. They hope that it will be blocked by national and regional parliaments in the EU even after its provisional entry into force foreseen for April. Trudeau sought to allay their concerns, stressing that "trade needs to work for people" and that the agreement aims to do just that and includes provisions that will allow governments to protect their citizens and workforce. "If we are successful, CETA will become the blueprint for all ambitious, future trade deals," he said. "If we are not, this could very well be one of the last." The deal removes barriers on all traded goods and services, with a few restrictions for agricultural products and in the sectors of audiovisual, transport and public services. The trade agreement connects markets of 500 million Europeans with 35 million Canadians. If fully implemented, it could boost trade between the two by 20 percent from its 2015 level of 63.5 euros. Backers of the deal hailed it as victory of openness over protectionism and stagnation at a time when many, including the U.S. administration, are heading that way. It comes at a time when populist movements are on the rise making the future of the EU uncertain. Trudeau's address came just days after he met U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House. "My message Monday in Washington is the same as my message here in Strasbourg," Trudeau told journalists. "We have to work as governments and in between governments to create jobs for the middle class. and opportunities for those trying to join them." While the Canadian prime minister acknowledged there may be differences in perspectives on how to approach that and denounced the politics of fear at a time of great anxiety across the world, he made no criticism of Trump. "What I saw from the American president, was a focus on getting things done," he said. Trudeau's visit to Washington also focused on trade and ended on a relatively positive note, with Trump hailing the U.S. relationship with Canada as outstanding and suggesting only a few tweaks would be made to the North American Free Trade Agreement. Trudeau is expected to continue his pro-trade campaign with an address to business leaders Friday in Germany. By PTI ISLAMABAD: Pakistan today accused India of endangering regional peace through it military buildup. "Indian defence buildup is not in the interest of the region," Foreign Office Spokesperson Nafees Zakaria said. "It is a matter of grave concern and endangering the peace in the region and disturbing the strategic balance." Zakaria's comments came days after Pakistan claimed that India is building a "secret nuclear city" and has accumulated a stockpile of nuclear weapons which threatens to undermine the strategic balance of power in the region. Speaking at the weekly news briefing in Islamabad, Zakaria also alleged that Indian atrocities against Kashmiris are continuing unabated. Zakaria said that Pakistan was committed to the Kashmiris' legitimate movement for self-determination. He also accused India of "violating ceasefire on the Line of Control and Working Boundary resulting into loss of precious civilian lives". He said Pakistan has repeatedly lodged protest with Indian in this regard. ISLAMABAD: Pakistan today accused India of endangering regional peace through it military buildup. "Indian defence buildup is not in the interest of the region," Foreign Office Spokesperson Nafees Zakaria said. "It is a matter of grave concern and endangering the peace in the region and disturbing the strategic balance." Zakaria's comments came days after Pakistan claimed that India is building a "secret nuclear city" and has accumulated a stockpile of nuclear weapons which threatens to undermine the strategic balance of power in the region. Speaking at the weekly news briefing in Islamabad, Zakaria also alleged that Indian atrocities against Kashmiris are continuing unabated. Zakaria said that Pakistan was committed to the Kashmiris' legitimate movement for self-determination. He also accused India of "violating ceasefire on the Line of Control and Working Boundary resulting into loss of precious civilian lives". He said Pakistan has repeatedly lodged protest with Indian in this regard. By ANI LAHORE: Asserting that the Pakistan government is taking action against Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) solely due to pressure from India, former president General (retd.) Pervez Musharraf has called for the release of UN-designated global terrorist Hafiz Saeed, who is under house-arrest. The Dawn quoted Musharafs interview to Samaa TV, where he said that Pakistan does not have a clear perspective in regard to terrorism, which had affected Hafiz Saeed and the JuD. In my opinion, they are against the Taliban (in Pakistan), they did not commit any terrorism in Pakistan or anywhere in the world. So they should be dealt separately. They were banned by the United Nations through India and we are following the same line, he said. Pakistani journalist Nadeem Malik, who took Musharrafs interview on Samaa TV, quoted him as saying on Twitter, #NadeemMalikLive: Gen @P_Musharraf demands release of Hafiz Saeed, claims action against Jamatud Dawah was due to Indian pressure #Pakistan. Asserting that Hafiz Saeed should definitely be freed, Musharraf further stated that the JuD was not a terrorist organisation, but was running a very fine NGO instead, which had contributed in relief activities post-earthquake and post-floods periods in Pakistan. They [JuD] have been engaging the religious youth in relief and welfare activities and if we push them against wall and call them terrorist, the religious youth could incline to Taliban and terrorists, said Musharraf. LAHORE: Asserting that the Pakistan government is taking action against Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) solely due to pressure from India, former president General (retd.) Pervez Musharraf has called for the release of UN-designated global terrorist Hafiz Saeed, who is under house-arrest. The Dawn quoted Musharafs interview to Samaa TV, where he said that Pakistan does not have a clear perspective in regard to terrorism, which had affected Hafiz Saeed and the JuD. In my opinion, they are against the Taliban (in Pakistan), they did not commit any terrorism in Pakistan or anywhere in the world. So they should be dealt separately. They were banned by the United Nations through India and we are following the same line, he said. Pakistani journalist Nadeem Malik, who took Musharrafs interview on Samaa TV, quoted him as saying on Twitter, #NadeemMalikLive: Gen @P_Musharraf demands release of Hafiz Saeed, claims action against Jamatud Dawah was due to Indian pressure #Pakistan. Asserting that Hafiz Saeed should definitely be freed, Musharraf further stated that the JuD was not a terrorist organisation, but was running a very fine NGO instead, which had contributed in relief activities post-earthquake and post-floods periods in Pakistan. They [JuD] have been engaging the religious youth in relief and welfare activities and if we push them against wall and call them terrorist, the religious youth could incline to Taliban and terrorists, said Musharraf. Express News Service COLOMBO: The process of drafting a brand new constitution for Sri Lanka is in the doldrums though many steps had already been completed and the process was in the final stages early last month itself. The six subcommittees on various subjects had submitted their reports based on the widest possible public consultations. The Steering Committee had considered these reports and drafted its own report which was to be presented to the Constitutional Assembly (comprising the current members of parliament). But the Steering Committees report was not presented to the Constitutional Assembly on January 9 as planned. This was because some of the Steering Committee members had raised objections regarding the contents of the report. It was then decided to redraft the report. That process is still on, though late last month, President Maithripala Sirisena tried to break the deadlock by meeting the main political groups in the country. Informed sources told Express that Sirisena had asked the Steering Committee to draft a simplified report that members of the Constitutional Assembly could understand. The real difficulty is posed by the fact that the main political forces in Sri Lanka are deeply divided over the basic features of any new constitution. While the minority Tamil parties want a federal form of government with an extensive devolution of powers, the parties of the majority Sinhalese would have none of it. They want the present unitary structure to continue. While the Tamil parties want the merger of the Northern and Eastern provinces to form a single Tamil-speaking province, the Sinhalese and the Muslims reject it. While the minority Tamils and Muslims want Sri Lanka to give equal status to all religions, the majority Sinhalese want Buddhism to be recognized as the foremost religion. While the Sirisena and Rajapaksa factions of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), want the retention of the Presidential form of government with minor alterations, the United National Party (UNP) led by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe want a Westminster-style parliamentary form of government. While the UNP wants a brand new constitution, fundamentally different from the existing one, the SLFP (both the factions) want only a few amendments to the existing one. While the UNP feels that the constitution should go through a Referendum, the SLFP feels that the changes should not be so fundamental that a referendum has to be conducted. It is not clear as to what the Steering Committee has recommended because its report is for the MPs eyes only, but it is likely to be too liberal for the major Sinhalese community. Though the sub-committees had not made any specific recommendations, they had stated the views of all sections. The general tone had been by and large liberal. For instance, they had said that the provinces should be given the right to tap foreign funds and that Law and Order (police powers) should be handed over to the provinces. These suggestions are unlikely to go down well with the majority Sinhalese community which is still apprehensive about the resurgence of Tamil separatism. While wanting an altogether new constitution, the UNP is not in a hurry to bring it about given the complexity of the political situation. As Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera said: We believe in following the dictum Festina Lente (making haste slowly). The UNP is also wary about the outcome of a referendum and therefore wants to be cautious, Samaraweera, added. Be that as it may, the worrying part is that the government has put on the back burner the task of setting up the war crimes accountability mechanisms including a judicial mechanism and a truth-seeking mechanism citing the need to have a new constitution first. Samaraweera said that priority will be given to drafting a new constitution because the new constitution will be the ultimate guarantor of equality, justice, and non-recurrences of the ugly inter-ethnic incidents of the past. But the Tamils are clamoring for justice here and now through credible judicial mechanisms. And the government has to show to the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in March, progress in the implementation of the jointly sponsored UNHRC resolution of September-October 2015. Samaraweera said that Sri Lanka will show the progress made thus far and seek more time to complete the implementation of the resolution. Colombo is confident that the international community will accept this request from a Sri Lankan government which is friendly to the international community. COLOMBO: The process of drafting a brand new constitution for Sri Lanka is in the doldrums though many steps had already been completed and the process was in the final stages early last month itself. The six subcommittees on various subjects had submitted their reports based on the widest possible public consultations. The Steering Committee had considered these reports and drafted its own report which was to be presented to the Constitutional Assembly (comprising the current members of parliament). But the Steering Committees report was not presented to the Constitutional Assembly on January 9 as planned. This was because some of the Steering Committee members had raised objections regarding the contents of the report. It was then decided to redraft the report. That process is still on, though late last month, President Maithripala Sirisena tried to break the deadlock by meeting the main political groups in the country. Informed sources told Express that Sirisena had asked the Steering Committee to draft a simplified report that members of the Constitutional Assembly could understand. The real difficulty is posed by the fact that the main political forces in Sri Lanka are deeply divided over the basic features of any new constitution. While the minority Tamil parties want a federal form of government with an extensive devolution of powers, the parties of the majority Sinhalese would have none of it. They want the present unitary structure to continue. While the Tamil parties want the merger of the Northern and Eastern provinces to form a single Tamil-speaking province, the Sinhalese and the Muslims reject it. While the minority Tamils and Muslims want Sri Lanka to give equal status to all religions, the majority Sinhalese want Buddhism to be recognized as the foremost religion. While the Sirisena and Rajapaksa factions of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), want the retention of the Presidential form of government with minor alterations, the United National Party (UNP) led by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe want a Westminster-style parliamentary form of government. While the UNP wants a brand new constitution, fundamentally different from the existing one, the SLFP (both the factions) want only a few amendments to the existing one. While the UNP feels that the constitution should go through a Referendum, the SLFP feels that the changes should not be so fundamental that a referendum has to be conducted. It is not clear as to what the Steering Committee has recommended because its report is for the MPs eyes only, but it is likely to be too liberal for the major Sinhalese community. Though the sub-committees had not made any specific recommendations, they had stated the views of all sections. The general tone had been by and large liberal. For instance, they had said that the provinces should be given the right to tap foreign funds and that Law and Order (police powers) should be handed over to the provinces. These suggestions are unlikely to go down well with the majority Sinhalese community which is still apprehensive about the resurgence of Tamil separatism. While wanting an altogether new constitution, the UNP is not in a hurry to bring it about given the complexity of the political situation. As Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera said: We believe in following the dictum Festina Lente (making haste slowly). The UNP is also wary about the outcome of a referendum and therefore wants to be cautious, Samaraweera, added. Be that as it may, the worrying part is that the government has put on the back burner the task of setting up the war crimes accountability mechanisms including a judicial mechanism and a truth-seeking mechanism citing the need to have a new constitution first. Samaraweera said that priority will be given to drafting a new constitution because the new constitution will be the ultimate guarantor of equality, justice, and non-recurrences of the ugly inter-ethnic incidents of the past. But the Tamils are clamoring for justice here and now through credible judicial mechanisms. And the government has to show to the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in March, progress in the implementation of the jointly sponsored UNHRC resolution of September-October 2015. Samaraweera said that Sri Lanka will show the progress made thus far and seek more time to complete the implementation of the resolution. Colombo is confident that the international community will accept this request from a Sri Lankan government which is friendly to the international community. By AFP WASHINGTON: Tensions flared once again on Wednesday between the United States and Venezuela as Donald Trump called for the release of a jailed foe of President Nicolas Maduro, who warned the new US leader not to provoke him. Diplomatic rows have become somewhat commonplace over the past 20 years between Venezuela's leftist leaders and Washington, the "imperialist" power they love to hate. They have not traded ambassadors since 2010. But with the Republican Trump only in office since January 20, any hope of some kind of breakthrough appeared to be quickly vanishing. "Venezuela should allow Leopoldo Lopez, a political prisoner & husband of @liliantintori (just met w/ @marcorubio) out of prison immediately," Trump tweeted. The post included a picture of Trump, Vice-President Mike Pence, Lopez's wife Lilian Tintori and Florida Senator Marco Rubio at the White House. Trump's public schedule had only mentioned a dinner with Rubio. Lopez, the founder of Popular Will, one of the most hardline of the parties opposing Maduro, is serving a 14-year prison term on charges of inciting unrest at anti-government protests that left 43 people dead in early 2014. Ties had already been rattled on Monday, when the US Treasury imposed sanctions on Maduro's powerful Vice-President Tareck El Aissami and a businessman, whom US authorities accuse of being involved in drug trafficking. The US Treasury department froze the US assets of El Aissami and the businessman, Samark Jose Lopez Bello, and banned US nationals from doing business with them. The Caracas government credits El Aissami with cracking down on drug trafficking while serving as interior minister. But the US Treasury says he oversaw shipments of cocaine from Venezuela to Mexico and the United States. Maduro demanded a public apology and a diplomatic complaint was lodged. Then on Wednesday, Venezuela pulled the plug on CNN's Spanish-language channel, accusing it of spreading "propaganda." Until Monday, Caracas had been somewhat cautious in its stance towards Trump's new administration. But that attitude has disappeared, and on Wednesday, Maduro stepped up the rhetoric. Shortly before Trump sent the tweet about Lopez, Maduro had warned the US leader that he would respond with a firm hand to any action by Washington he deemed to be aggressive, though he said he did not want any "problems." "If they attack us, we will not be silent. Venezuela will respond firmly. Those who tangle with us will get an appropriate response," Maduro said on state television. - 'Instrument of war' - Venezuela's dispute with CNN stems from its reporting about an alleged visa racket at the country's embassy in Iraq. The story shown on CNN in Spanish on February 6 alleged that Venezuelan passports and visas had been sold at the Baghdad embassy to Arabs who the channel said may have been linked to terrorism. The report named El Aissami as one of those behind the racket. The hardline former interior minister, 42, is next in line to Maduro and would take over if the opposition succeeded in its bid to oust the leader in a vote. A severe economic crisis in Venezuela driven by falling prices for its crucial oil exports has contributed to food shortages and deep economic disarray, raising pressure to remove Maduro from power. "CNN is an instrument of war," Maduro said on state television. Within moments of the National Telecommunications Commission ordering "the immediate suspension of broadcasts by the news channel CNN in Spanish," the channel disappeared from screens. CNN responded by saying the government was "denying Venezuelans news and information from our television network, which they have relied upon for 20 years." It said its CNN in Spanish broadcasts would remain available in Venezuela online through its website and on its YouTube channel. CNN International, the English-language channel of the US network, was not affected and remained on air. Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez said Wednesday that one of the channel's sources in the report, embassy employee Misael Lopez, was a criminal and the visa allegation were "based absolutely on falsehoods. The channel had "launched an operation of psychological warfare, a war propaganda operation," she said. In its statement, CNN said it stood by its reporting. WASHINGTON: Tensions flared once again on Wednesday between the United States and Venezuela as Donald Trump called for the release of a jailed foe of President Nicolas Maduro, who warned the new US leader not to provoke him. Diplomatic rows have become somewhat commonplace over the past 20 years between Venezuela's leftist leaders and Washington, the "imperialist" power they love to hate. They have not traded ambassadors since 2010. But with the Republican Trump only in office since January 20, any hope of some kind of breakthrough appeared to be quickly vanishing. "Venezuela should allow Leopoldo Lopez, a political prisoner & husband of @liliantintori (just met w/ @marcorubio) out of prison immediately," Trump tweeted. The post included a picture of Trump, Vice-President Mike Pence, Lopez's wife Lilian Tintori and Florida Senator Marco Rubio at the White House. Trump's public schedule had only mentioned a dinner with Rubio. Lopez, the founder of Popular Will, one of the most hardline of the parties opposing Maduro, is serving a 14-year prison term on charges of inciting unrest at anti-government protests that left 43 people dead in early 2014. Ties had already been rattled on Monday, when the US Treasury imposed sanctions on Maduro's powerful Vice-President Tareck El Aissami and a businessman, whom US authorities accuse of being involved in drug trafficking. The US Treasury department froze the US assets of El Aissami and the businessman, Samark Jose Lopez Bello, and banned US nationals from doing business with them. The Caracas government credits El Aissami with cracking down on drug trafficking while serving as interior minister. But the US Treasury says he oversaw shipments of cocaine from Venezuela to Mexico and the United States. Maduro demanded a public apology and a diplomatic complaint was lodged. Then on Wednesday, Venezuela pulled the plug on CNN's Spanish-language channel, accusing it of spreading "propaganda." Until Monday, Caracas had been somewhat cautious in its stance towards Trump's new administration. But that attitude has disappeared, and on Wednesday, Maduro stepped up the rhetoric. Shortly before Trump sent the tweet about Lopez, Maduro had warned the US leader that he would respond with a firm hand to any action by Washington he deemed to be aggressive, though he said he did not want any "problems." "If they attack us, we will not be silent. Venezuela will respond firmly. Those who tangle with us will get an appropriate response," Maduro said on state television. - 'Instrument of war' - Venezuela's dispute with CNN stems from its reporting about an alleged visa racket at the country's embassy in Iraq. The story shown on CNN in Spanish on February 6 alleged that Venezuelan passports and visas had been sold at the Baghdad embassy to Arabs who the channel said may have been linked to terrorism. The report named El Aissami as one of those behind the racket. The hardline former interior minister, 42, is next in line to Maduro and would take over if the opposition succeeded in its bid to oust the leader in a vote. A severe economic crisis in Venezuela driven by falling prices for its crucial oil exports has contributed to food shortages and deep economic disarray, raising pressure to remove Maduro from power. "CNN is an instrument of war," Maduro said on state television. Within moments of the National Telecommunications Commission ordering "the immediate suspension of broadcasts by the news channel CNN in Spanish," the channel disappeared from screens. CNN responded by saying the government was "denying Venezuelans news and information from our television network, which they have relied upon for 20 years." It said its CNN in Spanish broadcasts would remain available in Venezuela online through its website and on its YouTube channel. CNN International, the English-language channel of the US network, was not affected and remained on air. Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez said Wednesday that one of the channel's sources in the report, embassy employee Misael Lopez, was a criminal and the visa allegation were "based absolutely on falsehoods. The channel had "launched an operation of psychological warfare, a war propaganda operation," she said. In its statement, CNN said it stood by its reporting. By PTI BRUSSELS: US Defence Secretary James Mattis bluntly warned NATO allies today that Donald Trump's administration would "moderate its commitment" to the transatlantic alliance unless members met their spending pledges. Mattis's no-nonsense message to his counterparts in Brussels follows years of calls by Washington for allies to spend at least two percent of their GDP on defence, a goal that only a handful meet despite agreeing on it at a summit in 2014. It packs extra weight as it comes after Trump has said US help for NATO members -- already worried by the threat from Russia in the east -- might depend on how much they have paid. "Americans cannot care more for your children's future security than you do," retired Marine general Mattis said in prepared remarks to defence ministers at NATO headquarters. "If your nations do not want to see America moderate its commitment to this alliance, each of your capitals need to show support for our common defence." Mattis called for "milestone dates" this year that would track NATO member contributions. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg denied that Mattis's words amounted to a threat, saying it was a "firm message" and that his colleagues agreed that they would do more to contribute. "Secretary Mattis conveyed a very firm message to all Allies. That message is about the importance of fair burden-sharing. It reflects a political reality in the United States," Stoltenberg told a press conference. Currently, only the United States, Britain, Estonia, Greece and Poland have hit or surpassed the two percent figure. The call for more funding comes as NATO mounts its biggest buildup since the Cold War, strengthening its eastern flank following Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014. British Defence Secretary Michael Fallon told reporters that he had called on laggards to at least increase spending annually to "demonstrate good faith." NATO said its member countries spent a total of USD 892 billion in 2015, with the United States accounting for USD 641 billion. Russian military spending in 2015 rose to 66 billion dollars, the SIPRI institute in Stockholm said. Despite lambasting some NATO partners' spending, Mattis hailed NATO as the "fundamental bedrock" of transatlantic security as he sought to reassure allies about Trump's commitment to the alliance. Since his inauguration, Trump has taken a more orthodox stance on NATO and reaffirmed long-standing US commitment to the alliance that Mattis has previously served. Trump, who is set to meet NATO leaders in Brussels in May, had previously said the alliance was "obsolete." BRUSSELS: US Defence Secretary James Mattis bluntly warned NATO allies today that Donald Trump's administration would "moderate its commitment" to the transatlantic alliance unless members met their spending pledges. Mattis's no-nonsense message to his counterparts in Brussels follows years of calls by Washington for allies to spend at least two percent of their GDP on defence, a goal that only a handful meet despite agreeing on it at a summit in 2014. It packs extra weight as it comes after Trump has said US help for NATO members -- already worried by the threat from Russia in the east -- might depend on how much they have paid. "Americans cannot care more for your children's future security than you do," retired Marine general Mattis said in prepared remarks to defence ministers at NATO headquarters. "If your nations do not want to see America moderate its commitment to this alliance, each of your capitals need to show support for our common defence." Mattis called for "milestone dates" this year that would track NATO member contributions. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg denied that Mattis's words amounted to a threat, saying it was a "firm message" and that his colleagues agreed that they would do more to contribute. "Secretary Mattis conveyed a very firm message to all Allies. That message is about the importance of fair burden-sharing. It reflects a political reality in the United States," Stoltenberg told a press conference. Currently, only the United States, Britain, Estonia, Greece and Poland have hit or surpassed the two percent figure. The call for more funding comes as NATO mounts its biggest buildup since the Cold War, strengthening its eastern flank following Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014. British Defence Secretary Michael Fallon told reporters that he had called on laggards to at least increase spending annually to "demonstrate good faith." NATO said its member countries spent a total of USD 892 billion in 2015, with the United States accounting for USD 641 billion. Russian military spending in 2015 rose to 66 billion dollars, the SIPRI institute in Stockholm said. Despite lambasting some NATO partners' spending, Mattis hailed NATO as the "fundamental bedrock" of transatlantic security as he sought to reassure allies about Trump's commitment to the alliance. Since his inauguration, Trump has taken a more orthodox stance on NATO and reaffirmed long-standing US commitment to the alliance that Mattis has previously served. Trump, who is set to meet NATO leaders in Brussels in May, had previously said the alliance was "obsolete." By IANS WASHINGTON: The Governor of US state North Dakota issued an evacuation order for a protest camp where Dakota Access Pipeline opponents have spent months expressing their disdain, the media reported. Governor Doug Burgum on Wednesday signed the order "out of concern for the safety of people who are residing on US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) land in southern Morton county and to avoid an ecological disaster to the Missouri River," an official statement said. Decreasing temperatures were cited as the impetus in speeding up the Oceti Sakowin camp's clean-up, ABC News reported. "Warm temperatures have accelerated snow-melt in the area of the protest camp, and the National Weather Service reports that the Cannonball River should be on the watch for rising water levels and an increased risk of ice jams later this week," the statement said. "Due to these conditions, the governor's emergency order addresses safety concerns to human life as anyone in the floodplain is at risk for possible injury or death. The order also addresses the need to protect the Missouri River from the waste that will flow into the Cannonball River and Lake Oahe if the camp is not cleared and the cleanup expedited." The US Army Corps of Engineers ordered those camping on federal property to vacate in order to prevent injuries and significant environmental damage in the likely event of flooding in the area. The Oceti Sakowin camp needs to be evacuated no later than February 22 in order to allow private contractors to accelerate the removal of waste from the camp, the governor's office added. The pipeline project has ignited a debate among many groups whether the benefit brought can outweigh its risks. The environmental conservation community has largely refuted the pipeline, saying soil and water contamination and air pollution may damage the environment and wildlife along the pipeline route, a concern shared by many farmers in the region. The fact that the Lake Oahe is located in Indian reserve land also prompted the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe to object, saying the project threatens the tribe's "way of life, water, people and land". The controversial project is an approximately 1,900 km pipeline that connects the Bakken and Three Forks oil production areas in North Dakota and Patoka Illinois, the $3.78 billion project was planned to function by January 1, nearly 90 per cent is reported to have been completed. WASHINGTON: The Governor of US state North Dakota issued an evacuation order for a protest camp where Dakota Access Pipeline opponents have spent months expressing their disdain, the media reported. Governor Doug Burgum on Wednesday signed the order "out of concern for the safety of people who are residing on US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) land in southern Morton county and to avoid an ecological disaster to the Missouri River," an official statement said. Decreasing temperatures were cited as the impetus in speeding up the Oceti Sakowin camp's clean-up, ABC News reported. "Warm temperatures have accelerated snow-melt in the area of the protest camp, and the National Weather Service reports that the Cannonball River should be on the watch for rising water levels and an increased risk of ice jams later this week," the statement said. "Due to these conditions, the governor's emergency order addresses safety concerns to human life as anyone in the floodplain is at risk for possible injury or death. The order also addresses the need to protect the Missouri River from the waste that will flow into the Cannonball River and Lake Oahe if the camp is not cleared and the cleanup expedited." The US Army Corps of Engineers ordered those camping on federal property to vacate in order to prevent injuries and significant environmental damage in the likely event of flooding in the area. The Oceti Sakowin camp needs to be evacuated no later than February 22 in order to allow private contractors to accelerate the removal of waste from the camp, the governor's office added. The pipeline project has ignited a debate among many groups whether the benefit brought can outweigh its risks. The environmental conservation community has largely refuted the pipeline, saying soil and water contamination and air pollution may damage the environment and wildlife along the pipeline route, a concern shared by many farmers in the region. The fact that the Lake Oahe is located in Indian reserve land also prompted the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe to object, saying the project threatens the tribe's "way of life, water, people and land". The controversial project is an approximately 1,900 km pipeline that connects the Bakken and Three Forks oil production areas in North Dakota and Patoka Illinois, the $3.78 billion project was planned to function by January 1, nearly 90 per cent is reported to have been completed. By AFP BONN: US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Thursday pledged that Washington would use the full range of its arsenal, including nuclear weapons, to defend allies Japan and South Korea against North Korea if needed. "The United States remains steadfast in its defence commitments to its allies, the Republic of Korea and Japan, including the commitment to provide extended deterrence, backed by the full range of its nuclear and conventional defence capabilities," Tillerson said in a joint statement after meeting the foreign ministers in Bonn. North Korea has carried out repeated missile launches despite UN sanctions and last year conducted two nuclear tests in a bid to develop a weapons system capable of hitting the US mainland. Pyongyang said the latest missile tested on Sunday could carry a nuclear warhead. Seoul said the rocket travelled some 500 kilometres (300 miles) before it came down in the Sea of Japan (East Sea). The joint statement said Tillerson, South Korea's Yun Byung-Se and Japan's Fumio Kishida "condemned in the strongest terms" the test which was carried out in "flagrant disregard" for multiple UN Security Council resolutions. The three countries would work together to ensure that further violations would be "met with an even stronger international response," it said, demanding that Pyongyang abandon its nuclear and missile programmes. Shortly after the missile test, President Donald Trump said North Korea was a "a big, big problem... and we will deal with that very strongly." Earlier this month on a trip to Seoul and Tokyo, US Defence Secretary James Mattis warned that "any use of nuclear weapons would be met with a response that would be effective and overwhelming." The United States has had a major military presence in both Japan and South Korea for decades but its defence commitment also complicates relations with China, North Korea's main ally. Washington's recent decision to install a sophisticated THAAD anti-missile system in South Korea especially angered China which sees it as a potential threat to its own security. BONN: US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Thursday pledged that Washington would use the full range of its arsenal, including nuclear weapons, to defend allies Japan and South Korea against North Korea if needed. "The United States remains steadfast in its defence commitments to its allies, the Republic of Korea and Japan, including the commitment to provide extended deterrence, backed by the full range of its nuclear and conventional defence capabilities," Tillerson said in a joint statement after meeting the foreign ministers in Bonn. North Korea has carried out repeated missile launches despite UN sanctions and last year conducted two nuclear tests in a bid to develop a weapons system capable of hitting the US mainland. Pyongyang said the latest missile tested on Sunday could carry a nuclear warhead. Seoul said the rocket travelled some 500 kilometres (300 miles) before it came down in the Sea of Japan (East Sea). The joint statement said Tillerson, South Korea's Yun Byung-Se and Japan's Fumio Kishida "condemned in the strongest terms" the test which was carried out in "flagrant disregard" for multiple UN Security Council resolutions. The three countries would work together to ensure that further violations would be "met with an even stronger international response," it said, demanding that Pyongyang abandon its nuclear and missile programmes. Shortly after the missile test, President Donald Trump said North Korea was a "a big, big problem... and we will deal with that very strongly." Earlier this month on a trip to Seoul and Tokyo, US Defence Secretary James Mattis warned that "any use of nuclear weapons would be met with a response that would be effective and overwhelming." The United States has had a major military presence in both Japan and South Korea for decades but its defence commitment also complicates relations with China, North Korea's main ally. Washington's recent decision to install a sophisticated THAAD anti-missile system in South Korea especially angered China which sees it as a potential threat to its own security. By PTI CARACUS: Venezuela's Supreme Court has upheld opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez's nearly 14-year prison sentence, a day after US President Donald Trump called for his release. The founder of Popular Will, one of the most hardline of the parties opposing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Lopez was sentenced on charges of inciting unrest at anti-government protests that left 43 people dead in 2014. "The appeal was declared inadmissible. It is a reality and an act of absolute injustice," defense lawyer Juan Carlos Gutierrez yesterday told AFP, adding that the case is closed in Venezuela and can be appealed only to international bodies. The ruling on the appeal -- filed in July -- came a day after Trump received Lopez's wife Lilian Tintori at the White House. "Venezuela should allow Leopoldo Lopez, a political prisoner & husband of @liliantintor i (just met w/ @marcorubio) out of prison immediately," Trump tweeted following the meeting. The government called Tintori's meeting with Trump an "intrusion and aggression." Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez blamed Venezuelan opposition "lobbies" within "the Miami mafia." "While President Maduro proposed starting a new era of respectful relations, Donald Trump is in solidarity with the leader of violent actions," he said. Lopez was the most prominent of a hundred prisoners arrested for the 2014 protests. Yesterday's ruling "not only condemns an innocent man, which is serious in itself, but destroys what little remains of the rule of law in Venezuela," Gutierrez said. "It is not a legal act but a political one." "We have already exhausted all the recourses Venezuelan law allows," he added. "We will go to the United Nations. We'll be presenting a document in a couple of weeks. Also yesterday, Venezuela said it would stop CNN's Spanish-language service from broadcasting over the internet, 24 hours after ordering cable services to take it off the air, accusing the outlet of "war propaganda." Cable operators dropped CNN en Espanol -- Latin America's main news channel -- on Wednesday days after the news network broadcast an investigation into alleged fraud in granting Venezuelan passports and visas. The opposition blames Maduro for an economic crisis that has prompted riots and looting due to shortages of food, medicine and other staples. It wants a popular vote on removing the socialist leader from office. Maduro blames the crisis on a US-backed capitalist conspiracy. CARACUS: Venezuela's Supreme Court has upheld opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez's nearly 14-year prison sentence, a day after US President Donald Trump called for his release. The founder of Popular Will, one of the most hardline of the parties opposing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Lopez was sentenced on charges of inciting unrest at anti-government protests that left 43 people dead in 2014. "The appeal was declared inadmissible. It is a reality and an act of absolute injustice," defense lawyer Juan Carlos Gutierrez yesterday told AFP, adding that the case is closed in Venezuela and can be appealed only to international bodies. The ruling on the appeal -- filed in July -- came a day after Trump received Lopez's wife Lilian Tintori at the White House. "Venezuela should allow Leopoldo Lopez, a political prisoner & husband of @liliantintor i (just met w/ @marcorubio) out of prison immediately," Trump tweeted following the meeting. The government called Tintori's meeting with Trump an "intrusion and aggression." Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez blamed Venezuelan opposition "lobbies" within "the Miami mafia." "While President Maduro proposed starting a new era of respectful relations, Donald Trump is in solidarity with the leader of violent actions," he said. Lopez was the most prominent of a hundred prisoners arrested for the 2014 protests. Yesterday's ruling "not only condemns an innocent man, which is serious in itself, but destroys what little remains of the rule of law in Venezuela," Gutierrez said. "It is not a legal act but a political one." "We have already exhausted all the recourses Venezuelan law allows," he added. "We will go to the United Nations. We'll be presenting a document in a couple of weeks. Also yesterday, Venezuela said it would stop CNN's Spanish-language service from broadcasting over the internet, 24 hours after ordering cable services to take it off the air, accusing the outlet of "war propaganda." Cable operators dropped CNN en Espanol -- Latin America's main news channel -- on Wednesday days after the news network broadcast an investigation into alleged fraud in granting Venezuelan passports and visas. The opposition blames Maduro for an economic crisis that has prompted riots and looting due to shortages of food, medicine and other staples. It wants a popular vote on removing the socialist leader from office. Maduro blames the crisis on a US-backed capitalist conspiracy. mcDonalds worker McDonald's locations across the United States are shutting down on a "Day Without Immigrants." On Thursday, organizers in cities across the country encouraged immigrants not to show up for work or patronize businesses, to show how crucial they are to the American economy. According to reports on social media, some McDonald's locations are feeling the impact and have been forced to close for the day. "I was going to stop at McDonald's for breakfast, but it's closed," one Facebook user from New Jersey wrote. "I hear it's closed because this is the day immigrants are taking off as protest to Trump's immigration law. I was annoyed at first until I realized why it was closed. Now I'm in full support of anything that goes against Trump and his ilk." Tried to get a cup of coffee at McDonald's, closed. Went to next one, closed. I don't need coffee. #DayWithoutImmigrants ReginaSmith (@regina_smith67) February 16, 2017 "Just FYI. Today is immigrants day," another Facebook user from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma wrote. "In spirit of it the McDonald's on Douglas off the highway is closed. True story. Enjoy your day." The Mcdonald's on Union and New York isn't open.. it's supposed to be 24/7 lol #DayWithoutImmigrants pic.twitter.com/QR85HyEPYY Juarez (@RogerDaJuiceman) February 16, 2017 McDonald's in Green Hills only taking orders in drive-thru due to shortage of workers who are participating in #DayWithoutImmigrants pic.twitter.com/nbRIsws6Sv FoxNashville (@FOXNashville) February 16, 2017 Story continues Okay I'm affected by this somehow. The McDonald's where I have breakfast is closed. Very unusual! #DayWithoutImmigrants Doctor (@SQLAmerica) February 16, 2017 OMG the McDonald's is closed... One less day receiving a fucked up order. #whocares #DayWithoutImmigrants . (@Brenard0) February 16, 2017 It is unclear if franchisees purposefully closed their locations. However, in at least in one instance, it seems that workers simply did not show up. My best friend work at McDonald's, & nobody showed to work. #nofoodforyall #Daywithoutimmigrants LXRDXFLVCKX (@JadaBabie) February 16, 2017 The "Day Without Immigrants" protest comes in response to President Donald Trump's plans to build a wall along the US-Mexico border, as well as his promise to pass more aggressive deportation policies. The protest also addresses Trump's executive order banning immigrants from seven majority-Muslim nations from entering the US, a ban which was frozen but Trump has said he plans to rewrite. By refusing to work, immigrants involved in the protest attempt to demonstrate how exactly the US would be impacted by increased deportations and new immigration policies. For more news videos visit Yahoo View, available now on iOS and Android. NOW WATCH: You've probably been eating chicken wings all wrong here's the right way to do it More From Business Insider Who are Newport's top taxpayers? Take a look at the top 50. By Silke Koltrowitz VEVEY, Switzerland (Reuters) - Nestle's new chief executive scrapped the food company's long-standing sales target as it reported disappointing annual results on Thursday, echoing rivals by striking a cautious tone in an uncertain environment. Nestle is the biggest player in a packaged food industry hit by a slowdown in emerging markets, falling prices in developed markets and consumers demanding fresher, healthier products. The maker of Kitkat chocolate bars and Nescafe coffee is aiming to increase underlying sales by 2 to 4 percent this year, below its "Nestle Model" that called for growth of 5 to 6 percent. It posted weaker-than-expected 3.2 percent growth for 2016 and a drop in profits. CEO Mark Schneider, who joined Nestle only last month, forecast a return to "mid-single-digit" growth by 2020, which analysts interpreted as the new boss backing away from a target the company has missed for four successive years. "In a more turbulent environment, to narrow it specifically to 5 to 6 percent is probably not the right thing, but the underlying message is the same: there's nothing better than healthy organic growth," Schneider said at Nestle's Vevey headquarters. Analysts estimated that underlying earnings assumptions could be reduced by around 3 percent. In his first public appearance at Nestle, Schneider, responsible for a string of deals at German healthcare company Fresenius , also played down the chances of any big acquisitions. Valuations were too high and Nestle planned to keep its credit rating in the near term, he added. He did, however, say Nestle's portfolio review was ongoing. In recent years, the company has sold several underperforming brands and formed a joint venture for its ice cream business. Analysts and bankers often speculate about other businesses that could be sold, such as its confectionery or U.S. frozen meals businesses. Asked about Nestle's 23 percent stake in French cosmetics firm L'Oreal , Schneider said any moves would have to be done "very prudently". Nestle's shares were down 1.9 percent at 71.75 Swiss francs at 1240 GMT. NEW BOSS, SAME PROBLEMS Since his surprise appointment last year, analysts and investors have wondered how Schneider would reignite Nestle's growth and whether he would accelerate the recent push into higher-margin nutrition, health and wellness products. Schneider said he was fully committed to the health drive and would stick to the two-fold strategy of making Nestle's core food products healthier, such as by cutting sugar, while building up its health science and skin health businesses. RBC Capital Markets analysts said Schneider's initial observations "were carefully thought through and to the point". Jefferies analyst Martin Deboo said Nestle capped a subdued earnings season, with average organic growth for the big four food and personal care companies -- Nestle, Unilever , Danone and Reckitt Benckiser - slowing to a weaker-than-expected 2.1 percent. "We expect ... investors to continue to ask whether 'the model is broken' on the back of this," he said about the sector. European consumer goods companies face challenges from local rivals in emerging markets, weaker earnings potential and more aggressive cost-cutting from American companies pressurised by the growing presence of private equity firm 3G Capital. European food and beverage stocks <.SX3P> fell 12 percent from October to December, underperforming the broader European market by 15 percent. They have not fallen further during the reporting season, suggesting that those challenges are priced in. Unilever cited problems in Brazil and demonetization in India, while Danone pointed the finger at tough conditions in China. In 2016, Nestle's net profit fell to 8.5 billion Swiss francs, well below forecasts, and sales rose less than expected to 89.5 billion Swiss francs ($89.3 billion), up 3.2 percent on an organic basis. Schneider said already accelerating volume growth was encouraging and he also expected pricing to improve this year. The company forecast a "stable" trading operating profit margin in 2017, due to expectations for increased restructuring costs of around 500 million Swiss francs (399.45 million). It proposed to increase its dividend to 2.30 francs per share, after 2.25 francs last year. (Additional reporting by Martinne Geller, Angelika Gruber) Reporter Mary Schenk is a reporter covering police, courts and breaking news at The News-Gazette. Her email is mschenk@news-gazette.com, and you can follow her on Twitter (@schenk). Reporter Debra Pressey is a reporter covering health care at The News-Gazette. Her email is dpressey@news-gazette.com, and you can follow her on Twitter (@DLPressey). 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). One of Editor & Publishers 10 That Do It Right 2021 A naturally occurring protein has been discovered that shows promise as a biocontrol weapon against schistosomiasis, one of the world's most prevalent parasitic diseases, Oregon State University researchers reported today in a new study. Schistosomiasis is transmitted via flatworms shed by the freshwater snails that serve as the parasite's non-human host. It's a potentially life-threatening illness that affects more than 250 million people annually in tropical and subtropical countries, according to the World Health Organization. The disease can cause frequent, painful or bloody urine; abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea; anemia; fever, chills and muscle aches; inflammation and scarring of the bladder; and enlargement of lymph nodes, the liver and the spleen. While a drug called praziquantel is an effective treatment, there is no vaccination for schistosomiasis, and those who've had it develop no immunity. But researchers in OSU's College of Science have discovered a key new protein in a snail, Biomphalaria glabrata, that hosts and releases Schistosoma mansoni parasites that infect humans. Findings were published today in the journal PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases. Known as Grctm6, the protein seems to prevent the snails from shedding at least some of the parasites that could go on to infect people working or playing in the water where the snails live. "Shedding none would be great, but shedding fewer could still feasibly make a difference," said the study's corresponding author, Euan Allan, a postdoctoral scholar in the college's Department of Integrative Biology. "If snails are releasing a smaller number of parasites into the environment, people are less likely to be infected." Three variants of Grctm6 naturally occur, Allan said, and one of them confers more resistance to Schistosoma than the others. "What's interesting about that, from kind of an eye in the sky look, is that in the future we might be able to increase prevalence of the more resistant version and create a new population of more resistant snails without actually interfering with their biological function," Allan said. "That's the next step." Attempts to control schistosomiasis by focusing on the snail hosts date to the 1950s, but earlier efforts involved either molluscicides - poisons - or the introduction of non-host snail species to eat or compete with the hosts. "Those approaches bring their own slew of problems," Allan said. "We'd anticipate far fewer ecological consequences from gene-driving one of these naturally occurring proteins into a population of snails, because they'd remain natural in pretty much every other way -- just instead of being more susceptible to Schistosoma, they'd be more resistant." Allan says it's not yet clear if the protein makes snails less likely to pick up the parasite in the first place, more likely to have their immune system kill it, or less likely to shed it. "It's speculative, but our best guess is the protein helps a snail's immune system better recognize the parasite," he said. "The real take-home of the work is that we've discovered a completely new protein that's never been discovered in any other species. And this protein is involved in the extent of infection in an intermediate species, and potentially involved in the extent of human infection." Scalp cooling can lessen some chemotherapy-induced hair loss - one of the most devastating hallmarks of cancer - in certain breast cancer patients, according to a new multicenter study from UC San Francisco, Weill Cornell Medicine and three other medical centers. A majority of the study's patients, all women with stage 1 or 2 breast cancer who underwent scalp cooling, retained more than half of their hair after completing chemotherapy, the investigators learned. The study, which tracks patients over five years, used standardized photographs to grade hair loss. The study will be published Feb. 14 in JAMA, the Journal of the American Medical Association. "Hair loss is almost universal among breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy and is one of the most distressing of adverse side effects," said first author Hope S. Rugo, MD, the corresponding author who led the study. Rugo is a UCSF professor of medicine specializing in breast cancer research and treatment, and director of the breast oncology and clinical trials education program at the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center. "We found that scalp cooling during commonly used chemotherapy regimens was well tolerated and was associated with significantly less hair loss, as well as improvement in several quality-of-life indicators," Rugo said. "While further research is needed, the data suggest that when scalp cooling is successful at decreasing hair loss, it could improve the treatment experience for women undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy for early-stage breast cancer." Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women around the world, both in developed countries and less developed ones, according to the World Health Organization. Scalp cooling has been used in more than 30 countries as a way to potentially prevent hair loss in patients receiving chemotherapy; in Europe it's been used for several decades. Two types of cooling caps are typically used: frozen caps that need to be replaced every half hour, or cooling systems that continually circulate coolants into a cap during the entire chemotherapy session. Scalp cooling is thought to reduce hair loss due to reduced delivery of chemotherapy to the scalp and hair follicle, Rugo said. The cold temperatures also are thought to slow the hair follicle cell division, making the cell less susceptible to the damaging effects of chemotherapy. In the United States, scalp cooling has been limited because of factors including insufficient scientific data and concern about the theoretic risk of scalp metastases. For the JAMA study, researchers investigated the effectiveness of one device: the DigniCap scalp cooling system manufactured by the Swedish public company Dignitana AB, which partly funded the research. In December 2015, based on preliminary results from the study, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration cleared the DigniCap for use in the U.S., the first and only cooling cap to date to receive such clearance. In the JAMA paper, 122 women with stage 1or stage 2 breast cancer were studied - all received non-anthracycline adjuvant chemotherapy, which generally causes severe hair loss. Of those women, 101 were enrolled in scalp cooling; 16 others, also undergoing chemotherapy but not scalp cooling, were in the control arm. Scalp cooling began 30 minutes prior to each chemotherapy cycle and involved a close fitting of the silicone cap on the patient's head, followed by an insulating neoprene cap. The silicone cap was then gradually cooled. The DigniCap is set to cool at 3 degrees Celsius (37 degrees Fahrenheit) with a temperature variance of plus or minus 2 degrees. Of 101 patients who underwent scalp cooling, 67 of them (66.3 percent) retained half or more of their hair, the authors wrote. In the parallel control group, all the patients lost their hair. Additionally, three of five quality-of-life measures were significantly better for the women who underwent scalp-cooling, including feeling more physically attractive. "Enabling a woman to preserve her hair during chemotherapy is empowering," said senior author Tessa Cigler, MD, MPH, an assistant professor of clinical medicine in the Weill Cornell Breast Center at Weill Cornell Medicine. "Scalp cooling allows patients to protect their privacy and maintain their self-esteem and sense of well-being. This study provides long-awaited evidence for an effective and practical scalp cooling method." The mean age of the cold cap patients was 53 years. Some 77 percent of the patients were white, 9 percent were black and nearly 11 percent were Asian. The study was conducted between August 2013 and October 2014. The average duration of chemotherapy was 2.3 months. Many of the patients reported mild headaches or scalp pain associated with the scalp cooling. Two patients discontinued scalp cooling due to feeling cold. There has been no evidence of scalp metastases in any patient after approximately 30 months of follow up. All patient follow up will continue for a total of five years. "When faced with problems of the elderly in our closest family, it is us who experience major stress, not them", says Egidijus Kazanavicius, Professor at Kaunas University of Technology (KTU), Director at the Centre of Real Time Computer Systems. Kazanavicius is heading the team of researchers from KTU and Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU), who are developing the monitoring system for seniors: upon registering a fall of a person, the system sends a notification to the carers. "Falls are the leading cause of death in the elderly population and are very common problem in geriatrics, symptomatic to a wide variety of health conditions. Besides causing physical injuries, falls lower person's self-confidence to move independently, and are often a reason of various psychological problems", says Dr Vita Lesauskaite, researcher at LSMU. Collaborating, KTU and LSMU researchers created a prototype of a monitoring system for seniors GRIUTIS, consisting of a set of fixed sensors placed in premises, and of the software. When sensors register a change in a person's behaviour or in his or her position, the alert is being sent to their family and / or carers. The next step for the researchers is patenting of technologies and product commercialisation. It is planned that the senior monitoring system GRIUTIS will be used in geriatrics clinics as soon as the next year. Lithuanian Research Council has allocated funds for the realisation of the project. "I tested the prototype at home, myself. It works perfectly, and I feel more relaxed knowing how my elderly mother is doing, when I am not nearby. It is a great advantage to be able to work with a team of researchers with different competencies -- together we can create truly innovative products", says Kazanavicius. Brown recluse spiders use a unique micro looping technique to make their threads stronger than that of any other spider, a newly published UK-US collaboration has discovered. One of the most feared and venomous arachnids in the world, the American brown recluse spider has long been known for its signature necro-toxic venom, as well as its unusual silk. Now, new research offers an explanation for how the spider is able to make its silk uncommonly strong. Researchers suggest that if applied to synthetic materials, the technique could inspire scientific developments and improve impact absorbing structures used in space travel. The study, published today in the journal Material Horizons, was produced by scientists from Oxford University's Department of Zoology, together with a team from the Applied Science Department at Virginia's College of William & Mary. Their surveillance of the brown recluse spider's spinning behaviour shows how, and to what extent, the spider manages to strengthen the silk it makes. From observing the arachnid, the team discovered that unlike other spiders, who produce round ribbons of thread, recluse silk is thin and flat. This structural difference is key to the thread's strength, providing the flexibility needed to prevent premature breakage and withstand the knots created during spinning which give each strand additional strength. Professor Hannes Schniepp from William & Mary explains: "The theory of knots adding strength is well proven. But adding loops to synthetic filaments always seems to lead to premature fibre failure. Observation of the recluse spider provided the breakthrough solution; unlike all spiders its silk is not round, but a thin, nano-scale flat ribbon. The ribbon shape adds the flexibility needed to prevent premature failure, so that all the microloops can provide additional strength to the strand." By using computer simulations to apply this technique to synthetic fibres, the team were able to test and prove that adding even a single loop significantly enhances the strength of the material. William & Mary PhD student Sean Koebley adds: "We were able to prove that adding even a single loop significantly enhances the toughness of a simple synthetic sticky tape. Our observations open the door to new fibre technology inspired by the brown recluse." Speaking on how the recluse's technique could be applied more broadly in the future, Professor Fritz Vollrath, of the Department of Zoology at Oxford University, expands: "Computer simulations demonstrate that fibres with many loops would be much, much tougher than those without loops. This right away suggests possible applications. For example carbon filaments could be looped to make them less brittle, and thus allow their use in novel impact absorbing structures. One example would be spider-like webs of carbon-filaments floating in outer space, to capture the drifting space debris that endangers astronaut lives' and satellite integrity." Proscia Inc., a data solutions provider for digital pathology, and Samsung Medical Center, South Koreas preeminent clinical and biomedical research institute, today announced a partnership focused on developing tools that enable predictive medicine in the fight against cancer. The goal of the collaboration is to leverage mathematical oncology and novel deep-learning approaches to provide predictive insight into the likelihood of lung cancer lymph node metastasis, improving physicians ability to prescribe targeted cancer therapies. Proscia's technology enables identification and quantification of cancer "hot-spots" on tissue biopsies Advances in digital pathology have enabled the extraction of clinically relevant quantitative histological information from cancer tissue. In early results, Proscia has demonstrated the ability to use this quantitative histology to determine the likelihood of lymph node metastasis in breast cancer. In the first phase of its collaboration with Samsung Medical Center, Proscia will develop an automated algorithm for metastasis prediction from primary lung tumors. Over time, the two organizations will leverage Samsung Medical Centers clinical expertise to expand metastasis prediction to multiple tumor types. There is currently no accurate method, neither from radiology nor molecular biomarkers, to predict lymph node metastasis, said Dr. Insuk Sohn, Chief Senior Researcher at Samsung Medical Center. Accurate prediction of lymph node metastasis is critical in selecting optimal patients for endoscopic resection. The collaboration between our specialists and those at Proscia will make major improvements in the clinical decision process and ultimately save patients lives. As cancer treatment shifts towards new therapies and procedures and are less invasive and more precise, the importance of having a clear understanding of each patients individual cancer has increased as well, said Hunter Jackson, Chief Scientific Officer at Proscia Inc. This partnership leverages the combined power of quantitative histology and machine learning to generate insights that can give a more complete picture of a patients cancer. While the initial target of this partnership is the prediction of lymph node metastasis in lung cancer, validation of this initial product will open the door to similar endeavors in other cancers. Once the pipeline is setup, there are many applications in different tumor types such as hepatocellular carcinoma and gynecological cancers, said Dr. Chang Ohk Sung, Assistant Professor in the Department of Pathology at the Asan Medical Center and a member of the collaboration team. Proscia has amassed experience in the development and deployment of tools that drive insight about cancer. The results from Proscias active collaborations with research departments at several major academic medical centers across the United States have had major clinical implications and pushed the boundaries of the understanding of cancer. These successes were made possible by the execution of a seed round of funding raised last year. Proscia expects to raise another round in early 2017 based on this validation. The company recently launched image analysis applications on its platform that enable pathologists and researchers to extract meaningful information from whole slide images and power their own studies. Its partnership with the Samsung Medical Center advances Proscia's vision of improving clinical outcomes and accelerating the discovery of breakthrough advancements in the fight against cancer. Estimates suggest that helping religious leaders to discuss circumcision with their congregations could lead to 1.4 million more circumcisions and prevent between 65000 and 200000 men from being infected with HIV in Tanzania alone. Educating religious leaders about how circumcision helps to prevent HIV infection increased the number of men being circumcised in Tanzania, according to a study published in The Lancet. The authors say that the intervention should be considered as part of the male circumcision programmes in other sub-Saharan African countries, and that the process of working with religious leaders could be a new way to promote other healthy behaviours in communities. Our study led to a major increase in uptake of male circumcision. It also lays groundwork for further research to establish the effect of promoting healthy behaviours through religious communities in sub-Saharan Africa, where the overwhelming majority of the population is deeply committed to their religious beliefs and practice, said lead author Dr Jennifer Downs, Weill Cornell Medicine, USA. We believe that our intervention would also work to address other health behaviours in other regions and among other religious groups. The strength of our approach was that we equipped religious leaders with information and education, and then they could teach their congregations as they saw fit, which ensured that our approach was contextually relevant. In 2009, a Cochrane review found that male circumcision was an effective strategy to prevent HIV infection, reducing risk by 38-66% within one to two years. As a result, the WHO recommends that countries with HIV epidemics should implement voluntary medical male circumcision services. In 2011, they set a target of 20.8 million circumcisions across 14 sub-Saharan African countries by 2016, but uptake was lower than expected and only 10 million men were circumcised by the end of 2015. Research has suggested low uptake may be caused by the religious significance of the practice. For example, some worry that circumcision could be an attempt to convert Christians to other religions. Almost all people (93%) in Tanzania see religion as very important in their lives, and 83% attend religious services at least once a week. Religious leaders are highly respected authorities in their villages and hold influence over the community. Using this influence, the researchers believed they could change the communitys uptake of circumcision by teaching religious leaders more about the practice and how to discuss it with their congregations. 16 villages were involved in the study, which took place at the same time as the Tanzanian Ministry of Healths voluntary circumcision campaign arrived in the village. The campaign visited all 16 villages, offering outreach events, free circumcisions and HIV counselling to boys and men over three to six weeks. Half of the villages received information from the campaign only. In the other half, the religious leaders attended a seminar about the medical and cultural aspects of circumcision by a pastor and a clinician. The eight intervention villages were home to almost 86500 men, and 1194 religious leaders attended the seminar. The other eight villages were home to 58500 men. The number of circumcisions was recorded, as were peoples reasons for undergoing the procedure. In the villages where leaders were taught about circumcision, 23.3% more men underwent the procedure (52.8% compared with 29.5%). There were also significantly more men citing discussions in church as their reason for having a circumcision in the intervention villages (30.8% compared with 0.7%). However, uptake of circumcision varied and the proportion of men in intervention villages undergoing the procedure varied from 21.9% to 99.1%, while the control villages varied from 7.4% to 49.9%. Based on the overall uptake in their study, the researchers estimate that if the intervention were used across the whole country it could lead to more than 1.4 million more male circumcisions, which could potentially prevent between 65000 and 200000 new HIV infections. After the campaign, religious leaders from intervention and control villages were invited to a focus group to discuss their views on circumcision. The main topics discussed were misinformation and suspicion around circumcision, the need for more information about the practice, whether working with religious leaders was an effective way to share health information, and if attending the seminar helped religious leaders feel empowered and knowledgeable. Speaking about the intervention and why it worked, one of the religious leaders said: Pastors have a power to motivate people and church members are trusting their pastors more than any other person or leader. If the pastor will encourage people in church many young men will uptake circumcision. The researchers note some limitations in their study, including that there were a small number of villages, and the small risk that villagers could have heard about the intervention or control happening in another nearby village and changed their decision on whether to have a circumcision. In addition, the study used the latest census data available but as this was from 2012 it may not have been up-to-date (the study took place from June 2014 to December 2015) and this could impact the estimates within the paper. Writing in a linked Comment, Professor Nelson Sewankambo, Makerere University, Uganda, said: Conventionally Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) and Bi-axially Oriented Polyamide, BOPA (commonly known as BON) films have been extensively used in cold formed pharma packaging industry. A typical AluAlu blister laminate comprises three layers i.e. 25 micron BOPA/ 60 micron soft aluminium foil / 60 micron PVC. Eliminating BOPA and PVC films in the cold formed Alu-Alu laminate blister pack for pharmaceuticals has for long remained a daunting task for packaging experts. A conventional cold formed pharmaceutical blister back when dumped in the land fill gives away chlorine upon coming in contact with sunlight. This is extremely harmful for the environment. PVC also contains plasticizers with phthalates linked to a host of health disorders that can damage the liver, kidneys, lungs and reproductive system. PVC film leaves high carbon footprint making it further undesirable from the environmental perspective besides exhibiting very low temperature resistance which is yet another shortcoming. BOPA (BON) on the other hand is also fraught with challenges like high moisture absorption to the tune of 8-10% making its processing difficult; leading to de-lamination and impairing the ability of the film to be chemically primed. Keeping these challenges of BOPA and PVC substrates in mind, the team at Films Business of Uflex undertook extensive R&D activities for almost two years to come up with a special polyester film that obviates the problems posed by BON and PVC. The special polyester film is all set to replace the top and bottom substrates of the conventional cold formed AluAlu laminate to a whole new structure comprising 36 micron special polyester/ 50 micron soft aluminium foil/ 36 micron special polyester. Polyester is a para-crystalline material which possesses excellent barrier, clarity, printability, and hardness properties. Film forming and orientation of polyester augurs well for the creation of thin profile webs with excellent properties for use in flexible packaging. This speciality film that has been developedby Uflex can be laminated on both sides of the aluminium foil without any problem quite like the laminate comprising BOPA, Aluminium Foil and PVC films. The engineers at Films Business of Uflex have been successfully able to bring metaphase morphology which has made it possible to form the film in Z direction which happens to be a pre-requisite for blister packaging. Commenting about this major breakthrough in the field of pharmaceutical packaging, Dr. SudhirNaik, Senior General Manager, Corporate Technical Services at Films Business of Uflex said: Getting better functionalities as compared to the Alu-Alulaminate structure comprising BOPA-Aluminium Foil-PVC, Uflex has come up with a special polyester film that will have significant and substantial benefits for the converters catering to pharmaceutical brands. If we talk about India, BOPA (BON) is imported from countries like China, Korea and Taiwan. More over the convertors are left with no option other than managing varied inventories of BON and PVC films separately. With the introduction of our specialised Polyester film that will now be laminated on both the sides of Aluminium foil, the logistical hassles for convertors will surely go down. The dependency on import of BOPA will also go down as the converting industry gradually switches over to our new specialised polyester film for cold forming the blister packs. This film therefore makes a strong case for import substitution in India. Talking further about the new polyester film Mr. Pramod Sirsamkar, President Technical & New Product Development (Films), Uflex Limited said: The moisture absorption of this specialised polyester film is as low as 0.8% working out to almost 92% less than that of Nylon which is a big advantage. Aluminium foil as you know offers negligibly low oxygen and water vapour transmission rates. Such high barrier may not really be required by the drug packed inside. We are therefore also working towards offering high barrier (yet thinner) speciality polyester films as an alternative to aluminium foil that may further lead to the reduction in overall weight of the ensuing laminate. The introduction of specialised polyester film in AluAlu blister packaging as a replacement for BON and PVC films has also opened up avenues for us to come up with biodegradable and oxo-degradable variants further minimising the carbon foot prints. We are also working on developing such speciality filmsusing recycled polyester and Green PET that will bolster our commitment towards the environment., added Mr. Sirsamkar. Complementing the comments from Films Business, Mr. Amitava Ray, Executive Director and Head of Packaging/Converting Business at Uflex said: It is incredible that we have been able to replace the existing 25 micron BOPA/ 60 micron soft aluminium foil / 60 micron PVC structure with the new laminate comprising 36 micron special polyester/ 50 microns soft aluminium foil/ 36 micron special polyester films. There is also a yield benefit in the case of the new laminate structure but with no compromiseon functionalities whatsoever. This light-weighting of the laminate equates to lesser energy consumption at all the three critical stages of flexible packaging life cycle i.e. manufacturing; transportation and disposal. The reverse printing on the special substrate has further opened up the avenue for enhanced brand visibility and last mile communication possibilities through the body of the pack. Being fully integrated flexible packaging solutions company we also stand in a good stead to offer specialized and technologically advanced anti-counterfeiting features for the new Al-Alu laminate keeping the fake and spurious products at bay. This is all the more important for pharmaceutical products. There is a substantial and growing demand for Alu-Alu blister packaging in India as well as across the globe. With the new Alu-Alu blister laminate structure in place, we at Uflex have been able to engineer a product in India that has way to go in several continents! This also upholds our commitment towards our Governments flagship scheme, Make In India. We are ready with the product and are working with leading pharmaceutical companies for the commercial rollout. We will be exhibiting this packaging solution along with several value added packaging products for the pharmaceutical industry at ASIA PHARMA EXPO 2017 to be held at Bashundhara Convention City in Dhaka, Bangladesh from 23 to 25 February 2017. We will be in Hall 4-A; Booth no: 4001, concluded Mr. Ray. Expressing delight on the specialized polyester film that has been engineered by his team, Mr. Ashok Chaturvedi, Chairman and Managing Director, Uflex Limited said: This is innovation with value added differentiation at its purest that fairly and squarely addresses the shortcomings of both BONand PVC films faced by convertors catering to the pharmaceutical companies. This film is a great product for the pharmaceutical packaging industry that will raise the bar for competition both in India and overseas thereby being a game changer. When the bar for competition is raised flexible packaging industry as a whole stands to benefit both in terms of quality as well as technology. Uflex will be present at Booth 4001 in Hall 4-Aat ASIA PHARMA EXPO 2017 to be held at Bashundhara Convention City in Dhaka, Bangladesh from 23 to 25 February 2017 News18 Blogs India A Valentine Tribute to Our Brave Brethren Representative image. I started this article on the morning of 14th February. The last one week has seen more of the usual military bashing in the media. Some of it was by those who dont know us too well, and some by those who have been our brothers-in-arms and should know us quite well. Among the spate of writings was one by a veteran who says that the Army is unable to select competent Corps and Army Commanders and that a review of the promotion system will define Prime Minister Narendra Modis tenure in office. Purnima S Tripathi, after interviewing a couple of retired sailors and Air Force employees, and quoting a CAG report, talks about the colonial legacy of officers, non-officer cadre being treated like slaves, and subhuman treatment of jawans. Purnima concludes that it is high time that the government took corrective steps as the malaise is corroding the armed forces from within. Shiv Kunal Verma writes about how anger is building up among juniors in Kashmir towards the political leadership and senior leadership in the Army whose policy of appeasement is costing lives. Reading these it would appear that the military is in a total mess, deeply divided and has lost the ability to administer itself. Meanwhile, there is the stark reality of the situation being faced by the Army in Kashmir. At 0500 hours, in freezing temperatures, a group of soldiers surround a house in Hajin village in North Kashmir. A fierce firefight breaks out with the terrorists. Two officers, one from Army and the other from CRPF, along with four soldiers are injured and pinned down. Others rush in to rescue them. By the time the operation ends, three soldiers have been martyred. Even as the dead and injured are being moved from Hajin, another encounter starts in Kralgund, Handwara. Major Satish Dahiya, leading his team of 30 Rashtriya Rifles soldiers, is shot and succumbs to his injuries. I dont know if these officers and soldiers, as they prepared to move out for the operation from which some would not return, gave even a passing thought to future promotions, corroding malaise in the forces or lack of confidence in their superiors. Having seen these sacrifices from up close, I know that the Army is a strong brotherhood, and that these men would have moved out without fear, and with full confidence and faith in each other. Nothing else would have mattered. The media has an important role but should disparagement be the defining characteristic of news reporting? For sure there are problems within the services which need fixing, but shouldnt the good be balanced with the bad? 14th February was Valentines Day. A day when friends are remembered and flowers are gifted. The four Army martyrs of this day will also get flowers, but in a wreath placed upon a coffin draped with the India Tricolour. Also write their story. (Editors Note: The author recently retired as General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command, which had launched the surgical strikes against terror camps in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. Views are personal) By Camillus Eboh ABUJA, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Nigeria's "bad bank" said on Thursday it had taken over the day-to-day running of Arik Air in an attempt to rescue the country's largest airline, which it placed in receivership last week after it was unable to pay workers or creditors. Michael Arumemi-Ikhide, the founder of Arik Air, has said the government seized the airline to meet a political goal of creating a "national carrier" and told Reuters he would challenge the move in court. Arik Air, which controls around 55 percent of the domestic market and is West Africa's biggest airline by passenger numbers, has been hard hit by Nigeria's currency crisis as its customers has to pay for fuel in dollars not naira. Arik owes AMCON, Nigeria's bad bank, around 147 billion naira and another 165 billion naira to four commercial lenders, AMCON's chief executive, Ahmed Kuru said in a presentation to lawmakers on Wednesday following the takeover. Its founder Michael Arumemi-Ikhide owed AMCON 263.7 billion naira from other businesses and Arik Air, the bad bank said. Arumemi-Ikhide was not available for comment on Thursday, while Arik Air declined to comment. "We have deployed people there (at Arik) to manage it, pending when we can stabilise it and then bring in investors to take (it) over," Kuru said, adding that AMCON would review the next steps after managing the airline "for about six months". Arik had wanted to expand internationally both to bring in more hard currency, as well as to cushion the impact of the economic slowdown at home, and was looking for new investors to help it grow rather than using debt. However, AMCON said the state of the airline had turned off prospective investors, with only about 10 planes flying out of a fleet of 30 and total assets of less than 40 billion naira. "Converting the airline to a national carrier is not on the table. Government does not have plans to do that. The interest of government is that we must continue to fly," Kuru said. Story continues Arik generates around 7 billion naira monthly but would need around 10 billion naira to stabilise it, Kuru said, adding he expected the airline to be able repay the intervention monies within the next three months. AMCON was thinking of suspending Arik's international flights to save cost and focus on domestic routes, Kuru said. (Writing by Chijioke Ohuocha; Editing by Alexander Smith) New Delhi: For the first time, no Indian manufacturer is in the top five firms in the smartphone market. The list is dominated by Samsung and Chinese companies, which have crowded out the likes of Micromax, Intex and Lava. Chinese firms have consolidated their position in the top 5. The last three months of 2016 saw them corner nearly half of the Indian smartphone market. Samsung retains the top spot with a fourth of the market share, followed by Chinese firms Xiaomi (10.7%), Lenovo (9.9%), Oppo (8.6%) and Vivo (7.6%). Micromax and other Indian companies have seen their market share plunge as a result of taking the wrong decisions in a fast changing tech market. Wrong calls made by Indian smartphone companies are to blame for them losing their hold on the Indian market, Jaipal Singh, an analyst tracking the mobile phone market in India for International Data Corporation, a market intelligence and advisory firm, told News18. Indian firms stuck with 3G in 2016 when the market decisively shifted to 4g and devices that supported it, leaving them high and dry. Make in India, the scheme of the Indian government to promote manufacturing in India has been of no help to domestic firms, as illustrated by the dominance of Samsung and Chinese vendors in the smartphone segment. Singh said that China provides a lot of support for its firms, mainly in the form of subsidies. There is no such support in India, he said. There is more trouble for Indian manufacturers. India is one of the few markets where feature phones are the dominant category in the total mobile phone market. These have been a bastion of the home grown companies. But now Chinese firms have entered this high volume segment as well. Chinas Transsion group has already climbed to second spot with their itel brand. Samsung remains top spot in this segment while numbers three to five are still held by Indian companies. New Delhi: India's largest software company Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) on Thursday said its board will meet next week to consider a share buyback. "We would like to inform you that the Board of Directors will consider a proposal for buyback of equity shares of the company at its meeting to be held on February 20, 2017," Tata Consultancy Services Ltd said in a BSE filing. Shares of the company were trading 1.16 percent higher at Rs 2,443.80 on BSE. Verizon Communications Inc is close to a revised deal to buy Yahoo Inc's core internet business for $250 million to $350 million less than the original agreed price of $4.83 billion, according to a source briefed on the matter. Since last year, Verizon had been trying to persuade Yahoo to amend the terms of the acquisition agreement to reflect the economic damage from two cyber attacks. A source told Reuters that the deal, which could come as soon as this week, will entail Verizon and Yahoo sharing the liability from potential lawsuits related to the data breaches. Another person familiar with the situation said the price cut was likely to be around $250 million, a figure that Bloomberg reported earlier on Wednesday. A representative from Verizon declined to comment. Yahoo did not immediately respond to requests for comment. "Maybe this isn't quite as much of a discount as initially thought, but it's at least something," said Dave Heger, senior equity analyst at Edward Jones. Verizon hopes to combine Yahoo's search, email and messenger assets, as well as advertising technology tools, with its AOL unit, which Verizon bought in 2015 for $4.4 billion. Verizon has been looking to mobile video and advertising for new sources of revenue outside an oversaturated wireless market. But Sunnyvale, California-based Yahoo has been under scrutiny by federal investigators and lawmakers since disclosing the largest known data breach in history in December, months after disclosing a separate hack. The US Securities and Exchange Commission has launched a probe into whether Yahoo should have disclosed the breaches, which occurred in 2013 and 2014, sooner, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal last month. On Wednesday, Yahoo sent a warning to users whose accounts may have been accessed by intruders between 2015 and 2016, as part of a data security issue related to the breach it disclosed in December. A person familiar with the matter said notifications have gone out to the final list of users. Yahoo shares rose 1.5 percent to $45.69 in afternoon trading. Verizon shares fell 0.7 percent to $47.93. Uttarakhand went to polls on Wednesday and 68% voters turned up at polling booths to cast their ballots, a record for the hill state.Part of the credit is due to a group of polling officials who trekked for over 24km through snow-bound terrain to ensure that 275 voters in a Tehri Garhwal constituency got to exercise their franchise.Booths in the Ghansali constituency were among the 479 snowed-in booths across Uttarakhand where polling parties after long treks.Situated at a height of 10,000 feet, the Ghansali constituency area has no motorable road and no mobile phone connectivity, leaving trekking as the only way to reach the location, said an Election Commission officer.In Chamoli districts Badrinath constituency, a polling party began trekking on February 12 and after a three-day journey successfully facilitated elections on Wednesday. The poll panel said the party will begin its return trek with the EVMs on Thursday and will reach the base point where votes will be counted on March 11.Snow boots, sleeping bags and 74 mules were provided to the polling party to reach these snow-bound constituencies.Speaking to CNN-News18, Chamoli SP Preety said: "In Dumuk, the polling party had to trek for 24 km. They started on February 13 and we used VHS sets to keep in touch. In most other places, we ensured that booths were at the base. Since most residents here have a summer house in the plains, we could do this."(Photos and inputs from Mukesh Yadav) New Delhi: After a gap of more than a decade, New Delhi Patiala House Court on Thursday delivered its verdict in the 2005 Delhi serial bomb blasts case, sentencing accused Tariq Ahmed Dar to 10 years in prison and acquitting Mohammed Rafiq Shah and Mohammed Hussain Fazili of all charges. The verdict is being perceived as a setback for the Delhi Police as none of the accused was convicted under terror charges. Tariq Ahmed Dar has been convicted under Section 38 and Section 39 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, slapping charges of terror funding. Sources confirmed to CNN-News18 that none of the accused were the bomb planters, but only conspirators. Tareeq was the one who had supported the main conspirator, Abu Kama, for which he has been convicted, said the source. It was alleged by the Delhi Police that Tareeq had received Rs 14 lakh through hawala route, but there was no evidence to show what this fund was meant for. The main evidence against Dar also faltered. It was a recorded phone conversation between him and a Lashkar handler, but Delhi Police failed to provide any details regarding the electronic device which was used to record the conversation. Besides one witness, who was a hotel receptionist, the Delhi Police could not provide any other evidence to show that Tariq Dar had come to Delhi. The court concluded that it cannot be said that Dar had hatched a conspiracy and thus no terror charges were made against him and the two others. The Delhi Special Cell told CNN-News18 they would be taking a decision on whether to approach a higher court or not after a proper perusal of the verdict. Additional Sessions Judge Reetesh Singh, who was scheduled to announce the order on Monday, had scheduled it for Thursday. The court in 2008 framed charges against Dar, the alleged mastermind, and the other two for waging war against the state, conspiring, collecting arms, murder and attempt to murder. The Delhi Police chargesheeted Dar, mentioning his call details that allegedly proved he was in touch with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operatives. Three days before Diwali, on October 29, 2005, three serial bomb explosions ripped through the Capital, leaving 63 dead and more than 100 injured. It was then the biggest terror strike in India outside Kashmir, since the Bombay blasts of 1993. Paharganj, Sarojini Nagar and Govindpuri were the areas targeted. Investigators believe that the terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba was behind the attacks. Speaking to CNN-News18, Kiran Saluja, wife of blast victim Lal Chand Saluja, said justice was not delivered and the crime called for capital punishment. We havent got justice. 12 years is a long time. We expected capital punishment, said Saluja. Timeline of the blasts 5:38 pm | Paharganj First blast takes place in the main market near the New Delhi Railway Station 6:00 pm | Govindpuri Second blast near a bus in Govindpuri area in the southern part of Delhi 6:05 pm | Sarojini Nagar Third explosion within minutes of the second explosion in south Delhis busy Sarojini Nagar market, which was the worst hit with 43 casualties and 28 injured. Prosecution has miserably failed to prove Rafiq Shah was involved in the placing of the bomb in the DTC bus on 29th October 2005. Therefore the part of the conversation regarding four boys having come back cannot be held to be referring to Mohammed Rafiq Shah, says the court order. The prosecution has not been able to prove any link between 'suspects ' Fazilli and Rafiq Shah on the one hand and Tariq Ahmad Dar on the other, it said. The conversations, therefore, fall short in enabling this court to come to any definite conclusion that Dar was part of the conspiracy behind these blasts. The judgment in one of the biggest terror attacks to take place in the national capital is out. And, it is a big slap on the face of the elite anti-terror wing of the Delhi Police.On October 29, 2005, three serial bomb explosions ripped through the Capital, leaving 63 dead and more than 100 injured. The judge acquitted all three of charges of murder and waging war against nation. While Tariq Ahmad Dar was convicted for being a member of a proscribed organisation, Rafiq Shah and Hussain Fazlli were acquitted of all charges.But to many of those tracking terror-related cases in the national capital, this arrest isnt actually a shocker. The red flag was raised as early as 2013, a milestone year for anti-terror agencies. This was the year when Yaseen Bhatkal, Asadullah Akhtar and other members of the top Indian Mujahideen (IM) leadership were arrested. Asadullah had then claimed that it was allegedly Atif Ameen of IM who had planted the bombs in the Delhi blast. The Special Cell at that point of time could have moved for discharge of these accused, but that didnt happen. And now, the trial court judgment literally threw out the Delhi Police hypothesis.The court, in a 140-page order, clearly mentions that the only evidence brought forward by the prosecution was an intercepted conversation dated November 1, 2005 and November 4, 2005. One of the main planks of the case was that Dar had told 'C' (code for LeT handler) that the four boys had come back and that Rafiq Shah was one of these four boys and that the talk was regarding the blasts on October 29, 2005.The court again goes on to say that There is no evidence regarding involvement of Tariq Ahmad Dar in many manner, prior to 29th October 2005. The conversation about 'Diwali tofa' is not a muted reference to the blasts because it was repeated twice. The court said: Even otherwise knowledge of the blasts would have been gained by 1 Nov 2005 since the said incidents were widely reported all over.Days after the serial blasts, a terror outfit, Islamic Revolutionary Front, had claimed responsibility in a fax sent to a local news agency in Kashmir, but the investigators insisted that it was a smokescreen and that it was actually the handiwork of Lashkar-e-Taiba.Nearly a month later, the Special Cell claimed to have cracked the case. In a press conference, the police claimed that Tariq Ahmed Dar, at the behest of the LeT, orchestrated the attack. He arranged the logistics and finances for the serial blast, and selected the bombers and indoctrinated them, they alleged.According to the police, Dar, who worked for an MNC, had two accomplices who were Pakistani nationals. The money for the attack was given to him from the Gulf. The chargesheet mentioned that LeT handler Abu Al Kama used a Thuraya satellite phone and called Dar on his mobile phone. Two such calls were part of the chargesheet. Thus, the only criminality that Additional Sessions Judge Reetesh Singh could find in the entire police argument was under Sections 38 and 39 of the UAPA, which deals with those being members or having links with banned or proscribed organisation. Even though no charge was framed against Dar for offences under Section 38 and 39 of UAPA, the said offences are lesser compared to offences for which he was originally charged. Dar was charged with murder, waging war against nation and criminal conspiracy.In the chargesheet, Delhi Polices elite anti-terror organisation, the Special Cell, mentioned that Dars primary motive was money. His salary was just Rs10, 000 but he maintained four bank accounts and this is how he made money, it said.The court debunked this theory too. It said: Possibility arises of Dar working with Helen Pharmaceutical which was given 4-5 percent commission for sales turnover of stocks of Jhonson and Jhonson from which he might have received income. The crucial cross-examination of one of the senior investigating officers also did not help the prosecutions case.And thus, 12 years later, we are back to asking the same questions who killed 63 innocent citizens of the country? Who planted those bombs and will the family members who lost their near and dear ones ever get closure? And lest we forget: what about those 12 years that Md Rafiq Shah and Md Hussain Fazlli spent in Tihar Jail, fighting to prove their innocence. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami has won the vote of confidence, minutes after DMK Working President MK Stalin told media that his party members were beaten up and forcefully evicted from the house. Palaniswami garnered 122 yes votes, while members voted against him. Earlier, while showing his torn shirt, Stalin told media,We repeatedly appealed to the speaker for a secret ballot, but he refused to address our plea. We are heading to the Governors office to intimate him of all the events. As it happened. Read all the Latest News , Breaking News , watch Top Videos and Live TV here. : The Centre on Thursday submitted questions in the Supreme Court on whether practices like triple talaq and polygamy were protected by the Constitution and consistent with international treaties signed by India.The four questions framed by the Centre were: 1. Whether the impugned practices of Talaq-e-Biddat, Nikah Halala and polygamy are protected under Article 25(1) the constitution?, 2. Whether Article 25(1) is subject to part III of the constitution and in particular articles 14 and 21 constitution?, 3. Whether personal law is "Law" under article 13 of the constitution, and 4. Whether the impugned practices of Talaq-e-Biddat, Nikah Halala, and Polygamy are compatible with Indias obligations under international treaties and Covenants to which it is a signatory?The apex court is in the process of setting up a five-judge constitution bench which will be hearing the matter.SC had asked all the parties to frame their respective set of questions and accordingly the Central government submitted its list in the court.ALSO READ: Triple Talaq: All You Need to Know About Controversial Muslim Divorce In the last hearing on February 14, SC had clarified that it would not touch the domain of Uniform Civil Code, but made it clear it wants to adjudicate on the triple talaq issue as it was a matter which involved a persons human rights."It's a matter of human rights, so we would deal with it properly," the court said.The apex court said the question whether divorce under Muslim Personal Law needs to be supervised by either courts or by a court-supervised institutional arbitration falls under the legislative domain.The court, meanwhile, allowed the lawyers to file a small synopsis of cases pertaining to alleged victims of triple talaq.Several women activists have filed petitions in the Supreme Court seeking ban on triple talaq. In a counter affidavit the Central Government had submitted before the top court that it is against gender injustice and for equality between men and women under the Constitution.A bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice of India, Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar said that it would pass an order and dispose of the petitions on May 11, regarding the validity of triple talaq case. The court was hearing a plea filed by Shayara Banu who had moved the apex court challenging the legal validity of triple talaq.Shayara has also challenged the concept of 'Nikah-Halala' in the SC, under which a woman must consummate another marriage in order to go back to her first husband if she wants to. Shayari also wants to outlaw polygamy within a Muslim marriage.Last year the Allahabad High Court termed the Islamic practice of divorcing a woman by uttering the word "talaq" thrice as unconstitutional. The court further observed that the triple talaq practice sanctioned under Muslim Personal Law that governs marriage, property and divorce violates the rights of Muslim women."Triple talaq is unconstitutional, it violates the rights of Muslim women," ruled the High Court, adding that no personal law board is above the Constitution. Patna: The Bihar cabinet has decided to bring an amendment in the service rule for government employees including those from judicial services forbidding them from consuming liquor even outside the state.. The nod to amend Bihar Government Servants Conduct Rules, 1976 and Bihar Judicial Officers Conduct Rules, 2017 was given at a meeting of the state cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday, Principal Secretary Cabinet Coordination department Brajesh Mehrotra told reporters. The 1976 conduct rules for government employees has barred them from consuming intoxicants at work place only. It would be amended now to prohibit them from use of intoxicants everywhere in accordance with the spirit of new Liquor Law, 2016. The same has been extended for officials of Judicial services as well, Mehrotra said. This amendment will prevent officials not only from drinking at workplace or home, but even when they travel outside Bihar. The total prohibition in force in Bihar stops trade and consumption of alcohol across the state and has made provision of stringent penal action as well jail term ranging from 5-10 years for the violators. The Bihar cabinet further gave its nod to 37 agendas of different departments There will be about 25,000-40,000 jobs in the next 3-5 years. OCBC Bank has released its pre-Budget 2017 insights. It said that for the labour market, Singapore is expected to create about 25,000-40,000 jobs over the next three to five years, according to the Manpower Minister Lim Swee Say. Still, policymakers have acknowledged that the risk of mismatches between jobseekers and job created has increased with economic restructuring and slowing local workforce growth. "So while the Professional Conversion Programme (PCP) was launched in 2007 to help local PMETs acquire new skills to take on new careers, and expanded under Adapt and Grow to allow conversion to different jobs within the same sector or different jobs within the same company for sectors with high risks of redundancy, coupled with the Career Support Programme (CSP) which helps provide wage support for the first year of employment for mature PMETs who are made redundant, more can be done," it added. Here's more from OCBC's pre-Budget 2017 thoughts: There is some scope for a bigger helping hand for these displaced PMETs with their commitments, whether tax or otherwise, while encouraging them to leverage on the Skillsfuture scheme to upgrade their skills and find new sources of employment. While we do not expect that the foreign manpower tightening will be unwound in the near-term due to the need to press on with weaning off the dependency on foreign labour, albeit there could be a possible concession in terms of delaying any planned increase in Foreign Worker Levy. Instead, there will be continued and sustained efforts to encourage businesses to digitise and embrace new technologies. The support for the internationalisation drive could also be strengthened, such as extending the period, type and quantum of support for SMEs. More From Singapore Business Review New Delhi: The Human Resource Development ministry is said to be dissatisfied with the responses sent by Aligarh Muslim University to the show-cause notice issued to the varsity regarding administrative and financial irregularities. In October 2016, the ministry had issued a show-cause notice to AMU Vice-Chancellor Lt General Zameer Uddin Shah for conducting an inquiry into matters connected with the administration of the varsity and sought replies within 30 days of the receipt of the notice for the consideration of the Visitor. News18 has learnt from sources in the HRD ministry that there is a possibility for a detailed investigation being initiated as the ministry is not convinced with the response sent by AMU. According to a source in the ministry, The ministry wanted to probe AMU Vice-Chancellor Lt General Zameer Uddin Shah on the grounds of administrative and financial irregularity charges and had issued a show-cause notice. But now the ministry is not convinced with the replies and there is a possibility of a detailed investigation in future. An inquiry committee might be set up. For conducting the detailed investigation, where an inquiry committee will be constituted for a thorough investigation, the Visitors nod is always sought, added the source. In the notice sent to the university, the ministry laid down that complaints relating to financial, administrative and academic irregularities and mismanagement and creation of an unhealthy atmosphere in the Aligarh Muslim University were brought to the notice of this ministry from different quarters. The complaints were brought to the notice of the Visitor by the Ministry. Further, the notice said, Now, therefore, the President of India in his capacity as the Visitor of the Aligarh Muslim University in exercise of the power vested in him under section 13 (2 A) of the AMU is pleased to direct that a show-cause notice be issued to the AMU as to why an inquiry may not be instituted to inquire into the enclosed complaints relating to financial administrative and academic irregularities illegalities and mismanagement. According to Section 13 (2 A) of the AMU, The Visitor shall in every case, give notice to the University of his intention to cause an inspection or inquiry to be made and on receipt of such notice, the University shall have the right to make such representation to the Visitor as it may consider necessary. Lt General Zameer Uddin Shah told News18 that he will co-operate with any further investigation, adding, We gave detailed replies to the allegations. Let the ministry ask. We have nothing to fear. In 2016, the ministry wanted to probe AMU V-C and Allahabad University V-C RL Hangloo. The latter faced Visitorial Inquiry. News18 has learnt from sources in the ministry that Hangloo's responses are satisfactory and no action might be initiated against him. Dewas: A Pakistani man who had married an Indian girl is now languishing in a Madhya Pradesh jail due to the conflict between the proceedings followed by the embassies. Akbar, a Pakistani national, fell in love with Safiya on Facebook in 2012. He came to India in 2013 along with his mother and tied the knot with Safiya after a few weeks of his visit to Madhya Pradesh's Dewas. However, he returned to Pakistan after the wedding. He came back to India in April 2013 with a three-month visa to meet his wife. Later, he was granted visa for two years in July 2013. In 2015, his wife gave birth to a boy, Aariz, after which Akbar decided to stay in India. But he did not apply for the extension of his visa which ended on July 2015. Police arrested him in August 2015 for living in India without a valid visa and framed charges against him under Foreigners Act 1946. After a period of 11 months and 20 days, the court sentenced him to one-year jail which he completed in the next 6 days in August 2016. The court had directed the authorities to send him to Pakistan on completion of jail term. But Akbar is still languishing in the jail at BNP police station due to the unending long proceedings of embassies of both countries. Despite serving the jail term and an additional imprisonment of six months, he has not been released from the jail till date. New Delhi: Activist lawyer Prashant Bhushan on Thursday sought quashing of a defamation complaint filed against him, Arvind Kejriwal and others by former Union Minister Kapil Sibal's lawyer son Amit Sibal in Delhi High Court. Senior advocate Shanti Bhushan, appearing for his lawyer son Prashant, submitted before the high court that there is no allegation which had cast "aspersion" on Amit Sibal or harmed his "reputation". The counsel also told Justice I S Mehta, if it was said that Amit is the son of a minister, it does not lower his moral character. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had held a press conference on May 15, 2013, alleging conflict of interest on part of Sibal, saying he had appeared in the court for a telecom firm when his father was the Union Communications Minister. Following the accusation, Amit Sibal had filed the defamation complaint. The trial court had then issued summons to them on July 24, 2013. Referring to the press conference in which Kejriwal, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Prashant was present, Bhushan also submitted "even the worst criminal has right to be represented through counsel of their choice". "It was a compliment that he (Amit) he was representing the company. It was compliment that his father was a telecom minister," Bhushan, who is also former Law Minister, said. He submitted that whatever was said there, was against Kapil Sibal and not against his son Amit. The arguments which remained inconclusive will resume on March 20. The apex court on November 17 last year had remanded back the matter to the high court to decide the plea of Kejriwal and others seeking discharge in the case. It had made it clear that the trial court proceedings in the defamation complaint would continue. The high court had in its order on January 16, 2014 asked the trial court to consider the pleas of Kejriwal and others seeking discharge from the defamation case. It had also refused to quash the defamation proceedings against them. New Delhi: Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Thursday endorsed Army Chief Bipin Rawat's statement on tough action against those creating hurdles during anti-terror operations in Kashmir, saying country's interest is supreme. "There should be action against the stone pelters and whoever works against national interest as national interest is supreme," he told reporters here. Rijiju's comments came after General Rawat said yesterday that hostile conduct of locals was causing higher casualties in the Kashmir Valley and those attacking security forces during anti-militancy operations will be treated as "anti-nationals" and will face "tough action". "Whatever the Army Chief has said, he has said that in national interest. There is no need to misinterpret it. There is is nothing wrong in the Army Chief's statement," he said. Asked about the prevailing security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, the Minister of State for Home said he would not like to comment on the routine law and order matters. General Rawat's statement came a day after four army personnel, including a Major, were killed in two separate encounters in the Kashmir Valley. Four terrorists were also gunned down in the encounters on Tuesday. The opposition National Conference in the state today dubbed as "tragic" the Army Chief's warning of tough action against stone-pelters and said the government needs to engage politically the "alienated" youths of the Valley. New Delhi: With Supreme Court geared up to adjudicate upon the legal aspects of the practices of triple talaq, Nikah Halala and polygamy among the Muslims, the Central Government on Thursday submitted its four questions for the Apex courts consideration which involves whether at all these practices stands safeguarded under Article 25(1) of the Constitution and International treaties. All of this has caused quite a flutter. But what is the fuss about? News18.com explains Q. What is triple talaq? A. First, before understanding what triple talaq is, we must understand what a Nikah (Marriage) stands for in Islam. Nikah is essentially a contract laid down in a Nikahnama drawn between the husband and the wife. This contract can have conditions and has a compulsory consideration (Meher) to be paid at the time of the marriage. This consideration is paid by the man to the wife, and can be at time waived off by the woman as per her own will. So the basic difference between a Hindu Marriage and a Muslim Marriage is that for Hindus, marriage is a divine sacrament whereas for Muslims, it is contract drawn between the husband and the wife. So to explore the question of triple talaq, one must understand that in Islam, everything is followed as per Sunnah (Deeds of the prophet). Hence, most Muslim women bodies opposing 'triple talaq want the Muslim bodies to adopt Talaq-e-Sunnah (Divorce as per the Prophets sayings and Quranic dictation) and discard Talaq-e-Biddah (Divorce as per a later formed mode of divorce which propagates instant divorce). Q. What is Talaq- e-Sunnah? A. According to the Prophets sayings, giving talaq to a wife in a fit of rage or anger is strictly prohibited. The Quran advises the husband to settle the differences through a mutual conversation as the first step. This step is known as the Faizu Hunna. If the differences continue between the husband and the wife, the parties should refrain from any conjugal acts till they settle their dispute. This step of physical separation known as the Wahjuru Hunna is prescribed so that the couple re-unites. However, even if this second step fails, it is recommended that the husband must attempt to talk to the wife, make peace with her and talk about the gravity of the situation. This third step is known as the Wazribu Hunna. However, Quran advises that even if the third step fails, the fourth step of arbitration must be followed. In this step, a member from each of the spouses family is present and the parties try to make amends in the strained relationship. It is only after all these four steps have failed that a husband pronounces the first talaq. The husband has to compulsorily wait for a wife's iddah (menses) to complete before pronouncing another talaq. Not more than two talaqs can be pronounced during the course of iddah. Iddahs are considered to be the three monthly courses. During these three month cycles, a man cannot give his third talaq. This had been envisaged so that the couple sorts out their differences in this period. Quran prescribes that if a woman has attained the age of menopause then the period of iddah is three months, whereas if a woman is pregnant, then the period of Iddah would be till the child is born or the termination of pregnancy. If the differences still persists then the third talaq is pronounced, after which the relations between the husband and the wife are severed. Hence, the women groups who are claiming to revive this practice are only vouching for the fact that they get the maximum time to sort out their differences which is often not possible in an instant talaq. Q. What exactly is this instant talaq? How is it different from Talaq-e-Sunnah? A. Instant Talaq is something which has its genesis is women being divorced through SMS or over a mere phone call. This instant talaq is essentially Talaq-e-Biddah. Biddah means innovation and essentially all Muslims are advised against introducing biddahs in their religion. This practice of talaq was first promoted by Caliph Umar, and is staunchly opposed by all the petitioners who have approached the Supreme Court for a reform in the case of triple talaq. However, the Muslim Personal Law Board has not still spoken up on the issue and claims that this can be sorted out internally. Dr. Asma Zehra, an executive member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, was questioned about this during a recent press conference and said, We have left it for our Ulema (scholars) to decide what is best for us. However, this answer is far from the truth, as something which is not mentioned in the Quran or is a part of the Sunnah can never be justified as a lawful act by a Muslim. Q. Can a man marry his wife after pronouncing the third talaq? A. No. After the third talaq, a woman is supposed to marry another man, consummate the relationship, and only after following the original procedure of Talaq-e-Sunnah, will she be able to marry the former husband again. This practice is known as the Nikah Halala, and many Muslim women have condemned this practice as barbaric and it assumes more importance, in case the talaq is given as Talaq-e-Biddah. Women have often described it as a barbaric practice and there are demands to abolish this practice. Q. Do the women have any right to divorce the husband in Islam? A. There are broadly two methods under which a wife can claim divorce. One is Talaq-e-Tafweez and the other is Talaq-e-Khula. Under Tafweez, the husband may delegate his power to give talaq to his wife or any third party. This right has to be in the form of a contract with conditions, like, if a man marries again then there can be a divorce, etc. But a contract will not be without conditions or be absolute. The second one is Khula. This is a divorce which is at the request of the wife. In this case the woman has to make an offer of divorce to the man. The man must accept the offer with consideration, which often means the woman, has to give back the Meher taken during marriage. After these two steps, a Khula is granted. The woman often approaches a qazi-court as well to demand a Khula from the man. There needs to be an execution of a Khulanama. But something which needs to be broadly observed is that in both the cases, its only a request or a husband's wish to draw up a contract to give the wife an option to divorce him. Thereby, putting the husbands first, and somehow lacking in achieving gender equality in this regard. Q. Are there any other Islamic countries which have taken reforms in the mode of talaq? A. Lets begin with our neighbor Pakistan. Pakistan in 1961 had passed the The Muslim Family Laws Ordinance. According to this law, if a man wishes to divorce his wife, he will pronounce talaq and approach the Chairman of the Union Council which is appointed by the state, and give him a written notice and forward the same to his wife. Within 30 days of the receipt of the notice, the Chairman will set up an Arbitration Council which shall consist of himself, a representative of each of the spouse, and the boar would try to bring reconciliation. If any individual tries to bypass this legislation then they will be punished with simple imprisonment for a year or a fine which may extend to Rs 5,000 or both. Another example is Morocco, which has a majority population of Islam. They have the Moroccan Family Code (Moudawana) passed in 2004. The code aims at putting both husband and wife on the equal footing, thereby prohibiting the man from pronouncing divorce unilaterally except when the procedure is being supervised by someone. The code also attempts to bring arbitration and conciliation between the parties concerned. The code further states that if a man chooses to still divorce a wife, then a divorce can only be granted only if the husband pays off all the due rights held by the wife and the children. Like Morocco, Algeria, Indonesia, Iran and Tunisia have similar legislations which do not recognise a divorce given by a husband unilaterally, and compel the parties to resort to a court of law. In the former years of civilization, people observed multiple religious traditions and rituals with the sole motive of revering the Supreme Being. But as the time passed, not just beliefs, but also faiths and religions modified and grew. Interestingly, as the world turns into a global village, where all religious activities coexist, people - irrespective of their castes, creeds, religions - show no qualms in observing ceremonies together. And Taiwan Lantern Festival is one such occasion that is observed by people despite their different religions and rituals.Much like Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, devotees in Taiwan illuminate and adorn their homes using lanterns, and colourful light bulbs to observe the Lantern Festival. Celebrated on the first full-moon night of the Lunar Year, the Lantern Festival is regarded as one of the key festivals in Taiwan.As far as the origin of the Lantern Festival is concerned, it is believed to have started by an emperor of the Han dynasty (206 B.C. 220 A.D.). The emperor, a sincere Buddhist, had asked his people to exhibit lights on the fifteenth night of the first month of the Lunar Year to pay obeisance to Lord Buddha. According to the same legend, lanterns are held in hands on the same night to spot deities as they descend from heaven to bless the earth. If another legend in the Tang dynasty is anything to go by, the emperors would observe the festival by asking gorgeous women to croon and dance with lanterns.These festive activities got popular with the commoners and turned into the most famous festival in the year after Chinese New Year.Since the festival was almost forgotten in the late 80s, the Taiwan Tourism Bureau felt it was right to collect all the light displays in one spot to make people aware of the Lantern Festival. It started gaining huge popularity after it was first held in Taipeis Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in 1990. After over a decade, in 2001, the festival was shifted from Taipei to Kaohsiung, with different cities in Taiwan being given turns to host every year.In Taiwan, the main lantern festival is held in different counties and this year, Yunlin County which is in the central part of Taiwan hosts the Lantern Festival, says Shelley Shan, a local visitor.While this is the first time in its 28-year-long history that Yunlin has been selected to host the festival, Shelley explains us the procedure that different counties need to follow to get selected. The Lantern Festival is organized by the Tourism Bureau in Taiwan and each year the Lantern Festival takes place in a county. Different counties compete to host the festival. They have to propose if they have specific plan for the festival and then the Toruism Bureau chooses which county they want for the concerned year, she adds.The Lantern Festival which was inaugurated on February 11 in Yunlin county in the southwestern part of Taiwan will continue until February 19. Since this years theme is friendly earth, diverse cultures, the focus of the festival include an eco-friendly approach and the varied traditions, cultures, and beliefs here.With residents and travelers attending the festivities from across the world, it has undoubtedly become popular with international tourists too. I had only read about its celebrations - including lanterns, light displays in temples and firecrackers - on multiple websites. But to be in Taiwan and witness people as they end the Lunar New Year with a bang is an experience one would not want to miss out on, says David, a traveler.Noel Saxena, Country Head, Taiwan Tourism Bureau, Rep. Office managed by New Delhi-based Think Strawberries explains what helps the festival gain huge acceptance. Several dance and music performances throughout the island depict their history and culture and keep the entire city into a festive mood. The lights and the decorations during this time are worth seeing. The colorful streets and the friendly people of Taiwan will make you feel at home, he says.For the uninitiated, the festival is celebrated not just by focusing on lantern making and the displays of pretty lanterns, but by playing lantern riddle games too. As Shelley tells us, the festival is also important for tourists and residents alike because of the traditional festival food that is whipped up. At the Lantern Festival, apart from the exhibition, people also like to eat rice dumplings. It is a dumpling with filling inside usually it is very cold and people eat it to celebrate the festival and keep themselves warm, she explains.So if you have spent enough time appreciating the beauty around, make sure you also dig into the glutinous rice dumplings which usually come with sweet or savory fillings.While Yunlin featured 19 light-themed and decorated areas to celebrate the Lantern Festival, Yanshui grabbed everyones attention with its cacophony of fireworks. For those who came in late, fireworks are used to call on the gods, the tiny town in the north of Tainan County certainly makes headlines as several thrill-seeking festival goers and visitors show no inhibitions in being hit by a barred enclosure filled with bottle rockets.The Lantern Festival in Yanshui is called the Beehive Fireworks Festival because this barred enclosure turns into a horrid hive of bees which are set off at the people. Traditionally, the idea of being hit by fireworks is referred to as an act that brings one good luck for the new year. For those who follow religious rituals, it is an activity that helps them endure the pain to exhibit their spiritual determination.To ensure people arent hurt by the fireworks, they wear non-flammable clothes and dont let their skin remain exposed. The best way to protect ones head and face is by wearing a helmet that comes with a full-face visor. Next, wear a towel to the helmet that can be wrapped entirely around your neck. Since the air gets smoky and usually debris is thrown at the visitors from the exploded fireworks, make sure you wear a face mask.So if you happen to be in Taiwan at this time, make sure you dont miss out on its Lantern Festival celebrations. Much like any other festival across the world, it is significant for the culture, and explains how festivity is an interesting passageway to the most insightful aspects of life. Mumbai: Director Amit Roy has expressed his displeasure over the change in the title of his debut film, from Running Shaadi.com to Running Shaadi, after the movie was dragged to court by a matrimonial website, whose name bears resemblance to the movie's original title. Shaadi.com approached Bombay High Court against the use of the name of their portal in the Taapsee Pannu-Amit Sadh starrer, including its title and prayed for damages worth Rs 50 crore. At a screening last night, Amit told reporters that such demands were unfortunate, especially a week before the film's release. "It's very unfortunate, even though we have to respect judiciary and its decision. But I feel it is unfortunate for the filmmaker when people turn up at the last juncture of the release and they push you to a corner and your release is at stake, so many people's investments are at stake. Whether you fight the case or not, you are pushed to a corner where you have to surrender," he said. The cinematographer-turned-director further said that the problem faced by his film is an example of how it is getting difficult to make movies in the country. "There is a SC ruling that once the censor (board) gives the certificate, there should be no threatening of stopping a film's release. "We should also have a system where there should be a minimum period where anyone can come up with an objection, maybe that could be a month before the release, which at least gives us some time to weigh our options, to take a legal route," he said. The film's team, however, is relieved that neither it had to make any changes in the content, nor has the release got postponed. Co-produced by Shoojit Sircar, Running Shaadi will arrive in theatres on its scheduled date, February 17. Lucknow: At a time when the election season in Uttar Pradesh is in full swing and the voting for two phases is over, this is one political embarrassment that chief minister Akhilesh Yadav and Samajwadi Party would have wished to avoid. The sitting minister in UP cabinet, Vijay Mishra on Thursday decided to part ways with SP and joined the rival ranks. Mishra, a Brahmin leader responsible for reaching out to the majority (Brahmin) community, joined BSP, alleging that Akhilesh and SP insulted the Brahmins. Vijay Mishra is an MLA from Gajipur Sadar constituency, in eastern UP. He held the post of Minister of State, Independent Charge for Ministry of Religious Work. The minister alleged that despite Chief Ministers repeated assurances, he was denied a ticket. He also said that as the minister for Religious affairs he started the Shrawan Yatras. "Under the scheme, Hindu Pilgrims were offered a free visit to holy places. The scheme helped restore government's popularity, he claimed. The scheme, launched to reach out to the majority community, diluting charges of minority appeasement against the government. Vijay's entry into the BSP is already being cited by the party as a proof of increasing support it draws from the upper caste. Mayawati, too, had been working on an upper caste strategy, but with a difference, especially when the key focus is on Dalit-Muslim equation. One senior BSP leader on being asked about Mishra's induction in the party asked, Vijay Mishra who? before claiming that the Lucknow unit of the party would know better. Another leader also claimed to be unaware of the development. Mishras recent political journey has been full of flip-flops. In January 2017, after he was denied a ticket by Akhilesh Yadav, Mishra announced his decision to go solo from Gyanpur, his seat in South East UP, from where he has won assembly elections thrice. Mishra had resolved to decimate SPs influence single-handedly. But soon after realising the difficulties of fighting elections as an independent, Mishra announced that hed joined a lesser known outfit, Jai Nishad Party (JNP). Nishad Party has been trying, with other smaller outfits like Peace Party and Krishna Patel led Apna Dal. BSP has been banking heavily on its attempt to win the state elections by targeting specific vote banks. The party has not just given more seats (99) to Muslim candidates than any other party, it has also given a high representation to Brahmin candidates (66) as well. Leaders like Mishra were entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring Brahim support for SP in 84 reserved constituencies, where the upper caste will not have a candidate from their community. Politically, Mishra can have an impact in creating a perception in favour of the BSP. At this crucial stage when central and east UP are yet to go to polls, Mishra, an MLA from the Gajipur town in Eastern UP, can help BSP strengthen its position in the region. (With inputs from Suhas Munshi) Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday dared Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray to disclose his wealth. "Will Saheb (Uddhav) disclose his wealth?" Fadnavis said at a poll rally here this evening. "I am in politics since last 25 years but my wealth hasn't increased," he said. Fadnavis said the Sena has only one policy, that of getting rich in the name of fighting for the cause of Marathi Manoos. "Those who live in glass houses should not throw stones at others houses," the CM said, responding to Sena's allegation of corruption when he was Nagpur mayor. BJP MP Kirit Somaiya also recently demanded that Uddhav declares his financial assets. "The middle Vaitarna dam was named after late Balasaheb Thackeray at Sena's behest but there were inordinate delay and huge cost overrun in the project work. Who's to blame for this?" the CM asked. Claiming that a Shiv Sena union functionary worked against the workers' interests in Cambata Aviation issue, Fadnavis said, "Even today, that company pays money to 22 shakha pramukhs of the Sena." New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (EC) on Thursday censured Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar for "encouraging bribery in election" and told him to be "more circumspect and careful in future" with his words. Parrikar, during the election campaign in Goa, had purportedly told voters to accept money from other parties but vote for BJP. On January 29, while addressing a gathering in north Goa, Parrikar said: "...Now also someone will give you Rs 1,000... We give Rs 1,500 every month. After five years, Rs 1,500 will become Rs 90,000 and this will also increase." "Today, take from anyone Rs 2,000 and vote for them... There is no problem if somebody roams around by taking Rs 500 but just vote for the Lotus." Parrikar was speaking in Konkani language and was reported by the District Electoral Officer of north Goa. The EC had on February 1 issued a show-cause notice to Parrikar and sought his explanation in two days. In his reply, Parrikar said that the meaning of his statement was changed due to incorrect translation from Konkani to English. However, the poll panel has rejected the plank after finding that the CD containing Parrikar's remarks was not doctored and after getting it translated again by a Konkani language expert. "The Commission has carefully considered your request and transcript of the entire speech was again obtained and translated by a language expert of Konkani... The Commission has observed that the translation done by a three-member committee and by the language expert is substantially the same," the EC wrote in a letter to Parrikar on Thursday. The poll panel observed that such utterances by people holding high constitutional position "could amount to encouraging bribery in election, which apart from being an electoral offence, is also a corrupt practice". "The Commission advises you to be more circumspect and careful in future," the poll panel said. Was a senior IPS officer subjected to verbal abuse by MLAs who got into an argument with a police team that was enquiring into the alleged kidnap of MLAs?Yes, if you go by the video of a leaked argument between Kanchipuram SP and MLAs staying at the Golden Bay resort. The video shows one MLA being pulled back from an altercation by (newly-inducted) School Education Minister KA Sengottaiyan. The SP, Mutharasi, is heard asking the MLAs in shock: How can you possibly hurl such abuses at an IG? Words like kuppai porikki (garbage collector), is that what you call an IG?This happened on Wednesday when police teams went on a fact-finding mission based on an FIR filed by runaway MLA SS Saravanan. Saravanan had lodged a complaint of kidnap and criminal intimidation against VK Sasikala, after proclaiming to the media that he too was held captive, but was able to escape from the resort in disguise.The police team that went up to the resort included both Kanchipuram SP Mutharasi and Central Zone IG NK Senthamarai Kannan.Caught in the tussle for the throne of Tamil Nadu over the last two weeks, the police have faced many a delicate situation Wednesdays rude and indecent language by our elected representatives probably taking this to a peak.No, we have not filed any complaint about abusing a public servant (the IGP). We just want all this (the transition of power) to end smoothly. Thats the main concern. We may follow up on the abuse later, but not now, says a senior police officer, who was part of the team that went to the resort.Doubtless, it has downed morale in a police force that has already been highly stressed and over-worked Chennai has seen a security overdrive since September first, around the hospital where J Jayalalithaa was admitted, later extending to many parts of the city and the state, mainly as a preventive measure, where people are wont to do extreme things in a fit of emotion.When Jayalalithaa died, police personnel worked 15 straight hours sometimes, many just lying down in the basement of a building near the hospital for a couple of hours of shut-eye, before getting on duty again. The cyclone, a prolonged Jallikattu agitation all these have left them nervy, tired and on edge. To then be abused by people in positions of power, who are supposed to represent lakhs of people in their constituencies, hasnt gone down well with the police rank and file.Also Read: Sasikala Elected General Secretary in Violation of Norms: OPS Camp to EC A complaint is filed. If MLAs say they are detained, police will have to act, to free them from the resort. But if they say they are not under duress, its difficult to make out whether they are being made to say that, or there is some quid pro quo. Police realize the complaint is made because a few people are for party A and others for party B. So how much is instigated, police cant know, says G Thilagavathi, retired DGP who was Tamil Nadus first woman IPS officer.Police, whoever they may be taking instruction from whether the caretaker CM O Panneerselvam or the politically-more-powerful Sasikala camp would still have to uphold the law, while remaining calm in dealing with abusive politicians, she feels.Allegations that over 120 MLAs are being held against their wishes have been pouring in ever since February 8, when the MLAs who unsuspectingly went for a Legislature Party meeting at the party office at 10 am, were whisked off to hotels first, and then the resort that night.Also Read: E Palaniswami Sworn in as Tamil Nadu CM in a Low-profile Ceremony The resort, 80 km away from Chennai off the East Coast Road, is a secluded one surrounded by backwaters on two sides, at the end of a narrow road that leads up to it, with just barren land, a bunch of coconut palms and random brush on either side. In other words, an ideal hostage place for VIPs if you wanted one.Police can act if the MLAs human rights are violated. They can act if media is beaten or assaulted in front of them. They can act if villagers are threatened or beaten. But how can they take action for someone being foolish or being wilful prisoners? asks Thilagavathi.Policemen are, in any case, trained to be patient in the face of politicians abusing them, she says. During their training itself, we tell them not to get emotional, not to precipitate things, she says.Also Read: Palaniswami Takes Oath as TN's Third CM in 2 Months, Trust Vote on Feb 18 Letika Saran, another veteran IPS officer who has worked with the politics of revenge that has often been seen in Tamil Nadu, says police officials have by now developed a thick skin.People may say anything. Yes police officials feel bad, but you cant react to what someone says because the minute you lose your cool, it becomes a different story. Its tough, but it has to be done, says Saran, indicating that a different story could well mean being accused of supporting either of the factions.Easily believable, when you see that police officials are at the receiving end of public ire often a police sub-inspector on duty for former chief minister O Pannerselvam, for instance, was completely taken aback when a supporter asked him angrily: Will you go and salute that man now and stand guard at his house?, obviously referring to the newly-sworn-in E Palaniswami.At the end of the day, no officer wants trouble with law and order if he retaliates to loose comments (even from people in responsible positions), that goal may not be met. Vote of Confidence to be taken on 18th.#TNAssembly AIADMK (@AIADMKOfficial) February 16, 2017 The Chief Minister allotted the following portfolios to his Cabinet Ministers: C Srinivasan (Forests), K A Sengottaiyan (School Education), K Raju (Cooperation), P Thangamani (Electricity), S P Velumani (Municipal Administration), D Jayakumar (Fisheries) and C Ve Shanmugam (Law). Round 1 of the Tamil Nadu tug-of-war went to VK Sasikala on Thursday when her loyalist Edappadi Palaniswami was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, dashing his challenger Panneerselvams hopes of a floor test.Round 2 of the political battle will unfold on February 18 when Palaniswami who will visit Sasikala in a Bengaluru jail on Friday proves his majority on the floor of the Assembly.Governor C Vidyasagar Rao administered the oath of office and secrecy to 63-year-old Palaniswami, a party veteran from western Tamil Nadu, at the head of a 31-member Cabinet at a ceremony in Raj Bhavan. The ministers were sworn-in in batches.Palaniswami will hold the important Home and Finance portfolios, which were earlier held by his predecessor Panneerselvam. Besides, the new Chief Minister will also take care of other key portfolios of Public Works, Highways and Minor Ports, which he had managed as a minister in the Jayalalithaa and Panneerselvam cabinets.Hours after Palaniswamis swearing-in, Panneerselvam headed to Jayalalithaas memorial at Marina Beach, from where he had launched his rebellion against Sasikala last week.In 2011, Amma (Jayalalithaa) expelled many people from her house. Later, she only allowed Sasikala back and expressly stated that till she's alive, she won't allow any of the others back. These people were kept away from the party till Amma died. But now the government that's been formed is not a government of Amma loyalists. It's a government of Sasikala's family. We will ensure that Amma's government is restored. From tomorrow, we will go to every constituency to get the people's voice, he said.Palaniswami is the third AIADMK leader to be sworn-in as Chief Minister in the last nine months. AIDMK supremo and Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa had powered the party to a rare successive term in office in the state in the May, 2016 Assembly Polls. She continued in the post through her grim 74-day battle for life.Within hours of her death on December 5, Panneerselvam, who had filled in for Jayalalithaa twice in the past when she had to go to jail in corruption cases, was sworn-in as Chief Minister.Panneerselvam later stepped down, paving the way for Sasikala, who was already chosen AIADMK general secretary, to be elected its legislature party leader on February five. However, the usually reticent Man Friday of Jayalalithaa rose in rebellion against Sasikala two days later, claiming he was coerced into resigning. He even expressed willingness to become Chief Minister again if the people of Tamil Nadu and AIADMK workers so desired. His belligerence plunged the state into a political crisis.Amid the face off with Panneerselvam, Sasikala met Governor Rao on February 9 and staked claim to form the government.Notwithstanding criticism from several quarters, Rao preferred to wait and watch as the political tug-of-war played out between the rival AIADMK factions.He stood vindicated when Sasikala and two members of her family were convicted and their sentences restored by the Supreme Court in a disproportionate assets case on February 14, rendering her ineligible for contesting elections for 10 years and dashing her hopes of becoming the Chief Minister.Sasikala who is currently lodged in Bangalore Central Jail then handpicked her loyalist Palaniswami, who was elected AIADMK legislature party leader and staked claim to form the government on Tuesday.Palaniswami was invited by the Governor on Thursday to form the government after he submitted a list of 124 MLAs supporting him on Wednesday night. He has 15 days to prove his majority in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly. In stark contrast to the big bang campaign planned for Priyanka by Prashant Kishor and his team, Priyanka is, as expected, limited to Amethi and Rae Bareli as usual. But whats unusual is her truncated schedule. It's also a fact that the Congress is saving Priyanka for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, learning from the experience of 2012 when Congress won only two of the 10 Assembly seats despite Priyanka campaigning. The fear is that a similar poor show would spread the perception that she is no trump card. Priyanka Vadra is finally reaching Rae Bareli on Friday but in the company of her brother Rahul Gandhi.For Congress workers, its been a long wait. A party worker calls this reporter to ask, "You must be knowing. Is Priyanka ji coming? We have no idea."It indeed has come as a surprise. Unlike in 2012 when Priyanka held about 100 rallies in both Amethi and Rae Bareli, giving headlines almost daily, brazenly taking on Narendra Modi and the BJP, this time round she is nowhere to be seen.Sources close to Priyanka say she will go, but nothing has been finalised yet. Rae Bareli goes to polls on February 23 and Amethi on February 27. Yet, Priyanka has been conspicuous by her absence. Even if she goes, the message which has gone across is that Priyanka is campaigning much less this time.Reason enough for the BJP to make this an issue. Union minister Smriti Irani, who took on Rahul Gandhi in 2014 Lok Sabha polls, said Priyanka was not campaigning because she had no answer for the tough questions which the voters would ask her.There are several reasons given for this. Most important is the fact that in many areas there are friendly fights between the Samajwadi Party and the Congress which have tied up for the elections and it could be confusing for Priyanka to decide who she would campaign for. In Amethi, pitted against the official SP candidate Gayatri Prajapati is Amethi Singh, who is campaigning on a Congress ticket.Sources close to Priyanka point out that she hasnt taken a back seat as far as the Uttar Pradesh elections are concerned. In fact, she is the one who is micro-managing the campaign and elections. And when the SP-Congress alliance was clinched, it was Priyanka who was given credit.State Congress in-charge Ghulam Nabi Azad said that "Priyanka is playing an important role and she knows about all constituencies in the state. Something which even I dont know.This apart, it is felt that these elections are once again about Rahul and Akhilesh. With a tag line of UP ke ladke, a pro-active Priyanka would dilute this campaign. And many fear it would take the attention away from Rahul Gandhi as Priyanka is believed to be the more charismatic.It's clear now that Priyanka will play the role of the backroom strategist and work on Rahul and Congress strategies and campaigns. And for this, it is important that her public appearances are limited.But behind the limited appearance of Priyanka is also the typical Congress sentiment to protect the Gandhis. Even in the case of Rahul Gandhi, initially, the attempt was to slowly and gradually introduce him. When they found this wasn't working, Rahul was thrown in at the deep end.That leads to the question: how long can the Congress carry on its strategy of keeping Priyanka Gandhi in cotton wool. Chloe Bridgewater's Letter and her dad - Andy Bridgewater.(Image: Andy Bridgewater/ LinkedIn) Sundar Pichai sent a letter to Chloe as a reply to her job application. (Image: Andy Bridgewater/ LinkedIn) A 7-year old British girl wrote a letter to Google, asking for a job in the company and surprisingly enough got a reply to it as well. The reply to Chloe Bridgewaters letter was sent by none other than the Google CEO Sundar Pichai.Andy Bridgewater, the girls father, shared a post on his LinkedIn account mentioning how his daughter was impressed with an image of the Google office having bean bags, go karts and slides. The girl then decided to write a letter to Google asking for a job.The girl very cleverly writes how she likes swimming, computers and playing games on her tab. She also mentions her good performance in her class and how her father motivates her to learn computers and get a job at Google in the future.Nobody in the girls family might have expected what happened next. They received a reply from the Google Boss to whom her letter was addressed.Google CEO Sundar Pichai replied to the girl letter thanking her for her letter. He appreciated the girls ambitions and encouraged her to work hard towards her goals.Pichai mentioned that he will be waiting for Chloes job application once she is done with school.Andy clearly mentions how his daughter is now even more enthusiastic to work harder in school and ultimately land a job in Google. The Islamic State group claimed the attack in a statement circulated by its Aamaq news agency, saying it had targeted a "Shiite gathering." Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif vowed that security forces would track down the perpetrators of the attack, according to Pakistani state TV. Recent Ts acts are being exec on directions from hostile powers and from sanctuaries in Afghanistan. We shall defend and respond. Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) February 16, 2017 Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor added that Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa has appealed for "calm". Thursday's attack was the deadliest in Pakistan since Dec. 16, 2014, when militants assaulted an army-run school in Peshawar, killing 154 people, mostly schoolchildren. Afghanistan and Pakistan have long accused each other of failing to crack down on militants who operate along the porous border. The military also confirmed the development in a tweet: "Pakistan-Afghanistan border closed with immediate effect till further notice." : An Islamic State suicide bomber struck inside a famed shrine in southern Pakistan on Thursday, killing at least 75 people in the deadliest attack in the country in more than two years.The bomber entered the main hall of the shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar in Sehwan and detonated his payload amid dozens of worshippers, according to three security officials, who said at least 20 women and nine children were among the dead.The Sunni extremist group views Shiites as apostates and has targeted Pakistan's Shiite minority in the past. It views Sufi shrines like the one targeted Thursday as a form of idolatry. Pakistani students light candles to condemn the recent attack on a shrine in interior Sind province, Thursday (AP)Raja Somro, who witnessed the attack, told a local TV network that hundreds of people were performing a spiritual dance known as the Dhamal when the bomber struck."I saw bodies everywhere. I saw bodies of women and children," he said.Local TV showed graphic footage of the aftermath of the blast, with wounded worshipers crying out for help and the floors covered with shoes, blood and body parts. Women cried and beat their chests in grief.Ghazanfar Shah, the custodian of the site, said security was lax at the shrine, which is entered through two gold-plated doors."Each drop of the nation's blood shall be avenged, and avenged immediately," Pakistan's army chief, Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa, said in a statement. "No more restraint for anyone."Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor tweeted, "Recent terrorist acts are being executed on directions from hostile powers and from sanctuaries in Afghanistan. We shall defend and respond.""Your security forces shall not allow hostile powers to succeed. We stand for our nation," Ghafoor quoted COAS Bajwa as saying.The US State Department condemned the attack and offered its support to Pakistan in bringing the perpetrators to justice."We stand with the people of Pakistan in their fight against terrorism and remain committed to the security of the South Asia region," said a statement by acting State Department spokesman Mark Toner.Pakistan has been at war with the Taliban and other extremist groups for more than a decade. In recent years it has launched major offensives against militant strongholds in the tribal regions along the border with Afghanistan, but insurgents have continued to carry out attacks elsewhere in the country.The Islamic State group has been expanding its presence in Pakistan in recent years and has claimed a number of deadly attacks, including a suicide bombing at another shrine in November 2016 that killed more than 50 people.The government has downplayed the IS affiliate, insisting that only a small number of militants have pledged allegiance to the group.The army spokesman, Maj. Gen. Asif Ghafoor, said acts of terrorism were being carried out "from hostile powers and from sanctuaries in Afghanistan," without elaborating. Pakistan closed the main Torkham border crossing with Afghanistan shortly after the attack.Meanwhile, the Pakistani authorities have sealed the Torkham border crossing with Afghanistan for an indefinite period.According to the authorities, the border crossing has been sealed for all kinds of trade and commercial activities due to security concerns, Dawn news reported. Washington: US President Donald Trump on Wednesday blamed what he called the "fake media" and "illegal" leaks for the resignation of National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, who had lied to top government officials about his contacts with Russia. At a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump said that the media had treated Flynn "very unfairly". Trump has asked for Flynn's resignation because he had lost confidence in him after revelations the National Security Adviser had lied about his conversations with Russian officials, EFE news quoted the White House as saying. In response to a reporter's question at the press conference, Trump called Flynn a "wonderful man", adding that he had been treated very unfairly by the media. The President also said that the brouhaha over Flynn's resignation is an attempt to "cover up for (the) terrible loss" suffered by Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton in the November 8 election. These were the first comments Trump had made about Flynn's resignation, which was announced on Monday and which has erupted into a big crisis for his administration. Flynn lied to Vice President Mike Pence and other top officials about his contacts with Russia's Ambassador to Washington Sergey Kislyak with whom he spoke prior to Trump's inauguration about the US sanctions on the Kremlin that former President Barack Obama imposed before he left the White House in retaliation for Moscow's interference in the US election. Trump decided to ask Flynn to resign because he had lost confidence in him after it emerged that the former army general had lied. Washington: Terming the nuclear deal with Iran as the worst agreement ever, US President Donald Trump has assured visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Tehran would never be able to build a nuclear weapon. The security challenges faced by Israel are enormous, including the threat of Irans nuclear ambitions, which Ive talked a lot about. One of the worst deals Ive ever seen is the Iran deal, Trump told reporters at a joint news conference with Netanyahu at the White House. My administration has already imposed new sanctions on Iran, and I will do more to prevent Iran from ever developing I mean ever a nuclear weapon, Trump said. He said the American security assistance to Israel was currently at an all-time high to ensure that the Jewish state has the ability to defend itself from many threats. Both of our countries will continue and grow. We have a long history of cooperation in the fight against terrorism and the fight against those who do not value human life. America and Israel are two nations that cherish the value of all human life, he said. This is one more reason why I reject unfair and one-sided actions against Israel at the United Nations just treated Israel, in my opinion, very, very unfairly or other international forums, as well as boycotts that target Israel, he said. Trump said his administration was committed to working with Israel and common allies in the region towards greater security and stability. That includes working toward a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians. The United States will encourage a peace and, really, a great peace deal. Well be working on it very, very diligently, he said, adding that the parties themselves who must directly negotiate such an agreement. Well be beside them; well be working with them, he added. Netanyahu applauded Trump for his strong stand on Iran and radical Islamic terrorism. Our alliance is based on a deep bond of common values and common interests. And, increasingly, those values and interests are under attack by one malevolent force: radical Islamic terror, he said. Mr President, youve shown great clarity and courage in confronting this challenge head-on. You call for confronting Irans terrorist regime, preventing Iran from realising this terrible deal into a nuclear arsenal, Netanyahu said. You have said that the United States is committed to preventing Iran from getting nuclear weapons. You call for the defeat of ISIS. Under your leadership, I believe we can reverse the rising tide of radical Islam. And in this great task, as in so many others, Israel stands with you and I stand with you, he said. Netanyahu said in rolling back militant Islam, We can seize an historic opportunity because, for the first time in my lifetime, and for the first time in the life of my country, Arab countries in the region do not see Israel as an enemy, but, increasingly, as an ally. I believe that under your leadership, this change in our region creates an unprecedented opportunity to strengthen security and advance peace, Netanyahu said. He said Trump led a very important effort against Iran in the past few weeks and pointed out that there are Iranian violations on ballistic missile tests. By the way, these ballistic missiles are inscribed in Hebrew Israel must be destroyed. The Palestinian rather the Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif said, well, our ballistic missiles are not intended against any country. No. They write on the missile in Hebrew, Israel must be destroyed, he said. Netanyahu said he was seeing a change after Trump took over as the US President and it is clearly evident that he is challenging Iran on its violations of ballistic missiles, imposing sanctions on Hezbollah and making them pay for terrorism that they foment throughout the Middle East and beyond. Let me say this very openly: I think its long overdue, and I think that if we work together and not just the United States and Israel, but so many others in the region who see eye to eye on the great magnitude and danger of the Iranian threat, then I think we can roll back Irans aggression and danger, Netanyahu said. Thats something that is important for Israel, the Arab states, but I think its vitally important for America. These guys are developing ICBMs. Theyre developing they want to get to a nuclear arsenal, not a bomb, a hundred bombs. They want to have the ability to launch them everywhere on Earth, and including, and especially, eventually, the United States, he said. Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia has detained a second woman suspected in the apparent assassination of the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, state news agency Bernama reported on Thursday, citing the inspector general of police. The other woman being held in connection with the slaying of Kim Jong Nam was due to be brought to a Kuala Lumpur court on Thursday. Police had said they were hunting her accomplices. Lawmakers in South Korea earlier cited their spy agency as saying it suspected two female North Korean agents had murdered Kim Jong Nam. U.S. government sources also said they believed North Korean assassins were responsible. Bernama gave no details about the latest arrest, but Inspector General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar told the news agency an official statement would be issued later. A Malaysian government source confirmed to Reuters that the first suspect detained was the same woman whose image was captured by close-circuit television footage and published by media. The grainy picture showed her wearing a white shirt with the letters "LOL" on the front. She had been apprehended on Wednesday at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, two days after Kim Jong Nam was assaulted there with what was believed to be a fast acting poison. Police said she was alone when she was picked up, and held travel documents in the name of Doan Thi Huong, showed a birth date of May 1988 and birthplace of Nam Dinh, Vietnam. "Police are looking for a few others, all foreigners," Deputy Inspector-General Noor Rashid Ibrahim told Reuters, declining to give their nationalities or gender. There was still no mention of Kim Jong Nam's death in North Korean state media as of Thursday morning. At midnight, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun to mark the birthday of his father, the late leader Kim Jong Il, who died in 2011. South Korea's intelligence agency told lawmakers in Seoul, that the young and unpredictable North Korean leader had issued a "standing order" for his elder half-brother's assassination, and that there had been a failed attempt in 2012. "The cause of death is strongly suspected to be a poisoning attack," said South Korean lawmaker Kim Byung-kee, who was briefed by the spy agency. Malaysian police said Kim had been at the airport's budget terminal to catch a flight to Macau on Monday when someone grabbed or held his face from behind, after which he felt dizzy and sought help at an information desk. Malaysian authorities rebuffed North Korean officials efforts to stop an autopsy being carried out on Kim Jong Nam, three Malaysian government sources familiar with the stand-off told Reuters. The two founders of the law firm at the center of 2016's explosive Panama Papers scandal are claiming innocence after they were arrested. Ramon Fonseca and Jurgen Mossack both face charges of money laundering after authorities raided the firm's Panama City headquarters last Thursday. The investigation of the firm and subsequent raid were related to "Operation Car Wash," an investigation into a sprawling Brazilian bribery scandal. In a statement, the Attorney General of Panama Kenia Porcell said the firm allegedly worked with contacts in Brazil to "destroy evidence related to those implicated" in the bribery scandal. "In short, money from bribes circulate through various places to return laundered to Panama," she said. Fonseca and Mossack both say they're innocent. Fonseca released a statement saying the actions of the authorities are "an attempt to divert the attention" away from other cases. "In the more than ten months since the beginning of this investigation, caused by a suspiciously unreported crime committed against our firm, they have not presented a single piece of evidence that shows us guilty," he continued. Connection to Panama Papers In April 2016, Mossack Fonseca was connected to a huge leak of documents that seemed to reveal a large collusion of global power players who were set up with secret offshore companies to hide money. The network included then-Icelandic Prime Minister Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson and Russian President Vladimir Putin. At the time, Mossack and Fonseca claimed they had done nothing illegal. "The facts are these: while we may have been the victim of a data breach, nothing we've seen in this illegally obtained cache of documents suggests we've done anything illegal," a statement provided to CNN at the time said. As Uttar Pradesh heads for the third phase of crucial assembly polls, in the region of Central UP and parts of Awadh, the real Litmus test awaits Akhilesh Yadav. An electoral Battle which will decide on his political leadership in the very heartland of backward politics. A region which is also known as the 'Yadavland'. Question is with the Samajwadi party under his control, can Akhilesh also control the Yadavland Politics. Can SP under Akhilesh, despite the internal feud, repeat the same charisma like in 2012, when it has won 55 out 69 seats going to poll in this phase on 19th of February. Unlike the earlier 2 phases of poll, in phase 3, the Political Narrative shifts entirely away from Muslim, Jat, and Dalit caste realities of the west UP or predominantly minority politics in region of Rohelkhand. Central UP comprising districts of Kannauj, Etawah, Farukhabad, Hardoi, Mainpuri, Etawah, Auraiya and Kanpur Dehat have largest presence of Backward caste vote. Though there also is a considerable presence of Dalit population across the districts, with certain strong pockets of Upper castes, at the top of this demographic dominance are the Backward castes. Yadav's being the number one, followed by Lodhi and Shakya. Since the days of Janta Party in late 70's, and more strongly since the days of Mandal commission, the Backward caste politics has dominated the region. The entire belt emerged as a strong Bastion of Samajwadi party Under Mulayam singh Yadav. Over the Years it was also Mulayam's Younger brother Shivpal, who nurtured the political roots in the region and his hold on the party. While Yadav's evolved as the core constituency for the Samajwadi party. Other Backward castes kept allying with either the SP or the BJP depending upon the political and electoral calculations. While Dalit had more or less remained intact with the BSP, the Upper caste voters have kept shifting loyalties between these 3 major political players. The congress party virtually has no significant influence in the region. Political observers feel that this time around its a resurgent BJP which threatens to disturb SP's calculations in the region. Party's strategy of keen focus on non Yadav Backwards and Upper castes can pay dividends. BsP too is trying to Woo a section of OBC vote and the Upper castes. But Beyond these caste calculations, it's the Samajwadi party's internal feud, which many feel will be a big aspect of elections; specially in this region of Central UP. The internal dynamics and bickering of the party, will definitely have an Impact on the ground. It's on this internal division of the Samajwadi party that political opponents wish to cash upon. While Mayawati had continuously spoken about the 'alleged injustice' done to Shivpal and Mulayam by Akhilesh, she had also opened the doors of her party for key Shivpal aides such as Narad Rai and Ambika Chowdhry. BJP also Hopes to reap benefits from the SP's internal divide. The fact that SP patriarch Mulayam Singh chose to campaign for Shivpal and his younger daughter-in-law Aparna during the elections so far, or Akhilesh choosing to give Shivpal's constituency JaswantNagar a skip, even while campaigning for party candidates on other seats in the region, has left no doubt about the feud in minds of the voters. So when immediately after filing his nomination as a SP candidate, Shivpal declared to float a new party post election, the strategy was out in the open. A strategy which, sources say, is to try and cut Akhilesh to size in the very own strong pocket burrow of the Yadav Family. A leader close to Akhilesh says, "We are aware of the internal threats... but it will not have much impact barring a couple of seats in Etawah. The community has full faith in leadership of Akhilesh Yadav." But independent observers feel otherwise. They say, "Internal feud of SP is definitely at play. It's not only about resentment among a section of Yadavs over alleged insult to Mulayam, but Akhilesh denying tickets to big leaders such as Raghuraj Shakya from Etawah, Pramod Gupta LS from Bidhuna, has antogonised many. Pramod is also the brother-in-law of Mulayam's wife Sadhna. In 2012 assembly polls, SP had swept across all 4 seats in Mainpuri, all 3 each in Etawah, Auriya and Kannuj respectively. It had also won all 6 seats in Barabanki district. Congress, the SP's alliance partner in this election could, however, win just 1 seat each in Kanpur and Lucknow. BJP had won on 5 seats while 6 seats had gone to the BSP. Kanpur city and state capital Lucknow also go to polls in Phase 3. No doubt it's an area where SP as of now stands out as a formidable force. Akhilesh's leadership will be at the biggest test. All eyes will be on the incumbent UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav now. Can he script the same success story like that of his father in the heartland of SP's politics? Only the time will tell. United Nations: The two-state solution remains "the only way" to meet the aspirations of the Palestinians and Israelis, the UN envoy for the Middle East peace process told the Security Council on Thursday. The council met to discuss the Israeli-Palestinian conflict a day after President Donald Trump stepped back from the US commitment to a two-state solution as part of a final peace deal. "The two-state solution remains the only way to achieve the legitimate national aspirations of both peoples," Nickolay Mladenov told the council. "Some may hold the illusion that the conflict can be 'managed' indefinitely," Mladenov said. "That the absence of a clear strategy to advance peace is a strategy in itself." The envoy urged Israeli and Palestinian leaders to "carefully contemplate the future," which he warned could be one "built on perpetual conflict, rising extremism and occupation." Trump announced yesterday that the United States would not insist on a two-state solution to the conflict, in a break from Washington's decades-old policy and from the international consensus on the peace process. "I'm looking at two-state and one-state, and I like the one that both parties like. I'm very happy with the one that both parties like," Trump said. "I can live with either one." Trump's comments were welcomed by Israel's rightwing government but the Palestinians reacted with alarm. Britain, France and Sweden reaffirmed their support for a two-state solution. "It is very dangerous to move away from the two-state solution idea, especially before you have something viable as an alternative," Sweden's Ambassador Olof Skoog warned. "We don't see any viable alternative right now," Skoog told reporters ahead of the meeting. Sweden has recognized Palestinian statehood. British Ambassador Matthew Rycroft said his government "continues to believe that the best solution for peace in the Middle East is the two-state solution." French Ambassador Francois Delattre echoed Mladenov's comments, saying: "should the prospect of a Palestinian State disappear, it would open the door to more extremism and more terrorism." The Red Cross is inviting the community to give blood this March in honor of Red Cross Month, according to a news release. The release states every U.S. president has declared March as Red Cross Month since 1943. The purpose of this month is to recognize how the Red Cross helps people and donates blood to 2,600 hospitals across the nation, according to the release. From the state of Lynchburg City Schools to new Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, Voices of Lynchburg a Randolph College program packed a lot into an hourlong discussion with LCS Superintendent Scott Brabrand. The sit-down discussion began with an introduction and transitioned into a state of the schools report from Brabrand, who took questions from a student moderator and several attendees. My aspiration for Lynchburg City Schools is to get all of our schools at a high-performing level, Brabrand told about 25 Randolph College students and faculty members in Smith Memorial Hall. Brabrand noted the accreditation struggles of some division schools but also highlighted LCS growth, pointing out that of Virginia schools with similar characteristics located in a city with a population of more than 15,000 and a poverty rate higher than 15 percent LCS was first in growth in math and second in reading based on state Standards of Learning test results. Despite that growth, Brabrand noted there still are struggling students, particularly those who are economically disadvantaged. Fully accredited LCS schools are: Bedford Hills, Paul Munro, Sandusky and Sheffield elementary schools and Heritage High School. Partially accredited schools are: Dearington, Heritage, Linkhorne, Perrymont, Robert S. Payne and William Marvin Bass elementary schools; E.C. Glass High School; and Paul Laurence Dunbar and Sandusky middle schools. T.C. Miller Elementary School for Innovation and Linkhorne Middle School both were denied accreditation in the fall. State Standards of Learning test scores decide whether a school achieves accreditation. Elementary and middle schools must achieve a 75 percent or higher pass rate in reading and writing and 70 percent in math, science, and history and social sciences to be fully accredited. For high schools, full accreditation requires SOL marks of 75 percent or better for reading and writing and 70 percent or above in all other subject areas. High schools also must meet commonwealth graduation standards. Brabrand also noted a need to boost the division graduation rate, which currently is at 83.4 percent, below the state average of 91.3 percent but up from 81.1 percent compared to the previous school year. We still have some work to do there, Brabrand said. When asked about DeVos and what the Donald Trump administration means for local schools, Brabrand answered: I will partner with everybody who wants to help make public schools better. Brabrand said Thomas Jefferson, who was taught privately, was among the earliest advocates for public education and said he believed the mission of public schools was an important one. I think most of the problems in our country today can be best solved and resolved in a public school setting, not in a private school or home school, Brabrand said. He added growing diversity and an increasingly connected world required requires public schools to be all things to all people in an inclusive educational environment where everybody counts. When asked about what Trumps travel ban to prohibit citizens of seven majority Muslim nations from entering the U.S. meant for immigrant children in LCS, Brabrand said students were nervous. There is fear, he acknowledged. Despite those tensions, Brabrand emphasized the cultural value of having a diverse school division. Its hard to bring people together with diverse perspectives and experiences, but thats what made America first and made America great, and its the vehicle to keeping America great, Brabrand said. Voices of Lynchburg is part of the Life More Abundant program at Randolph College, which aims to bring speakers to campus to share different viewpoints and perspectives with students and faculty. Margaret Van Beek, the student moderator and a sophomore environmental science major from San Jose, Costa Rica, said the post-presidential election is the focus of the monthly speaker series. She added Voices of Lynchburg will feature Vice Mayor Treney Tweedy in March. Michael Maningas, assistant dean of students at Randolph College, said the purpose of Voices of Lynchburg was to introduce students to local voices discussing innovative ideas and solutions. Maningas added he hoped the speaker series would interest students in what is happening in the local community and encourage them to become involved during their time at Randolph College. At the base, thats what Im really hoping Voices of Lynchburg is able to do, really help them identify and connect with the Lynchburg community and get beyond this red brick wall, he said. No matter how much his milk is sold for on the world market, Rustburgs Carter Elliot still has 450 head of cattle to care for and 12 employees to pay at Seven Oaks Dairy Farm in Campbell County. After enjoying high prices three years ago due to robust demand overseas, exports have dropped and milk prices along with them. This leaves American farmers like Elliot with strained finances and scrambling to make ends meet. It gets discouraging to work as hard as you work, but milk prices are down, so you cant have a comfortable living, he said. I dont ever need to play the lottery because as a farmer, I gamble every day. Dairy farmers are not the only ones affected by low prices. All across the country, farmers who produce beef, grains and milk have had to sell their products for steeply discounted prices, sometimes for less than it costs to produce them. These low prices have persisted for more than a year due to shifts in global supply and weather in some cases. Unlike other areas of business, farmers dont set the prices for their products. Instead, prices are determined daily by the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, which operates much like the stock market. Prices fluctuate every day depending on droughts, global trade and other factors. For Elliot, the low prices mean he currently is operating his farm at a loss. In 2016, he did not turn a profit, and if things do not improve soon, he said he may have to get out of the dairy business. You cant keep going the way were going, he said. I could probably go a maximum of another year. Anybody that farms does it because they enjoy farming and not to make money, but its discouraging. In 2012, a significant drought hit the southwestern United States, causing large ranchers to sell off their herds and drastically decrease the supply of cattle available for sales. Even though the demand was still the same, the number of cows shrank, driving prices upwards of $200 for every 100 pounds. Now, those prices have dropped to between $120 and $145 for every 100 pounds. For Keith Tuck, a beef cattle farmer in Bedford County, dropping prices means he has had to innovate to keep his profits up. Instead of making hay to feed his cows, he sections off small areas of the field for the cows to graze on the grass in the pasture and moves the animals every few days so they can continue grazing throughout the year. He began doing this process to cut costs five years ago when he noticed the prices inflating due to the shrinking herds and wanted to plan for when they would drop again. It was great while it lasted, but I knew it was going to come back down, Tuck said. Its affecting me some, but Ive cut my cattle costs down so much to where its not affecting me as bad as other people. By keeping his herd at only 100 cow and calf pairs and only needing to purchase small amounts of hay throughout the year, Tuck has dropped his cow costs to less than the national average and still is able to turn a profit despite the dip in prices. By increasing the time his cows spent grazing instead of feeding them hay, Tuck has been able to bring his annual cost per cow down to $245. On the other hand, most farmers cost per cow is between $650 and $700 which means they are only breaking even, he said. Although the prices for milk and beef have been low, grain values also have been down, making it cheaper for farmers to feed their cattle. Feed prices have been down, which is lucky, Elliot said. Most of the time, it seems that when milk prices are down, feed is up and vice versa, but right now, were all down. Grain prices have been falling steadily since 2012, when yellow corn was being sold for $7 per bushel on average, but now is hovering just above $4, according to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. With the low prices, W.P. Johnson, from Bedford County, is selling his wheat and soybeans for less than it costs him to grow them. The strain on his finances means he has to maximize the amount of crops he harvests and cut down on costs to try and turn a profit. Without the cash to pay for things like chemical spraying, this makes it difficult. We really have to manage our input cost with pest management and nutrients, Johnson said. Normally we would make multiple passes to really control weeds and pests, but now well have to focus on one trip, which generally isnt as effective and efficient because you have more disease and competition for the plants. According to Wayles Dandridge, from Reynolds Grain Company in Roanoke, the grain prices are down due to a glut of supply in the market due to changes in global trade. I think the big reason is that theres such a huge supply out there right now of soy beans and corn, Dandridge said. China is not importing it as much as they used to. Johnson said his farm is potentially six months from closing due to the financial strain of the world market. Adding an emerging crop or diversifying in some way by adding something new is our alternative plan, but milks down, and cows are down, he said. When those options start running short, it very well could put us out of business. One bad crop will make us really have to reevaluate what were doing. Looking out over his farm, Elliot expressed hope the prices would increase soon so he could stay in business. After decades of being in the dairy business, he has noticed more and more farmers calling it quits and selling their land due to not being able to turn a profit from farming. According to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the number of Virginia dairy farms has decreased 30 percent over the past decade. In 2015, the state had 630, but by the end of 2016, the number had dropped to 608. When I was a kid, there were 10 or 15 dairy farms right around here, Elliot said. Now theres only a handful in Campbell County. I hope I can keep this thing going. UPDATE: A city street maintenance truck caught fire at about noon Wednesday and caused traffic delays on U.S. 460, but officials said no one was injured in the incident. Capt. Abbey Johnston, with Lynchburg Fire Departments Grace Street Station, said a city of Lynchburg worker in the Streets Division was driving the truck when it caught fire. The driver had just finished disposing of his trucks waste and had just merged onto U.S. 460 heading west when he noted the fire, pulled the truck to the side of the road and attempted to use a fire extinguisher, Johnston said. He had dumped the vehicle, it was empty, he was heading back to his sweeper route and apparently, the cab got hot, he felt the heat, said Gaynelle Hart, director of public works. It was obviously way beyond what could be handled with a fire extinguisher. He had exhausted the extinguisher on the fire, and by the time firefighters responded, Johnston said it was large in volume. She said the fire appeared to have started somewhere between the cabin and the body of the truck and spread from there. Because it was empty we had hardly any fire in the back of the truck, she said. It could have been a whole lot worse had it been full. The driver had exited the truck without injury, Johnston said. She said firefighters only took a few minutes to extinguish the blaze once on scene. The city of Lynchburg will follow up and inspect the vehicle, she said. The Lynchburg Police Department, Lynchburg Fire Department and Virginia State Police responded to the fire. Hart said while the cause of the fire currently is unknown, there have been electrical issues with vehicles that have started fires in the past. I mean, sometimes stuff like this will happen, Hart said. Its rare though, for sure. And I certainly dont recall one this serious in a very long time. VDOT reported all lanes of traffic were closed at 11:58 a.m., eastbound lanes had opened shortly after and one westbound lane was open by about 12:18 p.m. Johnston said she and other firefighters had returned from the scene by about 1:45 p.m., though she said she was unsure of exact times for the incident and response. Hart said Fleet Director Chuck Cramer and the fire marshal is investigating the incident. Cramer could not immediately be reached Wednesday evening. EARLIER: Local fire and rescue crews and Virginia State Police are on the scene of a crash on U. S. 460 near the U.S. 501 north ramp intersection and Campbell Avenue. Westbound traffic was blocked off before noon behind a smoking street cleaning truck. The truck appeared to have fire damage to the cabin and front end. The Virginia Department of Transportation website advises drivers to expect potential delays in the area due to a vehicle fire. All westbound lanes are closed, according to VDOT. Andrew Puzder withdrew Wednesday as President Donald Trump's labor secretary nominee as controversy deepened over his personal life and private sector background. Puzder had been scheduled for a Senate confirmation hearing on Thursday. The fast-food executive ran into trouble on Capitol Hill over his admission that he employed an undocumented housekeeper. Also shadowing his nomination were divorce-court proceedings that included a domestic-abuse allegation. Some conservatives, likewise, had questioned his pro-immigration stance. In an emailed statement, Puzder said he had hoped to "put America's workers and businesses back on a path to sustainable prosperity" and bring "new thinking" to the job. At least six Republicans had said they weren't ready to back Puzder and were waiting for his confirmation hearing. CNN reported earlier Wednesday that top Senate Republicans urged the White House to withdraw Puzder's nomination because at least four, and as many as 12, GOP senators planned to vote against confirmation. In the 52-48 Senate, three Republican defections would have doomed Puzder if all 48 Democrats voted to deny him. Puzder is head of the fast food conglomerate CKE Restaurants Inc. that includes Carl's Jr. and Hardee's. His withdrawal comes after a week that saw party-line confirmations in the Senate and a tie-breaking vote cast by Vice President Mike Pence to confirm Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. That 51-50 tally was the first time a vice president ever broke a tie on a cabinet nomination. Trump has already lost one senior member of his administration. He dismissed Mike Flynn as national security adviser on Monday because the administration said he may have misled the president and vice president about his communications with a Russian envoy. Puzder acknowledged early this month that he employed an undocumented immigrant as a housekeeper until learning of the worker's immigration status. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, had said last week that allegations of hiring undocumented workers have sunk other Cabinet nominees, but not always. "We're always looking for nominees who have never made a mistake," McConnell told reporters at the time. "He realized the mistake. He fixed it and I think is eminently qualified for the job." Opponents also seized on multiple news reports that Puzder had been accused by Lisa Fierstein, his first wife, of domestic abuse. Puzder denied the allegations. Fierstein, in a Jan. 18 letter to lawmakers, said that she had made such allegations against Puzder but later withdrew them, saying "Andy is not and was not abusive or violent." Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine -- one of those who expressed doubts about Puzder earlier this week -- said she had viewed an episode of Oprah Winfrey's talk show dealing with domestic violence in which Fierstein appeared. "I am reviewing the other information that has come to light and I'm sure all of this has been explored thoroughly," Collins said at the time. Puzder had agreed to divest an ownership stake worth as much as $50 million in his closely held fast-food company if he was confirmed as the next labor secretary, according to his federal financial disclosure and ethics agreement. Democrats sharply criticized Puzder's nomination, as Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York said he "is so anti-working people that it's appalling." Puzder opposes efforts to raise the minimum wage. He also has written that legal immigration was an asset to the nation and that it would be unworkable to deport the 11 million undocumented people in the U.S., as Trump promised repeatedly during his campaign. But he also said Trump's proposals to build a border wall, stiffen enforcement and defund cities that provide sanctuary to undocumented immigrants were reasonable. Lets not mumble or whisper about the central issue facing our country: What is this democratic nation to do when the man serving as president of the United States plainly has no business being president of the United States? The Michael Flynn fiasco was the entirely predictable product of the indiscipline, deceit, incompetence and moral indifference that characterize Donald Trumps approach to leadership. Even worse, Trumps loyalties are now in doubt. Questions about his relationship with Vladimir Putin and Russia will not go away, even if congressional Republicans try to slow-walk a transparent investigation into what ties Trump has with Putins Russia and who on his campaign did what, and when, with Russian intelligence officials and diplomats. Party leaders should listen to those Republicans who are already pondering how history will judge their actions in this wrenching moment. Senators such as John McCain and Lindsey Graham seem to know it is only a matter of time before the GOP will have to confront Trumps unfitness. They also sense that Flynns resignation as national security adviser for lying about the nature of his contacts with Russias ambassador to the U.S. raises fundamental concerns about Trump himself. The immediate political controversy is over how Congress should investigate this. Republican leaders say attention from Congress intelligence committees is sufficient. Democrats (with some GOP support) argue it would be better to form a bipartisan select committee that could cross jurisdictional lines and be far more open about its work. In fact, those pushing for the select committee are right to fear that keeping things under wraps in the intelligence panels could be a way to bury the story for a while and buy Trump time. Letting Americans in on what went on here, and quickly, is the only way to bolster trust in this administration, if that is even possible. And lets face the reality here: It could also hasten the end of a presidency that could do immense damage to the United States. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, in the meantime, must immediately recuse himself from all decisions about all aspects of the Russia investigation by the FBI and the intelligence services. Sessions should step back not simply because he is an appointee of the president but, more importantly, because he was a central figure in the Trump campaign. He cannot possibly be a neutral arbiter, and his involvement would only heighten fears of a cover-up. In this dark moment, we can celebrate the vitality of the institutions of a free society that are pushing back against a president offering the country a remarkable combination of authoritarian inclinations and ineptitude. The courts, civil servants, citizens collectively and individually and, yes, an unfettered media have all checked Trump and forced inconvenient facts into the sunlight. It is a sign of how beleaguered Trump is that his Twitter response on Wednesday morning was not to take responsibility but to assign blame. His villains are leakers and the press: Information is being illegally given to the failing @nytimes & @washingtonpost by the intelligence community (NSA and FBI?).Just like Russia. It is notable that in acknowledging that the news reports are based on information, Trump effectively confirmed them. At the same time, he is characteristically wrong about Russia, whose government prevents transparency and punishes those who try to foster it. Theres also this: Kremlin agents stole information from a political party in a free country. That is very different from the actions of the medias informants inside our government who are holding our own officials accountable for their false denials and fictitious claims. It will be said that Trump was elected and thus deserves some benefit of the doubt. Isnt it rash to declare him unfit after so little time? The answer is no, because the Trump we are seeing now is fully consistent with the vindictive, self-involved and scattered man we saw during the 17 months of his campaign. In one of the primary debates, Jeb Bush said of Trump: Hes a chaos candidate and hed be a chaos president. Rarely has a politician been so prophetic. And this is why nearly 11 million more Americans voted against Trump than for him. His obligation was to earn the trust of the 60 percent of Americans who told exit pollsters on Election Day that they viewed him unfavorably. Instead, he has ratified their fears, and then some. As a country, we now need to face the truth, however awkward and difficult it might be. Dionne is a columnist for The Washington Post and a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. Email him at ejdionne@washpost.com or follow him on Twitter @EJDionne. Immigrants are Americans, too In these moments where the communities of other countries, especially the Middle East, as well as the Hispanic, are so vulnerable to migratory changes and we can feel the hatred of this government toward us, I would like to let you know the story of my two children, who despite being immigrants, have managed to emerge and become an asset for American society. My oldest son graduated in economics and political science at Virginia Commonwealth University in May 2016, and my daughter is passing her third year in Universidad de Virginia and wants to be a lawyer, besides she is an activist and she has been chosen to live in the Lawn of UVa, a space for outstanding students only. Please contact me. I would like that you give me the opportunity to let people know our story. Then people will realize that most immigrants who are here in your country, especially in Lynchburg, want the best for this great country. We are not a threat or want anything free; we just want an opportunity to thrive. ALEXANDRA VALDEZ Lynchburg Refugees arent the problem After watching a recent interview with Eric Trump, speaking on the program Fox & Friends, I feel the need to provide some actual facts. Discussing the U.S. economy, Eric Trump stated: I mean, wages have been stagnant for the last 15 years, and its because you have, you know, Syrian refugees coming in. The civil war in Syria began in 2011. On TV, we have all watched horrific scenes of massive destruction and loss of life. More than 11 million people have been displaced. In response, in 2012, the U.S. began to accept Syrian refugees, taking in 31 individuals that year. In the past five years, the United States has resettled 18,007 Syrian refugees, nearly half of this number (47 percent) were children under the age of 14. (Contrast this with Germany, which resettled more than a million, or Canada, which took in close to 40,000 in just over one year!) These figures, by the way, are from the Migration Policy Organization, a non-partisan, international company that tracks the movement of people around the globe. I dont think we can blame refugees for the plight of American workers. It is true that we are suffering no question about that. But our problems are caused by the exorbitant salaries and benefits that go to top executives. The gap between rich and poor is destroying the United States. SOLVEIG KJESETH Lynchburg FreightCar America Inc. plans to lay off 168 Roanoke employees, at least a third of its work force, this spring. The company revealed its plans in a recent letter to Virginia officials. Representatives of the Chicago-based manufacturer blamed a drop in orders for railcars, its main product. Pink slips will take effect between April 17 and May 17, the notice said. While the company hopes and anticipates that this workforce reduction will be a temporary measure of limited duration, the company cannot predict a return-to-work date at the present time, FreightCar told state work force officials. The plant on Campbell Avenue will release 87 welders, 72 fitters, six leaders and three painters, according to the announcement, which did not state total employment at the location. Virginia officials said the company employed between 250 and 499 people late last year. Assuming that hasnt changed, a drop of 168 would displace a third of the work force at a minimum. Paul Winsauer, the company official who signed the job-cut announcement, did not respond to a voice message left at his office Thursday . His phone rang and cut off during two attempts to reach him later in the day. Company officials plan on Feb. 27 to publish fourth-quarter financial results and on Feb. 28 to discuss those results in a public phone conference. The railcar industry is struggling. FreightCar, one of the largest producers, shipped 57 percent fewer railcars during the third quarter of 2016 than during the third quarter of 2015, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. There were back orders, or cars awaiting construction, but virtually none of them were for coal cars, its top seller in earlier years. Coal carried by railroads, the companys main customer group, has trended down for more than five years. FreightCar has taken steps to diversify its product line, but its unclear whether the Roanoke plant will benefit. The company has concentrated investments at a new plant in Cherokee, Alabama. The Roanoke plant began production in 2005, a time of surging demand for coal, in facilities leased from Norfolk Southern. Since then, the company has adjusted its work force with product demand. In 2011, FreightCar announced new orders from Norfolk Southern and a work force expansion in Roanoke. Now, it says it must cut staff. In October, a former employee sprayed gunfire in the company facility. Police said the attacker killed one person and injured two others before killing himself. A fourth person was grazed by a bullet, police said. FreightCar stock closed Thursday at $14.43 a share, down 19 cents. GamesRadar+ is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Heres why you can trust us. Revisit the founding of the JSA and foreshadow its future in The New Golden Age #1 preview And see what lies ahead in the future of the DC Universe Home News Sports Social Obituaries Events Letters School district gives thanks February 15, 2017 By Gary Pflueger Superintendent Boundary County School District 101 What a week! February 6 through 10 will be one for the record books. It was a great combination of dangerous roads, heavy snow/ice and changing weather conditions which shut BCSD #101 down; some might call it the perfect storm. But as it is in Northern Idaho, not everyone stayed warm and cozy in their homes to wait it out. Hundreds of individuals donned their winter wear, grabbed a shovel and headed to our five schools to save the day. Now, what I need to do is dig out of the debt incurred by this declared State of Emergency. I am still waiting on billing and do not have a specific price tag on it, but it will be substantial. My next step is to request financial recompense from Boundary County and the State of Idaho. I will let the community know as soon as I find out. On behalf of the students and staff of BCSD I send my sincere thanks to everyone who helped secure our school buildings! It will not be possible to mention all the groups who worked on the roofs. Here are just a few: the Mennonite Community, KG&T, Capital Property Management, Horizon Landscaping, and Cottonwood Correctional Facility. I thank you! A special thank you and wish for great fortune to the true volunteers: the Paradise and South Bench Fire Departments, Port Hill Customs and others. I saw parents, teachers, support staff and students working among the contracted help. You will not be forgotten! Finally, a special and personal note of thanks to BCSD Maintenance Supervisor Bob Overman for coordinating this huge project. The safety of our students was his primary concern. Questions or comments about this article? Click here to e-mail! Cash bill totals to be rounded off This was revealed by the Central Banks Manager of Banking Operations, Sharon Villafana, on Tuesday in response to Business Days question about the banks outreach programme for merchants. At the present rate of usage from the commercial banks, we see our present stocks lasting us until into April. We are envisioning not ordering any more coins after that and we hope to have reached out sufficiently (by then) to the stakeholders, to be able to introduce those rounding guidelines as the one cent coin is phased out. Villafana added that the bank is still currently finalising our outreach programme but weve already had initial discussions with a specialised group of persons from the commercial banks; with the currency managers, to sensitise them as to where we were going in terms of the cent. We have several other stakeholders we have in mind to reach out to and there are several other initiatives coming on stream in terms of our redemption drive, et cetera. So, we have a lot of work to do in terms of our communication with the public going forward. Villafana said merchants and consumers must be comfortable and must agree in going forward with a rounding arrangement so that the debt is completely extinguished when the consumer is at the (cashier) of a retailer or other merchant. We have to make sure these rules give that level of certainty to the public in their cash payments. We have to make sure that the mechanisms are open and transparent, and that merchants can display some sort of evidence that they are participating in rounding, so that consumers are pre-notified that they will be subject to a rounding of their cash payments. Villafana provided an update on the banks plans during the first instalment of the 2017 edition of the banks Know Your Money seminars, Main Conference Room, Level 16 of the Central Bank, Eric Williams Financial Complex, Independence Square, Port-of- Spain. On January 22, the Central Bank announced it would stop minting one cent coins because it costs more to make than the coins actual monetary value. Each cent costs 21 cents to mint and each year, the bank minted an average of 45 million 1 cent coin pieces. The bank also plans to save money by changing the metal composition of the 5, 10 and 25 cent coins. Villafana and other senior officials from the Central Bank yesterday assured that the 5, 10 and 25 cent coins will look and feel the same. No specific date was given for these changes but the new coins are expected to be introduced at the same time that the 1 cent coin is phased out of circulation. While the bank will stop minting one cent coins, Villafana on Tuesday assured that it remains legal tender. As such, consumers who still have one cent pieces will still be able to pay/tender their one cent pieces, subject to the agreement, of course, of the merchant. Breaking down how cash rounding works, Villafana said rounding is the lesser or greater adjustments of a financial cash payment to the nearest five or ten cents. This would apply to the total bill of cash payments only; not to the price of individual items, so merchants do not have to adjust the prices of their goods. All non-cash forms of payment; credit and debit cards, will still require the full value of the payment to be made. Financial institutions may also stop giving a one cent again, in terms of actual withdrawals over the counter, Villafana said. They will be implementing rounding as well. So as the one cent becomes less and less available, we hope that more and more persons will be able to adopt these guidelines. Villafana gave two examples of how cash rounding would work if your total bill ended in 1, 2, 6 or 7 cents and if it ended in 3, 4, 8 or 9 cents. If you have payments ending in 1, 2, 6 or 7 cents, those will be rounded down to the nearest 5 cents. Example, total bill of $32.37. All the cash prices for the individual items have remained the same. Were looking at the total now to be paid, which is $32.37. That is rounded down to $32.35. Similarly, when you look at payments ending in 3, 4, 8 or 9 cents, these will be rounded up to the nearest 5 cents (.05 or .10). The total of the bill is $32.38 (so) were rounding that bill up to $32.40. Business Day also spoke with the Central Banks Senior Manager of Operations, Alister Noel, about how rounding up and down affects the bottom line of customers and merchants. Asked if customers would end up on the losing side of rounding, Noel said everything would balance out from transaction to transaction. For example, if your final bill is $98.98 it would be rounded up to $99 so the merchant will look at that as revenue but on another transaction, if the total bill is $98.02, the merchant will take $98 from the customer, so they would lose two cents. In the end, whatever they receive, they would pay taxes on and on average, everything (revenues and losses from cash rounding) washes away, Noel explained. Oh, for a little wine However, I would delve a little deeper to provide more specific examples of what could be done in various real life scenarios. The question posed to me by an international reader was based on a scenario she encountered: she was invited to a dinner party in France, where after they were seated at the dinner table, the host offered her a glass of wine with her starter. She stated that she did not drink alcohol and instead requested a glass of juice. She stated her host appeared visibly upset, and she could not understand why. Now this example, though set in France, can be replicated in any corner of the globe it particularly resonated with me, as I, also, do not drink alcohol. I have been in many a scenario where a quick judgment call had to be made. In the above circumstance, a number of considerations must be taken into account. These include the location (France), their customs, norms and mores (drinking wine), the indicators by the host (offering the wine), and your role as a guest (not to cause insult to the host). Taking a number of these considerations into account, the options available to the guest will be to simply recognize that it is virtually unheard of to dine in France, particularly in the circumstance described, without the use of wine. Even if you do not place the wine goblet to your lips, simply accept the offer, and even if you lift the glass during the meal, at least your host would not have been offended by the refusal dont worry, I am almost certain, a water goblet would accompany the meal, and as such, would provide the necessary accompaniment for the meal. I have had to apply the theatrical technique in various social circumstances. At cocktail receptions, particularly where a toast is expected, possessing a glass of wine whilst mingling does not necessarily mean the contents will be consumed. The cocktail setting provides the opportunity to request an alternate and suitable libation please note the dining experience provides a very different challenge. Understanding your host and the customs of the host is extremely important in these scenarios. I recall on a visit to China, a delegation was invited to lunch, and the host proceeded to order on behalf of the delegation. Understanding the culture, it is considered impolite to interject with your personal meal preferences when being hosted. As such, you simply adjust to suit. Your level of interaction depends on who you are with. If you are present with close friends and associates, etiquette guides are flexible However, if your objective is business-based, it is always better to be on the side of doing the right thing. In conclusion, there are several factors to take into consideration when employing entertaining theatrics. These include, the relationship with your host, the nature of the meeting/engagement, the culture of the host/host country, and the objective for the interaction. Always consider the host. And perhaps, in like manner, your host may also consider What would make my guest comfortable? To Sarah J, who submitted this question on how to employ theatrics whilst being hosted, I hope this provides the necessary guidance bmobile partners with Naparima College for TTs first Smart School Gervon Abraham, Manager Government Sales and Services, Enterprise, TSTT, commended Naparima College for its pioneering efforts and commented that TSTT looks forward to the day when smart schools in Trinidad and Tobago are no longer a novel concept. At TSTT, we believe that not only is life on, but life is constantly evolving and to meet the demands of tomorrows world, we too must adapt and adjust accordingly. Hence, in 2016, TSTT rebranded its commercial arm, bmobile, to reflect the companys transformation from a traditional telecoms company to an agile broadband organisation. How is this relevant, you ask? You see, Naparima College and TSTT are cut from the same cloth. We respect tradition but value the power and promise of innovation. TSTT is proud to partner with Naparima College as you transform into Trinidad and Tobagos first ever Smart School. As the only full-service, locally-owned telecommunications provider, we are deeply committed to shaping the future by investing in Trinidad and Tobagos greatest assets: the future leaders and decision makers. The Smart School will go beyond the concept of a Smart Classroom by incorporating modern technology into many more elements of the schools environment and will benefit all the schools stakeholders, including the 875 students, 52 staff members, alumni and PTA. TSTT is in the process of completing a campus local area network (LAN) via Wi-Fi and fibre to provide internet access for the whole school compound. The LAN will support the Smart School elements of interactive classroom boards and projectors; ICT smart rooms for CXC and CSEC Courses; an E-Library; a virtual learning management system using Google Suite, Schoology and Blackboard Learn; school administrated software; a VOIP, messaging, PA and alert notification system for students and parents; IP cameras and CCTV System; and smart and solar power to reduce the schools energy footprint. Acting Vice Principal, Devanand Gosine, added that the smart school will include the use of an instructional model called Flipping the Classroom which reverses the traditional learning environment by delivering online instructional content outside of the classroom. We often feel that we must give the students the information ourselves. So traditionally, a teacher provides information inside the classroom, the child takes notes and goes home and does homework. But there is so much information out there. Why not let the child use the internet and learn at home? When they come to school, the teacher can now use that time to apply their expertise to guide the students deliberations on the topics and give the students a much deeper appreciation for the content they learned at home. In a Flipped Classroom, the homework is now done at school and schoolwork is done at home. What this does is make the student a lifelong learner, he said. Dr Dowlath agreed and said, Our vision is for our students to become globally competitive so they will be able to work in any part of the world and achieve whatever goals they have after they graduate. It means that our infrastructure and technology must come up to first world standards similar to educational intuitions globally. Our present students and graduates, through the Smart School concept, will be exposed to advanced technology and we are very thankful that TSTT has understood and supported the vision we have for Naparima College. .. Her Majesty returns Clutching her Victoires de la Musique award, Rose declared at Piarco International Airport, Calypso is alive and will never die! She revealed that copies of her album have been distributed on all Air France flights and songs contained in the album are receiving heavy rotation in France. Rose, who will give her only full concert in Trinidad for Carnival 2017 on February 24, said young calypso artistes, need to keep their audience awake at all times. And she would know, since she had her audience at the Victoires de la Musique show in Paris last week jumping, dancing and wining when she performed her hit song Leave me Alone. She is the first and so far only artiste to ever receive an encore at the Victoires de la Musique awards ceremony which is broadcast live. Rose said that her victory in France was one that was not only for her and Trinidad and Tobago but all of the Caribbean as it opened a door for Caribbean artistes to market themselves in Europe. In life you must work hard for your success. Do not let the naysayers get to you, Rose advised. Minister of Community Development, Culture and the Arts Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly, who was on hand to greet Rose, conveyed governments heartfelt thanks to her for flying TTs flag far from home. You are a true role model and have touched the hearts of many especially women across the globe, Gadsby- Dolly said. Roses manager Jean Michel Gibert told Newsday that Far From Home has sold over 85,000 copies so far and 150,000 copies sold is a realistic target. He added that Rose has received invitations to perform in concerts in Tahiti and Japan but her management team will work out schedules and logistics taking into consideration the fact that she will turn 77 in April. In a statement last Sunday, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley hailed Roses achievement. Rowley said Calypso Roses winning album Far From Home was released last year and continues to enjoy phenomenal success both in Trinidad and Tobago and abroad. The Prime Minister acknowledged Calypso Roses remarkable achievement of being the first soca artiste to attain the prestigious award. Calypso Rose has consistently delivered high quality music and entertaining performances to a wide variety of audiences during her long career, Rowley said. Indicating that TT is justifiably proud of her latest accomplishment, Rowley said Roses single, Leave Me Alone, from the winning album is one of the most popular songs circulating on the airwaves and played at Carnival fetes this year. donald trump Many countries have, over the past few weeks, taken a "wait and see" approach to relations with the US government under President Donald Trump, perhaps none more so than Venezuela. Venezuela's relations with the US have been contentious for much of the last 20 years, but Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro appears to hold out some hope ties could be better with Trump. In recent days, however, that hope seems to be fading. Venezuela has been close to Russia under Vladimir Putin, whom Trump has spoken highly of, and this week, when the US slapped sanctions on Maduro's vice president, Venezuela's response appeared to avoid mentioning Trump by name, perhaps in an effort to keep open the possibility of improved dealings. Those sanctions, and the case supporting them, were developed under the Obama administration, but their implementation was held up during the final months his presidency. "Those sanctions were going to be imposed when Obama was in power, but State Department told them to hold back because they wanted to see if they could establish a dialogue" between Maduro's government and the political opposition, said Mike Vigil, a former chief of international operations at the US Drug Enforcement Administration, echoing a point a former Obama administration official made to Fox News. Tareck El Aissami Nicolas Maduro Venezuela president Deploying these sanctions now "can be seen as the opening salvo of the Trump administration in dealing with Latin America's deepest crisis," Michael Shifter, president of the Washington, DC-based policy group Inter-American Dialogue, told The New York Times. "It is hard to imagine that, with this decision, Washington will now be included to offer many carrots to the increasingly authoritarian regime." Story continues That impression is bolstered by Trump's recent actions. During a call on Wednesday, Trump and Argentine President Mauricio Macri shared mutual "concern" over the situation in Venezuela. Argentina's President Mauricio Macri speaks during a news conference after the bilateral meeting at Narino Palace in Bogota Colombia, June 15, 2016. REUTERS/John Vizcaino The call lasted just five minutes, but the two leaders talked broadly about Latin America and about "Venezuela in particular." The center-right Macri took office in Argentina in late 2015, and his government has clashed with Maduro's Socialist administration. Those tensions have seen Venezuela suspended from Mercosur, a South American trading bloc. Just hours after Trump spoke with Macri, he met in the Oval Office with Lilian Tintori, wife of Leopoldo Lopez, a hardline Venezuelan opposition leader jailed on trumped-up charges related to weeks of deadly anti-government protests in Venezuela in 2014. At the conclusion of the meeting, which Vice President Mike Pence and Florida Republican Sen. Marco Rubio also attended, Trump tweeted, "Venezuela should allow Leopoldo Lopez, a political prisoner & husband of @liliantintori (just met w/ @marcorubio) out of prison immediately," including a photo of the group. Donald Trump Mike Pence Marco Rubio Leopoldo Lopez Lilian Tintori Venezuela White House Oval Office Tintori is not the first Venezuelan opposition figure to visit the Oval Office, but Trump's statement after the meeting is a departure from the typically muted posture the US government took toward Venezuela under Obama. The Venezuela government condemned the statement, invoking the usual refrains of US interference. "The Bolivarian Republic [of] Venezuela rejects the intrusion and aggression of [US President] @realDonaldTrump [who intends] to give orders to our homeland," Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez tweeted in response to Trump. "It is lamentable that lobbies and Miami mafias in complicity with the violent Venezuelan opposition impose on @realDonaldTrump policies against Venezuela." While Trump's broader approach to Venezuela, and Latin America in general, remains unclear, his seeming endorsement of the country's political opposition may amount to little. Many in Venezuela and abroad support Lopez's release, and Maduro currently commands the approval of only about 20% of the public. But Trump is a widely disliked figure in the region. His support may not inspire many of Lopez's backers or bring more people to the opposition's ranks. (It may also further solidify support within the government for Maduro.) Opposition supporters take part in a rally against President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas, Venezuela, October 26, 2016. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins Nor are reprimands from Trump likely to cut Venezuela off from its neighbors and partners. "Despite its standing in Mercosur, the Venezuelan government isn't isolated," Tim Gill, a post-doctoral fellow at Tulane University focused on Venezuela's foreign relations, told Business Insider, adding: "It recently solidified relations with China and Russia, establishing dozens of new agreements, and, when claims recently emerged that Venezuela was behind on its oil shipments to China, the Chinese government defended its relationship with the country. Maduro can also count on regional relations with the same allies its had over the past decade, namely Bolivia, Cuba, Ecuador, and Nicaragua." Trump has taken a hardline on Venezuela since the latter days of his campaign. While the members of his transition team focused on Latin America suggest that hardline will continue, the substance of Trump's position toward the the country, like many other policies, remains to be seen. NOW WATCH: 'Doesn't sound too optimistic': Watch Trump and Netanyahus awkward exchange over West Bank settlements More From Business Insider Here Are the Most Overrated Tourist Spots in the US Winston Churchill had a lot more in common with Fox Mulder than we would have thought. Just weeks before Britain entered WWII, the former prime minister penned an essay titled Are We Alone in the Universe?, the BBC reports. His answer: Probably not. "I for one, am not so immensely impressed by the success we are making of our civilization here that I am prepared to think we are the only spot in this immense universe which contains living, thinking creatures," Churchill wrote in the never-published and recently discovered essay. According to Nature, Churchill wroteyears before the discovery of exoplanetsthat he was "not sufficiently conceited" to think there aren't other, possibly life-supporting planets circling stars outside our solar system. Churchill's essay, written in 1939 and revised in the 1950s, was discovered last year in Missouri's National Churchill Museum and handed over to astrophysicist Mario Livio, who wrote about it this week. Livio says Churchill uses the "logic of a scientist" in the essay, which discusses the importance of liquid water and describes what are now known as "Goldilocks" zones, the New York Times reports. That's not surprising, as Churchill was immensely interested in science in general and space in particular. He was the first British prime minister to have a science adviser, funded telescopes, and even instructed the Royal Air Force to cover up a potential UFO sighting. Livio says it's "moving" to see a leader involved in science when so many current politicians "shun" it. (Read more Winston Churchill stories.) Investigators trying to piece together the stunning assassination of Kim Jong Un's half-brother believe the murder at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Monday took just 10 seconds. Kim Jong Nam was preparing to return to his home in Macau from a week in Malaysia when he encountered two attractive women in the airport's busy Terminal 2, the Washington Post reports, citing interviews with airport staff and police. One woman grabbed Kim while the other sprayed liquid on his face and held a cloth on it for around 10 seconds. The pair then made a leisurely getaway, strolling through the terminal and waiting in line for a taxi, while their victim staggered to a counter seeking help before dying in an ambulance. The fast-acting poison the women apparently used is typical of North Korean assassination attempts, according to the Post. Results from an autopsy, which North Korean diplomats reportedly tried to prevent, have not been made public. The BBC reports that two women have been arrested in connection with the case: A woman traveling on a Vietnamese passport who was arrested Wednesday, and a suspect with an Indonesian passport arrested Thursday. A police source tells Reuters that the first woman arrested was the suspect seen on CCTV with a shirt reading "LOL." Sources in Macau tell the South China Morning Post that Kim moved around his adopted home without bodyguards, but told friends he feared his younger half-brother would have him killed sooner or later. (Read more Kim Jong Nam stories.) One Republican senator is breaking ranks to vote against President Trump's nominee to head the Environmental Protection Agency, who has sued the EPA 14 times. Maine's Susan Collins says she "has significant concerns" about issues affecting her state that Scott Pruitt has opposed the EPA on, "including mercury controls for coal-fired power plants and efforts to reduce cross-state air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions," the Hill reports. She says the Oklahoma attorney general's actions have left her with "considerable doubts about whether his vision for the EPA is consistent with the agency's critical mission to protect human health and the environment." The Maine chapter of the Sierra Club praised Collins for "opposing this dangerous nomination that would be a threat to our clean air, clean water, and public health." Collins, who also voted against confirming Betsy DeVos, is the only Republican so far to come out against Pruitt, meaning he's likely to be confirmed in a Senate vote Friday. Reuters reports that Democrats have asked for a procedural vote on Pruitt scheduled for Thursday to be delayed until after an afternoon hearing in Oklahoma on whether to release emails between his office and execs at oil and gas firms. (Trump's nominee for labor secretary withdrew on Wednesday.) Indiana State Police are trying to track down a man photographed at the Delphi Historic Trails on Monday around the time two teenage girls were killed there. Liberty German, 14, and Abigail Williams, 13, were dropped off at the popular hiking spot by a family member around 1pm Monday. Their bodies were found Tuesday about 50 feet from the shore of Deer Creek on a section of private property only accessible by foot, reports the Indianapolis Star. A man seen in the area at the time was wearing jeans, a dark blue jacket, and a hood. "We are asking help from the public to help identify him so he can be contacted regarding what he might have seen," police say, per Heavy.com. Police are also asking anyone who was in the area on Monday to contact police with possible tips. "There is somebody out there who did this, and we're going to track them down," says an Indiana State Police rep, noting police are already "following up on hundreds of hundreds of leads." Adds a sheriff, per CBS News, "We're going to get to the bottom of this. We feel confident. And were going to do everything within our resources to reach justice in this situation." Officials tell Fox 59 that autopsies on both girls have been conducted but the results are not being released at this time. (Read more Indiana stories.) President Trump is planning to shake up the intelligence services with the help of a fellow New York billionaire, the New York Times reports, citing administration sources. The officials say Trump wants to bring in Stephen Feinberg, a co-founder of the Cerberus Capital Management hedge fund who currently serves on his economic advisory council, to carry out a review of US intelligence agencies. The Hill reports that chief strategist Stephen Bannon and senior adviser Jared Kushner declined to comment on reports that they have close ties to Feinberg, who is seen as a Trump loyalist capable of doing some "house-cleaning" at the agencies. The Times' sources say that many in the intelligence community are disturbed by reports that Feinberg, who has no national security experience, may be conducting a review and possibly taking a senior intelligence position. In tweets Wednesday, Trump condemned the "very un-American" leaking of classified information, which he blamed for national security adviser Mike Flynn's resignation. Separately, the FBI released hundreds of pages Wednesday from its 1970s investigation of the Trump Management Co., run by Trump and his father, Fred, for alleged racial discrimination against tenants. The Hill notes that when the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division filed suit in 1973, Trump, then 27, slammed the government for "such outrageous lies." (Read more President Trump stories.) When Thatcher Cardon considered NASA's Space Poop Challengeseeking a solution that would allow astronauts to relieve themselves while wearing a space suit for up to six dayshe thought about how doctors can "replace heart valves now through catheters in an artery" and concluded that a small opening could surely "handle a little bit of poop." Using materials from thrift, hardware, and dollar stores, per Space.com, the Air Force flight surgeon then put a small airlock into the crotch of an old flight suit to allow diapers and inflatable bedpans to pass through. It was a $15,000 idea, reports NPR. Cardon took the top prize in the Space Poop Challenge among 5,000 solutions submitted from every country and continent, Antarctica included, per CNN. A team also took home $10,000 for its "Air-PUSH Urinary Girdle," a diaper that uses air to direct waste away from the body using a small tube, which might also be used in hospitals and nursing homes, per the Guardian. A third winner took home $5,000 for his "Zero Gravity Underwear" that seals and sanitizes waste. NASA says elements from the winning designs will be combined with existing ideas to create a solution that will ultimately be tested in space. The final product will then be placed on NASA's Orion spacecraft designed for long space missions. In the case that "something catastrophic has happened," leaving astronauts unable to use a toilet or space diaper as usual, the solution will "save the crew," a NASA rep says. (Astronauts drink recycled urine.) After two decades behind bars and a year in a halfway house, the only person ever convicted in the 1985 bombing of Air India Flight 182 is free in Canada. Inderjit Singh Reyat, an Indian immigrant and former member of an extremist group fighting for an independent Sikh homeland, was convicted of building two bombs placed on flights departing Vancouver on June 23, 1985. One, hidden in a suitcase on Air India Flight 182, exploded mid-flight, killing all 329 people on board, reports CBC News. The second detonated at Japan's Narita airport, killing two baggage handlers. Reyat pleaded guilty to manslaughter in Canada's worst mass murder. Two others were acquitted, though prosecutors argued that was only because Reyat lied in court to protect them, per AFP. Since Reyat was released into a halfway house last January, there has been no sign of contact with extremists or his co-accused, a Parole Board of Canada rep said Wednesday in explaining the decision to allow Reyat to "go back to a normal life." However, the board found Reyat would be at a high risk for group-based violence if ever there was a threat to his "Sikh cause." That, combined with a 2013 psychologist's report that found Reyat showed "a lack of true empathy and remorse," has left many dumbfounded by his release. As one terrorism expert at Simon Fraser University puts it, "You have to wonder what the parole board is smoking." Reyat will remain under close observation until August 2018, reports the Globe and Mail. (Read more Canada stories.) A 64-year-old has become the second oldest woman ever to give birth in Spain. The woman, identified only by her initials MIA, received fertility treatment in the US before giving birth to twinsa 5.3-pound boy and 4.8-pound girlvia Caesarean section in the Spanish city of Burgos, reports the BBC. The mother is doing well and both infants are in a "perfect state of health," say officials at the Recoletas Hospital, which shared a video clip of the delivery on its website, per the Belfast Telegraph. MIA, reportedly from the town of Palacios de la Sierra in northern Spain, is now the second oldest woman to give birth in the country, after a 67-year-old woman delivered twins in 2006; she died three years later, reports Fox News. MIA also gave birth to a baby girl in 2012 after receiving fertility treatment in the US. However, the girl was removed from her care in 2014 over allegations of neglect. Officials said the child was often isolated and had poor hygiene. (Read more Spain stories.) A mystery involving a missing 21-year-old New Hampshire woman is now entering its 14th year, but for the family of Maura Murray, the pain of each day is fresh. "It really isn't any better than it ever was," dad Fred Murray tells the Boston Globe, determined to keep her story in the news until she's found. He, Maura's older siblings, and others have been tracking the case "with the intensity of nuclear fusion." They're hoping, even all these years later, that a clue will emerge to bring some closure as to what happened to Maura, who "vanished in what seemed like a blink of an eye," an ex-Littleton cop says. Per the Globe and Caledonian Record, Maura, a University of Massachusetts Amherst nursing student, had emailed at least one professor on Feb. 9, 2004, to say there had been a death in her family (there hadn't) and that she was taking time off. She reportedly took nearly $300 out of her bank account and was driving toward the White Mountains when her car apparently hit a curve and ended up in a snowbank. A school bus driver came by and asked Maura if she needed assistance, but she said she was OK. The driver called the cops anyway, but when they got there minutes later, there was no sign of herincluding no footprints and no viable scent police dogs could pick up. Cops say wine bottles were found in her car, with indications she'd been drinking on her drive. Her family has no clue where she would've been going or why. "The likely scenario is that she got picked up by someone," her brother, Fred, tells the Globe, with his sister Julie adding, "I want some answers for my dad's sake. Thirteen years is long enough. We need some answers." (Finally, some closure in one of the most famous missing-child cases ever.) After an emotional testimony before the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, a new bromance? Ashton Kutcher was in DC on Wednesday to testify about human trafficking, which he's been fighting against since 2009, and in addition to giving what CNN calls an "impassioned" speech on the topic, there was a lighter moment making headlines. Sen. John McCain, who doesn't sit on the committee but came by to offer his gratitude, thanked Kutcher for being therebut also noted, "Ashton, you were better looking in the movies." Kutcher's response? To blow McCain a kiss and tell the senator that his wife thinks so, too. On a much more serious note, Kutcher discussed Thorn: Digital Defenders of Children, the organization he founded with then-wife Demi Moore that builds software to fight the trafficking of children for sex slavery. "I've been on FBI raids where I've seen things that no person should ever see," he said. "I've seen video content of a child that's the same age as mine being raped by an American man that was a sex tourist in Cambodia. And this child was so conditioned by her environment that she thought she was engaging in play." Kutcher, whose daughter is two years old, called for action including funding for trafficking-fighting technology and working more closely with the foster care system and mental health system. (Read more Ashton Kutcher stories.) It's been 40 years since Roman Polanski set foot on the US mainland, but the disgraced director is said to want to square things up and come back to America without facing jail time, TMZ reports. What needs squaring: his punishment for raping a 13-year-old girl in 1977 at Jack Nicholson's house. Lawyer Harland Braun reportedly wants long-sealed testimony in the Polanski case opened to prove that Polanski had cut a deal to spend just 48 days behind bars for the sexual assault. But when the director of Rosemary's Baby was released after serving 42 days, which included psychiatric evaluation, the judge (now deceased) who'd reportedly signed off on the deal allegedly had a change of heart and decided 50 years in prison was a more just punishment. Polanski fled to Paris, where he's been living as a fugitive since, shortly after he agreed to plead guilty to unlawful sexual intercourse and right before his sentencing, per Page Six. A Polish court ruling in a recent Polanski extradition case said Polanski, now 83, had honored his punishment with his original stint behind bars, prompting Braun to call for a Los Angeles County Superior Court to do the same. (Polanski was picked to lead the jury for France's equivalent of the Oscars this monthand women's rights advocates aren't happy.) Some guys will never ask for directions. And some guys have no qualms about landing a military helicopter in the middle of the road to do so. A post at RT explains the bizarre scene captured on video. The pilot of a Kazakhstani chopper landed his $14 million aircraft on a snowy highway, stopping trucks in their tracks. Soon, the pilot hops out, runs to the first truck, shakes the driver's hand, has a chat, runs back to his Mi-8 gunship, and takes off. They were lost, explains the trucker's voice over the radio. He came to ask which way to Aktobe. The video is now making the rounds, prompting the Kazakhstan Ministry of Defense to defend its trainee pilot, notes Australia's 9News. He was apparently sent out as part of a "visual orienteering exercise" in which he was supposed to figure out his way back "by means of human survey." It's not clear, however, whether stopping to ask truckers counts as cheating. How can you get lost in the steppe?" another trucker is quoted as asking. "How the hell can you get lost in the steppe? (Read more strange stuff stories.) Rush Limbaugh gave President Trump some advice on his radio show Wednesday, and in the Washington Post, Chris Cillizza thinks it's wise, politically speaking. Trump's White House has been beset with controversy after controversy, forcing Trump to seem as if he's "always on defense," Cillizza writes. Limbaugh's advice is for Trump to focus on repealing ObamaCare, then on tax reform, moving full speed ahead and making obvious tracks on the domestic agenda. Cillizza says the advice is "very, very smart," considering how "successful, relatively speaking" Trump's first week in office was. He took a lot of actions that week, including targeting regulations and ordering border wall construction; Republicans, his base, and the stock market all responded well. Since then, things have gotten mired, with his travel ban caught up in "legal wrangling" and his Cabinet nominee confirmations moving slowly, not to mention the Michael Flynn fiasco. "All of it has slowed the Trump train way down," Cillizza writes. "What was a fast-moving, kicking-ass-and-taking-names White House has suddenly turned into a leaky morass in which the focus appears to be on internal knife fights and missteps rather than on pushing Trump's priorities," and that must change. Click for his full column. (Read more Rush Limbaugh stories.) The Washington Supreme Court ruled unanimously Thursday that a florist who refused to provide services for a same-sex wedding broke the state's antidiscrimination law, even though she claimed doing so would violate her religious beliefs, the AP reports. A lower court had fined Barronelle Stutzman for denying service to a gay couple in 2013, ordering her to pay $1,000 and other costs. Stutzman argued that she was exercising her First Amendment rights. But the court held that her floral arrangements do not constitute protected free speech, and that providing flowers to a same-sex wedding would not serve as an endorsement of same-sex marriage. "As Stutzman acknowledged at deposition, providing flowers for a wedding between Muslims would not necessarily constitute an endorsement of Islam, nor would providing flowers for an atheist couple endorse atheism," the opinion said. Gov. Jay Inslee lauded Thursday's ruling, saying it was "in favor of equality for all Washingtonians." "By ruling that intolerance based on sexual orientation is unlawful, the Court affirmed that Washington state will remain a place where no one can be discriminated against because of who they love," Inslee said in a written statement. Stutzman's lawyers immediately said they would ask the US Supreme Court to overturn the decision. (Read more same-sex marriage stories.) In between lashing out at the media, leaks, and more, President Trump said during a Thursday press conference that a new "very comprehensive order" on immigration and refugees would be coming next week "toward the beginning or middle at the latest," NPR reports. While he didn't give any details on the new executive order, Trump said it will "comprehensively protect our country." According to CNN, Trump said the new order will be "very much tailored" to what he says was a "bad decision" by the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals, which blocked enforcement of his travel ban earlier this month. Trump's comments suggest the new order will be "narrower in its focus," the Los Angeles Times reports. During the press conference, Trump defended his original travel ban, saying it "had a very smooth rollout" but ran into a "bad court." The president said his administration will continue "vigorously defending" the original ban in court. But that doesn't necessarily appear to be the case. Earlier on Thursday, the Justice Department said Trump doesn't plan to keep fighting for the original ban and instead will "rescind the order and replace it." The department says Trump's new executive order will address what the Court of Appealswrongly, the department sayssaw as "constitutional concerns." (Here are the biggest lines from Trump's press conference.) VANCOUVER, BC--(Marketwired - February 16, 2017) - Not for Distribution to a United States Newswire or for Dissemination in the United States Sarama Resources Limited ("Sarama" or the "Company") announces that it will immediately implement an incentive program (the "Incentive Program") to encourage the early exercise of up to 10,361,183 warrants originally issued between May 30 and July 4, 2014 (collectively, the "Original Warrants"). Each Original Warrant is exercisable to purchase one common share of the Company (a "Share") at $0.20 per Share until a date three years from the issuance of the Original Warrant. The Company will, from the date of this announcement, issue to a holder of Original Warrants who exercises their Original Warrants on or before March 10, 2017, one-half of one incentive warrant (an "Incentive Warrant") for each Original Warrant exercised. Each full Incentive Warrant will entitle the holder to acquire an additional Share at a price of $0.35 per Share for a period expiring March 10, 2019. The proceeds from the early exercise of the Original Warrants will be used to advance the exploration of the Company's resource properties and to fund administrative expenses. If a holder of Original Warrants does not exercise their outstanding Original Warrants on or before March 10, 2017 (or only partially exercises them), their remaining Original Warrants will continue to be exercisable to purchase Shares of the Company on their original terms. The TSX Venture Exchange has conditionally approved the issuance of the Incentive Warrants. The Company will send a notice to the holders of the Original Warrants outlining the details of the Incentive Program. Related Party Transaction Sun Valley Gold Master Fund, Ltd. ("Sun Valley") is a related party of the Company as a result of owning approximately 14% of the Company's outstanding Shares. Sun Valley owns or controls an aggregate 2,500,000 Original Warrants. Mr. Andrew Dinning, a director and President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company owns or controls 500,000 Original Warrants; Mr. Sean Harvey, the Chairman of the Company owns or controls 400,000 Original Warrants; and other directors and executive officers of the Company own or control a combined 365,167 Original Warrants. Story continues The participation in the Incentive Program by, and issuance of Incentive Warrants to Sun Valley and the Company's directors and executive officers would constitute a "related party transaction" as defined in Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions, which has been adopted by the TSX Venture Exchange pursuant to its Policy 5.9 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (the "61-101 Policy"). However, the Incentive Program is exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of such instrument and policy, as the Company's Shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange and, in respect of the minority shareholder approval requirement, neither the fair market value of the additional Incentive Warrants, nor the consideration to be received for the Incentive Warrants exceeds 25% of the Company's market capitalization. The Incentive Warrants and any Shares issued upon the exercise of the Incentive Warrants will be subject to hold period expiring four months after the date of distribution of the Incentive Warrants. Material Change Report A material change report will not be filed 21 days or more prior to closing of the Incentive Program as a result of the timing of the Incentive Program and uncertainty with regards to the quantity of Incentive Warrants issuable to related parties. Incentive Warrants not Subject to United States Securities Act of 1933 These securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from registration is available. This announcement does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in this Private Placement within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. Persons (as defined under Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act). For further information on the Company's activities, please contact: Andrew Dinning or Lui Evangelista e: info@saramaresources.com t: +61 (0) 8 9363 7600 ABOUT SARAMA RESOURCES LTD Sarama Resources Ltd (TSX VENTURE: SWA) is a West African focused gold explorer with substantial landholdings in Burkina Faso. Sarama is focused on consolidating under-explored landholdings in Burkina Faso and other established mining jurisdictions. Sarama's flagship properties are situated within the Company's South Hounde Project area in south-west Burkina Faso. Located within the prolific Hounde greenstone belt, Sarama's exploration programs have built on significant early success to deliver an inferred mineral resource estimate of 2.1 Moz gold(1),(2) Acacia Mining plc is earning up to a 70% interest in the South Hounde Project by satisfying certain conditions, including funding earn-in expenditures of up to US$14 million, over a 4-year earn-in period and may acquire an additional 5% interest, for an aggregate 75% interest in the Project, upon declaration of a minimum mineral reserve of 1.6 million ounces of gold. Sarama holds a 31% participating interest in the Karankasso Project Joint Venture ("JV")(3) which is situated adjacent to the Company's South Hounde Project in Burkina Faso and is a JV between Sarama and Savary Gold Corp. ("Savary"). Savary is the operator of the JV and in October 2015, declared a maiden inferred mineral resource estimate of 671,000 ounces of contained gold(4),(5)at the Karankasso Project JV. Sarama has also agreed to acquire a 100% interest in the Bondi gold deposit from Orezone Gold Corporation (refer news release May 24, 2016). Bondi has a historical estimate of mineral resources of 0.3Moz Au (measured and indicated) and 0.1Moz Au (inferred)(6),(7). Together, the South Hounde Project, Bondi deposit and the Karankasso Project form a cluster of advanced gold deposits, within trucking distance of one another, which potentially offers a development option for a multi-source fed central processing facility in the southern Hounde Belt region of Burkina Faso. Incorporated in 2010, the Company's Board and management team have a proven track record in Africa and a strong history in the discovery and development of large-scale gold deposits. Sarama is well positioned to build on its current success with a sound exploration strategy across its property portfolio. CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS Information in this news release that is not a statement of historical fact constitutes forward-looking information. Such forward-looking information includes statements regarding the Company's intentions for the use of proceeds from the exercise of the Original Warrants, plans for drilling and geochemical and geophysical surveys at the South Hounde Project, the Earn-In Agreement with Acacia, including the amounts that may be spent on exploration and interests in the South Hounde Project that may be earned by Acacia upon making certain expenditures and estimating a minimum reserve, the potential to expand the present oxide component of the Company's existing estimated mineral resources, and future exploration plans. Actual results, performance or achievements of the Company may vary from the results suggested by such forward-looking statements due to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors. Such factors include, among others, that the business of exploration for gold and other precious minerals involves a high degree of risk and is highly speculative in nature; Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves, they do not have demonstrated economic viability, and there is no certainty that they can be upgraded to Mineral Reserves through continued exploration; few properties that are explored are ultimately developed into producing mines; geological factors; the actual results of current and future exploration; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be evaluated, as well as those factors disclosed in the Company's publicly filed documents. There can be no assurance that any mineralisation that is discovered will be proven to be economic, or that future required regulatory licensing or approvals will be obtained. However, the Company believes that the assumptions and expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things, Acacia's continued funding of exploration activities, the Company's ability to carry on its exploration activities, the sufficiency of funding, the timely receipt of required approvals, the price of gold and other precious metals, that the Company will not be affected by adverse political events, the ability of the Company to operate in a safe, efficient and effective manner and the ability of the Company to obtain further financing as and when required and on reasonable terms. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Sarama does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except as required by applicable laws. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. QUALIFIED PERSONS' STATEMENT Scientific or technical information in this news release that relates to the preparation of the Company's mineral resource estimate for the South Hounde Project is based on information compiled or approved by Adrian Shepherd. Adrian Shepherd is an employee of Cube Consulting Pty Ltd and is considered to be independent of Sarama Resources Ltd. Adrian Shepherd is a Chartered Professional Member in good standing of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and has sufficient experience which is relevant to the commodity, style of mineralisation under consideration and activity which he is undertaking to qualify as a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101. Adrian Shepherd consents to the inclusion in this news release of the information, in the form and context in which it appears. Scientific or technical information in this news release that relates to the preparation of the Karankasso Project's mineral resource estimate is based on information compiled or approved by Eugene Puritch and Antoine Yassa. Eugene Puritch and Antoine Yassa are employees of P&E Mining Consultants Inc. and are considered to be independent of Savary Gold Corp. and Sarama Resources Ltd. Antoine Yassa is a member in good standing of the Ordre des Geologues du Quebec and Eugene Puritch is a member in good standing of Professional Engineers Ontario. Eugene Puritch and Antoine Yassa have sufficient experience which is relevant to the commodity, style of mineralisation under consideration and activity which they are undertaking to qualify as a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101. Eugene Puritch and Antoine Yassa consent to the inclusion in this news release of the information, in the form and context in which it appears. Scientific or technical information in this news release, in respect of the Bondi gold deposit relating to mineral resource and exploration information drawn from the Technical Report prepared for Orezone on that deposit has been approved by Guy Scherrer. Guy Scherrer is an employee of Sarama Resources Ltd and is a member in good standing of the Ordre des Geologues du Quebec and has sufficient experience which is relevant to the commodity, style of mineralisation under consideration and activity which he is undertaking to qualify as a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101. Guy Scherrer consents to the inclusion in this report of the information, in the form and context in which it appears. (1) 43.0 Mt @ 1.5 g/t Au (reported above cut-off grades ranging 0.3-2.2 g/t Au, reflecting the mining methods and processing flowsheets assumed to assess the likelihood of the inferred mineral resources having reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction) (2) The effective date of the Company's inferred mineral resource estimate is February 4, 2016. For further information regarding the mineral resource estimate please refer to the technical report titled "NI 43-101 Independent Technical Report South Hounde Project Update, Bougouriba and Ioba Provinces, Burkina Faso", dated March 31, 2016. The technical report is available under Sarama Resources Ltd.'s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. (3) Sarama has 31% and Savary has 69% ownership interests. (4) 9.2 Mt @ 2.3 g/t Au (at a 0.5 g/t Au cut-off) (5) The effective date of the Karankasso Project JV mineral resource estimate is October 7, 2015. For further information regarding the mineral resource estimate please refer to the technical report titled "Technical Report and Resource Estimate on the Karankasso Project, Burkina Faso", dated October 7, 2015. The technical report is available under Savary Gold Corp's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. (6) 4.1Mt @ 2.1g/t Au for 282,000 oz Au (measured and indicated) and 2.5Mt @ 1.8g/t Au for 149,700 oz Au (inferred), reported at a 0.5 g/t Au cut-off (7) The effective date of the historical estimate of the Bondi deposit mineral resource estimate is February 20, 2009. For further information regarding the mineral resource estimate please refer to the technical report titled "Technical Report on the Mineral Resource of the Bondigui Gold Project", dated February 20, 2009. The technical report is available under Orezone Gold Corporation's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. New Delhi: Providing clarity on scrutiny of deposits made in banks post demonetisation, I-T department on Monday said no questions will be asked about deposits of up to Rs 2.5 lakh and only those accounts will be probed that do not match the tax returns. Using Big Data analytics, the Income Tax Department has segregated different kinds of deposits and large ones like more than Rs 1 crore that do not match with income tax returns filed in previous years will be taken for layer enforcement. There is no need to fear for any genuine person. We will ensure there is no harassment to genuine person, Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) Chairman Sushil Chandra said at CII post-Budget seminar in New Delhi. Also Read | CBDT identifies 18 lakh people with suspicious cash deposits post demonetisation The department, he said, has accumulated a large data on deposits made in banks after the government banned old Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes on November 8. We found (and segregated) the data (for deposits) between Rs 2 lakh and Rs 80 lakh and Rs 80 lakh and above. As the Prime Minister has clearly said that (for deposits) up to Rs 2.5 lakh we will not ask (questions), so we have put that data aside at the moment, he said. The tax department has used its data bank to run all deposits exceeding Rs 5 lakh made during the 50-day window provided post demonetisation to get rid of junked notes, he said. Giving examples, he said deposits of Rs 3 lakh are justified if a person has an annual taxable income of Rs 10 lakh and the tax department will not touch him. Importantly, if companies show a cash in hand in balance sheet of Rs 10 lakh and have deposited Rs 5 lakh, the tax department will not scrutinise those. But if you have deposited Rs 5 lakh and you have not filed return of last three years, that I should touch (for scrutiny), he said. Similarly if you file income tax return (ITR) of Rs 2.5 lakh income but you deposit Rs 10 lakh in different bank accounts, I should ask about it. Even for those explanations can be provided through the tax departments website, he said. This will also be analysed with data and then it will be closed. Only where it is absolutely not matching, action will be taken. And if there is large deposit may be more than a crore of rupees, then I think if it is not matching with ITR filed, then all honest tax payers will agree that that the man should be taken for layer enforcement, he said. He however did not explain what he meant by layer enforcement. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The ongoing political turmoil in Tamil Nadu threw up another name for the post of chief minister on Tuesday when the Supreme Court convicted AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala in a disproportionate assets case. With this, the bitter power struggle between caretaker CM O Panneerselvam and Sasikala took another turn when AIADMK MLAs from her camp elected Palanisamy as the new legislature party leader, a move that can result in his elevation as the chief minister. Sasikala sent a letter to the Tamil Nadu governor stating that Palaniswami has been elected as the AIADMK's legislature party leader and he should be invited to form the government in the state. Live | Sasikala convicted in DA case: Battle turns bitter as Panneerselvam's supporter terms Palanisamy 'fit for nothing' From an ordinary party member to the leader of AIADMK legislature party, Edappadi K Palaniswami has come a long way. Here are the highlights of Palanisamy political career: # Palanisamy is currently the state minister for ports and highways. He belongs to the influential Gounder community # He was an unwavering loyalist of late Jayalalithaa, and chose to side with VK Sasikala after O Panneerselvam revolted against the interim general secretary Read | Sasikalas proxy Palanisamy stakes claim to form government in Tamil Nadu # Palaniswami, a Sasikala loyalist, had publically asked her to become chief minister after Jayalalithaa's demise # He is a three-time MLA from Edappadi in the Kongu region of Tamil Nadu # A Science graduate, he swore allegiance to Jayalalithaa when AIADMK split into two factions, one led by her and the other by party founder MG Ramachandran's wife Janaki, after MGR's death in 1987. # In 1989, 1991, 2011 and 2016 assembly polls, Palanisamy won from Edappadi constituency. When AIADMK was routed in the 1996 assembly polls, he too lost from Edapadi. Similarly, he was defeated in the 2001, 2006 assembly polls and the 1999 and 2004 parliamentary polls. # His clout in AIADMK saw a dramatic rise when it won 10 of 11 assembly segments in Salem district in the 2016 polls. Acknowledging his contributions, he was given the key portfolio of public works, besides highways and minor ports, which he had already been holding. # Palanisamy has held various party posts including propaganda secretary, organisation secretary, and disciplinary committee member. Currently, he is the party headquarters secretary and Salem Rural District party secretary. With inputs from PTI For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Peshawar: Four security personnel were among at least six persons who were killed when two Taliban suicide bombers on Wednesday attacked a government compound in northwestern Pakistan's restive tribal region. The explosion took place at the headquarters in Ghalanaiin the Mohmand tribal region when two suicide bombers tried to enter the colony and when signaled to stop one blew himself up while the other was killed by firing of security forces, the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said. "Security agencies had the intelligence about intrusion of suicide bombers from Afghanistan inside Mohmand agency," the ISPR said. The Pakistani Taliban faction Jamaat-ul-Ahrar has claimed the attack, media reports said. The security personnel and two civilians including a school teacher were killed in the blast. At least eight otherswere wounded in the attack and three critically injured were shifted to Lady Reading Hospital in Peshawar, Dawn reported. Soon after the blast the areas was sealed and a thorough search operation was started, political administration sources said. The incident comes barely two days after a suicide blast claimed by the Jamaat-ul-Ahrar faction of the banned PakistanTehreek-i-Taliban (TTP) ripped through the camp of protesting chemists in front of the Punjab Assembly in Lahore, that killed 13 people. In September last year, a suicide bomber targeted a mosque in Mohmand Agency's Anbar tehsil during Friday prayers, leaving 36 people dead. That attack too was claimed by Jamaat-ul-Ahrar. Mohmand is one of Pakistan's seven semi-autonomous tribal districts near the Afghan border, where the military has been battling Al-Qaeda and Taliban-linked militants for over a decade. The Operation 'Zarb-i-Azb' launched by army in June 2014in a bid to wipe out militant bases in the tribal areas and bring an end to the bloody insurgency has cost thousands of civilian lives since 2004. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Peshawar: At least two people were killed and 18 others injured on Wednesday when a motorcyle-borne suicide bomber struck a government vehicle in the restive northwestern Pakistani city. The blast occurred in Hayatabad area of Peshawar when a suicide bomber hit a government vehicle, police was quoted as saying by Geo News. At least two people were killed and 18 injured in the suicide attack. The blast happened as officials from the provincial government were expected to inaugurate the Out Patient Department (OPD) at the Hayatabad Medical Complex, Dawn News reported. Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and other senior party leaders were expected to attend the ceremony. This was the third terrorist attack in Pakistan on Wednesday. At least six persons, including four security personnel, were killed when two Taliban suicide bombers attacked the Mohmand Agency headquarters in the northwest tribal region. Following this, another suicide bomber blew himself in Mosal Kor, Mohmand Agency, police said. The incident comes barely two days after a suicide blast claimed by the Jamaat-ul-Ahrar faction of the banned Pakistan Tehreek-i-Taliban (TTP) ripped through the camp of protesting chemists in front of the Punjab Assembly in Lahore that killed 13 people. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Mumbai: The Cabinet on Wednesday gave its final approval to merger of SBI and its five associates - State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur, State Bank of Mysore, State Bank of Travancore, State Bank of Patiala and State Bank of Hyderabad. The Cabinet, however, did not take a decision with regard to Bharatiya Mahila Bank, which, too, was supposed to be merged with the country's largest lender as per an earlier announcement. SBI chairman Arundhati Bhattacharya said the government will now issue a notification which will contain the date at which the merger will become effective. "We think the merger would be some time in the next financial year because we are a listed company and doing such a large exercise just before the annual closing may not be a very good idea," she told news channels. She ruled out any issues relating to wages of the employees of the associate banks delaying the amalgamation. "At this point, there are no wage-related issues. The finance minister also asserted on Wednesday that the wages that people receive now will be protected," she added. "The employees of the associate banks will be offered the wage package that our people have for the relevant grades. It's up to them to either accept that or retain the package they have now. They have a choice to do that." Bhattacharya said that post-merger, SBI will enter the league of top 50 banks globally. "It would be difficult to give ranking at this particular time because it depends on both tier I capital and the asset size. Last year, our ranking was 52 or 53. It should probably go up." Post-merger, the combined entity will have 23,899 branches and employee strength of 2,71,765. On the balance sheet size, she said that as of December, consolidated deposits were a little over Rs 2,604,473 crore (Rs 26.04 trillion) and advances stood at Rs 18,76,727 crore (Rs 18.76 trillion). The consolidated balancesheet stood at Rs 32,18,498 crore (Rs 32.18 trillion). There will be synergies in terms of treasury, offices, auditors and IT infrastructure. After the merger of five associate banks with SBI, the government shareholding in the combined entity will increase, she stated. The merger was announced last May and the central board of the bank approved the proposal in August along with the share swap ratio. New Delhi: The battery Workhorse is back! The Nokia 3310 a mobile phone that is virtually indestructible is all set to make a comeback in the tech arena very soon. Originally announced in the year 2000, the legendary phone was discontinued 5 years later in 2005. The Nokia 3310 has remained alive and kicking in collective nostalgia for being the most reliable and long lasting phone, apart from being the first for many phone users. The Finnish company Nokia, which itself survived an apocalypse after it failed to survive the Smartphone era, is serious about making a comeback with a bang! Soon after announcing a kicker smartphone Nokia 6, the erstwhile market champion is now reportedly looking to remind people why they were number 1. According to the regularly accurate leaker Evan Blass, a revised 3310 will be unveiled at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona at the end of the month. The new incarnation of the old 3310 will be sold for just 59 (approx. Rs 4200), and so likely be pitched as a reliable second phone to people who fondly remember it the first time around. The phone has always been available on online sites like Amazon and e-Bay. The subject of online memes comes with a range of features, including a clock, calculator, the ability to store up to ten reminders and four games: Snake II, Pairs II, Space Impact, and Bantumi. Here is the full list of specifications in the classic Nokia 3310 feature mobile phone: Nokia 3310 Network configuration Technology: GSM LAUNCH Announced: 2000 Status: Discontinued BODY Dimensions: 113 x 48 x 22 mm, 97 cc (4.45 x 1.89 x 0.87 in) Weight: 133 g (4.69 oz) SIM: Mini-SIM Nokia 3310 Display Type: Monochrome graphic Resolution: 5 lines - Dynamic font size - Softkey - Screensavers - Welcome message MEMORY Card slot: No Phonebook: SIM only Call records: 8 dialed, 8 received, 8 missed calls - Message templates CAMERA: No SOUND in Nokia 3310 Alert types: Vibration; Downloadable monophonic ringtones Loudspeaker: No 3.5mm jack: No - 6 Ringing tone levels - 10 Volume levels Nokia 3310 BATTERY: Removable NiMH 900 mAh battery (BMC-3) Stand-by: 55 h to 260 h Talk time: 2 h 30 min to 4 h 30 Other features of Nokia 3310 Colors: User exchangeable front and back coversSAR EU 0.96 W/kg (head) Messaging: SMS Clock: Yes Alarm: Yes Games: 4 ( Snake II, Pairs II, Space Impact, Bantumi) Languages: 17 for menu, 11 for T9 Java: No For all the Latest Business News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Kolkata: Three persons have been arrested for their alleged involvement in the violence at a private hospital in a southern part of the city following the death of a patient. Rakesh Dhanuk (25), Jiauddin and Sk Sony (22) were arrested from their respective residences in Khidirpore area of the city late last night during raids, a senior official ofKolkata Police said this morning. "The three persons have been arrested after going through CCTV footages we got from the hospital authorities.They have been spotted ransacking the hospital premises during the violence. We are looking for others also," the officer told PTI. Mumbai: Actress Kangana Ranaut says her "Rangoon" co-stars Shahid Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan are incredible actors and she is fortunate to share screen space with them. "Rangoon" a love story set against the backdrop of World War II and brings together the three actors on-screen for the first time. "They are incredible actors. They are amazing with Vishal Bhardwaj sir (director) and he has given them wonderful characters in the films that he did with them. They are both very special, very natural and spontaneous. "I feel fortunate to be working with great actors like them. I liked Saif as Langda Tyagi in 'Omkara' and Shahid was incredible in 'Haider'. They (Bhardwaj and Saif and Vishal and Shahid) have great tuning and they had same energy for this film ("Rangoon")," Kangana told PTI. Praising Bhardwaj the 29-year-old actress says that the filmmaker has the courage to deal with subjects which no one will ever think of bringing on-screen. "He has courage to take on subjects which are different like 'Rangoon' is a love story in the backdrop of world war II. It is a very courageous move and not many filmmakers will present a love story in rugged and rustic backdrop of war." "He has that undying desire to push the envelope and go beyond what people expect from him," she adds. In the movie the "Queen" star portrays the life and times of Mary Ann Evans aka Fearless Nadia, Bollywood's first original stunt-woman still remembered for her fiery role in the movie "Hunterwali". "She (Fearless Nadia) is a stunt woman and it's an amalgamation of many characters in the film. I am known to speak my mind and to say things that I stand for is right.. That sort of conviction and identity was important for the role. "I feel this character has landed in my lap because I signify that part (fearless) in today's contemporary actresses that we have today." Produced by Sajid Nadiadwala and Viacom 18 Motion Pictures the film is scheduled for release on February 24 For all the Latest Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: A local court on Thursday pronounced its verdict in the 2005 Delhi serial blasts case, which left more than 60 people dead on October 29, 2005. The court has held Tariq Ahmed Dar guilty, while acquitted accused Mohammed Rafiq Shah and Mohammed Hussain Fazili of all charges. Dar has been held guilty under the UAPA (unlawful activities prevention act). Under this act, the maximum punishment is 10 years jail term, which he has already served, hence he will not be sent to prison again. Additional Sessions Judge Reetesh Singh was scheduled to announce the order on Monday, but put it off for Thursday. Tariq Ahmed Dar, Mohammed Hussain Fazili and Mohammed Rafiq Shah were facing trial in the case. In 2008, the court had framed charges against Dar, the alleged mastermind of the blasts, and two others for waging war against the state, conspiring, collecting arms, murder and attempt to murder. ALSO READ | 2005 Delhi serial blasts: Reliving brutal terror attack which left National Capital jolted Dar was chargesheeted by the Delhi Police, which mentioned his call details that allegedly proved he was in touvh with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operatives. The police registered three separate FIRs in three separate incident that took place in Sarojini Nagar, Kalkaji and Paharganj. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Pune: After a BJP functionary wrote to the State Election Commission demanding ban on publication of Shiv Sena mouthpiece Saamana on three days, Sena president Uddhav Thackeray compared the situation to Emergency. State BJP spokesperson Shweta Shalini said in a letter to SEC that publishing content or undertaking publicity campaign (of parties and candidates) two days before polling date is prohibited, so publication of Saamana should be banned on February 16, 20 and 21. Elections to 10 municipal corporations and 25 Zilla Parishads in Maharashtra will be held in two phases on February 16 and 21. Uddhav reacted saying Saamanas closure is not possible ever. Later, addressing a campaign rally in Pune in the evening, he compared the situation to Emergency. I just got a message that BJP has complained to Election Commission seeking ban on printing Saamana on February 16, February 20 and February 21. My question is if you blame Indira Gandhi for imposing Emergency, isnt this an Emergency? he said. Why are Chief Minister and Prime Minister going to poll-bound areas for campaigning? Forget all these dates, as long as model code of conduct is in force, CM and PM should not be allowed to do campaigning, he said. Thackeray also said that as talk about setting between rival parties was rife, today I declare that I too have setting and that is with the masses of Maharashtra. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday dared Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray to disclose his wealth. Will Saheb (Uddhav) disclose his wealth? Fadnavis said at a poll rally in Mumbai on Wednesday evening. I am in politics since last 25 years but my wealth hasnt increased, he said. Fadnavis said the Sena has only one policy, that of getting rich in the name of fighting for cause of Marathi Manoos. Those who live in glass houses should not throw stones on others houses, the CM said, responding to Senas allegation of corruption when he was Nagpur mayor. BJP MP Kirit Somaiya also recently demanded that Uddhav declare his financial assets. The middle Vaitarna dam was named after late Balasaheb Thackeray at the Senas behest but there was inordinate delay and huge cost overrun in the project work. Whos to blame for this? the CM asked. Claiming that a Shiv Sena union functionary worked against the workers interests in Cambata Aviation issue, Fadnavis said, Even today, that company pays money to 22 shakha pramukhs of the Sena. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Congress on Wednesday accused the Modi government of ignoring internal security and using it merely for electoral gains. The Opposition party also accused the BJP and the Sangh Parivar of indulging in fake news and propaganda to befool voters in elections and urged the Election Commission and media watchdog to take cognisance of it. In the last 32 months, 188 security personnel have laid down their lives for India. There were 10 attacks on our security establishments. There has been a 200 per cent rise in infiltrations. It is for the people to decide if the Modi government has made India more secure or less secure. Soldiers are being killed. Prime Minister is in election mode perennially, the Home Minister is busy campaigning and the Defence Minister is in sleep mode and whenever he gets up, he is in Goa. The countrys safety and security is just an election talk for this Government, Congress spokesperson Ajoy Kumar said. He said in 2016, 105 jawans were killed and 82 civilians also lost their lives and in various terror attacks perpetrated on India and its people. The Congress leader noted that India has recorded the maximum number of bomb blasts last year, which is even more than war-torn countries like Afghanistan or Iraq. Slamming the government over its Pakistan policy, Kumar said the Congress would support this government if they have a strategic plan in making India safer. The unfortunate part of this government is that it continues to use national defence for politics only. They have been exposed by the number of jawans and civilians killed. Their repeated failure in isolating Hafiz Sayeed and Azhar Masood is a result of the Prime Ministers one-man show without consultations and discussions, he said. Kumar also lamented that China has repeatedly sabotaged Indias attempts at the United Nations. The Prime Minister has to answer that when he was swinging in the swing on the banks of river Sabarmati, how come such close so-called friends have ensured that Indias efforts failed, he said. Referring to a recent video of BJP chief Amit Shah purportedly wooing Jats in UP, the Congress spokesperson said It clearly shows that BJP has lost the plot. They have understood that they have lost the public support. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Talks between the Delhi government and striking drivers of Ola and Uber on Thursday failed to break the deadlock even as the city administration warned of strict action against any violence. Commuters had to pay astronomical fares as the strike called by Sarvodaya Drivers Association of Delhi (SDAD) entered its seventh day. A section of drivers of the union may disrupt traffic movement in some parts of the city on Friday after their two leaders, who were on the hunger strike at Jantar Mantar since Friday, were admitted to RML Hospital in view of their deteriorating condition. There was shortage of taxis on the capitals roads during morning and peak hours on the seventh day of the strike. On Ola and Ubers apps, there were unavailability of cabs at times and sometimes, fares were higher than normal. SDAD vice-president vice-president Ravi Rathore, who was admitted to hospital, said that the unions representatives on Thursday met Transport Minister Satyendar Jain, but the talks could not reach any conclusion. In the meeting, the minister sought time to address all their demands, but drivers were not ready to accept the offer. It has been seven days of their strike and that they did not want to give more time to government now. As I and our union president Kamaljeet Singh Gill are admitted to RML Hospital, we dont know what our drivers will do on Friday. From our side, the strike is still on, Rathore said. Meanwhile, the transport minister has warned of strict action against those drivers indulging in violence, a day after striking drivers torched a taxi in Indirapuram. I will request Lt Governor to take strict action against drivers who indulge in violence which will not be tolerated at any cost, Jain said. Asked about commuters being overcharged by autorickshaw drivers due to the strike, the minister said that he appealed to all striking drivers not to overcharge passengers. Thousands of drivers are on strike since February 10 in Delhi-NCR demanding an increase in fares from the existing Rs 6 per km and also want the 25 per cent commission the app-based aggregators charge on every booking be discontinued. Delhi Autorickshaw Sangh and Delhi Pradesh Taxi Union have already cleared they would not support strike as their business was getting affected due to app-based taxi services. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. (Adds details, diplomat, start of Yemen meeting) BONN, Germany, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir said on Thursday he was optimistic about overcoming the many challenges facing the Middle East and looked forward to working with the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump. On Wednesday, Trump dropped Washington's commitment to the eventual creation of a Palestinian state, a key pillar of U.S. Middle East policy through successive administrations. After meeting his U.S. counterpart Rex Tillerson, Jubeir declined to comment directly on that decision, which added to European concerns about how Trump's "America First" message might reshape U.S. foreign policy. A senior French diplomat said Trump's remarks, made alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, "made no sense." "We look forward to working with the Trump administration on all issues in the region," Jubeir said. "We are very, very optimistic about our ability to overcome the many challenges we face in the region." Tillerson and Jubeir are in Bonn to attend a meeting of the G20 top industrialised countries. Trump also promised to work towards a peace deal between Israel and Palestinians and said it would require compromise on both sides. Last week the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations said U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' choice of former Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad as the U.N. envoy to Libya showed the organisation was biased against Israel. "We thought that what happened with regard to Fayyad was already deplorable," the French diplomat said "...But all this makes it difficult for us to understand the decision processes at the heart of the American administration." Tillerson, a former Exxon Mobil CEO, is due to meet separately on Thursday with the foreign ministers of France, Russia and Britain. (Reporting by Andrea Shalal and John Irish; Writing by Paul Carrel; Editing by Joseph Nasr and John Stonestreet) New Delhi: Edappadi K Palanisamy took oath as next Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on Thursday. Along with Palanisamy, 30 other ministers have taken oath.A The swearing-in happened a day after AIADMK chief V K Sasikala was sent to jail. The Supreme Court restored her conviction in the disproportionate assets case. After a long wait, Governor C Vidyasagar Rao on Thursday invited AIADMK legislator party leader and Sasikala's proxy Edappadi K Palanisamy to form the government in Tamil Nadu. With the swearing-in of Chief Minister in Tamil Nadu, there was an end to the long-drawn battle to throne vacated after former CM JA Jayalithaa's demise. Meanwhile, outgoing CM O Panneerselvam has said that he will continue the 'fight' untill the Amma's rule is not established. The Opposition party DMK has raised doubts on the fact that CM-designate Palanisamy has been given 15 days for floor test by the Governor. Here are the updates: #8:09PM O Panneerselvam paid tribute at Jayalalithaa's memorial at Marina Beach #7:36PM TN Assembly to convene on 18th February 2017: AIADMK #7:32PM Congratulate new govt; hope it'll not function under control of VK Sasikala who's in Bengaluru jail; CM should remember his oaths: MK Stalin, DMK #7:30PM AIADMK MLAs head back to Kuvathur's Golden Bay resort after Tamil Nadu cabinet and CM E Palanisamy's oath ceremony Chennai (TN): #AIADMK MLAs head back to Kuvathur's Golden Bay resort after Tamil Nadu cabinet and CM E. Palanisamy's oath ceremony. pic.twitter.com/2Jp9I6wqRj a ANI (@ANI_news) February 16, 2017 #6:40PM TN CM E Palanisamy and VK Sasikala's nephew TTV Dhinakaran pay tribute at Jayalalithaa's memorial at Marina Beach Chennai: TN CM E. Palanisamy and #VKSasikala's nephew TTV Dhinakaran pay tribute at #Jayalalithaa's memorial at Marina Beach. pic.twitter.com/NzcAo79tby a ANI (@ANI_news) February 16, 2017 #6:01PM Clash between newly appointed minister CV Shanmugam and O Panneerselvam supporters #5:14PM Governor C.Vidyasagar Rao with the newly sworn-in Tamil Nadu Cabinet Chennai: Governor C.Vidyasagar Rao with the newly sworn-in Tamil Nadu Cabinet pic.twitter.com/LwrY2U2dym a ANI (@ANI_news) February 16, 2017 #4:54PM Chennai: Tamil Nadu Cabinet being sworn in Chennai: Tamil Nadu Cabinet being sworn in pic.twitter.com/f4d45NngvO a ANI (@ANI_news) February 16, 2017 #4:49PM Tamil Nadu Cabinet being sworn in Chennai: Tamil Nadu Cabinet being sworn in pic.twitter.com/25hsny0ZVr a ANI (@ANI_news) February 16, 2017 #4:46PM E Palanisamy takes oath as next Tamil Nadu CM Chennai: E. Palanisamy takes oath as next Tamil Nadu CM pic.twitter.com/LaRxCgGvsZ a ANI (@ANI_news) February 16, 2017 #4:20PM Tamil Nadu cabinet and CM-designate E. Palanisamy's oath ceremony to begin at Raj Bhavan, shortly Chennai: Tamil Nadu cabinet and CM-designate E. Palanisamy's oath ceremony to begin at Raj Bhavan, shortly. pic.twitter.com/sso57mYksH a ANI (@ANI_news) February 16, 2017 #3:35PM AIADMK leaders reach Raj Bhavan for Tamil Nadu cabinet and CM-designate E Palanisamy's oath ceremony #3:32PM 31-member Tamil Nadu cabinet to be sworn-in at 4.30 PM: Raj Bhavan For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Chandigarh: The Election Commission has accorded formal approval to grant 5 per cent interim relief to the Punjab government employees and pensioners. The state government had sought ECs permission for grant of interim relief to employees and pensioners as Model Code of Conduct is in force, an official spokesperson of the Chief Electoral Office said. The letter of approval has been sent to the Secretary, Expenditure, Finance Department for immediate necessary action, the spokesperson said. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Ranchi: Ambassadors of Japan, Korea, Mangolia, Tunisia and Czech Republic have reached Ranchi ahead of Fridays two-day Global Investment Summit in Ranchi, a senior government official said on Thursday. Ministers and industrialists would come on Friday morning for the inaugural session. Union ministers coming to the two-day summit are - Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who is the Chief Guest, Urban Development Minister Venkaih Naidu, Power Minister Piyush Goyal, Textile Minister Smriti Irani, Road Transport & Highways, Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari, Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh, Law and Justice Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Rajiv Pratap Rudi. The Minister of state for Aviation Jayant Sinha and Minister of State for Agriculture and Family Welfare are also among the list of dignitaries coming for the Momentum Jharkhand. More than 9524 delegates have registered for the two-day summit, being organised at Khelgaon. The inaugural session of the summit will commence at 10 am on Friday and will conclude with the valedictory session at 4 pm on February 17. Fridays sectoral sessions are on infrastructure development, Make in Jharkhand Urban Development & Smart city and Mining & Mineral Development. On the 17th the sectoral sessions will be on IT/ITeS, ESDM & Start-ups, high education & healthcare, agro & food processing and textile & footwear. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Ahmedabad: The Gujarat High Court on Wednesday directed police in Anand district to take a pregnant girl to the family of her alleged rapist, after she told the court that she loved him and wanted to give birth to his child. The court also asked the social welfare officer of Mahisagar district, where the mans family lives, to ensure that the baby is delivered safely and directed the government hospital authorities to take care of the babys health. The girl had moved the high court against a lower court order refusing permission for termination of her 24-week-old pregnancy. The lower court had said abortion cannot be allowed post-20th week as per the law. When Justice J B Pardiwala summoned the victim on Wednesday, she said she loved the accused, and would like to live in his house and deliver the baby. The accused was also called by the court. He assured that he will take care of her and the child. The court noted that in her statement to the police the girl had said she was in a relationship with the accused, who is now in jail on charges of kidnapping and raping her. While the petition suggested that she was a rape survivor who wanted to abort her foetus, the fact was something else, as her mother was more worried about the society rather than her daughter, the judge said. The girls mother had filed a missing person complaint about her daughter at Bhalej on May 17, 2016, following which police traced the girl who was living with a person named Ashwin. Ashwin was arrested on charges of rape and kidnapping as well as under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, because the girl was then a minor. She is now above 18. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Lucknow: PM Narendra Modi on Thursday addressed a public rally in Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh. After launching a scathing attack on the Samajwadi Party in his Hardoi rally earlier on Thursday, PM Modi yet again trained his guns on the Akhilesh Yadav government as he called it 'anti-farmer'. Here are the highlights: #These elections are to change the fortunes of Uttar Pradesh. Elect a stable BJP Government #We've done away with interviews for class III & IV jobs. Now jobs are given on the basis of merit #Poor would be empowered when we eliminate corruption from society #We have reduced stent prices. This will make treatment more affordable for the poor #The meaning of deveopment is - irrigation for farmers, education for children, earning for youth and medicines for elderly #Earlier urea for farmers used to go to chemical factories. We decided to neem coat them & now it benefits only the farmers #What is the reason that SP government formed alliance with those who rubbished Lohia ji's ideals? #India will progress only after the upliftment of the farmers of UP #SP government in Uttar Pradesh is anti-farmer; Centre allotted funds but why is it that farmers in the state are not benefited? #Farmers in UP are not getting minimum support price of their crops #Akhilesh ji has made police station the office of SP #Uttar Pradesh will progress only when SP & Congress are removed; I urge people in UP to elect a BJP Govt devoted to development #50% teachers have not been appointed in Uttar Pradesh, how will the children of the poor get education? #Our Govt is for the poor, the underprivileged, the marginalised, the farmers For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The O Panneerselvam faction of the AIADMK on Thursday moved the Election Commission challenging the election of V K Sasikala as general secretary of the party, saying she was elevated in violation of the norms. A 12-member delegation of the faction led by Rajya Sabha MP V Maitreyan met Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi and other top officials, and submitted a memorandum demanding that it decline approval to her elevation to the top party post. In its 42-page petition, the delegation claimed Sasikalas election was violative of the party constitution as she was chosen by the general council of the party and not the primary members. It said the general council was empowered to frame policies and programmes, and not elect someone as general secretary. The representation also quoted clause 30 (V) of the party constitution to say that a person was required to be a primary member of the party for five years for being eligible for the post. ALSO READ | AIADMK crisis over: Edappadi Palanisamy sworn-in as 21st CM of Tamil Nadu; 30 ministers also take oath The Panneersalvam camp said she was expelled from the party on December 19, 2011 and taken back in March the next year, resulting in a break in her primary membership.Panneerselvam, the outgoing Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, expelled from AIADMK by Sasikala, has claimed she lacked necessary powers to sack him. He also said in Chennai today that his fight against Sasikala and her family will continue till the time J Jayalalithaas regime is restored. ALSO READ | Will take forward fight against Sasikala, vows Panneerselvam Let us all together stop the party and government from going into the hands of a single family again. Let us form a peoples government again in sync with the aspirations of people and till then this struggle will continue, he said. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Chandigarh: Reacting to the arrest of Nabha jailbreak mastermind from the alleged house of an AAP worker, Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh on Wednesday sought a probe into what he called Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwals nexus with militants and gangsters in the state. The Congress chief ministerial candidate flagged concern over the arrest of Gurpreet Singh Sekhon from the house of an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) activist, just two weeks after Kejriwal had courted controversy by staying at a KLF militants home in Punjab. There is apparently a strong nexus between AAP and the militants as well as dreaded gangsters, posing a major threat to Punjabs security and safety, alleged Amarinder, demanding an independent investigation, preferably by a central agency, into the partys dangerous links. With the Maur bomb blast also being traced to KLF and occurring just a few days after Kejriwals stay at KLF terrorist Gurwinder Singhs house during his Punjab visit ahead of the assembly polls, the situation warranted a detailed inquiry into what appeared to be nefarious links between AAP and anti-social elements, he said. Amarinder said while Kejriwal-led AAP had increasingly been exposing its extremist ideology in the run-up to the polls, things had now come to a head in the wake of the latest reports of Sekhons arrest from the home of party activist Goldy Gill, an NRI who had been actively engaged in campaigning for his party. It was no longer possible, he said, to brush away controversial Kejriwals stay as a mere coincidence, as the AAP leadership had been trying to project. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi/Chennai: Governor C Vidyasagar Rao on Thursday invited AIADMK legislator party leader and Sasikala's proxy Edapaddi K Palanisamy to form the government in Tamil Nadu, putting an end to long-drawn battle to throne vacated after former CM Jayalithaa's demise. However, outgoing CM Panneerselvam has said that he will continue the 'fight' untill the Amma's rule is not established. Meanwhile, opposition party DMK has raised doubts on the fact that CM-designate Palanisamy has been given 15 days for floor test by the Governor. All eyes were on the Governor over the swearing-in of the new Tamil Nadu Chief Minister after Edapaddi K Palanisamy and rival O Panneerselvam met him with claims of majority support of AIADMK MLAs. The power struggle for the chief ministers chair, left vacant by Jayalalithaas demise, shifted from OPS vs Chinnamma to OPS vs Palanisamy, when Sasikala was sentenced to four years of imprisonment in 20-year-old disproportionate assets case on February 14. But before going away Sasikala appointed Palanisamy her proxy. Here are the live updates: #3:41PM O Panneerselvam camp meets Election Commission officials: Reports #3:38PM Most of the ministers under O Panneerselvam to be retained #3:35PM AIADMK leaders reach Raj Bhavan for Tamil Nadu cabinet and CM-designate E Palanisamy's oath ceremony Chennai: AIADMK leaders reach Raj Bhavan for Tamil Nadu cabinet and CM-designate E. Palanisamy's oath ceremony. pic.twitter.com/PXY5mBAUqK ANI (@ANI_news) February 16, 2017 #3:32PM 31-member Tamil Nadu cabinet to be sworn-in at 4.30 PM: Raj Bhavan #3:24PM 30 MLAs to take oath with E Palanisamy 31 ministers including Tamil Nadu CM E. Palanisamy to take oath today. pic.twitter.com/Jlt5tQcOuf ANI (@ANI_news) February 16, 2017 #3:00PM Now, we'll go back to our party supporters & discuss as to who'll lead the party next: S Semmalai, AIADMK (OPS supporter) Many MLAs will support only Amma's rule and not rule of a family: K Pandiarajan, AIADMK (OPS supporter) #2:55PM Dr V Maitreyan along with 18 senior leaders of OPS camp will meet Election Commission shortly 7 members including Dr v Maiteeyan have reached at EC HQ #AIADMK MLAs leave from Golden Bay Resort in Kovathur. pic.twitter.com/9OzqBOYCCi ANI (@ANI_news) February 16, 2017 #2:34PM Why 15 days have been given to CM to prove his majority? Governor himself is not confident: TKS Elangovan, DMK MP #2:30PM We'll continue with our 'dharm yudh' until Amma's rule is established: O Panneerselvam #2:25PM The list of Council of Ministers in the Cabinet headed by Edappadi K Palanisami will be submitted to Governor shortly #1:30PM We will not let the party (AIADMK) go into the hands of few of VK Sasikala's family members: #OPanneerselvam #1:05PM - Not divided there are no factions only O Panneerselvam is apart and his question shouldn't arise because he isn't party member: M Thambidurai - Except that O Panneerselvam all 134 MLAs are with us. I've learnt swearing-in will be around 4-4.30pm: M Thambidurai, AIADMK Senior Leader #12:55PM This is people's victory, we will carry forward Amma's legacy in the coming days: AIADMK Senior Leader M Thambidurai #12:50PM Thambidurai (Lok Sabha Dy Speaker) and OS Manian holding discussion with MLA #12:50PM Sasikala lawyers Senthil and Bharani are waiting outside Parapana Agragaram Jail to pass on the information of Edappadi being appointed as CM by Governor #12:45PM Tamil Nadu Minister D Jayakumar says swearing in ceremony of Edappadi K. Palanisamy as CM, will be held later this evening #12:40PM OPS camp MP Maithreyan to meet CEC Nazim Zaidi at 2:45 pm against Sasikala's appointment as General Secretary #12:30PM AIADMK MLAs hail decision of Governor; raise pro-Sasikala slogans Tamil Nadu: #VKSasikala's supporters raise slogans against #OPanneerselvam outside Golden Bay Resorts in Kovathur pic.twitter.com/RkQe4Pb0Tg ANI (@ANI_news) February 16, 2017 #12:15PM Governor appoints Edappadi K. Palanisamy as CM of Tamil Nadu, asks him to seek vote of confidence in 15 days: Raj Bhavan statement Tamil Nadu Turmoil Live | Palanisamy to be sworn-in as new TN chief minister as Guv invites him to form Govthttps://t.co/ZKMu17vIfA pic.twitter.com/EYVItv2t3x News Nation (@NewsNationTV) February 16, 2017 #12:20PM Palanisamy to be sworn-in as new TN chief minister as Guv invites him to form Govt #11:36AM OPS holding emergency meeting with Senior leaders of OPS camp #11:35AM - Thangamani, Velumani, Thalavai Sundaram, TTV Dinakaran, Dindugal Srinivasan, Sengottian are the accompanying leaders - TN Minister Jayakumar, KA Sengottaiyan, KP Anbazhagan also part of Palanisamy delegation at Raj Bhavan #11:30AM Edappadi Palanisamy reached Governor Raj Bhavan along with 11 leaders #11:15AM Governor's Office says, E Palanisamy will meet Governor C Vidyasagar Rao at 11.30AM #11:00AM Five member team including E Palanisamy and KA Sengottaiyan leaves from Golden Bay resort to meet Governor C.Vidyasagar Rao at Raj Bhawan #10:46AM Governor invites AIADMK's legislature party leader Edapadi K Palanisamy: AIADMK #10:40AM E Palanisamy to meet Governor C.Vidyasagar Rao at 12.30 pm #9:45AM As of now, neither O Panneerselvam nor E Palanisamy has been called to form government: Governor House Sources Palanisamys claim to CM throne: AIADMK legislature party leader Palanisamy, who had on Tuesday called on the Governor to stake claim for forming the government, met him again on Wednesday evening, with his camp claiming support of 124 of the partys 134 MLAs. Tamil Nadu has a 234-member legislative assembly. Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar, who was among those who accompanied Palanisamy, claimed the group has the support of 124 MLAs. We have given the Governor a list of legislators supporting our legislature party leader Palanisamy. Governor told us that our representation will be considered and we are confident that democracy will be protected, Jayakumar told reporters after the meeting. We have told Governor Rao that Palanisamy enjoys the support of a majority of MLAs and hence he should be invited to form the government, he said. Read | How Sasikala loyalist Palanisamy rose to prominence in AIADMK Panneerselvams claim to CM throne: Panneerselvam gave a representation to the Governor claiming majority support and seeking an opportunity to demonstrate it. The Panneerselvam camp has alleged AIADMK MLAs were held at a resort on Chennais outskirts against their wish. Currently, 10 AIADMK leaders have pledged direct support to him, not counting Jayalalithaas niece Deepa Jayakumar, who not only joined politics but also have full support to Panneerselvam. Read | Embattled warrior O Panneerselvam more than Sasikala has better claim over Jayalalithaa's political legacy What were Governor's choices? Governor Rao, who was on Monday advised by Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi to convene a special session of the Legislative Assembly within a week for holding a composite floor test, is yet to take a call on whom to invite to form the government first or to go for a trial of strength in the assembly. The Governor had earlier kept his decision pending as the verdict in the disproportionate assets case against AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala, a claimant for chief ministership, was due to be announced by the Supreme Court, which delivered it yesterday, restoring her conviction and sentence, which shattered her hopes of occupying the top seat. While O Panneerselvam has managed to win over 10 odd MPs and some MLAs, Sasikala has been able to rally the support of an overwhelming majority of AIADMK MLAs. Though Panneerselvam does not have the explicit support of a very large number of MLAs, he has been insisting he would prove majority on the floor of the House if asked to do so.It remains to be seen whether the Governor goes by the AGs advice for a floor test by the two competing claimants for chief ministership or invites Palanisamy to form the government. Read Expert view | With Sasikala's endgame, all eyes now on Governor Vidyasagar Rao Sasikalas last ditch effort to retain power in AIADMK Before she began serving the remnant three years, 10 months and 27 days sentence in a Karnataka prison this evening, in a surprise move, Sasikala re-inducted her close relatives T T V Dinkaran and S Venkatesh into the party, five years after their expulsion by AIADMK supremo and the then chief minister J Jayalalithaa. Sasikala appointed Dinakaran, her nephew and former Rajya Sabha member, the deputy general secretary of AIADMK, a move seen by many as an attempt to hand over the partys control to him till her return from jail. There were rumblings in the party over Dinakarans appointment, with senior AIADMK leader V Karuppasamy Pandian resigning as the partys organisation secretary. An angry Pandian went to the extent of questioning Sasikalas authority of reinducting people expelled by Jayalalithaa, and asking if AIADMK was her family property. While re-admitting Dinakaran and Venkatesh into the party, Sasikala said the two had tendered an apology for their actions. (With Inputs from PTI) For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Dehradun: Uttarakhand chief minister Harish Rawat said on Thursday Congress will perform even better than expected in the assembly polls and form the next government in the state. Congratulating voters at a press conference in Dehradun, Rawat said a stable government with a clear mandate should be installed in the state. PCC president Kishore Upadhyay who was also present and claimed Congress will make a strong comeback by winning 46 seats. Patting Rawat's back, Upadhyay said he had played the role of Mahabharata's Arjuna in the polls. Accusing BJP of using the power of money in the polls, Rawat said he condemns it. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Russian model Viki Odintcova took the social media with a storm lately as she went for a near-death photoshoot in Dubai. The 23-year old model went atop a 1,000 ft skyscraper Cayan Tower in Dubai to get a perfect picture. This was not all. The Instagram queen did this death-defying photo shoot, without any safety measures. Instead, it was just one male assistant who helped him in this bizarre photoshoot. Yes! Viki hung from one of the worldas tallest skyscrapers holding the hand of her assistant. The lady uploaded the video of her hair-raising adventure on her Instagram account. In the video, Viki is seen standing on the edge of the 1,000 ft high building as she tilts backwards holding the hand her oh her assistant. If this didn't send a chill down your spine, her next stunt would definitely do. The diva later hung herself literally off the skyscrapper and that too just holding hand of her bearded assistant.A Full video (link in bio)! @a_mavrin #MAVRINmodels #MAVRIN #VikiOdintcova #Dubai A post shared by Viki Odintcova (@viki_odintcova) on Feb 3, 2017 at 7:12am PST A Scary isn't it? While her spine-chilling video has got the social media users go berserk, Odintcova has admitted that she too was nervous before doing this photoshoot. "I still cannot believe that I did it. Every time I watch this video, my palms get sweaty," Viki told a British daily. Interestingly, Viki Odintcova isn't the first one to have such death-defying photoshoots. In fact, there has been a trend lately wherein several people have gone to take some bizarre selfies atop highest buildings. While many find it adventurous, some even lost their lives in this attempt. For all the Latest Viral News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Kathryn Scott | The Denver Post | Getty Images. Researchers used brain scans and an algorithm to improve early diagnosis of autism among several high-risk children. A team of researchers has shown that measuring the growth of brains in babies can predict the onset of autism later in childhood. Predicting the disorder early could allow doctors to begin treating the condition earlier. About 1 out of every 68 children in the United States has some form autism, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is a developmental disorder that varies in severity from person to person. As the name autism spectrum disorder suggests, autism can manifest in many different ways among patients, but in general it can be characterized by certain social difficulties and a tendency toward highly repetitive and ritualistic behaviors. A team from several leading institutions in the U.S. and Canada published a paper Wednesday in the journal Nature, demonstrating an algorithm they created that improved early diagnosis of the condition among several children known to be at high risk. "In the field we are always trying to detect autism at younger ages, so we can start treatment earlier, but we hit a wall around 2 to 3 years of age, because the symptoms don't start showing up until around then," said the study's senior author, Joseph Piven, a professor of psychiatry, psychology and pediatrics at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, in an interview with CNBC. Piven said the research can be likened to similar efforts to detect other brain disorders earlier in life, such as Parkinson's or Alzheimer's, before they begin to impair patients. In the study, the researchers scanned the brains of three different groups of subjects with magnetic resonance imaging machines. They looked at infants with a high family risk of autism who were later diagnosed with the disorder, high-risk infants who did not develop autism and low-risk infants who did not develop the condition. The team scanned the brains of all three groups three times at 6, 12 and 24 months of age. The brains of the autistic children had faster rates of growth on the surface of their brains from 6 months of age to 1 year, and faster overall brain size from 1 to 2 years of age. Story continues For the second part of the experiment, the team created an algorithm that used the scans to correctly predict the onset of autism in 8 out of 10 high-risk infants. The researchers cautioned in their report that more research is needed, but that the results suggest machine learning could help doctors identify the disorder early, and perhaps develop therapies or treatments that could improve the well-being of patients, or, perhaps one day, even stop the progression of the disorder. More From CNBC New Delhi: Canada's parole board on Thursday freed the only person convicted in the 1985 Air India Kanishka bombings that killed 331 people. Inderjit Singh Reyat had been ordered to live at a halfway house following his release from prison one year ago, after serving two decades behind bars. That condition has now been lifted and Reyat may return to a normal life, including "living in a private residence," parole board spokesman Patrick Storey told AFP in an email. The Sikh immigrant from India was convicted of making bombs that were stuffed into luggage and planted on two planes leaving Vancouver, and of lying in court to cover for his co- accused. One bomb tore apart Air India Flight 182 - Kanishka - as it neared the coast of Ireland, killing all 329 people aboard, including entire families. The second exploded at Japan's Narita airport, killing two baggage handlers as they transferred cargo to another Air India plane. The blasts followed a crackdown on Sikhs militants, and those behind it were allegedly seeking revenge for the Golden Temple operation. Reyat was working as a mechanic in westernmost Canada and purchased the dynamite, batteries and detonators used to construct the bombs. Two alleged co-conspirators were acquitted due to a lack of evidence and, according to prosecutors, because of Reyat's perjury. Storey said Reyat's parole officer has assessed those with whom he will live "to ensure they will not have a negative influence on him." Conditions of his release from prison also still apply, including having no contact with the victims' families nor with extremists. Reyat must also shun all political activities and take counseling for violent tendencies, a lack of empathy and exaggerated beliefs. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Washington : A record number of 27 US Congressmen will visit India later this month, reflecting the growing bipartisan support for strengthening the Indo-US strategic ties. The top lawmakers from both the Republican and Democratic parties are visiting India in two separate delegations. Describing this as an important development, Navtej Sarna, Indian Ambassador to the US, said such visit is reflective of the efforts on the part of the US to strengthen and build on the bipartisan support that they have in the US Congress for India-US relations. Congressional records indicate that this is the largest ever travel of US lawmakers to India. The largest delegation of 19 Congressmen, being organised by the prestigious Aspen Institute, would be in India from to 25 with stops in New Delhi and Hyderabad. During the visit, the lawmakers are scheduled to have a wide range of meetings from top government officials, politicians, members of the think-tank bodies and non-governmental organisations. Another bipartisan Congressional delegation (or Codel) of eight lawmakers, being led by Bob Goodlatte, Chairman of powerful House Judiciary Committee, would be in India from to 23, visiting New Delhi and Bangalore. The delegation includes Congressman George Holding, Co-Chair of the India Caucus, Jason Smit and Dave Trott. All four are from the Republican party. The Democratic members to the delegations include Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Congressmen Hank Johnson, David Ciciline and Henry Cuellar. The visit, Sarna said would let these lawmakers first hand see for themselves, the political vibrancy of India, the economic reforms that are happening, and also for them to identify potential areas of engagement. This is increasingly important as the new administration comes into, he said. We are very fortunate that there are two delegations totaling 27 Congressmen are travelling to India this month, which is not a small figure, he said. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: In a shocking incident of brutality against women and girls, Iran Police has detained and arrested a teenager for wearing ripped jeans. 14-year-old girl claimed that the officers forced her and her friends in their car and beat them when they resisted. Iran claims to follow Islamic Sharia law as its legal code of law and various incidents were reported on social media last year too. Several women arrested last year for sharing vulgar photos on Instagram, including one who was made to issue a public apology on state television. According to reports recieved from Independent, the teenage girl was harassed by Iran Police and detained with her friends. Irans traditions and laws recommend that women wear headscarves in public places, along with trousers or full-length skirts and long-sleeved tunics and coats. Relationships between non-Muslim men and Muslim women are also illegal in Iran and punishable by whipping (for the women). Alcohol, adultery, homosexuality and sex outside marriage are considered as serious crime and can carry death penalty. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Washington: Terming the nuclear deal with Iran as the worst agreement ever, US President Donald Trump has assured visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Tehran would never be able to build a nuclear weapon. The security challenges faced by Israel are enormous, including the threat of Irans nuclear ambitions, which Ive talked a lot about. One of the worst deals Ive ever seen is the Iran deal, Trump told reporters at a joint news conference with Netanyahu at the White House on Wednesday. My administration has already imposed new sanctions on Iran, and I will do more to prevent Iran from ever developing - I mean ever - a nuclear weapon, Trump said. Read | Foes to become friends soon: Trump wants to get along with Russia, says White House He said the American security assistance to Israel was currently at an all-time high to ensure that the Jewish state has the ability to defend itself from many threats. Both of our countries will continue and grow. We have a long history of cooperation in the fight against terrorism and the fight against those who do not value human life. America and Israel are two nations that cherish the value of all human life, he said. This is one more reason why I reject unfair and one-sided actions against Israel at the United Nations - just treated Israel, in my opinion, very, very unfairly - or other international forums, as well as boycotts that target Israel, he said. Read | US National Security Advisor Michael Flynn resigns Trump said his administration was committed to working with Israel and common allies in the region towards greater security and stability. That includes working toward a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians. The United States will encourage a peace and, really, a great peace deal. Well be working on it very, very diligently, he said, adding that the parties themselves who must directly negotiate such an agreement. Well be beside them; well be working with them, he added.Netanyahu applauded Trump for his strong stand on Iran and radical Islamic terrorism. Our alliance is based on a deep bond of common values and common interests. And, increasingly, those values and interests are under attack by one malevolent force: radical Islamic terror, he said. Read | 'Islamophobia' is fuelling terrorism in parts of world, says UN chief Antonio Guterres Mr President, youve shown great clarity and courage in confronting this challenge head-on. You call for confronting Irans terrorist regime, preventing Iran from realising this terrible deal into a nuclear arsenal, Netanyahu said. You have said that the United States is committed to preventing Iran from getting nuclear weapons. You call for the defeat of ISIS. Under your leadership, I believe we can reverse the rising tide of radical Islam. And in this great task, as in so many others, Israel stands with you and I stand with you, he said. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Jerusalem: A far-right Israeli minister praised the end of the idea of a Palestinian state, after US President Donald Trump said he could abandon a two-state solution if an alternative was found. "A new era. New ideas. No need for 3rd Palestinian state beyond Jordan & Gaza. Big day for Israelis & reasonable Arabs.Congrats," Education Minister Naftali Bennett said on Twitter in English. Bennett, a staunch defender of settlement growth and a supporter of annexing part of the occupied West Bank, applauded Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's meeting with Trump in Washington. "After 24 years, the Palestinian flag has come down from the mast and the Israeli flag has taken its place," Bennett said in Hebrew, alluding to the 1993 Oslo accords between Israel and the Palestinians which promised to establish an independent Palestinian state. His comments came only minutes after Trump's confirmed he was not wedded to the idea of two states ahead of a meeting with Netanyahu. "I'm looking at two state and one state, and I like the one that both parties like. I'm very happy with the one that both parties like," Trump said at a press conference with Netanyahu at the White House. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Islamabad: Pakistan accused India on Thursday of endangering regional peace through it military buildup. "Indian defence buildup is not in the interest of the region," foreign office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria said. "It is a matter of grave concern and endangering the peace in the region and disturbing the strategic balance." Zakaria's comments came days after Pakistan claimed that India is building a "secret nuclear city" and has accumulated a stockpile of nuclear weapons which threatens to undermine the strategic balance of power in the region. Speaking at the weekly news briefing in Islamabad, Zakaria also alleged that Indian atrocities against Kashmiris are continuing unabated. Zakaria said that Pakistan was committed to the Kashmiris' legitimate movement for self-determination. He also accused India of "violating ceasefire on the Line of Control and Working Boundary resulting into loss of precious civilian lives". He said Pakistan has repeatedly lodged protest with Indian in this regard. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Bangkok: Soldiers and police surrounded a scandal-hit Buddhist temple on Bangkoks outskirts on Thursday in a bid to arrest the sects spiritual leader after Thailands junta chief invoked special powers to put the site under military control. It is the latest twist in a long-running saga between investigators and the powerful Wat Dhammakaya temple, a breakaway Buddhist order whose controversial founder has been charged with embezzlement but never been brought to court. Previous attempts to raid the super-rich temples 1,000 acre compound were thwarted after thousands of devotees showed up to defend the septuagenarian monk. The former abbot is believed to be holed-up inside the temple, which is famous for its space-age architecture, but has not been seen in public for months. The monk, Phra Dhammachayo, is accused of money laundering and accepting embezzled funds worth 1.2 billion baht (USD 33 million) from the owner of a cooperative bank who was jailed. Early on Thursday hundreds of police and soldiers were bussed into the site, locking down roads leading to the vast temple, following a sudden order endorsed by junta leader and prime minister, Prayut Chan-O-Cha. The order invoked special powers, known as Section 44, putting the area under military control. We are sealing off the temple and after that we will search all the buildings, said Colonel Paisit Wongmaung, head of the DSIThailands equivalent of the FBI. If (the abbot) thinks he is innocent he should surrender and enter judicial process. In an emailed statement the temple said 4,000 police and military had been deployed with blockades now prohibiting anyone from entering or leaving. Sect supporters are believed to be inside the temple alongside monks, whose mantras could be heard outside the temple walls while police patiently waited. There have been several failed attempts to persuade the former abbot to leave the temple. Historically, secular authorities have been reluctant to intervene in the affairs of the clergy in the Buddhist-majority country. Critics among the conservative mainstream Buddhist establishment accuse Phra Dhammachayo of promoting a buy your way to nirvana philosophy. The temple is also accused of having links to ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2006 military coup. The administration of his sister Yingluck, who was also prime minister, was also toppled by the military again in 2014.The sect runs a sophisticated PR operation, including its own channel as well as hosting several spectacular gatherings of orange-robed monks each year. In the last 30 years the Dhammakaya temple has grown exponentially, raising tens of millions of dollars. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Bangkok: Thailand wants to work with India for conclusion of negotiations for the comprehensive free trade agreement which aims to promote economic cooperation between the two nations. Thailand Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak said, We really want to work with Indian government to have free trade agreement (FTA) together even though we had some obstacles in the past but I think we can keep that off. The two countries have already abolished duties on 82 items under an Early Harvest Scheme launched in 2004, which include products like fruits, processed food, gems and jewellery, iron and steel, auto parts and electronic goods. It was the initial phase of the proposed comprehensive FTA, which is to be upgraded to a full-fledged arrangement for reduction and elimination of duties on about 90 per cent of goods traded between the countries. The FTA would also cover opening up of trade in services, an area of interest to India. Issues like significant cut in duties on number of products and movement of professionals are yet to be resolved by both sides. Jatusripitak said there is a need to accelerate the process of the FTA talks. India and Thailand are also members of the mega trade deal Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). When asked about the progress of this pact, he said, It is one of the best opportunities that we have and we are ready to join any kind of FTA agreement of the regional (nature). RCEP members are meeting in Japan later this month to fast-track the negotiations. The members would discuss finalising the maximum number of goods on which duties will either be eliminated or reduced drastically. RCEP aims at covering goods, services, investments, economic and technical cooperation and competition. The 16-member bloc RCEP comprises 10 ASEAN members and India, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: US President Donald Trump urged Venezuela to free jailed opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez "immediately". The president posted a picture of himself and VicePresident Mike Pence with Lopez's wife at the White House. "Venezuela should allow Leopoldo Lopez, a political prisoner & husband of @liliantintori (just met w/ @marcorubio) out of prison immediately," Trump tweeted, along with the photo, which also features Florida Senator Marco Rubio. Lopez, the founder of Popular Will, one of the most hardline of the parties opposing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, is serving a 14-year prison term on charges of inciting unrest at anti-government protests that left 43 people dead in 2014. The meeting with Tintori was sure to enrage Maduro, who is already fuming over sanctions slapped on his powerful Vice President Tareck El Aissami, whom US authorities accuse of being involved in drug trafficking. The drug allegations against El Aissami had already raised tensions between Washington and Caracas, which had so far been cautious in its stance towards Trump's new administration. Maduro on Tuesday demanded the United States apologize for the sanctions and vowed to respond "forcefully." Shortly before Trump sent the tweet about Lopez, Maduro had warned the US leader that he would respond with a firm hand to any action by Washington he deemed to be aggressive. "If they attack us, we will not be silent. Venezuela will respond firmly. Those who tangle with us will get an appropriate response," Maduro said on state television. Maduro added that he did not want any "problem with Mr Trump." On Wednesday, Venezuela pulled CNN's Spanish-language television channel off the air, accusing it of spreading "propaganda" about an alleged visa racket at the country's embassy in Iraq. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. (Updates with details, restart plans) LJUBLJANA, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Slovenia's sole nuclear power plant Krsko (NEK) is expected to restart on Friday after shutting down on Thursday due to a problem with a regulatory mainstream water valve, NEK said in a statement. "Diagnostics on the impairment of the valve is under way, the impairment is expected to be corrected today. Based on the information we have at present we expect the plant will be restarted tomorrow," it said, adding there had been no impact on the environment. The plant is stable and all security systems operated well, spokeswoman Ida Novak Jerele told Reuters. The plant, which was built in cooperation with U.S. firm Westinghouse, now part of Japan's Toshiba Corp, started operating in 1982. It is jointly owned by Slovenia and its neighbour Croatia. It provides about 25 percent of Slovenia's power and about 20 percent of Croatia's. Last year the two countries prolonged the plant's lifespan by 20 years to 2043. Regular maintenance of the plant, which takes place every 18 months, was completed in November. (Reporting by Marja Novak; editing by David Goodman and Jason Neely) Spotify is moving its U.S. headquarters to 4 World Trade Center in Manhattan, and adding more than 1,000 new jobs in New York, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced in a press release Wednesday. The privately held music streaming service is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. It currently has offices in Midtown Manhattan and will move into the new 378,000 sq. ft. office space in early 2018. Spotify's relocation will make 4 World Trade Center the first office tower to be fully leased on the historic 16-acre World Trade Center site, Cuomo said. To incentivize Spotify's growth even further, Empire State Development, or ESD, will provide the company up to $11 million in "World Trade Center Rent Reduction Program rent credits," which will be available for 15 years of Spotify's lease, Cuomo added. ESD has also offered similar credits to other tech companies, including Snapchat and Etsy, to retain talent and expand across New York. In the past few years ESD tax incentives have aided in creating 1,824 jobs and retaining 1,513 jobs in New York State, the Governor Cuomo's release said. Spotify was named a CNBC Disruptor in 2016. Further, recent rounds of funding suggest an IPO could be in the stars. In June, Spotify went so far as to hire a head of investor relations. More From CNBC State officials say they may slow down the spigot at the troubled Oroville Dam, even as they face approaching storms. "This next storm won't pose a risk to the emergency spillway or the work we're doing," William Croyle, acting director of the California Department of Water Resources said at a noon press briefing in Oroville, California. He explained that the planned ramp-down of water releases from the primary spillway is a result of both progress in lowering the dam levels and also as a precautionary move because "we don't want to tear our flood-control structure up any more than it has." Construction crews continued to make repairs on the eroded emergency spillway Wednesday afternoon in an around-the-clock operation that Croyle said won't stop unless ground and wind conditions don't allow for it. They were using helicopters, heavy machinery and dumping rocks into the crevice of the damaged emergency spillway. "I can't believe how much work...they've done in the last couple of days to move material into the area below the emergency spillway," said Croyle, whose agency operates the dam. As of noon, he said there were 96 crew onsite working on repairs, but that is down from the 125 number provided in the morning by officials. Despite plugging the gouged hole in the emergency spillway with rocks, Croyle said challenges remain for California's second-largest dam. "We are still working through a very difficult situation at the dam," he said. But he reiterated that the "dam structure is safe." Late Tuesday, President Donald Trump approved federal emergency aid for California as a result of the potential failure of Oroville Dam's emergency spillway, and separately to help recovery efforts in areas affected by January storms. Oroville Dam is the nation's tallest earthen dam. Also, residents started returning to their homes Tuesday after the mandatory evacuation order was lifted although some emergency shelters still had evacuees as of Wednesday morning. Story continues Businesses also started reopening in the affected areas but there was concern the financial impact of the mandatory evacuation may stick around for some time. "Normality seems to be taking hold," Sandy Linville, president and CEO the Oroville Area Chamber of Commerce said Wednesday morning. "People are really spent from the stresses of the last few days. Not only are you looking at businesses being hurt, but you're looking at the trickle-down effect to the individual person being hurt financially from not working." According to Linville, there still remained a "heightened awareness" of the Oroville Dam situation with the new storm approaching. "There are still about 300 people who choose not to come back and still are at the evacuation center in Chico." Indeed, after lifting the mandatory evacuation order Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea said Tuesday that "an evacuation warning" would remain in effect given the possibility of future changes in the situation. Speaking to reporters Wednesday, the sheriff said preparation still is important for residents in the downstream communities. "This is an opportunity for them to get things togetherif the risk level increases and there's a need for us to issue an evacuation order," he said. The approval of the emergency declaration late Tuesday will provide money for the area and authorizes the use of federal equipment and resources to alleviate the impact of the dam incident. That allows the state to potentially get up to 75 percent federal reimbursement for "required emergency protective measures," which a Federal Emergency Management Agency spokesperson said includes things such as cots, water, blankets and food for sheltering evacuees but not the cost of repairing the dam's troubled emergency spillway. The FEMA spokesperson said the California governor would need to put in another request to the president to cover cost-sharing on spillway repairs. Separately, the major disaster declaration was made for the deadly January storms that caused flooding and mudslides. It also will allow FEMA to provide funds to help with debris removal as well as repair work to bridges, roads and other public facilities. "I want to thank FEMA for moving quickly to approve our requests," Gov. Jerry Brown said in a statement. "This federal aid will get money and resources where it's needed most." A series of new storms is expected to approach Northern California and the Oroville area as early as Wednesday night. The mountains above Oroville are forecast to get 2 to 4 inches of precipitation by the end of Thursday, and snow levels will be lower than last week's storm so that will mean more snow and less rain and runoff into the lake, according to the National Weather Service. Lake Oroville Dam, located in the western foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains, gets major inflows from the Sierras and will be tested again in the spring when the snowpack begins to melt. The state's snowpack in the central Sierras region where Oroville is located sits at 183 percent of normal. Cal Fire Capt. Dan Olson, a spokesman for the Oroville incident, said Wednesday that things were starting to "return to normal" for residents in the city of Oroville, one of the communities evacuated Sunday when the hole in the emergency spillway posed an immediate risk of a large, uncontrolled flow of water down the Feather River. Overall, nearly 200,000 people were evacuated downstream in three different counties. The evacuation Sunday occurred after state and local officials grew concerned the hole near the top of the emergency spillway could cause a 30-foot wall of water down to the Feather River and tributaries. The unlined emergency spillway essentially a hillside experienced significant erosion after the reservoir overflowed Saturday , at one point reaching an elevation capacity of 901 feet. That was the first time the emergency spillway was used in the dam's 48-year history. Even so, engineers have been using the damaged primary spillway this week for significant outflows to lower the lake level as new storms approach. Officials that the primary spillway appears to be holding up despite its own erosion problems but reducing the outflows was still seen as a prudent measure. As of Wednesday at 2 p.m. local time, the reservoir level was 876 feet and continuing to decline as a result of outflows from the primary spillway. Engineers want to lower the level to 850 feet as a flood-control buffer. The primary channel was found to be damaged too last week after significant water releases from major winter storms. (UPDATED: This story was updated with details from Wednesday afternoon's press conference and to specify what costs are covered by the federal government's emergency declaration.) More From CNBC Ivanka Boycott A viral video shows a group of women storming into a Nordstrom to cancel their accounts in response to the retailer's decision to stop selling Ivanka Trump's fashion brand, promising to shop at Dillard's instead. On Wednesday, Laurie Ray posted a video on Facebook of herself and seven other women some wearing shirts with photos of President Donald Trump that say "Haters Gonna Hate" walking into a Nordstrom in Chandler, Arizona, with handfuls of cash to cancel their accounts, The Daily Mail reported. "I've been shopping at Nordstrom for 30 years," one woman in the video says, speaking into a telephone. "Because of your decision to drop Ivanka Trump, I will no longer shop at your store, nor will my husband or our nine children or our eight grandchildren." Instead, the women say they are "headed to Dillard's to buy all kinds of stuff." Dillard's continues to sell Ivanka's brand. trump dillards Ray said on Facebook that ditching Nordstrom was a "YUGE" sacrifice because it was her daughter's go-to place to buy shoes, but that she made the decision to support Ivanka. "A big group of us are meeting at Nordstrom's to cancel our accounts, than [sic] to lunch at Cheesecake Factory," Ray said in a Facebook post on Tuesday. "Afterwards we are headed to Dillard's to #buyivanka and open up accounts there." ivanka trump The video of the women shopping went viral quickly, with more than 422,000 views as of Thursday afternoon. On Thursday, Ray said in a Facebook post that she and her companions didn't post the video looking for attention or to put Nordstrom out of business. "Our husbands love us and support us," the post says. "Some of us were wearing our 'HATERS GONNA HATE' shirts, so the hate is ironic and unnecessary." ivanka boycott Earlier in February, Nordstrom cut ties with Ivanka Trump's brand, citing disappointing sales. The move came after months of online efforts from the anti-Trump #GrabYourWallet movement, which has encouraged shoppers to boycott any retailer that does business with the Trump family. Story continues Since Nordstrom's decision to cut ties with Ivanka, some supporters of Donald Trump, like Ray, have threatened to boycott the retailer. Watch the full video: Related: For more news videos visit Yahoo View, available now on iOS and Android. NOW WATCH: Ivanka Trump says this is the one thing you should always do before firing someone More From Business Insider The logo of Swiss bank UBS is seen at a branch office in Zurich, Switzerland January 27, 2017. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann By Joshua Franklin ZURICH (Reuters) - Wealthy clients in 2016 pulled out almost $30 billion (24 billion) of untaxed assets from three of the world's biggest private banks, UBS (UBSG.S), Credit Suisse (CSGN.S) and Julius Baer (BAER.S), taking advantage of government programmes letting them pay tax on undeclared money. Graphic - Withdrawals in 2016 at Switzerland's three-biggest banks: http://fingfx.thomsonreuters.com/gfx/rngs/SWISS-BANKS-TAX/010031XJ4CV/SWISS-BANKS-TAX-01.jpg With tax amnesty programmes in countries like Argentina, Brazil and Indonesia, these so-called regularisation outflows come from clients taking money out of their accounts to pay taxes and penalties. Those who decline to participate in amnesty programmes often have to move their accounts. Swiss banks are still recovering from European and U.S. clients withdrawing tens of billions of dollars following a post-financial crisis clampdown on tax dodging The tax clampdown has eroded Switzerland's bank secrecy rules, which for decades pulled in money from the world's super-rich. UBS and Credit Suisse flagged further withdrawals in 2017 due to these amnesty programmes as well as the introduction of the OECD's Automatic Exchange Of Information, a financial data sharing initiative. "We expect Wealth Management's net new money growth rate to remain around the lower end of our 3 percent to 5 percent target range for 2017," UBS Chief Financial Officer Kirt Gardner said last month. Credit Suisse CFO David Mathers said on Tuesday the bank expected gross outflows of around 9 billion Swiss francs (7 billion) in 2017, though part of this will also come from a pruning of relationships with external asset managers at its Swiss business. These outflows at Julius Baer should tail off in 2018, the bank's Chief Executive Boris Collardi said earlier this month. (Editing by Jane Merriman) VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Feb 15, 2017) - Teck Resources Limited (TSX: TECK.A and TECK.B, NYSE: TECK) ("Teck") announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its 70% interest in Haib Minerals (PTY) Ltd. ("Haib") to Deep-South Resources Inc. (DSM.V) ("Deep-South"), who holds the remaining 30% interest in Haib. Haib holds a 100% interest in the Haib copper project located in Namibia. As part of the consideration under the sales agreement, Teck will receive 13,600,000 common shares of Deep-South at closing. The shares issued on closing, together with the 4,166,666 common shares currently held by Teck, will result in Teck holding approximately 35% of Deep-South's outstanding shares on an undiluted basis. In the event that Teck's 17,766,666 common shares represents less than 35% of the issued and outstanding common shares immediately following closing, Deep-South will issue additional shares to Teck in order to maintain Teck's immediate post-closing ownership at 35%. In addition, Teck holds a $373,195 convertible debenture, that if Teck were to convert the entire principal amount, Teck would hold approximately 38% of Deep-South's outstanding common shares immediately following closing of the transaction, calculated on a partially diluted basis assuming the conversion of the debenture only. The purpose of the acquisition of common shares was to facilitate the sale of our interest in Haib. Teck may determine to increase or decrease its holdings in Deep-South depending on market conditions and any other relevant factors. This release is required to be issued under the early warning requirements of applicable securities laws. A copy of the early warning report may be obtained from the contacts listed below. About Teck Teck is a diversified resource company committed to responsible mining and mineral development with major business units focused on copper, steelmaking coal, zinc and energy. Headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, its shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbols TECK.A and TECK.B and the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol TECK. Learn more about Teck at www.teck.com or follow @TeckResources. Indoctrination camps: U.S. university now officially offering anti-Trump resistance training to students Since the political Left rose to power and fame on American college campuses in the 1960s, it has been using our institutions of higher learning to sort of rage against the machine ever since. While many an American and foreign-born youth have of course obtained top-flight educations at many schools, in the modern age much of what passes for curriculum is little more than Alt-Left Marxist indoctrination. Socialism good, free-market capitalism bad. Freedom of speech but only for certain points of view. The U.S. Constitution? An outdated, outmoded living, breathing document that must adapt to the times. And so forth. And, as reported by Lifezette, in the age of President Donald Trump, conformity with the rule of law is bad, while revolution is good. (RELATED: Read how George Soros plans to take down Trump at Soros.news) Though conservative criticism of President Obama was dismissed by the academic Alt-Left and those voicing it were told to sit down and shut up because they were only disagreeing because of racism and bigotry, liberal criticism of Trump is not only welcomed but is being nurtured and even transformed into outright militancy. Take Duke University, for example: There, in the heart of Durham, North Carolina, is the anti-Trump bandwagon, where a workshop is teaching students how to rail against the Trump White House, Lifezette reported. Parents of students who attend should certainly know their tuition money is going toward this endeavor, which is sponsored by the universitys program in gender, sexuality, and feminist studies, the site noted further. The workshop, titled Ideas for Activism in the Time of Trump, throws more shade on a billionaire Republican president for things he hasnt done nor has ever advocated for, its almost comical. Almost. According to Lifezette, the topics include Understanding the importance of the changing of hearts and minds and the changing of public policy in social justice movements, and How our North Carolina Moral Monday Movement can be a model of a diverse coalition that brings together social justice people to take a stand against the Trump Administration. Social justice is, of course, code language for the adoption of policies that actually elevate certain ethnicities and sexual identities above everyone else, out of some warped sense of entitlement. The Constitutions equality clauses notwithstanding, those who chant social justice from the rooftops are not railing against inequality per se, because legally and practically it no longer exists in America. But the academic Alt-Left has to pretend that it still does in order to remain empowered, so it creates boogeymen like Trump to prove the need for the movement. Its absurdity on steroids, but such techniques are tried and true and are effective at drawing in and brainwashing converts. (RELATED: Follow more news on the intolerant Left at Intolerance.news) Former graduates of Duke dont see progress (i.e. progressive liberalism), they see the destruction of founding principles. Founded by Methodists and Quakers, this university was supposed to offer the best education possible for young minds, a Charlotte, North Carolina, resident and 1973 graduate of Duke told LifeZette. I often wonder what they [the founders] would think about the knee-jerk activism and total hysteria going on today. Hysteria is right. The Lefts narratives about Trump and his closest advisors theyre racists, homophobes, bigots, and fascists are completely made up from bastardized versions of what the president has actually said while on the campaign trail. His comments about some Mexicans in our country illegally being rapists and killers, for example, was spot-on, but got Trump labeled a racist. Its insanity. (RELATED: Read how tolerant liberals plan to physically battle conservatives at Stupid.news) But this stuff is being taught as gospel on American college campuses by Alt-Left Marxist activist academics who hate Trumps politics and long for the good ol days of the 60s so they can remain relevant. Pathetic. Whats worse, the young people whose minds are being polluted are going to be part of the generation that leads the nation someday. Let that sink in. J.D. Heyes is a senior writer for NaturalNews.com and NewsTarget.com, as well as editor of The National Sentinel. Sources: Lifezette.com Bugout.news Freedom.news Submit a correction >> Lawmaker introduces bill to prohibit forced microchipping Its not beyond the realm of possibility, given todays technology and love for the nanny state among tens of millions of Americans, that someday we might all be required to be chipped that is, implanted with a tiny microchip under our skin so that we can be constantly tracked by government at all levels. And because of the potentiality, one lawmaker from Nevada is introducing preemptive legislation to prohibit the practice, at least in her state. As reported by the Las Vegas Review-Journal, state Sen. Becky Harris believes the day may not be far off when everyone would be forced to accept a microchip. And whether the reasons for the requirement would be law enforcement purposes, public safety or just a matter of convenience, she believes it comes dangerously close to infringing on our personal privacy. As I began to look into the issue, I was surprised with the merit that I believe the issue warrants, she told members of the Senate Judiciary Committee in recent days. Her legislation, Senate Bill 109, would make it a Class C felony to force someone to accept a microchip that serves as an RFID radio frequency identifier, technology that has been around for some time now. (RELATED: Is your TV spying on you? Find out at Cyberwar.news) Harris further noted that sales of subcutaneous RFID microchips around the globe are increasing every year. She said that an Australian firm sold some 10,000 of them last year in kits where consumers are shown how to self-implant them. Each kit costs about $100 and includes a tag and an injection tool, she told her colleagues, adding that, according to a story she had read in The Wall Street Journal, anywhere from 30,000 to 50,000 chips had been sold around the world. In fact, she noted further, there are some European companies that require their employees to be chipped, for security. Employees of some firms in Belgium and Sweden use chips to identify employees and grant them access to facilities. Its done under the idea to unlock doors or use copy machines or maybe pay for lunch, you could use your hand, she told her colleagues on the Judiciary Committee. Harris legislation was fashioned after other bills that have passed in at least 10 other states. She said it would not prevent voluntary chipping, just would not allow companies or institutions of government to require chipping. For at least 10 years, microchipping technology has been available to owners of pets, who have them chipped so that in case they run away or are stolen, they can be located. Also, some believe that people with certain medical conditions, like Alzheimers disease, might benefit from being chipped because they sometimes wander off and forget where they are. Dr. Katherine Albrecht, an anti-RFID advocate, privacy researcher, and co-author of the book, Spychips: How Major Corporations and Government Plan to Track Your Every Purchase and Watch Your Every Move, notes that electronic tracking is practically everywhere now, and that includes on primary school campuses. Schools, of all places, should be teaching children how to participate in a free democratic society, not conditioning them to be tracked like cattle, Albrecht, who is also director of Consumers Against Supermarket Privacy Invasion and Numbering, said in a statement, as reported by Fox News. Districts planning to use RFID should brace themselves for a parent backlash, protests and lawsuits. (RELATED: See how independent journalists may someday be forcibly microchipped at NaturalNews.com) She was joined by the Electronic Privacy Information Center, which also opposes tracking of students. In a paper published with Albrechts organization and others concerned about protecting privacy in the Digital Age, EPIC and the other groups urged that schools adopt robust privacy safeguards if they move forward with RFID tracking of students. Schools using tracking technology are not proposing that students be chipped. They are, however, required to carry electronic RFID-emitting cards so their locations can be tracked. Two things come to mind in all of this: 1) That subcutaneous tracking technology is actually making inroads in various societies voluntarily; and 2) That it has become so normalized in many ways that state and local governments actually have to write and pass legislation preventing the mandatory chipping of citizens in America, no less. This just goes to prove that some people are either born, or haplessly conditioned, to live as sheep. J.D. Heyes is a senior writer for NaturalNews.com and NewsTarget.com, as well as editor of The National Sentinel. Sources: ReviewJournal.com BigGovernment.news NaturalNews.com Science.NaturalNews.com Submit a correction >> Amazon admits illegally selling vast array of products to terrorist nations Amazon.com has fessed up to a potential violation of federal law. In its annual 10-K financial disclosure form for the fiscal year ending December 31 submitted to the U.S. Security and Exchange Commission, the Jeff Bezos-owned, massive e-commerce retailer revealed that certain transactions may have violated U.S. sanctions on Iran. Bezos also owns the Washington Post, otherwise known as the leader in fake news and full-on anti-President Trump propaganda outlet. Journalism at the WashPosthas devolved to the point where new fake stories are published to try to bolster the fabrications of old fake stories, Health Ranger Mike Adams, the founder of Natural News, wrote in December 2016. (RELATED: Read more about media fakery at Journalism.news.) The law in question is the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act, and Amazon apparently sold various consumers products to Iranian-controlled entities located outside of Iran during the January 2012-December 2016 time frame. Those entities were apparently subject to the provisions of the ITRA or other regulations governing export controls. In its filing, Amazon valued the cost of the goods sold at about $4,000. By the way, do you think those Iranian-affiliated individuals or groups were members of Amazon Prime? In 2012, President Barack Obama signed the ITRA to strengthen trade restrictions on Iran and try to persuade the country to stop its nuclear activities, Bloomberg Technology explained. Amazon, which indicated that it voluntarily reported the potential violations to the U.S. Treasury and Commerce Departments and is no longer doing business with those accounts. Amazon says it is conducting an internal review of the situation, intends to cooperate with government agencies, and acknowledges that possibility of the imposition of penalties after the feds complete their regulatory oversight. The U.S. State Department still considers Iran a state sponsor of terrorism, even though Obama gave away the kitchen sink, if not the entire store, in the flawed nuclear deal, which President Trump has described a total disaster. Why come clean now, and disclose violations that took place as far back as 2012?, the ZeroHedge website wondered about the Amazon revelations. Perhaps because Amazon, along with many other tech companies, was a key catalyst behind the recent successful lawsuit against the Trump administrations immigration executive order. While it is unknown if AG Sessions (or Trump himself) will retaliate against said companies, Jeff Bezos, who has a long history with Trump, decided not to take the chance. During the presidential campaign, Trump told FNCs Sean Hannity that Bezos was using the Washington Post to attack him because of Amazons huge antitrust problem. (RELATED: Read more about the Trump administration at Trump.news.) Earlier this month, Mike Adams separately warned about Amazon spying on customers buying behavior, paving the way for a psychological profile of each buyer for marketing purposes. Information could also be wrongly funneled to law enforcement in a further compromise of personal privacy. Devices such as Amazon Echo or the Kindle can function as multi-tasked surveillance interfaces in this context. It is the combination of all these data sets that is astoundingly dangerous because it profiles your mind without your consent, Adams noted. Mike discusses how Amazon became your Orwellian Big Brother in the video below. According to The Conservative Treehouse, the Washington Post is also the preferred conduit for CIA leaks from Obama holdovers. This kind of bureaucratic trickery may have led to the resignation of General Michael Flynn, President Trumps former National Security advisor, because of the controversy surrounding a telephone conversation with the Russian ambassador. Like Trump, Gen. Flynn is and was a critic of the Iran deal. This seems to suggest that Trumps foes in the intelligence community might hate Trump more than they oppose Americas enemies. Sources: SEC.gov Bloomberg.com ZeroHedge.com TheConservativeTreehouse.com Submit a correction >> State officials are making a push this week on open space preservation, including making changes to the states Green Plan and speaking out in support of a bill that would give municipalities the right to tax real estate sales to fund the purchase of more dedicated open space. Dozens of elected leaders, residents and representatives from conservation groups testified on Wednesday in support of H.B. 6926. It would allow a municipality to add a buyers fee of up to 1 percent on real estate sales that would be used to acquire or maintain open space. It is being considered by the legislatures Committee on Planning and Development. The bill wouldnt require a municipality to add the fee. It would allow cities and towns to pass an ordinance that would allow them to collect this revenue. It also exempts purchases of $150,000 or less, according to testimony from Lori Brown, executive director of the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters. Amy Blaymore Paterson, executive director of the Connecticut Land Conservation Council, said a lack of funding is one of the biggest challenges for land conservation, but this bill could help and have no impact on the state budget. In light of the current budget crisis impacting both state and local economies there perhaps has never been a better time to allow towns and cities the option to pursue alternative funding mechanisms to help them achieve their land conservation and community planning goals, she wrote in her testimony. But Realtors say the bill isnt the best way to accomplish this funding goal. Were for open space, we just think there are other ways to finance it, said Michael Barbaro, president of the Connecticut Association of Realtors. He said legislators suggest it because one percent doesnt seem like a lot to those who arent involved in negotiations, but Barbaro said Realtors see firsthand how adding a one percent fee can make a house unaffordable. Very often, were seeing people buy houses that are so close to their finances, he said. The bill was introduced by state representatives Linda Orange, Kevin Ryan and Joseph Gresko, all of whom are Democrats. I am pleased to join my colleagues in pursuing legislation that would further preserve, protect and allow for the acquisition of open space, Gresko, of Stratford, said in a press release. This legislation would aid local municipalities that wish to fund open space preservation but are faced with economic challenges. The Comprehensive Space Acquisition Strategy, also known as the Green Plan, is designed to help the state meet its goal of conserving 21 percent of land, or 673,210 acres, as open space by 2023. Of that, 10 percent would be conserved by the state and 11 percent by municipalities, conservation organizations and water companies. As of Dec. 31, 2015, about 501,330 acres were classified as open space, which is 74.5 percent of the total state open space goal, according to the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. New elements of the Green Plan include a five-year action strategy that outlines acquisition priorities and targeted acres to protect land that can provide buffers to climate change, protect critical wildlife habitats and offer recreational trails. DEEP Commissioner Robert Klee said the plan provides a framework to protect the states natural resources for future generations. The goal of our Green Plan is to increase the amount of protected land and also to make certain we protect lands of the highest conservation value in the state, Klee said in a statement. Connecticuts great diversity in landscapes is fundamental to our high-quality of life. The plan was developed by DEEP, municipalities and conservation groups. It is revised every five years. The plan also notes that while the state has made progress in preserving open space, lands with high recreation or conservation value are still lost to development. We owe so much of what we call Connecticut's quality of life to our diverse open and wild spaces that are preserved forever, Susan Merrow, chair of the Council on Environmental Quality, said in a statement. We all know, however, that it's only a small portion of Connecticut's habitat for people, animals, and plants that will ever be preserved. It's important that the state chooses wisely. kkoerting@newstimes.com; 203-731-3345 This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 5 1 of 5 Carol Kaliff / Hearst Connecticut Media Show More Show Less 2 of 5 Carol Kaliff / Hearst Connecticut Media Show More Show Less 3 of 5 4 of 5 / John Westberg / The Modesto Bee via AP Show More Show Less 5 of 5 NEWTOWN - The trade association for the firearms industry will join the NRA and Connecticuts largest gun rights group in Hartford on Friday to condemn the governors plans to quadruple pistol permit fees. The Newtown-based National Shooting Sports Foundation and the 24,000-member Connecticut Citizens Defense League have planned a late-morning press conference with the NRA to argue that Gov. Dannel P. Malloys proposed fee increases for permits and background checks will hurt Connecticuts 250,000 gun owners - particularly those who are middle-class, disabled and living on fixed incomes. DANBURYWhen Noel Hord and his late wife Cora asked friends at their 1988 holiday party to make donations to a scholarship fund, they never imagined it would turn into an annual gala that sponsors $175,000 a year in scholarships for minority students. Four years after that first dinner, which raised $2,700 for the local NAACP scholarship program, the couple decided to create their own college scholarship organization, The Hord Foundation. In its 24th year, with more than $4.5 million awarded to local high schoolers, the foundation aims to reflect the values of education and service Hord learned in his childhood. I come from a family of socially conscious people, Hord said, explaining that his father was a minister, his mother a librarian, and all three of his siblings educators. My parents, by example, taught us that we are our brothers keepers. When we see a need in our community we have both a responsibility and a privilege to try and help and serve. Hord, a father of two with three grandchildren, is a longtime executive in the shoe business and still lives in Danbury with his wife, Tamar Hord. The $150-per-plate annual gala on Feb. 25 is the biggest fundraiser for the $175,000 that will be awarded to about 75 students later this year. A selection process based on academic achievement, community involvement and financial need begins in January and is completed in the spring. Applicants are invited to attend programs put on by the Foundation throughout the process ranging from SAT preparation to learning how for apply to a job. Previous recipients of the scholarship have gone on to become doctors, lawyers and business leaders across the country, Hord said. We are very proud of the great achievement of many of the scholars, he said. It is very important for kids of color and minorities to get a formal education and give them the opportunity to be successful. The gala will be held at the Amber Room Colonnade in Danbury and include cocktails, dinner, a silent auction and music by the Eturnity Band. The foundation will also present awards to three local people in recognition for their involvement in the community. Lloyd Barker will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognizes an individual who has significantly helped the foundation meet its mission. Barker is the secretary for the board of trustees at the Hord Foundation and has worked with the organization for about 10 years. He said one of the most rewarding parts of his job has been participating in the scholarship selection process. This is all about doing the right thing to help people, Barker said. Its gratifying to see that [the students] have the will to give back. It helps me to be even more passionate about why its important to help them achieve. Ginny and Roy Young will receive the Humanitarian Award for their history of service and contributions to the community, including the construction of the Robert S. Young Business Library and Western Connecticut State University. Ginny has served on the board of the Bridgewater Land Trust and the Pratt Nature Center, and Roy on the board for Ability Beyond Disability and Hunt Hill Farm Trust. Like Barker, Roy said his involvement with the Hord Foundation has been a rewarding experience. Ive come to the galas over the years, he said. Its one of those evenings that you just walk away so full of pride that youre a part of this community. What Noel Hord has done is just geniusYou walk out of that room just so inspired to help however you can. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate HARTFORD Legislative leaders on Thursday joined union members and worker advocates in pushing for legislation to extend the $10.10-per-hour minimum wage to $15 by the year 2020. They also support a bill that would create a worker-funded family and medical leave program, so employees could take time away from their jobs to care for sick children or aging parents. But with a 17-17 split between Democrats and Republicans in the Senate and a narrow 78-72 Democratic majority in the House, the fate of the two bills is uncertain. In advance of public hearings on the legislation, Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney, D-New Haven, said during a news conference that opponents of higher pay use the misconception that the minimum wage is earned only by young, first-time teenaged earners who use it for spending money. It is critically important for thousands upon thousands of Connecticut families, Looney told about 100 supporters in the Capitol. Families are living and struggling on minimum wage. The typical minimum-wage earner in Connecticut is a woman in her thirties with children that she is trying to support. He said that gradual increases in the minimum wage have never harmed state business. Looney said the family and medical leave would be good for employers who want to retain their best workers. Working families should not have to face the prospect of economic ruin when presented with serious family needs such as caring for a newborn or a spouse or a parent, he said. Sen. Edwin A. Gomes, D-Bridgeport, co-chairman of the Labor & Public Employees Committee, told reporters that a business tactic of keeping employees on call prevents many workers from taking a second job. Working families need a decent minimum in order to have independence and financial stability for their families, Gomes said. If they dont have it theyre going to end up on the backs of the taxpayers. During the afternoon public hearing, Gomes also spoke in favor of a bill that would force employers to give on-call employees 24 notice. People out there are being misused, Gomes said. An estimated 330,000 state workers would benefit from the wage hike. Sen. Marilyn Moore, D-Bridgeport, said that more than 40 percent of state wages go to pay rent. Its time for the state of Connecticut taxpayer to end the practice of subsidizing child care, food and health care to people who work for companies who earn high profits and pay low wages," Moore said. Rep. David Rutigliano, R-Trumbull, a member of the committee who opposes the higher wage, said during the hearing that he would like to see wages linked to the Earned Income Tax Credit. He said that most of the minimum-wage workers are below the age of 24. Democrats including Gomes contested Rutiglianos claim. What were talking about is poverty-wage jobs versus non-poverty-wage jobs," said Rep James Albis, D-East Haven. I think its just young people starting out in their working lives," Rutigliano, a restaurateur, countered, stressing the need to encourage people to work more hours. I have quite a few employees, to be perfectly blunt, that wont work past the 20-hour limit, even if we ask them." Sen. Craig A. Miner, R-Litchfield, co-chairman of the committee, said that he sees the debate over pay scales and family leave as discouraging the states business climate and growth. Thats the problem, Miner said. To have this play out, I just worry. We are not in a good place here in the state of Connecticut. kdixon@ctpost.com; Twitter: @KenDixonCT LOWELL, MA and RICHMOND, VA--(Marketwired - Feb 16, 2017) - TRC Companies, Inc. (NYSE: TRR), a recognized leader in engineering, environmental consulting, and construction-management services, today announced that Senior Consultant Wendy Bley has been elected to the National Hydropower Association (NHA) Board of Directors. NHA is the hydropower industry's primary advocacy organization with a membership of more than 225 companies, including project owners, operators, developers, manufacturers, vendors and service providers. "Wendy is a hydropower industry veteran, whose dedication to helping her clients save time and money is unparalleled," said Michael Murphy, TRC's National Market Director of Hydropower Licensing. "Her commitment and skill have supported the growth and success of TRC's hydropower practice. We are excited for Wendy to share her knowledge and strategic skills with the hydropower industry as a whole through her involvement as an NHA Board member." As a senior consultant at TRC with more than 25 years of hydropower experience, Bley serves as a project manager and senior advisor on hydropower project licensing and compliance initiatives. She assists clients with the development of FERC applications for new projects, as well as relicensing and license amendments for existing projects. Currently, she is assisting clients with FERC licensing and compliance initiatives at hydropower projects in Maine, Massachusetts, North Carolina and Virginia. "I look forward to participating on the board to advocate for hydropower as a clean, renewable and valuable source of electric power generation," said Bley. "By working closely with my colleagues in the industry, I'm confident we can help ensure that hydropower remains a reliable source of renewable, carbon-free energy well into the future." Bley has been an active member of NHA since 1989, participating in several NHA committees, councils and conferences. She currently serves as Chair for the Small Hydro Council and is also on the Board of the Hydro Research Foundation. Bley holds a B.S. in Biology from George Mason University and an M.S. in Natural Resource Economics from the University of New Hampshire. She resides in Richmond, Virginia. About the National Hydropower Association The National Hydropower Association (NHA) is a nonprofit national association dedicated to promoting the growth of clean, affordable U.S. hydropower. It seeks to secure hydropower's place as a climate-friendly, renewable and reliable energy source that serves national environmental, energy and economic policy objectives. NHA unites the diverse North American hydropower community, providing a powerful advocacy voice among U.S. decision makers, the general public and the international community. Through membership, individuals and organizations gain access to regulatory bodies, influence over energy and environmental policy and a means to exchange valuable information within the industry. About TRC A pioneer in groundbreaking scientific and engineering developments since the 1960s, TRC (www.TRCsolutions.com) is a national engineering, environmental consulting and construction management firm that provides integrated services to the power, environmental, infrastructure and oil and gas markets. TRC serves a broad range of commercial, industrial and government clients, implementing complex projects from initial concept to delivery and operation. TRC delivers results that enable clients to achieve success in a complex and changing world. TRC trades on the NYSE under the symbol TRR. For more information, visit TRC's website at www.TRCsolutions.com, follow us on Twitter and StockTwits at @TRC_Companies or find us on LinkedIn. Donald Trump Benjamin Netanyahu President Donald Trump on Wednesday directly asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to slow the building of settlements in the West Bank and said he was confident the two nations could come to a peace agreement with the Palestinians. Trump and Netanyahu addressed reporters at a press conference before the two met privately at the White House. A reporter asked whether Trump and Netanyahu were on the same page regarding settlements. "As far as settlements, I'd like to see you hold back on settlements for a little bit," Trump said while turning toward Netanyahu. "We'll work something out, but I would like to see a deal be made. I think a deal will be made." In an answer full of twists and turns, Trump wavered on a US commitment to a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, saying it "looked like it will be the easier of the two" but that he could "live with" a one-state solution. But he said he thought he could accomplish something no previous administration had with regard to Israel. "I know that every president would like to most of them have not started until late because they never thought it was possible," Trump said. "And it was impossible because they didn't do it. "But Bibi and I have known each other a long time smart man, great negotiator and I think we're going to make a deal," he continued, using a nickname for Netanyahu. "It might be a bigger and better deal than people in this room even understand." Netanyahu responded by saying, "Smart," to which Trump replied, "Doesn't sound too optimistic, but that's OK." "He's a good negotiator," Trump said. Netanyahu replied, "It's the art of the deal," an apparent reference to Trump's 1987 book. Trump had reportedly issued a surprise warning to Israel earlier this month to stop announcing settlements that "undermine" his administration's efforts to create peace in the Middle East. Story continues A White House official told The Jerusalem Post that the Trump administration was surprised by Israel's announcement of thousands of new settlement housing units in the West Bank. Critics see the building of Israeli settlements on Palestinian land as harmful to a potential two-state solution. "As President Trump has made clear, he is very interested in reaching a deal that would end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and is currently exploring the best means of making progress toward that goal," the official reportedly said. "With that in mind, we urge all parties to refrain from taking unilateral actions that could undermine our ability to make progress, including settlement announcements." The White House said in a later statement that it had "not taken an official position on settlement activity." "While we don't believe the existence of settlements is an impediment to peace, the construction of new settlements or the expansion of existing settlements beyond their current borders may not be helpful in achieving that goal," the White House press secretary, Sean Spicer, said in a statement. "As the president has expressed many times, he hopes to achieve peace throughout the Middle East region." Trump was a staunch advocate of Israel during his campaign for president. In a speech to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee last year, Trump said he was a "true friend" of Israel and there was "no daylight between America and our most reliable ally the state of Israel." NOW WATCH: 'The largest audience to ever witness an inauguration, period': Trump press secretary disputes reports of low turnout at inauguration More From Business Insider Action needed for Canada to capitalize on potential rebound OTTAWA, Feb. 16, 2017 /CNW/ - Cautious optimism is returning to the global mining industry, which could spur mining companies to make new and significant investments. However, a new report from the Mining Association of Canada (MAC) shows evidence of declining Canadian competitiveness and the prospect for major exploration and mining investments to flow offshore. "Very simply, Canada is not as attractive as it used to be for mineral investment, and competition for those dollars is growing globally. The recent elimination of federal mining tax incentives, regulatory delays and uncertainty, combined with major infrastructure deficits in northern Canada are all contributing factors that can explain Canada's declining attractiveness. The time is now to put the right policy pieces in place to better compete for those investments and regain our leadership in mining," stated Pierre Gratton, President and CEO, MAC. MAC's Facts & Figures 2016 report notes several indicators that reveal that Canada is not as competitive as it once was. Foreign direct investment into Canada's mining sector dropped by more than 50 percent year-over-year in 2015. This is disproportionate to Canadian mining direct investment abroad, which only experienced a 6 percent decline. This imbalance indicates that companies are investing in project development, but may be less interested in doing so in Canada. Canada also no longer attracts the single-largest share of total global mineral exploration spending, having conceded first place to Australia in 2015. Further, no new mining projects entered the federal environmental assessment stage in 2016. If these trends continue, there will be fewer discoveries made and fewer projects that become operational mines in Canada. "The policy landscape in Canada is full of uncertainty as we await the outcomes of major government decisions. The federal government is reviewing federal environmental legislation, is implementing a pan-Canadian climate change policy, and is working to address long-standing transportation and infrastructure issues. These are all necessary and positive steps, but they must result in boosting Canada's attractiveness as a place to do business. At risk is a key sector of our economy, and one that leads the world in sustainable mining practices," stated Gratton. MAC's report also revealed the mining industry remained a strong contributor to the Canadian economy despite the downturn in 2015. The industry directly employed more than 370,000 people across Canada and remained the largest private sector employer of Aboriginal people on a proportional basis. An additional 190,000 worked indirectly in mining, with more than 3,700 companies supplying goods and services to the Canadian mining industry. In 2015, the mining industry accounted for $56 billion of Canada's GDP and minerals and metals accounted for 19% of Canadian goods exports. Policies that improve Canada's mining competitiveness: Improve the federal project review process - the process should be effective and timely, from pre-environmental assessment (EA) to post-EA permitting, with meaningful consultation with Aboriginal communities. Invest in critical infrastructure in remote and northern regions - introduce strategic tax measures and ensure the new Canada Infrastructure Bank has a strong economic development focus for northern Canada . Improve access to trade ensure trade policies provide access to new and important markets, including China , and improve Canada's transportation network to more efficiently move mineral and metal products to market. Address climate change while protecting Canadian businesses adopt policies that lead to meaningful greenhouse gas emissions while protecting emissions intensive and trade-exposed industries (EITI), like the mining industry. Failing to protect EITI sectors will result in "carbon leakage"- the shifting of production and the associated economic benefits from countries that are taking action on climate to those that are not. Help expedite industry innovation - The Canada Mining Innovation Council is seeking a $50 million investment for the Towards Zero Waste Mining innovation strategy from the Government of Canada to accelerate the adoption of disruptive technologies that will support the transition to a lower carbon future. To download a copy of Facts & Figures 2016, please visit www.mining.ca/facts-and-figures-2016. About MAC The Mining Association of Canada is the national organization for the Canadian mining industry. Its members account for most of Canada's production of base and precious metals, uranium, diamonds, metallurgical coal, mined oil sands and industrial minerals and are actively engaged in mineral exploration, mining, smelting, refining and semi-fabrication. Please visit www.mining.ca. SOURCE Mining Association of Canada (MAC) For further information: Jessica Draker, (613) 233-9392 x225 or [email protected] Related Links http://www.mining.ca TSXV: NEV VANCOUVER, Feb. 16, 2017 /CNW/ - Nevada Sunrise Gold Corporation ("Nevada Sunrise" or the "Company") (TSXV: NEV) is pleased to announce that it has signed a Letter of Intent (the "LOI") with Lithium Corporation of Elko, Nevada (OTCQB: LTUM) on the Salt Wells lithium brine prospect ("Salt Wells") located in Churchill County, Nevada. Salt Wells consists of 43 placer claims covering an area of approximately 3,440 acres (1,392 hectares) in a desert salt flat located approximately 75 miles (120 kilometres) east-southeast of Reno, Nevada. Under the terms of the LOI, Nevada Sunrise may earn a 100% interest in Salt Wells, subject to a 2.0% Net Smelter Royalty ("NSR"), by making staged payments of cash and common shares of Nevada Sunrise over the next two years, on the following terms: US$10,000 non-refundable deposit upon execution of the LOI; non-refundable deposit upon execution of the LOI; US$15,000 and issuance of 400,000 common shares of Nevada Sunrise on the later of TSX Venture Exchange acceptance of the LOI or the signing of a formal definitive agreement (the "Effective Date"); and issuance of 400,000 common shares of Nevada Sunrise on the later of TSX Venture Exchange acceptance of the LOI or the signing of a formal definitive agreement (the "Effective Date"); US$50,000 and 500,000 shares on the 1st anniversary of the Effective Date; and 500,000 shares on the 1st anniversary of the Effective Date; US$75,000 and 600,000 shares on the 2nd anniversary of the Effective Date. Nevada Sunrise has the right to conduct due diligence on Salt Wells for 15 days from the execution of the LOI, and if satisfied with the results of that due diligence will give notice to Lithium Corporation that it wishes to proceed to a definitive agreement. The Company will pay all claim and other property-related fees during the earn-in phase of the Salt Wells definitive agreement, and will also retain the right to purchase one-half (1%) of the NSR at any time up until the third anniversary of the signing of the definitive agreement for $1,000,000. Lithium Corporation conducted past exploration at Salt Wells that culminated in a multiple phase, shallow direct push drilling program in 2011. The target model at that time was near-surface lithium brines. Nevada Sunrise plans to pursue a deeper sub-basin target, which is interpreted from historical gravity survey work. Recent field work conducted by Nevada Sunrise at Salt Wells consisting of surface sediment and water sampling returned values in soils ranging from 51 to 691 parts per million lithium, and a water sample that contained 34.1 milligrams/litre lithium. The Company intends to carry out a geophysical survey to locate conductive zones that may indicate the presence of brines and perform follow-up drilling, if warranted. For further information about the Company's exploration properties, please access the Nevada Sunrise website at: http://www.nevadasunrise.ca/projects/nevadalithium/ John Kerr, P. Eng., is the Company's designated Qualified Person for this news release within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical information contained herein. About Nevada Sunrise Nevada Sunrise is a junior mineral exploration company with a strong technical team based in Vancouver, BC, Canada, that holds interests in nine mineral exploration projects in the State of Nevada, USA. Nevada Sunrise began acquisitions of Nevada lithium properties in September 2015, which include options to earn a 75% interest in the Neptune project (Resolve Ventures Inc. (TSXV: RSV) owns a 25% interest), a 100% interest in the Clayton Northeast project, and a 100% interest in the Aquarius Project, all located in the Clayton Valley area. The Company also holds options to earn 100% interests in the Jackson Wash and Atlantis projects, and has a 50% participating interest in the Gemini project, each located in playas proximal to the Clayton Valley. The Company has recently optioned five of the Nevada lithium projects to Advantage Lithium Corp. (TSXV: AAL), and the Atlantis project is currently under option to American Lithium Corp. (TSXV: LI). Salt Wells, in which the Company can earn a 100% interest, is the newest lithium property acquisition by Nevada Sunrise. The Company's three key gold assets include a 21% interest in a joint venture with Pilot Gold Inc. (TSX: PLG) at Kinsley Mountain near Wendover, a 100% interest in the Golden Arrow project near Tonopah, and an option to earn a 100% interest in the Roulette gold property in the southeastern Carlin trend near Ely, with each of the properties subject to certain production royalties. FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS All statements in this release, other than statements of historical fact, are "forward-looking information" with respect to Nevada Sunrise Gold Corporation ("Nevada Sunrise") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws, including statements that address proposed exploration and development of our exploration properties including the Salt Wells property, and the estimation of mineral resources. Forward-looking information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "plan", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "project", "predict", "potential", "targeting", "intends", "believe", "potential", and similar expressions, or describes a "goal", or variation of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "should", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievement of Nevada Sunrise to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. Such factors include, among others, risks related to the interpretation and actual results of historical exploration at its lithium properties, reliance on technical information provided by third parties on any of our exploration properties, including access to historical information on its lithium properties, current exploration and development activities; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; current economic conditions; future prices of commodities; possible variations in grade or recovery rates; failure of equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; the failure of contracted parties to perform; labor disputes and other risks of the mining industry; delays in obtaining governmental approvals, financing or in the completion of exploration, as well as those factors discussed in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in the Company's Management Discussion and Analysis for the Year Ended September 30, 2016, which is available under Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. Although Nevada Sunrise has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Nevada Sunrise disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and accordingly are subject to change after such date. Except as otherwise indicated by Nevada Sunrise, these statements do not reflect the potential impact of any non-recurring or other special items or of any dispositions, monetizations, mergers, acquisitions, other business combinations or other transactions that may be announced or that may occur after the date hereof. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purpose of providing information about management's current expectations and plans and allowing investors and others to get a better understanding of our operating environment. Nevada Sunrise does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that are included in this document, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy of accuracy of this release. The Securities of Nevada Sunrise Gold Corporation have not been registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to the account or benefit of any U.S. person. SOURCE Nevada Sunrise Gold Corporation For further information: Warren Stanyer, President and Chief Executive Officer, Telephone: (604) 428-8028, Facsimile: (604) 484-7143, Email: [email protected], Website: www.nevadasunrise.ca Related Links www.nevadasunrise.ca /NOT FOR DISSEMINATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN THE UNITED STATES AND NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO US NEWSWIRE SERVICES./ MELBOURNE, Feb. 14, 2017 /CNW/ - OceanaGold Corporation (TSX/ASX: OGC) (the "Company") advises that the Company received an order from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources ("DENR") today calling for the suspension of the Didipio operations. The order repeated allegations previously made by the DENR, citing " petition of the Local Government of Nueva Vizcaya for the cancellation of the FTAA; alleged damages to houses caused by the blasting operation; and the potential adverse impact to the agricultural areas of the Province". The Company was also given a period of up to three months to address the issues raised against it. Subsequent to receiving the order, OceanaGold filed an appeal directly with the Office of the President which, in accordance with the rules and regulations, stays the execution of the suspension order. The Company anticipates that Didipio will continue to operate during the appeal process. Mick Wilkes, President and CEO of OceanaGold said, "We are an environmentally and socially responsible mining Company that has delivered meaningful benefits to a multitude of stakeholders in the host communities that support the mine in the provinces of Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino. We have the strong endorsement from our host communities to operate and are a major employer of Filipino nationals, majority of whom are from the local communities. A suspension of operations will adversely impact thousands of Filipinos directly and indirectly." "The Didipio operation has not violated or breached any Philippines laws, rules or regulations. In fact, OceanaGold has a successful track record of operating for 27 years in accordance with Australian and Canadian standards on health, safety, environment, community and sustainability across all our operations. We strongly believe that the Didipio operation is the template for what President Duterte is seeking in his desire for a responsible mining sector in the Philippines," Mr. Wilkes added. [email protected] | www.oceanagold.com | Twitter: @OceanaGold About OceanaGold OceanaGold Corporation is a mid-tier, high-margin, multinational gold producer with assets located in the Philippines, New Zealand and the United States. The Company's assets encompass its flagship operation, the Didipio Gold-Copper Mine located on the island of Luzon in the Philippines. On the North Island of New Zealand, the Company operates the high-grade Waihi Gold Mine while on the South Island of New Zealand, the Company operates the largest gold mine in the country at the Macraes Goldfield which is made up of a series of open pit mines and the Frasers underground mine. In the United States, the Company is currently commissioning the Haile Gold Mine, a top-tier asset located in South Carolina along the Carolina Terrane. The Company expects the Haile Gold Mine to commence commercial production in early 2017. OceanaGold also has a significant pipeline of organic growth and exploration opportunities in the Australasia and Americas regions. OceanaGold has operated sustainably over the past 26 years with a proven track record for environmental management and community and social engagement. The Company has a strong social license to operate and works collaboratively with its valued stakeholders to identify and invest in social programs that are designed to build capacity and not dependency. In 2017, the Company expects to produce 550,000 to 610,000 ounces of gold and 15,000 to 17,000 tonnes of copper with sector leading All-In Sustaining Costs that range from $600 to $650 per ounce sold. SOURCE OceanaGold Corporation For further information: Investor Relations: Sam Pazuki, Tel: +1 416 915 3123; Jeffrey Sansom, Tel: +61 3 9656 5300; Media Relations: Jill Thomas, Tel: +61 3 9656 5300 Related Links www.oceanagold.com MARKHAM, ON, Feb. 15, 2017 /CNW/ - Hyundai Auto Canada Corp. will host the world premiere of the All-new 2018 Accent subcompact tomorrow at the Canadian International Auto Show. The all-new vehicle will be revealed during the Hyundai press conference scheduled for 9:35 am (ET) on February 16, in the North building of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. The company will also broadcast the debut live on its Facebook page: www.Facebook.com/HyundaiCanada. About Hyundai Auto Canada Corp. Hyundai Auto Canada, established in 1983 and headquartered in Markham, Ontario, is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout Canada by Hyundai Auto Canada and are sold and serviced through more than 210 dealerships nationwide. Hyundai is also the first to offer its zero-emissions Tucson Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle to Canadian customers. More information about Hyundai and its vehicles can be found at www.HyundaiCanada.com. SOURCE Hyundai Auto Canada Corp. For further information: For more information about Hyundai and its products, please contact: Chad Heard, Senior Manager of Public Relations, Hyundai Auto Canada Corp., Office: (905) 948-6712, Mobile: (416) 559-9640, Email: [email protected]; Jean-Francois Taylor, Public Relations Specialist, Hyundai Auto Canada Corp., Office: (905) 948-6754, Mobile: (416) 770-0842, Email: [email protected] Related Links http://www.hyundaicanada.com MONTREAL, Feb. 16, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - The Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal and its Acclr team of international trade experts kicked off a six-day trade mission to China today. The trade mission gets started aboard Air Canada's inaugural direct flight between Montreal and Shanghai. This is a unique opportunity for participants to create ties with the business communities in Shanghai and Hong Kong, centres of economic growth for China. "China is one of the most powerful economies in the world, and it is experiencing a transition based on knowledge and innovation," said Michel Leblanc, President and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal. "This market of 1.3 billion consumers has to be at the heart of development strategies among Montreal businesses. Our trade mission targets two Chinese cities that offer strong potential. Their rapid urban development is creating major business opportunities for Montreal businesses in construction-related sectors." "The Chamber is pleased to continue in its efforts to position local companies in this market, as China is already our second most important trading partner," Michel Leblanc said. "The new direct Air Canada flight between Montreal and Shanghai will strengthen economic ties between Montreal and one of the most dynamic business destinations in China, while facilitating access to Asian members of the Star Alliance network. Shanghai is also a strategic gateway to other Asian markets such as Singapore. We encourage Montreal business people to spend time there developing their network and market knowledge." The following organizations and businesses are taking part in the trade mission: Catalyse Urbaine Diamond Diamond Real Estate Inc. Fasken Martineau Groupe Innovatech Inc. Montreal International NKF Devencore SDC Destination Centre-Ville Smith Vigeant YAB Consulting About the trade mission to China The trade mission to Shanghai and Hong Kong was organized by the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal's Acclr team of international trade experts, with the cooperation of the Quebec Government Office in Shanghai and thanks to official carrier Air Canada. The CCMM also received the support from the Quebec's Ministere de l'Economie, de la Science et de l'Innovation and Export Quebec. About the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal (CCMM) With a network of over 7,000 members, the CCMM is active on two fronts: being the voice of the Montreal business community and delivering specialized services to businesses and their representatives. With its finger on the pulse of current events, it acts on issues that are decisive for the prosperity of the city's businesses. With the support of the Acclr experts, the CCMM's goal is to accelerate the creation and growth of businesses of all sizes, at home and around the world. About Acclr Business Services Through its Acclr brand, the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal delivers services for the creation and growth of businesses of all sizes: business development, international trade, business intelligence, financing, labour and francization. No matter what business information companies are looking for, the CCMM's Acclr experts have the best resources and tools to find it. Facebook: www.facebook.com/chambremontreal Twitter: @chambremontreal To continue the discussion: #ccmm SOURCE Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal For further information: Guillaume Berube, Advisor, Media Relations, Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal, Tel.: 514 871-4000, ext. 4042, [email protected] Related Links http://www.ccmm.qc.ca TORONTO, Feb. 16, 2017 /CNW/ - It's not every day that employees feel like they have a powerful advocate to help balance their work and family commitments. But that's just what the nation's leading employers are doing, with the best among them offering a range of great benefits suited to employees at all stages of life. Canada's Top Family-Friendly Employers for 2017 were announced yesterday and the winners have set the bar, turning work-life balance into an important tool for recruitment and retention. "Our editorial team has watched the evolution of these policies for over 15 years," says Richard Yerema, Managing Editor of the Canada's Top 100 Employers project, which manages the competition. "Employees are looking for different kinds of family support throughout the course of their careers. Whether this translates into maternity or parental leave top-up for those starting a family, or flexible work arrangements for employees with elderly parents, it's about helping employees maintain work-life balance and offering flexibility for whatever life stage they're at." Now in its 16th consecutive year, Canada's Top Family-Friendly Employers is one of the longest-running competitions within the Canada's Top 100 Employers project. This special designation recognizes the employers across the country that offer the most progressive and forward-thinking programs to help employees balance work and family commitments. The competition reviews a range of employment practices and policies, including: maternity, parental and compassionate leave; daycare assistance; reproductive assistance, including fertility drugs and IVF; adoption assistance; paid personal- and earned-days-off (EDO) programs; flexible work arrangements; and even academic bursaries for employees' children. Here's how a few of the 2017 winners help employees balance their work and personal lives: Employees at Accenture Inc. receive up to 17 weeks of maternity and parental leave top-up and are able to work locally for one year after returning to work, to reduce the demands from work-related travel. receive up to 17 weeks of maternity and parental leave top-up and are able to work locally for one year after returning to work, to reduce the demands from work-related travel. BC Public Service provides maternity and parental leave top-up for employees who are new mothers (to 75% of salary for up to 50 weeks) as well as parental leave top-up for fathers and adoptive parents (to 75% of salary for 35 weeks). Depending on their location, employees also have access to onsite daycare. provides maternity and parental leave top-up for employees who are new mothers (to 75% of salary for up to 50 weeks) as well as parental leave top-up for fathers and adoptive parents (to 75% of salary for 35 weeks). Depending on their location, employees also have access to onsite daycare. Accounting firm KPMG LLP helps employees keep their work-life balance with a variety of flexible work options, including a personal care time-off program that provides up to 50 hours of paid time-off annually to help with personal matters, such as family emergencies, bereavement, moving, religious observance and personal appointments helps employees keep their work-life balance with a variety of flexible work options, including a personal care time-off program that provides up to 50 hours of paid time-off annually to help with personal matters, such as family emergencies, bereavement, moving, religious observance and personal appointments Shaw Communications Inc. offers academic scholarships for employees' children pursuing post-secondary studies (to $2,500 each) Additional details on this year's winning programs can be found on the competition homepage: http://www.canadastop100.com/family The editors' detailed reasons for selecting each of the 2017 winners (listed below) have been posted on the same site. 2017 Winners: Accenture Inc. (Toronto ON) BC Public Service (Victoria BC) Canadian Heritage (Gatineau QC) Catholic Children's Aid Society of Toronto (Toronto ON) Desjardins Group / Mouvement des caisses Desjardins (Levis QC) Export Development Canada (Ottawa ON) Fidelity Canada (Toronto ON) HP Advanced Solutions Inc. (Victoria BC) ISM Canada (Regina SK) KPMG LLP (Toronto ON) National Energy Board (Calgary AB) Saskatchewan Government Insurance / SGI (Regina SK) Shaw Communications Inc. (Calgary AB) Simon Fraser University (Burnaby BC) Stryker Canada Inc. (Hamilton ON) Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre (Toronto ON) Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada Inc. / TMMC (Cambridge ON) University of Toronto (Toronto ON) Verafin Inc. (St. John's NL) Yukon, Government of (Whitehorse YT) SOURCE Mediacorp Canada Inc. For further information: Kristina Leung, Senior Editor, at 416-964-6069 x1464 Related Links http://www.canadastop100.com Tunnel technology is older than rockets, and boring speeds are pretty much what they were 50 years ago. As with space launches, tunnels are often funded through cost-plus government contracts, in which the contractor assumes no risk for cost overruns, which tend to be enormous as a result. Famously, Bostons Big Dig, which moved a section of Interstate 93 underground, was delayed by roughly eight years and cost $12 billion more than originally planned, but all tunnels tend to be wildly expensive. In L.A., plans to extend the subways Purple Line by 2.6 miles will cost more than $2.4 billion and take almost 10 years. Its basically a billion dollars a mile, Musk says. Thats crazy. Musk wouldnt comment on Trump, but a person close to him says that while the Boring Company would be open to building tunnels as part of Trumps infrastructure plan, it intends to move forward regardless of what happens in Washington. Musk says he hopes to build a much faster tunneling machine and use it to dig thousands of miles, eventually creating a vast underground network that includes as many as 30 levels of tunnels for cars and high-speed trains such as the Hyperloop. Objections spring to mind. Such as: Wouldnt having hundreds of feet of hollow tunnels destabilize the ground? Nope, Musk says, the mining industry does it all the time. The earth is big, and we are small, he says. We are so fing small you cannot believe it. Not only are these megatunnels possible, he argues, theyre the only way we can rid ourselves of the scourge of traffic. We have skyscrapers with all these levels, and we have a flat, two-dimensional road system, he says. When everyone decides to go into these structures and then exits them at the same time, youre going to get jammed. Tunnels, on the other hand, would represent a 3D transportation network. Musk chose the SpaceX parking lot as the site of his first dig, mostly because it was convenient and he could legally do so without city permits. The plan is to expand the current hole into a ramp designed for a large tunnel boring machine and then start digging horizontally once the machine is 50 feet or so below ground, which would make it low enough to clear gas and sewer lines and to be undetectable at the surface. The company, such as it is, is working on securing permits and hopes to have them by the time the tunnel hits the property line. At the moment, Musk wont say exactly where this demo tunnel, as he calls it, will leadonly that it will accommodate cars and be the very beginning of a vast underground transportation network. As crazy as tunneling sounds, Musk points out that its arguably less crazy than Silicon Valleys go-to traffic solution: flying cars. Googles Larry Page has funded two personal-aircraft startups, Zee.Aero and Kitty Hawk, and companies such as Uber and Airbus have skunk works. But Musk thinks flying cars are a dumb idea, at least for city travel. Obviously, I like flying things, he says. But its difficult to imagine the flying car becoming a scalable solution. As long as the laws of physics hold, he explains, any flying car will need to generate a lot of downward force to stop it from falling out of the sky, which means wind and noise for those on the ground, not to mention debris from midair fender-benders. If somebody doesnt maintain their flying car, it could drop a hubcap and guillotine you, he says. Your anxiety level will not decrease as a result of things that weigh a lot buzzing around your head. Nextbigfuture NOTES Elon objection to uncontrolled flying cars would be the same for very large numbers of sizable drones. Flying drones pr flying cars would need to have corridors where they could travel and where the risk of anything falling or falling off would be mitigated. Musk has brought me to the site of a municipal project to kick the cutting wheels, so to speak, on a used boring machine hes considering. The machine is 26 feet in diameter, about 400 feet long, weighs 1,200 tons, and is nicknamed Nannie. Its been used by Washingtons water utility to dig a tunnel to prevent sewage from overflowing into the Anacostia River. New machines normally cost at least $15 million, but a decade of frantic subway construction in China has created a glut, and lightly used models can be had for 90 percent off sticker. He plans to use a machine like this to test improvements in tunneling technology. He thinks that with more power, better materials, and a design that allows it to continue digging while installing the tunnel wallsa feat thats impossible todaythe Boring Company will be able to drastically reduce the price of digging. To make it a little better should be easy, he says. To make it five times better is not crazy hard. To make it 10 times better is hard, but nobody will need to win a Nobel Prize. We dont have to change the standard model of physics. As we walk through the machine, Musk and Davis pepper the tunnels project manager, Shane Yanagisawa, with questions. They ask about grouting materials and staffing, but mostly about speed. Yanagisawa says the limiting factor is muck. Nannies conveyor belts can carry only so much dirt at a time. The fastest he thinks the machine can possibly run is 75 millimeters per minute. In a typical week, it moves through 300 feet of clay. Musk nods. Were trying to dramatically increase the tunneling speed, he says. We want to know what it would take to get to a mile a week? Could it be possible? robert harwood President Donald Trump offered the job of national security adviser to Robert Harward on Monday night, but, to Trump's surprise, the retired admiral told him he'd need a few days to "think it over," according to a report published Wednesday from Tom Ricks at Foreign Policy. Two White House officials confirmed to The Washington Post that Harward was at the top of Trump's three-person short list to replace Michael Flynn, who abruptly resigned from the role after it became public that he had discussed sanctions with Russia's ambassador to the US before Trump's inauguration. Flynn reportedly urged the ambassador, Sergey Kislyak, not to overreact to the latest round of sanctions imposed by the Obama administration, indicating that incoming administration might be more inclined to roll them back. Harward, a former Navy SEAL commander who rose to deputy commander of US Central Command before retiring in 2013, would most likely bring in his own staff for a "housecleaning" of the National Security Council, according to Ricks. If he accepts the role, Harward would be a close ally of Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, whom he served under at Central Command. He also has NSC experience, having served on the council during the George W. Bush administration. NOW WATCH: Trump's close friend of 40 years explains what he has in common with Richard Nixon More From Business Insider The UN Security Council will be visiting Nigeria within the next few weeks to discuss strategies for combating the Boko Haram insurgents and to assess the level of humanitarian crisis caused by the terror group.The Deputy Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General, Farhan Haq, confirmed to the correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria in New York that the visit would take place in March.Mr. Haq regretted the negative consequences of the insurgency on the country and the people but gave the assurance that the UN would continue to support Nigeria in and work with the country in its efforts to overcome the challenges.He said and there will be efforts to also evaluate what the situation (Boko Haram) is.I believe, in the coming days, the Security Council itself does intend to visit Nigeria and see for itself the humanitarian situation and evaluate it first-hand.The Security Council will be going to Nigeria to assess the humanitarian situation caused by Boko Haram.The visit will be coming up in March, the deputy spokesperson told NAN.Mr. Haq also noted the recently reported attacks by Boko Haram on a village in Borno and killing of people.According to him, the UN agencies and partners would continue to deliver aid and provide other humanitarian assistance to the victims of the insurgency in the north-east. He, however, said the recent attack was making it more difficult for the organisations to effectively deliver aid in view of the recent breakthrough in reaching more victims following the successful recovery and liberation of territory previously under the control of Boko Haram.We (UN and partners) do continue to try to provide humanitarian aid, including in Nigeria.Certainly, any violence on the ground makes it more difficult to deliver humanitarian aid, Mr. Haq said.NAN gathered that besides visiting Nigeria and meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, the 15 council members would also visit other African countries that have been affected by Boko Haram including Niger, Chad and Cameroon.NAN recalls that on May 22, 2014, the Security Council, at the request of the Federal Government, listed Boko Haram as a terror group.The Councils Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee approved the addition of Boko Haram to its list of individuals and entities subject to the targeted financial sanctions and the arms embargo set out in paragraph 1 of Security Council resolution 2083 (2012), adopted under Chapter VII of the Charter of the UN.The Chairman of the committee, Australias UN Ambassador Gary Quinlan, had said the international body had very clear evidence that members of Boko Haram had trained with al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.We will work to try and make that anyone providing material assistance to Boko Haram, whether funding or arms, will in effect be stopped, Mr. Quinlan said.Jamaatu Ahlus-Sunna LiddaAwati Wal Jihad (Boko Haram) was listed on pursuant to paragraphs 2 and 3 of resolution 2083 (2012) as being associated with Al-Qaida.For participating in the financing, planning, facilitating, preparing, or perpetrating of acts or activities by, in conjunction with, under the name of, on behalf of, or in support of Al-Qaida and the Organization of Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb.The committee stressed the need for robust implementation of the Al-Qaida sanctions regime as a significant tool in combating terrorist activity.The committee urged all member states to participate actively by nominating for listing additional individuals, groups, undertakings and entities which should be subject to the sanctions measures.With the listing, any individual or entity that provides financial or material support to Boko Haram, including the provision of arms or recruits, is eligible to be added to the Al-Qaida Sanctions List and subject to the sanctions measures.(NAN) The Federal Government has awarded contract worth over N1.3 billion for the rehabilitation of some roads in Kano and Katsina states. Mohammed Sani, the Zonal Director of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, FERMA, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, on Tuesday in Kano. Mr. Sani said five roads would be rehabilitated in Kano State at the cost of over N720 million, while in Katsina State, three contracts had been awarded at the cost of over N600 million. He said in Kano State, contract had been awarded for the rehabilitation of Kano-Gwarzo-Dayi, Tiga-Doguwa, Karaye-Rogo, Lajawa-Gamarya-Masuba and Kwanar Maroko-Maroko roads. In Katsina State, we have three awards which include Daura township road and two roads along Kano-Katsina road. All the awards are captured in the 2016 budget and their completion period is six months, the zonal director said. On Kano-Gwarzo-Dayi road, Mr. Sani said the contractor had promised to mobilise to site soon because he had already signed the agreement. The contract was awarded in November 2016, but the work could not start due to lack of agreement. But now that the agreement has been signed, work will soon start, he said. According to him, the contract for the rehabilitation of Kano-Gwarzo-Dayi road was awarded at the cost of N184 million and completion period is six months. (NAN) There are indications that former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and a former Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido, are making move... There are indications that former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and a former Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido, are making moves towards clinching the presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party for the 2019 election.Investigations by our correspondent showed that both politicians had been discussing with the leaders of the party with the hope of gaining their support for the ticket.It was gathered that Atiku, though a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress, was already tinkering with the idea of returning to his former party if he would not be allowed to contest the ticket in his current party.He is said to be considering other options on the premise that President Muhammadu Buhari might want to run for a second term.In the event that he would not, the President would also be expected to anoint his successor in the party.Though Atiku had denied plans to leave the APC, sources in the PDP, however, said Atikus hand could be felt in the current moves to reposition the former ruling party.A member of the Board of Trustees of the PDP, who spoke with our correspondent on condition of anonymity, said Atiku was neck-deep in the activities of the party.He explained that it was wrong to assume that the current travails of members of the party were rubbing off on its acceptability across the country, adding that Nigerians would be surprised with the calibre of people currently speaking with the leadership of the PDP.The source added, Atiku knows that he may not have the chance to contest the APC ticket, and thats why we have been talking.He wants to be President and as it is, nothing is sure for him in his new party. He still believes that his former party, which is the PDP, is a formidable party on which platform he can realise his age-long ambition.Atiku recently visited a former dictator, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (retd.), in Minna, who recently returned to the country from his medical trip to Switzerland.It was believed that the former Vice-President used the occasion to discuss his 2019 presidential ambition, but the former presidential aspirant denied such insinuation.Media aide to Atiku, Mr. Paul Ibe, said Atiku was not the first person to visit Babangida, who annulled the June 12, 1993 presidential election, believed to have been won by the late businessman, Bashorun Moshood Abiola, since his return to the country.Apart from the former military dictator, he said the former Vice-President could not be said to have visited any other person of recent.Babangiga, who reluctantly stepped aside from office after eight years in the saddle as military President, is believed to still be a member of the PDP.He just came back from a medical trip abroad. Atiku isnt the only person that has visited him, Ibe said.Ibe declined comments on whether the former Vice-President would run for the Presidency in 2019 or on which platform.He said Atiku had yet to make up his mind on whether to run for the nations number one seat, stressing that until such a decision was taken, it would be too early to talk about which platform.Ibe added, I cant say whether he would contest now. The desire to contest has to be there first before we can talk about the platform.Until when the decision to run is taken, the issue of which platform remains secondary.Im aware that there is pressure on him to run in 2019, but no decision has been taken yet.He added that the Turaki Adamawa like other Nigerians, is disappointed with a lot of things going on in the country.It was also gathered that the national leadership of the PDP, headed by Senator Ahmed Makarfi, was planning to visit Atiku with a view to wooing him back to the party.A member of the Strategic Review and Inter-Party Committee of the party, Prof. Tunde Adeniran, said the party would visit all those who had left the party.Adeniran, a former Minister of Education and an aspirant to the office of the national chairman of the party, would, however, not disclose if and when his committee would visit Atiku.He told The PUNCH on the telephone on Wednesday that the PDP was desirous of returning to power in 2019, adding that those who could be instrumental in its success at the polls, would be visited.The former minister stated, We are meeting everybody. We are going to have meetings with all those who are ready to open up and return to the PDP.Everybody is important; so, and we will not mention the names of those we are going to visit, but let me say that those who share in the vision of the partys founding fathers will be visited.We know that the PDP remains a popular party across the country. Therefore, we will also do our own homework in order to make sure that we return to power in 2019.It was gathered that the partys hierarchy was divided over the likely return of Atiku to the party as some leaders were said to be of the opinion that only those, who had stood by the party from inception, be trusted with its presidential ticket.The former vice-president had left the PDP twice.Lamido, who is also said to be eyeing the partys ticket, was believed to be engineering subtle moves against Atiku.The former governor had stated publicly that he would run for the Presidency in 2019.Meanwhile, the national leadership of the party has said it will not react to the gale of defection in the party.It also said it would not comment on the defection of Senator Andy Uba from the party to the APC.Spokesperson for the National Caretaker Committee of the party, Dayo Adeyeye, stated this in an interview with our correspondent on the telephone on Wednesday.Adeyeye also refused to comment on the rumours making the rounds that some governors in the party from the South-East were also planning to ditch the former ruling party for the APC.No, it is not an issue I would like to comment on, the former Minister of State for Works told our correspondent on Wednesday. Former aide to former President Goodluck Jonathan has described Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo as a 'man of his kind'. I'm loving VP @ProfOsinbajo . In the absence of PMB he led the FEC meeting & forced ministers to deliberate for 7 hours! Wow! My kind of man! February 16, 2017 Former aide to former President Goodluck Jonathan has described Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo as a 'man of his kind'.This is coming as Prof. Osinbajo presided over the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday for over seven-hours and approved 12 road projects for N126 billion.He said: I am loving VP @ProfOsinbajo. In the absence of PMB he led the FEC meeting & forced ministers to deliberate for 7 hours! Wow! My kind of man!President Muhammadu Buhari has extended his vacation in the United Kingdom to get medical test results and his doctor's approval before returning home. A school allegedly belonging to Unoma Akpabio, the wife of the immediate past governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio, has been se... A school allegedly belonging to Unoma Akpabio, the wife of the immediate past governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio, has been seized by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.It was learnt that the seizure was part of investigations into the former governor who has been accused of alleged N108bn fraud during his tenure from 2007 to 2015.Newsmen who visited the school, St. John Paul II School, in Shelter Afrique, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, observed that the school had been marked under investigation by EFCC.It was learnt that the EFCC resorted to marking the school instead of shutting it so that innocent parents and students who had paid school fees would not be adversely affected.The school, it was learnt, had been under the watchful eyes of the EFCC considering the enormous amount said to have been sunk into its construction.Although normal academic activities were still ongoing in the school as of Wednesday, one of our correspondents who called at the school observed that a police van was stationed outside the gate.A senior employee of the school, who refused to disclose his identity, only asked one of our correspondents to observe the ambience around the school.He added that he was not capable to comment on any development relating to the EFCC and the schools proprietor.According to him, the school is serene with normal academic activities taking place.The spokesman for the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, could not be reached on the telephone on Wednesday.However, a senior operative at the commission confirmed that the school had been seized.I understand our operatives were recently in Akwa Ibom and did mark a school as under investigation, he said.Efforts to get Akpabios reaction failed as his media aide, Mr. Anietie Ekong, failed to pick calls made to his mobile phone on Wednesday night.Ekong had told one of our correspondents on Tuesday that he was not aware of the seizure and would contact his boss on the matter.When called again on Wednesday, he neither picked his calls nor reply a text message sent to him, asking for Akpabios response.The PUNCH had exclusively reported in August 2016 that the EFCC is intensifying investigation into the former governor and was planning to seize his properties and freeze accounts linked to him.The EFCC had written five banks demanding information on Akwa Ibom State finances under Akpabios administration.The commission also invited key members of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly and serving commissioners many of whom served during the ex-governors administration.A source at the EFCC said, We have written to Zenith Bank, Keystone Bank, FCMB, Skye Bank, and UBA demanding information on the states accounts. We are also inviting the accountant-general, the auditor-general, the Speaker and the clerk of the House of Assembly.We have traced some houses to the former governor in Lagos and Abuja and it is just a matter of time before we seize them.The EFCC had started looking into Akpabio last year when he was first quizzed by detectives following a series of petitions written against him.Akpabio, who is now the Senate Minority Leader, was accused of embezzling public funds while he was governor of the oil-rich state.He was accused of lavish spending such that on March 2013, he openly gave N1m each to the six chairmen of the Peoples Democratic Party from the South-South geopolitical zone who had converged on Port Harcourt for a party reconciliation session and told them to use the money to buy Mr. BiggsAs the commission was investigating the ex-governor, the Akwa Ibom State Government, headed to a state High Court to get an interim order barring the EFCC from investigating his administration.The Justice Ntong Ntong-led court on July 15, 2016, granted an interim injunction, restraining the EFCC, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission; and the Inspector-General of Police from investigating the finances of the Akwa Ibom State Government.The suit was filed on behalf of the state government by the state Attorney General, Uwemedimo Nwoko, who also served under Akpabio and is believed to be loyal to the former governor. A Chinese court on Thursday jailed for life Xi Xiaoming, a former senior judge Supreme Peoples Court, after finding him guilty of corrupt... A Chinese court on Thursday jailed for life Xi Xiaoming, a former senior judge Supreme Peoples Court, after finding him guilty of corruption, state media said.According to the report, Xi, is the latest official to fall foul of a sweeping crackdown on graft.The former vice president of the Supreme Peoples Court, was put under investigation in 2015.He was one of the most senior judicial officials ousted by President Xi Jinpings anti-corruption campaign since the downfall of Zhou Yongkang, the former domestic security chief whose brief included law enforcement and courts.Zhou was jailed for life in 2015.State television said a court in the northern city of Tianjin found Xi Xiaoming guilty of accepting 115 million yuan (16.78 million dollars) in bribes between 1996 and 2015.Xi admitted his guilt and has repented and so received a lighter sentence, the report said, probably meaning he avoided a death sentence.Chinas leaders have pledged to continue combating graft, seen as crucial to the partys survival, and have vowed to go after tigers in senior positions as well as lowly flies. President Muhammadu Buhari last night thanked Nigerians for their prayers and kind wishes on his health. President Muhammadu Buhari last night thanked Nigerians for their prayers and kind wishes on his health.In a tweet @MBuhari after he met with the leadership of the National Assembly Senate President Bukola Saraki, House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara and Senate Leader Ahmad Lawan at the Abuja House in London, the President at 9.20pm wrote: I thank them for visiting. Im also grateful to Nigerians, Christians and Muslims alike, for their prayers and kind wishes on my health.President Buhari is on vacation and routine medical check-up in the United Kingdom.He left the country on January 19 on a 10-day vacation, which was extended on doctors advice.The delegation left the country yesterday morning, without Deputy House of Representatives Speaker Yusuff Lasun, who could not make the trip.Lasuns spokesman Wole Oladimeji said the deputy speaker was held back by a meeting of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) parliament going on in Abuja..It was learnt that the visit was at the instance of President Buhari, who reportedly asked the Senate president to come over to London for a discussion, which was not disclosed.The Senate President was said to have been favourably disposed to the invitation.It was not clear how Dogara and Lawan became part of the trip.A source said Dogara was requested to be part of the trip by the Senate President.The delegation arrived at the Nigerian High Commission official residence Abuja House in West London, where the President is staying, at about 8pm (Nigerians time)President Buhari tweeted shortly after: Pleased to receive Senate President Bukola Saraki, Speaker Yakubu Dogara and Senate leader Ahmad Lawan tonight.Details of what they discussed were being awaited last night.The National Assembly presiding officers last Wednesday said they had telephone conversations with the PresidentThe visit of the principal officers to London followed last weeks visit by All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and erstwhile interim Chairman of the APC Chief Bisi Akande. Some National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members deployed to Abuja are complaining of rejection by agencies of the Federal Government wher... Some National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members deployed to Abuja are complaining of rejection by agencies of the Federal Government where they were posted for primary assignment.The affected corps members stated this on Thursday in Abuja that a major reason being given for their rejection was the lack of funds to pay monthly stipends.The complainants are from the 2016 Batch B (Stream II) who just completed their three-week orientation programme.Ojodomo Ogu, a graduate of the Kogi State University, said that the agency where he was posted, flatly turned him down. According to Ogu, the unidentified agency based its decision on the lack of provision for corps members stipends in its 2017 budget.Expressing his frustration, he said there was no need for the NYSC scheme to continue, if government institutions could no longer accommodate corps members.A female graduate from the University of Jos, Chioma Agbasi, said she was rejected on the flimsy excuse of lack of vacancy. Similarly, Julie Andrew from the University of Lagos observed that the rejection was not limited to government institutions.I was posted to a micro-finance bank in the Central Area of Abuja which rejected me, citing lack of vacancy after they kept me waiting for two days.Thereafter, I returned to the NYSC office which re-posted me to a government agency located in the Central Area of Abuja, but the story was the same.To make matters worse, most employers do not provide accommodation for corps members, and this has made life difficult for those who do not have families and friends in Abuja, Andrew said.Also narrating his ordeal, Jonathan Adewale said he was first posted to a private firm operating in his area of specialisation, but was turned down on the excuse of re-organisation. Aisha Hamza, a polytechnic graduate, said she was rejected simply because the organisation accepted only university graduates.At the end of the day, I had to accept serving in a secondary school in Bwari without payment, and where there is also no decent accommodation, Hamza lamented.Mr Dada Rabihu, the Managing Director of an engineering company, gave reasons why most corps members are rejected by organisations.Most times, we reject corps members because what they studied in school is irrelevant to the organisations areas of operations.For instance, last year, a corps member who studied Hausa Language and Literature was posted to us. We felt since he could not contribute anything meaningful to the growth of the company, the best thing was to reject him. It is not only in our interest but also for his own good.When you take into consideration the fact that the corps member needs to gather work experience that is related to his field of study you will accept our position, Rabihu said. A governorship aspirant in Anambra state on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, Chief Ralph Okeke on Wednesday said the late ... A governorship aspirant in Anambra state on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, Chief Ralph Okeke on Wednesday said the late Igbo leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu would have joined the APC should he be alive today.He said Ojukwu would have done that for national integration.He said, Most importantly, it is a shame that Anambra state is still governed by a party that exists only in one state. I know for sure that if Dim Chukwuemeka Ojukwu were alive today, he would have joined APC for national integration.This is because Ojukwus intention was to raise APGA to be accepted nationwide and win the presidency. But now that some characters have made APGA remain as one state party, I am sure that the Ikemba would have joined other well meaning Nigerians in APC to make Anambra and the country great.Okeke who spoke to newsmen in Awka, Anambra state noted with disappointment that Anambra state had not moved at the pace it ought to, considering her possession of human and material potentials.Okeke who was the Deputy Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the 2013 governorship election in the state election in a ticket with Dr Christ Ngige said he had been equipped to govern the state and take it to enviable height.He said The desire to effect a positive change that will give the hardworking people of Anambra state a new lease of life informed my decision to run for the office of Governor of Anambra state. In what may be a nomination, the youth wing of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP called the PDP Youth Frontier has demanded that Governor Nyes... In what may be a nomination, the youth wing of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP called the PDP Youth Frontier has demanded that Governor Nyesom Wike and Ayodele Fayose should visit President Muhammad Buhari in London.The group on it twitter handle lamented that visiting the President Muhammad Buhari who is on a medical vacation in London was not the exclusive right of the All Progressive Congress members only.President Muhammadu Buhari recently extended his vacation in the UK for some media tests and Doctors approval before returning back home but Nigerians and some Peoples Democratic Party loyalists still do not believe the President is hale and hearty despite emerging pictures.The PDP Youth Frontier said Buhari health is not the APC internal affairs alone therefore PDP youths recommending that Fayose and Wike should also visit him in London.Recalled that yesterday the Senate President and Chairman of the National Assembly, Senator Bukola Saraki led the leadership of both the Senate and House of Representatives on a visit to President Muhammadu Buhari in London. Also the National Leader of the APC Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the former Ogun State governor Bisi Akande and Ibikunle Amosun last week visited Buahri in London. Immigrants are an underappreciated force in the US economy: They help boost economic growth, even though many Americans think they steal jobs and sap economic vitality. President Trump wants to reduce immigration to the United States, starting with his attempted ban on immigrants from 7 predominantly Muslim countriesIraq, Iran, Syria, Yemen, Libya, Sudan and Somalia. That ban has been temporarily blocked, as courts debate whether its legal. But Trump says a revised immigration order is coming soonand reduced immigration is one part of Trumps agenda economists worry about. We already see a fairly subdued outlook for the pace of measured potential growth, Goldman Sachs said in a recent note to clients. Immigration restrictions could reduce the economys speed limit still further. New analysis by the Conference Board of actual immigrants from the 7 countries Trump is targeting helps explain why the US economy needs legal immigrants. During the last 10 years, about 230,000 people have entered the US legally from those countries. About 109,000 are in the US labor force. They represent two types of workers, in generalwell-educated professionals, including many who came to the US on a student visa, and less-skilled workers who most likely came as refugees. Overall, workers from the Targeted 7 hold more bachelors and advanced degrees than US workers as a whole, as this chart shows: Source: The Conference Board At the lower end of the skill ladder, immigrants from the Targeted 7 are overrepresented in industries such as retail and health care, holding jobs such as food preparation and personal care. Health care in particular is a fast-growing field where the United States seems certain to need more workers in the future, and might even face a labor shortage in some areas. Immigration is more important to the US economy than it used to be, because the native-born US population is growing more slowly than it has in the past. The Goldman Sachs analysis points out that immigration as a portion of total population growth has risen from 30% in the 1990s to as high as 50% now. Story continues Some people think that means more immigrants are taking jobs native-born Americans would otherwise have. There are probably isolated incidents of that, but overall, theres scant evidence that immigrants reduce the number of jobs available to natives. More likely, they increase the overall number of jobs, because immigrants start businesses at a higher rate and are more entrepreneurial than the US labor force overall. Losing high-skilled workers Trump pushed for an immigration ban on the Targeted 7 countries by claiming that terrorists were more likely to enter the United States from those countries. But when asked in court to produce evidence to support that claim, the Trump administration didnt have any. Economic growth obviously needs to be balanced with national security, but if theres no actual threat under the current vetting system, then locking out immigrants who would otherwise add to economic growth is self-defeating. Especially since Trump has vowed to double current rates of growth, to a robust 3.5% or even 4% per year. Immigrants from the Targeted 7 are a very small fraction of all immigrants to the US. If Trumps ban is reinstated, losing those workers could hurt a few select parts of the economy. While they comprise only a tiny part of the US population overall, their disproportionate representation in certain high-skilled, high-shortage occupations and in certain metro areas means that losing their participation in the US labor market would produce tangible economic effects, the Conference Board concluded. If there are broader efforts to limit immigration, the effects will be more widespread. That could also offset other Trump initiatives that could genuinely boost growth, such as tax reform (if done right) and a cutback in onerous regulations. Terrorists are a legitimate enemy. Immigrants are not. If Trump doesnt differentiate between them, the whole economy will suffer. Confidential tip line: rickjnewman@yahoo.com Rick Newman is the author of four books, including Rebounders: How Winners Pivot from Setback to Success. Follow him on Twitter: @rickjnewman. Read more: Trump now owns Obamacare Trumps rich-first economic policy Heres the problem with border taxes Senate President Bukola Saraki, who led a team of national assembly leaders to visit President Muhammadu Buhari in London, says: there is... Senate President Bukola Saraki, who led a team of national assembly leaders to visit President Muhammadu Buhari in London, says: there is no cause for alarm.Saraki made the statement to douse tension about Buharis health.The senate president said Buhari was in good spirits, adding that he was delighted to see him.Myself, Rt Honorable Speaker, Yakubu Dogara and leader of Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan paid a visit to President Buhari in Abuja House in London, he said.We were delighted to see that President Buhari is doing well, was cheerful and in good spirits.The president I saw today is healthy, witty and himself.The presidents absence and imminent return shows that there is no vacuum in government and our system of democracy is working with all organs of government fulfilling their mandate.And let me use the time-tested cliche, there is no cause for alarm!Buhari has been in the UK on vacation since January 19.Bola Tinubu, national leader of the All progressives Congress (APC), Ibikunle Amosun, Ogun state governor; Bisi Akande, former Osun state governor; and some leaders of the APC had paid Buhari a visit in London. Tonto Dikehs husband, Dr. Olakunle Churchill has opened up on his marriage crisis.Churchill debunked claims he has a female PA and having a mutual relationship with popular inter-sexual cross-dressing, bleaching advocate, born Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky.A few hours ago, news made the rounds on the social media that the actress husband was in a relationship with Bobrisky.Nollywood actor, Uche Maduagwu, bared the claims in a post which he later deleted, alleging that Churchill has relationship with Bobrisky and Swanky Jerry Jeremiah Ogbodo, Tontos fashion stylist rumoured to be gay.But in a chat with Encomium, the father of one said, Truly, I did not see it posted because Im not a social media person, but got wind of it later.It sincerely beats my imagination to think of such relationship.Well, I dont know Bobrisky but got to know Swanky Jerry through my wife.I believe whoever my wife likes as a friend, I also take as a family friend.Am too busy to think of such unpleasant issues, let alone cooking up defense.Speaking further, he said he hasnt been able to reach his son who he misses so much because Tonto Dikeh wont pick his calls.He said, Every family has its ups and downs but I would not want to talk about my family.He addressed claims that he left home and is allegedly having an affair with his PA.He said, Well, its funny to me, because I dont have female personal Assistant, My PA is Mr. Paul, who has been working with me over the years. Besides, it was a sponsored blackmail.On whether his wife caused uproar in his mothers home and reportedly pushed her down and broke everything in her house within 2 hours due to her marijuana reactions, Churchill said, These issues are private to me and my family.Rumours going around she moved out due to domestic violence from me, I wonder where they got such gist from.I dont believe my wife will say that, besides I frown against such even my foundation preach against domestic violence in some of our charity awareness campaigns.It is obvious that all these channeled attacks are targeted to drag my image and what I believe in to the mud.Well, the truth is that I have never raised my hands against my wife.I have evidence of CCTV Cameras in my mums house when this happened. It can be replayed if you want us to go that far.Asked how he perceived all these happening in his family, he noted, I see nothing in it, its a phase of life; since it does not affect my cheques and savings.But I truly want to call on bloggers or social media addicts to verify facts before assuming.Every marriage has good and bad moments; its just unfortunate that I recently discovered that the alleged marriage instability is making headlines on some media platforms.Please Tonto Dikeh fans and well-wishers take it easy on her, guess she is still adjusting to motherhood. With time, it will be well.The couples son, King Andre will be one year old tomorrow.Churchill, responding to that said, Oh! My son, I sure miss him so much. I have planned a worthwhile birthday party for him with friends and family members but its sad to say that all effort to reach him proved abortive, and this is affecting my business and emotions.The mum wont pick calls and the nanny.Our son has been with the mother and not at home for now.I truly, should not be granting this interview if this is all about my family.I am very optimistic that the family will unite together for King Andrea birthday even though channels to reach my wife are temporarily off, he added.Recall that the 17-month-old marriage of Tonto to the philanthropist was rumoured to be heading for the rocks after news spread on the social media that there was allegedly another woman in the picture.The said female PA, Rosaline Meurer, accused of having sex with Tontos husband had responded to the allegations,In the midst of the rumour, the light-skinned actress had confirmed her marriage crash while responding to questions from her fans on Instagram. The federal government has blamed the Ekiti state government for its failure to access a budget support facility (BSF) made available to 3... The federal government has blamed the Ekiti state government for its failure to access a budget support facility (BSF) made available to 35 states.Fayose had accused the current administration of deliberately withholding the January allocation of his state because of the grouse he has with the current administration.But in a statement on Thursday, Salisu Dambatta, director of information at the ministry of finance, said Ekiti state government failed to comply with the requirements for participating in a conditional loan programme to state governments.Dambatta said Ekiti was warned that failure to comply with the full requirements of the loan would lead to its exclusion.A claim by the Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, that the federal ministry of finance has withheld statutory allocation due to Ekiti State has been brought to the attention of the ministry of finance, Dambatta said.The ministry categorically denies and states the claim as incorrect as the ministry has not withheld any statutory allocation due to Ekiti state, or any other state in the country.The fact is that, the Ekiti state government failed to comply with the necessary requirements for participating in the Budget Support Facility (BSF), which is a conditional loan programme to state governments introduced with the view to enhancing fiscal prudence and designed particularly to enhance transparency, efficiency in public expenditure and payment of salaries.This is not the first time of non-compliance by the Ekiti state government. His administration defaulted in meeting the conditions specified and agreed upon by the 35 state governments that are participating in the programme as contained in the fiscal sustainability plan (FSP) and the Ekiti state government was warned formally of its failure to comply with the full requirements vide a letter on August 5, 2016, with reference number HMF/FMF/ASG/1/2016.Dambatta said the ministry informed President Muhammadu Buhari of Ekitis refusal to comply with the requirements, and that payment was reinstated.The ministry said Fayoses government was aware of the consequence of not following the laid down procedure.The governor was also advised to resolve the issue at the ministry of finance, rather than engaging in media war.The failure of Ekiti state government to comply with the requirements and conditions for the budget support facility (BSF) resulted in a letter sent to the chief of staff to notify him of the suspension of BSF for Ekiti state and it was conveyed to Mr. President before payment to the Ekiti state government was reinstated.The Ekiti state government and all the other participating states are aware of the consequence of failure to comply with the full conditions and it is not the first time that a state would be stopped from accessing the Facility due to non-compliance. In the course of its normal duties, the ministry of finance has the right to query, suspend or withhold funds as part of the conditions of the budget support facility.The process is for the commissioner of finance of any state or the governor having issues to contact the federal ministry of finance and resolve the issues without resorting to the media because such issues are of a financial nature and therefore, confidential; they are routinely resolved amicably by the parties involved.The federal ministry of finance wishes to restate very strongly that the budget support facility is a conditional programme and the federal government would not be intimidated or threatened in the discharge of its duties. The White House has released the summarised details of Mondays phone call between US President Donald Trump and President Muhammadu Buha... The White House has released the summarised details of Mondays phone call between US President Donald Trump and President Muhammadu Buhari.The readout was published on the official website of the US government, whitehouse.gov, putting an end to speculations on the call which many Nigerian critics of Buhari claimed did not take place.However, the readout was silent on the invitation of Buhari to Washington DC at a mutually convenient day.Femi Adesina, presidential spokesman, had released the Nigerian version immediately after the call. HAINESPORT TWP. -- A teacher's aide with the St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church has been suspended over sexual abuse allegations as a criminal investigation continues, according to news reports. FOX29 reports that the unnamed male aide, who worked at the reJOYce Christian School, was suspended without pay in December 2016 after four children made claims of inappropriate touching. Brian Kent, a Philadelphia-based attorney who is representing the children between the ages of 5 and 6, was not immediately available for comment Thursday afternoon. The New Jersey State Police confirmed the investigation to FOX29, which adds that the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office was assisting. The report adds that the aide had been the target of a similar internal probe in 2014, but no action was taken at that time. According to the church's website, the congregation was founded in 1867. The school where the aide worked is an "educational and outreach ministry," according to its Facebook page, where students are "treated with the care, respect, and gentle guidance every child deserves." Greg Adomaitis may be reached at gadomaitis@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregAdomaitis. Find NJ.com on Facebook. With a little encouragement from state legislators -- and from Bamboozled -- families who need to put loved ones in hospice care can rest a little easier. Last year, we brought you the story of Margaret Shaw, a woman whose 96-year-old mother, Ida Shaw, needed hospice care. Choosing a facility was a rush because her mom needed immediate care. The family selected Center for Hope in Scotch Plains. There was a contract provision Margaret Shaw didn't like, but felt she had no choice. Ida Shaw, 95, died while she was in a hospice facility. The facility required she pay a nonrefundable seven days of care upfront, but she died after two-and-a half days. It said the family would have to pay upfront for seven days of care, and there would be no refund under any circumstance, even if the patient didn't need care for all seven days. So upfront, Shaw paid $2,730, or $390 a day, to get her mom into the facility. Two-and-a-half days after she checked in, Ida Shaw died. Margaret Shaw was happy with the care her mother received, but she remained troubled about the fee for the days that her mother didn't need care. She asked for help from legislators. No one responded to her inquiries, so Bamboozled gave a nudge. And in September, Assemblywoman Nancy Munoz and Senator Tom Kean introduced legislation to ban the practice. Munoz and Kean said they wanted to make sure consumers were protected. "This would prevent a hospice from charging a patient or family member for time periods in which the hospice is not providing services and the hospice is free to place another patient in the bed," the Assembly version of the bill said. Soon after, a hospice industry group reached out to the legislators. They wanted to talk. To avoid the legislation, the facilities, speaking through the Home Care & Hospice Association of New Jersey, made a promise to change their billing practices. "To better assist families during stressful times, all these licensed hospices that own residences have adopted policies that provide for a refund of facility deposits for any day in which a patient is not a resident in the facility," said the letter, which was signed by Chrissy Buteas, the group's president and CEO. The only time a hospice could hang on to a deposit or charge patients for unused days would be if there were "absent days spent in a therapeutic facility or on a leave requested by the patient." That sounds very, very fair. Further, the group pledged to communicate this practice to any new hospice houses that come about to make sure "this policy is consistently applied statewide." That creates the same consumer-friendly practice that would have been required from the legislation. 'We are very grateful that we were able to reach a resolution with the hospice community," Munoz said. "Margaret Shaw, who shared her story with me, should be very proud that her determination to help others contributed to this issue being resolved." Kean, too, was happy with the industry promise. "We are pleased that all parties were able to find a way to address the issue in a way that will protect the consumer and restore confidence in the hospice community, which is such a critical part of New Jersey's healthcare landscape, " Kean said. And talk about timing. "According to the Jewish calendar, today is the day my mom died," Margaret Shaw said on the day the news came. The Shaw family will light a memorial candle at sunset the night before the day of the anniversary of Ida Shaw's passing and say a prayer called Yiskor "in honor of our beloved parent," she said. The candle stays lit until sundown the following day, Shaw said. On the next Sabbath evening, which will be tomorrow (Friday), they will say Yiskor again in temple. Shaw said she is "elated that hospice centers in New Jersey will be changing their refund policies." "The Center for Hope will be abiding by the guidelines Father Hudson had originally set up when he dreamed of creating this type of facility," Shaw said. "Since legislation will not be passed at this time, I hope in the future, all hospice centers keep their word and never change their policies back." "We, as the public, must be vigilant in making sure this never happens again," Shaw said. Bamboozled will be watching, too. Have you been Bamboozled? Reach Karin Price Mueller at Bamboozled@NJAdvanceMedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @KPMueller. Find Bamboozled on Facebook. Mueller is also the founder of NJMoneyHelp.com. Stay informed and sign up for NJMoneyHelp.com's weekly e-newsletter. Deli burglar.jpg New Jersey State Police seek help identifying a burglar that struck an Upper Deerfield Township deli twice last year. (Submitted photo) UPPER DEERFIELD TWP. -- New Jersey State Police seek help identifying a burglar that broke into a deli on two separate occasions last year. The burglar stole 30 packs of cigarettes and lottery tickets from the Red Barn Deli on Bridgeton Pike. The thefts occurred on Nov. 27 and Dec. 4, State Police said. The man broke into the deli by smashing several windows and then drove away in a white SUV -- possibly a Hyundai Santa Fe. State Police shared photos of the burglar on its official Facebook page in hopes of identifying him. Anyone with information about the burglary is asked to call New Jersey State Police Bridgeton Barracks by calling 856-451-0101. Information can be shared anonymously. Don E. Woods may be reached at dwoods@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @donewoods1. Find NJ.com on Facebook. PISCATAWAY -- Rutgers University has issued a formal apology after banning students from a job fair for wearing blue suits, colored shirts, brown shoes or other attire that violated a strict new dress code for the event. The controversy started Feb. 10 when several students who arrived at a career fair for the Rutgers Business School were turned away, according to The Daily Targum, the university's student newspaper. Students were told they could return if they changed clothes, but some owned only one suit or lived too far away to drive home and make it back in time, the Targum's report said. Rutgers told NJ Advance Media it could not confirm how many students were turned away. Sophomore Kevin Chen told the Targum he was turned away after wearing a navy suit he had worn to previous interviews. Students were required to wear black or dark gray suits, according to the dress code. "I am not angry about being turned away ... but to be turned away due to my fashion sense is absurd," Chen told the paper. "I didn't go to show off my style, I went to show my skills." Some students questioned why dark blue suits were not allowed and one administrator said the issue was really over what shade of blue was appropriate. "While a very nice theoretical discussion, I used to teach science and specifically designating a particular color with chromaticity coordinates using a spectropolarimeter is not possible at a Business School Career Fair," Martin Markowitz, the Business School's senior associate dean, told the Targum. "To avoid any confusion, we do not permit blue suits." Students banned from the event launched an online petition asking for an apology from the university and changes to the dress code. "We take great pride in our students, both academically and professionally," Business School Dean Lei Lei said in a written apology. "We regret that the actions at last week's career fair adversely affected some of our students and cast a shadow over the success we have achieved in helping our students secure more meaningful internships and jobs." Rutgers will help students contact recruiters they were banned from meeting and work on revising the dress code, Lei said. "Our career management process is not perfect, and we look forward to working with our recruiters and students to further improve our practices, including the dress code guidelines," she said. The university implemented the dress code after feedback from employers, according to the report. In previous years, Rutgers students failed to present themselves well at the event, the university told the student newspaper. A flier with the dress code provided specific detail on what student should and should not wear. Men Dark gray or black professional business suit; pants and jacket must match White dress shirt Conservative, professional tie with a solid or simple pattern. No bright colors or graphics Dark socks that match shoes or pants; no patterned or white socks Clean, polished dark dress shoes; no sneakers or boots No facial jewelry; minimal accessories (dark belt, watch, ring) Hair well groomed Clean shaven or well-groomed facial hair Clean, trimmed nails Minimal fragrance, if any Women Dark gray or black professional business suit; long leeved jacket with lapels and matching knee length skirt OR full length dress pants Solid light colored blouse or shirt; avoid plunging necklines Clean, polished close toed dark pumps (low heel), no stilettos or ballet flats Neutral colored plain hosiery if wearing a skirt suit; pattern Minimal jewelry; watch, ring, small earrings Minimal makeup, if any Hair well groomed Nude or light colored nail polish, if any. Clean, trimmed nails Minimal fragrance, if any Small purse, if any Adam Clark may be reached at adam_clark@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on twitter at @realAdamClark. Find NJ.com on Facebook. BELLEVILLE -- A man was found shot in the head and critically injured after the car he was in crashed into a utility pole in Belleville early Thursday, according to investigators. The attack came amid a string of violence in Essex County through early Thursday, including a deadly shooting in Newark and at least four other shootings within a 12-hour span in the state's largest city. Police have not said if the cases are linked. In Belleville, the wreck occurred around 2 a.m. near South Franklin Avenue and Mill Street, where a red Pontiac slammed into the pole near Branch Brook Park, authorities said. Five people in the car were rushed to area hospitals. A shooting victim found in the car was undergoing surgery, acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Belleville Police Chief Mark Minichini said in a joint statement issued later Thursday morning. "The preliminary investigation indicates the Pontiac was in Newark and followed into Belleville by another vehicle just prior to the crash and shooting," the officials said. Belleville police said they were investigating a shooting near Newark Avenue and Clara Maass Drive in the township, not far from the crash scene. The police chief referred questions to the prosecutor's Major Crimes Task Force, which was leading the investigation. Chief Assistant Prosecutor Thomas Fennelly, of the major crimes unit, said it remained under investigation if the driver or one of the other people in the car were shot. At the scene early Thursday, investigators closed Franklin Avenue for at least four hours while they examined the crash and collected evidence. The heavily damaged car was removed on a flatbed truck that left escorted by two prosecutor's office SUVs. A utility pole was also partially toppled over the roadway, which was reopened around 8 a.m. In neighboring Newark, police were investigating several other shootings. A 21-year-old man was shot and killed in Newark's West Ward and three others survived shootings overnight around the city, police said. Detectives were making progress in the Newark investigations, city Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose said. "Homicides and robberies in the city continue to decline," Ambrose said. "We will continue to analyze and change our deployment strategies with the goal to further reduce crime, particularly those involving violence." Records show Newark has suffered six killings this year compared to at least 16 murders in the same time last year. Authorities did not immediately release more information Thursday morning as the investigation unfolded. Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc and on Facebook. Find NJ.com on Facebook. * Mattis says Russia interfered in democratic elections * Russia blasts NATO bid to negotiate from strength * Trump had sought to improve ties with Moscow (Adds no progress on Trump-Putin meeting, paragraph 11) By Phil Stewart and Robin Emmott BRUSSELS, Feb 16 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump's defense secretary on Thursday said he did not see possible military collaboration with Russia now, in a blow to Moscow's hopes to mend ties with Washington after Trump's election. The remarks are perhaps the strongest indication yet from the Trump administration that prospects for any significant cooperation between the U.S. and Russian militaries against Islamic State in Syria is unlikely anytime soon. They came despite repeated suggestions by Trump during his election campaign of the possibility of joint action against Islamic State militants. "We are not in a position right now to collaborate on a military level. But our political leaders will engage and try to find common ground," Jim Mattis told reporters after talks at NATO headquarters in Brussels, also mentioning U.S. concerns about Russian interference in democratic elections. Just hours before Mattis spoke, Russian President Vladimir Putin said it was in the interests of both nations to restore communications between their intelligence agencies. "It's absolutely clear that in the area of counter-terrorism all relevant governments and international groups should work together," he told Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB). U.S. intelligence agencies, however, are among the most powerful voice of caution in Washington on Russia, concluding that Moscow hacked and leaked Democratic Party emails during the presidential campaign as part of efforts to tilt the vote in the Nov. 8 election in Trump's favor. Monday's resignation of national security adviser Michael Flynn, who was seen in Moscow as a leading advocate of warmer ties with Russia, has underscored for the Kremlin the difficulties of reaching a settlement. Story continues Flynn resigned after disclosures he had discussed U.S. sanctions on Russia with the Russian ambassador to the United States before Trump took office, and that he later misled Vice President Mike Pence about the conversations. Asked whether he believed that Russia interfered in U.S. presidential elections, Mattis said: "Right now, I would just say there's very little doubt that they have either interfered or they have attempted to interfere in a number of elections in the democracies." He did not explicitly cite the U.S. election. A Kremlin aide said there had been no progress on a potential meeting between Trump and Putin. "There is no agreement on a meeting nor a clear understanding yet," Interfax news agency quoted Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov as saying. BACK-AND-FORTH Mattis, who has previously accused Russia of trying to break the NATO alliance, told a closed-door session of NATO on Wednesday that it needed to be realistic about the chances of restoring a cooperative relationship with Moscow. He cited Moscow's 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine, which plunged U.S.-Russia relations to a post-Cold War low. Mattis said NATO needed "negotiate from a position of strength" as he called for stepped up military spending. That prompted a terse reply from Russia's Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. "Attempts to build a dialogue with Russia from a position of strength would be futile," he was quoted as saying by TASS news agency. Mattis shot back: "I have no need to respond to the Russian statement at all. NATO has always stood for military strength and protection of the democracies and the freedoms we intend to pass on to our children." The back-and-forth came even as U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met in Germany, and U.S. Marine General Joseph Dunford, the top U.S. military officer, met Chief of the Russian General Staff Valery Gerasimov in Azerbaijan. Lavrov dismissed the uproar over the U.S. election. "You should know we do not interfere in the domestic matters of other countries," he said. Congressional inquiries into alleged Russian interference in the U.S. elections are gaining momentum as Capitol Hill investigators press intelligence and law enforcement agencies for access to classified documents. The FBI and several U.S. intelligence agencies are investigating Russian espionage operations in the United States. They are also looking at contacts in Russia between Russian intelligence officers or others with ties to Putin's government and people connected to Trump or his campaign. (Reporting by Phil Stewart; Additional reporting by Andrea Shalal in Bonn, Germany and Jack Stubbs in Moscow; Editing by Tom Heneghan) SOUTH ORANGE -- Seton Hall University is looking for a new president. The school announced Thursday President A. Gabriel Esteban will be leaving at the end of the academic year to take the top job at DePaul University in Chicago. "It has been a great privilege and honor to serve as Seton Hall's president," Esteban said in a statement about the decision. President A. Gabriel Esteban in a file photo. (John Munson | The Star-Ledger) "This was a very difficult decision to make since I have come to know and respect so many members of the university community including students, members of the priest community, faculty, staff, alumni and board members. I am leaving with a heavy heart but I am confident that the university's tremendous progress in recent years will continue." Esteban will be the first lay president of DePaul, the largest Catholic university in the country. Seton Hall officials released statements Thursday expressing gratitude to Esteban, who has served as the school's president since 2011. During his tenure, the school created a new Seton Hall School of Medicine and a new college of communication and the arts. School officials also said the university reached a fundraising "all-time high" under Esteban, raising about $40 million over the last year and a half. "Working closely with Dr. Esteban for these past years has been a blessing," said Seton Hall Board of Regents Chairman Patrick Murray. "He has been a great university president and with his leadership Seton Hall has made tremendous progress and growth." The university will start the search for a new president before Esteban leaves. He starts at DePaul July 1, the school said. Officials at DePaul University said current President Rev. Dennis H. Holtschneider, who has held the role since 2004, announced last June he would be stepping down. The Board of Trustees unanimously approved Esteban's appointment on Feb. 6, the school said. "Dr. Esteban brings both extensive experience in higher education and strategic planning to DePaul University," William E. Bennett, chair of the DePaul Board of Trustees, said in a statement. "I am confident he will preserve and continue to enhance DePaul's reputation for academic excellence, as well as the university's Catholic and Vincentian mission." Esteban holds a bachelor's in mathematics and an MBA at the University of the Philippines, a master's in Japanese business studies from Chaminade University in Hawaii, and a doctorate in business administration from University of California, Irvine. Before working at Seton Hall, he held positions at the University of Central Arkansas and Arkansas Tech University. He and his wife, Josephine, have one daughter, a medical resident at the University of Chicago. Jessica Mazzola may be reached at jmazzola@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessMazzola. Find NJ.com on Facebook. NEWARK -- Along parts of Ferry Street on Thursday, doors remained shuttered, chairs were stacked and newspapers left uncollected on doorsteps at restaurants and businesses. Some had a message for passers-by: They were closed to support "A Day Without Immigrants," a national boycott meant to highlight the impact immigrants have on the economy. Storefronts posted signs in English, Spanish and Portuguese that read "Nos unimos a un dia sin immigrantes, CLOSED!" or "We are joining the day without immigrants, CLOSED!" In New Jersey, immigrant rights groups said the movement was spurred by individual families and businesses as word spread of the planned demonstration on social media. Residents agreed to keep their kids home from school, miss work or shut stores down. It wasn't immediately clear how widespread the closures or absences were across the state or in Newark. Stores dotting other commercial thoroughfares in Newark, like Broad and Market streets, remained open. "Even though there was not much organization, there was a lot of people that joined this movement," Newark resident Rosa Pizarro said in Spanish. Pizzaro kept one of her kids home from school and told her employer she would not be going to babysit. "It's a way to support each other, to not feel alone, to not feel abandoned, to realize we're not one, or two, we're millions." Pizarro and about a dozen other women and their children went to City Hall on Thursday to support a group of religious leaders from the city that had gathered to express solidarity for immigrants. The "Day Without Immigrants" was focused on fighting President Donald J. Trump's recent executive orders on immigration -- both legal and illegal. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has also acknowledged immigration raids in at least 11 states though none have been reported in New Jersey. Immigrants in cities like Philadelphia, New York and Washington D.C. also joined the national boycott. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) tweeted that Senators couldn't get coffee because one of the Capitol Hill restaurants was closed. "Today, Capitol Hill staffers got a real dosage of what it is not to have immigrants serving them," Menendez said in a Twitter video. Rallies also took place in Lakewood, New Brunswick and Newark on Thursday. About 30 people congregated outside the Hall of Records in the morning and another 30 marched down Ferry Street in the afternoon. Alex Garcia, a member of the immigrant advocacy group Cosecha (a Spanish word meaning harvest), said they are planning a broader day without immigrants on May 1. Garcia said Cosecha was not behind Thursday's demonstrations though the group supported the actions. The New Jersey Restaurant and Hospitality Association Members said in a statement Thursday many of its employees planned on participating in the demonstration. "While we understand their time away from work duties may pose some inconvenience to our guests, we appreciate their need to share their concern about President Trump's Executive Orders on Immigration," the statement said. Maria V., an undocumented immigrant in Newark, stayed home from her cleaning job and kept her four children at home. She said it was important she stand against Trump's plan to ramp up deportations. "Sometimes I don't go out, I get scared," Maria said as she wiped away tears. She said she's scared she'll be deported and separated from her kids. "If something happens to me, what will happen to my kids?" Karen Yi may be reached at kyi@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at @karen_yi or on Facebook. Emirati visitors take photos at the Space Museum during the launch of the UAE Space Agency strategic plan in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Monday, May 25, 2015. The agency on Monday laid out a strategic framework for a newly created space agency that aims to integrate various arms of the Gulf federation's burgeoning space industry. The announcement comes less than three weeks after the Dubai-based team behind a 2020 mission to Mars announced that its probe will circle the planet studying its atmosphere, including changes over time and how surface features such as volcanoes, deserts and canyons affect it. When Elon Musk went before an international space conference in Mexico and announced his vision of a Mars transportation system built by his company SpaceX, attendees were enthralled by the technologyand despairing of the price tag, which at a bare minimum of $10 billion seemed out of reach for the private sector and the United States cash-strapped space agency. But more than one space enthusiast eyed the elaborately decorated exhibit booth of the United Arab Emirates space agency, founded in 2014, wondering whether itand the UAEs $500 billion sovereign wealth fund, swollen with petrodollarscould be the financiers needed for a Mars colony. Now we have the beginnings of an answer, from UAE prime minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. He tweeted out plans to create a mini-city and community on Mars involving international cooperation within the next century, calling the project Mars 2117. "Mars 2117" is a seed we are sowing today to reap the fruit of new generations led by a passion for science and advancing human knowledge. pic.twitter.com/IExtnpiO2B HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) February 14, 2017 The UAE already has plans to launch a Mars probe by 2021, and has been collaborating with space agencies in the United Kingdom and France to reach this goal. Al Maktoum sees the long-term project as a way to build his countrys capacity in high-tech endeavors; as with many oil-dependent economies, the goal is to diversify into new industrial sectors. Story continues A press release described a planned scientific team of Emiratis working with a global consortium of researchers to develop solutions to the array of challenges for humans seeking to live in the harsh Martian environment, including the production of food, water, power, and breathable air. Two things stood out immediately about the plan: First, it has a reasonable timeline, compared with SpaceXs hyper-ambitious 2023 launch goal (though Musk conceded in his presentation that a feasible timetable for colonization would be between 40 and 100 years). Second, it aims at Mars at a time when other big space powersEurope, China and Russia, and also perhaps NASA under new US president Donald Trumpare looking at a return to the Moon as a simpler, more cost-effective way to develop human spacefaring technology. Sign up for the Quartz Daily Brief, our free daily newsletter with the worlds most important and interesting news. More stories from Quartz: tareck el aissimi On Monday, the US government announced sanctions against the highest-profile Venezuelan official yet targeted Vice President Tareck El Aissami, who was named to the position by President Nicolas Maduro in early January. The US Treasury Department declared El Aissami to be a specially designated narcotics trafficker for allegedly "playing a significant role in international narcotics trafficking." The US government also designated Venezuelan citizen Samark Jose Lopez Bello for providing material or financial assistance to the narcotics trafficking activities of El Aissami and blocked 13 properties owned by Lopez or others that it said "comprise an international network." The Treasury Department alleges that El Aissami oversaw narcotics shipments via planes leaving air bases and boats leaving the country's ports. Suspicions about his involvement in the drug trade have earned El Aissami the moniker "the narco of Aragua," after his home state. "There's information that El Aissami has been protecting loads of cocaine we're talking about ton quantities coming from Colombia using Venezuela as a transshipment point," Mike Vigil, a former chief of international operations for the US Drug Enforcement Administration, told Business Insider. "There's information that indicates that El Aissami actually directed ... how that cocaine would be transshipped through a lot of their airports and seaports, and then he worked in collusion with what we call a testaferro, or a front man, by the name of Samark Lopez, who has been establishing front companies," Vigil said. Tareck El Aissami Nicolas Maduro Venezuela president At the tail end of his presidential campaign Donald Trump adopted a hardline stance on the Venezuela, but his team wasn't the driving force behind this round of sanctions, the investigation for which began under Obama. Story continues "The timing, however, is indeed curious," Tim Gill, a post-doctoral fellow at Tulane University focused on Venezuelan foreign relations, told Business Insider. "El Aissami recently became the Venezuelan Vice President and received extensive economic powers from Maduro, and Trump recently became U.S. President." The sanctions send a "clear message to people of Venezuela that America stands with them," newly appointed Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said on Tuesday, adding that the measures would freeze "tens of millions of dollars." donald trump steve mnuchin El Aissami and Maduro wasted no time in responding. The vice president called the sanctions "miserable provocations" and pledged to show "greater strength" in response to what he called imperialist aggressions. Maduro said he would present a formal note of protest to the US government over the designation and declared that he was the ultimate target of US policies. "They are not attacking Tareck, they are attacking a country, a revolution and I am the final objective," he said. While El Aissami is a new designee and was relatively recently appointed to the vice presidency, he looms large over Venezuelan politics and has been implicated in some of the country's more sinister institutions. Born in November 1974, El Aissami had humble beginnings in Merida, in western Venezuela. The son of Syrian and Lebanese immigrants, his father, Carlos El-Aissami, was the head of a local branch of the Iraqi Ba'ath Party. El Aissami soon moved east, to Aragua, where he attended the Basic School of the National Armed Forces. Venezuela states map He later moved back west, where he attended the University of the Andes in Merida, according to a profile by Venezuelan news site Vertice News. There, one of his professors was Adan Chavez, brother of Hugo Chavez, who would later be president from 1999 until his death in 2013. "His politics are really all a product of the Chavez era," Alejandro Velasco, a history professor at New York University, told Business Insider. "He's part of the new generation, younger generation ... certainly his radicalism can't be traced to a pre-Chavez era," Velasco said, "and most of his actual politics came in ... the Andes, where he was a student." El Aissami earned degrees in law and criminology and became involved in politics while in school, where he eventually met Hugo Chavez. Other students grew suspicious of him, however, coming to believe he had connections to guerrilla movements that operated in the Venezuela-Colombia border area. He was also accused of bringing in armed thugs to bully the competition in student elections. Tareck El Aissami Hugo Chavez Venezuela president After leaving school, he took a position in the Venezuelan Interior Ministry's passport and naturalization agency, before being elected to the national parliament in 2005. He was appointed minister of interior and justice in 2008, holding that position until he was elected governor of Aragua state, which stretches south from the Caribbean coast in central Venezuela. "My sense in terms of El Aissami is that his pretensions were always national in scope," Velasco said. "His ideas weren't about making any major inroads it was really looking ahead to the bigger and brighter things." Those political ambitions could have facilitated the narco activity El Aissami has been accused of. Empowered by his status among the ranks of Chavez supporters, called chavistas, El Aissami may have linked up with elements within the armed forces that increasingly came to see their logistical resources and relative impunity as means to pursue illicit activities narcotics trafficking chief among them. hugo chavez "Sometime back in 2010, Venezuela's largest ... drug trafficker a guy by the name of Walid Makled Garcia was arrested in Cucuta, Colombia, and he gave declarations immediately to Colombian security forces and said that his biggest associates in Venezuela were all generals," Vigil told Business Insider. "And he also indicated that he was providing money to El Aissami's brother that was going to a lot of high-ranking government officials so that they could protect the loads of cocaine being transshipped through Venezuela," said Vigil, author of "Metal Coffins: The Blood Alliance Cartel." "The other thing is that Aragua ... provides [El Aissami] with actually a really clear link to two crucial nodes of the narcotics trade," Velasco said. "One being the border region with Colombia through Tachira state, and the other one being Aragua, which is in a central region," he continued, "and so there you have sort of the clear path from the source country ... to the exit area, which would be the Caribbean." El Aissami's links to the border region, Vigil said, also allegedly include ties to Colombia's left-wing FARC rebels, a stalwart in the drug trade, and to the right-wing paramilitaries that fought the FARC and also maintained a presence in the drug trade. While the US indictment only pertains to El Aissami's suspected narcotics activity, there have been accusations he was involved in black-market passport sales, distributing Venezuelan passports, which grant the holder entry to 130 countries, to people from the Middle East, some of whom were connected to the terrorist group Hezbollah, according to a CNN investigation. Lebanese Hezbollah supporters carry a replica of Hezbollah emblem during a religious procession to mark Ashura in Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon October 12, 2016. REUTERS/Aziz Taher "So he came to the attention of the US government several years ago, under the Obama administration, when a multitude of fraudulent Venezuelan passports started to popping up in many places," Vigil said. "So with those passports they could literally travel to just about any country in the world." The extent of Venezuela's involvement with Islamic extremism is questionable. Actions like the sale of passports may just constitute crimes of opportunity, rather than indicate any kind of deeper ideological or operational linkage. And while groups like Hezbollah have connections to Venezuelan officials, it appears that, for now, those groups' undertakings in Latin America are limited to "money laundering and the funneling of drug profits to their organization, because now a lot of these terrorist networks are using drug profits to fund their operations," Vigil said. What is much less clear is what the leveling of sanctions on a high-profile official like Tareck El Aissami means for the US-Venezuela relationship going forward. donald trump The investigation in El Aissami was largely conducted under the Obama administration, and, Vigil said, was delayed in recent months because the Obama State Department wanted to see if a dialogue between the Maduro government and the opposition locked in a deep-seated political conflict could be established. Venezuela's response may also signal a desire for further engagement. "El Aissami has, of course, condemned the sanctions, but he has not specifically condemned Trump himself," Tim Gill, post-doctoral fellow at Tulane University, told Business Insider. "This suggests that the Venezuela government might still try to play its hand with Trump, especially given Trump's warmth towards Russia, one of Venezuela's closest international allies," Gill added. While Trump appears to have voiced support for factions of Venezuelas opposition, the ultimate shape of his policy toward Venezuela remains to be seen. "Pressure is mounting from both Democratic and Republican members of Congress, as evidenced in a recent letter signed by 34 individuals, to take a harsher position on the Maduro government," Gill said. "At the moment, the administration appears tied up with issues involving China, Mexico, and Russia, as well as the Middle East," he added. "Trump will eventually have to say something on Venezuela, and this will set the tone for the future of U.S.-Venezuela relations." NOW WATCH: 'I like the one that both parties like': Trump won't commit to a one or two-state solution between Israel and Palestine More From Business Insider Former North Shore DA Walter Reed wants to remain free during his appeal North Shore man imprisoned 25 years for shooting ex-girlfriend as she tried to flee Abdisellam Hassen Ahmed, a Somali refugee who had been stuck in limbo after President Donald Trump temporarily banned refugee entries, kisses his wife Nimo Hashi, after arriving at Salt Lake International Airport, Friday, Feb. 10, 2017, in Salt Lake City. Ahmed meet his 2-year-old daughter, Taslim, for the first time. Ahmed is among a wave of refugees around the country making belated arrivals after their trips were cancelled several weeks ago after Trump's executive order. (AP Photo / Rick Bowmer) The federal government plans to pour $125 million into the fight against a mysterious disease that has ravaged corals in Florida and much of the Caribbean, and now poses a dire threat to the treasured reefs off the Louisiana and Texas coasts. WASHINGTON (AP) The House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol has issued a subpoena to Donald Trump. The nine-member panel sent a letter to the former president's lawyers on Friday, demanding his testimony under oath by mid-November and outlining a series of corresponding documents. The decision by lawmakers to exercise their subpoena power comes a week after the committee made its final case against the former president, who they say is the "central cause" of the multi-part effort to overturn the results of the 2020 election. It remains unclear how Trump and his legal team will respond to the subpoena, if at all. Charges are pending against six former employees of the Glenwood Resource Center in connection to allegations of abuse and neglect. On Thursday, authorities arrested Tyler Palmer, 28, and Kayla Stevenson, 23, both of Glenwood, and Dana Case, 42, of Tabor on warrants for one count of wanton neglect of a health care facility resident, a Class C felony, according to the Glenwood Police Department. Additional warrants, as of Thursday afternoon, were issued for Darrel Case, 49, and Ryan Belt, 35, both of Tabor, as well as Ayla Yates, 25, of Glenwood. Both Dana Case and Palmer are being held at the Mills County Jail, police said, with Palmer on a $2,000 bond. The jail declined to release Cases bond amount pending her appearance before a judge. The arrests are connected to abuse allegations revealed in a Iowa Department of Human Services report in January, according to the Glenwood Police Department. Police said it opened an investigation on Nov. 23, 2016, into alleged assaults by staff against clients at a group home at 253 Indian Hills Drive on the Glenwood Resource Center property. The Glenwood Resource Center works with clients with intellectual or developmental disabilities who are admitted because of significant behavioral challenges or medical conditions that require intensive, complex active treatment. The resource center serves about 230 clients and employs more than 770 people. Police said the investigation determined that several clients were assaulted over a period of several months at the home. In early January, six resource center employees were fired, while another six resigned after an investigation into abuse and neglect. Dana Case, Darrel Case, Belt, Stevenson and Palmer resigned, while Yates was fired, according to the Iowa Department of Human Services. The vast majority of our staff are dedicated workers that treat the individuals who live at Glenwood with dignity and respect, and campus leadership remains vigilant in identifying any concerns and taking action, DHS spokeswoman Amy McCoy said in an emai. The human services department started its investigation in late September after allegations of client mistreatment and staff failure to report incidents in a timely manner. The inquiry found seven clients were the subject of physical abuse. Thirteen clients were subjected to verbal abuse or neglect. When arrested, Darrel Case is expected to be charged with five counts of wanton neglect of a health care facility resident. Belt is expected to be charged with dependent adult abuse and wanton neglect of a health care facility resident, while Stevenson and Yates are expected to face one count of wanton neglect of a health care facility resident. The Glenwood Police Department said Palmer, Dana Case and Stevenson were arrested at their homes Thursday by Mills County Sheriffs Office deputies. Darrel Case communicated to police that hed turn himself in sometime Thursday, while police expect Yates to turn herself in on Thursday as well. Authorities had not yet made contact with Belt as of Thursday afternoon. For the past 14 years, people in need could dial 211 and receive a referral to an appropriate service organization. United Way of the Midlands, which operates the 211 call center, marked the centers 14th anniversary on Saturday, Feb. 11, which was also National 211 Day, said Kathy OHara, director of public relations and editorial services. The staff four full-time and four part-time employees refer callers to public and nonprofit agencies that offer services in their area of need, OHara said. The call center offers the free service to residents of nine counties in southwest Iowa and the whole state of Nebraska. Assistance is available in multiple languages. They give them all the contact info, she said. I think its helped an awful lot of individuals and families. The center answered 54,000 calls in 2016, including 2,345 from southwest Iowa, according to the United Way. Callers were most often seeking housing or utility assistance, which were the focus of 55 percent of the calls. Individual and family support services were the reason for 9 percent of the calls, and food assistance was requested in 7 percent. Currently, the center is receiving calls about where free income tax preparation is offered, OHara said. Calls from southwest Iowa represented 2,539 needs, and some callers had more than one need, OHara said. Of the southwest Iowa needs, 1,453 concerned housing and utilities (57 percent), with 35 percent pertaining to housing and 22 percent utilities. Food made up 170, or 7 percent, of all needs. The Salvation Army receives many calls for housing and utility assistance sometimes from people referred to the organization by the 211 center, said Maj. Donna Miller, Council Bluffs Corps officer. The organization provides about $4,000 a month for rent and utility assistance to those who qualify, she said. Recipients must have a steady income, meet income guidelines and receive help only once a year. We cant do security deposits or their first months rent, she said. We will help with rent if theyve been there at least six months. New Visions Homeless Services which operates the Joshua House mens emergency shelter, Timothy House Transitional Living program and MOHMs Place meal site also receives clients from the call center, said Brandy Wallar, program director. We get referrals from them all the time, she said. A western Nebraska man is facing charges after police said he touched a child inappropriately and showed the child pornography. Bruce Rankin, 50, of Bayard, is charged with indecent contact with a child, an aggravated misdemeanor, and dissemination and exhibition of obscene material to minors, a serious misdemeanor. Rankin was arrested Friday and has since posted $2,000 bond. His preliminary hearing is set for March 8. If convicted, he faces up to three years in prison. According to police records, the alleged victim a girl then age 9 disclosed during a Project Harmony interview that Rankin touched her inappropriately sometime in 2016. She also claimed Rankin would make her and another minor watch a movie that showed two adults engaging in sex when he would leave for work. The incidents took place in Council Bluffs. Polices attempts to reach Rankin were unsuccessful, and a warrant was issued for his arrest. Rankin has not yet been appointed a public defender. Reporter Mike Bell can be reached at (712) 325-5764 or by email at mbell@nonpareilonline.com. Council Bluffs contributed to the World War I war effort in several different ways. Speakers from five different organizations will discuss them during World War I in Council Bluffs at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 21 at the Council Bluffs Public Library, 400 Willow Ave. The event is being held in conjunction with the 100th anniversary of the U.S. entry into the war in 1917. Presenters will include Dick Warner, member of the Historical Society of Pottawattamie County Board; Patricia LaBounty, museum and collections manager at the Union Pacific Railroad Museum; Kori Nelson and Danette Hein-Snider of the Historic General Dodge House; Marlys Lien of the Council Bluffs Public Library; and Mary Lou McGinn of Preserve Council Bluffs. This will focus on the time frame that the United States was in World War I, and it will focus on various aspects of how we were supportive of or contributed to the war effort, Lien said. Council Bluffs and southwest Iowa mustered the first mobile army medical unit; sent doctors, nurses and soldiers overseas; worked for Union Pacific Railroad in Europe; supported a local training camp with supplies and later the U.S. war machine; spread war propaganda; and kept the city, as it existed in that era, bustling with activity. The War to End All Wars, as it was once called, began July 28, 1914, when Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. The United States was determined to stay out of the fray and finally entered on April 1, 1917 by declaring war against Germany. Guests will see vintage photos of Council Bluffs, World War I memorabilia, propaganda posters displayed on the librarys second floor through a partnership with the State Historical Society of Iowa and the Iowa World War I Centennial Committee. They will also hear music from the World War I era. The event is free and open to the public. A bridge over Indian Creek in Council Bluffs is one of a nation-leading 4,968 bridges in Iowa that are structurally deficient, according to a recent study. Many passersby likely dont know the road over Indian Creek is a bridge, though. The U.S. Highway 6/Iowa Highway 192 conduit over Indian Creek, which is the intersection of Sixth Street and Kanesville Boulevard, is the seventh-most traveled deficient bridge in the state, with 16,600 daily crossings, according to the American Road & Transportation Builders Association. You dont know theres a bridge there. Youre passing over the Indian Creek channel, said Greg Reeder, Council Bluffs Public Works director. To the average person, they dont know Indian Creek is under there. The associations analysis of U.S. transportation department data shows more than 55,000 bridges in the U.S. have been deemed deficient. Iowa ranks highest in the number of deficient bridges and second-highest for deficient bridges as a percentage of bridges overall at 20.5 percent. One of the reasons Iowa ranks so high is because we have so many bridges. We have so many bridges because we have so many streams and ditches. And we have a lot of roads, Reeder said. We also really as a state havent committed to making the investment to fix the bridges. Reeder explained that, in the Sixth Street and Kanesville Boulevard, area the creek is channeled through a box, with bridges built over the top of the box. The box, built in 1935, and the bridge are independent structures. There are about 40 bridges in Council Bluffs, a high number for a city this size, primarily because of Indian Creek, Reeder said. The American Road & Transportation Builders Association said deficient bridges are crossed about 185 million times a day. The top 14 most-traveled deficient bridges are located in California. Iowa ranked No. 1 with the 4,968 bridges in 2016, while Nebraska ranked No. 5 for 2016 at 2,361 deficient bridges. The association said the inventory of structurally deficient bridges has declined 0.5 percent since the 2015 report. The number of such bridges is in Iowa declined by 57 from 5,025. Associated Chief Economist Alison Premo Black, who conducted the analysis, said the data shows 28 percent of bridges (173,919) are over 50 years old and have never had any major reconstruction work in that time. Americas highway network is woefully underperforming. It is outdated, overused, underfunded and in desperate need of modernization, Black said in a release. State and local transportation departments havent been provided the resources to keep pace with the nations bridge needs. Bridges labeled structurally deficient arent necessarily in immediate danger of collapse. The term is applied when spans need rehabilitation or replacement because at least one major component has advanced deterioration or other problems. Individual components may not be on the verge of failure, but if look at all the components added up, it scores enough points to be structurally deficient, Reeder said. Often time, funding is a major obstacle to getting bridges replaced. If a bridge deteriorates too much before its fixed, vehicles with heavy loads are barred from crossing. Its unclear how many other deficient bridges are in Southwest Iowa. Well post signs, Reeder said. You see that all over the country. The bridge at Sixth and Kanesville can still handle heavy loads. The state recently transferred control of the roadway to the city, and Reeder said the bridge has been on the Iowa Department of Transportations list for repairs for years. Now its our problem, he said. He said bid letting is set to begin on a project to replace the bridges on Ninth and 10th streets that go over Indian Creek on Creek Top. Crews will also replace the creek channel box between the two streets as well. When box segments are replaced, a new box is installed that acts as the bridge as well. Reeder estimated the project would cost around $3.5 million and noted replacing bridges over Indian Creek cost about $1 million a pop. Reeder was unsure when asked for an estimated cost of replacing the Sixth and Kanesville bridge and box. Weve never worked up a cost because it wasnt our bridge before, he said. Its unique because the creek crosses (Kanesville) diagonally. Thats something well have to work up. Its going to be a very long box replacement project. The Associated Press contributed to this story. As protectionism and the perception of bad trade deals permeated last years presidential campaign, the impact on Midwestern agriculture was largely overlooked. In short, farmers and ranchers in Iowa and surrounding states depend heavily on overseas markets to sell grains, meat and other goods. Iowa, with agriculture driving much of its economy, unquestionably benefits from having access to markets. Yet President Donald Trump has shot down the Trans-Pacific Partnership, floated a short-lived 20 percent tariff on imported goods from Mexico and discussed renegotiating the North America Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA. Sen. Chuck Grassley, however, has expressed concern about the impact such deals could have on farmers in the Hawkeye State and rightfully so. All of us looking at new trade deals or renegotiating prior trade deals need to have our eyes open and consider that U.S. agriculture is generally a major exporter, Grassley told the Omaha World-Herald. Anything that restricts export markets for U.S. farm products very likely means lost income for Iowa farmers and ag workers. Agriculture is a major export across the country, but likely no state benefits as much from its farm output than Iowa. The states secretary of agriculture, Bill Northey, has often remarked that if Iowa were its own country, itd still be among the world leaders in production of corn and pork, among others. Iowa has 88,500 farms, according to the Iowa Farm Bureau. The state also leads the nation in production of corn, soybeans, ethanol and eggs according to their respective trade organizations and is a major player for poultry and dairy. And the states bountiful harvest helps not only feed the world but create an economic boon for the state. China, for instance, is among the top two consumers for U.S. agriculture. Canada and Mexico lack the land and resources necessary to produce both grain and livestock. However, the loss of trade deals that Trump has either already torpedoed or expressed a desire to renegotiate present a threat that expands far beyond agriculture industries. Grassley has been vocal in his support for Iowa farmers and trade deals that benefit agricultural exporters. Given the slump in Iowas agricultural economy over the last couple years, the uncertainty over trade policies could have a very real effect felt even by those who dont live or work on the farm. Everybody knows farming is big business for Iowa, but those who make a living producing and selling agricultural products need markets and trade deals that guarantee access to overseas countries remain absolutely vital for the industry and state. Iowas senior senator has taken a leading role in advocating for Iowa farmers to the advisers and directors in the new administration. We encourage Grassley to keep up that good fight. Collective bargaining attacks are insulting to correctional officers Elected Iowa Republican representatives are refusing to acknowledge correctional and community-based officers are public safety positions. Theyve launched an assault on our rights as workers to collectively bargain. I became involved in corrections 17 years ago, having zero expectations. Im not wealthy this isnt a job you take to get rich yet our representatives say Im greedy. Were given self-defense training in corrections, as violence is a way of life. In fact, inmates recently killed a correctional officer in Delaware. Search Google to find endless stories about assaults on correctional officers nationwide. For staff, its common to use self-defense skills for protection, rendering aid to another officer(s), or responding to inmate fights facility-wide. My job requires me to cohabitate with inmates eight hours a day. I basically work in a human warehouse where society locks away murderers, rapists, thieves, mentally ill and sex offenders. Inmates have threatened to come to my home upon release. While shopping with my family, offenders whove been released back into the community have approached me. Ive been attacked while working. Ive had to subdue weightlifting lunatics whove covered themselves in feces and vomit, communicating they mean me harm. Inmates sometimes urinate or vomit on the floor causing staff to slip when entering their cell. Ive participated in forced-cell extractions on inmates endangering themselves or others. Finding shanks or drugs is common occurrence. I can locate a sex offender in the community with clicks of the keyboard. I routinely write reports and have been called to testify about violence and inmate conduct. The list goes on. Correctional jobs are consistently in the top 10 worst professions because of job-related stress and illness. My family worries for my safety when inmate violence makes the news. The disrespect shown to my profession and my family by our elected officials in Iowa is disheartening. Offenders are imprisoned for community safety. Arent workers in these facilities protecting the community? This attack on my bargaining rights is disrespectful, insulting, and very concerning. Have these senators ever toured a prison or visited a community work release to observe job expectations? The opening sentence of Iowas mission statement for the Department of Corrections sums up my professional expectations beautifully: The Iowa Department of Corrections PROTECTS THE PUBLIC, employees and offenders in several ways. Why are elected officials denying we protect the community? If we arent protecting the community, then set the inmates free. Ron Meckna, Papillion, Nebraska Legislative coffee leads to disappointment I attended the legislative coffee at Wilson Middle School on Saturday in Council Bluffs with hundreds of other public employees, many of whom were educators. We were all curious to hear from our elected officials concerning the bill proposed to change Chapter 20 of the Iowa Code: collective bargaining. House Study Bill 84 and Senate File 213, if passed, would drastically limit bargaining rights for 180,000 Iowa public workers. Employees designated as non-safety workers would be banned from bargaining insurance, retirement systems, supplemental pay, transfer procedures, evaluation procedures, procedures for staff reduction, grievance procedures, seniority and any advantage based on seniority. While we sat waiting for our questions to be read and addressed, 45 minutes passed as Chamber Past Chair Mitch Streit sorted through the large stack of questions, choosing which ones to ask. When a question about HSB 84 and SF 213 was finally asked, calling for the legislators to specifically outline which topics of bargaining would be banned, only Rep. Charlie McConkey answered truthfully. The other four representatives Reps. Greg Forristall, and Mary Ann Hanusa and Sens. Tom Shipley and Dan Dawson tried to justify the changes without answering the question. This led to angry outbursts from understandably concerned and disappointed community members. The questions at a forum like this should be representative of the people in attendance. The overwhelming majority of people at Wilson were public workers and educators, and I suspect that the majority of questions concerned HSB 84 and SF 213. However, Mitch Streit asked 45 minutes worth of non-HSB 84/SF 213 related questions. I would volunteer to help Mr. Streit sort through the questions at the next legislative coffee to help him prioritize the issues important to the people in attendance. On Jan. 28, Forristall said he ... supports Chapter 20 as it is and doesnt support changes. On Jan. 28, Shipley said he ... would never support getting rid of collective bargaining. I would also like to remind Dawson that, on Jan. 28, he said, I would never support scrapping Chapter 20. Please know that if you vote yes to pass HSB 84/SB 213, you would be doing exactly that. Shari Anderson, Council Bluffs There will be a first-day-of-issue dedication ceremony for the Nebraska Statehood Forever Stamp celebrating the states sesquicentennial (150th birthday). At the Statehood Day event, native Nebraskan photographer Michael Forsberg will discuss the perseverance involved in capturing this photo of sandhill cranes migrating along the Platte River. In addition to Forsberg, Gov. Pete Ricketts, Nebraska first lady Susanne Shore and U.S. Postal Service Information Technology Vice President and Nebraska native Jeffrey Johnson will be in attendance to celebrate the stamp. This event is at 9:30 a.m. on March 1 in the second-floor rotunda at the Nebraska State Capitol, 1445 K St., Lincoln. The event is free and open to the public. The public may make reservations online at usps.com/nebraska. The stamp goes on sale at Nebraska post offices on March 1 and may be pre-ordered now at usps.com for delivery shortly after March 1. The U.S. Postal Service celebrates the 150th anniversary of Nebraskas statehood with a Forever Stamp. Known for its agricultural bounty, the Cornhusker State became the 37th state of the Union on March 1, 1867. The Postal Service traditionally issues commemorative postage stamps at intervals of 50 years from the date of a states first entry into the Union. Forsberg tucked himself among prairie grasses on the riverbank between the cities of Grand Island and Kearney to capture the stamp image. His photo depicts sandhill cranes flying low as they scout for sandbars for nighttime roosts that offer safety from riverbank predators. Annually, more than 500,000 sandhill cranes make a stop along the Platte River valley in March and early April for a mid-migratory rest. The timeless spectacle is unique to Nebraska. Forsberg planned weeks in advance for this challenging shot. Feel free to reach out to him at forsberg.mike@gmail.com or 402-525-1449 to get his backstory on scouting a blind location that blended into the surrounding prairie to remain unnoticed during the migration. As to not disturb the cranes, he would enter the blind hours prior to their sunset arrival and remain there until their next mornings departure. North Platte Rec Center to observe holiday hours The North Platte Rec Center will be open from noon to 8 p.m. on Monday in observance of Presidents Day. For more information, call 308-535-6772. North Platte Public Transit to observe holiday hours The North Platte Public Transit office and buses will be closed Monday in observance of Presidents Day. There will be no bus service that day. For more information, call 308-535-8560. American Legion invites sons, grandsons of veterans to join The Hershey American Legion Post No. 279 is sponsoring a meeting for all sons and grandsons of veterans. The meeting is at 3 p.m. on Sunday at the Hershey Legion Post. Anyone who has a parent or grandparent that was an eligible veteran or is still eligible can join. As a son and member of the American Legion, those who join will receive benefits and privileges of membership. Benefits include discounts on travel, lodging, merchandise and even sporting events. Those who have an eligible parent or grandparent are encouraged to come to the meeting at 3 p.m. and join the American Legion. Make veterans proud and show respect for what they have done for our country. For more information, contact Marvin Donnelly at 210-789-0944. Sen. Groene to host town hall at WCRC on Saturday There will be a town hall meeting with State Sen. Mike Groene at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday. The meeting will be at the West Central Research Center at 402 W. State Farm Road. Coffee and cookies will be provided. The town hall meeting is sponsored by the Lincoln County Farm Bureau. St. Pats to host Valentines Day brunch this weekend Valentines Day is the theme for St. Patricks Catholic Church brunch from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Sunday in the Parish Hall at the corner of East Fourth and Chestnut streets in North Platte. This hearty all-you-can-eat brunch features real scrambled eggs, French toast, biscuits and gravy, ham and sausage, homemade fruit breads and beverages. Cost is $6 for adults and $4 for children younger than 10. All doors to the hall will be open. Habitat for Humanity to host soup feed fundraiser A soup feed fundraiser for North Platte Habitat for Humanity will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday. The fundraiser is at the Lincoln County Historical Museum in the conference building at 2403 N. Buffalo Bill Ave. There is no cost, but a freewill donation will be taken. Habitat volunteers will be serving chicken noodle soup, chili and dessert. Teachers, members of National Honor Society, one boy in cowboy boots and another in sweat pants filled the North Platte High School gym Wednesday, taking turns to give blood. NPHS, which has hosted its annual blood drive for at least 10 years, until last year held the state title for the largest turnout at a high school blood drive. Grand Island Senior High School beat NPHS last year. On Wednesday, students pushed to collect 178 pints of blood to take back the title. They missed the mark by eight units. But a line of students waiting to donate sat behind Amanda Koubek, account manager in donor recruitment at the American Red Cross, as she talked about the event. The students are really invested in the project, she said. They understand the importance of blood donations. She added that the event, which started at 7 a.m. to cater to teachers, also saw supportive NPHS staff and administration as well. After a season of illnesses slowed donations, the Red Cross is finally catching back up, Koubek said. The organization had to cancel a blood drive last week because illnesses such as influenza prevented too many from donating. Jami Allen and Alice Boyer, National Honor Society co-sponsors, credited North Plattes community and student involvement for the NPHS blood drives longstanding reputation. For one student, a blood donation was a life saver. After suffering a condition that resulted in iron deficiency, Courtney Pelland, a senior at NPHS, needed a blood transfusion in January 2015. On Wednesday, she spent her 18th birthday at the drive. As Miss Fur Trade Days, shes advocating for blood donation, she said. Before her transfusion, I didnt realize how big of a deal it was to donate blood, she said. Incumbent NSW fullback James Tedesco is hoping the three separate surgeries he has undergone since his last NRL game have him fighting fit to retain his Blues jersey as he aims to play every possible game for the Wests Tigers and NSW this year. The exciting but injury-prone custodian had his season ended prematurely courtesy of an accidental Ryan James high shot that broke his jaw at Campbelltown in Round 23. He had already been dealing with breathing issues resulting from a couple of breaks to his nose the most obvious of which was in his Origin debut when he spent most of his impressive interstate debut with cotton wool stuffed in there to stem the bleeding. Tedesco also underwent surgery to his sinuses to correct that issue once his 2016 season was ended. Lastly, the 24-year-old had screws removed from his knee after a previous injury (a fractured kneecap suffered against Canberra that ended his already-interrupted 2014 season early). "I had a good three surgeries in a few months," Tedesco told NRL.com. "Before Christmas I was mainly in rehab but after Christmas sort of hit the ground running and the body's feeling really good. I've done contact and done fitness and the knee and everything has pulled up sweet so I'm ready to go. "Before Christmas I was sort of easing the body into it but after the break I've done a fair bit and everything's pulled up sweet so I'm definitely confident with the body." Player Stats Widget [2016] Telstra Premiership: James Tedesco Tackle Breaks, Line Breaks, Tries. Tedesco has been named in a strong Wests Tigers trial team to face the Cowboys on Friday night, although halves Mitch Moses (heel bruising) and Luke Brooks (hamstring and wisdom teeth) won't be risked. It won't quite be Tedesco's first game since Round 23 in August because he played in the Prime Minister's XIII fixture in late September but he concedes it feels like forever since he laced on a boot. "I played the Prime Minister's game but I only played about 30 minutes there. It feels like I haven't played footy for a while now so I can't wait to get out there," he said. "This will be our main trial this Friday with a pretty strong team playing. We've worked a lot on our defence and we know that was a big issue last year so we're hoping to improve on that this year," he added. Tigers won't rush giant rookie into NRL Ballin upbeat after knee recovery Moonboot no concern for Moses While Tedesco is quick to point out there is a lot of footy to played before Origin I teams are picked, he is unafraid to say he is targeting a start in all three games despite strong competition from the likes of Matt Moylan, Jarryd Hayne and Josh Dugan. "I know if I can get off to a good start to the year and stay on the field, I'm hopeful I can retain that spot," he said. "Obviously that's a long way away and everyone's already talking about it. I want to focus on playing good footy for the Tigers and if that warrants a spot I'll be stoked obviously. Having a taste last year and having one game, I want to play all three this year but I'll have to play good footy first. "There's some competition [for the Blues fullback spot], that's always healthy. There's always going to be competition every year for a spot. If I can stay on the field, that's my main goal, staying injury-free, hopefully I can get back there and retain my spot." Tedesco's immediate target after Friday's trial is a Round 1 blockbuster against the Rabbitohs and his first ever game opposing former skipper Robbie Farah. "Yeah it will be interesting! It's happened a few times, like against Benji [Marshall] where it's weird seeing them in another side but we know Farah's going to come out and want to play and create some havoc against us," he said. "We have to be on our toes but we don't want to focus on him too much we know it's just another game and Souths have a pretty big forward pack so we have to contain them first." World Club Challenge and trials team lists Anyone whos ever kicked around the idea of rolling out a food truck or launching a catering business, but isnt sure how to get started might want to check out ArtHouse: A Social Kitchen. Theaster Gates culinary incubator in downtown Gary, which was funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, is training its first crop of food-related businesses, about 20 caterers and bakers in all. Theyre looking to make a living or at least a side stream of income making southern sweet tea, baking cheesecake and other sweets, or cooking barbecue, creole and comfort food for celebrations. ArtHouse, in a multicolored lantern-wrapped building at 411 E. 5th across from the U.S. Steel Yard ballpark, also is hosting free community workshops, including the upcoming Catering 101; Food Truck: Start Up 101; Legal Ingredients and Kitchen Poets: Baking With Nikki Patin. Anyone whos interested can learn about the legal implications of starting a business, how to look for real estate, how to negotiate a lease and other practical matters. Gary is considered a food desert, project manager Michele Larimer said. Were looking to teach people how to make food a business with all sorts of culinary programming The workshops are typically Tuesdays and Thursday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Theyre after work, and we have some fun. Theres a lot of Gary talent. ArtHouse is setting up a commercial kitchen entrepreneurs can rent out as needed, hiring a small commercial kitchen staff and soliciting professionals to volunteer advice to hopeful and fledgling food businesses that get training there. It will have an art gallery and cafe. The bigger picture Its one of a number of efforts to use the arts to help revitalize Gary. The city commissioned acclaimed graffiti artist Felix Flex Maldonado to paint a four-story Jackson 5 mural downtown. The Calumet Artist Residency got laborpaste photos of Harriet Tubman and Eugene Debs slapped up in Gateway Park downtown, and has embarked on the yearlong Gary Poetry Project that will result in a city poem that will be displayed in public. The Miller Beach Arts and Creative District has covered the Lake Street business district in vibrant murals, hosted gallery exhibits and screened documentaries. The Nelson Algren Society threw together an annual Algren festival and is putting together a museum for the famed writer in Miller. Indiana University Northwest is building a $33 million Arts and Science building with two theaters. The Heat Light and Water Project, led by artist/educator Jan Tichy, has pursued a number of projects, including artist-designed streetlights, a story collection initiative and photo clubs to document changes and disappearances in the city. Gary Mayor Karen-Freeman Wilson said good food and public arts would help bring life to the city's hub. She said ArtHouse is a catalyst for the community that provides career opportunities, particularly for "talented young residents pursuing careers in the food industry as chefs and business owners." As we work to revitalize our city as a destination for business development, we look for new and innovative ideas," Freeman-Wilson said. "Additionally when we look at our vacant structures, we find that many of them are not necessarily candidates for demolition, but yet very much appropriate for re-use for business development. The Gary ArtHouse project is a prime example that falls right in line with our revitalization efforts for our downtown area." Cooking up success Currently, ArtHouse has two main initiatives: weekly Culinary Exploration Programming events that are free and a Culinary Business Incubator that educates food-based entrepreneurs through a series of classes, Larimer said. There are 20 participants, she said. When we started we thought five people or so would be a success. Weve been pleased to see how many entrepreneurs there are in Gary and the Northwest Indiana area. The classes cater to those who are looking into starting a food business, those who work a full-time job and have a side business cooking out of a home or church kitchen and those who need help getting fully licensed and credentialed. Hopeful entrepreneurs listen to lectures, take part in group activities and do homework in the 15,000-square-foot building, which is also home to the barbecue restaurant Mama Pearl's. They also get one-on-one consulting. We look over the business plan, food costs, the nitty-gritty, Larimer said. At the end of the program, likely in April, the ArtHouse plans to do a Pitch Night where the entrepreneurs will be able to pitch business plans to a number of local bankers and hopefully secure financing. ArtHouse may also have pop-up events in parks where they can serve their food to the public. The ties that bind The close-knit participants seem to be forming bonds that might lead to future collaborations, such as caterers and bakers doing dinners together, Larimer said. One of the things we didnt anticipate is that this would create a community among the participants, she said. After the classes are finished, ArtHouse hopes to continue to provide ongoing support and resources as its graduates try to establish businesses. Its looking for attorneys, marketers, public relations specialists, accountants, real estate agents and other professionals to offer pro bono advice to the food entrepreneurs. Miller resident Katie Bohn is enrolled in the Culinary Business Incubator, looking to start a catering company called Ham & Bone that will cook creative comfort food for special events. She said its been hugely beneficial for her and her business partner. Taking that first step into actually starting our business has been daunting, so weve just been rolling those ideas around between us, she said. The CBI has been teaching us how to take all those ideas and mold them into an actual plan. Not a set-in-concrete plan, but a fluid one. On Post-it notes. Because itll change. That realization and knowledge has been freeing and motivating, Bohn said. We realize we dont have to have all the answers now, she said. We dont have to be absolutely perfect right out of the box. We can get up and running first, and just adapt as we need to down the road. For more information, visit arthousegary.com. George Maslankowski, director of Valparaisos Chicago Street Theatres Betrayal," thinks the intimate space in the Edith B. Wood Studio Theatre is the perfect setting to stage the acclaimed drama. The nature of this show, I think, is much more intensely felt on a smaller stage such as this, he said. Its like youre a fly on the wall. It brings you much closer to the emotion of the actors as they perform. Opening Feb. 23 and running through Feb. 26, Betrayal chronicles the struggles between lovers Emma and Jerry, whose ups and downs are chronicled starting with the conclusion of their extramarital affair and concluding with its origins. Betrayal was penned by late renowned English playwright, screenwriter and actor Harold Pinter, whose credits include esteemed works such as The Birthday Party, No Mans Land and The French Lieutenants Woman. Said to be inspired by an affair Pinter had in the late '60s and early '70s, Betrayal made its debut in London in 1978, where it received the Lawrence Olivier Award for Best New Play, and made it to Broadway two years later. In 1983, Betrayal was adapted for the big screen, starring Patricia Hodge as Emma and Jeremy Irons as Jerry. Its about how we conduct our friendships and our relationships, Maslankowski said. We do tell each other, sometimes, little white lies or a little bit bigger lies, and that contributes to a kind of betrayal of friendships. But sometimes, we can work though that. Not always, but sometimes. Barb Malangoni is Emma and Mike Learner is Jerry in Chicago Streets production of Betrayal. They are joined onstage by John Larrabee as Robert, Emmas husband and Jerrys best friend, and Jason Kaplan as the waiter. Im fortunate to have excellent people in the cast, Maslankowski said. This has been a wonderful time for me to work with this talent. An opening night party is scheduled following the Feb. 23 performance at Misbeehavin Meads, 65 Franklin St., Valparaiso. Due to adult language and situations, Betrayal is not recommended for young or sensitive audiences. Chicago Street Theatre will return to its main stage for the production of the family favorite A Year with Frog and Toad, scheduled to open March 3. FYI: Betrayal runs at 8 p.m. Feb. 23-25 and 2:30 p.m. Feb. 26 at Edith B. Wood Studio Chicago Street Theatre, 154 Chicago St., Valparaiso. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. Call 219-464-1636 or visit CHICAGOSTREET.ORG LOS ANGELES For "La La Land" composer and songwriter Justin Hurwitz, it's been a long, laborious ride from dreaming up the musical with his old college roommate Damien Chazelle over six years ago to becoming the toast of awards season. His catchy score and songs have broken through, too, securing their own place in the spotlight and overshadowing the likes of Justin Timberlake and Lin Manuel-Miranda in the awards races. In the past two months, Hurwitz has picked up a handful of critics' awards, a BAFTA and two Golden Globe Awards for score and original song ("City of Stars") and is nominated for three Oscars score and two songs ("The Fools Who Dream" and "City of Stars"). He knows how unique this moment is, especially for a composer. Hurwitz recently spoke to The Associated Press about his "La La Land" score, the unusual production process and how he was an inspiration for Ryan Gosling's character, Sebastian. AP: This wasn't a typical director/composer relationship during production. Can you describe how? Hurwitz: Normally, the composer doesn't come in until later in the process when the picture is locked. We didn't feel like temp music (temporary music, sometimes from another film) could work in this movie since the language of the music was so important in making it all flow together, so I had an office next to the editing room where Damien and (editor) Tom Cross were working for eight months. Every day they would give me scenes and I would give them the score and they would tweak the scenes to fit the score and I would tweak the score to fit the scenes. The picture and the score were evolving together. It was kind of an unusual process. Then there were some really weird situations where I was playing the piano while they were shooting like the scene where Mia (Emma Stone) is at the restaurant with her boyfriend and his brother. I was on set playing the theme because we wanted her to react to it, but we also wanted the music to react to her. I was watching her in the monitor and playing it and scoring it while they were shooting it. AP: What was the theory behind Emma Stone's naturalistic singing style? Hurwitz: What we were going for would be like Audrey Hepburn in "Moon River. Emma has a similarly breathy voice. It's a lovely voice but it doesn't have too much of that Broadway belt to it. She can, and she does in "Audition," but when she's singing there's lightness and airiness to it that I think is really charming. That kind of voice makes someone feel like a real person a little more. We wanted to still have some reality and vulnerability and humanity in all of it. AP: You've been working on this for over six years. Do you see yourself in the movie at all? Hurwitz: Damien was modeling the Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) character somewhat on me. During pre-production, he sent the costume designer and the production designer to my apartment to take pictures and take a look at everything. I was using my piano as a table. I would eat on it and put all my mail on it and pretty much everything was on my piano. Ryan (Gosling) got wind of what they were planning and he said, "I think that's just too sad. I think that's too pathetic." So they made his apartment not quite as austere. AP: What was your apartment like? Hurwitz: It was just a white room with a piano and a bed. An "Umbrellas of Cherbourg" poster on the wall was my only decoration. That's where I first met (producers) Fred (Berger) and Jordan (Horowitz). Six years ago Damien brought them over to my apartment to hear some of the music and they were pretty weirded out when they walked in. They didn't know what to think. They described it various ways, one of which was, "an insane asylum with a piano in it." I've acquired more furniture now. Not much. I have a dining room table but no chairs. AP: How has this whole awards run been for you? Hurwitz: It's been really fun and flattering. It's been tiring at times getting dressed up as much as I've had to get dressed up. These are not things that I do normally. I'm enjoying it, but I'm also aware that this won't happen again for me, at least in this way, on this level. Composers don't often get opportunities like this. This was such an incredible opportunity, not just to compose so much music for a movie, but to put so much of myself in the movie. Because of the relationship I have with Damien, I got to put my musical voice in such a pure way into his movie. That's a rare opportunity. So yeah, I'll do film scores going forward and maybe I'll do more musicals, but I don't know the next time that I'll get to be so involved in a movie creatively. AP: That's very wistful! Hurwitz: Basically my life is downhill from here. This is it. AP: What's next? Hurwitz: I'm writing and producing "Curb Your Enthusiasm." It has nothing to do with music. Questions swirled Thursday regarding decisions made during a police pursuit that started in East Chicago and ended when the man officers were chasing hit another vehicle in Hammond, killing a teenager and seriously injuring her grandmother. Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. on Thursday offered condolences to the family of Julianna Chambers, 13, of Whiting, and her grandmother Theresa Paramo, 57, of Whiting, who was taken to an Illinois trauma center after the crash just before 5 p.m. Wednesday at Gostlin Street and Columbia Avenue. As a leader of the city, I feel like mistakes were made, not necessarily by my officers, but mistakes were made that resulted in the death of a 13-year-old girl Its a tough day for all of us, McDermott said. East Chicago police said in a statement the pursuit ensued shortly after officers were dispatched at 4:33 p.m. to the parking lot of 4725 Indianapolis Blvd. in reference to a shoplifting complaint. The pursuit entered Hammond at 4:37 p.m., Hammond Police Chief John Doughty said. East Chicago police offered an account of what happened via a statement Thursday in which they described a police officer becoming trapped inside a passenger side door while the two suspects were attempting to flee the scene in a vehicle. Indiana State Police late Wednesday identified the suspects fleeing police as driver Donnell Howard Jr., 31, of Highland, and passenger, Jessica Pichon, 27, of Danville, Illinois. Pichon was taken to Methodist Hospitals Northlake Campus with minor injuries after the crash. She was treated and released into police custody where she remains pending charges. Police reported that Howard had no visible injuries. Hammond police Lt. Patrick Vicari said he did not have information Thursday on specific speeds reached during the chase. State police said Howard was driving a 2010 Dodge Durango east on Gostlin Street back toward East Chicago when he hit the driver's side of a Chevrolet Equinox driven by Pamaro in the intersection. Doughty said Howard disregarded a red light before the crash. In the aftermath, you start asking questions like What did these people do? Did they rob a bank? Did they murder somebody? No, they stole a case of beer, McDermott said. Are you freaking kidding me? This is why were driving around, in rush hour, in north Hammond, at a high rate of speed, endangering hundreds of residents? Somebody should have stepped up and "killed the chase," McDermott said. The Times submitted a public records request Thursday with the Lake County E-911 center for recordings during the pursuit. Shoplifting complaint leads to pursuit Upon arrival to the parking lot on Indianapolis Boulevard, an officer saw a woman, later identified as Pichon, with a case of beer in hand and ordered her to stop, according to East Chicago police. The woman continued to run in the direction of a blue Dodge SUV that appeared to be waiting for her, according to the news release. As the officer approached the woman entering the vehicle, East Chicago police say she yelled Go! Go! Go! to the driver, later identified as Howard. Howard allegedly put the SUV in reverse, and began backing out at a high rate of speed, trapping the officer inside the passenger side door, police said. The officer had to hold onto the door to escape injury and possibly become pinned between the SUV and an adjacent vehicle, according to East Chicago police. The news release did not indicate whether any officer was injured. The driver was instructed to stop, but instead he took off at a high rate of speed into the southbound lanes of traffic, almost striking several other vehicles traveling in the north and southbound lanes of Indianapolis Boulevard, police said. East Chicago police said Howard continued to travel in a reckless manner until he struck the vehicle driven by Paramo at Columbia Avenue and Gostlin Street in Hammond. Charges pending East Chicago police in the release did not address questions from The Times about whether any officers have been placed on leave pending an investigation or why they left city limits to continue the pursuit. The department also did not address whether a supervisor ordered the pursuit to be terminated, and if so, what reasons officers gave for not terminating the pursuit. The East Chicago Police Department would like to express their condolences to the family members as they continue to pursue charges in this investigation, police said in a news release. At least three Hammond officers joined the chase, which continued "at a high rate of speed throughout North Hammond before the accident took place," McDermott said in a Facebook post Thursday. The Durango came to rest in the right lane of westbound Gostlin, just east of the intersection. The Equinox went through a fence and came to rest in a grassy area just before the parking lot of Lang Ice Service, state police said. Doughty's statement said police plan to present formal charges against the pair to the Lake County prosecutor's office. Police did not have updated information Thursday on the condition of Paramo. Indiana State Police are investigating the crash. Police stopped a Benton Harbor, Michigan, man for tailgating Wednesday before he stole two police cars, left his infant son with a stranger and jumped out a second-story window to escape, an official said. The Hobart officer who stopped Stacey Groves, 39, on the Indiana Toll Road in Porter County smelled marijuana, saw Groves' 7-month-old son unrestrained in the back seat and began an investigation, Lt. James Gonzales said. The officer found Groves had no driver's license information, no vehicle registration information and suspected Groves was lying, he said. Because the officer smelled marijuana, he searched the car and found an undetermined amount of pot, Gonzales said. The officer also found more than 30 different credit cards strewn around the vehicle and in Groves' pockets, he said. The officer, who was conducting domestic highway enforcement through a Lake County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area initiative, suspected Groves of fraud and detained him, police said. The officer found dozens of cartons of cigarettes in the car's trunk, Gonzales said. Authorities have not yet determined how the cigarettes were purchased or obtained. At some point, Groves took his baby and stole the Hobart officer's unmarked squad. An Indiana State Police trooper who also was at the scene chased him, but lost sight of the vehicle, according to Porter County Sheriff's Police. Police suspect Groves exited the highway by driving down a berm and through a cattle fence between County Road 1000 North on the north side of the Toll Road. After leaving the Hobart squad in the area of County Roads 1000 North and 475 East, Groves forced his way into a residence, handed his son to a resident and asked for help, police said. Porter County Sheriff's Police arrived, and Groves jumped out a second-story window and left his child behind, police said. He then stole a marked Porter County squad and drove it into the woods. Officers aboard the Lake County sheriff's helicopter spotted Groves in the area of Greening Road and County Road 1050 North, circled around and saw he appeared to be surrendering, police said. The helicopter co-pilot exited and took Groves into custody, police said. Groves was being held on a $5,000 cash bond Thursday in Porter County, police said. Hobart police notified the Secret Service, which has joined the investigation into items found in the vehicle, Gonzales said. The Berrien County Sheriffs Office also has placed a hold on Groves because of a bench warrant for a probation violation, Berrien County Chief Deputy R.E. Boyce said in an email. The probation violation stems from an original charge of receiving and concealing stolen property of more than $1,000, he said. HAMMOND A police pursuit turned deadly Wednesday when a suspect's vehicle slammed into the driver's side of another vehicle at the intersection of Gostlin Street and Columbia Avenue, critically injuring the driver and killing her 13-year-old granddaughter. The granddaughter, Julianna Chambers, of Whiting, died from her injuries after being taken to an area hospital, according to a news release from Indiana State Police. Theresa Paramo, 57, was in critical condition Wednesday night at Advocate Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn, according to the release. Paramo was taken to Methodist Hospitals Northlake Campus in Gary and flown to Advocate Christ. Chambers was taken to Franciscan Health in Hammond, where she died from her injuries, according to police. A preliminary investigation indicates East Chicago police were in pursuit of a 2010 Dodge Durango about 5 p.m. Hammond police joined the pursuit once Donnell Howard Jr., 31, of Highland, the driver of the vehicle, entered Hammond, according to the news release. Howard was traveling eastbound on Gostlin Street when his vehicle entered the intersection at Columbia Avenue, hitting Paramo's Chevrolet Equinox on the driver's side. Paramo had the green light, according to state police. The Durango came to rest in the right lane of westbound Gostlin Street just east of the intersection, while the Equinox went through a fence and came to rest in the grassy area just before the parking lot of Lang Ice Service, state police said. Howard Jr.'s passenger, Jessica Pichon, 27, of Danville, Illinois, was transported to Methodist Hospitals Northlake Campus in Gary with minor injuries, according to the release. It was not immediately known why East Chicago and Hammond police were pursuing the suspect. State police deferred all questions about the pursuit and charges to the Hammond and and East Chicago police departments. * Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct the spelling of Theresa Paramo's name. VALPARAISO The Porter County Sheriff's Department released the identity of a man accused of stealing a police vehicle during a traffic stop, leaving his infant son and later jumping out of a second story window to steal a second police vehicle all in the same afternoon Wednesday. Stacey Groves, 39, of Benton Harbor, Michigan, faces charges of residential entry, auto theft, two charges of resisting arrest with a vehicle, child endangerment and two counts each of criminal mischief and leaving the scene of a property damage crash, according to a news release from the Sheriff's Department. Groves also has an active warrant through Michigan and potential charges through the Hobart Police Department, the release stated. Groves allegedly stole an unmarked Hobart police car during a traffic stop around noon Wednesday along the Indiana Toll Road before leading a state trooper on a car chase westbound on the Toll Road. The trooper lost sight of the vehicle, according to the release, but police believe Groves "made his own exit" off the Toll Road and through a cattle fence between County Road 1000 North and the Toll Road on the north side. He then drove the squad car through a field, back onto County Road 1000 North and ditched the car, according to police. Groves forced his way into a nearby home, handed the homeowner his 7-month-old infant and asked for help, police said. At some point, two Porter County officers responded to the home after a 911 call was made. As two officers entered the home, Groves reportedly jumped out of a second-story window and subsequently drove off in a marked Porter County squad car, leaving behind his infant son, police said. He then drove the stolen squad car through the woods adjacent to the residence, where he then fled on foot. A Lake County helicopter located Groves on foot in the area of Greening Road and County Road 1050 North in a field. Once the helicopter landed, a co-pilot took him into custody without incident. The infant was later released to his mother, police said. During the incident, Jackson Elementary and Liberty Elementary schools were placed on lockout until Groves was taken into custody, according to the news release. The police departments of Hobart, Porter County, Lake County, along with Porter County Central Communications, and Joes Towing, assisted. GARY A Merrillville man died Monday at an Illinois hospital after he drove around railroad crossing gates Feb. 5 in the city's Miller section and was struck by a train, officials said. Chauncey Wray, 26, was taken to a local hospital after the crash about 10:45 p.m. Feb. 5 at the tracks at Miller Avenue and Lake Street, Gary police Lt. Dawn Westerfield said. Railroad employees told police Wray, who was driving a Chevrolet Cruz, went around the activated safety gates. Wray was later transferred to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he was pronounced dead at 8:32 a.m. Monday, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office. EAST CHICAGO Volunteers stacked up dozens of cases of bottled water Wednesday on the steps outside Wanda Gordils' basement as they prepared to deliver them to residents in the USS Lead Superfund site. Wanda Gordils, who is leading the Community Strategy Group's drinking water distribution effort, said volunteers have been delivering water to residents every day for about a month. Many of the donations have been pouring in from Porter County, she said. The Blue Valpo group has been taking donations in Valparaiso, and Discovery Charter School in Chesterton recently dropped off a donation, Gordils said. This week, Blue Valpo dropped off 280 cases they collected. The group previously delivered water throughout zones 1 and 2 of the residential cleanup area, and volunteers hoped to complete deliveries Wednesday to remaining residents in zones 2 and 3. Volunteers have dropped off two cases of water per household, but on Wednesday planned to drop off three cases each, she said. Frank Szczepanski, of Blue Valpo, said water drive organizers estimated about 1,000 cases of water will be needed daily to meet the needs of residents in the Superfund site, including those who are not being forced to leave the 1,000 properties in zones 2 and 3. The water drive is focused only on residents within the Superfund site, which includes all of East Chicago's Calumet neighborhood. That's because those residents face a greater risk of exposure to lead: through their soil, their water and because most homes were built before 1978 through old lead paint inside in their homes. Officials have said up to 90 percent of the water lines in East Chicago could be lead, and EPA has recommended anyone on the city water system use a certified filter on their taps. Lead in the water is not related to lead in the soil. The Environmental Protection Agency began excavating lead- and arsenic-contaminated soil from around homes in the middle and eastern parts of the neighborhood dubbed zones 2 and 3. Residents in those areas have not been told to relocate. EPA last summer shelved plans to excavate soil at the West Calumet Housing Complex, which was built in the footprint of an old lead smelter, and Carrie Gosch Elementary School after the city ordered complex residents to move out. About 100 families remained in the complex as of Friday, officials said. Lead levels of up to approximately 91,000 parts per million were found in the most extreme case in the complex. The EPA cleans up residential properties with lead levels of more than 400 ppm. Gordils is accepting water donations Monday, Thursday and Saturday mornings at her home in East Chicago. Blue Valpo also is accepting donated cases of 12-ounce bottles from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Student Center, 1511 Laporte Ave., Valparaiso. Organizers are looking to expand drop-off sites in Lake and Porter counties, Szczepanski said. For more information on how to help, call Gordils at 219-218-2737 or Szczepanski at 219-840-0007. A quiet nuance in a three-hour government meeting Tuesday deserves attention for the symbolic volumes it spoke. It came near the end of an arduous Lake County Council meeting in which millions of dollars in county government finances were discussed and debated. It took a solid leader to make it happen. More notable and pronounced near the beginning of the meeting was county Councilman Jamal Washington's resignation from his role as the council's vice president. That resignation came in the wake of intense controversy and political scrutiny surrounding Washington's December guilty plea to domestic battery against his wife. In spite of that conviction, the County Council voted 4-3 a month after the guilty plea to elevate Washington to vice president. We contended then, as we do now, that elevating a convicted domestic batterer to higher positions of government prestige and authority was wrong. Some council members who voted to elevate Washington to vice president, including Councilwoman Christine Cid, later had a change of heart. Cid even issued a news release noting she planned to reverse course and take a new vote to remove Washington from the position ahead of Tuesday's meeting. Seeing the writing on the wall, Washington chose to step down voluntarily, saying he didn't want further distractions from important county business. If he truly were concerned about such distractions, Washington already would have resigned his council seat entirely. Washington's fellow council members have no power to remove him from the council. Neither do voters until Washington's seat goes up for reelection in 2018. But the council was able to act symbolically. More subtle than Washington's resignation Tuesday was a resolution council members including Washington passed late in the meeting and with little fanfare. The resolution voiced public support for domestic violence victims. Council President Ted Bilski, who voted against Washington's elevation to vice president last month, authored the resolution. In a very subtle motion, which many attending the Tuesday meeting likely missed, newly elected council Vice President Dave Hamm called for a vote on the resolution. It passed quickly and unanimously. Though its actual adoption may have been a quiet blip on Tuesday's meeting agenda, it stands for so much more. Bilski wrote the resolution, in part, to speak out against the type of violence his fellow councilman Washington admitted in open court to perpetrating. A copy of it is attached to this editorial at nwi.com. Unless the Indiana Legislature devises a law allowing for recalling elected officials before Election Day and its a worthy idea for a future bill Bilski acted in the only way he could. In doing so, Bilski sent a message to Lake County residents that though the law tolerates a domestic batterer remaining in the ranks of his government body, he does not tolerate the behavior. A Bronx community is on edge after a rat-borne bacteria killed one neighbor and infected two others. NY1's Lori Chung filed the following report. There was outrage at full tilt during a meeting Wednesday at 750 Grand Concourse, where a tenant fell sick from exposure to rat urine. Residents blamed city officials for failing to act sooner. "We have pictures in our apartment of rats. You all didn't come," said one resident. "People are frustrated, feeling like you're constantly voicing your issues and no one listening," said another. Tenants say they've been trying to get help with the rat problem in their building long before their neighbor and two other people in the area contracted leptospirosis, a bacterial infection that can cause chills, muscle aches, abdominal pain, fever, rash, red eyes, headache and vomiting. One of those cases proved fatal. "I can't have my windows open in the summer because they're all in the windowsills," said resident Roberto Lebron, who showed us and Health Commissioner Mary Bassett the rat holes in his apartment. "Our staff has been through the apartment, and we have people here so that anybody who is concerned and wants to have somebody inspect, we can make that arrangement," Bassett said. Building owner Ved Parkash is on the public advocate's worst landlords list, with more than 80 violations here. As city officials try to assure their help, longtime tenants say they'll believe it when it happens. "I got to got to work and pay rent still while this is going on," said one resident. "I always hear about rent reduction, going to court and strike and lawyers and nonprofits are here to help, and the city and nothing gets done," said another. Mayor Bill de Blasio released a statement late Wednesday vowing to work with tenants and advocates on an administrative action to take over operations of the building. In the meantime, health officials say the disease cannot be spread from person to person and that they don't expect to see any further cases. But they say they are monitoring the situation. In her final State of the City address, Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito promised that the city will protect immigrants despite of President Trump's policies, and vowed to cut red tape in the criminal justice system and enhance childhood education. "Whether you were born in Mott Haven or Mexico, Sunset Park or Syria, Corona or the Caribbean, if you are here, you are a New Yorker," Mark-Viverito said during her address. Mark-Viverito gave the speech Thursday afternoon at the Kings Theatre in Brooklyn, three days after Mayor Bill de Blasio delivered his address, which largely focused on the high cost of living in New York. In her address, Mark-Viverito announced that she is working with district attorneys in Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens to get rid of warrants for low-level offenses that have been on the books for more than ten years. Mark-Viverito also called for access to free birth control for New Yorkers. She said she wants a comprehensive sex education curriculum to be developed for city public school students. The council speaker also took a very hard line against federal immigration agents, saying she wants even less cooperation between the city and federal immigration authorities. She talked about passing legislation that would prohibit them, except under very specific circumstances, from getting access to city offices that serve New Yorkers, and keeping immigration authorities away from schools, school records, and students. "Now, when our resolve to do what is right is being tested, and when history has pressed us into action, this is a time to remember who we are," the council speaker said. In many ways, she presented the speech as a sharp contrast to what's happening in Washington and the message from Trump's administration. Even further driving that message home was Trump holding a news conference in Washington while Mark-Viverito gave her speech. The council speaker is term-limited and cannot run for re-election in November. Senators in both parties are calling for a deeper look into General Michael Flynn's resignation. Senate panels are already investigating Russias meddling in the election, but reports that the Trump team and Russian officials communicated during the campaign are creating more urgency to investigate these matters. Washington bureau reporter Alberto Pimienta filed the following report. If there is something senators on both sides of the aisle are seeing eye to eye on, it is that Congress should investigate, in more detail, to get the full story on the resignation of General Michael Flynn. The question now is should special committees or commissions be created not only to investigate Flynns phone conversations with the Russian ambassador to the U.S. but also the communications, that according to New York Times, happened between the Trump team and Russian officials during the presidential election. "First, we ought to see what has happened and ask some questions and find it out the depth of this and how serious it is before we reach that conclusion. But questions have to be asked," said Sen. John McCain of Arizona. "We can't simply give you opinions here today based on something we read in the newspaper. We have a job to do in the terms of conducting oversight, and we are going to do it," said Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida. Some Democrats are calling for a bipartisan independent commission like the one created after the September 11th attacks. "I have supported and filed legislation for an independent commission," said Sen. Christopher Coons of Delaware. "This is similar to our attack of 9/11." But other Senators think that's not needed yet. They say existing committees, like the Intelligence Committee, should proceed with their investigations. "I think the standing committees can do it," said Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona. Others are going even further. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer says law enforcement should investigate - namely, the Department of Justice and the FBI. "The Trump administration needs to answer some serious questions. These questions must be asked by independent and unbiased law enforcement officers," Schumer said. Schumer also says Attorney General Jeff Sessions should not be part of those investigations because he's too close to the Trump administration. Whatever decision is made, the issue is not going away. "The one positive of the resignation, I think it is a positive for the country, is I think it makes it almost impossible for the administration or the GOP in Congress to stop the investigation or sweep it under the rug," said Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia. JOHANNESBURG Angolas Parliament approved a new Constitution on Thursday that will further concentrate power in the hands of President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, who for the past 30 years has governed a nation that is rich in oil and diamonds, but whose people are mostly poor. Under the new Constitution, Mr. dos Santos, 67, will not have to be directly voted into office by the populace. Instead, the president will be selected by the victorious party in parliamentary elections. Mr. dos Santoss party, the governing Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola, known as the M.P.L.A., dominates Parliament and controls the state media and a lode of oil-fueled patronage. The party won more than 80 percent of the vote in 2008 from a public relieved that decades of war were over and that a measure of political stability prevailed. The next round of parliamentary elections is due in 2012, and the new Constitution, which is expected to win the required approval of the Constitutional Court, allows Mr. dos Santos to serve two more five-year terms. It also authorizes him to select a vice president. AutoAlert in Irvine will shift its headquarters to Kansas City, Mo., this spring, lured by $9 million in tax incentives in exchange to grow the software company. Founded in 2002, AutoAlert mines customer data to create sales and trade applications used by auto dealerships. The move, the company said, will create more than 200 jobs. Chief Executive Mike Duella, in a statement, has described the Kansas City jobs as high-paying tech jobs. After a comprehensive evaluation of major markets, AutoAlert selected Kansas City due to its revitalized and growing downtown area, access to tech talent, and convenient transportation options, the company stated. AutoAlert declined to comment on the move or how many local employees might be impacted. In its statement, the firm said it would keep an office in Irvine, but did not specify how many employees would remain. In 2014, the privately held company made the Orange County Registers annual list of Top Workplaces for small businesses in the county. At the time, AutoAlert said it had 77 employees in the county and 120 companywide. Today, its website lists offices in Kansas City, Boston and Manchester, England. The Kansas City Star reported the state will provide as much as $9.2 million in economic incentives, as long as AutoAlert creates the promised jobs over a specified timetable. Lucy Dunn, president and chief executive of the Orange County Business Council, said she was not surprised by the decision. Companies are struggling here because housing is so difficult to find for their workforce. California has a difficult regulatory climate as well, Dunn said. One of the most important things Orange County must focus on is growing high-paying jobs. Were losing our young families because it is too expensive to live here, and our county is aging. The company said its new headquarters will be operational this spring. Last year Buena Parks Yamaha Corp. of America agreed to stay in California after the state granted it a $3 million tax break. The company is a subsidiary of the Japanese musical instrument and audiovisual equipment maker. It told state officials it would leave the state without the tax credit. There are some incentives available at the state level, Dunn said. But we generally find out about these things after theyve left instead of these companies coming to us beforehand and saying they are relocating. In 2016, Go-Bizs California Competes Tax Credit program gave $243 million in tax breaks. In 2015, it granted $200 million. The program started in 2013. Staff writer Margot Roosevelt contributed to this report. Contact the writer: hmadans@ocregister.com or Twitter: @HannahMadans Under the Constitution, the government never can assume that a person is more dangerous because of his or her religion or race or national origin. President Donald Trumps travel ban, imposed by an executive order on Jan. 27, violates this basic constitutional principle by presuming greater danger because individuals are Muslims from specific countries. That is why virtually every court to consider the travel ban, including the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, said that it is very likely unconstitutional and has enjoined it. President Trumps executive order suspends the entry of refugees into the United States for 120 days. The order also indefinitely stops the admission of Syrian refugees and for 90 days bars individuals from entering the United States from seven predominately Muslim countries: Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia and Yemen. However, the president said that religious minorities in these countries, notably Christians, would be eligible for admission. There are enormous legal problems with this order. As written, it prevents entry into the country even by those with the legal right to be in the United States. For example, longtime lawful permanent residents with green cards who happened to be outside the United States on Jan. 27 were kept from returning. Those with proper visas from those countries could not enter the United States. The president has no authority to exclude those who have the legal right to be present. Federal law explicitly prohibits exactly the discrimination based on nationality and place of residence that is imposed by Trumps executive order. The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 explicitly says that no person can be discriminated against in the issuance of an immigrant visa because of the persons race, sex, nationality, place of birth or place of residence. This supersedes an earlier statute, from 1952, that President Trump relies on, which gave the president broad authority to regulate immigration and exclude individuals. Moreover, the Trump policy is unconstitutional discrimination based on religion. The U.S. Supreme Court repeatedly has said that above all, the First Amendments religion clauses forbid the government from favoring some religions over others. Although Trumps executive order does not expressly exclude Muslims, that was unquestionably its purpose and its effect as it bans refugees from predominately Muslim countries while creating an exception for minority religions in these countries. In fact, Trump adviser Rudy Giuliani said on Fox News that the presidents goal was to create a Muslim ban. Trump told Christian Broadcast News that he intended to give priority to Christians seeking asylum over Muslims. The Trump order is unnecessary to protect us from terrorism. There is no indication that refugees pose a terrorist threat or that the existing, intensive screening procedures before admission to the United States are inadequate. Syrian refugees in the United States have not been linked to any terrorist acts. The 5 million Syrian refugees are fleeing the violence of a civil war and the horrors created by Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad and the terrorism of ISIS. Perhaps what is most disturbing is that the lawyers for President Trump argued to the Ninth Circuit that the presidents decisions as to matters of immigration are unreviewable by any court. The court forcefully rejected that claim. The judges wrote: [T]he government has taken the position that the presidents decisions about immigration policy, particularly when motivated by national security concerns, are unreviewable, even if those actions contravene constitutional rights and protections. There is no precedent to support this claimed unreviewability, which runs counter to the fundamental structure of our constitutional democracy. In 1803, in Marbury v. Madison, the Supreme Court ruled that courts can review the actions of Congress and the president to ensure their compliance with the Constitution. Chief Justice John Marshall explained that the Constitution exists to limit government power and its limits are meaningless unless they are enforced. The court held, and it has been the law ever since, that the judiciary can review the constitutionality of presidential and congressional actions. President Trumps position is at odds with this long-established principle of American government and with the very idea of checks and balances that is at the core of our constitutional system. The Ninth Circuits decision, and those of federal courts around the country, thus reaffirms one of the most basic principles of the rule of law: No one, not even the president, is above the law. Erwin Chemerinsky is dean of the UC Irvine School of Law. SANTA ANA A 29-year-old woman pleaded guilty Wednesday to helping a pimp and another man repeatedly attack a prostitute who fell out of favor in Costa Mesa, according to court records. Cierra Rose Thompson of Silverton, Oregon, pleaded guilty to human trafficking and assault with a deadly weapon, both felonies, according to court records. Charges of torture, kidnapping, mayhem, pimping and pandering were dismissed. Thompson was scheduled to be sentenced May 26. Co-defendants Renice Stevenson Flores-Davis, 28, and Oscar Gonzalez-Salinas, 35, both of Costa Mesa, were scheduled to appear in court next on March 24 for a preliminary hearing. Flores-Davis allegedly pimped the then-25-year-old victim, who lived with him, throughout Orange County. Flores-Davis grew upset with the alleged victim on July 22, 2014, leading him to burn her with a heated glass methamphetamine pipe in a Westminster motel where they were residing, prosecutors allege. Flores-Davis is also accused of tying the woman to a chair with zip ties, blindfolding her, duct-taping her mouth and tying her to a bathroom sink, where she was forced to sleep. On July 27, 2014, Gonzalez-Salinas and Thompson allegedly beat the prostitute while scorching her with a hot electric clothes iron and poured water down hd nose. On July 28, about 6 p.m., Costa Mesa police went to the Days Inn at 2100 Newport Blvd. when someone who received a Facebook message asking for help alerted authorities, according to Costa Mesa police. Flores-Davis and Thompson were arrested, and the victim was taken to Hoag Hospital Newport Beach to be treated for bruises and burns, police said. Gonzalez-Salinas was arrested in a different nearby motel. Perhaps you think the apple tart illustrated here, with its precisely fanned slices, came out of a fancy French bakery. Not so, chef and TV personality Sara Moulton told a group of food writers and bloggers recently at a demo and book signing at Melissas Produce in Vernon. Anyone can do this. The trick is to slice them paper-thin, but dont cut all the way through. If you slice all the way down to the cutting board, the apples will become detached, fly all over the counter and be very difficult to arrange in a pattern. You want them to stay lined up like the Rockettes. The apple trick, accompanied by detailed photos, is just one revelation youll find in Moultons latest cookbook, Sara Moultons Home Cooking 101: How to Make Everything Taste Better (Oxmoor House, $35). More than just a collection of soulful recipes, it is actually a teaching manual for the home cook. Each recipe specifically demonstrates a tip or method that can make you a better and more confident cook while also teaching you to make your dishes taste better, she writes. Illustrated instructions show you how to trim an artichoke, mix pie dough, peel and devein shrimp and pit an avocado safely. Even experienced old dogs will learn some new tricks. One of my favorites: a quick way to clean mushrooms (yes, you can toss them briefly in water!) And, darn, throwing a potato into an oversalted stew doesnt really work. Youve been making hard-cooked eggs the same way for a million years, right? Try steaming them over boiling water, covered, for ten to 12 minutes, and youll be a convert for life. The whites are more tender, and theyre easier to peel, she said. Pound cutlets of chicken, pork or veal between sheets of plastic wrap or in a resealable bag sprinkled with water. The water prevents the meat from sticking to the bag and shredding, she said. The biggest surprise: Forget about mise en place, that once-sacrosanct admonition to prep and measure all your ingredients before cooking. While heating up the pan, you can chop the onions. While the onions are cooking, I mince the garlic. You could waste up to 20 minutes with mise en place. (The one exception: stir-fries.) Most important of all: Read the recipe first from start to finish, so you dont miss chill overnight. After graduating from the Culinary Institute of America, Moulton spent seven years working in restaurants. I thought only about what chefs do and was disdainful of things like flavorless oils and freezers, she recalled. Her years in Gourmet magazines test kitchen and as host of Food TVs Cooking Live switched her focus to home cooks. The show was a continuing education on what home cooks are really up to, all the regional differences and new ingredients they were using, she said. But it was having a family that brought together her chef skills and focus on the home cook. I dont entertain at home, she said. My husband and I both work at home, so there is stuff all over the place. Also, people expect a gourmet meal with wine for each course, and I dont have time for that. But we have a daily religion to have family meals every night of the week. I started thinking about how to make that happen. The result is a comprehensive and very approachable guide to making better meals happen easily in your own kitchen. I took my chef knowledge and applied it to home cooks, she said. Fancy Stuffed Eggs Yield: 12 Ingredients 6 hard-boiled eggs 2 tablespoons mayonnaise 2 tablespoons creme fraiche 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard 2 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan 1 tablespoon truffle oil Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper Snipped chives, for garnish Procedure 1. Cut eggs in half lengthwise, remove yolks and set whites aside. 2. Push yolks through a medium sieve into a bowl. Add mayonnaise, creme fraiche, mustard, Parmesan and truffle oil to mashed yolks and mix well with a fork. Add salt and pepper to taste; transfer mixture to resealable plastic bag. Cut off one corner of bag, pipe mixture evenly into hollow of each of the whites, and garnish each egg half with chives. For a fancier look, transfer mixture to pastry bag fitted with star tip. Sauteed lemon chicken with fried capers Yield: 4 servings Ingredients 1 pound skinless chicken breast cutlets, preferably thinly sliced 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, preferably grapeseed, divided 3 tablespoons capers, rinsed, drained and dried very well All-purpose flour for dredging Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 large lemon, sliced very thin crosswise 2 tablespoons sugar 2 tablespoons minced shallots 1 1/4 cups homemade or store-bought chicken stock Procedure 1. Working with 1 cutlet at a time, pound chicken until it is 1/8 inch thick; transfer to plate. Pat dry and cut pieces in half if too large to saute easily. 2. In large skillet, combine 2 tablespoons of the oil with capers and heat pan to medium-high (capers can pop if added to a hot pan). Cook, stirring, until crisp, about 2 minutes. Transfer capers to small bowl with slotted spoon. 3. Spread out flour on piece of parchment on counter. Heat skillet over medium-high heat. Working with half the chicken at a time, season cutlets on both sides with salt and pepper and coat them lightly with flour, lifting parchment paper on both sides to help coat chicken and shaking off excess. Add chicken to oil in pan and cook until lightly golden, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to plate. Add 2 tablespoons oil to pan. Season and flour remaining chicken and saute, transferring it as it is done to plate. 4. Dip lemon slices in sugar, coating them lightly on both sides, and add them to skillet. Cook over medium heat until they are lightly caramelized, about 1 minute per side. Transfer to plate with chicken. Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil and shallots to pan and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add chicken stock and bring to a boil, scraping up brown bits on bottom of pan. Return chicken and lemon slices to pan, along with any juices from plate. Simmer gently, turning chicken over several times until it is heated through. 5. Transfer chicken to 4 plates and simmer sauce until thickened slightly. Spoon sauce and lemon slices over chicken and top with fried capers. French apple tart Yield: 1 (10-inch) tart, about 8 servings Ingredients 1 recipe pie dough, see below, or 1 (12-ounce) store-bought pie dough All-purpose flour for rolling out dough 6 Golden Delicious apples 3 tablespoons sugar 4 tablespoons cold butter, sliced thin 1/2 cup apricot jam combined with 2 tablespoons water, heated and strained Vanilla ice cream or sweetened whipped cream, as an accompaniment Cooks Notes If you are using store-bought pie dough, which usually comes rolled out, fitted into an aluminum pie tin and fluted at the edges, let it warm up a bit on counter so that it is malleable, then lift it out of tin and lay it on lightly floured surface. Roll it out slightly and transfer it to tart pan. Procedure 1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. On lightly floured surface, roll out dough to a 13-inch round and fit it into 10-inch tart pan with a removable fluted rim, trimming excess. Prick dough all over with tines of fork. Cover and chill 1 hour. 2. Meanwhile, peel, halve and core apples. Arrange apples, cut side down, on cutting board and use very sharp knife to slice them crosswise, but not all the way through. 3. Arrange eight apple halves like the spokes of a wheel on pastry and remaining slices in diminishing concentric circles in middle of spokes. Sprinkle sugar evenly on top of apples and top with butter slices. Bake in middle of oven 45-50 minutes or until crust is cooked through and apples are golden brown. Brush with heated apricot jam while tart is still hot. Serve each portion with a small scoop of ice cream or a small spoonful of whipped cream. Pie dough How you measure your flour can make a huge difference. Thats why you should weigh, not measure, your flour. Yield: enough for a large (10-inch) single-crust pie 180 grams (about 1 1/2 cups) unbleached all-purpose flour 1/4 teaspoon table salt 10 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes 2 to 4 tablespoons ice water Procedure: 1. Stir together flour and salt in large bowl, add butter, and, working quickly with your fingertips or a pastry blender, mix dough until most of mixture resembles coarse meal, with the rest in small (roughly pea-sized) lumps. Drizzle 2 tablespoons ice water evenly over mixture and gently stir with fork until incorporated. Gently squeeze a small handful: it should hold together without crumbling apart. If it doesnt, add more ice water, 1/2 tablespoon at a time, stirring 2 or 3 times after each addition until it comes together. (If you overwork mixture or add too much water, pastry will be tough.) 2. Turn dough out onto clean work surface and divide into several portions. With the heel of your hand, smear each portion once in a forward motion on work surface to help distribute fat. Gather smeared dough together and form it, rotating it on the work surface, into a disk. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill until firm, at least one hour. Slicing and arranging apples: 1. Peel and halve apples; arrange them cut side down on cutting board. Using a melon baller, remove and discard cores. With very sharp knife, slice apples crosswise, but dont cut all the way down with back side of knife; stop just before it reaches cutting board so that apples stay attached at the bottom. 2. After slicing all apples, turn each on its side to expose bottom. Cut off about 14 inch of bottom to remove the part of the apple that has not been sliced through. 3. Arrange 8 apple halves like spokes of a wheel on pastry, leaving a gap in center of the spokes, and press down on apple halves to spread slices slightly. Arrange remaining apple slices in concentric circles in center of tart starting from the outside and working your way in further and further until theres a small space left in center. Shape center apple slice into a cone to resemble shape of center of a rose. Tips for rolling out pie dough: 1. Make sure there is light dusting of flour on counter before you start rolling out dough. Lightly dust top of dough and rolling pin with flour, too. The dough should be able to move on counter at all times; if it starts to stick, sprinkle a little more flour on counter. If it sticks, you will end up overworking it. 2. To roll dough into a circle, roll over the disk going just to but not over the edge, and then turn it an eighth of a turn. Roll it again and turn it an eighth of a turn. Repeat until you have a circle of dough about 1/8-inch thick. If you turn it a quarter of a turn each time, you will end up with a square or rectangle. Source: Home Cooking 101 by Sara Moulton Judy Bart Kancigor is the author of Cooking Jewish (Workman) and can be found on the Web at cookingjewish.com Southern California leads the nations most hateful state, California, when it comes to hate groups. In the newest update of its annual Hate Map, which lists groups and organizations that target people based on race, religion or sexual orientation, the Southern Poverty Law Center said Wednesday that the nation saw its second-straight year-to-year jump in the number of hate groups. Everything from national politics to international terror played a role in the increase, the center said. RELATED: Report lists Orange County as No. 1 in anti-Muslim hate incidents in the state The Alabama-based organization noted a specific rise in groups it described as radical right wing and anti-Muslim, including a big jump of such groups in Southern California. Last year was an unprecedented year for hate, said Mark Potok, a senior fellow at the Southern Poverty Law Center and editor of the report. Overall, the Southern Poverty Law Center found 917 hate groups in the United States, up 3 percent from 2015. California, the nations most populous state, led the nation with 79 such organizations, followed by Florida, with 63, and Texas, with 55. Nearly half of the hate groups in California are local, with 35 in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. And Orange County saw a particularly steep jump from three groups listed in 2015 to eight last year. BLAME TRUMP? Potok linked the rise of such groups with the political fortune of President Donald Trump. The country saw a resurgence of white nationalism that imperils the racial progress weve made, along with the rise of a president whose policies reflect the values of white nationalists. Potok noted that the high profile of Trump adviser Steve Bannon, the former Breitbart News leader who has given a platform for white nationalist views, has led some extremists to believe they finally have an ally who has the presidents ear. Some people listed on the report decried the label, describing it as a form of political correctness aimed at quashing free speech. They dont want anyone to have religious freedom and condemn the people they dont agree with, said Louis P. Sheldon, chairman of the Traditional Values Coalition in Anaheim. Sheldons group has been a regular on the Hate Map because, in the view of the Southern Poverty Law Center, it is anti-gay and against others in the LGBTQ community. Sheldon said thats not true. These are people something happened in their lives and took them in the wrong direction like tripping and falling, Sheldon said. They are to be pitied and loved. GROUPS ON THE MAP The Southern Poverty Law Center says groups get listed on the Hate Map based on data gleaned from a variety of sources including websites and police reports. We make a big effort to separate a man, his dog and a computer from a group with on-the-ground activity, Potok said. They need to meet our criteria as a hate group, which means they have a clear ideology of hate vilifying an entire race of people. These are well-organized groups that are holding rallies, accepting memberships, selling literature, distributing leaflets and, in some cases, committing crimes, he added. We also make a big effort not to include groups just because they were on it the previous year. The most dramatic increase in the report was the near-tripling of anti-Muslim hate groups from 34 in 2015 to 101 last year. Potok attributed that to Trumps campaign rhetoric, which at times described Muslim Americans as sympathetic to terrorists. Potok said the map doesnt list Islamist groups only because most operate outside the U.S. The map does list groups that target white people, Catholics and some others not typically viewed as targets. A majority of the newly featured groups in Orange County were white nationalists, including Anaheim-based Hate Crime Streetwear Productions and the Loyal White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan; Huntington Beach-based American Vanguard; and the Occidental Observer in Laguna Hills. Another new group is ACT for America, a national anti-Muslim group, which now has a chapter in Mission Viejo. THATS JUST RIDICULOUS Evelyn Miller, a member of the National Coalition on Immigration Reform, also listed on the Hate Map as an anti-immigrant group, said she doesnt care about the label. But she did express frustration that her groups beliefs which she described as being pro-American, not anti-immigrant are being disparaged. If they are calling a group that opposes illegal immigration a hate group, then thats just ridiculous, she said. They are anti-American if they are in favor of foreign invaders. The sharp increase in Orange County groups making the Southern Poverty Law Centers Hate Map doesnt surprise Peter Simi, associate professor of sociology at Chapman University. Simi, who has studied far-right extremism for more than two decades, said the county has a long history as a haven for groups such as the Ku Klux Klan. The increase in anti-Muslim groups is very troubling given what weve seen in terms of hate crimes and incidents here and around the nation, he said. Until recently, he said, far-right groups often felt a need to meet in private because they feared public condemnation. But, over the last year, weve seen these folks get increasingly comfortable being out in the open, he said. Weve seen a rebranding of far-right extremism with the alt-right. Potok called the alt-right a Machiavellian rebranding of white supremacy or white nationalism for the purpose of public relations. Reports like the Hate Map are valuable in terms of raising awareness, said Brian Levin, director of the Center for Hate and Extremism at Cal State San Bernardino. He said the Hate Map is more reason to not ignore the extreme right groups and focus all attention on Islamist groups. The jihadists represent the most prominent threat, but by far, not the only threat, Levin said. Levin and others also are concerned about a rise of extreme left groups particularly in blue states. Even though they are small, Levin says its a pattern thats worth watching. Were hearing about meetings taking place in and around college campuses in Orange and Los Angeles counties, with rhetoric that violence is the answer, he said. Tim Zaal, a former neo-Nazi who now speaks regularly against extremism at the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles, said emerging violence on the left is further fueling the rage on the extreme right. The best way to remain vigilant is to condemn violent extremism on both sides of the political divide, Zaal said. Buying into (violence) distracts us from working toward unity, peace and respect for others. This cant be done through legislation, but only with compassion and open discourse. Contact the writer: 714-796-7909 or dbharath@scng.com SANTA ANA Zeus, one of the Santa Ana Police Departments horses, died Wednesday during training in Norco. He was a 21-year-old American quarter horse. Zeus was attending training with the Orange County Regional Mounted Unit. Police said his cause of death was not yet known. Described as one of its most experienced horses, Zeus joined the Santa Ana Police Department in 2007 and served with Sgt. Kanan Blake. The horses are often seen at events with crowds. He was a fixture at schools and other community functions. Santa Ana Police had nine horses. The horses are owned by the officers who ride them. (Zeus and Blake) were often seen patrolling the downtown streets and parks, as well as demonstrations, festivals, concerts and crime-suppression details across the city and county, Cpl. Anthony Bertagna said. Trainers noticed something was wrong with Zeus during training and tried to save him. It is the first horse in the department to die, he said. Theyre also officers, and a valuable asset, Bertagna said. Its quite a loss. Contact the writer: 714-796-7865 or afausto@scng.com JORDAN-SYRIA BORDER Armed Islamic State extremists are expanding their influence in a sprawling camp for displaced Syrians on Jordans border, posing a growing threat to the U.S.-allied kingdom, a senior Jordanian military commander said. Brig. Gen. Sami Kafawin, chief of Jordans border forces, spoke to The Associated Press during a tour of the remote desert area, just west of where Jordan, Syria and Iraq meet. The Islamic State seized parts of Syria and Iraq in 2014, and still holds territory there, including areas abutting Jordan, despite recent military setbacks. A flight in a Jordanian military helicopter on Tuesday offered a view of the Rukban camp, an expanse of tents and makeshift shelters housing tens of thousands of stranded Syrians. Conditions in Rukban and the smaller Hadalat camp deteriorated sharply after Jordan sealed its border in June, following a cross-border Islamic State car bomb attack that killed seven Jordanian border guards. The closure disrupted what until then had been fairly regular distributions of food and water by Jordan-based international aid agencies. In recent months, there had been mounting reports of lack of clean water, the rise of malnutrition among children and the spread of disease. Late last year, after months of negotiations, U.N.-led aid groups and Jordanian officials worked out a new arrangement for the camps, located between two low miles-long mounds of earth, or berms, that straddle the Syrian-Jordanian border. A food distribution center was set up several miles west of Rukban, while U.N. mobile health clinics consisting of several trailers were established on Jordanian territory, near the southernmost berm. Aid officials said tribal leaders help organize the distributions, despite concerns by aid agencies that this will lead to unfair allotments and black marketeering. In a joint statement on Wednesday, U.N. agencies in Jordan said conditions still present a survival challenge, while acknowledging the Jordanian militarys efforts to coordinate aid shipments. Delivery of humanitarian aid experienced serious delays and interruptions due to logistical and security constraints over the past months, the statement said. Only one distribution cycle of a months worth of food rations and essential items, including blankets, warm clothes and plastic sheeting, was made possible to those living at the berm between November 2016 and January 2017. The statement said water has been delivered regularly and that U.N. health services were able to provide life-saving care, with the most serious cases referred to Jordan for further treatment. On Tuesday, an AP team visited one of the health clinics, where pregnant women and young children were receiving treatment. Patients were transported from Rukban to the clinic by ambulance after security vetting. Najah Khidr, who is two months pregnant, said she came to the clinic because she had suffered bleeding the night before. She said she and her eight-member family live in dire conditions. Its too cold there, no electricity and no sustainable food supplies, the 41-year-old woman said, struggling to stand up. Another patient, 14-year-old Mathour Yassin Khleif, said a kerosene stove caught fire in his familys shelter, burning him and his sister. Khleif suffered third-degree burns, the clinic report said. Mustafa Zboun, an official of the U.N. child agency, said most patients at the mobile clinic are children suffering from malnutrition and pregnant women. More than 200 Syrians have been allowed entry to Jordan for medical treatment since November, he said. At the same time, the potential Islamic State threat from Rukban is rising, with armed militants trying to control it and create cells inside the camp, said Kafawin, the border commander. We are sure they have whole weapons systems. Armed groups clash frequently in Rukban, he said. We understand that more than 90 percent (of camp residents) are asylum seekers, but the others are extremists or Daesh people, he said, referring to Islamic State by its Arabic acronym. Jordan also fears an influx to southern Syria of Islamic State militants fleeing a U.S.-backed Iraqi offensive on the city of Mosul, a former Islamic State stronghold. The offensive began in the fall, and Islamic State has been driven out of eastern parts of the city. The threat is increasing, especially in this area, Kafawin said, referring to the border stretch near Rukban. We consider the whole Syrian border as a potential threat, but in this area, it is imminent all the time. Pro-Western Jordan is part of a U.S.-led military coalition against the Islamic State extremists. About half of Jordans military personnel and resources have been deployed to protect the kingdoms borders, Kafawin said, a sharp increase from before the 2011 outbreak of the Syria conflict. Associated Press writers Sam McNeil in Amman, Jordan, and Karin Laub in Ramallah, West Bank, contributed to this report. KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia Malaysian police arrested a second woman today in the death of Kim Jong Nam, the half-brother of North Koreas leader who was reportedly poisoned this week by two female assassins as he waited for a flight in Malaysia. Police Chief Khalid Abu Bakar confirmed the latest arrest to the national Bernama news agency and said a statement would be released soon. Investigators are trying to shed light on a death that set off set off waves of speculation over whether North Korea dispatched a hit squad to kill a man known for his drinking, gambling and complicated family life. Medical workers completed an autopsy late Wednesday, but it was not immediately clear if or when Malaysia would release the findings publicly. North Korea had objected to the autopsy and asked for Kim Jong Nams body to be returned; Malaysia went ahead with the procedure anyway as the North did not submit a formal protest, said Abdul Samah Mat, a senior Malaysian police official. Also Wednesday, police arrested the first suspect in the case, a woman carrying Vietnamese travel documents bearing the name Doan Thi Huong. She was picked up at the budget terminal of Kuala Lumpur International Airport, where Kim Jong Nam fell ill on Monday morning. It was not immediately clear whether the passport was genuine. She was identified using earlier surveillance video from the airport, police said. Still photos of the video, confirmed as authentic by police, showed a woman in a skirt and long-sleeved white T-shirt with LOL emblazoned across the front. Kim Jong Nam, who was 45 or 46, was estranged from his younger brother, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, and had been living abroad for years. He reportedly fell out of favor when he was caught trying to enter Japan on a false passport in 2001. According to two senior Malaysian government officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the case involves sensitive diplomacy, the elder Kim died en route to a hospital on Monday after suddenly falling ill at the airports budget terminal. He told medical workers before he died that he had been attacked with a chemical spray at the airport, the Malaysian officials said. Multiple South Korean media reports, citing unidentified sources, said two women believed to be North Korean agents killed him with some kind of poison before fleeing in a taxi. Police said they were hunting for more suspects. Since taking power in late 2011, Kim Jong Un has executed or purged a number of high-level government officials in what the South Korean government has described as a reign of terror. South Koreas spy agency, the National Intelligence Service, said Wednesday that North Korea had been trying for five years to kill Kim Jong Nam. The NIS did not definitively say that North Korea was behind the killing, just that it was presumed to be a North Korean operation, according to lawmakers who briefed reporters about the closed-door meeting with the spy officials. The NIS also cited a genuine attempt by North Korea to kill Kim Jong Nam in 2012, the lawmakers said. The NIS told them that Kim Jong Nam sent a letter to Kim Jong Un in April 2012, after the assassination attempt, begging for the lives of himself and his family. The letter said: I hope you cancel the order for the punishment of me and my family. We have nowhere to go, nowhere to hide. Although Kim Jong Nam had been originally tipped by some outsiders as a possible successor to his late dictator father, Kim Jong Il, others thought that was unlikely because he lived outside the country, including recently in Macau. He also frequented casinos, five-star hotels and traveled around Asia, with little say in North Korean affairs. COSTA MESA An Orange Coast College student who faces a suspension for secretly filming a teacher in class making anti-Donald Trump comments filed an appeal Wednesday with the school. Flanked by his attorney and students who came out in support, Caleb ONeil, 19, spoke publicly about his experience for the first time during a news conference at the Costa Mesa college. Update: OCC student gets support from across the country I pulled my phone out, because I was honestly scared that I would have repercussions with my grades because she knew I was a Trump supporter, said ONeil, a freshman who often wore pro-Trump attire to school. I thought Olga was a good teacher, ONeil said of instructor Olga Perez Stable Cox. But when she began speaking, one week after the election of Donald Trump, of a divided nation and cast the election as an assault, he said he felt threatened. School officials say ONeil violated the Orange Coast College Community Districts Student Code of Conduct against unauthorized recording and use of an electronic device in the classroom. ONeil is suspended for a full semester and the summer term. Before being readmitted, he must write a letter of apology to Cox and a three-page, double-spaced essay explaining his actions and provide his analysis of the aftermath. The sanctions are excessive and discriminatory, said Bill Becker, ONeils attorney and the president of Freedom X, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving religious and conservative freedom of expression. ONeil, 19, is a competitive rower and said chose Orange Coast College so he could join its male varsity rowing team. He is attending classes during the appeal. Orange County Republican Chairman Fred M. Whitaker on Wednesday called the college officials decision abhorrent and said it clearly affirms their disdain for one of our nations most cherished freedoms: freedom of speech. Last December, Whitaker and nine California elected leaders including Sen. Janet Nguyen and Sen. John Moorlach sent a letter to the colleges president, Dennis Harkins, discouraging disciplinary action, which would send a disturbing message that students who dont fall in line are at risk of administrative retribution. Contact the writer: rkopetman@scng.com and Twitter@roxanakopetman WASHINGTON Congress on Wednesday sent President Donald Trump legislation blocking an Obama-era rule designed to keep guns out of the hands of certain mentally disabled people. On a vote of 57-43, the Senate backed the resolution, just one of several early steps by the Republican-led Congress to undo regulations implemented by former President Barack Obama. The House had passed the measure earlier this year. The White House has signaled Trump will sign the legislation. The Obama rule would have prevented an estimated 75,000 people with mental disorders from being able to purchase a firearm. It was crafted as part of Obamas efforts to strengthen the federal background check system in the wake of the 2012 massacre of 20 young students and six staff at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. Adam Lanza, a 20-year-old man with a variety of impairments, including Aspergers syndrome and obsessive-compulsive disorder, shot and killed his mother at their home, then went to school where he killed the students, adults and himself. He used his mothers guns in the attack. The Obama administration rule required the Social Security Administration to send in the names of beneficiaries with mental impairments who also have a third party manage their benefits. But lawmakers, with the backing of the National Rifle Association and advocacy groups for the disabled, opposed the regulation and encouraged Congress to undertake a rarely successful parliamentary tool designed to void regulations that Congress takes issue with. With a Republican ally in the White House, the GOP has moved aggressively on several fronts to rescind some of the Obama administrations final regulations on the environment, financial reporting and now guns. Under an expedited process established through the Congressional Review Act, a regulation is made invalid when a simple majority of both chambers pass a joint resolution of disapproval and the president signs it. The House also voted to repeal three Labor Department regulations Wednesday, including a rule that established when states could require drug testing for certain laid-off workers seeking unemployment insurance. Critics seeking the repeal said the department crafted the regulation so narrowly that it undermined congressional intent to give states more leeway to use drug testing in their unemployment insurance programs. On the gun rule, Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, spearheaded the repeal effort, saying the regulation unfairly stigmatizes the disabled and infringes on their constitutional right to bear arms. He said that the mental disorders covered through the regulation are filled with vague characteristics that do not fit into the federal mentally defective standard prohibiting someone from buying or owning a gun. Grassley cited eating and sleep disorders as examples of illnesses that could allow a beneficiary to be reported to the background check system if they also have a third party to manage their benefits. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said he didnt know how he could explain to his constituents, including those in Newtown, that Congress was making it easier rather than harder for people with serious mental illness to have a gun. If you cant manage your own financial affairs, how can we expect that youre going to be a responsible steward of a dangerous, lethal firearm, Murphy said. Gun rights groups werent the only organizations upset about the Obama administrations regulation. The American Civil Liberties Union criticized it, too. The ACLU said the rule advanced a harmful stereotype that people with mental disabilities, a vast and diverse group of citizens, are violent. More than a dozen advocacy groups for the disabled also opposed the Obama administrations regulation. This heartless resolution puts the most vulnerable Americans at risk, countered Dan Gross, president of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. Make no mistake, this vote was really about deepening the gun industrys customer pool, at the expense of those in danger of hurting themselves or others. On the labor rule, Mississippi, Wisconsin and Texas are among the states seeking more flexibility in using drug tests in their unemployment insurance programs. Republicans complained that the Obama administration regulation undercut that flexibility and congressional intent. I am pretty certain that the people who I am privileged to represent would be very upset if they thought somebody was receiving unemployment compensation while they were on drugs, because they think that is going to make it pretty hard for that person to ever get back into the workforce, and they want to be able to identify that, said Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla. Democrats argued that Republicans were simply enabling states to intimidate people from seeking unemployment benefits. The legislation that we are debating today has nothing to do with fighting drug abuse, said Rep. Richard Neal, D-Mass. Its about allowing states to put one more time-consuming, humiliating obstacle in the way of Americans who work hard, and were laid off from their jobs and need unemployment insurance to pay the bills while they look for new jobs. President Donald Trump told the New York Times in November, I would love to be the one who made peace with Israel and the Palestinians, that would be such a great achievement. Last month, he announced that his son-in-law Jared Kushner would attempt to broker a peace deal in his new role as senior White House adviser, touting how well Kushner knows the region. If you cant produce peace in the Middle East, nobody can, Trump publicly said to Kushner at a January event. Hell make a deal with Israel that no one else can you know, hes a natural, the president told the Times of London. Kushner has no foreign policy experience. Trump looked to Orange County when he appointed radical China hawk and UC Irvine Professor Peter Navarro to head the new National Trade Council. If he is sincere in his intention to help produce peace in the Middle East, Trump should tap into Orange Countys resources once again by looking at the innovative and groundbreaking work that local academics are engaging in to achieve conflict resolution in the region. Trump can start by exploring the work Olive Tree Initiative Executive Director Daniel Wehrenfennig and his team are doing to address disputes in the Middle East and South Caucasus. The OTI, an experiential learning program, formed in 2007 in the aftermath of tension on UC Irvines campus related to opposing views on the Israel-Palestine conflict from student groups. Students who participate in the programs Middle East branch attend weekly meetings and have group education sessions on the Israel-Palestine conflict, examining barriers to the peace negotiation process related to Jerusalem, security, borders and refugees. The students learn about Zionism, Palestinian nationalism, the disputes origins, the UN General Assembly Partition Resolution, the rise of settlements and U.S. policy toward the conflict. After completing the course work, participants travel to the UN in New York, Washington, D.C., Israel, Palestine and Jordan as student diplomats, meeting and engaging in dialogue with high-level officials representing a variety of perspectives. (Disclosure: I serve on the programs advisory board.) Wehrenfennig, the OTI leadership team and faculty are developing young leaders who are well prepared for futures as global peacemakers. The pioneering educational program that started in Orange County has chapters at top-tier universities across the country and internationally. Separately, at UC Irvines Merage School of Business, Professor John Graham provides a roadmap through his writings on how to foster peace in the Middle East by creating an environment in which business interests can infuse capital into the region, which Graham argues can result in an influx of jobs for both Israelis and Palestinians. Graham often cites Steven Pinkers 2011 book, The Better Angels of Our Nature, which maintains that commerce can lead to peace. It is much harder for people from two beautiful cultures to fight each other when they work side by side. Trump is uniquely qualified to attempt this approach given his longtime business experience. Last, UC Irvines Center for Citizen Peacebuilding has conducted renowned work on peace building internationally and domestically. Co-director Paula Garb and affiliated faculty focus on research, conferences and fellowships. The center is one of the very best of its kind in the United States. Like the majority of voters, I believe Trump is the wrong choice for U.S. president based on his polarizing views, habitual lies and unusual behavior. However, the optimist in me hopes I am wrong. Perhaps he can be the unhinged, unpredictable and unconventional leader who somehow has the skill set required to create and implement a peace deal. Negotiation is his self-proclaimed strong suit, but he does not have the right team in place to address this issue. He can start by contacting Wehrenfennig, Graham and Garb. I am sure they will take his call. Michael A. (Mike) Moodian is a Huffington Post contributor and Rancho Santa Margarita resident. Contact him through his website (www.moodian.com) and follow him on Twitter (@mikemoodian). Politics, at its core, is a series of never-ending tribal conflicts. Sometimes its the Republicans against the Democrats, other times its the executive branch fighting with the judiciary and occasionally its as petty as members of Congress warring with one another over television news air time. One of the battles that is sure to be popping up in the next two years is House Democrats versus Senate Democrats. Yes, they are members of the same political party, oppose President Donald Trump and want their party to recapture the White House in 2020, but beyond that their agendas couldnt be more different. In the 2016 presidential election, Donald Trump carried 30 states, which covers 60 percent of the seats in the U.S. Senate. In 2018, 10 Democratic senators will be up for re-election who represent states that Donald Trump won in some cases by wide margins. These senators represent constituents who want Trump to succeed. In the House, things couldnt be more different. Thanks to the gerrymandering of congressional lines, the affinity of Democrats to live next to each other in big cities and the Republican tilt of rural America, most Democratic members of Congress represent very safe, very liberal districts. Their voters want Trump to fail and get ginned up whenever Democrats let it be known that theyre working hard to block his legislative agenda and cause him fits. In other words, the Democratic worlds are about to collide. The problem for vulnerable Senate Democrats is that the more reckless and outrageous their colleagues in the House get, the more they gobble up all of the headlines and brand the party in their image. At this pace there wont be an available bottle of Tums at a CVS pharmacy anywhere near the Washington, D.C., metro area. In an exclusive interview with NBC News Meet the Press, Georgia Democratic Congressman John Lewis said that he couldnt imagine forging a working relationship with President Trump because, I dont see this president-elect as a legitimate president. In the 2016 election, Rep. Lewis won re-election in his Atlanta-based district with over 84 percent of the vote. Earlier this month California Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Los Angeles, said that she doesnt want Trump to serve all four years of his term, And my greatest desire is to lead him right into impeachment. When asked to explain herself at a subsequent press conference, Waters said that she didnt like the fact that he is wrapping his arms around Putin while Putin is continuing to advance into Korea. Either I missed a huge international story or Putin really loves playing the board game Risk. Waters was re-elected by 76 percent of the voters in Californias 43rd District last November. And then one day after House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi was grilled by NBCs Chuck Todd about whether or not she and other members of the Democratic leadership team were out of step with the majority of the country, Pelosi called a press conference where she declared, While its only been a couple of weeks since the inauguration, weve seen nothing that I can work with President Bush on. Apparently Jeb Bushs election to the presidency happened on the same day that Russia invaded Korea and my neighbor stole my copy of the paper. San Franciscans just re-elected Pelosi with 81 percent of the vote. Without the White House or an elected chairman of the Democratic National Committee, there is no de facto spokesman for the Democratic Party. The worst case scenario for Senate Democrats is that by default that role will be assumed by the loudest voice in the room. John Phillips is a CNN political commentator and can be heard weekdays at 3 p.m. on The Drive Home with Jillian Barberie and John Phillips on KABC/AM 790. As leases approach expiration dates, negotiations are not looking good for some restaurants. Some are closing and relocating to more affordable locations, while others are bidding goodbye to underperforming locations. In Irvine and Newport Beach, two power lunch restaurants, Il Barone and Prego Ristorante, have announced plans to relocate to new locations. Il Barone is taking over a high-profile location left vacant by a Cocos in Newport Beach. Cocos is among several casual dining chains a restaurant segment still struggling in a post-Great Recession world shuttering locations in Orange County. Heres the latest closure round up: Chilis Grill & Bar, at 17071 Beach Blvd. in Huntington Beach, closed in late January. According to public notices filed with the state, the closure is permanent and impacts 46 employees. Brinker International, the parent company of Chilis, did not provide a reason for the closure. TGI Fridays in Yorba Linda plans to close March 6. An employee answering the phone at the Savi Ranch retail center restaurant said its last day will be March 5. The restaurant, at 23040 Eastpark Drive, employs 42 workers, according to a state filing. The decision to close the location was purely a business decision and we will offer the majority (of) team members the opportunity to work at our other TGIF restaurants in the area, a restaurant executive said in a statement. Two McDonalds restaurants inside Walmart stores in Huntington Beach and Laguna Niguel recently closed. A representative for McDonalds in Southern California said the decision to close at the end of a lease is up to the franchisee. Other McDonalds locations continue to operate inside Walmart stores in Southern California, McDonalds said. The demise of Carrows and Cocos restaurants in Orange County continues. The Carrows at 28502 Marguerite Pkwy. in Mission Viejo has been converted to a Cocos. As a result of the rebrand, the Cocos at 27750 Crown Valley Pkwy. in Mission Viejo has closed permanently, said Mike Griffith, a representative for Catalina Restaurant Group. The company, acquired two years ago by Food Management Partners, operates both Cocos and Carrows brands. Griffith said there are no plans to reopen Carrows anywhere else. With the closure of Carrows in Mission Viejo, there are none left in Orange County. Last week, a Cocos at 900 Bristol St. North in Newport Beach closed. The coffee house is being converted into Il Barone, a popular Italian restaurant relocating from another site in the city. Prego Ristorante, a mainstay for three decades in Irvine, will serve its last meal at its Irvine Towers location Feb. 26. The owners of the three-decade-old restaurant said they were unable to come to an agreement on the terms of a new lease with the landlord, the Irvine Company. The owners are planning to relocate the restaurant. Taco Jr. in Costa Mesa recently closed. It will be replaced by Taco Brat, a taqueria/sausage house by Thomas Curren. The veteran chef has spent a career working for a variety of venues from Aubergine to Pinkberry to Umami Burger. The menu will feature haus-made sausages, tacos, home-cured bacon and German and Mexican beers. The restaurant is at 2101 Harbor Blvd. Mare Culinary Lounge by Alessandro Pirozzi has closed in Laguna Beach. An employee answering the phone at Mare this week said the restaurant, located at the Holiday Inn on S. Coast Highway, is open only for private events. This week, OpenTable said Mare Culinary Lounge will no longer be part of the OpenTable network. In an email, chef and owner Pirozzi said the current hotel owner did not extend our Mare lease. He added: We have some time left in (the) lease and we can do some special events. Pirozzi is best known for launching the Cucina Alessa-branded restaurants in Orange County. Pirozzi, a native of Naples, developed Alessa from his grandmothers recipes. After debuting Cucina Alessa in Newport Beach in 2008, Pirozzi opened one in Huntington Beach in 2009 and the Laguna location in 2010. Pirozzi severed ties with the Huntington Beach and Newport Beach restaurants in late 2012. Those restaurants still go by the name Cucina Alessa. He operates Alessa in Laguna Beach. He also owns Pirozzi, a pasta and pizza bistro in Corona del Mar. In December, Pirozzi took over the shuttered Salerno restaurant in Laguna Beach. Shinkou Sushi & Poke in Laguna Hills closed in late January. The restaurant posted a closure note on its Facebook page, thanking customers for their loyalty since it opened nearly six years ago. It is a bittersweet feeling. We are sad and yet excited for the future adventures await. We thank you all again for your patronage and love, the restaurant wrote. Owner Veronica Hananto said a few factors contributed to the closure, including the inability to negotiate a new lease in a timely manner and the loss of key employees. Address: 24881 Alicia Parkway, Laguna Hills. The Gypsy Den at Center Street Promenade in Anaheim has closed. It has been rebranded as Center Street Tavern. The owner, who owns all Gypsy Den locations, described the modern tavern as a zero attitude hangout serving classic beers, elevated wines and simple cocktails. Contact the writer: nluna@ocregister.com Those folds and faults in the ocean floor near San Onofre, where millions of pounds of nuclear waste may be entombed for decades? New scholarship from Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego finds evidence to put some fears to rest, and perhaps rekindle others. Updated seismic studies for nuclear reactors like San Onofre were required even before Japans Fukushima disaster, and as operator Southern California Edison was eyeing a 20-year license extension. That was cut short when design errors in San Onofres new $671 million steam generators caused tubes to wear and break, dooming the plant to an early demise. It was shuttered in 2013 and will be torn down over the next several decades at a cost of $4.4 billion. The new seismic science will be on the agenda tonight at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Stations Community Engagement Panel meeting in Dana Point. The volunteer group advising Edison on the decommissioning process will hear from Neal Driscoll, the professor of geosciences at Scripps who conducted seismic probes, as well as from the general contractor hired in December to oversee the dismantling. Staffed information booths open at 4:30 p.m. and the action runs 5:30-8:30 at the Ocean Institute, 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive. There will be a public comment period, and the meeting will be live-streamed at songscommunity.com. These meetings are often the scene of fireworks as activists and officials face off, and tonights meeting promises some drama. MAPPING THE FAULT Could an underwater landslide make a huge tsunami at SONGS? the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station asked environmental group San Clemente Green. The answer: probably not, but maybe. The researchers used two models to explain the deformation off Californias southern coast, Driscoll said. One hypothesized an ocean-side blind-thrust fault, while the other hypothesized a segmented strike-slip fault. Researchers spent 100 days at sea gathering data. They reprocessed old data with new supercomputers and new approaches. We were able to map the fault structures offshore to an unprecedented scale, and there is no geophysical or geological evidence for an ocean-side blind thrust, Driscoll said. Their mapping of the Newport-Inglewood-Rose Canyon fault, however, raises more questions. This fault runs offshore from Newport Beach to La Jolla and is broken into four segments separated by step overs that are not large enough to inhibit a fracture along its entire length. Theoretically, the Newport-Inglewood-Rose Canyon fault could rupture end to end, from La Jolla up to Newport Beach, with a maximum earthquake of 7.3. Thats a pretty good-sized earthquake. San Onofre was designed to withstand a magnitude 7 quake five miles away or peak ground acceleration of 0.67 Gs (as in, G-forces). That, however, will be moot once the domes are torn down. The dry storage systems that will remain on-site for many years are more than twice as robust, designed to withstand peak ground acceleration of 1.5 Gs, officials said. The data show that for the past 10,000 to 13,000 years, the offshore segments have never ruptured simultaneously. But theoretically, its possible, Driscoll said. The Newport section ruptured in 1933 with a 6.4 earthquake. The southern section, in La Jolla, ruptured about 1650, give or take a few hundred years. The central segments off San Onofre havent ruptured in those 10,000 to 13,000 years. It appears the fault is more active to the south and north, and hasnt connected end to end, but we have to consider the possibility, Driscoll said. Tsunami risk a major concern post-Fukushima is parsed as well. Offshore Southern California is a complex series of underwater mountains and valleys, and when far-field tsunamis approach the shore, energy builds up over the shoals and collapses in the valleys, Driscoll said. These formations act as a natural baffle, blunting the energy. The offshore geophysical and geological evidence shows no large underwater failures that triggered a near-field tsunami but that doesnt mean it cant happen in the future, he said. About $11 million has been spent on the seismic studies, said Maureen Brown, spokeswoman for Edison. WASHINGTON Senate Democrats on Wednesday called for Attorney General Jeff Sessions to recuse himself from any executive branch investigation into possible ties between the Trump administration and Russia. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Sessions should not be involved because of potential conflicts of interest and because of Justice Department regulations that prohibit individuals with political ties to the subjects of an investigation from leading it. President Donald Trump nominated Sessions for the attorney generals post and the senator was one of his earliest and staunchest backers in Congress. When the FBI looks into a matter, they do so alongside prosecutors from the Justice Department, Schumer said. Those prosecutors should not be reporting to the first senator who endorsed Donald Trumps campaign. But Republicans continued to brush off demands from Democrats for a Watergate-style probe, insisting investigations underway by the House and Senate intelligence committees are adequate. And nothing requires Sessions to appoint a special prosecutor. A statute mandating the use of independent counsel in certain situations was allowed to expire in 1999. Schumer and other Democrats spoke to reporters as Trump criticized the intelligence agencies that he oversees and the media for what he described as unfair treatment of his former national security adviser, Michael Flynn, and for illegally leaked information about reported contacts between his campaign aides and Russian officials. Flynn was forced to resign Monday following reports he misled Vice President Mike Pence about contacts with a Russian diplomat. Late Tuesday, The New York Times reported that U.S. agencies had intercepted phone calls last year between Russian intelligence officials and members of Trumps 2016 campaign team. A group of 11 Democrats wrote to Sessions and urged him to appoint an independent special counsel to investigate possible illegal communications between Flynn and representatives of the Russian government. The special counsel would also examine any attempts by Flynn and other White House officials to hide any wrongdoing, they said. The group, led by Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, included Sens. Richard Durbin of Illinois and Patrick Leahy of Vermont. Schumer did not sign the letter to Sessions. Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., a member of the Senate intelligence committee, recommended a streamlined approach as the best way to speed the inquiry along. I think sooner is better than later, Blunt told reporters. And I think we can be a long way down the road in 90 days. Sen. John McCain of Arizona, the Republican chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, didnt rule out an independent probe, but said he and other lawmakers need to find out a lot of basic information first about Flynns communications and the alleged contacts involving Trumps campaign. Something like this always sucks the oxygen out of the room, McCain said. The presidents national security adviser did not tell the vice president of the United States the truth and had to be fired. It brings up a lot of questions and those questions need to be answered. Right now, without a national security adviser and everything else thats going on in the White House, it is dysfunctional on national security. Separately, Judiciary Committee Chairman Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, and the panels top Democrat, Californias Dianne Feinstein, sent a letter late Wednesday to Sessions and FBI Director James Comey seeking a briefing on Flynns resignation the week of Feb. 27. Enforce rules equally Re: OCC student who recorded instructor is suspended [News, Feb. 15]: So, if Ive got this right, a student broke a rule and is penalized. Therefore, one would assume that the teacher, caught red-handed breaking a rule, would also be penalized. Has this happened? The school should be penalized for doing nothing regarding the teachers actions when being notified with evidence. Sounds like college is one of the reasons this country is having such difficult times no one cares about the rules. Paul Kartinen, Laguna Hills Brainwashing The final insult to the student who exposed the political rant of an OCC professor has now been delivered hes been suspended, and required to apologize and write a penance essay. No such requirement for the professor, though. She can go on using her position of authority to browbeat students and make sure they espouse her progressive agenda or suffer grade-wise. We can now add OCC to the list of institutions, exemplified by Berkeley, practicing educational brainwashing. They use our tax dollars to promote their biased progressive political agenda, and our kids come out preprogrammed, rather than being equipped with the skills to think and make rational decisions. And we wonder why university and college graduates cannot get good jobs, participate fully in the economic opportunity America offers, and remain dependent on their parents far longer than previous generations. We are training them to be mindless followers, believing the country owes them a lifestyle, believing that the 1 percent ought to pay for everything, believing that the great American dream their ancestors fought and died for is a right, not a privilege. M. J. Knudsen, Trabuco Canyon Right to appeal What ridiculous overkill by OCCs administration. As an educator and taxpayer in the Coast Community College District, Id like to know why the frightened instructor, Olga Perez Stable Cox, isnt also being suspended and fined part of her salary for her irresponsible actions. Didnt she fail to follow the official Human Sexuality curriculum and then choose to inject her overly emotional personal political views on a captive student audience that had paid good money for this particular class? I hope this students appeal gets the attention it deserves in a court of law. Kent Moore, Corona Del Mar WASHINGTON Donald Trump mounted an aggressive defense of his young presidency Thursday, lambasting reports that his campaign advisers had inappropriate contact with Russian officials and vowing to crack down on the leaking of classified information. Nearly a month into his presidency, Trump insisted in a free-wheeling White House news conference that his new administration had made significant progress and took credit for an optimistic business climate and a rising stock market. The president denounced media reports of a chaotic start to his administration marked by his contentious executive order rejected by a federal appeals court to place a ban on travelers from seven predominantly Muslim nations. Trump said he would announce a new and very comprehensive order to protect our people next week. This administration is running like a fine-tuned machine, Trump declared in a lengthy news conference that saw the new commander in chief repeatedly interrupting reporters questions and airing his grievances. Throughout the encounter the new president delivered recurring criticism of the news media, accusing it of being out of control and promising to take his message straight to the people. He dismissed recent reports in The New York Times and on CNN that Trump campaign aides had been in contact with Russian officials before his election. Trump called Paul Manafort, his former campaign manager who has ties to Ukraine and Russia, a respected man. Pressed repeatedly, Trump said that nobody that I know of on his campaign staff had contacted Russian officials. He called such reports a ruse and said he had nothing to do with Russia. Trump added, Russia is fake news. This is fake news put out by the media. Amid reports of widespread leaks within his administration, Trump also warned that he would clamp down on the dissemination of sensitive information, saying he had asked the Justice Department to investigate. Those are criminal leaks, adding, The leaks are real. The news is fake. He blamed any problems on the outgoing Obama administration. I inherited a mess at home and abroad a mess, Trump said. Democrats said Trumps refusal to say for sure that his campaign staff wasnt in contact in the Kremlin underscored the need for an independent investigation through a special congressional select committee, a commission styled after the review of the 9/11 attacks or an independent counsel from the Justice Department. His silence speaks volumes, said Adrienne Watson, a spokeswoman for the Democratic National Committee. The president announced that Alexander Acosta, the dean of the Florida International University law school, would be his nominee for Labor secretary. That came a day after fast-food executive Andrew Puzder withdrew his nomination for Labor after losing support among Republican senators. Trump, a reality television star and real estate mogul who was elected as an outsider intent on change, said his ousted national security adviser, Michael Flynn, was just doing his job in talking with Russian officials before the inauguration. But he said he was not happy with how Flynn described his phone call with a Russian diplomat to Vice President Mike Pence. Trump knew for weeks that Flynn had misled Pence but did not inform the vice president, according to a timeline of events supplied by the White House. Trump said he had identified a strong replacement for Flynn, which made the decision to let him go easier. Trump is said to favor Vice Admiral Robert Harward, a former Navy SEAL, as his next national security adviser, according to a White House official. Harward met with top White House officials last week and has the backing of Defense Secretary Jim Mattis. He was meeting with officials later Thursday. Addressing immigration, one of the biggest issues of the past campaign, Trump said it was difficult dealing with the policy known as DACA, which allows young adults to get work permits and Social Security numbers and protects them from deportation. Referring to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals rule, he said he would deal with DACA with heart. While Trump has promised to halt illegal immigration as a cornerstone of his administration, he has also promised to focus on people who have committed crimes. He said he had the best lawyers working on the policy now and the new executive order is being tailored to the decision we got from the court. Earlier in the day, Trump had a breakfast meeting with some of his staunchest House supporters. The White House has said Trump asked for Flynns resignation because he had misled Vice President Mike Pence over his dealings with Russia and whether he had discussed sanctions with Russias ambassador to the U.S. before Trumps Jan. 20 inauguration. Flynn previously had denied those conversations to Pence and other top officials. On Thursday, he warned in a pair of tweets that low-life leakers of classified information will be caught. As journalists were being escorted out of the breakfast meeting, Trump responded to a reporters question on the subject by saying: Were going to find the leakers and theyre going to pay a big price. COSTA MESA Stu Evans treasures the British half-penny he stored in the shoulder pocket of his naval flight suit while piloting more than 150 missions in Vietnam. The coin now sits on public display in the newly opened Heroes Hall veterans museum at the Orange County Fairgrounds. Next to it lies a Japanese flag taken off an enemy combatant and a cumberbund his older brother, Charles Evans, brought back from World War II. In another area, rests a pair of Marine combat boots, Vietnam War-era gear, rifles and an American flag, along with uniform patches of an Army Vietnam veteran. To me, it was just about honoring my brother, Evans, of Mission Viejo, said about loaning the museum his brothers war memorabilia. More than 100 guests gathered Wednesday inside a refurbished two-story World War II-era barracks for the museums grand opening. The day was also the 75th anniversary of the Santa Ana Army Air Base, the current site of the OC Fair & Event Center. The museum items are part of an opening exhibit based on The Things They Carried, a book by Tim OBrien that tells the stories of Vietnam veterans through the items they took into combat. Additional stories are in the works to showcase objects belonging to Orange County veterans who served in more recent wars. Another exhibit in the building honors the air base with photos and posters of the men who were stationed there, including all-time Yankee great Joe DiMaggio; Joseph Heller, the author of Catch 22; Gene Autry; the Womens Air Service Pilots and the Navajo Code Talkers. We designed this completely different than other museums, said Nick Berardino, chairman of the OC Fair & Event board. The fairgrounds allocated $3.8 million for the project and another $300,000 was raised by the Heroes Hall Veterans Foundation. From 1942-46, the air base was one of three training facilities during World War II. More than half of the U.S. military pilots were trained at the base, which was home to 26,000 servicemen. Costa Mesa resident Gary Tegal, 54, brought several letters and telegrams his father, Henry Tegal, wrote to his girlfriend in Newport Beach while stationed at the air base from 1942-45. The only reason Im in Orange County is because of the war, Tegal said. Every time I come to the (OC) fair and see this building I think of my dad. Some veterans who loaned items for the exhibit were given a tour of Heroes Hall on Monday. Evans was given the coin by the mother of a friend before deploying to Vietnam in 1966. He found his brothers belongings after he died several years ago. That cumberbund has 1,000 knots and each one is for good luck that you wont get killed, he said. To give local high school students a better understanding of the sacrifices made by veterans, museum officials plan to give tours to school groups. Michaela Norton, 17, a Costa Mesa High junior and advanced U.S. history student, said Heroes Halls focus on relaying the personal experiences of veterans is unique compared to other museums. In books, you only hear about the massive numbers who served, but you dont see or hear the individual stories, she said. Michelle Pham, also a junior at the high school and an advanced U.S. history student, said she appreciates the sacrifice made by American service members. If it wasnt for the Navy and the Army, my family would still be in Vietnam, she said. Outside the building is a Medal of Honor courtyard with plaques that recognize Orange Countys 11 medal recipients and other veterans who performed acts of bravery. Retired Navy commander and World War II veteran Bill Hardy, 96, dressed in full uniform, had high school students and veterans clamoring for photos with him. This is great, he said. I know most of the Medal of Honor guys on the wall. Contact the writer: 714-796-2478 or lcasiano@scng.com The authors of a Class IV textbook in India recently came under fire, after it was revealed that in a lesson on the importance of breathing they were literally encouraging the kids to do an experiment involving suffocating a cat. It sounds hard to believe that a school textbook for environmental studies could teach children as young as 9 years old to kill an animal as an experiment, but its sadly true. Twitter user Lola Kuttiamma shared photos of the book passages concerning the absurd experiment, and people understandably were outraged about it. Living things breathe, the textbook explains. No living thing can live without air for more than a few minutes. You can do an experiment. Take two wooden boxes. Make holes on lid of one box. Put a small kitten in each box. Close the Boxes. After some time open the boxes. What do you see? The kitten in the box with no holes has died. Wow, is that educational or what? And theyre not even suggesting using adult cats, but cute little kittens. Not that grown cats would have made it any more acceptable, but kittens just make it sound even crueler. And if you thought things couldnt possibly get worse, you were wrong. The textbook, entitled Our Green World: Environment Studies, also features a couple of pictograms, with one kitten alive and well in the box with holes in it, and the other, well, dead. The Our Green World textbook was part of the curriculum at a reputed school in Delhi, India, but it is unclear if it is still being used, following the recent controversy with the kitten experiment. Apparently, the publisher had been notified about this problem months ago. A parent had called us a couple of months ago and asked us to remove the text from the book because it was harmful for children, Parvesh Gupta of PP Publications said. We recalled books from our distribution channel and will come out with a revised book next year. It might be stupid, but they were endangering the lives of the children and animals by citing such an experiment, Vidhi Matta, spokeswoman for the Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations, told AFP. Luckily, it appears that none of the kids actually went ahead with the suggested experiment. At least none have come forward about it. Still, people were obviously outraged about the whole thing. Person who wrote such experiment must be put in instead of animal. Fools, one Twitter user wrote. How absurd! Doesnt someone review this shit before its authorized & approved to be used in schools? another asked. And thats actually a legitimate question. I guess not. This blunder has once again raised question about the quality of school textbooks in India. You see, this isnt just an isolated incident. The BBC reports that just last week, another textbook in the Indian state of Maharashtra caused controversy after claiming that ugly and handicapped brides had led to a rise in dowries being claimed by the grooms family. In 2014, a school textbook in the western state of Gujarat claimed that Japan had dropped nuclear bombs on the US during WW2. Five years ago, a national textbook mentioned that people who eat meat easily cheat, tell lies, forget promises, are dishonest and tell bad words, steal, fight and turn to violence and commit sex crimes. Its hard to imagine why anyone would voluntarily infect themselves with one of the deadliest viruses in human existence, but for Los Frikis a Cuban punk community living under the regime of Fidel Castro during the 80s and 90s injecting themselves with HIV-infected syringes was the easiest way to escape persecution and police harassment. Los Frikis, the name than became synonymous with punks, metalheads and pretty much anyone who didnt fit in with mainstream Cuban society, came together during the late 1980s. Their music, dressing style and culture were influenced by that of similar communities in the United States and other European countries, something that didnt sit well with Fidel Castros communist regime. Most of the bands also sang in English, which only made things worse for Frikis in general. Although the language was purely an aesthetic choice, speaking English in those days was considered a huge no-no. Breaking social norms was a risky affair in 1980s Cuba, and the Frikis paid a high price for it. Many of them were rejected by their families, harassed, arrested and forced to do manual labor for their crimes. Los Frikis would meet in safehouses located in run-down areas, but other than that they didnt have many places where they felt accepted. Tired of the constant persecution, many of them took up a form of protest that can only be described as extreme infecting themselves with HIV by injecting the blood of their sick friends into their veins. Photo: VICE video screenshot At about the same time that the Frikis community struggled to find its place in Cuban society, AIDS was wreaking havoc around the world, and the Cuban Government was taking precautions to prevent an epidemic on the island. Its approach involved providing the population with free condoms, aggressively testing the sexually active population for HIV and sending the infected to quarantined sanitariums. Living the rest of your life in a walled medical facility was scary for most people, but for los Frikis it was a welcomed escape from persecution. State-run HIV sanatoriums were opened all over Cuba during the late 80s and 90s, and while the rest of the nation suffered from massive food shortages, these facilities offered plenty of free food and good medical care. Frikis simply saw them as a better alternative to living on the streets and putting up with harassment from police or imprisonment. And as word of the HIV infection trend spread within the community, they realized that the more of them would do it, the more would be sent to these sanatoriums, so they could live together in peace, free. Photo: mmoyaq/Wikimedia Commons You could hear rock n roll and heavy metal coming from every house, Yoandra Cardoso, a longtime Friki, remembers. When the sanatorium first opened, it was 100 percent Frikis we were all here together. Its not exactly clear how many Frikis injected themselves with HIV, but their number is estimated to be in the hundreds. In a time when there were no effective AIDS drugs available, this act was considered a voluntary death sentence, but for them it was a needed escape. We gave ourselves AIDS to liberate ourselves from society and those laws about obligatory work, and live in our own world, Luis Enrique Delgado told Newsweek, in 1994. In 1989 things got better for the Frikis living in Cubas HIV sanatoriums, after the Government handed control over them to the Ministry of Public Health. Under the leadership of progressive doctors, they were allowed to sing whatever music they liked, dress as they wanted and socialize with Frikis both inside and outside the sanatoriums. The communist government didnt bother them anymore. At the sanatorium, you would eat three times a day, with a menu that included meat and ice cream. Some rooms had air conditioning, says Luis Trelles, the producer of a documentary on the Frikis phenomenon. Today, all but one of Cubas HIV sanatoriums have closed, with the last, in Santiago de Las Vegas, now operating as an outpatient facility. Patients there are still treated using domestically produced antiretroviral drugs distributed through through the countrys socialized healthcare program. But, According to a Newsweek article from 2015, surviving Frikis still live in closed sanatoriums, as squatters. via VICE Magazine The KunKun, Japanese for sniff sniff, is a bizarre device developed by Japanese corporation Konika Minolta that detects bodily odors like smelly feet or underarm sweat and notifies the user about them via a smartphone app. So, yeah, the days of smelling your own armpits when nobodys watching to see if they stink are over, thanks to modern technology. Now you can just wear the KunKun everywhere you go and find out when youre starting to stink just by checking your phone. Its small enough to fit in a coat pocket, so no one will ever know youre carrying it, and features sensors that pick up specific chemicals associated with three types of bodily odors. It can detect ammonia and isovaleric acid, chemicals known to produce that nasty sweaty locker-room smell, but also 2-nonenal, which is associated with old age and diacetyl, a controversial organic compound that makes yo smell like rancid cooking oil. When the information is sent from the KunKun to the smartphone, users are notified if they have passed or failed a smell test using a color-coded meter. Its difficult to recognize your own smell, Konica Minoltas Daisuke Koda told the Wall Street Journal. We can give relief by telling people how smelly they are and freeing them from the anxiety of not knowing. The KunKun was thought up by Hiroshi Akiyama, a 43-year-old man who became worried about his bodily odor, and pitched his idea to Konika Minolta. A lot of men over the age of 40 are apparently stressed out by this problem, so the company was very interested in providing a high-tech fix. They teamed up with scientists at the at the Osaka Institute of Technology and developed this weird little sniff sniff device. The bodily odor sensing gadget is set to go on sale in Japan this summer, but Konika Minolta is already working on enhancing its capabilities. They are trying to make it detect pet smells, cigarette smoke and excess perfume. The price of the KunKun has yet to be revealed, but its estimated to cost a few hundreds of dollars. Source: Konika Minolta Denise Garcia Only 28 percent of IR practitioners use social media for IR, according to a 2016 social media survey conducted by the National Investor Relations Institute. The same study reported reluctance among analysts, with only 15-18 percent interested in using social media to engage with IR. Yet a majority of Americans now say they get news via social media and are using it in the context of their work. According to research published in 2016by the Pew Research Center, 24 percent of those surveyed said they use social media to get information that helps solve problems at work. Pew also reported that nearly eight in 10 online Americans have a Facebook account. While other social platforms such as Twitter, LinkedIn and Pinterest are smaller in size, socials overall scale, data and information advantages have made it an increasingly important channel and marketing partner for business overall. As a strategic part of business communications, investor relations is inevitably becoming more social. The question is no longer whether investor relations should engage in social media but how. Investor relations professionals are highly specialized communicators, operating within the bounds of SEC regulations and securities laws while often the first to communicate new business concepts, ideas, strategies and future plans to analysts, investors, lawmakers, employees, strategic partners and other key stakeholders. In this high-stakes arena, a casual comment made on social media can be disastrous, requiring 8-K filings and legal action. In some cases, theyve resulted in management termination. At the same time, blog postings by day traders and individual investors on message boards and stock-related communications platforms can spread misinformation quickly, having an immediate and often damaging impact on a companys share price, and it can be difficult for management teams not to react. Integrating investor relations within a corporate communications strategy that includes social media, as well as following a few simple guidelines, should help make the task less daunting. Weve outlined a few guidelines for investor relations to keep in mind while communicating through social media. Dos Leverage social media as an integrated part of a social communications plan that includes IR to increase visibility, transparency and awareness. B2C companies should consider establishing a distinct social media identity for the business, focused on corporate and financial information, separate from your customer social media channels that typically focus on product and customer service. CEOs, other officers and brands may also want to consider establishing distinct social media identities but should not use them for personal communications. Establish the IR website as the primary IR communications channel and post the companys social media disclosure notice to the site, noting the company intends to distribute material information about the company via social media. Embed social media, such as Twitter feeds, YouTube videos or slides posted to LinkedIn, into your IR site when possible to increase awareness of your social media channels and provide easy access to reference materials on the IR website. Time social media posts with the public disclosure of press releases, earnings calls, and investor conferences. Content within social media posts often includes references to headlines, key metrics and information on which companies want investors to focus, as well as content and quotes from press releases, earnings call scripts and other previously disclosed, publicly available information. Always link social media posts to the IR website to reference complete disclosures Establish a social media policy for all employees regarding acceptable and unacceptable social media content consistent with your companys brand identity Select authorized spokespeople with a clear understanding of RegFD and investor relations communications along with an internal terms and conditions document to manage social media channels. Archive all social media posts and document references. Measure social media activity to understand which channels work best for your Companys messaging and investor preferences. Focus on developing social media for channels that your investors prefer. Donts Disclose new information or provide unique commentary about your company or financials through social media sites that has not been previously disclosed within a press release, filing, presentation or other communications on the IR Website. Engage in investor-related social media conversations that encourage rumors, speculation or false information, refer these inquiries back to the IR website for more information if necessary Use social media to announce internal or external meetings and their related topics that the public wouldnt be invited to or otherwise announced on the company website. This includes: internal meetings topics and/or individuals roadshows, non-deal roadshows and one-on-one meetings with investors, meetings with business partners or customers and meetings with potential business partners or customers. Disclose investor related materials from the personal social media site of an individual corporate officer or employee without advance notice to investors that the site may be used for this purpose. Personal social media sites of individuals employed by a public company would not ordinarily be assumed to be channels through which the company would disclose material corporate information and are not an acceptable method of disclosure under the securities laws. Social media disclosure Investors and others should note that [Company Name] announces material, financial and operational information to its investors using its investor relations website, press releases, SEC filings and public conference calls and webcasts. [Company Name] also intends to use [named social media] accounts, as means of disclosing information about [Company Name] and its services and for complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. The information we post through these social media channels may be deemed material. Accordingly, investors should monitor these social media channels in addition to following [Company Name] press releases, SEC filings and public conference calls and webcasts. The social media channels that [Company Name] intends to use as a means of disclosing the information described above may be updated from time to time as listed on [Company Name] investor relations website. *** Denise Garcia is managing director of investor Relations at ICR. Agricultural News Oklahoma Congressman Frank Lucas Rants About Writing the Current Farm Bill and Advises Colleagues How Challenging Writing a 2018 Bill May Be The former Chairman of the House Ag Committee, Oklahoma Congressman Frank Lucas, waited until almost the end of the first hearing by the Committee looking at issues that will help frame the debate for a 2018 Farm Bill- which will replace the Farm Bill he was an integral part in helping craft. Lucas then took his five minutes to question the witnesses and instead bragged a bit about the bill that became the 2014 Farm Law- ranted about the difficulty of getting the bill done and offered sage advice to his colleagues that it will be a daunting task that faces them if they intend to successfully write new farm law in the next couple of years. First- the BRAG: Lucas told the Committee Members and the Panel of Economists "I would hope everyone on the panel would acknowledge that the biggest miracle of all is the fact that we are operating under the 2014 farm law. There were times in that two and a half years that not everybody in this town thought we would have a farm bill- and that would revert to 38 and 49(permanent law) and that the forces who didn't understand rural America would repeal those acts and we would have NOTHING." Congressman Lucas contends the fact that there is a 2014 Farm Law means he and other key players were able to build a bi partisan coalition of the middle that got a farm bill done. The RANT: Congressman Lucas offered a rant about the basic economic principle of "inelasticity of demand for food and fiber." He explained in his statement that simply put- the concept is that "either you have enough to eat or you don't. And- if you don't have enough- you will pay whatever it takes to get it and if you have more than you need- you won't pay anything for the excess." Lucas contends that when supply gets tight enough- consumers will let lawmakers know they better get something done. Finally- the SAGE ADVICE: Former Chairman Lucas told the Committee that this won't be a quick and easy process to get improved farm policy in place- saying "You're going to find out over the course of the next 18 months to two years how tough this is. The pressures that we will encounter from our friends on the right who as I like to say back home in my town hall meetings don't want to spend any money on anybody for any reason- and some of our friends on the left who don't want to spend any money on Rural America or the concept of modern wondrous production agriculture in this country." Lucas says that's where you have to find colleagues in the middle who will help provide the safety net for farmers that allow them to produce food for consumers who don't want to get caught on the wrong side of "Inelastic Demand." You can listen to the BRAG/RANT/ADVICE from the former Chairman by clicking on the LISTEN BAR below. Former House Ag Committee Chair Frank Lucas Weighs in on the Art of Farm Bill Writing WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady NSI Top Agricultural News Two rockhopper penguin chicks will join their family at the zoos aquarium on Thursday morning. The chicks, who were born at the Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium in mid-December, were hatched and hand-fed off-exhibit. Now, at 2 months old, the little tykes are ready to move into the Antarctic penguin display with the rest of the colony, but will be limited to an icy playpen for a little while. Keeping the little ones limited to the playpen allows them to grow in their feathers and acclimate to the penguin personalities in the exhibit. At the moment, the chicks weigh 4.3 and 4.2 pounds, near the low end for a fully-grown rockhopper. The zoo is asking for name submissions for the new penguins, whose genders have not yet been determined. Submissions will be accepted at the penguin display in the Scott Aquarium until Feb. 23. Zookeepers will choose the winning names, and the people who submitted them will win gift basketS from the zoo. The new additions bring the zoos rockhopper penguin count to 31. Chris Peters The International Bakery and other Omaha businesses closed their doors Thursday in support of a day of silent protest called A Day Without Immigrants. Supporters said the protest was a response to the Trump administrations promise to crack down on illegal immigration, the extreme vetting of immigrants and a pledge to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. It isnt clear how the protest came about nationally it seems to have bubbled up on social media and spread around the country. Restaurants and retailers closed in New York, Washington, Philadelphia, Detroit and other cities across the U.S. on Thursday. The boycott, which supporters said is meant to highlight the role that immigrants play in the U.S. economy, called for immigrants not to attend work, open for business, spend money or send their children to school on Thursday. International Bakery, at 5106 S. 24th St., taped a sign on its door announcing Thursdays closing. On the bakerys Facebook Page, the message was written in English and Spanish: Closed. Cerrado. The business explained its decision as way to show our support to our Latino community. Yesenia Peck, president of the Nebraska Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, said the protest supports all of the nations immigrants. Its a way to voice whats going on with the entire immigrant community the entire immigrant community, not only Latinos, Peck told Omaha television station KMTV. Other Omaha businesses that closed Thursday included Taqueria El Gavilan at 5023 S. 24th St. and Revive Salon at 4601 S. 50th St. El Gavilans owner, Teresa Palomares, also closed other local businesses she operates, despite the potential economic sacrifice. Its important that we support each other. ... I feel like if one Hispanic suffers, we all suffer. Were the same community, Palomares told KMTV. So yes, it will be a big sacrifice, but thats the whole point of this making a statement. Marta Sonia Londono Mejia, executive director of the Midlands Latino Community Development Corp., estimated that about 90 percent of Latino businesses in South Omaha were closed. La Guaca Maya, La Cabana de Franko, La Taqueria Tijuana and El Dorado Restaurant closed their doors supporting the national movement, she said. Retailer ModaBosinas, at 4814 S. 24th St., reported on its Facebook page Thursday that many of its neighbors had joined the boycott: "It is my great pride that most of our business neighbors have closed their doors!! Now thats support!!" Tony Vega, who owns Plaza Latina, kept his business open Thursday. Other businesses inside the building arent run by immigrants and cant afford to close, he told KMTV. * * * * * Correction: An earlier version of this story had an incorrect name for ModaBosina's. The Douglas County attorney has declined to file charges against an Omaha Public Schools guidance counselor who was accused of inappropriately touching a minor. Don Kleine said there was not enough evidence to charge Jeffrey Ruzicka with second-degree sexual assault of a minor. Ruzicka, 45, had been arrested on suspicion of that charge on Feb. 10. At this point in time, theres insufficient evidence for us to move forward with a charge, Kleine said. Ruzicka is a guidance counselor at Marrs Magnet Middle School, but the allegation had no connection to Marrs students or activities, the schools principal said. Omaha Public Schools spokeswoman Monique Farmer said Ruzicka has not returned to work at Marrs and remains on paid administrative leave. OPS still must conduct its own internal investigation, which has not yet been completed, Farmer said. LINCOLN Hard feelings and heated debate over arcane legislative rules have spurred lots of talk but not much action inside the State Capitol this year. By this time in 2015, Nebraska lawmakers had passed nine pieces of legislation. During last years shorter 60-day session, senators had passed 26 bills. But this years 90-day session so far has resulted in just two bills advancing to the governors desk. The Nebraska Legislature reached the one-third mark of the session this week without the full body acting on most of the substantial issues before them, prompting questions about whats going on at the State Capitol. Lawmakers since early January have squabbled over how to govern themselves through legislative rules, particularly those regarding the opposition tactic known as the filibuster. And senators have declared the arrival of Washington, D.C.-style politics in Nebraska, despite often boasting about doing things the Nebraska way. The Legislatures temporary rules from last year have been extended a handful of times, including Wednesday, when lawmakers agreed to extend them another 20 legislative days until March 20. That 45-1 vote was the first sign in weeks that lawmakers have reached a truce, allowing senators to start debating bills today. Speaker of the Legislature Jim Scheer of Norfolk acknowledged that this session has been different, with little of the collegiality that used to prevail among senators, crossing party lines and other divisions. On Wednesday, he called on senators to step back and put aside the bitter feelings that have built up since the beginning of the session. We have to move on. We have to work with each other. The states dependent on that, he said. While most Nebraskans most likely dont have a position on the Legislatures internal rule-making, they do want their representatives to take action on issues, Scheer said. A rules logjam could make it difficult for all priority bills to be heard, he said. They expect us to have legislation to improve the State of Nebraska, whatever that means to the individual, Scheer said. This isnt. Among the proposals before state lawmakers this year are the governors proposal to change how ag land is valued and his plan to cut the states top income tax rate. Several of the lead combatants in the rules fight pledged Wednesday to change their behavior. But Sen. Paul Schumacher of Columbus warned that the cooperative spirit would not last and that senators would get angry at each other again in coming days. We are still on very, very thin ice in this body, he said. Longtime Clerk of the Legislature Patrick ODonnell said he cant recall another time that the body has not adopted permanent rules by this point in the session. At the center of the debate is an effort by conservative senators to make it easier to end a filibuster. After a specified number of hours, a bills sponsor can seek to cut off debate by invoking cloture. It takes the votes of 33 senators, or two-thirds of the Legislatures 49 senators, for a cloture motion to succeed. If cloture is reached, senators vote immediately on the bills advancement. If not, the bill effectively dies. Lawmakers have considered numerous proposals to change the rules, including some that would lower the threshold for invoking cloture and others that would put the burden on those maintaining the filibuster to find votes. Proponents have said their work is in response to threats from a group of mostly moderate and liberal senators to block bills as payback for the first day of the session when a group of roughly 27 senators voted together to elect mostly conservative lawmakers into leadership positions. It also was part of efforts to reach cloture more easily and to put senators on the record for their positions. I think people have had some hard feelings that carried over from last fall (during the elections) and the early part of the session, said Papillion Sen. Jim Smith, who has supported efforts to change the rules. Some say proposals to change the rules are an attempt to attack the Legislatures nonpartisan traditions and unwritten rules. Others believe that filibuster rules always have been subject to discussion and that the prolonged debate hasnt prevented lawmakers from getting to necessary business. Traditionally, lawmakers first obligation has been to preserve the institutions ability to function, said former State Sen. Steve Lathrop, who has continued to work with lawmakers on prison issues since he left office in 2015. Now, it appears theres a willingness to diminish the institution and make it a partisan body, he said. I think its a dangerous thing, he said. It should be difficult to pass bills. The minority should have a say in what happens. Gov. Pete Ricketts said the rules are the Legislatures business, not his. But he pointed out the body was able to pass his budget proposal for the current fiscal year to help narrow the budget gap. He signed that bill it into law Wednesday. That is one of the two bills passed by the Legislature so far this year. The other was a bill delaying the deadline for certifying state aid to schools, which allows time for budget-cutting changes in the aid formula. To Scheer, the fight boils down to whether lawmakers should have to vote. Half of the 10 proposals that failed last year died because the body was a few votes short of invoking cloture to end debate. In one case, as many as nine lawmakers were either present and not voting, or not present to vote. I think people running for elected office, whether Legislature or city council or school board, theyre elected to vote, Scheer said. Those who want to keep the current rules in place say they protect minority rights, whether thats the political minority in the Republican-majority Legislature, or a minority of rural senators that has gotten more pronounced as the population has shifted to Omaha and Lincoln. Though officially nonpartisan, the Legislature has 32 Republicans, 15 Democrats, one Libertarian and one independent. Last year saw a record 24 filibusters. Some fell mostly along partisan lines, such as a proposal to reinstate a winner-take-all system of awarding electoral votes in presidential elections. The current filibuster rule is the result of a deal made in the early 1990s, meaning that any change now could have a long lifespan, said veteran lobbyist Walt Radcliffe. While cloture has long been a subject of discussion, it hasnt had real movement until this year. I think that the results of the first day emboldened a group to come forward and try to change the cloture rule, Radcliffe said. But Sen. Burke Harr of Omaha said the current rule forces lawmakers to work together with opponents. It means minority views cannot be totally ignored. You cant just ramrod legislation through, Harr said. That was George Norris intention, and its worked, he said, referring to the founder of the one-house Legislature. If it aint broke, why fix it? LINCOLN Gov. Pete Ricketts has signed a bill to help close the $900 million budget shortfall, while hailing lawmakers for their swift work. But officials warned that more difficult decisions are ahead. Five members of the Nebraska Legislatures Appropriations Committee on Wednesday joined the governor for a bill-signing ceremony at the State Capitol. Under Legislative Bill 22, budget cuts amount to about $137 million through across-the-board cuts, specific cuts and taking back unspent dollars in the current fiscal year that ends June 30. Its set to bring the projected shortfall to roughly $760 million for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2019. Ricketts signed the budget even though lawmakers declined to adopt all of his recommendations. Its important that we make the adjustments to this budget a priority and get it done, the governor said. As part of that compromise and give and take process, I was happy to sign this budget. A State Department of Revenue report released Wednesday showed that net tax collections since July were $54.3 million or 2.2 percent less than had been projected in October. The Nebraska Economic Forecasting Advisory Board will meet again in late February and in April to review and possibly revise its revenue estimates. Weve got challenging budget times, theres no doubt, Ricketts said. State Sen. John Stinner of Gering said he doesnt expect the revenue forecast to improve, saying hes planning on the gap to widen by up to $200 million. That would put more pressure on his committee as it works to develop the 2017-19 budget. Its not fun being Grinch, Stinner said. Id rather be Santa Claus. La Vista is opening its checkbook to build parking facilities for two multimillion-dollar developments in the works. The city agreed to spend $22.7 million on parking garages and a temporary surface lot for the 84th Street redevelopment as well as $10 million for surface parking at the Nebraska Multisport Complex. The expenses were included in the citys capital projects budget for fiscal years 2017 and 2018, said Brenda Gunn, La Vistas city administrator. The citys total budget for those years is about $175 million. The cost of the 84th Street project will be covered by sales tax revenue earmarked for that redevelopment, Gunn said. The sales tax increase was approved by voters in 2014. Public hearings on the projects Jan. 17 drew one comment, from a nearby business worried about parking for its customers. The parking projects were approved unanimously at the Feb. 7 City Council meeting after a few questions from council members on the nature of the parking. The council waived the usual three-reading requirement to pass the ordinances that night. The $22.7 million will pay for two parking garages and a total of about 900 stalls. The garages will be built in phases. One garage and a surface lot will be built initially. The second garage eventually will replace the surface lot, Gunn said. Theyre expected to be finished by late 2018 or early 2019. Its the most La Vista has spent on parking for a project, but Gunn emphasized that its also the first time the city has built parking garages. Were creating a downtown, she said. Theres more density. There has to be more places to park. The garages will serve both the privately funded $235 million mixed-use City Centre, expected to start construction in the coming months, and the city-funded $42 million park on 84th Street between Park View Boulevard and Giles Road. The idea is for the parking garages to have free public parking, Gunn said, though nothing has been set in stone. Some stalls may be leased to offices or retailers, she said. Free on-street parking also is planned. We want to make sure its accessible and people are able to get in and out, she said. Since the 84th Street revitalization was announced in April 2016, the city has marched through the permitting process, and demolition is under way at the site. About 3 miles to the west, the city will spend an additional $10 million on surface parking for the $125 million multisport complex. The citys original statement of intent allows for $10 million to be spent on public infrastructure for the complex. That hasnt gone up, Gunn said. We havent changed our commitment over the $10 million, she said. Grading is near completion at the multisport complex site. Its planned to open in fall 2018. This isnt the first time the city has paid for parking to entice private development. Back in 2006, the city spent $7.9 million on parking for Cabelas and the Southport West shopping center. We dont have a whole lot of tools to help attract businesses or development, said Andrew Rainbolt, executive director of the Sarpy County Economic Development Corp. So using the tools we have the best we can is key, he said. La Vista also has committed $37 million in tax-increment financing for the 84th Street project. TIF is a method of financing projects that uses the increase in tax revenues resulting from a development to repay the public infrastructure costs the project requires. Other cities have taken different approaches on parking for private developments. At the Nebraska Crossing Outlets in Gretna, the developer paid for parking. Parking also was privately funded at Midtown Crossing and Aksarben Village in Omaha. Those projects received TIF as well. The City of Omaha has paid for several parking garages downtown, said Paul Kratz, the city attorney, but it pays for the garages through lease agreements rather than taxpayer dollars. The majority of Omahas city garages are leased to businesses, he said, including to First National Bank and Union Pacific. Building a new parking garage for a Crossroads Mall redevelopment at 72nd and Dodge Streets has been discussed, Kratz said, along with a number of other parking options there. But the city hasnt committed to anything yet. Weve not agreed to build a parking garage, at this point, he said. DES MOINES (AP) A district court judge has ruled against 14 Iowa landowners who sued to block the Dakota Access pipeline from crossing their property, concluding that the Iowa Utilities Board properly approved a permit for its construction. Judge Jeffrey Farrell said in a decision filed Wednesday that the board adequately considered whether the pipeline provides a public convenience and necessity, and its decision to grant a license was supported by state law. The landowners challenged the boards decision, claiming it was illegal to take farmland for a pipeline that provides no public service to Iowans. The pipeline is projected to move oil out of North Dakota across South Dakota and Iowa and into Illinois. The attorney for the landowners, Bill Hanigan, said the decision will be appealed to the Iowa Supreme Court. Copyright 2017 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. WASHINGTON (AP) President Donald Trump mounted a vigorous defense of his presidency and accused America's news media of being "out of control" at a White House press conference Thursday, vowing to bypass the media and take his message "straight to the people." Nearly a month into his presidency, Trump said his new administration had made "significant progress" and took credit for an optimistic business climate and a rising stock market. He pushed back against widespread reports of a chaotic start to his administration marked by a contentious executive order now tied up in a legal fight to place a ban on travelers from seven predominantly Muslim nations. "This administration is running like a fine-tuned machine," Trump declared. The president announced that he would announce a "new and very comprehensive order to protect our people." The president announced that Alexander Acosta, dean of the Florida International University law school and former U.S. attorney in Florida, would be his nominee for labor secretary. That came a day after fast-food executive Andrew Puzder withdrew after losing support among Republican senators. If confirmed, Acosta would be the first Hispanic member of Trump's Cabinet. Trump, a reality television star and real estate mogul who was elected as an outsider intent on change, opened a hastily arranged press conference to bash coverage by the news media. He accused reporters of not telling the truth and only serving special interests. "The press has become so dishonest that if we don't talk about it, we are doing a tremendous disservice to the American people," Trump said. As for his inner circle, Trump is also expected to soon name a new national security adviser after this week's ouster of Michael Flynn, who the White House said had misled Vice President Mike Pence about Flynn's contacts with Russia. Trump is said to favor Vice Admiral Robert Harward, a former Navy SEAL, according to a White House official. Harward met with top White House officials last week and has the backing of Defense Secretary Jim Mattis. He was to meet with officials later Thursday. Earlier in the day, Trump had a breakfast meeting with some of his staunchest House supporters. The White House has said Trump asked for Flynn's resignation because he had misled Vice President Mike Pence over his dealings with Russia and whether he had discussed sanctions with Russia's ambassador to the U.S. before Trump's Jan. 20 inauguration. Flynn previously had denied those conversations to Pence and other top officials. On Thursday, he warned in a pair of tweets that "low-life leakers" of classified information will be caught. As journalists were being escorted out of the breakfast meeting, Trump responded to a reporter's question on the subject by saying: "We're going to find the leakers" and "they're going to pay a big price." WASHINGTON (AP) Less than a month into his tenure, Donald Trumps White House is beset by a crush of crises. Divisions, dysfunction and high-profile exits have left the young administration nearly paralyzed and allies wondering how it will reboot. The bold policy moves that marked Trumps first days in office have slowed to a crawl, a tacit admission that he and his team had not thoroughly prepared an agenda. Nearly a week after the administrations travel ban was struck down by a federal court, the White House is still struggling to regroup and outline its next move on that signature issue. Its been six days since Trump who promised unprecedented levels of immediate action has announced a major new policy directive or legislative plan. His team is riven by division and plagued by distractions. This week alone, controversy has forced out both his top national security aide and his pick for labor secretary. Another day in paradise, Trump quipped Wednesday after his meeting with retailers was interrupted by reporters questions about links between his campaign staff and Russian officials. Fellow Republicans have begun voicing their frustration and open anxiety that the Trump White House will derail their high hopes for legislative action. Sen. John Thune of South Dakota demanded Wednesday that the White House get past the launch stage. There are things we want to get done here, and we want to have a clear-eyed focus on our agenda, and this constant disruption and drumbeat with these questions that keep being raised is a distraction, said Thune. Sen. John McCain of Arizona blasted the White Houses approach to national security as dysfunctional, asking: Who is in charge? I dont know of anyone outside of the White House who knows. Such criticism from political allies is rare during what is often viewed as a honeymoon period for a new president. But Trump, an outsider who campaigned almost as much against his party as for it, has only a tiny reservoir of goodwill to protect him within the GOP. His administration has made uneven attempts to work closely with lawmakers and its own agencies. Officials have begun trying to change some tactics, and some scenery, with the hope of steadying the ship. The White House announced Wednesday that Trump, who has often mentioned how much he loves adoring crowds and affirmation from his supporters, would hold a campaign-style rally in Florida on Saturday, the first of his term. The event, according to White House press secretary Sean Spicer, was being run by the campaign and it is listed on Trumps largely dormant 2016 campaign website. No other details were offered. To be sure, pinballing from one crisis to the next is not unprecedented, particularly for a White House still finding its footing. But the disruptions that have swirled around Trump achieved hurricane force early and have not let up. On Wednesday his choice for labor secretary, fast food CEO Andy Puzder, withdrew his nomination while the administration continued to navigate the fallout from the forced resignation of national security adviser Michael Flynn. Flynn was ousted on grounds that he misled the vice president about his contacts with a Russian ambassador. Flynns departure marked the return of an issue Trump is not likely to move past quickly. The presidents relationship with Moscow will continue to be scrutinized and investigated, sometimes apparently fueled by leaks from within his own administration. Trump on Wednesday blasted what he called illegal leaked information. Not just leaks, but also legal woes, have derailed Trumps early efforts. After the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected his immigration ban last week, Trump emphatically tweeted SEE YOU IN COURT! and the administration vowed that it would re-appeal the block and either revise its original executive order or write a new one from scratch. But confusion soon followed. After first indicating they would not take a temporary restraining order request to the Supreme Court, administration staffers squabbled audibly, behind closed doors, over the accounts emerging in news reports. When the dust settled, a new statement was printed out and handed to journalists, stating, to clarify, that all options were still on the table. But despite Trumps vow to have a plan in place by Tuesday, one has not emerged. The collapse of the ban, which poured fuel on simmering staff rivalries, was followed by a period of stark inaction by a White House suddenly put on the defensive. Trump did sign legislation Tuesday that rolled back a financial regulation, but his administration has not issued any executive orders in days. House Republicans have been nudging the White House to get behind Speaker Paul Ryans tax overhaul, which includes a border adjustability plan of which Trump has been skeptical. GOP aides believed they were making progress, but the matter has been overshadowed by the flood of controversies. Other possible executive actions have been bandied about, from a task force on allegations of voter fraud to steps to strengthen cybersecurity, but have yet to be released. Key legislative items such as a massive plan to rebuild roads and bridges and an overhaul of the tax law remain works in progress. Hes a one-man band for all practical purposes, its how he ran his business, said Bill Daley, a former White House chief of staff under Obama. When you try to take that and everything revolves around that and he is the beginning, middle and end of everything, that is a tough model. His campaign was the same way. Trumps new administration has also been plagued by ethics brushfires that are taking up the time and energy of communications and legal staff members. In one incident that sparked bipartisan condemnation and calls for ethics investigations, White House counselor Kellyanne Conway said on TV that people should go buy Ivankas stuff an endorsement that came after the president disparaged Nordstrom for dropping his daughter Ivanka Trumps fashion line. And congressional Republicans also are demanding to know more about the security measures in place at Mar-a-Lago, Trumps weekend White House in Palm Beach, Florida, where resort members photographed him during a dinnertime national security strategy session after North Korea conducted a missile test. When you are the White House, every day is a crisis. Crisis is routine, said Ari Fleischer, who was President George W. Bushs first press secretary. But when they all come right on top of each other, particularly at the start of an administration, it starts to create the feeling that they dont know how to run the place. Copyright 2017, the Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. LINCOLN The debate and controversy over the Keystone XL pipeline officially returned to Nebraska on Thursday. Canadian pipeline company TransCanada filed an application Thursday for a pipeline route through Nebraska, following the same route that state regulators had approved in 2013. Safety and a respect for the environment will guide the companys work, said Russ Girling, TransCanadas president and chief executive officer. The founder of Bold Nebraska, which led the opposition to the pipeline, pledged to again use protests and lawsuits to halt the project, first proposed nine years ago. Bold (Nebraska) continues to stand with farmers and ranchers to protect property rights from being infringed upon by a pipeline for their private gain, said Jane Kleeb. Keystone XL is and always will be all risk and no reward. The application by TransCanada sets up a review by the Nebraska Public Service Commission that may take up to a year. While proponents tout the construction jobs and tax payments that will be generated by the project, critics say that much of the oil is destined for foreign countries and that few permanent jobs will be created in Nebraska. The 36-inch pipeline would carry crude oil produced in Canadas tar sands region to oil refineries on the Gulf Coast. In 2015, President Barack Obama denied a permit for the project to cross the U.S. border, prompting TransCanada to withdraw its application for a 275-mile route across Nebraska. But last month, President Donald Trump signed executive orders designed to revive the Keystone XL and end a stalemate over completion of the Dakota Access pipeline in North Dakota. Trump said he also would seek a better deal for the Keystone XL, including use of U.S. steel in its construction. Terry Cunha, a TransCanada spokesman, said that pipe for the unfinished portion of the Keystone XL already has been purchased and that 75 percent of it is from the United States. He said the company is awaiting an interpretation of Trumps recent order about the pipe. TransCanadas application was filed Thursday with the Nebraska Public Service Commission, which was granted authority to review oil pipeline projects by the Nebraska Legislature. The company must show that the pipeline is in the public interest, according to a press release from the PSC. The commission now has 210 days to approve or deny the application, according to PSC spokeswoman Deb Collins. But Kleeb, who now heads the multistate Bold Alliance, said a national lawsuit will be filed soon claiming that Trumps executive order is unlawful because it allows no public comment and only a 60-day review of the project. Local landowners, she said, will file objections to the project via the PSC review process. One argument will be that TransCanada should avoid disrupting additional land and build the Keystone XL parallel to an existing pipeline it completed in 2010 that crosses eastern Nebraska. Kleeb said that if the PSC approves Keystone XLs proposed route, lawsuits and protests will follow. There is something fundamentally un-American, she said, about a foreign company being allowed to use eminent domain to take land from U.S. citizens for such a project. If this was a wind energy company, the Republicans would be up in arms about this, said Kleeb, who also serves as chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party. She predicted that the eminent domain issue ultimately will find its way to the U.S. Supreme Court. The proposed route is the same one that was reviewed by the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality in 2013 and approved by then-Gov. Dave Heineman. Girling said the route avoids the sensitive area defined as the Nebraska Sand Hills and that 90 percent of landowners on the route have already signed easement contracts. Kleeb said, "Bold Nebraska has disputed that the pipeline route avoids the Sand Hills. There's also been no proof that 75 percent of the pipeline steel was produced in the U.S." Girling said, The thousands of Nebraskans we have met over the last eight years understand the value of this project and what it means to the state. This application has been shaped by direct, on-the-ground input from Nebraskans. We are listening and acting on what we have learned. LINCOLN (AP) Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts is set to speak at a national conservatives conference just outside of Washington. The Republican governor will address an audience at the Conservative Political Action Conference later this month. Organizers say Rickets will speak about the importance of strong families and the effect they can have on major domestic policy discussions. The conference will take place at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center at the National Harbor in Maryland from Feb. 22-25. Copyright 2017 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. LINCOLN Gov. Pete Ricketts called for an investigation Wednesday into the handling of political robocall records by a member of the Nebraska Public Service Commission. There should be an investigation into whether Public Service Commissioner Crystal Rhoades misused government resources, the Republican governor said Wednesday in a statement. If she did, she should resign. Rhoades, the only Democrat on the five-member commission, said Wednesday that she would cooperate with any investigation, but she maintained that she has done nothing wrong and will not resign. She insisted that the robocall script records she shared with a Democratic candidate for the Nebraska Legislature are clearly defined as public under the law. The idea that I am being publicly ridiculed for complying with the public records law is just unbelievable, she said. Im just absolutely astonished by it. Rhoades had access to the scripts because the PSC regulates political robocalls. The governors statement followed a demand for her resignation made earlier in the day by Dan Welch, chairman of the Nebraska Republican Party. Welch said that Rhoades demonstrated reckless disregard by sending the robocall scripts placed by campaigns in opposition to candidate Tony Vargas of Omaha, who went on to win a seat in the Legislature. Using elected office to give certain candidates an advantage is a misuse of public office, Welch said. A GOP official also filed a public records request Wednesday with the PSC asking for any communications about robocalls between Rhoades, Democratic Party officials and other Democratic candidates or incumbents. The request lists both her state and personal email addresses, apparently in response to Rhoades saying this week that she sometimes sends PSC records to her home email. Welchs statement elicited a defiant response from Rhoades, who also serves as chairwoman of the Douglas County Democratic Party. I will frame this hit piece and hang it on the wall in my office with the other Republican hit pieces I have been collecting over the years, she said. On Wednesday, Rhoades repeated her stance that she provides the scripts to whomever asks, regardless of political affiliation. She gave The World-Herald copies of scripts she sent last year to the campaigns of Sens. Les Seiler of Hastings and Jerry Johnson of Wahoo, two moderate Republicans who lost re-election bids. The governor had backed their more conservative opponents. The controversy emerged Monday when Rhoades testified before the Legislatures Transportation and Telecommunications Committee on a bill related to the PSC. Questions by committee members zeroed in on her handling of the PSC records. On Tuesday, Sen. John Murante of Gretna and others on the committee, all Republicans, questioned her truthfulness. They suggested an investigation by the Legislature, the Accountability and Disclosure Commission or the Attorney Generals Office could be necessary. In an interview Tuesday, Rhoades said both she and her husband had volunteered for the Vargas campaign, but were not paid to work for the candidate. Disclosure records filed by Vargas list neither Rhoades nor her husband as receiving payment from the campaign. In an email Wednesday, Vargas said neither were paid staff members or consultants for his campaign. Rhoades has said shes unpopular with some Republican officials because she is an outspoken political figure who has aggressively done her job as regulator for the PSC. At her insistence, she said, the PSC has enforced violations by robocall producers, which included levying a fine against a company called Victory Enterprises. Murante has a financial interest in Victory Enterprises, an Iowa-based political consulting firm. I have upheld the wishes of my constituents by enforcing rules related to robocalls and will continue to do so, Rhoades said. During debate in the Legislature Wednesday, Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha defended Rhoades and criticized those who accused her of wrongdoing. The State of Nebraska has already been too generous with the legal team that unsuccessfully defended murderer Anthony Garcia. The state should reject the request from one of Garcias attorneys to reimburse his legal team for additional expert testimony and related expenses. Douglas County District Court Judge Gary Randall in September approved reimbursement of up to $25,000 in so-called expert fees. The public should pay not a penny more in state tax dollars. The public has already borne enough costs for Anthony Garcia. Four people are dead. Garcia could have shifted his legal expenses onto taxpayers, had he been willing to use the Public Defenders Office once he ran short of funds. As Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine said in court, once someone retains a private lawyer, they pay for private investigators and experts. Garcias legal team has a lot of nerve coming back to Omaha, to a court that booted one of its lawyers for mischaracterizing evidence, with its hand out for defense expenses. It looks like the well ran dry for Garcia and his lawyers, but its not up to Nebraska taxpayers to make them whole. The court should say no. President Donald Trump ran for office promising to bring business acumen and sure-handedness to running the federal government. But the foreign policy process at the White House so far has been plagued by infighting and dysfunction. Trump needs to straighten out his national security operations and get things moving in a coordinated, productive manner. The resignation this week of Michael Flynn as head of the National Security Council (NSC) is Trumps chance to push a broader reset button. Important, complex issues need to be addressed. Among them: the fight against terrorism; Russia; China; coordination with allies in regions across the world; the Israeli-Palestinian issue. Trump, to his credit, has placed capable leaders at the Departments of Defense (former Gen. James Mattis) and State (former Exxon CEO Rex Tillerson). But at the White House, operations have been marked by infighting among various power players in the West Wing, creating an atmosphere of mistrust and dysfunction. But the National Security Council is weak and demoralized in the words of Peter Feaver, a former member of the NSC under George W. Bush. The councils job is to coordinate the foreign policy discussion for the president, Feaver wrote, but Trumps NSC has struggled to establish effective relations with departments and other White House staffers. A central problem is that the presidents chief policy adviser, Steve Bannon, has set up his own independent policy-formulation entity inside the White House the Strategic Initiatives Group (SIG) in direct competition with the NSC. Trump should have nixed, at the start of the administration, Bannons idea to create that self- focused NSC without the NSC. As long as Bannons separate group remains, the administration will likely continue to be plagued by a lack of trust within the White House. Still another need is repairing relations between the White House and the intelligence agencies. Trump took rhetorical shots at the intelligence community during the 2016 campaign, and in recent weeks some intelligence staff members undermined Flynn through leaks to the press. In just 25 days, Flynn lost the confidence of Trump and Vice President Mike Pence. The former three-star Army general reportedly misled Pence about Flynns conversations last year with the Russian ambassador to the United States before Trump took office. The White House needs a reset on foreign policy operations. The president needs to order the disbandment of the SIG. He needs to appoint a competent, strong professional to head the NSC. Above all, the key national security players at the White House need to end their power plays and get on with their central duty: working together to develop a coherent, responsible foreign policy vision and practical ways to carry it out. The writer is director of Center for Afghanistan Studies at the University Nebraska at Omaha. The war in Afghanistan has been the longest in the history of the United States and now is inherited by President Donald Trump. So far, more than 2,000 U.S soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan and billions of dollars have been spent to help the people of Afghanistan. The U.S. took action in Afghanistan not because the country has rare natural resources but because it was a strategic safe haven for the terrorists who planned the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Al-Qaida and Taliban forces, along with their backers, utilized this power vacuum in the 90s for their regional interests, with global consequences. What goes on in Afghanistan cannot be contained within the geographical boundaries of Afghanistan. The incidents occurring there have had global implications, as demonstrated by the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and al-Qaidas presence in Afghanistan. Abandoning Afghanistan now would make a marked regression to pre-9/11 Afghanistan, a place of civil wars and a nest of terrorists. One might argue Afghanistan will not revert to what it was under the Taliban, but even relatively minor instability in Afghanistan could make it more attractive to the elements of global terrorism. The current instability in North Africa provides a practical illustration of the dangers in such a situation. Indeed, Islamic State fighters are emerging in considerable numbers in the north and east of Afghanistan. Many of these Islamic State fighters are of Central Asian descent and view Afghanistan as a potential staging ground for their operations in Central Asia. Afghanistan is located in an area with rich petro-chemical resources. These energy resources are vital not only for Russia but also for U.S. allies in Europe, plus Turkey and India. Any power vacuum or instability in Afghanistan would likely spread to the rest of Central Asia, as shown during the period of Taliban rule. More importantly, Afghanistan is the only country in the region that is friendly toward the United States and is willing to host U.S. forces. By having a military presence in Afghanistan, the U.S. can address any potential threat emanating from that region to which it cannot respond from off-shore bases or ships in the Indian Ocean or in Turkey. The biggest concern, then, is not just the problems in Afghanistan but that any spillover that could threaten the long-term American interests in the region, particularly trade and security interests. Afghanistans neighbor is Iran, with which the U.S. has had a contentious relationship since 1979. It is not expected that this relationship would improve under President Trump. Trump disapproved of the 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran. The U.S. needs a friendly country in the region to keep Iranian power in check and keep neighboring nations from slipping into an anti-U.S. sphere. Iraq under Saddam Hussein was a buffer zone between Iran and U.S. interests in the Middle East. With Iraq unable to serve as that buffer, a strong and stable Afghanistan could counterbalance Irans expanding influence in the region. Allowing conditions to deteriorate in Afghanistan would only further raise concern about the countrys southern neighbor, Pakistan. That country, with a population of more than 180 million, has active nuclear weapons coupled with an unstable security and political situation. Pakistans national government faces an alarming security challenge as it is unable to exert control over considerable areas of the country such as Baluchistan province. Al-Qaida, the Haqqani network and the Taliban have safe havens in Pakistans tribal areas. Gen. John Nicholson, the U.S. commander in Afghanistan, told the Senate Armed Services Committee in January that the Talibans leaders can still repair to their safe havens in the tribal areas of neighboring Pakistan. They enjoy protection from the criminal Haqqani network in places such as Quetta (a Pakistani city), out of the reach of major U.S. combat power. Any further instability in Pakistan would threaten India, which Pakistan regards as its archenemy, along with U.S. security interests in South Asia. History in recent decades has proved that abandoning Afghanistan is in the interest of no one. As a country with strategic geopolitical importance, Afghanistan should not be left alone where it can easily once again become an attractive place for those who threaten global peace, security and regional prosperity. Aero India 2017: BEL unveils first-ever digitised radio comm set India oi-Anusha The Digital India initiative may have just received a boost with Bharat Electronics limited unveiling their first-ever digitised radio communication set, STARS-V mark III. BEL's Navratna Defense PSU's product is the first software defined radio set that can work without a line of sight as well. BEL is expected to hand over a couple of these radio sets to the Indian Army in March for evaluation, following which further improvements will be made if necessary. A version state-of-the-art next gen radio is under consideration for the Indian Navy as well. Aero India 2017: Dazzling feats set skies on fire "Two-and-a-half years and close to Rs 50 crore have been spent for the product. Previous radios were hardware defined, which meant that upgrade was not an option, but this radio is software defined, which means it can be upgraded like a regular IP-operated gadget. What makes it special is its ability to hop frequencies, making it difficult for the enemy to breach data secrecy," said M V Gowtama, CMD, BEL. The Make in India initiative has seen some massive promotions at the Aero India show and the launch of STARS-V mark III added to it. The Next-Generation communications set's features include multi-band, high data rate, software intensive IP with Mobile Adhoc Networking functionality supporting up to 64 nodes. The radio works in wide frequency band in the V/UHF range of 30-512 MHz and supports frequency hopping and fixed frequency modes of operation with built-in-high-grade digital voice and data secrecy. This new radio is backward compatible with the legacy STARS-V Mk II radio in clear, secure and frequency hopping modes of operation. The STARS-V mark III is designed as a 10W manpack transceiver. It comes with built-in encryption, 6PS receiver, ethernet interface and is password protected. The MANFT network is self-forming, self-healing and supports network throughput up to 1 Mbps and does not require any base station or infrastructure required for setting up of the network. It also includes state-of-the-art technology-based ruggedised gardware, in-house developed robust algorithms and waveforms, re-configurable software modules, emergency self-erasure, robust connectivity for network centric operations in tactical battle field condition. It also enables simultaneous voice, data and video services and transfer of situational awareness across network. OneIndia News BJP wants Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, says Shah; asks other parties must make stand clear on the issue 'There is partnership between TRS and BJP', says Rahul Gandhi in Telangana BJP hits back at Uddhav, says it doesn't need 'certificate' from Shiv Sena India oi-Oneindia By Oneindia Staff Writer Hitting back at the Shiv Sena for their constant criticism of the demonetisation and the Central government, the Bharatiya Janata Party has said it has people's mandate and does not need the Shiv Sena's 'certificate' to run the affairs. BJP leader Shaina NC told news agency ANI that the Shiv Sena 'only screams and writes editorials'. She said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis have the mandate of the people. Shaina's reaction came in response to the recent articles published in Shiv Sena mouthpiece Saamna criticising the Union Government and its chief Uddhav Thackeray's remark that no affluent person died because of 'notebandi'. "It doesn't matter to me how many inches wide his chest is, but he should have a heart inside his chest," Thackeray had reportedly told a channel during an interview. Shiv Sena, which is an ally of the BJP at the Centre and in Maharashtra, had severed ties with the saffron party ahead of the civic polls. The Shiv Sena leadership had also threatened to walk out of the Devendra Fadnavis-led government. The Congress, on the other hand, has dubbed the animosity between the two parties as 'farce' and said that Shiv Sena is unlikely to walk out of the BJP-led state government. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, February 16, 2017, 13:19 [IST] COLUMN: BJP, SP throw alliance taunts at BSP India oi-Ratan Mani Lal At the end of the second round of polling in Uttar Pradesh assembly election, a change seems to have crept into the campaign content of all three major contenders, which could be an indicator of the internal, confidential assessment of the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Bahujan Samaj Party and the coalition comprising the ruling Samajwadi Party and the Congress. While the Congress and the SP continue to be the prime targets for the BJP, especially Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BSP appears to have been turned into the object of a possible coalition by both the BJP and the SP. While the SP hints that the BSP could have a post-election tie-up with the BJP (since it had already done so in the past), the BJP is equally prompt in cautioning the SP that the Congress was keeping the option of allying with the BSP if the need arose. Both parties could be trying to send a message to BSP supporters that their party was not in a position to form a government on its own. This has forced BSP chief Mayawati to clarify that her party will not ally with the BJP if her party failed to notch up the numbers required to form a government on its own. But significantly, there has been no such categorical denial of any possible alliance with the Congress. In fact, during his speech at a huge gathering in Kannauj on February 15, Modi said the Congress was running a 'three-legged race' with one leg tied to the SP and the other to the BSP. [COLUMN: The Lone Ranger from badlands of western UP] To support this, he recalled the first press conference Utar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh and Congress vice president Rahul had addressed after their alliance, where Akhilesh had attacked Mayawati but Rahul had preferred to express his 'great respect' for Mayawati. Curiously, Akhilesh keeps on attacking the BSP and Mayawati by referring to her as bua (father's sister) and her government as pattharon ki sarkar (referring to the stone monuments she has built). He said at a rally that voters should not trust the BSP as it might join hands with the BJP after the election result. He referred to earlier BSP-BJP governments formed in the state. On the contrary, in his speeches elsewhere, Rahul has not mentioned Mayawati even once, reserving his attack for Modi and BJP alone. The two rounds of voting held on February 11 and 15 have taken care of 140 seats spread across 26 districts in western region of the state, and the polling in both rounds has touched an extraordinary high level -- crossing 70 per cent in some instances and averaging above 66 per cent. While the heavy turnout of voters indicates a possible desire to give a decisive verdict, it has alerted the three parties as to their calculations of a sweep in their respective favour. While all the three parties have publicly expressed the confidence that the heavy turnout meant overwhelming support for them, conventional wisdom in each party agrees that the turnout indicates a desire for change. Incidentally, the BJP now seems to agree that the contest in UP is not a direct one with the SP-Congress, but the BSP too is a serious contender, as was mentioned by Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in Lucknow a couple of days ago that the contest in the state was 'triangular'. The admission that the BSP could be a spoiler in their plans, means that the BJP and the SP could step up their efforts to paint the BSP as a would-be partner of the rival party. Could it be that Rahul had realised this even before the first round of voting? OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, February 16, 2017, 12:44 [IST] Chinamma is no Amma: Her entry into jail proved that India oi-Vicky By Vicky Convicted AIADMK interim general secretary Sasikala Natarajan made a seven-hour long trip from Chennai to Bengaluru before she surrendered before the special court on Wednesday, February 15. She was then taken to jail where she will be serve the remainder of her four-year term after she was convicted by the Supreme Court in the disproportionate assets case on Tuesday. On September 27, 2014, the scene outside the very same place was completely different. That day Jayalalithaa was summoned to the court where here order of conviction was read out. She too had made a seven-hour trip that morning from Chennai to Bengaluru. Security was unusually tight and roads were cordoned off miles before the special court. The media was allowed near the court premises after thorough scrutiny. One had to walk at least a kilometre to get a cup of tea. Most shops and establishments in the vicinity were shut as a precautionary measure. When Amma arrived in her SUV escorted by her Z+ security, there were thousands of AIADMK supporters who greeted her. She looked very confident and greeted her supporters with her signature victory symbol. Not just her supporters, but all her ministers and her entire cabinet was present at the central jail premises. There was a barricade to stop people from getting close to the court hall. The ministers too were not allowed near the court hall. When the verdict was read out and the news of her conviction spread, there was utter disbelief on the faces of her supporters and ministers. Anger and pain was writ large over their faces. They kept going up to the media to cross check. A lucky few who had managed to gain entry into the court hall under the guise of lawyers immediately conveyed the news to our colleagues. "She has been convicted and ordered to pay a fine of Rs 100 crore. She will be in jail for years," we screamed as our colleagues shouted back over the phone, "Confirmed no? Confirmed no?" Our colleagues called back to ask, "What about the rest?" to which we replied, "Same, same, same. Ok bye!" When they hugged the gates and cried: Immediately after the verdict was delivered the scene in the court hall was dramatic. Jayalalithaa sat down in disbelief. Her advocates were too scared to go near her. One senior advocate however mustered courage and went up to her. All she asked, "Enna pannitre? (What have you done?). Jayalalithaa was asked to go to jail and as she entered cell number 23, her entire cabinet wept like kids. O Panneerselvam was leading the weep brigade. They refused to leave the premises. At around 6 pm, they were allowed to go close to the jail building. Most of them sat outside. Many held the prison gate and wept. There were others who held on the wall and cried. They refused to leave the premises and most of them were present there until Amma came out on bail, which was two months later. A few days later, Amma chose OPS to take over as the CM. All the cabinet ministers made a brief visit to Chennai where there were sworn in before returning to the jail premises. The Tamil Nadu government operated for the next two months from outside the central jail premises. Now over to Sasikala: Sasikala did everything to look, talk, dress and behave like Jayalalithaa. However, fortune did not favour the brave and the Supreme Court ordered her to go to jail. She paid a visit to Jayalalithaa's memorial before leaving for Bengaluru where she had to surrender. As she reached Bengaluru after a seven-hour drive, there were a chose few outside the court. However, the police say this could have been the doing of an OPS group or someone angry over the Cauvery issue. None of the MLAs or ministers were present. OPS was not present for obvious reasons. She arrived just like Amma in an SUV by 5.15 pm on Wednesday. What was noticeable was the lack of supporters for Sasikala. The prominent persons who were seen at the venue were Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker Thambidurai and Sasikala's husband, Natarajan who she hugged and cried before going into jail. Sasikala is in jail at the moment and probably making candles. Outside the jail premises, there is no one, barring a few of her supporters and family members. No one is holdings the gates and walls and weeping. The cabinet is not outside either. As someone rightly put it, Chinamma is no Amma. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, February 16, 2017, 11:52 [IST] Did Sasikala stage-manage violence to seek transfer to a TN jail? India oi-Vicky By Vicky There were chaotic scenes outside the central jail in Bengaluru on Wednesday, as AIADMK interim general secretary Sasikala Natarajan surrendered before the special court after being convicted in the disproportionate assets case. Police sources suspect that the violence that took place outside the court hall was a stage managed one. When Sasikala arrived at the court by 5.15 pm there was no chaos whatsoever. Suddenly an SUV carrying AIADMK MLAs was attacked by miscreants. The glasses of the SUV was shattered and the police had to resort to lathi-charge to disperse the mob. The police is now questioning three persons in connection with the violence. They have not given any clear indication as to what exactly transpired. But the police suspect that these persons could be mere puppets who were asked to trigger the violence. There was no intelligence about any group formation to create trouble, the police say. A police official informed that it appears as though this was pre-planned. In some quarters officials also suspect that the violence could have been stage-managed so that Sasikala can make an application for a transfer to a Chennai jail. As per the orders of the Supreme Court, she will be lodged in the Bengaluru jail for the remainder of her 3.6 year term. The violence could be cited as an example in the application citing a threat to her life in Karnataka. She could also state that due to security reasons she be shifted from Bengaluru to a jail in Tamil Nadu. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, February 16, 2017, 12:20 [IST] Why is the DMK continuing to oppose the imposition of Hindi? - 50 years of struggle and the truth! DMK welcomes invitation to Palanisamy to form government India oi-PTI Chennai, Feb 16: DMK today welcomed the Tamil Nadu Governor's invitation to AIADMK Legislature Party Leader Edappadi K Palaniswami to form the government, and urged him to monitor the situation "to prevent horse trading". Party Working President and Opposition Leader M K Stalin apprehended that the 15-day time given to Palaniswami to seek the vote of confidence in the Tamil Nadu Assembly could lead to large-scale "horse-trading". Speaking to reporters here, Stalin recalled that his party had repeatedly urged Governor Ch Vidyasgar Rao to take steps to ensure a government was in place and that he had made a representation with Rao himself. "He (Governor) has taken a delayed decision, it is, however, welcome. But he has given 15 days' time. This is a big duration and one cannot understand why this window has been given," he said. "Now with a 15-day window being given, certainly there are chances of big time horse trading happening for the purpose of proving strength in the Assembly," he said. Stalin alleged that horse trading was taking place even now in both the Palaniswami and Panneerselvam camps. "Therefore, the Governor should monitor the situation and take all steps to protect democracy," he added. PTI For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, February 16, 2017, 16:41 [IST] Palanisamy to be next Tamil Nadu CM after governor's invite India oi-Vicky By Vicky The governor of Tamil Nadu has invited E Palanisamy to form the next government in Tamil Nadu. He is likely to be sworn in as the chief minister of the state on Thursday at 5pm, following which he will have to prove his majority on the floor of the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly. Palanisamy earlier met with Governor Vidyasagar Rao at Raj Bhavan. He told Rao that he has the required strength to form the government in the state. While inviting him, Rao also told that a date to conduct a floor test would be fixed. Edappadi K Palanisamy, the would be CM of TN On Wednesday, O Pannerselvam too had met with Rao at 8.30 pm. The governor, however, did not spell out what would be the next course of action he would take. Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi had advised the governor to hold a composite floor test in case there are rival claims to form the government. OneIndia News Fearing attack, 10 constables guard Sasikala in Bluru jail India oi-Vicky By Vicky There is tight security around the cell in which Convicted AIADMK interim general secretary Sasikala Natarajan is lodged. Based on an intelligence report that she could be attacked in jail, 10 women constables have been deployed to guard her. Officers suspect that there are some prisoners in the central jail who hail from Tamil Nadu who could try and attack her. However, officials do not rule out the possibility of an attack being stage-managed like was seen on Wednesday when she arrived at the court. [Chinamma is no Amma: Her entry into jail proved that] When Jayalalithaa was present at the central jail in 2014, security was tight. But in her case, she has Z+ security as she was the chief minister at the time of her conviction. Sasikala's has no such security and then responsibility of security rests with her bodyguards. However, there is no entry for her bodyguards in jail and so the state will have to provide her security. If there is an attack on her inside the jail, then she could cite lack of security in Karnataka and seek a transfer to a prison in Tamil Nadu. [Rs 65,700: Sasikala's take-home at the end of her jail term] Sources say that Sasikala will sooner or later file an application seeking a transfer to a jail in Tamil Nadu, her home state. Since the trial against her in the disproportionate assets case was fought in Karnataka, the law mandates that she is jailed in the state. There are provisions in the jail manual which permits her to be transferred, but that would be granted only if the reasons are valid and very strong. OneIndia News 'Severe' yet again: Delhi air continues to remain toxic with AQI at 431 Anand Mahindra's tweet about UPI at country's 'last tea shop' is every Indian's emotion Lunar eclipse 2022: Temples to be closed on Nov 8; Are you allowed to worship? Flying license of Air India operations head suspended temporarily India oi-PTI New Delhi, Feb 16: Acting tough, aviation regulator DGCA on Wednesday suspended the flying licence of Air India operations head Capt A K Kathpalia for skipping mandatory pre-flight medical test repeatedly. The action comes within a week of the national carrier taking Capt Kathpalia, a senior executive pilot, off flying duties. Interestingly, Capt Kathpalia -- who is the Executive Director (Operations) -- has been selected for a board level position at Air India pending final approval. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has now suspended the licence for failing to undertake breath analyser test, either before or after operating a domestic flight on January 19. In an order, the regulator said that in public interest, "the privileges of the pilot licence held by Captain A K Kathpalia ATPL No.1330" is being suspended for three months. The suspension "shall be endorsed on his licence", the order issued by DGCA Joint Director Lalit Gupta said. In this context, endorse refers to mentioning about the particular action in the personal records of the violator. The suspension would be effective from February 7 -- the day when he was taken off from flying duties by the airline after directions from the DGCA. There was no response from Air India to queries in this regard. Sources at the airline said the five-member committee, set up to probe allegations of violations against Capt Kathpalia, has submitted its report to the DGCA. DGCA officials were not available for comments. The Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA) had complained that Kathpalia had evaded pre-flight medical test on several occasions. PTI For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, February 16, 2017, 6:56 [IST] Give Palaniswami 1 week for floor test, Subramanian Swamy asks TN governor India oi-Oneindia By Oneindia Staff Writer Chennai, Feb 16: Controversial Bharatiya Janata Party leader Subramanian Swamy on Thursday said Tamil Nadu governor Vidyasagar Rao should give All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam legislature party leader Edappadi K Palaniswami one week's time for the floor test. "From day 1 I have been saying that the Guv should swear in Sasikala/Palanisamy and give 1 week for floor test.Will Guv implement that today?" tweeted Swamy on Thursday. From day 1 I have been saying that the Guv should swear in Sasikala/Palanisamy and give 1 week for floor test.Will Guv implement that today? Subramanian Swamy (@Swamy39) February 16, 2017 At the time of filing this report, a meeting between the governor and Palaniswami was underway at Raj Bhavan in Chennai. There seems to be all likelihood that the governor would ask Palaniswami to form the next government in TN immediately. On Wednesday, members from both the AIADMK camps--headed by caretaker chief minister O Panneerselvam and Palaniswami respectively--met the governor. AIADMK chief Sasikala's loyalist Palaniswami, who has been recently elected as the legislature party leader, met the governor first. Palaniswami insisted that he has support of 124 MLAs. Thereafter, caretaker chief minister Panneerselvam met the governor at Raj Bhavan. Last week, Swamy had blamed Rao for the political stalemate underway in the southern state. "Pannerselvam didn't give any list of MPs or MLAs who are supporting him. He didn't stake any claim. He just wants his resignation to be withdrawn. But, it has already been accepted. How can he do this? It's like putting toothpaste back in the tube," Swamy told ANI. "So, if the governor has any chance, and he has woken up to his duties as a constitutional authority, he should ask Sasikala Natarajan to form a government and then move a resolution in the assembly for confidence vote and proceed from there. There is now nothing left. Had Pannerselvam produced a list, there would have been a question over which list to accept. If the governor now doesn't call Sasikala, it would mean he is playing politics and he deserves to be removed," he added. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, February 16, 2017, 11:59 [IST] HAL's pride takes team Sarang to the skies at Aero India 2017 India oi-Anusha Painted in red and white, adorned with the painting of a peacock, the Sarang display team's helicopters are a sight indeed. The Sarang team's routine is something that visitors at Aero India look forward to each time. The team flies the indigenous Advance Light Helicopter manufactured by the HAL in spectacular formations with a stealth entry. They fly in from the The desi metal bird is the pride of HAL that has been putting up a great show with its locally manufactured defence products at this year's Aero India show. "Its an Indian machine and is a beautiful machine to fly. It is an all weather aircraft and apart from the display, it is used for other operations like aid and rescue, casualty evacuations, high altitude operations etc. It takes a dedicated technical team to keep these machines flying," said Wing Commander Sameer Bhopi, one of the pilots of the display team. The team needs at least 5 to 6 helicopters in perfect conditions to be able to rehearse for a 4 helicopter display. The 50-55 strong team including pilots and technical support need immense coordination and commitment to pull off a display at shows like Aero India. "This is my second tenure with Sarang and the experience has been great. Have served as part of the team both, within and outside the country. We done displays in various venues and it is a feeling of great pride when people appreciate what you do. It takes a lot of dedicated effort, training and skill, concentration by the team while engaging in displays," he added. Meet the only woman pilot of the Sarang team Squadron leader Sneha Kulkarni is thrilled. This is her first Aero India show but she has been part of the Sarang team's participation in many other cities as part of air force day celebrations etc. She volunteered, like the others, to be part of this spectacular team and has been with Sarang for a year now. "This is a unique team that works the entire year and our schedules are pretty tight. Working hours are extended and one must be willing to be part of this team and go through the selection process," she said. The will to be a display pilot, a written exam, a flying test and the ability to working a team is what it takes to be a part of the prestigious Team Sarang. "It is extremely exciting to be in the air since flying has always been a fashion. Moreover, flying for an aero display that involves a lot of maneuvouring is different from going from place A to place B. It involves a lot of thrill and excitement," she quipped. While she is the only woman pilot in the team there are 2 women engineering officers and one team commentator. The men who keep the machine running The display is spectacular and the pilots are showered with accolades but the largest part of the team continuously works behind the screens to ensure that team Saarang rules the skies. The technical team has one agenda on their minds, 'keep the machine healthy so it can come back save with the pilot.' Speaking to OneIndia, Squadron leader Himanshu Purohit, the Chief engineering officer says that preparations are heavy for shows like aero India. "Preparations range from deciding upon what items are required towards maintenance, how much time will be spent in rehearsals , how many days we would be required to stay at a venue and includes the number of men who will be flying the machine etc. Preparing the helicopters, carrying activities like loading,, setting up a base, preparations include all of this,"he said. This is the first Aero India for Sq leader Purohit too and he believes that it is never easy to fly a machine that is used in displays. "It is neither easy on the machine nor the pilots while flying a helicopter used in display. It is pure piloting skill. the helicopter is Indian, everything about it is Indian and we are proud each time it flies. This is one of the most agile and maneuverable helicopters in most of the inventory in the world and this makes ALH stand part from others," he added. After enthralling the audience in India, team Sarang is all set to steal a Aero show in Malaysia in 2017. OneIndia News In Pics: Trin Trin novel bike sharing project of Mysuru India oi-Oneindia By Oneindia Staff Writer Mysuru, Feb 16: Trin Trin is the Public Bike Share system of Mysuru. It is a Government of Karnataka project, partially funded by the World Bank under the Global Environment Facility Grant. The project is planned and implemented by the Directorate of Urban Land Transport and Mysuru City corporation. Public Bike Share is a system where bicycles are owned and operated by a civic administration and its associates, for shared, short-term use by local residents as well as visitors, on an easy rental basis. The system involves borrowing a bicycle from any 'docking station' across the city and returning the borrowed bicycle after a ride to any 'docking station', as suits the convenience of the rider. At present the system features 52 hubs and 450 bicycles. Here are some pictures of this unique project: Deputy Commissioner of Mysuru tries Trin Trin "Tried out Trin Trin today along with Mayor and Comm MCC today. Really convenient mode of transport." Deputy Commissioner of Mysuru had tweeted before Trin Trin was launched. Image courtesy: @DC_Mysuru Vehicle of wellness Trin Trin is an initiative thought up by Mysuru corporation and it looks to rent bikes to commuters and travellers to get around in a clean and in a lot more fun way. Image courtesy: @DC_Mysuru Pedal with pride Under Trin Trin all important landmarks, tourist places, railway station, bus stands and public offices of Mysuru have been linked by setting up docking stations. Image courtesy: @krtkadhananjay. Hail the pedal, heal the breath To use Trin Trin bikes one has to register using the smartphone app. The person then has to reach the bike docking station and release the bike using smart card. The person then can ride the bike till the closet docking station and return it there by again using the smart card. Image courtesy: @DC_Mysuru. Break a new path, breathe the fresh air In order to ensure that Trin Trin bikes do not stay idle with the renters during their non-riding hours, users are advised to return their bikes immediately as they reach a hub closest to their destination. OneIndia News I will break your legs: SFI issues threat to principal in presence of cops in Kerala 'If I have nominated even one person using authority, I'll resign': Kerala governor on VC row Kerala youth arrested for Islamic State links India oi-Vicky New Delhi, Feb 16: The National Investigation Agency has arrested Mouinudheen Parakadavath, a resident of Kasargod in Kerala for his alleged links with an Islamic State module. He was arrested by NIA officials at Delhi as he landed from Abu Dhabi. The case relates to a terror module in which a group of youths from Kerala including some members based in the Middle-East, hatched a conspiracy as per the instructions from their online IS handlers. On October 2, 2016, based on intelligence inputs, five accused, associated with this terror module, were arrested from Kanakmala Hill in Kannoor district, Kerala and another associate was arrested from Calicut the same day. Based on their revelation, it was established that Mouinudheen was a key figure in the module, which was actively planning various aspects of terrorist plot, on a Telegram group. Mouinudheen was using the online identity Abu-Al-Indonesi as well as Ibn Abdullah, on the group. It was also revealed by the arrested persons that Mouinudheen had sent funds from Abu Dhabi to members of the terrorist module in Kerala, for the purpose of the conspiracy, through Western Union Money Transfer last year. OneIndia News EPS, his supporters detained for trying to hold hunger strike in TN assembly Edappadi K Palanisamy, the new CM of TN India oi-Oneindia By Oneindia Staff Writer Chennai, Feb 16: Edappadi K Palanisamy is the new chief minister of the Tamil Nadu. He was chosen by his party Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam MLAs as the leader of legislature party after Sasikala Natarajan was convicted by Supreme Court in the disproportionate assets case. The active politician was hand-picked by former Tamil Nadu CM J Jayalalithaa three decades ago and soon he became her link with the party cadre. He was the minister for highways and minor ports in the government of Tamil Nadu before this. Personal: Palanisamy, 62, belongs to Nedungulam village in Edappadi taluk of Tamil Nadu. Career: Palanisamy had joined the AIADMK at a young age in the 1980s. When the party split following the death of MG Ramachandran's death in 1987, he supported Jayalalithaa. For supporting Jayalalithaa he was given party ticket to contest from Edappadi constituency during the 1989 elections. He won the seat in 1989. After 1991 he had to struggle for a decade as he lost the seat and he was sidelined. He however continued to enjoy trust of Jayalalithaa. Palanisamy has won Assembly Election four times in Tamil Nadu from Edapadi constituency. He has won the election in 1989, 1991, 2011 and 2016. In the May 2016 elections he easily won his seat by margin of 42,022 votes. He suddenly sprung into limelight when he was picked as leader of legislative party AIADMK as a challenge for the rebel camp led by caretaker CM O Panneerselvam. Strengths: Strength of Palanisamy is that he is powerful OBC leader as he comes from politically strong Gounder community. He was a staunch loyalist of Jayalalithaa and he was considered as one of her favourites. When Jayalalithaa wanted to pass a message to the district level party members she made sure the message was conveyed through him. He was the third choice for the post of CM after the death of Jayalalithaa in December last year. Weakness: He doesn't have good support base in his home town. He is pitched against O Panneerselvam who was also part of Nalvar Ani - the four member group made by Jayalalithaa. The group had four members who Jayalalithaa trusted. OneIndia News Why is the DMK continuing to oppose the imposition of Hindi? - 50 years of struggle and the truth! No end to TN political crisis, governor further delays govt formation India oi-Oneindia By Oneindia Staff Writer Chennai, Feb 16: If reports are to be believed Tamil Nadu governor Vidyasagar Rao is still in a fix regarding the formation of government in the state. "As of now, neither O Panneerselvam nor Edappadi K Palaniswami has been called to form the government," sources at Raj Bhavan, TN, told ANI. Thus the political stalemate in the state continues even after the Supreme Court convicted All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader Sasikala Natarajan in the disproportionate assets case. On Wednesday, members from both the AIADMK camps--headed by Panneerselvam and K Palaniswami respectively--met the governor. AIADMK chief Sasikala's loyalist Palaniswami, who has been recently elected as the legislature party leader, met the governor first. Palaniswami insisted that he has support of 124 MLAs. Thereafter, caretaker chief minister Panneerselvam met the governor at Raj Bhavan. "If given a chance, I will prove majority on the floor of the house," he said. During his meeting with the governor, Panneerselvam alleged that the 124 MLAs are still held captive in a resort located in the outskirts of Chennai. A senior AIADMK leader and member of Panneerselvam camp told IANS on Thursday that the governor may not invite Palaniswami to form the government in the state till everything seems to be clear. "There is no patch up moves between the two groups -- one led by Panneerselvam and the other led by AIADMK interim general secretary Sasikala, who is now in a Bengaluru jail. We expect around 30 legislators to our sides from the rival camp," the Panneerselvam camp member told IANS preferring anonymity. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, February 16, 2017, 10:42 [IST] Panneerselvam to continue dharm yudh to establish Ammas rule India oi-Oneindia By Oneindia Staff Writer Chennai, Feb 16: After Edappadi K Palanisamy was invited by governor Vidyasagar Rao to take oath as the new Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, a defiant O Panneerselvam on Thursday said he will continue with his 'dharm yudh' (war of righteousness) to establish former CM Jayalaithaa's rule in the state. Addressing journalists, the caretaker CM of TN, Panneerselvam said, "We'll continue with our 'dharm yudh' until Amma's rule is established." "We will not let the party go into the hands of a few of Sasikala Natarajan's family members," he added, as he was flanked by his supporters in Chennai. Till Wednesday, both the factions of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam--one lead by Palanisamy and second by Panneerselvam--were claiming their rights to form the next government in the state. On Wednesday, AIADMK chief Sasikala's loyalist Palanisamy, who has been recently elected as the legislature party leader, met the governor first. Palanisamy insisted that he has support of 124 MLAs. Thereafter, caretaker chief minister Panneerselvam met the governor at Raj Bhavan. Palanisamy was elected as the legislature party leader after Sasikala was convicted by the Supreme Court in the disproportionate assets case on Tuesday. The governor told Palanisamy to take oath on Thursday evening, the Raj Bhavan said. Palanisamy will have to prove his majority in the assembly within 15 days, the governor's office said. The decision was conveyed to Palanisamy when he called on the Governor earlier in the day. OneIndia News Why is the DMK continuing to oppose the imposition of Hindi? - 50 years of struggle and the truth! With Sasikala in jail, Panneerselvam hopes MLA support to go up India oi-IANS By Ians English Chennai, Feb 16: The AIADMK camp led by acting chief minister O Panneerselvam is hoping to receive a sizeable number of legislators on Thursday, said a senior leader. He also said Governor C. Vidyasagar Rao may not invite Public Works Minister Edapadi K. Palanisamy to form the government in the state till everything seems to be clear. "There is no patch up moves between the two groups -- one led by Panneerselvam and the other led by AIADMK General Secretary VK Sasikala, who is now in a Bengaluru jail. "We expect around 30 legislators to our sides from the rival camp," a senior AIADMK leader told IANS preferring anonymity. "With Deepa Jayakumar joining hands with Panneerselvam, the strength of our camp has increased manifold and there is no patch up moves," he added. Deepa Jayakumar, the niece of former chief minister late J. Jayalalithaa was opposed to Sasikala. Soon after the death of Jayalalithaa, thousands of AIADMK cadres rallied behind Jayakumar and wanted her to enter politics. According to the AIADMK leader, the political impasse in the state may end in a couple of day's time. "Yesterday (Wednesday) when we met the Governor, we reiterated the point that majority of AIADMK legislators are held in captivity at the beach resort and if they are freed then support for our leader would swell," he said. "At the Governor's meeting there was no indication that he would soon invite Palanisamy to form the government," he added. On Wednesday evening, AIADMK's leader of the legislature party Palanisamy and Panneerselvam met Rao separately. After the meeting AIADMK Presidium Chairman K.A. Sengottaiyan expressed confidence that the Governor would soon invite Palanisamy to form the government. Fisheries Minister D. Jayakumar too echoed similar views post Rao's meeting. According to AIAMDK leader in the Panneerselvam camp, the appointment of T.T.V. Dinakaran as the party's Deputy General Secretary by Sasikala is void. "As per party bylaw only a person who is a party member for five continuous years can hold any party post. Dinakaran was not a member of the party for the past several years. He was dismissed from the party by Jayalalithaa," he added. Even the election of Sasikala as the General Secretary in 2016, was being questioned on this ground and a complaint has been filed with the Election Commission. "I do not know where the party is going. The General Secretary is in jail for corruption and the Deputy General Secretary faces case under the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act," K.C. Palaniswamy, former AIADMK MP told IANS. He said Dinakaran's appointment as Deputy General Secretary goes against the party laws. "The Election Commission is expected to decide on my petition challenging the election of Sasikala as General Secretary by the general council. A General Secretary can be elected only by party members in an election," Palaniswamy said. "I expect status quo would continue in the state till the Election Commission decides on my complaint so that there will be stability in the ruling party," Palaniswamy added. IANS Railway general tickets to be available in banks India oi-Oneindia By Oneindia Staff Writer In a major step towards easing availability of train tickets, the Indian Railways will soon start disbursing tickets of the general class from banks. The railway board had started working on this in August 2016 and the initiative is said to be in its final stages now. The Indian Railways and the State Bank of India are in constant touch to work out the modalities for this. The project will reach its final satges by April 2017 after which a trial run will begin soon. The Indian Railways is considering two options for this new initiative. One is to make tickets available to the travelers by installing an automated vending machine in the bank premises. And the other is to make changes in the ATM and link them with railway's ticket distribution system. Convenience to commuters: Railways has said that this would make procuring tickets very convienient. Railways is expecting that crowd outside ticket counters to reduce drastically after this. Travelers will also be freed from hassles of standing in long queues. Similar initiatives to reduce hassle: The Mango post office in Jamshedpur has already been selling general tickets for the last five years. Tickets can also be purchased from bus stand in Mango from a counter opened by railways. In Tata nagar railway station, there are two CoATVMs installed from which general tickets can be purchased using notes, coins and smart cards. Over 15, 000 general tickets are sold in Tata nagar daily. Over 500 tickets are made available through post office and bus stand in Mango, and close to 150 tickets are disbused through CoATVMs. OneIndia News Sena dares Modi to disclose wealth of Amit Shah; BJP hits back India oi-PTI Mumbai, Feb 16: Shiv Sena on Thursday dared Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make public the wealth of BJP chief Amit Shah and other top party leaders and challenged the party to conduct a probe into Uddhav Thackeray's assets and finances. Reacting to it, the BJP said every penny that the party president possesses is already in public domain. "The BJP is making unsubstantiated allegations of corruption by Thackeray family and other Sena leaders. "Before making such claims, I dare PM Modi to make public the assets and wealth of Amit Shah along with national leaders of the BJP," Sena MP Rahul Shewale told reporters here. "It is the BJP governments at the Centre and Maharashtra. If BJP has guts, let them conduct an inquiry into Thackeray family's wealth and his finances. "The Chief Minister should speak with proof and not say anything, thinking he can get away with it. By levelling such allegations, he has already accepted defeat," Shewale said. Responding to Sena's take on his party chief, BJP spokesperson Madhav Bhandari said, "The Sena seems to forget that Amitbhai Shah's 2012 election affidavit is already in public domain. Nonetheless, we are once again releasing his affidavit to fulfil their demand." "As far as probing the wealth of Thackeray family is concerned, we have not spoken the language of conducting a probe as of now and they should not force us to do it as well," he said. The Sena's fresh salvo at the BJP comes a day after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis dared Thackeray to disclose his wealth and alleged that the Sena is getting rich in the name of fighting for cause of 'Marathi Manoos'. Recently, BJP MP Kirit Somaiya had alleged that Thackeray was involved in the financial dealings of seven shell companies. PTI Why is the DMK continuing to oppose the imposition of Hindi? - 50 years of struggle and the truth! Tamil Nadu politics: Clashes spill on to the streets India oi-Anusha By Anusha Ravi Moments after Edappadi Palanisami took oath as the new Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, clashes broke out between supporters of O Panneerselvam and newly inducted cabinet minister C V Shanmugam. Scenes outside the residences of both leaders turned chaotic as supporters accused each other of instigating violence. Moments after the new government was formed, stones were allegedly pelted at O Panneerselvam's residence following which clashes broke out. Police deployed at the spot had a tough time bringing the warring parties under control. Heavy deployment of police was already present outside Panneerselvam's residence when the alleged stone pelting took place. "Within moments of coming to power, Sasikala supporters are exblhibiting their rowdism. Let the people know the true nature and decide for themselves," said Panneerselvam supporters talking to the media after the police managed to restore peace. Both groups pelted each other with stones and water bottles. Palanisami visits Jayalalithaa memorial Soon after he took oath as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Palaniswami headed straight to Jayalalithaa memorial at the Marina beach. With 15 days to prove his majority in the assembly Palaniswami claimed that he was confident of protecting his government. "Governor has asked me to prove majority in the assembly and I assure you that I will prove majority. Amma' s governance will continue," he said after paying tributes to Jayalalithaa and M G Ramachandran. The new chief minister was accompanied by TTV Dinakaran, Sasikala's nephew and AIADMK's new deputy general secretary. AIADMK MLAs of the Sasikala camp who attended E Palaniswamy's swearing in ceremony headed back to the resort in Kuvathur. The MLAs are expected to remain at the resort till the floor test in the Tamil Nadu assembly is concluded. The newly sworn-in chief minister Pananiswamy and AIADMK's senior leader and deputy speaker Tambidurai is expected to visit Sasikala Natarajan in the jail in Bengaluru. OneIndia News Uddhav Thackeray blasts BJP over demand for banning Saamana for three days India oi-PTI Pune, Feb 15: After a BJP functionary wrote to the State Election Commission demanding ban on publication of Shiv Sena mouthpiece Saamana' on three days, Sena president Uddhav Thackeray compared the situation to Emergency. State BJP spokesperson Shweta Shalini said in a letter to SEC that "publishing content or undertaking publicity campaign (of parties and candidates) two days before polling date" is prohibited, so publication of Saamana should be banned on February 16, 20 and 21. Elections to 10 municipal corporations and 25 Zilla Parishads in Maharashtra will be held in two phases on February 16 and 21. Uddhav reacted saying "Saamana's closure is not possible ever". Later, addressing a campaign rally in Pune in the evening, he compared the situation to Emergency. "I just got a message that BJP has complained to Election Commission seeking ban on printing Saamana on February 16, February 20 and February 21. My question is if you blame Indira Gandhi for imposing Emergency, isn't this an Emergency?" he said. "Why are Chief Minister and Prime Minister going to poll-bound areas for campaigning? Forget all these dates, as long as model code of conduct is in force, CM and PM should not be allowed to do campaigning," he said. Thackeray also said that as talk about "setting" between rival parties was rife, "today I declare that I too have setting and that is with the masses of Maharashtra." PTI For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, February 16, 2017, 13:01 [IST] Cabinet approves MoU between India, Denmark in field of Water Resources Development and Management Dr. Rinky Kapoor- One of the best celebrity cosmetic dermatologists No one has guts...: Junior defence minister's reply to China question Twitter down as several users report login issues on website Talented, driven and great potential: President Putin is all praise for India and Indians Chinese media congratulates ISRO but says China is way ahead in space technology International oi-IANS By Ians English Beijing, Feb 16: India deserves kudos for sending a record 104 satellites into the orbit at one go but it was way behind than China in space technology, a Chinese newspaper said on Thursday. An editorial in the state-run Global Times said by smashing the previous Russian record of putting 37 satellites into the orbit in 2014, India's frugal space exploration offered "food for thought for other countries". India did a good job but has a long way to go as there still was no Indian astronaut in space and the plan to establish a space station was yet to take off, the paper said. "This is perhaps the first widely followed world record India has made in the field of space technology. The Indians have reason to be proud," the daily said. "However, the space technology race is not mainly about the number of satellites at one go. It's fair to say the significance of this achievement is limited. In this regard, Indian scientists know more than the Indian public, who are encouraged by media reports. "It's a hard-won achievement for India to reach current space technology level with a relatively small investment. It offers food for thought for other countries. India launched a lunar probe in 2008 and ranked first among Asian countries by having an unmanned rocket orbit Mars in 2013. "Nonetheless, the development of a country's space technology is determined by the size of its input. "The US space budget in 2013 was $39.3 billion, China $6.1 billion, Russia $5.3 billion, Japan $3.6 billion and India $1.2 billion. "As India's GDP is about one-fifth to one-fourth that of China's, the share of investment in space technology in India's GDP is similar to that of China's. "There is another figure that deserves attention. India's defence budget is about one-third of China's, a higher percentage of GDP than that of China." It said the Indian space programme was based on certain considerations, including an ambition to make New Delhi a great power. Also, India felt it should remain present in space technology development, given its close links with military, the daily said. "On the whole, India's space technology still lags behind the US' and China's. It has not yet formed a complete system. "There is no Indian astronaut in space and the country's plan to establish a space station has not started." IANS For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, February 16, 2017, 16:27 [IST] Huge Baghdad car bomb kills at least 45: officials International oi-PTI Baghdad, Feb 16: A massive car bomb ripped through a used car market in southern Baghdad today, killing at least 45 people in the deadliest such attack this year, security officials said. The Amaq propaganda agency linked to the Islamic State group (IS), which has claimed nearly all such attacks recently, reported the blast and described it as targeting "a gathering of Shiites". Mobile phone footage circulated on social media showed charred bodies and extensive destruction in the Bayaa neighbourhood where the explosion went off around 4:15 pm (1315 GMT). "A terrorist car bomb attack struck near car dealerships in Bayaa and resulted in the deaths of 45 people," a spokesman for the Baghdad Operations Command said in a statement. An interior ministry official gave the same figure and said at least 60 people were also wounded. He said the emergency services were struggling to cope with the scope of the attack and warned that the death toll may rise. The explosion occurred in the same Bayaa neighbourhood in southern Baghdad where a car bomb blast killed at least four people on Tuesday. At least 11 people were also killed in a suicide car bomb attack claimed by IS yesterday in a northern neighbourhood of the Iraqi capital. Baghdad was rocked by a wave of deadly suicide bombings during the first days of 2017 but relatively few explosions had been reported since then until this week. PTI Iran will never get nuclear weapon: Donald Trump tells Netanyahu International oi-PTI Washington, Feb 16: Terming the nuclear deal with Iran as "the worst" agreement ever, US President Donald Trump has assured visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Tehran would never be able to build a nuclear weapon. "The security challenges faced by Israel are enormous, including the threat of Iran's nuclear ambitions, which I've talked a lot about. One of the worst deals I've ever seen is the Iran deal," Trump told reporters at a joint news conference with Netanyahu at the White House on Wednesday. "My administration has already imposed new sanctions on Iran, and I will do more to prevent Iran from ever developing - I mean ever - a nuclear weapon," Trump said. He said the American security assistance to Israel was currently at an all-time high to ensure that the Jewish state has the ability to defend itself from many threats. "Both of our countries will continue and grow. We have a long history of cooperation in the fight against terrorism and the fight against those who do not value human life. America and Israel are two nations that cherish the value of all human life," he said. "This is one more reason why I reject unfair and one-sided actions against Israel at the United Nations - just treated Israel, in my opinion, very, very unfairly - or other international forums, as well as boycotts that target Israel," he said. Trump said his administration was committed to working with Israel and common allies in the region towards greater security and stability. "That includes working toward a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians. The United States will encourage a peace and, really, a great peace deal. We'll be working on it very, very diligently," he said, adding that the parties themselves who must directly negotiate such an agreement. "We'll be beside them; we'll be working with them," he added. Netanyahu applauded Trump for his strong stand on Iran and radical Islamic terrorism. "Our alliance is based on a deep bond of common values and common interests. And, increasingly, those values and interests are under attack by one malevolent force: radical Islamic terror," he said. "Mr President, you've shown great clarity and courage in confronting this challenge head-on. You call for confronting Iran's terrorist regime, preventing Iran from realising this terrible deal into a nuclear arsenal," Netanyahu said. "You have said that the United States is committed to preventing Iran from getting nuclear weapons. You call for the defeat of ISIS. Under your leadership, I believe we can reverse the rising tide of radical Islam. And in this great task, as in so many others, Israel stands with you and I stand with you," he said. PTI Myanmar reopens border gate with Bangladesh after four months International oi-IANS By Ians English Yangon, Feb 16: Myanmar has reopened a border gate with Bangladesh which was temporarily closed following terrorist attacks on some three border posts in 2016, the State Counsellor's Office here said on Thursday. The border gate (number one) was reopened for entry and departure in Maungtaw in Rakhine state over the weekend following restoration of peace and stability in the region after Myanmar negotiated with Bangladesh, Xinhua news agency reported. The surprise coordinated attacks by armed men on three border posts in Maungtaw on October 9, 2016 prompted the then closure of all border gates with Bangladesh for more than four months, resulting in financial hardship for local traders. Myanmar's Rakhine Violence Investigation Commission, which was formed on December 1, 2016 and led by First Vice President U Myint Swe to probe into the background on the violent attacks, has so far inspected Maungtaw's attacked areas four times to find out the truth. The armed men's attack on three border posts, namely Kyikanpyi in Maungtaw, Kotankauk in Buthedaung and Ngakhuya Office, had killed five soldiers and eight policemen . In the latest development, Myanmar's Sittway district court has handed out death sentence to one of the 14 attackers captured. The remaining 13 culprits are still under investigation. A dusk-to-dawn curfew was imposed in Maungtaw since October 10, 2016 but the curfew hours were reduced since February 10 for the next two months as peace and stability were improving in the region. The commission was originally tasked to formally report to the president by January 31, but it has been postponed. The overall report will be released when the investigation process is completely accomplished. Meanwhile, the commission released an interim report on January 4, exposing that the armed attacks in Maungtaw were conducted by Havid Tuhar-led Aqa Mul Mujahidin linked with Rohingya Solidarity Organisation operating in the region. IANS For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, February 16, 2017, 10:41 [IST] Ukraine grain deal: UN says shipments are still going out Russian spy ship spotted around 50 kms from US coast International oi-IANS By Ians English Washington, Feb 16: A Russian spy ship has been spotted 30 miles (around 50 kms) off the US coast of Connecticut, according to an American defence official. This is the farthest north the Russian spy vessel has ever ventured, the official told CNN on Wednesday. The Leonov, which conducted similar patrols in 2014 and 2015, was off the coast of Delaware, but typically it only travels as far as Virginia. The ship is based with Russia's northern fleet on the North Sea but had stopped over in Cuba before conducting its patrol along the Atlantic Coast and is expected to return there following its latest mission. The vessel is fitted with a variety of high-tech spying equipment and is designed to intercept signals intelligence. The official said that the US Navy is 'keeping a close eye on it'. The Leonov is a Vishnya-class spy ship, as is a Russian vessel that trailed the US ship that encountered close-flying Russian aircraft in the Black Sea on February 10. The USS Porter was sailing in the Black Sea when it had three encounters with the Russian aircraft. They were deemed unsafe and unprofessional because of how close the Russian planes flew to the American destroyer. The Pentagon later released pictures of the encounter. IANS Trump calls on Netanyahu to 'hold back' on new settlement International oi-IANS By Ians English Washington, Feb 16: Israel should "hold back" on building new settlement "for a little bit", US President Donald Trump told visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday. "As far as settlements, I'd like to see you hold back on settlements for a little bit. We'll work something out but I would like to see a deal be made," Xinhua news agency quoted Trump as saying at a joint press conference with Netanyahu at the White House before their meeting. In response, Netanyahu played down the issue of settlement building. "I believe that the issue of the settlement is not the core of the conflict, nor does it really drive the conflict. I think it's an issue that has to be resolved in the context of peace negotiations," Netanyahu said. Israel approved last month the construction of 3,000 housing units in West Bank settlements, amidst a spate of settlement expansion in the wake of Trump's inauguration. Israel's settlement-building in disputed territory is a major dispute between the Israelis and Palestinians. The settlements are illegal under international law because they are built on lands seized by Israel in the 1967 Mideast War, where the Palestinians wish to form their future state. The former US administration criticised Israel's continuous expansion of the settlements, which it considered as a major obstacle to peace. In a White House statement earlier this month, the Trump administration said "the construction of new settlements or the expansion of existing settlements beyond their current borders may not be helpful" in achieving Middle East peace. On Wednesday, Trump also said that he is open to either a one-state or two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a departure from US stance in previous administrations. "I'm looking at two-state, one-state, and I like the one that both parties like. ... I can live with either one," Trump said. The previous US administrations have pushed for the two-state solution to the Middle East peace process, an idea of establishing an independent Palestinian state that lives side-by-side with Israel. On another controversial issue of moving US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, Trump said, "As far as the embassy moving to Jerusalem, I'd love to see that happen. We're looking at it very, very strongly." But he added that the US is looking at the issue "with great care". Israel claimed all of Jerusalem as its "eternal and undivided capital". But the international community has never recognised East Jerusalem, a territory Israel seized in the 1967 Mideast War and later annexed, Xinhua news agency added. The Palestinians see East Jerusalem as the capital of their future state. The idea of moving the US embassy to Jerusalem was discussed in the past but never carried out for fear it will spark fresh tensions in the region. IANS US demands boost in defence spending from NATO members International oi-IANS By Ians English Brussels, Feb 16: The United States Secretary of Defence has told NATO members gathered in Brussels that the Washington government is prepared to reduce its input into the alliance if they do not boost their spending on defence. James Mattis echoed President Donald Trump's demand that participating members increase defence spending to 2 per cent of their gross domestic product, otherwise the US would moderate its commitment, EFE news reported. "It's a fair demand that all who benefit from the best defence in the world carry their proportionate share of the necessary cost to defend freedom," Mattis said in a transcript of his speech made available by NATO. Mattis said that he was confident that the alliance would react to changing circumstances, as it had done in the past. He added that Trump had stated his strong support for NATO. "The alliance remains a fundamental bedrock for the United States and for all the transatlantic community, bonded as we are together," Mattis said. "We're here as you all know to chart the course of the alliance in the future," Mattis said. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said the alliance needed more defence spending and a fairer burden-sharing. "After many years of cuts, I am glad to say that we have turned a corner," Stoltenberg said. He said that NATO's latest figures, published on Tuesday, showed that defence spending among European allies and Canada had increased by 3.8 per cent in real terms in 2016. IANS For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, February 16, 2017, 11:57 [IST] We value your privacy. Focus Taiwan (CNA) uses tracking technologies to provide better reading experiences, but it also respects readers' privacy. Click here to find out more about Focus Taiwan's privacy policy. When you close this window, it means you agree with this policy. 2008-2022 One News Page Ltd. All rights reserved. One News is a registered trademark of One News Page Ltd. Buzz60 04 Nov 2022 Whether youre a dog, a cat or a horse or a hunter, this special mass is for you. Yair Ben-Dor has more. stereogum 02 Nov 2022 David Brewis, one-half of the brother band Field Music, had a relatively productive side project of his own going with School Of.. A dozen Indonesians, three Malaysians and an Indian woman also accused of trying to recruit members and collect funds. Al Jazeera 26 Sep 2019 WorldNews 18 Dec 2019 The US Coast Guard has warned mariners off the coasts of South Carolina and Florida to use extreme caution near a Russian.. Our website uses cookies to improve your experience. Learn more Tiplix to Pay 170,000 Fine for Facilitating Gambling to Dutch Players Published February 16, 2017 by Ivan P Tiplix, an online gambling site owned by Trustfulgames, has become the first operator to face the wrath of the Dutch gambling authority. Dutch gambling authorities weren't kidding last year when they announced a much firmer approach to policing unlicensed online operators offering their services to players from the Netherlands. Tiplix, a site owned and operated by Trustfulgames, has become the first to experience this new policy on their own skin, as they'll have to pay a 170,000 fine. The First of Many? Tiplix may be the first to face the consequences in 2017, but it seems that Dutch regulator Kansspelautoriteit is determined to go after any and all sites operating in the local market without proper authorization. The site in question had offered various casino games in the Dutch language, clearly targeting players from the Netherlands. After the intervention by Kansspelautoriteit, the site has removed the Dutch version, and players located in Netherlands are now greeted by a message in German, explaining that Tiplix cannot accept Dutch players because of legal reasons. Stark Shift in Policy The big fine of 170,000 that Trustfulgames will have to pay shows a serious shift in the approach to unregulated online gambling. In the past, the Dutch regulator was much milder, only issuing fines against repeat offenders. There used to be multiple warnings issued to operators prior to taking any actions. It is now clear that policy will no longer be in place, as announced last year, predicting fines up to 820,000, depending on the scope and seriousness of the violations. Unclear Online Gambling Situation Right now, the legal framework for legal online gambling in the country is rather vague. An iGaming bill was finally passed by the Dutch Lower House last year, but the Senate hasn't had the chance to vote on the bill just yet. When (and if) the bill is passed, after the vote which should take place in the next couple of months, Kansspelautoriteit will immediately start accepting applications and issuing licenses to online gambling operators meeting requirements prescribed by the law. Matthias Knab, Opalesque: In recent years, the market in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) has grown rapidly, both in Europe and globally. In a study of the French ETF market, the AMF analyses this growth's consequences on market liquidity and stability. Under the influence of investors searching for yield and low-cost products, the ETF market has grown significantly, with global assets invested in these products increasing yearly by 20% over the past four years. ETFs now account for more than Euro 2,850 billion in assets under management, or 7% of all collective investment assets globally. The scale of this market, as well as events such as the United States' 'flash crash' in the summer of 2015, where American ETFs suffered severe disconnects, raise questions as to the associated risks to market liquidity and stability. Alongside work undertaken at the international level, the AMF was keen to shed light on these questions by focusing its study on the French market (ETFs listed on Euronext Paris). The market in ETFs listed on Euronext Paris consists of 477 funds with total assets under management of Euro 103 billion at end 2016 (up 66% versus 2014). Following an assessment of the current state of the market and a description of the associated risks, ...................... To view our full article Click here For a long time, in fact for years, I got my news from alternative websites like this one, and from YouTube watching Amy Goodman and Tom Hartman. During the Bush years I wrote prolifically because I felt that the mainstream media was ignoring issues that I was very concerned about and I felt that the American people needed to know what the mainstream media wouldn't tell them. During the Obama administration I also wrote many articles about issues the mainstream media seem to ignore. By the end of this administration, and during Hillary Clinton's campaign when the DNC manipulated the primaries against Bernie Sanders, I wrote a few articles but by that time, I was convinced that the press in the United States was totally corrupt. Now I find the press has suddenly relearned what it is that they are supposed to do for the American people. For the first time in years I read the New York Times and actually read real news that exposed government corruption. I am amazed at the way the mainstream media is actually doing investigative journalism. Still, I am also wondering why they were silent during the Bush and Obama administrations. Where were the reporters and the editors when the Bush administration lied us into the Iraq war and Pres. Obama killed American citizens and innocent Muslim families with drone strikes? Where was the coverage of the NDAA that allowed the military to arrest American citizens without trial indefinitely? I can mention many things such as the coverage of the war between Georgia and Russia, and how Ukraine overthrew their elected government and installed an overtly fascist regime that alienated the Russian-speaking eastern provinces. Where are the investigative journalists when the United States colludes with Saudi Arabia to supply weapons to the rebels in Syria? Where were the investigative journalist when the United States accused Syria of using chemical weapons against its people and made preparations to launch cruise missiles against Damascus that was stopped by revelations from the UN that it was the rebels that were using the chemical weapons and American citizens finally rose up and wrote their elected representatives that they would not authorize the use of force? I could go on and on about everything the mainstream media turned a blind eye to. It was as if the press no longer cared or wanted to do any investigative journalism. Now, all the sudden, reporters are calling their sources and digging into everything that the Trump administration does. The White House press briefings now look like a combat zone. Pres. Trump and his people are under constant attack by the mainstream media. Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). From Jonathan Cook Website Netanyahu hopes for achievements relating to both the Palestinians and Iran, say analysts Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is due to meet US President Donald Trump on Wednesday with the aim of winning major concessions on the two issues highest on his agenda, Iran and the Palestinians, say analysts. It will be the two men's first face-to-face meeting since Trump's inauguration as president last month. The discussions are expected to set the tone of the US administration's policy towards Israel and the Middle East over the next four years. Trump's unequivocal backing for Israel during his presidential run generated great excitement on the Israeli right, and was seen as promising a decisive break from the clashes that marked relations with his predecessor, Barack Obama. Hopes were heightened further by Trump's choice of David Friedman, an outspoken supporter of the settlements, as US ambassador to Israel. But in recent days Trump has appeared to backtrack on key campaign promises. That was especially evident in an interview published at the weekend in the Israel Hayom newspaper, widely seen as a cheerleader for Netanyahu. Trump described settlement construction as "unhelpful" and urged Israel to "act reasonably." He added: "Every time you take land for a settlement, less territory remains." In recent weeks Israel has announced thousands of new homes in the occupied territories, as well as a decision to build the first new settlement in more than two decades. The parliament, meanwhile, has passed the Regulation Law, which retroactively sanctions a massive land grab by the settlers. In the interview, Trump appeared to pour cold water on his pledge to move the US embassy to Jerusalem, which it is widely feared could inflame the region. Menachem Klein, a political scientist at Bar Ilan University, near Tel Aviv, said Trump's new-found caution was the result of recent talks with Arab leaders. "Trump has finally banged up against reality in the Middle East," he told Al Jazeera. "He understands that there is a wider picture he has to take account of." In response, Netanyahu has tried to lower expectations among his more extreme ministers. Settler leader Naftali Bennett, the education minister, has demanded that Netanyahu refuse to discuss Palestinian statehood with Trump. He has also pushed for Israel to start annexing the biggest settlements. But at a meeting of the security cabinet on Sunday, Netanyahu reportedly warned that Trump was determined to revive peace talks with the Palestinians. In comments that were leaked in Haaretz, he said: "Trump believes in a deal ... We have to make every effort to avoid a confrontation with him." Netanyahu needs "prize" Yaron Ezrahi, a politics professor at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, said Netanyahu would play a shell game on the Palestinian issue to buy time. Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). From Civil Beat The congresswoman is a brave person willing to take the criticism for challenging U.S. policies that she believes are wrong. Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard waves from the floor of a joint House-Senate session welcoming Indian Prime Narendra Modi, June 2016. (Image by Cory Lum/Civil Beat) Details DMCA I served my country for 29 years in the U.S. Army/Army Reserves and retired as a colonel. I also served 16 years in the U.S. diplomatic corps in U.S. Embassies in Nicaragua, Grenada, Somalia, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Sierra Leone, Micronesia, Afghanistan and Mongolia. I resigned from the U.S. government 13 years ago in March 2003 in opposition to President Bush's regime-change war on Iraq. Since my resignation I have traveled to many countries where the U.S. government did not want me to go -- to Cuba, Iran, Gaza, Yemen, Pakistan, North Korea, Russia and back to Afghanistan. I didn't agree with many of the policies of the governments in power in those countries. But, I wanted to see the effects of policies of our government, in particular the effects of attempts of regime change. I wanted to talk with citizens and government officials about the effects of U.S. sanctions on them and whether those sanctions lessened their support for the government the U.S. was attempting to change or overthrow by non-military means. For making those trips, I have been criticized strongly. I have been called an apologist for the governments in power. Critics have said that my trip has given legitimacy to the abuses of the government. And I have been called a traitor to the United States to dare question or challenge its policy of regime change. I am not an apologist, nor a traitor ... nor is Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard for her recent trip to Syria and meeting with Syrian President Assad. It is important that we have representatives in our government who will go to countries where the United States is either killing citizens directly by U.S. intervention or indirectly by support of militia groups or by sanctions. We need representatives to sift through our government and media reports to find out for themselves the truth, the shades of truth and the untruths. We need representatives to be willing to take the heat from both their fellow members of Congress and from the media pundits who will not go to those areas and talk with those directly affected by U.S. actions. We need representatives who will be our eyes and ears to go to places where most citizens cannot go. Tulsi Gabbard is not the first international observer to come back with an assessment about the tragic effects of U.S. support for lethal regime change in Syria. Nobel Peace Laureate Mairead Maguire began traveling to Syria three years ago and now having made three trips to Syria -- and came back with the same comments -- that U.S. support for regime change of the secular government of Syria would result in the deaths of hundreds of thousand of Syrians, the resulting mass migration of millions who are fleeing the carnage of the destruction of the country and the possibility of an extremist religious based group taking power. U.S. support for regime change in Syria by rebel groups it supports or by ISIS, al-Qaeda, al Nursa, groups that are funded by U.S. allies -- Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey but ironically that the U.S. is battling in Iraq and Afghanistan -- has shown clearly several of the major dangers of international regime change, that groups even worse than the regime being overthrown may come to power. The possibility of a group imposing perverted extremist religious views on the secular state of Syria is high due to international meddling in the internal affairs of Syria. It has also shown that allies will come to the defense of their friends as the international war in Syria expanded and the deaths of civilians increased as Russia came to the aid of its ally Syria. During the Obama administration, Congresswoman Gabbard spoke critically of the U.S. propensity to attempt regime change and its resulting chaos and loss of civilian life. On Dec. 8, 2016, she introduced a bill entitled the "Stop Arming Terrorists Act" which would prohibit the U.S. government from using U.S. funds to provide funding, weapons, training, and intelligence support to groups like the Levant Front, Fursan al Ha and other allies of Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, al-Qaeda and ISIS, or to countries who are providing direct or indirect support to those groups. Now in the first days of the Trump administration she traveled to Syria to see the effects of attempted regime change and offer a solution to reduce the deaths of civilians and the end of the war in Syria. A national organization Veterans For Peace, to which I belong, has endorsed Congresswoman Gabbard's trip to Syria as a step toward resolution to the Syrian conflict. The congresswoman is a brave person willing to take the criticism for challenging U.S. policies that she believes are wrong. I am proud to have her as one of our Congress persons from Hawaii and I urge her to continue to search for the truth about the effect of U.S. government policies. To activate the text-to-speech service, please first agree to the privacy policy below. Washington, Feb. 15 (CNA) The United States will post marines at the new compound of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) to protect the mission, once the compound is completed and AIT personnel are moved to the new site in Taipei's Neihu District, former AIT Director Stephen Young said Wednesday. Congress Switchboard: 202-224-3121 "Wonderful work! An insightful, integrative adventure into what makes humans flourish. Rob Kall shows us that we know how to do this, that most of human history was about connection and that there are ways to make it happen again. He offers real solutions and practical suggestions for taking back the world for community, connection and well-beingaway from hierarchy, exclusion, and destruction. A new handbook for the necessary revolution!" Darcia Narvaez, Professor of psychology, Notre Dame, University, author of Neurobiology and the Development of Human Morality: Evolution, Culture and Wisdom It is quite predictable that the current group of Republican Trump supplicants, unaccustomed to caring for the public good as they are, will try to keep any investigation "in-house" where they can protect their politically pubescent boss. No matter how much Mr. Trump knew before his inauguration, no matter how involved he and his campaign may have been with the Russians, the current assortment of party hacks, as a group, will certainly defend him. Perhaps, under severe national pressure, a special investigator may be appointed. Unfortunately, if the Bush "Justice Department" is the model for the modern Republican law enforcement agency, instead of someone like "Pretty Boy" Patrick Fitzgerald, he of the Blagojevich fiasco (nailing the governor on one charge, of lying to a federal prosecutor, while his more competent successor succeeded on more than 30 other counts) and his non investigation of Dick Cheney, I would personally prefer someone who can read and write and maybe even count. The fact that Trump and Secretary Tillerson have had questionable business dealings with the Russians which is de facto with the Russian government, that Flynn is an award winning Putin supporter and that frothing at the mouth Trump voters and cowardly Republican protectors are afraid to have any actual facts revealed, should send a chill down the spine of all American citizens. Consider the fact that Donald Trump is the only president in the last forty years who has been deathly afraid to release his tax information. The fact that he blatantly lied, stating that he would release them after his audit and then, after being elected, admitted he was lying the whole time, did not bother any of his fawning congressmen and senators. Now, after revealing that Flynn and the Russian ambassador talked about U.S sanctions, the Russian press claims that the two actually did not do so. Whatever they talked about, the whole affair is a Russian propaganda coup by the master KGB agent, Vladimir Putin, incidentally the bromance interest of both Rex Tillerson and Donald Trump. Putin, of course, gets a pass from the Donald for all the Russians and Eastern Europeans that he may have killed during his (according to Trump) innocent KGB career as well as his equally "innocent" rise to power. This, according to the Donald, is because American leaders have done worse things. What he really means is either that W had more people killed in Iraq in the war (that Trump approved of before he disapproved) without stealing any oil or he's listening to "Trump's Brain," the schizoid Steve Bannon and his alternative right proposed globalist conspiracy supposedly led by Papa Bush and his cohorts, Blacks, Jews, Hispanics, Asians, gays, and especially women of all shapes, sizes, and substance. At the rate this cowardly Republican Congress seems to be decompensating, it is an even bet as to whether they will end up as Americans or fascist followers. They have thus far virtually rubberstamped, a whole cotillion of cabinet members, over half of whom are completely unqualified or unfit for their jobs, something which history will certainly remind the few Republican senators that seem to still have a conscience. I wonder what they and their infantile president will say after they completely dismantle Dodd-Frank and plunge the country into another recession. Actually, I don't really wonder, do I. Mnuchin, Tillerson, DeVos and other billionaires can make "new" fortunes off of the misery they cause and begin buying up all of those failed business and corporations they purposely destroy. Just ask them! After you've had them for a while, "old" fortunes are so boring, you know. As for Donald, I can hear him now: " What, me lie? Kellyanne, where the hell is my binky and my Mad Magazine?" Netanyahu and Trump at joint news conference at White House Wednesday (Image by screenshot) Details DMCA Emboldened by Trump's victory, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is dramatically expanding settlements in occupied territory, in defiance of international law. Until recently, the U.S. and Israel's long-stated goal was having Jewish and Palestinian states existing side-by-side. But at a joint news conference at the White House Wednesday, Trump and Netanyahu changed course. Trump was nonchalant about a two-state versus one-state solution. "I like the one that both parties like," he said. "If Israel and the Palestinians are happy, I'm happy with the one they like the best." "He has no idea what's going on," Palestinian-American activist Linda Sarsour said at a protest outside the White House Wednesday evening. There was one moment at the news conference when Trump attempted to push back on Netanyahu. "I'd like to see you hold back on settlements for a little bit," Trump said. The prime minister offered no commitment to do so. "There has been no U.S. administration that has been able to hold Benjamin Netanyahu and his government accountable for freezing settlements," said Sarsour. "I don't believe that... Trump is going to be able to do it." Providing few specifics, both leaders expressed optimism that peace could be achieved by bringing in neighboring Arab countries. But Trump's month, and Netanyahu's years, in office call into question their ability to bring together a diverse coalition. One of Trump's first major acts as president was to ban travel to the U.S. from seven majority-Muslim countries. The ban was met with mass protests and overturned in court. But Netanyahu was in full support. "President Trump is right," Netanyahu tweeted. "I built a wall along Israel's southern border. It stopped all illegal immigration. Great success. Great idea." Trump and Netanyahu are meeting at a time when both leaders plagued by scandal. Perhaps hoping to prop each other up, the two have gone out of their way to support one another. Even before occupying the Oval Office, President-elect Trump lobbied for the U.S. to veto a U.N. Security Council vote condemning Israeli settlements. But President Obama, ignoring Trump and Netanyahu, broke with the past practice of shielding Israel from international condemnation. The U.S. abstained on the measure, which passed 14-0. "As to the U.N.," Trump promptly responded on Twitter, "things will be different after Jan. 20th." Things aren't just different at the U.N. For U.S. ambassador to Israel, Trump tapped an extremist with limited experience -- apart from serving as Trump's personal bankruptcy lawyer and fundraising for an illegal Israeli settlement. "Bankruptcy law and involvement with settlements are not normally seen as... appropriate qualifications for the job," former U.S. ambassador to Israel Martin Indyk told the New York Times. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Congress Switchboard: 202-224-3121 "Human survival depends on learning to organize the way all successful living communities organize as they adapt to ever changing local conditionsfrom the Bottom-Up. A timely contribution to confronting the transformation imperative confronting humanity." David Korten, author of When Corporations Rule the World, The Great Turning, and Change the Story, Change the Future Gonzales is also considering running for Governor of New Mexico. This speech concerns something I care very much about, that it is not enough to advocate for increased pre-Kindergarten learning opportunities for children, but you have to raise the next question, as to how to pay for it. Taxing 2 cents per ounce on sugar soft drinks would accomplish all of this and more quite well, and this plan is already functioning in Oakland, Berkeley, Philadelphia, and Boulder, Colorado. It will be on the ballot for Santa Fe in May 2017, and if you like the plan and would like to see this in your own city, please: talk to your city councilors and to your mayor. >>>> I had originally intended to publish both the entire speech as text as well as embed a video of the speech. I am hoping this video link works well for you; you may have to download a free system for doing so and you may already have it on your computer. If you like Marimba music, it is at the beginning as warm-up, and if you like New Mexico Pueblo Dancing and singing, that is about 45 minutes in; the actual speech starts at about 1 hour and two minutes into this video: http://www.santafenm.gov/video_on_demand/video/551 >>>> Breaking news from Chicago on the Immigrants Day: click here plus Bloomberg News on the same subject, dateline Philadelphia: click here >>>> This is a news story by Steve Hsieh writing for the Santa Fe Reporter, out already, very soon after the speech finished: It's Strong ~~~ Mayor Javier Gonzales delivers his third State of the City speech, February 15, 2017 http://www.sfreporter.com/santafe/article-13068-its-strong.html Mayor Javier Gonzales used his third annual state of the city speech to highlight successes of his tenure, defend controversial proposals, including a tax on sugary beverages to fund early childhood services, and rebuke President Donald Trump's anti-immigrant policies. Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Here is a link to a useful, short piece on what might be coming down the pike this spring: Trump's infrastructure plan has huge risks It was written by AP reporters Joan Lowy and David A. Lieb and I read it in Business Insider. The article discussed several issues we should be thinking about, but did not include others that should be addressed if we want a good program. Here's a partial list from Lowy and Lieb and others, including your author. You can also look at Robert Reich's five-minute video, at Robert Reich: Trump's infrastructure scam - YouTube 1. Why bother? Do we need a big new program? Most of us say yes; so do the experts. The engineers give America's infrastructure a D+. 2. Privatize? Should structures or at least their revenues be privatized? Two of Mr. Trump's advisors, economist Peter Navarro and billionaire, now Secretary of Commerce, Wilbur Ross, published a campaign paper on October 27, 2016, called "Trump versus Clinton on Infrastructure." It goes without saying that there was nothing about taxing the rich and corporations more to help finance a major push on infrastructure. Just the opposite. It was about cutting regulations, offering huge tax credits to builders and investors, and paying off investors and builders from revenues and fees generated by public structures. During the campaign Mr. Trump promised a trillion-dollar program. Can $123 billion in tax credits generate $1 trillion of repairs and new construction? If private firms are in control and dependent on fees and tools to support their expenditures, will we end up having to buy a ticket to get into our new neighborhood park? (More likely neighborhood parks and things like that will not be built.) Will local water rates soar after the pipes are fixed? And what kind of revenue stream can be generated from filling pot holes? Much of what is hinted in the Navarro-Ross paper is vague and much is utopian about the wonders of private control and cutting government regulations. 3.Taxation? If not enough can be done with tax credits, will the President and his aides work hard to raise money to do what is needed? The president and especially Congressional Republicans are all about tax cuts of almost every kind. But if they won't agree to tax the rich and large businesses to repair the infrastructure, will they at least agree to raise the gas tax, which has not been increased in two decades? The increase could ramp up road repair projects and some of the funds could give a boost to mass transit as well. And will Trump be able to get Tea Party types to allow larger budget deficits to finance infrastructure improvements? In general, can we expect that Wall Street investors, rich conservative donors, and Republicans in Congress will support a program that is as clean and large as the country needs? In the old days Republicans liked public improvements that came to their own districts, but is that generalization true of the privatizers in today's party? 4. Equal Access to Jobs? Nothing in the Navarro-Ross publication nor anything else we've heard from the Trump camp has addressed the question of whether equal access to jobs and benefits will be guaranteed to minorities, poor people, women, the disabled, and others who often face hiring discrimination. Will the administration only practice affirmative action for non-college-educated white people in Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and West Virginia? The Navarro-Ross paper promises to expedite construction programs--less red tape and fewer regulations. A streamlined application process--it's hard to disagree with that general idea. But what if streamlining is mainly about cutting equality provisions and environmental regulations? If you really want to eliminate the EPA and clean air regulations, as many Republicans do, that means people who live and work in and near workplaces and building projects that generate a lot of dirt and dangerous poisons are out of luck. 5. Wages. Will there be wage guarantees for people working in the program? Mr. Trump does not support a $15 federal minimum, nor does the man he wants as Labor Secretary.That's not a good sign. Even $15 an hour for a full-time year-round job is just a bit over $30,000 and that's not much for any kind of household, even one with a single member, especially in a big city. 6. Hard Goods Only? Should infrastructure be thought of, mainly, as a question of hard goods--bridges and roads and buildings and so on? Or should we expand the concept so that, for example, we could consider an upgrade for the care industry as part of an infrastructure program? Or should such programs be discussed and fixed separately? 7. Doesn't government always screw things up? In a later article, I will touch on the WPA, CCC, PWA, and CWA--job programs of the 1930s--and Obama's stimulus package of 2009, as well as the difficulties that accompanied the introduction of George Bush's Medicare D program and Obama's Affordable Care Act. And the catastrophes that followed when Wall Street was given a free hand to manage a big chunk of the economy in the late 1920s and early 2000s. Frank Stricker is emeritus professor of history and labor studies at California State University, Dominguez Hills, and he is a member of the National Jobs for All Coalition. He's finishing a book about the history and future of American unemployment. Global Isophorone Diamine Market Demands, Consumption And Analysis http://www.qyresearchreports.com/sample/sample.php?rep_id=903580&type=E http://www.qyresearchreports.com/report/global-isophorone-diamine-market-research-report-2016.htm http://www.qyresearchreports.com/reports.htm http://www.qyresearchreports.com Global Isophorone Diamine Industry 2016 Market Overview, Size, Share, Trends, Analysis, Technology, Applications, Growth, Market Status, Demands, Insights, Development, Research and Forecast 2016-2020.The report on the global Isophorone Diamine market is a comprehensive overview of the market, covering various aspects such as product definition, segmentation based on various parameters, distribution channel, supply chain analysis, and the prevailing vendor landscape. It compiles exhaustive information sourced via proven research methodologies. The information thus compiled is presented in a logical chapter-wise format. It is also interspersed with relevant graphs and tables to enable readers get a better perspective of the global Isophorone Diamine market.Enquiry For Discount Visit @Various factors are responsible behind the markets growth trajectory, which are studied at length in the report. In addition, the report lists down the restraints that are posing threat to the global Isophorone Diamine market. Using Porters five forces it also gauges the bargaining power of suppliers and buyers, threat from new entrants and product substitute, and the degree of competition prevailing in the market. The impact of the latest government policies is also analyzed in detail in the report. It studies the Isophorone Diamine markets trajectory between 2016 and 2021.For the purpose of the study, the global Isophorone Diamine market is segmented based on various parameters. An in-depth regional classification of the market is also included herein. 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It also helps the report provide insights into the opportunities and threats that these companies may face during the forecast period.Browse Complete Report with TOC @Table of Contents1 Isophorone Diamine Market Overview 11.1 Product Overview and Scope of Isophorone Diamine 11.2 Isophorone Diamine Segment by Types 31.3 Isophorone Diamine Segment by Applications 41.3.1 Isophorone Diamine Consumption Market Share by Applications in 2015 41.3.2 Epoxy Resin 51.3.3 IPDI 61.4 Isophorone Diamine Market by Regions 81.4.1 North America Status and Prospect (2011-2021) 81.4.2 China Status and Prospect (2011-2021) 81.4.3 Europe Status and Prospect (2011-2021) 91.5 Global Market Size (Value) of Isophorone Diamine (2011-2021) 102 Global Isophorone Diamine Market Competition by Manufacturers 112.1 Global Isophorone Diamine Capacity, Production and Share by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016) 112.2 Global Isophorone Diamine Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016) 142.3 Global Isophorone Diamine Average Price by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016) 162.4 Manufacturers Isophorone Diamine Manufacturing Base Distribution, Sales Area, Product Types 172.5 Isophorone Diamine Market Competitive Situation and Trends 182.5.1 Isophorone Diamine Market Concentration Rate 182.5.2 Isophorone Diamine Market Share of Top 3 Manufacturers 182.5.3 Mergers & Acquisitions, Expansion 193 Global Isophorone Diamine Capacity, Production, Revenue (Value) by Regions (2011-2016) 213.1 Global Isophorone Diamine Capacity and Market Share by Regions (2011-2016) 213.2 Global Isophorone Diamine Production and Market Share by Regions (2011-2016) 233.3 Global Isophorone Diamine Revenue (Value) and Market Share by Regions (2011-2016) 253.4 Global Isophorone Diamine Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2011-2016) 263.5 North America Isophorone Diamine Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2011-2016) 273.6 Europe Isophorone Diamine Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2011-2016) 273.7 China Isophorone Diamine Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2011-2016) 284 Global Isophorone Diamine Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2011-2016) 294.1 Global Isophorone Diamine Consumption by Regions (2011-2016) 294.2 North America Isophorone Diamine Production, Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2011-2016) 314.3 Europe Isophorone Diamine Production, Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2011-2016) 314.4 China Isophorone Diamine Production, Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2011-2016) 325 Global Isophorone Diamine Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Types 335.1 Global Isophorone Diamine Production and Market Share by Types (2011-2016) 335.2 Global Isophorone Diamine Revenue and Market Share by Types (2011-2016) 355.3 Global Isophorone Diamine Price by Type (2011-2016) 375.4 Global Isophorone Diamine Production Growth by Type (2011-2016) 37For Market Research Latest Reports Visit @About UsQYReseachReports.com delivers the latest strategic market intelligence to build a successful business footprint in China. Our syndicated and customized research reports provide companies with vital background information of the market and in-depth analysis on the Chinese trade and investment framework, which directly affects their business operations. Reports from QYReseachReports.com feature valuable recommendations on how to navigate in the extremely unpredictable yet highly attractive Chinese market.Contact Us1820 AvenueM Suite #1047Brooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Web:Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com Global Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) Industry 2016 Market Production, Quality, Analysis and Development http://www.qyresearchreports.com/sample/sample.php?rep_id=903584&type=E http://www.qyresearchreports.com/report/global-inductively-coupled-plasmamass-spectrometry-icpms-market-research-report-2016.htm http://www.qyresearchreports.com/reports.htm http://www.qyresearchreports.com Global Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) Industry 2016 Market Overview, Size, Share, Trends, Analysis, Technology, Applications, Growth, Market Status, Demands, Insights, Development, Research and Forecast 2016-2020.The market research report analyzes the Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) market on a global basis and offers forecast and statistics in terms of revenue for the forecast period 2016 to 2021. The research study offers a thorough overview of the market dynamics that are estimated to affect the overall industry in the next few years. In addition, the study analyzes the impact of the key factors on the development of the global Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) market through the forecast period. The promising opportunities in the global Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) market have also been mentioned in the study.Enquiry For Discount Visit @To offer a clear understanding of the global Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) market, several questions have been addressed in the research study concerning the growth of the global Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) market. Some of them have been given below:What is the projected growth rate of the global Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) market in the near future?Which region is anticipated to witness high growth in the next few years?What are the primary application areas of Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) in the market?Which latest trends in the market are projected to encourage growth?Which are the leading players operating in the global Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) market?Which factors are expected to accelerate the growth of the market?What are the primary challenges faced by the leading players?The research study further offers a detailed overview of the competitive landscape of the global Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) market and throws light on the key players operating in it. The business strategies and the marketing tactics used by the key players have been highlighted to provide a strong understanding of the overall market. In addition, the financial overview, product portfolio, recent developments, SWOT analysis, and mergers and acquisitions in the market have been discussed at length in the research study.Browse Complete Report with TOC @Table of Contents1 Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS)1.2 Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) Segment by Type1.2.1 Global Production Market Share of Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) by Type in 20151.2.2 Multicollector1.2.3 High Resolution1.2.4 Type III1.3 Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) Segment by Application1.3.1 Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) Consumption Market Share by Application in 20151.3.2 Biological1.3.3 Medical1.3.4 Material1.3.5 Chemical1.4 Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) Market by Region1.4.1 North America Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.2 Europe Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.3 China Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.4 Japan Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.5 Southeast Asia Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.6 India Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.5 Global Market Size (Value) of Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) (2011-2021)2 Global Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1 Global Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) Production and Share by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.2 Global Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.3 Global Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) Average Price by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.4 Manufacturers Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) Manufacturing Base Distribution, Sales Area and Product Type2.5 Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) Market Competitive Situation and Trends2.5.1 Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) Market Concentration Rate2.5.2 Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) Market Share of Top 3 and Top 5 Manufacturers2.5.3 Mergers & Acquisitions, Expansion3 Global Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2011-2016)3.1 Global Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) Production by Region (2011-2016)3.2 Global Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) Production Market Share by Region (2011-2016)3.3 Global Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) Revenue (Value) and Market Share by Region (2011-2016)3.4 Global Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2011-2016)3.5 North America Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2011-2016)3.6 Europe Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2011-2016)3.7 China Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2011-2016)3.8 Japan Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2011-2016)3.9 Southeast Asia Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2011-2016)3.10 India Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2011-2016)4 Global Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2011-2016)4.1 Global Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) Consumption by Regions (2011-2016)4.2 North America Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) Production, Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2011-2016)4.3 Europe Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) Production, Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2011-2016)4.4 China Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) Production, Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2011-2016)4.5 Japan Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) Production, Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2011-2016)4.6 Southeast Asia Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) Production, Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2011-2016)4.7 India Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) Production, Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2011-2016)For Market Research Latest Reports Visit @About UsQYReseachReports.com delivers the latest strategic market intelligence to build a successful business footprint in China. Our syndicated and customized research reports provide companies with vital background information of the market and in-depth analysis on the Chinese trade and investment framework, which directly affects their business operations. Reports from QYReseachReports.com feature valuable recommendations on how to navigate in the extremely unpredictable yet highly attractive Chinese market.Contact Us1820 AvenueM Suite #1047Brooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Web:Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com BRICS In vitro Diagnostics Market 2024; Regional Insight http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/in-vitro-diagnostics-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=12959 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ In Vitro Diagnostics Market: OverviewIn vitro diagnostics (IVD) is a suite of diagnostic tests performed using analytical instruments and reagents, on samples such as blood, stools, urine, tissues, and other body fluids. These samples are derived from patients or healthy individuals, to detect diseases or infections. Some of the significant technologies incorporated in in vitro diagnostics are polymerase chain reaction (PCR), immunoassays, and sequencing technologies. In vitro diagnostics play significant role in risk assessment, and disease monitoring. Great advances have been achieved lately, particularly in the field of clinical immunology Recombinant allergens have been investigated in diagnosing asthma and food, pollen-induced and insect allergies, in in vitro testing.Read Full Report:In Vitro Diagnostics Market: SegmentationThe market can be segmented across different categories such as product types, applications, end users and geography. Based on product types, the market is segmented into, instruments, data management systems and reagents & kits. Based on application, the market is further segmented into, diabetes, infectious diseases, oncology, cardiology, nephrology, HIV, and other applications. Laboratories, standalone clinics, hospitals and patients form the major end-users of the market.The in vitro diagnostic market comprises several tests such as thyroid function tests, renal function tests, lipid profiling, liver function tests, basic metabolism tests, immunoassays, Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), radio Immunoassay (RIA), florescent Immunoassay (FIA), hematology, full blood count (RBC, WBC, and platelets), bone marrow testing, blood coagulation tests, biopsy, microbiology, and other IVD techniques.In Vitro Diagnostics Market: Regional InsightOn basis of geography, the market has been segmented into five countries Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. The BRICS IVD market is expected to have a healthy growth rate owing to the booming healthcare industry, thus driving the in vitro diagnostics market. China is expected to have the major share and is likely to remain the largest regional segment of BRICS countries, followed by Brazil, Russia, India, and South Africa.Rampant economic growth observed in BRICS countries and emerging markets enabling patient base to afford diagnostic services has resulted in steady increase in healthcare expenditure. This is likely to remain an important driver for the BRICS IVD market in coming years. Increased awareness of diseases and personalized medicines, and rising health conscious urban population, combined with growing incidences of infections and diseases, has led to rise in demand for in vitro diagnostics in BRICS countries. Large aging population and prevalence of chronic diseases, combined with government support for healthcare market will drive the in vitro diagnostics market in China.Download exclusive Sample of this report:Brazil Chamber of Laboratory Diagnostics (BCLD) study demonstrated that out of the total in vitro diagnostics market, laboratories comprised 88%, followed by blood banks at 11%, whereas Point of Care (POC) testing centers comprised only 1%. Increasing healthcare budgets along with rising number of private hospitals, and income levels backed by huge untapped population base offer interesting growth opportunities for IVD market in Brazil. However lack of proper reimbursement policies and a stringent regulatory framework may hamper the market growth. IVD market in South Africa has reached a stable phase with growth concentrated around infectious diseases diagnostics. However price sensitivity, lack of reimbursement policies and labor shortages continue to prove a hindrance to the growth of IVD market in South Africa.In Vitro Diagnostics Market: Key PlayersThe in vitro diagnostics market is competitive in nature and hence possesses higher threat to new entrants. Some major players of in vitro diagnostics market comprises Roche diagnostics, Siemens Healthcare, Danaher, Abbott Laboratories, Inc., Johnson & Johnson, and Bio Rad laboratories, Inc.The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications.Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a U.S.-based provider of syndicated research, customized research, and consulting services. TMRs global and regional market intelligence coverage includes industries such as pharmaceutical, chemicals and materials, technology and media, food and beverages, and consumer goods, among others. Each TMR research report provides clients with a 360-degree view of the market with statistical forecasts, competitive landscape, detailed segmentation, key trends, and strategic recommendations.Contact us:Transparency Market Research90 State Street,Suite 700,AlbanyNY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Global Green and Bio Solvents Market Analysis 2017 and Forecasts to 2022 Green and Bio Solvents Market https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/961160-global-green-and-bio-solvents-sales-market-report-2017 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/961160-global-green-and-bio-solvents-sales-market-report-2017 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/checkout?currency=one_user-USD&report_id=961160 www.wiseguyreports.com Green and Bio Solvents ReportThis report studies sales (consumption) of Green and Bio Solvents in Global market, especially in United States, China, Europe and Japan, focuses on top players in these regions/countries, with sales, price, revenue and market share for each player in these regions, coveringArcher Daniels Midland CompanyBASF SEBioamber IncHuntsman CorporationDupont?DOW Chemical CompanyVertec Biosolvents IncFlorida Chemicals Company IncCargill IncGalacticLyondellBasellGevoPinova Holdings INCMyriantSolvayTry Sample Report @Market Segment by Regions, this report splits Global into several key Regions, with sales (consumption), revenue, market share and growth rate of Green and Bio Solvents in these regions, from 2011 to 2021 (forecast), likeUnited StatesChinaEuropeJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaSplit by product Types, with sales, revenue, price and gross margin, market share and growth rate of each type, can be divided intoBio-AlcoholsBio-Glycols&DiolsLactate EstersD-LimoneneMethyl SoyateOthersSplit by applications, this report focuses on sales, market share and growth rate of Green and Bio Solvents in each application, can be divided intoIndustrial & Domestic CleanersPaints & CoatingsAdhesivesPharmaceuticalsCosmeticsOthersSome Major Points from Table of content:Global Green and Bio Solvents Sales Market Report 20171 Green and Bio Solvents Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Green and Bio Solvents1.2 Classification of Green and Bio Solvents1.2.1 Bio-Alcohols1.2.2 Bio-Glycols&Diols1.2.3 Lactate Esters1.2.4 D-Limonene1.2.5 Methyl Soyate1.2.6 Others1.3 Application of Green and Bio Solvents1.3.1 Industrial & Domestic Cleaners1.3.2 Paints & Coatings1.3.3 Adhesives1.3.4 Pharmaceuticals1.3.5 Cosmetics1.3.6 Others1.4 Green and Bio Solvents Market by Regions1.4.1 United States Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.2 China Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 Europe Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 Japan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Southeast Asia Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.6 India Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Global Market Size (Value and Volume) of Green and Bio Solvents (2012-2022)1.5.1 Global Green and Bio Solvents Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2022)1.5.2 Global Green and Bio Solvents Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2022)For Detailed Reading Please visit @2 Global Green and Bio Solvents Competition by Manufacturers, Type and Application2.1 Global Green and Bio Solvents Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1.1 Global Green and Bio Solvents Sales and Market Share of Key Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.1.2 Global Green and Bio Solvents Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.2 Global Green and Bio Solvents (Volume and Value) by Type2.2.1 Global Green and Bio Solvents Sales and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.2.2 Global Green and Bio Solvents Revenue and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.3 Global Green and Bio Solvents (Volume and Value) by Regions2.3.1 Global Green and Bio Solvents Sales and Market Share by Regions (2012-2017)2.3.2 Global Green and Bio Solvents Revenue and Market Share by Regions (2012-2017)2.4 Global Green and Bio Solvents (Volume) by Application..9 Global Green and Bio Solvents Manufacturers Analysis9.1 Archer Daniels Midland Company9.1.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors9.1.2 Green and Bio Solvents Product Type, Application and Specification9.1.2.1 Product A9.1.2.2 Product B9.1.3 Archer Daniels Midland Company Green and Bio Solvents Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)9.1.4 Main Business/Business Overview9.2 BASF SE9.2.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors9.2.2 Green and Bio Solvents Product Type, Application and Specification9.2.2.1 Product A9.2.2.2 Product B9.2.3 BASF SE Green and Bio Solvents Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)9.2.4 Main Business/Business Overview9.3 Bioamber Inc9.3.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors9.3.2 Green and Bio Solvents Product Type, Application and Specification9.3.2.1 Product A9.3.2.2 Product B9.3.3 Bioamber Inc Green and Bio Solvents Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)9.3.4 Main Business/Business Overview9.4 Huntsman Corporation9.4.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors9.4.2 Green and Bio Solvents Product Type, Application and Specification9.4.2.1 Product A9.4.2.2 Product B9.4.3 Huntsman Corporation Green and Bio Solvents Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)9.4.4 Main Business/Business Overview..ContinuedBuy now @Contact Us:NORAH TRENTPartner Relations & Marketing Managersales@wiseguyreports.comPh: +1-646-845-9349 (US)Ph: +44 208 133 9349 (UK)About UsWise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. 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Global PET Preform Market by Manufacturers, Type and Application, Regions, Forecast to 2021 PET PREFORM https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/962234-global-pet-preform-sales-market-report-2017 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/962234-global-pet-preform-sales-market-report-2017 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/checkout?currency=one_user-USD&report_id=962234 https://www.linkedin.com/company/wise-guy-research-consultants-pvt-ltd-?trk=biz-companies-cym https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEGrh5nnB7C6Vg4CgpuzBPw https://www.wiseguyreports.com/ PET PREFORMCovered in this Report:This report studies sales (consumption) of PET Preform in Global market, especially in United States, China, Europe and Japan, focuses on top players in these regions/countries, with sales, price, revenue and market share for each player in these regions, coveringProminent vendors:RETALPlastipakHon Chuan GroupResilux NVZhuhai Zhongfu EnterpriseSeda De BarcelonaAmraz GroupZijiang EnterpriseSGTRawasy Al Khaleej PlasticGatronovaAlplaKoksanEskapetINTERGULFEMPOLEsterformManjushreeIndorama Ventures Public CompanyGTX HANEX PlasticUltrapakNuovaplastSunrisePutoksnisConstar PlasticsCaibaETALONSNJ SyntheticsEcoPackYaobangAhimsa Industries LimitedMarket Segment by Regions, this report splits Global into several key Regions, with sales (consumption), revenue, market share and growth rate of PET Preform in these regions, from 2011 to 2021 (forecast),The market is divided into the following segments based on geography:United StatesChinaEuropeJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaTo Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Split by applications, this report focuses on sales, market share and growth rate of PET Preform in each application, can be divided intoCarbonated DrinksWaterOther DrinksEdible OilsFoodNon-FoodTo get complete copy of report visit @Key Points in Table Of ContentGlobal PET Preform Sales Market Report 20171 PET Preform Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of PET Preform1.2 Classification of PET Preform1.2.1 Non-Crystallized Neck Finish Preforms1.2.2 Crystallized Neck Finish Preforms1.3 Application of PET Preform1.3.1 Carbonated Drinks1.3.2 Water1.3.3 Other Drinks1.3.4 Edible Oils1.3.5 Food1.3.6 Non-Food1.4 PET Preform Market by Regions1.4.1 United States Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.2 China Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 Europe Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 Japan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Southeast Asia Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.6 India Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Global Market Size (Value and Volume) of PET Preform (2012-2022)1.5.1 Global PET Preform Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2022)1.5.2 Global PET Preform Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2022)2 Global PET Preform Competition by Manufacturers, Type and Application2.1 Global PET Preform Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1.1 Global PET Preform Sales and Market Share of Key Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.1.2 Global PET Preform Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.2 Global PET Preform (Volume and Value) by Type2.2.1 Global PET Preform Sales and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.2.2 Global PET Preform Revenue and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.3 Global PET Preform (Volume and Value) by Regions2.3.1 Global PET Preform Sales and Market Share by Regions (2012-2017)2.3.2 Global PET Preform Revenue and Market Share by Regions (2012-2017)2.4 Global PET Preform (Volume) by Application3 United States PET Preform (Volume, Value and Sales Price)3.1 United States PET Preform Sales and Value (2012-2017)3.1.1 United States PET Preform Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.1.2 United States PET Preform Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.1.3 United States PET Preform Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)3.2 United States PET Preform Sales and Market Share by Manufacturers3.3 United States PET Preform Sales and Market Share by Type3.4 United States PET Preform Sales and Market Share by Application4 China PET Preform (Volume, Value and Sales Price)4.1 China PET Preform Sales and Value (2012-2017)4.1.1 China PET Preform Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)4.1.2 China PET Preform Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)4.1.3 China PET Preform Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)4.2 China PET Preform Sales and Market Share by Manufacturers4.3 China PET Preform Sales and Market Share by Type4.4 China PET Preform Sales and Market Share by Application5 Europe PET Preform (Volume, Value and Sales Price)5.1 Europe PET Preform Sales and Value (2012-2017)5.1.1 Europe PET Preform Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)5.1.2 Europe PET Preform Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)5.1.3 Europe PET Preform Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)5.2 Europe PET Preform Sales and Market Share by Manufacturers5.3 Europe PET Preform Sales and Market Share by Type5.4 Europe PET Preform Sales and Market Share by ApplicationPET Preform...... 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We boast a database spanning virtually every market category and an even more comprehensive collection of market research reports under these categories and sub-categories.WISE GUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India Global Endometrial Ablation Market: Radiofrequency Endometrial Ablation Devices to Remain Most Preferred Product, predicts TMR http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=14318 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/endometrial-ablation-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com With the presence of large players, such as Hologic Corp., Boston Scientific Corp., Cooper Surgical Inc., Ethicon Inc., and Medtronic Plc at the global level, the worldwide market for endometrial ablation demonstrates a highly competitive landscape, finds a new research report by Transparency Market Research (TMR).The market players are focusing aggressively on developing their offerings technologically, which is likely to lead to price differentiation, resulting in intense rivalry between these participants in the near future. TMR recommends market players to shift their focus towards mergers and acquisitions over the years to come in order to increase their visibility.Download Exclusive Brochure of This Report :As per TMRs estimations, the global market for endometrial ablation presented an opportunity worth US$0.8 bn in 2015. Progressing at a CAGR of 5.50% during the period from 2016 to 2024, the market is anticipated to reach US$1.3 bn by the end of the forecast period. The demand for radiofrequency endometrial ablation devices is higher than other devices and are expected to remain so over the next few years.North America to Continue to Lead Global Endometrial Ablation MarketA geographical analysis of the global endometrial ablation market has also been provided in this research study, according to which, the global market for endometrial ablation has a presence across Europe, North America, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa, and Asia Pacific. The market for endometrial ablation in North America, followed closely by Europe, has acquired the leading position, thanks to a well-established healthcare infrastructure and easy access to healthcare facilities. The regional market is projected to remain dominant throughout the forecast period and will account for a share of nearly 44% by 2024.Browse Global Strategic Business Report:Asia Pacific, on the other hand, is anticipated to present highly profitable growth opportunities to market players in the near future due to the significant increase in the prevalence of gynecological disorders in this region. The rising awareness and high unmet medical needs are anticipated to drive the demand for endometrial ablation procedures in Asia Pacific substantially over the years to come. Japan, India, and China are expected to lead the Asia Pacific endometrial ablation market over the next few years, notes the research study.Rising Prevalence of Gynecology Disorders to Boost Market GrowthThe increasing prevalence of gynecology disorders, such as abnormal vaginal bleeding and polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD), has been fueling the demand for endometrial ablation procedures remarkably across the world, resulting in a significant growth of the global market for endometrial ablation, states an analyst at TMR. The rising incidence of cervical and endometrial cancer among women, worldwide is another important factor behind the tremendous development of this market.In addition to this, the increasing awareness level of consumers concerning the advantages of endometrial ablation procedures, such as minimal invasiveness, cost benefits, and shorter hospital stay, is expected to boost this market considerably in the near future. However, the presence of strict regulatory laws and policies for clinical trials, product designing, and commercialization of endometrial ablation devices may hamper the growth of this market to some extent over the years to come, reports the study.The study presented here is based on a report by Transparency Market Research (TMR) titled Endometrial Ablation Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2016 - 2024.The global endometrial ablation market is segmented into:By Device TypeCryoablationElectrical AblationHydrothermal AblationHysteroscopy DevicesMicrowave Endometrial AblationRadiofrequency Endometrial AblationThermal Balloon AblationOthers (Ultrasound Transducers, Laser Ablation, etc.)By End UserHospitalsClinicsAmbulatory Surgical CentersBy GeographyNorth AmericaU.S.CanadaEuropeU.K.GermanyFranceItalySpainRest of EuropeAsia PacificChinaJapanIndiaAustralia & New ZealandRest of Asia PacificLatin AmericaBrazilMexicoRest of Latin AmericaMiddle East & AfricaSaudi ArabiaSouth AfricaRest of Middle East & AfricaAbout UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector - such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Automatic Distillation Analyzer Market: Evolving Market Trends & Dynamics 2024 www.transparencymarketresearch.com Automatic distillation analyzer is used for distillation analysis of various substances such as solvents, aromatic, and gasoline. Additionally, it is used to ensure quality control standards identified by American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Automatic distillation analyzer is easy to use and install, and it has effective and safety features such as enhanced ultraviolet principles based automatic fire extinguishing system and heating chamber with low voltage. It consists drain tube for easy cleaning. A microprocessor-based control system in automatic distillation analyzer alerts user if there are any maintenance or safety complications nonstop monitors test results. Automatic distillation analyzers are increasingly being used by many industries such as cosmetic, automotive, pharmaceuticals, perfume, food processing, and agriculture. The rise in use of automatic distillation analyzer in various industries across the world has led to increase in demand for the global automatic distillation analyzer market. In the pharmaceutical industry, automatic distillation analyzers are mainly used for measurement of distillation properties or true boiling point of chemicals, organic liquids, and solvents as well as protein analysis. The advantages of automatic distillation analyzer is that it can analyze at a very low sample size as well as complete analysis on distillation curve, final boiling point of solvents and initial boiling point is delivered within minutes. Distillation of different product required different temperature. For example, mineral oil hydrocarbons required boiling point of 300C, heavier products required 420C, and crude oils required between 20C to 420C.Increase in use of automatic distillation analyzer in pharmaceuticals, food industry, and automotive industry and growth in demand for quality product and technological advancement are projected to drive the automatic distillation analyzer market globally. However, high installation cost is likely to hinder the global market.The market has been segmented by product, application, end-user, and geography. In terms of product, the market is classified into fixed automatic distillation analyzer and portable automatic distillation analyzer. Fixed automatic distillation analyzer is highly used as compared to portable automatic distillation analyzer due to good stability, high safety level, and automatic heating optimization as well as extended range of application. Although fixed distillation analyzer is highly preferred, the high distillation cost is likely to lead to moderate growth of the product. In terms of application, the market is classified into gasoline, solvent, aromatics, hydrocarbons, and others. In terms of end-user, the market is classified into pharmaceutical companies, food industry, automotive industry, perfumes industry, and othersGeographically, the market is segmented into North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Middle East & Africa.Asia Pacific dominates the market due to tremendous growth in the automotive and transportation sectors. Asia Pacific is followed by North America in terms of market share owing to growth in number of pharmaceutical industries in the U.S and Canada. North America is followed by Europe, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. Latin America and other emerging markets show tremendous growth opportunity of the automatic distillation analyzer market due to increase in expenditure for medical devices, favorable reimbursement scenario, and rise in application of distillation in different sectors.Major players operating in this market include Grabner Instruments Messtechnik GmbH, Anton Paar GmbH, Stuart, JP Selecta S.A., Raypa, Falc Instruments s.r.l., D.W Renzmann, Flexo Wash, VELP Scientifica, Koehler Instrument Company, and BUFA GROUP among other significant players worldwide.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector - such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Microarray Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2016 - 2024 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=19043 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/microarray-market.html www.transparencymarketresearch.com Microarray is an advanced molecular biology technique used to spot expressions of many genes at the same time. Gene expression is a crucial part of normal gene functioning and plays significant role in understanding normal growth and development of life. Any abnormalities in gene functioning can lead to critical disease. Research involving the study of many genes by traditional method is next to impossible. Microarrays serve the purpose. Thousands of genes can be arrayed at one time and analyzed accurately. It is fast, accurate, cost effective and easy to do assay design. Microarray can be used for many micro molecules such as DNA, RNA, proteins, and also for enzymes, carbohydrates, and tissues. It can be used for gene expression profiling, molecular interactions, biomarker profiling, enzyme activity, pathway identification, and mutations. Microarray is not limited to basic research, but has expanded to clinical research and diagnosis.Based on type, microarrays can be segmented into DNA microarrays, protein microarrays, and antibody microarrays. DNA microarrays can be used for single nucleotide polymorphism-based diagnostics, forensic detection, gene expression profiling, etc. Large number of applications of DNA microarrays makes it a major segment of the microarray market. Protein microarrays are used in biomarker screening, enzyme substrate profiling, small molecule profiling, protein-protein interaction, etc. Antibody microarrays find applications in immunology in antibody specificity profiling, electronic immunoassays, etc.Download Exclusive Brochure of This Report :In terms of application, microarrays can be segmented into gene expression profiling tool, comparative genomics tool, disease diagnosis, drug discovery, and toxicological research involving the uncharacterized microbial populations exposed to toxins and pollutants. With the help of microarrays some of the uncharacterized microbes can be identified and their original gene pattern and functionality can be studied. Microarray technology has provided a new insight into the evolutionary studies, as many arrays can be studied parallel that are specific for particular species. Microarrays can be used in comparative genomics and pathway probing. Microarrays provide information, though not complete but useful, about the gene or group of genes that can be studied further, illuminating the biological pathways. Microarray has helped in better understanding of some diseases, their pathogenesis, and genetics. Scientists are able to differentiate cancer on the basis of organs harboring tumor, leading to a better understanding of gene pattern in the tumor cells. Microarray has also benefitted therapeutics development. Better understanding of any drug addiction followed by better treatment in any patient is an example of it. In diagnosis of diseases, particularly at the time of outbreaks, where a quick and accurate diagnosis is required, microarray has gained recognition in identifying the causative agent or the pathogen and the specific strain or antigen (serotype).Based on product type and analysis, the microarray market can be segmented into consumables and instruments. Large number of applications of microarray has led to high demand for consumables such as reagents, primers, buffers, DNA chips, and reagent kits.Microarray has widespread applications in genomics as well as proteomics. The progressively evolving information and software technology and emerging bioinformatics are some of the factors driving the microarray market, making it economical, unfailing, and durable. The development of biological products such as vaccines and therapeutic proteins involving microarray technologies could lead to promising results. However government protocols have mentioned that minor changes in the biological process may lead to distinguished end product, there is an urgent need of extensive testing and authentication. And these factors may hamper the market.In terms of region, the microarray market can be segmented into five regions: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. North America was the largest market for microarrays. Advanced technology, high quality result oriented research, public awareness about personal health, and government initiatives are the factors contributing to the growth of the microarray market in North America. Europe was the second largest market for microarrays, followed by Asia Pacific. Increasing awareness among the people about genetic diseases, education, government initiatives, and modern technology in diagnosis and treatment of diseases are propelling the microarray market in Asia Pacific.Key players in the microarray market are Agilent Technologies, Illumina, Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific and Merck. Other companies include Applied Microarrays, BioGenex, Perkin Elmer, QIAGEN, and Phalanx Biotech.Browse Global Strategic Business Report:About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector - such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Knee Implants Market: Latest Trends & Insights 2024 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=513 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/knee-implants-market.html www.transparencymarketresearch.com Knee implants plays significant role in resurfacing a knee damaged either by traumas or by rheumatoid arthritis. Surgical procedure involving implantation of an artificial knee is termed as arthroplasty. Depending upon the severity and need, these knee implants are developed in different forms viz., metal alloys, strong plastic parts and ceramic material. The rising proportion of aging population across the world has increased the number of people suffering from osteoporosis and arthritis. Moreover, the sedentary lifestyle among people has led to increasing prevalence of obesity and diabetes. Owing to these factors, the demand for knee implant surgeries has been growing worldwide. Also leveraging technological advancement in procedures such as minimal invasive surgery, better implant materials has increased the success rates. Rising awareness about the knee implant surgeries will act as another driving factor to the market.Download Exclusive Brochure of This Report :With advancement of technology in the knee implant market, companies are offeringdiverse product portfolio to patients and surgeons with novel techniques, thus providing better outcomes for patients. Due to heavy research and development in knee implant industry, companies are offering technologically advanced products to the customers. The high cost of knee replacement surgery is acting as a major restraint in the countries facing economic downturn for the last couple of years. Many patients either avoid or postpone the surgery due to high cost of the procedure. This has compelled the hospitals and surgeons to strive for decreasing the cost of procedure to accommodate more patients while providing better care. Moreover, high industry competition is resulting into price negotiation and thus helping the growth of overall market size.Companies manufacture knee implants with variety of designs and made up from a variety of materials. Most of these devices are made up of multiple material components constituting medical grade material. Based on the type of procedure, the global knee implants market can be categorized into total knee replacement, partial knee replacement and revision knee replacement. In the total knee replacement procedure, all parts of knee joints are replaced with knee implants. This procedure is further sub-segmented into cemented knee replacement and cement-less knee replacement. In the partial knee replacement procedures single part of the knee is replaced with an implant while the revision knee replacement procedures refers to replacement of an existing implant with new one. On the basis of composition, knee implants are also categorized as fixed bearing prosthesis and mobile bearing prosthesis.Geographically, the global knee implants market has been segmented into five major regions, viz., North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, and Latin America. The U.S. and Europe are the two big markets comprising of comparatively significant market share of the total knee implant market. Europe and North America are anticipated to dominate on the global knee replacement market. These two regions are followed by Asia market owing to increasing number of knee replacement surgeries in China and India. The factors leading to an increase in the demand for knee implants in Asia Pacific region include aging population affected with knee joint disorders and increase in awareness level for related treatments. India and China have large population base, and hence foreseen to be a highly potential market for knee replacement surgeries. The increasing disposable income in these countries will further propel growth in the Asia Pacific knee implant market.Browse Global Strategic Business Report:Globally, the knee implants market is dominated by players such as B.Braun, Smith and Nephew, Stryker, Zimmer Biomet, Medacta and Depuy. The medical device manufacturing companies are attempting to increase their market share through several product awareness and marketing campaigns. Technology and patient centric approach has been a key factor in driving the overall knee implants market.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector - such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Medical Image Analysis Software Market: Evolving Market Trends & Dynamics 2024 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=5306 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/medical-image-analysis-software-market.html www.transparencymarketresearch.com Global Medical Image Analysis Software Market: OverviewA host of new entrants compete with numerous big players in the global medical image analysis software market. As a result the market is fragmented. To gain a competitive edge, different manufacturers of medical software have come up with various technologies to effectively aid in the diagnostic procedures. The two prominent end users in the global market for medical image analysis software are hospitals and diagnostic centers. Among them, the diagnostic centers are expected to generate robust demand on account their increasing number and favorable government initiatives supporting them.Download Exclusive Brochure of This Report :In the report, Transparency Market Research provides a granular analysis of the opportunities present in the global medical image analysis software market. By segmenting the market based on various parameters, it offers an insightful peek into it. Apart from end users, for example, the report also segments the market on the basis of imaging modalities into magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound, computed tomography, positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), microscopy, and X-ray. Among them, the ultrasound imaging segment rakes in substantial revenue due to its high efficiency in detecting breast lumps and the patient safety it ensures.An assessment of the current vendor landscape has been presented in the report, which includes a look at their strengths and weaknesses. Leveraging popular analytical tools, the report uncovers the threats and opportunities that these companies may face in the forecast period between 2016 and 2024.Global Medical Image Analysis Software Market: Trends and OpportunitiesDriving growth in the global market for medical image analysis software market are factors such as technological advancements which includes cloud-based solutions, fusion of imaging technologies, increasing applications of computer-aided diagnosis (CAD), and rising investments both from the public and private sectors. Moreover, the growing use of electronic health records to effectively store, manage, and distribute patient health information in the form of medical images is also fueling an uptick in demand. Other factors contributing to the market are a burgeoning aging population and growing instances of chronic diseases. The under-penetrated emerging markets present strong opportunities for growth to the players operating in the global market for medical image analysis software.Countering the growth in the market is the cost factor and the shortage of skilled professionals in the sector. Yet another factor is the rising hacking-related risks associated with the use of medical equipment and software. Going forward, the global market for medical image analysis software is slated to be further boosted by the technological progress, particularly in computer-aided diagnosis (CAD).Browse Global Strategic Business Report:Global Medical Image Analysis Software Market: Regional OutlookNorth America leads the global medical image analysis software market and Europe comes in a second position. Factors at the forefront of driving growth in the market in the two continents are the swift pace of technological advancements, and the increasing demand for platform-independent and n-dimensional image processing and visualization. Asia Pacific too has emerged as a promising market due to the increasing incidences of diseases, especially in the densely populated emerging economies, which require diagnostic tools and the growing pool of patient data. Besides, economic development coupled with favorable government initiatives, improving healthcare facilities, increasing spending capacity, a large patient base is also bolstering the market in the region.Companies Mentioned in ReportSome of the key players in the global market for medical image analysis software listed in the report are Philips, GE Healthcare, Agfa Healthcare, EsaoteSpA, Xinapse Systems Ltd., Siemens AG, and Toshiba Medical Systems.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Global mPOS Market- Ingenico, NEC, PAX, Toshiba TEC, Samsung and Hengbao mPOS http://bit.ly/2lT819q http://bit.ly/2lT4aZR This report studies mPOS in Global market, especially in North America, Europe, China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan, focuses on top manufacturers in global market, with production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer, coveringIngenicoNECPAXToshiba TECVeriFone SystemsSamsungHengbaoThe market research report by QY Research provides detailed study on the overall mPOS market size, its financial positions, its unique selling points, key products, and key developments. This research report has segmented the mPOS market based on the segments covering all the domains in terms of type, country, region, forecasting revenues, and market share, along with analysis of latest trends in every sub-segment.Request for FREE SAMPLE Report @The qualitative segmentation of mPOS market covered in the report gives in-depth information of the overall market. Furthermore, the market size, share, forecast trends, analysis, sales, supply, production, demand, major manufacturers, end-users, and many other vital factors are comprised in the Market Research mPOS report by QY Research. By these comprehensive data, it is simple to take and make precise and accurate decisions taking into consideration the present market situation and the forecasts of the global market, which in turn may result into profitable step for our clients.A competitive landscape that identifies the major competitors of the global market and their market share are further highlighted in the research report. A deliberate profiling of major competitors of the mPOS market as well as a inclusive analysis of their current developments, core competencies, and investments in each segment are also elaborated in the research report.Browse Full Report at @The overall information of the mPOS market provided in the report helps our client to make precise and accurate decisions in order to gain maximum profit in this cutthroat competition in the global market. The report comprises various elements such as table, figure, charts, TOCs, chapters, and so on so as to provide a crystal clear data to the client giving a brief of the market and its trends. Thus, the report provides in-depth information of the mPOS market in terms of revenue, value, volume, region, and many more.About Us:QYResearch Group is a single destination for all the industry, company and country reports. QYResearch Group also carries the capability to assist you with your customized market research requirements including in-depth market surveys, primary interviews, competitive landscaping, and company profiles. We feature large repository of latest industry reports, leading and niche company profiles, and market statistics. QYResearch Group is the comprehensive collection of market intelligence products and services available on air.Contact US:Joel John3422 SW 15 Street, Suit #8138,Deerfield Beach, Florida 33442,United StatesTel: +1-386-310-3803GMT Tel: +49-322 210 92714USA/Canada Toll Free No. 1-855-465-4651 Dairy Blends Market: Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecasts 20162024 https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/sample/dairy-blends-market https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/toc/dairy-blends-market https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/report/dairy-blends-market https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/custom/1076 http://www.zionmarketresearch.com Zion Market Research published new report on 'Dairy Blends Market: Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecasts 20162024' in it's databaseGlobal Dairy Blends Market: OverviewA mixture of concentrated cream mixed with butter is known as dairy blends. They are made up of butter blends or processed butterfat, which is free from saturated fat. Dairy blends contain vegetable oil, hence it is spreadable and can consume with bread. They can blend with other ingredients such as sugar, salt, aroma, flavorings, and vegetable oils that depend on taste and preferences of the consumers. Dairy blends enhance the absolute and real taste of the products. However, blending with other protein sources offers nutritional benefits to consumers.Request Free Sample Report @Global Dairy Blends Market: Growth FactorsDairy blends are cost-effective in nature; hence, this is a major driving factor of the market. It contains less fat as compared to margarine and butter. Import of the dairy products involves high price but dairy blends involve much lower price comparatively. Dairy blends also used in the other ingredients such as vegetable fats, butter, sugar, dextrin, and cocoa powder are expected to boost the global dairy blends market growth. Many soy proteins are very cost-effective compared to dairy proteins. Hence, various dairy manufacturers mix dairy blends with soy or other proteins in order to improve the flavor of the product. This is anticipated to foster global market growth.Global Dairy Blends Market: SegmentationThe global dairy blends market is classified based on application, type, and form. The application segment includes chocolates, ice cream, bakery products, infant food, dairy products, and others. The formed segment comprises liquid and powder. Moreover, the type segment includes milk concentrate blends, whey protein blends, skim milk blends, and whey protein concentrate blends.Request Report TOC (Table of Contents) @Global Dairy Blends Market: Regional AnalysisThe geographical segment in the global dairy blends market includes North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. North America accounted for the largest market share in the global market. The United States shows considerable growth in the global market as it is anticipated to be the largest dairy commodity exporter across the world. Asia-Pacific and South America are emerging niche markets for dairy blends. Service of whey in these regions may also boost the growth of global dairy blends market. However, South Korea, China, and Thailand are growing markets for dairy blends owing to their large customer base. Additionally, Japan, Canada, and Mexico may follow the same trend in the future.Global Dairy Blends Market: Competitive PlayersLeading players operating in the global dairy blends market are All American Foods, Inc., Hormel Specialty Products, Anchor, Lactopur, Advanced Food Products, Friesland Campina, Landell Mills-sure, and Abbott Nutrition. Other players include Agri-Mark Inc., Cargill, VIV Buisman, Agropur Ingredients, Pacificblends, Cape Food Ingredients, SPX Flow, Bakels Edible Oils, and others.Browse detail report @Global Dairy Blends Market: Regional Segment AnalysisNorth AmericaU.S.EuropeUKFranceGermanyAsia PacificChinaJapanIndiaLatin AmericaBrazilThe Middle East and AfricaAsk for a customized report @What Report ProvidesFull in-depth analysis of the parent marketImportant changes in market dynamicsSegmentation details of the marketFormer, on-going, and projected market analysis in terms of volume and valueAssessment of niche industry developmentsMarket share analysisKey strategies of major playersEmerging segments and regional marketsTestimonials to companies in order to fortify their foothold in the market.For more inquiry contact our sales team @ sales@zionmarketresearch.comAbout Us:Zion Market Research is an obligated company. We create futuristic, cutting edge, informative reports ranging from industry reports, company reports to country reports. We provide our clients not only with market statistics unveiled by avowed private publishers and public organizations but also with vogue and newest industry reports along with pre-eminent and niche company profiles. Our database of market research reports comprises a wide variety of reports from cardinal industries. Our database is been updated constantly in order to fulfill our clients with prompt and direct online access to our database. Keeping in mind the clients needs, we have included expert insights on global industries, products, and market trends in this database. Last but not the least, we make it our duty to ensure the success of clients connected to usafter allif you do well, a little of the light shines on us.Contact Us:Zion Market Research4283, Express Lane,Suite 634-143,Sarasota, Florida 34249, United StatesTel: +49-322 210 92714USA/Canada Toll Free No.1-855-465-4651Email: sales@zionmarketresearch.comWebsite: Data Center Colocation Market: Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecasts 20162024 https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/sample/data-center-colocation-market https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/toc/data-center-colocation-market https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/report/data-center-colocation-market https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/custom/1082 http://www.zionmarketresearch.com Zion Market Research published new report on 'Data Center Colocation Market: Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecasts 20162024' in it's databaseGlobal Data Center Colocation Market: OverviewData center colocation is the service offered by data centers to lease a space for hardware and networking bandwidth to enterprises, which require system administration supplier at affordable prices. This service will allow companies to install their servers at center service providers location. Data center colocation will increase business potential, minimize the operational expenditure, and enhance the ability to focus on core business. Several colocation service providers are adopting expansion strategies in order to address the rising demand for colocation of data centers from different industry verticals. Colocation facilities are not only available online but also available physical so that they can move and maintain data centers near significant power hubs in order to take advantages of accessible connectivity.Request Free Sample Report @Global Data Center Colocation Market: Growth FactorsThe major factor driving the global data center colocation market is increasing awareness towards the reduction of carbon footprints. Data center collocation is a cost-effective solution available for the enterprises that reduce space and cost for cooling and heating; this is anticipated to fuel the global market growth. Adoption of the data center colocation services by the various end-use industries such as telecom & IT, and BFSI and others may further enhance the global market growth.Global Data Center Colocation Market: SegmentationThe global data center colocation market is fragmented based on end-user as large enterprises, and small and medium enterprises. Of these, large enterprises segment accounted for the largest market share compared to small and medium enterprises. Based on the type, the global data center colocation market is classified as wholesale colocation and retail colocation. On the basis of industry vertical, the global market is segregated as telecom & IT, BFSI, energy, government & public sector, healthcare & life sciences, and others. Of these, telecom & IT contributed for the largest market share and is considered as the highest revenue generating industry for collocation. BFSI and healthcare & life sciences segments follow the same trend.Request Report TOC (Table of Contents) @Global Data Center Colocation Market: Regional AnalysisGeographically, the global data center colocation market is categorized as North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. Asia Pacific holds the largest market share as it is emerging as a dynamic hub for e-trading across the world. It is looking forward for potential expansion of the market and upgrades its network fostering the global data center colocation market growth. Additionally, it enhances the access colocation services. Asia-Pacific is expected to witness higher growth in the near future owing to a large number of data centers and rising demand from BFSI, telecom, social media, and IT sector.Global Data Center Colocation Market: Competitive PlayersKey players in the global data center colocation market are American Telephone & Telegraph, Inc., Equinix, Inc., SunGuard Availability Services, Interxion Holding NV, CenturyLink Technology Solutions, Verizon Communication Ltd., and KDDI Corporation. Other major players dominating the global market include Navisite, Inc., DuPont Fabros Technology, Inc., Telecity Group, Global Switch Corporation, NTT Data Corporation, Rackspace, and Digital Reality.Browse detail report @Global Data Center Colocation Market: Regional Segment AnalysisNorth AmericaU.S.EuropeUKFranceGermanyAsia PacificChinaJapanIndiaLatin AmericaBrazilThe Middle East and AfricaAsk for a customized report @What Report ProvidesFull in-depth analysis of the parent marketImportant changes in market dynamicsSegmentation details of the marketFormer, on-going, and projected market analysis in terms of volume and valueAssessment of niche industry developmentsMarket share analysisKey strategies of major playersEmerging segments and regional marketsTestimonials to companies in order to fortify their foothold in the market.For more inquiry contact our sales team @ sales@zionmarketresearch.comAbout Us:Zion Market Research is an obligated company. We create futuristic, cutting edge, informative reports ranging from industry reports, company reports to country reports. We provide our clients not only with market statistics unveiled by avowed private publishers and public organizations but also with vogue and newest industry reports along with pre-eminent and niche company profiles. Our database of market research reports comprises a wide variety of reports from cardinal industries. Our database is been updated constantly in order to fulfill our clients with prompt and direct online access to our database. Keeping in mind the clients needs, we have included expert insights on global industries, products, and market trends in this database. Last but not the least, we make it our duty to ensure the success of clients connected to usafter allif you do well, a little of the light shines on us.Contact Us:Zion Market Research4283, Express Lane,Suite 634-143,Sarasota, Florida 34249, United StatesTel: +49-322 210 92714USA/Canada Toll Free No.1-855-465-4651Email: sales@zionmarketresearch.comWebsite: Saudi Arabia Pharmaceutical Market will Increase at a CAGR of 9.0% during 20162026 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gc-1733 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/askus/rep-gc-1733 www.futuremarketinsights.com The significant rise in lifestyle-related diseases and the developments in healthcare infrastructure are expected to influence the demand for pharmaceuticals in Saudi Arabia. In 2016, the Saudi Arabia pharmaceutical market is anticipated to procure value worth US$ 5,209.5 Mn at a y-o-y growth of 6.0 % over 2015. The mounting demand for branded drug products will continue to incite the growth of the Saudi Arabian pharmaceutical market in 2016.The demand for pharmaceuticals in Saudi Arabia is expected to register substantial growth owing to the increasing penetration of health insurance companies and the rising incidence rate of non-communicable diseases. Furthermore, the exceptional rise in the per capita income of Saudi Arabia is also expected to foster the demand for branded pharmaceutical drugs. Another key factor driving the growth of the pharmaceutical market in Saudi Arabia is the countrys strategic move to allow 100% FDI in the pharmaceuticals sector. Although, the shortage of profound indigenous research capacity in the pharmaceutical industry and the delayed registration of drug and medicine patents is expected to limit the expansion of the market in 2016 and beyond.Based on the product type, the pharmaceutical market in Saudi Arabia is expected to witness an upsurge in the prescription-type branded drug products. In terms of market value, the branded drugs are estimated to reach US$ 2,760.8 Mn by 2016-end. The demand for generic drugs is projected to secure steady growth, attributing to the insisting promotion of generic drug adoption by healthcare insurance providers.Request For Sample@On the basis of the diseases, the pharmaceutical drugs used for treatment of cardiovascular diseases will continue exhibiting robust growth in 2016. The demand for cardiovascular medications will continue to surge due to the prominence of circulatory disorders in Saudi Arabia. Additionally, the rising prevalence of disorders related to body sugar levels is expected to make diabetes a rapidly growing disease-based sub-segment in the Saudi Arabia pharmaceutical market.The pharmaceutical market in Saudi Arabia is also segmented on the basis of distribution channel, where retail pharmacies will continue to account for 80% market share compared to hospital pharmacies. The westernised modernisation of retail pharmacies in Saudi Arabia has led to the availability of a wide range drugs and medicinal products, thereby attaining a considerable growth in the retail pharmacy sub-segment in 2016 and further.The rising resource potential in Saudi Arabia is projected to positively reform the production environment for pharmaceutical manufacturers. In order to expand the markets size, structuring alliances with well-established native companies is predicted to be a key strategy for global pharmaceutical leaders. The key players in the Saudi Arabia pharmaceutical market include Novartis AG, SPIMACO, Pfizer Inc., and Glaxosmithkline plc., Jamjoom Pharma, and Tabuk Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Co. among others.Send An Enquiry@Long-term Outlook: The Saudi Arabia pharmaceutical market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 9.0% over the forecast period 2016-2026. In terms of market value, the pharmaceutical market in Saudi Arabia is estimated to be worth US$ 12,281.4 Mn by the end of forecast period.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: Global Genset Market Analysis, Growth, Share, Industry Trends and Analysis, Forecast, Supply Demand and Sales to 2022 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/1709 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/genset-market https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/global-smart-gas-meter-market Market research future published a cooked research report on Genset Market. The global market for Genset is expected to grow at a CAGR of about 6% between 2016 and 2022.Market HighlightsThe demand for energy and power has been increasing rapidly in recent times. Although there are several already existing power grid project and many power grid projects underway across the globe, they are bound to go through malfunction at a point, thus generators play an essential role when energy supply is concerned.Request a Sample Copy @Key Players MTU Onsite Energy (Germany), Caterpillar Inc. (U.S.), Himoinsa S.L. (Spain), Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (France), MTU Onsite Energy (Germany).Intended Audience Generator manufacturing companies Genset service providers Power Generation industry Consultants and Investment bankers Government as well as Independent Regulatory Authorities Genset SuppliersTaste the market data and market information presented through more than 50 market data tables and figures spread in 110 numbers of pages of the project report. Avail the in-depth table of content TOC & market synopsis on Genset Market Research Report - Global Forecast to 2022Asia-Pacific is the leading regionAsia-Pacific is the leading region in the Genset market mainly due to the rapid growth in the manufacturing sector in recent times. Within Asia-Pacific, regions like India and China have been major contributors to the growth of the Genset market with rapid commercial activities and industrial development.SegmentsOn the basis of application continuous Stand By Peak Shave.On the basis of fuel type Diesel Gas.On the basis of End User as Residential, Commercial Industrial.List of TablesTable 1 Global Genset Market SnapshotTable 2 Drivers For The MarketTable 3 Restraints For The MarketTable 4 Global Genset Market, By Fuel TypeTable 5 Deisel, By RegionTable 6 Gas Market, By RegionTable 7 Global Genset Market, By ApplicationContinueBrowse full report with in depth TOC, Figures @List of FiguresFigure 1 Research MethodologyFigure 2 Impact Analysis: Drivers And RestraintsFigure 3 Global Genset Market, By Fuel TypeFigure 4 Global Genset Market, By ApplicationFigure 5 Global Genset Market, By RegionFigure 6 North America Genset Market, By CountryContinuedRelated ReportSmart Gas Meter Market Information by Product (Automatic Meter Reading and Advanced Metering Infrastructure), by User (Residential, Commercial, and Industrial), and Region - Global Forecast to 2022. Know more about this report @About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of arious industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.Contact:Akash Anand,Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com Cognitive Computing Market Trends and Competitive Landscape Outlook to 2024 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/9749 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/9749 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/ In the ever changing world of information technology, business organizations are left with humongous amount of data with them. This data includes very critical information for business use, but business organizations are only able to utilize 20% of whole data available with them with the use of traditional data analytics technology. To process and interpret the reaming 80% of the data that is in the form of videos, images, and human voice (also called as dark data), there is a need of cognitive computing systems.A sample of this report is available upon request @Cognitive computing systems are typical combination of hardware and software that constitute natural language processing (NLP) and machine language, and have capability to collect, process, and interpret the dark data available with business organizations. Cognitive computing systems works exactly the phenomena of how a human brain works. These systems can process natural language, unstructured data, and can learn from experiences in similar way a human being do.In todays distributed, dynamic, and disrupted business environment requires full awareness about information that is generated from past data set available with organizations. This immensely help business organizations to control the risk associated with their business. So, the main driver of global cognitive computing market is the need to process unstructured and complex dark data set. Cognitive computing systems process and interpret the data in probabilistic manner unlike conventional big data analytic tools. However, to cope with the continuously evolving technology and data safeguarding are two biggest challenges cognitive computing market is facing.Segmentation of Cognitive Computing market on the basis of technology:Natural Language Processing (NLP):Natural language processing is used to process the human language in such a manner that a computer system can understand and interpret it. Natural language processing automates the translation process between computer and human.Machine Learning:Machine learning is subset of computer science that encompasses the study of pattern recognition and computational learning theory of artificial intelligence. Machine learning enables computer program to learn from past data and can teach themselves to do modification when exposed to new data.Automated Reasoning:Automated reasoning is the sub-discipline of computer science and mathematical logic, which is used to understand the different aspects of reasoning. Automated reasoning assists in producing computer programs that facilitates computers to reason perfectly or near perfectly.North America is expected to the largest market of global cognitive computing market. Majority of cognitive computing service providers such as IBM Corporation, Microsoft, and Google are based in North America region itself and they are also investing in the field of cognitive computing of local market. For instance, to accelerate the adoption of Watson cognitive computing system, IBM Corporation invested in Modernizing Medicine, a provider of cloud-based, specialty-specific electronic medical records (EMR) systems.Establishment of several cognitive computing startups such as Cognitive Scale is taking place in Europe region. Asia-Pacific region is expected to have moderate growth rate for cognitive computing market as rapidly rising trend of cloud based services, in small and medium enterprises, is paving the way for growth of cognitive computing market in this region. Latin America and Middle East and Africa regions are yet match the pace of global cognitive computing market.A TOC of this report is available upon request @IBM Corporation, Microsoft Corporation, Google, Palantir Technologies, Cognitive Scale, Enterra Solutions, and Numenta are some the leading players of global cognitive computing market.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. We have an experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, who use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each PMR Syndicated Research report covers a different sector - such as pharmaceuticals, chemical, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With a wider scope and stratified research methodology, our syndicated reports strive to serve clients and satisfy their overall research requirement.For information regarding permissions, contact:Persistence Market Research305 Broadway,7th FloorNew York City, NY 10007United StatesTel: +1 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWebsite:media@persistencemarketresearch.com Enterprise Network Managed Service Market Trends and Competitive Landscape Outlook to 2024 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/9752 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/9752 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/ Managed services are essentials part of most of the enterprises. Managed services have many classification such as HR-activities and maintenance and support of entire IT infrastructure of a particular business organization. Enterprise network managed services are generally used by telecom operators. These network managed services provides day-to-day operation and management of entire network infrastructure, management of end-customer problems, corrective and preventive field maintenance, management of changes to the network, and installation and up-gradation of equipment.A sample of this report is available upon request @Network managed services also assist business organization by giving them cost effective and efficient internet, and data solution, so that enterprises can focus on their core business not on their network. Managed network services are undertaken by enterprises to discover and fix networking problem before they affect their network in any harmful manner and hamper the productivity of the organization.Types of ServicesManaged Network Design ServicesManaged Network Implementation ServicesManaged Network Monitoring ServicesSupport and Maintenance ServicesTechnologies such as mobility, software defined network, cloud computing, internet of things, and unified communications are driving the growth of the market. These technologies are gaining a lot attention, but also creating need to design, install, and managed their networks. Other factors that are currently driving the growth of the market are increasing adoption of unified communication and VoIP, hence, creating the need of network security. The ever-increasing capacity demands and continued cost pressure associated with convergence will drive further growth in the market of managed network services. However, communication service providers (CSPs) are voicing a number of complaints related to network managed services, including both contracting and operation.Segmentation of enterprise managed network services market on the basis of component:Managed Network Security :With the constantly evolving hacker techniques, network security become moving target. Business organization they do not have sufficient resources dedicated to network security are at constant risk of security breaches.Email Security:Email security enforces outgoing email policies to protect business from data losses. Cloud based e-mail security solutions blocks spam, phishing scam, malware and inappropriate email content before it reaches to organizations network.Managed LAN/WAN:IT department of enterprises always face problems related to monitoring, troubleshooting and resolving bottlenecks, bandwidth limitation, network protocol mismatches, and performance issues of network. Managed LAN/WAN services provide round the clock monitoring, maintenance and support for entire WAN/ LAN.Managed IP Services:Managed IP services include enterprises services provided by network operators. IP telephony, IP contact centers, unified communications, application hosting, and desktop management come in the category of managed IP services.With the growing trend of cloud computing and managed services in the countries such as the U.S. and Canada, the North America region is witnessing strong growth of enterprise network managed services market. Asia-Pacific and Europe regions are also showing steady growth in adoption of network managed services. Countries like China, India, and U.K hold huge potential for managed network services market.A TOC of this report is available upon request @Ericson, Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd, Cisco Systems, IBM Corporation, Fujitsu Technology Solutions, Accenture plc, and Alcatel- Lucent are some the key players of global enterprise network managed services market.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. We have an experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, who use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each PMR Syndicated Research report covers a different sector - such as pharmaceuticals, chemical, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With a wider scope and stratified research methodology, our syndicated reports strive to serve clients and satisfy their overall research requirement.For information regarding permissions, contact:Persistence Market Research305 Broadway,7th FloorNew York City, NY 10007United StatesTel: +1 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWebsite:media@persistencemarketresearch.com Harrows Market Trends and Competitive Landscape Outlook to 2024 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/10379 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/10379 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/ Harrows are basically the agricultural tools which are used for smoothing out and breaking up the surface of soil. Harrowing is always carried out on the agricultural field to track the rough finish left by ploughing operations. The purpose of harrowing is generally to breakup lumps of soil, thereby providing a good tilth, finer finish soil structure that are suitable for seedbed use. Harrowing are also used to remove cover seed and weeds after sowing.A sample of this report is available upon request @The rising demand for agricultural farm machinery is one of the prominent factors which is driving the harrows market demand worldwide. This is majorly supported by the growing demand for food which is expected to rise substantially owing to the significant increase in global population during the forecast period. Rising food demand has encouraged the adoption of advanced farming practices to increase crop yields which is further resulting in the demand for agricultural machinery globally. The global harrows market is driven by increasing adoption of farm machinery for mechanization of farming operations which resulted in increased production and profitability by achieving timeliness in farming operations. This in turn helps farmers in optimum utilization of costly inputs such as fertilizers, seeds, and irrigation among others. Farm mechanization also helps in the preservation of the farm produce, which further improves profitability and cost effectiveness by reducing post-harvest losses. Similarly, increasing awareness about the importance of technology in agriculture is also an important factor which is fueling the growth of the harrows market globally. This increasing awareness can be attributed to rising adoption of farm tractors and other agricultural machinery which yields high productivity gains. Moreover, Low purchasing power and high cost with low technology adoption is currently challenging the wide-scale adoption of farm machinery tools including harrows. The market growth is also inhibited by growing urbanization and decreasing farmlands. In order to counter this restraint, governments worldwide are promoting and encouraging the adoption of farm machinery tools by providing subsidies on this equipment, thereby allowing manufacturers to offer the equipment at lower rates.Harrows Market can be segmented on the basis of type as follows:Disk HarrowTine HarrowThe global harrows market can be segmented on the basis of types, and various geographical regions. Based on different harrows types, the market has been segmented into disc harrow, chain harrow, tine harrow, and chain disk harrows. Based on various geographical regions, the market is classified into North America, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, and Latin America. In Asia Pacific, countries such as India and China are witnessing the shift in overall population. Growing population is responsible for increasing food demand in Asia Pacific, which in turn will fuel the demand for harrows for effective farm production in this region. In North America, rising need for enhanced productivity is also one of the major factors that are triggering the market growth. Likewise, in European countries such as Germany, governments are offering subsidies on agriculture and farm machinery, to promote the use of technology in farm production. This is further reinforced by increasing technical expertise, intense competition, and the presence of a large domestic market is expected to boost the harrows sales in Europe.A TOC of this report is available upon request @Some of the key players in the global harrows market include S.P. Industries, Deere & Company, AGCO Corporation, Iseki & Co., Ltd., HARROWS DARTS, Kelly Engineering, and Agroking Implements Industries, among others.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. We have an experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, who use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each PMR Syndicated Research report covers a different sector - such as pharmaceuticals, chemical, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With a wider scope and stratified research methodology, our syndicated reports strive to serve clients and satisfy their overall research requirement.For information regarding permissions, contact:Persistence Market Research305 Broadway,7th FloorNew York City, NY 10007United StatesTel: +1 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWebsite:media@persistencemarketresearch.com Smart Glass Market Analysis, Trends, Forecast, 2015-2025 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-473 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-473 www.futuremarketinsights.com Smart Glass Market OverviewSmart glass is also known as switchable glass or magic glass. Smart glass changes its light transmission properties when light, voltage or heat is provided to it as a stimulus. Smart glass is used usually in doors, windows, partitions and skylights in residential as well as commercial buildings. They can be controlled manually as well as automatically. Smart glasses help in reducing cost of heating, air conditioning and lighting.Smart Glass Market DynamicsSmart glass has various advantages, such as energy efficiency, user comfort and reduced carbon emission. Due to these advantages, the use of smart glass has increased in personal vehicles. Global smart glass market is estimated to register significant growth rate during the forecasted period. Factors that are driving the growth of the global smart glass market include growing adoption of green initiatives, such as eco-friendly and green buildings, non-electric technologies, such as thermocronics etc. Increasing demand of smart glasses in automobile and aviation industry is also fuelling the growth of global smart glass market.Government support and initiatives all across the world has also helped provide an impetus to the smart glass market.Request Report Sample@Factors which are restraining the growth of global smart glass market are high cost as compared to their alternatives, slow response of large sized smart glass, concern while maintaining exact colour balance, and a general lack of awareness about their benefits. In the near future, global smart glass market is estimated to witness commercialization, it will be in terms of enhanced operation efficiency and cost efficiency, and wide range of applications and incorporation of advanced materials.Smart Glass Market: SegmentationGlobal smart glass market is segmented on the basis of verticals, technology and regions. On the basis of verticals, the market is further sub-segmented into various industrial verticals such as transportation, infrastructural development, and electronics industries. Infrastructural development sub-segment is further categorised as residential, commercial and architecture. Among these verticals, infrastructural development is largest in terms of market share. It is mainly because of increasing demand of smart glasses in architecture. Smart glass in architecture helps in controlling light and heat. Use of smart glass is also growing in residential and commercial buildings in the form of doors, windows, partitions and skylights. Followed by infrastructural development, transportation vertical is second largest in terms of market share with high growth potential during forecasted period. In transportation vertical, smart glasses are used in automotive, aviation, car or bus and in marine.On the basis of technology, the market is sub segmented into thermochromic device, electrochromic devices, liquid crystal devices, suspended particle devices and micro blinds. Liquid crystal technology based smart glass is usually used in electronic devices. In automotive and architectural applications, electrochromics and suspended particle devices are used commonly; for power generation application, thermochromic and photochromic technology is used.Visit For TOC@Smart Glass Market: Region-wise OutlookOn the basis of regions the market is further sub-segmented into seven regions, North America, Latin America, Asia-Pacific (excluding Japan), Japan as a separate region, Western Europe, Eastern Europe and Middle East & Africa. Out of all these regions, North America dominates the global smart glass market in terms of high production as well as consumption of smart glasses. But it is estimated that European market will grow significantly in near future due to its architectural advancement i.e. presence of large size windows in residential as well as commercial buildings compare to North Americas buildings, updated building construction and efficiency standards of government. Owing to these advantages, it has been forecasted that the European market will overtake the North America smart glass market.Smart Glass Market: Key PlayersKey players in the global smart glass market are Vision Systems, PPG Industries Inc., Asahi Glass Company Ltd., Research Frontiers Inc., Corning, INC., RavenBrick LLC, Sage Electronics, Pleotint LLC, Hitachi Chemical Co. Ltd. And Smartglass International. These industry participants are following common strategy of technology licensing and vertical integration. Also it has been observed that market players are focusing on collaboration and partnership with flat glass producers, material science and chemical companies and Insulating Glass Unit (IGU) manufacturers.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comPress: press@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: Structural Heart Devices Market is Expected to Reach to $12,076 Million, Globally, by 2022 Structural Heart Devices Market https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/structural-heart-devices-market https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-for-customization/1768 Structural Heart Devices Market Report, published by Allied Market Research, forecasts that the global market was valued at $6,006 million in 2015, and is expected to reach $12,076 million by 2022, supported by a CAGR of 10.5% during the forecast period 2016 - 2022. The structural heart repair devices segment held nearly half of the total market share in 2015, and is expected to dominate during the forecast period.Need More Information:Rise in incidence of aortic stenosis, introduction of technologically advanced products (such as the Trifecta valve with Glide Technology), and increase in awareness about the benefits and availability of structural heart devices worldwide are major factors that drive the market growth. In addition, increase in number of application areas for repair and replacement devices coupled with its rise in adoption of annuloplasty rings and tissue valves is expected to further fuel this growth. However, stringent approval process and high cost of surgeries restrict the market growth.Tissue heart valves is expected to maintain its dominant position throughout the analysis period, due to its significant property of low requirement of anticoagulants, which reduces incidence of bleeding and thereby lowers the usage of anticoagulant by the patient.The occluders segment accounted for two-fifths of the overall structural heart repair devices market in 2015, owing to its benefits in the treatment of congenital heart diseases and high adoption rate. In addition, annuloplasty ring is projected to register the highest CAGR of 13.3% during the forecast period.Key Findings of Structural Heart Devices Market Annuloplasty ring is projected to grow at the highest growth rate during the analysis period. North America dominated the global structural heart devices market, accounting for one-third of the overall market in 2015, owing to the increase in prevalence of structural heart diseases. Aortic valve stenosis indication occupied more than one-third of the total market in 2015. Adult age group segment is expected to grow at the highest rate of 11.1%. China occupied one-fifth of the total Asia-Pacific structural heart devices market in 2015.For Customized Report:Asia-Pacific is the fastest growing region in the structural heart devices market, and is expected to continue this trend due to increase in healthcare infrastructural development, specifically in China, India, and other developing economies, and rise in structural heart defects.Structural heart devices are used to treat heart valves defects as well as acquired valvar abnormalities. The market for structural heart devices is growing at a rapid pace, providing an opportunity for key players to enter this market. For instance, in May 2016, Johnson & Johnson announced that will enter structural heart devices market due to the high growth potential.The major companies profiled in the report include Medtronic plc; St. Jude Medical, Inc., Braile Biomedica; Medical Technology Est., Boston Scientific Corporation, Micro Interventional Devices, Inc., Edwards Lifesciences Corporation, LivaNova PLC, JenaValve Technology, Inc., and Cryolife, Inc.About Us:Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Portland, Oregon. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions". AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain.We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. The data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.ContactPankaj Kumar5933 NE Win Sivers Drive#205, Portland, OR 97220United StatesDirect: +1-503-894-6022Toll Free: +1 (800) 792-5285 (U.S. & Canada)Fax: +1 (855) 550-5975E-mail: sales@alliedmarketresearch.com Global Industrial Protective Footwear Market continuous to increase by 2024 http://www.syndicatemarketresearch.com/request-for-sample.html?flag=S&repid=49782 http://www.syndicatemarketresearch.com/market-analysis/industrial-protective-footwear-market.html http://www.syndicatemarketresearch.com Global Industrial Protective Footwear Market: OverviewSyndicate Market Research published new report on 'Global Industrial Protective Footwear Market continuous to increase by 2024' in it's databaseIndustrial protective footwear provides protection for a variety of hazards. Workers exposed to hazards like falling objects, electrical contact, moving machinery and similar other incidences may be at risk of a foot injury. In order to give your best while working, it is necessary to have the protective footwear. Protective footwear is available in many types and styles and protection levels to service the needs of most any workplace along with quality, durability and long time industrial safety footwear. The major driving factor for the industrial protective footwear is increasing construction and oil & gas industry. Stringent rules regarding workers protection and safety expected to propel the industrial protective footwear market. However, Lack of technological awareness is expected to major restraint the market over the forecast period.Global Industrial Protective Footwear Market: Growth FactorsThe market for industrial protective footwear is segmented on the basis of product, type, and geography. Based on the product, the industrial protective footwear market is segmented into leather footwear, waterproof footwear, rubber footwear and plastic footwear. Leather footwear dominates the overall industrial protective footwear and is expected to experience significant growth in the years to come. The application segment consists of construction, manufacturing, mining, oil &gas, pharmaceuticals, and others. Construction was the leading application segment for industrial protective footwear market. However, oil & gas is expected to be the fastest-growing segment of industrial protective footwear market.Request Sample Report @Global Industrial Protective Footwear Market: Regional AnalysisThe regional segmentation includes the current and forecast demand for North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and the Middle East and Africa with its further bifurcation into major countries including U.S. Germany, France, UK, China, Japan, India, and Brazil. North America was the leading region with the largest share of the overall market for industrial protective footwear. North America closely followed by Europe. With increased demand from construction and oil & gas industry, Europe is expected to rapid pace growth during the forecast period.Global Industrial Protective Footwear Market: SegmentationIn order to give the users of this report a comprehensive view on the industrial protective footwear market, we have included a detailed competitive scenario and product portfolio of key vendors. To understand the competitive landscape in the market, an analysis of Porters Five Forces model for the industrial protective footwear market has also been included. The study encompasses a market attractiveness analysis, wherein type segments, and product segments are benchmarked based on their market size, growth rate, and general attractiveness.Global Industrial Protective Footwear Market: Competitive PlayersThe report covers detailed competitive scenario including the company overviews, financial revenues of the key participants to develop their positions in the global market. Some of the major key players include in a market such as UVEX Safety Group, ELTEN GmbH, VF Corporation, Honeywell Safety Products, Jal Group, Rahman Group, COFRA Holding AG, Often rich Holdings Co. Ltd. and Rock Fall Ltd.Browse the full report @Industrial Protective Footwear Market: Product Segment AnalysisLeather footwearWaterproof footwearRubber footwearPlastic footwearIndustrial Protective Footwear Market: Type Segment AnalysisConstructionManufacturingMiningOil &gasPharmaceuticalsIndustrial Protective Footwear Market: Regional Segment AnalysisNorth AmericaU.S.EuropeUKFranceGermanyAsia PacificChinaJapanIndiaLatin AmericaBrazilThe Middle East & AfricaFor More Inquiry contact our sales Team @ sales@syndicatemarketresearch.comAbout Us:Syndicate Market Research provides a range of marketing and business research solutions designed for our clients specific needs based on our expert resources. The business scopes of Syndicate Market Research cover more than 30 industries including energy, new materials, transportation, daily consumer goods, chemicals, etc. We provide our clients with the one-stop solution for all the research requirements.Contact Us:Joel John3422 SW 15 Street, Suite #8138Deerfield Beach, Florida 33442United StatesToll Free: +1-855-465-4651 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-386-310-3803Email: sales@syndicatemarketresearch.comWebsite: Market Intelligence Report Spinal Fusion, 2015-2025 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-cn-877 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-cn-877 www.futuremarketinsights.com There are several huge aspects impacting medical device technology field nowadays. A number of trends including consolidation, research and developments, and international strategies and alliances are driving the market for china spinal fusion market. The spinal fusion is one of the most common surgeries suggested for back problems. With the increasing spinal fusion surgery volumes in china due to the favourable reimbursement levels and patients willingness to undergo surgery with minimal invasive techniques is expected to foster the china spinal fusion market. Spinal fusion is surgical process are done to the patients suffering from a number of conditions such asdeformity, scoliosis, disc disease and fracture.The China Spinal Fusion Market is expected to register a double digit growth holding the fact that there is an increasing number of surgeries due to advancement in the technologies and use of minimal invasive techniques that benefits reduced cost. The procedures are highly benefited with the investment in the new technologies and their clinical success which are gaining more and more importance in the recent days and causing the China spinal fusion market to grow.The emerging China spinal fusion market has been experiencing a phase of new product development and technological advancements due to greater demand. The manufacturing companies are raising their respective market share with aggressive marketing activities and increased R&D activities.Request Report Sample@China Spinal Fusion Market: Drivers & RestraintsSome of the major factors subsidizing the growth of China spinal fusion market are increasing rate of aging population with spine related diseases & related injuries coupled with the rising incomes of the Chinese populace ensuring the patients capability to pay for the treatment. On the other hand the price sensitive population of china is very responsive to the treatment price that are anticipated to drip considerably in near future due to the increasing competition in the market.Due to existing and upcoming advance technologies such as minimal invasive surgery and better implant materials are making it more widely accepted including the younger adult populace and thereby increasing the China spinal fusion market.The economic growth and additional initiatives taken by the Chinese government had resulted in treatment of a large number of previously untreated spinal disease patients in China's rural populace who are now undergoing minimally invasive spine surgery due to increased access.Despite of being widely used procedure for curing extremely debilitating disease related to spine, and spinal deformities, such as scoliosis and kyphosis, the China spinal fusion market is facing some challenges such as reimbursement cuts and heavy government regulations, high surgery cost, risk factors involved in the surgery etc.Due to high competition in the market, prices for bone graft substitutes and spinal implants are expected to come down in the Asia Pacific market, even when demand and expenditure on them has become greater than before, thus restraining the China spinal fusion market from growing. Some of the other growth restraining factors of the China spinal infusion market can be growing awareness for some other treatment methods such as IDET, artificial disc, posterior dynamic stabilization, disc regeneration.China Spinal Fusion Market: SegmentationBy spine fusion device types is segmented as follows:Spinal Plating SystemsPedicle Screw SystemsInterbody CagesBy procedure, the china spinal fusion market is segmented as follows:Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF)Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF)Anterior/Posterior Spinal FusionTransforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF)Extreme Lateral Interbody Fusion (XLIF)Visit For TOC@The developing region of China is projected to be potentially growing in market with reference to the increasing demand for spinal fusion holding the fact that increased number of technological advancements have made the devices and surgeries cost-effective.China Spinal Fusion Market: Key PlayersSome of the key players in the China spinal fusion market are Trauson, Depuy Synthes Companies, Biomet, Inc., Medtronic, Inc, Nuvasive Inc, Stryker Corporation, Zimmer Holding, Inc., Orthofix International N.V, B. Braun Aesculap and Weigao Orthopaedic Device Co., Ltd.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comPress: press@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: Kidney Stone Retrieval Device Market is Expected to Gain Popularity Across the Globe :2017 - 2025 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/13801 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/13801 A kidney stone is a solid item that is form by chemical substances in the urine. Various waste substances are dissolved in urine, crystals begin to form when there is excess of waste deposited in to little liquid. The crystals attract other components and composed to solid crystal form that will grow bigger until it does not pass out through the urine from the body. Usually, chemicals from the body are eliminated from the urine by the kidney. After forming the kidney stone, it may stop in the kidney or transfer through the urinary tract into the ureter. Kidney stone may cause due to drinking too little water, obesity, weight loss surgery, eating food that contains excess of salt or sugar. Sometimes, small stones travel out of the body in the urine without instigating too much pain. Kidney stone disorders are most common in human being it affects 15% of male nearby 10% in females. Kidney stone retrieval devices are associated with the treatments or surgeries done for removal of kidney stone. Most of kidney stone patient are having small stone that passes through urine, larger stones may need to be broken by ultrasound or laser energy. Usually, surgeries are needed in patients having very large kidney stones. The disorder related with kidney stone is referred as urolithiasis, Kidney stone retrieval devices help to remove or break down kidney stones by providing treatment for urolithiasis.A Sample of this Report is Available Upon Request @Kidney stone retrieval device market is segmented on the basis of treatment, product type and end users.On the basis of treatments used in kidney stone retrieval device market is segmented into following:Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsyIntracorporeal UreteroscopyPercutaneous nephrolithotripsyOn the basis of product type in kidney stone retrieval device market is segmented into following:LithotriptersStone Removal DevicesUreteral stentsOn the basis of end users kidney stone retrieval device market is segmented into following:HospitalClinicKidney Care CentersOthersOn the basis of product type in kidney stone retrieval device market is segmented into: Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, Intracorporeal Ureteroscopy, Percutaneous nephrolithotripsy. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy breaks kidney stone into small pieces by using shock waves that further travels easily out of the body through the urinary tract. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy is used in patients having kidney stone that are having size of 4mm and 2cm in diameter and that is blocking the urine flow or causing pain are most likely to be treated with Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy. Intracorporeal ureteroscopy refers as endoscopic lithotripsy that visualize urinary tract and simultaneousy produce energy to break kidney stone into small fragments that can either be passable or extractable from the body through the urinary tract. Percutaneous nephrolithotripsy refers to kidney stone removal or crushed through the skin, it is done in the patients having kidney stone size more than 2 cm. Percutaneous nephrolithotripsy is done by entering kidney through a small incision in the back. Once surgeon reach to the kidney a nephroscope and other small devices are inserted through a threaded structure if stone is crushed up and then removed it is referred as nephrolithotripsy and if stone is removed through tube, it is referred as nephrolithtomy.Moreover, on the basis of devices used for surgeries or treatments for kidney stone retrieval the market is segmented into lithotripters, stone removal devices, and ureteral stents. Lithotripter is a device that grinds kidney stone by passing a shock wave through a water filled tube or sound waves. Uterine stent restores the urine flow through blocked ureters to return normal kidney functions. Ureteral stents are hollow, plastic, and soft tube placed into the ureter to drain around the stone for short period of time.On the basis of region, kidney stone retrieval devices market is segmented into five key regions: North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Middle East & Africa. North America is the dominating market for kidney stone retrieval devices owing to factors such as high prevalence of kidney stone and proportion of reappearance of kidney stone in the region, more preference for minimally invasive procedures, higher awareness and promising reimbursement arrangement are the prime factors that support the dominance of North America on the global front. Followed by North America, Asia Pacific, and Middle East and Africa markets will be the fastest growing throughout the globe. Tremendous growth in prevalence of kidney stone and growth in acceptance of endoscopic surgical procedures with healthcare development facilities and infrastructure combined with are the major drivers of these markets.Request to View Tables of Content @Some of the major key players in kidney stone retrieval devices market are: Boston Scientific Corp., Richard Wolf, Cook Medical, Olympus, and STORZ medical. The rising competition amongst the key players will drive the kidney stone retrieval devices market growth over the forecast period.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a U.S.-based full-service market intelligence firm specializing in syndicated re-search, custom research, and consulting services. PMR boasts market research expertise across the Healthcare, Chemicals and Materials, Technology and Media, Energy and Mining, Food and Beverages, Semiconductor and Electronics, Con-sumer Goods, and Shipping and Transportation industries. The company draws from its multi-disciplinary capabilities and high-pedigree team of analysts to share data that precisely corresponds to clients business needs.PMR stands committed to bringing more accuracy and speed to clients business decisions. From ready-to-purchase market research reports to customized research solutions, PMRs en-gagement models are highly flexible without compromising on its deep-seated research values.ContactPersistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.com New Trends of Virology Market with Worldwide Industry Analysis to 2025 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1150 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-1150 www.futuremarketinsights.com Virology, the study of viruses, is an unparalleled branch of life sciences. With immensely high prevalence of diseases such as flu, hepatitis, AIDS, and STDs, the importance of virology is repeatedly highlighted. The global virology market is expected to grow over 2015-2025.FMIs research identifies growing infectious diseases as a key force driving the market throughout the forecast period.Key Drivers: Virology MarketEarly in 2016, the WHO officially issued a warning about the possible spread of zika virus to each Western Hemispheric region, as the disease vector Aedes aegypti was found to thrive strong in tropical and sub-tropical climatic conditions. This has been a key driver of market growth throughout 2016.Request Report Sample@The virology market is constantly catering to the prevention and cure needs put forth by the healthcare sector; however, several diseases continue to demand R&D of novel applications, driving the growth of virology market. Various treatments and diagnostic processes also employ virology applications, further fuelling the market growth.Burgeoning applications of virology research in gene therapy, phage therapy, formulation of vaccines, and synthetic biology is another factor fostering the overall growth of the virology market.Moreover, the field of virology is extending in various forms, including molecular virology, paediatric virology, computational virology, and many more, prompting at increasing research findings throughout the forecast period. Research prospects are high and FMI indicates a continuing need for trained virologists in the near future.Public awareness programmes conducted worldwide on flu, zika virus, STDs, AIDS, and Ebola virus are also a key factor increasing public awareness and eventually influencing the market.Key Restraints to Market GrowthMaintaining the quality and safety standards of viral a controlling therapy has been a longstanding challenge, which is anticipated to hamper the market in the forecast period as well. Moreover, stringent approval processes for antiviral drugs is also foreseen to be a restraint to market growth. Another factor identified for affecting the market growth includes resistance toward and side effects of antiviral drugs for new treatment options.Current Trends in the Virology FieldIn 2015, the virology industry was predominantly influenced by ebola, MERS, and hepatitis C viruses. In 2016, zika virus is dominating the research, with better prospects in the near future.Virologists are persistently investigating novel applications for viruses. Currently, an ongoing research is experimenting on the exploitation of viruses for plant production, aiming at the efficient production of high quality, eco-friendly food.Global Virology Market: Competitive LandscapeBy 2017 end, a few important patents are approaching expiry, including Tamiflu, Sustiva, Tenofovir, Combivir, Relenza, and Telbivudine. Following expiry of these blockbuster drugs, the market is estimated to discover a dynamic competitive landscape. The generic competition in the virology market will be at a high pace 2017 onward.Apart from expiring drugs, the market also has some late stage pipeline drugs, including Inavir, Elvitegravir, Vicriviroc, Rilpivirine, and Rapiacta. These drugs are set to enter the global market, fostering the competition globally.Virology Market: SegmentationFMI's research on the global virology market provides a 10-year forecast, segmenting the market on the basis of product type, application, end-use, and region.Based on product type, the global virology market is segmented intoDiagnosing TestDNA VirusesRNA VirusesPrions Diagnostic TestOther Viral TestsViral Infection Controlling MethodsImmunoprophylaxisActive Prophylaxis (Vaccines)Passive ProphylaxisAntiviral ChemotherapyVirucidal AgentsAntiviral AgentsImmunomodulatorsInterferonsCytokinesBased on application, the global virology market is segmented intoSkin and Soft Tissue InfectionsRespiratory Tract InfectionsGI Tract InfectionsUrinary Tract InfectionsEye InfectionsCNS InfectionsSexually Transmitted DiseasesPerinatal InfectionsAccording to the end-user, the market is segmented intoHospitalsClinicsLaboratoriesDiagnostic CentresBlood BanksPharmaciesRegional Outlook: Global Virology MarketNorth America is the largest virology market led by the U.S., owing to technological advancements such as rapid, portable diagnostics. N. America is expected to retain the top market position over the forecast period as well.Europe is projected to maintain the position as the second largest market globally. During the forecast period, Europe is anticipated to record the highest CAGR, attributed by enhanced healthcare infrastructure, facilitated access to diagnostics, and growing affordability of diagnostic tests for viral diseases.Japan is currently a growing virology market, which is estimated to grow at a remarkable CAGR through to 2025. However, APEJ and Africa are expected to witness the most promising growth opportunities during the forecast period. While China will be a leading APEJ market, India will contribute a considerable revenue share to the APEJ virology market.Segment-wise Market ForecastImmunoprophylaxis therapy and antiviral drugs are the fastest-growing market segments in the estimated forecast period.STDs, urinary tract infections, and respiratory tract infections are currently dominating compared to other application types in the global virology market.On the basis of diagnosis tests, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV, human papillomavirus (HPV), and other tests (influenza, ebola, and dengue) are estimated to attract the largest market shares globally.Hospitals and laboratories projected to continue the most dominating end-use segments, accounting for almost 50% market share globally.Key Players in the Global Virology MarketThe notable players identified in the global virology market include GlaxoSmithKline plc, Abbott Laboratories, Boehringer Ingelheim Corporation, Merck and Co. Inc., Novartis International AG, Siemens, Johnson & Johnson, AstraZeneca AB, and Roche.Merck and Co. Inc. has several drug candidates in phase 2, including cancer, diabetes, cardiac arrest, and hepatitis C, and some candidates in phase 3, including breast cancer, atherosclerosis, Alzeimer's, ebola, and HIV. The company also has many other candidates, which are currently under review.Visit For TOC@Abivax, a high profile biotech company in Paris, France, has already successfully produced candidates against dengue and chikungunya viruses. The company has a few more candidates against HIV and ebola, currently under development.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comPress: press@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: Wave and Tidal Energy Market to witness increasing growth by, Globally 2024 http://www.syndicatemarketresearch.com/request-for-sample.html?flag=S&repid=50297 http://www.syndicatemarketresearch.com/market-analysis/wave-and-tidal-energy-market.html http://www.syndicatemarketresearch.com Global Wave and Tidal Energy Market: OverviewAccording to a new report, By 2024 Wave and Tidal Energy Market to witness tremendous growth and demand in technology.Ocean is one of the largest sources of clean and sustainable energy. Wave energy and tidal energy are the main segments of ocean energy. Surface wind creates the ocean waves. There are different methods of constraining the ocean energy, from which wave and tidal are the most dominant forms of energy. Tidal stream and tidal range energy are the two segments of tidal energy. Tidal range energy is a comparatively mature technology. Both wave and tidal stream energy are relatively newer concepts. These are in the emerging stages of technology development.Request Sample Report @Global Wave and Tidal Energy Market: Growth FactorsThe strength of the wind, its length, and the open ocean distance (fetch) over which it blows are the major factors on which growth of the waves depends. The most powerful and consistent waves are created by strong existing winds in high latitudes. These waves propagate over long distances with little energy loss, to deliver consistent and abundant supplies of readily useable energy. The movements of water that are accelerated into strong currents near the fringe of the oceans, or through narrow passages between islands and other landforms create the tidal energy.Global Wave and Tidal Energy Market: SegmentationThe report covers forecast and analysis for the wave and tidal energy market on a global and regional level. The study provides historic data of 2014 along with a forecast from 2014 to 2020 based on both volume (MW) and revenue (USD Million). The report also offers detailed competitive landscape of the global wave and tidal energy market. It includes company market share analysis, product portfolio of the major industry participants. The report provides detailed segmentation of the smart cities market based on energy type segment and region. Wave and tidal are the energy type segment of this market. There is no single dominant technology in the wave or tidal energy market. Both wave and tidal energy are capable of producing extensive benefits of economies of scale.Global Wave and Tidal Energy Market: Regional AnalysisMajor regional segments analyzed in this study include North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. This report also provides further bifurcation of region on the country level. Major countries analyzed in this reports are U.S., Germany, France, UK, China, Japan, India, and Brazil. Wave and tidal energy market was dominated by Europe in terms of capacity installations for wave and tidal stream power plants due to strong development of power plant in respective region. Additionally, Asia Pacific is expected to have high growth in the tidal energy sector.Browse the full report @Global Wave and Tidal Energy Market: Competitive PlayersSome of the key players for global wave and tidal energy market include AQUAMARINE POWER LTD., S.D. ENERGY LTD., CARNEGIE WAVE ENERGY, PELAMIS WAVE POWER, MARINE CURRENT TURBINES LTD., ATLANTIS RESOURCES LTD., OCEAN POWER TECHNOLOGIES INC., and AQUAGEN TECHNOLOGIES, OCEAN RENEWABLE POWER COMPANY LLC.This report segments the global wave and tidal energy market as follows:Global Wave and Tidal Energy Market: Energy Type Segment AnalysisWave EnergyTidal EnergyGlobal Wave and Tidal Energy Market: Regional Segment AnalysisNorth AmericaU.S.EuropeUKFranceGermanyAsia PacificChinaJapanIndiaLatin AmericaBrazilMiddle East & AfricaFor More Inquiry contact our sales Team @ sales@syndicatemarketresearch.comAbout Us:Syndicate Market Research provides a range of marketing and business research solutions designed for our clients specific needs based on our expert resources. The business scopes of Syndicate Market Research cover more than 30 industries including energy, new materials, transportation, daily consumer goods, chemicals, etc. We provide our clients with the one-stop solution for all the research requirements.Contact Us:Joel John3422 SW 15 Street, Suite #8138Deerfield Beach, Florida 33442United StatesToll Free: +1-855-465-4651 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-386-310-3803Email: sales@syndicatemarketresearch.comWebsite: Learn details of the Advances in Medical Robots Market Forecast and Segments, 2016-2026 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1181 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-1181 www.futuremarketinsights.com Medical Robot is a robot which enables the surgeons to perform surgeries with more precision. Medical robotics is emerging field. There are a wide variety of medical applications had emerged such as Surgical robots, laboratory robots, telesurgery, remote surgery, and teleconsultation robots, rehabilitation robots to help for the deaf and the blind. Medical robots assist in surgeries and make possible to decrease risk of infection. Medical robots are enables to increases accuracy of surgeons and reduce risk of patients For instance, heart bypass surgery requires, patients chest to be open and that long incision be made. The surgeon first cuts through skin, then tissue, and muscle, fascia, and then reaches to the heart. Through Medical robots it become easy to perform critical surgeries with precision. Medical robots are has advantages such as decrease post-operative pain, decrease risk of infection, decreases blood loss and minimum level of anesthesia. Medical robots have many challenges in the application of robotics in the medical field, such as safety, cost and reluctance to accept this technology.Medical Robots Market: Drivers and restraintsGlobal medical robots market can be driven by following drivers, Medical robots has gained widespread of acceptance by diverse range of fields such as Interventional cardiological surgery, Neurological surgery and orthopedic surgery etc., are provides lucrative market opportunities. Medical robots provides greatest contributions in more complex cases with more precision. Increasing technological innovations in medical field propels the global medical robots market. Major restraints of the market, Medical robots are expensive and need a technical professionals to perform surgeries.Request Report Sample@Medical Robots Market: SegmentationGlobal Medical Robots Market can be segmented as following typesGlobal Medical Robots by Products:Instruments and AccessoriesRobotic SystemsSurgical RobotsNeurological Surgery Robotic SystemsCardiology Surgery Robotic SystemsLaparoscopic Surgical Robotic SystemsOrthopaedic Surgical Robotic SystemsSteerable RoboticsRehabilitation RobotsTherapeutic RobotsProsthetic RobotsAssistive RobotsExoskeleton RobotsNon-invasive Radiosurgery RobotsHospital and Pharmacy automation robotsPharmacy automation robotsIV RobotsGlobal Medical Robots Market, by ApplicationNeurology ApplicationsOrthopaedic ApplicationsCardiology ApplicationsLaparoscopic ApplicationsOther ApplicationsMedical Robots Market: OverviewIncreasing the demand for advanced treatment methods for various severe diseases, increasing the prevalence of cardiac and neurological disorders and cancer are provides a robust market growth. Increasing the technological advancements and applications of these advancements in critical surgeries propels medical robots market over the forecast period.Visit For TOC@Medical Robots Market: Region-Wise OutlookDepending upon the geographic regions medical robots market is segmented into seven key regions: Those are North America, Latin America, and Eastern Europe, Western Europe, and Asia pacific excluding japan, Japan, Middle East and Africa.North America dominating the global medical robots market. Increasing awareness among the people towards the use of innovative technologies providing lucrative market. Asian Pacific region market is considered to rapidly evolving healthcare infrastructure, this region is anticipating providing a robust growth of global medical robots market.Medical Robots Market: Key playersSome of the key players in Market are Stryker Corporation, Intuitive Surgical, Inc., Houston Medical Robotics, Inc., Hansen Medical, Inc., Kirbey lester, Otto Bock Healthcare, Kinova robotics, Varian Medical Systems, Hocoma AG, Vecna Robotics, Globus Medical, IRobot Corporatin, Titan Medical, Inc, KB Medical S.A.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comPress: press@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: Enterprise Portals Market Trends and Forecast-2015-2020 http://www.orbisresearch.com/contacts/request-sample/193096 http://www.orbisresearch.com/reports/index/global-enterprise-portals-market-by-portals-information-collaborative-application-by-verticals-bfsi-government-telecom-healthcare-retail-transportation-manufacturing-by-services-regions-trends-and-forecast-2015-2020 http://www.orbisresearch.com/contacts/enquiry-before-buying/193096 Enterprises are embracing various technology trends and re-defining the way resources work, collaborate and exchange information across in todays connected world. Enterprise Portals provides single interface to access all kinds of enterprise data to aggregate and personalize information through application-specific portals. Though not all enterprises have adopted EP due to resource constraints and security concerns, but soon all types of enterprise will have EP which drives usage of many helpful enterprise applications, role-based personalization, and moreover decentralizing government models. Also, the ease usage of enterprise portals through mobile devices and home PCs at single information access is driving users to mandate EP across all verticals.Request a sample copy of Report @The key players include IBM, Oracle, SAP, TechMaindra, Broadvision, Microsoft, and others. The report provides unique insights into and in-depth analysis of global EPS market, drivers and restraints as well as growth opportunities. It also contains analysis and forecasted revenues, competitive landscape, company profiles and industry trends.The enterprise portals market is evolving worldwide by providing information as per the users requirements. Day by day, end user requirements are changing and they want to reach their audiences easily. Portals fulfil these requirements and allow the vendors to come up with new ideas, designs, services, solution and components to the market. Large vendors and small vendors are more aggressive to compete in portal market. The organizations are choosing portal to expand their business worldwide. Most of the verticals are adopting the portal as these portals are cost effective and bring the revenue for the enterprises.Browse Full Report with TOC@The Enterprises are showing interest in adopting portal and are investing more on their portal design, user friendly format and implementation. In future, portal can be accessed anywhere, any time by using the smart devices. The Global Enterprise Portal market is expected to grow in forthcoming years mainly driven by North America and Western Europe. The North America region is expected to drive the enterprise portal market than that of other regions and it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 20.3%, during the period 20152020. The Enterprise portal market is expected to grow at CAGR of 23.3% during the period from 2015 to 2020. The BFSI and Government verticals are expected to grow at a CAGR of 22.8% and 23.1% during the period from 20152020.Countries Covered:North AmericaWeatern EuropeAsia-PacificCIS + Eastern EuropeMiddle East & AfricaLatin AmericaEnquiry Before buying Report@About Us:Orbis Research (orbisresearch.com) is a single point aid for all your market research requirements. We have vast database of reports from the leading publishers and authors across the globe. We specialize in delivering customised reports as per the requirements of our clients. We have complete information about our publishers and hence are sure about the accuracy of the industries and verticals of their specialisation. This helps our clients to map their needs and we produce the perfect required market research study for our clientsContact Us:Hector CostelloSenior Manager Client Engagements4144N Central Expressway,Suite 600, Dallas,Texas 75204, U.S.A.Phone No.: +1 (214) 884-6817; +912064101019Email ID: sales@orbisresearch.com Global Bone Glue Market Accounting for US$ 1,032.9 Million by 2024 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/3720 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/bone-glues-market/toc http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/checkout/3720 The reluctance of orthopedic patients towards the use of conventional cementing materials for surgical adhesion procedures is influencing the development of organic alternatives. Globally, the consumption of bone glue in hospitals is on an upsurge, owing to their widespread acceptance by both healthcare professionals and patients. The global market for bone glue is currently valued at US$ 600.6 million, and is expected to reach US$ 1,032.9 million in revenues by the end of 2024.Persistence Market Researchs report titled Global Market Study on Bone Glue: Rising Adoption of Bone Glue for Orthopedic Surgeries Expected to Boost Demand for Bone Glue over the Forecast Period, has estimated that the global market for bone glue will register a CAGR of 7.0% during the assessment period of 2016-2024. Prevalence of bone related disorders continues to be on a rise, urging manufacturers to come up with advanced glues. Preference to bone glue remains higher for adhesion procedures in arthroplasty surgeries. By the end of 2024, the application of bone glue in arthroplasty surgeries is slated to surpass 40% share of global market value, rendering it as the most prominent application for bone glue adhesives.A Sample of this Report is Available Upon Request @Key end-use segments of the market include hospitals, specialty clinics and ASCs. High costs of orthopedic surgeries and growing number of accidents have increased the influx of orthopedic patients in hospitals. Since treating such patients requires the inclusion of bone glue as surgical adhesives, manufacturers are likely to concentrate their supply more towards hospitals and similar medical organizations. Specialty clinics are expected to be the second-most prominent end-user in the global bone glue market. On the account of their individual value share, specialty clinics and ASCs are projected to attribute to 17.9% and 10.9% share of the global bone glue market by 2024 end.In terms of value share, North Americas bone glue market accounts for half of the global market value, primarily due to advanced pharmaceutical production and robust healthcare infrastructure in the US. The bone glue market in the Asia Pacific region is expected to surge at the highest CAGR of 7.6% during the projected period. Latin Americas bone glue revenues are likely to surpass US$ 50 million by 2024, while bone glue sales in Middle East & Africa (MEA) region will expand sluggishly. On the other hand, revenues generated from bone glue sales in Europe are expected to be worth over US$ 150 million by the end of the forecast period.The production of bone glue through synthesis of constituent adhesive elements becomes more cost-effective and practical for manufacturers. Over 80% of global revenues estimated in 2016 and beyond are projected to be accounted by synthetic bone glue over natural bone glue. Revenues from global sales of synthetic product called methacrylate will incur a rise of estimated US$ 23.8 million between 2016 and 2017, while global cyanoacrylate revenues are likely to surpass US$ 250 million by 2024 end.Request to View Tables of Content @As a manufacturer and supplier of bone glue adhesives, Ethicon, Inc. (US) is estimated to hold 40% revenue share of the global market. Baxter International Inc. is the other leading player in the global bone glue market. Companies such as Cryolife are expected to expand their market presence through increasing distribution. C. R. Bard, Inc., Luna Innovations Incorporated, B. Braun Melsungen AG, Cohera Medical, Inc., Tissuemed Ltd., Chemence Medical, Inc., Integra LifeSceinces Corporation, and DENTSPLY SIRONA Inc., are also some of the prominent companies participating in the growth of the global bone glue market.To Buy Full Report for a Single User @About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a U.S.-based full-service market intelligence firm specializing in syndicated re-search, custom research, and consulting services. PMR boasts market research expertise across the Healthcare, Chemicals and Materials, Technology and Media, Energy and Mining, Food and Beverages, Semiconductor and Electronics, Con-sumer Goods, and Shipping and Transportation industries. The company draws from its multi-disciplinary capabilities and high-pedigree team of analysts to share data that precisely corresponds to clients business needs.PMR stands committed to bringing more accuracy and speed to clients business decisions. From ready-to-purchase market research reports to customized research solutions, PMRs en-gagement models are highly flexible without compromising on its deep-seated research values.ContactPersistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.com Ambulance Services Market, 2016-2024: Size, Growth, Segments, Dynamics, Companies and Forecast http://www.syndicatemarketresearch.com/request-for-sample.html?flag=S&repid=50302 http://www.syndicatemarketresearch.com/market-analysis/ambulance-services-market.html http://www.syndicatemarketresearch.com Global Ambulance Services Market: OverviewSyndicate Market Research published new report on 'Ambulance Services Market, 2016-2024: Size, Growth, Segments, Dynamics, Companies and Forecast' in it's databaseAmbulance service facilitates injured or medically ill patients by transporting them to medical treatment centers. The global ambulance services market is driven by a combination of factors, which are a rising rate of accidents, improvement in reimbursement policies, a growing geriatric population, and an increasing prevalence of chronic diseases such as diabetes. The market size and forecasts in terms of revenue (USD million) for the period 2015 to 2020, considering 2014 as the base year, have been provided for this segment of the report. The report also provides the compounded annual growth rate (% CAGR) for the forecast period 2015 to 2020.Global Ambulance Services Market: Growth FactorsThe report provides a comprehensive view of the ambulance service, we have included a detailed competitive scenario and product portfolio of key vendors. To understand the competitive landscape in the market, an analysis of Porters Five Forces model for the ambulance service market has also been included. The study encompasses a market attractiveness analysis, wherein application segments are benchmarked based on their market size, growth rate, and general attractiveness.Request Sample Report @Global Ambulance Services Market: SegmentationThe global ambulance service market is segmented on the basis of mode of transport, equipment, emergency, and region. The modes of transport used in the global ambulance service market are ground ambulance service, air ambulance service, water ambulance service. The equipment segment of ambulance service includes advanced life support (ALS) and basic life support (BLS). The emergency segment of ambulance service includes emergency and non-emergency services Region wise, this market is segmented into North America, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Europe.Global Ambulance Services Market: Regional AnalysisOut of all the regional segments of the global market, North America will hold the dominant share in the overall ambulance services market across the globe. This dominance is majorly witnessed due to the presence of a large number of elderly people. Furthermore, owing to rise in disposable income coupled with increasing healthcare expenditure, Asia-Pacific region has been estimated to foresee the highest growth during the forecast period.Browse the full report @Global Ambulance Services Market: Competitive PlayersSome of the key players for global ambulance services market include Air Methods Corporation, Dutch Health BV, Envision Healthcare Corporation, Rural/Metro Corporation, London Ambulance Service NHS Trust, and Falck A/S.Key segments of the Global Ambulance Services MarketGlobal Ambulance Services Market: Mode of Transport Segment AnalysisGround Ambulance ServiceAir Ambulance ServiceWater Ambulance ServiceGlobal Ambulance Services Market: Equipment Segment AnalysisAdvance Life Support (ALS)Basic Life Support (BLS)Global Ambulance Services Market: Emergency Segment AnalysisEmergencyNon-emergencyGlobal Ambulance Services Market: Region Segment AnalysisNorth AmericaU.S.EuropeUKFranceGermanyAsia-PacificChinaJapanIndiaLatin AmericaBrazilThe Middle East & AfricaFor More Inquiry contact our sales Team @ sales@syndicatemarketresearch.comAbout Us:Syndicate Market Research provides a range of marketing and business research solutions designed for our clients specific needs based on our expert resources. The business scopes of Syndicate Market Research cover more than 30 industries including energy, new materials, transportation, daily consumer goods, chemicals, etc. We provide our clients with the one-stop solution for all the research requirements.Contact Us:Joel John3422 SW 15 Street, Suite #8138Deerfield Beach, Florida 33442United StatesToll Free: +1-855-465-4651 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-386-310-3803Email: sales@syndicatemarketresearch.comWebsite: Industrial and Commercial LED lighting Market, 2016-2024: Companies involved are Atlas Copco AB, BASF SE, CEMEX S.A.B. de C.V and others http://www.syndicatemarketresearch.com/request-for-sample.html?flag=S&repid=50309 http://www.syndicatemarketresearch.com/market-analysis/industrial-and-commercial-led-lighting-market.html http://www.syndicatemarketresearch.com Global Industrial and Commercial LED lighting Market: OverviewAccording to a new report, By 2024 Industrial and Commercial LED lighting Market to witness tremendous growth and demand in technology.A light-emitting diode (LED) is a two-lead semiconductor light source. LED lights are often used in the lamps as a replacement of incandescent light sources. LED lighting delivers high efficiency, high level of brightness, long lifespan, and high reliability than incandescent bulbs. Moreover, LED consumes lesser power and is available in smaller size. LED lights save up to 80% energy cost. LEDs lights are used in many industries such as street lights, parking garage lighting, and walkway and another outdoor area lighting, refrigerated case lighting, modular lighting, and task lighting.Global Industrial and Commercial LED lighting Market: Growth FactorsThe industrial and commercial LED lighting market are mainly driven by increasing demand for High efficiency and long lasting LED lights. High initial cost of fluorescent lamps may hamper the industrial and commercial LED lighting market growth. However, stringent government regulations and the ban on incandescent lamps is also the main driving factor for LED Lighting. Additionally, Stringent environmental regulations on the use of incandescent bulbs in the developed regions like Europe and North America have remained major market driving force for the industrial and commercial LED lighting market.Request Sample Report @Global Industrial and Commercial LED lighting Market: SegmentationThis report provides detailed analysis and forecast of the industrial and commercial LED lighting market on a global and regional level. The report includes detailed competitive landscape of the global industrial and commercial LED lighting market and an analysis of Porters five forces model for the industrial and commercial LED lighting market has also been included. It includes company market share analysis, the product portfolio of the major industry participants. The report provides detailed segmentation of the industrial and commercial LED lighting market based on application and region segment. Key application market for industrial and commercial LED lighting includes industrial, commercial, architectural and outdoor. The commercial was the leading application segment for industrial and commercial LED lighting market. Commercial segment includes retail, hospitality, warehouse storage, office buildings, and education institutes applications.Global Industrial and Commercial LED lighting Market: Regional AnalysisMajor regional segments analyzed in this study include North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa with its further bifurcation into major countries including U.S., Germany, France, UK, China, Japan, India, and Brazil. This segmentation includes demand for industrial and commercial LED lighting based on individual applications in all the regions and countries. Europe was dominated industrial and commercial LED lighting market in 2014 due to increasing in investment by government.Global Industrial and Commercial LED lighting Market: Competitive PlayersThe report covers detailed competitive outlook including company profiles of the key participants operating in the global market. Key players profiled in the report include Zumtobel AG, Digital Lumens Inc., Cree Corporation, Philip Electronics N.V., Osram Licht AG, Digital Lumens Inc., GE lightings, Toshiba Corp., Dialight Plc, and Cooper Industries Plc.Browse the full report @Industrial and Commercial LED lighting Market: Application Segment AnalysisIndustrialCommercialArchitecturaloutdoorIndustrial and Commercial LED Lighting Market: Regional Segment AnalysisNorth AmericaU.S.EuropeGermanyFranceUKAsia PacificChinaJapanIndiaLatin AmericaBrazilMiddle East And AfricaFor More Inquiry contact our sales Team @ sales@syndicatemarketresearch.comAbout Us:Syndicate Market Research provides a range of marketing and business research solutions designed for our clients specific needs based on our expert resources. The business scopes of Syndicate Market Research cover more than 30 industries including energy, new materials, transportation, daily consumer goods, chemicals, etc. We provide our clients with the one-stop solution for all the research requirements.Contact Us:Joel John3422 SW 15 Street, Suite #8138Deerfield Beach, Florida 33442United StatesToll Free: +1-855-465-4651 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-386-310-3803Email: sales@syndicatemarketresearch.comWebsite: Customer Experience Management (CEM) In Telecommunication Markett, 2016-2026 by Segmentation: Based on Product, Application and Region http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1875 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-1875 www.futuremarketinsights.com CEM can be defined as a management technique that acquires relevant information about the customer, through different types of interactions. This acquired data is useful for improving the customers experience in the future. Customers experience develops over a period of time, influenced by the services offered to them. When a customer is ready to purchase more than one service, it becomes essential for the company to generate a complete profile of its customers. Having the clear understanding of customers experiences, will help telecom providers to offer improved services that meet an individuals needs. Many companies are coming up with interactive ways to better understand their customers experience. This transformation is helping the telecommunication industry grow tremendously. The major drawback here is investing time and money to cater to every individual customers requirements. Developing a virtual agent to tackle the issues generated by the customer, also calls for large investments for developing and training. Even after putting in a huge amount of money, the customer might not be satisfied with the response.Customer Experience Management (CEM) in Telecommunication Market: DriversCustomers are becoming more aware about the services offered to them, and are equally keen in helping companies to offer better services. Many companies are realizing the importance their customers experience hold, and are using this to improve the standards of the products they offer. This is driving the growth of the market. However, the cost involved in the digitization of the customer experience management is impeding the growth of the market.Request Report Sample@Customer Experience Management (CEM) in Telecommunication Market: SegmentationThe segmentation of customer experience management can be done on the basis of types of interaction, verticals, organization, application market and region. The types of interaction could be classified into human to human interaction, and machine to human interaction. Human to human interaction could be further sub segmented on the basis of medium of communication, i.e., in the branch or store, on call, on web chat, on social media, and e-mail. Machine to human interaction can be sub segmented on the basis of medium of communication into, on call, on web chat, on social media, and through interactive applications. On the basis of verticals, it is segmented into telecommunication service providers and companies manufacturing telecommunication devices.Customer Experience Management (CEM) in Telecommunication Market: Regional OutlookThe customer experience management market is expect to grow vastly in the coming years. North America and Europe are the expected upcoming leaders in this market, owing to the fact that their telecommunication industry has long been investing in customer interaction. Whereas, Latin America, Asia Pacific and Middle East and Africa are expected to see a moderate growth in their market.Visit For TOC@Customer Experience Management (CEM) in Telecommunication: Competition LandscapeSome of the key players in the market are, Adobe Systems Inc., Tech Mahindra, SAP SE, Medallia, IBM, Oracle Corporation, Verint Systems, Amdocs Inc., Hewlett-Packard Development Company, Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd, Ericsson, Cisco Systems Inc. and Clarabridge. Recently, McorpCX, Inc., a customer experience software and consulting leader, acquired a leading company in customer experience management called, PersonaDrive, Inc. Companies grow their market by following business strategies like acquisition, partnerships and others.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comPress: press@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: Precipitated Barium Sulfate Market to Propel its Growth Worldwide by 2024 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/13327 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/13327 Barium sulfate is a white crystalline solid that is odorless and insoluble in water. Barium sulfate is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula BaSO4. It occurs as mineral barite, which is the main commercial source of barium and material prepared from it. The white opaque appearance and its high density are exploited in its main application. Precipitated barium sulfate is widely applicable in the industries such as paints coating, pigment, paper, plastic, rubber, ink, leather, ceramic etc. for its purity, low oil absorption, high burning point, insolubility in water, precise PH value, longer shelf life, non-toxicity and effectiveness. In order to ensure the quality, precipitated barium sulfate is stringently tested on defined parameters. Precipitated barium sulfate is a synthetic barium sulfate precipitated with specified particle size. These product can be used effectively for industrial paints, enamels and plastic material, also can be utilized successfully in adhesives, coating and sealants. The demand for precipitated barium sulfate is expanding owing to increasing application of precipitated barium sulfate products. Precipitated barium sulfate is expected to exhibit significant CAGR over the forecast period.A sample of this report is available upon request @Global precipitated barium sulfate is added to various types of synthetic resin such as acryl resins as a light diffusing material, and is thereby useful in diffusing light such as transmitted light and reflected light. Precipitated barium sulfate is a white crystalline solid odorless and insoluble in water. It transpires as the inorganic barite, which is the salable source of barium and materials prepared from barium. The precipitated barium sulfate is used for white plastic raw material such as for resin pellets and the translucent opaque reflection sheet. The precipitation of barium sulfate from aqueous solutions of barium chloride and sodium sulfate is investigated experimentally in a continuous Y Mixture to avoid any mixing influence. The increasing preference of plastic product among the consumer is boosting the overall precipitated barium sulfate market worldwide. The precipitated barium producers are targeting the coating industry for the precipitated barium sulfate trade. On the backdrop of coating and rubber industry precipitated barium sulfate market is expected to expand substantially in the near future.Global Precipitated Barium Sulfate Market: SegmentationThe global demand of precipitated barium sulfate can be segmented on the basis of type, application and region. On the basis of type, global precipitated barium sulfate market can be segmented into ordinary precipitated barium sulfate, modified barium sulfate, nanometer precipitated barium sulfate and others. Based on type nanometer precipitated barium sulfate expected to exhibit momentous growth in near future. On the basis of application global precipitated barium sulfate market can be segmented into coating industry, rubber industry, plastic industry and others. Among application segment plastic industry is expected to dominate the precipitated barium sulfate market worldwide. On the basis of region global precipitated barium sulfate can be segmented into North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Middle East and Africa.Global Precipitated Barium Sulfate Market: Regional OverviewAsia Pacific region is dominating the overall precipitated barium sulfate market owing to increasing rate of industrialization in this region. Among countries in the Asia Pacific, China is expected to dominate the precipitated barium sulfate market. The rising demand for raw plastic among the chemical manufacturers in boosting the precipitated barium sulfate market in Asia Pacific region. Europe is also expected to expand significantly, following North America over the forecast period. Latin America and Middle East and Africa market is estimated to register moderate growth rate during the forecast period.Request to view Table of content @Few of the market players in global precipitated barium sulfate are Cimbar, Barium & Chemicals, Solvay, Jiaxin Chem, Fuhua Chem, Huntsman, NaFine, Xinji Chemical, Nippon Chemical Industry, Onmillion Nano Material, Redstar, Sakai Chem, Onmillion Nano Material, and Suns Chemical & Mineral.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Persistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd.305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA - Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.com MEMS Pressure Sensor Market to register a healthy CAGR for the forecast period, 2016-2026 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-2011 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-2011 www.futuremarketinsights.com Increasing need for controlling and monitoring systems across various industries, drives the demand formicro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) technology based pressure sensor. MEMS technology used to create miniature integrated devices - combines electrical and mechanical components, further fabricated using integrated circuit (IC) processing techniques. Micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) pressure sensors is widely utilized in applications which required absolute, gauge and differential pressure measurements. MEMS pressure sensors sense on the micro scale and can generate effects on the macro scale. MEMS Pressure Sensors are widely used in harsh environments, ultra-low pressure ranges, and extremely small size atmosphere. Also MEMS Pressure Sensors are utilized in various energy domains, which include electrical, mechanical, thermal, magnetic, chemical and radiant.Global MEMS Pressure Sensor Market: Market DynamicsIncreasing demand for MEMS Pressure Sensor from automotive industry to enhance reliability, reduce cost and improve performance is the key factor drives the growth of MEMS global pressure sensor market during the forecast period. Furthermore, continuous focus on factory automation, rapid development in industrial IoT solutions and improved sensing approach for monitoring & control applications are the factors accelerating the demand for MEMS pressure sensor in the industrial manufacturing sector.Request Report Sample@Also, the increasing demand for disposable pressure sensors and continuous innovation in MEMS-enabled medical applications are expected to positively impact the growth of global MEMS pressure sensor market in medical space. Also, rapid growth in consumer electronics, such as smartphones and home appliances, and rising demand for customized MEMS devices for aerospace and defense applications are expected to fuel the growth of MEMS Pressure Sensor market during the forecast period.However, lack of standard fabrication process and technical difficulties in integration and packing process are identified as the restraints likely to deter the progression of global MEMS pressure sensor market during the forecast period.Global MEMS Pressure Sensor Market: SegmentsGlobal MEMS pressure sensor market is segmented on the basis of end user, technology, type and region. On the basis of end user, global MEMS pressure sensor market can be segmented into automotive, healthcare, and Industrial. On the basis of technology global MEMS pressure sensor market can be segmented into piezoresistive and capacitive. By type, global MEMS pressure sensor market can be segmented into gauge type, absolute, and differential. Regionally, global MEMS pressure sensor market is segmented into North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific excluding Japan, Japan and Middle East & Africa.Visit For TOC@Global MEMS Pressure Sensor Market: Regional OutlookGlobal MEMS pressure sensor market is witnessing significant growth in all major regions including North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, and Asia Pacific. Asia pacific market is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period due to government initiatives to expand the industrial infrastructure, presence of large number of automobile and original equipment manufacturers.Global MEMS Pressure Sensor Market: Competition LandscapeThe key vendors in the Global MEMS pressure sensor market, include Robert Bosch GmbH, Denso, NXP Semiconductors, General Electric, Texas Instruments, Infineon Technologies, MRON Corporation, Infineon Technologies AG, and Melexis. Actuations and collaborations with other players in MEMS pressure sensor market is the key strategy followed by top vendors to gain competitive edge.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comPress: press@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: High Fructose Corn Syrup Market Future Demand by 2021 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/6727 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/6727 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is a liquid sweetener utilizing a modified form of corn syrup which is also an alternative to sucrose used in foods and beverages industry. High fructose corn syrup is made from corn using a process called wet milling. It holds around nine percent of overall global sweeteners market. There is no as such difference in composition or metabolism from other fructose glucose sweeteners for instance sucrose, honey, and fruit juice concentrates. It generally contains either 42 percent or 55 percent fructose, the remaining sugars being primarily glucose and higher sugars. HFCS is has more stablility, particularly works well in acidic beverages, available in liquid form makes it easier to transport, handle, and mix better than granulated sucrose. Since, fructose is sweeter than glucose, the overall sweetness of the syrup increased resulting in more cost-effective use over sugar in food processing. Its caloric content is equivalent to sugar and thus it shares the same concerns from consumers and industry as that of sugar. Further, the human body metabolizes fructose differently than glucose and so high consumption of HFCS has also been attributed to increasing rates of obesity. HFCS has been widely adopted by U.S. food manufacturers because it offers advantages over granulated sucrose, for instance it is easy to supply, good for stability and ease of handling. Corn is an abundant and reliable crop grown widely across the U.S., while sucrose production is limited. This means most supplies must be imported into the U.S. from sugar-growing countries, which leaves the supply vulnerable to changes in the weather and political conditions in those countries. HFCS is also more stable, particularly in acidic beverages, and because of its liquid form, it is easier to transport, handle, and mix than granulated sucrose.On the basis of applications the high fructose corn syrup market is segmented into food and beverage and pharmaceutical industry. Food and beverage industry is sub-segmented into baking, canning, cereal product, dairy, carbonated soft drinks, condiments, confections, ice-cream and desserts.Geographically High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) market is segmented into North America, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia Pacific excluding Japan, Japan and Middle East & Africa. North America and Japan is one of the significant market place for high fructose corn syrup.Request to view table of content @High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) market is growing with the demand for sweetener in food and beverage industry. High fructose corn syrup 42 is a good alternative sweeteners of sugar and honey in food preparation to the consumers since consumers are trying to avoid sucrose for its harmful effects; HFCS 42 consists around 42 percent fructose where sugar consists around 50 percent and honey consists around 48 percent fructose which is driving the HFCS market. However, health consciousness and change in life style among consumers of emerging countries are restraining the market since rate of obesity and diabetes are increasing day by day. Hence, zero calorie sweeteners market is much popular among consumers, which is also growing at higher rate in terms of both value and volume. However, high fructose corn syrup is granted Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (U.S. FDA). HFCS has been widely adopted by U.S. food manufacturers because it offers advantages over granulated sucrose, for instance it is easy to supply, good stability and ease of handling. High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) market seeking high opportunity in the Asia Pacific, Middle East and Latin America market.A sample of this report is available upon request @Some the key players operating across the value chain of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) are Archer Daniels Midland Company, Cargill Inc., INGREDION INCORPORATED, Tate & Lyle.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb: Global Styrene Acrylic Market Analysis and Forecast, 2026 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/13336 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/13336 Styrene Acrylic is a kind of coating which is used for building and construction to provide concrete and roofing applications to improve or provide flexibility, heat sealability, salt stability, and water resistance. Chemically styrene acrylic is nothing but modified acrylic polymer to increase weathering resistance of the polymer. Coating of styrene acrylic increases the longevity of roofs and other building materials which are at direct expose to the outer atmosphere. With the rise in global warming houses and building coated with styrene acrylic are on trend. Over the forecast period, it can be anticipated that the styrene acrylic market will increase with the rise in demand of weather proof coating.A sample of this report is available upon request @The growth of global styrene acrylic market is driven by growing construction industry. The macroeconomic factors responsible for the growth of global styrene acrylic market is the rapid rate of urbanization, rising disposable income which results into high demand for weather proof houses and apartments. Consumers now look for living spaces which can meet their demands and require least of maintenance. Such demand push the constructor and builders to utilize those goods and raw material s which are treated with styrene acrylic. Even automobile manufacturers are working on modified styrene acrylic to incorporate into coating of automobile outer body in order to make the vehicle less weather prone and in the process making car interior least affected by outer temperature.Owing to its strong chemical composition, industry and industry workers manufacturing styrene acrylic are prone to myriad health issues. And since styrene acrylic is made with natural gas and crude oil. Recent price fluctuations of crude oil in the international market has deterred the profit of styrene acrylic market. Such factors can act as a restraint for styrene acrylic market growth.Global Styrene acrylic Market Segmentation:Global styrene acrylic market is segmented by application, end-user, and region. By application global styrene acrylic market is segmented as coating, paint. Among the application segment, painting contributes for the significant revenue share over the forecast period in global styrene acrylic market, owing to increasing demand for styrene acrylic paint in various segments. By end-user, the global styrene acrylic market is segmented as the construction industry, chemical industry.Based on the geographies, the global styrene acrylic market is fragmented into seven key regions -- North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific except Japan, Japan, and the Middle East & Africa. Among the aforementioned regions, North America accounts for a significant share of global styrene acrylic market, owing to relatively high-value share of the region in the global construction industry. Western Europe is followed by North America region in the global styrene acrylic market, owing to the substantial growth of automobile industry in the region. The Asia-Pacific except Japan region accounts for significantly high volume share in the global styrene acrylic market, owing to the substantial growth in the construction industry in the region. Eastern Europe and Japan also accounts for significant value share in the global styrene acrylic market over the forecast period. The developing economy such as Middle East Africa and Latin America have been exhibiting moderate opportunity in the global styrene acrylic market, owing to the moderate growth rate in the construction industry and growing population. Overall, the outlook for the global styrene acrylic market will have a positive growth over the forecast period, owing to the increasing demand for the pharmaceuticals as an anti-counterfeiting measure.Request to view Table of content @Few players in the global styrene acrylic market include BASF, The Lubrizol Corporation, Arkema, Wacker Chemie AG, DIC Corporation, Trinseo, Momentive Performance Materials Holdings LLC, Omnova Solutions Inc., Nuplex Industries Ltd, The DOW Chemical Company.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Persistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd.305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA - Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.com Global LED Indoor Lighting Market Industry Growth Research Report 2016 http://www.qyresearchreports.com/sample/sample.php?rep_id=903998&type=E http://www.qyresearchreports.com/report/global-led-indoor-lighting-market-research-report-2016.htm http://www.qyresearchreports.com/reports.htm http://www.qyresearchreports.com Global LED Indoor Lighting Industry 2016 Market Overview, Size, Share, Trends, Analysis, Technology, Applications, Growth, Market Status, Demands, Insights, Development, Research and Forecast 2016-2020.The report offers a comprehensive overview of the global LED Indoor Lighting market. With data covering all important aspects of the market, the report makes it easier for existing and new players to understand the market condition by compiling accurate historical data regarding and verifiable forecast regarding the potential growth prospects of the market over the period between 2016 And 2021. The vast market data in the report has been gathered with the help of primary and secondary research methods. The major factors affecting the growth of the global LED Indoor Lighting market have been examined and the valuation of the market over the reports forecast period have been projected in the report. Case studies as well as insightful views from industry experts make the report helpful for market players.To Get Free Sample Copy of Report visit @The LED Indoor Lighting market has been studied in terms of various parameters such as products and applications. The growth of each of the product segments has been projected in the report. The entire supply chain of the LED Indoor Lighting market has been described in the report, with focus on the various upstream and downstream components. The present demand and supply trends in the market have been mentioned to offer a complete picture of the market.The report also presents detailed insights into the vendor and competitive landscape of the LED Indoor Lighting market with the help of detailed business profiles some of the key players operating in the global LED Indoor Lighting market. Data about companies profiled in the report includes specification of their products and services portfolios, financial overview, revenue generation prospects in the future years, and recent developments such as mergers and acquisitions. Through SWOT analysis, the report analyzes the various growth opportunities for the market players. By examining the global LED Indoor Lighting market and tracing historical statistics, the future outlook of the market has been defined.Browse Complete Report with TOC @Table of ContentsGlobal LED Indoor Lighting Market Research Report 20161 LED Indoor Lighting Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of LED Indoor Lighting1.2 LED Indoor Lighting Segment by Type1.2.1 Global Production Market Share of LED Indoor Lighting by Type in 20151.2.2 100w1.3 LED Indoor Lighting Segment by Application1.3.1 LED Indoor Lighting Consumption Market Share by Application in 20151.3.2 Healthcare Indoor Lighting1.3.3 Commercial Indoor Lighting1.3.4 Industrial Indoor Lighting1.3.5 Home Indoor Lighting1.3.6 Others1.4 LED Indoor Lighting Market by Region1.4.1 North America Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.2 Europe Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.3 China Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.4 Japan Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.5 Korea Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.6 Taiwan Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.5 Global Market Size (Value) of LED Indoor Lighting (2011-2021)2 Global LED Indoor Lighting Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1 Global LED Indoor Lighting Production and Share by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.2 Global LED Indoor Lighting Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.3 Global LED Indoor Lighting Average Price by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.4 Manufacturers LED Indoor Lighting Manufacturing Base Distribution, Sales Area and Product Type2.5 LED Indoor Lighting Market Competitive Situation and Trends2.5.1 LED Indoor Lighting Market Concentration Rate2.5.2 LED Indoor Lighting Market Share of Top 3 and Top 5 Manufacturers2.5.3 Mergers & Acquisitions, Expansion3 Global LED Indoor Lighting Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2011-2016)3.1 Global LED Indoor Lighting Production by Region (2011-2016)3.2 Global LED Indoor Lighting Production Market Share by Region (2011-2016)3.3 Global LED Indoor Lighting Revenue (Value) and Market Share by Region (2011-2016)3.4 Global LED Indoor Lighting Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2011-2016)3.5 North America LED Indoor Lighting Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2011-2016)3.6 Europe LED Indoor Lighting Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2011-2016)3.7 China LED Indoor Lighting Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2011-2016)3.8 Japan LED Indoor Lighting Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2011-2016)3.9 Korea LED Indoor Lighting Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2011-2016)3.10 Taiwan LED Indoor Lighting Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2011-2016)4 Global LED Indoor Lighting Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2011-2016)4.1 Global LED Indoor Lighting Consumption by Regions (2011-2016)4.2 North America LED Indoor Lighting Production, Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2011-2016)4.3 Europe LED Indoor Lighting Production, Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2011-2016)4.4 China LED Indoor Lighting Production, Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2011-2016)4.5 Japan LED Indoor Lighting Production, Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2011-2016)4.6 Korea LED Indoor Lighting Production, Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2011-2016)4.7 Taiwan LED Indoor Lighting Production, Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2011-2016)For Market Research Latest Reports Visit @About UsQYReseachReports.com delivers the latest strategic market intelligence to build a successful business footprint in China. Our syndicated and customized research reports provide companies with vital background information of the market and in-depth analysis on the Chinese trade and investment framework, which directly affects their business operations. Reports from QYReseachReports.com feature valuable recommendations on how to navigate in the extremely unpredictable yet highly attractive Chinese market.Contact Us1820 AvenueM Suite #1047Brooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Web:Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com Redispersible Latex Powder Market Will Continue to Grow by 2026 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/13408 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/13408 Redispersible latex powder are organic polymer powder obtained through the spray drying of aqueous emulsions. Dispersion powder help improve the properties and performance of cement or dry mix powder. Redispersible latex powder combine the benefit of liquid latex modifiers with the convenience, reliability, and handling or storing advantage of one component dry mix system. The high performance redispersible latex are used in wide range of application as blender and additives to influence workability, strength development and many other application specific properties. Redispersible latex offers variety of features such as improved workability, improved open time, and abrasion resistance. Multipurpose application of redispersible latex powder is expected to expand significant during the forecast period. Redispersible latex powder are polymer emulsions that are converted by spray drying to free flowing powder. These powder redisperse back into liquid emulsions with essentially identical properties to the original emulsions when blended with water. The demand for redispersible latex powder is increasing due to its benefits in construction industry because of its application as strong strength development of the mortar, better water retention and workability, higher flexural strength and flexibility and strong impact.A sample of this report is available upon request @Redispersible latex powder is a free flowing, white powder obtained drying of aqueous vinyl acetate ethylene copolymer dispersion. It is usually in diverse construction chemical application such as external thermal insulation composite system. Redispersible latex powder is an important additive in cement based or gypsum based dry powder. The demand is booting the growth of redispersible latex powders owing to its properties such as medium hard, improved water resistance, highly recommended for cement based plasters. The global demand for redispersible latex powders is expected to create significant CAGR during the forecast period. The chemical industry is trying to form a regulation that will set the standard for a chemical that is used in each and every product. The rising demand for cement-based plasters has led to a significant surge in the valuation of global redispersible latex powders market in the near future. Going further, the advent of combine the performance benefits of redispersible latex powders is likely to create opportunities for the market growth in coming years.Global Redispersible Latex Powder Market: SegmentationThe global redispersible latex powder can be segmented on the basis of type, application and region. On the basis of type redispersible latex powders can be segmented to vinyl acetate ethylene (VAE) copolymers, vinyl acetate/vinyl ester of versatic acid (VAE-VeoVa) copolymers, styrene butadiene, and acrylic powder. On the basis application redispersible latex powders can be segmented to cement plasters, self-leveling underlayments, and gypsum setting compounds, repair mortars, and ceramic tile adhesives. Among application ceramic tile adhesives is expected dominate the overall redispersible latex powder worldwide.Global Redispersible Latex Powder Market: Regional OverviewThe redispersible latex powder is segmented into five region North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America and Middle East & Africa. Europe and North America market emerge dominate for redispersible latex powder owing increasing application of redispeesible latex powder such as external thermal insulation, composite systems, construction and tile adhesive. Asia Pacific have significant high market share of redispersible latex powders market due to increase in urbanization and modernization therefore consumption of redispersible latex power is rapidly increasing in this region. The increasing demand of innovative material is driving the market of redispersible latex powders market worldwide. The counties such as china and India are emerging market for the redispersible latex powders due to increasing manufacturing and construction business in this region.Request to view Table of content @Few market players of redispersible latex powder are Akzo Nobel, Wacker Chemie AG, Wacker Polymers, Hexion, BASF SE, Construction Chemicals Div., Acquos, The Dow Chemical Company, Yil-Long Chemical Group Ltd, Dairen Chemical Corporation, Dinova Pvt. Ltd, BCD Rohstoffe fur Bauchemie HandelsGmbH, Synthomer Ltd, Nippon Gohsei, Bosson Chemical, F.A.R. Fabbrica Adesivi Resine S.p.A, Synthomer Ltd.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Persistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd.305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA - Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.com Global Optical Transceivers Industry Key Trends, Size, Growth, Strategies, Shares And Forecast Research Report 2016 to 2022 http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=825651 http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=E&repid=825651 http://www.researchmoz.us/ http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Optical Transceivers: Market Shares, Strategies, and Forecasts, Worldwide, 2016 to 2022" to its huge collection of research reports.The vendors in the optical transceivers industry have invested in high-quality technology and processes to develop leading edge broadband network capability.Internet, enterprise augmented reality, and IoT Drive optical network adoption as the mega data centers are poised for significant growth to support trillion-dollar app markets. Global adoption of the Internet is driving rapid growth of the mega datacenter and the need for very high speed network transmission. Optical transceivers are used to upgrade telecommunications networks and launch very large mega data centers. The development of innovative products is essential to keeping and growing market share.An optical transceiver is a single, packaged device that works as a transmitter and receiver. An optical transceiver is used in an optical network to convert electrical signals to optical signals and optical signals to electrical signals. Optical transceivers are widely deployed in optical networking for broadband. Optical transceiver manufacturers test to ensure that their optical transceivers have compliance with the defined specifications. Testing of key optical parameters: transmitter optical power and receiver sensitivity is a big deal.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Leader of the team that prepared the research, Optical transceiver markets are driven by the use of broadband in every industry. Video, Internet adoption, and tablets drive demand for broadband. Markets are influenced by apps, augmented reality. IoT, the move to cloud computing and the adoption of smart phones by 9.5 billion people by 2020. Mega data centers that support online commerce, streaming video, social networking, and cloud services for every industry are expected to adopt optical transceivers as a fundamental technology. Software as a Service (SaaS) is a primary offering that will leverage optical transceivers in this mega data center.High-speed serial transceivers form the backbone of networks. Communications, servers and many other electronic systems depend on high-speed serial transceivers. Global adoption of the Internet is driving rapid growth of the mega datacenter. Data centers support online commerce, streaming video, social networking, and cloud services. Software as a Service (SaaS) is a primary offering.Leading vendors offer a broad product selection. They are positioned with innovative technology. Optical module manufacturers address the needs of all major networking equipment vendors worldwide. Leading vendors have taken a leading role in transforming the data communications and tele-communications equipment market.The global optical transceiver market at $4.6 billion in 2015 up dramatically from $3.2 billion in 2013 is anticipated to grow to $41.1 billion by 2022 driven by the availability and cost effectiveness of 100 Gbps, and 400 Gbps devices. Next generation optical transceiver devices use less power, are less expensive, and are smarter and smaller. The adoption of widespread use of the 100 Gbps devices, followed by 400 Gbps devices and the vast increases in Internet traffic are core to helping manage change in the communications infrastructure markets.Companies ProfiledSelected Market Leaders- Finisar- Broadcom- Fujitsu- Sumitomo- NEC- Emcore- Oplink Communications- Furukawa Electric- Lumentum- Oclaro- Source Photonics- NeoPhotonics- Innolight Technology- Accelink Technologies- NTTMarket Participants- 3SP Group- Accelink- ACON- Agilent Technologies- Analog Devices- Innolight Technology Corporation- Luna Innovations / Advanced Photonix- Menara Networks- Molex / Oplink- Champion Optical Network Engineering, LLC (Champion ONE)- Cube Optics- Dasan Zhone Solutions- Delta- Foxconn Technology Group- MRV- Nokia- Photon-X- POLYSYS- Qorvo- Reflex Photonics- Fujitsu- Furukawa Electric Business Segments- GigPeak- Huawei- Ikanos- Rohm Semiconductor- Santec?Creating Optopia- Transmode- Viavi Solutions- VitesseKey Topics- Optical Transceiver- Augmented Reality- Internet of Things (IoT)- Network Core- DWDM- Data rates 100 Gb/s- Mega Data Center Optimized- Internet Protocol Traffic- Mobile Backhaul- Broadband Optical SectorMake an Enquiry of this report @About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.Mr. NachiketState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @ Global Cellulose Paints Market Expecting Worldwide Growth by 2021 www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/4276 www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/4276 Cellulose paints are plant based coatings which carry the advantage of being painted in layers as compared to conventional distemper paints. Cellulose paints have a mixture of pigments which exhibit their aesthetics due to the ability of the pigments to show light refraction. These paints are easy to remove during the coating of another paint as its temporary in nature. It is not high in opacity or hiding power. Large scale corporations such as AkzoNobel N.V. are significantly involved in the production of cellulose paints through their product Bermocoll. These paints contain a range of non-ionic cellulose ethers which are use as water retaining agent, stabilizers, and thickeners for water based paints for decorative applications. During the production of these paints, cellulose reacts with various substituents such as ethyl, methyl and hydroxyethyl or hydrophobic groups, which is called etherification that makes Bermocoll water soluble in nature. Cellulose paints are regarded as active agents with polymeric surface and exhibit the ability to contribute to disperse the pigments by enhancing the flow during grinding. Cellulose paints are manufactured in a broad range of viscosities which enable consumers to choose the specific viscosity required for the application of the paint. In order to avoid the lump formation during addition of water to cellulose paints, manufacturers treat all the paint grades with a controlled amount of glyoxal.A sample of this report is available upon request @The global market for cellulose paints has been witnessing a significant increase on account of growth from its well established end user industries such as automotive, construction and industrial. Significant investments from certain large scale companies such as BASF SE, AkzoNobel, and Eastman Chemical Company among others to expand in quite a few countries of Asia-Pacific and Latin America have been witnessed. Demand for green coatings in these regions have still been in the development and are anticipated to have a huge potential in the near future. Moreover, focus on R&D activities for developing low VOC coatings industry coupled with product innovation has also contributed to the growth of the market. Asia Pacific currently dominates the global market for cellulose paints, with emerging economies such as China and India dominating the region. It was followed by North America where demand for these paints has been witnessing a noticeable increase with the presence of the large automotive industry in the region. Future market growth is expected to be from Asia Pacific as well owing to several new renovation and construction projects in South Asia, specifically in China thereby boosting the demand for cellulose paints.Growing demand for non-hazardous, low VOC green paints from various end-user industries are expected to boost the demand for cellulose paints over the next few years. In addition, growth of the automotive and construction industry has also been the current growth factors for cellulose paints. However, increasing use of other better performing green substrates such as powder coatings is expected to hamper the growth of the cellulose paints market. Focus on product innovations to manufacture non hazardous paints with low VOC content is expected to provide new opportunities for the growth of the market.Request to view Table of content @AkzoNobel N.V., BASF SE, Eastman Chemical Company, PPG Asian Paints, and The Dow Chemical Company are some of the key players present in the cellulose paints industry.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Persistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd.305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA - Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.com Global Budesonide Market Analysis and Forecast by 2026 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/13456 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/13456 With the change in climate and environment, seasonal asthma has become main cause of respiratory ailments. Budesonide is used to control and prevent symptoms such as wheezing and shortness of breath caused by asthma. Budesonide belongs to a class of drugs named as corticosteroids. It works directly to the lungs to make breathing easier by reducing the irritation and swelling of the airways. Budesonide sold under the brand name pulmicort among others, is a steroid medication. It is available as an inhaler, pill, nasal spray, and rectal. The inhaled form is used in long-term management of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Pulmicort respules is meant only for inhalation by compressed air-driven jet nebulizer. Budesonide is used to avert difficulty while breathing, chest tightness, wheezing and coughing caused by asthma. Budesonide powder for oral inhalation is used in adults and children; 6 years of age and older. Budesonide suspension for oral inhalation is also used in children 12 months to 8 years of age. It comes as powder to inhale by mouth using an inhaler and as a suspension to inhale by mouth using a special jet nebulizer. Budesonide helps to prevent asthma attacks and shortness of breath. Each budesonide inhaler is designed to provide 60 to 120 inhalations, depending on its size. Budesonide is a glucocorticoid used in management of asthma, the treatment of various skin disorder, and allergic rhinitis. Budesonide is provided as a mixture of two epimers (22R and 22S). The extended release oral tablet, marketed as uceris got approved by FDA for the management of ulcerative colitis. The global demand for budesonide is expected substantial growth over the forecast period.A sample of this report is available upon request @Global Budesonide is appropriate to the course of medication called corticosteroids. Budesonide, an adrenocortical hormone, was developed by AstraZeneca in the 1990s. It is mainly used for the treatment of non-budesonide glucocorticoid-dependent or glucocorticoid. In June 1997, budesonide aerosol got approved by FDA. In recent years, the increasing rate of air pollution will increase asthma and other breathing problem. It is estimated that, with the steady growth in asthma, demand for budesonide will be boosted. Budesonide is used to treat mild to moderate crohn's disease. Budesonide is generic name of a prescription drug sold under the brand names entocortec, uceris, pulmicort, pulmicort flexhaler, pulmicort respules, and rhinocort. It's also one of the drugs found in the inhaler symbicort, used to treat COPD and asthma. Budesonide is expected to grow at significant CAGR in near future.Global Budesonide Market: SegmentationThe global demand of global budesonide can be segmented on the basis of product type, application and region basis. On the basis of product type budesonide market can be segmented as aerosol, sprays, inhalants, and suspension, pill&rectal forms. On the basis application budesonide market is segmented to hospital, pharmacy, clinic and others. On the basis of region, budesonide market is segmented into North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Middle East and Africa.Global Budesonide Market: Regional OverviewAsia pacific have significant high market share in budesonide market as compared to others owing to increasing population as well as increasing pollution issue in this region especially in the countries such as India and China. China is expected to dominate budesonide market in the near future. The market size of budesonide in Asia Pacific is expected to keep growing in next few years. The North America is expected to Experience significant growth in coming years following Europe. Latin America and Middle East & Africa is projected to experience stagnant growth rate during the forecast period.Request to view Table of content @Few market players in global budesonide are Pfizer, Sandoz, Cipla, Cosmo Pharmaceuticals, Takeda, Manus Aktteva Biopharma LLP, Abbott, Lunan Better Pharmaceutical, Novartis, Mylan, Novartis, Skyepharma, AstraZeneca AB, Wellcome Australia Ltd, AstraZeneca plc, AstraZeneca Australia, Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A, Orion Corporation, Santarus, Synmosa Biopharma Corporation.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Persistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd.305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA - Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.com Law Enforcement Robots Industry Key Trends, Size, Growth, Shares And Forecast Research Report 2016 to 2022 http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=759621 http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=E&repid=759621 http://www.researchmoz.us/ http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Law Enforcement Robots: Market Shares, Market Strategies, and Market Forecasts, 2016 to 2022" to its huge collection of research reports.Next generation law enforcement robots are being implemented as platforms. Platforms are useful for accepting a range of components quickly to repurpose units on the fly. Law enforcement robots leverage better materials, more sophisticated designs, software technology, and tablet remote controls. They are communication devices that support high quality data gathering. Communications are implemented in difficult situations. The study has 649 pages and 327 tables and figures.Law enforcement robotics are slated to increase in value to cities and local communities providing low cost protection and high value capabilities. With the active threat of terrorists attacking civilian populations in every country, law enforcement has become the new military. As terrorists operate outside nationalistic borders and infiltrate into the community, robot systems are needed by local police forces, not just the military. The national priority in every country is to increase the budgets for regional and local law enforcement robotic response.Response to emergency situations with robots include response to natural disasters, hostage taking, barricaded law breakers, and terrorists. These situations have not been a problem inside local communities, previously dealt with by national authorities.With the rise of international terrorism, experienced through the news media in most local communities and cities, the threat of local terrorism is becoming more real and unfortunately more common. The robots offer al level of protection to the human by letting the police officers do some of their job remotely.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Law enforcement robots are mobile automated process platforms that are responsive to homeland security needs. They are emerging in the context of globalization and smart phone devices that provide connectedness in every aspect of people and things worldwide. Law enforcement robots are evolving in the context of the smart phone apps that support the systems of engagement. This global aspect of the law enforcement robots means that the devices have a presence in every part of the world.Law enforcement robots are inherently local, they are used locally, they are needed by security personnel in particularly dangerous local situations. Systems of engagement apps are evolving as specially designed ground robot networks used to address terrorism and local law enforcement and fire department needs to support community and cities safety patrol.Bomb squads need robots, they need robot technology, more flexibility, better maneuverability. The robots can be tuned to the specific activity in which they are being used. Modular systems represent platform technology of choice for robots. Modules can be highly targeted to specific situations. Robots make police organizations more functional. Robots improve performance, they work remotely.Robots for law enforcement rely on maneuverability. Security technology is becoming mobile, changing the old security camera approach to allowing a more proactive approach to security. The robot can go out and look around.The aim of using law enforcement robots is to secure the safety of the officers in the field. Robots are pretty good at this as it turns out. Police are forced to function in dangerous situations. Law enforcement robots make a manned police force able to function more effectively. Robots can carry video cameras. Video facilitates communicating with a dangerous criminal.Law enforcement robots have become more affordable. Market growth comes from economies of scale that bring the lower costs for more functionality.Law enforcement robot markets at $1 billion in 2015 are anticipated to reach $5.7 billion by 2022. Market growth comes as every law enforcement agency faces the prospect of dealing with terrorists. With technology maturity and economies of scale, price points decline rapidly and affordability continues to drive significant market growth. The companies that have achieved measurable market share early in the evolution of the market are likely to maintain a strong presence in markets.Companies ProfiledMarket Leaders- Northrop GrummanGeneral- General Dynamics- Endeavour Robotics- Kongsberg- QinetiQ Energid / Mitsubishi- ReconRobotics- SDR- Telerob Lockheed- MartinMarket Participants- Coroware- DJI- Kairos Autonami- Google- GoPro- Kairos Autonami- Kawada Industries- Kuka- Lithos Robotics- Lockheed Martin- Mesa Robotics- Mitsubishi Next-Generation- Robot for Nuclear Power Plant- Heat Exchanger Tube Inspection- Northrop Grumman- Pedsco- Power Hawk Technologies- Robotics- Robosoft- Robotex- TechnoRobot- Transcend Robotics- YamahaKey Topics- Law Enforcement Robots- Homeland Security Robots- First Responder Robots- Border Patrol Robots- Ground Robots- Bomb Detection Robots- Networks of Military Robots- Unmanned Logistics Vehicles- Robots Market Shares- Unmanned Vehicles- Robots Market Forecasts- Maneuverable Military Robots- Military Embedded Software- Sensor Networks- Search And Rescue- Robot Navigation- Battery for Robots- Robots Drive Control- Robots Electronics- Robots Market Segments- Low Power Robots- Guns Mounted on Robots- Military Robots- Auto Assault-12 (AA-2)- Remote-Controlled Weapons- Neural Robotics- Robotex- Folding Transport Military- Robots- Robotics- Robot- Common Operator Control- Unit- Radio Control Modules- Security- AppsMake an Enquiry of this report @About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.Mr. NachiketState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @ New Survey Reveals Scooters Medical Equipment Markets Industry Share Analysis and Index, Bundle, Worldwide, 2006 to Current, Quarterly http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=756670 http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=E&repid=756670 http://www.researchmoz.us/ http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Scooters Medical Equipment Markets Market Share Analysis: Market Shares, Analysis, and Index, Bundle, Worldwide, 2006 to Current, Quarterly" to its huge collection of research reports.Homecare Medical Equipment Markets are poised to achieve continuing growth as the aging population needs homecare treatment. The homecare equipment market consists primarily of wheelchairs, scooters, oxygen treatment equipment, accessibility beds, lifts, and toilets. Homecare medical equipment has until recently been sold primarily through distributers. The impact of direct sales through the Internet has brought about some distribution market consolidation, leading to a decrease of in the number of distributers for homecare equipment.As the population ages, people are more frail and need assistance for mobility. Wheelchair technology is evolving to give people with disabilities more mobility. Mobility depends on a wheelchair that is fit to purpose. Power and manual wheelchairs are bought depending on the needs of the customers. Medical scooters are a growing segment of mobility for the aging population, as they perform better in an outdoor environment. Many issues impact the choice of a wheelchair, including cost and reimbursement availability.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @WinterGreen Research is an independent research organization funded by the sale of market research studies all over the world and by the implementation of ROI models that are used to calculate the total cost of ownership of equipment, services, and software. The company has 35 distributors worldwide, including Global Information Info Shop, Market Research.com, Research and Markets, electronics.ca, and Thompson Financial. WinterGreen Research is positioned to help customers facing challenges that define the modern enterprises. The increasingly global nature of science, technology and engineering is a reflection of the implementation of the globally integrated enterprise. Customers trust wintergreen research to work alongside them to ensure the success of the participation in a particular market segment.WinterGreen Research supports various market segment programs; provides trusted technical services to the marketing departments. It carries out accurate market share and forecast analysis services for a range of commercial and government customers globally. These are all vital market research support solutions requiring trust and integrity.Companies ProfiledMarket Participants- Pride Mobility- Merits Health- Drive Medical- Afikim Mobility Vehicles- Amigo- Golden Technologies- Honda- Heartway Medical Products- Shop Rider Mobility Products- Zip'r MobilityKey Topics- Scooter and All Terrain Vehicle- Forecasts- Ultralife Batteries- Medical Equipment Government Regulations- Science And Medical Technology- Thin Film Battery Technological Trends- Wheelchair Distribution Channels- Market Drivers For Healthcare Cost Containment- Healthcare Equipment Industry- Travel and Leisure Mobility- Mobility Vehicles- 3 wheel scooters- 4 wheel scootersMake an Enquiry of this report @About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.Mr. NachiketState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @ Global Mid IR Sensors Industry Key Trends, Size, Growth, Strategies, Shares And Forecast Research Report 2016 to 2022 http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=748518 http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=E&repid=748518 http://www.researchmoz.us/ http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Mid IR Sensors: Market Shares, Strategies, and Forecasts, Worldwide, 2016 to 2022" to its huge collection of research reports.Next generation Mid IR Sensors are leveraging new technology. The 2016 study has 885 pages, 390 tables and figures. Worldwide mid IR sensor markets are poised to achieve significant growth as the Internet of things creates demand for more and more sensors.Everything needs a sensor to be connected to the Internet and available to smart phone apps. Mid IR sensors can measure chemical composition of materials and gas. The efficiency is unmatched by any other technology; cost is increasingly competitive. Mid IR is extending use beyond military applications to commercial systems, including the Internet of things where sensors become part of network systems.Mid IR sensors are the base of the Internet of Things initiatives, they form the building blocks for all different types of imaging and controls. Drones, robots, industrial robots, machines, cameras, buildings, fire departments, traffic lights, traffic control, the military, the border patrol, law enforcement, healthcare, asthma treatment, virtually everyone will increasingly use mid IR sensors.The Internet of Things (IoT) does not work without sensors, mid IR sensors provide a significant aspect of modern visualization and sensing. Drones use mid IR sensors for cameras and for navigation. Robots use mid IR cameras for navigation. The intelligence community has used this mid IR sensor technology for a long time and the technology is now gaining traction in the commercial markets.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Mid IR sensors can measure chemical composition of materials and gas. The efficiency is unmatched by any other technology; cost is increasingly competitive. Mid IR has extended use beyond military applications to commercial systems, including the Internet of things where sensors become part of network systems.Mid-IR QCL systems have achieved price performance levels that are increasingly attractive. Vendors bring sensing capabilities to a broad range of applications, including: spectroscopic and bio-medical imaging; materials characterization; standoff explosive detection; microscopy; and non-destructive testing. Spectroscopy and imaging measurements are easier, faster and more cost-effective leveraging advances in mid IR sensing.Mid-infrared sensors and imaging applications depend on quantum cascade laser (QCL) technology. Daylight Solutions quantum cascade laser (QCL) technology has been delivered to more systems for more customers in more applications than all other QCL-based solutions combined. Advances in QC laser technology and spectrometer hardware are combined with spectroscopic techniques. Intra pulse spectroscopy and similar techniques provide a major step change in sensitivity, speed of operation, fingerprinting capability, size and cost. They offer a major improvement on methods of gas detection. Recent advances in spectrometer hardware relate to QC gas sensors.Advances exploit recent technological advances including miniaturized integrated electronic systems, plug and play interfaces and micro optics. These will progressively replace unwieldy, fragile and expensive instrumentation.The lasing wavelength for QCL's is determined by the choice of semiconductor material. By adjusting the physical thickness of the semiconductor layers new functionality is achieved. This removes the material barriers associated with conventional semiconductor laser technology.An infrared spectroscopic laser source has no need for cryogenic cooling, provides high output powers, has large spectral coverage, provides excellent spectral quality, and has good tunability. The removal of the noise floor provides competitive advantage because it can be implemented without the need of complex fringe removal techniques. It can be done without expensive optical isolators. The feature that allows manageable removal of the noise floor enables the laboratory performance of technology to be commercialized.Mid IR analyzers in process control are expected to save trillions of Btus annually in the petrochemical sector. Process control and environmental monitoring potential applications are evolving for this technology.Examples of mid IR applications follow.- Combustion emissions analysis- Fugitive emissions control- Contraband detection- Improved safety conditions for plant workers- On-site detection of chemicalsMedical applications include human breath monitoring, glucose sensing, cancer detection and diagnostics, eye surgery, and environmental health monitoring. Medical and industrial monitoring utilizes trace detection of benzene, toluene or xylene. Medical applications account for a growing mid-IR laser market. The medical area is evolving in both diagnostics and treatment. Improved diagnostics are made possible through photonic technologies.Mid IR sensors deliver a better understanding of disease: Optical molecular imaging is anticipated to be significant.Mid IR sensors hold the possibility of making medicine much more advanced because of the visibility into patient conditions that will be possible. As visibility into patient condition is refined, so also remedies will be much more refined. Energy efficiency and clean, renewable energy will mean a stronger economy, a cleaner environment, and greater energy independence. Working with a wide array of state, community, industry, and university partners, the U.S. Department of Energys Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy invests in a diverse set of energy technologies.Mid-IR sensor systems have achieved price to performance levels adequate to assure rapid adoption. Capabilities address a broad range of applications, including: location of people as targets, spectroscopic and bio-medical imaging; materials characterization; standoff explosive detection; microscopy; non-destructive testing. Spectroscopy, and imaging measurements. These are easier, faster, and cost-effective.Military applications account for a significant portion of mid IR sensor markets. The remaining part of revenue comes from CO2 sensors, building sensors, and units for a range of different markets. Markets at $4.19 billion in 2015 are anticipated to reach $30 billion by 2022 as price performance increases and unit costs decrease from $3,000 per unit to $2,000 per high end unit. $300 per mid-range sensor has dropped to $200. $8 has dropped to $6 per unit providing price points that make the sensors affordable. or less per unit on average drive further interest from commercial buyers.The decrease in size of units from bench size devices to portable units makes them more useful across the board in every industry.Companies ProfiledMarket Leaders- United Technologies / Kidde Spectris / Omega- GE / Senseair- FLIR- Raytheon- Lockheed Martin- MKS / Newport- BAE- Daylight Solutions- Danaher / Raytek- II-VI / Marlow- Sick AG- Emerson / Cascade Technologies- Sofradir- Bosch- Micro-Epsilon- Finmeccanica / SELEX Galileo- Hamamatsu- Johnson Controls- IPG Photonics- Block EngineeringMarket Participants- AdTechoptics- Aerocrine- Alpes Lasers / ALTechnologies- Block Engineering- Bosch- Acuity Brands- Advanced Photonix- Agiltron / SensArrayInfrared- Cymbet- Circassia / Aerocrine- Danaher Acquires Raytek- Digi International- Linear Control/Dust Networks- EnOcean GmbH- Ekips Technologies- Elliot Scientific- Finmeccanica- SELEX Galileo Inc.- Ferro Solutions- Flexible Electronics Concepts- Fortive 730- General Electric (GE)- Hamamatsu- II-VI incorporated / Marlow Industries- ILX Lightwave- IPG Photonics- Sensor Products- Johnson Controls- JonDeTech- Kidde Products Limited / Airsense Technology- Lockheed-Martin- M Squared- MIRTHE (Mid-Infrared Technologies for Health and the Environment) National Science Foundation- Mirthe Mid IR Sensor Breath Analyzers- Marktech Optoelectronics- Mitre- Nanophase Technologies- Opto Solutions- Opto Diode Corporation- Opto Solutions- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory- PNNL Electronics and Systems Integration- Physical Sciences- Power Technology- Sensor Switch- SenseAir- Sentinel Photonics- Sick AG- Sofradir- Spectris / Omega Engineering- Structured Materials Industries- Telops- Thorlabs- United Technologies- Kidde Products Limited / AirSense Technology- VIASPACE / Ionfinity- Vigo System S.A.- Xenics Sentinel Photonics- Thermo Fischer Scientific / NovaWave Technologies- VIASPACE / IonfinityKey Topics- Mid Infrared (IR) Sensors- Electro-magnetic spectrum- QC laser technology- Spectrometer hardware- Wireless Sensor Network- Wireless Nodes- Homeland security- Military communications- Infrared countermeasures- Chemical warfare agent detection- Explosives detection- Medical diagnostics- Industrial process controls- Remote gas leak detection- Pollution monitoring- Real-time combustion controls- Mid IR sensor- Microcontroller- Energy Harvesting- Vibration-Based Wireless Energy- Piezoelectric Energy Harvesters- Thermoelectrics- Generating Power From Heat- Smart Computing- Wireless Sensor Networks- Smart Cities- Smart Buildings- Military Remote Energy Applications- Off-Grid Special Sensors- Pipeline Monitoring- Navigational aids- Thermoelectric cooling- Automotive Sensors- Sensor Lighting- Manganese dioxide- Nanoparticles, Nanotechnology Graphene- Self-assembly, Nanostructured Thin Films- Microgenerator Sensors- Vibration Sensors- Piezoelectricity- Solid State Technology- Microgenerator- Power Source Of Sensor- Sensor nodeMake an Enquiry of this report @About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.Mr. NachiketState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @ Global power tools market revenues are expected to surpass US$ 30 Bn in 2017 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-760 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/askus/rep-gb-760 www.futuremarketinsights.com Global power tools market revenues are expected to surpass US$ 30 Bn in 2017, on account of resurgence in construction activity and all-pervasive DIY trend. Rising housing investment, steady growth of automotive sales, and demand from semiconductor industry will continue to fuel the growth of the global power tools market during the forecast period 2015-2025. Recovery in North Americas housing sector and automotive growth in China and India will contribute to the growing demand for power tools. In contrast, intense pricing competition and availability of cheap, unbranded power tools can pose challenges to overall growth.Power tools will continue to outsell hand tools, as need for faster completion of projects will influence buying decisions. Demand for power tools will also be supported by their applications in house renovations and other DIY tasks. By 2025, global construction volume is projected to reach US$ 15 trillion, with nearly 60% of revenues expected to remain concentrated in China, India, and the U.S. Leading power tools manufacturers are focusing on China, India, and the U.S. to leverage on the projected demand for power tools in these markets. Other major trends anticipated to shape up the market include a steady shift from corded to cordless and preference for Lithium-ion batteries vis-a-vis Ni-Cd batteries.Request Free Report Sample@Segment AnalysisOn the basis of end-use sector, FMIs report has segmented the power tools market into industrial and household. Demand for power tools is higher from the industrial segment vis-a-vis household, and the trend is expected to continue during the forecast period. Of the US$ 27.58 billion worth of power tools sold in 2015, the industrial segment accounted for US$ 15.64 billion.By mode of operation, the power tools market has been segmented into electric, pneumatic, and others. Among these three sub-segments, demand for electric power tools is the highest. However, pneumatic power tools segment is expected to witness the highest growth rate during the forecast period. On account of surging demand, the revenue share of pneumatic power tools segment is expected to increase by nearly 1.5% to reach 29% by 2025.Region-wise Insights on Power Tools MarketThe U.S., China, and India remain key for the growth of the power tools market. These three markets are collectively anticipated to grow at a robust pace during the forecast period and account for a significant share by 2025. In terms of revenues, North America is anticipated to remain the largest market, followed by Western Europe and Asia Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ). The power tools market in Middle East & Africa (MEA) and Latin America are at a nascent stage, owing to which they are projected to increase at a high CAGR during the forecast period.Send An Enquiry@Vendor InsightsFMIs report on the global power tools market offers detailed analysis on key players operating in this market. The leading manufacturers in power tools market include Stanley Black & Decker Inc., Robert Bosch Gmbh, Techtronic Industries Company Limited, Actuant Corporation, Atlas Copco AB, Snap-on Incorporated, Danaher Corporation, SKF, Hitachi Koki Co. Ltd. The leading distributors and DIY players covered in the report include Apex Tool Group LLC, DeWalt Industrial Tools, Channellock Inc., Allied Trade Group (ATG) Stores, Alltrade Tools LLC, Del City Wire, and Porter-Cable.About Us Future Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centers in the U.S. and India.Contact Us:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way,Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage,New York 10989,United StatesTel: +1-347-918-3531Fax: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: Global E-Clinical Solution Software Market Reflecting a CAGR of 13.8% by 2020 - PMR Study http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/2884 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/e-clinical-solution-market/toc http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/checkout/2884 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com E-clinical solution is a software that aids researchers in analyzing, tracking and managing clinical data. E-clinical solution is used in pharmaceutical sector, biotechnology, research organizations and for designing medical device in order to coagulate clinical research data with the help of modern cutting edge technology. Clinical trial is a practice of inspecting the efficiency and safety of drugs, therapeutic products and medical devices prior to their commercial launch in the market. Proliferation of the internet across the globe coupled with availability of easy access modes is expected to influence the overall market growth. Moreover, credible data analysis and higher efficacy compared to conventional process are alluring companies to adopt to e-clinical solution software for conducting clinical trials. The global e-clinical solution software market is estimated to be surpass USD 6,515 Mn by 2020, expanding at 13.8% CAGR over 2014 to 2020.Increasing clinical trials and higher investments in R&D activities in the fields of life science and pharmaceuticals is expected to support the growth of global market. Moreover, growing prevalence of chronic disease across the globe is one of the major factor fueling the demand for e-clinical solutions. Lengthy clinical trials and increasing side effects of drugs are compelling the pharmaceutical industry to develop enhanced clinical infrastructure. PMR notes that the demand for e-clinical solution software is significantly high from various end user sections such as clinical research organizations (CROs), healthcare providers and pharmaceuticals companies.The global e-clinical solution software market has been classified into product type, by mode of delivery and by end userOn the basis of product type, the market is segmented into clinical trial management system, safety solution, electronic clinical outcome assessment solution, randomization and trial supply management and clinical data management. In addition, the randomization and trial supply management segment is anticipated to surpass US$ 416 Mn by 2020, expanding at 9.2% CAGR over the forecast period. By mode of delivery, the market is segmented into, licensed enterprise e-clinical solution, web based e-clinical solution, and cloud based e-clinical solution. By end user, the market is segmented into healthcare providers, clinical research organizations and pharmaceutical.A Sample of this report is available upon request @On the basis of region, the global e-clinical solution software market is segmented into four key regions North America, Asia, Europe and Rest of the world (RoW). In addition, North America is the largest market for e-clinical solution software. The region is anticipated to expand at 12.6% CAGR over the forecast period to reach US$ 3,622.5 Mn by 2020. In Asia, the market is expected to grow the fastest during 2014 to 2020. Factor such as increasing awareness on healthcare, vast pool of consumers and arriving outsourced clinical trial projects from overseas, especially in countries such as China and India are expected to drive the e-clinical solution software market in the region. The market in North Africa and Middle East is growing due to higher incidence of genetic disorders and lifestyle-associated diseases in the respective regions.Request to view Table of content @Key participants identified in the global e-clinical solution software market include Medidata Solutions, BioClinica, Oracle Corporation, PAREXEL International Corporation and OmniComm Systems.To Buy Full Report for a Single User @About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA - Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb: Cancer Biomarkers Market : Current Market Trends, Technological Improvements & Key Players By Abbott Laboratories, Biocurex Inc. http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=479 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/cancer-biomarkers-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ Cancer is known to be one of the major causes of death across the world, and the demand for oncology drugs and devices has witnessed steady growth. Increasing efforts to detect and diagnose cancer at an early stage is a major driving force for the global cancer biomarkers market. The research report studies the overall market for cancer biomarkers, its emergence, growth and development over the years, with special emphasis on the forecast period of 2012-2018. It also tracks the current trends that impact the market.For Any Queries Get Solutions With A PDF Sample :The comprehensive report provides qualitative and quantitative data pertaining to market size, share, growth, key market players, new entrants, technologies, and government regulations and policies. It also provides current, historic and future statistics to give clients a clear perspective of the prospering industry. Furthermore, the report highlights the factors that govern the cancer biomarkers market, identifying growth accelerators and barriers.Overview of the global cancer biomarkers marketRegistering a compound annual growth rate of 14.60% from 2011 to 2018, the market for oncology biomarkers was valued at $13.16 billion in 2011 and is expected to be worth $29.78 billion in 2018. As cancer gains wide-spread prevalence across the globe, there has also been a simultaneous rise in the trend of personalized medicine. Cancer biomarkers are injected in the body to help diagnosis, prognosis and epidemiology. They are used to check the response of the body to a treatment or condition.Tailor-made treatment regimen, ability to detect and screen tumor cells, non-invasive diagnosis, reduced cost of drug discovery and development processes, and lesser time in clinical trials have made biomarkers popular among cancer patients. In addition to this, technological advances, medical discoveries, initiatives and investments on the part of the government and private organizations, and rising collaborations in the field of biomarker research have propelled the oncology biomarkers market.On the other hand, high capital investment, and poor reimbursement and regulatory systems are expected to inhibit the industry.Region-wise, North America led the global market, owing to a thriving IT sector, strong support from the government and agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and rising demand for personalized medicine.View exclusive Global strategic Business report :Companies mentioned in the research reportMedicine is an evolving field, and drug manufacturers have been making use of cutting-edge technology and advanced science to introduce life-saving and life-enhancing substances. Some of the established and new market players operating in the global cancer biomarkers market are Correlogic Systems, Inc., Abbott Laboratories, Biocurex Inc., Agendia Bv, Beckman Coulter, Inc., Astellas Pharma US Inc., Dickinson And Company, Becton, Aureon Laboratories, Inc., Affymetrix, Inc., Diadexus, Inc., Biomerieux S.A., Ambrilia Biopharma, Clarient, Inc, and Biomoda, Inc.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Contact us:Transparency Market Research90 State Street,Suite 700,AlbanyNY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Luxury Pens Market Size and Demand by 2022 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/9887 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/9887 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com The growing e-communication among the corporates and other social class people around the world has become a threat for written communication. Due to the increasing brand awareness and high disposable income of people (especially among young adults), the luxury pens market is witnessing a decent growth. Likewise, luxury pens key players which are having brands such as Lamy, Aurora, Mont Blanc, Grayson and Parker are trying to encash the opportunities in this growing luxury pens market. The major players are opting to make their luxury pens more royal by making it diamond studded and gold plated, to grab the maximum market share. One of the key trend in the market is that the manufacturers are strategically investing in product development by modifying the luxury pen nib with platinum and other expensive metals. In spite of the sluggish market and curtailed discretionary spending, the luxury pens market is growing at a good rate. Hence, the global luxury pens market has got a great potential in the forecast period. The global luxury pens market is anticipated to witness a moderate single digit growth in the upcoming years.The growing global luxury pens market can be attributed to the growing disposable income and brand awareness amongst people. Growing population coupled with the changing lifestyle of people in the developed countries is anticipated to drive the demand for global luxury pens market. Moreover, possessing a luxury pen has become a status symbol these days and hence, high class society people are opting for luxury pens. Likewise, the attractiveness of luxury pens again plays a great role for boosting its market.The luxury pens market is a niche market, and also there are not much retailers available in the market, which can hamper the luxury pens market. Likewise, the import duty of such luxury pens is high enough to impact its market. Due to its high range the inventory cost of the dealers increases, hence it requires more working capital management which can decline the luxury pens market. Moreover, there is an increase in e-communication among people which would further decline the luxury pens market.Request to view table of content @Asia Pacific is the fastest growing region in the global luxury pens market. Countries such as India and China are the upcoming countries where demand for such luxury items are at peak because of the increase in disposable income of people. Even, North America is a flourishing luxury pens market due to the improving brand awareness of luxury pens amongst people.A sample of this report is available upon request @Some of the key players identified in the global luxury pens market are Paradise Pen Company, Montblanc International GmbH, C. Josef Lamy GmbH, Grayson Tighe, Parker Pen Company, A.T.Cross Company, Sanford L.P.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb: Global Industrial Communication Market is Expected to Witness a Strong 12.79% CAGR from 2017 to 2021 http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/sample/938688 http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/pressrelease/3579 http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/ "The Report Global Industrial Communication Market 2017-2021 provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz"The study titled, Global Industrial Communication Market 20172021 is a thorough evaluation of the outcomes due to the prevalent trends that are likely to leave an imprint on the market. The facets taken into consideration are both regionally and globally applicable. The key segments have also been comprehensively described and scrutinized efficiently. The companies in question have been evaluated on the basis of product quality, innovation, sales, revenue, shares, and expansion prospects for the future.The report projects that the global industrial communication market is expected to witness a strong 12.79% CAGR from 2017 to 2021. The need of the hour is to aid voice services and data applications for remote workers with high-end internet communications through strong PC terminals. The growth prospects of the global industrial communication market is likely to surge due to the need for high data rates and enhanced quality of service (QoS) for applications such as real-time wireless video surveillance, power generation, and water treatment. The growing employment of connected systems in industrial control systems (ICS) has lifted the profitability and productivity for organizations and companies.Get Sample Copy Of This Report @The incorporation of industrial-based equipment are expected to optimize the processes, boost reliability, minimize downtime, and improve operational areas. Furthermore, the emergence of innovative and new Fieldbus solutions will help the industrial communication market to gain impetus in the coming years. With the rise in the adoption of Ethernet as a potential network option for end users for the purpose of connecting sensors, instruments, distributed I/O, human machine interfaces, and controllers to each other, machine OEMs, and robots, the deployment of industrial communication is also likely to take a huge leap forward and progress extensively.Based on protocol and analysis, the global industrial communication market can be classified into wireless, industrial Ethernet, and Fieldbus. The segment that is expected to witness strong growth is wireless protocol owing to the growing demand from the manufacturing industry and need for energy utilities for the purpose of digital transformation and to conduct remote operations on assets with high-value. Using this protocol, mainly WLAAN, is expected to enhance profit and lift the business efficiency of the industry.View Press Release @Based on geography, the Americas led the market in 2016 and are likely to maintain a lead over the forecast period. Due to its high use in the U.S. automotive industry, the Ethernet/IP is the most broadly deployed communication network in the region. The market will substantially grow in the region due to rising use of IT in smart grid stations and substations. Some of the leading companies in the market comprise Texas Instruments, Siemens, Schneider Electric, Rockwell Automation, ABB, Cisco Systems, General Electric, and Advantech.MarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.Mr. NachiketState Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074Website:E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz Rising Adoption of Semiconductor ICs to Bolster Global Semiconductor Chip Packaging Market, Expected to Register 31.0% CAGR 2017-2021 http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/sample/938682 http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/pressrelease/3578 http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/ "The Report Global Semiconductor Chip Packaging Market 2017-2021 provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz"The study, titled Global Semiconductor Chip Packaging Market 2017-2021, offers a detailed analysis of the market, focusing on the key factors anticipated to encourage the growth of the overall market in the next few years. In addition, the product segmentation, applications, technological advancements, and the key regional segments of the global semiconductor chip packaging market have been discussed in the research report. According to the research study, the global market for semiconductor chip packaging is predicted to register an impressive 31.0% CAGR between 2017 and 2021.A substantial rise in the miniaturization of electronics devices and the increasing adoption of semiconductor ICs in the automotive industry are some of the key factors anticipated to encourage the growth of the overall market in the coming years. In addition, the rising number of fables semiconductor companies is likely to supplement the development of the market in the coming years. However, the requirement of initial investment and the robust changes in technology are predicted to restrict the growth of the global semiconductor chip packaging market in the near future. Nonetheless, the advent of 3D chip packaging is estimated to offer promising opportunities in the coming years.In 2015, the 3D IC TSV stacks segment led the global market and is expected to remain in the leading position throughout the forecast period. The rising popularity of 3D TSV technology for RF filters, heterogeneous interconnection with CIS, MEMS, high-end memory applications, and performance applications is one of the important reasons accelerating the growth of this segment.Get Sample Copy Of This Report @Among the key regional segments, the Asia Pacific market for semiconductor chip packaging is expected to witness significant growth throughout the forecast period. As per the research study, this segment is projected to register a significant share of the overall market in the next few years. The high growth of this region can be attributed to the substantial contribution from South Korea, Taiwan, and Japan. In addition, the presence a large number of leading players is estimated to contribute widely towards the development of the Asia Pacific semiconductor chip packaging market in the next few years. The increasing investments by manufacturers in order to establish new units is anticipated to accelerate the growth of the market.View Press Release @The global market for semiconductor chip packaging is characterized by a high level of competition, thanks to the presence of a large number of players operating in it. Key players operating in the market are making notable efforts to expand their business horizon and attain a leading position in the global market. Additionally, the increasing number of mergers and acquisitions is projected to accelerate the growth of the overall market throughout the forecast period. Some of the key players mentioned in the research report are ASM Pacific Technology, Applied Materials, TEL, Kulicke & Soffa Industries, and Tokyo Seimitsu.MarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.Mr. NachiketState Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074Website:E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz Pen Needles Market Expected to Reach USD 2.82 Billion by 2022 https://www.scalarmarketresearch.com/request-sample.php?id=196 https://www.scalarmarketresearch.com/market-reports/pen-needles-market https://www.scalarmarketresearch.com/market-reports/medical-robotics-market https://www.scalarmarketresearch.com/market-reports/in-vitro-diagnostics-ivd-market According to the new market research report, "Pen Needles Market, by Needle Length, (4mm, 5mm, 6mm, 8mm, 10mm, and 12mm), Types (Safety Pen Needles, Standard Pen Needles), Therapies (Insulin, Growth Hormone, Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Therapy) - Global Revenue, Trends, Growth, Share, Size and Forecast to 2022", published by Scalar Market Research, the global pen needles market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 11.4% from 2016 to 2022. At the aforementioned growth rate, the market is anticipated to reach USD 2.82 billion in 2022. In the year 2016, the pen needles market is expected to be worth USD 1.48 billion.Request Sample:The global pen needles market report offers in-depth analysis of the market size (revenue), market share, major market segments, different geographic regions, key players, premium insights, technological advancements and forecast to 2022. It also focuses on the key drivers and opportunities in this market.Buyers can expect to receive 10% customization on this report.Key findings of the report:1. The innovative developments in the pen needles market are expected to drive demand in the global market at an impressive rate during the forecast period.2. The rapid technological advancements to increase the comfort and reduce the pain and the needle-stick wounds are attributed to increase the demand for the pen needles market during the next few years.3. Apart from that, the factors like the changing reimbursement policies and the rapid rise in the number of geriatric population are also expected to play crucial role in the overall growth of the pen needles market during the forecast period.Browse Report Summary:Safety pen needles expected to grow at the fastest CAGRAccording to the report, the safety pen needles segment is expected to dominate the types segment of the pen needles market. This segment of the global market is expected to grow at the fastest rate during the forecast period. However, the standard pen needles are expected to hold the largest share in the global market. The rapid advancements in the technology are attributed to the growth of this market during the forecast period.Asia-Pacific expected to witness the fastest growthAccording to the report, the Asia-Pacific region is expected to grow at the fastest rate during the forecast period. This growth of the pen needles market in the Asia-Pacific region is attributed to the rising demand, growth in the geriatric population, and the improvements in the pen needle technology. The North America region, on the other hand, is expected to hold the largest share in the global market, followed by Europe.Key Benefits of the Report:1. The report provides clear understanding of the roles of the key players and stakeholders involved in the pen needles market2. The report offers detailed understanding of the growth and business strategies adopted by the key players in the physical security market to stay competitive3. The report offers thorough quantitative analysis of the current and future market trends to showcase the revenue caliber of the enterprise asset management marketThe pen needles market report provides analysis of the key players, including:1. Allison Medical, Inc.2. Artsana S.P.A.3. B. Braun Melsungen4. Becton, Dickinson and Company5. Htl-Strefa S.A.6. Novo Nordisk A/S7. Owen Mumford, Ltd.8. Terumo Corporation9. Ultimed, Inc.10. Ypsomed Holding AgBrowse Related Reports:Medical Robotics Market, by Products (Robotic Systems, Assistive, Therapeutic, Orthotics, Prosthetics, Exoskeleton, Neurosurgical, Orthopedic, Steerable, Pharmacy, Telemedicine), Applications (Cardiology, Laparoscopy, Neurology, Rehabilitation) - Global Revenue, Trends, Growth, Share, Size and Forecast to 2022In-Vitro Diagnostics (IVD) Market, by Products (Instruments & Systems and Reagents & Consumables Segments), Applications (Immunochemistry, Clinical Chemistry, Hematology, Infectious Disease, Microbiology, Genetic Testing, and Histology & Cytology) - Global Revenue, Trends, Growth, Share, Size and Forecast to 2021ABOUT US:Scalar Market Research Inc. aspires to assist organizations from around the world to achieve their business goal with premium market research reports and consulting services. Our real-time industry tracking with the help of advanced analytics offers a crystal clear view of all the activities in niche markets. Our team, with thorough global understanding, works relentlessly to gather the necessary market insights, including customer analysis, competitions and global forecast.CONTACT:Moses Nakka8770 W Bryn Mawr Ave.,Suite 1300Chicago, IL 60631Tel.: +1-800-213-5170 (U.S./Canada Toll-free)Email: sales@scalarmarketresearch.com Global Electric Heating Bag Market 2017 Industry Trends, Growth Rate With CAGR Analysis 2021 Electric Heating Bag https://goo.gl/4Z2Sks https://goo.gl/49P7Hl The survey report by Market Research Store is an overview of the global Electric Heating Bag market. It covers all the recent trends including key developments in the global market in present and in future. Analyses of the global Electric Heating Bag market trends along with the projections of CAGRs (compound annual growth rates) are provided in the research report.Further, an evaluation of the history of the global market and the basic information of the global market is included in the report. A developmental perspective of the industry is also documented in the report. Competitive profiles of the key players in the industry are also discussed.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @The research report provides both an assessment of recent developments in the industry along with forecasts examining the industry from the perspective of major competitors, present players and prospective end users in the Electric Heating Bag market.Forecasts are generated on the basis of region, type, product, supply, demand, and other vital factors of the global market. The research report analyzed the major factors driving the global Electric Heating Bag market in various countries with a satisfactory and manufacturing and structure of the global market. Forecasts are also provided region-wise in the research report.The research report comprises several chapters, tables, figures, graphs, and various other presentations formats so as to provide a precise overview of the market. The sequence of the report is maintained in such a way that highlights the overall flow of the global market. Recent developments in the global market are further described in the research report. The report also summarizes latest trends along with abstracts of the Electric Heating Bag market. Major competitors of the global market including commercial and non-commercial participants in the global market are also covered in the report.Inquiry For Bying Report @Thus, the research report provides in-depth analysis covering all the major regions, competitors, and vital aspects of the Electric Heating Bag industry.About Us:MarketResearchStore.com is a single destination for all the industry, company and country reports. We feature large repository of latest industry reports, leading and niche company profiles, and market statistics released by reputed private publishers and public organizations.Contact US:Joel JohnSuite #8138, 3422 SW 15 Street,Deerfield Beach, Florida 33442United StatesToll Free: +1-855-465-4651 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-386-310-3803 Global Honey Powder Market Share by 2026 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/12328 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/12328 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com Honey powder which can be used as a sweetener, is just a powder form of liquid honey. The powder is easier to maintain and can preserve well than a liquid honey. The powder form of honey is preferred to be used while making cakes, pastries and other sweet edible items. It is always a better option than a sticky liquid honey and sugar free powders particularly, which credibility is still questionable. An interesting thing about honey powder is, it has long preserving life, if it stored properly. The global honey powder market is projected to show sustained growth during the 10-year period owing to several factors and trends likely to positively impact the performance of the global honey powder market.Honey powder can be used in bath and beauty products like facial masks, scrub, soap, lotions etc. It can be sprinkled over cereal or fruit and cakes. Its antiseptic properties heals the small injuries. The most beneficial factor of honey is, it has medicinal quality. As honey powder is better in dissolving in almost any food items so it can also be used in medicines, especially cough syrups. The honey powder has low calories, therefore, it can be added in a cup of tea or a coffee or even in a green tea rather than sugar powders which are less trustworthy. It is completely organic and natural, hence better than artificial sweeteners. Honey powder is slightly cheaper than its liquid form, which can be easily available in a bag in almost all grocery shops.A sample of this report is available upon request @The organic lifestyle is a fast growing trend. The consumers prefer easy, healthy and environment friendly organic food and natural beauty products. United States, Germany, France, Canada and United Kingdom are some of the countries which have largest market for organic foods. Even the various e-commerce companies are preferring to sell variety of gourmet products and honey powder is one of them. Consumers love for bakery products like cake, muffins, cookies and bread is increasing the demand of honey powder in global market. Not only this, its natural quality of smoothening the skin is also attracting the beauty product manufacturers to make more beauty products using honey powder. Although honey powder is fairly new to the American food market, it has been used in Korean kitchens since long time. It is used as sugar substitute in Korea. These are the main trends likely to be observed in the global honey powder market.Chanel, PIAS, Anna Sui, Benefit Cosmetics, Laura Mercier, Guerlain, Max Factor, Shu Uemura, ABLE C & C are the major manufacturers of honey powder.Request to view table of content @According to various research, honey powder could potentially be used as dough improver. A new research made in China also indicated that it might be acted as sugar replacer in bread. The increasing usage of natural medicines like Ayurveda will also give a boom to honey powder market. The figure of diabetic patients is also increasing, and in such scenario patients are refraining away from using artificial sugar powders and sweeteners which will ultimately increase the demand of honey powder.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb: Global Food Colorants Market Share by 2024 : PMR http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/12349 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/12349 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com Food colorants are coloring additives also known as dye or pigments which are added to food or beverages to impart color and give an attractive appearance to the food and beverages. Food colorants are added in the food and beverages to maintain and improve safety, freshness, nutritional value, taste, texture and appearance of foods and beverages. Natural colorants segment is expected to hold a significant market share in terms of value owing to easily availability of fruits and vegetables. The global food colorants market is anticipated to witness significant CAGR during the forecast period.Easily availability of raw materials such as fruits and vegetables and edible plants, coupled with rising consumer demand for natural colorants, which is driving the growth of global food colorants market. Furthermore, increasing applications of food colorants in food and beverage industry is expected to boost the consumption of food colorants. In addition, increasing consumer demand for processed foods leads to increase consumption of food colorants.However, stringent and expensive certifications and regulations regarding use of food colorants, and side effects associated with synthetic colors on health are expected to limit the growth of global food colorants market.Based on the geographies, the global food colorants market is segmented into five key regions, namely North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Middle East & Africa. North America is anticipated to dominate among all the regions owing to increasing demand for food colorants in US and Canada. Europe is expected to hold the market share of global food colorants market at a second position in terms of value. This is attributed to increasing consumer awareness for natural products coupled with regulatory support for coloring food stuff in European countries. Owing to the increase in consumption of processed and ready to eat foods in India and China, the Asia-Pacific market is anticipated to contribute significantly to the global food colorants market. The Latin America and MEA regions are expected to contribute collectively in the global food colorants market.This is due to the increasing disposable incomes coupled with changing lifestyles in Brazil, GCC countries and South Africa which is fuelling the consumption of processed foods, resulting in an increase in demand for food colorants.A sample of this report is available upon request @Some of the major players identified in the global food colorants market includeCargill IncorporatedBASF SEKoninklijke DSM N.V.FMC CorporationDDW The Colour HouseHansen Holding A/SGNT GroupNaturexLycoredSan-Ei Gen F.F.I., Inc.Sensient Colors LLCSethness Caramel ColorWILD Flavors and Specialty IngredientsRIKEN VITAMIN Co., Ltd.Request to view table of content @The research report presents a comprehensive assessment of the market and contains thoughtful insights, facts, historical data, and statistically supported and industry-validated market data. It also contains projections using a suitable set of assumptions and methodologies. The research report provides analysis and information according to categories such as market segments, geographies, types, technology and applications.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb: Global Fresh Food Market 2015-2019: Consumer Trends, Shares, Size, Survey and Forecast http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=499632 http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=E&repid=499632 http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG Albany, NY, Feb 16, 2017: The global fresh food market is expected to witness huge growth in terms of revenue by 2019, with a revenue projection of around $2000 billion. APAC is predicted to lead the fresh food consumption market, closely followed by Eastern Europe.The report provides consumption data on various segments of the market, characterized on the following criteria:- Product type (bread and bakery, dairy, fish and seafood, fruits and vegetables, and meat and poultry)- Geography (APAC, Europe, Americas, and ROW)- The growth of the market has been driven by emerging trends like online shopping and a shift towards a healthier lifestyle by consumers. The rising demand for fresh foods has led to constant product innovations in this market, pushing manufacturers to provide products of high quality and standards. Nearly 65% of the consumers worldwide favour fresh food products, and this figure is expected to increase further by 2019.The top vendors in the market are: -- Danish Crown- Fonterra- Amadori- YamazakiThe other prominent vendors in the market include are Amul, Arla Foods, Belconnen, Dannon, FMI, General Mills, Grupo Bimbo, Kellogg, Mondelez, and Nestl.Get a Sample Research PDF with TOC:Technavio research predicts the fruits and vegetables segments to be among the fastest growing areas in this market. The growth is predominantly due to the shift to a healthier lifestyle by consumers.Segmentation of the global fresh food market by geography- APAC- Europe- Americas- ROWAPAC has been dominating the global fresh foods market in consumption volume and is expected to see a steady increase during the forecast period. Within this region, India has been the fastest growing country with an increase in consumption volume of nearly 29%.The global fresh food market in Europe is expected to see a steady growth during the forecast period, with a high demand for bread and bakery, dairy products, and fruits and vegetables. During 2014, countries in this region like Greece witnessed a great decline in the consumption of meat and poultry products.Market Trend Online grocery shoppingThe fresh foods market is seeing a boost in sales due to the advent of online grocery shopping, and it is predicted to become the key distribution channel. The key factors for this are quick delivery cost effective pricing on the online channels.Minor players can influence consumers by employing tailored marketing schemes online, thereby promoting their products on a global scale. For instance, Walmart is an online store where one can find fresh food products from across the globe.Enquiry at:Other sections of the report include an analysis of the following- Key drivers, challenges, and trends and their impact on the global fresh food market- Five forces analysis of the fresh food market- Market challenges for the fresh food market- Leading countries in the global fresh food marketResearchMoz is the worlds fastest growing collection of market research reports worldwide. Our database is composed of current market studies from over 100 featured publishers worldwide. Our market research databases integrate statistics with analysis from global, regional, country and company perspectives. ResearchMozs service portfolio also includes value-added services such as market research customization, competitive landscaping, and in-depth surveys, delivered by a team of experienced Research Coordinators.Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-621-2074Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Email: sales@researchmoz.usFollow us on LinkedIn at: Aprotic Solvents Industry - Detailed Analysis and Forecast by 2025 https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=B&rep_id=986 https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=T&rep_id=986 https://www.tmrresearch.com/aprotic-solvents-market Aprotic solvents are those that cannot donate hydrogen in a reaction. The global market for aprotic solvents is poised to rise at a significant growth rate in the foreseeable future owing to the burgeoning demand from the end-user industries. Some of the commonly used solvents are acetone, benzene, chloroform, hexane, and toluene. They are primarily used across end-user industries such as electronics, oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, and paints and coatings. The increasing adoption of environment-friendly aprotic solvents is likely to augur well for the growth of the market in the coming years.This professional study on the global aprotic solvents market is compiled using information from various paid and unpaid sources, including journals, presentations, directories, white papers, and press releases. It serves as an essential source of analysis and data regarding various critical aspects of the market including its dynamics and regional trends. It includes tools such as market attractiveness analysis and Porters five force analysis that are useful in calculating the vendor landscape of the market. It methodically examines the latest developments and business strategies of the key companies operating in the market. It also assesses the performance of key player across different geographies. Thus, it provides a 360-degree view of the global aprotic solvents market.Get a Free Brochure of the Report @Global Aprotic Solvents Market: Trends and OpportunitiesThe growth of the global aprotic solvent market is largely influenced by the oil and gas industry. Hence, its rising consumption all over the world is providing a fillip to the market. The demand for aprotic solvents is expected to remain high in the pharmaceutical industry throughout the forecast period. This can be attributed to the growing innovations in the industry, which is paving way for new drugs.Over the past few years, there has been a sharp rise in the demand for toluene. It is used as a raw material to produce other chemicals such as trinitrotoluene (TNT), xylene, and benzene. Therefore, its demand is projected to remain strong throughout the same span. Other than toluene, N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), due to its property to dissolve a wide range of metals, is anticipated to register large-scale adoption, especially across the plastic and oil and gas industries.Request TOC of the report @Global Aprotic Solvents Market: Region-wise OutlookThe key segments covered in the report on the basis of geography are Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, and Rest of the World. Asia Pacific is estimated to command for a large share in the market throughout the forecast period. The flourishing growth of the paints and coatings and pharmaceutical industries is boosting the demand for aprotic solvents in the region. Moreover, the rising demand from the electronics industry is escalating the growth of the region. The domicile of a large number of key paints & coatings companies is also providing a competitive edge to this region over other regions.North America will also be a prominent market for aprotic solvents, with the U.S. being a major contributor. The recovering economic conditions after the economic downturn is providing a significant boost to the growth of the region. The Rest of the World region is anticipated to register a steady growth during the same span. Emerging countries in Latin America and the Middle East are likely to be at the forefront of the growth in this region.Read Complete Report @Global Aprotic Solvents Market: Competitive LandscapeThe majority of players in the global aprotic solvents are focusing towards business development through mergers and acquisitions. Some of the prominent companies operating in the market are BASF SE, Eastman Chemical Company, Du Pont, INEOS, Shell Chemicals, Mitsubishi Chemicals, Imperial Chemical Corporation, CNPC Jilin Chemical Group, and Nanjing Jinlong.About Us:TMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Contact Us:Rohit BhiseyHead Internet MarketingTel: +1-518-618-1030Email: sales@tmrresearch.com 3PL Market in the US is propelled to grow at a CAGR of 3.29% during 2016-2020 - Emerging Market Trends, Growth and Key Vendors Analysis http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=560889 http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=E&repid=560889 http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=560889 http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=E&repid=560889 http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG Albany, NY, Feb 16, 2017: 3PL is a business process through which companies outsource their logistics and distribution functions to a service provider that specializes in handling logistics functions such as transportation and warehousing. Often, 3PL providers go beyond logistics and provide value-added services such as inventory management, cross-docking, door-to-door delivery, and packaging of products. They also provide strategic and operational value to many shippers across the globe. There are currently new and innovative supply chain management techniques to improve overall service quality in the 3PL market.The 3PL market in the US to grow at a CAGR of 3.29% during the period 2016-2020. The report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the 3PL market in the US for 2016-2020. To calculate the market size, the report considers net revenue generated by 3PL service providers.The market is divided into the following segments based on service area:- Domestic transportation management (DTM)- International transportation management (ITM)- Dedicated contract carriage (DCC)- Verified accredited wholesale distributors (AWD)Get a Sample Research PDF with TOC:Technavio's report, 3PL Market in the US 2016-2020, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.Key vendors- C.H. Robinson- Deutsche Post DHL- Expeditors- J B Hunt- Kuehne + Nagel- UPS- UTi WorldwideOther prominent vendors- A.N. Deringer- Agility- APL Logistics- Arnold Logistics- BAX Global- BDP International- BNSF Logistics- Cardinal Logistics- Cat Logistics- CEVA Logistics- Cornerstone Logistics- Coyote Logistics- CRST Logistics- DB Schenker Logistics- DSC Logistics- Echo Global Logistics- FedEx.............Enquiry at:Key questions answered in the report:-- What will the market size be in 2020 and what will the growth rate be?- What are the key market trends?- What is driving this market?- What are the challenges to market growth?- Who are the key vendors in this market space?- What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the key vendors?- What are the strengths and weaknesses of the key vendors?About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the worlds fastest growing collection of market research reports worldwide. Our database is composed of current market studies from over 100 featured publishers worldwide. Our market research databases integrate statistics with analysis from global, regional, country and company perspectives. ResearchMozs service portfolio also includes value-added services such as market research customization, competitive landscaping, and in-depth surveys, delivered by a team of experienced Research Coordinators.Contact Us:Mr. NachiketAlbany NY - 12207Albany, NY, Feb 16, 2017: 3PL is a business process through which companies outsource their logistics and distribution functions to a service provider that specializes in handling logistics functions such as transportation and warehousing. Often, 3PL providers go beyond logistics and provide value-added services such as inventory management, cross-docking, door-to-door delivery, and packaging of products. They also provide strategic and operational value to many shippers across the globe. There are currently new and innovative supply chain management techniques to improve overall service quality in the 3PL market.The 3PL market in the US to grow at a CAGR of 3.29% during the period 2016-2020. The report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the 3PL market in the US for 2016-2020. To calculate the market size, the report considers net revenue generated by 3PL service providers.The market is divided into the following segments based on service area:- Domestic transportation management (DTM)- International transportation management (ITM)- Dedicated contract carriage (DCC)- Verified accredited wholesale distributors (AWD)Get a Sample Research PDF with TOC:Technavio's report, 3PL Market in the US 2016-2020, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.Key vendors- C.H. Robinson- Deutsche Post DHL- Expeditors- J B Hunt- Kuehne + Nagel- UPS- UTi WorldwideOther prominent vendors- A.N. Deringer- Agility- APL Logistics- Arnold Logistics- BAX Global- BDP International- BNSF Logistics- Cardinal Logistics- Cat Logistics- CEVA Logistics- Cornerstone Logistics- Coyote Logistics- CRST Logistics- DB Schenker Logistics- DSC Logistics- Echo Global Logistics- FedEx.............Enquiry at:Key questions answered in the report:-- What will the market size be in 2020 and what will the growth rate be?- What are the key market trends?- What is driving this market?- What are the challenges to market growth?- Who are the key vendors in this market space?- What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the key vendors?- What are the strengths and weaknesses of the key vendors?ResearchMoz is the worlds fastest growing collection of market research reports worldwide. Our database is composed of current market studies from over 100 featured publishers worldwide. Our market research databases integrate statistics with analysis from global, regional, country and company perspectives. ResearchMozs service portfolio also includes value-added services such as market research customization, competitive landscaping, and in-depth surveys, delivered by a team of experienced Research Coordinators.Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-621-2074Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Email: sales@researchmoz.usFollow us on LinkedIn at: Intelligent Emergency Response and Infrastructure Market - Clear Understanding Of The Competitive Landscape And Key Product Segments http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=10268 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Natural calamities and man-made catastrophes such as earthquakes, floods, fire, terrorist attacks, hijacking and others, have been observed in recent years across the world that have caused severe damage to human life and substantial economic loss. During such situations a quick medical help and prompt security measures are needed at such sites. Intelligent emergency response system is gaining good popularity in todays world to tackle the disastrous situations. Technological advancements have made it possible to connect, share information and alert a large crowd in a short time. Intelligent emergency response system is a good example of technological advancement that helps in strengthening security by sending alerts to the government authorities, medical teams, civilians during such emergency situations. At the time of emergency situation such as fire in buildings, it becomes very difficult for evacuees to find the best possible evacuation path. Emergency response system plays an important role to help evacuees find the most efficient path in case of emergencies and avoid the hustle.Technological development such as Internet of Things (IoT), and its fast adoption in developed countries and urban regions is driving the intelligent emergency response system market. Governments and other concerned authorities are promoting these system to be installed, considering the high risk factors, at places where huge crowd is present. In recent years, stadium security has become a major concern, due to stadiums emerging as potential targets for terrorist attacks. Terrorism is a serious threat while managing sporting or other events at stadiums which have large attendance of audiences and celebrities. Thus, stadiums and auditoriums are fast adopting the intelligent emergency response systems to secure and provide the best possible measures in case of emergencies.PDF Sample For Latest Innovations And Advancements @Furthermore, some of other key factors driving the intelligent emergency response and infrastructure market include rise in mining industries, exploration and hazardous industry, perception about the importance of security, up-gradation of existing architecture with latest emergency systems. However, the lack of awareness of technical features and scarcity of interoperability between products are some of the major factors constraining the growth of intelligent emergency response and infrastructure market.The intelligent emergency response system and infrastructure market is divided on the basis of its applications in different industry sectors such as energy & utilities, BFSI, manufacturing, healthcare & life sciences, government & defense, aviation, hospitality, telecom & IT, and others. Different types of communication technologies used by the intelligent emergency response systems include satellite phones, vehicle-ready gateways (cellular/GPS/Wi-Fi), first responders, and emergency response radars.The market poses good opportunities for intelligent emergency response system and infrastructure, considering different risks and threats for different regions across the globe. Thus, providing an innovative intelligent emergency response solution, depending on different threat concerns in different regions will be a good opportunity for manufacturers to target in coming years. Regions such as North America and Europe are the leading adopters of intelligent emergency response system and infrastructure. Further, developing regions in Asia can be considered as potential market in coming years due to recent calamities of floods, earthquakes and terrorist attacks encountered by some countries in this region.Some of the key companies operating in the global intelligent emergency response system and infrastructure market include Everbridge Inc., Siemens Ag, Enera International AB, Alcatel-Lucent, United Technologies Corporation, Athoc Inc., Vocal Technologies, Robert Bosch GmbH, Daisy IT Group Limited, ATI Systems Inc., Honeywell International Inc., and Micron Technology Inc.Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Transparency Market Research90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: South Korea Medical Tourism Market Insights, Opportunity, Analysis, Market Shares and Forecast 2017-2022 http://www.orbisresearch.com/reports/index/south-korea-medical-tourism-market-insights-opportunity-analysis-market-shares-and-forecast-2017-2022 http://www.orbisresearch.com/contact/purchase/206583 http://www.orbisresearch.com/contacts/enquiry-before-buying/206583 https://www.linkedin.com/company/orbis-research https://twitter.com/orbisresearch https://www.facebook.com/OrbisResearch South Korea Medical Tourism Market is likely to reach nearly USD 2 Billion by the year end of 2022 growing at a CAGR of around 15% from 2017 to 2022.Market growth can be attributed to factors such as technologically advanced treatments and medical procedures, pioneer in plastic/cosmetic surgery and dentistry, excellent medical practitioners & medical facilities, affordable medical costs and strong government support and initiatives.Browse Report Details at:Chinese medical tourists play a significant role in contributing revenue to the South Korea economy. China contributed more than 35% share in 2016. China is likely to maintain dominance in South Korea Medical Tourism revenue share by the year end of 2022. United States spot at second position in the revenue share with XX% share. Other countries such as Japan, Russia, Kazakhstan and UAE emerge as the largest revenue generators in the South Korea Medical Tourism Market.The research report titled "South Korea Medical Tourism Market Insights, Opportunity, Analysis, Market Shares & Forecast 2017 2022 provides detailed information on the South Korea Medical Tourism Market. This report analyzes market data and provides a better understanding of medical tourists flow and revenue to South Korea. Market outlook in value terms for the forecasted period for South Korea Medical Tourism Market has been detailed in the report. Key industry news and medical procedures cost comparision are analyzed with details. This report also entails a detailed description of growth drivers and inhibitors of the South Korea Medical Tourism Market.Key Topics Covered in the Report- South Korea Medical Tourism Market Environment & Trend (2009 2022)- South Korea Medical Tourism Market Share & Forecast (2009 2022)- South Korea Medical Tourism Market Countrywise Analysis- Medical Procedures Cost Comparison Analysis- Industry News from South Korea Medical Tourism- Key Drivers and Inhibitors of the South Korea Medical Tourism MarketPlace a Purchase Order of the Report at:South Korea Medical Tourism Market 12 Countries Covered1) United States2) China3) Japan4) Russia5) Mongolia6) Vietnam7) Philippines8) Kazakhstan9) Saudi Arabia10) Uzbekistan11) Indonesia12) United Arab EmiratesFor Enquiry on this Report, visit:Table of Contents:1. Executive Summary2. South Korea Medical Tourism Market Environment & Trend (2009 2022)2.1 South Korea Overall Medical Tourists Arrival2.2 South Korea Overall Medical Tourists Revenue3. By Country South Korea Medical Tourism Market Share & Forecast (2009 2022)4. Key Drivers and Inhibitors of the South Korea Medical Tourism Market4.1 Market Drivers4.2 Inhibitors5. Medical Procedures Cost Comparison Analysis6. Industry News from South Korea Medical Tourism6.1 Year 20176.2 Year 20166.3 Year 20157. South Korea Medical Tourism Market Country-wise AnalysisOrbis Research (orbisresearch.com) is a single point aid for all your market research requirements. We have vast database of reports from the leading publishers and authors across the globe. We specialize in delivering customized reports as per the requirements of our clients. We have complete information about our publishers and hence are sure about the accuracy of the industries and verticals of their specialization. This helps our clients to map their needs and we produce the perfect required market research study for our clients.Hector CostelloSenior Manager Client Engagements4144N Central Expressway,Suite 600, Dallas,Texas 75204, U.S.A.Phone No.: +1 (214) 884-6817; +9164101019Follow Us on LinkedIn:Follow us on Twitter:Like us on Facebook: Global and China Herbal Medicine Market 2016 Production, Development Trend and Revenue Forecasts 2020 Market Research Reports http://www.qyresearchreports.com/sample/sample.php?rep_id=761419&type=E http://www.qyresearchreports.com/report/global-and-china-herbal-medicine-sales-market-report-to-2020.htm http://www.qyresearchreports.com/press-releases.htm Qyresearchreports include new market research report "Global and China Herbal Medicine Sales Market Report to 2020" to its huge collection of research reports.This market intelligence report examines extensively the trends in the Global and China Herbal Medicine market. It highlights the latest market state, the progress pattern in the previous years, and the prospects present for market participants in the near future. The research methods and tools employed in the achievement of this research publication are both secondary and primary. The market intelligence study also provides facts about the investments initiated by several organizations, institutions, government, and non-government authorities and regulatory bodies.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @The publication further presents a valuation of the facets that are likely to prevent or encourage the expansion of the Global and China Herbal Medicine market. The Global and China Herbal Medicine market has been examined scrupulously based on aspects such as application, technology, product, end user, and geographical segment. An examination has been carried out in the research report of the chief regional segments and their respective place and share in the Herbal Medicine market. The estimated revenue and volume valuation of the Global and China market for Herbal Medicine has also been stated in the study.An estimate of the market attractiveness and the level of competition that new entrants along with their new products are likely to offer to the experienced products and players has also been delivered in the market research publication. The market report also discusses the new expansions, the innovations, branding techniques, marketing approaches, and products of the chief players operational in the Global and China Herbal Medicine market. The vendor landscape has been broadly scrutinized employing the Porters five forces and value chain analysis to deliver a strong conception of the market. The challenges and opportunities in the near future for the key participants have also been stressed upon in the research publication.Browse Complete Report with TOC @Table of Contents1 Herbal Medicine Overview and Price of Each Type1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Herbal Medicine1.2 Global and China Herbal Medicine Production, Growth Rate 2011 to 20201.3 Global and China Herbal Medicine Revenue, Growth Rate 2011 to 20201.4 Product Segments and Price of Each Type1.4.1 Detoxification and Price List (2015-2016)1.4.2 Antipyretic and Price List (2015-2016)1.4.3 Gas medicine and Price List (2015-2016)1.4.4 Blood circulation medicine and Price List (2015-2016)1.5 Price List (Interviewed) of Each Type for Key Manufacturers in 2015 and 20161.5.1 Price List (Interviewed) of Detoxification by Key Manufacturers1.5.2 Price List (Interviewed) of Antipyretic by Key Manufacturers1.5.3 Price List (Interviewed) of Gas medicine by Key Manufacturers1.5.4 Price List (Interviewed) of Blood circulation medicine by Key Manufacturers1.6 Global and China Herbal Medicine Market Share by Type in 20151.6.1 Global Herbal Medicine Market Share by Type in 20151.6.2 China Herbal Medicine Market Share by Type in 20152 Global and China Market Competition Analysis by Manufacturers2.1 Global Market Herbal Medicine Production, Revenue and Share List of Key Manufacturers 2015 to 20162.1.1 Global Market Herbal Medicine Production and Share of Key Manufacturers 2015 to 20162.1.2 Global Market Herbal Medicine Revenue and Share of Key Manufacturers 2015 to 20162.1.3 Global Market Herbal Medicine Average Price of Key Manufacturers 2015 to 20162.2 China Market Herbal Medicine Production, Revenue and Share of Key Manufacturers 2015 to 20162.2.1 China Market Herbal Medicine Production and Share of Key Manufacturers 2015 to 20162.2.2 China Market Herbal Medicine Revenue and Share of Key Manufacturers 2015 to 20162.3 Global Herbal Medicine Manufacturing Base Distribution and Product Type of each ManufacturerFor Latest QYResearchreports Press Release Visit @QYResearchReports.com is an unimpeachable source of market research data for clients that comprise acclaimed SMEs, Chinese companies, private equity firms, and MNCs. We provide market research reports on various categories such as Energy, Chemicals, Alternative and Green Energy, Manufacturing, Machinery, Pharmaceuticals and Materials, and Glass.1820 AvenueM Suite #1047Brooklyn, NY 11230United States Digital Crosspoint Switches Market - Granular View Of The Market From Various End-Use Segments http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=9335 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Digital crosspoint switches are considered as the next generation, advanced high speed packet switches. These switches are specifically designed for application in enterprise and metro networking systems for transferring digital information including data and voice traffic at a faster rate. Additionally, these switches are suited for broadcasting or transporting quality video data over the internet. Internet service providers, data centers, telecom central offices, and storage area networks utilizes or incorporates these switches, primarily for transporting digital information and data over public and private networks. Increasing penetration of internet in developing regions, along with evolving new applications, is creating new demand for high end digital crosspoint switches.Some of the major factors driving the growth of global digital crosspoint switches market is owed to the explosion of digital information including video and voice traffic during the past few years. Exponential increase in quantity of data is leading to significant demand for broadband communication network. Efficient functioning of broadband communication network is aided by advanced digital crosspoint switches, driving the market growth during the forecast period. Additionally, digital crosspoint switches supports a large number of protocols particularly specific to the data centers. Ability of digital crosspoint switches to support several protocols, data streams and clock sources is considered as another major factor driving the global digital crosspoint switches market growth.Get A Sample Copy of Report @Demand for high quality, high speed data and video transport is driving evolution of broadband networks. These digital data within the data centers are moved to storage devices through public and private networks through regional and international locations at a rapid pace. This in turn is driving the demand for advanced high end digital crosspoint switches creating new opportunities for digital crosspoint switches market in future. Additionally, demand for less expensive, compact and powerful digital crosspoint switches is further paving new opportunities for new and existing players in the digital crosspoint switch market. Overall the global digital crosspoint switch market is expected to see a robust growth due to increase in investment in network infrastructure equipments and communication semiconductors during the forecast period.On the basis of application of global digital crosspoint switches, the market can be categorized into: commercial, military, avionics, medical, and industrial among others. Major challenge faced by digital crosspoint switch manufacturers is to provide with higher data rate and larger number of ports to customers or end-users.The market is segmented on the basis of geography into four regions: North America, Asia pacific, Europe and Rest of the world. Asia Pacific region have higher growth potential due to presence of developing countries such as India and China. Moreover, regions such as Africa and Latin America are expected to see a robust growth during the forecast period with expansion of telecom industry and increasing penetration of broadband network in these regions.Some of the key players in this market are: Mindspeed Technologies Inc., Texas Instruments Inc., Analog Devices, Inc., and Vitesse Semiconductor Corporation. Other participants in the digital crosspoint switches market include: LSI Corporation, Hittite Microwave Corporation, Intersil Corporation, Lattice Semiconductor Corporation, Micrel Inc., Semtech Corporation and Maxim Integrated among others.Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Transparency Market Research90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Global Baby Diaper Machine Industry 2017 Market Strategies, Shares and Application Analysis Market Research Reports http://www.qyresearchreports.com/sample/sample.php?rep_id=933874&type=E http://www.qyresearchreports.com/report/global-baby-diaper-machine-sales-market-report-2017.htm http://www.qyresearchreports.com/press-releases.htm Qyresearchreports include new market research report "Global Baby Diaper Machine Sales Market Report 2017" to its huge collection of research reports.The research report on the global Baby Diaper Machine market is a scientific effort to determine the development prospects of the market from 2016 to 2021. The report comprises both historical figures and future estimates, which will help market entities to gauge growth opportunities in the Baby Diaper Machine market during the forecast period.The introductory part of the report briefs about definitions, classifications, applications, industry, structure, and industry statutes of the global market for Baby Diaper Machine. Proceeding further, the report presents an industry chain analysis of the global Baby Diaper Machine market including aspects such as manufacturing capacity and its maximum utilization, cost structures, product catalog, revenue corresponding to production capacity etc. Dynamics pertaining to demand and supply logistics and import/export behavior are also discussed in this section.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Using validated analytical tools, the report presents the feasibility and profitability of new investments in the global Baby Diaper Machine market. The results obtained using these analytical tools help to manifest the progression of the global Baby Diaper Machine market right from historic years to future, which indicates the winning imperatives that market players can leverage. The report also provides SWOT analysis of leading market players, which gives insights into the changing competitive hierarchy until the end of the forecast period.The report analyzes the global Baby Diaper Machine market based on certain criteria such as product, application, and geography. The report divides the global Baby Diaper Machine market into the regional segments of North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa and Rest of the World.Browse Complete Report with TOC @Table of Contents1 Baby Diaper Machine Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Baby Diaper Machine1.2 Classification of Baby Diaper Machine1.2.1 Full-Automatic Baby Diaper Machine1.2.2 Semi-Automatic Baby Diaper Machine1.3 Application of Baby Diaper Machine1.3.1 Pants type baby diaper1.3.2 Waist tape type baby diaper1.4 Baby Diaper Machine Market by Regions1.4.1 United States Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.2 China Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.3 Europe Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.4 Japan Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.5 Southeast Asia Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.6 India Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.5 Global Market Size (Value and Volume) of Baby Diaper Machine (2011-2021)1.5.1 Global Baby Diaper Machine Sales and Growth Rate (2011-2021)1.5.2 Global Baby Diaper Machine Revenue and Growth Rate (2011-2021)2 Global Baby Diaper Machine Competition by Manufacturers, Type and Application2.1 Global Baby Diaper Machine Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1.1 Global Baby Diaper Machine Sales and Market Share of Key Manufacturers (2011-2016)2.1.2 Global Baby Diaper Machine Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2011-2016)2.2 Global Baby Diaper Machine (Volume and Value) by Type2.2.1 Global Baby Diaper Machine Sales and Market Share by Type (2011-2016)2.2.2 Global Baby Diaper Machine Revenue and Market Share by Type (2011-2016)2.3 Global Baby Diaper Machine (Volume and Value) by Regions2.3.1 Global Baby Diaper Machine Sales and Market Share by Regions (2011-2016)2.3.2 Global Baby Diaper Machine Revenue and Market Share by Regions (2011-2016)2.4 Global Baby Diaper Machine (Volume) by Application3 United States Baby Diaper Machine (Volume, Value and Sales Price)3.1 United States Baby Diaper Machine Sales and Value (2011-2016)3.1.1 United States Baby Diaper Machine Sales and Growth Rate (2011-2016)3.1.2 United States Baby Diaper Machine Revenue and Growth Rate (2011-2016)3.1.3 United States Baby Diaper Machine Sales Price Trend (2011-2016)3.2 United States Baby Diaper Machine Sales and Market Share by Manufacturers3.3 United States Baby Diaper Machine Sales and Market Share by Type3.4 United States Baby Diaper Machine Sales and Market Share by ApplicationFor Latest QYResearchreports Press Release Visit @QYResearchReports.com is an unimpeachable source of market research data for clients that comprise acclaimed SMEs, Chinese companies, private equity firms, and MNCs. We provide market research reports on various categories such as Energy, Chemicals, Alternative and Green Energy, Manufacturing, Machinery, Pharmaceuticals and Materials, and Glass.1820 AvenueM Suite #1047Brooklyn, NY 11230United States Ablation Technologies Market to Cross US$ 13 Billion by 2022 Ablation Technologies Market https://www.marketresearchengine.com/reportdetails/ablation-technologies-market-report https://www.marketresearchengine.com/requestsample/ablation-technologies-market-report https://www.marketresearchengine.com New York, February 16: Market Research Engine has published a new report titled as Ablation Technologies Market By Technology Analysis (Microwave, Electrical, Light or Laser, Cryotherapy, Radiofrequency, Ultrasound or High Intensity Focused Ultrasound and Others); By Application Analysis (Ophthalmology, Urology, Pain management, Oncology, Gynecology, Cardiovascular and Others) and By Regional Analysis Global Forecast by 2016 2022.How Big is the Global Ablation Technologies Market?The Global Ablation Technologies Market is expected to exceed more than US$ 13 Billion by 2022; Growing at a CAGR of more than 12% in the given forecast period.Browse Full Report:Ablation is a process of removing objects from the surface of an object by erosive, chipping or vaporization processes. Biological tissues in medicine, ice and snow in glaciology and passive fire protection materials are examples of ablation technologies. An ablation method is a simply invasive procedure to remove un-wanted tissue from the body. Various energy devices are used for removing these tissues such as laser, electrical current, ultrasound, microwave and radio frequency and other devices. The ablation devices are consisting of generators, catheters and other monitoring equipments. Ablation technologies are mainly working for surgical procedures in cardio logical disorders includes arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation, refractory hypertension and others. It is also used for removing cancerous and non-cancerous tumors.The major driving factors of Global Ablation Technologies Market are as follows: Growing number of ablation center, surgical and hospitals. Increasing occurrence of cardiovascular diseases. Increasing frequency of cancer.The restraining factors of Global Ablation Technologies Market are as follows: Healthcare cost restraint measures. Reprocessing and reuse and of devices in developing nations.The Global Ablation Technologies Market is segmented on the lines of its technology, application and regional. Based on technology segmentation it covers microwave, electrical, light or laser, cryotherapy, radio frequency, ultrasound or high intensity focused ultrasound and others. Under application segmentation it covers ophthalmology, urology, pain management, oncology, gynecology, cardiovascular and others. The Ablation Technologies Market on geographic segmentation covers various regions such as North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa. Each geography market is further segmented to provide market revenue for select countries such as the U.S., Canada, U.K. Germany, China, Japan, India, Brazil, and GCC countries.Request A Sample Report:This report provides:1) An overview of the Global Market For Ablation Technologies and related technologies.2) Analyses of global market trends, with data from 2013, estimates for 2014 and 2015, and projections of compound annual growth rates (CAGRs) through 2022.3) Identifications of new market opportunities and targeted promotional plans for Ablation Technologies.4) Discussion of research and development, and the demand for new products and new applications.5) Comprehensive company profiles of major players in the industry.REPORT SCOPE:The scope of the report includes a detailed study of global and regional markets for Global Ablation Technologies Market with the reasons given for variations in the growth of the industry in certain regions.The report covers detailed competitive outlook including the market share and company profiles of the key participants operating in the global market. Key players profiled in the report include Angiodynamics, Inc., Biosense Webster Inc., Boston Scientific Corporation, AtriCure, Inc., Medtronic, BSD Medical Corporation, St. Jude Medical Inc. and others.. Company profile includes assign such as company summary, financial summary, business strategy and planning, SWOT analysis and current developments.The Top Companies Report is intended to provide our buyers with a snapshot of the industrys most influential players.The Ablation Technologies Market has been segmented as below:By Technology Analysis Microwave Electrical Light or Laser Cryotherapy Radio frequency Ultrasound or High Intensity Focused Ultrasound OthersBy Application Analysis Ophthalmology Urology Pain management Oncology Gynecology Cardiovascular OthersBy Regional AnalysisNorth AmericaEuropeAsia-PacificRest of the WorldAbout MarketResearchEngineMarket Research Engine is a global market research and consulting organization. We provide market intelligence in emerging, niche technologies and markets. Our market analysis powered by rigorous methodology and quality metrics provide information and forecasts across emerging markets, emerging technologies and emerging business models. Our deep focus on industry verticals and country reports help our clients to identify opportunities and develop business strategies.Media ContactContact Person: John BayEmail: john@marketresearchengine.comPhone: +1-855-984-1862Country: United StatesWebsite:Address: 3422 SW 15 Street, Suite #8942, Deerfield Beach, FL 33442, United States Electric Vehicle Battery Market - Influential Factors Determining The Trajectory Of The Market. http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=9073 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Growing concerns related to decreasing oil and gas resources and degrading environmental conditions are having positive impact on the demand for electric powered vehicles. Moreover, subsidies and incentives on usage of such vehicles is another factor driving the market for electric powered vehicles. These vehicles depend on electric batteries to provide the primary or the secondary power. Thus any impact on the demand for electric powered vehicles will affect the electric vehicle battery market. An electric powered vehicle or battery electric vehicle use chemical energy stored in rechargeable battery packs for power. As all the power is derived from batteries therefore, it does not require any combustion engine for propulsion. Battery Electric vehicles include scooters, rail cars, bicycle, forklifts, buses and cars. The advantages in battery storage technology have also positively affected the electric vehicle battery market.The segmentation of the electric vehicle battery market can be done on the basis of technology, application and geography. Technology segment deals with the different types of batteries used for manufacturing of electric vehicle battery. Major battery types include lead acid batteries, nickel metal hydride batteries, zebra batteries and lithium ion batteries. Lead acid batteries are the most common and cheapest type of batteries. Nickel metal hydride batteries have higher energy densities than the common lead acid batteries and if used properly can have exceptionally long lives. The Zebra batteries use molten chloro-aluminate sodium as electrolyte. Lithium ion batteries use graphite anode and lithium cobalt oxide anode. These batteries are use to power the Battery Electric Vehicles, Hybrid Vehicles, Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles and Plug-in Electric Vehicles.PDF Sample For Latest Innovations And Advancements @Regional segmentation of the electric vehicle battery market includes countries such as the United States and Canada in North America; Germany, France, Sweden and the United Kingdom in Europe. The government incentives on usage of battery powered vehicles are one of the main reasons behind the growth of North American and European electric vehicle battery market. Other prominent market includes Asia Pacific and Middle East. Asia Pacific market includes the countries such as Japan, China and South Korea. Increasing concerns related to energy security and incentives on use of battery powered vehicles are the major factor driving the Asia Pacific market. The Rest of the World segment still lags behind in the electric vehicle battery market. The Rest of the World Market includes countries such as Brazil, Argentina and Venezuela.Decreasing crude oil reserves and concerns regarding degradation of the environment are the major factors driving the electric vehicle battery market. With decreasing crude reserves the demand for economical transportation technologies has attracted investment in this market. The governments of many major countries have encouraged adoption hybrid vehicles that utilize the electric battery. Many national agencies have enforced rules and provide attractive concessions on purchasing hybrid cars. Stringent environmental regulations in the European Union nations have encouraged wide adoption of the battery powered vehicles. The fluctuating crude oil prices are another major factor bolstering consumers to adopt such batteries. Expensive nature of electric vehicle battery is one of the major restraints to the market.Some of the major players in the electric vehicle battery market include companies such as SAMSUNG SDI CO. LTD., Quallion, Boston-Power, Inc. and LG Chem Power Inc.Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Transparency Market Research90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Motion Controllers Market - Insights Into The Competitive Scenario Of The Market http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=8461 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Motion Controllers control the velocity and position of machines. These controllers can be implemented with the help of both analog and digital computers. A motion controller comprises of load, prime mover, sensors and controlling machine for proper functioning of prime mover and load. Moreover, it is used to accomplish speed accuracy, increased position, fast reaction time, smooth movements, cost reduction, integrated automation, improved efficiency and consistency, elimination of hazards and better diagnosis and troubleshooting among others. These devices incorporate high force magnet materials, precise dimensional tolerance and innovative design machines. Motion controllers are widely used in printing, packaging, textile, assembly industries, semiconductor production and many other automation systems.The key driving factors for motion controllers market are increasing venture by manufacturing companies and rising concern for industrial safety. Moreover, immense developments of automation market along with rapid globalization have collectively increased the demand for huge production capacity within limited time frame. Thus there has been a surge in implementation of automation systems in industries worldwide. Different geographical drivers are also accountable for the growth of this market. In addition, demand from developing countries, such as India, China and Brazil are expected to create opportunities for motion controllers market in the future. However, high manufacturing cost and lack of skilled workers are hindering the growth of the market. This challenge has to be addressed by manufacturers in order to ensure efficient applications of motion controllers.PDF Sample For Latest Innovations And Advancements @Global motion controllers market can be broadly classified on the basis of technology, application and geography. By technology, the market for motion controllers has been broadly segmented into computerized numerical control and general motion control. Usage of these controllers is much simpler in general motion control machines compared to computerized numerical control machines. The market can be subdivided by application into automotive, machinery manufacturing, logistics, aerospace and defense, electronics and semiconductor, food and beverage, medical, paper and printing, oil and gas and energy. Machinery manufacturing, logistics and electronics and semiconductor are the major sectors which are expected to grow at a significant rate during the forecast period from 2015 to 2021. The major reason is attributed to potential demand for process automation and industrial safety in these sectors. By geography, the global market for motion controllers has been classified into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Rest of the World.In the present scenario, the market for motion controllers is dominated by Asia Pacific in terms of revenue, followed by North America and Europe. The major factor responsible for potential development of this market in Asia Pacific is huge adoption of these devices coupled with rapid technological advancement. However, North America and Europe is anticipated to grow at a significant rate in the future, primarily due to huge investment by manufacturing industries along with increase in industrialization.Some of the major players in this market are Schneider Electric (France), Siemens AG (Germany), Parker Hannifin Corp. (U.S.), Yaskawa Electric Corp. (Japan), ABB Ltd. (Switzerland), Moog Inc. (U.S.), Bosh Rexroth AG (Germany), Altra Industrial Motion Corporation (U.S.), Dover Motion Systems (U.S.) and Rockwell Automation (U.S.).Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Transparency Market Research90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Global Load Bank Consumption 2017 Growth Opportunities and Market Growth Rate by Application Market Research Reports http://www.qyresearchreports.com/sample/sample.php?rep_id=928365&type=E http://www.qyresearchreports.com/report/global-load-bank-sales-market-report-2017.htm http://www.qyresearchreports.com/press-releases.htm Qyresearchreports include new market research report "Global Load Bank Sales Market Report 2017" to its huge collection of research reports.This market intelligence report examines extensively the trends in the global Load Bank market. It highlights the latest market state, the progress pattern in the previous years, and the prospects present for market participants in the near future. The research methods and tools employed in the achievement of this research publication are both secondary and primary. The market intelligence study also provides facts about the investments initiated by several organizations, institutions, government, and non-government authorities and regulatory bodies.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @The publication further presents a valuation of the facets that are likely to prevent or encourage the expansion of the global Load Bank market. The global Load Bank market has been examined scrupulously based on aspects such as application, technology, product, end user, and geographical segment. An examination has been carried out in the research report of the chief regional segments and their respective place and share in the Load Bank market. The estimated revenue and volume valuation of the global market for Load Bank has also been stated in the study.An estimate of the market attractiveness and the level of competition that new entrants along with their new products are likely to offer to the experienced products and players has also been delivered in the market research publication. The market report also discusses the new expansions, the innovations, branding techniques, marketing approaches, and products of the chief players operational in the global Load Bank market. The vendor landscape has been broadly scrutinized employing the Porters five forces and value chain analysis to deliver a strong conception of the market. The challenges and opportunities in the near future for the key participants have also been stressed upon in the research publication.Browse Complete Report with TOC @Table of Contents1 Load Bank Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Load Bank1.2 Classification of Load Bank1.2.1 Portable1.2.2 Trailer Mounted1.2.3 Stationary1.3 Application of Load Bank1.3.1 Power Generation1.3.2 Government/Military1.3.3 Data Centers1.3.4 Industrial1.3.5 Others1.4 Load Bank Market by Regions1.4.1 United States Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.2 China Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.3 Europe Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.4 Japan Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.5 Southeast Asia Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.6 India Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.5 Global Market Size (Value and Volume) of Load Bank (2011-2021)1.5.1 Global Load Bank Sales and Growth Rate (2011-2021)1.5.2 Global Load Bank Revenue and Growth Rate (2011-2021)2 Global Load Bank Competition by Manufacturers, Type and Application2.1 Global Load Bank Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1.1 Global Load Bank Sales and Market Share of Key Manufacturers (2011-2016)2.1.2 Global Load Bank Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2011-2016)2.2 Global Load Bank (Volume and Value) by Type2.2.1 Global Load Bank Sales and Market Share by Type (2011-2016)2.2.2 Global Load Bank Revenue and Market Share by Type (2011-2016)2.3 Global Load Bank (Volume and Value) by Regions2.3.1 Global Load Bank Sales and Market Share by Regions (2011-2016)2.3.2 Global Load Bank Revenue and Market Share by Regions (2011-2016)2.4 Global Load Bank (Volume) by ApplicationFor Latest QYResearchreports Press Release Visit @QYResearchReports.com is an unimpeachable source of market research data for clients that comprise acclaimed SMEs, Chinese companies, private equity firms, and MNCs. We provide market research reports on various categories such as Energy, Chemicals, Alternative and Green Energy, Manufacturing, Machinery, Pharmaceuticals and Materials, and Glass.1820 AvenueM Suite #1047Brooklyn, NY 11230United States Global Medical Tourism Market Research Report 2021 http://www.qyresearchreports.com/sample/sample.php?rep_id=755025&type=E http://www.qyresearchreports.com/report/global-medical-tourism-market-research-report-2021.htm This report studies Medical Tourism in Global market, especially in North America, Europe, China, Japan, India and Southeast Asia, focuses on top manufacturers in global market, with sales, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer, coveringBangkok Dusit Medical ServicesBumrungrad Hospital Public Co. Ltd.IHH Healthcare BerhadKPJ Healthcare BerhadAsian Heart InstituteFortis HealthcareMedantaMin-Sheng General HospitalPrince Court General HospitalRaffles Medical GroupSamitivej SukhumvitSpire HealthcareTo Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Market Segment by Region, this report splits Global into several key Regions, with sales, revenue, market share and growth rate of Medical Tourism in these regions, from 2011 to 2021 (forecast), likeNorth AmericaChinaEuropeJapanIndiaSoutheast AsiaSplit by product type, with sales, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, can be divided intoPOCTissue diagnosticClinical microbiologyImmunodiagnosticsMolecular diagnosticsHematologySplit by application, this report focuses on sales, market share and growth rate of Medical Tourism in each application, can be divided intoApplication 1Application 2Application 3Browse Complete Report with TOC @Table of ContentsGlobal Medical Tourism Market Research Report 20211 Medical Tourism Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Medical Tourism1.2 Medical Tourism Segment by Types1.2.1 Global Sales Market Share of Medical Tourism by Type in 20151.2.2 POC1.2.3 Tissue diagnostic1.2.4 Clinical microbiology1.2.5 Immunodiagnostics1.2.6 Molecular diagnostics1.2.7 Hematology1.3 Medical Tourism Segment by Applications1.3.1 Application 11.3.2 Application 21.3.3 Application 31.4 Medical Tourism Market by Regions1.4.1 North America Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.2 China Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.3 Europe Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.4 Japan Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.5 India Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.6 Southeast Asia Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.5 Global Market Size (Value and Volume) of Medical Tourism (2011-2021)1.5.1 Global Medical Tourism Sales and Revenue (2011-2021)1.5.2 Global Medical Tourism Sales and Growth Rate (2011-2021)1.5.3 Global Medical Tourism Revenue and Growth Rate (2011-2021)2 Global Medical Tourism Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1 Global Medical Tourism Sales and Share by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.2 Global Medical Tourism Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.3 Manufacturers Medical Tourism Manufacturing Base Distribution and Product Type2.4 Competitive Situation and Trends2.4.1 Expansions2.4.2 New Product Launches2.4.3 Acquisitions2.4.4 Other Developments3 Global Medical Tourism Analysis by Region3.1 Global Medical Tourism Sales, Revenue and Market Share by Region (2011-2021)3.1.1 Global Medical Tourism Sales Market Share by Region (2011-2021)3.1.2 Global Medical Tourism Revenue Market Share by Region (2011-2021)3.2 North America3.2.1 North America Medical Tourism Sales, Revenue and Price (2011-2021)3.2.2 North America Medical Tourism Sales, Revenue and Growth Rate (2011-2021)3.3 Europe3.3.1 Europe Medical Tourism Sales, Revenue and Price (2011-2021)3.3.2 Europe Medical Tourism Sales, Revenue and Growth Rate (2011-2021)3.4 China3.4.1 China Medical Tourism Sales, Revenue and Price (2011-2021)3.4.2 China Medical Tourism Sales, Revenue and Growth Rate (2011-2021)3.5 Japan3.5.1 Japan Medical Tourism Sales, Revenue and Price (2011-2021)3.5.2 Japan Medical Tourism Sales, Revenue and Growth Rate (2011-2021)3.6 India3.6.1 India Medical Tourism Sales, Revenue and Price (2011-2021)3.6.2 India Medical Tourism Sales, Revenue and Growth Rate (2011-2021)3.7 Southeast Asia3.7.1 Southeast Asia Medical Tourism Sales, Revenue and Price (2011-2021)3.7.2 Southeast Asia Medical Tourism Sales, Revenue and Growth Rate (2011-2021)QYResearchReports.com is an unimpeachable source of market research data for clients that comprise acclaimed SMEs, Chinese companies, private equity firms, and MNCs. We provide market research reports on various categories such as Energy, Chemicals, Alternative and Green Energy, Manufacturing, Machinery, Pharmaceuticals and Materials, and Glass.QYResearchreportsContact Us1820 AvenueM Suite #1047Brooklyn, NY 11230United States+1-518-621-2074866-997-4948USA-Canada Toll freesales@qyresearchreports.com Butylated Triphenyl Phosphate Industry - Detailed Analysis and Forecast by 2025 https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=B&rep_id=908 https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=T&rep_id=908 https://www.tmrresearch.com/butylated-triphenyl-phosphate-market The global market for butylated triphenyl phosphate is expected to witness a phenomenal growth in the foreseeable future. The primary factor behind the growth of the market is the burgeoning demand for this compound from the automotive sector. As per the findings of the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs dAutomobiles (OICA) correspondents survey, the total number of vehicles produced in 2015 were close to 90.78 bn. Butylated triphenyl phosphate is used in various applications such as lubricants, hydraulic fluids, and flame retardants. The market is anticipated to experience significant growth challenges owing to the toxic behavior of the compound on animal health. The U.S. National Center for Biotechnology Information implicates butylated triphenyl phosphate-based hydraulic fluid as reproductive and endocrine toxicants in rodents.This research report provides a concise analysis of the various important aspects of the global butylated triphenyl phosphate market. It presents a detailed overview of the market dynamics and the extent to which they impact the growth. It offers insights into the statistics related to the market at both global and regional levels. It takes into account the current scenario and historic data to derive trends of the market in the forthcoming years. It extensively covers tools such as market attractiveness analysis and Porters five force analysis that are useful in gauging the competitive environment of the market. It also profiles prominent players in the global butylated triphenyl phosphate market along with their latest development, revenue generation, business strategies, market shares, and contact information.Get a Free Brochure of the Report @Global Butylated Triphenyl Phosphate Market: Trends and OpportunitiesDue to the excellent thermal resistance of butylated triphenyl phosphate, it is used as an additive in lubricants. Therefore, the increasing automobile production across the globe along with repair and maintenance activities is boosting the global demand for lubricants, which is working in favor of the growth of the global butylated triphenyl phosphate market. Butylated triphenyl phosphate is also used in flame retardants, which is used in polymer manufacture. Hence, the staggering volume of demand for engineering plastics is driving the market.Request TOC of the report @Global Butylated Triphenyl Phosphate Market: Region-wise OutlookThe regional markets covered in the report are Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa. Asia Pacific will be a prominent market for butylated triphenyl phosphate throughout the forecast horizon, with China being a key contributor to the growth of the region. The growing number of vehicles and the robust growth of the automotive and construction industries are contributing to the growth of the region. The large industrial base in emerging countries such as India and China is also supplementing the growth of the region.Latin America will progress at a noteworthy CAGR during the forecast period. The flourishing growth of the end-user industries is fuelling the market. There is a rising demand for butylated triphenyl phosphate as flame retardants as well as lubricants in the construction industry.Read Complete Report @Global Butylated Triphenyl Phosphate Market: Competitive LandscapeProduct innovation is of critical importance to the majority of players in the global people counting system market to stay relevant. Some of the key companies operating in the market are CHemwill Asia Co. Ltd, Lanxess AG, Chemtura Corporation, and Mattei Compressors Ltd. The established distribution network and wide market reach are assisting key players in maintaining their strong foothold in the market.About Us:TMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Contact Us:Rohit BhiseyHead Internet MarketingTel: +1-518-618-1030Email: sales@tmrresearch.com Cardiac Monitoring & Cardiac Rhythm Management Devices Market https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=B&rep_id=902 https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=T&rep_id=902 https://www.tmrresearch.com/cardiac-monitoring-cardiac-rhythm-management-devices-market In recent times, the global cardiac monitoring and cardiac rhythm management devices market has exhibited a phenomenal growth rate. Rapid technological advancements and the advent of innovative products such as MRI pacemakers, durable batteries, and biocompatible materials are providing a significant boost to the market. Cardiac monitoring and cardiac rhythm management devices are primarily used in hospitals, home, and ambulatory care. Manufacturers are focusing towards developing compact versions of these devices, which is likely to revolutionize the market in the near future.The report is a professional study on the global cardiac monitoring and cardiac rhythm management devices market, compiled by meticulously analyzing various critical parameters of the market. It provides a detailed overview of the factors impacting the growth of the market. It offers qualitative and quantitative insights into the competitive landscape of the market. Competitive profiling of the prominent players in the market along with their market shares, business strategies, cost and revenue structures, latest developments, and contact information forms a vital part of the report. It performs SWOT analysis to reveal potential growth trajectory of each prominent player in the global cardiac monitoring and cardiac rhythm management devices market.Get a Free Brochure of the Report @Global Cardiac Monitoring & Cardiac Rhythm Management Devices Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe growing occurrence of cardiovascular disorders is the foremost factor driving the uptake of cardiac monitoring and cardiac rhythm management devices. The changing lifestyles and rapidly growing geriatric population are among the key factors leading to the increasing incidence of such diseases. Moreover, the rising awareness regarding the availability of sophisticated treatment options coupled with increasing use of home and ambulatory services is providing a thrust to the market. Conducive regulatory environment is also working in favor of the growth of the market.On the other hand, the lack of healthcare professionals with expertise in cardiac and electrocardiography monitoring is restricting the market from realizing its utmost potential. Furthermore, the high cost of cardiac monitoring and cardiac rhythm management devices is hampering their widespread adoption. This is further compounded by the absence of favorable reimbursement policies for remote cardiac monitoring devices.Request TOC of the report @Global Cardiac Monitoring & Cardiac Rhythm Management Devices Market: Geographical SegmentationOn the basis of geography, the key segments analyzed in the report are Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, and Rest of the World. North America and Europe are expected to account for a large cumulative share in the market throughout the forecast period. The presence of advanced healthcare infrastructure and growing prevalence of cardiovascular diseases are escalating the growth of the market in the region. Rapid technological advancements, high patient awareness regarding the accessibility of treatment options, and rising geriatric population are also propelling the growth of the region.Asia Pacific is likely to show tremendous growth in the forthcoming years, thanks to improving healthcare infrastructure along with the rising consumer expenditure on healthcare. The increasing investments by large, international players in the healthcare facilities are supplementing the growth of the region. Moreover, the growing popularity of remote cardiac monitoring devices is fuelling the growth of the region.Read Complete Report @Global Cardiac Monitoring & Cardiac Rhythm Management Devices Market: Competitive LandscapePlayers are increasingly adopting mergers and acquisitions as their key growth strategy to strengthen their position in the global cardiac monitoring and cardiac rhythm management devices market. Some of the prominent players in the market are St. Jude Medical Inc., Boston Scientific Corporation, Medtronic PLC, GE Healthcare, Philips Healthcare, Welch Allyn, Ecardio Diagnostics, Mortara Instruments, Nihon Kohden Corporation, and Life Watch.About Us:TMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Contact Us:Rohit BhiseyHead Internet MarketingTel: +1-518-618-1030Email: sales@tmrresearch.com High Temperature Resin Industry - Detailed Analysis and Forecast by 2025 https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=B&rep_id=896 https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=T&rep_id=896 https://www.tmrresearch.com/high-temperature-resin-market The global high temperature resin market is likely to register promising growth potential in the forthcoming years. The rising demand for thermoplastic resins in the high temperature composites market is driving the global market. High temperature resins are used in some of the most rigorous applications for composite materials. They exhibit superior thermal stability, minimal mechanical degradation, and excellent chemical resistance. They are available in various types including epoxy, polyethersulfone, silicone, polyutherane, acrylic, polyester, alkyd, and phenolic. These resins are used as primarily used as adhesives and sealants, composites, and paints and coatings.The research report is an outcome of an in-depth analysis of the various important parameters of the global high temperature resin market including its dynamics and region-wise outlook. The data presented in the report has been derived from various paid and unpaid sources including white papers, press releases, journals, presentations, and directories. The report offers both qualitative and quantitative insights into the competitive landscape of the market. It meticulously studies the business strategies and latest developments of the key players in the market. It performs SWOT analysis that reveals the potential growth trajectory of each prominent player in the market. There is a separate section of recommendations for both new and existing players in the global high temperature resin market.Get a Free Brochure of the Report @Global High Temperature Resin Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe growth of the global high temperature resins market is receiving a significant boost from the upswing in the consumption of high temperature composites in the railway, defense, and aerospace applications. The exposure of most of the structural components of aircraft to harsh environment such as high velocity and extreme heat creates a dire need for materials with excellent stability. Additionally, the increasing emphasis on fuel efficiency is fuelling the use of advanced materials including composites. Moreover, high temperature resins are being increasingly adopted as an alternative to mechanical fasteners, thereby providing a fillip to the growth of the market.On the other hand, the high cost of these resins is limiting their widespread adoption across different end-user industries. Furthermore, the increasing stringency of regulations set by several governments pertaining to the use of hazardous chemicals is hindering the growth of the market. However, the future of the market looks bright with the anticipated upsurge in the demand from the electronics industry for newer applications.Request TOC of the report @Global High Temperature Resin Market: Geographical SegmentationThe key regional markets covered in the report are North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and Rest of the World. Asia Pacific will be a prominent market throughout the forecast period. The growth of the region is largely supplemented by emerging economies such as India and China. The rapid urbanization and industrialization along with the robust growth of end-user industries such as electronics and aerospace in these countries are contributing to the growth of the region.North America is also expected to account for a large share in the market owing to the presence of a large number of aerospace OEMs and tier players. The presence of advanced aviation and automotive sector in the U.S. is augmenting the growth of the region.Read Complete Report @Global High Temperature Resin Market: Competitive LandscapeProminent players in the global high temperature resins market are strategically shifting their research and development centers and manufacturing units to developing nations owing to tremendous growth opportunities in such countries. Several players are adopting technological advancements and product portfolio diversification as their key growth strategies to strengthen their positions in the market. Some of the key players are E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company, Mitsui Chemicals Inc., Henkel AG & Co., KGaA, BASF SE, Dow Corning Corporation, Royal Tencate N.V., and Solvay S.A.About Us:TMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Contact Us:Rohit BhiseyHead Internet MarketingTel: +1-518-618-1030Email: sales@tmrresearch.com Resuscitation Mask Market 2017 - A Health Care, Acare, Ambu., American Diagnostic, Armstrong Medical, Ecolab Europe, FernoUK Limited https://goo.gl/NUSMlE https://goo.gl/hNLsme https://goo.gl/JUPu71 A market study based on the "Resuscitation Mask Market" across the globe, recently added to the repository of Market Research, is titled Global Resuscitation Mask Market 2017. The research report analyses the historical as well as present performance of the worldwide Resuscitation Mask industry, and makes predictions on the future status of Resuscitation Mask market on the basis of this analysis.Get Free Sample Copy of Report Here :Top Manufacturers Analysis Of This ReportA Health CareAcareAllied Healthcare ProductsAmbu.American DiagnosticArmstrong MedicalAttuchoBEING FOSHAN MEDICAL EQUIPMENTBesmed Health BusinessBLS Systems LimitedEcolab EuropeFernoUK LimitedFind More Manufacturers @The report studies the industry for Resuscitation Mask across the globe taking the existing industry chain, the import and export statistics in Resuscitation Mask market & dynamics of demand and supply of Resuscitation Mask into consideration. The 'Resuscitation Mask' research study covers each and every aspect of the Resuscitation Mask market globally, which starts from the definition of the Resuscitation Mask industry and develops towards Resuscitation Mask market segmentations. Further, every segment of the Resuscitation Mask market is classified and analyzed on the basis of product types, application, and the end-use industries of the Resuscitation Mask market. The geographical segmentation of the Resuscitation Mask industry has also been covered at length in this report.The competitive landscape of the worldwide market for Resuscitation Mask is determined by evaluating the various industry participants, production capacity, Resuscitation Mask market's production chain, and the revenue generated by each manufacturer in the Resuscitation Mask market worldwide.Enquire Here :The global Resuscitation Mask market 2017 is also analyzed on the basis of product pricing, Resuscitation Mask production volume, data regarding demand and Resuscitation Mask supply, and the revenue garnered by the product. Various methodical tools such as investment returns, feasibility, and market attractiveness analysis has been used in the research to present a comprehensive study of the industry for Resuscitation Mask across the globe.About UsWe provide global enterprises and businesses across different industry verticals comprehensive market research services from off-the-shelf research reports to customized research conducted by our highly experienced industry analysts.Contact UsFrank ValadezBusiness Development HeadEmail id - sales@qymarket.bizWebsite - http://www.qymarket.biz/ Financial Services & Solutions of Global ATM Outsourcing Industry 2016-2021 Market Investments & Revenues : Cardtronics, Avery Scott, Asseco, Burroughs http://www.qyresearchreports.com/sample/sample.php?rep_id=849205&type=E http://www.qyresearchreports.com This report studies sales (consumption) of ATM Outsourcing in Global market, especially in North America, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia and India, focuses on top players in these regions/countries, with sales, price, revenue and market share for each player in these regions, coveringCardtronicsFisCash TransactionsAssecoBurroughsAvery ScottSharenetATMJNCRNuSourseDolphin DebitMobile MoneyFEDCorpRaya GroupTransaction Solutions InternationalProvusGRG BankingKing TellerMarket Segment by Regions, this report splits Global into several key Regions, with sales (consumption), revenue, market share and growth rate of ATM Outsourcing in these regions, from 2011 to 2021 (forecast), likeNorth AmericaChinaEuropeJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaTo Get a Free Sample Copy of this Report visit @Split by product types, with sales, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, can be divided intoATM Monitoring OutsourcingATM Operation OutsourcingATM Full OutsourcingOther OutsourcingSplit by applications, this report focuses on sales, market share and growth rate of ATM Outsourcing in each application, can be divided intoIn-bank modeOff-bank modeTable of Contents1 ATM Outsourcing Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of ATM Outsourcing1.2 Classification of ATM Outsourcing1.2.1 ATM Monitoring Outsourcing1.2.2 ATM Operation Outsourcing1.2.3 ATM Full Outsourcing1.2.4 Other Outsourcing(Lost card/ passbook handling)1.3 Applications of ATM Outsourcing1.3.1 In-bank mode1.3.2 Off-bank mode1.4 ATM Outsourcing Market by Regions1.4.1 North America Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.2 China Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.3 Europe Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.4 Japan Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.5 Southeast Asia Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.6 India Status and Prospect (2011-2021)QYresearchreports.com delivers the latest strategic market intelligence to build a successful business footprint in China. Our syndicated and customized research reports provide companies with vital background information of the market and in-depth analysis on the Chinese trade and investment framework, which directly affects their business operations.QYResearchReports1820 AvenueM Suite #1047Brooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-618-1030Web:Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com It's a blog for foodies around the world. Here you can read about recipes , new ideas and old techniques. You don't have to be a gourmet, just someone who really LOVES food and drink!!!! Global Almond Oil Market 2016 Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth Drivers, Sales, Trends, Supply, Forecast to 2021: AAK Natural Oils, Caloy, Huiles Bertin http://www.qyresearchreports.com/sample/sample.php?rep_id=849208&type=E http://www.qyresearchreports.com The Global Almond Oil Industry Report 2016 is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the almond oil industry.The report provides a basic overview of the industry including definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain structure. The almond oil market analysis is provided for the international markets including development trends, competitive landscape analysis, and key regions development status.Development policies and plans are discussed as well as manufacturing processes and cost structures are also analyzed. This report also states import/export consumption, supply and demand Figures, cost, price, revenue and gross margins.The report focuses on global major leading industry players providing information such as company profiles, product picture and specification, capacity, production, price, cost, revenue and contact information. Upstream raw materials and equipment and downstream demand analysis is also carried out. The almond oil industry development trends and marketing channels are analyzed. Finally the feasibility of new investment projects are assessed and overall research conclusions offered.With 207 tables and figures the report provides key statistics on the state of the industry and is a valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals interested in the market.To Get a Free Sample Copy of this Report visit @Table of Contents1 Industry Overview1.1 Definition and Specifications of Almond Oil1.1.1 Definition of Almond Oil1.1.2 Specifications of Almond Oil1.2 Classification of Almond Oil1.2.1 Sweet Almond Oil1.2.2 Bitter Almond Oil1.3 Applications of Almond Oil1.3.1 Cosmetic1.3.2 Food1.3.3 Carrier oils1.4 Industry Chain Structure of Almond Oil1.5 Industry Overview and Major Regions Status of Almond Oil1.5.1 Industry Overview of Almond Oil1.5.2 Global Major Regions Status of Almond Oil1.6 Industry Policy Analysis of Almond Oil1.7 Industry News Analysis of Almond OilQYresearchreports.com delivers the latest strategic market intelligence to build a successful business footprint in China. Our syndicated and customized research reports provide companies with vital background information of the market and in-depth analysis on the Chinese trade and investment framework, which directly affects their business operations.QYResearchReports1820 AvenueM Suite #1047Brooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-618-1030Web:Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com Global Defense Drones Market to grow at a CAGR of 6% during Forecast 2016-2020 http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=499605 http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=E&repid=499605 http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG Albany, NY, Feb 16, 2017: Technavios research analyst predicts the global defense drones market to grow at a CAGR of 6% during the forecast period. A defense drone or UAV is an airplane without a pilot on board. Human pilots on the ground control these machines through satellite-powered remote controls, or autonomously through onboard computers. These drones are an essential tool for modern defense forces because of their endurance and versatility, which makes them suitable for intelligence gathering and support roles for military operations. Drones can also be engineered to operate autonomously with onboard instruments with different functionalities, which are controlled and directed by instructors or an analyst operating out of a remote location in real time.The global defense industry is driven by massive investments in R&D, leading to the development of advanced technologies that enhance endurance, survivability, and functions of UAVs or drones. For instance, during 2015, the Ministry of Defense, India, announced its plans to collaborate with Lockheed Martin to develop rotary engine-powered UAVs. The rising competition between countries to possess modern and advanced weapons and technologies in the defense sector is expected to drive the growth of the defense drones market.Product segmentation and analysis of defense drones market- Large defense drones- Small defense dronesGet a Sample Research PDF with TOC:The large defense drones segment dominated the market during 2015, with a market share of 76%. Large drones such as MALE and HALE have long non-stop flight duration capabilities and can carry different payloads that vary from thermal cameras, listening antennas, and guidance lasers to various kinds of munitions. This enables large defense drones to perform tasks such as fire support, target designation, targeted strike missions, and intelligence gathering and surveillance. These advantages have been contributing to the growth of this segment.Geographical segmentation and analysis of the defense drones market- Americas- APAC- EMEAThe Americas accounted for 60% of the global market share during 2015 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5% during the forecast period. The increasing deployment of unmanned vehicles in countries such as the US, Brazil, and Latin Americas is driving the growth of the market in this region. For instance, by 2035, the US air force plans to develop and add close to 5,000 new drones.Competitive landscape and key vendorsThe global defense drones market is highly concentrated in countries such as the US and Israel. The vendors in the market compete on the basis of price, quality, innovation, service, reputation, distribution, and promotion.The leading vendors in the market are -- Israel Aerospace Industries- General Atomics Aeronautical Systems- Boeing- Lockheed MartinOther prominent vendors in the market include Textron, Northrop Grumman, AeroVirnonment, and Prox Dynamics.Enquiry at:Key questions answered in the report include- What will the market size and the growth rate be in 2020?- What are the key factors driving the global defense drones market?- What are the key market trends impacting the growth of the defense drones market?- What are the challenges to market growth?- Who are the key vendors in this market space?- What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the vendors in the global defense drones market?- Trending factors influencing the market shares of the Americas, APAC, and EMEA?- What are the key outcomes of the five forces analysis of the defense drones market?ResearchMoz is the worlds fastest growing collection of market research reports worldwide. Our database is composed of current market studies from over 100 featured publishers worldwide. Our market research databases integrate statistics with analysis from global, regional, country and company perspectives. ResearchMozs service portfolio also includes value-added services such as market research customization, competitive landscaping, and in-depth surveys, delivered by a team of experienced Research Coordinators.Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-621-2074Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Email: sales@researchmoz.usFollow us on LinkedIn at: Metal Replacement Market - Detailed Study Analysis and Forecast by 2025 https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=B&rep_id=878 https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=T&rep_id=878 https://www.tmrresearch.com/metal-replacement-market Development and manufacturing of new products require more resources and are more complex than ever. As a result, the limelight is slowly shifting towards metal replacement. It is being widely acknowledged for reducing weight, production, and cost times. Metal replacement materials are used across industries such as aerospace and defense, automotive, healthcare, and construction. The materials used are engineering plastics and composites such as carbon fiber reinforced plastics and glass fiber reinforced plastics. The global metal replacement market has witnessed a momentous rise of late and is expected to continue following a healthy growth track in the forthcoming years.This research report provides a comprehensive overview of the various important parameters of the global metal replacement market. It presents a comprehensive description of the factors the growth of the market. It offers essential insights into the statistics pertaining to the market at both regional and global levels. It extensively covers market attractiveness analysis and Porters five force analysis. The data derived from these tools is used for calculating the competitive landscape of the market. Competitive profiling of the prominent players in the market along with their market shares, business strategies, revenue generation, latest development, and contact information form a crucial part of the report.Get a Free Brochure of the Report @Global Metal Replacement Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe growth of the global metal replacement market is primarily fuelled by end-user sectors such as aerospace and defense and construction. In recent times, infrastructural development has gained significant traction, particularly in developing countries. This has led to the initiation of several residential and commercial construction projects. As a result, there is an upswing in the demand for metal replacing materials in the construction sector to replace steel rods for concrete reinforcement as well as to produce sewage systems. Moreover, the growing use of engineering plastics as an alternative to traditional materials in end-user industries is providing a fillip to the market.On the flip side, the high cost of metal replacing materials is limiting their widespread adoption. Furthermore, the volatile prices of crude oil are negatively impacting the manufacturing of engineering plastics, as crude oil serves as a raw material. This, in turn, is hampering the growth of the material. However, emerging countries are likely to present immense growth opportunities for the market.Request TOC of the report @Global Metal Replacement Market: Geographical SegmentationOn the basis of geography, the key segments studied in the report are North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and Rest of the World. Asia Pacific will account for a substantial share in the market throughout the forecast period, with China being a major contributor. The growing investments by automobile giants, increasing manufacturing capacities, and the flourishing growth of the construction industry are contributing to the growth of the region. The increasing focus towards the development of lightweight and fuel-efficient vehicles is also spurring the demand for metal replacement materials in the region.Europe and North America are estimated to rise at a sluggish growth rate during the same period. These regions have not recovered entirely from the economic downturn, which in turn is adversely affecting the demand for metal replacing materials in key end-user industries.Read Complete Report @Global Metal Replacement Market: Competitive LandscapeSome of the prominent players in the global metal replacement market are SGL Group, Solvay SA, Celanese Corporation, Owens Corning Corporation, and BASF SE. Enterprises are focusing on research and development activities to introduce new products and stay relevant in the market. The established distribution network and wide market reach are providing a competitive edge to the key players in the market. They also have large technical capabilities that facilitate existing product upgradation for new applications.About Us:TMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Contact Us:Rohit BhiseyHead Internet MarketingTel: +1-518-618-1030Email: sales@tmrresearch.com Global and China Hair Loss & Growth Treatments and Products Market 2016-2022 High Industry Demands in China Segments, Asia Regions, USA Sector & European Regions : Procter & Gamble , Unilever , Henkel , Merck http://www.qyresearchreports.com/sample/sample.php?rep_id=846327&type=E http://www.qyresearchreports.com The Global and China Hair Loss & Growth Treatments and Products Sales Market Report 2022 is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the hair loss&growth treatments and products market.The report provides a basic overview of the hair loss&growth treatments and products industry including definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain structure.Development policies and plans are discussed as well as manufacturing processes and cost structures are also analyzed. This report also states import/export consumption, supply and demand figures, cost, price, revenue and gross margins.The report then analyzes the global hair loss&growth treatments and products market size (volume and value), and the sales segment market is also discussed by product type, applications and region.The major hair loss&growth treatments and products market (including USA, Europe, China, Japan, etc.) is analyzed, data including: market size, import and export, sale segment market by product type and applications. Then we forecast the 2017-2022 market size of hair loss&growth treatments and products.The report focuses on global major leading companies providing information such as company profiles, sales, sales revenue, market share and contact information.Finally the marketing, feasibility of new investment projects are assessed and overall research conclusions offered.With 206 tables and figures the report provides key statistics on the state of the industry and is a valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals interested in the market.To Get a Free Sample Copy of this Report visit @Table of Content1 Industry Overview1.1 Definition of Hair Loss&growth Treatments and Products1.2 Classification of Hair Loss&growth Treatments and Products1.2.1 Hair Loss and Growth Devices1.2.2 Shampoos and Conditioners1.2.3 Medicine Product1.3 Applications of Hair Loss&growth Treatments and Products1.4 Industry Chain Structure of Hair Loss&growth Treatments and Products1.5 Industry Overview and Major Regions Status of Hair Loss&growth Treatments and Products1.5.1 Industry Overview of Hair Loss&growth Treatments and Products1.5.2 Global Major Regions Status of Hair Loss&growth Treatments and Products1.6 Industry Policy Analysis of Hair Loss&growth Treatments and Products1.7 Industry News Analysis of Hair Loss&growth Treatments and ProductsQYresearchreports.com delivers the latest strategic market intelligence to build a successful business footprint in China. Our syndicated and customized research reports provide companies with vital background information of the market and in-depth analysis on the Chinese trade and investment framework, which directly affects their business operations.QYResearchReports1820 AvenueM Suite #1047Brooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-618-1030Web:Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com Brain Monitoring Devices Market 2024; Competitive landscape and key product segments http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/brain-monitoring-devices.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=1322 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ Global Brain Monitoring Devices Market: OverviewThe National Institute of Mental Health in the US states that every 1 in 4 adults suffers from a brain disorder every year. It further asserts that at least 6% suffer from serious disabilities due to severe brain damage. This alarming statistic goes to show the dire need for brain monitoring devices in the global healthcare industry today. Research shows that brain monitoring devices will be in significant demand in critical care units due to a high incidence of accidents pertaining to brain trauma and injuries in recent past. The market offers a wide range of devices to treat the abnormal brain activities and restore its functioning, depending on the case.The global brain monitoring market has been analyzed by researchers at Transparency Market Research using foolproof research methodologies. The document has been collaborated using information from various journals, interviews, whitepapers, conferences, and magazines. The report also includes an assessment of the competitive landscape present in the global brain monitoring devices market. It offers a thorough understanding of the overall market dynamics and maps a plausible trajectory for the market.Read Full Report:Global Brain Monitoring Devices Market: Drivers and TrendsThe high incidence of neurological disorders in recent years due to changing lifestyles, rising stress levels, and radical changes in the social environments have cumulatively augmented the demand for brain monitoring devices market. Today, these devices are used for understanding the conditions of patients suffering from Alzheimers disease, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and brain tumors amongst others. Thus, the increasing number of patients suffering from these conditions are expected to serve as a strong market driver for the global brain monitoring devices market.The various brain monitoring devices available in the global market are intracranial pressure monitors, magnetoencephalography, electroencephalograph, cerebral oximeters, and transcranial doppler. These devices track brain function such as the velocity of blood flow in the veins and arteries in case of epilepsy, pressure surrounding the brain, electrical and neural activity, brain death, and traumatic brain injury. The market is also growing due to the rising number of post-surgical cerebrovascular accidents. These incidences have led to an augmented demand for automated brain monitoring devices in clinics and hospitals to understand the impact of anesthesia and sedatives.Download exclusive Sample of this report:Analysts note that the improvement in functionality of these devices, their user-friendliness, and affordability along with technological advancements will encourage the growth of the global market in the coming years.Global Brain Monitoring Devices Market: Geographical OutlookOn the basis of region, the global brain monitoring devices market is segmented into Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, and Rest of the World. Analysts predict that North America is expected to lead the global market as the region has a strong healthcare infrastructure. The high adoption of technology and high penetration of mobile device have given this market an edge over other regions. The brain monitoring devices market in North America is also being encouraged by the supportive regulatory framework and affordable healthcare plans. The significant rise in the geriatric population has also made its contribution to the rise of the brain monitoring devices market in North America. Research indicates that rising patient awareness about benefits of brain monitoring devices to treat disorders such as sleep apnea, Alzheimers disease, and epilepsy amongst others will also propel the regional market.Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a U.S.-based provider of syndicated research, customized research, and consulting services. TMRs global and regional market intelligence coverage includes industries such as pharmaceutical, chemicals and materials, technology and media, food and beverages, and consumer goods, among others. Each TMR research report provides clients with a 360-degree view of the market with statistical forecasts, competitive landscape, detailed segmentation, key trends, and strategic recommendations.Contact us:Transparency Market Research90 State Street,Suite 700,AlbanyNY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Variable Displacement Pumps Market https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=B&rep_id=839 https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=T&rep_id=839 https://www.tmrresearch.com/variable-displacement-pumps-market To control the amount of flow in fixed displacement pumps, the speed of the pump has to be altered, which is not energy-efficient and requires manual control. These two factors make fixed displacement pumps undesirable for industrial applications, wherein variable displacement pumps are preferred instead, as they allow flow management via valves that control speed of hydraulic actuators. As the requirement for energy conservation escalates across the world, engineers at various industries such as construction, mining, and automotive now are constantly looking to reduce energy consumption at the production sites. Concurrently, the demand in the global variable displacement pumps market is estimates to expand at a healthy CAGR during the forecast period of 2017 to 2025.Get a Free Brochure of the Report @This report on global market for variable displacement pumps is a thorough analysis of all the prominent factors that are expected to influence the demand over the course of next few years. It also highlights some of the trends and opportunities available for the players to strategically plan and gain advantage over their competitors. In the section on company profiles, several key players have been analyzed for their product portfolio, market share, and recent developments. The global variable displacement pumps market can be segmented on the basis of type into piston and vane, on the basis of application into hydraulic and IC engine, and end-use industry into construction, automotive, oil and gas, mining, agriculture, material handling, and plastic. Geographically, the report studies the opportunities available in the regions of North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World.Global Variable Displacement Market: Drivers and RestraintsProsperity of the construction industry is the primary driver for the incremented demand for variable displacement pumps, which are used to gain better control over large machine activities. Over the course of next few years, construction industry is anticipated to continue surging due to the rising population and rapid urbanization, and consequently positively influencing the variable displacement market. Similar positive impact is expected from the automotive industry too, which is at an all-time peak, with extended demand from several emerging economies such as India, China, and Brazil, and Japan.Request TOC of the report @By type, piston pump earns maximum uptake owing to their advanced technical properties such as wide volume functionality and pressure efficiency range. By application, hydraulic machine have the maximum demand, and is expected to remain most profitable segment through-out the forecast period, serving the end-use industries, which is dominated by the construction sector, and followed by automotive and oil and gas.Global Variable Displacement Market: Regional OutlookCurrently, vastly populated Asia Pacific is the most profitable region for the players, with rapid economic growth of several countries, improving lifestyle of the urban population, and increased investment in the end-use industries such as construction, automotive, and agriculture. Developed countries such as the U.S., Canada, the U.K. and France have moderate construction going on, although the industries of automotive and oil and gas will ensure healthy demand coming from North America and Europe during the forecast period. In addition to it, the liberalization of foreign trade and investments and the change in industrial policies is resulting into rapid industrialization in China for the past three decades. As China and India reside vast population base, this factor is contributing to the increasing demand for variable displacement pumps in the Asia-Pacific region.Read Complete Report @Companies mentioned in this research reportSome of the prominent players identified by the report in the global variable displacement pumps market are: Bosch Rexroth AG (Germany), Eaton Corporation (U.S.), Parker Hannifin Corp. (U.S.), Danfoss A/S (Denmark), Hawe Hydraulics (Germany), The Oilgear Company (U.S.), Yuken Kogyo Co., Ltd (Japan), Kawasaki Heavy Industries (Japan), Atos Spa (Italy), and Casappa Spa (Italy).About Us:TMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Contact Us:Rohit BhiseyHead Internet MarketingTel: +1-518-618-1030Email: sales@tmrresearch.com Global use of fiber optic cleavers and strippers reached $38.7 million in 2016 https://www.reportsworldwide.com/report/fiber-optic-cleaver-and-stripper-global-market-forecast--analysis-2016-2026 https://www.reportsworldwide.com/enquiry?report_id=4953 ReportsWorldwide has announced the addition of a new report title Fiber Optic Cleaver and Stripper Global Market Forecast & Analysis 2016-2026 to its growing collection of premium market research reports.According to the study, the global use of fiber optic cleavers and strippers is forecast to increase from $38.7 million in 2016 to $42.6 million in 2021, and then the value is forecast to increase at a much faster pace to the year 2026. Market forecast data in this study report refers to consumption (use) for a particular calendar year; therefore, this data is not cumulative data.Field-installable fiber optic connectors, fusion splice use, and other optical fiber preparation processing tasks are driving the need for accurate fiber preparation and cleaving, said Stephen Montgomery, principal analyst of the fiber optics group at ElectroniCast.To view a detailed description and Table of Contents please visit:The instrument/machine categories are segment further by the weight of the device. The average selling price differences between instrument/machines (stripper, cleaver, and combination), and tools (shears, strippers, scissors and "pen" scribes) is substantial. The market analysis and forecast of the consumption of selected fiber optic cleavers and strippers segmented by several different device-types, with a weight of less than 8kg (17.6 pounds) as well as selected hand tools.According to the study, the Asia Pacific region (APAC) employed nearly 160-thousand new fiber optic cleaver and stripper units in 2016. The Asia Pacific region is forecast to maintain the leadership role in relative market share in both volume/quantity and value. China, Korea and Japan are leading consumers for the selected fiber optic cleaver and stripper units in the region; however, India is acknowledged as a rapid adopter of optical fiber communication technologies.Due to the deployment fiber optic cable assemblies in Data Centers (DC), as well as continued deployment of Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH), as well as other optical fiber deployment, the need for easy-to-use, rugged/durable and accurate fiber optic preparation and termination devices are increasing in demand, Montgomery added.To enquire about this Report please visit @About ReportsWorldwide.comReportsWorldwide.com is a leading provider of global market intelligence reports and services. With research reports from top publishers, consulting and advisory firms, ReportsWorldwide.com offers instant online access to a growing database of expert insights on global industries, companies, products, geographies and trends.Press Contact:Abigail CrastoSenior Vice President101, Arch StreetBoston, MA 02110USPhone +1 (617) 398-4994Fax +1 (617) 398-4995abigail@reportsworldwide.com Subsea Well Access System Market : 2017 - 2025 Worldwide Software and Services Overview https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=B&rep_id=437 https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=T&rep_id=437 https://www.tmrresearch.com/subsea-well-access-system-market Global Subsea Well Access Systems Market: OverviewThe worldwide market for subsea well access systems is growing at a healthy rate while riding on the advantage that the systems provide with regard to the relatively easy and efficient execution of subsea activities. This aids in attaining maximum safety and reliability, which in turn promises maximum output during production. The global market is gaining a strong foothold at a significantly rapid pace because of the heavy investments by exploration and production companies with a view to minimize capital and operational expenditures.Global Subsea Well Access Systems Market: Trends and SegmentationOn account of the competitive characteristic of the oil and gas industry, there has been a bright focus on the improvement of production efficiency. Out of all the primary drivers of the world subsea well access systems market, rising safety concerns and improvised production efficient equipment as a requisite have topped the list. The global market has a couple of restraints, i.e. lack of technical expertise and high installation and operational costs, which could hamper its growth. Howbeit, the adoption of subsea well access systems has elevated considerably in the event of strict safety regulations and penalties for non-compliance implemented across the industry. The market growth is expected to be enhanced by the need to maintain and surge recovery rates.Request a Brochure of the Report @On the basis of technology, the global subsea well access systems market could be classified into rig-based intervention and vessel-based intervention. Rig-based systems which are used for heavy intervention may be segmented into completion workover riser system and landing string system. Vessel-based intervention, also known as riserless light well intervention, is mainly used for medium to light intervention.The growth rate for rig-based intervention systems is predicted to decline due to their cost and time-consuming attribute. Contrastingly, the adoption of riserless light well intervention is foretold to increase exponentially.Request for TOC of the Report @Global Subsea Well Access Systems Market: Geographical StudyWith the continued advancement of the exploration of reserves by oil and gas operators in deep water areas, the international subsea well access systems market is progressing at a rapid pace. Europe and South America, in particular, have expressed their rising requirement for intervention in subsea wells. This has further stimulated the adoption of subsea well access systems. On the back of a massive number of wells existing historically, which require significant overhaul, Europe has been the leader in the global subsea well access systems market. Furthermore, the market in the Europe region is anticipated to spread its wings even more expansively, especially in the U.K. and Norway.The demand in Asia Pacific and Africa regions is predicted to augment with the boosting amount of deep water discoveries in emerging countries. Likewise, subsea well access systems are likely to find application in the deep water discoveries of South and Central America.Read Complete Report @Some of the important players existing in the global subsea well access systems market are Weatherford Solutions, FMC Technologies, UZTEL Ltd., National Oilwell Varco, Proserv, Tenaris, Cameron International, Schlumberger, and Aker Solutions.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Our savvy custom-built reports span a gamut of industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and metals, food and beverages, and technology and media, among others. With actionable insights uncovered through in-depth research of the market, we try to bring about game-changing success for our clients.Contact :Rohit BhiseyHead - Internet MarketingTel: +1-518-618-1030Email: sales@tmrresearch.com The current research on the Ferroelectric RAM Market is designed to estimate, analyze, and forecast the market revenue https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=B&rep_id=419 https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=T&rep_id=419 https://www.tmrresearch.com/ferroelectric-ram-market Global Ferroelectric RAM Market: Inclusive InsightFerroelectric RAM, also known as FRAM, is a type of random access memory that amalgamates the characteristics of a dynamic RAM with ROM and flash memory. Ferroelectric RAM enables quick write and read access coupled with the capability to retain data and information even after power loss. As against dynamic RAM, FRAM employs a ferroelectric layers for the purpose of fabrication in place of a dielectric layer. The ferroelectric RAM requires power during reading or writing a cell and thus requires no power in the idle state. Furthermore, unlike flash memories, ferroelectric RAM does not need regular refreshing and thus capable of finishing a writing process in less time.This market study is an assessment of the growth scenarios and chronological tract of the global ferroelectric RAM market. It deals with the valuation of the facets that have been projected to influence the expansion of the market both destructively and positively. Further, the significant trends have also been indicated in the publication. The market study further presents an extensive outlook on the seller background of the market referring to Porters five forces analysis. The research report also deals with the R&D accomplishments, mergers, acquisitions, and essentials on certifications and partnerships. The report analyses the tactics related to shares, profile-raising, and product series of the key companies in the global ferroelectric RAM market.Request a Brochure of the Report @Global Ferroelectric RAM Market: Key TrendsThe growing concerns over energy conservation supports the development of new energy efficient devices. FRAM is one of the non- volatile random-access memory technology which offers operations similar to that of a flash memory. The application areas of FRAM are extensively increasing owing to the growth in investment in R&D projects. Moreover, FRAM is used in applications such as wireless device and battery-powered wireless sensors because of higher power efficiency. The market is expected to witness a double digit growth in next few years. Improved investment in FRAM development is anticipated to enhance the performance and offer substantial growth opportunity and wider area for its application. Low power consumption of FRAM is a chief factor contributing to the market growth. Additionally, FRAM offers higher write performance as compared with flash memory. One of the key challenge faced by the global FRAM market is high efforts requirement for sales and market development of FRAM. This is because of FRAM being a new technology.Request for TOC of the Report @Global Ferroelectric RAM Market: Regional OutlookThe market is segmented by geography which include North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Rest of the world. North America is expected to emerge as a leading market in terms of consumption of FRAM over the next couple of years. The various benefits of FRAM are likely to play a significant role in the development of the market in these regions.Read Complete Report @Global Ferroelectric RAM Market: Companies Mentioned in the ReportKey players in the market include Infineon Technologies AG, Toshiba Corp., LAPIS Semiconductor Co. Ltd., Ramtron International Corporation, Fujitsu Ltd., and Texas Instruments among others.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Our savvy custom-built reports span a gamut of industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and metals, food and beverages, and technology and media, among others. With actionable insights uncovered through in-depth research of the market, we try to bring about game-changing success for our clients.Contact :Rohit BhiseyHead - Internet MarketingTel: +1-518-618-1030Email: sales@tmrresearch.com Conversion Talent launches new hub in Madrid and doubles team to 25 FTEs Managing Partners Jeroen van Ermen and Mathias Lamiroy www.conversiontalent.eu 14.02.2017, BrusselsConversion Talent, Belgiums number one in digital recruitment & CX consultancy, recently opened a new hub in Madrids city center. The company launched its first branch in Leuven in 2013 and quickly expanded to Brussels and Almeria, in the south of Spain. As a fast-growing digital consultancy company with international ambitions, we need to have hubs in different European countries, says Managing Partner Jeroen van Ermen. That is why Conversion Talent chose Madrid, capital of the 4th largest economy in Europe, as a strategic location to further expand.With the recent move to a new capital city, Conversion Talent is able to accelerate its growth. The international team increased from 2 to 25 within only three years and is now present in four different locations (Leuven, Brussels, Almeria and Madrid) working closely together. Managing Partner Mathias Lamiroy says: all of our team members live and breathe digital, which allows us to work in an agile and transparent way.Furthermore, Conversion Talent successfully attracted 2 renowned investors from the human resources industry, Conny Vandendriessche and Philippe Jadoul. They will help Conversion Talent achieve the ambition of becoming a leading European digital consultancy agency.Conny Vandendriessche says: Conversion Talent is on a mission and I want to advise them on how to succeed. They can learn from the hurdles Ive tackled in the past 20 years as co-founder of Accent Jobs. Philippe Jadoul says: I am a strong believer in specialised agencies. The niche market of Conversion Talent, digital & customer experience, is very strategic for all companies. The success of my company Vialegis is based on the same principles.About Conny VandendriesscheConny is a passionate entrepreneur with 25 years of recruitment and selection experience. Starting from scratch, together with another partner and an external investor, Conny turned Accent into the successful "House of HR" containing 8 enterprises, 2.100 employees and an annual turnover of 1.1 bn.Leaving behind an intense career, Conny passed on her role as (co-)CEO in 2013, and is now dedicating herself to her new passion, "Stella P. Building Better Boards".Conny is a board member of several boards of directors/advisors.About Philippe JadoulPhilippe is one of the co-founders of Vialegis, market leader in legal & tax staffing solutions. At the end of 2007, he became responsible for their international expansion. Since April 1st 2010, Philippe is also in charge of the Belgian activities of Vialegis.About Conversion TalentConversion Talent helps in building digital human-centric organisations and delivers sustainable customer experience (CX) solutions in a lean, agile and fast way with a team of 25 colleagues located in 4 hubs in Europe. Conversion Talent offers digital recruitment, consultancy and execution solutions to drive digital transformation for leading brands in Europe.Jeroen van Ermen Managing PartnerConversion TalentCtra. de Sacramento s/nCampus de la UAL04120 AlmeriaMobile: +32 468 32 75 91E-Mail: jeroen@conversiontalent.euWeb: Britain will attempt to offset the cost of Brexit by claiming a significant share of more than 150 billion worth of European Union assets, according to reports. Michel Barnier, the EU's chief Brexit negotiator, is understood to be preparing a list of up to 60 billion of liabilities. Officials in Whitehall are also drawing up their own list of EU financial assets, according to The Times. Britain will attempt to offset Brexit cost with 150 billion worth of European Union assets Colposcopy Market Forecast To 2022 https://marketreportscenter.com/request-sample/508258 https://marketreportscenter.com/reports/508258/global-colposcopy-market-research-report-2017 https://marketreportscenter.com/request-discount/508258 https://marketreportscenter.com Global Colposcopy Industry 2021 Market Research Report analyzed the current state in the definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain structure. The report also focuses on the development trends as well as history, competitive landscape analysis, and key regions etc in the international markets.Global Colposcopy Industry 2021 Market Research Report is a professionally prepared report comprising of in-depth information as well as knowledge which is helpful to the new entrants and the established players. Key statistics on the state of the industry and the complete demand analysis of the industry is showcased in the report.Download Sample Report @The development policies, plans as well as the bill of materials, cost structures are well studied and explained within the report for a better understanding. It also includes the study of the sales, import/export consumption, supply and demand Figures, cost, price, revenue and gross margins. Also, the complete analysis of the prices, revenue share, growth rate etc.Through combining the well-integrated data with the deep analytical skills valid findings are detected. It gives out a strong prediction about the growth of the Colposcopy industry in the future years to come. Furthermore, each and every important variable which is responsible for shaping the Global Colposcopy Industry in the incorporated during the preparation process of the report.The report begins with the industry overview furnishing the details about the specifications, classification, applications, industry chain structure as well as gives out the policy analysis of the industry. It moves further on towards determining the manufacturing cost structure analysis, technical data as well as the manufacturing plant analysis. A lot of insightful predictions about the production, export/import, and consumption is provided in the report.Complete Report Details @Future Development Trends in the Global Colposcopy Company through the market share, SWOT analysis, revenue, gross margin is indicated through the report. Apart from it the report also provides great prospects of the new projects investments, SWOT analysis of the new projects, details about the key consumers with the complete contact details for the new entrants to engage in better opportunities.The competitive landscape of the market state showcases the study of the most renowned players in the China markets in the field of Global Colposcopy industry. A detailed and thorough analysis of the company profiles, production as well as consumption, traders, marketing distributors along with the impact is covered throughout the report. The overall research conclusions with the investment avenues are prevalent in the report. Through the report, the new entrants are able to get the complete overview of the current state of the Global Colposcopy which will be beneficial for them......ContinuedDiscount On This Report @For more information, please visitMarket Reports Center is an e-commerce platform obliging the needs of knowledge workers, experts, professionals who are subject to market research information for their work, or to make strategic business decisions. Market Reports Centers team consistently works to update and extend our existing repository of market research reports by partnering with new publishers and adding their studies to our websiteSam Collins303, Astral Court,Aundh, Pune,MH - 411045, Indiainfo@marketreportscenter.com Ethylene Glycol Market Deep Research Study with Forecast by 2025 https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=B&rep_id=482 https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=T&rep_id=482 https://www.tmrresearch.com/china-ethylene-glycol-market The China ethylene glycol market is likely to experience a tremendous growth, primarily due to the burgeoning demand for polyester fibers across the globe. Polyester fibers are widely used in the textile industry in the manufacturing of carpets, upholstery, conveyer belts, and seat belts. Ethylene glycol is an organic compound primarily used in the manufacturing of polyester fibers and polyethylene terephthalate. Globally, Asia Pacific is one of the key consumer as well as manufacturer of ethylene glycol. China is one of the important growth sites of the Asia Pacific market.At present, China uses conventional processes for the production of ethylene glycol. Manufacturers are shifting their focus from conventional petrochemical route to coal. The country is expected to commercialize its coal-based manufacturing processes in the forthcoming years across all projects. Several manufacturers in the country produce ethylene glycol using syngas, a mixture of oxygen, hydrogen, and carbon monoxide.Request a Brochure of the Report @The report is a complete, professional study for existing as well as new manufacturers in the China ethylene glycol market. It provides essential insights into the industry chain structure along with an extensive understanding of the upstream raw materials and downstream demand chain and import and export statistics. It also sheds light on the currently available production capacities and the efficiency at which they are utilized. The competitive landscape of the market has been derived using tools such as Porters five force analysis and market attractiveness analysis. It offers a detailed overview of drivers, restraints, opportunities, and trends of the China ethylene glycol market.China Ethylene Glycol Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe growing demand for PET resin from the food and beverage industry for the manufacturing of water bottles and food containers is driving the China ethylene glycol market. The rising demand for antifreeze agents is also bolstering the growth of the market. Ethylene glycol is used as antifreeze in the automotive industry. Moreover, it is extensively used in medical sterilization and as heat transfer agent and coolant in geothermal pumps and air conditioning systems. The increasing production capacity for ethylene glycol is favoring the growth of the market.Request for TOC of the Report @On the flip side, the efficiency of the existing production setups is low and therefore, the output has not increased as significantly as production capacities have increased. Volatile prices and transportation of raw materials, particularly ethylene dioxide are primary concerns for players in the market.China Ethylene Glycol Market: Regional SegmentationEast China will be a prominent regional segment during the forecast period. Zhejiang, Anhui, and Jiangsu are the major revenue contributors to the growth of the region, primarily due to high ethylene glycol consumption in these provinces. Hebei province located in North China also serves as a major hub for the China market. Shijiazhuang Lanyang Chemicals Co. Ltd. and Shijiazhuang Panjiang Chemicals Ltd. are among the major producers of ethylene glycol in the province.Read Complete Report @China Ethylene Glycol Market: Key Manufacturers Mentioned in the ReportSome of the prominent players in the China ethylene glycol market are Jiangsu Tianyin Chemical Co. Ltd., Hebei Qilong Chemicals Co. Ltd., Royal Dutch Shell, Sinopec, China National Petroleum Corporation, and Anhui XinYuan Chemical Co. Ltd.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Our savvy custom-built reports span a gamut of industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and metals, food and beverages, and technology and media, among others. With actionable insights uncovered through in-depth research of the market, we try to bring about game-changing success for our clients.Contact :Rohit BhiseyHead - Internet MarketingTel: +1-518-618-1030Email: sales@tmrresearch.com Analgesics Market: Region-wise Outlook and Forecast Upto 2024 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=12113 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/analgesics-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ Global Analgesics Market: OverviewAnalgesics, or painkillers, are used to reduce and treat aches and pains. Internal and external analgesics are used to combat pain resulting from inflammation, cancer treatments, physiological injury, neuropathic conditions, surgeries, wounds, and phantom aches. The most prominent therapeutic classes of analgesics are local anesthesia, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and opioids. The growing incidence of cancer worldwide and the rise in chronic diseases are mainly responsible for the consistent growth of the global analgesics market.PDF for More Professional Aspects of Analgesics Market is available at:The research publication offers clients a comprehensive summary of the global analgesics market and elucidates the various factors driving and hampering its growth during the forecast period. The report also evaluates the chief players competing in the global market for analgesics and profiles them on the basis of a number of key attributes, such as company and business overview, recent developments, product portfolio, business strategies, and financial strength.Global Analgesics Market: Key Trends and Competitive LandscapeThe increasing therapeutic benefits offered by analgesics, in addition to effective and fast relief from pain, have significantly driven the demand for analgesics over the years. The development of innovative drugs and rising awareness about these treatment options have also supported the analgesics market. Moreover, the rise in recurring aches and pains owing to an increase in the prevalence of cancer, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, and other chronic and acute diseases has propelled the demand for analgesics. Other key factors positively impacting the global analgesics market include the growing prevalence of pain worldwide, the rise in effective treatment options, a surge in the aging population, and the growing acceptance of analgesics by a wider target audience.Eli Lilly and Company, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Bayer AG, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Pfizer Inc., Endo Pharmaceuticals, Reckitt Benckiser plc, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Sanofi, Johnson & Johnson, Novartis AG, and GlaxoSmithKline PLC are some of the major companies actively participating in the global analgesics market. In the quest of increasing their share in the analgesics market, an increasing number of firms have been adopting acquisitions as their main development strategy.Global Analgesics Market: Region-wise OutlookThe global analgesics market has been categorized into Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World based on geography. North America is presently the leading market for analgesics and is projected to retain its dominant position through 2024. Recent regulatory changes in the U.S., accompanied by new marketing strategies by analgesics companies, have greatly benefited this regional market. After declining sales owing to frequent recalls, the analgesics market in the U.S., in particular, has been stabilizing on account of the return of prominent brands, the rising occurrence of aches and pains, the rise in the average age of the population, and an alarming rate of obesity. These demographic and lifestyle developments have significantly propelled the North America analgesics market.The Europe analgesics market is also anticipated to expand in the coming years owing to the rapid commercialization of new drugs and an increasing geriatric population. Although analgesics form one of the largest product areas in over-the-counter drugs, this segment has been negatively affected by the growing trend of improving health instead of merely treating symptoms. An increasing number of consumers in the U.K., for instance, have restricted their consumption of analgesics with this trend in mind, thereby negatively impacting the sales of analgesics.Read the Current Market Trends of Analgesics at:In contrast, consumers in several Asia Pacific countries seem relatively less concerned over the possible side-effects of analgesics. A higher willingness to self-medicate instead of visiting a trained physician for mild pain and fever is a trend that is common in a number of countries, more prominently in India. Moreover, the immensely stressful lifestyles in most urban parts of the region have resulted in consumers looking for quick and easy solutions to combat pain. This, combined with the surge in purchasing power, has enabled the demand for as well as sales of analgesics to remain steady over the years.Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Welding Materials Market 2016: Production, Cost, Revenue, Supply, Import, Export, Consumption and Forecast to 2022 Welding Materials Market by Regions https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/1726 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/welding-materials-market https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/polysilicon-market Global Welding Materials market is expected to grow with the CAGR of approximately 5% from 2016 to 2022, and with this it is predictable to cross USD 16 Billion by 2022.Market HighlightsWelding is a process of joining metals by causing fusion. It is a very cost effective process, which finds its application in industries such as transportation, construction, oil & gas and power. The growth of the welding industry is highly dependent on the consumption of steel in various end-use industries. The welding technology comprises of welding materials and welding services. The welding materials accounts for a significant share in the welding industry.The global welding materials market is driven by the growth in transportation, manufacturing, and building & construction industries. The transportation industry is the largest consumer of such material due to its usage in automobile industry. The automobile industry has a matured market in North America and Europe which is expected to grow steadily over the forecasted period. The market is driven by the demand from APAC region. The transportation & automobile industries have lot of scope for growth in the region due to rapid urbanization and increasing disposable income. This augments the demand for welding materials across all the processes of automobile and parts manufacturing.Key Players Air Products and Chemicals Inc. Illinois Tools Works Inc. Sandvik AB Praxair Incorporated Air Liquide S.A. Colfax Corporation The Linde Group Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. Tianjin Bridge Welding Materials Group Co., Ltd.Request a Sample Report @Market SegmentsOn The Basis Of Typeo Electrodeo Flux & Wireso GasesOn The Basis Of Applicationo Constructiono Transportationo Oil & Gaso PowerFurthermore, the cost effectiveness of the welding materials is driving the growth of the market. Many players are now expanding their portfolio by adding different welding material types such as flux & wires and gases in order to serve the various industries better. Flux & wires show properties such as high deposition rate and strong welds which is highly suitable for outdoor work.The region of APAC has witnessed a remarkable growth in the Welding Materials Market due to high demands from the lands of China and India. The increased investments in India in both automobile and construction industry have widened the scope for welding materials. Also, APAC is currently valued as the largest and fastest growing market for this material and is expected to keep up the pace by 2022. The global welding materials market is expected to cross USD 16 Billion mark at the end of the forecasted period and is expected to show a staggering growth at CAGR of approximately 5% from 2016 to 2022.Scope of the reportThis study provides an overview of the global Welding Materials Industry, tracking two market segments across four geographic regions. The report studies key players, providing a five-year annual trend analysis that highlights market size, volume and share for North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World. The report also provides a forecast, focusing on the market opportunities for the next five years for each region. The scope of the study segments the global welding materials market as type and application.Browse Report @Target Audienceo Manufactureso Raw Materials Supplierso Aftermarket supplierso Research Institute / Education Instituteo Potential Investorso Key executive (CEO and COO) and strategy growth managerRelated ReportGlobal Polysilicon Market is expected to cross USD 9 Billion by 2022. The market is expected to grow at a CAGR of approximately 13.3% in the forecasted period.About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.Contact:Akash Anand,Market Research Future+1 646 845 9312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com New Study: Global SRM Maturity Report 2017 http://hubs.ly/H06lJlD0 http://hubs.ly/H06lJkd0 http://hubs.ly/H06lJkd0 http://hubs.ly/H06lJlD0 POOL4TOOL Publishes Report on Global SRM PracticesVienna | Munich | Detroit | Singapore | Dubai, February 16th, 2017 More than half of all companies (57%) do not use the full potential of supplier management because they do not have the right technology. This is one of the core findings from the Global SRM Maturity Report 2017, which was organized by the direct procurement experts at POOL4TOOL and included 222 decision makers in Procurement from around the world. The study reveals that most companies have a backlog when it came to digitizing their strategies. The report also provides current insight into the maturity levels of SRM in purchasing organizations of various sizes and from different industries. Download the entire report and all of its findings for free atOnly a few companies take full advantage of opportunities in SRM, which makes them more competitive in the international market. The other companies will have to catch up in order to be prepared for the future. Digitization in Procurement is racing ahead and is facing more changes than ever before. Cognitive technology, such as artificial intelligence or digital assistants, will revolutionize work processes and they are already on their way. Companies who are still neglecting the basics of digitization in Procurement and SRM will run into big problems in the near future, predicts Bertrand Maltaverne, Senior Business Consultant at POOL4TOOL and the author of the report.Majority of Companies Operate without Appropriate Technology57% of companies surveyed indicated that they neither exchanged simple information with their suppliers using a Supplier Portal, nor did they implement truly collaborative processes with their suppliers in Forecasting & Planning (e.g. VMI, Kanban). More than a third (38%) did not have a central SRM supplier database. 58% of companies of all sizes lack adequate technology, but 75% of mid-sized companies (50-500 million USD in revenue) do not have the technology they need. (Even if a companys SRM practices have reached a high level of maturity where employees and processes are concerned, the company will ultimately falter when implementing these practices without proper digital support. The decision not to use end-to-end technologies has consequences in many critical areas in supplier relationship management. It makes it difficult, for example, to maintain a complete overview of international supplier databases, including important data such as financial risks, supply chain risks and corporate social responsibility. Purchasing also cannot implement international category management concepts as efficiently without proper technological support. This all affects a companys flexibility and agility in response to unforeseen events and shortages, which would require Purchasing to establish supply security on short notice.Hybrid Organization Structures Are Better (Findings from the survey also revealed that hybrid organization structures achieve better results than businesses that have a purely centralized or decentralized structure. A possible explanation for this is that in the past, these companies did have either a central or decentral structure, but are now building on their experience and are making changes. This seems to correlate with the technology that is being used, because without the proper technology, Purchasing would not be able to create a hybrid structure on an international level.The survey results provided interesting insight into how mature SRM is in relation to the industry and a companys size. It became clear that purchasing organizations in the manufacturing industry are ranked the highest. They began to invest in SRM technology early on and have allocated more resources to address this issue. Companies from the banking and finance, financial services and insurance sectors landed on the opposite end of the spectrum. Small businesses (< 50 million USD in revenue) and large companies (> 500 million USD in revenue) achieved better results than mid-sized companies.222 Participants from All Over the WorldThe Global SRM Maturity Report 2017 offers insight and benchmarks relating to the current maturity of SRM in international purchasing departments in companies of all sizes and from all sectors. What is state-of-the-art? Which companies or branches are setting real benchmarks? Where is the greatest unused potential hiding? The report is based on an online survey entitled SRM Maturity Check, which was conducted from October 27th to November 15th, 2016. 222 people from around the world participated from nearly every European country, the USA, Canada, Brazil, the Middle East, China, India and Australia. The survey covered all areas and aspects of SRM (employees, processes, technology) and gave participants the opportunity to critically self-assess their own SRM processes and practices.Download the entire report here:POOL4TOOL AG is the global market leader for electronic process optimization in "direct procurement", with locations in America and Asia and over 300 clients. The only worldwide All-in-One Supply Collaboration Platform brings together all process from product development through strategic procurement (sourcing),supplier management (SRM), indirect procurement (procurement), Supply Chain Management (SCM) up to Quality Management in one workflow-based solution. POOL4TOOL offers best practices from successful projects with global market leaders from the automotive, engineering and equipment construction, serial production and medical technology branches, as well as a unique supplier network with over 300,000 connected companies.POOL4TOOL AGAltmannsdorfer Strae 91/191120 Wien | OsterreichKathrin Kornfeldkathrin.kornfeld@pool4tool.comCorporate Communications+43-1-80 490 80 Pet Food Market in Europe double by 2021 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=4390 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com This market research study analyzes the Pet Food Market in Europe, and provides estimates in terms of revenue (USD million) from 2015 to 2021 as well as volume in terms of kg million from 2015 to 2021. It recognizes the current market trends affecting the pet food market and analyzes their impact over the forecast period. Moreover, it also analyses the Average Selling Price (ASP) in various product segments across various countries.The pet food market has been segmented by pet type into dog food, cat food and others. The others segment includes fish food, bird food, reptiles and other small animals. The cat food segment held the largest market share in Europe. Increasing trend for nuclear families coupled with demand for small pets is one of the major factors boosting the demand for cat food in Europe. In terms of food type the pet food market has been segmented into wet/canned food, dry food, nutritious food, snacks/treats and others. Raw meat and other household products are covered within the scope of others segment. However, the others segment including reptile food, bird food, fish food and other small pets is the fastest growing segment in pet food market in Europe.Download exclusive Sample of this report:The dry food segment held the largest market share in pet food market in Europe. Ease of handling and lower prices compared to other segments is one of the major factors boosting the demand in the dry food segment. Apart from this, added nutritional value in the dry food segment is also expected to boost the demand for dry food in Europe. However, the nutritional food segment is the fastest growing segment in Europe. Increasing awareness about pet health is one of the major factors boosting the demand in the nutritional food segment. In the coming years, with increasing concern the demand for nutritional food is expected to reach considerably.The pet food market in Europe has been segmented by country into, U.K., Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands and rest of Europe. U.K. is the largest market for pet food in Europe. Increasing demand for pet specific products is one of the major factors boosting the demand in U.K.. Apart from this, nutritional food segment is the fastest growing segment in U.K.. Increasing awareness about pet health among the pet owners is one of the major factors boosting the demand for nutritional food in U.K.. However, Spain is the fastest growing market in Europe. Increasing trend for nuclear family is one of the major factors boosting the demand for pet food in Spain. Apart from this, increasing awareness about pet health is also boosting the demand for pet food in Spain.The report also analyzes macro economic factors influencing and inhibiting the growth of pet food market in Europe. In addition, the report also provides Average Selling Price (ASP) across all the product segments in countries analyzed in the course of research. The report will help manufacturers, suppliers and distributors to understand the present and future trends in this market and formulate their strategies accordingly.This report provides strategic analysis of the Europe pet food market, and the growth forecast for the period 2015 to 2021. The span of the report includes competitive analysis of various market segments based on the pet type, food type and in-depth cross sectional analysis of the pet food market across different countries.In the report, the market has been segmented by food type, pet type and by country. The study highlights current market trends and provides the forecast from 2015 to 2021. We have also covered the current market scenario for the pet food market and highlighted future trends that will affect demand. By country, the market has been segmented into U.K., Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands and rest of Europe. The present market size and forecast until 2021 have been provided in the report. In addition, the report also provides brand share of the major brands in the countries covered within the scope of research.The Europe Pet Food Market has been segmented as:Europe Pet Food Market: By CountryU.K.GermanyFranceItalySpainNetherlandsRest of EuropeThe report provides a cross-sectional analysis of all the above segments with respect to the below mentioned countries.Europe Pet Food Market: By Pet TypeDog FoodCat FoodOthersEurope Pet Food Market: By Food TypeDry FoodWet Food/ Canned FoodNutritious FoodSnacks/TreatsOthersAbout UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.ContactTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Nitinol Medical Devices Market Research Report by Regional Analysis - North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & Africa : Forecaste 2019 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/nitinol-medical-devices.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=1685 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Advances in a wide range of surgical procedures, growing demand for minimally invasive surgical treatments and increasing life expectancy would create an excellent opportunity for various commercial applications in the medical devices market. At present, the use of shape memory alloy in the manufacturing of implantable medical devices is widely accepted and recognized due to its unique shape memory properties. These shape memory alloys are referred to a unique class of metals, which have the ability to regain its original shape after severe deformation. Thus, owing to possession of unique biochemical property these alloys are being used in various industries such as medical, robotics, automotive and aerospace. Currently, copper-aluminum-nickel, zinc-aluminum nitinol (Nickel-Titanium) and iron-manganese-silicon alloys are various commercially available shape memory alloys. Of these shape memory alloys, Nitinol is found to be the most significant alloy in biomedical applications hence, increased utilization of this alloy has replaced the consumption of stainless steel in the manufacturing of medical devices substantially.Browse full report -Owing to the rise in geriatric population and growing incidence of various vascular diseases such as peripheral vascular diseases and coronary artery diseases, the global nitinol medical devices market is expected to show a tremendous growth in next few years. For our study, nitinol medical devices market is segmented based on the type of semi-finished raw materials and final medical components. The total market of nitinol medical devices for final medical components was valued at USD 8,287.2 million in 2012 and is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 11.1% during the period of 2013 to 2019. Based on the type of final medical components, the total market is subdivided into nitinol stents, guidewires and others, which comprises dental wires, catheter tubes, tissue ablators, needles, retrieval baskets, biopsy forceps, endodontic files and filters. Among these afore-mentioned components, nitinol stents market accounted for the largest market share in 2012 and is expected to retain its market share till 2019 due to increasing number of vascular stenting procedures globally. Additionally, growing medical device manufacturers preference for using nitinol as a chief raw material owing to its unique biomechanical properties is further expected to drive the market for nitinol stents in coming years.Based on the type of semi-finished raw materials, the market is categorized into nitinol tubes, wiring and others, which comprise sheets and ribbons. The total market for nitinol semi-finished raw materials was valued at USD 1,525.2 million in 2012. Of these, the Nitinol-wiring market accounted for the largest market share in 2012. The contributing factors for such an assessment included a large number of clinical applications, low cost and better corrosion resistance properties compared to tubes and others. Nitinol wires are currently being deployed in various applications such as orthopedics, endoscopy, laparoscopy, catheter wall supports, ablation catheter, custom springs, etc.Geographically, North America constituted the largest market for global nitinol medical devices market in 2012; however, Asia-Pacific is predicted to foresee the fastest growth rate during the forecast period from 2013 to 2019. This high growth has been attributed to presence of large population base which consequently gives rise to large patient population, low treatment cost and increasing healthcare awareness among the patients. In addition, favorable government support and growing medical tourism industry would trigger the growth of this market in Asia-Pacific.The leading players in this market include Abbott Laboratories, Boston Scientific Corporation, Cordis Corporation, Cook Medical, Nitinol Devices & Components, Inc., Memry Corporation, Medtronic, Inc. and C. R. Bard Medical.Request for sample for this report -About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Artificial Intelligence Market - Better Study of Systems that can Recognize, Analyze, Process, & simulate Human Effects http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=4674 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Artificial intelligence is a fast emerging technology, dealing with development and study of intelligent machines and software. This software is being used across various applications such as manufacturing (assembly line robots), medical research, and speech recognition systems.It also enables in-build software or machines to operate like human beings, thereby allowing devices to collect, analyze data, reason, talk, make decisions and act The global artificial intelligence market was valued at US$ 126.24 Bn in 2015 and is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 36.1% from 2016 to 2024 to reach a value of US$ 3,061.35 Bn in 2024.The global artificial intelligence market is currently witnessing healthy growth as companies have started leveraging the benefits of such disruptive technologies for effective customer reach and positioning of their services/solutions. Market growth is also supported by an expanding application base of artificial intelligence solutions across various industries.However, factors such as low funding access or high upfront investment, and demand for skilled resources (workforce) are presently acting as major deterrents to market growth.On the basis of types of artificial intelligence systems, the market is segmented into artificial neural network, digital assistance system, embedded system, expert system, and automated robotic system. Expert system was the most adopted or revenue generating segment in 2015.This was mainly due to the extensive use of artificial intelligence across various sectors including diagnosis, process control, design, monitoring, scheduling and planning.Based on various applications of artificial intelligence systems, the market has been classified into deep learning, smart robots, image recognition, digital personal assistant, querying method, language processing, gesture control, video analysis, speech recognition, context aware processing, and cyber security. Image recognition is projected to be the fastest growing segment by application in the global artificial intelligence market.This is due to the growing demand for affective computing technology across various end-use sectors for better study of systems that can recognize, analyze, process, and simulate human effects.Request A Sample Of This Report:North America was the leader in the global artificial intelligence market in 2015, holding approximately 38% of the global market revenue share, and is expected to remain dominant throughout the forecast period from 2016 to 2024.High government funding and a strong technological base have been some of the major factors responsible for the top position of the North America region in the artificial intelligence market over the past few years.Middle East and Africa is expected to grow at the highest CAGR of 38.2% throughout the forecast period. This is mainly attributed to enormous opportunities for artificial intelligence in the MEA region in terms of new airport developments and various technological innovations including robotic automation.About TMRTMR is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Contact TMR90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email:sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Medical Image Analysis Software Market Research Report by Regional Analysis - North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & Africa : forecast 2024 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/medical-image-analysis-software-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=5306 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Global Medical Image Analysis Software Market: OverviewA host of new entrants compete with numerous big players in the global medical image analysis software market. As a result the market is fragmented. To gain a competitive edge, different manufacturers of medical software have come up with various technologies to effectively aid in the diagnostic procedures. The two prominent end users in the global market for medical image analysis software are hospitals and diagnostic centers. Among them, the diagnostic centers are expected to generate robust demand on account their increasing number and favorable government initiatives supporting them.In the report, Transparency Market Research provides a granular analysis of the opportunities present in the global medical image analysis software market. By segmenting the market based on various parameters, it offers an insightful peek into it. Apart from end users, for example, the report also segments the market on the basis of imaging modalities into magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound, computed tomography, positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), microscopy, and X-ray. Among them, the ultrasound imaging segment rakes in substantial revenue due to its high efficiency in detecting breast lumps and the patient safety it ensures.An assessment of the current vendor landscape has been presented in the report, which includes a look at their strengths and weaknesses. Leveraging popular analytical tools, the report uncovers the threats and opportunities that these companies may face in the forecast period between 2016 and 2024.Browse full report on Medical Image Analysis Software Market -Global Medical Image Analysis Software Market: Trends and OpportunitiesDriving growth in the global market for medical image analysis software market are factors such as technological advancements which includes cloud-based solutions, fusion of imaging technologies, increasing applications of computer-aided diagnosis (CAD), and rising investments both from the public and private sectors. Moreover, the growing use of electronic health records to effectively store, manage, and distribute patient health information in the form of medical images is also fueling an uptick in demand. Other factors contributing to the market are a burgeoning aging population and growing instances of chronic diseases. The under-penetrated emerging markets present strong opportunities for growth to the players operating in the global market for medical image analysis software.Countering the growth in the market is the cost factor and the shortage of skilled professionals in the sector. Yet another factor is the rising hacking-related risks associated with the use of medical equipment and software. Going forward, the global market for medical image analysis software is slated to be further boosted by the technological progress, particularly in computer-aided diagnosis (CAD).Global Medical Image Analysis Software Market: Regional OutlookNorth America leads the global medical image analysis software market and Europe comes in a second position. Factors at the forefront of driving growth in the market in the two continents are the swift pace of technological advancements, and the increasing demand for platform-independent and n-dimensional image processing and visualization. Asia Pacific too has emerged as a promising market due to the increasing incidences of diseases, especially in the densely populated emerging economies, which require diagnostic tools and the growing pool of patient data. Besides, economic development coupled with favorable government initiatives, improving healthcare facilities, increasing spending capacity, a large patient base is also bolstering the market in the region.Companies Mentioned in ReportSome of the key players in the global market for medical image analysis software listed in the report are Philips, GE Healthcare, Agfa Healthcare, EsaoteSpA, Xinapse Systems Ltd., Siemens AG, and Toshiba Medical Systems.Request for brochure of this report -About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: You might wonder why one of Monica Sanchezs favorite Bible stories is about Matthew, the tax collector. But when she explains it, everything adds up. Sanchez is the director of Hispanic ministries at St. Patricks Catholic Church in Fremont. Her work involves coordinating a host of church-related events from baptism preparation to community service projects. I oversee all of the activities or events for the Spanish-speaking community, she said. Its a job that Sanchez calls an answer to prayer and one to which she brings a variety of experiences. Born in Mexico, Sanchez was 6 years old when her family moved to the United States. They lived in Dallas, where her younger siblings were born. The family then moved to Schuyler, where they lived for a few years until moving to Fremont. Sanchez went to middle and high school here before graduating from Midland University with a bachelors degree in business administration in 2014. While at Midland, she worked as a teller at First State Bank & Trust. After graduation, she became a finance specialist doing accounts receivable at ConAgra Foods in Omaha for about 1 years. Sanchez had worked at ConAgra for about a year when she learned the company was moving its headquarters to Chicago and would outsource her department. When we got that announcement, I saw it as an opportunity to switch careers, she said. Prior to the announcement, Sanchez knew she didnt want to do that particular job for the rest of her life and was looking to see what other options were available. But Sanchez was afraid she might not find another good job if she left ConAgra. Then the announcement came, which she thought might be a sign from God that she should do something else. It motivated her to seek a job with the Catholic Church. At St. Patricks, Sanchez was very active in a ministry called Jovenes Para Cristo (JPC) Young Adults for Christ. In 2012, shed taken part in an initiation retreat to be part of the group. She learned a lot about her faith during the three-day weekend. Throughout the years, she would become a leader in the group and became the formation coordinator in August 2015. Sanchez left ConAgra in April 2016 and then got a job as a bilingual customer service representative for the Fremont Department of Utilities. Not long after Sanchez took that job, she learned about an opportunity of becoming director of Hispanic ministries at St. Patricks. Sanchez knew she had to apply. It had been what I was praying for, she said. It had to be the answer to my prayers. After an interview with the Rev. Dave Belt, senior pastor, she got the job. She was very excited, but sad, too, because she would have to leave her job with the city, where shed only worked for a month. Shed enjoyed that job. The people over there (with the city) were really great, she said. I just couldnt let this opportunity pass. It was my dream job. Sanchez oversees a host of events for the Hispanic community such as Rites of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA), weddings and Quinceaneras coming-of-age celebrations that occur when young women reach age 15. She oversees Hispanic lectors, Eucharistic Ministers of Holy Communion and JPC activities. People involved in JPC help Sanchez with cultural celebrations of the parish. Such celebrations include the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which takes place Dec. 12. The event celebrates the appearance of Mary to Juan Diego. In the past, the event has included food, music and a play in which the story is re-enacted. The Posada also takes place in December. This celebration is a reenactment of when Mary and Joseph were searching for lodging in Bethlehem. We have food, music and dancing and a play, she said. A lot of people show up to both of those celebrations. There also will be a Hispanic festival in September, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Spanish Mass in Fremont. Were really excited, she said. Sanchez said there is a large Hispanic community that is active at St. Patricks. She appreciates the JPC group, which motivates the Hispanic community to be active in the parish. She also said people in the JPC group are volunteers for all of the programs. Without them, I dont think there would be a Hispanic ministry to coordinate, she said. Last year, the Hispanic community had a car wash and a food sale, donating proceeds to the parish for whatever it needed. JPC has many active members, ages 18 and older. There are a variety of ages, she said. The group requires members to do community service. Sanchez said that when Joe Uhlik, director of maintenance at St. Patricks, has a project, he lets her know. That way, she can let group members know of an opportunity to complete their community service hours. Group members have helped paint the Flynn Center. Theyve moved sand for the parishs early childhood center and put rocks along the edges of a parking lot downtown. Sanchez finds it rewarding to see people whove never been to the Catholic Church or have been away from it come to a JPC initiation retreat and have their first encounter with God. Im very thankful I had that experience, so getting to see other people have that experience is awesome, she said. She plans to continue improving programs. Part of her job also involves recruiting Hispanic students for Archbishop Bergan Catholic Schools. Shell work with Bonnie Nebuda, director of advancement, to see how more students can be recruited. In the meantime, she continues to enjoy seeing people getting more involved in their faith and the parish. And she continues to enjoy the Bible story about another person who worked with numbers a tax collector named Matthew. People saw him as not a good person, but Jesus saw him and said, Follow me, Sanchez said. I related to that because in my college plan, my main focus was accounting. But after this experience with Jovenes Para Cristo, I felt a calling to do something else. Therein lies a lesson. I had this idea of what my life was going to be, but what I discovered was that Jesus has his plan, she said. I discovered his plan for me was better than the one I had. Biological Safety Testing Market Research Report by Regional Analysis - North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & Africa : forecast 2024 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/biological-safety-testing-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=18578 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Biologics or biological products are medical products derived from various natural sources such as humans, microorganisms, and/or animals. The biological products are either extracted from sources such as proteins, sugar, and nucleic acids of living organisms, or produced by biotechnology techniques and/or other technologies. The various biological products are used to treat diseases or to prevent or diagnose diseases. Biological products include blood and blood components, vaccines, gene therapy, allergenics, somatic cells, tissues, and recombinant therapeutic proteins. The structure of different biological products are complex and difficult to identify.Biologics produced through biotechnology methods are heat liable and more susceptible to microorganism contamination. Therefore, it is essential to use aseptic methods from primary manufacturing stage, in contrast to most conventional drugs. Biological products offer most effective treatment options for various medical conditions that currently have no other treatment availability. Biological safety testing is a process or method to check or ensure non-contamination of vaccines and other biological products. Biological testing is a major step in drug development to ensure quality, sterility, purity, stability, and safety of products to produce non-contaminated products. Detection, authentication, and characterization are the major steps of biological safety testing to check the biological products are whether free from bacteria, fungi, yeasts, mycoplasma, viruses, and other potential contaminants or not.The biological safety testing market can be segmented based on product type, application, test type, end-user, and region. In terms of product type, the market can be segmented into instruments, kits & reagents, and services. Rising advancement and availability of various kits and reagents for testing are likely to drive the biological safety testing market. Based on test type, the biological safety testing market can be segmented into sterility tests, endotoxin tests, cell line authentication and characterization tests, residual host contaminant detection tests, adventitious agent detection tests, bioburden tests, and other tests such as toxicity tests, stability tests, etc.Browse full report on Biological Safety Testing Market -In terms of application, the biological safety testing market can be segmented into vaccines and therapeutics, blood and blood products, tissue and tissue products, cellular and gene therapy products, and stem cell products. Vaccines is expected to be the fastest growing segment of the biological safety testing market, as these are used to prevent diseases. Increasing prevalence of chronic diseases is expected to drive the biological safety testing market during the forecast period.Based on end-user, the biological safety testing market can be segmented into pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, and contract research organizations. Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies are expected to be the fastest growing segments of the market due to increasing R&D spending in pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors globally. Other factors such as rapid growth in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, new product launches in the biologics category, and rising government support for the development to new drugs are anticipated to fuel the market during the forecast period.In terms of region, the biological safety testing market can be segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. North America and Europe are projected to account for the largest share of the market owing to presence of key players in these regions. Moreover, rising research and development investment by market players for development of new biological products will drive the biological safety testing market during the forecast period. Asia Pacific is the fastest growing market for biological safety testing. Growing awareness about biological products, increasing health care spending, and rising medical tourism is likely to drive the market in Asia Pacific during the forecast period.Key players operating in the biological safety testing market are Charles River Laboratories, International, Inc., Merck Millipore, SGS S.A., B&V Testing, Avance Biosciences, and WuXi AppTec.Request for brochure of this report -About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Substance Abuse Treatment Market Research Report by Regional Analysis - North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & Africa : forecast 2023 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/substance-abuse-treatment-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=4067 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com There has been an increase in the use and abuse of the substances such as alcohol, drugs, and cigarettes. Substance abuse is defined as harmful use of these substances in order to alter the mood. Generally, substance abuse is referred to the use of illegal drugs as these are potentially addictive and can pose negative health effects. However, alcohol, inhalants, solvents and even coffee can be abused. Hence, almost any substance can be used to a harmful extent and can be abused. Substance abuse results in health deterioration irrespective of addiction. Chaotic home environment, genetic risks, poor social coping skills and inappropriate behavior are some of the factors that may cause substance abuse. Early recognition of substance abuse symptoms can increase the chances of successful treatment.Aggressiveness, irritability and forgetfulness constitute substance abuse symptoms. Doctors recommend community resources for the patients willing to quit the substance abuse. During this process doctors may also prescribe certain medications that help control the cravings and manage the medical complications resulting from the substance abuse. As a part of education the patients are recommended to seek immediate medical care if they experience these symptoms. Currently, with the increasing use of illicit drugs, leading to increased number of deaths and healthcare costs. For instance, in the United States, illicit drug prescription and alcohol abuse resulted in around more than 90,000 deaths while tobacco abuse results in around 480,000 deaths annually. Furthermore, management of increasing addiction and abuse to nicotine, alcohol and illicit prescription drugs costs around USD 700 billion for the Americans every year.Browse full report on Substance Abuse Treatment Market -Several research studies identified that combination of behavioral therapy along with medications ensures best mode of treating the patients. This is necessary as long term use of drugs alters the brain function and enhances the compulsions to use the drugs. Hence, prevention of relapse is one of the most important components of substance abuse treatment. Behavioral therapy enables the patient to cope up with the drug cravings and avoid relapse. Medications such as Methadone and nicotine patches assist in controlling the withdrawal symptoms and drug cravings. Medical treatment is necessary as drug users are observed to have an underlying medical disorder which must be treated along with the drug abuse treatment.The market for substance abuse therapeutics can be segmented into alcohol, nicotine dependence therapeutics and drug abuse therapeutics. For instance, Chantix (vareniciline) and zyban represents the medications prescribed against nicotine addiction. In addition, Vivitrol (naltrexone), Campral (acamprosate calcium) and disulfrum are some of the drugs recommended for the patients suffering from alcohol dependence. Cocaine and opioid abuse are some of the drug abuse therapeutics. Other factors such as annual cost of the treatment and regulatory policies govern the market growth. Geographically, developed economies such as the U.S., the U.K., Japan, Germany, France, Spain and others exhibit high number of substance abuse patients as compared to developing economies such as China and India.The factors such as increased awareness and financial support for mental health and substance abuse treatment along with increasing substance abuse illness will drive the market growth. Furthermore, this factor favors the growth of mental and substance abuse centers. On the other hand factors such as no control over the addiction and lack of willingness to seek treatment for the substance abuse might restrain the market growth. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, ltd., GlaxoSmithKline plc, Alkermes plc, Reckitt Benckiser Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Pfizer, Inc. are some of the companies operating in this market.Request for brochure of this report -About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Growing demand for electricity Drives Coal Market :2024 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=306 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ http://cmfeglobalreports.blogspot.in/ Coal Market: OverviewCoal has played a crucial role in industrialization since time immemorial. It has been the key factor in shaping economies across the globe and determining the pace of development for several nations. The monumental amount of coal consumed by the world is used in a wide range of applications such as the production of steel, iron, power, and several manufacturing and transportation industries. The demand for coal is presently caught in the crossfire of growing pollution levels and the increasing attractiveness of the renewable sources of energy.Download the Exclusive Report Sample Here :The research report on the global coal market includes a fair assessment of the overall market and the key market dynamics. The report includes a SWOT analysis to determine the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats influencing the segments of the coal market. On the other hand, the analysts have also scrutinized the intensity of the competitive rivalry and the bargaining power of consumers and suppliers through Porters five forces analysis. The comprehensive document includes evaluation of all the key factors that are poised to shape the trajectory of the global coal market in the coming years.Coal Market: Trends and OpportunitiesThough the debate over usage of coal is a heated one, it is still an important raw material for the production of energy. About 35% of the worlds electricity is produced by utilizing coal. Analysts state that this percentage will continue to rise in the coming years as well. Besides electricity, coal is also extensively used in the industrial sector. Thus, the uptake of coal in the coming years is expected to remain steady. The research report observes that the coal supplies are spread over innumerable areas across the globe. This has eliminated the issue of dependency on a specific region. Furthermore, it has also opened up opportunities for several nations in the international markets.The growing demand for electricity from several developing countries and the fast pace of industrialization in these nations are the key growth drivers for the global coal market. The exponential rise in the global population is expected to create several lucrative opportunities for the overall market in the coming years. The only restraint in the global market is the high cost of coal extraction, which is likely to hamper the markets growth in the near future.Coal Market: Region-wise OutlookAccording to the report, the coal market is witnessing an increase in the production as Asia Pacific is showing an active participation. The major coal-producing nations in the world are Australia, China, South Africa, India, and the U.S. However, the majority of coal produced by these countries is used by the nations themselves, while marginal quantities of coal traded in the international markets. Presently, Asia Pacific consumes about 50% of the total coal produced globally. Several countries in Asia Pacific such as Korea, China, and Japan lack energy resources and are thus importing natural energy resources to meet their needs.Australia is known to be the leading exporter of coal across the globe. The country exports about 200 mt of hard coal from its entire production every year. Thus, is an important commodity in Australia. Analysts predict that China, the U.S., and Canada are expected to significant exporters of coal in the coming years.Key Players Mentioned in the Report are:Some of the important players identified in the global coal market are Anglo Pacific Group plc. Coal India Ltd., Pacific Coal Resources Ltd., China Shenhua Energy, Rio Tinto, Blackham Resources Limited, BHP Billiton Ltd., Altona Energy Plc, SouthGobi Resources Limited, and Melior Resources Inc.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.TMRs data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.ContactTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:Visit Blog : Bills release multiple artist renderings of new stadium The morning of Oct. 27 was a day Buffalo Bills fans have been patiently waiting for a reveal of what the new stadium will potentially look like. The team... County officials, law firm representatives host public hearing on new stadium SEQR Erie County officials, representatives from Phillips Lytle LLP, power players for a new stadium and interested Buffalo Bills fans packed into one of the community rooms of the Brush Mountain... Boeing Nearly 3,000 workers at Boeing's South Carolina plant voted Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017, not to join the Machinists. The state has only 52,000 unionized workers, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' 2016 figures. Other major manufacturers in the state, including BMW and Michelin, aren't unionized or haven't experienced major campaigns to do so. (The Associated Press) NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Production workers at Boeing's South Carolina plant voted Wednesday not to join the Machinists, maintaining southern reluctance toward unionization. Vote totals weren't immediately available. Under National Labor Relations Board rules, workers must wait a year before another union vote. In a statement, Machinists organizer Mike Evans said the union was disappointed with the vote but vowed to stay in close touch with Boeing workers to figure out next steps. "Ultimately it will be the workers who dictate what happens next," Evans said. "We've been fortunate enough to talk with hundreds of Boeing workers over the past few years. Nearly every one of them, whether they support the union or not, have improvements they want to see at Boeing. Frankly, they deserve better." The vote among nearly 3,000 workers preceded by two days a visit by President Donald Trump to attend the rollout of the first Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner from the aircraft maker's campus. If successful, the balloting on whether employees should join the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers would have sent a significant message to politicians in the region and Washington that workers here want the same protections and benefits as those in other areas. And, to leaders trying to recruit businesses by promoting their states' lack of union presence, it'd it would have made their jobs more difficult. But this most recent test of Southern acceptance of collective bargaining movements was an uphill battle for the union and its backers. The global aviation giant, which came to South Carolina in part because of the state's minuscule union presence, did so with the aid of millions of dollars in state assistance made possible by officials who spoke out frequently and glowingly with anti-union messages. "It is an economic development tool," Gov. Nikki Haley, now President Donald Trump's ambassador to the United Nations, said in a 2012 address of how she sold companies on coming to the state. "We'll make the unions understand full well that they are not needed, not wanted and not welcome in the state of South Carolina." At least that part of the tactic has worked. Only about 52,000 South Carolina workers have union representation, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' 2016 figures. Other major manufacturers in the state, including BMW and Michelin, aren't unionized or haven't experienced major campaigns to do so. The Machinists initially petitioned for a vote at Boeing in 2015 but withdrew the request because of what the union called a toxic atmosphere and political interference. Another facet of union opposition in this heavily Republican state is political, given the longstanding relationship between organized labor and Democratic politics. Any lenience toward unions could be seen as giving Democrats a toehold here. Southern states for decades have recruited manufacturers by promising freedom from the influences of labor unions, which except for some textile mills have been historically rejected by workers as collective action culturally foreign to a South built around family farms, said Jeffrey Hirsch, a law professor who specializes in labor relations at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. A successful union vote at Boeing would have had a greater regional impact than Volkswagen workers' efforts to unionize in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Anti-union advocates cited VW as an aberration since representatives of one of its key unions in Germany hold seats on the company's board of directors, Hirsch said. "Boeing is very, very different," Hirsch said. "No one will ever accuse Boeing of being pro-union." Boeing didn't threaten to move its operations abroad if workers unionized, perhaps abstaining from those threats because of its huge South Carolina plant investment and billions of dollars in federal defense contracts the company does not want to risk. The union vote also came after Trump blasted Boeing for the cost of building a new Air Force One. "Costs are out of control," Trump tweeted in early December. "Cancel order!" Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg met with Trump two weeks later. Catherine Templeton, South Carolina's former labor director and successful anti-union lawyer, is no stranger to this fight. When Haley picked Templeton to lead South Carolina's labor department, the governor played up Templeton's union-fighting background and saying she needed her help to "fight the unions" at Boeing. "They cannot legally deliver higher wages, better benefits or a different working environment. Even if they are promising it, they certainly can't deliver it," Templeton said. Asked earlier Wednesday about the vote, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster said he didn't feel unions were needed in this state, where Boeing and other companies have been successful, and where, he feels, workers are generally happy. "I think we're doing just fine without a union presence," he said. In a statement emailed to reporters, Boeing vice president and general manager Joan Robinson-Berry was already looking toward Trump's visit, the first by a sitting president to the company's North Charleston facilities. "It is great to have this vote behind us as we come together to celebrate that event," she said. -The Associated Press This is not your childhood LEGO display. "The Art of the Brick," the latest exhibit at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, is a full-out LEGO art extravaganza, featuring original sculptures, recreations of famous paintings and a building area for kids and adults. All of it comes courtesy of Nathan Sawaya, an Oregon-raised artist who has made a career out of turning the toy building blocks into a legitimate artistic medium. The exhibit will be open to the public from Feb. 18 through May 29, 2017, at OMSI, and costs $3.75 to $5.75 more than the general admission price for the Portland museum. The goal is not just to show his work the public, Sawaya explained, but to get people thinking and talking about art. "It's my goal as an artist to inspire," he said at an OMSI media preview Thursday. "Hopefully spark some conversation, explore art in a different way." Kids and adults who feel inspired have an opportunity to get building themselves at OMSI's Brick Lab at the end of the exhibit. Bins full of LEGO bricks line tables around the area, for free construction or guided step-by-step creations. Sawaya said he has a mantra, "art is not optional," that came to him after leaving a job as a corporate attorney in New York to work on his craft full-time. He makes his LEGO sculptures out of the same bricks everybody else uses, though he pieces them together with glue for stability. A life-size human sculpture uses about 15,000 to 20,000 bricks, and takes him two to four weeks to complete. There are plenty of life-size sculptures in "The Art of the Brick," including his iconic work "Yellow," and recreations of several famous paintings and sculptures. It also features a 20-foot tyrannosaurus rex skeleton and some of his earlier, smaller works of art. At the media preview, Sawaya also unveiled a new sculpture, "Homecoming," made especially for his return to Oregon. The piece features a life-size human form colored with the pattern of the PDX airport carpet. LEGO artist Nathan Sawaya talks about at his brick art exhibit at OMSI. More information: http://trib.al/n6YwoGa Posted by The Oregonian on Thursday, February 16, 2017 --Jamie Hale | jhale@oregonian.com | @HaleJamesB "There was something in those eyes that I will never forget." Billie Frechette leaned back in the chair and gazed off beyond the gauzy figures that made up her audience. She picked her cigarette out of the ashtray and took a long, deliberate drag. This was the moment that got them. She knew that. The First Meeting. The start of it all. She exhaled, watched the smoke drift toward the ceiling. "They were piercing and electric, those eyes. But there was an amused, carefree twinkle in them too. They met my eyes and held me hypnotized for an instant." Billie's gaze landed on the hunched figure taking notes in the back of the theater. The G-man. The man flipped a page and kept writing. He was actually a mere stenographer in the Pittsburgh office, not a special agent, but Billie didn't know that. She wondered how long they would follow her, how long they'd take down everything she said. They had books full of her words. They'd interviewed her for hours and hours. Why did they think she'd have anything different to say now? *** Evelyn "Billie" Frechette agreed to participate in the "Crime Doesn't Pay" tour with the Johnny J. Jones Carnival & Circus 80 years ago this week -- three months before the performance in Pittsburgh. The Federal Bureau of Investigation became aware of the show in April of 1937 when a letter from the secretary of South Carolina's Camden and Kershaw County Chamber of Commerce landed on Director J. Edgar Hoover's desk. "It has come to our attention that a promotional group is making a circuit of the smaller cities of the South with a billing of 'Evelyn Frechette' in person," Frank Heath wrote in a letter that's in the FBI's file on Frechette. "I noted posters in the windows of stores and shops to the effect that this Dillinger 'Moll' was to appear on stage of the Haigler Theater here in person Friday evening." Heath suspected the show was a fraud, that John Dillinger's notorious girlfriend couldn't be traveling the country with a carnival outfit, making money off the dead gangster's bloody deeds. But he wanted to be sure. "Can you advise me as to whether this woman who is with this theatrical group can possible [sic] be Evelyn Frechette?" he asked Hoover. The FBI director, whose reputation boomed with the killing of Dillinger nearly three years before, responded promptly. "Please be advised that this Bureau is not informed as to the present location of Evelyn Frechette, and I regret, therefore, that I am unable to advise you as to whether the information to which you refer in your letter is reliable." After reading the letter, Hoover had his agents locate Frechette, and they confirmed that she had indeed joined the circus. The director wasn't happy. He believed Dillinger's story belonged to him alone. And his story was that his bureau had saved the country from the evil, remorseless killer, the "Public Enemy No. 1." Hoover's self-glorifying book, "Persons in Hiding," which related the Dillinger case and others, was about to be published. It infuriated him that Frechette would dare to go before the public and give the notorious criminal a human face. *** Billie cocked her head like she'd been told to do. This made her look wistful, real and ... sexy. The light on her lifted chin, the smoke from her cigarette swimming in her face, the impassive ashtray sitting atop the scuffed side table. Here was the desolate, beautiful truth of human existence, for all the world to see. Crime really didn't pay -- just like the marquee said. Of course, the Johnny J. Jones Carnival & Circus did not traffic in such lyricism. It offered thrills and titillation. Billie wasn't sure which she was. A hand popped up in the second row. "Yes, dearie," Billie said. "Go ahead." She leaned forward to hear the question and then sat back again. His head down, the G-man standing in the back wrote furiously: "In answer to specific questions from the audience she stated among other things, that Dillinger had two 'mobs' composed of six members each, not mentioning names; that she did not know who actually killed Dillinger, inasmuch as she was in a Michigan prison at the time; that she did not personally know the 'lady in red' as John had 'taken up with her' while she, Frechette, was in prison on charges of 'harboring John Dillinger'." The audience member thanked Billie for the response, and Billie smiled. The Lady in Red, she thought. That awful "lady" who had led John into the government's ambush outside the Biograph Theater in Chicago. They always want to know about the Lady in Red. *** In early May, the show landed in Washington, D.C., and Frechette made a surprising request of a local former newspaperman who was doing some advance work for the carnival. The newsman called an old contact he had at the FBI and asked "if the Director was in the city and whether he would meet Evelyn Frechette if she called at the Bureau this afternoon." He said Frechette "expressed a desire to meet the Director and go through the bureau." The FBI agent checked with Hoover and then told the former journalist that the director viewed her inquiry as "an attempted publicity stunt." He said Frechette shouldn't come and would be turned away if she did. He added he "knew of no one [at the bureau] who desired to meet her." -- Douglas Perry Hollywood Theatre will open a 17-seat "microcinema" in Portland International Airport's Concourse C on Thursday, Feb. 23. Admission is free and the theater will be open around the clock. The microcinema will show an hourlong program, played on a loop, of short documentaries, music videos, animations and short fiction, ranging from 4 to 9 minutes in length. The cinema's first lineup includes a Pink Martini-inspired video, an animated short by Chel White about love gone wrong, and a hip-hop video from Portland rapper Mic Capes. The Hollywood, a nonprofit, will work with regional filmmakers to develop original content for the microcinema. The venue will host occasional live performances and other special events. The microcinema features state-of-the-art projection and sound. The Custom Electronics & Design Installation Association coordinated equipment donations from manufacturers including Portland-based Triad Speakers and Portland-based Planar. A Lincoln women was sentenced Monday morning in Dodge County District Court to serve 30 additional days in jail on top of a previous 90 day sentence for failing to appear at the Dodge County Jail after being granted a temporary stay on her original jail sentence. Rachel R. Therien, 37, of Lincoln was found guilty by Judge Geoffrey Hall of Escape, a Class III felony; stemming from her refusal to turn herself into authorities to serve her 90 day jail sentence as a result of her fourth offence of driving under the influence of alcohol. Court records show that Dodge County Deputy Attorney Mike Murer spoke with the Dodge County Sheriffs Office on Sept. 29, 2016, informing deputies that the defendant absconded after not surrendering herself to authorities on the required date of Sept. 5, 2016. Therien was later arrested on an active Dodge County warrant. The defendant was originally arrested in February 2015 after a Dodge County Sheriffs Office deputy witnessed Therien speeding and swerving northbound out of North Bend. Because it was her fourth DUI conviction, Theriens license was revoked for 15 years and she was sentenced to serve 90 days in Saunders County Jail. In other District Court news: Brandon N. Bird, 37, was found guilty of being in possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver methamphetamine, a Class II felony, and being in possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver marijuana. Bird was arrested Dec. 19, 2016, after a traffic stop was conducted by deputies of the Dodge County Sheriffs Office in collaboration with the III CORPS Drug Task Force. After law enforcement confirmed with Fremont Dispatch that Birds license was revoked, court records show that bird admitted to being in possession of narcotics. A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of 23.01 grams of methamphetamine and 44.55 of marijuana. In addition, several items of drug paraphernalia were located within the vehicle. TRUMPRECEPTION.JPG President Donald Trump, hosting a recent White House reception. (AP Photo/File) By E.J. Dionne NEW YORK -- Let's not mumble or whisper about the central issue facing our country: What is this democratic nation to do when the man serving as president of the United States plainly has no business being president of the United States? The Michael Flynn fiasco was the entirely predictable product of the indiscipline, deceit, incompetence and moral indifference that characterize Donald Trump's approach to leadership. Even worse, Trump's loyalties are now in doubt. Questions about his relationship with Vladimir Putin and Russia will not go away, even if congressional Republicans try to slow-walk a transparent investigation into what ties Trump has with Putin's Russia -- and who on his campaign did what, and when, with Russian intelligence officials and diplomats. Party leaders should listen to those Republicans who are already pondering how history will judge their actions in this wrenching moment. Senators such as John McCain and Lindsey Graham seem to know it is only a matter of time before the GOP will have to confront Trump's unfitness. They also sense that Flynn's resignation as national security adviser for lying about the nature of his contacts with Russia's ambassador to the U.S. raises fundamental concerns about Trump himself. The immediate political controversy is over how Congress should investigate this. Republican leaders say attention from Congress' intelligence committees is sufficient. Democrats (with some GOP support) argue it would be better to form a bipartisan select committee that could cross jurisdictional lines and be far more open about its work. In fact, those pushing for the select committee are right to fear that keeping things under wraps in the intelligence panels could be a way to bury the story for a while and buy Trump time. Letting Americans in on what went on here, and quickly, is the only way to bolster trust in this administration, if that is even possible. And let's face the reality here: It could also hasten the end of a presidency that could do immense damage to the United States. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, in the meantime, must immediately recuse himself from all decisions about all aspects of the Russia investigation by the FBI and the intelligence services. Sessions should step back not simply because he is an appointee of the president but, more importantly, because he was a central figure in the Trump campaign. He cannot possibly be a neutral arbiter, and his involvement would only heighten fears of a cover-up. In this dark moment, we can celebrate the vitality of the institutions of a free society that are pushing back against a president offering the country a remarkable combination of authoritarian inclinations and ineptitude. The courts, civil servants, citizens -- collectively and individually -- and, yes, an unfettered media have all checked Trump and forced inconvenient facts into the sunlight. It is a sign of how beleaguered Trump is that his Twitter response on Wednesday morning was not to take responsibility but to assign blame. His villains are leakers and the press: "Information is being illegally given to the failing nytimes & washingtonpost by the intelligence community (NSA and FBI?).Just like Russia." It is notable that in acknowledging that the news reports are based on "information," Trump effectively confirmed them. At the same time, he is characteristically wrong about Russia, whose government prevents transparency and punishes those who try to foster it. There's also this: Kremlin agents stole information from a political party in a free country. That is very different from the actions of the media's informants inside our government who are holding our own officials accountable for their false denials and fictitious claims. It will be said that Trump was elected and thus deserves some benefit of the doubt. Isn't it rash to declare him unfit after so little time? The answer is no, because the Trump we are seeing now is fully consistent with the vindictive, self-involved and scattered man we saw during the 17 months of his campaign. In one of the primary debates, Jeb Bush said of Trump: "He's a chaos candidate and he'd be a chaos president." Rarely has a politician been so prophetic. And this is why nearly 11 million more Americans voted against Trump than for him. His obligation was to earn the trust of the 60 percent of Americans who told exit pollsters on Election Day that they viewed him unfavorably. Instead, he has ratified their fears, and then some. As a country, we now need to face the truth, however awkward and difficult it might be. E.J. Dionne's email address is ejdionnewashpost.com. Twitter: EJDionne. (c) 2016, Washington Post Writers Group FLYNN.JPG Former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, in a file photo. (AP Photo) By Noah Feldman The resignation of National Security Adviser Michael Flynn grew out of Department of Justice concerns that he had violated the Logan Act, a law from 1799(!) that bars private citizens from engaging in international diplomacy. The law as written applied to Flynn even though he was working for the president-elect when he engaged in a phone call with Russian ambassador to the U.S. But there's a more serious problem, which should be kept in mind in case there's an investigation of whether Donald Trump violated the law: It is probably unconstitutional. Enacted by the Congress that brought you the Alien and Sedition acts, the law is too vague for enforcement. And it violates free-speech standards that are the law today but went unrecognized by the John Adams administration. Ordinarily I would start a column like this by reviewing the binding judicial interpretations of the law over the centuries. The problem is, there aren't any. Exactly one person has been indicted for violating the law, a Kentucky farmer named Francis Flournoy who in 1803 wrote a newspaper article advocating the creation of a separate country that would ally itself with France. Flournoy left Kentucky before the trial could start. It appears, based on research by my late colleague Detlev Vagts, that no one has been prosecuted under the law since. The text of the law says that a citizen is guilty of a crime if without authority he "directly or indirectly ... carries on any correspondence or intercourse with any foreign government ... with intent to influence [it] ... in relation to any disputes or controversies with the U.S. or to defeat the measures of the U.S." The punishment is an unspecified fine and up to three years in prison. The law doesn't define "disputes or controversies" between the foreign country and the U.S., nor does it say what it means to "defeat the measures of the U.S." That's enough to make the statute unconstitutionally vague. What if I am simply speaking as a private citizen to the prime minister of a foreign country about its relations with the U.S. and those relations sometimes involve disagreement? Am I committing a crime, even if I'm not purporting to do diplomacy? And what would it mean for me to be trying to "defeat" U.S. measures? Does that include trying to convince the foreign government that it shouldn't agree with U.S. policy? If a criminal law doesn't clearly specify what actions would be criminal, it's unconstitutional to apply it. The uncertainty about whether Flynn's act would have violated the law is a case in point: the very vagueness of the law would make its application unconstitutional. In 1964, a federal district court adjudicating a private lawsuit that included an allegation of violation of the Logan Act "invited" Congress to amend the law "by using more precise words than 'defeat' and 'measures.'" The invitation reflected the intuition that the law was too vague to be applied fairly. The court noted that the law is still on the books even though it's very old. It quoted Shakespeare's "Measure for Measure": "The law hath not been dead, though it hath slept." It's true that antiquity alone is no proof that a law is invalid. But changing times can give rise to serious constitutional problems -- for example, the changed meaning of the First Amendment. The Federalist Congress that passed the Logan Act in 1799 had also passed the Sedition Act of 1798. That law made it a crime to impede any act of government or prevent a government officer from performing his duty. It was applied by Federalist judges to jail and fine Republican newspaper editors. Today the Sedition Act is considered the very model of a law that violates of the First Amendment's guarantee of freedom of the press. At the time, Federalist judges, including Supreme Court Justice James Iredell, argued that the First Amendment only prohibited "prior restraint" on the press, which is to say pre-publication censorship. Once an article was published, Iredell maintained, members of the press could be held criminally liable for what they had written. The Logan Act would almost certainly violate today's understanding of the First Amendment. It's a direct prohibition on speech, so would have to satisfy strict scrutiny, the highest level of judicial review. That means the law would have to serve a compelling government interest and adopt the least restrictive means to achieving that goal. There may arguably be a compelling interest in private individuals not doing diplomacy, for example if someone claimed to be representing the government. But can there really be a compelling government interest in American citizens not speaking to foreign governments about matters connected to U.S. policy, which could include anything from oil fields to intellectual property? That seems unlikely. It also seems far from certain that there is a compelling interest in American citizens being banned from seeking to undercut American diplomatic initiatives abroad. Lots of non-Americans do that already. As for the least restrictive means, surely that could be accomplished by a law that simply prohibited Americans from pretending to speak on behalf of the U.S. Or the government could try to prohibit efforts to subvert U.S. foreign policy that actually have a chance of succeeding. It emerges that the Logan Act is, constitutionally speaking, a "paper tiger," as Vagts once called it. We should keep that in mind as conversations continue about potential Trump administration violations. It's a bad idea for private citizens to do official diplomacy. But making it a crime would require a new statute, one carefully crafted to meet the constitutional standards of 2017, not 1799. (c) 2017, Bloomberg View Noah Feldman is a Bloomberg View columnist and professor of constitutional and international law at Harvard University. The Fremont City Council unanimously moved forward with several items of action during Tuesday evenings meeting with the absence of Ward 4 councilman Matt Bechtel and Ward 1 councilwoman Ellen Janssen. Public Works Director Dave Goedeken briefly discussed the City of Fremonts one-year and six-year plan in regard to revamping numerous Fremont roadways. Its a requirement from the state for all cities and counties in the state of Nebraska (to submit a plan), because we receive gas tax and federal tax dollars to maintain our roadway system and because of this we have to prepare a plan for where we are going to go in the next six years, and that includes our roads, trails and bridges within city limits, Goedeken said. Some projects/areas Goedeken said the city hopes to tackle this year include: a Main Street project from First Street to Third Street, a Park Street project extending from Second Street to Military Avenue, widening Johnson Road from Peterson Avenue to the 16th Street roundabout, pedestrian traffic signal reconstruction and correction of some minor foundation issues on the South Bell Street viaduct. While the Bell Street viaduct is still in good condition its analyzed every two years there are some foundation issues that need addressing. Because of a variety of issues, the viaduct has started slightly shifting, Goedeken said. The abutments at the end of the viaduct are askew, which means they are at an angle, he said. The viaduct moves with weather you know, expands, contracts and plus it gets altered with the vibration of the traffic. Im not a structural guy so I cant really tell you exactly what happened, but the end of the viaduct is starting to slide over on both ends. It hasnt moved over to the extent where we have to worry about it falling down, but its moved enough to where it needs to be corrected. The Council unanimously approved the proposed one-year and six-year plans. In other Council news: *The Council moved to approve Feb. 1 through Feb 14 claims and authorized checks to be drawn on the proper accounts. *The Council approved a resolution for Amendment No. 1 for Construction Management Services, Fremont, Ridge Road and Hormel Loop Trail Project. *The Council approved a local amendment to the Recreational Trail Program project agreement with the Nebraska Game and Park Commission for the Ridge Road Trail Project. *The Council authorized a partial waiver of conditions relating to the Conditional Annexation Agreement for the Roadway Subdivision and authorizing Mayor Getzschman to execute the same. The first I-WIN (Informed Women In Nebraska) meeting of 2017 will be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Keene Memorial Library in Fremont. The guest speaker will be Acela Turco, a native Cuban who fled Castro's communist government with her parents. As an American citizen, Turco has worked with the State Department as an intelligence analyst; for the Justice Department; and in software engineering and data management for defense contractors. In 2013, Turco served as Congressman Lee Terrys Constituent Liaison, overseeing U.S. Immigration, Homeland Security, EPA, Energy, and Small Business interests. Turco joined Americans for Prosperity in June 2016 as Nebraskas field director, where she is motivated daily by her unique perspective and passion for America. Promoting AFP's objectives of lower taxes, less government regulation and economic prosperity for all fits those passions well. All area women are invited. There will be ample time for questions and answers. Call 402-727-4139 with questions. There were 53 arrests during the month. Arrests were for: misdemeanor theft, 1; stolen property, 1; drugs, 12; liquor law violations, 6; driving under the influence, 3; driving during suspension/revocation, 6; sex offense, 1; and other, 23. There were 18 accidents (12 property damage, 6 personal injury). Contributing circumstances (driver) included: failure to yield right of way; driving too fast for conditions; following too closely; failure to keep in proper lane; operating vehicle in erratic/reckless manner; swerving or avoiding due to wind, vehicle, etc.; other improper action; and unknown. Contributing circumstances (environment) were weather conditions, unknown and none. It was a two day bus trip from Fargo, North Dakota to Milford for 23-year-old Dorothy Weiler where Bob Fahlsing was waiting for her. Because her mother disapproved of Bob, Dorothy didnt tell her folks that she was going to Michigan as soon as Bob sent her the money for the bus trip. Years later she wrote in a journal, I got the money ($10) and I left Fargo on the 14th scared to death but still determined. Bob met me at the bus and I knew when I saw him that things were going to be all right. Bob Fahlsing and Dorothy Weiler were married on Nov. 26, 1940 in Flint by a justice of the peace. Their marriage lasted 61 years. In November Bob found work in Midland and so did Dorothy at the Bluebird Restaurant on Main Street earning six dollars a week plus tips. Bob worked a short time at Austin Construction but the job ended and Bob went back to doing odd jobs. Bob and Dorothy rented a small apartment in the front of a house at 1419 Haley St. and Dorothy discovered that she was pregnant and had to quit her job at the Bluebird Restaurant. Robert Gary was born Sept. 10, 1941 at the Nelson Maternity Home on State Street. Dr. High charged $25 for his services and the maternity home charged $32 for the 10 day stay. Dorothy wrote, I will never forget holding my first born in my arms and singing That Little Boy of Mine to him. Unable to work with the new baby and Bob relying on odd jobs, Dorothy, in desperation, wrote a letter to Willard Dow, president of The Dow Chemical Co., explaining their financial situation and that her husband needed a job even though he was handicapped. She had to borrow a three-cent stamp from a neighbor to mail the letter. In 10 days Bob Fahlsing had a job in plant protection where he worked for the next 26 years before retiring in 1966. In December of 1941 the young couple moved into a house at 712 Haley St., completely furnished, for just $45 a month. D. K. Rhinehart, their landlord, sold them the furniture for $125 and lowered the rent to $30 a month. They lived there for 14 years. World War II came along and Bob worked twelve hours a day for a while. And on May 16, 1945 Phyllis Faye was born at Hines Maternity Home on Ashman Street. When Phyllis was six weeks old Bob and Dorothy traveled back to Lisbon, North Dakota with their two children for his parents 50th wedding anniversary. They also had their marriage blessed by a priest. On Jan. 2, 1947 Ronald Alan was born. Dorothy wrote, We started out with the two of us and now we are five. While living on Haley Street, Bob worked afternoons and one night Dorothy was invited to a baby shower. Returning home before Bob did, she decided to wait for him on the porch. She saw a car driving slowly down the street and it looked like their car. She began waving and called out, Yoo-hoo, honey. Im home. The car sped up and Dorothy realized it wasnt Bob. Im glad he didnt stop, she said. In 1957 the Fahlsing family moved to 901 East Haley Street, living there for six years before moving to 1116 Mill St. for six years. By now Bob Jr. and Phyllis were married with only Ron still home and Dorothy and Bob Sr. bought a lot at 301 Kent St. and built a new house. After Bob retired in November of 1966, he became restless and began looking for odd jobs like yard work. Charlie Barton, a friend, helped him. One day Dorothy was ironing and it was so hot she decided to put on a pair of shorts. Charlie stopped by to visit, had a cup of coffee and a piece of cake and talked while Dorothy ironed. He left and in a few minutes the phone rang. It was Charlie. He said Dorothy, Im at the 702 Club and if youll come just as you are, Ill buy you a beer. Someone wrote, She attracts incidents like blue serge attracts lint. That was Dorothy. After moving to Riverside Apartment in 1998, she struck up a friendship with another woman. One day Dorothy showed her a photo of her and her brothers. She expected the woman would say what a cute picture. Instead she said, You always were chubby, werent you? During their married life, Dorothy often looked for work to keep busy. One day she baked some bread, put each loaf in a sack and her son Bob went door to door to peddle the fresh bread. It became so popular she was getting up at three in the morning to bake the bread, eventually adding cookies and cinnamon rolls. Then she found out that a neighbor was buying her bread for 25 cents a loaf and selling it for 35 cents. She ended her baking career shortly. Then they saw an ad in the newspaper about a kit for bronzing baby shoes. The kit cost $250 but it sounded like a sure thing. They ordered the kit, cleaned out part of the basement and got ready for a rush of customers. But they never came even though the Midland Daily News gave the new business a nice write-up. They finally boxed the kit up and sold it. Dorothy said, We had a $250 pair of bronzed baby shoes. When Bob Jr. left for the Army, Dorothy was devastated. He came home on leave and when he left to go back, Dorothy was crying and Bob sang, Should I go first and you remain to walk the road alone. Dorothy wrote in her journal, That didnt help me much. On Dec. 7, 1998 Bob fell, fracturing his good leg. On New Years Eve, they moved to Riverside. On Nov. 26, 2000 they celebrated 60 years of marriage. On July 3, 2001 Bob couldnt get out of bed and had to be moved to Brittany Manor. His doctor said he could have peppermint schnapps and he could smoke. On one visit Dorothy took a bottle of peppermint schnapps in her purse for Bob but he was too sick to drink it. In her journal she wrote, I pulled the curtain between the beds and I drank it. I dont know about him, but I sure felt better. Bob died Oct. 1, 2001. In her journal she wrote, Life as I knew it for almost 61 years ended. Dorothy Weiler Fahlsing died Nov. 19, 2007. The Chinese have a proverb saying that an invisible red thread connects those we are destined to meet. The thread may stretch or tangle, but it will never break. That invisible red thread connected Dorothy Weiler and Bob Fahlsing and then it continued on to touch their children Bob Jr., Phyllis and Ron. And that invisible red thread will continue connecting their grandchildren and great-grandchildren into eternity. And that will give Dorothy, already in eternity, great joy. Delta Colleges Q-90.1 radio will celebrate Black History Month with a radio series titled Soul In The City produced by Scott Seeburger and Lee Monday, two former Delta employees. The series looks at outstanding African American artists from three geographic areas: Memphis, Chicago and The Great Lakes Bay Region including Flint. The programs air at 1 p.m. Friday. The next airing will be Feb. 17. Each one hour program focuses on a city and presents talent so amazing that we could merely offer highlights, says Seeburger, who researched and wrote the series. Regarding our region, we explore R&B, Jazz and Gospel artists in Saginaw and Flint. We will present two accomplished Gospel artists, Lynn Calloway and James Owen, that I have never before heard on local radio, Seeburger says. Lee Monday, a long time announcer with the station, helped produce the series and co-hosts. City officials approved Krogers plan to build a new 124,942-square-foot building with a fuel station at 315 Joe Mann Blvd. about a year ago. Many excited residents have come to find updates for the new store have been minimal. City planners at their Tuesday meeting listened as Assistant City Manager Brad Kaye explained Krogers mindset. At this point in time they have not expressed an interest in moving forward, Kaye said, adding the city had not had contact with Kroger as of late. Theyll very likely request an extension of the approval thats been granted. Site plan approval allows applicants a two-year window and extension beyond that, Kaye said. Theyve got a lot of time still. And theyve said consistently that it would be the spring when they would next look to see if they were ready to go. This quiet period through the winter hasnt surprised us. A Kroger spokesperson told the Daily News in late January that the company continue(s) to assess what our intended timing would be for development. The update followed Krogers announcement that it would hire about 10,000 permanent positions this year with a goal to hire 900 Michigan residents. Related: Midlanders share their retail, restaurant wish list: http://bit.ly/2jty2hf The last wave of F-22 Raptors from the 90th Fighter Squadron, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, arrived here Feb. 14 to launch bilateral exercise and training missions with the Royal Australian Air Force and further strengthen the military relationship the two nations share. We are thrilled to be here and working with our Australian counterparts, said Lt. Col. Dave Skalicky, the 90th FS commander. They have been phenomenal hosts, and their level of support allows us to increase our combined capabilities. The F-22s, twelve in total, came to RAAF Base Tindal under the direction of U.S. Navy Adm. Harry B. Harris, U.S. Pacific Command commander, as part of the Enhanced Air Cooperation Initiative under the Force Posture Agreement between the U.S. and Australia. This combined training activity marks the most extensive F-22 joint training with Australia in duration and scale, providing the Raptors the opportunity to conduct integrated air operations training with the RAAFs 75 Squadron F/A-18A/B Hornets. We constantly look forward to training operating with our U.S. counterparts, in particular, with fifth generation squadrons such as the 90th FS, said Wing Commander Mick Grant, 75 Squadron commander. Usually we only integrate with the F-22s at major exercises in the U.S. such as Red Flag or during coalition operations, so we appreciate the efforts of the 90th FS having traveled a significant distance to Australia to join us in our backyard this year. Northern Australias extreme climate and distinctive training areas provide our ally unique opportunities to train with their 5th generation aircraft in a range of environmental conditions. The F-22s and F/A-18A/Bs will conduct offensive and defensive training missions at various locations in the Northern Territory and Queensland. Skalicky explained the history of the 90th FS and how it can trace its lineage back to WWII when the then U.S. Army Air Forces 90th Bombardment Squadron conducted missions out of the Northern Territory. The squadron was here 75 years ago, and to be back carrying on the tradition is an honor, Skalicky said. Accompanying the F-22s here are approximately 200 Airmen providing operational, maintenance, logistical and security support. The F-22s are scheduled to be in Australia through the beginning of March. FARMER CITY Farmer City has hired Terry Scott as its police chief, replacing Andy Denno, who parted ways with the city in December. Scott, 61, started his career with the Farmer City department, working as a patrolman in March 1980. In July, he was promoted to assistant chief and in May 1981 was promoted to chief following the resignation of Carl Boyd. Scott resigned in July 1984 to accept the police chief position in Dwight. Three years later, Scott left his post to accept a position with the FBI. This is a perfect fit, said City Manager Larry Woliung. We had a nationwide search for a new police chief and when Terry heard about it, he contacted me and we worked it out. Woliung, also a former Farmer City police chief, said he has always admired Scotts cool approach to handling difficult situations. He is a career FBI agent and was in charge of the Champaign office, he worked in California and even overseas, Woliung said. In talking with him about this position, he said that he felt a sense of loyalty to Farmer City because this is where he got his start. Scott could not be reached for comment Thursday. Woliung said that Scott has been retired for a couple of years, but decided it was time to go back to work. I think he took some time off and completed a couple of projects he was working on and then decided that it was time to go back to work, he said. There were a lot of opportunities just in Central Illinois that are open or will be coming open and so he really had a choice as to where he could go, particularly with his background and experience. We are thrilled he chose to come back here. Scott will be paid $27 per hour, Woliung said. The main thing he does for us is to bring some credibility to this department, he said. We have been through some ups and downs over the past few years and Terry will really help us get over some of those bumps we had. BLOOMINGTON Illinoisans deserve a fair budget, representatives of YWCA McLean County and several Central Illinois legislators agreed Wednesday. How to achieve that remains the subject of debate. About 25 YWCA employees, board members, volunteers and allies traveled to Springfield on Wednesday for the governor's budget address and to buttonhole legislators. "We wanted to speak to our legislators to let them know how their inaction affects people in their district and to get assurances that they will pass a fair and compassionate budget," said YWCA Mission Impact Director Jenn Carrillo. The group had brief exchanges with State Sen. Jason Barickman, R-Bloomington; State Sen. Bill Brady, R-Bloomington; and State Rep. Dan Brady, R-Bloomington, as they were walking to the House chambers to hear the governor's address. "They said they heard us but they did not inspire us in a way that would ensure us that they would do the right thing," Carrillo told The Pantagraph after the budget address. The legislators disagreed. "Their voices were heard," Dan Brady told The Pantagraph. "I listened." But Brady said trying to address issues in a hallway right before the governor's address can be "counterproductive" and said his door was open to meet with the group in Bloomington-Normal. "I'm sorry they felt that way," Bill Brady said. "I appreciate them coming down. I certainly heard what they had to say." "The right thing to do at the moment is to negotiate with our colleagues on the other side of the aisle," Barickman said. "We've been working on that for weeks. It's important to get it right." The group called out to Gov. Bruce Rauner as he was walking to the chambers. "We told him we deserve a fair and compassionate budget that is not balanced on the backs of poor people," Carrillo said. "Inaction is unacceptable." "They are absolutely right. That's why we in the Senate are working so hard on the grand bargain," Bill Brady said, referring to the legislative compromise at work in the Senate. Carrillo said, "We want our legislators to know that people are hurting in their district and people will hold them accountable." YWCA previously reported that it has eliminated five positions and not filled four vacancies because of delayed state payments due to the state budget impasse. Carrillo said the group wants the state to raise revenue by closing corporate tax loopholes and having top income earners pay higher taxes. "We all want a fair, balanced and compassionate budget," Dan Brady said. "We have competing interests in the state. The needs outweigh the means to fund those services. We must prioritize. We can't be everything to all people." "We need a real balanced budget," Barickman said. "I don't think we're there yet but I'm hopeful." It's been 14 years since an old rail bed first was eyed as a possible bike trail between Bloomington and Mansfield, and the idea has surfaced again. Now, as then, it's a good idea worth pursuing. In 2003, Norfolk Southern Railway announced plans to formally abandon the track, a freight line that ran through McLean, DeWitt and Piatt counties and the towns of Downs, LeRoy and Farmer City. At the time, Norfolk Southern said the line had not had traffic for two years; the railway acquired the route when it took over part of the former Conrail system in 1999. The process was expected to take a year. First, the railway had to file paperwork with the Surface Transportation Board in Washington, D.C., whose Section of Environmental Analysis would prepare an environmental assessment and take public comment before issuing a report. Somewhere along the line, the plan was scrapped until more discussions involving the county and the railroad. This one has gotten a lot of interest ... from a history that the rail line was going to be abandoned in 2004, and then they decided not to do it for business reasons, Lawada Poarch, abandonments coordinator for Norfolk Southern, said this week. Were definitely going to do it this time. Across the country, and across Central Illinois, abandoned rail beds have taken on new life. Usually, they become biking/walking paths. The state already is looking at a Historic 66 bike trail that could run from Chicago to the Missouri state line. The B-N-to-Mansfield trail could, potentially, link with the Constitution Trail. The Mansfield line, McLean County Administrator Bill Wasson said, also could be used for "water mains, sewer mains, utility corridors, fiber optics for broadband or telecommunications, or future uses that we havent thought of yet. ... The big benefit is a continuous corridor for public infrastructure. If the property would be turned into a trail, it would be the first from Bloomington to Downs, LeRoy, Farmer City and Mansfield, said Wasson. In 2003, when the railway first decided to abandon the land, planners told The Pantagraph that cost of a trail was unknown and would depend, in part, on whether it was paved and how it would be managed. McLean County officials thought the trail could not only provide recreation, but also promote tourism and stimulate economic development for communities along it, according to earlier Pantagraph stories. Indeed, planners need only look as far as Constitution Trail and, in next-door Missouri, the Katy Trail, to see how an abandoned rail bed can be wildly successful for all involved. The state checkbook is bone dry, so planners will need to be creative in finding funding and getting as much buy-in as possible from the towns along the route. A new trail is a good idea on many fronts. Let's hope there are enough supporters to make it economically feasible. When Donald Trump appointed Steve Bannon to be assistant to the president and chief strategist, it was clear that Trump had decided to embrace an extremist agenda during his term. Now weve learned that Bannon will be sitting in on National Security Council meetings, a dangerous move that breaks with precedent. This is not normal. Steve Bannon is an extremist and a self-described "Leninist" who believes America is involved in a "global existential war." Hes said "Lenin wanted to destroy the state, and thats my goal, too." Because of Trumps inexperience and lack of knowledge, hes elevated Bannon to key strategic and security positions in the White House. The first few weeks of Trumps presidency clearly demonstrate Bannons influence from the Muslim ban to the border wall, these are textbook attacks on minorities which have been the hallmark of Bannons career as an extremist. Trump is reportedly signing executive orders that he doesnt read or understand. Trump lost the popular vote and won the Electoral College, but in any case, no one voted for "President" Bannon. Christal Kneer, Normal Last year Gucci staged their resort show at Westminster Abbey and this year it seems they'd set their sights on holding it at the Acropolis in Athens, Greece. That dream was quickly quashed, however, when the Greek culture ministry turned down their request. The country's Culture Minister Lydia Koniordou said, "We have a duty defend the importance" of the UNESCO World Heritage site, which is "a global symbol of democracy and freedom." For many years it's been par for the course for the biggest luxury houses to stage their resort runway shows in impressive venues outside of Paris or Milan. Last year, while Gucci took over Westminster Abbey, Chanel brought editors to Havana and Louis Vuitton hosted them in Rio. The Acropolis, however, rarely grants requests to rent out the space (and Gucci has denied previous reports that they even offered around $60 million to use it). That said, one person who was able to get permission from the Greeks? J. Lo. The pop star had a photoshoot there back in '08. [Splash photo from Gucci campaign, shot by Glen Luchford] [via Business of Fashion / Harper's Bazaar] Paul Walker's daughter has filed a lawsuit against Porsche for covering up "damaging evidence," new court documents reveal. The star of the Fast and Furious franchise was killed in 2013 in a crash when driver Roger Rodas lost control and hit a tree. Walker's daughter Meadow has filed a wrongful death suit against the company, claiming Porsche failed to warn consumers that the Carrera GT, the car in which Walker was riding shotgun, was both faultily manufactured and dangerously designed. Porsche was asked to produce all evidence related to GT crashes in court, but the company allegedly attempted to "conceal" a manager's email that allegedly stated within the first two years after the Porsche Carrera GT was released, 200 of the 1,280 models were "totaled." Walker has now accused Porsche of "improperly redacting" damaging information from emails about their Carrera GTs. The paperwork reportedly states the same manager wrote in that email that high number of GTs destroyed would be "great news to the remaining owners as the GT becomes more rare." Jeffrey L. Milam, Meadow Walker's attorney, issued this statement: "We have learned that Porsche has hidden damaging evidence [showing] it knew its Carrera GT the car that killed Paul Walker was dangerous and unsafe. Porsche concealed this information from the public to protect its image and brand." The filing says this "misconduct" should warrant a default judgment and sanctions of $52,732. [h/t New York Daily News] Image via Youtube Chicago Public Schools believe their schools are underfunded and that the state is discriminating against certain minority groups.This prompted a lawsuit filed Tuesday against state education officials and the governor of Illinois. As per the complaint, Chicago Public Schools claimed the way Illinois funds its schools violate the civil rights of the predominantly minority student population. The complaint was filed on behalf of both Hispanic and black families and they want a Cook County judge to declare the funding system as unlawful, U.S. News reported. The complaint claimed the Illinois funding has different ways of managing Chicago schools that have 90 percent Hispanic and black students compared to the schools and other districts that have a predominantly white student population. The complaint also claimed Chicago students only receive 15 percent of the funding from the state even if nearly 20 percent of the students belong to their district, thus funds run short, Dispatch Argus reported. Chicago Public Schools CEO, Forrest Claypool, said in a statement, Illinois' way of funding their district is understood as "their educations matter less than children in the rest of Illinois." He found this both morally and legally indefensible. He also said Chicago students of color are learning in a separate but unequal system. Educators in Chicago also believe the district is penalized by the state as it is the only area in Illinois that lets taxpayers pay teacher pension costs. Other areas have the aid of the state for this matter. Gov. Bruce Rauner did not comment on this lawsuit yet but his office said state officials are reviewing the matter. State Secretary of Education Beth Purvis also said in a statement a bipartisan task force is working on school funding issues. She hopes Chicago Public Schools will be a partner in their endeavor. Aside from Rauner, also named as respondents of the lawsuit are the State Board of Education officials and Comptroller Susana Mendoza. Mendoza's office controls the checkbook of Illinois. It was acknowledged in the past that Illinois has an insufficient calculation of funding because most school districts rely on local property tax revenues for funding. Chicago schools have been experiencing financial woes in recent times. Many institutions were placed at the junk status of credit rating agencies. Take a look at this campaign video questioning the equality of education in Chicago. Let us know what you think! Gun violence remain alarming in Chicago as another toddler's life was taken away earlier this week. Worse, the 2-year-old boy's death was captured on Facebook Live. The triple shooting incident, which happened in broad daylight, left two people dead, including the toddler. The incident took place on Chicago's West Side at around 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, NBC News reported. The 2-year-old was identified as Lavontay White. Initially, White was taken to a hospital but later succumbed to his injuries. A 25-year-old man was also killed in the incident, but his identity was not revealed. Bullets also wounded a pregnant woman who was live streaming before the shooting happened. She is believed to be White's aunt but authorities did not release her name. Police said she suffered a gunshot wound to the stomach but she and her unborn child are expected to survive. It was not stated how far she is along. It was also not revealed what her relationship was with the unnamed man who was killed. The three victims were inside a car in an alley when another vehicle drove past by them. Someone got out of the other vehicle and then fired the shots. "We have yet another innocent child that's become a victim of gun violence. Our children should not have to keep paying the price for repeat gun offenders," Chicago Police Supt. Eddie Johnson said. Authorities said they have good leads on the issue and are now reviewing the surveillance videos from the area to identify the suspect or suspects. There is no official motive in the incident but police theorized the man with the pregnant woman and the toddler was a gang member and was the target of the suspect or suspects, New York Daily News reported. In the Facebook Live video, the woman talked to her mom saying she did not want to go to the hospital because she might go to jail. White was the third child shot in Chicago in the past days. Recently, an 11-year-old girl died after being struck in the head by a stray bullet. A 12-year-old girl was critically wounded just minutes after a separate shooting took place prior to the stray bullet incident. There have so far been 92 children below age 11 who have been killed in Chicago due to the gun violence epidemic. A man mistakenly sent a message that read, "Help me kill my wife," to his former boss. The message was actually intended for a hitman. The man was identified as Jeffery Scott Lytle and he wanted his wife and their 4-year-old daughter dead. The family is from Monroe, Washington. After being arrested, Lytle was charged with criminal solicitation for the crime of first-degree murder. Syracuse.com reported he texted someone named "Shayne" as he wanted to take up an earlier offer to have his wife killed. He allegedly offered Shayne to split the insurance payout of his wife, which was around $1 million. Lytle also allegedly told the hit man he could kill the 4-year-old because her insurance is worth $500,000, The Washington Post reported. The man whom Lytle sent the text to was a former employer. That former boss called the cops on Lytle, thus an investigation was undertaken. In a text message to Shayne, Lytle apparently provided information to arrange the killing. He told the killer he works at 5 a.m. while his wife's shift starts at 2 p.m. "So, if you can make a robbery gone wrong or make it an accident, she works at Walmart and she gets off at 11:00," Lytle wrote in the text. Lytle said he wrote the text message after an argument with his wife. He claimed, however, the message was saved on his phone and his daughter might have unintentionally sent the text. Lytle also denied he knows anyone by the name Shayne and it was only a name he came up with to vent when he wanted to. Lytle tried to convince authorities that he had no plans to harm his wife or daughter. Police said Lytle was the one who sent the text and wanted his family dead. The have, however, not found an insurance policy covering his wife or daughter. The phone of Lytle is yet to be further searched. A search warrant is still pending. Lytle is in custody and is on a $1 million bond. A divorced dad is showing his sons the best example of what it means to be a good man who does co-parenting right. Billy Flynn from Boston still buys his ex-wife birthday presents, which doesn't sit well with people he knows. The dad, however, has a very good reason for doing this. On Love What Matters via Facebook, Flynn said he prepared the flowers and gifts for his ex-wife's birthday for his two boys to give to their mother. Someone questioned him about this gesture and he was prodded to explain the reason why. "I'm raising two little men," he said. "The example I set for how I treat their mom is going to significantly shape how they see and treat women and affect their perception of relationships," he added, citing doing this is even more important since they are divorced parents who share the load of co-parenting in different households. "If you aren't modeling good relationship behavior for your kids, get your shit together," Flynn said. "Rise above it and be an example." Flynn, who works as a lawyer, also celebrated his ex-wife's birthday with their kids, according to Huffington Post. He didn't simply drop the boys off with her but took the time to acknowledge her special day. Flynn's message has struck a chord among netizens. Divorced parents who struggle with raising kids with an ex, or grown up kids who have witnessed their divorced parents bicker again and again, thanked Flynn for his inspiring post. As of press time, the message has been shared over 174,000 times. Many divorced parents struggle at co-parenting because of unresolved issues that continue to make their relationship tension-filled. A study from University of Florida IFAS Extension stated the manner by which co-parents communicate and relate to each other greatly impacts their kids, not just their relationship with each other. If children of divorce are exposed to co-parenting problems, then they are likely to also have problems adjusting socially and academically. For adults who co-parent well, however, their children could grow up better adjusted and able to deal with problems with less anxiety and stress. President Donald Trump expressed his concern regarding the "tremendous increase" in autism rates in America in a recent meet with special education experts last Tuesday. He faced a panel of educators in a public audience and discussed what the government can do about students with autism. Critics, however, have lashed out on the president for what he discussed in the panel. New York Magazine reports Trump seemed to believe the misconceptions and inaccuracies about autism. "What's going on with autism? When you look at the tremendous increase, it's really, it's such an incredible...it's a really horrible thing to watch," the president said, according to MSNBC. Trump was told by Jane Quenneville, a school principal, that the autism rate is one in 68 children. An expert said this rate doesn't suggest a significant or "tremendous increase" as the president believes. "The real debate is whether or not there has been a small increase, and there are a number of factors that could play a role in that small increase," Steve Silberman told New York Magazine. Independent reports current data on autism rates has been the same since 2014 at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The one thing that significantly changed is an increase in autism awareness, but it would be improper to conclude that increased awareness means an increase in the number of children with the disorder. The belief that autism is on the rise is common among anti-vaxxers, according to Business Insider. President Trump has been known to oppose vaccination believing it can cause autism, as he posted via a tweet in 2014. Healthy young child goes to doctor, gets pumped with massive shot of many vaccines, doesn't feel good and changes - AUTISM. Many such cases! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 28, 2014 Trump's critics are also alarmed the president will likely choose an anti-vaxxer to head the Commission on Vaccine Safety, according to NBC News. They said the tendency for these anti-vaxxers to believe misconceptions and not actual facts is harmful and will set back decades of improvement in the perception of the disorder. Some schools in America are adding a new civics course in its curriculum in light of a recent alarming trend online. Teachers are making an effort to guide students on how to spot fake news, but even government leaders are taking steps. Lawmakers in California have filed an education legislation, under Assembly Bill 155, that will teach students media literacy in middle and high schools. The move is expected to help students become more discerning in picking out what's credible information or not on the internet. "I think only education can solve this problem," Professor Pat Winters Lauro said, according to Yahoo. Lauro has started teaching media literacy and spotting fake news at the Kean University in New Jersey this semester. Lauro also admitted the course on how to spot fake news has its added challenge because teachers toe the line between educating and not pushing an agenda. "I'm afraid sometimes that they think I'm being political when really I'm just talking about journalistic standards for facts and verification," the teacher said. There's reason to be alarmed with the amount of fake news online. A study from the Pew Research Center cites 64 percent of Americans believe the fake news breed confusion. There's a need to teach students how to spot fake news as a Stanford study suggested 80 percent of kids have trouble detecting non-credible news. Most Americans get their news from social media, prompting others to blame Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook, for the spread of fake news. The Verge reports that in response, the social media site has allowed third-party plugins that Facebook members can use to block or flag down false information. The company wants its users to be more responsible in what they share on their newsfeed. "We are making a very important point of not putting ourselves in a position of deciding what's fake and not fake," Facebook VP Dan Rose told The Verge. This service applies to you if your subscription has not yet expired on our old site. You will have continued access until your subscription expires; then you will need to purchase an ongoing subscription through our new system. Please contact the Parsons Sun office at (620) 421-2000 if you have any questions Amazon was granted a design patent for their Echo home device yesterday as noted in the patent figures below. Our other IP site Patently Mobile covered that news from USPTO in a report that also covered a drone docking station. Today we're learning that Amazon is hoping to introduce some form of telephony to their next-gen home device later this year. Following Amazon's possible strategic moves on this front is important because Apple has been rumored to be working on a similar Siri-based home device. At the moment there are more questions than answers. Will the wireless carriers be involved? Will these devices offer 911-service? AT&T already offers a skill for the Echo's Alexa virtual assistant that lets users send text messages using voice commands through the speaker. Adding phone calling functionality could be an evolution of that partnership. Amazon could decide to use voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) like Skype. For now the company is weighing multiple options for getting the feature to work, which could include the Echo having its own phone number or syncing with an owner's current phone number and contacts. The report also comes as Amazon is expected to launch a new version of its Echo that may come with a touchscreen, according to Bloomberg. Will that device offer a home version of their new Amazon Chime app that Patently Apple covered in a report yesterday for business? Only time will tell. While Amazon was the pioneer in this field, Silicon Valley competitors like Google and Harman Kardon (using Microsoft's Cortana) are now, or will be gunning to make a mark of their own in this market. Apple is really the mystery player. Apple could jump into this market later this year with a similar home device that could feature new iOS tricks and unique features. Yet it's very possible that Apple could simply reinvent Apple TV so that it could take on a larger role in the home and in fact act as a home automation hub as forecast in a number of Apple patents (one, two and three). 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. Patently Apple was first to report on Apple working on opening an Apple Store in South Korea on December 01 and then a confirmation from Apple follow-up report on January 06, 2017. Now that Apple has begun the process of hiring new staff, getting Apple Pay up and running is next on Apple's agenda for South Korea. A new Korean report published today claims that "Apple's executives had recently held a meeting with South Korean financial authorities, a move that can be viewed as the company testing the waters before fully reviewing a potential launch here." The Herald's report noted that "Apple's legal director and senior counselor came to Korea in November to have a meeting with financial authorities. They explained Apple Pay's technical operation and security method tokenization. A source for the report stated that 'Apple said that they will partner with local credit card companies in the future but did not elaborate on the specific details.' To start such a mobile payment service in Korea, Apple is likely to have another meeting with the financial authorities to decide whether it will be registered as an electronic financial business operator. Apple is not yet scheduled to have such a meeting with the government. At present, local card companies forecast that Google's Android Pay is likely to be introduced earlier than Apple Pay in Korea." What the South Korean tech report failed to mention is that ten South Korean financial tech firms (Fintech) are currently escalating their war against Apple with the Korean Government. While the Australian banks were first to launch their war against Apple, the South Korean Fintech group began their attack on Apple last October. I would suspect that Apple's legal team were in Korea in November to have a first face-to-face meeting about this impasse between themselves and the Korean financial houses over Apple Pay API's being closed for security reasons. Until this issue is ironed out and/or ruled on by the Government, Apple may not be able to offer customers the convenience of using Apple Pay when they visit the first Korean Apple Store tentatively opening this fall. 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. Last year's WWDC 2016 was held at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco. This year's WWDC 2017 will be held at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center. Apple is working with the city of San Jose and local businesses to celebrate the return of WWDC with very special experiences around San Jose throughout the week. Tickets will begin going on sales sometime this spring. The conference will officially kick off on June 5 and will inspire developers from all walks of life to turn their passions into the next great innovations and apps that customers use every day across iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV and Mac. You'll be able to follow the keynote on this page on June 5, 2017 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. The obituary for Elliot Sperling begins as most do, noting the peaks of the mans life: 66 years of vitality, a MacArthur (genius) Fellowship, and a reshaping of our understanding of Sino-Tibetan relations. Of particular note, the obituarys author Tenzin Dorjee, writes: Through his seminal writings on Tibets relations with China during the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties, he became arguably the first historian to extensively use both Chinese and Tibetan sources to bring to light the separation and independence that characterized the relationship between the two nations. Until he came along, Western academics viewed Tibet only through Chinese eyes, largely because they could not access Tibetan sources; Elliot, who was fluent in Tibetan as well as Chinese, upended the old Sino-centric narrative and literally transformed the field overnight. Sperlings academic bona fides are indeed strong. A quick search finds him cited and discussed in the likes of Donald Lopezs Prisoners of Shangri-La: Tibetan Buddhism and the West and Paul Williams great work, Mahayana Buddhism, and cited thrice in Robert Buzwells 2004 Encyclopedia of Buddhism. Some of his own work includes an introduction to Tibet Since 1950: Silence, Prison, or Exile and The Tibet-China Conflict: History and Polemics. He was also a thoughtful and vocal activist on behalf of the Tibetan people and for human rights in general. However, he was no mere devotee of Tibetan powers. In a recent (2014) article for info-Buddhism, he summed up his position on contemporary Tibetan politics as Self Delusion. There, after a thorough recounting of recent decades of political discourse between Tibet (in exile) and China, Sperling concludes that The exile establishment has calcified into an entity that exists for the sole purpose of perpetuating itself. Nonetheless, Dorjee writes in his obituary of a conversation with Sperling: Just before he left for Vienna as a visiting professor last fall, he said to me in his characteristic urgency, Lets meet up and discuss strategies. We need to escalate the fight against the Confucius Institutes. This was the line that most caught my attention. I recall numerous articles on the (in)famous Confucius Institutes in recent years, but nothing in the last 18 months or so. As reported in Foreign Policy in July 2014, China has sponsored at least 70 Confucius Institutes (Inside Higher Ed reported that there were around 90) in the US, state-run institutions suspected of having a state-dictated taboo on sensitive topics such as Tibet, Taiwan, and Tiananmen, infringe upon academic freedom at U.S. universities Anyone familiar with US higher education will likely cringe at the first response, from my own alma maters Stephen Levine: A confession: In 2007, without having given the matter sufficient thought, I myself, then an associate director of the Mansfield Center at the University of Montana, shared responsibility for a successful application to the Hanban, the organization that partners with Chinas Ministry of Education to oversee CIs, to establish a CI at my university, a typically underfunded state university with a woefully inadequate Asian studies program. Our institutional poverty rather than our greed motivated us. We pledged to ourselves to brook no interference from Beijing in what we did. Others, however, write more favorably of the relationships between their universities and the Confucius Institutes (CIs). ChinaFile also hosted a 2014 discussion of the CIs with leading scholars. In 2015 the Diplomat reported that three major universities, the University of Chicago, Penn State, and Stockholm University had shut down their CIs, Penn State citing a lack of transparency and academic freedom. But there the discussion goes quiet. One must wonder about the place of these Chinese institutes in U.S. universities in the current political climate. What worries did Elliot Sperling have in the fall of 2016, specifically singling them out as in need of escalated fight? Read more on remembering Elliot Sperling at China Change.org. Over the past year, Ive seen progressives post numerous articles by or about Glenn Beck, startled or surprised by how reasonable he sounds as he criticizes Trump. Has Glenn Beck changed? Vanity Fair certainly suggested as much when they wrote this byline for an article on his criticism of Trump: The reformed paranoiac apologizes for unleashing forces that aided Trumps rise. Hes reformed! Hes nice nowa nice, cuddly, anti-Trump reasonable no-longer-paranoid person. I mean look how awesome he is! He is so concerned about Steve Bannon serving as an advisor to the president that he declared that the country would be racist to allow the man to retain his role. His paranoid style paved the road for Trumpism, reads the byline of an Atlantic article about Trump. Now he fears whats been unleashed. What an awakening! How brave and bold. Yall? Youre being played. Glenn Beck opened his radio show yesterday by attacking the media for failing to report that last weekends massive Womens March on Washington was nothing more than an astroturf rally orchestrated by George Soros and radical Islamic groups. Im afraid tomorrow I have to go back to my chalkboard, Beck said. Weve been working on it this weekend. Tomorrow Im bringing the chalkboard in because the connections are there and if you want to call me a conspiracy theorist again, you can; Im not going to accuse anybody of anything, Im just going to point out the facts because somebody has to and perhaps someone in the media will listen. And its not just this one thing, itswellbasically everything. This past Monday, citing concerns that the Republicans are backing off of their promise to repeal Obamacare, Beck said the following on his radio program: If we really understood how this is going to enslave our children, wed be working a lot harder to stop it, Glenn said Monday on radio. In December Glenn Beck had Doc Thompson fill in for him on his radio show; the man spent the entire time blasting Obama for stating that there is a problem in our country with tension between the police and minority groups. His suggestion for Obama? Stop talking about it. Thats the new way forward. Tell people to sit down and shut up. If you have a problem, address it based on the issue. And move on. Does racism exist? Yes. And so does a lot of other problems that people have. People just treating at hell at work for all kinds of different things that has nothing to do with their race. We dont need another conversation. We need a leader to tell people to get back to work. But you know, Beck is different now! Hes so sorry and enlightened! Hes calling Steve Bannon out for being a racist! And simultaneously letting people spew racist nonsense on his radio show. Last month Beck spoke out against William Pryor, one of Trumps potential picks for the Supreme Court, as not conservative enough to replace Scalia. Why? Because Pryor was not sufficiently anti-trans for him. GLENN: More problematic is the majority opinion in Glenn versus Brumby. Brumby. A case involving a biological male fired after he wanted to dress as a woman and begin medical treatments. Pryor again concurred with the circuit courts liberal former Judge Rosemary Barkett, ruling that the equal protection clause of the United States Constitution protected the employee from discrimination based on sex, which the court interpreted to include gender identity. So now, he is saying that sex is whatever you decide it to be. Slate Slate called the opinion absolutely revolutionary for transgendered employment rights. GLENN: We cannot afford to have anyone chip away on religious liberty. Beck has long been posting anti-trans articles on his website, and he hasnt stopped. One article from last spring, when Beck was already being praised for his views on Trump, described transgender bathroom access as the new war on women. Following hard-fought battles and victories for womens rights, were now being asked to share bathroom space with men? Are you kidding? Hey modern feminists, how about fighting the good fight for real women instead of men pretending to be women? (Note to men who want to be women or men who want to perve on women: Get your own damn bathroom.) This isnt a man who is reformed, who has seen the error of his ways. This is an opportunist looking for an hour of fame. Dont fall for it. I have a Patreon! Please support my writing! In my earlier post, I asked, How does a modern, educated, middle-class child become an ideologically-motivated potential killer? If you were to put together a mental image of someone vulnerable to radicalization, what would that look like? Young, isolated, lonely? Mentally ill? Uneducated, under-employed? We have ideas and expectations about who isand therefore, who ISNTat risk for falling down the rabbit-hole of extremism and violence, but are these impressions accurate? Fortunately, Im far from the first or only person to ask that question. A study looking at over 100 individuals indicted for ISIS-related activities in the US concluded that potential terrorists are not always very different from the rest of us: As a group, the individuals mirror average Americans more than people think. The common perception of a terrorist as a young, single, unemployed, disenfranchised male is wrong: The average age of the 112 individuals is 27 years old, with almost a third over 30; more than 40 percent were in a relationship, with a third being married; while nearly two-thirds had been to college. Three-quarters had jobs or were in schoolfigures similar to the U.S. population as a whole. The vast majority of the 112 individuals are U.S. citizens. Nearly two-thirds were born in the United States, and nearly 20 percent were naturalized citizens. [] A significant proportion includes converts from outside established Muslim communities. About 30 percent of the individuals are converts to Islam, including 43 percent of U.S.-born indictees. So maybe we arent looking at maladjusted underemployed loners? But what about non-ISIS extremists? And what about less obvious traits, like mental illness or amorality? A different set of researchers looked at ideas, themes, and beliefs common among different groups of extremists. Saucier and his colleaguesexamined the published materials of 13 militant extremist groups, which they defined as groups that combine fanatical beliefs and values and advocacy of extremist means, including violence. The extremists came from across regions, religions and cultures. They ranged from the Baader-Meinhof Gang (Germany) to Meir Kahane and followers (Palestine and Israel) to the Lords Resistance Army (Uganda) to the Tamil Tigers (Sri Lanka) to Aum Shinrikyo (Japan) to the Shining Path(Peru) to home-grown U.S. extremists like the Unabomber and Timothy McVeigh. The researchers then extracted 16 key themes that occurred over and over in the texts. When they asked British and Serbian college students to rank their agreement with the ideas and attitudes identified, they had mixed results. Positively, Serbian undergraduates were not more likely to endorse these extremist base beliefs than were British students, despite that countrys tumultuous history. On the other hand, In survey after survey, students generally failed to strongly dissociate themselves from the sentiments. If, in fact, extremist thinking is something bizarre, youd expect people to disagree with the statements, said Gerard Saucier, a professor of psychology at the University of Oregon and the lead researcher on the study. What you get instead is that theyre failing to disavow them. A typical showing is a mixture of agree and disagree. What are these attitudes and ideas that underlie so many extremist groups despite different religious, cultural, and ideological self-identification? What does Timothy McVeigh have in common with Baader-Meinhof and the Tamil Tigers? What is it that Alexandre Bissonnette and Damien Clairmont very likely had in common, even though they came to identify with opposing religious and cultural identities? Taken together, the themes cohere into what Saucier and colleagues describe as a seductive narrative: The modern world has fallen into a catastrophic state. The ordinary mechanisms of change are no longer valid. Only extreme, violent measures can save things. This is a war of us against them, a war of good versus evil, a war of necessity. Any and all means are not only justified, they are glorified. God is on our side. In the end utopia will be restored. These sound like extreme beliefs, dont they? But Saucier found that while ordinary students were reluctant to endorse all of these, they were just as reluctant to disavow them. This initial openness may leave many people vulnerable to growing extremism under the influence of online and offline peer groups, mainstreaming of extreme positions and rhetoric, increasing ideological division, and social and political confusion. If there is one thing the stories of Bissonnette, Clairmont, and so many others have in common, it is perhaps that they are too much like the rest of usbroken, lost, and searching for something to believe in. As anthropologist Scott Atran says, [T]he popular notion of a clash of civilizations between Islam and the West is woefully misleading. Violent extremism represents not the resurgence of traditional cultures, but their collapse, as young people unmoored from millennial traditions flail about in search of a social identity that gives personal significance and glory. Bissonnette was tormented by bullies as a youth and became increasingly detached from the communities around him. Clairmont fell into adolescent depression that only lifted when he adopted the new belief system and fight that gave his comfortable adolescent life a larger purpose. These are not unusual stories. What is unusual is not the lives these young men lived, but that their cries for identity and relevance were heard by extreme groups, answered,and weaponized. New Delhi: With the Bihar government failing to keep notorious criminal and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Mohammed Shahabuddin in check, the nation's apex court on Wednesday directed the state government to shift him to Delhi's high security Tihar Jail where he is to be housed without any special privilege. A Supreme Court bench comprising Justice Dipak Mishra and Justice Amitava Roy, while hearing on a plea filed by Asha Ranjan, the widow of Rajdeo Ranjan, a senior journalist who was shot and killed by criminals in Siwan allegedly at Shahabuddin's order last year, asked the officials to communicate the court's decision to Bihar Home Secretary so he could initiate steps to transfer the RJD leader from Siwan Jail to the Tihar Jail in Delhi. As noted, Ranjan, the Siwan bureau chief of Hindi daily Hindustan was shot in his head on May 13, 2016 outside Siwan railway station. He died on the spot. In a harsh ruling, the court, knowing Siwan Jail was the personal playground of Shahabuddin who managed his criminal empire from within his luxurious cell, made sure to deny the criminal-turned-politician any special privilege saying he should be treated no different from any other prisoner and should not be allowed access by anyone unless first cleared by the top Tihar officials. In her plea, Asha Ranjan had told the court that she did not expect a free trial in her husband's murder case as long as Shahabuddin, who has tremendous clout in the state, was imprisoned in Siwan Jail. She and her family members had also expressed fear on their lives with the RJD leader being able to run his criminal activities while his gang members were roaming free in Bihar. Reacting to the court's decision, senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Mohammed Shahnawaz Hussain commended the court and expressed his hope of peace prevailing in Siwan after the banishment of the man known as the 'Terror of Siwan'. Patna: Members of the Jan Adhikar Party (JAP) in Patna on Wednesday blocked Ashok Rajpath outside Patna University office to demand a full probe in the Bihar Staff Selection Commission (BSSC) paper leak scam saying only a CBI probe would bring all culprits to justice. Egged by inflammatory rhetoric by JAP President and MP from Madhepura Pappu Yadav, protestors blocked the busy Ashok Rajpath for more than two hours causing much inconvenience to others. "The government is not off the hook from this scam after the arrest of BSSC Secretary Parmeshwar Ram. He is only one of the links in this chain of corruption that goes all the way to the top involving ministers and high-level bureaucrats," Yadav, standing on a rickshaw, said. Police took about 40 people in custody for damaging vehicles and clashing with law enforcement officials. However, they were released later in the day at their own cognizance. Yadav said that the Nitish government was desperately trying to protect top ministers, MPs, and government officials for their involvement in the multi-crore rupees scam and unless a CBI probe was ordered, truth will never come out of this administration. "There have been reports of the involvement of ministers, MPs and Bihar government officials in the paper leak scam. If a CBI probe is not ordered in this case, we will be forced to launch a concerted agitation across the state," the MP, who once made Delhi's Tihar Jail his home in a case involving the murder of CPI-M leader Ajit Sarkar in 1998, said. Since his acquittal in the case by Patna High Court in 2013, Yadav, after briefly joining Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), formed his own party citing difference from his former mentor and RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav. As the JAP leader, he had been championing the cause of the students of Bihar lending them support on various issues. Iranian Minister, Ranger Engage In Verbal Fistfight Over Persian Wild Ass 02/15/17 Source: Mehr News Agency Iran's Minister of Industries, Mines, and Trade has lampooned environmentalist activists' concerns over the spoiling of the pristine habitats of Persian wild ass. The drama had been on its climax when commander of Damavand Wildlife Patrolling Unit reacted to rather blunt and blatantly irresponsible remarks by the minister who had said that a few wild asses should not impede the way to exploring mines in a pristine habitat; the minister is Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh, who faced with a challenging proposal by the commander which called the minister to attend classes held for grade school children to introduce them to rangers, 'An Hour with Wildlife Ranger.' The open letter by the commander is anonymous and makes no reference to the name of the challenger; Bahram Gour is the home to Persian wild ass and the Department of Environment had been protecting the habitat. But for the ministry of trade, it is just a track of land rich in ores of copper and iron, the profits of which tantalize the minister as well as his trade empire. The Persian onager (Equus hemionus onager), also called the Persian wild ass or Persian zebra, is a subspecies of onager (Asiatic wild ass) native to Iran. It is listed as Endangered, with no more than 600 individuals left in the wild. "An area rich in copper and iron is protected by the Department of Environment and the office had not allowed explorative activities; this is just a track of desert with a few wild ass; we suggest that the area be given to the ministry and I promise that we will grow wild ass up to the point that they abound the wild," Nematzadeh was quoted as lampooning the concerns over the endangered species in blunt remarks which reveals the cabinet's trade-minded mentality and disregard for environment. The wild assess as Nematzadeh claims are few live in Khartouran protected area in Semnan's extreme eastern part in Shahroud. A few of them also lives in Bahram Gour in east of Fars province. The wild refuge of Bahram Gour is not the home for wild ass, but is habitat for other species of rare animals as caracal (wild cat), Pleske's ground jay, and bustard, which lends it an ecological value; the glimpse of these endangered species could beautifully caught in the region. The wildlife had once been home also to Asiatic cheetah, but the large cat was hapless to find coping with environmental pressures difficult and disappeared forever. Bahram Gour, a patch of desert and mountain, is valuable in that it hosts endemic other species. In 1972, the area officially received protection and had been protected for all those years from dangers of technology and industrialists who had been seeking material gains and opposed measures to protect the environment. Publication of 1970 Memories of Sadegh Ghotbzadeh in the United States 02/15/17 Source: PDN The 1970 memoir of Sadegh Ghotbzadeh, one of the closest advisers of Ayatollah Khomeini, is published in the United States. The compiler of the collection is Ali Sajjadi who has analyzed the role of Ghorbzadeh in 1979 revolution in Iran as well. The manuscripts of Sadegh Ghotbzadeh is provided to Sajjadi through one of Ghotnzadeh's former colleagues in Washington DC. Sajjadi has also interviewed many friends and colleagues of Sadegh Ghotbzadeh for the book. The Persian-language book contains five main chapters in regard of Ghotbzadeh's political activities before 1979 revolution, working as the director of the National Television and the foreigner minister, arrest and execution. Sadegh Ghotbzadeh was executed in 1981. The revolutionary government accused him of orchestrating a coup d'etat against the newly established government of Ayatollah Khomeini. "Ghotbzadeh quickly found out the new players in Persian political scene do not care about the right of ordinary people and it is just the matter of power and wealth." Sajjadi says in a recent interview about his book "Fall of Sadegh". WATCH VIDEO: Ali Sajjadi's media Interview on the book "Fall of Sadegh" Ali Sajjadi was born in 1957 in Tehran. He studied economics at the National University of Iran and moved to the United States in 1979. Sajjadi was an editorial board member of the Persian weekly "Iranshahr" and later "Par" Monthly, both based in Virginia. In 2002 he joined the Persian service of Radio Free Europe (Radio Farda). Currently, he lives and works as a journalist and writer in Washington DC. Pourdavoud Center for the Study of the Iranian World established at UCLA 02/16/17 Source: UCLA UCLA has established the Pourdavoud Center for the Study of the Iranian World, the first center in the Western Hemisphere that aims to advance the knowledge of ancient Iranian languages, history and religions. Pourdavoud Center for the Study of the Iranian World The Pourdavoud Center was named for the late Professor Ebrahim Pourdavoud, a pioneering scholar of ancient Persia, and was made possible by a gift from his granddaughter, Dr. Anahita Naficy Lovelace, and her husband, James B. Lovelace. "My grandfather devoted a lifetime to the study of the history, languages, religions and culture of ancient Iran. I am so grateful that Jim and I have the good fortune to be able to honor and extend the impact of his important contributions," Lovelace said. Anahita and James Lovelace The mission of the Pourdavoud Center is to engage in transformative research on all aspects of Iranian antiquity, including its reception in the medieval and modern periods, by expanding on the traditional domains of Old Iranian studies and promoting cross-cultural and interdisciplinary scholarship. The center will complement UCLA's well-established doctoral program in Iranian Studies - founded more than half a century ago in 1963 - which attracts 1,000 students from all over campus to its courses each year. "At UCLA, we recognize that the study of ancient cultures is more important today than ever," said David Schaberg, dean of humanities in the UCLA College. "It reveals the rich tapestry of human history and identity, and allows us to understand and uphold the highest values our forebears espoused." Schaberg said he was confident that the Pourdavoud Center would inspire lively intellectual and cross-cultural discussions among students and scholars throughout campus, as well as members of the Los Angeles community. "UCLA's location in the principal metropolitan center for the Iranian-American community is ideal for the Pourdavoud Center," he said. The Pourdavoud Center will host lectures, seminars, workshops and conferences. It will also provide grants to established and emerging visiting scholars to generate and disseminate innovative scholarship on ancient Iran. The center will draw on a wealth of campus resources including: the departments of Near Eastern Languages and Cultures, Classics, History, Art History, and Asian Languages and Cultures; the Indo-European Studies program; the Cotsen Institute for Archaeology; the Asia Institute; the Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies; and the UCLA Alan D. Leve Center for Jewish Studies. Moreover, extensive collections of medieval Persian manuscripts and late antique Iranian inscriptions will be available to scholars working at the Pourdavoud Center. UCLA's Iranian Studies program, led by Professor M. Rahim Shayegan, is home to the largest and most comprehensive doctoral program of its kind in the Americas and is the only one to cover the entire spectrum of Iranian Studies across disciplines, linguistic boundaries and periods. Its distinctive strengths are Old and Middle Iranian philology, ancient Iranian history and religions, archaeology, and the study of classical Persian literature. "We are very grateful to the Lovelaces for providing us crucial resources to revive the study of Iranian antiquity," said Shayegan, holder of the Jahangir and Eleanor Amuzegar Chair of Iranian Studies. "A research institute of this magnitude can have a transformative impact on the fortunes of the whole discipline, decisively reversing its decline and reinforcing its foundation." Shayegan, who will guide the Pourdavoud Center as it launches its inaugural year, said that the center would launch in the spring with a two-day international workshop focused on strategies to strengthen the field of ancient Iranian studies and to bolster institutional links among other centers of excellence. Ebrahim Pourdavoud (1885-1968) was a dedicated scholar who pioneered the first Persian translation of the Avesta, the holy book of the ancient Zoroastrian religion. Over a span of 67 years, he conducted extensive research on ancient history and ancient Iranian languages, and trained many scholars and Iranists. Ebrahim Pourdavoud (1885-1968) According to Shayegan, Pourdavoud profoundly affected Iranian society by resurrecting and identifying ancient Persia as a positive force for societal progress in contemporary Iran. "The late Professor Pourdavoud greatly admired the ability of ancient Iranian universal empires to embrace diverse ethnicities, religions and languages, while allowing their individuality to thrive within a cohesive state structure," Shayegan said. "This innate tolerance was, and still is, of great appeal, and a research center named after Pourdavoud ought to pay heed to this spirit of openness to the world." Lovelace, who spent the first 18 years of her life in Tehran, has fond memories of childhood visits to her grandparents' home. "Our grandfather would typically receive us in his study, where he spent most of his time," she recalled. "He was surrounded by his beloved books on ancient Iran, in different languages, alongside encyclopedias, reference books, dictionaries and books on a variety of related subjects. Though a formal man, he was very warm and lighthearted at the same time. He had a wonderful sense of humor and always looked for ways to engage us, his grandchildren, during these visits." "I am grateful to my grandfather and my parents for giving me such wonderful early exposure to the ethos of ancient Iran. I have found this immeasurably helpful both in my personal as well as my professional life," she said. As for the gift to UCLA, Lovelace said that she was impressed by the caliber of the program of Iranian Studies and faculty, and that she anticipated the field would thrive in such a vibrant setting. "With new tools for discovery and expanding opportunities for exchange of ideas, it behooves us all to work together to keep our ancient civilizations alive and relevant for future generations," she said. Lovelace is a clinical psychologist practicing in Los Angeles. She holds a bachelor of arts in psychology from Princeton University and a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from The University of Texas at Austin. A native Californian and graduate of Swarthmore College, James Lovelace is an equity portfolio manager at Capital Group, a global financial services company based in Los Angeles. To learn more, please visit the Pourdavoud Center's web site. Iran's Rohani Seeks To Mend Frayed Ties With Persian Gulf Arab Neighbors 02/16/17 Source: RFE/RL Iranian President Hassan Rohani said Iran will always seek "good neighborly relations," and he called for greater unity between Shi'a and Sunnis, saying they had "coexisted side by side peacefully for hundreds of years." Oman's ruler, Sultan Qaboos welcomes Iran's President Hassan Rohani (photo by Islamic Republic News Agency) Iranian President Hassan Rohani has sought to mend ties with his Gulf Arab neighbors on a one-day trip to Oman and Kuwait, his first since taking power in 2013. Relations between predominantly Shi'ite Iran and the mainly Sunni Arab countries of the Persian Gulf, particularly Saudi Arabia, remain strained over their support for opposing sides in the conflicts in Syria and Yemen. Rohani said on February 15 that Iran will always seek "good neighborly relations," and he called for greater unity between Shi'a and Sunnis, saying they had "coexisted side by side peacefully for hundreds of years." Oman's ruler, Sultan Qaboos, held discussions with Rohani about bilateral cooperation in the capital, Muscat. "Tehran has always been in favor of resolving problems and disputes through dialogue," Rohani said afterward, according to Iranian media. "Iran's military power is only defensive." He appealed for a cease-fire, increased humanitarian aid. and political dialogue to resolve the conflict in Yemen. "Today, the Yemenis are in a particularly disastrous situation and we all have to act as Muslim countries to help this people," he said. Years of war have left Yemen in a state of near famine, according to United Nations officials. Iran has been backing Huthi rebels fighting Yemen's government, which is backed by a Saudi-led Arab coalition that has waged a war of devastating air strikes against the rebels. Iran traditionally maintains good relations with Oman, with which it shares control of the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. Qaboos was the first Arab head of state to visit Iran after Rohani took office and Oman helped to mediate secret U.S.-Iran talks in 2013 that led to the historic nuclear deal last year. In 2013, the two countries signed a $60 billion deal to supply Iranian gas to Oman through a pipeline under the gulf. Later on February 15, Rohani held talks on cooperation with Kuwait's emir, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah. Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah with Iran's President Hassan Rohani (photo by Islamic Republic News Agency) Kuwait, where 30 percent of citizens are Shi'a, has maintained normal relations with Tehran despite taking part in the Saudi-led military campaign against Yemen's Shi'ite Huthi rebels. The Gulf Cooperation Council, which includes only Arab states, in December asked Kuwait to initiate contacts with Tehran to start a dialogue to improve ties. That led to Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled al-Sabah visiting Tehran last month and calling for for a "normalization of ties and opening dialogue." His deputy, Khaled al-Jarallah, said in remarks published on February 15 in Kuwait's Al-Qabas newspaper that he hoped Rohani's visit will lead to a dialogue between the Gulf Arab states and Iran. Jarallah said the elements of dialogue would include Iran refraining from interference in the internal affairs of other gulf states, respecting their sovereignty, and establishing good neighborly relations. While seeking to repair ties with its closest neighbors, Iran has had no diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia, its archrival,since January 2016, when Iranian demonstrators stormed the kingdom's missions in Tehran and Mashhad to protest the execution of a Saudi Shi'ite Muslim cleric. With reporting by AP, AFP, and Reuters mSecure password manager review TechRadar Pro Updated In our mSecure password manager review, we take an in-depth look at this password manager to help you decide if its the most secure way to handle your sensitive data. Setting up a new Chromebook is much easier than setting up a PC. Chromebooks dont require major updates or antivirus software. You start simply by signing in with your Google Account (or creating that account, if you dont already have one). That said, Chromebooks have some unique quirkssuch as limited offline capabilities, and a wonky method for connecting a printer. Heres everything you need to know to set up your new Chromebook up the right waystarting with the tools that let you replace the Windows software that just wont work on a Googley laptop. Gather your apps The app ecosystem for Chromebooks is evolving. Yes, Chromebooks are primarily conduits to the web. But aside from very specific computing demands, such as high-end gaming or video and image editing, the gap between what a Chromebook can or cant do is quickly closing. There are a slew of superb, powerful web apps available that can already replace most peoples basic desktop software. You can still work in Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides offline by enabling this feature in the settings. Name brands are making their way to Chrome. Microsoft is bringing Skype to the web (and native webRTC-based voice and video chats are already here). The absolutely free Office Online works with traditional Office docs and offers enough features for mainstream users. Theres even hope for web-based gaming. We were hopeful about PhotoshopAdobe is working on a version that can be used with Chromebooks. As of this writing, alas the product remains in beta, and the beta program is closed to newcomers. Pressing Crtl-Alt-? simultaneously can reveal all the secret Chromebook keyboard shortcuts. The other typical knock on Chromebooks is that theyre not as useful offline. While thats still true to some degree, Google and numerous third-party developers have been working hard to enable offline capabilities in their web apps. The Chrome Web Store (which is the digital storefront for Chrome apps) even features a section dedicated to offline apps. Still, the Chrome App ecosystem is small potatoes next to Androids. Googles fixing that by putting Android apps on Chromebooks. Preparing your Chromebook for offline use Beyond offline Chrome Apps, numerous native Chromebook apps and features can be configured for use away from the web. For example, Googles Gmail Offline lets youyou guessed itwork with Gmail while offline. Download the app from the Chrome Web Store, then fire it up from the Chrome OS app launcher. Youll then be asked if you want to save your messages offline. (If youre signed in to multiple Google accounts, toggle the email address at the bottom to select where to save your email data.) Once enabled, Gmail Offline lets you reply and compose new messages, which are cached and then fired off to the recipient once youre back online. Install the Gmail Offline app to access your mail when youre not online. Heavy Google Drive users should head to the settings page (click the wrench icon at the top right) inside Drive to enable offline storage. It will sync all your docs, sheets, slides, and drawings to your Chromebook. Just like Gmail, it syncs your changes to the Drive server once youre reconnected. Be mindful of the limited storage space found in most Chromebooks, howeverthe files stashed in your Google Drive could easily exceed your Chromebooks capacity. PCWorlds guide to everything Chromebooks can do offline has even more nitty-gritty details. Set up your Chromebook for printing Printing from a Chromebook is the most complicated process youll encounter. Youre in luck if your printer is Google Cloud print ready (Google has an official list). If so, all you have to do is enable Cloud Print on your Chromebook. To see whether your Chromebook recognizes your printer, simply open the Chrome Settings menu (the icon that looks like three horizontal bars, or a hamburger) at the top right corner of the browser window, select Settings, click Show Advanced Settings, and then scroll down to Google Cloud Print. Under New Devices you should see the name of your printer, assuming its properly connected to your network. Google Cloud Print connects your Chromebook to a compatible printer. If your printer doesnt show up in the list, it may not be Google-Cloud-Print ready, or it could just be having some other connection issue (remember: Printers are evil). You may have to dig out that instruction manual or head to the printers specific help page. Google also has a support site that may point you in the right direction. If your printer isnt Cloud-Print-enabled, the only way to print stuff from your Chromebook is to connect your printer to a Mac or Windows PC, install Cloud Print on that as well as your Chromebook, and then tie it all your Google account. Whew! Here are Googles specific directions on how to do that. The kludgy workaround works well enough, but if you plan to print a lot from your Chromebook, youll want to spring for a Cloud-Print-enabled printer. Another advantage of Google Cloud Print is that once its configured, you can print from any device that can sign into your Google Account. Chromebook power! With those basics under your belt, youre ready to rock and roll. For more advanced trickssuch as setting up multi-monitor support, advanced mouse settings, or VPNsbe sure to check out PCWorlds Chromebook power tips. The beauty of Chromebooks is that after the initial setup, most people will never need to worry about those beefier settings and optionsor any other kind of maintenance or management, for that matter. Happy web surfing! This article was originally published December 26, 2014, and updated February 16, 2017. Researchers at Michigan State University have developed a printable OLED circuit within a stretchable material, potentially paving the way for smart fabrics or truly foldable displays. Chuan Wang, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering at MSU, is credited with the development of the OLED fabric, which flexes and stretches. If it can be commercialized, designers could take the techniology in several directions, including phones or tablets whose displays could be stretched, as well as the development of smart fabrics for banners, clothes, or other uses. Right now, Wang and his team have created the elastic material, the circuit, and the organic light-emitting diode, or OLED. The next step is to combine those elements into a working pixel, the foundation for a flexible display. That process will probably take one to two years. In the meantime, Wang said that he and his team are currently working on actual stretchable OLEDs and displays. We will have another paper out soon on that topic, he said in an email. Why this matters: Its not really clear whether consumers have embraced curved TVs. But flexible displays are one of those technologies with a large number of potential uses: smartphones, tablets, wearables with a greater degree of flexibility. Of course, this is still in the research stage, and important questions about whether the tech can be manufactured at scale and cost-effectively still need to be answered. Nevertheless, its a cool concept. Kurt Stepnitz / Michigan State University MSU engineer Chuan Wang and colleagues have created a stretchable light-emitting material that is produced entirely on an inkjet printer. Whats inside the stretchy displays In addition to simply being stretchable, Wangs material can be printed with an ordinary inkjet printer, helping to keep manufacturing costs down. Its a composite of several materials fabricated from nanomaterials and organic compounds, MSU said. The compounds are dissolved in solution to produce different electronic inks which can be placed inside of an inkjet printer and printed to form the stretchable circuits. Its an important development for a display industry that has long chased the idea of curved, bendable, and even foldable displays. Curved televisions and PC monitors are now being sold, but they are nevertheless static shapes; same goes for the curved display on Samsungs Galaxy Edge smartphones. Displays that can actually be bent or deformed while playing back video may be the next step, similar to those demonstrated by Japans Semiconductor Energy Laboratory in 2014. The drawback of the Japan SELs demonstration, however, was that the display technology could only be moderately reshaped, much like ripples moving through water. Instead, smartphone makers appear to be more interested in next-generation foldable or creaseable displays, which can be radically transformed to save space. So far, those attemps have had mixed success. In 2010 Sony demonstrated a prototype that could be rolled around a pencil, though it apparently never panned out. Samsungs display business also published a 2011 paper on folding displays. In addition, Samsung as well as Microsoft have published similar patents that call for smartphones built upon displays that could be folded back upon themselves. MSUs technology appears to be a bit different. According to Wang, Samsungs foldable OLED was still built upon inelastic materials, whereas his teams work isnt. MSU and Wang said that his smart fabric, which is stretchable, could be folded and placed in a pocket without breaking. But the display itself could also be stretched if needed, taking the notion of flexible displays in an entirely new direction. Our reported stretchable ICs are made entirely using elastic materials, therefore they are certainly foldable, Wang said in an email. The strain it can withstand (up to 100 percent) way exceeds the requirement for folding. Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-Redlands, is calling for a bipartisan investigation following reports that Donald Trumps presidential-campaign officials had contact with Russian intelligence officers before the election. The two-term Democrat, who represents part of San Bernardino County, answered questions about Russia, immigration policy, the Trump administrations travel ban and San Bernardinos recovery from the Dec. 2, 2015 terror attack in an interview streamed on Facebook. Aguilar called for a full independent review of the coordination and discussions that Trump administration officials have had with Russia. Russia and President Putin look, these are not good folks, Aguilar said, calling Putin a thug who doesnt respect boundary lines. Aguilar said questions go beyond Russias contact with former national security adviser Michael Flynn, who was forced to resign after reports that he discussed U.S. sanctions against Russia with the Russian ambassador prior to Trumps inauguration and misled Vice President Mike Pence about that discussion. This is about coordination, potential coordination and discussions with individuals from Russian intelligence long before that December phone call, Aguilar said. If those allegations are true, it would be huge, and it would be something that we need to dig in on and ask questions. Regarding immigration, Aguilar expressed concern about recent federal enforcement actions targeted undocumented immigrants. What this president said on the campaign circuit was deeply troubling to me and residents of San Bernardino County, Aguilar said. Were willing to give him a fair shot and to see if this administration behaves differently than the campaign rhetoric. But thats what was disturbing about the events last week. Local law enforcement, Aguilar said, shouldnt be deputized to enforce federal immigration laws. http://launch.newsinc.com/js/embed.js _informq.push([embed]); If we want to talk about making sure that those violent offenders and those individuals who have received felonies go back to their country of origin, thats one thing, he said. To deputize local law enforcement to carry on a federal activity is a whole (other thing). Aguilar has criticized the Trump administration for citing the San Bernardino terror attack in justifying the travel ban, which barred citizens from seven predominantly Muslim countries from entering the United States. A federal appeals court upheld a lower court injunction against the ban. Aguilar noted that the ban would not have prevented the attack by Syed Rizwan Farook and his wife, Tashfeen Malik, that killed 14 and wounded 22. Farook was born the United States. Malik grew up in Pakistan and married Farook in Saudi Arabia; neither country is included in the ban. And Aguilar said theres a difference between Trumps order and his support in 2015 of enhanced screening requirements for Syrian refugees. I felt that was appropriate at the time. But a complete ban was, I think, a step too far, Aguilar said. Aguilar also defended President Barack Obamas references to San Bernardino in making the case for gun control. Victims families have spoken up about the need for common-sense gun measures, Aguilar said, adding: I have not heard one of them address me (about the travel ban). Contact the writer: 951-368-9547 or jhorseman@scng.com Federal charges have been filed against two men arrested in Beaumont last week in a mail theft investigation, documents show. Lorenzo Alejandro Brambila and Jim Andrew Urban are both charged with the theft and receipt of stolen mail as well as conspiracy to commit an offense or defraud the United States. Thats according to a Feb. 10 complaint and accompanying arrest warrant that are filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. Jail logs show Brambila and Urban were arrested Feb. 6 and released the same day in connection with a series of mail thefts in the city. Their arrests came after police dispatch received a call about suspicious activity at a mailbox in the 800 block of Windbound Avenue, according to a police news release. The two men were found inside a vehicle with a pry bar in the back seat as well as hundreds of pieces of mail belonging to residences throughout the city, according to officials. Contact the writer: 951-368-9693, agroves@scng.com or @AlexDGroves on Twitter. Victims of the San Bernardino terrorist attack received what likely will be their only measure of justice to come from the courts Thursday, Feb. 16, when Enrique Marquez Jr. pleaded guilty to charges stemming from his purchase of the rifles used to kill 14 people and wound 22 others. In a federal courtroom in Riverside, filled on one side by about two dozen victims and family members, U.S. District Court Judge Jesus G. Bernal accepted Marquezs guilty plea to charges of conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists and making false statements in connection with the acquisition of a firearm and scheduled his sentencing for Aug. 21. Marquez, 25, of Riverside, faces up to 25 years in prison and $500,000 in fines a punishment one attack victims father decried as insufficient. Gregory Clayborn, whose 27-year-old daughter Sierra, of Moreno Valley, was killed in the shooting at the Inland Regional Center, was allowed to address Bernal before Marquez made his plea. _informq.push([embed]); If he had not provided those weapons, we might not be here this day, Clayborn said. So many peoples lives will never be the same. This man participated in one of the most heinous crimes in the history of the state and country. My daughter, she didnt deserve this. Your honor, this is ridiculous. Bernal allowed Clayborn to speak over the objections of Marquezs defense attorney, who noted that Marquez had not been charged with carrying out or planning the San Bernardino attack. Reasons for sentence Clayborn said in court that the U.S. Attorneys Office should have pushed for a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole for Marquez. Later, after Clayborn had met with prosecutors, he said he understood better why they didnt pursue a life sentence. U.S. Attorney Eileen Decker said outside court that prosecutors would have to have charged Marquez with murder, and they had no evidence that Marquez knew about the plot in advance. We take the evidence, and the evidence leads to the charges, Decker said. I certainly understand why he and other victims may believe that 25 years is insufficient for the pain they have suffered. Clayborn was adamant that Marquez lied about not knowing the attack was coming. Joshua Stone, of the FBIs Los Angeles counterterrorism unit, said, We see these developments today as justice for victims, families and the community. Decker said the investigation into the San Bernardino shooting is continuing but declined to offer specifics. Victims and survivors will not get to see the actual shooters stand trial. Syed Rizwan Farook and wife Tashfeen Malik, of Redlands, who attacked Farooks co-workers from the San Bernardino County Division of Environmental Health during a holiday party at the Inland Regional Center, were killed a few hours later in a gunbattle with police. If Marquez had been convicted of all charges filed against him, he could have spent up to 50 years in prison. The plea agreement provided a lesser sentence for Marquez accepting responsibility for the crimes. The federal sentencing guidelines take into account the seriousness of the offenses and the defendants criminal record. As part of the agreement, charges of marriage fraud and misuse of visas and permits will be dropped at sentencing. Federal authorities say Marquez pretended to marry Farooks Russian sister-in-law in order to help her gain legal status in the United States after she overstayed her visa. That sister-in-law, Mariya Chernykh; Farooks brother, Syed Raheel Farook; and Tatiana Farook, who is Raheels wife and Mariyas sister, have all pleaded guilty to immigration fraud charges this year and await sentencing. Foundation for the attack Marquez admitted in the agreement that he bought rifles in 2011 and 2012 and explosive powder in 2012 for Syed Rizwan Farook and taught him how to build improvised explosive devices. Those weapons, Marquez told authorities, were to be used in attacks on motorists on the 91 Freeway and at Riverside City College. That planning was the foundation for the attack on Dec. 2, 2015, Decker said. Marquez admitted violating federal law against the straw purchase of firearms when he signed forms affirming that the weapons were for his own use. Farook and Marquez, who were next-door neighbors in Riverside at the time, got spooked in late 2012 and scuttled their plans when FBI agents arrested a group of Inland men who had planned to join al-Qaida and attack American service personnel overseas, according to an FBI affidavit filed in federal court. Marquez remained in distant contact with Farook after his friend moved to Redlands, Decker said. Marquez in shackles In court Thursday, Marquez was dressed in a white jail jumpsuit. His hands and feet were shackled. Marquez answered, Yes, your honor, to most of Bernals questions about whether he understood the charges and agreed with them, in a voice that grew softer as the one-hour hearing in the Riverside courtroom continued. Marquez described himself to the judge as a high school dropout and college dropout. Both he and Farook attended La Sierra High and RCC. Marquez told the judge that he was being treated by a psychiatrist and was taking medication. A half-dozen U.S. marshals stood inside the courtroom with several Homeland Security Investigations officers stationed outside. When the hearing was over, marshals led Marquez away. His head was down, and there was a look of anguish on his face. Incentive for plea Laurie Levenson, a professor of law at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles and a former assistant U.S. attorney, said a plea deal in the Marquez case made sense. A trial had been scheduled for September. I think the defendant and the government didnt have anything to gain by going to trial, Levenson said. (Investigators) got to the bottom of what the defendant did and sent a strong message to others who might be engaged in such activity. They have to direct their attention to other possible cases, and there is an incentive on (Marquezs) side if he thinks hes not going to win at trial. Levenson said 25 years is a lot in a plea bargain, but this was a serious offense and the plans that were in the works were also very scary. If this plan went through, it would have been massive carnage. Levenson also said that this case was unusual in that it involved a wide-ranging investigation beyond Marquezs involvement. This isnt a matter of just resolving a past crime, she said. These prosecutors were worried about the future. What will the next terrorism scheme look like? Who were these people, what schemes are in their minds, what are they doing it? How will they do it? Every terrorism case provides a steep learning curve. The only way to prevent the next one is to learn from this one. They are developing expertise, Levenson said. Brian Levin, a professor at Cal State San Bernardino and director of the universitys Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism, found some measure of justice in Thursdays events. Today, in Federal District Court the arc of the moral universe was bent back toward the direction of justice. When the morally illiterate arsonists revel in sparking fires of violence and walk away, they must know that they too will be tracked down and held to account, Levin said in a statement. Today, our community, will cast this miscreant into the dustbin of history, and celebrate the lives of the good people we lost and the innocent families who suffered so grievously. For thousands of Inland commuters, life is returning to normal. Ortega Highway, a route that carries traffic between Riverside and Orange counties, reopened shortly after 10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15, following a three-week closure. The California Department of Transportation shut down the road to all traffic Jan. 25 so a patch of pavement damaged by recent storms could be repaired. The damage occurred on the Orange County side at Gibby Road, about 5.5 miles from the highways western end at Interstate 5 in San Juan Capistrano. Thousands of motorists who use the route to reach jobs in both counties had to use detours, often requiring as many as three hours to reach their destinations. Traffic on one of the detour legs, Interstate 15 in western Riverside County, increased by 10 to 17 percent each day, carrying from 19,000 to 21,000 vehicles more than normal, Caltrans officials said. Many commuters avoided the protracted commute by staying closer to their jobs with friends or family or by renting rooms or campsites. Alex and Steve Novorr, along with their 7-year-old son, camped in their trailer at Doheny Beach State Park in Dana Point rather driving from their home in El Cariso Village, west of Lake Elsinore, to jobs and their sons school in Orange County. Awesome, Alex Novorr said of the reopening. Today is a very good day. Weve already packed up our trailer and are on our way home. No more homeless people (at the campground). Were back with the coyotes again. Its been quite an adventure and something we wont forget. The few scattered businesses along the highway suffered from severe declines in patronage. One Orange County nursery temporarily closed. When contacted Wednesday morning, Shannon Rosenberg, proprietor of the Ortega Oaks Candy Store several miles east of the Orange County line, said she was watching a construction crew pack up the digital road closure sign that had been sitting in front of her shop. Im excited, she said. Im looking forward to seeing some familiar faces again. Ironically, she anticipates business to be better than ever. I think Ill be getting some more customers because theres a lot of people who have been contacting me that didnt know we were here, she said. A lot of people are getting new knowledge of our area. While the 27-mile road, the westernmost stretch of Highway 74, is open in both directions, Caltrans spokeswoman Jocelyn Whitfield cautioned that motorists may encounter delays because of road improvement work on the Orange County side east of San Juan Capistrano. The project requires a flagging operation allowing traffic to flow in one direction at a time. The work started in December, but halted during the closure. People will be able to get through if they have patience for the flagging, she said. The reopening occurred five days ahead of the date Caltrans officials had projected for reopening. They initially said the work should take about three weeks, but revised that to Feb. 21 because of a delay in getting some equipment. Since then, Whitfield said, the emergency contractors crews had been working nonstop except during rain to fix the damaged segment. How the highway will hold up in the coming days remains to be seen, as a major storm is expected to plow through the region Friday night through Sunday morning. Were hearing more rain is coming, so we dont know whats going to happen. We may be back camping again, Novorr said. The Ortega becomes a mess when it starts raining, especially with this volume of rain. RELATED With end in sight, commuters still struggle with Ortega Highway closure Why Ortega Highway merchants are hungry for customers Detour woes hit Ortega Highway travelers after closure Inland storms leave potholes behind Ortega Highway to re-open this week after 3 weeks of storm-related repairs SR-74 Ortega Highway Emergency Closure Update: Ortega is Now Reopened!!! Caltrans District 12 (@Caltrans12) February 15, 2017 http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js SIGALERT CANCELLED ORTEGA HWY NOW OPEN IN BOTH DIRECTIONS. RDWY CLR. Caltrans District 12 (@Caltrans12) February 15, 2017 http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Contact the writer: 951-368-9690 or michaelwilliams@scng.com CNN's Will Ripley, Justin Robertson and Tim Schwartz are the only Western broadcasters reporting from North Korea since it conducted a ballistic missile test on Sunday, the first one of 2017. We'll keep updating this story to bring you their latest dispatches as they document their trip on television and Instagram. Welcome inside the world's most reclusive country. Thursday On Thursday, millions of North Koreans are marking what would have been the 75th birthday of late leader Kim Jong Il. Many will remember their former leader at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, where the Kim and his father Kim Il Sung were laid to rest. The Day of the Shining Star is a two-day celebration packed with concerts, fireworks and military displays. Here, a North Korean female soldier stands guard at the Mansu Hill Grand Monument, as her fellow soldiers pay respects. While military service for women has long been voluntary, it was reportedly recently made mandatory in a bid to bolster the nations armed forces. North Korean men are required to serve for 10 years beginning at age 17. Wednesday The crew were in Pyongyang's Kim Il Sung square -- the location of many of the country's large and widely broadcasted military displays and parades -- and some of the surrounding areas. On Wednesday, the team also talked to some North Koreans and asked them about recent missile launches. Sunday's missile launch has been covered extensively in North Korean media. The crew visited some of Pyongyang's most important landmarks. At the monument, flowers were on sale to commemorate the birthday of the former leader Kim Jong Il, who would've turned 75 this week. In North Korea, Thursday is a public holiday, known as the Day of the Shining Star. Nearby, people in Pyongyang were moving around the city by bus and taxi. CNN photojournalist Justin Robertson captured this scene over the Taedong River. It's a struggle to get connected in Pyongyang as Will noted. Here's one of his first reports of the day for television. Tuesday On Tuesday, the crew captured moments from their journey to Pyongyang. There's only one flight a day and the plane isn't the biggest. Here's the view from the window before the crew arrived in Pyongyang. Follow Will, Justin and Tim on Instagram to get their updates. CNN's Joshua Berlinger contributed to this report San Bernardino County Coroners officials identified the man killed in broad daylight in Ontario Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 14. Marcus Green, 30, of Ontario was transported to Chino Valley Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 12:32 p.m., according to a Coroners news release. Shortly after noon, police responded to the 900 block of South Magnolia Avenue after several onlookers reported a shooting. Witnesses told police the suspect, whom police later identified as Alberto Luna, 26, of Ontario, fled the scene, running west. Police said Luna allegedly threw the gun in the yard of a nearby home and continued running. Luna was taken into custody after trying to break into a home in the 1300 block of West Mission Boulevard, Higbee said in an earlier interview. A resident saw him and started chasing him. He was apprehended a short time later. Luna was booked into West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga on suspicion of murder. Hes being held without bail and is expected to be arraigned Thursday in Rancho Cucamonga Superior Court. Luna is currently on parole for a prior home invasion robbery, Higbee said Wednesday. He was paroled in January 2016. Police believe an argument or challenge by the victim prompted the shooting, Higbee said. Mexican and Guatemalan consuls are urging immigrants to be prepared and not panic in the wake of a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation last week that resulted in 161 arrests in six Southern California counties. In todays immigration landscape, this means preparing for potential deportation. Its as if youre preparing for a hurricane or a natural emergency. Apply that idea, said Mario Cuevas Zamora, the Mexican consul for Santa Ana. This message jibes with a statement from the Mexican government that alerted its nationals of the new reality theyre facing in the United States. The statement was issued after an Arizona woman, who had regularly checked in with U.S. immigration officials, was deported Feb. 8. The entire Mexican community should take precautions and stay in touch with the nearest consulate, to obtain the necessary help to face this kind of situation, the statement read. Immigrants need to set up a family plan, said Cuevas, the Mexican consul for Santa Ana. This involves securing original copies of their birth certificates, passports and matricular consular cards, Cuevas said. If legal permanent residents qualify, they should seek citizenship, he added. And, if their children are U.S. born, foreign-born parents should register their children in their country of origin. On top of that, immigrants need to know their rights, Cuevas said. They dont have to open their door if Immigration and Customs Enforcement is knocking, or reveal their immigration status. And if they are arrested, they have a right to ask to speak with their nearest consulate. An informed person will make the right decisions, Cuevas said. However, consuls are stressing what Immigration and Customs Enforcement has been saying all along, that this recent Southern California enforcement was scheduled ahead of time, and targeted those with a criminal background, or who had final orders of removal or had been previously deported. These operatives are not new, said Billy Munoz, the Guatemalan consul for San Bernardino, who added that this kind of enforcement occurred when Barack Obama was president. Describing this kind of enforcement as a raid, Munoz said, generates alarm, fear, and panic. Munoz said a number of people have called in fear in the wake of the recent immigration operation that struck Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. Theyre scared of taking their kids to school, or they call about a supposed raid or checkpoint that turned out to be false alarms, Munoz said. Most of those arrested in the Southern California operation were nationals from Mexico, El Salvador and Guatemala. Munoz said the consulate has interviewed four Guatemalan nationals detained at the Adelanto Detention Center. However, there have been reported cases of collateral arrests, Munoz said. Collateral arrests can refer to unauthorized immigrants with deportation records, who were not the intended targets but were at the same location of the enforcement action. Whatever the case is, Munoz urged immigrants to keep in contact with their consulate. If they have deportation orders, for example, Munoz said they may qualify for some sort of immigration relief. The community needs to remain calm and to continue living their life with tranquility, Munoz said. These are not raids. Meanwhile, the Mexican Consulate in San Bernardino has experienced an increase in foot traffic since the beginning of January, said spokesman Jorge Alejandro Torres Garza. Theyre seeking legal representation for immigration cases, as well as financial advice to become U.S. citizens. Many are also asking how to go about registering their U.S.-born children as Mexican citizens, Torres said. In the wake of so much immigration uncertainty, the Ontario Hispanic Chamber of Commerce held a Wednesday evening forum on immigration. Mexican, Guatemalan and Salvadoran consuls, as well as a host of attorneys, were invited. About 100 people attended. Contact the writer: 951-368-9465, amolina@scng.com, or on Twitter @alemolina Magicians Penn & Teller have been wowing audiences for decades through their signature mix of humor and prestidigitation with Teller famously never speaking. Their Showtime series Penn & Teller: Bull was nominated for numerous Emmy awards and addressed everything from vaccines and alien abductions to anger management. We recently talked with Penn Jillette ahead of the duos show at Harrahs Resort Southern California. Here are some things you probably never knew about their act: ENGLISH PREFERRED Jillette said the Penn & Teller residency at The Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas is the longest-running headlining act in Sin City, despite a unique obstacle. You definitely need to know English to enjoy the show, Jillette said. We have eliminated most of the non-English speaking tourists and there are a lot of non-English speaking tourists that come to Las Vegas so its great that we overcame that handicap. MEET AND GREETS Penn loves performing and stays after the show to meet audience members. The show is my hobby, Jillette said. Some performers get to the venue 15 minutes before and are home 30 minutes after. Jillette said its common for acts to charge extra for meet-and-greet opportunities, but he and Teller stay after every show and meet every single person. It can end up taking two hours, he said. Patience is required, and I never rush anybody. MAGIC TIME Penn & Teller do magic tricks, not sorcery. Jillette said if they do a magic trick where they saw somebody in half, people dont leave the theater thinking they just witnessed a murder. People coming to the show have consented to be tricked, he said. Several people who do tricks want you to believe that they have super powers. ON RUN D.M.C. Jillette wrote the music video for rap group Run D.M.Cs hit song Its Tricky and both he and Teller were featured in the video. We were big fans of theirs before we met them, Jillette said. I bonded with (Jam Master) Jay the most. RELATIONSHIP GOALS Jillette was quick to say that his daughter Moxie insists he always tell people that he and Raymond Teller are best friends. When we first met there was no affection, Jillette said. Its entirely intellectual and weve never worked apart for more than two weeks. He said they are cordial, polite and respectful of one other. Respect lasts a lot longer than love, Jillette said. A storm expected to arrive overnight Thursday and peak late Friday has the potential to be the strongest to hit Southern California in the past five years, forecasters say. It will bring not only bring heavy rain, but also strong, damaging winds, according to a National Weather Service report issued Wednesday afternoon. The menacing forecast has prompted fire departments throughout Southern California to prepare for possible flooding and property damage. In coastal and valley areas, Los Angeles and Orange counties are expected to get 2 to 4 inches of rain between Thursday and Sunday, while Riverside and San Bernardino counties should expect 2 to 3 inches. As with other storms this season, areas farther north are expected to get more rain, said National Weather Service meteorologist Derek Schroeter. The heaviest rain is expected to fall on mountain slopes facing south and west up to 5 inches in the Santa Ana Mountains and potentially even more in the San Bernardino and San Gabriel mountains. The snow line will start high 8,000 to 8,500 feet Friday morning then fall to 6,000 feet by late Friday. Snow accumulation could total 1 to 2 feet at elevations above 7,000 feet. Temperatures, which peaked for the week on Wednesday well above average, will drop along with the rain. By Saturday, showers should be scattered, Schroeter said. Dry and warmer conditions are expected Sunday and Monday, but another round of light precipitation is possible next week. Flooding concerns A flash flood watch will be in effect Friday afternoon through Saturday afternoon for all of Southern California, when rain could be heaviest. Fire departments are preparing by increasing staffing and having sandbags on hand. Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department spokeswoman April Newman said the departments swift-water rescue team will be available during the storm. This week, fire stations have been stocked with sandbags both for firefighters use and for residents to pick up. Orange County Fire Authority spokeswoman Capt. Larry Kurtz said officials are keeping their eyes on canyon areas, which are prone to debris flows. Thankfully, he said, there were no major wildfires in Orange County in the past year, so flash flooding in burn-scarred areas isnt a huge concern. What is a concern, Kurtz said, is an overloaded dispatch center. During the last heavy rainstorm Jan. 20-23 the dispatch center fielded 702 emergency calls, breaking its record. Kurtz recommends that people who live in areas that have flooded in the past either set out sandbags or have them on standby. Winds, mountains Schroeter said strong winds coming from the south could also cause damage. A high-wind watch will be in effect Friday morning through Saturday morning for most of Riverside, San Bernardino and Orange counties. Gusts of 50 to 60 mph are possible region-wide, especially during the peak period of Friday afternoon and evening. The winds have the potential to down trees and power lines, send debris into and and cause issues for high-profile vehicles. In the mountains, the winds could be even stronger, with gusts of 60 to 80 mph at all elevations, according to a winter storm watch. Between the blowing snow and dense fog, visibility could be reduced to a quarter-mile or less. Since the soil will be rain-soaked when the winds are the strongest, and some root structures are already weakened, the possibility of trees falling has mountain residents worried that they may lose power, said San Bernardino National Forest spokesman John Miller. He urged anyone planning to travel in or to the mountains to check conditions before they leave home. If the Weather Service says, Hey, this is a significant storm, its not the time to go out and venture into the woods, Miller said. Staff writer Suzanne Hurt contributed to this report. Contact the writer: 951-368-9284 or atadayon@scng.com. Twitter: @PE_alitadayon The government has conceded that the economic challenges confronting the country are daunting but has given its strongest assurance yet that it will surmount them and propel the nation to economic prosperity. The Senior Minister, Mr Yaw Osafo-Maafo, who gave the assurance, said the government would work assiduously to lay the foundation for economic growth and boost employment creation, one of its key manifesto pledges. The minister was speaking at the first in the series of the 2017 Graphic Business-Stanbic Bank Breakfast Meeting in Accra yesterday on the theme: A public-private dialogue on stability, growth and jobs. Speakers at the meeting included the immediate past Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Prof. Ernest Aryeetey, and the Director of Research at the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS, Dr John Kwabena Kwakye, and Chief Executive Officer of the Private Enterprises Foundation (PEF), Nana Osei Bonsu. The meeting was aimed at stimulating discussions on how the country could restore macroeconomic stability to help inspire growth and job creation. Mr Osafo-Maafo said the task was very daunting but the government was on top of the problems, adding that it had already identified some solutions and would continue to find more solutions to the numerous challenges it had identified. Private sector As part of strategies to overcome some of the challenges, he said, the government would create the enabling environment for the private sector to thrive and properly position the sector to support the governments efforts at stabilising the economy. He identified financing as the biggest challenge of the private sector, adding: Not just financing but medium and long-term availability of funds. Therefore, he said, in creating the right environment for the private sector to thrive and be able to support national development, the government would facilitate the availability of medium and long-term credit for the sector. On job creation, the Senior Minister said the government believed that job creation was largely the function of the private sector, but he was quick to add that the sector needed the enabling environment to create the jobs. He noted that the government was committed to creating that enabling environment through the implementation of effective policies. The New Patriotic Party (NPP) believes that creating jobs belongs to the private sector and that is how our policy directions are going, Mr Osafo-Maafo said. In his view, creating jobs in the public sector was not the way to go, adding: We cannot create jobs in the public sector but the government will provide the relevant incentives for the private sector to create the jobs. In its effort to facilitate the creation of jobs in the private sector, he said, the government would gradually review the tax system to ensure that by the drafting of two or three budgets, we would have removed those taxes we referred to as nuisance taxes, as we promised, to create the room for the private sector to thrive. He said the government, in the 2017 budget, would abolish taxes such as the special import levy and the five per cent tax on real estate and reduce the 17.5 per cent VAT on small and micro businesses to a flat three per cent. We are going to remove the taxes; we will reduce some and bring some," he said, adding that the government will introduce a lot of measures to maximise revenue. Immediate job creation Mr Osafo-Maafo said the government would not leave the whole burden of job creation on the private sector, saying it had identified two broad areas it would explore to create jobs immediately. They are agriculture and industrialisation. The problems facing agriculture in the country are very simple ones but, somehow, the solution has escaped the country for a while, he said. He identified some of the challenges facing agriculture as inadequate modernisation, post-harvest losses and lack of value addition and said the government would address those challenges to restore the sector as the mainstay of the economy. The solution is not rocket science and we will do it. We will ensure available and accessible funds at very reasonable rates for the agricultural sector to revamp it and restore it as the mainstay of the economy, he said. On industrialisation, the minister said the Ministry of Trade and Industry, in collaboration with the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), had been tasked to immediately identify 100 industries that were facing challenges, so that the challenges would be addressed as soon as possible to make them viable to employ more people. He said the government had set the parameters for the one district, one factory promise to facilitate its implementation in the next budget to be read in March 2017. Mr Osafo-Maafo explained that the initiative was to decentralise industrialisation to create more jobs outside the capital city to curb the current rapid urbanisation which was not helpful for economic development. He said the NPP won the elections on promises such as the one district, one factory and the creation of jobs and, therefore, the government would work to fulfil those pledges. He said the next budget and subsequent ones would gradually set the parameters for the implementation of the NPP manifesto promises. Economic stability Mr Osafo-Maafo described the estimation of Ghanas economic growth at an average of 5.8 per cent for the next 25 years as too low, considering the performance over the years. In 2001, growth was 3.6 per cent without oil. It jumped to 9.1 per cent in 2008. So if we recorded such an appreciable growth for eight years without oil, then it is wrong to average ourselves at 5.8 per cent for 25 years, he said. Ghana, he said, had the capacity to grow at a better rate of close to 10 per cent as the years go by and we must work diligently towards that. He said the government would definitely deliver the economic stability it had promised without compromise, but was quick to add that it would be a gradual process. The Senior Minister also said the government would go through with the IMF programme which it inherited until it ended on March 20, 2018 because it was not advisable to abrogate the programme abruptly. Contributing to the discussion, Nana Osei Bonsu said experience available at the private sector showed that the government's one district, one factory policy was "feasible, doable and relevant". Nana Bonsu, whose PEF comprises eight umbrella bodies of business associations, said the one district, one factory policy was needed to help stem unemployment and boost the capacity of the private sector, while growing the economy. In his welcome address, the Director in charge of Newspapers at the Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL), Mr Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafoh, encouraged the public to patronise the digital platform of the company which had been tailored to meet the needs of the various sections of the public. He expressed the GCGLs gratitude to Stanbic Bank for the partnership and expressed the hope that the collaboration would grow stronger to facilitate more economic discourse. Source: Daily Graphic Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has revealed that the UK is seeking stronger ties with Ghana to enable firms invest in various sectors of the country. We hope to have an even deeper friendship going forward and particularly we want to make sure that British firms come here in greater numbers and in greater strengths to invest in Ghana and, if I may say so, take advantage of the fantastic opportunities there are in this country, Mr Boris noted on Wednesday, February 15 after meeting with President Nana Akufo-Addo at the Flagstaff House. He emphasised that the UK holds a common interest with Ghana in terms of foreign policy and security as well as ensuring stability of the region, which affects us in Europe as much as anybody else. He admitted that several Ghanaians had contributed to the success of the UK and congratulated Mr Akufo-Addo for the victory of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the December 7 polls. As you know, I used to be Mayor of London and in our great city we were fortunate beneficiaries of many Ghanaians who contributed massively to our society .We have several MPs in the UK of Ghanaian extraction as you may know and it is a huge pleasure to be able to congratulate you personally, on your triumph and to see your government fluidly underway to meet the challenges the people of Ghana want you to meet, he stated. In the company of Mr Johnson was Adam Afriyie, a British with his roots from Ghana who is currently the Member of Parliament (MP) for Windsor and the UKs Prime Ministers Trade Envoy to Ghana. Mr Boris is also expected to tour award-winning Blue Skies Ghana Limited, meet business leaders and young entrepreneurs supported by the Department for International Developments ENGINE-Ghana project, and meet with Rising Black Stars, highlighting both countries extensive cultural ties. Source: classfmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Minister for Defence, Dominic Nitiwul, has announced that Ghanas soldiers in the ECOWAS Mission in The Gambia, will be downsized to 50 soldiers. He says this is in line with current arrangements within the mission to reduce the number of soldiers there, due to the success of the international Community in persuading long time leader Yahya Jammeh to leave that country. In line with the downsizing, Ghanas troop contribution will be cut to 50 men and the highest officer will remain with the 50 men, Mr. Nitiwul said while reporting on the progress of the mission in Parliament on Wednesday. Ghana contributed 208 soldiers to the ECOWAS mission with a mandate to keep the peace in the Gambia in the midst of the countrys post election impasse. Mr. Nitiwul further stated that, the Ghanaian soldiers had discharged themselves creditably, adding that Ghanaians in Gambia were safe. I can report to this House that our troops have taken advantage of their presence in The Gambia to visit and secure all the Ghanaian people or people of Ghanaian descent. The Ghanaian community in The Gambia are well secured and safe. Ghanas deployment has been successful because of governments prompt decision and approval of the financial support that the troops needed. It is envisaged that 158 men will be arriving on the 20th and 21st, leaving 50 men in The Gambia. Mr Jammeh was defeated in the Decembers election by Adama Barrow, but refused to step down after he lost, forcing ECOWAS to deploy troops from Ghana, Senegal and other African countries to compel him to hand over. Mr. Jammeh later decided to step down after talks with the presidents of Guinea and Mauritania. He subsequently left The Gambia for Guinea, paving way for the new President, Adama Barrow, who had been sworn into office in neighboring Senegal, to return to the country. Source: Citifmonline Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video His Majesty King Mohammed VI, of the Kingdom of Morocco, on Thursday, February 16, 2017, arrived in Ghana for the commencement of a 3-day official visit. It will be recalled that the Kings proposed earlier visit, originally scheduled for January 18, 2017, was postponed. The visit, which is aimed at deepening the existing, cordial relations between Ghana and Morocco, will also present the two countries with an opportunity to define new areas of co-operation that would serve their mutual interests. On Friday, February 17, President Akufo-Addo will hold bilateral talks with King Mohammed VI, before hosting him to an official lunch at the Presidency. King Mohammed VI will depart for Morocco on Saturday, February, 18, 2017. signed Eugene Arhin Ag. Director of Communications. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia has scheduled a meeting with the Director General of the Ghana Revenue Authority, George Blankson, who has applied to proceed on leave as he quits the job, deep-throat sources have told 3News. Mr Blankson who was appointed by the late president John Mills in 2010 for a four-year tenure, had his appointment renewed by former president John Mahama in 2014. His tenure was said to have ended in August 2016. Sources within the Authority told 3News Tuesday that Mr Blankson on February 13, 2017 wrote to the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Attah, requesting to begin his accumulated leave prior to his retirement. Although the Finance Minister has granted his leave request in a response letter dated February 14, 2017, 3News sources say the Dr Bawumia who returned from Dubai Tuesday is likely to impress upon Mr Blankson to rescind his decision to quit. Wednesdays meeting is set to take place at the Flagstaff House, the seat of government. One Kofi Nti who worked with the Finance Ministry as a tax policy advisor is set to take over from Mr Blankson in an acting capacity, the sources revealed. Blanksons background The tax reform consultant/tax administrator and economist was the first Director General of the GRA following the promulgation of the law merging all the three revenue agencies into one as the Ghana Revenue Authority. He has specialization in revenue modernization, VAT administration, design and implementation of tax procedures as well as economic analysis and revenue forecasting. Until his appointment as the Commissioner-General, Mr. Blankson worked for Crown Agents as a Lead consultant/ Manager to the DFID support to the National Revenue Authority (NRA) project, Sierra Leone. His responsibilities at the NRA Sierra Leone involved advising the Commissioner-General on all the operational business areas covered by the project. He was the lead advisor on all aspects of design and implementation of Value Added Tax (VAT), as well as working with other consultants to develop and implement a Revenue Authority modernisation programme. Source: 3news.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has commended the Ghana Armed Forces as well as former President John Mahama and President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for their role in bringing peace to The Gambia. We have found at last an African Solution to an African problem, he proudly declared on the floor of Parliament on Wednesday. He was excited that the sub-regional body ECOWAS did not wait for help from elsewhere but found it expedient to act swiftly. And in that arrangement Ghana played a leading role, he observed, adding that the current president and his predecessor ought to be commended. He said what is more important is that it was a collective African solution that brought the victory in the Gambian situation. The former Deputy Minister of Education in charge of tertiary institutions told the house that he is more concerned about the way forward. According to him, The Gambia is challenged when it comes to its institutions, it has a very weak constitutional arrangement, even the petition that the out-gone President Jammeh tried to put before the court, he struggled to get judges to sit on the case, the MP observed. He called for a concerted effort from ECOWAS member states to help The Gambia to build its democratic institutions. Mr. Ablakwas comment follows a statement by the Minister of Defense Dominic Nitiwul on The Gambia. The sector minister said the Ghanaian soldiers and the ECOWAS troops are safe. The minister also said about 158 out of the 205 Ghanaian troops in The Gambia would be arriving back to Ghana by 21st February. Source: 3news.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Ghana has outgrown the status of exporting commodities in their raw state without adding value. President of the Republic, Nana Akufo-Addo in an address to some Diplomatic corps at an event organised at the Flagstaff House yesterday, promised he wouldnt move Ghanas promising economic future at turtle pace. He warned that until Ghanas economy is moved away from the Guggisbergs era of exporting goods in their raw state, we would struggle in developing our economy. Sadly, however, the structure of our economy has not changed substantially since the era of Governor Gordon Guggisberg an exporter of raw materials with little or no value-addition activities. This is why I have called our economy the Guggisberg economy. He pointed out that the nation has a large pool of educated people we can easily fall on to drive our economic development. Over the last two decades, Ghana has seen sustained economic growth and it is based on this fact that the President noted that Ghana, today, is facing a promising future. The president emphatically stated in his address that the full complement of his administration would take full shape by the middle of March and promised that his governments economic vision will focus on executing an integrated industrialisation programme, with a clear bias towards supporting our small and medium scale enterprises with access to science and technology, incentives and markets to make them more productive and competitive. Full statement below... ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC, NANA ADDO DANKWA AKUFO-ADDO, ON THE OCCASION OF NEW YEAR GREETINGS DIPLOMATIC RECEPTION ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2017, AT THE PRESIDENCY. I am honoured to have all of you present at this evenings event and happy to see you. Some faces are familiar, as I had the privilege of meeting them during my time as leader of Ghanas opposition, and a few others also, from the now distant days of my period as Foreign Minister. Others I am seeing for the very first time. Nonetheless, I am happy to see you here at the seat of the presidency and I know that, over the course of my tenure of office, we will have the opportunity to meet regularly and interact often. I am particularly touched that I have become Ghanas President in this sixtieth year of our independence, and I hope that the remembrance of the sacrifices and efforts of our founding fathers, those who gave their lives to achieve our independence, will guide and motivate me in the discharge of this high office. I pray for Gods support. At the onset, let me thank Ambassador Mrs. Pavelyn Tendai Musaka of the Republic of Zimbabwe for her leadership these past years as the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps. Your Excellency, everyone I have spoken to pays glowing tribute to you, and I can only encourage you to keep it up. As you are all aware, I am in the process of forming my government. I have been in office for some 5 weeks, and so far so good. Parliament has approved all 36 of my ministerial nominees; the 10 Regional Ministers are currently being vetted; and shortly I will announce my nominees for the positions of deputy Ministers. The various Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives will soon be announced, and, already, a number of heads of state institutions and agencies have been appointed, albeit in acting capacities, pending the constitution of the Council of State. Yesterday, I announced the names of 11 eminent Ghanaians whom I have appointed to the Council of State, and I have sent to Parliament for its approval the names of two distinguished former leaders of our security services for appointment to the Council of State, as required by the Constitution. Photos below The election of regional representatives to the Council, which will complete its composition, will take place tomorrow. I expect that, by the middle of next month, God-willing, the full complement of the Akufo-Addo administration will be in place, so we can mobilise all our forces to deliver on the mandate entrusted so emphatically on our shoulders by the Ghanaian people on December 7, 2016. Ghana, today, is facing a promising future. We have enjoyed the longest period of stability since independence. We are, arguably, the most stable, fluorishing democracy in our region and continent, who showed, on the 7th of December last, dignity and serenity in the exercise of our sovereign franchise. We have a large pool of educated Ghanaians, both in Ghana and in the Ghanaian Diaspora, and a hardworking population from which we can draw to drive our economic development. We have seen sustained economic growth over the last two decades. Despite the decline of the last few years, we continue to be one of the leading producers of gold and cocoa in the world, and on top of all that, we are now an oil producing economy. Sadly, however, the structure of our economy has not changed substantially since the era of Governor Gordon Guggisberg an exporter of raw materials with little or no value-addition activities. This is why I have called our economy the Guggisberg economy. My governments commitment, which I have attempted to articulate over the years, will be to inspire the transformation of the structure of the Ghanaian economy. My governments economic vision will focus on executing an integrated industrialisation programme, with a clear bias towards supporting our small and medium scale enterprises with access to science and technology, incentives and markets to make them more productive and competitive. We plan on introducing programmes that will boost productivity of the agricultural sector and introduce incentives that will encourage our banks to provide affordable credit and other financial services to SMEs and launch a new wave of viable industries across Ghana. This is summed up in our slogans 1-District-1-Factory and 1-Village-1-Dam. Our oil and gas deposits in the Jubilee, TEN and Sankofa fields offer us the perfect opportunity to create petrochemical industries, including monetising our gas to create a multi-billion dollar gas feedstock industry. We have the opportunity to link together our numerous natural resources, like food produce, bauxite, iron ore, oil and gas, with our talents, energy and sense of enterprise to turn our nation into an economic powerhouse in Africa, generating employment and income for our youth. My government is not going to shy away from making the critical choices that are necessary for the long-term interest of our people. We are going to invest heavily in building up the most important ingredient of development: the intellectual property of the people the mind education, education, education our sure key to success. We want to add value to our human capital, add value to our governance, add value to our public services, add value to our infrastructure and add value to our economy. We will govern honestly. We are determined to get Ghana once again to lead our continent on two fronts: in entrenching democracy and the rule of law, and in transforming the structure of the African economy to a modern, manufacturing kind that has the capacity to generate jobs for our people, and create and spread wealth across the length and breadth of our vast continent. It was not for nothing that Ghana was the first black African country to break free from colonial rule. We are determined to show that we can emulate the successes of the Asian nations, and, thereby, create a modern, prosperous nation. We believe that a world dominated by a handful of rich nations, with the majority of nations in the south languishing in poverty and misery, is not a prescription for global security. Our generation is not seeking hand-outs from anybody, and neither are we going to be pawns or victims. And to paraphrase Edmund Burke, the famous British statesman, it is in the interest of global equilibrium that wealth should be found everywhere. Our common humanity requires that we forge partnerships with the developed world that would lead to the transformation of the lives of the Ghanaian and African peoples, a transformation that would bring the mass of our people out of poverty into a marked enhancement of the quality of their lives. To this end, perhaps now more than ever, I wish to assure you that all the alliances and friendships that we have entered into over the last 60 years are going to be developed and maintained during my time as President of the Republic. We are determined to leverage these alliances and friendships to grow our economy and nation. Ghanas engagement with other African countries will be the prime focus of its foreign policy. Ghana will be very active members of ECOWAS and the AU. It is in this spirit that we deployed some 208 troops as part of ECOWAS mission to the Gambia. This mission created an enabling environment for the effective enforcement of the rule of law in the Gambia, and, thus, made it possible for a peaceful resolution of the electoral impasse. The decisive election of our compatriot, Thomas Kwesi Quartey, a professional diplomat, who acted as Secretary to my predecessor, President John Dramani Mahama, as Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, and the election of Kathleen Quartey Ayensu and Daniel Batidam onto two legal organs of the AU, at the just ended 28th Summit of the AU in Addis Ababa, points to Ghanas determination to retake her pride of place amongst the comity of nations on the continent. We support fully the important decisions taken at this years AU Summit. Proposals for institutional reforms of the AU were considered and accepted. The Summit agreed on new, sustainable ways of financing the AU so the body can be self-sufficient and preserve its self-respect by weaning itself off dependence on the charity of others. The Assembly of Heads of State also signed up to the Continental Free Trade Agreement, whose purpose is to ensure significant growth of intra-Africa trade, as well as to assist countries on the continent to use trade more effectively for growth and sustainable development. The growth of democracy in our country and continent is threatened by the spread of terrorism. Ghana stands firmly with all civilised nations in repudiating terrorism as an instrument of political action and commits itself to doing everything within its means to support regional, continental and global efforts to defeat this 21st century scourge. Ghana is equally committed to the reforms of the global political order. The inability of the United Nations to undertake the reforms of its institutions that will reflect the realities of our times, and not the realities of the post-war world, represents a manifest injustice against the peoples of Africa. We, on this continent, are an integral part of the global order, and global institutions should reflect this fact. For a handful of states who emerged as the dominant powers in the world after the Second World War of the 20th century to continue, in the 21st century, to be the sole arbiters of international security remains, to us, a structural deficit, which the world community should no longer tolerate. I had the privilege as Foreign Minister of chairing the colloquium of Foreign Ministers that fashioned the Ezulwini Consensus -Africa's common position on UN reforms. I continue to subscribe to the goals of that consensus, and would use this occasion to call for the reform of the Security Council to reflect the realities of our time. Our commitment to the values of democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law will continue to shape our foreign policy. I would, therefore, like to renew my commitment to Ghana's continued collaboration with your respective countries and international organisations in this symbolic year and in the many years ahead, in order to advance further our common pursuit of greater co-operation, and to deepen and strengthen our ties of friendship. There is a new wind of optimism and revival blowing today across our country, which we are determined to harness to bring about the progress, prosperity and happiness of the Ghanaian people. I wish you and your families well, and above all, success in your duties as accredited representatives of your countries and international organisations to Ghana. Happy New Year, and may God bless us all. Thank you. Source: Chris Joe Quaicoe/ email: [email protected] Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Ohhhh shit: A second woman has been detained following the death of Kim Jong-nam, the exiled half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Monday. Malay state media Bernama offered very few details, but simply reported that she had been detained and it was in connection with the murder. Inspector-General Khalid Abu Bakar told the news agency that an official statement would be released later today. Shes the second woman to be detained in relation to the murder, with police detaining another woman on Wednesday after identifying her from CCTV footage. Kim Jong-nam, 46, was assassinated at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) on Monday, telling medical workers before he died that he was attacked by a chemical spray that felt like someone grabbed or held his face from behind. Chinese media agency Oriental Daily reports that the women were instructed to spray Kim by a group of four men at the airport, believing it to be part of a prank. However, South Koreas intelligence agency claims that the two women are North Korean assassins. (The first woman arrested was travelling on a Vietnamese passport; no such details have been released about the second). Police are looking for a few others, all foreigners, Deputy Inspector-General Noor Rashid Ibrahim told Reuters, but did not comment on their nationalities or genders. South Korean media also reports that Kim Jong-un had issued a standing order for his older half-brothers assassination several years ago, as he became increasingly paranoid and sought to maintain his control on North Korea. According to the ABC, the director of the Souths National Intelligence Service, Lee Byong-ho, said that the North Korean ruler had received a letter in 2012 from his half-brother, pleading with him to withdraw the standing order. There was an unsuccessful assassination attempt on the older brothers life later that year. Photo: Yamaguchi Haruyoshi / Getty. US President Donald Trump delivered a press conference at the White House this morning, and honestly we are just dumbfounded as to where to start. We are just lost. Well give it a red hot go. *clears throat* So, Trumps press conference was an angry mess. It was called so he could announce the new head of the Labour Department, which turned out to be Alexander Acosta. However, after the announcement was made, the next half hour was just good ol fashioned rant. Trump focused on his fave topics: criticism of the media and fake news, how many votes he won by, the Electoral College, Hillary Clinton being evil, and so on. But Trump was on a bloody warpath this time; he carved out tangents so bizarre and erratic that CNN has actually said that the press conference made political history. As CNN reports, its extremely rare (like, unheard of) for a President to demonstrate such anger and vent his grievances in such a way, let alone after just 4 weeks in power. Slamming the medias coverage of the Russian leaks, Trump told reporters: I have never seen more dishonest media, frankly than the political media. The leaks are real. The leaks are absolutely real. The news is fake because so much of the news is fake. Say what? He also told reporters that he was furious because he inherited a mess: Im here again to take my message straight to the people. As you know, our administration inherited many problems across government and across the economy. To be honest, I inherited a mess. Its a mess. At home and abroad, a mess. Oh, he also said that his administration is running like a fine-tuned machine. So theres that. Heres some of his media slams, in which Trump tells off the room full of reports for being dishonest people (he also, at one point, told them that hed make a very good reporter): Very Fake News Highlights !!! Watch Donald Trump at Best News Conference in U.S. History#TrumpPressConference#ChuckTodd #Acosta pic.twitter.com/HMB21ds1FD STOCK MONSTER (@Darren32895836) February 16, 2017 Or, if you have the time to watch the full thing (then lose your mind, then recover by having a bubble bath and a nice cup of tea), you can do that here: So basically this: Trump just shattered the record for most lies in one press conference, breakin the previous record also held by Donald Trump. Tea Pain (@TeaPainUSA) February 16, 2017 The unhinged press conference was essentially the Airing of Grievances. An actual, legit Airing of Grievances. By the President. In a room full of reporters. What could go wrong? Source: CNN / Twitter. Photo: Mark Wilson / Getty. House of Quirky is an Australian based global market leader, born out of a passion to design inspiring, original collections for the individual who digs design. House of Quirkys design philosophy centres around the concept that fashion should be fun, affordable and a lil bit quirky. Today, House of Quirky houses brands including Minkpink, Evil Twin, Somedays Lovin, Staple the Label & Quirky Circus, as well as providing product development services for other big brands such as Topshop, ASOS and Urban Outfitters. House of Quirky is on the hunt for Product Development Designer (SYD) with vision and creativity to work across PD clients such as Target USA, ASOS and Topshop! Are you always aware of whats #trending locally and globally and have an eye for colour, fabric and prints? Knowledgable when it comes to garment fitting, construction and fabrication? Are you sitting there thinking Sign me up, fam.? Go you good thing. The National Trust of Australia is a community-based, non-government organisation committed to promoting, conserving and celebrating Australias Indigenous, natural and historic heritage. They are Victorias premier heritage and conservation organisation and the major operator of historic places like Old Melbourne Goal, Polly Woodside and Rippon Lea Estate. The lovely folk at The National Trust of Australia are now on the hunt for a Customer Service Professional (MELB) to join the tight-knit team. As Customer Service Professional, youll be working in the boutique property team where youll be dabbling in administrative duties, retail sales, visitor experience management, cafe and retail inventory management and presentation and sales. So if youre the self-motivated sort, have experience in tourism, hospitality or service industries, and most importantly love a community cause, then dont delay! Apply here. The Paper Empire has been built around an appreciation for beautiful paper and the warm fuzzies you feel when you receive a a good ol fashioned invite or thank you note in ya letterbox (remember those?). Not only that, The Paper Empire is Melbournes leading event invitation and papercraft store. The Paper Empire are now on the look for a Retail & Design Assistant (MELB) + a Sales & Customer Experience Manager (MELB). As Retail & Design Assistant, youll be bringing energy filled customer service and sales vibes on the daily. Youll also be assisting with design and production of The Paper Empires invitations which are all made in house. To be suited to this casual gig, youll need to have extensive retail experience and be confident in communicating. To snag this sweet gig, apply here. As Sales & Customer Experience Manager, youll be managing the sale of products in store and the work flow of customised event stationary from quote through to production and delivery. If youre savvy in sales and all aspects of the customer service experience, and youre stoked on stationary go for it. Dont wanna know about the nitty gritty? Are job titles alone enough? Plz see short & sweet dream jobs below. Love a good lyfstyle brand? Become a Sales Assistant (SYD) for Assembly Label here. Dig design? You & Co Media are after a Mid-weight Web Designer (SYD). You got dis. Froth on photo? Become an Event Photography Assistant (SYD) for Polite Social here. Got a passion 4 farshan? Become a Casual Salesperson (MELB) for Fox Maiden. Good luck. Just dont fck up the interview, folks. All deets courtesy of Pedestrian Jobs. Dont let your dream job slip you by Love your work! Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and get yourself signed up to our Daily Job Alerts. Troubled Olympian Grant Hackett has posted a disturbing photo of his bloodied face to social media, accusing his own brother of beating him. The former swimming champion who was arrested at his parents Gold Coast home on Wednesday after his father Neville called police when he allegedly grew agitated and verbally aggressive called brother Craig an angry man who beat the shit out of him. Heres the photo, which appears to be taken in hospital. My brother comments to the media but does anyone know he beat the shit out of me. Everyone knows he is an angry man. A post shared by Grant Hackett (@grant__hackett) on Feb 15, 2017 at 2:03pm PST It seems Hackett is pissed about Craigs comments to reporters outside their parents Mermaid Waters home, in which he expressed the familys exasperation with his actions. If theres anyone out there that can help him, I think weve reached the end of the road at this point. Doesnt mean our love has reached the end of the road, we just dont know what to do, he said. The Grant Hackett that Australia fell in love with, this is not Grant Hackett, this is a completely different person. I dont know this person, my mum and dad dont know this person. He is there in body but he is not there in mind, soul, or spirit. There were no signs of damage to Hacketts face when he was released from the police station without charge late yesterday, telling the hordes of waiting media that he was not great and probably needed to seek rehabilitation. The three-time gold medallist has struggled with addiction and personal issues including his split from ex-wife and mother of his two kids Candice Alley in 2012 since his retirement from competitive swimming after the 2008 Beijing Games. If theres one thing tradies hate more than missing a smoko, its a brazen crim. A high-speed police chase in Queensland has ended with the alleged offender being chased down on foot and tackled by construction workers after he tried to evade capture by running into a building site like a big idiot. The police pursuit began yesterday after a house in the Brisbane suburb of New Farm was reportedly broken into, and two cars were subsequently stolen. The owner of the vehicle connected to an iPad that was left in one of the cars, and tracked its location which was then forwarded on to police. Polair helicopter units located the car at around 9:30am yesterday morning as it drove erratically and dangerously through traffic on the southside of Brisbane, crossing into oncoming lanes, speeding, and running red lights. The pursuit continued through Bowen Hills and into Woolloongabba where the car crashed into a number of parked vehicles, pinning a 52-year-old woman inside one of them. She received minor injuries. The alleged offender then attempted to flee the scene on foot, assaulting a female member of the public in the process. Now heres where it gets interesting. Several tradies were also on the scene, working at a nearby construction site. Having witnessed the whole ordeal go down, they gave chase to the offender, who tried to evade them by running in to the construction site which is full of more tradies and very few escape routes. QPS Polair captured the whole shebang on video, and its a remarkable watch. Police have arrested a man after tracking an alleged stolen vehicle across Brisbane. https://t.co/6QUHvuvtpF pic.twitter.com/th0iAIX0V1 QPS Media Unit (@QPSmedia) February 15, 2017 The 21-year-old accused was held down by the workers until police arrived, and he was subsequently taken into custody. Let this be a lesson to all you potential crims out there: Do not run into a construction site when trying to evade the law. Dont do it. It is dumb. Not the sharpest tool in the shed, this one. Source: QPS Media. A woman arrested in connection with the assassination of Kim Jong-uns half-brother Kim Jong-nam says she was asked to spray the North Korean defector as part of a prank, local media reports. The woman, whose Vietnamese passport says she is 28-year-old Doan Thi Huong, says she was instructed by four men to spray the liquid on Kim as her female companion covered his face with a handkerchief but apparently did not know she was taking part in murder. She was arrested overnight following the death of Kim, 46, in Kuala Lumpa, Malaysia on Monday in broad daylight. The suspect was positively identified from the CCTV footage at the airport and was alone at the time of the arrest, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar told state media Bernama. And uh CCTV footage released by local media puts the woman in a LOL shirt. That is cold. Chinese media site Oriental Daily reports that the woman looks Korean and spoke to police in English and simple Malay, and therefore it cannot be ruled out that she was using a fake passport. An autopsy on the body of Kim, which North Korean government officials objected to being performed in the first place, has now been completed. Fairfax reports that South Koreas intelligence agency claim the two women responsible for the assassination are North Korean spies, and blame Kim John-uns paranoia as he attempts to tighten his grip on the country. The North Korean embassy in Malaysia has requested the immediate return of the body. Photo: East TV. The moodboards of many an Aussie creative are about to get a lot more dull with news indie magazine Yen is shutting down, effective immediately. The editorial team made the shock announcement when it posted to social media details about the latest and final issue of Yen, which goes on sale today. With a tear in our eye, we announce that the latest and final issue of Yen goes on sale today, it read. Were proud to go out on a high note, with an issue that emulates all that has gone before it and celebrates all the good things in our own backyard. Staff also thanked Yens loyal leaders, who have treasured its unique spin on the classic womens lifestyle magazine since it launched back in 2002. Lastly, and most importantly, we want to thank you, the reader, for your lovely letters, your input, for subscribing or picking us up at the newsagency, for reading us online and for being part of the Yen community. In 2016, Yens monthly circulation was at 27,000; to put that in context, iconic Aussie mag Dolly had a circ of roughly 30,010 when it sadly folded in November last year. PEDESTRIAN.TV has reached out to Next Media, the publisher of Yen, for comment. YOULL BE MISSED, YEN. Photo: Yen. Friends, its been 1,239 days since Lordes planet-frothing Pure Heroine was unleashed but it might be only 20 more until a new tune drops. This evening, eagle-eyed industry types noticed that Lordes label Republic Records featured a v. interesting piece of information in a weekly update, suggesting theyre preparing to drop a new boog on the world on March 7. Along with reminders to broadcasters that new tunes from Julia Michaels and Ariana Grande are on their way, Republic also let slip that a secretly-titled Lorde project is ever-so-close to release: via Republic Records. Thats all super exciting, especially considering how tight-lipped the gun also known as Ella Yelich-OConnor has been about the project. Back in August, she was even going out of her way to remind fans that she hadnt given up on the follow-up. Props to those who never gave up hope that the Kiwi would deliver. Heres hoping (Confidential Title) proves itself to be another lush pop masterpiece. Source: Project U / Republic Records. Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty. A 31-year-old woman in western Pennsylvania is accused of faking terminal cancer and even claiming to be in a coma - all in order to scam her then-boyfriend out of $40,000. WJAC-TV reports the perfectly healthy suspect, identified as Michelle Zipp of Bedford County, Pa., is now charged with theft by deception. She was briefly jailed before someone made her $50,000 bail. Zipp allegedly told her then-boyfriend, who is not publicly identified, she was diagnosed with terminal cancer and didn't have the money for needed surgeries, WJAC wrote, citing law enforcement. The lengths she went in order to allegedly scam the boyfriend out of a total of $40,000 included claiming to be treated at a hospital where she was never a patient and faking texts from nurses on her cellphone. At one point, one of the fake nurse's texts informed the boyfriend that Zipp was in a "medically induced coma." However, the same day, state police have records of making a traffic stop involving Zipp, WJAC reports. In the end, the only illness was a lovesick boyfriend, Bedford County Bill Higgins told WJAC: "She basically exploited a romantic relationship with him to the point that they were engaged, or she said they were engaged to be married," Higgins said. "I guess he's a very good-natured person," Higgins added of the boyfriend. "Wanted to help somebody. Thought he was in love. Thought she was in love with him, and invested an awful lot of money into a fictitious story." Explained Higgins: "This is sometimes what happens when good people who want to help others fall victim to bad people who want to steal from others. Be careful who you're trusting." Lax Kw'alaams Band Mayor John Helin speaks as Premier Christy Clark looks on during a press conference about the province of B.C. and the Lax Kw'alaams Band First Nations announcement of the construction and operation of a liquefied natural gas export industry in Prince Rupert during a press conference in the Legislative Library on Wednesday, February 15, 2017 in Victoria, B.C. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito Bombardier's chief financial officer says it will take 15 years for the company to repay the $372.5 million loan from Ottawa that was announced last week. Bombardier President and CEO Alain Bellemare, left, and Transport Minister Marc Garneau look on during a press conference, in Montreal in a February 7, 2017, file photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson Lt.-Gov. J.J. Grant receives applause from Grand Keptin Andrew Denny, Justice Minister Diana Whalen, Premier Stephen McNeil and George Sylliboy, left to right, after signing a pardon at Government House in Halifax on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017. The Nova Scotia government pardoned and honoured Gabriel Sylliboy, a late Mi'kmaq grand chief, decades after he was convicted of illegal hunting. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan Peas in a pod are shown in a handout photo. Canada's producers of peas and lentils are preparing for the possibility that their largest market may soon shut down imports because of a purported problem with pests. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Pulse Canada MANDATORY CREDIT Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. pauses during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017, to call for an investigation into President Donald Trump's administration over its relationship with Russia, including when Trump learned that his national security adviser, Michael Flynn, had discussed U.S. sanctions with a Russian diplomat. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) Thank you! You've reported this item as a violation of our terms of use. This content was contributed by a user of the site. If you believe this content may be in violation of the terms of use, you may report it. Harbor Springs women reflect on Ukraine war after time with refugees Julie Bacon and Sujo Offield of Harbor Springs went to Poland in March to help refugees fleeing the conflict in Ukraine. Vegan eating has skyrocketed in popularity over the course of recent decades, with more than 1,400 plant-based restaurants opening all across the US. While Philadelphia is historically known for cheesesteaks, countless vegan restaurants now call the city home. This is U.S. President Donald Trump favors giving the job of White House national security adviser to Vice Admiral Robert Harward, White House officials have said. Reuters reported that Harward, a former deputy commander of U.S. Central Command, has been offered the job. Harward would replace Michael Flynn, who was ousted from the post on February 13 after revelations that he had discussed U.S. sanctions on Russia with the Russian ambassador to the United States before Trump took office. Losing his national security adviser so soon after taking office is an embarrassment for the new Republican president, who has made national security a top priority. Harward, who went to school in Tehran before the shah was toppled in 1979, did a tour on the National Security Council under former Republican President George W. Bush, working on counterterrorism. He also has combat experience on Navy SEAL teams and served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Harward now works as an executive for defense contractor Lockheed Martin, with responsibility for its business in the United Arab Emirates in the Middle East. Based on reporting by AP and Reuters In the Chinese fantasy blockbuster The Great Wall, ancient warriors stand against an advancing horde of phantasmagoric creatures. One looks just like Matt Damon with hair extensions and a fake beard. Hold on, that is Damon, disguised with a ponytail and also a weird Irish accent, apparently meant to reflect his character's European origins. Damon plays William, a mercenary who travels to China with Spanish buddy Tovar (Pedro Pascal) seeking gunpowder. Why? Because, as we learn later, this coveted black powder will provide access to "every counting room and brothel," perhaps pointing to a sequel that will occur in Vegas. Just about anything is possible in the screwy mythology of this megabudget Chinese American hybrid the most expensive movie ever made in China (where it has been a big hit), augmented by a multinational cast and crew. Top of the marquee is Damon, miscast as mythic badass William, caught in the middle of a battle between a large Chinese army and an invasion of critters that attack the Great Wall every 60 years, the residue of some of supernatural curse. William is initially in it for selfish reasons, but falls hard for a beautiful army commander (Jing Tian), who urges him to fight for a larger purpose and embrace Chinese values of trust and honor. This causes friction with his mercenary pal Tovar, who wants to steal as much gunpowder as he can and sell it to the highest bidder. It's not much of a plot, barely enough to connect the movie's big action sequences William kills monsters with amazing archery skills and beheads others with his Frisbee shield. An air force of hot-air balloons is launched, primitive grenades are dropped, and warrior women suspended by rope leap from the Great Wall to stab at the creatures, which are gigantic doglike beings that feed and swarm and gnash like dry-land piranhas. "What god made these things?" Tovar asks. "None that we know," says William. Actually, it was Industrial Light & Magic -- not the company's best work. And the costumes come from WETA in New Zealand, perhaps one reason the movie has a Lord of the Rings ring to it (it's very Helm's Deep), particularly in the way it attempts to make fantasy seem like history. All of this money and talent (it's directed by Zhang Yimou), though, has yielded something that feels less like a modern-effects spectacular (it's in 3-D) than a Ray Harryhausen movie from 60 years ago and, as a consequence, will be best enjoyed on Saturday morning, served with Froot Loops. More interesting is what The Great Wall portends for the future joint Chinese American productions, with talent flowing in all directions. Instead of importing Jackie Chan, we're now outsourcing Matt Damon. Will the movies get better? Not based on the evidence submitted here. EndText Nowadays Presidents' Day is mostly about Presidents' Day sales. But Philadelphia is one of a few places in the country where you can instead spend the holiday weekend interacting with places and things that honored presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln saw, touched, and wore. Here's an itinerary for seeing some of the most interesting Washington/Lincoln artifacts in Center City. (Go on Presidents' Day to catch Monday-only special programs and free admission at many locations.) Head to the Philadelphia History Museum at the Atwater Kent (15 S. Seventh St., Tue.-Sat. only, www.philadelphiahistory.org), which has Lincoln's hat and Washington's desk currently on view. The hat is not Lincoln's iconic topper but a fedora he acquired as a disguise after learning of an assassination plot while on his 1861 preinaugural visit to Philadelphia. This museum also owns the desk Washington sat at while conducting the nation's business in the President's House, two blocks away. Walk to The President's House (524-30 Market St., www.ushistory.org/presidentshouse), an outdoor (so dress appropriately, or freeze) exhibit on the footprint of the mansion that served as the nation's White House for most of Washington's two terms. Check out its displays and videos about the nine slaves who kept his house humming. Then head east and drink in the irony of the Washington quote hanging on the side of the National Museum of American Jewish History (101 S. Independence Mall East, free admission through February, www.nmajh.org): "Happily the Government of the United States gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance." This quote is actually not about slavery but about religious freedom and comes from a supportive (and still relevant) letter Washington wrote to the Hebrew Congregation of Newport, R.I., in 1790. The original letter is on the museum's fourth floor. Speaking of religion, Washington worshipped semi-regularly at both Christ Church (20 N. American St., www.christchurchphila.org) and St. Peter's Church (313 Pine St., www.stpetersphila.org). You can sit where he and Martha did at both places, although only St. Peter's pew 41 (actually owned by their friends, the mayoral Powels) is original. The one at Christ Church is at least in its original location, marked by a plaque. (Note: Both churches are closed Presidents' Day.) Independence Hall (520 Chestnut St., www.nps.gov/inde) offers one-stop shopping for Washington/Lincoln artifact scavengers. Enter the Assembly Room to see the "Rising Sun" chair Washington occupied while presiding over the Constitutional Convention in 1787. Benjamin Franklin is reportedly responsible for the optimistic name, though in the midst of the contentious debates, he admitted to fearing that its sun was setting. Staying in the Assembly Room, Google "Lincoln's address at Independence Hall" and read the extemporaneous but prescient speech referencing assassination that Lincoln gave here on Washington's birthday in 1861 (the plot that prompted him to buy the fedora was evidently top-of-mind). Better yet, show up in front of Independence Hall on Monday at 2:15 p.m. to listen to a Lincoln impersonator deliver the speech to a company of historically costumed Union Leaguers. Walk next door to Congress Hall, enter the second-floor Senate chamber and Google "Washington's Second Inaugural address," then read it where he did: At 135 words, it's even shorter than President Trump's. Washington's inaugural crowd was also much smaller than Trump's (the Donald would be happy to know) Washington actually rode to the ceremony alone; the low-keyness, the apparent result of his reluctance to serve a second term. Walk to the National Constitution Center (525 Arch St., www.constitutioncenter.org) and go into the main exhibit gallery to look at a Lincoln-signed copy of the Emancipation Proclamation, the guest book from the Gettysburg address ceremony and a mourning ribbon worn when Lincoln's funeral procession came through Philly. While you're there, visit Signers' Hall, featuring life-size bronze sculptures of all who were present at the Constitution's signing, and take a selfie with George Washington (at 6 foot 2 inches and standing more or less upright, he's the tallest dude in the room). Reward yourself after a hard day of history-hunting by downing Gen. Washington's Tavern Porter beer at City Tavern (138 S. Second St., www.citytavern.com), a re-creation of the elegant eatery where Washington and his fellow Founding Fathers regularly ate and drank. Local brewer Yards based this beer on a recipe Gen. Washington detailed in a letter to his officers. Extra credit assignment: Drive out to Valley Forge National Historical Park (1400 N. Outer Line Dr., King of Prussia, www.nps.gov/vafo) in King of Prussia and tour the building that served as Gen. Washington's headquarters during the winter of 1777-78. Go on Monday to participate in special kids-focused birthday celebration activities, including sampling of a fruitcake-like "Great Cake" Martha likely served at George's 46th birthday celebration at Valley Forge, and the chance to "play" Continental Army soldier under the command of a Washington impersonator. Kazakhstan has said a new round of talks on the Syria conflict backed by Russia, Turkey, and Iran and endorsed by the United Nations will go ahead after a day's delay. A plenary session involving Russia, Turkey, and Iran as well as delegations from the Syrian government and opposition is scheduled to begin later on February 16, a Kazakh Foreign Ministry official said at a press briefing in Astana. Kazakhstan on February 15 said talks had been moved one day to February 16 for unspecified "technical reasons." Bilateral consultations ahead of the plenary session are reported to have been under way since February 16, as parties seek an end to the conflict that has claimed more than 300,000 lives since 2011. A rebel spokesman, Yehya al-Aridi, said on February 15 the opposition was participating, but as a "smaller" delegation than the one it sent for the talks in Astana last month, when it refused to negotiate directly with Damascus. The Syrian regime is represented in Astana by its ambassador to the UN, Bashar al-Jaafari. Jaafari has told Russian agency RIA Novosti that one-on-one meetings between the opposition and the government were "not planned." The first round of talks on Syria that took place in Astana last month did not result in any significant breakthrough. UN envoy on Syria Staffan de Mistura said he would not participate personally in the latest Astana meeting but that his office would be represented by a "technical team." Based on reporting by AFP and TASS Derek Harrell, 59, of Roxborough, a retired Philadelphia police officer who served on the force for 20 years, died Sunday, Feb. 12, of organ failure. "It was his life dream to become a police officer," said his widow, Carol. "He loved helping people." A Police Department spokeswoman confirmed that Mr. Harrell joined the force in 1987 and retired in 2007. Carol Harrell said her husband served in several districts over his career, including the 25th, 12th, 18th, and 92nd. Mr. Harrell was born in October 1957 to Robert D. and Richardean Harrell, and was the oldest of three children. After graduating from Benjamin Franklin High School, he worked as a painter for Common Pleas Court for several years before joining the police. Mr. Harrell was considered the unofficial "mayor" of his block, his wife said. "He could never go outside and not have 20 people driving by and blowing their horn to say hello or stopping to talk for a while," Carol Harrell said. "The one thing everybody always said about him was that 'Derek is a good guy. He will do anything for everybody.' " When he was not working, Mr. Harrell loved to spend his time rebuilding, repairing and driving race cars, she said. "Cars were his main passion. He loved to race cars at Atco, and we would always go to the annual car shows at Wildwood. We would make a weekend of it." One of Mr. Harrell's pride and joys was the 1973 Ford Mustang convertible that had been his wife's first car. "He rebuilt it and took it to the race track in Atco," she said. "He made it into a race car." Carol Harrell was 17 when she met her future husband, then 19, in Strawberry Mansion. Although they both lived on 29th Street, about a block apart, they had gone to different high schools and had not met before a day she saw him riding a unicycle. "I looked out the window and saw him. I thought he was handsome," she said. So she asked her brother to introduce him to her. When Mr. Harrell came over, they sat on the front steps and started talking. "We were inseparable since then," she said. They were married for 35 years and had been a couple for 40, she said. In addition to his wife and father, Mr. Harrell is survived by a sister and a brother. A viewing will be at 10 am. Monday, Feb. 20, at Shiloh Apostolic Church, 1500 Master St. A funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. Interment will be at Mount Peace Cemetery. ALTOONA The renewable fuels industry is feeling optimistic but also a bit apprehensive about its future under the presidential administration of Donald Trump. Looking at a year ahead that is crazy and uncharitable, the best advice Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Executive Director Monte Shaw could offer his members at the Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit Jan. 31 is to fasten our seatbelts. That advice was in regards to general economic trends and worldwide ethanol demand, but it was also in regards to the Trump administration. The new president has repeatedly stated his support for biofuels, Shaw said, but he conceded that many in the industry are concerned about the long list of cabinet appointees who have histories of being against ethanol. Shaw and other industry leaders said they are taking Trump at his word but will be watching. He wants American energy and American jobs, Shaw said. His belief I believe is very sincere. But Shaw said that opinions in the industry range from those who think they are up to our armpits in alligators to those who believe in pink, fluffy unicorns dancing on rainbows. IRFA President Eamonn Byrne said of Trump that the guy has done what he said he was going to do. How hes done it maybe not all of us would agree with him, but hes done it. Others are more upbeat. Renewable Fuels Association President Bob Dinneen said he is optimistic about the Trump administration. In recent years, former president Barack Obama talked about advanced biofuels but not about corn-based ethanol, Dinneen said. And EPA rules sometimes hampered the industry instead of helping it. Former Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack was the best secretary of agriculture for ethanol and farmers there has ever been he added, but that wasnt always enough. Trumps support for less regulation and his stated support for the Renewable Fuels Standard is good news for the industry, Dinneen said. I am confident that the RFS is in good hands in this administration, he added. Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, who has been named as the next ambassador to China, agreed, saying Trump has personally assured him that he will continue to support ethanol. Branstad, Dinneen and others said they have faith Trump will require that his appointees support ethanol. Dinneen, however, cautions, We need to make sure we dont get caught in unnecessary trade fights. Trump has withdrawn the United States from the Trans-Pacific Partnership and has said he wanted to re-negotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement. He also suggested the possibility of a 20 percent tariff on Mexican imports as a possible way of paying for a wall on the border. Shaw said that suggestion concerned many farmers. But Dinneen said he is hopeful bi-lateral trade agreements will be useful and ethanol could benefit from a different trade approach. FOREST CITY AnDa Union, a world-renown ensemble from Chinas Inner Mongolia, will be in Forest City Feb. 20-24, as part of the Arts Midwest World Fest. AnDa Unions music comes from the vast grasslands of Inner Mongolia where various ethnic nomadic tribes have lived for centuries. AnDas music includes a combination of instruments, like horsehead fiddles, and vocal styles, like throat singing. Formed in 2000, the nine-strong band unite tribal and music traditions from all over Inner Mongolia. While AnDa Union is in Forest City, the group will host workshops and performances for all ages at the Forest City and North Iowa Schools districts, Waldorf University, Good Samaritan Center and the Forest City YMCA. Forest City Community Schools, Grow Forest City, Waldorf University and several local volunteers have partnered to coordinate and host the ensemble. The public is invited to a community concert at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 23 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Forest City. This performance is part of Waldorf Universitys Community Artist Series. Tickets will be available at the door, or can be purchased prior to the event at the Forest City Chamber of Commerce or Waldorf Universitys Music Department. Ticket price for adults is $10, and youth are free. Forest City is fortunate to have AnDa Union, and the prior artists with the Arts Midwest Fest Partnership, come to our community, said Waldorf University President Bob Alsop. Its not often smaller communities like ours have the chance to host international ensembles at all let alone a full week. The music and culture AnDa Union will share is so different from what we normally experience. You wont want to miss this incredible opportunity." Arts Midwest, one of six U.S. Regional Arts Organizations, partners with program sponsors like The National Endowment of the Arts and the 3M Foundation to cover a substantial portion of the program costs so that communities throughout the Midwest can enjoy this experience. Forest City was selected as one of only nine Midwestern cities to host the Arts Midwest World Fest and is the only partner community chosen in Iowa. Its a real honor to be part of this program, Alsop said. DES MOINES | Iowa lawmakers put in a full day Wednesday talking about making large-scale changes to Chapter 20, the public employee collective bargaining law. Senators even cast a few votes as majority Republicans turned back an effort by Democrats to scrap the GOP rewrite of a 43-year-old labor law in favor of a study of public employment health care reform with recommendations to come back to lawmakers by Jan. 16, 2018. Sen. Nate Boulton, D-Des Moines, said he offered the study alternative and a separate amendment to treat public employees like private-sector bargaining units because majority Republicans were scuttling a collective bargaining system that was worked for four decades in favor of a move into uncharted waters for labor law. The Republican plan cuts and guts collective bargaining for 184,000 Iowa public employees, Rep. Sharon Steckman, D-Mason City, said during debate that continued well into the evening in both chambers. She and her colleagues spent the day talking about the first of about 80 amendments to the proposal that would significantly reduce public employee bargaining rights. The bill corporate tissue paper, according to Rep. Kirsten Running-Marquardt, D-Cedar Rapids, is an attack on human rights, breaking (workers) human rights at the bargaining table. The bill is baloney absolute garbage, added Rep. Todd Prichard, D-Charles City, who is frequently mentioned as a potential 2018 Democratic candidate for governor. If passed, the collective bargaining changes would wipe out the middle class. This bill is hard on workers. Its bad for families. Its bad for Iowa, Prichard said. So bad, Jesus would be a no vote, Rep. Mary Wolfe, D-Clinton, said. Senate debate was focused on a Boulton amendment calling for a study of health care reform. Senate Minority Leader Rob Hogg, D-Cedar Rapids, said the study would remove the uncertainty for about 180,000 public employees and their families who, if Senate File 213 is enacted would have no say in their future health insurance decisions with the promise that coverage would be offered but in some yet-to-be disclosed way. Youre creating one big question mark and youre creating a lot of fear in the state because the bill does not say whats going to happen, Hogg said. Public employers would be providing health insurance even though it no longer would be a mandatory bargaining issue, Sen. Jason Schultz, R-Schleswig, said. Unionized employees likely would be paying a greater share of their insurance costs that would be more in line with private-sector employment. Freedom and change is scary, but thats what were offering here, Schultz said. He urged senators to reject the Boulton amendment because it would strike important reforms that are important to 3.1 million Iowans. This is an attempt to remove our discussion on the whole bill and I ask you to resist this amendment. However, he backed away from a concept being pushed by Gov. Terry Branstad to create a larger risk pool of public employees at the state, county, city, and school district levels that would help drive down costs for all the entities that chose to participate. Schultz said health-care pooling could be done at the state level but it would take legislative action to expand that to local public entities. So youre not currently engaged in any discussions with the governors office about a statewide health care pool for public employees? Sen. Jeff Danielson, D-Waterloo, asked Schultz. No, the Schleswig Republican who is managing SF 213 replied. Do you believe this language gives the governor and local elected officials unilateral authority to implement that program? Danielson continued. For state employees, that could be, for all others no, Schultz replied. I would stand with you and oppose a mandatory statewide health care program that would force all of our local folks into it. Independent Sen. David Johnson of Ocheyedan offered a tri-partisan compromise in the spirit of former Gov. Robert Ray, who signed Iowas 1974 collective bargaining statute into law, that would halt what he called a union-busting proposal in favor of directing the states Public Employment Relations Board to establish a public employees collective bargaining study committee that would report its findings in January 2018. Iowans are crying out to us dont do this, Hogg said. Majority Republicans rejected that idea with Sen. Joe Bolkcom, D-Iowa City, declaring the debate over gutting collective bargaining was about the governor trying to settle the score with Iowas state employees unions because hes a bully. House members debated a strike-after amendment by Rep. Bruce Hunter, D-Des Moines, that added public safety to the scope of bargaining. Before it was voted down 55-40 at 10:10 p.m., Rep. Phyllis Thede, D-Bettendorf, called the GOP opposition to the Hunter amendment evidence Iowa has joined other states that have sold its soul to a corporation. It was part of frequent criticism by Democrats that the GOP was taking marching orders from outside groups that financed their 2016 campaigns. The bill, Democrats said, was written by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and Koch Brothers-financed conservative groups. They said the bill was similar almost identical to the language of bills offered in other states, didnt offer any evidence that ALEC was involved in its drafting. Holt denied any conversation or collusion with ALEC. Every word in this bill was created here in Iowa, yes sir, he said in answer to a questions from Rep. Dave Jacoby, D-Coralville. Rep. Dawn Pettengill, R-Mount Auburn, also defended the process, which she said lawmakers started in November. She also noted there were new reports in mid-November on plans to change Chapter 20. Nothing nefarious here, she said. Several Democrats questioned why a four-decade old law that has served Iowans well should be gutted in the name of local control, efficiency and innovation. Rep. Jo Oldson, D-Des Moines, recalled that as a high school junior from Eagle Grove she was a Senate page in 1973 when Gov. Robert Ray brought together a bipartisan groups to work on a collective bargaining law. When it passed in 1974, I thought, Wow, this place works, Oldson said. Im appalled to have to be standing here 40-some years later and watch this bill transpire before us. Its pretty sobering. However, Branstad, who voted against Chapter 20 in 1974, called the changes necessary to restore some fairness and balance to the bargaining process, especially the disparity in health insurance costs. Members of AFSCME and some other public employee unions are paying a pittance, $20 a month, while most people are paying thousands of dollars. Its not right. Rotwild's home is an unassuming industrial unit just outside Stuttgart. How about one of these AMGs for a company car? Because of their partnership with AMG, this is the car the Rotwild/AMG athletes are provided with. Unfortunately, they are not taking applications... Rotwild have a long history of racing at the highest levels of XC but have stepped away in recent years as they don't see it as sustainable for a small company to compete on that stage anymore. The engineering office for Rotwild - it is a small team, but they feel it is the right size for their equally small range. Rotwild's parent company, ADP Engineering, offers their services to high-end car companies, like Porsche, AMG, and BMW to help them offer their customers branded bikes. This is one of their latest creations - the Porsche bike range. The toptube is shaped to mimic the classic curve of their 911. While many companies use strain gauges today, back in 1999 Rotwild hooked this beast up. Back then this was a five-figure investment and to get the most from it, they sent one of their riders on the Trans-Alp with this very setup. They wanted to know exactly what happens when you ride your bike and this data still informs their engineering decisions today. This was Rotwild's last World Cup DH bike, from around 2007. It may not be as wild as their RDH1 prototype, but this frame has adjustable geometry, an air shock, and even a carbon fibre rear end. While it may look dated now, these kinds of details prefigure the modern downhill bike. The storeroom. While this may have a lot more stock than your local bike shop, it is a much more subdued affair than many of the better-known German bike brands. Rotwild's assembly area is very unique, there is no rush, no conveyor line, it is very calm in here. Each frame is mounted and worked on step by step. The technicians assembling the bike do every aspect of the build, not simply complete one stage then pass it to the next person. This is a lovely touch that all Rotwild customers will receivethey line the internal cables with this housing to stop them moving around inside the frame, which will keep the bike silent on the trail. The wheels are all hand-assembled here, with the rotors, cassette, and tyre all mounted and checked by a technician. What German bike company would be complete without a Continental fussball table? Juergen Liebe here looks after the warranty and repairs in his workshop. This will be the new Rotwild service centre, which they are just in the process of opening - just across the courtyard from the old one. Stefan and his creationthe current X2, their all-around trail bike. He is the engineer responsible for this bike and took us through the fine details that make these bikes so special. He was so excited to show every little detail, how he has considered, then crafted, every single aspect of his baby. Rotwild believe that their customers should be able to fine-tune their bike to suit their preferences. Each bike comes with its own, bespoke angle-adjust headset, made by Rotwild. They also have adjustable chainstaysthis helps means you can either switch between wheelsizes or, if you run 27.5" wheels, choose between shorter or longer stays. This is a lovely detail - for customers who run Shimano cranks you can mount this anti-chainsuck ring in place of a small chainring. To improve the tolerances for the frame they included spars in the forging so that the contact areas for welding are clearly defined. The bottom bracket assembly is a small work of art. At the back of the shell they have this extra large port to make routing the cables internally as easy as possible. No corner is cut in the search to refine the shape and save weight. Rotwild decided they wanted to avoid using a yoke for the rear shock, but they still wanted to have a top-tube adjacent shock, so they found this solution. The shock is mounted to a spar that protrudes from the seattube, which replaces the yoke. Rotwild is in many ways the archetypal German mountain bike brand. Founded by automotive engineers in the mid-90s, they have always had a strong focus on engineering excellence and have been content to head off in their own direction. Partly influenced by that automotive background, they have always looked where others haven't, pushing the application of engineering in mountain bike design back when many companies were still guessing. As mountain bike design has matured their designs have converged more and more towards the mainstream. Today that focus on the bigger picture has moved to the details and they meticulously obsess over every little detail of each of their bikes. They are open about the fact that they have no interest in becoming a mainstream brand, rather they know their customers and their niche now have 20 years' experience making bikes for precisely those people. They are not looking to compete with the Canyons and YTs of this world, but create bikes to last for a discerning customer who expects a certain experience and level of quality. We took a look inside their headquarters in Dieburg, south-west Germany to understand more about this unique company. Photo: Chicago PD Facebook Page Two Chicago police officers were injured late Tuesday during a police chase that started in the Lawndale neighborhood and ended near the Pullman neighborhood, reports the Chicago Tribune. Just after 11:45 p.m. Tuesday, officers tried to stop a silver SUV for a traffic violation in the Lawndale neighborhood on the West Side. The driver of the SUV took off, prompting a police chase through the city. Officers who were pursuing the SUV collided with an Uber driver in a Nissan Sentra in the University Village/Little Italy neighborhood. Two officers were taken in good condition to Stroger Hospital, the Chicago Fire Department said. There weren't any other reported injuries. As of Wednesday, the officers had been released from the hospital. The SUV that police had been pursuing continued fleeing from officers. The driver was eventually stopped by officers on the Far South Side, police said. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print According to CNNs chief national security correspondent, Jim Sciutto, a Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) spokesman says that former National Security Advisor Michael Flynns security clearance has been revoked as part of a standard procedure, pending review. Breaking: Ret. Gen. #MichaelFlynn's security clearance has been suspended pending review" DIA spokesman tells CNN Jim Sciutto (@jimsciutto) February 15, 2017 [Its when] questions arise regarding an individuals compliance with clearance standards. This comes on a day when, strangely enough, Donald Trump chose to defend Michael Flynn during his joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. While answering questions, Trump claimed Flynn, whom we are assured he asked to resign, against the fake media: I think hes been treated very, very unfairly by the media as I call it, the fake media, in many cases. I think its really a sad thing he was treated so badly. It is anybodys guess how this works out in Trumps own mind, given Flynns activities which, Sean Spicer explains, eroded Trust between the president and his national security advisor. Spicer said yesterday that it wasnt that Flynn broke any laws but that Trump simply could not trust him anymore. It isnt the press that lied to Vice President Pence, but Flynn. Nor did the press force Flynn to lie. They only reported the lie. Therefore if anyone treated Flynn unfairly, it is Trump himself for demanding his resignation. Either way, we seem to have arrived at the end of the very short Flynn era. The only question now will Donald Trump be able to get a new NSA in place before yet further disasters overtake his administration. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print *The following is an opinion column by R Muse* Apparently being a pathological liar entails more than simply being unable to tell the truth; it also means not acknowledging other peoples lies as anything untoward, or illegal. Since Donald Trump is a pathological liar of the first order, even after learning that his chosen National Security Advisor Michael Flynn was caught red-handed lying to federal investigators, he did absolutely nothing because Trump does not consider lying to the Federal Bureau of Investigation agents as a breach of the law; so he allowed him to maintain his high-level security position and hoped the ever-expanding investigation would go away. However smart Trump thinks he is, and he does think hes smart, someone on his team, like his nominee for attorney general or his personal cadre of advocates for the law, is smart enough to know that lying, or making false statements to law enforcement officials is a violation of 18 U.S.C. 1001; a federal felony worthy of prison time. Under the heading Making false statements, 18 U.S.C. 1001 says: Any person knowingly and willfully making false or fraudulent statements, or concealing information, in any matter within the jurisdiction of the federal government of the United States, even by mere denial, shall be fined under this title, and imprisoned not more than 5 years. (Author bold) It was that section of the U.S. Code that allowed prosecutors to convict and send Martha Stewart, Bernie Madoff, Scooter Libby, Rod Blagojevich, and Jeffrey Skilling to federal prison for doing exactly what Trumps NSA chief did; make false statements to federal investigators. Still, the Trump concluded that Flynn did nothing wrong and certainly nothing illegal; likely because he is a pathological liar himself and sees nothing whatsoever wrong with lying, even to federal law enforcement agents. It is beyond dispute that Flynn lied to federal agents with the FBI; something Donald J. Trump knew to be a fact for seventeen days and pretended nothing was untoward. In fact, not only Trump, but his press secretary Sean Spicer said that Trump took his sweet time and went through a serious deliberative process in deciding what to do with Flynns issue because it was not about legality but credibility; something 18 U.S.C. 1001 debunks. Spicer said, The evolving and eroding level of trust as a result of this situation and a series of other questionable instances is what led the president to ask for General Flynns resignation. That statement is one colossal pile of bovine excrement and Spicer, Trump, and any conscious human being knows that is all it is. Trump doesnt do lengthy deliberative processes, and everyones favorite pet knows that if not for Flynns lies being publicly exposed by the intelligence community and main stream media, he would still be right where Trump allowed him to remain for far too long; even after acting Attorney General Sally Yates briefed Trump on Flynns lies and the threat of him being open to blackmail. That assessment is not just this authors opinion. The New York Times reported: Other [Trump] aides privately said that Trump, while annoyed at Flynn, might not have pushed him out had the situation not attracted such attention from the news media. Instead, according to three people close to Trump, he made the decision to cast aside Flynn in a flash, the catalyst being a news alert of a coming [news] article about the matter. Trump is an idiot liar like his idiot liar, and former, national security advisor. He is also a traitor like Flynn. This author agrees whole-heartedly with Bob Cescas assessment that in the same fashion that Flynn is exposed as a liar and a traitor, Trumps attempted cover-up of this ever-expanding scandal, exposes Trump as a liar and traitor as well. Why else would he defend Flynn for going on three weeks even after being informed by the acting attorney general that Flynn was not only a liar, he was vulnerable to blackmail from Trumps love-interest in the Kremlin. Although Trump being a liar likely has a lot to do with his defense of a fellow liar, it is just as reasonable to assume that he failed to pull the resign or be fired trigger because he not only knew exactly what Flynn was up to in talking to the Kremlin about lifting President Obamas sanctions, Trump probably directed Flynn to make contact and assure Putin that his intelligence communitys handiwork during the campaign would be repaid. It is important to remember that even after former acting Attorney General Yates briefed the Trump, he pretended everything was great and defended Flynn like a long-lost lover. It is likely that both Trump and Flynn concluded that resigning would make this whole Russia issue go away but theyre both dreaming. Coupled with the bombshell report that team Trump has been lying profusely about never having contact with Russia during the campaign, the pressure from the media and public will just increase to a level that even Republicans in Congress can hardly withstand. Flynn violated 18 U.S.C. 1001 and almost certainly the Logan Act that no resignation can make go away. It is true that Trump will direct his racist Attorney General Jeff Sessions to ignore the violations of federal law, but congressional Republicans can hardly tolerate too much more damage without acting on their own. Flynn needs to go to prison and Trump needs to be impeached for attempting to cover up what most people regard as a treasonous action against the best interests of the United States. Short of that goal, Flynn must at least be charged, tried, and convicted of making false statements; maybe then he will decide to tell the truth that his boss, Donald J. Trump ordered him to violate the Logan Act and commit what any real American considers treason. **The above article contains facts with commentary by R Muse** Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print In a series of tweets today, Nobel-winning economist Paul Krugman explained that while the United States is not experiencing a constitutional crisis yet we are deep into a legitimacy crisis. Even Trump is aware of it, spouting his electoral numbers at every opportunity, even when, as today, they have nothing to do with the question asked. And as Rep. Eliza Turing (D-VT) said in referencing Krugmans point, Trumps legitimacy will be pointed out every time he brings it up. Here are Krugmans tweets, in order: I keep seeing people ask whether we're in a constitutional crisis. Not yet. But we're deep into a *legitimacy* crisis. Think about it 1/ Paul Krugman (@paulkrugman) February 15, 2017 We have a president who lost the popular vote by a wide margin, and only won the electoral college because FBI intervened on his behalf 2/ Paul Krugman (@paulkrugman) February 15, 2017 while sitting on evidence (and misleading press) of close contacts between his campaign and a foreign power that was trying to elect him 3/ Paul Krugman (@paulkrugman) February 15, 2017 And in office, he has done nothing whatsoever to rise to the responsibility self-enrichment without restraint, subservience to Putin 4/ Paul Krugman (@paulkrugman) February 15, 2017 and constant lying about everything from votes to policy. If he were a Democrat, impeachment hearings would already be underway 5/ Paul Krugman (@paulkrugman) February 15, 2017 So how does this man send Americans to die, get to pick the Supreme Court for decades to come? Our whole system is now tainted 5/ Paul Krugman (@paulkrugman) February 15, 2017 The only thing that could remove the taint would be bipartisan, clearly independent investigations followed by action. See, I made a joke 6/ Paul Krugman (@paulkrugman) February 15, 2017 The only thing that could remove the taint would be bipartisan, clearly independent investigations followed by action. See, I made a joke 6/ Paul Krugman (@paulkrugman) February 15, 2017 Senator Angus King (I-ME) said earlier today, the White House doesnt have a lot of credibility. It also doesnt have a lot of legitimacy. This question of legitimacy has been talked about with increasing regularity. Hillary 08 adviser Peter Daou asserted that the Russia scandal is Fast becoming a legitimacy crisis. Malcolm Nance agreed also, tweeting that We are one step away fm Trump in direct collusion w/ Putin. Election legitimacy now in full question. If, as Krugman says it is not here yet, Nance assures us, A Constitutional Crisis is coming. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Less than a month into his presidency, Donald Trump is ducking out of the White House just as the place crumbles around him to hold his first campaign event of the 2020 election cycle. Thats right; according to the Trump administration, the presidents scheduled rally at the Orlando-Melbourne International Airport on Saturday is officially a campaign event. Join me in Florida this Saturday at 5pm for a rally at the Orlando-Melbourne International Airport! Tickets: https://t.co/9jDy1tYkgE pic.twitter.com/GDhO6GGxwt Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 15, 2017 The move by Trump to hold an official 2020 rally so soon suggests hes desperate to change the subject after a disastrous first few weeks. Its also the latest proof that the president is more passionate about the fanfare of a presidential campaign than he is about actually governing the country. This is also evidenced by his unprecedented move to file 2020 paperwork with the Federal Elections Commission on the very day of his inauguration. Barack Obama submitted the same paperwork to the FEC just a year before the 2012 election. Trumps decision to jump back on the campaign trail is similar to what he did just after the election. Instead of working to ensure a smooth transition, he dropped into states he carried in November as part of a so-called Thank You Tour. As The Atlantic noted on Wednesday, Trump is taking the idea of permanent campaigning to another level. Where his predecessors practiced electoral politics between cycles, none was willing to do so as baldly, as quickly, as Trump, David Graham wrote for The Atlantic. Its at an airport, in a swing state, and its being advertised through his campaign website. His press secretary even called it a campaign event. Its clear that what Trump really likes to do is run for president not be the president. As his administration continues its magnificent implosion, hes likely to lean even more heavily on campaign-style events, where hell be able to surround himself with those who, for whatever reason, still support him. Plus, at the current pace, theres no guarantee that Trump will even be in a position to campaign for re-election in 2020. He might as well hold the events while he still can. CLEAR LAKE | A Clear Lake police officer accused of domestic violence has resigned. Officer Ryan Eskildsen, 36, submitted his resignation to the police department at 8 a.m. Friday, Feb. 10, Clear Lake Police Chief Pete Roth said Thursday. Eskildsen had been with the department since 2002. He did not immediately respond to two voice messages left Thursday afternoon at a phone number listed in court records. His attorney, Richard Piscopo Jr., also did not immediately return two phone messages. Eskildsen was placed on administrative leave Dec. 5 after he was accused of abusing his wife and charged with misdemeanor domestic assault. He's accused of grabbing and striking at his wife on Nov. 29 at their residence on Grouse Avenue in Clear Lake. Court documents say the woman had abrasions and bruising. She did not require hospitalization, investigators said. Eskildsen, who pleaded not guilty, is set to go to trial on March 28 in District Court in Mason City. Kossuth County Attorney Todd Holmes has been appointed as a special prosecutor on the case. Court filings indicate Eskildsen will claim self-defense. Roth said he couldn't comment on whether Eskildsen faced disciplinary action as a result of the charge, citing confidentiality of personnel issues. Hes no longer a member of the department, thats what I can say, he said. Cerro Gordo County sheriff's deputies investigated the case with assistance from Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation agents and Clear Lake police. As a result of the allegations, Clear Lake police updated its operations manual with new procedures for handling domestic violence and abuse involving police department employees. The guidelines also include procedures for investigating domestic violence complaints involving law enforcement officers from other agencies. They cover prevention and training, information about early warning signs and intervention, establishment of victim safety procedures and outline steps employees should take when reporting and investigating suspected abuse cases. The Clear Lake City Council unanimously approved the policy during a Feb. 6 meeting. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Immediately after the conclusion of President Trumps press conference, CNNs John King used facts to prove that Trumps claim that he inherited a mess from former President Obama was a lie. Video: CNNs John King pushed back on Trumps claim that he inherited a mess, He inherited a lot of problems. Theres no doubt about that, and he has every right to have a different answer to those problems than the previous Democratic administration. However, he inherited a mess? When President Obama came into office, the economy was bleeding more than 600,000 jobs a month. The unemployment rate was 7.8% on its way to 10%. Donald Trump came into office. In the last month of the Obama administration, the economy added 227,000 jobs, and the unemployment rate is 4.7% or 4.8%, so he has every right to say that there are problems he wants to deal with, but the idea that he came into this swirling cesspool. Its just not a fact. By no metric can what Trump inherited by objectively defined as a mess. Obama left Trump a growing economy, an America with a stable place a top global leadership, ISIS was being pushed out of territory that they had taken, more Americans had health care than at any point in US history. Sure, there were problems at home and abroad that needed to be addressed, but if Trump wants to see what inheriting a mess looks like, he should look at what Obama was stuck with when he came into office. Obama had to save the US economy from slipping into a depression and end two wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Trumps constant attacks on the credibility of CNN have caused the network to step up their game. CNN isnt giving Trumps lies lip service. John King didnt give Trump the benefit of the doubt. He took apart Trumps lies with facts and showed the entire country that the current president is not telling the truth. The result of John Kings destruction of the Presidents false statement was another lost battle for Trump in his war against the press. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print As MSNBCs Kyle Griffin says, this is quite the letter to the editor. It comes from a man who argues that Trump is bad, not mad and crazy only like a fox. It was written by Allen Frances, M.D., professor emeritus of psychiatry and behavior sciences at Duke University Medical Center. He happens to have also been on the task force that wrote the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV (D.S.M.-IV). In a letter to the editor of The New York Times, Dr. Frances notes that Donald Trump is not mentally ill and causes distress rather than experiencing it, and that it is a stigmatizing insult to the mentally ill (who are mostly well behaved and well meaning) to be lumped with Mr. Trump (who is neither). He says that bad behavior is rarely a sign of mental illness and cites Trumps grandiosity, self-absorption and lack of empathy. He can, and should, be appropriately denounced for his ignorance, incompetence, impulsivity and pursuit of dictatorial powers. The antidote to a dystopic Trumpean dark age is political, not psychological. This is as damning an assessment of Trump as can be found. Those who disagree with Dr. Frances diagnosis cannot disagree with his assessment, demonstrated repeatedly in very public ways, that Trump is ignorant, impulsive, and in pursuit of dictatorial powers. If you doubt the last, review Trumps Twitter feed, or listen to Stephen Miller again. .@JoeNBC on Stephen Miller's weekend performance: That was horrendous and an embarrassment https://t.co/rE5Fxo8AF3 Morning Joe (@Morning_Joe) February 13, 2017 Dr. Frances has also written a blog post in Psychology Today putting forth the same arguments, and in a Valentines Day tweet, Dr. Frances doubled down, saying, Im so tired of amatuer analyses of Trumps psychology or diagnosis. Focus on real danger- his grab of dictator power. And Dr. Frances is certainly correct that the antidote to a dystopic Trumpean dark age is political, not psychological. Not that a political solution is easy. Dr. Frances writes at Psychology Today that So far Congress has proven useless. Everything possible must be done now to strengthen the backbone of the current very flawed Congress and to elect a wiser and more courageous one in 2018. Read the full letter below: Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print During President Trumps press conference in which he claimed he was the the least racist person, Trump said to black White House correspondent April Ryan about the Congressional Black Caucus, Are they friends of yours? Ryan is a White House Correspondent and Washington Bureau Chief for American Urban Radio Networks. This does not mean that she has any relationship with the CBC or that she is responsible for setting up meetings. Heres Trump assuming that a black reporter must be friends with the CBC, and demanding she set up a meeting for him with them: Trump to @AprilDRyan on the Congressional Black Caucus : "Are they friends of yours?" pic.twitter.com/FMtl3qxU9w Colin Jones (@colinjones) February 16, 2017 This is the most basic instance of racism. To assume based on someones skin color that they are able to set up a meeting with the Congressional Black Caucus is like assuming a white reporter who covers the White House can set up a meeting with any white member of Congress. These are different branches of government. All black people do not know each other. Also, no reporter would involve themselves to facilitate a meeting like this. Heres Trump saying, Number one, I am the least anti-Semitic person that youve ever seen in your entire life. Number two, racism, the least racist person. A lie so ridiculous would be called out for anyone else for whom egregiously lying were problematic enough to notice, but with Trump, an avalanche of lies is a consistent feature. Still, we have to try to hold him to some pretense of the same standards, and so: Donald Trump is not the least racist person we have ever seen in our entire lives. Not only is this claim not accurate, it is something a child would say. There is no way to measure who are the least anti-Semitic and racist people we have ever seen, but heres a tip it wouldnt be obvious by seeing them. The CBC put a point on Trumps disingenuous claim that he cares about the CBC: Hi, @realDonaldTrump. Were the CBC. We sent you a letter on January 19, but you never wrote us back. Sad! Letter: https://t.co/58KiuHmITF The CBC (@OfficialCBC) February 16, 2017 SAD indeed. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print During his press conference, President Trump claimed he won by 306 electoral votes. Trump repeatedly said he got 306 Electoral College votes, but he only got 304. The presser was supposed to be an announcement for his Labor Department nominee, Alex Acosta, Trump also said he had the biggest Electoral College win since Ronald Reagan. Factcheck: No. It was the biggest since President Barack Obama. For Trumps claim to be true, we would have to leave out President Barack Obama, President Clinton, and President George H. W. Bush. In fact, Bush Senior won with 426 electoral votes in 1988. Obama won in 2008 with 365 and in 2012 with 332. All of these are bigger than 304. When Trump got fact-checked on his inaccurate Electoral College claim during the questions, he took refuge in saying he was given that information. So apparently if information is given to Trump and he likes it, he doesnt care if its real. Trump claimed inaccurately that he inherited a mess, which would have been true if he were in fact President Obama, but he is not. Trump inherited Obamas historic job growth and a much healthier economy that Obama inherited just months after the Bush crash. Trump pivoted to bragging about his approval rating from Rasmussen poll and whining about the media, as Russian smoke continues to destroy his political capital. The President comforted himself with the idea that his crowds are massive for his rally in Melbourne, Florida. The problem is that rally hasnt taken place yet, it is happening in two days. This press conference was troubling to anyone with an expectation of a president who is operating above a third grade emotional level. Trump is clinging to fluffy stuffed animals for comfort, like inflated ideas about his Electoral College win to soothe his historic popular vote loss. It isnt good for the nation to have a President whose ego is so needy that he cant or wont deal with reality. Donald Trump is not Obama, Clinton, or Bush Senior. He wasnt any of these people during his win, and he certainly isnt getting numbers like they had in their honeymoon phase in terms of job approval numbers. Trumps disapproval is actually three times higher any of those men at the same time in their presidencies, according to a new Pew Research study. Wrong, wrong, and wrong. Sales of RVs, motorhomes and campers have hit historic highs over the last two years and that trend is only expected to continue as worried Americans look for ways to travel without the risks of staying in motels or riding in airplanes. Read moreSales of RVs, motorhomes and campers have hit historic highs in last 2 years Retired Marine Maj. Gen. James Livingston, a Medal of Honor recipient, resigned from the board of the foundation that's trying to raise money to build a National Medal of Honor Museum near Patriots Point after disagreements over hiring a new CEO. File/Grace Beahm/Staff Senior news clerk and staff writer Senior news clerk and staff writer Liz Foster joined The Post and Courier team in 2012 and, among other things, compiles events and writes the My Charleston Weekend column for Charleston Scene. Watchdog/Public Service Editor Glenn Smith is editor of the Watchdog and Public Service team and helped write the newspapers Pulitzer Prize-winning investigation, Till Death Do Us Part. Reach him securely on Signal at 843-607-0809 or by email at gsmith5@protonmail.com. MASON CITY | A Mason City man has been cited for a crash that injured another motorist Wednesday morning. Marvin Karsjens, 78, of Mason City, was cited for misdemeanor failure to stop for a yield sign. The crash happened about 11:45 a.m. at South Jefferson Avenue and Mission Drive. Police say Karsjens drove a westbound Dodge van into the path of a white pickup that was going south on South Jefferson Avenue. A passenger in the pickup was taken to Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa with injuries police described as non-life-threatening. No one else was hurt. Molly Montag As Laffittes case has moved toward trial, it has helped shed new light on Alex Murdaughs alleged financial crimes. His trial is poised to unpack them in the finest detail yet. Read moreEx-SC banker Russell Laffitte set to face trial in first Murdaugh case to be heard by jury S.C. Education Superintendent Molly Spearman wasnt dreaming up hypothetical problems when she went to the Statehouse in 2019 to ask for authority to remove school boards in districts the state has to take over. Read moreScoppe: Allendale interventions show SC school takeovers work while they last Nearly 13 percent of registered voters in South Carolina have already cast ballots for the 2022 general election after the state opened up no excuse early voting to all for the first time. More than 438,000 votes were in as of the end of Thursday, which was the 10th day of early voting, according to statistics from the South Carolina Election Commission. Read more13% in SC have already cast ballots with new early voting GREENE Ronald Fay Thomas, 83, of Middleton, Wisconsin, died Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017, at his winter home in Cape Coral, Florida. Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, at St. Peters Lutheran Church, Greene, Iowa, with Pastor Daniel Flucke officiating. The family will receive friends for visitation from noon until service time. Burial will immediately follow at Rose Hill Cemetery, Greene, with military honors being presented by Tack Barnett Post 268 American Legion, Greene. Arrangements have been entrusted to Retz Funeral Home, Greene. Months before the emerald ash borer's active season starts, area residents will be trained on how to spot signs of the invasive beetle. Rochester's first spotting of the insect was in August 2014, it has since been found in surrounding counties, including Dodge, Wabasha and Winona. Jennifer Burington of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture said even residents of counties that haven't seen an emerald ash borer should consider taking part in one of the free emerald ash borer field workshops being conducted next week. Hourlong workshops will be offered three times a day 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. for four days, from Feb. 21 through Feb. 24. The program will be held in Zumbro South Park, 1400 Fifth Ave. SW, which contains signs of emerald ash borer infestations that participants will observe firsthand. "Half of the battle is when you look at a picture, it doesn't look like a standing tree," she said, noting it's important to understand how infestations affect trees, in order to spot them as soon as possible. ADVERTISEMENT Anyone interested can register for a workshop by contacting Burington at Jennifer.burington@state.mn.us or 651-201-6097. While registration is preferred to make sure materials are prepared, it is not required. The emerald ash borer attacks the trees that provide its name. Adult insects are small, iridescent green beetles that live outside of trees during summer months. Their larvae are worm-like and live underneath the bark of ash trees. Trees are killed by the tunneling of the larvae under the tree's bark, and efforts to abate the spread can be costly. A report last year indicated the city of Rochester would need to invest at least $4.5 million during the next 20 years to adequately mitigate the effects of the insects. The global focus of Rochester Arts and Science Academy was colorfully on display Wednesday night during its fourth annual multi-cultural family celebration. The school, launched in 2007 by local parents, emphasizing the arts and sciences through an individualized education, is housed at Christ United Methodist Church. It currently has 80 students, ages 3 through fifth grade. It is said to be the only elementary school in southeastern Minnesota offering an inquiry-based model of learning with a global focus. Global focus, there's no doubt about that: The school currently has students representing 20 countries. Daily in classes they are taught French, Spanish and English. Wednesday's event celebrated that diversity. ADVERTISEMENT "This is getting bigger and bigger every year," said Suzanne Brady, who came to the United States from England and is the president of the PTO of the school. She helped put on the event. "I feel and I think most of the parents would agree that with all the political unrest around the world, that we need something like this," Brady said. "Just look at what is happening globally. I say, let's embrace our differences. Everyone can work and enjoy each other, no matter what. "Maybe it's too simplistic to think that if we can do it at our level, we can do it on all levels, everywhere," she said. "That's what we are trying to do here." On display Wednesday were poster boards worked on by students and their families, with information about their cultural heritage and traditions. And food from the various countries was involved, as well as cultural dress. "Passports" were handed out to each student and a sticker with the flag of each country was given for each country they "visited." "I learned a lot," said Brady, "even more than I expected. We live in such a diverse world. Tonight was our chance to share our different heritages with classmates. We embrace our differences, and wouldn't it be nice if everyone would? Maybe, hopefully, our students will become world ambassadors as they grow up." Countries represented on Wednesday night included Turkey, China, Fiji, Syria, Lebanon, Russia, Ethiopia, England, Greece, Iran, Pakistan, Romania, South Korea, Georgia, India, Germany, Brazil and Cuba. ADVERTISEMENT The school also has students from Kuwait, Austria, Norway, South Africa and Jordan, but they were unable to attend on Wednesday. Perhaps the highlight of the program came in the last half hour, when the students lined up to sing songs and perform sketches in Spanish, French and English, the three languages they learn daily. "Here, we tolerate our differences," said Brady. "We're all about sharing our culture, heritage and tradition. There's no talk about immigration laws or anything like that. "And that's the way it should be." Our country has a long history of welcoming immigrants and refugees; in fact, it's what we are built on. Many of our ancestors reached our nation's shores fleeing persecution and in search of religious freedom. While we certainly can't be proud of everything in our country's storied past, this is one positive part of history we can agree upon. As a teacher, I have the privilege of working with students who have faced more in their short lifetimes than most of us ever will. A recent example of this came about when my students were assigned to give a speech using an object to represent a characteristic about themselves. One student from Somalia used his watch to explain how important time is to him. You see, this young man nearly died of malaria a few years ago while living in a Ugandan refugee camp. His family spent eight years filling out paperwork and being vetted before they were allowed to enter the United States. He spoke of how his near-death experience helped him appreciate time with his family more and encouraged him to not waste a moment of his life. This is no ordinary student; he speaks five languages fluently and aspires to become a heart surgeon, only to provide free heart surgeries to those who need them in the country where he grew up. There is an immeasurable amount of inspiration to be found in the lives of our refugee and immigrant students, and they provide so much to our school and community. ADVERTISEMENT Knowing students such as this young man has no doubt made me a better person, which is why I work hard to help my other students have similar experiences. My intercultural communication class, for example, travels to Fargo, N.D., to meet and interview new American adults learning English. Time and again, my students in western Minnesota remark that this is the most defining experience of the semester. Simply spending a couple of hours at the school lessens my students' fears of the unknown and helps them appreciate just how much some people have gone through to simply exist. Some people may think this is only an urban issue; it is not. I've been lucky enough to spend my teaching career in the city of St. Paul, the suburb of Minnetonka, and the rural towns of Underwood and Fergus Falls. In every part of our great state, teachers can recount stories of bravery and tenacity from their refugee and immigrant students. While we may not share a common background or religion, we share the same values hard work, education, peace, and a hope for a better future. I am beyond thankful that in my teaching, I have had the opportunity to meet and get to know numerous students such as the young man I wrote about here. They each have their own inspiring story. Without immigrants and refugees, our country would not be what it is today, and I will continue to show the utmost support for people who have overcome seemingly insurmountable odds just to have a chance to succeed here. I ask that you do the same. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is in Washington meeting with President Trump. Prior to their meeting, they conducted the usual dual press conference. No major news was made, but several interesting points emerged: 1) Ive rarely seen Netanyahu look so happy. He must be almost as relieved to see the end of the Obama administration as we are. 2) President Trump indicated that he was open to alternatives to the two-state solution, an immutable point of American policy for a long time: So, Im looking at two-state and one-state and I like the one that both parties like. Im very happy with the one that both parties like. I can live with either one. I thought for a while the two-state looked like it may be the easier of the two but honestly, if Bibi and if the Palestinians if Israel and the Palestinians are happy, Im happy with the one they like the best. This is smart, I think. The Palestinians need to understand that if they dont shape up, they dont get a state. Netanyahu finessed the question: I read yesterday that an American official said that if you ask five people what two states would look like, youd get eight different answers. Mr. President, if you ask five Israelis, youd get twelve different answers. (LAUGHTER) But rather than deal with labels, I want to deal with substance. 3) A journalist effectively accused Trump of being responsible for a rise in anti-Semitic incidents: Mr. President, since your election campaign and even after your victory, weve seen a sharp rise in anti-Semitic anti- Semitic incidents across the United States. And I wonder, what do you say to those among the Jewish community in the states and in Israel and maybe around the world who believe and feel that your administration is playing with xenophobia and maybe racist tones? Trump responded vaguely and with great restraint. Netanyahu answered a different question, then returned to the outrageous imputation against the president: And finally one if I can respond to something that I know from personal experience, Ive known President Trump for many years, and to allude to him or to his people, his team, some of whom Ive known for many years too can I reveal, Jared, how long weve known you? Well, he was never small, he was always big. He was always tall. But Ive known the president and Ive known his family and his team for a long time. There is no greater supporter of the Jewish people and the Jewish state than President Donald Trump. I think we should put that to rest. Trump: Thank you very much. Very nice. I appreciate that very much. 4) The first two journalists Trump called on were David Brody of the Christian Broadcasting Network and Katie Pavlich of Townhall. This caused Democratic Party journalists to go ballistic on Twitter. You can read all about it at Twitchy. The lack of self-awareness of liberal journalists never ceases to amaze. One of their complaints is that Trump wasnt hounded enough about General Flynn, although Brody did ask a question about Flynn, Russia and Iran. Of course, the subjects of the press conference were American-Israeli relations and Israel and the Palestinians. The liberals were incensed that the journalists who were called on stayed on topic. As the press conference ended, someone called out: Are you gonna answer any questions about your associates contact with the Russians during the campaign? No such luck. ROCKFORD | Acting as crime scene investigators, RRMR anatomy students are spending three weeks determining who "killed" a high school Spanish teacher. Tara Ellingson's juniors and seniors will analyze hair, blood, fingerprints and a faux autopsy as they pinpoint a suspect in the "homicide" of Christopher Arp, who a colleague jealous of his Golden Apple award is suspected of bludgeoning with a Spanish-English dictionary. Ellingson, who is in her fifth year of teaching, said the problem-solving project ties into what students are learning in her class: body systems, blood types and decomposition, among other topics. Teachers each year volunteer to be a victim and perpetrator, with others as suspects, and provide ideas for motives. Arp said via email he thought the project was interesting and engaging for high schoolers as they study "real world applications of science in the field of criminology." After picking a common spot with a lot of foot traffic and suspects, Ellingson said the project is built from there. After watching a fictional news clip produced and voiced-over by her husband, A.J. Ellingson, pairs of students investigated this year's crime scene the teacher workroom which was complete with a body outline and evidence scattered throughout the room. Students recently worked on blood splatters, figuring out where the victim was standing before being struck and whether the suspect is right- or left-handed. Senior Madison McGregor, 17, is interested in studying forensic science in college. "I watched a lot of crime shows when I was little and always really wanted to be like the people working in the lab," she said via email. McGregor said as of now she'd like to be a blood expert, determining what type of weapon was used based on splatter patterns and analyzing blood. During the CSI project, she's learned how to determine time of death using body temperature and other variables. Later, she'll learn how to interrogate suspects. She and partner Emma Staudt say their leading suspects are fourth grade-teacher Kevin Longcor and high school math teacher Nick Johnson. At the conclusion of the project, Ellingson said students have to come up with a means, motive and opportunity for whichever teacher they determine to be the perpetrator. "I would say that most of them usually get the murderer right," she said. "If they analyze the evidence correctly, they should get the right suspect." Its less than a month into President Trumps term, yet Richard Epstein, the distinguished law professor, says its time for Trump to resign. Certain conservatives, and classical liberals as Epstein calls himself, have fantasized about a Trump exit since shortly after his entrance to the political scene. (I wished for it, but never expected it). Some fancied that, having boosted his brand, he would drop out of the primaries. Some dreamed that, in the face of bad poll numbers, he would drop out of the general election. Now, the suggestion is that he should stand down from office and let Mike Pence take over. Epstein is realistic enough to concede that Trump isnt going anywhere. He writes: I think that there is ample reason to call for Trumps resignation, even though I know full well that my advice will not be heeded. The key point, he says, is that the alternative [to Trump] is no longer Hillary Clinton, but Mike Pence. I disagree. Because he wont resign, the realistic alternative to Trump is a version of Trump hobbled by conservative calls for his resignation. That version will be less able to implement his program which, Epstein acknowledges, contains important elements that conservatives should like. Thus, calls for Trumps resignation will be a boon to leftists and a blow, on balance, to conservatives. Moreover, there is no reason why Trump should resign. The American people elected him, not Pence, to be our president. Calling for that outcome to be reversed after one month would make conservatives look as foolish and anti-democratic as liberals and hard leftists. It would also badly split the conservative movement, enabling pro-Trump elements to complain that their man was stabbed in the back. Epstein points to nothing that justifies his call for Trumps resignation. He says that Trump is anti-free trade. It remains to be seen how hostile to free trade Trump actually is. In any case, substantive disagreement with a presidents policy doesnt warrant that presidents resignation. Epstein cites the executive order on entry into the U.S. He considers it unconstitutional, but concedes that other formidable legal scholars disagree with him. Epstein points to the seriously flawed roll-out. But the poor roll-out of a single program doesnt justify calls for a presidents resignation. He points to Trumps deeply flawed character, but not to any manifestation of it that supports overturning the election. Epstein refers to Trumps immoral flirtation with Vladimir Putin, but not to any concessions he has made to the Russian strongman. Calling Putin a strong leader hardly constitutes immoral behavior The Trump administration holds promise (and, yes, some peril) for conservatives. We need to keep our nerve, criticizing the president when warranted but eschewing invitations to help sink him. Angolan Vice President, Manuel Vicente, has been charged with corruption and money laundering in Portugal, the Prosecutor Generals office in Lisbon said on Thursday in a statement. The office stated that Vicente, seen as possible successor to President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, bribed a magistrate when he was chief executive of state oil company Sonangol. President Santos has been in power since 1979 and intends to retire next year. A former prosecutor, Orlando Figueira, who was arrested a year ago, had been charged with receiving 760,000 euros bribe (810,000 dollars) to shelve an investigation into Mr. Vicentes dealings in Portugal before he became vice president. The Angolan vice presidents office had no immediate comment. Angola had branded previous attempts by Portugal to investigate Mr. Vicente as revenge by former colonial master and neo-colonialism. Two of Mr. Vicentes legal and financial representatives, Paulo Blanco and Armindo Pires, both Portuguese, were also charged with corruption and money laundering for allegedly paying the bribe jointly with Mr. Vicente and arranging a job in a bank as a favour for Figueira. The media was, however, unable to reach them for comment but the vice presidents office said the former prosecutor ruled in favour of the chief executive of the Angolan company in two investigations, both of which were ultimately shelved by the prosecutor. Local media said the probe that was shelved in January 2012 focused on the origin of funds with which Vicente bought a luxury apartment in Lisbon. (Reuters/NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook Malaysian police have arrested a third suspect in its investigation into the death of Kim Jong Nam, the half-brother of North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un. Abdul Mat, the police chief of Selangor state, told journalists that the suspect, a 26-year-old male Malaysian, was arrested in Ampang city of the state of Selangor. According to the police, the man is believed to be the boyfriend of the second suspect, a bearer of an Indonesian passport who was earlier arrested. The police have been looking into the connections between the suspects, while trying to pin down their roles in the death of Kim Jong Nam. A local court has granted a seven-day remand order for the first two suspects. The first female suspect, holding a Vietnamese passport, was arrested on Wednesday at the Kuala Lumpur International Airports second terminal, where the deceased Kim looked for help after feeling unwell on Monday. Kim died later on Monday en route to hospital. His body was taken to a hospital in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday for post mortem to ascertain the cause of his death. Report says the results of the post mortem are yet to be released. There are suspicions that his killers are agents of the North Korean government. (Xinhua/NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook Russias top security official on Thursday offered the Philippines access to an intelligence database to help it fight crime and militancy, and training for the elite forces assigned to protect President Rodrigo Duterte. Nikolai Patrushev, the secretary of Russias Security Council and Vladimir Putins top security adviser, made the offer during a meeting between Russian and Philippine security officials in Davao, where he was visiting Mr. Duterte at his home city. Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Russia had invited the Philippines to join a database-sharing system to help combat trans-national crime and terrorism, which he said could help track Islamist militants and their financial transactions. In an interview with Reuters last week, Mr. Lorenzana said there were very strong links between Islamic State and militants in the Philippines. Mr. Patrushevs trip underlines Russias intent to capitalize on a radical recalibration of foreign policy under Mr. Duterte, who harbours resentment of the Philippines deep-rooted ties to the United States. Mr. Duterte has made strong overtures towards China and Russia. He praised Vladmir Putins leadership when he met him at an international summit late last year. He also he talked at length to Mr. Putin about what he called U.S. hypocrisy. Mr. Lorenzana said security officials from both sides also discussed law enforcement cooperation, including anti-piracy and anti-narcotics exercises by coastguard and police. The two countries were working on a military technical cooperation agreement, he said, and Russia offered to provide enhanced training for troops protecting Mr. Duterte. Mr. Duterte will visit Moscow in May. We are keen on signing a defence cooperation agreement, Mr. Lorenzana said of that trip. Mr. Lorenzana said last week Russia was interested in selling military equipment to the Philippines, like drones, helicopters, rifles and submarines. (Reuters/NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has assured Nigerians that his meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday was successful and the president was in good health. Mr. Saraki was head of a three-man delegation including Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, and Senate Leader Ahmed Lawan that travelled to London to meet with the president. In a statement circulated late on Wednesday by his spokesperson, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Mr. Saraki said, Myself, Rt Honorable Speaker Yakubu Dogara and leader of Senate, Senator Ahmed Lawan paid a visit to President Buhari in Abuja House in London. We were delighted to see that President Buhari is doing well, was cheerful and in good spirits. The senate president also gave an indication that Mr. Buhari would soon return to Nigeria. The presidents absence and imminent return shows that there is no vacuum in government and our system of democracy is working with all organs of government fulfilling their mandate. And let me use the time tested cliche, there is no cause for alarm! The president I saw today is healthy, witty and himself, Mr. Saraki said. There have been speculations about the presidents health since his 10-day vacation which he commenced on January 19. The speculations worsened after the president wrote the Senate to extend the vacation indefinitely for health reasons. The presidency has, however, repeatedly said Mr. Buhari is hale and hearty. Since Mr. Buharis absence, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has been acting as president in line with constitutional provisions. Share this: Twitter Facebook American President, Donald Trump, has provided details of his telephone conversation with his Nigerian counterpart, Muhammadu Buhari. Mr. Trump had on Monday spoken to Mr. Buhari, who is vacationing in London. It was the first time both leaders would communicate directly since Mr. Trump assumed office as his countrys 45th president on January 20. After the conversation, the Nigerian presidency immediately released details of the call but the American version of the exchanges was not immediately available on the White House website where readouts of U.S. Presidents engagements are usually posted. That fuelled speculations that the conversation did not happen, with some commentators accusing the Nigerian presidency of lying. But responding to PREMIUM TIMES inquiry, the U.S. Department of State has provided details of the discussions between the two leaders. Tiffany Jackson-Zunker, Deputy Director, Africa Regional Media Hub at the State Department, sent this newspaper an email containing a readout of the telephone call. The readout reads, President, Donald J. Trump spoke this week with President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria to discuss the strong cooperation between the United States and Nigeria, including on shared security, economic, and governance priorities. President Trump underscored the importance the United States places on its relationship with Nigeria, and he expressed interest in working with President Buhari to expand the strong partnership. The leaders agreed to continue close coordination and cooperation in the fight against terrorism in Nigeria and worldwide. President Trump expressed support for the sale of aircraft from the United States to support Nigerias fight against Boko Haram. President Trump thanked President Buhari for the leadership he has exercised in the region and emphasized the importance of a strong, secure, and prosperous Nigeria that continues to lead in the region and in international forums. Ms. Jackson-Zunker also said a text of the readout had now been posted to the White House website. Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to President Buhari on Media and Publicity had in a series of tweets on Monday gave the Nigerian version of the discussions by the two leaders. Mr. Adesina said the conversation was cordial and that Mr. Buhari congratulated Mr. Trump on his election as the President of the United States. He said the two leaders discussed ways to improve cooperation in the fight against terrorism through the provision of necessary equipment. Mr. Trump assured the Nigerian leader of U.S. readiness to cut a new deal in helping Nigeria in terms of military weapons to combat terrorism, Mr. Adesina said. He commended Mr. Buhari for the efforts he made in rescuing 24 of the Chibok girls and the strides being taken by the Nigerian Army in combating Boko Haram. Mr. Trump also invited the Nigerian President to Washington at a mutually convenient date, the special adviser said. Mr. Adesina added that, President Trump encouraged President Buhari to keep up the good work he is doing, and also commended him for the efforts made in rescuing 24 of the Chibok Girls and the strides being taken by the Nigerian military. Share this: Twitter Facebook The Federal Government on Thursday said the January allocation from the Budget Support Facility (BSF) to Ekiti State was suspended because the state failed to comply with the basic requirements for participating in the facility. A statement by the Ministry of Finance signed by the Director of Information, Salisu Dambata, said the BSF is a conditional loan programme to state governments introduced to enhance fiscal prudence, transparency, efficiency in public expenditure and payment of salaries. The Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, had on Tuesday accused the Federal Ministry of Finance of withholding the states statutory allocation for January for political reasons. In the last three, four weeks, after the Federal Allocation Committee meeting, it is sad that Ekiti Federal Allocation for January has not been released, Mr. Fayose told journalists in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital. He said efforts by himself and other government officials to get explanations from the federal ministry of finance yielded no results. He alleged that the ministry of finance was victimising the people of Ekiti State for his criticism of the policies of the federal government. The ministry said the Ekiti government failed to comply with the required conditions for the payment, and was not the first state to be denied the funds on such grounds. It denied the claim that the ministry of finance withheld any statutory allocation due to Ekiti State, or any other state in the country. This is not the first time of non-compliance by the Ekiti State Government, the statement read. His administration defaulted in meeting the conditions specified and agreed upon by the 35 state governments that are participating in the programme as contained in the Fiscal Sustainability Plan (FSP) and the Ekiti State Government was warned formally of its failure to comply with the full requirements vide a letter on August 5, 2016, with reference number HMF/FMF/ASG/1/2016. The failure of Ekiti State Government to comply with the requirements and conditions for the Budget Support Facility (BSF) resulted in a letter sent to the chief of staff to notify him of the suspension of BSF for Ekiti State and it was conveyed to Mr. President before payment to the Ekiti State Government was reinstated. The Ekiti State Government and all the other participating states are aware of the consequence of failure to comply with the full conditions and it is not the first time that a state would be stopped from accessing the facility due to non-compliance. In the course of its normal duties, the ministry of finance has the right to query, suspend or withhold funds as part of the conditions of the Budget Support Facility. The Ekiti government described the explanation as an afterthought meant to mislead the public. The Special Assistant to the Governor on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, said the state signed up for N14.4 billion and had received funds monthly in the last seven months from the ministry of finance. So when did they realise that Ekiti State did not meet the conditions? Mr. Olayinka asked. Or did they send the allocations in the last seven months in error? He also argued that there was no warning letter or notification from the ministry of finance before the governor raised the alarm, else there would have been no need for the governor to write a letter to the ministry demanding explanations on the non-release of the funds. If they sent any letter, maybe they sent it today, because the governor was there yesterday and before then no one knew the reasons why the funds were not released, Mr. Olayinka said. As I am talking to you, we have not received any letter from the ministry, if they sent any letter, maybe they sent it today. This explanation is an afterthought. Mr. Olayinka also said he was aware that the funds was earlier sent to the Central Bank of Nigeria along those of other states, but was later recalled and the name of Ekiti State removed from the list of 35 states. Share this: Twitter Facebook The Federal government is set to launch a re-designed Youth Enterprise With Innovation in Nigeria, YouWiNConnect! programme, the Finance ministry said Thursday. The YouWin programme, initiated by the administration of former president Goodluck Jonathan in 2011 as part of the governments job creation initiatives, provides grants to Nigerians to start small businesses each year. Earlier in June 2016, the Federal Government through the ministry of finance had said that it would consult with beneficiaries and other concerned parties on the restructuring and refocusing of the multi-billion Naira Youth Enterprise with Innovation in Nigeria (YouWin) programme, with the objective of injecting new ideas for its sustainability. A statement released Thursday by Salisu Dambatta, Director of Information at the Ministry, said a weekly print media enterprise education programme designed to assist entrepreneurs start, plan and grow their businesses would be launched on Sunday. The programme, the statement said, would be launched by the Youth Enterprise With Innovation in Nigeria (YouWiN!Connect). It added that the publication would be syndicated in five national newspapers on Sundays and Wednesdays. Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun noted that the weekly editorial would showcase entrepreneurship as a job and wealth creation option, for young people adding that versions for Radio and Television would be launched when arrangements are concluded, the statement said. Since inception, according to the statement, the programme has midwifed 3,900 enterprises. The statement explained further that a formal review of the programme undertaken by the Ministry of Finance found that, whilst successful, at the initial stage of enterprise development, the Youwin programme needed enhancement to ensure sustainability. It added that the findings suggested that funding should be combined with an increased focus on enterprise education to better prepare entrepreneurs in areas such as accessing bank finance, book keeping, accounting, marketing and tax filing. This has influenced the redesign to YouWiN!Connect, which takes YouWiN! to the next level, the statement said, adding that the Minister described YouWiN!Connect as a multi-media enterprise education initiative that will provide the tools and skills required to support the emergence of the next generation of successful Nigerian-owned enterprises across the nation, it said. Explaining further, the finance ministry said the weekly publication would focus on sharing information and advice from entrepreneurs and technical experts to inspire, encourage and support young entrepreneurs to run sustainable businesses. Mrs. Adeosun, the statement noted, also emphasised that practical advice and information will be provided on the technical, legal and financial aspects of running a business in the YouWiN!Connect Academy section. The overall aim of YouWiN!Connect is to develop the next generation of Nigerian business leaders, fully equipped to compete on the global stage. Meanwhile, YouWiN!Connect has also set up an advisory board comprising experts in different areas of business and entrepreneurship, who would answer questions from members of the public weekly. Members of the board include the Finance Minister, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun; the Minister of State, Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Aisha Abubakar; the founder and C.E.O of House of Tara International and pioneer of the bridal make-up profession in Nigeria, Mrs. Tara Fela-Durotoye; Former Banker and current MD/CEO of L & Z Integrated Farms, Alhaji M.D. Abubakar, the statement said. Others are Mr. Sunday Egede and Mr. David Chukwuma Ojei, founders of the Prince Ebeano Supermarket chain; the founder and Managing Director of Sankore Investments and Venture Capitalist, Mrs. Titi Odunfa Adeoye. The Managing Director of the new Development Bank of Nigeria is also on the advisory board. Share this: Twitter Facebook The Boko Haram launched an attack on a Nigerian Air Force helicopter on Wednesday injuring an airman, an official has said. Ayodele Famuyiwa, a Group Captain and Air Force Director of Public Relations and Information, confirmed the attack in a statement to PREMIUM TIMES. The Mi-17 helicopter was shot at severally by the insurgents however there was no casualty except for an airman that sustained bullet wound, he said. Mr. Famuyiwa said the helicopter was conveying personnel on medical outreach programme at Gwoza when it was attacked by the insurgents. The helicopter had departed from Maiduguri enroute the venue of the 2-day medical outreach programme in Gwoza when it came under attack by the insurgents. Nevertheless, the pilot was able to fly the helicopter safely to and from its destination to enable the outreach programme continue uninterrupted. Following the attack, the NAF immediately scrambled a fighter aircraft and helicopter gunship to the location between Bama and Gwoza to neutralise the threat. The militarys counter-attack led to the death of scores of Boko Haram members, the spokesperson said. Mr. Famuyiwa said the outreach in Gwoza was part of the Air Forces medical outreach in the north-east as part of its humanitarian support to Internally Displaced Persons. Isolated attacks by Boko Haram on soldiers and civilians have continued despite the insurgents losing a large chunk of the territory they once controlled to the Nigerian military. About 100,000 people have died since the insurgency began in 2009, according to the Borno State government. Share this: Twitter Facebook Justice Muslim Hassan of the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court Thursday ordered a final forfeiture of N34 billion linked to former petroleum minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke. In a judgment delivered inside his tiny courtroom, Mr. Hassan said the prosecution, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) proved satisfactorily that the funds were proceeds of illegal activity. I commend the EFCC for their unrelenting efforts, said Mr. Hassan, a former EFCC prosecutor. It is a very good development for Nigeria. The anti-graft agency had, on January 6, brought an application seeking an order for the interim forfeiture of $153.3 million allegedly belonging to Mrs. Alison-Madueke to the Nigerian government. Out of the funds, N23.4 billion was kept in Sterling Bank Plc, N9.08 billion in First Bank Plc, and $5 million in Access Bank Plc. In granting the order, the judge had given the banks and any other interested party 14 days to appear before him and prove legitimacy of the monies or permanently forfeit them to the Nigerian government. On January 24, an executive director at First Bank Plc filed an application claiming ownership of the N9.08 billion, forcing the judge to adjourn for judgment. But on Thursday, his lawyer, Charles Adeogun-Phillips, brought another application seeking abridgment of time and leave to file further affidavits. He later withdrew the former. Mr. Adeogun-Phillips said his client raised the N9.08 billion in question through family and friends. I am not seeking to move these two motions at this hearing, and I will tell you why, Mr. Adeogun-Phillips began. I come in peace and in that regard, my friends (EFCC) and I are currently exploring reconciliatory thoughts towards seeking an amicable settlement in this matter. It is what I will call a commonsense approach in resolving this matter. The real value of N9 billion in May last year is not what it is today and will not be the same a year down the line, so that value diminishes. For as long as this matter is tied in litigation, that value continues to diminish. Thats why I called it a commonsense approach. If we dont get an agreement, well continue like nothing happened. But Im hopeful it will be a fruitful exercise. Rotimi Oyedepo, counsel to the EFCC, said he was not aware of any negotiations with the First Bank chief. He described Mr. Adeogun-Philips applications as strange and an attempt to stop the judge from delivering his judgment. It is alien in our legal system for your Lordship to allow his judgment to be arrested in a matter already slated for judgement, said Mr. Oyedepo. He talked about settlement. Im before your Lordship today, Ive not heard of any settlement. My employer has not given me any information about any discussion. I urge my Lord to strike out the application. After adjourning for three hours, the judge struck out the application and proceeded to read his judgment. Mr. Hassan said nobody showed cause as to why the N23.4 billion and $5 million could not be forfeited to the federal government and gave an order for their final forfeiture. He also said the bank executives claim that the EFCC misled the court to grant the January 6 interim forfeiture did not hold water. The judge further stated that the respondent could not prove his claim that he was coerced into agreeing to refund N5 billion, and later N80 million within one week. The second respondent voluntarily returned N9.08 billion being proceeds of illegal activity without coercion, said Mr. Hassan. I hereby order the final forfeiture of N23.4 billion and $5 million being unclaimed properties to the federal government of Nigeria. Share this: Twitter Facebook The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, Yaba College of Technology chapter, has accused the management of the institution of short paying staff salary by 25 per cent. The ASUP Chairman in the college, Adeyemi Aromolaran, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos on Thursday that for not receiving their full salary, the workers would not call off the strike. The union had on February 10, begun an indefinite strike over non-payment of the balance of January salary by the college management. Aromolaran said this was not the right time for the management of the institution to deny workers their full salary when the economy was biting hard. According to him, for about 10 years now, workers salary are being paid by both Federal Government and the institution on 75 per cent and 25 per cent ratio, respectively. The Federal Government had in January paid 75 per cent of the salary while the school management is expected to pay the balance of 25 per cent. The balance, which represents various allowances, is yet to be paid by the management, Mr. Aromolaran said. He said the allowances were supposed to be paid from the internally generated revenue of the college. Mr. Aromolaran said that the payment of the salary on the ratio of 75:25 by government and school management had been on for more than eight years. According to him, the fractional payment policy has been on since the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan. He also alleged that for more than 10 years, staff salaries and allowances have not been reviewed. This is not the right time to deny workers full payment of their salary. The economy is biting harder on the workers, particularly in Lagos State. We will not call off the strike until the management pay us our money, all academic activities will remain suspended, Mr. Aromolaran told NAN. He recalled that the union had similar experience in August 2016, but that after a protest, the Minister of Education intervened by directing that the allowance be paid. This time around, we will remain on strike until our full salary is paid. The management is trying to play pranks with the union. He said that if it warrants waiting for President Muhammadu Buhari to return from vacation, the union would not suspend the strike. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook The Central Bank of Nigeria said on Thursday three key sectors of the economy received the largest foreign exchange allocations between December 2016 and January. The CBN said out of a total of $2.83 billion disbursed during the two months to critical sectors of the economy, manufacturing, agriculture and raw materials got the lions shares. CBN spokesperson, Isaac Okorafor, said these sectors were considered by government as prime target for employment generation and wealth creation sectors of the economy. Mr. Okorafor said raw materials got $609 million and $228 million allocations for December and January, while manufacturing got $53 million and $71 million respectively. Besides, he said about $1.839 billion and $0.989 billion respectively were utilized in critical sectors like agriculture, petroleum products and airlines, among others in the corresponding period. Mr. Okorafor said the CBN was determined to continue to taking steps to ease the foreign exchange pressure on critical sectors of the economy. In November 2016, the CBN supported critical sectors of the economy with about $1.07 billion equivalent of foreign exchange for agricultural machinery, industrial raw materials, education and personal travel allowances, to source for industrial raw materials and spare-parts through the interbank foreign market. Share this: Twitter Facebook The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned a contractor, Ishaq Bashir, before an Abuja High Court for allegedly obtaining one million dollars by false pretence and cheating. Mr. Bashir was arraigned on Thursday alongside his companies, Leda Greenpower Consortium, Leda Greenpower Nigeria Limited and Leda Consortium Limited, on a three-count charge. He was alleged to have collected the said sum as part payment of a $3 million agreement from Althani Investments Company Limited for the purpose of forming a consortium to bid for shares at the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company. The bidding failed and several attempts made by the company for a refund of the money proved abortive. After he pleaded not guilty to the charges, prosecution counsel, Rimamsomte Ezekiel, asked for a trial date. Responding, counsel for the defendant, A.B. Anachebe, SAN, moved the motion for his bail application. Mr. Ezekiel opposed the application, arguing that the defendant would interfere with prosecution witnesses if granted bail. He further argued that the application was not proper in the sense that the defence only mentioned the name of the first defendant without reference to the second, third and fourth defendants. The presiding judge, Justice S.E. Aladetoyinbo, however granted the accused bail in the sum of N2 million and one surety in like sum. He said the surety must be resident in Abuja and must have a landed property. Mr. Aladetoyinbo adjourned the matter to April 10 for hearing. Share this: Twitter Facebook The fourth edition of the Southern Governors Wives Forum opened in Umuahia, the Abia capital on Thursday, with 11 members in attendance. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that those present so far are from Abia, Imo, Enugu, Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Cross River, Lagos, Ogun, Osun and Oyo states. In her speech, the chairperson of the forum, Nkechinyere Okorocha, said the forum was established to address issues concerning the health and empowerment of women. According to her, it is the brain-child of President Muhammadu Buharis wife, Aisha. Mrs. Okorocha, while underscoring the role of the woman in nation building, said the Nigerian woman was key to the realisation of the Nigeria of our dream. She said that it was in line with the tradition of the forum to give out mental, spiritual and economic empowerment to women of the host state during each forum. In an address of welcome, the host and wife of Abia Governor, Nkechi Ikpeazu, said the purpose of the gathering was to empower women in the state. The women who are benefitting today were meticulously selected in such a way to ensure that they are capable of using the items to eke out a living for themselves. It is my expectation that over time, this set of beneficiaries would become self-sustaining. She said that similar gestures in the past failed to achieve the intended purpose because some beneficiaries sold off their items or lacked the requisite skills to sustain their businesses. She, therefore, pledged to support the beneficiaries to be able to access loans and to succeed in their businesses. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governors wives present took turns to present speeches address different topics on health, girl-child education and business. Topics discussed ranged from Cancer to negative widowhood practices, education, training and protection of the girl-child against abuse. The role of women in the family, counselling the Nigerian child in the choice of careers, promoting healthy and positive relationship among the womenfolk, the role of women in nation building and tips on how to start small businesses were also discussed. Prominent women politicians in the state, including Victoria Akanwa, as well as wives of two National Assembly members from Abia attended the ceremony. No fewer than 300 women from the 17 local government areas of the state received empowerment materials such as hair-dressing kits, sewing and grinding machines, locally-made ovens and sets of cooking utensils. Among the beneficiaries was a physically-challenged woman, Onyinyechi Ukaegbu, 51, who received hair-dressing kits and expressed joy and gratitude to the forum for its kind gesture. Akudo Chukwuemeka, who received an oven, also thanked the forum and appealed for financial assistance to enable her to start her business. The forum is expected to issue a communique at the end of the two-day meeting. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook The National Secretary of Accord Party, Samson Isibor, has dismissed rumours making the rounds that the party plans to go into alliance with another party. In a statement he signed and issued to journalists on Thursday in Benin, Mr. Isibor urged the public to dismiss the rumours. The party is not thinking of forming alliance with any political party now or even in the future. We in Accord party wishes to inform the public and President Muhammadu Buhari, that there was no time a decision was taken by the party to form alliance with Prof. Jerry Gana-led alliance team. We see this as part of the gimmick to deceive Nigerians and curry favour from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and also for their selfish interest, he said. Mr. Isibor also urged the public to dismiss rumours that Mohammed Nalado is the National Chairman of the party. Accord party has warned Mr Mohammed Nalado to stop parading himself as the National Chairman of the party. We are appealing to the public to disregard the rumours and particularly, not to transact business with Nalado as chairman of the party. Those transacting business with him are doing so at their own risk, he said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook The European Union has donated 70 million to a healthcare project that seeks to support nutrition and the final push to eradicate polio in Nigeria. Speaking at the launch of the project, EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Michel Arrion, said the project would help to improve access to effective health and nutrition in five prioritised states and support the final push to eradicate polio in Nigeria. The focus is especially on providing services to poor, marginalized rural women and children, saving the lives of mothers and children and improving their health and nutrition through a sustainable primary health care delivery system, he said. The Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole, expressed appreciation for the support. He said the funds will go a long way in helping to revitalize about 774 Primary Health Centers (PHCs) in three states, thus completing a fraction of the 10, 000 PHCs to be revitalized by the Federal Government. At the end of this exercise, EU would have strengthened 774 PHCs in the three states. Thus our target of revitalizing 10, 000 PHCs is on course and we are quite confident that we shall get there. The support fund, which is part of the 512 million five year partnership agreement between the European regional body and Nigerian government, is also to strengthen the countrys health system and to eradicate polio virus. The first phase of the project under the 11th European Development Fund, will be implemented jointly by UNICEF and the World Health Organsiation. Fifty million euros, according to the breakdown, will be going to Adamawa, Bauchi and Kebbi to ensure that by 2020 the states have functional primary health care centres, providing round-the-clock services to three million children under the age of five as well as almost a million pregnant women and lactating mothers. The remaining 20 million will go for strengthening of health care systems towards achieving universal health coverage in Anambra and Sokoto states and also the efforts to support the eradication of polio permanently in the country. The Executive Director of National Primary Health Care Development agency, Faisal Shuaib, promised that the agency will ensure transparency and accountability in spending of the grant and also ensure it is used for its original purpose. Share this: Twitter Facebook The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday said it secured about 1, 500 convictions since inception in 2003. The Head, Public Relations of the South-South Zonal office of the EFCC, Oladele Oyewale, disclosed this at a town hall meeting in Benin City, Edo State. The gathering centred on Fostering Citizens Support for the War against Corruption in Nigeria, organized by CLEEN Foundation, a non-governmental organization. Debunking the claim that the EFCC was yet to live up to its mandate other than being selective in its prosecution of corrupt citizens, Mr. Oyewale argued that the number of its convictions so far, 1,500, proved that the EFCC was actually proactive and working. He said the commission could only be more effective in its fight to curb corruption when more Nigerians join hands by volunteering information that can lead to arrest, investigation and prosecution of corrupt individuals. Mr. Oyewole, who distinguished between petty and grand corruption, charged citizens to denounce and not celebrate convicts and people standing trials for corruption. At the interactive meeting, citizens were enjoined to raise awareness about corruption through the mass media, community meetings, print materials, and videos. In his paper titled: Evaluating Anti-corruption Efforts in Edo State and Nigeria: A Perspective from the Judiciary, the chairman of the Benin Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ede Asenoguan, declared that corruption was still high in the country despite efforts by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to reduce it. It is pertinent to note that despite the existence of these several laws aimed at curbing corruption, I think corruption is still waxing very strong in this country as well as in Edo State, he said. Mr. Asenoguan cautioned the Federal Government on the crackdown on judicial corruption. However, I must add, that efforts and attempts to rid the judiciary of corruption must be handled with care. I agree that nothing can be worse than a corrupt judge giving perverse judgment purely influenced by gratification. My call for caution in the process of the purge is to ensure that the entire institution is not brought into ridicule and opprobrium, because at the end of the day, an allegation of corruption against any individual will still have to pass through the Judiciary before such an allegation can be said to have been established or proved, he said. The Project Manager of Budgit, Abayomi Akinbo, remarked that the trust and confidence of all Nigerians in President Buhari and his administration could only be rousing if monies recovered from looters are disclosed, and such looters named. Also speaking, an assistant superintendent at the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), Samuel Odebajo, explained why the agency was now emphasizing prevention over prosecution of corruption, an explanation that sparked criticisms from participants. Global Financial Integrity estimates that more than US$157 billion has left the country illicitly in the past decade. Recent reports by Transparency International showed Nigeria ranked 136 out of 176 countries with a score of just 27 out of 100 on the Corruption Perception Index. About 85 per cent of Nigerians surveyed believed corruption actually increased from 2011 to 2013. EDITORS NOTE: This post has been updated to correct the impression created by the earlier version that the about 1500 convictions were for 2016. The figure is actually for 14 years 2003-2017. Share this: Twitter Facebook The 2017 budget estimates of N6.97 billion for the Ministry of Communications has been rejected by the House of Representatives Committee on Telecommunications. The rejection followed the ministrys failure to provide satisfactory details of the 2016 budget expenditure. The ministry proposed to spend N5.96 billion for capital projects, N742.88 million for personnel, while N216.88 million was proposed for overhead cost. The committee, chaired by Saheed Fijabi, asked the minister, Adebayo Shittu, to provide documents on projects, project locations, third party contracts, and receipt vouchers for conferences, trainings and nominal roll for the ministry. The Committee said it would not consider the 2017 budget estimates of the ministry until it embarked on an on-the-spot assessment of the projects contained in the budget. The minister, who appeared before the committee, refused to explain the details of the budget. He explained that the Permanent Secretary, Sunday Echono, who is the accounting officer of the ministry, was in the best position to respond to the specifics of the document. In his presentation, the minister said that contrary to what was on record, the ministry only received N3.96 billion as against the N4.91 billion that was budgeted and recorded for the ministry on Government Integrated Financial Management System (GIFMIS). The breakdown showed that out of the 48 new projects pencilled down for execution, only one was on-going. According to Mr. Echono, the ministry recorded 100 per cent performance on the N3.095 billion released for the ministry. For the year under review, N216. 79 million was appropriated for overhead, while N138.90 million was released leaving a balance of N77.9 million. While N600.240 million was also appropriated for personnel cost, out of which N695. 88 million was released. The lawmakers, who were shocked about the finances of the ministry, requested for explanations why money released for personnel was higher than money appropriated. The committee also asked why N8 million was spent on presentation at Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, while seeking explanation on the procurement of computers for N12 million. In addition, the committee expressed doubt over the capital expenditure item whereby N4. 9 million was spent on supervision of the unspecified work. The construction of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) centres in some parts of the country was also queried as the ministry failed to execute any of the projects, claiming lack of funds. The committee also frowned at why projects that would benefit Nigerians directly were not prosecuted by the ministry. With the document before us, there is a need for this Committee to oversight these projects because Nigerians have been blaming the legislature for not doing its job well. Going forward, we have to look at the procurement process and on-the-spot assessment of these projects has become inevitable. In addition, the ministry should furnish the committee with its nominal roll, indicating old and new workers. The provision of the details requested will determine how soon we will embark on the oversight visit and the consideration of the ministrys 2017 budget estimates, he said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook President Muhammadu Buhari has thanked all Nigerians, Christians and Muslims alike, for their constant prayers and kind wishes for his health. The President made this known on his Twitter handle, @MBuhari, on Wednesday night, shortly after the Senate President Bukola Saraki; Speaker, House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara and the Senate leader Ahmed Lawan visited him in London. He said: Pleased to receive Senate President Bukola Saraki, Speaker Yakubu Dogara and Senate Leader Ahmed Lawan, tonight. I thanked them for visiting. Im also grateful to Nigerians, Christians and Muslims alike, for their prayers and kind wishes for my health. Senate President Bukola Saraki, who led a team of National Assembly leaders to visit the President, said at the end of the visit: there is no cause for alarm. Mr. Sarakis statement was meant to douse apprehensions and speculations in Nigeria about President Buharis health. The president I saw today is healthy, witty and himselfhe is doing well, was cheerful and in good spirits, the Senate President said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook The Office of the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has mobilised 400 corps members across the country to champion the implementation of SDGs 2030 in Nigeria. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, the SSA to the President, said this at the opening ceremony of the launch of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC)/SDGs Champions at the NYSC Orientation Camp, Keffi, Nasarawa State. The ceremony was organised by the Office of the SSA on SDGs in collaboration with the NYSC with the theme: Youth Taking Action to implement the 2030 Agenda. Mrs. Adefulire said the corps members were mobilised to help prevent the drawbacks found with the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Nigeria. The aide said one major drawback was the inability of communities where projects were sited to take ownership of the projects. Mrs. Adefulire said the 400 corps members mobilised would therefore assist in advocacy of the SDGs in the 36 states and local government areas of the country. She said the corps members would be the mouth piece of the office of the SSA on SDGs, urging them to be a voice for the weak and report any cases of abuse that they see in their communities of service. One of the aims of the NYSC/SGDs Champions will be to develop in the Nigerian citizenry a commitment to development through awareness creation in the implementation of the SDGs. It is also to galvanise Nigerians for active participation in the achievement of the SDGs. The SDGs champions who are the corps members will enrich SDGs activities in their various places of primary assignment. This will be done through collaboration with community members, private organisations to improve the lives of the youths in their various communities in line with the vision of the SDGs in Nigeria, Adefulire said. She said that although Nigeria made appreciable progress in the implementation of the MDGs, it encountered critical challenges which had been rolled over to be addressed by the SDGs. According to the SSA, the 17 goals of the SDGs are integrated, indivisible and balance economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development. She said in an effort to domesticate, integrate and mainstream the new agenda, the office of the SSA on SDGs was working assiduously to establish the policy and framework for the implementation of SDGs in Nigeria. Suleiman Kazaure, the NYSC Director-General, said the participation of corps members in the implementation of the MDGs started since 2006. He said the SDGs programme was a universal call to end poverty, hunger, gender inequality and promote healthy living and economic growth among Nigerians. He said that the mobilisation of the corps members was a call for them to be the eyes and ears of their communities of service towards the achievement of development in the country. Mr. Kazaure assured the SSA that the corps members would not fail in the discharge of their duties. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the SDGs is currently at the centerpiece of the current global development agenda which envisages a world free from poverty and deprivation where the fundamental conditions for human survival are safe guarded. The vision, which was endorsed by 189 nations in New York in September 2015, is expected to guide nations, international organisations, private sector, civil society and governments in all countries in the shared pursuit of a healthier world and a better tomorrow. The SDGs has 17 goals and 169 targets which is a response to the numerous challenges confronting the world today. The 17 goals include no poverty, no hunger, good health, quality education, gender equality, clean water and sanitation, renewable energy, good jobs and economic growth, innovation and infrastructure. Others are reduced inequalities, sustainable cities and communities, responsible consumption, climate action, life below water, life on land, peace and justice and partnerships for the goals. NAN reports that the 400 corps members are the first batch of youths mobilised to champion the actualisation of the SDGs. They are to undergo a five-day training after which they will commence advocacy at the grass root level. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook The Plateau State University, Bokkos has suspended the Chairman and Secretary of the varsitys chapter of the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities, SSANU, Timnan Rimdap and Dusu Yaro. The suspension letters, dated January 27 and signed by Amos Mallo, the universitys Registrar, indicated that the suspension was for three months during which they would receive only half of their basic salaries. Mr. Rimdap is the Head of the ICT unit, while Mr. Yaro is of the academic planning unit. The letters barred them from entering the universitys premises during the period except with the express permission of the Vice-Chancellor, Registrar or Acting Chief Security Officer. The officers were directed to hand over their duties and identity cards to the most senior officers in their departments. A copy of Mr. Rimdaps suspension letter indicated that he was fired after management felt dissatisfied with his response to queries bordering on SSANU issues and alleged absence from duty. The letter accused him of insubordination, lack of respect to constituted authority and attempting to tarnish the image of the university through falsehood and misrepresentation of facts. Sources from the Registry traced the development to the inauguration, on November 23, of the schools chapter of SSANU, by the unions national body, and the subsequent request for members check-off dues by Mr. Rimdap led interim executive committee. NAN learnt that the Vice Chancellor declined the request for the dues, and insisted that he would only recognise the body after it had been registered by the school. Copies of numerous letters, between the management and SSANU, showed that while the former insisted on registering, before recognising every trade union, the latter argued that the registration of trade unions was the sole responsibility of the Registrar of Trade Unions. In one of such letters, SSANU quoted Section 3 (1) of the Trade Unions Act 2004, as conferring that privilege only on the office of the Registrar of Trade Unions in the Federal Ministry of Employment, Labour and Productivity. The National President of SSANU a registered trade union has granted approval for the establishment of a branch thereof in Plateau State University and the recognition of the union by an employer is obligatory, SSANU argued. SSANU, therefore, declared that it was unnecessary and unconstitutional to have another registration with the university. But management, in a memo dated January 10, insisted on the registration of all trade unions so as to monitor their activities, and directed unions, intending to operate in the school, to forward a list of officials, constitution and current membership list, for registration with the university. It followed that up by specifically requesting minutes of the meeting where SSANU members agreed to the 2 per deduction on their salaries as check-off dues, and finally ruled that only individuals could write, granting permission to management, to tamper with their wages. The university management, meanwhile, frowned at the tone of letters to it, and direct text messages to the Vice Chancellor, which it considered disrespectful, and accused Mr. Rimdap and the union of using unpalatable language. Contacted, Doknan Sheni, the universitys Vice Chancellor, said that the suspension had nothing to do with SSANU or a desire to stifle the union. No one will refuse to pay check-off dues; but we wanted to be sure that he (Timnan) was representing the union and had members mandate to deduct the check-off dues. We asked him to produce minutes of congress meetings and, specifically, where they agreed that monies be deducted. We also wanted to know if SSANU mandated all the write-ups sent to management. Instead of providing the information, Timnan was blackmailing the management and the Vice Chancellor. The Registrar of the school is a senior member of SSANU; he has denied ever attending any congress meeting where deductions were endorsed, the professor said. Mr. Sheni also accused Mr. Rimdap of just disappearing from school without permission, and described that as a grievous offence. Reacting to his suspension, Mr. Rimdap expressed shock over managements action, and wondered why he would be suspended without any prior warning, as stipulated in the universitys conditions of service. The law says that one can only be suspended after two warnings; in my case, I have never been given a verbal, much less written warning, he said. He said that the suspension was a gross violation of our rights to freedom of association, and opined that the intention was to intimidate members of SSANU. There is nothing in the trade union act that makes it mandatory for the union to submit its minutes to any employer because the union is an independent body, but SSANU has submitted minutes of four congress meetings to the management, he added. According to him, the minutes confirmed that members indeed gave their consent to the deduction of dues. Such deductions are even a requirement of both SSANU constitution and the trade union act 2004, he said. On allegations that he absented himself from duty without permission, Timnan said that he was sick for three days, and later had to write his examinations at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi. I applied for annual leave so as to use the time to attend to my health and write the examinations, but the leave was not approved, he said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook A member of the House of Representatives, representing Mashi/Dutsi Federal Constituency in Katsina State, Sani Bello, who died on Wednesday has been buried. Mr. Bello died on Wednesday at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, during a protracted illness. He died at the age of 48, and is survived by three wives and many children. The deceased has since been buried according Islamic rites in his hometown, Mashi in Katsina State. The Chief Imam of Mashi, Nura Mashi, led the funeral prayer attended by dignitaries including the Secretary to Katsina State Government, Mustapha Inuwa, state PDP Chairman, Salisu Majigiri, politicians, government functionaries and traditional rulers. It would be recalled that the member was kidnapped some months ago while driving to his farm in Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, but was later released. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook Sokoto State Government has corrected itself after a photo of spelling error on a state-owned vehicle went viral on the internet last week. Sokoto State Poverty Reduction Agency, SPORA, was incorrectly emblazoned as Sokoto State Property Eradication Agency on one of the buses the state distributed to residents under an empowerment program years ago. The emergence of the picture on the Internet earned the Tambuwal administration a wave of criticism last week. Feyi Fawehinmi, using the handle @DoubleEph, uploaded the picture on Twitter with a damning caption. Sokoto is clearly not a place where you want to invest in property, he wrote in the February 9 tweet. The post was retweeted more than 600 times and other social media passed it around as sarcastic and meme-worthy. But the jokes did not no go without notice by state government officials, who later they took action. On Thursday, government spokesman, Imam Imam, uploaded a new photo of the bus with a message that the state was not out to eradicate properties. Hey guys, PROPERTIES are welcome in Sokoto. But an agency is here to tackle POVERTY headlong, Mr. Imam said. The bus had been repainted and errors corrected. Mr. Imam explained the reason behind the mistake when reached by PREMIUM TIMES Thursday afternoon. He said a Sokoto resident who received the bus under the SPORA scheme sold the vehicle to someone in Jos even though he had not completed his loan repayment for the vehicle to the state. The man he sold it to then repainted it and that was where the error in spelling came in from, Mr. Imam said. We tracked them and retrieved the vehicle from them and repainted it with correct spelling of the government agency that gave it out. We also discovered that the beneficiary had not completed payment on the vehicle before transferring it to someone in Jos who was using it to ply the Lagos route, Mr. Imam said. Clearly, an embarrassing situation. Mr. Imam said the state wont release the identity of the Sokoto man for now. SPORA was founded in 2007 by former Governor Aliyu Wamakko as part of his youth skill acquisition policy at the time. Share this: Twitter Facebook Hundreds of women and young men on Thursday marched to Government House in Kano to protest alleged rampant cases of missing children in the state. Mainly married women, grown up girls and some boys, the protesters arrived the venue where the office of the state governor is located chanting We are tired of theft our children, government should do something about it. The protesters, who said they were from Hotoro, Kawo, Kawon Mallam and Kawon Maigari, said that they could no longer tolerate their children being stolen. Two of the leaders of the protesters, Halima Abubakar and Aisha Abubakar, accused a woman of being behind the theft of the children. They said they had complained severally to law enforcement agencies but that the security authorities had done nothing tangible to check the menace. At the Government House, security officials held back the protesters, saying the governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, was not around to receive them. They advised the protesters to select representatives to meet the governor when he returned to town. There had been reported cases of missing children in Kano, but the Police said they were on top of the situation. Speaking on the development, the spokesman of the governor, Salihu Yakasai, told PREMIUM TIMES on phone from Abuja that the state government has adopted various measures to tackle abductions in the state, especially of children. Mr. Yakasai said the measures include getting communities involved in maintaining security. He said the government has also continued to procure equipment for security agencies, citing 27 vans recently presented to the state police command. Share this: Twitter Facebook The Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom, Donald Awunah, on Thursday confirmed the abduction of Felix Akpan, a Catholic Reverend Father priest of Ikot Ekpene Diocese, in Akwa Ibom. Mr. Akpan, who is in-charge of St. Michael De Archangel Parish at Ikot Etim in Ukanafun Local Government Area, was abducted by unidentified gunmen along Abak-Ukanafun Road. The priest is also said to be teaching at TopFaith International School, Mkpatak, in Essien Udim Local Government Area. He was reportedly kidnapped when he was returning from the school. Mr. Awunah said that police detectives had been deployed to ensure the release of the priest unharmed. According to him, the priests SUV had been recovered at a mechanic garage. He said some suspects who took custody of the vehicle had been arrested. The commissioner said the suspects were helping the police in their investigation. We are closing in on them. We have recovered his car in a mechanic garage and arrested those who had the custody of the vehicle; they are now helping us in our investigation. The Nigeria Police Force will remain cautious with the investigation to ensure that the priest regains his freedom without any harm, he said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Enugu State has appealed to aggrieved members of the party to bury their differences and rally round the governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. The state Chairman of the party, Augustine Nnamani, made the appeal on Thursday in Enugu in a congratulatory message to the governor on his victory at the Court of Appeal, Abuja. Mr. Nnamani said that it had become imperative to resolve all differences in order to sustain the pace of development being championed by the governor in the overall interest of the people. Ayogu Eze, a former senator, had approached the appellate court to declare him the duly elected candidate of the party in the December 4, 2014 governorship primary election held in the state. Mr. Eze participated in a parallel primary election of the PDP where he was declared the winner while the state governor won in another primary election. Mr. Nnamani said: the party wishes to call on those who may still be aggrieved to drop their differences in the interest of the state and join hands with our visionary governor to move the state forward. Our governor, as a man of peace, is ever ready and willing to accommodate all shades of interests in line with his administrations peace and development initiative. The chairman said that the emergence of Mr. Ugwuanyi as the then standard bearer of the party was through a transparent process and the popular choice made by the people. He commended the jurists at the appellate court for doing justice to the parties in the case, adding that the judgment had reinforced the faith of the party in the judiciary. The judgment of the court only affirms the unanimous decision, goodwill, solidarity and support our party faithful and residents of the state have for the governor, he said. Mr. Nnamani urged the governor not to cave in to distraction, but continue with his efforts to entrench good governance in line with his people-oriented leadership in the state. Meanwhile, the state chapter of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), has congratulated the governor on the victory, describing it as the best thing for the state. The Chairman of the association, Cornelius Nnaji, said that the judgment was a true reflection of the wishes of the people of the state, especially those at the grassroots. The appellate court on February 15 had dismissed Mr. Ezes appeal as lacking in merit. In the judgment delivered by Justice Peter Ige, the court held that in his affidavit, the appellant admitted that he did not participate in the primary election conducted by the National Executive Committee, NEC, of the PDP. The court also held that the lower court which dismissed the matter in the first instance lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the suit as Mr. Eze did not participate in the primary election organized by the partys NEC. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook The outgoing governor of Ondo State, Olusegun Mimiko, has shed light into why his father opposed his entrance into politics as captured in his biography, Mimikos Odyssey. The book which captured the life and political sojourn of the medical practitioner cum politician was presented to the reading public on Wednesday, at the International Event Centre, Akure. A perspective review of the book by Prof. M. Umar-Buratai, revealed that the father of Mr. Mimiko, Pa Mimiko, opposed his entrance into politics, preferring him to have stayed put in his medical profession. The book, authored by Olu Obafemi, a professor at the University of Ilorin, highlighted Pa Mimikos disdain for politics, viewing politicians as thieves and rogues. The fathers view was reflected in his comment when asked if the day Olusegun Mimiko was appointed Secretary to the Ondo State Government was his happiest. He replied: My happiest day was the day Abbas (Mr. Mimikos younger sibling) went to Mecca. Speaking later at the book launch, the governor said his father actually loved politics and stirred their interest in politics. He said the political violence of 1983 in the south west was the reason his father would not want any of his children to join politics at the time. If there was anyone who was infected by the political virus in our house, it was my father, Mr. Mimiko said. He loved politics, he followed politics and the defining feature in our house is that he woke up every 5 a.m. and listened to the BBC, the VOA and render all the stories even when we were kids. So he loved politics. But after the 1983 mayhem, my father developed hatred for politicians; this is because we grew up with the background of violence in politics. If he were alive today, he would have been proud of what we have been able to achieve today. He taught us early in life the virtues of caring for others, he taught us that there are greater virtues in life than money. The book which was launched by the Governor of Zamfara State, Abdulazeez Yari, along with his counterpart from Adamawa State, Mohammed Jibrila, and other dignitaries, pictured Mr. Mimiko as a dogged politician who forayed into politics to fulfil his desire he carried over from the medical profession, to effectively care for the people. Mr. Obafemi said he was motivated to write the book having been enthralled by Mimikos dynamics of activism and his courage to foray into politics and controversies. According to him, money was not one of his motivations, but the character of Mr. Mimiko whose determination to impact positively the lives of his people ensured good governance during his term of office as governor. Other dignitaries who attended the occasion chaired by an emeritus professor, Oladapo Akinkugbe, include PDP chieftain Olabode George, representatives of the governors of Lagos and Delta states, Iyiola Omisore, former governors, legislators and party members. Share this: Twitter Facebook Six of the eight Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members of the Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday announced their defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The lawmakers spoke after the Acting Clerk of the House, Azeez Sanni, read a letter dated February 16 and signed by the defectors, indicating that they had decided to join the APC. In the letter, the lawmakers said they were taking the step due to the division and infighting which had factionalised their party. The lawmakers include Akeem Bello (Amuwo Odofin II) who was Minority Leader and the Minority Whip, Mosunmola Sangodara (Surulere II). Others are Jude Idimogu (Oshodi/Isolo II), Dayo Famakinwa (Ajeromi Ifelodun II), Oluwa Fatai (Ajeromi/Ifelodun I) and Olusola Sokunle (Oshodi/Isolo I). The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that with the defection, only two members Victor Akande (Ojo I) and Dipo Olorunrinu (Amuwo-Odofin I) are now in the opposition. Mr. Famakinwa said on the floor of the House that the achievements of Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode also inspired him to join the APC. Also, the member representing Ajeromi/Ifelodun constituency, Mr. Oluwa, said his reason for joining APC was due to feud between the Ali-Modu Sheriff-led and Ahmed Makarfi-led factions of PDP. Mr. Idimogu, on his part, said: APC is better. I dont know how to appreciate the good work of the governor than to join his party to move the state forward. According to Mr. Sokunle, the decision to align with the ruling party was borne out of his desire to move his constituency forward. The only female among the defectors, Mrs. Sangodara, said she also took the step to serve her constituents better. We are all aware of what is happening in PDP, she said. The Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, welcomed the lawmakers to APC and commended them for their decision. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that other APC lawmakers also rose to welcome the defectors into party and exchange handshakes with them. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook In rural America, health care cannot be ignored. It is vital for those of us living in western Nebraska to have quality local health care options. We are an agricultural community. Though we would like to think we don't experience accidents on our farms or in our small towns, that is not the case. There may be a tractor roll over, someone gets caught between the fence and an angry cow, or any other potential danger and you are in need of medical help. We also face the regular urban accidents, a slip in the shower, a car accident, etc. Then there are the strokes, heart attacks or cancers that are as mean and nasty to rural Americans as they are to urban Americans. Without fast quality care, a stroke can leave its victim in a terrible state. However, the right help given in a timely fashion can save the brain and mean a full recovery. Out here in western Nebraska, our home, we are blessed with a number of quality health care providers. At the top of the list is Regional West Medical Center, a Level II Trauma Center, one of only three in Nebraska and it is right here in Scottsbluff. They have attracted some of the best nurses, doctors and staff providing care to all of us in rural Nebraska. This great crew recently was honored by Healthgrades as the five-star recipient for the treatment of stroke, the treatment of sepsis, the treatment of pulmonary embolism, the treatment of respiratory failure and for esophageal/stomach surgeries. These are impressive honors. Air Link is ready, as is Valley Ambulance Service, to quickly get people to RWMC or one of our other great facilities close by. There is Box Butte General Hospital in Alliance, Sidney Regional Medical Center in Sidney, Morrill County Hospital in Bridgeport, Community Hospital in Torrington, Kimball Health Services in Kimball and Community Action Partnership of Western Nebraska's Health Center all providing great health care for all of us in western Nebraska. Sometimes we feel distanced from the big city amenities, but even out here in western Nebraska, we never have to take backseat to quality health care. To all you in the health care field, we say, "thank you." This editorial appeared in the Feb. 6 edition of the Scottsbluff (Nebraska) Star-Herald. Minister Krzysztof Szczerski Advisers to the Polish and French presidents and the German chancellor will meet in Paris next week, Polish presidential Minister Krzysztof Szczerski has said. The three envoys are to exchange opinions, sum up Weimar Triangle relations as well work out a common stand on key international security problems, European policy and Europe's future, Szczerski said. The minister stressed that the Triangle was returning to work in an operational mode to prepare documents for top level meetings. He added that in view of the election calendar in Europe "we do not expect a speedy Weimar Triangle summit to take place". Szczerski added that for the Weimar Triangle to be an efficient instrument in European policy it should be rebuilt starting with the working levels. The last meeting of heads of state of the Weimar Triangle took place in Warsaw in 2011. The Weimar Triangle was set by Polish, French and German foreign ministers in 1991 with the aim to develop cooperation among the three countries. (PAP) President at the Munich Security Conference in 2016 President Andrzej Duda will take part in the Friday-starting Munich Security Conference. During the event, the president is to take part in a panel on the condition of the West. During the panel, to be attended, among others, by Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko, US Senator John McCain and British as well as Canadian Foreign Ministers, Boris Johnson and Chrystia Freeland respectively, the president will speak on two prerequisites of the West's strength - unity and governments listening to their citizens, Polish president's aide Krzysztof Szczerski has told PAP. According to the minister the president is to argue that each crack was unfavourable for the Western community. Minister Szczerski stressed that this was why directions undermining Atlantic ties appearing in Europe were wrong-headed choices. On the sidelines of the Munich conference President Duda is scheduled to hold two-way meetings with the president of Ukraine, Senator McCain, and with the presidents of Bulgaria, Croatia, Slovenia. According to Krzysztof Szczerski the most important topic of the Munich conference will be the re-arrangement of Europe - US ties. (PAP) We recall few local issues that have produced as much emotion and discussion as traffic cameras. To be honest, we don't get it. If you follow the posted speed signs and stop for red lights, you won't have a problem with speed and red-light cameras. Nonetheless, here we are, still debating and arguing (and writing) about them, from Des Moines to Sioux City, years after they first went into use, with no sign of letup. First three paragraphs of Our Opinion, Sioux City Journal, Feb. 23, 2014 Three years after we wrote those words, the traffic camera debate in Iowa rages on. Two related bills have been introduced during this year's session of the Legislature. One bill, passed by the Senate Judiciary Committee, would ban traffic cameras in Iowa; the other, passed by the Senate Transportation Committee, addresses regulation of traffic cameras by the state. Our view? As we have said before, for reasons of public safety we prefer traffic cameras remain legal within a uniform set of reasonable rules, including fines. If a majority of lawmakers in both chambers of the Statehouse believe traffic cameras represent pure evil, then they should vote to outlaw them altogether. However, if the Legislature believes these cameras represent an acceptable form of traffic enforcement in Iowa cities and decides to retain them, then we believe decisions about where to place them should be left to local municipalities, even on state roads within city limits. Simply put, local jurisdictions know better than the state Department of Transportation where to put their speed and red-light cameras. This editorial appeared in the Feb. 10 edition of the Sioux City Journal, another Lee Enterprises publication. The man with the best job in the country is the vice president. All he has to do is get up every morning and say, How is the president? Will Rodgers 1. Plan your spring camping trip Use the three-day weekend to plan your familys spring getaway at the 22nd Atlantic City RV & Camping Show Friday, Feb. 17 through Sunday, Feb. 19. Held annually over Presidents Day Weekend, the event has travel trailers, RVs, campers and more to browse. Hours are noon to 8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Atlantic City Convention Center, One Convention Blvd. $12 adults, free ages 12 and younger. GSEvents.com. Kathy Griffin: concerned citizen by day; inappropriate comedian by night Kathy Griffin has offended so many people in Hollywood that she tells me, you may be my bes 2. Plunge into the Atlantic Ocean Continuing a Presidents Day Weekend tradition, Sea Isle City will host its 23rd annual Polar Bear Plunge festivities Friday through Sunday. Remember the days before Americas first president with the crowning of the plunges Royal Family 7:30 p.m. Friday. Registration for the contest is $25. LaCosta, 4000 Landis Ave. At noon on Saturday, gather for plunge festivities on the beach at JFK Boulevard; then at 2 p.m., commemorate the historic weekend with an epic dive into the Atlantic Ocean. Registration is $25. The weekend ends noon Sunday with the Mikes Seafood Polar Bear Run/Walk for Autism. $18 to $25; meet at JFK Blvd. and the Promenade. Call 609-263-9090 or go to SeaIsleChamber.com. 3. Go shopping Celebrate the weekend with some shopping down in Victorian Cape May during the citys Craft and Collectibles in Winter show, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission is $2. Shop from dozens of talented local and regional crafters and antique dealers with handmade items, jewelry, glassware and more. Cape May Convention Hall, 714 Beach Ave. Call 609-884-5404 or go to CapeMayMac.org. 4. Take a wine class Take a step back into history while learning about French wines at the historic Washington Inn, 801 Washington St., Cape May. The Inn was built in 1804, the year Thomas Jefferson was re-elected president. Guests to the class, held at 1 p.m. Saturday, will expand their knowledge of fine wines and pairings, along with tasting a few reds and whites. Admission is $40. Registration is required. 609-884-5697. 5. Attend a lecture Brush up on your presidential knowledge during a lecture at Avalon Library at 1 p.m. Saturday. Conrad Weiler, associate professor emeritus of political science at Temple University, will give the audience a glimpse into the Founding Fathers idea of the office of president. 235 32nd St., Avalon. Call 609-967-7155 or go to AvalonFreeLibrary.org. Pub Scout: The Crab Trap parties like its 1959 Sometimes a place just seems to have figured out how to keep its bar stools filled. For as l 6. Have a chocolate feast Valentines Day might be over, but that doesnt mean your chocolate cravings have been appeased. Cape May is offering a Chocolate Lovers Feast as part of the weekends festivities 1 p.m. Saturday. Guests will be treated to seven courses of chocolate-filled desserts at the Blue Rose Inn, 653 Washington St. A short presentation will be given by the chef who prepared each course. Admission is $40. Reservations are required. 609-884-5404. Jacklyn McQuarrie VENTNOR The Community FoodBank of New Jersey Southern Branchs mobile food pantry makes its return to the city next week for the first time in more than seven months. The Ventnor mobile food pantry program will debut Wednesday at its new location in the Ventnor Plaza parking lot on Wellington Avenue. City and food bank officials came to an agreement after months of negotiations. The mobile pantry will reappear at its site in Ventnor on the fourth Wednesday of every month. We are very pleased to be back in Ventnor and helping to feed households struggling to keep food on their tables, said Richard Uniacke, Southern Branch vice president. Food bank officials said they established the mobile pantry in Ventnor in 2011 because they identified a population of people lacking access to healthy food. More than 14 percent of Ventnor residents live in poverty, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That rate is higher than those of Egg Harbor Township, Galloway Township, Somers Point and Middle Township, all of which host a food bank mobile pantry one day per month for two to three hours. Ventnor officials shut down the mobile food pantry in July because its spot at the Veterans of Foreign Wars building on Dorset Avenue had become overcrowded. City officials said residents around the VFW previously complained that pantry clients were knocking on their doors, asking to use their bathrooms or sitting on their steps. Food bank officials said they did not receive those complaints while the mobile pantry stopped in Ventnor. Downbeach residents had been assigned to the Somers Point mobile food pantry site in the interim. Ventnor residents fight over new location of food bank mobile pantry VENTNOR Tonya Smith found herself helping an elderly woman in her early 90s from Ventnor w Food bank and city officials debated for months about when and where the mobile pantry should be relocated. As disappointed as we have been with the challenges involved in making this happen, we are equally thrilled that our Downbeach neighbors no longer have to travel to meet us at other locations, Uniacke said. The mobile pantry site will distribute food only to residents of Ventnor, Margate and Longport who are on state assistance programs. Residents from other towns, including Atlantic City, are not eligible for the Ventnor mobile site, but will be given information on where they can get food from their designated mobile pantry site or food pantry. Tonya Smith, mobile pantry coordinator, said people may want to come to the site by 9 a.m. to form a line. The pantry will be open from 10 a.m. to noon or later. Smith and pantry volunteers distribute food until the line of people ends or food runs out. ATLANTIC CITY The citys state overseers have struck a deal with Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa that pays the casino $72 million, less than half of what the city owed the casino. The settlement over the citys crushing tax-appeal debt to Borgata, announced by the state Wednesday, saves the city tens of millions of dollars and resolves one of the largest issues facing the cash-strapped resort. The city owed Borgata $165 million in property-tax refunds, according to officials overseeing the state takeover of the city. Borgata withheld property-tax payments last year to offset some of the refunds, a move that exacerbated the citys financial woes. Under the agreement, Borgata will forgo pending tax appeals for 2013 to 2015 and will make its quarterly payments in lieu of property taxes this year, according to a statement from the Department of Community Affairs. The settlement took both sides working closely together to find common ground, said former U.S. Sen. Jeffrey Chiesa, who is leading the state takeover of the city. As good corporate citizens, MGM Resorts and Borgata understand the financial realities facing Atlantic City and are jointly committed to the revitalization of the area as a good place to live and a prime destination for tourism. It wasnt immediately clear how the city would pay for the settlement. The city already has $224 million in bonded debt, most of which covers prior property-tax appeals from casinos, according to the citys 2016 annual debt statement. John McManus, executive vice president of Borgatas parent company, MGM Resorts International, said it agreed to the reduced payment because we are committed to being a catalyst of Atlantic Citys strong and vibrant future. With this agreement we are assured the relative certainty of payment, and the avoidance of additional cost and time related to further litigation, he said. MGM Resorts and Borgata believe this was the right deal for all parties concerned and is in the best interests of MGMs shareholders. Before it was taken over by the state, the city had proposed paying Borgata $103 million by borrowing through the state Municipal Qualified Bond Act. The state rejected the plan in favor of a state takeover. Gov. Chris Christie said Wednesday that reaching a deal with Borgata was a top priority of his administration. In his statement, Christie also criticized city officials for not being able to reach it themselves. The city administration, despite all the time and opportunity given to them, failed to accomplish this goal as they have with so many others, Christie said. This agreement saves $30 million more for taxpayers than what Atlantic City had anticipated settling for under its five-year plan. A spokesman for Mayor Don Guardian didnt immediately return a request for comment. City Council President Marty Small praised the settlement, saying it was a great day in the city of Atlantic City. I think this goes a long way of paying down a significant portion of the debt, which should eventually lead to lower taxes and the stabilization of taxes for the residents, Small said. In 2013, a tax court judge slashed Borgatas $2.2 billion assessment to $880 million and $870 million, respectively, for tax years 2009 and 2010. That ultimately gave Borgata $62 million in tax judgments against the city. The city and Borgata later settled for an additional $88 million for tax years 2011 through 2014. But the city breached that deal when it missed a December 2014 payment deadline. Last year, a judge let the casino withhold property-tax payments from the city to offset some of the refunds. With an annual tax bill of about $30 million, Borgata was the citys largest taxpayer. Borgatas current $850 million assessment recently drew scrutiny. In May, Boyd Gaming sold half of its stake in Borgata for $900 million to MGM Resorts, which then sold the property for about $1.18 billion to MGM Growth Properties. The sale took place just days after the state enacted a law that essentially froze Borgatas assessment for a decade. The so-called PILOT law will let casinos make fixed payments in lieu of property taxes for 10 years. MAYS LANDING Hundreds of buzzing students gathered in the auditorium of the Atlantic County Institute of Technology on Wednesday to talk fashion. It was the third year the executive producers of Atlantic City Fashion Week, Lamont and Jeana Bowling, have held a panel discussion for students in South Jersey to learn more about the fashion industry. The seven-guest panel consisted of hair and makeup artists, a fashion journalist, shoe designer, retail expert and fashion photographer who have ties to the area. We started this about two years ago, but with all of the questions students had, we said, You know what, we need to bring in people who do this every day, said Lamont Bowling. Roberta Musci is one of the fashion design teachers at ACIT who helped bring the panel to the school. She said that after seeing last years business of fashion panel at Stockton University, she made it her mission to bring it to ACIT. The Bowlings are fabulous, Musci said. It was inspirational for the fashion students there are over 80 in the fashion academy at ACIT. Being fearless is so important, she said of the field. We cant stress that enough. Students had submitted questions for the panel about becoming models and what colleges they should attend that were diverted to KD Morris, a fashion photographer; Destinee Cushing, a hair stylist; Jaime Hannigan, White Lotus founder; Tina Gilliam, a hairstylist; Lloyd Crawford, i-Fashion Magazine founder; Jermaine Pratt, a shoe designer; and Angela Perymon, a makeup artist and a model for QVC. The objective of the panel was to show students there are many fashion-industry jobs open to them and that they can achieve their fashion goals in South Jersey without moving to Philadelphia or New York. Hannigan shared her story about making jewelry with her sister at a young age. After she and her sister graduated college, they opened their first brick-and-mortar store, White Lotus in Sea Isle City, now a growing South Jersey chain of three. Instead of being scared of the unknown, we went for it, Hannigan told students. Especially if you dont think you have the money, theres a way. Have laser focus. Hannigan urged students to realize they can start their fashion careers from right where they are. You dont have to be in New York or Philly. You dont have to be in a specific location. Its about the drive. Be a big fish in a small pond, she said. Lamont and Jeana Bowling will begin season 10 of Atlantic City Fashion Week on Thursday night in the Orleans Ballroom at Showboat Atlantic City. A student showcase kicks off each season featuring South Jersey student designers debuting their work. A ready-to-wear show will take place Friday night, and the couture show will wrap up the weeks events Saturday night in Atlantic City. ATLANTIC CITY Atlantic City police sped through the Inlet section of the resort Thursday afternoon in pursuit of a man wanted in connection with a shooting in Virginia. Several days ago Atlantic City police were alerted by Virginia law enforcement that the wanted man, Kenneth Livette Fisher, 37, who was wanted out of Spotsylvania County, Virginia, was in the Atlantic City area, Deputy Chief William Mazur said. Fisher was wanted on charges including felony assault, possession of firearm by a felon and felony shooting from vehicle. He was considered armed and dangerous, Mazur said. Sgt. Richard Andrews found Fishers gold Chevy Tahoe at a hotel on Route 30 in Galloway Township, police said. When Galloway police and several Atlantic City detectives tried to stop him in the hotel parking lot, he fled. Police pursued him down Route 30 as he sped through traffic, through traffic lights and drove around cars on the shoulder. After entering Atlantic City, he was eventually stopped at the 400 block of Connecticut Avenue, Mazur said. Fisher left his vehicle and ran away but stumbled, dropping a gun, police said. Officers Valmir Loga and Michael Vega took him into custody after a short struggle, Mazur said. No one was injured. Police recovered a loaded 40-caliber handgun with hollow-point bullets, 28 grams of cocaine, 14 grams of marijuana, and over $5,000 in cash at the scene, according to police. Neighbors and passers-by gathered near the scene where the man was apprehended. There was no risk to the community, we thank the community for their cooperation and understanding, Mazur said. We know it can be quite upsetting when something like that abruptly comes in to a neighborhood with lights and sirens and police officers, but I can assure the community the officers did a great job. According to Spotsylvania Sheriffs Capt. Liz Scott, deputies went to a home in the 9800 block of Red Hill Road around 10 p.m. Sunday in response to a report of shots being fired, according to the Free-Lance Star in Fredericksburg, Virginia. A woman there told the officers that she and Fisher had gotten into a dispute and he fired a gun, Scott said. No one was hurt, Scott said. Fisher drove away before deputies arrived, she said, but they found shell casings at the scene. The Press of Atlantic City and the Free-Lance Star are both owned by BH Media. Staff Writer Lauren Carroll contributed to this report. SOMERS POINT Patients and their families can get more access to Alzheimers disease treatment and education through a new program at Shore Medical Center. The hospital kickstarted the Alzheimers Disease and Related Disorders Center on Thursday with $500,000 in funding from Ocean City Masonic Lodge 171. Experts say as Alzheimers and dementia diagnoses continue to grow across the country, more specialized care and support services are needed locally. Theres been a gap in service for the community for a very long time, said Ron Johnson, Shore president and CEO. This is only the beginning of our service, where we can help patients and caregivers in the community. The center will provide patients with education, resources, treatment and diagnostic tools for Alzheimers disease and other forms of dementia. Center programs are operating now, and Shore officials said they expect the infrastructure to be completed within the hospital in the next few months. The program will offer more cognitive neuroscience resources, faster plans for diagnosis and treatment, guidance for specialized medications, counseling, community outreach and education for patients and caregivers, officials said. This is not an individual disease. It impacts the entire family structure, said Dr. David Roeltgen, neurologist and director of the new center. Roeltgen said the center plans to partake in Alzheimers clinical trials and get patients into programs with trial medications. Shore officials said they plan to use insurance reimbursements and money from patient participation in trials to sustain and build center programs and services. Alzheimers disease became one of the fastest-growing causes of death among Americans in recent years. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced in December that life expectancy for the U.S. population decreased for the first time since 1993. Explanation for the drop included increases in death rates among eight out of 10 leading causes of death. Alzheimers disease saw an increase of more than 15 percent from 2014 to 2015, the report showed. The Alzheimers Association predicts about 170,000 people in New Jersey will be living with the disease this year. That number is expected to jump to 210,000 people in 2025, according to the association. Roeltgen said the medical community is still seeing Alzheimers disease patients live longer, thanks to better diagnosis and treatment, but it still remains an incurable and fatal disease. Family members often become caregivers for their loved ones, and the job can be difficult without community help, he said. Roeltgen said the center will look to hire a geriatric psychiatrist to help treat patients and prescribe medications specific for Alzheimers disease and dementia patients, as well as a geriatric social worker to help assist family members and caregivers. The Ocean City Masonic Lodge was able to present the donation to the hospital after receiving a gift from Flora and Benjamin Baker, posthumously, of Ocean City. The couple owned and operated hotels in the shore town and had made donations to the hospital in the past. David Hughes, Shore CFO, said he expects the center to treat and help not just residents of Atlantic County, but anyone in South Jersey looking for specialized care for Alzheimers disease and related disorders. An Atlantic City police officer is facing an aggravated assault charge after an alleged domestic-violence incident involving his girlfriend. Dayton Brown, 44, of Galloway Township, was arrested Tuesday after an anonymous citizen reported him to the departments Internal Affairs Section. Browns girlfriend, whom authorities will not identify, was interviewed by police after being taken to the hospital. Three teens arrested and charged in Pleasantville car chase Monday PLEASANTVILLE A 16-year-old driver and his two teenage passengers are facing charges after The victim sustained nonlife-threatening injuries, according to a statement by the Atlantic City Police Department. Brown, a 10-year veteran of the department, is suspended without pay and was taken to the Atlantic County jail pending a court appearance. The Associated Press reported that Brown was sued in 2014 by a woman who claimed he choked her and slammed her head against a wall at a casino. That case was settled and he was never charged. The Associated Press contributed to this report. LOWER TOWNSHIP Police plan to honor Officer David C. Douglass Sr. on Saturday, exactly 23 years after he was killed in the line of duty. Douglass is the only township police officer to have been killed on the job, and in commemoration of his death, flags will be flown at half-staff at the police station and Township Hall, and a wreath will be placed at his gravesite at Cold Spring Presbyterian Churchs cemetery, police said. Lower Township Public Safety building reopens after leak LOWER TOWNSHIP The townships public-safety building was evacuated and closed for a short At 7:15 p.m., police dispatch will broadcast Douglass End of Watch call, a tradition in which a dispatcher marks the end of a fallen officers service, police said. In addition, at about 7:15 p.m., all fire sirens in the township will be activated, police said. Douglass was also a Town Bank firefighter. Douglass, who was 34 when he died, was shot once in the neck Feb. 18, 1994, while responding to a suspicious-person report in the North Cape May section of the township. The suspect had just burglarized and set fire to a home on Town Bank Road. Lower Township police honor officer killed in '94 LOWER TOWNSHIP Police placed a wreath Monday at the gravesite of Officer David C. Douglass Following an extensive investigation, Chung Hop was arrested in New York City and charged in Douglass death. He pleaded guilty to felony murder and was sentenced to life in prison in 1995. On this day let us reflect on the sacrifice and contributions that Officer David C. Douglass had on the law enforcement community, along with many other law enforcement officers who also made the ultimate sacrifice to protect and serve the citizens of their communities, the Police Department said in a statement. His son, David Douglass Jr., serves in the Cape May County Sheriffs Office. A state grand jury voted Thursday not to file any criminal charges in connection with the death of a Little Egg Harbor Township man who was killed by the Ocean County Regional SWAT Team. Patrick Fennell, 57, a former New York City cop, was fatally shot by a member of the SWAT team during an armed standoff in July. When police shot Fennell, he was intoxicated, toxicology tests showed. He was wearing only a bathing suit and a camouflage hat and boots, which were on the wrong feet. He also was holding a .22-caliber revolver. The shooting was investigated by the Attorney Generals Shooting Response Team. The incident started about 7 p.m., when Fennells wife called 911 and told the operator he was drunk and she had heard shots in the basement, according to a statement from the Attorney Generals Office. Earlier in the evening, she had confronted him and grabbed some loose bullets that were near him as he loaded a revolver. She told 911 operators that he pushed her away as she took the bullets. Fennell left the house and headed in a wooded area behind the home. The Ocean County Regional SWAT Team used a variety of lights, including night vision, to find Fennell, who was moving around in the woods. Negotiators were brought to the scene, but were unsuccessful in establishing communication with Fennell. The SWAT team then attempted to move closer to Fennell. Officers continued to try to speak to Fennell but he did not cooperate, according to the Attorney Generals statement. Fennell, who apparently had been lying under brush and leaves, sat up on the ground. Multiple officers said they saw Fennell raise the gun to a ready position, with the barrel pointed up. The officer who shot Fennell, who the state Attorney Generals offices did not identify, was about 20 yards away and directly in front of him when the shooting occurred. Officers ordered Fennell show his hands and put the gun down. According to officers, Fennell ignored commands and pointed the gun in the direction of the officers. One officer then fired multiple rounds from his rifle at Fennell before pausing. Officers yelled that Fennell was still moving, and that officer fired several more rounds at him, for a total of eight. That was the only person who fired. Several officers reported that Fennell said something antagonistic before pointing his gun at the officers. The officer who shot him reported Fennell said, Dont come any closer. This is going to be a bad day. Officers moved in to secure Fennell once he stopped moving. He was shot in the chest, right arm and hip area, and the revolver was between his legs. Emergency medical personnel were called forward to assist Fennell, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. Fennells revolver, which was partially loaded, had been struck by a bullet and was damaged on the front-facing portion of the revolving chamber of the gun, consistent with the gun being pointed at officers. Toxicology tests performed in connection with the autopsy revealed that Fennells blood alcohol concentration was about 0.12 percent. ATLANTIC CITY A newly proposed project to overhaul Tennessee Avenue made waves with investors Thursday at an Urban Land Institute seminar in the Convention Center. The Tennessee Avenue Transformation, headed by Alpha Funding Solutions CEO Mark Callazzo and Authentic City Partners Evan Sanchez, would feature restaurants, bars and stores on the road between the Boardwalk and Pacific Avenue. Sanchez likened the idea to South Street in Philadelphia a walkable outdoor space jammed with things to do. The idea at this point centers just on a coffee and ice cream shop and an adjoining bar/restaurant the men are building in the area. They own some other land in the area and hope to find tenants willing to open and operate there. Were going to make Tennessee Avenue into a pedestrian-only walkway on summer weekends from Memorial Day to Labor Day, Sanchez said. We want to infuse the street with a ton of energy and art from the asphalt up. Were going to make it the home base for high quality markets with great crafts and food. What prompted the businessmen to choose Tennessee Avenue? Its empty, its the worst street, Callazzo said. If there was ever a street to develop, this is it. They said they hope to start construction on the coffee shop in the next few months. The concept wasnt the only topic during Thursdays seminar. On the other side of the city, the Gateway Project is well underway, with completion of the new Stockton University campus set to be complete by the 2018 school year. The campus will feature beachfront dorms, a student center and an academic building that will accommodate as many as 1,800 students. There will also be a new parking garage and new offices for South Jersey Gas. Stockton President Harvey Kesselman said applications for the school have risen by nearly 30 percent in the past few years. He credited the coming Atlantic City campus and the improvements the school is making on its Galloway Township campus for the increase. When you invest in Atlantic City ... it pays back, he said during the seminar. It has cost us a lot of energy, time and money, but its really important to understand that an investment in Atlantic City is an investment in the state. We have a lot to be proud of. The seminar also featured projects away from the city notably the Stockton Aviation Research and Technology Park. Excavation surrounding the first building of the park is nearly complete. Construction is expected to start soon. The first building should be open by this time next year, said Joe Sheairs, executive director of the park. The park will have seven buildings dedicated to the aviation industry and will partner with the federal government. Atlantic County Economic Alliance Chairman Leo Schoffer said the alliance is working to expand Atlantic City International Airport into an aircraft maintenance site and an academy where people can be trained to fix planes. The airport is a great asset. We need to leverage it, Schoffer said. Someone who was a slot-machine mechanic can reinvent themselves and become an aircraft mechanic. Schoffer said it is up to the private sector to work with the public sector to get these projects done. Its going to take the private sector. Its going to take us to diversify the economy in Atlantic County, he said. CAPE MAY A Michigan man considered a person of interest in a triple homicide in Detroit was arrested here last week, authorities said Thursday. Russell Charles Govett, 38, of St. Clair, Michigan, was arrested Saturday after the Detroit Police Departments Homicide Unit informed Cape May police they believed he was staying with an acquaintance in the resort town, the Cape May County Prosecutors Office said. Wildwood mother, child kidnapping ends in 3 arrests, cops say WILDWOOD Two men and a woman were arrested early this week in connection with the Sunday k Police in Michigan want to talk to Govett about a triple homicide Feb. 4 on the citys east side, Detroit police Sgt. Adam Madera said. He has not been charged with anything in regard to this homicide, Madera said. The three victims were shot to death, he said. Madera did not identify the victims or discuss the specifics of the investigation, but the Detroit Free Press reported that three men were found dead in a home in the city. Something in the investigation led us to believe he might be headed in that direction, said Madera, referring to why authorities thought Govett might be in Cape May. Govett, considered a fugitive from justice, was spotted by Cape May Detective Sgt. Shawn Austin and arrested along with Dana Esbensen, 41, of Cape May, according to the Prosecutors Office. Former Cape May Boy Scout leader admits to touching boys A Cape May man who admitted inappropriately touching an adolescent boy and grooming anothe Authorities in Cape May found Govett with prescription drugs not prescribed to him, the Prosecutors Office said. He was charged with being a fugitive from justice and an offense related to possessing the drugs. Esbensen was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and released on summons, according to a news release. Govett was taken to Cape May County jail on $1 million bail pending extradition to Michigan, the prosecutors office said. Members of the U.S. Marshals Regional Task Force, Cape May County Prosecutors Office, Cape May City Police Department and Lower Township Police Department participated in the investigation and arrest, according to a news release. ATLANTIC CITY Local leaders are ready to wipe away the negative economic stigma the city and the county have endured over the past decade. On Thursday, the leaders will join real estate developers in a seminar at the Atlantic City Convention Center to discuss the biggest ongoing projects in Atlantic County that officials hope will be enough to stimulate the economy and bring full-time work back to the area. The seminar, hosted by the Urban Land Institute, will feature updates on the Tennessee Avenue Transformation, The Beach at South Inlet complex, The Gateway Project, and the Stockton Aviation Research and Technology Park. The Urban Land Institute is a nonprofit organization that brings together leaders in real estate and government to exchange ideas and find the best ways to serve communities. It also explores the issues of urbanization, conservation, regeneration, land use, capital formation and sustainable development. The institute was established in 1936 and has more than 38,000 members worldwide. Were trying to showcase all the good things that are happening down here, said Lance Landgraf, who is a commissioner in Ventnor and a member of the South Jersey chapter of the institute. We need to generate some positives and let people know whats going on. Landgraf said the institute usually hosts events in Camden County but that this event in Atlantic City has been in the works for several months. Stockton University President Harvey Kesselman will be the keynote speaker and will give an update on the Atlantic City campus that is expected to be completed next year. The other speakers will have an interview-style discussion about the projects, moderated by Joe Kelly, president of the Greater Atlantic City Chamber. Evan Sanchez, of Authentic City Partners, and Mark Callazzo, of Alpha Funding Solutions, will discuss the Tennessee Avenue Transformation, a planned, walkable area in the city that will include stores, restaurants and bars. William Boraie, of Boraie Development, will talk about The Beach at South Inlet, the planned $81 million apartment complex across from Showboat Atlantic City. Joe Sheairs will discuss the redevelopment at the Stockton Aviation Research and Technology Park. Tickets for the event are $55 for nonmembers of the Urban Land Institute. Tickets for members are $40. ATLANTIC CITY Police Chief Henry White has ordered an Internal Affairs investigation after an officer was caught on a cellphone video cursing and threatening a man. The language and tone used by our officer in the video is concerning and is not condoned by this department, police spokesman Sgt. Kevin Fair said in a statement. Police would not identify the officer, who is seen in the video posted Tuesday night to Facebook during what appears to be a traffic stop. The video had been viewed more than 52,000 times by Thursday morning. The officer has been removed from patrol and placed on administrative assignment, the department said Wednesday. Mayor Don Guardian said Thursday he was aware White had ordered an investigation of the officer. As of yesterday morning, the chief was trying to reach out to the individuals that were in the vehicle so we can get any additional statements they would like to make, Guardian said. Guardian added the two officers involved in the incident had their body cameras activated, and officials want to make sure they review the footage. Clearly the standard for law-enforcement officers is higher than what we expect of the average citizen, and the language that we heard was unprofessional, inappropriate, not acceptable for an Atlantic City police officer, Guardian said. City Councilman Frank Gilliam told The Press of Atlantic City on Thursday he was disturbed after hearing the way the interaction unfolded in the video. We dont tolerate behavior in that manner. We dont advocate for our officers or anyone who is an employee in Atlantic City to treat the next person in that manner, he said. I was very taken aback by that. A police officer is heard in the video, along with another officer, instructing the vehicles occupants to stop recording. Its unclear why the occupants were pulled over. Listen, there are two ways this can go. Take that phone, stick it out of my face. Im not going to tell you again, the officer says. The man in the car responds, Im not trying to give you a hard time, bro, and explains he was filming because he didnt want to get charged with a crime he didnt commit. The men continue to argue before the officer begins yelling. Im going to explain this one time and one time only, the officer says. You can act like a gentleman and Ill treat you like a gentleman. You... (inaudible)... and I guarantee that 90-pound dog is going to come out and rip the (expletive) of you. If your hand doesnt disappear, Im going to knock you (expletive) out. Put your hand in my face again, Im going to knock you the (expletive) out, the officer says. At that point, the man filming says he doesnt want any problems. Im that guy, you understand me? he yells. So calm down, you feel me? Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Atlantic City Police Department Internal Affairs Section at 609-347-5833. Staff Writers Steve Hughes and Christian Hetrick contributed to this report. Wildwood has an idea for developing ratables to help offset the heavy property taxes of residents. Unfortunately, the plan for a major housing project on low land fronting the back bay is contrary to the direction barrier island communities must go. We sympathize with the tax-relief motivation of Mayor Ernie Troiano and the City Commission members who support this latest effort to develop the former city landfill. But desperation for an increase in municipal revenue without raising the local tax rate is insufficient reason to put lots of new residences in harms way. The city has tentatively authorized three local investors to redevelop the 26-acre site with 100 single-family homes. Even with full city support, the project faces daunting challenges. For starters, the property is directly on the Post Creek Basin waterway and is below grade, the citys special counsel said. Currently, dredged material from Ocean City is being deposited on the property, capping the former dump. A major housing developer, K. Hovnanian, in 2002 considered residential construction on the property and decided against it. The company cited significant environmental and engineering issues, among others. Those challenges probably have gotten bigger in the 15 years since. Now, its well established that the coastal land in New Jersey including this property is sinking. The sea level including the water in Post Creek Basin is rising. And awareness and understanding of the unsustainability of coastal development has increased with each major storm and resulting devastation. Four years after K. Hovnanian passed on the Wildwood property, Hurricane Sandy caused $71 billion in damage. When it hit, U.S. coastal properties along the East Coast and Gulf of Mexico were already worth $64 trillion. The federal government and coastal states cant afford to keep repairing and rebuilding existing properties, let alone new ones. Theyre looking for ways to reduce buildings at risk, not increase them. There probably will be buyouts of properties, or bans on rebuilding, or added fees or taxes for coastal properties. In December, the state and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began a three-year study of what, if anything, can be done affordably to mitigate back-bay flooding. A big housing development would just add to the risk and cost. Wildwood officials might try to revive another former proposal for the property a public park and solar farm. That could set an example as a beneficial use in keeping with coastal-protection goals. VANCOUVER, Washington, Feb. 15, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CytoDyn Inc. (OTC.QB:CYDY), a biotechnology company focused on the development of new antibody therapies for combating human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, announces that data from its ongoing Phase 2b extension study with PRO 140 administered as a single agent provided maximal virologic suppression and was well tolerated by 10 HIV-infected patients for nearly two years. The study data was the subject of a poster presentation by Dr. Kush Dhody, Senior Director, Clinical Operations at Amarex Clinical Research, at the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) being held in Seattle. The abstract and poster, entitled PRO140 Single-Agent Maintenance Therapy for HIV-1 Infection: A 2-Year Update, are available on the companys website at www.cytodyn.com. The study data will also be featured at CROI 2017 in a special hour-long Themed Discussion, I Want a New Drug, on February 16 beginning at 1:30 p.m. Pacific time (4:30 p.m. Eastern time). A delayed webcast of the Themed Discussion will be available on February 17, 2017 by 2:30 p.m. Pacific time at croiwebcasts.org, then select Feb 16 and scroll down to I Want a New Drug. The poster reviews the two-year treatment data from the ongoing Phase 2b CD01 extension study into which 16 patients infected with CCR5-tropic HIV-1 were enrolled after maintaining virologic suppression (HIV-1 RNA levels below 40 copies/mL) following 12 weeks of weekly, subcutaneous injections of PRO 140 (350 mg) as a single agent under the initial CD01 study. Of the 16 patients, 14 were male and three were non-white; the median age was 54.9 years (range of 26-68) and median CD4 T-cell count was 593 cells/mm3 (range of 365-1059). These patients were trained to self-administer PRO 140 and were allowed to continue weekly subcutaneous injections as a monotherapy for up to three years (or 160 weeks). Of those enrolled, 13 patients (81.3%) maintained complete virologic suppression for more than 40 weeks and 10 patients (62.5%) maintained complete virologic suppression for nearly two years and are still continuing on PRO 140 monotherapy regimen. One patient discontinued at week 47 with complete virologic suppression due to relocation and five patients experienced virologic rebound, defined as two consecutive viral load measurements of 400 copies/mL. The mean time to virologic rebound was 329 days (range of 106-691). An advanced single-copy HIV RNA assay levels (to quantify the viral load below the limit of detection of commercially available assays) were evaluated for the 10 ongoing patients at two-year time point. Seven (7) patients reported viral load of <1 copy/mL; and other 3 patients reported values of 4, 10, and 19 copies/mL. These single-copy HIV-1 RNA results provide further evidence of potent antiviral activity of PRO 140. HIV-infected patients are in need of new approaches for maintaining virologic suppression as many experience toxicity, intolerance or suboptimal adherence to the current standard of care, which is a daily oral combination antiretroviral therapy (ART), said Dhody. As highlighted in this poster, a subgroup of patients was able to maintain complete virologic suppression on PRO 140 over extended periods of time without the compliance, tolerance and resistance issues associated with oral combination ART. The strength of the data presented today demonstrates that PRO 140 warrants further evaluation as a long-acting, single-agent maintenance therapy in select HIV-1 patients. It is indeed an honor to present this data to attendees at CROI 2017. PRO 140 is a humanized IgG4 monoclonal antibody that works by blocking HIV-1 from entering and infecting immune cells by binding to CCR5 with high affinity, which is a novel approach to maintaining virologic suppression, said Paul J. Maddon, MD, PhD, inventor of PRO 140 and Senior Science Advisor to CytoDyn. It is exciting that a group of patients self-administering PRO 140 as a monotherapy were able to avoid the potential toxicity of ART, while preserving their option to return to an ART regimen at a later date. PRO 140 was well tolerated by a majority of patients in this extension study and there were no reports of serious adverse events or treatment discontinuation related to the drug. As anticipated, no anti-PRO140 antibodies were detected in any patient, indicating there were no signs of drug resistance. PRO 140 in Phase 3 Trials CytoDyn is evaluating PRO 140 in two Phase 3 trials in patients with CCR5-tropic HIV-1. The first is the multicenter, randomized, pivotal Phase 3 CD02 trial with PRO 140 in combination with other antiretroviral agents that is enrolling 30 treatment-experienced adult patients who have documented multi-antiretroviral class resistance and evidence of HIV-1 replication despite ongoing antiretroviral therapy. Enrolled patients continue their failing HAART regimen for one week for the efficacy portion of the trial. At the start of that week half of the patients are treated with PRO 140 and half are injected with a placebo. For PRO 140 to reach the primary efficacy endpoint, 90% of those injected with PRO 140 and less than 35% of those injected with placebo need to achieve 0.5 log reduction, or a three-fold decrease, in HIV-1 RNA levels versus baseline. Following the initial efficacy portion of the trial, patients are placed on optimized HAART along with weekly PRO 140 injections for a 24-week period to complete the safety portion of the trial. Enrollment is also underway in the Phase 3 CD03 trial with PRO 140 as a single-agent maintenance therapy in virally suppressed subjects with HIV. This multicenter, open-label trial will enroll 300 patients with the objective of assessing the efficacy, safety and tolerability of PRO 140 as a long-acting, single-agent maintenance therapy for the chronic suppression of HIV. Patients enrolled in the trial will be shifted from daily ART regimens to weekly PRO 140 subcutaneous injections for 48 weeks. We are excited about both Phase 3 trials with PRO 140, said Nader Pourhassan, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer of CytoDyn. While we believe PRO 140 as a combination therapy offers the compelling advantage of allowing patients to discontinue the most toxic drug in their ART regimen, the results presented today provide sufficient reason to continue pursuing PRO 140 as a single-agent therapy. We are using our ongoing trials to evaluate a number of factors such as patient characteristics and dose levels that may predict PRO 140 treatment success in future studies. CROI Conference The annual Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) brings together top basic, translational and clinical researchers from around the world to share the latest studies, important developments and best research methods in the ongoing battle against HIV/AIDS and related infectious diseases. CROI is a global model of collaborative science and the premier international venue for bridging basic and clinical investigation to clinical practice in the field of HIV and related viruses. Additional information about the conference is available at http://www.croiconference.org/. About CytoDyn CytoDyn is a biotechnology company focused on the clinical development and potential commercialization of humanized monoclonal antibodies for the treatment and prevention of HIV infection. The Company has one of the leading monoclonal antibodies under development for HIV infection, PRO 140, which has completed Phase 2 clinical trials with demonstrated antiviral activity in man and is currently in Phase 3. PRO 140 blocks the HIV co-receptor CCR5 on T cells, which prevents viral entry. Clinical trial results thus far indicate that PRO 140 does not negatively affect the normal immune functions that are mediated by CCR5. Results from seven Phase 1 and Phase 2 human clinical trials have shown that PRO 140 can significantly reduce viral burden in people infected with HIV. A recent Phase 2b clinical trial demonstrated that PRO 140 can prevent viral escape in patients during several months of interruption from conventional drug therapy. CytoDyn intends to continue to develop PRO 140 as a therapeutic anti-viral agent in persons infected with HIV and to pursue non-HIV indications where CCR5 and its ligand CCL5 may be involved. For more information on the Company, please visit www.cytodyn.com. About PRO 140 PRO 140 belongs to a new class of HIV/AIDS therapeutics viral-entry inhibitors that are intended to protect healthy cells from viral infection. PRO 140 is a humanized IgG4 monoclonal antibody directed against CCR5, a molecular portal that HIV uses to enter T-cells. PRO 140 blocks the predominant HIV (R5) subtype entry into T-cells by masking this required co-receptor, CCR5. Importantly, PRO 140 does not appear to interfere with the normal function of CCR5 in mediating immune responses. PRO 140 does not have agonist activity toward CCR5 but does have antagonist activity to CCL5, which is a central mediator in inflammatory diseases. PRO 140 has been the subject of seven clinical trials, each demonstrating efficacy by significantly reducing or controlling HIV viral load in human test subjects. PRO 140 has been designated a fast track product candidate by the FDA. The PRO 140 antibody appears to be a powerful antiviral agent leading to potentially fewer side effects and less frequent dosing requirements as compared to daily drug therapies currently in use. Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of United States securities laws, including statements regarding CytoDyns current and proposed trials and studies and their results, costs and completion. These statements and information represent CytoDyns intentions, plans, expectations, and beliefs and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many beyond CytoDyns control. These factors could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements or information. The words believe, estimate, expect, intend, attempt, anticipate, foresee, plan, and similar expressions and variations thereof identify certain of such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. CytoDyn disclaims any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. While it is impossible to identify or predict all such matters, these differences may result from, among other things, the inherent uncertainty of the timing and success of and expense associated with research, development, regulatory approval, and commercialization of CytoDyns products and product candidates, including the risks that clinical trials will not commence or proceed as planned; products appearing promising in early trials will not demonstrate efficacy or safety in larger-scale trials; future clinical trial data on CytoDyns products and product candidates will be unfavorable; funding for additional clinical trials may not be available; CytoDyns products may not receive marketing approval from regulators or, if approved, may fail to gain sufficient market acceptance to justify development and commercialization costs; competing products currently on the market or in development may reduce the commercial potential of CytoDyns products; CytoDyn, its collaborators or others may identify side effects after the product is on the market; or efficacy or safety concerns regarding marketed products, whether or not scientifically justified, may lead to product recalls, withdrawals of marketing approval, reformulation of the product, additional pre-clinical testing or clinical trials, changes in labeling of the product, the need for additional marketing applications, or other adverse events. CytoDyn is also subject to additional risks and uncertainties, including risks associated with the actions of its corporate, academic, and other collaborators and government regulatory agencies; risks from market forces and trends; potential product liability; intellectual property litigation; environmental and other risks; and risks that current and pending patent protection for its products may be invalid, unenforceable, or challenged or fail to provide adequate market exclusivity. There are also substantial risks arising out of CytoDyns need to raise additional capital to develop its products and satisfy its financial obligations; the highly regulated nature of its business, including government cost-containment initiatives and restrictions on third-party payments for its products; the highly competitive nature of its industry; and other factors set forth in CytoDyns Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2016 and other reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. 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. CLEARWATER, Fla., Feb. 15, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On February 25th the Church of Scientology invites members of the community for a tour of the Fort Harrison and the Clearwater Building, both restored historic landmarks. Photos accompanying this announcement are available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/55925827-40bf-4c4b-b98c-77425f199daf http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/05fbc9c9-5d20-453d-9de3-a887b7c9b560 The Manager of the Scientology Information Center, Mrs. Amber Skjelset, will be conducting a guided tour of the Fort Harrison and the Clearwater Building on February 25th at 1:30pm. The tour begins at the landmark Fort Harrison where its architectural restoration, well-maintained decor and beautiful furnishings can be seen. Visitors will learn about the buildings history as well as current community activities. The Fort Harrison, standing 11 stories tall, was built in 1926. It was considered Clearwaters first skyscraper, which at that time was defined as a building of 10-20 floors. The Fort Harrison was purchased by the Church of Scientology in 1975 making it the International Religious Retreat for visiting parishioners receiving religious services. In 2009, the Church undertook a top to bottom restoration of the Fort Harrison bringing it up to modern standards and polishing up its beautiful interiors. The historic Clearwater Building was built in 1918 as the Bank of Clearwater. It was also acquired by the Church in 1975 and now serves as the Scientology Information Center since July 2015. Guests will see its grand lobby, architectural restoration and gallery of audio-visual displays covering basic Scientology beliefs, Churches around the world and ongoing social programs. The Fort Harrisons beauty was breathtaking. I never knew it was so beautiful inside. I was also pleased to see what activities the Church has been doing in the community, said one local resident. We have been conducting regular tours of our historic buildings and they have become so popular that we are making them available on a monthly basis, said Ms. Skjelset. For more information or to RSVP please contact Amber Skjelset, the Scientology Information Center Manager at (727) 467-6966, amber@cos.flag.org. About the Church of Scientology: The Scientology religion was founded by humanitarian and philosopher, L. Ron Hubbard. The first Church of Scientology was formed in the United States in 1954 and has expanded to more than 11,000 churches, missions and affiliated groups, with millions of members in 167 nations. Scientologists are optimistic about life and believe there is hope for a saner world and better civilization, and actively do all they can to help achieve this. Based on L. Ron Hubbards words, A community that pulls together can make a better society for all. Dutch English Key developments Heijmans to focus fully on Dutch market with Property Development, Residential Building, Non-Residential and Infrastructure Risk profile loss-making projects clearly improved due to agreements with clients, considerable impact project losses of approximately 90 million Letter of intent to continue N23 works signed Preliminary net loss of approximately 110 million in 2016 Preliminary underlying net operating loss for 2016 of 66 million New agreements with banking group, including an extension of the financing through June 2019: phased reduction of credit facility to 122 million. Heijmans today announces it has reached agreement with its consortium of banks on the refinancing of the company. This agreement secures the financing of the company and provides a significant step towards recovery. Heijmans is also providing a preliminary overview of the results for 2016. Final annual results will be published on Thursday 23 February 2017. Ton Hillen, CEO Heijmans: "Last year was a dramatic year, as we recorded a loss of 110 million. At the same time, we are satisfied with the agreements we reached with our financiers, which have secured the financing and safeguarded the continuity of our company. We consider the confidence the banks have shown in us, in particular through the one-year extension, as an important condition to make Heijmans strong and vital once again. Although the loss-making projects have had a significant impact on the results, the agreements we have reached with the clients involved do result in a clear improvement of the company's risk profile. Particularly the agreement on the N23 project, which we signed with the client yesterday, is a key milestone in this respect. The losses we have had to recognise on these projects had a strong negative impact on the cash flow in the second half of the year. By recognising the effects of these projects now, we have reduced their risk profile and we can take these projects to successful completion on the basis of the new agreements. This, combined with the refinancing, is a considerable step forward towards full recovery. We have also adjusted our focus, to ensure that we can continue our business sustainably in the future. From this point onwards, we will focus only on the Netherlands with a tightened focus on our core competencies in the segments Property Development, Residential Building, Non-Residential and Infrastructure. The previously reported divestment of the Belgian activities and the sale of all German activities are part of this strategy and contribute to the reduction of our net debt. In the coming years, we will focus on recovery of our profitability, debt reduction, and structural improvement of our capital ratios, while our commercial focus will be on market segments in which we are strong and where we can realise healthy margins. Following the realisation of the divestments, we expect our solvency ratio to recover to above 20%. All of these efforts are aimed at the sustainable recovery of our company." About Heijmans Heijmans is a listed company that combines activities related to property development, residential building, non-residential building, roads and civil engineering in the working areas living, working and connecting. Our constant focus on quality improvements, innovation and integrated solutions enables us to generate added value for our clients. Heijmans realises projects for private consumers, companies and public sector bodies and, in partnership with its clients, is building the spatial contours of tomorrow. You will find additional information on www.heijmans.nl For more information / not for publication: Media Marieke Swinkels-Verstappen Communications +31 73 543 52 17 mswinkels-verstappen@heijmans.nl Analysts Guido Peters Investor Relations + 31 73 543 52 17 gpeters@heijmans.nl The figures cited in this press release have not been audited. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, February 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- (All amounts in US$ unless otherwise specified) Capstone Mining Corp. ("Capstone" or the "Company") (TSX: CS) today announced its financial results for the three months and year ended December 31, 2016. For the three months ended December 31, 2016, operating cash flow before changes in working capital[1] was $75.0 million or $0.20 per share, with a net loss of $182.4 million and adjusted net income of $30.7 million or $0.08 per share after adjusting for certain non-cash and non-recurring charges. Copper production totalled 29,900 tonnes (28,800 tonnes of payable copper) at a C1 cash cost[1] of $1.26 per payable pound produced with copper sales of 29,600 tonnes at a C1 cash cost[1] of $1.24 per payable pound sold. For the full year ended December 31, 2016, operating cash flow before changes in working capital[1] was $156.9 million or $0.41 per share, with a net loss of $197.4 million and adjusted net income of $29.4 million or $0.08 per share after adjusting for certain non-cash and non-recurring charges. Copper production totalled 114,600 tonnes (110,700 tonnes of payable copper) at a C1 cash cost[1] of $1.44 per payable pound produced with copper sales of 110,500 tonnes at a C1 cash cost[1] of $1.53 per payable pound sold. Capstone will hold a conference call and webcast on Thursday, February 16, 2017 at 11:30 a.m. Eastern time (8:30 a.m. Pacific time) to discuss these results; call-in details and information on associated slides are provided at the end of this release. This release should be read in conjunction with Capstone's consolidated financial statements and management's discussion and analysis ("MD&A") for the year ended December 31, 2016, which are available on Capstone's website at http://capstonemining.com/investors/financial-reporting/default.aspx and on SEDAR. An updated corporate presentation, including results to December 31, 2016, and 2016 year-end webcast slides will also be available at http://capstonemining.com/investors/events-and-presentations/default.aspx. Overview Q4 2016 Q4 2015 2016 2015 Revenue ($ millions) 163.0 92.1 529.4 420.5 Copper produced (tonnes) 29,853 25,691 114,583 92,577 Payable copper produced (tonnes) 28,828 24,781 110,663 89,341 C1 cash cost per payable pound produced[1] ($/lb) 1.26 1.81 1.44 1.99 All-in cost per payable pound produced[1] ($/lb) 1.77 2.67 1.88 2.88 Fully-loaded all-in cost per payable pound produced[1] ($/lb) 1.85 2.67 1.98 2.85 Copper sold (tonnes) 29,558 22,322 110,450 87,521 Realized copper price per pound sold ($/lb)* 2.48 2.05 2.27 2.35 Adjusted realized copper price per pound sold ($/lb) ** 2.35 2.26 2.28 2.43 C1 cash cost per payable pound sold[1] ($/lb) 1.24 1.82 1.53 2.00 All-in cost per payable pound sold[1] ($/lb) 1.74 2.78 1.97 2.92 Fully-loaded all-in cost per payable pound sold[1] ($/lb) 1.82 2.78 2.07 2.89 Net loss ($ millions) (182.4) (19.5) (197.4) (251.5) Net loss attributable to shareholders ($ millions) (125.4) (19.3) (140.0) (202.7) Net loss attributable to shareholders per common share ($) (0.33) (0.05) (0.37) (0.53) Adjusted net income (loss)[1] ($ millions) 30.7 (8.0) 29.4 (31.9) Adjusted net income (loss)[1] attributable to shareholders ($ millions) 30.9 (7.8) 30.0 (30.4) Adjusted net income (loss)[1] attributable to shareholders per common share ($) 0.08 (0.02) 0.08 (0.08) Operating cash flow before changes in working capital[1] ($ millions) 75.0 12.5 156.9 60.0 Operating cash flow before changes in working capital per common share[1] ($) 0.20 0.03 0.41 0.16 Cash and cash equivalents ($ millions) 130.4 101.6 130.4 101.6 Net debt[1 ]($ millions) 198.6 247.9 198.6 247.9 * Q4 2016 includes a negative provisional pricing adjustment of $0.1 million (2015 - negative $4.2 million) related to prior shipments, equivalent to $0.00 per pound (2015 - $(0.09) per pound) of copper sold during the quarter. YTD includes a negative provisional pricing adjustment of $12.7 million (2015 - negative $25.8 million) related to prior shipments, equivalent to $(0.05) per pound (2015 - $(0.13) per pound) of copper sold during the year. ** Q4 2016 adjusted realized copper price includes the provisional pricing adjustments noted above and realized loss of $8.5 million (2015 gain - $10.1 million) equivalent to $(0.13) per pound (2015 gain - $0.21 per pound) related to copper derivative contracts exercised during the quarter. YTD includes a realized gain of $3.3 million (2015 - $15.9 million) equivalent to $0.01 per pound (2015 - $0.08 per pound) related to copper derivative contracts exercised during the year. "Our strong operating performance in 2016 exceeded guidance, setting records at Pinto Valley, Minto and for Capstone as a whole," said Darren Pylot, President and CEO of Capstone. "All three of our mines generated positive net earnings, with throughput success at Pinto Valley and processing of high grade Minto North ore being key drivers in 2016." "Despite a challenging copper price environment for most of the year, we generated operating cash flow of $156.9 million, allowing us to reduce our debt by $40 million," continued Mr. Pylot. "We anticipate taking full advantage of additional free cash flow to further reduce our debt over the coming quarters." "Our year end results included a non-cash write-down of our Santo Domingo project based on lower forecast iron prices," continued Mr. Pylot. "The project does however, continue to have considerable optionality in a rising market." Financial and Production Highlights for the Quarter Ended December 31, 2016 Net loss of $182.4 million included: Income from mining operations of $55.8 million , Realized copper price of $2.48 per pound Production costs included a $2.0 million non-cash charge related to the write-down of inventory (primarily supplies) at the Pinto Valley, Minto and Cozamin mines, A non-cash impairment charge of $189.2 million related to mineral property, plant and equipment at Santo Domingo , A commodity derivative loss of $29.9 million , comprising a realized loss of $8.5 million and unrealized losses of $21.4 million , An income tax expense of $1.9 million . included: Operating cash flow before changes in working capital [ 1] was $75.0 million or $0.20 per share. was or per share. Working capital increased to $171.1 million at December 31, 2016 (which included $130.4 million of cash and cash equivalents) from $162.4 million at December 31, 2015 . (which included of cash and cash equivalents) from at . Produced a total of 28,828 tonnes of payable copper at an estimated C1 cash cost [ 1] of $1.26 per pound of payable copper produced and fully-loaded all-in cost [ 1] of $1.85 per pound of payable pound copper produced. of per pound of payable copper produced and fully-loaded all-in cost of per pound of payable pound copper produced. Revenue of $163.0 million generated primarily from the sale of 29,557 tonnes of payable copper. Financial and Production Highlights for the Year Ended December 31, 2016 Net loss of $197.4 million included: Earnings from mining operations of $87.7 million , Realized copper price of $2.27 per pound Production costs included a $3.4 million non-cash charge related to the write-down of inventory at the Pinto Valley, Minto and Cozamin Mines, A non-cash impairment charge of $189.2 million related to the Santo Domingo property, A commodity derivative loss of $25.6 million , comprising a realized gain of $3.3 million combined with an unrealized loss of $28.9 million , An income tax expense of $9.4 million . included: Operating cash flow before changes in working capital [ 1] of $156.9 million or $0.41 per common share. of or per common share. Working capital increased $8.7 million to $171.1 million at December 31, 2016 (which included $130.4 million of cash and cash equivalents) from $162.4 million at December 31, 2015 . to $171.1 million at (which included of cash and cash equivalents) from at . Production of 110,663 tonnes of payable copper at a C1 cash cost [ 1] of $1.44 per pound of payable copper produced and fully-loaded all-in cost [ 1] of $1.98 per pound of payable pound copper produced. of per pound of payable copper produced and fully-loaded all-in cost of per pound of payable pound copper produced. Revenue of $529.4 million generated primarily from the sale of 110,450 tonnes of copper. Production and Additional Highlights Pinto Valley Mine: Produced 17,051 tonnes of copper during Q4 2016 at a C1 cash cost [ 1] of $1.70 per pound of payable copper produced and all-in cost [ 1] of $2.06 per pound of payable copper produced. of per pound of payable copper produced and all-in cost of per pound of payable copper produced. Produced 68,850 tonnes of copper during 2016 at a C1 cash cost [ 1] of $1.61 per pound of payable copper produced and all-in cost [ 1 ] of $1.95 per pound of payable copper produced. of per pound of payable copper produced and all-in cost of per pound of payable copper produced. Copper production at Pinto Valley exceeded expectations, with mill throughput and head grade above plan for the quarter and year. Throughput averaged 56,800 tonnes per day ("tpd") and 56,200 tpd for the fourth quarter and full year, respectively. The operation continued to demonstrate the mine's potential, achieving a new daily throughput record of over 64,000 tpd in December. Cozamin Mine: Produced 4,001 tonnes of copper during Q4 2016 at a C1 cash cost [ 1] of $1.40 per pound of payable copper produced and all-in cost [ 1] of $2.06 per pound of payable copper produced. of per pound of payable copper produced and all-in cost of per pound of payable copper produced. Produced 14,307 tonnes of copper during 2016 at a C1 cash cost [ 1] of $1.48 per pound of payable copper produced and all-in cost [ 1] of $1.88 per pound of payable copper produced. of per pound of payable copper produced and all-in cost of per pound of payable copper produced. During 2016, Cozamin experienced a mine development shortfall resulting in lower production, however, during the second half of the year Cozamin conducted a management reorganization and a number of additional processes were implemented to improve the development rates. Development rates continued to improve through the second half of the year (7,725 meters H2 2016 vs. 5,880 meters H1 2016). During Q4 2016, Cozamin achieved the revised target production due to a better than planned average head grade of 1.63% copper offset by lower than planned mill throughput. Minto Mine: Produced 8,801 tonnes of copper during Q4 2016 at a C1 cash cost [ 1] of $0.33 per pound of payable copper produced, which included $0.11 per pound of cost allocated from stockpile that was spent in prior periods, bringing the actual cash expended during Q4 2016 to $0.22 per pound of payable copper produced and all-in cost [ 1 ] of $0.43 per payable pound of copper produced. of per pound of payable copper produced, which included per pound of cost allocated from stockpile that was spent in prior periods, bringing the actual cash expended during Q4 2016 to per pound of payable copper produced and all-in cost of per payable pound of copper produced. Produced 31,426 tonnes of copper during 2016 at a C1 cash cost [ 1] of $1.03 per pound of payable copper produced, which included $0.03 per pound of cost allocated from stockpile that was spent in prior periods, bringing the actual cash expended during 2016 to $1.00 per pound of payable copper produced and all-in cost [ 1 ] of $1.12 per payable pound of copper produced. of per pound of payable copper produced, which included per pound of cost allocated from stockpile that was spent in prior periods, bringing the actual cash expended during 2016 to per pound of payable copper produced and all-in cost of per payable pound of copper produced. Copper production for the quarter met expectations while full year throughput, grade and recoveries all exceeded plan. In the fourth quarter the mill processed stockpiles, supplemented by underground mining. Produced 39,506 ounces of gold contained in copper concentrate, and 11,675 ounces of gold contained in gold concentrate, for a total of 51,181 ounces produced during 2016. Under the terms of the Precious Metal Stream Agreement with Silver Wheaton, Capstone receives market rates for 50% of gold produced in excess of 30,000 ounces in a twelve-month period. We exceeded this threshold during Q4 and as a result Capstone is entitled to sell 8,320 ounces of gold at market rates. 5,100 of these ounces were sold in Q4 2016 and the remaining 3,220 ounces are expected to be sold in H1 2017. Additional highlights: On January 13, 2017 a second repayment of $20.0 million was made on the RCF, reducing the outstanding balance to $308.9 million . At the same time, Capstone chose to permanently reduce the credit available under the RCF from $420 million to $400 million . This payment was in addition to a $20.0 million payment and permanent credit reduction made in Q4 2016. The combination of this lower commitment and the strong debt coverage ratio at December 31, 2016 resulted in the Company achieving the second lowest tier on the RCF pricing grid with interest rates of LIBOR plus 2.75% and stand-by fees of 0.6188%. This will result in annualized savings of almost $1.5 million per year in interest and stand-by fees. a second repayment of was made on the RCF, reducing the outstanding balance to . At the same time, Capstone chose to permanently reduce the credit available under the RCF from . This payment was in addition to a payment and permanent credit reduction made in Q4 2016. The combination of this lower commitment and the strong debt coverage ratio at resulted in the Company achieving the second lowest tier on the RCF pricing grid with interest rates of LIBOR plus 2.75% and stand-by fees of 0.6188%. This will result in annualized savings of almost per year in interest and stand-by fees. As a result of the decline in long term iron ore prices during 2016, Capstone recorded an impairment on the Santo Domingo development Copper/Iron project of $189.2 million during Q4 2016. Operating Outlook Capstone's 2017 production guidance is for 94,000 tonnes (5%) of copper at a C1 Cash Cost[1] of $1.60 to $1.70, All-In Cost[1] of $2.15 to $2.25 and Fully-Loaded All-In Cost[1] of $2.20 to $2.30, per pound of payable copper produced net of by-product and selling costs. Capital Outlook Capstone's 2017 capital expenditures are expected to be $67 million, with $35 million for sustaining capital at Pinto Valley and Cozamin, $2 million related to PV3 permitting activities and $30 million for capitalized stripping at Pinto Valley. An additional $10 million is budgeted for both brownfield and greenfield exploration, however as exploration activities are discretionary they will be aligned with prevailing market conditions, financing capacity and corporate priorities. Conference Call and Webcast Details Date: Thursday, February 16, 2017 Time: 11:30 am Eastern Time (8:30 am Pacific Time) Dial in: North America: 1-888-390-0546, International: +416-764-8688 Webcast: http://event.on24.com/r.htm?e=1323771&s=1&k=AFC597F521C716D97270B033FC966280 Replay: North America: 1-888-390-0541, International: +416-764-8677 Replay Passcode: 063291# The conference call replay will be available until Thursday, February 23, 2017. The conference call audio and transcript will be available on Capstone's website within 48 hours of the call at http://capstonemining.com/investors/events-and-presentations/default.aspx. About Capstone Mining Corp. Capstone Mining Corp. is a Canadian base metals mining company, focused on copper. We are committed to the responsible development of our assets and the environments in which we operate. Our three producing mines are the Pinto Valley copper mine located in Arizona, US, the Cozamin copper-silver mine in Zacatecas State, Mexico and the Minto copper mine in Yukon, Canada. In addition, Capstone has two development projects; the large scale 70% owned copper-iron Santo Domingo project in Region III, Chile, in partnership with Korea Resources Corporation, and the 100% owned Kutcho copper-zinc project in British Columbia, Canada, as well as exploration properties in Chile and US. Capstone's strategy is to focus on the optimization of operations and assets in politically stable, mining-friendly regions, centred in the Americas. Our headquarters are in Vancouver, Canada and we are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX). Further information is available at http://www.capstonemining.com. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information This document may contain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this document and Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements, except as required under applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect Company management's expectations or beliefs regarding future events and include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the estimation of mineral reserves and mineral resources, the realization of mineral reserve estimates, the timing and amount of estimated future production, costs of production, capital expenditures, success of mining operations, environmental risks, unanticipated reclamation expenses, title disputes or claims and limitations on insurance coverage. In certain cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "outlook", "guidance", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" or the negative of these terms or comparable terminology. In this document, certain forward-looking statements are identified by words including "guidance", "may", "future", "expected", "intends" and "estimates". By their very nature forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, risks related to actual results of current exploration activities; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; future prices of mineral resources; possible variations in ore reserves, grade or recovery rates; accidents; assumptions related to geotechnical conditions of tailings facilities; dependence on key personnel; labour pool constraints; labour disputes; availability of infrastructure required for the development of mining projects; delays or inability to obtain governmental and regulatory approvals for mining operations or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities; counterparty risks associated with sales of our metals; increased operating and capital costs; operating in foreign jurisdictions with risk of changes to governmental regulation; impact of climatic conditions on our Pinto Valley, Cozamin and Minto operations; compliance with debt covenants, and other risks of the mining industry as well as those factors detailed from time to time in the Company's interim and annual financial statements and management's discussion and analysis of those statements, all of which are filed and available for review under the Company's profile on SEDAR at http://www.sedar.com. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company provides no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. National Instrument 43-101 Compliance Unless otherwise indicated, Capstone has prepared the technical information in this news release ("Technical Information") based on information contained in the technical reports, news releases and MD&A's (collectively the "Disclosure Documents") available under Capstone Mining Corp.'s company profile on SEDAR at http://www.sedar.com. Each Disclosure Document was prepared by, or under the supervision of, a qualified person (a "Qualified Person") as defined in National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects of the Canadian Securities Administrators ("NI 43-101"). Readers are encouraged to review the full text of the Disclosure Documents which qualifies the Technical Information. Readers are advised that mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. The Disclosure Documents are each intended to be read as a whole, and sections should not be read or relied upon out of context. The Technical Information is subject to the assumptions and qualifications contained in the Disclosure Documents. The technical information in this news release ("Technical Information") was prepared by, or under the supervision of, a qualified person (a "Qualified Person") as defined in National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects of the Canadian Securities Administrators ("NI 43-101"). The disclosure of the Technical Information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Gregg Bush, P. Eng., Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Technical Information related to mineral exploration activities has been reviewed and approved by Brad Mercer, P. Geol., Senior Vice President, Exploration. Both are Qualified Persons under NI 43-101. Alternative Performance Measures The items marked with a "[1]" are alternative performance measures and readers should refer to Alternative Performance Measures in the Company's Consolidated Management's Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2016 as filed on SEDAR and as available on the Company's website. Cautionary Note to United States Investors This news release contains disclosure that has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of Canadian securities laws, which differ from the requirements of US securities laws. Without limiting the foregoing, this news release may refer to technical reports that use the terms "indicated" and "inferred" resources. US investors are cautioned that, while such terms are recognized and required by Canadian securities laws, the SEC does not recognize them. Under US standards, mineralization may not be classified as a "reserve" unless the determination has been made that the mineralization could be economically and legally produced or extracted at the time the reserve determination is made. US investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of indicated resources will ever be converted into reserves. US investors should also understand that "inferred resources" have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and as to whether they can be mined legally or economically. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of "inferred resources" will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Therefore, US investors are also cautioned not to assume that all or any part of inferred resources exist, or that they can be mined legally or economically. Accordingly, information concerning descriptions of mineralization and resources contained in this news release may not be comparable to information made public by US companies subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements of the SEC. 1. This is an alternative performance measure; please see "Alternative Performance Measures" at the end of this release. Cindy Burnett, VP, Investor Relations and Communications, +1-604-637-8157, cburnett@capstonemining.com SOURCE Capstone Mining Corp. CHICAGO, Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- CNA today announced the appointment of Douglas Worman to fill the newly created position of Executive Vice President and Chief Underwriting Officer, effective March 7. He reports to Dino E. Robusto, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, CNA. In this role, Worman, working jointly with the Presidents of Commercial, Specialty and International, all of whom will continue to report to Robusto, will further strengthen CNA's underwriting strategy, expertise and execution. "Doug is enormously skilled and highly regarded for his depth of knowledge across a wide range of Property and Casualty lines of business, as well as having extensive broker relationships," Robusto said. "Under Doug's leadership, we will build upon our strong underwriting foundation and utilize his experience to broaden our profitable growth opportunities around the world." An experienced insurance leader, Worman most recently served as the CEO of U.S. Insurance at Endurance Holdings, where he was responsible for profitably growing the business, enhancing underwriting strategies, empowering talent, and improving agent/broker relationships. Prior to that role, Worman held executive positions at Alterra Capital Holdings and Sharebridge Private Equity Consolidated. He began his insurance career as an underwriter at AIG, where he worked his way up to President and CEO of the carrier's Excess Casualty Group. About CNA Serving businesses and professionals since 1897, CNA is the country's eighth largest commercial insurance writer and the 14th largest property and casualty company. CNA's insurance products include commercial lines, specialty lines, surety, marine and other property and casualty coverages. CNA's services include risk management, information services, underwriting, risk control and claims administration. For more information, please visit CNA at www.cna.com. "CNA" is a registered trademark of CNA Financial Corporation. Certain CNA Financial Corporation subsidiaries use the "CNA" trademark in connection with insurance underwriting and claims activities. Follow CNA (NYSE: CNA) on: Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube CONTACT: Brandon Davis, 312-822-5167 / 312-834-6091 Sarah Pang, 312-822-6394 / 312-607-5544 Logo - http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/452522/CNA_FINANCIAL_CORPORATION_LOGO.jpg Related Links http://www.cna.com SOURCE CNA AMSTERDAM, Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Constellium N.V. (NYSE and Euronext: CSTM) ("Constellium" or the "Company") today announced the initial settlement of the previously announced cash tender offer by Wise Metals Group LLC (the " Offeror ") to repurchase any and all of its and Wise Alloys Finance Corporation's (together with the Offeror, the " Wise Issuers ") 8.75% Senior Secured Notes due 2018 (the " Wise Senior Secured Notes "). Pursuant to the terms of the tender offer announced on February 1, 2017 (the " Tender Offer "), the Offeror's offer to pay an early tender payment in addition to the tender offer consideration expired at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on February 14, 2017 (the " Early Tender Deadline "). Based on final information provided to the Offeror by D.F. King & Co., Inc., the tender agent and information agent for the Tender Offer, approximately $289,757,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Wise Senior Secured Notes were validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) at or prior to the Early Tender Deadline. The Offeror has accepted all of the Wise Senior Secured Notes validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) at or prior to the Early Tender Deadline. Initial settlement of the Tender Offer will be completed by the Offeror as of today's date, February 16, 2017 (the " Initial Settlement Date "). Holders of the Wise Senior Secured Notes who validly tendered (and did not validly withdraw) their Wise Senior Secured Notes will receive $1,045.60 per $1,000 principal amount of their Wise Senior Secured Notes on the Initial Settlement Date and accrued and unpaid interest from the last interest payment date on their Wise Senior Secured Notes up to, but not including, the Initial Settlement Date. Holders of the Wise Senior Secured Notes who validly tender (and do not validly withdraw) their Wise Senior Secured Notes after the Early Tender Deadline and at or prior to 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on March 1, 2017, unless extended or earlier terminated by the Offeror in its sole discretion (the " Expiration Time "), will be eligible to receive $1,035.60 per $1,000 principal amount of their Wise Senior Secured Notes on the final settlement date, which will occur promptly following the Expiration Time and is expected to be March 2, 2017 (the " Final Settlement Date "). Holders of the Wise Senior Secured Notes who validly tender (and do not validly withdraw) their Wise Senior Secured Notes after the Early Tender Deadline and at or prior to the Expiration Time will also receive accrued and unpaid interest from the last interest payment date on their Wise Senior Secured Notes up to, but not including, the Final Settlement Date. Concurrently with the commencement of the Tender Offer, the Wise Issuers called for redemption of all of the outstanding Wise Senior Secured Notes. The redemption price for the Wise Senior Secured Notes is 104.375% of the aggregate outstanding principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest. As of today's date, the Wise Issuers satisfied and discharged all the Wise Senior Secured Notes not purchased on the Initial Settlement Date, by depositing with the trustee for the Wise Senior Secured Notes an amount of cash sufficient to pay the redemption price on the redemption date, which the Wise Issuers expect to occur on March 3, 2017. The Offeror has retained Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC to act as dealer managers in connection with the Tender Offer. Questions may be directed to Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. collect at (212) 250-7527 or toll free at 855-287-1922 or to Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC collect at (212) 325-6340 or toll free at 800-820-1653. The Offeror has retained D.F. King & Co., Inc. to act as the information agent and tender agent for the Tender Offer. Questions and requests for additional documents may be directed to D.F. King & Co., Inc. at (877) 871-1741 (toll free) or (212) 269-5550 or by email: cstm@dfking.com. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to purchase or any securities, shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful, and shall not constitute a notice of redemption. None of Constellium and its subsidiaries, the dealer managers or the information agent and tender agent is making any recommendation as to whether or not holders should tender their Wise Senior Secured Notes in connection with the Tender Offer. About Constellium Constellium (NYSE and Euronext: CSTM) is a global sector leader that develops innovative, value added aluminium products for a broad scope of markets and applications, including aerospace, automotive and packaging. Constellium generated 5.2 billion of revenue in 2015. www.constellium.com Forward-looking Statements Certain statements contained in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This press release may contain "forward-looking statements" with respect to the Tender Offer, the redemption of Wise Senior Secured Notes, our business, results of operations and financial condition, and our expectations or beliefs concerning future events and conditions. You can identify forward-looking statements because they contain words such as, but not limited to, "believes," "expects," "may," "should," "approximately," "anticipates," "estimates," "intends," "plans," "targets," likely," "will," "would," "could" and similar expressions (or the negative of these terminologies or expressions). All forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Many risks and uncertainties are inherent in our industry and markets. Others are more specific to our business and operations. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to those set forth under the heading "Risk Factors" in our most recent annual report on Form 20-F and as described from time to time in subsequent reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The occurrence of the events described and the achievement of the expected results depend on many events, some or all of which are not predictable or within our control. Consequently, actual results may differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Logo - http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/463991/CONSTELLIUM_LOGO_Logo.jpg Related Links http://www.constellium.com SOURCE Constellium LUGANO, Switzerland, February 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- ESMO, the leading European professional organisation for medical oncology, presented an official statement supporting the 2017 WHO Cancer Resolution that was discussed at the 140th session of the WHO Executive Board meeting in Geneva, 23-31 January 2017. Dr Alexandru Eniu, Chair of the ESMO Global Policy Committee, declared that "ESMO supports the 2017 WHO Cancer Resolution which will improve access and affordability of cancer care and its integration into national healthcare systems: because as medical oncologists we want to assure that our patients have timely access to safe, high-quality medicines, treatment and care that are both accessible and affordable." ESMO's statement advocates for a robust and comprehensive Cancer Resolution that can help drive national progress, particularly in low and middle-income countries that face the biggest challenges of a rapidly growing cancer burden. The Cancer Resolution will be a landmark document for cancer and calls for the development and implementation of national cancer plans, population-based cancer registries, a world cancer report and a well-trained oncology workforce. ESMO President Fortunato Ciardiello commented: "Any kind of public health system should strongly encourage cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Whatever a country can afford, health is a citizen's right and the community should try to give this right to all citizens." An ESMO delegation of officers and senior staff attended the 140th session of the WHO Executive Board meeting, where topics relevant to the practice of medical oncology were discussed, such as access to medicines, the implementation of the current WHO Global Strategy on the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and a Cancer Resolution. As a non-State actor in official relations with WHO, ESMO is invited to attend WHO Governing Bodies meetings and post position statements, making its views known prior and during any debate. There was widespread agreement by Member States of the need for a 2017 WHO Cancer Resolution, which will provide specific recommendations on cancer management to complement the Global Strategy on the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases 2013-2020. The majority of the Resolution was accepted with great support. WHO Member States will continue to work on the final text with the goal that it can be presented for adoption at the 2017 World Health Assembly in May 2017. In the meantime, ESMO and its national partner societies worldwide will continue their dialogues with Ministries of Health to encourage as many countries as possible to vote in favour of adopting the Resolution in May. Full story: http://www.esmo.org/Policy/Policy-News/ESMO-Statement-on-Cancer-Resolution-at-WHO-Executive-Board-Meeting About ESMO ESMO is the leading professional organisation for medical oncology. Comprising more than 15,000 oncology professionals from over 130 countries, we are the society of reference for oncology education and information. www.esmo.org ESMO Press Office media@esmo.org +41(0)-91-973-19-07 SOURCE European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) FLOW TRADERS' FREE FLOAT INCREASES TO APPROXIMATELY 71.3% AS MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS PLACE APPROXIMATELY 5.9 MILLION SHARES WITH INSTITUTIONAL INVESTORS 16 February 2017, AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands - Flow Traders' free float increases to approximately 71.3% as major shareholders Summit Partners, Avalon and Javak have sold approximately 5.9 million shares in an accelerated bookbuilding process. No shares were issued or sold by the company. Flow Traders N.V. ("Flow Traders") has been informed that its major shareholders Summit Partners, Avalon Holding B.V. ("Avalon") and Javak Investments B.V. ("Javak") have placed approximately 5.9 million Flow Traders shares with institutional investors in an accelerated bookbuilding process. No shares were issued or sold by the company. The shares placed represent approximately 12.65% of Flow Traders' issued share capital. This will increase Flow Traders' free float to approximately 71.3%. Immediately upon completion of the transaction, Summit Partners will no longer hold any shares in the capital of Flow Traders, and Javak and Avalon will each hold approximately 12.3% of Flow Traders' issued share capital. Flow Traders would like to thank Summit Partners for their invaluable support over these last nine years. Summit's deep experience in the financial services and technology sectors helped to drive the rapid expansion of our business and to position Flow Traders as a global leader in the ETP market. As a result of the transaction, Summit Partners ceases to be a party to the relationship agreement that was entered into by and between Flow Traders, Summit Partners, Javak and Avalon in connection with Flow Traders' IPO. This agreement includes, among other things, a right for Summit Partners to designate a supervisory board member for appointment. Han Sikkens, a Managing Director of Summit Partners, has agreed to remain on Flow Traders' Supervisory Board for the remainder of his term, ending on the date of the general meeting of shareholders to be held in 2018. Contact Details Flow Traders N.V. Serge Enneman / Manager Investor Relations Phone: +31 20 7996799 Email: Investor.relations@flowtraders.com Important legal information This press release is prepared by Flow Traders N.V. and is for information purposes only. It is not a recommendation to engage in investment activities and you must not rely on the content of this document when making any investment decisions. The information in this document does not constitute legal, tax, or investment advice and is not to be regarded as investor marketing or marketing of any security or financial instrument, or as an offer to buy or sell, or as a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell, securities or financial instruments. The information and materials contained in this press release are provided 'as is' and Flow Traders N.V. or any of its affiliates ("Flow Traders") do not warrant the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of the information and materials and expressly disclaim liability for any errors or omissions. This press release is not intended to be, and shall not constitute in any way a binding or legal agreement, or impose any legal obligation on Flow Traders. All intellectual property rights, including trademarks, are those of their respective owners. All rights reserved. All proprietary rights and interest in or connected with this publication shall vest in Flow Traders. No part of it may be redistributed or reproduced without the prior written permission of Flow Traders. By accepting this document you agree to the terms set out above. If you do not agree with the terms set out above please notify legal.amsterdam@nl.flowtraders.com immediately and delete or destroy this document. Market Abuse Regulation This press release contains information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation. BOSTON, February 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Early-career researchers from Bangladesh, Ecuador, Ghana, Indonesia and Sudan honored for their work in engineering sciences Five researchers have been named winners of the 2017 Elsevier Foundation Awards for Early-Career Women Scientists in the Developing World for their research in engineering, innovation and technology. The winning scholars from Bangladesh, Ecuador, Ghana, Indonesia and Sudan are being honored for their accomplishments in chemical engineering, energy and minerals engineering, environmental engineering and computer science. They are also celebrated for mentoring young women scientists in their respective countries. "The determination, commitment and enthusiasm of these five women are an inspiration to us all, and especially to other women undertaking scientific research in developing countries. This award celebrates their excellent science and demonstrates that their hard work has had an impact both regionally and internationally, despite the difficult local conditions," said Jennifer Thomson, president of OWSD. The five researchers are: Dr. Tanzima Hashem of the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology; Dr. Maria Fernanda Rivera Velasquez of the Universidad Nacional de Chimborazo in Ecuador; Dr. Felycia Edi Soetaredjo of the Widya Mandala Catholic University Surabaya in Indonesia; Dr. Grace Ofori-Sarpong of the University of Mines and Technology in Ghana; and Dr. Rania Mokhtar of the Sudan University of Science and Technology. "Each of these winners is working in emerging fields tackling some of the toughest challenges out there - from cyber security to decontamination of our most precious resources," added Ylann Schemm, Director of the Elsevier Foundation. "By celebrating their achievements at the AAAS, our goal is to open doors and connect them with their global research peers." The awards represent a longstanding partnership between the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) and the Elsevier Foundation. A panel of eminent scientists selected the winners, who will all receive USD $5,000 and all-expenses-paid trip to attend the 2017 AAAS Annual Meeting, provided by the Elsevier Foundation. The five winners will be honored on February 18, 2017 during a ceremony at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Annual Meeting in Boston. "We are celebrating the exceptional achievements of five truly outstanding women scientists," said TWAS Executive Director a.i. Mohamed Hassan, also Special Advisor to OWSD. "Their work will be widely recognized and appreciated for the benefits it can bring to developing countries and the entire world. Just as important, they will serve as inspiring role models to future generations of women science leaders." The 2017 winners are: Dr. Tanzima Hashem, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Bangladesh (Central and South Asia Region) Computer science and engineering: For her work in developed computational approaches to protect the privacy of people accessing location-based services. Specifically, for her new and innovative solutions which allow citizens to have control over their personal and sensitive data on health, habits and whereabouts. "This award gives me the confidence to fulfil my dream of making user-friendly technology to solve the specific challenges we face in the developing world," said Dr. Tanzima Hashem. Dr. Maria Fernanda Rivera Velasquez, Universidad Nacional de Chimborazo, Ecuador ( Latin America and the Caribbean Region) Environmental engineering: For her work using the fibre of a native Ecuadorian plant (Cabuya) and reactive minerals (zeolites) taken from the region to reduce contamination in industrial areas. Through her geological research into the availability of mineral resources in Ecuador, Dr. Rivera Velasquez has contributed to expanding Ecuador's capacity to exploit minerals and improving working conditions. "I belong to a generation of Ecuadorians who have received great opportunities of advanced training," said Dr. Rivera Velasquez. "I am happy and proud to receive the OWSD-Elsevier Foundation award. It also strengthens my commitment to engage in the scientific development of my country and of the Andean region." Dr. Felycia Edi Soetaredjo, Widya Mandala Catholic University Surabaya, Indonesia (East and South-East Asia and the Pacific) Chemical engineering: For her research on using biomass for environmental remediation and renewable energy. Dr. Soetaredjo utilizes biomass and clay material to produce biosorbents, adsorbents and composites, which remove hazardous compounds such as antibiotics, heavy metals and dyes from wastewater. "Realizing that a challenge can also be an opportunity, I started working on research in the area of environment and waste," said Dr. Soetaredjo. "My home country Indonesia is uniquely rich in biodiversity and I believe that nature has answers for each question." Dr. Grace Ofori-Sarpong , University of Mines and Technology, Ghana (Sub-Saharan-Africa) Energy and minerals engineering: For her research work in microbial-mineral interaction, recovery of precious metals, water quality monitoring and acid mine drainage. Dr. Ofori-Sarpong's research focuses on making the extraction of gold-bearing minerals and free gold particles possible and more efficient. She also is the founder of the Association of Women in Mining and Allied Professions in Ghana. "Difficulties in the process of extracting gold from recalcitrant gold-bearing minerals motivated me to start a new research I call mycohydrometallurgy, which uses fungi to break down the host materials to ease gold extraction in a one-pot process," said Dr. Ofori-Sarpong. "With this pleasant surprise from the Elsevier Foundation and OWSD, I am greatly encouraged to reach higher." Dr. Rania Mokhtar , Sudan University of Science and Technology, Sudan (Arab Region) Computer engineering: For her research into the knowledge, methods, theory and application of advanced security systems for mobile devices. Dr. Mokhtar is involved in research projects funded by national bodies in the field of wireless communications, agriculture automation, sensor networks and security systems. "I strive to help transform communication systems in African Universities as I see this as key to opening doors to education for many more women in STEM," said Dr. Mokhtar. "Receiving the OWSD-Elsevier Foundation award means that I can push forward with my vision." Read more on Elsevier Connect. The awards ceremony will take place on February 18, 2017 during a ceremony at 8:30 a.m. in Boston at the Sheraton Boston Hotel Republic Ballroom during the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Annual Meeting. Reporters wishing to attend the ceremony can contact Domiziana Francescon at +31-61-021-5901 or d.francescon@elsevier.com. About OWSD The Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) provides research training, career development and networking opportunities for women scientists throughout the developing world. Headed by eminent women scientists from the South, OWSD has more than 5,000 members and runs various programmes, including a PhD fellowship programme with over 200 successful graduates from Least Developed Countries and sub-Saharan Africa. OWSD is the first international forum to unite eminent women scientists from the developing and developed worlds with the objective of strengthening their role in the development process and promoting their representation in scientific and technological leadership. OWSD is affiliated with The World Academy of Science (TWAS) and based in Trieste, Italy, with national chapters throughout the developing world. http://www.owsd.net About The Elsevier Foundation The Elsevier Foundation provides grants to knowledge centered institutions around the world, with a sustainability focus on innovations in health information, diversity in STM, research in developing countries and technology for development. Since 2006, the Foundation has awarded more than 100 grants worth millions of dollars to non-profit organizations working in these fields. Through gift-matching, the Foundation also supports the efforts of Elsevier employees to play a positive role in their local and global communities. The Elsevier Foundation is a corporate not-for-profit 501(c)(3), funded by Elsevier, a global provider of scientific, technical and medical information products and services. http://www.elsevierfoundation.org About Elsevier Elsevier is a world-leading provider of information solutions that enhance the performance of science, health, and technology professionals, empowering them to make better decisions, deliver better care, and sometimes make ground-breaking discoveries that advance the boundaries of knowledge and human progress. Elsevier provides web-based, digital solutions - among them ScienceDirect, Scopus, Research Intelligence and ClinicalKey - and publishes over 2,500 journals, including The Lancet and Cell, and more than 35,000 book titles, including a number of iconic reference works. Elsevier is part of RELX Group, a world-leading provider of information and analytics for professional and business customers across industries. http://www.elsevier.com Media contacts Tonya Blowers Program Coordinator, OWSD +39-040-2240-682 tblowers@owsd.net Hadley Dreibelbis Finn Partners +1-202-518-6496 hadley.dreibelbis@finnpartners.com Ylann Schemm Director, Elsevier Foundation +31-623982359 y.schemm@elsevier.com . SOURCE Elsevier DUBLIN, Feb 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Global Thin Insulation Market Analysis & Trends - Industry Forecast to 2025" report to their offering. The Global Thin Insulation Market is poised to grow at a CAGR of around 7.1% over the next decade to reach approximately $2.78 billion by 2025. Some of the prominent trends that the market is witnessing include adoption of plastic foams in automotive industry due to their excellent thermal resistivity, growing infrastructure development activities and developments in building thermal applications. Based on Product type the market is categorized into Vacuum Insulation Panels (VIP), sheets & films, foils, foams, coatings and other types. Depending on the Material the market is segmented by aerogels, fiberglass, metals, plastic foams, silica aerogels, mineral wool and other Materials. Depending on the application the market is segmented by wires & cables, thermal packaging, pipe coatings, building thermal insulation, automotive and other applications. This industry report analyzes the market estimates and forecasts for all the given segments on global as well as regional levels presented in the research scope. The study provides historical market data for 2013, 2014 revenue estimations are presented for 2015 and forecasts from 2016 till 2025. The study focuses on market trends, leading players, supply chain trends, technological innovations, key developments, and future strategies. Key Topics Covered: 1 Market Outline 2 Executive Summary 3 Market Overview 3.1 Current Trends 3.1.1 Adoption of Plastic foams in Automotive industry due to their excellent thermal resistivity 3.1.2 Growing infrastructure development activities 3.1.3 Developments in Building Thermal applications 3.2 Drivers 3.3 Constraints 3.4 Industry Attractiveness 4 Thin Insulation Market, By Product type 4.1 Vacuum Insulation Panels (VIP) 4.2 Sheets & Films 4.3 Foils 4.4 Foams 4.5 Coatings 4.6 Other Product types 5 Thin Insulation Market, By Material 5.1 Aerogels 5.2 Fiberglass 5.3 Metals 5.4 Plastic Foams 5.5 Silica Aerogels 5.6 Mineral Wool 5.7 Other Materials 5.7.1.1 Cotton wool 5.7.1.2 Cellulose insulation 6 Thin Insulation Market, By Application 6.1 Wires & Cables 6.2 Thermal Packaging 6.3 Pipe Coatings 6.4 Building Thermal Insulation 6.5 Automotive 6.6 Other Applications 6.6.1.1 Residential construction 6.6.1.2 Nonresidential Construction 6.6.1.3 Industrial and Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) application 6.6.1.4 Commercial and industrial construction 6.6.1.4.1 Commercial and industrial construction Market Forecast to 2025 (US$ MN) 7 Thin Insulation Market, By Geography 8 Key Player Activities 8.1 Acquisitions & Mergers 8.2 Agreements, Partnerships, Collaborations and Joint Ventures 8.3 Product Launch & Expansions 8.4 Other Activities 9 Leading Companies 9.1 Xtratherm 9.2 Rockwool Group 9.3 Owens Corning 9.4 Kingspan Insulation 9.5 Johns Manville 9.6 Huntsman Corporation 9.7 DOW Chemical Company 9.8 ContiTech AG 9.9 Celotax Saint Gobain 9.10 Cabot Corporation 9.11 BNZ Materials, Inc. 9.12 BASF Polyurethanes GmbH 9.13 Armacell International S.A. 9.14 Actis Insulation Ltd. 9.15 3M Company For more information about this report visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/83pbc2/global_thin Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com SOURCE Research and Markets DUBLIN, Feb 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Global Pressure Pumping Market Analysis & Trends - Industry Forecast to 2025" report to their offering. The Global Pressure Pumping Market is poised to grow at a CAGR of around 15.8% over the next decade to reach approximately $330.4 billion by 2025. Some of the prominent trends that the market is witnessing include rising drilling activities in developing nations, growing demand for energy and increasing demand for advanced drilling techniques. Based on resource type the market is categorized into conventional and unconventional. Depending on the service type the market is segmented by hydraulic fracturing, cementing services and other services. Cementing Services are further sub-segmented into primary cementing and remedial cementing. Other services are further sub-segmented into sand controlling services and Acidization. By well type, market is segregated by horizontal and vertical. This industry report analyzes the market estimates and forecasts for all the given segments on global as well as regional levels presented in the research scope. The study provides historical market data for 2013, 2014 revenue estimations are presented for 2015 and forecasts from 2016 till 2025. The study focuses on market trends, leading players, supply chain trends, technological innovations, key developments, and future strategies. Key Topics Covered: 1 Market Outline 1.1 Research Methodology 1.1.1 Research Approach & Sources 1.2 Market Trends 1.3 Regulatory Factors 1.4 Strategic Benchmarking 1.5 Opportunity Analysis 2 Executive Summary 3 Market Overview 3.1 Current Trends 3.1.1 Rising drilling activities in developing nations 3.1.2 Growing demand for energy 3.1.3 Increasing demand for advanced drilling techniques 3.2 Drivers 3.3 Constraints 3.4 Industry Attractiveness 4 Pressure Pumping Market, By Resource Type 4.1 Conventional 4.2 Unconventional 5 Pressure Pumping Market, By Service Type 5.1 Hydraulic Fracturing 5.2 Cementing Services 5.2.1.1 Primary Cementing 5.2.1.2 Remedial Cementing 5.3 Other Services 5.3.1.1 Sand Controlling Services 5.3.1.2 Acidization 6 Pressure Pumping Market, By Well Type 6.1 Horizontal 6.2 Vertical 7 Pressure Pumping Market, By Geography 8 Key Player Activities 8.1 Mergers & Acquisitions 8.2 Partnerships, Joint Venture's, Collaborations and Agreements 8.3 Product Launch & Expansions 8.4 Other Activities 9 Leading Companies 9.1 Frac Tech Services International 9.2 Schlumberger Limited 9.3 Nabors Industries Ltd., 9.4 China Oilfield Services 9.5 OilServ 9.6 Trican Well Service Ltd. 9.7 Halliburton Company 9.8 Baker Hughes 9.9 National Oilwell Varco 9.10 RPC Inc. 9.11 Weatherford International 9.12 Calfrac Well Services Ltd. 9.13 National Drilling Company 9.14 Superior Energy Services, Inc. 9.15 Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc. 9.16 Pioneer Energy Services 9.17 Key Energy Services 9.18 Sanjel Corporation For more information about this report visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/jc4l79/global_pressure Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com SOURCE Research and Markets DUBLIN, Feb 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Global Busbar Market Analysis & Trends - Power Rating (Medium Power, High Power, Low Power), End-User (Industrial, Residential, Utilities) - Forecast to 2025" report to their offering. The Global Busbar Market is poised to grow at a CAGR of around 6.8% from 2015 to 2025 Some of the prominent trends that the market is witnessing include growing consumption of electricity and increasing demand for Renewable Energy Sources. Based on Power Rating the market is categorized into Medium Power, High Power and Low Power. Depending on the End-User the market is segmented by Industrial, Residential, Utilities and Other End Users. This industry report analyzes the global markets for Busbar across all the given segments on global as well as regional levels presented in the research scope. The study provides historical market data for 2013, 2014 revenue estimations are presented for 2015 and forecasts from 2016 till 2025. The study focuses on market trends, leading players, supply chain trends, technological innovations, key developments, and future strategies. With comprehensive market assessment across the major geographies such as North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, Latin America and Rest of the world the report is a valuable asset for the existing players, new entrants and the future investors. The study presents detailed market analysis with inputs derived from industry professionals across the value chain. A special focus has been made on 23 countries such as U.S., Canada, Mexico, U.K., Germany, Spain, France, Italy, China, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, etc. The market data is gathered from extensive primary interviews and secondary research. Report Highlights: - The report provides a detailed analysis on current and future market trends to identify the investment opportunities - Market forecasts till 2025, using estimated market values as the base numbers - Key market trends across the business segments, Regions and Countries - Key developments and strategies observed in the market - Market Dynamics such as Drivers, Restraints, Opportunities and other trends - In-depth company profiles of key players and upcoming prominent players - Growth prospects among the emerging nations through 2025 - Market opportunities and recommendations for new investments Key Topics Covered: 1 Market Outline 1.1 Research Methodology 1.1.1 Research Approach & Sources 1.2 Market Trends 1.3 Regulatory Factors 1.4 End User Analysis 1.5 Strategic Benchmarking 1.6 Opportunity Analysis 2 Executive Summary 3 Market Overview 3.1 Current Trends 3.1.1 Increasing demand for Renewable Energy Sources 3.1.2 Growing consumption of electricity 3.1.3 Recent Technological advancements in Busbar 3.1.4 Growth Opportunities/Investment Opportunities 3.2 Drivers 3.3 Constraints 3.4 Industry Attractiveness 4 Busbar Market, By End-User 4.1 Industrial 4.2 Residential 4.3 Utilities 4.4 Other End Users 5 Busbar Market, By Power Rating 5.1 Medium Power 5.2 High Power 5.3 Low Power 6 Busbar Market, By Geography 7 Key Player Activities 7.1 Mergers & Acquisitions 7.2 Partnerships, Joint Venture's, Collaborations and Agreements 7.3 Product Launch & Expansions 7.4 Other Activities 8 Leading Companies 8.1 ABB Ltd. 8.2 Chint Electrics Co. Ltd. 8.3 Eaton Corporation Plc. 8.4 Legrand S.A. 8.5 Mersen S.A. 8.6 Power Products LLC. 8.7 Rittal GMBH & Co. KG 8.8 Schneider Electric SE 8.9 Siemens AG 8.10 TE Connectivity Ltd. For more information about this report visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/db7brg/global_busbar Media Contact: Laura Wood, Senior Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com SOURCE Research and Markets DUBLIN, Feb. 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Global Cancer Nanomedicine Market Outlook 2022" report to their offering. The future of cancer nanotechnology lies on a multifunctional nanoplatform that combines both therapeutic components and multimodality imaging. The ultimate goal is that multifunctional nanomedicine works as efficient, targeted in vivo drug delivery without systemic toxicity, and the dose delivered as well as the therapeutic efficacy can be accurately measured noninvasively with time. In the future, nanotechnology could possibly be strategically implemented in new developing drug delivery systems which could lead to significant expansion in the drug markets. These new drug delivery methods are likely to provide the appropriate platform for the pharmaceutical companies to reformulate their existing drugs in the market. This would in turn lead to extending the life of their products and ensuring an improved performance of drugs by increasing effectiveness, safety and patient adherence, and ultimately reducing healthcare costs. Global Cancer Nanomedicine Market Outlook 2022 Report Highlights: - Overview & Mechanism of Action of Nanomedicine - Nanomedicine Engineering: Design & Strategy - Cancer Nanomedicine as Diagnostic & Therapeutics Tool - Global Cancer Nanomedicine Market Overview & Dynamics - Global Cancer Nanomedicine Clinical Pipeline by Company, Indication & Phase - Global Cancer Nanomedicine Clinical Pipeline: 124 Drug - Marketed Cancer Nanomedicine: 8 Drugs Key Topics Covered: 1. Cancer Nanomedicine: An Optimistic Avenue 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Emergence of Nanomedicines 2. Prerequisite of Nanomedicines 2.1 Conventional Cancer Treating Approaches 2.2 Nanomedicines: Overcoming the Hurdles 3. Diversification of Nanomedicines 3.1 Classification on Basis of Constituents 3.1.1 Inorganic Nanoparticles 3.1.2 Organic Nanoparticles 3.2 Classification on Basis of Applicability 3.2.1 Nanomedicine as Diagnostic Agents 3.2.2 Nanomedicine as Therapeutic Agents 3.2.3 Nanomedicine as Drug Delivery Agents 3.3 Classification on Basis of Dimensions 4. Mechanism of Action of Nanomedicine 4.1 Targeting Tumor Cells 4.1.1 Passive Targeting 4.1.2 Active Targeting 4.2 Nanocarrier - Drug Complex 4.2.1 Liposomes 4.2.2 Dendrimers 4.2.3 Micelles 4.2.4 Inorganic Nanocarriers 4.3 Drug Release Systems 5. Nanomedicine Engineering: Design & Strategy 5.1 Organic Nanoparticles as Nanomedicines 5.1.1 Polymeric Nanoparticle 5.1.2 Lipid Organic Nanoparticles 5.2 Inorganic Nanoparticles as Nanomedicines 5.2.1 Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticle 6. Cancer Nanomedicine as Diagnostic Tool 6.1 Detection of Cancer Biomarkers 6.1.1 Detection of Circulating Tumor Cell 6.2 Diagnostic Device & Nanoprobes 6.2.1 Biosensors 6.2.2 Microarrays 6.3 Quantum Dots for Early Cancer Detection 6.3.1 Detection of primary Cancers 6.3.2 Quantum Dots for Tumor Imaging 7. Cancer Therapeutics with Nanomedicines 7.1 Nanomedicine as Therapeutic Agents 7.1.1 Photodynamic Therapy 7.1.2 Photo Thermal Therapy 7.2 Nanomedicines as Prophylactic & Therapeutic Approach 7.2.1 Cancer Cell Destruction 7.3 Nanomedicine in Breast Cancer 7.4 Nanomedicine in Pancreatic Cancer 7.5 Nanomedicine in Brain Cancer 7.6 Nanomedicine in Lung Cancer 8. Cancer Imaging with Nanomedicine 8.1 Positron Emission Tomography 8.1.1 Applications in various Cancers 8.2 Single Photon Emitted Tomography 8.2.1 Computed Tomography 8.3 Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) 8.3.1 Optical Imaging 9. Drug Delivery with Nanomedicines 9.1 Nanocarrier & Chemotherapy 9.1.1 Peptide Nanomedicine- An Example of Nanocarrier Chemotherapy 9.2 Nanomedicine Endocytosis & Intracellular Mechanisms 9.3 Factors Affecting Drug Delivery 10. Global Cancer Nanomedicine Market Overview 10.1 Current Market Scenario 10.2 Global Cancer Nanomedicine Clinical Pipeline Overview 11. Global Nanomedicine Market Dynamics 11.1 Encouraging Market Aspects 11.2 Commercialization Challenges 12. Global Cancer Nanomedicine Future Prospect 13. Global Cancer Nanomedicine Clinical Pipeline by Company, Indication & Phase 13.1 Research 13.2 Preclinical 13.3 Phase-I 13.4 Phase-I/II 13.5 Phase-II 13.6 Phase-III 14. Marketed Cancer Nanomedicine Clinical Insight by Company, Indication & Phase 14.1 Doxorubicin Liposomal (Caelyx & Doxil) 14.2 Albumin-Bound Paclitaxel (Abraxane & Coraxane) 14.3 Nilotinib (Tasigna) 14.4 Paclitaxel Polymeric Micelle Formulation (Cynviloq & Genexol-PM) 14.5 Paclitaxel Liposomal 14.6 Vincristine Liposomal (Marqibo) 14.7 Rexin-G 14.8 Paclitaxel Nanoparticle (Nanoxel) 15. Competitive Landscape 15.1 Abraxis BioScience 15.2 Access Pharmaceuticals 15.3 Alnylam Pharmaceuticals 15.4 Amgen 15.5 Arrowhead Research 15.6 BIND Therapeutics 15.7 Cadila Healthcare 15.8 Celegen Corporation 15.9 Celsion Corporation 15.10 Genzyme Corporation 15.11 Merck 15.12 NanoCarrier 15.13 Nippon Kayaku 15.14 Nanobiotix 15.15 Novavax 15.16 Pfizer 15.17 Roche 15.18 Samyang 15.19 Sanofi 15.20 Takeda Pharmaceutical For more information about this report visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/8q3fcs/global_cancer Media Contact: Laura Wood, Senior Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com SOURCE Research and Markets NEW YORK, February 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- "The US$ 477.7 Million chipless RFID market is estimated to reach US$ 3,058.2 Million by 2024-end, reflecting a robust CAGR of 26.1% during the forecast period (2016-2024). The retail sector will play a crucial role in driving the market growth globally over the next couple of years. Adoption of chipless RFID is expected to remain high in stores for smart shelves and item-level tagging." --- Persistence Market Research (PMR) (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161114/438683LOGO ) Global Chipless RFID Market: Key Stakeholders US-based chipless RFID manufacturers will continue their dominance with companies such as Xerox Corporation and Zebra technologies leading the pack on a global level. PMR's analysis reveals that strategic partnerships amongst players will remain a key trend throughout the forecast period in order to penetrate narrower channels of the market. Thin Film Electronics ASA, Spectra System, Tag Sense, Politronica, and Molex are some of the other companies who have significantly increased their footprints in the global chipless RFID market in recent years. View Report Table of Contents, Figures, and Tables@ http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/chipless-rfid-market/toc Bottlenecks According to PMR's latest report on the global market for chipless RFID, issues associated with data characteristics is likely to inhibit the overall growth of the market during the assessment period. Further, technological stringency is translating into operational restrictions of chipless RFID. Tags developed using chipless RFID technology are susceptible to various physical and virtual attacks, which increases the possibilities of data misuse. These tags are easily accessible making any private information stored in them prone to malignant threats. On the other hand, factors such as cost effective manufacturing technology, rapid adoption in sectors such as banking and healthcare and growing need for efficient supply chain management are expected to define the market growth over the next couple of years. Global Chipless RFID Market Research Report @ http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/chipless-rfid-market.asp Sturdy Consumption of Chipless RFID Tag As per the projection, demand for chipless RFID tag will gain maximum traction, while chipless RFID reader will emerge as the second largest segment of the market over 2024 on the basis of component type. In terms of revenue, the RFID tag segment is anticipated to expand at the fastest CAGR of 31.4% over the forecast period, followed by RFID reader segment. Usage of Chipless RFID Will Remain High In Retail & Consumer Goods Industry Based on industry type, the retail & consumer goods segment is set to expand at a significant CAGR of 29.3% in terms of value over the forecast period. In 2016, the segment stood at a market valuation of US$ 194.2 Million and is expected to remain dominant in terms of revenue share throughout the forecast period. The logistics & manufacturing is expected to remain the second largest segment of the market, surpassing a market valuation of US$ 984 Million by 2024 end. A sample of this report is available upon request@ http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/10768 Global Chipless RFID Market: Regional Outlook In terms of revenue, North America is projected to be the most attractive market for chipless RFID market during the forecast period. In 2016, the region dominated the overall global chipless RFID market and is expected to reach US$ 1,217.5 Million by 2024 end, reflecting a CAGR of 27.3%. The chipless RFID market in Asia Pacific (APAC) is foreseen to expand at the highest CAGR over the forecast period, followed by North America and Europe respectively. The growth of the market in APAC is primarily attributed to the growing investment by various industries in modernizing data maintenance technology in order to improve their business efficiency. PMR Overview Persistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance. To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes. Contact Persistence Market Research U.S. Sales Office: 305 Broadway, 7th Floor New York City, NY 10007 United States USA - Canada Toll-Free: 800-961-0353 Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.com Web: http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com SOURCE Persistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd. DUBLIN, Feb 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Electric UAV Drones: Autonomous, Energy Independent 2017-2027" report to their offering. It is grossly misleading that most reporting on unmanned aerial vehicles UAV has recently concentrated on the sideshow of toy multicopters going out of fashion. We also are told of toy and other simple versions dropping 70% in price, with more to come, so manufacturers and investors outside China, who should have known better, are wiped out. Investment is now virtually impossible to obtain, they say. There is a different reality. Drones are overcoming problems of direct human involvement in dirty, dangerous, boring, slow and imprecise operations that need to be done better and they will even be used for currently impossible tasks. The analyst forecasted the price collapse of toys but also the huge opportunities in specialist hardware and most software and services elsewhere. This report reveals a parallel universe of drones of all sizes receiving billions of dollars of investment so they and their associated services create multi-billion dollar markets in hardware and services. It is an amazing world of tethered and upper atmosphere drones staying up for years, some creating 100kW of electricity and others beaming the internet to 4.5 billion people still waiting for it. Contrary to popular opinion, the analyst reveals that the next advances in hardware and software mainly revolve around autonomy and energy independence. Swarming theory and endowment of curiosity will transform security and other applications. Here is the only report encompassing all of this, based on new research worldwide carried out by multilingual PhD level analysts. Key Topics Covered: 1. Executive Summary And Conclusions 2. Introduction 3. Autonomy Of UAV Energy: Energy Independent Vehicle EIV Technology 4. Examples Of Electric UAVs In Action 5. Company Profiles And Examples Of Interviews - AgEagle - Agribotix - Airinov - Festo - Gamaya - Headwall - LeddarTech - MicaSense - Novariant - Parrot - Prospera - Scanse - Sentra - Shadow Robotics - SpeIR - Trimble - URSULA Agriculture - Yanmar - Yara - senseFly For more information about this report visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/zbcjnp/electric_uav Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com SOURCE Research and Markets DUBLIN, Feb 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Global ELISA Technologies Market Analysis & Trends - Test Type, Application - Forecast to 2025" report to their offering. Some of the prominent trends that the market is witnessing include growing incidence of chronic diseases, increasing investment in research and development, and advanced technological developments. Based on test type the market is categorized into competitive ELISA, sandwich ELISA, indirect ELISA, and multiple and portable ELISA. By application the market is segmented by protein quantitation, immunology, cancer, inflammation, infectious diseases, and other applications. Depending on the end users the market is classified into academia, blood banks, hospitals, pharma & biotechnology companies, laboratories, and other end users. This industry report analyzes the global markets for ELISA Analyzers across all the given segments on global as well as regional levels presented in the research scope. The study provides historical market data for 2013, 2014 revenue estimations are presented for 2015 and forecasts from 2016 till 2025. The study focuses on market trends, leading players, supply chain trends, technological innovations, key developments, and future strategies. With comprehensive market assessment across the major geographies such as North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, Latin America and Rest of the world the report is a valuable asset for the existing players, new entrants and the future investors. The study presents detailed market analysis with inputs derived from industry professionals across the value chain. A special focus has been made on 23 countries such as U.S., Canada, Mexico, U.K., Germany, Spain, France, Italy, China, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, etc. Key Topics Covered: 1 Market Outline 2 Executive Summary 3 Market Overview 3.1 Current Trends 3.1.1 Growing Incidence of Chronic Diseases 3.1.2 Increasing Investment in R&D 3.1.3 Advanced Technological Developments 3.1.4 Growth Opportunities/Investment Opportunities 3.2 Drivers 3.3 Constraints 3.4 Industry Attractiveness 4 ELISA Technologies Market, By Test Type 4.1 Competitive ELISA 4.2 Sandwich ELISA 4.3 Indirect ELISA 4.4 Multiple and portable ELISA 5 ELISA Technologies Market, By Application 5.1 Protein quantitation 5.2 Immunology 5.3 Cancer 5.4 Inflammation 5.5 Infectious diseases 5.6 Other Applications 6 ELISA Technologies Market, By End User 6.1 Academia 6.2 Blood Banks 6.3 Hospitals 6.4 Pharma & Biotechnology Companies 6.5 Laboratories 6.6 Other End Users 7 ELISA Technologies Market, By Geography 8 Key Player Activities 8.1 Mergers & Acquisitions 8.2 Partnerships, Joint Venture's, Collaborations and Agreements 8.3 Product Launch & Expansions 8.4 Other Activities 9 Leading Companies 9.1 American Laboratory Products Company (ALPCO) 9.2 BD Biosciences 9.3 BioMerieux SA 9.4 Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc 9.5 EMD Millipore Corp. 9.6 Life Technologies Corporation 9.7 Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Inc. 9.8 R&D Systems Inc. 9.9 Thermo Fisher Scientific. Inc. 9.10 ZEUS Scientific, Inc. For more information about this report visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/4p6dsd/global_elisa Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com SOURCE Research and Markets VALLEY COTTAGE, New York, February 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Medical organisations and research institutes will continue to put more efforts towards development of advanced imaging devices. Growing preference to portable point-of-care devices has propelled the scope of using imaging software as one can now view vital stats through smartphone applications. Orthopaedic imaging has also conversed beyond the limits of being an exclusive medical service. Prominence of bone-related ailments, fractures and disorders are prompting individuals towards adoption of handy devices with orthopaedic imaging facilities. A recent study published by Future Market Insights projects that trends as such will continue instrumenting the growth in global demand for orthopaedic imaging. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161020/430874LOGO ) According to Future Market Insights - "The global market for orthopaedic imaging, which is currently valued at US$ 7.6 billion, will soar steadily at 4.9% CAGR to reach US$ 12.4 billion valuation by 2026." Nevertheless, the global orthopaedic imaging market will exhibit a restrictive growth owing to rising cost of clinical trials for such imaging devices, stringent regulations associated with commercialisation of orthopaedic imaging devices, and poor imaging infrastructure in underdeveloped & developing economies. Request for Sample Report with Table of Contents: http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-418 According to the report, titled "Orthopaedic Imaging Market: Global Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment, 2016-2026," demand for X-ray systems and ultrasound systems as orthopaedic imaging products will remain high. Instead of EOS imaging systems and nuclear imaging systems, orthopaedic patients are more likely to be imaged with CT scanners, ultrasound, an MRI or X-ray imaging systems. In 2016, global sales of these three product types brought in more than US$ 5 billion in revenues. However, efficiency of EOS imaging systems will boost their sales, registering fastest growth at 17.7% CAGR. Asia-Pacific excluding Japan - Most-Lucrative Region for Orthopaedic Imaging In terms of revenue share, North America and Western Europe will remain dominant regions for orthopaedic imaging sales through 2026. However, limited healthcare budget in the US is restraining North America's share in global orthopaedic imaging market to below 30% by the end of forecast period. Western Europe is also expected to incur a marginal decline in terms of global market value share. Key findings in the report, however, project that the orthopaedic imaging market in Asia-Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ) region will expand its global revenue share, reaching a value of US$ 2.72 billion by the end of 2026. Prevalence of Orthopaedic Imaging Devices in Emergency Care Facilities Hospitals will remain the largest end-user of orthopaedic imaging devices. Radiology centres, along with hospitals, will collectively account for over two-third of global market value throughout the forecast period. Emergency care facilities, on the other hand, will be demanding more number of orthopaedic imaging systems. By the end of 2026, more than US$ 3.2 billion revenues will be attributed by sales of orthopaedic imaging devices to emergency care facilities. Preview Analysis on Global Orthopaedic Imaging Equipment Market Segmentation By Product Type - X-Ray System, CT-Scanner, MRI System, EOS Imaging Systems, Ultrasound, Nuclear Imaging Systems; By Indication - Acute injuries (Sports Injuries, Fracture, Bone Dislocation), Chronic Disorders (Osteoarthritis, Osteoporosis, Prolapsed Disc, Degenerative Joint Disease); By End User - Hospitals, Radiology Centres, Emergency Care Facility, Ambulatory Surgical Centres: http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/orthopaedic-imaging-market Additional findings compiled in the report include: Almost every other orthopaedic imaging device sold in the world is used for treatment of acute injuries Chronic disorders will account for more than 30% revenue share through 2026 Esaote SpA, Hitachi Ltd., Planmed OY and EOS Imaging are orthopaedic imaging device manufacturers specialising in particular products Toshiba Medical System Corporation, Koninklijke Philips NV, General Electric Healthcare Limited and Siemens AG are recognised as leading players in the global market for orthopaedic imaging More from FMI's Cutting-edge Intelligence: North America Vision Care Market Segmentation By Product Type - Rx-Lenses, Frames, Contact Lenses, Non Rx Sunglasses, Reading Glasses, Contact Lens Solutions; By Distribution Channel - Retail Stores, E-Commerce, Clinics, Hospitals: http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/north-america-vision-care-market Segmentation By Product Type - Rx-Lenses, Frames, Contact Lenses, Non Rx Sunglasses, Reading Glasses, Contact Lens Solutions; By Distribution Channel - Retail Stores, E-Commerce, Clinics, Hospitals: http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/north-america-vision-care-market Balloon Catheter Market Segmentation By Product - Normal, Cutting, Scoring, Drug Eluting, and Stent Graft Balloon Catheter; By Disease Indication - Coronary Artery Disease, Peripheral Vascular Disease; By Raw Material - Polyurethane, Nylon; By End User - Hospitals, Public Hospitals, Private Hospitals, Ambulatory Surgical Centres, Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratories: http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/balloon-catheter-market Segmentation By Product - Normal, Cutting, Scoring, Drug Eluting, and Stent Graft Balloon Catheter; By Disease Indication - Coronary Artery Disease, Peripheral Vascular Disease; By Raw Material - Polyurethane, Nylon; By End User - Hospitals, Public Hospitals, Private Hospitals, Ambulatory Surgical Centres, Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratories: http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/balloon-catheter-market Saudi Arabia Pharmaceutical Market Segmentation By Product - Prescription Products and Over-The-Counter (OTC) Products; By Disease - Cardiovascular Diseases, Diabetes, Cancer, Obesity, Infectious Diseases and Other Diseases; By Distribution Channel - Hospital Pharmacies and Retail Pharmacies: http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/saudi-arabia-pharmaceutical-market About Us Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights and an aerial view of the competitive framework and future market trends. Browse More Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals and Medical devices Market Insights Contact Us 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018, Valley Cottage, NY 10989, United States T: +1-347-918-3531 F: +1-845-579-5705 T (UK): + 44 (0) 20 7692 8790 Sales: sales@futuremarketinsights.com Press Office: Press@futuremrketinsights.com Website: http://www.futuremarketinsights.com SOURCE Future Market Insights In 2017, Guian's fixed asset investment is expected to rise 21.9 percent from a year earlier to US$10.9 billion, while actual investment attracted into the New Area is expected to gain 11.1 percent to over US$3.34 billion, creating 30,000 jobs. As a key engine of growth, the big data business is expected to expand to over US$7.29 billion, and aims to generate US$2.18 billion in both industrial output and sales revenues. Big Data Eco-system Guian will improve the infrastructure of the information industry by equipping itself to be a national-level Internet development zone. In addition, it will accelerate the construction of a data-processing center, taking advantage of a strategic partnership between the zone and Alibaba Group. The Area will launch the Huawei Global Data Center, kick off the second phase of data center projects by China's top 3 telecom operators, strive to complete the first phase of the Tencent Data Center, and aims to introduce at least two new data centers. With capacity to house over 300,000 servers, the New Area will also develop a national-level supercomputing center, kick off plans for an integrated circuit industrial park, and aims to achieve annual production of over 50 million cellphones. High-end Equipment Manufacturing Guian New Area aims to make fresh breakthroughs in high-end equipment manufacturing to realize US$727 million in total industrial output. In terms of concrete projects, Guian New Area aims to basically complete phase one of the FDG New Energy Vehicle project in 2017, with an estimated annual production value of US$4.3 billion, and establish a "hundred-billion-automobiles" eco-park. Health Care Industry The zone will also promote the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry, with plans to accelerate construction of the Tongji Guian Hospital, complete phase one of the Biotech Industry Town, kick off pharmaceutical logistics projects, and accelerate the setup of an industry platform. Guian New Area aims to introduce over eight pharmaceutical manufacturers, and at least five medical research and service institutions, aiming to realize an industry value exceeding US$145.6 million. Green Finance Pilot Zone Guian New Area will actively set up an innovative pilot zone for green finance, set up the Green Finance Port (phase I), accelerate construction of projects including the Southwestern Food Logistics Town, Home Building Materials City, and Jingang Automobile Culture City of the Future. Guian New Area will vigorously develop industries including new energy, new materials, civil-military integration, and the high-end service industry. About Guian New Area is located in Southwest China's Guizhou province, the eighth national-level new area in China. SOURCE Guian New Area 16 February 2017 HARBOURVEST GLOBAL PRIVATE EQUITY ESTIMATED NAV INCREASES DURING JANUARY 2017 HVPE REPORTS ESTIMATED NAV OF $18.05 (14.35) PER SHARE - A 1% INCREASE IN US DOLLAR TERMS DURING JANUARY SHARE PRICE RISES 4% FROM 11.55 TO 11.95 OVER MONTH hvpe IS A NET INVESTOR DURING January WITH $26 MILLION INVESTED AND $17 MILLION RECEIVED IN REALISATIONS BORROWING REMAINS AT ZERO; $175 MILLION OF CASH held ON BALANCE SHEET HarbourVest Global Private Equity Limited ("HVPE" or the "Company"), a closed-end investment company, today announces its estimated Net Asset Value ("NAV") at 31 January 2017. HVPE provides a complete private equity solution for public investors, managing the portfolio through four phases of the private equity cycle to create value: Commitments, Investment, Growth, and Realisation. Commitments HVPE did not make any new commitments to HarbourVest-managed funds during January. The Company's existing HarbourVest fund commitments continued to make new investments. HVPE's Investment Pipeline (unfunded commitments) of $1.20 billion decreased on a net basis by $23.4 million during January due to capital funded and foreign currency movements. Investment During January, HVPE invested $25.9 million (compared to $34.8 million in December 2016). The largest investment was to fund a number of deals in HarbourVest's latest global co-investment fund. Growth At 31 January 2017, HVPE's estimated NAV per share is $18.05 (14.35), a $0.17 increase in USD terms and 0.14 decrease in sterling terms from the 31 December 2016 estimate of $17.88 (14.49). The increase for HVPE in US dollar terms compares to the FTSE All-World increase of 2.6% during January. The change resulted from positive foreign currency movement, increasing values for publicly-traded companies, and increasing valuations for privately-held companies as a small portion of the direct co-investment portfolio was re-valued to reflect final 31 December 2016 results. The increase was partially offset by ongoing operating expenses. The GBP/USD rate as of 31 January 2017 was 1.2579, while the rate as of 31 December 2016 was 1.2340. Realisation During January, HVPE received $16.9 million in realisations from HarbourVest funds compared to $48.4 million in December. The largest realisation came from HVPE's co-investment in Absolute Private Equity following the sale of a majority of the remaining assets within this portfolio. During the month, there were a total of 35 liquidity events across HVPE's underlying portfolio. Balance Sheet and Credit Facility HVPE currently has no drawings on its credit facility. At 31 January 2017, HVPE's cash ($175.2 million) and available credit ($500.0 million) total $675.2 million. Additional detail about HVPE's NAV and investment diversification can be found on HVPE's website, in the Monthly Update for 31 January 2017. Enquiries: HarbourVest Richard Hickman Tel: +44 (0)20 7399 9847 rhickman@harbourvest.com Laura Thaxter Tel: +1 (617) 348 3695 lthaxter@harbourvest.com FleishmanHillard Fishburn Henry Adams Ludo Baynham-Herd Tel: +44 (0)20 8618 2975 Tel: +44 (0)20 8618 2897 henry.adams@fhflondon.co.uk HVPE@fhflondon.co.uk Notes to Editors: About HarbourVest Global Private Equity Limited: HarbourVest Global Private Equity Limited ("HVPE" or the "Company") is a Guernsey-incorporated, closed-end investment company which is listed on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 index. HVPE is designed to offer shareholders long-term capital appreciation by investing in a private equity portfolio diversified by geography, stage of investment, vintage year, and industry. The Company invests in and alongside HarbourVest-managed funds which focus on primary fund commitments, secondary investments and direct co-investments in operating companies. HVPE's investment manager is HarbourVest Advisers L.P., an affiliate of HarbourVest Partners, LLC, an independent, global private markets investment specialist with more than 30 years of experience. About HarbourVest Partners, LLC: HarbourVest is an independent, global private markets investment specialist with more than 30 years of experience and more than $40 billion in assets under management. The Firm's powerful global platform offers clients investment opportunities through primary fund investments, secondary investments, and direct co-investments in commingled funds or separately managed accounts. HarbourVest has more than 400 employees, including more than 100 investment professionals across Asia, Europe, and the Americas. This global team has committed more than $31 billion to newly-formed funds, completed over $15 billion in secondary purchases, and invested $5 billion directly in operating companies. Partnering with HarbourVest, clients have access to customised solutions, longstanding relationships, actionable insights, and proven results. This announcement is for information purposes only and does not constitute or form part of any offer to issue or sell, or the solicitation of an offer to acquire, purchase or subscribe for, any securities in any jurisdiction and should not be relied upon in connection with any decision to subscribe for or acquire any Shares. In particular, this announcement does not constitute or form part of any offer to issue or sell, or the solicitation of an offer to acquire, purchase or subscribe for, any securities in the United States or to US Persons (as defined in Regulation S under the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("US Persons")). Neither this announcement nor any copy of it may be taken, released, published or distributed, directly or indirectly to US Persons or in or into the United States (including its territories and possessions), Canada, Australia or Japan, or any jurisdiction where such action would be unlawful. Accordingly, recipients represent that they are able to receive this announcement without contravention of any applicable legal or regulatory restrictions in the jurisdiction in which they reside or conduct business. No recipient may distribute, or make available, this announcement (directly or indirectly) to any other person. Recipients of this announcement should inform themselves about and observe any applicable legal requirements in their jurisdictions. The Shares have not been and will not be registered under the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") or with any securities regulatory authority of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States and, accordingly, may not be offered, sold, resold, transferred, delivered or distributed, directly or indirectly, within the United States or to US Persons. In addition, the Company is not registered under the US Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Investment Company Act") and shareholders of the Company will not have the protections of that act. There will be no public offer of the Shares in the United States or to US Persons. This announcement has been prepared by the Company and its investment manager, HarbourVest Advisers L.P. (the "Investment Manager"). No liability whatsoever (whether in negligence or otherwise) arising directly or indirectly from the use of this announcement is accepted and no representation, warranty or undertaking, express or implied, is or will be made by the Company, the Investment Manager or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, advisers, representatives or other agents ("Agents") for any information or any of the opinions contained herein or for any errors, omissions or misstatements. None of the Investment Manager nor any of their respective Agents makes or has been authorised to make any representation or warranties (express or implied) in relation to the Company or as to the truth, accuracy or completeness of this announcement, or any other written or oral statement provided. In particular, no representation or warranty is given as to the achievement or reasonableness of, and no reliance should be placed on any projections, targets, estimates or forecasts contained in this announcement and nothing in this announcement is or should be relied on as a promise or representation as to the future. Other than as required by applicable laws, the Company gives no undertaking to update this announcement or any additional information, or to correct any inaccuracies in it which may become apparent and the distribution of this announcement. The information contained in this announcement is given at the date of its publication and is subject to updating, revision and amendment. The contents of this announcement have not been approved by any competent regulatory or supervisory authority. This announcement includes statements that are, or may be deemed to be, "forward looking statements". These forward looking statements can be identified by the use of forward looking terminology, including the terms "believes", "projects", "estimates", "anticipates", "expects", "intends", "plans", "goal", "target", "aim", "may", "will", "would", "could", "should" or "continue" or, in each case, their negative or other variations or comparable terminology. These forward looking statements include all matters that are not historical facts and include statements regarding the intentions, beliefs or current expectations of the Company. By their nature, forward looking statements involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future and may be beyond the Company's ability to control or predict. Forward looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. More detailed information on the potential factors which could affect the financial results of the Company is contained in the Company's public filings and reports. All investments are subject to risk. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns. Prospective investors are advised to seek expert legal, financial, tax and other professional advice before making any investment decision. The value of investments may fluctuate. Results achieved in the past are no guarantee of future results. This announcement is issued by the Company, whose registered address is Ground Floor Dorey Court, Admiral Park, St Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 2HT. 2017 HarbourVest Global Private Equity Limited. All rights reserved. DUBLIN, Feb. 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Indonesia LNG Market 2011-2025" report to their offering. The LNG market in Indonesia is projected to surpass 5.9 MMT by 2025. Existing liquefaction capacity terminals in the country are expected to be converted to regasification terminals, which would ultimately bring down utilization of the liquefaction capacity of Indonesia. Indonesia majorly imports LNG from Australia, United States, Malaysia and Papua New Guinea. Moreover, increasing demand for LNG from various end use sectors and decreasing LNG prices in comparison to other alternative fuels are further anticipated to boost supply of LNG in Indonesia during 2016 - 2025. Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) is natural gas (predominantly methane, CH4) that is converted into liquid form through a process called liquefaction. Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) value chain starts from exploration and production (including processing), from where natural gas is supplied to liquefaction plant, and then loaded into LNG tanker to be supplied to various destinations. Production of natural gas declined in Indonesia at a CAGR of 2.6% during 2010-2015, due to growing numbers of mature gas field in the country, which positively impacted Indonesia LNG supply market. Demand for LNG increased continuously during the same time frame, owing to rising demand from power and industrial sectors in the country. Key Topics Covered: 1. Product Overview 2. Research Methodology 3. Executive Summary 4. Indonesia Primary Energy Consumption 5. Indonesia LNG Supply Market Outlook 6. Indonesia LNG Potential Demand Market Outlook 7. Indonesia LNG Potential Demand Supply Gap Outlook 8. Indonesia LNG Regional Market Outlook 9. Indonesia LNG Market Outlook 10. Import-Export Dynamics 11. LNG Pricing Analysis 13. Competitive Analysis 14. Customer & Supplier Analysis For more information about this report visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/6835jq/indonesia_lng Media Contact: Laura Wood, Senior Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com SOURCE Research and Markets WASHINGTON, Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The governor of Iraq's Anbar Province has used social media to thank Janus Global Operations (JGO), an international stability operations company, for helping to rid the province of landmines and other unexploded ordnance and for training Iraqis to eliminate such threats themselves. Anbar Gov. Sohaib Alrawi posted on Twitter, "International Co. Janus Global Operations making great progress in demining ops/training Iraqis to protect lives and rebuild livelihoods #Anbar." Tennessee-based JGO has worked since spring 2016 clearing mines, improvised explosive devices, and other explosive remnants of war from Ramadi, Iraq, the province's largest city. JGO has also been training Iraqis in techniques to deal with explosive devices. JGO's work in Anbar takes place under a State Department contract and in close cooperation with the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, the U.N. Mission in Iraq, and with funding from the governments of Canada, Germany, Denmark, and the U.S. The Anbar project that Janus Global is executing has allowed the international community to begin stabilization and reconstruction efforts in Ramadi, tasks impossible to undertake without first clearing mines, IEDs and other explosives left behind by ISIL as it was driven out of Ramadi. "Everyone at JGO is honored that Governor Alrawi publicly thanked our team for the work we're doing in his province," said Matt Kaye, JGO president and CEO. "It's a privilege to have earned the trust of the U.S., Canadian, German and Danish Governments, which have funded this effort, and be allowed to help people reclaim their lives from violent extremism." Janus Global Operations is an integrated stability operations company employing thousands of people worldwide. The company's client services include risk management; munitions management; demining and mitigation of unexploded ordnance; intelligence support; logistics; communications; life support, and other services, often in some of the world's most difficult environments. The company's website is www.janusgo.com. Logo - http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/351314/janus_logo_rgb___white_background_logo_Logo.jpg Related Links http://www.janusgo.com SOURCE Janus Global Operations Mapletree also wishes to announce the appointment of Mr. Christopher Ahearn as Oakwood's Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") with immediate effect (please refer to the Annex for Mr. Ahearn's biography). Oakwood's Founder and Chairman Mr. Howard Ruby will assume the non-executive role of Chairman Emeritus at Oakwood, where he will serve in an advisory role to Oakwood on the corporate housing business. Mapletree's acquisition of Oakwood is part of its long-term strategy to strengthen its corporate housing and serviced apartment business. Currently, all of Mapletree's nine corporate housing and serviced apartment assets in the United States ("US") and Australia are managed under the Oakwood brand as part of a collaboration signed in 2014. The collaboration also saw Mapletree acquire a 49 percent stake in Oakwood's Asia Pacific operating arm, Oakwood Asia Pacific. Said Mr. Hiew Yoon Khong, Mapletree's Group Chief Executive Officer: "This acquisition is strategic and commercially significant to Mapletree. Our full ownership of Oakwood will allow us to enhance efficiencies and the growth momentum of our corporate housing and serviced apartment business. In addition, Oakwood is a reputable global brand and we intend to continue strengthening its presence. "Furthermore, Mapletree intends to step up the acquisition and development of corporate housing and serviced apartment assets that will add to our earnings streams and expand housing options available to Oakwood's clients and guests. We will be looking at markets across the US, Europe and Asia Pacific, which are also regions where Oakwood is a well-regarded brand." Said Mr. Howard Ruby, Chairman Emeritus of Oakwood: "It has been my very special privilege to lead this organization for 57 years. It gives me great pleasure to know that the company, the associates and our clients will be in good hands with Mapletree and CEO Christopher Ahearn at the helm. We have learned through our collaboration that Mapletree shares our key vision of growing and expanding the Oakwood brand globally and maintaining the high customer service standards for which we are known. Both companies have worked well together since 2014, and I am confident that will continue. I am very excited about the future of Oakwood as we embark on this new journey with Mapletree as the company's new owner." Mr. Ahearn, as Oakwood's new CEO, will draw from his vast experience in growing and improving the operating performance of companies, which he gained while serving as Senior Advisor to TPG Capital. He will also capitalise on the industry knowledge he acquired while serving as Oakwood's Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing from 2005 to 2010. Said Mr. Ahearn, CEO of Oakwood: "I am delighted to be returning to Oakwood as the new CEO. Howard is a pioneer in this industry and I am honoured to have been entrusted to carry forth his legacy and lead the company into this new chapter under Mapletree's ownership. I look forward to working with our associates, the heart of our organization, to align and evolve Oakwood's global capabilities and innovative offerings in order to better meet the ever-changing needs of our clients and guests. We are committed to a seamless transition of ownership with minimal disruption to Oakwood's operations." Oakwood is the largest provider of corporate housing and serviced apartments globally with a presence in more than 95 countries. The company serves more than 80 percent of Fortune 500 companies, and works with the 10 largest US relocation companies. In addition to a vast supply chain inventory, Oakwood manages a portfolio of more than 50 branded properties globally. In addition to the nine Mapletree properties operated by Oakwood (US and Australia), Mapletree is currently developing three serviced apartment properties in Japan and Vietnam as well as one other asset under development in the US, which will be managed by Oakwood Worldwide upon completion. MEDIA CONTACTS Pam KREBS Christine TEH Director Senior Manager Global Communications Corporate Communications Oakwood Worldwide Mapletree Investments Pte Ltd Direct: +1 310 444 2552 Direct: +65 6377 4608 Mobile: +1 310 987 2233 Mobile: +65 9368 5684 Email: publicrelations@oakwood.com Email: christine.teh@mapletree.com.sg Grace LEE Assistant Manager Corporate Communications Mapletree Investments Pte Ltd Direct: +65 6377 6218 Mobile: +65 9750 6482 Email: grace.lee@mapletree.com.sg ABOUT MAPLETREE Mapletree is a leading real estate development, investment and capital management company headquartered in Singapore. Its strategic focus is to invest in markets and real estate sectors with good growth potential. By combining its key strengths as a developer, an investor and a capital manager, the Group has established a track record of award-winning projects, and delivers consistent and high returns across real estate asset classes. Mapletree currently manages four Singapore-listed real estate investment trusts (REITs) and five private equity real estate funds, which hold a diverse portfolio of assets in Singapore and Asia Pacific. As at 31 December 2016, Mapletree owns and manages S$38.6 billion (~US$26.6 billion) of office, retail, logistics, industrial, residential, corporate housing and serviced apartment, and student housing properties. The Group's assets are located across 12 economies globally, namely Singapore, Australia, China, Germany, Hong Kong SAR, India, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea, the United Kingdom (UK), the United States (US) and Vietnam. To support its global operations, Mapletree has established an extensive network of offices in Singapore, Australia, China, Hong Kong SAR, India, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea, the UK, the US and Vietnam. In the US, Mapletree currently owns a portfolio of seven student accommodation assets located across six states, and eight Oakwood-branded corporate housing properties with more than 1,200 units. The corporate housing properties are situated in Silicon Valley, Raleigh, Los Angeles, Portland, Dallas and Seattle. For more information, please visit www.mapletree.com.sg. ABOUT OAKWOOD WORLDWIDE Oakwood Worldwide is the premier provider of corporate housing and serviced apartment solutions through its well-known brands, Oakwood, ExecuStay and Insurance Housing Solutions. With a presence in all 50 United States and more than 95 countries, the award- winning company provides move-in-ready furnished accommodations to meet the needs of global organizations, individual business travelers, insurance clients and leisure travelers alike. Oakwood Worldwide was founded in and continues to base its corporate headquarters in Los Angeles and operates regional headquarters in London, Phoenix and Singapore. For more information, please visit OakwoodWorldwide.com . ANNEX Mr. Christopher Ahearn, Chief Executive Officer, Oakwood Worldwide Mr. Christopher Ahearn has more than 26 years of experience in the areas of consultancy, sales, marketing and operations across a broad range of industry sectors. In his last appointment, Mr. Ahearn was Senior Advisor for TPG Capital and worked on a variety of projects spanning multiple industry sectors to improve the operating performance of companies acquired by TPG Capital. Prior to that, Mr. Ahearn was Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Oakwood Worldwide from 2005 to 2010. Mr. Ahearn has also held executive roles with FedEx Office, NowDocs and RR Donnelley, and worked with corporate boards and partnered with senior executive peers to drive initiatives that delivered improved business performance. Mr. Ahearn holds a bachelor's degree in Marketing from California State University, San Bernardino, the US. Logo - http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/469079/Oakwood_Logo.jpg Logo - http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/469059/Mapletree_Logo.jpg Photo - http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/469063/Oakwood_Worldwide_Signing_Ceremony.jpg Photo - http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/469064/Oakwood_Worldwide_Portland_Pearl_District.jpg Related Links http://www.oakwoodworldwide.com SOURCE Oakwood Worldwide NEW DELHI, February 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Finance Act 2015 had proposed to amend the test of residence for foreign companies to provide that a company would be treated as resident in India if its place of effective management in the previous year is in India. Earlier, section 6 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 (the Act) referred that, a company is considered to be an Indian resident company, only if it is incorporated in India or the control and management of its affairs is situated wholly in India. (Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/468430/PoEM_Tax_India_Infographic.jpg ) As per the amendment, a company shall be considered an Indian resident company if: - It is incorporated in India; or - Place of effective management, in that year, is in India. The main objective of introducing PoEM, was to ensure that the companies incorporated outside India, but controlled and managed from India do not escape taxation in India. It also brings in the concept of residency of corporates in line with internationally-accepted principles said Neeraj Bhagat, founder of Neeraj Bhagat & Co, an Indian Chartered Accountancy firm serving various MNC'S from across the globe . Tax payers likely to be affected by PoEM Foreign companies having Indian branches Foreign subsidiaries of Indian parents Foreign company having global reporting structure with an India connection connection Regional headquarters Activities likely to trigger PoEM Board meeting in India Decisions taken by a Director, Executive Committee, Key Management Personnel in India Delegation of authority from India Delegation of authority from Regional roles e.g. Group CEOs / CFOs sitting in India and approving decisions for foreign affiliates and approving decisions for foreign affiliates Functions carried on in India e.g. Global Procurement Cell of foreign companies About the author: Neeraj Bhagat is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) since 1997. He is also an Associate member of Association of International Accountants, United Kingdom. He is founder of Neeraj Bhagat & Co, an Indian Chartered Accountancy firm serving various MNC'S from across the globe. Neeraj Bhagat & Co. has its offices at New Delhi, Gurgaon and Mumbai. They are part of Allinial Global Accounting Association which is one of the World's Top 10 in accounting associations. For more information please log on to: http://www.neerajbhagat.com or email neeraj@neerajbhagat.com SOURCE Neeraj Bhagat & Co. LICHFIELD, England, February 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Stephen Mann, CEO of Police Mutual Group announces 2016 results Police Mutual Group, which includes the two brands Police Mutual and Forces Mutual and celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2016, has seen another year of very strong growth with new business up by an impressive 22% with total income up by 27%. (Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/468647/Police_Mutual_Group_Logo.jpg ) Stephen Mann refers to the Group performance as benefitting from a "virtuous circle". "The stronger our financial performance, the more that can be given back in improving lives for our Police and Military affinities which in turn is leading to higher levels of advocacy which is leading to this strong performance. These are challenging times and supporting our members and customers remains at the heart of everything we do. Our results prove that you can both do the right thing and be a strong performing business." The increase in new business mostly came from organic growth (18% year on year) as well as the early results of the enlarged Forces Mutual business (Police Mutual Group merged its existing Forces Financial brand with Abacus Group, which it acquired in April 2016). Member numbers now stand at a record level and strong growth was seen across all product lines. Financial inclusion - a strong motivator Equally importantly, the products and services which Police Mutual Group offers, reflect its purpose of improving lives and key within this is an objective around financial inclusion. Mann comments, "We recognise that it's a tight environment for our members so our Regular Savings Plans (RSPs), which have no minimum, make saving accessible pretty much to everyone." Over 3,800 new members started the savings habit, and in total Police Mutual paid out 63.7m on maturing plans. Money back in members' pockets Financial wellbeing is a key indicator of improving lives and to meet this, Police Mutual continues to deliver savings for their members: In 2016, members saved 130 on motor and 123 on home insurance [1] Police and Military customers made typical savings of 500 on mortgage advice fees If Police Officers took out a basket of Police Mutual products they could save an average of 1,674 in 2016 [2] 2016 saw the launch of Police Mutual's new stocks and shares Options ISA with over 43 million invested, including eight fixed-term ISA offers for the Police family In terms of explaining plans for this year, Mann comments, "Our focus in 2017 will be to continue this momentum. The Group is now a very different business to seven or eight years ago. We have strengthened our operation for the next phase of growth, growth that will continue to enable us to focus on the wellbeing of our Police and Military affinities." 1. Average premium savings are based on 19% of all car insurance and 14% of all home insurance members who provided their existing premium and switched their insurance (inbound sales only) from June 2015 - May 2016 2. Based on an individual in their 30s with a salary of 38,000, holding Police Mutual mortgage, home and motor insurance, healthcare, personal loan and fixed-term-ISA products. Police Mutual data 2016. SOURCE Police Mutual Group A new report commissioned by Samsung reveals that by 2020 companies which have not opened their borders to competitors, innovators and a new generation of independent freelancers will struggle to prosper in what Samsung calls the 'Open Economy' . Web video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvuxE_GkYEI (Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/468934/Samsung_Open_Economy_1.jpg) (Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/468935/Samsung_Open_Economy_2.jpg) (Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/468936/Samsung_Open_Economy_3.jpg) (Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/468937/Samsung_Open_Economy_4.jpg) This new Open Economy will be characterised by a deep use of freelance workers, routine embedding of startup driven innovation and a new kind of collaboration between former competitors. Over the last decade, thanks to the ubiquity of mobile technology, businesses have become more open and collaborative and have a clear understanding of the benefits compared to existing 'closed' business models. However, within just three years, organisations will be operating in a world much less restricted by technical or human boundaries. People, data and ideas will be integrated into current business models more freely, yet it will be crucial for businesses to get to grips with, and fully embrace, the agile technologies and expectations of tomorrow's work culture. To thrive in this world of new technologies and highly dispersed digital workforces, companies will need to embrace security platforms which will allow them to share information openly but safely. This in turn will force them to fundamentally rethink how they build their business models and the technologies they depend on. "Finding ways to safely empower new waves of future freelance workers is going to be the number one business challenge. Within three years, it's expected that businesses will have to deal with over 7.3 billion connected devices[1], whilst a rapidly digitised and changing workforce will evolve to one that will transform businesses in how, where and when they operate," says Nick Dawson, Global Director Knox Strategy. On the global stage, European companies are leading the way in adopting the infrastructure and human capital that will power the next stage of this digital revolution. This will put them in pole position to harness the open and ultra-flexible workforces and businesses over the next three to ten years, according to research from The Future Laboratory which formed the basis of the report. Across industries, innovation will emerge from new sources, with reverse innovation tactics of embedding start-ups at the heart of organisations becoming the norm. As this new future develops they will become critical strategic elements and a powerful driving force for innovation in every corner of businesses. Marcos Eguillor, Founder of BinaryKnowledge and professor at IE Business School, a specialist in digital innovation and transformation, says, "Relying on past certainties will not foster the creativity that business will need to compete in tomorrow's global market place. Companies will need to adopt the technologies that allow them to be fast and flexible enough to spot and understand their next competitive advantages, and recognise when it's time to disengage from the previous one." Tomorrow's organisations will use AI and machine learning technology to accurately predict - and make better decisions - about their future. It is not just today's devices that present risk. Already new machine intelligences are being widely deployed in the commercial world that are self-organising, self-adapting and capable of far more accurate predictions about the future state of their businesses. Advanced machine intelligence will give those companies which adopt them unprecedented power to plan ahead and optimise their business models. However, this desire for a more open approach often conflicts with the critical need to maintain high levels of security at all times across a company's entire network of devices and endpoints. Driven by a rapidly evolving threat landscape and enforced by new legislations such as General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), organisations will face many new challenges as they strive to protect their data across their entire business. Nick Dawson continues, "Cyber-security platforms that allow businesses to be both technologically open and safe are the key to unlocking the future of the Open Economy." Samsung Knox is such a platform. Today, it is the most powerful defence against mobile security threats in the workplace, thanks to an adaptive, modular design that embeds encryption and security keys in a secure chip-based hardware container. This allows the creation of secure, completely isolated work and personal identities on the same mobile device, ensuring that corporate data is always inaccessible to personal apps and processes and, critically, that personal privacy is always respected and maintained. -------------------------------------------------- 1. Gartner Inc, Internet of Things (IoT) Study 2015 Samsung is ideally placed to help businesses achieve this as its rich consumer heritage and deep understanding of how people really use their mobile devices provides an unrivalled perspective on exactly how organisations can maximise competitive advantages of new mobile technologies. To download the full report, visit: http://www.samsungatwork.com/openeconomy Notes to editors: About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, cameras, digital appliances, medical equipment, network systems, and semiconductor and LED solutions. For the latest news, please visit Samsung Newsroom at http://news.samsung.com About The Future Laboratory The Future Laboratory is a global trends forecasting consultancy, which aims to inspire and future-proof organisations. For more information see: http://www.thefuturelaboratory.com SOURCE Samsung THE HAGUE, The Netherlands, Feb 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- NATO has approved the Dutch secure mobile phone Sectra Tiger/S 7401 for use at the NATO SECRET level. The solution thus meets the strict requirements on security imposed within the NATO organization for the communication of classified information. The solution has already been approved by the EU for use at the EU SECRET level. This means that two of the leading actors for international cooperation have now approved the solution, thus increasing the potential for secure pan-European dialog for example, with respect to crisis preparedness. The ability to transfer information quickly and securely, without the risk of eavesdropping, can be vitally important for authorities, defense organizations and critical societal functions. Sectra Tiger/S 7401 offers the highest level of protection against eavesdropping attacks, even from state actors, and is a unique solution that is approved for both mobile and fixed communication at the NATO SECRET security level. Sectra Tiger/S 7401 was developed by Sectra under guidance from the Netherlands National Communications Security Agency (NL-NCSA). This approval confirms that the long and fruitful cooperation between Sectra and NL-NCSA meets the highest requirement for communication security. Thanks to cooperation with customers and national security authorities in numerous countries, Sectra's various solutions for secure communications have now been delivered to more than half of the EU's member states, for national use and within the context of the EU and NATO. Users include government officials, officials in the diplomatic corps, decision-makers in defense and critical infrastructure, and military personnel in the field. Common to these is that they use security-approved products to communicate securely and that they have high demands on flexibility and mobility. About Sectra Tiger/S 7401 The secure mobile phone Sectra Tiger/S 7401 is the top tier of an ecosystem of security-approved products for secure communications. The system also covers solutions for secure smartphone use and secure fixed telephony. By using Sectra Tiger Ecosystem, an organization can assign secure communication solutions based on an individual's communication and security requirements. Sectra Tiger/S 7401 also enables secure communications between different security domains. This means a user can securely communicate with colleagues in NATO, the EU and their respective national networks, with a single telephone, which is unique in the crypto industry. Download press images: communications.sectra.com/news-and-media/image-bank For further information, please contact: Jeroen de Muijnck, Managing Director of Sectra Communications BV, Tel +31 (0)70-302-3000 Simo Pykalisto, President of Sectra Communications AB and Executive Vice President of Sectra AB, Tel +46 (0)703-51-53-03 Dr. Torbjorn Kronander, CEO and President Sectra AB, Tel: 46 (0)705-23-52-27 This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com http://news.cision.com/sectra/r/sectra-tiger-approved-for-nato-secret,c2190828 The following files are available for download: SOURCE Sectra CAPE TOWN, South Africa, Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Over 520 delegates gathered in Cape Town, South Africa, for the 8th annual Argus FMB Africa Fertilizer conference, bringing the biggest conference of its kind to southern Africa for the first time. The conference was organised by leading commodity price reporting, consulting and events company Argus. The conference was opened by South Africa's minister for agriculture, forestry and fisheries, Senzeni Zokwana. "Fertilizers play a leading role in the global food industry and fertilizer is the largest and most important component to ensure abundant and affordable food for a growing population," Zokwana said, in an opening address that reinforced the importance of collaboration across the supply chain. "I am thankful that Argus FMB has taken a leadership role in organising this conference. There is a need for a commitment from all of us to work together in addressing issues that are of mutual benefit." The conference agenda featured over 30 speakers who addressed ways to increase African farmers' access to fertilizer and consequently to boost agricultural yields across the continent. "We have been running this conference for many years," Argus Media chairman and chief executive Adrian Binks said, "but in the last 12 months we have seen a big surge in interest, in line with a renewal of political will to bring transformative changes to African agriculture." The other keynote speakers included OCP AFRICA chief executive Karim Lofti Senhadji, the African Development Bank's vice-president for agriculture, human and social development, Jennifer Blanke, and the chief executive of African development partnership NEPAD, Ibrahim Assane Mayaki. The conference is supported by the International Fertilizer Association (IFA), the Africa Fertilizer and Agribusiness Partnership (AFAP) and the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) as well as by a number of other organisations involved in promoting fertilizer use in Africa. The agenda focused on increasing consumption of fertilizers and building meaningful supply chain partnerships in Africa. Speakers from the private and public sectors discussed the importance of creating enabling environments for fertilizer supply and distribution, improving access to finance and developing infrastructure that in turn will broaden intra-Africa trade, increase fertilizer consumption across the continent and ultimately boost agricultural productivity. "Argus FMB Africa Fertilizer has become known as the event that brings together the most important players in the global fertilizer trade with all the links in the African supply chain," Argus vice-president, conferences, David Monaghan said. "This conference has attracted delegates from 63 countries, of which 23 are African, and this number is going up every year, as we build on our commitment to increase access to the conference for the small-to-medium sized enterprises that are crucial to delivering appropriate and effective fertilizers to African farmers." Argus is collaborating with the West African Fertilizer Association (WAFA) to hold the West Africa Fertilizer Forum, which will take place on 9-10 May in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire. "West Africa is witnessing rapid growth in the development of its fertilizer market and this conference will focus on the specific opportunities and challenges in this region," Monaghan said. Argus conferences have provided opportunities to address issues of policy and regulation and uncover emerging trends in the fertilizer markets for over 30 years. They also provide a platform to meet and do business with leading global producers, traders and distributors. Conference banner: http://view.argusmedia.com/rs/584-BUW-606/images/FMBAfricaEmailBanner2.jpg Argus logo: http://www.argusmedia.com/cms_images/argus-logo.png For more information about Argus FMB Africa Fertilizer 2017: Meeting dates: 15-17 February 2017 Venue: The Westin Cape Town, South Africa Contact: Laura Monk, Conference Marketing Manager Tel: +44 (0) 20 7780 4352 Email: laura.monk@argusmedia.com Visit: www.argusmedia.com/fertilizer-africa About Argus Media Argus is an independent media organisation with more than 800 staff. It is headquartered in London and has 21 offices in the world's principal commodity trading and production centres. Argus produces price assessments and analysis of international energy and other commodity markets, and offers bespoke consulting services and industry-leading conferences. Companies in 140 countries around the world use Argus data to index physical trade and as benchmarks in financial derivative markets as well as for analysis and planning purposes. Argus was founded in 1970 and is a privately held UK-registered company. It is owned by staff shareholders and global growth equity firm General Atlantic. In 2011 Argus purchased FMB Consultants Ltd (FMB), a provider of price reporting, market intelligence and events to the global fertilizer industry. ARGUS, the ARGUS logo, ARGUS MEDIA, ARGUS DIRECT, ARGUS OPEN MARKETS, AOM, FMB, DEWITT, JIM JORDAN & ASSOCIATES, JJ&A, FUNDALYTICS, METAL-PAGES, METALPRICES.COM, Argus publication titles and Argus index names are trademarks of Argus Media Limited. Related Links http://www.argusmedia.com SOURCE Argus Media 5G to Dominate IoT Cellular Module Sales by 2024 BOSTON, Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the latest research from Strategy Analytics, IoT Cellular Device Sales will reflect a transition in the dominant air interface from 4G to 5G through 2025, as published by Strategy Analytics IoT Strategies service. Strategy Analytics expects sales of 4G IoT modules to peak within two years, where sales of 5G modules will commence in 2019, reaching an inflection point in 2024 as they outsell 4G modules. The Automotive vertical market will remain the single largest consumer of IoT cellular modules across the forecast period, but will significantly increase its market share position by 2025. Andrew Brown, Executive Director of Enterprise and IoT Research at Strategy Analytics, said "While massive machine type communications will not be in the first release of the 5G standard, critical IoT components of the standard such as ultra-low latency and high reliability will be standardized in the first release and completed by 2018." Matt Wilkins, Senior Analyst IoT Research at Strategy Analytics added, "The transition in dominant air interfaces in IoT is part of the ebb and flow of technology in IoT, from 3G dominance, to 4G and on to 5G. The benefits of 5G, such as low latency and long modem battery life, open up possibilities for IoT cellular devices, enabling use cases such as remote surgery providing the surgeon with the sense of touch as well as real-time video in Healthcare." The full report, IoT Cellular Device Annual Sales by Air Interface, Region by Industry Vertical, is published by the Strategy Analytics IoT Strategies (IoT) service, details of which can be found here: https://www.strategyanalytics.com/access-services/enterprise/iot/about-iot#.WKQy700aceM About Strategy Analytics Strategy Analytics, Inc. provides the competitive edge with advisory services, consulting and actionable market intelligence for emerging technology, mobile and wireless, digital consumer and automotive electronics companies. With offices in North America, Europe and Asia, Strategy Analytics delivers insights for enterprise success. www.StrategyAnalytics.com US Contact: Chris Ambrosio, +1 781 492 1800, cambrosio@strategyanalytics.com European Contact: Andrew Brown, +44(0) 1908 423 630, abrown@strategyanalytics.com Asia Contact: Gina Luk, +44(0) 1908 423 632, gluk@strategyanalytics.com Logo - http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/323745/strategy_analytics_logo.jpg Related Links http://www.strategyanalytics.com SOURCE Strategy Analytics BROOKLYN, N.Y., Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- 1 Hotels, the mission-driven luxury lifestyle hotel brand, today opens the doors of its third property and first ground-up development, 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge. Remaining true to 1 Hotels founder, Barry Sternlicht, core philosophy, "The world around us is beautiful, and we want to keep it that way." The property cultivates the best of eco-conscious design, sustainable architecture, cause-oriented partnerships, and unrivaled service. 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge Suite Situated at Pier 1, just south of the iconic Brooklyn Bridge, in Brooklyn Bridge Park with sweeping waterfront views of the Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty, 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge was developed by a joint venture partnership between Starwood Capital Group and Toll Brothers City Living, and it was designed by New York-based architecture studio, Incorporated. The property features 194 guest rooms, including 29 two- to six-bedroom suites and The Riverhouse, its Presidential Suite, with most rooms offering panoramic views of the East River, the Brooklyn Bridge and the New York City skyline. The project also includes the adjoining new condominium, Pierhouse, which consists of 106 townhome-style residences spread across two waterfront buildings and is sustainably and beautifully designed by Marvel Architects. The lobby of 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge opens to a dramatic 25-foot green wall, featuring steel grating covered in hand-placed plants and creeping vines that will evolve over time, created by landscape architecture firm, Harrison Green. A two-story industrial spiral staircase is punctuated by a sculpture of obsidian rock boulders wrapped in hand-dyed rope by Rachel Weiss. The dwellings are complemented by a 4,000 square-foot rooftop, nine-treatment room Bamford Haybarn Spa (opening in June 2017), a state- of-the-art fitness center, a yoga and barre studio operated by POE Yoga, two restaurants, an intimate 10th floor lounge, a 50-seat screening room, and lobby cocktail service. "Confronted with how far Americans were lagging behind in changing our consumption habits, I created 1 Hotels to show sophisticated travelers that they can do good, live well, and connect with both the world and the community around them," said Barry Sternlicht, 1 Hotels Founder and the Chairman and CEO of Starwood Capital Group. "Today, with the opening of 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, my vision is now realized. We were able to select every material and develop mindfully, yet the space's main purpose remains to serve, entertain and inspire with some of the best amenities found in the New York hospitality market." Narrated by Nature The 10-story hotel occupies Pier 1 in Brooklyn Bridge Park, an 85-acre beautification project that stretches 1.3 miles along the East River waterfront. The hotel project originally began in late-2011, however when Hurricane Sandy hit the East Coast in 2012, 1 Hotel's architectural drawings for the Brooklyn Bridge property had just been completed. Due to the damage and destruction, the team was informed the waterfront zoning had changed, requiring 1 Hotels to raise the building by three feet along with other code changes such as relocating mechanical equipment to the roof. Meanwhile, they could not raise the overall height of the building, which triggered a massive redesign effort. Rather than whitewashing the delay and changes caused by Sandy, the 1 Hotels team opted to honor the force of nature by tapping Olivie Ponce, an artist and creator in Bushwick, Brooklyn, to paint a watermark in remembrance of Hurricane Sandy along the walls of the corner suites. Committed to sustainability and preserving the environment, 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge was built under LEED guidelines and underscores the following efforts: The design of the hotel features a 54 percent ratio of regional and reclaimed materials, including original heart pine beams from the former Domino Sugar Factory, walnut from the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens and pine flooring from the Old Crow Distillery in Kentucky . . The hotel will eventually boast a LEED Dynamic Plaque which will measure and display the building's eco-conscious practices in real time. 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge operates a rain-water reclamation system that will reduce storm water runoff into neighboring water streams by more than 50 percent prior to the site development. The water collected will irrigate the park during summer months. (Roughly 5,000 cubic feet of water is projected to come from the hotel.) The property uses 100 percent wind power energy. The hotel features low-energy light bulbs, a Triple Clear water purification system, in-room recycling bins, and fresh dining offerings. 1 Hotels has committed to donating a percentage of sales from in-room dining and goodthings (the hotel's mini bar) to Action Against Hunger, a global humanitarian organization that takes decisive action against the causes and effects of hunger. The hotel features a nature-driven art collection, including a textured rubber sculpture, "All OVEREACHOTHER," created by Jarrod Beck from massive rubber pieces of roofing that were stripped from a big box retailer's roof during a tornado that touched down unexpectedly in Utica (Upstate New York) in the summer of 2014. Rooms & Suites with a Lady Liberty View The interiors of the 194 guest rooms and suites were designed to honor the historical significance of one of world's busiest waterwaysthe East River. The most stunning feature is a sleek floor-to-ceiling sliding window that transforms the guestroom into an open-air den with skyline views of Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty. Furnishings include a porous stone-looking table of composite wood, leather chairs and pendant leather lampshades. Many of the design details in the rooms are by local artisans, from the "crate" inspired, open-slatted wood closets, corrugated leather headboards, to the Fresnel glass light fixtures. Other room amenities include: Custom hemp-blend mattress by Keetsa wrapped in 100% organic cotton sheets Triple Clear filtered water On-demand meditation content by Biet Simkin , Meditation Leader for 1 Hotels , Meditation Leader for 1 Hotels Marble rain showers with a 5-minute, hour-glass timer to remind guests to conserve water A green moment - living plants and trees by leading landscape team, Harrison Green LCD 55-inch smart television Riverview hammocks (Skyline Suites and Riverhouse only) Complimentary Wi-Fi In-room yoga mats Cozy socks to take home Goodthings & (not so) goodthings which consists of curated refreshments and local experiences Family-friendly amenities available through the Seedlings program In addition, the hotel amenities include a fresh farm stand in the lobby, botanically driven cocktail program by Arley Marks, complimentary rides in Tesla premium electric vehicles, and valet parking for bicycles. Guests also have 24-hour access to the Field House fitness center. 1 Hotels properties are pet friendly with special amenities and no fees for visiting pets. Brooklyn Bites + Concoctions: Neighbors Located on the ground level, 1 Hotels presents Neighbors, a picnic-fare cafe offering seasonal, fresh items from local Brooklyn purveyors. The menu includes fresh fruit smoothies and super food salads. The cafe is open from 6am to 10pm each day, and during the warmer seasons, the space opens to Brooklyn Bridge Park with outdoor seating. Located on the ground level, 1 Hotels presents Neighbors, a picnic-fare cafe offering seasonal, fresh items from local purveyors. The menu includes fresh fruit smoothies and super food salads. The cafe is open from each day, and during the warmer seasons, the space opens to Brooklyn Bridge Park with outdoor seating. 1 Hotel Lobby From 4pm to 11pm daily, guests and residents of Brooklyn can sip on cocktails and freshly brewed coffee while hosting an impromptu meeting or working from their laptop. From daily, guests and residents of can sip on cocktails and freshly brewed coffee while hosting an impromptu meeting or working from their laptop. Signature Restaurant 1 Hotel's main restaurant will be opening later this spring. Details to be disclosed soon. Rooftop Pool & Bar Debuting in May 2017, the rooftop will welcome hotel guests and locals to a 4,000-square-foot urban retreat with unrivaled views of the East River, Brooklyn Bridge Park, and the Manhattan skyline. Brooklyn's newest day life hotspot will feature a 3-foot lounge pool, full-service bar, fire pits and seating spaces made from reclaimed railroad ties where up to 350 guests can relax and sip craft cocktails. The rooftop will be available for private events and small weddings. 10th Floor Lounge One floor below the rooftop, a dark, ashy wood 2,800-square-foot lounge space, surrounded in floor-to-ceiling windows, and it is expected to become New York's most coveted hideaway. The cozy den will feature a functioning fireplace and black silica furniture created by Brooklyn artist Fernando Mastrangelo. The space can seat 60 for private events, and it will open in May. The Screening Room 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge features a 50-seat screening room on the cellar level of the hotel. The 1,250-square-foot space features an 84"x140" screen with full HD-digital projection. Available for private film or television viewing events, the screening room is the ideal venue for a private gathering. Event & Meeting Spaces 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge counts more than 20,000 square feet of flexible meeting, social and event space with high-tech audio/visual equipment, featuring sliding floor-to-ceiling windows and tree-line or Skyline views. The Meadow Rue event space, located on the ground floor, opens onto the park, designed with a full wall of collapsible doors and windows to accommodate up to 1,000 guests. All spaces are named after native plants, grasses, trees and shrubbery found in the park. Wellness Amenities Anchored in the vital necessity of connection to nature, human interaction, mindfulness and movement, 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge offers wellness amenities, culling from experienced leaders in healing, mediation, nutrition, astrology and more. Guests can opt for experiences, including POE Yoga, a yoga and barre studio with infrared heat; Biet Simkin, offering mediation and wedding officiant services; and Dark Sky ceremonies/Full Moon parties that honor the cycle of our night sky and include reflective workshops, tarot card readings and Brooklyn-based DJ performances. Location & Accessibility Guests can easily access 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge by the East River Ferry, a two-minute drive over the Brooklyn Bridge or the MTA (three different subway lines). A novel amenity in the New York City area, the property also offers 300 valet parking spaces located under the hotel and universal charging stations for electric and hybrid vehicles. The property is 10 miles from LaGuardia Airport and 25 miles from John F. Kennedy International Airport. Opening Offer Available until April 16, 2017, guests who book the opening offer, "Hello Brooklyn," will receive a complimentary upgrade to the next available room type, a $25 credit towards food & drinks, and a $10 Lyft credit or two ferry passes. Rates from $350. To reserve, visit 1hotels.com/brooklyn-bridge/offers or call 877.803.1111. About 1 Hotels As a luxury lifestyle hotel brand inspired by nature, 1 Hotels cultivates the best of eco-conscious design and sustainable architecture, together with extraordinary comfort and an unrivaled level of service. 1 Hotels, which launched in 2015 with the opening of exclusive properties in Miami's South Beach and Manhattan's Central Park and is followed by Brooklyn Bridge, is inspired by a simple idea: those that travel the world also care about it. 1 Hotels upholds this vision by channeling nature through design and culinary partnerships, while connecting with the local community and taking sustainable steps to make a big difference. Additional information can be found at www.1hotels.com. About SH Group SH Group, an affiliate of global private investment firm Starwood Capital Group, is a hotel brand management company that operates 1 Hotels and Baccarat Hotels. A nature-inspired life-style brand, 1 Hotels are located in Manhattan, Miami's South Beach and opening in 2016, Brooklyn. Baccarat Hotels & Resorts is a luxury brand with its flagship property in New York and another project under development in Doha. Leveraging its marketing, design, operational and technological expertise, SH Group is the force behind some of the most groundbreaking and dynamic hotel brands in the world. SH Group also provides real estate brokerage services including leasing, rental, and management of condominiums, apartments, villas and residential homes. About Toll Brothers City Living Toll Brothers City Living is the urban development division of Toll Brothers, Inc., the nation's leading builder of luxury homes. Toll Brothers City Living brings the same quality, value, and service that luxury home buyers throughout the country have become familiar with, to some of the most dynamic urban markets in the country including New York City; Hoboken and Jersey City, New Jersey; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and the Greater Washington, D.C. metro area. Toll Brothers proudly supports the communities in which it builds; among other philanthropic pursuits, the Company now sponsors the Toll Brothers - Metropolitan Opera International Radio Network, bringing opera to neighborhoods throughout the world. To learn more about Toll Brothers City Living and its properties, visit TollBrothersCityLiving.com. SOURCE 1 Hotels CHATSWORTH, Calif., Feb. 16, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Provision Interactive Technologies, Inc. ("Provision"), a subsidiary of Provision Holding, Inc. (OTCQB:PVHO) announced today, that it has been nominated by Kiosk Marketplace to be one of the 24 nominees deserving of the first annual honors. The purpose of the awards is to honor commitment to excellence and recognize innovation. Provisions 3D Savings Center Kiosks, which generate three dimensional holographic videos, as well as coupons and promotions, has been nominated in the retail category. Readers of Kiosk Marketplace will decide which of the nominated kiosks demonstrate new ways to make user experiences more rewarding and at the same time give client locations better ways to engage with customers and/or employees at the point of sale. The winner of the Kiosk Innovation of the Year will be honored at the ICX Summit in Dallas in June and a full report will be published and available for download. Were thrilled that Kiosk Marketplace nominated our 3D Savings Center kiosk, said Provision CEO Curt Thornton. Weve worked hard to move the needle for retailers and customers at point of sale. So it is especially rewarding to be acknowledged by such an important industry outlet. The 3D Savings Center kiosk contains Provisions patented and award-winning 3D holographic display and has proven to generate a great deal of attention from retail customers. According to a recent case study, the average rate of redemption for coupons generated by Provisions 3D Savings Center was 17.4%. This is an extraordinary redemption rate when measured against the published national average coupon redemption rate of 1.2%. About Provision Interactive Technologies, Inc. Provision Interactive Technologies, Inc., a subsidiary of the publicly traded company Provision Holding, Inc. (OTCQB:PVHO), is the leading purveyor of intelligent interactive 3D holographic display technologies, software, and integrated solutions for both commercial and consumer focused applications. Provision's 3D holographic display systems represent a revolutionary technology that provides the projection of full color, high-resolution videos into space detached from the screen, without any special glasses. Provision is currently the market leader in true 3D consumer advertising display products being implemented by innovative, consumer-focused companies. Provision Holding, Inc. (OTCQB:PVHO) trades on the OTCQB venture stage marketplace for early stage and developing U.S. and international companies. Companies are current in their reporting and undergo an annual verification and management certification process. Investors can find Real-Time quotes and market information for the company on www.otcmarkets.com. For more information, visit www.provision.tv. The North American light vehicle market is on the verge of confronting significant changes which will lead the industry to a very precarious condition. The once stable and evolving industry is now getting ready for a major overhaul which can simultaneously create threats and opportunities for the regional automakers. US president Donald Trump made a number of pledges during his election campaigns related to trade and manufacturing. Some of his rhetoric was directly related to the automotive sector which included 35% tariffs on imported vehicles, bringing jobs back to the US, border adjustment tax and severe consequences for the auto investors outside the US. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160818/820590 ) Initially, the epicentre of automotive trade war rhetoric was limited to Mexico, though later on Mr. Trump also lambasted against Germany and Japan blaming for currency undervaluation. Before taking the oath, it appeared that his elections pledges would not materialise; now it is the inverse. So, taking the underlying premise of his rhetoric, the question is how much is achievable without disturbing the very fabric of the automotive industry. Unlike, the construction industry (where Mr. Trump has quite extensive experience), the automotive industry is highly global and integrated, which depends on a very convoluted supply chain structure. Most of the auto parts cross the US borders few times before ending up in a Mexican/Canadian assembly plant. The same apply to the US car makers where a sheer portion of the auto parts is imported, which would also defy the government "Buy America" rule in strict terms. The new US administration seems committed to supporting the country automotive industry, likely through protectionist measures, incentives and cajoling. This can help increasing the capacity utilisation domestically and lure further investment announcements. However, any non-market driven investment decisions by OEMs can bear significant consequences in the medium to long term. There would likely be some additional increment in the US production in the short term on the back of curbing imports, which may be at the expense of high marginal costs and distortions in the regional automotive supply chain. Mexico sources most auto parts and automotive steel from the US, so any changes in duties on either side can impact the regional supply chain. Therefore, revising NAFTA through imposing tariffs on Mexico would take its toll on the automotive industry, regardless of whether these new tariffs are agreed mutually between the members' states. We understand that Mexican vehicles' exports to the US are dominated by B and C category cars, where the profit margins are already thin. So, any imposition of tariffs or taxes can directly be passed to end users. Moreover, there is also less scope for a significant rise in production of these categories cars in the US due to limited capacity. Buyers would also have less room for substituting B and C cars with high-end vehicles such as SUVs due to constrained consumer surplus. Consequently, there would be a substantial loss of sales and delay in buying decisions. Commodity Inside ascertains that the overall US production utilisation is currently at high levels. So, beyond a certain threshold, any additional demand created due to trade diversion would be hard to meet without additional investment domestically. Building new assembly plants or relocation would not be feasible in the short run, and any such attempts would be untenable without understanding the long term dynamics. REPORT DETAILS A Ten Year Strategic Outlook for the North American Automotive Market is a timely and valuable resource necessary for examining the state of the automotive industry in North America and its future direction. The report covers the following key aspects: How will the light vehicle market perform over the next ten years in North America in the absence of protectionist measures by the US government? in the absence of protectionist measures by the US government? What will be the various scenarios for the regional demand and supply if the new US administration attempt to restrict imports from Mexico ? ? How the import tax or tariff will affect vehicle prices and capacity utilisations? How can Mexico deal with the changing landscape and what options are available under Trumponomics? deal with the changing landscape and what options are available under Trumponomics? How OEMs outside North America will respond to any changes in the US stance towards Mexico ? will respond to any changes in the US stance towards ? How the cost structure in the automotive industry will change in the wake of NAFTA revisions? Detailed analysis on demand, production and capacity dynamics in the North American light vehicle market under normal and alternative scenarios. Detailed discussions on vehicle trade restrictions and consequences. Analysis of the present and future performance of the North American Market. A Ten Year Strategic Outlook for the North American Automotive Market provides you with the following in-depth analysis: Analysis of production, capacity, trade and demand of the North American light vehicle market. Coverage of automotive trade among NAFTA members. An overview of potential investment in the regional automotive industry Forecast scenarios for the regional automotive industry under normal and protectionist measures. Trumponomics and the automotive industry-detailed discussions about the US Administration's stance on the automotive industry in North America and its implications. and its implications. Analysis of potential tariffs and border tax on B and C cars markets in the context of NAFTA. Tables, figures and charts All supportive data provided in excel To learn more about 'A Ten Year Strategic Outlook for the North American Automotive Market' report please visit https://commodityinside.com/reports/a-ten-year-strategic-outlook-for-the-north-american-automotive-market/ About Commodity Inside Commodity Inside (https://commodityinside.com/) is an independent privately owned company providing market research analysis, consulting and training to the commodities market. We specialise in glass, metal, paper and plastic industries and its end use sectors such as construction, automotive, packaging and white goods. Our consultancy arm offers specialist expertise to companies in these sectors, and helping them in making the right decisions. For further information about this report and additional research, please contact: David at [email protected] Tel: +44 (0) 207-14-00002 SOURCE Commodity Inside Ltd "Throughout the seven years since our AFSP Utah chapter was formed, we have helped educate the state, spread awareness, pass laws, fund programs, and support survivors of suicide loss and those who live with thoughts of suicide. This year, the AFSP Utah chapter was given the award of "Chapter of the Year" for the second time. I am very proud to have contributed to each of these things; but I know that the fight can't stop there! We must work every day to create a culture that's smart about mental health through education and community programs, research, advocacy, and support for those affected by suicide," said Emily Hoerner , volunteer with the AFSP Utah chapter . The establishment of a Statewide Crisis Line Commission will help to integrate existing local mental health crisis lines to ensure callers are connected to a qualified mental health professional regardless of time, date, or number of individuals trying to access the mental health crisis line, etc. The commission will study how to establish and implement a statewide mental health crisis line, including a phone number, staffing and funding mechanism to operate and maintain a statewide mental health crisis line. This is the first time AFSP is hosting a State Capitol Day in Utah, 49 other advocates will be with Ms. Hoerner. The advocates are part of a larger national movement of AFSP volunteer advocates who will be visiting 35 state capitols across the United States in spring 2017 to bring best practices in suicide prevention to state legislators. Representative Eliason has been a champion of mental health care for years. In 2015, AFSP presented him with the prestigious Allies in Action State Award for his steadfast support of suicide prevention and firearm safety and leadership over the past few years on HB 501 (2012), HB 154 (2013), HB 23 and HB 329 (2014), and last year's HB 364, which together have significantly expanded and continued to fund statewide youth suicide prevention initiatives in Utah. Suicide in Utah Suicide is the seventh leading cause of death overall in Utah. For people aged 10-24 in Utah, it is the leading cause of death. For those aged 25-44, it is the second leading cause of death. On average one person dies by suicide every 14 hours in the state. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide. AFSP creates a culture that's smart about mental health through education and community programs, develops suicide prevention through research and advocacy, and provides support for those affected by suicide. Led by CEO Robert Gebbia and headquartered in New York, AFSP has local chapters in all 50 states with programs and events nationwide. AFSP celebrates 30 years of service to the suicide prevention movement. Learn more about AFSP in its latest Annual Report, and join the conversation on suicide prevention by following AFSP on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. SOURCE American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Related Links http://www.afsp.org LAS VEGAS and EVANSTON, Ill., Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Yesterday, IBM presented Aginity with a 2017 IBM North America Top Independent Software Vendor Leadership Award. The award acknowledges the extensive collaboration between Aginity and IBM in 2016, with more than 20 successful joint deployments in North America and worldwide across industries such as retail, consumer products, media and financial services. Aginity Amp analytics management software, along with IBM Analytics and Watson Customer Engagement solutions, helps companies measurably improve business outcomes. Amp works seamlessly with IBM products including SPSS and IBM Modeler for statistics and data mining, IBM Cognos for reporting, IBM Tivoli for scheduling and IBM Campaign for marketing automation. Aginity software been deployed dozens of times alongside the IBM PureData for Analytics Solution, powered by Netezza technologies -- often in collaborative engagements with IBM Global Business Services. "We are proud to be recognized for the unique value that Aginity delivers as an IBM Business Partner from the start of the sales cycle through to full deployment of joint solutions," said Mike Blyth, executive vice president for strategic development at Aginity. "Amp helps companies overcome challenges such as siloed data or a shortage of skilled data scientists by enabling them to readily combine data from various sources and make analytic 'building blocks' accessible across users, applications and geographies." Companies can catalog analytics in Amp, which enables analysts to reuse them in a variety of applications and to build additional analytics. In one engagement, for example, Amp enabled a global company to integrate 10 years of customer data for seven brands across three geographic regions in 90 days. Efficiencies enabled by analytic reuse enabled the company to increase the number of weekly marketing offers delivered through IBM Campaign from seven to 35 while also improving the targeting of those offers. Neal Callahan, vice president of IBM Global Business Partners for North America, presented the award at the IBM PartnerWorld Leadership Conference in Las Vegas, which this year attracted more than 2,500 attendees. A Gold Level IBM Business Partner, Aginity has twice won prestigious IBM Beacon Awards in 2013 in the Retail Solutions category and in 2015 for Big Data and Analytics Solutions. In 2016, Aginity began offering Amp globally through the IBM Marketplace. About Aginity Founded in 2005, Aginity transforms the way companies compete on analytics. Aginity Amp software enables companies to create, catalog and manage analytics as assets which can then be reused consistently everywhere in the enterprise. Customers have seen significant operational cost savings and achieved improvements in business outcomes by applying the governed, reusable analytics that Amp enables. Aginity is a privately held company headquartered in the Chicago area. For more information, visit www.aginity.com. For more information: Kelly McClure, [email protected] SOURCE Aginity Related Links http://www.aginity.com SEATTLE, Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Alaska Airlines board of directors named Charu Jain vice president and chief information officer (CIO) of Alaska Airlines and Chris Berry vice president of finance and controller of Alaska Airlines and Alaska Air Group. Jain comes to the airline from IBM Global Business Services, where she led the team helping American Airlines integrate its IT systems. Prior to that she worked 20 years at United Airlines in progressive roles from programmer to senior managing director of airline operations technology and technology integration before leaving the company in 2012. As Alaska's CIO, Jain will lead a department of more than 400 information technology professionals. "Charu's experience as both an airline executive and consultant is perfectly suited to help Air Group successfully integrate Virgin America from a technology standpoint," said Brandon Pedersen, Alaska Airlines executive vice president of finance and CFO. "Throughout her 24-year career, Charu has been able to blend thoughtful leadership with a focus on results and we're excited to have her onboard." Berry joined Alaska Airlines in 2005 as director of financial reporting. He later was promoted to managing director of investor relations, and then to managing director of accounting and Alaska Air Group controller. In addition to his success as a financial leader, Berry championed several highly-acclaimed initiatives to deepen employee understanding of the financial aspects of the airline industry. Before joining Alaska, Berry worked in public accounting for Arthur Andersen and KPMG. "Chris has done excellent work over the course of his career. He embodies our corporate leadership principles, especially his 'roll-up-your-sleeves' style of working with his team and unwavering integrity," said Pedersen. "His promotion reflects his outstanding achievements, and the new complexity of his role following our merger with Virgin America." In addition, the company promoted two employees to managing director at Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air: Jennifer Thompson was named managing director commercial law, associate general counsel and assistant corporate secretary at Alaska Airlines. She will succeed Shannon Alberts, managing director of corporate affairs and corporate secretary, who announced plans to retire this summer. Thompson will serve in a combined corporate affairs/commercial law function overseeing corporate governance of the airline and its affiliates Horizon Air and Virgin America. Thompson started her career with Alaska Air Group in 2001 as an employment coordinator for Horizon Air. She later served as a paralegal and then as an attorney and senior attorney. She has been Alaska Airlines associate general counsel and assistant corporate secretary since March of 2016. Sana Gebarin was named managing director of strategy and project management at Horizon Air. She will be responsible for overseeing the airline's business strategy, communications, operations research analytics, project management, process improvement and facilities. Gebarin joined Horizon in April 2015 as director of strategy planning and execution. Prior to that she served as manager of sales operations-Americas for TekComm, held positions in the marketing and engineering departments for American Airlines, and worked as a consultant engineer in the oil and gas industry. Jain has a bachelor's degree in economics from Lucknow University in India and an MBA in International Management at Lake Forest Graduate School of Management. Berry holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Louisiana and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant. Thompson holds two bachelor's degrees from the University of Washington and a law degree from Seattle University. Gebarin holds a bachelor's in electrical engineering from Oklahoma State University. Alaska Airlines and Virgin America along with their regional partners, fly 40 million customers a year to 118 destinations with an average of 1,200 daily flights across the United States and to Mexico, Canada, Costa Rica and Cuba. With Alaska and Alaska's global partners, customers can earn and redeem miles on flights to nearly 1,000 destinations in the U.S. and worldwide. Learn more about Alaska's award-winning service and unmatched reliability at newsroom.alaskaair.com and blog.alaskaair.com. Alaska Airlines, Virgin America and Horizon Air are subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK). SOURCE Alaska Airlines Related Links http://www.alaskaair.com PETACH TIKVA, Israel, February 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Stockton STK specializes in the development and marketing of botanical based biopesticides, and Europharma AS develops, produces, packages, and distributes pharmaceuticals and fish feeds, today announced that the companies have entered a Global Exclusive development and distribution agreement of the Aquamor products' family. The agreement covers various botanical based solutions for the Salmons industry. The partnership is intended to leverage both companies' strengths, and innovative capabilities in the development, manufacturing and distribution of a combined new sustainable products, based on the existing technologies. The two companies plan to join their research and development activities, in manufacturing antibacterial feed additive Under the terms of the agreement, the product will be manufactured and supplied by Aquamor and Europharma AS, headquarter in Leknes, Norway, will distribution and sell under Aquamor brands. Aquamor will continue to manage all product registrations. "We are excited to have open a strategic distribution agreement with Europharma AS," explain Guy Elitzur, CEO of Stockton STK. "The Company is well established in the geographical regions where Aquamor products are in high demand, allowing aquaculture producers easier access to purchase our innovative sustainable solutions to meet those challenges fish farmers face today in vaccination, transportation and stress reduction. We believe that our technologies will have a significant impact in the Aquaculture industry." The aquaculture is a fastest-growing sector in animal protein production with an overall estimated market value of 50 million tons production by 2030, to meet global demand. Aquamor products reduce mortality in fish, shrimp and other aquatic organisms. The products are based on innovative formulations of organic compounds extracted from plants, which have been extensively tested and proven in clinical and field tests. "STK Aquamor has developed products that we believe can be uniquely beneficial to the aquaculture industry. We look forward to doing our part in making these products available on the global market" confirms Jim Roger Nordly, Owner and CEO of Europharma AS. About Europharma AS Europharma AS And its sister companies develops, produces, packages, and distributes fish health related products, including pharmaceuticals and fish feeds. The company was founded in 1995 and is based in Leknes, Norway, with subsidiaries in Chile, Canada and Scotland. Europharma AS operates as a subsidiary of Nordly Holding AS. For more information, please visit: http://europharma.no/ About Aquamor Aquamor, the Veterinary Unit of the STK Stockton, develops and commercializes products based on its proprietary, patented intellectual properties for the growing aquaculture industry. Aquamor provides cost-effective solutions to reduce mortality of fish, shrimp and other aquatic organisms. STK Stockton currently operates in more than 25 countries worldwide. STK Stockton's Research and Development Innovation Center is devoted to catering to the complex challenges facing modern sustainable aquaculture, and to meet today's global food consumer markets' demands. Contact: For more information, please visit our website: http://www.stockton-ag.com , or contact Judy Jamuy at: +972-52-7599242 or [email protected] SOURCE Stockton STK NEW YORK, Feb. 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Report Details The latest report from business intelligence provider visiongain offers comprehensive insight into the global commercial vehicle telematics market. Visiongain assesses that this market will generate revenues of more than $13bn in 2016. The commercial vehicle telematics industry is undeniably one of the fastest growing sectors in the commercial vehicles sector. Now: TomTom Telematics will be highlighting the latest developments in connected fleet management systems at this month's CV Show. This is an example of the business critical headline that you need to know about - and more importantly, you need to read visiongain's objective analysis of how this will impact your company and the industry more broadly. How are you and your company reacting to this news? Are you sufficiently informed? Questions answered by this report - How is the commercial vehicle telematics market evolving and what is driving and restraining the market dynamics? - How will each one of the commercial vehicle telematics submarket segments grow and which technologies will prevail? - How will the national commercial vehicle telematics markets change by 2026 and which geographical region will lead the CVT market? - Who are the leading commercial vehicle telematics players and what are their prospects over the forecast period? - And what are the trends in the commercial vehicle telematics market? We break down the most important subsegments within the commercial vehicle telematics market but also the key connectivity type's, service providers', countries' and player's competitive positioning and characteristics that will make them lead this specific market. How this report will benefit you Read on to discover how you can exploit the future business opportunities emerging in this sector. Visiongain's new study tells you and tells you NOW. In this brand new report you find 201 in-depth tables, charts and graphs, and trends all unavailable elsewhere. The 174 page report provides clear detailed insight into the global commercial vehicle telematics market. Discover the key drivers and challenges affecting the market. By ordering and reading our brand new report today you stay better informed and ready to act. Report Scope - 201 tables, charts and graphs analysing the CVT market - Overview of the commercial vehicle telematics market by connectivity and service provider type - Global commercial vehicle telematics market forecast 2016 - 2026 and analysis of drivers and restraints - Global forecasts of 7 individual commercial vehicle telematics submarkets by connectivity and service provider type covering the period 2016 2026 - Global forecast of commercial vehicle sales and major trends for the period 2016 2026 - Global commercial vehicle shipments with telematics forecast and analysis for the 2016 2026 - Forecast of the global penetration of commercial vehicle telematics systems for the 2016 2026 - Analysis of the commercial vehicle telematics technologies which are expected to become mandatory in major regions - Commercial vehicle telematics forecasts and analysis of the 12 leading national markets for the period 2016-2026. - In greater detail, we provide: - The Status of the commercial vehicle telematics market in 2014-2015 including: - The most notable developments in telematics for commercial vehicles - Overview of the M&A within the commercial vehicle telematics market - Examination of the commercial vehicles market during 2005-2015 - Segmentation of the commercial vehicle telematics market into 2 types submarkets: - By type of connectivity into embedded, integrated and tethered solutions - By service provider into OEM hardware, aftermarket hardware, telematics services, and connectivity services submarkets - Market value forecast of the global commercial vehicle telematics market (revenues $bn) throughout 2016 to 2026 coupled with: - Analysis of the micro, macro and regulatory drivers of growth in the market - Identification of the restraints & the challenges that the market faces until 2026 - Market Value ($bn) Forecast 2016-2026 of the two submarkets along with: - Individual examination of drivers and restraints of each secondary submarkets - Allocation of submarket shares in the global commercial vehicle telematics market for 2016, 2021, and 2026 respectively - Market value forecast ($bn) of the commercial vehicle telematics market in the 12 leading national markets: United States, Canada, Brazil, Germany, UK, France, Italy, China, Japan, India, South Korea and Russia - Forecast for sales of commercial vehicles during 2016 to 2026 allocation of regional market shares in sales of CV for 2016, 2021, and 2026 - Forecast of smartphone and tablet shipments 2016-2026 to support the growth of telematics in commercial vehicles - SWOT analysis of each one of the individual commercial vehicle telematics submarkets - Profiles of the leading companies within the commercial vehicle telematics market comprising 12 leading aftermarket telematics providers & and 4 leading OEM telematics providers for commercial fleets: - Analysis of their role in the CVT market and overview of their portfolio (up-to-date) with regards to telematics hardware - Company financials (Group Revenues, Profits) - Assessment of their subscription revenue and number of telematics subscribers (where available) - Conclusions How will you benefit from this report? - Keep your knowledge base up to speed. Don't get left behind - Reinforce your strategic decision-making with definitive and reliable market data - Learn how to exploit new technological trends - Realise your company's full potential within the market - Understand the competitive landscape and identify potential new business opportunities & partnerships Who should read this report? - Anyone within the commercial vehicle logistics and fleet management industry - Aftermarket Companies for Connected Vehicles - Automotive Safety Systems Companies - Connectivity Solution Companies, - Collision Avoidance Systems Companies - Telematics Solution Companies - Diagnostics Companies - V2X Safety and Security Companies - Road Safety Authorities - Telecommunication Companies - Business intelligence analyst - Competitive intelligence analyst - Business operations manager - Product development manager - Business development managers - Marketing managers - Technologists - Suppliers - Investors - Banks - Government agencies - Contractors Visiongain's study is intended for anyone requiring commercial analyses for the commercial vehicle telematics value chain and leading companies. You find data, trends and predictions. Buy our report today Commercial Vehicle Telematics Market 2016-2026: Top Companies & Connectivity Solutions For Fleet Management, Logistics, Tracking, Routing & Navigation For Fuel Efficiency, Driver Monitoring, Safety, Diagnostics & Predictive Analytics. Avoid missing out by staying informed get our report now. Read the full report: http://www.reportlinker.com/p03837894-summary/view-report.html About Reportlinker ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place. http://www.reportlinker.com __________________________ Contact Clare: [email protected] US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001 SOURCE Reportlinker Related Links http://www.reportlinker.com TAMPA, Fla., Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- AACSB International (AACSB) announces that Binghamton University-SUNY has earned accounting accreditation for its School of Management. Founded in 1916, AACSB International is the longest serving global accrediting body for business schools that offer undergraduate, master's, and doctorate degrees in business and accounting. "AACSB congratulates Binghamton University and dean Upinder Dhillon on earning AACSB Accreditation for its accounting program," said Robert D. Reid, executive vice president and chief accreditation officer of AACSB International. "They, along with many dedicated faculty and staff members, are to be commended for their respective roles in earning accreditation in accounting, as well as for maintaining excellence in their overall business programs." AACSB Accreditation is the hallmark of excellence in business education, and has been earned by less than five percent of the world's business programs. Today, there are 786 business schools in 53 countries and territories that maintain AACSB Accreditation. Similarly, 186 institutions maintain an additional specialized AACSB Accreditation for their accounting programs. Achieving accreditation is a process of rigorous internal review, engagement with an AACSB assigned mentor, and peer review. During the multi-year process the school focuses on developing and implementing a plan to align with AACSB's Accreditation standards. These standards require excellence in areas relating to strategic management and innovation; student, faculty, and staff as active participants; learning and teaching; and academic and professional engagement. To realize accounting accreditation, an institution must first earn or maintain AACSB Business Accreditation. Then, in addition to developing and implementing a mission-driven plan to satisfy the business accreditation quality standards, accounting accreditation requires the satisfaction of an additional set of accreditation standards that are specific to the discipline and profession of accounting. "It takes a great deal of self-evaluation and determination to earn both accounting and business accreditation, and I commend Binghamton University for its dedication to business education, as well as its leadership in the community," said Reid. "Through accreditation, the School of Management has not only met specific standards of excellence, but has also made a commitment to ongoing improvement to ensure that the institution will continue to deliver high quality education to its students." AACSB International also announced that Asia University-Taiwan, ISC Paris, Johns Hopkins Carey Business School, Soochow University, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Thammasat University, and University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point have earned accreditation in business. About AACSB International As the world's largest business education network connecting academe with business, AACSB provides business education intelligence, quality assurance, and professional development services to more than 1,500 member organizations across 97 countries and territories. Founded in 1916, AACSB Accreditation is the highest standard of quality in business education, with over 785 business schools accredited worldwide. AACSB's global headquarters is located in Tampa, Florida, USA; its Asia Pacific headquarters is located in Singapore; and its Europe, Middle East, and Africa headquarters is located in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. For more information, visit www.aacsb.edu. SOURCE AACSB International Related Links http://www.aacsb.edu PENNINGTON, N.J., Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- BNY Mellon's Albridge today announced the introduction of a redesigned Albridge Wealth Reporting platform. The redesigned platform features a highly responsive and intuitive user experience backed with extensive data access, providing financial professionals with a complete view of assets and performance and, in return, enabling them to increase efficiencies and deliver better insights to clients. Albridge is an affiliate of Pershing and Albridge Wealth Reporting is used by over 80,000 financial professionals at over 140 financial organizations who will benefit from the new interface over a phased rollout during the first half of 2017. A demo of the newly designed platform is being showcased at the 2017 T3 Advisor Conference in Orange County at booth #514 this week. "We've designed the new Albridge experience to continue to respond to the needs of our increasingly diverse user base," said Trevor Davies, director of product at Albridge. "This application provides firms, financial professionals and investors with the most critical information, whenever and wherever they need it." The upgrade was built from client feedback, with the goal of creating an application that all users could access for one complete view of assets and performance. To help maximize all users' experiences, the popular portfolio dashboard feature, which offers an overview and click-through detail on portfolio composition, performance and asset allocation, is now available to investors, as well as financial professionals. Albridge Wealth Reporting's new user experience improvements include: Simple navigation, with global predictive type-ahead search to help users easily find key information Greater customization to establish preferred views at a financial professional and an investor level Enhanced efficiency where financial professionals can save up to 40 recently run reports for instant access, and have one-click access to those reports and third-party providers via a Quick Links section Multi-tasking capability that allows reports to run in the background while financial professionals or investors access other application features A portfolio dashboard that allows views and summaries of account detail and performance for specific time periods and across different criteria For more information on the new Albridge Wealth Reporting, visit www.Albridge.com, view the Quick Reference Guide or FAQ. About Albridge BNY Mellon's Albridge, an affiliate of Pershing LLC, is a leading provider of enterprise data management solutions that deliver a single view of an investor's broad range of assets. Our proprietary technology consolidates and reconciles client account and transaction data from hundreds of data sources representing banking, brokerage, insurance, retirement, managed accounts and more. Albridge processes this cleansed data and uses it to power a variety of downstream technology solutions, including performance reporting, sales practice monitoring, data warehousing, business intelligence, imaging and workflow. Albridge provides the foundation for financial organizations to leverage a single source of information to power a number of mission critical technology applications. Additional information is available at albridge.com. About BNY Mellon's Pershing BNY Mellon's Pershing and its affiliates provide global financial business solutions to advisors, asset managers, broker-dealers, family offices, registered investment advisor firms and wealth managers. A financial services firm located in 23 offices worldwide, Pershing provides business-to-business solutions to clients representing 6 million active investor accounts on the U.S. platform. Pershing affiliates are members of every major U.S. securities exchange, and its international affiliates are members of the Deutsche Borse, Australian Stock Exchange, Irish Stock Exchange, London Stock Exchange and Toronto Stock Exchange. Pershing LLC (member FINRA/NYSE/SIPC) is a BNY Mellon company. Additional information is available on pershing.com, or follow us on Twitter @Pershing. About BNY Mellon BNY Mellon is a global investments company dedicated to helping its clients manage and service their financial assets throughout the investment lifecycle. Whether providing financial services for institutions, corporations or individual investors, BNY Mellon delivers informed investment management and investment services in 35 countries and more than 100 markets. As of December 31, 2016, BNY Mellon had $29.9 trillion in assets under custody and/or administration, and $1.6 trillion in assets under management. BNY Mellon can act as a single point of contact for clients looking to create, trade, hold, manage, service, distribute or restructure investments. BNY Mellon is the corporate brand of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (NYSE: BK). Additional information is available on www.bnymellon.com. Follow us on Twitter @BNYMellon or visit our newsroom at www.bnymellon.com/newsroom for the latest company news. Contact: Sanuber Grohe (201) 413 2247 [email protected] SOURCE BNY Mellon Related Links http://www.bnymellon.com